Russian leader urging riders to promote safe "driving"

**PrincessBandit** · 26th July 2010, 20:59

from the internet:

"Putin rides Harley to biker convention

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has leapt on a Harley Davidson and roared into an international biker convention in southern Ukraine.
Around 5000 bikers from Europe and beyond gathered in Sevastopol for the annual festival on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula.
Putin, in Ukraine for talks with the country's new Russia-friendly leadership, had his black shirt sleeves rolled up as he motored toward a stage along a dusty road on the three-wheeled bike.
In sunglasses, black jeans and black fingerless gloves, the Russian prime minister clearly revelled in the moment, smiling and waving to the enthusiastic crowd.
From a podium, he described the motorbike as ``the most democratic form of transport'' and praised the bikers' free spirit.
He also urged them to unite in promoting safe driving."

Wonder how we could get our leader to think the same way....??

**Gubb** · 26th July 2010, 23:07

Surely being seen on a Trike would hurt one's reputation?

**Milts** · 26th July 2010, 23:53

Vladimir Putin, Fuck Yeah!

(I've got dozens of these...)

**PirateJafa** · 27th July 2010, 00:22

Even though I lived there during the Yeltzin era...

**SS90** · 27th July 2010, 01:07

Good old Putin (Ironically, Putin in the German word for Turkey)

He was the "controller" of Dresden (then the Capital of the DDR) from 1985 to 1990 (when the wall came down)

Quite seriously he is a true relic of the cold war era.

The most frightening thing about this latest odd display, is that if you read what his (registered) personal wealth is (which, by all accounts amounts to what his father bequeathed to him.... about 100,000 US$ (3 million Rubles), 2 classic Russian cars and I think some shares in a bank.

And his registered income is solely from his "prime ministers" position.

It's constantly claimed over this side of the world that he owns shares in pretty much every major industrial corporation in Russia (Gas, Oil heavy equipment etc), which, stands in line with what happened after the fall of the Soviet Union..... top KGB officials simply "claimed" resources and became joint "shareholers" in companies that supplied essentials to not only Russia, but parts of Europe as well.

The understanding of any reasonable person in has him as Europe's richest man.

Actually, if you think about it, going by his "registered personal wealth", owning a Harley would be a massive investment.......... (20% of his wealth on a bike?)....big numbers for a "poor guy" (by any government employee standards)

**Big Dave** · 27th July 2010, 10:12

The NZ opposition leader rides a Bonneville and I know of three MPs who ride.

**Street Gerbil** · 27th July 2010, 20:56

...but I would rather prefer to sell my bike and never ride again than live under Putin's regime.

**Banditbandit** · 28th July 2010, 15:48

Originally Posted by Big Dave

The NZ opposition leader rides a Bonneville ...

Oh ... is that what the little wimp does with it ? I've often wondered ....

**Crasherfromwayback** · 28th July 2010, 16:01

Originally Posted by Big Dave

The NZ opposition leader rides a Bonneville and I know of three MPs who ride.

I sold Rick his Rocket!

**Banditbandit** · 28th July 2010, 16:19

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I sold Rick his Rocket!

I've ridden with Rick and his Rocket .. so f'ken what !!!!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 28th July 2010, 16:45

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

I've ridden with Rick and his Rocket .. so f'ken what !!!!

It goes like this...BD says he knows policians that ride...I mentioned I sold one of them his bike.

It's called conversation.

And you ride with him...that's great. Glad you could join in the conversation.

**Banditbandit** · 29th July 2010, 13:10

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

It goes like this...BD says he knows policians that ride...I mentioned I sold one of them his bike.

It's called conversation.

And you ride with him...that's great. Glad you could join in the conversation.

Yeah yeah ... Looked like name dropping to me ...

We all know the politicians who ride ... they've been on the Tiv yakking about how the oppose the ACC rise in levies ...

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th July 2010, 13:14

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

Yeah yeah ... Looked like name dropping to me ...

We all know the politicians who ride ... they've been on the Tiv yakking about how the oppose the ACC rise in levies ...

I've sold bikes to, and been mates with people far more important and famous to bother with name dropping mate. Did I post a list of 'names' I've sold bikes to over the years? No I didn't. Because it was about politicians.