Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Some strong opinions out there...

Belt Drive 0 Canadian Riders, Motorcycle Community 7:21 AM

It appears that the closing of Buell by Harley-Davidson has garnered some strong reactions in the motorcycle community. 
 
It does not matter which forum you go to - <a href="http://forums.sportrider.com/70/7879808/general-discussion/buell-shut-down-by-harley-davidson/index.html">Sport Rider</a>, <a href="http://forum.motorcycle-usa.com/default.aspx?m=464645&f=17&p=1">Motorcycle USA</a>, <a href="http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=844230">ST Owners dot Com</a> - the opinions are strong and mostly negative towards Buell and positive about it's demise. 
 
Read the article on <a href="http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Oct/091016expldeleted.htm">Superbike Planet</a> written by Dean Adams. He pulls NO punches whatsoever on how he feels about Buell, Erik Buell, Harley-Davidson or the Daytona Motorsports Group. 
 
I have never ridden a sport bike, a super bike or any of those fast and crazy machines so I can only assume from the knocks to it's credibility and the comments that Buell really was the albatross that so many in that field of riding seem to say it was. 
 
In other news the Fraser Valley Toy run is tomorrow and URSA is hosting a Grey Cup Banquet and has tickets on sale now. 
 
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP AIM-Can 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">www.aim-can.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>

Some strong opinions out there...

It appears that the closing of Buell by Harley-Davidson has garnered some strong reactions in the motorcycle community. It does not matter...

Stunning news out of Milwaukee

Have you read the news headlines today? 
 
Harley-Davidson is <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/305-businessindustry-news-international/2561-harley-davidson-unveils-new-single-brand-strategy-announcing-plans-to-divest-mv-agusta">shutting down Buell and selling off MV Agusta.</a> 
 
Personally I think this is a bad move on H-D's part. The sport bike scene is becoming larger and it is the way many young people come in to our community. 
 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/videos?task=viewvideo&video_id=126">Eric Buell gave a very moving interview on video</a> 
 
I can only imagine the people this decision is going to impact. 
 
I have a question to ask everyone here. 
What are your priorities for spending money these days? 
 
Many advertisers are saying business is horrible - no one is buying. We here at the paper are facing another round of advertisers who are going bankrupt, parring back and laying off people and canceling or reducing their advertising. It is the third time the motorcycle industry is going through a shake up in 7 years. Only the strongest of the strong will be left standing after this round, of that I am pretty sure. 
 
So - where are you spending your money and why. 
It is hugely important for our advertisers and myself to understand what your priorities are right now. 
 
How important is customer service in the equation? Do great prices mean you will put up with horrid service? I am hearing some horrible stories regarding extremely poor customer service experiences. A few are down right horrifying. 
So help us out and tell us where you spend your money and why. 
 
If you are blessed enough to be riding today - PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP AIM-Can 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">www.aim-can.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>

Stunning news out of Milwaukee

Have you read the news headlines today? Harley-Davidson is shutting down Buell and selling off MV Agusta. Personally I think this is a b...

At a Crossroads

Belt Drive 0 Community, In the News 3:38 PM

I am at a crossroads with our weekly newspaper. 
 
Although many of you seem to really enjoy the newspaper - SOME advertisers are telling us that they are not reaping any benefit and want to cancel their advertising or that with the economy the way it is they are not going to advertise until things improve. 
 
The printed paper and Canada Post are our two biggest expenses. Without the advertisers to support the shipping and the printing well...that leaves me in a position of uncertainty with regards to the newspaper. 
 
Do I: 
 
Stop the printed version of the paper completely and just do the web site with the weekly newsletter and no newspaper at all? 
 
Continue with the newspaper but only in electronic format with the weekly newsletter. 
 
OR - Do a monthly or bi monthly printed newspaper but in color? 
 
The web site and the phone book would not be affected by any decision with regards to the printed paper. 
 
Your input would be deeply appreciated as I now deal with the effects of our economy and how it is hurting our paper. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP AIM-Can 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">www.aim-can.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>

At a Crossroads

I am at a crossroads with our weekly newspaper. Although many of you seem to really enjoy the newspaper - SOME advertisers are telling us ...

News from a good friend of all riders....

Belt Drive 0 Canadian Riders, In the News, Motorcycle Community 7:52 AM

Photo Journalist TBear is back! (The Horse Backstreet Chopper, American Iron, Biker Net etc...) 
After an accident caused him many knee surgeries and a long recovery time that gave him lots of time to tinker, TBear is back with a new bike and although walking with two canes instead of one - he's walking!  You can read all about his new creation: <a href="http://www.bikernet.com/bikebarn/PageViewer.asp?PageID=2886">http://www.bikernet.com/bikebarn/PageViewer.asp?PageID=2886</a> 
 
We are working feverishly to finish ad sales for the 2010 phone book along with the riding event calendars and the riding club logos and links sections. 
 
I hope you riding club coordinators and event coordinators will get on board to help out. 
I want these to be the BEST event calendars so we all can get our 2010 holidays planned based on the events we want to attend.  
 
Now that we have the new sharing wall fixed and working really nice and fast Ali has been adding the modules and components that make sharing a whole lot more fun and helpful being loaded back in. She should be unveiling your new home pages really soon - today I think. So check in and see what we are doing on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> 
 
Working hard to be the BEST web Ring for Canadian Motorcycling...if it's about riding - share it with us - Let's help EVERYONE find the information they want and need. 
 
Everything we do at Belt Drive Betty dot Com is about connecting the Canadian Riding Community - by riders, for riders about riders. 
 
Hope you'll join us. 
 
If you are lucky enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP AIM-Can 
Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists Canada 
Editor - The Busted Knuckle Chronicles 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">www.aim-can.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.bustedknucklenews.com%20/"> 
</a>

News from a good friend of all riders....

Photo Journalist TBear is back! (The Horse Backstreet Chopper, American Iron, Biker Net etc...) After an accident caused him many knee surg...

3 goals 2 wheels 1 planet - Our very own Daryl Makk has BIG plans

Belt Drive 0 Motorcycle Community, riding community 6:00 AM

Do you like stand up comedy? Most people do. A good laugh always makes us feel better. 
 
Well, Daryl Makk - a BDB Club member has decided to take his routine to the planet. 
The Planet Tour will feature Daryl and two other motorcycle riding comedians, James Moore and Clark Robertson. 
 
So what sparked this idea - a Motorcycle Comedy Troupe? In April of 2008, Darryl was side swiped by a motorist, knocked from his bike and hospitalized with a broken collar bone and cracked ribs. He determined that he would do his part for Motorcycle Awareness by taking AIM-Can on as one of the many charities he intends to support with the Planet Tour. 
 
His new motto is: Be an ATGATT (All The Gear ALL The Time) rider. Road rash is not cool. 
 
Daryl wants to help change the opinion motorists have of motorcyclists and at the same time create awareness about sharing the road - he'll accomplish that goal through Comedy. 
 
To find out more about the Planet Tour visit : <a href="http://www.theplanettour.com/">www.theplanettour.com</a> 
 
He is looking for sponsors, musicians, charity events and over all support for this quest he is on. If you want to get involved drop him an email. 
 
In other aggressive fund raising/awareness raising news, Mike Cole's Radical Roads Winter Ride for Diabetes is getting geared up again. Mike needs sponsors of all sizes. Everything from rooms & meals to fuel and help with paying for a video crew and two trucks. 
 
 
If you are interested in being a part of this radical way to create awareness of diabetes and the need that is out there, please visit Mike's web site: <a href="http://www.radicalroads.com/">www.radicalroads.com</a> 
 
In the news, although for much of Canada riding season is if not over, close to over and the accident reports have slowed down a ton, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/news/bc">BC is still riding in the lower mainland area.</a> 
One rider is dead after an accident on the Sea to Sky Highway and another after a crash in Surrey. 
 
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. 
 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
Natioanl VP Aim-Can 
Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">www.aim-can.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>

3 goals 2 wheels 1 planet - Our very own Daryl Makk has BIG plans

Do you like stand up comedy? Most people do. A good laugh always makes us feel better. Well, Daryl Makk - a BDB Club member has decided to...

Happy Thanksgiving

Belt Drive 0 Community, Motorcycle Community, riding community 7:32 AM

This weekend is a time for giving thanks. 
 
I give thanks for my husband. The most patient and loving man in my world. 
I give thanks for my daughter. A young gal who went through all kinds of trials to become a beautiful and giving person. 
I give thanks for my friends. Although not many, they are solid and true. 
I give thanks for my motorcycle - it clears my head and keeps my heart happy. 
I give thanks for my home, though tiny - it holds a lot of love. 
 
Most of all I give thanks to the good lord for bestowing so much beauty, wonder and joy in my world. Thank you for the gifts of life and love. 
 
What are you thankful for? 
 
I hope you are surrounded with friends, family and love today - and good food! 
If you are riding today - you lucky sott - Please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP AIM-Can 
Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">www.aim-can.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com </a>

Happy Thanksgiving

This weekend is a time for giving thanks. I give thanks for my husband. The most patient and loving man in my world. I give thanks for my...