Let motorcycle riders decide
Letters to the Editor, June 15, 2012
This is in reference to the June 15 Shifting Gears article “UNEASY RIDERS: Experts: Many aftermarket motorcycle parts don’t meet US safety standards.” Let my message be heard loud and clear (no pun intended): The federal government and the Environmental Protection Agency can keep their filthy hands off my bike.
Although I would never intentionally put cheap and unsafe parts on my bike, I will not be told that I can’t have wide-open drag pipes and better-looking mirrors on my motorcycle. Loud pipes save lives. Period.
All the examples that were cited in the picture are indicative of most custom bikes these days, and the guys riding them aren’t inexperienced riders. The last thing the motorcycle community needs is more government interference.
[Former parts dealer] Rick Doyle isn’t about to make any friends in the industry. We don’t have many freedoms left in this country anymore. Please just leave my bike alone.