Motorcycle Nation Podcast

This morning brought the news of yet another motorcycle fatality on the streets of Indianapolis. This one happened on the South Side and the motorcyclist was riding with two others and were reportedly running a high rate of speed in what was reported as a 45 mph zone. The motorcycle went into a high speed wobble and hit a utility pole on the side of the road. This occurred at 1:00 am. Was alcohol involved? Information is not available yet to answer that.

That is one of the questions in my mind each and every time I hear about another motorcycle fatality. Very often the next question that I would like answered is “Was the rider professionally trained or self taught?” “What was the rider’s experience level?” “What actions could have prevented this tragedy?” I believe that there is a quick fix to all single vehicle accidents, motorcycle or automobile. Training and responsibility.

Have you taken the motorcycle safety course? Do a quick search online and find your nearest safety program and get signed up today. Do yourself and those that love you a favor and live to ride another day as my friend Tom Lowdermilk from SideStand Up would say.

While researching the mess that surrounds the Hoka Hey Challenge I found this document on the internet. Is it real? I can’t say for sure but there are claims that this press release is what brought about the removal of the discussion board on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Facebook page. We will be back soon with episode 20 of the podcast that will continue to update you on the latest developments.

When the big family blowout occurred at Orange County Choppers everyone went their separate ways. Vinnie and Cody started their own custom motorcycle fabrication shop called V-Force Customs. Mikey has been selling some art online. Paul Jr. started his own design company, Paul Jr. Designs and this is where you can find Mikey’s masterpieces. Everyone seems to be doing very well in their new ventures and word on the streets is that Paul Jr. Designs inked a deal with Bikers Choice to design a line of parts and accessories. The company is building a bike with the new parts for Sturgis next month. If you are taking the ride to Sturgis and would like to see the new line you can find it at the J&P Cycles complex.

But, where are the flashbacks coming from? TLC will be airing a new show soon called “American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior”. Details are sketchy so watch the television listings coming soon. One think that struck me is that Vinnie is rumored to be participating on the Jr. team which brings me to question what the status of Cody and V-Force Customs is. The original American Chopper started out great but then, in my opinion, went the way of television wrestling. When the arguments seemed to be staged for the benefit of ratings I started to lose interest in the show. It became less about motorcycles and more about the buck. So, does the title of the new series already tell us to expect more of that or will this go back to being about the best bike one can build? You will have to tune in later and decide on that answer for yourself.

Ride Safe

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This episode brings you the rumors and reports of controversy surrounding the Hoka Hey Challenge, an 8,000+ test of endurance on two wheels that started in Key West, FL on June 20th and ended July 4th in Homer, AK. Hoka Hey is said to be a Lakota term meaning “It’s a good day to die” and is said to be the battle cry of the legendary Crazy Horse. Jump on in and listen to the rumors and tell me what you think.

Links:
SideStand Up
Hoka Hey Challenge
The Motoworld
MotoCaribe Motorcycle Tours
Hoka Hey Challenge Facebook Page – Go to the discussions area and read up!

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Monday, June 21st marks the official start of summer. It is fitting then that it is also the official date for Ride to Work Day 2010. This annual event promotes the use of motorcycles as an option to cars for everyday transportation needs. Many people look at motorcyclists as nuisances that should not be on the road. What they fail to see is that motorcycles are a transportation option that help in many areas.

Let’s start off with the air quality factor. Yes, the fossil fuel motorcycles do still emit carbon emissions but in much smaller quantities than all the other cars, trucks, buses, and trains that clog our route to work every day. Want it to be even cleaner? Buy an electric motorcycle. Speaking of those other vehicles clogging the roadway, imagine all the advantages of the majority of vehicles on your morning commute being two or three wheelers. Less congestion equals less frustration. The added benefit is less wear and tear on the infrastructure. How many of you have to fight to find parking on busy city streets or in loaded parking garages? Yet another reason to ride a bike.

Also, think about the money that could be saved in gas. Most motorcycles get considerably better gas mileage than their four wheel counterparts. Who doesn’t want to save a few bucks? Less consumption in whole means lower gas prices as well. That great law of economics says prices will fall if demand dwindles. Take that OPEC!

OK, let’s stop and admit that there are many people who could care less about any of the environmental impacts that are discussed above. If you fall into that category, then think about this. You ARE saving money and you get to pick the bugs out of your teeth!

Enjoy your ride to work tomorrow and make it a safe one.

I have recently come across some very unique products that will be featured on some upcoming shows. For example, have you heard of the Bike Condom? This is a really unique, biodegradable motorcycle cover that is packaged small enough to fit in your pocket. It is a cover that is economical enough to throw away after one use but feedback has shown that some people are folding it back up and using it multiple times. We are working to try to get the Bike Condom creator on the show to tell us all about it.

This is only one of the motorcycle related products that I have found in recent searches. Stick around in the coming weeks and hear about some of the other ones. We are also preparing a show that will revisit the electric motorcycle world that continues to heat up and catch steam, especially in the racing world. Don’t miss a beat. See you soon.

Today we made a stop at our local department store (yes the same one that is in almost every town down the street from the CVS and Walgreens on opposing corners) and we came across the pictured bike in the parking lot. My wife blurts out, “That is the ugliest Harley I have ever seen!”

I have not seen very many motorcycles in my day of any make that I truly found ugly but I think she is on to something here. What do you think?

All of us here at Motorcycle Nation Podcast send out our ultimate gratitude to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can all be free. Today. Between your cookouts and web surfing, please take a moment of silence to honor those that served. Have a great weekend.

In episode 18 I mentioned the Hoka Hey Challenge, an endurance ride from Key West, FL to Homer, AK that must be completed on an American V-Twin (read HD). The ride is said to cover over 7,000 miles and the first rider in has the chance at the grand prize of $500,000. All sounds good doesn’t it? Well, I am writing this to let all of you know that this may be a hoax.

I was in the chat room the other night for the live taping of the latest episode of Sidestand Up from our friend Tom Lowdermilk. I happened to bring this event up and the long distance riders in the chat immediately began to let me know that this is something to stay away from. I have not done deep research but want to let you know what I was told and you can use the information how you want. I do not claim this as being either a hoax or not a hoax, I am merely passing along third party information that I was told.

In the chat room I was told that an award winning long distance rider had checked into this ride and that the bank account did not exist. There are also questions involving the ability of the organizers to pull out of the event at any time, for many reasons, without having to provide refunds to riders. In a separate conversation outside of the chat I was also told that it was thought that many sponsors had dropped out of the challenge. A quick trip to the website shows only one sponsor, Black Hills Harley Davidson. So, these are legitimate questions to ask should you desire to ride in this event. I sincerely hope that none of this is true and that the event goes off without a hitch and one lucky, and bada$$ rider, takes home the big prize.

Check out the Hoka Hey Challenge site for yourself and contact the organizers to get more detailed info if you feel the need.

When I decided to title the last post/podcast as “Trouble in Paradise” little did I know how fitting that would become. It seems that there was a problem with the file upload to my podcast host that told podcatchers, like iTunes and Zune, that there was content there when it actually did not process. I apologize to those of you who had failures on the download and hope that you were not inconvenienced too terribly.

I was assured that the situation was resolved and I have tested iTunes and the audio player included in the last post and all seems to be working now. Please accept my apologies and I wish you safe riding.

Steve