Dead in Five Heartbeats, The Movie

Something very cool is happening in the Arizona desert fellow Chromies, and it's happening right the f#@k now; Sonny Barger's seminal biker tome "Dead in Five Heartbeats" is being crafted into a full length feature film! If you haven't read the book (available at http://www.sonnybarger.com/) you're truly missing out on a first rate action novel. Anyone that knows of Sonny's legend will find way more "fact" than "fiction" in "Dead in Five Heartbeats", as this is unquestionably one of the most authentic "club genre" books ever written. Get the book, it's the real deal, just like the man that wrote it. Screw Chuck Norris, Sonny kicked his ass before he could grow a beard.......so you're gonna read the book, right!?

Sharpfinger Films in conjunction with Sonny Barger productions are the driving force behind the flick, while Jeff Santo will be handling the director chores. As of now most of the principle filming is taking place in Arizona. In keeping with the films relentless pursuit of authenticity, wherever possible real club members and locations are being utilized. As for the cast, check out IMDB for details, but fans of the cult classic Boondock Saints are gonna be stoked, that's all I'm saying about that.

OK, gotta be honest here, I've got another reason to be stoked about "Dead", a couple of my companies brands are official product sponsors to the flick; namely River Road (http://www.riverroadgear.com/) and Speed and Strength (http://www.ssgear.com/). We'll be supplying clothing and footwear for key lead characters. So keep your eyes peeled for some really cool bikerwear, especially some outrageous "tactical style" vests, badass doesn't begin to describe them. Many thanks to Amy and her people, they are the hardest working crew in the wardrobe racket, you've been a blast to work with.

Jeff Santo, the legend Sonny Barger, Fritz Clapp

So you're reading the book, that's good, but as a hardcore biker and fellow Chromie, you want more, and you want it now. No problem, Sonny's crew's got you covered. All you have to do is go to http://www.youtube.com/ and type in "Dead in Five Heartbeats day one" and go from there, check the right side nav bar for additional daily updates (day four and six are really choice) as they're posting new stuff all the time.

Could it be that we'll finally have a flick that does justice to the outlaw biker way of life, that iconic aspect of American pop culture that we're all so passionate about? We'll know the answer to that question when we see the finished product, but you have to believe that with Sonny Barger behind it there's no way "Dead in Five Heartbeats" is just another "cheesy biker flick"......not a chance.

Steel Ponies 2012

A beautiful '36 HD, born the same year as my mother, sorry mom!

If, like me, you managed to find a way to miss the now world famous “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit at the Guggenheim, or its various traveling incarnations, take heart fellow Chromies and culture vultures of all things two wheels, your historically significant motorcycle fix is on the way. Or more accurately it’s waiting for you at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, in the form of its Steel Ponies 2012 exhibition.

Well thought out displays make it easy to take it all in

While nowhere near the breadth and scope of the original “Art of the Motorcycle” offering (at least I got the book!) what makes Steel Ponies uniquely special is its focus on motorcycles and motorcyclists that were significant to the West and Western Native American culture. The creative and innovative manner by which the folks at the Eiteljorg chronicle the spread of the influence of these American made motorcycles throughout the West is truly inspiring. Obviously a great deal of thought and effort went into the assembling of the collection. It’s well worth the hour or so it would take to soak in all the machines on display. And I can guarantee you’ll see some bikes you’ve never viewed personally anywhere.

One of the oldest production motorcycles in the US, courtesy of the Smithsonian

From board track racing Harleys (how is it that machines from the teens and 20’s still look so purposeful, aggressive and just flat cool today?!) to one of Evel’s (you do know that the spelling of Mr. Knievel’s first name is by design, gotta stay at least arms length from true “evil” right???) original XR’s you’ll discover an amazing array of historically innovative machines. There’s even an Indian on loan from the Smithsonian Museum, not to mention bikes from some of the coolest, and yes, cheesiest biker movies ever put to celluloid.

Captain America.....or at least pretty damn close

As a native Californian I was especially stoked to find Arlen Ness featured in the section highlighting famous custom builders of the West. Arlen was, and is, an institution in the bay area, and one of the truly most genuine and humble people you’ll find in the industry. Ness was cool before folks knew the difference between OCC and ADD (one’s a condition, and one is a company that builds custom…….ah, hell, they’re both a disease). Good job.

Evel's XR, the man put the "X" in extreme!

So here’s the deal, if you’re in the area, get your butt down to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and do it fast, because like a great motorcycle, this exhibition isn’t going to hang around for long……….there’s open road to be ridden dammit.

Racing machines don't get any prettier

Daytona Dreamin' 2012

Another spring, another Daytona Bikeweek, or was it? Yes, and well, no. To be fair your humble scribe was only able to take part in the first weekend's festivities, having to return to Texas to toil at the gig that keeps the Asylum Spawn in clothes and tuition. That's not to say this year's adventure wasn't chock full of memorable moments.........it wouldn't be Bikeweek if there weren't at least a couple of mind altering images seared into our frontal lobes.....right?

Take for instance the fact that for only the third time in history (a fact confirmed by a number of terminally annoyed bartenders and hotel staffers) Bikeweek and Spring Break converged in an unholy commingling of respective revelers. Bikers and co-eds all vying for cheap beer in the same place and the same time, oh the horror! Speaking of horror, can you imagine the following exchanges taking place on Main St?

Co-eds and Biker's?! Too much for our little friend

Two middle aged bikers (are there really any other kind?) spy a couple of cuties ambling along the avenue just up ahead, when one nudges the other and offers up, "....pretty hot, huh?" To which the other grizzled biker replies, "hey that looks like my......oh, crap....Buffy, is that you!?"

"Oh, hi daddy, hey Uncle Jim" Awkward. And you just know that happened, you know it! A lot.

On the other side of the demographic coin we have the leather clad, hard ass biker couple staggering out of Froggy's, obviously about three Jack and Cokes over their limit, when they stumble through a throng of kids just hanging out. Channeling the freewheeling vibe of their Woodstock youth, they decide to bum a couple of smokes off of the collegiate partiers. Tapping one of tomorrows taxpayers on the shoulder, the bright eyed kid whirls around and, uh oh............."mom!, dad!, oh my gawd, are you kidding me right now!?!?"

Worth every dollar!

Deeply disturbing moments aside...........a pretty routine Bikeweek. The weather was iffy (got much better after our exit, figures), rained some each day, putting a bit of a damper on the crowds at some venues. At times Main St. was actually walkable, kinda nice really. The good news? The iconic beer girls didn't dawn any rain gear......there is a God!

Can you say "project bike"?!

There was the usual mix of machines, as is a staple of Daytona. Lots of metric cruisers, low slung drag bikes, Harley's, sport bikes, and scooters. An eclectic mix to be sure, one you won't find at Sturgis, Laughlin, Street Vibrations, and Laconia. Oh, and there's those Boss Hoss V-8 freak machines. I think I've finally figured it out, those pathetic excuses for a motorcycle are the biking worlds equivalent to the lifted monster truck. Feel free to draw your own "Dr. Phil" inspired conclusions.

We spent some time with John Hamer and the good folks at Seminole Harley-Davidson. Attended a silent auction benefiting the Sam Swoope Charity Ride for Shriners Children's Hospital. Hat's off to the hundreds of riders that braved the rain, and bought some of the cool donated goodies. Great cause, even better people!

You know what else is cool about the Seminole crew? I'll tell ya, and this is totally on the down low, but it looks like Chrome Asylum is gonna get its very own XR-1200X to test, modify, and otherwise ride the hell out of. Think very long term test. More details as we decide to give 'em up........this is gonna be bitchin' fellow Chromies.



Splish, splash, James romps to a big win!



Mudfest, all in a days work for K-Dub

Went to the Supercross on Saturday night, chilled in the Dunlop suite, which was pretty handy considering it was pissing rain right up until the main. The track was pure soup, nasty and rutted, but that couldn't stop Answer's James Stewart (shameless plug, Answer is one of our exclusive brands) from engineering a flawless race and snagging the top spot on the podium, with MSR's (yup, another TR exclusive brand) K-Dub taking a well earned third.......damn good night!

But enough with the words, let's vidi some pics................



Street scene in front of world famous Froggy's





Sometimes the coolest cat is a dog





First real live Motor Maid I'd ever seen, trust me, she has more miles and is a better rider than you and me....don't doubt it

The hard working Progressive Suspension folks upgrade a very clean 95 Dyna



The reason we all make the Daytona trek, Main St.



Perfect ending to Bikeweek



Harley's Mid-Year Offering, Where's The Baggers?

Not too long ago Harley announced it's mid-year new model intros; the Softail Slim and the Sportster Seventy-Two. While both machines will no doubt find their respective niche's, their introductions raise more than a few questions. Questions that we, the inmates at the Asylum just can't resist. But before we get all "60 Minutes" (remember back when we actually believed in "investigative journalism"? I don't either.) on the Motor Company, let's take a peek under the formed metal skirts of these sexy sleds and see if they're worth a dinner and a movie.

Get your motor runnin', head out on the......

With the Sportster Seventy-Two (XL-1200V for the Harleyistas out there) we've got a nifty little time machine that catapults us back to the era of .50 gas, mini skirts, and counter-culture idiocy. From it's 2.1 gallon peanut tank, to its "ape-hanger" bars the "72" is straight out of Easy Rider central casting. It has all the looks, with none of the wretched mechanicals of a 60's chopper. And we've got to say the Milwaukee crew has really nailed it. Especially tasty are the paint options; metal flake so bold and rich it could be frosting on a kids birthday cake, or a sick rat rod inspired murdered out flat black (uh, make that "Denim Black" if you please). Flip a coin, you can't lose.

Damn Sexy

A kicked out radical (for a factory born rig) chopper stance courtesy of extended forks coupled with a skinny laced front wheel help round out the flashback styling of this pint sized bar hopper. The old school white walls are just a bonus, as is the relatively low $11,199 MSRP. Oh sure, the 72 has its limitations, not the least of which is the 2.1 gallon peanut tank, perfect for those with an inflamed prostate, but useless for long haul runs. Forget the fact that its ergonomics are more suited to staging photo shoots with hot, temperamental, inked up strippers (not that's there's anything remotely wrong with that) than actual riding........this bike flat looks sick. And you know what? Sometimes that's just enough.....and this is one of those times.

Rounding out our dynamic duo is the FLS Softail Slim. Think of it as a Fat Boy that's done some hard time with Jillian Michaels (holy crap, talk about conflicted!) coming out on the other side lean and just slightly beaten down. The newest member of the Softail family sports a relatively narrow profile front and rear, gone are the beefy rear meats, made oh so "fashionable" by the likes of the hacks at OCC (three cheers for natural selection). Instead we find a fold away license plate frame and a "bobbed" rear fender.



A low carb version of a Fat Boy


One of the most unique features of the FLS is its gloss black "Hollywood" bar, think unholy alliance of a set of motocross and roto-tiller bars and you get the jist. Honestly, they pretty cool. According to the marketing flaks at HD the styling of the bars, the slim silhouette of the bike, and a healthy dose of "dechromification" (yeah, it's a word, just don't look it up) are all supposed to conjure up memories of "home built" customs from the 40's and 50's. Maybe so, but coming off the line with it's proven Twin Cam 103B motor, available optional anti-lock brakes, lustrous paint, and $15,499 MSRP, we're thinking the Softail Slim is just a tad more, ah, shall we say refined??

So we've got two new machines, cool. What's the big deal, what's the big drama? Simple Sally, no reason to build either one. Harsh? Maybe. But here's the dope, Softails, any Softail, just aren't selling. Doesn't matter what model, they're pretty much gathering dust on the showroom floor. Check out your local dealer, do a little cub reporting and get back to me on that sport. They ain't thrilled. Same with the Sporty chopper....aren't there already about six hundred Sportster models available now? Really needed six hundred and one! No doubt HD's crack (smoking) market research team has proven through judicious applications of geometric logic that these two models are just the ticket to sales success and bonuses for all.......and management bit. Sucka! The fact is, talk to any dealer and he'll tell you what's moving..........baggers, baggers, and baggers. Simple, end of story, thank you please drive through.

Hey Milwaukee, let's build some sick hot rodded baggers sporting some serious motors, stripped down sex appeal, and slammed to the deck. While we're at it, a CVO Road Glide completely murdered out......oh baby, dare to dream........

Milwaukee Mini's To Be Born In The USA

Sharp eyed fellow Chromies will remember waaaay back in 2011 (April 11 to be exact) that we reported on a plan by the Motor Company to build the Buell Blast's replacement in the land of curry and outsourced call-centers and import them to the US badged as "real" Harley's. Ah, sorry Sally, not so fast. What a difference nearly a year makes.

While enjoying beers and brats on Main St. in Daytona I had an opportunity to chat up some folks well connected at the highest levels of Harley-Davidson (these people know what they're talking about my brothers, so much so, that I'm not free to quote them by name) and they told me that the plan to import fully assembled motorcycles from India is dead, at least in the near term. Not gonna happen, not now, maybe not ever.

So why the 180? To recap, Harley needs to develop a bike that can take over the late and unlamented Blast's role as small displacement training machine for the Rider's Edge program. The specs state that the bike needs to be no more than 500cc, which puts HD in a rather tough spot given the fact that Milwaukee's most diminutive machine crashes the party at well over 800cc's.....uh oh. Couple that with the fact that while most of the Harley Faithful are willing to accept, however grudgingly, some level of foreign content in their beloved Hogs, the notion of a machine branded with the bar and shield being built entirely overseas like some, God forbid, Honda was simply too much to swallow.

The simple truth is, the "Made in America" component of the narrative that is Harley Davidson is still sacrosanct. It's the third rail of HD brand folklore, tamper with it at your extreme peril. No matter how tempting the additional margin dollars that a foreign built would undoubtedly fetch, the suits in Milwaukee aren't willing to risk sending their loyal customer base running for the exits, a sure way to tank profits. No bonus, no bueno.

So for now, it looks like we're likely to see a petite pig coming out of the Kansas City plant sometime next year. What it'll look like is still a mystery, but we're pretty sure it will be offered in two displacements; 650cc and 500cc (the latter so it conforms to Riders Edge requirements). The key here is that it will be US built, as real a Harley as any rolling off the lines today. That's the Motor Company's story, and they're gonna stick to it, until they don't.

Merry Milwaukee Musings

What with Christmas right around the corner (or "the holidays" if ones PC sensibilities dictate) thoughts naturally lean toward the joy of giving and receiving of gifts. OK, more likely the receiving part, be honest now. And we here at the Asylum are not immune to such impulses, we'd love nothing more than to stick a brand new shiny scoot up every fellow Chromies chimney, but alas what with the stagnate economy and continued cuts to our formerly unlimited advertising budget new bikes for all the good little boys and girls just ain't gonna happen.

So that's it then, a lump of coal and an IRS audit!? Please.....this is the Asylum, and we're nothing if not resourceful, you know lemons, lemoncelli, that sort of thing. We've got you covered. This year we're gonna stuff your stocking with the always in style, must have gift of rumor and speculation straight from Harleyville. See, we told you not to worry.

Good news, bad news. The bad gets next....looks like my beloved XR-1200X is on the chopping block. Guess my infatuation with this nifty little machine is a lonely love affair, sales simply haven't lived up to management expectations. Truth is, the XR wasn't exactly flying out of European showrooms during it's launch year either, it's simply never got the love it deserved from the market. Damn shame, it's one of the most grin inducing Harley's you'll ever throw a leg over. If you dig the whole American V-Twin propulsion thing lovingly cradled in the most flickable package ever to emerge from the hallowed halls of the Motor Company get your butt down to your local HD man and snap one up. Because much like land and natural breasts, pretty soon they just won't make them any more.

Dude, where's my FLH? Seems that the rumors of product shortages in the touring line are more than just a little bit true. The factory flat blew it and underestimated demand for the big cross country machines. Think about that for a moment, baggers have been the meat of the market now for nearly a decade, so how do you screw that up!? Then again, when it comes to management by the "best and the brightest" recent history has shown that the titans of industry and government don't exactly have a monopoly on street smarts. How long it'll take Harley to get it right is an open question, and one their dealer network would like resolved sooner rather than later.

Loyal Chromies will remember our reporting on a forth coming Buell Blast replacement to be imported from India. Plans are still moving forward, although we learned that there have been discussions that the mini-HD could be assembled in Kansas City (deft move to avoid that whole "....tell me again, where the f**k is that thing made!? Indiana? India!?!?). That said, at the moment, it still looks like the as yet named machine is coming from the land of the sacred cow. Stay tuned.

Here's a tasty tidbit from a very trustworthy deep cover source. Seems there's a very trick, "skunk works" 750cc radical, performance oriented v-twin snuggled in the R&D vault at Juneau Ave. The hi-perf lump has been around for a while, long enough to have been bolted to what my sources tell me is an XR (as in flat tracker) inspired frame. Very cool stuff. That is until one considers the soon to be administered death blow to the current XR. There's just seems to be no appetite in the market for a really sporty Harley, or is there? What if the Motor Company went "all in" with a Duc killer sport bike, something that could fight blow for blow with the best from Bologna?? Yeah, that's just silly.

Better late than never, but better never late. It's no secret that Harley is usually tardy to the soiree when it comes to devining trends on the street and turning them into production reality. Remember the Rocker? Only about two years after that whole "OCC style" chopper cratered in the market, Harley comes out with their very own new and improved version. Thankfully, the Rocker was put out of its and our misery, my condolences to the three self-esteem challenged tools that actually bought one.

The good news is HD is actually getting out front on a couple of trends. Sound systems being one of them, the Motor Company is currently offering some truly trick upgraded stereo/speaker systems. Sure they're way over priced, and still a bit dated from a tech perspective, but they're light years ahead of where they were just a year ago. Big hoops on FLH's your thing? Nothing firm yet, but don't be surprised to see some 21 inchers (with proper load ratings and suspension geometry to match) on the big touring beasts in the not too distant future, maybe on a CVO model to start. There's simply too much profit margin being given up to the aftermarket for the factory not to jump in and get their slice of the pie, and in this case, we all score. We'll get bikes that look cool, but actually handle, with rubber designed to handle the extra heft of the FLH family of bikes. Oh, and it'll suck for the bottom feeding product liability lawyers who are happily suing the tire manufacturers and the Motor Company every time some idiot with an oversized hoop ends up on his noodle. The current crop of 21's aren't designed for FLH's........jeez.

Lastly, here's something that lands squarely on the good list, by all measures it looks like the new Dyna based Swtichback is an unqualified success. The bikes have been streaming out of the showrooms, and everyone that I know that's ridden one raves about the machine. Makes sense, the Dyna family have always been a favorite of real riders of Milwaukee iron, the guys that put on daily miles and aren't afraid to attack the random curve. As soon as we develop a relationship with a local Harley dealer (are you listening Ft Worth HD?) we'll do a complete road test.

So there it is fellow Chromies; news, clues and a rumor or two. And if you're really good, maybe the fat guy in the funny red leisure suit will drop a few more tasty tidbits down the flu.....dare to dream. 

Don't Be Hatin' Brother! We're Back!

You know what I hate? Bloggers that can't manage to post new content on a regular basis. Given the fact that the relative quality of the vast majority of blogs are mostly always in serious question, really the only redeeming value most of these hack's deliver is in the mass production and distribution of their meager prose. All we ask for is a constant stream of new "content"; perfect for consuming while waiting for a bus, being held captive in a budget meeting, or while pretending to be engaged in meaningful dialog with our significant "other". I mean really, other wise, what's the point, are these wannabe Drudge's so self-absorbed as to think folks will just keep coming back to their blogs, eagerly sniffing for even a whiff of fresh offerings? Come on, do they think there's no expiration date on "forever loyal", no matter how indifferently they treat their lowly subjects, ah, great unwashed, er, readers?! Failing to locate anything fresh, these hapless consumers of said basement dwelling tripe are left to dine on months old posts that weren't worth the effort to move a mouse in the first place. Know what I mean, don't ya just hate those guys!?

Well, there's a lot of self-loathing here at the Asylum my fellow Chromies, because yours truly has become "that guy", it's been weeks since my last post, mia culpa, I suck. And for that I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Alas my lapse while inexcusable has not been without reason. I scored a gig!! And not just any gig mind you, drum roll please.

You're now reading the lowly prose of the newly minted VP of Marketing for Tucker Rocky Inc. Yup, that Tucker Rocky, the premier distributor of all manner of powersports goodies. From jackets to helmets, tires to chains, TR's got the goods for us loony motorbikers. Great brands too; Dunlop, Arai, River Road, QuadBoss, Firstgear, Bikemaster, Answer, MSR, ProTaper, Kuryakyn, Twin Power, Yoshimura, Speed and Strength, Metal Mulisha etc., etc., etc., the list is nearly endless. The opportunity to work with a world class team,develop new and exciting brands, move to the free republic of Texas, and ride motorbikes on a regular basis was an offer that I wasn't about to refuse!

So that's why I've been AWOL, not for lack of love for you gentle Chromie, but for jumping into the deep end on a whole new adventure. So stay tuned, Chrome Asylum is back, with straight from the hip, no BS, no corporate spin, (being at TR's not gonna turn this cowboy into a spineless lackey for the man, trust me on that brother), no holds barred truth for your dining pleasure. As a matter of fact we'll be posting some tasty bits on the new Harley Switchback (didn't you read about that model here first, months ago, oh yes you did!), and our latest Sturgis adventure. You didn't think we'd pass up a chance to ride the Black Hills do ya!?

We're back baby, we are back!!

2012 Switchback, Harley's New "Sport Touring" Machine To Hit The Road

Move over Drudge Report, Chrome Asylum done scooped the Powersport Media. Not a particularly difficult task, I'll grant, but nonetheless, way back on May 20th we posted an article in which we speculated that based on rumblings coming out of Harley's KC plant, as well as, off the record tips from some well placed sources that Harley was fixing to introduce a new "sport touring" machine based on Dyna rolling stock.

Well sir, some snooping on the CARB website last week (thanks Ryan) revealed that the "Swtichback", a "new model" for 2012,  had been approved for sale in California. At the moment that's all we have to go on, as photos of the actual machine are about as scarce as green jobs. We'll surely keep our eyes peeled. But rest assured the Switchback is our white whale, the one truly new machine in the line-up.

In other Motor Company related news, industry insiders are telling Chrome Asylum that Harley is once again applying the screws to dealers across the country to update their stores. Can you say "great timing" Milwaukee!? It's not like unit sales haven't been slammed for the last couple of years, with many dealers only now seeing modest increases in year over year sales. And trust me, when HD "suggests" that a dealer remodel/upgrade, it's a lot like the IRS "suggesting" you pay your taxes. Best get with the program bub, or you'll find your franchise pulled faster than you can say "you're fired!"

So what's the deal here? Speculation is that Harley wants to further cull the herd and this is one way of dropping the weak. It's no secret that the Motor Company still feels the dealer network is a little too "fat", and word on the street is So Cal is a prime target for some big time thinning. Stay tuned fellow Chromies.

Flirting With Disaster, The Dangers of 21in Front Tire Conversions

I think I've just learned something that probably everyone that's passed journalism 101 already knows (pretty obvious who's had no formal journalistic training huh? Damn.), and it's this; when no one will talk to you about a story, it's probably a damn good story. And trust me, I couldn't get a peep from any of the players I sought out for an interview, I'd probably have better luck getting Anthony Weiner to guest lecture a photography class at the local junior college. OK, not true, that pathetic bastard would no doubt jump at the chance. But you gotta hand it to the powersports crowd, they can play it close to the vest and stay mum, good qualities in a friend and a bookie, but really frustrating when you're trying to get to the bottom of an issue.

Gotta admit, looks pretty cool

And that issue is? Nothing major, or so I thought, I just wanted to know what the tire folks thought about all those 21 inch conversions that are so smokin' in custom circles these days. Specifically the conversion of FLH model Harley's (which depending on year are typically shod with a 16" or 17" front hoop) from their stock configuration to 21" tires and rims. You see them everywhere, it has to be one of the top five trends in bagger customization, maybe top three. And in many cases, from a design aesthetic point of view, the conversions work well, giving the entire machine a more menacing and aggressive profile. I kinda like the look. Hell, there might have been a brief instant, fueled by more Jack and Coke than common sense, that I may have toyed with the notion for my beloved Paint Shaker. There was just one thing wrong, I knew better, see it's not about "the look", it's about the numbers. And the numbers don't add up.

For the sake of familiarity, we'll use Paint Shaker (my 2006 Harley FLHRCI) as a reference point (from '09 FLH's have 17" fronts). The '06 Road King slid off the factory line sporting Dunlop 402's; specifically an MT90B16 up front, and an MU85B16 bringing up the rear. As for maximum load, the rear is rated at 908lbs at 40lbs of pressure, while the front is rated at 783lbs at 40lbs of pressure. So far, so good. Until you begin to look for your 21" replacement for that MT90B16 that is. Now is when things really get dicey, staying with Dunlop (and why not, they make the best tires on the planet, and are OE fitment on most Harley's, so they know what's up) we'll search for our 21" inch front.

Can you imagine cleaning that wheel?

Uh oh. This isn't good. Try as I might, I couldn't find a 21 incher with a maximum load rating above 467lbs at 40lbs of pressure. That's a whopping 40% drop in max capacity. No matter how you slice it, that's significant, and in the wrong direction. Didn't matter what brand, the 21's just weren't up to the job. So I started reaching out to my friends in the tire business to get their take on the relative safety of converting an FLH to a 21" front end, just what did they think? Crickets was all I got. As you can imagine, after 20 plus years in the industry working at a retailer that at one point sold more motorcycle tires nationally than anyone, I knew just who to talk to, the folks with the answers. Trouble was, none of them was willing, or more to the point, able to talk "on the record" about the issue of 21" conversions. Not Dunlop, not Metzeler, not Michelin. Nobody. Nada. Nicht. Zilch. The fact is, liability and scum sucking accident attorney's have made cowards of us all. These guys couldn't talk, and I don't blame them, in their positions I wouldn't either.

Here's the deal, all of the manufacturers are paranoid beyond belief; we already know the 21's aren't load rated for the baggers they're getting thrown on, but that's not all. Check out any Harley forum, say http://www.cvoharley.com/ or http://www.hdforums.com/ and search around and you'll find horror stories of ill-handling bikes, owners one step away from a 5150 holding order, all because they fitted up a 21" tire, and they can't get their bikes to smooth out at anything above a walking pace. Think we might have screwed up the steering geometry Ace!? The cold hard facts are, Harley-Davidson and the tire companies (mostly Dunlop) spend countless hours and boat loads of dough ensuring that your bagger handles like Valentino was at the helm no matter what. Huge downpour? No big deal. Massive crosswind? Hardly even notice it. Rain grooves? Who cares. Board scraping cornering antics? Bring it on! In all but the most extreme situations, your badass bagger will be as well behaved as church deacon. That is if you leave it as God and the Motor Company intended. And yeah, the Motor Company wouldn't talk to me either.

Not gonna stop like a stock rig, no way

Start monkeying with steering geometry, things like rake and trail (I know you've seen those terms in the magazines, don't have a clue huh? Don't lie, most of us don't either) and unless you're some sort of suspension guru, and we know we're not, chances are trouble is just around the corner. Nine times out of ten, you're just gonna f##k it up. And until you get it sorted, the chances that you're gonna end up on your noodle are pretty good.......or not good, you get the idea. Oh, did I mention braking? Yeah, it just keeps getting better. No doubt in those very same magazines that bored you to tears with rants about the aforementioned "rake" and "trail", you might have run across the term "contact patch", it's where the rubber literally meets the road. Well sir, the contact patch on a 21" inch hoop is significantly smaller than its 16" and 17" cousins. Less patch, less grip, all things equal. This means when you need to get the beast whoa'd up in a hurry, you'll have reduced braking capacity because you've got fewer square inches of rubber "interfacing" with the blacktop. See how that might not be great? Hello Subaru.

So what's the deal, should we bag the idea of 21's on our baggers? And if so, what about customizing in general? It's our position at Chrome Asylum that you should be free to do whatever the hell you want to when it comes to modifying/customizing your ride. Period. My bucket list ride is a Sucker Punch Sally's bobber with no front brake, suicide shifter, and an open primary belt, hardly a model of NHTSA restraint and propriety. And I don't want some nanny fascist to tell me I can't have it. Just do your homework and keep your eyes open. But remember, with that freedom comes the responsibility to live with whatever consequences rear their homely heads because of the idiocy you inspired. In short, live with it. Own it, and don't sue! Don't sue anyone, they didn't hold a gun to your puppy's head and demand you fit up that 21. It was your call, if you get screwed up because of it, oh well, better luck after rehab. But sadly, that ain't the world we live in.

The fact is; the tire guys, HD (if I may be so bold), wheel manufacturers, OE dealers, independent shops and everyone else that could be bundled into a lawsuit are probably dealing with the fallout from 21" conversions as you read this. Do you really think they're aren't pending suits, please. Something tells me that ongoing litigation is the primary reason for the lack of conversation coming from the industry on this issue.

So if you still wanna slap that 21 incher under your bagger, it's totally up to you. Just know that you've surely compromised the handling, maximum load capacity and the braking performance of your motorcycle. A machine, it might be worth noting that's more likely to be overloaded and ridden two-up than its smaller, less touring oriented cousins. Your call, your risk. And if things turn to doo-doo, just remember who's idea it was. As for me? I think I'll chill and see what the Motor Company comes up with, at least I know it'll work.

Kuryakyn....is that Chinese for "poor quality"?

My old dogeared Webster paperback (yes an actual dictionary) defines "Panacea" as follows, "...n. a supposed cure for all problems". Uh ha. I'm thinking the good folks at Kuryakyn might want to go back to the drawing board when it comes to applying that moniker to their "trick" LED taillight/turn signal combo unit. I'm not sure what exactly it's curing, if anything; as mine's pretty much crapped out, after a lengthy seven whole months of service on Paint Shaker, my trusty '06 FLHRCI. I know, I know, what did I expect, that it would last forever!?

Panacea system has multiple modes, great when they work

Maybe I was asking too much, especially in light of my past experiences with "Big K's" offerings (more on that later), but the thought of bolting on a state of the art LED lighting unit, one that included a "blue dot"  (you hot rodders know what I'm talking about) and a retina searing taillight/turn signal brake light combo system that would up the odds that I would avoid the joy of an Escalade enema at the hands of Molly Multitasker, super soccer mom, was simply too much to resist. There's only one small problem. The build quality of the Panacea is so poor, that you really can't trust that its actually working. It's one thing if you can't depend on your brother-in-law, it's quite another if your brake light system takes an occasional, and altogether arbitrary powder. It could ruin your whole day.

And really, there's no excuse for it, electronics these days, at least quality stuff, is essentially bullet proof. If it works out of the box, you're good to go for years. There's simply no reason that I'm stuck taking my bike back to my dealer to deduce the failure. I'm lucky, I can roll my ride to McGuire's, and I know they'll sort it out right the first time, but many folks aren't as fortunate to have trusted mechanical help so close at hand, http://www.mcguire-hd.com/. And regardless, it's still a needless expense and hassle. I've already paid for the light once, thank you very much. 

So what you say, stuff fails all the time (Con-gress comes to mind) cut Kuryakyn some slack! Really? See, you might be right if this was an isolated incident, but it unfortunately this isn't my first rodeo with the metallic robot chick (you'll just have to trust me on that one). The Panacea lights are strike three.

Strike one on the Kuryakyn trail of tears (tortured metaphor, or brilliant turn of phrase, hmmmm!?) was a set of mirrors I bought for the CVO Springer. The design was clean and trick, which is just how they suck you in, and I thought they'd make a nifty upgrade from the rather vanilla stock units. Installation was pretty straight forward, no real issues. After a quick adjustment, off for a quick test ride. Everything was groovy, or so I thought. Sadly, it seemed that whenever the mph's exceeded 65, said mirrors would fold inward about 90 degrees, making it just a touch difficult to employ the rearviews as they were intended. Damn. Rode back to the garage, removed the mirrors, took them apart and tightened the "set" screw, as per the instructions. Back out on the road, and... Same result, folded like a busted john in Vegas. Working in the industry meant that returning defective product was no big deal, I didn't have to actually do the "dirty work" and the offending manufacturer always took the stuff back. I tried one more time with a fresh set of mirrors. You know what happened, so I won't even bore you. I will say the new HD units look great and work just dandy.

Strike two also involved the CVO Springer, this time in the form of a trick Kuryakyn axle mounted, curved license plate frame. I mean, what could possibly go wrong, right!? Flaking chrome for starters, right around the mounting screw holes. And if that weren't enough, the exposed areas quickly rusted!! This on a bike that's never seen rain, I mean it doesn't get wet when I clean the damn thing! It's my hot rod, my deuce coupe, it's pretty pampered. Well except for its crappy, rusted out license plate frame. Honestly.

So there it is, three Kuryakyn products, three pieces of crap. Baseball, life, California criminal code....whatever, no more chances. At least not from this jaded burn victim. It's sad enough that virtually nothing in the Kuryakyn catalog is made domestically, that's just a fact of life (one that we best be changing over the long haul), and many of their designs are truly well done, it's that their willingness to source quality factories in the workers paradise of the Peoples Republic is practically non-existent. The fact is, there are well made goods coming out of China, quality stuff, that performs exactly as advertised. The fact that Kuryakyn is unable, or unwilling to employ these factories is obvious and unforgivable. Too bad, I really wanna like their stuff.

Wonder Wizards Wows!

 Let's face it, it's a rare moment these days when one is fortunate enough to stumble across a product that actually lives up to its self-imposed hype, and rarer still when said widget, gadget, or elixir exceeds our decidedly low-bar expectations. Your humble scribe is delighted to report that we've found such a wonderware; Wizards "Mist-n-Shine" for motorcycles.

This stuff is the bomb-diddy, and trust me, I've tried 'em all, or nearly all. Prior to my polishing epiphany, I'd been pretty set on Griot's Garage's Speed Shine. It worked reasonably well, cleaned up the light stuff, was easy on the finish, left a shine, and if you worked at it didn't streak too badly. Sadly, similar offerings form Mother's and Mequiar's were utterly useless. I swear the Mequiar's swill actually had "swirl inducers" added to the formula. No matter what I used, microfiber, diaper, 100% cotton towel, the stuff just fogged up and left a trail of streaks. The Mother's spray shine was equally disappointing. Don't bother.

Truth be told, I would have remained blissfully unaware of Wizards "Mist-n-Shine" were it not for me complaining about not having any spray polish handy (remember, Griot's Garage is mailorder/on-line only) and Dave (parts expert at McGuire HD, http://www.mcguire-hd.com/) suggesting that I give Wizards a test ride. Why not, if it sucked, I'd just add it to the growing pile of cast off cleaners.

For about fifteen bucks you get 22fl oz of polishing power

But it didn't suck, nope, not at all. The first thing you'll notice is that the stuff goes on easy (OK, not exactly true, you'll be struck by the the odor from the very first squirt; very sweet, kinda nice actually), and comes off even easier. No streaking whatsoever!! No cloudy swirls, no white residue in the corners or on the rubber strips. It's really pretty amazing. And so is the shine, a deep, high gloss luster that you'd only expect to get with a hell of a lot more effort and a can of paste wax. It shouldn't be this easy.

I've cleaned both bikes with the stuff (Road King Classic and the CVO Springer) and the results are nothing short of astounding. Wizards even work on chrome, which as we all know, can be pretty unforgiving in terms of streaking. No worries, just spray and rub. A microfiber cloth works best when it comes to the rubbing part.

What Wizards won't do. If you've just rolled in from your annual Sturgis run caked in miles of road grime, oil, and bugs, better opt for the stronger stuff first (powerwasher, liquid soap, the neighbors kid); "Mist-n-Shine" isn't designed to be a heavy-duty cleaner, but rather as the label says, to give offer up a "quick dust, safely removing light bugs (whatever those are?!), mild road grime, and light water spotting (I'm detecting a theme here), giving your bike that just-waxed slippery feel and wet look." That it does in spades. Same goes for your chrome bits, if it's basically good, just a little dirty, Wizards is perfect. But if your shiny stuff's got a little pitting or serious dulling going on, best to break out the chrome polish and elbow grease. Save the Wizards for a quick touch up.

OK, we've waxed on about this spray on wax long enough. Next time you're in need of a quick wax job that'll leave you with that slippery feel and wet look, gaze no further than Wizards "Mist-n-Shine", it really does work like magic.....would we have employed such an utterly shameless cliche' if it didn't!?

Milwaukee Shocker, HD To Produce A Sport Touring Model!

An exclusive Chrome Asylum source that's very close to the Motor Company has indicated to us that there's a very high probability that a wholly new HD model will be announced at this years summer dealer show. Details are sketchy, but all indications are that this new machine will be a full on "sport-tourer". My guy says imagine something more or less "between" an FLH and a Dyna and we should be on the right track.

The as yet unveiled Harley will most likely be lovingly crafted at the KC plant which makes the repeated spying of a V-Rod powered Road Glide test mules in the area all the more interesting. Could this new mystery machine indeed be the Motor Company's long awaited foray into liquid cooling (knock it off, we all know the V-Rod doesn't count, stow it)? Or will this new tasty tourer be a test bed for a trick oil pumper to be employed on future generations of the venerable big twins? Doesn't look like we'll have to wait long for an answer.

While none of this can be independently confirmed, because let's face it, the Motor Company is pretty good at dummying up about future model releases, it still makes total sense. Short of the Blackline Softail, a smattering of "BLG" updates (bold new graphics), and my beloved XR1200X (which apparently none of you cretins is actually buying) there hasn't been a ton of knock your jock in the dirt innovation and excitement coming out of the gates of York or KC for a more than a few years now. Understandable, there's been this whole recession thing pissing on every ones party; no doubt any appetite for investment in new models has been fairly well squashed. Nothing says hunker in the bunker like plummeting sales and stock values (not to mention executive bonuses!). HD was wisely sticking it out with what they had on hand. Smart.

But not any more. It's time to sack up and get back into the game, and the gang in Milwaukee knows it. With the other OE's barely climbing out of their stupefyingly comprehensive self induced market "coma" (hey guys, we're still here, give us a reason to trudge on down to your showroom will ya!), and Victory digests its recent purchase of Indian, the moment is perfect for the Motor Company to suck all the oxygen from their competitors in 2012 and make the leap. Question is, will they do it?

Guess we're all gonna have to stay tuned for the answer to that last one...........I all the inmates at the Asylum are riveted. As they said in the days when the mass in media really mattered, "...stay tuned for further developments, film at eleven". 

2012 Motor Company Musings

Hard to believe it's already that time of year, hell the new season of the Real Housewives of the OC as hardly even gotten underway (don't even tell me that Tamra isn't the hottest mommy in all the land...yeah, you know it's true), and here we are breathlessly awaiting tawdry details of Harley's 2012 line-up. Like you, we want to know what's happening behind the scenes; the drama, the dumbass blunders, the stuff we're not supposed to know. In short, the good stuff. That said, we're gonna leave the "bold new graphics" story lines for what passes for investigative journalism in the powersports media and dive straight into rumor and speculation, kinda like the New York Times would handle, oh say, stories about Iraq or the deficit. Time to dig Chromies.

And just what  has the Asylum unearthed in its relentless pursuit of tasty tidbits of truth?  Please. Like I've got a bug in Willy G's office, although did I mention that I applied for work in the CIA as a lad? (true story, check the archives, stay sharp!).... If you were expecting some TMZ worthy rumors, perhaps a spy pic, or some inside dope obtained by nefarious means; a lifted thumb drive handed over in a seedy strip bar at 2am, the sweat of a disgruntled HD engineer still clinging to the casing, keep smokin'. Basically what I got you could find on the web, if you rooted around long enough, and knew where to look. Hardly "off the record", Deep Throat (Watergate you perv's), background kind of intel. No Pulitzer here fellow Chromies, not that we'd except the damn thing anyway. But news we have found nonetheless.

First, what we think we know that we know (bonus "Rumsfled", ain't gonna get that at American Iron!). Looks like there's a strong possibility that radio equipped FLH models maybe delivered sans the actual receivers. Seems the recent unpleasantness in Japan has put a hitch in the get-along when it comes to HD's boom boxes, lack of internal circuitry components. Even units assembled right here in the good old US of A contain a fair amount of "foreign content", shocker. Seems there's no domestic source for tunes. Really!? There's no Radio Shack's in York and KC!? Hell, when I was in ninth grade I built a crystal radio, you'd think the Motor Company brain trust could come up with a better solution than a gift card and a face plate. Does this seem like leveraging HD's core competencies in order to develop an acceptable interim solution to ensure customer's uninterrupted audio connectivity to Kenny G's greatest hits to you? Biz bonus bingo speak aside, come on guys, kinda lame.

Continuing with how events in Japan are putting the hurt on Milwaukee, it looks like a shortage of paint pigments is threatening to derail some of HD's hottest color choices. One of my favorites, "Sedona Orange" is most likely gonna be off the color charts this year, with other hues sure to be replaced. Again, is PPG or Dupont not able to offer up some acceptable substitutes here? Even if we have to bust out of our long term pigment sourcing budget, it would seem worth eating some margin points to ensure we've got just the right paint/graphic combinations...we've heard that color is kind of a critical branch on the old decision tree when folks are choosing their future rides. As much as "true believers" dig black (there really is no other option for the pure of heart) there are those unenlightened souls that demand some options when it comes to colors, let's not give them an excuse not to buy. I'm just saying, it's not 2003 for gripes sake.

The big news for 2012 would have to be water cooling, if the Motor Company were actually going to introduce it this year. Not gonna happen. April Fools rumors, and the odd sighting of a V-Rod powered Road Glide in Kansas City aside, we just don't see it for '12. If the entire touring line were to make the transition to H2O we're thinking there'd be a lot more "chatter" about the switch by this late date. Nah, there's still more development to be done, this is one HD cannot afford to get wrong. It's not that the great unwashed won't accept a wet powerplant from Milwaukee, it's that the Motor Company has to get the aesthetic just right. As a matter of fact, reading the forums as we do there's not the rabid pitchfork and torches response to the mere mention of a water cooled Harley, certainly not like there might have been five to ten years ago. But getting it right means no lame ass, ugly, "barn door" radiators, ala the V-Rod. Nope, they've got to be integrated between the frame downtubes and for all intents and purposes, invisible. If they end up looking like Will Smiths ears, it's a no sale. And just for old times sake, maybe we leave a couple of air cooled offerings in the line-up for us oldsters, at least as long as the Fascists at the EPA will allow.

With the entire FLH line going to 103cu in motors for 2012 (great idea by the way, the 103 is responsive and gives the touring rigs much needed grunt, not enough so the Motor Company would be tempted to actually divulge horsepower figures, we're not there yet, but a major step in the right direction, good on 'em) we're thinking there's gonna be pressure to up the displacement of the top of the line CVO Screamin' Eagle bikes. The 110 motor is simply to close to the now "standard" 103, look for a 120cu in lump in the near future. I know, I know, but we have faith that HD's engineering elves will overcome the inherent reliability issues and develop a perfectly acceptable powerplant, they're a crafty lot. And speaking of CVO machines, time for a really sinister, blacked out, no chrome, club inspired Dyna to make the lineup. The time and vibe is right, and throw in the tallest set of apes the lawyers will allow. Oh yeah!

And who says we gotta jump into water pumpers anyway? Remember the original GSX-R's, oil cooled my friends, and they were the bomb (bomb meaning good, not bomb as in grenade, which for those of you new to the industry, and you know who you are, would be bad when referring to a motor, got that?). Given oil coolings success in a high performance, racing application, adapting the technology for Harley's seems a no brainer. And while I'm no tech head (knock it off NG!), this seems like a potentially perfect interim solution when it comes to complying with ever tightening emissions restrictions. Just so ya know this theory isn't just the wishful ramblings of a guy that got a "B" in auto shop, folks I know at a company that does a ton of development work for Harley related products (it's a real drag that I can't tell you who they are) say it's a perfectly plausible answer. So there. And the real bonus of oil cooling, it gives the Motor Company some additional time to dope out the absolute best water cooling solution, because in the end, we're all gonna get wet. Has to be. Sucks, but that's progress, guess we can console ourselves with the massive gains in horsepower our new motors will be pumping out. See, mom was right, there's always a bright side.

Lastly, while we really love the new XR-1200, it seems that most of you do not, they're not exactly flying out of the showrooms of late. Too bad, they are stupid fun to ride, look great, and until HD comes up with a "fill" for the void left for the sporting few with the demise of Buell, it's the only "high performance" stud in the stable. Alas, we fear that when the AMA XR series fades (and we hope that it won't) the XR will be no more. That would be a shame. And while no one really noticed, 2012 will be a year in which HD will not offer a single springer model. OK, no one noticed, and no one cares, I get it. But folks would care, indeed they would buy a $9,500 Dyna! Come on HD, we've asked you before, and we're pleading again, you need to offer a big displacement machine for under ten grand. Want younger demo riders? You don't need yet another Sporty variant, you need a grown up bike, with a price tag that works on a younger guy's wallet. You can do it, and you should.

We're pretty sure we've got some loyal Chromies that are in the employ of the Motor Company, and we'd like to let those folks know, the tip lines are open and manned 24/7, so if you're feelin' the need to set the record straight, or offer up some tasty insights, we're here. And no one needs to be the wiser, federal witness protection can't keep a secret better than the crew at the Asylum, we're a tomb. Got that? OK, holding our breath, starting now........

Does Powersports Love Affair With Pakistan Fuel Terrorism?

Over the top title, yeah, maybe just a bit.  But in light of current events this topic has never been more relevant. Fact is, if you toil in the powersports industry, especially in the clothing segment, I'll bet that right this second you're feeling just a twinge of guilt and unease, kinda like right after leaving a strip club at 3am...again, alone. Why? Because you know the truth, that's why. I know it too. All too well. It's our dirty little "not so secret". And you're not gonna find any enthusiast website or magazine, at least any that survive by selling advertising, tackling this issue either. Not gonna happen. You'd have better luck finding Charlie Sheen at an AA meeting.

The issue is simply this, the vast majority of inexpensive (and in many cases now, not so inexpensive) leather products sold to motorcyclists are manufactured in Pakistan. From gloves to boots, vests to jackets, leather goods from Pakistan dominate the market. Attend any rally in America and start checking labels, I dare you to find a bovine skinned goody that doesn't trace its origins to that little piece of Islamic heaven. Hot Leathers, Renegade Classics, and countless other brands of motorcycle apparel you've known and bought for years, and many more you've never heard of, are nearly one hundred percent; "Made in Pakistan". Nothing says all American biker better than Paki leather. Or so it would seem.

Bet you've seen these guys at a rally or two

And it's not just rally vendors, oh no, if only it were. Many of the most successful low to mid priced leather brands sold by top powersports retailers are produced by Pakistani manufacturers. I speak from some level of first hand knowledge here. As the former CMO and VP of own brand development of one of the largest retailers in the industry, I was at the forefront of developing "authentic brands" that would find their "origin" in a Pakistani factory. You can trust me on this, I've been personally responsible for selling millions of dollars of Paki made leather to the American riding community for years. Sadly, there was almost never any question as to if a given leather good was going to be produced in Pakistan, the cost advantage was simply too great. we needed the margin, and the customer needed a bargain price point. You have to hand it to them, when it comes to leather, they know how to process and build the stuff cheap. I mean, they kicked the Chinese out of the low end market for gripes sake!

In that regard, hats off to them. That's how the free market system is supposed to work, the most efficient producers are the ones that should get the business. No exceptions. And Pakistan "wins" the low end market battle a majority of the time, regardless of how many corners they have to cut to do it. Oh sure, you might not want to be working in the warehouse when the boxes are unloaded, there's a very distinctive "odor" to Paki leather that takes a bit of time to dissipate (I've always surmised that the source of the nasty smell was perhaps their little "gift" to the infidels, just a thought), and yeah; fit, finish and build quality can vary greatly, but overall, if you don't look too closely they do a passable job. But that's not the point here, not really, it's the blind eye we are willing turn to certain countries; no matter how corrupt, despotic, or antithetical to American interests, just to get a cheaper "build cost".

Come on, Pakistan!? Oh I know, they're an "ally" in the war on terror, much like your local mobbed up loan shark is just a friendly neighborhood "financial advisor". Without a ninth grade civics flashback, we'll fact you up. Pakistan installed and supported the Taliban in Afghanistan (you remember those enlightened souls; honor killings, suicide bombings, no education for woman, and oh yeah, aid and comfort for some guys in a club called al Qaeda???). Ever heard the term "madrasah"? Think "hate factory" for up and coming martyrs, there's tons of them throughout Pakistan spewing venom on a daily basis, and oddly enough, the Paki government sees no cause to shut them down (most likely because they agree with the curriculum I would suspect). Oh, and the fact that the Pakistani government, and especially the ISI and army were no doubt complicit in harboring UBL (the mastermind behind the deadliest attack on US soil ever, and responsible for tens of thousands of deaths worldwide) tells your humble scribe that Pakistan is no real ally to the US, at least not in the sense that you and I understand it. Sure they've lost thousands of their own citizens and soldiers to terrorists...home grown Pakistani terrorist, folks inside and outside the government that so hate the west that they're willing to blow up their own people for not towing the militant line! Incredible.

Terrorists in training, maybe with your dollars

And that's the fly in the guacamole for me. I don't have anything against the people of Pakistan, well at least ones that don't fervently pray for the death of Satan America and all us western infidels on a daily basis. Over the years I've met some really fine folks from the middle east, honest business people that did exactly what they said they would, every time. So no, this isn't a "racist thing", it's an American interest thing. The Pakistani regime and unfortunately a majority of its people are not friends of the west. Facts are facts, look it up.

So what does that have to do with the powersports industry, and more to the point the supposition that the industry maybe fueling terrorism? It's pretty simple really, we support Pakistani businesses by buying their goods, those businesses then pay taxes, which in turn supports a government that actively and covertly works against the interests of the United States; A plus B equals C. Not to mention the fact that some of the very factory owners and employees of the companies we do business are actively contributing our dollars directly to terrorist organizations. And don't think that some aren't, they are and we know it. It's all just a bit ugly.

Do I think that the powersports industry is in any way actually supporting enemies of the United States? Of course not, I can't imagine a single company that would engage in such activity, no way. As a matter of fact, as a group, I'd say the people turning the knobs and pulling the levers in powersports are some of the finest business people on the planet. Period. If they're guilty of anything, it's their relentless drive to give the market what it demands. And yes, sometimes that pursuit leads to holding ones nose and engaging in strategies and tactics that mom might not ultimately be too proud of.

OK then, just who's responsible for our propensity for making a pact with the devil just to save a buck? Look in the mirror pal, just look in the mirror. It's us. It's not the powersports industry, they're just busting their collective asses trying to give us what we've told them we want...cheap stuff. They're merely our enablers. We love our $29 vests, $49 chaps, and $99 jackets, we really do. And we don't care what the industry has to do to get us our fix. Faster, faster, cheaper, cheaper. Built in a country that hates the west, so what. Profits funneled to terrorist organizations that kill innocent people around the world, not my problem. How much are those boots again?

If we're gonna straighten this mess out, and frankly, I don't think enough of us really care at the moment, it's pretty easy. Don't buy products made in Pakistan, or other countries that are not friends of the US. Done, what could be simpler? Except most likely we'd have to be OK with spending more dough on our favorite goodies. What!? Blasphemy! So far we haven't actually been able to get over that hump, have we? Looks like for now we'll go on beating or chests about how nothing's made in America any more, we'll go on shipping our hard earned dollars off to shit-hole countries that abuse their own people while hating us and what we stand for. And we'll wring our hands in frustration when more innocents are blown to bits at a bus stop or a market somewhere in the world. But at least we'll still be able to continue to mainline cheap stuff, and in the end, that seems to be what it's really all about. Shame on us.