Georgia's Full Throttle Magazine

NEXT MEETING FOR MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION ISSUES
*** JANUARY 17TH - 7PM - FAT CATS***
2523 VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY - AUSTELL, GA

ANNOUNCING - FEB 12th - RIDE TO THE CAPITAL FOR ALL MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS - You took off work to see John Travolta and Martin Lawrence for the Wild Hogs movie promotion. We need you to take a few hours on 12th for your right to ride. This is about making your legislators aware that you live, you ride and you vote in GA and that you care about how they vote for you

THIS IS ABOUT ALL MAKES & MODELS OF MOTORCYCLES. It started with the customs but it affects us all. Have you got a Goldwing Trike conversion? What about a Hyabusa with a stretched frame? Got a BMW Touring bike with modified exhaust? What about that '39 Ford or '68 Camaro project you've wanted to build all your life? This has the potential to eventually spill into every hobby that runs with an internal combustion engine. FORWARD TO EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST.

As you may be aware the State of GA has revoked existing titles and tags of some custom motorcycles that were previously approved for use. Also, they are not inspecting and issuing certificates of title for newly built motorcycles in spite of them being built by approved manufacturers. This all came to our attention at Full Throttle about three weeks ago. On January 2nd a meeting was held that included many local builders, representatives of ABATE, MRF and NCOM, as well as several concerned motorcyclists. Over the last week while attempting to get new information State agencies have been vague and at times have refused comment.

During the World of Wheels show this past weekend we obtained nearly 2,000 signatures on a petition that we've started. More importantly we made thousands of people aware of what is taking place. WE NEED YOU ALL TO GET INVOLVED!!! We have a few ideas of what direction to take to get started and we will be sending more information as the pieces come together. But for now we need you to attend our next meeting on January 17th to learn more about about what can be done to help.

If you have a custom built bike or have built a kit bike be prepared for some potential problems as you go for your new tags this year. If you encounter any problems please email me so we can add you to our growing list of owners that have had their titles and tags REVOKED. This is going to be a big deal and we need to fix it before it really escalates.

On top of this there are many other issues and bills coming up for the legislative session that will also require our attention. The "red light" bill that will allow motorcyclists to proceed (after waiting safely) through lights that have sensing devices that are not triggered by the weight if the bike. There is also the "Uninsured motorists (UM) insurance" bill (SB276)that Chuck Watwood has addressed in this month's magazine. This will affect you in your cars as well as on your motorcycle. The insurance lobby is adamant to keep this one down. It will allow your UM to stack on top of the other parties' policy. Currently if you have $25K in UM and you are hit by someone with $25K, you will only receive the $25K. In most states the two would add together for you to receive $50K. That is a very simplistic explanation but it gives you the basics.

FOR NOW, This link makes it very easy to find your government representatives:

 http://www.congress.org/congressorg/state/main/?state=GA&view=myofficials#0

FOLK THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE WAY FOR YOU TO BE INVOLVED. Punch in your zip code to find the reps for your area. Then pick up the phone and call them. We have found that most of them are not even aware of the problem. Tell them that you are aware and concerned that the State has been revoking existing titles and tags of some custom built bikes and that it appears to be a misinterpretation of the law. Tell them that you are a motorcyclist, that you vote and that you are very concerned about what the State is doing that affects your overall freedom to build and ride the type of motorcycle of your choosing. Keep it brief and to the point. Be sure to thank them kindly for their help. Follow up by sending a fax or letter. Postcards are even recommended because of the anthrax concerns. They do not require screening. Make a separate call and send a separate letter for each issue. The more separate calls and letters the better.

NEXT!!!
JOIN ABATE - www.abatega.org JOIN the AMA American Motorcyclists Assoc. - www.ama-cycle.org JOIN Motorcycle Rights Foundation - www.mrf.org
WE NEED THESE FOLKS TO AID IN THIS FIGHT!!!

These organizations cannot operate and pay lobbyists without your support. In Georgia, ABATE is our State's (MRO) motorcycle rights organization. They are not just in place to host an occasional swap meet. In fact, the swap meets are intended as a way to increase membership and raise money so they can do the job of protecting our rights. The next one is Jan 27th so be sure to attend and invite your friends.

Attend next weeks meeting Jan 17th - 7pm at Fat Cats, 2523 Veterans Memorial HWy in Austell, GA. We can answer all question there at one time.
Again, CALL if you have run into the title and tag problem so we can add you to our list.

Weekly E-Mail From the Editor


NEXT MEETING FOR MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION ISSUES * JANUARY 17TH - 7PM - FAT CATS* 2523 VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY - AUSTELL, GA ANNOUNCING - FEB 12th - RIDE TO THE CAPITAL FOR ALL MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS - You took off work to see John Travolta and Martin Lawrence for the Wild Hogs movie promotion. We need you to take a few hours on 12th for your right to ride. This is about making your legislators aware that you live, you ride and you vote in GA and that you care about how they vote for you THIS IS ABOUT ALL MAKES & MODELS OF MOTORCYCLES. It started with the customs but it affects us all. Have you got a Goldwing Trike conversion? What about a Hyabusa with a stretched frame? Got a BMW Touring bike with modified exhaust? What about that '39 Ford or '68 Camaro project you've wanted to build all your life? This has the potential to eventually spill into every hobby that runs with an internal combustion engine. FORWARD TO EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST. As you may be aware the State of GA has revoked existing titles and tags of some custom motorcycles that were previously approved for use. Also, they are not inspecting and issuing certificates of title for newly built motorcycles in spite of them being built by approved manufacturers. This all came to our attention at Full Throttle about three weeks ago. On January 2nd a meeting was held that included many local builders, representatives of ABATE, MRF and NCOM, as well as several concerned motorcyclists. Over the last week while attempting to get new information State agencies have been vague and at times have refused comment. During the World of Wheels show this past weekend we obtained nearly 2,000 signatures on a petition that we've started. More importantly we made thousands of people aware of what is taking place. WE NEED YOU ALL TO GET INVOLVED!!! We have a few ideas of what direction to take to get started and we will be sending more information as the pieces come together. But for now we need you to attend our next meeting on January 17th to learn more about about what can be done to help. If you have a custom built bike or have built a kit bike be prepared for some potential problems as you go for your new tags this year. If you encounter any problems please email me so we can add you to our growing list of owners that have had their titles and tags REVOKED. This is going to be a big deal and we need to fix it before it really escalates. On top of this there are many other issues and bills coming up for the legislative session that will also require our attention. The "red light" bill that will allow motorcyclists to proceed (after waiting safely) through lights that have sensing devices that are not triggered by the weight if the bike. There is also the "Uninsured motorists (UM) insurance" bill (SB276)that Chuck Watwood has addressed in this month's magazine. This will affect you in your cars as well as on your motorcycle. The insurance lobby is adamant to keep this one down. It will allow your UM to stack on top of the other parties' policy. Currently if you have $25K in UM and you are hit by someone with $25K, you will only receive the $25K. In most states the two would add together for you to receive $50K. That is a very simplistic explanation but it gives you the basics. FOR NOW, This link makes it very easy to find your government representatives: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/state/main/?state=GA&view=myofficials#0 FOLK THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE WAY FOR YOU TO BE INVOLVED. Punch in your zip code to find the reps for your area. Then pick up the phone and call them. We have found that most of them are not even aware of the problem. Tell them that you are aware and concerned that the State has been revoking existing titles and tags of some custom built bikes and that it appears to be a misinterpretation of the law. Tell them that you are a motorcyclist, that you vote and that you are very concerned about what the State is doing that affects your overall freedom to build and ride the type of motorcycle of your choosing. Keep it brief and to the point. Be sure to thank them kindly for their help. Follow up by sending a fax or letter. Postcards are even recommended because of the anthrax concerns. They do not require screening. Make a separate call and send a separate letter for each issue. The more separate calls and letters the better. NEXT!!! JOIN ABATE - www.abatega.org JOIN the AMA American Motorcyclists Assoc. - www.ama-cycle.org JOIN Motorcycle Rights Foundation - www.mrf.org WE NEED THESE FOLKS TO AID IN THIS FIGHT!!! These organizations cannot operate and pay lobbyists without your support. In Georgia, ABATE is our State's (MRO) motorcycle rights organization. They are not just in place to host an occasional swap meet. In fact, the swap meets are intended as a way to increase membership and raise money so they can do the job of protecting our rights. The next one is Jan 27th so be sure to attend and invite your friends. Attend next weeks meeting Jan 17th - 7pm at Fat Cats, 2523 Veterans Memorial HWy in Austell, GA. We can answer all question there at one time. Again, CALL if you have run into the title and tag problem so we can add you to our list.