Mike’s Typo

In David Edwards 11/06, column in Cycle World (page 10 for those of you who want to read the whole column — and I recommend it), he makes some great points about the newest danger for motorcyclists. Suffice-it-to-say, forget poorly maintained highways, increased traffic, irate drivers — cell phones may be the biggest, newest risk for motorcyclists. There are 212 million in the US alone. Try this in your car: both hands on the wheel, wedge the cell phone between your shoulder and ear, now make a lane change. Gotcha — you forgot to look. So, the thump on the left before you swerved and hit the guy on the right — was me! The reality is that juggling the cell phone (hands free or not — thank you Gov. Arnold!) takes more attention than any driver has to give. Motorcyclists are used to predicting threats. We’re constantly processing clues — the movement of the vehicle, their speed; how often they are applying their brakes; the direction of their tires; or, the load they are carrying in the bed of the pickup. There are thousands of “alerts” that are hardwired into our defensive-maneuver-strategic-command-site. Add a new one: assume every driver is on their cell phone — because they probably are. David makes some great points in his column. Some “…sobering news. A 2006 study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Safety Administration found that almost 80% of all car crashes involved some sort of driver inattention within 3 seconds of the incident. The study found that the most common distraction is — you guessed it — cell phone use.”

Editorial comment: did we really have to pay for that study? David has some pretty creative suggestions for fixing the problem. And, there is a little-traveled highway in West Texas, that he makes a compelling case to visit. In the end, we all know, we’re a hazard when we drive with our cell phones, so let’s factor that into our thinking when we are on our bikes.

Source: Cycle World, 11/06

American Express and Partners in Preservation have teamed up to fund preservation of historic sites around the Bay Area and Northern California. The one that caught my eye—the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Station. There may be others that are of interest to you. There really are no strings attached; go to the site, sign up, and vote. You can vote once a day. Vote for a new site every day, or keep “stuffing the box” for your favorite site. Wouldn’t this be a great system for electing our politicians? “Hurry, while supplies last….” You can only vote up until 10/31/06.

A reader wrote,

“I’ve never written to you before, but I really need your advice on what could be a crucial decision. I’ve suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me. The usual signs…phone rings, but if I answer, the caller hangs up. Another thing, my wife has been going out with the girls a lot recently. Although, when I ask their names she always says, “Just some friends from work, you don’t know them.”

I’ve taken to staying awake to look out for her taxi coming home, but she always walks around the corner and up the drive. I can hear a car driving off. It’s as if she has gotten out of the car around the corner. Why? Maybe she wasn’t in a taxi?

Once, I picked her cell phone up just to see what time it was, and she went berserk, and screamed that I should never touch her phone again, and why was I checking up on her.

Anyway, I have never broached the subject with my wife. I think deep down I just don’t want to know the truth. Last night she went out again, and I decided to really check on her. So, I parked my Harley-Davidson Heritage next to the garage. I hid behind it so I could get a good view of the whole street and driveway. While I was crouching beside the bike … it was at that moment that I noticed that the rocker box cover on my rear cylinder seemed to be leaking a little oil. Damn it.

Is this something I can fix myself, or should I take it back to the dealer?

Anxiously awaiting your advice,

– Bob

With the launch of the 2007 model year, Harley-Davidson has offered a new, little-publicized, way to show your patriotism.  The Motor Company is offering soldiers, veterans, and immediate family members, the chance to own a motorcycle with details honoring their military service.  The specially-decorated 2007 Patriot Special Edition models are black accented with red and blue pin striping.  Each motorcycle carries a branch-specific fuel tank badge and a US flag on the rear fender.  The special edition is available in 12 different models, including the Road King and Ultra Classic touring models.  The order window is small (closes 1/15/07), so if you are interested check with your dealer for more details.  Got a specific question, drop chance or dustin a note and ask them.

Source: h-dnet.com, 10/06