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04-06-2008, 09:16 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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SBN Rookie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
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Political Involvement
I'm a new member to the forum, and seek only knowledge from members willling to share their perspective. All replies are appreciated.
I am the State Coordinator for a motorcycle rights organization in Pennsylvania (A.B.A.T.E. of PA). We are successful in that we have achieved the majority of our legislative goals. We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
We have not been as successful in engaging the sportbike riding community. I am trying to understand why. I have my ideas but will keep them to myself for now.
I have the following questions to pose to the members of the forum...
(1) If you are politically involved, with what organization?
(2) If you aren't politically involved, what has kept you from doing so?
(3) If you're not politically involved, what would it take to get you involved?
(4) Are you worried about any pending legislation that might affect you personally? If so, what legislation and why?
Any answers will be confidential from my end, and appreciated. If I'm asking the wrong questions for the forum, please ignore me.
BTW, my current ride is a 1999 H-D Ultra Classic, and I still own the first bike I ever rode, a 1975 H-D FX. Un-sportbike as you can get, but we all ride in the same wind.
thanx
Kevin Snyder
State Coordinator
A.B.A.T.E. of PA
Welcome to A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania
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04-06-2008, 09:19 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Wanna-be racer
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Joisey
Age: 24
Posts: 2,273
Gameroom cash: $60740
Sportbike: 48650cc blast off rocket ship
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subscribed
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04-06-2008, 09:21 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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500 G.P. Champion
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: northern cali
Age: 21
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(1) If you are politically involved, with what organization?
none
(2) If you aren't politically involved, what has kept you from doing so?
im 18, and dont really want to get involved in any government politics anything. mostly because of my views on life in general
(3) If you're not politically involved, what would it take to get you involved?
i dont want to get involved
(4) Are you worried about any pending legislation that might affect you personally? If so, what legislation and why?
no..but that "30 miles over takes away your bike license" thing going on in florida is a little crazy and insane to me
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04-06-2008, 09:22 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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World 500 GP Racer
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Waxhaw, NC
Age: 45
Posts: 3,104
Gameroom cash: $22908
Sportbike: 2007 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
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I do basically support a Right to be an adult and make stupid decisions
However, I have a real problem supporting a group who's main focus is for helmetless riding
Too many squids, too many folks becoming organ donors.
I am a part of the AMA, and member of many gun rights groups
Quote:
Originally Posted by printing724
We have not been as successful in engaging the sportbike riding community. I am trying to understand why. I have my ideas but will keep them to myself for now.
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Last edited by F4sSprintST; 04-06-2008 at 09:27 PM.
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04-06-2008, 09:25 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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World Superbike Racer
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Awhautukee
Age: 28
Posts: 528
Gameroom cash: $4571
Sportbike: 03 Sv650 (Track) 03 SV1000S (Street)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F4sSprintST
I do basically support a Right to be an adult and make stupid decisions
However, I have a real problem supporting a group who's main focus is for helmetless riding
I am a part of the AMA
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I am also an AMA member, as well as a CCS member, I have no wish to have anything to do with a group that continually gives riders a bad name, and encourages people to ride in an unsafe manner. I'm with Sprint, 90% of the time I'm all about the Right to be your own idiot, but helmetless riding can take a fucking hike. I'm also a District Chairmen of the VFW, where I go out of my way to make sure that our riders here in a state that does not enforce helmet riding, wear theirs. To even get me remotely involved with a group like ABATE, you'd probably have to stop encouraging riders to be complete idiots.
You're going to have a VERY VERY hard time getting ANY Support from the sportbike community, where generally safety is a top priority as well as the ability to live through a crash. I can't believe for one second that ABATE is in anyway confused as to why Sportbike Enthusiasts want nothing to do with people who make excuses for suicidal behavior.
Last edited by Nefarious_SV; 04-06-2008 at 09:32 PM.
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04-06-2008, 09:31 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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500 G.P. Champion
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: northern cali
Age: 21
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Is that what this group is about?
My view on the no-helmet/gear situation
your body, your gear, your head and skin
i could care less what you wear, i dont need somebody to tell me to wear a helmet
i think they should get rid of the helmet law. does that mean i would ride without one?? never
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04-06-2008, 09:33 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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SBN Rookie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
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lunchbox101:
Thank you. I understand where you're coming from.
Give yourself some credit. You're aware of the Florida thing and what it could eventually mean to you in California. Awareness is the first hurdle in protecting your rights.
thanx
Kevin
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04-06-2008, 09:37 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Epic.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MA
Age: 44
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I am an AMA member, but have no interest in ABATE.
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04-06-2008, 09:39 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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World 500 GP Racer
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Waxhaw, NC
Age: 45
Posts: 3,104
Gameroom cash: $22908
Sportbike: 2007 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
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ABATE Of California - About ABATE - History
Easyriders magazine editor, Lou Kimsey, made a plea in issue #3, October 1971, for bikers to come together to fight impending restrictions by joining a new national organization called the National Custom Cycle Organization, but because of a conflict with the acronym the name was changed in February 1972 to A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (ABATE). Easyriders began granting state charters around 1974, and Keith Ball was the original national coordinator (Keith was for many years the editor of Easyriders).
ABATEs which came into existence around this same time were chartered in Kansas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and New York. Also started were the Modified Motorcycle Organization (MMA) of California, the MMA of Massachusetts, the New Hampshire Motorcycle Rights Organization, Rhode Island Motorcycle Association, Connecticut Motorcycle Rights Organization, and the Wisconsin Better Bikers Association. Easyriders published their contact information and soon the network began to grow.
...........
As in most states, before bikers became politically organized, the clubs were the first to fight helmet laws and other restrictions..................
__________________
Got 6 Pots?- Tokico 6 pot calipers & Gafler HH pads
- Tokico 6 pot calipers & Gafler HH pads
- PowerBronze Shield & Pazzo custom levers
- Trident Exhaust, TOR & 18T front sprocket, speedo healer, 2000 handlebars
- Frame & MV rear axle sliders, Clear Alternatives smoke tailight, 6k HIDs
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04-06-2008, 09:43 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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SBN Rookie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
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F4sSprintST,
Thank you for the feedback, and your involvement in the AMA. For the record, A.B.A.T.E. of PA has never advocated helmetless riding. We do advocate the right of experienced and responsible adult riders to make a choice as to whether to wear a helmet or not.
thanx
Kevin
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04-06-2008, 09:44 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Prickly Pear
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,626
Gameroom cash: $30046
Sportbike: 1976 Moto Guzzi 850 T3, 1979 Moto Guzzi 1000SP longer-term project
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ABATE makes me chuckle. The bit about full-face helmets being dangerous because they could cause oxygen deprivation was unreal.  But they are helping to weed, to mix metaphors, the gene pool, so they can't be all that bad.
__________________
Jesucristo, make the ganglia twitch!
"Good men who drive vans have to transcend a stigma."
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04-06-2008, 09:48 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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World 500 GP Racer
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Waxhaw, NC
Age: 45
Posts: 3,104
Gameroom cash: $22908
Sportbike: 2007 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
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Understood.
Like I said, I'm pretty torn about personal rights and responsibliities, versus safety legislation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by printing724
F4sSprintST,
Thank you for the feedback, and your involvement in the AMA. For the record, A.B.A.T.E. of PA has never advocated helmetless riding. We do advocate the right of experienced and responsible adult riders to make a choice as to whether to wear a helmet or not.
thanx
Kevin
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__________________
Got 6 Pots?- Tokico 6 pot calipers & Gafler HH pads
- Tokico 6 pot calipers & Gafler HH pads
- PowerBronze Shield & Pazzo custom levers
- Trident Exhaust, TOR & 18T front sprocket, speedo healer, 2000 handlebars
- Frame & MV rear axle sliders, Clear Alternatives smoke tailight, 6k HIDs
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04-06-2008, 09:49 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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World 500 GP Champion
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Colorado
Age: 34
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No helmet law then why have seatbelt laws?
It seems to me ABATE members are more worried about helmet laws then anything else. It also seems like the members also are more worried on going to court weekly to fight no helmet tickets (I knew a ABATE person that had some type of duty for ABATE in MI). Seems like a waste of time and money if you ask me for Abate to keep going on about helmets. Most places require people to now wear helmets on Bicycles but yet there is no group raising holy hell to change those laws.
Also ABATE seems to also screem that LOUD pipes save lives although there is no proof there and instead it just seems to piss off the general population includding me when I have to listen to a HD from 5 miles away while inside my house.
Do I belong to any political group...nope but I did once belonged to the AMA but my friend bought me the membership for a year. Seemed like they were more worried about Off-Road rights to me *shrug* If you want to ride off road buy some property...I do not believe everyone should have any rights to ride on the road or off...it is a previliage to me, not a right.
Plus in todays world we pay monthly and yearly fees for everything. Last thing I need is to give money to another organization so some President/lobbyist can make a ton of money. I don't feel the AMA, ABATE or any group really stops questionable laws.
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04-06-2008, 09:50 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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500 G.P. Champion
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southern IL
Age: 27
Posts: 1,398
Gameroom cash: $52546
Sportbike: 02' RC51 (for sale)
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I went to a small motorcycle show one time organized by an abate group. I knew what it would mostly consist of, but I like bikes of all types so I went anyway.
They wanted it to be a harley show, and there were probably 6 or 7 categories for different kinds of harleys. A couple of those only had 1 bike in them. Meanwhile, they had a "Metric Bike 1001cc's and under" or some such class which was quite full, considering the number of sportbikes and cruisers that are in that range. Doesn't sound to me like this club wanted any new members unless you are one of "them".
I support the general idea (i guess) behind ABATE, if that means they try to lessen restrictions on motorcyclists. I do not support the helmet law, although I choose to wear one 100% of the time. It should be up to you. But I will not join a club that has the main focus of getting rid of helmet laws.
BTW- I have always wondered, "a brotherhood aimed towards education", what is the education they are giving?
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04-06-2008, 09:59 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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Superbike Champion
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Carlisle, PA
Age: 20
Posts: 311
Gameroom cash: $20435
Sportbike: 1990 EX500 -> EX000-E; 1996 VFR750
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I want to protect my rights, but I went to the flyer and saw this:

and I support all those, many other sport bikers will too.
Honestly on passenger restrictions I didn't know of any significant ones
Health insurance should be mandatory, if you are going to take a risk like this you should be ready to afford the consequences.
Noise Ordinances, definitely should stay, and be enforced more often, many bikes are way too loud, and honestly I find them embarrassing for the rest of us. I like a good sounding engine, but it doesn't have to be so loud that you hear it from half a mile today.
Helmet Laws are something that I think are totally ridiculous, people should not be so stupid that we need them.
I don't even want to find out what "and more" is
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