Bands at Sturgis 2006 Rally

It seems we like our music almost as much as we do our motorcycles and you can hardly find a rally that doesn't also include some live music. During the past few years, you're hearing more and more big name entertainers putting on shows for the biker brethren. The new mega-amphitheater at the Glencoe Campground was dubbed Rock'n the Rally and raised the bar considerably higher this year with a stellar offering of bands each night. The lineup was varied and the sets were long. Big and Rich, Keith Urban, Joe Cocker, Tom Petty, Nickleback, The Black Crowes, Sammy Hagar, Kid Rock and others drew large crowds. Some of the costumes were intriguing too. During the Crowes' show on Tuesday evening was supposedly one of the largest concert sites seen at a rally. The earthen amphitheatre stretches for what seems like forever from the stage to the top of the hill. There's a large projection screen behind the performers and the stage is flanked on each side by more screens so you can easily see the performers even if you're not down front. Vendor booths line both sides of the amphitheater despensing food, drink and shirts. It has been suggested that the addition of a few portable lights in the parking lot would be a good idea, along with cleaning up the loose gravel at the entrance from Highway 79. The weather was perfect, but if it would have rained, it would have been the largest mud hole in the state.

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Sturgis, SD - 2006

A lot of pre-rally controversy was stirred up over Jay Allen's new Sturgis County Line bar, which is located o Highway 79 near Bear Butte. Allen is the owner of the Broken Spoke Saloon party spots in Sturgis, Laconia and Daytona Beach. His latest venture is located out on Highway 79, about two miles from Bear Butte, a sacred site used by regional American Indian tribes for religious ceremonies, and they fear the motorcycle oise, revelry and increased traffic will be disruptive to their practices. According to a report in the Rapid City Journal, the Sturgis County Line facility is a long way from being finished, and a member of the Thunder Press team who made a visit to the site found a lot of new pavement but not a lot of motorcycles. Their were some protesters at the Monday morning dedication of the new postal motorcycle stamps, but for the most part it didn't seem to be a big issue. Perhaps there will be more to report next year, when the facility, which will include a large campsite and amphitheater, is scheduled for completion.

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Attired For Sound

For many of us, part of the appeal of riding is the escape it offers from the omnipresent noise and destraction of electonic media and communication, but for those of you who are hooed on perpetual connectivity to the grid the new Cool Interactive biker Jacket from Shadow/TS could becaome a vital organ. Designed and produced in Germany, these jackets incorporate conductive fabric in their construction to carry the electron traffic from the Bluetooth and MP3 units housed in an interior module. Those devices are controlled by switches sewn into the cuff of the right sleeve for in-the-wind operation, and the earbuds and microphone are inside the mandarin collar. What's more, these jacets are fitted with removable CE-approved body armor inserts, and are made of a TFL-treated leather that reflects the sun's rays as effectively as white material so it stays relatively cool even on sweltering days-as much as 20 degrees cooler than intreated leather. And that's important because you sure wouldn't want to have to take the thing off and maybe miss a call. For more information on this go to www.shadows.com
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Longrider

Once the Buell Lightning had gone Long, it was a short step to seeing the sport-touring possibilities of the model, which with its rangy operator ergos and rangy 4.4 gallon fuel capacity was clearly suited t being ridden a lot farther than Squid Canyon.
All it really needed to take to the long road was a set of saddlebags and an all-day seat, and that's exactly what we have with the new Lightning Long Detachable Saddlebags and Lightning Long Touring Seat. The bags are made of rigid polyester to keep their shape, and they expand another two inches to accommodate additional gear. They're weather- and UV-resistant and bolt right up to your XB12Ss without detracting from its racy profile. The seat features a gel pad insert to keep your weight evenly distributed, and your fanny happy from fuel stop to fuel stop; and it does that while lowering the seat height a full inch. The passenger portion provides a more spacious and commodious perch than the stock unit. The prices on these accoutrement's are more than reasonable. That means you can morph your Long into a Longer for a good deal. See http://www.buell.com/ for more information.
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A New Vintage

To some, the term "dirty biker" is a badge of honor that acknowledges the countless hours spent on the road, in the garage hip-deep in grease, or camped in the wilderness under the stars. If you wear your road grime with pride, this article is not for you. But if you're actually sick of it and a nice hot shower is sounding mighty good, then read on.
An avid motorcyclist and former Harley-Davidson dealer in his native Canada, Brad Leith is developing a series of 20 resort communities throughout the United States and Canada specifically designed for the upscale motorcycle enthusiast. He's formed Vintages Inc., headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and as president of this new company, he has a bold vision: Brad says, "What we envision is a retreat for motorcycle riders that is all inclusive. Each facility will have exceptional resort-style amenities including extended stay rental casitas, private micro locations, a world class spa, travel and touring services, motorcycle rentals (both new and vintage units), vintage wines, cigar humidors, fine cuisine, concierge services, high-tech communication capabilities, picnic areas, sunrise and sunset viewing patios, a training and events arena, and 800 seat amphitheatre for outdoor concerts, a race track for vintage motorcycles and carts as well as a museum; all designed to architecturally blend with the region's natural scenic beauty."
Entrance into this upscale world requires a motorcycle license and a one time membership fee, along with a small yearly renewal. Each location will have 3000 Gold Memberships and an unspecified number of Associate (social) Memberships who will have partial use of the facilities. Members will also have reciprocal privileges at sister communities across the country.
Vintages Inc. flagship community is currently under construction on 200 acres in Datil, New Mexico, adjacent to the Cibola National Forest. Leith's comprehensive plan for the Datil location calls for the resort to be surrounded with exclusive residential homes, the aforementioned replica track (designed for both training and vintage events) and the motorcycle museum.
If you want to trade in your bedroll and pup tent for more luxurious road accommodations, contact Brad Leith at bleith@vintagesresorts.com or call 520.820.5851.
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A Whimsical Ticker

"Customized" stock market ticker symbols are a bit like personalized license plates: They're a very small space in which some people have fun seeing how clever they can get. Your might not think that stock market mavens go in for clever niceties like that, but they do, and here's the proof: Harley-Davidson recently switched their stock market ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange from "HDI" to "HOG".
"The nickname 'hog' has been closely identified with Harley-Davidson for decades and is a term of affection and respect for their motorcycles all around the world. The new ticker symbol captures the spirit of what Harley-Davidson is all about --- the fun of riding motorcycles. Bringing the legendary 'hog' nickname to Wall Street is another way to share some of that fun with their (Harley's) investors on a daily basis.
The Motor Company is not the first to inject a little whimsy into the otherwise relentlessly humorless arena of Wall Street. Other companies that have indulged in custom ticker symbols include amusement park corporation Cedar Fair (FUN), meat mogul Premium Standard Farms (PORK), Olympic Steel (ZEUS), Anheuser-Busch (BUD), animal health care provider VCA Antech (WOOF), Shoe Pavilion (SHOE), and satellite TV company EchoStar (DISH). Very impressive huh?
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Let Threedom Ring

Trikes have never been a huge segment of the motorcycling population, but it looks like we can expect to see some growth from that segment, because a company well known for its savvy business practices is putting their money on it, and getting into the trike business---and that company would be Harley-Davidson.
The Motor Company has made an agreement with Lehman Trikes to develop bonafide Harley-pedigree trikes, built around a Harley platform and sold as O"EM Harley-Davidson vehicles at Harley dealers. The deal represents a boon for Lehman, and an acknowledgement from Harley-Davidson that they expect to find good business in the trike market. It has been observed that trikes are a popular phenomenon, and Harley really expects that these are going to appeal to a variety of customers who either prefer the styling or the experience of three-wheelers. In recent years, Harley-Davidson had increased their focus on broadening their customer base and they think that trikes are another way to do that, to reach new market segments. Lehman Trikes, which operates from its home base in Alberta, Canada, and has a second plant in spearfish, South Dakota, has been building three-wheeled motorcycle conversion kits and accessories for 20 years, but major motorcycle manufacturers have stayed out of the market. Harley's excursion into this arena changes the picture considerably.
The Motor Company has not yet announced when the trikes will roll into the showroom floors, or what volume they intend to produce, but stock in both Lehman and Harley rose recently after the news of the agreement was announced. Stay tuned.
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Dodging A Bullet

S & S Commends EPA Certification Program. August 3, S & S is pleased to announce that the EPA has recently released the "Certification Procedure for Highway Motorcycle Engines."
Following a year of successful efforts between the EPA and the MIC American V-Twin Committee, document CISD-06-15 (MC) was released by the EPA on July 25, 2006. Drafted to allow the certification and sale of highway motorcycle engines to individuals, dealers, and small-volume motorcycle manufacturers, the Certification Procedure permits certified engines installed in new highway motorcycle chassis to be operated or resold without restriction (provided the requirements of the procedure, as well as the federal Clean Air Act anti-tampering requirements are met). With the original provision allowing only one noncompliant custom bike to be built in an individuals lifetime, the EPA, with help from the MIC, S&S Cycle, and other industry leaders, has done a fantastic job of looking out for the best interest of the individual customers, dealers, and small-volume manufacturers that make up our industry. Customers can now buy or build numerous emissions-compliant motorcycles, without having the worries of certifying or submitting paperwork to the EPA.
Referring to an exemption documented in the EPA's adoption of new emission standards for highway motorcycles in December 2003, the Certification Procedure will no longer limit individuals to building only one highway motorcycle over their lifetime. Nor will the EPA's 2003 emission standards exemptions limit the elaborate custom motorcycles that are created for display by collectors to 24 units per model year per builder. Said builders will now be able to purchase and install certified engine packages without the previous quantity limitation.
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Motorcyclists Don't Bite

First of all, you'll notice you still have your hand. That's right, motorcyclists don't bite. Most of us are friendly folks, very few fit the 'outlaw biker' stereotype. In fact, I'd like to answer some questions and clear up some misconceptions that you may have about motorcyclists.
Why do some motorcyclists wear leather?
Well, besides looking good, leather holds up a lot better than my skin would if I fell off at 55 mph. Leather chaps/pants, gloves and jacket offer good protection from the wind, rain, sand or...a possible fall.
What do you do if it rains?
The laws of physics apply to motorcyclists too. If it rains, we get wet! If we're on the road and get caught in the rain, most of us carry rain suits to wear. We may ride a little more cautiously or may stop until it passes, but as a rule, we don't choose to go riding in torrential down pours.
Aren't you afraid of falling?
The thought occasionally enters our minds, but for the most part, no! On a properly maintained motorcycle, a responsible rider is quite safe. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers courses to make motorcyclists better, safer riders. If you ever decide to ride, I'd encourage you to take the course.
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Pearl

Pearl is the name of our 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycle. Hence.......the gas tank and fenders are pearl white in color and everything else is chrome! She, (motorcycles, boats and RV's are usually referred to as a 'she' or a 'her') is a beauty ! When my husband bought her :-), he added another $2000 worth of extras so she wouldn't look so 'stock'. He also put blue lights underneath to dress her up and they look really cool at nightime. We have been on some great rides and we use her whenever possible to save on fuel also. Of course, we do not ride in the rain. We go on rides for Toys for Tots, ministry rides, fund raisers and of course just for fun. We ride as often as we can. We are retired and are full time travelers. So we do have the time to ride and we love it! http://tjmarshall.blogspot.com