I pride myself on being a pretty sharp dressed biker. I have lots of cool t-shirts, jackets, motorcycle vests, and boots. If you are going to be a biker, you should look like one right?
This year, I bought my first Harley so I felt compelled to step my biker attire up a notch. I was disappointed to find however, how expensive Harley apparel is. From the smallest to the largest items, Harley accessories are much more expensive than other apparel brands.
Like many of you, I’m not made of money and have to carefully consider all of my purchases. So, with a little bit of creativity, I found a way to make my own Harley apparel that is nicer than anything I have found on the web.
Make your own apparel.
Now, before you decide to start making your own apparel, I am not suggesting you infringe upon any copyrighted or trademarked logos. This is against the law and not very cool.
First, go to a website like Leatherup.com and find a vest or jacket that you like. Of all the sites I’ve seen on the web, this one has a large selection and great prices. If you use the code 55632 when you make a purchase, you will receive 10% off. You can use this code as often as you like.
From there, go to Ebay.com or Amazon.com, and do a search for motorcycle or biker patches. You’ll find that both sites have a huge selection of patches of all types. I found some very unique and rare pieces on both sites; including Harley Davidson top and bottom rockers. You can also do a search for biker patches in your browser and you’ll find hundreds of sources for cool stuff.
Now, all you have to do is arrange the patches on your vest or jacket and you are done. Some of the patches are iron on but I suggest going to your local dry cleaner or embroidery shop and ask them to stitch the patches on.
With a little effort, patience, and significantly less money, you’ll have the coolest gear in your pack. Just remember, this is our secret.
The only people who love motorcycles more than bikers are children. They love to look at them, touch them, play with them, and ride on them. Often, the life long love of motorcycles starts with childhood admiration.
Biker parents love the fact their kids love motorcycles too. They usually encourage their interest. Biker parents love to buy motorcycle apparel and accessories for kids, and have been known to buy electric motorized motorcycles for their young children so they enjoy riding their own bike.
Biker parents should also remember teach their kids about motorcycle safety. Not only should biker parents tell their kids about rider safety but about all the dangers of motorcycles and why those safety measures are important.
Motorcycle safety for kids: Kids at a young age need to understand motorcycle safety. The sooner they know about rider safety, the better they will be in the future if they choose to ride motorcycles. It’s never too early to start teaching children about motorcycle safety.
Dangers of hot pipes: Teach your kids that motorcycle pipes are very hot and can cause very bad burns. Teach them to stay away from bikes that were recently ridden. Always teach them to be extremely careful before touching a motorcycle. It’s best to keep your bike covered at all times if you have small children.
Respecting a motorcycle’s weight: If a motorcycle falls on a small child, it would be impossible for them to move it. Children must be taught not to play around a parked motorcycle because of how much they weigh.
Field trip: Take your kids and their friends on a field trip to your local motorcycle dealer or a motorcycle event for kids. You’d be surprised how much they can learn and how this knowledge can protect them around your bike at home.
Motorcycles are great fun for the whole family. Make sure that your kids both enjoy and respect your motorcycle.
The motorcycle community is no place for male chauvinist pigs.
Women are flocking to motorcycles in record numbers and other motorcyclists are just going to have to get used to it. If women were not embracing motorcycling as a lifestyle and hobby, the industry as a whole would have a hard time surviving.
Essentially, women are saving the motorcycle industry.
Women make up somewhere between 15-18% of motorcycle buyers according to Genevieve Schmitt, founder of WomenRidersNow.com, in her column in American Iron Magazine’s March 2010 edition. Not only does she contribute to American Iron Magazine as their Woman’s Point of View (POV) Writer, she manages one of the most robust woman’s motorcycling websites on the Internet.
American Iron Magazine is not the only organization that understands the importance of a woman’s point of view in the motorcycle community. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has been conducting their International Women & Motorcycling Conference since 1999. In 2009, the event spanned 4 days in Keystone, CO and featured vendors, banquets, keynote speakers, seminars, scenic rides, demo rides, and educational workshops.
Nearly 1000 people showed up for the 2009 event including about 100 men coming to show support to their spouses, friends, and significant others.
Men weren’t the only ones showing up for this event. Harley Davidson and Buell stepped up to be presenting sponsors for this event for the second year. Yamaha, BMW, KYMCO, and Ducati came out with demo fleets for patrons of the event so they can try out their latest machines.
With major events like Daytona Bike Week on the horizon, it’s fair to say that women will be making their presence felt in increasing numbers at these and other major motorcycle events.
Harley Davidson is America’s motorcycle company. The Harley Davidson Motor Company has been a solid piece of Americana since World War II. Their motorcycles represent the best of American culture and ingenuity.
Despite this legacy, Harley Davidson has gotten old.
In post WWII America, young veterans seeking to live on the edge sought Harley Davidson motorcycles as their symbol of rebellion. At this time, an explosion of motorcycle clubs hit the streets from California to Maine. In later decades, movies like The Wild One and Easy Rider cemented Harley Davidson and the biker lifestyle in American culture.
So, how did Harley get old?
Somehow, Harley Davidson failed to capture younger motorcycle riders after the 1970s. As a result, Harley’s customer base is mainly made up of men in their 40s and older. While this customer base is loyal, Harley cannot survive and compete with other motorcycle companies that seem to have more success with younger bikers.
It’s not that Harley Davidson isn’t trying. They have been trying to gain increased brand recognition with the mixed martial arts community as a sponsor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) major events. This organization attracts men from 18-35 and is the fast growing sport in the United States.
But will they buy Harley Davidson motorcycles?
Harley needs to find ways to get younger potential motorcycle buyers to see the value of their motorcycles. Popular TV shows featuring Harley motorcycles like Sons of Anarchy help but they have to be much more proactive. Without an active approach, Harley’s market share will continue to erode.
I’d like to see Harley do more hands on events. I’d like to see them have more free test ride events in conjunction with motorcycle rider safety courses and partnering with more organizations. I think the main issue is that new and younger riders have the wrong impression about Harleys. They probably think that Harleys are too expensive and do no have the performance and reliability of metric cruisers. Test rides will put that feeling to rest.
Who said that cruisers have to be slow and heavy?
For Harley and metric cruiser fans, this has been a major dilemma. What do you do if you want the style and comfort of a cruiser but also want the raw power and torque of a sport bike? In general, there was no option that captured the true essence of both styles.
Not anymore.
Can you imagine turning your Harley Road King or Honda VTX into a rocket that has enough power and torque to make Hayabusa owners stop and take notice?
Procharger Superchargers have made it possible for cruisers to achieve a 40 to 50% increase in horsepower. These 13 lbs dynamos are also simply bolted onto your bike. Within a few hours, you will have performance that was only a dream among cruiser owners a few years ago.
Ok, here’s the bad news. This upgrade is a far cry from adding a hypercharger or a motorcycle fuel management system. Procharger Superchargers can cost in the neighborhood of $5000. In many cases, you can buy a used cruiser or sport bike for that amount of money.
Why not get the best of both worlds in one bike? Besides, if you have more than one bike chances are one of them does nothing but collect dust in your garage
Also, before to pony up the dollars for this upgrade make sure you do some research. You may need to make a few additional changes to the motorcycle exhaust, tires, and other parts to optimize your investment.
Like many motorcycle fans, I have a dream bike. While I have loved every bike I ever owned, there has always been one bike that has always been at the top of my wish list.
This year, I made my dream come true. A few weeks ago, I picked up a great deal on a 2007 Harley Street Glide from my friends at Eaglerider Harley Davidson in Orlando, FL. It is everything I wanted in a motorcycle and much more.
This bike has tons of power, handles very well, has great features, and looks awesome. The bike I selected is denim blue and always draws a few extra looks when I park or ride down the street. I should have bought one of these things years ago.
Buying a Harley was a lot easier than I thought it would be
Eaglerider, like many Harley dealers, is offering a variety of finance plans for people with less than perfect credit. Don’t think you have to have an 800 or higher credit score to buy a Harley. Believe me, my credit score is not that high.
Harley also continues to make some of their motorcycles affordable for those looking to ride the American legend. Harley dealers across the country are having a very hard time keeping the Sportster Iron 883 or 1200 models in stock. These bikes look great, ride like a dream, and can be purchased for well under $10,000 brand new.
The Sportster Iron is a perfect choice for typical bikers who only use their bikes for pleasure riding around town, an occasional commute to work, or a couple hundred mile rides across the state.
For those looking to hit the open road with more frequency, the 2010 Road Glide is a great choice. Starting at around $19,000, the Road Glide is not cheap but it is a great option for those looking to get into a premium bagger. Likewise, used Road Glides can be found at Eaglerider and other deals at great prices.
If 2010 is your year to start riding, stop by your local Eaglerider or Harley dealer and check out their inventory. You might be surprised on how easy owning a Harley can be.
They say you should share what you love with those who you love.
If this is true then I need to share my love of motorcycling with my friends and family. I need to make this a regular part of my motorcycling lifestyle.
These are stressful times and motorcycling has been very fulfilling way to find peace and enjoyment. Doesn’t matter if I’m riding with the Harley guys, a riding club, or a few outlaw bikers, we all have a great time.
I’m sure some of my friends and family can benefit too. So, one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to encourage others to ride as much as possible. Here’s my plan.
- My friends who ride: In 2010, I’m going to organize a few mid-distance motorcycle rides in South Florida with some of my friends. Many of them ride infrequently but are great riders. They just don’t make time to ride as often as I do. Maybe they just need a little encouragement to enjoy riding like they used to.
- My friends who don’t ride: Over the past few years, I have gotten a few people into motorcycle riding safety courses and a few have gone on to buy used motorcycles. I will make a point to invite non-riders to the events I go to so they can start to understand the value of motorcycling as a hobby and lifestyle.
- My family: I’d love to get my older brother on a motorcycle. He needs a hobby and I think he’d look really cool on a big cruiser. My mother loves motorcycles and I plan on taking a nice long ride with her on her next visit to Florida. I want my nieces and nephews to gain an understanding and appreciation for motorcycles and motorcycle safety at a young age.
- My girlfriend: She is actually a very good rider but has not been riding consistently for about a year. I need to get out and help her practice to regain the confidence she had a when she first started riding. She’ll make a great riding partner when she is ready.
2010 is my year to share the joy of the biker lifestyle. How about you?
When buying a motorcycle, most people have an idea of how they want it to ultimately look. Sure, some people like stock motorcycles but the vast majority make at least a few upgrades so that bike reflects who they are.
I’ve had my current motorcycle for about 2 years and I have made some significant changes. I added lots of chrome, a chin spoiler, fat handle bars, LED lights, braided steel lines, Progressive shocks, custom lights, and more. My bike looks very different than it did when I first bought it.
But I need to finish what I started.
My ultimate dream for this bike is very close to being a reality. I just need to add Cobra Speedster Slashdown Exhaust, a hot box, Tornado Air Intake kit, and chrome wheels. After that, I can say my bike is done.
In 2010, unless I upgrade to a Harley Street Glide, I’m going to make sure I finish my bike. So, one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to finish what I started when I bought my motorcycle. If your bike is in the middle of it’s transformation from stock to stylish, then make 2010 the year to complete the job.
I love the movie Wild Hogs. Not only is it really funny, but I like the idea of a bunch of middle aged, Harley Davidson riding friends hitting the road for a cross country motorcycle adventure. That sounds like a great time.
So, what’s my problem? Why haven’t I taken a motorcycle road trip in all the years I have been riding?
I’m not going to give a bunch of lame excuses like I’m too busy and I don’t know where to go. I live in South Florida and I have options to ride to motorcycle destinations like Orlando, Destination Daytona in Daytona Beach, or Key West. Any of those locations would make sure a great introduction road trip.
My bike looks great, is in great mechanical order, and ready for the open road. 2010 is my year to have my first road trip motorcycle adventure.
If you are a local biker, why not stretch your wings a bit and go on a road trip. It doesn’t have to be cross country to be a really good time. You’ll be surprised how many great destinations there are in your neck of the woods.
I am a biker. That means that weather permitting, I ride my motorcycle as much as humanly possible. Whether I have a destination in mind or not, I jump on and just go.
90% of the time when I ride, I do not wear a helmet. I live in Florida so I am not in violation of any motorcycle laws but I am breaking one of the cardinal sins of motorcycling. And that is riding safely.
What’s worse is I have absolutely no excuse. Not only do I blog about how helmets mitigate injuries and save lives, I own 4 helmets. I have 3 DOT motorcycle helmets and a carbon fiber novelty helmet just waiting to be worn.
The last thing I want to happen is to learn the hard way. The last thing I want is to receive a massive head injury or lose my life over something as simple as putting on a helmet.
My number #1 New Year’s Resolution is to commit to safe riding and make a bigger effort to wear a helmet each time I ride. If you have not been wearing a helmet, I suggest you do the same.
