Keep The Rubber Side Down

A.D. Farrow Harley Davidson Turns 100 this year.

2012-02-14T13:41:00.000-05:00

Dealernews Top 100 dealer A.D. Farrow Harley-Davidson in central Ohio has teamed up with the Easyriders bike show and a local club to start festivities in conjunction with the dealership's 100th anniversary.
A.D. Farrow, with locations in Columbus and Sunbury, Ohio, plans to celebrate being America's Oldest Harley Dealer with a series of events, including a 100th anniversary celebration at the Bluestone club. The February party will serve as a Save the Date Reminder for a bigger series of events planned for June 13 to 23.
The Feb. 11 party will kick off at 8 p.m. with live music by artists Union Rose, The Jack, and Jasmine Cane with appearances by the Hard Candy Girls. A.D. Farrow Co. will be featured at the Easyriders Bike Show Tour at the Columbus Convention Center, once again hosting the “Baddest Bike Competition” with Columbus radio station The Blitz. The winner of the Baddest Bike Competition will have his/her ride displayed in the A.D. Farrow Co. booth at the Easyriders Bike Show Tour. Along with the Baddest Bike Display the booth boasts photo opportunities with Tommy Flanagan from the “Sons of Anarchy” TV show as well as the Hard Candy Girls.
The dealership will provide round-trip shuttle service from the Easyriders Bike Show Tour to its dealership in Sunbury and to Phillip's Original Coney Island. The shuttle will take guests of the show to the dealership for free for its second annual Merchandise Madness Event.
Posted by Holly Wagner

Streetfighterz Ride of the century

2012-02-11T02:56:00.001-05:00

Let me know how you feel after watching this.

Streetfighterz Ride of the Century 2011 from Shark Fins on Vimeo.

Solitude

2012-02-10T06:38:00.000-05:00

Baxley Trailer Company

2012-02-07T06:07:00.001-05:00

With the motorcycling season quickly approaching we realize many of our readers are looking for a new motorcycle trailer to haul their babies to Daytona, Sturgis, or many other rallies around the nation. If you are considering a trailer you may want to give the Baxley Trailer Company a try. Baxley trailers are American made and haved served the motorcycle community since 1946.

Here's what they say about their products,

"BaxleyUSA is dedicated to providing our customers with the finest American Made products available anywhere. We believe that success comes through hard work, innovative design, quality manufacturing and great customer service. It is our hope that you will find a product here that will meet your needs at a fair price, we guarantee it will be of the highest quality and built to last. If you want the cheapest, chances are you will get it; if you want the best, chances are it will be worth it."

2012 Easyriders Bike Show Tour Columbus, Ohio

2012-02-06T14:46:00.000-05:00

February 10 - 12, 2012 Columbus, Ohio

2012 Easyriders Bike Show Tour
Sponsored by Geico & Dennis Kirk

The show will be held at The Greater Columbus Convention Center. Gates open at 5:00 pm on Friday and 10:00 am on Saturday and Sunday. The event includes a bike show with two classes. In the spectator class bikes wil be judged by the voting public. In the judged class the winning motorcycles will be chosen by judges. Bike show entry is included with admission to the event. Entry includes a free 5x10 display spot for your bike. Enter 5 bikes or more and also receive a free 10x10 exhibitor or vendor booth. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to winners. The show caters to Harley-Davidson, Indian, Polaris, Vintage American, Vintage British, V-Twin Metric Cruisers or after market Harley-Davidson or Indian. The show also includes music, vendors, exhibits, and more. For more information call (404) 886-3467, click here to send e-mail, or go to http://www.EasyridersEvents.com.

An enjoyable Sunday ride.

2012-02-05T20:48:00.000-05:00

Mid afternoon I hit the road on the RT. No destination, just some back roads and interstate. Great to be riding in early February without a lot of winter gear.

Yamaha SR500, as featured on Cafe Racer TV season 1

2012-02-05T07:35:00.000-05:00

A short film by Ricki Bedenbaugh for Lossa Engineering, "Solus". Lossa Engineering built Yamaha SR500, also featured on Cafe Racer TV season 1

Lossa Engineering's short film "Solus" from Jay Lossa on Vimeo.

Women and Motorcycles

2012-02-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

Motorcycle imports from Japan up 87% in 2011

2012-02-04T11:01:00.000-05:00

Japanese manufacturers in 2011 exported 164,875 motorcycles to the U.S., an increase of 87.2 percent compared to the year before.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, these same companies exported 53,342 units to the U.S., a year-over-year rise of 86.9 percent. Export increases for the first three quarters of the year: 81.1 percent, 105 percent and 82.7 percent, respectively.

These figures come courtesy of the searchable database of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. They pertain to Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Japanese motorcycle makers in 2011 exported 14,353 units to Canada, a decrease of 21.0 percent.

JAMA reports that total motorcycle production in Japan was 638,987 units. Compared with the 664,175 units recorded for the previous year, this is a decrease of 25,188 units, or 3.8 percent. The production drop comes after last year’s upturn.

The motorcycle makers exported 504,985 units from Japan to all parts of the world in 2011, an increase of 2.3 percent after four years of declines. The U.S. share of exports increased sharply to 32.6 percent from 17.8 percent.

Total motorcycle production in Japan for each manufacturer in 2011: Honda, 200,493 (down 0.3 percent); Suzuki, 160,200 (down 4.4 percent); Yamaha, 162,821 (down 10.9 percent); and Kawasaki, 115,420 (up 2.4 percent). An “Others” category consisted of just 53 units. All the manufacturers also have manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Total motorcycle exports from Japan to countries worldwide for each manufacturer in 2011: Honda, 121,914 (up 14.6 percent); Suzuki, 116,273 (up 2.7 percent); Yamaha, 157,731 (down 4.3 percent); and Kawasaki, 109,067 (flat with last year).

Posted by Arlo Redwine

Cigar Night

2012-02-02T15:06:00.001-05:00

The Wharf: Premium Cigars, Pipe Tobacco, and Cigarettes For All Smoking Pleasures

Join us on Thursday February 2nd from 4PM until 8PM as we host the Evolution of Cigars, Drew Estate!

All of the Drew Estate staples will be here! ACID, Isla Del Sol, Tabak Especial, La Vieja Habana, Ambrosia, and Joya De Nicaragua!

We will also be introducing two new cigars to the Wharf! We are proud to announce that we will have BOTH the Undercrown and My Uzi Weighs a Ton. Both are sure to please!

DON'T MISS OUT!

Join us for the deals! Buy any three Drew Estate cigars and get 1 free! Buy a box of Drew Estate cigars and receive 20% off, 6 free cigars, a ball cap, and a t shirt! Don't forget, with any qualified purchase you will also get a raffle ticket for a chance at a host of wonderful prizes.

Great variety, terrific prizes, and TWO NEW CIGARS! What a night!

AMA welcomes Ken Ford to Board of Directors.

2012-02-02T06:39:00.000-05:00

AMA welcomes Ken Ford of Bartow, Fla., to Board of Directors

Ken Ford, a 27-year AMA member from Bartow, Fla., has been elected the member representative on the AMA Board of Directors from the Southeast region. Ford fills the seat previously held by Charles Goman.

Ford, a senior executive at a Fortune 50 company for 17 years, is an active off-road, dual-sport, adventure and sport-touring rider. He is a 32-year member of the Florida Trail Riders and former president of the AMA-chartered club. He is also a member of Sunrunners M/C, Dixie Dual Sport and the Concours Owners Group, where he is the current executive director. An environmental engineer by education, Ford has been riding for more than 50 years.

Snow storm rider

2012-01-29T22:06:00.000-05:00

My son was in the Cleveland area this afternoon and passed this year rounder. Way to ride brother. Thanks for the picture Jonathan.

BMW K1600GT Hidden Function

2012-01-27T17:24:00.000-05:00

Awful 10+ Dirtbike Pileup On Horribly Narrow Ridge

2012-01-23T20:54:00.000-05:00

I would look like a bad ass with these.

2012-01-22T07:45:00.000-05:00

I am always on the lookout for new products and gadgets. This week I found these tatted sleeves that claim to offer a rider protection from harmful UV rays. I don't know if that claim is true or not, but they certainly would make me look like a bad ass on my BMW.

MissingLink has released a nifty way to protect exposed arms from harmful UV rays while riding. The ArmPro is a four-way stretch sleeve with SPF 50 protection. Not only does the ArmPro have a stylish tattoo design, but it also wicks away sweat and provides muscle compression. Fabric is stretch- and fade-resistant, and can also be worn wet when riding in hot temperatures. The ArmPro is packaged in pairs.

Contact: Missing Link, 888-489-9984, www.missinglnk.com

Ducati unveils a new design concept for their dealerships.

2012-01-22T07:26:00.000-05:00

Finally, Ducati reveals what their newly designed dealerships will look like. Dennis Johnson gives us the story.

For 2012, Ducati North America has launched a new retail design program aimed at improving the customer experience and communicating the "story" of the Ducati brand.

The move, which will see changes in design and fixturing and participating Ducati dealerships throughout the U.S., is part of the Italian marque's new corporate changes announced at its 2011 dealer meeting. These improvements included the addition of new staff members, improved communications between DNA and the factory in Italy, and a new IT system meant to support and synchronize marketing, dealer support, product availability and delivery information.

With the investment in infrastructure and product R&D — see the Diavel and Panigale for proof of this — it's now time to focus on improving the retail-consumer interface, says Dominique Cheraki, Ducati North America general manager.

"Everything we've done is with the same goal and objective in mind, which is to satisfy the customer," Cheraki says. "We know very well that most of our customers, they don't just buy a bike, they buy a full story so we need to make the store really attractive. "It's very important for us to work with our dealer network to implement this new retail identity program. It isn't just a revamping of the show room, it's a completely new process to properly design the [store]."

The first store to undergo the transformation is Ducati New York, Ducati's flagship store in Manhattan. The unveiling today coincides with the moto-press happenings going on this weekend during the New York City stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show tour.

The new design — which features elements of the brand's trademark Italian design, performance and lifestyle through images, furniture and fixtures — will give equal weight to the show room and the store's service area. Given the legendary attention to detail that Ducatisti show to their bike's performance and service, taking the service department out of the "back shop" is important. As Cheraki says, "Service is part of the experience. The work being done by those technicians, who have been trained by Ducati, should be shown to the customer."

The space in-between, which in many dealerships is a customer lounge or reception area, is being called the Red Zone. There will be a specific design to this area, Cheraki says, that includes a social area, seating area, a help counter and video monitors.

Since the initiative's introduction at the dealers show in Florida, more than 50 percent of DNA's dealer network has signed up for the project — among these are dealerships that account for 60 to 70 percent of DNA's sales, Cheraki says. "I think it's a pretty good result," he adds.
Overall, Cheraki notes that the design changes are meant to be easy for a dealer to implement. The product is the star of the show," he says. "We don't have to create a show around the bikes, apparel and accessories. Let's just give them a nice way to present them."

The retail design announcement come alongside reports from DNA that it saw a 43 percent growth in motorcycle sales in 2011, compared to 2010. The company also reports that it has a record market share in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and that for the first time, North America is now Ducati's No. 1 market.

International Motorcycle Show comes to Cleveland.

2012-01-21T08:39:00.000-05:00

Give me a heads up if you are going to be there. You can buy me a beer!

January 27-29 I-X Center Cleveland OH

www.motorcycleshows.com

Author and cross-country motorcyclist Tamela Rich to speak at Motohio.

2012-01-20T08:31:00.002-05:00

Motohio is hosting a guest Speaker, Tamela Rich, on Tuesday January 24 at 6:00pm. Please join us as Tamela will share her motorcycle adventures while traveling with the International Motorcycle Show.

Author and cross-country motorcyclist Tamela Rich wrote Live Full Throttle: Life Lessons From Friends Who Faced Cancer based on two years of riding her motorcycle across the US and Canada with other women committed to the breast cancer cause. She learned how a brush with cancer helped survivors re-examine both their priorities and their assumptions about how to live their best lives.

www.TamelaRich.com

An American Motorcyclist: Chris Carr

2012-01-19T08:23:00.000-05:00

The two phone calls that changed my life.

2012-01-18T10:29:00.000-05:00

The Two Phone Calls That Changed My Life

by Rick Slark

I was getting ready for work on a frigid January morning when my mother called me, “Edward, I have just received word that your father has had a seizure at work. I need to go get him, can you drive me?” “Sure mom,” I said. “Is he okay?” “His boss said your father is disoriented and quite confused. He didn’t know the details, but thought it best if I came right away,” mom continued. “I am on my way,” I said, as I headed toward the door. Two months after this phone call the doctors diagnosed my father with Alzheimer’s disease.

Over the next three years my dad’s mental and physical health deteriorated steadily until our family could no longer provide for him. Sometimes dad would get lost driving to the factory where he had worked for twenty six years. He was constantly misplacing things. On one occasion he even put their toaster in the refrigerator. The most noticeable change came in dad’s personality, this man once known for his pleasant and easy going style had become cruel and tyrannical. The mischievous gleam in his eyes was replaced with an empty stare. His deep brown eyes were lifeless!

Now, fearful my dad may hurt himself or someone else, our family made the painful decision to place him in Birch Hill Care Center, just six blocks from the house my parents had shared the past forty seven years. Even though I was confident that professional care was in his best interest, the unspoken guilt of this decision weighed on my heart until my father’s death.

In an attempt to make his stark and sterile room feel a bit more like home my mother brought family photos, my dad’s favorite recliner, and other items from their house. I tried to visit him as often as possible. Nearly every Thursday I would mount my old Norton motorcycle and ride SR 57 to spend some time with him, I imagine I have ridden the eighty mile round trip from St. Vincent to Strasbourg twenty times in the past six months, but with each mile I rode the visits became harder and harder. I have often said that the two most difficult things I have ever done in my life were; “walking into that place, and then walking out!”

Today’s ride home was especially painful as my father’s condition had deteriorated significantly since my last visit. I immediately sensed something was wrong when I walked into corridor B, and noticed dad was not sitting in his usual spot near the nurses’ station. I was uneasy, almost panicked, as I walked down the long hallway toward my father’s room. The sickening smell of bleach and the faint cries from helpless residents filled the hallway.

As I entered my father’s room I found him asleep on his bed with his face to the wall. The frailness of his form shocked me. “Surely this isn’t the man I have called dad all these years.” I said to myself. Just then Dr. Landon; dad’s physician, entered the room. John Landon has known my mom and dad for twenty five years and was more than just dad’s doctor, he was his friend! “He hasn’t been well, Edward,” said Dr. Landon. “This has been a very difficult week for him. He fell out of his bed on Tuesday night, and suffered some severe bruising on his left side. Now it appears some of his organs are beginning to fail.” He then firmly placed his hand upon my shoulder as if bracing me for the words to follow then said, “Edward, your father will not be with us much longer.”

His words stung like a wasp. I was immediately overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. Tears welled up in my eyes and my lips quivered uncontrollably. I hung my head, and being unable to speak nodded slightly to let him know I understood. He squeezed my shoulder then turned and left the room.

Now standing alone in the middle of dad’s room I knew in my heart that Dr. Landon was right. It was only a matter of time. I walked over to my father’s bed and knelt quietly near his side. I brushed his flowing gray hair aside and softly kissed his forehead; “Sleep well dad, I love you,” I whispered then quietly backed out of the room. I was numb as I hurried down the hallway; tears streaming down my cheeks. I ran to my motorcycle and sped out of the lot.

By the time I had reached the entrance ramp to SR 57, I was mad as hell: “God, why did you let this happen?” I screamed from under my helmet. “He is a good man! He doesn’t deserve to die like this!” I yelled, riding as fast as the old bike would go. “I don’t get it! Why do you allow shit like this to happen?” I said. “I suppose you are going to strike with me down with is damn disease too! I thought you were supposed to be a kind and loving God!” I shouted sarcastically. I continued arguing with God for several miles, as nearly three years of pent up guilt, anger, and confusion, spewed out like red hot lava from an erupting volcano.

I was beginning to lose my voice as I came upon my favorite section of SR 57. Gently rolling fields planted with wheat and corn can be seen for miles along this stretch of road. Martin’s creek, named for a local family who has farmed this land for generations, borders the highway and the sound of its rapids rushing over the well worn rocks leaves each passerby a sense of peace. The sweet fragrance of honey suckle filled the air as I rode over the one lane bridge where it grows on either side. It was along this unruffled five miles of road that my anger began to fade, and vivid childhood memories began to flood my mind. I remembered being eight or nine; still in elementary school, when my father would take me fishing on his day off. I would anxiously wait all day for the final school bell to ring, then scurry to the place my father would always be parked. Waves of excitement would wash over me each time I saw dad sitting in our white, station wagon loaded with our fishing poles and tackle box. “Are you ready to catch a big one Eddie boy?” Dad would ask.

We would drive about thirty minutes south of Strasbourg, to the small town of Masseyville. We always parked along a dusty lane lined with overgrown thickets and blackberry brambles. I still remember how excited I would get as we climbed the hill, walked across the abandoned train trestle, and carefully made our way down the steep bank to our favorite spot. I wonder if he ever knew how much those days meant to me. I never told him. I recalled one afternoon as we prepared to put our lines in the water that I slipped on the sheer incline and accidentally kicked the Styrofoam container filled with two dozen night crawlers into the water. My dad was mad as hell! Needless to say, that was a very short fishing excursion!

As I leaned my motorcycle into the gently sweeping curves, my boyhood memories continued.

As a kindergärtner I only went to school until 11 AM. This allowed me the opportunity to run errands with my father and sometimes those errands took us downtown. For me, being downtown was always a thrill. There was so much traffic, so many people, and the tall buildings were fascinating. But the primary reason I enjoyed going downtown was because I loved to ride the escalators in the cities largest department store. Dad would hold my hand as we jumped on the slowly moving stairs and make our way to the next floor. Often he would drop my hand and say, “Eddie boy, I will see ya at the top!” Then he would run up the escalators as fast as he could leaving me far behind. When I finally reached the top dad would be standing there with a huge smile on his face and say, “Where ya been Eddie boy? I’ve been waiting on ya.” I would laugh and laugh. I wonder if he knew how much I enjoyed that game. I never told him.

Traffic began to slow as I came upon the St. Vincent city limits; I was nearly home and needed to focus on riding through the congested traffic. As I rolled to the stop light at Whitaker and Mason, I lifted the visor of my helmet and wiped the remaining tear from my eye, “God, I feel like I have been hit by a truck!” I said under my breath. “I need a whiskey and a nap!” I rolled into the driveway and took off my helmet and threw my jacket over the cracked leather seat of my bike. I entered the house and headed straight for the small bar in the far corner of the kitchen. I picked up the bottle of Crown, poured myself a double shot, and walked toward my room. I sat down near the edge of the bed and pulled off my riding boots kicking them toward my dresser. I downed my whiskey then collapse back onto the pillows.

I couldn’t have been asleep for more than fifteen minutes when I was startled by the ringing of my cell phone. “Shit, who would be calling me now” I said, as I rolled over toward the nightstand and picked up the phone. “Hello!” I said in an agitated tone. “Edward?” this is Dr. Landon. “There has been a terrible accident. It appears your mother was driving over to see your dad when another vehicle ran a stop sign.”

Doctor Landon then drew a deep breath. “I am sorry to have to tell you this over the phone Edward, but you mother has been …”

I think I will wait until the spring thaw.

2012-01-17T11:14:00.001-05:00

This has been an odd winter for me. Normally, I am a year rounder, enjoying the wrestling match between the elements and my bike, but not this season. As the cold weather approached I was content to park the old girl in my garage and let her sleep.

Perhaps my contentment comes because 2011, was such a terrific year of riding for me, highlighted by the BMW MOA rally in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and four fall festivals with my wife.

Whatever the reason, I am completely satisfied to wait this winter out by sitting near the fire, enjoying a sip of whiskey, a cigar, and waiting for the spring thaw.

MotoGP entry list for 2012

2012-01-15T09:04:00.001-05:00

Provisional 2012 MotoGP entry list released - http://pulse.me/s/4Xh4O

A new way to measure pretentiousness by Calvin Trillin

2012-01-14T12:33:00.000-05:00

From time to time I have been known to enjoy nice whisky and cigars, but when asked about either subject I try not to be snobbish. I would rather take the every man approach. In the following article, Calvin Trillin, offers a new way of measuring pretentiousness when it comes to these and a few other subjects. Read it here

The KTM 2012 450 SX-F Factory Edition

2012-01-07T14:40:00.000-05:00

KTM announced today the release of the 2012 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition, an entirely new model showcasing a brand-new engine and chassis. The model will be the bike of choice for KTM’s newest 450 pilot, Red Bull/KTM rider Ryan Dungey.

The Factory Edition will be seen in action for the first time on Jan. 7 at the AMA Supercross opener in Anaheim, Calif. Bikes will be available at KTM dealerships in the spring, retailing for $9,599.
Power for the Factory Edition comes from a new-generation lightweight 449.3cc fuel-injected, single-cam four-stroke engine.

The chassis includes a new frame design, newly designed black-anodized triple clamps and a new one-piece cast swingarm with a larger-diameter axel.

The bike comes equipped with aggressive new-generation bodywork, an orange powder-coated frame, a racing seat cover, an orange-anodized rear sprocket, black Excel rims, orange radiator protectors, Dunlop MX51 tires, a black-anodized Renthal Fat bar, and Factory Red Bull KTM SX Team graphics.

The Factory Edition also includes a user setting tool, which gives the rider the necessary software to adjust the injection and ignition for every rpm range.

posted by Arlo Redwine

Review of the Nub Habano 464 Torpedo

2012-01-07T13:44:00.000-05:00

Vitals

Ring gauge: 64

Wrapper: Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Cost: $6

Smoke time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Construction

A firm and well built cigar. No soft spots were detected.
The wrapper is reddish brown in color and has a few abrasions which are most likely due to poor handling. They shouldn’t affect the cigars performance.
The band was not glued to the wrapper and could be easily removed (This is a plus in my opinion).

The Beginning

This is not an easy cigar to light. I prefer a torch lighter for these larger ring gauge cigars. Pay attention to your light as this cigar may take a little more effort.

Easy draw.
Plentiful smoke.

The flavor is immediate! There is no ramping up to full flavor. You are greeted with an explosion of peppery notes on the back of your tongue from the first draw.

The Middle

The pepper notes begin to subside and the cigar mellows into various notes that honestly, were hard for me to distinguish.

The ash is firm
This is the sweet spot of this cigar. It is very pleasing.

The Finish

At this point the cigar became harsh and the ash began to loosen up. A disappointing way to end such an enjoyable smoke.

Overview

Don’t be fooled by this cigars size, it is a long lasting and flavorful smoke. The Nub continue to be a staple in my cigar rotation. My only word of caution is that you take your time when lighting the Nub. Make certain all the edges are toasted. This will ensure a quality and trouble free smoke.