3,800 arrested for pillion-riding - understanding what other riders go through...

We here in North America are a pretty fortunate lot. We do face discrimination, we do face harsh laws and penalties but we also enjoy a certain level of freedom and peace not found elsewhere in the world.

I am highlighting a story about everyday riders who are being penalized for riding two up due to marshal law being implemented to keep holiday processions and celebrations safe.

According to Wikipedia: Muharram (Arabic: محرم) is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar.

On December 2nd, the police in Lahore Pakistan asked for a total ban on pillion/two up riding because motorcycles are often used by terrorists and criminals.

So 3,800 people who use their motorcycle for transportation lost them - were fined AND had their bikes confiscated - because they defied the ban and were lumped in the category of criminal.

I feel so sorry for these people. When I look at what is happening around the world to motorcyclists, I see this unfriendly madness and I see it creeping in to the North American way of thinking and it is terrifying.

We need to start being far more proactive in policing our own and looking after, defending and protecting our freedoms in this country and the US because if we don't get with the program soon we will be as oppressed as bikers in other country's are. We are becoming more oppressed more babysat than ever before by a police service that is so alarmist that it is indeed scary.(I know we need to be vigilant but some of the measures that are being implemented in the name of security and safety are to my way of thinking OVERKILL and others are so poorly implemented as to be laughable.)

We need to start looking after our community - acting like a family again and start having each others back...like we used to. It is time to truly start working together, to talk, share and unite...can we do it? That remains to be seen...I'd like to think we could.

In Edmonton they are bracing for the first round of noise violation tickets to start going through court - but they are not the only ones, riders across Canada are holding their collective breaths to see what is going to happen here...if these riders can beat their tickets it will be a victory for the little guy - the motorcyclists who is becoming an oppressed citizen in this country and south of the border. I am so proud of whoever the 50 so riders are who are fighting their ticket and carrying the torch. Way to go people!

The stand most riders take on the Noise Bylaw issue is one of "ticket everyone fairly - we have no problem with that -  just quit targeting ONLY us."

If you think that we are not being oppressed: look at the NHTSA in the states and it's MOTORCYCLE ONLY Check stops..helmet laws are being looked at for all of the US and have come into effect in BC already - Canada's last bastion for the beanie.


How do we change this tide of anti biker mentality?  We start by focusing on the things we want, the things we enjoy as a collective. We conduct ourselves with respect and courtesy and when we see others who are not - we take some kind of affirmative action to either educate or turn your back on the offenders - shun them from your circles, walk away from the one who has to do a wheelie on main street for his perceived audience, if you don't give him/her the audience and attention he/she seeks they will eventually tire of their stupidity or move on to a different way of expressing their need to be  noticed.

Folks - I love my community, culture and way of life and I for one do not want to see it get to that point here it is in country, like it is in countries like Pakistan or cities like Manila... and it could - with the threat of terrorism constantly looming - it really could happen here - we, the tax payer - the people - are the keepers of freedom and common sense...WE need to step up and look after what our soldiers have preserved for us - the concept and notion of Freedom of oppression - if WE do not defend our rights and freedoms as citizens - well as the old adage goes - USE IT OR LOOSE IT...

As always I welcome your feedback and input on the days news topics.

Get in on the discussion in our forums, on Face Book and right here in my blog - I love it when you talk to me!

In Other News:

From Motorcycle -USA's Bryan Harley is a write up on Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers

From Westlaw News & Insights is an expose on the Tuetul's feuds in court.


JD Power is slamming the motorcycle industry over quality control issues.They explicitely tell dealers that riders who are happy with their dealer experience will spend almost $1000 more in a year at a shop than if they are unhappy with their dealer experience.
So guess what folks GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE REALLY DOES PAY OFF!!!!!

There  are some great motorcycle reviews to read in the lifestyles section and other news stories to peruse under the What's New & Hot section so...join us at www.beltdrivebetty.com - we sift through the world wide motorcycle news so you don't have to.

Have an wickedly great day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Change and growth...

Motorcycling is changing and evolving so fast...

When Ali and I started on this journey together we sought to create a web site that was meant to provide a rider with everything Canadian Motorcycling under the sun - a clearing  house of information, a place you could come and not have to remember a ton of web addresses to know where you could go to get what you need.

We wanted to fill it with the rider owned businesses, bands, artists, tattooists etc that serve our community. Rides, photos and news that affected us. We wanted to be the portal that helped you find stuff from coast to coast to coast.

What we never expected was the volumes of information that would be shared in four years of working together. Coming soon will be our 5th web site make over in four years.

While this current site is well done, our content management system is going through an upgrade that will further improve functionality, allow us to have tools that until now have been unavailable to us and will make managing everything we are doing much easier.

The undertaking is enormous. Moving some 20,000 pages of information, transferring all of our memberships, components, pictures and videos. A lot of work will go on behind the scenes and will not affect you or the use of the current site.

We want to make your user experience on our site stellar.
The current site is web mobile and Blackberry friendly, but the new site will be Iphone, Blackberry and Android ready. From it will come all of our various mobile apps that are in the works. The new site will also be comprised of separate and distinct sites to better segment out the information and make it easier to find what you need.

We have purchased new components that will make highlighting our business partners and their special offering easier to find.

We have so many incredible things that are going to be available - I am as excited as when I rode a motorcycle by myself for the first time.

One of the biggest changes we will have coming is our community and groups web site.
The tools and components are already installed on www.beltdrivebetty.com and we are learning how they work and checking all sorts of things - tweaking tuning and ensuring seamless operation. Our status walls and community news walls are all mobile! Android, Iphone and Blackberry! Everything is working well on www.beltdrivebetty.mobi too!

It is neat learning all of these new technologies. Hard on the head some days, frustratingly slow and confusing at times but we are getting there and keeping up with the times!

The changes that will come are going to - I hope - will make your experience on our site 100% better that what it is now, and I think it's pretty decent as it stands.

Your answers to the content survey for the The Busted Knuckle Chronicles newspaper have been really helping us to fine tune things and we appreciate so many of you diving in to help out!


Learning, growing, changing evolving - I hope you will choose to come along with us as we enter a new set of twisties on the information highway!

In the news today:

In India sport bikes are a hot commodity it would appear and I do mean that literally!

In Great Britain the boys at MCN test out the new 2011 Suzuki GSX-R600 first ride

In Manila they are proposing new motorcycle safety laws

In the US a Kalamazoo teacher is celebrating her new motorcycle.

Motorcyclist Magazine looks at the 2011 Spyder

The Long Beach show will see Cobra unveil their Custom Hondas

And in Oregon - mandatory motorcycle training comes into effect.

And the American police are on the hunt for a thief who used Craig's List to steal two motorcycles.

There are some great new products under the Health & Technology for your bike link and lots of sports news as well so check out the days offerings at www.beltdrivebetty.com
we scour the news so you don't have to!

Have an wonderous day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

When a jurisdiction changes the rules

So, what happens when a province changes their rules of the road and you visit that province and are uninformed of the new laws?

Well in September the laws in BC changed and in three very short months 77 Albertan's found their holiday plans in tatters - their vehicles were impounded, they were left on the side of the road, forced to find accommodations where ever they were caught.
Their offense? Speeding 40 over. The costs of impounding and fines alone can be over $1000 - hotels etc are on top of that.

And the RCMP have NO MERCY. Their answer is: This isn't a race track.

And their drinking and driving laws changed as well seeing your vehicle impounded if you are at .05 - .08 is a thing of the past in BC.

And guess what...Alberta is watching. If the laws in BC show a reduction in speeding and drinking and driving well get ready cause it WILL be coming our way.
Minister Luke Ouellette is especially keen to see if drunk driving cases are reduced in B.C. “It’s certainly worth looking at,” Ouellette told the Sun earlier this fall.
 
So, a word to the wise, if BC is in your holiday plans - SLOW DOWN and if you have so much as one drink - take a cab, get a ride with a friend or stay put - otherwise you ARE going to be in a world of hurt!

As always - I enjoy it when you jump in on a topic and share your ideas and opinions.
Join in the conversation here in my blog, in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com, on Face Book on my Personal Page: Belt Drive Betty or on our Fan Page at Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle.

In Other News:

Harley-Davidson is releasing some of it's first bikes built from Complete Knock Down Kits at their Indian Assembly Plant

In China - a flagship Benelli store has opened

In Hong Kong the police are testing the Brammbo Electric Motorcycle for their police force.

At the October 2010 Haynes International Motor Museum auction a new high mark  - An unknown private buyer with an excessive amount of disposable income – and, we hope, a passion for this beautiful machine – purchased a 1929 Brough Superior SS100 for the new record high amount of £286,000 (US$450,188)

If you love rare motorcycles and have some disposable cash the 1994 Ducati Supermono
is up for grabs.

In the US - Victory and Operation Gratitude have made about 60,000 soldiers day!

Also in the US Helmets are the hot topic with the Feds...THEY WANT ALL MOTORCYCLISTS wearing helmets.

There is still a ton in the days news that I have not touched on...visit www.beltdrivebetty.com for the rest of the days top news stories!

Have an inspiring day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

From Paris Hilton Sponsoring a Moto GP Team to Big Brother cramming it down our throats again...it's a big news day!

There is so much in the news today I scarcely know where to start...

Let's start off with the funny of the day. Paris Hilton lending her name to a MotoGP Team...
I realize that the relationship between Queroseno Racing (BQR) team will probably be a financial victory for the players and stakeholders, but if you read the article I am linked to you can see how "Comfortable" the celebutante is on a motorcycle...I know teams need sponsors to make what they do possible but really folks....Paris Hilton and Motorcycles...sorry, I just can't wrap my head around it...

We have another fluff piece for you today - about Tom Cruise and David Beckham forming a midnight motorcycle club - it's not true of course but I thought it was a howl to start the day off with something that funny....and phoney!


In more serious news, Hero Honda's new partner in India will be the Munjal family who is paying Honda out for it's 26% stake at One Billion dollars.

Big Brother in Europe is not backing down on Manditory ABS on Motorcycles

In Abu Dhabi motorcyclists are upset at the new parking fees and the fines imposed for not paying them (They site the fact there is no place for tickets to be placed and no ticket designed to stay on the motorcycle)

Also in the Middle East - in Dubai the surge in vehicle registrations is astounding at a 65% increase and their motorcycle community has grown from 9800 to over 18,800 in just 9 MONTHS!

Harley-Davidson bought back more of their debt and saved themselves millions in interest.


A dude in the US who seems to think Motorcycles need to be banned as unsafe.

In Pima County Arizona the officials there are scaring up $220K to buy a piece of land to prevent the Hells Angels from buying it.

If you are still hunting for a perfect gift or stocking stuffer here's some info on what appears to be a great read: "The Little Book of Fast Bikes"

Or a set of Continental Tires...the review on them is pretty impressive.

Conti's in Calgary has some great helmets on sale.

Visit our classifieds section for some great gift ideas, some new to you bikes...you never know what you might find in there!

I have some news of my own that I would like to share.
The BDB Foundation has begun sourcing out products and ways and means to raise funds to put into the CMTA's Injured Rider Fund.

To that end we now have 4 patches - all limited quantities from 35 - 100 patches in this first round in total, some signs (5 I think) and some license plates - about a dozen styles of them, that we are selling on our site and will be donating anywhere from $1.00 to the entire profits of the item into the Injured Riders Fund. Visit our almost complete and almost ready to be resurrected BDB Foundation Store...shortly that is where you will go to get your subscriptions for the Busted Knuckle, order your Little Black Book phone books, I even have an Amazon Book Store now!

Only 35 available - 7" x 7"

100 Available - 3" x 3"

 Everything we sell will have a little something set aside for the BDB Foundation to donate to worthy causes, right now the one we are working on supporting is the CMTA's Injured Rider Fund.

We are also promoting the Death Wobble Bikini Calendar - all of the proceeds of it are going in to the CMTA's Injured Rider Fund. You can see the calendar in our classifieds....

Cookie, the President of the CMTA says "If we can have a few thousand dollars raised by the time riding season comes around again, it will sure make it easier for the committee to be able to assist people in an expedient manner. The idea is that the CMTA will gift people the money to assist them between when the accident happens and insurance benefits like section B benefits etc start coming in. And once the rider is on their feet if they  are in a position to and feel so inclined they can gift the funds back to the CMTA Injured Riders Fund so that it can help someone else out and reduce the need for fund raising."

We at the BDB Foundation plan to do our part to make this fund become a reality so it can be of real assistance to this community when a rider needs help.  We need some social safety nets people - we really do!

Well folks - there is still a ton of news that hasn't been discussed over on www.beltdrivebetty.com - but I also have a ton of other work to accomplish as I get ready for the January round of bike shows! I need volunteers in Calgary & Edmonton - if you are so inclined, please drop me a line:
bdbetty @ gmail.com (fix the spaces in the address before sending)

If you are so inclined to jump in and have a discussion on any of the topics of today - I WOULD LOVE to hear your thoughts...you can join me on Face Book on my personal page: Belt Drive Betty or on the Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle Fan Page, or in our forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com, here in my blog or on Twitter - bdbetty


Have a FANTASTIC day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Kawasaki's 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R on Technical Hold - or the right way to handle a recall

I think that the auto industry could learn a few things from Kawasaki.


Kawasaki believes that there is nothing as sacred as their reputation for quality and in a move that surprised no one they announced that they are recalling all of the ZX-10R's.

Not only are all that are on dealer's floors being shipped back to the company but:
Those who have taken delivery of a unit will be instructed to return the unit to the dealership for a full refund and will be among the first to have the option of receiving a new unit once the technical hold has been lifted. 

No pussyfooting around, no putting profits before lives but holding true to the integrity that this company has long been known for...I like that and while I may never own a Kawasaki motorcycle, (I have never found one that fit me right - and yes I have test ridden a few)
I can honestly say that most people I know who have a Kawasaki are pretty happy with their dealer and their bike.

Pat Savage - our old friend has been over in Thailand and Norway for quite a while now...and the cat is out of the bag as to what he has been up to!
He has been working on a soon to be aired series called the Savage Roads and ''Ridin Hard... Livin Free''  is his new CD being recorded now in Legend Studios.
What a busy guy!  Anyway, Pat has a special offer for all you bike riding music buffs so make sure you read the article (It's a short one)!

Also in the music Genre is an upcoming band called the MeanStreet Riders.
If you haven't read the article done by MJ Reynolds of Motorcycle Event News in the US, you should take a look at her pick for 2010 stocking stuffers - the lady has got an ear for music! We got a hold of MeanStreet Mary and she sent us the bands digital bio and some downloads of their music...The downloads are on the Lifestyles - Music Page and they are free!

The winners for tickets to the Toronto International Super Show in January were
Mark W and  Willy P - thanks for playing our Trivia game! It was interesting to see how many people could not answer the first Question! (Over 100 people tried and failed!)

 

The question that stumped so many? 
Prior to Harley-Davidson, who made motorcycles for Evel Kneivel?   Answer - American Eagle

I welcome your thoughts and opinions on the topics of the day, the Kawasaki Recall and Music and TV done by riders...Join the discussion in our forums, on my Face Book page or our Face Book Fan Page or right here!

In other News:

China officially takes over as the world's LARGEST producer of motorcycles in the world - sorry Japan, mover over!

In London England, Prince Charles proves that a parent is a parent is a parent no matter what the title!

In California, David Mann was remembered and celebrated.

In shopping news - besides the great offer from Pat Savage, HaberVision is offering up some wicked specials!

And in Sports - Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada is planning on shaking things up in the National Superbike Series!

Have a FANTASTIC day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Government Spies on Bikers In Quebec

In the Globe and Mail today there is an article about the Quebec Government's Insurance Board (SAAQ) hiring a firm to spy on the group Front Commun Motocycliste at motorcycle shows so that they could find out how well organized and measure the temperature of the riders so to speak.

You see in Quebec - the average motorcyclist has seen their insurance rates double and if you own a sport bike - quadruple. You may remember Project  Escargot - the rolling, plodding protests...here is a link to an article in May to refresh your memory as to what this "battle" is all about. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/05/24/mtl-operation-escargot-motorbikes-protest.html

Now folks - I am not surprised by the government actually spying on people are you?

Look around us - cameras everywhere, police with absolute authority, road side "justice", rights and freedoms, well they appear to be something from the past.

Nothing in this country is ever going to change for the better until we, the people who pay the government start DEMANDING AND INSISTING that common sense be used. The power plays, the corruption and greed - they are prevalent everywhere you look.

For the riders in Quebec of ALL places in Canada to be horrified or appalled at their government and its flagrant disregard for them is what is horrifying in this story. Did you really - honestly ever think that the government in your province was going to treat you any differently now than they did when they raised your insurance rates? Really? You gave in far too early in the game - again that is just my humble opinion....

I get so fed up with people who whine, complain and snivel but never get off their asses to affect change - in order for anything to change there must be an effort put in somewhere by someone and the more the better. 

I was so impressed with the Quebec riding community as they had done what no one else in Canada has ever done (at least not in my recollection) They had unified the riding community over a common issue/enemy and they were winning. It was the first time a successful organized protest has been done in Canada (IMHO) and that was - Operation Escargot - which I don't feel should have been stopped just because the government agreed to talks.  The taxpayer needs to keep the pressure on the government to do what is right - sadly it seems that crooks and politicians are the only breed of people who can manage any kind of sustained anger or unified movement/front...if we ordinary citizens ever decided to truly hold our governments here and around the world accountable...

I know -it's a nice pipe dream.

In other news today there is the most amazing and inspirational story.

Marc Ristori was the Swiss Open Champion when he crashed during a supercross race, paralyzing his legs. Watch the video of his first ride since the accident...he may be in a wheel chair and he may have not been on a bike in almost three years but by 2 minutes in you can see glimmers of the racer and the competitor he was...I came across this tiny write up and the stunning YouTube video on the Hell for Leather site.

Again - being that time of year, the news feeds are reasonably quiet...

Since no one answered yesterday's trivia question right yet - we are going to continue to collect answers: send in answer for yesterday's question and here is the link to today's trivia question  - In what year did Suzuki introduce its first motorcycles with a four-stroke engine - the GS400 and GS750... up for grabs are two tickets to the Toronto International Super Show!

You can also just get 5 friends to sign up on Belt Drive Betty and in the how did you hear about us box have them put your name...the first one to do that  - will win two tickets too!

Please fill out our content survey and help us make sure your views and needs are represented in the Community Newspaper, the Busted Knuckle Chronicles...one person will win wither a BDB Club Patch OR a subscription to the paper.

I have a lot to do before I leave for the Bike Shows in January - speaking of which - I am putting out the appeal right now for volunteers for both Calgary & Edmonton Shows - I have all the help I need in Vancouver thanks to the Vancouver Baggers & Hawgs Den and my good friends Kat and Sandy. I still need 4 sets of hands for Edmonton and 4 Sets for Calgary.

If you can help out please contact me at bdbetty @ gmail.com (fix the spaces before trying to send an email) 

As always - join in on the conversation about today's topics in our forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com - on my personal Face Book Page, Belt Drive Betty - on our Face Book Fan Page: Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle, on Twitter - bdbetty or right here in my blog...I do love hearing your thoughts.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Answer two questions right and win tickets!

Today we begin a mini contest - the prize - two tickets to the Toronto International Super Show January 7-8-9...

The rules are simple: 
We will be asking a question each day for today - tomorrow and Saturday.
Each day our winner goes in to the semi finals...

On Sunday I will email three questions to those three daily winners - the first person to email me back the most correct answers wins Two Tickets to the Toronto International Super Show.

Be the first person to answer today's questions right to advance to the next round:

Prior to Harley-Davidson, who made motorcycles for Evel Kneivel?

Click on the link above (the question) Fill out your answer with your name and email...
I will announce round one's winner tomorrow when we will have the round two question.

Our Content Survey:
For everyone else who wants to win something but is not planning on attending the Toronto International Super Show I have some burning questions that ONLY YOU can answer regarding the content in our newspaper....We are only running this short survey for ten days so PLEASE, get your answers in ASAP - HAVE YOUR SAY!!!! (Click on the words HAVE YOUR SAY)
Speak now or forever hold your tongue...well at least until the next survey!
In a random draw one person who fills out the survey will get one of our new BDB Club Patches or a subscription to the paper....

Now on to the news of the day. The AMA in the US Annouced the Governator as their man of the year for motorcycling. At first I thought it was a cruel and sick joke considering various the black eyes delivered to the riding community by Arnold in his capacity as Governor of California - however - it was no joke. I have never really followed the AMA Awards but this year it caught my eye....


Awarded annually, the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation recognizes the person(s) who has had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling, for better or worse, in the previous 12 months.

Yes - I agree with the AMA that the Governator has probably done the MOST damage to the riding community of anyone. I wonder if his unlicensed crash and subsequent embarrassment had anything to do with some of his choices and decisions. I wonder if the irony of his actions compared to what the Movie going American thought he would be is lost on the Governator or if he sees what a walking contradiction he is viewed as...Freedom Fighter - fictional movie role - Oppressor in his real role as Governor...

He truly does deserve the AMA Motorcyclist of the year for most negatively impacting the community and industry. I will never spend one penny to watch another of his movies - I know it is a drop in the bucket of the man's riches but it is the small and morally right decision in my heart that allows me to feel like I have done something!
How about you? What are your thoughts on the GOVERNATOR?

Join me in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com, on my personal Face Book Page - Belt Drive Betty, on my Fan Page - Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle or right here in my blog - I WOULD LOVE to hear your thoughts on this topic!

In the news today:
If you have $330 USD to spend on a toy for your toddler how about a Ducati?
Bikes in the Fast Lane shares info on a motorcycle helmet company with different skins you can put on your helmet...

In Fort Lauderdale Florida, what is believed to be the largest Toy Run held in the US saw 30,000 riders participate, sadly 4 went to hospital when on bike collided with the rear end of another.
For Book Reviews, New Motorcycle Model Reviews and Sports Updates - like the new AMA Schedule for Pro Road Racing, and the new WSBK European Junior Cup announcement visit www.beltdrivebetty.com

Have a FABULOUS day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com