Honda’s Cruiser Lineup: 2025 Models and Exciting Updates

Posted: October 28, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle news
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** Honda Press Release **

American Honda announced today that for the 2025 model year, its popular Rebel 1100 cruiser lineup receives important updates focused on comfort and convenience. The family also grows by one, with the addition of the Rebel 1100 DCT SE—a premium-level version that shines with a list of eye-grabbing features included as standard equipment, such as fork boots, handlebar-end rear-view mirrors, a color-matched headlight cowl, a short front fender, and a special seat.

“Since its 2021 debut, Honda’s Rebel 1100 platform has proven to be a big hit with American cruiser customers, so we’re excited to both improve and deepen the roster for 2025,” said Colin Miller, Manager of Public Relations at American Honda. “The entire platform now boasts more comfortable ergonomics, and the new Rebel 1100 DCT SE comes straight from the dealership with premium styling features. It’s clear that Honda values cruiser customers and takes their needs seriously.”

In addition to unveiling the Rebel 1100 platform, Honda confirmed the return of several other two-wheel models from five different categories: the head-turning Fury and timeless Shadow Phantom cruisers, the legendary Africa Twin and compact NX500 adventure bikes, the iconic XR650L dual-sport machine, the versatile CBR500R sport bike, and the stylish and affordable CB500F naked motorcycle.

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For details, colors/price/etc., on the bikes listed below click this link.

2025 Rebel 1100              2025 Fury                 2025 Shadow Phantom

2025 Africa Twin              2025 NX500             2025 XR650L

2025 CBR500R                 2025 CB500F

Hey, I did not even know they still made the Fury!

Easy Taillight Upgrade for Harley Davidson Road Glide

Posted: October 25, 2024 in custom motorcycle
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Short video that shows how simple it is to install a new, brighter taillight on my Harley Davidson Road Glide.

Vintage Old School Chopper Motorcycles

Posted: October 18, 2024 in custom motorcycle, Motorcycle, vintage motorcycle
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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.

Watch ‘Motorcycle Mary’ on ESPN’s 30 for 30

Posted: October 16, 2024 in Motorcycle news, Motorcycle racing, Motorcycle TV
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Premiering November 3rd on ESPN’s 30 for 30 “Motorcycle Mary” documents the story of Mary McGee.  Mary had a 30-year motorcycle racing career across multiple types of racing.

Mary was the first woman to race motorcycles in the United States.

As the first woman I am sure her stories of overcoming will be interesting and thought provoking.

I am looking forward to seeing this, make sure to set your DVR!

Motorcycle News: 41K Harley Davidsons Recalled, CF Moto Soon to be Banned?

Posted: October 8, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle safety, Uncategorized
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ijustwant2ride
What you need to know: CF Moto Motorcycles Facing a Ban in the USA

Recently the American Department of Commerce proposed a new rule that would impact CF Moto and possible a few other motorcycle manufacturers. Specifically, this rule comes from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) which is a sub-unit of the Commerce Department.

This proposed rule would ban any vehicle that contains software and/or hardware that has links to China or Russia.

My Take: I find this a very interesting as it seems it is an extension of the Biden/Trump tariffs on Chinese vehicles by other means. But it also means that someone somewhere in our government determined that there is a security risk with software on motorcycles. 

As a guy with a significant information technology security background, I can imagine some crazy scenarios where something crazy could happen. Yet I see a very low likelihood that any of those scenarios would actually happen.

What you need to know: 41,637 2024 Harley Davidson Motorcycles Recalled

This recall is due to a potential crash risk associated with a short circuit with the voltage regulator wires.  The wire is rubbing on the crankcase removing the outer cover of the wire exposing wire to a short.  This short circuit will cause the motorcycle to lose power with no warning.

The motorcycles impacted are

  • 2024 FLHX Street Glide
  • 2024 FLHXSE Street Glide CVO
  • 2024 FLTRX Road Glide
  • 2024 FLTRXSE Road Glide CVO
  • 2024 FLTRXSTSE Road Glide ST CVO

My Take: That is a bunch of motorcycles! Not a good look on top of everything else that has befallen the MoCo recently.

Explore Skyline Drive: A Must for Motorcycle Lovers

Posted: October 7, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring, motorcycle tourism
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If you ride a motorcycle you need to add Skyline Drive to your Bucket List!

Skyline Drive, part of the Shenandoah National Park, is one of the jewels of the National Park system.  It is 105 miles of vistas, twists, turns and occasional wildlife. It is possible you will see deer, turkeys, squirrels, or even bears!

This year we toured the entire length of Skyline Drive, south to north, a few weeks before peak fall color.  Traffic was quite light, and the overlooks had few if any other travelers. 

We stopped for lunch at the Loft Mountain Wayside. My wife and I shared a delish smash burger with a side of giant onion rings.  We have traveled this road many times and have never had a bad meal at any of the restaurants.

Fall Colors on Skyline Drive

I have said it before, Skyline Drive proves that riding in a car is like watching a movie, riding a motorcycle is being in the movie. Riding this road in the fall will prove that to anyone.

One thing everyone should know is that during fall, when the leaves are at their most colorful, the road become packed with “leaf peepers”. 

The 35 MPH speed limit becomes difficult to reach due to all the vehicles. I would avoid the area unless you are ok with spending the entire day on the parkway (emphasis on park).

Riding Skyline in the spring or fall can be cool experience. By cool I mean that the temperature can be 10-15 degrees cooler than the valleys below. Throw an extra shirt on just to be safe. Also, the road is not cleared of leaves, ride carefully especially in the mornings when the leaves are damp from dew.

Front Royal, Virginia

When you are at the northern terminus of the park you are in Front Royal, Virginia.  There is a lot of great riding in that area as well, spend a couple days exploring the area and the town, Main Street is a must see.

When we arrived home, we had ridden about half the day and 251 miles.  Another great day on a motorcycle.

Riding Front Royal

Fort Valley Road Ride                   Thrill and Chill Ride

Be on the lookout for BEARS!!

A Coincidence?  Maybe, Maybe Not.

Posted: October 2, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides
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A couple months ago the wife and I had a lot of fun riding what we called our West Virginia Cryptid & Paranormal Motorcycle Tour (links to the posts below). It was a fun trip to a few of the more “weird and strange” spots in West Virgina. 

In each of those posts I tagged the West Virgina Tourism Facebook and X/Twitter pages.  I thought this is something that they might want to promote for “paranormal tourism”.

Well, well, well. The West Virginia Tourism office now have their own page promoting just that activity.  They are calling it the West Virginia Paranormal Trail.

They are promoting paranormal sites and providing give aways with going to these places like stickers, bennies and posters. Not all the sites listed for the WV Paranormal Trail, align with our trip. We only had 3 days, and we picked spots that we wanted to visit.

I think this is great, but I would have appreciated a note saying thanks for the idea (and a sticker or poster).  Sad face (LOL)

West Virginia Cryptid & Paranormal Motorcycle Ride Day 1

Day 2 West Virginia Cryptid & Paranormal Motorcycle Ride: Mothman We Are Coming

Day 3 West Virginia Cryptid & Paranormal Motorcycle Ride

Motorcycle Recalls September 2024: Harley Davidson (41,000), Kawasaki Brake Recall

Posted: September 30, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle recall
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Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others. So, safety first.

Also, (DISCLAIMER) this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.

If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.

If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.

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Manufacturer Harley-Davidson Motor Company

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V572000

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 41,637

Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2024 FLHX, FLHXSE, FLTRX, FLTRXSE, and FLTRXSTSE motorcycles. The voltage regulator output wire may rub on the front corner of the crankcase, exposing the wire and causing an electrical short circuit. A short can result in a loss of electrical power and drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and as necessary, repair the voltage regulator output wire harness, and install a secondary retention strap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2024. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0186.

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Manufacturer Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V680000

Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Summary: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2024 Z7 Hybrid ABS and Ninja 7 Hybrid ABS motorcycles. The electronic control unit (ECU) may cause the transmission to shift into neutral when the operator attempts to shift from first to second gear.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The owner notification schedule has not been determined yet. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC’s number for this recall is MC24-13.

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Top Monthly Vintage Motorcycle Pictures: Old School Dealerships

Posted: September 12, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, vintage motorcycle
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Each month I display a few “old school”, or vintage motorcycles pictures based on some theme.

These are the one’s that I like the most, for whatever reason, … or… it’s my blog and I like these pictures or videos.

Ride On, Ride Safe

Impact of Harley-Davidson’s Woke Image: Rider Sentiments and Loyalty Reevaluation

Posted: September 9, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, Uncategorized
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As I noted in a previous post, in August we attended the Wild and Wonderful Harley Owners Group (HOG) regional rally, centered in Charleston, West Virginia.

I had to ask “the” question!

Across Harleydom many riders are not happy with the direction of the MoCo and their devotion to woke ideology. Many have debadged or are covering the logos on their motorcycles, others are discarding branded clothing.  I have seen that on bikes rolling through my town of Front Royal heading to or from Skyline Drive.  I did not see any debaging/masking at the HOG rally in West Virginia.

My question…. What do you think about all this?

At the rally, I asked many of the attendees their thoughts on this controversy engulfing Harley Davidson.  That HD has gone full woke while also disregarding their customers’ feelings. Not too suprising, many had not heard of of the controversy.

Disappointment was the main feeling of almost all riders I spoke with. No one said that they were going to trade in their motorcycle today. A few stated that they would not buy anymore Harley clothing until this was resolved in a favorable manner.

Rethinking their loyalty. A majority of those I talked with did say that if Harley did not make a turn around that they would consider a new brand when it did come time to get a new bike

My thoughts after all this.

Harley really needs to get a new CEO and Board of Directors.  How did this CEO even get appointed?  He ran a tennis shoe company and proclaimed that he is the Taliban for promoting woke.  Neither of which fit with the brand.

I fit in with many of the people I talked to at the rally.  When I need a new bike, I will look at another brand unless this controversy is resolved in the manner the customers want.

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