Motorcycle Nation Podcast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Episode 14 covers on the continuing struggles of the motorcycle industry and focuses on Harley Davidson as they seem to be the worst off. We also cover the cancellation of the Love Ride and KTM pulling out of MotoGP 250cc class racing due to the economy. We give some new bike releases to look for and also provide news about recalls on Ducati, Triumph, and BMW motorcycles.
We also talk about the upcoming Motorcycle Cannonball, a run for pre 1916 motorcycles that starts in San Francisco and ends in New York. The run is Sept. 10-22, 2010. Link is posted below.
Paul Teutel Sr. a singer? Check out Paul and the OCC band on their new CD OCC Rocks. You can sample the music over at Amazon.com
And, sadly, the end of Biker Radio Magazine has come. This was the best motorcycle podcast that ever hit iTunes or the internet. Ken Venus recently recorded and released episode 100 and the show has come to an end. To listen to past episodes follow the link at the end of the show notes.

SHOW LINKS
multistrada.ducati.com
motorcyclecannonball.com
bikerradiomagazine.com

Right Click Here To Download

My friend Cliff Ravenscraft is a blogger, podcaster, new media consultant, and salesman of recording/broadcasting equipment. Some of you go far enough back with me to know that what you see in front of you is the second round of me trying to make this blog/podcast work. I tried this about a year before this attempt and failed miserably. Failed to the point that I gave up totally. Then in December 2008 I decided to try again. I found a service online that handled all the behind the scenes techie stuff that allowed me to get my podcast online and into podcatchers like iTunes. But you have controls and limitations using those services and I wanted to own my content, to be in charge of A to Z. I started to research how to do this and this is where Cliff and the Generally Speaking Production Network entered the picture.

Through Cliff’s guidance and a valuable 3 hour consulting session you are able to see this blog on my own domain and listen to or download the podcast from the site or from many podcatchers out there. He set up all my RSS feeds, guided me on choosing a host for the media files, and taught me how to get the podcast over to the website. I plan on using him in the very near future to redesign the website to make it more exciting. So, in a sense, I am following my passion….to a degree.

You see, Cliff is all about following your passion. No, I should really rephrase that. Cliff IS LIVING following your passion. You see, Cliff left an insurance job that paid very well for the chance to follow his passion by starting this network. Cliff stepped out and, with the support of his wife, quit that insurance gig and followed his passion. Cliff is an inspiration to anyone who feels the need to pursue their passion. Is that you?

What is your passion? Do you desire to be a custom bike builder? Want to start your own motorcycle repair shop? A parts store? Mine is motorcycling in general. I found a way to mix my passions of motorcycling and geek stuff by doing this blog and podcast. I would love to pursue doing this as a career. Maybe do some writing for a magazine or something. I will work on that. But, this is about you. Do you desire to get away from your dead end career and follow your passion? I urge you to listen to a podcast that Cliff did on his journey to living his passion. The Podcast is called Pursuing A Balanced Life and the episode is 425 Follow Your Passion and the Money Will Follow. You can listen directly from the page or download it to your player. Trust me, you will not be sorry. If you choose to take this journey I congratulate you and wish you the best. Please share this post with everyone you know. Life is too short for us to not live our passion.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Riding with Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Motor Company moving manufacturing to Indiana?
Competition Accessories leaving Ohio for SC.
Billy Lane is sentenced.
MotoGP in Indy this weekend
Other news and recalls.

Right-Click Here To Download

Indiana motorcyclists are proud to have a Governor that not only rides a motorcycle, but is willing to get out and ride with the citizens of Indiana. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels leads a few rides a year that travel the state making stops in small towns all over. The most recent ride, August 14th, was on a beautiful day and surprised many of the first time riders with the route snaking us through some Southern Indiana backroads that had enough curves you would have thought you were on the Tail of the Dragon at times. The best part was that this ride was escorted start to finish by the Indiana State Police Motorcycle Unit. Thank you Gents!

Indiana State Police Electra Glides provided escort.

Whoever ordered the weather up for this ride did well but could have turned the temperature dial back about 10 degrees. I am not sure how many miles were covered as I left after the second stop so I could get back to Indy in time to see the Colts preseason game. The two stops that I did make were Milan and Madison. Milan is famous for their 1954 winning of the state high school basketball championship. The small town team beat the largest high school powerhouses that year and was the team behind the movie Hoosiers. The second stop that I made was in Madison, a really neat town on the Ohio River that looks across into Kentucky. This town also has a famous side as it is the host of the Madison Regatta, a hydroplane racing event held annually on the river.

Ohio River at Madison, IN

Riding with the Governor is free and we had over 400 waivers signed for the ride. If you are in the Hoosier state I encourage you to come out next time and ride with us. No matter what your political party of choice is, it is encouraging to have a rider in charge. The motorcycle rides that the Governor puts on are about motorcycle awareness and when a reporter questioned him on Friday about helmets he made a great statement. He told them that he chooses to always wear a helmet but that education, not mandatory helmet laws is what will save lives. Way to go Governor!

Staging at the State Capitol building.

Wow, time has gotten away from me. The end of month drill at work is always hectic but is more so this month. Add in teaching weeknight motorcycle safety classes and my days begin about 5:30 and sleep comes at about 11:30. So, I have had little time to write.

What has been happening besides that? Well, late spring brought a request from LiveNation, the outfit that handles tickets for Verizon Wireless Music Center (among many others) to plan rides to a series of concerts over the summer. ABATE plans a route and gets riders together for the all day ride. The ride takes the form of an observation ride where the participants are provided a list of questions that involve things to look for along the route. At the final stop, the riders with the most correct questions wins a prize pack that includes a meet and greet session backstage with that evenings lineup.

Through my involvement with ABATE, I have been on both of the rides that have happened this year. I got to see a great show that included Cross Canadian Ragweed, Trace Adkins, and Toby Keith. Trace and Toby were going to ride with us but it seems that Tony George offered up a few laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and it is said that they took him up on the offer. More recently, I led the ride that ended with the Lynyrd Skynyrd / Kid Rock show. The funny thing about that is that it poured all day and there were a whopping 2 bikes on the ride. Mine and the Ultra Classic that you saw in an earlier post about the Michigan trip. The beauty of it all is that by the time we hit the amphitheater the weather was perfect for an outdoor concert.

Anyway, both of these genres of music worked for motorcyclists. Country, southern rock, and hard rock play right into the lifestyle of two wheel enthusiasts. The other big one of course would be the blues. How can a biker deny some good blues? I am not sure that rap would go over as well! But, we have one more concert this year and hopefully I will get to play a part and attend this one as well. Ang and I have had a great time on the first two and if we make the next one we will get to see ZZ Top and Aerosmith. That would be a great way to end the summer. These perks are just one more way that motorcycling has paid me back.

How has motorcycling paid you back? Weigh in with your comments and until next time, Ride Safe.

I was riding to the range this morning to finish the final day of a Beginner’s Rider Course and the route that I take involves a major state road and I465, the loop that carries you around Indy. As I accelerated up the on ramp, it involves a sweet left hander and sweeping right hander as you approach the interstate, I noticed an unmarked Indiana State Trooper on the inside shoulder totally blacked out. At 6:15 a.m. it is still fairly dark out and it got me thinking.

In this trying economy it seems that law enforcement is taking steps they have not taken before. Whether on the state, county, or local level of law enforcement it seems that they are trying to boost revenue through traffic citations. The unsafe practice that I witnessed this morning is only one of these steps. Just a few months ago, you could get away with running 10 mph over the posted speed. Motorcyclists are definitely not immune. I have received numerous calls about loud pipe citations and handlebar heighth citations.
These are things you would only be written up for if you wanted to run your mouth when pulled for something else.

So, now I am wondering. What is happening in your area?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This episode takes a look at the fascinating world of electric motorcycles. It brings news about Billy Lane, recalls from Ducati and Bombardier, and an update on the Miracle Ride for Riley Hospital held recently in Indy.

Special thanks goes out to Biker Radio Magazine host Ken who is going to work with me to make this podcast sound as professional as possible. Visit Ken’s site and listen to a true professional.

The feature is a discussion with John Adamo, jack of all trades at the Electric Motorcycle Forum among others. John’s blogs are listed below:

http://ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

http://PlugBike.com

http://Othermakes.com

http://korider.com (Hyosung Owners/Enthusiasts)

When he has an extra minute you can find him guest blogging at http://asphaltandrubber.com which is a blog owned by Jenny Gunn. John is also on Twitter and can be found at http://twitter.com/skadamo

Right-Click Here To Download

This weekend is that time where we are asked to stop and take some time to remember those that have left before us. We associate this holiday mostly with the military, those who shed their blood and gave their lives so that we could continue to enjoy the freedoms that we are afforded. Imagine a world where the people had no freedom of speech. What would your reaction be if the government told you what job you would work and exactly what you would be paid? How about a law that said that you could not own a motorcycle? People have lost their lives in the name of freedom and the things that we now enjoy should be enough to earn them the respect of every person born into this great country. If any of you are ashamed of your country, I urge you to move as quickly as possible. We don’t want you here anyway. I served in the United States Marine Corps and I salute all those who died protecting our freedoms. I will give my moment of silence today.

But Memorial Day is not just about the millitary. It is about family that deserves remembrance. It is a time to reflect on the good times that were had with that person. The love, laughter, and tears. The whole package is what made your relationship with that person special and we should remember them today as well. But, you can not stop there. Today is a day to remember friends as well. Those that were taken away from us too soon. Whether by natural causes or that inattentive motorist. Our fellow motorcyclists that made our enjoyment of the lifestyle what it is. We should remember them today as well.

Take a few minutes out of your day, away from the burgers or ribs, away from the swimming pool or the fishing hole, and remember. And don’t forget to thank your God for all of these people and for him making this all possible for you.

Ride Safe and Remember

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This episode starts off with a quick summary of my road trip to Cedar Springs, MI and then moves along to the loss of two very committed motorcyclists. One local, Mark Garback, a motorcycle safety instructor with ABATE of Indiana and the other Mike “Boz” Kerr, Vice President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

Next up is an interview with Paul Holdsworth that you have to listen to. You will be floored by Paul’s experiences over his many years of motorcycling and he speaks of his role with IronWorks Magazine. Many thanks to Paul as he was patient with my screwed up schedule and waited many weeks to record this podcast. Thanks again Paul. You can find subscription info to IronWorks Magazine by following the link and you can enjoy the musings of Snakebit Sam at IWBlogger.

We close out the show with another Eclipse song, Green Fishing Line. Follow the link to their website and get your own CD if you have been enjoying the music we have been playing on the podcast.

Special thanks to my friend Dennis Tyger for taking the road trip with me. Better friends are hard to find. As always, we appreciate you, the listeners of the Motorcycle Nation Podcast, for taking the time out of your life to support and listen. Safe travels.

Right-Click Here To Download

I finally, after a multi year lapse, got to take a joy ride. Sure, Ang has jumped on the back and we hit a local restaurant to have dinner with friends, but every other ride I have taken was tied in with either teaching or work. The past two days were a true joy for me as I was able to stare down the white lines and drop mile after mile for pleasure. My only regret is that Angie and Kim did not ride with us.

Originally there were four of us going to go. By time to leave there were two, me and Kim’s husband Dennis. We set our departure point at a gas station in SE Indy. When I rolled up to the gas pump Dennis was by the building talking to someone. I pulled my helmet off and he called me over. He was talking to a young man that was traveling to DC to visit his brother. Not an ordinary young man, but a priest. Dennis had asked him to bless our trip and he did so right in the gas station parking lot. Pretty awesome! After gassing up we hit the road and started putting home behind. Our first stop wound up being in South Bend, IN, home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. We pulled into a gas station only to find that every pump was out of mid grade and premium fuel. So we pumped a gallon in each bike and went searching for better fuel. We found it at the next exit and topped off the bikes before heading to Pizza Hut for a quick lunch. Well, it would have been quick but they kept filling the buffet with a different kind of pizza each time that Dennis had to have. Needless to say he was sick by the time we left.

We had excellent weather the entire trip and we arrived in Grand Rapids dry and happy. After a couple of wrong turns and a phone call we arrived at our destination to meet up with Jason, another motorcyclist that I have come to know via the net. Jason had been posting about his problems getting his motorcycle in good riding condition and, since he had helped me with some computer related issues in the past, I decided to go up and see what help I could provide. That was pretty much the purpose of the trip other than to ride. So, we arrived at the house and was able to fix the bike in about 20 minutes which allowed us to have an evening free. That meant more riding which allowed Jason to lead us around on his bike. We headed back towards Grand Rapids and met up with his wife, Kate, at a school where she was teaching Zumba. Zumba is a Latin / International dance and exercise class. Dennis looked pretty funny on the side trying out the moves!

From there Dennis, Jason, and I went to find some food and a place for us to stay that evening. The rules were no fast food and something different than we could have at home. Jason nailed it with his choice of Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille. Nice local place with some really good food. Steaks and stuffed shrimp were consumed and the prices were extremely reasonable. Check it out if you find yourself in the area. The best part was that we walked through the parking lot to the next one and found our lodging for the night. Dennis is a smooth talker and a deal maker and he got us $20 off the room by asking for the manager’s special. Sweet. We agreed to meet Jason and his wife Kate for breakfast the next morning and he left for home. A quick ride to the Meijer department store across the street for swimming trunks for Dennis and we were back at the hotel. I headed straight for the sack while he went to swim and try out the hot tub. Probably should have done that as well just to loosen the legs up after the ride.

Breakfast found us at Anna’s House Restaurant with Jason and Kate. This place has more variations on omelets than I have ever seen anywhere. Food and service were both great and there was good conversation with Jason and Kate. We all had a great time and soon it was time to head for Indy. The weather was not looking as promising for the trip so we wanted to get on the road. Goodbyes were said and we went down the street and paid a visit to the Honda dealer so Dennis could find a warmer pair of gloves. We did not have any luck so we jumped on the highway and headed back east in search of 196 and 31 South. On the way up we passed Grand Rapids Harley Davidson and we talked about stopping on the way home. I saw the sign up ahead and slowed and pointed and held my hand up asking, “Wanna stop?” A quick shrug of the shoulders and a nod took us onto the exit and into the dealership. What was going to be a quick t-shirt stop turned into a marathon purchase of a 2009 Black Pearl Electra Glide Ultra Classic. No not me, but I wish it was. Dennis’ trusty sidekick, the 1999 Road King was being traded in on the new bike.
This picture shows a glimpse of the Road King behind the new one.

Now, I rode up there on my ‘99 Softail Custom. He had the comfort advantage on the Road King already and now he was going to take it ten steps further and really ride in comfort. That is ok though, I am happy for him. Due to the five hour purchase we were way behind schedule and had allowed some severe storms to cross our route south of where we were. It did not take long out of Grand Rapids to start in and for the next two hours we rode in the rain and wind. Don’t forget, we had to run 50 to 55 mph for the first 50 miles and vary speeds from 55-70 for the rest of the trip. The maiden voyage for the new Ultra was a soggy one but she came through with flying colors.

So, my first joy ride in some time involved 706 miles of some crazy drivers, some torn up roads in Michigan, and bad weather. I would not trade even one mile back for anything. I had a great time with great friends and that is what this is all about. Everybody ride safe!