Boston Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Blog

Harley Davidson is recognized as one of the best motorcycle brands in the world. Their motorcycles are produced to a quality standard that rivals motorcycles made in Japanese, German, and other American motorcycle companies.

Most people are more familiar with vehicle recalls since they are generally regarded as major news. Since motorcycle owners are a very small group compared to vehicle owners, motorcycle recalls do not get the headlines that vehicle recalls do.

Harley Davidson recent announced a major recall of some of their 2009-2010 vehicles that were produced between June 6, 2008 and November 19, 2009. The vehicles in the recall include Harley CVO, trikes, and all touring models. This recall includes over 111,000 motorcycles.

This is a huge recall.

In 2008, Harley Davidson sold approximately 219,000 motorcycles across all their brands. If one of the major automotive companies had a recall this large, there would be a congressional investigation and heads at the top of the company would roll.

Luckily, this is not the case with Harley Davidson as this recall is in an attempt to pre-empt rider injuries. According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the front engine mounts may distort in the event of a major front-end collision. This distortion can cause a fuel leak and in the presence of an ignition spark could cause a fire.

Owners of bikes in this Harley Davidson recall, need to take their bikes to their local Harley Davidson dealer to have a left and right bracket installed which will minimize the distortion in the case of a major front end collision.

Thankfully, this recall is based on a ‘worst case scenario’ of a major front-end collision and is intended to make Harley’s motorcycles safer. Unlike the current recall for the Toyota Prius, this Harley recall is not the result of everyday motorcycle usage.

Call your local Harley dealer to see if your bike is part of the recall or go to the NHTSA website to get more information.

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.

Eaglerider Motorcycle Rentals is one of the largest and most recognized motorcycle rental brands in the world. With locations from the United States, Costa Rica, England, South Africa, Spain, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and Turkey, Eaglerider is truly a global motorcycle company.

Eaglerider’s motto is “we rent dreams.” While this motto refers to their core business of motorcycle rentals, this line can also apply to the franchise opportunities they provide.

Interested entrepreneurs and motorcycle retailers have opportunities to join Eaglerider’s family of motorcycle rental locations. Their franchise business model allows motorcycle retailers, automotive rental agencies, and international motorcycle retailers to join Eaglerider. This new revenue stream is highly profitable and can provide the boost many motorcycle and automotive companies need in today’s sluggish economy.

Eaglerider also has opportunities for entrepreneurs to open rental locations. They have several options to open new locations or Eaglerider will help locate a resort property looking to add motorcycle rental services for its guests.

Eaglerider also provides week-long training once per month so new franchise owners or franchisee candidates can have all of the tools they need to be successful. Eaglerider supports franchisees by providing web based support/marketing, commercial marketing, fleet management, and insurance. The company is committed to making sure all franchisees have the best chance of being successful.

This motorcycle business opportunity gets even better. Eaglerider provides a variety of financing options for franchisees. These options include fleet leasing of Harley Davidson, Honda Motorcycles, and Vespa Scooters, floor planning, and signage. Depending on credit considerations, Eaglerider can provide up to 100% financing.

When people think of the motorcycle lifestyle, most think simply of riding motorcycles. While this is largely true, Eaglerider takes the motorcycle lifestyle a step further. Now, individuals can take their love of the motorcycle lifestyle and turn it into a stable business. Through Eaglerider’s vision and support, motorcycle entrepreneurs can marry their passion for motorcycles with their career.

Custom motorcycle builders are here to stay. They are as much a part of the motorcycle industry as some of the largest motorcycle companies in the world. While their bikes do not have the global impact of companies like Harley Davidson and Kawasaki motorcycles, their bikes certainly make a large impact at motorcycle events, biker shows, competitions, and local bike nights.

In many cases, custom builders have become celebrities. Jesse James, The Teutel Family, the Detroit Brothers, Arlen Ness, and others have now become household names. Some custom builders gained fame and fortune through TV shows that moved them, their companies, and the entire custom motorcycle industry into the mainstream.

But the big question is, which builders are the best? That question is nearly impossible to answer since judging custom builders is largely subjective. However, here are some that are recognized as innovators and front runners in the industry.

• Redneck Engineering: Despite the name, the guys at Redneck have taken frame building and turned it into an art form. Their style is highly recognizable giving their brand a level of distinction and a leg up on the competition.

• Wicked Custom Cycles: Most custom cycles are made from American motorcycle components but these guys use the Yamaha V-Star 1100 as their base motorcycle model.  Wicked Customs is doing some amazing things with metric cruisers.

• Detroit Bros.: The Detroit Bros are relative newcomers to the custom fabrication world but they have made such a big mark that they have a show called Motor City Motors on the Discovery Channel.

• Arlen Ness: He’s probably the most influential custom builder in the industry. His work is considered artistry and his brand is one of the most well known in the industry. From bikes to components, Arlen Ness is the man.

• Orange County Choppers (OCC): Unfortunately the show that made Orange County Choppers a global phenomenon, American Chopper, was cancelled from The Learning Channel and Paul Jr. left the show and company. Fortunately for bikers, OCCs bikes are better than ever.

Whoever said bikers are heartless tough guys was dead wrong.

In the wake of the Haitian earthquake disaster, the global community has come together to provide much needed support to the people of Haiti. This horrific disaster has shown that even in the worst of times, people across the world can connect and help their fellow man.

This holds true for the biker community too. Over the years, bikers have shown they can come together to help others in need. Usually, bikers come together to help mainly other bikers.

Over the past few months though, the motorcycle community has come together to do its part to help the Haitian relief effort. Individuals, motorcycle clubs, motorcycle accessory retailers, and large motorcycle manufacturers have all pitched in to help.

Harley Davidson donated 28 new Buell and Harley Davidson motorcycles to the government of Haiti to aid the relief effort. The motorcycles were delivered to their facility in the Dominican Republic and then delivered to the United Nations Stabilization Mission. Once the mission is complete, the motorcycles will be a permanent donation from the Motor Company to the government of Haiti.

Hot Leathers donated $1 from every online purchase from January 20th to February 14^th to the Haitian relief effort through the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross used their donation to deploy personnel, provide supplies, and to contribute financial support to Haiti.

Spearheaded by Haitian born American actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ride 4 Haiti on February 27^th benefited Hollywood Unites for Haiti. This biker event united individuals and companies in southern California to aid the relief effort. With thousands of bikers and hundreds of businesses and volunteers joining this ongoing biker effort, financial and resource donations have made a positive impact on the relief efforts.

It’s great to see the motorcycle community come together to make a positive contribution to the Haitian relief effort.

When I used to ride my Suzuki Marauder 1600 with my Harley buddies, I used to hold my own. My bike looked great, ran great, and got as much attention as anyone else’s bike in the pack.

My bike had lots of motorcycle upgrades including chrome accessories, lowered progressive suspension, fat handlebars, a chin fairing, and other items. My Suzuki was a great looking bobber.

The one thing that I did not upgrade was the exhaust. I contemplated doing it but decided against it because I felt my bike ran strong and sounded pretty good.

My Harley buddies disagreed and frequently teased me about how quiet my bike was. They were right. Compared to some of their Harleys, my bike sounded like a scooter.

I now have a 2007 Harley Street Glide and even the stock exhaust on this bike is relatively quiet. There has been much debate over whether loud pipes are a safety feature or a public nuisance. As aftermarket exhaust continued to get louder and motorcycle manufacturers like Harley Davidson received more public backlash, they decided to outfit their bikes with pipes that are quieter and socially acceptable.

Recently, I replaced my stock pipes with a set of Rinehart Slip-on Mufflers and all I can say is wow. Now, my bike sounds like a Harley should. It also feels that the bike has a bit more throttle response but that might be the placebo effect of the increased noise.

The best way I can explain the sound is to compare it to the sound of a fat guy snoring on a couch after eating a full rack of ribs and drinking a six pack of beer. This is not the best visual image but, the sound is accurate; low, deep, and nasty! The increased sound gives the bike the type of attitude that a Harley deserves. While the bike is much louder, it is not so loud that my bike is annoying to my neighbors. It’s perfect.

I should have gotten slip on exhaust with my Suzuki and now that I have them for my Harley, I strongly suggest this upgrade. The sound, style, and maybe even the performance are all worth the cost.

I love motorcycles but I also love technology. Not only am I a sucker for all things motorcycle related, I am also a sucker for cool gadgets, games, and computers. I am both a biker and a computer geek.

I suspect I am not alone. Bikers are not just guys who hang out in garages smelling like oil and exhaust fumes. Those days are long gone. Even the most hardcore mechanics and fabricators rely on technology.

Motorcycle riders are a very diverse group as well. Many bikers are professionals who have busy lifestyles. Technology helps them stay in touch with business, family, and their love of motorcycles.

As a result of technology’s proliferation among bikers, BikeBandit.com has created an application that is a great asset to bikers of all types. Their application provides up to the minute inventory and pricing information on over 8 million motorcycle parts from original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Whether you are riding a Harley Davidson Fat Boy or an Aprilia RSV 1000, you’ll be able to find what you need.

This application is available for iPhone and iPod Touch and allows users to not only find OEM parts but also purchase them online. This is perfect if you are on a road trip, need parts for a motorcycle repair, and do not have a computer. It’s also a great thing if you are talking to another biker and get a suggestion for a part or motorcycle accessory.

With this kind of parts finding ability in the palm of your hand, you can’t go wrong with this app. And just like the BikeBandit website, you will still be able to get part diagrams on your iPhone or iPod Touch. BikeBandit was the first to have motorcycle parts diagrams on their website and they are the first to have them on a mobile app.

The Bikebandit app is free and available on the Apple App Store using the search term ‘motorcycle parts.’

Harley Davidson has been a pioneer in the motorcycle industry for a variety of reasons. For years, the Motor Company has been an innovator in motorcycle design and performance. Harley Davidson is one of the most well recognized and respected brands among motorcycle companies and other businesses.

Harley Davidson has also been an innovator in the area of diversity. The Motor Company has made it possible for many minorities and women to enjoy professional careers in the motorcycle industry.

In 1998, Katherine Johnson became the first African American female to own a Harley Davidson dealership.

Ms. Johnson, the owner of a small marketing and advertising firm in Milwaukee, WI, was at a point in her career in the late 1990s where she wanted to consider a career change. She discussed her desire to change careers with her friend who also was a recruiter for Harley Davidson. After a few conversations, Johnson decided to become a Harley Davidson dealer.

There was one problem. Johnson knew practically nothing about motorcycles. She also had to overcome her misconceptions about motorcycle riders. Her knowledge of motorcycles came from watching TV shows and movies like Easy Rider. She felt that motorcycle riders were largely criminals.

This lack of knowledge did not deter Johnson, at the time a 50-year-old mother of two. By utilizing her marketing and advertising knowledge and Harley training, she was able to successfully open her dealership in December 1998. Ultimately, she learned that Harley owners are among the most loyal customers in the world and her customer base would largely be professionals. Her grand opening was a success and on that day, she sold 18 motorcycles.

Harley Davidson was instrumental in helping Johnson develop a business and leave a legacy behind for her children and grandchildren. In the process, Johnson was able to make Harley history.

Personally, I have never been a big fan of trikes. I always thought of them as a motorcycle with training wheels. My whole thought was, why not ride in a car if you need more than two wheels?

My attitude toward trikes has significantly changed over the past year. Maybe it’s because I am older and my motorcycle taste has changed. I think my attitude changed because the trike itself has changed. For some reason, they look cool now.

Gone are the days when a trike was created in your local mechanic’s shop where he added the back end of a Volkswagen Bug to the front end of a chopper.

Once again, Harley Davidson has taken the lead in this style of motorcycle. In 2010, Harley is offering a Street Glide Trike that comes right off the production line like any of their other bikes. This will ensure that the Harley trike meets the same high level of engineering as the Motor Company’s other motorcycles.

Trike conversion kits can help create a trike in any style. From a trike chopper to trike touring, the style variety is as wide as any motorcycle. Today’s conversion kits match the high quality standards of all major motorcycle manufacturers.

Typically, trikes have 2 rear wheels and one in the front. Not anymore.

The Can-Am Spyder is a trike with 2 wheels in the front and its drive wheel in the rear. This combination creates greater stability in the front and better handling characteristics. This stylish addition to the trike world performs like a sport bike, offers passenger and touring capabilities, and can handle road conditions that motorcycles can’t.

While the Spyder is built for comfortable performance, the Campagna T-Rex is built for all out performance. This side by side 2-seater trike is low, mean, and fast. The T-Rex goes 0-60MPH in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of over 150 MPH. With a price tag of over $50,000, the T-Rex is not for everyone but it is awesome.

Trikes have come a long way and my opinion of them has changed drastically. Give them a second look and maybe your opinion will change too.

The motorcycle community generally is very open and welcoming. All that is required is a love for motorcycles and that commonality is the bond that’s shared. The open nature of the motorcycle community represents the best of American culture.

But American culture has not always been open.

For years, African Americans found themselves on the outside of mainstream America. Attending certain events and going certain places was not an option. This largely changed after the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

While racial segregation is thankfully a thing of the past, many communities celebrate the past by honoring events born out of segregation.

One of those celebration is Daytona’s Black Bike Week (also called Bikers in the Park); running concurrently with Daytona Beach Bike Week. This event runs from February 26-March 7 on Bethune Boulevard in the heart of Daytona’s African American Community. Much like Bike Week, this event features vendors, food, music, hot bikes, and African American bikers from across the country. This event has been sponsored in part by Harley Davidson for the past few years.

Much like Main Street in Daytona Beach, Bethune Boulevard was the ‘Main Street’ in Daytona’s African American community before the Civil Rights movement. As African American’s gained wider acceptance, Bethune Boulevard became less significant as a social and business center for the community. Still, Black Bike Week has become a yearly institution.

Thousands of Black Bikers make the trip to Daytona for both the Main Street and Bethune Boulevard events. Some come just for the Bethune Boulevard events.

If you are a regular attendee of Daytona Beach Bike Week or if this year will be you’re your first trip, take a detour over to Bethune Boulevard to check out Black Bike Week. You’ll meet some new bikers, see some great bikes, and get a chance to see one of Daytona’s historic neighborhoods.

Starting down the path to becoming a biker can be an intimidating challenge. While bikers are generally an open and welcoming group, getting prepared to enter this lifestyle can seem overwhelming at first. There are lots of things to learn and experience even before riding a motorcycle.

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.