
Hey guys, I am in a middle of a move and have not provided as much content lately. Please stand by for a bit while I get back to normal… whatever that is!
Up Shift – Entire Family to Race at the Amateur Championship – The entire Rau family is going to the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s motorcycle complex! This is the first time that a mom, dad, and son have pulled this type of hat trick.
Mom and dad (Tressa & Justin) qualified for the Senior (40+) and son (Jett) made the cut in the Mini-E Junior (4-6) class.
My Take – This is one of those, “Isn’t that cool!” items. Congratulations to the Rau family and I hope they all make the podium for another amateur motocross racing first!
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Up Shift – New Harley Davidson Sportster – If you did not see this coming, I don’t know what to say to you. The ever changing and tightening emission standards is slowing ending the air-cooled era of motorcycling. Lament if you wish, but the old engine just could not compete in this modern world.
The 50+ year old Sportster name continues at Harley Davidson with an all-new motorcycle. The new Sportster brings the Harley Revolution Max engine and 121 horses (from 1252cc) as a major upgrade to the name.
To help tame that horsepower the new Sportster has lean-sensitve Antilock brakes, wheelie control, traction control and “Drag Torque Slip Control” to reduce rear wheel lockup during engine braking.
My Take – At first glance this new Sportster looks a like the FXDR from a few years ago. A lot of styling points from that bike made it to the Sportster. I do like the styling; I do like the performance upgrade, and I understand why Harley Davidson had to make the change to old bloodline. I have not yet had an opportunity to ride this motorcycle, but I will make the time to do so. At a $15,000 US starting point it seems to align with many of its competitors.

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Ride on, Ride Safe