They make the news mostly for being unruly and raucous groups of throttle twisting hooligans—at least that’s what media have always shown. Although there are some truth to these descriptions of some of the motorcycle clubs in the United States, there are those who actually were formed to address and ease some issues happening in their communities.

Clubs considered by Feds as highly structured criminal enterprises

From the LA Times, on May 18, 2015, they included the following motorcycle clubs as seven of what they deemed as criminal enterprise 

The Mongols

The Bandidos

The Outlaws

Hells Angels

The Pagans

Sons of Silence

Vagos

The Cossacks

Hells Angels, though, have been having annual toy drives.

List of motorcycle clubs that are working on improving issues in their communities:

Not all news about motorcycle clubs are about crimes or violence. There are actually some organizations that aim to do some repair on the issues that causes problems in their communities or simply to help encourage and empower children, women, and people who are down on their luck.

The list below by Arun Singh Pundir, published on March 27, 2020.

Red Knights Motorcycle Club

Iron Legacy Motorcycle Club

Ruffian’s Motorcycle Club

Rainbow Motorcycle Club

Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA)

The Christian Motorcyclist Association

Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club

Bikerni Association of Women Motorcyclists

The Iron Order Motorcycle Club

Motor Maids Motorcycle Club

The Punishers Motorcycle Club

Furies Motorcycle Club

Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service

Hard Heads Motorcycl Club

The US Veterans Motorcycle Club

These motorcycle clubs are standing up for their communities, and their aim is to make the world (or at least their side of it) a little bit better and hope to pass on to the next generation that doing good things even while looking a little tough is not bad at all.

Being on top of the motorcycle is already badass. But driving one with the appropriate skills is another level. But what are the skills needed for a smoother, safer driving.

The fundamentals are still the most important—always remember T-CLOCS:

T: Tires and wheels

C: Controls, including levers, pedal, cables, hoses, and throttle

L: Lights, including battery, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, etc.

O: Oil fluid levels

C: Chassis, including the frame, suspension, chain, etc.

S: Stands, including the center stand and/or kickstand

And before moving on to attempt the next more complicated steps, do not forget your protective gears. Check the throttle and the brakes and the clutch. For further reference, you may check this article by Basem Wasef: 

Brake

Most important skill to master in motorcycle driving is braking. Author Yoshi Nakatani shares some tips about advanced motorcycle braking techniques most applicable in cornering. Some of the author’s brilliant words: “The most important part is…never focus on speed but accuracy and smoothness.” Articles is found here: 

Continuous learning

From a perspective of a motorcycle student, learning does not stop. Improving the skills but maintaining mastering the fundamentals is crucial as most of the advanced motorcycle riding techniques will begin with the basics. Author and motorcycle riding enthusiast Liz Jansen shares some lessons she has learned and still is mastering from her own instructors. The article is found here: 

Riding safely

With all the various skills, stunts, and techniques a rider wishes to master, one must not forget about safety. While speed driving can bring euphoria to the rider, safety with speed should not be taken for granted. And article from RideApart Staff shows ten things a rider may still not know about. Ten helpful tips to riding fast, with proper techniques, and most importantly, riding safely: 

Author JJ Spain brings another action-packed hit in the newly released novel of his heart-stopping detective series

 

He loves and breathes motorcycle rallies. But it’s not just the thrill of these events that bring him close to these activities, he’s drawn to the rallies because of the crimes surrounding them. There’s more action and suspenseful drama in this third book of the Mike Salas detective series. In “It Started in Laughlin”, author JJ Spain takes readers back to where it all started.

Vacations don’t seem to work out for Salas as he has his sights set on his third motorcycle rally in Laughlin, Nevada. Riding with Ronnie and Doris is more than he bargained for. Karaoke, bar fights, sex trafficking, and pure revenge lead Salas and his crew from Las Vegas to Sturgis, South Dakota. But it all started in Laughlin.

The author invites readers to ride with Salas, RJ, Ronnie, and Doris as they battle the weather, the ride, the Devil’s Brothers, the Lifers, and a Vegas wedding. In Book Three of this series, lifestyle determines death style. But who will survive in the end? Readers are about to find out.

This book is available online and can be purchased at online bookstores.

 

About the Author

JJ Spain is a 27-year veteran of the American Motorcycle Rally experience, bringing the ride and biker’s life to your fingertips.

 

It Started in Laughlin: A Mike Salas Novel by JJ Spain

Bikers’ motorcycles parked in one place most often looks like birds flocking together. Bikers normally have a “spot” to hang out on to socialize, share their passion toward their motorcycles and their love for biking. There are a lot of biker bars throughout the country that are frequented by motorists (bikers and nonbikers alike). And just as birds flocking together, these bikers gather and observe the goings-on in a bar and watch out for potential threats to them and their “flock.”

Below are some of the most popular bikers’ destinations in the United States:

Cook’s Corner, Trabuco Canyon, California

Big Oaks Lodge, Santa Clarita, California

Way Point Saloon, Ramona, California

Crazy Otto’s, Acton, California

The Lookout Roadhouse, Lake Elsinore, California

Neptune’s Net, Malibu, California

Wine and Beer Garden, Temecula, California

Tom’s Farms, Temescal Valley, California

Chad’s Place, Big Bear

Original Mike’s, Santa Ana

The Rock Store, Cornell, California,

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, New York and New Jersey

The Full Throttle Saloon, Sturgis, South Dakota

Hogs and Heifers, New York City

The Hurley Mountain Inn, Hurley, New York

Johnny’s Bar, Hollister, California

Cruisers Bar & Grill Post Falls, Idaho

Scoundrels Pub, Las Vegas, Nevada

Bikers are known to be rough-looking and loud. And while there may be occasional instances of territory brawl, but most of them are actually advocates of peace, respect, and helping one another. They may not belong to one club, but there are rules—unspoken but clear—about boundaries and respecting each other and the rest of the people in the biker bars, including the bartenders or servers. From author and bartender Juli Oates , below are the rules that should apply in any and all bikers’ hangouts:

Be on the bartender’s good side.

Follow the bartender’s cues.

Recognize who’s in charge.

Learn to read patches.

Assuming a biker is going to hurt you might get you hurt.

Don’t expect to impress anybody with your shiny hog.

Don’t overdress the part.

Ask permission to use the jukebox.

Check your politics at the door.

Assume every woman is somebody’s old lady.

Don’t drop names.

Speak (and do it honestly).

Admit you’re wrong.

Contribute to the cause.

 

Daytona Beach—with its over twenty-three miles of expansive white, hard-packed sandy beaches—is home to famous high-speed automobile races. It is the headquarters for NASCAR. It is also most known for the shoreline wherein cars can be driven on. Since being known as the mecca for racing, it has and is still hosting racing tournaments for both cars (with 500 NASCAR and Rolex 24) and motorbikes (with Bike Week and Biketoberfest).

Daytona Beach has over 23 miles (37 km) of white sandy beaches open to pedestrians without time restrictions. Cars can be driven on some of the beaches during daylight hours. But there’s more to Daytona Beach than just speed racing and the extensive shoreline.

Daytona 500

Daytona 500 is the most esteemed and celebrated race tournaments in the NASCAR calendar. Daytona Beach held its first NASCAR-approved race for modified sportsman cars in 1948.

Considered as the Super Bowl of stock-car racing, Daytona 500 bring in the people and the money to Daytona Beach. The race is flocked by people from all around the world.

Notable landmarks to visit in Daytona Beach

There is the famous speedway, but there are also churches, museums, parks, and schools that are worth visiting. Below are places to go in Daytona Beach:

Daytona International Speedway

Richard Petty Driving Experience

Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue

Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier

Sunglow Fishing Pier

Mary Bethune Home

Beach Street

Dale Earnhardt Sr. Statue

Oceanwalk Daytona Beach

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

Lillian Place Heritage Center

Hanksters Hot Rods

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Basilica of Saint Paul

Riverfront Marketplace

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

Ritchey Plaza

Bethune-Cookman College

Veterans Memorial at Riverfront Park

Daytona Beach Surfside Historic District

Brownie the Town Dog Grave and Memorial

Seabreeze United Church of Christ

Westminster by the Sea Presbyterian Church

Community United Methodist Church

Municipal Stadium

Islamic Center of Daytona Beach

Wright Flyer Sculpture

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

St George Coptic Orthodox Church

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Lillian Place Heritage Center

Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge

Riding experts and enthusiasts have been eyeing, comparing, buying, and telling which brands of motorcycles work for them, which brands of motorcycles are bang for the buck, which brands of motorcycles they wished they possessed instead of what they currently have.

Some of the most reliable motorcycle news and references in the World Wide Web have shared which brands are most attractive to the riding public:

Biker Report

Author Allen Schnell from Biker Report lists down the top motorcycle brands in the world. In the article, he discusses about the following brands.

Harley Davidson

Yamaha

Honda

Ducati

Kawasaki

BMW

Suzuki

Aprilia

Triumph

KTM

Bennetts 

For a list of more specific brand and make of the best touring bikes for 2021, their descriptions along with their specific (current) prices (in pounds), 

1. Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro, £13,100
2. BMW R1250GSA, £14,985
3. BMW R1250RT, from £15,820
4. Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE Grand Tourer, £16,599
5. BMW K1600GTL, £20,270
6. Indian Chieftain Limited, £23,999
7. Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, £24,495
8. Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited, from £25,995
9. Indian Roadmaster, £26,199
10. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Tour, £28,349

Motorcyle.Com 

Author Ryan Adams from Motorcycle.com shares a list for the best motorcycle brands and make for long-distance riding:  

1.) KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

2.) BMW K1600GTL

3.) Honda Gold Wing

4.) Yamaha Venture Transcontinental

5.) Harley-Davidson Electra Glide/Touring line

6.) Kawasaki H2 SX SE

7.) Ducati Multistrada 1260

8.) Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS

9.) Indian Roadmaster

10.) Triumph Tiger 1200

Overall, though, it is mostly not about the brand. True that some brands have established quality and that’s why they make it on the list. But all in all, it’s about the comfort between the rider and their machine, how they feel on the road with it, and how pleased they are with their performance and that of their motorcycle. 

 

Percentage of accidents related to motorcycle can be low, depending on which part of the world you are in. In places where motorcycle is the foremost mode of transportation, the number of accidents can be relatively high.

In the United States, the fatality rate is at 14 percent. Most of the motorcyclists are enthusiasts, and the use of their motorcycles are also mostly for leisure. This, however, does not excuse most motorcyclists from accidents that involve them and their vehicles.

Some of the most common motorcycle accidents:

Head-on collisions. When the front end of one motorcycle hits the front end of another motorcycle, it’s called a head-on collision. It can be fatal especially if both motorists are at full speed when impact happens. This could also happen between a motorcycle and any other form of vehicle.

Left-turning cars. Motorcyclists driving on the left lane nearing an intersection could get hit by vehicles turning left as they are often not seen from side/rearview mirrors. This is actually the topmost cause of motorcycle accidents.

Speeding and driving under influence. While this holds true for all types of vehicles, its impact on motorcycles can be worse. Note that motorcycles are only two-wheeled and not as stable as four-wheeled (or more) vehicles.

Lane splitting. When traffic is at stop but a motorcyclist weaves through two lanes of stopped vehicles, there’s a tendency of the motorist sideswiping another vehicle.

Motorcycle vs. fixtures. Accidents do not have to be only between motorcycles and another vehicle. It can also be between a motorcycle and a street fixture—a lamppost, a fire hydrant, traffic cones, road signs, etc.

Motorcycle vs. pedestrian. It is quite tricky if a motorcycle hits a pedestrian crossing not on a pedestrian lane. 

These are only some of the known accidents to happen to a motorcyclist and their bike. It is strongly encouraged that everyone should always drive safely and attentively. While accidents are unpredictable, it could be avoidable at most times when all parties on the streets practice road safety.

Book Two of the Mike Salas detective series to captivate readers

Coming from the success of the first book of his detective series, author JJ Spain now releases the second book in the series, “Three Days in Daytona”. The action and drama surrounding the adventures of Detective Mike Salas will continue in this sequel.

Finally, a week’s vacation for Detective Mike Salas. He has nothing on his mind except his girl, and fun in the sun, during his first trip to the Daytona Bike Rally. On his ride there, Salas meets RJ, who is also en route, planning to bid a final farewell to an old friend during the Florida Rally. But the theft of RJ’s motorcycle sets Salas in motion. As two worlds collide, the body count racks up, RJ finds himself targeted by his own club, and the fallout threatens to destroy Salas’ much needed vacation.

Stolen bikes, illegal drugs, cartels, hit men, and gators give Daytona Bike Week a fresh edge. Will they be able to retrieve RJ’s stolen bike and the precious cargo he’s stored in the saddle bags of his Harley? Will Salas and RJ extract revenge and settle the score? Will either of them survive “Three Days in Daytona”? Readers will find out in Book Two of the Mike Salas series.

This book is available online and can be purchased at online bookstores.

 

About the Author

JJ Spain is a 25-year veteran of Bike Rallies, including Daytona, the Sturgis Rally, and Laughlin. His captivating crime novel is set at his favorite venues, bringing the Daytona ride and experience to everyone’s fingertips. Visit mikesalasnovels.com for updates on new releases and events.

Three Days in Daytona: A Mike Salas Novel by JJ Spain

Cross-country driving on a motorcycle can be the most fun and most lonely activity. It’s a feeling of being with someone and yet being alone all at the same time. You can drive along with your friends, but you’re also alone on your own bike, just being surrounded by the view of your journey.

Admit it, riding on a bike is badass. But riding the bike alone on a long journey, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Reasons to go on a long motorcycle drive:

Destination. Where do you want to go and why? The cross-country drive on a bike could be a good motivator to finally see a friend who lives across the country or to finally see that famous landmark that’s been talked about in social media.

It’s also a good mood starter for a camp on a dessert, like a true outdoorsman/woman. And it’s a good time to bond with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts.

Journey. Sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination. The sights along the way alone could be the best reward.

Preparations for long motorcycle drive

Riding skills. The motorcycle should be in tune with their bike and be able to tell when to push or when to stop.

Maps and layout of the road. While it is always a wonder to discover, it will always be of great help if the biker has a general idea of the location they’re driving on. Also, it is always good to know where the next gas station is.

Weather. Misfortunes (and accidents) brought about by unstable weather could be avoided if the rider has a forecast of the weather during the drive.

And the driver must not forget that safety is first. The protective gears one should wear during the drive should be complete. Check for the provisions (food, water, and medicine). And of course, the basic tools to have. It’s also important to have a spare key.