[Grafixx01]

Well, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams did a story about motorcycles and it really made me mad. I don't know if anyone else caught it, but they showed people just doing wheelies, stoppies and other stunting stuff. They even did an interview with the president of Chicago's "Number One Stunnas" club. They said that accidents went up 85% since 1998, and that over 60% of the people that are in the accidents are 40 years old and above.

It just irritated me cause they showed the people doing the stupid stuff, stunts without lids and stuff like that. I mean, they could have gone out and interviewed some people that don't do that and are safe cause that just like gave riders a bad wrap. Right or Wrong?

G

 

[R1up0n1]

those of us on the sport bikes are always looked down upon. Its ok just keep it real!

 

[JK_DILLA]

Why interview the prez of a stunt crew when 60% of the wrecks are 40 or above? That is rediculous. No conspiracy theory here but i dont trust reporters. The only questions they ask are ones that will support thier theory.

 

[ShanMan14]

those of us on the sport bikes are always looked down upon. Its ok just keep it real!

That's a fact. Nothing we can do about it except set a good example out on the road.

 

[R1up0n1]

That's a fact. Nothing we can do about it except set a good example out on the road.

:iagree:

 

[DLIT]

F Brian williams yo. They have no idea what really goes on in the biker community. they don't report on how positive clubs really are. I say go about your business and don't waste your time getting mad over some stupid crap. Like SV said. keep it real. I kind of like having a bad name anyway. Chicks dig bad boys. :dthumb:

 

[R1up0n1]

OK, those of us that missed the nightly news heres the report from msnbc website

Motorcycles push the limits of speed, safety
Government reports fatalities up 71 percent in just six yearsBy Kevin Tibbles
Correspondent
NBC News
Updated: 7:15 p.m. ET May 10, 2005CHICAGO - For thrill seekers, motorcycles have always been an adrenaline rush. But today's fastest-growing craze — ultra-powerful, super-fast sport bikes — have made motorcycling more thrilling and more dangerous.

"It's like riding a roller coaster," says one rider.

"The speeds are unbelievable," says a law enforcement officer.

They push 200 miles per hour.

Dean Campa turned Los Angeles streets into a speedway on his sport bike. He was caught and jailed for two years.

"It's an addiction, that you got to learn to turn on and turn off," says Campa.

Others aren't so lucky. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says fatalities have accelerated 71 percent from 2,294 in 1998 to 3,927 in 2004.

But it's not just the young and fearless who are dying. More and more older riders are buying these heavy, powerful cruising machines and hitting the highway — even though many are inexperienced riders. In just 10 years the age of the average motorcyclist has risen from 27 to 41. And of the increasing number of fatalities, 60 percent are over the age of 40.

Margit Showalter's son, Michael, was 41 when he was killed on his bike.

"Just because he can have a Harley and doesn't get the proper safety instructions, he needs to realize that he's endangering himself and his family," says Showalter.

Chicago's "Number One Stunna's" club is more than 200 strong and has not lost a single member. The club says safety comes first.

"It's real easy to get caught up in the speed thing and trying to get a name for yourself out here in the street and wanting to test your limits," says president Reese Golladay. "But you can easily end up in what they call a 'panic mode.'"

But for many on two wheels, that cocktail of speed, power and youth still proves too attractive — despite the risk.

© 2005 MSNBC Interactive

 

[Gas Man]

I agree with you boys... it's BS!!

But, you have to undertand, they want to skew the view to fit what they want!

 

[mlkx3]

Ya but riding is more popular now than ever! I guarantee that if you compared the registered bikes from then till now youd find that the percentages even out. Your right, they only state the facts to support their side of the story. Accidents and deaths go up because there are alot more people riding!

 

[snakemann]

Motorcycle sales in 1993 were 240,XXX compared to over 1 million in 2004. So the media uses the stats in their favor to make a story on a seemingly slow news week. Unfortunately, IMO judges, prosecuting atorneys, police, and "Concerned citizens" see these reports and it has a trickle down effect.

It's quite unfortunate.

 

[fatburg]

I think that article does a decent job of spreading it out across cruisers as well. I mean come on 2000cc bikes...pointless. And on another note about the 40 plus inexperienced group, these are also the brainiacs heading to your local bike nights and having a brew or two before they get on their slowped!!! I'm sorry, but bike night at a bar...BRILLIANT!!! :screwy:

 

[Gas Man]

mlk...this has been discussed many times on TWF as the different media outlets do different articles... everytime they talk about % rise... they forget to mention that the MC population has roose a higher precentage then the rise in crashes....

 

[bumblebee]

Showing film clips of geared-up riders doing drills in a MSF class isn't sensational like watch Sam Stunter cartwheel his R-1. Also, they won't mess with the pot-bellied hog riders because they own the stations and are the advertisers. You always go after the weakest, less organized and least willing to fight back when you attack

 

[Gas Man]

Very true Bee!