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~ Get to the 5-Ball Racing Shop and get gifts for yourself and your friends. Visit: https://5-ballgarage.com

by K. Randall Ball with Illustrations from George Fleming and Dick Allen

Joey, running late, rode his Sportster hard up Washington Blvd heading inland. The once proud city crumbled around him with crime, grit, trash, drugs and homelessness. He darted around destitute RVs, parked and rotting in front of once active marble foyers to penthouse suites in slick high-rise buildings. The once proud city lay in trashy ruins where no one honored anything including law enforcement.

A drug addict, the needle still sticking out of his forearm stumbled into the street. Joey slammed on his drum brakes and skidded to miss the dying addict as he collapsed on the once busy and active thoroughfare. He slid sideways, dodged the dead druggie and peeled up Washington until he could see the concrete pillar, freeway overpass crossing over the wide asphalt 4-laner. He hit his rear brake again hard and leaned left under the freeway where a large area was designated for skateboard stunts.

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As I got ready to go on a short trip this weekend, I thought it might be a good time to let you know about Harley’s Saddlebag Guard Bags or Crash Bar leather storage bags.

 I have been using them for many years, and when I got my new Ultra Limited it was one of the items I wanted to install.

 

 Things like rolled up t-shirts, socks and underwear fit perfectly. I prefer to carry water or Gatorade in my left one as opposed to on the handlebars. Okay, you have a wide variety of choices as to what you want to put in them.

There is a right and left bag so that they fit the conture of the guard correctly.

The bags contain an internal zippered, soft pouch perfect for smaller items.

To install the bags, remove the saddlebags and secure the leather bag to the guard with the heavy-duty snaps. I suggest putting the bottom on first and pulling up to install the snaps. It will be very tight at first and eventually loosen slightly as all leather does.

  My saddlebags, the Guard Bags and the rest of the bike were finally packed, so off to enjoy my weekend. I hope you do the same.

 

Everyone is aware of female motorcycle riders in the Western nations, who can straddle a heavy Harley-Davidson or Triumph or safely manage breakdowns on restored vintage models. There are famous female motorsports professionals including record holders such as Valerie Thompson or 2022 WXC National Champion Rachael Archer from AmPro Yamaha Team.

 

I was thinking of upcoming weekend’s motorcycle trip and the women who are riding regularly and are on Royal Enfields. These are the heaviest bike you will find on most Asian roads for men and women. Only the financially wealthy or celebrity seem to have V-Twins or SBKs. Consideration is also the expense of maintenance of such big bikes and large amount of fuel it consumes.

While it may be common for women in North America or Europe to be seen riding a heavy bagger or land speed record prototype, women elsewhere have to deal with bad roads, congested traffic, roadside vendors and no available parking.

Here are some basic points that women aspiring to ride a motorcycle can benefit from. Get going and enjoy the thrill of the open road. Long distance riding trips is possible with modern tech and gadgets leveraging the power of information, directions, road side assistance and community development for female riders.

1. Buy the motorcycle which is right for you and not the one that your best friend is riding. Trends are great but a suitable bike does not have to be the one everyone rides.

2. Become acquainted with your motorcycle’s features, specifications, limitations and power. Don’t let it surprise you far off from home.

3. Get the mandatory and basic gear such as riding boots, gloves, eye protection. Your safety is your responsibility too.

4. Get a pre-purchase demonstration and trial ride to see if you believe in the product. It costs quite the penny, it will be with you for a long while, its something you should be able to depend on. So take trials on different models and find your match!

5. Practice in a safe setting. Take an experienced motorcycle rider along. Make sure you are not practicing on public roads and have access to first aid and other assistance. Practice makes perfect and soon it would be your second nature, with natural reflexes.

6. City riding finds everyone in a hurry. Don’t be aggressive and watch out for surprises at every corner and traffic signal. Defense is the best offense for many motorcyclists, male or female, in city rush hour. Be kind. Give pedestrians the best possible signals and horn alerts. Everyone on road may not be attentive and may even be listening to music on earphones or talking / typing on phone. So don’t let your guard down just because its the same route to college or office or marketplace.

7. If you are in touch with other women who enjoy two-wheels on a daily basis, even if not all of them have a motorcycle, form a group. Share and care about your experiences on motorcycles Vs others on a scooter.

8. Let go and give a pass to those with an ego !!! Many a times, there will be those men, women and children who feel joy and respect for a woman choosing to ride a motorcycle instead of a scooter. Sometimes you may also meet those on motorcycles or cars wanting to challenge your skills for no fault of yours. Let go but be determined. Be bold but give their fat ego a pass. The way of the two-wheeled warrior is to discourage unsafe riding rather than instigate. Your good vibes will bring support from any and all on the road.

9. There are Laws and the Unlawful. You must stay tuned to changing news about motorcycling laws and regulations in your city. For example, motorcycles may not be allowed on some expressways to allow high speed transport for larger vehicles or flyovers closed for repairs. Helmets are often mandatory and actually beneficial — they will keep your hair & skin protected from the elements apart from safe in a mishap. Yup, ask your dentist for some horror stories of motorcycle riders if you don’t believe me.

 

10. Often, motorcycle manufacturers include a bonus called RSA, which is Road Side Assistance, free for the first year. Whenever you face a technical problem or breakdown of your motorcycle, you will be able to call the Toll Free number to get support from the nearest registered mechanic. This can include a range of issues such as tyre puncture, empty petrol tank, battery fuse fault, even towing for a road accident.

If the motorcycle has a major fault and under warranty, they will tow your bike to the nearest Authorised Service Center. This way, you can have assured support not just in cities but most other regions within the nation.

RSA is not common for scooters but getting common with middle-weight motorcycles such as Royal Enfield, Honda CB 350, BMW G 310, KTM 390, Hero XPulse 200, etc.

Even if its not included, you can buy one from an RSA service provider. Also, for second year, if you choose a custom insurance policy, the RSA can be included in insurance renewal / modification as an add-on to the policy document.

Art of Michael Richardson by Jeff “Prince” Najar

Our world as subscribed by Michael Richardson’s art is full of full of Southern-fried funk, eye popping graphics, face melting illustrations, metal-flake designs, screamin’ guitars, and fast vixens.

In three words, Richardson creates “soul-satisfying stories” through his artistic view. And he adds a twist to his designs. His work is peppered with Easter eggs.

Click Here to read this Photo Feature only on Bikernet.com

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Indian Motorcycle Dealer Bike-Farm Melle wins top spot with a nearly 3:1 voting ratio

Last weekend, during the Custom Bike Show in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, the finals of the European Biker Build-Off saw Indian Motorcycle Dealer Bike-Farm Melle gain nearly three times the votes with their Indian Chief based Longfork Chopper “Purple Haze” over Harley-Davidson Bielefeld to take the title.

First held in 2007 and the highlight of the famous Custom Bike show, the European Biker Build-Off sees two teams competing to complete their custom bike in just three days, live, under the eyes of the trade show visitors. This year’s title fight was even more exciting as both finalists come from the region, just 30km from each other: Bike-Farm, the Indian Motorcycle dealer from Melle and Reibchen + Stegemann the Harley Davidson dealer from Bielefeld.

From Friday to Sunday at noon, the creation of two extraordinary custom bikes could be followed on the show stage and by 1 pm on the Sunday, the time had come: Judgement Day. With 529 to 179 votes, nearly a 3:1 ratio, the audience chose Bike-Farm’s ‘Purple Haze’ Indian Chief chopper as the clear winner.

“A classic long fork chopper based on the 2022 Indian Chief! It’s absolutely stunning what the Bike-Farm crew has created here. This bike radically brings to flower the seeds that are at the core of the current Chief lineup: The spirit of the past combined with the technology of today.” said Ola Stenegärd, Director of Industrial Design at Indian Motorcycle. “We always had the builders in mind during development and we worked really hard to make the reimagined Indian Chief a delight to work on. So, it’s such a pleasure to see this great canvas to create motorcycle art.”

Not only has ‘Purple Haze’ been completely designed around the current air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 engine, it also still features all the electronic amenities of the original Chief Dark Horse from which it evolved: from ABS to GPS navigation, via the touchscreen of the original gauge now cantered in the revised Chieftain tank.

Other core components have also been adopted and adapted from the original bike such as the footrests and brake systems. The frame, with a full 48° rake, was manufactured by the Dutch experts VG Motorcycle Specials, and all other components are custom-made by the Bike-Farm crew: Sheet metal parts such as the tank cover with integrated gauge and GPS transmitter to the fender were created in-house just like the sissy bar, seat, wheels, handlebars, final drive, intake and exhaust system. Even the seal-less, oil-free fork with its Teflon-lubricated sliding tubes incorporating Progressive Suspension Cartridges. Finally, Lange Metallveredelung took care of the chrome surfaces, while Vossi Lackcenter Melle traditionally handled the finishing of the paint.

“The entire bike was created within just eight weeks,” as workshop manager Tristan Frische recounts. “With four men, we wrenched, shaped and turned day and night. All the more we are delighted with this title. Not only have all the electronic features been retained, but also the fully road legal, including remaining Euro 5. So, this dream bike will soon be seen quite regularly on public roads.”

In case anyone feels inspired to build their own Longfork Chief Chopper: the VG frame is available for order at Indian Motorcycle Melle, the Indian Chief, of course, at any official Indian Motorcycle dealer.

More information about the ‘Purple Haze’ and Bike Farm/Indian Motorcycle Melle can be found on www.indian-melle.de and on their social profiles at Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.eu and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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ABOUT BIKE-FARM MELLE: What started in 1987 in a barn with a few friends has grown into a large company with highly specialized employees. Official Indian Motorcycle dealer since 2019, the 2,000-square-meter Bike-Farm is all about American V-twins. A constantly changing exhibition showcases custom bikes created on site, which regularly receive top marks in international competitions.

Photos by Ben Ott (@benottfilm) and Fabrian Friese (@fabfri)

“This is a thought provoking video putting out facts that governments and others do no not want to face? Take from it what you want.

Energy sources and future supply – speaking some logic,

Very simple presentation yet very real.”

The Two-wheeled Lifestyle Overseas

No, there isn’t a new seafaring hover-bike unveiled here. We men may be comfortable in same fixed clothing and gear on motorcycles, well-worn, tested & true. However, women have such a range of choices, they often end up selecting a two-wheeler that’s most commonly known and popular, based on their daily clothing.

Women in Asia however seem to be on scooters. With options and popularity of light-weight and middle-weight motorcycles gaining ground, many developing nations have found new customers for motorcycles in women population.

Previously only seen on scooters, they are now more comfortable straddling the motorcycle and beating the stereotype.

Click Here to Read this Article only on Bikernet.com

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In three words, Richardson creates, “soul-satisfying stories,” through his artistic view. And he adds a twist to his designs. His work is peppered with Easter eggs.

 

I started writing after an earful from Bandit asking me what I had done lately? I hadn’t done anything. I’d just walked in after dropping the Sporty and wrenching my back. I told him that but Bandit gives no fucks. So, I took a Delta 8 gummy from Original Origins and sat down to write. Suddenly a creative jolt overtook me…
Link – https://www.buyorigins.com/

 

 

Mike has been making art since he could hold a crayon in his little mitt. Traditional artists never resonated with him. What did resonate with him was comic books, old vinyl album covers, and skateboard art from the late ’80s, early ’90s.

He is a guitar player and grew up around family members who were really big into music. What captured his imagination and had a big impact on him was the crazy illustration located in the inside sleeve of the Guns and Roses album, Appetite for Destruction.

It turns out it was underground West Coast artist Robert Williams’ controversial painting depicting the interruption of a robot rape by an avenging metal angel. I know, Robert was out there…

 

Another influence was skateboarding. One cultural icon that he leaned into was Jimbo Phillips out of Santa Cruz. The old illustration design combined with that crazy Hot Rod monster style provided a lot of room for Mike to create innovative designs.

 

When Mike isn’t helping out the Flying Piston Benefit, he does logos, branding campaigns, illustrations for apparel companies and illustrations for bands. Significant amount of work goes into designs that get merchandised through t-shits, cups, stickers and the like. In addition, he illustrates kids books.

 

Currently, Mike is the creative force behind Rebel Soul Studio, where he uses his eccentric illustration style to create poster prints, apparel, stickers, skateboards, hand-painted custom shoes, and original paintings. Mike lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife Jennilee and their two amazing children, Olivia and Hendrix in the shell of a rusting ’59 Cadillac.

Also, here are a few links where his work is available for purchase online:

Rebel Soul Teepublic online Shop – https://www.teepublic.com/user/rebelsoulstudio

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rebelsoulstudio/

Royal Enfield strengthens commitment to Americas region with the inauguration of new CKD facility, the third motorcycle assembly unit in South America and fourth across the world.

Milwaukee, WI (Friday, December 9, 2022) – Royal Enfield, the global leader in the midsize (250cc – 750cc) motorcycling segment, today began a new chapter on its journey in the Americas region, and specifically in Brazil, with the commencement of operations of its new CKD (complete knock down) assembly facility. This is a significant step forward in Royal Enfield’s plans in LatAm, and reiterates the brand’s commitment to the region, as Brazil is a strong market for Royal Enfield.

Located in Manaus, capital of Amazonas state, the new facility is the fourth Royal Enfield CKD assembly unit across the world—after Thailand, Colombia and Argentina—in addition to its state-of-the-art manufacturing and ancillary facilities located in India.

With an assembly capacity of more than 15,000 units per year, the local assembly unit in Manaus is a modern facility that will cater to growing demand in the country. The facility will engage in local assembly of the entire lineup of Royal Enfield motorcycles, including the Classic 350, the Meteor 350, the Himalayan, and the 650 twin motorcycles, Continental GT and the INT. With this setup, Royal Enfield can now ensure seamless and quicker delivery timelines for motorcycles in Brazil.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new facility, Royal Enfield CEO, B Govindarajan, said, “Royal Enfield has been working extensively to grow the middleweight motorcycling segment globally. With markets like the Americas region, Europe and the Asia-Pacific growing significantly, it has been our strategic intent to be closer to these markets and grow the business. We commenced on this journey a couple of years ago and have set up strategic assembly facilities in Thailand, and in Argentina and Colombia in LatAm. Brazil has been a very strong market for Royal Enfield, and is soon poised to be the single largest market for us outside of India. We have seen growth of more than 100% since 2019 here in Brazil. We are very happy to launch our fourth CKD facility globally here in Brazil and this is testament to our commitment to the region and the market potential, and to our growing community of riding enthusiasts in the market. We are confident that this facility will help us grow the mid-segment market here in Brazil while enabling us to efficiently cater to the growing demand.”

Brazil has been a critical market for Royal Enfield since the brand’s market foray in 2017. Having made significant strides in the country and across the entire Americas Region, Royal Enfield is now among the top five players in the midsize motorcycle segment in markets such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and North America. With a burgeoning consumer base and a significant retail network in the region, the new local assembly unit will be a critical boost for business growth in the LatAm Region.

About Royal Enfield: The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the midsize motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles.

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