July 23, 2006

BIKERNET SUNDAY POST –

bikefest bikini winner 11

The Sunday before the Ride To Sturgis,

Hang on. I still don’t have a couple of major parts and paint. I’m biting my nails and marching up and down the concrete decks. A brother is flying in from Boston on Wednesday and all the hotels are paid for into the Badlands with the Hamsters. It rained this morning in Wilmington, California. That’s unheard of. It felt like a Durango, Colorado monsoon.

Bikernet will be headquartered at Thunder Road on Lazelle in Sturgis and the Girls of Bikernet will be housed at the HardBikes tent on Lazelle. I’ll be in hiding in some small town bar in Wyoming. This news will blow your mind, including the lax Sturgis girlie dress code:

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This is Kimberly, on assignment for the Girls of Bikernet, in Sturgis. She’s demonstrating unacceptable pasties.

STURGIS BIKINI CODE FOR THE HARDBIKES GIRLS OF BIKERNET– Okay, straight from the PD – thongs and pasties okay as long as the important parts are covered up. Pasties must cover nipples and areolas and thongs must cover front. How’s that work for you ya sick bastards!

–Pepper

wcc bike

DAMONS IS BACK– Show Winning Paint & Design for Discriminating Builders.

After a brief hiatus, DAMONS is back doing what they do best, creating SHOW WINNING PAINT schemes for cars and motorcycles. Damon’s is now a division of MOTIVNATION, a forward looking, retro aware automotive management entity dedicated to hot rodding and chopper building with customer satisfaction as the primary directive.

Damon’s has been the leader in custom paint design & application since 1965. Our customers include names such as: Jesse James West Coast Choppers, Bandit, Hot Match Customs, DreamWorks Studios, Bruce Willis, Lorenzo Lamas, Pamela Anderson, Kyle Petty, and many more. Expect innovative new custom products and services for two and four wheeled vehicles from the DAMONS-MOTIVNATION team.

We are back in business with the deepest shine, the most sophisticated graphics, and the most elaborate custom paint designs ever to grace the sheet metal of your favorite custom toy. Nobody Does It Better! Nobody even comes close! If you want the best, give us a call at:

DAMONS
1741 East Lambert Road
La Habra, CA 90631
Phone: (562) 266-1445
Fax: (562) 266-1774
E-Mail: info@damonsmc.com

Or

MOTIVNATION
18101 Von Karman Avenue Suite 330
Irvine, CA 92612
Phone (888)-258-6458
Fax (888)-258-6456
E-Mail info@MotivNation.com

white bike side

JUST FINISHED– Hey, how’s it goin’? Here’s a shots of a Heritage Softail I just finished. I don’t know if it’s feature material or if I should throw it into the reader’s showcase. I’ll let you decide.

–Mike Adams

Whatta ya tink readers? I voted for the readers showcase because it’s predominately stock.–Bandit

ALIENS REPORT FROM NEW MEXICO– You may remember that on July 8, 1947, witnesses claim an unidentified object with five aliens aboard crashed on a sheep-cattle ranch just outside Roswell, New Mexico. This is a well known incident that many say… has been profusely covered up by the Air Force and the US government.

However……. what you may NOT well know is that on March 31, 1948, exactly nine months after that historic day, Al Gore was born. That piece of information now has cleared up a lot of things.

–Magic Wrench
Divide, Co.

MRFa

MRF ANNOUNCES FEDERAL MOTORCYCLE SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM USERS GUIDE– The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is pleased to announce the finalization of the National Highway Traffic Administration’s (NHTSA) Motorcycle Safety Grant Program.

This program is the direct result of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the supporting State Motorcycle Rights Organizations (SMRO’s) and all the individual motorcyclists who have lobbied for this program over the past four years.

This program will provide much needed federal dollars from the Highway Trust Fund to the individual State’s to help fund motorcycle safety programs. The grant program runs annually through 2009 and sets aside $25 million dollars to be spent at $100,000.00 a year per State.

In order to be eligible for the funds The States must meet one of six criteria and two the second and subsequent years. The criteria are that the applying State must have:

1. A motorcycle rider training program
2. A motorcycle awareness program
3. A reduction in fatalities involving motorcycles
4. An effective impaired driving program
5. A reduction in fatalities and accidents involving impaired motorcyclists
6. Use of fees collected from motorcyclist for motorcycle programs must be used for motorcycle programs

The MRF is also pleased that the final program retains all of the same intents set forth by Congress in the original legislation. For a complete guide to the program and all of the specifics on how, where and when to apply visit: http://www.mrf.org/pdf/Grantguide.pdf

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There’s Big Mike, from BMC (center), with his brother a San Jose Hells Angel and another Hawaiian Club member from Hawaii at the Paradise Bikefest.

WYOMING TOWN PREPARES FOR HELLS ANGELS RALLY–CODY, Wyo. — Gail Nace can’t help but smile, talking about Hells Angels and the business they’ll bring her downtown bar when they ride into town this week for a major gathering.

Barbara Hoy is excited, too. Experience tells the arts-and-crafts dealer that bikers, who often stop in this tourist town on trips to nearby Yellowstone National Park, are free with their money and don’t mind the prices.

“These people have nothing but money to spend,” she said. But Hells Angels, with their outlaw image, aren’t just any bikers, and not everyone is rolling out the welcome mat. At least one business plans to close while the bikers are in town Wednesday through Sunday, and some business owners are nervous or taking special precautions. There are concerns, too, that either Hells Angels or the beefed-up law enforcement contingent planned for the group’s World Run will scare off tourists during the height of Cody’s bread-and-butter travel season.

“We’ll be glad when they’re gone,” City Administrator Laurie Kadrich said.

Angels

For months, city officials have been preparing for the rally, which she said they were tipped to by businesses reporting room reservations under such listings as “HAMC” – Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

The Chief’s biggest worry: crowds, and the possibility for conflict. Not only will Hells Angels be here – with as many as 1,500 people, by one law enforcement estimate – but Cody’s popular nightly rodeo also will be going on, and the Park County fair will be in a nearby town. Rockvam expects the mystique surrounding Hells Angels will draw a fair number of gawkers to places the bikers are hanging out, like Nace’s bar.

–Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005

Cartoon nude

NEW OWNERS AT GUNNERS LOUNGE —

Sturgis’ premier watering hole has a new owner. Gary Prince from Beckley, WV took over from John and Holly Perkovich in April 2006. Gunner’s Lounge is a landmark on Sturgis famed Main Street. It’s known for friendly hospitality to bikers and locals alike. Many bikers don’t consider a trip to Sturgis complete without stopping at Gunners for a cold one.

Before moving to Sturgis, Gary retired as an athletic director and college football coach in West Virginia. Gary first visited Sturgis in 1992. His first trip on a Harley was 2004, riding a 2003 Fatboy. He can now be seen everyday riding a sweet 06 Street Glide.

Gary claims to have hired absolutely the hottest bartenders and waitresses for this year’s Sturgis Bike Week. Gunner’s Lounge has a reputation for having the best air conditioner of any business in town. On a hot day, there’s nothing like stepping off the noisy and congested Main Street sidewalk into the cool refuge of Gunner’s Lounge. Gary’s wife Marquita will complete the move to Sturgis this fall, after she completes her job as Executive Director of Hospice for Southern West Virginia.

Jessica
Here’s Jessica, soon to be a Girl of Bikernet feature with a Lucky Devil bike. She’ll do as the Girl of Bikernet Sculpture model anytime. Photo by Darryl Briggs.

STURGIS GETS NEW SCULPTURE– Whoever thought Sturgis would one day be at the epicenter of the art world? In the tradition of Gutzon Borglum who carved Mt. Rushmore and Korczak Ziolkowski who carved Crazy Horse in the Black Hills, now there is Doug Clark and Mt. Rodney right here in Sturgis. Clark, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield, moved to Sturgis last year and began construction of Mt. Rodney’s Luxury RV Park just north of Sturgis on the hill overlooking town. To commemorate the completion of his new park, Clark unveiled a giant bust of himself (or is it Rodney?) this week. Local residents are searching their hearts for some appropriate way to show Doug their appreciation. The new bust has the whole town talking as it’s the first significant cultural improvement in the ! community since the Graveyard scene was painted on the side of the Road Kill Caf? building.

–from Rogue

dilana singer

BIKERBABE IN ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA COMPETITION– Three weeks have past since the start of the Rockstar Supernova competition and our singing biker babe, Dilana, is still knocking them dead with every performance. She’s rockin’ and rollin’ every week and is obviously one of the band’s favorites. Her performances have been head and shoulders above the competition.

The opening of the premier show featured a clip of Dilana gearing up and riding off on a Harley. Her performance of Nirvana’s Lithium earned her an encore request from the band that first week. Week two she turned Johnnie Cash’s Ring of Fire into an entrancing two minutes. This week it was Zombie, by The Cranberries, that had the crowd rocking. I think she would have been asked for encores all three weeks except that the band isn’t allowed to show that type of favoritism. Gotta spread the love, you know.

If you haven’t checked out a show yet, tune in to CBS on Tuesday nights at 9:00 PM Eastern and see for yourself how well she’s representing the Bikernet family. The results from Tuesday’s show are given on Wednesday’s at 8:00 PM Eastern. Catch a good show highlighted by an awesome performance from Dilana and don’t forget to go out on www.rockstar.msn.com and throw a few votes her way. I’ve included a couple of pictures of Dilana taken for the show by the Rockstar photographer, Danny Moloshok.

–Chuck
criddle123@earthlink.net

RFR girl
Another girl coming to Girls of Bikernet from Darryl Briggs.

HELP US HELP GEORGE WALK AGAIN!–Car and motorcycle charity cruise.

Trophies Awarded by Peoples Choice
Dash Plaques for the 1st 100

Early registration (412) 678-7379 $10/car $5/bike

Live Coverage by Pittsburgh’s own Frankie Day on 770 KFB Oldies from 1pm to 6pm by Frankie

Door Prizes
50/50 raffle
Door Prizes
A.R.M. Moonwalk
Face Paintings
Food

McKeesport High School
1960 Eden Park Blvd. McKeesport, Pa.
August 27th 2006 12 Noon
Rain Date: September 10th 2006 12 Noon

A graduate of McKeesport High School and former football player, George had just finished his first year as a plumbing apprentice. On May 24th his life was forever changed due to a tragic motorcycle accident. George suffered multiple internal injuries and the amputation of his right leg above the knee. He also has extensive damage to the left leg that will require further surgeries and intensive rehabilitation. Help us make George’s hope of receiving a computerized-leg a reality.

(Insurance will only cover $7,000 towards a $50,000 to $80,000 prosthetic.)

blonde
Don’t miss the Girls of Bikernet at Hardbike’s booth, from SamDixon.com.

HARDBIKES AND THE GIRLS OF BIKERNET ARE HEADING TO STURGIS–We are ready to deal! Sturgis is the place to buy!

Where: Lazelle and 7th St. Across from J&P Cycles
When: Saturday August 5th thru August 12th 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
What: Sturgis 2006 Hardbikes Display Daily Demonstrations at 10:00 AM and 3:00PM
Featuring: Burn Out Opening

What to Consider When Designing and Fitting a Motorcycle by Bob Kay of HARDBIKES

Girls of Bikernet Fashion Show Featuring Hardbikes Apparel Cusotm Paint Layout by Scott Doherty of Airea 5150

Over 30 Custom Bikes Will Be Available For Sale and Immediate Delivery. With Show Specials and On-Site Financing

Get Your Picture Taken With Hardbodies GIRLS OF BIKERNET on Hardbikes! And More…So come on down and check out the action.

http://www.hardbikes.com

LA COUNTY CHOPRODS

ASSIST IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WAR VETERANS–Here is something you can do right now to assist Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. VFA recently asked you to contact your Senators supporting several key amendments beneficial to service members and veterans. Your efforts were successful: the provisions we supported were approved in the Senate. Now, however, they face the joint Conference committee, where these important amendments can be killed. You can make a difference right now by sending a message to Congress asking that these important provisions stay in the defense budget.

Click here to view Steve Robinson’s legislative update (you’ll need Quicktime to view the video: http://www.VeteransforAmerica.org

Royal1

GOOD ROYAL ENFIELD NEWS– The parent company of Royal Enfield is Eicher Motors, a public limited company. The current head of Eicher is a young man named Siddartha Lal. The Lal family is currently the single largest shareholder in the company. He is has a highly sophisticated executive with a graduate level degree in automotive engineering from a prominent British University. To call him a motorcycling enthusiast would be a gross understatement. When he was being groomed to take over the parent company, he spent time as the CEO of Royal Enfield and it is his personal passion. He looks at the motorcycle company as a personal challenge. During his tenure at Royal Enfield Motors (REM) he developed a vision for the company that has been its guide over the past couple of years.

Since the time that Eicher purchased REM (mid to late 90?s) they have been investing large amounts of money into the company and have totally modernized the plant and invested heavily in R & D. Since Siddartha took over, this process has accelerated dramatically. I have been involved with this company for over 8 years and the changes I have witnessed are remarkable.

Sales at REM have been so strong both in the US and the rest of the world that we have run out of bikes twice ourselves this year and have struggled to get production slots to make up the difference as the plant is running near capacity. We sold more bikes by April than we usually sell by August. These increased sales have put a lot of pressure on us to keep with parts and accessories and we have had to add several people to our staff in the past couple of months just to keep up.

Royal2

Siddhartha?s vision for the company is to accelerate its growth with a strong focus on export markets. Royal Enfield produced about 30,000 bikes last year which is more than they have ever produced. 30,000 may not seem like a large number of bikes compared to other manufacturers in India like Bajaj (who over sell 2,000,000 units in a year), but one has to understand the economics of the situation. Bajaj and the other manufacturers make 100cc-175cc bikes for the mass market. Royal Enfield is a niche player in the high-end market which is much more profitable on a unit by unit basis. They don?t need to sell the same numbers of bikes to be profitable that the large mass-market companies do. Being in a niche market they do not compete on size or price.

Since the economic explosion in India, the market has shifted quickly and dramatically from bicycles and scooters to small cc motorcycles. The concept of a motorcycle as a leisure object is a new one in India.

Siddartha and his team are accomplishing their goals as evidenced by the following: Record sales, plant modernization, new product and the recruitment of a new top-notch management team. Over the past year he has put in place at all levels in the company some of the best motorcycle and manufacturing executives in India, if not the world. There has been some publicity about the hiring of a new CEO, Mr. R. L. Ravichandran last September, but that is the tip of the iceberg. Mr. Ravichandran has recruited some world-class executives and has overhauled the entire management team over the past 6 months. I have met Mr. Ravichandran several times myself and am very impressed with his abilities. We were visited here yesterday by the new head of quality Dr. K. P Nair. He was responsible for Bajaj Motors achieving Japanese-level quality and lowering the warranty costs from over $20 per unit to less than 50 cents. Dr. Nair is a truly impressive individual and wowed us with his presentation about the latest strategy for quality improvement. While there is much to be done, the train has left the station!

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Part of the overall strategy is to greatly expand sales in the export and domestic markets. Most of the future strategies have already been put in place but have not been made public at this point, These are realistic goals given what is going on at Royal Enfield and in India at present. In order to become a solid player in the international market REM recognizes the need to attract strategic partners. Some of the areas one would think about are technology and capital. REM believes (as I do) that they (REM) are a very attractive partner, particularly given their recent successes, modern plant and equipment and experience in manufacturing.

Making REM an independent entity in the current restructuring was necessary in order to free up the company to attract those strategic partners. Securities law dictates that much of what is in the works cannot be talked about publicly at this point, but the reasons for the spin-off are easy to understand and do not relate to ?turmoil? (as nay-sayers would like to imply), but rather to success.

The good news for us in the US is that export markets are getting more attention and this will eventually lead to larger motorcycles with world class quality. REM will not abandon our bread and butter, the Classic bike, but our total product line will get bigger and better over time.

If you have any questions please feel free to call me or e-mail me at Kevin@enfieldmotorcycles.com

–Kevin Mahoney
President
Royal Enfield USA
A Division of Classic Motorworks
1-800-201-7472
mailto:Kevin@enfieldmotorcycles.com

DKCC_LMF_AIH2

DKCC DOES IT-YET AGAIN– Doug Keim Creative Cycles’ (DKCC) L.M.F. (Loud Mother *ucker) exhaust pipes are making more noise than ever. Due to popular demand, L.M.F. and M.M.F. (Muzzled Mother *ucker) pipes can now be fitted to American IronHorse motorcycles. The L.M.F. is down and dirty loud featuring stepped headpipes merging into a huge outlet. But if you’re looking to avoid unwanted (and expensive) attention from law enforcement, the M.F.F. gives you the same wicked external appearance as the L.M.F. with a non-removable steel baffle. These pipes are made of heavy-gauge steel for durable strength and to reduce chances of discoloration if chromed.

That means they can take whatever your bike dishes out-be it an American IronHorse, any H-D big twin model and most custom applications including right-side drive models, as long as the bike has forward controls. Doug Keim Creative Cycles’ L.M.F. and M.M.F.s are available in raw finish, but full finish is available as a custom order. For more information, contact: Doug Keim Creative Cycles, (732) 751-1403, www.dougkeim.com.

BIKERNET CORRESPONDENT STUDIES–The teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment. Ask their parent’s to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it.

The next day the kids came back, and one by one began to tell their stories.

“Tony, do you have a story to share?”

Yes Um. My daddy told a story about my Aunt Caroline. She was a pilot in Desert Storm, and her plane got hit. She had to bailout over enemy territory, and all she had was a flask of whiskey, a pistol, and a survival knife. She drank the whiskey on the way down so it wouldn’t break, and then her parachute landed her right in the middle of twenty enemy troops.

She shot fifteen of them with the gun until it ran out of bullets. Killed four more with the knife, until the blade broke, and then she killed the last Iraqi with her bare hands.

“Good heavens! said the horrified teacher” What kind of moral did your daddy tell you from this horrified story.

Stay the Fuck away from Aunt Caroline when she’s drinking.

–from James Schnarr

AMA BANNER

AMA SURVEY REQUESTS– The American Motorcyclist Association is asking all of us–AMA members or otherwise–to complete and mail the survey found on pages 25-26 of the August 2006 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine, also downloadable from here: http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/AMA_Survey_200608.pdf

The survey header reads as follows: “Every two years, the AMA’s Government Relations Department surveys the Association’s members to assist in establishing government relations policies and priorities. Last month, we surveyed members on off-highway issues. This month, we’re asking road riders to share their views about highway issues. Knowing how you ride and what you consider important in motorcycling enables us to do a better job of setting AMA government relations priorities. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to complete and return this survey by August 31…”

AND I HOPE YOU WILL, TOO!

This survey could not have come out at a better time. Because like it or not, state helmet law issues are rapidly being absorbed into a national helmet law war. The American Automobile Association is spearheading the attack for the cagers, and the only entity on our side that might possibly be able to counter their moves is the AMA.

So please, do take a few moments to download, print, complete and mail this survey to the AMA. Pay close attention to your responses on questions 15 through 21, and send them a clear message that it is time for AMA to start aggressively defending our rights against the AAA and other well-heeled national lobbies who are taking them away.

Lids Yes … Lid Laws No!

BUNG KING BANNER

BUNGKING TECHS COME TO BIKERNET– I had my web buddy throw some graphics together for me today, I hope it is what you were looking for. I am more than interested in doing any tech articles or features, if you haven’t checked out my site yet please do any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I have been developing a bunch of other products as well and they should be on the site shortly as well as a link to your site. Thanks again for helping me promote my shop and the quick response. My shop is my livelyhood not just a hobby, and it can be a little scary to jump out on your own. It’s great to know that there are people like yourself willing to help me out.

–Darin Morris

kum and go station

DIGITAL DISCOVER IN THE BADLANDS– An actual gas station franchise found all over S Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Iowa and Illinois. Just filled up this afternoon and couldn’t believe the name. What a group of completely oblivious people to not only think it up, but like it enough to ok it. I laugh every time I pass one.

I went in just to be sure there wasn’t a wall of booths with quarter slots.

–from a Bikernet Reader

LionLogo-white-small1

Our new logo in progress from George Fleming.

RIDER FATALITIES REPORT– NHTSA released a new fatality analysis on June 30, 2006, “Recent Trends in Fatal Motorcycle Crashes: An Update” (DOT HS 810 606).

According to it, the median age for motorcycle ownership is 41 years old and 75 percent of all riders who died were properly licensed.

The under 30 age group still represents the greatest number of rider fatalities but the proportion of 40+ rider fatalities continues to grow. Older riders, however, are still under-represented for their proportion in the motorcycling population.

Fatalities still represent the buying patterns by age group: younger riders are more likely to die on 501-1,000 cc bikes and older riders on 1,001-1,500 cc. bikes.

Interestingly, speeding-related fatalities decreased by 6 percentage points from 1995 to 2004 and the majority of those fatalities were in the under 30 age group and involved 501-1,000 cc motorcycles.

Riding appears to still be a leisure activity with the rate of fatalities at 2.5 higher than during the weekdays. Weekend fatalities have increased to an average of 16 per weekend while weekday crashes are approximately 8 per week.

Younger riders on 501-1,000 cc. motorcycles are the majority of those who die during the week And more of those younger riders die on urban roads in multi-vehicle accidents.

The majority of older riders die on 1,001-1,500 cc. bikes on rural roadways (on weekends).

However, if gas prices truly are driving motorcycle sales this year, it may be that weekday rates for kinds of motorcycles and age may reflect an increase in motorcycle commuting in the next year.

Alcohol-involvement continues to fall-but those who do ride after drinking and die are much more likely to exceed the legal limit (0.08%) than merely be a little intoxicated. And those dead drunk riders are much more likely to be from age 30-49 than any other age group.

In terms of many issues, while the numbers have increased, there hasn’t been significant change in the proportions in the past ten years. There’s still about the same proportion of: younger riders vs. older riders; helmet use vs. non-use; rural vs. urban roadway deaths; single-vehicle vs. multi-vehicle fatalities; motorcycle operators to passengers.

The vast majority of riders (72 percent) still die on undivided roadways with another 17 percent dying on roadways that have medians but no median barriers.

And, while the number of women rider fatalities has doubled, the proportion of fatalities remain the same: men are still 90 percent of all fatalities while women still represent only 10 percent of all fatalities-even though they are now over 12 percent of the riding population.

Assuming that NHTSA’s analysis is correct, it is interesting in itself. And it should have an application to rider training since the typical student now falls into that over 40 age group-and, perhaps just as significantly, the under 30 rider is not well-represented in the classes.

It seems obvious–at least to me–that the fatality portrait should inform the rider training curriculum; the curriculum should specificlly address the issues the update reveals. But apparently, it’s not obvious to the M$F.

The first thing that occurs to me is the high rate of licensed rider fatalities. It outstrips any correlation with age or engine displacements and certainly is more sobering than the drop in BAC-involvement and speeding. The vast majority of riders who are dying were legally, properly licensed. Which, duh, meant they passed either the M$F course or the state DMV licensing test.

It’s long been believed that licensing is directly related to the safety course: people take it to avoid the DMV test. Rider ed cannot take credit-nor would it want to-for the 75% rate of licensing among all rider fatalities. Even so, if what M$F led rider educators to believe is true, then it would be expected that a significant number of those licensed dead riders went through rider training. Which doesn’t necessarily speak well for rider training.

Nor does it speak well for the licensing tests the states use. Tests that were developed by M$F–but were developed decades ago and have not changed.

But NHTSA in paying M$F federal money to develop the licensing tests (and once again, M$F then copyrighted the tests even though they were paid for by federal money) intended to develop tests that would bring down the fatality rate by being hard enough to keep unskilled riders off the road. Clearly, that intention is one of those paving stones on the road to hell.

To me–and it may just be me–both the high rate of licensing and the failure of licensing as a means of driving down the fatality rate indicates that the tests need to undergo serious revision and updating to take into account today’s traffic mix, congestion and today’s motorcycles. Becaues there’s no way around it: if 75% of all fatalities were licensed, the licensing test ain’t doing what it’s supposed to do. So this is one of the questions the NTSB panel must ask the manufacturers and M$F to answer.

Younger riders are the majority of the 25% of unlicensed rider fatalities-and that’s the very age group that isn’t taking rider ed. And, since they are both the smallest part proportion of the motorcycling community and yet represent the most deaths-that’s a problem, imo. I would suggest that something needs to be done to get young riders trained. If training does make a difference. Of course, it also needs to be pointed out that young rider fatality rate includes a great many servicemen-who are trained with the BRC.

The prevalence of younger, unlicensed rider fatalities suggests that mandating training is a joke. Licensing is already mandated, however, this part of the demographic seems to be quite comfortable riding without a license. So If they’re already scoff-laws begin with, why would they suddenly submit to training if it’s suddenly mandated?

Does this, then, suggest that the warm and fuzzy aimed at adult curriculum fails to attract and address the needs of younger riders? Does it suggest that training course fees are too high for the riders who buy the cheaper bikes to begin with? Or worse, does the older-adult focus of the BRC suggest that M$F and its manufacturer members are far more intent on selling the more expensive bikes via training than train those who can only afford cheaper bikes?

The soaring death toll and what has changed and what hasn’t changed is an indictment of M$F-curriculum and licensing tests. M$F has had 33 years to prove itself and it has overwhelmingly failed to make motorcycling safer.

–from Rogue

Wait just a goddamn minute. What about the cause of these fatalities. How many were caused by distracted motorists?

–Bandit

topless with big 5

TIME FOR A COLD ONE–I wanted to mention a couple of items, quick. First, if I miss a credit for a story sent from a reader, forgive me. It wasn’t intentional. Often I’ll dig back through e-mails to find the sender, but if I missed it, it wasn’t intentional.

Second, if you send me something and it doesn’t make it into the news or the Sunday post, send it again or ask me why. Sometimes it’s the format or I receive images and no info. Unless it’s completely inappropriate for our audience, we work with the material and post it. Even if we are forced into long hours of slave labor.

Sam bikernet ad

How’s this. Our Bikernet full page as was turned down by the Kids And Chrome program committee. Is it that bad? Are we that bad? Watch for our banners at Billy Lane’s Blood Sweat and Gears and don’t miss the Kids And Chrome banquet at the Holiday Inn in Spearfish.

Okay, I’m shutting down for now and praying that my engine arrives tomorrow. Hang on. I’m also posting another tech on the build later today. You’ll see where we’re at on the 120-inch first Sportbike Panhead. Let’s hit it.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

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