Paige newman by Freestyle Academy

Safety Third By Paige Newman

Acknowlegements Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to thank the Freestyle staff and all the people over at SPS for allowing me this opportunity and putting up with me through the duration of this project.

Table of Contents Acknowledgements . . . 3 Table of Contents . . . 5 Preface . . . 7 Introduction . . . # Chapter 1: Starting From the Sidelines . . . # Chapter 2: Safer with Suspension . . . # Chapter 3: Scheduled Stability . . . # Conclusion . . . # Works Cited . . . #

Preface I chose to research Super Plush Suspension because it is both a family business and a business that is close to home for me. My entire family has been involved in the racing and dirt biking industry. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that has brought us closer as it is something we can all do together. When I heard about all the controversies about the safety of things like motocross, I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t surprised, but I wanted to make the truth known: racing and dirt biking are no longer hugely dangerous activities.

Introduction

gathered to capture what would become one of the most iconic stunts in all of history, Evel Knievel’s 141 foot jump over the fountain outside Caesar’s Palace Casino. After losing his last hundred dollars on the blackjack table and a quick shot of Wild Turkey, Knievel was off to meet the masses. After his pre-show warm-ups, Knievel began his approach. With the wind rushing around him, he sped towards the ramp. When he hit it, he felt his bike decelerate more than expected, his crash landing tearing the handlebars of his bike out of his hands and sending Knievel tumbling. As he skid along the dirt, he crushed his pelvis and femur, suffered fractures to one hip, a wrist, and both ankles, as well as a concussion that left him in a coma for a month. When he awoke, Knievel ure, helping him to become the most famous of all American dare-devils thus far. Street racing and stunt riding have long been considered some of the most dangerous sports. Since they were invented in the early 1900’s, motorcycles have been raced by amateurs and professionals alike. The hundreds of thousands of accounts of injury, ranging from mere bruises to comas are often off-putting for would-be motorcyclists. Men like Evel Knievel have made legends out of themselves and creating a worldwide reputation for motorsports. Massive stunts, such as Knievel’s attempt to jump Snake River Canyon, have romanticized and popularized motorsports in American culture. Regardless, lovers of these sports continue to ride, dedicated to the thrill of the dust and the wind around them. ence the younger generations, such that children as young as 6 gravitate towards the track, beginning a lifetime of riding. Injuries concerning minors are often heavily criticized in sport like dirt like football. Because of the precautions taken, including suspension checks, proper gear, and an experienced teacher, motocross has become increasingly safe for children. With their massive popularity, motorsports have also undergone plenty of safety improvements. Super Plush Suspension has and continues to contribute to this progression of safety measures.

Starting From the Sidelines

ince they were invented, motor vehicles have undergone constant improvement. Model after model is released, each being safer or

vented on January 1st of 1867 by Sylvester Howard Roper;, it was a dual cylinder, steampowered bike. In 1885, the invented. A motor was attached to a wooden vehicle and, while incredibly inef-

gan with the Scott Motorcycle Company in 1908. This was the telescopic pneumatic suspension system, used until 1931. BMW replaced these with a hydraulic suspension system in 1935. By 1988, bike were being equipped with anti-lock brakes and gear shifters. (Merriam Webster) Motorcycles, like cars, are now moving towards electric

is dedicated to the safety of street racing, dirt biking, supermoto, and more. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner and founder, James Siddall, has loved motorcycle and dirt bike riding and racing his entire life. He has worked in professional racing for the past 20 years and has worked with accomplished racers such as Jonah Street. He is also a former road racer and a past chief of crew for riders

to be hydraulically cooled began retail. Though many danward for the motorcycle. Mo- gers have changed or evolved torcycle manufacturers that throughout time, many have are now world-famous, such also stayed all the same, but as Indian Motorcycle Manuthanks to innovations and the facturing Company, Triumph development of the suspenMotorcycles, and Harley Da- sion system, the chances of vidson, began popping up accidents have gone down at the beginning of the 20th used suspension system be-

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like Damon Buckmaster, Aaron Gobert, Chuck Sorensen, Jimmy Filice and Jason Di Salvo. He was also a Data Acquisition and Engine Management Engineer for Honda superbike riders Neil Hodgson and Miguel DuHamel. These kinds of opportunities have allowed Mr. Siddall to become a top tier crewman and excellent motorcyclist. His involvement in the professional racing scene has also given him the opportunity to make connections with fellow racers and motorcycle manufacturers, allowing him to help a larger customer base and do the best service possible. Through the course of his career, racing has taught

him “individual responsibility, the ability to work in a team environment, and the importance of doing things you’re passionate about for a living.” Super Plush Suspension’s main mechanic, Eric “Shrug” Strempke, worked as a Super Plush apprentice whilst cooking professionally before taking 2 years off to focus on his culinary career. When he needed a change in his life, James was still searching for a mechanic, and Eric “jumped back in”. He’s now working at Super Plush and has been a full time mechanic for 4 years. He has stated that at Super

Plush, “there’s always things to learn everyday” and that a lot of his learning experiences have been “surprisingly customer-related” and have concerned “weaning out what somebody’s needs are, whether they want a slower pleasure cruise or they’re a racer and they want it to be Suspension hopes to continue it’s work far into the future, making racing safer for everyone.

“There’s always something to learn, every day is an experience.”

Eric “Shrug” Strempke

Safer with Suspension At Super Plush Suspension, the focus is safety.

can include changing the air pressure inside these forks, adjusting the amount of oil making racing safer is making used in damping, or adjusting suspension safer. Suspension the swingarm and rear shock is the only thing that keeps a rider from feeling all the ing that truly allows the total inconsistencies of the road isolation of the rider and the around them. It also helps the ability of the motorcycle to motorcycle’s handling and absorb the anomalies of the braking ability. Generally, a road. (Weizel) motorcycle’s suspension includes a pair of fork tubes for Despite it’s controversy, racing the front and swingarm with isn’t the most dangerous sport a shock absorber or two for around. Many racing enthusithe rear. Most bikes are curasts and technicians compare rently using telescopic forks, it’s danger to activities like which are essentially hydrau- football; saying it’s no differlic shock absorbers with coil ent from any other traditional springs on the inside. These sport. As dedicated motorforks allow the front wheel cyclists themselves, the team of the motorcycle to react at Super Plush Suspension to smaller jerks and bumps hopes to continue it’s work without moving the rest of far into the future, making the bike. Tuning suspension racing safer for everyone. Mr.

Siddall even rides with his daughters, noting that he and his family “ride motorcycles together recreationally, and that is a fun family activity we share” Motorsports are excellent as a family bonding experience, offering smaller, slower bikes for younger children. Suspension remains important beyond the racetrack, coming into just as much play on the dirt as it does on the tracks. Because Suspension plays such an integral role in the safety of motor vehicles, without proper tuning something as simple as a dirt biking track can become extremely dangerous. When asked about the dangers of racing, Mr. Siddall stated that “they are real, but there are many things in life that are as dangerous and 19

much less engaging.” Super Plush Suspension aims torcycle suspensions to suit the needs of its clients. Mr. Siddall also states that Super Plush helps to create a safer ride by “making motorcycles

work as well as they can an unpredictable course, makwork and making it easier for ing them essentially to riding people to take full advantage both professionally and of the capabilities of their recreationally. motorcycles without having crashes they might otherwise have had”. These adjustments cyclist needs to stay steady on

“(racing has taught me) individual responsibility, the ability to work in a team environment, and the importance of doing things you’re passionate about for a living.” James Siddall

Scheduled Stability Super Plush Suspension hopes to continue it’s work far into the future, making racing safer for everyone. By working hard to ensure safe-

Davidson and Yamaha (Hendee).

The rising accessibility of electric bikes has often been attributed to the lowence the world of racing by ered cost of batteries; battermaking racing an even safer ies that used to cost $1,000 sport tomorrow. Though we can now be purchased for a currently use gas-dependent third of the price. Lithium, motors, the rise of electric used to make batteries, is also bikes has raised questions expected to further decrease about the future of racing and in value, thus lowering the riding alike. The rise in the costs further. (Hendee) In June production of electric motor- of 2010, American Motorcycles has been increasingly cyclist rode an electric bike prominent. A new report through the famously dangerfrom Navigant Research even ous Isle of Man course, winsuggests that global sales of ning the Isle of Man Tourelectric motorcycles will total approximately 55 million American winner since 1984, units in the next 9-10 years. recalls hearing the blades of This steady growth was pre- a helicopter following him dicted on the basis of interest as he raced down the windin the electric bike from ma- ing course. Electric bikes jor companies like Harley & are notoriously quiet, so the 22

thwacking noise of the rotor blades behind him assured him victory. (Burns) Super Plush owner James and employee Eric have agreed that while the future of racing is unclear, it likely rests on electric bikes. Eric has also noted that “People are going to keep doing it, and it’s going to grow and develop, and electric bikes are coming in now, so it’s exciting for people who are involved in it.” Though the future is distant and unpredictable, we have some insight into the potential use and domination of electric bikes within the industry.

Conclusion Though riding is not the most dangerous activity available, it does have itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dangers, just as all other sports. Through the decades, motorcycles have gone through hundreds of safety changes, helping to create a better riding experience. Out of these changes came suspension, and out of a need for suspension and suspension revision came Super Plush Suspension. Super Plush Suspension works tirelessly to create safer racing for a community of dedicated individuals. With itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s craftsmanship, precision, and passionate workforce, Super Plush has become a widely respected suspension servicing shop.

Works Cited Anonymous. “Boy, 5, Injured in Dirt Bike Accident with Father.” Fox 2 News Headlines. Fox News, 01 Sept. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. Burns, John F. “Racing an Electric Motorcycle in the Most Dangerous Setting.” Wheels Racing an Electric Motor cycle in the Most Dangerous Setting Comments. NY Times, 16 June 2010. Web. 2 Mar. 2015. Mohn, Tanya. “Motorcycle Deaths Down in 2009, First Time Since 1997, Says Report.” Wheels Motorcycle Deaths Down in 2009 First Time Since 1997 Says Report Comments. NY Times, 22 Apr. 2010. Web. 2 Mar. 2015. Weizel, Richard. “A Dangerous Sport?” The New York Times. The New York Times, 26 May 2001. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. “Evel Knievel.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. Vol. 33. Detroit: Gale, 2013. U.S. History in Context. Web. 05 Mar. 2015. Salter, Susan. “Robbie Knievel.” Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 1990. U.S. History in Context. Web. 05 Mar. 2015. “Second boy dies in motocross accident.” Newcastle Herald [Newcastle, Australia] 30 Mar. 2005: 6. Student Re sources in Context. Web. 05 Mar. 2015. “Girl hurt at track vows to ride again.” New Zealand Herald [Auckland, New Zealand] 31 May 2008: 3. Student Re sources in Context. Web. 06 Mar. 2015. “Motocross star killed in crash.” Age [Melbourne, Australia] 3 May 2010: 4. Student Resources in Context. Web. 08 Mar. 2015. Sharma, Ritu. “The need for speed: it’s all about the thrill of speed for Camas, Washington, teacher Alisa Wise. ”NEA Today Feb. 2006: 51. Student Resources in Context. Web. 08 Mar. 2015. Hendee, Caitlin. “Electric Powered Motorcycles, Scooters on the Rise, Boulder Research Firm Finds - Denver Business Journal.” Widgets RSS. Denver Business Journal, 21 Feb. 2015. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.

Paige Newman

Safety Third Written and designed By Paige Newman

About the Author

Safety Third

Paige is a Los altos junior and freestyle web student. She aspires to be a concept artist and graphic designer. She enjoys drawing, painting, star watching, gaming, and late night ancient aliens marathons. she has a low key addiction to bad sci-Fi shows and Finds herself spending plenty of nights with a bowl of popcorn and her ever faithful dog, TOby. She strives to make every day the most enjoyable experience she can for evryone around her.