Back in Carolina, though won't be riding this trip, though the day is sunny, and relatively warm. Problem is that there are still patches of ice on the roads from the big winter storm last week, and a ton of salt and sand on the roads. Just washed the bike after the last salty ride, been cold for the last couple of weeks in Richmond, and frankly will wait till the next trip to ride. I will be putting the bike in the trickle charger; to give the battery a charge, and will start it up tomorrow to run some fluids though the engine, but the ride will have to wait.
That is not to say that motorcycling is far from my mind. I made a visit to Davis Harley-Davidson in Burlington, NC; got some nice photos and those will be in the next post here in a few days. I also watched a bit of Supercross live last night before bed from Phoenix, AZ. A big treat has been the American Motorcyclist Magazine that came yesterday. The February 2011 edition had (as always) a lot of good articles. Liked the one on Bob "Hurricane" Hannah, who was a great motocross/supercross racer. Always enjoy watching those motorcyclists "fly", and Bob was also a very good air racer...who flew P-51 warbirds at Reno among other places, and has a successful aircraft business. He still rides (though a Harley-Davidson now) and is also a big fan of dogs. I think I would really like this guy. It also had a great article on Jorma Kaukonen, who was one of the founders of the Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna (the latter still tours), and lives in Southeast Ohio where he rides motorcycles. Jorma has also been on some interesting cross country motorcycle rides. I also learned that I get a free motorcycle rental (its in the magazine) on my birthday this year with EagleRider. The magazine is published by the American Motorcyclist Association, and is a great group to belong to. It protects rights of bikers, you get great discounts though a number of benefits (have gotten some good hotel discounts through the AMA, also some good deals on parts), and being a member gives me a discount on my motorcycle insurance...so its a win win sort of thing.
However...a bit of disagreement between me and them has come up. Minor but worth a few words. Arnold Schwarzenegger (whew) was made the 2010 Motorcyclist of the Year by the AMA due to his "negative" impact on the sport by signing a law that would require an EPA stamp on aftermarket exhausts on bikes sold after 2013 in California. This law was passed by the legislature, and would cut down on the noise from loud pipes. I know the argument "loud pipes save lives". Loud pipes also piss off other citizens, and I know from rides with a few bikers who had "loud pipes" that they get attention as well from citizens who drive in cars with uniforms on, and have colored lights on their state, county and city cars! Before leaving Richmond, read an opinion letter in the Richmond paper on a persons problems with loud motorcycles. The AMA seems to feel that we can "self police" but that does not seem to be working well. I am all for freedom, but loud bikes impact our freedom to ride. I agree with people who want to replace stock systems with aftermarket (and I am among those who have done it) but either for performance or for cost (they are a whole lot cheaper, as a rule, than stock systems). My point is that picking on Arnold (who has been a good friend to motorcycling; has ridden in many of his movies) for being the "first" is not fair. I think that unless the aftermarket industry makes some effort to control the noise of its pipes, that this is just the tip of what is coming. I think that limits on the noise stock pipes can make, coupled with increased enforcement is coming; the alternative will be bans on motorcycles in many areas such as parks and even neighborhoods (and that has happened in a lot of places already). Yeah I know its all about "Freedom" but freedom has a price in many directions. So in this case, I am not a fan of what they did to Arnold or why.
Still though, I will remain a member of the AMA. Like what it does in general, and like the magazine a great deal. Fun to keep up with races, and noted that the AMA Pro Superbike Championship will be rolling into Alton, VA August 12-14. They cover a lot of motorcycle races, and also other events in the states. So I enjoyed the issue, and am pleased with being an AMA member in general. Like any group, will always be some disagreement.
Motorcycling is a great sport, as well as one of the things I do that I most enjoy, and want to keep it viable for future generations to come. That is why the AMA is important, and is worth your attention. Ride safe, and see you on the open road!
On Saturday January 15 was on the way home to Carolina from Virginia. Took a rest stop at Davis Harley-Davidson in Burlington, NC. Though I do not, and have never owned a Harley, I do like the motorcycles. They are American Icons which have stood the test of time. Davis seems to be a really good dealership; they don't hassle you as you look around, and they have a nice selection of bikes, clothes and parts from what I have seen. They also have a number of old Harley motorcycles on display. The brand has a long history; being the oldest continuous American manufacturer. Though Indian and Victory made bikes in the US, Harley had made them longer. 
In the foreground is a 2011 Fat Bob (that is a 2010 in the background; though not sure of the model). Harley started production in 1903 in Milwaukee, WI. It built its first V-twin in 1907, though it has had many variations in that motor over the years. It has even trademarked the sound of that engine, which is unique to Harley (and from a show I saw, spent a great deal of money to get its V-Rod to sound the same as all other Harley motorcycles). There were some 150 manufacturers when Harley started, after the Great Depression only two remained: Harley and Indian. Indian would go out of production in the 1950s, though it came back a few times. Indian is made in North Carolina, near Kings Mountain. 
Bike below is the 2011 Fat Bob Lo. Harley has been working to make its bikes more popular with both women and younger people. Read an article some time ago that motorcycle buyers are getting older, and Harley has been working to appeal to both a different demographic in the US, but also is building bikes to appeal to buyers overseas. In fact on the drive home a few days ago, heard in an NPR story that Vietnam has its first HOG (Harley Owners Group) as with the rising incomes there some of the Vietnamese can now own Harley-Davidson motorcycles. HOG is a big part of Harley ownership; the clubs get together for events and rides on a regular basis, and most of the dealerships are active supporters of the groups. 
Last photo is a 2011 Electra Glide. One of the earliest motorcycle movies I remember seeing was "Electra Glide in Blue", and I also remember the old tv show "Then Came Bronson". Though Harley has suffered some serious sales losses, as have all other motorcycle manufacturers in the current recession, they are still churning out bikes. Harley is always the first to show new models, and they are classics in every since of the word. Love em or hate em, they are a vital part of Americana and the classic American motorcycle. Certainly I have enjoyed riding with a number of Harley riders (and have been welcomed even while on my Kawasaki Vulcan) and have been to some great events with them. I will be featuring more 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and more from the other brands as the year goes on. Thanks for visiting my page!
