پنجشنبه ۲۲ شهریور ۰۳ | ۲۲:۴۹ ۹ بازديد
allies. For decades, motorcyclists have
enjoyed getting together in one location for
fun-filled days of races, hill climbs, concerts,
street festivals, and charity rides. Such events
are mushrooming as more towns seek to boost
their economy by attracting the new breed of
Rich Urban Bikers and baby boomer riders to
motorcycle rallies. In 2011, 54 major rallies
occurred throughout the country.
The largest and most famous of all is the
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, held for more than
70 years in the small community of Sturgis
in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Every
August half a million motorcycling enthusiasts
and hundreds of vendors descend on Sturgis
for a week of races, stunts, bike demos, con-
certs, and parades. Many individual riders
and groups enjoy day trips through the Black
Hills to nearby sites, such as Mount Rushmore
National Memorial.
Sturgis also is home to a Motorcycle Muse-
um and Hall of Fame, which showcases nearly
100 motorcycles dating back to 1905 and hon-
ors motorcycle legends, celebrities, and others
who have had an impact on motorcycling.
• Riding for a cause. Philanthropy is a major
focus of the motorcycling community. Motor-
cycle clubs regularly sponsor rides and events
to support hospitals, food banks, the Red
Cross, and a host of charities that benefit vet-
erans, sick and needy children, and victims of
diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and diabetes.
• Gadgetry. Innumerable gadgets are available
to improve a motorcyclist’s safety, comfort, and
convenience. Headlight and brake light modu-
lators that flicker four times a second can aid
visibility of commuters who frequently dodge in
and out of traffic. Because road sensors that turn
a traffic light to green are not sensitive enough
to detect motorcycles, a rider tired of being stuck
at red lights may want a Green Light Trigger, a
magnet that attaches to the undercarriage of the
bike and is powerful enough to trip the sensor.
New high-tech audio and video gadgets
include a helmet cam to record and download
favorite road trips, a helmet intercom that
enables a rider to communicate with a friend
up to five miles away, and a handlebar-mount-
ed CB radio, audio, and intercom system.
With a device called Mix-It, a biker can plug in
43ENGLISH TEACHING FORUM | N u m b e r 3 2 0 1 3
multiple audio sources, such as satellite radio,
an iPod, cell phone, even a GPS and a radar
detector that will automatically override any
music being played.
• Environmentally friendly motorcycles. Motor-
cycle manufacturers have joined automobile
companies in the quest for less polluting,
more energy-efficient engines. Several electric-
and hydrogen-powered models already are on
the market, though it’s not clear how readily
bikers will accept them. They don’t look “cool,”
some complain, and they’re disturbingly quiet.
After all, what is motorcycling without that
distinctive roar of the engine?
* * *
However they are powered, whether they are
basic or fancy, motorcycles will no doubt remain
an integral part of American culture and continue
to hold a fascination for millions of riders. As one
anonymous author wrote: “Four wheels move the
body. Two wheels move the soul.”
Websites of Interest
American Motorcyclist Association
www.americanmotorcyclist.com
The American Motorcyclist Association, which claims to
be the world’s largest motorcycling organization, advocates for
bikers’ rights, sanctions competitions and recreational events,
and preserves the history of the sport through a Motorcycle
Hall of Fame Museum. This official website features news
about racing, touring, and upcoming events, motorcycle clubs,
and laws and issues affecting bikers.
Harley-Davidson
www.harley-davidson.com
In addition to providing information about motorcycling
events, learning to ride, and customizing a bike, this website of
the leading American motorcycle manufacturer offers a guide
to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee and highlights
the growing diversity among its dealers, bike owners, and riders.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
http://msf-usa.org
Safety is the key word here. This site promotes the Foun-
dation’s safe rider courses and offers safety tips for motorcy-
clists. Several booklets and documents are downloadable.
Phyllis Mcintosh is a freelance writer whose work has
appeared in many national magazines.
Motorcycle Jargon
ape hangers – motorcycle handlebars that are very high
and often raise the rider’s hands above the shoulders
cage – a car, truck, or other vehicle that confines
the inhabitants within an enclosed space (unlike a
motorcycle)
chopper – a motorcycle that has been customized by
“chopping off” nonessential parts to make it go faster
farkles – a combination of “function” and “sparkle”
that refers to motorcycle accessories, such as radar
detectors, GPS receivers, heated handlebar grips, and
satellite radios
knobbies – tires used by off-road motorcycle racers;
knobbies have large square knobs of rubber tread
arranged in various ways to best grab the dirt
motocross – off-road motorcycle racing held on
enclosed, rough circuits; the name is a combination
of motorcycle and cross-country
sidecar – a one-wheeled carriage for a single passen-
ger attached to the side of a motorcycle
squid – a younger motorcycle rider who does not
respect laws, follow safety rules, or wear proper gear
tricked out – adorned with many customizations
uncork – open up the throttle to obtain top speed
enjoyed getting together in one location for
fun-filled days of races, hill climbs, concerts,
street festivals, and charity rides. Such events
are mushrooming as more towns seek to boost
their economy by attracting the new breed of
Rich Urban Bikers and baby boomer riders to
motorcycle rallies. In 2011, 54 major rallies
occurred throughout the country.
The largest and most famous of all is the
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, held for more than
70 years in the small community of Sturgis
in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Every
August half a million motorcycling enthusiasts
and hundreds of vendors descend on Sturgis
for a week of races, stunts, bike demos, con-
certs, and parades. Many individual riders
and groups enjoy day trips through the Black
Hills to nearby sites, such as Mount Rushmore
National Memorial.
Sturgis also is home to a Motorcycle Muse-
um and Hall of Fame, which showcases nearly
100 motorcycles dating back to 1905 and hon-
ors motorcycle legends, celebrities, and others
who have had an impact on motorcycling.
• Riding for a cause. Philanthropy is a major
focus of the motorcycling community. Motor-
cycle clubs regularly sponsor rides and events
to support hospitals, food banks, the Red
Cross, and a host of charities that benefit vet-
erans, sick and needy children, and victims of
diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and diabetes.
• Gadgetry. Innumerable gadgets are available
to improve a motorcyclist’s safety, comfort, and
convenience. Headlight and brake light modu-
lators that flicker four times a second can aid
visibility of commuters who frequently dodge in
and out of traffic. Because road sensors that turn
a traffic light to green are not sensitive enough
to detect motorcycles, a rider tired of being stuck
at red lights may want a Green Light Trigger, a
magnet that attaches to the undercarriage of the
bike and is powerful enough to trip the sensor.
New high-tech audio and video gadgets
include a helmet cam to record and download
favorite road trips, a helmet intercom that
enables a rider to communicate with a friend
up to five miles away, and a handlebar-mount-
ed CB radio, audio, and intercom system.
With a device called Mix-It, a biker can plug in
multiple audio sources, such as satellite radio,
an iPod, cell phone, even a GPS and a radar
detector that will automatically override any
music being played.
• Environmentally friendly motorcycles. Motor-
cycle manufacturers have joined automobile
companies in the quest for less polluting,
more energy-efficient engines. Several electric-
and hydrogen-powered models already are on
the market, though it’s not clear how readily
bikers will accept them. They don’t look “cool,”
some complain, and they’re disturbingly quiet.
After all, what is motorcycling without that
distinctive roar of the engine?
* * *
However they are powered, whether they are
basic or fancy, motorcycles will no doubt remain
an integral part of American culture and continue
to hold a fascination for millions of riders. As one
anonymous author wrote: “Four wheels move the
body. Two wheels move the soul.”
Websites of Interest
American Motorcyclist Association
www.americanmotorcyclist.com
The American Motorcyclist Association, which claims to
be the world’s largest motorcycling organization, advocates for
bikers’ rights, sanctions competitions and recreational events,
and preserves the history of the sport through a Motorcycle
Hall of Fame Museum. This official website features news
about racing, touring, and upcoming events, motorcycle clubs,
and laws and issues affecting bikers.
Harley-Davidson
www.harley-davidson.com
In addition to providing information about motorcycling
events, learning to ride, and customizing a bike, this website of
the leading American motorcycle manufacturer offers a guide
to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee and highlights
the growing diversity among its dealers, bike owners, and riders.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
http://msf-usa.org
Safety is the key word here. This site promotes the Foun-
dation’s safe rider courses and offers safety tips for motorcy-
clists. Several booklets and documents are downloadable.
Phyllis Mcintosh is a freelance writer whose work has
appeared in many national magazines.
Motorcycle Jargon
ape hangers – motorcycle handlebars that are very high
and often raise the rider’s hands above the shoulders
cage – a car, truck, or other vehicle that confines
the inhabitants within an enclosed space (unlike a
motorcycle)
chopper – a motorcycle that has been customized by
“chopping off” nonessential parts to make it go faster
farkles – a combination of “function” and “sparkle”
that refers to motorcycle accessories, such as radar
detectors, GPS receivers, heated handlebar grips, and
satellite radios
knobbies – tires used by off-road motorcycle racers;
knobbies have large square knobs of rubber tread
arranged in various ways to best grab the dirt
motocross – off-road motorcycle racing held on
enclosed, rough circuits; the name is a combination
of motorcycle and cross-country
sidecar – a one-wheeled carriage for a single passen-
ger attached to the side of a motorcycle
squid – a younger motorcycle rider who does not
respect laws, follow safety rules, or wear proper gear
tricked out – adorned with many customizations
uncork – open up the throttle to obtain top speed
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