"Ban Crotch Rockets and Bullet Bikes"

[dm_gsxr]

I dropped a line to the AMA guys via the web link, just to make sure they were aware (I'm sure they got quite a few messages). Got a reply this morning:

Dear Mr. Schelin:

Thank you for using the “Contact Us” feature at www.AMADirectlink.com to forward the URL to the article on the Washington, DC Beltway crash published at WTOPnews.com.

We are aware of the anti-sportbike statements made by Delegate Bronrott.  His knee-jerk reaction and proposed solution to this tragedy are typical of simple-minded thinking.

The truth is this – any motor vehicle can be operated in an unsafe and irresponsible manner.  The key is not regulating the vehicle; it’s holding the operator accountable for his or her actions.  That’s why laws are enacted to punish and deter those who would recklessly endanger the lives of other roadway users.

We will continue to monitor the investigation; if you learn of any additional information related to this case, please forward it directly to me at iszauter@ama-cycle.org.

Thanks again for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Mr. Imre F. Szauter
Legislative Affairs Specialist
American Motorcyclist Association
13515 Yarmouth Drive
Pickerington, OH 43147-8214
1 (800) AMA-JOIN
1 (614) 856-1900, ext. 1125
rights. riding. racing.

[shah269]

You know this is nuts.
Just the other night I was watching Speed TV and they had a rerun of that Squid Life Super Bikes and the head guy...don't recall his name. was in Atlanta hanging out with this Uber Squid bike club, you know the crowed salad bowl helmet, shorts, flip flops and mock bullet proof vest  
Well any how they were bragging about how if you wanted to be in with this group you had to ride at 130mph for 30miles.
And then to add insult to injury one of the guys was showing off his bike and he had removed one of his front calipers so as to better show off his blinged our chromed out rims.
Look doing stupid stuff in the parking lot to impress chicks! That's great! Keep doing that! Hell I wish I could do it!
But doing stupid stuff on the public streets on a bike that has diminished braking power? NO!
And I think this nut that may or may not have caused this accident was from the lader group of individuals!

[Snowbird]

I dropped a line to the AMA guys via the web link, just to make sure they were aware (I'm sure they got quite a few messages). Got a reply this morning:

Per Jschmidt:

Buried in yesterday's Washington Post:

"But on Thursday, police said they could not confirm that an officer was chasing a motorcyclist and would not provide any details of the accident, citing the ongoing investigation. And on Friday, a friend of one of the men killed asked whether the police officer's actions might have led to the crash."

Fookin' lyin' bastages.  

...if confirmed, that is.  

[forester]

I wonder if the bike was a phony alibi?

I wondered the same thing.  

[scott-sts]

Here's an idea...I know it will be a shock and revelation to everyone:

Graduated licensing.  
Require proof of training at all stages before anyone can buy a bike or operate a bike or get a license.
Don't have said training and licensing and you get pulled over?  Bike instantly impounded.

It still amazes me that some n00b 17 year old with zero riding experience can walk in to a dealer and buy a GSXR1000 or R1 or Etc.  Where they get the money is another debate.

Yup.  The same 17 year old can also buy a Mustang, Corvette, WRX, etc.

[scott-sts]

I dropped a line to the AMA guys via the web link, just to make sure they were aware (I'm sure they got quite a few messages). Got a reply this morning:

I hope this convinces people that the AMA is worth the price of admission.
JSchmidt, I'm looking in your direction.

[scott-sts]

Blind people need them for driving.  

King of the one liners.

[shah269]

Yup.  The same 17 year old can also buy a Mustang, Corvette, WRX, etc.

True but the insurance is usually killer! We are talking close it $500 per month!
On a bike it can be as little as $500 per year if the kid has enough money.
This is a tough one, what to do what not to do? How to keep every one safe?
Should we keep every one safe?

[JTM]

I hope this convinces people that the AMA is worth the price of admission.
JSchmidt, I'm looking in your direction.

I'll be making a donation and writing letters.

[Busy Little Whiner]

I hope this convinces people that the AMA is worth the price of admission.
JSchmidt, I'm looking in your direction.

Besides monitoring... just what is the AMA uniquely doing for us??? if the answer is nothing... then why should any motorcyclist join???

I think the AMA is a giant failure... in a nation of 10 million motorcyclist... the membership is puny 2%... and most are racers that grudgingly sign ever year just to compete...

 

[scott-sts]

Besides monitoring... just what is the AMA uniquely doing for us??? if the answer is nothing... then why should any motorcyclist join???

I think the AMA is a giant failure... in a nation of 10 million motorcyclist... the membership is puny 2%... and most are racers that grudgingly sign ever year just to compete...

 

As a non-member, you obviously never read their monthly publication which explains exactly what they do.  It's also worth mentioning that 99% of what the AMA accomplishes never even makes the news, thus how would you hear about it otherwise??
Please advise of an organization that accomplishes more than the AMA?  I'm waiting...
I suppose you support the Al Sharpton method of getting things done, huh?  Yell, scream, threaten and blow things out of proportion.  Point is, maybe the AMA feels this is not the best approach?  Remember, The AMA is a political lobby group, not a bunch of militant assholes running around the streets screaming for protests.
Lastly, I remember when the AMA reached 200k members and recall thinking the same thing: why only 200K members?  Should be millions.  
Is this the AMA's fault?  NO.  It's your fault Larry, and every one else's fault that isn't a member.  

[Mookie]

When they stop ranting about freedom from helmet laws and tiered licensing I'll consider joining.

[highside]

When they stop ranting about freedom from helmet laws and tiered licensing I'll consider joining.

Huh, i have the last twelve issues of their magazine and I don't recall much, if any, mention of either of those issues...

[bizarro]

When they stop ranting about freedom from helmet laws and tiered licensing I'll consider joining.

That's more ABATE's deal than the AMA.

[keystonejenks]

I hate to sound racist and what not but our beloved sport has been hijacked by the "Thug" community (note shows like superbikes).
It appears that the import thing is slowly on it's way out with less and less high end two door hatches coming out and is being replaced via the "Squid Thug" culture.

Out of curiousity could you give me your definition of "Thug community".

[scott-sts]

When they stop ranting about freedom from helmet laws and tiered licensing I'll consider joining.

I guess it's safe to say that when one disagrees with an issue, any opinion for it would be "Ranting".  Human instinct I suppose.
IMO, these two issues and the AMA 's position regarding these issues does not sway my opinion that they do quite a bit to ensure my right to ride.
I don't judge them wholly on how their opinions match mine.  

[scott-sts]

That's more ABATE's deal than the AMA.

It's ABATES ONLY deal.

[keystonejenks]

It's ABATES ONLY deal.

True indeed. It's a shame really to put so much resources into that one topic.

[scott-sts]

True indeed. It's a shame really to put so much resources into that one topic.

It's because to them, the war is lost if helmet laws are passed (Or remain in effect).  Kind of like how the NRA views assault weapons.
Talk about a group that accomplishes NOTHING.  Geez, their failure rate is 100%.

[UFO]

Yup.  The same 17 year old can also buy a Mustang, Corvette, WRX, etc.

Some major differences involved such as:  price of entry, power to weight ratios, insurance requirements, skill required to operate, etc.

A GSXR1000 is a dirt cheap insta-death machine compare to a...cough...Mustang.