GREAT Ride to see Kid Rock!

by Rocky Marks

Hot Metal Harley-Davidson had kicked off the summer in Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary fashion with the 3rd Annual ride to see Toby Keith.  Since Kid Rock was part of Harley’s celebration in Milwaukee, what better way to wrap up the summer with one last ride out to First Niagra Pavilion to see the self-proclaimed “American Badass” himself.

Over 500 tickets were sold at the dealership in just a few short weeks and over 400 people showed up for the pre-tailgate party at Hot Metal on Saturday, September 7th!  The party included music, free food and refreshments, and a chance to go back stage at the venue.

During the party Hot Metal Owner, Toby O’Brien and General Manager, Lori Flanigan dished out the food while Rocky Marks played music to a crowd overflowing the parking lot with motorcycles, excitement, and anticipation of the hour-long journey to Burgettstown. 

At 4:30 the Allegheny Sheriff’s Department started leading the bikes out of Hot Metal’s parking lot bringing with them a trail of over 250 motorcycles!  The bikes and their passengers wound their way through the South Hills of Pittsburgh at leisurely, yet non-stop pace.  

Sirens wailed and lights flashed while cars halted as the riders were escorted through busy intersections.  The line of motorcycles gliding down the road two-by-two stretched for an impressive mile during the most of the ride according to the police.

Once out of Allegheny County, the Washington County Sheriff swept in front of the pack of motorcycles aided by Cecil, Smith, and Hanover Townships.  Cecil’s Volunteer Fire Department even placed a truck on the side of the road with it’s ladder stretched out over top the riders as a sign of respect and pride that comes with the gathering of so many free-spirited individuals who share a common love for riding.

The ride lasted about an hour and ended when the parade of motorcycles were escorted into the VIP parking lots.  The smiles, high fives, and general feeling of excitement was apparent as the riders dismounted their bikes and headed for the gates.  They were ready for the show.

Hot Metal Harley-Davidson is already working with Live Nation and the First Niagra Pavilion on dates for next year’s rides.  You can go to hotmetalharley.com or faceboook.com/hotmetalharley to get a complete list of events and details as they become available.

Buying a Used Motorcycle? What You Need to Know

Written by Attorney Edgar Snyder of Edgar Snyder & Associates

Anyone who rides a motorcycle knows that the expenses behind riding don’t stop after you buy a bike. Maintenance, insurance, and registration fees really add up, so for many, buying a used motorcycle can provide all the enjoyment that riding has to offer with a lower price tag. However, there’s a lot to consider when you’re buying a used bike, so here are some basic guidelines to help you make a responsible decision.

Before You Buy

o   First, know what type of bike you’re interested in buying—sport bike, cruiser, etc. If you’re new to riding, don’t buy a bike that’s too advanced, and don’t buy a beginner’s bike if you plan to use it for sporting purposes.

o   Set a realistic budget, and take into consideration potential repairs, maintenance, tax, registration fees, and insurance. Remember that the cheapest bike isn’t always the best deal, and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. While you might not see anything wrong with the physical bike, there’s always a reason why it’s cheap—forged title papers, fees that come with expired registration, etc.

o   Consider bikes and sellers in your area first. If you buy locally, you’re more likely to know the reputation of the seller, and it’ll be easier to inspect and test ride a bike before you commit to it.

Inspection and Test Ride

o   If you’re going to inspect and test ride a bike, be prepared. Have a valid motorcycle endorsement and current motorcycle insurance policy—you don’t want to get stuck if you run into any problems. If this is your first bike, bring an experienced friend who can help you make a good decision.

o   Review the bike’s maintenance and repair records. A bike may run fine, but if it was in an accident, a faulty part may give you trouble down the road.

o   Pay close attention to the bike’s title. Check the list of previous owners and transfers, and make sure the current owner’s license matches the name on the title. Confirm that the vehicle year, model, and VIN number on the title match the motorcycle. If something on the title doesn’t seem right, walk away.

o   Ask that the seller doesn’t warm up the bike before you arrive. Starting a bike cold will clue you in to any issues that may be masked by a warmed bike, and it’ll also allow you to safely inspect parts of the bike that become too hot to handle.

o   If you’re considering a custom bike, use extra caution. Some custom features can affect drivability and safety.

o   Consult a professional to inspect the motorcycle. If the seller is honest and legitimate, they will allow a third-party professional to take a look at it.

After You Buy

o   Always obtain a bill of sale so that the chain of ownership remains clear.

o   Of course, remember to insure your motorcycle. If you can, include it under the same insurance policy as other vehicles and request “stacking,” which allows you to multiply the number of vehicles on your policy by the per person and per occurrence coverage on each vehicle. Thanks to stacking, these higher totals then become your new entitled coverage amounts. Also keep in mind that saving a few dollars on your premium now won’t help you in the case of an accident. I recommend having Bodily Injury Liability Coverage ($100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence), which pays for any claims against you if you’re legally responsible for the accident, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage ($100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence), which protects you if the responsible driver cannot fully compensate you for your losses. In the terms of protecting your health and finances down the road, these are both relatively inexpensive.

o   If you buy the bike in your home state, you’ll need to register it. It’s easy enough—you complete the registration process and title transfer process with your local DMV.

o   If you buy the bike in another state, you’ll need to obtain a temporary registration from the state you’re buying in as well as registration from your home state in order to ride it home. Otherwise, you’ll need to find another way of transporting the bike, like towing it.

Remember, never hesitate to consult a motorcycle professional at any point—it could protect your time, money, and, most importantly, safety later on.

For more information, visit our Motorcycle Safety Resource Center.

Attorney Edgar Snyder has over 45 years of experience helping injury victims. He founded Edgar Snyder & Associates, a Pennsylvania law firm that has represented hundreds of motorcyclists. Learn more at EdgarSnyder.com.