Hey,
There I was minding my own business, when someone said, “Why don’t you fix Easyriders Magazine?”
I thought, why not, I don’t have anything to do next Sunday afternoon. The mag already houses a terrific staff. The current book looks sharp, and Felicia shoots a terrific cover. What more could I do?
Hang on! I feel like the recipient of four rounds of mental buckshot. I could start a list of projects and not stop until next Thursday. Here’s the deal. First the Bottom Line: Save Easyriders an iconic brand representing freedom and the open road forever or die trying. I’m working on a mantra for the magazine and the staff. They’ve lived through terrible restrictive administrations and outright thieves for bosses. Easyriders represents so much more, and I get to be the guy to prove it. Hold on!
Let’s hit the news!
The News was provided by the Bikernet Team including: Wayfarer, the Redhead, Bob T. Sam Burns, Rogue, Laura, Barry Green, El Waggs, J.J. Solari, Amy White, Jenn and the rest of the crew.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM PULLS RAFFLE WINNERS AUGUST 10th –The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum kicked off it’s first fundraising raffle effort. A struggle, we encountered obstacles galore, but finally with the help of Danial James and the Easyriders team we launched it. The first effort raised over $10,000 and set the bar for the museum moving forward. I want to also thank Matt Walksler for his assistance with the process.
And the winners are:
- Wayne King – Danial James Art
- Vicki Sanfelipo – S&S engine
- Rob Kenney – David Mann art from Danial James
- Senta Dozer – Danial James art
- Fran Dabbo – lifetime membership
- Fat Jesus- 5 yr membership
- Greg Scheuer, James Martin, Frankie Jones – 1 year memberships
- Russell Radke, John Simon, Gary Raphael, Sean Verna, Mark Shadley – Danial James T-shirts, patch and sticker
- Billy Jarrell, Joan Anderson, V. Emmerson – Museum T-shirts
FOR A FRIEND–
Hi there! I hope you’re doing well. My husband lost one of his best friends in a motorcycle accident earlier this month, and we’re putting together a memorial ride in his honor. We’re reaching out to businesses for support and are gathering donations for the auction at the event, with all proceeds going to Paden’s family. I wanted to ask if you might be interested in contributing—anything you’d like to donate would mean so much. We are really looking for items to auction off at the end of the ride!
NHTSA Cancels MAC
This afternoon, Jay Jackson, Motorcycle Riders Foundation Vice President and appointee to the U.S. Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC), was notified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that his appointment has been terminated. We are shocked and disappointed by this decision and are still gathering information. It appears the other appointees have received similar notifications.
The MAC was created by an act of Congress in November 2021. Yet despite a requirement in the law to establish the MAC within 90 days, it took until 2023 for the nomination process to begin. It wasn’t until the summer of 2024 that the members of the MAC were selected.
The inability of NHTSA to convene the 13-member board is a slap in the face to the nearly 10 million motorcyclists in this country. The mandate of the MAC was to advise the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration regarding transportation safety issues of concern to motorcyclists, including — motorcycle and motorcyclist safety, barrier and road design, construction and maintenance practices, as well as the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.
MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, said of the decision, “This is a striking example of how the concerns of motorcyclists are ignored. If you aren’t upset, you aren’t paying attention.”
The MRF has already contacted members of Congress, including those on the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, to alert them of this unacceptable action by bureaucrats in D.C.
This fight is just beginning. Be alert for upcoming messages from the MRF on how you can voice your displeasure with actions that threaten the safety of bikers.
A STATEMENT FROM INDIAN MOTORCYCLE–
Following Sunday’s King of the Baggers main event at Mid-Ohio, the Indian Motorcycle S&S Factory Racing #1 Indian Challenger was subject to a complete tear-down technical inspection. Based on the inspection, a technical sanction was issued against the team, stating that the Indian Motorcycle S&S Factory Racing #1 Indian Challenger was in violation of the official rules. The specific violation was the ballast material chosen to increase the weight of the bike to meet the 620 pound minimum weight requirement for the class. The result of this decision was a disqualification for Troy Herfoss from the main event on Sunday.
It’s important to note that our bike was not in violation of the stated vehicle weight requirement of the MotoAmerica official rules for the King of the Baggers class. In this instance, the vehicle weight was not what was in question. What was in question was the team’s material choice and use of solidified liquid aluminum in the installation of ballast required to ensure our bike met the minimum weight requirement.
It was, and remains, our belief that our team and the #1 Indian Challenger was in full compliance with the rules, based on the specific language of MotoAmerica’s official rules, section 2, article 3.10.B and we immediately appealed this decision.
For clarification, the rule reads as follows:
“The ballast must be made of (a) solid metallic piece(s) firmly and securely connected either through an adapter or directly to the main frame or engine with a minimum of two (2) steel bolts (min. 8 mm diameter, 8.8 grade or over). Other equivalent must be submitted to the Technical Director for his approval.”
To add the required amount of ballast the team installed a steel bar sealed within a solidified aluminum casing that is installed inside the frame using 2 – 12mm grade 10.9 bolts. Being that the material we used was metallic, solid, and bolted to the frame with bolts exceeding the listed requirements we feel we met the requirements for the ballast used and how it was attached. We also believe that our chosen form of ballast granted no performance advantages.
However, after further discussions with AMA/FIM officials during the appeal process regarding the specific nature, and language of the rule, the AMA/FIM has taken a position that the use of solidified liquid metal represents an inaccurate “interpretation” of the language of the rule and thus, has followed through with its technical sanction, resulting in the official disqualification of Troy Herfoss from Race 2 on Sunday.
While we are disappointed with this outcome and its impact on our success at Mid-Ohio, we respect the interpretation and ultimately, the decision of the AMA/FIM officials.
HAMPTON ROADS HARLEY OPEN HOUSE–
We’re excited to share that Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson is celebrating our 47th Anniversary Open House on Saturday, October 4th at our dealership in Yorktown, VA—and we’d love to have you be a part of it!
We’re inviting a select group of vendors to set up a booth or tent at no cost to showcase their products or business and connect with our amazing Harley-Davidson community. It’s a great opportunity to engage with a passionate crowd and promote your brand at one of our biggest events of the year.
If you’re unable to attend in person, we’d still love to include your business in the celebration through a donation of a door prize or giveaway item. All donors will be recognized during the event and in our social media advertising.
If you’re interested in setting up a booth or making a donation, please reply to this email by August 31st, 2025.. We’ll provide additional event details and logistics.
Thanks for your continued partnership — we hope to see you there!
Ride safe,
Cassie Burnette
Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson
Marketing
6450 George Washington Memorial Hwy
Yorktown, VA 23692
(757) 872-7223
cburnette@hrhd.com
While the rest of us were out riding the Black Hills during the 85th Sturgis Rally, Vicki Sanfelipo and her team of highly skilled instructors continued their efforts to keep riders safe on the road by teaching a class out at the Piedmont Fire Department, located between Rapid City and Sturgis. Road Guardians taught a Professional series Accident Scene Management class to local EMTs in order to reduce injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists through First Response training. During instruction, on the first Saturday of August as the Rally rolled on, the resident EMT crews were sent out on three different emergency calls. Despite all that, 20 students who attended from surrounding agencies received their advanced degree certificates from ASM.
This class took advantage of the opportunity to train instructors who had convened from four states for the rally as well along with riders who showed up to participate in the motorcycle lab. This joint effort by South Dakota Office of Highway Safety, ABATE of SD, and Glencoe Campground shows how behind the scene joint community efforts can make a big difference in riders’ lives. More classes are being planned throughout South Dakota, as well as across the United States, for both motorcyclists and professional responders.
To learn more about how to host a class or to find a class in your area, you can go to the website at:
A NEW BILL HAYES BOOK COMING–The new book is more history…this time about the Yellow Jackets, Wino’s involvement with them, and the very interesting life of Bob McMillen, the late great last of their originals…
–Bill Hayes
NEW FROM THE S&S FACTORY—MK136B Black Edition
Introducing the next generation of Proven Performance for your 2018 -2024 H-D® Softail® Models, the MK136B Engine (Part # 310-1295 Race Only Model). This is the newest version of the complete crate engines S&S is known for, ready to install in your M8 Softail. We took our MKB-Series Crankcases, married them to the 136” cylinders and flywheels, and then fit High-flow cylinder heads with +1mm Valves and .605” springs.
This is everything you need to have the largest, most powerful, and most reliable crate engine on the market today.
*Also available in a 49 State Compliant model, Part # 310-1296.
Cylinder Heads
- High-flow cylinder heads with premium seats, guides, valves, springs, and seals
- +1mm oversized intake and exhaust valves
- Valves are .030” longer than stock for improved valvetrain geometry
- .605” max lift valve springs
- High-strength alloy used in cylinder head casting, improved strength at high temperatures
- S&S Exclusive breather boxes
- Crankcase
- All premium quality components
- Patented Dual-Spray Piston Cooling Jets
- Precision machined oil scraper
- Enlarged oil sump
- Contoured floor allows oil to easily drain
back to the sump
MK136B
- Forged pistons
- S&S performance oil pump and cam support plate
- Premium tappets and tappet cuffs
- Billet aluminum covers
- Sprocket shaft spacer included
- Champion spark plugs
- Retains stock engine height
- Includes Cam Cover Badge
- Powder coat finish matches factory finish
- Huge displacement increase means a huge power increase
PAY ATTENTION– It doesn’t matter if you’ve ridden everything from a “rat rod” chopper to the latest model rolling off your dealer’s showroom. You ride is what matters and you’re in the line of fire.
Fact: Right now, in statehouses and on Capitol Hill, there are people writing laws to control how you ride, what you wear, what you breathe, and what you build.
NHTSA just declared war on bikers. Ignoring Congress, this bureaucracy started tearing down the Motorcycle Advisory Council (MAC) – and is trying to silence one of our voices in D.C. This is the same agency that’s targeted motorcycling for years. We won’t let them silence us. Stand up. Fight back.
Helmet mandates are creeping back – ask ABATE of Pennsylvania! — regardless of what you believe about freedom of choice.
The EPA wants to kill performance mods, crack down on aftermarket parts, and criminalize tuning your ride.
Profiling laws are stalled in Congress, while cops coast-to-coast are still pulling over bikers just for wearing patches.
Autonomous vehicle developers? They’re building cars that can’t even detect police motorcycles, EMTs, much less what you’re riding — and they don’t care.
To the lawmakers, the bureaucrats, and the corporate enforcers, you’re not a citizen. You’re a problem. They don’t care how long you’ve been riding, how safe you are, or how many charity runs you’ve done. You wear leather, you ride loud, you don’t fit the mold — they want you gone.
That’s why the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is on the front line. We don’t ask for permission.
We fight like hell — in every state, on every issue. We write the bills. We kill the bad ones. We walk into every one of the 535 offices in Congress and drop the hammer: You will NOT legislate riders into a corner. You will NOT profile us. And you damn sure will NOT erase motorcycle culture one law at a time. And you will never silence us.
This is a war for your rights, your lifestyle, and your freedom. If you think this is just a hobby, you’re already losing.
So, get serious. Get ready. Get to the Meeting of the Minds.
- Sixteen hard-hitting, tactical workshops
- Unfiltered updates straight from D.C.
- Setting legislative priorities for 2026 and beyond
- Connections with the people in the trenches every day
Leave fired up, armed with intel, and ready to put boots on the ground wherever the fight leads.
MEETING OF THE MINDS — September 25–28 — Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport, Louisiana — Rooms are flying. Reserve yours now.
Because if you don’t stand up, they’ll run you off the road, silence your voice, and outlaw your way of life. And if you’re not in the fight, you may be are in the line of fire!
–MRF
STURGIS 85th REPORT–Why the World Still Rides to South Dakota
Ten reasons the rally roars stronger than ever in the age of convenience
—Wayfarer
So, you may ask why it matters? How it survives? Well, let’s get to know the basic numbers of its growth and sustained charisma and demand; then have a look at ten reasons the 85th was such a grand success.
Numbers & Highlights
- Sturgis by the Numbers
- 10-day vehicle count (Aug 1–10, 2025): 537,459 vehicles entered Sturgis, 11.3% above the 2020–2024 five-year average of 482,987
- Peak entry day: Monday, August 4 saw 68,906 vehicles, a whopping 19% increase over the five-year norm
- Historical milestone: 2025 marks the highest traffic count since the 75th anniversary in 2015 (747,000 vehicles)
- Record-Break: Colby Raha Takes Flight
- World-record motorcycle jump: Colby Raha cleared 205 feet on a Harley-Davidson Sportster, surpassing the previous 183-foot record and paying homage to Evel Knievel’s 133-ft leap
- Venue & feat: The jump occurred at the Thunderdome on August 2 during a “Record Breakers” event; executed in four attempts on a stock-suspension rig
- Beyond Sturgis: Earlier in 2025, Raha also landed a 200-ft jump in Palm Springs, breaking a 51-year record—and he’s an X Games legend with seven golds and a 53-ft 6-in high-air record
- Trailblazer in the Saddle
- Grand Marshal Gloria Tramontin Struck: Turning 100 years old during the rally, she’s a lifelong Motor Maid (since 1946), with over 500,000 miles logged nationwide
- From humble roots: The rally began in 1938 with just nine stuntmen and some horses—now it’s the world’s largest motorcycle festival
- Economic and Cultural Impact
- • Revenue boost: In 2022, the rally generated $784 million for the region
- • Tax gains: In 2024, the event brought in approximately $1.4 million in state sales tax
- • Vendor ecosystem: In 2024, there were 896 registered temporary vendors, and Buffalo Chip passes surged 67% year-over-year
Now…Let’s put these into context
1. Freedom Over Convenience
In a time when planes, apps, and on-demand rides define travel, Sturgis reminds us that freedom isn’t convenient—it’s earned. Every rider who pulls into town has logged real miles, weathered the wind, and tasted the road. One can travel and yet one cannot always go places. As one Illinois veteran of 24 rallies put it, “You can’t download this feeling.”
2. A Legacy That Lives
Since 1938, the rally has rolled on—through wars, recessions, and cultural shifts. The Jackpine Gypsies’ humble dirt races grew into a global phenomenon. Today, bikers don’t just attend—they carry forward an 85-year flame of freedom. Tradition isn’t fading; it’s thundering louder. They ride because that’s what they do! It isn’t seasonal; it’s a lifestyle.
3. Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Family
Every corner of Main Street Sturgis is alive with laughter, stories, and helping hands. Riders lend wrenches to strangers, share campfires, and toast the road ahead together. A first-timer from Arkansas summed it up: “I came for the bikes, but I’m leaving with family.”
4. Icons of the Road
This year belonged to Gloria Tramontin Struck, who turned 100 while serving as Grand Marshal. A Motor Maid since 1946, she’s proof that age doesn’t throttle passion. Seeing her on stage reminded everyone—especially women riders—that the rally respects, remembers and honors those who paved the way.
5. The Daredevil Spirit
When Colby Raha soared over 205 feet on a Harley Sportster, breaking a world record, the crowd roared like thunder. Sturgis is not just nostalgia—it’s adrenaline, risk, and living proof that daredevilry still fuels the culture. Evel Knievel defined the stakes and pushed the limits of moto-mania possibilities. Now a new generation finds the thrill in pushing it past that edge.
6. Rock, Ink, and Custom Chrome
Sturgis is as much about art as it is about horsepower. Tattoo machines buzz alongside custom pinstripers, chrome builders, and the pounding bass of rock shows under Black Hills stars. It’s a rolling carnival of expression where bike culture, music, and artistry collide. Custom culture has never been as apparent as at any Sturgis Rally. You prove your identity with your grit, gear and gathering.
7. The Black Hills Pilgrimage
The setting itself is strikingly spectacular. Riders weave through Iron Mountain Road’s corkscrew turns, pause in awe at Mount Rushmore, or ride through buffalo herds in Custer State Park. These landscapes aren’t just scenery—they’re sacred waypoints in the Sturgis pilgrimage.
8. A Town That Welcomes the Thunder
Unlike many towns that might shy away from half a million roaring engines, Sturgis embraces it. Locals set up stands, host concerts, and open up their hearts & minds for fun and celebrations. For decades, generations of South Dakotans have grown alongside the rally, turning it into a true community festival.
9. Tradition with Evolution
Sturgis doesn’t resist change—it adapts. Custom bike expos now feature electric builds, concerts are livestreamed worldwide, and vendor rows mix heritage leathers with modern tech. Yet the rally’s soul—ride, unite, celebrate—remains untouched.
10. The Road Earns Respect
In a world addicted to shortcuts, Sturgis thrives because it isn’t one. Riders sweat through long hauls, endure rain and sun, and arrive with pride. As one Oklahoma rider said, “If it were easy, it wouldn’t mean anything. The road gives it value.”
The Heartbeat of a Culture
The success of the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally isn’t measured only in record-breaking attendance or roaring engines—it’s measured in handshakes, sunsets over the Black Hills, and the unspoken bond between riders who understand that freedom can’t be scheduled, packaged, or streamed. Eighty-five years on, the heartbeat of motorcycling still echoes loudest in Sturgis. And as long as the open road calls, the thunder will return.
Quick Facts
For Fun:
- First Rally: 1938, 9 riders—now half a million
- 2015 High: 747,000 vehicle entries—the largest ever at the time
- Buffalo Chip: A 600-acre campground/music venue central to rally culture
- Museum corner: The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame houses nearly 100 historic bikes (since 1907), preserving the spirit of the rally
- Nearby rides: Iconic routes and sites: Mount Rushmore (~62 mi), Crazy Horse (~67 mi), Custer State Park (~75 mi)
—Wayfarer
Associate Editor, Bikernet.com
Sources referred include: dot.sd.gov, South Dakota Public Broadcasting (sdpb.org), Wikipedia, prnewswire.com, powersportsbusiness.com, the-sun.com, travelsouthdakota.com, Encyclopedia of South Dakota, Motorcycle Hall of Fame (AMA), buffalochip.com, Tattoo and custom bike media outlets, National Park Service, RevZilla Common Tread, Cycle World, Rider Magazine, City of Sturgis official website, and of course Bikernet.com
Rescinding the Endangerment Finding Was Overdue. But Where Do We Turn for Justice?
By Gary Abernathy
This article was originally published by The Empowerment Alliance and is re-published here with permission.
The 2009 “endangerment finding,” in which the EPA formally declared that greenhouse gases were a public health threat, led to draconian laws and policies designed to cripple the fossil fuel industry and bring down the world’s most affordable and accessible energy sources. When EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced in late July that the agency was rescinding the rule, the outcry from the climate cult was predictable.
The leading handwringer was none other than the spiritual godfather of the extremist climate movement, former Vice President Al Gore, who said, “Today’s EPA announcement ignores the blindingly obvious reality of the climate crisis and sidelines the EPA’s own scientists and lawyers in favor of the interests and profits of the fossil fuel industry.”
Worshipers at the altar of climate calamity lined up to denounce the finding’s rollback both with practiced anger and a well-worn list of catastrophic predictions. But in fact, Zeldin’s announcement didn’t go far enough. While the rescission was a long overdue return to common sense and a repudiation of the exercise of raw politics in the guise of science, it did nothing to make restitution for years of societal and economic damage.
The history is well documented. While the attack on fossil fuels had started much earlier, the Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling that Congress’s 1970 Clean Air Act intended to include carbon dioxide as an air pollutant, it further demanded that the EPA explain why greenhouse gases were not being regulated, especially in regard to auto emissions. In 2009, the Obama administration began producing reams of new regulations for automakers and other “polluters,” a term with an ever-widening and increasingly politicized definition. The Biden administration merrily piled on when its turn came.
The result has been disastrous, starting with a war on the fossil fuel industry that resulted in tens of thousands of lost jobs, billions in taxpayer subsidies and credits for “alternative” energy sources – energy that could not begin to match the affordability, effectiveness and reliability of traditional sources – and imperiling the very safety and security of the American people. While the left argues that jobs in “alternatives” are making up for losses in the fossil fuel industry, the bulk of jobs associated with wind and solar are temporary construction jobs.
In addition to job losses, countless other negative impacts have been associated with federal and/or state laws putting environmental concerns over the needs of human beings. The costs to businesses and industries of complying with onerous environmental regulations result in higher prices for consumers (particularly impacting poorer communities), or businesses simply choosing – or being ordered – to close. Politically motivated “fixes” like carbon taxes and phasing out preferred appliances hinder innovation and diminish manufacturing. Restricting land access based on environmental findings especially hurts rural communities and associated occupations like ranching and farming.
The Church of Climatology is finally being defunded and largely neutered, at least in the U.S. But where do those who suffered because of the cult’s former influence turn for restitution? Who will make up for the despair – the years of lost wages, the disrupted lives, the entire communities that were sacrificed in the name of “fighting climate change?” Where do the victims turn for reparations?
A government agency enforcing reasonable environmental regulations is beneficial for everyone. We want to trust that the air we breathe and the water we drink are safe and clean, along with other common-sense ecological guidelines applicable to everyday life. But the EPA long ago became a weaponized political tool. It was handed a sledgehammer to enforce draconian rules designed to implement partisan agendas. It became an overblown, intimidating and feared government behemoth known more for erecting roadblocks, imposing severe penalties and even shuttering businesses than for its original mission of monitoring basic environmental impacts.
Thanks to the Trump administration, the EPA is returning to its roots: keeping our air, land and water free of deadly pollutants. Hopefully, the days of the EPA serving as an enforcer of extremist political agendas are behind us.
But while climate sanity might be returning to the U.S., much of the world remains in the thralls of the radical climate movement, led by the United Nations, which is preparing to hold its annual climate conference this November, where it colludes with likeminded leftist leaders to enact and enforce extremist climate regulations around the world.
It is not outrageous or even unreasonable to demand an accounting of the human toll exacted by the climate cult, both in the U.S. and globally. What price tag can be put on the economic casualties? What reparations are justifiable for the ruined lives? Who should be held accountable? Investigating those questions and compiling the answers would result in a real “endangerment finding.”
Gary Abernathy is a longtime newspaper editor, reporter and columnist. He was a contributing columnist for the Washington Post from 2017-2023 and a frequent guest analyst across numerous media platforms. He is a contributing columnist for The Empowerment Alliance, which advocates for realistic approaches to energy consumption and environmental conservation. Abernathy’s “TEA Takes” column will be published every Wednesday and delivered to your inbox!
This article was originally published by RealClearEnergy and made available via RealClearWire.
BIKERNET 100-WORD FICTION CONTEST CONTINUES–
There I was, leaning into the turn that I am so familiar with. Doing the dance with my old FLH feeling like Fred Astaire dancing with Ginger Rogers and being in the groove. This road is one of legend amongst riders young and old who flock to it each year in the thousands. I’ve learned to keep watch for newbies and speedsters who override their capabilities and cross the line, but didn’t really expect what crossed over to my side, especially this week. The class C Motorhome would have been bad enough, but the twenty something foot trailer behind it was the shocker!
I don’t know how I did it, but I actually skirted the edge of the pavement with the foot or so drop enough to escape a painful death of being run over and/or losing the bike and being impaled on a tree. I stopped at the ranger station as I exited Custer park and asked why they didn’t have it closed to motorcycles only during the Sturgis Rally week, and she answered “ The state needs the revenue from the campers, not just the bikers.”
–Steven Sanner
TO THE INDEPENDENT MOTORCYCLE AFTERMARKET–
You didn’t build your brand behind a desk. You built it with grit, steel, and an uncompromising vision for freedom — in the garage, on the road, and in the culture. You’ve defined the standard for what it means to build and ride free.
But make no mistake: your business, your rights, and your future are under attack.
And there’s only one place to push back:
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s 41st Annual Meeting of the Minds
September 25–28, 2025 – Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Shreveport, LA
This is not just another conference. This is the command center for defending your right to build, modify, and ride on your terms. If you’re in this industry — builder, fabricator, distributor, or manufacturer — you need to be in that room. Because those who show up will shape the policies that impact every corner of the aftermarket and motorcycling industry for years to come.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING.
We reached out in July. If you’re still on the fence, know this: rooms are filling up, and the window is closing.
Your final warning may not be as out front as this one –- get registered or get left behind.
WHY YOUR PRESENCE IS NON-NEGOTIABLE:
- The aftermarket is being targeted —
- EPA overreach
- Digital surveillance and data control
- The battle over right-to-repair legislation — now sitting in Congress
- Meanwhile, the OEMs are in D.C. right now — pushing their agenda. Are you doing the same for yours?
If you’re not in Shreveport, your voice isn’t heard. If your voice isn’t heard, you’re not part of the fight.
This isn’t a handshake-and-photo-op event. It’s not a trade show. It’s war-planning and setting legislative priorities for the survival of your industry.
MRF and IMA are your only full-time defense in Washington. They fight every single day — but they can’t do it without the very people they represent standing behind them. That means you.
Don’t think someone else will handle it. Don’t assume your rights will protect themselves. They won’t.
The future of the independent motorcycle aftermarket is on the line. You built this lifestyle. It’s on you to defend it. The MRF and IMA have your back.
MRF 41st Annual Meeting of the Minds — Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino – Shreveport, Louisiana, September 25–28, 2025
This is your motorcycle. Your business. Your freedom.
Stand up. Show up. Fight for it.
Because if you’re not in the room — you’re not in the fight.
More than a Rally for Our Right to Repair & Modify
Join the IMA and Take Charge Against Oppressive Regulatory Agendas
–IMA and MRF
What a week in Sturgis!
For 6 days, the engines roared, the community came together, and we made lasting memories alongside our incredible group of veterans, first responders, and fellow riders. With Harley-Davidson as our proud sponsor, we were able to take part in unforgettable events, raise money for our cause, and celebrate the power of two wheels and unity.
Meet Our Heroes
This year, we were honored to host 13 sponsored veterans and first responders hailing from across the country — including Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, Texas, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, Utah, and Ohio. Their presence was the heart of our week, and their stories reminded us why we ride together.
Event Highlights
Sunday, August 3 – Flying Piston Benefit at the Buffalo Chip’s Big Engine Bar.
We launched the week at our 9th consecutive Flying Piston Benefit, raising money for Motorcycle Missions and All Kids Bike. Surrounded by incredible custom Strider bike builds and an even more incredible biker community, this event continues to grow in both impact and heart.
We’re especially grateful for the unwavering support of our builder and biker community, and a huge thank you to the Flying Piston Benefit team and all the generous donors for coming in strong once again with an amazing auction that helped drive real change.
Monday, August 4 – Flat Out Friday Boonie Bike Races
Six of our vets suited up and joined the action trackside—and on the track itself—participating in a 1-hour hare scramble that included an intense hill climb. Several of our riders grabbed pole positions, showing heart, grit, and serious skills.
Later, we cooled off and celebrated a day well spent at the Mama Tried Pool Party at Pappy Hoel Campground / Full Throttle Saloon. Not only was it a perfect chance to unwind, but we also proudly displayed our custom bike builds around the pool, giving rallygoers an up-close look at the craftsmanship and creativity behind our program.
Tuesday, August 5 – Trask Invitational Bike Show
We checked out some of the most incredible custom bikes and builds in the industry—serious next-level creativity and craftsmanship on display.
While we didn’t take home a trophy this time, we proudly showcased Build 15 — our Paul Yaffe–mentored performance bagger, generously sponsored by State Farm. It was an honor to have it featured among some of the best in the business.
We also enjoyed setting up at the Full Throttle Saloon and connecting with the community to share our mission and purpose.
Big thanks to Trask Performance for the invitation and to Full Throttle Saloon for the incredible hospitality!
Wednesday, August 6 – Mount Rushmore & Devils Tower
Our veterans and first responders took to the open road for reflective and scenic rides through the legendary Black Hills — a highlight for many of the guys (and gal)
Thursday, August 7 – Pancakes & Pistons Bike Show sponsored by Harley-Davidson
We closed out Sturgis with our biggest event of the week — our headliner, the Pancakes & Pistons Bike Show, proudly sponsored by Harley-Davidson. The day kicked off with a free pancake breakfast, bringing riders and supporters together for great food and even better company.
This delicious and meaningful event raised more funds for Motorcycle Missions, with amazing support from R Dub aka “Road Warrior” and Adam Sandoval. The energy, turnout, and generosity were off the charts — a true celebration of purpose, community, and custom culture.
As for our bike show, we wish a huge congratulations to our Best In Show award winner, Jose Torres, for his 1942 WLA Harley-Davidson Flathead from WW2. His bike truly stood out among a field of incredible machines.
We also want to give a heartfelt thank-you to Whiteknuckler Brand Knives, who stood with us all week. Their continued support means the world, and the custom knives they provided for our bike show award winners added a special touch our recipients will never forget.
And last but definitely not least — our rockstar volunteers and board members! You hauled bikes, wrangled supplies, built grills like champs, and loaded-unloaded-loaded-unloaded (and then did it all again). Your hustle and heart made this week run like a dream — and a really fun one at that. We salute you, we thank you, and we already can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Easyriders Mantra
We look out for you. Fight for your freedoms, fight for our rights, fight for safe riding roads. We’re there for your history, for the ability and knowledge to build whatever you want to ride from a stripped down chopper to a high tech touring machine. Hang on! The headquarters will be located on Main St. in Sturgis.
INSPIRATION FROM BANDIT’S 5-BALL EMPORIUM STURGIS–
Laziness kills ambition
Anger kills wisdom
Fear kills dreams
Ego kills growth
Jealousy kills peace
Doubt kills confidence
Now read that right to left.
Coming in October! Flying Floyd. The Motorcycling Life of Floyd Emde
By Don Emde
Flying Floyd. The Motorcycling Life of Floyd Emde, written and published by Don Emde, tells the story of his father, Floyd Emde’s legendary years in motorcycle racing, multiple dealerships and building race bikes for his three sons and a daughter. Those familiar with the “Harley and Indian Wars” of the 1940s will enjoy the week-to-week coverage back in Floyd’s racing years including his personal written notes after every race, plus his wife Florence’s hand-written results in many souvenir programs.
While they traveled coast to coast to many major AMA Nationals in the post-war years such as Daytona, Laconia and Springfield, Floyd maintained an exhausting racing schedule in Southern California, sometimes competing 2-3 times a week at local tracks like Box Springs, Carrell Speedway, Pomona and Lincoln Park, where monthly daytime TT races were held, as well as Class A Speedway races on Friday nights.
Flying Floyd. The Motorcycling Life of Floyd Emde is a highly illustrated, 420-page hardbound book featuring over 1,000 photos taken by noted Southern California racing photographers Bob Magill, Shorty Campbell, Dave Friedman and others, as well as many from Floyd’s and Florence’s personal scrapbooks. Floyd’s story is also the story of Southern California’s other top stars that he competed against. Read all about “Iron Man” Ed Kretz, Chuck Basney, Tex Luse, Jimmy Phillips, Ted Evans, Ernie Roccio, Ray Tanner, Win Young and many others. At the Nationals, he competed against all the top riders on the AMA circuit, including Jimmy Chann, Leo Anthony, Dick Klamfoth, Paul Albrecht, Bobby Hill, and Bill Tuman, to name a few.
Following Floyd’s years as a professional racer, the 1950s began three decades of building his motorcycle dealer business into a three-store operation in San Diego County, as well as supporting sons Bob, Don and David, plus daughter Nancy in racing programs of their own. Don would go on to win the Daytona 200 in 1972, making he and Floyd the only father and son to have both won that prestigious race. Five years later, another son, David, was the 1977 AMA 250cc National Roadracing Champion. Like their father, Don and David would later be elected to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, making the Emde’s one of only three families with three AMA Hall of Fame inductees.
Written, designed and printed in the USA, Flying Floyd. The Motorcycling Life of Floyd Emde, is a book like no other about a history-making motorcycle racing champion. Available online in October at EmdeBooks.com.
For more information, contact donemde@me.com
TEXAS WEATHER REPORT–
Except the 85 part be pushing it, my family 80-82, Bob up at MC is 85 & still riding. Goes to Arizona to see his brother on it once a year & he’s deaf. No special technology of any kind
RFR-FXR Life
QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
“Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.”
— Aristotle, “Poetics”
MADE IN AMERICA: HALF A MILLION HONDAS ROLL OFF SOUTH CAROLINA LINE–
On Wednesday, August 6, Honda South Carolina Manufacturing (SCM) marked a historic occasion when the 500,000th Honda side-by-side rolled off the Timmonsville, South Carolina, plant’s assembly line. Throughout the plant’s 27-year history, SCM has invested a total of over $460 million in its operations, and its associates have proudly produced more than 3.8 million powersports products.
–Read the whole tamale at Dealernews
Massachusetts PFAS Bill to Exclude Youth OHVs
The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure has advanced a new draft of H 384, now H 4357, that specifically excludes off-highway vehicles from the definition of children’s products. A previous version of the bill would have included youth OHV products in the wider prohibition, effectively banning these products from sale in the state.
“This exclusion underscores the importance of sustained advocacy and engagement with lawmakers,” said Scott Schloegel, MIC’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “MIC will continue to push for fair and sensible PFAS regulations to preserve access to powersports products.”
The measure has now been referred to the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.
–MIC
IT’S NEVER OVER–As Bikers we try to make shit happen constantly. Yesterday, I met with the DOR investigator to have my VLXAFL checked and assigned a VIN number. A nervous wreck I cleaned my hightop van and loaded the puppy for the ride to Rapid City.
By the skin of my teeth I passed and peeled back to Sturgis. Second mission of the day, roll the Hugh King, Discovery Channel bike out of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and test ride it. It sputtered and the float bowl stuck.
I opened the throttle with the petcock off and it fired to life. I eased the Pingel petcock to the on position and bada bing I rolled into Main Street, packed with Cool Deadwood Nights hotrods and classics. I wasn’t allowed on the blocked streets, but no one would stop the giant S&S powered freight train.
Jim Horn, the 80 year old master gunsmith drove his chopped ’47 Ford pickup into the 90 degree day and dug the shit out of the 10th Anniversary Biker Build-off bike.
They pipes are crazy loud and I talked to Steve Massicote at Paughco about toning them down or replacing them. Tomorrow I’ll install a South Dakota license plate and ride it into the canyon.
During the Hall of Fame breakfast the president of the MRF congratulated longtime MIC Aftermarket Committee Chairman, Grady Pfeiffer on his 2025 Sturgis Hall of Fame induction.
There’s more coming up and it’s all good and none-stop. Hang on, but in the meantime, ride fast and free forever,
–Bandit
