Georgia on Two Wheels

It's crazy really. Two guys taking 600cc Supersport bikes and doing things mere mortals could never repeat.

The endos (also known as a stoppie: Stopping the motorcycle with such force that it lifts the rear wheel off the ground) were amazing. The fact that gravity doesn't exist with Jason or Eric is truly magic.

They do this one endo trick where they place Monster (sponsors- gotta love them) soda cans on the ground opposite one another at approximately 30 yards apart. They then race toward one another, endo the bikes and twist them around landing their back wheels on the cans crushing them. I know guys that can't stand at regulation distance (7ft 9 ¼ in) from a dart board and hit a bullseye. These guys are taking 400lbs motorcycles and turning them 180 degrees with the rear wheel in the air and crushing cans. Amazing!

There were so many tricks I can't even describe them all. They could bunny hop motorcycles like kids do with BMX bicycles. Standing, sitting on tanks, sitting backwards, standing on one side or the other- it didn't matter the direction of travel. They had incredible balance. I mentioned that you could compare freestyle riders to trials riders. I stand by that description. The difference is- rather than climbing rocks, walls, logs and vertical cliff like trials riders Team No Limits manages all their work on fairly level ground.

They throw in people from the audience and do burn-outs and endos using the volunteers as obstacles. In one trick they set two people up back to back in the center of the stunt area. Then they race like crazy toward them. Jason and Eric endo their bikes right up to the point where the front tires meet between the two volunteers' legs. Wouldn't it scare you a bit if two guys came at you around 60mph and then all you saw was the tail of the bike headed toward your head?

There are dozens of tricks that I could barely describe. So, I won't. I will leave you with pictures to awe over and encourage you to look up Team No Limits or Jason Britton on You Tube. If he or his team every get to a town near you I suggest loading you or the family unit up and going to see them. It's an incredible show.

All photos are courtesy of Andy Willetts.

I asked a few questions to Cameron Gray of M1 about his post race thoughts.

G2W- What was the attendance per day and total?

CTG- Regarding attendance numbers we do not publish those. All I can say is we exceeded our projections in both spectator sales and camping sales.

G2W- As a promoter how did you feel about how the racing, trophy presentation and fan experience went?

CTG- I felt the racing was great with the Saturday Superbike Race one of the best EVER! Trophy presentation was one of our best and the fan experience far exceeded our expectations.

G2W- Where you worried about the weather? How about that wind Sunday?

CTG- I was terrified about the weather. It is a concern and always will be at Road Atlanta. Sunday wind non issue for us.

G2W- Is there anything you would change for the Miami, NOLA and next year's Road A event?

CTG- We will go bigger at Miami and New Orleans. Only having 2 and half months to prepare for Road Atlanta not enough time at all. Will be much better next year!

G2W- Did you get any feedback from the vendors?

CTG- All vendors were incredible happy coming back next year and many going to Miami and New Orleans.

I asked Jake Zemke and Benny Solis the same three questions to see where they are with their teams. Jake races the #98 DucShop Daytona SportBike 848EVO and Benny races the #35 Riders Discount Vesrah Suzuki SuperSport.

1- From Daytona to Road A what improved with you and the bike?

2- Explain how your weekend went?

3- What did you learn about the weekend, the team and the bike to take into Infineon?

#98 Jake Zemke:

1- From Daytona to Atl. we changed a fair amount on the bike. I would say that the biggest change was switching to a different set of Ohlins forl internals. This gave me better front feel and allowed me to push harder.

2- The weekend went well as we were able to make progress all weekend and improve in some of the areas that we were lacking.

3- Looking ahead to Infineon we will continue to look at improving the bike, I won't be happy until we are on top of the box.

#35 Benny Solis:

1- From Daytona, a lot has improved; not just on the bike but also the relationships between me and my crew. We were a little green at Daytona so we were still learning on how to work with each other and how to understand our info off the bike from each other. So at Atlanta we worked together better and on the bike, we improved on a better feel for the bike and motor. I felt much better at Atlanta and I even got the rear working better than ever before so that's a big plus. We're still learning from each other so I know as the year goes on we will be stronger every time.

2- Over all at the end of the weekend, we all realized that we didn't do bad at all. Although I crashed out of 3rd in the first race and finished 9th in the second we were still happy with the info we got off the bike. We know we have the pace to run up front but we crashed out because of a mistake i made. And in race two, we struggled because of a small issue with a change we made on the bike. We know what we did wrong which is good because now we know what to avoid. Now we are working on being at the fast pace a little earlier in the weekend and being more consistent throughout the rest of the weekend.

3- We learned what changes work and which didn't work on the bike with certain things we wanted to improve. So I have ALL my notes from every change and session and for Infineon I'm confident every change will be a positive one since we know what didnt work before. We're hoping out first set up is strong right off the bat so we can be up front right away and then just work up from there to be at the top. It's still my first season is DSB so it's tough but we know what we can do with what we have and we're sure we can podium and possibly win some races this year.

Pictures are courtesy of Graham Crosby

Georgia On Two Wheels did their very first "event" and we picked the Big Kahuna of them all to kick off our vendor experience.

Thursday 04/19/12: We loaded in at 6:00pm. Upon arrival we found Bob. Bob is M1's point man on vendor row. We had to load in the G2W tent and Foremost's tent. Since Larry Pegram (Superbike racer and team owner) was our contact for the Foremost tent he told us to look for "Texas Bob". Much to our surprise "Texas Bob" and our Bob are the same Bob. Funny thing about "Texas Bob" is that he's from Boston, owned a Texas steak house and lives in Colorado. Weird, huh? Vendor row was pretty slow on Thursday but the load in was uneventful and that's a good thing.

Friday 04/20/12: We showed up late because "real" jobs had to take place. We set up the rest of our SWAG (free stuff) and watched the campers trickle in. When you are a vendor you can tell immediately if you will have a good weekend at a race track if the campers show early. They did. We found it amazing the number of tent campers at the track. When you have a weather forecast that is "iffy" at best tent campers are your best barometer of how the weekend will go. After the track went silent for the evening the promoter opened up the stage for emcee to get the fans going. They gave away all kinds of stuff, had an autograph session that many racers attended and the Cigar Store Indians played a bunch of rock-a-billy for the crowd.

Saturday 04/21/12: At 7:30am we were on the track getting ready for the day. The weather was overcast and the feeling of showers was in the air. Thankfully, that never happened. The fans were pouring into the track early and the racing wasn't going to happen for hours. It was a good sign. By 10:00 am the Café Racer Village (vendor row) was pretty packed. We were giving out kickstand coasters and other swag at a pretty good clip. By noon we actually had to slow down the rate at which we were giving things away to make sure we could get to at least 2:00pm Sunday. The PA was pumping out the race play by play and it kept the fans engaged without having to watch every moment. M1 did bring out the "big screens" for the fans. At turn 6, 10 and vendor row people saw the tack action. The vendors were from all types of backgrounds. Bobcat was there with a little excavator and letting people pick up basketballs and place them in buckets. The Custom earplug guys were there and if you are a fan of Café Racer T.V. show they showed up with Dime City, Grease Monkey and Fuller Customs. Triumph had a pretty cool tent, as well. Jason Britton did his "freestyle" show and Ricky Gadson was there with the ZX14 dragbike and simulator. They had monster truck rides for fans, a chiropractor that gave $10 adjustments and after the racing the Cigar Store Indians played again.

Sunday 04/22/12: 8:00am we tied weights to the tent because the forecast was for 40mph gust. The morning started a little slow. The campers must have stayed up a little late on Saturday. About 10:00am is when the vendors started seeing signs of life. Fans were starting to flood in. The wind had yet to blow things away and our response to our free stuff was incredible. The rate of the give-a-ways was much better than I had anticipated. The EBR (Eric Buell Racing) tent and Café Racer T.V. tent were selling stuff like crazy. It was pretty cool so see all the vendors doing so well. In the end, all our SWAG was gone by 2:00pm just like we planned and we were able to go watch the Daytona SportBike race and the Superbike race.

In all, an incredible first outing for G2W from a vendor perspective. Stay tuned for a Jason Britton update, racing updates and little mini-interviews. I will post pics but will leave a link in one of my post of the photographer's photobucket page. Next up: A word with Benny Solis: SuperSport racer

Stunt Man sounds too stale for what Jason does with a motorcycle.

I had a brief nine minute conversation with Jason Britton recently and what I found was amazing. He is a professional stunt man, adenaline junkie, husband and father. Jason is more like you and me than I would have ever imagined before we talked. He was so pleasant and friendly that it's no wonder he has such a huge fan base. As Jason was traveling in his car when we had our conversation, that prevented me from getting this interview on video. The audio is well worth your time if you are a fan of freestyle sportbike riding.

Jason and Team No Limits will take to their bikes and show us trickery with motorcycles. What used to be street hooliganism has turned into a sponsor backed professional sport. Jason's preferred tool of choice is the Kawasaki ZX6R. I, honestly, thought he would go for the big brother ZX10 because of the torque, but it occurred to me, while watching some of his You Tube videos, with the plethora of accessories available in the aftermarket that simple sprocket changes would allow him to swap torque and power for gearing and less weight.

Since they (Team No Limts) spend most of their time on one wheel, two thoughts ran across my mind: 1) These guys have more in common with trials riders than most people think. 2) Why is this not an X Games sport? Just something to ponder while you are watching them perform this weekend at Road Atlanta for the Big Kahuna Nationals.

I'm posting the audio and when the owner of the video I would like to use contacts me with permission I will overlay the audio onto it and update the post as soon as I can. I want to thank you in advance. You readers get to be the test bed as I refine my interview skills.

Britton Interview

Best of the rest in the entry-level world will cover scooters, Harley and used bike purchases.

We rolled right through the major brands in the last two articles, but there are a few things left to discuss.

Scooters are excellent sources of entertainment. They make them from 50cc to the new Aprilia SRV850 Maxi-Sport Scooter. Most people choose 150-250cc scooters for inner-city living and the 500-850cc scooters for highway or mountain travel. There are pros and cons to all and you have to always remember that they are not motorcycles and therefore do not handle or brake like them. The closest thing to motorcycle handling and braking in the scooter market is the Yamaha T-Max 500. There are new competitors all the time so just research it a bit and you will find a scooter that is suitable to your commuting needs.

Harley Davidson was intentionally held toward the last of the manufacturers. Why? The Buell Blast was their only "entry" level bike. Buell, as a Harley product, is gone and that makes it pretty tough to say they have an entry level bike. Since the XL883 models are the smallest displacement motorcycle Harley makes, there is an inherent issue with new ownership. They are top heavy and newbies tend to drop them easily. If you must have a Harley as your first motorcycle then consider the Dyna class. It's a larger motor, but the center of gravity is lower and therefore easier to handle the weight and turn the motorcycle in tight conditions.

Buy used for your very first bike. Why? Let's put it this way: You won't cry nearly as bad dropping a $3,000 bike vs a $12,000 bike. There are excellent choices in used bikes. I spent my first 20 years of motorcycle ownership buying bikes that were 10 years old or older. And it is reasonable to believe that as a new rider mistakes will happen. You'll be practicing in a parking lot or the front yard when suddenly you are picking your bike up from a u-turn or forgetting to put down your feet when you stop. Don't laugh. When you go to the Georgia Department of Driver Services to renew or apply for a motorcycle license, ask an examiner how many times a week they see people forgetting to put down their feet when the bike stops.

MIA: Dozens of cool little bikes from Europe, Great Britain and Asia. There are dozens of European websites that do road test on these little riots. A couple bikes that will not be coming to America are the KTM Duke 125 and 200. Sadly, KTM believes that there will not be enough sales to import them, but they should because both these bikes would cause miles of smiles for any seasoned rider. They were designed to be entry level bikes but they look like their big brother the Duke 690. I didn't mention the KTM Duke 690 earlier because it's not an entry level bike.

Wrapping up this four-part series, remember that purchasing a first bike used is always better than new, cheap is always better than expensive and find riders to discuss their opinions on small displacement motorcycles. Ask service managers about maintaining bikes you are interested in. Ask friends if they have ridden bikes you are interested in and if possible take a seasoned rider that has a history of owning many bikes. These riders will be helpful in assisting you if you make a private party purchase. Since there is typically no warranty available on a used motorcycle, taking a veteran motorcyclist will help you to decide if the bike's value is correct.

In the end, the entry level bike is a great choice because it gives the rider time to learn the basics on a bike that is not so powerful that it will scare the heck out of a new rider if a mistake is made. I have introduced people to riding smaller bikes and instead of listening to three decades of experience they trade out of their bikes much too soon. Then, when an accident occurs due solely to lack of experience, they become too shaken to ride again. That's not the way it's supposed to be. Good training on a motorcycle takes years and many miles. Then you step up to the next level. People get this notion that they want only one bike. In 30 years of riding I have owned more than 20 motorcycles. You NEVER keep one bike. Your mood changes, your style changes, your bike changes. It happens to every rider. In the riding world nothing is permanent. Think of bikes as expensive toys. You love them until you don't -- then you get a new one. Happy trails Georgia riders!!

Continuing your search for an entry or re-entry-level motorcycle.

In the previous post we made our way from Aprilia to Honda. Up next are the rest of the ready-for-primetime-players in the U.S. motorcycle market.

Kawasaki make the Vulcan models and ANY of the 900cc (not truly a beginner bike, but if you are level-headed it's acceptable) or under bikes are good for beginners. The "baby" Ninjas (my term- not Kawi's) are next. The Ninja 250R looks like its big brother the ZX600R and it's so mechanically sound that they even have their own race series in many different racing sanctioning bodies. They don't put out tons of power, but they handle very good, stop as well as they handle and they are CHEAP to buy. The Ninja 650 and Versys 650 are the same motor and frame but the Versys is more like sitting on a cross between a standard motorcycle of the 80s and an adventure tour bike from this decade. The Ninja 650 was revised for 2012 and if you scan the internet you will hardly find a negative word on them. The KLR 650 and KLX250's are great dual sport bikes. If you grew up on the dirt then you will be happy with these.

Moto Guzzi is an Italian brand and they don't have a very large dealer network. What you get with Moto Guzzi is exclusivity. They make a couple of bikes worth noting. The Breva 750 which they do not import any longer but you can still find as a left-over new bike (Moto Guzzi no longer post this bike on their site. Please check the internet for photos and specs) and the V7. The V7 is a "retro" model. Modern technology with old school looks. Those seeking to be outside the box of Harley or Triumph would be well served to look into a V7 as a worthy alternative. Moto Guzzi's are delivered to the USA with 2 year Factory Warranty and sometimes they run specials where you get free roadside assistance- a handy feature if you get a flat tire. Ask the finance manager at your dealership about that when you begin your research.

Suzuki Boulevard cruiser C & M 50 bikes are awesome little cruisers. The C is the "touring" model with saddle bags and windshield. The M is the "muscle" bikel low and lean looking. They put out the exact same power and sit on the same frame. They just serve different styles. Follow those up with the S40 (formally known as the Savage) The GZ250 is a tiny cruiser and is excellent if you have a teen that wants to learn and commute to school. It's also an excellent bike for the mechanically inclined student. The TU250x is a great alternative if your legs are too long for the GZ. It's a modern interpretation of a bike they made decades ago. Suzuki didn't bring any Gladius or SV models over but there are left-overs. They are 650 cc bikes and although I don't consider them "entry" bikes Suzuki does and they market them that way. The DRZ400S (it's brother the DRZ400SM) are great starter bikes. The SM is no longer available as a 2012 version but new ones are out there- the SM is for supermoto (street tires on a dirt bike) and the DR650SE is a little more dirt oriented than the KLR. The DL650 V-Strom has two models and ABS is available. It's Suzuki's "adventure" bike, but it's mostly street oriented and can roll long miles in total comfort. It has quite the cult following and an excellent choice when you want to ride two up.

Triumph makes the Bonneville line of bikes and all are excellent starting points for the money. They make them in different configurations. That said, go sit on all of them and see what fits you best. The one thing you should note is that Triumphs are delivered with a two-year factory warranty. Additionally, they hold their value well.

Yamaha has the V Star 950 and 250 cruisers. They are updated version of a bike they have made for 25yrs. The 950 models may seem out of line with the "entry level" designation but they are within reason for those that are re-entering riding after a long hiatus or the type of person that has reasonable control over their right hand (throttle hand). The 250 is a bike you will see on a lot of motorcycle training courses. They are very easy to learn on and for those that live in the inner city or are going to college they are great little bikes to tool around town. The WR, XT & TW are all versions of dual sport bikes and are all a blast to play with on and off road. Investigate carefully as they all do things slightly different from one another. So, it truly depends of the "type" of dual sporting you will do as to what will fit you best.

The last installment will cover the scooter craze, an obvious omission of the largest American motorcycle manufacturer's line-up and why you should buy used as your first bike.

April 20, 21, 22 the best show on two wheels comes to Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA.

This year's event will feature racing stars Josh Hayes (Monster Energy Graves Motorsports Yamaha), Blake Young (Yoshimura Suzuki), Roger Lee Hayden (National Guard Jordan Suzuki), Larry Pegram (Foremost Pegram Racing BMW), Ben Bostrom (Jordan Suzuki), Steve Rapp (Attack Kawasaki) with notables: Jake Holden, Danny Eslick, Geoff May, Chris Ulrich and Chis Filmore and Chris Clark all racing the National Guard American Superbike class.

In support classes you will see Jason Disalvo (Latus Triumph), Martin Cardenas (Geico M4 Suzuki), Superbike veterans Jake Zemke (DucShop 848Evo) & Tommy Hayden (YES Graves Yamaha) with notable fast young guns Tommy Aquino, Jake Gagne, Cory West, Benny Solis and JD Beach racing in the Go Pro Daytona SportBike class.

Following that amazing cast will be Elena Myers, James Respoli, Hayden Gillim, Corey Alexander, Jake Lewis, Zach Herrin, and about 15 others that are working their way to being the champion of the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Super Sport class.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Cameron Gray of M1 PowerSports to talk about the upcoming Big Kahuna Nationals Atlanta event. He will tell us the history of the event, the origin of the name and what the fans can expect during the weekend to keep us all entertained. G2W (Georgia On Two Wheels) will be at the event handing out free kickstand coasters for bikes parking in the fields and gravel. Stop by our booth and pick one up. Then sign up for our email news letter that we hope to begin in July of this year.

This is my first ever video interview. I have enhanced it the best I can and will have a different camera in the future, but for a first effort I'm pretty proud. Please note that you will have to switch the setting to 720p for the best viewing application. I would like to thank Cameron Gray for his time.

Cameron Gray PowerSports Interview

Paul Carruther's from Cycle News is allowing us to post a link to the interview they posted today with Cameron about the Big Kahuna Nationals. Please click this link: Cycle News M1 interview .

Entry level bikes are not all boring little machines.

Our biggest hurdle in the entry-level motorcycle market is the sales person. In my view many care too much about the commissions they make off the sale and less about making sure the bike fits the rider. Less expensive bikes (talkin' new bike sales here) have a lower profit margin; in turn, they have lower commissions. That's why you only see a few bikes in show rooms that are under 500cc and 3 to 4 times that in 600cc or larger sizes. There are variables in displacement and horsepower ratings that could be considered but, by in large, the larger the displacement the higher the horsepower. Let's target specific new models and give you an informative and interesting take that you should consider if you are looking for an entry level bike for you, your significant other or your licensed teen.

Aprilia makes a bike called the Mana 850/Mana 850GT. It's an 850 cc bike and it's the largest displacement of any other "entry" bike on the market, but this is what sets it apart: It's essentially a scooter motor in a motorcycle frame. No joke. The Mana is a fully automatic motorcycle with some of the cleverest features found on any current model from any of the competition. It's deceptively quick, but because it's an automatic, scooter-based motor the power is a linear progression that does not overwhelm. If you are in your middle 20s or older and entering the riding world this is something you should be able to wrap your brain around. If you are near retirement age and don't want anything heavy to ride it's also an excellent bike to investigate. The Mana pictured is from RIder's Hill/European Motorsports in Dahlonega, GA. They currently are selling new 2009 Mana's for $5999 with 2 year factory warranties. Remember that ALL motorcycles, regardless of year model, that are previously untitled are sold as new and eligible for full factory warranties.

BMW makes a couple bikes that are fine examples. The G650 models and the F650 models are great bikes. The F bikes are a little more powerful because they are twin cylinder bikes and the G bike is more of a dual sport, but both come with ABS options and are BMW reliable. They cost a bit more than the competition but if you have the funds they are certainly capable of years of entertainment. Both the F & G models offer on-road and dual sport variations but you will hardly find a negative review of these models.

Ducati's Monster 696 is an excellent ride for those that love the "roadster" style of riding. That's described as a slight bend in the knees toward the rear of the bike. Not sportbike cramped, but canted rearward. "Sporting" is the best word. It's an air-cooled twin cylinder motor and it has awesome brakes and suspension for a bike they market as entry level. The trade off is that it's not really a bike you want to tour long distances on.

Honda makes the Shadow 750 series and Rebel 250. Both are great beginner bikes for those that love the cruiser look. Reliable doesn't even come close to describing them. Additionally, the resale is solid. You can look at a 10yo model of the Shadow 750; it will still fetch $3500 if it's clean. The picture provided and an excellent review on the Rebel was just published by my friends at Motorcycle.com. Then there's the new CBR250R. This bike is new to the American market and it, too, is Honda reliable. It's a ¼ liter sized sportbike and you have to understand that from the on-set. The seating position is a little tighter than the Ducati would be, but it's not an uncomfortable bike. Tall riders may find it a bit cramped if your inseam extends past 32 inches but I'm inseam challenged allowing my knees to be comfortable. The CRF230M (supermoto- 17" street tires on a dual sport bike) and it's dual sport brother CRF230L are excellent bikes that can easily transition from street to dirt and are surely worth consideration. These two models are great for the teen and early 20's rider that need cheap transport and great mileage.

In the next installment we will cover Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha.

Why is the American idea of entry-level motorcycles so much different than the rest of the world?

It's an interesting question really. We do have entry-level motorcycles that sell relatively well in this country. The biggest issue is we don't encourage a system that makes that portion of the motorcycle industry profitable in the USA. The net effect is that we are left out in our selection of available motorcycles compared to the rest of the entry-level motorcycle world. Given the enthusiasm of Georgia riders to bring our friends and relatives to ride with us and even to get their own bikes, we need to consider the entry-level options.

In Great Britain and most of the EU the entry-level bike is classified by horsepower rating. That bike will not be over 33bhp (brake horsepower). It may sound underpowered, but the top speed of a near 500 lbs bike is still near 100 mph. When considering the fact that we are talking new riders, that's still fast enough to get most in real trouble.

Speed almost always is what gets new riders in trouble first. They tend to ride too fast, oblivious to the speed, because the adrenaline rush tends to distract them from the pace they are keeping. Then suddenly, as the rider, you figure out that you are running too hot for the corner that is coming up on you.

This is the point where most riders make mistakes. Laying down a bike because you have entered the corner too fast is always bad and even on low cc bikes this is possible, but it is less likely because there is a "forgiveness" factor in a bike that has less horsepower. The power doesn't tend to "come on" too fast.

In a self-awareness aspect, you realize that the motorcycle mechanically is working hard to keep its pace. You hear or "feel" the bike laboring. You know how fast you are going even if you never looked down at the speedo. This "feel" is your brain telling you the motorcycle is going fast enough.

On larger displacement bikes this "feel" is different. It takes your brain awhile to adjust to it. I'll give you an example of this with myself. I once owned a 1987 BMW K100RS. This was BMW's idea of a sport bike in the late 80s. Since the bike I came off of was an old 69 Triumph the BMW felt like a Superbike in comparison. I had been riding motorcycles for 23 yrs at this point of the game. The BMW was seamlessly fast and comfortable. It took me weeks to get used to the sound of the motor and the feel of the bike before I could tell by the sound of the bike how fast I was going without looking at the gauges.

Three years ago I bought a Kawasaki ZRX after I sold the BMW. WOW! This was absolutely Superbike territory compared to the BMW. It was scorching fast. It had insanely good brakes compared to anything I have ever owned and it was not easy to ride it under 80mph for the first two weeks because it so quiet compared to the Supertrapp exhaust that was on the BMW. I sold that bike because it was too easy to ride it fast and since I love riding with my daughter as a passenger I was thinking safety for her more than dumbing down the speed for me.

That's where the Kawasaki KLR comes in. The "big trailie" is awesome. I stepped back to enjoy the ride and do something I've never done- trail ride. It took me nearly 30 years to realize that I didn't need to go faster to have fun. I just had to change to a different style of bike. Small cc size is fun if you look at it properly. That KLR puts out roughly 40 hp. It's a hoot. Most people that are seasoned riders forget the joy of going slower and the "newbies" (new riders for the uninitiated) are always thinking they need to go faster.

In Part 2, we will discuss how and why entry level bikes benefit you and start talking about the types of bikes that seem like a reasonable start for a newbie or returning rider.

As noted in part one of this post, in my view, we need better licensing for safe riding. One key to better licensing would be an "on road" skills test. Europeans use a series of procedures that include an actual on-road test with a test examiner following the prospect motorcyclist on a set route. Through a communication device in the helmets, the examiner instructs the prospect on what to do.

Compared to our current "skills" test, this is much more comprehensive because it puts the rider in actual traffic or at the very least on real streets. In Europe, the procedures are so tough that over 50% of applicants fail a "module" of the test the first time. "Module" is the breakdown of the skills test from various displacement sizes of the motors as you advance in experience. This procedure weeds out those that are serious about licensing and those that just want to play on two wheels.

I believe that licensing must be that tough in the United States. Without this, the fatality and injury numbers will only increase.

When I began riding motorcycles 29 years ago I didn't even know that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) even existed. In their 39-year history, they have trained over 4.5 million riders for the road. This organization is vital to the future of motorcycle licensing and I believe that they must be included in the procedure for obtaining a motorcycle license across the country. These well-trained riders could be exploited as they are certified by MSF and could assist with better licensing and testing.

It's not a popular idea. Rather than focus on more stringent licensing, experienced riders believe that we must do something about the "cagers" (people in automobiles). Honestly, motorcyclists are so outnumbered that we can't do much about "cagers" other than raise the minimum driving age and produce televised and radio public service announcements. We would certainly have to make a grandfather clause for riders already licensed. It's the new rider we must train and here is the plan I believe could help.

First, I would propose new licensing hearings should commence at NHSTA and would bring in the following people to speak: The President of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the President of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the Presidents of the three largest underwriters of motorcycle insurance in America, and the commissioners of all the state DMVs.

I would lay out a system of licensing procedures that would include all prospective motorcyclists. It would start with a written exam that has a 50% chance of failure on the first try. If a rider does pass then he or she would be required to take the DMV parking lot test before being issued a "provisional" (MP) license. The rider would be limited to an under 40 hp (horsepower) motorcycle for one year or 5000 miles of riding documented by a data logger. The data logger's sole purpose is to account for mileage- nothing more.

When the rider completed a year or 5000 miles, the rider would be required to return to take the written exam again and pass it with a score that is a minimum of 10% better than that rider's previous exam unless a perfect score were obtained on the first test. The rider would have to take a first "on road" test on a 10 mile route in different driving scenarios that include being in moderate traffic congestion. When the examiner believes the rider has accomplished this, he or she can then obtain the M class permit and ride the bike of his or her choice.

Being licensed is a privilege and not a right. Tougher licensing will weed out the people that think they want to ride a motorcycle versus the ones that know they want to ride.

None of this is popular with the current riding crowd. However, we must ready riders for today's modern traffic patterns. The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) would argue that this will hurt sales. I would argue that the changes to tougher procedures in Europe a few years ago hardly hurt overall sales. If that is their worry, then now is the time to make the changes since sales overall are off by nearly 45% from where they were just four years ago. Additionally, it would be hard for people to argue against the fact that with better training, more public service announcements and harder licensing procedures, rider insurance rates may well decrease.

Riders are the most vulnerable people on the roads. Other than protective gear, there is not a protected element for motorcyclists versus the auto driver. This may sound like overkill, but when you have seen as many unskilled and skilled riders get injured or killed on motorcycles as I have, you tend to think there are solutions. We must be proactive for the future of motorcyclists and this is a step in that direction.

About the Sponsor of G2W
The Law Offices of P. Charles Scholle, P.C., represents motorcycle riders and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. We sponsor Georgia on Two Wheels for the riding community, because we know how much Georgia riders love their bikes and we want them to be safe and ready to ride. Please contact our law office at any time for a free and private consultation at one of our conveniently-located Atlanta area offices. We understand how much you love to ride and we want to help you if you need support after and injury or accident.

How do you convince millions of motorcyclists that change is necessary? And what needs to change? Let's get started.

First, the numbers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 7 million motorcycles registered for road use in the United States. NHTSA data states that between 1997 and 2006 registered motorcycles jumped from 3.8 million to 6.2 million. A staggering 63% increase in motorcycles in less than a decade.

Although there was a significant drop in new bike sales from 2007 to 2010 (likely due to economic conditions), the trend is finally reversing and European and American motorcycle sales are now increasing steadily. The reason for the decline of bike sales during this period was most likely due to people shifting their lifestyle during the recession.

The 1997-2006 statistics represent a significant jump in sales for a mode of transportation that Americans consider to be a hobby. Sadly, the motorcycle "hobby" accounts for over 103,000 motorcycle injuries annually. The United States Department of Transportation Action Plan reports that fatalities jumped 41% from 2,116 to 5,154 between 1997 and 2010. But according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association, fatalities fell to 4,376 in 2010.

The youngest of riders still account for the highest fatality rates, but it's the "boomer" generation that account for the majority of injuries. This is due to the classic "mid-life crisis" scenario and the fact that this age group has more disposable income.

In January 2005, The Journal of Safety Research began a long term study to identify the increases in accidents and fatalities. The initial study release states, "Although causes remain unclear, motorcycle education and licensing play a key role in reducing motorcycle related crashes and injuries. Yet, little is known about what constitutes effective rider training." Training is one key, but there is more than one key.

Most American Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operations are woefully inadequate in licensing procedures for today's motorized life. Since it's nearly impossible to change the way we license automobile drivers in America, the solution is to train motorcyclists to be better motorcyclists.

Right now, in order to obtain a motorcycle "learner's" permit all you have to do is take a written test (multiple choice). If you pass, the DMV will issue a "provisional" (MP) license that allows you to operate on state and federal highways, but you are not supposed to ride on Interstates, at night or have a passenger. Most of these "provisions" are ignored by the newly licensed.

When you return to take your "road/skills" test you will be placed in a parking lot at the DMV and asked to execute a series or stop and go procedures at a speed of around 15 mph. Often administered by examiners that have no motorcycle experience at all. If you successfully complete these low speed skills you are issued your full M class permit. How does riding at 15 mph in a parking lot ready you for riding in Georgia or Atlanta traffic and avoid injury or accident? It doesn't. We need an updated testing procedure!

Skills aren't of much value if you don't know the motorcycle operational laws and standards. The Georgia Motorcycle Operator's Manual is a very important piece of material for the riding community in this respect. However, compared to British, EU or Japanese operator's manuals, it short changes us as rider's as to how to be prepared for the road.

In my view, our licensing procedures are far too easy compared to the majority of the riding world. It's time to make our standards tougher in the name of safety and this doesn't apply to just young riders -- it applies to ALL riders.

About Us
The Law Offices of P. Charles Scholle, sponsors Georgia on Two Wheels for the enjoyment and safety of Georgia's biking community. As all riders know, we need to stick together as a community and this blog is dedicated to all Georgia riders. If you ever need legal advice about an injury or accident on your bike, please contact our law offices for a free consultation with Charles.

Recently, while writing some upcoming pieces on how readers can best pick entry level bikes, I came across some really interesting daily motorcycle news. The newest rumor in Europe is that Hero MotorCorp (they built Hondas for nearly 26 years) is interested in purchasing Ducati. Ducati is currently owned by a private equity firm and in the last five years has completely revamped its entire line of bikes.

What is interesting is not that Hero might buy Ducati, but that Hero is the primary sponsor of EBR's (Erik Buell Racing's) Danny Eslick's American Superbike team for 2012. Although the potential purchase news comes from Ducati, it is clear that Hero is sponsoring the EBR entry.

What does this mean for the future? Here are a few questions that need to be answered before we know what the future holds:

1) Hero signed up to sponsor the EBR race bike. What's in it for them since they don't really have an American market for their products?;

2) EBR is a small company that needs capital. Could Hero buy a minority stake in a privately held American motorcycle company?;

3) Could the combination of EBR and Hero lead to faster R&D (research and development) for EBR?;

4) Does EBR "need" small cc size bikes to complete and compete in the market place?;

5) Since Ducati sales in America are growing faster than the Asian bikes, is that what Hero is seeing if they acquire Ducati?;

7) Would this mean that the Monster line of motorcycles would be built in India?; and finally, the biggest question,

8) If Hero bought a minority stake in EBR and controlling stake in Ducati would they combine the engineering efforts and come out with Italian/American engineered L-twin 90 degree motors when (it is my understanding that) the EBR motor is 60 degrees of V-twin?

It is plausible that an India-based motorcycle manufacturer with money and resources can team with Italians and Americans to develop a "world" class motorcycle effort. This is just something to keep your minds churning.

02/12/2012 Update: It appears that VW owned brand Audi is leading the charge to aquire the Italian marquee. This makes sense, but raises a question as to the link with Mercedes Benz AMG tuner division. AMG signed up to be an associate sponsor of Ducati's MotoGP effort.

There is much work to be done. Vetting companies in Europe is no short order. VW has tried for years to take controlling ownership of the Porshe brand and the deal keeps getting hiccupped in German courts for various reasons. It's clear that VW wants into the motorcycle market. They clearly see that Honda, Suzuki, BMW are really enjoying the cross over technology benefit of R&D (research and development). Technology is an ever-evolving process in the auto and motorcycle industries.

In many cases, the R&D work that happens in two year cycles with motorcycles and cars bleeds directly into both products. For example, it's amusing to think back about when ABS became standard on cars. That was in the late 80's (optioned in the early 80's). But my BMW K100RS had ABS in 1987 and that is cool science. Now, we have traction control, wheelie control (launch control for sports cars) and fly-by wire (no throttle cables just electric circuits telling the EFI what to do). Soon we will have direct injection replacing throttle bodies on most vehicles and technology marches on.

At the end of the day, Ducati could be set up for a bidding war between as many as four or five different companies. Considering that they were on the brink of extinction in the early 1990's, this is a complete and fulfilled ressurection of one of the most exotic brands in the motorcycle industry.

We will keep you posted on the potential acquisition. Until then, safe riding!

About Us
The Law Offices of P. Charles Scholle, sponsors Georgia on Two Wheels for the enjoyment and safety of Georgia's biking community. Knowing where to go when you need help can be half the battle. Please contact our law offices for a free consultation if you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident.

Charles Scholle, P.C., cranked up the G2W blog in an effort to address various legal and safety concerns of his riding buddies and clients. The posts address safety issues and share information on Georgia and Atlanta-area accidents, as well as significant personal injury lawsuits. In his work as an Gwinnett County motorcycle injury lawyer, it makes a lot of sense that he would want you all to know about law and safety.

In the recent past, Charles started sprinkling in motorcycle news that he found interesting to share with readers. In order to expand this blog, Charles wanted to find a person with substantial riding experience, knowledge of the motorcycle industry, knowledge of motorcycle insurance and a semblance of writing ability.

And so it begins. My name is Kirk Harrington and Charles has invited me to guest blog on G2W. I am the co-founder of A C E Specialty Insurance Agency and we make our living selling motorcycle insurance in Georgia. My sister Kim runs the day to day business now as I concentrate on new adventures, including this blog. I mention this for the "street cred" because I will not refer to the agency often, but I will likely offer ongoing opinion on motorcycle insurance in Georgia in the future.

In July 2012, I will begin my 30th year of street riding. In those 30 years I have managed to own nearly every style of motorcycle. I've owned old Honda CBs to old Rigid Triumphs to newer faster bikes like Kawi ZRXs and I am now into my 1st Dual Sport ride, (2010 KLR). I sold motorcycles from one-off customs to fine Italian sportbikes and ridden them all. At 45 yo, I have had more fun goofing off with the KLR, one lung, than I can remember since learning to ride in 1982.

Here's what's in store for the G2W blog: We are going to refresh the site and add content. After the site is freshened up, I will regularly add new content for your enjoyment. Charles will continue to contribute his "take" on law and safety, but my job is to give you updated motorcycle news, post short stories, give you relevant information on motorcycle insurance, and supply you with a calendar of events in Georgia and just over the state lines of our neighboring states. We will keep you updated through Facebook and Twitter (as soon as I learn it-lol), as well. The most exciting part is- I want YOUR input. Soon we will post an email address and I want the readers to send me ride routes, events that are happening that I may miss and eventually photos and short two minute videos of where they are headed or at for the day.

This process will take weeks before the content is rolling at a regular pace, but the end result will be a Georgia rider's blog that readers can participate in. Our sport/activity/lifestyle cannot be explained by those that fear riding, but we know the enjoyment of being in the wind. BTW- we don't want to limit this to just two wheels or on-road riding. You three wheelers, hack operators and off-roaders are encouraged to participate and we hope you do. Join us as we take G2W into new territory. Tell us what you like, don't like, and things you think we might like to add for the future.

Thank you to Charles for the opportunity. Thank you to the current readers for allowing us to be a part of your reading enjoyment and a special thank you to those that take an active participation in future postings.

Charles Scholle is a Gwinnett County motorcycle injury and accident lawyer, providing free consultations on motorcycle accident matters. Please contact our law firm at any time. We have offices in several locations around the Atlanta area, including Buckhead, Decatur and the Perimeter and serve clients throughout Georgia.

As we noted in a recent post, bike rider safety in intersections cannot be underestimated. Often car or other motor vehicle drivers are responsible for the accidents that happen in intersections. I see this in my practice as a Gwinnett County motorcycle accident lawyer.

As you all know, you cannot be sure that someone else on the road sees you. Experts say that you must never count on another driver seeing you, even if you have made eye contact with them. The Georgia Motorcycle Operators' Manual is a great source of information for all riders, new and experienced.

Sometimes, as we know even from driving a car, another driver can look right at us and still take the right of way, even though it might belong to us. That is even more important when it comes to drivers failing to see motorcyclists. It is very important to make sure that when other vehicles enter your path, you are checking constantly to stay out of the way and avoid trouble for yourself.

The best ways to get seen at intersections for example, is to keep your headlight on and stay in a lane that gives you the best visibility to see oncoming traffic. If you can leave some space around your bike and other vehicles, that makes it more likely that you will be able to take evasive action.

Specifically, when you get close to the intersection, make sure that you cover the clutch lever and brakes which will give you greater reaction time. Slow down as you approach and avoid any major speed changes. In blind intersections, it is important to make sure that you move into the lane in such a way as to get into the other drivers' field of vision. It is really important to make that happen as quickly as you can. It is most vital that you are able to see and be seen to the greatest extent possible.

So, when you are entering to a stop, do so. But then pull up and do that again, a bit short of where the cross-traffic will meet your lane. If you lean your body in from that position, you will be able to look around all potential obstacles like buildings, trees, parked cars and any other potential object that is in your line of sight. Keep your forearm wheel out of the cross lane of traffic.

Here is some information that is specifically for Atlanta riders. Did you know that the most dangerous intersection in Fulton County is at 14th Street and Peachtree Street? Another statistic which local riders should pay attention to: nearly 40 percent of Fulton County motorcycle crashes happened there in 2009.

As noted last year by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, other intersections in Fulton and Dekalb that had multiple motorcycle crashes in 2009 include: Barge Road and Campbelltown Roads; Camp Creek Parkway and Welcome All Road; 10th St. and Piedmont Avenue; Bolton Road and Marietta Road; Buford Highway and Peachtree Street; Delmar Lane and Delmoor Court; Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and Eugenia Avenue. The AJC also notes that riders must be especially careful between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday evenings in August. These are all statistically the most dangerous times for bike riders.

For more information on the importance of intersection safety, check out the Federal Highway Administration's "Detecting Motorcyclists and Bicyclists at Intersections."

Charles Scholle is a Gwinnett County motorcycle injury and accident lawyer, providing free consultations to evaluate any motorcycle accident matter. Please contact our law firm at any time to talk with us.

Our law practice focuses on helping clients recover from catastrophic injuries due to motorcycle, car and truck accidents. We have offices in several locations around the Atlanta area, including Buckhead, Decatur and the Perimeter and serve clients throughout Georgia.

Georgia bikers are fortunate to have a resource that can help with many aspects of bike riding and safety. The Georgia Motorcycle Operator's Manual is a fantastic resource for all riders. I recommend it to my clients in my practice as an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer.

One of the many areas the Motorcycle Operator's Manual covers is how to ride safely in certain situations. In the first of a two-part series on safe riding and intersections, I want to ensure that riders understand their role in keeping safe.

National motorcycle safety statistics show that bike riders are particularly vulnerable in intersections. This is the "greatest potential for conflict between you and other traffic" according to the Georgia manual. It is said that more than half of all accidents involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles are actually "caused by drivers entering a rider's right-of-way."

The biggest dangers is from vehicles that are turning left in front of you as the bike rider. The critical factor in your safety is using the SEE method at intersections. The SEE method is described as follows.

First and foremost, be very aware at all times when riding what is going on around you. The tried and true method is called SEE -- which is a three-step process that riders can apply in many situations with which they are confronted. First is search, second is evaluate and third is execute.

The first step is to search. This requires watching all angles around you and very intently. The best way to reduce the potential for problems is to leave room around you and seek out routes you can use if you get into a jam. Particularly, watch for oncoming traffic and potential turns, left and right traffic, the traffic behind you and road hazards. Make sure you are aware of the way other drivers might be able to see you better and avoid being "lost" in the traffic shuffle from others.

The next step is to evaluate. This is more about assessing risk and anticipating the possible issues that could arise and a plan to reduce risk at any given time. This includes evaluating the road and its surface, being aware of road conditions, bridges, and obstructions (such as trees and telephone poles) on a curve or elsewhere and other potential hazards. Watching for traffic signs is also part of this process. Of course, other vehicles and their potential movement is important to notice. Leaving space in case of an emergency around you is vital.

The last step is to execute. This requires decisiveness and communication. The point is to make sure those around you know you are there. Use your lights or horn and adjust both your speed and your position. This also requires letting two hazards separate ... in other words, if you see the potential for a lane change hazard due to other vehicles, wait and let those vehicles separate for you to make your lane change. Always give yourself room to move. And make sure that you are seen.

My Gwinnett County law practice centers around personal injury of all types. When you contact my law office, you can speak with me personally about your motorcycle accident or injury at no charge at all. You will not pay for this consultation. From our main office in Gwinnett County, we serve clients from offices in Buckhead and the Perimeter and represent clients throughout Atlanta and Georgia including Fulton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Dekalb County, Walton County, Jackson County and more.