Executive Report - April 2025

John Reblin

Get Your Motor Running!

Did February go out like a lion or a lamb? I am not sure what the weather was like a few short weeks ago but as I write this the sun is shining, the sky is blue, and it is 65 degrees. I am digging this kind of weather. The lack of snow is a concern for the water tables. We have not gotten a lot of rain yet. Hopefully, I am not jinxing what the rest of the year will bring to us.

March was busy with things going on within ABATE of Wisconsin. We got through Lobby Day, our most important day of the year just a few weeks ago. Yes, it was poor weather then. It seems we had some good feedback from those that attended meetings saying that our legislators listened to our concerns. But the wheels of our legislature seem to move slowly. Our E25 bill has some “wording” that needs some clarification. Our Right to Repair could go to hearings and we would need repair shops and interested groups like the aftermarket stores to testify. Engine choice is not gaining any traction and Steve is following up with what we need to do to get more support and movement on our issues. But Steve is giving you that information on the front page, above the fold. We are fortunate to have him around to follow all this, keep it straight, and to make sure the language is what we want.

We are in the heat of Chili, Soup, and other delicious foods season. Congratulations to all of you that participate in these contests. They are a lot of fun and seeing what some people put in a good chili or soup recipe is amazing and fun, if they share the secrets.

Hopefully with the warmer weather, you have been getting the bike ready to hit the ground rolling. It has been checked over, all the lights, fluids, tires etc. are up to snuff. The brakes are good to go along with everything else. You remember where all the switches are and what they do. You are just about ready to roll down to the school or church parking lot to practice up some moves so you are ready to go on the first weekend road trip or local fun run.

While you are getting ready to turn to the events page in the newsletter or looking for the regional report, look for the ad for the Free Motorcycle Training Summit being held at Wisconsin Harly Davidson just south of I94 on Hwy 67 in Oconomowoc on April 26 and 27. It is convenient for Madison residents, Johnson Creek, Watertown, Milwaukee and surrounding counties. Stop in for a short time and take in the sights. On Saturday we have some breakout sessions with Vicki and Accident Scene Management, Gruber Law talking proper insurance coverage, and Steve Panten talking about the Future of Motorcycles. On Sunday we won’t have the breakouts, but we will be training on the course.

We have Be Crash Free doing training to evaluate your riding skills offering on how you can be a better rider. They are even offering high speed rider training. Make sure you scan the QR code off a poster to register ahead of time though you will be able to do so on site. It is fast and easy. It only took me two minutes to be registered. I can also email you a QR code. Make sure you have your gear and get ready to learn. No matter what course I have taken or someone I know has taken I always say or hear, I learned something. Hopefully that something will be an action or reaction that could potentially save your life or reduce downtime due to injury.

I have heard from some that they are maybe a newish rider and made the jump from a smaller bike to a large framed bike with fairing and bags, so a little heavier, and afraid to get involved with a rider education class or maybe even an experience like this one. They are afraid of making a mistake or maybe the bike will end up on the crash bar. I think this is the perfect place to train while someone with skills and education is watching you giving you tips and advice. I personally would want to set my bike down here in an “empty” lot than at a stop sign or going through a curve where the chances of injury are much higher. When you get done picking up your bike someone right away will be explaining what and why it happened and urge you to get back in the saddle, shake it off and build up to the skill again. That’s what rider education is, start with the basics and build off those moves, correcting, improving your skills until every move is smooth and natural and you have time to look for issues that could happen and give you time to respond.

I think that’s it for this month. I will be at this summit learning from my mistakes. I hope you all stop in, try it, see there is nothing to be scared of, and become better riders. Remember it is free; you cannot beat that deal and maybe you will see the value of taking a full course like an Ultimate Bike Bonding or Advanced Rider Course or even a BRC2 to keep learning, improving, and being a better rider.

Ride Your Own Ride.

John