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NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS for December 2013

By Bill Bish | December 22, 2013 | General Posts

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish

National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

CONGRESSMAN DEMANDS ANTI-MOTORCYCLE EXPLANATION FROM CDC

U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI), a member of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, has sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demanding answers concerning a recent CDC report that aims to discourage motorcycle use while ignoring the positive economic benefits for motorcycle riding.

“As an avid and experienced motorcycle rider, I believe government should be in the business of promoting the recreational, economic and environmental benefits of responsible motorcycle riding – not discouraging it,” stated Congressman Walberg in the letter. “During difficult fiscal times, the American people would be better served by your continued efforts to address widespread societal health matters such as virus prevention, cancer and heart disease.”

Rep. Walberg was prompted to action by a presentation given by the Helmet Law Review Team of the Community Preventative Services Task Force in late October 2013 which concluded that mandatory helmet laws would “produce substantial economic benefits.”

Walberg is troubled by the fact that potential negative impacts on nationwide motorcycling are not addressed and questions whether the CDC should be tasked with researching and making recommendations regarding transportation safety. The Michigan Representative has also been prompted to ask CDC Director Thomas Frieden; “is it the goal or strategy of the CDC to reduce the use of motorcycles – a legal mode of transportation – by recommending and pursing a federal helmet law?”

GLOBAL MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY PROJECTED EXPANSION

The Global Motorcycle Industry is projected to reach $93.67 Billion by 2017, according to Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and market research firm. Lucintel has analyzed the top five global motorcycle companies and offers its findings in a comprehensive research report in “Top Five Global Motorcycle Companies: Performance, Strategies, and Competitive Analysis.”

Lucintel observes the evolving of the global motorcycle industry, competitive landscape, and corporate and marketing strategies adopted by the motorcycle companies as some of the factors to have remarkably impacted the global motorcycle industry dynamics.

The market witnessed splendid growth during 2006-2011 but is likely to grow with reduced pace to reach an estimated $93.67 billion by 2017. The competitive landscape of the global motorcycle industry has had fluctuations over the last five years which affected the top five companies.

Lucintel found that the market size or revenue, average operating profit, average net profit, and annual growth rate are some of the driving forces of these companies. Buyers power, degree of competition, and threats of new entrants and substitutes also affect this market.

Following are the top five companies of the global motorcycle industry: Honda Motor Company Limited; Yamaha Motor Company Limited; Hero MotoCorp Limited; Bajaj Auto Limited; and Harley–Davidson Incorporation.

Developing regions, such as Asia and Latin America, which perceive two-wheelers as a basic mode of transportation, are expected to remain the most promising markets for scooters, light motorcycles, and mopeds. A combination of factors such as demographic condition, economic condition, and environmental regulations is seen to have important impact on market dynamics.

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on these insightful industry reports, contact Lucintel at (972) 636-5056 or visit www.lucintel.com.

U.S. TRAFFIC DEATHS RISE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2005

For six years through 2011, highway accidents and related fatalities declined each year. Improvements in vehicles and other safety education efforts were credited for that downward trend. But for the first time since 2005, that streak ran out, according to figures released recently by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Last year, 33,561 people were killed in highway accidents, up 3.3% from 2011. The increase was reflected across many of the categories that researchers follow, but motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities reflected the highest increases, up 7% and 6% respectively. There are currently more motorcycles in use in the U.S. than ever before, and 452,386 new on- and off-road motorcycles were sold nationwide in 2012 according to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), up 2.6% over 2011.

In addition to the deaths, the NHTSA data showed that nearly 2.4 million people were injured in crashes last year, a 6.5% increase from 2011, although miles driven remained about the same.

Despite these increases, the new numbers are still far below the accident rates of the 1970s and 1980s.

NHTSA preliminary data for the first six months of 2013 show that 15,470 people have died in crashes so far this year, a decrease of 4.2% compared with the same period last year.

MOTORCYCLISTS SAFER BEHIND THE WHEEL

Evidence suggests that roads would be safer if more drivers rode motorcycles, as motorcyclists are safer behind the wheel of a car than non-motorcyclists, according to a leading U.K. insurer.

Equity Red Star compared car drivers to car users who also have an insured motorcycle, and found the latter 23% less likely on average to make a claim on their car policy.

The firm also adjusted the figures to take into account the different typical ages of car drivers and motorcyclists, and still found the riders to be 21% better behind the wheel. The results showed motorcyclists were 20% less likely to make a bodily injury claim on their car policy.

The insurer examined 200 million policies between 2007 and 2012.

Rob Clark, Equity Red Star’s Head of Retail Motor, said: “A motorcyclist could, behind the wheel of a car, be said to be 23% better.”

Clark presented the data during a conference organized by the Motorcycle Industry Association at the Department for Transport in London to examine evidence that increasing the number of motorcyclists on the road could actually improve safety.

MOTORCYCLE THEFTS DECLINE SLIGHTLY

Your motorcycle could be stolen in a New York minute, especially if you live in NYC which is the nation’s capital of motorcycle thievery (903 thefts), followed by swingin’ Las Vegas (757), the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports. Next comes San Diego (633), Indianapolis (584) and Miami (535).

Overall, just like when it comes to car thefts, motorcycle thefts have been dropping. In 2012, the year in which the NICB bases its analysis, they amounted to 46,061 ripped-off bikes, down 1% from the year before.

Based on National Crime Information Center (NCIC) motorcycle theft data for 2012, Honda was the motorcycle brand stolen most often, with 9,082 for the year (representing 20% of all motorcycles stolen). It was followed by Yamaha (7,517=16%), Suzuki (7,017=15%), Kawasaki (4,839=11%) and Harley-Davidson (3,755=8%), rounding out the top five makes.

When it comes to states, thieves appear to prefer warm weather — just like all motorcycle riders. California was first (6,082 thefts), followed by Florida (4,110), Texas (3,400), North Carolina (2,574) and Indiana (2,334), and more than twice as many bikes were stolen during summer months than in the winter.

Unfortunately, fewer stolen motorcycles are recovered than cars. While 53.9% of stolen cars were returned to their owners, only 39% of motorcycles found their way back. The NICB says that’s because it’s easier to “chop” bikes for their parts, hide them in barns or garages, or ship them out of the country in giant containers.

FEDS SET UP ROADBLOCKS TO HARVEST DNA SAMPLES

Federal contractors have been setting up roadblocks in cities across the country with the purpose of collecting DNA samples from passing motorists. The multi-million dollar federal program has been disturbing drivers and alarming civil libertarians. The checkpoints consist of uniformed agents blocking a public road and flagging drivers into a testing area or a parking lot. There, the drivers are requested to submit a saliva or blood sample to the federal government.

The roadblocks were part of a study orchestrated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The program costs taxpayers $7.9 million over 3 years, according to NBC News Dallas-Fort Worth. The agency confirmed that the operation is currently being launched in 30 different U.S. cities.

“How voluntary is it when you have a police officer in uniform flagging you down?” asked Susan Watson, executive director of the Alabama chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. “Are you going to stop? Yes, you’re going to stop.”

“Although this was voluntary it was not voluntary that you stop and hear the DNA for CASH pitch,” said one Alabama resident after experiencing a checkpoint in June. Drivers are offered cash for surrendering DNA samples. The going rate is $10 for a cheek-swab and $50 for blood drawn from the vein. The goal, according to the NHTSA, is to decrease impaired-driving accidents by analyzing raw bodily fluids fresh off the street.

LAPD TO PAY $10 MILLION IN TICKET QUOTA CONTROVERSY

The Los Angeles City Council has agreed to pay nearly $6 million to a group of police officers who accused their superiors of imposing a secret traffic ticket quota system.

The $5.9 million settlement resolves a pair of lawsuits filed in 2010 by 11 LAPD officers assigned to a motorcycle unit. In the lawsuits, the officers detailed what they claimed were strict demands to write at least 18 traffic tickets each shift and that 80% of the citations be for major violations.

Officers who failed to meet the alleged ticket minimums or raised concerns about them were reprimanded, denied overtime assignments, given undesirable work schedules, and subjected to other forms of harassment, including being kicked out of the motorcycle unit, according to the L.A. Times.

The settlement, approved unanimously, brings to more than $10 million the amount of taxpayer money spent on payouts and legal fees from the ticket quota cases. But that number could grow because one more officer’s case is still pending.

The ticket controversy has been a black eye for the Los Angeles Police Department, because ticket quotas are against state law.

RECREATIONAL MOTORCYCLISTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA PROTEST ANTI-BIKIE LAWS

Recreational motorcyclists are protesting across Australia to show solidarity against Queensland’s tough new anti-bikie laws. Queensland organizer Gabriel Buckley told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that the new laws, aimed at criminal “bikie” gangs, have resulted in the harassment of law-abiding motorcyclists.

Rallies were planned in major capital cities, with the biggest rally in Brisbane where over a thousand independent riders rallied with patch-wearing bikers at parliament house. According to Buckley, a primary concern is that the laws reverse the onus on proof for people accused of links to prescribed criminal gangs. “Some people are being pulled over three times on their way to work,” he told AAP.

Freedom Riders Victoria spokesman Dale Maggs said Queensland’s anti-association laws unfairly affected all motorcyclists and scooter riders, allowing police to stop and question groups of three or more riders.

Harley Owners Group (HOG) member Stuart told the Leader newspaper that anti-bikie laws targeted 0.3% of Australian crime, referring to research presented by Victoria University Adjunct Professor, Dr Arthur Veno. “Every time you want to ride with three people it’s a gang? That’s ridiculous. There’s the Ulysses clubs, there’s HOG clubs, there’s Christian movement clubs, there’s even scooter clubs and we’re all tarred with the same brush and it’s just not right.”

Police and the Newman Government have previously asked recreational riders for patience amid the bikie crackdown, but concede there will be disruptions for law-abiding motorcyclists.

QUOTABLE QUOTE:

“A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.”

~ John Stuart Mill, (1806-1873) philosopher and economist

–Vintage Photos from the Bob T. Collection–

By Bandit | December 22, 2013 | General Posts

The American Motorcyclist Association is offering a special discount to its members on tickets for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 11-13, 2014, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

AMA members can purchase a weekend pass for $45 or a one-day pass for $25, saving $5 off the regular advance purchase rate. The AMA member discount is in addition to the regular $10 savings on advance ticket purchases, and there is no service charge for AMA members when purchasing through the AMA.

AMA member pricing, available through May 27, is only available by calling the AMA directly at (800) 262-5646. In addition to these exclusive AMA member ticket savings, all kids under 12 will be admitted free with a paying, supervising adult.

“AMA members enjoy significant discounts on gear and services with their membership, so it only makes sense that we carry that benefit over to the country’s premier event for vintage motorcycles,” said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey.

“AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days offers the perfect opportunity to hang out with thousands of motorcycling friends, see some incredible machines, learn from motorcycling experts, meet some heroes and watch or race in some fun vintage contests in motocross, road racing, dirt-track, observed trials and hare scrambles,” Massey said. “The only thing better than attending is saving some money at the same time, so get your advance tickets now.”

A fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features classic motorcycles of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous. Activities include the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, which include amateur national championship road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track; North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet; bike shows and awards; stunt shows; demo rides of current production bikes; an AMA Life Member breakfast; and seminars on a number of topics by noted motorcycling experts.

For updates about events and activities, as well as information about past AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.

If you’re not an AMA member, we invite you join the nation’s largest grassroots organization that fights for your freedom to ride and race — visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Join the AMA.

By Bandit | December 21, 2013 | General Posts

NEW Just Added to JACK’S WILD GALLERIES in The Cantina

Uncovered at Fantacy Fest – 2013

Photos By Jack Mcintyre

SEE MORE IN THE CANTINA – Members Only!!

If you are not a member you are missing out! Click here for Cantina Membership

By Bandit | December 21, 2013 | General Posts

The Famous Dr. John Drops By For a Visit

Photos and text by Scooter Tramp Scotty

On winter’s slow migration south for the warmer climates of Florida, I stopped into New Orleans for a visit with a friend who lives in the famous French Quarter. For almost six weeks I’ve been camped on Burgundy St (one block north of Bourbon St) in the back yard of the little house belonging to the motorcycle riding, dready chick, known as B.B. St. Roman. Hailing from the generation just before my own, B.B. has a very colorful history.

But the person I’d like to talk about now is the famous Dr. John, because he dropped by the house last week and I was fortunate enough to spend some time in his company. I had just seen this guy on TV the week before.

Some tunes of Dr. John’s that I remember, and you may too, are: “I was in the right place, but it musta been the wrong time.” and “Such a Night”. It would seem that this man is well known here. Many have spoken of him while talking with me on the streets.

READ ARTICLE

By Bandit | December 20, 2013 | General Posts

The perfect Holiday Gift Guide Served on Ice, with Bike Shows and News On The Side

Another challenging week and a full moon. Watch out for those bastards, I mean the full moons. They seem to unleash the evil, and test our souls.

Sure, that sounds strange, but we all have bad days. Instead of getting wrapped in negativity, look at it as a test, or just another challenge you will overcome and move beyond. It’s all about helping others and reaching your goals.

We like that mantra around here. It doesn’t always work, but we reach out daily to help or brothers and sisters in the industry.

Let’s hit the news:

CLICK TO READ NEWS

By Bandit | December 20, 2013 | General Posts

IMS/Ultimate Builder Show — New York

Text and Photos by Jack Mcintyre

Lights, Camera, ACTION!, and lots of it, morning to the next morning, does this town ever sleep??? Being from Philly, NYC is a skip and a jump up the Turnpike. I’m in Manhattan as often as possible because it’s clearly one of the greatest cities on Earth.

Now for the reason of my latest trip up, the International Motorcycle Shows, Ultimate Builders Competition. The guys sent out a distress call to me to help, because I’m just that great… well not really, but they did need my help, and I’m more than happy to do so. Bob Kay & Jeff Najar from Bikerpros.com run the Ultimate Builders Competition for the IMS. There is no better two- man crew anywhere for this job. I’m honored just to play a role with those two.

LOTS of Amazing and Fantastic Photographs!

CLICK TO READ ARTICLE

By Scooter Tramp Scotty | December 20, 2013 | General Posts

The drifter’s life is little more than a kaleidoscope of visits into other people’s realities; for he is often moving from one place to another then spending time with the people of that particular world. I would like to offer a little piece of the world I am visiting at the moment, for it has been uncommonly interesting…

BB was the road manager for Dr. John for 10 years; traveled to over 40 countries while working as the sound person for an outfit that made documentaries; and now lives in the French Quarter of New Orleans where she works with the police department in the field of homeless assistance. While working with the film crew she lived for nine months in the Himalayan Mountains with the Shaman of that region; spent personal time with the Dalai Lama; and two years traveling with Mother Teresa. In fact, it’s been like living with a little Mother Teresa around here and has been a wonderful experience for me to live amid such a sea of altruism.

He walked into B.B.s place real slow. At the age of 74, Dr. John is still touring the world playing music and still sells the house out at almost every concert; even after all these years. Truth is, Dr. John doesn’t really know if he’s 73 or 74. He said that the governor got in trouble with a woman and burned the House of Records down—and Dr. John’s birth certificate with it—to cover his tracks. Guess that was a long time ago.

I took a liking to this guy right away; and think the feeling was mutual. He seemed an easy going, shit talkin’ type of dude with very kind eyes. In fact, his whole demeanor felt kind. B.B. later confirmed that this observation was correct. And hell, she worked with him for 10 years.

Dr. John told me to tell you guys out there, “Fuck it”.

When I asked if he ever gets tired of traveling, Dr. John said, “No. But it’s best when we’re on the tour bus.” I got the feeling airports were kind of a drag for him though. Another chronic case of wonder-lust I guess. My possible future?

Originally from New Orleans, Dr. John only has a 10th grade education. Seems that at night he’d play two gigs in the French Quarter, or its vicinity, then be too tired for school in the mornings. The places he played were mostly fronts for the prostitution going on in back rooms. All of these places had a night club scene as a front.

Customers would simply hang in the bar drinking and listening to music until their turn came up. Then, in 1962, Jim Garrison, the District Attorney, closed these places down or, “Padlocked the joints” as Dr. John says. This pretty much wiped out the music scene here and probably 90% of the musicians left New Orleans. Dr. John himself went to California, then New York, and ultimately on to play around the world.

He told B.B. that Bonnie Raitt said “Hi!”. I guess they all used to work together. Dr. John told me that he knows tons of people who tell him that B.B. saved their life at one time or another. I’ve heard that from others who live here as well. In fact someone posted just that statement on my facebook yesterday. I think that living in the midst of Mother Teresa for those two years really influenced her (In fact, B.B. told me that Mother Teresa and Dr. John have been her two biggest mentors). It’s like living with a little Mother B.B. around here. She spends almost all of her high energy time in the serious service of those around her. It’s been a truly interesting experience; especially for someone who naturally leans more toward self centeredness like myself. I have another friend here (Oscar) that runs a very close second to B.B.s altruistic ways and have been unable not to notice the seemingly excessive degrees of happiness that both enjoy. Maybe some of it will rub off. In any case, like I said, the stay here has been a very wonderful experience for me.

Mother Teresa kept asking B.B. when she was going to join the nunnery (which is flattering she said, because Mother Teresa almost never asked that of anyone) but B.B. always politely backed out. It seems that living in a dorm with a bunch of women, cutting her hair, and especially that vow to celibacy thing, (B.B. also has a colorful sex history) was just not gonna wash. As far as the service to her fellow man though, B.B. was all in.

Well, it’s definitely been an interesting time around here.

Scooter Tramp Scotty

By Christine Paige Diers | December 20, 2013 | General Posts

This 1938 Knucklehead was put together with lots of found parts – some of which were original. Gillette, Wyoming builder Gary Garlick purchased the ’38 EL motor in Idaho where it was also rebuilt. Gary and his children and nephews then went to Green River Wyoming to purchase an early model Knucklehead frame and oil bag.

The transmission was from a 1953 Panhead. The 2003 FL Springer was purchased off of E-Bay from a man in California, and the Speedometer was an original purchased from a meticulous collector out of Canada.

The gas tank petcock 1973 valve is an OEM part from Harley’s AMF years. Gary’s two children, Hanna Rose and Arron James spent many hours helping their dad put the bike together – and occasionally listening to him rant about the trouble he was having with it.

This project is actually a three-generation project since Gary’s mom Dora Jean – who now owns the bike – handled the lettering on the tank. Besides family, Gary says he had lots of assistance from friends and professionals who helped make parts fit, did painting and contributed nuts, bolts and wiring harnesses.

In all, the project took two years to complete.

By Bandit | December 20, 2013 | General Posts

Norton Motorcycles reports a significant boost is global sales after Prince William was snapped near a Norton SG2 TT at the Motorcycle Live trade show at Birmingham’s NEC in early December.

Leicester Mercury reported that the images of the Duke of Cambridge straddling the motorbike created great interest in the US with chief executive of Norton, Stuart Garner, explaining that it received significant orders following the publication of the pictures.

He told the news provider: “It [the Prince William photo] has helped bring awareness of the brand over there which we wouldn’t have ordinarily got. It helps to extend the brand reach.”

Mr Garner added that he managed to have a chat with the Duke of Cambridge who informed him of his love of motorbikes and that there is currently a Ducati in the royal garage.

By Bandit | December 20, 2013 | General Posts

Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally Inc. (SMRi), official stewards of the Sturgis® brand, have announced that they will once again donate $50,000 to Sturgis® Rally Charities Foundation who will in turn distribute that to local charities in and around the Sturgis community. This is the third year in a row that SMRi has made a contribution, all of which have been made possible by community supported licensing agreements that SMRi manages for the Sturgis® brand.

In addition SMRi has the pleasure of welcoming two new volunteer board members, Scott Reiman and the Mayor of Sturgis Mark Carstensen “We are really excited to have Scott Reiman, Vice President at First Interstate Bank in Sturgis and Sturgis Mayor Carstensen as our newest members of the SMRi all volunteer board. We know they will make valuable members to our team and are looking forward to a great 2014.” Said Dean Kinney Chairman of the board for SMRi.

2013 was a very encouraging year for Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally Inc. They gained additional community support as well as official endorsements from The City of Sturgis City Council and the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce. SMRi have continued to be the official stewards of the Sturgis® brands and to show their support they once again are supporting the community by giving back to Sturgis Rally Charities.

Hundreds of retailers around the world carry Officially Licensed Sturgis® Products every year, through those sales, SMRi is able to donate funds to benefit the local Sturgis community. SMRi’s volunteer board is pleased to support Sturgis Rally Charities and in turn the organizations that serve and support a variety of causes in the area. SMRi values the time and hard work that these groups put into educating and protecting local children, supporting and rebuilding the community, and assisting community members in need. SMRi appreciates the strong participation of retailers throughout the world that support the licensing program and would like to personally thank them, and all the wonderful organizations that have labored to make the Black Hills and the Sturgis community a better place for all.

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NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS for December 2013

By Bill Bish | December 22, 2013 | General Posts

AMA Members receive a special discount on tickets to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 11-13, 2014

By Bandit | December 22, 2013 | General Posts

Key West Fantasy Fest-2013

By Bandit | December 21, 2013 | General Posts