Tuesday, September 26, 2006

 

Lane finally charged with Intoxication Manslaughter, and I predict little more than a slap on the wrist


Full story here. My original article on this subject is here.

As much as I'd like to think that Billy Lane's career is over at this point, it probably isn't. If there's one thing Americans love to do, it's forgive and redeem celebrities and their boneheaded antics. It's very sad, but very true.

You see, we've been taught by our Baby Boomer and Gen-X parents to worship the cult of personality first and foremost, which will likely be Billy's saving grace. He'll do 18 months (tops) in prison, and then it's back on the streets again claiming to be a changed man. Next comes a stream of steady, lucrative speaking engagements in high school auditoriums across the nation to preach with teary eyes against the dangers of driving while intoxicated, and before you know it, Bob's your uncle. Pretty soon Discovery comes calling again and Billy Lane is back on top, same as before -- at least until this retarded chopper craze dies.

Call me pessimistic, but I call it realism. Lane will never be properly punished on this earth for what he did. Meanwhile, his victim's family must suffer their loss every day from now on.

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006

 

"Super Bikes!" lacks depth, but makes it up with hot chicks and trick motorcycles


"Hi Tim, I was reading your SuperBike blog and ... I wanted to know if you had posted your opinion yet on their [Speed Channel's] sorta new show, Superbikes. I know its been getting a variety of different feedback since its skewed towards the younger demographic and a bit more edgy. What our your thoughts? I'll be reading your blog to hear your feedback :-) Thanks!" - Kelly (Via MySpace)

Actually, I have been meaning to post a review of Super Bikes! for a few weeks, now. I just wanted to get more than a few complete episodes under my belt before forming my opinion. Over all, I think it's pretty good for a lifestyle show. The only pitfall of the format seems to be that its narrow focus will surely lead to the 'same old same old' episodes before too long. Like any other cable lifestyle show, it lacks depth, which is unfortunately part of the territory these days.

Super Bikes! is basically the NOPI Tunervision of the motorcycle set -- you know, lots of scantily clad 20 year-old rally chicks; blinged out, super customized, 1000cc hyperbikes contrasted with half-destroyed stunt junkers, and then everything in between. Basically all the same stuff you can see by hanging out at your local Starbucks on Saturday night.

The one area where Super Bikes! may be breaking ground, however, is in their willingness to show outright hooliganry on public streets. The usual legal disclaimers about trained riders and closed courses precede each episode, but the actual footage -- especially some of the B-roll cuts -- contradicts those claims loudly. I often wonder how such things are interpreted by the ignorant masses who do not understand motorbikes and the culture that surrounds them.

All in all, not a bad show, but don't bother looking below the surface. You won't find anything about motorcycling's spiritual side exemplified in a given episode of Super Bikes!, nor will you gleen anything deeply technical. It's eye candy for twenty-somethings, and that's all it was desgned to be.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

 

Ho, Lee, Mackrel...


"MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. -- Eyewitness News has learned a Brevard County resident, whose passion is building motorcycles, is now suspected of accidentally killing a motorcyclist in a [head-on pickup/bike] crash. Billy Lane [emphasis mine] owns Choppers, Inc. in Melbourne Beach and has been featured on motorcycle television shows...

"'He was passing where a double yellow line was on the roadway. He passed two cars, attempted to get back in his lane and, before he could do that, hit this motorcyclist head on,' said Trooper Kim Miller, Florida Highway Patrol...

"On his Choppers, Inc. web site, Lane is shown relaxing with a beer. Troopers suspect he was driving under the influence late Monday night...

"'We do believe he was impaired based on the evaluations the trooper did on Mr. Lane,' Miller said."


SOURCE: http://www.wftv.com/news/9792681/detail.html

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Tuesday, September 05, 2006

 

An excellent safety gear ad


This ad appeals to me both as an art director and as a motorcyclist. An optimal gear-up appears on the left, a bare-minimum gear-up on the right. The ad was apparently done for the benefit of military personnel, but is an excellent visual example of how a rider should be dressed: