It is time to vote. The world is watching the US presidential election unfold. No matter what party you affiliate with (or not), are we all gritting our teeth? So here's something that should make you smile as you cast your vote - yes, you, the rider, or friend of a rider - you can vote in the people's Oscars for the motorcycle industry.
Run by MBI - Motorcycle Bloggers International, an association of motorcycle news and blog sites, the worldwide association of motorcycle news/blogs sites, this is truly a user award.
You, the reader, can make your opinion heard about the best and worst motorcycle products from last year. There are nine categories for the MBI Riders Choice Star awards, and four in the Fallen Star awards.
Some of you nominated products and individuals in the first place, so now it's time to vote for the ones you think are the best of the best, and the worst of the worst. Don't let other people decide for you, we want to hear what you think ... vote!
Starting today you have until March 16th 2008 to make your vote count. The winners (and losers) will be announced on March 19th.
Riders Choice Star awards categories
Best concept motorcycle or scooter The concept motorcycle/scooter displayed at a show for the first time in 2007 whose features are most appealing.Best manufacturer's website The motorcycle, accessory or related product manufacturer's web site that has the best mix of quality design, content and ease of use.
Best new motorcycle The overall best production motorcycle that was new in 2007
Best new scooter The most desirable motor scooter that was new in 2007
Most environmentally friendly motorcycle Motorcycle model that best demonstrates attention to using renewable resources and reducing damage to life on this planet
Object of lust The production motorcycle from 2007 that is desired above all others
Thumbs up! The person or organization who during 2007, made the most significant contribution to motorcycling
Wish we had thought of that The new in 2007 innovation, accessory or other motorcycle related product that is the best idea of 2007
Women riders booster of the year The person, company or organization that has most contributed to the advancement of women motorcyclists during 2007
Riders Choice Fallen Star awards categories
Most disappointing new motorcycle The new in 2007 motorcycle that least met expectations
Thumbs down The person, company or organization who during 2007, most harmed the image of motorcycling
What were they thinking? The concept or production motorcycle, related product or other idea that is the worst idea of 2007
Worst manufacturer's website The motorcycle or related product manufacturer's web site that we most hate to visit
Head over to the MBI website and spend a minute or two to vote. Don't worry, we aren't going to ask you for any personal information. I want to encourage you to vote - if you don't vote, you don't get to criticize or complain. So vote - let us, the riders, be heard in the industry. Vote, and then tell your friends about the awards - spread the word!
Click here to access the voting site.
There's an excellent slate of nominees for the MBI annual awards for the best motorcycle related products, people and organizations - thank you to the people who have provided input. In mid-March we'll vote on these nominees to build a short list of final candidates.
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I just love it when one of my reader writes to me. Cross-country rider Carol (BMW 1150R) from Oregon wrote to comment on an experience that we have shared:
Maybe Gerbing just needs a specification.
With errands to run this morning, I zipped up in my Gerbing jacket and plugged into the bike, started back-paddle walking the GS out of the garage and was overcome with that sense foreboding that means a hot flash is coming. Now comes the decision, do I tough it out or stop the bike, open my jacket, wait five minutes (it seems longer) allow the steam to escape, then get rolling?
Here's what I would like: Next to the black twist control on the rheostat, I want a red push button that says "hot flash". When I press the button, all electrically generated heat would shut off. The zippers on the wind vents of my jacket would automatically open until the galvanic skin response sensor on my chest, sensing a reduction in heat and sweat prodution, would initiate the closure of all the wind-vent zippers. Once the zippers were closed, the heated jacket would resume heat generation.
The biggest usability challenge would be to figure out an intuitive method for the user to set the threshold for resuming electrical heat generation; the objective is to avoid the post hot-flash chills which are just as uncomfortable and distracting as the hot flash. I would pay good money for this feature. I wonder how hard they will laugh when I send this suggestion to Gerbing? Might as well send it to Widder, too.
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Having a motorcycle for a companion has opened many doors to conversations I would not normally have. Waiting for the light to change in the left turn lane I observed a homeless fellow standing at the driveway entrance to the local Whole Food Market, also known as Whole Paycheck. He was wearing the heavy clothing that homeless people wear whether it is cold or not, and holding a sign that said "H U N G R Y". I was hungry too.
He must have felt my gaze, because he turned around and waved his sign in my direction. I decided to buy the guy some lunch. I'm wary of giving people money after several instances of being suckered in by stories of needing to buy milk or diapers or bus fare, only to watch the person walk into the nearest liquor store. His life is his life, buying the guy lunch wasn't going to solve his 16 years of being homeless. Even so, we have all been in situations where a moment of kindness brings relief, and sometimes that is all we need. As I handed him a container with a hot lunch I identified myself as the rider of the motorcycle he had waved at. He broke into a huge grin; turns out he used to have a vintage BMW, one with the triangulated Earles fork design. Not having paid much attention to vintage Beemers, I had never heard of it. Mr. Vintage Beemer rider told me to Google it.
We talked about the recent bid that Microsoft made for Yahoo; and how it had increased Yahoo's stock price by 30 points. He wanted to know why people in Silcon Valley work so hard, and how did I feel about the coming recession that the media is making money off of since bad news sells. There is always this awkward moment when you are having a conversation with a homeless person. This guy was a pro; he thanked me for his lunch and gave me the opening to go do my shopping. Looking back on the exchange, it is hard to tell who was being considerate of whom.