Come by our dealership today to see the all-new Indian SpringfieldTM. Demo model available to qualified riders for a test ride. Named after the birthplace of Indian Motorcycle® and designed for a pure riding experience, the Indian SpringfieldTM features traditional style, quick-release windshield and allweather, remote-locking saddlebags. It’s equipped with the most essential touring features but designed for unmatched versatility. The all-new purpose-built chassis delivers unmatched handling and balance even when fully loaded with authentic Indian Motorcycle® accessories. Don’t miss our 2016 Spring Open House on Saturday, April 16!
Whether you’re charging down the interstate, cruising the rural two-lane roads, or accelerating from an intersection, the SpringfieldTM’s smooth, powerful Thunderstroke® 111 cubic-inch, fuelinjected v-twin offers the confidence, control and excitement you want and expect. The ABSintegrated dual-disk brakes up front and single-disk brake out back bring the SpringfieldTM to smooth, controlled stops. Top of the line performance from Indian Motorcycle®’s newest model. Stop by our dealership to today to check out the full lines of 2016 Indian Motorcycles® and Victory Motorcycles®. Demo versions of most models available for test rides. Don’t wait! These motorcycles are already selling fast. Stop by our dealership today to find the motorcycle you’ve always wanted.
1765 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI One mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd.
248.920.2000 • www.RideMotorCity.com
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles
ndian® and Indian Motorcycle® are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International LLC. Victory® and Victory Motorcycles® are registered trademarks of Polaris Industries Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing and obey the speed limit. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
th th
10 Anniversary
OPEN HOUSE Saturday, May 21, 2016 • Great Food • Live Music • Demo Rides This is the DO-NOT-MISS Open House of the 2016 riding season. So... DON’T MISS IT!
NEW! Special Attractions Watch this space or visit our website for details
• Door Prizes • Fun People • Much More 5 Mile Rd
He lm
St
N Sheldon Rd
BMW Motorrad Dealer of Excellence
Selective D r
BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com
“Redefining your motorcycling lifestyle” SM * For qualified buyers. Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear. TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
3
IN THIS ISSUE….. Columns 5 6 17 20 21
cc media publications
This Month’s Contributors: Contributing Editors Franz Hoffer, Mike Mekinda plus
Gene Southard, Dondi Vesprini, Jason Waechter, Rick Wilder
To Our Readers Random Ramblings of a Rare Bird: An Indian Motorcycles Correction (or How I Enjoyed Being Wrong) by Mike Mekinda Some Do’s & Don’ts When Getting Your Bike Ready for Spring by Jason Waechter Motorcycling & Law: Uber Motorcycles by Dondi Vesprini The Preacher Speaks About... Motorcycles & CCW / CPL by Franz Hoffer
Features, News & Reviews 8 9 10 13 14 18 19 22
Heroes Can Learn to Ride for Free Michigan Motorcycle Safety Course Needs Instructors South America Dual Sport Adventure Prep by Rick Wilder New Product: Giant Loop Gas BagTM Fuel Safe Bladder Toronto International Spring Supershow Preview Thailand, Miles & Miles of Smiles by Gene Southard Aerostich Helmet and Suit Holder New Product: Screamin’ Eagle High Flow Exhaust
Resources 5 16 21
Advertiser Index Event Schedule Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Event Schedule
Large cover photo: Vintage Harley on display at the 2015 All Clubs Day in Stockbridge, Michigan. One of many gorgeous motorcycles in the bike show that day. Photo by Ray Peabody.
Publisher/Managing Editor
Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net
Advertising Sales/ Web Master / Distribution Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net
Cover Design Julie Kirkendoll
How to contact us: 709 Fall Street Spring Lake, Michigan 49456 (810) 923-8738 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com Copyright 1998-2016 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, free-lance 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.
4
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April 2016
12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Procrastination put me in this situation. It 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 was a sunny day in February with temperatures 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 nearing 60° F. My bike wasn’t ready for the road 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 and, rather getting out for a ride, I was cleaning up 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 ABATE of Indiana ....................................9 the branches and dog poop in the yard. As if that 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 ABATE of MIchigan, Region 11..............6, 20 wasn’t enough punishment for my indolence, the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 buzzing sound of five or six sportbikes winding up 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 A.B.C. Harley-Davidson ............21, 22, 23 through gears on a bridge over the bayou about a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Battle Creek Harley-Davidson....21, 22, 23 half mile away chastised me further. The sound 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 resonated until they were a mile or more down the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 BMW Motorcycles of Detroit................13, 17 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 road. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 BMW of Grand Rapids...............8, 9, 11 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 I returned to my yard work until the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 BMW, SE Michigan. .........................3, 5, 19, 20 rumble of multiple Harleys coming in towards town 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Bubba’s Old School Swap Meet.........15 on that same road filled my ears. They puttered 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 across the bridge and in towards town. Dammit! I 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 C & S Harley-Davidson ........21, 22, 23 should be riding! 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Capitol Harley-Davidson .......21, 22, 23 In truth, there wasn’t much to do to get the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Tiger road ready. The basic stuff - reinstall the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Classic MotorSports........,......21, 22, 23 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 battery, check of the tires, oil and fuel, and a visual 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Cycle Conservation Club .........................10 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 overall inspection - would only take a little time. I 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Diamond Gusset Jeans ......................14 could be out on the road with little delay. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Gildner’s Harley-Davidson ...........21, 22, 23 Unfortunately, the front brake pads were in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 desperate need of replacement and I had delayed in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Gilmore Vintage Motorcycle Show..........16 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 buying the parts. Now with warm, sunny weather 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Grand Rapids H-D....................... .21, 22, 23 early in the season, I couldn’t ride. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 I have since purchased the pads but winter Great Lakes Dual Sporters ...................17 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 weather has returned. The forecast for the next week 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Great Lakes Harley-Davidson......21, 22, 23 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 is cold – sub-freezing temperatures at night and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Great Lakes Ride Like a Pro............15 mid-30s during the day – with rain and/or snow 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 most days. There is a lesson for everyone in this 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Hamilton HarleyDavidson ..........6, 21, 22, 23 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 situation: Don’t be like Ray. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Harley-Davidson dealers ............21, 22, 23 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Be prepared for that rare day when the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Hot Rod Harley-Davidson ............21, 22, 23 weather warms and your friends are ready to ride. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer..24 Get your service or repairs done early in the cold of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 winter so yourbike is ready when the weather 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Kelley & Sons Trailers ...........................18 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 cooperates. If I had simply purchased the pads, I 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Motorcity Motorcycles.......................2, 15, 24 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 could have changed them out in less than an hour 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Motor City Underwriters ......................12 and still had time to ride. Without the pads, I was a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 spectator when I would rather have been a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Motorcycle Solutions, LLC......................12 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 participant. Lesson learned. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Michigan Sport Touring Riders.....................13 We have a terrific issue to kick off the 2016 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Perry’s Harley-Davidson ............21, 22, 23 season. Two articles from local riders who traveled 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 to far away lands – Columbia and Thailand – for 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Ray C’s Harley-Davidson...............21, 22, 23 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 some exotic touring. Vicarious riding, for sure, but 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Retail Warehouse .........................4, 5 when you can’t ride, you might as well read about 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Rider Insurance....................................7 others enjoying their adventures. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 One of our best writers – Mike Mekinda 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Sandy’s H-D ....................................21, 22, 23 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 got ahead of himself in expressing opinions about a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Shiawassee H-D ..........................21, 22, 23 particular brand before riding any of the models in that 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Sport Bike Track Gear ............................ 15 line up. He has since rectified that situation and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Sweet Trikes ...........................................12 bravely admits to the world that he was wrong. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Many of our readers are gun enthusiasts 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Tecumseh Harley-Davidson ..........21, 22, 23 and some carry while traveling. Since those who 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Toronto Spring Motorcycle Supershow....19 take responsibility their own security might be 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Town & Country H-D.....................21, 22, 23 crossing state lines, it’s a good idea to know which 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Zip’s 45th Parallel H-D...................21, 22, 23 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Concealment Heated 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Gear 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Vests 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 as low as 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Socks & insoles at 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 00 the lowest prices of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 the season! 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Gloves Packin’ Tee 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Concealment 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Concealment 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 T-Shirt 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Heated Denim Jackets 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 99 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Socks Jacket Liners 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 >Now in stock< 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 all sizes, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 with holster 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 All controllers & accessories in stock! Black or Blue 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 (269) 651-2464 Fax: (269) 651-8767 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 1640 S. Centerville Road (M-66 South) , Sturgis, MI 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 We accept all major credit cards 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678 Call (269) 651-2464 now or visit our on-line store at www.ridewild.com 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678
Advertiser Index
Comfort & Security
THANK YOU, ADVERTISERS! TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
$50 NEW ITEM!
$41
states honor concealed carry permits issued by other states. The Preacher offers up some tips that will likely be useful to those who carry while riding – or driving - out of state. As usual, there’s much more in these pages. News, product announcements, and events are just a few of the bits you might find useful. Thank you for reading. Please share this copy with your riding buddies when you’re done or point them to the web site - www.MidwestMotorcyclist.com - where they can access each issue in digital format. Also, please remember to support our advertisers with your purchases. We appreciate their business because it’s their ad dollars that keep us in business. They will appreciate your patronage and so will we. Ride safe out there. Drivers are increasingly distracted by all of the gadgets in their cages which means we have to be more aware. See you on the road or at an event in the near future.
Upcoming Events Charity Fashion Show Friday, April 22, 2016 Newest rider styles from BMW, KLIM, Rev’It, and Schuberth. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Good time for a great cause. Visit our Facebook page for details.
10th Anniversary Open House Celebration Saturday, May 21, 2016 This is the BIG one. The best food and refreshments you’ll find at any Open House. Demo rides and entertainment. Join us in celebrating our 10th anniversary in business & the 2016 riding season!
Track Day Monday, May 23, 2016 The Grattan Raceway track day costs $165, which includes track time, class room instruction and lunch. All makes and models of bikes are welcome to attend our track events! To register, please call Audrey at (734) 453-0500 Buy a new BMW “S” motorcycle (i.e., S 1000 RR, S 1000 XR, or S 1000 R) and get a free track day with us this year! Visit or call our store for details.
Retail Warehouse
BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com
5
Random Rambings of a Rare Bird
An Indian Motorcycles Correction (or How I Enjoyed Being Wrong) by Mike Mekinda I was wrong, I admit it. One of the toughest things to say, especially to the guys you ride with; even more so if they see you as the go-to guy for specific types of information. Recently, I was asked for an opinion on the new Indian motorcycles, and my reply was something about how timelessly great looking they are, but they’re pretty much just another Harley wannabe... ouch. The worst part is that I shared this opinion based on... whatever, NOT from any saddle time on any of the new Indian motorcycles. I usually know better! Oddly, though, now that I’ve actually ridden a new Indian (two, in fact) I’m not sure I could actually say what makes them so different (beyond the obvious looks, of course), yet there is no mistaking one for the other while aiming down the road. I actually rode the latest Indian Chieftain first, but, since it completely rocked my notions, I’m going to start with the Scout. I had no idea what to expect when I saw the Scout. I loved the classic lines on an obviously modern package. The tan leather solo-seat on the beefy frame between the heavy antiquelooking fenders makes for a beautiful package, and one that seems to call out for a strapped on bedroll and a
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year to travel the world - preferably the long way on unimproved roads. It just looks that tough, especially in flawless gloss-black paint. As I settled on the bike, I realized it’s actually more compact than it appears. The reach to the bars and feet to ground are much closer than I expected, and it all feels just about right. The only thing a bit odd (to me) was the feet forward position, but that quickly vanished as I rode the stock: Scout. Pulling out of the lot into heavy traffic, I realized how hard the Scout pulls, how well it leans into a turn, and how it was already hooking me. I guess I expected was sluggish,
all tires installed by us. We
but what I found was quick and entertaining. The bike looks heavy (I found later it’s less than 600 lbs, so looks deceive), but actually feels light and fairly nimble. While lacking a bit of clearance and definitely not “flickable”, the Scout carved through one of my favorite twisty bits beautifully. Even the single disc brakes front and rear, while not perfect, exceeded my expectations. What came to mind riding the Indian Scout was “this is what a classic cruiser done by Buell would feel like… sigh…” Those who know me understand that as high praise! I’ve been told there is an optional passenger pillion and pegs available for the Scout, but I would be hard pressed to picture it as more than a solo ride. The well-sorted suspension, rear shocks in particular, seems about right for a 160lb solo rider, but feels like it would be over-taxed with a passenger. Add on the beautiful old-school leather bags with a weekend load for two, and I think the riding fun might be compromised in a bad way. Thinking as a solo rider, the Scout would make a great naked commuter bike that one would still be excited to throw a leg over for a weekend escape. Possible to buy for just under ten grand, the Scout would also make a great bike to start and grow with. This is where I’m going to thoroughly rub my own nose in how wrong I was, and it will pain me greatly. 2016 is bringing the Scout 60, a detuned, smaller displacement, and significantly less expensive Scout to entice the new riders. If it
feels at all like the “big” Scout, the Scout 60 is going to be the bike the Harley Street 500/750 (another bike I really like) should have been. That’s how different they are, and how good the Scout really is! Switching gears, I’ll get back to the impressive, huge, and imposing two-wheeled Indian Chieftain I rode before the Scout. Most of my time spent on classic cruisers is my vintage FLH with sidecar, so along with incorrectly thinking Indian was a Harley clone, I was also
Continued on page 8
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SPRING FLING OPEN HOUSE BOB BURN’S 88TH BIRTHDAY Saturday, April 16, 2016 • Storewide specials • Food & refreshments
PLUS...
Don’t miss it!
Tire Seminar with Michelin’s Ron Bowen Seminar will run two times - 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Upcoming Seminar Schedule Saturday, April 23, 2016 K 1600 GT / GTL Seminar Saturday, April 30, 2016 S 1000 RR Seminar Be sure to visit us at the Lakeshore Blessing on April 24!
SPRING TRACK DAY @ Grattan Monday, May 23, 2016 The day costs $165, which includes track time, class room instruction and lunch. All makes and models of bikes are welcome to attend our track events! Call our store to reserve your space today.
BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids 5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 530-6900
www.bmwmcgr.com
Latitude 41.855022 Longitude -85.66382
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U.S. Heroes Can Learn to Ride for Free Battle Creek, Michigan - The Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association (MHDDA) has announced that they are offering free admission to their Harley-Davidson Riding Academy rider training classes to U.S. Military Veterans and First Responders. The offer is valid through December 31, 2016 on a first come-first served basis. “This is our way of thanking and supporting those who give so much to protect and defend our country and its citizens,” said Mike Moakley, President of the MHDDA and owner of Battle Creek Harley-Davidson. “Through this program, veterans and first responders can learn to ride for no charge in one of the best rider training programs in the State. It is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their service.” Continued from page 6 - Random Ramblings very wrong in my riding expectations. I had a notion of “ponderousness” in my head before even starting the Chieftain and, getting it out of the way right here, I was, again... wrong! The Indian Chieftain is just a gorgeous bike, and I loved the flawless deep blue paint on the one I was riding. The rounded fairing with inset touring lights and LED turn signals will never be mistaken for even the latest classic ‘Glide “batwing”, and the deep fenders scream classic Indian from the first glance. Using keyless technology, one just needs the fob in a pocket to power up the multifunction dash, stereo, and ignite the smooth Thunder Stroke 111 engine. Somehow, all the technology, switches, bells, whistles and even an electrically adjusted windscreen(!) do little to detract from the unmistakable elegance and lineage of an Indian motorcycle. Stepping aboard the Chieftain, the first thing I noticed is it seems much bigger than the H-D Street Glides I’m more familiar with, though the reach to the ground feels about the same. A quick click through Da Google tells me that both bikes are within a couple inches and pounds of each other, however, and the seat height is nearly identical. I’m guessing the feeling has more to do with the slightly higher floorboards (a bit more ground clearance) and marginally larger front fairing. The reach to the bars is about perfect, and the seat and position feels like many, many miles would pass beneath the wheels before Pretty Wife and I would need to stop - and the huge hardbags would only add to that possibility. If only it didn’t feel so intimidating to ride… Good grief, wrong again! Heading for the same route I just followed on the Scout, I found the Chieftain very easy to ride! Much easier maneuvering in parking lots than I expected, and with more cornering clearance on the road than I would have believed. I did notice it felt a bit
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To participate in this program, veterans and first responders must be at least 18 years of age. Those interested should contact their local MHDDA dealer (a complete list of dealer members can be found on page 22 of this issue or at www.mhdda.com) and sign up for class. Response to this promotion is expected to be high. Visit your local MHDDA member today to reserve your seat in an upcoming class. “floatier” when carving corners than the last Harley I rode, but nothing dramatic. The engine feels “different” from a Harley, but don’t ask how; I’ll be unable to describe the difference. Performance seems pretty similar to Harley’s big touring bikes, and settling into a comfortable 70 mph, the Indian just hums along smoothly and effortlessly. The ABS brakes even surprised me, easily slowing nearly a thousand pounds of bike and rider with good feel and no drama. While nowhere near the nimbleness of the Scout (and miles from the VFR I spend most of my time on lately), the huge Indian Chieftain
feels much smaller in motion and wonderfully relaxed to ride. So, I’ve admitted to being wrong several times here, and I’m hoping that serves as my public penance. Indian is Indian, Harley-Davidson is Harley, and there’s room for both on the road. If you happen to be looking for modern motorcycle with a classic sensibility, both are terrific choices, and the differences run much deeper than just looks; I just needed a couple of rides on a couple of awesome bikes to make that determination. I’ve also realized I need to spend more time on bigtwin touring bikes- they’ve come a long way from my ancient FLH. Hmnnn… thinking I might need to be wrong more often! Ride often (warmer weather is on the way!), ride smart, stay safe and I’ll see you on the road! -mike
April 2016
Michigan Motorcycle Safety Course Seeking Instructors Typical February Michigan weather. Anything but typical, actually. The road was clear of ice and snow and the temperature was up to 35 degrees. The fever struck. I needed to ride two wheels. The battery was charged and ready to go. The bike turned over but didn’t fire. I let it sit a minute. I twisted the throttle and then cranked it and the engine roared. It was running and I was going riding. Put the gear on, and rocked out. Under that face mask, hat, and bandana, I was smiling ear to ear. Speaking of riding, there is a shortage of motorcycle safety teachers across the state of Michigan. Being an experienced motorcyclist is the 1st requirement. All “coaches” must pass a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Rider Coach Prep (RCP) class. It’s intense and it takes work to become a good coach. There is a pre-course assignment, riding skills test, familiarization phase, and a written test. You then student teach a class to new students. You are evaluated on your teaching skills. If you enjoy riding and you can teach someone, it’s worth it. This year there are three RCP classes being offered in the state of Michigan. There are different types of schedules, all the same class offered three different ways. The 1st class is four weekends: Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday, April 15-May 7. The 2nd class is Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday, and Sunday all day. The dates are May 19, 20, 21, 22, June 2,3,4,5. Applications are available at 586-498-4112. The 3rd Coach Prep is in “DA UP.” The class is eight straight days. The dates are June
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The class will be at Lake Superior State University in Sault Saint Marie. Applications are available at 734-462-4448. Remember how you learned to ride, share your knowledge and skill, and help make motorcycling a safer sport. How can you find a motorcycle safety course in Michigan? The answer: www.michigan.gov/ motorcycling. Public and private courses are listed by county. Unendorsed motorcycle riders accounted for 57% of the fatalities in Michigan in 2015, according to a preliminary State Police study. The State riding test is waved for those who complete the class. There are also courses for those who already ride. Public classes are still $25.00. Have a great riding season, be prepared, mentally and physically, have your bike in great condition, and hit the road, not literally. Ride Safe and FREE, Vince Consiglio
Pre-Owned Motorcycles 2015 BMW F 700 GS, 2015 BMW F 700 GS, 2015 BMW F 700 GS, 2015 BMW F 800 GS, 2015 BMW F 800 R, 2015 BMW S 1000 RR, 2015 BMW R nineT , 2015 BMW R nineT , 2015 BMW R 1200 GS, 2015 BMW K 1300 S, 2015 BMW F 800 GT, 2013 BMW R 1200 R, 2012 BMW F 800 GS, 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL, 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL, 2012 Can Am Spyder RT-S, 2010 BMW F 800 ST, 2010 BMW R 1200 RT, 2009 BMW K 1200 LT, 2009 BMW R 1200 GS, 2009 BMW R 1200 RT,
Largest Inventory of pre-owned BMW Motorcycles in the Midwest!
Alpine White, 10 miles, $10,685 2009 BMW R 1200 RT-P, Black/White, 22,210 miles, Black Met/Red, 10 miles, $11,080 2007 BMW F 800 S, Yellow, 14,000 miles, Racing Blue Matt, 10 miles, $10,735 2007 BMW K 1200 S, Silver/Yellow, 2,266 miles, White/Black Storm, $12,190 2007 BMW K 1200 R Sport, 52,562 miles, Blue Met Matt, 1,900 miles, $8,950 2007 BMW R 1200 R, Grey, 24,286 miles, Blue/White, 10 miles, $16,180 2006 BMW K 1200 LT Trike, Graphite, 40,017 miles, Black Storm, $14,250 2006 BMW K 1200 LT, Graphite, 29,834 miles, Black Storm, 10 miles, $12,448.25 2006 BMW K 1200 S, Silver/Yellow, 25,638 miles, BLACK STORM, 12 miles, $18,860 2006 BMW R 1200 RT, GREY, 37,408 miles, Black Metallic, 12 miles, $15,990 2006 BMW R 1200 RT, Graphite , 62,682 miles, Blue, 4,152 miles, $10,950 2006 Suzuki V-Strom 650 w/ sidecar, Red, 11,682 miles, 6,300 miles, $10,950 2005 BMW K 1200 LT, 8,487 miles, Triple Black, 8,904 miles, $8,950 2005 BMW R 1200 RT, Red, 71,444 miles, Blue, 22,000 miles, $17,750 2005 BMW R 1200 RT, Red, 71,000 miles, Blue, 18,000 miles, $17,450 2004 BMW R 1200 CL Custom, BLACK MET, 33,924 miles, 9,300 miles, $14,950 2003 Honda® GL1800 Goldwing, BLACK, 63,007 miles, BLUE, 18,600 miles, $7,450 2002 BMW K1200LT , Silver, 70,002 miles, Grey, 4,300 miles, $9,950 2002 BMW K1200RS, GREY/RED, 99,526 miles, Black , 72,000 miles, $8,950 1992 BMW K75RT, BLACK, 43,918 miles, 1990 BMW K 100 LT, Blue, 61,182 miles, SILVER, 62,000 miles, $8,950 Silver, 20,195 miles, $9,950
$10,950 $5,350 $7,450 $6,950 $7,950 $16,950 $8,250 $5,950 $8,450 $7,950 $10,950 $7,595 $7,750 $7,750 $6,950 $9,450 $5,950 $3,950 $3,450 $2,450
BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids, 5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI (616) 530-6900 www.bmwmcgr.com TM
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South America Dual Sport Adventure Prep by Rick Wilder What’s a dedicated motorcyclist to do? It’s mid-February and, for those of us in Michigan, it’s been several months of no riding. Sure, we can read our magazines, watch Long Way Around or other movies, or even attend the International Motorcycle Show (IMS) in either Chicago or Cleveland. Detroit is coming back but not for the IMS. Even planning 2016 trips with friends will not satisfy the need to ride. Or… you can do like four guys from Michigan did from February 18-28 and that was ride 1,500 kilometers of combined paved and unpaved roads in Colombia, South America. The beginnings of this trip can be traced to July 2015 when Jerry Lubbers met Mike Thomsen from Motolombia, a Columbia, South America touring company, at the BMW MOA (Motorcycle Owner’s Association) Rally in Billings, Montana. Jerry was seriously interested in a tour and contacted me about the possibility of riding in a tour of Colombia. I was interested. However, my bucket list included Tierra del Fuego or Ushuaia, South America. Colombia wasn’t on the list. That said, a seed had been planted. Nothing much more was said about the tour for the next four months. It was November 2015, after the annual Saginaw Valley BMW Riders banquet, that Jerry talked to Blane Kamp about the possibility of a Colombia tour. Blane was not only interested but committed. Blane asked me why I wasn’t interested in the tour and provided me with
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a fact sheet showing the highlights of a Colombia tour. My mind was changed. Blane then searched his customer base for a couple more riders and was able to find one willing and able in Aaron Louisell. A tour of Colombia was going to happen. Good news, no doubt. There were several tour options available: road tours, adventure tours and South America tours (multiple countries). From the title of this story, you know we decided on the adventure tour. In addition, there was a special offer for an off-road, 19-day exploration tour through northern Colombia and it was the same price as the 10-day tour we were considering… hmm. After several emails and a conference call, we decided on the 10-day mixed-terrain tour. February 19 27 were the tour dates with the 18th and 28th being the travel dates to and from Colombia. The four of us made deposits with Motolombia to reserve our slots. A valuable lesson was learned from this experience. If you use a normal credit card on a foreign transaction, the card company is more than happy to charge you a foreign transaction fee. Most banks can issue an international credit card that will avoid the foreign transaction fee; there is no initial charge or annual fee for this card. Either way, a small price to pay for an international adventure. Besides, with the exchange rate at roughly 3,000 pesos to one US dollar, we all made out just fine. To put it in layman’s terms, each celebratory beer we drank cost us a whopping $.80. We had to work hard to spend $300 US in 10 days. Once Motolombia received our deposits, they sent us questionnaires for completion. Questions included rating our riding experience and abilities on
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unpaved roads, paved roads, riding in third world cities, and some general health questions. Paved roads, unpaved roads, no problem, but more than one of us was biting our nails at the prospect of riding in a relatively ungoverned urban scene. Motolombia also needed copies of our passports and drivers licenses. It was at about this point in the planning stage we learned that, if there was five riders on the tour, Motolombia would supply a free trail vehicle for carrying luggage and/or bikes in the unfortunate and highly unlikely event that one of our machines broke… or we broke one. Otherwise, we would be responsible for carrying our luggage or pay an additional fee for the trail vehicle. So we started looking for additional riders to join us on this tour. We considered placing an ad on Craig’s List and were going to title it “Attractive Female Motorcycle Adventurer Wanted” but thought that readers might not get the humor. We had more specific requirements in the text of the ad, but, before we could publish it, Motolombia found a willing and able Norwegian, Tommy Huuse, to join the tour. With the fifth rider found, we then needed to make decisions as to which bike to ride on the tour. Selections included BMW G 650 GS, Kawasaki KLR, Yamaha XT-660 R or, for a price, an upgrade to a BMW F 800 GS or R 1200GS. Blane and Aaron stayed true to the brand and selected G 650 GS and a F 800 GS respectively, while Jerry, Tommy and I selected the Yamaha 660. We all decided to bring our own riding gear as opposed to renting gear from Motolombia, except for Tommy and, unfortunately for him, his rental gear was, um, not waterproof. It was a bit more to pack and lug through the airports, but we confident with the fit and function of our gear as opposed to the renting of gear of unknown quality and fit or, um, not waterproof. Doctor visits were next on the agenda. Although Motolombia had no requirements or recommendations for any vaccinations or special medication, Blane decided to get vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Hepatitis A & B. Needless to say, his arms were sore for a bit. Rick and Aaron’s doctor recommended a malaria pill Rx, Doxycycline, which, for those of you who may be new to malaria prevention, is a commonly prescribed preventative. However, one of the side effects (which was discovered later) is its propensity to make your privates itch. A real disincentive to finish the prescription once the discovery is made, I must say. Two weeks from our departure date, we all received an email from Motolombia stating that a new law was in effect in Colombia requiring tourists participating in an adventure sport to provide proof of insurance providing medical coverage in case of injury (not that we’d need it, of course). There are several policies available averaging about $75.00 for the period we would be in Colombia, most notably and easiest to acquire was GeoBlue. Airline tickets were purchased. Aaron, Blane and I were all flying from Grand Rapids to Chicago to Panama City, Panama then onto Cali, Columbia. Jerry’s flights were from Laredo, Texas to Houston to Panama City where he would meet up with the gang and share the last leg of the flights into Cali. The stage was all set for our dual sport adventure beginning February 18. Be sure to read about the actual Columbian adventure in the May issue.
April 2016
2016 R 1200 GS $16,495 (including ABS)
One R 1200 GS. One Mission – The best GS of all times. The BMW R 1200 GS – the icon of all travel adventure bikes. For 32 years “the GS” has been defining its segment and has proven to be the trusty companion on any motorcycle journey. BMW Motorrad is now embarking on a new chapter of its success story and is yet again perfecting the iconic R 1200 GS. Well-equipped at an MSRP of $16,495 plus tax, title and all other local charges.
One Feeling – Power in every situation. One Emotion – Supreme control. One Impression – Strong individuality. BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids 5995 South Division Grand Rapids, MI (616) 530-6900 www.bmwmcgr.com ©2016 BMW Motorrad USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks. TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
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SWEET TRIKES Trike Conversions & Kits Offering all Harley-Davidson FLs and Softails, Honda VTX1300, VTX1800, Gold Wing and Valkyrie Trikes and Trike Kits. Call for more information.
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April 2016
NEW 2016 POWERSPORTS PRODUCT
Giant Loop’s Gas Bag™ Fuel Safe Bladder (BEND, OR) Adventure proof packing systems and gear company Giant Loop’s new Gas Bag™ Fuel Safe Bladder conveniently transports one gallon of hydrocarbon fuel for power sports racing in a collapsible welded film and ballistic nylon reinforced container that rolls up or packs flat when empty, weighing less than 12 ounces. Gas Bag Fuel Safe Bladders are compatible with motorcycles, snowmobiles, snow bikes (e.g., Timbersled, Moto Trax), ATVs, UTVs and 4x4s, providing a lightweight, compact means of transporting gas for off-road racing on closed courses. The Gas Bag Fuel Safe Bladder was recently awarded the Powersports Business “Nifty 50” for being among the best new products for 2016: http:// powersportsbusiness.com/columns/ 2016/02/15/2016-powersports-businessnifty-50-winners/ Each Gas Bag Fuel Safe Bladder is individually pressure tested and made in USA by Fuel Safe, a leading racing fuel containment manufacturer based in Redmond, Oregon. NOTE: The Gas Bag Fuel Safe Bladder is intended only for the
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temporary transport of liquid hydrocarbons for racing vehicles used in professional off road and closed course competition racing events. The Gas Bag Fuel Safe Bladder is not a portable or long-term fuel storage container as described by ASTM, EPA, ARB or other state or federal agencies.
A Local, Non-Affiliated MotorcycleEnthusiast Club Seeking
New Members 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
About Giant Loop Based in Bend, Giant Loop designs and manufactures adventure proof Our members come from all across Michigan motorcycle, snowmobile and outdoor and we ride many makes of street bikes - including: packing and gear systems. From its Bend • Aprilia • Harley-Davidson • Suzuki showroom and website, Giant Loop is • BMW • Honda • Triumph • Buell • Kawasaki • Yamaha also a retailer of products that complete • Ducati ....and brands in between its “go light, go fast, go far” approach to packing for adventure. Giant Loop We travel to great riding destinations close by and far away. We learn to be products are available from international better riders. We share camaraderie and a common passion: The Passion To Ride! distributors, as well as from a network of For information about membership, meetings, events, or rides, contact dealers throughout the USA. Giant Loop Augie Fernandes at Membership@MSTRiders.com or Info@MSTRiders.com is a rider-owned company. For all the details, go to www.giantloopmoto.com www.MSTRiders.com • On : Michigan Sport Touring Riders or www.giantloopsnow.com.
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Toronto International Motorcycle SPRINGSHOW, April 9 & 10, Kicks Off the 2016 Riding Season Toronto, Canada – Set your sights on Toronto Canada for the weekend of April 9 & 10 when the Toronto Motorcycle SpringShow takes place at the International Centre. This 26th Annual Edition, sponsored by Riders Plus Insurance, has grown to over a quarter million square feet and has become the traditional Season Opener to kick off the riding season. And for good reason. Featured at this year’s show are the new 2016 model motorcycles including touring and cruising bikes, street bikes, offroad bikes, scooters,
The big winner at SPRINGSHOW 2015, taking the top prize of $5,000 cash, was Jessy Reno from Quebec. Top bikes from all over North America will be vying for this year’s Best Bike in Show and that 6 foot trophy. photo by Hedy Hodgson
This young couple, at last year’s SPRINGSHOW, had ridden through 36 countries and piled on 100,000 kms and were on their way from Alaska to Argentina. You meet the most interesting people at Bike Shows! Photo by Hedy Hodgson
and production customs. For great deals on noncurrent models, buyers can browse the giant Used Bike Clearance Sale. The expanded Used Parts ‘Pickers Markets’ will make a lot of people happy as it’s one of the few places to hunt for those missing parts and accessories among the vendors offering used and NOS (new-old stock) parts for every type of motorcycle as well as used riding gear, rare literature and even motorcycle memorabilia. Celebrity Guest, Kim Coates, known as ‘Tig’ from the television series Sons of Anarchy will be at the Show both days signing autographs and taking photos with fans. Leather Fashion Shows, racer autograph sessions, the EDDY awards and the Motorcyclist of the Year announcement round out the stage entertainment. With riding season right around the corner, shopping for all the great bargains on helmets, boots, gloves and riding apparel becomes the most popular activity. Prices are unbeatable and the US dollar is worth about 40% more in Canada so grab those bargains while you can. Over 50 motorcycle Clubs and Associations will have displays at the Show with club members showing their bikes and sharing information about the summer’s upcoming events including races, rides and rallies. The Vintage ‘Bikes of the Century’ Display will feature significant bikes from invited clubs & private owners as well as Classic Vincent Motorcycles from the Bar Hodgson Collection including the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow “Sandbagger” and unveiling a 1953 Cooper Race Car with a Vincent Twin Engine. The Showbike Builders Competition features top customs competing for over $20,000 in cash and awards with $5,000 going to the “Best Bike in Show.”
BE SEEN
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Builders Class entries have consistently stepped up their game each year since new judging standards have been set by chief judge, Bob McKay and his team. Wild creations from some of Canada’s and America’s top builders and shops will be vying for the top prize. The SPRINGSHOW runs Saturday, April 9th from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday, April 10th from 10am to 5pm. The International Centre is located at 6900 Airport Road. Admission is $18 for adults; $5 for youths under 12, free for children under 6, and parking is free including VIP Motorcycle Parking at the front entrance. Visit www.motorcyclespringshow.com for more information or to download a discount coupon or purchase online tickets. Celebrity guest Kim Coates, AKA Tig from Sons of Anarchy will appear at SPRINGSHOW 2016 on April 9 & 10 in Toronto. Photo courtesy Kim Coates Management
Wear Hi Viz Riding Gear
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April 2016
RIDE LIKE A PR O – GREA T LAKES PRO GREAT As a Rider do you Fear dropping your bike? Are you a “Foot Dragger”? Do you “Walk the Dog” at red lights? Do you know how to pick up a dropped motorcycle? Do you feel unsteady when riding at slow speeds? Do you wear out your boots before your tires? Do you take up 3 lanes of traffic to make a U-Turn?
WE CAN HELP! The RIDE LIKE A PRO program was started by Jerry “Motorman” Palladino, a retired police motor officer living in Florida. Jerry has created an incredible training tool with his series of “Ride Like a Pro” Instructional DVDs! Riders come from all over to take Jerry’s classes in Florida, and you too can learn these same fundamental skills that the motor officers use. Even experienced riders will show a noticeable improvement in their overall riding skills! These same instructional classes are available here in Michigan! Visit www.ridelikeapro-gl.com for our 2016 class dates and locations, or contact Gary at: 586-246-4344
gary@ridelikeapro-gl.com
SPRING OPEN HOUSE Saturday, April 16, 2016
We are celebrating a new riding season and the 2016 Indian Motorcycles® and Victory Motorcycles®. Mark your calendar to check out the new Indian SpringfieldTM and Victory OctaneTM as well as the other models in each line. Demo rides available for qualified riders. Don’t miss it! We would love to have you join us!
Sponsored by Midwest MotorcyclistTM
1765 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI One mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd.
248.920.2000 www.RideMotorCity.com
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles
Indian® and Indian Motorcycle® are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International LLC. Victory® and Victory Motorcycles® are registered trademarks of Polaris Industries Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing and obey the speed limit. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Events Events do change. Please call ahead.
Michigan March 26 The 28th Annual Sandy Corley Memorial Run Pre-Party $12 Steak dinner from 5 pm to 8 pm Raffle Baskets, Live Music Fremont Moose Lodge 1555 15 West Main Street, Fremont, MI (231) 924-4840 www.sandycorley.com March 26 Bikin’ for Burns Bowling Charity Fundraiser 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. $20 / person incl. 2 games of bowling and shoe rental, 2 slices of pizza, Medium Pop Grand Blanc Lanes, 5301 Saginaw Street Grand Blanc, MI (810) 771-4273 April 2-3 Detroit International Bike-O-Rama Ultimate Build Competition: $10,000 prize Tattoo contest, Combat Barbie Swap Meet, Bikini contest Cobo Hall, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI www.detroitbikeorama.com info@detroitbikeorama.com April 9 ABATE Region 20 Motorcycle Awareness Fundraising Party Bancroft Town Hall 120 Warren Street, Bancroft, MI $10 / person Raising money for motorcycle awareness billboard on I-75 (810) 423-8711; www.abatemichregion20.org April 9 28th Annual Sandy Corley Memorial Run Kick Off Benefit Bash $20 / person; 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Cash bar, Live music Grand Haven Eagles Aerie #925 20 North 2nd Street, Grand Haven, MI April 16-17 Huge 2-day Indoor Motorcycle Swap Meet & Expo Gibraltar Trade Center, 237 North River Road (I-94 to Exit 237) Mt. Clemens, MI (586) 465-6440; www.GibraltarTrade.com April 23 ABATE Region 20 Bikin’ for Burns Bake Sale Benefiting the Genessee Twp. Fire Department The Hickory Lounge 311 Corunna Avenue, Owosso, MI (810) 471-0850 www.abatemichregion20.org April 24 Bubba’s Old School Swap Meet Birch Run Expo Center 11600 North Beyer Road, Birch Run, MI Doors open at 10 a.m. Admission: $6 / person (989) 893-5187 April 24 11th Annual Blessing of the Bikes Bike Show, Vendors Gibraltar Trade Center, 237 North River Road (I-94 to Exit 237) Mt. Clemens, MI (586) 465-6440 www.GibraltarTrade.com
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April 30 ABATE Region 20 Motorcycle Awareness Ride Begins: Top End Cycle G-3360 South Dort Highway, Burton, MI Ends: Rocky’s Great Outdoors G-4104 South Saginaw Street, Burton, MI Free Ride. Donations accepted for Motorcycle Awareness Billboard (810) 423-8711 www.abatemichregion20.org April 30 ABATE of Michigan, Region 5 Spring Bash & Membership Drive 4 p.m. to 12 Midnight Auction, Food, Music Pat’s Roadhouse, 157 Getty Street, Muskegon, MI (231) 726-5041 May 1 Muskegon Motorcycle Club Annual Spring Run Gates open at 8 a.m.; Ride starts at 11:30 a.m. Mt. Garfield, 5803 Lake Harbor Road Muskegon, MI (231) 728-4153 www.muskegonmotorcycleclub.com May 6 - Pre-Party May 7 – Police Escorted Ride 16th Annual Bikin’ for Burns Trophy Girl & Guy Contests – 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday (810) 471-5588, mmcwminc@yahoo.com or www.abatemichregion20.com May 7 International Female Ride Day The World’s Only Globally Synchronized Women’s Motorcycle Ride. May 13 Friday Bike Nights begin Every Friday rain-or-shine through September (5 pm-12pm) hundreds of riders this casual “showand-shine.” Full-service bar and grill menu along with live music (no cover). Gibraltar Trade Center 237 North River Road (I-94 to Exit 237) Mt. Clemens, MI (586) 465-6440 www.GibraltarTrade.com May 14 Biker Blessing Donations: $10 for Bike Show, $10 for ride All donations go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Custom Parts for Custom Cycles 918 East State Street (M-21), St. Johns, MI (517) 930-0338
Park opens for event at 11 a.m. No cost, just show your patriotism Ride cancelled in the event of storms (765) 868-8232
Wisconsin
April 30 Blessing of the Bikes Kersting’s Cycle Center & Museum 8774 West 700 N., Winamac, IN 574-896-2974
June 11-12 Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders Ride for Research Dual Sport Ride to benefit the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center Three rides: Dual Sport 101, Dual Sport Ride OffRoad, Adventure Bike $100 event fee includes Saturday lunch and dinner plus Sunday breakfast, paper roll chart and/or .gpx tracks, event t-shirt, and camping Wabeno, Wisconsin Fairgrounds (www.townofwabeno.org) 1 Fairview, Wabeno, WI For info: (920) 475-0710 Register at www.widualsportriders.org
April 30 Spring Demo Day Event 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson I-65 & Southport Rd. Exit 103 317.885.5180 April 30 – May 1 H-D Factory Demo Truck Come ride all of the new 2016 Harley-Davidson models! Harley-Davidson of Indianapolis 4146 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 317.815.1800
Canada
May 3 ABATE Region 3 Early Bird Ride & Chili Cook Off Sign in: 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon $10 / person The Moose Lodge, 169 E. Market Street Wabash, IN (260) 571-0213 or (260) 578-1615 May 14 ABATE Region 3 Safety & Awareness Ride May is National Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month. Help us saturate our region with motorcycles to remind everyone that we are out here! Ride stops at all six county courthouses in Region 3 Info: (260) 403-2379 or (765) 631-7636
April 9 & 10 Toronto International Motorcycle SPRINGSHOW 2016 presented by Riders Plus Insurance Saturday, April 9th from 9am to 9pm Sunday, April 10th from 10am to 5pm The International Centre 6900 Airport Road Toronto, Ontario, Canada Admission is $18 for adults; $5 for youths under 12, free for children under 6 Free parking. Saturday night is Family night with coupons doubling in value and all children under 15 admitted free. www.motorcyclespringshow.com for information & a $2 off discount coupon or buy advance tickets.
June 4-5
21th Annual
VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE OW & SWAP SWA WA WAP SHOW MEET EET Bikes 25 years old lder and older
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Sunday
June 12, 2016 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or Shine!
GILMORE CAR MUSEUM 6865 Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, MI Midway between Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing and Grand Rapids Registration info at:
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www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
April 2016
Some Dos and Don’ts When Getting Your Bike Ready This Spring by Jason Waechter, Esq. Considering we had such a mild winter in most parts of the Midwest, many bikers never really had much of an off-season. That said, now that spring has officially arrived, it’s time to get bikes and gear ready for the “real” riding season. Even if you never put your bike away for winter, there are a few things you can probably do (or avoid doing) to potentially have a smoother spring, summer, and autumn on your motorcycle. DO contact your insurance agent to go over your policy and make sure you’re fully covered. It’s not exactly an exciting thing to do, but being properly insured could make a huge difference if you’re ever in a crash. You may want to purchase more coverage than you are legally required to carry; here in Michigan, for example, riders are legally required to carry Bodily Injury (BI) coverage, but I also recommend comprehensive in case your bike needs repairs after a crash. Required coverage may be different depending on whether you choose to wear a helmet or not. Talk to your agent and make sure you’ve got what you need and want before the season kicks into high gear. DON’T cancel your motorcycle insurance during the off-season. I know I say this a lot, but this past winter is a great example of why you shouldn’t cancel: there were a lot of days in December and January where motorcycling was possible. If you cancelled your policy, you would have missed them. Plus, your homeowners’ insurance won’t cover your bike in case of fire, flood, theft, roof collapse, or other damages while it’s stored… why risk it? DO spread the word about motorcycle awareness. Social Media provides us all with a number of tools to get the message out: Motorcycles are everywhere! Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, and other people in your social circle, and remind them that as the season gets going they need to be more vigilant than ever when watching
for bikes. If you follow us at Facebook.com/TheMotorcycleLawyer, you’ll find lots of motorcycle awareness stuff to share with your friends and followers. DON’T skip steps. Whether you stored your bike for the winter or not, this is a good time of year to give it a thorough inspection and identify any repairs or problems you want to address. First, do a visual inspection to look for wear, rust, or damage. Look at everything: lines, battery, tires, body, lights, whatever. Fix what you can and flag what you can’t fix for your mechanic. Did you change the oil and filter before putting the bike away for winter? Or, if you rode through the winter months, is your bike due for an oil and filter change? Check your lights to make sure they’re working correctly. If everything looks good, test brakes in the driveway or in a quiet or controlled area to make sure you’re good to go (and stop!) on the road. DO take your bike to a licensed mechanic for a tune-up once a year (or more, depending on your preference and owner’s manual). When you bring your motorcycle in, ask the mechanic any questions you might have or go over any issues you may have noticed, so they know what to watch for. If you hate to spend the money, think of it this way: paying for a licensed mechanic once a year could save you a lot of money in the long run; your mechanic could catch problems or let you know about products that will help preserve or improve your ride. On top of that, a visit to a mechanic could save you downtime in the middle of the riding season. DON’T underestimate the weather, especially early on in the season. What starts out as a beautiful day can very quickly turn into a storm, and a warm, sunny day can feel quite cool if the sun gets covered. Check the forecast before you ride, both Kick off the at the origin and end points, 2016 riding and dress accordingly. If
The Great Lakes Dual Sporters is a like-minded group of offroad motorcyclists who enjoy riding Michigan’s vast two-track trails and back roads. All done using a street legal dirtbike also known as Dual Sport. If you’re looking for fantastic dualsport riding and the company of great friends, join us. Check out our website at www.gldsmc.org to learn about our group, our events and much more. Only $10 to join!
www.GLDSMC.org TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
you’re not sure, throw a lightweight rain jacket or something heavier in your bag before you leave, just in case. You’ll never be sorry to have the extra protection, even if you don’t need it. Finally, DO get involved with the motorcycle community. Try a group ride, or join a motorcycle club, or link up with an advocacy group that focuses on motorcycle awareness and safety or protecting bikers’ rights. Connecting with other enthusiasts will make riding even more enjoyable, and will keep you “in the know” on important events and activities in your area. Connect with me and my team to stay on top of the latest legal news for motorcyclists and to gain access to motorcycle awareness materials and information: Facebook.com/TheMotorcycleLawyer or www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com. We want to hear from you! May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and my team and I are looking for photos and stories to share with our followers across the US and around the world. Tell us why you ride, or what motorcycling does for your soul. If you have a “best ride” that you want to share, sent it our way. And we always love seeing your motorcycle photos and videos. Share on Facebook or reach out to writer@lawyerforlife.com 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 1-877BIKER 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.
Annual Spring Open House Saturday, May 14, 2016 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. season at BMW Motorcycles of Detroit
Food, Fun, & Great People. What could be better?
• Food • Refreshments • Demo Rides (11am - 3pm, weather permitting)
BMW Motorcycles of Detroit 34080 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI (586) 274-4000 • www.bmwdetroit.com 17
Thailand, Miles and Miles of Smiles by Gene Southard When my nephew expressed interest in going to Thailand for the winter, I did not hesitate to start planning the trip. I had been to the Chang Mai area in Thailand four years ago to do some dual-sport riding. This time we are street riding in Southern Thailand. The US dollar is strong so a vacation abroad is more affordable. I found some great prices online for airplane tickets and we were off. We landed in Bangkok after a 17-hour flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Hong Kong and then a flight to Bangkok. We spent four days in Bangkok getting over jet-lag and getting on Thailand time which is thirteen hours ahead of central time in US. While in Bangkok, we did a few touristy things like go to the floating market and see the Flower and Vegetable market. We also found out that not all Tuk Tuk drivers (three-wheel taxis) know their way around Bangkok. When we asked one Tuk Tuk driver to take us to the market, we ended up in the wrong part of town. Although we were staying in Chinatown, I did not expected to get Shanghai-ed. Our next flight was to Phuket to pick up our rental bikes. Phuket is a large island off the Andaman coast and is one of the larger vacation spots in Southern Thailand. If you are looking for a young, hip beach party, this is the place to be seen. We rented EN6n Kawasaki 650s; large motorcycles for Thailand. There are millions of scooters in Thailand but very few machines over 250cc. When we would stop to look at our maps, someone would
always stop to look at our bikes and offer to give us directions. A map in both English and Thai is very helpful when the Thai person helping you does not read English. We have found that most young people here speak and read some English; the older people not so much. Our first ride took us along the Andaman coast north on Route 402 hooking up to Route 4. We didn’t make reservations ahead, instead just taking off and, when we found an area in which we would like to stay, we started looking for a place. This worked out but could have ended up burning us if Ce we stayed in a highly touristy location. leb A left hand turn off of Route 4 at Thai r ou ati Mueang took us along the beach road toward the r 2 ng yea 4 th Muko Similan National Park where we found a r! nice place to stay - the Golden Lion for 600 Baht / night or $20 USD - over looking the Thai Mueang beach. For three days, we did loop rides out of Thai Mueang on some of the narrow back roads. FOR Most of the roads here are not marked so Tod’s RENT GPS app on his cell phone came in very handy. Our next stop up the coast was the island of Ko Kho Khao. After a short ferry ride, we stepped back in time to what Thailand must have been fifty years ago. Very little development on this island; just a few high-end resorts. This island Rentals is 20 miles long by 10 miles wide with very little starting riding but the few narrow back roads offered a at $30 a senic view around every bend. Many of the roads day! end on a deserted beach with not one tourist; just a few local fishermen. Finding a place to stay here was a little harder. “My Friendly Resort” is just a few bamboo cabins overlooking the beach with a small restaurant on the very north end of the FOR island cost 1250 Baht per night. Petro was pumped CLEARANCE! SALE from 55 drums or poured from recycled whiskey bottles. Around every bend, we found new sights skelley@kelleytrailers.com to see from a Buddhist Wat (temple) to sheets of rubber drying in a rack along the side of the road. Our first snorkel trip was made from a long boat; a long wooden boat with a motor mounted 12620 N. Telegraph to the stern and long prop shaft out the back. Sure Carleton, MI glad the captain knew how to handle that prop. To Mon thru Fri 9 to 6 • Sat 9 to 3 snorkel, we traveled to a coral reef off of a small We sell a complete line of open & enclosed island where we spent far too much time and I ended up with a bad sunburn. After a trip to the
clinic for some ice packs, I spent the next two days relaxing by the pool and staying in the shade. I quickly learned if you have blond hair and blue eyes, you stay out of the sun from 11 to 3 o’clock. Our next destination was Khao Sok National Park. We headed east on Route 4 then Route 401. We stayed at a resort with treehouses for cabins; very rustic in the central Thailand jungle region. The ride throughout the National Park was stunning with the massive limestone cliffs covered with jungle foliage. The road was excellent blacktop with twists and turns every few yards and not a pothole in sight. The guard rail was the only thing preventing us from falling a thousand feet to the jungle floor below if we made a mistake. Just as we came down the last mountain descent, before arriving at our destination, I heard a noise from a wheel bearing. Our next day was spent not sight seeing but replacing a rear wheel bearing in my Kaw. The owner of the resort picked up a new bearing on his trip to Takua Pa the next day. The treehouse accommodations were a new experience for us. We were cautioned about leaving our doors and windows open when we were not there. Otherwise, a monkey would be the new owner of our favorite riding pants.
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Only two nights stay in Khao Sok before we turned east again with an overnight stay in Surat Thani before arriving in Khanom on the gulf coast. We stayed in Khanom for four nights, doing day loops and returning each night. On our first day loop, we visited Pink Dolphin Bay, Laem Prathap Beach, and then into the port town of Thong Nian. Because of high winds, the boats were not out fishing that day, so we got a good look at the complete fleet. On our other day trips out of Khanom, we rode the many senic back roads between Khanom and Sichon. Many of the roads ended at deserted beaches. The Thai people make a living in this area by fishing and growing pineapple, coconut, and bananas. On one trip, we passed acres of small fish drying in the sun, not a great smell. A stop at one of the weekly markets is always interesting. I always enjoy haggling on the price. While in Khanom, we stayed at Stella Massage Resort for 600 Baht per night. Stella serves a large western breakfast and helps visitors in their travels around Khanom. After one of her massages, I can see why ex-pats sell their houses and move to Thailand to live. Stella’s is THE place to stay in Khanom. I have found Thai drivers to be aggressive but excellent drivers. They do not cut motorcyclists
Continued on next page
April 2016
Aerostich Helmet and Suit Holder If you have been searching for the ideal place to hang your helmet and riding gear, whether at home or the office, your search is over. This is a unique system that attaches directly to any wall or flat surface or, with the Office Cube Adapter, will fit over the edge of a cubicle wall or door. A durable and sleek aluminum frame features a half-round cedar support peg to keep your helmet securely in place and freshened. A built-in shelf across the bottom stows your gloves and keys. The integrated hanger hooks in the steel Office Cube Adapter also provide places to hang jackets, key rings, accessory cords and other gear. It can be mounted with the Helmet Holder, allowing it to either be permanently affixed to walls, or easily hung on a door or cubical wall. An optional suit hook is also available to add further versatility for hanging and storing your gear. Available in a set with all three pieces for
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Continued from previous page
a complete helmet and gear storage system, or individually to create your own custom hanging and storage solution. Wall Mount and the Complete Set includes mounting hardware. Choose Gray or Black powder coated Aluminum/ Steel. Helmet Holder 12.6"Ă&#x2014;6"Ă&#x2014;10.6", 2 lbs., Office Cube Adapter 12.6"Ă&#x2014;6"Ă&#x2014;2.5", 2 lbs. Suit Hook 2"x2"x3". To get the 2015 catalog, call 800 222 1994 or go to www.aerostich.com/catalogrequest. For further information, call Aerostich at: 800 222 1994, FAX: 218 720 3610, Web: www.aerostich.com, press@aerostich.com.
off as in the US. Along the major highways, there is a scooter / motorcycle lane. Motorcyclists might be passing a scooter rider with a sidecar taking his wife to the market while also being passed by an SUV, that is being passed by a tour bus. You have to keep your eyes open on the major highways. I would like to thank TCX boots, LS2 helmets, Moto-Skeevies and Nelson-Rigg for their help with the riding gear and luggage on this trip. At this point, we are half way through our trip around southern Thailand. In my next installment, we will continue traveling south along the gulf coast, west into the provinces of Trang and Krabi, before returning to Phuket.
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19
Motorcycling & Law
Uber Motor cycles Motorc by Dondi Vesprini A colleague and I were recently discussing upcoming travel plans he had with his family for Spring Break. As part of our conversation, he mentioned that he was going to be using Uber for his transportation to and from the airport and also for various day trips he had planned at his location. As most people are aware, Uber is a company which operates an app for smartphones by which people can arrange for taxi service to or from many locations in the United States. What separates Uber from a traditional taxi service is that Uber routes the requests to an individual located near where the customer needs to be picked up and who has signed up to be a driver for Uber as a contractor and uses his/her own vehicle as the taxi. I have never used Uber and, given the recent tragedy in Kalamazoo where an Uber driver committed a shooting spree killing six people while alleg-
edly driving for Uber and collecting fares, I decided to learn a little more about Uber. The last thing I expected was to find a topic for my article, but that is exactly what I found. As it turns out, Uber recently launched a trial service in Thailand that gives customers the option to purchase transportation as a passenger on a motorcycle instead of hailing a motor vehicle. Uber is debuting this as a trial service in Bangkok where traffic congestion is commonplace and motorcycles are a popular method of transportation. Newsweek quoted Douglas Ma, head of Asia Expansion for Uber as saying “With UberMOTO, we’re thrilled to introduce a product that resonates with Thai people and provides another easy and affordable option for short trips around town while creating tens of thousands of flexible work opportunities for Thais.” This led me to thinking about what possibilities could open up for motorcyclists and the culture of motorcycling in general if Uber ever decided to offer customers the option to hitch a ride on a motorcycle in the United States. As Uber contracts with private persons to
serve as the Uber driver using his/her own vehicle for the transportation, it could offer opportunities for motorcyclists to earn some extra income as an Uber motorcyclist while doing what they love to do. It also opens the possibility for persons who have never been on a motorcycle before the opportunity to ride as a passenger to get a taste of riding on a bike. It would also present an opportunity for the motorcyclist to interact with the passenger and help dispel any misconceptions the passenger may have and also to share with the passenger what makes motorcycling such a satisfying way to travel. If the passenger comes away with a good experience, that taste may be enough to get them to take the next steps and perhaps purchase their own bike and add to the motorcycle riding community. Also, if Uber motorcycles were used in the United States, it would help motorcycling gain more visibility as an acceptable mode of transportation with mainstream America to perhaps ease some mainstream opposition to anti-motorcycling related bills that come up from our legislature. Uber’s offering of motorcycle transportation in Thailand is a trial run currently. It will be interesting to see if it catches on and finds its way overseas as an Uber offering in the United States. It could present some interest possibilities to give passengers the option to get to their destination on two wheels instead of four. 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 don’t hesitate to contact me as I deal with these types of claims on a daily basis on behalf of injured motorcyclists statewide. Further, for those readers who are members of any motorcycle organizations, clubs or groups, if you would like to have me come out to your group to speak or give a presentation on the legal rights of an injured motorcyclist or on any specific topic that your group may be curious about, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at (248-5694646) or shoot me an e-mail at Dondi@buckfirelaw.com. I give presentations statewide and there is never a charge associated with having me out. I enjoy having the opportunity to come out and meet motorcycle enthusiasts from all parts of our State!
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www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
April 2016
The Preacher Speacks About...
Motorcycles & CCW / CPL by Franz Hoffer How many of you have a CCW or a CPL? How many of you even know what that is? The acronyms are used interchangeably and stand for Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) or Concealed Pistol License (CPL) depending on what state you are in. In Michigan, it’s a CPL. Every state has a set of requirements to get a CCW/CPL permit and most states honor those granted in other states. I have had a pistol for 35 years and even though I have a CPL and went through the licensing requirements for the State of Michigan, I rarely carry it with me but prefer to use it as a means of defense in my home should the need arise. Let’s say you have CCW or a CPL and are going on a motorcycle trip. Let’s be honest, some of the trips we take on the bike take us through areas that are potentially dangerous. I know there have been times when I’ve felt threatened. In fact, I have been threatened but was successful in walking (or running) away. One thing they teach you in class (often taught by a law enforcement professional) is that the gun is, and should be, your last line of defense. When you feel threatened with imminent bodily harm, walk away if you can. So, on a motorcycle trip, what do you do? Let’s say you have a legally issued CCW/CPL permit and you will be traveling through several states, not all recognizing your Michigan-issued CPL. A good resource is http://midmichigancpl.com/reciprocitymichigan-cpl. The website provides information about which states practice reciprocity (honor permits issued by other states as they do for their own permits) for a Michigan-issued CPL permit. While researching this article, I noticed that Illinois does not recognize weapons licenses issued to non-residents. I called the office of the Attorney General of Illinois (a good place to start) to better understand the requirements for someone from Michigan with a CPL traveling through the state. They referred me to the Illinois State Police (ILSP). I contacted them and the requirement is that it’s legal to carry a gun through Illinois if you have a Michigan CPL. The gun may be loaded or unloaded and can be carried in your vehicle but you may not carry it on your person when leaving the vehicle. In addition, when you leave the vehicle, the weapon must be stored in a locked container (think locking saddle bag or top box.) In addition, should you be pulled over in a traffic stop, immediately advise the officer that you have a legal weapon and CCW/CPL permit with you. Tell the officer where it is being stored on your bike. Present your CCW/CPL permit to the officer along with your driver’s license and TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
Michigan
Harley-Davidson
Dealer Events
For a complete list of Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Members, see the dealer locator on page 19. March 26 Heat the Streets Enjoy live music, free food and a burnout pit. Chance to win a 2016 Street Glide. ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc. 4405 Highland Road (M-59) Waterford, MI 248.674.3175
always…always…keep your hands in plain view of the officer. The officer may request that you hand over the weapon during the traffic stop, returning it to you when done. While it is our 2nd amendment right to own and carry guns, we should never take that right lightly or for granted. Respect the licensing requirements of states to regulate that right for the safety of all. If you have followed all the rules and regulations, you should not have a problem. Whether you agree with the right to carry or not, it’s a fact of life in the United States and as long as you follow the law, and understand how to safely handle and transport that weapon, you will be OK. States that do not reconize nonresident CCW / CPL permits are: California Connecticut Hawaii Illinois Iowa Maine Maryland
Massachusetts New Jersey New York Oregon Rhode Island Wisconsin
Again, anyone traveling in one of these states needs to check their laws, which are usually available on that state’s website. Some states allow for the application for a temporary CCW permit issued by that state or local unit of government. Others exempt law enforcement officers. Federal law expressly provides that persons may carry a firearm in their vehicles while traveling through another state provided that the possession of the weapon is legal in both the states of origin and destination and the weapon is unloaded and carried in the trunk of the vehicle or a locked container other than the glove box. Travel safe my friends and always obey the law…
March 26 Easter Event Egg hunt for kids and adults! Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 April 2 Cool Bikes, Hot Breakfast Free Breakfast Buffet Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson 2977 Corporate Grove Drive Hudsonville, MI (877) 596-6387 April 2 Final 4 Celebration We’re down to the Final Four! Who will win it?! Come on in to guess the winners and talk some trash! Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 April 2 First Responders Appreciation Day Non-Riders and Riders Welcome. Free Food & Drinks, Door Prizes, Special Dealership Tour. Please RSVP Capitol Harley-Davidson 9550 Woodlane Dr. Dimondale, MI 48821 Phone: 517.646.2345 April 9 Detroit Tigers Tailgate Come watch the Tigers take on the Yankees! Food, drinks, and b aseball! Hot dogs, Peanuts, & Cracker Jack Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 April 16 Stick it to the Tax Man Battle Creek Harley-Davidson Tax Free Saturday (on apparel & parts) Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 April 16 2016 Season Opener Join us for a day of excitement! Ask all of your 2016 Harley riding questions and plan on spending some time getting ready for the upcoming riding season. Hamilton Harley Davidson 68951 White School Rd Sturgis MI 269-651-3424 www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com
April 16 Bacon & Bikes FREE Bacon!!! Stop in for Hot Bacon & check out some cool bikes. Ride-in bike show weather permitting of course. Chance to win door prizes and live radio broadcast from 101 WRIF’s Mark & Andy and sexy 16 Rock Girl finalists. ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc. 4405 Highland Road (M-59) Waterford, MI 248.674.3175 April 22-24 1st Anniversary Spring Open House Ray C’s Harley-Davidson 1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69) Lapeer, MI (810) 664-9261 April 23 Pancake Breakfast Vermontville Maple Syrup Ride 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Breakfast is free; Donations benefit local veterans & MDA Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 April 23 Customer Appreciation Party Customer Appreciation Party for those who’ve made recent bike purchases. Enjoy free gift bags and an in’store poker run. Weather permitting, there will be a short scenic ride with the Waterford H.O.G. Chapter ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc. 4405 Highland Road (M-59) Waterford, MI 248.674.3175 April 28 Ladies’ Night Fashion Show The Fashion Show for People Who Love Fashion 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Great Lakes Harley-Davidson 3850 S Huron RD Bay City, MI (989) 686-0400 RSVP to https://ladiesnight2016.eventzilla.net/ April 30 Fest of Ale Beet Tasting Featuring Craft Beer from Horrock’s Farm Market Free lunch, fun, drinks, laughs, giveaways Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 April 30 First Responder Appreciation Event Appreciation event for all active or retired Law Enforcement, Firefighters, EMT Personnel, and Military. Enjoy free food and special offers on Officially Licensed Merchandise and After Market Parts. ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc. 4405 Highland Road (M-59) Waterford, MI 248.674.3175
21
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Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Members 1. Battle Creek
12. Muskegon
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3. Birch Run
14. Tecumseh
SHIAWASSEE HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 11901 N. BEYER ROAD, BIRCH RUN (989) 624-4400 www.shiawasseeharley-davidson.com
TECUMSEH HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 8080 MATTHEWS HIGHWAY, TECUMSEH (517) 423-3333
4. Cement City
15. Traverse City
TOWN & COUNTRY HARLEY-DAVIDSON® US 12 & US 127, CEMENT CITY (517) 547-3333, www.cementcity-harley.com
CLASSIC MOTOR SPORTS HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 3939 S BLUE STAR DRIVE, TRAVERSE CITY (231) 943-9344, www.classictc.com
5. Fremont
16. Waterford
SANDY’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SPORT CENTER 11940 N. MAPLE ISLAND RD, FREMONT (231) 924-3020 www.sandysharley-davidson.com
A.B.C. HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 4405 HIGHLAND RD (M-59), WATERFORD (248) 674-3175 www.abc-harley-davidson.com
6. Gaylord
17. West Branch
ZIP’S 45TH PARALLEL HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 980 S WISCONSIN AVE., GAYLORD (989) 732-8000, www.zips45thhd.com
GILDNER’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® MOTORCYCLES 2723 S M-76, WEST BRANCH (989) 345-1330, www.gildnershd.com
7. Hudsonville GRAND RAPIDS HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 2977 CORPORATE GROVE DR., HUDSONVILLE (616) 896-0111, www.grandrapidsharley.com The kit replaces the stock head pipe and mufflers with large-diameter, free-flowing head pipes and matching Street Cannon mufflers. The muffler inlet diameter is increased to 2.25 inches to enhance exhaust gas scavenging and the catalysts are relocated to the mufflers to enhance flow. The 4-inch-diameter Street Cannon mufflers are tuned to provide a deep bass exhaust note and a healthy rumble at idle, and that famous Harley sound throughout the RPM range. The mufflers are EPA stamped and the system is 50-state legal and CARB approved. This High Flow Exhaust System fits 2010-later Harley-Davidson Touring models but does not fit Trike models. Separate purchase of Screamin’ Eagle 4inch muffler end caps and ECM recalibration (priced separately) is required. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit www.h-d.com.
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8. Kalamazoo PERRY’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 5331 SPRINKLE ROAD, KALAMAZOO (269) 329-3450 www.perryharley-davidson.com
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9. Lansing CAPITOL HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 9550 WOODLANE DRIVE, DIMONDALE (517) 646-2345, www.capitolhd.com
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10. Lapeer RAY C’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 1491 S. LAPEER ROAD, LAPEER (810) 664-9261, www.raycsh-d.com
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www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
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11. Mt. Pleasant C & S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 4741 E PICKARD, MT PLEASANT (989) 772-5513 www.candssportcenter.com
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April 2016
TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
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Pre-Owned Motorcycles
2009 Harley-Davidson® Ultra Classic® Electra Glide®, Red, 61,306 miles, $11,999 OUT THE DOOR!!!
2004 Harley-Davidson® Screamin EagleSoftail Deuce, Yellow, 22,151 miles, $14,499 OUT THE DOOR
2015 Victory Gunner™, Titanium / Black, 1,826 miles, $11,999 OUT THE DOOR!!!
2014 Triumph America Standard, Black, 4,9651 miles, $7,499 OUT THE DOOR!!!
Don’t miss our
2016 Spring Open House on Saturday, April 16!
Stop by our dealership to today to check out the full lines of 2016 Indian Motorcycles® and Victory Motorcycles®. Demo versions of most models available for test rides. Don’t wait! These motorcycles are already selling fast. Stop by our dealership today to find the motorcycle you’ve always wanted.
1765 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI One mile north of Square Lake Rd. on the east side of Telegraph Rd.
248.920.2000 • www.ridemotorcity.com
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MOTORCYCLE WRECK? Call the MOTORCYCLE LAWYER!
1-877-BIKER-LAW
WE TAKE AUTO & TRUCK CASES TOO! Hurt in a crash? Call Jason Waechter - The Motorcycle Lawyer
1-877-BIKER-LAW
www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com