Motorcyle and Biker Ride Reports and General Info

I was recently turned on to a site that is kind of like a MySpace for Bikers, it is called BikerorNot.com. When I got on there I was intrigued to see that many of my friends had already found and signed up for the site. I was also intrigued at the vast number of members that are on the site.

I decided to sign up on the site, and put up a profile. You can see my profile at bikerornot.com/bikerlawyer. Membership on bikerornot.com is free. Within a week of signing up, I had a bunch of new friends, and have actually connected with a few people on the site. I have not only talked to them on the phone, but I am going riding with some.

Now as for me, I obviously like to spend more time on my motorcycle, then on the internet, however, there are those times when I like to take a break and get on the internet. Bikerornot.com has many different features that make it a really cool site for bikers to go to.

On bikerornot.com you can find people to ride with, you can hook up with gals or guys, there are forums, they have a live chat, you can join groups, and the system even lets members plug in events. I like the events feature because you can hook up with other people who have indicated that they are going to an event.

Members of bikerornot.com can also upload pictures and all sorts of stuff. You can get addicted if you are not careful.

I talked to James Plouf who is the President and CEO of bikerornot.com. He tells me that the site is about a year old and already has approximately fifty five thousand (55,000) members. That is heavy duty considering the age of the site. James says the site was specifically designed for bikers!

Imagine being able to socialize with 55,000 bikers without having to leave the comfort of your home!

I have seen many biker sites, biker forums, and even MySpace. I have to give bikerornot.com a big thumbs up, and highly recommend it to any biker, motorcycle rider, biker gal, or biker babe! If you are in the motorcycle world this is a site for you.

The way I see it, with a site like bikerornot.com there is no reason for you to ride alone again if you do not want to. There are many bikers, gals, and motorcyclist on the site looking to connect for rides, friendship, relationships, and more.

Have at it and have a good time.

Just an F.Y.I., I have not received any compensation whatsoever by James Plouf, bikerornot.com, or their parent company for this review, nor would I accept the same. Furthermore, I have not received any monetary compensation whatsoever from any company that I review on my Blog!

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

No I am not the President of the United States of America. No I am not a United States Congressman. I am just a simple biker lawyer who sees the writing on the wall. The cost of oil is literally going to put us in a great depression and not just the recession we are in now.

I wrote an article about a year ago called >We Are Being Raped by the Oil Companies (Monopolies); It is Finally Time to Do Something About it Now!”You can read it by clicking here.

Now as I write this article, regular unleaded gasoline is approaching four dollars ($4.00) a gallon here in California, with premium grade already over four dollars a gallon. Diesel fuel is over four dollars fifty cents a gallon, and there is no end to fuel increases in site.

Why are fuel prices this high? It is not supply and demand like some would have you believe. It is not the functioning of a free market like others would have you believe.

Fuel prices are this high because of a few speculators at the mercantile exchange, and oil companies fixing prices and gouging us at the pump.

When will they stop? They will stop when we finally get elected officials in office that will commence investigations to find out what is really going on, ala Enron, and prosecute those that are raping our nation and gouging us in probably the worst scandal in our nation’s history.

Demand for oil has not significantly increased since a certain political party took power in the year 2000, what has changed is that oil men took power in 2000. With no shame whatsoever, they take a blind eye to the demise and suffering of our economy and our people, while they and their cronies rape us at the pump.

Why are the gas prices as they now exist and continue to increase a national emergency? The answer is that our entire economy is oil based. The necessities of life such as food, clothes, jobs, transportation, heating, cooling, etc., all depends on oil. How do you think the supplies that make up our world get to us? By ship, train, and big rig trucks. As fuel cost increase, so do the shipping cost, which is passed along to us. We have a symbiotic relationship with oil.

As the price for oil increases, so do the prices for everything else in our economy. People will lose their jobs and homes as a result of companies downsizing or going out of business because consumers are using their money to line the pockets of oil men, oil speculators, and oil producing nations, instead of using their money to buy other items that keep our economy going.

The worst part about what is happening is that the money that is being spent for oil is going into the pockets of a few only.

It is time for us as a people to stand up and say; “what the fuck is going on?” You see the news should not be about McCain, Clinton, or Obama. It should be about the oil prices that are the National Emergency right now, and no one wants to talk about it.

If nothing is done about fuel prices, what will happen to our nation will make the Great Depression of the 1930’s look like a great time.

I say it is time to regulate oil just like utility prices are regulated. The big oil companies and their cronies are going to destroy our nation if we let them. Let someone in power in our government have the balls to stand up to big oil and set the record straight just like we did with Enron.

May god bless America. We need his blessing now!

Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

The Biker Law Blog and I were recently featured in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, March 3-16, 2008 edition. (“SFVBJ”)

The article written by James Hames discusses how lawyers are using the Internet and Wireless Technology in their law practice. The article also featured a picture of me on my Hog in the Chatsworth Mountains in a business suit.

When I was interviewed for the article by Mr. Hames, he told me that he found me by searching on the internet.

As a Biker Lawyer and Personal Injury Lawyer, I feel that it was an honor to be featured in the article because let’s face it, Bikers sometimes face discrimination as we all know. Although the article was more about lawyers, then bikers, it discussed the Biker Law Blog and the audience for which it is intended; bikers.

I am currently looking into buying re-print rights for the article so that I can share it with you.

The photographer who photographed me for the article emailed me copies of the pictures that he took for the article. One of them is on the upper left.

It is good to see that a publication such as the San Fernando Valley Business Journal would cover a Biker Lawyer and the Biker Law Blog.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

Custom Hot Rod builder Boyd Coddington has died here in Southern California; he was 63 years old.

Many people might wonder why I am writing about this on the Biker Law Blog, well I have admired Boyd’s work for many years, and he built great cars. Many people recently became familiar with Boyd Coddington on his reality TV show “American Hot Rod,” however in the custom car and hot rod world, Boyd Coddington was a local and national legend.

When I heard that he passed away last night at Presbyterian Hospital in Whittier, I was shocked. He was definitely on top of his game. I do not know the cause of his death, nor has it been announced.

Many fabricators were trained by and/or came out of Boyd’s shop including motorcycle builder Jesse James, and customizer Chip Foose.

Southern California and the world will truly miss this legend.

Boyd Coddington, Rest In Peace!

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

OK, OK, I am hereby succumbing to multiple requests from Biker Law Blog readers to discuss the legal ramifications related to the multiple 72 hour psychiatric holds on Singer Britney Spears.

First off this is a Motorcycle Law Blog among other things. I do not normally write about this kind of stuff on the Biker Law Blog, but since I do have an “In the Wind” section where I discuss off topic subjects, and since my readers are requesting it, so be it.

It appears based upon what I have seen in the news that Britney Spears may have a psychiatric condition known as bi-polar disorder. This is a personality disorder that presents as a condition whereby the person with bi-polar disorder experiences mood swings from hyper-manic to depression over and over again, or in a cycle. I am not a doctor so here is a link where you can read about the condition, click here now.

If the news reports are accurate than Britney Spears may have bi-polar disorder or another psychiatric condition. This I know for sure based upon news reports; Britney Spears was placed on a California Welfare and Institutions Code § 5150, 72 hour hold on one occasion by the Los Angeles Police Department, and on another occasion at the behest of her psychiatrist. A “5150” hold basically means that a person or entity allowed by the County of Los Angeles to do so, has attested to the fact that there is probable cause that Britney Spears is or has become a threat to herself, to others, or she has lost the legal capacity to care for herself. This is serious business! If after such a hold, the facility where she has been taken determines that she is a threat to herself, to others, or does not have the legal capacity to care for herself, legal proceedings can be initiated to involuntarily commit her to a psychiatric or mental hospital against her will!

In many such cases, the facility will convince such an individual to voluntarily check themselves into a mental facility to get the help that they need, without having to jump through the legal hoops necessary to get an involuntary commitment to such a facility.

Here is the text of California Welfare and Institutions Code § 5150:

When any person, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled, a peace officer, member of the attending staff, as defined by regulation, of an evaluation facility designated by the county, designated members of a mobile crisis team provided by Section 5651.7, or other professional person designated by the county may, upon probable cause, take, or cause to be taken, the person into custody and place him or her in a facility designated by the county and approved by the
State Department of Mental Health as a facility for 72-hour treatment and evaluation.

Such facility shall require an application in writing stating the circumstances under which the person's condition was called to the attention of the officer, member of the attending staff, or professional person, and stating that the officer, member of the attending staff, or professional person has probable cause to believe that the person is, as a result of mental disorder, a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled. If the probable cause is based on the statement of a person other than the officer, member of the attending staff, or professional person, such person shall be liable in a civil action for intentionally giving a statement which he or she knows to be false.

California Welfare and Institutions Code § 5150 actually should be read as §§5150-5157 to get a true understanding of how the law works.

I am discussing Britney Spears in this article, but this code can be applied to anybody. I will say this, from the news account that I heard in the first instance that Ms. Spears was “5150’d” when she refused to turn over her child after a supervised visitation; if it was anyone other than Ms. Spears, they probably would have been taken to jail rather than “5150’d!” I think she received preferential treatment because of her celebrity status. She got lucky.

I have no ill will towards Ms. Spears. I am not really into her type of music; I am more of a Rock & Roll biker type of guy if you know what I mean. Based upon the fact that she has been 5150’d twice, I assume that she probably needs some psychiatric help. I do not know her personally, but I do hope that for the sake of her and her children, that she gets the help that she needs and moves on with her life. It would be a shame to lose such a good looking gal at such a young age.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

My friend Ed from Blawg Review sends me interesting motorcycle related links from time to time, something that I really appreciate.

He sent me a link to an article about the motorcycle that you see pictured here. The motorcycle is an Acabion GTBO, which has a turbo charged Hyabusa engine that produces 750 horsepower. This motorcycle will roll from 0 to 300 miles per hour in 30 seconds!

You can own this wonder for around $2.7 million dollars U.S, there is around a three year wait for your motorcycle to be built.

I don’t know about you, but I would love to take this thing to the Bonneville Salt Flats and see what she can do. Other than that, I cannot see any real world applications for a motorcycle that runs 340 miles per hour.

I do not think this motorcycle is street legal if you know what I mean. If any of you have ridden this wild motorcycle let me know. I sure would like to hear a 1st person prospective on what it is like to do 340 miles per hour on a motorcycle!

Click here to see the original article that Ed sent me.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

On behalf of myself, my family, and the Biker Law Blog, I would like to thank you all for a great year. Furthermore, I am wishing you all a Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

This is the time of year that we all get together with friends and family to Celebrate the Holiday season.

Please do yourself and everyone else on the road a favor, do not drink and drive. If you must drink, simply do not drive. If you have to get somewhere after drinking, use a designated driver. Not the one who is least shit faced, but someone who has not used drugs or alcohol. If this is not possible, call a cab, or simply stay where you are until you sober up. I want you all around to read the Biker Law Blog for the year 2008.

As you drive your cars, motorcycles, trucks, SUV’s, or whatever, remember the less fortunate of those amongst us, especially the homeless and poor, and your middle class friends who may be losing their homes due to the foreclosure nightmare. Say a prayer for the less fortunate, and even better, say a prayer and maybe help someone out!

Happy Holidays,

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007

** 3/30/08 Update: Day 109 (3 plus months) No Smokie! If I can do it- anyone can do it!

On a cool evening in March, 1981, I arrived at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas for Air Force Basic Training. At 17 years old, I was still basically a kid. I will never forget the nightmare that this night was.

I remember standing in formation with the other recruits after being screamed at by god knows how many an Air Force T.I.’s after getting off of the bus. The full realization and nightmare of what was to come had not yet hit me.

It was at this time that one of the Air Force T.I.’s stated, “Men you have 5 minutes to smoke your last cigarette for the next 3 days.” He then stated for those of you who want to smoke, fall out. The rest of you, stay in formation.”

Everyone and I mean everyone fell out of that formation to have a cigarette. Before this night, I had experimented with cigarettes before, but I was not a smoker. After this night, I became a full time smoker for the next 27 years.

Yes, cigarettes have been a very important part of every aspect of my life for the past 27 years. Well, no more god willing.

I officially quit smoking on December 11, 2007 at approximately 9:00pm. For the first time since that night in 1981, I have actually made a volitional decision to quit smoking. Right now I am on my 7th day without a cigarette, and have quit Cold Turkey!

This will mark the 2nd longest time I have ever gone without a cigarette since I started smoking back in 1981. The only other time since 1981 where I have quit smoking longer, was during a horrible respiratory illness that occurred about 3 or 4 years ago when I was so sick, I could not smoke. As soon as I got better after about 3 weeks, I started smoking again. It should be noted that during this time, I used nicotine gum to get through the period of non smoking. Now I am using nothing but will power.

This time I quit smoking because I finally told myself it is time to quit, and that I am not going to pick up another cigarette again in my life.

I will be brutally frank, if cigarettes were not so dammed bad for me, I would continue smoking. However, after being told countless times by doctors that I needed to stop smoking, and after coming to that realization in my head that it was finally time to stop, I stopped.

Now I am under no illusions that quitting smoking is going to be easy. The odds are against me. Most people that try to quit smoking fail. The reason that they fail is that nicotine is one of the most addicting substances known to mankind. Secondly, you flat out get used to lighting a cigarette up and inhaling it. That part of smoking is also an addiction.

The last 7 days have in two words been utter hell. I am not going to mince words. It seems like every time I turn around, I think, OK, I need a smoke! Smokers call this jonsing for a cigarette. Hell simple things like coming to the computer monitor or starting up my motorcycle make me want to light up a cigarette.

In order to quit smoking, I thought about using the patch, and actually had it prescribed to me by my doctor. I also thought about using nicotine gum. I actually filled the prescription for the patch, and spent another 40 bucks on nicotine gum. Both have been sitting on my living room table for well over two months without being used.

After already deciding to quit cold turkey and after not having a cigarette for 2 days, I found a site called on the Internet called WhyQuit.Com which espouses the cold turkey method of quitting, and provides many great links to resources, and a library of support video tapes for the quest. I did learn that most of the nicotine and byproduct toxins of smoking leave your body within 36 hours of quitting smoking. This was good news for me. I also learned that smoking was not only a mental, but it is a physical addiction!

I will admit I have heretofore used none of what I read on WhyQuit.Com to help me in my quest to quit smoking. I have just been struggling through it thinking in my head that it will eventually get easier. I am quite sure that I will eventually start looking at some of the videos!

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not sitting here blaming the United States Air Force, the cigarette companies, or other smokers for my becoming addicted to cigarettes. I am blaming myself. I knew full well that night in 1981 when I started smoking, that cigarettes were bad for me. I made the choice to smoke, and now I will suffer the rest of my life with that decision. I have been told by many smokers who have successfully quit that the incessant urge and/or cravings to smoke do dissipate in time, but they still come back years later, albeit not as strong. I am under no illusions that this is going to be easy by any means.

I have been told that my sense of taste, and smell will be much better, and that in time my body will start to repair itself. Hell, with some of the bikers and motorcyclist I hang out with maybe I don’t want my sense of smell to get better; just kidding.

You will notice in many of my pictures here on the Biker Law Blog that I appear in the pictures smoking cigarettes. Heck, all of my friends know that the first thing I like to do when I get off of my motorcycle is to have a cigarette. Well no more.

I would appreciate your prayers in my endeavor to quit smoking for good. For all of you smokers out there, who are thinking about quitting but are afraid to try, just do it. Hell, if I can do it, you can too. You just need to tell yourself, I am not ever smoking again, and don’t. I know it is easier said than done. I have found that if I take a few deep breaths when I have a craving to smoke, the craving seems to go away after a short while.

I will give you all a report on my quitting smoking in the future, whether it is good or bad.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007

** 2/12/08 Update - I lost my Garmin C330 when I forgot to take it off of the trunk of my car - long story. I am now using a Garmin Nuvi 350. The Garmin Nuvi 350 uses a different Ram Mount holder but everything else is the same.

Well I have managed to ride my motorcycle and drive my car for many years all over the nation using old fashion maps, printing out directions on Mapquest, and/or otherwise winging it; well no more, I have entered the 21st Century; I now use a GPS unit.

I decided to buy a portable GPS system a few months ago and all I can saw is “why did I wait so long!”

First off this article is not going to discuss all of the options and things that a GPS system on your motorcycle and car will do. If you want to learn about GPS systems, I am sure a quick Google search will bring you up to speed on GPS systems and their features. The purpose of this article is to discuss what I wanted in a GPS, what I looked at, what I purchased, how I mounted it on my motorcycle, and what I think.

When I went about searching for a GPS system, I wanted a unit that I could use on my motorcycle, car, or any other motor vehicle that I wanted to ride in; a unit that was portable and not permanently installed.

I went to a bunch of motorcycle and GPS forums to see what others were saying. I also looked at professional reviews on sites such as ZDNet, and purchaser reviews from sites that allow their customers to review the units they purchased. On top of everything else a bunch of new manufacturers have recently entered the GPS market.

My initial impression at least from what I learned in my search was that the leading GPS brands were Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom. I could not find anything really good about the new manufacturers in the GPS market game. Guys from electronic stores who were in the know such as Fry’s Electronics told me point blank on the phone and in person to stick with Garmin because they were in industry leader, and they have less returns of Garmin units. I was also told that Magellan and TomTom were good, but that Garmin would be my best bet.

On the internet I found a site which discussed the mapping software that Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom GPS units use, and I found that the software used in the Garmin and Magellan units was supposed to be better for North America than the TomTom units. It is said that the TomTom software is supposed to be better for Europe. Since I do 99.99% of my riding in North America I wanted the best mapping software for North America.

The next issue I considered was whether to buy a waterproof unit to use on the motorcycle and in the car, or should I just buy a regular unit to use for both. By regular, I mean one that is not waterproof. I looked at the Garmin Zumo 550 GPS which is specifically designed for motorcycles, is waterproof, and comes with a motorcycle mount. There is even a Zumo forum for users of the product. The cheapest price I could find on the unit was around 500 bucks plus shipping from online shopping sites. When doing research on this unit on the Zumo forum, I found that many purchasers were having major problems with the unit which were causing them to have to do reboot’s of the unit, or which were causing the units to die on the road. Apparently there is some kind of bug with the unit and many guys on a particular thread were reporting that they got units with the bug. There were many other guys that said their units were ok. In my mind I am not going to pay 500 dollars for a GPS unit that has a known bug, or that would be a hit and miss. I wanted a unit that was free of bugs or problems and would work. I don’t care if the GPS unit is designed for motorcycles or not at that price. Bottom line, I am not going to dish out 500 dollars plus for something that may be buggy.

=> Read more!

The legendary biker and daredevil Evel Knievel has died at the age of 69. I remember as a kid watching him jump his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and watching him crash as well. I remember his signature Star Spangled leather jump suits, and the impression he made on me.

Yes I will admit, as a young kid, Evel Knievel was one of my hero’s. I remember thinking how crazy it was for him to try jumping the Snake River Canyon and thinking that he was going to die. Although he did not make it across the Snake River Canyon, I was glad that he did not die.

Upon hearing the news of his death I felt a slight sickness in my stomach. For better or worse, Evel Knievel was a unique American Icon. There have been many imitators, riding souped up motocross bikes that were or are set up for jumping. However, no one will come close to the image and notoriety that Evel Knievel created for himself jumping his V-Twin Harley Davidson, and breaking many bones.

This article is not intended as a news report of his death, if you want a news report, you can find all kinds of articles about his death and life on the Internet. Instead this article is my small tribute to the man. Click here to go to the official Evel Knievel website.

Just an FYI some people spell Evel's name as Evil. He did not want people to spell his name as Evil because he did not want people to think of him as Evil. The actually spelling of his name is Evel Knievel and not Evil Knievel. You can read facts about his life by clicking here now.

Below is a decent tribute video to Evel Knievel. The first few seconds of the video start off with a guy singing his song about Evel Knievel, but then many of his great jumps are shown. Check it out!

Rest in Peace Evel Knievel~~~~~~

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007

Editors of the ABA Journal today announced they have selected The Biker Law Blog as one of the top 100 best websites by lawyers, for lawyers.

The Biker Law Blog is authored by California Motorcycle Accident and Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez.

“Lawyers nationwide are using the power of the Internet to educate the public about developments in the law, market their practices and attract new clients,” says Edward A. Adams, the Journal’s editor and publisher. “Our list of the 100 best lawyer blogs is the cream of the crop from our directory of more than 1,500 blawgs in dozens of categories, including blawgs focused on almost every state, law school and major federal court in the nation.”

About the ABA Journal:
The ABA Journal is the flagship magazine of the American Bar Association, and it is read by half of the nation’s 1.1 million lawyers every month. It covers the trends, people and finances of the legal profession from Wall Street to Main Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. ABAJournal.com features breaking legal news updated as it happens by staff reporters throughout every business day, a directory of more than 1,500 lawyer blogs, and the full contents of the magazine.

About the ABA:
With more than 413,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

I would appreciate everyone showing support for the Biker Law Blog by Voting for the Biker Law Blog at the American Bar Association Journal by clicking here, and then clicking on the Biker Law Blog Vote Link, it is the second blog listed down from the top. It sure would be something if the Biker Law Blog turns out to be the number one legal blog on the American Bar Association Journal :) Come on bikers lets show them our numbers!!

Thanks for you support everyone,

Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., 2007

Between July 13, 2007, and July 14, 2007, I finally got around to installing a Harley Davidson King Tour Pak with all the goodies, on my Electra Glide. The following is a review of the installation, some pictures, and my review.

First off, I wanted to add a King Tour Pak to my Electra Glide for added luggage space for long trips which I take quite often, and I wanted the Tour Pak to be detachable so that I can use my standard Harley Davidson detachable backrest and luggage rack for local rides. I also wanted to make the ride more comfortable for my old lady and me, and move her back a bit.

Since I already have the mounting kit for my detachable passenger backrest and luggage rack, I did not have to order the mounting kit for the detachable Tour Pak. I had heard that the plastic bushings do wear out on the docking points after a while so I will probable order some spares in the future as needed.

The Harley Davidson King Tour Pak is a custom order product from Harley Davidson because it is manufactured and painted at the factory depending upon your motorcycle and color. My Electra Glide is Vivid Black so that is what I ordered. When you order the King Tour Pak you are told that it can take between 6 to 8 weeks for delivery because it is a custom part. I got lucky and got mine within 3 weeks because Harley Davidson already had a vivid black Tour Pak in stock at the factory.

When you order the Harley Davidson King Tour Pak, you also need to order other parts with it so that it can be locked, installed, etc. All that comes with the Tour Pak is the actual Tour Pak in the box, some holes pre-drilled in the bottom, a hole for a key set, a rubber mat for the bottom, and a leather pouch. That is about it. Secondly, when I opened the box there were no reflectors, or anything on the outside, except the Harley Davidson inscription painted on the top. Of course it was vivid black!

Along with the Tour Pak I had to order, a lock, and a bunch of separate parts for the lock assembly so that the Tour Pak can be locked. This was not mandatory, but in my opinion it would be stupid to put on a Tour Pak without a lock, and that leaves a big hole on the side!

Luckily the place I ordered my parts from; Chicago Harley Davidson online, found that I was missing a 25 cent washer from my order and added it for me! Along with the drum lock comes two additional keys for the lock which are cut for your specific motorcycle. I needed my VIN number so that Harley Davidson could cut the keys for my motorcycle. Now I have 3 spare keys for my motorcycle. That is a good thing I guess!

=> Read more!

Well it is that time of year again; the holiday season. Thanksgiving is a time to get together with your family and friends to share a traditional Thanksgiving Turkey feast, and to give thanks for all that this great nation has given us.

I would like to wish all of the readers of the Biker Lawyer Blog a happy Thanksgiving. Remember it’s the small things in life such as family and friends that make life great.

You never know how much time you will have on this earth so make every day count. With this in mind, take it easy out there on the road whether it be on your motorcycle, your car, truck, SUV, or other cage. There is no need to speed and create danger to others.

Above all, do not drink and drive, no matter what! I want to see you all around after the holidays.

Take Care,

Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007

*** 12/4/07 UPDATE SEE BELOW!

I was going through the ads of the Sunday Paper and I came across what seemed like an unbelievable deal for a brand new street legal motorcycle. The motorcycle is called the Phoenix 250cc Street Motorcycle by Baja Motorsports. The actual advertised price of the motorcycle was $1,368.99, and you can buy it at of all places Pep Boys. They also have a street legal scooter advertised for $729.99.

I could not believe what I was seeing so I decided to do some research on Baja Motorsports. Sure enough they have a website which you can get to by clicking here, and you can see the under $1,500.00 street legal motorcycle by clicking here now.

First off, I know nothing about Baja Motorsports products, or their motorcycles. Therefore, I will not endorse their product at this time. However, I will say this; I think that it is about time that truly affordable motorcycles are being made available to the public. I want to see more people get into motorcycling, and I believe that more motorcycles will help the environment by using less gas, etc. Above all, if more people rode motorcycles, there would be more bikers to help fight for bikers rights causes.

Another added benefit of such an inexpensive street legal motorcycle is pretty obvious. People who otherwise cannot afford expensive transportation can now do so!

Anyway, this is an informational article only. You can check out Baja Motorsports $1,368.99 brand new street legal motorcycle and judge for yourself.

*** 12/4/07 UPDATE!

You can see to the left an advertisement from the Los Angeles Times 12/2/07 Sunday newspaper from Pep Boys, regarding the inexpensive street legal motorcycle that I discussed in this article. One of the persons who made a comment regarding this motorcycle stated that he went to a Pep Boys in another State, and that they informed him that they had no street legal motorcycles, and that they were also rude to him. Apparently this is not the case in Southern California. I am not sure what is going on with Pep Boys in states other than California, but the advertisement to the left speaks for itself.

Again, if anyone buys one of these motorcycles, I sure would like to hear if they are any good. I am sure other people who need cheap transportation or a starter motorcycle, would also like to hear a report about these motorcycles. If you provide a report to me about these inexpensive motorcycles I will publish it on the Blog!

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007

Last year I wrote a Veterans Day salute which you can read by Clicking Here Now.

I have recently read newspaper reports, and watched news programs that report 1 out of every 4 Veterans of the United States armed forces are homeless. If this is in fact true it is utterly appalling to me that 25% of those who have served are living on the streets without a place to call home.

I would consider this to be an emergency situation. Those who have served this nation deserve a hell of a lot better than being discharged into homelessness. I am hereby making a call to the citizens of the United States of America to right this injustice. If we can spend billions of dollars to re-build Iraq, we surely can spend billions of dollars on those brave men and women who have served this nation in the armed forces.

All citizens of the United States of America owe their very freedom to those proud and brave veterans who have served. Now it is time to repay the debt.

Let's get our veterans off of the street!

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., 2007

This is not your usual ride report from me. I was unable to ride to the newly revamped Hollister Motorcycle Rally this year; thank god. This ride report is a first hand account of the rally from a very good friend of mine who rode to the rally for the first time, with his old lady.

First off, I have ridden to the Hollister Independence Day Motorcycle Rally for many years, excluding last year when it was cancelled by some very idiotic town leaders. They were idiotic because they probably lost millions of dollars in revenue by cancelling the rally, which is why they brought it back this year.

In the past the rally was an awesome 3 day event. All of the motorcycles were parked on both sides of San Benito Blvd., and in the center, all the way down the main drag. There were the usual vendors, bands kicking ass not only on the drag, but at houses past the commercial part of San Benito Blvd. It was a laid back rally with plenty of partying and fun for all. This has all apparently changed.

It seems the newly revamped rally has turned into a law enforcement nightmare from hell that for me makes the event no longer palatable.

The first hand account that I received from my friend who I will refer to as XYZ here, was given to me today.

When he arrived at the rally with his old lady, (It was his first and last time doing this rally) he found the main drag completely closed off to motorcycles. I have never heard of a motorcycle rally where they close off the main drag to motorcycles. That is like having a tattoo convention closed off to people with tattoos!

XYZ noted that he has never seen so many law enforcement officers, from so many agencies, all in one place at the same time. He said that many of them seem to be decked out in full combat gear. He said it was bizarre. Furthermore, he stated that the entire time he was at the rally, there were multiple Police helicopters in the sky the entire time. The sound from the helicopters was so bad that you could not even hear one another talking in the street.

He and the other bikers and motorcyclist were directed to parking lots off of the main drag, and onto side streets by what he described as hordes of law enforcement personnel from multiple law enforcement agencies.

Now I am a law abiding guy, as well as XYZ. Neither of us has a criminal record, or anything to worry about from law enforcement. We respect the law, and we both just ride because we are bikers and like to ride our motorcycles.

As XYZ explained to me, he was directed to park along a side street by law enforcement when he arrived. There was an area that was coned off, with a bunch of other motorcycles parked in the coned off area. No big deal, he parked his custom Softail with the other motorcycles.

Within 5 minutes of getting off his motorcycle and walking to the main drag, he was confronted by a law enforcement officer who told him that he had to surrender his 3 and 1/2 inch folding pocket knife. Just so you know, pursuant to California State Law, you are allowed to carry a concealed knife with a blade that is no more than 3 and ½ inches, otherwise the knife has to be carried openly in a sheath and not concealed in any way.

Just for the record XYZ is not in any motorcycle club, and was just wearing a T-Shirt, jeans, and riding boots! He presented as an ordinary biker and motorcyclist.

XYZ knows a thing or two about the law and politely asked the law enforcement officer what law gave him the right to confiscate his pocket knife when he had done nothing wrong. The law enforcement officer told him that a temporary law had been enacted in Hollister for the weekend prohibiting anyone from having any kind of knife.

XYZ knowing that this was a flat out lie, asked the officer to show him any sign that advised the public that a temporary emergency law had been enacted to prohibit anyone from carrying any kind of a knife. The officer then asked XYZ if he was an attorney or something. XYZ said no, but that he knew the law. The officer then changed his tune and said that he would not confiscate his folding pocket knife so long as he did not clip it on the inside of his pocket, and that he must put it all the way in his pocket, and that if any other law enforcement officer approached him during the event, he would have to tell them that he had a pocket knife in his pocket.

My astonishment upon hearing this story was of amazement. I will get into this more later.

Rather than further argue with the officer and potentially risking being arrested or something, XYZ complied with the officers order and put his 3 and ½ pocket knife all the way in his pocket rather than clipping into the inside of his pocket.

XYZ and his old lady then walked the main drag on San Benito, (no motorcycles parked there at all) checked out the vendors, and a local watering hole.

They then decided to split and ride to their hotel which was about 10 miles out of town. When they walked to where they were directed to park by law enforcement, all the bikes that were parked where the cones were laid out were gone and there were no cones.

He was shocked just as anyone would be. He called the Hollister Police Department to find out if his motorcycle was stolen or towed. He was told that his motorcycle was towed and that he would not be able to get it back until Monday morning.

Imagine going to a motorcycle rally, being told to park somewhere by law enforcement, only to be told on a Saturday that your motorcycle had been towed, and there would no way to get it back until Monday morning, especially if your motel was 10 miles away! I could not imagine it.

XYZ and his old lady then walked to the Police Station to see what they could do. They begged, argued, and did everything that they could to get their motorcycle out of the impound lot, while at the Hollister Police Department for 5 hours to no avail. A lady officer told them that they would not even get the necessary paperwork for the impound of his motorcycle until Monday because of the rally, and because they did not have the resources. She was extremely rude. XYZ was told in no uncertain terms that if did not leave he would be arrested for obstruction.

Then to make matters worse XYZ tried to call a cab so that he and his old lady could get back to their hotel, only to hear a recording that there would be no cab service during the rally weekend.

What could they do; they proceeded to start walking the 10 mile distance to the motel. He was wearing motorcycle boots, and she was wearing high heels.

If anyone of you has ever been to Hollister, you have to realize that it is a tiny town in the middle of no where. Literally once you get off of the main drag, there is nothing but farmland and open land. There is nothing there!

They were about two miles out walking on the road, when of all people, a tow truck driver stopped and offered to give them a lift. Apparently the tow truck company made a killing for the town on this weekend. The tow truck driver told them that he had to go tow another motorcycle, and then he would pick them up on the way back, which he did.

They got back to their motel, and were basically stuck waiting until Monday to get the motorcycle out of impound.

When XYZ got to the impound lot, both of his motorcycle tires were flat, and there was a scratch on his custom paint. He asked the impound people why his tires were flat. He was told that they did not know, but they would probably be OK if he just put some air in them. Sure enough, when he put air in the tires, they were OK. Apparently the impound lot let the air out the tires on purpose. After some discussion XYZ and I figured that they probably let the air out of the tires to make it harder for someone to roll the motorcycle out of the impound lot. With respect to the scratch, it was there and there was not a damm thing he could do about it.

XYZ finally made it home from his nightmare first and last Hollister Independence day rally late Monday night. He missed a day of work because of the BS he was put through in Hollister.

I have been to literally hundreds of rallies in my years; so has XYZ, I have never heard of such a horror story. XYZ was rousted for no other reason than the fact that he is a biker, had his motorcycle towed because he made the mistake of following law enforcements orders on where to park, he had to wait two days to get his motorcycle out of the impound yard, and his