How to Pick the Perfect Motorcycle Jacket - Bike Bandit.com

Riding this fall or this winter make sure you have the right jacket to protect you from all the elements that mother nature has to offer besides road rash:).

How do you tell if a girl’s a biker? Well, OK, besides the helmet hair? You check out her jacket. The right jacket can make you look like a biker off the bike, feel like one on the bike, and the perfect jacket just might literally save your skin. It’s 21st century armor, with fashion flair.

The right jacket combines comfort, safety, and fashion in an affordable, attractive package. I put comfort first, because the safest jacket doesn’t do you any good if you leave it on the hanger. Let’s talk about comfort for the two most common types of jacket: leather and mesh.

Leather – It’s the classic biker jacket material, and with good reason. A stout leather motorcycle jacket will save you from road rash, turn aside the chill of a 60-mile-an-hour wind, and turn heads when you walk into the local watering hole. A real biker’s leather jacket is heavy. Still, good heavy leather doesn’t have to be stiff. You want it to fit your torso fairly tight, so it doesn’t flap in the breeze. But it has to let you move the ways that bikers move. You should be able to turn and look behind you without taking your arms off the handlebars. I like to the fit the jacket to my chest but have side straps below to adjust to the waist. While a leather jacket that covers my butt is warm walking on a cold day, on the saddle I can turn easier if the jacket stops at the waist. 

The sleeve length and cuff style are also important. The sleeve and your glove need to make a comfortable wind-blocking duo. In addition, leather jackets need a removable liner for cold weather. I like liners with elastic cuffs – they’re nice and warm. The neck of the jacket should be smooth and shouldn’t rub your motorcycle helmet or your throat when you turn your head. When the sun’s beating down on you riding out to Sturgis, you want air – zip-open mesh on your forearms, a couple of vents in the front, and two long vertical vents on your back.

Mesh – I discovered the joys of mesh motorcycle jackets when I first rode south from my native Minnesota to Arkansas in the heat of July. Mesh jacket makers have discovered a way to keep you cool with lots of airflow and somehow I never even got sunburned. It’s easy to move in a mesh jacket, and comfort seems to be affected by only two things: the padding and the liner. Padding in a mesh jacket is there for your protection. The pads help protect from road rash, but they are designed to protect you from impact. 

There is removable padding in the shoulders, elbows, and back, tucked into pockets in the jacket. You want to be sure the padding in the right place for you. The liners for mesh jackets have some challenges- they often designed to be warm and waterproof at the same time. The ones that succeed at both and are comfortable usually have some kind of breathability – you don’t want to trade cold and breezy for warm and clammy.

So there you have it – serious women bikers have a number of choices. Consider where you live, how you ride, and what you ride, and there should be a perfect motorcycle jacket out there for you.

Extend Your Riding Season: Cold Weather Strategies - Bill Andrews

For those that just can't stop riding because just because it's Winter here are some great tips to help your winter riding season a little bit easier.

Old man winter lets loose a final blast to knock that last orange leaf to the ground. For some, it's time to roll the two-wheeled companion into a corner of the garage, throw the battery on a trickle charger, and hope for an early spring. For others, there is no end to the riding season, just a change in riding gear.

No, we're not talking about those who live in perpetual sunshine and warmth, but rather, folks who don't let cold weather deprive them of their favorite form of transportation. With a little knowledge and a few cold weather tricks, your riding season can be extended.

Here are some strategies for dealing with the worst winter has to offer:

Ice

Black ice — really just an ominous name for hard-to-see frozen water on the road — can occur any time the temperature has been near the freezing point, or where frost can form. Some touring bikes have an air-temperature thermometer, but adding one to any bike is a cheap fix.

Bridges are susceptible to icing because they are disconnected from the warmth of the Earth and cool faster when air temperatures drop. Watch for spots on the road that are shaded from the sun. Well-traveled roads are often better, because passing traffic melts and dries the moisture.

If you do feel like you're on an icy patch, don't make any sudden moves, and don't touch the brakes. Pull in the clutch and let the bike coast until you're clear.

Hypothermia

That cold shiver up your spine isn't just uncomfortable. It could also be a warning. Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops significantly, and it can be deadly. Temperatures don't need to be below freezing to induce hypothermia. Wind chill gets worse as wind speeds increase, and the longer you're out, the worse it gets.

One early sign of potential hypothermia occurs when you start feeling cold and you can't decide if you should pull over or not. The answer is always yes, but your judgment may be clouded. Long before this point occurs, you should have pulled into that nice warm cafe and had some hot chocolate or soup.

Uncontrolled shivering and chattering teeth are signs of real danger. You may start to feel dizzy, or even drunk, as your muscles begin to stiffen. Continued exposure may cause the shivering to slow down or even stop, but by then you're in serious trouble.

The Well-Dressed Rider

How do you mitigate the dangers of cold weather? First of all, cover up. It all boils down to insulating your body. To do that, you need to layer.

Synthetics work better for your inner layer than cotton, which holds moisture against your skin. On top of that, wear fleece, wool, or other layers that provide insulation. The idea is to let your body create a warm pocket of air between you and the environment. 

Finally, you need to stop the environment from stealing your warm air. Your outer layer needs to block the wind. Leather works; denim, for example, doesn't. These days, we also have a broad array of choices in nylon gear made specifically for motorcycling that provides versatile weather protection with vents, removable liners, waterproof membranes, adjustable fit, etc. If you choose outerwear that isn't waterproof, such as a leather jacket, be sure to carry a rainsuit that fits over it. Getting wet robs you of your insulation.

Whichever outer layer you choose, remember that it should provide crash protection, too. Buy gear made for motorcycling, not the fashion show.

Hands can be particularly vulnerable to the cold. Gauntlet-style gloves will help you seal the gap between gloves and jacket. Gloves with a breathable, waterproof liner will keep rain out while allowing moisture from perspiration to escape.

It may be obvious, but a full-face helmet will keep you warmer than no helmet, or an open-face helmet. Sealing the area around your neck with a bandanna, or better yet a fleece or wind- and waterproof neck warmer, can make a dramatic difference. A balaclava (right) under the helmet provides a lot of additional comfort for minimal bulk.

What About the Bike?

No matter how well you're dressed, cold air has a way of sneaking in and robbing heat. The longer you're on the road, the worse it gets. Your front line in the defense against cold is to block the wind.

A windshield or fairing is a good front-line defense. Mounting a small windshield on your handlebars, if your bike doesn't have one, can be enough to divert the wind off your chest and help keep your upper-body vital organs warm.

Going Electric

No matter how well you dress, if you're on the road long enough, you'll lose more heat than your body can generate. Long riders resort to electrical assistance. Heated clothing, which uses your bike's electrical system to power heating elements, makes a huge difference by not just insulating you, but adding heat to the whole equation.

Gloves start around $100. Vests, depending on the style, can go from $100 to $200. Socks can range from simple D-cell powered items that sell for around $25, to $90 systems that hook into the rest of your electric riding gear.

Make sure your charging system can handle the load. Find out the output of your charging system, add up the draw from all your electrical gear, and make sure you're not draining your battery. Also, leave a margin of error, because your bike's output may be measured at cruising rpms and it may produce considerably less electrical power at idle.

For many riders, a vest alone is enough. If you keep your torso warm, your body will focus on pumping warm blood to your extremities. If you torso gets cold, you body will abandon the extremities to try to keep the vital organs warm, and that's when you can suffer from dangerously numb hands or, possibly, frostbitten toes.

Chemical Options

Another option is a lightweight, disposable heat pack, which offers a different kind of protection.

Imagine you're out for a ride on a nice fall day. You're so consumed with the changing leaves that you don't notice how far you've ridden. It's getting dark and cold — fast. A bit of quick heat can make all the difference.

An outdoor gear store, or even one of the big-box retailers that sell recreational goods, will have chemical packs of the type hunters use. Be careful, because some can produce up to 150 degrees, so don't put them next to bare skin.

Keep Hydrated

One last thing to think about — that you might not think about: Drink lots of liquids. Dehydration may be foremost in your mind in the hot months, but you still lose moisture in winter. Cold, dry winter air can suck moisture out of you and you may not notice that you're perspiring.

How to Prepare Your Bike for Winter--Bike Bandit.com

 

Unfortunately for most of us summer is over as well as our riding season so we must all begin to think about winterizing our motorcycles so we can do it all over again in the Spring of 2011.

Water is the eternal enemy of your bike’s inner works, and a bike that hasn’t been properly winterized is a sitting target for creeping moisture. A properly winterized bike is safe from moisture and corrosive compounds. When you do it right, you can start your motorcycle right up when spring arrives and be ready to hit the road.

Clean Your Bike

Cleaning your motorcycle may seem simple, but it’s an essential step in winterizing. Bug splatters and corrosive chemicals that are allowed to sit on your bike over the winter can damage your motorcycle’s finish. Give your bike a thorough all-over wash, and make sure it’s dry before you store it.

Coat Engine and Spark Plugs in Engine Oil

The engine and motorcycle spark plugs are prime targets for moisture over a long period of disuse. To protect your bike, you’ll need to coat your piston rings, valve seats and cylinder walls in engine oil. Start by warming up the engine to drive off moisture. Remove the spark plugs, and squirt some warm engine oil into the holes. Turn the engine over by hand to coat the cylinder walls, and then replace the plugs.

Change the Oil

The chemical makeup of your motorcycle oil can change over long periods of disuse and become acidic. To protect your engine, change your oil before storing for the winter. Ideally, you should change oil again in the spring, so it’s not necessary to change your oil filter for winter. However, if you plan to ride in the spring without changing the oil again, change your filter now.

Lube Everything

Before you park your bike for the season, lube everything that needs lubing. Lube your throttle and clutch cables. If your bike is a chain drive, clean and lube the chain. If you’re feeling really ambitious, lube your motorcycle pivot points, such as shifter, kick stand and foot pegs. Anything you’d normally lube during routine maintenance, lube.

Fill the Gas Tank and Add Stabilizer

Moisture is bad for metal, and your gas tank is made of metal. This means you’ve got two ways to safely store it for the winter: drain it completely and make sure it’s dried out, or fill the gas tank full and add fuel stabilizer. The simple option is to fill up the tank on the way home from your last outing, and add fuel stabilizer based on the capacity of your tank. A full tank prevents moisture from creeping in and fuel stabilizer keeps your gasoline from turning into sludge over the winter - very important if you want to avoid expensive repairs when spring arrives.

Store Your Battery on a Tender

It’s not good for your motorcycle battery to be left alone in your bike for a long period of time, and leaving it for the winter definitely counts. Remove your battery from your motorcycle and store it on a battery tender. At the same time, check the fluid level in your battery and clean any corrosion from the posts. If your bike has the right connection, you may be able to plug a trickle charger in to your bike without removing the battery.

Drain the Float Bowls

In a carbureted bike, you may want to drain the float bowls. To drain the float bowls, you’ll need to turn your fuel petcock off and drain the gasoline from the bowls. Every bike is different, so consult your owner’s manual for details. Gas that you don’t drain can turn into sludge and hamper your bike’s performance in the spring, and potentially lead to costly repairs.

Make Sure Your Bike Coolant is Safe

If you’re storing your bike in physically cool temperatures, use a hygrometer to check the anti-freeze. You may need to add anti-freeze to protect your bike’s system. You should drain and replace the antifreeze every two years as part of your winterization process.

Protect Your Bike from Moisture

If you’re storing your bike on bare concrete, roll your bike onto a piece of old carpet, plywood or MDF. Moisture can collect and ruin your rubber tires if you let your bike sit on cold concrete. Check your tire air pressure periodically and top it up as the temperatures drop.

Plug Your Pipes to Protect from Pests

Rodents and other small pests may try to climb into your motorcycle exhaust to shelter for the winter. Plug your pipes to protect your bike from small pests. Make sure you remember to remove the plugs before you go for your first spring ride!

Store Your Bike Covered

Store your bike under a breathable motorcycle cover. If possible, store your bike in a heated garage; if not, make sure you complete the winterization process to protect your bike from moisture. With proper winterization, even a bike that’s stored outdoors can be ready to start up and run smoothly when spring arrives.

MINNESOTA CLAIMS VICTORY FOR CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE BUILDERS by Bill Bish NCOM

The state patrol in Minnesota, like many other police agencies, use license plate scanners in their patrol cars that can read up to 1,000 plates per minute, but they are unable to read the vertical plates on some custom motorcycles. “It didn’t take too much to sneak a new law through and after the 2008 session vertical plates were illegal,” said Todd Riba, ABATE of MN Legislative Director, “but not for long.” ABATE of Minnesota’s lobbying team and State Coordinator started to work on the problem, and State Senators Amy Koch and Ray Vandeveer stepped forward to carry their bill. 

The state patrol didn’t want to give up its ability to read motorcycle plates, but ABATE didn’t want the custom bike folks to lose the right to trick out their rides. It took a lot of creative thinking to come up with a solution, but in the end that’s what happened. The bill passed and the Governor signed it into law, becoming effective August 1st. Here is how it works: the DVS will offer vertical reading license plates. You will be able to mount these plates in vertical license plate brackets and law enforcement’s scanners will still be able to read them. The plates can be ordered just like vanity plates and riders will have to pay an extra fee, but these new vertical reading plates should keep you out of trouble and if you sell the bike you can keep the plate for your next custom ride.

LOUD BIKES LOSE RIGHTS by Bill Bish - National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

Another wonderful article by Bill Bish of National Coalition of Motorcyclists(NCOM).  They just won't leave us alone with our pipes.  We have to being to stand up for our rights because there are a lot more things these so-called politicians need to be worry about, for instance jobs, education, housing, etc.  Is it that serious that this may become a National issue?  I've said before and I will say it again "Loud Pipes Saves Lives & My Pipe Is My Voice!"

Municipalities from coast to coast are giving motorcycles the silent treatment, and riders rights groups and industry analysts fear that a wave of ordinances aimed at muffling noisy bikes will create a confusing patchwork of laws nationwide and could turn frustrated riders away from the $12 billion motorcycle marketplace. Laws restricting motorcycle noise have been around for years and come in many forms; some are against certain types of products such as a New York City ordinance that subjects riders to a minimum $400 ticket for having an exhaust system that can be heard within 200 feet, while others are aimed more at the intent of the operator such as a Lancaster, Penn., ordinance that makes it illegal for riders to over-rev their engines. 

In Denver, which passed a unique muffler law three years ago that requires EPA labeling to be displayed on pipes to prevent bikers from installing louder after-market exhausts, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) attorney Wade Eldridge was recently quoted in a local CBS-4 story investigating the controversial attempt to reduce noise emissions. Eldridge, who specializes in representing motorcycle riders in accident and insurance law cases and who is a rider himself, was quoted in the July 23rd interview as saying: “I think it (the Denver loud noise law) was something the city council passed that they knew was unenforceable,” and suggested that to fight back “those who receive tickets should demand trials.” Though rarely enforced since Eldridge won a key case against the Denver noise ordinance, with only 46 tickets handed out to date, police in Golden citing state law have issued 81 noise violations in the last 6 months. 

The city is using a Colorado state statute, C.R.S. 42-4-225 that requires that vehicles be equipped with an “adequate” muffler, and outlaws any “excessive or unusual” noise. According to Eldridge, "the law lends itself to arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement -- the police can stop you for whatever reason." “The powers that be in the City of Golden have apparently made a political decision that they don’t want us in their city,” observed Eldridge, adding that; “The police department will continue stopping us, and writing these tickets, until enough people PLEAD NOT GUILTY AND INSIST ON A TRIAL… when the court is backlogged with these cases, we will see some official pressure to stop them.” In the meantime, further information on fighting such tickets can be found on the website of the Colorado Confederation of Clubs (www.colorado-coc.com), of which Eldridge serves as legal counsel.

Motorcycle Recalls

Everyday we surf the web to locate information that we can share with our readers of Biker-Space.com  whether it is sharing videos, information on safety and riding, or just anything on motorcycles and we came across this article on  motorcyclistonline.com and this is one issues that we can honestly say we never thought about motorcycle recalls.  That even though I purchased my bike new that there maybe something wrong with it.  We automatically assume everything is good.  Well know more.  We at Biker-Space.com have been educated and we hope to pass this information along and educate others.

 

While there’s plenty of press on car, truck, or SUV recalls, little is mentioned about recalls on motorcycles.
 

The fact is a bit surprising. In 2005, 87,000 motorcyclists were injured while over 4,500 were killed, a 14 percent and 13 percent increase, respectively, from 2004. While many were related to (lack of) driving skills, weather, other vehicles, and simply bad luck, some were related to defects found in the motorcycle itself.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides service bulletins and posts recall information on its website. Recalls can be found in the Office of Defects Investigation at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm. To discover if your motorcycle has a recall against it, at the site, select “Vehicle”, its year, make, and model. You will then see if any component of the motorcycle has a recall attached to it.

Note that even if the NHTSA site does not list a recall, motorcycle manufacturers sometimes issue their own. You may want to check their websites periodically or call their toll-free number.

Everyone assumes that when they buy a new motorcycle that everything is in working order. But other factors, including design issues or simple material stresses, can make the perfect bike less than optimal. Recalls are useful because it gives the motorcycle companies the chance to quickly resolve the issues so that customers are safe and satisfied with their rides for years—and miles—to come. 

 

For a list of the most recent motorcycle recalls please go to: 

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle_recalls/index.html

http://www.allmotorcyclerecalls.com/

 

 

First Motorcycle Race Video and Electronic Motorcycle Racing Video

The first video is very funny and entertaining as I watched these motorcyclist get it in on the track.  The second video is a preview of the new electronic motorcycle.  It's cute will it replace the gas powered motorcycle's in the future?  I don't think so but it will definitely sell.  The main drawback for me is you won't be heard.  It 's a quite ride and we as motorcyclist know loud pipes saves lives.  My Pipe Is My Voice.  In any event we hope that you find both video's enjoyable.

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Peripheral Vision Technique In Motorcycle Riding--By Andrew Trevitt

One of the most basic techniques of motorcycle riding is to keep your head up and look where you are going. From a safety standpoint, this helps you avoid target fixation; in terms of performance, looking far ahead effectively slows things down, giving you more time to process what you see and take action. The question becomes, then, how do you see something near-like a reference point on the pavement-when you are supposed to be looking far ahead? The answer is that you must use your peripheral vision.

Peripheral vision is the ability to see objects and motion outside of the direct line of sight. Many sports rely on good peripheral vision; a baseball or soccer player must be able to look directly at the ball while seeing as many of the other players around him as he can, for example. Good jugglers don't look at any of the objects being juggled, but rather stare at a spot in space, relying solely on peripheral vision to see all the chainsaws (yikes!) at once.

Typically, you get the most information about something you are directly looking at. The further away something is from this direct line of sight, the less you are able to discern about it. When you take your driving test at the DMV, your peripheral vision is tested by gradually moving a light around your direct line of sight. While we're concerned with something simple like seeing a light off to the side, we're also interested in gleaning more information about it. If a car pulls up beside you on the freeway, you want to know exactly how far to the side it is, how fast it's going, and if the person behind the wheel is paying attention. And ideally you'd be able to do this without actually looking at the car. On the racetrack, it's nice to know exactly how close to your ideal line you are without having to stare directly at the front wheel.

You can improve your peripheral vision through exercise, but first it's important that you aren't inadvertently limiting your range. Simple things like your hair or the edge of a balaclava can restrict your vision. When shopping for a helmet, consider the width of the eyeport and how it can affect things. Wear contacts rather than glasses and a dark shield rather than sunglasses, as the frames can block your line of sight considerably. Optometrist Diana Risco points out that "glasses, especially those that have moderate amounts of astigmatism or a progressive lens (a multifocal lens that changes gradually from distance to near but only through the central corridor of the glasses), can be especially difficult with riding since you need to look in the exact area of the glasses for clarity. Contacts move with your eye so that the optical center is always aligned. Contact lenses are ideal for sports."

Your optometrist can perform tests to check your peripheral vision as well as recommend some exercises. We found several sources on the Internet with variations on the following exercise that can help: In a relaxed setting, focus your gaze on a spot directly in front of you-for example, a picture on a wall. Without moving your eyes, concentrate on something just to the side of the spot, such as a second picture beside the first. Without looking directly at the second object, try to discern as much information about it as you can. Gradually work farther away from where you are actually looking, concentrating on each individual object until you are considering things right at the edge of your vision. Work both to the left and right, and don't forget above and below. With practice, you'll get better at discovering more detail about objects farther to the side. For example, you can add movement to the exercise as well by walking down the sidewalk looking straight ahead (where you want to go) but concentrating on what is to each side of you. You'll then want to practice while riding; eventually it will become second nature to quickly and easily see something to the side without actually looking at it.

The implications of improved peripheral vision are fairly obvious in a street setting: you'll be better able to spot potential danger-such as a car pulling out of a driveway-and then react accordingly, all without losing focus of what's directly in front of you. And on the track it will be much easier to pick up and use reference points while keeping your head up and actually looking as far ahead into the corner as possible. There are numerous and more subtle advantages on both venues. For example, keeping tabs on a bike or car directly in front of you using your peripheral vision lets you look at and focus on the upcoming corner or intersection. With continued practice, you'll find more and more uses for peripheral vision, improving your riding on both street and track.

Guys Gone Wild: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally by Debora Dragseth

 We were email this article and we felt that it needed to be shared with the readers of Biker-Space.com.  If you are in Sturgis, South Dakota then you don't want to miss this week long event.

   
IT'S OFF THE DAMN CHAIN!!!!!

Today marks the opening of the outrageous phenomenon known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, a week-long, $987 million party for about 500,000 people. Every year in early August my sleepy hometown, Sturgis, population 6,500, hosts a half million biking enthusiasts who swarm here for a combination carnival, racing event, party, music festival, and shopping mall. 

Tucked into the scenic Black Hills of western South Dakota, for one memorable week each year Sturgis becomes the epicenter of the oldest, biggest, loudest, most authentic and out-of-control motorcycle rally in the world. We become the largest city in the state by a factor of three. That equates to each household in town hosting 183 “guests.” Nearly 500 festival-goers will land in jail; hundreds will be issued tickets for violations such as indecent exposure, open container, or driving on the sidewalk; 350 or so will require hospital emergency room visits; two or three will die of heart attacks; and a half-dozen or more will be killed in traffic accidents. Keeping its guests safe costs the city of Sturgis over $1 million in insurance, increased law enforcement, attorney costs, fire and ambulance services, and the like.  

To Read More About This Wonderful Event Please Click Here

MYRTLE BEACH SUED AGAIN OVER NOISE LAW-- compiled and edited by Bill Bish - JULY 2010 National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

As Myrtle Beach prepares to adjust some of the 14 ordinances passed in 2008 to quell the May motorcycle rallies, including their city-wide helmet law and four other ordinances being invalidated by the state’s high court, it faces yet another legal challenge that could require even more changes. Some residents and other motorcycle enthusiasts are suing the city again, this time hoping the Horry County Circuit Court will overturn the city's noise ordinance. Under the final version of the noise ordinance amendment, which gained final approval in March 2009, no vehicles except emergency vehicles can be louder than 89 decibels when measured from 20 inches away from the exhaust pipe, at a 45-degree angle, while the vehicle is idling. 

Bikers also must have an EPA issued sticker that state their bike meets federal noise reduction laws according to the municipal ordinance, but not South Carolina state law. On June 15th, Virginia-based Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) attorney Tom McGrath filed suit in Horry County Circuit Court on behalf of local motel owner William O’Day, Horry County ABATE, and others who feel the city overstepped their authority in enacting muffler regulations that conflict with existing state law. McGrath's challenge to the city's helmet ordinance prevailed in the S.C. Supreme Court, with all five justices unanimously agreeing that the state has already covered the issue of who has to wear motorcycle helmets and that the city could not make its own rules because there must be a uniform traffic code. 

The noise ordinance wasn't included in the case the high court recently ruled on, he said, because the focus was on the helmet law. "They were issuing tickets left and right [under the helmet law]," he said. "No one we know had gotten a ticket under the noise ordinance. It's still sitting there, and the city has bought decibel meters, so we assume they are planning to use them. We felt we shouldn't let the ordinance stay on the books." McGrath said he felt it best to give the Circuit Court the first chance to make the decision in this case. "Let's see if the judge will follow the Supreme Court's opinion," he told the Sun News. Meanwhile, the city of Myrtle Beach has mailed out refunds to those who paid fines when they received tickets for not wearing motorcycle helmets. The city repaid nearly $14,000 in fines for 141 tickets it issued when the improper helmet law was in effect.