Many of us ride pretty much blissfully unaware that there are those who are continuously fighting for our rights as motorcyclists. I try to keep up with the issues that are being brought up and how they might affect us purely because I love riding and want to know how those decisions will affect me. Some of us are newbies, others more seasoned, but the decisions made on our behalf (whether we play an active role in them or not) will affect not only where, but how you ride. Those bringing up these issues tend to be individuals who are not riders and could care less about our rights. Here are the issues we are presently dealing with:
ABS (antilock braking system)-there is a chance that the federal government will require all streetbikes be equipped with ABS. First there is the issue of cost and then personal choice. Sure ABS is wonderful, my Monster had it and it saved my butt a few times, but learning to ride without ABS is a skill that should be learned (say in case of a malfunction). Advanced rider training and track days are places where riders can get a chance to learn how to safely test the limits on how to safely stop a motorcycle, it is a life skill that will serve you well.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has made the statement that “Motorcycle crashes create a burden to society, consuming public funds for emergency room costs and insurance premiums.” All I can say is that is absurd! Sure there are tools that are constantly making most of us riders look terrible, but we have the right to share the road with cars and to be able to do so safely. The fact is cars are the biggest culprits, but we couldn’t very well say that could we? Let’s pick on the minority, which ladies happens to be us motorcyclists.
E15 (15% ethanol gasoline) has been approved for use in cars 2001 and newer, light truck and medium duty passenger vans. E15 is not approved for use in your motorcycle, ATV’s, boats, etc. so make sure when you pull up to a pump that you check you aren’t accidentally pumping this gas into your bike, it will void any warranties you have on your bike. Even if there is a pump with various options, don’t pump the gas find somewhere else or a dedicated pump where this gas is not mixed in. It takes 4 gallons of gas to dilute the E15 mixture and most of our tanks do not take that much gas which would mean we could be getting an even higher concentration. So look before you pump!
Those are some of the hot topics being discussed presently and it is our duty to make sure we support the groups who do fight for us and our rights as riders. If you haven’t joined the AMA, consider joining, no just join…they fight relentlessly for our rights and there are many benefits to joining including free towing. I have a link on my site, just click and join, you will feel secure knowing that your right to ride will be taken care of and they will continue to fight vigilantly for our ability to keep doing what we love. Ride on Vixens!
