mc expo...

went to the northeast motorcycle expo this weekend... overall, the expo was okay... from a show perspective, they had a lot of variety in vendors - harley, ducati, honda, victory, suzuki, and some customs. they also had the usual merchandise vendors - leathers, parts, trailers, shirts, etc. sometimes it just seemed so chaotic there. but what really made it fun was my brother and in-laws decided to go with us.

i have to admit, the main draw of the expo, for me, was russell mitchell of exile cycles. i've always been a fan of his building style. so, when i have the chance to meet and talk to him, i try not to pass up the chance. of course i probably end up sounding like babbling idiot...

while i was talking to russell, he mentioned that he's heading down to daytona bike week to build another bike in a week. he said they're going to be taping the build for a show on tlc. wish i could remember the name of the show - it's supposed to air in april. anyway, he's building the bike for john mellencamp. after the build, john and russell are supposed to head off on a ride to the keys. damn - this makes me want to head to bike week even more... not to be this year, though. or for several years most likely...

one of my favorite bikes of russell's is the rx-streetfighter. if i had the cash - which i never will - this is one bike i would love to have...






one of the ducati dealers had the new 1098 at the show. pretty cool looking bike. was nice to actually see one after reading all the raving reviews.



what i can't figure out is what's leaking of of this bike....



saw a couple other "rides" that look like they might be fun to own...




not really much else to report from the show...

more on billy lane...

been a while since i've posted... guess it's been a while since i've ridden too - since my last post. doesn't mean things haven't been going on - just haven't posted about them. i guess i'll be covering them in the next couple of posts...

first thing i want to cover - well, not necessarily the first - but it's the one i'll start with, is billy lane. just came across this article at www.floridatoday.com. it doesn't seem like this case will ever end. but i guess it's getting closer now that a date has been set. but this is only the civil case. a date for the criminal case has yet to be set. from the article, a date may be set on march 23.

i'm not sure why billy doesn't own up to the fact that he was at fault and face the consequences. one argument is that our criminal justice system is based in the belief that you're innocence until proven guilty. so billy is going to make the state prove he's guilty. makes sense. but it is the right thing to do?? if they do in fact prove his guilt - will be appeal?? i'm sure he will - thus dragging the process on even longer.

i can understand the family's civil suit against billy lane - recoup loss of earnings, pain and suffering, etc. but i'm not sure i agree with including daimlerchrysler. to me, billy should be held solely responsible for his actions. he's the one that was drinking, he's the one that got behind the wheel, he's the one that crossed the double yellow. should daimlerchrysler be held responsible because they gave him the vehicle?? the family thinks so because daimlerchrysler gave him the vehicle despite his driving record. again, i think billy is solely responsible. i also believe more people should start taking responsibility for themselves and stop trying to blame other people or make excuses. but i know that day is a long way off...

peace out...