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But it's not that simple.
The event drew hundreds of thousands of bikers to the state, but a look at the fatality statistics shows the carnage occurred all summer, not just surrounding the Aug. 30 event in Milwaukee.
The 19 fatalities in August compares with 17 in May, 20 in June, 13 in July, and eight in September, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. There were 11 fatalities in April and eight in October.
However, a striking number of the fatalities had two characteristics in common. At least 40 involved riders without helmets riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Among the 98 fatalities logged through Tuesday,44.9 percent were people riding Harley-Davidsons, which represent about 33 percent of all registered motorcycles, said Tom Lane, motorcycle safety coordinator for ABATE of Wisconsin, a motorcyclists' lobbying group based in Black River Falls.
Last year, 78 riders were killed in Wisconsin, up from 70 the year before.
Alcohol is commonly a factor. Speed, size of motorcycle and the mix of traffic are among other factors.
"If you have more cars and trucks out there, and more motorcycles, the potential is there for more crashes,'' said Ron Thompson, manager of the motorcycle safety program for the DOT.
"There seems to be anecdotal evidence that age is also a factor," he said. "People 45 and over are represented in a lot of the crashes."
At least 36 of the fatalities this year in Wisconsin were riders 45 or older.
The total of 98 fatalities so far this year is the highest since 104 in 1986. The highest on record was 123 in 1979.
Training programs
There more than a dozen motorcycle skills training programs in Wisconsin, mostly run through technical colleges.
A basic skills course teaches about the motorcycle itself, balance, control, evasive maneuvers and quick stops. An advanced class goes more into evasive maneuvers, advanced turning skills and heavy-duty braking.
Fewer than 10 percent of the riders who go through the basic skills course attend the advanced course. In 2001, 6,263 people graduated from the basic skills course and 603 completed the advanced course.
Participants pay $85 for the basic sessions and less for the experienced rider courses, for which riders use their own bikes.
