The Motorcycle Lawyers Blog | The Motorcycle Lawyer

Motorcyclists travel from near and far to the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that takes place every year in South Dakota and in its 72nd year this time around the famous rally paid tribute to a legend, Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson's director of customer experience. Piehl was inducted into the Sturgis Museum and Hall of Fame this past Wednesday.

Three months out of college Piehl held the position as Harley's general sales manager and was given the daunting task of creating a group that would promote the Harley-Davidson lifestyle to owners and potential buyers. The Harley Owners Group was created in hopes to keep the company alive as it just avoided bankruptcy in the 1980s. The group was officially launched in January 1983 H.O.G and to-date has millions of members spanning over 19 different countries.

Piehl saw the challenge of creating such a vast group as “a great opportunity in my career during a tough time for the company. We had to figure out how to create a value in the membership. It was neat to start with a blank sheet of paper, “(HOG founder inducted into Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com/business/hog-founder-inducted-into-sturgis-motorcycle-museum--hall-of-fame-i06e4tc-165518706.html).

Needless to say, the group has become a huge success. What sets the group apart from others as Piehl sees it is that “we are out there with the riders all the time, so we get constant feedback on what's important and how we can change and grow and get better,” (HOG founder inducted into Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Journal Sentinel).

H.O.G. has promoted the Sturgis Rally for years, with local chapters marking it as THE trip of the year. Despite the long relationship the two have had, Piehl never even considered he would one day wind-up in the Hall of Fame, “it was never on my radar. It is such a big honor,” (HOG founder inducted into Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Journal Sentinel).

Posted in Uncategorized, Motorcycles, News by Unknown
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Castle Rock Hosts AMA Tour This Weekend

August 3rd, 2012 at 10:12 am

Going to be in the great state of Washington this weekend? Ride on over to the AMA Tour taking place in Castle Rock!

The event is taking place at Castle Rock Race Park this Saturday. Registration for riders begins at 10:30am on Saturday with multiple qualifying heats for the AMA Pro Singles Race at 9:30pm and the AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles Race at 10pm, (AMA motorcycle tour coming to Castle Rock this weekend, The Daily News, http://tdn.com/sports/ama-motorcycle-tour-coming-to-castle-rock-this-weekend/article_6ff8f7a6-dc43-11e1-9a36-001a4bcf887a.html).

The schedule for general admission Saturday is as follows:

3:00pm -5:00pm Timed Practice

5:30pm -6:30pm Rider Autograph/Open Paddock to spectators

7:00pm -Opening Ceremonies

7:30pm -Pro Heat

The schedule for riders on Saturday is as follows:

10:30 AM Registration Open

12:00 PM Tech Inspection

3:00 PM Rider Meeting

3:30 PM AMA Pro Singles- Pro Singles Practice 1

3:50 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Practice 1

4:10 PM AMA Pro Singles- Pro Singles Qualifying 1

4:30 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Qualifying 1

4:50 PM AMA Pro Singles- Pro Singles Qualifying 2

5:10 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Qualifying 2

7:00 PM Opening Ceremonies

7:30 PM AMA Pro Singles- Pro Singles Heat 1

7:40 PM AMA Pro Singles- Pro Singles Heat 2

7:50 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Heat 1

8:00 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Heat 2

8:10 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Heat 3

8:20 PM Intermission

8:30 PM AMA Pro Singles- Pro Singles Pro LCQ 1

8:40 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Dash For Cash 1

8:50 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Semi 1

9:00 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Semi 2

9:10 PM Intermission

9:20 PM Pro Main Intro

9:30 PM AMA Pro Singles- Pro Singles Race 1 (16 Laps)

9:50 PM Expert Main Intro

10:00 PM AMA Pro Grand National Championship Singles- GNC Singles Race 1 (25 Laps)

Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door on Saturday. To buy your tickets now call 1-888-71-TICKETS.

Camping is also available $50 for night camping which includes both Friday and Saturday night and a parking pass. You can also buy a tent spot for $25 for both Friday and Saturday night with a parking pass. For info on reserving your camping location call 360-274-4346.

Whether you plan on competing or being a spectator, this tour promises to be riding fun for all!

Posted in Uncategorized, Motorcycles, Safety, News by Unknown
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Tips on Motorcycle Insurance

July 24th, 2012 at 3:17 pm

Posted in Uncategorized, Motorcycles, Safety, Gear, News by Unknown
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Blocking While Group Riding; the Legal Aspect

July 17th, 2012 at 12:10 pm

Whenever taking to the road safety is often at the forefront on riders mind, maybe even more so when riding in a group. Staying together on a long ride can be challenging when maneuvering through city streets and intersections. One solution motorcyclists have found to be helpful is ‘blocking.' However, this technique is actually not legal.

The way this works is a ‘blocker' is designated within the riding group, and typically rides at the back. When approaching what looks to be a dangerous stretch or busy intersection that could break up the group, the blocker pulls out to the front and blocks other oncoming traffic so that the group may proceed through as one unit.

Although this may seem like a safe alternative to splitting up the group when traffic calls for it, it's technically not legal. As Sgt. Daniel Larkin explains of Loudonville, New York, “only emergency personnel, people involved in highway repairs, and crossing guards can legally interfere with traffic,” (Getting There: Law doesn't give motorcycle ‘blockers' right to stop traffic, Tim O'Brien, Times Union, http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Getting-There-Law-doesn-t-give-motorcycle-3708931.php).

It is possible to be ticketed for blocking and potentially face civil liability if an accident does result from the directing of traffic. Another reason blocking is frowned upon by authorities is because blockers may not have the equipment or training that is typically utilized when directing traffic. Besides not having legal authority to direct traffic, safety remains to be a concern. Motorists still may not see or obey a blocker, nor understand what is going on and proceed anyway.

Of course, there are exceptions. For example, groups riding for an event or marathon can obtain a permit to block. In order to receive a permit a group must go through the Department of Transportation. The permit will include an endorsement from the police, local authorities, and insurance.

All-in-all blocking as Lenny Parker, safety officer for the Albany-Schenectady Hog Club, clarifies is, “not done to be obnoxious, but it's safer to block the road so people don't get into the middle of a group of motorcyclists. Sometimes it's done to be safe,” (Getting There: Law doesn't give motorcycle ‘blockers' right to stop traffic, Tim O'Brien, Times Union).