New Motorcycle Helmets Save Lives

If you’ve been riding a motorcycle for years, it’s likely that you’ve been riding with an older helmet. You may be wondering just how safe your helmet is, and when it should be replaced with a new motorcycle helmet.

There are some conditions which warrant immediate helmet replacement. You should buy a new motorcycle helmet if your old helmet has suffered a hard fall, or a series of small falls, as this can weaken its protective layers.

If you are involved in any sort of crash that involves impact for your helmet, you should also get a new motorcycle helmet before your next ride. Any impact can make your helmet worthless for protection.

You should also replace your helmet every few years, out of safety concerns. Most helmets should be replaced every five years because of breakdown in their materials caused by age.

You must also be wary of damage to the liner of your helmet. Your own skin and hair oils will cause break down over time, as will glues and resins found in your helmet, as they age and deteriorate.

If your helmet looks as if it’s been dropped or damaged, even if you haven’t done so, go get a new helmet. Someone else may have dropped it, and not realized that this can lead it to become unsafe.

Always keep in mind that your helmet is only designed for one impact. After one impact, your helmet will be much less safe. After any impact it is time for you to buy a new motorcycle helmet.

If you now know it’s time to get a new motorcycle helmet, don’t worry. There are many safe and cool looking new helmets too choose from, in any price range. And who doesn’t love new gear.

Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club a Run for Awareness

Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club a Run for Awareness

Do you remember the Story of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia ? Carlie was the Little girl from Long Island NY who while staying with her Mother Down in Florida was Kidnapped and Murdered on Super Bowl Sunday, 2004. Her abduction was captured on video in front of the car wash where she was Kidnapped by Joseph P. Smith,Who has since been found Guilty of first-degree murder, sexual battery and kidnapping.

The story was carried nationwide and was heartbreaking to all who heard it. Now there is an old saying that every dark cloud has a silver lining and if that is true then the silver lining here is Matt Barbis, Carlie’s Cousin who started the Rose Brucia Educational Foundation (http://rosebrucia.org) with the Mission of reducing child abductions.

Matt goes around to Schools and does Puppet Shows and teaches children how to react and what to do if someone ever tries to adduct them. As you can imagine Matt’s Mission does not come without its costs and the Foundation runs on Donations from Groups,Individuals and Businesses.

Matt who Rides a Motorcycle had seen the good that Bikers on Long Island do to Raise Money for those in need, He wanted to Start a Motorcycle Run to help raise Money for the Foundation. A Motorcycle Run is a lot of work and Matt was Referred to the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club (http://Mortalskulls.com) Who do a Run and/or Benefit every year.

When the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club heard about Matt’s story and what his Mission was they quickly decided that this would be the run and benefit they would be doing for many years to come. What better cause can there be then keeping Children Safe? said one of the Members.

For the past 3 years now on the Third Sunday in June the Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club have hosted the run and raised money for the foundation, The run starts every year at the Bellmore NY Train station on Sunrise Hwy,with sign up from 10:30 am till 12 Noon, and has ended at local Long Island Bars with live Music, food,Appearances by local NY Celebrities and so much more. The recommended Donation for the event is $10 per person and Run Shirts are available for an additional $10 with every penny of the Proceeds going to the Rose Brucia Educational Foundation. The Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club Thank all who have come out to help and Support the event every year! This Fundraiser has quickly grown into a huge Long Island NY event, With the continued Support of the Long Island biker world and appearances by Celebrates it will continue to grow for many years to come!!!

I am Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

Motorcycle Camp in the Countryside

Motorcycle camping is a freeing and reaffirming way twist on traditional camping. And the camping accessory industry have tapped into that fact with the development and selling of pop-up campers that are small enough to be toted behind a motorcycle. These pop-up campers now come in different sizes, room for two or room for six, etc., making so that the motorcycle enthusiast can enjoy her/his trips through the countryside to a camping sites.

The Sturgis Festival in South Dakota is a showing of how prevalent motorcycle camping is. When hotels are booked so quickly for such an event takes place, motorcycle camping takes the worry out of finding a place to stay. Motorcycle campers can hitch anything from pop-up campers to homemade campers to the back of their ride because manufacturers are constructing these lodging materials with the motorcycle camper in mind. And motorcycle camping allows for people to socialize over their camping experiences as well as the bikes.

Bike camping grounds are located throughout most of the southern United States like Alabama and Georgia, but California has some as well. And this is not an exhaustive list. Some states, such as North Carolina, having organizations like the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground in actively seek out motorcycle enthusiasts. It is important that part of the plan to take a motorcycling excursion includes booking reservations in advance to make sure that a space will be free and available.

It is necessary on a motorcycle trip to bring along a sleeping bag, a tent, cookware and your plenty layers of clothes, among other things. Bring a camping trailer along to carry your gear but if you cannot afford one, then pack as lightly as possible. Motorcycle camping is not like regular camping in that you will not be able to bring along too large items. A tent and blankets are enough to roll up on the back of the bike. .And during a motorcycle camping trip, to cut down on so much carry-on items, bring enough clothes for a week and use laundromats in the nearby area of wherever you are to wash clothes. This is both economical and practical for such an excursion.

Once out in the open country and wild, a motorcycle gives its rider the freedom to go anywhere and set up camp easily. And the speed with which you can pack up and move on to the next campsite on a motorcycle is rivaled by no other camp related transportations.

The Corporate Takeover of the Motorcycle Club Brand

The Corporate Takeover of the Motorcycle Club World

Just about Anyone who has been reading any of what I have been writing over the past few years, Knows I fight for Bikers Rights , Safety and Unity. In the past few months my big concern has been the new Biker Movies and TV shows coming out like “Hell Ride” and “Sons of Anarchy” I knew these shows would have people wanting to join Motorcycle Clubs for all the wrong reasons! One thing I know will happen is many people will go out and put patches on there backs and think they are now a Motorcycle Club and start acting the way they saw the Clubs in the Movies act. As I have stated in other articles, most Clubs for many years have been working for the betterment and unity of the Motorcycle Club world. Most MC’s want to put the Hollywood Biker Gang image way behind them. They want to focus on the Brotherhood that is the heart of all Motorcycle Clubs.

Many Clubs make good money selling their Support Shirts and gear. Over the past few years I have seen a lot of large chain department stores selling T-shirts that are Dangerously Close to the Colors/Patches of Some of the worlds Major Clubs. It does not take much for one to assume these Stores know what they are doing and they just do not care about the people who buy these shirts or any of us in the biker world, All they care about is the cash flow! When Motorcycle Clubs contact these stores about copyright infringement the response from most if not all of these companies to the clubs is one of you don’t count or matter! When I see a person who knows nothing about the biker world wearing one of these shirts I understand that person just does not know better, But when I see a person who is a biker wearing one of these shirts I let him know “He is selling us all out ” There are too many who use the excuse they are only weekend warriors! I understand cash runs the world so these companies are going to try to skate the line by changing these shirts just enough so they can’t be sued under copyright laws and all the wannabe bikers will buy these shirts and wear them! In my opinion it is a big FU to every biker out there!

Well as if those shirts where not bad enough I was recently informed of a jean company who has come out with T-shirts that are Motorcycle Club Member T-shirts of Fictional Motorcycle Clubs ! Go to the websites emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129470 and emoda.com/item.asp?prodid=129464 to see these shirts. Anyone from the new rider to the old time Club Member who saw a person wearing one of these shirts could easily think that person is a member of a real Motorcycle Club . These Shirts are made by some foolish corporation who probably does not care what they are doing ! The shirts go for around $52-$65 ! For $20 you can go out and buy a real Motorcycle Clubs Support shirt and Support the Biker World. The final insult to all in the Biker world is on the left sleeve there is a Diamond, this leads me to believe that the Manufacturers of these shirts knows at least a little bit about what they are doing. From the pictures I can not see if it says 1% inside the Diamond, But even if it does not it can be mistaken for one. The 1% Diamond is supposed to mean you are part of an elite Motorcycle Club the best of the best, and if you are wearing the shirt of a fictional Motorcycle Club that you paid $60 for, Well then you do not even rank as high as a wannabe Biker in my Book!

Motorcycle Clubs do not all always get along, But we all have always taken great pride in what we are and what we stand for! The true Bikers are the ones who know what “Freedom” really is! We are the ones who feel it for the rest of the world every time one of our rights gets taken away. The mass population walks around with their head up their ass not caring about the things they are no longer aloud to do!

My one concern about posting this is that more people will see these shirts and buy them and wear them! If you respect anything about the Biker world not only will you not buy these shirts you will speak out and let those who make these shirts know you think this is an insult! When you are at a store and you see a biker looking shirt that looks like the patch of a Motorcycle Club you will speak out, Even if its a club you are not a fan of ,It is still an insult to all Clubs and all true Bikers! I remember hearing as a child that all Bikers where “Brothers in the wind” No matter what they ride. I always figured that even if you did not like your Brother you would always fight along side him when he was under attack! I feel this is an attack on all of us at the very heart of what we are ! So I ask those out there that came before for me, what they think and what do we do next ?

I am Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

Catskill MT Thunder Motorcycle rally 2008

Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle rally 2008

Most of us know that when the first settlers came to America they where following a dream! What many don’t know is that a lot of those dreams where inspired by paintings of the Catskill Mountains. At the beginning of this country’s history artists where mesmerized by the beauty of these mountains and painted great pictures of them. These pictures where sent and sold all over the world and they had a big part in creating what later became know as the American dream.

Fast forward a couple Hundred years to September 10th through the 14th 2008 and now what draws hundreds of American Bikers every year to the Catskill Mountains is the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham and the Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Rally. This event which is a weekend get away for some and a week long party for others has just about everything a biker dreams of. Even though the Blackthorne Resorts grounds are large, they do fill up fast and Bikers reserve there Cabins, RV sites or Camp sites up to a year in advance just to make sure there is room for them on the grounds. (There are plenty of other resorts in the area who welcome the Biker overflow from the Blackthorne) Me and my Brother Mopar Tom arrived on Thursday Night and the first thing We did was to check out what seemed like a million vendors, Who where selling every thing from Motorcycle pins to fully Custom Motorcycles.Then of course it was time to grab some cold beverages. First drink was at the Tikki Bar by the large in-ground pool. The Second was at the Blackthorne’s on premise full service bar. Not wanting to over do it on my first night there (I would save that for my second night) I called it an early night at around 2am and was off to get some shut eye.

On Friday the fuse was lit and the weekend festivities got into full swing. I spent the entire day wandering around the Blackthorne checking out everything, drinking and partying with Hundreds of brand new and old friends. As the sun set and the Night began things just got even better! I watched many Bikers take their Motorcycles up in the air and do Ariel Burn outs as I listened to the Music of Molly Hatchet LIVE !

The Nights at Blackthorne Run late and the Mornings come early! Some Choose to start their days off riding around the incredible Catskill Mountains, either in a group on a guided tour or by themselves with no destination at all. The roads in the Catskills go on forever and even after many years of riding them each trip still offers something new ! My favorite spot to ride to has been for many years Nicks Waterfall House in Gilboa, In my opinion no ride threw the Catskills is Complete with out a burger and a beer at Nicks!

Others who don’t wake till the afternoon can spend their day’s at the Blackthorne checking out the vendors buying new Biker gear, Watching Rhett Rotten and his amazing vintage Wall of Death Motorcycle stunt show, Looking at the art work of Ron Finch, Placing their votes for their favorites in the Bike show, participating in the Bike games or enjoying a list of many other wickedly fun Biker activities. Saturday Night again offered Bikers more then they could handle plus Gorgeous Women Spaghetti Wrestling, Live Ultimate Fighting bouts, Lots more live music and plenty of late night partying. On Sunday some Bikers headed home while others hung around for another day of fun including the great pig roast!

I have been a biker all my life. To this very day the bond of Brotherhood that is shared by bikers still stuns me. I’m not sure if the fact that the Blackthorne is a family resort every other week of the year has anything to do with it, But I found the feeling of Brotherhood and Family to be very strong at this event. When I can hangout and party with Bikers I have just met and feel like I have known them for Twenty years, It strongly reinforces all the reasons I love being a Biker!

I have intentionally left out a lot of great things about the Blackthorne and its Catskill Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Rally, The reason for this is because if you missed this event you do not deserve to know all its secrets until you have attended it for yourself !!! Check out CatskillMountainThunder.com and reserve your spot for next years party today!

I’ll see you there! Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

Guardians of Evil (L.J.s Biker Movie Idea)

GUARDIANS OF EVIL (LJ James Biker Movie Idea)

I have been writing for years I have a few Biker book, Movie and even Biker Cartoon ideas. Because I have to be careful about posting them on-line so they do not get stolen I haven’t posted any. This is a very small part and just the beginning of a story I have been working on. It takes place in a world where the Government and the Police have become completely Corrupt. All the Motorcycle Clubs had been framed and blamed by the police for all the Crime and problems to cover and shift everyone’s attention from what our Government had been up to. When everything had fallen apart and America had fallen into the hands of the corrupt and Criminals where now running everything, There was no one left to turn to. The Bikers the world had been told to fear, Who had been shown as the ones who where evil, Decided it was time to turn the tables and they started the Motorcycle Club GUARDIANS OF EVIL in order to start to bring Justice back to the world. The idea of the character of Kyle is something along the lines of a mix of Dartanian in the three Musketeers and Bruce Wayne from Batman . He will become one of them, But first he must learn, And the Adventure Begins!!!

GUARDIANS OF EVIL

Scene 1

The Sky was dark and cloudy and a slight mist of rain started to fall on Kyle Star Jr’s face mixing with the tears that fell freely from his dark brown eyes, How appropriate though Kyle as he looked over the freshly dug hole that his fathers casket had been lowered into just hours before. With no raincoat or umbrella He was soon soaked and his shoulder length brown hair clung to his face. Everyone else had left long ago, his and his fathers, Friends Family and Fans had Hugged him and said things to Kyle to comfort him but they where like ghosts to him an he felt and heard nothing of what they said. Kyle looked around the cemetery and saw there where still 3 News vans there waiting. He knew they would want to talk to him, After all he was the son of the worlds greatest Motorcycle racer an at 6ft 160 lbs he was the spitting image of his late Father. He knew now that his Father was gone all everyone wanted to know was if He would be taking his Fathers place on the Race Track! Let them wait though Kyle, as he could not bear to leave his Fathers graveside yet. He knew that when he left the graveside the life he had once known would be gone forever. His father had been everything to him. His best Friend, his Mentor and his Hero. Kyle had never known his Mother an now at just 18 years old he found himself alone and on his own. The whole World had seen his Father die on the racetrack that day as he raced that one last time. He was far ahead in the lead and no others in the race where even close to him when He suddenly “lost control” of his motorcycle Crashing into the wall at close to 200 Miles an hour. Kyle had ran to help his Father but there was nothing he or anyone could do, A legend was gone Kyle Star Sr had died instantly!

Kyle Jr Heard a voice whisper his name bringing him out of his dream like state. He looked up to see the Reporters face; he had seen her many times before on TV. She was not just any reporter but some well known big shot. She had interviewed Kyle’s Father more then once over the many years of his racing career, but at this moment she was just another Ghost to Kyle. “What do you want?” he asked her Kyle I’m sorry to bother you at this very sad time She said. But the world wants to know what you are going to do next after your father’s accident, Will you take his place? Will you race? Kyle’s faced turned red his eyes grew wide, he looked different even his voice seemed to change as he looked at her and said. The crash was NO Accident My Father was Murdered and I Know who is responsible! As Kyle looked straight into the Camera he spoke words that he would live to regret, “I will be coming for you!” Turning and looking at the reporter Kyle shouted “How’s that for an exclusive” Then he turned and walked away as the sky opened up and the rain started to come down hard!

Scene 2

A Taxi Pulled up in front of the bar and Kyle Jr threw a handful of cash at the driver not even Bothering to count it. It had been 6 Months since his fathers Funeral and the man who stepped out of the Cab looked very little like the Man who had cried for hours by his Fathers graveside. Kyle now looked mean and rough a short beard on his face and his uncombed hair was covered by a Black dew-rag. The suit he had worn at his fathers funeral was now replaced with a t-shirt, leather vest, Blue jeans and work Boots. Kyle looked at the run down looking bar on the corner called “The Hoggs Penn” A clever play on The old Harley Nic Name, He though to himself. He saw about 20 Bikes parked out front, Most of them where Harley’s But he could see a few other Brands mixed in with the pack. This is it he though my fathers Killer is inside and soon one of us will be dead. He could hear the song Welcome to the Jungle By Guns an Roses blasting from the Juke box inside as he walked up to the door, opened it an walked inside. There was a large dirty looking Biker working the door in a cut off T-shirt with some Bike shops name on it. The Guys arms where Huge and covered in Tattoos. You got some ID there boy? He asked Kyle. How’s this? Kyle asked as he Placed a one Hundred dollar Bill on the table next to the Man. Looks good to me he said with a Smile as he put the cash in his pocket. Have fun JR he laughed as Kyle looked around the loud Smokey bar. The walls where covered in Biker posters and Hundreds of different stickers from Bike Shops, other Bars and Club Support stickers. The place was packed with many large Bikers; some had patches on their back showing they belonged to one club or another. There where five really great looking girls in very tight skimpy outfits Dancing on the Bar, on a different night in a different time I might have really enjoyed this place he though, as the first smile in a long time crossed his face. The smile only lasted a second as some drunk walked into him growling “watch where I’m walking boy” as he went past walking to the back of the bar heading towards the bathroom.

Kyle started thinking maybe I’m in over my head here as he saw most of these Bikers where much larger then him. One large Biker standing by the corner of the bar really stood out to Kyle, The guy had to be at least 6′ft 10in tall and over 300 lbs all of it muscle, he was wearing a long Black leather trench coat that went to about an inch from the floor, He had long golden blond hair that made him standout even more in a dark bar. Kyle felt as if this man was trying to warn him with his eyes. Kyle suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder and was spun around, he felt the wind get knocked out of him as he was punched in the gut harder then he had thought possible. Four large Bikers grabbed him and pulled him towards two large doors in the back of the Bar. One of the Men kicked open the doors that lead to an alley out back. They dragged Kyle threw the doors and then tossed him to the ground. As he looked up he saw a large muscular Bald Black man about 6ft 2inches tall, wearing a black leather vest way to small for him. He had no shirt on underneath showing the world just how many muscles he had, lighting a cigar. He smiled at Kyle and then kicked him hard in his gut knocking the wind out of him once more. Boy you are about to learn a very valuable life lesson, unfortunately you isn’t going to live long enough for it to do you no good! Boy you never tell your enemy you are coming for him! An you go an do it on National TV. What was you thinking? Yeah said Kyle while trying to catch his breath. I realized that was probably not a good idea about two seconds after I did it. Kyle got a very serious look on his face as he said; I’m here to kill you Bob! You know that Right? Kyle stood up and pulled out a gun with the speed of an old west gun fighter. Badass Bob huh? How bad you feel right now with a Gun pointed at your head? Actually Boy I feel just fine! A split second later before Kyle could pull the trigger he found himself back on the ground with a large throbbing bump on the back of his head, one of Bob’s men had hit him hard with a crowbar. Kyle felt himself slowly passing out and the world going black around him, He could see Bob and his men standing over him smiling, they all had Guns in their hands. This is it Kyle thoughy to himself now I die and my Fathers killer goes free! Just don’t seem right, where is the Justice in this world? Just Before the world went completely black and Kyle passed out, He could have sworn he saw a streak of Gold pass overhead and heard the sounds of someone fighting!

Scene 3

As Kyle woke he could feel a throbbing in his head,He could feel a large bump with his hand on the back of his head where he had been hit. He was laying on a couch in a room that was very bright. As he rolled over to look around the room he spoke the words “Where am I”. He was Surprised when he got the answer, Your still in the land of the living, So I would not worry about anything else right now! As Kyle looked to see who had spoken the words, he could see it was the large Golden haired man he had thought was warning him at the Bar. As Kyle looked around the room he could see there where other people in the room with them, They all looked like hardcore Bikers and on one of the walls he could see a banner hanging, on it where the words GUARDIANS OF EVIL MC ..

L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

This is just the beginning I hope, I’m looking to see if there is any Studio’s, Publishers excreta…. looking to fund this project!!!

Harley 883 Sportster – Not Just Great Looks!

Of all the different models of motorcycles that Harley Davidson produces those that come in the Sportster group are the best selling of all of them. This also includes the Harley 883 Sportster which is extremely with both the young and old who are looking to own such an iconic motorcycle.

As anyone will soon discover all the bikes that Harley Davidson have produced through out the years including this one are extremely versatile. But what is making this motorcycle so popular is that it looks very similar to the XLCH Harley Davidson Sportster that was first built back in 1958. But for those who wish to provide themselves with a little more comfort to use the bike for touring on there are a number of additional items that they can put on to theirs. Below are a list of the items that you may want to consider buying for yours.

1. Get yourself a set of flush mounted leather saddlebags. 2. Get it fitted with a sport windshield. 3. Replace the seat that it comes with, with a deluxe touring one instead. 4. Get a low sissy bar along with a passenger backrest. 5. Fit on to it a sport rack, and then buy yourself the overnight rack and tank bags.

Adding these few additional parts to your Harley 883 Sportster will make it a great fun bike for those weekends away without any compromise being made to its ride capability. Moreover, anyone who comes along for the ride will have just a great time as you because of the more comfortable seat and backrest that you have provided for them.

As previously mentioned the latest versions of all the Harley Davidson Sportster’s look very similar to the XLCH Sportster produced back in 1958. The only difference being is that the parts have changed since then and only good quality modern parts are fitted to these machines.

Today all the Harley Davidson 883 Sportster motorcycles have in them an Evolution V-Twin engine, which will have been bored out to 883cc. However, if a person wants to they can actually convert it so that it becomes a 1200cc size engine instead. If a person, wishes to do this their local Harley Davidson dealership will charge around $900 to do this work.

What a person needs to remember is that the 883 Sportster has been specifically designed as bike to cruise on and not do high speeds on. If you want speed then go for something a little more Japanese and plastic. Nevertheless, for a great days riding when the sun is high and wind is low you cannot do much worse than getting on one of these bikes and taking off.

In fact, the Harley 883 Sportster is suited both to riding in the city or down long and winding country roads. Plus since being fitted with a belt drive rather than the more traditional chain drive they are much quieter and cleaner than before, plus they are actually a lot easier to maintain as well. Therefore, if you want a bike that holds its value and retains all the qualities that are synonymous with such an iconic motorcycle company you cannot do much worse than consider buying one of these machines.

Motorcycle Law: Ponch and Jon

When assessing the various branches of law enforcement, it is evident police motorcycles are an integral part of maintaining and enforcing traffic safety. Motorcycle patrols can be more common in some areas of the nation than in others. This fluctuation has a great deal to do with weather and road conditions in any given city or county. Where it’s cold, you have less motorcycle patrols. Typically, motorcycle patrols frequent highways or busy thoroughfares as their nimbleness and speed are well-suited to navigating the gridlock.

Motorcycles have been used in law enforcement since the early 1900s. They were used to monitor traffic laws and as escort vehicles for government dignitaries. Over the years, a variety of police departments and state troopers exclusively used Harley-Davidson models. In recent history, however, police have decided to use motorcycles from such companies as Kawasaki, Honda and BMW. Despite their rich history, motorcycle patrolmen would only be folded into the popular culture by means of a television show.

The television series, known as “ChiPs,” was on-air from 1977 to 1983. The popular show followed the brave officers of the California Highway Patrol. This light action-drama starred Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox. Although most motorcycle patrolmen are rarely paired off, the series asserted Erik Estrada’s character, Officer Francis (Ponch) Poncherello, was so unmanageable he needed the guidance of a more level-headed officer, Larry Wilcox’s Officer Jon Baker, to keep him from getting into trouble.

A typical “ChiPs” episode used a profitable combination of light comedy and melodrama. While on regular patrols, the dynamic duo would invariably get mixed up in a new crisis — just another day for Ponch and Jon. One of the many topics of the series was Ponch’s role as a Cassanova. Before he could court the love of his life, the typical episode would involve over-the-top stunts and crash scenes. With the debris cleaned up after a quick commercial break, the show always wrapped with a lighthearted sub-plot.

Though a far cry from the genuine danger motorcycle law enforcement officers encounter, the show was a tremendous public relations success. Accidents involving motorcycles are always more gruesome than accidents involving automobiles, a fact seldom portrayed on television. Life is seldom wrapped up with a still of laughing patrolmen and a catchy soundtrack. If you are unsure about a legal situation you may be involved in as a result of a motorcycle accident, seek out qualified representation.

Motorcycle Accidents: Road Rash

Though car drivers may balk, there are some real benefits to motorcycling. First off, the driver remains connected to his background. The continuous need to stay stable requires a motorcyclist be alert at all times. His or her margin for error is very narrow and there is a life-and-death need to be present. This is often characterized as a kind of meditative state at 60 miles an hour.

This idyllic state would be far more attractive if there were no one else on the road. Cars, trucks, pedestrians, and even other motorcycles, have to be taken into consideration. Most traffic fatalities involve motorcyclists. The factors behind these deaths can be attributed to two main factors. The first is the visibility of the motorcyclist. Often they are not noticed and suffer from blind lane changes. The second is a loss of balance, which chiefly occurs during turns.

There are some steps motorcyclists can take to minimize their chances of injury or accidents. Since visibility is a key concern, motorcycles must be visible to other motorists. This can be as simple as keeping the headlight on at all times or even flying an iridescent flag or streamer. Averting injuries boils down to having a full set of personal protective equipment. First and foremost, among the assorted pieces of equipment, is a helmet. Its benefits are self-evident. Leather or Kevlar-reinforced gloves, jackets, and pants are all critical for preventing injury. It is rarely the fall from the motorcycle that causes injury, rather it is the asphalt itself. Additionally, a pair of sturdy boots will help prevent damage to the feet and ankles.

Other than equipment and better visibility, it is recommended that all motorcyclists finish a driving course with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Understanding the concept of counter steering is necessary to preventing a loss of control. The main culprit in turning accidents is a lack of understanding of basic physics. Essentially, the concept of counter steering involves leaning the motorcycle away from the turn direct to shift the pivot point out from under the center of the cycle’s mass. This requires turning away from the direction you want to turn in. Without proper instruction, this can be very counter-intuitive to amateur riders.

These safety measures are intended to help you stay safe and enjoy your ride. If speed is a key factor to your enjoyment, be sure to have your motorcycle regularly inspected. It is possible many components could loosen over time and mainly at high rates of speed. Proper servicing should be a constant concern. Moreover, make sure your motorcycle license is up-to-date. Protect yourself physically and legally from any unforeseen motorcycle accident.

An Introduction to Motor Scooter Racing

Racing motor scooters helps the motor scooter enthusiast meet their goal of speed and competition. Every race has a different class for different riders. Some, officially sanctioned, racing organization allow the motor scooter rider to ride their crazy, tricked out modified motor scooters. Also, their are races that are restricted to the riding of a stock scooter. Additionally, you can race a scooter that is as small as 50cc.

Their are numerous style of races. The drag racing of motor scooters is popular in Europe, and racing on twisty tracks is particularly popular in the United States.

Every motor scooter sanctioned racing authority has different rules. However, all officially sanctioned scooter organizations require the rider to meet certain safety requirements. For example, all riders must have a full face motor scooter helmet and a set of leathers. Additionally, your bolts on the scooter need to be wired safe so they do not come loose when the rider is racing. Also, Nyloc nuts are ofte required to be placed on parts of your scooter and you likely will be required to tape your headlights on your scooter. Overall, when compared to supercross racing and/or NASCAR, motor scooter racing is not that costly of a hobby.

Their are several regional, and international motor scooter sanctioning racing organizations. Here are some of the major ones:

Mid-America Scooter Sports (MASS) – This organization serve the midwest where they organize races in Ohio, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

As the name implies , the Eastern Scooter Racing Association (ESRA) holds motor scooter races on the eastern coast of the United States.

American Scooter Racing Association (ASRA) – is based in California and is the oldest motor scooter racing organization in the U.S.

The British Scooter Sport Organization (BSRA) – governs motor scooter racing in the United Kingdom. It runs races from 50cc scooters and up to 650cc. According to their website it costs 27 pounds to participate in their race.

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