Midwest Motorcyclist(TM), December 2015 issue

1765 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MIOne mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd.

248.920.2000 • www.RideMotorCity.com

Indian® and Indian Motorcycle® are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International LLC. Victory® and Victory Motorcycles® are registered trademarks ofPolaris Industries Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing and obey the speed limit. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles

ONE DAY ONLY!Friday, November 27, 2015

The perfect gifts at great prices for the motorcyclist in your life

BLACKFRIDAYSALE

all in-stockaccessories &

apparel15% OFF

Stop by ourdealership today to

check out thefull line of 2016

Indian and Victorymotorcycles

12 Days of Christmas SaleThursday,

December 10

VictoryApparel

15% OFF

Wednesday,December 16

Victory ChromeAccessories

15% OFF

Tuesday,December 15

Indian LeatherApparel

15% OFF

Monday,December 14

Victory Oil ChangeKits

15% OFF

Saturday,December 12

IndianAccessories

15% OFF

Friday,December 11

HardParts

15% OFF

Tuesday,December 22

AftermarketApparel

15% OFF

Monday,December 21

Indian Oil ChangeKits

15% OFF

Saturday,December 19

IndianApparel

15% OFF

Friday,December 18

AftermarketAccessories

15% OFF

Thursday,December 17

Indian ChromeAccessories

15% OFF

Wednesday,December 23

VICTORY & INDIAN

ACCESSORIES20% OFF

12 Days of Christmas Sale

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 3* For qualified buyers. Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear.

BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI

734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com

“Redefining your motorcycling lifestyle” SM

BMW MotorradDealer of Excellence

Give the Gift of an Extended Riding SeasonThe BMW R 1200 RT and K 1600 GTL motorcycles are designed to provide a comfortable ride.

Think heated grips, heated seats, superior wind protection, and on-the-fly electronicwindscreen adjustment. It’s the best way to avoid Parked Motorcycle Syndrome

Bus Trip to the

International Motorcycle Show

in Cleveland Saturday, January 30, 2016.

Only $55 per person includes bus rideto and from the show, show admission,

and a sandwich with refreshment onthe return trip. Call now.

Space limited.

CHRISTMASPARTY

Saturday, December 12, 2015Join us in celebrating Christmas and theNew Year. Always a fun time, we’ll have

special pricing throughout the dealership,food and refreshments and much more. It’s

the perfect opportunity to wrap up yourChristmas shopping for the

motorcyclist inyour life.

drop off site. Drop off anew, unwrapped toy atour dealership to help

children in our areacelebrate Christmas. No

stuffed toys, please.

We are a

Beginning January 9, 2016Check our web site and Facebook

page for details about thesepopular events

Saturday Seminars

2016 R 1200 RT - MSRP starting at $18,145 (including ABS) 2016 K 1600 GTL - MSRP starting at $24,395 (including ABS)

2016 BMW R 1200 RT.More dynamic performance.More control. More comfort.

2016 BMW K 1600 GTL.Luxurious comfort.

6-cylinder performance.

December 20154 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Columns5 To Our Readers, Correction6 The Live It Right Dream Ride: 18 Dreams Come True by Jay Wilgus14 Motorcycling and Law: Dram Shop Law by Dondi Vesprini16 Seeing 2015 in My Rearview Mirror by Jason Waechter17 The Preacher Speaks About... The Harley-Davidson Death Wobble by Franz Hoffer

Features, News & Reviews7 Book Review: Tales of a Moonlight Rider by Russell Groover by Gene Southard8 Riding Arizona with Parts Unlimited by Blane Kamp12 MHDDA Announces Winner of 2016 H-D Softail Slim12 BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan’s Toys for Tots Drive

Resources5 Advertiser Index13 Event Schedule17 Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Event Schedule

How to contact us:

709 Fall StreetSpring Lake, Michigan 49456

(810) 923-8738www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Copyright 1998-2015 cc media. All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced, photocopied, or electronically

transmitted without the expressed written permission of the publisher.Advertisers, their agents, contributors of event information, free-

lance contributors and/or editorial contributors will defend, indemnifyand hold cc media and RTP Enterprises, Inc. harmless in any claimsof libel, copyright or trademark infringement, plagiarism, violation oflocal, national, or international privacy laws and any other claim or

suit that may arise subsequent to publication of said advertisement,stories, event information, and/or editorial. Submission of material for

consideration for publication in Michigan Motorcyclist/MidwestMotorcyclist, American CycleRider either solicited or unsolicited,

constitutes agreement to these terms. Except for thePublisher and Managing Editor, all writers are free-lance contributors.Any and all opinions expressed are those of the authors, and don’t

necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Publisher/Managing EditorRay Peabody

[email protected]@sbcglobal.net

Advertising Sales/ Web Master / DistributionRay Peabody

[email protected]@sbcglobal.net

Cover DesignJulie Kirkendoll

cc media publications

Cover photo: This picture was taken in South America, likely Chile, by the Live It Right DreamRide team of Jay Wilgus and Emily Flinkstrom.

This Month’s Contributors:

Contributing Editors

Emily Flinkstrom, Franz Hoffer,Jay Wilgus

plus

Blane Kamp, Dondi Vesprini,Jason Waechter

IN THIS ISSUE…..

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Midwest MotorcyclistTM 5

shot and pictures accompanying thisstory to see what I’m talking about.Then, visit their blog. If you arefamiliar with these two, you alreadyknow about their adventure. If youaren’t, this is a great time to getacquainted.

Franz “The Preacher” Hoffer,our staff Harley-Davidson enthusiast,addresses what is known to some asthe Harley-Davidson death wobble.It’s not common but can have seriousconsequences for riders not familiarwith this issue. It’s actually a conditionthat can occur with motorcycles of anybrand. Be sure to read The Preacherslatest piece to learn more.

Gene Southard reviews Tales ofa Moonlight Rider for us this month.Gene regularly travels to Florida inthe winter months to ride. On a recenttrip, he met the author, who he foundto be quite interesting, and decided toreview his book. Be sure to readGene’s review to see what he thoughtabout this work.

There’s much more in thisissue to enjoy. We thank you forreading not only this issue but also foryour support throughout the year. Weappreciate your support for ouradvertisers who are central to ourbusiness model. We look forward toserving you in 2016.

Finally, we offer you, yourfamilies, and your friends our sincerebest wishes for a wonderful holidayseason and an even more prosperous,healthy and safe 2016.

See you on the road or at anevent in the not too distant future,

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AdvertiserIndex

ABATE of Indiana ....................................7A.B.C. Harley-Davidson ..........11, 17, 18, 19Battle Creek Harley-Davidson.11, 17, 18, 19BMW Motorcycles of Detroit................11, 12BMW of Grand Rapids.........7, 14, 15BMW of Indianapolis.........................9BMW, SE Michigan. ...............3, 5, 9C & S Harley-Davidson ........11, 17, 18, 19Capitol Harley-Davidson .......11, 17, 18, 19Classic MotorSports........,......11, 17, 18, 19Cycle Conservation Club ..........................13Diamond Gusset Jeans ......................12, 18Giant Loop........................................6Gildner’s Harley-Davidson .....11, 17, 18, 19Grand Rapids H-D................. .11, 17, 18, 19Great Lakes Dual Sporters ...................13Great Lakes Harley-Davidson.11, 17, 18, 19Hamilton HarleyDavidson .11, 12, 17, 18, 19Harley-Davidson dealers ........11, 17, 18, 19Hot Rod Harley-Davidson .......11, 17, 18, 19Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer..20Jerry B’s Cycle Works .......................10Kelley & Sons Trailers ...........................18Knee Draggin’ Daddy.......................10Motor City Underwriters ......................10Motorcity Motorcycles.................3, 20Motorcycle Solutions, LLC......................10MC Sport Touring Association..........14Muskegon Bike Time Calendar.................12Perry’s Harley-Davidson ......11, 17, 18, 19Ray C’s Harley-Davidson.....11, 17, 18, 19Retail Warehouse .........................4, 16Ride Like a Pro................................9Sandy’s H-D .........................11, 17, 18, 19Shiawassee H-D ...................11, 17, 18, 19Sport Bike Track Gear ............................ 6Sweet Trikes ...........................................10Tech-Care Suspension......................13Tecumseh Harley-Davidson .11, 17, 18, 19Town & Country H-D..............11, 17, 18, 19Zip’s 45th Parallel H-D.............11, 17, 18, 19

BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan14855 N. Sheldon Rd. Plymouth, MI

734.453.0500www.bmwmcsem.com

We take motorcycles of all brands and models as trade-ins. Bring us your bike when you’re ready to buy!

Pre-Owned Motorcycles2016 BMW S1000XR, Racing Red, Call for Price

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2013 BMW R 1200 GS, Grey Metallic, Sale Price: $12,999

2012 BMW K 1300 S, Red, $12,499

2012 BMW K 1600 GTL, Blue, $16,499

2012 BMW S 1000 RR, Red / White, $11,999

2011 BMW R1200R, Black, $8,990

2011 Triumph Sprint GT, Silver, Sale Price: $6,999

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2009 BMW F 650 GS, Blue, Sale Price: $4,999

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BE SEENWear Hi VizRiding Gear

Fall is my favorite time of theyear to ride and this fall has beenespecially good. For me, riding in thecool, clear days before the snow falls islike the dogs getting out into the firstsnows of the year. I can’t say whetherit’s the cold air in their lungs or thetransition from a bland brown andyellow outdoors to bright white snowbut they’re energized. They romp andplay together like no other time duringthe year. They run, jump and explore,occasionally picking up a mouthful ofsnow to stay hydrated. I am happy andexcited just watching them. This isprecisely the way I feel as I cruise onmy bike in the fall with cool airslipping under the helmet and throughsmall intentional gaps – a not fullyzipped zipper on my arms or chest, forexample - in my gear. It’s cool but notuncomfortable. I can’t say exactly whyit has that affect on me but I know thatit puts me in a “flow” state that I canonly find otherwise while racing orsnow skiing.

I mention this only becausewe’re less than two weeks away fromThanksgiving and today is a beautifulclear day with a temperature right at 60degrees. As I write this, I can see andhear a small group of Harley riderscrossing a short bridge a quarter milefrom my living room window. Were itnot for the imminent deadline forputting this issue to bed, I would be outriding myself. I hope you’re takingadvantage of these nice days near theend of our season because,unfortunately, the forecast is not sogood. Rather than 60 and clear, clouds,wind, precipitation, and temperaturesdecreasing into the 40s during day and

30s at night will be the norm.Unfortunately, we’re nearing the endof what has been an exceptional 2015riding season. Yes, some willcontinue to ride no matter theweather but I hope those who puttheir bikes away when the weatherturns gray and cold are takingadvantage of these last few days. It’sa great way to set those memories tomaintain the enthusiasm until thesnow melts, the roads clear and wecan once again get out for our fix.

It’s the Holiday season andthis issue reflects the time of year.Included in this issue is our HolidayGift Guide with motorcycle-relatedgift ideas for every rider. We hopeyou’ll take advantage of some ofthese ideas and special offers. I knowthere are products in this section thatI would like for Christmas. (Hint,hint…)

Emily Flinkstrom and JayWilgus, the Live It Right Dream Rideteam, are back this month with theirlatest installment from SouthAmerica. After returning to the tripin early October, they’ve beenexploring some of the most scenic,moving geography they’veexperienced since this adventurebegan. Be sure to check the cover


WHEN you bend your aluminum motorcycle panniers and the lidsno longer seal, use Giant Loop’s 100% waterproof* Labrador DryPods (set of 2) to keep gear organized and dry inside hard luggage— or a backpack. Made in USA. Limited Lifetime Warranty.Dimensions: 33 tall x 123 wide x 113 long (8cm tall x 30cm wide x28cm long) Volume: 6.6 liters each, 13.2 liters total (400 cu in each,800 cu in total

Gift Ideas

Hot Springs Grande Heat Shield - $50The larger version of Giant Loop’s top-selling HotSprings Heat Shield for motorcycles, the new HotSprings Grande Heat Shield maximizes coverage toprotect Giant Loop soft luggage from exhaust heatdamage, as well as helping prevent dents and dings onthe silencer itself. Dimensions: 10-inches long by 3.75-inches wide. Includes 2 8.5-inch-diameter stainlessclamps. • Fit virtually any motorcycle exhaust. LimitedLifetime Warranty. Made in USA.

Labrador Dry Pods - $60

Giant Loop Fender Bag - $65Dead solid and stable 2-liter zippered Fender Bag fitsmost standard dirt bike plastics. Perfect for manyrelatively small, lightweight motorcycling essentials: 213front inner tube, snacks, gloves and tools. Volume: 2liters. Dimensions: 5.253 x 23 x 9.53. Includes 2 RubberBoa Straps. 18 oz vinyl coated polyester BombShell™with 14 oz. vinyl coated polyester storm flap. Mil-spec materials and hardware. Limited Lifetime Warranty. Made in USA.

To order, visit www.giantloopmoto.com

The Live It Right Dream Ride

18 Dreams Come TrueIn a remote corner of southwestern

Bolivia, beneath cloudless blue skies and asnowcapped volcano, we find ourselves atop themost massive expanse of whiteness either of us hasever seen, chasing faint black lines into a curvedhorizon that teases us with the promise of an islandset just out of sight. Once the base appears belowthe now visible peak, we’ll chase it down as welland camp there for the night - with only the starsand critters as our company.

During the two and a half years of frugalliving we spent saving for this trip, dreaming ofdays like this sustained our momentum. Now we’re

by Jay Wilgus

living what we imagined and we’re convinced thebeauty we find between the surreal salt flats ofBolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and the lush vineyards andred-rock corridors of the iconic Ruta 40 in northernArgentina is more spectacular than anything weenvisioned.

South of the Salar, a 300-mile section ofsand, gravel, and washboard leads to high alpinelakes where flamingoes paint pink streaks acrossturquoise lagoons and where llamas graze ongreen and yellow grasses beneath brown rockyoutcroppings and gray moraine fields far above

the tree line. The only other traffic we seebetween the occasional settlement is either aLand Cruiser carrying sightseers from San Pedrode Atacama or vicuna running away from us asgracefully as an antelope would in the westernUnited States. The scenery is both captivating and

humbling.We’re roughly 15,000 feet above sea level

with no gas station or convenient store within a100-mile radius and the wind remains some

Continued on page 8


BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 530-6900 www.bmwmcgr.comLatitude 41.855022 Longitude -85.66382

CHRISTMASOPEN HOUSE

December 5, 2015 • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join us at our Christmas Open Houseto celebrate the Holiday season.

• Storewide specials • Door prizes• Food & refreshments

• Live music with Lew RussDon’t

miss it!

Tales of a Moonlight Rider isan autobiography by a person whohas spent an exciting life ridingmotorcycles in the Tampa, Floridaarea. On my recent visit to theCroom dirt bike area just north ofTampa, I had the opportunity tointerview the park manager, MarkGoode. During our interview, Marksuggested I read Russell Groover’slatest book. Mark told me that, afterretiring, Russell purchased someland inside the riding park. Thissparked my interest. Anybody wholikes motorcycles so much that helives in the middle of a motorcyclepark has to be my kind of person.

Russell tells of getting his first bike, aHarley 125, at age 14 and how he spent the next fewyears learning to ride around the Tampa area. Onehumorous story he tells is of his friend laying proneon the seat of the 125 with only his swim trunks onand seeing how fast he could get the small Harley togo. This attempt to emulate Rollie Free’s Bonnevillerun resulted in 52 mph on the 125.

Russell’s next motorcycle was an Army 45before he then moved up to a 1951 ’74. It is hard toimagine Russell racingcross country in the Floridasand on a heavy Harleywith no rear suspension.More adventures followedafter he joined the GoldenEagle Motorcycle Club.These adventures includedstories of his many trips tothe Daytona races. Youcould almost see the earlymotorcycles flying downthe sandy beach and thenmaking the return run onHighway one. Also thetales of the wild partiesthat took place during theGypsy tours reminded meof the pictures and storiesthat I have seen and heardfrom our local PeoriaMotorcycle Club members.

Russell alwayswanted to be a motorcyclepolice officer and,at age 21, he was hired bythe Tampa police force.After several years in apatrol car, he advanced tomotorcycle police officer.Like all officers, hepresented a veryprofessional image but,like many motorcyclists, hehad a mischievous side.Many of the stories he tellswhile riding for the Tampapolice force make youwonder how he managed

Tales of a Moonlight RiderBy Russell Groover

Reviewed by Gene Southard

Book Review

not getting fired. One of my favoritestories involved Russell and his partnersneaking into the local civic center duringits construction and flat tracking aroundthe arena on the large police Harleys. Healso writes about going out to the edge oftown and drag racing the Harleys. Russellalso shares tales of some of his morememorable traffic stops, usuallyinvolving some scantily clad femaledriver. In my opinion, his most humorousstory involves this attempt to start hisHarley to chase a speeder, only to havehis pant leg cuff catch on the oil filter bolt.Both he and his motorcycle fell into aswampy ditch. After jumping up, hepulled out his gun and shoots the

motorcycle. Probably anyone who hasridden for any length of time has had a motorcyclethat would not start and would have consideredshooting it if only a gun was handy. These storiesshow us that just because a rider is a policemotorcyclist doesn’t mean that he can’t have a littlefun every once in a while. But he did share some of hisserious side with the reader.

Russell considered it a great honor to be inthe police escort for famous leaders of our nation,

such as George Wallace, Martin Luther King andPresident John F Kennedy. He had a shortconversation with JFK when the President was inTampa only a week before his assassination.

One of Russell’s proudest accomplishmentshad to be the formation of the Tampa motorcyclepolice training course. This training course becameone of the most respected in the nation and thetraining that the officers received helped keep themsafe while riding.

Russell’s police career came to an end whenhis patrol car was rear ended by a drunk driver. Hisinjuries forced him to retire. But his life in themotorcycle world was far from over. His ridingwith friends and family continued with greatenthusiasm. After spending several years lookingfor the best place to retire, Russell purchased theland inside the Croom Motorcycle Riding Park justNorth of Tampa where he continues to ride andwrite.

I was impressed with Russell’s ability tolook at life, see what is really important, and put ahumorous twist to the things that are not. Tales of theMoonlight Rider is an easy book to read for theaverage motorcyclist because we can all relate tothe many stories, both the humorous and sad. Thisbook can be purchased from Russell on Amazon.


Most people in the motorcycle business giveup their passion to work in the industry. We’realways the busiest when the weather is best forriding. Occasionally, though, you get a chance to goto a warmer climate during a slow time of the yearand ride. Parts Unlimited,a distributor of ours,organized their first everParts Unlimited StreetTouring Ride inScottsdale, Arizona. Wequalified for this trip inthe spring when weplaced a big order withthem. They gave us tworooms for three nightsand took care of ourmeals and some drinksalong the way. They had mapped out six differentroutes north of Scottsdale into the mountains that wecould ride.

The four of us met at the hotel on Friday,October 2nd. Phil Mann and Bob Burns set out onMonday, September 28th on their bikes and rode the1,900 miles in three and a half days. That’s not bad for82 and 87 year olds. Phil holds the record for thenumber of miles traveled in 6 months (113,000 miles)and Bob’s been putting on 20,000 miles a year since Imet him 30 years ago. A couple of tough old boys,that’s for sure. My brother, Bruce, and I took off in thevan, with motorcycles loaded in back on September30th and made it down to Scottsdale on October 1st.

The first night, Parts Unlimited had a big

reception with 28 different vendors giving awayeverything from tires to brake pads and even seats.During the three days there, Parts Unlimited madesure that everyone attending won something. Theyalso gave us a set of tires, brake pads and other

accessories at deep discounts beforewe left . Our group got a set of tiresthat averaged $100 each! A very niceperk. It was a great night of dinner,drinks and prizes covered by PartsUnlimited and their vendors.

Saturday morning, we decided toride up toward Payson. Bob has two

sons, Davidand Bob Jr.,who joinedus for theride. Weheaded out 87towardPayson with David in the lead. It’s a road with bigsweepers that cuts through the mountains. Davidcommented that he used to ride with a group ofK1200RS riders who would average 100 mph all theway to Payson. We stayed in the 10-over range just incase the Sheriff was waiting around a corner. Next, wehit 260 toward Cottonwood; a technical road throughthe mountains. We all enjoyed it immensely.

When we got back to the hotel, they tookus out by bus to a Fiesta Party. There was greatauthentic Mexican food at a ranch out in the middleof the desert. A great way to end the day.

After breakfast the next day, we went toPrescott by way of back roads. Once we turnedonto 89 going into Prescott, we were inheaven. The road went up into the mountains.Its surface was that course asphalt that thetires stick to like glue. We got to the top of themountain to find it had just rained. Thisslowed our ride considerably all the way intoPrescott.

We just touched the surface and had somespectacular rides in Arizona. We missedJerome and Sedona, not to mention some

roads snaking around Flagstaff. So many goodroads and only so much time.

Parts Unlimited had a big dinner that nightand gave away more prizes. They did a great jobputting on the event and making everyone feelspecial. It’s just what was needed after a longsummer in the motorcycle industry. A specialthanks to Lisa and Kathy for organizing the event.

The Live It Right Dream Ride is sponsored in part by:

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com/

www.shadyproducts.com/

www.motorcycleandoutdoors

.com

www.kindsnacks.com/www.bmwmcgr.com/

constant version of gusty. We find campsites eachnight that offer mild reprieve, but the cold stillcommands our attention. At 16,500 feet - the highestwe’ve ever been outside a plane and 2,000 feethigher than the tallest peaks in Colorado, we findcomfort in a cozy Bolivian customs office warmedwith heat provided bya nearby volcano.Friendly agents sellus two liters of waterto top off our supplyas we prepare for asteady descent intothe Chilean oasis ofSan Pedro de Atacamawhere a lively touristscene supports a laid-back bohemianculture among localsand transplants.

After a fewdays of warmshowers, good food,and a taste ofsandboarding, we dartsouth from San Pedroon fifty miles ofsplendid Chileanasphalt beforeclimbing yet again. This time the dirt road takes usup and over Paso de Sico, which serves as one ofmany remote arteries between Chile and Argentinaalong their shared Andean ridgeline. Pink and

yellow valleys now compliment an alreadyimpressive landscape dotted with geysers, hotsprings, and more expansive salars.

The route speeds up, slows down, turns up,and winds down, as any great dual-sport ride does.It eventually leads us to a three-course dinner at the

Plaza de Armas in Salta where generousservings of wine remind us that we’reapproaching the arid vineyards ofCafayate, which produce a unique whitevarietal called Torrontes. To get there, wecross through Los Cardones National Parkwhere spines of rock resemble the redfeatures of southern Utah and wherecactuses rise impressively into the desertsky. Along the way, we cross paths withthe magnificent northern end of Ruta 40,which carried Ernesto “Che” Guevara onthe journeychronicled inThe MotorcycleDiaries, andwhich nowcarries usthroughpicturesqueadobe villageswhere artisansand farmers

produce and sell theirwares.

When thisparticular stretch of

Continued from page 6 - Live It Right Dream Ride

riding comes to a finish at the southern end of adeep green canyon near Tafi Del Valle, it will havebeen eighteen days since we left our host’s garagein La Paz, Bolivia to complete the journey westarted in July 2014. And it will have included sevenstunning campsites, one major city, two NationalParks, a handful of hostels, four distinct regions,three countries, two border crossings, and enoughgorgeous miles to feed our souls for a long time. Asyou might imagine, we’re feeling incrediblygrateful this holiday season and we’re excited thatPatagonia and Tierra del Fuego still lie ahead.Happy Holidays!

For details on our exact route through thisincredible terrain or more stories and pictures fromthe road, visit our website:www.liveitrightdreamride.com. You can also findus on Facebook at The Live It Right Dream Ride.

Riding Arizona with Parts Unlimitedby Blane Kamp

Rest stop

87-year-old BobBurns with a

friend.

Low lyingfog in acanyon


2015 Holiday Gift Guide

BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan

14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com

Christmas Gift Ideasfrom BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan

Children’s ‘I Love Bikes’ T-ShirtStart them as young BMW Motorrad enthusiasts. Large ‘I LoveBikes’ design across the chest makes a statement any childwould be proud to sport. Unisex. 100% cotton. $15

Make Life a Ride Mouse PadWith a full color ’Make Life a Ride’ image, this mouse padmakes a great addition to any desk. Antimicrobial softsurface for superior mousing. Permanently dyed, nocracking or peeling. 7.8” x 7.4”. Made in USA. $8

Portable Bluetooth SpeakerThis portable mini Bluetooth-enabled Super Bass Technologyspeaker is compact enough to throw in a tank bag for a trip onthe bike or to use around the home. BMW Motorrad brandingaround the middle rubberized band. Rechargeable withincluded USB cable. 2.75” x 2.13”. $69

Wireless MouseThis ergonomic wireless computer mouse is inspired by aclassic gas tank. Sporting a BMW Motorrad Motorsporttheme, this mouse can can race you through your work.Metal Roundel and gas cap add the perfect touch. Includesbatteries. 4.8” x 2.6” x 1.6”. $36

RIDE LIKE RIDE LIKE RIDE LIKE RIDE LIKE RIDE LIKE A PRA PRA PRA PRA PRO – GREAO – GREAO – GREAO – GREAO – GREAT LAKEST LAKEST LAKEST LAKEST LAKES

As a Rider do you Fear dropping your bike?Are you a “Foot Dragger”? Do you “Walk the Dog” at red lights?

Do you know how to pick up a dropped motorcycle?Do you feel unsteady when riding at slow speeds?

Do you wear out your boots before your tires?Do you take up 3 lanes of traffic to make a U-Turn?

WE CAN HELP!The RIDE LIKE A PRO program was started by Jerry

“Motorman” Palladino, a retired police motor officer livingin Florida. Jerry has created an incredible training tool

with his series of “Ride Like a Pro” Instructional DVDs!

Riders come from all over to take Jerry’s classes in Florida, and youtoo can learn these same fundamental skills that the motor officersuse. Even experienced riders will show a noticeable improvement

in their overall riding skills!

These same instructional classes are availablehere in Michigan!

Visit: www.ridelikeapro-gl.com for up-coming 2016 classdates and locations, or contact Gary at: 586-246-4344

[email protected]

Give yourmotorcyclist

the gift ofprofessional rider

training.Call today!

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This is a small sampling of the BMW gear we have in stock for both men & women.

This is a small sampling of the Victory gear we have in stock for both men & women.This is a small sampling of the Triumph gear we have in stock for both men & women.

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Don’t wait. Stopby our store forthe most-valued

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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROMHARLEY-DAVIDSON

TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE AND FILL VALVEA great addition to the home shop, the Tire PressureGauge and Fill Valve ($79.95) allows a rider to checkair pressure and fill the tire without removing thechuck valve. It features an 18-inch flexible hose, atrigger lever and a two-way air chuck with both a45-degree fill port and a side-fill port that provides easyaccess to motorcycle valve stems. The dual-range gaugemeasures pressure from 0-60 psi and 0-400 kPa.

WOMEN’S SMARTPHONE LEATHER WALLETSlim down with the Smartphone Leather Wallet ($30.25)designed to neatly tuck away essentials. Styled from high-quality lambskin leather, the wallet features a twill liningand an interior pocket that will accept most smart phones,plus an ID window and three credit card slots. `

HELMET LOCK AND SECURITY CABLEProtect a motorcycle helmet, jacket or bag fromgrab-and-go theft with the Harley-DavidsonHelmet Lock ($24.95) and Helmet/Jacket SecurityCable ($12.95). The carabineer-style, pocket-sizelock fits through a helmet D-ring and around mostany handlebar or engine guard and has a resettablefour-digit code. The aluminum-and-zinc alloy carabineer is covered with adurable rubber coating to protect the surrounding finishes. It stretches up tosix feet long and has a load capacity of 200 pounds.

For more information on these or other gift ideas, visit or call oneof the Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association members

listed on page 18 of this issue.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide

www.bmwdetroit.com(586) 274-4000Sterling Heights, MI, 4831234080 Van Dyke Ave.BMW Motorcycles of Detroit


PERFECTSTOCKING-STUFFER GIFT:

2016 BikeTimeCalendar

PROCEEDS BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITYMeet your twelve winners of the Calendar Contestin July 2015 inside this calendar! Proudly hang

this in your home, garage or office in 2016... just in time for holiday gift-giving!

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BMW Motorcycles of Detroit34080 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, MI

(586) 274-4000 • www.bmwdetroit.com

• Food and refreshments• Great Year-End Discounts

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Motorcycling & LawDramShopLaw

by Dondi Vesprini

We Ride!...All Makes of Bikes

...All Over the Country...On Back Roads...On Racetracks

...At Novice-Advanced Levels...In Our Sleep!

Our members come from all across the Midwest (and beyond)

and we ride many makes of street bikes - including:

We travel to great riding destinations close by and far away. We learn to be

better riders. We share camaraderie and a common passion: The Passion To Ride!

In Michigan, contact:Gregg Mitchell

[email protected]

Sport Touring is Our Middle Name!

In Indiana, contact:Donald “Moose” Parish

[email protected]

For information about membership, meetings, events or rides,contact the MSTA group in your state:

• Aprilia• BMW• Buell• Ducati

• Harley-Davidson• Honda• Kawasaki

• Suzuki• Triumph• Yamaha....and brands in between

No place to ride? Michigan is home to the largest organized network of off-road trails in the world - more than 3500 miles of marked, maintained ORV trails for the entire family to enjoy! Since 1968, The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan has led the charge to assure continued access to public lands for motorized recreation by working closely with state and federal government. Membership in the CCC offers organized trail rides, a map CD of the entire trail system, a subscription to the Great Lakes TrailRider Magazine

and a host of other member benefits! Call us today at 517-781-4805.

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It is hard to believe that we arealready approaching the end of 2015. Itseems like it was not that long ago thatmotorcyclists across our great State werewaking their bikes up from hibernationafter last winter and getting them roadready for the riding season.Nonetheless, it will soon be time towinterize the bikes again and put themaway for this winter. The hope of mostriders is that we get some borrowedtime from Mother Nature that lets thediehards take advantage of a few morerides in December before thetemperatures dive and the roads becomecovered in ice and snow. However, coldtemperatures and slippery roads aren’tthe only hazards to be wary of if youventure out for a ride during the holidayseason. It is no secret that onceDecember comes, holiday partiesabound which increases the chances ofsharing the road with motorists whohave had a little too much “holidaycheer” and are driving under theinfluence of their favorite intoxicatingbeverage.

Michigan law has special rulesthat apply to hold responsible the lastrestaurant, bar, hotel or other retaillicensee that sold, gave or furnishedalcohol to the drunk driver that causesan accident. These laws are sometimereferred to as “dram shop” laws,referencing back to liquorestablishments that served alcohol bythe “dram” which was a unit ofmeasurement used during the colonialperiod in the United States.

Under Michigan’s dram shoplaws, a retail licensee is prohibited fromselling, furnishing or giving alcohol to aperson who is “visibly intoxicated.” Ifalcohol is provided to such a person, andthat person injures someone by reason ofthe unlawful providing of the alcohol,the injured person may bring a claimagainst the retail licensee who, byunlawfully providing the alcohol, causedor contributed to the intoxication of thewrongdoer. In 2006, the MichiganSupreme Court made clear that theinjured person must prove that the retaillicensee served the liquor while theperson was “visibly intoxicated”meaning that the fact that the person wasintoxicated would have been apparent toan ordinary person. This means that it isnot enough to rely on the person’s bloodalcohol level and arguments that

someone with that high of a level musthave been drunk. It is an objectivestandard in that it must be affirmativelyproven that the person’s intoxication wasapparent to ordinary persons at the timethe person was served the alcohol.

Also, there is a shorter statute oflimitations that applies to dram shopcases. Unlike the statute of limitationsthat may apply to a claim against thedrunk driver, you must file a lawsuitagainst the liable retail licensee withintwo years of the date of the personalinjury caused by the drunk driver.

Further, it is worth keeping inmind that an injured person is required togive written notice to all potentialDefendants within 120 days after enteringinto an attorney-client relationship forthe purpose of pursuing a dram shopclaim. Failure to give such written noticewithin that time is grounds for dismissalof the case unless it can be proven thatsufficient information for determiningthat a retail licensee might be liableunder this section was not known andcould not reasonably have been knownwithin that time period.

I wish you and those that youhold dear a very happy holiday season. Ihope your season is filled with family,good friends, good food, and a coupleunseasonably warm days to get your lastfix of riding in before you shut it downfor the winter!

As always, if anyone has anyquestions or if I can be of legal assistanceto you or anyone you know who hasbeen injured in a motorcycle accident,please don’t hesitate to contact me as Ideal with these types of claims on a dailybasis on behalf of injured motorcyclistsstatewide.

Further, for those readers whoare members of any motorcycleorganizations, clubs or groups, if youwould like to have me come out to yourgroup to speak or give a presentation onthe legal rights of an injured motorcyclistor on any specific topic that your groupmay be curious about, please don’thesitate to give me a call at (248-569-4646)or shoot me an e-mail [email protected]. I givepresentations state-wide and there isnever a charge associated with having meout. I enjoy having the opportunity tocome out and meet motorcycleenthusiasts from all parts of our State!


BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids, 5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI(616) 530-6900 www.bmwmcgr.com

2015 BMW G 650 GS, Black, 840 miles, $7,9502015 BMW F 800 R, Racing Blue, 1,900 miles, $8,9502015 BMW S 1000 R, Racing Red, 12 miles, $13,8832015 BMW R nineT, Dark Storm Met, 1,500 miles, $12,448.252015 BMW R 1200 GS, Blue, 670 miles, $17,7102015 BMW R 1200 GS, Black Storm, 12 miles, $18,8602015 BMW K 1600 GT, Black Storm, 1,200 miles, $19,9502014 BMW G 650 GS, Deep Black, 794 miles, $7,4502014 Ducati Hyperstrada, Ivory, 1,700 miles, $9,9502013 BMW R 1200, 6,300 miles, $10, 9502013 BMW R 1200 RT, 15,100 miles, $13,7502013 Triumph Speed Triple R, Black, 7,588 miles, $8,9502012 BMW F 800 GS Triple Black, Black, 8,904 miles, $8,9502012 BMW G 650 GS Sertäo, BLUE/WHITE, 8,700 miles, $5,9502012 BMW K 1600 GTL, Royal Blue, 18,000 miles, $17,9502012 BMW R 1200 RT, Grey Metallic, 16,607 miles, $13,3002012 Suzuki GSX™ R750, Yellow, 13,656 miles, $7,7502012 Triumph Tiger 800 Standard, Black, 18,896 miles, $7,7502011 BMW K 1300 S, Black/Blue, 3,940 miles, $11,4502011 Kawasaki Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero™, Red, 9,633 miles, $9,2502010 BMW F 650 GS, 3 6,702 miles, $6,4502010 BMW F 800 ST, Blue, 18,600 miles, $7,9502010 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, Grey, 63,000 miles, $11,9502009 BMW K 1200 LT, Black, 72,000 miles, $9,4502009 BMW K 1300 GT, Magnesium, 49,174 miles, $9,9502009 BMW R 1200 GS, Silver, 62,000 miles, $9,450

2007 BMW F 800 S, Yellow, 14,000 miles, $5,9502007 BMW K 1200 GT, Crystal Grey, 41,325 miles, $8,4502007 BMW K 1200 R Sport, 52,562 miles, $6,9502007 Yamaha Royal Star Venture, Blue, 12,221 miles, $8,4502006 BMW F 650 GS, Silver, 20,199 miles, $4,2502006 BMW R 1200 RT, Red, 59,639 miles, $7,9502006 BMW R 1200 RT, Grey, 37,408 miles, $8,4502006 BMW R 1200 RT, Graphite, 62,862 miles, $7,9502005 BMW K 1200 LT, Graphite, 45,425 miles, $8,7502005 BMW K 1200 LT, Deep blue, 8,487 miles, $8,7502005 BMW R 1200 GS, Blue, 131,000 miles, $5,9502005 BMW R 1200 RT, Red, 71,444 miles, $7,7502005 BMW R 1200 RT, Red, 71,000 miles, $7,7502005 Honda® Valkyrie Rune, Maroon, $17,9502005 Kawasaki Vulcan® 750, Black, 26,064 miles, $1,7502004 BMW R 1150 RT, Blue, 21,875 miles, $5,4502004 BMW R 1200 CL Custom, Sapphire Black, $6,9502003 Honda® GL1800 Goldwing, Black, 63,007 miles, $9,9502002 BMW K1200LT, Silver, 70,002 miles, $5,9502002 BMW K1200RS, Grey Red, 99,526 miles, $3,9502001 BMW R1100RT, Black/White, 116,805 miles, $2,9502000 BMW R1100RT, 55,865 miles, $3,4501996 BMW R 850 R, Green, 36,534 miles, $3,9501992 BMW K75RT, Black, 43,918 miles, $3,4501981 BMW R100RT, Red, 117,366 miles, $1,750

Pre-Owned MotorcyclesLargest Inventory of

pre-owned BMW Motorcyclesin the Midwest!

Battle Creek, Michigan - The Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association (MHDDA) recentlyannounced that Denise Trevarrow of Lapeer,Michigan, has wonthe 2016 Harley-Davidson SoftailSlim in the Summerto Ride drawing.Trevarrow is a longtime Harley rider,who with herhusband, Jim, areofficers in theLapeer HarleyOwner’s Groupchapter.

“I’m happyto see Denise winthe Slim,” said RayClemens Sr., ownerof Ray C’s Harley-Davidson in Lapeer.“They’re true, committed members of the Harley-Davidson family. Denise is the Activities Directorfor our HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter andher husband , Jim, is the Senior Road Captain.Theirs is a family of volunteers; the kind of peopleyou would want to see win.”

The Summer to Tour promotion,organized by the MHDDA, was designed to

Winner of Summer to Ride Tour2016 Softail Slim Announced

encourage riders to explore Michigan bymotorcycle by visiting each of the MHDDA memberdealerships. At each dealership, 18 years and older

participants, no matter whatbrand of motorcycle he or shetypically rides, could enter towin the 2016 Softail Slim. Therewas no cost to enter andparticipants could enter as manytimes as they wished. Thepromotion ran from June 15through September 15, 2015. Inaddition to the Grand Prize,each dealership drew a namefrom the people who registeredat their dealership to win a $100gift card. Denise Trevarrow’sname was drawn at a meeting ofthe MHDDA on September 19.

The Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer’s Association,established in 1938, iscommitted to inspiring the sport

of motorcycling and promoting the unique cultureand sense of community that only Harley-Davidsoncan provide. Our membership includes dealers ofnew and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles acrossthe State of Michigan. A complete list of MHDDAdealer members can be found on page 18 of thisissue. For more information about the MHDDA,visit www.mhdda.com.

BMW SEM Launches7th Toys for Tots

CampaignPlymouth, MIchigan - John Horner, owner of BMWMotorcycles of Southeast Michigan (BMWSEM), hasannounced that his dealership is once again acceptingdonations for the Toys for Tots drive this Christmasseason. This year’s drive will mark the seventh yearin which the dealership has participated.

“We originally got involved with Toys forTots for a couple reasons,” said Mr. Horner. “First, wewanted to show those not in the motorcycle commu-nity how charitable motorcyclists are. We hope todispel some the negative aspects of our image held bymuch of the general population. Second, and mostimportantly, we want to help ensure that less fortu-nate kids in Southeast Michigan have a wonderfulChristmas. We are proud to help support the Toys forTots program.”

The number of Toys for Tots donations atBMW SEM has grown every year since they becameinvolved in the program. Mr. Horner would like toset a record for the donations again this year. Anyonewho would like to donate to Toys for Tots can dropoff new, unwrapped toys at the BMW SEM dealershiplocated at 14855 N. Sheldon Road in Plymouth,Michigan. No stuffed toys, please. You can also callthem at (734) 453-0500 for more information.

Ray Clemens, owner of Ray C’s Harley-Davidson inLapeet hands the keys to the 2016 Softail Slim to

winner Denise Trevarrow as Jim Trevarrow looks on.


BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI

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* Offer is restricted to the purchase of new, unregistered2015 BMW R 1200 GS models equipped with eligiblepackages through an authorized BMW Motorrad dealer.Units eligible under this program must be on site inshowroom inventory. Models without the Standard Package(ZPS) or option strings, still qualify for Credit Off MSRP andnot the Option Package (Retail Value). Credit amount isdeducted from vehicle MSRP. Dealer participation required.Ask your salesperson for details. Offer can be combinedwith other deals except as prohibited. Savings cannot beused towards tax, title, licensing or destination charges.Offer ends December 31, 2015.

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Seeing 2015 In My Rearview Mirrorby Jason Waechter, Esq.

Attorney Jason A. Waechter is a national attorneyspecializing in the areas of motorcycle and motor vehicle injurylitigation. Mr. Waechter has collected millions of dollars insettlements, awards and verdicts for his motorcycle clients overthe past 20 years. Jason feels a duty to give back to hiscommunity. A portion of each case settled goes to educationalresources for bikers, funds to help bikers while their cases arebeing litigated and our motorcycle accident preventioncampaign. Call Attorney Jason Waechter toll free at 1-877-BIKER LAW. Or visit www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com Legaldisclaimer: The law is very fact dependent and there are manynuances and exceptions depending on your particularcircumstances. Therefore, given the limited space, it isimpossible to cover everything. Do not rely on the short articleto protect your rights.

When I sat down to write this month’s article,I was taken aback to realize it’s already December.How 2015 managed to slip by so quickly, I have noidea. In the Midwest, this is the season for puttingmotorcycles to bed for the winter, celebrating withfriends and family, looking back at the year gone byand looking forward to what the next year will bring.

Through my work as The Motorcycle Lawyer,and along with my amazing team of lawyers,paralegals, and administrative staff, I get to do a lot ofcool stuff during the year… The most important ofwhich is helping injured motorcyclists get justice aftera crash. Every year, we look for ways to give back tothe biker community more generally, and this yearwas no exception. Of course, we are always promotingmotorcycle awareness and safety through our bumperstickers, Biker Discount Card, participation in swapmeets and biker events, and, of course, sharingimportant legal and safety information in articles, onsocial media, and through press releases.

This summer, we also became the exclusivesponsor of the ABATE Awareness Program here inMichigan. ABATE Awareness is an educationalprogram that goes into driver education classes andteaches young drivers about motorcycle awarenessand safety. We, like our friends at ABATE of Michigan,believe that driver education is the most importantmethod we can use to try to prevent motorcyclecrashes, injuries, and deaths. We are proud to be theexclusive sponsor of this important program and hopeour support will help keep riders safe.

And speaking of giving back to thecommunity, last month we got to participate in agreat event for children at the Methodist Children’sHome Society (MCHS). My team transformed TheMotorcycle Lawyer truck with spooky Halloweendecorations, then dressed up in costumes and handedout candy and treats to over 300 kids from MCHS,local foster families, and the community. We had awonderful time meeting kids, parents, and volunteersand just being a part of this great community.

Finally, once again this year, my firm, myteam, and I have been honored with a number ofawards and nominations. I was named to SuperLawyers, a peer-nominated service that ratesattorneys who have reached the highest levels ofprofessional achievement across the United States.

Best Lawyers in America also namedme to their Michigan list; Best Lawyers isconsidered one of the most credible andrespected listings of this kind. I wasnamed a top Detroit attorney in HourDetroit. And finally, I am proud toannounce that my firm has been namedone of the Best Law Firms in the countryby US News. I truly believe you should“work for a cause, not for applause”, butit’s a great feeling to know that my hardwork and the work of my team is beingrecognized and acknowledged so widely.

This year was interesting froma legal perspective for motorcyclists. InMichigan, Nathan’s Law took effect,requiring that all driver educationprograms in the State of Michigan includeeducation on motorcycle (and bicycle)awareness and safety. Ownership lawschanged slightly as well in Michigan;now, a motorcycle owner includes “aperson renting a motorcycle or havinguse of a motorcycle under a lease for aperiod that is greater than 30 days, or otherwise fora period that is greater than 30 consecutive days,”(MCL 500.3101). Previously, the owner was theperson on the bike’s title. Another Bill in Michigancould affect local and out-of-State bikers: SB 527would amend part of the Michigan Vehicle Code(MCL 257.658) and force all motorcyclists (includingpassengers) to wear a helmet, without exception,when they’re on a motorcycle. Of course, Michiganbecame a helmet-optional state (under certainconditions) back in 2012, so this is quite an about-face. We will be watching (and reporting on) theprogress of this Bill as it moves through theLegislature.

Nationally, lane-splitting was a hotlydebated issue, especially in California. A majorresearch study by UC-Berkeley seemed to show thatlane-splitting can be a safe practice for savvy bikers,and a Bill was introduced to try to make it legal.Ultimately, the bill was struck down, and lane-splitting remains not legal, but also not illegal, inCalifornia (for now). Other states have also beenexamining lane-splitting safety, and I’m certain that

we will hear more about this issue nextyear.

Speaking of next year, this time ofreflection always seems to inspire lookingahead. My team and I are busy makingplans for next year, and we are looking forinput from our fans. If you have a legalquestion, safety tip, interesting topic, oramazing story to tell about motorcycles,riding, or biker culture, we want to hearfrom you. Drop us a line [email protected], post to ourFacebook page (Facebook.com/TheMotorcycleLawyer), or visit our website(www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com) to get intouch.

Our goals for 2016? Help injuredbikers and their families get justice; shareimportant information about motorcyclingand the law; find new ways to get involvedwith and give back to the community; pushto prevent motorcycle crashes, injuries, anddeaths by promoting motorcycle awarenessand safety; get out and ride more!Finally, a heartfelt reminder to be extra-

cautious on the roads during the holiday season. Inaddition to dropping temperatures and increasedchances for ice and snow on the roads, the next fewweeks are prime party season. Take care of eachother and yourselves: if you drink, please don’tdrive. My team and I wish you a safe and happyholiday season!

Call (269) 651-2464 now or visit our on-line store at www.ridewild.com

Retail Warehouse(269) 651-2464 Fax: (269) 651-8767

1640 S. Centerville Road (M-66 South) , Sturgis, MI

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If you’re looking for fantastic dual-sport riding and the company ofgreat friends, join us. Check out

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The Great Lakes Dual Sportersis a like-minded group of off-road motorcyclists who enjoy

riding Michigan’s vast two-tracktrails and back roads. All done

using a street legal dirtbike alsoknown as Dual Sport.


MichiganHarley-DavidsonDealer EventsFor a complete list of Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer

Association Members, see the dealer locator on page 19.

The Preacher Speaks About ...

The Harley-DavidsonDeath Wobble

by Franz Hoffer

The Harley Wobble, or as it is nowcommonly called the “Harley-DavidsonDeath Wobble,” is something I’ve heard aboutfor years but never really looked into it. Ihave owned two Harley-Davidsonmotorcycles: a 2001 Electra Glide Standardand my current ride, a 2011 Road Glide Ultra.I owned the Electra Glide for 10 years and put46,000 miles on it, including several trips tothe Sturgis Rally. I never experienced anykind of wobble despite having run itup to 105 mph on alonely highway inWyoming. I have27,000 miles on myUltra including tripsto Gatlinburg, twotrips to Sturgis, aneast coast trip,Rolling Thunder,and our latest trekjust this yearthrough Upper andLower Michigan. Ihave had that bikeup to 98mph and experienced no wobblewhatsoever. I can’t say I even know anyonethat has experienced the wobble or crasheddue to it.

So, what exactly is it, why does ithappen and just how dangerous is it? I thinkit’s something of which all riders, not justHarley riders, should be aware. EverythingI’ve read suggests that this is not a problem ofthe bike owner doing improper maintenanceor a driver riding wrong. It can cause therider to lose control of the bike. Harley-Davidson has admitted that some bikes aresusceptible to a wobble or weave, but hasqualified that statement by saying it dependson the bike’s speed, does not cause accidentsin and of itself and also happens on otherbikes produced by other manufacturers.Harley-Davidson has also said that thewobble can also be caused by bike ownersadding certain aftermarket parts and ownersignoring sections of the owner’s manual.

The “wobble” problem has beendescribed as centering on the swing arm, therear suspension mounting, the transmission,and engine mounting to the frame of themotorcycle. When the engine is not properlyseated due to manufacturing defect,customization, or worn out parts, it candevelop what is termed an elastic or jumpingback and forth motion between the swing arm

and frame. According to articles I read,the problem can result in a loss ofcontrol and cause serious injuries. Ridershave experienced and observers haveseen this wobble effect and the impact ithas on the rider’s ability to control themotorcycle. The right way to address thewobble should it occur is to completelyroll off the throttle to decrease speed.Applying the brakes will exacerbate the

wobble andmake the bikeunmanageable.If the rider hitsthe brakes, he/she will likelybe thrown offthe bike as thewobble will getextreme.

I asked JerryBattaglia, ownerof Jerry B’sCycle Works onHarper in St.

Clair Shores, Michigan, about this issue. “I’ve learned a few things over

the years about this wobble,” said Jerry.“This problem exists in most makes, notjust Harleys. Some models come withsteering dampers which can drasticallyreduce the problem. Older touringmodels are more likely to experience thewobble due to worn motor mounts. Therear tire, swingarm, transmisson, andmotor are connected together and floatin the frame via rubber motor mountsand two stabilizer links. The rear tirecan move side to side if the mounts orstabilizers are worn. Soft sidewall tires,low air pressure, loose fork bearingadjustment, and worn steering neckbearings can also contribute to thewobble.” There you have it my friends:the opinion and experience of an expert.

If anyone out there hasexperienced the “wobble,” drop me an e-mail ([email protected]). I willreport the results in my next article. Sostore your bike well for winter and untilwe hit the warmth of the late winter sunor what will hopefully be an earlyspring. Let me wish you all a MerryChristmas and a safe and prosperous2016. Seems like just yesterday we wereall terrified about Y2K…remember that?

November 28Orange Saturday Event & BikeGiveawayShiawassee Harley-Davidson®11901 N Beyer RdBirch Run, MI989.624.4400

December 2Ladies’ NightPerry Harley-Davidson5331 South Sprinkle RoadPortage, MI(269) 329-3450

December 4Ladies’ NightRay C’s Harley-Davidson1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69)Lapeer, MI(810) 664-9261

December 5Ladies DayFood, Specials plus free giftwrapping!!! Get your favoritepeople checked off your list in onestop!Zips 45th Parallel Harley-Davidson980 S. Wisconsin AvenueGaylord, MI(989) 732-8000

December 5-620th Annual Toys for Tots EventABC Harley-Davidson, Inc.4405 Highland Road (M-59)Waterford, MI248.674.3175

December 5, 12 & 19Pictures with SantaGreat Lakes Harley-Davidson3850 S. Huron RoadBay City, MI(989) 686-0400

December 9Men’s NightPerry Harley-Davidson5331 South Sprinkle RoadPortage, MI(269) 329-3450

December 9Ladies’ NightShiawassee Harley-Davidson®11901 N Beyer RdBirch Run, MI989.624.4400

December 10Men’s NightShiawassee Harley-Davidson®11901 N Beyer RdBirch Run, MI989.624.4400

December 11Men’s NightRay C’s Harley-Davidson1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69)Lapeer, MI(810) 664-9261

December 12The Black List Biker XMAS Party-Private Eventcall and ask how to get on the listHamilton Harley Davidson68951 White School RdSturgis MI269-651-3424www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com

December 12Men’s DayThere will be food and specials allday long. Get your favorite ladiessome new gear!Zips 45th Parallel Harley-Davidson 980 S. Wisconsin AvenueGaylord, MI(989) 732-8000

December 12The Original Souper SaturdayFree Pictures with SantaABC Harley-Davidson, Inc.4405 Highland Road (M-59)Waterford, MI248.674.3175

December 12Free Photos with SantaShiawassee Harley-Davidson®11901 N Beyer RdBirch Run, MI989.624.4400

Dec 12 & 19Photos with SantaPerry Harley-Davidson5331 South Sprinkle RoadPortage, MI(269) 329-3450

December 17Beer & Brats Men’s Night OutGet a head of your last minuteshopping game. Free food & drinks.We’re giving away a GoPro!!Capitol Harley-Davidson9550 Woodlane Dr.Dimondale, MI 48821Phone: 517.646.2345

December 19The Original Souper SaturdayUgly Sweater ContestABC Harley-Davidson, Inc.4405 Highland Road (M-59)Waterford, MI248.674.3175

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9. LansingCAPITOL HARLEY-DAVIDSON®9550 WOODLANE DRIVE, DIMONDALE(517) 646-2345, www.capitolhd.com

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15. Traverse CityCLASSIC MOTOR SPORTS HARLEY-DAVIDSON®3939 S BLUE STAR DRIVE, TRAVERSE CITY(231) 943-9344, www.classictc.com

12. MuskegonHOT ROD HARLEY-DAVIDSON®149 SHORELINE DRIVE, MUSKEGON(231) 722-3653, www.hotrodhd.com

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11. Mt. PleasantC & S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®4741 E PICKARD, MT PLEASANT(989) 772-5513www.candssportcenter.com

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17. West BranchGILDNER’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® MOTORCYCLES2723 S M-76, WEST BRANCH(989) 345-1330, www.gildnershd.com

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Documents

Midwest Motorcyclist(TM), December 2015 issue