Hey,
Strange times. Here’s a quote from the October issue of Road and Track, “There is no denying that the automobile has a social cost–clean air, use of resources, accidents. In all fairness, these costs must be weighed against the benefits–mobility, freedom and independence,” wrote Matt DeLorenzo the editor in chief. There’s that balanced approach.
We need to find a way. On the other hand all the regulations in the world won’t help as long as the population continues to increase at alarming rates. But it’s Thursday, Bikernet News Day, and we’ve attempt to avoid Negative Waves.
I dodged jury duty this week. What could be better? Let’s hit the news.
iMC Motorcom Introduces Headset for Scorpion EXO-900–iMC Motorcom announced the release of their Scorpion EXO-900 motorcycle helmet-integrated headsets: the EX line. The EX line features all the components necessary to set up the Scorpion EXO-900 for use with a Honda Gold Wing, Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, two-way radio, 3.5-mm audio device, or 3.5-mm cell phone. The headset works with any configuration of the Scorpion EXO-900, regardless whether it is flip-up, full-face, or three-quarter.
The kit includes two hi-fi flat panel speakers that fit into the speaker recesses of the Scorpion EXO-900. The noise-canceling microphone promises to provide riders with clear communication. Depending on the application, each kit comes with the proper lower cable to connect to the headset port of the respective device.
Also included is a color-matched communications door, which allows for discrete installation of the speaker and microphone wiring. The EX line is now available at a retail price between $45 and $80 depending on configuration at motorcycle dealers already stocking iMC Motorcom products, and online at www.imcmoto.com.
– – C.S. Berg
By VALERIE WHITNEY , BUSINESS WRITER
DAYTONA Attendance was down in Daytona on Saturday due to the rain and cold.Cold-weary riders find warm fun at bike show– The Rat’s Hole custom motorcycle show started 38 years ago by local merchant Karl “Big Daddy Rat” Smith Sr., who died in 2002. His son, Ted, runs the show now. Enthusiasts tout it as the biggest and one of the best of its kind with hundreds of custom bikes competing for coveted Rat trophies. While the first 12 classes were held Saturday, Part 2 to be held this weekend features the most popular classes. If You Go: The show runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. under the pavilion at Destination Daytona, 1637 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach. Classes include: three-wheeler, most unusual, full dresser and touring, rat class, bobber, extreme bobber, antique classics restored, antique classics unrestored, over 600 cc street fighter, over 1000 cc custom, over 1000 cc radical, and over 1000 cc super radical. One bike will be selected as best in show. Backyard Bone Band will provide live entertainment.— Julie Murphy
–from Rogue
Big Bad Truck Meet Comin Up NOT in the US–You always thought we had the biggest, baddest trucks here in the States, right? Well, think again: This monster of a big-rig lives nowhere near the North American continent. It belongs to Tommy Nilsson over in Scandinavia and won the Nodic Trophy 2009. In case you are interested: The polished tanker behind the Scania R620 is 17 meters (almost 56 feet) long.
The next big gathering of trucks over in Scandinavia is the Stockholm Truck Meet in Sweden from May 27 – 29 during the Maskin Expo, the leading plant and machinery fair. The truck meets website can be found at www.sthlmtruckmeet.se (the pictures are under menu point „Tidigare evenemang” in case you don’t understand Swedish, which, of course, you do perfectly).
– – C.S. Berg
Thunder Roads Magazine & Saddle Tramp Magazine are now confirmed to attend the event–105.9 The Rock WNRQ Nashville is now an official supporter!Bikerlowndown Radio Show Host’s Chuck & LJ have given birth, unbeknown to them at this writing but because of their radio show introduction to Baker & Biker Rock Sister Geneva we’re excited to announce the 1st annual Nashville Biker event “Geneva’s Rock n Ride with Baker”.
The event will be Saturday May 8th from noon till 8 PM @ the “Limelight” 201 Woodland Street Nashville, TN. A killer venue right across the river from downtown & across from Titans Stadium. Tons of Bike parking as we’re anticipating 500 plus bikes to be there for Geneva’s filming for an upcoming episode of her Rock n Ride Fox Reality Show featuring her hometown of Nashville. There will be a couple more bands along with biker events outside, bike vendors selling swag, Nashville tattoo artist TBA, custom choppers, games, National & Regional Biker Magazine Reps. & tons of stuff yet to be decided.
The stage is indoors & the club is huge with garage doors that roll up on one end. Classy old school layout with couches, plenty of tables, chairs and bar space. Also has a VIP area with private bar. The menu is great & very affordable with a variety of food to please any appetite & yes, there is a full bar!
To kick off the event we’re organizing a Charity Ride for Vanderbilt Trauma Surgical & Critical Care
This is a worthy cause to not only help our fallen Biker Brother’s & Sister’s but everyone who has suffered a traumatic injury. The Ride will only be $10 minimum per person but we encourage those who can give more to please do so. We have a really cool route planned TBA & will also be filmed as we come over a big hill riding towards the Cumberland River. Geneva plans to ride & film from the back of a bike, Very Cool! Admission for the event will also only be $10.00 per person in advance $12.00 day of show. This is breaking news so details will be posted on this website www.bakersongs.com as they develop.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH LESSON–Word for the day:didactic dy-DAK-tik; duh-, adjective:
1. Fitted or intended to teach; conveying instruction; instructive; teaching some moral lesson; as, “didactic essays.”
2. Inclined to teach or moralize excessively; moralistic.
The show trial may be defined as a public theatrical performance in the form of a trial, didactic in purpose, intended not to establish the guilt of the accused but rather to demonstrate the heinousness of the person’s crimes.
— Sheila Fitzpatrick, Everyday Stalinism
In class, embarrassed girlish laughter joined the “hee-haws” of our male classmates when centerfolds appeared in the middle of medical lectures, ostensibly to add a wake-up jolt to otherwise uninspired didactic presentations.
— Frances K. Conley M.D., Walking Out on the Boys
While Cooper offers a nice message about the demands of friendship and the need to share and be flexible, her writing is not the least bit didactic or dogmatic.
— Stephen Del Vecchio, review of Pumpkin Soup, by Helen Cooper, Teacher Magazine, May 2000
Didactic comes from Greek didaktikos, “skillful in teaching,” from didaktos, “taught,” from didaskein, “to teach, to educate.”
SHE’S PLANNING HER CROSS COUNTRY RIDE–Any of you amazing women who want to join Alystar even for a few miles are all welcome. Including any rider who has an amazing story and who is anywhere close to the trip path, contact Alystar, she would love to hear your stories.
FOLLOW ME Will take you places you would never get to experience, either because you can’t take off work for that amount of time or you can’t ride a motorcycle and fulfill a lifelong dream. Take part in a breath-taking, one of a kind experience that Alystar will take you across the country and experience some of the best scenic motorcycle rides through the unforgiving Death Valley Desert, climb through mountains gaps, along rivers, across lakes, along the ocean coastlines and along windy twisty roads, from start to finish. It’s the perfect therapy on all levels.
Watch for the whole story next week on Bikernet–Wrench
New Motorcycle Sales, Service, Customizing and Rental Shop Coming to Atlanta Area–The grand opening of Scorpion’s Cycles full service Sales, Service and Customizing shop is scheduled for May 1st through 5th 2010, Cinco de Mayo.
Prominently planned for the shop are many features for the ladies, including a new line up of safety riding apparel designed with high fashion in mind. Scorpion’s Cycles will carry the full line of Johnny Pag motorcycles that get 60-65 mpg for an ‘out the door price’ of around $5,000. Not to be missed is the Pink Spyder chopper.Whether it’s a weekend bike ride or week long motorcycle tour of the mountains, Scorpion’s Cycles offer more fun for the buck. Whether a beginner, novice or pro, they have a bike for that. If you are looking for a new bike but you’re not sure which one? Take advantage of the “Rent it Before You Buy it” program. Delivery to the DMV test site, your home, hotel, office or the local airport is available (charges apply) or just pick it up.
There is a passion here for all things motorcycle: sales, customizing, rentals, and service. In the Atlanta Georgia Metro area, come by the shop and check it out. According to co-owner Benny Griffis, “We service any brand and sell new ‘Alternative Cruisers’ as well as a great selection of used, rebuilt, and custom motorcycles. In the Service/Customization department, our motto is “You dream it, we’ll build it.”For more information go to www.scorpion-cycles.com .
– – C.S. Berg
THE ECONOMY CAN’T BE ALL BAD, D&D DEALERS CONTINUE TO GROW IN NUMBERS–Here are the last two weeks worth of new dealers
Week ending 2-26-10
1) American Cycle Performance 30 Aquahart Rd Glenburnie, MD 21061 410-787-7300
2) Haye’s Custom Cycles 3 Center Dr Ledyard, CT 06339 860-464-6652
3) Babes Customs 2743 San Pablo Ave # 5048 Oakland, CA 94612 510-690-5044
4) Biker Garage 101 550 MT Maria Rd Spruce, MI 48762 989-736-6300
5) Flying W Performance 29620 Green Rd Borden, IN 47106 812-923-9027
week ending 2-19-10
1) Mattoon Kawasaki Yamaha 209 South 21st ST Mattoon, IL 61938 217-258-2000
2) Radical Baggers Inc 1260 Cherry Dr Adrian, MI 49221 248-726-9708
3) V Twin City Lamminakatu 5 Loimaa Finland 32200 358 0 207 436 820
4) International Classic Motorcycles Box 922 # 8 -994 Errington Rd Errington, BC V0R1V0 250-248-2200
5) Pralle Cycle 1271 140th ST Hampton IA 50441 641-456-4224
6) Bayside Harley 2211 Frederick Blvd Portsmouth, VA 23704 757-397-5550
7) Performance Fabrication 801 Olden Rd West Falls, NY 14170 716-655-3942
— Jennifer Millican
D & D Performance Ent
And as always RIDE SAFE & LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES
817-834-8961
Fx: 817-831-4260
BIKERNET JOKE OF THE DAY–A man walks into a bar and asks the bartender, “If I show you a really good trick, will you give me a free drink?” The bartender considers it, then agrees. The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny rat. He reaches into his other pocket and pulls out a tiny piano. The rat stretches, cracks his knuckles, and proceeds to play the blues.
After the man finished his drink, he asked the bartender, “If I show you an even better trick, will you give me free drinks for the rest of the evening?” The bartender agrees, thinking that no trick could possibly be better than the first. The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny rat. He reaches into his other pocket and pulls out a tiny piano. The rat stretches, cracks his knuckles, and proceeds to play the blues. The man reaches into another pocket and pulls out a small bullfrog, who begins to sing along with the rat’s music.
While the man is enjoying his beverages, a stranger confronts him and offers him $100,000.00 for the bullfrog.
“Sorry,” the man replies, “he’s not for sale.”
The stranger increases the offer to $250,000.00 cash up front.
“No,” he insists, “he’s not for sale.”
The stranger again increases the offer, this time to $500,000.00 cash. The man finally agrees, and turns the frog over to the stranger in exchange for the money.
“Are you insane?” the bartender demanded. “That frog could have been worth millions to you, and you let him go for a mere $500,000!”
“Don’t worry about it.” the man answered. “The frog was really nothing special. You see, the rat’s a ventriloquist.”
–Bob Mullins
P&0 TRANS (QLD)
A CHAPTER FROM THE UNCLE MONKEY DOCTRINE– Nice Bike. Sadly the words have become trivial over time. After all when was the last time that you saw a bike that wasn’t nice? Sure Rat bikes and duct taped – road rashed crotch rockets may not be the prettiest bikes on the road, but they do have a certain amount of wow factor, even if it is only for the sun bleached opossum head. I admit I throw the phrase around with little care or consequence. It is not meant to be disrespectful but it has lost its meaning over the years. It is the verbal equivalent of “You have a pulse.” And yes, I have been on the receiving end of many a “nice bike” in my days. Riders have practically stumbled over my Fat Boy because it blended into the scenery. Owning a black Fat Boy is not the most original idea.
Beneath it all the phrase does still has some merit. It has become more of a greeting then an actual compliment. It is a way to break the ice and start a conversation. I’m happy to say that over the years those two simple words have earned me some great friends with common interests, common miles in the wind. And it rolls off the tongue much better then “me biker – you biker- we friends now.”
Besides being a greeting, it helps wean out the truly impressed, those who truly appreciate the time, the money, the effort, that we have put into our bikes. As we head out on the road to stop at gas stations, the hole in the wall dives and the rallies we will see our fair share of nice bikes. Oh looky there you bolted on a gremlin bell onto your stock black Road King. But it is the nice bikes that make the extraordinary stand out. I’ve seen people trip over Rick Fairless bikes to get a better look at my Sportster.
The devil is in the details, subtle and under whelming that combine to knock us off our feet. It is when those other compliments come. The ones more then “nice bike.” They are genuine and real. I was honored when Willie G said he liked my bike; even more when the Factory rolled out a carbon copy a couple of years later. They are compliments that come from the bottom of the heart, not envy or jealousy, but admiration and respect. It is then that we know those late nights in the garage, the bloody knuckles, our depleted bank accounts; that it has all been worth it.
–bad Uncle Monkey
COLOR MANIA LEAVE THE FACTORY BEHIND–I did get back in the Custom Paint Industry for Motorcycles. I went back to the company that started and ran the Color Shop Program for the H-D factory. Since they have some financial issues we ended our contract and now back dealing with the consumer and the dealers direct.
I’m working with some of the metric OE’s and will have some new paint programs for them.
B.O.
Color Mania USA
714-920-0280
www.colormaniausa.com
The prices are easy to peel back at K and G Cycles!–Hard to believe it’s been a week already. It’s also hard to believe the deals that are at K and G Cycles in this week’s Peel Back Pricing specials.
Let’s start with a V-Factor Adjustable Calibration Speedometer for cable drive models through 1995. This baby has it all! You’ve got an LCD display for odometer/tripmeter, easy switch from MPH to KPH, setting for 1 to 1, 2 to 1, or 2240:60 to 1 all in one speedo! And here’s the best part — all this for only $79.00!!!!!!!!! That’s over 30% off retail.
We still have some of the Fatbob-style ignition switches for Softail and FLHR 1996-2006 and FXDWG 1993-2005. This is a direct replacement switch with a side hinge weather cap and 2 barrel-style tamper resistant round keys. This switch is only $22.49.
We’ve also got direct replacement ignition & light switches for FX 1978-85, FXR 1982-later, and Sportster 1978-93. How about a price of $8.49?
Ready to build that bike of your dreams? Start with Softail-Style frame by Hardbody. This frame has a stock rake and is designed for Big Twin Evo powerplants that are taller in the cylinder area. Put that nuclear reactor in with no problem. The price is no problem either at only $759.50! Over 20% off.
We have great peel back deals on jiffy stands, custom footrests, luggage racks, Fat Bob-style rear fenders, handlebar grip sets and throttle controls. All at rock bottom peel back prices at K and G Cycles.
Just drop by K and G at www.kandgcycles.com and “peel back” the upper right hand corner of the front page. Click on the graphic below and presto chango you have all these great deals right before your eyes! Spring is on the way and it’s time to get ready with all of these great deals. K and G Cycles is bikers that are about bikers. Stop by and peel back the prices at K and G Cycles today!
WORLD RECORD SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA–SETH ENSLOW SMASHES THE LONGEST DISTANCE RECORD JUMP.
Sydney, March 2 2010: American freestyle motocross legend, Seth Enslow, made history and by smashing the existing world record of 157 feet (approximately 47.85 metres) by over five metres.
Seth landed the 53.34 metre (175 feet) jump on a Harley-Davidson XR1200 at 8:35 a.m. AEDT at Barangaroo, Sydney.
The death defying stunt recreated an unforgettable Harley-Davidson motorcycle benchmark set by the infamous Evel Knievel in 1975 and a world record most recently set by Bubba Blackwell in Las Vegas, 1999.
Still high from the jump, Seth said: “This is awesome, I’m stoked!” Before letting out an almighty “Wooooh”.
Harley-Davidson spokesperson, Adrian Donoughue, added: “We’ve worked hard at creating history and we’re all glad he landed it safely. The wheels are already in motion for what we do next!”
The recent introduction of the XR1200 to the Harley-Davidson family, a bike reminiscent of the XR750 made famous by Evel Knievel, has prompted a new generation of rebels eager to not only honor Knievel’s legendary status but get one-up on him.
The world record attempt was broadcast live on www.harleyworldrecordjump.com. Log on to watch the replay
5-BALL RACING TEAM RIDER POSES FOR CALENDAR–The Bikernet ethics committee met this morning to review Valerie Thompson’s 2010 Calendar for violations. Across the hall in another lavish boardroom the Bikernet Asthetics Committee had a party. Here’s more info:
2010 Valerie Thompson Racing Calendars for sale – Limited Edition for only $22.50 To order go: http://www.valeriethompsonracing.com/store.html — Valerie Thompson
2-Time Land Speed Record Holder-Bonneville
www.ValerieThompsonRacing.com
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