Attorney Fran Haasch
September 2008 Newsletter
www.LawFran.com

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our September Newsletter.  I hope you’ve had a chance to check out our pictures from Harley-Davidson’s 105th Anniversary in Milwaukee.  We didn’t have a lens big enough to capture the estimated 80,000 motorcycles at Miller Park on the first day of the celebration!

What an amazing turnout at Plant City Bike Fest.  It was great to see so many of you and get a chance to look at all the beautiful bikes.  As usual, Radical Randy did a great job emceeing and there were 74 motorcycles in the bike show. We took pictures of many of them and they are on our website under the events tab.  Congratulations to Carlos and his Old School Triumph for winning Best in Show. 

Let’s hope the weather cooperates with us and I look forward to seeing you at Quaker Steak and Lube tonight.

Attorney Fran Haasch
Palm Harbor

Most of you receiving this email have a t-shirt with “Look Twice - Save a Life, Motorcycles Are Everywhere!” on it that was given to you when you signed up for the newsletter and a chance to win the 2009 Harley-Davidson Cross Bones.  I’ve had many conversations with Diane Pearson and meeting her prompted us to put the message on our t-shirts.

 Diane Pearson – Mother on a Mission

Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy.  For a parent to have to come to terms with the death of a child is even more challenging.  This is the exact predicament that Gene Pearson’s family was put in on May 19, 2005.  Gene, who was 31 at the time, was on his way to meet up with some co-workers for a group ride when a driver pulled out in front of him.  Even though he was fully clothed in some of the best gear money could buy, his motorcycle was no match for the car that never saw him coming. 

The loss of Gene left his mother, Diane, feeling as if her life was over.  It was not until Diane was behind a car with a bumper sticker that said “Look Twice - Save a Life, Motorcycles Are Everywhere,” that she channeled her depression and became a self proclaimed “Mother on a Mission.”  She contacted Kathy and Pat Malone, the originators of the “Look Twice - Save a Life, Motorcycles Are Everywhere” campaign, to see how she could get involved.  Even though it was too late to help Gene, she knew that she could do some good by getting the word out. 

Diane ordered some bumper stickers from the Malone’s and set out on her mission to try and prevent other families from having to feel the same pain she felt when Gene was taken from her.  Even though it started out with bumper stickers, her campaign has blossomed to include other forms of advertising as well.  In addition to the 53,000 bumper stickers already handed out, Diane has procured space on billboards, bus benches, Yellow Cab roof signs, bus shelters, and even on the side of HARTline buses.  The bumper stickers are given out for free at the DMV and Tax Collectors Offices in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Polk counties.  They are also available at Quaker Steak & Lube on 49th street.    

When asked what drivers should do in order to improve the safety of motorcyclists, Diane replied, “slow down and be courteous, too many people are in a rush.”  She also encourages drivers to actually turn their head and look when pulling out or changing lanes.  Frequently, drivers put too much faith in a nonchalant glance while pulling out; failing to realize that the narrow headlight that they didn’t pay attention to was much closer than they expected. 

Even though Mrs. Pearson is not a motorcyclist, she expressed her extreme gratitude for the amount of support and love that has been outpouring from the motorcycling community.  For more information about this Mother on a Mission, Gene Pearson, or ways that you can help with motorcycle awareness and safety, please visit www.genepearson.org. 

Harley-Davidson and MV Agusta
Deal Almost Done 

Back in July, it was confirmed that Harley-Davidson would be taking over the debt ridden Italian company for a whopping $109 million.  The majority of the acquisition price will be going to satisfy the $70 million in debt that MV Agusta has been trudging along with up until now.  Both parties signed the acquisition deal in mid August and await approval before they will be able to advance any further. 

Harley is stepping in just in time, not only to prevent the extinction of the exotic Italian manufacturer, but for the much anticipated release of a direct competitor for the Triumph 675 Daytona.  The 675cc F3 will have a 3 cylinder engine, which MV hopes will put out 135bhp, if not more. 

Hopefully the extreme popularity and reputation of Harley will help to pull MV Agusta back from the brink and ensure that sport bike fans will always have something to drool over. 

Motorcycle Safety Foundation Quick Tip

Know your bike and how to use it:  During my interview with Diane Pearson, when asked about motorcycle safety courses, she replied that “education is the best thing that you can do… Knowledge is power.”  If you have never taken a formal training course, now may be a good time to consider it.  Even experienced riders who have been riding for years may be surprised at what they might learn from an objective observer trained in effective motorcycling and safety. 

In addition to motorcycle training, there is no substitute for frequent practice of techniques that may one day save your life.  Here in Florida we are blessed with a year round riding season.  Make sure you spend some of that riding time brushing up on your low speed maneuvering and emergency braking.     

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