Midwest Motorcyclist(TM), May 2014 issue

May 2014

FREE

4405 Jackson RdAnn Arbor, MI 48103

734-769-9815 • Toll Free: 800-825-5158www.nicholsonfun.com

Stop by our dealershiptoday to check out the

new Nicholson’sMotorsports.

Proudly SellsBased in Spearfish, South Dakota, Lehman Trikes areproudly made in the USA and feature our 3-year,unlimited mileage warranty. Factory and dealersupport for our products has earned Lehman anexceptional reputation. Lehman Trikes is proud to haveestablished the kind of customer relationships andloyalty that can only be earned through years ofdedication and integrity.

Committed to the Three Wheel Experience...

Three LehmanTrikes in stockfrom which to

choose.2012 Honda GL1800with premium audiopackage, $36,999

2012 KawasakiVulcan 900 Custom

$17,999

2013 HondaGL1800 F6B

$34,999

Stop byour store

today!

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 3

www.bmwmcgr.com

616-530-6900Grand Rapids, MI 49548-5730

5995 S DivisionBMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids Demo model in

stock. Stop by ourstore for a test ride.

May 20144 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Columns5 To Our Readers6 Random Ramblings of a Rare Bird: Where Will Your Bike Take You

This Year? by Mike Mekinda8 Ask Dr. Cychol9 The Live It Right Dream Ride Update10 The Preacher Speaks About... Tech Talk and E85 Ethanol

by Franz Hoffer13 The Skinny On... Cure for the Polar Vortex by Pedro Gregorio18 Ohio Motorized Trail Association: Personal Responsibility is Key to

Safe Riding by Matt Mesarchik19 Motorcycling and Law: Answering Reader Questions

by Dondi Vesprini20 Motorcycle Awareness Month: Get Endorsed, Get Insured & Spread

the Word by Jason Waechter22 Open Terrain - Exploring the World and Soul by Motorcycle:

Death Valley Noob Rally, 2014, Life from the Springs by Nicole Espinosa

Features, News & Reviews14 Never Enough Auto Expands Into Powersports15 Groundbreaking Set for Future Home of Ray C’s Harley-Davidson16 National Motorcycle Museum’s 2014 Vintage Rally

Reference5 Advertiser Index21 Event Schedule

How to contact us:

709 Fall StreetSpring Lake, Michigan 49456

(810) 923-8738www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Copyright 2012-2014 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

Large cover photo: Contributing Editor Pedro Gregorio’s Speed Triple at rest during his annualpilgrimage south to escape winter in Michigan. Photo by Pedro Gregorio.

Small cover photo: The smile on her face shows the joy Contributing Editor Nicole Espinosaexperiences when overlooking the Saline Valley in the desert. Photo by Paul H. Smith.

This Month’s Contributors:

Contributing EditorsPatrick ArmitageNicole EspinosaPedro Gregorio

Franz HofferMichael Mekinda

plus

Dondi Vesprini, Matthew Mesarchik,Jason Waechter

IN THIS ISSUE…..

We recently purchased state-of-

the-art tire changing equipment.

We can handle every motorcycle

tire changing chore.

• Street, off-road and racing tires

• Tires of every size, from the wide cruiser style tires to mini-bike tires

• On the motorcycle or off

• Any brand or model motorcycle

Spring into summer riding

6971 Highland Road 248-666-4651 Waterford, MI 48327 www.tech-care.com

Honda Shadows-Kawasaki Vulcan's-Suzuki Intruders-Yamaha V-Stars

FRONT Reg Price 130/90-16 $133.95 150/80-16 $183.95 150/80-16WWW $201.95 120/90-17 $124.95 140/80-17 $154.95 140/80-17WWW $207.95 150/80-17 $163.95 100/90-18 $102.95 110/90-18 $107.95 120/90-18 $131.95 100/90-19 $110.95 110/90-19 $133.95 80/90-21 $110.95

NEW DUNLOP 404 VALUE PRICE OE on Honda Shadow Aero, Yamaha V-star 1100 and Royal Star and the Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad H-rated for speeds up to 130 mph or S-rated for speeds up to 112 mph. Tread compound delivers excellent balance of mileage and grip

REAR Reg Price 130/90-15 $124.95 140/90-15 $144.95 150/90-15 $170.95 150/90-15WWW $190.95 170/80-15 $185.95 130/90-16 $126.95 140/90-16 $155.95 150/80-16 $165.95 130/90-17 $137.95 110/90-18 $124.95 120/90-18 $136.95

Our Price $ 99.95 $114.95 $129.95 $139.95 $139.95 $109.95 $119.95 $129.95 $109.95 $104.95 $109.95

Our Price $104.95 $134.95 $144.95 $ 99.95 $119.95 $149.95 $124.95 $ 89.95 $ 94.95 $104.95 $ 94.95 $104.95 $ 94.95

No tire is

too big. No

tire is too

small!

We can handle

all of your

motorcycle

tire needs.

Tires, tune-ups and brakes for your motorcycle. Most brands and models. Now is the time to get your

service and repair work done - before our service department gets jammed. Call or stop by our store

today to schedule your service or repairs. Don’t wait ‘til the last minute!


123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901123456789012345678901234567890121234567890112345678901234567890123456789012123456789011234567890123456789012345678901212345678901

ABATE of Indiana .....................................18A.B.C. Harley-Davidson ...........7, 10, 11Alibi Bar & Grill................................15American Road Shop.........................10, 16American Steel..................................14Battle Creek Harley-Davidson ....7, 10, 11Bent Wheels Competition Club.................21BMW MC of Detroit...........................7, 13BMW of Grand Rapids............3, 6, 17BMW, SE Michigan..............7, 8, 17, 20, 23Brighton Harley-Davidson .......7, 10, 11Bubba’s Tri City Cycle............................9, 12C & S Harley-Davidson ...........7, 10, 11Capitol Harley-Davidson .........7, 10, 11Classic MotorSports................7, 10, 11Cycle Conservation Club ...........................19Dave Bowman MS/Tech-Care.........4Diamond Gusset Jeans ............................10Fremont Boot..........................................16Gildner’s Harley-Davidson .......7, 10, 11Gilmore Museum Vintage MC Show........5Grand Rapids H-D................. ...7, 10, 11Great Lakes Dual Sporters ....................16Great Lakes Harley-Davidson ..7, 10, 11Hamilton’s Harley-Davidson .....7, 10, 11, 15Harley-Davidson dealers ..........7, 10, 11Harrison Motorcycle Service ................12Hot Rod Harley-Davidson ........7, 10, 11Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer..24Jerry B’s Cycle Works .......................12Kelley & Sons Trailers ............................14MI Supermoto.................................9Michigan Chrome Shop.......................5Motor City Harley-Davidson ...7, 10, 11Motor City Underwriters ......................12Motorcity Motorcycles.....................15Motorcycle Mike’s............................17Motorcycle Solutions, LLC......................12MC Sport Touring Association..........19Never Enough Auto..............................24Nicholson’s Motorsports............2, 7, 9Perry’s Harley-Davidson ..........7, 10, 11Ray C’s Harley-Davidson..........7, 10, 11Retail Warehouse ............................5, 17Rocky’s Outdoors.............................2Sandy’s Harley-Davidson ...........7, 10, 11Shiawassee Harley-Davidson ....7, 10, 11Sport Bike Track Gear ..........................8, 22Sweet Trikes ...........................................12Tecumseh Harley-Davidson ....7, 10, 11Town & Country H-D................7, 10, 11Vehicle City Harley-Davidson ..7, 10, 11Wolverine Harley-Davidson ....7, 10, 11Zip’s 45th Parallel H-D..............7, 10, 11

AdvertiserIndex

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

Phone: (269) 651-2464 Fax: (269) 651-87671640 S. Centerville Road (M-66 South) , Sturgis, MI

We accept all major credit cards

Retail Warehouse

G-3Microwire

Gloves

All controls &accessories now in stock!

JacketLiners

Heated

Socks

T-5 Microwire

Heated

Gloves

Gerbing Heated Apparel

18th Annual

VINTAGE

MOTORCYCLE

SHOW & SWAP MEET

Pre-1985 Bikes

and older

GilmoreCarMuseum.org 269-671-5089

GILMORE CAR MUSEUM6865 Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, MI

Midway between Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing and Grand Rapids

Sunday, June 10, 2012

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or Shine!

Hosted by the BMW

Motorcycle Club

of Battle Creek

June 8, 2014

Shedding Winter: The First Ride of SpringFinally, we seem to be leaving

the winter of 2013 – 2014 behind andcreeping into the new riding season. Asyou will read in this issue, like most ofyou, every contributor has been sufferingthrough the seemingly endless snow andcold while at the same time planning forthat first opportunity to get out for a ride.Some stay inside and make plans forwhen the snow clears. (See Mike Mekinda’scolumn.) Others make their way to thegarage to putter with service, repairs andadd-ons in preparation for that first ride.Some don’t wait for the weather to clearbut instead head south to ride where thesun is more likely shining andtemperatures are reaching into the mildrange. (See Pedro Gregorio’s column.) While,in the past, I tended to follow some ofthese same activities during the wintermonths, this past winter was different.

Since about mid-November, mymotorcycle-related activities (aside fromthe magazine) have been lethargic. TheTiger was prepped and stored in thecorner of the garage awaiting plannedmodifications, minor repairs and newtires that I would complete well beforethe riding season began. Never happened.The best I could accomplish was to add

Stabil to the fuel system and hook upthe Battery Tender. Otherwise, I barelylooked at my steed for three, maybefour months. Even my wintermotorcycle-related reading, whichusually keeps me charged up throughthe dark months, declined. I entered apseudo-hibernation phase.

During my dormancy, I wentoutside only when necessary. Otherthan the truck, the only involvement Ihad with any kind of gas-powereddevice was the regular, seeminglydaily, use of the snowblower to keepthe driveway and sidewalk clear.Otherwise, back into the house.

The lethargy began todisappear only when the days startedto get longer with more light in boththe mornings and evenings. I started tolook at the motorcycle I ignored allwinter – despite having walked past itseveral times every day – a little moreoften. The projects I had intended tocomplete returned to myconsciousness. If I was going to beprepared to ride when the sun finallyresurfaced, I needed to get a few thingsdone, even if those things were onlyenough to get the bike road worthy. I

reassembled the disassembledparts, checked the oil, coolant andtires, added fresh fuel and turnedthe key to the “ON” position inpreparation for the first start of2014. Nothing. No lights. Noinstruments. No clicking. Theyear-old battery was dead despitehaving been on the trickle chargerall winter. While there wasdisappointment for having toreplace the battery, myenthusiasm was returning. Ipurchased a new battery, startedthe Tiger and let it purr for a fewminutes. The bike and I were goodto go. It was still a few days beforeI could take the first ride but atleast I was ready.

When the day of the firstride finally dawned, the laststraggling bits of my dormancywere being pushed towards thedoor. Even before I went to thegarage, while I was putting on myboots, the old enthusiasm for theride was returning. With eachpiece of gear – chaps, jacket and

Continued on page 17


What the heck happened? Seems I was outriding on a beautiful winter day, pulled into thegarage and Polar Vortex 1 took over and froze ourworld. Things started looking up, a thaw camethrough (complete with ice jams and flooding),another chilly ride and we slid into Polar Vortex 2!Today I’m looking out my window at absolutelybeautiful fresh white snow, lit by bright sunshine,unfortunately wrapped in -2 degree temps and -25windchill. A perfect day for laying in the warm,sunny spot on the floor with the dog and dreamingof upcoming rides. By the time you’re reading this,I’d like to think the 60 watt winter bulb in the sunwill have been swapped for something with a bit

Where Will YourBike Take You

This Year??by Mike Mekinda

more output, and the warmth will be motivating us tohit the garage and prep the bikes for the riding season.In the meantime, I hope days like today had youdaydreaming as well, and you’ll have created a mentalor written list of places your motorbike will take youthis year.

I spend the winter reading books andmagazines of traveling and racing. They’re not allabout motorcycles, but they all include someone’sgrand adventures, and their stories warm cold winterdays. When I realize I’ve been planted in my chair fortoo long (nearly impossible when I have to get up andshovel snow every few hours!), I hit the motorcycleshows, car shows and the local dealerships to find thevehicle(s) that will support my dreams. For anyoneinto any form of motorsports (or even non-motoredsports), we are truly living in some terrific times. Twohours into the International Motorcycle Show, Irealized there is something for everyone, for everytaste- fast, less fast (there are no slow!), cruiser,adventure, sports, retro, modern, even some reallycool scooters. The best part is, there’s not a bad choicein the lot! The same goes for the auto show - even themost insanely fast and hard-core sports cars arebeautiful, well-made, comfortable and even get bettermileage than crappy economy cars of just 20 years ago.If you’ve got the cash, you really can’t go wrong. If

you’re short on cash, scoop upsomeone’s newer used vehicle - stillas awesome, might even have a bitof an adventure you hadn’t thoughtof left over from a previous owner.If you’re really bold (or a bit crazy),go the vintage route and make anold bike (nearly) reliable enoughfor a trouble-free summer. Nowwe’ve got our vehicle, or at least avehicle in mind, the dreaming,scheming and planning can begin.

Every year I start out with aridiculous list that I have littlechance of completing, but it stillgives me something to lookforward to in the frozen months.Many of my rides are solo, sometwo-up with my wife or daughter,and a few are group rides that Ihope one day, when he finishescollege, will include my son. I haveone destination (actually a group of

destinations) that Icut and paste to eachnew year’s list, that Icall my NationalVisits Tour. I want totravel by motorbikeand visit everyfriend and relative Ihave spread outacross the U.S. Someof these are merelyday trips (that I stillhave troublemaking time for),most will require along day, or three,of travel time -especially if I chooseto avoid thesuperslab and go forbackroads. In thiscase, however, I’mnot picky -highways will bejust fine. In mostcases, I don’t intendto stay long, sofamily or friends

don’t need to make up the guest room. I just want tostop by, take them to lunch or dinner, catch up onhappenings and head home. This goal is all about theride, with friends and family as the added bonus. Afew of those trips will require a bit more time toinvest. For instance, a close friend’s son just relocatedto California, a destination that also has its own linefurther down my list. I’ve been to California, but thelast time I was a toddler waiting for my Dad’s ship,the USS Canberra, to return to San Diego fromVietnam. I don’t remember much of the trip, (thoughMom tells me we had a good time!), but I’ve alwayswanted to go back. Considering my list actually haslot of destinations on the west coast, that visit isgoing to require a great deal more time than the rideout, lunch, ride home format. Another visit that willrequire much longer is a cousin in Key West. I fearthat ride will require days of recovery before evenconsidering mounting the bike for the trip backnorth - assuming I ever want to leave!

My National Visits Tour always gets the topslot on my list, because it can broken into individualtrips. Ideally, I would love to just cut and run for asummer and pinball across the country doing it inone epic adventure, sharing my adventures to sparkothers as they dream through winter. Unfortunately,real life always intervenes, and it just can’t happen...yet... and that’s why I fill out the list with dozens ofmore reasonable riding goals and destinations. ByMarch of every year, there are lists of upcomingevents in magazines like Midwest Motorcyclist and onrider websites (www.midwestmotorcyclist.com, ofcourse!) to choose from, and I usually come up withseveral, like The Ton-Up in Michigan or Americadein New York, I hope to attend. There are monumentsand parks I want to visit, restaurants I’ve read aboutand wanted to try, and museums that soundintriguing. There are roads I’ve read or heard aboutthat sound epic and must be ridden, either as asporting roads or as examples of the beauty thatmakes this country so awesome. I pick a track day ortwo I hope to attend, as well as a few skills classesthat can only help make me a better rider. I decidehow many new riders I hope to teach throughHarley-Davidson’s new Riding Academy andMotorcycle Ohio’s MSF courses, and what newskill(s) I intend to learn myself this year. I set goalsof how many weeks I intend to ride cage-free thisyear, and how many weekends will go to the car tokeep my steering-wheel skills competitive. I even goso far as writing the names of anyone significant inmotorsports I’d like to meet in a given year, or whoI’d like to learn a bit more about. Once I’ve more orless completed the ongoing process of my list, Irealize my world is finally beginning to thaw, I’vegotten through another winter and it’s time to get thebikes ready to enjoy a couple bullet points from mylist.

How about you? Do you have a list? It’s nottoo late ya’ know- the season’s just starting. Your listdoesn’t have to be on paper or computer, but there’ssomething gratifying about scratching off a line, ormoving it to the “DONE” column and seeing it foryears to come. Print seems to be motivation thatkeeps one adding to the list, a kind of “I did that, so Iknow I can do this, too” effect. Our bikes and the road(or, perhaps, a place with no roads) are calling on usto step up, mount up and ride out. The ride can bejust minutes or days, and, regardless of time, thatadventure can still be epic, and the freedomliberating! Think about it... What do you want to doon a motorcycle this year, next, or before shufflingoff this mortal coil? Who knows, we may even crosspaths as we’re crossing objectives off our own lists-and you can share a few that might make my list fornext year.

Be seen, ride smart, stay safe and I’ll see youon the road! -mike

Random Ramblings of a Rarebird

The Best JustGot BetterThe C3 PRO takes its position as the new leader of flip-up helmettechnology with criticalnew features engineered for themost demandingriding. A redesignedliner providesimproved fit and comfort,new aerodynamic design minimizes lift and buffetingwhile the patented internalantenna and Bluetooth®

receiver deliver enhancedcommunication range. The C3PRO's long-term developmentalso made it the world's quietestflip-up helmet.

Engineered specifically for women, thenew C3 PRO WOMEN takesflip-up helmet performanceto a new level. Designedto fit a woman'sunique facial structure,a redesigned linerprovides improved fitand comfort while aerodynamic enhancementsminimize lift and buffeting. Theinterior's “soft” memory foamfurther tailors the fit. To provide even greater comfort,the helmet's soft, jersey knitMicrofiber lining is antibacterial,hypoallergenic and easy to clean.

Next Generation.Women Specific.

The Latest in Head Protection Technology Stop by our store today for a fitting.

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

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

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


2000 BMW

R 1200 CBlack, Good cond.,

35,995 miles, Stiletto

version, Custom

seat, Clean bike

ONLY $4,950

2009 Suzuki

DR650White, Very good

cond, 3,665 miles,

Top case, Windshield,

Hand guards,

Luggage rack

ONLY $3,750

Year Make/Model Price

2013 Suzuki Vstrom 650 Adventure $8,9952013 BMW F700GS Low $8,9502012 BMW K1600GTL $20,4502012 BMW F650GS $9,4502012 BMW K1600GTL $19,9502011 BMW F800R $7,9502011 Ducati Multistrada 1200 ABS $13,9502010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 ABS $13,4502010 BMW K1300S $9,9502009 Suzuki DR650 $3,7502009 BMW K1200LT $15,450008 Honda Goldwing $13,9502007 BMW K1200GT $9,9502007 BMW K1200S $8,9502007 BMW F800S $5,7502006 Yamaha V Star 1100 $4,4502006 BMW K1200S $8,7002005 BMW R1200RT $8,2502005 BMW R1200RT $7,9502004 BMW R1200CLC $7,9502004 Honda ST1300 $5,9502000 BMW R1200C $4,950

Pre-Owned Motorcycles


Visit your local Harley-Davidson® dealertoday. The complete list of Michigan

Harley-Davidson® dealers can be foundon page 10 and 11 in this issue.

We wantyour used

motorcycle.New Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are selling like hot cakes.We’re replenishing our inventories as quickly as possible. In

addition to the new bikes, we are also stocking up on pre-ownedmotorcycles, either through trade-ins or outright purchases. If

you’re looking to buy - or you just want to sell the motorcycle younow own - take your motorcycle to your local Harley® dealer for a

quote. Do it today to make your best deal.

Event Listings are FREE

BMW Motorcycles of Detroit34080 Van Dyke Avenue

Sterling Heights, MI(586) 274-4000

www.bmwdetroit.com

PRE-OWNED MOTORCYCLES

2009 R1200R

5,002 Miles

$9,999

2009 F650GS - 1,054 Miles - $8,000

2007 K1200LT - 25,837 Miles - $11,500

1986 K75 - 100,000 Miles - $2,200

1998 R1200C

4,452 Miles

$5,500

BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan

39933 Ford Road, Canton, MI

734.981.1479 www.bmwmcsem.com

2002 BMW

K 1200 LT,Black, 42,000 miles, Good

condition, Loaded!, GPS, BMW

highway pegs, Factory radio,

ONLY $7,499

2012 BMW G650GS SERTAO BLUE/WHITE $8,4902011 BMW R 1200RTP, Black/White $17,4902010 BMW S1000RR MOTORRAD COLORS / BLACK $10,4902010 BMW R1200GS, Graphite $13,9902009 R 1200 GS, Silver / Silver, $13,5002009 R 1200 GS, Silver, $13,9992009 BMW R1200RT BLUE METALLIC / SILVER $12,4902009 BMW R1200RT, Silver, $13,2992008 BMW K 1200 S, Black/Silver $10,9902007 BMW R1200RT SILVER $9,4902007 BMW R1200GS, Red, $9,4902002 BMW K1200LT, Black $7,499

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

Pre-Owned Motorcycles Pre-Owned MotorcyclesPre-Owned MotorcyclesPre-Owned MotorcyclesPre-Owned MotorcyclesPre-Owned Motorcycles


734-769-9815Toll Free: 800-825-5158www.nicholsonfun.com

2002 Honda VT750DC2

Shadow, White,

32,730 miles,

Excellent condition,

NOW $2,335

2009 Honda CBR 1000RR ABS RED $9,2992008 Honda CBR1000RR BLUE Sale Price: $7,8052011 Honda CBR10RRB BLACK Sale Price: $9,9702007 Suzuki GSX-R750 WHITE $7,7402011 Suzuki GSX-R750L1 BLUE/WHITE Sale Price: $9,8302009 Yamaha RAIDER S SILVER Sale Price: $10,1302009 Honda VT750C2F BLACK Sale Price: $4,7202002 Honda VT750DC2 WHITE Sale Price: $2,3352003 Honda VTX 1800C BLACK Sale Price: $4,8352006 Honda VTX 1800R BURG/BLACK Sale Price: $6,7902011 Yamaha YZFR6 BLACK Sale Price: $8,840


• Monday, May 12, 2014 •

Spring 2014 Track Day

Grattan RacewayThe day costs $170, which includes track time, class room

instruction and lunch. All makes and models of bikes are

welcome to attend our track events! To register, or if you have

any questions at all regarding our track events please call

Audrey at SEM: (734) 981-1479




The Dr Requests your help! I need your questions! This column will beonly as good as your questions. If you have a question, it is very likely it will beanswered quickly, via Email or snail mail and, in the pages of MichiganMotorcyclist/Midwest Motorcyclist magazine. Please send them in!

Dr. Maurice D. Cycholl is a world-renowned expert in Motorcycle Safety,Riding Techniques and Touring. In addition, while he is not a recognized expertin motorcycle mechanics, he does possess a fair degree of knowledge in the areaof mechanical, and electrical systems found on many motorcycles. He welcomesyour questions on these subjects. While you may submit questions on any subject,his advice on other subjects may, or may not be, as reliable. Please submit yourquestions via email to: [email protected] or via snail mail to: Dr. “Moe” D. Cycholl, c/o CC media, 709 FallStreet, Spring Lake, MI 49456

ASK Dr. CychollQ&A Column

For Your Questions Relating to MotorcycleSafety, Riding Techniques and Touring

By Maurice “Moe” D. Cycholl

Dear Dr. Cycholl,

I am 35 years old looking to get into motorcycling for the firsttime. I have friends that ride sport bikes, other friends that say their bikes are“sport touring” bikes and still others that say their bikes are touring bikes.All tell me that I should buy a bike like theirs. What is the difference betweenthese styles and why would I want one VS the other?

Thanks, Glen Ver Spaden, Grand Haven Mi

Dear Glen,

No one really has much of an unbiased opinion when it comes totheir choice in motorcycles.

Sport bikes are replicas of motorcycles designed for racing. To suit thispurpose, they have powerful engines, low handlebars, compact full fairingsfor less wind resistance, high foot pegs for ground clearance in turns andlittle in terms of comfort at all. My biased opinion is that they are only

somewhat more comfortable than a crucifix. Few humans can endure thesport bike riding position or seats for very long.

Sport-touring bikes are designed for sporty handling and bettercomfort. They will normally come with powerful engines but a morerelaxed riding position than a true sport bike. They will have higherhandlebars, lower foot pegs, larger fairings, taller windshields andhopefully a more comfortable seat. They must be equipped withsaddlebags to really have “touring” included in their description IMHO.They can normally be ridden much longer (in terms of miles and time) incomfort than any sport bike while still looking and performing in asporting manner. They are a better choice, in my opinion, than any sportbike if you want to actually ride much.

Touring Bikes are physically bigger with powerful engines, muchbigger windshields and fairings, higher handlebars, lower foot pegs,(usually) more comfortable seats, saddlebags and a trunk. They are abigger handful to manage at walking speeds and have less groundclearance in turns. They can carry more load and two people morecomfortably for more time and distance. Because of their size, they are nota good choice for someone just starting out. In my opinion, they are thebest choice if you intend to ride a lot of miles locally and certainly the bestchoice if you intend multi-day trips. Many can still be ridden in asurprisingly sporting manner depending on the rider’s skills.

If you are a new rider the best thing to do is get trained in a Rider’sEdge or Motorcycle Safety Foundation course first, before you buy anybike. If you pass, buy a used, smaller, basic bike as a learner. Ride this for aseason and you will have a better idea as to which type of bike actuallysuits the riding you intend to do.

. Thank you, Dr Cycholl


Help WantedSERVICE

TECHNICIAN


734-769-9815Toll Free: 800-825-5158www.nicholsonfun.com

Requirements:

• Experience with Japanese motorcycles

• State certified

• Own tools

Call or stop by the store for details or an

application

Sponsored in part by

For more information, visit www.misupermoto.com

April 19 Auto City Speedway Clio, MI

May 5 Jackson Speedway Jackson, MI

June 22 Auto City Speedway Clio, MI

July 20 Auto City Speedway Clio, MI

August 24 Auto City Speedway Clio, MI

September 21 Jackson Speedway Jackson, MI

October 4 Auto City Speedway Clio, MI

October 5 Jackson Speedway Jackson, MI

2014 MI Supermoto Test and Tune Dates

2014 Schedule

Regularreaders know thatEmily Flinkstromand Jay Wilgus are inthe process ofplanning andorganizing their 15-month grandadventure ride toTierra del Fuego andback, beginning inmid-June. Thiscolumn documentstheir preparations forthe trip and willcontinue as a journalof their experiencesafter they hit theroad.

As we go topress, the couple isclosing the deal ontheir motorcycles,getting all of theirgear sorted while atthe same time trying to sell their house in Ann Arbor. Much to do and time is getting short.

For those readers following their column, it will return next month with lots of new,interesting information (they promise!) Thanks for reading and stay tuned. In the meantime,be sure to visit the Live It Right Dream Ride website at www.liveitrightdreamride.com/ formore information.

The Live It Right Dream RideColumn Will Return Next Month

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

www.kindsnacks.com/ www.shadyproducts.com/ www.midwestmotorcyclist.com/


Cement CityTOWN & COUNTRY HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

US 12 & US 127CEMENT CITY, MI 49233(517) 547-3333www.cementcity-harley.com

BrightonBRIGHTON HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

5942 WHITMORE LAKE RD.BRIGHTON, MI 48116(810) 225-2915www.brightonhd.com

FlintVEHICLE CITY HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

2400 AUSTIN PARKWAYFLINT, MI 48507(810) 234-6646www.vehiclecityharley.com

Battle CreekBATTLE CREEK HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

5738 BECKLEY RDBATTLE CREEK, MI 49015(269) 979-2233www.battlecreekharley.com

Farmington HillsMOTOR CITY HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

34900 GRAND RIVER AVE.FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335Phone: (248) 473-7433www.motorcityharley.com

Birch RunSHIAWASSEE HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

11901 N. BEYER ROADBIRCH RUN, MI 48415(989) 624-4400www.shiawasseeharley-davidson.com

FremontSANDY’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

SPORT CENTER

11940 N. MAPLE ISLAND RDFREMONT, MI 49412 (231) 924-3020www.sandysharley-davidson.com

Bay CityGREAT LAKES HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

3850 S. HURON ROADBAY CITY, MI 48706(989) 686-0400www.greatlakeshd.com

Clinton TownshipWOLVERINE HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

44660 N. GRATIOT AVENUECLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI 48036(586) 463-7700www.wolverinehd.com

The Preacher Speaks About...

TECH TALK and E85 Ethanol

by Franz “The Preacher” HofferI had an excellent response to our inaugural edition of

Tech Talk where Jerry B discussed getting our bikes ready forriding after the winter hiatus, concentrating on oftenoverlooked tires. I received several e-mails on suggestions forfuture Tech Talk subjects and we will get to all of them. In thatinitial article, I had to edit out some aspects of my interviewwith Jerry that I really didn’t want to, but due to spaceconsiderations I really had no choice. In brainstorming theissue with Ray Peabody the Owner/Editor of MidwestMotorcyclist, we came up with the idea of running Tech Talkevery other month and devoting the entire article to it, therebyallowing me to include much more pertinent information andnot having to edit and re-edit to fit into the allotted space, aswell as including detailed pictures. In the alternating issues, I’llcontinue to write about my personal riding experiences andother topics of interest, centering on Harley-Davidson Riders.

I have been out on my bike already this year and it wasrefreshing and invigorating to get on the road. Uncovering myRoad Glide Ultra from its winter blanket, rolling it out of thegarage, checking the fluids, checking the clutch, brakes, battery,and all the connections not to mention checking the tires (I willbe replacing my front tire shortly), making sure the tread isgood with no cracks and getting them up to the proper tirepressure. This process has, for me, become a rite of spring thatseems to put everyone in the neighborhood in a good mood asthey all drive or walk by, many stopping to admire my two-wheeled work of high performance art. But something I havebeen reading has me concerned, especially regarding myplanned summer trips to the East Coast and then my annualpilgrimage to Sturgis. That concern is E-85 Fuel, containing 15%Ethanol. I have heard the pros and cons and decided I needed toeducate myself on the subject.

Recent action by the EPA (Environmental ProtectionAgency) has allowed, but not mandated, up to 15% ethanol ingasoline. The waiver by the EPA requires that the pumps beclearly labeled “Passenger Vehicles Only” and the EPA listsmotorcycles among those vehicles that should not be fueled withE-85. Currently, we are all likely using E-10 (90% gasoline, 10%

ethanol) and the bump toE-85 is in compliance withthe Energy Independenceand Security Act of 2007,put in place to cutdependence on foreign oiland to reduce theproduction of greenhousegases from vehicles.Ethanol in gasoline seemsto be the enemy of themotorcycle engine, air orliquid cooled. Ethanolcontains 1/3 less energyper gallon than gasolineand causes a very leanfuel-air mixture, possiblyto the point of damagingthe engine. Many smallengine manufacturers willnot honor warranties ifthe fuel used containsmore than 10% Ethanol.The big fear formotorcyclists is thatwhile the E-85 pump isclearly marked, manypumps share common

Continued on page 16


GaylordZIP’S 45TH PARALLEL

HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

980 S WISCONSIN AVE.GAYLORD, MI 49735(989) 732-8000www.zips45thhd.com

LansingCAPITOL HARLEY-DAVIDSON®9550 WOODLANE DRIVEDIMONDALE, MI 48821(517) 646-2345www.capitolhd.com

HudsonvilleGRAND RAPIDS HARLEY-DAVIDSON®2977 CORPORATE GROVE DR.HUDSONVILLE, MI 49426(616) 896-0111www.grandrapidsharley.com

KalamazooPERRY’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®5331 SPRINKLE ROADKALAMAZOO, MI 49002(269) 329-3450www.perryharley-davidson.com

SturgisHAMILTON HARLEY-DAVIDSON®68951 WHITE SCHOOL ROADSTURGIS, MI 49091(616) 651-3424www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com

LapeerRAY C’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®1422 IMLAY CITY ROADLAPEER, MI 48446(810) 664-9261www.raycsh-d.com

Mt. PleasantC & S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®4741 E PICKARDMT PLEASANT, MI 48858(989) 772-5513www.candssportcenter.com

MuskegonHOT ROD HARLEY-DAVIDSON®149 SHORELINE DRIVEMUSKEGON, MI 49440(231) 722-3653www.hotrodhd.com

WaterfordA.B.C. HARLEY-DAVIDSON®4405 HIGHLAND RD (M-59)WATERFORD, MI 48328(248) 674-3175www.abc-harley-davidson.com

West BranchGILDNER’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®MOTORCYCLES

2723 S M-76WEST BRANCH, MI 48661(989) 345-1330

Traverse CityCLASSIC MOTOR SPORTS

HARLEY-DAVIDSON®3939 S BLUE STAR DRIVETRAVERSE CITY, MI 49687(231) 943-9344www.classictc.com

TecumsehTECUMSEH HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

8080 MATTHEWS HIGHWAYTECUMSEH, MI(517) 423-3333

For more information, visit www.mhdda.com

• Twin-Cooled High Output Twin Cam 103® Engine• Project Rushmore Infotainment System• DaymakerTM LED Headlamp & LED Fog Lamps• Confidence, Comfort & Convenience

Project Rushmore.The next Harley-Davidson® motorcycles.Built by all of us. For all of us.

SPRING HAS ARRIVED!It’s Springtime at Your Local Harley-Davidson® Dealer. Stop by today to checkout the full line of 2014 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles including the Project

Rushmore models.

Reason #258:Motorcyclists are switching to Harley-Davidson® from other brands. Authentic

70’s stylemade badder

and bolderfor the

modern day.

2014 Low Rider®

Honda Gold Wing

H-D Softail H-D Sportster

Honda VTX 1800

Trike Conversions

& Kits

SWEET TRIKES

3371 Whisper Ridge Drive, Lapeer, MI

810.357.2515 www.sweettrikes.com

Offering all

Harley-Davidson

FLs and Softails,

Honda VTX1300,

VTX1800, Gold

Wing and Valkyrie

Trikes and Trike

Kits.

Call for more

information.

Viet Nam

Vet Owned

& Operated

• Motorcycles• Homeowners• ATVs• Personal Watercraft• Motorhomes• Snowmobiles• Boats• Autos

Serving

Michigan

residents

only

Toll free (800) 400-8564

MOTOR CITY UNDERWRITERS, INC.Motorcycle and Auto insurance for 49 Years!

32743 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073(248) 549-4300

Call or stop by our office for a free quote:

Be sure to check out our website fornew products, on-line shopping,

Bubba’s blog, events and much more.

bubbastricitycycle.com/

We stock many parts in the store from the earlyHarleys to present day including parts from

Custom Chrome, Drag Specialties, S & S, andmany others. Flatheads, Knuckleheads, Panheads,Shovelheads, Evos, Twin Cams & Sportsters areeveryday words in our vocabulary. Stop by our

store or give us a call today.

Be sure to check us out on Facebook

804 S. Huron (M-13)Linwood, MI

[email protected]

Vintage, Adventure & Dirtbikes

Vintage: *Biltwell Helmets & Grips *Blockoff Plugs

Essentials: Gasket Sets, Cables, Ignition Points, Carb Kits

Tires: Free mount/balance (off bike) with purchase

Adventure/Dualsport: *Moose Rear Racks *Top Cases *Windshields

Free Shipping over $50

www.MotorcycleSolutionsLLC.com Toledo, OH | 419-720-4313

Is the OEM part you’relooking for OBSOLETE?

Give us a try!We stock a large inventoryof parts and accessories nolonger in production by The

Motor Company. Stop by ourstore or give us a call to find

the OEM parts for your H-D project!

Located at 25430 Harper in St. Clair ShoresTwo blocks North of 10 Mile Road on the East Side

586.773.BIKE (586.773.2453)

* Order from usand get

10% OFFSPECIALORDERS

from:Drag Specialties,

Kuryakyn,Custom Chrome,Mustang Seats,Hot Topper Kits,Biker’s Choice,

S & Sand many more

We have leather swat vestswith pistol pockets in stock!

* Sorry, nodiscounts onGenuine H-D

stuff

* BIKEBRIGHTin stockSpray, 1/2gallon &1 gallon

Jerry B’s

CYCLE WORKS

* LARGESELECTION

of Cool RidingGlasses:Maxx Rider

Hi-DefGlobal Vision

FitoversKD’s

TransitionalsAssorted

Goggles for day& night riding

Now on Facebook at Jerry Bs Cycle Works

Cure For The Polar Vortexby Pedro Gregorio

www.bmwdetroit.com(586) 274-4000Sterling Heights, MI, 48312

34080 Van Dyke AveBMW Motorcycles of Detroit

Seventeen degrees Fahrenheit. That was thetemperature on the first Sunday of Spring when I putmy Speed Triple on the trailer – seventeen stinkin’degrees. This winter has been a doozy and by“doozy” I mean a freeze-your-cojones-off kind ofwinter. At first, I loved using my new snow blowerto clear the white stuff that kept falling from the sky.But it kept falling, and falling, and falling. By the endof March, I was so ready — ready to get the hell out.

Last year, my baby and I spent a week in theSmoky Mountains of Tennessee (TN) and NorthCarolina (NC) which I wrote about it in my MidwestMotorcyclist “Spring in the Smokies” series. Imentioned that this might become an annualtradition for me so this year I decided to do it again.The weather around Pigeon Forge can be a crapshoot this time of year but the chances of a Michigan-strength polar vortex were pretty rare. I wasn’t theonly one ready for some excellent riding. I hadbought the Speed Triple an Elka rear shock forChristmas (What? Don’t you buy your bikeChristmas gifts?) and was dying to see how it felt.The stock shock, even after re-valving and re-springing just wasn’t cutting it so I decided to spendthe money on a high-quality aftermarket unit.Riding the twisties would also be a perfect warm-upfor the Michigan MSTA’s (Motorcycle Sport Touring

Association) opening group ride in the Ozarks inApril.

My favorite roads within an easy day’s rideof Pigeon Forge were all ingrained in my mind:Foothills Parkway, Deal’s Gap, US129, Rt.28,Cherohala Skyway, Rt.360. The week started off coolbut allowed me three glorious days of riding cappedoff by a 60-degree, sunny Thursday that gave mealmost 300 miles of the best riding this area has tooffer. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: for all ofthe fanfare that Deal’s Gap gets, I really do preferevery other road around it. Eleven miles of 2nd gearcorners don’t really turn me on. What does turn meon? Flow, baby, flow. I absolutely love roads thatflow smoothly and quickly, preferably in 3rd gear at7,000 to 9,000 rpm. How fast is that? Let’s just say fastenough and leave it at that. I’ve waxed poeticallyabout the Cherohala Skyway between Robbinsville,NC, and Tellico Plains, TN, but there are 3 otherroads that you MUST ride when you head downthere.

The 18-mile long section of the FoothillsParkway connects Rt.321 near Townsend, TN withUS129 and it was my route to and from my homebase every day. During the high tourist season, this

Continued on next page


We sell a complete line of open & enclosedmotorcycle trailers at affordable prices.

(734) 783-646412620 N. Telegraph

Carleton, MIMon thru Fri 9 to 6 • Sat 9 to 3

1- and 2-place

motorcycle

trailers for

sale or rent

Celebratingour 21styear!SALES, RENTALS,

SERVICE & STORAGE

TRAILER

[email protected]

Rentals

starting

at $30 a

day!Aluminum

1 & 2 place

trailers

FALLCLEARANCE!

FORRENTFOR

RENT

FORSALEFORSALE

30805 Plymouth Rd. • Livonia, 48150734-422-3435

20% to

70%OFF

Every-

thing

in the

storeexcept oils, batteries & special orders

Continued from page 13 - The Skinny On...

amazing road can get clogged with cars (thepassengers in which are admiring thebeautiful views) but this time of year, thatwas not an issue. What this meant for me wasthat every morning and every afternoon, Iwas able to experience the perfect, constant-radius corners in solitude – blissful, 3rd gear,8,000 rpm solitude. I never sighted anywildlife bigger than a squirrel so maybe thewail of my Arrow exhaust kept the deer atbay.

Once I hit US129 and turned right, Ienjoyed the view of Chilhowee Lake on myleft and the lazy sweepers before the roadturned inland and gave me a few deliciouskinks up to the intersection with Rt.72. 72doesn’t have many entertaining curves but didgive me a few long straightaways to play with.Making a left on US411 and a few miles down theroad, another left put me onto the 2nd must-ride

road: Rt.360 to Tellico Plains, TN. The combination of lowand high-speed corners makes this a curve lover’s dream.But wait, the best is yet to come.

When I got to Tellico Plains, I followed the signsto Rt.68 south. In my opinion, this road wins theM.V.A.C.A. (Most Variety of Amazing Corners Award.)From tight 2nd gear narrow curves to wide, very fastsweepers, this one does it for me. Plus any road that takesme to a place called Ducktown, TN, gets extra points. Justover the Georgia border is McCaysville where I enjoyed ascenic lunch sitting next to the fast-flowing Toccoa River.I had forgotten what sixty degrees felt like. Then it wastime get back on my bike and do it all again in reverse.

So whether we have another Polar Vortex nextwinter or not, you can show winter who’s boss by goingto the Smokies (before the tourist hordes invade) andexperience some of the best, most deserted twisty roadsyou’ve ever ridden. You can bet I’ll be back.

Never EnoughExpands

into PowersportsGrant, Michigan – Never Enough Auto and TruckAccessories has announced the expansion of theirbusiness into the powersports market. The 11-year-old company sees this move as a natural extensionof their existing business.

“Our customers have a variety of toys –not just cars and trucks – that they’re passionateabout,” said Curt Miles, Sales and MarketingManager. “They also have motorcycles,snowmobiles, boats and RVs that are part of theiractive lifestyles. We want to be their one-stopsource for parts, accessories and apparel for all oftheir toys.”

Initially, Never Enough will stockTourmaster and Cortech luggage, rain suits, glovesand boots. They will also offer motorcycledetailing. The company plans to expand theiroffering as they get a better sense of what theircustomers want in powersports apparel, accessoriesand related products. Never Enough’s 30,000 squarefoot facility (including a 10,000 square foot servicecenter) has plenty of room for additional inventory.

“Every employee here at the store is anenthusiast of cars, trucks and some otherpowersports activity,” said Mr. Miles. “We like ourtoys and have a good idea of the wants and needs ofthe market. That said, we are ready to adapt torequests by our customers. Our objective is to offera wide variety of great products at affordableprices.”

Never Enough is located 360 South Maple(M-37) in Grant, Michigan. For more information,visit their store, check out their website atwww.NeverEnoughAuto.com or give them a calltoll free at (877) 609-6727.

For those planning to attend the BaldwinBlessing of the Bikes on May 16, 17 and 18, be sureto stop at Never Enough on your way. They’ll havetents set up in the parking area with lots of productand great prices.


We ride. We know the value of a great destination,a tasty lunch and a cool beverage while out for a dayin the saddle. Come on out to Ionia to check us out.Don’t wait until spring. Drive out now and ride back

once the winter ends. See you at The Alibi!

1395 E. Riverside Dr.Ionia, Michigan(616) 527-1810

www.alibionia.comMotorcyclist OwnedMotorcyclist OwnedMotorcyclist OwnedMotorcyclist OwnedMotorcyclist Owned

& Operated& Operated& Operated& Operated& Operated

• Good Food• Great Prices• Cold Beer• Nice Wines• Awesome People• Casual Atmosphere• Centrally Located

OPENThe Alibi Bar & Grillis open for business.

MOTORCYCLISTS WELCOME!

Find us onFacebook

Hamilton Harley-Davidson®68951 White School Road (US-12)

Sturgis, MI269.651.3424

www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com

2014 Harley-Davidson®

Street Glide®

We have the full line of 2014Harley-Davidson® motorcycles- including the ProjectRushmore touring models - instock and available forimmediate delivery. It’s cold andsnowy now but spring is right around the corner.The 2014 models have been selling fast andmight be sold out by early next year. Stop by ourstore today to find the Harley of your dreams.

20%

OFF

all tiresinstalled

by us.

We stock:

Don’t wait! This deal won’t last long!Don’t wait! This deal won’t last long!Don’t wait! This deal won’t last long!Don’t wait! This deal won’t last long!Don’t wait! This deal won’t last long!

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

248.920.2000 • www.MotorCityMotorcycles.com

on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles

GRAND OPENINGFriday, May 2nd & Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

DEMO RIDES! May 9th, 10th & 11th, 2014Stop by our store on May 9th, 10th

or 11th to test ride any of the new2014 Indian motorcycles. Ridersmust have a motorcycle endorse-ment, helmet, eye protection,jacket, long pants and boots. Don’tmiss this opportunity to test ridethe new American icon.

• Food & refreshments• Door prizes

• Wide selection of Indian &Victory apparel

Kick off the season right atthis “do not miss” event!

Lapeer, Michigan – Ray Clemens, Sr., owner of Ray C’s Harley-Davidson and RayC’s Extreme Store (Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha), announced that he will hold agroundbreaking ceremony at the new site of his dealerships on Thursday, May 1,2014 at 12 noon. The location, 1491 South Lapeer Road (M-24) is situated a couplemiles south of Lapeer and a half mile south of the I-69 / M-24 interchange.

“We’re looking forward to the move to the new location,” said Mr.Clemens. “The property will allow us to have both dealerships on the same site,provide easier customer access from I-69 and create a destination for motorcyclistsfrom all over. The new location will be good for everyone.”

The 10-acre property will not only be home to both the 27,000 square-footHarley-Davidson and 10,000 square-foot Extreme dealerships but also an outdoorpavilion, a fire pit, water tower, multiple spots for pictures and even a customerlounge with a cleaning station for eyeglasses.

Construction will take approximately five months with a grand openingplanned for sometime in September. All motorcycle enthusiasts are invited toattend both the ground breaking and grand opening.

For more information, visit Ray C’s website at www.racycsh-d.com, callthe store at (810) 664-9261 or go to the dealership’s Facebook page.

Groundbreaking Set for Future Homeof Ray C’s New Dealerships


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

our website at www.gldsmc.org tolearn about our group, our eventsand much more. Only $10 to join!

www.GLDSMC.org

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.

Fremont Boot RepairDon’t buy new boots! Replace

those worn collars, buckles,

arches and soles. We use

only top quality Hi-Point

and Vibram replacements.

Shipped in 7 days!

231-924-0190

124 Stewart • Fremont, MI 49412

Real qualitynever goesout of style!

hoses; there will always be residue from the previous user in the hose. In the relatively small gas tankson our motorcycles, this means up to ½ gallon of the E-85 mixture being mixed in thus increasing theEthanol level in our gas tanks. Many motorcyclists claim a decrease in mileage as the level of Ethanolgoes up and one study I read indicated that even with E-10 the reduction in gas mileage is a whopping10% to 15%. This has turned into a political argument. Corn states love the alcohol (ethanol)percentage increasing in gasoline as it drives up the price of corn which is good for their state and theirtaxe revenue. On the other side, the United Nations has formally asked the United States to suspend theuse of corn as the increased demand for corn has driven up the price worldwide. The AMA has come outstrongly against E-85 and, as of today, you don’t see that much out there….but then the E-10 caught onslowly and now it’s everywhere.

I read a report of an individual whoowns a 2009 Harley Road King Classic, living in a “cornstate.” In order to run the E-85 efficiently (which for him is locally readily available at a lower pricethat the high octane gas he is supposed to run), he took the bike to his mechanic and they changed thecomputer, injector, and oxygen sensor. The bike runs fine, but he does admit to decreased gas mileage.I guess the decision on how to handle it will up to the individual rider. For me, I’m not sure I like theFederal Government dictating what gas we should use. To leave you with food for thought, I’d like toquote the disclaimer that Harley-Davidson is putting in all their new manuals: Fuels with an ethanolcontent of up to 10% may be used without affecting vehicle performance. U.S.EPA regulations currently indicatethat fuels with 15% ethanol (E15) are restricted from use in motorcycles at the time of this publication. Motorcyclesdelivered in some countries are calibrated to operate with higher ethanol concentrations to meet the fuel standardsin those countries.” My friends, my take on all this is pretty simple and straight forward. I love mymotorcycle and for me, I’m OK with E-10, but will avoid E-85 until such time as I am completely

confident that it won’t harm my bike….what about you? Let me knowyour thoughts at [email protected].

Continued from page 10 - The Preacher

LEATHERSEWING

Patches, zippers replaced & moreVery reasonable prices

Call for information or quote7675 Highland Rd, Suite D

Waterford, MI248-886-0875

www.americanroadshop.com

SPRING OPEN HOUSE• Saturday, May 17, 2014 •




Join us in celebrating the start of a new riding season!

• New models• Demo rides (weather permitting)

• Special prices storewide• Food & refreshments

Don’tmiss it!

Anamosa, Iowa - Now is the time to start planningsummer rides to motorcycle events. A great one toattend is right in the middle of America, theVintage Rally at the National Motorcycle Museumin Anamosa, Iowa June 7 and 8. There’s a great all-brand bike show featuring dirt track race bikes andIndian motorcycles, 1988 and older. The swap meetis always good fun. And typically some racers andother Hall of Fame inductees attend ready to telltheir stories, give you their autograph. Then youcap it all off with a Sunday morning ride throughsome of hilly eastern Iowa, artist Grant Woodcountry.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, theNational Motorcycle Museum is a really great placeto visit, filled with things that will stimulate yourmotorcycling memory, even serve as a researchtool. This is an expansive museum with over 400motorcycles and tons of memorabilia on display, so Continued on next page

Dirt Track Heroes, Bike Show andExpanded Indian Exhibit Take Center

Stage at Vintage Rally 2014National Motorcycle Museum Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

plan to take it all in while you are at the VintageRally.

Especially good news is that the Museumstaff will be expanding the Indian exhibition area,adding bikes, bringing in more stories of thehistory of this famous marque. And, if you haven’tseen the Allstate Motorcycle Dirt Track Heroespresented by J&P Cycles, this is a perfect time. Chatwith expected guests, dirt track racers Bill Tuman,Dick Klamfoth, Mike Wilson, and Bobbie Hill pluslocal Iowa champ John Tibben, all Hall of Famers.All this is waiting for you at the NationalMotorcycle Museum June 7 and 8 during VintageRally 2014. Take note, Allstate Motorcycle Dirt TrackHeroes, contains almost 30 race winning Harleys,Triumphs, Yamahas, BSA’s, Indians, OSSAs, Hondas,Kawasakis and even a Matchless. Plus leathers,helmets, even a special exhibit featuring Ken Maely


BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids

5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI


Softshell Heated VestMultilayer wind-proof softshell

vest withCoreheat7

thermovelocityprotection to

keep you warmat the highest

speeds. (Batterypowered)

Was $16900

NOW$10900

and his steel shoe making mastery.Author Greg Pearson curated this exhibitand wrote the bios on all 25 GrandNational Champions, so while you havea good time looking over all the greatbikes and leathers, you can learn aboutthe champion riders, too.

Also recently added to theMuseum displays is a scooter exhibit.Scooters from around the world arefeatured in the new exhibit entitled,SCOOTERS! Check out about 15 scooters,mini-bikes, too, reflecting designs fromAmerica, Italy, Germany, Japan andmore. You’ll also be able to check outnew additions to the NationalMotorcycle Museum’s internationalcollection of motorcycles which isalways changing and expanding.

The National MotorcycleMuseum’s annual event showcasing newexhibits, motorcycling heroes, a greatswap meet, a bike show and a vintageride is the Vintage Rally. But it’s twodays that will never be repeated, somark your calendar, book a room andplan to attend. While the Museum in itsnew location holds over 400 greatmotorcycles from Ariel to Zundapp andthousands of great pieces of art andmemorabilia, the bike shows at thefourth annual Vintage Rally weekendbring to you even more fine machinesfor review. All Vintage Rally 2014details and registration forms for theBike Show and Swap Meet are atwww.nationalmcmuseum.org

Here are a few event details:Saturday Bike Show judging will resultin nearly 40 awards for owners of thebest machines, including best originalunrestored bikes for the HagertyMotorcycle Insurance PreservationAward. Enter your vintage bike, street,competition, custom, even mini, 1988 orearlier in the bike show; Dirt TrackRacers and Indian motorcycles will befeatured in the Bike Show. Bike showawards are sponsored by MotorcycleClassics magazine. Got a nice cafe racer?The Ace Cafe, London will sponsor thespecial ACE Cafe Racer Award duringthe bike show.

Walk the swap meet and pickup parts for your projects or add to yourmemorabilia collection. Or reserve yourown 20 x 20 Swap Meet space if you needto trim your collection. Swap Meet entryforms are downloadable on the Museumwebsite. There you can also sign up forthe Sunday morning Vintage MotorcycleRide and lunch hosted by MotorcycleClassics magazine. All riders and theirmotorcycles of any age are invited.Mark your calendar and plan to attendVintage Rally, June 7 & 8, 2014. Watchthe National Motorcycle Museumwebsite, www.nationalmcmuseum.orgfor entry forms, further event details, theactivities schedule and lodginginformation as they are finalized. If youneed more information, call theNational Motorcycle Museum at319 462 3925.

Ride down and visit the LARGEST and MOST COMPLETELEATHER SHOP in Southwest Michigan near the Indiana State line.

THINK SPRING - FREE LAY AWAYA small deposit will hold your leathers until spring.

New Leather Styles Arriving Daily

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

We accept all major credit cards

CHAPSFrom

$7000

Concealment

Vests$4250

& up

Packin’ TeeConcealment

T-Shirt$4199

all sizes

S

LeatherJackets

from$10000

TextileJackets

from$7500

BIKE BLESSINGSaturday, May 10th

Sponsored byHogs in Ministry

Register 9:30 a.m. to NoonBlessing 11:30 a.m.Bob Wilos Memorial

Ride to FollowFree Coffee & Donuts

Welcome to Motorcycle Mike’s(formerly of Blue Water Tires)

We carry the most popular brands of tiresfor every style of motorcycle you ride:

You can rely on the expertise of our staff, with

their combined riding experience of over 100years! Whether you need help in picking out thebest tires, mounting the tires, or balancing the

tires on your wheels, just look to us to help.

• American V-twins• Metric Cruisers• Large Touring• Sport Bikes• Sport Touring• Racing• Vintage

• Dual Sport• Off Road• Scooter• ATVs• Trials• Dirt Track• and much more

53379 Gratiot Avenue, Suite BChesterfield, MI 48051

(586) 270-6595www.motorcyclemikes.com

Visit our storefor your tires ratherthan going to a swap

meet. We don’t charge forparking nor do we chargean entry fee. Instead, youwill enjoy the same prices

you would find at theswap meet. Don’t wait.

The riding seasonis here.

ear plugs – my energy increased. It was asort of rebirth to the new riding season.

Out in the garage, I started theTiger and let it warm as I finished puttingon my helmet, sunglasses and gloves. Bythe time I lifted my leg over the saddleand settled in, I was excited, almost giddy,to be back on the bike. My hibernationhad ended. I was charged up and ready toroll.

That first ride wasn’t especiallylong. Less than an hour. Not even 50miles. But it was enough to remind me ofall the things I like most about riding amotorcycle. Yes, I was rusty. Throttle,clutch, shift were slightly of out synch atthe beginning. Braking was, too. I wentinto a couple of corners a little too hot. Mylines through a couple of other cornerswere less than optimal. Overall, not what Iwould deem an especially smooth ride. Ahuge blast, nonetheless. It was the last stepneeded for me to shake off the winterdoldrums.

The first ride of spring has aspecial quality distinct from other ridestaken throughout the year. There’s anexcitement not unlike doing somethingfor the first time. You know what toexpect but you also know that monthshave passed since the last ride. Youwonder whether riding a motorcycle willbe everything it was before. With the endof the 2013-2014 winter, you can know thatit is what it was before and more.

Terrific issue for you this monthand we hope you enjoy it. Thanks forreading. Feel free to send me yourcomments and suggestions [email protected].

Be sure to patronize ouradvertisers. Please support them so theywill continue to support us. We’ll bothappreciate it.

See you on the road or at amotorcycle event in the near future.

Continued from page 5 - To Our Readers


Matthew T. Mesarchik is the Government Relations Director forOMTA and an Associate State Partner for the National OffHighway Vehicle Conservation Council. He is also an avid dirt bikecrasher.

If you read your local paper, you may havenoticed an “article” recently with a title that readsomething like “Despite dangers, ATV use on roadscontinues” or some variation of that. This article wasin the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch a couple of weeks ago,and it’s not the only paper to run this syndicatedarticle. It has been spotted in papers across thecountry. Right at the top, the article indicates itoriginated in Los Angeles and the very first exampleof a crash is from Texas. If I didn’t know better, I’d saythis was thinly disguised anti- ATV/OHVpropaganda being passed off as an informative newspiece. I have a number of problems with this articleand its conclusions drawn from flawed (absent) logic.Like many issues, we seem to be putting the blame onthe object and ignoring the lack of personal orparental responsibility that is the major contributingfactor. Let’s break it down starting with the lastparagraph of the article:

“Rocky Graham, Jaret’s father, said he worriesthat opening roads to ATVs would put more kids at risk:“When your kid gets on that four-wheeler and you’re notaround, if he’s 12 he’s going to think like a 12-year-old.”

Mr. Graham, first let me say that as a parentof a young boy myself, I am deeply sorry for yourloss. I cannot imagine the pain this has caused you.However, as a responsible rider, with a son who ridesand is being raised to be responsible, I must alsopoint out that Mr Graham stated the very first thingthat should never be allowed: riding without adultsupervision. My son would never be permitted to beriding without parental supervision. Not now whenhe is 8, not when he is 12, and not even when he is 14.Responsible riders know that children should neverbe allowed to operate an ATV, dirt bike, go cart, ormany other things without proper adult supervision.So I have to ask: When this tragedy occurred wherewas the adult supervision? If there was adultsupervision, why were two children allowed to be onan ATV together? Was this an ATV designed for oneperson? Were they wearing helmets? All of these contributing factors gounanswered in this article. These facts are relevant tothe issue at hand, and any paper printing such a one-sided piece of propaganda without answering them,doing their own fact checking, and vetting the source,should be ashamed. This includes the ColumbusDispatch, South Carolina’s The State, IowaWatch.org,The Miami Herald, Tucson Sentinel, andFairWarning.org where it originated. I could list a lotmore. Perhaps this sort of copy and paste is what we

Trailside withOhio Motorized

Trails Association

Personal Responsibility is Key to Safe Ridingby Matthew Mesarchik

can expect from news outlets these days. The article goes on to point out several moreexamples of deadly crashes. It is obvious that the writer,Bridget Huber, wants you to blame the machine, not theperson responsible for the poor choices that led to theaccident. I wonder what other facts Bridget conveniently leftout of this piece. Now to be fair, in some of these incidentsdetails are sparse, but what about obvious omissions ofrelevant facts? Time to exercise the Google Foo to find out. In the second incident listed, the case of AndreAllen, no mention is made of the following: “Preliminaryinvestigative conclusions indicate excessive speed andalcohol may be contributing factors,” an Indiana Departmentof Natural Resources release stated. If she had killed herthree toddlers in a car while driving drunk this would be astory about an incredibly irresponsible woman, not abouthow the car killed those kids. In the case of Joseph Vandini who “crashed into acurb and a tree, and was thrown through a tattoo parlor’splate glass window” local news outlets report thatinvestigators cited high speed as a contributing factor. Thehead injuries which killed him may have been prevented ifhe were wearing a helmet. If this had been a guy on amotorcycle this would be another story about a recklessrider. Instead, Bridget wants us to blame the ATV. The article also cites a study by the Iowa ATVInjury Prevention Task Force, which lists several interestingstatistics. The article only mentions how many kids haveridden on a road but leaves out other relevant data from thestudy. There is indeed a high injury rate in the 12-17 year oldage group. A large percentage of injuries are head injuries.74% of surveyed riders say they wear a helmet never or lessthan half the time. Plus, NO ADULT SUPERVISION was acontributing factor in at least 74% of accidents in which arider under 16 years of age was injured. But it’s not aboutpersonal responsibility, or parental responsibility, nevermind all that and just blame the ATV. ATV and dirt bike riding is a sport and, like anysport, it has both risks and rewards. You wouldn’t let your14-year-old take to the football field in a high school gamewithout proper training and protective gear, why would anyparent treat an ATV any differently?

Event ListingsAre FREE!


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!

• Aprilia• BMW• Buell• Ducati

• Harley-Davidson• Honda• Kawasaki

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

In Michigan, contact:

Gregg Mitchell

[email protected]

Sport Touring is Our Middle Name!

For information about membership, meetings, events or rides,

contact the MSTA group in your state:

In Indiana, contact:

Donald “Moose” Parish

[email protected]

In Kentucky, contact:

Gary Dehner

[email protected]

In Ohio, contact:

Doug McPeak

[email protected]

In Wisconsin, contact:

Alan Tesch

[email protected]

Motorcycling & Law

AnsweringReader

Questionsby Dondi Vesprini

Dondi is a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan and isrecognized as an expert in cases involving motorcycle accidents. Hehas obtained millions of dollars in recovery for injured motorcyclistsover the course of his career as a trial attorney. Dondi’srepresentation of motorcyclists extends beyond the court room. He isa member of the Board of Directors of ABATE of Michigan andmeets frequently with both legislators and lobbyists regardinglegislation affecting injured motorcyclists and the rights ofmotorcyclists to ride free.

I end each of my articles invitingreaders to contact me if they have anyquestions that I may be able to answer forthem. Perhaps it’s the fact that Spring is in fullgear and motorcycling is back in season ormaybe its pure coincidence, but I have beenasked many questions of late that multiplereaders have had on a few different topics.You know what they say, “when one personasks a question, there are plenty of others whoare pondering the very same question.” Thus, Ithought I would use this month’s article toanswer some of the most popular questionsthat I have been getting recently.

1. What are the best motorcycleinsurance companies? This issomewhat of a loaded questionbecause it all depends on whatstandards you are using to define“best” and, of course, who you areasking. I am answering from myperspective as a trial attorney andrepresenting injured motorcyclistswho are making a claim for benefitsfrom insurance companies. I stressthat I am looking at this from “my”perspective, meaning there isdefinitely room for debate amongsttrial attorneys and their ownexperiences when it comes todiscussing insurance companies. Inmy practice as a trial attorney, I findthat motorcycle insurance companieswho offer the widest array ofcoverage’s (i.e., coverage foraccessories, uninsured motoristbenefits, underinsured motoristbenefits, etc.) also seem to be amongthe most reasonable when it comes todealing with claims. I also find thatmany of these types of companieshave some of the higher insurancepremiums. Perhaps this falls under“you get what you pay for.”However, this is by no means meantto say that you will never have anyproblems with any one insurancecompany, because I have had myshare of lawsuits against virtually allof them. Sometimes, the level ofreasonableness with which your claimgets handled depends more on theparticular adjuster assigned to yourclaim versus the company they workfor.

2. What type of motorcycle coverage doyou recommend? In addition towhatever types of collision oraccessory coverage one may want toprotect the motorcycle itself, I believeit to be essential that motorcyclistscarry uninsured and underinsured

coverage up to whatever limits themotorcyclist can afford.Uninsured is that coverage thatwould kick in for your pain andsuffering claim if the at-faultdriver was uninsured.

Underinsured is thecoverage that would kick in asexcess for your pain and sufferingclaim if the at-fault driver wasinsured, but did not carry enoughinsurance to fully compensate foryour injuries. I would also suggestthat motorcyclists carry a goodamount of medical payment aswell. This is not only so you havesufficient coverage to comply withthe modified helmet law, but ifyou are involved in an accidentthat does not involve a motorvehicle, you are left to your ownresources when it comes tomedical payments. Medicalpayment coverage on a motorcyclewould provide coverage in thissituation.

3. How do I report a dangerous orbad road? Find out who hasjurisdiction of the road that is badand fax a letter to the entity withjurisdiction. I say fax so you haveproof that it was received. Manycounties also have a website whereyou can report a bad road. Youcan report a pothole on the MDOTwebsite as well. I recommendprinting out anything that yousend online, so you have someevidence that it was sent. Thereason I say you should try tokeep proof that your reportingwas sent/received is because if alawsuit is filed by someone who ishurt on a bad road, you need toprove that the responsible entityhad or should have had notice ofthe condition.

As always, if anyone has any questions or ifI can be of legal assistance to you or anyoneyou know who has been injured in amotorcycle accident, please don’t hesitate tocontact me as I deal with Michigan No Faultlaw on a daily basis on behalf of injuredmotorcyclists statewide. Give me a call at248-569-4646 or shoot me an e-mail [email protected].

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.

The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan

PO Box 486

Let’s Go

Trail Riding!

N O N - C O M P E T I T I O N• MAINTAINED TRAILS

• ORGANIZED EVENTS

• FAMILY FUN

• ALL LEGAL


This MotorcycleAwareness Month:Get Endorsed, GetInsured & Spread

the Word!by Jason Waechter

Attorney Jason A. Waechter is a national attorneyspecializing in the areas of motorcycle and motorvehicle injury litigation. Mr. Waechter has collectedmillions of dollars in settlements, awards and verdictsfor his motorcycle clients over the past 20 years.Jason feels a duty to give back to his community. Aportion of each case settled goes to educationalresources for bikers, funds to help bikers while theircases are being litigated and our motorcycle accidentprevention campaign. Call Attorney Jason Waechtertoll free at 1-877-BIKER LAW. Or visitwww.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com Legal disclaimer: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 theshort article to protect your rights.

After what seems like the longest, coldestwinter in a long time, great riding weather hasfinally arrived. As the season gets underway, I wantto encourage all motorcyclists to get involved inpromoting Motorcycle Awareness Month, which iscelebrated across the country every year in May. It’sa chance to reach out to car and truck drivers toremind them to watch for motorcycles while they’reout on the road. Through my experience helpinginjured bikers as The Motorcycle Lawyer, I’vecreated a list of what I think are three importantthings I think motorcyclists can do to protectthemselves and other riders: Get endorsed, getinsured, and spread the word!

Get endorsed: No matter where you live inthe U.S., you must have a motorcycle license or anendorsement on your regular driver’s license tolegally ride your motorcycle on the highway.Requiring motorcyclists to get endorsed is an easyway to make sure they have the bare minimumskills and knowledge to ride safely. In Michigan, forexample, to get your motorcycle endorsement youhave to pass a vision test and a written test at aSecretary of State office, and pass a riding skills teston a certified motorcycle safety course.

The investment of time and money you putinto a motorcycle license or endorsement is, in myopinion, worth it. If you get pulled over without amotorcycle license or endorsement, you can befined and possibly have points added to yourlicense. Plus, taking a certified rider safety courseand skills test will teach you valuable skills andlessons you can apply on the road.

Get insured: Having the right gear whenyou go out riding is important. You know theexpression “dress for the crash, not for the ride”? Ifeel the same way about insurance: Insure yourselfand your bike for the worst-case scenario, and youwon’t be left hanging if you lay your bike down. Ican’t emphasize enough how important it is toproperly insure yourself and your motorcycle.

Insurance requirements vary by state, butin most states Bodily Injury (BI) coverage is the bareminimum to ride legally. After that, there are avariety of different policies and riders that couldhelp protect you and your bike, for not a lot ofmoney. I always recommend uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage, in case you are in a crashwith a motor vehicle driver who is uninsured orwho doesn’t have enough insurance. This insurancecompensates you for your injuries if the negligentdriver has little or no insurance. I also tell people

they should have a medical or health coveragepolicy as well; it’s a great back-up plan if you arehurt in a crash. To protect your bike, get collisioncoverage for the stock pieces and accessoriescoverage for any custom work you might have haddone. That way, you’re covering all the repair andreplacement options if your bike is damaged.

In some states, there are additionalinsurance requirements associated with the states’helmet laws. In Michigan, for example, wearing ahelmet is the motorcyclist’s choice (with certainconditions); if you choose to ride without a helmet,you must have at least $20K in First Party MedicalBenefits. If you’re carrying a passenger who is overthe age of 21, that passenger can also choosewhether or not to wear a helmet, and must have atleast $20K as well.

Does that sound like too much insurance?Think of it this way: if you crash, your costs will bemuch higher if you have to pay them out-of-pocketthan if you have solid insurance coverage to protectyourself and your bike. Getting insured meanshaving one less thing to worry about when you’reroaring down the road.

Spread the word: No matter what motorcyclists doto protect themselves on the roads, ultimately a bitpart of biker safety is determined by motor vehicledrivers. Having a proper license or endorsement isa good start, so is ensuring you and your bike havegood insurance coverage. In my opinion, animportant thing bikers can do to protect themselvesis to promote motorcycle awareness wherever andwhenever theycan. Get yourself alawn signreminding driversto Look Twice toSave a Life. Getone of my bumperstickers,reminding otherdrivers to Watchfor Motorcycles.Talk to yourfriends and family,and spread theword via socialmedia thatmotorcycles areeverywhere. Sharefacts like this one:

Most crashes between motorcycles and othervehicles occur at intersections, usually whenthe other vehicle makes a left turn directly inthe path of the oncoming motorcycle. It’s agreat example to illustrate that drivers need tobe extra careful and really look for motorcycleson the road.

Promoting motorcycle awarenessamong vehicle drivers is the responsibility ofevery motorcyclist. In my opinion, promotingand encouraging motorcycle awareness is avery important thing bikers can do to help keepus safe. My team and I have devoted a lot oftime and energy to promoting our Watch forMotorcycles awareness campaign, includinghosting billboards, giving out free bumperstickers, and providing free information andeducation on our website to help get themessage out. You can request free motorcycleawareness materials by visiting our website:www.themotorcyclelawyer.com.

This Motorcycle Awareness Month, Ichallenge all bikers and their family membersto get involved in promoting motorcycleawareness. Take a pledge, talk it up, andcommit to helping other driver be extravigilent. Get endorsed, get insured, and spreadthe word: motorcycle awareness starts with allof us.

Source(s): NHTSA

Event ListingsAre FREE!

BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan39933 Ford Road, Canton, MI

734.981.1479 • www.bmwmcsem.com

EXTEND YOUR RIDING SEASONWe stock the full line of heated gear from both Gerbing and Powerlet. Stop by our store today if

you want to keep riding long after other riders have put away their motorcycles for the season.

Serious riding gear for serious riders.

Rapidfire

Heated Jacket &

Glove LinersHeated outerwear - jackets, pants, gloves plus socks & liners


EventsEvents do change. Please call ahead.

Michigan

Indiana

April 26Sportbike Track Gear Open House56844 Mound RoadShelby Township, MI10 a.m. to 6 p.m.(888) 784-4327

April 26HIM Swap Meet10 a.m. to 5 p.m.8219 E. Holly Rd.Holly, MI248.807.8603

April 26, 2712th Annual Spring Open HouseMichigan Chrome Shop69090 Main Street (M-19)Richmond, MI586.727.7829mychromeshop.com

April 27Lakeshore Blessing of the BikesOttawa County Fairgrounds1286 Ottawa Beach RdHolland, MI 49424Gates open 10 am to 4 pm. Drawings/awardsbegin at2:15 with Blessing at 3 [email protected]: http://blessingofthebikes.com/

May 2-3Grand OpeningMotorcity MotorcyclesIndian / Victory1765 S. Telegraph Rd.Bloomfield Hills, MIwww.motorcitymotorcycles.com248.920.2000

May 32014 Wolverine Antique Motorcycle ShowPerry Harley-Davidso5331 South Sprinkle RoadKalamazoo, MISpectators [email protected]

May 37th Annual Ray RiosSpring Memorial RideMidland American Legion5111 Hedgewood Dr.Midland, MI$20/ person; $30/coupleReg 11 a.m.989.631.8595

May 3-4West Michigan Motorcycle & ORV ShowNEW 28th Street Showplace1256 28th StreetWyoming, MIAdmission $5(616) 261-5664

May 4Blessing of the Bikers1100 N. OvidOvid, MI(989) 834-5950

May 4All Clubs RideStockbridge, MIMeet at 10 a.m.517-851-7437

May 4Annual Itch’n RunScavenger HuntZukey Lake Tavern5011 Girard Dr.Pinckney, MIReg 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.$20/bike(734) 765-6478

May 9-1014th Bikin’ for BurnsTop End CycleG3360 S. Dort Hwy.Burton, MI$10/personDetails atwww.abatemichregion20.com(810) 743-0100

May 9, 10 & 11Indian Motorcycles Demo TruckMotorcity MotorcyclesIndian / Victory1765 S. Telegraph Rd.Bloomfield Hills, MIwww.motorcitymotorcycles.com248.920.2000

May 10Blessing of the BikersRide for a ReasonHot Rod Harley-DavidsonMuskegon, MI$10/bike donationReg 9:30 a.m.

May 101st Annual H.I.M. Bike BlessingRetail WarehouseSturgis, MichiganReg 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Blessing at 11:30 a.m.Ride at 12:30 a.m.

May 102nd Annual AlleganBlessing of the Bikes &Classic CarsBlessed Sacrament Church110 North Cedar StreetAllegan, MI$5 admissionKids under 10 free269.806.3883

May 11th

34th annual Mothers day swapmeet and ride in bike showMidland Co Fairgrounds6905 Eastman AveMidland , MI11am-4pm , $5.00 admissionRide in bike show sign up 11am-1pm, trophies at 3:00pm989-697-5525Bubbastricitycycle.com

May 17ABATE Region 7Rest in Peace RunEvergreen ParkDonations accepted

May 17Axemen Michigan 6 Fun RunBegins at Rocky’sEnds at ScootersReg 10 a.m.$15/single; $25/double(810) 820-5346

May 175th National Freedom RideAmerican Legion Hall4314 W. Carpenter Road

Flint, MIReg 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.$20/rider; $25 w/ passengerwww.NationalArmedForcesFreedomRide.com

May 2410th Annual Dillinger RideThe Inn Between Saloon4711 E. Kinde RoadPort Hope, MIReg 11 a.m. to 12 noon$15/person$25/couple(989) 428-3522

May 24 & 2514th Annual Bubba’s MemorialWeekend Classic804 S. Huron (M-13)Linwood, MISaturday charity bike showSunday charity poker runSunday bike raffle giveaway at 5:30Sign each day is 10am-12pm$5.00 donation for either event2 days of food, rock and roll, friendshipand charity fundraisingAll proceeds go to Camp Fish Tales- Alocal barrier free camp989-697-5525www.bubbastricitycycle.com

June 114th Ride for a ReasonCabela’s in Dundee$20 / person before 5/16$25/person same day734.947.4647734.946.7500

June 4Freedom RallyMichigan State CapitolLansing, Michigan(269) 435-2058

June 74th Bikers against Breast CancerHeadlight RunTeazers Bar & Grille819 Ottawa AvenueGrand Rapids, MIReg 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.$20/person(616) 890-4082(616) 914-0211

April 26ABATE Region 10Redneck Romp2131 West CR 150 SPaoli, IN$10 / person812.723.3470

April 26ABATE Region 11 Battle of the BandsRock House3940 S. Keystone AvenueIndianapolis, INOpens at 11 a.m.$5 / Person317.437.9482

May 3ABATE Region 2Spring BreakoutLaporte County Fairgrounds2581 West Highway 2Laporte, INOpen at Noon$15 / single; $25 / couple219.331.4546

May 311th Run for the SonKnights of Columbus #552161533 S. Ironwood DriveSouth Bend, IN$20 single; $25 coupleReg 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.(574) 250-3311

May 3Punch Out Parkinson’s DiseaseLandmark Bar & GrillNew Paris, IN$20/person; $30/coupleReg 10 a.m.Ride begins at Noon(574) 538-7856

May 3Early Bird Ride & Chili CookoffDyes Bar & Grill509 W. Market St.Wabash, INReg 10 a.m. to Noon$10 /person(260) 571-3358

May 3Run for the SonLebanon Christian Church610 S. 250N. Lebanon, IN

Reg 11:30 a.m.Free will donation(765) 481-9978

May 4ABATE Region 8Blessing of the BikesEvansville Motorcycle Training siteBrooke RoadEvansville, INStarts 9 a.m.(812) 480-0509

May 4ABATE Region 10Tim Fromme Memorial Ride &Blessing of the BikesSt. Joseph’s ChurchHey 231 & 10th StreetJasper, INStarts 10 a.m.(812) 309-8382

May 10ABATE Region 13Awareness RideLafayette ParkShelter House 5Princeton, INBreakfast 7 a.m to 9 a.m.Reg 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.Members $10Non-members $12(812) 724-2063

May 17ABATE Region 7Memorial Brick RideNorth Vernon MooseLodgeHwy 3 across from LowesReg 10 a.m. to Noon$15 / person; $25/couple(812) 346-1807(812) 767-2182

May 17Operation WoundedSoldiersSouthside Harley-Davidson4930 Southport CrossingPlaceIndianapolis, INCharity Ride, Lot Party,Live Music, Food Vendor,Door prizes, and muchmore(765) 242-2387

May 18Fallen Heroes Family RunSign up at Walmart, Portage Ave in SouthBend, INRide begins @ 11 a.m.$15/rider; $10/passengerwww.fallenheroes-ride.com574.339.1575

May 22-27Indiana Chapter 1Rolling ThunderDeparts 10 a.m.HD of Indianapolis4146 E. 96th StreetIndianapolis, IN765.409.0124www.indianarollingthunder.com/runtothewall

May 24Stars & Stripes Forever RideSign up at Walmart onIreland Rd. in South Bend, INRide begins at 11 a.m.$15/rider; $10/passengerwww.starsandstripesride.com574.339.5657

May 31Poker Run Benefiting United CancerReg 9a.m. @RV Hall of Fame$20/rider; $10/riderwww.elkhartcancer.org

May 31 – June 1Miracle Ride(800) 257-4337www.miracleride.net

June 7Ride for DanielleSouthside Harley-Davidson4930 Southport Crossing PlaceIndianapolis, INReg 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Ride starts at Noon$25/ride; $10/passenger

June 7Elkhart Firefighters Local 338Tent PartyHacienda186 Easy Shopping PlaceElkhart, IN$5/person to benefit Hoosier Burn Camp

June 26-28Vintage Japanese Motorcycle ClubNational RallySpring Mill State ParkMitchell, IN

The Bent WheelsChapter of the

CCC is looking fornew members.

BWCC has a long history of promotingevents of all kinds and in preserving our

ORV trail system. Weare a familyorientated,

working club andride the trailsalmost every

weekend. If you’relooking for good times

with great people - check us out.Contact Billy Vanderhoff by email at

[email protected].


Death Valley Noob Rally, 2014:Life from the Springs

by Nicole Espinosa

Open Terrain: Exploring the World and Soul by Motorcycle

Nicole Espinosa is Mom to two great kids,founder / owner of www.ruggedrider.com,Managing Editor of Adventure Motorcyclemagazine and soon-to-be RTW motorcycleadventurer. Communication welcome forNicole: [email protected]

I love the word “noob.” It’sshort, to the point, and givesrecognition to the beginning of everyone of our motorcycle love affairs.And to round it out, it rhymes withboob—some of us have them and someof us have acted like one at some pointin our lives, making it all-inclusive.It’s a derivative of the word newbie, orbeginner, but packs more of a funpunch. Joel Paez, creator of this rally,found himself eventless as a noob backin ’04 when every rally he attendedwas for intermediate or advancedriders. He used the world renownedadventure motorcycle forum website,ADVRider, to find other like-mindednoobs who wanted to get together foreasier rides. And thus, the DeathValley Noob Rally was born.

This was my third yearattending this rally, and three was anabsolute charm for me. What was theicing on the cake this year? A

destination that is kept a secret bythose outside of the ADVRidercommunity, because of its sheerbeauty and limited space. I don’tbelieve in keeping Earth’s beauty asecret, so will shout this landmarkfrom the rooftops for all to enjoy. TheSaline Valley hot springs is a favoriteride at this event, so groups are linedup each day from Wednesday toSaturday to squeeze in as many tiredand happy riders into those healingoasis pools as possible. So glad Paul(writer / photographer Paul H. Smith)didn’t know what he was in for,otherwise I wouldn’t have reached thisgold mine this year.

Pulling into Panamint SpringsFriday afternoon after an unusuallywindless ride to Death Valley found ussandwiching in between many of theriders who had already set up camp.We were immediately corralled to zipover to Jimmy Lewis’ demo on how to

dismount a bike when on a steep hill.I’ve been lucky to catch a few ofJimmy’s entertaining and veryinformative demo classes, but this onecombined balance, braking, and sittingposition on hills like no other hadbefore. The knowledge gained fromthis class alone was worth much morethan the cost of the whole event. Thisdemo certainly got everyone’s dirtappetite rolling, and the delicioussmell from the catering truck got ourstomachs rumbling at the same time.ADVers excitedly compared notes ofthe rides that they had scheduled forSaturday morn as they found campchairs and rocks to balance loadedplates of delicious fare on their knees.The buzz of the night was the fact thatthe south entrance to Saline Valley hadbeen graded. That sealed the deal forus, with Paul having limited dirtexperience.

In the morning, Paul and Iopted to ride to the hot springs on ourown since we would be going at aslower photography pace for themagazine (ADVMoto). One otherstraggler, Chris Horgan, decided tojoin us after some of his other ridebuddies opted out of their plannedride. He was the perfect addition for usto find out more about his non-profitorganization, Stewards of the Sequoia,that helps keep gorgeous trails openfor you and me. We had alreadygotten a road condition heads up fromriders at dinner the night before, but“graded and a little bit of sand nearthe hot springs” didn’t come close towhat we experienced on the 120 dirtmile day.

The beginning of the dirt roadswept through a graded inclinetwisting around a limitless JoshuaTree valley and up and over the passthat afforded us expansive views. Thedecline into Saline Valley introducedus to rocky terrain that was fun todance around, as the temps of the daykissed us in the upper 70’s. My tworiding cohorts were absolute gems toput up with my many stops for photoops. But, it was the second half of theroad to the hot springs that really gaveus a test of our riding skills…tons ofsand. Luckily, Paul and I had comms,so I could give him a blow-by-blow ofwhat was to come. As I would spy the

soft sand from a distance, I always hadto crank it up to third gear to get thefront wheel to float out and skim thesurface as it helped to steer at itswhim. There is one tip to sand that Ihold dear…gun the throttle like there’sno tomorrow. This usually keeps meout of all sorts of trouble—eventhrough the 30 mph wind gusts on ourway back to basecamp at the end of theday.

After turning right after thedunes down dual track Bat Road, wetackled some super fun whoops, andforged ahead through the next fivemiles of sand. The fruit of our laborwas a peek of the lush green oasis thatcould be seen from across the flats. Aswe slogged through the last bit ofsand, the oasis hot springs burstingwith green grass and shelter frommultiple clumps of delicious palmscame into view. Other riders werealready soaking their sore muscles,while the “regulars” who had beencamping there for weeks struttedaround in their birthday suits likeiconic throwbacks from the sixties.Everyone was all in agreement…it wasparadise.

I pulled out appetizers that Ihad packed away on Jack, my DRZ, toline the rim of the shade pool next tothe embedded crystals for the stewedriders to enjoy. As I slipped into thepool squeezing between some Russiancampers and Paul, I felt like I was backin the womb. I had dreamt of reachingthis destination for three years, andfinally made this dream a reality.There is unequivocal beauty in naturethat can only be reached by way ofmotorcycle. This proves that it’s notonly the click of ruby slippers that getsyou home. There’s no place like it.

Chris Horgan of Stewards of theSequoia gives his approval ofthe Joshua tree valley view.

Jimmy Lewis demonstates theintricacies of dismounting a bike

from a precarious position.

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 23* Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear.


39933 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187


“Redefining your motorcycling lifestyle” SM

BMW Motorrad

Dealer of Excellence

2009 BMW

R1200 GS

Silver,

16,000

miles,

Excellent

condition

$13,999

2007 BMW

R 1200 RT

Silver,

60,500

miles,

Excellent

condition

$9,490

2002 BMW

K1200 LT

Black,

42,000

miles,

Good

condition

$7,499

2007 BMW

R1200 GS

Red,

42,000

miles,

Good

condition

$9,490

New models are selling well which means we have a

BIG SELECTION of

PRE-OWNED MOTORCYCLES

We also have many other pre-owned BMW models from which to choose.

Stop by our store today to find the BMW that’s right for you.

SPRING OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, May 17th

360 S. Maple (M-37), Grant, MI616-636-8856 • 231-674-4474 Espanol

www.neverenoughauto.com

& Powersports!

TENT SALE EXTRAVAGANZA!Baldwin Blessing of the Bikes Weekend • May 16, 17 & 18, 2014

Stop by on your way up and backfrom the Blessing and meet

Michigan’s newest powersportsaccessoriers dealer on the east side

of M-37 in Grant, Michigan. Tentsale begins at 9 a.m. on both

Saturday and Sunday.

• Parking lot tent sale• In-store specials• Food vendorsWe’ll have great prices on motor-cycle luggage, rainsuits, gloves,boots, t-shirts and much more.

Documents

Midwest Motorcyclist(TM), May 2014 issue