National Rally – Boston
The time has finally come for the 2nd Annual National Defenders Rally. This year the event will take place in Boston. We have been preparing for this ride and the events in Boston for about six months.
Kickstands up tomorrow morning at 0700 so be there on time as we are rolling out when the minute hand ticks the 7 o’clock hour. Ride brief commences promptly at 0645 so arrive gassed up and ready to motor.
Hopefully we will be able to post trip stories and pictures from the start to the finish so stay tuned.
Motorcycle Riding & Motorcycle Related Information
This is an interesting video showing the advertising history of Yamaha motorcycles. Enjoy!
Vintage Yamaha Motorcycle Advertisements
Trooper Down
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Patrick Ambroise, 35, was killed after a driver slammed into his patrol car on the Florida Turnpike.
The accident happened on Saturday night, May 15, 2010 around 8:30 p.m. when the driver of a Lexus slammed into the back of Trooper Patrick Ambroise’s Crown Victoria patrol car that was parked on the right shoulder of the Turnpike facing northbound in the area just north of the Okeechobee interchange.
The impact from the accident sparked a fire in the gas tank which engulfed Ambroise’s car, trapping him inside.
The driver of the Lexus, identified as 19-year-old Jonathan Garcia was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center with serious injuries.
Ambroise, 35, leaves behind a wife and two young daughters; ages 5 years old and 3 months old.
Ambroise began his career with the Florida Highway Patrol as a graduate of the 111th recruit class of 2006. He was assigned to Troop K, Miami upon graduation where he has been serving since.
The U.S. Honor Flag arrived in Miami early Sunday morning from Washington DC where it will be flown in Ambroise’s honor.
This is not the first time a car fire has killed a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. In 1997, nearly the exact situation happened to trooper Robert G. Smith, who also died at the scene.
The state has tried to prevent accidents like these by enforcing Florida’s Move-Over law, which was put into place in 2002 but which troopers claim has been largely ignored by motorists.
The law requires motorists approaching emergency personnel working at the side of the road to either change lanes to create a safe zone for them, or to slow down to 20 m.p.h. below the speed limit until they pass the scene.
Sarasota Challenge
The Sarasota chapter has wasted no time in throwing out the challenge flag. In support of Brother Szychowski. They are challenging every chapter to match a $500 donation to assist with uncovered medical expenses resulting from SKI’s near fatal crash.
Brother SKI, a member of the Golden Isles chapter, was on his way to work March 15th when a car pulled out in front of him. It happened so fast SKI didn’t even have time to apply the brakes. He hit the car with full force at 45 miles per hour and the outcome hasn’t been good. The driver was charged with DUI (6:30 am) and was on his way to the Methadone Clinic. SKI has been in the hospital since. For updates on SKI and/or to sign his Guest Book please visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bryanszychowski
SKI is a 31 years old, Police Officer, new home owner, and within the past few months became a Daddy. He has a wonderful wife Valinda who is one of the most optimistic people you ever want to meet. SKI is also the Son-in-law of Judge (Willis Hunter) the Golden Isles Vice President.
The Golden Isles chapter is marketing a pin and a wristband in an effort to raise money to this end as well. The vest pins are $3 each with free shipping, and the wrist bands are $4 each. If you are interested in purchasing either of these items please contact Rainman in person, or via e-mail
Wristbands can also be viewed and purchased through e-bay by following this link: >> Click Here <<
Westminster Friendship Ride
Westminster Woods at Julington Creek has again extended an invitation for us to come out and parade our bikes. This is a very rewarding event that affords the opportunity to have a tremendous impact on the lives of some of our senior community members. Many of these folks know only the image of the 1960′s OMG Biker. Most have never ridden a motorcycle and in some cases, our prior engagements was the last opportunity for them to do so. I encourage you to come out and experience the rewards of enriching another human being’s life.
Event details:
- Meet at Golden Corral, 11470 San Jose Blvd, at 0830 (for those who plan to eat breakfast), kickstands up en route to Westminster at 0945.
- Meet with Westminster residents at 1000, parade the bikes and offer rides to those interested (if you are uncomfortable with riding a resident on your bike, there is no requirement to do so. Safety of the residents and riders is paramount.)
- Depart Westminster at approx 1130. Following the event, those interested will embark on a 2-hour ride to a lunch location (4 hours round trip).
News media attendance is planned.
Oconee River Chapter Opening
It was an opening by opening standards.
The actual opening was held outside on the banks of the Oconee River. It was HOT! Snake did his thing and hurried up the pace because of this. The fact that we were HOT as HELL was offset by the ever comedic Hollywood (CFL) who kept us in stitches. The new Chapter is full of great members who will fit in just fine.
The Patching in ceremony led to a hot but beautiful ride through the Georgia countryside. It was a good, safe ride that was partially escorted by local Law Enforcement agencies. Man, how about that Deputy that was standing at parade rest as we past that one intersection. Class Act… Aside from one bike running out of gas, nobody went down out of the 96 bikes (which seemed like more when looking at the line of bikes going down the hills as we were going up). Thanks Oconee for a safe and beautiful ride!
The end of the ride brought some great shad and a huge house that the new chapter rented for the party. The Oconee Chapter provided great hospitality and some great grilled chicken, venison sausage and all the fixins for all of us weary and hungry travelers.
Part of our chapter left early and the rest left the event to return home around 1600. Everyone made it home safe & I know I am looking forward to the Boston Trip. Although it is a month away, it will be here before you know it.
All in all, it was a good trip to Dublin to welcome our newest brothers.
Thanks to Oconee for their hospitality!
Our Deepest Condolences
On a sad note, our brother Jake (National Webmaster), who hadn’t seen his father for sometime made the trip to the Chicago opening, which gave him a second reason to get up to see his family in Chicago.
Jake stayed several days after the opening was over to visit with his Chicago family. Jake had heard that his father was sick and not doing well. After returning home to Florida, Jake received a phone call the next morning telling him that his father had passed.
It is amazing that Jake was brought from Florida to Chicago to see his father for one last short visit. The Lord’s grace allowed the reuniting of father and son just prior to his passing. That is special and makes you think about personal relationships with your distant loved ones.
Please keep our Brother Jake and his family in your thoughts and prayers, and take the time to tell those who are important to you that you love them. Pilots tell you the three most useless things in life are air space above you, runway behind you and fuel in the fuel truck. I think there is one more, that being feelings unshared!
Motorcycles-Accident Prevention
Just about everyday that you drive around town, you will see at least one motorcycle on the road and during the spring and summer months, it seems like they are on the road in hordes. Motorcycles consume less fuel, and since gas prices are rapidly rising, it stands to reason that there will be even more motorcycles on the road this summer than ever before. While motorcycles are much cheaper to drive, and can be a lot of fun, they are often involved in highway accidents, many of them fatal. So, it is important that motorcycle riders, and other drivers on the road work together to prevent highway accidents involving motorcycles.
If you are a motorcycle rider, you need to learn how to do it responsibly. This starts with purchasing and always wearing the right safety gear, which really should be common sense. When you are on the road, obey the speed limits, and try not to be out on the road when the weather is bad, as you are much more likely to be involved in an accident in these situations. If you don’t have a lot of motorcycle riding experience, it would be best
to stay off of the busy roads until you are more comfortable with your skills. A newbie mistake could not only potentially cost you your own life, but could take that of someone else as well. Make sure that you keep your motorcycle well-maintained, and that you always stay focused on the ride when on the road.
For some reason, not all, but many motorcycle riders think that it is okay for them to drive while intoxicated, since they aren’t driving a “technical” vehicle. But, for your own safety, it is just as important, if not more so, that you are sober when you are on your motorcycle. You have to remember that not all drivers may be aware of what is going on around them, and that some vehicles have blind spots, meaning that a driver may not see you, so you have to be on the lookout for these types of things, so that you stay safe. If you are inebriated, it will be hard to do this, if not impossible.
Even a veteran motorcyclist could be in a wreck, especially if he allows his attention to be pulled somewhere other than his driving. You also need to remember that road debris may not be a problem for drivers of cars and trucks, but for you, the motorcycle rider, could be all it would take to cause a wreck, so you have to watch out for these hazard as well.
Drivers of all other types of vehicles on the road need to realize that they are not the only ones on the road, and that motorcycle riders are out there. They need to especially remember this when it comes to movements that might involve blind spots, as motorcycles will be that much harder to spot. You shouldn’t ever really tailgate anyone,
but especially not a motorcycle, because one little slip and you could easily injure or kill the rider, without a scratch to yourself!
Motorcycle Riding Safety
How To Be A Passenger On a Sport Bike
harley davidson
harley davidson
What type of sales promotions have harley davidson special events?
So I'm doing a project on the Harley Davidson and need to know what type of sales promotion has started. At special events, and / or dealers? I'm not a cyclist, so I'm unfarmiliar with this brand, anyone can provide useful insights?
Depending on the type of event most companies have MC advocacy. These activities include exhibitions product testing facility tours and entertainment. The entertainment facilities are usually for the current owners and friends. There might even be free food and beverages. There might also be raffle for clothing or accessories and free posters, stickers, etc. .. Once in a while, but very rarely, there can be no sales events price discounts associated with the larger event. This does not happen often because the dealers are selling the bikes and the manufacturer will have to discount the price to dealers as part of the promotion. It becomes very complicated because if a dealer gets a discount, then other dealers want a discount too. So sales Promotions are usually managed at the national level and are not associated with special events.