Biker Week

[dpg]

O.K. like it or not it's coming, the dreaded biker week or month as some people prefer to call it. I for one cannot wait to attend. Any must see's from the TRUE fans of the event?

[GTO]

Must sees?? Yeah, the backs of all the bikers when they are leaving the lakes region

[Pepper]

Although this forum is about "everything Winnipesaukee" you'll discover that Bike Week is not necessarily a favorite topic. Perhaps you'll find more of what you're looking for by visiting: http://www.laconiabikeweek.net/
This site is completely devoted to Laconia's Bike Week.

[Bob M]

It's coming! The big beer tent along with several of the smaller tents, and the sound stage, are already being erected at the Lobster Pound. I don't really look forward to Bike Week because of the travel problems it causes for me and my family but we have reluctantly learned to live with it.

[Joe Kerr]

Originally Posted by dpg

O.K. like it or not it's coming, the dreaded biker week or month as some people prefer to call it. I for one cannot wait to attend. Any must see's from the TRUE fans of the event?

People like the event for different pleasures. I enjoy watching the scenery and activity. The Bike parade between Margate and the Weirs. It's not really a parade but slow moving traffic that is like a parade. Sometimes you see some flashing (if you like that kind of thing). I'm not a race fan but there are cycle races and various cycle events around somewhere (check the bike link someone else posted).

I enjoy walking down the Weirs area. The boardwalk and around the corner from the drive-in up the road where the vendors are. I check out the street vendors. All the leather goods, cycle accessories, specialty goods, food.

I enjoy watching some of the cutlery stands. People buying all kinds of knives and blow guns and darts and such. Some things I never thought were available for sale to the general public or that needed ID or had age restrictions. I am amazed at what I see offered for sale.

Show bikes are fun to look at and many bike detailing specialists display their work. Tattoo and piercing places. There are usually places to buy and drink beer. I sit at the stores sometimes and watch bikers go in and buy a case of beer, strap it to the back of the bike, pull one out, drink it down and off they go for who knows what...

Part of my must see is just people and family watching. Interacting with the crowd. The atmosphere. It's all great fun.
Enjoy your time.

By the way - I do keep a map close so I can go AROUND the biker crowd when I really want to get somewhere unrelated to the event.

[dpg]

Sounds like fun Joe, think I'll head up this year for a day and enjoy also. Your right, just observing what's around you can keep you busy for hours on end. I don't live in the area full time and I guess I understand the frustrations with the residents that do problem is, you've got to grin and bear it!

[Old Chris Craft]

Originally Posted by dpg

Sounds like fun Joe, think I'll head up this year for a day and enjoy also. Your right, just observing what's around you can keep you busy for hours on end. I don't live in the area full time and I guess I understand the frustrations with the residents that do problem is, you've got to grin and bear it!

I agree, Bike Week is always enjoyed the most by people who don't live here. As far as the great, friendly (insert any positive adjective), social people who supposedly attend, can you please direct me to where the two of them will be this year? My observations over many decades have been bikers who ride on the double yellow line or in your lane causing you to ride in the shoulder to avoid hitting them, people who believe the "F" word is an acceptable noun, adjective or verb to use anytime and a proliferation of new biker related establishments opened in the Weirs. We also had our first DEA raid not too long ago.

People complain about the large law enforcement presence every year. That should be your wakeup call my friends.

[B R]

is on Wednesday starting at 8:00 AM, i think. this is definitely something to catch and gets you away from Weirs for a day.

[Fancy]

Hey Old Chris Craft - you can find myself, my family and friends either in The Weirs, Meredith or perhaps Wolfeboro. Although a couple of us own summer homes in the Meredith area, we usually try to take a few nice long rides with friends who visit from out of state. In addition to the people watching, I like to check out the license plates on the bikes - it's amazing how far some folks travel. I realize that some people trailer their bikes, but they still make the trip! Since I don't own a bike (but the friends all do), and have to travel back and forth to work in Manchester for the first few days of the week, I can certainly appreciate the traffic woes!! But the rally has been here for 81 years (more than likely longer than most on this forum have been alive) and I don't imagine it will change any time soon. I realize that there was a time when it was much shorter, but I guess the extended event just shows that the State is making money, or we all know it wouldn't continue!! Anyway - enjoy this beautiful weather (FINALLY)!! Ride, drive and boat safely, all!

[wolfegirl]

Chris Craft et. al. Bike Week Whiners...

For one week a year, in a riding season that's about 6 mos. long in New England, bikers have precedence in one part of one state. Give us a break!!

Do you have any idea how many cagers KILL motorcyclists due to right of way violations and 'not seeing the biker'?? Plenty!! Just ask former Congressman Bill Janklow (R- S.D.). who just finished the lamest sentence (100 days) for vehicular homicide. He sped through a stop sign at 80+ mph and killed a biker out for a Sunday afternoon ride with his pal.

For your information, many bikers are well educated, not drug addicts, not drunks and not covered with tattoos. I took up riding two years ago and LOVE IT!! My husband and I ride together and have a great time exploring New England on our bikes -- on pavement, on dirt roads, and on legal off-road trails. Our friends that bike are the same way --

So please, when you suffer some aggravation due to traffic, etc. at bike week, remember that motorcyclists are at a distinct disadvantage in a crash with a car and to

"Check Twice - Save a Life"
MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE!!!!

(especially during bike week :-)

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by wolfegirl

"...For your information, many bikers are well educated, not drug addicts, not drunks and not covered with tattoos..."

Woo hoo!..."many are not addicted to drugs, and many are not drunks".

A whole new meaning to "Damning with faint praise".

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Why is it that so many bikers are riding the yellow line? I see it even when they are alone. A handle getting hit from the other direction is almost guaranteed death for the rider. Is a thrill thing?

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Rattlesnake Gal,

Couldn't agree with you more. I drive Weirs Blvd probably 5 times a day. People are regularly riding 2 wide, on a narrow, curvey road, and inevitably someones legs and handle bars are in the oncoming lane. Also as you said, even when they're solo, same thing. I really don't understand it. I'm ususally driving a truck, so I don't have a lot of lee way.

[Pepper]

I also notice this frightening habit motorcyclists seem to have, and it scares me to death. The Boulevard is where I notice it most, and it's especially nerve-wracking there, when you come around the curves of the road, and the pegs and handlebars of a motorcycle are clearly in your lane - invariably it happens at the worst possible spots, with little or no room for movement toward the right. My heart is always in my throat when that happens. This is not a bike week phenomenon either - it's a season-long problem. These same drivers are very well behaved anytime there is a police officer in the area of course, so there's little chance that the problem can be resolved - until enough of them get hurt as a result, I suppose.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Why is it that so many bikers are riding the yellow line? I see it even when they are alone. A handle getting hit from the other direction is almost guaranteed death for the rider. Is a thrill thing?

The reason I beleieve is that they know they are legal if on or to the right of the yellow and it is just a big dare to you.

[dj50]

There are several reasons that come to mind for riding more towards the center of the road rather than center of the lane. Non of them are any excuse for crossing the centerline, however. One is that any creatures racing out into the roadway from the side gives me at least 8 feet more time to react......2nd, when in traffic, I'm where the vehicle in front can see me in the side mirror, and 3rd, the center of the lane is where the oil, antifreeze, etc stuff has dripped from vehicles, and creates a more slick surface, especially when rain first starts......hope this helps.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by RLW

The reason I beleieve is that they know they are legal if on or to the right of the yellow and it is just a big dare to you.

In actuality, it is not possible to ride the line with your motorcycle and not be in violation of RSA 265:22 (I have attached the applicable sentences below).

Many people mistakenly believe that a violation only occurs if the wheels of the vehicle actually cross the line into the incoming lane. However, that is not the case or intent of the RSA. If any part of the vehicle (including the body of the operator or passengers) are over the line then a violation occurs. It is not possible to put your tires on the yellow line without having part of your vehicle protuding over said line, hence violating RSA 265:22.

The operative words being "drive any part of such vehicle to the left of".

Unfortunately, there a more than a few people that believe driving the line is OK.

"....When the single center line highway marking method is used, no driver of a vehicle shall, while proceeding along a way, drive any part of such vehicle to the left of or across an unbroken painted line ... and when the barrier line highway marking system is employed, no driver of a vehicle shall, while proceeding along a way, drive any part of such vehicle to the left of or across an unbroken painted line marked on the way in such driver's lane ..."

[madrasahs]

Ah yes, what Bike Week brings to the lakes and hills of the Lakes Region...

That cherished period when the flatulent Interstate drone of unmuffled engines of obsolete engineering is forced upon the ears and nerves of unwilling residents everywhere around the lake: memories of the Bike-Week-rape committed behind the Laconia Police Department building -- the head-on collision between bikers that killed one of them.

It's just so New Hampshire.

[Fancy]

As opposed to the serenity of a beautiful lake filled with loud, gas guzzling, gas leaking, boats; many eing operated by inexperiecned, and sometimes even intoxicated drivers. . . the death of man who was out for a ride with his family and killed by a drunken boater. . . seriously folks - to each their own. I am sure we could all find fault with things that go on in the lakes region that we are not interested in. . . gotta love diversity! Have a great day, folks! Get ready for the 90 degree weather!!

[KevinPlante]

Bike Week is my favorite holiday. I will be up there for it.

[dpg]

I'll be there checking out the sights!

[Belmont Resident]

PBR I know what you mean. I also drive a truck as you now.
Hold your own, I do and they alway's move over.
What's gotten even worse is all the rice rockets. They are like the jetski's of the roadway.

[chipj29]

I am sorry, I have to take offense to the post by belmont resident. Perhaps he meant nothing by it, but calling rice rockets the jet skis of the roadways is just wrong. I do not own a rice rocket, but I know many who do. And most (not ALL) are responsible riders. I do however own a jet ski. I feel that I ride more responsibly than most of the people out there. The other jet skis that I ride with ride the same as me. Rules of the road for us? Yield to everyone. I know who is supposed to yield to who, but the simple fact is that boats are bigger than us so I get as far away as I can. But thats just me. There are jet skiers who don't ride responsibly, but to put us all into one group is just plain wrong. I don't appreciate the way some truck drivers drive on the highways, but do I come on here and say that all truck drivers can't drive, Nope. The fact is that in all above instances, the irresponsible people give others a bad view of the entire group.

Look, I am realistic and I know that many boat owners don't like jet skis. But give us a chance, and understand that not all jet skiers are irresponsible. Same goes for guys who ride rice rockets, Harleys, whatever.

[WakeUp]

I thought Belmont Resident's analogy of rice rockets and jet skiis was brilliant.Let's face it, the rice rocket and jet ski are bought for specific reasons. You don't buy these type of vehicle for "touring!" therefore, IN GENERAL, reckless behavior can be found more on a rice rocket or jet ski. It is the nature of the beast. We've all been in traffic, and it is the rice rocket, not the "touring bike", that weaves lane to lane to avoid it. Think about it.
I think Chipj29 was taking things a bit too personal. However, chipj29, I express my opionion based on fact. I also own a jet ski, and former owner of a rice rocket.

[SIKSUKR]

Here we go again with the bashing of ALL PWC's. I think someone needs to"wake up" cuz I bought my PWC for touring only.It's the only boat I own and I use it for going from point A to point B,whether it be meeting friends or exploring the lake.If you based your opinion on fact,you missed the fact that my PWC WAS bought for touring.Sorry I'm not able to have a "fullsize" boat so all the PWC haters would like me.
Look,Im just as annoyed as anyone else with some of the idiots operating PWC's cuz they give me a bad name,but it's not right to chastize everyone for some peoples actions.
Ok I'm off my soapbox now. SS

[chipj29]

So "wake up". You say you own a jet ski and used to own a rice rocket, and that they are bought for specific reasons. What was the reason that YOU bought yours? Because I didn't buy my pwc to be reckless. I bought it because it was an affordable way for ME to get out on the water, which I otherwise would not be able to do. The fact is that I don't drive reckless, and many jet ski owners also don't drive reckless. The fact is that people like you base their opinions of a group of people based on the actions of a few...and the actions of yourself.

How can I not take it personal? I am a member of the group to which you refer.

[HAHLY]

Hey, I thought this was a bike week thread! Can't we get back to beating up the bikers and complaining about the noise and congestion of bike week and let the jet skiers off the hook for a while?

Just a few more days, baby! I can hardly contain myself.

[Fancy]

Bring it on, HAHLY!!! You little trouble maker!!!!

[HAHLY]

"Trouble is the next best thing to enjoyment. There is no fate in the world so horrible as to have no share in either its joys or sorrows." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Wouldn't you agree, GTO?

[KevinPlante]

The problem with PWCs and motorcycles is that the few give the many a bad name. On bikes, the people who ride wheelies through traffic and in general drive recklessly give the rest a bad name. Those of us who ride responsibly go unnoticed. I have an RC51, which is one of the best all around sportbikes on the road. I do not drive recklessly doing wheelies through downtown Manchester. We are not all like the few who get all the attention.

[Belmont Resident]

I disagree with your statement of the few ruining it for the majority.
Out on the lake the majority of the jet ski’s that I see are operated in a way which puts all boaters around them on alert.
As for the jap bikes(rice rockets) , when I lived in Nashua it was rare not to see them tearing around town weaving in and out of traffic. Last weekend while visiting mom in Nashua the local paper said a biker was killed. Woman said she never saw him as she pulled out to cross the road. Did he come out of no where at high speed? Can’t say I wasn’t there but based on what I’ve seen I’d have to think he might have caused his own demise. At least no one else was hurt.
To get back to the bikers riding the yellow line, it just isn’t a smart thing to do. The yellow lines are there for a reason. You stay in your space, I’ll stay in mine. Whose fault is it going to be when the guy looses a leg cause his bad @## biker image is to do what the rest of them are doing? And now I see more and more women doing it when riding in groups. It’s to bad, being a contractor I meet a lot of people, most agree that the biker image is being made worse buy the bikers driving over the yellow line forcing them to avoid the biker. One can only hope they will smarten up before someone looses a leg, or worse.

[dpg]

While we're at it bashing the bikers lets just trash all the bicycle riders who also ride in the middle of the road. Oh wait, their out there for a quiet ride getting some exercise. Nope, don't see any tattoos on them, guess it's alright if they ride practically in the middle of one side of the road in the way of cars. Geez folks lighten up, bikes have been around for years and years I've never seen a (maybe small) group of people with such strong opinions about one topic. There are plenty of jerks out there in SUV's, pickups, convertibles and grocery getters also. Oh wait, you people wouldn't know that you ALL drive perfect. No, I don't own a bike. I'm 43 and have One speeding ticket (6 miles per hour over) in 26 years of driving, AND YOU????

[chipj29]

OK Belmont Resident, at this point we oughta agree to disagree. You oviously have strong opinions, I do as well. I do agree with Kevin in that I believe the crappy riders (bikes, pwcs, boaters, truckers, car drivers etc). Unfortunately, that is human nature. And dpg, my driving record isn't shabby either. Been driving 22 years. 1 accident, 3 speeding tickets. Last ticket was over 10 years ago. So I think I can say that I am a safe driver.

Getting back on the topic here, bike week is almost here. I hope that the bikers enjoy themselves at Winni, and that it is a safe week for all. I also hope that the center line riders stay off the center line a bit. I would hate to see the outcome of an accident if a car clipped a motorcycle in the handlebars. Riders should realize that the other vehicles are just a little bit bigger. Thats how I ride my pwc by the way...I see a boat or other watercraft, and I get as far away as I can, no matter who has the right of way.

[Eki]

Originally Posted by WakeUp

Let's face it, the rice rocket and jet ski are bought for specific reasons. You don't buy these type of vehicle for "touring!"

Ignorance abounds ... amazing

You, my friend obviously do not ride.

"rice rockets" are great for touring because the position you are in creates a pocket of air that you lean against while cruising. I could ride for longer distances like that than on a "cruiser" without my back starting to ache.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by HAHLY

"Trouble is the next best thing to enjoyment. There is no fate in the world so horrible as to have no share in either its joys or sorrows." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Wouldn't you agree, GTO?

"Trouble", "Enjoyment" Same meaning right?
Hey, I just can't wait to put on my leather bathing suit and cruise the Weirs on my jet ski next week.

[RLW]

Can't we come to an agreement that some of you like Jet Skies and some like Bikes and just let it go like that. Now me I don't care for either, but I just can't come on here and bash you all. Lets call it even and go onto another subject and everyone just do their thing and be safe while doing it.
Have a great weekend.

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by dpg

While we're at it bashing the bikers...

Originally Posted by RLW

I just can't come on here and bash you all

"Japan-Bashing" was an exquisite defense used by Japanese kiretsu, who threw "Japan-Bashing" against American television-set manufacturers.

At the time, Japanese TV sets were being sold below cost. Heck, nobody wants to be accused of "bashing" anybody.

'Haven't heard much from Philco, Packard-Bell, Emerson, Stromberg-Carlson, Admiral, and Zenith lately, though.

A powerful word, bashing. It stops discussion.

[Kona Bay Girl]

There are always going to be motorcycle accidents. There's going to be boating accidents, PWC acciedents, and car accidents. There are going to be irresponsible drivers everywhere.

memories of the Bike-Week-rape committed behind the Laconia Police Department building

In all honesty, this person probably didn't rape someone because they drove a motorcycle. It's inaccurate to make that assumption. It peeved me to see that comment, because while a vast majority of the bikers are up there to drink a few beers, pay for overpriced tokens of the event and leave, one manages to pick out the only rape incident of Bike Week. I don't know how many attend each year, but one out of thousands is a surprisinly a good statistic.

I'm neither for nor against Bike Week. I do agree that noise is a major issue, as well as traffic flow. However, there are 52 weeks in a year and this is just one week out of the season.

Then again, most of the bikers in the Lakes Region are guests. You don't go into a guest's house and completely destroy it and making the occupants annoyed. A lot of the bikers aren't even there for the whole week -- it's a different crowd almost every day. Let the sleeping dog lie, until of course, it needs to leave the premesis.

There is the matter of noise, but so far I've seen nobody stating that they've sent in a letter of complaint to Laconia's PD, for example. I don't know where to send letters of complaint, but if noise is really that important to you, then you should be whining to the right people and not to a message board that can't do anything. This site is meant to attract people to the Lakes Region, not drive them away.

Bikers: Please respect the lake like all the natives do for 51 weeks. I'm NOT saying that anyone who drives a motorcycle or is a tourist is going to throw trash into the lake. It just helps to enforce politeness a little bit. Keep the noise down after sunset, small children will be sleeping and the noise isn't good for a growing kid. Check to make sure tattoo needles are sterile; one of my cousins got tetanus from getting a tattoo (of the Italian flag, if you must know). The lake isn't just yours, share it and have a good time.

Natives: Let the bikers have a good time for one week, and if it gets too out of hand, take down plate numbers and file a complaint. The more you do this, the more filtered the crowd will be at Bike Week. Also, try not to only see the bad things about this week. See this as an opportunity to go into the less crowded areas of the lake and explore some things for yourself. Take day trips or go camping. The lake isn't yours, and the Weirs is public roadway, so share them and try to have a good time .

Either side of the argument has positives and negatives. Feel appreciative that so many people consider going to the Lakes Region- They like it as much as everyone on the forum. Give them their week, then tell them to get out. The summer season is all yours.

If I offended anyone, I'm terribly sorry, but this issue needs to end. Bike Week is not going to end, but in years to come it will hopefully become more tolerable than what it is now.

The Lake is ever-changing...why can't it develop BACKWARDS for once?

See you in Joo-lah

[mr1drfl]

Ok, I know this might sound a bit morbid, but how about a m/c week death pool? Kind of like the ice out. We all kick in a few bucks, the one that guesses the amount of deaths wins the kiddie. My guess will be 7.

[dpg]

mr1drfl - What a tasteless comment (keeping it clean.) Reading it I'm honestly not sure if your for or against bike week or just a smart guy. Be careful, comments made like that next week in the wrong crowds just may add yourself to the pool!

[Old Chris Craft]

Kona Bay Girl,
Should we have to send letters to the Police asking them to enforce the law? I would assume they know their job as I don't find myself inclined to write a letter to tell them to fight crime. You said people should take down plate numbers and report them. I have to ask you, have you ever filed a Police report before? Be prepared to give your name, address and phone number to them and be subpeoned to Court when the person you reported challenges you. Then you will discover their attorney has your name, address and phone number which they have probably made their client familiar with. Good luck.

'Ol Chris

[skiguy151]

i guess you people that think traffic is to backed up during bike week are going to want to cancel summer also. Every weekend traffic is backed up heading into Meredith from center harbor. Lets tell people they cant vaction here anymore either. Then while were at it lets cancel ski weekends in the winter because traffic can get backed up in Lincoln; somtimes from Loon parking lot all the way to 93. Time to cancel the 4th of July too, traffic gets very backed up for that one. If you dont like some of the headaches that come from living in such a beatiful area move to Lisbon, NH i was recently there and there is not much traffic up there.

[Skip]

Actually, you do not have to give your name and address to report a motor vehicle offense.

If you observe a recklessly operated vehicle, drunk driver, hit & run etc, you can report the offense anonymously.

It helps out if you can give the correct license plate number, accurate vehicle descriptors including color and description of the driver and number of passengers, (if applicable) road and last known direction of travel.

Accurate & timely information can then quickly be relayed to the officer in the field for interception and corrective action.

In most cases the intercepting officer (once locating the suspected vehicle) will observe it for a short time to confirm any erratic or suspicous operation. Again, this will depend on the situation. For example, if an anonymous call is received that a car is being driven "too fast", most likely an officer would not have enough articulable suspicion to stop the driver if upon interception the reported is operating lawfully. Likewise, if you just call in a "red" car, the officer cannot stop every red car he comes across. However, if the call is for a possible abduction, or a domestic violence type situation in the vehicle, etc. then circumstances would rise to a level where (if the description and information were detailed enough) the officer could & would make an intercept.

Again, there is no set standard (as articulated in the other thread about arrests & detentions) and each situation is unique.

Of course you can still give your name & address and make yourself available for a statement. Actually, more & more people are becoming fed up and willingly stepping forward as witnesses!

[Rose]

My husband and I phoned the MA State Police after nearly being sideswipped by someone who appeared to be very drunk. We followed for ~10-15 miles (couldn't say for sure...felt like forever) and stayed on the phone the whole way. Eventually, we had a rolling roadblock on 495 because several other vehicles realized what was going on and stayed in line with us. It actually felt really good because we thought we may have saved a life, even if it was only of the driver himself. The ironic thing, however, is once it was all over, I turned to my husband and said "I need a drink!"

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by mr1drfl

"Ok, I know this might sound a bit morbid, but how about a m/c week death pool? Kind of like the ice out...My guess will be 7."

Originally Posted by dpg

mr1drfl - What a tasteless comment...Be careful, comments made like that next week in the wrong crowds just may add yourself to the pool!

Go easy on the guy, dpg. His is a direct take-off on an AM-680 radio feature -- "The Death Pool" -- of the Howie Carr Show. (Howie receives death-threats, too).

mr1drfl: Does your death pool include m/c deaths directly attributable to crystal-meth, mescaline, or just the usual gun battles, knife-fights, alcohol, and wrecks?

Seven sounds a bit high.

[Lakegeezer]

By Saturday afternoon, you could sure tell it was motorcycle week. Even in the northeast portion of the lake, far from the ground zero location of the weirs, there was the constant sound of deep throated harleys and the honda wanntabees. Sitting on the bench of the Moultonboro country store, it seemed like there were more bikes going by than cars. The riders were dressed in full costume. It felt good to know that there were so many people not willing to be molded into the mamby mold that that society seems to expect. Few drivers wore helmets, but many of the women on the back did.

The lake was almost empty of boats for most of the day, the broads was flat in the morning, but the water temperature is still way too cold for enjoyable swimming. There were of course a few kids in the water, tubing or water skiing. The earlier comment about cycle weekend stealing 11% of the season is nonsense. Instead, it adds 11% to what is unfortunately, a short season. The summer season hasn't begun yet. Kids are still in school. Cycle week just gets the season going earlier than it otherwise normally would.

It is unfortunate to hear that there have been some cycle deaths. The Union Leader is reporting that a car, with a driver in his 70's, crossed into the oncoming lane and killed two, including an 11 year old boy. However, the freedom to ride will not be twarted. Cycling is a risk - but taking risks is still legal.

The lakes region is fortunate to have an 81 year old tradition.

[glennsteely]

Originally Posted by GTO

Must sees?? Yeah, the backs of all the bikers when they are leaving the lakes region

I have been going to the lake every summer, for the whole summer, since I was 6 months old....I love the place, but bike week is the only week in a year that I dont WANT to be there......

[dpg]

Originally Posted by madrasahs

Go easy on the guy, dpg. His is a direct take-off on an AM-680 radio feature -- "The Death Pool" -- of the Howie Carr Show. (Howie receives death-threats, too).

mr1drfl: Does your death pool include m/c deaths directly attributable to crystal-meth, mescaline, or just the usual gun battles, knife-fights, alcohol, and wrecks?

Seven sounds a bit high.

Ya, well Howie Carr is a bone-head too!

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Did the crowds of bikes look a little thinner on Thursday? Some were at Mount Washington.

The photo below in on the Mount Washington Observatory site.
Mount Washington Observatory

[mr1drfl]

There is good and bad in all, I honestley would much rather see 300,000 bikers than 300,000 Catholic priests.

[lacey]

I almost made it thru the week without getting involved in the childish back and forth arguments about bike week. I just couldn't make it without adding one thought. Of all you people who are against bike week, how many of you drive vehicles with plates that read "Live free or die"? If you don't like or live up to your states moto maybe it's time to move out of the area.

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by lacey

...Of all you people who are against bike week, how many of you drive vehicles with plates that read "Live free or die"? If you don't like or live up to your states moto maybe it's time to move out of the area.

From "Letters" of The Weirs Times, paraphrased:

"New Hampshire's motto was not derived to allow out-of-staters to arrive with the notion that all recreation has to include a gasoline engine, the bigger, the noiser, and dirtier, the better.

"Noise is trespass -- it comes on one's property without notice. If noise is created to show off, to satify the vanity of the perpetrator, or to deliberately annoy people, it becomes criminal trespass -- with criminal penalties."

Seen any NH law enforcement officers with writer's cramp?

Originally Posted by Kona Bay Girl

It peeved me to see that comment, because while a vast majority of the bikers are up there to drink a few beers, pay for overpriced tokens of the event and leave, one manages to pick out the only rape incident of Bike Week. I don't know how many attend each year, but one out of thousands is a surprisinly a good statistic.

Statistics posted here [in the Forum] last month showed that New Hampshire is 9th in the US in rapes.

That the referenced crime occurred behind the Laconia Police Station speaks volumes.

[Skip]

Once again, misguided angst towards law enforcement.

Originally Posted by madrasahs

Seen any NH law enforcement officers with writer's cramp?

This is the law the the New Hampshire State Legislature has given law enforcement officials authority to enforce motorcycle noise limitations;


TITLE XXI
MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 266
EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
Miscellaneous
Section 266:59-a
266:59-a Motorcycle Noise Levels. –
I. No person shall operate a motorcycle which has a measured noise level of more than 106 decibels on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 degree angle while the engine is operating at 2,800 revolutions per minute for one and 2 cylinder motorcycles and 3,500 revolutions per minute for any motorcycle with 3 or more cylinders.
II. No person shall pass for the purposes of the inspection required by RSA 266:1 any motorcycle which has a measured noise level of more than 106 decibels on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 degree angle while the engine is operating at 2,800 revolutions per minute for one and 2 cylinder motorcycles and 3,500 revolutions per minute for any motorcycle with 3 or more cylinders.
II-a. No person shall operate in this state any motorcycle which produces a sound level in excess of 106 decibels on the A scale, when measured in accordance with the provisions of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice ANSI/SAE J-1287 annual report on "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles.'
III. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation.
Source. 1992, 94:1. 1993, 9:1, eff. May 25, 1993.

In order to enforce this particular statute, the officer must have a certified and calibrated decibel meter in his/her posession. The officer must show that they are trained and certified in the proper operation of the issued instrument. They must further show that the conditions of the motorcycle were as specified in the RSA, which means they must also have a calibrated/certified instrument to accurately measure the motorcycle's RPM at time of test. And yes, they must be trained and certified in that particular instrument also.

The time necessary to train & certify all NH officers in this particular RSA would take several years initially. They would all have to be recertified annually. Add the cost of the instrumentation and the annual maintainenace and calibration figures, and you have an RSA that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to enforce.

The police officer on the street does not write the llaw, he/she simply enforces it.

If you are not happy with the present RSA, then contact your local state legislator and ask them to pass a motorcycle exhaust law that is feasible to enforce.

It's as simple as that.

[GTO]

Ahhhh? You can now hear the call of the Loon once again. Bike week is finally over.The lakes region can now return to normal. I still can't see why so many people complain. It was a cool weekend so I decided to bring my family over to Funspot, but, couldn't get there. So I tried to take them mini golfing, but, couldn't get there. Thought we'd go to the Pier at weirs, but, you guessed it, couldn't get there. Everybody says it brings in lots of money for the restuaraunts and vendors so I thought I'd set up my own tent and cash in on the profits. I decided to sell shampoo and soap. Didn't make a dime. I think they should have bike week the first week of July. I just love watching people put on leather jackets and pants and socks on a 90 degree day. We all know how much leather cools you down in the heat.
All in all I guess it was a good week. No Hells Angles/ Devil Decipals confrontations, no rapes behind police stations and only one car fire in Merideth which looked like a scene out of Iraq , but was totally unrelated to bikers. (although, where was JP when all that took place?)

[Old Chris Craft]

GTO,
You need to look at your tent business and offer a product more receptive to the audience; beer, cigarettes and a ton of t-shirts with the f-word on them. Change your product line and you'll make a fortune! It is such a disaster now that I can only imagine next year will be worse.

[Fancy]

Beer, cigarettes and t-shirts with the F word on them. . . hmmmmm. . . been going to bike week for years and don't have any of those items (well, ok, maybe beer). I better start stalkin' up - less than 365 days to go!!! Of course, I will stop washing in 340 days to get prepped. Let's open our minds people!!!

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Fancy,

I think its easier to "open your mind" if you don't live and work here

[HAHLY]

Originally Posted by GTO

No Hells Angles/ Devil Decimals confrontations, no rapes behind police stations and only one car fire in Meredeth which looked like a scene out of Iraq , but was totally unrelated to bikers. (although, where was JP when all that took place?)

Yeah sure, blame the biker. JP had a clean alibi. He was down at The Spoke with his little bow legged friend sipping cocktails, listening to Skynyrd and watching scantily clad young ladies getting unceremoniously tossed off the mechanical bull. God bless America!

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by Skip

Once again, misguided angst towards law enforcement...The police officer on the street does not write the llaw, he/she simply enforces it. If you are not happy with the present RSA, then contact your local state legislator and ask them to pass a motorcycle exhaust law that is feasible to enforce.

It's as simple as that.

New Hampshire Police near the Massachusetts border write noisy-biker tickets -- but for "defective equipment".

(I'll settle for that): http://www.venturers.org/discus/mess...tml?1058195748

This mostly-responsible biker site adds a few comments:

"My daughter runs a day care in my home which is on a through street, and when the babies are asleep, those rumblers can wreck a peaceful time for her and the kids."

"Unfortunately exhaust noise has no direct correlation to improved performance, why folks spend hundreds of dollars for noise that robs performance is beyond me."

"A biker, who said he has gotten one warning and one ticket from the Portsmouth police for his illegal pipes, still has no intention of removing the illegal pipes. I'll keep paying them, he said of the $43 fines, noting that the fines don't affect his insurance rates or driver's license. "How many tickets can you get in one year?"

"I have road king pipes...they are a bit loud, but at night I can ease through my subdivision fairly quietly by just riding gently."

"[In Europe] you almost never hear a loud bike. And if you do, it most generally is a Harley. The small town's all over this country are very small and peaceful...I think Europeans take their QL(quality of life) much more seriously than we do in the US and it is evident in all facets of their lives, from recycling to motorcycle muffler noise."

Quality of Life -- What a concept!

[Fancy]

I appreciate that Paugus Bay - beginning in May, I DO live there - don't work there - but I still have to travel through twice a day to get back and forth - and that inclues bike week.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by madrasahs

New Hampshire Police near the Massachusetts border write noisy-biker tickets -- but for "defective equipment".

(I'll settle for that):

Interesting article, but a careful read of it reveals the gist of the problem, how do you prove the equipment is defective without employing the testing & training required by yet a different RSA?

I salute the mentioned Departments trying new approaches, but I can assure you that defective equipment summonses for loud motorcycles here in the seacoast (my personal stomping grounds) have been few and far between.

Here is the RSA utilized to summons for defective exhaust;

TITLE XXI
MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 266
EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
Miscellaneous
Section 266:59
266:59 Muffler; Prevention of Noise. –
I. Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler as defined in RSA 259:66, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a way.
II. The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes, smoke, flame, gas, oil or fuel residue.
III. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in any manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted above that emitted by the original muffler installed in the vehicle and such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of this section.

And here is the conflicting RSA specific to motorcycles;

TITLE XXI
MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 266
EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
Miscellaneous
Section 266:59-a
266:59-a Motorcycle Noise Levels. –
I. No person shall operate a motorcycle which has a measured noise level of more than 106 decibels on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 degree angle while the engine is operating at 2,800 revolutions per minute for one and 2 cylinder motorcycles and 3,500 revolutions per minute for any motorcycle with 3 or more cylinders.
II. No person shall pass for the purposes of the inspection required by RSA 266:1 any motorcycle which has a measured noise level of more than 106 decibels on the decibel meter when measured 20 inches from the exhaust pipe at a 45 degree angle while the engine is operating at 2,800 revolutions per minute for one and 2 cylinder motorcycles and 3,500 revolutions per minute for any motorcycle with 3 or more cylinders.
II-a. No person shall operate in this state any motorcycle which produces a sound level in excess of 106 decibels on the A scale, when measured in accordance with the provisions of the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice ANSI/SAE J-1287 annual report on "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles.'
III. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation

The old trick of running a nightstick up an unbaffled pipe has been ineffective for a number of years (as indicated in the article you quoted).

Furthermore, many loud bikes are custom built with a custom exhaust, negating the "original equipment" clause in the original muffler RSA.

And the second quoted RSA allows a motorcycle to emit up to 106 db, regardless of what the original muffler law stated. 106 db is extremely loud, also clearly explained in the Union Leader article quoted.

The most telling statement in the article (and directly pertaining to the Lake Winnipesaukee region) was this Laconia police officer's statement ...Laconia Sgt. Tim Cavanaugh said, "It would make it easier on all law enforcement if the state would take a look at that statute."
Sgt. Cavanaugh is correct. most Police Officers will not waste their or your time writing unenforceable citations.

It will take the hard work of the New Hampshire State Legislature to craft an effective and enforceable noise ordinance for motorcycles!

(hope I didn't rattle on too long their minky )

[JG1222]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Why is it that so many bikers are riding the yellow line? I see it even when they are alone. A handle getting hit from the other direction is almost guaranteed death for the rider. Is a thrill thing?

Speaking as an experienced rider, there are actually two reasons why bikers tend to hug the yellow line.

First, the middle of the lane is where all of the oil, anti-freeze, an other stuff drips from cars - m'cycles aren't as forgiving as cars when you slip/skid on this stuff. Also, the right-side of the lane is where there tends to be a lot of sand, gravel, etc. from the road shoulder, which we want to avoid for the same reason. Unfortunately, that leaves the side closest to the yellow line.

Secondly, in the rain, the yellow line is the highest part of the road. It dries faster and drains quicker, which makes it the safest place to ride.

BUT, considerate bikers (and believe me, there are some of us out there) will move when we see a car coming the other way.

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by Skip

"I can assure you that defective equipment summonses for loud motorcycles here in the seacoast...have been few and far between."

I am dead-certain that if an individual officer bought the necessary "mandatory" equipment, he would be reprimanded by his Chief (who wants to be photographed handing out wood plaques and to restyle the gold-leaf logos on the cruisers -- rather than to train all his officers to conform to the "unfunded liability" in the Law).
.

Originally Posted by Skip

most Police Officers will not waste their or your time writing unenforceable citations.

Except maybe near officers' homes?

"Your time?" How many offenders will go to court rather than pay the $43 "chump-change" fine for bad pipes?

"Their time?" They get the same pay "for cruising" as for losing -- or winning -- in court.
.

Originally Posted by Skip

"It will take the hard work of the New Hampshire State Legislature to craft an effective and enforceable noise ordinance for motorcycles!"

"The fines are "chump-change"
"The bad-pipe limits are too high."
"Bikers ignore warnings"
"Bikers consider the fines 'the cost of doing the bad-pipes business'"
"Nightsticks won't work -- Bikers put wires in the pipes now."
"Officers may damage the 'Bike"
"It's unenforceable"
"It's too expensive"
"It's too much trouble"
"It's too complicated"
"It will take hard work"

Three-hundred thousand bikers rule New Hampshire's roads for 9 days, and bring in "a lot of" money.

The Legislature (and the Police) are not going to look this Cash-Cow in the mouth. Quality of Life issues can be set aside for residents -- maybe indefinitely!

To paraphrase a repeated phrase: "You ain't going to enforce what you don't want to enforce."

As for me, I'm going to contact my Anti-Noise Lobbyist.

Somebody's getting rich, here.

[Skip]

As reported in today's Citizen, posted below is an excerpt from the arrest statisitcs directly attributable to this year's bike week.

Notice that nearly a quarter of those arrested were from the immediate Laconia area and almost 2/3rds of those arrested were New Hampshire residents.

Our neighbors to our immediate south, who seem to take a lot of abuse from some posters about their behavior, contributed very little to the actual arrest total!

From today's Citizen:

In other Bike Week news, Lt. John MacLennan, who is the LPD’s Operations Division commander, said most of the people the department’s officers arrested — 62 percent — were Granite Staters, with slightly over 22 percent hailing from Laconia proper.

Seventeen percent of those arrested were from Massachusetts, he said, 3 percent from Maine and 2.6 percent from Vermont, with the balance coming from other states and Canada.