Qianjiang-Produced Harley-Davidson X 500 is expected to be available in USA from 2024. US-specific owners manual has been published by Harley-Daivdson. The X 500 was announced for the Chinese market in April, and later for Australia and New Zealand, but the newly published owner’s manual assures a U.S. launch. There are distinct changes compared to the 2023 owner’s manual, adding information specific to the American market such as a U.S. vehicle identification number (VIN). The manual’s VIN breakdown specifically details the codes for models manufactured by Qianjiang in China for export to the United States. Warranty information and a clause marked as “Other Limitations” included six items in 2023 manual but for year 2024 manual there is an addition of a seventh item. This addition states United States customers are not allowed particular modifications that are not approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board. A definition of tampering with noise control or exhaust emissions control systems is mentioned. These were absent for the manual meant for Chinese market. X 500 is the second model to be produced under the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Qianjiang, following the X 350. The smaller engine model was not intended for US market as per Q1 2023 report, though X350RA variant to be used by Harley-Davidson’s Riding Academy. It is expected the people and dealerships (and media) will react fast & furiously to a Made-in-China Harley-Davidson being sold in USA. We can expect the same liquid-cooled 500cc Parallel-Twin engine, claiming 47 hp at 8,500 rpm and 33 lb-ft. at 5,000 rpm. The claimed wet weight remains 456 pounds, and the fuel economy is unchanged, still claiming 49 mpg. Valve inspections are scheduled for every 15,500 miles.

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2024 Harley-Davidson X 500 Specifications
Engine	Liquid-Cooled, Parallel-Twin Cylinder, 500cc
Displacement	500cc
Bore x Stroke	69.0 mm x 66.8 mm
Compression Ratio	11.5:1
Horsepower	46.9 hp at 8,500 rpm (claimed)
Torque	33.9 lb-ft. at 6,000 rpm (claimed)
Fuel System	Electronic Air Intake Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Exhaust	2 into 1 short order, 3 catalysts
Main Drive	Chain, 74/38
Maximum Lean Angle	46.9° left, 49.5° right
Front Suspension	50mm inverted rebound adjustable
Rear Suspension	Oil-air separation, rebound damping adjustable, preload adjustable shock absorber
Front Brake	Dual four-piston fixed calipers
Rear Brake	Single-piston floating caliper
Rear Wheel	Cast Aluminum
Front Tire	Maxxis Supermaxx ST 120/70-ZR17/58W
Rear Tire	Maxxis Supermaxx ST 160/60-ZR17/69W
Length	84.1 inches
Seat Height	32.3 inches
Ground Clearance	6.0 inches
Rake / Trail	24.5° / 4.0 inches
Wheelbase	57.4 inches
Fuel Capacity	3.4 gallons
Oil Capacity (With Filter)	0.8 gallons
Curb Weight	456 pounds (claimed)
Fuel Economy	49 mpg (claimed)
Lighting	Front Lights: All LED, low beam, high beam and position lights; Tail Lights: All LED Lights; Front Signal Lights: All LED Lights; Rear Turn Signal Lights: All LED
Instrumentation	Combined electronic instrument Stepper motor indicates vehicle speed, digital indicates speed, hour, total travel, two-way (A+B), km/mile indication

by Sam Burns & Bandit with a little help from Wikipedia

Richard Anthony Monsour (May 4, 1937 – March 16, 2019), known professionally as Dick Dale, was an American rock guitarist. He was a pioneer of surf music, drawing on Middle Eastern music scales and experimenting with reverb. Dale was known as “The King of the Surf Guitar”, which was also the title of his second studio album.

He obviously customized his music and his motorcycles.

Even with bad health, he cherished custom bikes, as we do.

Click here to visit Dick Dale in Bandit’s Cantina

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Bandit informs us as he battles heartache and hustlers in this story

The Blues in the West…and a Choice for Freedom

Bandit read her note again in a cafe. It was 1:00 a.m. His heart hoped it wouldn’t happen, but his instinct sensed it…. in her delicate features and her sultry voice. She was on the drift. Without her there was nothing worth having in his life. An intense desire to have her engulfed him.

Maybe it had to do with motorcycles and how they made him feel the adventure in unknown possibilities. His chopper and a 4-inch barrel J.D. Crow engraved pistol were all he needed as he rolled. His boots and his Beretta pocket knife completed his daily gear. When he got home from working the oil fields, he popped a Voodoo Ranger beer and met the icy envelope in the fridge. She could be cold.

Click here to read what happens with Bandit in this adventure fiction only on Bikernet.com

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Maybe it had to do with motorcycles and how they made him feel the adventure in unknown possibilities. His chopper and a 4-inch barrel J.D. Crow engraved pistol were all he needed as he rolled. His boots and his Beretta pocket knife completed his daily gear. When he got home from working the oil fields, he popped a Voodoo Ranger beer and met the icy envelope in the fridge. She could be cold.

Bandit fired up his Knucklehead, planted in an Irish Rich modified VL frame. Its old rusting chrome XA springer front end and a 21-inch wheel guided him out of the city. He thirsted for the desert, the solitary miles in vast emptiness. His small Wassel peanut tank demanded multiple truck stops for gas, forcing him to be distracted in-between Zen riding spells.

He cut the back way out of 29 Palms into Amboy. Riding in the dark, he thought about times spent together and remembered the girl he gave up for her, his best friend. His mind swarmed with thoughts of her misdeeds and his own bad decisions. His single halogen headlight shined on the two broken lines as it spit lumens through the narrow two-lane highway.

He wasn’t right all the time, but he made a decent life for her and her troubled daughter. Yet, it was never enough. Wind whirled up the surrounding sand as he made his way into a gas station. Vision improved under flickering flourscent lights he spotted a couple of guys trying to jack a car from two old tourists.

His bike sang a loud song of violence, like rapid firing shotguns. He revved the engine and slammed on his rear disc brake, sliding to an abrupt halt, the tire screaming against solid concrete. The thugs suddenly stood tall. Bandit reached inside his vest and the ambitions of the small-time crooks fled along the dark dusty terrain, running as fast as their fear would carry them.

At 6’2” the newly arrived biker wore old long johns, Wranglers, tattered brown cowboy boots, a sweatshirt, red and black plaid flannel held fast with his stout leather vest. It showed all the roads he had traveled for the last decade. Strong and padded, he didn’t look a fool. Predictably the druggies hit the road. He refueled and prepared to follow them.

He could handle most any work and had experience with a range of projects, from being a machinist to a plumber. Forced to decide in the town of one gas station with a hotel alongside a shoe box sized post office at 2:00 a.m. he peered into the darkness. Should he ride in the direction of Arizona, via Needles or head west toward Barstow on Interstate 15 pointing toward Nevada.

His gas tank chose Barstow and off he went into the bleak night. Reaching the truckers’ town on reserve he was forced to refuel at the very first opportunity. It was as if the old Harley-Davidson Knucklehead was happy with the cool night air and his high-bars loved the solitude. He gassed-up, checked his ride over and hit the road east, toward Vegas. He knew folks there, but didn’t want to have anything to do with the city, or any city for that matter. He had the “ride-alone” blues.

Chasing east, the sky changed from jet black, starting to glow crimson against the Mojave mountains. As soon as the sun crested the jagged hills, the temps jolted upward and it was already 90 degrees when he pulled into Baker – a bleak town of 700, besieged in all directions with dead desert.

As he slid to a stop beside one of three gas stations in town, the blues surged in his soul. He badly craved a drink. The town had one fast-food joint, one Mad Greek Restaurant, one Chopper shop and just one bar – called the High Roller Tiki Bar. The bar was closed. Ominously, each of the three gas stations sold Jack Daniels.

The one long-time breakfast joint with the tallest thermometer in the world struggled as long as it could, finally closing their doors as if consumed by its barren environment.

The sun blazed in the sky and bleached out all the paint on every building in Baker. Bandit sat on a cinder-block ledge, in a rare shady spot, drinking Jack on the rocks, staring at his boots. Three club guys rode in sporting raggedly crisp pipes. Bandit’s peripheral vision caught them but his eyes didn’t recognize their patch. It looked alien, like the logo from the only jerky shop in Baker. It sure wasn’t a traditional outlaw patch, appearing more like a political campaign logo.

All three riders dismounted from their flashy, blacked-out, late-model Dynas and strode into the station. They came out laughing, refueled as the big fella with lots of hair and a full beard said to the others, “Now he knows who runs this town.”

They fired up their bikes, speeding into the interior of the dusty town that didn’t spread more than a mile into the desert.

Bandit walked to the station and found the short Hispanic clerk with crimson cheeks, having silently suffered the past slaps. He begged, “I could lose my job.”

“Sorry to hear about that,” Bandit said. “How long have they been around?”

“About a year,” the clerk muttered. “They’re taking over and it ain’t good.”

“When does the Greek open? I need a breakfast burrito,” Bandit inquired, very much lost in his own pain. He bought another half-pint of Jack Daniels and stuffed it into his vest.

“Greek no make burritos, but my sister does,” the kid said and perked up. “Just ride up that street, about three blocks on the right, a pink house with green shutters. She’ll be making them now. Tell her, Julio said.”

“Got it,” Bandit said. “It’s just what I need.”

Bandit nodded, slipping on his jockey’s helmet and brown deerskin gloves. He fired up the Knucklehead and could tell straddling the beast that his balance was impaired. Once underway, his bike had a mind of its own, like an embattled warhorse. He could tell it wanted out of the sun and he found a modicum of shade under a canopy in front of Maria’s Burritos.

Climbing off the bike, he looked up as Maria approached. His intoxicated eyes saw a lovely mystic from a faraway dream, at peace with her universe. Something to do with the vibrant hues on her burrito palace, her colorful Mexican dress, a natural radiance of her youth and Bandit was hit as if a sting pinning his heart. She caught his gloved hand and wrapped his flanneled arm around her shoulder. He kicked out his kickstand and carried the cross of his drunken-self inside her Cantina. Indoors, he collapsed on a couch. Whiskey, desert sun, and no sleep for 24 hours took its toll.

Passed out on her bright red velvet couch, his mental blues drifted into innate darkness of deeds of past. Three weeks later, he was still sleeping on that rickety couch. Maria’s eyes convinced him to stay, and her sumptuous burritos satiated all other concerns.

Her old man was the town’s welder, fabricator, but he suddenly disappeared five years ago. Julio and Maria were just teenagers, when their father, a heavy drinker got his ass kicked out of Vegas. He didn’t have the funds to take his kids any farther than Baker. Folks came to the family for Maria’s burritos, chile rellenos, and tacos. Julio worked in the station, but his dad’s welding gear sat idle in the garage under a swaying light bulb. The torches, MIG welder, bender and tool box collected dust. He had a sizeable welding table, two vices and a drill press. Folks continued to stop by when they needed something welded or repaired, but the broken father of two could not fix himself and disappeared.

Able Bandit set to fixing metal tables for the kitchen, mending the bad doors, hinges and gates around the digs. He taught Julio how to weld, bend iron and cut with the plasma cutter after the hose was repaired. They started to make extra money and folks came with broken equipment and rusted gates.

“We should equip an old truck with welding gear.” Bandit said to Julio. “We could make good money traveling around the area taking on jobs. You could quit working at the station.”

“That would be very cool,” Julio said.

“Save your paycheck for a couple of months,” Bandit instructed, “we’re doing okay without it. Then we’ll buy a truck and outfit it.”

“Could we build me a chopper,” Julio asked.

“We can do anything,” Bandit said. “I need to go to the bike shop for something. Wanna go? You can ride on the back of the Knuck!”

“I don’t think so,” Julio said. “Remember those guys?”

“Yeah,” Bandit said, briefly remembering the day they met at the gas station. “I need something for my bike. I’ll go check it out.”

Bandit fired up his trusted friend, past a couple of blocks toward the highway and around a dusty corner. Everything in Baker was worn. He could weld for the rest of his life and never be able to repair all the rusty fences and gates in town. It stood isolated, a last stop for lost souls between Los Angeles and Vegas.

The shop, located in a galvanized tin building, was near collapse. Two Dynas were parked out front sporting club decals. Bandit looked at the decal on the blacked out hot rod with foot-tall risers. He could tell serious funds went into this performance bike with high-dollar mag wheels, exhaust, billet air cleaner and lots of accessories.

He walked into the shop, his boots firm on the sandy floor and reached a counter, with teetering wooden and glass tops. They hadn’t been painted, varnished or even dusted in years. One parts catalog rested on the counter with only a new copy of Cycle Source magazine bringing life to the dull surrounding. A rusting counter-bell layered with dust was perched on the scratched glass top. Bandit hit it with the palm of his hand, “Service, goddammit,” he demanded, making dust fly off the entire decadent counter.

Suddenly the sounds in the back stopped and boots stomped against a hot asphalt floor toward the front. Three men burst through the door on the wall separating the front from the service area in the back. Bandit could see stacks of tires, old exhaust systems, air filters and bent fenders stacked against the wall.

“Who the fuck are you?” asked a skinny lanky rider reaching into his leather club vest.

“I’ll handle it,” a short white guy said stepping forward. “I’m Jake, can I help you?”

The last outlaw stood in the doorway with a long fixed blade in one hand, picking his nails with its point, leaning against the doorway. “You don’t handle anything, anymore,” he grunted. “We run this shop.” It was the big guy from the gas station where Julio worked.

“I don’t give a fuck who does what,” Bandit said. I need a quart of 60 weight oil and a couple of Champion spark plugs. Think one of you bad-ass bikers can handle that.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Jake said.

Like over-amped pitbulls, the two other outlaws snarled at Bandit. The guy with the pig-sticker played with the sharp edge and said, “I don’t know who you are, but we run Baker. Don’t get in our way, muthafucker.”

Jake tried to remain calm, but the situation was written all over his face. He wasn’t happy, but he grabbed a quart of oil from an open box behind the counter, a couple of Champion spark plugs from under the counter and rang it up on an old manual cash register.

“What are you riding?” Jake asked, trying to appear cordial, handing Bandit his change.

“A ’44 Knucklehead,” Bandit said. “Thanks. I’ll be around,” he added, meeting the eyes of the knife wielding biker.

Just those last words lit a glint of hope in Jake’s dreary eyes. “Thanks,” he said, as if he meant to say ‘welcome’ instead.

Bandit walked out and fired up his Knuck in a single mounting kick. Then he let it idle out front for many minutes as he popped the quart of oil open and poured it into his hand-built oil tank. He tossed the plugs in a saddlebag and rode around the block in the opposite direction, seemingly toward the highway. Reaching the open stretch, he let the motorcycle gather some speed, as if he was headed out of town, but he wasn’t.

His mind’s compass circled a magnetic vortex of vice and virtue. “That’s twice,” he took a mental note.

He weaved, idling his way back to Maria’s Mexican food joint. He could sense some chemistry there, but his blues hung on like an albatross around a sailor’s neck and she knew it. When Julio returned from work they strolled to the shop at the back of the restaurant and tinkered with new projects and more welding jobs. Bandit replaced the old single bulb with a couple of brighter fluorescent units. The shop started to take on a professional air.

“What’s with this club?” Bandit asked.

“No one stays around here long,” Julio said, “But these guys started showing up and taking over businesses. Doesn’t make any sense. Except for the fast-food joints and gas stations, nothing survives. If Maria and I could get out of here we would.”

“Is there a boss?” Bandit asked. “And that bizarre patch! What is it?”

“A man called Armand,” Julio said, “he’s a little guy and always shows up in a Mercedes limo with lots of musclemen. Rico, however, is the boss of the club riders, the hairy one with a beard. I don’t know where Armand is from, but he doesn’t seem to care what happens in Baker.”

“There’s an answer,” Bandit said. “There always is.”

The two of them got busy and continued to grind on a neighbor’s gate. Within half an hour, it was repaired. Julio took it to its owner with an invoice for the work done.

A week passed and Bandit warmed to Maria’s advances. She wanted a man to stay and make their lives complete. Bandit was busy with work as the welding business with Julio took off. They were occupied 8-hours a day with more fabricating, repairing gates, garage doors and automotive parts. The focused ironwork flexed Bandit’s arms and flattened his abdomen. His legs could carry heavier equipment and his mind could sense everything more sharply as he paid attention to flame fabrication. It also heightened the feminine instinct of Maria as an unmentioned attraction of opposites kindred in between gas stove and welding heat.

Friday morning came around and Maria toiled in the kitchen since 4:00 a.m. to meet the morning orders. A shiny new black pickup pulled up out front and a member of the Arat Brothers got out. Maria met him at the door with a large bag of burritos and containers of her special sauce.

“Thanks Maria, these are the best,” said the young member draped in all black attire. He gave her a sizeable tip.

“Thank you, senor,” Maria said and handed the young white guy the hefty bag with a slight bow of respect.

“We heard Julio is fixing stuff and welding?” The young member inquired.

“Yes, can we help you,” Maria said.

“Come out to the truck,” the member said pointing to the back of the pickup. “We need these posts fixed for the airport.”

As Maria stood on tip toes to look into the bed, Julio followed her. Studying the damaged 3-inch galvanized post, which were old, Julio assured, “Sure, we can fix them. When do you need them?”

“How about 4:00 this afternoon?” This kid seemed to be new to the gang. His patch was slick and flashy. Other than a long mustache he was clean shaven with short, cropped hair, as if recently out of military service.

“We can do it,” Julio said.

“They must be done by 4:00 or…” the kid stated, as he began unloading two large crates of running lights from the back of the bed.

“No sweat, we will get it done,” Julio tried to reassure the edgy kid.

“We will take care of you financially if you can get them finished,” the kid declared, then crawled into the cab, over lavish supple leather.

Bandit and Julio hauled the crates to the back of the shop and went to work straightening, welding and in some instances, rewiring each unit. The kid made a point to bring along a box of new LED bulbs.

At 3:45 p.m. the same glistening black pickup screeched to a stop in front of Maria’s eatery. This time, two members jumped out of the cab, Rico and the kid. They stormed inside where Maria scurried around cleaning la cosina, preparing for the following day.

The kid worked with Julio to load the truck. He paid Julio handsomely, but just as they climbed into the truck, Rico grabbed Maria.

“I need a date for tonight,” he grinned, shoving her into the cab.

Bandit had remained out of the picture, but when he heard Julio hollering Maria’s name, he darted out of the shop through the kitchen and into the yard.

“Maria,” Julio screamed and ran into the street as the pickup sped away. Bandit saw enough to surmise what had happened.

“That’s three,” Bandit said.

“What do you mean?” Julio asked.

“You’ll see,” Bandit said. “We’ve got work to do.” Bandit fired up his Knucklehead and rode it around to the shop.

Together, they took off his top motor-mount and welded extensions to stick out on each side, just clear of both sides of the engine. Bandit pulled over the duffel-bag and fetched two weapons with holsters. The duo made brackets so as to holster a 30-round AR-15 resting safely on the left along with a Vietnam-era M79 holstered on the right. They slipped in snugly, ready to draw. Bandit adjusted his handlebars so he could maneuver the chopper.

“Listen kid, I’m going after your sister,” Bandit informed. “I won’t come back without her.”

“What can I do,” Julio asked, as the sun descended in the west, the air slightly cooler, the atmosphere grim with uncertainties.

“I need you to go to the Mad Greek restaurant,” Bandit said, “Just a hunch!”.

“Okay,” Julio obliged while wondering about the connection.

“Let me know when shit starts to happen.” Bandit instructed briefly.

Julio ran down the dusty lane.

Bandit splashed water on his face and suited up, his sweatshirt rippling over his firm shoulders. He strapped 30-round clips in his vest and two grenades. Pulling on his riding boots, he noticed a glistening spot on a nearby table. He started to reach for that half-pint of Jack Daniels, but this reflex made him furious. He tossed the bottle against the wall, where is shattered. This was not a biker shindig… it was taking care of family! The air cooled by the minute, with the darkening horizon and Bandit paced, wondering what they would do to Maria. His tightened fists strained his forearms. He needed to do something, anything, even if it was wrong. He no longer gave a shit about anything except Maria. He needed to get going and his long legs strode toward his Knucklehead.

Firing it to life, he backed it out of the shop. Loaded for action, he aimed it toward the highway and Julio came into view.

“There’s a dozen bikes, a Mercedes limo and a black van at the Mad Greek,” stammered Julio anxiously, restless with worry.

As Julio told the story, the Arat Brothers stormed the Mad Greek Restaurant under Rico’s leadership. He stood just inside the door while his soldiers surrounded him. The room went silent.

Bandit grabbed Julio’s shoulders to steady him enough for new set of instructions. “We will handle this.” assured Bandit, getting Julio’s attention. “Now go back to the restaurant. Sneak in through the back door. Force the staff to leave, then prop the back door open.

At the restaurant, Rico announced to the patrons, “Grab your shit and hit the road!” Snatching a young man out of his chair, he pushed him out the door, where he stumbled on the porch and fell onto the cracked asphalt. The brothers smacked another two blokes, and they crashed out the wrecked entrance door. The ladies screamed in horror and ran.

One armed citizen stood up and reached for his weapon. He was dead before he hit the wooden floor. Another big angry patron jumped to his feet heroically. “This is bullshit,” he snapped. A waitress tried to bring them to-go containers, but one of the outlaws smacked her down.

Two brothers attacked the dissenting man with ballpeen hammers. The dining room was soon empty as this off-menu serving was too much for them to digest.

Dining room to themselves, the brothers arranged the tables so that the outlaws took their seats with gleaming pride of conquest. A short man in a black suit entered, taking a seat at the head of the table. Rico stood at the other end.

“What the fuck?” Armand said. “I thought you had control of this town.”

“I do,” Rico snarled. He shoved Maria, planting her next to himself, a trophy girl.

“Who the fuck is that?” Armand said. “This night is all about business.”

Rico’s hot-shit status waned and Maria’s bruised arm didn’t help. “Let’s eat.” Rico announced, imagining the staff awaited his commands, but no one was around. One waiter crawled out from under a table to approach the bikers. Taking orders for their drinks, he rapidly brought along large platter of beer bottles, but then he disappeared.

Armand disenchanted with the situation, the meeting wasn’t intended to be a party, nor was he used to sitting with his back toward the kitchen door. His eyes subtly motioned to his driver while he got to his feet.

Rico beamed across the table as the bikers collectively started to party. The roar of a lone Knucklehead chopper blasted into the kitchen and through the swinging doors into the dining room. Bandit slid to a stop, snatched the 30-round AR 15 from its cradle and let loose. Rico’s team scattered like rats on fire. Bandit dived behind the counter taking fire from several locations.

The counter splintered like dried out chopsticks and handgun fire took its toll, but Bandit held his ground, keeping his sights on Armand who dashed out the door with his driver. Rico dragged Maria out the front door.

The boss in his slick black Armani suit sought the security of his pitch black Mercedes. Rico shoved Maria into a van and jumped in after her. The van sped, following the Mercedes.

The club soldiers were dead, wounded or running for their lives. Bandit scrambled to his feet and straddled the Knucklehead. The chopper ripped through the dining room and chased into the street after the vehicles.

They barreled just a block and turned left or north through the town heading for the small rundown community airport only a couple of miles away.

Halfway there the Mercedes driver hit the brakes hard and drifted the long limo into a 45 degree angle and an abrupt stop kicking up sand and dust in the open desert. The front limo-driver door burst open and so did the rear passenger door. As the van screeched to a sliding stop only a few feet behind the Mercedes, the two men opened fire on the van, shattering the windshield and blowing out the front tires.

Rico scrambled out of the Van as Armand stepped out of the limo. “What the fuck,” Rico said and opened his vest to reveal two stainless 9mm Browning semi-autos.

“I told you from the beginning,” Armand said, “I wouldn’t put up with any of your biker bully bullshit. We’re here for business, clean and simple, and you fucked-up.”

High as a kite, Rico reached for one of his weapons. “You foreign bastards aren’t shit without me.”

Armand let him reach and even start to draw before signaling to one of his henchmen, who shot him in the thigh. Rico screamed and dropped his weapon as he fell to the dark asphalt.

Armand strolled to the van and opened the door. Maria, shaken, stepped out of the van and the slick Armand led her to Rico’s side, quivering and bleeding profusely from his wound.

Rico’s demeanor switch to consoling as the two guards stepped up on either side of Armand and Maria. “See him,” Armand said. “This is going to happen to your boyfriend if we don’t take care of our business.”

One of the guards put a round into Rico’s opposite knee and he screamed. Armand’s grip on Maria’s arm tightened and he glared into her concerned dark eyes. He pulled his own snub nose and while peering into Maria’s terrified gaze shot Rico in the temple.

“What can I do?” Maria pleaded for mercy.

“That’s on you,” Armand said drug her to the car.

As the limo pulled away, Bandit saw the lights and slowed and then slid to a stop. He dismounted and ran to the passenger door terrified of the worst possible outcome. He yanked it open, no Maria. He circled the van and discovered Rico dead on the blood splattered pavement in front of the van.

He ground his teeth and ran back to his idling chopper. He mounted it and rode around the van and in the direction of the airport and the stretched limo. He didn’t know what his next move would or could possibly be. He had one shoulder missile in the chamber of the launcher, the AR-15 slung over his shoulder and his .45 revolver, but he couldn’t end this without Maria.

As he approached the airport, he could see an small 4-seater Cessna approaching, but there were no runway lights. In desperation, the limo driver drove to the end of the runway and began to flash his lights. Bandit slid off the road, stashed his motorcycle behind a semi, pulled the AR and took out the headlights.

The driver jumped out of the limo and opened up on Bandit in the ditch, but light waned and airport’s lights were minimal. Out of ammo, Bandit tossed the AR in the gulley and pulled the .45. With one round he knocked down the big burly driver, but the plane was fast approaching.

Bandit ran through the dusty gulley along the runway in the dark, waiting for Armand to make a move. He signaled to Julio to flash the runway lights. They blinked and went out.

Armand scrambled out of the Mercedes with Maria, his 9mm aimed at her head. “Lights or die,” he hollered in the night.

“Set the girl free or you won’t see the dawn,” Bandit answered firing his .45. He clipped the roof of the Mercedes, an inch away from Armand’s shoulder. Armand ducked and let the girl go. Maria ran for the rickety wooden control tower.

As the Cessna approached, Armand didn’t know whether to shit or go blind. He fired his pistol wildly in the air to warn off the plane, but it touched down and Armand ran for the driver’s seat of the Mercedes. Bandit returned to his idling Knucklehead and drew the grenade launcher—firing a single round aiming at the spot where the airplane would turn to taxi off the runway. It blew out a sizeable pothole in the tarmac, destroying the front wheel as the machine dipped and became lodged in the pothole. Authorities flashed their lights, as sirens screamed in the night sky.

The airfield surrounded and secured, Bandit turned off his lights and rumbled out of the damned place picking up the siblings. With Julio sitting on his gas tank and Maria holding tight onto Bandit’s back, they idled quietly around the outskirts of town, then back to Maria’s kitchen.

As they rolled to a stop at the shop behind Maria’s, Maria didn’t want to let go. “How about one of your special burrito’s tonight,” said Bandit and kissed her as if neither of them knew love ever before this moment.

“I think we all deserve a margarita tonight,” offered Maria.

Julio moved to the makeshift bar and started to make the drinks. “Maybe we should call this Bandit’s Cantina.”

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Illustrations by Wayfarer

Editor’s Note: This story was first published on 29th June 2022 and has been reimagined for your pleasure. Want to read the original as well? Click here.

Fly down that rabbit hole; visit the Two-Wheeled Adventures Section by clicking here.

Combining the performance of a sports bike with the laid back nature of a cruiser Buell is grabbing attention with its Super Cruiser. It is a motorcycle model designed in collaboration with legendary motorcycle designer Roland Sands.

Buell started taking pre-orders soon after they first unveiled the bike in February 2023. Not only has it received a tremendous demand but they got an “unprecedented support” for this new model.

Six months after opening pre-orders for the Super Cruiser, Buell already amassed a whopping $120 million in pre-orders. This goes to show that neither motorcycling nor interest in the brand has waned over the years. Harley-Davidson must be restless, having sold this wonderful brand, trying to diminish its value.

 

According to Bill Melvin, the CEO of Buell, the demand for the new model marks a first for American V-Twins, “Americans love style, muscle, and performance. The Super Cruiser breaks the mold for all three, and the response shows that Buell simply nailed it. This is utterly unheard of for an American V-Twin.”

Once the bike enters production in 2025, it’s anticipated to carry a retail price in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

About the specs– running on a 1,190cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin engine with a maximum power output of 175 horsepower and 101 pound-feet of torque — it rides on 17-inch wheels with fully adjustable suspension, and even adjustable handlebars and footpegs for any rider to tailor the ergonomics exactly to their liking. With a dry-weight of 450 pounds, it is surprisingly light for its power class, as an American V-twin.

In a press release by the company, Bill Melvin highlighted the huge potential Buell holds in the market, “Now, the overwhelming demand for the Super Cruiser puts Buell on a trajectory for significant long-term growth. This ramp-up will be nothing short of exhilarating. Anyone interested in joining us for this exciting ride – in any capacity – should reach out now. We want to work with you.”

Check out the introductory video:

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PARKING AT THE LONE STAR RALLY!!!

Online parking pass sales closes TONIGHT @ Midnight.

Parking passes can also be purchased during the event at all of our official LSR parking locations. This parking pass allows you to move your bike in and out of any of our Official LSR Parking locations as often as you’d like. Parking locations are detailed on the event map below this includes Strand and Mechanic Street.

Learn more: https://lonestarrally.com/parking/

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Tell ’em Bikerent.com sent ya

 

100 word fiction contest continues…. #100WFC

Ride
by Rhys
with illustration by Wayfarer

Woke up on Saturday. Rushed to get dressed and gulped down a quick cup of coffee. It was late fall when I had finally picked up my new Road Glide, which I parked in the garage. With anticipation off the charts, I looked over my shiny new steed. Pulled on my 5-Ball leather and then hit the button for the garage door.

Shit, there was a foot of new snow. Damn New England weather.

Went back to bed.

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Yup, its a weekly contest open to all. Just sign up for the free weekly newsletter by clicking here. Then email us your 100 word limit fiction to wayfarer@bikernet.com

WINNERS SO FAR:
1. for the month of May 2023: “Been There Done That” by Steven Sanner
2. for the month of June 2023: “A Hundred” by Chris Dutcher
3. for the month of July 2023: “First Time” by Rhys
4. for the month of August 2023: “Hilary” by Gearhead
5. for the month of September 2023: to be announced

Suzuki To Premiere Its First Hydrogen Test Bike At 2023 Japan Mobility Show

The Suzuki Hydrogen Burgman is among several world premiere vehicles from the house of Hamamatsu.

Suzuki has preferred the 2023 Japan Mobility Show as the event to unveil its first-ever hydrogen-powered two-wheeler for the world. The company has mentioned it a test vehicle, so it is not a concept. Suzuki is currently researching hydrogen engine development and has yet to put it into consumer focused production.

The exhibit will include a test vehicle using a Burgman 400 ABS outfitted with a 70 megapascal (MPa) hydrogen tank and a corresponding engine. Suzuki will also host panels and show videos to illustrate its progress in hydrogen engine development.

The 2023 Japan Mobility Show is scheduled to take place between October 28 and November 5, 2023 in Tokyo.

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Kawasaki claims the first strong hybrid motorcycle to enter mass production

Just after the brand announced its first electric motorcycles they have introduced the first hybrid motorcycle. Unlike the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1, the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid aims to be more than an urban commuter or entry-level motorcycle.

Kawasaki declares the Ninja 7 Hybrid is the first mass produced motorcycle (excluding scooters) from a major manufacturer with a “strong hybrid” system. This means it can run on gas, electricity, or a combination of the two.

Despite the 7 in its model name, the Ninja 7 Hybrid is to be equipped with a liquid-cooled 451cc Parallel-Twin. Kawasaki hasn’t provided more details about it. Kawasaki claims the engine produces 58.3 hp, which is actually more than the Eliminator produces. Supplied photos of the TFT display show an indicated max speed of 11,000 rpm.

When using an electric motor it increases output to a possible 68.5 hp of hybrid net power. This puts the Ninja 7 Hybrid slightly ahead of the Ninja 650 and Z650 which claim 67.3 hp at 8,000 rpm.

Sport-hybrid, Eco-hybrid, or EV are the three riding modes which will provide different riding characteristics, offering a focus between performance or fuel economy. Fuel economy is expected to be on par with a 250cc class motorcycle.

Other unique aspects are its clutch and idling features along with an Automatic Launch Position Finder function.

The Kawasaki Ninja 7 would likely be presented in silver and black colors with a lime green lower fairing, and is expected to arrive in European showrooms in January. U.S. availability remains to be determined.

Watch the Kawasaki announcement video:

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XDA’s sixth season was a success, with fourteen champions crowned at the 31st annual DME Racing Fall Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.

This season showcased an electrifying display of speed and power with unmatched on-track action. XDA racers competed for over $450,000 in total payout, including a staggering $121,600 contingency offerings over the 2023 season.

XDA has released its 2024 motorcycle drag racing schedule featuring six events. The 2024 XDA season begins at the world-renowned Maryland International Raceway on April 19-21 for the Platinum General Services Spring Nationals. Mark your 2024 calendars now for the six events featuring the quickest and fastest sanction in the country! #RacewithXDA

April 19-21 / PFR Spring Nationals / MDIR
May 17-19 / MTC Engineering Summer Nationals / VMP
June 28-30 / Superbike Showdown / MDIR
July 26-28 / WPGC Bike Fest / MDIR
August 23-25 / FuelTech Bike Bash / VMP
October 4-6 / DME Racing Fall Nationals / MDIR

The Orient Express Pro Street class is the most exciting class to watch in motorcycle drag racing. With no wheelie bars, these 6-second, 230+mph motorcycles launch like missiles as their riders fight to keep them straight through the quarter mile. This past weekend delivered two winners and numerous personal improvements in the class.

Orient Express Racing Pro Street – FuelTech Bike Bash Event

Everyone waited a month to see reigning Champion Rodney Williford and Jason Dunigan slug it out again this season. Since 2021, these two have met in three final rounds. And Williford has taken wins in two of those rounds. Everyone in the Pro Street class will attest that beating Rodney is no small feat. And if you manage to accomplish it, you won’t soon forget it. During round two of qualifying Saturday afternoon, Dunigan and Williford lined up to complete the final from the FuelTech Bike Bash event initially held at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Williford took the starting line advantage on Dunigan with a .017 to a .027 reaction time. Williford was out in front of Dunigan from the start, but as they came to half-track, Dunigan’s Hayabusa started building that top-end power. Williford’s front end started coming up on him, and he skillfully battled it back under control. But this gave Dunigan a small window of opportunity that he did not waste as he pulled ahead of him. Williford recovered and was catching back up to Dunigan, but the finish line came up on them too quick for Williford to gain the lead, and Dunigan’s win light came on, flashing a 6.592 on the board to Williford’s 6.652. Despite the win, Rodney held a firm grip on the Championship chase as he still led over Dunigan and the class with an eighty-four-point lead.Orient Express Racing Pro Street – DME Racing Fall Nationals

Pro Street rookie Mark Rendeluk continued his incredible year by qualifying number one with a 6.436, with Williford behind him in the second position with a 6.444.

Kenny Brewer did the unthinkable and turned on a win light against Williford in round one. Williford had to abort his pass as he approached the 1000′ mark to avoid taking out the center line sensor blocks. Brewer won the round, but his bike didn’t make it into high gear, and he trashed the transmission in the shutdown.

Dunigan took out Justin Shakir in round one with a 6.636 on what would be Shakir’s best run of the weekend with a 6.499. However, the win would come at a cost, as you could hear his backup motor blow up as he crossed the finish line. This ended his weekend and chances to put himself closer to Williford in season-ending points.

With Dunigan and Brewer broke for round two, Jayson Geerman and Jordan Haase took bye-run passes to head to the semi-final. Rendeluk took out Bonitatis with a 6.547 to his 6.603. But this round would also reset Bonitatis’ MPH record to 224.88. Darion Payne ran a 6.627 to take out Tony Ficher on a 6.725 run. However, Payne would blow his motor on this run, putting his team into a scramble mode trying to get him back in action for the semi-final.

Payne would not make it to the semi-final, sending Haase to his second final of the season. Rendeluk took a win over teammate Jayson Geerman with a personal-best run of 6.390 to his 7.521.

This would be both rider’s second time seeing a final this season. Haase took the starting line advantage over Rendeluk with a .034 to his .081. Haase would be out in front of Rendeluk until the eighth mile when both riders’ front wheels started coming up. Haase recovered his first wheelie, and then the front end started to come up right back up again, but it was too late; Rendeluk was powering around him to the finish line. Rendeluk crossed first, running a 6.402 to Haase’s 6.594, taking his first Pro Street win.

With the XDA season complete, the top ten XDA Pro Street racers will now focus on their $5,000 bonus race on November 1-5, 2023. The 27th annual Haltech World Cup Finals presented by Wiseco Import vs. Domestic event at Maryland International Raceway will host the sixth annual Pro Street Shootout sponsored by Platinum General Services.

This will be the largest event that Pro Street has ever raced at, competing in front of 50,000+ fans.

DME Racing Real Street – FuelTech Bike Bash Event

The DME Racing Real Street action started on Saturday when the final round from the August FuelTech Bike Bash was run between Rickey Gadson and Spencer Claycomb.

Electricity was in the air as fans and racers made their way to the grandstands to watch this battle go down. Claycomb led the points coming into this event, and with this one round, it could all be turned upside down. Claycomb came hungry for the win, which showed when the bulbs dropped. With nearly identical reaction times, Gadson’s .099 and Claycomb .095, both racers shot off the starting line on a mission.

Gadson had a small wheelie that he could keep under control, while Claycomb fought two wheelies and blew his motor before crossing the finishing line. Claycomb gave everything he could but came up short with a 7.797 to Gadson’s 7.755 winning run. And just like that, Gadson became the points leader.

DME Racing Real Street – DME Racing Fall Nationals

Mark Hylton took the number one qualifying position in DME Racing Real Street with a 7.468 on his all-motor Hayabusa. David Stewart followed with a 7.470, making them the only riders to enter the seven-forties over the weekend. Gadson might have taken the lead in points on Saturday, but Claycomb, Hylton, and Stewart were all within a mathematical shot of the championship.

On Sunday, Claycomb took a round-one loss to Anibal Merced, taking him out of the running for the championship. In round two, Merced took out Stewart, giving Gadson one less obstacle for the championship.

In the semi-final, Gadson came head-to-head with Hylton. Hylton ran a quicker 7.492, but Gadson’s better reaction time of .032 to .119 sealed his fate for his first XDA championship as Gadson won. Merced took out Caleb Holt in the semi-final before heading to the final to battle Gadson.

In the final, Merced would outrun Gadson with a 7.515 to a 7.536, but once again, Gadson’s superior reaction time of .057 to Merced’s .096 would get him another hole shot victor. Gadson secured his first XDA championship with a comfortable lead of forty-five points over his competitors in the class.

MaxxECU Pro Xtreme

Congratulations to Chris Cutsinger on this first MaxxECU Pro Xtreme Championship. Cutsinger came into the final with a forty-point lead and left with a ninety-eight point, cementing his championship run.

George Whitaker qualified number one with the only three-second pass in qualifying at 3.999 at 183.24 mph. He would make it to the semi-final on Sunday but could not run due to a faulty cam sensor.

XDA MaxxECU Pro Xtreme first-timer Brunson Grothus arrived race-ready after a two-year hiatus. Grothus took down the competition one round at a time, with teammate Jean Gosselin in round one and Tommy Saxon in round two, running a 3.982, and then had a bye to the final to face class champion Chris Cutsinger.

In the final, Grothus had a slight advantage on the tree with a .064 reaction to Cutsinger’s .070. Cutsinger’s power plant didn’t have enough to catch Grothus, who was on the quickest pass of the weekend, running a 3.965 at 188.28 mph to his 4.043. And just like that, Grothus Racing is back and poised to dominate the competition.

HTP Performance Super Stock

It was a dream weekend for Mark Blake in HTP Performance Super Stock as he entered the season finale third in points and left with a win and the 2023 Championship!

Tim Cottrell came into the final second in points and qualified number one with an 8.871, but his hopes for the championship were dashed in round one when he went red against Blake Johnson.

Points leader Mike Davis picked the wrong event to have a bad weekend, qualifying sixth and running off his number to lose in round two to Mark Blake, ending his championship contention.

With Cottrell and Davis out, Blake simply had to make it to the final round to clinch the championship. In the semi-final, he took out Curtis McDougald’s 9.008 with an 8.876.

On the other side of the ladder, Brian Johnson took out Marcus Queen, his son Blake, and Jamie Lopes to meet Blake in the final.

In the final, Johnson cut a better .065 on Blake’s .213 reaction; luckily, Blake had the horsepower to make up for that with an 8.904 to Johnson’s slower 9.055. After this win, Blake also went on to win the Brock’s Performance Street ET class.

Boosted Bulls

Geoff Godfrey came in the DME Racing Fall Nationals, leading by seven points over Malcolm Phillips. However, when it came down to the final round, Godfrey couldn’t keep his minions in line at the tree, while Malcolm Phillips on ‘Billy Mays’ rocketed to the finish line with the win before Godfrey could make it to half-track. Congratulations to Malcolm Phillips on his first Boosted Bulls Championship.

APE Nitrous Bulls

Congratulations to Desmond Spaulding on defending his APE Nitrous Bulls championship for the second year. Spaulding took ‘Sho Nuff’ to the semi-final Saturday night, but a choppy wheelie forced him to abort the pass and allow Caleb Holt on ‘Fort Nite’ to head to the final.

Brandon Litten, who has been a force to reckon with this year in Orient Express Racing Pro Street and Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls, entered his latest addition to his fleet in APE Nitrous Bulls. ‘Hell on Wheels’ lived up to its name when the young Litten took out veterans David Fondon on ‘Storm Shadow’ and Jeremy Teasley on ‘Unhinged’.

In the final, Litten faced ‘Fort Nite’. And while Holt took a good fortnite to get down the track, Ehren Litten had his son’s bike tuned up like a missile to take the win and put his team in the winner’s circle.

3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls

Congratulations to Ken Alston on earning his first XDA Championship in 3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls. He finished the season, leading the class by sixteen points.

The weekend competition was action-packed, 2022 class champion Spencer Claycomb had ‘One Trip’ on kill and was unbeatable every round as he made quick, straight eighth-mile passes round after round.

John James on ‘Dope Sick’ got lucky in round one when ‘Son of Sam’ piloted by Howard Gerken turned on a red light while James struggled on the starting line. The Narcan never took effect for James as he repeated the process every round and suprisingly made it to the final.

When he met Claycomb in the final, his luck ran out as ‘One Trip’ was fine-tuned to the track and took a quick win while James stumbled down his lane.

Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls

Desmond Spaulding won his second grudge Champion this season in Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls. Spaulding took wins this season aboard ‘Mob Ties,’ but he didn’t have the same luck this past weekend as Abrian Myers on ‘Carbon Gates’ took the win over him in round two.

In Saturday’s competition Cody Lowe on ‘Lil Baby’ and Rickey Grayson on ‘Red Bull’ had the track figured out as they took three wins before meeting each other in the final. In the final, Lowe flew down the track while Grayson threw out sparks and sputtered off the starting line. This was Lowe’s first class win of the season.

All Motor Bulls

David Fondon wrapped up another XDA season with Championship in All Motor Bulls with eighty-six-point lead over the class.

In Saturday night competition under the light, Fondon on ‘Bad Bitch’ and Jaques Gaskins on ‘Cranky’ had the best tune-ups in the class as their bikes stuck to the track and turned on the win lights every round.

In the final, it was a side-by-side heart-pounding race to the finish line. And just like the season started, it was ‘Bad Bitch’ for their third win this season.

Vance & Hines 4.60 – FuelTech Bike Bash Event

The Vance & Hines 4.60 action started during Saturday’s qualify when the final three rounds were completed from the August FuelTech Bike Bash event. With five competitors left in the field, Ronald Procopio, Jimmy Shifflett, and Boo Brown took wins in the first round.

In the next round, Shifflett had a bye to the final, and Procopio took the win over Brown on a double breakout run. That round win would clinch the 2023 Vance & Hines 4.60 Championship for Procopio, making him the class champion for the fourth straight year.

In the final, Shifflett would break out running a 4.594 to give the win to the reigning champ.

Vance & Hines 4.60 – DME Racing Fall Nationals

In the Vance & Hines 4.60 main event for the DME Racing Fall Nationals, Shifflett led the field of forty-seven competitors as the number one qualifier, running the only 4.600. Unfortunately for Shifflett, he would go red in round two against Terry Tompkins to end his season third in points.

Earning their way to the final were Mantez Thompson and Michael Thyen. This was Thompson’s first XDA event of the year and Michael Thyen’s third. Both competitors won five tough rounds of racing before coming head-to-head.

Thompson and Thyen were cutting equally good lights every round, with Thompson averaging .028 and Thyen .038. They were set to give us an action-packed final matchup in the eight-mile. When the bulbs dropped, Thompson took the starting line advantage with a .033 to Thyen’s .071 reaction. Thyen didn’t have the power to catch Thompson, and Thompson turned on the win light, running a 4.614 to send himself to his first XDA Vance & Hines 4.60 winner’s circle!

1 Stop Speed 5.60

Duane Jackson has been fighting hard for the 1 Stop Speed 5.60 champion, finishing in the top five of points the previous two years. He rolled into the season finale, again sitting fifth in the points. But this year, he was leaving with the hardware. In round two, he took out the points leader, Dustin Lee, and kept knocking down the competition on his way to the final.

After winning five rounds and making it to the final, he had earned enough points to clinch the 2023 championship despite the outcome of the final round. In the final, he faced Jimmie Miller, who also had an addiction to the winner’s circle. Miller won the tree with a .005 reaction time to Jackson’s .024, and as the pair raced to the eight-mile, Jackson would get their first winning with a 5.623 to Miller’s slower 5.656. Jackson finished the event with a win and a championship!

Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman

In Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman, the 2020 class Champion Dustin Lee once again fought his way to the top to win another championship this season. Lee went into the DME Racing Fall Nationals fourth in points. However, his weekend win propelled him to the top of the class, winning by twenty-two points over Gary Clontz.

In the weekend competition, Ryan Burnell qualified number one with a 7.302, followed by Ryan Bonitatis with a 7.552. This was Bonitatis’ second Top Sportsman event this season, and he has already earned his way to a final round. In the final, Lee left first with a .024 reaction on a 7.94 dial. Bonitatis was the chaser with a quicker dial of 7.55 and a .087 reaction. Bonitatis chased Lee to the finish line, but Dustin took the stripe by 5 feet, lifting off the throttle to turn on the win light with an 8.007 to Bonitatis’ 7.574.

MPS Racing Pro ET

No championship battle was closer than MPS Racing Pro ET. Reigning class Champion Dustin Lee and 2018 class Champion Dale Hamilton both took wins this season, and both finished with 301 points for a tie, requiring the tiebreaker protocol to be enacted to determine the winner. The tiebreaker was ultimately determined by the rider that won the most rounds on the last day of the season to award the 2023 MPS Pro ET Championship to Lee with 301.1 points.

In weekend competition, Nick Christmas, who entered his first race of the XDA season, made his mark by turning on seven-win lights to make it to the final to take on Ronnie Reece Jr.

Reece had cut several double-O lights in previous rounds and won. The final would be no exception to him pushing the tree. However, for the final, Reece would push a little too hard and go in the wrong direction to turn on a -.005 red light, giving Christmas a gift before he even left on the tree. Congratulations to Christmas on his first XDA Winner’s Circle finish.

Brock’s Performance Street ET

Congratulations to Louis Green Jr. on winning the 2023 Brock’s Performance Street ET championship. Green took one win this season, which gave him the one extra point he needed to win the championship over Laray Proctor.

On Sunday, the 2022 class champion, Mark Blake, took his effort all the way to the final round. Russell Dennison Jr. and Blake both took six-round wins to meet each other for the final round.

Dennison dialed an 8.66 and a cut .114 reaction time on his Suzuki GSX-R1000, while Blake dialed 8.35 and cut a leaner .056 light. As both riders approached the stripe, neither looked to be lifting, and Dennison broke out running an 8.645, giving the win to Blake, who ran an 8.355.

Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s Race

The Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s race on Friday night was at total capacity, with sixty-four sportsman competitors vying for a $4,000 payout. Heavy hitters Stanley Russell and class sponsor Dustin Lee took five wins before facing each other in the final. Lee dialed an 8.72 to Russell’s 9.43. Russell left the tree first, cutting a .044 light, with Lee chasing him down after turning a .063 reaction time. Lee had no problem catching Russell and staying with him until the finish line.

Both riders were running almost perfectly on their dial-ins in their previous won rounds, so they were a well-matched pair to take the fight to the finish line. As they crossed the finish line, both riders ran off their dial, but Russell was significantly off with a 9.520 to Lee’s winning 8.769. This was Lee’s first Gambler’s race win since he started sponsoring the class.

VooDoo Components Bracket Bash

The VooDoo Components Bracket Bash was stuffed with 119 sportsman competitors on Saturday, fighting for the $3,000 payday. Dustin Lee took his Friday night win momentum and was ready to steamroll through the competition. However, in the first round of competition, both Lee and Montrell Johnson took a first-round loss. But they both made the smart choice to buy back in for round two to take another crack at the field.

Both competitors then turned on six-win lights to meet under the Saturday night lights, ready to take one more win for the night. Johnson dialed an 8.93 and left the starting line first with a .064 reaction time. Lee dialed an 8.64 and followed with a .018 reaction. Lee dragged Johnson to the finish line, and as both competitors lifted a little bit right before the stripe, Lee got the win light. Johnson ran closer to his dial with an 8.947, but Lee’s better reaction time got him there first despite the 8.683 run.

Congratulations to all the racers, champions, record-breakers, and winners of this season’s events. We also extend our gratitude to all the friends and family who came out to support them. We look forward to your support in 2024 as the series evolves.

Don’t miss a weekend of racing with the quickest and fastest motorcycle drag racing sanction in the country; put XDA on your 2024 calendar now!

Visit xdaracing.com for event information, class rules, schedule, and more.

About XDA Racing
The Xtreme Dragbike Association (XDA) is an east coast motorcycle drag racing series with 700+ motorcycle racers competing at each event. Every XDA event hosts professional classes, sportsman classes, grudge racing, and a vendor midway. Lifestyle activities such as bike shows, bikini contests, DJs, and live bands are also held at select events. For more information on the XDA, please visit www.xdaracing.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @xdaracing