General Posts

It was just after new year’s when New Orleans finally turned cold. It would prove an uncommonly brutal winter over most of the U.S. this year. For two decades I’d spent these frozen months all over the southern states and had learned beyond doubt that southern Florida is the only stateside place that offers summertime temperatures all winter long. This was the destination now. As the back roads across southern Mississippi, Alabama, then the Florida panhandle opened up I peaked from the great pile of laundry worn upon my body against the intense cold, to watch the spectacular beauty of landscape ahead. It had been at the Florida, Leesburg rally early last year that I’d met a man who said he’d recently retired with a small pension and would soon be moving onto his motorcycle. I had taken this talk in stride; for I’d heard it before. Yet it had been some months later that—aboard an old BMW—he’d met up with me in Idaho and we’d spent most of a month together, 10 days of which had been touring the hot springs of those Rocky Mountains. Later, we’d hooked up on Texas too. To date, he’d been one of the happiest road-dogs I’d ever known. Well, Tom had also chosen to winter in Florida and we’d agreed to spend time together there as well. As the road left the panhandle to begin its southward decent along Florida’s west coast, the weather began to warm. What a wonderful sensation, for I was sick of long underwear and and having my balls sucked up into the heat of my body. Continue reading.

Bikernet contributor Paul Garson reports from the road about Evel Knievel’s Strato Cycle. While enjoying Octoberfest in Daytona Beach several years ago, I had the unique pleasure of meeting Evel Knievel. He was bouncing back from one of his various operations…for example, in 1967 his famous/infamous crash landing after sailing 151 ft. over the fountains at Caesar’s Palace, he laid in the hospital unconscious for a month. In 1974 as the world watched his 350 mph Skycycle X-2 rocketbike fell short of the 1600 ft. and plummeted into the Snake River Canyon in Idaho. He then campaigned to jump the Grand Canyon but couldn’t get the federal permits. You could say nothing could keep Evel down…except maybe gravity. He did have more than his share of way ups and way downs, often the hard way. Continue reading.

Don’t miss this great new tech written and photographed by the Lucky Devil Metal Works crew who are primarily responsible for the Salt Torpedo build. Kent Weeks and his wife Holly did a helluva job at documenting this process. Continue reading.

Tom Cruise has been following in the footsteps of other action movie actors, wanting to do his own stunts. In the upcoming “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation,” he goes the extra mile to ensure audiences get a level of reality that CGI can’t provide. “These stunts are rehearsed to within an inch of their life, but the one thing that Tom feels very passionately about, and it really comes from a place of wanting to entertain the audience, is in a movie like ‘Mission: Impossible,’ where it’s possible to do these things using a camera that doesn’t rely on the CG that ‘Star Trek’ or ‘Terminator’ relied on, when you actually see Tom Cruise holding onto the side of the airplane and the camera doesn’t cut, you get this pit in your stomach that’s just uncomfortable,” producer David Ellison told Collider. “It puts the audience there in a way you could never do with CG.”

Guest columnist Brian Edwards asks interesting questions in this article from Oregon Live. Although it rarely comes up in the debate, switching a notable number of commuters to two-wheeled vehicles could help alleviate traffic woes. That is already happening in the Portland core, where bicycle use has been encouraged through policy and road improvements. There’s little question that bicyclists are making commutes easier for everyone. Following the bicycle model, the state together with local governments should start encouraging more people to ride motorcycles as well. This is an easy fix. It won’t require any infrastructure improvements or expense — just a few policy changes and perhaps an awareness campaign. Continue reading.

An Updated Report on Photo Realism after 23 Years by K. Randall Ball with photos by Markus Cuff This is a strange one. I’ve witnessed the rise and fall of numerous businesses in the Chopper Kingdom in my 45 years of drinking Jack Daniels, riding choppers, and chasing redheads. I’ve seen the changes, felt the pain of losing brothers, and watched the Chopper world crumble again in 2008. Now we look at a used, flashy, billet, Big Dogs with distain, as if they came from another planet. And those 330 rear tires are now replaced with 30-inch front tires. After the economic crash over 75 percent of all aftermarket motorcycle shops died. Okay, so no negative waves. We are still alive to ride another day. For a glimmering example of the purely positive, a few motorcycle diehards flourished, and Scott Jacobs was one of them. Like a very select group in our niche of niches industry Scott and his family exploded their art business. In motorcycle circles the mantra isn’t upscale, it’s lowdown and cool, while everyone is struggling to survive. Scott did the same in 2008 and came up smelling like a rose. I’ve blithered his story to many artistic friends, as if I was Tony Robbins giving an upbeat business seminar. Some will pop open beers and say, “Yeah, so what.” But there is a concrete message here. Scott will admit he’s not the only or the best master motorcycle artist on the block. This story is rampant with several interesting artistic and business success scenarios. Young folks are searching for direction and inspiration. Middle-aged bros who make mistakes, or faced too many divorces, search to redirect their lives. And then there’s the terrible truth for older cats who find themselves in their ‘60s without a pot to piss

BMW has a proud tradition of craftsmanship and innovation… the same principles that Mustang Motorcycle Products, LLC was founded on back in 1980. Combining technological tradition with historic styling cues has resulted in BMW’s landmark R nineT motorcycle, which is gaining worldwide popularity while breaking the mold of who the “typical” BMW rider is. BMW believes motorcycling is a passionate pastime and developed the R nineT “for those who like it pure and original.” However being a BMW purist no longer means you have to compromise comfort! “Our BMW offerings are more than replacement seats — they are upgrades to your riding experience,” explains Mustang’s Sales Manager Jesse Sargent. “In the past 35 years Mustang has grown from a small operation making just a dozen seats a day, to now being a worldwide leader in the design and construction of motorcycle seats. Like BMW, Mustang is proud of our heritage, but we believe in technology and innovation to keep our seats on the cutting edge.” “With both Mustang’s legendary Tripper Fastback™ and our 12″ wide solo, we have the new BMW R nineT covered” adds Jesse. “And with our matching passenger seat, you can bring along a friend! Classic looks combined with the best support available ensure your ride is better than ever.” A combination of innovation, technology and handcraftsmanship, along with an unwavering focus on quality and customer satisfaction has Mustang flying high. Interestingly, like Mustang’s namesake P-51 aircraft, BMW also has aviation roots, even their distinctive roundel is a spin on a stylized propeller. As Jesse says, “Mustang continues to earn its wings with every ride!” Vintage Solo Seat: Part #76847 Vintage Passenger Seat For R nineT: Part #76848 Tripper FastBack: Part #76849 More info here. Advertisement

Are you riding to Sturgis? Küryakyn is recruiting five road- trippin’, social-media junkies to join their crew that will be documenting their adventures on “#THEXKURSION to Sturgis”—and they want YOU to be part of the ride! Küryakyn has a team of riders from across the States and beyond making the trek to the Black Hills showcasing the new XKürsionTM luggage line. Sturgis-bound bikers who plan on making their journey to the 75th a road trip to remember can enter for a chance to receive an all-new XKürsion gear bag and share their adventure throughout the rally via Küryakyn’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Winners will also receive a VIP package and special product discounts when they visit the Küryakyn trucks during the Rally at Black Hills Harley-Davidson in Rapid City. To enter for one of five free XKürsion bags, a VIP swag package and the chance to share your Sturgis expedition with the world, visit the Küryakyn Facebook Page and comment on “#THEXKURSION to Sturgis” post by answering the four required questions: Why do you love to ride? What do you ride? What’s your starting location? Do you have mobile access to Social Media? The five winners of #THEXKURSION contest are expected to post at least one photo per day to the Küryakyn social media pages throughout their 75th annual Sturgis Rally Experience. Each comment entry will be judged by Küryakyn, so don’t hold back. Prove you’re passionate about riding and score some new gear for your XKürsion to Sturgis! Deadline for entries is Monday, July 6 at 11:59pm CST. Winners will be announced on 7/7/15. Advertisement

The Sturgis Buffalo Chip is exploding through the gates one week earlier than ever before by offering three nights of headlining concerts at no charge during its first ever, free, pre-rally party. The three-night concert series will take place on the Jägermeister Stage at the free-access CrossRoads at the Buffalo Chip and will feature a caliber of live music not typically offered without a cover charge. While the concerts are free, VIP and weekend camping passes can be purchased for this special, three-day weekend event so concert goers can stay and party all night long, all weekend long, before, after and during the shows. Chart-topping rock band Pop Evil will kick off the free party on the Jägermeister Stage as headliner, Friday, July 24. Opening for Pop Evil will be breakout hard rock group Red Sun Rising. With the release of its new album, “Polyester Zeal,” on the horizon, Red Sun Rising is featured in the latest issue of “Revolver Magazine.” The free pre-rally party continues Saturday, July 25 with desert rock band Scorpion Child and Denver-based punk supergroup Lola Black. ONE – The Only Tribute to Metallica, will make its way to the Jägermeister Stage on Sunday, July 26. The group’s national level touring tribute brings an authentic, theatrical stage show which will impress as its performances regularly include a full arsenal of stage props and rare, early-days Metallica memorabilia and signature instruments. ONE painstakingly recreates every note from more than 60 of Metallica fan favorites, spanning the Chip’s most requested band’s entire career. ONE brings a memorable show of theatrical thrills and unmatched musical talent as the only band to have jammed with Metallica on stage. Scorpion Child and Lola Black will both perform prior to ONE Sunday evening. Camping passes, RV spaces with hook-ups and cabins are

This Crystallized Classic Indian Motorcycle would surely get attention anywhere it goes. It features styling that pays tribute to the legendary Indian Motorcycle of the past, with a new twist which has enhanced its beauty even more so – Angelica Ganea took her crystal application engineering skills to a whole new level when she boldly covered it entirely with Swarovski Crystals. Angelica Ganea, a Canadian Pop/Classical Singer & Songwriter, has been working with Swarovski crystals most of her life, using them on clothes and shoes. Then she took it further and crystallized microphones and musical instruments. When later she started up a company crystallizing custom monogram cake toppers, Angelica’s high quality craftsmanship enabled her to become a Swarovski Branding Partner. Wanting to stand out from the ordinary, she developed a seamless pattern you simply don’t see anywhere. Angelica’s knowledge in this industry allowed her to further develop her engineering abilities to bolder, luxury items, one of them being the Classic Indian Motorcycle. The precision and intricacy of the end result is simply spectacular, and makes this Crystallized Classic Indian Motorcycle truly a one-of-a-kind. After 1,500 hours of intense work, incredible intricate pattern, and an uncanny attention to detail, Angelica’s 2014 Indian Chief Classic recently received status of Work of Art.