Victory Motorcycles - the BEST bike on the market

At least that is what Plant City police officers are saying.

In fact, more and more Police Services are using Victory Motorcycles and there are a ton of reasons why.

In the deep south, places like Texas (Pasadena TX), where temperatures soar well into the hundreds, Victory motorcycles are out performing Harley's. Why? Harley's over heat is the primary reason, but as I read I find that officers love all of the standard safety features that the Victory offers PLUS they love the 106 CI Engine that offers 97 horses. Here is an article from Polaris showing off some of the Texas and Kansas Police Bikes: http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory-Motorcycles/Experience/Pages/000PasTx1.aspx

Victory motorcycles have a tighter turning ratios, tip over protection, fixed floorboards, and bottom skid plates to to mention better ground clearance than Harley's allowing officers to travel places with their Victories that Harley's dare not go. Their prices are comparable to the Harley, and offers two models that are exceedingly popular among police officers - the Cross Country and the Commander.

Victory itself doesn’t officially offer law enforcement models. The Victory Police Motorcycles program was not created in the Medina, Minnesota, offices of Victory Motorcycles.  Nope, the Victory Police Motorcycles program is the creation of Tucson, Arizona Victory dealers Nita Buckner and Mike Schultz and they will customize those motorcycles to whatever the police want and need for lighting, communications etc. Check it out: http://victorypolicemotorcycles.com/

I recently test road the Victory Cross Country and I have to tell you - it is an amazing machine. Victory motorcycles have come so far from what they started out as. The only thing that truly hasn't changed is the engineering. This motorcycle brand offers some of the most responsive and impressive handling machines I have ever had the pleasure of riding. Back in '05 when I test rode the Kingpin, the only thing I did not like were the accessories, the saddlebags were small and cheaply built, not so today. In fact, they now have such an impressive offering of accessories and clothing that I was really impressed. They have come SOOO far in 7 years.

My Black Betty, a 2007 Street Glide, has over 80K on her and it is time to start shopping for a new motorcycle. The trips I take tend to be long ones and the standard features of the Victory appeal to me in a big way: http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/victory-motorcycles/touring/cross-country-tour/pages/features.aspx The bike I would want, decked out the way I want is $24K and change....

Here is a Youtube Video that explains WHY the police love these motorcycles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXFVaxGy4YI


I was seriously considering the Victory before, but the more I read, the more videos I watched in doing this editorial, the more I am convinced that my next bike will be a Victory.

What say you?

There is a lot of news from around the world today including the call to ban kids on motorcycles in the city of Quezon City in the Philippines.

A new book all about the women who love outlaw 1% bikers is out called Devilz Dollz

Honda is set t start producing its crosstouring bike

There was another fatal motorcycle crash in Nova Scotia

A rider in Niagara Falls Ontario who survived a crash where he faced life threatening injuries is now facing multiple charges included impaired driving, impaired driving causing bodily harm (he was carrying a passenger who was injured as well)

For all of the news that might affect your day or life visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to.

Have a fantastic Friday, a fabulous weekend and lease, if you are still riding, remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

The Hoka Hey Challenge...would you?

14,000 miles, 48 states and two provinces and a pot of gold at the end of the road...
The results are in from the 2011 challenge and the 2012 challenge is set for August of next year but will only be 7,000 miles with 12 days to complete the 7,000 mile journey.

The Hoka Hey Challenge tracks you by GPS so that you can't speed or take shortcuts from the route, and if you are one of the finalists who cross the line in time you have to take a polygraph test.

This is a long distance rider's event....how many of you would consider doing a challenge like this?
If the prize was $50K, or $100K dollars or how about $500,000 dollars?

It is $1,000 to enter the competition and hundreds of riders have signed up and completed the challenge over two years so, how many Canucks are willing to get involved for that kind of entry fee and that kind of prize money?

I would love to know....

Today is Thursday which means many of you will have gotten your weekly provincial newsletter and National newspaper...The Busted Knuckle Chronicles.

I hope you remember that the 31st of October is your last chance to buy calendars - I am not over ordering so if you don't order now you won't be getting one....to order your calendars:

The Ladies Calendar
Mens Calendar
Kidz Calendar

I hope you have entered the Bolt on Your Beauty Contest ladies...lots of goodies up for grabs...all you have to do ladies is email Belinda Kelly (rat.pink@hotmail.com) with a quick answer to her question - what is your favourite beauty product to take on the road - could be sunscreen, lip balm whatever...and make sure you tell her the brand name! That's all it takes to win a gift basket full of goodies!

As always there is a lot of news in the feeds this morning - please check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news of the day so you don't have to.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Harley struggling to make enough high end bikes? Why big business and investors confuse me.

Investors are a fickle breed, they drove down the shares of H-D stock because H-D is not producing enough of their high end bikes to meet demand and yet H-D has been following their restructuring plan pretty much to a tee.

The company's restructuring has seen them pare back and consolidate production and as the rumour mill goes they are slated to close as many as 70 dealerships.  The company's over all health appears to be good, and their delivery of new motorcycles to dealers is up. Revenue is up but disappointed shareholders by not hitting the mark of 1.29 billion dollars - they only hit 1.23 billion. Although gross margins are down, profit is up, share dividends are up and restructuring costs are down and yet the investors aren't happy. I JUST DON'T GET IT.

By not having enough supply to meet demand, it will drive the prices of both new and used bikes up making it so Harley's will once again hold their value better than other brands. How is that a bad thing?

I remember back in the 80's being at a huge and very spontaneous beach party in Milwaukee when Richard Teerlink and the group of 7 bought H-D back from AMF....it was touted as a great time in H-D history, the company was once again going to be family owned and operated.

I am no fan of the current version of the Motor Corp, it has become, in my humble opinion, a company that is run by bean counters (investors and book keepers) and has gotten away from it's core customer and it's founding principles. It flouts itself as the machine of the rebel - the inconsiderate...it's ad campaigns represent so much of why main stream society views bikers in the unfavourable light that it does and there are lots of people that eat it up...because it resonates with their idea of being a bad boy or girl for at least the weekend. And - many of those weekend warriors live up to the ads promises, perpetuating the bad boy/girl image/lifestyle that H-D sells that the main streamer detests.

If the rumours that abound are right, then - no longer are dealers allowed to sell parts to the small repair shops, if you as a dealer aren't in a multi million dollar facility you potentially face the chopping block....It appears that the manufacturer has forgotten the simple courtesies of customer service and that attitude has become prevalent in many of it's dealerships...crap runs down hill, right? If you are a Canadian that owns an American version of an H-D and not the Canadian version, good luck with service and repair....

It appears that the "New" Motor Corp has very little regard for dealers (their primary customer) who have sold their products for 20, 30 and more years and is taking away their dealerships because they aren't in multi million dollar facilities...pretty hard to have a good attitude towards your customer (the rider) when the manufacturer treats you so badly. The dealers are working so hard to improve the bottom line to stay off the chopping block that in far too many cases they appear to forget that customer service is the foundation for longevity and end up on the block anyway...so much for being part of a family, it appears that's what happens when investors and book keepers run the company.

H-D, whether you love them or not is still one of the greatest marketing companies in the world, with diverse products that sell for exorbitant prices...in fact anything you can buy in another dealership or repair shop at a reasonable price will have an extra fee added to it because it has the H-D logo on it and it is generally NOT a small fee either.

It appears that they will put their logo and name on pretty much everything and anything they can all in the name of selling a lifestyle, again it's that bottom line that counts...they sell their trademark licenses to the bidder that can provide them with the highest profit margin, not necessarily the one that can provide the best product. Remember, they are in this to make money and to heck with the customer getting a good product, if it is potentially good for the bottom line well it's a go...at least that appears to be the idea.
And let's face it - many H-D customers are so brand loyal they will buy whatever is available with that special logo on it because it makes them feel ....what is/are the right word/s? A pride? A sense of history of being a rebel, belonging to an elitist set???? So the high prices for products that oft times are lesser than is not an issue, build it and it will sell and sell well and improve the bottom line.

Yes, H-D is, in my humble opinion, the epitome of the ruthlessness that often accompanies big business...and too often big business can be ruthless,  even when it really doesn't need to be.
Big businesses like H-D are all about the money and have very little to do with much else, it is cut throat, dog eat dog environment - and down right nasty at times. (Every time I see big business crush a little guy I think of Kevin O'Leary from Dragon's Den - SHOW ME THE MONEY)

The bottom line is all that is cared about, and investors made that really plain this week...if only it was a family run business again instead of a publicly traded company...sometimes I think that biggest isn't always best, that public isn't always best, sometimes I think that family and roots should be a bigger part of the equation than it appears to be today...but hey, that's just me and what do I really know about big business?

I do not understand investors or the stock market, they knew the company was restructuring, they knew it was closing dealerships, they knew it was consolidating manufacturing, they knew that the American dollar getting stronger was going to hurt margins and yet the growth is there so why are they driving down stocks? Can anyone answer that one for me?  Is it really JUST About Money? Is it really the way business has to be conducted? Sign me confused about big, publicly held business.

In Other news:

A suspected member of the Devil's Soldiers in Grande Prairie AB was arrested for possession of a half kilo of cocaine and other drug related charges.

In Hamilton Ontario, the officer who was charged with impaired riding while off duty in September of 2010 is back in the headlines potentially facing more charges once his criminal matters are dealt with.

In the US a San Jose man who allegedly who shot and killed a member of the Hells Angels at a funeral is thought to be dead or other wise being hidden.

Aslo in the US, a Pennsylvania Councillor is under indictment for malicious assault and conspiracy, he also is reported to be a member of  the Avenger Motorcycle Club.

There is lots more in the news feeds that might affect your day or impact your life so check it our over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to.

Have a safe and happy Wednesday everyone...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Classy Chassis Cycles Auction - Moving iron, creating excitement

This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure and honour of attending the Classy Chassis Cycles Auction.
This is the third year for this auction and it was a roaring success. 

Hundreds of riders showed up to take advantage of the offerings but found out this was not going to be your ordinary auction...nope - they were treated to beef on a bun, coffee, chips, cake and all sorts of goodies - for FREE - not to mention the swap meet and of course the bikes! 121 one bikes went under the hammer.

Jon Burman wants people to be excited about motorcycling and about getting good deals. He also wants them to experience the Classy Chassis Cycles experience. He hired Shawn Brittan as his auctioneer again and along with his floor man, Rob, Shawn ran all of the bikes through the auction non stop from 10:30 am to 4 pm. The man is an amazing talent and his floor guy Rob did a fabulous job of making sure no bidder went un noticed. There were Suzuki's, Honda's, Triumph's, Victory's, Pocket bikes and of course Harley's - there was even one Harley signed by Willie G that went under the gavel!

Shawn Brittan in the back and Rob - the floor man in the front

As important as the auctioneer and floor guy are though, there was the most amazing supporting cast for this special weekend event. The volunteers...members of the Kawartha's Bikers Church, the Kindred and individuals from around the region. In all it took somewhere around 30 volunteers along with the staff of Classy Chassis to see the event through to the end and when it was all over, over 30 bikes found new homes.

It was an incredible experience, one that I will be writing a full blown article on for the October 27th Edition of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles, so keep your eyes peeled for that one!


In other news:

Ted Laturnus of the Globe & Mail had some harsh words for some of the riders who attended the Vancouver Toy Run

In Manitoba a former Hells Angel's member gets jail time

Biketoberfest had some violence erupt from an unlikely source, Mark Lucke Criswell, the permits and licensing director for the city of Daytona Beach beat a liquor rep so badly that the man will need facial reconstruction.

And rocker extraordinaire Pat Savage kicks off the promotion of the most amazing album of his career:
Pat Savage's new album Wind & Fire is due for worldwide release on 1st November 2011.

Total Biker FM have exclusive worldwide first play of the new album and a chat to Pat during the week of 17-21 October.

Hear the full interview and every track off the album over a 5 day interview series only on internet radio station Total Biker FM by tuning in to www.totalbikerfm.com

There will be tracks played each day with a 20 minute chat on air with Pat at 1pm UK time and repeated at 10pm UK time Monday through to Friday.

Spread the word and get ready to rock with the new album. We will also be giving away 5 copies of the new album over the 5 days. Its an event not to miss.
Get in on the action folks - this sounds like one album every rider is going to want to have in their collection!

I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday and that if you are still riding...that you ride with extreme caution!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Bikers are staying away in droves

New Smyrna Beach Florida, Biketoberfest...a BUST according to the news this morning.
Pub 44, which has been around as a fixture in the biker community for over 30 years had one rider on the first night. Last year was a bad year, this year it's horrible and the recession is being blamed.

In fact things have been so bad, the Pub 44 is closing it's doors after the rally and a restaurant will be taking it's place.

So, I have a question for you all...numbers are down at a lot of the major rallies south of the border, do you think it is just the economy or could a few other factors weigh in here?

I am thinking AGE...let's face it, the Harley set is getting older, and the younger ones coming up don't have the cash...

I wonder how many are tired of the same things that happen at these rallies?
I have heard a lot of negative comments on how hard booze is pushed at some of these events, that is one thing I personally do not appreciate.

I wonder if riders are looking for something different and just not finding it at these rallies...you have the same core group of vendors, the same celebrity faces...

Yes, the economy is playing it's role but I am wondering how many rally coordinators just aren't taking into account that they need to step things up with the quality of their gig - because if it is the economy, well riders will still ride but they will be very choosey as to where they go. Instead of 5-10 rallies they might choose their three favourite, which by the way is usually considered a favourite - if you event coordinators care to know - because of the time spent with their friends and the time on their machines that made the trip/weekend/event a success for them.

It seems to me that the costs at some of these rallies for the concerts etc is just becoming to pricey for many and that they are finding more enjoyment and fun at the smaller more home grown, grass roots types of events. Poker Runs and the like seem to be becoming more popular than some of these huge rallies that appear to have lost their unique flavours because of their success.

They are tired of hotel and motel room rates going through the roof, they are tired of being pick pocketed and gouged at every turn. And let's face it, look who goes to these events, how many young faces you see there?  I think age, boredom, resentment at being fleeced and the economy are all taking their toll on these events, that's my 2 bits worth.

What are your thoughts/take on this topic...I am pretty sure the conversation will be great! Join us on Facebook!

There is a ton of news in the feeds this morning at www.beltdrivebetty.com, where we sift through the news, so you don't have to!

I am on a plane in less than 2 hours, heading to the Classy Chassis Cycle Auction in Lakefield.

Hoping to see a few of you Ontarian's out there!

Have a safe weekend,
Belt Drive Betty
Editor/Rider

$160

Shirley Plourde was a well respected member of the motorcycle community in Nova Scotia.
I am confident that those who read the news today will be pleased that the woman who passed when unsafe to do so and ended up taking Shirley's life was charged. I am also confident that they will not be pleased with the $160 fine.

I want to ask you all something...when a life is taken or altered forever, because of driver error, aggression, inattention, what do you think the result should be?

I want you to look at that question as if it was YOU who made the error. It's all well and fine to call for jail and other measures but what if it was YOU that took a life, you who put someone in a wheel chair or took their ability to function normally away? What would be the right sentence? The right fine? The right restitution?

Should there just be the fine and then civil court to get funds to help the family or victim? That's the way the system works right now...

Or should there be something more?

I was speaking to a man who was involved in a one vehicle crash, someone had flipped a cigarette out of their vehicle and the cigarette got lodged in between a riders eye and his visor, causing his eyelid to be burned and him to loose control. Even with witnesses, even with the person who flipped the butt out stating he had been a dumb ass and had in fact discarded his cigarette in an inappropriate way, even with a police report that states the same thing....this man's insurer says that since there was no other vehicle involved in the crash that he is in the wrong and is refusing to help him.

I recommended a good accident injury lawyer to him and the lawyer says, guess what, your insurance company is giving you the bumb steer.

In both cases, the only way to protect one's self and in the case of Shirley Plourde - provide for her family, the only way to get the job done is through a lawyer. As a motorcyclist, one of the BEST things you can do for yourself is to consult a good accident injury lawyer - in fact, you should have a lawyer on speed dial in your cell phone.

If you are fortunate enough to survive a crash, the first person YOU should talk to is your lawyer.

The BDB Network has two great lawyers that can serve you with more coming on board soon.
In the lower mainland of BC you can call our good friend Daryl Brown, Motorcycle Lawyer. Daryl is an avid rider, a former drag racer and he understands your needs as a rider and a human. He can serve you any where in the province of BC and is a wonderful man to talk to.

The other fabulous law firm that we are connected to is Braithwaite Boyle.

Ken Braithwaite is a rider. Again he knows what you need, what you should and shouldn't do. In fact, in the Little Black Book, Ken has a card of crash facts (the link here goes to the downloaded version of the book) - something you should fill out immediately after a crash so that you can remember everything that happened. It can be left in the book, or taken out and folded and put in your insurance folder.  It is a wonderful tool in the protection game. And I have some personal experiences with this law firm - I know of some Alberta riders who have used these guys and sing their praises. A young female rider who was injured in Southern Alberta has Ken and his team as her law firm and I know for a fact that she is being well taken care of. Ken's firm can help you out in Alberta, BC, the Yukon and NWT.

No matter where you live, whether you are involved in a crash or the family of a victim, consulting with an accident injury lawyer should be one of the first things you do when you are physically able to (after being checked out by a doctor).

It sounds rather morbid, but you should know which lawyer you are going to work with BEFORE a crash happens. That will be one less thing to think of when your time comes - better to be prepared for the worst case scenario, and if you never need that lawyer all the better.

This year was a really bad year for crashes and injuries, and sadly deaths. There are a lot of people who need a good lawyer and, they aren't all that easy to find. Using the yellow pages is not necessarily the best way to find a lawyer, especially if you ride.

So, another question I want to ask you today, do you have an accident injury lawyer in your area? Have you checked out their reputation, do you know what lawyer you will use should you ever need to?
I would LOVE to know.

There is a ton of interesting news in the feeds today over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to.

And, today is Thursday, which means paper and newsletter day. I hope you are enjoying your Busted Knuckle Chronicles and your provincial newsletter...

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone, tomorrow I am on a plane to Ontario for the Classy Chassis Cycles Auction on Saturday...hope to see some of you out there!

Ride safe if you are fortunate enough to be riding today and please ride like everyone is blind and out to get you!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Better Warning Signs for Road Hazards

How many times have you ridden your motorcycle only to come across a frost heave or crack in the road that just about unseats you but has no warning sign? How many times have you come across warning signs for heaves and cracks that didn't amount to much of anything?

What about construction zones? Have you ever ridden in a construction zone where there is a drop off that is so severe you damned near dump your bike? Or what about that lovely cross hatching - again with no warning signs?

There are road hazards and then there are man made road hazards. When the road hazards are natural like frost heaves and the department of transportation or the company looking after that stretch of road puts up a sign warning you of the heave and it proves out time after time that those heaves really aren't much of anything, the signs loose their impact.  When the road hazard is man made as is the case in construction zones, signage should be mandatory. Construction companies have a responsibility, I feel, to not only honour their contract and fix the roadway in an appropriate manner, but also to protect the motoring public by providing appropriate warning signs.

Earlier this fall, riding at dusk, almost to my destination, I came across a road repair area, I slowed to the 50 KPH that was required. I ended up experiencing a good 4 inch drop from pavement to gravel that had ZERO warning and at that time of day, the way the shadows played across the road, it was next to impossible to truly see how severe the drop was. It scared the crap out of me, and I ended up sitting on the side of the road getting jelly knees and and a queasy stomach under control.

Another pet peeve I have are pavement patches - repairs where they just slap a ton of asphalt over a pothole or crack making a hazard that again, during the right time of day will catch you so off guard as to almost unseat you.

In St John NB,  a 53 year old pastor who rides, came across a deep construction zone ridge not unlike the one I experienced earlier this season. He feels that a graduated drop shouldn't be all that hard to accomplish and he feels there should be more signage, the police however feel that there was enough signage and that he was in a construction zone and that it is up to the rider to pay attention. In this case, the motorcycle riding pastor estimates his speed at 40 KPH.  He crashed, hard and is lucky to be alive and knows it.

What seems like common sense to we riders does not appear to translate to some of the construction companies that do road repairs and maintenance...and the lack of consistency from province to province and region to region can be pretty unsettling as well.

Have you ever experienced a poor road patch or really poor signage in construction zones?
I would love to hear what your experiences have been. Sitting on the Vulnerable Road Users Committee I feel that with enough feedback from you riders I might be able to get this topic on the agenda for a future meeting to see if we can't make our roads a wee bit safer, so please, share your experiences.

In other news:

In Vernon BC, a man who crashed while test riding a motorcycle is in ICU, already under suspension as a result of a previous crash in 2008, the man, if he survives will face multiple charges. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in his crash, he apparently was doing 150 KPH in a 50 KPH zone.

In Alberta, racers are saying goodbye to the Race City Motorsports Park

In the US, Cleveland Browns Defensive End, Marcus Benard has been charged following the crash where he broke his hand.  He apparently slammed his trike into a guardrail and has been charged for driving under suspension and reckless operation.

As usual, there is lots of information in the news feeds that may affect your day or life, check the feeds out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to!

Calling all Canadian Rider Support Network Members - we NEED you to update your information please. We had a rider who blew a tire in Wawa ON on the long weekend, he needed help and I tried calling a couple of the members only to reach "The number you have called is no longer in service" - PLEASE people, we need your information to be updated - if you move, if you change your number - PLEASE update your information. We got the rider some help, but people - it would have been faster and easier if the information on a few of the riders had been updated! To those of you who do keep your information up to date - thank you!

Have a fabulous Wednesday everyone and to those in the Lakefield ON region - hope to see you this weekend at the Classy Chassis Auction!


Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider