If you have never ridden a long throw chopper, you should add it to your motorcycle bucket list. I have and it was an experience I never will forget!!
I put about 100 miles on one, back in the day, and I fully/totally respect those guys that ride them as daily rides or tour on them. Chopper riding is an acquired taste, it was not for me, but I can truly understand why some people love choppers.
I ran across this hour-long motorcycle documentary on Amazon Prime and, of course, I had to watch it.
I knew the actor Steve McQueen was into motorcycles and motorcycle racing, but I did not realize he was REALLY into motorcycles and motorcycle racing! This TV show documents what he and his friends did to get motorcycles into movies and how they raced at the top levels.
A few the things I discovered while watching:
Steve McQueen and friends were the first American team to race in the International 6-Day Enduro
McQueen and friends were drivers of making Metisse Racing Motorcycles famous.
McQueen spent hours changing customer tires at his friend’s bike shop, to prepare for the 6-Day Enduro
The documentary is narrated by motorcycle enthusiast Charle Boorman, famous for the “Long Way” films, and contains a lot of historical film clips and photos from that time. Steve McQueen Desert Racer was released in 2015.
I enjoyed the show, my wife even watched much of it, and I think you might as well. Check it out on the next rainy day!
Ride On, Ride Saff
Best of 2023 WEIRD MOTORCYCLES was not an easy task this year.
There were not a lot that, thought out the year, that jumped out and said “I’M WEIRD”!
Just a quick note, these motorcycles may have been around for a few years, but I first noticed them this past year.
Which is your favorite weird motorcycle for 2023? (I like the “Fender Bikes)
Every year I collect those motorcycle event posters, drawing and printed art that catch my eye or tickle my fancy (and no, I don’t know what part of my body contains the fancy 😊). This year I started with 14 but it was not hard to narrow it down to the 9 Best Motorcycle Posters of 2023.
I wish I could attribute all the artists in this awesome list but there is rarely information on who created each item.
Which one is your favorite piece of artwork? Mine is the Willow Springs Grand Prix poster!
Ride On, Ride Safe!
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The age of hardcore custom motorcycles may be passing. It has become increasingly harder to find cool custom bikes. Maybe I am looking in all the wrong spots, but it was not easy to find the motorcycle tank art over the last couple years.
This year I found 12, BUT it was very easy to make the cut to the 9 best motorcycle tanks for 2023.
Ride On, Ride Safe!
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DOWN Shift – Vehicle Kill Switches
Nothing has changed except that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published it preliminary report on the Biden Infrastructure mandate regariding vehicle kill switches. The NHTSA is looking for public feedback on this issue. One of the areas that they are looking for input is on false positives.
My Take – False positives shutting your car/motorcycle off is one major area of concern I have with this proposed legislation. Even with 99.9% success rate that would leave millions of vehicles shutdown every day. Another major area of concern for me, can the police or OTHER government officials shut down your car remotely? Just because they say that it will not happen does not mean it will not happen. You can supply that feedback and make your voice heard on this new regulation by going to regualtions.gov and searching for the docket number, NHTSA-2022-0079.
*****
UP Shift – Bently and Ducati team up for a luxury motorcycle
The Ducati Diavel V4 motorcycle is getting the Bently Batur treatment.
The Bently Batur with a twin-turbo 12-cylinder 730HP engine is the most powerful Bentley ever to leave the production line. The Batur was limited to a run of just 18 but Ducati can let you get a taste of that exclusivity.
The Ducati is painted a Scarab Green color that pulls from the Bentley Mulliner palette. The lines of the motorcycle are being updated to reflect the Bently’s characteristics. Featuring forged rims that reflect the shapes of the car. The bike’s two-tone grille comes directly from the Batur while the triangular exhaust pulls from the sports car and front mudguard, fairing and upper view of the tank are meant to look like Batur’s hood.
Even with the Bently treatment buyers have option:
Two-seat or single-seater tail configuration. The rider’s seat is covered in black Alcantara and red fabric that matches the look of Batur’s seats. The Bentley logo is embroidered on the rear pad.
A “jet” helmet
A matching jacket
Ducati will sell only 550 of these luxury motorcycles. Fifty examples are reserved exclusively for Bentley owners, who can add even more custom elements.
Each bike comes with a certificate of authenticity, a passenger seat and motorcycle cover, delivered in a personalized wooden case.
My Take – WOW. No pricing was available when I wrote this post, but I expect it will be out of my tax bracket. I put this as an upshift as it draws attention to the motorcycle industry. If a Bently Batur owner gets a matching motorcycle, maybe just maybe they might buy a bike that they will actually ride.
*****
Ride on, Ride Safe
Why just 9 ideas for your motorcyclist? Because 10 is too much work!! LOL
Your biker/motorcyclist, deep down, wants some motorcycle related stuff. Any parts or accessories for the bike or new gear for them will likely work, but here are a few other items to think about. If you have some different ideas include them in the comments!
9 – Communication Gear – There are several options out there that will allow your motorcycle rider to talk to a group of other riders, listen to music or answer your phone call. Sena and Cardio are two of the more popular brands.
8 – Battery Tender – Winter is coming and if your rider has to lock away the motorcycle a battery tender will keep the battery fresh all winter. preparing motorcycle for winter | I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!!.
7 – Cleaning equipment – Take a look at your riders cleaning equipment. Does it look worn and tattered? Consider replacing their current equipment for new cleaning equipment. For those times you just want to clean the bike quickly between rides I use and recommend Bugslide. I am not paid by, but I do endorse Bugslide.
6 – Recording equipment – A GoPro or similar type of device to record their rides.
5 – New riding gear – Do their riding gloves look ratty? What about their boots or jackets? Now might be a good time to gift them with new motorcycle riding gear.
4 – Motorcycle related books – There are a lot of them out there. I just finished reading the memoir of Willie G. Davidson, grandson of the founders of Harley Davison. You can read my review here.
3 – Their bike on something – and I am not talking about crack or meth. There are a lot of companies that will take a photo of their motorcycle and put it on mugs, pillows, t-shirts and even make it into a 3d Christmas ornament.
2 – Custom Dynamics Motorcycle Lights – Custom Dynamics makes SUPER BRIGHT, eye catching lights for many motorcycle models. I suggest their ProBeam LED Motorcycle Turn Signals! I have had them on 3 motorcycles and highly recommend them. As before, I am not getting paid to promote these motorcycle lights, I just believe in them.
1 – Membership – Motorcyclist need to make sure their rights are not trampled upon. There are two good groups that help preserve those rights. Sign your rider up for either or both!
American Motorcycle Association – Membership does not only help in the political arena but also include discounts on products and emergency towing. The AMA is the largest motorcycle lobbyist group.
Motorcycle Rider Foundation – In addition to their pro-motorcycle lobbying efforts membership will get you a $4000 AD&D insurance policy and regular weekly/monthly updates on what is going on in Washington DC.
*****
Ride On, Ride Safe
BEST WEIRD motorcycles of 2022! This year I started with a list of 26 really off the wall, weird and strange motorcycles. I had a hard time knocking them down to just the 9 best. I could very easily have 9 runner up’s that could have made it to this list.
Just a quick note, these motorcycles may have been around for a few years, but I first noticed them this past year.
Which is your favorite weird motorcycle for 2022?
This year I started with 15 wonderfully designed or painted motorcycle tanks, just pieces of art! It was difficult to get down to the 9 best of 2022.
These motorcycle tanks may have been around for a while but, 2022 was the first time I have seen them. I hope you like them as much as I do.
Which is your fav-o-rite!
Ride On, Ride Safe
How about some ideas for that crazy motorcycle rider you love. Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what to get for your motorcyclist during the holiday season so I made a list of those things that would appeal to most bikers.
9) Heated gear – We all “Just Want 2 Ride” right. The gift of heated gear will extend the riding season for weeks or months depending on where you live.
8) New tie-down straps – Another piece of equipment that gets old, but one that is especially important if you’re crazy biker tows or hauls their bike(s). Steal a glance at their current straps, look worn or about to be worn out, get them a new set.
7) Custom Dynamic Motorcycle Lights – Custom Dynamic makes SUPER bright, eye catching lighting for motorcycles. I have several sets on my bike and wish I had more! Look at the ProBeam LED Motorcycle Turn Signals I have added them to two motorcycle and I am sure I have sold several dozen for Custom Dynamics as well.
6) A Gift Card – from their favorite local dealership. That way they can pick out what they want!
5) Frame them – Frame a nice picture of them with their motorcycle. Simple and cheap but you might have to snoop on their phone to find the best one!
4) Battery Tender – Winter is here in the northern hemisphere. This gift will help your crazy biker be ready to roll the first chance they get. No recommendation, they are almost all good. Just make sure you get the right connection for their motorcycle.
3) Kevlar lined pants, shirts, or jackets. Kevlar can get pricy but, your motorcycle rider will love you for it.
2) Long sleeve T-Shirts – Motorcycle themed long sleeve T-Shirts provide a wardrobe option when the weather gets cool.
1) Membership in the AMA – That is the American Motorcycle Association. Membership not only gets discounts on products, it also includes emergency towing. The AMA is the largest, but not the only, lobbyist group protecting your right to ride.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 