Jr. Patriot Report - May 2025

John Stumpner

Motorcycle Awareness Month

May is motorcycle awareness month in Wisconsin. While many bikers have been out riding as soon as the roads are clear of ice, snow, salt, and sand, it is usually in May that bikers really start hitting the pavement. So, it is fitting that in May, we take some time to remind the drivers of cars, trucks and vans that bikers are out using the roads too. Many ABATE of Wisconsin members will be holding “Awareness Rallies,” reminding the other roadway users that bikers are sharing the road with them.

Another type of motorcycle awareness could be of all the different styles of motorcycles on the road. From the big cruising and touring bikes to sport bikes, dirt bikes and adventure touring bikes, one can find a style of motorcycle to suit any type of riding preference. We often get stuck on the style of motorcycle we're used to, and we forget about all the other styles of bikes out there.

For many bikers, the first bike they rode was a dirt bike. The wildly successful motocross racer, James “Bubba” Stewart, Jr., started riding a dirt bike when he was four years old. Dirt bikes can be a lot of fun to ride on trails and around the fields at home. Specialized dirt bikes called “enduros” or ”dual purpose” bikes can even be licensed to ride on the roads. Their light weight and nimble handling make them a good choice for quick rides on both rural and urban roads.

When most people think of motorcycles, they usually think of the big cruising and touring motorcycles from companies like Harley Davidson. Every year, hundreds of thousands of bikers hit the open road on their cruising and touring bikes. They can be making a day trip around several towns or a vacation covering several states. The style of these types of bikes can be a simple bike with fenders and a seat all the way up to a touring bike with multiple storage compartments, a sound system and cruise control.

Some bikers want a fast handling and high-speed motorcycle. Their bike of choice would be a sport bike. The fastest motorcycles in racing are the supermoto bikes, which are big sport bikes. If a sport bike rider really wants to see how fast they can go, many racetracks have track days. Here in Wisconsin, at Road America, a sport bike rider can take their bike on the track and go as fast as they want without having to worry about other traffic or getting stopped for speeding.

Some types of motorcycles combine two styles for a specific purpose. Those bikers who like to take the road less traveled will be riding an adventure touring motorcycle. The adventure touring style is basically a dirt bike with a bigger engine, more comfortable seat, and saddlebags. They are made for long trips off road. The style has become so popular that almost all motorcycle companies, including Harley Davidson, make an adventure touring model.

Of course, ABATE of Wisconsin supports the rights of all bikers, no matter what they ride. So, this May, for Motorcycle Awareness Month, be aware of all the different types of motorcycles sharing the road.

John