The XR1200 Arrives

Inspired by the legendary XR750, the XR1200 is the newest member of the Sportster family, and comes to the U.S. following its Europe-only release back in April.

As you may know, the XR750 was the most dominating American dirt track racing motorcycle of all-time, earning the Number One plate in an unprecedented 26 AMA flat track seasons. In fact, as a tribute to the XR750, there is a pre-sale of only 750 XR1200 models from 12/1 – 12/15. None of this is on the Harley website yet – all of the info and a video of the XR1200 will go live at the beginning of December.

For those of you who are more tech inspired:

Drawing significant design influences from the successful Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycles that set new standards for dirt track racing success over the last 30 years, the XR1200 features technical innovation to provide potent street performance and handling. In fact, Harley-Davidson dirt track racing legends Scott Parker and Rich King participated in the XR1200 development, along with European GP racing champion Adrien Morillas.

The 1200cc Evolution V-Twin cranks out 90 hp with high torque. Rubber mounted to a new frame with a cast aluminum swingarm, the engine delivers exhilarating performance and responsive handling with less vibration. A unique upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 straight shot exhaust system includes dual mufflers and is finished in satin chrome.

A sport-tuned Showa® suspension with inverted 43 mm front forks and twin preload adjustable shocks combines with lightweight black cast three-spoke wheels to make the XR1200 ride and corner with feeling. Specially designed Dunlop® Qualifier D209 tires connect the rider to the road, while Nissin® four-piston calipers and large dual disc front brakes provide stopping power.

Living A Thankful Life

The following article was in our local newspaper. It talks about making every day Thanksgiving Day. I really thought it was insightful and wanted to pass it on.

http://www.jsonline.com/features/advice/34997019.html

Be thankful every day for what you have and have a great day tomorrow!

I'm Such A Man-Whore

I feel so dirty. Using her for my pleasure and then just dropping her off at some warehouse after I've had my fun. Wouldn't blame her if she never spoke to me again.

Well folks, I've had to call it quits for the year. The weather only looks nastier from here on out. I dropped Dixie off yesterday for her winter slumber. With a tear in my eye and taking pictures of her, my friend Dan must have thought I was crazy. Although, he's probably growing used to my sentimental ways when the snow starts flying.

By the way, this is Dan. He's the guy who keeps her running when the mechanics are above my head. Dan and his wife Terri own Milwaukee Motorcycle Imports. A large part of their business is shipping Harleys back and forth overseas for service men and women. His service work is priced about 25% less than the dealerships but that's not why I go to him. Dan understands the love between a biker and their bike. He treats Dixie with tender love like a lady should be. And his wife Terri has Dixie polished to showroom perfect whenever I pick her up.

Those of you who have followed me for a while know that this is now a period that I refer to as "the dark times". I now spend my days counting down until Spring appears. I will be in mourning for the next few days.

** (127 days until riding season) **

Where's Joker?

I've noticed that some of our regular motorcycle bloggers have been wondering, "Where's Joker?" Good question.

A Rising Star

A lot of you may remember the great days of Easyriders magazine with their David Mann art and all that awesome biker fiction. Well, we have a rising star in the world of biker fiction whose work promises to bring us back to that era.

Big D, as he's affectionately known, has picked up those reins and is turning out some of the best biker fiction I've read in decades. Being a real biker himself, Big D has perfectly captured the essence of what the open road is all about. His story, Desert Vengence, is the perfect mix of bikes, babes, adventure and the freedom of the road. The characters are rough but likable and, being from Arizona, he accurately paints a desert backdrop like none I've ever seen.

In addition to Desert Vengence, he has several other short stories published on his blog Big Daddy's Idle Thoughts. Check them out and pass the word to others who might like beautifully written adventure fiction. Keep an eye out. We're sure to see a lot more of this rising star in the future.

More Harley Museum

Oops! I got sidetracked a while back and forgot that I had more Harley museum pictures to share. Sorry for the delay.

This display had boardtrack racers. Those guys were nuts! Racing around on a heavily banked wooden plank track riding nothing more than basically a bicycle with an engine. And usually these bikes had no brakes!

This was a very small section of an extremely long wall that had nothing but tanks on it. Every size, color and year that you could think of.

Many of you who have been around for a while probably remember this guy. Riding his old Panhead and wearing a helmet with steer horns mounted to it, he was a regular at most biker rallies. After his death, his family donoted his bike and all his riding gear to the museum.

A picture of a tight little 1957 Sportster.

More to come...

The Right To Bear Arms

A fellow motorcycle blogger at Keep The Rubber Side Down recently had a post titled Packing Heat discussing his right to "concealed carry" in his state of Ohio. I know this isn't motorcycle related but it's a topic I'm passionate about. So, here goes my rant.

What part of 'Shall Not Be Infringed' don't you understand? In their own words, the Framers saw the "right of the people to keep and bear arms" so important that they made it second in our Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment wasn't written into our Bill of Rights so that we could go duck or deer hunting. The Second Amendment was given to us as protection against tyranny by the federal government and the Congress of the United States. Our Framers new the truth. They had first hand knowledge of an oppressive government which is why they left England. Their quotes bear witness to these oppressions and serve as a warning to our country.

George Washington: "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence."

Thomas Jefferson: "And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. ... The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Patrick Henry:"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined...The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.

Samuel Adams:"The Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms."

George Mason:"To disarm the people (is) the best and most effectual way to enslave them."

Thomas Jefferson: "The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."

Alexander Hamilton: "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed."

Tench Coxe: "Whereas civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize ... the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms."

Thomas Jefferson: "One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them."

Thomas Jefferson:"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

"Oh, you're just being paranoid. That could never happen in America.", I've been told. I'm sure that's what the people of the Soviet Union, Germany, Uganda and many other nations were told just before their gun rights were taken away only to have millions killed shortly after. Known defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million. Just look at how many of our freedoms and rights have eroded over the past handful of years. Then ask yourself just how far away are we from where these other nations were at.

Watch Out For Mother Nature

I'm not sure about the rest of the country but here in the Midwest, this can be a very dangerous time of year to be a biker. A lot of animals become very active, especially at dusk and dawn. The deer in particular become extremely unpredictable. They are moving a lot at this time of year with the bucks acting much like an 18 year old's first visit to the strip club.

I bring this up not only as a warning but because I was reminded of it this morning. A co-worker of mine got into a head on collision with a deer on his way to work this morning while on his bike. He ended up with 6 broken ribs and a punctured lung. He was actually quite lucky. I've seen deer wipe out entire cars.

Be careful out there.

Biker Joke

A woman had been in a coma for months. Nurses were in her room giving her a sponge bath. One of them was washing her private area and noticed that there was a slight response on the monitor whenever she touched the woman between the legs. They tried again and sure enough, there was definite movement. They went to her biker husband, Panhead, and explained what had happened. They said, "As crazy as this sounds, maybe a little oral sex will do the trick and bring her out of the coma." Panhead was skeptical but they assured him that they would close the curtain for privacy. Panhead finally agreed and went into his ol' lady's room. After a few minutes, the woman's monitor flat-lined, no pulse, no heart rate. The nurses ran back into the room. "What happened!?" they cried. Panhead replied, "I'm not sure...maybe she choked."

The Lonely Road

Motorin’ down this lonely road
I’ve been down this path before.
Throttle wide open but nowhere to go
Unable to turn off the road.
Unconscious of where I might end up
My life is but a blur to my eyes.
My engine races to escape the places I’ve been
Looking for better roads to fill my soul.
I know those roads are out there
But nobody’s around to help guide my way.
I can see potholes ahead on this damn road
Brace myself in the saddle and hang on for the ride.
The horizon’s so far, never seems to near
On this dark and lonely road.

KN-Series Engine Pre-Sale Announced

S&S® Cycle announces the first ever opportunity to pre-order the all new Flathead Power™ by S&S Cycle KN-Series engines. During calendar year 2008 there will be only 100 of these beautiful vintage engines produced—available in generator (PN 106-2161 MSRP $8575.00) and alternator/generator (PN 106-2560 MSRP $8750.00) styles—with serial numbers that identify them as the first 100 produced. Considered one of the most desirable engines ever, this is a great opportunity to lock one in for your next build.

Yes, I know it's pricey. But I can dream, can't I?