Too bad, I didn’t read my owner manual.

One night I was riding and the forward control bracket of my shifter disconnected as I was downshifting to 1^st gear. Luckily, I was in second gear and was able to keep the bike moving. Another stroke of luck was that this happened right next to a gas station.  I was quickly able to get off the road and into a safe and well lit area.

It was about 11PM and I was about 20 miles from home.

I only had the bike for a few months, never had a problem with it, and purchased the bike without the owner manual. I figured I could fix the problem with the motorcycle tool kit but I wasn’t sure and had no idea where it would be. My initial thought was that it would be under the seat like on sport bikes. But of course, to get the seat off, I needed tools.

Luckily, a biker was in the gas station, saw my struggles, and offered a helping hand. He rode a Honda VTX 1300 and was familiar with motorcycle maintenance and metric cruisers. He was able to help me find my tool set, fix the forward control, and I was back on the road in 10 minutes.

This spring, there will be lots of bikers out on the road that will be as clueless as I was regarding basic motorcycle maintenance and repair. There will also be bikers who drop their bikes and need help picking it up. These are minor problems but to a new biker, they can seem catastrophic.

The guy who helped me out gave me the motivation to learn more about my bike so that I would never be so helpless again. Maybe you can do the same for another biker in need.

Remember to always use caution and your best judgment when stopping to assist a biker or any motorist.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Boston or Andover area, contact personal injury lawyer and avid biker Tom Kiley! Or order a FREE copy of Tom Kiley’s motorcycle accident guide, Do Loud Pipes Save Lives.

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.

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.

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.

In 2009, the motorcycle community said goodbye to Bruce Rossmeyer.

Rossmeyer, the world’s largest Harley Davidson dealer with 14 dealerships died on Thursday, July 30^th while riding with some friends to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He died at age 66 and is survived by his wife Sandy and 5 children.

Rossmeyer started his first dealership in 1994 at the boom of motorcycles resurgence and through his high visibility marketing campaigns, became a huge player in the retail motorcycle world. He was a huge promoter of the Daytona Bike Week and built Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach, FL. Rossmeyer was also known for his philanthropic efforts as a major sponsor of Camp Boggy Creek for chronically ill children.

Oddly, Rossmeyer died while riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle with no helmet.

For over 15 years, Bruce Rossmeyer has been a giant in the motorcycle industry. As we turn the page from 2009 into 2010 let’s not forget the spirit of Bruce Rossmeyer as we honor his memory through our love of motorcycles.

While more people are riding, there are significantly more choices. As the motorcycle public becomes more diversified, manufacturers have to work much harder to build their brand name and subsequent loyalty.

In 2009, a few manufacturers proved that they are willing to go the extra mile to try to win as many motorcycle dollars as possible. These bikes are marvels of design and performance. If you are looking to buy a cruiser in the next few months, you would be a fool not to consider one of these.

Here are my best bikes of 2009 in no particular order.

• Honda Fury: The 2010 Honda Fury is stylistically a huge departure for Honda. This motorcycle, built on a chopper platform, is uncommon among Honda’s very safe designs. Along with its design, this is Honda’s first air cooled production motorcycle. They really went out on a limb with this bike. It is yet to be seen whether this bike will be a hit among consumers. Some say Honda missed the boat by about 2 years as the chopper style seems to be fading. Regardless, this bike is a design and technical triumph for Honda and the motorcycle community.

• Yamaha Vmax: All I can say is wow! The 2010 Vmax has been redesigned and is better than anyone could imagine. First off, there is no other bike in the world with the aggressive look of the Vmax. Its huge dual chip controlled air intakes and huge dual exhaust says two things; torque and horse power. The Vmax is such a marvel of design and performance that it has the distinction of being on display at the Guggenheim Museum’s Art of the Motorcycle Exhibit.

• Harley Davidson Sportster: The Sportster is a grandfather among motorcycles with history that spans several decades. The 2010 versions marry tradition with modern design to make a family of bikes that redefine the breed. With several versions including the Iron, the Nightster, the Low, and the Custom, the Sportster line has something for everyone. Also, this line comes in 2 engine sizes for those who want a light and maneuverable bike or those who seek a bike with a little more beef.

Along with their bikes, viewers have also fallen for the family drama involved with the OCC business.

Founded in 1999 as a side business/hobby, Paul Sr. started Orange County Choppers in Orange County, NY and began making limited run custom choppers. Already successful from his steel manufacturing company, Orange County IronWorks, OCC reached new heights when the Discovery Channel (now The Learning Channel) decided to do a feature show on their chopper business called American Chopper. Every episode, OCC creates a custom themed bike documenting everything from the creative process through delivery of the bike.

And then there’s the family drama.

Other than the amazing bikes, what makes American Chopper compelling TV is the constant arguing between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. Essentially, they cannot agree on anything. Their feuding is not a product of the show but from long simmering hostilities from years ago. Paul Sr. has been very frank about his past problems with alcohol and anger, and while he is sober, he is still angry. Paul Jr. shares his father’s passion for motorcycles but does not share his approach and work ethic. With every custom motorcycle build, their clashes have become increasingly intense.

6 Seasons later, American Chopper is a mainstay on The Learning Channel (TLC) and OCC is a multi-million dollar business with international recognition and fame. Their modest original shop in Rock Tavern, NY has been replaced with a huge, modern show room and fabrication center in Newburgh, NY. The Teutul family has also become pop stars appearing on TV shows like ‘My Name is Earl’ and movies like ‘Wild Hogs.’

With their fame and wealth at an all time high, so is their family drama. Both Paul Jr. and Mikey, Paul Jr.’s hapless brother, have left OCC and are not on speaking terms with Paul Sr. Just like the OCC bikes, the drama is getting better and better.

I can’t think of anything that makes less sense than that.

Motorcyclists are not alone. There is a disturbing amount of motorists that drive without a driver license too. But for the biker, the stakes are much higher.

• Critical Skills: In many states, Motorcycle Rider Safety Courses are required to get a motorcycle endorsement. The skills learned in these classes are critical for staying alive on the road, even for experienced bikers.
• Insurance Risks:  Without a valid motorcycle endorsement, insurance claims for theft or damage may not be honored.
• Increased Risk of Fatality: Unlicensed motorcyclists die in accidents at a rate nearly double the rate of unlicensed motorists.

The bottom line is that there isn’t a single good reason why a biker shouldn’t have a motorcycle endorsement. Even experienced riders need to make sure they follow the correct steps to ride legally. Riding legally protects everyone in the motorcycle community and it is a smart move.

The Team Sheriff Racing Program was formed in 1993 in an effort to curb illegal street racing. This program has been effective in taking street racing off the street and onto the track. The program features community outreach to inform area youth about the dangers of street racing. Their “Beat the Heat” initiative allowed racers to pit their skills again LA County Sheriff Racers in a drag racing environment.

Deputy Sheriff Churney realized that this program needed to add a motorcycle division. The division was formed in 2003 with Churney is the Team Co-Captain and the Deputy in Charge.

As an officer sworn to protect and serve, Churney wanted to become a positive influence within the motorcycle community. Understanding that law enforcement is mainly seen as a nuisance among street racers, Churney wanted to change that impression through a new approach.

Just like the automobile program, Deputy Sheriff Churney goes to community events and schools to share with young adults the dangers of street racing along with the positive aspects of racing in a controlled environment. At these events, Churney and others show off their race bikes and discuss safe and positive riding activities. This portion of the Team Sheriff Racing Program is sponsored by American Honda Motor Company and Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Riding School.

The program is not just about motorcycle racing. Deputy Sheriff Churney uses this platform to also talk to young adults and children about the dangers of guns and gang violence. He also races his 2004 Honda CBR 600RR in Formula USA CCS competition.

The Team Sheriff Racing Program is completely voluntarily and none of the program participants’ receive compensation. While Deputy Sheriff Churney received racing training from Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Riding School at no cost, the time he takes to educate the public about motorcycle racing is on his own time. Through his efforts, the Team Sheriff Racing Program helps to keep motorcycle racing where it belongs; on the track.

• Age/Size: Before a child can ride on a motorcycle, they should be old enough to understand the importance of safety and large enough to ride on the seat. Children who can not comfortably hold the rider in front and rest their feet on the foot pegs should never be a motorcycle passenger.

• Positioning: The only place a child can ride on a motorcycle in behind the driver. Never ride with a child in front of the driver.

• Safety Gear: Children should wear the same safety gear as any other motorcycle rider. Protective motorcycle gear comes in a wide array of sizes for children. Most importantly, make sure they have a child sized, DOT helmet.

• Duration of the Ride: Long rides are not suitable for children as a general rule. Children can fall asleep and slide off the bike; even on a custom cruiser or a Honda Goldwing with full passenger setup.

• Back rest: Ideally, children should ride on bikes that have a bike rest or sissy bar on the rear of the seat. This added support makes it easier for the child to stay in place and minimizes fatigue.

• Test Ride: Before hitting the streets or the highway, make a couple of test runs on a deserted street or a large parking lot. A little practice can make sure the child is truly ready to be a motorcycle passenger.

Riding on a motorcycle for a child can be an exhilarating experience and can be the spark to the start of a lifelong love of motorcycling. Experienced bikers should help insure that the new generation of bikers understands safety is more important than the thrill of the ride. By helping children understand and respect the need for safety at a young age, the entire motorcycle community will benefit greatly.