A duded-up city rider walks into a seedy tavern in Sturgis, SD.
He sits at the bar and notices an old dirty biker with his arms folded, staring blankly at a full bowl of chili. After fifteen minutes of just sitting there staring at it, the newbie rider bravely asks the old biker, "If you ain't gonna eat that, mind if I do?"
The old veteran of a thousand rides slowly turns his head toward the young pup and says, "Nah, you go ahead."
Eagerly, the guy wearing the shiny new leather fashions reaches over and slides the bowl into his place and starts spooning it in with delight. He gets nearly down to the bottom of the bowl and notices a dead mouse in the chili. The sight was very shocking and he immediately barfed up the chili back into the bowl.
The old biker quietly says, "Yep, that's as far as I got, too."
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Harley-Davidson In More Financial Trouble?
If you're a regular follower of mine, you know that for the past couple of months I've been sounding the alarm that things are not so rosey at Harley-Davidson and that the news would eventually be released. Well, here's the latest to come out of the company...
Harley has gone to the federal government looking for help. The financing unit for Harley needs about $1 billion in funding this year to continue providing new motorcycle loans to its customers. It also has a $500 million bank advance that's due in March. But since the credit markets have dried up, they don't have the money to give loans out to people who want to buy bikes. Harley-Davidson Financial Services accounted for about 15% of Harley's operating profit in 2008 and has been a powerful economic force that's helped the company sell motorcycles.
The whole story can be seen here:
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38429459.html
Harley has gone to the federal government looking for help. The financing unit for Harley needs about $1 billion in funding this year to continue providing new motorcycle loans to its customers. It also has a $500 million bank advance that's due in March. But since the credit markets have dried up, they don't have the money to give loans out to people who want to buy bikes. Harley-Davidson Financial Services accounted for about 15% of Harley's operating profit in 2008 and has been a powerful economic force that's helped the company sell motorcycles.
The whole story can be seen here:
http://www.jsonline.com/business/38429459.html
Monday, January 26, 2009
New Harley or Retread?
Today Harley-Davidson announced the release of a new motorcycle to their line: The Sportster Iron 883. In a news release Monday, the company said Sportsters have "stood against the grain" since they were introduced in 1957. The company's chief marketing officer, Mark-Hans Richer, described the bike as having old school style while leaving plenty of room for customization. And with the economy being what it is, a starting price tag of $7900.00 is a welcome relief.Although, already on the first day, I'm hearing some yawning coming from the biker community. If you remember the 1200 Nightster that the company released a year or two ago, this is pretty much the same bike except the Iron will be all blacked-out with the smaller 883 engine. So, it's the baby brother to the Nightster.
I realize during hard economic times that the company is retreating to its bread-and-butter line of bikes. The Sportster has endured for over 50 years and will probably last another 50. And I realize that they're trying to capture some of the younger market with the smaller price tag. But, can you really get excited about the same bike year after year? Is Willy G. finally out of ideas?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sturgis Anyone?
Alright, last call!
I'm trying to put together some plans for Sturgis. So, if you're a regular to my little corner of the blog world, let me know if you're going and where you'll be staying.
I'm trying to put together some plans for Sturgis. So, if you're a regular to my little corner of the blog world, let me know if you're going and where you'll be staying.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Things You Don't Know About Me #26-50
Against my better judgement, I'm going to publish Part 2 of this list.
26. I hate liver.
27. I read "Dear Abby" every day.
28. Halfway through college I changed my major to Religion before changing it back to Criminal Justice.
29. I am an ordained Minister able to perform weddings, funerals and such.
30. Funyuns are my favorite munchie.
31. I'm alergic to all beer made by Miller.
32. I normally drink Captain Morgan and Coke.
33. I started doing taxes for other people when I was 13 years old.
34. I haven't seen or heard from my kids' mother in 15 years.
35. My favorite color is black. (My sister says black isn't a color.)
36. I still have dial-up internet.
37. I fold my clean underwear before I put it away.
38. I love dark chocolate.
39. I have every episode of "Biker Build Off" on DVD.
40. I watch the Travel Channel quite a bit.
41. I quit smoking 7 weeks ago after smoking for 22 years.
42. I do all the laundry in my house.
43. When my daughter has her baby, there will be 5 generations of my family alive.
44. I don't believe in Global Warming.
45. When I was a Freshman in High School, I beat up a Senior guy for talking trash about my older sister.
46. I have 2 tattoos.
47. One of them, you'll have to get to know me a whole lot better in order to see. ;)
48. I wear Polo cologne.
49. I won't eat fruit.
50. The first time I ever got pulled over by the cops, I was on a motorcycle. (I was 13 years old.)
26. I hate liver.
27. I read "Dear Abby" every day.
28. Halfway through college I changed my major to Religion before changing it back to Criminal Justice.
29. I am an ordained Minister able to perform weddings, funerals and such.
30. Funyuns are my favorite munchie.
31. I'm alergic to all beer made by Miller.
32. I normally drink Captain Morgan and Coke.
33. I started doing taxes for other people when I was 13 years old.
34. I haven't seen or heard from my kids' mother in 15 years.
35. My favorite color is black. (My sister says black isn't a color.)
36. I still have dial-up internet.
37. I fold my clean underwear before I put it away.
38. I love dark chocolate.
39. I have every episode of "Biker Build Off" on DVD.
40. I watch the Travel Channel quite a bit.
41. I quit smoking 7 weeks ago after smoking for 22 years.
42. I do all the laundry in my house.
43. When my daughter has her baby, there will be 5 generations of my family alive.
44. I don't believe in Global Warming.
45. When I was a Freshman in High School, I beat up a Senior guy for talking trash about my older sister.
46. I have 2 tattoos.
47. One of them, you'll have to get to know me a whole lot better in order to see. ;)
48. I wear Polo cologne.
49. I won't eat fruit.
50. The first time I ever got pulled over by the cops, I was on a motorcycle. (I was 13 years old.)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
101 Things You Don't Know About Me
OK, OK...
I'm getting on the bandwagon too. Here's the first 25 things that you probably don't know about me. (Or maybe, don't WANT to know about me.)
1. I used to be a cop.
2. I gave it up when my first wife took off and left me with two little girls to raise by myself.
3. I have some major OCD issues.
4. Like, I have to shake "it" an even number of times after peeing.
5. I don't like my mother.
6. I think my dad is the greatest guy in the world.
7. I used to really like the fur collar on my mom's coat when I was young
8. I'll be a Grandpa in a couple of weeks
9. I don't think I'm old enough yet to be a Grandpa
10. Women on Harleys REALLY turn me on
11. Even though I'm a long time Steelers fan, I'm rooting for the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl
12. I cried when my dog went in for surgery last summer
13. I like "chick flicks" more than I probably should
14. I think that my big moustache is part of my sex appeal
15. I lost my virginity to a friends mom
16. I may look bad-ass but I'll do anything for you
17. I hate my job (OK, no big surprise here.)
18. But, I'm hoping not to lose my job
19. I can't wait to move out of Wisconsin (the winters and taxes suck here)
20. I don't usually divulge this much information about myself
21. The only reason I'm telling you this much about myself is because I've had a couple drinks
22. I'll be jumping out of an airplane this spring
23. You won't catch me bungee jumping though (Hell NO!)
24. I can't stand watching any more coverage of Obama on the news
25. Up until a couple years ago, I had really long hair.
I'm getting on the bandwagon too. Here's the first 25 things that you probably don't know about me. (Or maybe, don't WANT to know about me.)
1. I used to be a cop.
2. I gave it up when my first wife took off and left me with two little girls to raise by myself.
3. I have some major OCD issues.
4. Like, I have to shake "it" an even number of times after peeing.
5. I don't like my mother.
6. I think my dad is the greatest guy in the world.
7. I used to really like the fur collar on my mom's coat when I was young
8. I'll be a Grandpa in a couple of weeks
9. I don't think I'm old enough yet to be a Grandpa
10. Women on Harleys REALLY turn me on
11. Even though I'm a long time Steelers fan, I'm rooting for the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl
12. I cried when my dog went in for surgery last summer
13. I like "chick flicks" more than I probably should
14. I think that my big moustache is part of my sex appeal
15. I lost my virginity to a friends mom
16. I may look bad-ass but I'll do anything for you
17. I hate my job (OK, no big surprise here.)
18. But, I'm hoping not to lose my job
19. I can't wait to move out of Wisconsin (the winters and taxes suck here)
20. I don't usually divulge this much information about myself
21. The only reason I'm telling you this much about myself is because I've had a couple drinks
22. I'll be jumping out of an airplane this spring
23. You won't catch me bungee jumping though (Hell NO!)
24. I can't stand watching any more coverage of Obama on the news
25. Up until a couple years ago, I had really long hair.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sons of Anarchy Update
I know that a lot of us have been chomping at the bit for the new season of "Sons of Anarchy" to begin. So here's a little info that I was able to pick up to keep you updated.Kurt Sutter and his team of writers got started on Season 2 last week. He says that he's really excited about this team and the stories that they're already brewing up. They begin shooting at the end of April but no air date for Season 2 has been set yet. He thinks it will most likely air in September but that's subject to change.
I'll keep you posted as I pick up bits of info.
** (72 days until riding season!) **
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Daytona Women's Ride
During Daytona Bike Week last year, hundreds of women riders raised almost $60,000 for MDA summer camps by joining together for the Harley-Davidson Women's Day Ride. The ride this year will be on March 3rd during Bike Week. The ride is open to the first 500 female Harley-Davidson or Buell riders who register before Friday, Feb. 13th. If interested, you can register at Daytona Women's Experience. The top 3 fundraisers will receive a Harley-Davidson jacket and anyone who raises $600 or more will receive an exclusive MDA 2009 charm.
** 76 days until riding season **
** 76 days until riding season **
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Take 60 Seconds to Preserve Motorcyclist's Rights!
I received the following info from Keino in NYC. Appears as though NYC is trying to pass some pretty restrictive exhaust pipe laws. The following bulletin is from Keino. Even if you don't live in NYC, voice your opposition as this will surely affect all of us someday. (I am still in the middle of battling my exhaust pipe ticket from last fall.)
------------------------------------------
From Keino:
They are trying to pass this law that prohibits any straight pipes. From my understanding, this will allow authorities to write tickets , impound your veihcle, even parked veihcles...just because the pipes look chrome and straight.
You can view this introduction of this bill Introduction #416-2006 at http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/attachments/86212.htm What about vintage bikes which didn't come with silence? what if silencer is in the pipes but looks like straight pipes? what if it's just a tourist? Even parked motorcycles? This is too vague and it causes more issues than this will solve.
You can log on to http://www.petitiononline.com/ccmsny/petition.html
read and click on undersign button on the bottom, put your information and click DISAGREE ,,,Vote NO
------------------------------------------
From Keino:
They are trying to pass this law that prohibits any straight pipes. From my understanding, this will allow authorities to write tickets , impound your veihcle, even parked veihcles...just because the pipes look chrome and straight.
You can view this introduction of this bill Introduction #416-2006 at http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/attachments/86212.htm What about vintage bikes which didn't come with silence? what if silencer is in the pipes but looks like straight pipes? what if it's just a tourist? Even parked motorcycles? This is too vague and it causes more issues than this will solve.
You can log on to http://www.petitiononline.com/ccmsny/petition.html
read and click on undersign button on the bottom, put your information and click DISAGREE ,,,Vote NO
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