I agree completely with the comments that TomCat makes, we are in the minority. We all need to care about what other states are doing with regard to legislation in all regards as it impacts all of us. Your personal influence can be exercised at a local level, by communication to elected officials. Supporting elected officials who are motorcycle friendly on both a state and federal level is one way to start. This becomes a bit more challenging if you don't buy into their overall political philosophy. We are fortunate (in Minn) to have the MMRA which is a local member supported organization that keeps an active lobby presence in support of motorcyclists. They in turn keep the membership informed of pending legislative activity that is potentially harmful or helpful of motorcycle community. They keep you aware of who your elected officials are and all of their contact information. I have found e-mails are read and many times responded to, which at least gives me a sense of my voice being heard, hopefully one of many since that is what makes the system work.
Motorcycle training is the primary spotlight for most states because it has the most statistics. The better job that is done in providing training the more chance the state has for federal funding. As mentioned by numerous posts seeing a sidecar in many cases is a rare thing, so there are as a result very few options for sidecars. As we baby boomers age we are seeing more and more trikes show up on the road. This is obviously supported by statistics, since Harley has thrown their hat into that market. Why didn't Harley add marketing for their sidecar? The sidecar has been a niche market and supported by a few. When you and your toddlers started to pedal did you have a bike with a sidecar? Most would say they had a trike or a bike with training wheels both symetrical in design with stability to both sides of the front wheel. Now the balance starts going away with age the knees get weak, we think back to trikes or training wheels, only a fortunate few think "Sidecar". I think the training at least around here is starting to show up for the trikes, and as that segment grows which it will, the training will be more available. That training is going to come from an older generation of riders who are self taught, probably have years of 2 wheel background and understand 3 wheels are different.
FIRST THING GEORGE SAID TO ME AFTER I PURCHASED MY BIKE FROM HIM WAS DON"T LET ANYONE RIDE YOUR BIKE...(ADVISE FROM MY BIKER BUDDIES ALSO)
AS FAR AS TRAINING, I RODE ON BACK OF A VERY BIG, VERY FAST BMW BACK IN THE DAY, SWORE NEVER TO DO THAT AGAIN (TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES TO SAY THE LEAST OK MY BOYFRIEND WAS A JERK.THAT IS WHY HE IS NO LONGER.)BUT ALWAYS WANTED TO RIDE WITH A SIDECAR SAW IT IN THE MOVIES.WAS HOOKED..SO AFTER RESEARCHING FINDING THE BIKE FOR ME..BLISS! GOT MY PERMIT TOOK THE MCSF COURSE DID THINGS WITH THE BIKE I NEVER WILL DO AGAIN PASSED LICENCE...TOYED AROUND ON PRIVATE PROPERTY NEVER INTENDED TO RIDE 2 WHEELS ESP ON THE MAIN ROADS..RESEARCHED COMPATABLE SIDECARS VIOLA!
TAKING IT SLOWLY (LEARNING THE BIKE AS WELL AS THE SIDECAR) AND LISTENING TO THE SIDECARISTS I AM THOUSANDS OF MILES FROM WHEN I BOUGHT HER LAST YEAR!
I AM STOPPED OFTEN BY PEOPLE, THEY REALLY THINK YOU GO TO SIDECARS-R-US AND POOF!
MY POINT WITH THIS WINDED NOTE IS TIME AND TIMING...AS WITH 2 WHEELS ENJOY THE RIDE YOU'LL GET THERE..
I USUALLY LEAVE THEM WITH THIS THOUGHT...
YOU CAN TIP, DUMP, ROLL ANYTHING..
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, L
Originally written by stsfred on 10/20/2008 8:35 AM
I agree completely with the comments that TomCat makes, we are in the minority. We all need to care about what other states are doing with regard to legislation in all regards as it impacts all of us. Your personal influence can be exercised at a local level, by communication to elected officials. Supporting elected officials who are motorcycle friendly on both a state and federal level is one way to start. This becomes a bit more challenging if you don't buy into their overall political philosophy. We are fortunate (in Minn) to have the MMRA which is a local member supported organization that keeps an active lobby presence in support of motorcyclists. They in turn keep the membership informed of pending legislative activity that is potentially harmful or helpful of motorcycle community. They keep you aware of who your elected officials are and all of their contact information. I have found e-mails are read and many times responded to, which at least gives me a sense of my voice being heard, hopefully one of many since that is what makes the system work.
Motorcycle training is the primary spotlight for most states because it has the most statistics. The better job that is done in providing training the more chance the state has for federal funding. As mentioned by numerous posts seeing a sidecar in many cases is a rare thing, so there are as a result very few options for sidecars. As we baby boomers age we are seeing more and more trikes show up on the road. This is obviously supported by statistics, since Harley has thrown their hat into that market. Why didn't Harley add marketing for their sidecar? The sidecar has been a niche market and supported by a few. When you and your toddlers started to pedal did you have a bike with a sidecar? Most would say they had a trike or a bike with training wheels both symetrical in design with stability to both sides of the front wheel. Now the balance starts going away with age the knees get weak, we think back to trikes or training wheels, only a fortunate few think "Sidecar". I think the training at least around here is starting to show up for the trikes, and as that segment grows which it will, the training will be more available. That training is going to come from an older generation of riders who are self taught, probably have years of 2 wheel background and understand 3 wheels are different.
Very nice post. Although what you say makes a lot of sense, here in California, I can tell you, the polticians seem not to take kindly to suggestions of any kind from the constituents. If there are any legislators who are "motorcycle friendly", they have yet to identify themselves. The only issue that comes up from time to time is the helmet issue and that seems to be a "dead" concept (pun intended) since statistics show that deaths on motorcycles are up in recent years.
So, I would say that the ideas in your post, excellent though they may be, reflect the way things should be rather than the way that they are. I could lobby the legislature for sidecar training until I turn blue and I doubt it would go anywhere. We have politicians who do little other than bicker. Our latest budget is more than 8 billion dollars short, yet it took them more than 90 days past the "deadline" (no pun intended) to get it passed. I can assure you that an attempt to do anything for training for sidecars would get lost in the shuffle. It just would not have any traction. The only person the legislators ever heard of that had a sidecar accident was our own governor and some people even thought that he was riding a Ural. That shows how out of focus the matter is. LOL.
As far as sidecars in California are concerned, a sidecar is only an accessory. A motorycycle endorsement is required for a solo bike and nothing other than a Class C car license for a sidecar, no motorcycle endorsement required. They honor motorcycle training done by professionals such as MSF by waiving any further DMV testing of riding ability
IN CT ALSO, SIDECAR RECONIZED AS AN ACCESSORY. INSURACE ALSO COVERED FOR WHAT IS NEEDED TO REPLACE, MY COMPANY SUGGESTED TAKE PHOTOS OF PROOF OF THE WORK PLUS MOUNTING CHARGES JUST IN CASE OF MISHAPS..THE LAW IS STILL ONLY 2 RIDERS (DISPITE THE FACT WE CAN HOLD 3 COMFORTABLY). TOWING COMPANIES DON'T ALL COVE SIDECARS EITHER..UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS LIMITED TRAINING AVAILABLE, GLADLY WE HAVE EACH OTHER IN THE MEANTIME, L
Originally written by emnerrn on 10/22/2008 7:18 AM
IN CT ALSO, SIDECAR RECONIZED AS AN ACCESSORY. INSURACE ALSO COVERED FOR WHAT IS NEEDED TO REPLACE, MY COMPANY SUGGESTED TAKE PHOTOS OF PROOF OF THE WORK PLUS MOUNTING CHARGES JUST IN CASE OF MISHAPS..THE LAW IS STILL ONLY 2 RIDERS (DISPITE THE FACT WE CAN HOLD 3 COMFORTABLY). TOWING COMPANIES DON'T ALL COVE SIDECARS EITHER..UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS LIMITED TRAINING AVAILABLE, GLADLY WE HAVE EACH OTHER IN THE MEANTIME, L
Always tell them you have a sidecar and check it's coverage. If your company considers it as an accessory, they may well limit the combined value of all accesories (and their contents) at 10% of the motorcycle's value. In my case, the windshield, spotlights, luggage, seat, and sidecar combined are worth as much or more than the bike. Consequently, they are listed on a separate rider on the policy. Don't wait until you have a claim to find out you have insufficent coverage.
YES,
I ITEMIZED MY ACCESSORIES ON MY POLICY(HAVE PHOTOS EACH STEP OF THE WAY)
AND PAY EXTRA FOR MORE COVERAGE, I JUST MENTIONED IT BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE TAKE THE FINE PRINT FOR GRANTED...
BE SAFE, ENJOY THE RIDES! L
PS; MY DOG IS CONSIDERED A PASSENGER ON MY POLICY, AGAIN READ THE FINE PRINT NOT ALL COMPANIES COVER WHAT YOU THINK THEY SHOULD....
"The only person the legislators ever heard of that had a sidecar accident was our own governor and some people even thought that he was riding a Ural. That shows how out of focus the matter is. LOL."
Sometimes it's hard to focus when one is required to wear an "approved" motorcycle helmet in triple digit temperatures.
The Evergreen Safety Council (of Washington State) formerly headed by Dave Wendell is the company that sponsers most of the sidecar and trike training in the US these days. Dave went on to start his own company soon after 3 wheel endorsing was legislated in Washington but I haven't heard anything about his entity for quite some time.
Lonnie
to emnerrn:
Hey Liz,
The Doogles are meant to protect the eyes and not the ears. (just kiddin')
That's a beautiful passenger you got there.
Ernern,
Speaking of insurance, I like your car alarm.
If you notice my Nikita's photo was taken and being used by a well noted Law firm! V Haymond has been a great friend to all Bikers!
It is a beautiful photo I thought I would share...
Thanks, BTW July 4th, 300+ Harleys assort bikes straight pipes you get the noise, Nikita sleeps next to the bike and in HER car...but light one firecracker...she is a wreck, go fiqure...also on a run the bikers behind me flaged me down they thought my dog was popped out of the sidecar, nope she was snuggled comfortably asleep on that chilly morning!
Have a great ride, sidecar season is just begining...oops! it never ended!
L
Lonnie, Hey how are you!
To answer the 3 digit temp and helmut law, in CT, helmuts are optional, in my line of work it is better to see a client who is well hydrated (no spirits please) and wearing a bucket (proper PSE) and is usually discharged with little or no ailments..verses no helmut TBI mucho problems that is if you make it...
ok, I know I just opened a can for debate, this is America you have choices, well most of the time, just watch out for the other crazies (esp hover moms cell phone and starbuck while "driving" in those tanks, err SUV's.
Remember no matter what you wear or Pilot you are responsible for yourself.
Enjoy the freedom!, L
Hi Liz,
C'mon, when's the last time you had three digit temps in Connecticut?
My last two ER trips were short stay from bike wrecks. One while wearing a beanie that caused a small scuff on the back of my head (I almost lost a foot and part of a leg in that one). The other wearing a bandana (that took a few stitches where my hairline used to be and a few more where my glasses poked into my forehead). Both times the bikes were totaled. Luckily no vital parts of my anatomy were involved. Just my beater leg (and head). lol
So far, so good. ER nurses, God Bless ya.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 10/22/2008 5:55 PM
Both times the bikes were totaled. Luckily no vital parts of my anatomy were involved. Just my beater leg (and head). lol
Man, reading that just makes me wince, but it's also a good wake-up. I spend nearly all of my time in a very small town, and the surrounding rural area. Makes one a complacent rider at times. NOTE TO SELF: stay alert, stay alive.
Thanks for that post, and that little reminder...
Lonnie this past summer was nice and toasty not today though riding frozen fingers...the thread was talking about head gear 'nuff said
as far as people t-boning bikes unfortunately no gear can prevent that, but when thrown buckets do help even in That situation.
Again we are all responsible for ourselves, whatever we chose my we be safe and unharmed, amen.
Enjoy our freedom, L
Lonnie, sorry about the leg hope all is well.
I wear my leathers all year (this past summer HOT!)long Why? Well, someone was admiring my dog I looked good, sharp outfit (helmut on) great new MC HD jacket, my designer jeans on, they were stating about my HOT look, w/ dog you get the picture, me? hot did someone say HOT? anyone got marshmellows? I looked down my right ankle was afire flames and all thank fully I had my fire retard camp sock on with my biker boot,,,I pattated it out, NOTE TO SELF WEAR MY GEAR GOD GAVE MAN THE INTELLIGENCE TO INVENT THIS STUFF FOR A REASON. As far as mishaps Sh** happens to good people, just don't help it along. Hope all is well, always a pleasure, L
