Boston Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Blog

I love the movie Wild Hogs. Not only is it really funny, but I like the idea of a bunch of middle aged, Harley Davidson riding friends hitting the road for a cross country motorcycle adventure. That sounds like a great time.

So, what’s my problem? Why haven’t I taken a motorcycle road trip in all the years I have been riding?

I’m not going to give a bunch of lame excuses like I’m too busy and I don’t know where to go. I live in South Florida and I have options to ride to motorcycle destinations like Orlando, Destination Daytona in Daytona Beach, or Key West. Any of those locations would make sure a great introduction road trip.

My bike looks great, is in great mechanical order, and ready for the open road. 2010 is my year to have my first road trip motorcycle adventure.

If you are a local biker, why not stretch your wings a bit and go on a road trip. It doesn’t have to be cross country to be a really good time. You’ll be surprised how many great destinations there are in your neck of the woods.

Each New Year brings the excitement of new people to meet, places to go, and things to do. These are all great reasons to get excited about 2010.

Added to that list are TV shows to watch.

Next year, I am particularly excited about 2 shows that will air next year. 2010 will be another great year for bikers and the promotion of the biker lifestyle.

• Sons of Anarchy, Season 3: Without a doubt, Sons of Anarchy is one of the biggest surprise hits of 2009 and season 2 was a colossal success. Production of season 3 hasn’t started yet but there are already rumors about plot twists, drama, and new enemies for America’s favorite outlaw bikers. Unfortunately, season 3 will not air until the Fall of 2010.

• Motor City Motors: OK, so the first show actually airs on Monday, December 28^th on the Discovery Channel at 9PM EST but I plan on watching episodes in 2010. The motorcycle fabricators from the Detroit Bros. will be taking on weekly custom builds each week making the “run in the mill” into one of a kind.

Get your DVRs ready because 2010 will be a great year for motorcycle programming.

I have often said that I am one of the luckiest men in the world. There are dozens of reason why I’m so lucky but one of the reasons is that I have 4 great biker chicks in my life.

Some of you might think I’m bragging. Some of you might think I am lying. I assure you that I have 4 biker chicks in my life and I am not exaggerating.

• My Mother: When I bought my most recent motorcycle, my 69 year old mother confided that she always wanted to ride a motorcycle and never had the opportunity. During her last visit, we hopped on the bike and rode for about 2 hours. After a few adjustment moments when she first got on, she absolutely loved it. Her first motorcycle ride was on one of South Florida’s most scenic roads; the historic A1A. This is a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

• My Sister: My sister has always been cautious by nature but she wanted to ride after seeing how much fun my mother and I had. So, we took off and she immediately started screaming. She shrieked in my ear, “slow down, I have small children!!” We rode for about 15 minutes and she had enough. It’s a start.

• My Niece: My 8 year old niece who is a little dare-devil was the most enthusiastic about riding on my motorcycle. She is a bit too small to ride on the back of my bike so I rode her in front of me in the parking lot of my community. After riding up and down my parking lot a few times, she is in love with motorcycles. Ever since that day, every time I speak to her, she asks about my motorcycle.

• My Girlfriend: A few years ago when I decided to re-start my motorcycle hobby, my girlfriend was not too happy about it. She had never been on a motorcycle and her overall impression was negative. Once I started riding with my new motorcycle friends, she started to complain about it little bit. I told her that I am going to continue to ride so she can either deal with it or ride with me. I told her that I would buy her a bike if she takes a motorcycle rider safety class. She took the class, I bought her a bike, and we have been riding together ever since.

Convincing new people to get on a bike is always an experience, sometimes it’s great and sometimes a short ride is the best ride.  Just remember to put safety first and encourage friends and family members who want to ride on their own to take a motorcycle safety course before buying a bike.

There are a few things I know for certain. Among those things include the fact that I love motorcycles and that my friends  love me.

My friends know that I am an avid biker and that one of my favorite things to do is get out on my motorcycle and hit the open road. It doesn’t matter if I’m riding solo or with a group of bikers, riding a motorcycle is great fun for me.

However, my friends who know I love motorcycles and even strangers who I casually talk to usually do the same thing — tell me about the worst motorcycle accident they have ever heard of. They just seem to love telling me about some friend of a friend who died on a bike or received some gruesome injury.

What are they trying to do? Scare me?

I tell them I appreciate their concern but these stories can erode the one thing bikers need, and that is confidence. If a biker goes out and does not have confidence in his or her ability to handle their bike, ride defensively, and avoid bad situations, then they have no business being on a bike.

Being aware of motorcycle dangers and motorcycle safety (including gear, riding techniques, etc.) is a must for any biker, but if the fear consumes you, riding stops being fun and definitely stops being safe.

Next time you find yourself in this conversation, tell your friends the same thing.

Most people love the Holidays. It’s a great time to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of friends and family.

• Christmas Carol: I always suspected that Santa was a biker. What I didn’t know is that his tattoo sporting, stunt riding reindeer also like to ride with him and Santa likes to pick up hot chicks and skimpy leather motorcycle outfits. Just don’t tell Mrs. Claus.
• Rick the Demon’s Christmas Dance: With a name like Rick the Demon, you would think this guy never cracks a smile. Not only does he perform a goofy Christmas dance, he wears a hat that only a true Christmas lover would appreciate. Maybe he had too much eggnog already.
• Santa is Born to be Wild: Now this is the coolest Christmas decoration ever. I have to find where I can buy one of these. Anything that includes Santa Claus, Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild, and a custom Harley has to be part of my motorcycle accessories collection.
• The Naughty List: This is one of Harley Davidson’s best commercials. I hope I’m lucky enough to have this version of Santa come by my house on Christmas Eve.
• Dead or Alive: Bon Jovi, great custom bikes, hot chicks, and Christmas is a hard combination not to like. Especially the Biker Girls at the end of the video giving their one figure salute.
• Biker Beginnings: If I had a daughter, I would do the exact same thing. This mini-biker is decked on in cool biker gear, including a German style spiked helmet riding an electric toy motorcycle. To me, this is what Christmas is all about.
• SFPC Toy Run: If you’ve never participated in a Toy Run, they are incredibly fun and worthwhile. These events are great for meeting other bikers, having a fun time, and helping kids in your community. The South Florida President’s Council Toy Run is a great event in South Florida.

It’s great to be in a lighthearted mood this Holiday season but remember that riding a motorcycle is serious business. Don’t let your Holiday cheer allow you to let your guard down as it relates to motorcycle safety.

As a child, I never got the whole Santa Claus thing. I couldn’t understand why Santa wore a snow suit but delivered gifts to Florida. I didn’t see how he can carry all those gifts in that little sled of his. I wondered how he got gifts down the chimney if someone lived in an apartment.

Most of all, I used to wonder about the reindeer. Why did he use reindeer, how were they able to fly, and how could they get all the way around the world overnight? I was a confused little kid.

Now my confusion about reindeer is all gone. Santa is from the North Pole and reindeer was basically his only option. So, he had to make them work.

If I were Santa, and since I live in Florida, I would probably use a herd of motorcycles instead. There are lots of motorcycle dealers here and I have lots of options.

• Rudolph: I’m not a sport bike guy but for the leader of the pack, I’d go with a Suzuki Hayabusa. It’s one of the fastest bikes available and will help me make the round the world trip in record time.
• Dasher: This would have to be another fast bike. I’d go with the Yamaha Vmax. It’s the fast cruiser available
• Dancer: In order to keep up with Dasher you need speed, horsepower, and torque, Dancer would be a Suzuki M109r.
• Prancer: Prancer needs to be both fast and nimble. The light weight v-twin powered Harley VRSC (V-rod) would do the trick.
• Vixen: Now this bike needs to be sleek, smooth, and sexy. Nothing fits that description better than the new Honda Fury.
• Comet: Comet needs to have power over the long haul and I couldn’t think of a better bike than the Victory Cross Roads
• Cupid: Nothing says love like a Harley Road Glide Custom.
• Donner: Donner needs to have lots of power, long haul ability, and extra storage for Santa’s stocking stuffers. Clearly, this would be a Harley Ultra Classic Electra Glide
• Blitzen: Not to be out-done by Donner, Blitzen would be a Victory Vision Tour.

Now that’s what I call a stable of reindeer. Everything I would need from speed, power, and storage capacity would be at my disposal. Too bad my garage is not big enough to fit them all.

I’m all for being in the Holiday spirit but some things just don’t go together.

For example, the other day I saw a guy riding a brand 2009 Yamaha Warrior with a pair of Croc Clogs on. Not cool. In my opinion, he might as well have been wearing an alien costume.

The same goes for bikers wearing Santa Klaus hats. OK, I understand why they do it but I just don’t like it. I’ve even seen a biker with a Christmas wreath attached to the front of his bike. Again, not cool at all.

I did a little research and couldn’t really find a lot of options for bikers who want to show they are all about the Holidays. I did find a few t-shirts that every Christmas loving biker should have a wear every Holiday season. In fact, I ordered mine yesterday.

I know it’s the Holidays and maybe I should soften up my attitude a bit. On second thought, no I shouldn’t.  Bikers should always look cool and wear cool and appropriate biker gear all year long. If you see me riding, I will be riding with my “Bad Santa” shirt on and hopefully you will too, underneath a leather jacket of course.

Riding a motorcycle is sometimes about the feeling it gives you. Often, bikers take on a persona that is very different than their regular life. Riding a motorcycle can make a man or woman feel macho, tough, sexy, strong, and cool.

Even if they are overweight and have a big ole Santa Claus belly.

In the spirit of the Holidays, having a big belly and being jolly might be a hit with the kids but it’s neither healthy nor the coolest look for a biker. Some bikers actually take better care of their bikes than they do themselves.

If you are looking forward to the next riding season, here’s a project for you this winter. Take some time out to get in better shape so you can enjoy all the thrills that motorcycling provides.

Exercising can increase your motorcycle riding stamina, prevent lower back pain, increase the comfort of your motorcycle apparel, and make you look great on your Harley or sport bike.

There are tons of ways to drop pounds and inches so I’m not going to go through them. I suggest taking a little time to find an exercise routine that works for you and stick with it. American Iron Magazine has a great section called “Fit to Ride” that has exercises to help bikers. Perhaps asking for this magazine as a stocking stuffer is a good start to better biker health.

OK, I’m not a big fan of Christmas songs but I figured since it’s the Holidays, why don’t I get into the Holiday spirit and have a little fun.

This Christmas, I’ve been a pretty good guy and I’m expecting a decent haul of gifts. All of my friends and family know I’m an avid biker so I’m assuming biker gear will be what they get for me.

With that in mind, I thought I’d remake one of my favorite Christmas songs with a biker theme. Yes, it’s corny but maybe it will help you get a few more biker related gifts this year.

Here’s my remake of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Enjoy!

On the 12^th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 Leather Jackets

11 Biker t-shirts

10 Shoei Helmets

9 Pairs of Gloves

8 V-rods Racing

7 Honda Furys

6 Pairs of Goggles

5 Hayabusas

4 Pairs of Boots

3 Biker Bars

2 Chrome Rims

AND A BRAND NEW HARLEY STREET GLIDE

Happy Holiday and ride safely into 2010!

I bet Santa Claus can get downright cranky at times. And why not? He’s got one of the busiest jobs in the world. Preparing and delivering gifts to everyone in the world and doing so overnight has got to take most of the year to plan and execute.

One thing is for sure, Santa looks like a fun guy. He looks like he likes to eat, laugh, and hang out with good people. Mrs. Claus too.

Maybe it’s just me but Santa looks like a biker. It’s easy for me to see Santa riding a big Harley Ultra Glide. It just seems to match Santa’s big girth, smile, beard, and personality.

Here are my suggestions for Santa to get some much needed relaxation after the holiday season has come to a close.

January 2010: After bringing joy to the world on Christmas morning, I would imagine Santa needs some time to rest. After a few weeks or so of that, he and Mrs. Claus should ship their Harley down to Miami, ride to Key West, and throw back a few margaritas at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. After a week of drinks, great companionship, food, and sun at this legendary biker bar, Santa should be ready to head back to the North Pole and start working on Christmas 2010.

June 2010: Santa comes across as this big, nice guy but to me, Santa seems like a tough guy who likes adventure. In June, I suggest he and a few of his elves get together and go on a two week Alaska motorcycle tour. Billed as a tour ‘not for wimps’, Santa and the boys will face some of Alaska’s most beautiful and toughest terrain.

October 2010: Before the final stretch for getting ready for the 2010 Christmas run, Santa and Mrs. Claus should take time for one last getaway. Adding some romance into their adventurous spirit, I suggest they go to the 2010 Hogs on the High Seas Biker Cruise. This biker cruise does not involve riding but it involves the best of biker rallies; good times, people, food, and great stuff.  If he and Mrs. Claus get lucky they can win a 2010 Harley Davidson Custom Road Glide.

Santa, thanks for everything you do for us and I hope next year you take my vacation advice. And if I see you at one of these events, I won’t tell everyone who you are!