Granted, we’re all about cleaning up the environment in a manner that helps sustain our longevity here on this planet. And we’ve even taken on some projects of our own to help; such as separating our plastic’s from paper, reducing lawn work and even coffee consumption. Yes, really! Even going as far as getting a dually diesel truck in place of a gas truck (they say it’s cleaner-but we just like the sound and size). But if your serious about helping the environment, you have to take risks, and step outside the norm of everyday “business as usual”. Which it looks like the guys at Fish Design, have done. They have a future concept for a chopper that has environmentaly friendly techniques. In their words,

“The purpose was to find a future concept for custom motorcycles, without a “real” engine, sound or traditional design. I wish to attract a cool target group. The hybrid power train is not as beautiful as the traditional custom engine. (v-twin) How does that affect the esthetical function? The keyword for my design is “powerful elegance”.”

While it won’t get you the reaction you’re use to having when you crack back the throttle and blast those unsuspecting pedestrians or cagers, you can rest assured you’d be appreciated by environmental activist, grand kids, politicians that listen to their constituents and neighbors. Seriously. Really. Take my word for it. Honest. No kidding.

Hey, thanks for coming back! Great to see there are a few of you out there that have taste and style! Seriously, thanks for visiting. If you know of stories you think people would be interested in, shoot us a line C'ya!

As with any “generational change”…..things change. The interest, music, lifestyle, priorities, communications, etc. The same can be said with the motorcycle industry. The 50’s had the rough homemade “motorbikes” soldiers made after coming home from the war. The 70’s had motocross and choppers made from honda/harley/bsa and ridden everyday. The 80’s had the influx of crotch rockets, road racing and the start of “touring” bikes. The 90’s and early 2000’s had the billet and trailer queens. Now we’re facing the “Next Generation” (people under 35 yrs old) of riders (and builders) that have a passion for building utilitarian bikes that are aesthetically pleasing, mechanically sound and unique. If you want a visual of this group check out the “Limpnickie Lot” group. This next generation demographic is something that the major manufactures, whether they are motorcycle related or not, are having to get their heads around. At a recent panel discussion at the Easy Rider V-Twin conference in Cincinnati, Guilt Customs was fortunate enough to be a panelist (along with some industry legends) addressing “Marketing to the Next Generation“. While we won’t give all the data that we presented, here is a look at this “Next Generation”.

37% minority
49.3 million people make up this group
$1.4 trillion buying power
62% are married
29.7 million are parents
81% are employed full time
36% invest in stocks/options
30% of the internet using population
19 hours. Is what they spend engaged in some form of media every day
59% send instant messages
67% use social networking sites
72% watch videos online
43% read blogs
20% create blogs
10% visit a “virtual” world
8% are divorced

Everyone knows that the Guilty Truth Blog is more about bikes and the motorcycle lifestyle, but one trend we keep seeing pop up at a lot of events and in mag’s is Body Painting. That simple art of taking a woman’s body (curves and all) and putting paint on it to make them look like they have clothes on. The styles can range from as simple as a bathing suit to as elaborate as multiple layered suits. Again, all an illusion. Simple, unique and well, quite distracting. Initially made popular in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, body painting combines the best of both worlds. Granted, you’re basically looking at naked women, but because they’re covered with a layer of paint, you don’t feel like a total pervert. “Hey honey, i’ve got three cans high gloss paint, can you help me for a minute on a project…..”

So, where does one start in trying to capture both the energy, spirit and people that make up the Easy Rider V-Twin Expo? First we can start by saying that the Limpnickie Lot was the happening place! And that’s not just us talking either. Conversations about the “Lot” whether in the elevators, on the escalators, in the restaurants or walk ways was commonly overheard and encouraging words and support from industry leaders and legends only reinforced the decision that was made to push forward with this venue. Media coverage by various TV shows, online and print magazines were constant throughout the days. Even Jay Barbieri from American Thunder and the crew got involved as they filmed and held interviews with a number of builders for their new format TV show on Speed Channel.
With the builders represented and promoting the new “Limpnickie Builders” catalogue, (featuring parts from each participant), along with high energy video and audio as well as live skateboarding exhibits happening right on the main floor, the attendees were both inquisitive, some puzzled and others delighted to see how much fun some builders can still have.
The panel discussions that covered “Marketing to Women” as well as “Marketing to the Next Generation” brought a lot of attendees as well as needed attention to these two growing areas as did the panel discussion presented by Keith Ball of Bikernet on recent legislation facing the industry. Attendance, while down was not a deterrent to people asking questions, finding out about the newest products and generally networking with their friends and associates in the industry. Overall the show still represents the determination and indomitable spirit that this industry has represented over the years, regardless of the economic situation we find ourselves in. Sorry we don’t have any pictures yet, but we will shortly and will post.

In an earlier post (see here), we’d started listing various cool helmets we see either in person or on various sites. Here are a few that definitely strike us as cool. It is interesting to see the various styles and transitions that helmets are going through whether you view them as more “functional” or as “mediums of artwork”. Either way, seeing such pieces makes you want to go and get a cool lid to ride around with or (if your really strange, sit in front of the TV and munch chips and drink a beer). We know, we know..TMI, TMI.

There are people all over the place toting film cameras around shooting whatever comes across their lens. Their work, is like you’d expect, crap! Then there are others that make it an “Art Form”. Such is the case with Richard Grabbe. We met Richard while at Sturgis this past year (08′) at The Broken Spoke with the Limpnickie Lot. Not only does he make a cool bike, but he’s also an up an coming film maker with a very keen eye for detail and creativity. This is his documentary of the lives and times of the custom motorcycle world. A free form art picture dedicated to bringing you the nitty gritty of what the custom motorcycle lifestyle is all about. It documents time spent on the road by guys that have nothing but their bikes and tents and delves into exactly what it takes to build one of these custom one off motorcycles. You can pre-order this video at the Free To Wander website. Click HERE.

Here is a thought….introduce a new word into the biker vocabulary that gets away from the over used term “rat bike”. The term “Gutter Bike” tips it’s hat to those bikes our forefathers (grandparents or parents, etc) rode that were actually daily rides, that they had personally modified. We thing there are plenty of bikes that represent this style but get lumped into “Rat Bikes” simply because they don’t fit a certain look or style. Gutter Bikes ain’t pretty, they use common everyday parts (and even uncommon parts), show their blemishes and definitely don’t have billet. So, how’d this all come about. Too many late nights crammed back to back where sleep depravation kicks in and your brain goes wild on you…regardless of what your body is saying.

Yeah, we know, we’ve not posted in a few days…ok more than a few days. But we’re back and starting to get things under control. So look for some items over the next few days. Our trip up north brought some friends back into our lives as well as some needed rest. Talk soon!

We were just over at BrainBucket and found this article pretty interesting. “We’re Tired of Pictures With Only Birds and Boats” said Dwain Deville, author of The Biker’s Guide to Business. Dwain has created a new line of inspirational business posters with a biker attitude! Each year over 300,000 motorcycles are sold to Senior Business Executives, male and female, making in excess of $100,000 per year. Having to be corporate during the week, these Business Bikers ride to adjust their attitude and enjoy a sense of freedom like no other.

“As an avid rider and business leader for over 30 years I’ve looked for an inspirational business poster to hang on my office wall that reflects the unique way Business Bikers view business and the world looks from the saddle…and I’m not alone.” Said Dwain DeVille, Author of The Biker’s Guide to Business.

Tired of finding only the same old pretty pictures of birds and boats, Dwain teamed up with a couple of fellow riders to design a series of inspirational business posters that better express the way business men and women who ride think.

Together with Rick Morgan, CEO of the design firm Coastline Studios, Dave Simons, CEO of Designers’ Press and Doug Scaletta, an award winning photographer, they’ve produced a series of posters that embody the intensity and passion all riders bring to business.

“These posters are designed to give you that ‘biker’ feel whether you’re behind a desk or in the boardroom. Because like the millions of Business Bikers out there, we’d rather ride our motorcycles and think about business instead of sitting at our desk thinking about riding!!!”

Dwain is author of the upcoming book The Biker’s Guide to Business, to be published by John Wiley and Sons in August 2009. His posters have come out first and can be found on the website bikerbusinessposters.com . Posters sale for $19.97 plus shipping.

Having spent the better part of my teenage years doing handstands, street skating and 180’s on “fishtail” boards made in our garage and running those cuttin edge “sealed bearing wheels” (yeah, we’re old skool) i have to say i’m a bit jealous (but stoked) when i’m watching this type of physical dexterity and foolery. So, who knows what will come of this. But it’s cool to watch and these guys get props for what they do There are actually two different styles involved here. One being the original french born “parkour” and “Free Running” which involves more flips vs jumps. Enjoy

Call us crazy but i think we can find a better use for fingers than this. Seems the students from the Vanita Mahavidyalaya HS in India like to have their hands run over by a motorcycle so as to demonstrate their karate skills at the school’s annual sports day in Hyderabad. Wow, forget about those old fashioned “field trip” days!
Source: Routers

We know the “NextGen” are people that aren’t satisfied with the status quo. As a matter of fact, they take things to the next level in whatever arena they participate. We see that passion everyday in the motorcycling business as this generations interest and influences are affecting the way we do business as well as the type bikes being built. Here is an example that this generation isn’t just “settin around and waiting” for things to happen but rather “making it happen“.

Go ahead, share the news with friends & enjoy. Best thing you'll do all day!:

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