Each year I post my top 10 weird motorcycle list, you can see last years winners here. As crazy as some of the “modern” motorcycles are, our forefathers built some crazy stuff too!
Check out the following “vintage” or “old school” wild and weird motorcycles. If you have more or better please pass them along in the comment section.
Hey guys, I am in a middle of a move and have not provided as much content as normal lately. Please stand by for a bit while I get back to normal… what ever that is!
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Hitting Neutral – Certified Pre-owned Harley Davidsons – Somewhere along the line I missed this news item. Back in November 2019 Harley Davidson started a new program to the “Certified Pre-Owned program
This program will, if you buy from an authorized US dealer, provided used motorcycles that have been through a 110 point inspection and certified by Harley. If you buy a certified pre-owned motorcycle, you will get a 1-year warranty and roadside assistance.
These bikes will have under 25,000 miles and must have fully stock powertrain. So, no straight pipes as part of this program! See Harley Davidsons website for more information.
My Take – My first thought “why have they not been doing this for years”? Then, “This might help some folks make that decision to buy a bike”. Then, “Oh well, moving on”.
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Up Shift – One of the fastest men on a motorcycle does not have a license to ride on the street! – If you have won 6 straight World Superbike championships, and the front runner for #7, one would think you have had motorcycle licenses most of your life, right?
Apparently not, but even world champion Jonathan Rea must take the official course to get the licenses.
My Take – LOL… to funny. But I am glad he is doing this it will help show folks that everyone is on the same playing field when it comes to safety. You can check out how well he does on his videos.
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Ride On, Ride Safe
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.
Also, 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 LeMans Corporation
Components WHEELS
Summary LeMans Corporation is recalling certain Drag Specialties replacement laced motorcycle rear wheels, with part number 0204-0369 and size 16″ x 3.00″. The holes for the spokes in the hub are misaligned, which could result in broken spokes.
Remedy Dealers will replace the rear wheel, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2021. Owners may contact LeMans Corporation customer service at 1-608-758-1111.
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Manufacturer Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
Remedy Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda’s number for this recall is KM3.
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Ride On, Ride Safe
Check out the May Recall List Here
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We originally passed through Goshen a few years ago during one of our motorcycle tours of Virginia.
Goshen is a quaint town bordering the George Washington National Forest the nearest “big towns” are Staunton and Lexington VA.
One of the things that interested me was the Goshen Truss Bridge. Not the best light for good photos but you get the idea. Built in 1890 it was the height of bridge engineering at the time.
Ride On, Ride Safe
This is the 30th anniversary of the ride to promote the role of motorcycles as an option in the daily commute. This event originated in the United States but quickly grew into an international event.
By riding to work we demonstrate:
Some may ask, as we are still in the era of Covid and a large number of folks are still working from home, how can I participate without a commute? Do as I am going to do….. Ride for 30 minutes before you start your home office workday!
Maybe I should ride for 30 minutes everyday before work?????
RIDE ON, RIDE SAFE
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.
Also, 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 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Components STRUCTURE
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP motorcycles. The rear cushion connecting plate(s) may have been installed incorrectly, which may cause the plate(s) to break.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace both rear cushion connecting plates free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda Powersports customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda’s number for this recall is KL9.
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Manufacturer Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Sportster (XL) motorcycles and 796 headlight assemblies that may have been sold as replacement parts for 2005-2019 Sportster, 2005-2017 Softail, 2005-2017 Dyna, and 2005-2011 V-Rod motorcycles. The glass bulb within the headlight assembly may fail, causing a loss of both high and low beams.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a headlamp bulb shield, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0177.
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Manufacturer Ducati North America
Components ENGINE
Summary: Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2021 Multistrada V4 S motorcycles. Excessive wear of the valve guides may cause the valve head to break.
Remedy: Ducati will notify owners, and the dealer will replace the entire motorcycle engine with another engine, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati’s number for this recall is SRV-RCL-21-002.
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Manufacturer Arcimoto Inc
Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: Arcimoto Inc (Arcimoto) is recalling certain 2019-2020 FUV, and 2020 Deliverator vehicles. The electronic drivers in some of the high voltage (HV) contactors may malfunction and overheat, which could cause the battery to shutdown.
Remedy: Arcimoto will notify owners, and an Arcimoto factory technician will replace the contactors and related components, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Arcimoto customer service at 1-541-683-6293.
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Ride On, Ride Safe
By now most, if not all, motorcycle enthusiasts know about the new Harley Davidson Pan American adventure bike. I am not going to go over specs or stuff like that.
Most of the “big time” motorcycle sites have stated that this Harley is going to give the BMW GS a run for the money. That maybe true as on paper it seems the Pan American has a slight edge, according to those “big time” sites.
If you want to see for yourself then now is the time. Harley is taking the Pan American for an on/off road demo tour across the United States. Here is the link for you to SIGN UP for the demo if you interested.
Here are all the sites that the demo tour will stop.
4/16/21 – 4/18/21 – Dallas TX
The Bartonville Store, 96 McMakin Rd., Bartonville, TX, 76226
4/23/21 – 4/25/21 – Albuquerque, NM
Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, 5000 Alameda Blvd NE, 5000 Alameda Blvd NE, NM, 87113
4/30/21 – 5/2/21 – Phoenix, AZ
Westgate Entertainment District, Lot 9, next to Aloft Hotel, 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale, AZ, 85305
5/14/21 – 5/16/21 San Jose, CA
Metcalf Motorcycle County Park, 300 Metcalf Rd. , San Jose, CA, 95138
5/21/21 – 5/23/21 – Lake Elsinore, CA
Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, 20700 Cereal St., Lake Elsinore, CA, 92530
5/28/21 – 5/30/21 – Sacramento, CA
Harley-Davidson of Sacramento, 1000 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA, 95815
5/7/21 – 5/9/21 – Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Harley-Davidson, 5191 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, 89119
7/30/21 – 8/1/21 – Madison, IL
World Wide Technology Raceway, 700 Raceway Blvd, Madison, IL, 62060
7/9/21 – 7/11/21 – Idaho Falls, ID
Grand Teton Harley-Davidson, 848 Houston St , Idaho Falls, ID, 83402
8/13/21 – 8/15/21 – Pittsfield, MA
Ioka Valley Farm, 3475 MA-43, Hancock, MA, 01237
8/6 – 8/8 – Coal Township, PA
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, 4100 PA-125, Coal Township, PA, 17866
9/10/21 – 9/12/21 – Brighton, UT
Brighton Ski Resort, 8302 S Brighton Loop Rd, Brighton, UT, 84121
October 22nd – 24th, 2021 – Southern NY/NJ/CT
Check back soon for more information
October 29th – 31st, 2021 – Loudon, NH
New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 1122 NH-106, Loudon, NH, 03307
Ride On, Ride Safe
As noted in in Part 1 of this Quarantine Motorcycle Ride series on the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway, had to occur over three seasons. Part 2 Leesburg to Montpelier occurred last summer.
This leg of the ride started on a cool summer morning. Blue skies, white puffy clouds, and the local weatherman, promised a comfortable day to ride the motorcycle.
Our eyes and the weatherman were right! Our ride on the Harley Davidson Ultra Limited motorcycle was smooth and sweet. Great tunes and light traffic made this leg of the Hallowed Ground Byway nothing short of great.
This part of the Byway is packed full of sites that just beg to be stopped and explored as this part of Virginia is packed with history and historical sites.
Getting to Montpelier took us past the following historical sites, and these are the major sites. There are many, many smaller sites in each of the towns you pass through. This leg of the Hallowed Ground Byway can, by itself, could take a week to work your way though.
Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park | Nova Parks
Bull Run Battlefield (1st and 2nd Battle for Manassas)
This section also passes though the Northern Virginia wine and brewery corridor. For example, there are over a dozen breweries and 30 vineyards in Loudon county alone! Just do not drink and ride, of course!
Of course, the destination of this motorcycle ride was the home of President James Madison’s home Montpelier. Montpelier was the plantation home of the Madison family, including the fourth President of the United States James Madison and his wife Dolly.
Montpelier is both a National Historic Landmark and part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Completed in 2008 a major restoration (by the National Trust), in part to return the mansion to its original size of 22 rooms.
Archeological investigations provided information on African-American life at the plantation. Philanthropist David Rubenstein funded and enabled the National Trust to restore the slave quarters in the South Yard and open a slavery exhibition, The Mere Distinction of Colour, in 2017.
Getting to Montpelier is a wonderful ride through historic lands. If you are in the area, on the Journey Thorough Hallowed Ground Byway or not, take the time to stop.
OK folks…. just FYI….. If you ride a typical cruiser or touring motorcycle the geometry of the motorcycle requires a much flatter load angle. The bottom of the frame will hit if the angle is to high. This video shows it very very well!
Use this fail video as a “WHAT NOT TO DO” when it comes to loading your bike. Find a location to get a flatter angle, it will just work out better in the end!
Women have been riding motorcycles from the start. While men my dominate the motorbike culture, women have always been there having fun and enjoying the two wheel life.
I am not here to give you a play by play of the women who have sent motorcycle records, but I thought you might enjoy some pics from times past and the women who were there…. On their motorcycles.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 