July / August 2014

Inside this issue:
Chairpersons Letter
1
NMCOC Update
2
ENMMRO Update
2
Motorcycle Fatalities
3
Enjoy the Ride?
3
Save The Patch
4
No Colors
5
AIM/NCOM
6
AIM/NCOM Cont.
7
Amanda Casaus
8
Calendar of Events
9
Dan Sorey
10
MRF
11
WNMMRO
13
Rides
THE NMMRO BOARD:
Chairman…………....Annette Torrez
Vice Chairman.....Courtney Farris
Secretary………Stephanie Lennox
Treasurer……RockHell Thompson
Sgt at Arms……...Todd Thompson
Editor………….…… Kimberly Porter
Webmaster…RockHell Thompson
Public Relations.....Lisa VanDruff
Org. Liaison……………Tom Newell
CNMMRO……….……….Dave Covert
ENMMRO……………Dorothy Jouett
WNMMRO……………..….Jim Smith
MEETING SCHEDULE:
NMMRO Monthly Meetings:
American Legion Post 49
11005 Central Ave NE Alb., NM
September 20th 12:00pm
COC Meetings:
American Legion Post 49
11005 Central Ave NE, Alb, NM
August 2nd 12:00 pm
Chairpersons Letter…
Volume 5, Issue 6
July/August 2014
As motorcyclists we must protect our individual rights and liberties. We must stand
strong and united as America's freedom fighters. Our rights as motorcyclists are
constantly being challenged and at an alarming rate, so every person who rides a
motorcycle should stay informed and educated on the issues that affect us, it is important
to belong to and support a Motorcycle Rights Organization. According to the Motorcycle
Riders Foundation within our nation's biker population, less than 2% are within the ranks
of freedom fighting organizations that focus on what affects us as riders. Oftentimes, it is
that same 2% who fight against laws or regulations that, while a motorcyclist issue on the
surface, could open yet another door to impinge upon freedoms in general. We must stay
informed on issues that affect motorcyclists, such as motorcycle profiling traffic stops, be
aware of establishments that profile and discriminate against motorcyclists and do not
support the entire riding community. We must support and stand united to keep state
helmet use an individual choice and let the rider decide. We as citizens, must not allow
our individual rights to be stripped away one at a time by our government. According to
the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the only legitimate purpose of government is to
secure human rights. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,
laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them
shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.
To date our organization is aware of 50 motorcycle crashes since mid-March 2014. If you
want to be an old biker someday, you have to understand that you're riding in a cloak of
invisibility. Automobile drivers run over motorcycles and abruptly pull in front of them all
the time. The results are often catastrophic for the biker. When there is a collision,
motorists often say, "I never saw the bike." Police are inclined to believe the drivers (who
are rarely charged) because there is some body of evidence that motorists who say that
are telling the truth. In general, drivers don't see motorcycles because they aren’t looking
for motorcycles. Motorcyclists, too, can greatly increase their chances for accident-free
riding by wearing high-visibility clothing, riding defensively, and taking a riders safety
course.
The NMMRO's stand is to keep helmet use in our state an individual choice. Some
information that I found interesting and wanted to share is the extensive research that
has been done on the safety of motorcycle helmets. The most famous study of all,
the Hurt Study Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures,
shows no question that a helmet protects the head, reducing injury severity. The main
question that researchers want to answer is whether the likelihood of neck injury is more
significant than the likelihood of a helmet saving the riders life. Helmets Statistically
Reduce Head Injuries, But they Don't Save Lives The same data that was used in
the Hurt Report was also used from a paper by Dr. Jonathan P. Goldstein, Ph.D. His
analysis showed some facts that the Hurt Report overlooked. Although the data showed
that motorcycle riders wearing helmets suffer from fewer head injuries, it failed to
elaborate on what that really means. Helmet use had little significance in saving lives
given that an accident had occurred. What does that mean? It means that those who do
crash are rarely saved by their helmets. Their head injuries are less severe, but they die
anyway. In accidents where the rider died, it made no difference if the rider wore a helmet
or not. That's not exactly a rock solid argument in favor of helmet wearing. The truth is
that speeding and alcohol use are the biggest cause of motorcycle crashes. Those taking
part in these risky behaviors are less likely to wear helmets in the first place. Helmet
wearers tend to have fewer crashes and less severe head injuries because they take fewer
risks. This accounts for the reduced number of fatalities among helmet wearers. The
speed of the helmet striking the ground makes a difference in the occurrence of neck
injury. Statistics show that a helmet has to be moving at least 17 mph in order to cause a
significant injury. Since most motorcycle accidents happen at just over 20 mph, there is a
good chance that the helmet can cause neck damage in most accidents.
2
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
Continued from pg 1
Thicker helmets can cause more severe neck damage than
thinner helmets because they are heavier and bounce back
harder than the lighter helmets. Add to that the fact that
even the best helmets are only rated up to 13 mph and a
serious question becomes apparent. Is a helmet strong
enough protection to make up for the increased risk of neck
injury? Even the Hurt Report shows that aside from risky
behaviors like speeding and alcohol use, rider inexperience
causes most motorcycle accidents. Riding safety instructors
drill it into riders' heads: Motorcycle riding is dangerous. Not
only could it kill you, it probably will. Only when riders
understand the severity of the danger will they be as alert
and defensive as they should in their riding practices.
In mid-June I had the opportunity to meet with City Council
President Ken Sanchez and Dennis South from the Guardians
of the Children, to discuss the use of “Look Out for
Motorcycle” signs in the Albuquerque City Limits. Councilman
Sanchez is in favor of this project. and was very concerned
when we reported on the increase in motorcycle crashes in
our city and state. He assured us his approval is sufficient
and we do not need to go before the entire city council to
discuss the issue further. He also put me in touch with The
Public works Department official who is also willing to work
with our organization to install these and review the logistics
of the sign placement in the city limits. At this time the
signs are being purchased with private funds and The Public
works is willing to research what funds are available to help
purchase these signs and/or the cost of installation of the
signs. One of the objectives in our newly established
relationship with Public works will be to reach out to APD to
establish the dangerous and high crash areas for
motorcyclist. At our state Motorcycle Safety Advisory
Committee meeting, the Department of Transportation
agreed to put up the “Look Out For Motorcycle” signs on our
state highways in December of 2013. Even though the
NMMRO has reached out to DOT on the progress several
times, we are yet to see any progress on this. We do
applaud DOT for the use of several electronic signs
throughout the Albuquerque area displaying “Share the
Road, Look out for Motorcycles”.
I was asked to sit on the MADD Public Advisory Board to
represent the motorcycling community in New Mexico to
discuss and address issues that face all motorists on our
roads on safety awareness, DWI and DUI. The committee is
in the process of being established and to will be ready to
serve the public by January 2015. There are several
influential leaders from our community that will serve on this
committee from public officials, lawyers, the medical
community, MADD employees, and DOT officials. The
NMMRO and the motorcycling community can only benefit
from our involvement in a project such as this. An important
role I will take on is lobbing for MADD for safety awareness
and issues motorist face on our roads.
Ride safe all and get involved in the cause to protect our
rights, freedoms and liberties. Thank you to all Veterans for
your service. Thank you all for your support.
NNMCOC Update
After our last COC meeting I traveled down to the Southern COC
Meeting and I'm happy to report that in a short period of time a lot
of the clubs there rallied together reached into their pockets and
donated about 2k for the save the patch fund. It made me proud to
see the clubs their on the spot just pull that amount. I'm sure more
donations are being sent. Good job to the Southern COC. The
Northern COC has donated 1k and donations are still coming we will
have a final Talley at the next meeting. I have been traveling in
different states such as Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa
the last month and I have attended bike nights in those states and I
have seen great participants from clubs and very organized drama
free events. There are many things these states are doing for
motorcycle awareness and one that stood out was in Missouri the
Missouri DOT have digital signs giving stats on motorcycle accidents.
It was very interesting and I think New Mexico could follow.
The NCOM in Four Corners will be here soon Annette has sent out a
flyer on that and we had flyers at the last COC meeting. I encourage
all clubs in NM to send at least one rep to experience what is going
on not just in our region but in our nation. Hope to see you all
there. The next COC meeting is on August 3rd at noon at post
49. See you all there and be safe.
Dozer
Eastern New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization
The Clovis Motorcycle Parade was held and once again we had a nice
turn out. Mayor Lansford lead the way and declared May as
Motorcycle Awareness Month in our area. High Plains
Harley Davidson stepped in and helped with the parade along with
the Hog Chapter in Clovis. After the parade, I was approached by a
group that was highly interested persons in setting up the next
parade for 2015, with a grin on my face i said sure. and why not, it
is not about the pat on the back it is about getting people interested
and involved.
Can one person make a difference, sure they can; All it takes is
getting involved, Jack and I both worked hard on getting Look Out
for Motorcycle signs in our area, even when others did not think it
could be done. The parade was an idea that was put into
motion. Was it a grand huge parade. no, but it after 3 years we got
a group that wants to make it bigger and better. We may be slow,
but hopefully we are making a difference in the lives of others.
Can we do more, ABSOLUTELY. We need to step up and participate
more. One of my favorite quotes comes from a very humble man,
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you
and Then you win." (Mahatma Gandhi).
I would like to add a huge thank you to following, for their generous
donations to the ENMMRO. With your donations it was possible to
have the T Shirts made for the Parade Thank you to the
following; MARINES MC, Green Knights Commandos Chapter 111,
High Plain Harley Davidson, The High Plains HOG chapter, Grumpy O
Men, Thunder Alley Riders Club, AMVETS and AMVETS Riders, Big
Mikes Bikes, Glass Doctor, Roosevelt Brewing Co., Zia Power
sports, and Bullet Bob. Thank you to all that took the time to come
and support and participate.
Ride Safe and Always Ride Free
Annette Torrez NMMRO Chairman
Dot Jouett ENMMRO Chairperson and Jack Jouett NM MRF Assistant
Rep
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
3
Police Address 3 Albuquerque Motorcycle Fatalities in 1
Week, Cops Urge Drivers to be Safe, Aware of Their Surroundings
Published 6:54 PM MDT Jun 24, 2014 as Reported on KOAT TV news Channel 7
http://www.koat.com/news/police-address-3-albuquerque-motorcycle-fatalities-in-1week/26646202#ixzz36i9Kalpv
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —After three motorcycle fatalities in one week, Albuquerque police are urging
drivers to be more aware.
"We are seeing a lot more accidents involving motorcyclist, especially this time of year when it's a lot
warmer outside," said Officer Kyle Curtis with the Albuquerque Police Traffic Division.
Police said it's because the number of riders has increased. Curtis said he sees the dangers first hand
as he patrols on a motorcycle.
Something as simple as a car making lane change could mean trouble.
"Do us the favor and do a head check, look in your blind spot," said Curtis.
So far, this summer has been deadly on the road for motorcyclist.
"Ride with the anticipation that other motorists don't necessarily see us coming, going, passing," said
Curtis.
Officers also tell motorcyclist to watch for distracted drivers. Because that might be the car that cuts
into your lane because it doesn't see you.
"There are times where you may be a good motorcycle operator and you are driving down the road
and a driver in a vehicle actually commits a violation to where and accident happen," says Curtis. "It
could be something as simple as be aware of your surroundings, please pay full attention to the
roadway and look for motorcyclist
Why Motorcyclists Can’t Afford to Just Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride
There are many different things that draw people to motorcycling. For some it is the sense of freedom. For others it is a source
of relaxation. It can also be a source of exhilaration. If you are like me, it is to some degree all of the above. That being said, it
is the ride that we crave regardless of what each of us gets from it. This time of year the roads are packed with motorcyclists
who are sitting back (or forward) and just enjoying the ride. That begs the question; can we as avid motorcyclists afford to do
that?
I had the privilege this month of riding to Frisco Colorado to attend the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Best of the West
Conference. For those who have been to Colorado you know that it is some of the prettiest riding country you will ever
encounter. Yet on a gorgeous Saturday in June, I found myself not on my bike riding the Rockies, but in a room with
motorcyclists from around the country discussing issues riders are facing all around the United States. The following is a list of
some of the issues that were being addressed by the participants:

Working to prevent motorcyclists from being excluded from public parking lots, roads, and parking garages.
Working to eliminate roadside checkpoints aimed only at motorcyclists. 
Working to address the ever growing problem of distracted driving. 
Working to prohibit the use of higher ethanol blends at the pump until the effects on motorcycle engines can be further studied. 
Working for legislation allowing motorcyclists to safely and reasonably proceed when they are stuck at a traffic light that will not
recognize them. 
Working to prevent legislation which arbitrarily sets age restrictions for passengers on motorcycles. 
Working with state and local governments to promote sensible motorcycle awareness campaigns.
All of these are real issues being faced by real riders. As I took in everything being discussed I thought to myself, what would
riding be like if there were no one addressing these issues on behalf of motorcyclists? The answer was chilling. It is easy to sit
back, enjoy the ride, and count on everything being all right. But can we afford to do that? If we all did, we may soon find no
ride left to sit back and enjoy.
So what can you do to protect yourself and the activity that we all love and cherish? Take some simple steps to become involved
in protecting the rights of fellow motorcyclists. I am not suggesting that everyone start riding all over the country attending
seminars (although it is a great excuse to ride all over the country). You can get involved locally. Start paying attention to the
positions that your local, state and federal legislators take regarding issues affecting motorcyclists. Share your thoughts in
letters and emails. Write letters to the editor of your local paper. Go to City Council or County Board meetings. Join a
motorcycle rights organization and attend their lobby day, where motorcyclists go the State Capitol to discuss issues important to
us with elected officials. I would also encourage you to join the MRF. This is an organization dedicated solely to protecting the
rights of American motorcyclists. You can learn more and join at mrf.org. There are numerous ways to protect your rights as a
motorcyclist. The ways are limitless, bound only by your passion and imagination. There is, however, a wrong way and that is
to count on someone else to do it. That someone else may be sitting back, enjoying the ride, and counting on you.
Matt Danielson McGrath & Danielson Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group 1-800-321-8968 Motorcyclelawgroup.com
4
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
Save The Patch The Aging Rebel March 2014
The problem with the war on terror is that it is a war on the Constitution decorated with American flags. The real goal of this
war seems to be to prohibit nonconformity and dissent. And nothing shouts nonconformity and dissent louder than a big,
modified American motorcycle. So one theater of this war is the war on bikers. The war on bikers, and particularly the war on
motorcycle clubs, relies on a long list of shady tactics. Here is a short list of the most obvious ones.
RIC0: The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute epitomizes what has been called “The
federalization of crime and the criminalization of everything.” The law, which was originally intended to prohibit
“racketeer infiltration of legitimate business.” In other words it was designed to prevent “the mob” from going
legitimate. But in 1981, in a case called United States v. Turkette, the Supreme Court broadened the law by
redefining the phrase “enterprise.” While the authors of RICO intended “enterprise” to mean a legitimate bar or
bowling alley that had been corrupted by “the mob,” Turkette reinterpreted “enterprise” to mean “the mob”
itself.” So now the law has become a way to enforce de facto “Bills of Attainder,” which are specifically prohibited
by Article One, Clause three of the Constitution.
Civil Forfeiture: Civil forfeiture lawsuits always accompany RICO prosecutions. Simply stated, the federal
government uses civil forfeiture to steal everything from people policemen do not like. You do not have to be
proven guilty of any crime to have the government steal your stuff. Rather, police simply steal what they want
and in order to get it back you have to prove you are innocent. Civil forfeiture proceedings are always
characterized by loathsome gamesmanship on the part of government attorneys.
Extra Judicial Punishment: Cops have always beat up “bad guys.” But in the last generation highly militarized
police have perfected a form of punishment called the Swat raid. Typically, bullies carrying machine guns break
into homes at dawn, terrorize and humiliate the residents, kill the pets and wreck everything they can break. The
raids are carried out on the flimsiest of pretexts – like indicia searches. In an indicia search, police target the
home of a motorcycle club member or sympathizer to search for proof of his membership, like club memorabilia
and photographs. Because the point of these searches is to punish people who have a right to be presumed
innocent, they violate the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution.
Surveillance: Police, particularly federal police, routinely commit all manner of searches and surveillance that
violate the Fourth Amendment. That is the amendment which guarantees that Americans and all residents of the
United States shall be free from unreasonable and general searches. But police justify searching computers and
other electronic devices using flimsy and bogus pretenses. And, police in disparate jurisdictions also surveil email,
text messages and cell phone conversations.
Prohibiting Free Speech: In 2008, federal prosecutors began trying to outlaw motorcycle clubs by outlawing the
symbols club members wear. The Mongols Motorcycle Club has been most burdened by this shredding of the First
Amendment. Federal prosecutors have been trying to outlaw the Mongols by outlawing their patch. The goal is to
eventually outlaw membership in all clubs that have not been approved by government officials, as the Night
Wolves are approved in Russia. Australia, which has weaker constitutional protections than the United States, has
recently gone so far as to formally forbid membership in about 25 motorcycle clubs and criminalize fraternization
among club members, or more ominously, fraternization among people who have been secretly accused of club
membership. Justified public concern about RICO, civil forfeiture, extra judicial punishment, intrusive surveillance
and attempts to limit free speech bisects racial, social and partisans lines. This war on the Constitution should
concern the left wing and right wing, white, black, yellow and brown. All Americans should be concerned about
the burgeoning American police state.
Save The Patch: The biker’s rights group that has formed to oppose all these police excesses and particularly
the outlawing of motorcycle clubs is called “Save The Patch. ”Save The Patch is comprised of members and
supporters of numerous motorcycle clubs. It was formed to protect the right to belong to a motorcycle club. The
group is just getting off the ground but it has a real chance to bring some reason to the public discussion of the
biker menace. If riding a Harley is an important part of your life you should offer Save The Patch support.
US Defenders Support SAVE THE PATCH
“Bikers from around the nation are joining forces to support the Mongols Motorcycle Club to combat a lawsuit by federal
authorities to take control of the Mongols trademarked logo,” states a National CALL TO ACTION issued recently by the US
Defenders National Office.
“They are trying to destroy the right of men to associate and indicate their association” said Joe Yanny, an attorney
representing the Mongols. In addition to being a violation of club members’ freedom of speech rights, Yanny said, “more
importantly, it’s a due process issue.”
If the Feds win this case and set a new precedent then no trademarked logo will be safe from being taken away.
In announcing that Texas clubs are “rallying for the Mongols and their legal representation,” the CTA asks others to “join the
fight to support the Mongols Nation with its trademark battle with the Feds” by educating yourself on this case by going to:
http://usdefender.net/cta-tdf.html and go “LIKE” the National US Defenders Facebook page for future updates.
“We have no other fight as important as this fight to help the Mongols MC Nation win this case, the US Defenders will do all
we can to assist them in every State,” US Defenders National Office.
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
5
NO-COLORS Welcome …
Establishments as reported by NMMRO members who:
 Welcome Bikers and provide friendly service or


High Noon Restaurant
Do not allow Colors or have refused service to a Motorcyclist.

 Twin Peaks Bar & Grill 
Leo’s Nightclub
American Legion Post 49

Rt 66 Casino
Smokehouse BBQ
Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar Malarkeys
Billy’s Long Bar
Santa Ana Casino
Burts Tikki Lounge
Silva’s in Bernalillo
Cottonwood Mall
Slate Street – Rio Rancho
Hard Rock Casino
Stone Face Tavern
Horse & Angel Tavern
T.D.'s Showclub
The Library Bar & Grill
Los Ojos Loco
Ned’s on the Rio Grande
Hooters
Uptown Sports Bar
Sandia Casino
2 Min Grill & Bar
This list will be updated and published in every newsletter.
Please email Annette Torrez with new submissions or resolutions.
atorrez2@msn.com
The NMMRO would like to recognize Biker Friendly establishments, please take the time to report those businesses that appreciate
your business. Crash Fatality One Injured On I-40
Motorcycle
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – The motorcycle driver killed in a collision on I-40 over the weekend has been identified.
Police say 51-year-old Tony Maese died at the scene and his passenger, Barbara Bright, 52, remains in the hospital.
Police say a ladder fell out of a truck traveling west on I-40. The driver of the vehicle stopped in the lane to pick up
the ladder and Maese was unable to stop. His motorcycle ran over the ladder and collided with the rear of the truck.
There’s still no word if the driver of the truck, who caused the crash, will face charges. APD says the driver stopped in
the middle of I-40 near 6th Street after a ladder fell off his truck Saturday afternoon. His passenger, a woman, who
police say, is at UNM Hospital in critical condition. She’s expected to survive. The interstate was shut down for about
three hours.
The NMMRO and the Hellfighters MM has visited Barbara who has several injuries and has undergone at
least five surgeries at the hospital several times and contacted Tony's family to offer our support. Our
hope is the case will go before the DA's office so the driver of the truck is held accountable by the justice
system. Annette
6
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National
Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of
accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visitwww.ON-A-BIKE.com. NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES Compiled & Edited by Bill
Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)
U.S. HOUSE VOTES DOWN FEDERAL HELMET LAW PUSH
The Obama Administration’s proposed GROW AMERICA Act, a four-year $302 billion transportation funding measure, contains a
provision to allow NHTSA to begin lobbying states and state legislators “to consider proposals related to motorcycle helmet use
laws,” effectively overturning a ban against such federal lobbying on the issue that has been in place since 1995.
But on June 9th, by a voice vote on the floor of 229-192 (10 absent or abstaining), the U.S. House of Representatives approved an
amendment offered by U.S. Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) to strike that provision from the
House’s version of the legislation; titled the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act (H.R. 4745).
The full bill was approved by the House the following day, with the offending language in Section 102 of H.R. 4745 successfully
eliminated, but the Senate version of this highly politicized and largely partisan transportation funding bill is still under consideration.
The Administration “strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 4745,” and “looks forward to working with the Congress on an orderly
appropriations process…”
“VISION ZERO” HITS NYC
A controversial European traffic control plan referred to as “Vision Zero” has found its way to American shores, as NYC Mayor Bill
de Blasio has gained support of the New York City Council for his Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2024.
On May 29, 2014, the City Council approved a package of new policies aiding Mayor de Blasio’s quest to end traffic deaths,
modeled after a Swedish philosophy that treats all road deaths and serious injuries as inherently preventable, the initiative has
become the centerpiece of the new administration’s transportation agenda.
Among the changes approved, which includes misdemeanor charges or loss of license for hitting a pedestrian or cyclist, certain
“exhibition behavior” from motorcyclists will not be tolerated under the law. The new rules governing motorcycle behavior outlaws
“wheelies, doughnuts, burnouts and revving” -- a first offense would be punishable by up to 60 days in jail.
MINNESOTA APPROVES PURPLE HEART MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATE
Few U.S. states offer the option to get a personalized motorcycle license plate. Minnesota just approved a bill to create a special
motorcycle license plate for wounded combat veterans which will be a shrunken version of the Purple Heart plates that car owners
can get.
FLYING OLD GLORY COULD VOID YOUR WARRANTY
Due to wind resistance from flags fluttering behind his Harley trike, former Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien was informed by
Harley-Davidson that the factory would not honor the warranty after the clutch failed during a ride to Dallas, Texas for the National
Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Convention last month.
Zien, 64, a longtime member of the NCOM Legislative Task Force, says the Motor Company denied his warranty claim because of
the excessive drag created by the flapping flags he flies from the back of his 2014 trike, which has 15,000 miles on it and is covered
by a seven-year unlimited mileage warranty.
“All they said was, because I fly flags on the bike, there’s no warranty on the powertrain,” Zien told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
newspaper on May 15. A combat Marine and Viet Nam veteran, the former lawmaker is a Hall of Fame biker who has set several
long-distance riding records since the 1970s and says he’s always done so with multiple flags on his bike. His 1991 Harley with one
million miles on the odometer has been on display since 2000 at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in South Dakota.
Harley-Davidson told the newspaper that Zien’s warranty is still in effect, but because of the addition of aftermarket products -essentially, the huge flags -- Zien has voided any coverage on the powertrain and transmission.
“The issue isn’t that the flags are heavy,” Harley spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim told the Journal-Sentinel, “but they provide
terrific drag on the engine and the transmission, especially when the bike is at highway speeds.”
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
7
AIM/cont
She added that the flag mounts that Zien used were not Harley products. “When you alter a motorcycle with non-compliant products, that does impact
your ability to make a warranty claim," Blankenheim said. Zien currently has seven flags flying from his three-wheeler including full-sized Stars and Stripes,
Don’t Tread on Me, U.S. Marine Corps and Wisconsin flags and an NRA banner that proclaims “Stand and Fight”, and he says all the flag mounts were
installed at a Harley dealership.
The “Million Mile Motorcycle Man” is ready for a fight to defend the right of all to fly a flag on a motorcycle without voiding the warranty. “Ain’t nobody
gonna stop our flags, not even Harley-Davidson corporate,” Zien told the paper.
MOTORCYCLE THEFTS CONTINUE DOWNWARD TREND
Motorcycle thefts continued to decline in 2013, a downward trend that began in 2008; and of five major brands only Harley-Davidson owners saw an
uptick in the number of stolen bikes. According to new data released by the National Crime Information Center, an electronic clearinghouse of
nationwide crime data aggregated by the FBI, overall last year there were 45,367 reported motorcycle thefts nationwide, the equivalent of one every nine
minutes, down 1.5%, even as bike sales increased. Of those stolen, there were 3,907 Harley-Davidsons, up 4% from 2012, while the percentage of
stolen Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki motorcycles fell 2.1% (Kawasaki) to 9.1% (Suzuki). Honda was the bike stolen most often, followed by
Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Harley-Davidson. The thefts were highest in California, followed by Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Indiana. Thirty
seven percent of the motorcycles reported stolen in the U.S. in 2013 were recovered, compared with about 50% of the stolen cars.
ELECTRIC CYCLES GAIN TRACTION
Despite America's love affair with Harley-Davidsons, electric motorcycles are revving up U.S. sales, according to a recent article in USA Today, and twowheeled e-vehicles are gaining converts among urban commuters and law enforcement. Sales of high-performance e-motorcycles will rise at least 30%
per year through 2023 in North America, cites a report last month by Navigant Research, a market research firm. Co-author John Gartner sees several
reasons: consumers looking for refuge from high gasoline prices, increases in city traffic and improved e-vehicles.
Zero, the largest U.S. manufacturer of e-motorcycles, has boosted production from fewer than 100 units in 2010 to more than 2,000 this year, notes
Scott Harden, the company's vice president of marketing. Compared to gas-powered counterparts, he says Zeros are cheaper to operate -- about a
penny per mile -- and don't make noise, fumes or vibrations.
E-motorcycles sell best in the San Francisco Bay area, southern California, Florida and Texas, says Adrian Stewart, director of marketing for Oregonbased Brammo, which rolled out its first model in 2009.
The U.S. market faces increased competition as BMW launches an e-scooter this year, and Yamaha plans an electric entry in 2016.
Also on the way are three-wheeled electric tuk-tuks, vehicles without sides that have canopies and are common in Asia. Netherlands-based Tuk Tuk
Factory is partnering with eTuk USA, which is seeking road-use approval for three models from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
THOUSANDS OF ANGRY BIKERS CLOG FRENCH STREETS IN PROTEST
Once again, France was the scene of enormous demonstrations with thousands of motorcyclists gathering in every city across the nation on April 12 and
protesting at the newly proposed speed limit of 80 km per hour (50 mph) on the national road network. The angry bikers accuse the government of
wanting to impose draconian measures in the sole attempt to cash in extra euros from road users who simply won’t respect the proposed speed limits.
Paris alone saw more than 5,000 angry bikers blocking the city centre for hours and bringing it to a complete standstill. Other cities across France also
saw massive protests with thousands of irate motorcyclists showing their opposition to the reduced speed limit. Lyon, the second largest French city,
was also paralyzed with thousands of bikers blocking that city’s centre in revolt against the new speed restrictions. Protests took place in 80 towns and
cities across the country and were all organized by regional branches of the extremely respected and powerful Fédération Française des Motards en
Colère (FFMC) also known in English as the French Federation of Angry Bikers.
The French government will further discuss the proposals and a decision will be made by the end of the year. The bikers are prepared to take up the
streets again if need be to express their on-going ire.
.
FOUR CORNERS “COMING TOGETHER”
The National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and Confederation of Clubs (COC) will host a “Coming Together” on Saturday, August 30, 2014 during
Ignacio Bike Week, 1:30-4:30pm at the Sun Ute Community Center, 290 Mouache in Ignacio, Colorado. “An opportunity to meet patch holders from
around the country,” the agenda includes a COC Report by Richard M. Lester, Founder of AIM & NCOM, a seminar on the Defender Program& National
Anti-profiling Legislation by Paul Landers, U.S. Defender Lt Commander and Liaison for COCs Texas, a seminar on Riders Rights and Liberties, and a
seminar by Colorado Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney Wade Eldridge on Search and Seizure & Other Rights. The Coming Together will
continue with a Confederation of Clubs Meeting with reports from representatives of each Confederation present, and conclude with a Show of Unity.
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
8
Amanda Casaus Sentencing for
Killing Motorcyclist as Reported by KOAT
TV June 2014
NMMRO Membership
Single Membership
$20.00
Couples Membership
KILLED A MOTORCYCLIST WHILE DRIVING DRUNK, IS
HEADED TO PRISON FOR YEARS. BUT TONIGHT, THE
VICTIM'S FAMILY TELLS KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER
ANNA VELASQUEZ, HER APOLOGY DOESN'T EASE THEIR
PAIN. ONE BY ONE... MEMBERS OF PETE LA FONDE'S
FAMILY STOOD BEFORE JUDGE BRIANNA ZAMORA... AND
TOLD HER HOW AMANDA CASAUS' ACTIONS ON MARCH
15TH 2013, DEVASTATED THEIR LIVES. THEY ASKED FOR
THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE THE LAW WOULD ALLOW SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON. PETE'S WIDOW,
LAURA, WORE HIS WEDDING RING AROUND HER NECK. we
have to live without Pete and she can go in and serve her
time and get out and live her life and carry on as if nothing
happened THE DAY CASAUS CRASHED INTO LAFOND,
POLICE SAY HER BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS MORE THAN
TWICE THE LEGAL LIMIT. SHE DIDN'T STOP TO HELP. BUT
HER ATTORNEY SAYS SHE WASN'T TRYING TO EVADE
POLICE. HE TOLD THE JUDGE, CASAUS DIDN'T REMEMBER
THE CRASH--BECAUSE SHE BLACKED OUT FROM
DRINKING TOO MUCH. CASAUS HAS ASKED TO SPEAK TO
LAFOND'S FAMILY BEFORE AND BEEN DENIED. THIS TIME,
SHE GOT THE CHANCE. I took a loved one away from his
family. I'm very ashamed of my actions on that day. And
because of what I've taken away, I will never drink again
CASAUS'S FAMILY AND ATTORNEY SAYS SHE HAS PLENTY
OF REMORSE. BUT LAURA LAFOND SAYS, THAT MAY NOT
BE ENOUGH. we know she didn't intentionally hit him but
she did intentionally drink and get in that car JUDGE
ZAMORA AGREED WITH PROSECUTORS, THAT THIS WAS A
SERIOUS VIOLENT OFFENSE. BUT HE DIDN'T GIVE
AMANDA CASAUS THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE. SHE'LL
SPEND 4 AND A HALF YEARS BEHIND BARS. BACK TO YOU.
CASAUS HAD NO PRIOR CONVICTIONS, AND THIS WAS
HER FIRST.
Read
more: http://www.koat.com/news/AmandaCasaus-Sentencing/26670040#ixzz36kGTQy00

Most Popular
Read
more: http://www.koat.com/news/AmandaCasaus-Sentencing/26670040#ixzz36kFutdi4
$30.00
Corporate Membership
Renewals:
$100.00
Single
$15.00
Couple
$20.00
Please send info & checks to:
NMMRO
PO Box 27673
Albuquerque NM 87125-7673
--------------------------------------------------Name:_________________________
Address:_______________________
______________________________
(City, State and Zip Code)
E-mail: ________________________
Phone Number: _________________
Are you a registered voter? ________
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
Calendar of Events…
July 19th
Fire And Ice Rally
Grants, NM
July 25-27th
RT 66 Freedom Ride
Tucumcari Elks Lodge
August 2nd
COC Meeting
Post 49, Central and Elizabeth
August 30th
Ignacio Bike Week
August 30th
Brandons Cause Run
Sep 20th
NMMRO Meeting (12pm)
Post 49, Central and Elizabeth
Sep 13th
Save The Patch Swap Meet
Caravan Night Club
WED night
Bike night
Applebees, Academy and San Mateo
WED night
Bike night
(12pm)
Ignacio, Co
(11am)
(5:30-9pm)
(6-9)
Important Links:
•
CNMMRO Email Address: cnmmro@bikerider.com
•
NMMRO Website: www.thenmmro.org
•
New Mexico Confederation of Clubs Website:
www.nmcoc.org
•
MRF Website: www.mrf.org
•
AMA Website: www.amadirectlink.com
•
NCOM Website: www.aimncom.com/news/news.htm
changed to http://onabike.com/motorcycle-news/
•
New Mexico Legislature: http://www.nmlegis.gov
•
Find our representative
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
•
Find your senator
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senat
ors_cfm.cfm?State=NM
•
Find your state legislator
http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislator_search.aspx
Balloon Park Museum
Malarky’s, Hotel Circle
9
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MRF
E-MAIL
NEWS
Motorcycle
Riders
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Suite 204 | Washington,
202-546-0983 (voice) | 202-546-0986 (fax) | http://www.mrf.org
DC
11
Foundation
20002-4980
14NR27 - MRF News Release - HR 4745 Walberg Amendment PassesFOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 June 2014
Contact:Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations and Public
Affairs
Contact:Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs
HR 4745 Walberg Amendment Passes
On June 9th the United States House of Representatives agreed on the Walberg Amendment to the
2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill by voice vote on the House
floor, reports the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
The Amendment offered by Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) along with Mr. Sensenbrenner (R-WI)
and Mr. Ribble (R-WI), eliminates a provision in the 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development Appropriations act that would have allowed the Secretary of Transportation to discuss
motorcycle safety initiatives with state legislators.
In 1998 Congress passed a law that made it illegal for the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) to lobby state legislatures. Prior to 1998, according to the Government
Accountability Office, NHTSA had spent tens of thousands of dollars traveling to states whenever a
state debated changing their own state helmet law. Seeing this as a waste of taxpayer money, the
congress prohibited anyone from NHTSA to lobby states uninvited.
Mr. Walberg had this to say “This money should go to fund eliminating distracted driving, motorcycle
rider education, and motorist-motorcycle awareness campaigns.”
“Put simply this is a states rights issue”, said Jeff Hennie Vice President of Government Relations and
Public Affairs for the Motorcycle Rider Foundation. He added “With such limited, precious funds they
need to be used in areas of safety that are proven, not for bureaucratic waste.”
The amendment was opposed on the floor by Ed Pastor (D-AZ).
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) thanks everyone who made calls on this important issue, your
participation was key in getting this amendment to pass.
The full bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives the evening of June 10th with the
Walberg amendment enacted.
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THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.)
and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M.
Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at www.ON-ABIKE.com. NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists
(NCOM)
The New AIM Motorcycle Emergency App for Your
Smartphones - The Aid To Injured Motorcyclists App
provides you with helpful resources and easy access to
emergency tools that can help get you to safety in the
event of an accident.
It is available for use on iPhone
and Android phone operating systems. Just search for “Aid
to Injured Motorcyclists” on the Apple App Store or the
Google Play Store. If you have a QR code reader app, you
can scan this QR code to be taken to your respective app
store.
App Features Include:
 Emergency Accident Center
 Current Weather and Traffic Report local to your area
 One Touch Access to call the Police or to locate the
nearest Emergency Center
 Easy Access to call a Taxi Cab for the times you may
need a safe ride home

Accident Form to report when you have been involved
in an accident
 *Ability to capture photos at the scene of the incident
and submit in the Accident Form
 **Audio Recording from the device to capture sound
right at the scene of the incident to send with your form
 Plenty of helpful resources that will keep you wellinformed on different types of injuries and accidents
 Contact and Location Information to a law firm that
specializes in personal injury and auto accident cases
The law offices of Richard M. Lester have been helping bikers
for nearly 30 years. Richard Lester, our founding attorney,
realized the need for injured bikers to be professionally
represented. He understood that motorcycle cases are very
different accidents and that there was a need for lawyers that
knew motorcycles because they rode too.
THE NMMRO NEWSLETTER
13
Hello NM.
I am writing this after attending a status hearing in the Larrieston Charlie case. This is the drunk driver that murdered Johnathan
Yazzie over 2 years ago and just a couple of days after the sentencing of another drunk driver Amanda Casaus who murdered
biker Peter LaFond. In the Casaus case the judge chose not to give the full sentence of 7 1/2 years instead sentencing her to 4
1/2 years. As I sat in the District Court waiting for the Charlie case to be called and listening to many other cases it is truly amazing
how many folks there are out on our streets due to plea bargains with numerous DWI’s. The logic in my brain just can’t
understand how you have been convicted of 6 DWI’s but the 7th is pleaded down to a 1st for sentencing. In my life I have never
been able to repeat anything that I had done for the 1st time, but seems our courts, DA’s and Defense Attorneys have figured
out how to reverse time or something like that. When is it time for people to take responsibility for their actions. The percentages
have never been in the motorcyclist favor but now adding the phenomenon of distracted driving it seems like we don’t have
much of a chance out there on the roads. We must all stand with the families of victims to let the courts know we are truly
paying attention to their decisions. But we must also practice what we preach in the way of not driving or riding distracted or
under the influence. We must make a stand when we see one of our own brothers or sisters with the keys in their hands and
making the wrong decision. All these families are in my prayers daily, but the main thought is not to add anymore and it is up to
me and the rest of us to make that a reality. The jury trial for Larrieston Charlie will start Aug. 11th with jury selection starting at
8am in District Court in Gallup. WNMMRO will hopefully be there in force to stand with Johnathan’s widow Michelle and the
rest of his family to make sure justice is served.
Okay, so more on WNMMRO. We are working on our Community Pantry Run scheduled for July 12th, 2014. Last year we raised
$1000.00 for the Jim Harlan Community Panty here in Gallup and had a great time doing it.
Rt. 66 Freedom Ride, Flight & Cruise is July 25th, 26th and 27th. The ride will be on the 26th with registration at the Glenrio
Visitor Center at the NM/Tx stateline starting at 9am with KSU at 11am. It is a 400 mile ride across NM in support of our Armed
Forces. There is also a car show and cruise, hot air balloon mass ascensions in Gallup over the weekend. You can get the event
and ride schedules on the website: rt66freedomweekend.com.
We are still doing our quarterly highway cleanups not only to keep the area looking good but mainly to raise awareness that
motorcycles are out there and we all have families and friends that we would like to come home to after a ride.
We have added a facebook page for the WNMMRO. So if you are one of those fb folks take the time to like it and check out our
website: www.wnmmro.webs.com/. WNMMRO regular meetings are the 3rd Saturday each month at 8am El Charrito 2003 W.
Hwy. 66 Gallup NM. - RIDE FREE/RIDE SAFE but most of all RIDE!
Jim, WNMMRO Coordinator
CNMMRO Newsletter Report, July 2014
The membership of the Central New Mexico chapter of the NMMRO voted to elect new officers at their July meeting with the
following results:
Chairman – Rod Owens, Vice Chairman – Steve Summers, Secretary – Cinda Romero, Treasurer – Bev Covert, Sgt. At Arms – Bill
Bettesworth
The new officers are elected to one year terms and will start their duties at the August meeting. Our new chairman, Rod Owens,
has been the chapter Secretary/Treasurer for several years and has been instrumental in the day to day operation of the chapter
during that time. Rod is well qualified to be chairman and we welcome him to the position. Also, please welcome Cinda Romero
as the chapter secretary. This is Cinda’s first time as a chapter officer. She is also well qualified for her position and we are
confident Cinda will be a great addition to the board of directors. Our new chapter treasurer is Bev Covert. You may remember
Bev as the editor for the NMMRO newsletter a few years ago. Bev has held several different positions in our chapter over the
years and is well qualified to take over the chapter’s finances. Steve Summers and Bill Bettesworth are returning in their positions
as Vice Chairman and Sgt At Arms respectively. Steve and Bill have performed their duties with honor in the past and will continue
to do so in the future.
The chapter’s main focus right now is to work with the city of Rio Rancho and the NMDOT to put up “Watch For Motorcycles”
signs in Rio Rancho. We will be working with Annette and other chapters who have had signs erected in the past in order to
determine the best possible locations for these signs. We will also continue to support the NMMRO’s legislative agenda at the
State level and participate in lobbying efforts at the State Capitol.
Meeting time and location for the CNMMRO: 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm
Cazuela’s Mexican Grill in Rio Rancho
4501 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Chapter email address: cnmmro@bikerider.com
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