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BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT– I hope this week finds everyone in the best of shape. Another week goes by, next week is Sturgis and the end of the summer is near. Not that we ever fuckin’ notice it is summer! That happens to be one of the “pains” of living in the tropics, It’s always Summer. So as we start our trip to the Black Hills, we will be visiting friends along the way. It?s always cool to stop at their shops and hang out for a bit, see what’s up and get to share what’s up our sleeves. Friendship, what a tricky word to use freely. While there is always “people we know”, true friends are few and far between. In days, that “word” is just a saying by that defunct wanna be rapper called Vanilla Ice it’s hard to know who you can actually trust. Jay’s saying expresses this pretty well, “buddies will help you move, but a friend will help you move a body”. Bandit’s code of the West or anyone’s code for that matter should include these three insignificant but powerful words, Honesty, Respect and Word. Remember Scarface? ” I don’t break my word nor , nor my balls…”
It’s a very tuff world out there and in these days of TV stardoms and lifes of make believe, staying true is one of the most difficult things to do. Look at Kobe Bryant, would he be involved in all that legal crap if he were nobody? My wild guess is not, the whole event would have been a wild, impromptu romp, and kept at that. People on the spotlight have to watch out who are they surrounded by, not always things are for the better, nor advice the best. People got to stay true to themselves no matter what, and to the people that knew them before they became “famous”.
Jesse described fame as the amount of people that know of you vs. the people you know. How true indeed. I have talked to him and he says being well known is not an easy task, but family and friends help keep him grounded.
The more exposure everyone gets the more people you end up knowing. How do you sift from true people and fakes? Pretty difficult question; pretty hard to actually figure out. Sometimes when you live by that trio of words above, you tend to believe that most people are the same way, but sometimes, it is not. During a previous time I used to hang out with people that are considered famous, actors, models, etc. People that were my friends, people that are long gone and not even a number on the list. I guess that’s the way of stardom, people tend to forget where they came from, who was there when they were waiters, or trying to make ends meet.
I want to make clear that I’m not talking about anyone in particular by this, take it as a warning if you might. I’m just wondering that with the way that TV is portraying our lifestyle, which and how will some people’s life change and to better or worse.
Some have the power at their hands and it’s available, the power and the burden that exposure gives you. The power to do good, the burden of being able to make the right choices. Of not wondering if your next conquest will become a court case, of being able to walk freely amongst people without having fans swamp you, of not loosing true friends because you lost sight of who you really are.
Friends will always be available no matter what and true friends are our ground to reality. And the only people that truly help each other without needing anything in exchange. don’t waste them and don’t set them aside. Too late is not a phrase that people enjoy, don’t let it be too late.I guess that all this fame thing started as a joke, and like always got me thinking, and you know is not good when I start thinking….
On another note, we are looking forward to Sturgis cause there’s a lot of people heading that way and as always, we expect to meet most. It will be a fun time riding and hanging out, and sure there will be some people that will not be able to make it and will be missed. The calls and e-mails are flying back and forth, meeting places and activities already chosen. We also have the task of giving thousands of Horse magazines away, so we will see how the fuck that works when my chopper barely allows me to ride it, much less carry stuff, but we will manage. The Black Hills are waiting, and the cops as well.
If you see Puerto Rico plates wave us over……. have a safe and fun trip. See you there!
–Jose Caribbean Bikernet reporter
HARLEY’S INTRODUCTION TO 2004– For the 2004 model year, Harley-Davidson recently introduced to their dealer network a completely redesigned rubbermounted XL Sportster line (watch for the new tank design) and a new model in the VRSC V-Rod family (a lower priced standard). The Motor Company’s summer dealer meeting was held this year in Las Vegas.
I just got word from on high on that the 2004 Road King Custom willbe the hot touring ticket.
Also introduced were two new Buell models, Firebolt XB12R and the Lightning XB12S, each featuring a new 103-horsepower engine. The two new models will join existing models – Firebolt XB9R, Lightning XB9S and Buell Blast – as part of Buell’s 2004 line. Changes to the Lightning XB9S, Lightining Low XB9S, and Firebolt XB9R were also announced. All 2004 Buell motorcycles will be covered by a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty replacing the previous one-year warranty.
Harley-Davidson will unveil the entire 2004 model line-up to the general public on Thursday, August 28th during the Company’s 100th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee, WI. The Company extended the 2003 model year to 14 months in order to meet anticipated demand for its 100th Anniversary models. Shipments of 2004 motorcycles to the worldwide dealer network will begin in September 2003.
Rumor has it that new custom paint schemes are headed to dealers including more flames and dicey designs. It is good to see the “Old Motor Company” not standing still after their 100th birthday. They are really excited about the start of the next 100 years!
–Motorcycle News Network and Secret Agent
IT’S BACK TO THE GARAGE–The Custom Chrome Beach Ride Bike is completed. It tooks us nine days. During the final photo shoot for American Rider I dropped the bike, dinging the tank. I’ve been moving motorcycles on delicate studio backgrounds for 35 years, and I dropped this one… I’m still on restriction.
The Goliath was on display at the LA Calendar bike show last weekend. Tomorrow it will be hauled back to the Queen Mary for a poster photo shoot, then onto the Veterans stadium this weekend for the swap meet. It’s for sale during the Beach Ride, but you can bid on it now.
That’s it, for this second. There’s more news hanging in the clouds over the coast and a particular girl I’m chasin’. Wish she would slow down and let me catch her.
While riding to Sturgis remember Peter Fonda’s Deer Rule–don’t ride at night. Jose will send us reports from the Badlands during the event, so we’ll keep you right on top of the action.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
