April Issue #174

Cover Edits By Nicole CGW Nicole CGW 803-931-2613

Letter from your Editor

Before I start receiving emails and phone calls that I misspelled (on the Cover)

Huray

www.urbandictionary.com › define › term=huray a delicious word used for those with the higher intellect to describe a sudden outburst of joy.

Well, Hello! It's been awhile since I've personally wrote. I am so excited about the season change. Even though, here in Lexington, SC, I'm not sure we really had winter.... I think a few days around freezing. And I guess, I got too busy or just forgot to bring in my Lime tree and Hybrid Hibiscus, but I'm pretty confident they will survive! Enough about me!

April Issue #173 is PACKED with articles!! I know some of the articles maybe "stupid" to you as a seasoned rider however just because we may know something doesn't mean we don't need a little "refresher" from time to time! Some of the other articles are great riding destinations and some are for awareness as a rider! Which I’ve often wondered; do y’all want more articles or more pictures? Hummmm, I’ll see if I can poll that on our website CHROMESC.COM.

Carolina Chrome Magazine is a challenging but fun “project”. Simply put, a project is a series of tasks that need to be completed to reach a specific outcome. And that specific outcome is to help the motorcycle community.

The series of tasks… well that is an uphill battle for sure! For one, I’m sure, the majority of people, have no clue how hard it has been just to find printing paper! Our paper comes in rolls and goes through this huge printing process. Plus, when the paper could be obtained, it was outrageous! It has come down some but I’m hopeful, maybe, just a little more, SOON! Secondly, has anyone noticed the cost of postage? I swear, they have doubled it, gezzz! But really, USPS discontinued our regional boxes that were definitely a reasonable price with the weight 15-20 lbs. per box. And, YES, a box of magazines is heavy, lol! So, with all that said, I want to say: THANK YOU!

Thank YOU, our readers, for your continued support! Thank you to our advertisers for supporting the magazine, to help get the word out to the biker community! Thank you to our Chrome Crew! I can’t say enough, how privileged I am to have all of y’all.

The Chrome Crew, especially, has been a tremendous help in some of the tasks that, as editor in chief, I am faced with. Retread & Cherokee created and kicked off the Ms. Chrome Voting segment that as it warms up, we will kick off again! A lot of people have asked about it, so, YES, it’s coming back. Deb Davis has done an amazing job organizing the Ladies of Chrome in order to raise items for our SC Veterans through out the year. Photographer Robert Holley or Vance,

however y’all know of him (not Bob, lol) has helped me many times with photography edits and definitely is a game changer when it comes to shooting pictures! Photographer Grange Simons Lucas III travels all over this state and sends some great shots from benefits. Clint Watts, that somehow manages to be everywhere with Carolina Chrome Magazines in his saddle bag! Wally Wersching submits interesting stories and pictures of rides he takes. And I could go on and on about this great crew. I know, I haven’t even mentioned half of all the contributing efforts or people, but I look forward to continuing in my next letter from the editor. If you want to be apart of the Chrome Crew, I welcome any help you may have to offer. Understand that being part of the Chrome Crew is not going to make you rich. To be a part of us; you have to have a passion. Whether that passion is taking pictures at bike nights or benefits, writing a fun story or jokes, getting a box of magazines and dispersing them around and to your friends… ALL are welcome to help!

You can email me at carolinachrome@yahoo.com or shoot me a text to 803-931-2613.

Until next time, Ride like it could be your last time!

Sincerely,

Nicole CGW, Editor in Chief

Ms. Brandy Kershaw, SC

s . C hro M e A pril

Photography By Brandy Gunter

There is a long history of legends where people’s lives have changed at a crossroads. I don’t know how true those stories are, but I can definitely say that my life may never be the same after a recent visit to the intersection of highways 11 and 14 in Gowensville, SC. On the northwest corner of that intersection sits a modest, freshly painted cinder-block building. But, oh the treasure that lies within! This is the home of Dimitri’s.

Inside, the large dining room is bright and cozy, with oil paintings of Greece and its seaside hanging on the walls. But instead of being greeted by the sound and smells of the ocean, there is instead the aroma of fresh pizza and sizzling promise from the grill. Ms Brenda or one of her equally gracious staff will meet you at the door and seat you at a table or a booth along the wall. Just behind the counter, Ms Dez works her third-generation Greek chef’s magic.

The menu includes a full range of Italian and Greek dishes. Fresh-dough pizzas are served with a thick layer of cheese and very generous toppings. The menu includes Stromboli, lasagna, Manicotti and an impressive list of other Italian favorites, including Parmesan casseroles served with spaghetti and garlic bread. If Greek food is more to your liking, be prepared, because this is where my life changed. Before you enjoy a gyro served on a freshly grilled pita made from imported dough, before you order shrimp Corfu or Souvlaki with delicious house made Tzatziki sauce, look at the appetizers. There you will find the Roasted Feta with Pita Bread. Served with imported Kalamata olives, fresh grilled tomatoes, green peppers, and seasoned to perfection, this dish is one of the tastiest things I have ever eaten. I’m already looking forward to having it again!

Dimitri’s Greek Italian Restaurant, located at 5600 N. Highway 14 in Landrum, SC, is already popular with locals. They are open from 11:00am-9:00pm daily, but are closed on Tuesdays. There is outdoor seating, plenty of parking and a gas station conveniently right across the street. If you’re on a ride in the Upstate, do yourself a favor and plan to stop in for lunch or dinner for your own “crossroads experience!”

Photography & Write Up By Wendy Rogers of Promising Signs

Our Cover Says it best: Huray! Spring Has Sprung!

Which means; alot more motorcycles will be out on the roads, ready to get a little "wind therapy" for longer rides, or just a ride to and from work!

This Cover is in Honor of the Memory of Dalton Nichols and the people bringing awareness to the bike community through his untimely death. Dalton was killed in a failure to yield collision on Hwy 76 in Anderson County, SC on December 3, 2021.

I have personally only spoke with his mother; Sherri, and know that she is one of the strongest person that I know. She not only is heading up the 2nd Annual Doolin Dalton run, social media awareness for bikers (which very few know just how time consuming that is!)

she is full time at Doolin Dalton - Look Twice Save A Life campaign! And she is also, a Veterans Wife & Proud Mom!

The Doolin Dalton article and scholarship information was published in our last issue, March #173, so if you missed it you can visit our website CHROMESC.com and check it out.

Remember:

Ride safe, and love the ones you love, we are all on borrowed time!

By Nicole CGW

T-Shirts will be a charcoal gray. $20 per shirt size S-XL. Plus sizes will be an additional fee of $2.50 for 2XL, $3.50 for 3XL, and so on... Long Sleeves $25 with an additional fee for plus sizes as seen above.

*If you look closely, you will notice a few special items on the front. The back is a copy of Dalton's handwriting and the last page of his lyric notebook.

Want to purchase a t-shirt or 10?

Contact Sherri: sdnmail71@yahoo.com or join

Doolin Dalton - Look Twice Save A Life Facebook page

Current Motorcycle Related Information

April Is The Month Of Decisions!

There are many things in life we can predict, unfortunately the passing of legislation is not one of them. With April being distracted driving awareness month we would all think this would be the time to pass the Hands Free bill out of the house and over to the Senate. With the session ending sometime in May most of these may not make it with all the other issues they are working on. So, like we said in the beginning we will be making some hard decision this moth and see which ones make it and which ones will have to wait until next January.

Bills status as of February 15th:

H 3394 “SC Hands Free Act” Representative Taylor currently in the House Judiciary Committee. Members who are current co-sponsors:

• Representative Taylor sponsored and representatives West, Chapman and Pope added their names as co-sponsors on January 10th.

• Representative M.M. Smith and Davis added their names as co-sponsors on February 1st.

• Representative Thayer added her name as co-sponsor on February 2nd.

• Representatives Bernstein, Wheeler and Bauer added their names as co-sponsors on February 21st.

• Representative Elliott added his name as co-sponsor on March 8th.

• Distracted driving is our #1 priority. Passage of this would make driving with a cell phone in your hand illegal. This bill is like S 248 that passed the Senate during the 124th session with a vote of 37 ayes and 3 nays.

S 36 “Interlock First Offense” Senator Hutto. This bill received a second reading February 15th in the Senate. It has not received the third reading yet.

•Driver’s license suspended due to a first offense. Passage of this would allow DUI interlock requirement exclusion for motorcycles and mopeds. Currently these devices cannot meet the requirements needed if installed on motorcycles.

S 363 “Carolina Squat” Senator Rankin, Grooms, and Verdon. This bill passed out of the Senate on February 14th with a vote of 39 ayes and 2 nays and now is in the House of Representatives Education and Public Works committee.

•Passage of this would require that trucks could not be modified over four inches from the front to the back axle.

S 375 “Move Over” Senator Grooms. This bill passed out of the Senate on February with a vote of 41 ayes and 0 nays and is now in the House of Representatives Judiciary committee.

•Passage of this would require the driver of a vehicle to move over if possible and slow down when approaching a stopped vehicle that has its hazard lights on the side of a road. This would make it a fine of not less than $300 and not more than $500.

Page

Photography by

Grange

Simons Lucas III

The Blue Bike is a Pea Shooter and the Green Bike is a J Model. The J Model was as fast as a factory racer. It turned a 27 at Daytona this year! Mo Pace is the guru of the teens and 20's racers!

~Pappy

Don't Know Where To Go?

Your reward for quick hop over the state line could be a thoroughly enjoyable night out. Less than half a mile off of exit 67 on I26, nestled into the shallow hills of Columbus, NC sits The Green River Tavern. Head that way to enjoy any of the 14 locally brewed beers on tap and settle in to watch sports on 12 TVs. Shoot a game of pool on one of their two full size pool tables and stick around for live music and karaoke.

This locally owned bar and grill keeps with the tradition of a separate bar and dining room. Start your dinner of with Mills Street Onion Rings or their delicious Mountain Bread-fresh French bread topped with your choice of tasty sauce, toasted, and topped with cheeses and Roma tomatoes. Enjoy a perfectly seasoned Rib-eye, Burger, or a crunchy, classic BLT. Opt to have your meal outside to enjoy the mountain views and savor a hot and cheesy pizza on the covered patio.

The Green River Tavern is family run and biker owned. Green River Cycles is just a few doors down. There’s a charity ride coming up on May 27th, so save the date and give them a call for details. Contact the Green River Tavern at (828) 802-1099. They are located at 155 W. Mills ST #101 Columbus, NC.

Write Up By Wendy Rogers of Promising Signs

Freedom Riders, FootHills

Bike Blessing

Photos by Pappy

Well, If You Are Like Me, Stuck To "Weekend Journeys", Here Is A "Special S.C. Road"!

The Oldest Road In America, The King’s Highway, Begins In South Carolina

Not many people realize the oldest road in America was created to connect Charleston and Boston by way of a 1,300mile simple roadway closely following the coast in the American colonies. It was laid out and constructed between 1650

and 1735 and parts of it still exist today, at least in South Carolina. Other sections, particularly on the more northern end, have been incorporated into major highways.

In South Carolina, if you've ever driven the coastal Highway 17 between Charleston and the North Carolina state line, then you've traveled in the same path as the colonials. Of course, the surface is now paved and has been widened to accommodate more traffic and vehicles larger than a carriage or a horse, but it's believed that most of the South Carolina portion of the King's Highway is still in the same place as the original road.

In fact, along the Grand Strand, parts of Highway 17 Business (the original road) are actually named Kings Highway.

Submitted eventS 2023 Submitted eventS 2023

Saturday April 1, 2023

April Fool’s Fall Fundraiser

11am-4pm @American Legion Post 6, 200 Pickens Street, Columbia SC 29205. Public invited to American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund event to kick off the Month of the Military Child. Live Music by Killer Beez, Emcee Tyler Ryan, Games, Poker Run Fun Ride, Prizes, Food Trucks. Group ride starts after 12:30pm

Saturday April 1, 2023

5TH ANNUAL RIDE FOR AUTISM

11AM – 4PM @ Harley Shop at the Beach 4002 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, Proceeds will benefit our SOS Care Project Lifesaver program in partnership with Horry County, City of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach! Officially escorted ride

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Ride for the Fallen

Hosted by Frontline Soldiers FR/MC. Ride for the Fallen is in memory of Deputy Jeremy Ladue E.O.W April 13,2020Police Escorted Ride followed with Music, Raffles and More. $25 per Person to benefit Concerns of Police Survivor’s. Starts and ends at the Honkytonk Saloon. Registration starts at 11am and KSU at noon. Music by The Palmetto Cadillacs.

April 15th 2023

2nd Annual Unity Car, Bike, Slingshot Show

Gates open 11am Located at 823 S. Main St Lancaster Sc (American Legion). this show with consist of live bands, sound off competition with cash prizes of $500 or better. Its all about bonding the biker community together.

FMI Big O Barnes 980-313-5402

bigoproductllc@gmail.com

Saturday, April 15 2023

Doolin Dalton Awarness Ride Start 9am KSU@ 11am. Ride

STARTS @ Eagles Nest Art Center, Salem SC, Ends at Timms Harley-Davidson, Anderson SC. "Gone Too Soon, Look Twice Save A Life" FLYER PAGE 20

Saturday, April 15 2023

Austin Lombr Benefit Vendors and food truck will be on site. Cydetrax will be taking the stage @ 9pm. Bikini contest @ 10pm cash money to the winner Bubba’s Pub-N-Grub is the beginning and ending stop. 2544 S. Lake Dr. Lexington SC

Saturday, April 15, 2023I

In The Mix Car & Motorcycle Show with Poker Run Poker Run Reg @9am, LBO@11am & LBI @2pm. Start, End and Event @ Knotheads Bar & Grill 200 Clay St, Hartwell GA 30643. FLYER PAGE 18

Saturday April 22, 2023

Syndicate RC Spring Party Gates open at 2. 7345 Fairview Road Batesburg SC 29006

Saturday, April 22 2023

South Carolina Motorcycle Riders/ Broxton Bridge Plantation Meet UP and Party

9am -11pm Beer and Beverages Food And more Food /Free T shirt with Admission Broxton Bridge Plantation 609 Broxton Bridge Hwy. Ehrhardt SC 29081

See Broxton Bridge Plantation for Available Camping sites and other overnight stay. FMI Joey 803-360-1529

joeaddthree3@gmail.com

FLYER PAGE 18

Saturday April 22, 2023

CVMA 6th Annual Benefit Ride

Ride through upstate of South Carolina followed with live music, raffles & more.

Friday, April 28th

Adam Sandoval’s ‘Great American Convoy’ Meet n' Greet

@Low Country Harley-Davidson Adam Sandoval will be arriving at the dealership from 11AM to 1PM! Photo oppurtunites. Free food & more. Donations are encouraged!

"Adam Sandoval has started the "Great American Convoy: rolling across all 48 states and you are invited to joing along."

"The Convoy of riders is travlling to honor Harley-Davidson's 120th anniversary and to benefit our American Veterans. It will ride nearly 30,000 miles visiting 120 select H-D dealerships raising funds at each stop for the Wounded Warrior Project."

"You are welcome to join the Great American Convoy at any on of the stops along the way. Make a charitable donation and stay in the ride for multiple days or just a few miles. Together we will ride, together we will make a difference."

Saturday, April 29th

8th Annual Benefit Ride For Local Childern's Charity @ Harley Haven. FBO Noon LBI 4pm, $20 single $25 with passenger. Food Vendors & Beer Truck will be onsite.

Saturday, April 29th

2023 Lake Murray Poker Run

10am-5pm Come out and spend the day at the 2023 Lake Murray Poker Run! ALL PROCEEDS will benefit the Special Olympics via the DreamRide.org.

Wings & Ale 125 Outlet Pointe Boulevard Columbia, SC 29210

Saturday, April 29th

2023 Legacy Scholarship Charity Run

Hosted By: American Legion Post 25 Laurens. All proceeds help veteran and children in our community! 11:00 am Big Starts & Ends

@Daddy’s Laurens SC. FMI Kevin Farnsworth 8648718551 American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund event

FLYER PAGE 21

Friday, May 12Monday, May 22, 2023

Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally 2023

2023 will be the 83rd year for Myrtle Beach Bike Week “The Carolinas Largest Spring Motorcycle Event” Official Myrtle Beach Bike Week website for more information on daily events and event locations: myrtlebeachbikeweek.com

Wednesday, MAY 17TH 2023

Crudes 12th Annual Veteran Ride

FREE RIDE Meet at 8am KSU at 10:30 am Golden Egg In Surfside Beach This is a Rain or Shine Event! All People, Bikes & cars are welcome! (This Information was updated Oct 9th 2022) FREE RIDE no registration fees or release forms to sign. Meet at the Golden Egg In Surfside Beach starting at 8am and then KSU at 10:30 for a nice ride to Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant in Moncks Corner SC. In years past we had over 250 Riders! This ride will have a gas stops and total round trip ride is 150 miles. We will Sell 50/50 tickets for cash and other door prizes Must be present at final stop which we will have a discounted meal. The final stop and evening part of the event will be at the Garden City Beach Bar located at 120 Atlantic Ave Garden City/Murrells Inlet (Next to the old slick track) The evening part of this event will kick off at 6pm and go all evening. Raffles to be drawn starting at 7:30pm. We also welcome any that do not take the ride to the evening event as well and are welcome to purchase 50/50 tickets. We will have a Leather auction courtesy of Jamin Leather. https://jaminleather.com/ This event is a great way to socialize with others, see old

Upcoming Rallies

Angel City Spring Motorcycle Rally 2023

4/19/20234/23/2023

Unadilla GA

Leesburg BikeFest 2023

4/28/20234/30/2023

Leesburg FL

Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally Spring 2023

5/3/2023 - 5/7/2023

Panama City Beach FL

BikeStock Oklahoma 2023 - Route 66

Biker Rally

5/4/2023 - 5/7/2023

Depew OK

Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally 2023

5/12/20235/22/2023

Myrtle Beach SC

CMA Annual Day of Prayer

By Wally Wersching

On Sunday, March 5th, I rode “Miss Vickie” south to the city of Gaffney in South Carolina. It was a beautiful afternoon with a brisk breeze, and sunny skies. I stopped at the Cherokee County Veterans Park. I was the only one there. I walked around to enjoy the moment; it is such a beautiful place. The Veteran’s Park is a sacred place where veterans are honored for their service. The park was dedicated in November of 2010, and has monoliths with names of veterans. There is a very moving bronze statue called the “Fallen Soldier Battle Cross” on one end, and a stone statue of an eagle on the other end with a quotation from Theodore Roosevelt. Too many people had to die for us to enjoy our freedom, and this park remembers some of them.

There are names in some of the bricks on the walkway around the park remembering a friend or family member. Reading them makes it a very personal moment.

Next to the park is a little war museum. It’s not open very much. It’s manned by volunteers. It’s nice inside, and the grounds around it are full of military vehicles. There's a huge helicopter next to the fence.

I really enjoy visiting the park but this time, I had another reason for being there. The local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) – “The Warriors for Christ” was having their annual “Day of Prayer” at 2:00PM at the park. The CMA is an international Christian, interdenominational, non-profit organization established in 1975 dedicated to reaching people for Christ on the highways. Every year on the first Sunday in March, they hold a world-wide “Day of Prayer” where members take time to gather together and pray.

Other bikers started arriving at about 1:30PM. Most were CMA members but there were bikers from other biker ministries along with bikers like me who don’t belong to any group.

Then at about 2:00PM, “Crawdad” (the president of the chapter) invited us to get in a circle on the Veterans Monument around the center flagpole to pray. Everybody held hands, and each person in turn said a prayer for something special to them. Many just thanked God for what they had, and a beautiful day to enjoy it.

Their goal is to spread the word, and increase the group size every year, but this year’s was smaller than last year’s. Next year, mark your calendars for the first Sunday in March. We’ll meet again at the veteran’s park about 2:00PM. See you there!

Afterwards, they were going on a ride for ice cream. I didn’t go with them. I headed home, but before they left, I gave many of them some copies of Carolina Chrome Magazine.

Go to:

www.cmausa.org for more info about the CMA.

Go to:

cmaser6.org/SC/Warriorsforchrist for info about the chapter.

Photo By Wally Wersching

Page Photos By Wally Wersching

Page Photography

By Cherokee

STEP OUT ON FAITH

Devotional By Dennis Reynolds

Fifteen years ago, my pastor and I sat down for lunch at a local Chinese buffet. Little did I know how that meeting would change my life.

Our conversation was centered around differing ministries and how local people were using their hobbies and interests as tools to share the gospel. I mentioned that for the previous 13 years our motorcycle group had been doing a small motorcycle worship service in Washington DC during the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally. We discussed how many lives had been changed over the years, the Bibles we had given away, and how we had been blessed beyond measure because of those things. Then, he asked me a question…

“Why don’t you do that here in Greenwood?”

My answer was, “Because people won’t show up.”

He responded with, “Why not?”

Pondering his question, I really did not have a good answer.

At the time, our Lakelands Bikers for Christ Chapter was not even a year old. At our very next meeting, my freshly patched BFC brother and fellow church member Jay and I began discussing the possibility of holding a Blessing of the Bikes in Greenwood. Apparently, he had been considering this idea as well. No one in our area, nor in the surrounding areas, had ever done one of these events before, and we were totally clueless. We had no money, no plan, and no idea if anyone would even show up. One thing we prayerfully agreed upon was that the event needed to be totally free of charge. No vendors, no fees, and no one soliciting for their businesses. All we wanted was an opportunity to pray with people, hand them a Bible, and let them know we care.

We hit up the owner of a vacant parking lot where the Greenwood Hobby Lobby now sits to see if we could use it as the destination for our parade. After negotiations, and a $500 insurance deposit, he allowed the event to be held on his property. The ride would begin at the Greenwood Civic Center and end at the vacant lot.

The BFC Lakelands Chapter took up a collection from our membership to purchase a few cases of Bibles and some other things to give away. Our local Baptist Association provided an event trailer, and my brother-in-law loaned us a large flatbed trailer to use as a stage for a band. A band we did not have.

We asked around at some local clubs and bars for information on a band that may like to donate their services for our event. Nothing… Not even a nibble.

At our church we were blessed to have some very talented people. We asked if a few of them would be willing to help, and they agreed. So, for the first time ever, a band with no name, engineered to play one show, began practicing. They learned a

few contemporary Christian songs, but mostly Southern Rock and Country music. They had never been on stage together, and after the event they never played together again.

The Bibles arrived on time, we had a starting point and a destination for the first Annual Greenwood Blessing of the Bikes, the forecast was for sunny skies, and a killer band was ready to play! All we needed was participants!

On the day of the ride, less than a hundred bikes showed up, but we were on cloud nine! Never in our wildest expectations did we foresee such an awesome turnout! The band was flawless, people had a great time, and God was glorified.

Now, here we are about to hold the 15th Annual Greenwood Blessing of the Bikes and much has changed.

We now begin our parade at that Hobby Lobby, ride right through the middle of town, and finish at First Mt Moriah Baptist Church. We have ballooned to over 900 motorcycles (about fifteen hundred people) on our biggest year, thousands of Bibles have been given out, people have stepped up and donated drinks, food, and money, and literally thousands of people have been blessed… Jay and I never imagined it would grow to this size! And, as it was that first year, everything at the event is still free!

As I think back over these past fifteen years, I smile. We were a brand-new chapter, we had no idea what we were doing, we just stepped out on faith, but God proved himself to be faithful. Over the years he has multiplied our blessings more than we ever thought possible.

Are you willing to prayerfully step out on faith and follow God’s lead? Real ministry is simply allowing God to show you a need, and then you attempting to meet that need. Just take a gamble and give it a try. It may not be easy, but it is amazingly rewarding.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

~Matthew 25:21 NIV

Ride on and stay safe, Dennis Reynolds

Mideast Regional Elder Bikers for Christ

M/M

Page Photography by Grange Simons Lucas III

As we gear up for Spring and the Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally, I feel it is important to to have a “refreasher” for some of us or the education from the article!;

For most of us, owning a motorcycle is nothing more than owning an expensive “Road Toy”. Some of us even have the problem of collecting these roaring but elegant “Road Toys”! Yes, ELEGANT; pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance! Your definition of pleasingly and stylish may differ a little from mine, lol! Anyways, at the end of the day, these “Road Toys” are ours! Our passion, our style and sometimes even our life line!

Knowledge is power and like I’ve always learned(the hard way): “Ignorance is No Excuse!”

So I want to expand on some tid-bits, I’ve learned personally, over the years through reading or experiencing!

Insurance is a necessary evil, so “know” what you need, want and how to interpret it!

Top Motorcycle Insurance Terms You Should Know

These are some of the most common Auto/Motorcycle insurance terms to get a firmer grasp on, especially NOW! Arranged in alphabetical order.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

The amount it costs to replace damaged or stolen property, minus depreciation. You might also see it defined technically as “replacement cost less depreciation.” ACV doesn’t replace your property, but reimburses you for the item’s value at the time of loss.

Amendment

A change to the basic policy contract. An amendment alters the policy, not to be confused with an endorsement, which adds to it.

Anti-Theft Device

A device that deters auto theft. This is useful to know because these devices may entitle you to a discount on your insurance premiums. (EVEN MOTORCYCLES!)

Assured

Someone who has an insurance policy. Means the same as an insured or policyholder.

Binder

A temporary agreement that a policy is in effect; this is used to protect the policyholder when it is not possible to issue or endorse the policy immediately.

Collision Coverage

This pays for damages to your vehicle, no matter who is at fault. It’s a wise move but NOT mandatory in SC to get collision coverage, especially if you’re financing it.

Comprehensive Coverage

This pays for damage to your car outside the realm of a collision with another vehicle. Don’t get tripped up on the wording here—comprehensive coverage isn’t a description of your policy, but instead refers to a specific, optional coverage on an existing policy.

Comparative Negligence

This states that when an accident occurs, each party’s negligence is compared to the other’s in order to assign blame. This allows insurers pay insurance claims accordingly.

Deductible

Like with other types of insurance, this is the amount you pay out of pocket on a claim before your insurance covers the rest. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly payments.

Declarations Page

This is a summary of your coverage.

Full Coverage

Don’t get your hopes up full coverage isn’t as whole and complete as it sounds. “Full coverage” isn’t an actual type of coverage, but a general description used to describe a policy that combines liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages.

Gap Insurance

This type of insurance covers the difference (gap) between what a vehicle is currently worth and the amount you actually owe on it. Key to remember here is that value begins depreciating as soon as you drive it out of the dealership. Generally speaking, your policy is only going to cover a value lower than what it’s worth when you first bought it. If you’re making payments, then gap insurance is worth it!!

Liability Insurance

Covers damages and injuries to the other party in an accident of your fault, but it does not pay for what happens to you or your vehicle There are two kinds of liability insurance: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. This is the minimum amount of insurance you need.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Although SC law does not require it, all automobile insurance policies sold throughout South Carolina offer residents a form of coverage known as personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payment coverage (“med-pay”).

In general, PIP will cover medical expenses, lost wages, other accident-related expenses regardless of who caused the accident.

SR-22, Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR)

An SR-22 or CFR is a certificate mandated by the state to verify that an individual is maintaining auto insurance liability coverage. In other words, this is proof of insurance for someone who has had a suspended driver’s license for some reason. If you need one of these, you’ll be notified by SCDMV!

Subrogation

Called payment recovery or “subro,” this is when your insurance company requests reimbursement from the at-fault party after they’ve covered your claim.

Total Loss

When your vehicle cannot reasonably be repaired. RIP.

Underwriting

This is when an insurance provider evaluates whether or not they will approve an applicant for coverage.

UNinsured And UNDER-insured, KNOW The Difference!!

UNINSURED motorist coverage IS REQUIRED in South Carolina. Drivers in South Carolina must purchase at least $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person (up to $50,000 per accident), as well as $25,000 in uninsured motorist property damage insurance per accident. Also known as 25/50/25.

Estimated UNINSURED Drivers on Road: 9% In South Carolina, AUTO INSURERS are REQUIRED TO OFFER you UNDER-INSURED motorists coverage, but you ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE IT.

So why is UNDER-INSURED coverage a good OPTION especially for motorcycle riders?? UNDER-insured motorists coverage PAYS for YOUR INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE if the AT-FAULT DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH INSURANCE to cover your damages or medical bills.

So back to “us” owning an expensive “Road Toy”; $25,000 would go pretty fast considering 2023 motorcycles generally start around $20,000 and up! Some can go as high as $65,000 customized and even limited additions for up to $100,000.

This article was personally researched and written by Nicole CGW, Editor. My opinions are shared in this article and I am not endorsing any business or insurance coverage other then required by South Carolina. For more information and updates to SC Insurance Laws visit: www.doi.sc.gov/35/Insurers

The Curse of Buying Motorcycle Insurance

Just Based on Price

Depending on your finances and the amount of time you are able to be out riding your motorcycle, it may seem like another annoying burden to pay high motorcycle insurance premium. If you’ve never been in an accident and have never had to file a claim, it might feel like something you would rather do without.

The gut reflex of many riders and drivers is to find the cheapest policy possible and call it a day. Generally, motorcycle insurance coverage varies by state because there are different minimum coverage requirements per state. Premiums also vary by state partially based on the insurance company’s perceived risk for that state’s drivers and riders.

For example, these are the average annual premium costs for the states in which we offer our services:

Georgia $2,607.78

North Carolina $1,126.06

South Carolina $1,500.74

South Carolina $1,500.74

West Virginia $904.87

*Averages are calculated by Business Insider as of July 2020 (averaging quotes from both GEICO and Dairyland) and include a full year of coverage.

Before you jump the gun and start seeing if you can beat the price listed above, it’s important to consider how these premiums are calculated and what these basic policies include or what their coverage actually entails outside of price.

The cost of many motorcycle premiums is determined by coverage levels, the amount of seasonable weather in which a rider could potentially ride and the rate of accidents, injuries and fatalities. States like Georgia end up having higher premiums in part because of the longer riding season and lack of inclement weather (meaning more hours on the road and more chances to be involved in an accident), especially during the winter.

Other factors considered when determining premium rates is the age of the rider, and the rider’s previous accident history or driving record. Outside of these more standard or expected determinants that would apply to drivers of vehicles, there are some specific things that could potentially affect your motorcycle insurance premium rate.

For example:

Type or model of your bike

Number of miles you ride per year

How and where your bike is stored

Now, let’s go through the basic policy coverage so you have a better understanding of what minimum requirements and a bare bones motorcycle insurance policy covers.

Basic Motorcycle Policy Coverage

We’ll use the state of Georgia as an example. At minimum, a rider in the state of Georgia would need $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 bodily injury or death per accident and $25,000 of property damage coverage.

If you lived in Georgia and had a motorcycle policy based on the premium from the table, you could be looking at around $200 a month to cover your insurance. That might not sound too bad, and you might be thinking you could get a price even lower, but there’s a catch.

Lower Costs Can Mean Higher Risk

Look, we get it – no one wants to pay a high insurance premium for their motorcycle, especially if that’s on top of the auto insurance you are already paying for your primary vehicle. But lower premiums can mean higher costs down the line.

The minimum liability coverage required only covers any injuries to other injured parties in a crash and does not cover the cost for your injuries. Additionally, these insurance minimums only cover the damage that may occur to theother vehicle or vehicles involved in a crash. In serious accidents, a $25,000 per person limit may not go very far, and you could be liable for any costs above that policy limit.

That coverage does not cover any injuries that may happen to you during an accident, and there is certainly not any coverage for damage done to your bike in the process.

It should also be noted that whatever personal injury protection (PIP) you have for your other auto policies does not follow you if you are injured in a motorcycle accident. Some motorcycle insurance policies don’t even include PIP.

Logically, if a motorcycle rider is involved in an accident, they are most likely to suffer the more extensive injuries, especially if the collision involved a larger vehicle. More serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal injuries, are all too frequent in accidents involving motorcyclists. Having sufficient PIP as part of your policy is a no brainer, and it covers a motorcycle rider’s passenger as well. This could mean a higher premium though.

Other Types of Insurance to Consider for Motorcyclists

Outside of Motorcycle Medical Payment Coverage or Personal Injury Protection for Motorcyclists there are some other insurance options you may want to consider. They may cause your rate or premium to increase, but they can also help you get your bike replaced after an accident.

In the case of your motorcycle, you’ll want collision coverage, which can vary depending on the type of bike you have and the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle. Comprehensive coverage is also something you may want to consider, because it covers things like theft or vandalism.

Riders who have invested a lot into customizing or refurbishing a classic bike may even want to consider investigating coverage for custom motorcycle parts, because customization can be costly to replace.

Discounts, Incentives and Group Rates

Don’t fret too much about adding up all these different types of coverage, because there are also some incentives or discounts that you may be unaware of that could potentially lower your monthly premium. For example, there are some training course discounts (typically for riders under 25), multi-bike discounts or group rates for members of organizations like riding clubs or motorcycle associations.

Additionally, there are some instances where insurance companies offer “mature rider” discounts for those with good riding records or “lay up” savings that a rider can access in certain areas or states during the winter months when riding is out of the question.

Don’t Let Insurance Companies Intimidate You

At the Motorcycle Law Group, we are riders ourselves, so we have gone through the process of getting adequate motorcycle insurance and we also know what happens when your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company is trying to dodge paying out a fair settlement in the event of an accident.

That’s where we step in—we are The Firm That Rides®, so we know what it’s like to be in your shoes and we will fight to make sure you get the fairest settlement possible should you get into an accident that requires litigation.

Call us at (855) 529-7433 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We also provide free motorcycle insurance policy reviews if you’d like some advice on coverage.

We Are The Firm That Rides! ®