Venom Bikes

A chopper is a type of motorcycle that became popular after World War II. Motorcycles are assembled with an array of parts, including the rather conservative fender. After World War II, veterans came home and decided to strip down their bikes to make them easier to ride. Aping their military motorcycles, the vets were eager to make their civilian bikes capable of racing in rough terrain. A typical civilian bike was unnecessarily laden with unneeded parts and accessories.

Gas prices being what they are, a great many people are choosing motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and other two-wheeled bikes for transportation. The number of new motorcycle sales in this country is growing yearly, and so is the number of accidents. If you ride in California, you should realize that the traffic accident statistics among motorcyclists are high in that state, and Los Angeles has by far the worst record.

If you are a motorcycle lover, Easy Rider, made in 1969, is a must see. Indeed, it’s required viewing. It’s not so much an action movie as a piece of history. The plot starts with Wyatt (played by Peter Fonda) and Billy (played by Dennis Hopper) riding their way to Mardi Gras. During this drive they encounter hitchhikers, a drunken lawyer (played famously by Jack Nicholson), some jail time, and ultimately the great unknown.