MRO's and why you should care

How many of you know what a MRO (motorcycle right organization) is?
It's not a club, owners group or gang.
MRO's are organizations dedicated to Bikers Rights. Many riders are completely unaware of laws being submitted
to various state legislatures that will reduce the activities your allowed to do with your bike.
Example:
Right now california SB435 is seeking to make it illegal to install
aftermarket exhaust that does not have have a stamp on it from the EPA.
I just read a post by a member wondering about the maker of his muffler as it has no markings on it-if the bill passes
he would be violating the law by replacing it with a new one of the same manufaturer.
Auto shops replace mufflers all the time without this requirment.

Example 2, several states along with David Strickland Chair of NHTSB
seeking a national helmet law-even though this had been tried in the passed and failed.

Other movements are in the works to make it illegal to do any home repairs on your bike-you will HAVE to take it to a
cert. mechanic, even for minor repairs. I've even seen a writ suggesting that any new bike
bought after a given date can only have OEM parts used for repairs,NO AFTERMARKET REPACEMENTS AT ALL.

We, in the MMA of Arizona have banded with other MRO's and have gotten several pro-biker bills passed through hard work and
footwork, so change can take place. All it takes is effort.

These laws get passed quietly and very quickly and are very difficult to reverse once in place. So please take a few minutes to look
up the MRO from your state and do bit of research.

I know very few you have the time for these time consuming fights, but for those who do make the effort it is very rewarding. I spent years
complaining about these issues but now I 'm putting words into action, and
to see your work rewarded by way of pro-bike laws/ammendments is not
only unbelievably satisfying, but you get some idea of how much
the the joy of modification is under attack by people who are misinformed
about bikes and how quikly a "knee-jerk" reaction to a single event
can lead to extream laws curtailing your ability to the "pursuit of
happieness" that we all enjoy.

 

Just an after thought,Motorcycles make up only 3% of registered
vehicals traveling on CA roads and hwy's. Yet if the law passes
it means the 97% of the rest can buy cheap import mufflers
on their cars and trucks-sometimes as low as $49.95.
We will have to pony up replacements that could easly top
$200.00. No more JP Whitney $12.00 deals during sales or
all the various overseas suppliers unless they also add these stamps
which will more then likey raise the prices up as well.
Give it some thought because it wont stop there.

 

7503 member on this site.
91 views to this thread.
0 responces.

I had hoped for a little more support from the members of this site.
We have the best when it comes keeping these old bikes on the road.
We have some of the coolest mods I've seen, and brag to all my friends
about the great work you've all done.

Yet the local/state/fed gov's are constantly passing restrictions that will
flat out stop you from the very thing you love-mod your bikes.

I misslead myself...that much is clear. I thought the guys on this site
we're more the just bike owners.

This is especialy true of the real masters on this site to whom thier
passion was beyond the scope of the ordinary.

Having my eye's opened to this reality was painfull, dissapointing
and totaly unexspected. I guess I held the members far too high
in admiration and thought that if any group of people would be willing
to put effort into the rights of riders it would be you.

I guess I should have known better,as most bike owners like to
think "let someone else do it ,I'll just reap the beneifits of thier
effort"

 

Don't blame the Membership.

THE ONLY worst time for a Post, like this, would be Christmas Eve.

 

Sorry, didn't catch the relevance.
Then again I don't rant about copyright infringement buying the xjcd
as opposed to the official yamaha service manual while happily
posting a detailed tutorial on how to remove factory capped pilot
screw access in violation of fed EPA laws-which in many cities would
not only disqualify the bike from passing emissions test but can
result in fines. But I digress.
The issue at hand is for the builders- chopped,bobbed,pods,
aftermarket exhaust etc.
A look at any state and you will see legilation that seeks to remove
the right have anything but a stock bike.
But I've wasted your time and mine since it's painfully obvious that
like 99% of bike owners it's left to someone else do the legislative
foot work to lobby aginst anti bike laws.
I thought, given the skilled and motivated members
I might find more then just the "talk and no action" I see day in and
day out. We (Motorcycle Rights Oragnizations) work many hours lobbying for your rights. But help and support is rewarded with exactly Ricks
responce-glib disintrest.-

 

I agree with Rick. Give the folks time. Just because you have time to post on the 4th of July weekend, doesn't mean the rest of them are even close to their computer. Sometimes their are things that take precedence over riding. On another note, i do agree with your notice, and will look into this.

 

My post began on the 1st- but be that as it may I regret
starting the post to begin with.
There was a post over speeding tickets that was posted on the
2nd with 16 replies over two pages.
The fact is, and has already been stated,This has been very
dissapointing as I had hoped we had at leased a few interested in
doing a little more then crying about issues and taking action.
But instead It's the "leave it to others" to deal with even though
we need all the help we can get.
Let me point out again:
16 replies about happily breaking the law by speeding.
0 replies in support in lobbying for motorcycle rights.
I think it's a very sad but telling fact.

 

well let's see here, if you google "motorcycle rights org" you get
"http://www.weaselsusa.org/mro.htm" as the third hit, then we got to
ARIZONA and we see "Modified Motorcycle Association of Arizona, PMB 138, PO Box 30280, Phoenix, AZ 85046; www.MMA-az.org"
so that sounds intresting, click on it and
it turns out this page is blocked by google as a "attack" page just waiting to send you something not good for your computer or redirect you to God knows where no thanks amigo, maybe more people would join your crusade if it didn't start with deceptive spam
so don't call us uncaring do-nouthigs before you get your own house in order

 

I dont think he made the site, polock.

I'm downright pissed off if all this is true, because it affects EVERY PERSON on this site- chacal would have to flip burgers for a living, how many of you when ordering from him, pick the around 20% higher OEM part verses the aftermarket part, I know I choose the later.

Mufflers, hah, DONT get me started, do you honestly think any aftermarket company is going to redesign their systems for 30 year old bikes? They probably move a fraction of a percent compared to new bikes, so they will just say F it and stop making it, the ones who may get lucky are the xs650s and SOHC cb750s. How many of yo on this site either make your own exhaust for coolness or to save a few bones? We also let others know when theres sales on cheap o mufflers.

And not being able to put a wrench to a bike? What kind of joke is that? I LOVE wrenching on my bike, its hard to describe but it just takes all the trouble out of life, just sitting in the garage with the door open, a drink of choice by your side, your dog on the other, and some tunes going on the radio, would you like to get a ticket for doing that? I sure as hell wouldnt... I'm going to post this on Thechopperunderground, because like this site, it wouldnt exist if such legislation was passed, can you imagine? not being able to troubleshoot a bike? having to find a dealer that will work on these bikes? and let alone, most people buy t hese bikes cuz they're cheap and they dont have much money to spend, they couldnt afford the 300 it would cost to properly rebuild the carbs...

 

Removing the Pilot Mixture Plugs is not a Crime.

Producing and distributing the XJCD ... IS ... a Crime.

Preventing me from performing maintenance and repairs on my own motorcycle is Un-Constitutional.

Mandatory Helmet Laws are already on-the-books.
So are regulations for Exhaust System loudness.
OEM Parts ONLY. Ruled UN-Constitutional.

I don't want to join anything other than Triple-A.

I cant speak for the other 75-Hundred.
But, it is apparent that most have not seen the post and therefore not responded.

But, if this was going to be the subject of a Town Hall Meeting; I wouldn't make a whole pot of coffee.

 

I agree, our web master has been doing his best to clean up the
new site structure from the previous one.
But I never asked you to join our MRO- I'm sure you have one in your
state.
This post has nothing to do with me as an individual- it's
about all riders and the continued push by local, state and fed
governments restricting what can and can't be done with our bikes.
But if the extent of your criticisim about a web page that I
have little to do with then your a perfect example of someone attempting
to change a subject by attacking someone who's only interest
in working towards bikers freedoms.
We have 1200 members and 12 distircts state wide and have helped to
pass several pro-biker laws this year alone.
I had only hoped for help on a nation wide affort as well as in our state.
Sit on your @$$ and criticize me all you wish.It merely shows you to be
talker instead of a do'er.

 

Doesn't Abate deal with these types of issues also.

I know they are against the helmet law - which really doesn't matter to me, because I would never go without a helmet. I always thought that Abate dealt with all motorcycle rights issues. That is the organization that needs to be involved with MRO. It isn't really just an XJ, CB, or any other brand. It is all motorcyclists from all makes and models.

I believe that if these issues were brought up to some the lawyers that represent motorcyclist's, then more bikers would know about it. I see at least 2 or 3 of these lawyers at every swap meet, and they spend lots of money promoting motorcycle issues. I even get emails and news letters from time to time telling about legislation dealing with these issues from them.

 

most people probaby aren't responding because most of what you are saying governments at various levels are trying to do will never happen. making it illegal to work on your own bike? not only would it never happen, but how would they enforce it? when you get pulled over would you have to prove a shop did your last oil change? Not being able to use non OEM parts and no modifications? again, would never happen, and how would it be enforced? have all police carry a booklet with pictures of front rear and both sides of all motorcycles ever made to make sure you didnt do a fender delete?

Maybe people aren't interested in "MRO"s because they spend time fighting helmet laws, instead of spending their efforts on things that would actually help motorcycle riders like trying to teach people to be more wary of motorcyclists instead of the one "share the road" billboard seen every few months.

Instead, they spend their time fighting helmet laws that have been proven to save lives. Sure some would argue its your choice whether you want to be safe or not, but i don't want to have my tax money wasted on the police officers, EMTs, firemen, traffic backup, etc. that need to be paid to come scrape your corpse off the road. So rather than appearing like a group of motorcycle enthusiasts trying to secure the same freedoms that all other motorists enjoy, you come off as whiny special interest lobbyists that care more about looking super cool on your bike than being safe, which perpetuates the idea of asshole motorcyclists to non riders.

Happy independence day. join in with the rest of the nation in celebrating the protections our constitution provides from most of the things you said are happening from ever actually becoming laws.

 

Hello from Canada.

 

Nothing personal but you are very much misinformed. We work very closely with ABATE as well as others. Helmet laws are but one example
of dozens of anti-bike legilation currently being submitted in most states.
If I come across as "whiny then thats because I lack articulation skills.
A little research on your part and you will see that ca sb435 wanted to
out law any but EPA stamped exhaust But again through the hard
work of ABATE,ARF,MMA and others it's been shelved for now.
Again you and others have chosen to attack me without even a clue as
the work MRO's do to keep the right to modify our bikes.
What better day to express the right to keep our freedom then on this
day of freedom celebration

And Rick...It is in fact a violation of fed EPA laws to alter the factory pilot mixture settings. Thats why they are capped.
This thread was posted with only one thing in mind.And that was to
hopfully add to the growing number of people opposed to some shmuck
passing laws to make only stock bikes legal.
pilot access. Just because you don't believe it does'nt make it so.
Sitting back with the attidude of "that will never happen" is fine.
Blind as hell,but fine.

 

So, we are supposed to ride around on a 20 + year old bike, running like a POS for the sake of not getting access to the pilot mixture screws?
Get real, Parts.

 

come on now, he's just trying to watch out for us; which i appreciate

 

So you're leaving your plugs in Schooter?

 

Boy, you sure missed the point of this thread.
It has nothing to do with pilot screws.

Again my intention was to bring awareness to the ever increasing
anti-bike legislation being passed from all levels of gov.

But the response has been far more focused on on me as a person
with a number of personal attacks,while all along I'm just trying to do
my part (along with many others) to keep the business of
bike modifcation to us riders and not some bureaucrat.

Wizard, I can't remember saying as much to you even if I disagreed
with you on an issue.
I see no need to be insulting.

Thanks for the kind words Schooter.

I thought all subjects were open to calm logical discussion. Man was
I wrong. So much for the brotherhood of XJ owners

 

Sorry Parts, I just pick up on one point in your thread, my comments are no less relevant though.
Strike a blow for freedom, Parts, stuff PC.

 

I read the first post only a little while after it was posted. Like a lot of threads I read, if I don't have anything constructive to add I just move on. Sometimes I'll post a tidbit, sometimes if I'm feeling froggy I'll post more.

Regarding this thread, Parts original intent was to get folks aware and interested in their local MRO or a national one Like ABATE or AMA. Which is a GOOD IDEA. I think a link or two to an actual MRO would have helped, so let's try this:
http://www.ama-cycle.org/
That's AMA, and by the way you generally get a discount on insurance if you're a member (Progressive give it, others do as well).

For ABATE, do a google search for "ABATE" and add your state at the end.

Here's the thing about being a member of these groups. Let's say you are a member of both of these groups. In effect, that means you get three votes on these issues: Your actual vote, plus each group get's to add your name to their list. I know, it's not an actual vote but follow me here for just a minute. When they lobby for your rights, they can say we have X number of members and we believe this. Next group gets to say the same thing. Politician being simple minded criminals, will see the total number from both groups and think "Wow, that's a lot of people who are ACTIVE on this issue. If they all vote, and I'm against them I might have to actually get a real job. So, I think I'll just vote with their wishes so I can continue my cake job with benefits!"

Maybe I got carried away there a bit, but you get the idea.
(Parts, hope that helps you out).

 

I think this thread lends itself to quality, informed discussion if we're capable of keeping it civil.

Is it really likely for a law to be passed that prevents people from working on their own motorcycles? Who would this benefit? The lobbying group of motorcycle mechanics? Is there a source for this?

I would truly be floored if a law like that passed. There's so many things wrong with it on so many levels... plus the enforcement is almost impossible. I'm not saying it's impossible or isn't on the books, but I mean, there's tons of BS laws that biased politicians attempt to pass and never see the light of day.

Also, is there a source for the illegality of pilot screw adjustment? This also seems bend-over-backwards. I very well may need to adjust them to improve the efficiency of the bike (which is the only justification I could see for restricting them in the first place).

Again, I'm not an expert but it seems very unlikely that the draconian laws would ever pass, even if they're being tabled. Sources parts? I'm genuinely interested.

UPDATE: Parts, you've said "Right now california SB435 is seeking to make it illegal to install aftermarket exhaust that does not have have a stamp on it from the EPA."

I read the Bill and the closest paragraph I can relate to your claim is:

All this is saying is that any exhaust system must meet the departments emissions requirements for that year and class of vehicle, which would be determined by an emissions test.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but nowhere does it state the exhaust has to be stamped EPA approved -- just within emissions limits.

Link to the Bill

 

It was nice to wake up-pour my first cup of coffee and read these
last two posts-thank you.
I was recently voted to the member of the board of directors
by my district and will find out on 7/10/10 if it passes state approval.

I've done my best to earn this honor and thought it part of my
responibiliy to recuit as much help nation wide as possible.
NOT to start a fight on my favorite bike site.
So I will end my discussion of laws,rights, freedoms and the such
here. The internet is large enough to find others interested
in such things.

One thing has not changed though, this is still the best site ever.

 

Parts -- I'm here to learn!

Please read and address the update to my post.

 

Quote from Schooter:

And not being able to put a wrench to a bike? What kind of joke is that? I LOVE wrenching on my bike, its hard to describe but it just takes all the trouble out of life, just sitting in the garage with the door open, a drink of choice by your side, your dog on the other, and some tunes going on the radio...



To which I agree wholeheartedly.

I spend so much time doing just what that quote says that Schooter and I could be brothers. It's just something about the smell of gas and oil that keeps my mind clean and clear.

I am a motorcyclist, mechanic, electrician, father, husband, Christian, youth leader, and helper to anyone who needs whatevever help I can provide.

This motorcycling thing isn't a sideline hobby or just a bookmark in my life. I glean much joy and satisfaction knowing that, although I am not guaranteed a "right" to ride a motorcycle, I haven't yet been told that I can't ride one anymore either. But there may be crazies out there who want to do just that, just because they don't share our interests in this sport ---no, strike that word--- lifestyle.

Some self-interest groups may be out there trying to ban what we like to do. And to that, I agree MROs are a very good resource to help our voices be heard so that stupid stuff doesn't get through the legislative process. I think that we truly need MROs. We should stay aware of their agendas and what they are doing that is in our interest. But to do that, we need to be paying attention to what is headed for the law books, and get ahead of the curve. I think that is where Parts was going when he started this thread. I applaud him for trying to get "the word" out.

If I have an addiction, it is to motorcycling, all aspects of it. I've owned and currently own, a lot of bikes. I've been riding forever and do ride every day, no joking. I am also a long time AMA member and appreciate what they do.

I have enjoyed the information I have received from being associated with the folks on this and other motorcyclist forums. Everyone has something to say at one time or another. Sometimes we all don't have comments to immediately make on every subject.

Just because a particular thread hasn't received the expected prompt responses from the members on here (as maybe seen through the eyes of the author), that does not mean that people aren't considering the thread as valuable.

It is always better to think a subject through, chew on it a while, digest the material, and get your thoughts organized before responding. I think that some very valid and valuable points have been made by all respondents to this thread.

 

The bill was introduced in 2009 and has had several changes
made since.
as of last month the original lnguage would have required " any
bike manufactured after 1983 to have EPA labels on the frame and exhaust that match.( pls don't blame me that this makes no sence).
ABATE worked thier tails off to change the language to 2011 and newer,
And only as a fix it ticket.

Now to those who have said these laws will not be passed because they are unconstitutional:

Arizona, in an effort to combat criminal gangs a law was passed that
if any three motorcyclist riding together wearing the same patch,
rocker, insignia constitute a suspition of a criminal gang
and may be stopped, detained and searched without any other form of probable cause. This has been worded so vaguely that the officer
has total decretion in this matter.
As crazy as this sounds it is no less true.
It's anti-american and obussive to say the least.
Need more- you cant smoke in you car driving through scotsdale.
You cant carry a pocket knife of any kind in mesaThese are just a few.
so if you think unconstutional laws wont be passed-think again.

 

Well said. I have been guilty of a lifetime of complaining about biker
rights without taking action to do something about it. The members
of this site seemed far more dedicated to these vintage machines
then the average rider, with over 7000 strong a real voice had a
chance to see changes made in a subject that effect all of us.
To say I was hurt and dissapointed to receive such personal attacks
is an understatement. Especially from those to whom I hold in the
highest regaurd and respect do to thier skill and willingness to share
that knowledge.


This site has helped me in ways that I can never hope to repay.
I had hoped that bringing attention to sad truth about those that
seek to limit our passion was one way to give something back.

So whatever I've done to deserve such treatment I apologize.
Repair and riding are the fun part of bikes-but there is a serious side
as well. Abate ,MMA and all the rest will continue to protect your
rights. I can only hope that a few of you will look a little deeper
and find a moment or two to help

Most sincerely,
Ron

 

1.) What's with the linebreaks?
2.) Where, when and why was it changed? Shouldn't we have access to such amendments?

 

Shnuffy,I'm done with this topic.

 

Ron,

I don't think you ought to take this as personally as you are. Most people are at least appreciative and aware that you're only trying to help, not hurt. People simply share differing opinions on the subject and that's it.

 

Exactly.

I mean, ...

Look at all the people demonstrating over the Gulf Oil Tragedy.
None.

Look at all the people marching on Washington to end the War in Afghanistan.
None.

Look at all the people marching on Congress with 10+ percent Unemployment in America and Regionally much higher.
Nobody.

The Future Generation is tuned-out.
They're hypnotic in their under-ware, lounging a recliner with their thumbs moving at the speed of light, gaming night and day, ... and if asked "What day is it?"
Need to think about it for a moment.