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Midwest Motorcyclist(TM), November 2015 issue

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Perfect Weather, Beautiful Bikes, and a Big Crowd for All Clubs Day by Ray Peabody; The Live It Right Dream Ride: Feeling Alive on the Death Road by Emily Flinkstrom; Random Ramblings of a Rare Bird: Looking for Inspiration by Mike Mekinda; The Preacher Speaks About... Bikes on the Bricks by Franz Hoffer; Ask Dr. Cycholl by Pat Armitage; Motorcycling and Law: Update on issue of Government seizing MC trademarks & patches by Dondi Vesprini; Legal News from Michigan & Preparing for the Off-Season by Jason Waechter; BMW Motorcycle of Grand Rapids Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Announces winner of R nine T Raffle; Photo Exhibit Benefits Wounded Warrior Project

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BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids5995 S Division

Grand Rapids, MI 49548-5730

616-530-6900

www.bmwmcgr.com

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 3

the 2016 Indian Motorcycles

1765 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MIOne mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd.248.920.2000 • www.RideMotorCity.com

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

the 2016 Indian MotorcyclesNow in the Showroom...

Stop by our dealership today to check out thefull line of 2016 Indian and Victory motorcycles

The 2016 Victory MotorcyclesPower,

Technology,Style.

Why wait?

on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles

Stay tuned for details for our

12 Days ofChristmas SaleDecember 10-23, 2015

Christmas Shopping has neverbeen more enjoyable!

BLACK FRIDAY SALEFriday, November 27, 2015

ONE DAY ONLY!Special pricing throughout the store.The perfect gifts at great prices for

the motorcyclist in your life

Two remaining 2015 Victorymotorcycles in stock - a Victory

Cross Country 8-Ball and aVictory Magnum. We want tomove these soon. Stop by ourdealership to make your best

deal on these beauties.

November 20154 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Columns5 To Our Readers, Correction15 The Live It Right Dream Ride: Feeling Alive on the Death Road by Emily Flinkstrom7 Ask Dr. Cycholl by Pat Armitage8 Random Ramblings of a Rare Bird: Looking for Inspiration by Mike Mekinda14 Motorcycling and Law: Update on issue of Government seizing MC trademarks & patches

by Dondi Vesprini16 Legal News from Michigan & Preparing for the Off-Season by Jason Waechter17 The Preacher Speaks About... Bikes on the Bricks by Franz Hoffer

Features, News & Reviews6 Perfect Weather, Beautiful Bikes, and a Big Crowd for All Clubs Day by Ray Peabody11 BMW Motorcycle of Grand Rapids Celebrates 25th Anniversary,

Announces winner of R nine T Raffle12 Photo Exhibit Benefits Wounded Warrior Project

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

How to contact us:

709 Fall StreetSpring Lake, Michigan 49456

(810) 923-8738www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Publisher/Managing EditorRay Peabody

[email protected]@sbcglobal.net

Advertising Sales/ Web Master / DistributionRay Peabody

[email protected]@sbcglobal.net

Cover DesignJulie Kirkendoll

cc media publications

Large cover photo: Super clean Honda CBX engine on display at the All Clubs Day in Stockbridge.Photo by Ray Peabody. Small cover photo (top): Emily Flinkstrom and Jay Wilgus just before ridingthe Death Road. Small cover photo (lower left): An officer demonstrates his riding skill during thecontest at the Bikes on the Bricks in Flint, Michigan. Photo by Franz Hoffer. Small cover photo(lower right): Mike Mekinda’s new to him Honda VFR 800 at rest during his recent ride seekinginspiration. Photo by Mike Mekinda.

This Month’s Contributors:

Contributing Editors

Patrick Armitage, Emily Flinkstrom,Franz Hoffer, Mike Mekinda,

Jay Wilgus

plus

Dondi Vesprini, Jason Waechter

IN THIS ISSUE…..

all in-stock, regular-priced

Leather, Boots, Saddle Bags& Travel Bags

THIS IS A ONCE A YEAR EVENT!

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We accept all major credit cards

25% OFFBLACK WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY SALE

November 25, 27, 28 & 29, 2015

Be sure to check out our other in-store specials.

OPENFriday,11/27

at12 Noon

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 5

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AdvertiserIndex

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If you’re looking for smooth,twisty, hilly roads, you might want toconsider heading east to upstate NewYork, Vermont, Massachusetts andMaine for your 2016 trips.

Heidi and I just returned froma road trip through Canada to the eastcoast. We took secondary roads fromOgdensburg, New York to northernVermont before turning south. Wetraveled north to south down throughVermont before heading intoMassachusetts to visit RevolutionaryWar historic sites as well as someliterary sites. Then on to Cape Cod for acouple days. The last stop beforeheading home was a wonderful visitwith our friends, Matt and Mari, inFreeport, Maine.

No matter where we traveled,the roads were superior to the roadshere. We found smooth roads withoutcracks, potholes, frost heaves or otherdamage everywhere we went. Sure,there would be the occasional shortstretch of bumps - mostly in small, ruralcommunities - but those were few andfar between.

The 402 and 401 from PortHuron to northwest of Toronto:smooth. Highway 100 from the northend of Vermont all the way south to theborder with Massachusetts (with theexception of a couple of those smallcommunities): smooth with addedadvantages of twisties, hills andpicturesque scenery. The same can besaid of Massachusetts /Cape Cod, NewHampshire and Maine. Nice roadseverywhere. If you’re looking to rideexcellent roads through scenic country,head east.

The Midwest is rich with

antique, vintage, and custom / caféracer motorcycle events. Motoblot inChicago, Rockerbox in Wisconsin,Rockers Reunion in Indianapolis,Ride or Rot in Fort Wayne and theMods vs Rockers in Cleveland arejust a few. In Michigan, with fewexceptions, September has similarevents every weekend. The OilySouls show in Detroit, The Ton-Up inDepot Town / Ypsilanti, Battle of theBrits in Milford, All Clubs Day inStockbridge, and the vintagemotorcycle weekend in Owosso arejust a few examples. The All ClubsDay in Stockbridge is quicklybecoming one of the best vintageevents in the region. We were therein early September for the latestedition and it was nearly perfect.Check out our review in this issue.

The Live It Right DreamRide team has returned to Bolivia tocontinue their adventure. In order toease back into daily riding after amulti-month hiatus, they took it easyin the first days back by riding acrossthe Death Road. You’ve seen picturesof this road. It was carved out of theside of a mountain and it offersexquisite views as well as 2,000 footdrop offs. Mistakes are often fatal.Emily shares the story of herexperience of that ride in theircolumn this month. This is trueadventure.

Columnist Mike Mekinda isback with a story about gettinginspired. A nice, day-long rideaboard his new-to-him VFR 800seems to work for him. As amotorcyclist, you already knowabout the benefits of riding. ReadMike’s latest entry to see how riding

opens up the creative processes.The 2015 Bikes on the Bricks is

the subject of Franz “The Preacher”Hoffer’s column. A highlight of thisevent is the safety officer riding skillscompetition. As you will read,motorcycle-riding officers of the lawtend to be highly trained and skilledriders. The Bikes on the Bricksprovides the competitive opportunityto see who’s best. Check it out!

As usual, there’s much morenews, information, tips and events inthis issue. Thanks for reading. Wehope you enjoy our work.

Ride safe. Have fun. Watch forcritters on the road.

November 20156 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Perfect Weather, Beautiful Bikes, and a Big Crowdfor All Clubs DayWords and photos by Ray Peabody

Stockbridge, Michigan - Finally, some good weather for the All Clubs Day.The weather the last couple years has dampened (pun intended) the turnoutbut not this year. The weather was perfect with mostly sunny skies and warmtemperatures.

Nice weather is especially important for outdoor destination eventslike the All Clubs Day. Motorcyclists ride in from all parts of Michigan andour neighbor states. If the weather is cold or rainy - or even if meteorologistsare predicting poor weather in the near term - many riders will stay closer tohome. These are not simply fair weather riders. Most of us prefer not to rideto an event in the rain, stand around in the rain appreciating the few bikesthat show, and then make the return trip home in the rain. A perfect exampleis what happened at the 2015 Gilmore Vintage Show and Swap Meet held inearly June. Rain was predicted and rain it did. Few riders made the trip toHickory Corners because of the weather. (See our story in the October 2015issue.) Not so at this years All Clubs Day.

I rode in from the west side of the State taking two-lane backroadsthe whole way. When I rolled into Stockbridge at about 12:30 P.M. - only a

half hour after the event was supposedto start - the square in the center of townwas already jam packed with people.Beautiful restored and custom motor-cycles in the invitation-only showcovered the grass and side walks as wellas lining the curbs around the square.Nearly every brand - Ariel, BMW, BSA,Ducati, DKW, Harley-Davidson, Honda,

Indian, Moto Guzzi, Norton, andTriumph among many others - could befound. Not all of the beautiful bikeswere entered in the show, however.One only had to walk through theparking areas to discover many other

show-quality motorcycles -antique, vintage, custom andmodern - that had beenridden to the event.

Having missed theTon-Up in Depot Town/Ypsilanti and the Battle ofBrits in Milford the previousweekend due to a deadline,the All Clubs Day providedan excellent alternative. One

Continued on next page

aspect of these events that doesn’t oftenget mentioned, but is one of the mostimportant aspects of a show like this, isthe opportunity to meet up with oldfriends and make new ones. I connectedwith several riding friends who I hadn’tseen all year. I also bumped into showorganizer and a long-time friend of thispublication, Suzi Greenway. We had awonderful chat about our present liesand past times. She was especiallyexcited by the nice weather and big

turnout.A couple hours after arriving, it

was time for me to leave. As muchas I enjoyed the show, I planned totake the long way home. The nice

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 7

Continued from previous pageweather and the realization that the number of nice riding days was dwindling as we near the endof this riding season had me itching for saddle time.

This year’s All Clubs Day was exceptional. For more information about both the 2016 AllClubs Ride (early May) and 2016 All Clubs Day (mid September), visit their website at http://allclubsdaystockbridge.yolasite.com/. If the weather forecast looks sunny and warm, or evencloudy and cool, it’s well worth the trip to Stockbridge.

ASK Dr. CychollQ&A Column

For Your Questions Relatingto Motorcycle Safety, Riding

Techniques and Touring

By Maurice “Moe” D. Cycholl

Dear Dr. Cycholl,

I ride a 1995 GL1500 Honda Goldwing. AsI am sure you know, the spark plugs are not easy toaccess. I intend to replace them but I would like toknow if there are plugs that will get me betterperformance, gas mileage or both. I see manydifferent styles available. What should I use?

“Big Bad” John O’Konsky Willoby

Dear BBJ,

I feel the pain of replacing plugs(and air filters) on the old GL1500. There aremany different choices of plugs on the market.Many have gimmicky features and vagueclaims of performance or efficiency. None willgain you significant performance over the stockplugs no matter the gimmick the manufacturerpromotes. Considering that motorcycle OEMsconstantly look for better performance andautomotive OEMs face government mandates forfuel economy, does either use any of thesesupposedly feature-rich plugs? The answer is

yes. They use platinum or iridium spark plugs.The real gains you can get from these isconsistent performance and longevity. Platinumplugs cost more but will last much longer thanstock plugs. Iridium plugs will last longer stillbut the extra cost over platinum may be morethan the extra life justifies. However, the pricesof both have been declining. I rememberplatinum plugs selling for $5+ each and ridium$10+ each. I have recently seen platinum plugat

priced $1 each. I don’t know what current pricesare for iridium plugs.

Thank you, Dr CychollThe Dr requests your help! I need your

questions! This column will be only as good as yourquestions. If you have a question, it is very likely itwill be answered quickly, via email or snail mailand, in the pages of Michigan Motorcyclist® /Midwest Motorcyclist™ magazine. Please sendthem in!

Dr. Maurice D. Cycholl is a world-renownedexpert in Motorcycle Safety, Riding Techniques andTouring. In addition, while he is not a recognizedexpert in motorcycle mechanics, he does possess afair degree of knowledge in the area of mechanical,and electrical systems found on many motorcycles.He welcomes your questions on these subjects. Whileyou may submit questions on any subject, hisadvice on other subjects may, or may not be, asreliable. Please submit your questions via email to:[email protected] or via snail mail to:Dr. “Moe” D. Cycholl, c/o CC media, 709 Fall Street,Spring Lake, MI 49456.

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

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

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

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November 20158 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Random Ramblings of a Rare Bird

I like to consider myself a writer whophotographs, or a photographer who writes,depending on the situation. Neither is the careerthat pays the bills or supports the household,(though they’ve certainly helped through the years)but I’ve always loved sharing my stories, havebelieved it my calling in life. I’m not burdened withthe “Great American Novel” in need of being put topaper, nor the troublesome wealth and fame to gowith it. I’ve got plenty to say in short essay form,however; whether I’m jotting, typing, or sitting infront of you talking your ear off! Occasionallythough, even one with a seemingly inexhaustiblesupply of rants, stories, nonsense and hyperbole canfind himself with nothing to say. While some whoput up with my wordiness on a daily basis may findmy quiet times refreshing, the neon “WRITER’SBLOCK” sign lights my brain and sends thestoryteller into panic mode. Fortunately for me, Iride.

Those who ride understand the therapeuticnature of motorcycles, and understand the calmingdisconnect that takes place in the ten minutes or sothat it takes to pre-ride, get the bike started, andgear up. Troubles and issues melt away, as the focusneeded to ride safely comes into play. The crunch offirst gear, the slight roll of the throttle while easingout the clutch, the initial motion of the bike, and theworries of the world funnel out with the exhaust.Every ride is different, every ride presents its ownchallenges, and every ride, for me, at least, endswith a deep sense of satisfaction - whether a day oftouring or the simple commute to work. The bestpart is, after decades of riding, this is still a simpletruth. I find it impossible to ride without finding agrin at some point. There’s much to be said forfinding simple pleasures in life, and this day Ineeded the simple pleasures of a ride to release mefrom the grind; to recharge and inspire me. Andwhat a day it turned out to be!

I was riding a new (to me) Honda VFR800,with no destination in mind. This is the perfect do-

Looking for Inspiration…by Mike Mekinda

it-all bike, comfortable if I chose the SpeedSlab,happy to cruise along and enjoy the fall colors, andcapable - if the road kinked, wrinkled and called forthe sportbike - to show its stuff. The sun wasburning off the morning dew as I headed south,temperatures already into the 60s - in NE Ohio inOctober! The forecast was for warm and sunny ‘tillate afternoon, then changeable- so liners andraingear were packed in the bags with snacks andwater. The freeway seemed a quick way to warmthe bike and myself, and get out of town. Adirection was chosen and the bike pointed at thedistance.

Highway gave way to town roads, whichled to backroads, whichmerged back into towns.The beauty of riding is the

openness and exposure to everything. Thetemperatures vacillated from cool and damp in theshade (wish I had not opened the vent zippers onthe jacket!) to hot in the sun (whew, good thing Iunzipped the jacket vents!) and plenty between. Thecolors of autumn were just beginning to change inNEOhio, so the open vistas against the deep bluesky were still mostly green; though where colorswere changing, the sun lit them in all their vibrantglory. Riding through towns, the normallyunnoticed colors popped there as well: the brillianthues of signs and cars, the beautiful muted colors ofbuildings left from times long past, the fadedorange mix of the cobblestone street and thegorgeous fresh red paint of a restored caboose. Allthese colors framed and highlighted by the amazingblue of the sky with its scattering of puffy purewhite clouds sprinkled in to complete the picture.As if the visuals weren’t joy enough, the constantlychanging smells kept the senses hopping, too. Thewonderful fall smells of cut grass and leaves, mixedwith smoke of burning leaf piles slip beneath thenasty smell of a garbage truck slowing traffic asworkers make their weekly rounds. The smell offresh asphalt road repairs, the newly sprayed paintlines. The unmistakable smell of the carburetedmuscle car, three cars up and running rich in thestop and go of construction. The smell of the river,the musk of the woods, the pungent smack of theskunk that lost to traffic. The wonderful smell offood while passing through a town, or fresh coffeein a car at the light remind me I need a break. All ofthese calls to the senses, reminding one toappreciate the wonders of life. And the ridecontinues.

It would be great to say the day was allrainbows and race tracks, but this is real life. Ofcourse, there were inattentive drivers that(uneventfully) tested my skills, and there werepoorly maintained roads I probably would havebeen better off avoiding. Yet these were easilyoffset by the wonderful weather, the folks whowanted to chat when I stepped off the bike to

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

734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com

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Continued on page 12

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 9

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

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

734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com

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BMW Grand Rapids Celebrates 25 YearsRnineT Raffle Winning Raffle Ticket Drawn

Grand Rapids, Michigan - BMW Motorcycles of GrandRapids celebrated their second 25th Anniversary OpenHouse of the season on September 19. In addition to thedemo rides, live music, food and refreshments, this OpenHouse was also the occasion to hold the raffle drawing forthe 2015 BMW RnineT to benefit the Children With HairLoss Charity, an 501(c)3 non-profit organization thatprovides free, high-quality hair pieces for children andteenagers with medically created hair loss. (For moreinformation about Children with Hair Loss, visit theirwebsite at www.childrenwithhairloss.us.)

The Dave & Connie D~ trio provided the livemusic for the event. The group offered a polished,professional sound while playing a variety of covers aswell as some excellent original music. For food andrefreshments, the dealership provided pulled pork andcole slaw sandwiches for lunch with cookies for dessert.With the nice weather, plenty of riders took demo rideson 2016 model-year BMWs most of the day.

A highlight of the day was the announcementthat Charlie Payson had won the RnineT charity raffle.Only 250 $75 tickets were sold for the raffle. Proceedswere donated to Children with Hair Loss. Payson’sgenerosity went beyond paying the $75 for the raffleticket. After learning he had won the RnineT, Paysonindicated that he would bring the 2015 BMW R 1200 R hepurchased this past spring to the dealership to sell onconsignment. When that bike sells, he committed togiving an additional $1,000 to Children with Hair Loss.

Overall, the day was nearly perfect. Warm, sunnyweather and a big turnout helped make BMW Motorcyclesof Grand Rapids second 25th Anniversary Open house ofthe year a big success. For more information about BMWMotorcycles of Grand Rapids, the RnineT raffle, or their25 years in business, visit the dealership at 5995 SouthDivision in Grand Rapids, give them a call at (616) 530-6900, or check them out at www.bmwmcgr.com.

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

BMW Motorcycles of Detroit

November 201512 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

(This story is not specifically related to motorcycles.However, since many of our readers are veterans, or havefamily members who are veterans, we thought this storymight be of interest.)

Redford, Michigan - Professional photographer, JackParinello, recently organized an exhibition of his

work to benefitthe WoundedWarriorsProject, anorganizationdedicated tohelping andsupportinginjured combat

veterans. The sales ofprints included in theSouls of America

Photo Exhibit Benefits Wounded Warrior Projectexhibit gener-ated almost$4,000 indonations forthe WWP fromthe more than70 people whoattended theexhibit. Sales of

the prints continueseven after the exhibitclosed.

Photographsincluded in the exhibit were all based on a commontheme. Each focused on the shoes that 21 differentpeople wear while involved in their work orhobby. (See accompanying example photos.) Eachsubject was asked three questions: 1) What is yourbiggest regret in life? 2) What do you want to beremembered for? 3) What is your favorite word or

phrase? According to Parinello, the questionsaffected the subjects on different levels with somebrought to tears as they answered while others

laughed out loud. Thepictures and theanswers to the ques-tions had some of thoseviewing the exhibitexperiencing thosesame emotions.

For moreinformation about JackParinello’s work, the

exhibit, or the avail-ability of prints, contactJack [email protected]. Warriors Project(www.woundedwarriorproject.org)

Continued from page 8 - Random Ramblings stretch, the waves from the other riders and smallchildren in the cars passing. When I stopped to takephotos, several people rolled up to be sure I was OK- reminding me of my longstanding belief that themajority of people are inherently good, and we stillwatch out for one another. Uplifting. I rode alone,yet shared with many, reminded all the while ofexactly why I ride.

From nearly sun-up to sun-down, I headedsouth, then east, then finally back west and north,ending on the shores of the Great Lake Erie. Severalhundred miles passed beneath the tires, and severalgallons of gas through the tank. I met severalpeople, took dozens of photos, and wrote pages inmy head. I lived it, breathed it, and took it all in.When I finally stopped at the lake, I rested on theshore. I smelled the lake, listened to the gulls andthe lapping waves, and watched the sky turn darkover the Fairport Harbor lighthouse. It had been fartoo long since I had a day like this, and I wasexhausted. Exhausted, and very content, as I sat onthe shore, getting ready to ride the last five minuteshome. I had gone searching for inspiration, and Ifound it…

…and I found peace.

Be seen, ride smart, stay safe, find your peace- andI’ll see you on the road! -mike

5995 South DivisionGrand Rapids, MI

(616) 530-6900www.bmwmcgr.com

WINTERSTORAGE ONLY $31995

Keep your motorcycle warm, secureand well-maintained this winter

Store your motorcyclewith us and we’ll:

• Change the Oil & Filter• Keep battery charged

• Check the tire pressure• Give it a wash

Plus, we can complete otherrepairs and/or service you need

while your bike is with us so you’llbe ready to ride next spring. (The

cost of additional service and repairsare not included in the price of storage.)

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 13

EventsEvents do change.Please call ahead.

Michigan

5995 South DivisionGrand Rapids, MI

(616) 530-6900www.bmwmcgr.com

2-Day Off-Road Motorcycle Trainingat the BMW Performance Training Center in Spartanburg, S.C.

November 3-4, 2015Join us when we travel to BMW’s Performance Training Center in

Spartanburg, S.C. for two days of intensive adventure bike enduroskills training. This two-day program begins with Off-Road

Foundations then builds on recovery skills to successfully navigatemore challenging topography.

Only $1,250 for the training and that includes the use of a motorcycle.Participants can choose any enduro in BMW’s line up. Call our dealer-ship today to reserve your spot. If you want to significantly improve

your off-road riding skills, this training program is for you.

Indiana

Standard Program Includes:• Storage from November 15 thru March 15

& Made Ready For Summer• Battery Removed, Inspected, and Charged• Carburetor Drained• Bike Covered with Padded Cycle Cover• Oil, Filter Change with Spectro 10W40, OEM Oil Filter• Install New NGK Brand Spark Plugs• Tires and Brakes Inspected

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

WINTER STORAGE PROGRAMR

Bring your bike in forstorage today and saveon services. Don’t wait!The spaces fill up fast.

Reserve Your Space Today!Drop your motorcycle off this fall and

pick it up - READY TO RIDE - next spring.

BMW Motorcycles of Detroit34080 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI(586) 274-4000 • www.bmwdetroit.com

PRE-OWNED MOTORCYCLES

2015 Yamaha FJ-09,68 miles, Red, Excellent,

Yamaha saddle bags,ONLY $8,500

2013 BMW R 1200 R Blue $12,4002013 BMW K 1600 GT Blue $18,0002012 BMW K 1600 GTL Blue $18,2002012 BMW S 1000 RR Red / White $12,0002011 BMW R 1200 RT Grey $15,5002011 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Ltd Red / Merlot $17,3002005 BMW R 1200 GS Red $8,5002000 BMW K 1200 LT Champagne $4,5001999 BMW R 1200 C Ivory / Blue $5,200

2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000,37,602 miles, Yellow, Goodcondition, Givi Top Case,

ONLY $8,500

October 30Halloween Party (5 p.m. to 8:30p.m.)Dress up in your favorite costume!Activities: Bobbing for apples, hayrides, pumpkin race, egg toss,trick-or-treating, costume contestFox Powersports of Kentwood3562 29th Street SEGrand Rapids, MI(616) 855-3660

October 31MotorCity Motorcycles BBQJoin us for cider and doughnuts inthe morning and then share aSpooktacular BBQ in theafternoon.MotorCity Motorcycles1765 S Telegraph Rd.Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 (248)920-2000

October 31Trick-or-TreatingFree Hot Rod Trick-or-Treat bagand candy from 11am-2pm.Kids 12 and under can dress upand trick-or-treat for fee candy ineach department.Kids must be accompanied by anadult.Hot Rod Harley-Davidson149 Shoreline DriveMuskegon, MI(231) 722-0000

November 7Hamilton HD Fashion RallyHamilton Harley Davidson68951 White School RdSturgis MI269-651-3424www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com

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

December 15Ride Michigan Talk & Slideshowpresented by Author Bill Murphy7 p.m. @ the Grand Rapids PublicLibrary111 Library Street NEGrand Rapids, MI616.988.5400Geared toward motorcyclists andcar drivers who want to exploreMichigan’s back roads and lesserknown attractions.

November 6ABATE Region 2 Porter CountyToyz 4 Kidzmailto:[email protected](850) 686-3150.

November 7ABATE Region 3 HowardCounty

Blues [email protected](765) 631-7635

November 7ABATE Region 1 St Joseph CountyTreasures For [email protected](574) 300-5410

November 7ABATE Region 8Toy [email protected](812) 430-8070.

November 7ABATE Region 132015 Toys For TykesLocation: Pike [email protected](812) 664-0515

November 8ABATE Region 1Kosciusko CountyTreasures For KidzLocation: [email protected](574) 253-2570

December 5ABATE Region 1Marshall CountyTreasures For KidzFormore information sendemail [email protected] orcall (574) 935-5225

November 201514 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Motorcycling & LawUpdate on issue of

Government seizing MCtrademarks & patches

by Dondi Vesprini

We Ride!...All Makes of Bikes

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

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

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

and we ride many makes of street bikes - including:

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

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

In Michigan, contact:Gregg Mitchell

[email protected]

Sport Touring is Our Middle Name!

In Indiana, contact:Donald “Moose” Parish

[email protected]

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

• Aprilia• BMW• Buell• Ducati

• Harley-Davidson• Honda• Kawasaki

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

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

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

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

Back in June of this year, Iwrote about an interesting criminal casepending in California which served as abattleground between the United Statesgovernment and a motorcycle clubregarding the right of the club to keepownership of its trademarked logo andpatch on its members vests. The issueseemed to involve a mix of criminallaw, trademark law and constitution lawand was of interest in that manymotorcycle clubs, riding clubs and othermotorcycling groups are identified bythe logo or patch their members wearon their backs. Many motorcycle clubsalso trademark their logo so no otherclub or entity can use a similar patch, soas to keep the clubs identity uniquelytheirs. It was hoped that this case wouldprovide some insight into whether thegovernment could legally seize amotorcycle club’s trademarked logo andpatch as part of a criminal proceeding. Iam writing this month to provide anupdate on that case.

By way of background, in 2008,multiple members of the MongolNation Motorcycle Club, LLC wereindicted in California and subsequentlypled guility to various criminal acts. Aspart of that criminal case, the govern-ment attempted to seize the Mongolspatch, the logo on which had beenpreviously trademarked by the thenpresident of the club. The federal judgeon the case ruled that as the individualDefendants, as opposed to the club itself,did not have an ownership interest inthe mark, the marks were not forfeitablein that case and the government had noright to seize the trademark or taketheir patch. However, the governmenteffort to seize the Mongols trademarkand take their patch did not end there.

The government filed a secondcase in California and obtained a secondindictment, only this time including theMongol Nation Motorcycle Club as anentity as a Defendant and charging theclub with a violation of the RICO(racketeer influenced and corruptorganizations) statute. The govern-ment again sought forfeiture of theclub’s trademarked logo, arguing thatthe club is a criminal organization andthat the mark is used for intimidation.An indictment was returned against theclub and the case moved toward trial.

However, the District CourtJudge recently issued an opinion which

dismissed the indictment against the club.The rationale behind the dismissal was thatin a RICO prosecution, the government mustprove the existence of a “person” (anyindividual or entity capable of holding alegal or beneficial interest in property)engaged in an “enterprise” (a group ofpersons associated together for a commonpurpose of engaging in a course of conduct).The law requires that the “person” and“enterprise” must be two distinct andseparate entities. The Court found that inthis case the club was both the “person” andthe “enterprise” and therefore the indict-ment failed and was dismissed.

Unfortunately, while the indictmentwas dismissed, the Court did not reach thequestion as to whether the governmentcould lawfully seize the club’s trademarkedlogo and patch. This is because the potentialforfeiture of property is determined onlyafter the Defendant is convicted. As theindictment was dismissed and there wastherefore no conviction of the club, the courtstated that any arguments regardingwhether the trademarked logo and patchcould be forfeited were premature and neednot be considered.

Thus, the case never reached theportion of the proceedings where forfeiturewas a ripe issue for decision, so it is un-known how the Court would have ruled onthe issue. There have been other reportedinstances of the government initiatedproceedings against motorcycle clubs whereforfeiture of the club patch and logo hasbeen sought. It remains to be seen how thecourt will rule on this issue.

As always, if anyone has anyquestions or if I can be of legal assistance toyou or anyone you know who has beeninjured in a motorcycle accident, please don’thesitate to contact me as I deal with thesetypes of claims on a daily basis on behalf ofinjured motorcyclists statewide.

Further, for those readers who aremembers of any motorcycle organizations,clubs or groups, if you would like to haveme come out to your group to speak or givea presentation on the legal rights of aninjured motorcyclist or on any specific topicthat your group may be curious about,please don’t hesitate to give me a call at(248-569-4646) or shoot me an e-mail [email protected]. I give presenta-tions state-wide and there is never a chargeassociated with having me out. I enjoyhaving the opportunity to come out andmeet motorcycle enthusiasts from all partsof our State!

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 15

After a six month riding hiatus, I waslooking forward to easing back into life astride mycycle named Sue with a few easy jaunts in theBolivian countryside. Jay, as usual, had other plansin mind. He responded to my request for a gentlereunion by suggesting we tackle the infamous andominously titled Death Road as a way to get ourfeet wet again. Death Road??!!, I thought, not achance - until I learned more about what it had tooffer.

This storied route, also known as theNorth Yungas Road, connects the city ofNuestra Senora de La Paz, Bolivia to the townof Coroico, dropping from an air sucking15,260 feet at the La Cumbre Pass to a balmy3,900 feet over 40 fantastic miles. Up until 2006,this single lane, dirt road was the mainpassageway connecting La Paz to the YungasValley and was named the world’s mostdangerous road by the Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank in 1995 due to the hundredsof lives it’s 2,000 foot cliffs took each year.Today, there is a much safer, paved route thatbypasses the old road. The Death Road is now usedprimarily as a tourist attraction for bikers andoverland travelers looking for an adrenaline rush.

So, after reframing my notion of whatconstitutes “gentle,” we suited up on a crisp, sunnySaturday morning and found our way out of thebusy city. Getting reacquainted with my bike waslike two long lost lovers reuniting: awkward andtimid at first until we both remembered how tomove, how to turn, how to glide together. By thetime we reached La Cumbre, it was as if we hadnever been apart. Despite the lack of oxygen at suchan extreme elevation, and the alarmingly poor 78

The Live It Right Dream Ride

Feeling Alive on the Death Roadby Emily Flinkstrom

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

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com/

www.shadyproducts.com/

www.motorcycleandoutdoors

.com

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

octane gas inside our tanks, Sue was raring to go! Atthe summit, we spotted forty or so mountain bikespropped up next to their temporary owners as theyreceived instructions from tour guides. The onlyinformation Jay and I had in our pockets was whatwe had read in travel blogs, as well as the words ofcaution bestowed upon us by locals: Stay to the left(a bit counterintuitive because this causes you to getintimate with the cliff), and uphill drivers have theright of way. What more did we need to know?!

The initial descent consisted of severalmiles of smooth, paved roadway offeringspectacular views of the surroundingmountain peaks. Hooting and hollering atcyclists and himself, Jay expressed throughour headsets the raw exhilaration that both ofus were feeling - and we hadn’t even reachedthe turn off for the Death Road.

When we did arrive to the point where theold road departs from the new, the butterfliesin my stomach began dancing. We parked ourbikes at the entrance for a chance to gathermy wits, while disguising it as a photo

opportunity and a place to lowerthe air pressure in our tires beforeplunging onto loose gravel thatonce consumed 200-300 lives peryear! The whispy clouds rolled overthe mountaintop and fell onto us ina thick, eerie fog blocking the viewof whatever lay ahead down theroad. Taking a deep breath andwhispering words of selfaffirmation, we dropped in.

Words cannot describe theincredible beauty this road

revealed.Travelingslowlydownthe rocky path, I felt boththe security of themountain walls on myright, covered in lushgreenery andoccasionally shedding itstears in the form ofwaterfalls, and thestomach-in-throat fear ofthe deadly cliffs on myleft. Around every turn I

chanted to myself, smiling, “This is why I ride. Thisis why I ride.”

As we descended further and further intothe Yungas Valley, the air progressively becamewarmer and more humid. The cliffs graduallyturned from terrifying to simply a part of thenatural valley carved out by the river below. Wepicked up our pace to a thrilling jog, recognizingwe were nearing the end of this particularadventure and wanting to continue the excitementto the very end, at a lunch table in the mountainsidevillage of Coroico.

After filling our bellies with $4 (total)worth of chicken noodle soup, hominy, rice, salad,chicken, pork, and yucca, we returned to La Paz onthe newer, paved road and found it nearly asimpressive as the old way in terms of shear beauty.

In addition to the scenery, theengineering feats that createdthe tunnels, bridges, andtraverses on this route aremystifying. Cornering throughthe switchbacks, leaning thebike just enough to feel myway around the smooth turns, Iconcluded that this day was, infact, the perfect way for Sueand I to reunite and enter the

adventuretravel worldyet again.

Formore talesand picturesfrom theroad, like“The Live ItRight Dream Ride” on Facebook or visit our blog atwww.liveitrightdreamride.com.

November 201516 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

Legal News from Michigan & Preparing for the Off-Seasonby Jason Waechter, Esq.

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

So far, autumn has been a fairly motorcycle-friendly season here in the Midwest. While I hope theweather holds just a little longer, it’s not a bad idea tostart preparing for winter storage. Before I get to some tipsfor winter storage, though, I want to touch on somethingthat potentially could affect all motorcyclists riding onMichigan roads: Senate Bill 527 (SB 527).

On September 29, Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) sponsored a bill that would amend theMichigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257-658) to forcemotorcyclists and their passengers to wear a crash helmet.Most of you know that in 2012, Governor Rick Snydersigned a law that allowed motorcyclists in Michigan to ridehelmetless, with certain conditions: Riders (includingpassengers) have to be 21 or older; carry at least $20,000 infirst-party medical insurance; and have had theirmotorcycle endorsement (CY) for at least two years, or gottheir CY endorsement by passing a Certified Rider TrainingCourse.

If SB 527 passes, all motorcyclists andpassengers would be required to wear a crash helmet whileon a motorcycle, no exceptions. In addition, the Bill wouldrequire moped riders under 19 years of age to also wear ahelmet when operating on a roadway. The Bill has beenreferred to the Committee on Transportation for furtherreview. This isn’t the first Bill to try to reinstate Michigan’smandatory helmet law; last year a similar Bill was killed atthe Committee stage.

I can’t comment on whether helmetless riding is“right” or “wrong” because it’s such a complex, nuancedissue. I will say that I think Americans expect to havefreedom of choice, and I think that allowing adults tomake an informed decision is a good thing. From myperspective, negligence on the part of motor vehicle driversis a much greater factor influencing motorcycle crashinjuries and deaths than whether or not a biker chooses towear a helmet. My team and I will be watching this Billand any others that might affect motorcyclists in theMidwest closely. To stay up to date on the latestmotorcycle laws, trends, and news, follow us on Facebook(Facebook.com/TheMotorcycleLawyer).

Now, onto storage tips. Keep in mind, you cando anything or nothing in terms of prepping your bike forwinter; it’s entirely your call. However, what you do over

the next couple of months can have animpact on how next riding season getsunder way. For example, if you cancelyour motorcycle insurance, you won’tbe able to ride on that first beautifulday next spring… what a waste thatwould be! I recommend that you keepyour motorcycle insurance active year-round, not only for those early springrides, but also because yourhomeowner’s policy doesn’t cover yourmotorcycle. So if you have a fire or aflood, if the bike falls over or somethingfalls on it, if rodents get at it, or it getsstolen, you’re out of luck if you don’thave active insurance coverage. If youare 100% sure you won’t ride the bikeuntil you reinstate your insurance, atleast keep a Comprehensive policyactive on the bike at all times to coverdamages or loss.

Where you choose to storeyour bike can also have an impact onhow soon you’ll be able to ride it in thespring. Choose a dry, secure location,and use a high-quality motorcycle coverrather than a tarp or sheet, which canscratch. A good quality cover isbreathable and prevents moisture build-up. It will also protect your bike from direct sunlight ifthere are windows in your garage or shed. Too much lightcan fade or damage paint and can do a number on seats.Once you have a good spot, prepare the space by layingsome cardboard, wood, or foam on the floor to keep yourtires from sitting directly on the cold concrete.

When the time comes, treat your bike nice: agood wash, wax, and polish will help protect the bikefrom moisture and thus, from rust. Fill the gas tankalmost full (leave a little room for expansion) and add astabilizer. Drain carburetors and fuel lines, and change theoil, even if it’s not due yet; running your bike can createacid in the oil that could be corrosive if left for a longperiod of time. I suggest having your fluids serviced in thefall before putting your bike away, and experts agree it

should be done at least every two years.Once the bike is clean and all the

fluids are ready for winter, remove the batteryand put it on a Smart Charger, which willcondition the battery and keep it charged at justthe right level. Smart Chargers are worth theinvestment, since they can actually prolong thelife of your bike. Use a light oil like WD 40 tospray the muffler ends and drain holes, thengently stuff the muffler with a plastic grocerybag or some other light plastic to keep moistureout of the exhaust. Wrap the exterior of themuffler with more light plastic and you’re readyto cover your bike.

Hopefully, winter won’t be too longand the motorcycling off-season will be goodand short. If you’re one of many Midwest riderswho don’t take an off-season, either becauseyou’re into ice riding or because you and yourmotorcycle go somewhere warm for winter, wewant to hear from you! We’re looking for winterriding stories from our friends in the Midwest.Contact us with your winter riding tales, if youhave a winter storage tip you’d like to share, orif you have questions about motorcycling andthe law: [email protected] orFacebook.com/TheMotorcycleLawyer.

Pre-Owned Motorcycles

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

2012 Suzuki GSX-R750,Yellow, 13,656 miles,

Sliders, Short exhaust,$7,750

2012 Triumph Tiger800, Black, 18,896

miles, Side / top cases,$7,750

2010 BMW R 1200 GS, Red, 13,413 miles, $11,9502009 BMW K 1200 LT, Black, 72,000 miles, $9,4502009 BMW K1300GT, Magnesium, 49,174 miles, $9,9502009 BMW R 1200 GS, Silver, 62,000 miles, $9,4502007 Yamaha Royal Star Venture, Blue, 12,221 miles $8,4502006 BMW R 1200RT, Grey, 37,408 miles, $8,4502006 BMW R 1200 RT, Graphite, 62,682 miles, $7,9502005 BMW K 1200LT, Grphite, 45,425 miles, $8,7502005 BMW K 1200 LT, Blue, 24,337 miles, $8,7502005 BMW R 1200 GS, Blue, 131,000 miles, $5,9502005 BMW R 1200 RT, Red, 71,444 miles, $7,7502005 Honda Rune, Maroon, $17,9502003 BMW R 1150 R, Black, 69,198 miles, $3,4502002 BMW K1200LT, Silver, 70,002 miles, $5,9502002 BMW R1150RT, Blue, 41,911 miles, $4,4502001 BMW R1100RT, Black / White, 116,805 miles, $3,9501996 BMW R 850 R, Green, 36,534 miles, $3,9501981 BMW R100RT, Red, 117,366 miles, $1,750

Midwest MotorcyclistTM 17

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

Association Members, see the dealer locator on page 19.

The Preacher Speaks About ...

Bikeson theBricksby Franz Hoffer

Continued on next page

October 24New Bike Owner’s Partyto honor and thank our new bikeownersBattle Creek Harley-Davidson5738 Beckley RdBattle Creek, MI(269) 979-2233

October 24Bikers-4-BloodBlood Drive for the American RedCross. Donate your blood and receivea coupon for 20% off officiallylicensed productHot Rod Harley-Davidson149 Shoreline DriveMuskegon, MI(231) 722-0000

October 292nd Annual Harleyween Ladies NightBeware of what you wear fashionshowGhoulish snacks, Witches brewDoor prizes, gamesCome is costume for a chance to winMust RSVPGreat Lakes Harley-Davidson3850 S. Huron RoadBay City, MI(989) 686-0400

October 30Parts & Accessories WorkshopMaintenance tips, MotorcycleenhancementsRay C’s Harley-Davidson1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69)Lapeer, MI(810) 664-9261

October 31Trick-or-TreatingFree Hot Rod Trick-or-Treat bag andcandy from 11am-2pm.Kids 12 and under can dress up andtrick-or-treat for fee candy in eachdepartment.Kids must be accompanied by anadult.Hot Rod Harley-Davidson149 Shoreline DriveMuskegon, MI(231) 722-0000

October 31Halloween PartyGet ready for a spooktacular time atBCHD! Bring the kiddos for cookiedecorating, pumpkin decorating,coloring, and lots of treats! Wear yourcostume!Battle Creek Harley-Davidson5738 Beckley RdBattle Creek, MI(269) 979-2233

October 31Broomsticks, Baggers & BurnoutsGrand Rapids Harley-Davidson2977 Corporate Grove DriveHudsonville, MI(877) 596-6387

October 31Boo BrunchStop by for a FREE delicious breakfast

chance to win great door prizes. Plus votefor the best dressed ABC Harley teammember as we’ll be dressed in ourHalloween best! We’ll have fun activitiesfor the kids plus trick or treating for theadults!ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc.4405 Highland Road (M-59)Waterford, MI248.674.3175

November 7 - 171st Annual Toys for Tots Toy DriveRay C’s Harley-Davidson1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69)Lapeer, MI(810) 664-9261

November 7Hamilton HD Fashion RallyHamilton Harley Davidson68951 White School RdSturgis MI269-651-3424www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com

November 7Veterans Appreciation EventThis special event pays tribute to the men& women who have served in themilitary. Please come out and pay tributeby having Lunch with a veteran. FreeLunch for all Veterans. There will bechildren’s activities, a special gift for allVeterans, and a color guard ceremony at12 pm.ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc.4405 Highland Road (M-59)Waterford, MI248.674.3175

November 14Chili Cook-Off for VetsEnter your chili or just come sample somegreat recipes! Vote for your favorites! Top3 chili’s get ribbons. All proceeds toveterans.Battle Creek Harley-Davidson5738 Beckley RdBattle Creek, MI(269) 979-2233

November 1511th Annual Buck PoleHELD FROM DAWN TO 8 PM WITHPRIZES FOR FIRST BUCK, FIRSTFEMALE, YOUNGEST, OLDEST,....MORE ... WITH 2015 BUCK T-SHIRTFOR EVERY BUCK BROUGHT IN.$5.00 BUTTON ENTERS YOUR BUCK...GETS YOU INTO DRAWING FORDOOR PRIZES, BOWL OF CHILI AND AGREAT TIME (NO BUCK NECESSARYFOR PURCHASE OF BUTTON)SILENT AUCTION AND DOOR PRIZES.Ray C’s Harley-Davidson1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69)Lapeer, MI(810) 664-9261

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

Ever heard of a Bike Week inFlint, Michigan called “Bikes on theBricks”? Neither did I. But on a crisp fallweekend this past September 12th and 13th

my son, Eric, son-in-law, Tony, twofriends of my son-in-law, and old standby,Jimbo, headed there for the event whichactually started on Friday the 11th. Ofparticular interest was the Police SkillsCompetition that featured Police MotorPatrols from as far away as Ottawa andToronto, Canada; New Orleans, Louisiana;Chicago, Illinois; Columbus andCleveland, Ohio and from many locationsaround the State of Michigan. Featured inthe skills competition (some people call ita Bike Rodeo) wasan incrediblytough timedobstacle course, aslow ridingcompetition, LastMan Standingcompetition, andthe most exciting(at least for me) ateam skillscompetitionwhere they attacha 24” long ropeto two team members bikes back fendersand the team has to go through a series ofsharp left and right turns as well as threetimes around a 360, then a highacceleration lane… All this without therope detaching from either bike. Plus, theevent is timed.

A little history on the event: Thefirst Bikes on the Bricks was held inOctober of 2007. Only about 120motorcycles showed up but it was also arainy, cold day. It even included the policeskills competition back then. The eventhas grown and is now a well attendedthree-day event featuring bike shows,police skills competition, food andmerchandise vendors, biker fashion show,and a police escorted ride; everything forthe motorcycle enthusiast!

By 2014, the event had grown to15,000 motorcycles, 82 participants in thepolice skills competition from severaldifferent agencies, dozens ofvendors…and an estimated 25,000spectators that endured less than perfectrainy and cold weather. The 2015 versionhad cool, crisp temps in the morning (wewere there on Sunday the 13th) but itwarmed up to the low 70s by noon; perfectfor watching the Police Skills competitionwhich was the main reason we went.

The 2015 event was dedicated toMichigan State Trooper Chad Wolf who wasplanning on participating in the Police SkillsCompetition. He had attended the 2014show, and had signed up this year beforehe was killed (www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/09/fallen_trooper_wolf_remembered.html) onFriday, August 28. He was riding hisMichigan State Police motorcycle when hewas struck by a car hauling a trailer. I’m suremost of you remember that horrific accidentwhere he was pinned under the trailer anddragged for several miles on the expressway.Keep in mind that he was an expert rider withyears of training and experience who ended

up dead due to a driverwho “didn’t see him.”That shows just howdangerous riding amotorcycle can be. I stilldon’t understand thosewho won’t wear helmetsor other safetyequipment. It also pointsout the fact that people incages aren’t looking outfor motorcyclists; weneed to look out forthem…religiously!

When Bikes on the Bricksofficially began on Friday, an estimated 87police officers were registered for the annualmotorcycle skills competition. Training wasfrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that first day - a timefor the participants to practice. On Saturdaymorning, motorcyclists met up at VehicleCity Harley Davidson for a police-escortedcruise around Genesee County, leaving thedealership at 11 a.m. and arriving indowntown Flint at approximately 1:30 p.m..Riders could then enjoy the hundreds of showbikes that lined up along the bricks ofSaginaw Street.

On Sunday, a 10 a.m. ceremonyopened the days activities. The lawenforcement skills competition began at 10:30a.m. My friends and I had a great time. Theskills competition makes one feel prettyhumble about one’s own riding skills and hassince motivated me to practice the things Ilearned in the “Ride Like A Pro” class I tookas well as the skills my son showed me thathe learned in the “Michigan State CivilianMotorcycle Training” class he took andpassed.

The skills competition obstaclecourse is timed. Spectators quickly got a heapof respect for these Motor Officers and theriding skills they have developed and

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6. GaylordZIP’S 45TH PARALLEL HARLEY-DAVIDSON®980 S WISCONSIN AVE., GAYLORD(989) 732-8000, www.zips45thhd.com

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1. Battle CreekBATTLE CREEK HARLEY-DAVIDSON®5738 BECKLEY RD, BATTLE CREEK(269) 979-2233, www.battlecreekharley.com

3. Birch RunSHIAWASSEE HARLEY-DAVIDSON®11901 N. BEYER ROAD, BIRCH RUN(989) 624-4400www.shiawasseeharley-davidson.com

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

8. KalamazooPERRY’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®5331 SPRINKLE ROAD, KALAMAZOO(269) 329-3450www.perryharley-davidson.com

10. LapeerRAY C’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®1491 S. LAPEER ROAD, LAPEER(810) 664-9261, www.raycsh-d.com

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

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

13. SturgisHAMILTON HARLEY-DAVIDSON®68951 WHITE SCHOOL ROAD, STURGIS(616) 651-3424, www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com

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

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

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

14. TecumsehTECUMSEH HARLEY-DAVIDSON®8080 MATTHEWS HIGHWAY, TECUMSEH(517) 423-3333

Michigan Harley-DavidsonDealer Association Members

Continued from previous pagemaintained through constant practice. From the obstaclecourse, we moved to the slow ride competition; a seriesof sharp turns and twists on which some of the ridersseem to defy gravity as they stand completely still ontheir bikes - suspended - for several seconds at a time.Then comes the team riding competition which trulyexhibits their skills as they race side by side attached by a

24” cord, maneuvering through a difficult andcompressed course. The final event is the “Last ManStanding” competition which was fun to watch. Theparticipants go against each other two at a time on anobstacle course and try to force one another to put a footdown or knock over a cone. The last man to survive isthe “last man standing.” There is a good chance that the2016 event is going to be moved to June , July or Augustas it seems more times than not, the September weatheris not the best. I recommend this event to one and all.‘Til next time, my friends, ride safe. There is still somebeautiful fall riding left but watch out for those leaves onthe road…they can be slippery.

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