We have all heard the rumors that Harley was going to be putting out middleweight (500/750cc) bikes. It is said that Harley would make these bikes in India with the aim to expand in to new global markets.
The latest update to those rumors (published here and here) is that these bikes will be name the “Street 500” and “Street 750” and may be debuted this month at a Milan auto show. For a rumor there is a lot of detail about the bikes so if you have time take a look at the links above.
Country store in Boyds, Md.
Discovery Channel has rated the Harley Knucklehead as the sexiest bike ever. It is also their #10 greatest bike of all time.I ran across this list on their website’s Motorcycle Guide (see my earlier post).
I have not had time to run through their entire top 10 yet but I have made it from 10 to 7 and cannot disagree with much at all regarding their selections. But let’s see what they have in the 6-1 positions.
I have never heard of this motorcycle ride before but I am very intrigued. I ran across the link in while just surfing around and I think I may participate in next year’s event, if there is one.
You get dressed in nice clothes and ride your bike in support of several charities. I like the idea and will be keeping an eye on their website and the local groups Facebook page.
According to their website the event began in 2012 and has now spread to over 100 cities. This year they raised over $250,000 dollars supporting Prostate Cancer Foundations in several countries.
If you have time check out their website! (the photos are from the DRG website and the DGR Washington DC Facebook site)
I was disappointed after watching Top Gear (USA) at Sturgis last night. It started out quite strong with the guys on scooters and completing challenges to move up to bigger bikes. But it went down hill from there.
Rutledge wrecked his scooter, on purpose it appeared to me, to lose the first challenge (this is a guy that claims to have two bikes in his garage). He would later go on to drop a Street Glide twice. The guys who won the challenge (Adam & Tanner) began riding Yamaha 250’s but also began wearing full face helmets. From this point forward there were times I was not sure that they were on the bikes, I got the feeling that “stunt doubles” were used.
The next challenge was to ride three members of a band (I forget the name) across town to the Buffalo Chip. Adam ducked out and got a side car, Tanner stopped at a bikini bike wash and Rut stopped to allow his passenger to get water and cigarettes. It was here that the most contrived moment of the series let alone the show occurred. Rut accidentally knocked down two bikes.
First, I am not sure he even touched the bike to cause it to fall into the second bike. Second, the bikes looked like 1980’s dual purpose motorcycles that might not even run. Third, no one prevented him and his passenger from leaving, I have been at rallies where this has happened, folks do not let you leave until the owners of the other bikes arrive.
OH, and of course Tanner won the overall contest and got to race a car against a motorcycle.
Overall, I think this is the worst episode of Top Gear (USA) ever. I love the show as a whole and watch it every week but this one just sucked.
It’s all fun and games until the elk gets an attitude!
Kinda like the eailer post where a wolf chased a motorcycle!
This week on Top Gear the boys go to Sturgis. History Channel describes this episode as:
“The Top Gear hosts embark on a two-wheel road trip through South Dakota to the world’s largest automotive event, the annual Sturgis Bike Week. Starting out on scooters and needing to pass challenges to progress to the bigger bikes they’ll need to ride to fit in at the rally, the hosts go through hell as they close in on Sturgis. The winner will race a super-charged Ariel Atom against a 200 mph sports bike, while the loser will have to take part in a stunt, courtesy of HISTORY channel’s newest series, American Daredevils.”
While a lot of folks do not care for this version of the famous BBC show, I enjoy it. The biggest issue I have with the show is that Tanner (the professional racer) always wins the contest to drive the hot cars. Come on, I want to see one of the other guys wreck a $200,000 car!
Café Racer TV
This TV show has been around for a while and its fourth season is set to start on the 6th of November. It is presented on the Velocity Channel (part of the Discovery Network).
As the name implies Café Racer covers the bikes, builders and life style of the Café Bike scene. I have watch the show for the last two years and it is enjoyable. My favorite show was the one where they connected the café bike scene to pin-up girls!
I enjoy this show and my DVR is already set to record.
Well this was the first day of the fall that I needed chaps for a motorcycle ride. Pulling out at 7:45 AM the temp was 45F, cool before I began moving. My wife had to work today so I followed her to her favorite breakfast stop Chick-fil-a.
Shenandoah River
After eating our breakfast she went to work and I began my ride. With my destination of Winchester Motosports set I had no particular route in mind, so I decided to take “River Road”, County road 606, which I picked up at its intersection with VA Route 7. This road follows the Shenandoah River for about 10 miles. The views are picturesque now but in a few weeks when the leaves reach their peak color it will be spectacular!
When 606 leaves the river (and changes names several time) you weave through backcountry Virginia until you reach the intersection of US Route 50 and 606. I was tempted to turn around and ride 606 again but I moved on towards the Royal Enfield dealership.
As I mentioned a few posts ago I found Winchester Motosports when I looked at the new Royal Enfield Continental GT website. I thought it would be neat and visit the store and check out the bikes they had on hand.
When I arrived I meet Ed and the owner Carl. Turns out that Winchester Motosports is not only a Royal Enfield dealer but is also a Moto Guzzi dealer. They are also one of the largest motorcycle consignment resellers in Northern Virginia. They were also, at one time, dealers in Victory and Triumph bikes.
Carl is a very gregarious guy who, you can easily tell, absolutely loves what he does. His knowledge of the bikes he sells (or sold) is immense. I really enjoyed my conversations with Ed and Carl! If you are interested in Enfield’s, Moto Guzzi or a used bike of any kind I would consider Winchester Motosports as a first stop. 
After ogling the bikes for a bit it was time to start for home as the weatherman said that rain was coming in the afternoon. Weaving through more back roads, I ended up on US 340 and then hoped on VA Route 9. About an hour or so later I was back in Leesburg. Round, trip I put on 125 miles on a pleasant, but cool, fall day.
There was one big negative on today’s ride. I dropped by phone and now the screen is krap and the pictures are not right. Nearly all the photos on this site have been taken with my Nokia 928 phone. I have been very happy with this phone and camera.
Really?????
I can see Sugarloaf Mountain from my home. I was told that the entire mountain is a park and that we should go and check it out. Well today I did and was GREATLY disappointed. Motorcycles are not allowed in the park!
I noticed the administration building across the street from the entrance and decided to find out why I was prohibited from entering the park. I spoke with a member of the board of directors (Stronghold Incorporated) and he stated that the entire board a voted to exclude motorcycles due to noise. In particular the “whiney” noise of some bikes. He pointed to my HD Ultra Limited and said that those were mostly ok but it was impractical to exclude some but not others.
The noise, he said, interfered with the numerous weddings and social events held on the mountain and at the mansions located on the park (the mansions are quite impressive. That they had received many complaints from the attendees of the parties and weddings and it was not practical to bar bikes on the certain days and not others.
As our conversation ended he stated that if I wanted to go into the park that it would be ok. I declined the offer on principle.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 