Fascinating Facts About Motorcycles You Might Not Have Known

 

Riding a bike might be a hobby for some people, but for most amateurs and professionals riders, it is also a lifestyle. The thrill, of going down an everlasting open road, the wind in your face, and the lure of exploring new places around every bend, is infectious and the reason why thousands of people ride motorbikes every day.  

Now, being part of a community also means knowing more about it and its people. The motorbike world isn’t without its oddities and facts, some that make you feel proud while others that leave you wondering what a wonderfully crazy world we inhabit. 

The Market Leader

When we look at the overall sales of motorbikes in the US, there is only one leader in the category, Harley Davidson. When comparing sales of different motorbike brands, reports suggest that Honda sells the most “two-wheelers”, but when considering only bikes, statistics are in favour of Harley. The company showed over 5.5 billion in revenue in 2017 and continues to grow every year.  

The “Dead Red” Law

Have you ever heard of the “Dead Red” law from 2015, signed in Indiana? It’s fascinating because it allows any biker in the state to stop at a red light for only two minutes before heading off. Basically, treat a stoplight like a stop sign and then continue with your journey while cautious of any oncoming traffic, of course. 

The Superstition

When it comes to bikes, most people look at the overall design, the mechanics, and the engine, with the colour being a distant thought towards the end. This is unlike choosing a colour for your car, which plays a more prominent role. However, were you aware that for the longest of time, green was considered a bad tone for a motorbike? The reason being that most military vehicles are green and thus several bikers on “green” bikes ended up killed during the war. That all changed over time, and now you can find different shades of green with military green being as famous as any other colour.   

Gone Forever

If you love your bike with all your heart, and cannot think about parting with it, then you better make sure it is safe at all times. Statistics show that the chance of recovering a stolen motorbike is only 30% as opposed to a car where the authorities track down almost 60% of the vehicles. However, if you own a Harley Davidson, rest assured, they are the ones least stolen. 

In the Movies

There are several iconic moments in movies that deserve mention. Like, did you know that it was stunt-driver Bud Ekins who made that jump over the fence in Steve McQueen’s The Great Escape? In fact, he did it in one shot. That’s not all, for Peter Fonda wore his now-legendary American jacket from Easy Rider for a week before shooting started. He rode his chopper all around LA to get used to the “costume” and to give it a used look. Lastly, Tim Allen starring Wild Hogs, has a scene in which we see Paul Teutul Sr and his son, two of the most popular TV personalities associated with motorbikes.

Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Service 2020

Travel in 2020 and the changes that COVID-19 has brought to our world has made hosting events a challenge.

One has to get creative if there is to be any joy being spread! Here in Northwestern Alberta COVID-19 is a topic that has sucked the oxygen out of the room, just like it has everywhere else.

 

Alberta has entered stage two re-opening and has started to allow gatherings of up to 200 people out of doors. You have to be physically distanced, temperatures have to be checked and they want you to control the flow of human traffic to avoid people coming into contact with you. 

Some of our cities have made masks mandatory, others are not getting into the great mask debate so far.  

 

It was under these odd circumstances and the rather restrictive guidelines that one of Alberta's largest grassroots motorcycle rallies was able to host one of it's most integral ceremonies. 

Bob Ross, President of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association and one of the founders of the Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park jumped through a lot of hoops to make the Fallen Riders Memorial service happen.

 

The Run to the Hills Memorial Rally would normally have been held July 17-19, but of course, large gatherings are still a no no, and music is a definite forbidden fruit. 

 

On the Saturday of the rally, there is always a memorial service and roll call to remember the fallen in the motorcycle community.  Never before has there been a need to have approval to host a memorial service. Thankfully Alberta Health Services approved the memorial ceremony with up to 200 people.

 

2020 has been the one thing I wished the Cancel Culture would CANCEL!

Mother Nature is obviously having some kind of episode with PMS, she is one cranky old bag!!!

In spite of the mixed bag of weather that swirled around me as I rode from Grande Prairie to Two Hills, a 7 hour ride, I managed to stay dry only getting rained on as I pulled into the event.

 

 

100 riders came out to remember their fallen. 

 

It was an emotional ceremony with many sobbing as they paid their respects. Sadly we have lost a lot of riders in the last year here in Alberta.   As Pastor Wes read out the roll of our fallen, the sun started to break through and the rest of the day was beautiful.

 

 

If you ever find yourself in Alberta (if they ever reopen our border), you need to visit Two Hills Alberta, and spend some peaceful moments in the chapel, or on the wrap around deck looking out over the rolling farmland and the Two Hills Golf Course.  

 

Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park in Two Hills Alberta is a place to remember and reflect, for friends, family and motorcycle family members alike.  It is a tranquil and unique spot built by riders with rider's families in mind.  Find them on Facebook

 

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider