Legislature’s eye on riders
www.rep-am.com/articles/2009/02/16/lifestyle/398271.txt
Legislature’s eye on riders
Monday, February 16, 2009 10:40 AM EST
BY BUD WILKINSON | REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
The legal riding age for new motorcyclists in Connecticut would be
raised from 16 to 18 and all prospective riders would be required to
take a state approved motorcycle- training course under a bill proposed
in the state legislature by Rep. Timothy Larson, D-East Hartford.
Larson’s bill is one of more than a half-dozen proposals involving
motorcycles that are under consideration. Other bills, if enacted, would
result in a motorcycle owner’s registration being suspended for
excessive noise and would prevent an owner from registering a bike
without first having an “M” endorsement on his or her driver’s license.
So far, though, no attempt has been made by a legislator to get a
mandatory helmet bill through the General Assembly.
Besides upping the legal riding age and requiring training, Larson’s
bill as written would also repeal the existing provision that exempts
riders who pass the state Department of Transportation’s Basic Rider
Course from taking a on-road skills test administered by the Department
of Motor Vehicles – essentially forcing new riders to take redundant
tests.
“Certainly this is subject to tweaking by DOT and the riding community
in general. I’m certainly looking for input into how to make this a good
piece of legislation,” said Larson, who reported that he doesn’t ride
himself but initiated the bill at the urging of a constituent who lost
her son in a motorcycle accident.
Larson said the goal of the bill is to have better educated riders and
to reduce fatalities. Prohibiting 16- and 17-year-olds from riding would
help, he said, because they “don’t have the maturity level for the
horsepower that these things can kick.”
Regarding the possible of having on-road skills tested twice, Larson
said, “I certainly wouldn’t be looking to double dip if that be the
case.” Meanwhile, Rep. Emil “Buddy” Altobelli (D-Meriden) wants to
reduce motorcycle noise on the state’s roadways and has proposed a bill
that would result in the suspension of a motorcyclist’s registration if
the rider receives two written warnings for excessive noise within a
six-month period.
In an effort to reduce the number of riders operating a motorcycle
without a license (presumably an “M” endorsement), Rep. Hector Robles
(D-Hartford) has proposed a bill that would require a valid drive’s
license (with an “M” endorsement) to even register a motorcycle. One
other bill, advocated by RIDE-CT in the past, and proposed by Rep. James
Spallone (D-Essex) would require that the DMV offer “Vintage” license
plates in addition to the current “Early American” plates. Passage of
this bill would certainly please car and motorcycle owners whose antique
rides come from outside the U.S.
BIG CHANGES AT GENGRAS
The Gengras motorcycle dealerships in East Hartford are reportedly
consolidating under one roof and under one general manager, Dan Smith.
Word is that Gengras will close its current BMW-Ducati-Triumph store at
540 Connecticut Boulevard and merge into its nearby Harley-Davidson
operation at 221 Governor Street, taking over space currently occupied
by the adjacent Cookhouse Café.
Smith replaces Mike Keehan, who ran the Harley dealership, and Dave
Rosen, who ran the BMW-Ducati-Triumph operation. Phone messages left for
Smith to get details on the changes were not returned.
JUST THE STATS
Scooter sales soared in 2008, while motorcycles sales declined somewhat,
according to statistics released this week by the Motorcycle Industry
Council. Rising gas prices and a tanking economy certainly contributed
to those figures. The MIC reported that scooter sales increased 41.5
percent from 2007. Sales of on-road motorcycles, as compiled from 12
major manufacturers, were down just 5.6 percent. In comparison,
automobile sales were off 18 percent from 2007 to 2008.
Scooter sales soared in 2008, while motorcycles sales declined somewhat,
according to statistics released this week by the Motorcycle Industry
Council. Rising gas prices and a tanking economy certainly contributed
to those figures. The MIC reported that scooter sales increased 41.5
percent from 2007. Sales of on-road motorcycles, as compiled from 12
major manufacturers, were down just 5.6 percent. In comparison,
automobile sales were off 18 percent from 2007 to 2008.
However, sales of off-road motorcycles took a big hit, dropping 30
percent.
GOT IRON?
Harley-Davidson has come out with a new blacked-out, stripped down
version of its Sportster entry-level bike. Dubbed the 883 Iron, it
features a low solo seat, mid-mount foot controls, cast aluminum wheels
and drag handlebars. The MSRP is $7,899 and Gengras, Yankee
Harley-Davidson in Bristol and Harley-Davidson of Danbury already have
the model in stock.
REBOUND ROMANCE
As the line in the old Lovin’ Spoonful song goes, “Did you ever have to
make up your mind, pick up on one and the leave the other behind?” Well,
after saying no thanks to buying a used 1991 BMW K100RS from a dealer in
Burlington, Vermont, chronicled in RIDE-CT last Saturday, I found a more
geographically desirable 1985 K100RS on ebay on Sunday. This one was
much, much closer to home, owned by Guy Mauri of Kent. He bought it new
in 1985 and has put a little more than 36,500 miles on it. I checked it
out on Monday and made a deposit on Tuesday morning. The bike appears
solid, with a new Corbin seat, hard luggage and a price that was also
under $3,000.
Last week I joked about a 55-year-old rider being infatuated with an
18-year-old. In this case, to indulge in some more Lovin’ Spoonful
lyrics, I managed to “get distracted by her older sister,” this bike
being 24 years old. But I did make up my mind.
Bud Wilkinson may be reached by email at budw@ride-ct.com
