Industry News
Sturgis Rally~Got to Love Politicians
20/09/08 16:24
You got to love politicians. They seem to always know when to show up and talk. Sometimes they say the wrong things and are immortalized forever on youtube. Other times, you witness something historical. I found this picture on the internet the other day and thought it would go good with a speech John McCain gave. McCain decided to attend the Sturgis rally because Americans were there. Nothing is more American than the freedom of riding. 
I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's.
I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.
If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our armed forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.
I'm going to fight for my cause every day as your president. I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I'm an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.
Fight for what's right for our country.
Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.
Fight for our children's future.
Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.
Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.
Thank you, and God bless you.
Motorcycle Thefts
02/09/08 12:49
After posting our newest top ten list for new motorcycle riders, I decided to check out how many motorcycles are stolen each year. YIKES, what an eye opening experience. The top 5 bikes stolen are:
1. Suzuki
2. Honda
3. Yamaha
4. Kawasaki
5. Harley Davidson
Obviously, most thefts are for sport bikes (Thank God!).
The top five states are:
1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. North Carolina
5. Ohio
North Carolina? I don't get that one. How scary are these stats! The interesting part of this research was that the majority of the thefts were from professional theft groups. So how do we protect our rides?
First of all, lets not make it too easy for them to steal it. I know of one technique that blew me away: they simply use a truck with a lift gate, put a mattress on the lift gate and push the bike over on it. Lift the lift gate, pull the mattress with the bike into the truck and drive off. Ignition kill switch and steering wheel lock do not deter this.
To prevent this, be sure to chain your bike to something stationary, even another bike if possible. Although this will not stop a determined thief, it may make them think twice and go after someone else's bike instead of yours.
LoJack has a motorcycle recovery program now for motorcycles.
As more and more people purchase motorcycles to commute to work, you can bet that thefts of motorcycles will increase. I would also be wary of parts sold on-line from questionable sellers. Many of these parts could be stolen. Buyer beware!
1. Suzuki
2. Honda
3. Yamaha
4. Kawasaki
5. Harley Davidson
Obviously, most thefts are for sport bikes (Thank God!).
The top five states are:
1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. North Carolina
5. Ohio
North Carolina? I don't get that one. How scary are these stats! The interesting part of this research was that the majority of the thefts were from professional theft groups. So how do we protect our rides?
First of all, lets not make it too easy for them to steal it. I know of one technique that blew me away: they simply use a truck with a lift gate, put a mattress on the lift gate and push the bike over on it. Lift the lift gate, pull the mattress with the bike into the truck and drive off. Ignition kill switch and steering wheel lock do not deter this.
To prevent this, be sure to chain your bike to something stationary, even another bike if possible. Although this will not stop a determined thief, it may make them think twice and go after someone else's bike instead of yours.
LoJack has a motorcycle recovery program now for motorcycles.
As more and more people purchase motorcycles to commute to work, you can bet that thefts of motorcycles will increase. I would also be wary of parts sold on-line from questionable sellers. Many of these parts could be stolen. Buyer beware!
American Ironhorse Bankruptcy Sale September 12-14, 2008
28/08/08 15:50
From the up and coming manufacturer to bankruptcy. I knew the largest dealer in Southern California for American Ironhorse and saw them grow with the AI Texas Chopper and a few other designs from AI. What a sad state to see this company go under. For those who bought one, at least they were using S&S engines and Baker transmissions. All other parts seemed to be custom.
Anyways, if you are in the Fort Worth area, you may want to check out the sale. The parts list is downloadable at the auction site here.
I checked out the list and it seems to have inflated values on it. Give them some time, the prices will come down. According to the information I read, someone bought the rights to manufacture and these are excess parts. How can you have TEN MILLION DOLLARS of excess parts?
Anyways, if you are in the Fort Worth area, you may want to check out the sale. The parts list is downloadable at the auction site here.
I checked out the list and it seems to have inflated values on it. Give them some time, the prices will come down. According to the information I read, someone bought the rights to manufacture and these are excess parts. How can you have TEN MILLION DOLLARS of excess parts?
Patriot Guard Riders and Kentucky Law
28/08/08 08:33
I was researching the ACLU website today and ran across an article on a 2006 Kentucky law that was passed to limit speech at funerals. The ACLU took the case and won citing the 2nd amendment for Freedom of Speech. The part that struck me was that the law was written so broadly that, according to the ACLU article, it could have prevented the Patriot Guard Riders from "being close enough to support the families of soldiers who have died in Iraq during military funeral protests."
While I do not always support the fights which the ACLU enters, I will always defend the rights of Americans to Freedom of Speech - even if I do not agree with the method they choose to exercise that freedom. What makes America great is the Rights and Protections we have under our Constitution. No other country has these rights.
In my humble opinion, anyone who would protest a military funeral is an idiot. The rights that protester is exercising was fought for and defended by soldiers - many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect that right.
I am a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and recommend to all bikers that they look into supporting this organization. You can find them at Patriotguard.org
God Bless America!
While I do not always support the fights which the ACLU enters, I will always defend the rights of Americans to Freedom of Speech - even if I do not agree with the method they choose to exercise that freedom. What makes America great is the Rights and Protections we have under our Constitution. No other country has these rights.
In my humble opinion, anyone who would protest a military funeral is an idiot. The rights that protester is exercising was fought for and defended by soldiers - many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect that right.
I am a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and recommend to all bikers that they look into supporting this organization. You can find them at Patriotguard.org
God Bless America!
New Riders
27/08/08 20:21
Well after a few months of high gas prices, it is finally occurring. More people are buying motorcycles. While I applaud their decision, I have a few concerns. Now don't get me wrong here, I would always recommend that people ride motorcycles. There is no greater feeling of freedom than riding down the highway.
My concern is that they need some intensive training. Riding a motorcycle is NOT like riding a car, or a bicycle, or even a dirt bike. Riding a motorcycle on the roads today can be considerably dangerous. All riders can tell you horror stories about their "close encounters" of the 4th kind. That is the kind that disregards you on the road and cuts you off, merges into your lane without looking, is reading while they are driving, on the phone and not paying attention to what they are doing. All this with a 3000 pound killing machine aka an automobile.
Here is my advice to you new riders.
1. Take your time. Get comfortable with your bike. Ride it around the neighborhood. Go find an empty parking lot. Stay off the freeways for the first few months.
2. Take a class. There are riding classes put on in most states. In California, this was a great class and a short-cut to getting a MC class license.
3. Find a group to ride with. We are safer in numbers. Cagers (that is the correct term for someone riding in a car!) may miss seeing one bike, but rarely do they miss 3 or more. There are all sorts of groups depending on your interest and/or the type of bike you ride. There are purely riding clubs, Christian riding and ministry clubs, clubs just for RoadStar owners, clubs for GoldWing owners, and the HOG club for Harley owners.
4. Ride within your comfort zone and experience. I cannot stress this enough. Do not ride side-by-side unless you are capable of doing it and KNOW the person you are riding with. Otherwise, always stagger in a group and keep a safe distance. I love riding side-by-side if I know the person I am riding with. If not, I prefer to be behind them.
5. Learn to ride defensively. Yeah, the person in the car daydreaming means well, but they could still run you off the road.
6. If you are a new rider and ride in a state that does not have a helmet law, wear one anyways. You are more apt to have an accident than someone who has been riding for 40,000 miles or more. Don't take it personal. Besides guys, girls love helmet hair!
My concern is that they need some intensive training. Riding a motorcycle is NOT like riding a car, or a bicycle, or even a dirt bike. Riding a motorcycle on the roads today can be considerably dangerous. All riders can tell you horror stories about their "close encounters" of the 4th kind. That is the kind that disregards you on the road and cuts you off, merges into your lane without looking, is reading while they are driving, on the phone and not paying attention to what they are doing. All this with a 3000 pound killing machine aka an automobile.
Here is my advice to you new riders.
1. Take your time. Get comfortable with your bike. Ride it around the neighborhood. Go find an empty parking lot. Stay off the freeways for the first few months.
2. Take a class. There are riding classes put on in most states. In California, this was a great class and a short-cut to getting a MC class license.
3. Find a group to ride with. We are safer in numbers. Cagers (that is the correct term for someone riding in a car!) may miss seeing one bike, but rarely do they miss 3 or more. There are all sorts of groups depending on your interest and/or the type of bike you ride. There are purely riding clubs, Christian riding and ministry clubs, clubs just for RoadStar owners, clubs for GoldWing owners, and the HOG club for Harley owners.
4. Ride within your comfort zone and experience. I cannot stress this enough. Do not ride side-by-side unless you are capable of doing it and KNOW the person you are riding with. Otherwise, always stagger in a group and keep a safe distance. I love riding side-by-side if I know the person I am riding with. If not, I prefer to be behind them.
5. Learn to ride defensively. Yeah, the person in the car daydreaming means well, but they could still run you off the road.
6. If you are a new rider and ride in a state that does not have a helmet law, wear one anyways. You are more apt to have an accident than someone who has been riding for 40,000 miles or more. Don't take it personal. Besides guys, girls love helmet hair!