September 2017
FREE
Celebrating
19 Years
midwestmotorcyclist.com
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Bike Time, Rebel Road Attract Thousands ▲
Also in this issue:
TThe River City Motorcycle Challenge M Going Fast at the California Superbike School At Barber
The Indian® Scout® Bobber will be arriving soon.
UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, September 9 & Saturday, September 10 Bikes on the Bricks, Flint, Michigan Stop by our booth & check out the 2017 Indian Motorcycles
Saturday, September 16 We’re commemorating POW-MIA Day at our dealership. Help support the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces on our behalf. The local Veterans Administration Check our website or visit our dealership for details of its arrival. office tells us that there are a significant number of local area veterans who need a variety of ® basic items, including blankets, coats, hats, gloves, underwear, Stop by our dealership deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, t-shirts, etc. Our today to learn why Indian dealership, MotorCity Motor® Motorcycles are getting cycles, is accepting these items on behalf of the local VA so much interest from from now through the end of the year. Please be generous. both new and Our veterans deserve our support. experienced Sunday, September 17 motorcyclists. All Clubs Day in Stockbridge, Michigan
The 2017 Indian Motorcycles
Our riding group is leaving the store at 10 a.m. See you at the show!
2017 Indian® Chieftain® WE MAKE ADVENTUREREADY SIDECAR MOTORCYCLES. We've been the world's leading maker of sidecar motorcycles for over 75 years. Trusted by riders across the globe, our motorcycles are designed for you to share the adventures and explore further. Stop by our dealership to learn about a new kind of adventure. Three wheels has lot of advantages!
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
DISCOVER THE THRILL OF ELECTRIC There’s nothing quite like winding your way through a set of tight twisty turns or flying down a backcountry road with fresh air in your face as a sense of speed and effortless acceleration flow through you on a cellular level. Maybe it’s your favorite off-road playground. Maybe it’s simply getting across town. Or, maybe you just want to cruise for a while and stop by to say hi to some old friends. By using technology as a means to an end, rather than as an end in itself, Zero Motorcycles has redefined the riding experience to bring a new thrill and sensation to every ride.
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles
* Offers cannot be combined and are valid through July 31, 2017. Indian® and Indian Motorcycle® are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International LLC. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing and obey the speed limit. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
THE WAIT IS OVER...
We have an extensive range of accessories to make your new Bagger your own.
THE BAGGER IS HERE Call to schedule a demo ride.
2018 MSRP starting at $19,995 (including ABS Pro)
Come see and experience the new Bagger. We are currently the exclusive BMW motorcycle dealer serving Southeast Michigan including all of Metropolitan Detroit. We focus on one brand and only one brand - BMW. While you’re here, be sure to check out the full line of 2017 BMW Motorcycles in our showroom, including the complete GS adventure line, the various R nineT retro models, models for long-range, comfortable touring, the sporty “S” group, and everything between. We - BMW Motorrad and BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan - offer a model for every type of riding. Stop by our dealership today! Don’t miss our
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BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com
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Celebration on Saturday, October 7, 2017!
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“Redefining your motorcycling lifestyle” SM Visit BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan for details. Always ride safely and wear proper protective gear. TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
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IN THIS ISSUE…
Columns 5 13 16 15
To Our Readers EDRs in Court Litigation by Jason Waechter Motorcycling & Law: Expungement of Adult Convictions by Dondi Vesprini The Preacher Speaks About... The River City Motorcycle Challenge by Franz Hoffer
Features, News & Reviews cc media publications
5 6 7 12
Rebel Road, Bike Time Attract Thousands by Ray Peabody Going Fast with California Superbike School by Bland Kamp Tested: Wolfman Wolfy-Escape Pak by Gene Southard Aerostich New Useful Suits
5 14 17
Advertiser Index Event Schedule Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Event Schedule
Resources
This Month’s Contributors: Contributing Editors Franz Hoffer plus
Blane Kamp, Gene Southard, Dondi Vesprini, Jason Waechter
Publisher/Managing Editor
Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net
Advertising Sales/ Web Master / Distribution Ray Peabody publisher@midwestmotorcyclist.com rpeabody@sbcglobal.net
Cover Design Julie Kirkendoll
Large cover photo: Looking south at crowds on the Rebel Road midway on Western Avernue. Photo by Ray Peabody. Small cover photo, left: Contestants line up inpreparation of the beginning of the River City Motorcycle Skills Challenge. Photo by Franz Hoffer. Small cover photo, right: The California Superbike School’s BMW S 1000 RR track bikes lined up at Barber Motorsports Park prior to the beginning of Day 1 of the class. Photo by Howie Tjiong.
Get Ready for Fall Color Tours Leather Rain VESTS Jackets from as low as Gear $45 $85 from Fringe Men’s 00
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3 styles of Gel Seats by Pro Pad 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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www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
September 2017
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Harley-Davidson ..............17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Battle Creek Harley-Davidson....17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Battle of the Brits...............................................11 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 BMW-Motus of Grand Rapids..................5, 9, 14 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 BMW, SE Michigan. ..................................3, 7, 13 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Bubba’s Old School Swap Meet....................16 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Capitol Harley-Davidson .......17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Classic MotorSports................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Cycle Conservation Club .......................11 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Diamond Gusset Jeans ......................18 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Elkhart Indian Motorcycle................................8, 15 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Gildner’s Harley-Davidson ...........17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Grand Rapids H-D............................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Great Lakes Dual Sporters ..................14 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Great Lakes Harley-Davidson.........17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Hamilton Harley-Davidson ................8, 17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Holeshot Harley-Davidson ................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Hot Rod Harley-Davidson .................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer..20 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Jerry B’s Cycle Works.........................10 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Metro Triumph Riders Battle of the Brits.....11 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 MI Harley-Davidson dealers ..........17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Michigan Sport Touring Riders.....................8 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 MotorCity Motorcycles....................3, 12, 15 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Motor City Underwriters ......................10 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Motorcycle Solutions, LLC......................10 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Perry’s Harley-Davidson ..............17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Ray C’s Harley-Davidson...............17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Retail Warehouse .......................................4, 7 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Sandy’s H-D ....................................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Shiawassee H-D ............................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Sport Bike Track Gear ................................10 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Sweet Trikes ...........................................10 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Tecumseh Harley-Davidson ..........17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Town & Country H-D........................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 Zip’s 45th Parallel H-D...................17, 18, 19 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345
Attract Thousands Advertiser Index Rebel Road, BikebyTime Ray Peabody Downtown Muskegon was jammed with thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts in town for the 10th Annual Muskegon Bike Time and Rebel Road on July 13 through July 16. After two years at the old horse racing property at the juncture of US-31 and I96, Bike Time returned to the parking lot of Hot Rod Harley-Davidson. Rebel Road, organized by a downtown business association, is held on Western Avenue. Motorcyclists park mainly along both sides and down the middle of the street. The atmosphere was similar to that of a carnival with Western Avenue being the midway. The road was lined with food and motorcycle gear vendors and even a couple motorcycle dealerships had pop-ups. Multiple sites offered attractions during the four-day event. At Hot Rod Harley-Davidson, the Relentless Stunts team had three shows scheduled each afternoon. The dealership also offered demo rides on the 2017 Harley-Davidson models. A Biker Blessing and Patriot Ride were scheduled for the final Sunday of the event At Rebel Road, concerts were held in the Depot Lot on both Friday and Saturday and in the LC Walker Auditorium lot each day. Other events included multiple bike shows, a tattoo and art expo, a tattoo contest, a power lifting competition, Ms. Rebel Road contest, and the Bearded Baron contest. There was always something going on. Despite the many attractions, the motorcycles parked along the street were the highlight of the show. That’s where most people could be found; walking up and down the street ogling the customs, rat bikes, and vintage motorcycles. While there were motorcycles from
Western Avernue midway looking north from the same spot wherethecoverphoto was taken.
• MAINTAINED TRAILS
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Blue, 3,200 miles, Red/Black, 21,659 miles, Triple Black, 23,795 miles. Red, 3,000 miles, Smoke, 6,556 miles, Acid green, 6,200 miles, Black, 20,000 miles, Brown, 44,469 miles, Grey, 24,000 miles,
The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan PO Box 486 t $PMEXBUFS .* t XXX DZDMFDPOTFSWBUJPODMVC PSH
Continued on page 8
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Midwest Motorcyclist
Let’s Go Trail Riding!
No place to ride? Michigan is home to the largest organized network of off-road trails in the world - more than 3500 miles of marked, maintained ORV trails for the entire family to enjoy! Since 1968, The Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan has led the charge to assure continued access to public lands for motorized recreation by working closely with state and federal government. Membership in the CCC offers organized trail rides, a map CD of the entire trail system, a subscription to the Great Lakes TrailRider Magazine and a host of other member benefits! Call us today at 517-781-4805.
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Going Fast at the California Superbike School at Barber by Blane Kamp Howie Tjiong and I went down to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama for the California Superbike School (CSS) over Memorial Day weekend. Not only does Barber offer an excellent race track and facility, but also has the world’s largest motorcycle museum. The collection has about 1,400 motorcycles with 600-700 on display. They also have the most extensive collection of Lotus automobiles in the world. The grounds are landscaped and maintained as well as any park I’ve ever seen. George Barber has even added exotic sculptures to the grounds to add to the experience (41 pieces in all). They range from a bust of Bigfoot peeking around a tree to a giant spider.
They are magnificent! We went down a day early to be able to check out the museum. We were heading out of the hotel when Don and Patty Paul arrived after traveling the whole night from Michigan. They got a couple hours of sleep and met us at the museum in the afternoon. If you’re into looking at different makes and models of motorcycles,
Patty and Don Paul (center) with two CSS instructors.
6
BMW S1000RR. Luckily, he has quite a bit of dirt bike experience. Patty sat out until Monday because Sunday’s classes were full. Howie and I were in Level 3 after completing Levels 1 & 2 last year at Virginia International Raceway. This school attracts motorcyclists with a
Author Blane Kamp variety of skills from all over the country . One rider in our Level 4 class had been to 25 classes and takes at least one a year just to stay sharp. There were couples, fathers with their sons, and even a group of guys who were in the area for a two-day college reunion. It was an enthusiastic group even before we got on the track. Keith Code, his son, Dylan, and daughterin-law, Laura, run a tight ship. They have a crew of about 30 people who take care of the students. Everyone seems busy all the time, but still have time to answer any questions. Howie Tjiong at the museum. They took care of breakfast and lunch along with snacks throughout the day. I was visiting the museum is like dying and going to surprised to see bruschetta and many other exotic heaven. A few that I really liked included the appetizers that one wouldn’t normally expect at a eight-cylinder, 1600cc, Z1 Kawasaki, the Norton track day. CSS really tries to make it a special with a rotary engine, and an old Buell Battle experience. You get assigned a coach at the Twin. They even had an beginning of each day who tracks your progress 1894 Hildebrand & throughout the day. He/she is there to answer any Wolfmuller which is questions riders might have and offer advice on considered the world’s first how to improve performance on the lesson being production motorcycle. taught. They are focused on making students better Sunday morning, we riders. were up bright and early We all had a great time and everyone kept and at the track at 6:30 a.m. the shiny side up, but Don did do a little off track They have breakfast at the riding the morning it rained. It’s amazing he was track but we already ate at able to keep that RR up in the mud. Did that RR the Hampton. Don was look special when he came into the pits! I asked Don assigned to CSS Level 1 and Patty to share what they learned, and here is because it was his first time Continued on page 11 on a racetrack. He rode the
www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
September 2017
Tested
Wolfman Wolfy-Escape Pak By Gene Southard Have you ever been on a two-month ride with only the luggage that you could fit on your motorcycle? I have done this type of ride the last two winters and I can tell you that choosing the right luggage is important. Wolfman offered me their Wolfy-Escape Pak for my latest adventure. Both the editor and myself have used Wolfman Tankbags in the past and were satisfied so I was interested in seeing if they still manufactured a quality product. The Wolfy-Escape is made of 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon and holds 14 liters. It has two #10 YKK zipper compartments with the largest having 15 2"X4" elastic pockets so you will never run out of places to store your small items. The smaller compartment is 6"X10" with a zippered closure. The Wolfy-Escape also has a three-liter drink system that is contained in an insulated pocket next to your back. I am a water bottle kind of person so I used this pocket for my computer notebook with the insulation acting as padding for my electronics. A tablet computer would easily fit, a notebook computer is a tight fit, but the pocket is too small for a full size laptop. The lower part of this pocket is more
spacious with sufficient room for my charger and mouse. The hook and loop flap for this pocket along with the main zipper rain flap proved to be water tight during my rainy day rides. The two smaller pockets on each side of the backpack were a tight squeeze for a 16oz water bottle when the backpack was very full. Wolfman offers an optional Wolfy waterbottle holster that attaches to the many attachment points on this backpack. The outside of the pack has three reflective strips for better nighttime visibility. Wolfman has put some thought into making this backpack comfortable with padded shoulder straps, but I did find the padding would fold under, providing no padding under the top buckle. The wide waist belt has a large buckle that can be quickly released even while wearing gloves. The sternum strap is adjustable not only in length but also up and down to keep the shoulder straps in place. I found that by loosening the shoulder straps, the backpack would rest on the pillion seat taking the weight off my shoulders. When not wearing the backpack, riders can use the carrying handle to simplify transport. If you are planning a trip to the grocery store or an extended ride and need some extra space, you should consider the Wolfy-Escape Pak. MSRP $189.99
UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, August 28, 2017
Spring Track Day at Grattan 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 Caitlyn at (734) 453-0500
Get Ready for Fall! • 40 Styles of Saddle Bags • 30 Styles of Sissy Bar Bags & Tourpacks • 4 Styles of Trunk Bags
Ride your bike in & try them out!
Saturday, October 7, 2017
PLUS: Windshield Bags, fork bags, magnetic tank bags, tail bags & Gel Seats • ALL IN STOCK!!!
Retail Warehouse (269) 651-2464
Fax: (269) 651-8767 1640 S. Centerville Road (M-66 South) , Sturgis, MI
We accept all major credit cards
Now stocking gray & brown saddlebags!
Call (269) 651-2464 now or visit our on-line store at www.ridewild.com TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
Join us as we celebrate Oktoberfest! • Demo rides • Door prizes • Food & refreshments • Savings on all in-stock apparel & accessories • Special pricing on new and used motorcycles BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 www.bmwmcsem.com
7
th
11 Annual Breast Cancer Benefit Ride Saturday, September 30, 2017 In 2013, 7,676 Michigan women were diagnosed with breast cancer. It is estimated that there will be 8,160 new cases of breast cancer in Michigan women in 2017.
All proceeds from our Breast Cancer Benefit Ride help pay for five free screenings for uninsured women in the area (approx. 100 women each year). Join us in the fight against breast cancer.
Hamilton Harley-Davidson® 68951 White School Road (US-12) Sturgis, MI
269.651.3424 www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com
Continued from page 5 - Bike Time / Rebel Road most manufacturers, HarleyDavidson was, as you might expect, the dominant brand. Bike Time /Rebel Road is not your typical biker event; it’s more of a family affair. Many families could be found – adults with kids, sometimes even a stroller – wandering amongst the motorcycles. Yes, there are adult Overall, it was an enjoyable afternoon. If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast and would like to hang out with a few thousand like-minded souls, check out Bike Time / Rebel Road in 2018.
activities but attendees won’t likely see the nudity or over consumption of alcohol they might see at other biker events. (Of course, I might be wrong about that since I was there for a few hours in the afternoon. The atmosphere might change in the evening.) Unlike when Bike Time was held at the race track, there was no charge to attend. With all the vendors, there’s a lot to buy but attendees didn’t have to worry about an admission fee.
For more information about the 2018 event, visit the Rebel Road website at www.rebelroad.org or the Bike Time website at www. muskegonbiketime.com.
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 Our members come from all across Michigan and we ride many makes of street bikes - including:
3016 Brittany Court Elkhart, IN (877) 856-4326 www.elkhartindianmotorcycle.com
Call or visit our dealership to learn more about the new Indian® Scout® Bobber.
Indian® and Indian Motorcycle® are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International LLC. 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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• Aprilia • BMW • Buell • Ducati
• Harley-Davidson • Honda • Kawasaki
• Suzuki • Triumph • Yamaha ....and brands in between
We travel to great riding destinations close by and far away. We learn to be better riders. We share camaraderie and a common passion: The Passion To Ride!
For information about membership, meetings, events, or rides, contact Augie Fernandes at Membership@MSTRiders.com or Info@MSTRiders.com www.MSTRiders.com • On
www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
: Michigan Sport Touring Riders
September 2017
BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids 5995 S Division Grand Rapids, MI 49548-5730 616-530-6900 www.bmwmcgr.com TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
9
SWEET TRIKES We also have kits for Victory & Indian motorcycles. Call for details.
Trike Conversions & Kits
Do You Have Your Battery Tender Junior 12V/750mA?
Honda Gold Wing
It’s Perfect For Your Harley! In Stock Now!
Honda VTX 1800
Offering all Harley-Davidson FLs and Softails, Honda VTX1300, VTX1800, Gold Wing and Valkyrie Trikes and Trike Kits. Call for more information.
3371 Whisper Ridge Drive, Lapeer, MI 810.357.2515
www.sweettrikes.com
Parts, Accessories, & Service
H-D Softail
Viet Nam Vet Owned & Operated
For Your HarleyDavidson
HOLESHOT!
Large Selection of Angel Bells in Stock!
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New & Used Parts Oil/Tire Changes Helmets, Accessories Accessory Installation
Insurance Agency Motorcycle and Auto insurance for 52 Years! • Motorcycles • Homeowners • ATVs • Personal Watercraft • Motorhomes • Snowmobiles • Boats Serving • Autos Michigan Call or stop by our office for a free quote: residents 32743 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073 only (248) 549-4300
Toll free (800) 400-8564 10
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September 2017
Continued from page 6 - CA Superbike School Rotary enginepowered Norton
35th Annual
Battle of the Brits Motorcycle & Car Show and Swap Meet
Sunday, 2017 BattleSeptember of the 10, Brits 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Camp Dearborn Don’s report: “Starting with the first guy we met in the paddock, I noticed that everyone was passionate about being there. Each member of their staff was truly interested in making people better riders; highly polished and professional. Barber Motorsports Park is a first-class facility and the BMW S1000RR is simply impressive to ride. I’ve been riding motorcycles for 50 years. I’ve never been comfortable leaning a road bike way over in a corner, but after a couple of days of training, it has taken my riding to a whole new level.” Patty had some off-road classes, but never a track day. Here’s her take on the school: “Originally, I hadn’t planned to register for a class. I’d never ridden a sportbike, much less on a track, but, after talking to Ginny at CSS and learning they had a lowered BMW F800R, I decided to sign up for a Level 1 course. What an experience! After several warm up laps, I knew I’d made a wise decision to attend the school. I only wish I’d done this years ago. I almost feel as if I’m relearning to ride. I never imagined myself as a track day rider, but now I’m hooked. The CSS curriculum is top notch; easy to understand and apply on the track. The staff is first rate and 100% focused on providing their students the best customer service and learning experience. My husband and I have purchased Keith Code’s audio books and videos. A wealth of information! We’ve also registered for additional schooling.” As of the writing of this story, Don and Patty are down at Virginia International Raceway taking additional CSS classes, and Patty has purchased a Ducati 899. Howie and I were just amazed at the detail instructors went into in Levels 3 and 4. Level 3 was all about body positioning. They ran five different drills to give students a better entry or exit of a corner. The techniques all work well and can be applied to street riding, too. In Level 4, they work on specific problems students are having with a list of 50 or so different drills to improve skills and increase performance. CSS even captures video tape of students so they can see exactly how they’re going through the turn: good, bad or ugly. We all had a great time and would recommend the school no matter what level of skill a rider has. It’s $675 a day, which includes a S1000RR loaner for on-track training. It’s training that could save your life.
1700 General Motors Road, Milford, MI Presented by the Metro Triumph Riders Supporting Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation
Battle of the Brits
SHOW BIKE REGISTRATION Day of event: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
PARTICIPANT VOTING: - Ends at 1:00 p.m. - Only votes submitted by 1 p.m. will count!
Pre-Registration By mail…see entry form below
Motorcycle Classes 1. Master Class (entrants will receive a free Battle of the Brits t-shirt!) · Open to all British motorcycles, including café racers, customs, etc. · Judged by a panel of experts · Only bikes in this class are eligible for (3) Best in Show awards! 0. Original/Survivor Class · Open to all British motorcycles at least 30 years old. · Judged on originality by a panel of experts. · “Original,” in this case, is defined as, “unmolested, unrestored, and closest to the way it left the factory.” CLASSES 2-20 ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPANTS’ CHOICE AWARDS, including best in class (1st, 2nd, 3rd) Modern Triumph Classes (Hinckley-built bikes,
AWARDS PRESENTATION: 3:30 p.m. near the red MTR trailer
Save time on event day by pre-registering. Plus, receive a coupon for $5 off on a Battle of the Brits t-shirt! SHOW REGISTRATION FEES Motorcycle entries: $10.00 per bike + $5 Camp Dearborn entry fee at gate Swap-meet spaces: $40.00 for first space (15’ wide x 40’ deep). Additional spaces, $30 each. + $5 Camp Dearborn entry fee at gate SPECTATOR ENTRY FEE $5 per vehicle
Judges’ Awards for Best in Show! FOOD AND BEVERAGES: Available throughout the day METRO TRIUMPH RIDERS STORE Visit the red MTR trailer to purchase a variety of club and show items ACCOMMODATIONS Camping Is Available On Site! Rental cabins are also available! Go to www.campdearborn.com or call (248) 684-6000
Area offers great roads and many points of interest nearby! An AMA-Sanctioned Event. Be There, Rain or Shine! FOR ForMORE moreINFORMATION information, GO go TO: to:
www.metrotriumphriders.com www.metrotriumphriders.com call 586-944-7456 or emailormetrotriumphriders@ymail.com
Become an MTR member:
Become an our MTRweb member! Apply our Apply on site or pickon up web sitea or pickat upthe a form at the show! form show!
1990- )
2a. Cruisersand Urban Sports (Bonneville America, Speedmaster, Rocket III, Speed Four, Trophy, Tiger, etc.) 2b. Modern Classics (Bonneville, T100, Thruxton, Thunderbird, Thunderbird Sport, Trident. etc.) 3. Triumph and BSA Triples Trident and Rocket 3 (1969-76) 4. Triumph Oil-in-Frame Twins 650 and 750 (1971-88) 5a. Triumph Oil Tank Unit Bonnevilles all 650 twin-carb models (1963-70) 5b. Triumph Oil Tank Unit Other other 500 & 650 models (1963-70) 6. Triumph and BSA Pre-Unit Twins all pre-unit twins 7. Triumph and BSA Singles all singles, unit and pre-unit 8. Norton Commando 750 all 750cc models (1968-73) 9. Norton Commando 850 all 850cc models (1973-77) 11. BSA Unit Twins A50, A65, etc. 13. British Open/ Vintage Ariel, Enfield, Velocette, Vincent, etc. 14. British Competition track bikes, scramblers, racers 15. British Café Racers including Triton, Norbsa, Norvin 16. British Choppers/Customs mild, wild, weird, and wacky 17. Italian Ducati, Moto Guzzi, MV, Aprilia, etc. 18. German and European BMW, Bultaco, Montesa, etc. 19. American (pre-1984) Harley-Davidson (pre-Evo), Indian, etc.
Battle of the Brits Pre-Registration Form
Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________City: ________________ State: _________ Zip: ______________________ Email: ________________________________ Year Make Model Class
Number of vendor spaces required ____ Number of bikes x $10 ____ ____ Vendor spaces x $40 Additional spaces X $30 ____ Total Enclosed _____
Mail check or money order in U.S. funds only, please, to: Metro Triumph Riders, P.O. Box 700521, Plymouth, MI 48170
BE SEEN
Buell Battle Twin TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
Wear Hi-Viz Riding Gear 11
MotorCity Motorcycles Actively Supports Our Veterans Donation Drive for Veterans in Need Help support the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces on our behalf. The local Veterans Administration office tells us that there are a significant number of local area veterans who need a variety of basic items, including coats, hats, gloves, underwear, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, t-shirts, etc. Our dealership, MotorCity Motorcycles, is accepting these items on behalf of the local VA from now through the end of the year. Please be generous. Our veterans deserve our support.
Up to $1,000 OFF for military, police and fire on NEW Indian or Victory motorcycles in tock.
www.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles
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
Aerostich New Useful Suits Duluth, MN - The world’s most versatile and best coverall, onesie, jumper…whatever you call it, it’s good, and useful. Incredibly quick and easy to put on and take off thanks to a unique two-zipper entry system. Simply step in with your right foot, pull it over your arms and shoulders, zip down the full-length zipper from the neck to the bottom of the left leg and lower the right leg zipper. Done. Instant durable, waterproof/breathable barrier to protect you from dirt, rain, mud or whatever might come your way. Great for all kinds of outdoor recreation situations as well as for industrial and commercial working applications like airline ground crews, power company linemen, construction workers, or anyone else who must work in a harsh environment regardless of the weather. Available in two tough lightweight three-layer breathablewaterproof nylon fabric options, both
Pre-Owned Motorcycles
fully seam-sealed: A standard 70D fabric for more wear-strength or the 40D lighter weight ripstop fabric for aerobicsport wearability and ultrapackability. Graded sizing for a precise fit – over sixty off-the-rack sizes. Detailed features include a hidden hood, A dual-height adjustable collar, with secure overlapping hook & loop closure, two-way zippered underarm and back vents, wrist and ankle tab adjusters, an adjustable integrated waist belt and hidden full-length zippered 1.5” side gussets which add space for cool weather layers. Pockets include a zippered right forearm pocket, an outside right chest cargo pocket and an interior left-side zippered mesh pocket. Articulated knees and built-in forward rotated sleeves allow nonrestrictive bending and reaching. Side entry zippers located at both hips give you quick, easy access to your pants pockets, too. Rolls/packs down to 14”x6”and available in Grey, Black or Orange (70D fabric) or Black or Yellow (40D fabric). Made in America and imported. For more information visit www.aerostich.com. $427-$457
FEATURED MOTORCYCLES 2016 H-D Tri Glide® Ultra, Black, 1,625 miles, $33,999 OUT THE DOOR!!!
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1997 Honda GL1500ct Valkyrie Tour, Black, 17,115, miles, $4,999 OUT THE DOOR!!!
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on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorCityMotorcycles
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September 2017
EDRs in Court Litigation by Jason Waechter, Esq. Did you know that, like airplanes, cars have a black box? Usually, it’s called an EDR, short for Event Data Recorder. The EDR is a hardy computer built into a car to survive a crash and record specific data. This data enables investigators and potentially the courts to determine what really happened during a crash. Unlike the black boxes in airplanes, the EDRs in cars don’t continuously record data. They’re usually triggered when certain conditions are met. These conditions could include a deployed airbag, the anti-lock brake system kicking in, an impact, or a number of other factors. The kind of data that EDRs record is different between manufacturers, but they usually note the speed of the car, airbag deployment, brake status, throttle position, and whether or not the driver was wearing a seatbelt. Recently, EDRs have been placed in motorcycles like the Kawasaki Ninja line and the Honda Gold Wing Airbag model from 2006-2014. Most of the EDRs in motorcycles record the same data that their car counterparts do, minus the seatbelt and airbag data. While EDR data can be incredibly useful in court cases, it should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt when it’s misapplied. I’ve seen this happen in a case that I have handled. In one case, a car turned left in front of my client’s motorcycle and killed him. This car had an EDR in it. The defense expert attempted to use the car’s EDR information to show that the motorcyclist was speeding. Now, it is possible to gain some insight into the speed of the other vehicle at the time of a crash, but this data isn’t always reliable. I had four eyewitnesses who could unequivocally dispute the defense attorney’s statement that the motorcyclist was speeding.
There was even a witness who was driving behind my client and pacing him evenly. This witness happened to glance down at his speedometer, so he knew exactly how fast the motorcyclist was going just before the crash. The defense brought in an expert to try to sell the jury on the idea of the facts as presented by the car’s EDR and his tweaked velocity equations. As I prepared for my crossexamination of this so-called expert, I interviewed a professor who teaches and mentors police investigators and engineers on EDR technology. When I told him what the defense expert’s opinion was, he replied, “He’s definitely cheating and fudging to get to the motorcycle speed.” EDRs can be a great tool for understanding the chain of events that led to the crash, but they only allow us to see one side of the story. We’re only able to know what happened in the vehicle with the EDR. Using EDR data to determine what other vehicles were doing at the time of the crash is murky at best. 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 1877-BIKER LAW. Or visit www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com Legal disclaimer: The law is very fact dependent and there are many nuances and exceptions depending on your particular circumstances. Therefore, given the limited space, it is impossible to cover everything. Do not rely on the short article to protect your rights.
Pre-Owned Motorcycles
2005 BMW R 1200 GS, Red/Silver, 80,216 miles, $4,999
2007 BMW R 1200 RT, Beige, 86,000 miles, $6,500
2015 BMW R 1200 GS Adv, White, 3,400 miles, 2013 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC, 10,130 miles, 2012 BMW F 800 GS Trophy, Blue/White/Black, 12,000 miles, 2012 BMW R 1200 R, Red, 67,000 miles, 2010 BMW K 1300 S, Orange, 56,000 miles, 2002 BMW R 1150 GS, Blue/White, 105,865 miles, 2002 BMW R 1150 RT, Blue, 59,500 miles, 1999 BMW R 1100 S, 822 miles, 1993 BMW K 1100 LT, Green, 30,900 miles,
$18,500 $9,999 $8,999 $6,999 $7,999 $4,999 $3,500 $9,999 $3,499
BMW Motorcycles of Southeast Michigan 14855 N. Sheldon Rd. Plymouth, MI 734.453.0500 • www.bmwmcsem.com
We take motorcycles of all brands and models as trade-ins. Bring us your bike when you’re ready to buy! TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
13
Events Events do change. Please call ahead.
Michigan August 25-26 2nd Annual Owosso Vintage Motorcycle Days Highlights vintage and cafe-style motorcycles from throughout the state! Join us for a community ride on Friday, August 25th at 7pm. We will be taking off from the Historic Curwood Castle. ALL motorcycles are welcome to join on the ride! Saturday, August 26th join us for a Vintage Motorcycle Show from 8am to 4pm (bike registration will start at 7am). Bikes can be registered on Eventbrite. There will be vintage motorcycle from throughout the country for you to check out! Downtown Owosso, MI September 9-11 Bikes on the Bricks Downtown Flint, Michigan www.bikesonthebricks.com September 10 35th Annual Battle of the Brits Motorcycle & Car Show and Swap Meet Camp Dearborn 1700 General Motors Road Milford, Michigan www.metrotriumphriders.com September 10 The Ton-Up Motorcycle & Music Festival Bring down your favorite motorcycle, or two (any make/model/year will be
accepted), and enter the bike show for a chance to win one of our custom-built trophies and other prizes. $10 entry fee. There are categories for all types of motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters. Don’t be shy, let’s see what you got. 50/50 and other door prizes. Our line up of killer Michigan bands will be on hand to rock you all day long (1pm to 9pm). Bands include: The Stomp Rockets, Duende, Black Jake & The Carnies, Wild Savages, The Gruesome Twosome, Ypsi Rustle Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery 720 Norris St, Ypsilanti, Michigan September 16 2nd Annual Trooper Chad Wolf Memorial Ride Proceeds benefit Thin Blue Line of Michigan Reg. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Kickstands up at 11:30 a.m. $25/Rider; $35 with Passenger Live music & Lunch included Ride begins and ends at Bike Bob’s Harley-Davidson 14100 Telegraph Rd, Taylor, MI 734.947.4647 Pre-register at www.tblofmi.com September 17 11th Annual All Clubs Day Come and enjoy a day of vintage, classic, and otherwise remarkable motorcycles displayed around The Village Green in Stockbridge Spectators welcome. Breakfast 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Presbyterian Church Stockbridge Lions pulled pork lunch from noon on; Info - (517) 851-7437 October 1 Turkey Run at the Crump Fox Club Sign up 10 a.m. to noon $10 / person Money raised will go to local charities 781 Prevo Road, Linwood, MI (989) 892-7866
UPCOMING EVENTS SUMMER TRACK DAY @ Grattan Monday, August 28, 2017 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.
October 15 Bubba’s Old School Birch Run Motorcycle Swap Meet Admission: $7 / person Birch Run Expo Center 11600 North Beyer Road Birch Run, MI (989) 893-5187
Indiana September 2-3 Hog Roast, Band & Labor Day Event FREE Hog! Bikes, a live band and BBQ on Saturday. Ride on over to Brandt’s H-D and get some free hog. Beer tent will be setup. Baked beans, chips & soda extra for sale to help fund a local organization. Brandt’s Harley-Davidson 1400 N CASS ST, WABASH, IN 260.563.6443 September 9 The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour A Kick Ass, V-Twin Thrill Show performed solely on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Exciting, crazy, fun, and just Bad Ass are just a few words to describe the Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour. A loud and energetic crowd is just fuel to the riders fire. So the louder the crowd gets, the wilder they get! Come on out to Brandt’s H-D and enjoy these free shows September 9th at 11 am, 1 pm and 3:30 pm! They’ll be free lunch hot off the grill and the beer tent will be setup too! ;) Brandt’s Harley-Davidson 1400 N CASS ST WABASH, IN 260.563.6443 September 16 Anna’s Celebration Ride Complimentary hot breakfast to all registered riders from 8-10 am. Registration begins at 10 am. Kickstands up at 11:15 am. Ride ends in Beech Grove where you’ll enjoy a HOG ROAST dinner, games, and more. $20 per rider; $30 with passenger Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson 4930 SOUTHPORT CROSSING PLACE INDIANAPOLIS, IN 317-885-5180 September 17 Walneck’s Swap Meet 252 Hospital Rd., Martinsville, IN $6 / person; $40 / vendors (630) 985-2097
September 23 Elkhart Indian Motorcycles 2nd Anniversary Open House Live music by Dos Hermanos Food by Texas Roadhouse Door prizes, Beer garden, Store-wide savings 3016 Brittany Court Elkhart, IN (877) 856-4326 September 24 Waldo & Steve Brandt Memorial Ride The commemorative ride leaves from the Wabash dealership promptly at noon with line up starting at 10 am. The Wabash dealership will be OPEN from 10am - 4pm. Waldo & Steve Memorial Ride commemorative T-shirts will be on sale for $15. We will be leaving the dealership at Noon SHARP! Ride map/route will be posted on front doors with the Jonesboro River Rally as the final destination. Brandt’s Harley-Davidson 1400 N CASS ST WABASH, IN 260.563.6443 October 14-15 2017 AMA National Adventure Riding Series Buffalo 500 National Adventure Ride Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club Columbus, IN
Vintage Moto Mornings Vintage & rat rod motorcycles (about 25 years or older) are invited to our inaugural season of Vintage Moto Mornings. These will take place the first Saturday of the month at our shop. We’ll have coffee/energy drinks, doughnuts and project talk. Drive your old bike over in any condition and check out what everyone else is riding. 10am1pm, A good place to meet up with friends before a group ride. The dates are: May 6, June 3, July 2 (This is a Sunday. John will be at Redbud on Saturday.), August 5, Sept. 2, Oct 7 (weather permitting) Motorcycle Solutions 3519 Jackman Road, Toledo, OH
14
Wisconsin September 23-24 2017 AMA National Adventure Riding Series 2017 Big Woods 200 Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders Wabeno, WI www.widualsportriders.org/
Event Listings are Free
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
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.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
BMW-Motus Motorcycles of Grand Rapids 5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI (616) 530-6900 • www.bmwmcgr.com
May 2, May 16, May 30 Bike Nights at Wesley’s Bar Every other Tuesday through September 6 pm to 9 pm Wesley’s Bar 1201 Adams Street Toledo, OH
Ohio
K 1600 B Bagger Open House The hottest new Bagger in the market is now in our dealership. Power, comfort, advanced technology, and style define the Bagger. Join us for our K 1600 B Bagger Open House and check out coolest motorcycle in the market.
(419) 720-4313
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
www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
September 2017
The Preacher Speaks About...
The River City Motorcycle Challenge by Franz “The Preacher” Hoffer If you’ve read some of my previous articles, you’ll recall that my son, Eric, has become interested in competing in motorcycle skills competitions. Recently, I tagged along as we rode our motors (you can’t call them bikes in the competition world) to the competition in Omaha, Nebraska. We left on Tuesday morning, July 25th at 6:25 a.m., and went as far as Coralville, Iowa; a good 500 miles from our homes in southeast Michigan, arriving around 5:00pm. It was a wonderful day for riding and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We encountered only one real traffic tie up along I-80 west of Joliet. While there, Eric got a call from some of his team members (Midwest Police Motorcycle Civilian Training). They invited him to Richland, Iowa. Rusty (Iowa Ride Like A Pro owner – rusty@ridlelikeaproia.com) had set up a training track in the middle of a cornfield on a deserted World War II airfield. It was an offer too good to pass up. We headed southwest from Richland at 6:30 Wednesday morning. The route took us on twolane roads through the Iowa countryside at speeds
of about 55 to 65 mph. It was a beautiful ride. After approximately 70 miles, we arrived at Rusty’s houseat around 7:30 a.m. and I met the guys: Rusty, Cliff, Wade, Larry, and Buck. What a great bunch of “stand up” guys. We got to the old airstrip and it was in great shape. Rusty has been treating the practice range to get rid of weeds. The airport pavement - from 1943 was still in excellent
shape. He had the cones all set up to run the exercises. The guys practiced as I took pictures and imagined myself riding like they do... maybe someday I will. Eric and I left the airstrip practice range around noon and stairstepped our way up to Des Moines along beautiful
two-lane country highways. That is riding the way it was meant to be. The weather forecast was for severe weather so we opted for I-80 figuring, if we got stuck in inclement weather, we’d have options to wait it out under an overpass or take shelter in a gas station/restaurant/rest-stop. We were hit with a downpour about 30 miles southeast of Des Moines, but it didn’t last long. We continued on I80 and put a good 70 miles behind us before stopping for lunch. We were making good time until about 100 miles east of Omaha where we were hit hard with downpour after downpour. Of course, we suffered from the perennial problem of goggles fogging up. We worked our way through it and got to our destination, the Regency Lodge in Omaha, at around 4:30 p.m. After a good day in the saddle, it was time to dry off and relax before dinner. A good steak and some cocktails or beer was just what the doctor ordered. Thursday was free day for us as the competition did not start until late Friday. Eric and I spent the day in Omaha. We first went to Dillion Brothers Harley-Davidson. (In addition to Harley, they also have Indian and sportbike dealerships on the same site.) There we met Toby and Lynn from South Georgia, two class people also participating in the motorcycle skills competition. Toby is a retired crop duster pilot who, together with Lynn, ran a thriving business. Both
Continued on page 17
Join us for our
nd
2 ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE
DON’T MISS IT!
on Saturday, September 23 • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • In-store discounts on parts, gear & accessories • Door Prizes! • Live music with Dos Hermanos • Food provided by Texas Roadhouse (while supplies last) • Beer Garden from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
3016 Brittany Court, Elkhart, IN (877) 856-4326 www.elkhartindianmotorcycle.com Indian® and Indian Motorcycle® are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International LLC. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing and obey the speed limit. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
15
Motorcycling & Law
Expungement of Adult Convictions by Dondi Vesprini I hope every reader is having a safe and enjoyable summer, full of warm weather and smooth roads. I thought I would take the opportunity this month to address a topic that more than one person has asked me about since last month. That is the issue of expunging a prior conviction from one’s criminal record. Many folks have picked up a criminal conviction at some point earlier on in their adult years which has made it difficult for them to move forward for one reason or another in their later years. Michigan does have a statute that allows for the application for the entry of a court order to set aside a conviction, but only under certain circumstances. Be advised that the application of the expungement law may vary from case to case as many times the question of whether the expungement law applies to your situation depends on the specific nature of your prior convictions. Also, please be advised that the rules are somewhat different for expungement of a juvenile conviction. The purpose of this article is to lay out in general terms some of the provisions of Michigan’s expungement law regarding convictions as an adult. For starters, you may only apply for an expungement as follows:
Sponsored by Michigan Motorcyclist®
“LOOK TWICE, SAVE A LIFE” MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE 16
1.
If you are convicted of not more than 1 felony offense and not more than 2 misdemeanor offenses, you may petition the Court to set aside the felony offense.
2.
If you are convicted of no more than 2 misdemeanor offenses and no other offenses (felony of misdemeanor), you may petition the Court to set aside 1 or both of the misdemeanor convictions.
Further, there are certain offenses for which convictions are not allowed to be set aside, including but not limited to: 1.
A felony or attempt to commit a felony which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment;
2.
A traffic offense, including but not limited to operating while intoxicated; and
3.
A felony conviction for domestic violence if the person has a prior misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence.
If you qualify for a possible expungement, you must wait to file for at least five years after the imposition of the sentence, completion of probation, discharge from parole or completion of any term of imprisonment for the conviction that you seek to set aside. In addition to filing the application for
www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
expungement, you must also submit a set of fingerprints with the Michigan State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who then in turn forward a complete copy of your criminal record to the Court. A copy of the application is also provided to the attorney general, the office of the prosecutor who prosecuted the crime that you seek to have set aside and to any victims if the conviction was for an assaultive crime or serious misdemeanor, all of whom who are given the opportunity to contest the application if they choose. The Court will then set the application for a hearing date and has the discretion to enter an Order setting aside the conviction(s) if the Court determines that the circumstances and behavior of the applicant from the date of conviction(s) warrant setting the conviction(s) aside and that doing so is consistent with the public welfare. Notably, if the Court grants the expungement, the conviction remains on the person’s “nonpublic” criminal record which remains available to courts, an agency of the judicial branch of State government, the department of corrections, law enforcement agencies, a prosecuting attorney, the attorney general and the Governor. As always, if anyone has any questions or if I can be of legal assistance to you or anyone you know dealing with this issue or 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 (248-569-4646) or shoot me an e-mail at Dondi@buckfirelaw.com. I give presentations state-wide 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!
September 2017
Continued from page 15 - The Preacher are now retired and both ride competitively although only Toby was competing in this competition. We left the dealership and spent a couple hours at the Durham Museum which is the old train station, now renovated. It was worth the side trip. From there, we went approximately 30 miles west on I-80 to Ashland, Nebraska, site of the Strategic Air Command Aeronautics Museum. The museum is a must see if you are ever in the area. Seldom have I seen an array of aircraft displayed in such an accessible manner. They had a two-person flight simulator and Eric and I took the bait. We were fully enclosed and a screen let us see where we were flying. I did well shooting at enemy aircraft and firing a missile or two, going from side to side. Then I turned the controls over to Eric. The next thing I knew, we were upside down in a barrel roll. I reminded Eric that we had just finished lunch. ‘Nuff said. It was a good way to spend a down day; seeing interesting exhibits and riding at a leisurely pace while exploring the area. The next day, Friday, would be practice in the morning with the competition commencing in the late afternoon and running through Saturday. The 5th Annual River City Motorcycle Challenge is organized by the Blue Knights, an international non-profit and family-oriented motorcycle club. They consist of active and retired police officers, sherriff’s deputies, highway patrol and state and federal agents. Their saying is WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS. This was the first year that they included non-motor officers as well as civilian riders in the challenge. The motor officers and civilians would be competing head to head in all of the categories except one; the Top Guy award which would pit the top five total points riders in a timed skill ride through a combination of the three courses on which they competed during the day. The Challenge drew a good cross section of riders (sworn and civilian), attracting 51 contestant’s from 13 states. The event was attended by family, friends, and at least 100 to 150 spectators. There were four different areas on which each rider would be judged ; three courses and a slow ride circle. Contestants were allowed to have two timed runs on each of the three courses as well as the slow ride. Winners would be determined by the fastest time they recorded in their two runs. There are two separate competitions. The first is called Last Man Standing in which two riders enter an enclosed box marked by cones, with several cones set up inside the box as well. The two riders follow each other on their motors and the follower has to follow in the exact path that the leader TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
takes. The object is to try and make the following rider go outside that path, put a foot down, or hit a cone. Each bout lasts 90 seconds. The winner goes on to compete until there are only two left. At the end of the final bout, only one rider can be the Last Man Standing. The second competition is the 4 Man Speed Team Challenge. Teams are comprised of four riders and they chase each other in follow-the-leader style of race. The team with the quickest time is the winner...the course they have to ride is call the “Utah Star”. Fantastic is all I can say. My friends, if you ever get a chance to go to one of these motorcycle challenge competitions, I encourage you to attend. Bar none, I saw the most talented and skilled riders maneuvering their motors in and around pylons that most of us would have problems navigating on a Schwinn, let alone an 800-pound motorcycle. In addition, the camaraderie I witnessed, the fellowship and genuine concern for one another, motor officers and civilians alike, was something to experience. Sure, they all want to win, but they help each other and advise each other on how it could have been done better, faster, or safer. The competition categories were as follows: Expert Motor Officer; Motor Officer; Expert Civilian; Civilian; and then there were the winners of the Slow Ride, the Team Speed Challenge, and the Last Man Standing. Top finishers in each category: Expert Motor Officer 1st - Sgt James George, North Richland Hills, TX
Michigan
Harley-Davidson
Dealer Events
For a complete list of Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Members, see the dealer locator on page 19. August 21-27 Big Tent Event Ray C’s Harley-Davidson 1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69) Lapeer, MI (810) 664-9261 August 25-27 U.P. Butt Ride Destination TBD Zips 45th Parallel Harley-Davidson 980 S. Wisconsin Avenue, Gaylord, MI (989) 732-8000 September 2 Ride & Shine Free Breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. ‘til gone Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson 2977 Corporate Grove Drive Hudsonville, MI (877) 596-6387 September 2 Labor Day Event Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road, Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 September 9 2018 Model Preview Party Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road, Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 September 9
2nd – Sgt Ben Wolfe, McHenry County, IL Dogs & Beer
Who doesn’t love hot dogs and root beer?! Join ABC Harley-Davidson for their Dogs 3rd – Cpl Ken Donais, Amarillo, TX & Beer Party on Saturday, September 9th from 11am to 3pm. Enjoy hot dogs & root Motor Officer beer, live music, entertainment, and door 1st - Ofc Aaron Kozisek, Council Bluffs, IA prizes. ABC Harley-Davidson 4405 Highland Rd (M-59), Waterford, MI 2nd – Ofc Brad Wood, La Vista, NE 248.674.3175
3rd – Ofc Jeff Schwartz, Lincoln, NE Expert Civilian 1st – Eric Peabody, Moncks Corner, SC 2nd – Jim Tate, Dallas, TX 3rd – Kevin Briggs, Weatherford, TX Civilian 1st Larry Yeager, Sedalia, MO
September 16 Harley-Davidson Demo Truck Fall Open House Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road, Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 September 16 Sweet 16 Anniversary Party Zips 45th Parallel Harley-Davidson 980 S. Wisconsin Avenue Gaylord, MI - (989) 732-8000
September 22-24 2018 New Model Open House Ray C’s Harley-Davidson 1491 S. Lapeer Rd. (M-24 & I-69) Lapeer, MI (810) 664-9261 September 22-24 Harley-Davidson Open House Zips 45th Parallel Harley-Davidson 980 S. Wisconsin Avenue Gaylord, MI (989) 732-8000 September 23 2018 New Model Open House SAVE THE DATE! We’re just as excited as you are to showcase what’s being launched for the 2018 model year! Discover more — only at Capitol H-D. Celebrate the arrival of the latest bikes, parts, & gear Capitol Harley-Davidson 9550 Woodlane Dr. Dimondale, MI 48821 517.646.2345 September 23 College Football Tailgate Party Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 September 23 2018 New Model Open House Hamilton Harley-Davidson 68951 White School Road US-12 Sturgis, MI (269) 651-3424 September 30 Annual Breast Cancer Ride Hamilton Harley-Davidson 68951 White School Road US-12 Sturgis, MI (269) 651-3424 September 30 Fall Freedom Fest Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road Battle Creek, MI
(269) 979-2233
2nd – John Newby, Newark, TX 3rd – Charlie Campbell, Topeka, KS Continued on page 18
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Continued from previous page Slow Ride Ben Wolfe Team Speed Challenge Sgt James George; Ofc Bret Wright; Ofc Alex James; Cpl Ken Donais
Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Members 1. Battle Creek
12. Muskegon
BATTLE CREEK HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 5738 BECKLEY RD, BATTLE CREEK (269) 979-2233, www.battlecreekharley.com
HOT ROD HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 149 SHORELINE DRIVE, MUSKEGON (231) 722-3653, www.hotrodhd.com
2. Bay City
13. Sturgis
GREAT LAKES HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 3850 S. HURON ROAD, BAY CITY (989) 686-0400, www.greatlakeshd.com
HAMILTON HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 68951 WHITE SCHOOL ROAD, STURGIS (616) 651-3424, www.hamiltonharley-davidson.com
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
Last Man Standing Sgt James George Top Gun Sgt James George The next competition will be held on August 25th – 27 rain or shine at Wolverine Harley-Davidson in Clinton Township, Michigan. Registration fee is $75, waived if any motor officer is riding representing his or her department on a department motorcycle. All proceeds from the event will be donated to benefit MIC.O.P.S (www.miCOPS.org). For more information you can call Midwest Motorcycle Training at 248-855-4444 or Wolverine Harley-Davidson at 586-463-7700. Hope to see you there. I was glad I attended and you will happy, too, if you decide to attend. It is well worth it! Until then, ride safe. th
7. Hudsonville GRAND RAPIDS HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 2977 CORPORATE GROVE DR., HUDSONVILLE (616) 896-0111, www.grandrapidsharley.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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HOLESHOT HARLEY-DAVIDSON® 4741 E PICKARD, MT PLEASANT (989) 772-5513 www.candssportcenter.com
www.midwestmotorcyclist.com
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11. Mt. Pleasant
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September 2017
THE 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON® TOURING MOTORCYCLES. Powered by the all-new Milwaukee-Eight®™ engine. TAKE ONE FOR A RIDE AND FEEL THE DIFFERENCE. NO RESERVATION NEEDED.
SPONSORED BY YOUR MICHIGAN
HARLEY-DAVIDSON®DEALER WWW.MHDDA.COM Requires motorcycle endorsement TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
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INJURED ON A MOTORCYCLE IN MICHIGAN? THE Motorcycle LawyerSM SPECIALIZES!
- Jaso son Waechtter e
He wrote the book
LITIGATING M OTORCYCLE INJURY & DEA TH CASES BY: ATTO RNEY JASON A.
• Handling Injury and Wrongful Death Cases • We also have an Auto, No-Fault & Truck Department
MOTORCYCLE CASE
$1,000,000 ‘WINS’ ALREADY IN 2017: $1,250,000 Million-dollar winner, Attorney Jason Waechter
CALL: 1-877-Biker-Law (1-877-245-3752)
www.TheMotorcycleLawyer.com We have an affiliate office near you!
WAECHTER