One of the most tossed around and heated discussion we hear currently is the debate of mandatory helmet laws. Having lived in FLA for the past few years and having the “option” of choosing whether to wear a helmet or not (which i do sometimes), i’m frequently drug into the debate of whether accidents by people on motorcycles causes a burden on the American Healthcare system. Our friends over at WhyBike.com did a bit of research and while there is never going to be a 100% consensus on this “hot potato”, their information does puts somethings in perspective. Take a look at the post!Thanks guys! Great work.

Beer, Bikes and Babes! All of these are synonimous with our industry. But then again, so is drunken drivers, accidents, speeding and deaths. A recent news release from Miller Beer tells us the beer manufacturer has teamed up with the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) to create a unique program to try and educate motorcyclist. The program called “Keep Your Balance” aims to provide motorcyclist with tools that promote safe and successful rides on the open road.

As Miller says on the site, “Alcohol is not for everyone, every time or every place. The majority of people who drink alcohol do so responsibly. However, occasions arise when someone has too much to drink and should not drive…..Miller believes that drunk driving is completely preventable, but we also recognize that it is a collective responsibility and that no organization can solve this problem alone”. While you see other manufacturers talk about “responsible” drinking, nothing seems to have the potential like this “Keep Your Balance” program. So Guilty takes our hat off to Miller Beer in working on this project as well as taking the lead in promoting responsible drinking.

If you service the motorcycle enthusiast in any way, whether your a MFG of parts or bikes or something else, your going to get the “Call”. The call from the media sales people regarding their publication and all the benefits of advertising with them. And of course each “pitch” starts with “We’re the number one (#1) publication in this market”. But after awhile, those statements end up rolling off our backs after lack-luster months of results from advertising and thousands of dollars of hard earned money given to our magazine of choice. A recent report from Anderson News Company which shows sales of all street motorcycle magzines supplied to retailers, seems to set the record straight as to who has bragging rights to the most retail sales figures. Anderson News Company sells roughly 1 out of every 3.5 magazines sold in the US, so their data is significant and worth reviewing. What follows is the average issue sales of each of the 20 top street cycle titles in the Anderson supplied retailers:
Rank Title Average Sale
1 American Iron Magazine 22,283
2 Cycle World 15,246
3 Motorcyclist 13,760
4 Hot Bike 11,014
5 V-Twin 10,946
6 The Horse 10,346
7 RoadBike 7,299
8 Motorcycle Cruiser 6,166
9 2 Wheel Tuner 4,893
10 Easyrider 3,929
11 Street Chopper 3,624
12 Iron Horse 3,543
13 American Rider 3,474
14 Barnett’s Magazine 3,465
15 IronWorks 2,856
16 Robb Report MC 2,729
17 Cycle Source 1,914
18 Rider 1,551
19 Road Racer X 1,244
20 Hot Bike’s Baggers 689

There has been over the past years discussion on how much the online blogs, news sites and others are affecting the shelf sales of magazines. We’re not sure how or whether it’s a fact or not, but from the figures i see above, i’m not too impressed with any of the numbers posted by any of the magazines compared to other national publications in other industries. It seems maybe there is some “cred” with the statement that “Online is cheaper, faster and easier than print to access and has more readers”. But then again, that was a sales person that made that statement. What do you think?

One of the custom motorcycle industries most appreciated, friendly and unique characters is a man i can count as a friend, Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas. Over the past few years, Rick has been a source of encouragement, and direction both from a business as well as from a personal perspective. So, to show Rick our support, we’re heading out to his 12th Anniversary Party that starts on the 28th of this month. It’s 3 days of “Peace & Love & Choppers” as well as Bikes, Babes and Beer. We’re looking forward to spending more time with him and his people as well as getting some good riding in our our newest bike. We’ll update you as we can during and/or after the 1100 mile ride. So if your not doing anything this next weekend, take a nice stroll over to Dallas TX and say hey to Rick. And look me up too…I’ll be the guy walking around bow-legged and sun burned with a smile on his face!

Ok, our kids are well beyond the use of strollers and for the record we don’t normally frequent anything online that deals with baby clothing, toys or breast pumps…anymore. However, a recent post at “The Daily Stroll” pulled up this beauty! Mommies (and baby’s) can cruise in style in their own hot-rod influenced stroller called “The Roddler”, comes in a variety of cool street rod influenced colors, and with the necessary features such as; Pearlized and powder coated paint, DVD entertainment system, iPod dock, custom luggage, rim and tire options, suspension, built-in cup holders, Bluetooth with speaker phone and multifunction computerized display to start. Bop Top and seat coverings; Finished in your choice, consisting of supple ostrich, stingray, alligator, cow hide or alcantra surfaces available in a host of colors and stitch combinations….Just to name a few… How come they didn’t have these when we had kids to drag across town?! Kids these day, they get the coolest stuff….!!

Well, the engine is out of our 1975 Honda which we’re converting to a neat little bobber for our friend Damon. Our first suprise was the amount of rust and decay found in the front end, frame etc. This project has already taken a few interesting turns with the necessity of getting a custom frame built to get the stance/profile and ride we’re looking for. We can say one thing about Honda engineers though, they knew how to get alot of “stuff” in a very small place! And man, did they make these machines HEAVY!!! And you should see the welds on this thing! AHHHHHGH… I think Mike pulled a back muscle yanking the engine out of the Honda’s close fitting frame. Fortunately we’re working with Deviant Designs on the frame build and will have the engine and frame mated up in a few weeks. So far we’ve decided on a cool set of mini-apes, a cadillac brake light system, peanut tank and wheels and tires. 80 spoke wheels on Metzlers will look cool….Thought we’d share some pictures of progress…..

Ok, I’ll admit it right now..this product was designed to quiet a concerned wife….mine! Seems that everytime i’d head out for a trip, her “concern meter” went through the roof. Well, guess what? I found a solution to her concerns over me ending up in a hospital somewhere without anyone knowing who i was, who to contact or my blood types or allergies (or that i’m an organ donor)….the BikER+ID. The BIKER+ID ™ is a biker themed wristband made of woven nylon with a brushed stainless steel ID plate that is imprinted with up to 6 lines of important information (blood type, contact phone numbers, allergies, doctor, etc,) that can help emergency personnel save your life. The bands are available in five different colors and designs in two widths, for women or men. And the BIKER+ID™ isn’t just a piece of riding gear- it’s peace of mind. Wear it anytime you ride or better yet, make a lifestyle statement by wearing it all the time! The BIKER+ID™ is perfect for any rider regardless of size or sex. You can find out more by visiting our Guilty Store! Ok, enough of those shameless plugs for our products. LETS RIDE!

So, you don’t know the difference between ABF, ATM, CCIS, CBT or Cherry Tops?! Well, don’t be disappointed, neither do most people that ride. Even for veterans it’s tough to keep up with all the new terminologies, so the fine folks at Total Motorcycle have come to our aid with their 4th Edition of the “Motorcycle Bikers Dictionary” which is a reference guide for all bikers to look up and learn new words. Impress your friends, and be 2x more popular* (*sorry they can’t guarantee that). They will even accept submissions for words not yet listed. The Motorcycle Bikers Dictionary

We’ve all been there….where we’ve either got our eyes floating or we’re doing the walk of the penguins! Hitting the “can” is our first and only priority and nothing short of death will deter us. Seems like Paul Stender wanted to take his experience to the next level, by building and running his jet-powered port-a-potty! Paul, who is a former pit mechanic, apparently has weak bowels AND has a need for speed and what better way to kill two birds with one stone than to bring the two together. Thus we have “The Speeding Outhouse“. Seems like he also likes to race his friend Tim Arfons’s jet barstool which he’s beaten two of the four times they’ve raced. On Stender’s blackboard is a jet-powered beer truck with a 24,000-horsepower F-16 engine. Yep, man after our own heart! He can now take his friends jet powered bar stool to get beer from his jet-powered beer truck and then go to the can when the urge hits! Now where is that turbo powered TV remote? For more detailed information and schematics of Paul’s Outhouse go to PopularScience.

Every year now since moving to Florida, we get excited about Biketoberfest. Mainly because the people, (compared to Bikeweek) attend the event for the most part, to learn, share knowledge, buy or participate in something that they love…..motorcycling and the craft. There is a large percentage of attendees that actually turn a wrench, weld or pound some metal. Janet Kersey the “Birth Mother” of Biketoberfest, is a great woman and an embassador for the motorcycling community. We wish her and the event planners, the Chamber and the city of Daytona continued success. Here is the official news release from the officials at Biketoberfest.
Daytona Beach area tourism officials are looking forward to a successful 15th anniversary for Biketoberfest®, officially scheduled for October 18-21, 2007. “Biketoberfest® just gets bigger and bigger every year,” said Janet Kersey, Executive Vice President & COO for the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Birth Mother of Biketoberfest®. “The area will roll out the welcome mat for motorcyclists once again next year.” Established in 1992 with a goal of attracting visitors to the Daytona Beach area during the fall value season, Biketoberfest® has quickly grown into one of America’s most recognized motorcycle events. Awarded top honors by the Southeast Tourism Society and the International Festival and Events Association, Biketoberfest® is a fun-filled weekend featuring motorcycle events throughout the county, including popular street festivals throughout the region, charity rides, concerts, expos and other motorcycle-related activities. For more information on Biketoberfest®, visit www.Biketoberfest.org or call the Biketoberfest® hotline at 1-866-296-8970. For year-round information on what the Daytona Beach area has to offer motorcycle enthusiasts, visit the sister Web site of www.Biketoberfest.org at www.BikerBeach.com.

Yep, it’s true, we’re getting involved in another build that we’re really excited about. In an earlier post we’d announced our ground up build for Gatorz Eyewear. Now, we’ll be taking a stock mid 70’s Honda 550 (we’re not really sure what year it is at this point) and turning that iron sled into a kick butt bobber. The picture to the right (stock picture) is the bike as purchased by it’s owner, Damon. What is planned for this cool build is a Deviant Designs built rigid frame incorporating the front suspension, engine and drivetrain, and possibly the handlebars. We’re also hoping to salvage at least the front fender to use as well as some other parts! Some cool coil-over seat shocks, seat pan, new wheels and tires are in the plans as well as a thorough cleaning and media blasting prior to the fab work should bring this baby around to be quite a bike. We have to admit this is our first metric built bobber, so Mike and I are anxious to get our hands into this cool project. With the trends now focusing on “non-twin” (Triumphs, BSA’s, and Honda, Yamaha, etc) for cool bobbers we can’t help but think this type of build will be catching on with others as well. So, keep coming back for more updates on this build as we’ll be documenting it for Damon and others that are interested.

As motorcycle riders, we all see from time-to-times a variety of “sightings” as we traverse the highways and byways of our respective countries. Some countries have more than their fair share of such sightings. We here in the U.S.A. (with our abundance of interstates, backroads and city riding) in addition to miles and miles of riding surfaces to explore and enjoy, also have more than our fair share of both ignorant and mentally challenged people that just don’t think when they get on a two-wheeler. Granted, we’re sure there were some double takes and laughts (and i would be one of them too) in seeing this “crack”, but you have to seriously ask yourself, “what the **** was this girl thinking?!” But then again, i doubt she was doing any thinking…..just “ridin’ with her man”. Do know that people were jockeying for position behind this rider! “Hey, honey look at that cool paint job on that motorcycle that just passed us…looks like a full moon!”

According to a news release dated Friday Sept. 14 in the Milwaukee Business Journal HD will close 5 plants in November of this year. This action by HD is the result of its plans to scale back production. The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer will close its final assembly plants in York, Pa., and Kansas City, as well as the company’s powertrain operations in Wauwatosa and Menomonee Falls, and its Tomahawk Operations in Tomahawk for the week of Nov. 26. Harley said the workers will continue to receive health care coverage.

Harley said “some sites will take additional steps to achieve their production reductions,” but the company did not state what the actions would be. Harley announced Sept. 7 that it had lowered its sales projections for the third quarter and for the second half of 2007 and now says unit sales will be lower than last year.

Harley-Davidson now projects third-quarter shipments of 86,000 to 88,000 motorcycles, down from a previous forecast of 91,000 to 95,000 units. As a result, the firm now expects a modest decline in revenue for 2007, and earnings per share are expected to be down 4 to 6 percent, in the range of $3.69 to $3.77 a share.

Looks like Seattle WA is taking the que from local Florida city, Miami, as well as Pittsburg and other cities in using first responders on two wheels. “The Motorcycle Medic One Unit…will have the mobility and flexibility to better navigate downtown traffic and respond to medical emergencies when seconds count,” said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. The two year pilot program will put two paramedics on separate motorcycles outfitted with life-saving equipment including defibrillators and cardiac drugs. Of course, the motorcycles won’t be able to hold as much as their larger Medic One ambulance cousins. “The job of the motorcycle medics is to evaluate patients, coordinate hospital transport when needed and quickly move on to another medical response,” said Seattle Fire Chief Gregory Dean. It would be interesting to see what information is available for how many lives are saved due to the quicker response time from these motorcycle mounted medics.

I’ve always questioned the finding of various reports alluding to the notion that “baby boomers” are the ones that are killing themselves at an alarming rate as compared to other riders on two wheels. Well, a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), just released their finding that took a longer and deeper look at the numbers and duh, it turns out that the deaths attributed to “supersport motorcycles” was pegged at 22.5 deaths per 10,000 registered motorcycles. The next nearest rate was 10.7 among “Sport/unclad sport” all the way down to 5.7 for cruisers and 6.5 for touring motorcycles. The Blog “The Kneeslider” has a great commentary on these finding, so cruise on over.