The first rig I noticed as I stumbled from Casino Street to Freemont in Downtown Vegas was the massive Big Bear semi, taking up half a block with its flamed fire engine ruby red presence.
Guys quickly unloaded predominately FXRs, onto the asphalt tarmac when Mona approached me. I was looking for her husband, Kevin, as a sign of respect. Need to greet the dad before you put your arm around mom. “Bandit,” Mona said, “Our Straight up guys are putting on four shows a day this weekend. You should write a story.”
I had just recently loaded my Bikernet Van, drove to Vegas, set up, and it was already in the mid-90s. I was beat. I looked at her mass of hair and those big glimmering dark eyes and just nodded. “I’ll be back.”
I was in the 5-Ball Leather mode and not in the mood to write, or maybe it was the whiskey. It doesn’t take me long to shift thinking. As soon as I heard the team fire up their hot rod FXRs and start burn-outs to hell, I could sense the crowd moving toward the Big Bear rig for the action. I lucked out and our east coast action photographer and co-editor of Bandit’s Cantina, Jack McIntyre, was on the spot. I called him.
As soon as wild man Soto showed up with tile-man James, the first thing they did was abandon the Bikernet Booth for the FXR action at the Big Bear rig. Whenever they returned, James clamored to show me the shots he took and the phone videos. I got the picture with shots of cherry red exhaust systems, Straight-Up wheel stands, exploded mufflers and billows of smoke.
Mona, the mistress of all Big Bear finances, noticed Kevin hooking these guys up with parts. She pulled Kevin aside and asked, “What’s up?” Before the discussion was over Mona was all over these 20-something riders. Ultimately, Mona became the backbone of Straight-Up action and the producer of their gigs. She brought organization, connections, and guidance to the crew. Last year at Vegas, Bikefest kicked off their first show together under the Big Bear Choppers umbrella.
A perfect match, Kevin designed a complete line of stout parts for FXRs and the Straight-up team could put each one to the test. The Straight-Up Crew grew up together in San Jose riding dirt bikes, and then performing wild stunts on sport-bikes starting in 2000. They mustered 11 professional stunt sport bike riders, and then stepped into the Harley market with five Straight-Up riders including Roger Regan, Scott Horton, Ricky Renauro, Ryan Church and Chris Tiopan.
I spoke to Roger and I wanted to know lots about the bikes, what broke, what held, and why. No one abuses an FXR like these cats do. “We only use the best parts, including many of the Big Bear FXR components. We tear shit up in half the time of a regular rider.” He seemed reluctant to tell me their secrets, but I will ultimately get to the bottom of it. “Each team member has his product preferences.”
He did mention Dunlop tires as the finest tire for the abuse they apply to their rubbers. He also gave up BDL as his choice for hard-grabbing clutches. They rely heavily on Big Bear for their crossbeam motor-mounts and rubber-mounts. Most of the brothers change out their stock swingarm system for the Custom Cycle Engineering spherical bearings, but they use stock FXR rubber mounts. I used tougher Buell rear rubber mounts with a few mods for a stiffer more secure ride on my Salt Shaker FXR, which held a World Land Speed Record with a top speed of 152 mph.
Did I mention they all run high-quality chains to their rear wheels? “The stainless Big Bear Exhaust headers can handle turning cherry red after a 5-minute full-on burn out,” Roger said.
Day after day in the sweltering Las Vegas heat the Straight-up crew didn’t bat an eye but straddled hammered FXRs and took to the Las Vegas Bikefest asphalt four times a day and rocked the crowds with Straight-Up organized wheel stands and shredding rubber burnouts filling the hot air with smoke.
I’m sure Kevin studies each bike for Big Bear new product development and making his FXR product lineup boot tough and rattlesnake mean. We will continue to work with Big Bear, Mona and the Straight-up Team to bring you more stunt action and what keeps these guys flying straight up for the long haul on FXRs.
Just remember two things: FXRs forever, and nothing stands straight up with confident balance or tears up the asphalt more or longer than an Evo FXR. That says something!
BIG BEAR CHOPPER “TITANIUM” FXR STAINLESS STEEL 2 INTO 1 HIGH PERFORMANCE FULL EXHAUST PIPES
$750.00
BBC “TITANIUM” TOURING FAIRING FOR FXRS AND DYNAS
$2,500.00
The BBC FXR & Dyna Front motor mount will stabilize your Drive train and support your engine case to help stabilize your bike and prevent breakage caused by excessive wheelies This fits 1984 to 2000 FXR
Dyna 1998 to 2005
Dyna 2006 to 2016
Specify year when ordering comes powder coated flat black $350
We recommend the FXR front motor mount and Dyna front and rear mount for optimal riding performance for more info go to www.bigbearchoppers.com or call (909)478-7788
