Where Are We Headed?
by Stealth with photos from Sam Burns
I have been thinking about this for a good while now. I THOUGHT I was done with the Harley-Davidson dealer business, but every time I try to get out, I get pulled back in but probably not for long.
I have seen this business in the ‘90s. It was wide open. People standing in line to buy bikes, but not today. Next time you are at a dealership check out how many new bikes you see.
by Rogue
On Sunday August 8th Michael Lichter invited members of the media and the motorcycle industry to the Grand Opening of his 2021 Motorcycles As Art Exhibition held at the Buffalo Chip. The exhibit is open to the public, free of charge for the entire rally.
The exhibit is free and open to the public at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Event Center from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 through Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021.
It features a collection of custom motorcycles from the world’s most celebrated builders that’ll show you the spectrum of history and possibilities inherent in custom motorcycling.
by Cristina Mircea from https://www.autoevolution.com
This Is How You Can Get an Upgraded 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 for $25 in Seattle.
The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is a powerful adventure bike that combines performance with reliability, in that specific Japanese manner we all appreciate so much. And now you can win a Special Edition 2021 model for a financial investment of just $25.
We are talking about a special BDR (Backcountry Discovery Routes) edition which received some really cool, $10,000 worth of upgrades from brands like Touratech, Wolfman, Revzilla, Cyclops, and other big names in the industry.
For those of you who don’t know, BDR is a U.S.- based non-profit organization founded in 2010, which creates off-highway routes for adventure motorcycle riding, aiming to preserve backcountry motorcycle tourism. The organization offers valuable resources for the motorcycle community, including premium, waterproof maps. BDR has created eight cross-state routes so far.
Back to our special 2021 Ténéré, it was created as a prize in the organization’s latest Motorcycle Sweepstakes Fundraiser, for people willing to donate money to the BDR. The bike has been modified and set up specifically for riding their routes and it is fully equipped and accessorized.
Among the top-shelf upgrades of the Ténéré we can mention the full Touratech suspension upgrade, the Cyclops Aurora Auxiliary lighting kit, and Scotts steering stabilizer. It is also equipped with Touratech’s protection package and luggage system and Akrapovic slip-on exhaust. BDR also throws in the complete collection of its Butler maps.
In order to get a shot at this adventure bike from Yamaha, you have to make a donation to BDR of at least $25. This donation will help the organization continue its mission to create off-highway riding opportunities for dual-sport and bikers eager for adventure.
However, you should know that although international donations are welcome, as far as the Yamaha bike goes, you can only claim the prize in Seattle. BDR also states that the motorcycle may be subject to tax or importation limitations.
The 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 features a fuel-injected, 689cc twin-cylinder engine derived from Yamaha’s award-winning MT-07.
Mike the Hamster Scored
By Bandit and Mike with photos by Mike Stevenson
A brother Mike Stevenson, who is a sharp builder, former actor, and all-around chopper rider forever, contacts me on a regular basis regarding bikes. He called sorta excited recently.
MotorcycleMania Breaking Out in Eddyville.
MotorcycleMania motorcycle drag pre-race news release
event: MotorcycleMania sponsored by Trick-Tools
when: August 13-15, 2021
where: Eddyville Raceway Park, Eddyville, Iowa, USA
Eddyville Raceway Park will experience a severe outbreak of MotorcycleMania when the Trick-Tools sponsored event spreads through the Eddyville pits on August 13-15. Two full days of intense motorcycle drag racing is the prognosis, and the only known cure is to attend as either a racer or fan.
What makes this event extra manic is that all classes will qualify and eliminate on each day—that’s two full races in one weekend! “Makes it worth the drive for people,” said Trick-Tools’ boss Bruce Van Sant. “It’s something we racers don’t get to do very often, but it’s pretty common at Eddyville.”
A major highlight is Iowa’s first staging of the hottest motorcycle drag racing class in the country—Grothus Dragbikes Pro Ultra 4.60. The best 4.60 racers in the nation will be hustling nitrous-huffing or turbocharged two wheel beasts to the eighth mile stripe in the world’s quickest motorcycle index class. $2000 to win, $800 runner-up, $200 semis, $200 entry, all run, laddered by qualifying—EACH DAY!
Schnitz Racing Top Gas 5.10 index, BB Racing Super Comp 5.60 index, Certified Auto Sales Super Gas 6.00 index, The Cycle Shop Outlaw No Bar will all pay $1000 to win, $400 runner-up, $100 semis for $100 entry. All run fields, laddered by qualifying—EACH DAY!
The Cycle Shop Outlaw No Bar is heads-up, no wheelie bar, anything goes.
Rally at the Valley Hi-Roller Box/No-Box Bracket class will pay $2000 to win, $800 runner-up, $200 semis. $100 entry with $40 buybacks after first round. Box/No-Box paired separately until one class runs down to one.
Low Roller No-Box bracket class (AKA Street ET) pays back 80% of entry fees ($50 entry with $20 buy backs). No wheelie bars and no delay boxes
C&S Speed Shop V-Twin Ultra Bagger pays $1200 to win.
Cornbelt Dragbike Association V-Twin Pro Bagger pays $1000 to win.
Cornbelt Dragbike Association V-Twin Street Bagger pays $750 to win.
And again…it can’t be emphasized enough…all of these classes qualify and race each day!
Eddyville owner Gerald Kramer is not just fond of two complete days of racing on one weekend, he’s also partial to two wheeled racing. “Gerald is an ex-motorcycle guy and loves motorcycle racing,” noted Van Sant. “He went down to Valdosta with us last fall when we won the 4.60 race down there, and he was so excited about 4.60 racing. He said ‘We’ve got to have a 4.60 race at Eddyville!’
“So here we are, and it looks like we’re gonna have a pretty good turnout. I’m excited to see the guys coming up from the South to the Midwest and it should be a fun time.”
Hell yes it will! Expect to see drag racing studs Chase Van Sant, Chad Otts, Matt Smith, Broderick “Hollywood” Jackson, Mantez Thompson, Jeff “Fast Times” Jones, Chase Morris, Brunson Grothus, Dan McCarten, Turtle Cole, Brevin Bond, Kenny Schwartz, Greg Mallett, Don Chavous, Tom Ewig, Bobby Brown, Patrick Kerr, Louis Brown, Curtis Winston, Terence Washington, Joe and Tom Klemme, Mika and Courtney Wheeler, and many more.
The track is definitely fast. A recent Nitro Chaos event saw Scotty Palmer run a 3.21 at 265 mph on the eighth mile track in his Top Fuel dragster.
So trailer-up and make the easy drive to Iowa for two full days of MotorcycleMania!
Contact Kelly Hefner (kbhefner@gmail.com) for V-twin class details or Eddyville track manager Gerald Kramer (eddyvilleraceway@hotmail.com)
Friday test n tune 6:30-9:30, gates open at 5:00pm.
Saturday gates open at 10:00am, qualifying/time trials at 1:00pm.
Sunday gates open at 8:00am, qualifying/time trials at 9:00am.
Eddyville Raceway Park is thrilled to host the biggest motorcycle-only drag race in this part of the country in a long time, and you gotta be there!
MotorcycleMania thanks Trick-Tools, Grothus Dragbikes, Schnitz Racing, BB Racing, Certified Auto Sales, The Cycle Shop, C&S Speed Shop, Cornbelt Dragbike Association, and Eddyville Raceway Park.
News From https://www.eatmyink.com
CORRECTION TO PRICE:
The Arctic Blast Limited Edition Street Glide Special MSRP is $32,999 (US). Optional RDRS adds $995.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON REVEALS STREET GLIDE SPECIAL® MODEL WITH ARCTIC BLAST LIMITED EDITION PAINT
Handcrafted Factory Custom will be Limited to 500 Serialized Motorcycles Worldwide
MILWAUKEE (August 9, 2021) – Harley-Davidson takes custom paint to a new level with the introduction of a limited run of 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide® Special motorcycles featuring the handcrafted Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint set. The motorcycle was revealed today at the 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Availability will be limited to 500 examples worldwide, each serialized on the fuel tank.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/street-glide-special.html
“With the Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint offering for the Street Glide Special, at Harley-Davidson we continue to build on our reputation and lead by example, as the best in exclusive custom motorcycles and design,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO Harley-Davidson.
The Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint will be offered in a single colorway – metallic deep blue with bright blue strokes over a pearlescent white base.
“The Arctic Blast paint is executed in strokes of high-contrast color intended to communicate the appearance of motion,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling and Design. “The design looks bold from a distance but offers interesting details that can only be seen up close, including a blue pearl effect over the white base, and a ghosted hexagon pattern on the fairing.”
The Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint is hand-applied by the artisans at Gunslinger Custom Paint in Golden, Colorado. The Gunslinger roster of nationally-known painters, designers, artists and manufacturing team leaders has decades of experience as a supplier of custom-painted components for Harley-Davidson® Custom Vehicle Operations™ motorcycles and Limited Edition paint sets.
The Street Glide Special model is a Harley-Davidson hot-rod bagger that combines long-haul touring comfort and custom style with the authoritative performance of the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 V-Twin engine. Key features include the iconic Harley-Davidson batwing fairing with splitstream vent to reduce head buffeting, stretched locking saddle bags, a Daymaker® LED headlamp, low-profile engine guard, and Prodigy custom wheels. The Boom!™ Box GTS infotainment system with color touch screen, advanced navigation plus compatibility with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®, hand and voice commands (when paired with compatible headset), and two-speaker audio is standard equipment.
The Arctic Blast Limited Edition Street Glide Special MSRP is $32,999 (USD). A Chopped Tour-Pak® luggage carrier with matching paint will also be offered through Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories (P/N 53000650ERW MSRP: $1,699.95 USD).
by Enda Mullen from https://www.coventrytelegraph.net
Veterans’ campaigner Simon Weston says 60th birthday gift of Triumph trike is dream come true.
It followed a crowdfunding campaign organised by former Meriden Triumph engineer Norman Hyde.
Veterans’ campaigner and Falkland War survivor Simon Weston has been presented with an extra-special gift to mark his 60th birthday in the shape of a Triumph trike.
Simon signed up for the British Army at 15. Aged 20, when serving in the Welsh Guards, he was aboard the logistics ship RFA Sir Galahad – laden with fuels and ammunition – when it was bombed by the Argentine Air Force during the conflict in the South Atlantic.
He suffered horrific injuries and underwent prolonged reconstructive surgery.
At times Simon said he was close to giving in, but courage and determination saw him emerge positively as a strong advocate for troops’ and veterans’ rights.
Along with his many charitable activities he gives inspirational talks on achieving mental wellness. Awarded the OBE in 1992, Simon was made a CBE in 2016.
Veterans’ campaigner and Falkland War survivor Simon Weston has been presented with an extra-special gift to mark his 60th birthday in the shape of a Triumph trike.
The gift was the result of a crowd-funding campaign which had its roots in a chance conversation at a presentation given by Simon two years ago.
Simon revealed to former Meriden Triumph engineer and world speed record holder Norman Hyde that he would really love a trike like the one ridden by Billy Connolly on his TV travel series.
It spurred Norman into action and he decided to embark on a mission to fulfil Simon’s dream.
He said: “Knowing what Simon had given to our country and knowing what good people there are in the bike world, from manufacturers and importers, through dealers to clubs and riders, I immediately said ‘leave it to me, I’ll fix it’.”
Norman organised crowdfunding and the £25,000 project got off to a fabulous start when Triumph Motorcycles, which is based in Hinckley, donated a new 1,200cc Bonneville for conversion.
Trike Design of Caerphilly South Wales (coincidentally Simon’s home town) was chosen to convert the two-wheeler and adapt controls for Simon, who has fingers missing from both hands.
“This is a dream come true,” said Simon of the crowdfunded Triumph trike, which was presented to him a few days before his 60th birthday.
“I can’t thank Norman Hyde and all the people who made this happen enough.”
Donations ranging from £5 to four-figure sums came from individuals and the trade, often accompanied by messages of affection for Simon.
The Triumph Owners MCC (TOMCC) made a substantial contribution as did the Duke of Richmond (the Goodwood Estate) and the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), which is based in Coventry.
Simon’s helmet was donated by LS2 and the Held clothing company are making bespoke gloves.
Hank Hancock of Trike Design (TD), specialists in three-wheeler conversions and adaptation for disabled riders, took on the job with enthusiasm.
The Triumph is fitted with TD’s latest Brookland Sport design, with boot space inside the smooth GRP mouldings.
The 17-inch wheels have independent suspension with an anti-roll bar and the final transmission from the chain to twin shafts is via a differential.
Trike Design’s Robin Davies designed and fitted the specially adapted controls.
Kliktronic press-button electric gear shifting means that Simon can change up with a finger on his right hand and down with his left thumb.
Foot pedals for the throttle, brakes and clutch are similarly arranged to car controls.
“I soon worked out how to ride, and especially how to stop,” said Simon, who hopes to persuade his wife Lucy to travel on the pillion seat.
The presentation was held on Trike Design’s forecourt.
Those in attendance included several representing the TOMCC, including club chairman Ken Talbot and members who rode in from Shropshire, Max Roberts of Triumph Motorcycles, Dave Priddle of LS2 helmets and two motorcycle-mounted officers from the national police-run initiative BikeSafe; PC Richard Gibbs and PC Paul Rees.
Triumph Motorcycles has historic connections to Coventry.
Triumph, in its many guises, was born out of a company founded by Siegfried Bettmann, who had emigrated from Nuremberg, in 1884.
It went on to make bicycles before moving on to motorcycles and later cars.
The motorcycle making side of the business was originally based in Coventry and subsequently in Meriden.
A new company, Triumph Motorcycles, based in Hinckley, gained the name rights of the company in the 1980s and is now one of the world’s major motorcycle manufacturers.
by Brie Stimson from https://www.foxnews.com
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally a boon for boy, 8, running ‘donations only’ lemonade stand.
Young Wyatt Dennis says he’s saving half the money for college, donating some to a children’s hospital — and having some fun with the rest.
A motorcycle-loving 8-year-old’s roadside lemonade stand has become a popular attraction at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicking off this weekend in South Dakota.
Wyatt Dennis opened the stand last year to earn a little money toward a Lego set he wanted, according to FOX 9 in Minneapolis. By the end of the day, he had earned the money plus $200 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
“So now, 50% goes to college, 30% goes to St. Jude and the rest goes to — last year it was Legos, this year it’s a dirt bike,” Dennis told FOX 9.
This year, Dennis’ entrepreneurial venture went viral after someone staying at a nearby campground posted about him on social media, allowing him to raise $4,500 for the children’s hospital so far.
Dennis doesn’t charge for the lemonade but donations are appreciated, according to FOX 9.
“If you are traveling between Rapid City and Sturgis on your bike, stop by the Tilford road exit!!” Derek Swain posted on Facebook last Monday. “There is a motorcycle loving little boy who is giving away free lemonade and water to any and every one. Please stop by and give him a huge thank you and show off your rides!!! The lemonade is DELICIOUS!!!! Also, tip the damn kid, it’s hot out, and he’s gonna need to start saving now for that Harley.”
After Swain found out Dennis was donating most of the money to the hospital and for his college, he added, “Get out there and support a kid doing some good in this world.”
Swain’s post had been shared more than 64,000 times by early Sunday.
The Sturgis rally will continue through next Sunday, Aug. 15.
Here are the four coolest bikes that will be up for grabs at Monterey 2021.
It’s called Monterey Car Week, but among all the tours, rallies, races, shows, auctions and even strolls through the parking lot, some of the coolest vehicles in Monterey each August ride on two wheels.
Read about four coolest bikes that will be attracting interest at this year’s Monterey event.
Koz Mraz takes the Large Sissy Bar Luggage on the road. Ideal for weeks of serious two-up touring.
I was looking for really large sissy bar luggage for weeks of serious two-up crusading in the northern U.S. These Vikings will be riding long stretches of open highways through desolate landscapes. There’s a wide variety of options, some I liked, some I didn’t. I didn’t want a top loading bag that made us dig to the bottom every time we needed a sweater. I wanted handy exterior compartments that could be easily accessed at stops and I needed space, lots of space for lots of stuff. I found Viking Bags.
Photos and Review by Koz Mraz.
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