Posts Tagged ‘Harley’

Motorcycle Ride: The first really nice day of the season for a motorcycle ride!

Posted: March 25, 2014 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides
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Wow, this was the first really nice Saturday for motorcycle riding of the year here in Northern Virginia and we took advantage of it. But, sadly, they are call for more snow this week. Not very much but still, MORE FREAK’N SNOW!

300_724129We pulled out of the garage about eleven; the temp was a cool 49F.  With mid weight jackets and chaps riding the Ultra Limited was very comfy. Heading south on US Route 15, our plans were to meet our friends Tim and Karma for a quick lunch and then visit the Belmont Farm Distillery outside of Culpeper, VA.  

We linked up with Tim and Karma at a Subway restaurant at the intersection of Route 15 and US Route 29.  What is interesting about Route 29 (which runs from Danville, VA to the Key Bridge connecting VA with DC) is it is also the known as the Lee Highway, the Seminole Trail, and the 29th Infantry Division Memorial Highway. 

After lunch (by the way I was unimpressed with Subway’s new Jalapeno & cheese bread) we all pulled out and headed to the Distillery. Even though everything is still brown (spring as now yet sprung) the ride through the Virginia farm county was just awesome! 

Because of the comfortable weather, purring motorcycle, county roads and good friends it was only a little disappointing that we found the distillery still closed for the season.   Just FYI if you decide to visit the distillery the last half mile from the main road to the still house is a gravel road.

After turning around we decided to just head out and ride.  A little bit down the road I noticed that we were only a few miles from Orange, VA and Waugh Harley Davidson. So, as lead bike, I decided to visit the dealership. We rolled up, took our stuff off and as we walked up to the door we watched them flip the sign to CLOSED!

But never fear, the owner of the dealership opened the door and told us to come on in.  We spoke with him for a while but not wanting to hold him up we thanked him for his hospitality and rolled on out. Heading back north, we rode through downtown Culpeper (much bigger than I expected) and when we got to Warrenton we stopped for dinner at an Outback Steakhouse. 

After dinner we topped off our fuel tanks, said our goodbyes and headed for the house.  Chasing the sunlight we pulled into the driveway a little before 8PM.  Putting over 200 miles on the bike we all had a great afternoon on the bikes….a very good way to start the riding season.

Motorcycle Rides: Well here is one website the Federal Government got right! America’s Byways.

Posted: March 11, 2014 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides
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plan a motorcycle ride

How did I just find out about this! The Federal Highway Administration (part of the US Department of Transportation) has an interactive website called America’s Byways.  It highlights the Scenic Byways of America and, no kidding, it is well done.  Now we have a new tool to help us plan our motorcycle rides.

The website describes itself this way; “The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.”

America’s Byways is an interactive, map based, website that will provide you a listing of each of the 150 different roads.  Those roads are comprised of the National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. You can select the road from a national or state map to see basic information on the road (length, average time to travel the road and historical background) as well as route maps, directions and photos.

Motorcycle Product: Now have I seen everything?

Posted: March 10, 2014 in Motorcycle news
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from 2x2cycles.com

I can now say if I have not seen it all, I must be getting close.  These products are produced by 2×2 Cycles out of North Carolina.  Their motto of “Who says you can’t take it with you?” explains their reason for being.

They look safe and secure and if I could still golf I might consider this for my bike.  They make products for: Honda, BMW, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph, Aprilla and Ducati motorcycles.

Check out their website here!image from 2x2cycles.com

Pro Motorcycle Advocacy: End of motorcycle only checkpoints?

Posted: March 6, 2014 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, motorcycle safety
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photo from motorcycle.com

Good news but your support is needed to ensure success. 

Senators from New Hampshire, West Virginia and Wisconsin have put forward a bill to prohibit the federal government from funding motorcycle only checkpoints!  As it stands today the federal government provides a majority of states funds to setup motorcycle only “safety” checkpoints.

As an example Georgia received a $70,000 grant to hold two checkpoints on two major interstates highways that connected with Florida.  Does not sound like a big deal until you notice that the checkpoints coincided with the opening and closing of Daytona Bike Week!  Wonder how much money Georgia raised in fines and tickets?

So why is this a big deal?  From my POV I register by bike with my state annually, I have to pass an annual safety inspection both of which I have to pay money to the state just like cars.  But, unlike cars, I am possibly subject to additional investigation and inspection just because I ride a bike.  That is not right on many levels.

If you agree that this is an area in which the Federal Government need to stay out of contact your state’s Senators.  You can contact them by calling the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

For more information you can review the Motorcycle Rider Foundation press release here and a news article from the Washington Times here.

So what do you read?

Posted: March 3, 2014 in Motorcycle
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There are dozens of motorcycle related magazines and books out there.  As I posted a while back I have recently read the book “The old man and the Harley”.  But, I also pick up the occasional motorcycle magazine.  I subscribe to Hot Bike and always seem to end up one or two more anytime I go out to the book or grocery store.

Below is a picture of some of the periodicals I read.

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Motorcycle TV: What’s In The Barn

Posted: February 25, 2014 in Motorcycle TV
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CaptureI ran across a new motorcycle related TV Show, Velocity channels “What’s In The Barn”.  Evidently this series premiered last summer; I must have missed it while I was out riding.  LOL

Based on what I watched and what I read on their website the show is primarily about the “Wheels Through Time” motorcycle museum and it curator, Dale Walksler, search for vintage motorcycles.  I have not been to the museum yet myself, but it is on my list of things to do.

The first show I watched “A Motorcycle Crime Story” was quite interesting.  If you have ever been to a motorcycle rally or read a motorcycle magazine you are aware that the museum raffles off a motorcycle every year to help cover their operating costs.  This episode begins with the build of the 2013 raffle bike coming to a halt due to a lack of rare, vintage parts, in this case a cateye dashboard that Harley produced for one year only.Velocity

Mr. Walksler sets off to Illinois to get the part from a guy that has the barns full of old parts he purchased from a family whose mother and fathers were killed by members of the Outlaws MC, thus the title.  He also has a side trip that involves him getting an original 1970’s Arlen Ness chopper.

The most interesting show was “12 Hours and Running”, they started 120 vintage motorcycles in 12 hours.  There was some really old bikes in this bunch including Pierce, Excelsior, Henderson, Crocker as well as Harley and Indians.  It is cool and amazing that they have a museum full of running, functional old bike!

While parts of the show are “cheesy” over all it is well laid out and well put together.  I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

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Motorcycle Book Review: The Old Man and The Harley

Posted: February 19, 2014 in Product Reviews
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OldManAndHarleyI recently read the book “The Old Man and the Harley” by John Newkirk.  In the simplest terms it is a son’s tailing of his father’s 1939 cross country trip from the New York World’s Fair to the San Francisco Golden Gate International Exposition.  But, as is nearly anything, it is a bit more complex than a cross county motorcycle ride.

Mr. Newkirk rides the same route his father took and weaves, fairly well, this father’s story of pre-war America with what he finds during his own trip.  The description of how his father prepared for the trip and how he had to overcome the hardships of the open rode in 1939 are an enjoyable read.

Some of the “today” highlights for me were; rolling up to a WWII memorial service, meeting Jane Fonda, and attempting to convert a Che Guevara follower.  From his father’s journey I enjoyed; how he got the bike, rolling into Sturgis before the rallies began and the story of his cousin who was part of the “Flying Tigers”.

I purchased the electronic version of the book and read it on my iPad.  Overall I enjoyed the story and can recommend that you read it as well.  You can get more information from the books website here.

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Motorcycle TV: Philly Throttle some real information!

Posted: February 14, 2014 in Motorcycle TV
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Liberty Vintage Motorcycles

Liberty Vintage Motorcycles

We all have been wondering what is going on with Philly Throttle and my past couple posts (here, here) only shed a tiny bit of light.  But now we have some concrete information straight from the shop!

Apparently there is a good reason why Philly Throttle has not been no the air.   According to the Liberty Vintage Motorcycle Facebook page (here) Discovery Channel had sued the owner and star Adam Cramer and the shop.

Reading between the lines it looks like the producers of the show (Sirens Media) did not deliver enough product to Discovery (it looks as if someone was claiming not enough bikes were built?). But Mr. Cramer produced documents and footage showing that they had enough for six episodes.

Mr. Cramer faced Discovery in a Merit Trial in Silver Springs Maryland.  A merit trial is one at which a case is evaluated by a judge to determine whether it has “merit” to move forward or to dismiss.   The judge will render a decision after he has gathered all the fact and has evaluated those facts.   This trial was held in the District Court of Maryland, mostly likely because Discovery’s headquarters is located in Maryland.

The way I read his post is that he won, that Discovery did not have merit to move forward.  Not sure what that means for the future of the Philly Throttle show.  Mr. Cramer indicated that there was enough material to produce additional shows.

 

From the Liberty Vintage Facebook Site.

From the Liberty Vintage Facebook Site.

Think Biker: Public Service Announcement

Posted: February 11, 2014 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, motorcycle safety
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Now with the CDC spending money to reduce motorcycling, the HHS spending money to confirm that Americans like pizza.
With the fact that cager’s don’t even think about us! With the lack of perception for what we like to do.

 

Why not spend some money on public service announcements like this!

 

AMA, MRF, MSF…. if our government will not create the PSAs, how about stepping up!

2014 Timonium Motorcycle Show

Posted: February 9, 2014 in Motorcycle, Rally
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tsThis past weekend I attended the Timonium Motorcycle Show.  This is one of it not the largest motorcycle event held in the mid-Atlantic region during the winter season.  This was the first time I have attended and not knowing if the crowd was good or not I asked a few of the vendors.  Almost all the vendors stated that it was average compared to the 2013 event. The show is split between two buildings, which is why I never felt that overly crowded but I did, occasionally, have to wait to get a picture.

The show is held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, which is about an hour from my home.  Traffic was light, by the Washington DC metro area standard, and I made it to and from the show with no issues.  Unfortunately, I dove the truck, the temperature was 24F when I left the house, which is not a great excuse for not riding but the best I have.

In addition to the bike show and standard vendors the sponsors brought in several celebrities including the International Bikini Team, Michele Smith, David Uhl and Paul Senior of OCC.  Mr. Uhl was a no show do to WP_20140208_10_53_11_Procanceled flight but the others were in attendance.  The line for the grip and great with Paul Sr was quite long and I just viewed from afar.

Michele, on the other hand was busy in her booth. She has quite the selection of female themed biker gear. Including the blinged out helmets in my pictures as well as a great variety of thongs.  Watching her handling the sheer thongs was….tantalizing!  LOL

The bike show itself was neat.  With over 40 classes there was something for everyone’s tastes.  I was very surprised by the way some of the folks laid out there display areas.  Turns out that there was also an award for best display and some entrants were going all out.

The show is a professionally judged event, not a peoples vote type of competition. The judging would not be completed until Sunday afternoon so I will have to wait to see who won from the website.  The biggest take away for me was that my customized Heritage would have a good chance at competing in the show, maybe next year.  And as for the display….anyone got a cheap camouflage net for sell?!?!

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