Hey,
I got hauled off and questioned by the authorities. They threatened to make me fire myself because I don’t believe in human caused global warming. It’s the biggest scam in our society today.
I had to fight. I’m a grubby biker who believes in oil, gas and freedom. Let’s hit the news:
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The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
NEWS FROM THE TWISTED ROAD, STURGIS 2020: Day Two by Lucinda Belden
This is part two of a 6-part series on attempting to ride the top 14 most popular rides around the Sturgis area in one week. We all know that riding is not the only thing you want to do when you arrive in a new area. It’s the ride, but it is also the things that you experience along the way, that will make you want to return. If you missed part one, I covered a ride through Spearfish Canyon round to Sundance Road, ending up at Devil’s Tower.
Each Sturgis ride does not have to be done in the order presented (or in one week), but at some point these are all great rides for you to take. Stay tuned for the following four blogs. Ride on!
This road map will take you round trip. Most of the ride maps in this series are one-way, but this ride can be started and ended in Sturgis. This is a three-hour round-trip ride, so not all day on the bike. It’s designed for you to be able to spend more time stopping for photos and for a decent time in Deadwood.
DEADWOOD
I have you starting off in Sturgis but if you’re coming from another area, you will—at the very least—want to make Deadwood your starting point. I have to say from my own personal experience, Deadwood was my favorite town out of the rides around Sturgis. I like the balance Deadwood keeps between its history and modern tourism.
You can bounce down both sides of the main street and hit little casinos along the way. Even if you’re not interested in gambling (although I did pretty well!), each casino has memorabilia worth dipping your moto boot in.
There’s way more. Head over to the Twisted Road site.
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
NEW ADVENTURE BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for February 11, 2021
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/NEW_ADVENTURE_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_February_11_2021.aspx
Thoughts…For a modern bike, that new Chief rocks. I then saw your post yesterday on the Sportster. W.T.F. – is Harley’s CEO asleep?
To me , the new Chief fills a hole in the market left by the Dyna, not the Sportster, that said, Harley’s range is shrinking whilst Indian’s grows. What kind of corporate strategy has he got?
I can’t see how giving up market to a competitor with a broader range is going to help Harley survive.
Don’t get me started on that goddamn ugly adventure bike either. Good luck Harley, plunging into a market niche that their competition has
a 40-year head start on.
I’m sad about the Sportster, they have a huge following in the UK. My nephew has just scored a mint 2019 1200 Iron. I feel sadder about the risks Harley face if they don’t understand their market.
One last comment- so Harley think superchargers are the answer? Interesting. There’s a major tuning shop here does blowers for the Milwaukee Eight. Big, instant power, no lag, all good. I’ve got an American Eaton on my car, it’s great.
But motorcycles are supposed to be minimalist, and a blower is just more clutter. I’m sure there’s a reason more manufacturers don’t used superchargers on bikes, just like they found with Turbos.
Ref your house move- we both know, ‘as one door closes, another one opens’!
–Paul Harris
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
United Kingdom
OFFICIAL BIKERNET FORTUNE COOKIE, HOW TO BOOST YOUR FUTURE PROSPERITY LUCK IN 2021–2021 Flying Star #9 in NortheastThe NORTHEAST – Promises of Future Prosperity from the # 9 StarFuture Prosperity from the # 9 Star
The #9 is the Purple Star which represents the “Star Of Future Prosperity”. It is also regarded as the Completion and the Magnifying star. As the latter, it brings a magni?cation of both good and bad. As the completion number, it helps residents in the sector it occupies to bring important projects to a successful ?nish. We are entering Period 9 in three more years and the number 9 is becoming more and more powerful and auspicious as we are approaching year 2024 so it’s imperative that you enhance it as it will bring serious Prosperity and Wealth Luck for you in the near future!
Many feng shui masters even regard the 9 as being just as powerful as the 8. In the year 2021, the number 9 brings excellent good luck to the Northeast thereby bene?ting everyone residing within this sector, Ox, Tigers and the youngest son. This also brings bene?ts to NE sitting houses, which means that your house would then be facing SW.
This star helps lay groundwork for all kinds of good fortune and lucky outcomes in the near future. Those with creative-thinking, and brave enough to execute their ideas can expect good results in the near future. Promotion and business opportunities will be available for you when your office or bedroom is located in the Northeast. School-going children who study in this sector can experience enhanced examination luck or the luck to attain scholarship or get accepted to a reputable university. Relationships of couples will be improved if they sleep in the NE sector in 2021.
This Star also brings fame and recognition luck – the luck that propels you to be acknowledged and rewarded for your achievement and hard work.
1950 VINCENT COMET: TINA FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM– Big Sid” Biberman had a reputation far and wide for building fast Vincents, mostly for drag racing. Truly a big guy at 6 foot 5 inches and around 300 pounds, he needed all the horsepower he could get.
Over time, his racing career tapered off and he focused on the Vincati project, a father and son effort to install a Vincent Rapide engine in a 1970s Ducati GT750 chassis; their favorite motor in an updated chassis.
With the Vincati very successfully completed, the next father and son effort was a building a land speed record Vincent, and competing for a Land Speed Record. Big Sid and Matthew Biberman used the leftover parts from the Vincati project to build a land speed record machine, a Vincent single they named “Tina”.
Tina’s single-cylinder 500cc engine is from a 1950 Vincent Comet, and was extensively modified by Sid and Vincent performance expert Steve Hamel. Displacement was upped 20% to 598cc’s. The 1960’s era Gardner carb is interesting and apparently worked as well as contemporary magazine articles claimed. Numerous tuning and safety modifications have been made including rear-set controls to allow the rider to tuck in at high speeds, important on the salt, and insulated fuel lines to keep fuel cooler.
The considerable efforts of the father and son team paid off: Tina competed at the ECTA “Monster Mile” at Maxton, North Carolina in 2009 and set a record of 105.506 mph in the Modified Vintage Gas 650cc class. Tina’s best run to date occurred at the 2011 BUB meet at the Bonneville Salt Flats where she recorded a speed of 110.9 mph. It was a great outing but not enough to secure the record then held by a BSA 650 twin with a speed of 116mph. In addition to her record at Maxton, Tina also holds the ECTA 650cc M-VG class record for the Wilmington, Ohio race course with a speed of 102.420 (9/30/2012). Unfortunately, with Sid’s death in 2013, Tina’s development came to an end.
Looking back at Tina’s race outings, Matthew has said, “We never achieved the full potential of the bike, but we set two records and always went home without any significant damage and smiles on our faces. Ultimately, that’s a success.” Tina is currently on display in the Museum. We contacted Matthew last week to tell him Tina was an upcoming Featured Bike. His comment, “Thinking about Tina on a cold winter’s day makes me think of its exhaust note, truly a thumper on an open pipe.”
Tina is one of half a dozen Vincents on display at the National Motorcycle Museum, stock and built for racing. The Vincati, built by Sid and Matthew, is also on loan and you can see the fine workmanship on this surprising engine swap the next time you visit.
Specifications:
Engine: OHV Single, Air Cooled
Displacement: Increased to 598cc
Compression Ratio: 9:5 to 1
Induction: Gardner Carburetor, Remote Float
Camshaft: Andrews Racing
Crankshaft: Custom by Terry Prince
Primary: Chain Driven
Clutch: Multi-Plate, Wet
Transmission: Four-speed, Norton Atlas
Final Drive: Chain
Rolling Chassis: 1953 Vincent Rapide
Fork: Vincent Girdraulic
Brakes: Twin 7” SLS Drums Front, 7? SLS Drum Rear
Wheelbase: 56 Inches
Weight: 345 Pounds
See the whole story at the National Motorcycle Museum web site.
–Bandit
NEWS FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION–Nominees Wanted for the 2021 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF) was introduced at the Meeting of the Minds in Denver, Colorado. This institution was created to recognize individuals that have worked through the MRF to positively impact motorcycling. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is proud to announce that the nomination process for the next class of inductees into the MRFHOF is now open.
The nomination form and a timeline are posted on the MRF website at:
https://mrf.org/mrf-hall-of-fame/
Nomination applications are due to the Hall of Fame Committee by March 1st, 2021 – please send completed forms to communications@mrf.org
Past Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame inductees are: Keith “Bandit” Ball, Karen Bolin, Mark Buckner, Vince Consiglio, Wayne Curtin, Michael “Balls” Farabaugh, “Still” Ray Fitzgerald, Richard Gray, Fredric Harrell, Teresa Hepker, Bob Illingworth, Nathan “Buck” Kittredge, Simon Milward, Ed Netterberg, JoAnne Packard, Sherman Packard, Lee Richardson, Rodney Roberts, Jerry “JT” Thomas, Todd Vandermyde, Paul Vestal, Penny Walker, Ed Youngblood, Wanda Hummel-Shultz, “Biker” Jim Rhoades, Lee Ryan, Marc Falsetti, Gary Klinker, Charlie Williams, Dave Dwyer, “Radio” Bob Letourneau, “Farmer” John Eggers and Michael “Boz” Kerr.
About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.
SOMETHING CALMING FROM THE 5-BALL MONK–People, Community and You
A car ahead was moving like a turtle and not giving me way in spite of my continuous honking! I was on brink of losing my cool when I noticed the small sticker on the car’s rear!
“Physically challenged; Please be patient.”
And that changed everything!!
I immediately went calm & slowed down!!
In fact, I got a little protective of the car & the driver!!!
I reached home a few minutes late, but it was ok!
And then it struck me.
Would I have been patient if there was no sticker ?
Why do we need stickers to be patient with people!?
Will we be more patient & kind with others if people had labels pasted on their foreheads?
Labels like ——
“ Lost my job”
“Fighting cancer”
“Going through a bad divorce”
“Suffering Emotional abuse “
“Lost a loved one”
“Feeling worthless”
“Financially broken”
….and more like these!!
Everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about.
The least we can do is to be patient, kind & compassionate
*Let us respect the Invisible Labels !!*
–Wayfarer
Bikernet Monk
5-Ball Temple at the base of the Gray Mountain
NEWS FROM THE SADDLEMEN TEAM–
I do have a bit to share, Saddlemen has purchased a new facility in Long Beach, 718 W. Anaheim Street. Which at one time housed another motorcycle business.
The Saddlemen Corporation Headquarters will house our R&D department, sales, metal shop, carbon fiber/ race development as well as our social media department. Full circle for me in the motorcycle industry.
–Buster, Team Saddlemen
BROTHER DOWN–The world has lost a legend RIP Pat Leahy
–Sam Burns
LORENZO LAMAS & KENNA NICOLE SCOTT ENGAGED!–LOS ANGELES, CA, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 — Lorenzo Lamas of Los Angeles and Kenna Nicole Scott of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho have announced their engagement. The couple made the news public during a romantic pre-Valentine’s Day weekend in Las Vegas.
“Kenna and I met through my Godmother Francesca Daniels last April. I proposed to Kenna on Thursday the 11th of February In Las Vegas. She accepted my Lifetime Valentines request. The last 10 months with Kenna have been the most romantic months of my life and we have fallen deeply in love. It is a love like no other and we look forward to the day we become husband and wife. Sometimes love waits for the stars to align and two soul paths to intersect. We are ecstatic!” — Lorenzo Lamas.
Lorenzo Lamas is an International Film, Television, Stage Actor, Director, Producer, and Singer who is recognized as one of the World’s most admired stars. Best known for his nine year run as Lance Cumson on “Falcon Crest,” and for his five year run as Reno Raines on “Renegade.”
He is Californian born and the son of movie and stage star Arlene Dahl and the legendary Fernando Lamas and the stepson of swimming champion, Esther Williams.
Lorenzo is a certified pilot and flight instructor, which makes him active with a number of charitable organizations such as a volunteer pilot providing free air transportation to medical facilities. He is an avid Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, and participates in many charity related rides.
Kenna Nicole Scott, born and raised in Boise, Idaho, moved to Los Angeles to pursue a successful modeling career. In the 2000’s she modeled for national campaigns for Guess jeans and Emporio Armani. After living in Los Angeles for most of a decade, she decided to return to Idaho with her husband at the time to raise her children. She has owned and managed startup companies and is also a freelance copy writer for companies like Oxyfresh and K9 connoisseur.
She and Lorenzo currently travel back and forth depending on their schedules and look forward to deciding on their future home together in the near future.
Lorenzo and Kenna have many shared interest; they enjoy the beach, motorcycling, and spending as much time together as possible. They are also involved in giving back to their communities and are actively involved with a number of nonprofit organizations.
–Cherry Hepburn
NEWS FROM THE DIME BAG HEADQUARTERS–We just finished this handmade leather seat for Mario’s Triumph. Started using the Iwata Beginner Airbrush Kit to apply the dye. It works really well and will apply perfectly to make seats.
–Adam Croft
DimeBag Leather
309-336-0714
Dimebagleather@yahoo.com
STAFFER MOURNS–
I loved Jon Towle cartoons – Nick the Dick – I saw on Bikernet. They are still there. https://www.bikernet.com/pages/nick_the_dick.aspx
And the motorcycle museum of Dale was exceptional.
So much sad news. Hope you are okay. Take care.
Best Wishes,
–Ujjwal Dey
International Bureau Chief
Bikernet.com
India
PATRICK MOORE BREAKS ALL THE RULES—Some folks are like that. He was the head of Green Peace for over 15 years and saved the whales and stopped atomic bomb testing in the ocean. He was and is an environmentalists. But then the environmental community changed and went radical.
Patrick left the ranks, but as the movement got nuts, he felt the need to share the true facts. One is that science is never settled. The meaning of science is to study and follow changes in knowledge. It doesn’t stop.
He recently wrote a book called, Fake Invisible Catastrophes and Threats of Doom. I bought two immediately. He sent me this video link of a lecture: https://www.thegwpf.com/video-of-patrick-moores-gwpf-lecture-should-we-celebrate-co2/
Here’s a couple of quotes from his book: During the last glacial maximum, 20,000 years ago, CO2 fell to about 180 ppm, only 30 ppm above the level where plants begin to die from CO2 starvation. At lower than 150 ppm there simply isn’t a high enough concentration of carbon dioxide for plants to survive.
CO2 levels have been dropping for millions of years. Since the industrial age began about 100 years ago the CO2 level has increased to 415 ppm, that’s what gave Al Gore the excuse to attack. But he was backwards. He should have been celebrating, but then he wouldn’t make millions on carbon credits.
Here’s the kicker, “When we use fossil fuels, we are returning CO2 to the atmosphere, where it came from in the first place. Our emissions have brought an end to the 150 million-year decline of carbon dioxide and we are beginning to restore a balance to the global carbon cycle.” Actually, the CO2 level should be closer or above 2000 ppm and there is no connection between carbon dioxide levels and the temperature.
So, be proud you ride an internal combustion engine and drive an old truck. You’re saving life on earth.–Bandit
[page break]
QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
If Donald Trump Began Blogging On Bikernet
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/If_Donald_Trump_Began_Blogging_On_Bikernet.aspx
Thanks.
— Ruben Serrano Sr.
streetchopper81@gmail.com
Sinton, TX
TEXAS WEATHER REPORT– Jack Daniels thermometer says it’s 64 in the garage, digital says everything is 60. This door isn’t insulated, I have a 5’ overhang, plus I threw a blanket on it. 30 degrees and dropping outside tomorrow 20s-10. Not Deadwood, Houston, gonna be an interesting couple days here in South Texas!
The accident in Fort Worth was a toll road managed by a private company, the first thing I asked was why wasn’t the road treated? Wasn’t like it snuck up on them. And a random Smoke Out image, think I may have figured the computer issue?
–RFR
GOVERNMENT NEWS–Just wanted to let you know – today I received my 2021 Stimulus Package.
It contained two tomato seeds, cornbread mix, two discount coupons to McDonald’s, a ‘Biden Hope & Change’ bumper sticker, a prayer rug, a machine to blow smoke up my ass and a ‘Blame it on Trump’ poster for the front yard.
The directions were in Spanish.
Yours should arrive soon.
–Rik Savenko
GUN NUT REPORT–
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox made good on a campaign promise Friday and signed a bill into law granting anyone over the age of 21 and lawfully allowed to possess a firearm the right to concealed carry without a permit.
Utah House Bill 60, introduced by state Rep. Walt Brooks, passed the state Senate earlier this week, paving the way for the governor to amend existing statutes.
The law will go into effect in May and makes Utah the 18th state to adopt permitless concealed carry, according to the governor.
Gun owners who want a permit in order to take advantage of reciprocity laws in other states will still be able to obtain one.
He said it enhances Second Amendment protections in the state.
It also creates a statewide suicide prevention and education fund.
The National Rifle Association, which had backed HB 60, praised Cox for signing it in a statement Friday.
“There is no reason a law-abiding person should have to ask for permission to carry a firearm for self-defense,” said Jason Ouimet, the executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “The passage of this bill demonstrates Utah’s commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of its citizens.”
LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2013 Harley-Davidson FLTRX – Road Glide® Custom ONLY $14,995.00
See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=9978413
This bike is a nice Road Glide with lots of extra’s
ONLY 29145.00 Miles !!!!!
2013 Blue Harley-Davidson ROAD GLIDE TOURING FLTRX
Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike
* 103c.i. Motor
* 6-Speed Trans
* 12 inch T-Bars
* Bassani two-in-one exhaust system
* 6×9 Speaker lids
* Aftermarket Radio with amp
This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!
EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!
Fill out an online application and ride today!!!
**Open 7 days a week**
Just $14,995.00 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155
AIR STREAM STUDIOS REAR BRAKE SET-UP– Here are some photos of the way I’ve decided to set up the Rear Brake on the ‘Trouble Maker’ Chopper I’ve resurrected.
–EL WAGGS
CERTIFIED BIKERNET TECHNICIAN
BIKERNET.COM
QUICK, A WORD FROM THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARIAN– A man in a Florida supermarket tried to buy half a head of lettuce.
The very young produce assistant told him that they sell only whole heads of lettuce.
The man persisted and asked to see the manager. The boy said he’d ask his manager about it.
Walking into the back room, the boy said to his manager: “Some asshole wants to buy half a head of lettuce.” As he finished his sentence, he turned to find the man standing right behind him, so he added, “And this gentleman has kindly offered to buy the other half.”
The manager approved the deal, and the man went on his way.
Later the manager said to the boy, “I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who think on their feet here. Where are you from, son?”
“Canada, sir,” the boy replied.
“Well, why did you leave Canada?” the manager asked.
The boy said, “Sir, there’s nothing but whores and hockey players up there.”
“Really?” asked the manager, “My wife is from Canada.”
“No kidding?” replied the boy. “Who’d she play for?”
–EL WAGGS
BIKER LIVES MATTER FOUNDER SPEAKS–My name is John Herlihy. My friends call me Rogue. I have been asked a lot why I and some others started an organization named Biker Lives Matter and why it is important to me.
My answer is simple, there is a need for an organization that calls attention to the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods from motorcycle crashes.
To better understand how this came about, we should look at some background that led up to Biker Lives Matter. I have been riding motorcycles for 69 years and both my life and that of the others who ride has always been important to me. I was taught to ride by a friend at the age of 14 and then continued to improve that by riding with people who had more experience than me, that is just the way it was done years ago.
Through the years that I have been riding, I have seen many people injured and I know too many that have died. I personally have had my share of crashes and I even flatlined in the operating room after one of them. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to still be riding at the age of 83 years old.
In the 1970s, I became involved in motorcycle rights and safety. At the time, motorcycle injury and death rate were high so the government and insurance companies began trying to pass laws that they hoped would help protect motorcyclists when crashes happened.
They started by passing legislation such as mandatory helmet laws. While I have no issue with wearing helmets, I feel it should be a matter of choice. I (and others) also felt it was typical of the government to put the cart before the horse when a more practical approach would be to lower the crashes and collisions. That is easier said than done since so many motorists who are operating a vehicle are not paying attention to what they are supposed to be doing.
As motorcycle safety advocates, we worked on trying to educate the driving public to share the road with motorcycles, we also knew we needed to come up with a way to better educate the motorcyclists on the operation of the motorcycle.
The American Motorcycle Association put on the first Meeting of The Minds and invited 50 people with various backgrounds in motorcycling to attend. I had the privilege of being one of those people. What was discussed at that meeting eventually led to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and courses to teach new riders.
Our hopes were that defensive riding would help motorcyclists stay alive while we worked on changing laws that would make other vehicle operators be aware of us on the road and penalize those who violated our space and right to be there.
I am sorry to say that we have not been as successful as we should be in that aspect and 50 years later, we are still working on it. In the meantime, motorcyclists were and still are being injured and killed. It is unacceptable and something must be done.
In 1996, Vicki Sanfelipo started Accident Scene Management and began teaching people what to do at these incidents where motorcyclists were injured. Her program taught motorcyclists to help each other and keep the injured riders alive until the Paramedics and or more experienced medical staff arrived and was able to take over. It was more years than I wanted before I found an opportunity to take her course, but eventually I did and even helped with classes being taught in Florida. I now carry a trauma kit in my left saddlebag. So far, I have only used it once when her husband Tony and I were in Alabama shooting a movie and our friend Athena ran off the road and needed some medical attention. While Athena was not seriously injured, she was hurt and needed our help. Her crash was not life threatening but there are many that are.
More life threatening are collisions with other vehicles. It is at epidemic stage and motorcyclist are dying at an alarming rate despite all of the things that we have put in place. We have tried for many years to educate the public that motorcyclists have a right to the road the operators of these vehicles continue to drive stupid and without regard for others.
They refuse to pay attention to the operation of their vehicle. Yes, recent legislation pertaining to cell phone use has helped but it has not gone far enough. I do not think you will find anyone that will disagree that the largest cause of injury and death to motorcyclist is another vehicle violating its right of way. The most common is making a left turn in front of them.
People in motorcycling rights and safety have been trying to do something about changing the law from minor fines that is the most common sentence for those found guilty of violating the right of way of another motorist for years. There has been limited success in some states but not in others. Since efforts to educate has not worked it is now time to legislate.
Yes, I am saying it out loud. I am one who does not care for new laws either and have fought for freedom but in this case, it seems like the only solution. Ignoring where we find ourselves after all these years has not changed a thing. We do know that when the courts increase fines, take away operator’s licenses, and make them attend safety classes it does work as a deterrent for other vehicle violations.
I believe that we have waited way too long and what we have been doing to protect ourselves is not working. Biker Lives Matter believes that increasing the penalties for drivers who violate others right away is long overdue and that those penalties should continue to increase it until violators pay attention.
The revenue from increased fines can help pay for also having the offender attend safety courses. Some say it is inconvenient for them to attend safety courses. Well, that’s just too bad since it is not as inconvenient as people having to visit family members in the hospital or planning funerals for them.
I think back to the days of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and what they have done to change things. There are numerous organizations that are promoting increasing penalties for violation of right of way violations, some have had success and others still working on it.
We need to work with motorcycle rights organizations (MROs) to get bills introduced to our state legislators and for all of us to contact those legislators to let them know that if they do not vote to pass laws that we will vote for whoever is running against them in the next state election.
I believe that Biker Lives Matter can help organization that are already in place by sharing information with interested parties and bringing awareness to the issues through my involvement in the motorcycle media and bringing more awareness to the issues.
Though I have been always interested in this topic it struck home on September 9, 2018 at 7:49PM when my son Dale was struck by a vehicle making an illegal left turn. He ended up losing his left foot. I and others believe he could have also lost his life if there was not a nurse that just happened to be on the scene and tended to him until more help arrived.
I continue to be thankful for organizations like Accident Scene Management and the Motorcycle Rights Organization that continue to fight to keep us safe and treated fairly concerning our rights.
I am requesting that anyone who can to help us change what is happening on our roadways to our brothers, sister, son, daughters and other family members who ride do so.
Like many things in the past, we can win this war against us. I will continue to do what I can to help that happen. To: https://bikerlivesmatter.com/
ROGUE –
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com
Photojournalist – Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Published on Road Guardians
NEWS FROM THE NMA–Crimes against Motorists:
Motorists have always been a target for criminals, but since the pandemic began, it seems the nefarious activity has increased dramatically. Some are violent, most involve property loss and all turn victims’ lives upside down.
For example, cities large and small have reported an increase in carjackings. The Associated Press has reported cases are on the rise in Kansas City, Louisville, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Wichita, and even in Wentzville, Missouri (population 39,000).
In Minneapolis, carjackings were up 537 percent in November 2020 with 125 incidents.
By the end of 2020, Chicago had a total of 1,362 carjackings, which was a 105 percent increase from 2019. That’s a daily average of nearly four, with the South and Westside neighborhoods having the worst rates.
So, what is a carjacking? Generally, they happen in larger cities, with primary targets being older drivers and women. Rideshare drivers are also victimized in some cities. Criminals typically approach people near or in their cars and are preoccupied with looking at their phones, putting groceries in the car, or taking out a child from a car seat. A common ruse is to approach while asking for directions, and then the carjacker takes swift and forceful action. The Car Coach recently outlined what you can do to protect yourself against carjackers.
Police say many factors have contributed to the increase in carjackings. Mask wearing is common now. The sight of a masked person is not as alarming, so it becomes much easier for perpetrators to gain close approach before subduing the driver and commandeering the vehicle without showing their faces. Police officials also state it doesn’t help that young people are currently not attending school and have a lot of time on their hands. Minneapolis Police Commander Charlie Adams told ABC News that 80 percent of carjackings and robberies are done by nine to seventeen-year-old juveniles.
Police around the country ask motorists and passengers to be vigilant and situationally aware, advise not to get distracted when entering or exiting vehicles or at intersections. If someone has a knife or gun, don’t be a hero—your life is worth more than property.
Loyola University Criminology Professor Art Lurigo said telecommuting for work had decreased home burglary by nine percent in the past year. Due to closed shops, business theft has gone down 20 percent. Lurigo said that carjacking for criminals is far more predictable than a typical armed robbery, adding, ” In a carjacking, you know exactly what you’re stealing…it’s a profitable crime, with mostly low risk.”
Unfortunately, so is vehicle theft, which went up 9.2 percent in 2020 over 2019 rates, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In 2020, 878,080 vehicles were stolen, which is the highest number in a decade. NICB President David Glawe said in a statement, “Thieves exploit opportunities and may look for vehicles parked in the same location or citizens not taking proper measures to secure their vehicles.”
To prevent car thefts, the NICB urges owners to practice sense by doing the following:
Lock your vehicle every time you park
Park in well-lit areas
Do not leave an extra key with a fob inside the car—thieves have a way to use the technology to open the door.
Consider purchasing an aftermarket alarm system
Install a kill switch or starter disabler
Install a GPS tracking device.
Catalytic converters are also now a target for thieves. In St. Louis, converter thefts were eight times higher in 2020 than in other years. Lexington, SC and Wichita, KS reported triple thefts last year. In general, numbers of this kind of theft are up across the board.
Criminals target this vehicle part because it has been built with precious metals that have gone up in price—in particular, palladium and rhodium. Vehicle owners are stuck with a massive repair bill when a converter is stolen while the thief has a big payday. The Toyota Prius and other hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles are especially attractive to thieves.
Accident scams are another crime against motorists. Check out NMA Newsletter #621 for more information. So are predatory towing scams. NMA Newsletter #611 provides details on how not to be a victim of these criminal activities.
Other scams abound but have not necessarily increased since the pandemic. A popular one is an email or text that claims you ran a red light and must immediately pay a fine. Remember, if a city or county has an automated camera program, it is required by statute to mail you an automated ticket.
Criminals use these deceptions to phish for identity or financial information to exploit. Identity theft is not a violent crime but certainly is one that makes it difficult for victims to recover their finances and other identity issues.
This scam recently resurfaced in Yakima County, Washington State. Officials warned residents that if they receive an email stating you were caught on video driving through a red light, don’t respond. There are no red-light cameras in the Yakima Valley.
A radio announcer in the Jersey Shore recently received that type of email and warned his listeners not to click on links in suspicious emails and, even better, don’t open the communication to begin with. The best thing to do is delete it.
If you have been a victim of a recent motorist scam, consider sharing your story by contacting us at nma@motorists.org so that we can warn others. Your anonymity will be protected.
–NMA
STAFF MEMBER COMMENT— I just read where Harley-Davidson is discontinuing the Sportster line up and 2021 is the last year. First they stopped the Dyna line which in my opinion was a giant mistake. Now the Sportster will be gone soon, in my opinion another big mistake? The rumor mill has it that the Street Bob and the Deluxe Softail models will follow this line of thinking? So, I guess this means everyone wants a bagger? This is what happens when you hire tennis shoe makers to run a motorcycle company! It is
–STEALTH
Associate Editor
Bikernet.com
WHAT’S NEXT?—Could this be more crazy? Think about it for a minute. On the other hand, maybe you shouldn’t—too stressful. I’ll keep it to a minimum. So, we were hit with the virus, political upheaval in the streets, mass homelessness, the election, stay at home orders and I plan an escape Califa.
So, day before yesterday I get hit with maybe a stress related symptom and ended up in the hospital. I’m covered with monitors and cute nurses checking my vital signs constantly. They draw blood, check my urine and administer an ultra-sound of my heart.
The next day nurses and doctors come to my bedside every hour to tell me about myself. One nurse says I have high blood pressure and I’m an alcoholic. She scolds me and leaves. Another hour passes and a nurse arrived with a piece of paper and an astonished look. “You are so healthy. You have no…” And you know the list. She basically says that I’m golden and should be allowed to go home.
Then the doctor’s start to arrive. One after the next tell me a different story about my heart. In fact, two doctors arrive and contradict each other for ten minutes and leave. I still don’t know what happened?
These are the best minds supposedly, but they are only human. Imagine taking your car or motorcycle to a shop. Hang on. All I can say is, “Be patient, they are only humans.”
Have a terrific weekend and remember to Ride Free or die trying.
All the best,
KRB
