A NEW COLLABORATION   We’ve been working behind the scenes to create a new line of watches with a company that’s been around since 1882!   Our first watch – the one we’re about to unveil, was chosen so both Jacobs Gallery and Cuervo y Sobrinos could get to know each other as we begin our relationship.

WORDS FROM SCOTT

  “I chose ‘Live to Ride’ because it is the most well-known image I’ve done.  It was the first painting Harley-Davidson saw that got me licensed with the Motor Company and helped kickstart my career over 25 years ago.   I thought it would bring good luck starting a watch line with Cuervo as it was good luck for me before.”   Need A Gift for Valentine’s Day?  💝🎁 2-Day Shipping in the US:  $75 (includes insurance) Check out the whole story on the Scott Jacobs Studio Gallery–Bandit

Bajaj and Triumph will introduce new affordable motorcycles in India and abroad under a new partnership.

Bajaj Auto and Triumph Motorcycles have formally announced their new partnership to produce a range of mid-size motorcycles and platforms for the Indian and global markets. The decision was initially announced back in 2017, but the formal agreement was signed only now. The partnership will see a positive impact in either brand’s future business in India as well as abroad.

The long-term partnership agreement follows a non-equity approach under which both brands retain their intellectual property rights. Beyond the operational side of the business, motorcycle enthusiasts have been eagerly looking forward to seeing what the partnership would introduce in our market in due course.

Apparently, Triumph will introduce ‘big bike experience’ while Bajaj continues its expertise at making smaller-capacity motorcycles. Both brands will collaborate on the R&D of each motorcycle and platform, but manufacturing will be done solely at Bajaj’s Chakan facility for all global markets. Eventually, Bajaj will take over Triumph India and introduce the iconic British motorcycle brand to newer markets.

This move will also make Triumph motorcycles much more accessible in the country and have an edge over other premium two-wheeler brands. The first-of-the-line products under the partnership will debut in the Indian market sometime in 2022. There is no news of a bigger-capacity multi-cylinder Bajaj motorcycle yet, but there’s no harm in expecting something of that sort.

With the help of Bajaj, Triumph aims to penetrate further into major Asian markets that are currently dominated by the likes of Japanese motorcycles. In markets where Bajaj does not operate, Triumph Motorcycles will sell the upcoming mid-size products alongside its regular portfolio.

Hence, Bajaj will open doors to a new market in major European nations where Triumph Motorcycles leads. On the other hand, the British motorcycle maker will reap an untapped potential present in the lower, affordable, mass-volume segment. More information regarding the upcoming Bajaj-Triumph products will be shared in the coming months and as the launch timelines close in. The products’ naming will be borrowed from the roots of Triumph’s strong heritage.

While it is too early to confirm the exact specifications and output of the upcoming Triumph-Bajaj motorcycles, the partnership aims to make them “aspirational and affordable” with a targeted ex-showroom price tag starting from under Rs 2 lakh. Currently, the Royal Enfield 650 Twins are the most desirable mid-size motorcycles available in foreign markets that offer superior value for money.

With the introduction of the new range of products under the alliance, major rival brands such as Royal Enfield, Harley-Davidson, etc., might have to worry a bit. Harley-Davidson has already anticipated such a scenario and is working on a 338cc motorcycle for the affordable segments in the Asian market.

Hundreds of bikers made the wish of a grieving dad come true by revving engines at his young son’s funeral so he could “hear them in heaven”.

Romeo Ferreira, who loved motorbikes, died aged three in December after battling a brain tumour.

His father Leandro made a hopeful plea on social media for roadies to make his son’s final day special.

He said he never expected hundreds of clubs from across the country to appear in Leamington Spa on Thursday.

The bikers rode and revved their engines in convoy behind the Romeo’s tiny coffin in a funeral cart, attached to a bike.

Romeo’s mother Kelly told the riders: “The louder the better. And rev it up so everyone can hear them and Romeo can hear from upstairs.”

“Heaven needs to hear the bikes,” Leandro told BBC Midlands Today. “Most of the bikers, 99 per cent, they don’t know Romeo. Everyone has just been awesome.”

One biker said: “Any support we can show, that’s why we’re here,” adding of the small funeral cart: “I’m big and ugly and it teared me up.”

Bikers from across the country answered a grieving dad’s call to come and rev their engines at his son’s funeral so the youngster could ‘hear them in heaven’. Romeo Ferreira died from a brain tumour in December aged three. He loved motorbikes, so his father Leandro appealed for riders to come and make some noise as he was being laid to rest in Leamington Spa. His tiny coffin was even ferried to church in a small sidecar as the convoy of riders followed.

Leandro told the BBC: ‘Heaven needs to hear the bikes, the bikers. Most of the bikers, 99 per cent, they don’t know Romeo. ‘Everyone has just been awesome.’ Romeo’s mum Kelly said she told the bikers: ‘The louder the better. And rev it up so everyone can hear them and Romeo can hear from upstairs.’

by Lee Davidson from https://www.sltrib.com/

Motorcycle groups revved up a call Thursday for something they say might have saved several of the record 48 riders who died on Utah highways last year: a better ban on the use of hand-held cellphones while driving.

“Every time I ride my motorcycle, I always have to worry that there’s people right next to me, or in front or behind me, that are texting” or talking on cellphones, said Elvecia Ramos, founder of The Riderz Foundation, at a state Capitol news conference. “It drives me crazy.”

She’s not alone.

“We’re getting hit by people who are on their phones. We’re all getting hit by left-hand turns” by drivers without peripheral vision because their phones block it, said Annette Ault, Utah chapter president of American Bikers Aiming Toward Education.

“And we don’t have any protection,” said Terry Marasco, legislative and policy analyst for The Riderz Foundation. 8“We don’t have any air bags. We don’t have any seat belts.”

“And we don’t have any metal around us,” Ault added.

So they are calling for passage of HB101 by Rep. Carol Moss, D-Holladay, to create a better ban.

Hand-held use of cellphones while driving has technically been illegal in Utah since 2007. But it can only be enforced if another moving traffic violation is committed at the same time, such as speeding. So few tickets are ever written.

It also complicates the enforcement of laws that have banned texting while driving since 2009. Police report that when they pull over people they see texting, they often claim to have been merely dialing a phone number — complicating whether they may issue a ticket if they committed no other moving violation.

Moss has tried — and failed — for years to allow direct citations for talking-on-the-phone violations. Republican majorities have repeatedly torpedoed it by arguing that it interferes with personal choice, or that cellphones are no more dangerous than many other distractions, or that it won’t change behavior.

For example, Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, said in debate last year, “I don’t like a bill that has to spell out everything that is forbidden …. I don’t want to live in a society where that is the standard,” and said most people know it is not smart to phone and drive.

May all bikers find their Nirvana in 2020

Hey,

It’s an amazing week. I want it to be this amazing for all bikers all over the world. I want all of us to be building the coolest shit, riding to the coolest places, meeting the most beautiful girls and enjoying every minute of it.

On Tuesday, we nervously took the Salt Torpedo into the desert for some passes on a desolate paved road. I can’t tell you where we went. It’s a top-speed secret, that only coyotes and bleak desert bikers know about. What a trip.

Watch for the whole highly successful run report in a story in the next few days on Bikernet. Let’s hit the news. I’m still floating on Cloud Nine.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS

by Raven Saunt from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/

• The footage was recorded on a helmet-cam by Bob Trabuco in Phelan, California
• The 39-year-old drives down a sandy track with his daughter, Presley, up ahead
• Social media users were quick to say that she was too young to be on the track

A three-year-old girl was caught on camera riding her own mini-motorcycle as she zoomed along a trail with her father.

The footage was recorded on a helmet-cam by Bob Trabuco in Phelan, California.

In the video, the 39-year-old can be seen driving down the sandy track on a blue motorbike with expanses of open space up ahead.

His three-year-old daughter Presley, who is wearing a grey t-shirt and pink helmet, has come to a stop on the left-hand side of the screen.

She is straddling her own mini-motorbike with her stabilizers keeping her steady on the ground.

Bob looks toward his daughter and says: ‘This might be the most fun day ever riding motorcycles Presley, do you know that?’

The little girl, who is equipped with her own helmet-cam, turns around to look at him before saying that she is ‘too stuck’.

Bob gives her a helping hand and urges the bike forward with his foot before the pair begin to accelerate around the course.

The pair continue to navigate across the rocky terrain before hesitating outside a tunnel as Presley says: ‘Every time I go through a tunnel its too noisy.’

But her father continues to encourage her to complete the course and the video ends shortly after.

The footage was recorded last month during Presley’s first real outing on a motorcycle.

Marketing manager Bob uploaded the clip to his YouTube Channel, Suburban Delinquent, but was quickly met with criticism by users who said that Presley was too young to be out on a track.

One user, wzrubicon, wrote: ‘Actually, it is too young as a three-year-old’s coordination hasn’t even come close to developing.

‘I know others here are saying how cool and great this is, but it’s really f***** up.

‘This is like saying it’s okay for a three-year-old to climb out on a limb 50 feet up a tree.’

Another, Michael Mulcahey, added: ‘When the kid whines non stop then starts crying it’s definitely too soon and not cute.’

But he reassured the internet that Presley, who had mastered a push bike at the age of two, was perfectly safe.

The father-of-one said: ‘I was the proudest parent ever.

‘Never in my life did I think I would be in a situation like that – I choked up a few times while on that trail.

‘Presley is sharp, caring and a bit of a daredevil – she loves to put herself out there.

‘When we go anywhere she will seek out any other kid no matter what their age is and try to be best friends with them, it’s really fun to watch her navigate in social environments.

‘Since she was an infant she has been exposed to motorcycles in one way or another as I own a few.

‘She took an interest in learning to ride on her own after watching videos on YouTube, she watched another little girl learn and asked if she could also learn to ride.

‘My wife and I felt she was capable of taking direction – Presley is smart, she listens and understands consequences associated with risks.’

He added: ‘Presley absolutely didn’t want to go through the tunnel. I think she thought there might be monsters in there, I’m not sure.

‘I ended up having to ride her bike through it.

‘This is Presley’s second time on a motorcycle, her first experience was on Thanksgiving weekend.

‘I put her on the bike and explained the controls and dangers of operating a motorcycle.

‘She rode in a small circle while I chased after her on foot yelling instructions at her.

‘I was terrified so it only lasted a couple of minutes before the bike was put away.’

Other social media users, however, praised Presley’s fearlessness and Bob’s parenting skills.

One, ParanormalRider1, commented: ‘That’s some wholesome family content right there.

‘Parenting done right.’

Anotehr, 2wheelLove1, wrote: ‘Simultaneously the cutest and most badass thing I’ve ever seen. Lol.’

Bob said he was thrilled with the good feedback after posting the clip online and highlighted that next time Presley will be wearing her gloves.

He said: ‘I do appreciate the concern but I’m confident that we did everything right.

‘I had pretty much everything she needed to keep her safe, I did forget to bring her gloves though – I won’t let that happen again, the internet slayed me for it.

‘The helmet-to-helmet communications kept it safe, it meant I was able to very calmly give her direction and advice.

‘By not yelling stuff over the sounds of the bikes it helped keep emotions to a minimum.

‘Presley understood what she was doing and I knew what to look for, we spoke about everything extensively before the bike was ever started.

‘The day she’s able to pick the bike up on her own and hold it up with at least one foot planted is the day those wheels come off.

‘Besides a few internet trolls, the response to the video has been really positive – with thousands of people from all over the world praising her.

‘It’s really cool to hear strangers share their personal stories of their first time riding or riding with their kids.

‘I can’t believe how many people have been touched through this video, I think it brought back a lot of memories for some.

‘I also think the world is insane at the moment and we all need a “feel-good” video to remind us we are all just humans.’

Presley shows no signs of slowing down with Bob claiming she’s desperate to hit the track again.

He said: ‘I have plans to take Presley out in future as she’s been asking a lot lately.

‘We’ll go again real soon and I’ll make sure to film it and put the video up for everyone to see.

‘It’s really funny, anytime someone new comes over she makes them watch the video – she’s very proud of it and so are we.

‘We haven’t been back out since as I have been looking for a new place without any rocks.

‘The message I would like people to take from this video would be to experience life and do it with those who you love – for me, motorcycling allows me to do that.

‘I hope the video inspires some to get their kids away from the TV or games and try something new.’

We’re looking forward to seeing our local community at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show!

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the Copilot™ Advanced Warning System and chat with the team.

Event Details

WHAT – Damon Team and CoPilot™ Demonstration at Vancouver Motorcycle Show
WHEN – January 24–25, 2020
WHERE –  Tradex, Abbotsford

• Climate alarmist are telling you a false story line
• It’s really about spending huge sums of taxpayer money on a non-existent problem and vastly expanding government control over our lives
• Greenland’s name wasn’t just a clever marketing ploy by the Icelandic Vikings to get suckers to move there
• There is so much good news because of our gently warming world that you gotta wear shades – more food and less poverty
• Be aware of the climate alarmist Trojan HorseFriend of Heartland,
  
• 
  On Tuesday evening, I appeared on the PBS program Chicago Tonight, with Alderman Matt Martin for a discussion about Chicago’s so-called “climate emergency.”
• 

  During the segment, we debated the merits of his resolution, “Declaring a Climate Emergency and Emergency Mobilization Effort to Restore a Safe Climate.” As you may know, several cities throughout America have passed similar measures, which are more about virtue-signaling than pragmatic solutions.

  In essence, these misguided resolutions are all about spending huge sums of money on a non-existent problem and vastly expanding government control to boot. Just think about a city saving the earth. Oh, the hubris! Coincidence? I think not. These resolutions—including the Green New Deal—are not intended to avoid a climate cataclysm. They are really about increasing the power of politicians, so they can exert maximum control over our lives while reaching even deeper into our wallets and purses.

  It isn’t about the climate, because we are not, nor have been, on the brink of a climate apocalypse. The manufacturing of the “climate crisis” is a stealth maneuver to increase the size and scope of government under the guise of global warming—don’t ever forget it.

  In reality, we are threatened more by the Climate Delusion than we are by a worldwide climate catastrophe. In fact, over the past 170 years, our world (thankfully) is warming at a very gentle rate. This is natural, as all planets tend to undergo periodic cycles of warming and cooling. I don’t think it is a coincidence that without the presence of mankind, Mars is also experiencing a gentle warming cycle.

  This warming/cooling phenomenon has been occurring for millennia, well before humans discovered and put petroleum to use for our benefit. For instance, there once was a time when humans actually walked from Asia to North America—not because they could walk on water, but because ocean levels were much lower, exposing a land bridge between present-day Russia and Alaska. Believe it or not, our planet has experienced several cooling and warming periods.

  Greenland is called Greenland because from 900 to 1300, humans could actually grow crops in the then-warmer soil and climate of Greenland—it wasn’t just a clever marketing ploy by the Icelandic Vikings to get suckers to move there. This Medieval Warm Period was preceded by the cold and dark Middle Ages. Which was preceded by the Roman Warm Period from 700 BC to the time of Christ.

  The Romans wore togas and shorts for a reason, it was warm way back then. When it is warm, it is better for plants, animals, and people. CO2 is plant food, worldwide crop harvests are up, up, up. Fortunately, we are in the midst of a natural warm and wet period, which is a good thing. In fact, more people die from exposure to cold than heat every year. I could go on and on, with mountains of facts, but I digress.

  I know you are fed a steady diet of lies by the radical, legacy media. Unfortunately, like Alderman Martin, they are telling you a false story line. Taking this into account, I understand if you are skeptical in regards to The Heartland Institute’s perspective of climate realism. We at Heartland have done a deep dive into this topic and offer you a truthful, fact-based, realist perspective.

  Martin’s resolution claims “WHEREAS, the death and destruction already wrought by current average global warming of 1 degree C [this is America for goodness sake, why isn’t this expressed in Fahrenheit?] demonstrates that the Earth is already too hot for safety and justice, [whatever that means] as attested by increased and intensifying wildfires, floods and rising seas, diseases, droughts and extreme weather.”

  This alarmist rhetoric is quite alarming, and should immediately trigger your skeptical side. This type of doom and gloom propaganda is precisely why I call those who have joined the climate change movement (to some it has become a religion) climate alarmists, aka the green extreme. This is a classic case of the Chicken Little folk tale in action. Even worse, it is a world-wide false alarm, the sky is not falling and it isn’t burning up either.
  

  1. At present, the world is experiencing less hurricanes that are less severe than in the past.
  2. There are also less tornados in the United State than in many times in the past.
  3. Australia, the desert continent, is getting wetter.
  4. NOAA temperature data points to no heat increase in the U.S. over the past two decades.
  5. The oceans have risen .8 inches a century for the past 170 years, and are holding steady.
  6. I have witnessed Lake Michigan at very high and very low levels. In my life, global warming and now climate change were blamed for both the highs and the lows. Wow, you can’t make this stuff up.

  
  For decades, climate alarmists, like children (and Chicken Little) have simply made stuff up. And their highly unqualified predictions have been proven false time and time again. Over and over, they parrot the same dire projections and yet they carry on as if nothing has happened as these predictions fail to materialize, again and again and again.

  Here is a primer on their poor predictions. Polar bears are going to die! There are more than ever. We will all be dead in a few years! We are not. Everyone will starve! Meanwhile, more people are well-fed and global poverty is at its lowest rate ever!

  Being from Wisconsin, I ask: why would Wisconsinites not welcome a North Carolina-like climate? Why would people who live in northern Alberta, Canada not welcome Wisconsin-esque weather? Land values are up in northern Alberta, because the land is able to be used for more productive purposes. Put another way, humans can grow more crops when it is warm. There is so much good news because of our gently warming world—not in spite of it. We are being fed a steady diet of lies by the prophets of doom for the benefit of themselves and their wealthy well-connected friends; not for the benefit of ordinary, hard-working Americans—like you.

  Be aware!

  Sincerely,
  

Frank Lasee

Heartland Institute

Hey,

It’s an amazing week. I want it to be this amazing for all bikers all over the world. I want all of us to be building the coolest shit, riding to the coolest places, meeting the most beautiful girls and enjoying every minute of it.

On Tuesday, we nervously took the Salt Torpedo into the desert for some passes on a desolate paved road. I can’t tell you where we went. It’s a top-speed secret, that only coyotes and bleak desert bikers know about. What a trip.

While we discussed the plan with Dustin Leinweber in a shed behind the Wheeler Station, something dawned on me. Our first hiccup. I worked for weeks preparing and adjusting for this. I struggled with the top of the body, but this puppy was buttoned up tight, and I was beginning to think we needed an engine hatch for mechanical access.

While discussing the CHP and our desert run plans it dawned on me that the rag was still stuck in the velocity stack to keep shit out of the intake. I thought, “Oh Fuck.” We opened the trailer and I discovered a space for a skinny arm to maybe reach, and Micah gave it a shot—success. Did I miss anything else?

Watch for the whole highly successful run report in a story in the next few days on Bikernet. Let’s hit the news. I’m still floating on Cloud Nine.

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. Most recently Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

Misguided Youth Protesters Have It Wrong — the World Is Actually Getting Better and Better. All the good news is likely to depress them beyond recovery.

by H. STERLING BURNETT

Contrary to assertions made by radical protesters of the Extinction Rebellion movement, who claim, “It is understood that we are facing an unprecedented global emergency … a life or death situation of our own making,” or by misinformed youths like Greta Thunberg, who believes industrial civilization has “robbed” her of her future, in most ways, the 21st century has been the best in recorded history.

English science journalist Matt Ridley, Ph.D., writes in the London Spectator that the second decade of the 21st century was the best ever recorded, in terms of human living standards, despite purported catastrophic warming. Ridley points out that when he was born in 1958, 60 percent of the world’s population was living in poverty, yet in the second decade of the 21st century, this number fell below 10 percent for the first time. Ridley also notes, “Global inequality has been plunging as Africa and Asia experience faster economic growth than Europe and North America; child mortality has fallen to record low levels; famine virtually went extinct; malaria, polio and heart disease are all in decline.”

“We are getting more sustainable, not less, in the way we use the planet,” Ridley continues, explaining that we are continually using fewer materials and resources to produce the goods and services we consume.

Historically, there is no correlation between the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and Earth’s temperature, but research consistently shows a direct connection between a country’s wealth and people flourishing.

People in wealthier societies are generally healthier, live longer, have fewer children die at birth or in their infancy, and face fewer economic, gender, and social inequalities. Their populations also tend to be better educated and are better able to anticipate, adapt to, and respond to natural disasters than people in poorer societies. And the cornerstone of growing prosperity and decreasing penury around the globe during the 20th and early 21st centuries has been the development and use of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels are the foundation of modern agriculture. They power the tractors and trucks used to plant and harvest crops and deliver them to market. They serve as the feed stock for the chemical pesticides and fertilizers used to grow ever greater amounts of food on increasingly less land. And they power the refrigeration and dry storage units that allow crops to be safely stored for long periods of time without spoiling.

Fossil fuels are also the bedrock of modern medicine, which has reduced infant mortality and increased lifespans. Contemporary health care depends on sterile plastics made from fossil fuels, including IV drip bags and tubing, medical machinery, electronics casings, and syringes.

Hospitals, ambulances, operating rooms, emergency rooms, and clinics open 24 hours per day, seven days a week, cannot function without coal, natural gas, and oil. Medical refrigeration units, CT scanning machines, MRIs, X-rays, laser scalpels, ventilators, incubators, and lights require reliable electric power, which fossil fuels provide more affordably and dependably than alternative sources.

Studies also show the number of people who have died as a result of extreme weather events has fallen precipitously over the past century, all while fossil fuel use has grown and the climate has warmed modestly.

Forty-four percent of the world’s population lived in absolute poverty in 1981. The share of people living in extreme poverty fell below 10 percent in 2015. In addition, according to the United Nations, the number of people suffering from persistent hunger has declined by two billion since 1990. What’s more, research shows there is now 17 percent more food available per person than there was 30 years ago — all during the period of purportedly dangerous climate change due to human carbon dioxide emissions.

Rather than teaching youths the world is doomed in 10, 12, or 20 years — pick your own planetary expiration date thrown out by climate alarmists in recent years — we should place Alex Epstein’s fact-filled book The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels on their school reading lists. Epstein incisively writes:

Climate is no longer a major cause of deaths, thanks in large part to fossil fuels.… Not only are we ignoring the big picture by making the fight against climate danger the fixation of our culture, we are “fighting” climate change by opposing the weapon that has made it dozens of times less dangerous.

The popular climate discussion has the issue backward. It looks at man as a destructive force for climate livability, one who makes the climate dangerous because we use fossil fuels. In fact, the truth is the exact opposite; we don’t take a safe climate and make it dangerous; we take a dangerous climate and make it safe.

If only more people approached the climate issue with open minds, honestly examining the abundant evidence showing that the world is improving, we might have fewer protests and more progress on truly important goals like ending hunger, fighting disease, and promoting freedom.

H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D. (hburnett@heartland.org) is a senior fellow on energy and the environment at The Heartland Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research center headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Sponsored by Revcontent

—www.spectator.org

NMA ALERT, Shenanigans Abound in the Washington State Ballot Initiative over Car Fees–Motorists are not cash cows, and it is time elected officials stop treating us as such!

In Washington State, Tim Eyman decided he didn’t think it was fair for everyone in the state to pay for big city transit projects through ever increasing vehicle registration fees (or car tabs, as the locals call them).

Anger with car tab increases stem from passage of Sound Transit 3 in 2016. It is a 25-year, $54 billion expansion which hiked the motor vehicle excise tax from 0.3 percent to 1.1 percent with all monies collected by the regional authority, Puget Sound. Sound Transit 3 also allowed the government to raise the local sales tax and establish a new annual property tax within the transit district boundary.

In 2017, the cost of car registration fees surged and caught many car owners unprepared. Also, Sound Transit used a 1999 depreciation schedule which overvalued newer vehicles, further raising the charges it could collect.

Out of frustration, Eyman and his group, the Permanent Offense team, started a petition drive to put an initiative on the ballot to limit the state’s registration fees to just $30, and base vehicle property taxes on Kelley Blue Book values instead. If the measure was put on the ballot and passed, it would end the practice of using inflated valuations to boost tax revenue. The Initiative would also eliminate the ability of Sound Transit to impose additional taxes on vehicle owners.

Getting an initiative on the ballot is difficult and can sometimes take several years, which was the case for Eyman and Permanent Offense. Local and state officials don’t like ballot initiatives, especially if they cut into their bread and butter. That’s why governments will do nearly anything disqualify petition signatures (Read last week’s newsletter #574: East Liverpool, Ohio Voters win the Day against Red-Light and Speed Cameras.)

Despite all odds, volunteers were successful in getting the initiative on the November 5, 2019, Washington State ballot. Even though the other side spent a great deal of money to defeat Initiative 976, it passed with 55 percent of the vote. (Oddly enough, similar initiatives to cap car tab fees at $30 per vehicle passed in 1999 and again in 2002. The state government kept inching the fees up, which is why public advocates had to take action yet again.) Passage of the initiative also means an immediate $450 million hole in the state transportation budget now exists.

The immediate response by the state and localities involved court cases, broken promises, and a great deal of handwringing.

Lawyers for the city of Seattle, King County, and the Association of Washington Cities successfully argued before a local judge who issued a preliminary injunction to block the measure from taking effect. In December 2019, a divided State Supreme Court upheld the ruling.

Three high-court justices, though, disagreed with the ruling and insisted that the public will should not be ignored. They wrote in their dissent:

“Delaying the effective date of a law enacted by initiative is an extraordinary measure, and it is debatable whether the challengers have shown a likelihood of success on their constitutional challenges to the initiative. While the challengers point to significant losses in revenue and service that could result from a stay and the state highlights the cost of any necessary taxpayer refunds, these monetary injuries are not the only ones that matter. Also important is the potential harm to voters’ confidence in the initiative system and our democratic process as a whole.”

The dissenting opinion noted that, generally, an initiative is presumed valid until it has been proven unconstitutional through the full court process.

Eyman, who is now running for governor, said that he felt that Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson nominally defended the vote in court. Eyman claims that Ferguson tried to sabotage the case by failing to file for a change of venue to take the case out of King County (which overwhelmingly voted for the measure).

By the end of November, the Washington State Department of Transportation, under the direction of Governor Jay Inslee, released a list of transportation projects that would now be deferred.

State DOT Secretary Roger Millar wrote in a November 26th letter that the purpose of delaying projects that are not yet underway is to provide state lawmakers and the Governor more funding flexibility. The deferred list also included projects funded by the Connecting Washington transportation package of 2015, which was an 11.9 percent gas tax increase. These projects funded by the 2015 gas tax increase did not have any funding from the vehicle registration fees funding, and many question why these projects were put on the list.

Overall, Washington decided to place 90 different transportation projects on hold while the Governor and state lawmakers sort out funding priorities during the 2020 legislative session.

One such project: the North Spokane Corridor (NSC) Project, also called the North-South Freeway, had been promised to voters for decades and was finally funded in 2015. Even though the Connecting Washington funds included other car taxes and fees, the WSDOT confirmed to Washington Policy Center’s Transportation Chief Mariya Frost that the NSC is funded solely by the 2015 gas tax increase—the same gas tax increase that Initiative 976 does not impact.

Curiously, several bike and pedestrian projects still have funding, even though resources for these projects came entirely out of the state’s Multimodal Account. Many alternative transportation and transit projects would have lost much of its funding due to the reduction in car tab fees brought on by Initiative 976.

Now that the State Supreme Court has weighed in on the debate, motorists have no choice but to keep pushing for what they voted for and passed in November.

Eyman has also encouraged Initiative supporters to only pay the $30 car tab fee as set out in the voter-approved law.

When states are allowed to ignore the will of the people, the democratic process breaks down as Washington State has so aptly demonstrated.

JOIN THE NMA TODAY!

Damon Hypersport to take the red carpet at Sundance Film Festival–As a continuation of our media tour, we’re headed to the Sundance Film Festival. Both our Virtual Reality Experience and our Hypersport prototype will hit “The Luxury Escape,” an exclusive reception for Sundance attendees.

“The successful unveiling and overwhelming response of the Hypersport at CES has been quite a ride,” said Jay Giraud, co-founder and CEO at Damon. “We’re excited now to take the Hypersport on the road to Sundance and give attendees a firsthand look at what the future of motorcycling is all about.”

Event Details

WHAT – Damon Motorcycles to showcase Hypersport at The Luxury Escape
WHEN – January 24–27, 2020
WHERE – St. Regis Deer Valley Resort – Park City, Utah

SALT TORPEDO TO-DO LIST—After making several passes on a stretch of pavement in the desert we have a to-do list.

I spoke to Chris Morrison about a paint job. His shop is next to Larry Settle’s in Harbor City.

We need to adjust the shocks. The torpedo is seriously lower than when we rolled into the desert. Something settled and we had a slight shimmy.

I spoke to Gary Maur, who is in Detroit and has built numerous 300 mph drag cars. The axle rake is currently at 6 degrees. He said to go to 10 degrees for more stability.

We need to check the clutch and and clutch cable. We had a problem, but Micah adjusted it and was good to go. We need to take a second look.

Fix the rear brake anchor tab and inspect.

Wiring issue. A loose wire?

More great news for Adam Croft Leather in 2020--Happy to announce that Kenny Dukes at Hellbenders Motorcycles in Zephyrhills FL has decided to equip all their custom-built choppers exclusively with Adam Croft Leather for handmade motorcycle seats.

Adam is excited to have the opportunity to make his one of a kind seats for Hellbenders Motorcycles.

Contact Kenny at Hellbenders Motorcycles for your next chopper on Facebook and Instagram.

–Adam Croft Leather

HELMET REPEAL EFFORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY--Since 1966, when Georgia became the first State to require helmet use by law, America has gone through periods of nearly 100% conformity with every state except California passing mandatory helmet laws, through two federal helmet law mandates, both since repealed, to today with only 19 states and the District of Columbia requiring helmets for all riders.

Now, with state legislatures back in session entering the new year, several of those states are hoping to be the next to nix their lid law, following most recently Arkansas (1997), Texas (1997), Kentucky (1998), Florida (2000), Pennsylvania (2003) and Michigan (2012). Louisiana weakened its motorcycle helmet use law in 1999, but re-enacted it in 2004.

Already this year, West Virginia has introduced bicameral legislation on January 10th, HB 2070 in the House and SB 153 in the Senate, that would allow you to operate or be a passenger on a motorcycle without a helmet, provided the rider is 21 or older and has held a motorcycle license for at least two years. In addition, SB 154 would allow certain out-of-state residents ride a motorcycle in West Virginia without helmet.

Missouri, which last session passed a helmet repeal through both houses of their legislature, only to see it vetoed, once again, by their governor, has introduced another bill on January 9th to exempt persons 18 or older with a valid motorcycle license from wearing protective headgear while riding a motorcycle or motortricycle.

In New York, A6895, introduced January 8th, provides that motorcyclists over the age of 21 shall be exempt from the requirement to wear a helmet when operating or riding a motorcycle, while A3004 “requires motorcycle users to wear helmets that meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards and which have been impact-tested by the U.S. department of transportation, the commissioner of motor vehicles or by an independent laboratory approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles.”

Meanwhile, companion bills A214/S320 authorizes the commissioner of transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of the efficacy of motorcycle helmets.

Vermont’s legislature is considering S203, an act relating to motorcycle helmets, which “proposes to amend the motorcycle helmet law to only apply to motorcycle operators and riders under 21 years of age and creates an exemption from the motorcycle helmet requirement for those operators and riders who are participating in a parade.”

The number of registered motorcycles in the U.S. is near historic highs, with more than 8.4 million registered motorcycles as of 2014, according to the U.S. DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This is up from 4.3 million in 2000, nearly doubling over the past two decades.

–Bill Bish
NCOM Newsbytes

FROM THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–JEFF FOXWORTHY COMMENTING ON IOWA!! If you’re proud that your region makes the national news at least 96 times each year because it’s the hottest or the coldest… spot in
the nation, you might live in Spencer, Iowa
If your dad’s suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might farm in Carroll, Iowa.

If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Spirit Lake , Iowa.

If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Maple River , Iowa.

If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who
dialed a wrong number, you might live in Anthon , Iowa.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE Iowan WHEN ‘Vacation’ means going east or west on I-80 for the weekend…

If you measure distance in hours, you might live in Iowa.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you
might live in Sac City , Iowa.

If you often switch from ‘Heat’ to ‘A/C’ in the same day and back
again, you might live in Denison, Iowa.

If you can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching, you might live Mapleton, Iowa.

If you see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings), you might live in Battle Creek, Iowa.

If you install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked, you might live in Danbury, Iowa.

If you carry jumper cables in your car, and your girlfriend knows how to use them, you might live in Correctionville, Iowa.

If you design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you might live in Northern Iowa.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you might live in Ida Grove, Iowa.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and
road construction, you might live in
Carroll, Iowa.

If your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce, you might live in Schleswig, Iowa.

If you were unaware that there is a legal drinking age, you might live in Iowa City , Iowa.

If Going Down South means Missouri, you might live in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

If your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed, you might live in Charter Oak, Iowa.

If your idea of going out to eat is a tail gate party every Saturday, you definitely live in Iowa.

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car; you
might live in Sioux City, Iowa.

If you find 0 degrees to be ‘a little chilly’, you might live in Washta, Iowa.

–from Andy

CLARA WAGNER–Pioneer female motorcyclist Clara Wagner
In 1907, Clara Wagner became the first female member of the Federation of American Motorcyclists.

Fifty-nine years before Peter Fonda flashed those pearly whites behind the handlebars of his custom Captain American chopper in “Easy Rider,” 18-year-old Clara Marian Wagner was taking top honors in a 365-mile motorcycle endurance race.

Her father owned the Wagner Motorcycle Company. And when Clara joined the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) in 1907 at just 15, she became its first female member. Two years later, when Wagner rolled out a woman’s “drop-frame” bike, Clara slid onto the seat and put the company on the map as the world’s first documented female motorcyclist.

Denied her trophy
In 1910, riding a 4-horsepower motorcycle, Wagner achieved a perfect score of 1000 in a 365-mile endurance race from Chicago to Indianapolis in bad weather, on mud-covered, pothole-pitted roads. She was all of 18. But the judges disqualified her as an “unofficial registrant” on the grounds that motorcycling was too dangerous for women, and denied Wagner the winning trophy.

Though Clara Wagner didn’t come home with the top prize, she became famous when her image appeared on a series of postcards hailing her as “the most successful and experienced lady motorcyclist” who rode the first bike designed especially for women.

–Wednesday’s Women with Sandy Levins
https://wednesdayswomen.com/

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VA NEWS–If a century of work for veterans has taught us anything, it’s that protecting the care and benefits of our nation’s veterans requires constant vigilance. That’s why part of DAV’s mission is to be a voice — and an unrelenting advocate — for all veterans on Capitol Hill.

I’m proud to say we made significant progress last year on some of our key legislative priorities:

Established a congressional women veterans task force to help identify and eliminate barriers women veterans face accessing VA benefits, programs and health care services.

Implemented the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act and amended laws to make the appeals process easier for veterans disputing VA decisions.

Expanded coverage for family caregiver support to as many as 100,000 veterans and added urgent health care access to veterans through the VA MISSION Act.
While we were pleased to see forward momentum, there is more work to do. And in this new year, DAV stands ready to continue tackling these and other pressing issues for today’s veterans. Click here to learn more about the issues DAV is focusing on for 2020.

And in this new year, you can help make our voice for veterans even stronger by participating in our Recruit a Warrior program. Simply share your personal referral link below with your fellow veterans and ask them to join our powerful community of veterans helping veterans:

https://secure.dav.org/site/Donation2

Thank you for being a dedicated member of DAV — you’re our most powerful resource in the fight for our nation’s veterans.

–Stephen Whitehead
Stephen “Butch” Whitehead
DAV National Commander

NEWS FROM TEXAS HIGHWAYS–So, it appears it’s “Old Age” for the win! I ordered the Memphis Shade hand guards, nice product, simple & easy to install.

Also got another pair of Harley-Davidson (made in China), gloves for Christmas from the Texas redhead. (Not a current image of her on her bike, a few years back). Her birthday is tomorrow, and I haven’t gotten her any Bikernet swag.

The gauntlets were a great glove for 40(?) years, figured my newest ones were probably 15+ years old easy. Maybe they had gotten wet to much too?

So, with the new H-D gloves, with Gator Skin liners & Memphis Shade hand guards in place I rode Monday morning. AT 4:00 a.m. Willis temp was 36/37 degrees. The guards did block the direct wind. But the air comes up under the bottom of the guard and hits my fingers, more on the throttle side as it sits out farther because of the master cylinder.

I can bring it closer since I don’t have cruise, so I don’t take my hand off yet. Getting ready to try a Keiti Speed Lock cruise control though, as soon as I remember to order it!

Been selling blood so I can pay for a Villian 2, T-Sport fairing when they’re ready next month. For now, the tool bag is redirecting a little air, really want the FXRP one though, but don’t think I can keep selling 4 pints a week.

–RFR

GET INVOLVED WITH THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION–Are you coming to 12th Annual Bikers Inside the Beltway on May 18 & 19th? If not, you should reconsider your decision because Bikers Inside the Beltway (BITB) is critical to the mission and the effectiveness of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. Not to mention, it is the only national motorcycle lobby day.

If you know you are going to attend BITB or thinking about attending, then you are going to want to follow along with the details below. Even if you are a long-time attendee – there is some good stuff you need to know.

Are you planning to Attend? Registration is live now!

There’s no cost to you, but you do need to let us know you are coming because we need to make sure we have enough materials/space/etc. You can register at https://mrf.org/events/ or by calling 202-546-0983. You can pre-order an “I Lobbied Congress with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation” t-shirt and more details are available on the online registration page. The deadline for online registrations, room reservations and t-shirt orders is April 27, 2020.

Find a Way to Get to Washington, D.C.

Fly, train, walk or RIDE – we need you here by Monday, May 18th at 7:00 pm. We’ll gather together, go over the issues, provide you with handouts to distribute during your meetings and answer any questions. Then early Tuesday morning on May 19th, we’ll be KSU and headed to the Capitol.

Book Your Hotel Earlier, the better!

We have two options for you – The Clarion Inn in Falls Church for $125/night OR the Governor’s House Inn at $89/night. They are across the street from each other and a quick ride into the Capitol. Also, we’ll hold our prep session at the Clarion Inn on Monday evening, May 18th.

Schedule Appointments with your Elected Officials WHEN? Start on April 20th!

We have been saying this the past couple of years but no more “dropping in,” which many groups have done in the past. They are nowhere near as effective as scheduling an in-person meeting with the Member of Congress or staffer. Over the past year, the D.C. team has visited over 55% of Congress and met with a transportation staffer. That means there is a pretty good chance that we have already warmed the seat up for you and know precisely the staffer you should meet with. Don’t know how to go about doing that? We’ve got you covered, so NO EXCUSES. See more on this below:

Upon registering for the event, we will provide you with a list of contact information in early spring for your state’s delegation. It has handy information like their phone number, email addresses, and location.

USE THIS

Email the contact person for the office you want to meet with – don’t know what to say? Don’t worry; the contact sheet includes the language you can COPY & PASTE into an email.
Rather call instead? No problem. Call the phone number listed for the office you want to meet with and say, “I am going to be in Washington, DC on May 19th and would like to schedule a meeting with the Congressman (or Senator) related to motorcycling.”

The receptionist will take it from there, which may be sending an email (see above) or by connecting you to the SCHEDULER (that’s basically the secretary) who will either give you a time for a meeting or connect you to the appropriate staff person.

If they direct you to a staff meeting, you’ll want to say: “If the Congressman (or Senator) is unavailable, I would be willing to meet with the staffer that handles transportation issues.” Then pick a time. Write it down. Carry on.

One helpful hint – try to group your meetings in the same building. For SENATORS, that’s going to be Russell, Hart or Dirksen. For REPRESENTATIVES, that’s going to be Cannon, Longworth or Rayburn. If you try to group your meetings by building, it’s going to save you a LOT of walking.

One more helpful hint – for those of you with large delegations for which you can’t possibly see all in one day, pick those Representatives where a constituent (that’s someone that lives in their district) will be present for the meeting. Still have time to see more folks? Ask the D.C. team about what other offices that we think you should make an appointment to see. We can steer you towards the Representatives or Senators where you’re more likely to make headway on the issues.

Ride Free,

–Tiffany & Rocky

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.

NEW SCREAMIN’ EAGLE 131 CRATE ENGINE OFFERS BIG POWER UPGRADE FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON TOURING MOTORCYCLES–The Biggest, Most Powerful Street-Compliant Engine Harley-Davidson Has Ever Created

Harley-Davidson offers power-hungry street riders a new performance option with the introduction of the Screamin’ Eagle® Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Crate Engine for Touring model motorcycles. The new 131 cubic inch (2147cc) V-Twin delivers the biggest, most powerful street-compliant engine Harley-Davidson has ever created*.

The Screamin’ Eagle 131 is a bolt-in replacement for 2017-later model Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles originally equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight Oil-Cooled or Twin-Cooled™ engine, designed to run at high RPM and provide a significant boost of torque from cruising speed. Riders of many late-model Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles will experience commanding performance from the moment the throttle is cracked open on the Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine, performance backed by the assurance of a factory limited warranty.

This street-ready performance engine features H-D’s finest Screamin’ Eagle components. The Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine combines the 4.5-inch stroke of the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine with new 4.31-inch bore cylinders with a patented design.

Milwaukee-Eight Extreme Ported four-valve cylinder heads are CNC-ported and fitted with 1mm larger-diameter valves to optimize air/fuel flow and velocity and feature fully machined combustion chambers shaped to optimize combustion efficiency.

The engine is completed with a high-lift SE8-517 camshaft and high-performance cam bearing, high-compression (10.7:1) forged pistons, a 64mm throttle body and intake manifold, and high-flow (5.5-grams per second) fuel injectors. It’s a combination that produces 131 ft-lb of torque and 121 horsepower at the rear wheel when paired with Screamin’ Eagle® Street Cannon mufflers.

Each Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine is detailed with 131 Stage IV badging on the cylinder heads and timer cover. The engine is available in a choice of two finish treatments to match original motorcycle styling or a custom direction – Black and Chrome or Black and Gloss Black.

There are also versions of the engine to fit motorcycles originally equipped with an oil-cooled Milwaukee-Eight engine and those equipped with the Twin-Cooled™ Milwaukee-Eight engine.

The Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine is eligible for Custom Coverage under the motorcycle’s factory 24-month vehicle limited warranty when dealer-installed by an authorized H-D Dealer within 60 days of vehicle purchase, and is otherwise backed by a 12-month limited warranty.

The Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Crate Engine ($6,195.00 oil cooled, $6,395 Twin-Cooled) fits 2017-later model Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles originally equipped with either a Milwaukee-Eight Oil-Cooled or Twin-Cooled engine.

It does not fit Trike models. Installation may require the separate purchase of additional components, depending on motorcycle model. All models require additional purchase of ECM recalibration with Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner for proper installation.

Complete fitment information can be found on H-D.com.

**The Screamin’ Eagle 131 Performance Crate Engine complies with noise and emissions standards in all U.S. states other than California on 2017-later Touring Models. Replacement engines must be re-fitted with emission control devices and systems appropriate for the vehicle model and model year in order to ensure emissions compliance. Legal for use on public roads only when installed in the specified models. Street-compliant statements may not apply to markets outside the United States. Not eligible for limited warranty when installed in models other than the ones specified.

Please see the Parts and Accessories warranty statement and your H-D dealer for more information. The prices provided are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices. Actual retail prices may vary.

Power Panel of MOTORCYCLE Women Tell It Like It Is–

Women currently control $7 trillion in U.S. spending and, in the next decade, women will control two-thirds of U.S. consumer wealth.

Women influence 85 percent of all consumer purchases, according to research firms Yankelovich Monitor and Greenfield Online.

And four formidable women in our industry shared their experiences and insights, as powersports professionals and consumers, during the Women in Powersports panel at the latest MIC Communications Symposium. The panelists were Tracy Harris, senior vice president, Informa Markets; Kim Knupp, national events manager, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.; Anya Violet, co-founder and brand director, Atwyld and Babes Ride Out; and Ann Willey, national sales and marketing manager, National Cycle.

“Women are a driving force,” Harris said in an email follow-up. “Across all aspects of society, we are seeing their voice and presence grow. Successful industries and companies evolve with the changing times and today that means being not only inclusive but welcoming to women.”

“That’s why the powersports industry needs to expand diversity in the workplace and in marketing,” Knupp said. “The industry needs to acknowledge that women riders have a different perspective, and having women on your team can help your company relate to this huge market. One of the slides the panel showed made the point that companies with gender-balanced teams have a higher return on investment.”

Even as a riding community, women have different experiences, Violet said. “Twenty-five percent of motorcycle riders are now women. We’re out there and growing, and smart companies know they need to pay attention.”

The panel also gave advice for women considering a career in the motorcycle industry.

“Expand your options with technical expertise,” Willey said. “As I mentioned during the discussion, take a look at areas traditionally held by men, such as engineering, quality, purchasing/supplier procurement, and production, and learn skills related to those areas.”

“This industry can bring opportunities and satisfaction in ways no other industry can,” said Cam Arnold, who works with the MIC in leading the Women in Powersports program. “And WIP is here to bring more women together so we help each other out.”

For more information about the program, or how you can get involved, email Arnold at carnold@mic.org. Click here to view the slides from the presentation.

Taxation by Citation–
Tell your Representative and Senator that you are tired of being their cash cow being milked for driving the safest speed

The Pennsylvania Legislature is desperate for new sources of revenue. They know that everyone has to drive. They know that speed limits are under-posted by 8 to 16 MPH 90% of the time. They know that the posted limits de facto make 85% of drivers into speeders, likely to get a “speeding” citation. An unfair tax by any other name.

To greatly simplify the chore of catching all the “speeders” they want to arm municipal police with RADAR guns: Speed Trap Bill SB 607. This will open the floodgates for all of your money to flow into Harrisburg, municipalities and into special interest coffers.

There is no speeding crisis, no hoard of drivers running amok. People drive a speed they feel safe: this is a highway engineering principle called the 85th Percentile Speed. 85% of the time, drivers operate their vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner (legal speak for “safe”).

Three urban myths about speed limits:
1. Low speed limits will increase safety and decrease the number of crashes.
2. Raising the posted speed limit increases traffic speed.
3. Drivers will always travel at 5 mph over the posted speed limit.

RADAR for municipal police is a money grab, and has nothing to do with safety.

Tell your Representative and Senator that you are tired of being their cash cow being milked at every turn for doing nothing harmful, nothing unsafe.

Tell them to vote NO on Speed Trap Bill SB 607.

–Archimedes
PATCH
Easttown, PA

–from the NMA

MORE NEWS FROM THE VA--Your Next VA Home Loan
And what the County Loan Limit change means for you

On Jan. 1, 2020, it became easier for you to use your VA home loan benefit to purchase, refinance, or construct a home with no down payment, regardless of the cost of the home. The VA home county loan limits were eliminated as part of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 for Veterans and service members with full entitlement.

Historically, VA only guaranteed home loans up to the county conforming loan limits (CLL) as determined by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. These loan limits reflect the changes in average U.S. home prices at the county level. If you chose to purchase, refinance, or construct a home above the CLL, the lender would likely require a down payment from you before they would choose to close on the loan. In counties such as San Diego, Calif., or Arlington, Va., the limit is much higher to reflect the average cost of a home. This meant that when using your VA benefit, the lender–not VA–would require you to pay up to a 25% down payment on any amount above the county limit.

As of January 1, first-time homebuyers, or homebuyers who have sold their home and have full benefit entitlement available, will no longer have to worry about loan limits or down payment requirements when purchasing, refinancing, or constructing a new home.

When purchasing another home using your VA loan

Conforming loan limits will impact those who want to purchase a second (or subsequent) home using a VA home loan. For those that currently have a VA home loan and plan to keep it and purchase a new home using a VA-backed loan that is more than $144,000, the rules are different.

You must be able to afford all the loans at the time of closing.

The next home you purchase must be your primary residence.

VA may be able to back the next loan, but it will depend on your remaining entitlement and the conforming loan limit (CLL) for your county.

Your basic VA home loan entitlement starts at $36,000 and goes up to 25% of the loan amount. The amount remaining on your entitlement after purchasing your first home will impact how much of a down payment will be required for your next purchase.

If the county CLL is $500,000 and your last loan was for $500,000, then you have no entitlement remaining.

If your first loan was for $200,000 and the second is for $400,000, the CLL for your next home would need to be at least $600,000 if you want the no-down payment option, otherwise you’ll have to pay a down payment on the amount above the CLL. Note that the county that will determine your loan limit is the county in which your next home is located.

Submitted by VA’s Home Loan Guaranty Service

BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB—Don Emde’s magnificent Speed Kings illustrated book about the history of board track racing.

The Speed Kings: The Rise and Fall of Motordrome racing includes 600 illustrations and 40 chapters over 372 pages. It was printed right here in the good old US of A with a forward by Kenny Rogers.

In the near future it will be available in the 5-Ball Racing Garage Shop. If you’re in a hurry reach out to EmdeBooks.com.

–Bandit

And Don’t miss our hold-over holiday deals on 5-Ball Leathers.

[page break]

RIDING FREE FROM the MRF:
Your Weekly Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway

Your Motorcycle Riders Foundation team in Washington, D.C. is pleased to provide our members with the latest information and updates on issues that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists.

Count on your MRF to keep you informed about a range of matters that are critical to the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle. Published weekly when the U.S. Congress is in session.

Calls to Action

As we mentioned last week, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation will be rolling out a handful of calls to action with membership in the coming weeks. A call to action is the easiest way for you to contact your elected officials about the priorities of motorcyclists directly. It takes on average 2 minutes to fill out the basic contact information and reach out to your lawmakers. Part of the power of our movement comes from strength in numbers.

Your outreach helps build the foundation for what we are doing here in D.C. When we walk into an office, and the staff has seen dozens and dozens of letters about motorcycle issues, they are always more engaged and willing to listen.

In just five days, over 1300 of you sent letters to Congress regarding H. Res 255, the motorcyclist profiling resolution. At least one letter was received by 312 of the Congressional offices. Meaning 72% of the House of Representatives heard from us. The state of New York is leading the charge with the most letters sent to their legislators on H. Res. 255. Let’s keep hammering these lawmakers until they understand we aren’t going away. If you haven’t already done the call to action, you can click here to get it done.

http://cqrcengage.com/mrf/app/write-a-letter?2&engagementId=505721

The more letters that are sent, the louder our voice is on Capitol Hill. We also encourage you to share the link with friends and other riders via email and social media. Sharing these links is a great way to introduce nonmembers to the MRF and our important mission here in D.C.

Keep your eyes open for more of these calls to action on different topics, and let’s keep the pressure

Regulatory Update: DOT Secretary Announces 3 Initiatives at TRB Meeting
Earlier this week, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Chao spoke at the 99th Annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting where she unveiled three new initiatives that the Department of Transportation recently endorsed.

The first announcement focused on the expansion of the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) program which is voluntary between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the automobile industry.

The first phase of the project had six automobile manufacturers studying and sharing their collected data on Automatic Braking Technology.

The Secretary noted that “Vehicles with this technology reported 53% fewer rear-end collisions than vehicles without Automatic Emergency Braking Systems based upon preliminary data from the initial program.”

The second phase of the program, PARTS II, will increase the participation to nearly 70% of the automobile market and the working group will expand beyond automatic braking to include adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.

Dovetailing on the automobile industry collaborating on Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), the DOT endorsed “Clearing the Confusion,” a standardized listing of recommended ADAS terminology spearheaded by the National Safety Council, AAA, Consumer Reports and J.D. Power.

The collaboration was an effort to standardize the language by manufacturers to help educate consumers on the functionality of ADAS systems and help ensure “drivers are aware that these systems are designed to assist, not replace an engaged driver.”

The final announcement focused on the DOT investing $38 million for First Responder Safety Technology Pilot Program that will help equip emergency response vehicles and key infrastructure with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology.

The deployment will take advantage of the 5.9 GHz “safety band” that the FCC set aside for transportation over two decades ago but has not been utilized yet. As we have reported before, the FCC voted to release the unused transportation spectrum to other industries citing the DOT’s failure to use this system. While the ruling isn’t final, we are monitoring any changes from the FCC.

Some road safety advocates think keeping the 5.9GHz is essential the future of connected road safety while others argue that since no standardized system has been adopted by the DOT or automakers that other technologies can be used in place of the dedicated spectrum.

MRF Road Show
January and February are always a busy time for State Motorcycle Rights Organizations and it’s a popular time for SMRO Seminars and events.

We at the MRF do our best to attend these state-level events and give in-person updates on what’s going on at the federal level.

You can catch the MRF presenting at the following events this weekend: Tiffany Cipoletti will speak at the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists Lobby Day Meeting, Ryan Hubbard will speak to ABATE of Illinois’s State Seminar, Rocky Fox will be at the ABATE of Michigan’s Seminar and Jay Jackson will be at the Kentucky Freedom Fighter Forum for KMA/KBA. You can also catch representatives of the MRF at the following upcoming events: ABATE of Wisconsin’s officer’s training, ABATE of Pennsylvania’s L&L, ABATE U with ABATE of Minnesota, ABATE of Ohio’s Legislative Seminar and Heartland STEAM hosted by ABATE of Illinois on April 3-4, 2020

Even if we can’t make it to your meeting or event, we have a presentation we can send you so your members are fully briefed on the legislative outlook for 2020. Just email Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffany@mrf.org for the PowerPoint.

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.

EASYRIDERS AND CHOPPERS MAGAZINE ARE ALIVE—In just two weeks the second issue of the new Choppers magazine will go to print. And currently, the new Easyriders Magazine is on the stands.

–Bandit

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE DAY–caprice
[ kuh-prees ]
noun

a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one’s mind or the weather.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF CAPRICE?
Caprice is capricious. It certainly comes from French, from Italian capriccio; the problem is where does Italian capriccio come from? In Italian, capriccio originally meant “sudden startle, shiver,” now “whim, fancy, fad.” The Italian word may come from an unattested Vulgar Latin capriceus “goat,” the image being of a kid skipping or frisking.

Capriccio may also derive from the Italian noun capo “head, leader” (from Vulgar Latin capum, from Latin caput) and riccio (from Latin ericius “hedgehog”), which as an adjective means “curly, frizzy” and as a noun means “hedgehog,” the image now being of the hair standing on end in fright. Caprice entered English in the second half of the 17th century.

HOW IS CAPRICE USED?

This is only a caprice—and it would be the worst thing in the world to give in to her.

RACHEL CROTHERS, HE AND SHE, 1920

The only difference between a caprice and a lifelong passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer.

OSCAR WILDE, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, 1891

STURGIS UPDATE–Meade County considers ordinances that would impact Sturgis Rally business

STURGIS, S.D. (KOTA TV) – Meade County moved forward with the consideration of two ordinances that will not only impact business at the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally but all future rallies.

Last week, the Meade County Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance 11 and Ordinance 21.

Ordinance 11 includes raising vendor license fees by $50, which means this year, the overall cost of a vendor license will increase from $650 to $700 dollars.

Ordinance 21 is considering increasing fees for temporary campgrounds.

Of the six campgrounds impacted, county officials said some fees could double.

The director of equalization said these increases are meant to outset the costs of rally expenses.

“We’re hoping of course, we would like to get more vendors, we would like to have more campgrounds open, the biggest thing that we’re hoping will entice more vendors is by offering a discounted fee for a second booth, so hopefully we can get people who will open up two rather than one that they’ve moved to because of the higher fees,” said Rhea Crane, director of equalization for Meade County.

Crane said there weren’t any increased fees on vendor licenses the last two years.

As one of the most popular campgrounds during the rally, the owner of the Buffalo Chip said these changes will impact the “mom and pop” businesses especially.

“It’s unfortunate that the county would continue on that program, I think it bears a substantial relationship to the gradual decrease to the attendance for the motorcycle rally, the businesses spend a lot of money attracting people here,” said Rod Woodruff, owner of Buffalo Chip Campground.

Woodruff said he believes vendors do not cost the county enough to justify these fee increases.

Before any changes are made, the public can give feedback on these ordinances during the second reading on February 11.

Get the latest updates from kotatv.com

–by Sunday Miller, KOTA TV

FROM FOX NEWS--Riding into Washington, D.C., to protest the impeachment vote in the House of Representatives would serve no purpose, according to the Bikers for Trump, but they’re ready to make their voices heard if Republican senators appear to be changing their tune and ready to convict President Donald Trump.

“This is a witch-hunt and we all know it, so why try to publicize it for the Democrats with doing a ride,” Dale Herndon, director of Bikers for Trump, told Newsweek .”…The Democrats have shown that they don’t listen to anyone other than their inner circle.”

On Wednesday, the House is expected to vote on the two articles of impeachment that the House Judiciary Committee approved. Bikers for Trump, a political PAC composed of a group of motorcycle riders and Trump supporters, claimed Democrats already had their minds made up and therefore, a protest would be of little use in stopping them from voting in favor of the articles of impeachment.

Even if the House votes against Trump, removing him from office would require the Republican-majority Senate to convict him. At least 20 Republican senators would have to vote in favor of removing Trump from office, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Tuesday he anticipated a “largely partisan outcome” if a trial is launched.

In the Facebook video, Herndon encouraged McConnell to put it to a vote so it could be “over with” and expressed confidence that the Senate would “handle this.” If Republican senators appear to be “flipping” on the issue of convicting the president, though, Herndon told The Washington Examiner that the organization is ready to protest.

“We are getting up support just in case,” Herndon explained.

For a ride to be effective, it must have meaning and be timed appropriately, Herndon told Newsweek. Bikers for Trump has groups in every state, but if a ride is necessary, everyone would be encouraged to ride into Washington, D.C., together.
bikers for trump impeachment senate Veterans ride on motorbikes holding signs of support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during the Rolling Thunder rally in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 2016. If Senate Republicans appear to be “flipping” on their support for the president ahead of a vote to convict him, the Bikers for Trump are prepared to ride into Washington, D.C., to protest.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/GETTY

While the Bikers for Trump are preparing to show support for the president if his position in the Oval Office is at risk, Herndon isn’t worried about Trump’s fate in 2020. Herndon predicted in the video that Trump would be victorious and that Republicans would regain control of the House and maintain the Senate majority, giving Trump “all the tools he needs to do what he’s got to do.”

Although he expected the Democrats’ pursuit of impeaching Trump would be advantageous to the president in the election, Herndon encouraged people to not fall into complacency.

“Don’t worry about tomorrow folks, or today, whenever you hear this,” Herndon said in the video. “We’re gonna win, Trump’s gonna win, but we still gotta do what we gotta do; register people to vote, get people to the polls, do any rallies you gotta do.”

On Wednesday morning, Trump, who remains steadfast about his innocence, encouraged people to “say a prayer” and read the transcripts.

–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2015 Harley-Davidson FLSTFB – Softail Fat Boy Lo for $13,295.00

see it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=7177131

2015 Harley Davidson FLSTFB Softail Fat Boy Lo

Twin Cam 103ci with ONLY 13,579 MILES!!!

Fat, dark and strong, this down-and-dirty version of the custom icon is the big dog on the road… Building on the Fat Boy legacy, the Fat Boy Lo brought a darker, slammed appearance to the world of boulevard cruisers, drawing the attention of core customers and dreamers alike. From front to back, this custom cruiser shows attitude, with custom, black bullet hole wheels, a denim black frame and satin chrome in all the places mirror chrome would normally reside.

Want a Old School ‘mini’ chopper look, this it it but WITH a blacked out bruiser kicker! Vivid Black paint with polished console, raised tank logos, and leather H-D strap. Vivid Black 16″ apes, levers, blinkers, and upgraded grips.

Black headlamp, sleeve, polished lower legs, on black bullet hole dish with polished rims. It has ABS (anti-lock braking system) and Screamin’ Eagle black 2:2 exhaust. Black 103ci motor with polished covers including 103 cam and derby covers. 2-up seat with rider floors and passenger pegs. It also has that old school twisted iron and pointed black sissy bar. Sweet looking bike with attitude!!!

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection and comes with Lifestyles 90 day/1,000 mile limited warranty. It will turn heads!!!

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

Looking forward!

–Dan Leadbetter
Director of Marketing
Lifestyle Cycles
(714) 490-0155

BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY REOPENED AFTER THE HOLIDAYS–
An annual competition is held by the New York Times with these results:

I changed my iPod’s name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

This girl said she recognized me from the Vegetarians Club, but I’d swear I’ve never met herbivore.

I know a guy who’s addicted to drinking brake fluid, but he says he can stop any time.

A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.

I got some batteries that were given out free of charge.

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

–from El Waggs

Dolly Parton, Lee Greenwood, Lonestar, Collin Raye, T.G. Sheppard, Drew Baldridge, Abby Anderson And More To Perform For The Gift Of Music Concert On January 30, 2020 At The Historic Ryman Auditorium

Nashville, Tenn. – The Dustin J. Wells Foundation’s The Gift of Music concert to benefit the W.O. Smith Music School and the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation announces Dolly Parton, Lee Greenwood, Lonestar, Collin Raye, T.G. Sheppard, Drew Baldridge, Abby Anderson, Artimus Pyle Band, Eric Lee Beddingfield, Red Mountain Bluegrass Band, Brad and Maisy Stella, Taylon Hope, and Scott Bass will take the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium on January 30, 2020 at 7pm.

Tickets for The Gift of Music Concert are $100 and $85 (for obstructed view) plus applicable services charges and are available online starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24th. The event is also the featured entertainment for The Crown Council, a group of dental teams gathering in Nashville for their 25th Annual Event.

The Dustin J. Wells Foundation honors the memory of a very special young man. After the loss of Dustin Jack Wells in a car accident in 2005, his family and friends searched for ways to keep his memory alive and allow his life to continue touching others.

A fund was set up and the dollars collected are used for the sole purpose of reaching out to others in Dustin’s honor. Dustin J. Wells is the son of prominent Nashville cosmetic dentist, Dr. Dennis Wells of the Nashville Center for Aesthetic Dentistry. For more information on Dr. Wells or his practice visit www.drdenniswells.com?.

Since its inception in 2008, the benefit concert has had the support of some of music’s greatest artists, including Ronnie Dunn, Kellie Pickler, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Peter Cetera, Peter Frampton, Ronnie Milsap, Gunnar Nelson, and many other generous and talented musicians who have donated their time and talent to support the efforts and causes of Dustin’s foundation.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Gift of Music concert will go to Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation?. Established as a national identity in 2014, this charitable organization is dedicated to changing the future of cancer by funding advanced, innovative research that treats the cancer while sparing the patient. For more information, go to www.scottcares.org.

Because of his strong love for music, donating to the W.O. Smith Music School is another way Dustin can be remembered, by sharing the “Gift of Music” with underprivileged children in our community. With the provision of free instruments and 50 cent lessons, these young lives can continue to be changed, grown and enriched in memory of Dustin.

For more information, visit www.dustinwellsgiftofmusic.com.

AMA NEWS--The AMA State Chapter of Florida represents an effort by the AMA and your State Coordinator to communicate with current and potential members on topics that affect the motorcycling community and rider rights in your state.

To reach AMA State Coordinator Greg Zuest regarding issues relating to non-competition recreation and motorcyclists’ rights in Florida, please email him at flcoordinator@ama-cycle.org.

Florida

DAYTONA – The American Motorcyclist Association will once again kick off the AMA National Gypsy Tour Series during Daytona Bike Week. Visit us March 6th-14th at Daytona International Speedway.

TAMPA – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation will offer Keeping a New Generation of Motorcyclists Safe, a session presented as part of the Lifesavers National Conference, the largest gathering of highway safety professionals in the United States, March 15-17.

National

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of United States Trade Representative has again proposed tariffs on motorcycles with an engine size between 500cc and 700cc, along with parts and accessories, imported from countries in the European Union, as part of a dispute over aircraft subsidies. This proposal comes after the USTR announced in October that these motorcycles would not be subject to tariffs originally proposed in April. This continued targeting of the motorcycle community and industry only brings uncertainty and harm to American motorcyclists and the small businesses that support them. The AMA is joining others in the motorcycling community to oppose the USTR’s ill-conceived proposal. Motorcyclists should not be penalized with exorbitant tariffs because of an unrelated trade dispute. Any trade sanctions imposed as a result of this dispute should come from more closely related industries or products. You can make your voice heard on this issue by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/qspkcrc.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Motorcyclists rode a little less in 2018 than in the year before, according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Riders traveled 20.1 billion miles in 2018, down about 1 percent from 2017.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released highway crash fatality data for 2018, showing a 2.4 percent decline in overall fatalities, the second consecutive year of reduced crash fatalities. Motorcyclist fatalities declined 4.7 percent. The report shows that 4,985 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2018, down 244 from the 5,229 fatalities in 2017.

AMA

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Get your tickets and make your plans to be at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, July 10-12 for 2020 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. AMA members can purchase discounted tickets now at www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com/tickets.

AMA members save an additional $5 off the already discounted early bird pricing. AMA members can also call (614) 856-1900 to order their tickets. A fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days showcases classic motorcycles of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous.

Activities at the event include the AMA Vintage Grand Championship, which features road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and flat-track racing. In addition, North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet is packed with parts, bikes and memorabilia from all eras. Bike shows feature some of history’s most beloved motorcycles.

Attendees will be entertained by stunt shows, demo rides of current production bikes and live music, while seminars on numerous topics by noted motorcycling experts keep them informed. Non-AMA members and those reserving RV spaces must purchase tickets through Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

These tickets are available online at midohio.com or by calling (419) 884-4000. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a family-friendly event. Admission is free for children under 12 accompanied by a ticketed adult. Free parking is also available on site.

STURGIS RALLY NEWS–Keyboard Motorcycle Shipping is now taking orders for the 2020 Sturgis Bike Rally.

Please call or e-mail to get pricing and begin the booking process.

If you have already called us for pricing and have not yet sent your order back to us, please do so as soon as possible so I can keep your slot saved. I have attached a blank order form that I will need filled out and submitted in so that I can schedule your move. You can also fill out the form at our website www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com

Please be sure to read both of the attached forms.

If you will not be attending the Rally this year please let me know and I will remove you from this year’s reminder list, I just don’t want anyone miss out on shipping if they will be attending and need our services.

Hope to hear from you soon and I will be happy to discuss the details and dates with you.

**Please note pick up & delivery locations MUST be full size 18-wheel tractor trailer accessible (all trailers are equipped with lift gates) and someone must be available & able to help assist the driver. All products must be brought to our trailer for tailgate pick up/delivery. Drivers can not leave trucks unattended**

If you have any questions…please call or e-mail.

–Kelly Cecil
Keyboard Carriage
809 South Park Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com
Office-270-737-5797
Fax-270-737-6640
Email- kcecil@keyboardcarriage.com

NEWS FROM VINTAGE RIDES–Last seats on upcoming departures

The Land of Maharajas

This itinerary covers 1,120 miles and gives you the chance to discover a fascinating mixture of traditional villages, secret tracks, majestic palaces and forts, enriching experiences with locals and unforgettable scenes of everyday life.
Next departure: 14 – 26 March 2020
Already 4 riders registered

Jungle and Beaches of Southern Thailand

A unique alliance between fine sand and primary forests, translucent waters and wild waterfalls: set off on a 570 miles motorcycle trip from Phuket.
Next departure: 8 – 16 March 2020
Already 4 riders registered

–Vintage Rides
(By appointment only)
128 rue de la Boétie
75008 Paris
contact@vintagerides.com
+442032898785

INCREDIBLE—We have a bunch of new content coming, but check out the 1908 Indian motorcycles featured on Bikernet. Incredible story.

You’re going to be bombarded with strange reports next week. I’ll be hitting the road to Deadwood to check out the action in our rally hideout.

When I get back, I’m going to strip off the Salt Torpedo Body and haul it to Chris Morrison for paint, and maybe Yonne Mecalis will paint the mascot in place.

Life is nuts, but it’s actually better than ever. Plus, it’s now our roaring ‘20s. Let’s have a blast.

Ride Fast and Free Forever,

–Bandit

The 9 Motorcycle Safety Tips That All Riders Need to Know

BY AUSTIN ROTHBARD · JANUARY 21, 2020

So many riders end conversations with the same two words. “Ride safe.” All varieties of this departing phrase (“keep the shiny side up”, “remember ATTGATT,” and the pointed “don’t die”) mean the same thing. Ride in a way to live another day. But how do we ride safe? The minute we throw a leg over a bike, we’re taking a risk and we know this. But what is the best way to manage this risk? Here are the nine steps you need to take. Every. Time.

 

Before the ride

Most people think that the ride begins when you put it in first and ease off the clutch. Well, technically that’s right, but I like to begin my safety checks before I ride. The first 6 items on our list happen before the ride even starts:

 

1. Select the right bike

Wait. What? Find a bike? What does this even mean? Well, before we start our ride we need to find a bike that suits us. In fact, for new riders selecting their first bike, the task can be as difficult as deciding on your first tattoo. But we also rent bikes when we travel or test ride bikes before we buy. Many riders decide on their next bike based on how the bike looks, when in fact this should be the second or third item you consider. It’s important to look at:

 

• Overall power – this is a tricky metric. Just because a bike has high displacement, it doesn’t mean it’s faster. A 1400cc motorcycle can be just as fast as a 700cc. It all depends on the weight

 

• Wet weight – are you about to ride a touring bike and have only been on Bonnevilles? This is okay, but make sure you’re prepared

 

• Power-to-weight ratio – The higher this number, the faster the bike, and if you learned to ride on a cruiser, be careful. Bikes with higher ratios will have shorter braking distances, faster acceleration, and higher top speeds

 

• Your judgement – sometimes we think about riding a bike and something tells us we shouldn’t Maybe the bike is too big. Maybe you haven’t ridden with a sidecar before. Or the bike is too fast. Listen to your gut. Don’t get in over your head.

 

 

2. Always wear a full-face helmet

Wear a full-face helmet, with a face shield (or eye protection). Always. My friend Jim rides, and always wears a helmet, except “when he just needs to go to the store really quick to get something.” Really? Most accidents occur at slow speeds, and even at slow speeds, not wearing a helmet increases your risk. The helmet may save you if you hit a patch of gravel. Or an oil slick. And your head hits…something. It’s critical to safe riding.Oh – one more thing. You’re probably asking whether a full-face helmet is necessary. An open-face helmet looks so much cooler and isn’t nearly as hot in the summer. Right? Sure, but the most common area of impact to a motorcycle helmet is the chin at 19.4%. It’s worth wearing a full-face helmet

Editor’s note: I don’t agree with the above. I believe helmets, especially full-face can cause accidents. It’s your roll of the dice.

 

 

3. Wear protective gear – always

There are a few basic rules here. Boots that cover your ankles, an abrasion resistant jacket with armor, long pants or jeans, gloves, and the full-facehelmet in #2. If you want more protection, wear motorcycle pants with armor and moto boots. Just because you’ve never dropped a bike doesn’t mean you won’t horizontally park one day. You may find yourself asking “do I always need to wear all this gear? How about in the summer? When it’s 100°, sweltering, and humid?” Yes. Yes. And Yes. If it’s that unbearable, get a vented white helmet and some lighter colored or white gear.

 

 

4. Check the weather and know your limits. Then check it again.

To be a safe rider, we need to plan. It takes time to plan a safe ride, and concessions are often made by cautious motorcyclists. Last year, I spent a week riding from Denver to Las Vegas in October. And it was lightly snowing. I was wearing rain gear and ski gloves and I wasn’t afraid of some light snow. I had spent three months planning for this ride; using the Rever app to plan the route, and Dark Sky to check the weather. But the weather changed daily. So, I needed to re-plan and reroute. Every day. Before bed each night I’d review the forecast, and plan the route. I’d repeat this in the morning. Rain and snow can move in quickly, so if we properly anticipate this weather, we can make safe decisions.Need to cancel a hotel? It’s worth it. Have to catch a later flight? It’s worth it. The small financial impact of these choices can save your life.

5. Stay sober

Pilots have a saying: “Eight hours from bottle to throttle.” Well, it applies to us too. Safe riding takes all of our concentration. We use all four limbs, our eyes, ears, and nose. We are always aware. I’m not going to start lecturing you on blood-alcohol content, impaired judgement and delayed response time. I’ll leave that to the 8th grade health teachers. Just don’t do it.

6. Get some rest

This kinda goes without saying, but not really. Being on a motorcycle requires a significant amount of focus; after a long ride, I’m mentally exhausted. So when you ride, make sure you’re a safe motorcyclist and get a good night’s sleep. Highway hypnosis applies to both drivers and riders, so even when you’re well rested, you may get tired during a ride. Take breaks. Stay hydrated. Stretch. And if needed, nap.A few years ago, I was riding the Blue Ridge Parkway and started getting a little tired. I turned into a scenic pullout, parked the bike, found a patch of shade, and took a nap. Just 15 minutes of rest in the grass, using my jacket as a make-shift pillow, was all I needed.

 

7. Pre-ride

This is easy to forget. You’re with your pals, and can’t wait to get out and ride the open road. You need to relax, get some wind therapy, and unwind. The last thing you need is to do a pre-ride check, right? Wrong.

It takes about 3 minutes. Check the lights (brake lights and turn signals), tire pressure, and fluids. Do this and you’ll greatly reduce your chances of running into an unanticipated issue.

 

8. On-the-bike checklist

Do you remember what you did the last time you sat on a motorcycle in a dealer’s showroom? Think about it for a minute. I’ll tell you what you did. You checked the suspension, you adjusted the mirrors, and you pictured yourself riding. Sometimes it felt comfortable, like being on a recliner, whereas other times you felt constrained, like being buckled in on a roller coaster. How does this bike feel right now? Good? Are you cramped? Are your shoulders relaxed? Back comfortable? If not, make adjustments Then check the clutch and brake levers. Do they have a proper amount of resistance with some jiggle in the handle? Great. If not, don’t ride. And if the front brake doesn’t work and the lever depresses to the grips, just get off the bike. The front brake is responsible for 80-90% of your braking power. Get the brakes fixed.

 

 

9. Remember you’re invisible: ride defensively

Do you know what the most common phrase a driver says after a collision with a motorcyclist? “I didn’t even see him”. Drivers are trained to see other cars, not bikes. And because of our narrow profile, we often find ourselves in an auto’s blind spot. The best way to ride is defensively. Pretend nobody sees you. Do your best to predict driver behavior (or at least expect the worst). Don’t stop looking, thinking, scanning your mirrors, and being alert. We are frequently invisible.So. Is this a comprehensive list on everything you need to do to stay safe? Not at all. But it’s a good start, and I’m sure that if you review this diligently before each ride, you will increase your general riding safety.And, as always, ride safe.

 

–from Twisted Road

https://www.twistedroad.com/