There’s a wealth of information on-line about the acts and we’ll not duplicate it here.  We will however join others in support of those who are trying to stop these bills on ‘Blackout Wednesday’ and suggest that you read a superb article on Mashable which breaks down this complex and emotive subject.  Both SOPA and PIPA are wild infringements of people’s liberties and the freedom of expression on the web.  Oppose them in every way.

http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/sopa-dangerous-opinion/

The full text of SOPA can be found here - http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3261:

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bike on the floor at CES so head over to COM for more pics.

Why should you ride a motorcycle? Aren’t they dangerous, cold, noisy, smell of fuel and oil, give you a bad name? Well some of this has a basis in truth but there are several good reasons to ride a motorcycle that hopefully will help those of you hesitating to have a go.

Motorcycling is a skill

You should always push yourself in life to learn something new, challenge yourself to the next level of life’s experiences. Riding a motorcycle isn’t that difficult to do initially, and there are lots of good teachers out there to get you going on two wheels. The controls are straight forward enough and you’ll find yourself on your way after an hour’s practice. The real skill comes from getting the most from your bike and the road. As you learn the peaks and troughs in power as you twist the throttle, the best lean angle for corners, as your mind begins mapping the road ahead, you’ll make every journey, be it a trip to the shops, or a tour around a foreign land, an absolute joy.

It’s good for the soul

I don’t know of anyone who rides a bike that doesn’t get a lift from doing it, and as you pass frustrated car drivers stuck in traffic and you can’t help but smile you’ll understand why. However more than this simple perk the place riding a bike can put your head in is a revelation. As you focus on the ride it gives everything else in your mind the chance to settle in order so as you reach your destination and dismount, you’ll find yourself in a good frame of mind. And yes this can still happen in bad weather! It’s a thrill that fires the soul.

The thrill

Ok hands up on this one yes it can be dangerous, 100mph with only a couple of inches of hi-tech rubber holding you to the road, is when you think about it logically, nuts, but that’s all part of the thrill. People do dangerous things for the thrill and the speed and vulnerability of a motorcycle is a great thrill, your own rollercoaster. However life is to be lived and riding a motorcycle is a good way to remind yourself of this very important fact. To have something in your garage that can make you feel alive with the turn of a key and twist of a throttle is exhilarating.

The journey is as rewarding as the destination

Famous motorcycle tourer Ted Simon, author of ‘Jupiter’s Travel’s’ said he likes travelling by bike because it puts him in touch with his journeys’ surroundings in a way no other form of travelling can. In the infamous ‘Long Way Round‘ Ted said,

“I think the motorcycle is best because it puts you so much in contact with everything. You experience much more closely the nature of the terrain and almost taste the cultures’ that you’re riding through, because it exposes you to the climate and to the wind and rain and it’s a much more complete experience.”

You can travel the world or just off the beaten track in your own neck of the woods by motorcycle and make it a much more rewarding experience. You are the modern day cowboy, or girl, riding out into new frontiers and new experiences in a way that sitting in a car, isolated from the place you’re travelling through, shouting at your partner about map directions, just can’t compare.

It makes you look cool

Yes done right it certainly does, Marlon Brandon, Tom Cruise, George Clooney, ah Paul Teutul Sr?, to name but a few. However you’ll have to take advice on this from a source you trust as posing on your ride in shorts, a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops is a look no sparkling bike can rescue you from.

It’s better than sex

No sorry, motorcycling is an awesome experience, but whoever says this, and I’ve heard some who have, I’m afraid isn’t doing the sex right ….sorry.

So this year, forget your diet, light up a cigar, enjoy the state suggested amount of alcohol, live a little, ride a motorcycle : )

Nick

RTWW was started back in August 2009 on Blogger as just a bit of fun by Editor Nick (hello!) as an experiment in blogging and social networking, and to promote local biking in Ireland where RTWW is based.

It moved to the VOX platform, sadly now defunct, after about a month where it stayed for a while and prospered quite well before the ailing network was overtaken by other more popular blogging sites.

The big leap came in February 2010 when RTWW jumped to WordPress.com and it didn’t take long before daily hits went into the thousands.

The had its 4th regeneration in November 2010 shifting to become a stand alone WordPress site with RSS feeds and associated bells and whistles, and it became an altogether more international and complete motorcycle site, but above all still fun.

2012 brings us the 5th generation of the site as we try to keep things fresh and introduce new features.  You’ll find us on Twitter at @Bikers_RTWW, YouTube, Paper.Li and now on the excellent G+, Facebook is so yesterday : )

We’ll be continuing to bring you news of new bikes ready to hit the roads in 2012 and will also be introducing ‘Ride The Wild World’ showcasing some of the best parts of the world to explore by motorcycle.  We hope to connect with lots of G+’s bikers as we settle in to our new social home, and look forward to hearing from you all.

If you’d like to get featured on Ride The Wild Wind be it a tour you’ve done, upcoming charity ride for this year, or just brag about the awesome ride that’s your pride and joy, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We’re also making a few G+ circles at the minute, great feature, to get to see who is on the new network as clubs, dealerships, blogs, bike builders & fixers, brands, trainers, touring experts, and anyone that loves bikes!. If you think we should be adding you to the Ride The Wild Wind network let us know : )

…

Cosmetic changes are there too although masked a bit to preserve some secrecy.  Some changes are due to the new engine, with exhaust headers exiting under the cylinder heads all leading to changes at the rear of the bike, with the exhaust and shaft drive swapping sides on the new model.  Some cosmetic alterations to the beak are evident and the trademark BMW headlights get LED running lights added to their surrounds.

Performance in terms of engine output is expected to be the same as with the last bump in bhp most GS users say they don’t need any more.  There isn’t really much BMW needs to do to the GS to keep it top of the adventure bike tree as it’s still the best all round performer in its class.

The Worldcrosser version is a tougher off road focussed addition, and according Yamaha is designed ‘for today’s globetrotting explorers who want to fulfill their dreams’.  Nick Sanders has already proved the Super-ten can cut it on long hauls.

Structural updates include lightweight carbon-fibre side panels, fork protectors and frame guards plus black anodized aluminium skid plate, drive shaft shield and rear brake guard for extra protection off road. It also has special badging and will be available in either blue, black/gold or red.

There will also be a Worldcrosser ‘R’ version which comes with a lightweight titanium Akrapovic exhaust, carbon fibre heat shield, fog lights and LED indicators.

Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze in Columbia Pictures’ and Hyde Park Entertainment’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. In the successor to the worldwide hit Ghost Rider, Johnny – still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter – is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when he is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a young boy (Fergus Riordan) from the devil (Ciaran Hinds). At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider, but it is the only way to protect the boy – and possibly rid himself of his curse forever.

Directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Screenplay by Scott M. Gimple & Seth Hoffman and David S. Goyer. Story by David S. Goyer. Based on the Marvel Comic. Produced by Steven Paul, Ashok Amritraj, Michael De Luca, Avi Arad, and Ari Arad.