Rumble In The City

Southside Kustom Hosts Bike Show For Charity

Southside Kustom has found a way to support two great causes with one event.  The Rumble In The City bike and car show will support both Toys for Tots and the Buffalo Central Terminal.  That's something even non gearheads can get behind. Register to win this bike!

"It's a fun event and we're proud to support the causes involved," said Jim Oliveri, Parts Director at West Herr Ford Lincoln Mercury in Amherst.  

The Rumble In The City will feature loads of customized motorcycles and muscle cars.  Pinstripers, hot rods and choppers are just some of the vehicles that will be on display.  South Side Kustoms will auction the Hitman, a much hyped new motorcycle.  See the picture to the right. 

All proceeds benefit Toys For Tots and of course the Central Terminal, a historic Buffalo location. 

The event takes place this Saturday July 31st from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Aside from the customized vehicles, there will be BBQ and other food plus entertainment. The full band list and set times is as follows:

• 1 – Bravuras 1pm-1:45
• 2 – Blue Ribbon Bastards 2pm – 2:45
• 3 – Morgue Riot 3pm-3:30
• 4 – Royal Crowns – 3:45pm – 4:30
• 5 – Lords of the Highway 4:45-5:45
• 6 – Krypton 88 6:00 – 6:45
• 7 – The Rabies 7:00 – 7:45
• 8 – Blue rocket Trio 8:00 - 8:45
• Car/Motorcycle Show Awards at 6:45pm (infront of outside DJ booth)
• Hitman Raffle Drawing at 8:00pm (infront of outside DJ booth)

Tickets are $15 and are available at South Side Kustom's website.  Stop by and support two great causes!

Honda Riding For Kids

Automaker Sponsoring Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Event

Each year, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) sets up the Ride for Kids event in multiple US cities.  The idea is to gather motorcyclists and embark on a group ride to raise money for pediatric tumor research. 

Since it's inception, more than $34 million dollars have been raised to support brain cancer research and family support programs.

"We're going to fast forward the field of Pediatric Brain tumor research like never before, " said Dianne Traynor, President of the PBTF.

The Honda Riders Club of America, a division of American Honda, sponsors the event each year but all brands of motorcycles are welcome to participate.  This is one of just many ways Honda America contributes to the community and charities.   

Registration generally costs $35 but some riders get sponsors to cover their entrance fees.  There are also incentives.  For every $300 raised, participants are entered to win a new Honda motorcycle, an AGV helmet, Tourmaster luggage and other prizes.  Complete registration info is available here.

The rides tend to go against the grain of traditional fundraisers.  At 3:42 into the video below you'll even see Darth Vader making an appearance. 

"We've had riders come here and call these events the Disneyworld of motorcycle rides," said Rod Gilvey, a Ride For Kids volunteer. 

Honda has been involved with the event since 1991.  Each year, Honda also auctions off a motorcyle at Cycle Magazine International Motorcycle Shows.  All proceeds go towards the PBTF.   

• Rides are happening all over, and there are at least 4 stops within reasonable traveling distance from Buffalo.  Rides will happen in Utica and Hudson Valley, NY plus Cleveland and Pittsburgh.  The full ride schedule is available here. 

Visit the Honda Riders Club online or the Ride For Kids site to get involved today. 

"Watch out for motorcycles" an appeal from West Herr

On Friday another West Herr team mate was hit by an driver while riding his motorcycle. Luckily he is out of intensive care and things look hopeful. But this has become a regular but preventable occurrence.

Motorcycles are sometime hard to see, especially if you just glance before entering into the roadway. We tend to look for the profile of a vehicle not bicyclist or bikers. "Many of the accidents involve multiple vehicles and are generally caused by a driver in a larger vehicle -- a car, truck or SUV -- who wasn't aware the motorcycle was there" Said one law enforcement official.

Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spots such as the door or roof pillars, or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car such as bushes, fences and bridges.

So our appeal is this, "take a second look before you turn into oncoming traffic", you may save a life.