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Where to start? Let’s start with saying this is another failed attempt to emulate Easy Rider but with a supposed humorous twist. Two bikers getting ready to head off to Sturgis, but they get side-tracked when one of them tries to save a dude being robbed by a couple punks, or as Keith Ball (as himself) playing a reporter, calls them, “Goons.”

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by Kyle Hyatt from https://www.cnet.com

Harley is delaying the Bronx to focus on its Pan America adventure touring motorcycle.

The Bronx was looking like the sportiest Harley the world had seen since Buell, but now it’s been delayed indefinitely.

Back at the EICMA motorcycle trade show last November, Harley-Davidson surprised everyone by introducing two motorcycles that were dramatically different from anything it offered at that time or previously.

These bikes were called the Pan America and the Bronx, with the former being a large-displacement adventure touring motorcycle in the vein of BMW’s R1250GS or Ducati’s Multistrada 1260 and the latter an upright naked bike meant to take on the smaller-displacement Monsters from Ducati, among others.

Both bikes looked awesome, and Harley seemed earnest in its plans to produce both for the 2020 model year, but then the pandemic happened and things took a turn for the worse. Now, according to a report published recently by Motorcycle.com, Harley won’t debut the Bronx in 2020 or 2021 at all. Does that mean it’s dead? Harley isn’t telling.

Harley-Davidson representatives have confirmed that while the Bronx won’t be happening next year, the Pan America has become the chief focus for the brand and that it’s focusing its efforts on that launch being successful. This makes sense, given how profitable the adventure bike segment has become in the last decade.

The change to the launch schedule isn’t the only thing going down in Milwaukee, though. New CEO Jochen Zeitz is pushing a new brand strategy that he’s calling the Hardwire, itself an extension of the Rewire strategy that saw several significant changes — including 700 jobs being cut — earlier this year.

“A total rewire is necessary to make Harley-Davidson a high-performance company. Building on our strong brand legacy, we are reinvigorating our core profit driving business – powered by our strongest dealers, most exciting products and careful inventory management, while focusing on the most important opportunities for future expansion,” said Zeitz, in a statement.

“We’re overhauling our operating model and our product plan and are rewiring our market structure and organization to focus on the strengths of our brand and company,” Zeitz continued. “We are now working on our new five-year strategic plan, the Hardwire, which will be grounded in enhancing the desirability of our brand and protecting the value of our iconic products.”

Rewire, hardwire, haywire — whatever. Harley-Davidson is still in a seemingly precarious position. The decision to push into other market segments seems like a smart one, particularly if it focuses on its strengths and looks for ways to improve its weaknesses.

I’m sad that we won’t be seeing the Bronx anytime soon, but hopefully, the extra time will give the folks in Milwaukee time to perfect the bike, giving it a chance to be something other than a weird American also-ran.

from https://www.expressandstar.com

Triumph has revealed a new design prototype called Trident.

Showcased at the London Design Museum, the bike will be an entry point into Triumph’s lineup of Triple motorcycles and is set to arrive in dealers next year.

It’s built around a triple engine which, Triumph says, brings ‘the perfect balance of low down torque and top end power’. Incorporating a new chassis, the Trident has been designed to give greater rider accessibility while providing good levels of comfort.

Steve Sargent, Triumph Chief Product Officer, said: “The Trident design prototype marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Triumph, where the brief was all about fun, from the look to the ride. With its pure minimalist form, clean lines, Triumph design DNA and more than a hint of our Speed Triple’s muscular poise, this gives the first exciting glimpse at the full Trident story to come.

“Ultimately our aim was to bring a new take on character and style, alongside the accessible easy handling and quality Triumph is known for – at a price that’s really competitive”.

The new bike is set to be A2 compliant, which will allow those who carry an A2 licence to ride the Trident – albeit in restricted power form.

There’s no word on how much the Trident will cost when it arrives in dealerships in spring next year, but given it sits underneath Triumph’s current entry point bike – the £8,100 Street Twin – it’s likely that it’ll cost in the region of £7,000.

Where to start? Let’s start with saying this is another failed attempt to emulate Easy Rider but with a supposed humorous twist. Two bikers getting ready to head off to Sturgis, but they get side-tracked when one of them tries to save a dude being robbed by a couple punks, or as Keith Ball (as himself) playing a reporter, calls them, “Goons.”

After the heroics the hero is presented with his dead father’s Pan, a wishbone framed basket case, with the Easy Rider Captain America paint job and all from his mother who has stored it for decades.

With only three days to put the bike together and get on the road, a bunch of biker friends are called in to save the day. Three days later he’s rolling out but not on his dad’s wishbone Pan. He’s riding an Evo powered aftermarket, Softail frame but it does have a raked front end and the Captain America paint. His buddy is riding a newer Indian that is red but no yellow flames like the bike Hopper rode in the film; thank you for small favors.

So back to the road trip. They’re starting their trip from what seems to be Arizona. They’re not wearing helmets, but it appears they forgot to pack anything besides their handlebar rolls although at least one bike, the Indian, has a very small set of leather bags. This is important information later.

Unbeknownst to them they’re being chased by a couple completely inept hit men (think Laurel & Hardy here) going back to a stupid subplot of the movie. Along the way much, like Fonda’s character in Easy Rider, the hero has a constant change of fresh shirts.

I do have to say here that at least they didn’t completely rip off Easy Rider because they weren’t wearing spurs. After a couple really idiotic scenes involving the dummies chasing them, they pull over for a chick hitch-hiking in the middle of the desert. Now, I’ve been riding a lot of years and I do remember when girls would hitch hike, but that was decades ago in the city, not in the middle of the desert.

They pull into a gas station and the chick goes inside for some beer. She’s carrying the two sixers (now remember the two small bags that are supposed to have cloths and maybe even some tools) she drops a six pack into each one with no problem; like because they’re empty.

Back on the road and they pull over for the night, have some brews, a little weed and the honey gets naked for the heroes’ buddy. I think the best part of the whole movie are her cute little titties.

The next morning, with no explanation, the dudes are on the road without the babe. Shit, I don’t know, maybe they cooked her and ate her for breakfast. They make it to Indiana, part of the subplot, but not Sturgis and vow to each other, next year.

God help us if there’s a part 2. I also had to ask myself, how after days of riding in the desert do these guys look like they spent a winter in Alaska? No sun or wind burn, no chapped lips or nose, no Racoon eyes, I mean what the fuck?

As I told Keith, the producers should have hired him not to just be in the movie but also as a technical advisor because this flick as a biker movie really misses the mark and the plot has more holes than a drilled brake rotor.

The other sad part is that there are a couple name actors in it. I suppose everybody does what they need to do to put food on the table and some coin in the bank though.

After writing about how badly the writers/producer missed the mark I remembered a poem my mom wrote for me I think for my 40th birthday. After I read it, I looked at her and asked, “Mom, how did you write this?” She replied it was from listening to me and my buddies talking about riding and road trips.

So, what makes me so incredulous about the movie plot is how did a woman in her mid 70s figure it out and these dudes missed it. Let me know if you think she nailed it.

–Steve Bauman

#97 underway! Sunshine, fun, social distancing, racing and riding were the theme of the first weekend of Laconia Motorcycle Week. As expected, there was less motorcycle activity on Lakeside Avenue, the epicenter of our Rally, but still plenty of riding here and everywhere else in the state. It seems like everyone took our advice of less congregating and more riding and we thank you all for that. Close to 100 people participated in Monday’s Mae West Memorial Ride benefiting local animal shelters and the NH Humane Society, proof that the spirit of giving is alive and well here in Laconia! Action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway The action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway kicked off on Saturday with the U.S. Classic Racing Association’s FIM North American Vintage Championships. Many took advantage of the camping options at the speedway and the track was alive with the sounds of an active track all weekend long. Racing continues this Saturday with the 976th Annual Loudon Classic, the longest-running motorcycle race in the U.S. We’re seeing the benefits of an August rally with loads of sunshine and a forecast full of heat and humidity. From what we’ve witnessed, everyone’s been cognizant and respectful of the state’s COVID-related safety measures. The bars and restaurants are busy, but less packed in deference to social distancing guidelines. Live music continues all week at local favorites like the NASWA Resort and Tower Hill Tavern. The Weirs shuttle train and M/S Mount Washington are geared up to guide you around Lake Winnipesaukee, the miles of scenic riding are waiting for you to explore . . . and we’re just getting started!

Stay Safe!

Any/all updates will be posted to LaconiaMCWeek.com, through their e-newsletter and on all LaconiaMCWeek social media channels. For more information on visiting New Hampshire and our state’s guidelines relating to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.visitnh.gov/covid19/reopening “Laconia – Where Rallies Were Invented” #603strongertogether #MaskUpNH

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Reigning Grand National Champion Briar Bauman Records Career Grand Slam at Indy Mile I;

Indian Motorcycle Racing Sweeps Top Five at Indy Mile I, Goes 1-2 at Indy Mile II

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 24, 2020) – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, continued its 2020 American Flat Track (AFT) season with back-to-back wins at the Indy Mile doubleheader. Reigning Grand National Champion Briar Bauman swept the weekend to claim a three-point lead over Wrecking Crew teammate Jared Mees.

Bauman’s win on Friday night not only marked his first of the 2020 season, but also marked his first career Mile win – earning him a career grand slam. The win was also historic for Indian Motorcycle Racing, as the FTR750 race bike reached its 50th win since entering AFT in 2017.

“We’re extremely proud to see the FTR750 reach 50 wins in such a short period,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “It’s not only a testament to our engineering team who developed such an incredible race bike, but also to the riders and race teams who have each contributed to this historic milestone.”

Saturday night saw yet another evening of exciting racing with the Indy Mile II. Though Mees ran up front for most of the race, many riders exchanged passes behind him. Bauman stayed in contention, remained patient, and made his move with only a few laps remaining. Bauman held on to complete the doubleheader sweep and take a three-point lead over Mees on the season.

Through four races, Bauman has two wins and two second-place finishes and is the current points leader with 90 points. Mees, in second with 87 points, has two wins, a second- and a third-place finish. Indian Motorcycle Privateer Sammy Halbert, is currently in third with 66 points, while Wrecking Crew rider Bronson Bauman is in fourth with 55 points.

The 2020 AFT season will continue on September 5 and 6 at the Springfield Mile doubleheader. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

A beautiful story is told about a great mystic, Nagarjuna

By the Wayfarer with images from Sam Burns

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Things Do Not Always Go As Planned
by Rogue

As in past years getting ready for the ride to Sturgis included fully servicing my 2009 FLHTC motorcycle, cleaning cameras, making sure all paperwork for events was handled like insurance, bike registrations, location registrations, bills paid and just all the myriad of stuff involved with the ritual. This year was no different.

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