Hey,
It’s the day after Christmas. Life is truly amazing. It’s too bad someone doesn’t put it properly into written words, share it with the world and teach it in classes. It’s simple and magnificent.
If only we could take a pill and eliminate hate, power, and ego to be replaced with freedom and love. All could be fantastic.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.
HOLIDAY POEM FROM A BROTHER—A WINTER TASK
As the winters full moon lights up the night
I gaze upon the snow-covered trees in sheer delight
Have I stepped into the enchanted forest in some fairytale?
I must not fail, to save a world so full of anger and hate.
This sees a very daunting task
So, I must put on my Santa Mask
And spread love, kindness and holiday cheer,
And maybe the madness will disappear.
–Wayne Cobb
12/19
NEWS FROM THE TWISTED ROAD–What’s so special about this Tiger? Hey everyone, it’s Austin, and I just noticed something interesting that I thought you’d like to know.
At Twisted Road, we have 2,100 bikes to rent, in 50 states. Yet this bike is one of our most rented motos. Why is this bike getting all the love?
Simple. It’s the only Tiger in Denver.
See, here’s the thing. People go to Denver. They want to ride the Rockies. They find a bike they like. They rent it. Although we have plenty of bikes in Denver, this bike is what people want.
So? Why should I care?
There is something great about being different. About being the only bike of its kind in a market. The only Panigale. The only Triumph Bobber. The only Scout. The only Sportster. Or the only Ninja.
So, when you look at our bikes, and you’re considering whether you should list, think about this Tiger that is getting so much love.
Happy riding, and please contact us at info@twistedroad.com if you have any questions.
Thanks.
Austin
Founder and CEO
Twisted Road
HANG ON NEWS Y’all, Honda has produced 400 million motorcycles since 1949—
Let’s take a minute to think about how insane that number is.
A lot of people tend to think of Honda as a car company that also builds motorcycles (among other things), but the truth is that Honda’s motorcycle operations — like BMW’s — predate its cars by a pretty sizable chunk of time.
In that time, Honda introduced a ton of iconic two-wheeled vehicles like the original Super Cub (aka the best-selling vehicle in all of human history), the Fireblade and the Goldwing. All of these massive successes around the globe have led Honda to where it is now: parading around in a bathrobe like Alfred Molina in Boogie Nights and celebrating the fact that it’s produced 400 million motorcycles since 1949.
Just think about that number. That’s enough so that every American would have 1.22 Honda motorcycles. That’s like, a Super Cub and a spare motor for every single American. For another fun comparison, Volkswagen’s Beetle — a car that was in production for 65 years, mind you — only managed around 21.5 million units built. If you took 400 million Honda Groms and lined them up end to end, you could circle the globe 17.56 times.
Here’s a number that might even be crazier: 20 million. That (as of 2018) is the annual total of motorcycles produced globally for Honda. For comparison, in 2016, Ford produced 6.429 million vehicles globally. While cars are obviously more complicated to build than motorcycles, that’s still a pretty dramatic disparity.
So, the next time you see a motorcyclist puttering around on a Monkey or even an Africa Twin in the pouring rain, remember that statistically speaking, you’re the weirdo for not being down with a two-wheeled lifestyle.
–Kyle Hyatt
Road Show
XMAS WEATHER REPORT FROM TEXAS–Was an Understatement the helmet image was the last two blocks and that was a joy! Leaving the house there was 40-50’ visibility.
What Magoo decided to ride in at 4:00 a.m. today??? Absolutely no visibility into Willis, not much more ALL THE WAY into Beltway 8!
Doubt I could have seen anything on Hwy 99 but didn’t even see the exit unit I was passing the ramp. Got behind some taillights and prayed they could see for 65 miles. As much moisture on the inside of my helmet shield and glasses as outside! Had to ride squinting most of the way, too much moisture in the air. It did not burn off as I predicted. Why I’m not a weatherman, I guess? You can see the moisture level on the vest.
Gotta love it!
–RFR
Certified Reporter
Bikernet™ Weather Bureau
YEAR END CLEARANCE FROM LOWBROW–
You need to get over to Lowbrow right now
Why? Because the End of Year Blowout just started!
Get an additional 40% off all sale and clearance items. That means 50% to over 80% off of over 180+ different motorcycle parts, helmets, clothing, fabricator parts and more…
The best stuff goes first, so click here to check out the sale and grab the parts you need before they’re gone. No discount code necessary.
Happy New Year and see you on the road!
PS – Select Biltwell Gringo & Gringo S helmets are 50% off, while they last…
NOT SO FUNNY AD FOR H-D IN TURKEY—
–Paul Aiken
Owner
Aeromach USA, LLC
Charlotte, NC 28269
800-990-9392 orders
704-599-1333 office
www.aeromach.net
www.highwayhawk.us
www.linkedin.com/in/paulaiken
Highway Hawk is a product of Motolux
MAN WHO SAVED THE TITAN–Also. I’m part of a Bonneville team. He is a SCTA multiple record holder. I have crewed two years.
This is a 1400 Kawasaki. It is knocking on 250 MPH. I went 2013 and 2017. He won’t do BUB, is a SCTA guy.
–Wayne Richmond
See his Titan story on Bikernet.—Bandit
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=14569&id=14569
TOOL OF THE WEEK– 1062-0003 CLUTCH HUB PULLER
THIS HEAVY DUTY CLUTCH HUB PULLER IS FOR USE WITH CHAIN & BELT DRIVE APM COMP MASTER & RIVERA PRO CLUTCH ON TAPERED TRANSMISSION MAIN/SHAFTS FOUND ON 1937 – 1989 HARLEY DAVIDSON BIG TWINS.
This professional tool will pull either an APM Comp Master Clutch or Rivera Pro Clutch off of the tapered transmission main/shaft found on 1937-1989 Harley Big Twins.
The tool includes a thick puller plate and heavy duty screw as well as two different size end caps (one for the shorter threads on 1937-84 & one for the longer threads on 1985-89) to guard the main/shaft threads from damage. Retail: $83.99
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–
2016 Harley-Davidson FLHXS Street Glide Touring for $17,995.00
See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=7266389
When it comes to stripped-down bagger style, highway comfort, modern technology and an unruly attitude, this is a state of the art motorcycle. The 2016 Street Glide Special takes the hot-rod bagger formula a little further, Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS, the Boom!™ Box 6.5 GT infotainment system and CVO model style hand-adjustable lowered rear suspension as standard equipment.
Featuring a Batwing fairing with Splitstream vent to reduce rider head buffeting, the Street Glide Special is a truly loaded bagger. All the goodies you expect are there, including the High Output Twin Cam 103 motor and hydraulic clutch, the Project Rushmore forks and triple clamps.
A Jukebox media compartment has a One-Touch door plus USB connection (in addition to the Bluetooth compatibility of the Boom! Box). Leading the way, of course, is an impressive 19-inch rim with Enforcer cast aluminum wheels. The Street Glide Special allows you to maintain control easier with the 64 inch wheelbase and short 27.4 inch seat height while it holds six gallons of fuel for longer uninterrupted runs.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:
Satin Black with red pin-striping is simply gorgeous. Raised tank logos and a chrome strap with black accent ‘Street Glide’ logo. Black inner fairing and a tinted windshield. Chrome blinkers, LED headlamp and black cast 5 twin spoke rims. Chrome engine guard. Black 2:2 exhaust with a very nice throaty sound. Chrome rocker covers, push-rod tubes, tappet blocks, air cleaner / trans / horn covers, cam with black accent ‘Twin Cam’ logo, primary and derby cover. 2-up seat and streamliner floors, passenger pegs, and a pigtail. LED rear and fender lights and more…
This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!
HANOI JANE IS NOW DOOMSDAY JANE–Jane Fonda Calls for Prosecution of Climate Deniers – Urges skeptics ‘should be put on trial’ to fight ‘climate emergency’
Jane Fonda: “Now, because of the fossil fuel industry, it’s too late for moderation,” she bellowed. “And given the emergency, it’s those who believe in moderation, in pre-Trump business as usual, who are truly delusional. And those who lie and continue to lie about what they’re doing to the environment should be put on trial, not awarded tax cuts and made secretaries of state.”
–Climate Depot
FROM THE EASYRIDERS INVESTIGATIONS--Mr. Ball, I got my Christmas refund from E-Z riders. They sent me a hat, t-shirt & hoody. There really is a Santa.
They owed me $120.00 or so. I filled out the order form back in Oct. mailed it in. It took till yesterday to arrive.
I had just read Stealth’s comment Monday on your news and said, “Shit I ain’t got nothing yet, but there it was the next day.” I can’t tell ya how much money I’ve lost on subs that were canceled and not refunded. This was the first one ever refunded. There wasn’t any note.
–Dave
Big Dave Methuen Ma.
Maybe they are beginning to understand the Easyriders Code, or are afraid of being sued. I hope it’s the code.–Bandit
[page break]
GUN NUT REPORT–
Watching from afar as the radical wing of Virginia’s Democrat party tries to put the screws to gun owners, I can’t help but compare Virginia with Illinois. And if what we’ve learned here in Illinois remains even partially valid for the Old Dominion, all hope is not lost for gun owners there.
Yes, radicals in Virginia think they have a huge mandate to pass gun and magazine bans, and potentially even confiscate America’s favorite rifle (the AR-15) and others like it.
These same political hacks have legislation pending to terminate any cops who won’t enforce their new gun control schemes. Just as concerning, they’re proposing increased spending on prisons to handle today’s law-abiding gun owners who refuse to bend a knee to ill-considered, unconstitutional gun bans.
We have radicals in Illinois who want to sing from the same gun control hymnal. Gun bans, magazine bans, gun rationing, bans on private transfers, gun registration and crazy high fees on gun owner registration schemes all have been seriously beaten back here in the Land of Lincoln.
Generally speaking, gun grabbers tend to belong to the Democrat party here. At least after the last election when gun rights organizations (including Guns Save Life where I serve as the executive director) worked hand-in-hand with the NRA-ILA to remove a Republican who campaigned as pro-gun and voted with Michael Bloomberg on guns.
We don’t know why Peter Breen switched to the dark side on gun rights (in a very public manner at that), but we made sure we took him out in the 2018 election as a very clear warning to other Republican squishes.
Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day. Illinois gun owners and supporters participate in an Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day rally at the Illinois State Capitol. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
What’s more, Democrats hold super-majorities in the Illinois House and Senate since 2018’s election. And we have a new governor who campaigned (unsuccessfully) for Congress twenty years ago campaigning for a complete ban on handgun ownership for all Americans.
Just looking at it by party numbers, if Dems all hated guns, one might reasonably think gun rights might face extinction in Abe Lincoln’s home state.
Democrats don’t all hate guns, though.
Looking back for decades in Illinois, the divide on guns has not happened along party lines. Instead, among most Dems, it happens more along geographic lines. Big city Dems generally believe the myth that more gun control will make their big city, high-crime cesspools of violence safer for residents.
Meanwhile, other Democrats vigorously support gun rights – proudly and publicly. They generally hail from rural parts of the state and recognize that their political lives would soon end if they voted or sounded like Chuck Schumer on guns.
We have several more who generally support gun rights privately and often vote for gun rights when the extremists over-reach in their desire for ever more gun control measures.
It may come as a surprise, but sometimes the planets align just right and even members of the Illinois Black Caucus have voted with us against gun control legislation as well.
If fact, if it weren’t for these downstate Dems and others voting with gun rights supporters on occasion, Illinois gun owners would have long ago lost America’s favorite rifle, and possibly semi-autos in general, among other gun control schemes.
Just as important as pro-gun Demcrats, keeping the Republican caucus together will require the effort of true conservatives galvanizing the “squishes” to vote the way they campaigned.
Looking eastward, Virginia no doubt has rural Democrats in their state legislature. If the Illinois template holds any relevance at all in Richmond, rural Dems will hold the key to either passing radical gun control or stopping it there. Assuming, of course, Republicans hold steady to doubtlessly unrelenting pressure from demanding moms, the fake news media, and other pressure from Big Gun Control.
Obviously, gun owners have galvanized against gun control in Virginia. Between gun owners lobbying, and the work of the Virginia Citizens Defense League and NRA-ILA, gun bans and other gun control schemes are not a sure thing in Richmond. Thankfully.
That doesn’t mean the radicals won’t try really hard, though.
Hey, I always point out to gun haters that the NRA is trying to protect freedoms for all Americans. They are not the bad guys.–Bandit
20th Anniversary of Gettysburg Bike to Feature Live Performances by Jasmine Cain, The Atomic Punks, Vixen, Small Town Titans and Hinder–This July, Gettysburg Bike Week will celebrate two decades of being one of the premiere motorcycle rallies in the country. This anniversary rally goes down at the Allstar Events Complex in Gettysburg, PA, and festivities kick off Thursday, July 9, 2020, and run through Sunday, July 12. To help GBW commemorate this auspicious occasion, event organizers have brought in some heavy-hitting musical acts.
“We’re really excited about our musical guests for this milestone,” says GBW event coordinator Kelly Shue. “Hard to believe it’s been 20 years—this year’s rally will be the biggest and best one yet, and I feel like we’re just getting started.”
This year’s storied group of live-music entertainers features Jasmine Cain, back by popular demand for her second year in a row. A Sturgis, South Dakota, native, Ms. Cain moved to Nashville in 2003 and began what can only be described as a stellar career in the music business. Some of her more than 30 awards won include JPF Female Artist of the Year and 4-time Female Rock Vocalist of the year. With seven studio albums under her belt, her shows are stadium quality and high energy, keeping audiences riveted from downbeat to encore.
Thursday night’s headliner is The Atomic Punks, the premiere Van Halen tribute band in the country. Focusing on early David Lee Roth–era VH, TAP were voted Best Tribute Band three years in a row by LA’s Rock City News; David Lee Roth himself has lauded them and borrowed their guitar players for solo tours; and original VH bassist Michael Anthony has played live with the Punks on multiple occasions. This is the closest you’ll get to 1980s Van Halen in the new millennium.
Joining Jasmine Cain as Friday night co-headliner, classic Los Angeles glam rockers Vixen will take to the stage, playing their unique brand of 80s hair metal. Perennial staples in the Billboard Hot 100 in the late 80s, Vixen has been described as “the female Bon Jovi.”
And rounding out the headliners on Saturday, Oklahoma’s Hinder will bring their furious blend of hard rock, post-grunge and glam metal to the GBW faithful. Joining Hinder on Saturday will be York, PA locals The Small Town Titans. They are a rock n’ roll power trio who love to play live. In a world where music fans crave new content constantly, the Small Town Titans aim to deliver their brand of art all of the time, drawing inspiration from a newer wave of rock bands such as Highly Suspect and Royal Blood, and rock legends such as the Foo Fighters, Audioslave, and Deep Purple.
Legendary emcee Jack Schitt once again performs master of ceremonies duties throughout the week on the Budweiser Stage, Gin Gypsies will sling drinks and rally goers can expect performances by the International Bikini Team, plus heavy competition in the Cycle Source Ride-In Bike Show, Mini-Bike races, Bike Games and Rodeo; and the Parade of Chrome. One, two and four-day passes are available online, at Battlefield Harley Davidson (21 Calvary Field Road, Gettysburg) and at the gates during the event.
And, of course, no rally would be complete without great riding, and Gettysburg has some of the best. Whether riders want to see historic battlegrounds or just hit the road for a great cruise, hundreds of miles of the best riding in the East surrounds Gettysburg. In addition to fantastic solo riding, GBW also features awesome group rides and the Pink Journey of Lights and Stars of Hope Charity Rides.
Pricing for Gettysburg Bike Week is as follows:
$40 per-person 3-day passes, available online and at the gates. $31 through December 31st
$25 per-person 2-day passes, available online and at the gates. $23 through December 31st
$15 per-person 1-day passes, available online and at the gates. $14 through December 31st
Children 12 and under receive free admission.
New and returning riders can find updates, the schedule of events, lodging information and anything they ever needed to know about Gettysburg Bike Week by visiting http://www.gettysburgbikeweek.com.
For more information on the Rally, including scheduling, lodging options, and more, visit www.gettysburgbikeweek.com. Follow them on Twitter: @GburgBikeWk. To contact Gettysburg Bike Week, e-mail gbwvendor@yahoo.com.
–Ken Conte
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
Metalflake Joy Bikernet Weekly News for December 19th, 2019
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Metalflake_Joy_Bikernet_Weekly_News_for_December_19th_2019.aspx
In regards to the Easyrider product offer, I ordered a t shirt on October 23 and have not heard a word from them as well.
— Ken Burnett
Inman, SC
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE DAMON FAMILY–2019 has been a big year for us at Damon Motorcycles. We officially came out into the public eye after a couple of years quietly developing and testing safer, smarter two-wheeled mobility. We are grateful to all Damon shareholders, friends and supporters who believed and invested in our vision.
As riders ourselves, we know too well that the standard for motorcycling has stagnated for too long. The lack of options in the market is what fueled us to build our vision of the perfect bike, and we couldn’t have done it without you fellow riders who shared your thoughts, answered our surveys, tested our tech and more.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to watch our live feed unveil of the Damon Hypersport at CES 2020!
BILL MAY REPORT COMING—A comment from the Author.
Wow Deadwood, my old friend Dave Ruth lived there. I was there hanging with him at Sturgis 2010. He passed away in 2012, but his son is still there working at a casino. His name is Dave also.
They have a ‘76 Electra Glide with a 96-inch S&S motor. It’s great in the summer if you can stay in SoCal in the winter. Temps 20 below ain’t fun. Been riding my new old Dyna. It is almost perfect, but I lost the right hand lid of the old style saddlebags yesterday.
It got ran over and crushed. They are from VTwin. Guess I’m going to have to break down and buy a good set from BB reproductions. Check out our shop on Facebook it is linked to mine. Independent Cycle in Nashville.
He has some of my old bikes on there. Are you going to retire or move Bikernet up there? I put bagger air shocks on the Dyna. Because of the different leverage they ride like a caddy with about 80psi in them and the lowered it about 2 inches.
Lots of those available because people are always putting something else in their baggers. Merry Christmas to you and all the crew. I would come see you when it is not bike week.
–Ride on, Bill
WISHING YOU A RODDER’S JOURNAL HOLIDAYS–We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. We hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday with family and friends.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays,
Your Friends at The Rodder’s Journal.
Special-edition Holiday Graphic created by Cailey Awad.
Thanks, Cailey!
NEW FROM THE CLIMATE DEPOT, Shock Epic Fails–The decade that blew up energy predictions – USA energy boom, CO2 emissions drop defied predictions! See the charts!
These five charts show U.S. Energy Information Administration projections from a decade ago, with current EIA data to show what actually happened.
America’s energy sources, like booming oil and crumbling coal, have defied projections and historical precedents over the last decade, Axios’ Amy Harder and Andrew Witherspoon write for her year-end “Harder Line” column.
Why it matters: Change can happen rapidly and unexpectedly, even in an industry known to move gradually and predictably.
With a new decade upon us, let’s look back at the last one’s biggest, most surprising energy changes.
These five charts show U.S. Energy Information Administration projections from a decade ago, with current EIA data to show what actually happened.
Deregulatory accomplishments spotlighted by the president included:
—Withdrawing the United States from the “fraudulent, ineffective and one-sided Paris climate accord.”
—Ending the Obama war on energy, especially policies designed to kill coal miner jobs including the Clean Power Plan, stream (over)-protection rule.
—Opening up federally owned lands and offshore areas to energy exploration and production, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which Republicans have been trying to open up since at least President Reagan’s administration.
—Greenlighting vital pipeline projects such as the Keystone XL and Dakota Access.
https://www.axios.com/energy-predictions-reality-check-524b9be9-2c0c-407e-86cb-37b11aa72ed2.html
–Marc Morano
Climate Depot
QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
Funky Panhead Part 4, New Frontend Installed
Though oleum can mean fuming sulfuric acid, in this case it is the Latin word for “oil”. Captain Jack discovered that spilled fish oil on his deck was inhibiting rust. Point is, you spelled it right. The product is usually spelled Rust-Oleum. Got the rust part right away, but wondered if there was such a word as oleum. So, from one old salt to another he gave you your paint.
No lads, the world is not flat. On my place the land that looks flat is not flat…anyway like the globe(s). Once into Baffin Bay it is smooth sailing indeed.
–Sam
Somewhere in Texas
NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)
MOTORCYCLING GOOD FOR MIND AND BODY
In a fresh take on a previous UCLA study we reported on earlier this year, visordown.com reports that “A study conducted by the Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior (INHB) has concluded that motorcyclists are less stressed and more fulfilled than their four-wheeled counterparts,” adding that “The study originally set about trying to find out if bikers were constantly riding in fear of being involved in an accident, but inadvertently proved the opposite! The results center around a certain hormone called cortisol that is released in the brain when we become anxious. Scientists found that bikers would produce 28% less cortisol during testing than drivers on the same course.”
The study was conducted by the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles, in a controlled manner, with 50 motorcyclists and 50 car drivers making their way around a closed course for 20-minutes. During this time, the team measured the user’s heart rate, cortisol, and adrenaline levels, as well as the user’s brain activity, and it’s here where the most interesting results came from:
“The results found that when riding, the subjects experienced increased sensory focus and resilience to distraction. Riding also produced an increase in adrenaline levels and heart rate, and a decrease in cortisol levels — the kind of results you often get after a light exercise session, which also is a stress reducer.”
Concluding that motorcycles are better for you physically, as well as mentally, visordown.com claims; “The news regarding the mental well-being of motorcyclists goes hand-in-hand with a study that found that riding a motorcycle can burn anywhere between 170-600 calories an hour. As much as some people can burn in an hour at the gym.”
–Bill Bish
Read Bill’s entire monthly report on Bikernet—Bandit
ANOTHER INTERESTING New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
Metalflake Joy Bikernet Weekly News for December 19th, 2019
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Metalflake_Joy_Bikernet_Weekly_News_for_December_19th_2019.aspx
Yes sir, being a biker is like Christmas every day, when you stop and think about it Always something to look forward to.
It feels like Christmas morning every time I throw my leg over my bike!
Merry Christmas!
— Mike Pullin
mikethestealth@hotmail.com
Charlotte, NC
5-BALL RACING LEATHERS REPORT–
Amigo, The Dayroll came in the mail yesterday. I really like it!!
The quality is unbelieveable!
It is perfect for stashing a pair of gloves, maybe a sweatshirt, glasses, maybe spare sunglasses and camera. It will definitely replace the bigger bag I have on my bike for the stuff I carry around everyday!!
Thanks for getting it here so quickly too!! All the best!!
–Ken
THE NEW YEAR, NEW DECADE APPROACHING—I can’t wait. Unlike the Week magazine editor, I believe this will be a banner year for truth, justice and Freedom.
Our President might be a nut, but he’s getting a lot done in the name of the people, and I hope he can keep up the forward movement. I’m pushing for infrastructure action for a growing population, which means expanded roads and transportation.
I would like to see some action on the TSA to make flying fun again. We could save billions if we could slice up that agency some. And as you know our government is run by Attorneys, except our President. They gobble up tons of money and strangle businesses with the sue crazy industry. Any type of Tort reform could save our society trillions and continue to boost the economy.
I need to spend a solid day working on the Salt Torpedo and then we could make a speed run in January. We gotta get it done. Then we can go to paint and prepare for Bonneville.
So, hang on for a banner year in 2020 and for more folks to know and appreciate freedom again.
Ride fast and free forever,
–Bandit
