Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/895972
40 WheelsOfGrace.com Issue 38 that motorcyclists wearing legal helmets were being arrested for viola ng a state "An -Masking Law" originally intended to deter public acts of terror being commi ed by the KKK. This obvious abuse of Louisiana statute was being used as a tool to profile and target motorcyclists, par cularly in the Shreveport area. The MPP provided a legisla ve proposal to Louisiana ABATE and the LCOC&I advoca ng an amendment to Louisiana's an -masking law exemp ng individuals wearing state approved safety gear while riding their motorcycles for the 2017 session. rumor mill: harley- davidson considering Buying ducati Harley-ducatison? an updated sprint? wHo knows? By Papa Wealey, RideApart Word on the street is that Harley might snap up Duca in the not-so-distant future. Yes, it's simply a rumor so far (so take it with a big grain of salt), and like so much industry gossip will likely turn out to be no more than that. But, since similar scu lebu has been circula ng lately about Volkswagen AG looking to unload the Italian marque to help cover its Emissions gate debacle, who knows? According to Reuters, Harley- Davidson is considering a US $1.67 billion deal to acquire Italian motorcycle maker Duca . The story's undisclosed sources report that Milwaukee has hired Goldman Sachs to work on the deal. Volkswagen AG, Duca 's current owner, is at work with the investment company Evercore fixing the fallout created by its recent emissions scandal. Reportedly, one money-saving trick VAG is looking at is selling Duca to free up some capital, which is where this whole rumor originated. Duca revenues for last year were in the neighborhood of $670 million. VAG's current evalua on of Duca puts the asking price several mes more than the Italian firm's earnings. The price tag has already put off a few interested par es, including Hero MotoCorp (Which is probably good news for those who remember the EBR debacle –Ed). Asking and selling prices rarely conform though, so the final figure will rest largely on how hungry Volkswagen is. Not to men on the fact that a union between Milwaukee and Bologna looks like a mis-match from the get-go. Who knows, though. The me might be just right for another round of Harley-badged Italian bikes! state farm insurance says no coverage for motorcycle cluBs The MPP received a copy of the le er from State Farm Insurance no fying a chapter of the Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club in Florida that the insurance coverage on their clubhouse was being cancelled. State Farm's explana on for the policy cancella on is "we don't provide coverage for businesses engaged in motorcycle clubs." The MPP personally verified the incident in a face-to-face conversa on with the individual that provided the le er to the MPP. He is a member of the chapter denied coverage. Millions Could Be Denied Coverage? Although there might be nothing technically illegal with State Farm's ac ons because they are a private company, the blatantly discriminatory policy stands diametrically opposed to a the ideas of free expression and associa on and, in this instance, respect for the service of Veterans. The Vietnam/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club extends coast to coast and has a massive membership. And to be balanced, if there were a specific or legi mate reason given why this par cular club had their coverage cancelled then it may be understandable and motorcyclists would raise no objec on. But the le er explicated a general policy of not providing "coverage for businesses engaged in motorcycle clubs." The poten al number of people impacted beyond this club is staggering. The AMA es mates that there are approximately 10 million registered motorcyclists in America, many of whom belong to motorcycle clubs. And the influence of Veterans on motorcycle club culture is generally accepted as common knowledge. Beyond motorcycle clubs themselves, many of which are registered nonprofit en es, many businesses are "engaged" with motorcycle clubs. Consider the thousands of motorcycle repair and apparel shops that regularly engage in business with members of motorcycle clubs and their property. Motorcycle manufacturers as well. And the thousands of public accommoda ons, including bars and restaurants in all 50 states, that host motorcycle club charity events and engage in business with motorcycle clubs on a daily basis. The Na onal Council of Clubs Seeks Explana on from State Farm How many of the 10 million motorcyclists or their supporters in America are insured by State Farm? How many would choose a different company if they were aware that State Farm would not cover the property of motorcycle club's or businesses engaged in motorcycle clubs? The Na onal Council of Clubs, an organiza on represen ng the interests of motorcycle clubs and motorcyclists na onwide, wrote a le er reques ng clarifica on of State Farm's policy based on the cancella on no ce given to the Legacy Vets MC. The NCOC believes that no motorcyclist or business that supports motorcyclists should engage in business with State Farm if they choose to stand by a general policy of denying coverage to businesses engaged in motorcycle clubs. .. AND MORE MOTORCYCLE NEWS