GNR will close the Sturgis motorcycle week’s final night, Friday, August 13 at the newly constructed Rock N’ Rev Amphitheater at Monkey Rock USA.

The fest will also include Daughtry, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Godsmack, Creed, 3 Doors Down, Hinder and Hellyeah.

Thousands of bikers have already arrived at the Boone County Fairgrounds, where the event will be held.

 About 50,000 motorcycle lovers are expected to attend this year’s round up despite the heat wave. The motorcycle event will last till August 8, 2010 (Sunday).

Get this promo PDF flyer here.

Massachusetts bikers know that the MMA has been fighting noise ordinances in Massachusetts cities and towns for years. However, the noise issue has escalated with the increase in the number of motorcycles on the road every year, so it is no wonder legal efforts have been made to deal with it.  

However, MMA’s take on this issue is “Education, not Legislation.” 

The goal of MMA’s new campaign is to share knowledge on why people are complaining about motorcycle noise, and what the actual Massachusetts Law which went into effect on July 12 is. Another goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among riders to respect residential areas by keeping their throttles down.   

Remember, “”When in Town, Throttle Down.”

Find the MMA pamphlet and the information listed under ““What’s all the Noise about Noise?” here. Also, to read more about Massachusetts Motorcycle Laws, please click here.

Sources: SeaCoastOnline, Boston Biker.

Valerie Beaton was riding her 2008 Harley Davidson as part of a motorcycle group when the accident occurred. She died almost immediately after the crash, and was pronounced dead at the Milford Medical Center.

Police said that speed and alcohol are not considered as potential factors for the accident. The road can also be ruled out as a possible factor, since it’s relatively straight where the accident occurred. Also, the police could not find any apparent mechanical problems with her motorcycle.

While police are still investigating the reasons behind the accident, we can take a moment and consider the dangers of group riding and the safety tips that can help motorcyclists have a safe and enjoyable group ride.

Check out these safety tips by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

Group rides can provide hours of enjoyment to bikers, and since SAFETY COMES FIRST, we should keep these tips in mind before we go out on a ride.

Social networks have also been great for bikers. Never has it been easier for bikers to find other riders, biker clubs, events, motorcycles for sale, special events, pictures, and even biker romance. It’s hard to imagine the motorcycle world without them.

Facebook has been the most robust of the social networks for both individuals and companies. Although each Facebook page looks essentially the same, the difference is in the friends or fans. Harley Davidson has over 600,000 fans. This represents massive communication and connection between current Harley owners, potential future buyers, lovers of the Harley brand, and contacts within the Motor Company.

Small organizations are able to leverage the power of social networks to gain a level of fame. One group in South Florida promotes local bike nights in the tri-county area. This makes it easy for bikers to find things to do at one easy to find source. When you become a fan of this site, updates about new biker events will be emailed to you.

Even individuals are able to use Facebook to launch, maintain, or even grow their fan base. Paul Teutel Jr. from Orange County Choppers and American Chopper fame uses this social network to promote his newest project; Paul Jr. Designs.

The best thing about social networks for bikers is the connection between people. Bikers can share with up to 5000 Facebook friends pictures from their latest motorcycle upgrades, comments about their friends’ motorcycle adventures, or have a conversation on how to repair a leaky oil cooler on a Harley Fat Boy.

If you are not using Facebook to connect with other bikers, you are really missing out on a great source of camaraderie and fun. Give it a try. It’s free, easy, and you have nothing to lose.

Hi, I’m Tom Kiley, and when my buddies and I go riding we always put safety first. Get a free copy of my motorcycle book for some valuable riding tips. And if you or loved one are ever hurt in the Massachusetts area, contact the Kiley Law Group for legal advice from a real motorcycle attorney.

Bikers are a diverse breed and come from every walk of life. Motorcycling is one of those rare lifestyles that appeals to a very wide audience. This is one of the main reasons why bikers get along regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what they ride.

Motorcycle magazines tend to reflect the homogeneous nature of bikers and most magazines focus mainly on motorcycles. Magazines like Hot Bike, American Iron, the Motorcyclist, and Cycle World focus their content on motorcycles and motorcycle related topics. By focusing on bikes, their circulation appeals to the widest group of bikers possible.

Over the years however, there has been a need for more niche-oriented content.

With the recent growth of women in the motorcycle world, there has been a boom in web based content for female bikers. Many of these websites not only feature motorcycle-related content but also focus on the stories of the women who ride.

African Americans bikers have been a large part of the American motorcycling community but there has been a surprising lack of content dedicated to the stories of Black bikers.

Until now.

The Black Biker Magazine is the brainchild of Los Angeles based creative talent, Constant Walker. Walker, an avid biker and music and TV industry insider, decided to mobilize his talent and contacts to create a comprehensive magazine website. The magazine will provide African American bikers with a valuable source of information.

Due to economic considerations, the launch of The Black Biker Magazine has been postponed but will launch on April 2010.  Pre-launch information about the magazine can be found on both Twitter and Facebook.

Luckily, women have not been intimidated or overwhelmed. They have been flocking to motorcycles in record numbers. Without the large influx of women bikers, the motorcycle industry would be in serious trouble.

Harley Davidson has been making it easier for women to get into the world of motorcycles.

Selected Harley Davidson dealerships are sponsoring women only Garage Party events. These after hour events are filled with tips and seminars to help women riders learn key aspects of motorcycling and meet other experience and rookie bikers. These events make it very easy for new riders to build the knowledge and confidence required to handle the open road with riders of all types.

Along with learning about key elements of motorcycling, these events are also geared to introduce women to new and used Harley Davidson motorcycles. Never has Harley offered a larger range of motorcycles that fit a wider array of riders. Bikes like the Fat Boy Lo, the Sportster line, and some Softail models make excellent first bike choices for bikers looking for low seat high and lighter weight.

March 2010 will be Harley’s Garage Party month and they have stepped up the events to the next level. Attendees of Garage Party events can register to win a weekend getaway with fitness guru and Harley Davidson enthusiast, Jillian Michaels, from TV’s The Biggest Loser.

This weekend getaway will feature participating in Harley’s Edge Rider Program, motivation presentations, and a spa day for the winner and several friends.

There’s nothing to lose in attending one of these events. Why not check it out with some friends and find out if motorcycling is the life for you.

Women are flocking to motorcycles in record numbers and other motorcyclists are just going to have to get used to it. If women were not embracing motorcycling as a lifestyle and hobby, the industry as a whole would have a hard time surviving.

Essentially, women are saving the motorcycle industry.

Women make up somewhere between 15-18% of motorcycle buyers according to Genevieve Schmitt, founder of WomenRidersNow.com, in her column in American Iron Magazine’s March 2010 edition. Not only does she contribute to American Iron Magazine as their Woman’s Point of View (POV) Writer, she manages one of the most robust woman’s motorcycling websites on the Internet.

American Iron Magazine is not the only organization that understands the importance of a woman’s point of view in the motorcycle community. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has been conducting their International Women & Motorcycling Conference since 1999. In 2009, the event spanned 4 days in Keystone, CO and featured vendors, banquets, keynote speakers, seminars, scenic rides, demo rides, and educational workshops.

Nearly 1000 people showed up for the 2009 event including about 100 men coming to show support to their spouses, friends, and significant others.

Men weren’t the only ones showing up for this event. Harley Davidson and Buell stepped up to be presenting sponsors for this event for the second year. Yamaha, BMW, KYMCO, and Ducati came out with demo fleets for patrons of the event so they can try out their latest machines.

With major events like Daytona Bike Week on the horizon, it’s fair to say that women will be making their presence felt in increasing numbers at these and other major motorcycle events.

Joining a motorcycle club can be a great thing to do if you are interested in being affiliated with a specific group. There are lots of choices based on whether you ride a Harley, cruiser or sport bike, how you ride, and your general background.

It’s important to learn as much as you can about any specific club you want to join. Once you are in a club and wear their cut (vest or colors), you will be associated with that group for better or for worse. Doing some due diligence is important to make sure you join the right club for you.

Here are a few tips to selecting a motorcycle club for you.

• Talk to a lot of people: When you hang out with other bikers and go to events, talk to the people you know about the clubs you are interested in. See if they have any knowledge of the club, their reputation, and what they are all about. Try to get introduced to a few members and hang out with them to see if you are a fit.

• Internet research: Some of the larger MCs have extensive websites with lots of information about their founders, their charter (or bylaws), and requirements for membership. Having some knowledge before talking to members is a good way to make a good first impression.

• MCs vs. Riding Clubs (RCs): Traditional motorcycle clubs are defined by having a specific charter. Riding clubs tend to be less formal clubs that are better suited for casual bikers.

• Understanding the rules: Some motorcycle clubs have very strict rules including the type and color of your bike, disallowing female members, amount of miles you have to ride with the club, dues, and other stipulations. Understanding the rules let’s you know the level of commitment required to become and remain a member.

• 1%er MCs: If you have to ask about membership to an outlaw motorcycle club, then you probably don’t belong. Asking an outlaw biker member about joining their club, especially if they don’t know you, might get a response you don’t want.

Joining a motorcycle club can be a great experience but it requires a little bit of work and research. Just talk to the bikers around you and in most cases, you’ll get most of the information you need.

This is especially true for families with special needs children.

Black Global Bikers Association and LBS Special Angels, Inc are sponsoring a Motorcycle Toy Run on Sunday, December 13th at Ives Estates Park in Miami, Florida. Registration for the event is $10 and all participants are asked to bring unwrapped toys for blind, sight impaired, or special needs children ages 5-16. Registration for the event is from 8-10AM

Participants will be able to mix and mingle with other bikers, members of the Black Global Bikers Association, and families from the community. The event will feature music, food, and beverages for sale along with a variety of vendors.

This is a great motorcycle event benefiting families in the greater Miami area. Wash your sport bike or cruiser and come down to Miami on December 13^th to help special needs children and have a great time.