Remembrance Day & Christmas Shopping Promotions

I am old fashioned.

To me it matters greatly that companies respect/observe Remembrance Day BEFORE they start putting out Christmas Merchandise, Christmas Ad and other propaganda.

It is exceedingly important to me that companies who say they support our troops and our vets really do.

It is important to not only TALK the talk in your marketing and sales pitches but it is deeply important that you WALK that talk and really do what your marketing says you do.

So today, November 7th, 2013, I get an email from Harley-Davidson telling you all about how to Knock Out your Christmas list...NOT Remembrance Day is coming let' show our support...

No...sadly the company that touts itself as AMERICAN FREEDOM has forgotten who gave them that freedom inspite of their history with veterans & war and inspite of what's on their web site and marketing.

This one advertisment speaks louder to me about who Harley-Davidson has become than anything else they could possible do.  I am not talking about the dealers here - I am strictly talking parent company...

They seem to have forgotten that our troops aren't just something to market to or to use in marketing.
Or maybe that' just me being old fashioned.

I am not sure how I feel about the new bike models that Harley has announced - I get that they want to diversify, get more young people riding - their direction is very clear.

The new import looking bikes, the 500 and 750 CC's are to be followed by smaller 250's and 300's

I am unsure of how the values of the heavy weight bikes are going to be affected, I am curious as to how diluted the brand might become or whether this diversification will bring them the desired results as a company.

I wonder if the true die hard Harley fan is going to stay that way?

For me it's not about the broader and more diversified brand...no, to me it's all about contradictory marketing messages and what they speak to at the core of things.  Harley-Davidson USA - I am deeply disappointed that you started marketing Christmas to me, 5 days before Remembrance day...

I really don't like that.

I am curious though - if the bikes sold in the US are going to be assembled in the US - does that hold true for Canada too or are we getting the Indian assembled version of the bikes here? Does anyone have that answer?

On another Remembracne Day topic, please do NOT get me started on the White Poppy promotions that are happening right now....

I'd love your feedback on the topics for today....

How do you feel? I'd love to know.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Anonymous takes on Queensland Australia's Campbell Newman

News out of Australia is that Anonymous is targeting Campbell Newman - the man responsible for the laws that are stripping regular citizens of their rights because of the War on Bikies.



Campbell Newman may call their tactics amateurish however I am beginning to believe that these kinds of Anonymous messages are the only way for law abiding citizens to get the message about the atrocities that are taking place not just in Australia but around the world.

It appears that every time we riders turn around some government official or some top cop wants to make a name for themselves by going after 1% bikers hard and in a very public way and in the process, innocent citizens end up paying the price.

I am all in favour of criminals going to jail but I am not in favour of regular everyday citizens having their rights stripped all in the name of a war on crime.

I wonder if there is any way that police services and governments can actually target crime without labelling the taxpayer that pays the bills as a criminal because they ride a motorcycle.

News out of Winnipeg is it is official - Lone Star Harley-Davidson's doors have closed after 18 years in business.

In NSW two deaths are being linked to the Snowy Ride motorcycle charity event.

The Oregon Ducati dealership Motocorsa is up to their unusual marketing stunts again...this time it's a spoof on sexy models and motorcycles with guys playing the role of sexy model...

With Remembrance Day just a little over a week away, we have a project that needs your funding and support.

This from Lise Charron;

The S.O.S Project for Soldiers of Suicide and their families is an initiative of the non profit organization «Honour our Canadian Soldiers ».

Their depression/stress was so deep; they believed that suicide was the only solution. Families left behind feel isolated in spite of the fact that their loved ones have served our country with distinction.

The taboo against the choice of suicide is that these Soldiers have been forgotten during commemorative ceremonies. We also know very well that using the word suicide is difficult for many people.

Most of these Soldiers of Suicide lost their battle as a result of post traumatic syndrome disorder (PTSD). This syndrome also affects the people involved in the life of that person.
There are some resources across Canada, but information about is still limited. This results in an urgent need to be able to provide assistance in order to try to prevent suicide in the military or to inform the families and loved ones who suffer the consequences afterwards of the help that is out there for them as well.

Our goals are to create ways to help the person directly or to provide information about what exists in Canada. There is also the opportunity to work with existing organizations to provide a variety of resources. Raise awareness about suicide among our Canadian Forces members. Hosting candlelight ceremonies across Canada on February 21st to remember they also served our country to protect our freedom.

Thank you for your support

Lise A Charron
President and Founder of the non profit organization
Honour our Canadian Soldiers

If you can help please consider a donation: http://www.gofundme.com/51qyyo


As always there is a lot more in the newsfeeds over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping you informed.

I leave you now with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email:

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please dress for the slide and not the ride and remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Bob sledding biker in trouble again and more from Australia's turf war

The news from the Ottawa Citizen is that former bob sledder and Olympic participant, Kenneth Peter Laurier LeBlanc, 45, of Calgary, is charged with extortion.  The Hells Angels member has had other brushes with the law  - Begin Quote: He spent behind bars in the early 1990s for threatening witnesses who were to testify at his brother’s murder trial. Most recently, he was handed a two-year sentence and a lifetime firearm prohibition for aggravated assault in connection with a May 2007 incident. End Quote

In Australia, there is talk of recreational bikers registering with the police to prevent harassment under the new Anti Bikie Laws.

According to several articles on the matter, there were a dozen bikers including Eva Cripps from the Australian Motorcycle Council at a meeting with the Police Minister, Jack Dempsey and several senior police officers.

The police think the easiest way around them harassing non bikies is for non bikies to register their riding events with police.

So this is their solution, make recreational/independent riders register their events with the police instead of the police educating themselves on the non 1% patches and clubs/organizations.

According to the article in the Telegraph, police say they will continue to pull over recreational riders: Begin Quote- POLICE have defended their treatment of legitimate motorcycle riders, saying it's hard to tell someone's identity when they're wearing a full-faced helmet. End Quote

I'm not sure about you, but it seems to me that the police here in Canada have the same attitude in various pockets of this country too, although they are not as vocal about it as their Australian counterparts.  British Columbia appears to be one of those provinces that has a mentality that everyone who rides a motorcycle is a potential suspect for being a member of a 1% club.

It drives me nuts.  The recreational rider as they call us (those who don't ride with a 1% club) has no rights in the war against motorcycle clubs that the police deem as gangs.

The justice system world wide in fact seems to have this attitude. I read hundreds of articles on this topic and I find that every article where in the police are interviewed has the same type of bent to it.

Everyone who rides is looked at with suspicion by the police.

This WAR against the bikies in Australia is getting ridiculous and fast. The new laws are only 2 weeks old and already they are having to revise them. Why? Because some politician and his cronies decided they were going to make a name for themselves as being the one who brought the bikies down.  The problem is that those laws are not well written, they are draconian in their bent and they are being enforced by people in many cases who are over zealous.

So, what are your thoughts on how the police and the everyday ordinary rider can get around this situation?

The police want to have events and group rides register before they head out.

And so what - you are going out with 3-4 people and you have to tell the police who you are and where you are going to avoid being caught up in the witch hunt?

Seriously?

What about the individual rider?
Do you have to call into your local and tell them you are going for a ride?

What happens if you are travelling outside of your police district?
What happens if you are a tourist?

Perhaps everyone who wants to go for a ride should all call into the police stations - I wonder how badly tied up the phone lines would be and would emergency situations suffer for that?

Where in God's name any of this make sense?

People who ride motorcycles in Australia should be very fearful, because obviously in Australia human rights mean nothing.

Australia is a police state now. No one can deny that.

I ask you - do you have an idea or solution to the challenges in Australia?

We'd better start thinking of some answers folks because this could become the reality where you and I live - doesn't matter the country...

So - what are your ideas on stopping the insanity in Australia?

There are many other stories in the news feeds today. Visit www.beltdrivebetty.com to find out what's happening that could affect your day or life as a motorcyclist.

I leave you with a few funnies to contemplate, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email:

Have a great Thursday everyone. If you are a subscriber to our newspaper, the Busted Knuckle Chronicles - I hope you are enjoying your read and taking my message about dressing for the slide seriously....

Ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and remember to dress for the slide and not the ride.


Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

Your rights - In Queensland Australia, bikers have NONE...

If you are a biker in Queensland Australia, you probably have been fearful of riding your motorcycle inspite of the police's public campaigns to the contrary. You'd be right to be fearful...

In a move that they claim was a visit to ensure a veteran motorcycle club could not be infiltrated by bikies, the truth was police raided their clubhouse. These people are in their late 60's and 70's and have served their country...

Begin Quote: 
The raid on Friday night targeted the Vietnam and Veterans Motorcycle Club (VVMC) at its clubhouse at Kingston south of Brisbane.

Twenty officers from Road Policing Command and the QPS Taskforce Maxima anti-bikie group raided the club’s regular monthly "Bunker Bash" party.

And further down in the article:

ABC journalists who attended the club's compound just hours ahead of the raid witnessed people arriving being asked about tattoos, rings, belt buckles and patches that might indicate membership of a "one percent" club.

VVMC president "Agro" said police had immediately recognised Schultzy because of his previous connection with Life and Death, which is on the Government's list.

"I said he’s not [a member any more]," Agro said.

"They say they believe he still is, so they asked him politely to leave and he said yes." End Quote

Read the whole article

There are other articles in the news today about the situation in Australia that are equally as concerning. 
Like this one about a poor beggar who bought a business that had been owned by a 1%er and the headaches he's having.

The rights of ordinary everyday citizens are being trod on and violated - all in the name of "justice/law, public safety"?

These laws were written hastily, they are flawed and they are being executed by people who appear to be just as big of bullies as the people they are attacking.

I am fearful as one of the latest news pieces suggest that the state of Victoria is beginning to look at the Queensland laws.

In the meantime, my heart goes out to my brothers and sisters in Queensland Australia.
I am praying that no more innocents caught up in this gangland war between the police and the 1% clubs.  I pray you are allowed to enjoy your motorcycle un-accosted.

There are many more stories in the news, check out the feeds at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping you informed.

SPOILER ALERT - This weeks Busted Knuckle Chronicles has an urgent front page story from moi, Belt Drive Betty.

It's the kind of article no biker ever wants to contemplate writing.

If you are curious about what could be so important that the story of the Biker's United in Remembrance Conga be interrupted, then register on my site with the special promo code - INK2013 (I Need to Know2013)  and we'll give you a free 30 subscription to the Busted Knuckle Chronicles, Canada's ONLY weekly newspaper for Motorcyclists.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic of the day - Motorcyclists - when it comes to war between the police and the 1%ers, do you have any rights or right to protection?

Have a great day everyone and remember that if you are blessed to be riding today you need to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you and please, dress for the slide not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Winter Tire & fines in BC

I have been asked by a number of riders to find out what is up with riders being fined for not having winter tires on their motorcycles.

I have a request in to the BC Laws site to see if they can help me find the information on what the law exactly states.

ICBC's web site states:

Although winter tires are not mandatory in B.C., keep in mind that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure can designate them to be required on certain roads and highways. This typically happens during the fall and winter months in northern B.C. and the southern Interior.

NB - If you are driving on these roads without winter tires, police can ticket you and make you turn back.

On the Ministry of Transportation site  they provide regional maps for roads where winter tires and or tire chains are mandatory.

So if you see this sign: You need to understand you will be ticketed.

From what I understand, studded tires may be an option but double check with your ICBC office.

If I get any other information on this situation I will be sure to post about it.

It's a quiet news day so far and I am going to sign off for now.
I have a ton of writing and video editing to do and whack of phone calls to make.

UPDATE:  I just got word from a Facebook friend that one of our American brothers needs a helping hand after a crash.  If you can help out, please do.


If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone is blind and can not see you and remember to dress for the slide, not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Writer

Tragedy in Chino California

A student at Newman Elementary School, fired the AR-15 that was mounted on a police motorcycle that was on display during an event for students called Red Ribbon Week, a drug and alcohol awareness event.

Why was the rifle loaded? Why was it not on safety?  Why was it even on the "display bike". 

Those are answers we'll have to wait for.

The gun was apparently locked on the bike and the bullet hit the steel plate locking device causing the shrapnel that injured the students.

In other news:

Indian Larry's bike, built for the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-Off against Billy Lane

 is for sale in the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalogue - you too can own it for just $750,000...

Gulf Week in Dubai is getting ready to kick off.

In sports, there are those who are wondering "Can Erik Buell Racing Make Enough Bikes to Enter World Superbike Series?"

That's right, it is rumoured that Eric Buell Racing might become part of the WSBK. He has a lot of hurdles to jump, but if he can do it, well, let's just say it seems people are rooting for him.

The manufacturers have a lot of news today...

The Indian is being test ridden. Click here to see the review

Yamaha to invest $150mn to build a new plant in Pakistan.

And Triumph is launching in India.

There is one other story I would like to draw attention to, police have shot and killed a 13 year old boy who was playing with a fake assault rifle - a toy gun.

I can not imagine the grief that his parents must be going through. As I lift a prayer for him, his family and friends, I ask that you do too. I also pray for the police forces - they have a tough job, get criticized a lot, sometime rightly, other times not.  I pray that something is learned and this you man's life is not in vain.

Funnies don't feel appropriate today.

Have a great Thursday, for those who subscribe to our weekly community news paper, the Busted Knuckle Chronicles, Canada's ONLY Weekly, I hope you enjoy the read on the Conga's time in Fredericton!

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, and remember to dress for the slide and not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Manufacturers new models, a Ducati goes off road and a few other interesting stories

The news is rather light today but what is in it is very interesting!

Ducati's new 1199 Superleggera has been revealed. It is a stripped down version of the 1199 Panigale R and the pwer to weight ratio is said to lead the chart for production motorcycles.

Honda is revealing it's new models in Milan and Tokyo, 16 in total, with 3 of those being worldwide models. Apparently the CBR250 is back on the market - it had been reported earlier that it was to be replaced by the new CBR300, but the CBR300 will only be available in limited markets.

In Portland Oregon, MotoCorsa, a Ducati dealer, decided to take a Ducati 1199 Panigale S off roading....the results apparently were quite amazing. According to the article on WIRED, the bike was dubbed the Ducati 1199 Panigale TerraCorsa!

Read the article to find out the minor changes it took to take this bike off road.
Watch the video below to see how well the TerraCorsa handled going off road.

In Sturgis SD, an early October blizzard that ravaged farmers and local businesses has caused the Sturgis Rally to divert funds that would normally go to rally charities towards the aid of their locals.
According to the article in the Republic $15,000 had been diverted.

In British Columbia, the trial for the gent accused of doing 300KPH is set to start.

Also in BC, the identity of the rider killed by logs that crushed him has been released.
Hugh Craig Roberts of West Vancouver was the victim.

In Quebec, the case of a Hells Angels member will remain in limbo for another 4 months because he had escaped from jail when a judge had stayed charges on his co-accused.

And in Queensland Australia, 8 alleged members of the Hells Angels were charged during a drug bust.
3 of them are reported to be high ranking members who have also had their motorcycles confiscated.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday and leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via email:

If you are blessed to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and remember to dress for the slide and not the ride!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor  Rider