The GUNNY'S SACK

March 2006 THIS month, no way I can come close to including everything that is in the news that concerns us as bikers. I gotta tell ya, we have a hell of a lot more to worry about than helmet laws. I'm not saying to let up on that issue for one minute. Helmet laws and their effect on us is important. But, there ARE some things coming down the pike that worry me more, and they are in the PREVENTABLE stages still.

The new EPA laws that are imminent are far more pervasive and dangerous, and will, in not much time, negatively effect whether we ride motorcycles AT ALL. As you read this, there are laws on the books that LIMIT the number of EPA-exempt bikes that aftermarket builders can produce each year. As riders, we are currently LIMITED as to HOW MANY BIKES WE CAN BUILD AND OWN IN A LIFETIME! Surprised? Read on, I've got s'more that'll scare ya.

Across the pond, at least in the UK, they are building photographic data bases on every traveler and vehicle on their highways, including motorcycles. Back here in the US, the Honda Motorcycle Co. has air-bags optional this year on their Gold Wings! I'm not saying that it's a good or bad idea, but it scares the pants off me right now. What do we do if some safety-crat down the line says they should be mandatory? I want to see more testing before that takes place, IF it ever does.

On another front, remember that it wasn't long ago in Germany, when they wanted to dictate the BRAND OF TIRES they could put on motorcycles! And in the European Union, the question is still up in the air about UNIFORM CLOTHING TO BE WORN WHILE RIDING. No matter where you live on this planet, the list goes on and on. Let's not forget one of the worst and scariest things going on – the Patriot Act is so full of holes for the Feds to crawl through, it looks like Swiss cheese. It's the most invasive piece of trash I've ever seen put on paper regarding INVASION OF CITIZEN PRIVACY. Our current President screams at us, that it's for our safety. I'm wondering where it will end; AND, I wonder, when is the bike community gonna rise up and say THIS is where The Buck Stops! I hope and pray I'm not the only one who's worried.

NEWSBITS ‘N' PIECES:

CHINA: For Ray Ma, freedom on the open road means riding his Harley behind two police cars through the Chinese countryside. The Hong Kong dental surgeon and members of his 35-bike group had to pay 10,000 Hong Kong dollars ($1,290 U.S.) per bike, in escort and paperwork fees last Fall, to make their trip to Guilin City a reality. The day I have to pay fees like that to cross the Canadian border on my bike is the day before Canada sees ME for the last time. That's the way things are in the most populous nation on earth. They don't want imported bikes there. Maybe they have enough problems controlling their domestic bikes, although they manufacture over 10 million bikes every year in China. For years, Harley-Davidson has pushed hard to sell its bikes in China. Harley says it plans to announce soon that it will open its first retail outlet in the country since at least World War II.

170 CHINESE CITIES LIMIT OR BAN MOTORCYCLE USE OR OWNERSHIP, largely because they are viewed as underpowered, cheap, polluting machines that clog traffic and endanger others.

GARDEN GROVE, CA.: The movie, "The Worlds Fastest Indian" is in release in February and March. I'm told it's a MUST SEE. It's the story of an older guy who sets a speed record on an Indian motorcycle. I AM gonna go see that one.

OREGON CORRECTIONS: No, I don't mean the jail system. Last month I had bad information: The SACK piece said that in Oregon, to retain your motorcycle endorsement at renewal, you might have to take an approved rider course. I checked with DMV, and that proved to be false. Of course, they DO recommend it for everyone who rides. Folks getting their FIRST endorsement are required to take a course, IF they're under 19. If you do take a course and pass with high enough skills, you will not be required to take the DMV road test for the endorsement. Hope I cleared that up. Always check with your DMV anyway!

GUNNY AGAIN: I never write The Sack without the guidance of our Oregon AIM lawyer, SAM HOCHBERG. He is my editor and mentor and if it weren't for him, the column would not happen. Just one of the many things he and other AIM attorneys do for us, and its pro bono. That means free, in lawyer-talk. These folks also take very good care of us if we are in a jam. Call your nearest AIM attorney anytime you need legal advice about anything. If they can't help you, they will pass you on to someone who can. They never charge for consultations, and rarely will they need up-front money when they take a case for ya. The money gets taken care of at the end of the case. Do yourself a favor and call them next time you need help. Ya won't be sorry. You can call AID to INJURED MOTORCYCLISTS, or "AIM," at 1-800-531-2424, or 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or visit the AIM & NCOM site at www.ON-A-BIKE, or you can get ahold of me at AIMGunny@aol.com