Road Kill Diaries

The end came suddenly for Buell Motorcycles even though rumors circulated for months that Harley-Davidson would dump its orphan sportbike subsidiary. When the announcement came this week, Erik Buell posted an emotional video on the Buell website. Buell tried and failed to hold back the tears as he talked about his 26 years of trying to build an American sportbike that could compete with the metrics of Japan and Europe.

Passion drove Buell, whose company became part of Harley in 1998 and all the Buell riders I know share that passion.

Production ends this month but Buell said Harley has pledged to stand behind the warranties on the bikes and will continue to stock parts.

Buell's demise makes me wonder what Harley will use to replace the Buell Blasts for the Riders Edge Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses taught at some dealers. Honda Rebels?

I ride a motorcycle for the joy of riding. I don't give a damn about the so-called "Harley-Davidson lifestyle." I have neither the desire or the appearance to look like an outlaw biker. I wear leathers for protection, not as a fashion statement.

I often run into bikers, particularly those on Harleys, who appear more interested in looking mean and tough than in experiencing the pure joy of riding. They act like bad asses and succeed only in making asses of themselves.

I'm a rider, not a biker. My license plate reads "rydr" for a reason. I'm here to ride. My Super Glide, purchased in February of this year, has 14,000 miles on it because I spend my time riding, not posturing. I ride more in a month than some do in a year.

Some Harley riders I know crank up their bikes on weekends and ride to the closest Harley dealer and spend the day talking tough with other Harley owners. Then they ride home, putting less than 50 miles on their bike.

Three times recently I've met other Harley riders for breakfast and they've wanted to ride somewhere to visit a dealer. I declined and took off on my own. There are many unexplored roads out there and you won't find them sitting in a dealership.

When I'm riding, I try to be considerate of those who live in the communities I visit. I obey the speed limits and cruise at low throttle. My mufflers have baffles -- loud enough to rumble but not loud enough to be annoying.

Been away from the bike (and this site) for too long. Finally got some riding time in on a Sunday, heading south out of Floyd on U.S. 221 towards North Carolina but veered off on U.S. 58 at Independence to ride across the mountains through the Mt. Rogers recreational area towards Damascus.

Ended up in Abingdon, home of Virginia's Barter Theater.  After a cup of coffee and some rest, turned the Super Glide back north and headed up U.S. 11 towards Chilhowie, Staunton and the New River Valley of Virginia.

Picked up Virginia Route 8 outside of Christiansburg and completed the circle back into Floyd.

A good day...and a good ride.

In a sad note of irony, six police motorcycle officers crashed while escorting members of motorcycle dealer mogul Bruce Rossmeyer's family to his funeral in Ormond Beach, Florida, Tuesday.

Two received minor injuries.

Reports The Associated Press:

Authorities say six motorcycle officers were involved in a crash while escorting the family of one of the country's largest Harley-Davidson dealers to his funeral.

A Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman says a group of motorcycle officers from various agencies was riding with the funeral party for Bruce Rossmeyer Tuesday morning in Ormond Beach. The spokeswoman says the lead rider slowed down, while the riders near the back of the group didn't, causing a chain-reaction crash.

Authorities say two officers were hurt, but their injuries weren't serious. Damage to the motorcycles was also reported as minor.

A while back, I rode with a group of other Harley owners on a road trip to South Carolina. We left Virginia and rode through North Carolina, states which require motorcylists to wear helmets.

When we crossed the line into South Carolina, which doesn't require helmets, the group stopped so most of the riders could take off their helmets.

I chose to continue wearing my helmet. I don't ride without one, even in states that don't require helmets. I also ride protective gear that includes body armour -- even on hot days.

Some in the group jeered when I refused to ride without a helmet. An argument followed and I chose to ride alone -- with a helmet.

South Carolina bar owner Mike Carron ignored his brothers' pleas to wear a helmet for his ride to Sturgis this year. He didn't and died on a crash near Denver.

Reports Charleston Post and Courier columnist Ken Burger:

"We had asked Mike to wear a helmet, but he chose not to," said Steve Carron, Mike's older brother, who lives in Mount Pleasant. "His wife and daughter are now paying a horrible price for that decision."

Two days earlier and a few hundred miles away on a highway in Wyoming, Bruce Rossmeyer, the nation's largest Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer, was killed on his way to the same rally.

He, also, wore no helmet.

The defiant spirit is an addiction. How else to explain such behavior? It's been part of the culture since two-wheelers were invented. And it hasn't changed.

More than 5,000 people will be killed riding motorcycles in the United States this year. Because of the economy, maybe more. And if you asked each one of them about safety, they would smile and say they're very careful.

But the statistics are brutal. You can survive one mistake in a car. Maybe two. There is no such luxury on a motorcycle.

"No one can survive a wreck at interstate highway speeds without a helmet," Mike's brother Steve said on his way to the hospital.

Writes Examiner.Com's Phil Herring:

Thursday's high profile death of motorcycle dealership entrepreneur Bruce Rossmeyer in a Wyoming crash has news services buzzing.  Rossmeyer, owner of 15 Harley-Davidson dealerships, was on his way  to Sturgis with several other riders when he passed a slow-moving truck.  The truck, which was signaling a turn, swung left as Rossmeyer began his pass.  It was reported by local authorities that Rossmeyer was not wearing a helmet, although it is not known if that was a factor in the fatality.

Saturday, in a less-noted but equally tragic crash, a 36 year-old Iowa man died on Interstate 90 near Mt. Vernon, South Dakota, when he rear-ended a camper.  The rider was thrown from his bike and suffered fatal head injuries which could have been avoided if he were wearing a helmet, according to the South Dakota State Patrol.  Alcohol and speed were not factors in the crash.

In many states, the decision on whether or not to wear a helmet is a biker's choice. Some, myself included, choose to wear one. Others do not. While I disagree with laws that require helmets I believe it is a poor choice to ride without one.