Illinois Laws taking Effect January 1, ‘09

Click HERE to go to a list of the new laws taking effect in Illinois on January 1, 2009.

Had a Happy Santy Claus Day

Our good friends, Jim and Cat Hawk invited us over for Xmas Day Dinner and spent the whole day having good conversation and food. Probably drank more coffee than I am used to, but it was an excellent day. Cat has a 89 Vulcan 1500 now that they bought for her and are in the process of fixing it up and getting it running right. It is a fixer-upper that has some “blemishes” including a big dent in the tank, but that’s only used to hold the fuel, so if it doesn’t leak, it works for its purpose. Jim and Cat have Hawk’s Tattoos in Galesburg, IL and are long-time friends.

Hawk riding Ed's bike into the shop where they are both ink artists.2007

AMA Pro Racing Flat Track 2009 Rules Now Available

AMA Pro Racing Flat Track 2009 Rules Now Available

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 23, 2008) – The rules and regulations for the 2009 AMA Pro Racing Flat Track season were released earlier this week from AMA Pro Racing headquarters in Daytona Beach.

The entire 45-page rules document can be downloaded directly at http://www.amaproracing.com/competition.cfm. The 2009 AMA Pro Flat Track calendar will kick off at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, March 4 – 5, as part of AMA Pro Racing’s season opening weekend of competition at the “World Center of Racing.”

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport, AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT and the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup in addition to the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

AMA News & Notes – January 2009

January 2009

News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Government Relations Department. Designed to inform motorcyclists of ‘rights’-related issues and events around the world, News and Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and contributions can be sent to Sheila Andrews, AMA Legislative Assistant, by e-mail at sandrews@ama-cycle.org.

The AMA is proud to announce Stan Simpson as the 2008 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year. Simpson, who is the current AMA Board of Directors Chairman, was honored with the inaugural AMA Motorcyclist of the Year distinction in conjunction with the quarterly meeting of the AMA Board of Directors in Irvine, California in December.
The AMA Motorcyclist of the Year is the person who has had the most profound impact on motorcycling in a single calendar year. Under Simpson’s leadership, many of the AMA’s professional racing properties were sold to an organization capable of elevating the sport, the menu of member benefits was expanded, the American Motorcyclist magazine was redesigned, the Association’s Government Relations Department was expanded and the AMA’s fiscal house was put in order. Visit http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2008/StanSimpsonNominated.asp for the complete announcement.

AMA protests possible 100 percent tariffs on certain European motorcycles. The AMA recently announced that it has written to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative opposing a plan that could double the cost of some on- and off-road European motorcycles imported into the United States. To read the full text of the letter the AMA submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, go to http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2008/amatarifffight.asp.

A recently released U.S. Forest Service study shows that fewer Americans are using their National Forests as a venue for recreation. Forest Service officials seemed surprised by this news and uncertain as to why this is the case. The statistics are indeed troubling.
The Forest Service began conducting the National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) program in 2000. The statistically rigorous surveys of visitation levels use a five-year rotation schedule. The NVUM program found 204.8 million visitors annually in the period 2000-2003 and 178.6 million for 2003-2007, a decline of 13 percent. When compared to the ever-increasing U.S. population, the proportion of Americans visiting our national forests is falling even faster.
Every national forest is slated to collect visitor use information again from October 2004 through September 2009. The entire survey can be accessed at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvum/nvum_national_summary_fy2007.pdf.

Johnson Valley, CA - The Department of the Navy is in the initial stages of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for acquisition of lands contiguous to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California. This EIS will consider a range of reasonable alternatives for the proposed action sufficient to meet Marine Expeditionary Brigade training requirements.
For more information visit http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/ (click on land acquisition study). Written comments may be submitted to: 29Palms Training Land/Airspace Acquisition Project, MAGTFTC, MCAGCC, Bldg. 1554, Box 788104, Twentynine Palms, CA 92278-8104 or via e-mail to SMBPLMSWEBPAO@usmc.mil. Comments must be received by Jan 31, 2009 for consideration in the Draft EIS.

Eagle, ID - The Eagle police department has decided to test electric scooters on a trial basis. The department recently took possession of one scooter and the mayor will be using another. They are on loan from High Desert Harley-Davidson which hopes to raise public awareness and promote the use of these vehicles. The scooters have a 35-55 mile range on a single charge and use a standard 110/220-volt power outlet.
Source: http://www.idahostatesman.com/165/story/592711.html

Myrtle Beach, SC - Although a request for an immediate injunction against the city’s recently-enacted helmet and noise ordinances has failed a local couple’s lawsuit will be allowed to proceed. The state’s current helmet law allows anyone 21 years of age or older to choose whether to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, while the city law requires anyone riding within city limits to wear a helmet. In a related matter, a new city law requiring an EPA label on exhaust systems is said to be in conflict with the state law and therefore may be unconstitutional.
Source: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/695402.html

Austin, TX - The Texas Department of Transportation has launched a new web site that provides an opportunity for motorcyclists to notify department officials of a road hazard. The web site also lists the response that the motorcyclist should expect from such a notification. To visit, go to http://www.txdot.gov/; click on “Safety”, then “Traffic Safety Tips”, then “Motorcycles”.

The Tahoe National Forest is currently proposing the closure of over 2,400 miles of existing forest roads & trails, which are vital for recreation as well as access for management to promote forest health. These trails lead to vistas, scenic byways, secluded lakes, creeks and primitive camping. None of these trails have been proven to affect water quality, habitats, or plants.
This campaign is supported by Save The Trails, Friends of Forest Hills OHV Trails, Friends of Tahoe Forest Access, Nevada County Woods Riders, Friends of the High Lakes, The Rubicon Trail Foundation, California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs (Cal4WD) and others. Visit their letter generator at http://www.savethetrails.us/Default.aspx?PetitionID=22 to make your voice heard.

Five new miles of single-track trails have just been opened on the Buffalo Mountain Trail System, with another 15 miles slated for completion by the end of the year. These additions bring the total trail mileage of Buffalo Mountain to more than 70 miles. It also means that Buffalo Mountain now has the most single-track trail mileage in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. The trail system also played host to the first annual Fisher’s ATV Reunion.

Canada - Motorcyclists across Canada are outraged to learn of Private Members Bill 117 that would amend the Ontario Highway Traffic Act to make it illegal for anyone to operate a motorcycle with a passenger who is under 14 years of age. The bill was introduced by Helena Jaczek, a Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP), who feels that there is enough risk to merit such a law, but others disagree.
The Canada Safety Council, a national, charitable organization that promotes safety in all areas of Canadian life, and sponsors more motorcycle rider training than any other Canadian organization, says that there is simply no information to warrant such a ban. Go to http://www.motorcycling.ca/ for more information on this proposal.

Brussels - ACEM (Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles), the motorcycle industry in Europe, recently presented its strategy to shape the future of motorcycling. On the occasion of its 5th Annual Conference, ACEM outlined an extensive set of measures ensuring that the motorcycles and scooters of tomorrow will be both cleaner and safer.
The European motorcycle and moped market has been growing constantly over the last six years, mainly pushed by an increased mobility demand in European cities. In spite of the looming economic recession, which is expected to also affect the motorcycle and scooter market, ACEM members believe the time is right to commit to new environmental objectives, to maximize the market opportunities and further promoting the motorcycle with authorities as a mobility alternative, in particular in the urban context.

A new organization has been formed by the major manufacturers and distributors of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) to promote their safe and responsible use. The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) received American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation on November 3, 2008 to develop a standard for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ROVs. In addition, ROHVA has published Safety Rules for these increasingly popular off-highway vehicles.
An ROV, sometimes broadly referred to as a “side-by-side” or “Utility Type Vehicle” (UTV), is a motorized off-highway vehicle designed to travel on four or more non-highway tires, with a steering wheel, non-straddle seating, seat belts, an occupant protective structure, and engine displacement up to 1,000cc.
For further details visit www.rohva.org.

O. L. “Leff” Moore has been posthumously awarded the 2008 Hulet Hornbeck Award by American Trails. Mr. Moore was the “father” of the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. He was the co-organizer and energizer of the original development effort. No one has contributed more to the realization of the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area than Mr. Moore, who passed away in the spring of 2004.
The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is a developing 2,000-mile motorized trail system (500+ miles presently developed) in southern West Virginia that generates more than 100,000 user days a year (as of 2007) and over $800,000 in permit fees. Through the creation of an extensive public-private partnership, the public trails are located on the vast tracts of corporate-owned land in the nine-county project area. The trails are professionally designed and managed to provide a unique experience for off-highway motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riders. In addition, equestrians, mountain bicyclists, hikers, and other trail users have also utilized the trail system. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System has put southern West Virginia on the map as a highly desirable tourism destination, boosting the region’s economy. The total economic impact of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System in 2005 was an increase in output of $7,776,116, an increase in income of $2,789,036 and the generation of 146 new jobs.
Mr. Moore was a native West Virginian born in Putnam County. He was a graduate of Winfield High School and attended West Virginia State College. He was a well-respected advocate for the recreational vehicle industry and the safe operation of recreational vehicles, most notably ATV’s, representing local, state and national interests in his role as executive director of the West Virginia Recreational Vehicle Association.

Chris McNeil, the statewide Trails Safety and Education Coordinator for the Wyoming State Trails Program, has been recognized as the 2008 State of the Art Technology Award winner by American Trails at their recent National Trails Symposium held in Little Rock, Arkansas.
McNeil received this award for his ATV Safety Simulator. The device hydraulically simulates angular movements of an ATV traveling uphill, downhill, transverse hills left and right, cornering, or a combination of movements, and has proven to be a popular tool with new riders. Along with riding skills, all elements of pre-riding safety (proper safety gear, weight vs. machine size, fit, hazards of riding double, etc.) are emphasized. Land use ethics training is also a big part of the materials presented. For the full press release, visit http://www.AmericanTrails.org/.

The 18th annual Ride to Work Day has been moved to June 15, 2009, the third Monday of the month. The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has endorsed this day, and is promoting the ‘Third Monday in June’ worldwide as the annual Ride to Work Day. For questions and further information, please visit http://www.ridetowork.org.

Honda Hoot 2009 Canceled

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/19/honda-hoot-2009-canceled/

News Sentinel staff

Originally published 06:48 p.m., December 19, 2008
Updated 07:50 p.m., December 19, 2008

American Honda will not hold its annual Honda Hoot in Knoxville in 2009, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam confirmed tonight. The event drew about 16,000 visitors to Knoxville this year and is one of the largest motorcycle rallies in North America. After starting in Asheville, N.C., it has been held in Knoxville since 2001. Click the link above for the full story…….

OBAMA TO NAME TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

For Immediate Release

15 December 2008

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations (MRF)
Email: jeff@mrf.org

OBAMA TO NAME TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

Reports have begun to surface in the media that President-elect Barack
Obama will give the nod to Republican Ray LaHood to head the United States
Department of Transportation.  Although no official word has come from the
Obama transition team or from the LaHood camp, speculators believe that a
formal announcement will come forth in the coming days.

Ray LaHood, a seven term member of the United State House of
Representatives from Peoria, IL has always been a strong supporter of
ABATE of Illinois and has been named a MRF Champion of Motorcyclists'
Rights & Safety in the past.

After being elected to Congress in 1994, LaHood earned a well respected
reputation for his stern style and his centrist voting record.  Last
summer, the veteran Congressman announced that he would not seek
re-election and retire at the end of the 110th United States Congress.

By appointing LaHood as Transportation Secretary, Obama will fulfill his
pledge to form a bi-partisan cabinet.  Precedent for naming a member of
the opposite party as the Secretary of Transportation was set in 2000 when
George W. Bush appointed Democrat Norm Mineta to the post.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will keep you informed on the LaHood
nomination process as more details come forward.

Central IL ABATE Officer Nominations & Calendar

Dec 14, 2008

Nominations made from the Meeting with elections on January 11th, with the 2 open positions being still open for nomination at that meeting for someone to step up and do these important jobs. None of the positions are contested

President: Bert

Vice-President: Pouche

Secretary: OPEN

Treasurer: OPEN

Membership: Richard

State Board: Mark

Legislative: Bert

Safety & Ed: Willis

Public Relations: Scott

Activities: Scooter

Special Events: Scooter

Sgt at Arms: Mitch

The 2009 Calendar of Events has also been voted on and is on the website

Vintage Motorcycle Blog

Do you like old motorcycles and photos and history about them? Try this blog: http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/

New York City Council Pulls Motorcycle Noise Bill.

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

For Immediate Release

15 December 2008

Contact: Jeff Hennie,
Vice President of Government Relations (MRF)
Email: jeff@mrf.org

New York City Council Pulls Motorcycle Noise Bill.

Late last week the New York City Council Committee on Public Safety
 held a hearing on Introduction No. 416 A titled; "A Local Law to
amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation
to prohibiting the parking of motorcycles equipped with straight
pipes on the streets of the city of New York."

This bill gives law enforcement the ability to issue fines of $1000
and temporary impoundment for the first infraction and a fine of
$2500 and permanent forfeiture of motorcycles with out EPA approved
or stock exhaust pipes. The committee, Chaired by council member
Peter Vallone a democrat from Queens, did vote in favor of the bill
which sent it on to be considered by the full council one week later.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is pleased to report that for now
the bill has been pulled from the schedule for December 18th, when
it was to be voted upon by the full council.

The MRF thanks Speaker Christine Quinn for realizing that this issue
requires much more than one week worth of consideration.

"This legislation raises far more problems than it solves" said Jeff
Hennie vice president of government relations for the Motorcycle Riders
Foundation. "What about older bikes that predate the 1979 clean air act
or motorcycles from neighboring states, just to name a few?" he added.

The Council will be entering the 4th and last year of the current 4 year
session. So this bill is still live and could be considered at any point
during the 2009 calendar year.

The issue of motorcycle sound can be controversial and is certainly one
of the most complicated of all issues related to motorcycles.

The MRF will keep you updated on this bill.

Regulatory Update – MRF- 12/15/08

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

For Immediate Release

15 December 2008

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations (MRF)
Email: jeff@mrf.org

Regulatory Update – MRF Advocates for Motorcyclists

Recently the Federal government requested comment from the general public
on two important motorcycle related issues. The Motorcycle Riders
Foundation submitted comment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and to the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

The EPA comments were requested to address the Supreme Court ruling
Massachusetts v. EPA.  In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that the
Clean Air Act (CAA) authorizes the regulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
because they meet the definition of an air pollutant under the CAA. The
EPA notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is a lengthy document that
attempts to address every segment of the polluting population affected by
the Court's decision including ships, aircraft and off-road vehicles such
as farm and construction equipment, stationary sources and motorcycles.

The NPRM does address the fact that motorcycles occupy a very small
segment of the polluting population. However it then goes on to state that
it is the EPA's belief that most motorcycle engines are tuned for
performance and not efficiency. Therefore, it is the opinion of the EPA,
motorcycle engines can be adjusted to pollute less. The MRF comments
suggest that is categorically not true.

Options laid out in the NPRM are to lead manufacturers to increase the use
of electronic fuel injection (replacing carburetors); reducing permeation
from fuel lines and fuel tanks; and eliminating the use of two-stroke
engines in the small scooter category.

The NPRM goes on to encourage manufacturers to incorporate more precise
feedback fuel controls; controlling enrichment on cold starts and under
load by electronically controlling choke operation. Also allowing lower
idle speeds when the opportunity exists; optimizing spark for fuel and
operating conditions through use of a knock sensor; and, like light-duty
vehicles, reducing the engine size and incorporating a turbo-charger.

The MRF believes that the employment of any of these options, especially
turbos, will result in added expense and therefore discourage Americans
from choosing motorcycles as transportation and therefore reducing
motorcycles fuel-saving benefit to the country. The MRF asked that
motorcycles be removed from the EPA plan to limit GHGs.

Read the MRF comments and the NPRM at www.regualtions.gov Docket ID
EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0318.

USTR has "beef" with European motorcycles?

In 1999 the European Communities (EC) decided to ban any importation of
beef products from the USA. The EC claimed that due to the use of growth
hormones being used in US beef production they were unfit to be consumed
by citizens of the EC, thus resulting in a $116 million shortfall for US
beef producers.  The US trade community decided to retaliate - not by
banning items for sale in the US, but by increasing the tariff paid on
specific items from specific countries in the EC. The first list came out
in 1999 and it contained many beef and agricultural products as well as a
few non agri-products such as hair clippers and small displacement
motorcycles (50-500cc). The final list came out in 2000 and the
motorcycles had been removed.  The USTR is at it again and this list also
contains motorcycles. The USTR is proposing to double rates of duty ad
valorem which translates into twice the declared value of the motorcycle
imported from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. So
that means the price of Vespa, Piaggio, KTM, and Husqvarna scooters and
motorcycles will double. The MRF asked that the motorcycles be removed
from the final list of tariff retaliation tactics.

To view the list of proposed items and the comments visit
www.reguations.gov docket number USTR-2008-0036.

The MRF will keep you updated on the final result of both of these
situations.