10 Ways to Avoid Looking Like a Squid

A motorcycle is more than a fashion statement, it is a taste of freedom, danger, and responsibility. Here are ten ways to avoid looking like a squid (noob).

Your First Bike Should be a Tool, Not a Fashion Accessory

Bikes are inherently cool— which is one of the many reasons we ride— and we all want to exploit that fact when we're on a motorcycle. But your bike choice— whether you're a first time, intermediate, or advanced rider— should be chosen to make you a better motorcyclist, not make you look like you blew your 401K on a race-ready literbike, a custom paint job, and a matching helmet. Besides, you can always step up to your dream bike after you've cut your teeth on something more manageable.

Save Bare Skin for Bikini Models

One of the telltale ways to spot a squid a mile away is their blatant disregard for safety gear and their decision to wear shorts, flip-flops, and t-shirts; as any experienced rider will tell you, it's not yourself you want to look out for, it's other people on the road. Grab a DOT-approved helmet, a solid jacket, gloves and boots; if anything, going to the trouble of gearing up just might uphold Murphy's Law and ensure you keep the rubber side down.

Turn Off That Blinker!

Veteran riders can be just as guilty of this visual (and potential safety) offense as newbies. Unless your bike's equipped with self-cancelling signals, switch your blinkers off after you've completed your turn or changed lanes. Nobody, especially a new rider, wants the look like a blue-haired permablinker.

Batten Down the Hatches

Saddlebags can be lifesavers when it comes to carrying cargo. But if they're not fastened properly, they can end up bouncing across the highway like a pinball. Learn how your saddlebag latches lock into place, and give them a good shakedown before starting your ride—otherwise, you might not be the only thing hitting the road.

Get to Know Your Kickstand

Kickstands are squirrelly little contraptions. Their spring-loaded mechanisms can make them trickier to operate than you might think, and if they're not completely deployed, all it takes is a light graze of a boot to quietly load them back into a stowed position. Few things are as disconcerting as the slow-motion horizontal parking maneuver, and making sure your kickstand is all the way down will help you avoid that fate.

Resist the Urge to Showboat

Adrenaline's pumping, the engine is eager, and the light just turned green. You may be tempted to pound the throttle, drop the clutch and wheelie your way through the next quarter mile, but don’t get suckered into showing off your misguided motorcycle prowess; chances are you don't have the chops to pull off that mind-blowing maneuver, especially if you're a new rider. Resist the urge to impersonate pros like Jason Britton, and you'll save yourself the dishonor of looking like a chump.

Work on Getting Slow Speed Maneuvers Right

Going fast is easy; it's slow speed maneuvers that take serious skill. Practice parking lot drills like figure 8's and slaloms, and you'll sharpen your balance and bike control, which will eventually help you become better at more delicate moves like u-turns. A squid focuses only on speed, while a serious motorcyclist can make an 800 pound bike move with the grace of a bicycle.

Focus, Grasshopper

Your early experiences aboard a motorcycle usually involve a boatload of distracted thoughts: "Which one's the clutch again? Did I leave my blinker on? Am I going to die today?" Manage your mindcloud and think like a Buddhist monk by breathing calmly and focusing on only the purest essentials; practice this discipline enough, and everything else will fall into place.

Don't Be a Jerk

A squid gives himself (or herself) away by grabbing the front brake and making the fork dive, yanking the throttle and lurching ahead, and taking a turn by cutting four imaginary apexes when only one is necessary. Learn the art of smooth controls, and you'll up your cool quotient exponentially while also becoming a better rider.

Ride Within Your Limits

This relates to the "No showboating" tip, but applies towards the general dynamics of everyday riding. Cross the line, and the consequences usually aren't pretty; learn how to master proper braking, smooth shifting and speed management, and you'll soon taste the sweet challenge of becoming a better, more controlled, and ultimately safer rider.

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Source: About. (Wasef)

Happy Almost S.R.V. Day!

October 3 is considered Stevie Ray Vaughan Day, so what better thing to do than to come celebrate the life and music of Texas' one and only Stevie Ray Vaughan with the 18th annual S.T.V. Remembrance Ride and Concert, October 7. It will be held in the world's largest Hooters 11:15 sharp in the heart of West End Dallas.

The Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride & Concert was started in the early 90's as a way of honoring the life and music of Stevie, who passed away in a tragic helicopter accident during the late 80's. All the proceeds from the concert will be going to the S.R.V. Memorial Scholarship Fund.

There will be various parties being held before and after the Remembrance ride and concert . A day before the big day there will be a pre-party held at Rick Fairless' Strokers Dallas and the day of the parade and concert, which will be held in the Cowboys Dance Hall in Arlington from 12-6:30pm, there will be an after party at All Star Diamond Jim's Saloon from 7pm to 2am.

Concert will showcase both famous and local talent blues bands like the Ian Moore Band, Kayla Reeves, Van Wilks, and the Harles Brothers, just to name a few. Pre-ordered tickets cost $20 and $25 at the door. All tickets are general admission and all seats are considered great seats. Parking is free.

So join in on the fun and the endless hours of music this October 7!

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Source: Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride and Concert

“No Hand Man” motorcyclist attempting hands-free 525-mile ride

Phil Comar has a bit of a double life. The 63-year-old Adrian, Mich., man works as a motorcycle safety trainer, teaching proper techniques to new riders. But for the past 20 years, Comar has been putting extra danger into his Harley rides by training himself to steer without using his hands. This weekend, he'll attempt to beat his own world record for charity by riding 525 miles hands free, without stopping. That's one way to keep from being distracted.

Comar -- nicknamed the "No Hand Man" -- says he encourages no one to follow in his wake and attempt to go 70 mph without using the handlebars. "I am about as close to being a professional as anyone has been when it comes to riding with no hands," he says, telling The Cincinnati Enquirer that he's never had an accident.

After Comar's father died in 2008 from Parkinson's disease, Comar began a series of fund-raising rides. His first ride in 2010 went 314 miles; last year he attempted the same 525-mile trip from the Mackinac Bridge to Covington, Ky., but only made 327 miles -- still good enough for the Guinness Book of World Records. His bike has a couple of modifications to make the trip, namely an extra fuel tank for range, but there's no secret device to keeping it on the road beyond Comar's legs.

Keeping a 550-lb Harley cruiser going straight without hands might not sound so hard. But as the video from one of Comar's rides shows, steering with your body requires a whole different set of skills. It looks impossible to make the smaller, constant corrections as you would with handlebars, and Comar has to plan ahead for any combination of traffic and turns. While a freeway offers far fewer corners, it also raises the speed to dangerous levels; Comar takes some precautions by having chase vehicles and another rider always nearby.

There are easier ways to raise money for charity, and if you want to help Comar reach his goal of $25,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, you can donate here.

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Source: Yahoo (Hyde, 9/26)

Sheriff suspends deputy who seized biker's camera

This is a follow up on two of our previous stories that can be found here and here.

DALLAS — The Dallas County Sheriff's Department has issued a 38-day suspension to a deputy who stopped a motorcycle rider without cause and seized his helmet camera.

The raw video of the Memorial Day weekend arrest by Deputy James Westbrook has been seen by almost half a million people around the world on YouTube.

The suspension — which Westbrook can appeal — amounts to almost two months off without pay.

“I think we should applaud the agency," said Dr. Robert Taylor, a criminal justice expert at the University of Texas at Dallas. "There were days in American law enforcement when nothing would've happened. And those weren't too far off."

However, Taylor said other departments would have surely fired Westbrook.

Westbrook made the arrest on Memorial Day weekend, when local law enforcement departments were on high alert. They wanted to prohibit reckless behavior by motorcycle riders on the anniversary of a biker event where they shut down North Central Expressway in Dallas and sprayed graffiti on the road.

During his arrest of biker Chris Moore, Westbrook said: "The reason you're being pulled over is because I'm gonna take your camera and we're gonna use it as evidence of in the crimes that have been committed by other bikers."

It is not illegal to wear a camera on your helmet. And experts say Westbrook’s reason did not constitute probable cause to make a traffic stop.

But what bothers Taylor more than Westbrook's traffic stop is the deputy's verbal outbursts and how he slammed the squad car door on the biker's leg.

"Those are the kinds of things that smack of all the ugly things we see in law enforcement,” Taylor said.

Hunter Biederman, Moore's lawyer, said Westbrook should have been fired. "I think they're sending the message that what he did was okay,” Biederman said.

He is prepared to take this to trial, a rare step for a small offense. But Biederman said it was necessary after his client was arrested, mistreated, and then held in the Dallas County Jail.

"I don't think this person should be out patrolling our streets. I don't that type of person should be stopping and arresting our citizens,” he said.

Prior to responding to the biker situation, Westbrook had arrested a drunk driver. Eight of Westbrook's 38 suspension days were related to him leaving his prisoner at the jail without booking him in while he went out on the biker call.

Deputy Westbrook declined to comment on the case to News 8. He has not served the suspension yet and can still appeal.


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Source: WFAA (Schechter, 9/12)

Getting Started: The First Steps to Riding a Motorcycle

Riding a motorcycle isn't a right. It is a privilege one must not take for granted.  Here's a checklist for newbie riders to consider before jumping in the saddle:

Safety Gear

Motorcycling is a high-risk activity, and the most vulnerable riders are new ones. Protecting yourself with proper safety gear is an easy way to save yourself from injury, but the cost of gear adds up, and you'll want to add this to your biking budget.

Training Courses

Though it's common practice to experience your first ride in a parking lot, leave motorcycle training to the pros and take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. The skills you'll learn will last you a lifetime, and MSF instructors will educate you with fundamental skills that will make you a better, more competent rider.

Consider Your Bike Options

Will you be borrowing a bike? Are you considering buying your first bike? Plan ahead by either borrowing, renting, or buying a bike, and you'll be more committed to following through with your path to motorcycling.

Start Slow

As a newbie, you're most likely to make potentially dangerous mistakes. Relax, take it easy, and learn at your own pace; motorcycling is an acquired skill that takes plenty of practice, and it's important that you keep that in mind while you learn.

Learn The Rules of the Road

Traffic laws are different for motorcycles, and each state's Department of Motor Vehicles has online manuals for motorcyclists. Download one, and educate yourself on the laws that govern motorcycling.

Get Licensed

There's no excuse for riding on public roads without a license. Once you've taken a MSF course and learned the basics, schedule an appointment at your local DMV office and take the test.


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Source: About: Motorcycles (Wasef)

Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

We tend to give a lot of advice to motorcycle riders in, but this blog is for all the other motorists on the roads. Too often we hear “I just didn’t see the motorcycle.” The Cole Legal Group is committed to changing this. While many drivers are only looking for cars or trucks, motorcycles have as much right to the road as any other vehicle.

• There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.
• Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
• Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.
• Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.
• Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
• Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.
• Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.
• Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.
• Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."
• When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

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Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Loading the Motorcycle for Trips

Whether it is a carton of milk from the convenience store, or camping gear for a three-week trip, you will end up carrying more than people on your motorcycle. All loads should be tied to the machine. Do not balance a bag of groceries between your legs for a short ride home. Strap it to the back seat with bungee cords or an elasticized cargo net. A great carrying device is the tank bag. It puts the weight where it should be – near the bike’s center of gravity. Make sure it is properly secured and remember never to carry anything on the gas tank or inside the fairing that might interfere with the steering of the bike. Just imagine what happens if the bars won’t turn far enough – big trouble.

There are appropriate places to carry loads on a motorcycle, but they do not include your front forks or fenders. If your machine comes with saddlebags a travel trunk, you’re set. If you have none of this, you can always buy a luggage rack or throw-over bags; they are very useful items. When you load saddlebags, keep equal weight on both sides. This is even more important when you are using soft throw-over bags, as an imbalance can cause one side to drop down and rest on the muffler. A blazing saddlebag is no joke. Keep the weight relatively light in your travel trunk or on your luggage rack. Being aft of the rear axle, this is the worst place on the motorcycle to carry much weight. It can turn a well-handling motorcycle into a poor handling terror. Sleeping bags go great back there; a 50-pound sack of dog food does not.

Check the security of the load frequently, and make sure nothing is dangling. It is one thing to lose part of your luggage, quite another to get it tangled up in a wheel.

Above all, DO NOT EXCEED THE GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your motorcycle! You might find that figure on the plate attached to the steering head; sometimes it is found on the frame; but the best place to look is in the owner’s manual. It is written in pounds, and it includes the weight of the motorcycle, all gasoline, oil and coolant, the rider(s), and the luggage.

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Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Drugs, Drinking & Riding

We kid you not. Mixing alcohol or other drugs with motorcycles is like putting nitro with glycerine: there’s a dangerous reaction. Alcohol is a depressant. The first thing to go is your judgment – and good judgment is essential. Bad judgment gets you into trouble. Drinking riders tend to run off the road more often, have a high percentage of rider error, and use excessive speed for conditions around them. Those are the statistics – and that spells trouble.

It takes a long time for the effects of alcohol to be cleared from your body, roughly one hour for each bottle of beer, glass of wine, or shot of liquor. Nothing but time will shed that alcohol - not showers, coffee, or other so-called remedies.

Have a couple of beers if you wish, but have them at home. Then you don’t have to go anywhere afterward. If you are going to drink, don’t even think about riding.

Alcohol is not the only drug that affects your ability to ride safely. Whether it is an over-the-counter, prescription, or illegal drug, it may have side-effects that increase the risks of riding. Even common cold medicines could make you drowsy – too drowsy to ride – and mixing alcohol and drugs is even more dangerous than using either alone.

Drunk Driving Crashes are no “accident" and are usually life changing. Drunk drivers get behind the wheel due to series of horrific choices and should be penalized through punitive damages. DWI/DUI claims are unique considering criminal charges may be pending, driving and employment records can be key when commercial vehicle drivers are involved; and restaurants, bars, party hosts and other parties who supplied drugs or alcohol can often be held responsible when accidents occur.

DWI/DUI accidents are serious threats to the safety of our community and deserve serious investigation. The Cole Legal Group has a proven track record of obtaining substantial insurance settlements and jury awards for people hurt or killed by drunk or impaired drivers.

Let our experience, commitment and fight work to get you the money you deserve to rebuild your life. Our commitment to you: We will not be out worked!

Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation

4B Wild West Bike Rally

The 4B Wild West will be holding it's 4th annual bike rally August 10th through the 11th, at 1761 Country Club Rd in Brownfield, TX (79316).

With over 400 acres of FREE camping, it is one of the biggest bike rallies in Texas! Gates open at 12 pm and admission cost $20 for the whole weekend.

There will be 8 live bands such as an AC/DC tribute band Back in Black, and the infamous Whips and Kisses. There will be an afternoon "Cancer Rides 2 Remember," 4 Brigade FMX stunt show,  burlesque shows, biker games, and so much more.

Since 2009, the 4B Wild West's profits for the event have benefited local cancer patients who are in need financially, and continues to help out those in need. You must be 18 or older to enter.