The GUNNY'S SACK

December 2001

DISCRIMINATION OR BIKERS RIGHTS? I recently came across an article written by a person by the name of Dale McFeatters who writes for the Scripps-Howard News Service. In a column he wrote, he blasts bikers in general and doesn't see why we or anyone else would want anti-discrimination laws to protect everyone regardless of religion, lifestyle or mode of transport, or any other thing such as race, creed, or national origin. The Sack has space limitations, or I would reprint his entire article so I could give him FULL credit for being a biased fool who thinks his own rights are the only ones.

He's upset, for some reason, because bikers in many states have fought in the legislature for biker anti-discrimination laws. Some in fact did so via their state Confederation of Clubs. So this guy says all we want is to be established as a separate class of people. He dislikes the wealthy riders, because he thinks they want people to think they're in "BIKER GANGS" when they ride their Harleys, but that they don't want to be treated like "gang" members. HOGWASH! I'd bet my last dollar this fool has never been on a bike, let alone been anywhere near a "BIKER GANG." And guess what? NOBODY wants to be treated badly, biker or not. It's all ridiculous to me, having only something over fifty years riding, and still to come across someone supposedly intelligent even using the term "BIKER GANG." Maybe I've missed something or he knows a hell of a lot more about scooter people than I do.

He also complains about one particular 300lb biker called "Vermin." Well folks, I weigh something near 240, they call me "Gunny," and I'm not too pretty either. I still don't like it when I ride up to a restaurant on my bike, especially when my wife is with me, and we don't get service because "The Hells Angels" just arrived. Hollywood and some magazines have done a number on us (AND on the Hells Angels), and we aren't supposed to be upset? Sarcastically, he says next we'll need laws to protect SUV owners. I'll bet he doesn't drive one or I guarantee he'd be bellyaching about that.

There have been several attempts in different states to modify existing discrimination laws. Minnesota so far is the only one that has been successful. The law there protects all people, not just bikers, and it makes it illegal to discriminate in public accommodations based on motorcycle mode of travel or attire.

What we all want is equal treatment according to the laws of the land. Don't profile us because we ride motorcycles and wear leather for protection from stupid drivers such as Mr. McFeatters may be. There fool, I profiled YOU because of your audacity in writing such drivel.

Here's another small example of this man's intelligence when it comes to clubhouses. This TURKEY really did his homework: "They have their own places, windowless, concrete-block establishments on the outskirts of town where the bar stools are bolted to the floor and the beer is served in plastic cups because of repeated unfortunate incidents with glass bottles." If he didn't have such an attitude, I'd bring him to one of those clubhouses for an education. He also is angry because a Vespa rider is suing because he wasn't served somewhere.

By the way, Vespa riders are welcome in my house anytime. Their knees are in the wind too. I don't care what you ride as long as you ride. If you are discriminated against I want to know about it. I don't care if you ride a DOODLE-BUG. Uh-oh. I guess that remark dates me. Any doodlebug riders out there, email me, would ya? E-mail me at AIMGunny@aol.com - tell me your doodlebug story. I'll print some of them!

But back to this clown McFeatters: Most all bikers I know are educated, own their homes, have raised LAW-abiding children, have kids in college, and likely earn as much or more than Mr. McFeatters. That includes those folks he calls "GANGS". Some of us even have more than one place to live. DON'T profile us unless you know what you're talking about.

And by the way, Mr. McFeatters, the cost of our rides has nothing to do with not being served or not being able to get lodging after riding all day and half the night because of DISCRIMINATION. We want ALL people protected from red-neck idiots who think this world is made for them alone. If YOU think YOU were discriminated against because YOU ride, you should contact your local AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) Attorney by calling our national number, 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or look it up at www.ON-A-BIKE.com. AIM Attorneys handle more than just accidents. 'Nuff said.

NEWS BITS'N PIECES:

CORONA, CA: Patriot Motorcycles Corporation, manufacturer and distributor of hybrid motorcycles and motorcycle accessories, has entered into an agreement with Florida-based Bombardier Capital to provide financing to their dealers. Patriot has over 45 dealers in North America, Puerto Rico, Mexico and South America for pre-approved financing with Bombardier Capital. Patriot uses the Harley twin-cam modified to a 95 cubic inch engine, Harley transmissions and 'Screamin Eagle' pistons. Their scooters have a four-year limited manufacturer's warranty that you can transfer and even extend. Not bad for an aftermarket company. We'll see if they survive awhile.

NYC, NY: "SEGWAY," A NEW MODE OF "PEOPLE MOVERS": Jim Crane of the Associated Press gives high marks to Dean Kamer for his idea of moving people. Maybe you've seen these on the news on TV. This critter is a two-wheel (but the wheels are side by side) rig, kind of like a push scooter with the wheels on sideways, that allows you to travel in any direction at speeds up to 12 miles an hour, according to releases I've seen. The thing is gyro balanced, so you won't fall off like you might on a unicycle. Just step on and almost "think" which way you want to go. It's electric so it's environmentally friendly and you can ride on sidewalks with it. Try that with a motorcycle. Looks kinda neat to me but the three grand price tag puts it out of my reach. Maybe Mr. McFeatters might like it.

NIGERIA: One of the states in Nigeria has gone way Islamic -- they're practicing the strict "Sharia" religious laws, and it's gonna affect motorcycling there! Seems the wife of the Katsina state governor has gotten a bunch of new buses and taxis together, JUST so the women can ride SEPARATE from the men! Boy, try THAT on a subway in New York. So this governors wife wants the women in the state to quit using their commercial motorcycle taxis! She says they're not just unsafe, but AGAINST their religion, because they're "INDECENT!" Now I'd like to see them riding myself, and see if I think they're indecent. If so, why they're perfectly welcome here in Oregon!

HOLLYWOOD, CA: Another celebrity dumped his bike ­ this time, probably not his fault. Apparently, the actor Brad Pitt was out for a ride, and a little kid came running out right in front of him, chasing a ball. Isn't THAT a classic accident scene? Well rather than hit the little boy, Brad Pitt swerved, hit a curb, a took a spill. The report says he just brushed himself off and kept on going. We should all be so lucky, eh?

SPAIN: You buy a Japanese bike, it USED to be you figured it was built in Japan. No more. Honda, of course, has long had a GoldWing factory in the USA, but get this: If you pick up a new GS500 from Suzuki after 2003, likely as not it was built in Spain! They're building a new factory there, according to a story on the Financial Times Information network.

SHANGHAI, CHINA: Honda and Chinese manufacturing have partnered up to build a scoot aimed just at the Chinese market. Kind of like H-D selling only in the U.S. Hope it works.

QUETTA, PAKISTAN: Why should we be surprised to find the fearless leaders of the Taliban using motorcycles for fast transport away from capture? If I was running, guess what I'd use?

GREAT BRITAIN: Police here have established a MOTORBIKE squad to shorten response time to emergencies in the tube (light rail) stations. Took some time to figure that out.

HUH! LAGOS, NIGERIA: The OKADA (motorcycle taxis) manufacturers are up in arms over the banning of these machines in some areas, because of the supposed danger to riding passengers. They say their factory is only working at 1% of capacity because of the ban, and people are losing jobs. I told you about the ban in an earlier issue. Looks like they have a Tiger by the tail.

GUNNY AGAIN: Remember folks the AIM attorney network is there for all of us whether or not we are on scoots or in cars and involved in an accident. Do yourself a favor and call them. They really are there to help us, including some biker PRO BONO (free) legal work. Call 1-800-ON-A-BIKE or you can call our Oregon AIM attorney Sam Hochberg at 1-800-347-1106 toll free or local to Portland 503-224-1106.

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon AIM Chief Of Staff