Midwest Motorcyclist by Bento Marketing

The 2014 BMW motorcycles are arriving daily.

2014 K 1600 GTL Base MSRP: $23,950 includes ABS

We still have a few 2013s remaining in stock.

Special factory incentives. Apply now.

2014 R 1200 RT Base MSRP: TBA includes ABS

2014 F 700 GS Base MSRP: $9,990 includes ABS Help us celebrate the holidays at our annual

Christmas Party Saturday, December 14, 2013

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BMW Motorrad Dealer of Excellence BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 39933 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187 734.981.1479 www.bmwmcsem.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Redefining your motorcycling lifestyleâ&#x20AC;? SM 2

* Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear. www.midwestmotorcyclist.com December 2013

Columns 4 7 8 10

cc media publications

15 19

This Month’s Contributors:

Contributing Editors

Patrick Armitage Nicole Espinosa Pedro Gregorio Franz Hoffer plus

Blane Kamp Matthew Mesarchik Dondi Vesprini Jason Waechter

Publisher/Managing Editor Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net

Advertising Sales/ Web Master / Distribution Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net

IN THIS ISSUE…..

To Our Readers Safer Riding for Beginnners: Advanced Cornering Techniques by Patrick Armitage The Skinny On.... A Turn for the Worse by Pedro Gregorio The Preacher Speaks About... Harley-Davidson, in General Terms by Franz Hoffer Tips for Storing your Bike This Winter by Jason Waechter Ohio Motorized Trails Association: Bummed Out by Good News by Michael Mesarchik Motorcycling and Law: New Law Allowing for Sales Tax Credit for Trade-In by Dondi Vesprini Open Terrain - Exploring the World and Soul by Motorcycle: Answers From the Road by Nicole Espinosa

Features, News & Reviews 5 9 9 9 14 17 18 21

A Tale of Two Stradas:Riding the 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Granturismo and 2013 Ducati Hyperstrada by Pedro Gregorio ThumbDogs Announcing the 2014 Aspen Classic Camper SPOT LLC Announces SPOT Trace, the Ultimate Theft Alert Tracking Device A 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure, Three Days & No Plan by Ray Peabody VETMotorsports Fundraiser Raises $13,090 American Road Shop Back in Business A Tribute for My Friend, Rod Pierce by Blane Kamp

Reference 4

Advertiser Index

Cover photo: The 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure at rest during a recent three-day unplanned trip to southern Indiana. Accessorized with Giant Loop Great Basin Sabblebags and Diablo Tank Bag. Photo by Ray Peabody

Cover Design Julie Kirkendoll

How to contact us: 709 Fall Street Spring Lake, Michigan 49456 (810) 923-8738 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com Copyright 2012-2013 cc media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, or electronically transmitted without the expressed written permission of the publisher. Advertisers, their agents, contributors of event information, freelance contributors and/or editorial contributors will defend, indemnify and hold cc media and RTP Enterprises, Inc. harmless in any claims of libel, copyright or trademark infringement, plagiarism, violation of local, 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/Midwest Motorcyclist, American CycleRider either solicited or unsolicited, constitutes agreement to these terms. Except for the Publisher 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.

Midwest Motorcyclist

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1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Paragon Promotions..............................10 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Perry’s Harley-Davidson ...............4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Ray C’s Harley-Davidson...............4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Retail Warehouse ............................12, 15 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Sandy’s Harley-Davidson .............4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Shiawassee Harley-Davidson ......4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Sport Bike Track Gear ............................22 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Stinger Trailers .........................................4 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Sweet Trikes ...........................................12 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Tecumseh Harley-Davidson .........4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Town & Country H-D.....................4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Triumph Detroit..........................................24 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Vehicle City Harley-Davidson .......4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 William Murphy, Author......................12 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Wolverine Harley-Davidson .........4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Zip’s 45th Parallel H-D...................4, 10, 11 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901

Advertiser Index

Best wishes to everyone for a happy, safe Holiday Season and a healthy, prosperous 2014. Thanks for a great year!

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1974 Honda CB350F Four, Pristine collector, $2,995

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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-owned motorcycles, either through trade-ins or outright purchases. If you’re looking to buy - or you just want to sell the motorcycle you now own - take your motorcycle to your local Harley® dealer for a quote. Do it today to make your best deal.

Visit your local Harley-Davidson® dealer today. The complete list of Michigan Harley-Davidson® dealers can be found on page 10 and 11 in this issue.

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

December 2013

A Tale of Two Stradas:

Riding the 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Granturismo and 2013 Ducati Hyperstrada With apologies to all of the Charles Dickens’ fans out there, it was the best of times, it was some f@#$ng awesome times. The annual AllClubs Day event was held in Stockbridge, Michigan on Sunday, September 15th. This is the successor to the eclectic gathering of bikes started by Suzi Greenway at her house many years ago. If you ever had the chance to attend back then, I’m sure you have fond memories of it. I always try to make it to Stockbridge for the well-organized clubs’ day to see the many beautiful bikes of all ages. This year was extra special. Why? Because in August, I visited the brand new Ducati Detroit dealership at 33828 Woodward Ave. in Birmingham, Michigan (www.ducatidetroit.com). I was quite impressed with the beautiful décor and spent a good amount of time talking with Kevin Callaway, Sales Associate, about riding and bikes. A few emails later, we arranged to ride to Stockbridge from the dealership Sunday morning on the two Stradas. I would ride the $21,995 Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo and Kevin its smaller sister, the $13,295 Hyperstrada. We would then swap bikes for the ride back. Although the Multi and Hyper were conceived in the same place, they grew up in different neighborhoods. Both have a Testaretta, 90degree V-twin, water-cooled heart from mom but the Multi got the 1200cc version with 150 hp and 92 lb-ft at the crank whereas the Hyper had to make due with a brand new 821cc engine and “only” 110 hp and 66 lb-ft at the crank. For 2013, the 1200 got dual-plug heads for improved combustion and fuel efficiency. You may think the Hyper got the short end of the deal until you find out that it has almost 80 less pounds to carry around before you even add any fluids. Both bikes are equipped with traction control and ABS brakes. Where the Multi stands out is Ducati’s Skyhook semi-active suspension. What the hell is that, you ask? Glad you did. Semi-active suspensions are suspensions that adjust shock damping on the fly depending on road conditions. They have become more and more popular on high-end cars and are starting to show up on bikes. A fully active suspension would actually lift the wheel up over the bump and put it back down. We haven’t seen those on bikes…yet. BMW was first to come out with a semi-active system on its HP4 sport bike and now Ducati’s Multistrada, Aprilia’s new Caponord, and BMW’s R1200GS have followed suit. These systems are all supplied by German suspension company Sachs to each manufacturer’s specifications. Some use TM

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accelerometers, some potentiometers and pressure sensors along with throttle and brake data but, in the end, they all have the same purpose, to give us the best ride and handling combination possible. The Multi and Hyper also have something which is becoming widespread in new bikes: power modes which vary engine output, throttle response, and, in the case of the Ducatis, level of traction control and ABS intervention. The Multi has four levels: Sport, Touring, Urban, and Enduro. Sport and Touring give you full power with Touring having softer delivery and earlier electronic intervention. Urban and Enduro reduce power to 100 hp with different ABS and traction control settings. The Hyper does without Enduro since Ducati doesn’t expect owners to take the Hyper off-roading. I also don’t expect many Multistrada owners to go off-roading but adventure touring-styled bikes are like SUV’s. Many folks will never take their Jeep Wranglers off the pavement but love how they look. As the name implies, the Multi is intended to be Ducati’s do-it-all bike. The Touring Gray model I rode had the standard larger hard saddlebags (78L each) and the 48L trunk with backrest. Soft bags are included inside the luggage. The windshield is manually adjustable for height with one hand while riding. I left it in the full down position to get the cleanest and quietest air. The package also includes projector auxiliary lights and heated grips. The Hyper comes with smaller hard nylon saddle bags and a small windshield.

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Our route took us down Woodward Avenue to I-696 and then onto M-14 and US-23. I had asked Kevin to lead until we exited onto North Territorial where I would take over. I had ulterior motives. I wanted to experience the Multistrada on the curvy North Territorial and even curvier Henkerd Rd. without the distraction of a bike in front although I’m sure Kevin, a WERA and AHRMA racer, could have left me in the dust. I started out in Sport mode and although I tried Touring and Urban modes for a bit on Woodward, I went back to Sport and left it there for the rest of the day. If I spent money for a 150 hp bike, why would I want any less? After all, I had traction control and ABS to save my ass if I got a Continued on page 6

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Continued from page 5 - The Skinny On... bit frisky. I can see the advantage of less power and softer delivery off road but on asphalt, I don’t get it. There’s a reason the throttle goes both ways. My first impression of the Multi was a roomy and comfortable riding position. Finding neutral in city riding proved more difficult than it should have been and the turn signal switch didn’t have enough tactile feedback. The turn signal switch on some current BMW’s has the same problem so maybe everyone uses the same supplier. That was it for the negatives. As for the positives, I have three words: engine, engine, and engine. The Multi’s engine is so powerful that it makes the bike a ridiculously fast, comfortable sportbike with luggage and wind protection. Fueling was perfect and the brakes, as is the case with most new performance bikes, only required one finger to slow the bike down. Shifting was smooth and easy except for the aforementioned neutral issue. I like to use US-23 between M-14 and North Territorial Road as a highway suspension test course because it has huge frost heaves that will bounce me off the seat of my Speed Triple. On the Multistrada, I felt them but just as a minor disturbance. The Skyhook suspension passed the first test. The second test was Henkerd Road between North Territorial and Patterson Lake Road Not only is this the twistiest road I know in Southeast Michigan, it also has a road surface that represents the typical Michigan road, i.e., crappy. Even aiming the Multi at every bump I could find, I still managed to ride Henkerd Road faster than I have ever ridden it before. The stretch between Gregory and Stockbridge gave me the opportunity to experience the explosive passing power of the engine. By the time we got to Stockbridge, I was just shaking my head with amazement at the performance of this bike.

After some hours admiring the modern and vintage metal on display, it was time to head back to Ducati Detroit. Kevin’s dad joined us on his Triumph Sprint GT as the rain started to fall. As soon as I jumped on the white Hyperstrada, I felt more at home since the riding position and naked bike feel reminded me of my Triple. We skipped Henkerd Road due to the wet conditions but I felt confident on North Territorial knowing that I had the ABS and traction control watching my back. In comparison to the Multi, the Hyper felt, well, more hyper. Lighter weight combined with an over-the-front-wheel riding position and lack of fairing gave it a much more playful feel. The 821cc engine was perfectly matched to the bike and loved to rev. The standard suspension actually didn’t feel noticeably worse than the Multi’s semi-active one on US-23 which was a pleasant surprise. On the highway, the small windshield made double-digits speeds comfortable but once Kevin and his dad started playing in triple digit land, my naked Hyper and I just hung back and enjoyed the show. I did notice some soreness in my thighs after a while so I must

have been squeezing the tank extra hard just to hang on. In city riding, the Hyper definitely had the advantage due to its smaller size and lighter weight. The fueling was just as perfect as its bigger sister and all of the controls were equally light to use. So in the end, which of the two Italians would I choose? Of course the $8,000 price difference makes the comparison moot but let’s say money was not a factor. Actually, I would choose neither...and both. Huh? Let me explain. I love the look of naked bikes and the feel of light bikes so you’d think I’d be all over the Hyperstrada. But the Multistrada’s engine was so seductive that I would have a very hard time passing it up. Thankfully Ducati makes a bike that combines the best of both worlds and it’s called the Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak. A killer red and white paint job, no bags, and a small windshield give it the naked look that I love and I still get the monster engine and all the electronic goodies. That would be my choice. If I were forced to choose between the Multi and Hyper, it would be very tough. My head would pick the Multi because it its practicality and versatility but my heart would pick the Hyper because of its raw fun factor. Get the Granturismo if you’re looking for a very, very fast sportbike that’s also comfortable two-up, can carry tons of stuff across the continent, and will put a huge grin on your face. Or, get the Hyperstrada if you ride by yourself, don’t plan to sit on the highway for hours on end, and love the feel of a naked, light bike. I’d like to thank Kevin Callaway and Charlie Knoll, Dealer Principal, for letting me experience these two Italian thoroughbreds. They can be reached at 248-792-8999 if you have any questions about the current Ducati model range.

Join us in celebrating the holidays at our annual

Christmas Party Saturday, December 14, 2013 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food & Refreshments Special pricing on in-store items

BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan is thrilled to be a Toys for Tots collection site.

HELP US BEAT THE NUMBER OF TOYS COLLECTED LAST YEAR. Please drop off your donations of new, unwrapped toys at our store between now and December 14. Thank you for making the Holidays brighter for local children in need.

BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 39933 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187 734.981.1479 www.bmwmcsem.com

BMW Motorrad Dealer of Excellence “Redefining your motorcycling lifestyle” SM 6

* Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear. www.midwestmotorcyclist.com December 2013

Safer Riding for Beginners

Advanced Cornering Techniques By Patrick Armitage The most valuable riding skills you can master are: Maximum braking, the ability to execute a maximum swerve, and cornering skills. It is no coincidence that these are precisely the skills found to be most often lacking in those who are involved in motorcycle accidents. Running wide in fast turns is one of the leading causes of “single vehicle accidents” (an accident in which no other vehicle was involved.) This is known as “operator error.” The most common causes are: entering the curve too fast, not looking through the curve, not assertively using correct countersteering technique to lean and control the bike, and not planning a correct path of travel through the turn. A lack of available traction due to spills or debris is a factor, but less often. A few years back, on a 1400cc full dress Suzuki Cavalcade, I was riding Route 191 North out of Jackson, Wyoming, heading to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The traffic was heavy and a group of six “Squids”(squirelly kids), young, impatient, crotch rocket jockeys, came up behind me. Rather than wait until traffic was clear, they all actually passed in the presence of oncoming traffic. I didn’t want to ride behind slow car traffic any more than they did but I waited until the road was clear before I passed. Within a few minutes, I caught up with the group just before they entered a twisty section. Before we were through the section, I passed all of them. After a few more minutes, they were invisible in my mirrors. It was getting hot so I pulled off at the entrance to Teton to put on some lighter gear. The squids pulled up behind me, dismounted and approached me. One of them said “Wow! Where did you learn to ride like that? I’ve never seen anyone ride a dresser that didn’t ride it like they were in a parade!” “Motorcycle Safety Foundation” I said. “You guys never took one of their courses, did you?” They all shook their heads no. “You should” I said. Then I got on my bike and rode off, leaving them slack jawed. Am I some super rider? No! I just know and practice proper techniques I learned in my training to teach others to ride. One of the most common motorcycle accidents - one that can’t usually be blamed on car drivers - is running wide in a turn. There is no margin for error when a motorcycle runs wide in a turn and goes off the road. If a car runs off the road onto a soft shoulder, or even into a wide ditch, the driver can often save it just by steering back onto the road. If you get off the road onto a soft shoulder with your bike, or worse, into a ditch, it is highly unlikely you will be able to prevent a crash. This being the case, it is easy to understand why running wide is a leading cause of motorcycle crashes. The most common causes of these crashes are: 1) Entering the curve too fast causing panic braking. If you do not have enough traction to complete the turn by turning alone, there is certainly not enough traction to brake and turn simultaneously. 2) Not looking through the curve as far ahead as you can see TM

Midwest Motorcyclist

hinders cornering. You tend to go where you It is important to brake, countersteer, look. If you are looking off the road instead of to and roll on smoothly, since this maximizes the the exit, you tend to exit off the road. Not using use of the available traction. countersteering to lean and control the bike: If Path of travel: The last thing to consider you’re cornering technique is “ I just lean the is the position of your bike within your lane bike” instead of consciously, assertively, prior to, throughout, and through the exit of the countersteering, you do not have a high degree of curve. In a perfect world (like a racetrack) the directional control. You will find it difficult to ideal path of travel is: enter to the outside, sweep turn the bike sharply, especially in decreasing to the inside at the apex, and exit to the outside. If radius turns. You will also find it difficult to make you have ever watched road racing, you will see rapid direction changes. this is the path that racers usually follow. Of There are times when we encounter course, on a track, there is no opposing traffic “unexpected” debris and spills on the roadway. and track workers warn riders of hazards. Since Going too fast for road conditions GREATLY there are no flagmen on public roads, the actual increases the danger of such situations. path you might choose could be less than ideal. Attempting to emulate road racer’s techniques is On public roads, your path of travel still terrific, so long as you have the training, and you fits the ideal but is often slightly altered. Many are actually on a racetrack. Public roads, with experts advocate the “Late Apex Technique.” This wide-running cars, animals and debris are no is when you ride further into the turn on the place to corner at high speed; especially in blind outside, and then turn sharper into the turn. This turns. allows you to see farther into the turn before If these are the problems, what is the initiating your steering input and completes the proper technique? Correct path of travel and, turn sooner. It also allows you to roll on harder, slow, look, lean, and roll on the throttle. sooner at the exit. Slow: Use Both Brakes to slow to a Now is the time to work on your suitable entry speed prior to the turn and cornering skills. Plan your path: enter the turn to smoothly release the brakes. A correct entry the outside, sweep to the inside, and, exit to the speed is the speed which allows you to roll on the outside. Slow: use both brakes to a suitable entry throttle all the way through the turn. If you find speed and smoothly release the brakes. Look: you are unable to roll on the throttle all the way through the turn, as far as possible. Using your through turns, you should have braked to a entire field of view. Lean and Roll: press forward slower entry speed. (not down) on the grip in the direction of the Look: You go where you look. Look turn while maintaining pressure on the low grip through the turn to the exit if it is visible. If the throughout the turn. Roll: simultaneously roll exit is not visible, brake to a slower entry speed. on the throttle throughout the turn. Try Look with your head and eyes up, level with the practicing these techniques at slower speeds. You horizon. Avoid “Tunnel Vision.” Many riders will find that once you are getting it right, focus only on their central vision in high speed cornering at higher speeds will be much easier corners. This makes it seem as if the rider is going and less stressful. faster. See the big picture; use your entire field of Motorcycle riding is inherently dangerous. The rider is responsible for the safe operation of his/her motorcycle. Always wear vision. Using your whole field of vision tends to protective eyewear, jackets, boots, gloves and a helmet when riding make it seem as if you aren’t going as fast. This your motorcycle or scooter. Never operate a motorcycle or scooter makes high-speed cornering less stressful. while using alcohol or drugs. The ideas and techniques contained Lean and Roll: Keep looking through the herein are suggestions for safer riding but are no guarantee of safety. turn and simultaneously lean the bike by pressing on the left grip forward to go left, the right grip to go right, and smoothly roll on the throttle. Did you MSRP on this think you just read a misprint? No, I wrote, press left, go left. Press right, go F800ST sport right. This is why it is called tourer was origicountersteering! To turn right, you must nally $13,870. press forward and hold pressure on the Excellent midright grip. Yes, this causes the front weight sport wheel to turn slightly left, but the bike tourer for the rider will lean dramatically right. A who is looking for motorcycle that is leaning right, turns right. Pressing on the left grip, of exceptional course, does the opposite. If you are savings. It comes 2012 F 800 ST unfamiliar with this technique, you are NEW!, Blue/White/Black with expandable, missing out on a very high degree of Now Only $11,890 waterproof side steering control. Try it and prove it to Save almost $2,000 cases. yourself, or, better still, take some motorcycle skills training. Smoothly rolling on the BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan throttle through the turn actually 39933 Ford Road, Canton, MI increases your ground clearance by 734.981.1479 www.bmwmcsem.com stabilizing the suspension.

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They’re incredibly intuitive and easy to use. I never have to shift my thumb sideways like I do on the industry-standard sliding switches. A few years ago, BMW finally succumbed to the magazine pressure and by Pedro Gregorio changed all of their turn-signal switches to the sliding type common on other bikes. I’m guessing there was also a cost benefit, one switch instead of three. The first BMW I rode with the new switch was a K1300S. The first I do quality audits on cars for a living.What time I used the switch I knew there was a problem. It barely moved when activated that means is that I notice the little things that which didn’t give me enough tactile feedback. separate the good cars from the also-rans. This can sometimes be a curse when I ride bikes. On a recent In other words, it felt like crap. Every BMW I’ve ridden since has had the same problem. I ride on my 1999 BMW, I once again thought about recently rode a Ducati with the same issue. turn signals. Yes, I said turn signals. Like I Maybe BMW and Ducati use the same switch mentioned, details. supplier. If you’ve been reading motorcycle So what, you say, it’s just a damned magazines for the last 10 or 20 years, you know that switch. True, but it’s also the most used every time that any motojournalist reviewed a switch on the bike and a critical rider BMW motorcycle, there would inevitably be a interface. For me, the seat, pegs, grips, and comment disparaging the separate left and right switches are my connection to the bike and if turn-signal switches plus the additional cancel switch on the right handlebar. These idiosyncratic any of them don’t feel right, I’m not happy. So to all of the manufacturers that are using switches became a running joke. I never got the these crappy switches, please stop it. I know joke. I’ve put thousands of miles on BMW bikes you can do better. with these turn-signal switches and I love them.

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December 2013

Midwest MotorcyclistTM Product News Announcing the 2014 Aspen Classic Camper Aspen Campers of Wood Dale, Illinois announces the country’s smallest camper that houses a King-Size bed with the largest independent cargo bay of any ‘lightweight’ on the market. Fast set-up, comfortable and many convenient features– this little beauty weighs-in under 350 lbs with only 24 lbs tongue weight! Set-up time for the Classic is only one minute and houses a full 25 cubic ft. of independent cargo space UNDER the mattress. The tent and folding bed boards do not occupy ANY of the cargo space. NEW for 2014 are additional tent color options, split window design and an 8" pan-rolled front room floor! The Aspen Classic is designed for the Big Bike, Trike and small car (compact) markets. Cargo may be stored and accessed in two ways… 1) while ‘on-theroad’, the top of the camper can be ‘lifted’, exposing the entire cargo bay, or… 2) after camp set-up, simply by lifting the concealed cargo door under the mattress. Aspen is the only line of lightweight campers that includes a ‘basement level’ in the cargo bay. In other words, Classic has additional space designed within the fiberglass body between the camper’s main frame and the highway!’ This little beauty sports 12" wheels on a 41" wheelbase with brakes offered as an option. Classic provides superb handling at highway speeds. When ‘closed’, this camper body only measures 47" x 72", making handling at campsite and ‘set-up’ extremely easy. Complete information on Classic is available by calling 800.398.9090 or www.TrailmasterInc.com

SPOT LLC Announces SPOT Trace, the Ultimate Theft-Alert Tracking Device Covington, LA (Nov. 14, 2013) – SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (OTCQB: GSAT) and leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, today announced the launch of the new SPOT TraceTM - the ultimate antitheft asset tracking device. SPOT Trace ensures cars, motorcycles, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles and other valuable assets are where they need to be, notifying owners via email or text when movement is detected anytime, anywhere. SPOT’s growing family of products uses 100% satellite technology to provide location-based messaging and emergency notification for on or off the grid communications. “SPOT Trace is a cost effective tracking product that will give loyal SPOT users and new users across the globe assurance that their personal assets are safe,” said Jay Monroe, CEO and Chairman of Globalstar. “SPOT Trace is the latest advancement in our commitment to build products that reach an audience beyond the traditional mobile satellite service user that are relevant to millions of people globally.” SPOT Trace users can view their boat, ATV, motorcycle or other asset’s GPS coordinates online 24 hours a day in near real-time through Google MapsTM. With multiple mounting options, SPOT Trace is small and durable enough to be placed practically anywhere. With up to 18 months of battery life, affordable rate plans and satellite coverage that goes beyond the reach of cellular coverage, there is no comparable product on the market to track anything, anytime, anywhere. Some other SPOT Trace features include: SPOT Trace will be available at outdoor retail outlets such as West Marine, Sportsman’s Warehouse, REI, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Best Buy and online at www.FindMeSPOT.com/Trace. TM

Midwest Motorcyclist

ThumbDogs Instantly convert any pair of gloves to work with your mobile devices. Stretchy covers adapt to fit over the thumb and fingertips on any glove, while the special silver conductive material enables you to interact with the latest touch screen technology without taking your gloves off. Especially handy for on-the-go use of GPS or navigation apps. Keep them on your favorite pair of riding gloves, or switch them between several pair depending on the weather. These little slip-ons will help keep you stay connected and on track. One size fits all. Set of 2. Black/silver. ThumbDogs Features: Convert any glove to function with mobile device or GPS. Use touch screen without removing gloves. Easy On/Off. Stretchy electro-conductive material. Help keep you connected and on track. ThumbDogs #1598 $14.00. To order or for further information, call Aerostich/RiderWearHouse at: 800 222 1994, FAX: 218 720 3610

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The Preacher Speaks About...

Harley-Davidson in General Terms I wish could write about some cool end of the season ride but I can’t because the weather in Michigan has basically sucked…it’s pretty much sucked all year. I can tell you that I visited my favorite Harley mechanic, Jerry B (one of our advertisers…so please support him as an independent) and had my Road Glide lowered an inch. I’ve been thinking about it for sometime as it seems I keep scuffing up my seat trying to get my short, muscular, fat leg over the seat. Plus, my exhaust pipe seems to have permanent black smudge marks on it where my boot keeps rubbing against it when I stop. Never mind that I’m going through motorcycle boots like crazy and some of my riding pants seem to have acquired holes down low as well. Now is a good time to get your bike ready for Spring. I know it sounds crazy but if you wait until spring when everyone gets their stuff done, you’llbe waiting a week or longer to get your bike back. Get it done now and you’ll be road ready in the spring. Some cool things have been going at on the Motor Company and I want to tell you about them. Enterprise Rent-A-Car has decided to start renting Harley-Davidson motorcycles. They are launching the service in Las Vegas as a kind of test case. Models available for rental include the Street Glide, Road Glide Custom, Electra Glide Custom, Electra Glide Ultra Limited, Heritage Softail Classic, and the

Battle Creek Fat Boy Low Boy. Prices will start at $161.07/day and will include a helmet. Renters must posses a valid motorcycle license. Enterprise isn’t stupid; someone in the office noticed that in 2012 there were 450,000 new motorcycle purchases, up 3% from 2011 and that riders are the most passionate of drivers on the planet. That was reason enough for them to pilot the program. Finally, the high rates from Eagle Rider and Harley dealers will have some competition…at least in Las Vegas. Harley had a successful 3rd quarter with earnings rising 21% globally. U.S. sales were up 20 percent while globally sales rose 6.5%, continuing their recovery from the debacle of 2008. In the quarter, Harley made $163 million; 73 cents per share on revenue of $1.17 billion. Harley sold just shy of 71,000 motorcycles globally in Q3, up 16% from 2012. The big news was that the new Project Rushmore bikes introduced in August accounted for the largest yearover-year new model introduction sales increase in the last 20 years. So…who was worried the “liquid cooled” Harley’s wouldn’t’ sell? Most of you know me as a firm supporter of rider’s choice helmet Laws. Since the helmet optional law passage in Michigan, I probably go without a helmet 50% of the time, depending on weather, traffic, road, and riding conditions. Well, I found a reason to wear one just about all the time. Check out the new helmet from Skully Helmets, developers of the first complete heads up display motorcycle helmet out of Silicon Valley. The helmet incorporates a rear facing ultra wide angle camera giving you a live video feed of everything happening behind you at 180 degrees; no blind spot. The image is projected on the inside of the visor. Also built-in is a turn-by-turn GPS/navigation system, smart phone connection for alerts, access to music plus voice operation of a connected phone for hands free. The helmet will go on sale in 2014 and initially the retail will be around a whopping $1,000. O.K, that’s way high Wait a couple years and competition is sure to drive the price down to a more affordable level. Of course, it would be cool to find a gift certificate under the tree. I encourage you to go to Skully’s website for more info. Merry Christmas to all you riders and non-riders out there. Remember to not drink and drive. I’ve noticed that a lot of motorcycle riders seem to get a false sense of security when they drive their cars. I want to see you in January; don’t be a statistic.

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

BATTLE CREEK HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 5738 BECKLEY RD BATTLE CREEK, MI 49015 (269) 979-2233 www.battlecreekharley.com

Bay City GREAT LAKES HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 3850 S. HURON ROAD BAY CITY, MI 48706 (989) 686-0400 www.greatlakeshd.com

Birch Run SHIAWASSEE HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 11901 N. BEYER ROAD BIRCH RUN, MI 48415 (989) 624-4400 www.shiawasseeharley-davidson.com

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

Cement City TOWN & COUNTRY HARLEY-DAVIDSON® US 12 & US 127 CEMENT CITY, MI 49233 (517) 547-3333 www.cementcity-harley.com

Clinton Township WOLVERINE HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 44660 N. GRATIOT AVENUE CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI 48036 (586) 463-7700 www.wolverinehd.com

Farmington Hills MOTOR CITY HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 34900 GRAND RIVER AVE. FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335 Phone: (248) 473-7433 www.motorcityharley.com

Flint VEHICLE CITY HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 2400 AUSTIN PARKWAY FLINT, MI 48507 (810) 234-6646 www.vehiclecityharley.com

Fremont SANDY’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SPORT CENTER 11940 N. MAPLE ISLAND RD FREMONT, MI 49412 (231) 924-3020 www.sandysharley-davidson.com

December 2013

Merry Christmas from the Michigan Harley-Davidson® Dealer Association. Christmas will be here before you know it. Your local Harley-Davidson® dealership is headquarters for Christmas shopping this year. Whether you’re looking for riding gear, casual wear, accessories, gift certificates or that perfect motorcycle, we have it in our stores. Don’t wait until Christmas! Shop early while the selection is huge.

Be sure to stop by your local Harley-Davidson® dealer today to see the full line of 2014 motorcycles including the Project Rushmore touring models. Get yours now, before the holidays.

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For more information, visit www.mhdda.com Gaylord

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

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

CAPITOL HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 9550 WOODLANE DRIVE DIMONDALE, MI 48821 (517) 646-2345 www.capitolhd.com

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

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HOT ROD HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 149 SHORELINE DRIVE MUSKEGON, MI 49440 (231) 722-3653 www.hotrodhd.com

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TECUMSEH HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 8080 MATTHEWS HIGHWAY TECUMSEH, MI (517) 423-3333

CLASSIC MOTOR SPORTS HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 3939 S BLUE STAR DRIVE TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49687 (231) 943-9344 www.classictc.com

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

GILDNER’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® MOTORCYCLES 2723 S M-76 WEST BRANCH, MI 48661 (989) 345-1330

Midwest Motorcyclist

Is the OEM part you’re looking for OBSOLETE? Give us a try! We stock a large inventory of parts and accessories no longer in production by The Motor Company. Stop by our store or give us a call to find the OEM parts for your H-D project!

FACEBOOK SPECIALS! Visit our Facebook page - Jerry Bs Cycle Works - for special pricing on apparel, accessories, helmets and a variety of other products. Our Facebook specials are not published anywhere else.

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December 2013

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Midwest Motorcyclist

A 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure, Three Days and No Plan by Ray Peabody November isn’t an especially good time to plan a motorcycle trip here in the northern Midwest. Weather could range from dry and mild to rainy and wet to snowy and frigid. Still, I was taking a trip. I had two destination areas in mind – southern Indiana or southwestern Wisconsin - but where I traveled depended on two factors: when the motorcycle would be available and the weather forecast for those areas when I would be riding. By the end of September, I wasn’t even sure that the ride would still happen in 2013. This scenario had its actual beginning in July. Jim Miller, General Manager of Championship Powersports (www.championpowersports.com) in Wauseon, Ohio, contacted me in July about the coming availability of a 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure. The big KTM won’t be in dealer showrooms until spring 2014 but Jim wondered whether I would be interested in riding the motorcycle for a couple days and writing a review. I’ve had minimal

experience on KTMs; two stock KTM supermoto bikes (SMR 450 and 525 SX) on the track a couple years ago. I was impressed with their explosive acceleration and scapel-like handling. Considering that experience and the opportunity to ride a motorcycle not yet in stores, I eagerly accepted the offer. Jim expected the Adventure to arrive at Championship around Labor Day and would make the bike available to me for a few days thereafter. I was psyched! As often happens when new models are coming to the U.S., the 1190 was delayed. September turned to October and the bike still hadn’t arrived. Jim regularly called with updates. Then, in mid-October, a delivery date was set. The KTM would arrive in late October. My schedule was full until the first week of November. That would work for Jim. He sent me a picture of the new bike when it arrived at his store; probably to keep me interested. He needn’t have been concerned. With the KTM on site and the dates of the test scheduled, the next step would be deciding on a destination. The test plan included riding the KTM just as I would ride any adventure bike; a combination of freeways, two laners, dirt roads and maybe a trail if I could find one. Both of the areas I considered offered the types of roads and terrain I wanted. For the three days I would have the bike, the weather forecast (rain for the first two days with clear skies but freezing temperatures on the third) was similar for both areas despite the fact that they were separated by hundreds of miles. I opted for southern Indiana because it was closer. This was supposed to be an adventure so I didn’t make plans beyond the destination. No routes and no schedule. The KTM was parked outside of the dealership when I arrived. Before I climbed into my riding gear, Jim reviewed the operation of the motorcycle, taking extra time to explain the all of the electronics contained in the onboard computer. Included among the systems that can

be managed by the rider are the Anti-Lock Braking System (with Street and Off-Road modes and the ability to turn the ABS off), Electronic Damping System (Comfort, Street and Sport settings), and Traction control (Street, Sport, Rain and Off-Road settings) among other settings. The system, which is intuitive and user friendly, is managed from a four-position switch on the left handle bar. A display is mounted on the left side of the instrument panel. Once the operational overview was finished, I loaded my tank and saddlebags onto the Adventure and dressed in anticipation of cool, wet weather. I pushed off the center stand and was on my way southwest. With an unfamiliar motorcycle underneath me, I opted to start with the ABS in “Street,” EDS in “Comfort,” and traction control in “Street” modes. Less than a half mile down the road, light rain started to fall. I headed south to Defiance on SR-108 and then caught Riverview Road over to Napoleon. Riverview is a scenic, curvy road running along the Maumee River through multiple small towns. Perfect for getting familiar with the KTM. First impressions of the 1190 Adventure were positive. The seating position, with the saddle in the

All Gerbings liners now made in the USA! 14

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Continued on page 16

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

December 2013

or other light plastic to keep moisture out of the exhaust. Wrap the mufflers in more light plastic to keep moisture out before you cover your bike.

Tips for Storing Your Bike This Winter

•

by Jason Waechter I hate to admit it, but it’s that time of year again: time to start prepping our bikes for storage over the long, cold winter. Proper long-term storage of your bike is one of the most important parts of proper motorcycle maintenance, so I thought I would share some tips and tricks to make sure your ride is ready for you come springtime. •

Insurance: Some people who store their motorcycles in their personal garage will cancel their motorcycle insurance policies thinking they will save a few dollars and that their homeowners insurance policy will cover any damage. Be warned: your homeowners insurance policy does not cover your motorcycle. If you cancel your motorcycle insurance and your garage floods, catches fire, the roof leaks, something falls on your bike, rodents chew your seat or wiring, your bike is stolen, or any other damage or loss will not be covered. At the very least, you should keep your comprehensive coverage on your motorcycle when storing it. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage or loss from things like theft, falling objects, storms, fire, and vandalism. However, comprehensive coverage on your motorcycle does not cover you to ride on the road, not even for a short ride on that beautiful day in March before you’ve reinstated your regular coverage. If you get in a wreck then you lack collision coverage, which fixes damage to your motorcycle, and you lack bodily injury coverage, which you are legally required to have if you ride on the street.

•

Pick a good spot: For any long-term bike storage, you need a dry and secure location where your bike won’t be exposed to too much light. Water and moisture can cause rust, and light, even if it’s just sunlight through a window, can damage leather and paint.

•

Keep it covered: Use a high-quality motorcycle cover to protect your bike. Unlike a sheer or a tarp, which can scratch, quality covers are made with breathable material that will keep air circulating and prevent moisture build-up. They’re also soft, so they won’t scratch paint or leather. Wash, wax, and polish your bike before covering up. The wax can protect the bike against moisture and rust.

•

Fuel and fluids: Air in your gas tank means room for moisture to accumulate and cause damage. Fill the tank with fresh gas, leaving a little room at the top for the fuel to expand in the spring, and add a TM

Midwest Motorcyclist

stabilizer. Drain your carburetors and fuel lines before you put the bike away. Most experts recommend having your fluids serviced every two years; you should check them every year when you’re getting your bike ready for winter as well. At the very least, change the oil, even if it’s not due yet. Running the bike creates acids in the oil that could lead to damage if left for long periods of time. •

Tires: Rubber is flexible and does not do well when it freezes. The best way to protect your tires is to put a piece of cardboard, wood, or foam under each tire so that it’s not resting on a frozen concrete floor. Inflate the tires to the maximum recommended pressure, and check them occasionally while the bike is in storage to make sure they’re well inflated. Do not use a cleaning or shining product on the tires before storage, because these can make the tires more prone to drying out and freezing.

Taking the time to store your motorcycle right in the winter will make the start of the spring season better and easier for you. It’s worth going the extra mile for your bike now if you want your bike to go the extra mile for you for years to come. Attorney Jason A. Waechter is a national attorney specializing in the areas of motorcycle and motor vehicle injury litigation. Mr. Waechter has collected millions of dollars in settlements, awards and verdicts for his motorcycle clients over the past 20 years. Jason feels a duty to give back to his community. A portion of each case settled goes to educational resources for bikers, funds to help bikers while their cases are being litigated and our motorcycle accident prevention campaign. Call Attorney Jason Waechter toll free at 1-877-BIKER LAW. Or visit www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com Legal disclaimer: The law is very fact dependent and there are many nuances and exceptions depending on your particular circumstances. Therefore, given the limited space, it is impossible to cover everything. Do not rely on the short article to protect your rights.

Battery: There is no good reason to leave your battery in your bike over winter. Motorcycles can discharge a battery over time even if the ignition is left off, and a discharged battery is a risk for your bike. A battery left discharged is at risk for sulfation, which can mean it will no longer hold a charge at all, and if the battery leaks or corrodes, you could be looking at serious engine damage. HarleyDavidson recommends using American-made Products a Smart Charger Tri-Fold Wallets from $900 when storing your bike. A Smart Biker Wallets from $1300 Charger runs Money Clips from $1200 several processes Belts from $1600 while the battery Heavy Duty 14 oz. Harness Belt $3950 is attached, Concealment Holsters Under $3000 conditioning the Men’s Stretch Dew Rags $1700 battery while Ladies’ Knotty Bands $15 & up making sure it Motorcycle Drink Holder $1500 isn’t over- or Fringe Lever & Grip Covers $20 - $23 under-charged. Smart Chargers are worth the investment because they can prolong your battery’s life and save you both time and money.

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Continued from page 14 - KTM 1190 Adv highest adjustment, was excellent. It wasn’t so high that I couldn’t plant the balls of both feet on the ground on either side of the motorcycle while at rest. The saddle was quite comfortable, even for my skinny butt. The adjustable footpegs are set high to optimize the 8.66 inch ground clearance but not so high as to feel like the crouch of a sportbike rider. The adjustable handlebars are situated so the rider has a slight reach forward. I would come to appreciate the riding position even more over the following three days. The 1190 feels lighter than its 467+ pounds (without fuel.) It’s feels as well balanced when pushing it hard through curves as it does when approaching a stop at slow speed. That’s with a 170-pound rider, light tank bag and heavy saddlebag. Handling the Riverview sweepers between Defiance and Napoleon was smooth and effortless. It helped that the rain had stopped. West of Napoleon, I opted to use US-24 to get around Fort Wayne. I was working my way to the southwest side of Indianapolis and would decide where to go from there. US-24 is a relatively new (read “smooth, good condition”), two-lane freeway. Accelerating hard onto the freeway offered the first sensations of the potential of the Adventure’s 1195cc, 150 horsepower, fuel-injected, water-cooled, v-twin engine. The engine displacement seemed at first glance to be a bit much for a motorcycle that would likely be used on dirt roads and possibly trails. I planned to find out. That said, the v-twin has plenty of power and some to spare for those freeway sections. Hold on tight when rolling on the throttle at 80; the KTM still launches. I followed 24 around Ft. Wayne and over to Huntington before opting for some two-laners to take us to Peru and then Logansport. Mostly flat and straight, we found a few curvy roads to make the ride more exciting. The Adventure functions quite well in this environment. Even with the Electronic Damping System in “Comfort” mode, the big KTM handles as if on rails while still absorbing the small tar snakes, asphalt cracks, spine-squashing frost heaves and pot holes equally well. Put the EDS in “Sport” and you do enjoy a handling improvement (I wasn’t pushing the motorcycle that hard to notice much of a difference) but you lose much of the shock absorption quality. I made my way southwest to Indianapolis by early evening and decided to delay a push further south until the following day. The dawn of day two was delayed because of the dark, low hanging clouds fat with moisture. Admittedly, in spite of the weather, I looked forward to the day’s ride. An adventure motorcycle would be ridden in all sorts of weather; rain likely being one of the least difficult or threatening. I switched the Traction Control to “Rain” mode and left the other settings unchanged. In the Rain mode (as with the Off-Road mode), horsepower available to the rear wheel is reduced from 150 to 100 with less abrupt power delivery. My ride south started on SR-39 in Dansville. This is a road – recently resurfaced – made for awesome motorcycle-riding fun. It’s hilly and twisty all the way to Martinsville. SR-44, another twisty, hilly road was next followed by 135 to Morgantown, Bean Blossom and Nashville. The Adventure was perfectly at home in this environment. We, the 1190 and I, were in harmonious sychronicity as we danced through the curves. It was like

riding a comfortable superbike. We accelerated hard from curve to curve, braking late and rolling on the throttle through the apex. The six-speed gearbox snicked from gear to gear without much effort or resistance. Considering the still wet road (rain had subsided during this part of the ride) and fallen leaves in some sections, I was cautious at first. My confidence grew as the Continental Trail Attack 2s combined Traction Control stuck to the road surface with nary a slip. Rain fell harder in the afternoon so I ended my day-two romp earlier than expected. The weather forecast for these three days was surprisingly accurate. After rain for the first two, day three dawned with clear skies and temperatures in the low

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30s. I delayed my departure as long as possible to let the temperatures rise. I finally departed, heading northeast towards Championship at about 9 a.m. with the thermometer reading about 35 degrees F. Fortunately, I had my heated gear with me. Unfortunately, I was loaded up with the Europeantype connector while the KTM had the cigarettetype 12-volt outlet. Different sizes so no heated gear for the return trip. I put on all of the clothes I could wear and still have some mobility before hitting the road. The return ride was less pleasant than the trip out. The temperatures rose into the low 40s and the cold froze out my enthusiasm for any major excursions off the route to Wauseon. The gusty winds from the north and west didn’t help. I decided against my earlier intention to ride some dirt roads on the return trip. I stuck with two-laners and licensepreserving speeds all the way back. I came away from the 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure test impressed. This motorcycle is approximately the same weight as my 1996 Triumph Tiger but more balanced; it feels like a significantly lighter motorcycle. That balance, when combined with the ABS, damping and traction control systems inspires rider confidence whether out for a casual ride, a hot lap around local curvy roads or a multiday trip across state lines. The engine is impressive especially when combined with the gearing setup in the six-speed transmission. This engine easily propels the Adventure at triple digit speeds but also allows for puttering around in first or second gear without feeling that the clutch burning from the slow-speed use. There seems to be a versatility in this design that I hadn’t expected. The Adventure was comfortable for me for two-hour stints in the saddle. After two hours, I was looking to dismount to give my own seat a break. This actually works out quite well since the 1190 gets approximately 200 miles from each 6.08 gallon tank full (.92 gallon reserve.) The rather small, manually adjustable windscreen does a good job of diverting the wind at all speeds. I kept it in the lowest position for most of the trip. This new KTM adventure bike is much different from its 950/990 predecessors. Those motorcycles were more off-road oriented. This model is intended to go up against the leader in the big adventure motorcycle category, the BMW R 1200 GS. It’s more sophisticated and street oriented. Not exactly where many of the orange-blooded faithful wanted to go but probably a wise business decision. I suspect the 1190 Adventure will attract a significant number of buyers who want the big adventure motorcycle but want something different, maybe a little unique. Thanks to Championship Powersports’ Jim Miller, General Manager, and Jim Durviage, Owner, for making the KTM 1190 Adventure available to us for this test.

December 2013

VETMotorsports Fundraiser Raises $13,090

Visit our website at

Upper Arlington, OH - VETMotorsports raised $13,090 with their “11 by 11” Veterans Day Fundraiser, which ran from November 1st through November 11th. VETMotorsports is a recognized 501c3 tax-exempt outreach program that places combat veterans into motorsports events that are team-oriented, purposeful and goal driven with actual hands-on time. The non-clinical outreach ensures that the participants are empowered and engaged; making them central components to team operations and including as many caregivers, peers and family members as possible. “For those that donated, VETMotorsports greatly thanks you for supporting our program and mission. The money raised exceeded our expectations,” states Peter Cline, Executive Director and Founder of VETMotorsports. “These funds will allow our outreach program to do three key things; enter 2014 debt free; continue to place wounded veterans into our motorcycle crew outreach; and expand our auto racing program. “Our next fundraiser begins shortly,” continued Cline. “Long term, sustainable outreach is our objective. We’ve added additional outlets to ease the donation process. We encourage corporate sponsors and individuals seeking a 4th Quarter taxexempt donation to contact us. VETMotorsports greatly appreciates the support of the racing community. We wouldn’t exist without it.” To learn about or donate to VETMotorsports please visit them on the web at www.vetmotorsports.org or follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/VETMotorsports, Twitter @VETMotorsports or Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/ VETMotorsports/

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SNOW IS COMING! Snowmobile

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Waterford, Michigan – Tim and Barbara Beaubien, owners of American Road Shop, have announced that the reorganization of their company is nearly complete and they’re open for business. The reorganization and reopening was part of the plan when they closed their retail store several months ago. “Our plan had always been to continue with our online store, sell used motorcycles and reopen a retail store,” said Mr. Beaubien. “The parts, accessories, apparel and used motorcycle aspects of our business had always been strong. Even the service department had been strong. The weakness was a lack of mechanic talent in the market. Despite the fact that we were paying premium wages, we couldn’t find enough skilled mechanics to allow us to serve the high demand for service and repairs. Our business has always focused on selling high-quality products and service. However, when we realized we weren’t going to be able to offer excellent service and repairs on a timely basis, we decided to change our business model.” The new American Road Shop continues with its recently updated website / online store (www.americanroadshop.com) with access to the full catalogues of widely known companies such as Parts Unlimited and Tucker Rocky. Used motorcycle sales as well as some product sales and leather sewing (repairs, patches, etc.) continue from what was the service area of their old retail store. A search for a new retail location in Waterford is underway with expectations that it will open in spring of 2014. What will be missing from the new American Road Shop is a service department. For more information about American Road Shop, updates on their new retail location, their website, products or used motorcycles, call (248) 640-1399.

Annual Holiday Party Friday, December 6, 2013 • 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join us in our two-day celebration of the holidays. • Check out the 2014 models; Demo rides, weather permitting • Specials storewide - great gift ideas • Door prizes! • Food & refreshments both days- German weiners on Friday & gourmet food on Saturday. • Holiday cheer and much more!

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December 2013

Trailside with Ohio Motorized Trails Association Bummed Out by Good News! by Matthew Mesarchik On November 2nd, OMTA hosted an OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Conference. The event was all about information on issues, clubs, and opportunities. We’ve done this before, although not often enough, and we are going to do it more often in the future. At this point, I’m pretty used to speaking to groups of riders both small and large (that was actually something that TERRIFIED me back in school), ,even though I’m speaking to fellow riders and we are on the same side, it can become one of those don’t shoot the messenger situations. Saturday’s event had pretty modest attendance, and I’m a bit bummed about it. We did a ton of promotion, it ran like clock work, we gave away a couple helmets, and even fed everyone for free. Just bad luck, I guess. Overall though, the riders who did come were engaged. During the meet and great afterward, we had some very positive conversations. I think all four of our member clubs present picked up a member or two. Even though the attendance was low, it was still

very worthwhile. I’m still bummed though because after all the years myself, Bill Kaeppner, and all our other member volunteers have been working on behalf of the OHV community in Ohio, we finally had some really awesome news to share. A few weeks ago, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources closed on the purchase of a property adjacent to Pike State Forest APV Area. It’s a small piece of land at 24 acres, but this marks the first time our state trail fund has been used to purchase land expressly for the purpose of trail expansion. Since it was purchased with OUR money collected through ATV and dirt bike registrations, it is also very well protected as being for our use. It’s only 24 acres, but it’s a big deal. I just wish more riders had been there for the announcement. Matthew T. Mesarchik is the Government Relations Director for OMTA and an Associate State Partner for the National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council. He is also an avid dirt bike crasher.

EXTEND YOUR RIDING SEASON We 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.

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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 t $PMEXBUFS .* t XXX DZDMFDPOTFSWBUJPODMVC PSH

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On November 6, 2013, Governor Snyder signed into law a bill which amended MCL 205.51 of the General Sales Tax Act regarding what types of transactions are considered part of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sales priceâ&#x20AC;? which is subject to a sales tax upon purchase. The bill specifically excludes from the definition of â&#x20AC;&#x153;sales priceâ&#x20AC;?, a credit for the agreed upon value of a motor vehicle or recreational vehicle used as part payment of the purchase price of a new or used motor vehicle or recreational vehicle. Beginning December 15, 2013, such credit is the lesser of $2,000.00 or the actual agreed upon value of the motor vehicle or recreational vehicle used as part payment. For example, suppose a person goes in to purchase a new motor vehicle and the purchase price is $25,000.00, and the person will be putting his current motor vehicle towards the purchase price. If the agreed upon value of the current motor vehicle is $4,500.00, the person will get a $2,000.00 credit for purposes of the taxable â&#x20AC;&#x153;sales priceâ&#x20AC;? of the vehicle. This means that the person will only pay sales tax on $23,000.00 of the $25,000.00 purchase price of the new motor vehicle. The question becomes whether or not this credit applies to â&#x20AC;&#x153;trade insâ&#x20AC;? and purchases of motorcycles. By its terms, the credit applies to motor vehicles and recreational vehicles. It is clear that a motorcycle does not qualify as a recreational vehicle under the statutes adopted definition of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;recreational vehicleâ&#x20AC;?. The only other relevant term defined within the statute is â&#x20AC;&#x153;new motor vehicle.â&#x20AC;? Noticeably absent from the statute is any definition of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;motor vehicleâ&#x20AC;?, in order to allow one to ascertain whether a motorcycle is included in that definition. However, in defining â&#x20AC;&#x153;recreational vehicleâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;new motor vehicleâ&#x20AC;?, the statute has adopted the definition that those terms are given by the Michigan Vehicle Code. This provides evidence that the legislature intended that the Michigan Vehicle Code

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be consulted for guidance on defining terms as they may apply to this statute. The Michigan Vehicle Code defines a â&#x20AC;&#x153;motor vehicleâ&#x20AC;? in pertinent part as â&#x20AC;&#x153;every vehicle that is selfpropelledâ&#x20AC;? and a â&#x20AC;&#x153;vehicleâ&#x20AC;? in pertinent part as â&#x20AC;&#x153;every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highwayâ&#x20AC;?. A motorcycle would appear then to qualify as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;motor vehicleâ&#x20AC;? under these definitions, and in fact that Michigan Vehicle Code defines a motorcycle as â&#x20AC;&#x153;every motor vehicle having a a saddle or seat for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground but excluding a tractor.â&#x20AC;? Obviously, ultimately it would be up to a Court to decide the issue if a dispute arises over the application of the credit, but it appears that a strong argument can be made that the sales tax credit provided for in the new law would apply to â&#x20AC;&#x153;trade insâ&#x20AC;? and purchases of motorcycles. As always, if anyone has any questions or if I can be of legal assistance to you or anyone you know who has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to contact me as I deal with these types of claims on a daily basis on behalf of injured motorcyclists statewide. Give me a call at (248-569-4646) or shoot me an e-mail at Dondi@buckfirelaw.com.

Dondi is a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan and is recognized as an expert in cases involving motorcycle accidents. He has obtained millions of dollars in recovery for injured motorcyclists over the course of his career as a trial attorney. Dondiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s representation of motorcyclists extends beyond the court room. He is a member of the Board of Directors of ABATE of Michigan and meets frequently with both legislators and lobbyists regarding legislation affecting injured motorcyclists and the rights of motorcyclists to ride free.

December 2013

A Tribute to My Friend, Rod Pierce by Blane Kamp Chef Rod Pierce was a great friend. Rod’s heritage was part Cherokee and Choctaw Indian, a heritage of which he was very proud. He loved most everything, but some of his favorites were music, cooking, motorcycling, and camping. He was a member of a blue grass band and played the ukulele, banjo, and guitar. He owned a restaurant in East Town (Grand Rapids) called the Hot Tamale. He was in business for 10 years and had a very loyal following. He served awesome Indian/Mex food there. Rod considered it a privilege to deliver the best food to the people he was serving. I knew Rod for more than 20 years in which time he served food at many of our events at BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids. If you came to any of our open houses up until a year ago, you probably met Rod and Tuny. He even did three open houses after he was diagnosed. It was always a priority of Rod’s to make sure you got the best food available. One of his favorites was Taco and Pups, as he called it (tacos and hot dogs). They weren’t just ordinary tacos; his had a Indian/Mex combination of spices for the meat that made them special. Rod and his wife, Tuny, (and sometimes his son, Neil, and wife, Rachael) would come in and cater up to 500 people at our events. They were always stacked with condiments and made with the best ground chuck/hot dogs. He cooked everything from baby back ribs to filet mignon for our events over the years. Sometimes he even had vegetarian options. The only complaints we ever had were that the food was gone. Over the years, Rod and Tuny bought 38 motorcycles from us. He was a spontaneous buyer. Rod inadvertently was a big supporter of the State of Michigan with all the taxes he paid on

those bikes over the years. If a bike caught Rod’s eye, he had to have it. We even used to put demo plates on some and just let him ride it for a week or 2, so he would get over the initial appeal and not have to buy the bike. Sometimes he would move on to another model, sometimes he stay with what he had, but a lot of times he’d just buy it anyway. We had a lot of fun dealing with him because he wasn’t a customer, but a friend. Before my late partner, John, passed away, we used to have Rod and Tuny over after hours and have a shot or 2 of the good stuff (Jose Cuervo Gold) and talk about old times and times to come. Unfortunately, Rod contracted ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease about three years ago. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a terrible disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The degeneration of the motor neurons eventually leads to death. Everything stops working except your brain. You know everything that’s happening to you, but can do nothing to resist. We had always talked about going to Napa Valley together, but could never afford it. Once Rod was diagnosed we decided “to hell with it, we’re going.” We made two trips out there before Rod died. These will always be special memories for Tuny, Lynn, and me. Rod is survived by his wife, Tuny, his sons, Lokke and Neil, daughter Jeanette, his father, and his sister, Linda. We’ll miss you brother.

Continued from page 22 - N. Espinosa higher level, where hope shines a bright light on a forward path. I’ve witnessed, firsthand, what this type of hope brings to someone who is buried in life without it. I went with JJ’s wife, Tegan, to deliver a big supply of infant diapers, wipes, and clothes to a single mother about to go into labor—already with three children in tow. All four were living at the shelter with no sign of income or financial support of any kind. Her eyes lit up as she squealed with delight over the angel-like delivery. As the onlooker, it felt as though I had just witnessed something bigger than me. And, being swept up by the beautiful momentum of giving back, I stayed on to volunteer time at the shelter. One of the final gems I now hold close after this time away is something we all recognize, but may not acknowledge as often as we should—appreciation of our loved ones. I’m big on expressions of love to those around me, friends and family afar, but there’s something about being away that reaffirms the importance demonstrating that love. For example, when I’m on the road, I

Hugs and kisses abound after returning to my angels.

keep my children’s love close by having them kiss their “kissing stones” from my first adventure ride back in ’09, and hold near me throughout my trips. And, this time I found some special new kissing stones at one of my favorite gem stores, Gypsum Rose in Idaho Springs, CO. They’re from Madagascar and shaped like little hearts. Now, I have a whole satchel of gems that I’m keeping close to fill me with confidence, compassion, and love whenever I need a boost.

Nicole Espinosa is Mom to two great kids, founder / owner of www.ruggedrider.com, Managing Editor of Adventure Motorcycle magazine and soon-to-be RTW motorcycle adventurer. Communication welcome for Nicole: nicole@ruggedrider.com

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We take motorcycles of all brands and models as trade-ins. Bring us your bike when you’re ready to buy! 2013 BMW S1000RR 2013 BMW K1300S 2013 BMW K1600GTL 2013 BMW R1200GS 2012 BMW R1200GS 2012 BMW K1600GTL 2012 BMW F800ST 2011 BMW R1200RTP 2010 BMW S1000RR 2009 BMW R1200RT 2007 BMW R1200RT

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BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 39933 Ford Road, Canton, MI 734.981.1479 www.bmwmcsem.com 21

Open Terrain: Exploring the World and Soul by Motorcycle

Answers from the Road by Nicole Espinosa Now that I’ve had time to sit with the gems unearthed from a recent three week Southwestern U.S. solo ride, I have to figure out how to keep these answers within my grasp. It seems that the longer I’m swept up into the “importance” of daily life, the more questions are poised from its cloudiness. Day in, day out, routines leave little time for connection with nature and self, unless moments are carved out to take in the beauty around us. The lucky ones include motorcycling in their daily lives. Sometimes through commuting, or like me, jaunts across town to run errands after dropping off the kids at school. Any excuse to feel the freedom of the bike beneath us keeps the hamster wheel at bay. For me, though, it’s when I feel the questions piling up regarding life’s path and possible futures, that I know it’s time to hit the road—to return with at least some answers. A powerful gem, that hit me

Enjoying one-on-one time with Lost for a Reason’s founder, Ron Grace, and his sweet family.

particularly hard, occurred while setting up camp in a remote Painted Rock campground in southern Arizona. After three years of giving to others, I had drifted from a regular workout schedule and times when I’d break away into nature to quiet myself. I hadn’t realized how intensely that had sapped my spirit and joie de vivre. As I was sautéing chopped garlic

at sunset, I experienced an overwhelming feeling of the gift I was finally giving myself. I had pushed aside a busy schedule, leaving no excuses to keep me from flying out the door, and simply left on this adventure to find myself again. At the Painted Rock campground, I strongly felt the energy from the grounds of ancient Indian tribes. They’d left their marks as petroglyphs, or symbolic and artistic rock etchings. I was not alone after all. There were other inscriptions, like those from the well-known expedition of Juan Bautista de Anza, who founded San Francisco and the Mormon Battalion at this exact location. History surrounded me, giving a sense that I actually had the power to help create new history for my own people. This would be the next gem that I snatched up to hold close for the future… a reminder that I have the capability and strength to participate and contribute to a better tomorrow. Many of us have this capability, and seem to be coming together to lift each other up—raising society to a better place. Perhaps this was no better demonstrated than when I detoured back into Arizona to interview

At the Tohdenasshai Shelter with Director Elsie Smallcanyon who gives back in huge ways.

Tohdenasshai Navajo Women’s Shelter Director, Elsie Smallcanyon, to ask her how Lost for a Reason’s fundraising was benefiting the families at their shelter. Ron Grace, founder of Lost for a Reason, raises money from riders and vendors who want to give back to the places they ride, or to support this good cause. Ron sends the aid via JJ Lewis, a fellow ADVRider, who lives near the shelter, to deliver in person. Both Ron’s and JJ’s families hosted me on this trip, sharing their philosophy on generosity. The process of giving and receiving often contributes to moving humanity to a Continued on page 21

Motorcycle Sport Touring Association, West Michigan

MEET & GREET Saturday, December 7 at 8:30a.m. sharp at Fox Powersports of Kentwood 3562 29th Street SE Grand Rapids, Michigan Join us to learn more about the club, meet existing members from the east side of the State and discuss plans for the MSTA in West Michigan in the future. Please RSVP to rpeabody@sbcglobal.net so we can get an idea of expected attendance. Thanks! See you at the meeting!

Sport Touring is Our Middle Name!

We Ride! ...All Makes of Bikes ...All Over the Country ...On Back Roads ...On Racetracks ...At Novice & Advanced Levels ...In Our Sleep! Disclaimer: This ain’t your mamma’s pokey bar hoppin’ motorcycle club. It also isn’t a squidly club. We ride and we ride well. You are expected to ride within your limits. You are expected to wear appropriate safety gear, ride a safely maintained machine, and follow reasonable group riding etiquette. We welcome riders of all skill levels, ages, genders, and marques. You will likely find like-minded members who ride at your level of skill. The MSTA and Michigan MSTA assume no responsibility for your safety, state of mind, average lean angle, or degree of rockin’ fun that you’ll experience with us. Just motorcycle enthusiasts getting together to ride.

www.midwestmotorcyclist.com

December 2013

BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids 5995 S Division Grand Rapids, MI 49548-5730 616-530-6900 www.bmwmcgr.com

Midwest Motorcyclist

Save on winter maintenance & upgrades!!

BEAT THE RUSH!

The holidays are fast approaching. Get your shopping done early and enjoy the season.

Bring your bike in for service or customization between now and February 28, 2014. If your repair order totals $500 or more, we will give you 15% off the parts* and 25% off labor!!! Offer Expires: February 28, 2014 * Genuine Triumph parts only. Does not apply to aftermarket parts.

Triumph Detroit East 50662 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, MI (1/4 mile south of 23 Mile Road)

(586) 726-7400 www.triumphdetroit.com

For up-to-date event & product information, visit our Facebook page.

The beer and wine glasses with the new Triumph Detroit logo make great gifts. Stop by our store today to check them out.

Triumph Detroit offers the full line of Triumph motorcycles, apparel and accessories - all perfect for holiday gift giving. Whether your motorcycle enthusiast wants riding gear, casual apparel or accessories, we have the perfect gift in our stores. Stop by either of our stores today to beat the holiday rush and avoid the mall traffic.

Triumph Detroit West 620 W. Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth, MI (1/4 mile east of Main Street)

(734) 453-1800 www.triumphdetroit.com