This morning brought the news of yet another motorcycle fatality on the streets of Indianapolis. This one happened on the South Side and the motorcyclist was riding with two others and were reportedly running a high rate of speed in what was reported as a 45 mph zone. The motorcycle went into a high speed wobble and hit a utility pole on the side of the road. This occurred at 1:00 am. Was alcohol involved? Information is not available yet to answer that.
That is one of the questions in my mind each and every time I hear about another motorcycle fatality. Very often the next question that I would like answered is “Was the rider professionally trained or self taught?” “What was the rider’s experience level?” “What actions could have prevented this tragedy?” I believe that there is a quick fix to all single vehicle accidents, motorcycle or automobile. Training and responsibility.
Have you taken the motorcycle safety course? Do a quick search online and find your nearest safety program and get signed up today. Do yourself and those that love you a favor and live to ride another day as my friend Tom Lowdermilk from SideStand Up would say.
While researching the mess that surrounds the Hoka Hey Challenge I found this document on the internet. Is it real? I can’t say for sure but there are claims that this press release is what brought about the removal of the discussion board on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Facebook page. We will be back soon with episode 20 of the podcast that will continue to update you on the latest developments.
When the big family blowout occurred at Orange County Choppers everyone went their separate ways. Vinnie and Cody started their own custom motorcycle fabrication shop called V-Force Customs. Mikey has been selling some art online. Paul Jr. started his own design company, Paul Jr. Designs and this is where you can find Mikey’s masterpieces. Everyone seems to be doing very well in their new ventures and word on the streets is that Paul Jr. Designs inked a deal with Bikers Choice to design a line of parts and accessories. The company is building a bike with the new parts for Sturgis next month. If you are taking the ride to Sturgis and would like to see the new line you can find it at the J&P Cycles complex.
But, where are the flashbacks coming from? TLC will be airing a new show soon called “American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior”. Details are sketchy so watch the television listings coming soon. One think that struck me is that Vinnie is rumored to be participating on the Jr. team which brings me to question what the status of Cody and V-Force Customs is. The original American Chopper started out great but then, in my opinion, went the way of television wrestling. When the arguments seemed to be staged for the benefit of ratings I started to lose interest in the show. It became less about motorcycles and more about the buck. So, does the title of the new series already tell us to expect more of that or will this go back to being about the best bike one can build? You will have to tune in later and decide on that answer for yourself.
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This episode brings you the rumors and reports of controversy surrounding the Hoka Hey Challenge, an 8,000+ test of endurance on two wheels that started in Key West, FL on June 20th and ended July 4th in Homer, AK. Hoka Hey is said to be a Lakota term meaning “It’s a good day to die” and is said to be the battle cry of the legendary Crazy Horse. Jump on in and listen to the rumors and tell me what you think.
Monday, June 21st marks the official start of summer. It is fitting then that it is also the official date for Ride to Work Day 2010. This annual event promotes the use of motorcycles as an option to cars for everyday transportation needs. Many people look at motorcyclists as nuisances that should not be on the road. What they fail to see is that motorcycles are a transportation option that help in many areas.
Let’s start off with the air quality factor. Yes, the fossil fuel motorcycles do still emit carbon emissions but in much smaller quantities than all the other cars, trucks, buses, and trains that clog our route to work every day. Want it to be even cleaner? Buy an electric motorcycle. Speaking of those other vehicles clogging the roadway, imagine all the advantages of the majority of vehicles on your morning commute being two or three wheelers. Less congestion equals less frustration. The added benefit is less wear and tear on the infrastructure. How many of you have to fight to find parking on busy city streets or in loaded parking garages? Yet another reason to ride a bike.
Also, think about the money that could be saved in gas. Most motorcycles get considerably better gas mileage than their four wheel counterparts. Who doesn’t want to save a few bucks? Less consumption in whole means lower gas prices as well. That great law of economics says prices will fall if demand dwindles. Take that OPEC!
OK, let’s stop and admit that there are many people who could care less about any of the environmental impacts that are discussed above. If you fall into that category, then think about this. You ARE saving money and you get to pick the bugs out of your teeth!
Enjoy your ride to work tomorrow and make it a safe one.
I have recently come across some very unique products that will be featured on some upcoming shows. For example, have you heard of the Bike Condom? This is a really unique, biodegradable motorcycle cover that is packaged small enough to fit in your pocket. It is a cover that is economical enough to throw away after one use but feedback has shown that some people are folding it back up and using it multiple times. We are working to try to get the Bike Condom creator on the show to tell us all about it.
This is only one of the motorcycle related products that I have found in recent searches. Stick around in the coming weeks and hear about some of the other ones. We are also preparing a show that will revisit the electric motorcycle world that continues to heat up and catch steam, especially in the racing world. Don’t miss a beat. See you soon.
Today we made a stop at our local department store (yes the same one that is in almost every town down the street from the CVS and Walgreens on opposing corners) and we came across the pictured bike in the parking lot. My wife blurts out, “That is the ugliest Harley I have ever seen!”
I have not seen very many motorcycles in my day of any make that I truly found ugly but I think she is on to something here. What do you think?
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This episode covers the recent rumors, or Trouble in Paradise?, of the Motor Company. There have been recent rumors of Harley Davidson being sold and we give a little info here. Most interesting is the spin the Todd B. Wilson, cohost of the Motorcycle Radio Network, takes. See his blog post here. Not all the trouble in the industry lies in Milwaukee though. We talk about the final sale of American Ironhorse and the sale of Ridley Motorcycles. Find out what will happen with them.
We also bring a little MotoGP news and provide you a link on how to get your chance to ride with the big boys in World Superbikes and World Supersport at Utah’s Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. There are wildcard spots to be filled if you feel like you have what it takes to get off the porch and compete. You can find out the requirements and fill out an application by clicking right here. In addition, we give information on an upcoming endurance ride, The HokaHey Challenge, that you can join. It is a run from Key West, FL to Homer, AK and covers some 7,000 miles.
Our final story comes from the UK and involves alcohol and riding. You gotta listen to this one.
As promised the interesting video on how sound checks are done on motorcycles courtesy of YouTube.
There may be trouble in Milwaukee Paradise but there is still plenty of true paradise in the Dominican Republic. Call my friends at MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tours and book your trip to fun in the sun the two wheel way. 800-877-MOTOFUN ext. 100
We have exciing interviews coming up with the creators of some unique products aimed at the motorcycling community and based on riders. Make sure you come back soon and check us out. Subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or the Zune store or just listen right here on the website. Show recommendations are always welcome at Steve@mcnationpodcast.com
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This episode discusses the challenges of riding in the spring after the car operators have not seen us for many months. We discuss awareness, sand, and the potholes created from the winter freeze. If you live in certain states I provide you with information on how to get those potholes fixed so you don’t hit them later. We also talk about what a motorcycle safety class will do for you. Whether you have ridden for many years or you have the desire to step over the saddle for the very first time, there are things that you will learn by taking a course. Below you will find out how to find the closest Motorcycle Safety Foundation class to you. We also covered two recalls and you will find the numbers to the manufacturers listed below.
The popular Rider’s Edge® (RE) motorcycle safety program offered by the Motor Company® has been at the heart of many discussions lately after it was announced that Buell production would end. The big question that has popped up is what is the future of RE without the use of the Buell Blast?
I have long thought that the Blast was a less than suitable training motorcycle. This is my opinion only, although if you asked the question to many of my colleagues you would get that same answer. There are two main reasons that I feel this way. The first lies in the single cylinder 492cc powerplant. This is too much power to put in the hands of a beginner who does not have the concept of throttle control and friction zone yet. The first reaction that a novice has when a motorcycle gets away from them is to apply a death grip to the handle bars. As we all know, in our right hand is the throttle which a death grip tends to roll on causing even more power transfer. This spells a bad day. A 125cc or 250cc motorcycle, while definitely still dangerous, is much less forgiving in the same situation.
The second reason I do not agree with the Blast as a trainer lies in the brakes. This motorcycle was produced, as best I can tell, with an entry level sportbike rider in mind. It is small because its secondary target market is made up of females. Again, my opinion. Because it is directed at the sport bike crowd it has extremely aggressive brakes. No other motorcycle class on the market can compare with the brakes on sportbikes. Low motorcycle weight paired with excellent brakes make sportbikes some of the quickest stopping bikes on the market. New riders tend to “attack” the brakes instead of reaching and squeezing the front brake lever. They also tend to stomp on the rear brake pedal instead of applying steady, even pressure. Doing either one of these can cause serious consequences, many times reason one. Panic hits, the deathgrip is applied, and we are in trouble again.
Those are my reasons. Now, back to the original question. With the demise of Buell, what will the future training bike of Rider’s Edge be? I discussed this with a RE provider and the answer I got is this. The government requires that manufacturers who cease production on a product continue to provide repair parts for a period of seven years. The RE program was also granted permission to use used motorcycles that they take in on trade provided they fully inspect them. This was prohibited in the original rules of the program. So, RE will continue to use Buell Blasts in the near future. The most surprising piece of information that I was able to get was that the Motor Company® has told the providers that they will have a new training unit available within five years. Whether this means that HD themselves will build it or that they will contract it out remains to be answered. Whatever route they take, I hope that they address the two problems that I have noted here for the sake of their students.
