MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.; -- Like lots of Marines who love whizzing past, around and between four-wheel crawlers on their two-wheel speedsters, Lance Cpl. Zach M. Stacy isn't about to let a scrape with the asphalt deter him from riding his motorcycle.
While riding down Highway 76 in Oceanside, Stacy totaled his Yamaha R6 and sustained injuries that left him unable to ride for months.
Nevertheless, he can't wait to mount up again.
"Even though I crashed my bike and got hurt, there is no way that it is going to stop me from riding. Now I just have to save for a new bike," Stacy said.
Many Marines who've recently returned from Iraq are way ahead of Stacy. With pockets full of combat pay and a bulletproof attitude, many Marines with a need for speed figure to be making a beeline for local motorcycle shops.
Moreover, Gunnery Sgt. Donald J. Zerillo, traffic division chief with the Provost Marshal's Office, says he's seeing evidence of motorcycle mania here. Motorcycle accidents and citations are on a pace to eclipse last year's total in only eight months, according to PMO statistics, although an increase in PMO checkpoints and radar sweeps may account for some of the increase.
"I understand wanting to buy and ride the bikes, but they need to do their homework about the different orders on riding and maintaining them on and off base," said Zerillo, who formerly served as a motorcycle safety course instructor at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
But four local Oceanside bike dealers said they hadn't seen a steep rise in bike sales since the most recent wave of Marines began returning from Iraq in February and March.
"We did see a small spike of sales with bikes lately, but that might be because of the weather changing," said Dave C. Fox, store manager of The Motorcycle Gallery on Oceanside Boulevard.
Fox said it's not true that younger Marines overwhelmingly choose "crotch rockets" - high-speed racing bikes that authorities say account for more than their share of accidents. But the younger crowd does tend to opt for speed over style.
"I would say about 50 percent of our sales are to military servicemembers, with most of the younger guys buying street (racers) and the older guys buying cruisers," he said.
Regardless of whether motorcycle sales are surging locally, Zerillo says motorcycle mishaps remain a concern here.
Zerillo recalled a recent case that illustrates the dangers of bravado biking. A Marine riding on base with a beer in his hand took a spill. He wasn't badly hurt - although he did incur the wrath of the law after his blood alcohol measured .16 percent.
The Marine had not attended the base motorcycle safety course, Zerillo said.
Staff Sgt. Corey M. Moore, a career planner with 1st Force Service Support Group, says riders can learn vital skills in the course.
"Ever since I took the course, I have felt a lot more comfortable on my bike," Moore said. "Not only is it mandatory to ride on base, but I also recommend it."
The course is a great way to learn the rules of the road, Zerillo said - adding that many Marines seem ill-informed if not blatantly defiant of the law.
Many Marines are riding their bikes in town with permits - which is legal - but there are restrictions to the permits, Zerillo said. For example, with a learner's permit, riders are not allowed to ride at night or with a passenger, he said.
Zerillo urged commands to take safety violations into their own hands. Commands can administer non-judicial punishment to Marines who neglect base orders, such as speeding or driving under the influence, officials said.
Zerillo says he'd rather see Marines lawful, safe and sound rather than injured or in trouble.
"It just doesn't make any sense to survive seven months of dodging bullets and IEDs to then come back here and die on a weekend," he said.
E-mail Lance Cpl. Reimers at brian.reimers@usmc.mil.