Thursday, November 21, 2013

Man Reunited With HIs Motorcycle After 46 Years


Wow!  I found this article in the Kansas City Star today about an Omaha man who was reunited with is stolen motorcycle.

Pretty cool, right?  How often does that happen?  Well, it gets even better.  Donald Devault, now 73, had his Triumph Tiger 100 stolen when he was 27 years old, 46 years ago.  Apparently, the Triumph was waiting to be shipped to Japan when someone noticed the vehicle identification number matched a motorcycle reported as stolen in 1967.  Authorities amazingly were able to contact and reunite Mr. Devault and his "Li'l Blue Bitch."

That is one lucky guy.


 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

State Trooper Hits Couple on Motorcycle


On August 17th 2013, Ohio State Trooper Jacob Daymon rear-ended Corey and Amy Waldman while they were riding their motorcycle.  Apparently, Trooper Daymon was traveling 81mph in a 65mph zone when he crashed into the Harley.  I was unable to find many details about the accident but from watching the video he was clearly in the wrong.  Fortunately, other than some minor injuries and lots of road rash Corey and Amy Waldman are OK.  Trooper Jacob Daymon received a $150 fine and a six month suspension of driving privileges for his negligence.  
I will not pretend that a short video on YouTube provides all the necessary information to completely understand a situation.  We do not know about any distracting factors, lighting conditions, etc.  However, from what we can see the State Trooper is completely at fault. 
 Any operator of a motor vehicle, whether a police officer or not, is required to be in control of that vehicle at all times.  Trooper Daymon is clearly not.  He is speeding and he is either distracted or traveling faster than road conditions allow for him to react appropriately.  Either way he is not in control of his vehicle.  
I understand that there are a lot of distractions inside of a police vehicle.  However, those distractions are no more of an excuse for an officer than a cell or radio would be for a normal person.  
I also understand that accidents will happen which is why they are called "accidents," not "on purposes."  However, the most upsetting act of the video to me is Trooper Daymon's reaction after the accident.  He seems more concerned with the damage to his cruiser than with Corey and Amy.  His job is to protect and serve.  His job is not to worry about his car, Corey and Amy's tax dollars will pay that that.  
As I said earlier, the operator or vehicle is responsible for that vehicle and the consequences that occur while they are in control of the vehicle.  This holds true for a lay person but even more so for an officer of the law.  Just as doctors and lawyers are held to higher standards in their respective fields, a police officer should be held to a higher standard in his.  This is not the case in this situation.  In fact, it would be hard to imagine a normal citizen getting away with a $150 dollar fine for recklessly endangering the lives of others.
I am glad for all parties that no one was killed.    

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750


Harley-Davidson continues it's busy 110th anniversary year.  Yesterday it released two brand new motorcycles the Street 500 and 750.  Just a couple of months ago saw The Motor Company cater to its higher end customers with Project Rushmore.  The driving force behind Project Rushmore was "listening to the customers."  Well, I would say that Harley-Davidson continues to do exactly that but where Project Rushmore's focus was on its established and wealthier riders the Street 500 and 700 occupy the other end of the spectrum.  The fact is the world is becoming more urban, diversified, and the future of any brand is attracting new buyers.  The Street 500 and 750 reflect this demographic.  



Friday, November 1, 2013

The Week's End Roundup- Top Ten Harley's of All Time

No, you are not seeing double.  Look closer.  
Man and Machine
I am not sure if this was a bad attempt to show sexism in motorcycle culture or just a brilliant viral marketing campaign but someone had the idea to recreate the advertising photos for Ducati's Panigale.  I dare you to look at the rest of the photographs comparing the women and men models and not laugh.  Good luck.


Top Ten Harley's of All Time
Without a doubt, Harley Davidson is one the most popular and recognizable motorcycle companies in the world.  Their motorcycles have spanned decades and influenced generations.  See what a group of panelists gathered by Motorcycle.com came up with as their top ten Harley Davidson's of all time.


2013 Triumph Rocket III vs Ducati Diavel Strata
Motorcycle-usa.com compares the uber powerful cruisers from Triumph and Ducati.


Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle?
Are you creative?  Are you handy? Pablo de Chaves certainly is. Check about the link above to see his latest hand made creation, a naked electric motorcycle.