The Virginia Biker Network » marine

Marine motorcycle deaths top their Iraq combat fatalities

Hersey — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:02:31 +0000

QUANTICO, Virginia (CNN) — Motorcycle accidents have killed more Marines in the past 12 months than enemy fire in Iraq, a rate that’s so alarming, it has prompted top brass to call a meeting to address the issue, officials say.

Twenty-five Marines have died in motorcycle crashes since November — all but one of them involving sport bikes that can reach speeds of well over 100 mph, according to Marine officials. In that same period, 20 Marines have been killed in action in Iraq.

The 25 deaths are the highest motorcycle death toll ever for the Marine Corps.

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Road warrior, 82, reaches the West

Hersey — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:29:20 +0000

A follow up to On the ride of his life which was posted on Sept. 27, 2008.
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After riding his motorcycle almost 3,000 miles across America, 82-year-old E. Bruce Heilman said yesterday, “I’m younger than I thought.”

“I feel about 71 now,” he said with a laugh.

Heilman, retired president of the University of Richmond, left Richmond Oct.1 on his Harley-Davidson with an entourage of about 30 other bikers who rode part of the first day with him. The World War II Marine, retracing in reverse his cross-country hike across the country after the war, arrived in San Diego last weekend and has been touring Marine bases and meeting with UR alumni.

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On the ride of his life

Hersey — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:10:08 +0000

Bruce Heilman is a pinstripe sort of guy.

Except when he’s wearing his leather pants, black boots and Marine Corps do-rag tied around his head. You’ve got to look the part when you’re planning to ride your Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Did we mention Heilman is 82?

Did we mention he’s about to embark on a 3,000-mile cross-country trip on his bike, a Harley Ultra-Classic Electra Glide Patriot Edition, nearly a half-ton of black-and-chrome rolling thunder? He’s scheduled to leave Richmond on Wednesday and arrive at the Marine Corps Air Station near San Diego less than three weeks later.

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New Sport Bike Training Unveiled

Hersey — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:35:57 +0000

NORFOLK – A new course designed for sport bike motorcycle riders in the Navy and Marine Corps kicked off at Naval Station Norfolk June 4 and at other fleet concentration areas. Every sport bike rider in the Navy and Marine Corps will be required to take the course.

There has been a rise in the number of sport bike riders in the fleet, and the reason seems simple. They are sleek and colorful and built for speed. For Sailors and Marines, many of whom are naturally attracted to an adrenaline rush, this is a huge selling point. However, these same features make riding sport bikes much different than handling cruisers or touring bikes. Mishap statistics show it’s important to take these differences into account.

The Naval Safety Center (NSC) partnered with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to create the Military Sport Bike Rider Course (MSRC) specifically for sport bike riders.

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