Henry Wolf, a 52 year-old California motorcyclist, has accused BMW of causing an erection that has lasted almost 2 years.

In 2010, Wolf rode on his 1993 BMW motorcycle equipped with an after-market seat with what he alleges was an improperly designed ridge. His trip lasted 4 hours. According to Wolf, since that time, he has had a “severe case of priapasm (a persistent lasting erection).”

As a result of that incident, he filed suit against BMW North American and the company that produced the seat, Corbin-Pacific. He seeks compensation for emotional suffering, compensation for lost wages, and medical expenses. According to Wolf’s attorney, Vernon Bradley, Wolf “is now unable to engage in sexual activity, which is causing him substantial emotional and mental anguish.”

Some experts have offered public criticism of the suit, noting that there have been a number of documented cases in which motorcycle seats have caused erectile dysfunction, however, this case asserts the exact opposite. Typically, motorcycle seats cause compression on the neurovascular supply to the genitals. This has been known to cause prolonged numbness. Skeptics say it’s unclear why it would increase the blood flow to genitals and trap blood therein.

Still, Wolf obtained medical opinions from three different experts on priapism that work at the University of California San Francisco. He underwent a procedure to draw blood away from the genitals.

While the case is pending, Bradley is seeking other potential victims who have suffered priapism to join in as parties to the case.

57 year-old Bruce Pelish, a Florida motorcycle rider, was killed when he hit a deer.

Pelish was an avid motorcyclist and taught a motorcycle safety class. He regularly rode a Harley-Davidson. He was a member of a riding group called, “The Freedom Riders.”

On a Saturday morning, a group of couples from the Freedom Riders was cruising northbound on State Road 19 in the Ocala National Forest. They were on their way to the annual Leesburg Bikefest in Lake County.

During the ride, a deer leapt out in front of Pelish. He was propelled from his bike and killed.

Robert and Lisa Gomez, who were also riding with the group, collided with Pelish’s motorcycle. They each suffered injuries and were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

All 3 were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.

Pelish’s wife was riding on a different motorcycle, on which she followed her husband. She was uninjured. The couple owned a carpet installation business together and had two children, a son and a daughter.

His 28 year-old daughter, Shannon, said, “he had never had an accident. And he loved to ride.”

The family is currently making arrangements for a funeral.

The deer did not survive the incident.

Michigan just repealed a state law in force for almost half a century which required motorcyclists to wear helmets when riding.

Governor Rick Snyder signed the repeal into law on April 12. The new law requires that in order to ride without a helmet, a motorcyclist must be at least 21, have at least $20,000 in insurance, and have passed a motorcycle safety course or have had a motorcycle endorsement for at least 2 years.

Passengers on motorcycles must also have insurance and be at least 21.

Interestingly, under the new law, neither motorcyclists nor passengers are required to carry proof that they have met these requirements.

Many believe that the new law will result in an influx of motorcycle traffic from motorcycle groups that previously avoided the state because of the former law. The hope is that this will increase tourism.

However, many auto and health insurance groups have opposed the new law. Their concern is that the lack of helmets will result in a greater number of injuries and deaths, which will in turn result in higher insurance rates.

Another major objection by opponents of the new law is that it will be impossible for police to enforce. An officer can’t tell whether or not someone has met the requirements by simply looking at them, and even if they could, the fact that motorcyclists can travel without carrying any proof of compliance means that police will have to rely on the honesty of motorcyclists.

Nonetheless, many motorcyclists are overjoyed at the ability to ride the way they want to. Governor Snyder said in a press release, “while many motorcyclists will continue to wear helmets, those who choose not to deserve the latitude to make their own informed judgments as long as they meet the requirements of the law.”

Police in Pennsylvania just stopped approximately 60 motorcyclists, affiliated with the Pagans and the Tribe of the Sons of Satan, for speeding.

The Sons of Satan and the Pagans have a motorcycle gang in Pennsylvania that frequently engage in group rides. The rides in the past have generated a number of complaints to the police, however, officers have felt constrained to do anything because of the number of motorcyclists.

Police Chief Neil Harkins said, “in previous years, law enforcement has been unable to take any action due simply to the sheer number of cyclists and limited law enforcement staffing. This year information was received as to when their next ride would be held and officers from multiple departments were prepared to respond as needed.”

Police used radar to clock the first and last motorcyclists in the group. Each was going an average of 80 miles per hour. Officers then blocked off the highway and pulled over the group. During the stop, officers stood on a nearby hillside with assault rifles to ensure that there were no problems.

Police then obtained information about each individual rider and let them go. The intent was to write and mail a summons, rather than take the time to write up citations on the scene.

A recent motorcycle crash left coach Bobby Petrino injured in both body and reputation.

Petrino is the coach of the University of Arkansas’s football team, the Razorbacks. He just completed his fourth season with the team.

Petrino was out riding his motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a turn and slid off of a two-lane highway.

A motorist driving by stopped, got Petrino in the car, and drove to a police officer. The officer then took Petrino to a hospital where he was treated for broken ribs and cracked neck vertebra. Despite having suffered severe injuries, Petrino is expected to be okay . . . at least physically.

After the accident, the police report for the incident was released. The report indicated that Petrino, a 51-year-old married man with 4 children, had been riding his motorcycle with a 25-year-old female employee. The report also mentioned that the woman had been picked up by the passing motorist, but declined to go to the hospital. Instead she requested that she be dropped off at her car.

In a public statement after the accident, but before the release of the report, Petrino omitted any mention of the woman being with him. He also failed to correct statements indicating that he was riding alone.

When the details became public, Petrino was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of the incident.

The university’s athletic director, Jeff Long, said, “I’m at the beginning of the review. I don’t know what I’m going to find. I am disappointed that coach Petrino did not share with me, when he had the opportunity to, the full extent of the accident and who was involved.”

Petrino made a public statement apologizing and saying, “in hindsight, I showed a serious mistake in judgment when I chose not to be more specific about those details. Today, I’ve acknowledged this previous inappropriate relationship with my family and those within the athletic department administration.”

A man on a motorcycle murdered 3 children and a rabbi in Toulouse, France.

On March 19, Jonathan Sandler, a rabbi, and his two sons, were outside of a Jewish school. Sandler’s sons were 4 and 5 years old. They were accompanied by the 7-year-old daughter of the school’s principal.

A motorcycle rider, donning a helmet with the visor down, and wielding two handguns came after them. Witnesses said he started shooting at everyone in front of the school, children and adults alike. Sandler and his children were killed along with the principal’s daughter. A 17-year-old boy was seriously injured.

Nicole Yardeni, a Jewish official that watched a security video of the attack, said, “you see a man park his motorcycle, start to shoot, enter the school grounds and chase children to catch one and shoot a bullet into her head. It’s unbearable to watch and you can’t watch anymore after that. He was looking to kill.”

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy called the event the worst school shooting in French history. France raised its terrorism alert to the highest level ever.

Law enforcement determined that one of the handguns used in the shooting was also used in a recent shooting that targeted North African and French Caribbean paratroopers.

Although law enforcement are not yet certain of the motives behind the attacks, many now believe that the killer is targeting French minorities. This seems particularly likely given the prominence of discussion about racial and religious minorities in the French presidential campaign.

A motorcyclist from Arkansas was killed while riding in Florida.

The 69-year-old Arkansas man was on his 2008 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic on Interstate 10 near Chipley, Florida. His wife was riding with him.

When the man shifted into the inside lane, he swung into the side of a Toyota Sienna minivan. The driver of the Toyota tried to swerve out of the way, but the vehicles nonetheless crashed.

The motorcyclist was propelled onto the street, landing face first as the motorcycle rolled down the interstate. The man did not have a helmet and died before he could be taken to a hospital. His wife was wearing a helmet and was taken to the Bay Medical Center, where she remained in serious condition. The driver of the car and his passenger were uninjured.

Police shut down the interstate, but did not file any charges.

Remember to always be aware of your surroundings when you ride. Still, if you are in a motorcycle accident, contact the police, no matter how minor you think the accident may be. You should also see a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re injured. If you can, take pictures of the scene and collect witness information, including names and contact information. Finally, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

A father in Florida attracted the attention of police after he took his 3-year-old boy out for a ride on his motorcycle.

The Tampa man was traveling between 20-30 miles per hour and holding the child in his lap in front of him.

A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy saw him and pulled him over. The man was then arrested and charged with felony child neglect. He was later released after posting bail of $7,500.

The incident has sparked some interest in motorcycle laws regarding children. Currently, there is no Florida age restriction on children riding motorcycles. There is a Florida law which requires that any children on a motorcycle be fitted with a helmet. In contrast, Florida children under 5 that are transported in cars or other motor vehicles must be restrained in a child seat.

Florida is not unique in this respect. Only 20 states and the District of Columbia require that any motorcyclist wear a helmet. 27 states require that some motorcycle passengers wear helmets. Finally, only two states actually have an age restriction for motorcycle passengers: Arkansas (which requires that motorcycle passengers be 8 or older), Hawaii (which requires that motorcycle passengers be 7 or older), and Washington (which requires that motorcycle passengers be 5 or older).

While performing at the Shrine Circus, in Saginaw Michigan, Josh Headford, a 20 year-old stuntman, fell approximately 25 feet when his motorcycle hit a wire that had been left out in his path.

Headford performed circus stunts and did freestyle motocross. While performing a jump inside the circus tent, he collided with a wire near the top of the tent. He fell to the ground and broke his shoulder, his leg, his elbow, and his wrist. He needed surgery on both his elbow and shoulder. Fortunately, however, he suffered no head or spinal injuries and is expected to recover.

Initially, most spectators thought it was all part of the show. Shortly after the incident, however, the ringmaster began calling for help. He announced that he needed a doctor and that this was not a part of the show.

Undaunted by the accident, Headford was reported as saying, “as soon as I can pull a boot on my leg, I’m going back on the bike.” Despite the hospitalization, he remained in good spirits.

During the accident, a clown at the show was also injured. The wire that caused Headford’s accident hit the clown in the face. The clown is currently recovering at home and is also expected to recover.

The circus, which has already agreed to pay Headford’s medical bills, is currently investigating the accident. Craig Hatch, the director of the circus described this as, “an unforeseen circumstance.” Scott Murray, Headford’s stepfather, insisted that, “there was negligence in other areas from other people.”

2011 represents good news for motorcycle manufacturers as a number of them have reported significant increases in profits. Harley-Davidson, Ducati, and Polaris all saw major gains both in their home markets and abroad.

Harley-Davidson sales increased 13 percent during 2011. The company reported a $105.7 million profit during the fourth quarter of 2011. Harley-Davidson reported a loss during the same time frame for 2010. Keith Wandell, the company’s president, indicated that the increase was probably a result of rising consumer confidence in the United States and foreign investment growth.

Similarly, Ducati reported a 43 percent increase in North American sales during 2011. North America was its largest market. This is the first time that Ducati has ever sold more motorcycles to a foreign market than it has in Italy. Ducati claims that it focused on product development during the market crash.

Polaris, too, reported record profits and claimed a net income of $227.6 million for 2011. Polaris attributes its success to reducing costs and growth in new foreign markets.

Although motorcycle sales suffered significantly during the market crash, it appears that they are finally on the rise again.