Daytona Bike Week Blues

Quick, get 911 on the horn and call out the "Whaambulance", yours truly won't be seen at Bike Week this year.............sniff, sniff. Yes, for the first time in decades my bros on Main Street will have to carry the torch, and bottles without their spiritual leader in tow. Oh the shame......

Ah the memories, the old days racing at the Speedway........bet you didn't know that our little road race team, lead by myself and one notorious "NG" (trust me, Doug and Dixie knew what they were doing when they named that lad) was one of the hottest supersport efforts of the late 90's. No really.

Co-sponsored by Suzuki we competed in the hotly contested 600 and 750 supersport classes......and dear reader, unlike today, there was some depth on the grid.........hell the first few rows of 600 were ALL factory machines........these days I'm pretty sure row three is reserved for top club novices.....but I digress. Our little rag-tag army; Carl, Seamus, John E, Randy, turned out some of the most beautiful and competitive machines in the paddock. How good you ask?

Good enough that future Daytona 200 winners and national champions the likes of Steve Rapp, Jake Zemke and Roger Lee Hayden all made their professional road racing debut's riding for our team. You could say old NG had an eye for talent...........me? I made sure the stickers were on straight, so what if everyone went into fits of hysterics when they saw the term "master mechanic" on my AMA hardcard ID..........whatever.

Ah the memories..........arguing with the always helpful Speedway security shock troops, these guys were usually retired NYPD, so you can imagine the people skills. Carrying team members out of, ah, "gentleman's club" only moments before the cops raided the place (yeah, it happened), begging parts from other teams after we had blown through all our "spares" by Thursday..........honestly, I've never had so much fun.

But that was years ago, more recently my Bike Week adventures centered around Harley folks and all things custom. Usually I'd sneak off, camera and notepad in hand........(yeah, I know, how biker is that!?) and spend hours scouring the streets and lots looking for the "next thing". Funny, you learn a lot when you're actually out among folks, asking questions, listening.......one thing about your average biker, he'll tell you what's on his mind.........no matter how long it takes.

Seriously, it was a blast, from the Rat's Hole show, to Main Street, to some of the hole-in-the-wall bars out of town, to the amazing young guns at the Limpnickie Lot, if you're into the American V-Twin scene, Bike Week is not to be missed.........it's no Sturgis, and in some respects, Laughlin and Street Vibe have it beat for shear raw biker vibe........but the mass of peeps, variety of motorsport, and Daytona history make it a bucket list must.

And you're gonna have to do it without me...........but I'll be at the Ocean Deck if only in spirit, toasting you all with a frosty cold one, or two...... so off you go you lucky bums and Bike Week your little booties off..........I promise not to hate you for it..........not much!   

Motorcycling's Passion....Best Video Ever?

I was turned on to this video by Steve Johnson, the top guy over at Tucker Rocky, one of the powersports industries biggest and best distributors, and I have to say it's flat amazing. More than any other piece of video I've seen in years, this one captures the magic and passion that draws us all into motorcycling, and in doing so frankly transcends motorcycling entirely. And yes, it was produced for a bank!? I really don't want to set the piece up.........just click on the link and enjoy...........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vksdBSVAM6g

2011 Indy Dealer Expo.....The Powersports Industry Lives!

Another Dealer Expo in Indy has come and gone; hands were shaken, drinks were drinked, massive amounts of food were consumed (Slippery Noodle Inn, burgers and blues, you simply have to go), and just like every prior year, I'm pretty sure some business got done as well........and the fact that there was business to be done at all is a very good thing. As you know the last few years haven't been particularly gentle for the good folks in the powersports industry.

A cool Road Glide trike......who knew!?

I should explain that this particular Expo was a bit of a first for me, after over two decades of loyal annual attendance (yeah, I remember when it was in Cincinnati....hell hole!) I was no longer playing my accustomed  role of a powersports retailer, plying the hallowed halls in search of yet another vendor/distributor/manufacturer to put the bite on........that must be why no one ran off this year, faking an urgent meeting! It was great to reconnect with old friends......at least those that didn't bolt.

No downsized booth for the Dunlop crew

Instead I was graciously offered an opportunity to work with Advanstar (these are the folks that produce the event, and put me up in the just opened JW Marriott, the best hotel ever.....thanks Tracy) team as a "Pillar Leader" for the marketing group in the Leadership Experience seminar program. My role was very behind the scenes, and given the top level of talent that Advanstar had recruited for the program, I had it pretty easy. The marketing group covered the gambit of topical issues such as; social media, e-commerce, email marketing campaigns and more. The feedback from session attendees was overwhelmingly positive, which tells me that if your future plans involve the Indy Dealer Expo, you owe it to yourself and your business to check out the Learning Experience. Special thanks to the marketing crew, you guys were a joy to work with; Heather Blessington and Peggy Olson (www.duowebsolutions.com), Craig Cervenka (www.edgenet.com) and Cat Mac Leod (www.bluepillproductions.com).

Being more or less free; only when my talent wrangling duties permitted of course, to slink about the exhibits I came away from the weekend cautiously optimistic about the industries future. Yes, attendance appeared to be off, and rather significantly, but given the carnage in the motorcycle market that has to be expected. Downsized booths were visible everywhere, as were some notable companies deciding to give the event a pass.........but that said, there was a pervasive positive energy to the whole event. Oh sure, dealers were looking for the next new thing, and hefty discounts on that next new thing to be sure, but they were also looking for strategies, insights, and tactics that would allow them to take advantage of the massive opportunities to gain market share in the current selling environment.....no doubt one of the reasons the Leadership Experience was so well attended.

Oh damn, I love this bike....and one will be mine, believe that

The powersports industry seems well on its way to adapting to the "new normal"; reduced sales volume, higher operating costs (OK, maybe not rent, if you're a business owner and have not gone after your landlord for rent concessions, I'm ashamed.......no really, don't even talk to me), and an uncertain near term economic environment. That said, interest in the sport of motorcycling is extremely strong. Make no mistake, motorcyclings appeal just may be at an all time high, the notion that motorcycling was had somehow outlived it's "time" is a bunch of dung. And stinky dung at that.

Cool custom, don't know if it won people's choice

Couple the passion of those in the business still standing with the rabid enthusiasm of the average motorcycle owner/rider and my guess is the industry will not only survive, but thrive for years to come..........bet on it.

Power Plant Choppers

The man behind Power Plant, Yaniv Evan

If you've been an inmate here at the Asylum for any length of time you know that I have a thing for Sucker Punch Sally's (http://www.suckerpunchsallys.com/), Christian and the gang, flat get it. Their bobbers and choppers exude old school style and class.........and best of all, they don't break the bank. Many complete models sell in the very low twenties, and considering the quality, that's a steal. Hell, you can even purchase a rolling chassis, motor and tranny and finish the beast yourself. They're aces in my book, and still are..............

But, hold the phone, I've just discovered another builder (OK, when I say "I discovered", I'm well aware that they've been around for a while, and you dear reader have known about them for years and years, but they're new to me, it's my blog.......fill in the blanks) out of So Cal that is really rockin' it big time with an owner that only knows how to do it his way; Power Plant Choppers (http://www.powerplantchoppers.com/). The bikes have a vintage look and feel........raw and in some cases almost unfinished. Almost like how you'd do it yourself, if you had the mad skills that is.

The man in charge is Yaniv Evan, and by all accounts this dude is one of a kind, but why take my word for it, there's an article in the current issue of Ol' Skool Rodz magazine (http://www.olskoolrodz.com/ another nifty gem from the folks at http://www.koolhousepublishing.com/) that profiles the man and his shop. Oh, and notice that Power Plant was featured not in a bike rag, but in a hot rod magazine, proving yet again that looking beyond the usual motorcycle publications can really pay off.........like your mom always said, broaden your horizons!

Cool truck, huh?

After you've checked out the article, please visit the Power Plant website, there's two actually. One is focused on the bikes and accessories, it has a super cool post apocalyptic industrial vibe, and not much detail on the machines (there is a note about prices starting in the $25k range, so not awful), you're gonna have to call for that. The "other" site is features a gallery and PP clothing and it's got to be one of the prettiest in the business.........no BS, tell me it doesn't remind you of a Lucky jean site.......high end, high fashion..........damn fine bikes, and almost too perfect models. For the record, the dud's Power Plant is hawking are very cool.........if there was only a way to actually order them from the site!! Maybe it's me, but ain't nothin' clickable, not cool. I emailed them about it, nothing back so far.

Just the way God intended

So check it out, let me know what you think...........looks like Power Plant's got some good stuff goin' on.

More Stuff We Like

Look, we all know that magazines are in a world of hurt these days, and for many of them, the grim reaper is nearer than a Charlie Sheen relapse. But that doesn't mean there aren't some pretty cool rags out there for us hardcore riders to cuddle up to. And be honest, there are just some times when only print to paper can satisfy..........you know what I'm talking about.

Luckily we've got a couple of suggestions for those "old school" moments. And by "couple", we do mean only two. Here goes;

Cycle Source, "a grass roots motorcycle publication" (http://www.cyclesource.com/), $4.99 at the newsstand. If you're into the hardcore chopper and custom scene, this is your mag. Tons of cool pics, and profiles of builders you just may not have heard of yet. Don't expect any OCC profiles or road tests of the latest Milwaukee iron........'cause you ain't gonna find any. Or hot chicks languishing over, under and barely on these rolling testaments to American creativity........sorry guys. OK, you might find a couple in some of the ads.

Unfortunately another thing you're not gonna find is good writing, or editing for that matter. You would think that they'd at least use spell check, come on guys (and yes, I know my stuff is very far from perfect). Think ninth grade yearbook.........almost. That said, there's a lot of passion for the industry and the people that make it great.......and that goes a long way in making you forget some of the rather painful prose. Oh, and Cycle Source does incorporate the latest in cool QR bar code technology, if you have a smart phone, it's really a blast. Pick a copy up this month.......we think you'll be back for more.

The Horse, Back Street Choppers, (http://www.thehorsebc.com/), $5.99 at the newsstand. Very similar in vibe and feel to Cycle Source, but maybe a little more sophisticated in terms of technical depth, more how to's and build articles. And yes Virginia, this rag has chicks, and they are hot.........and usually inked up. Nothing your mom would ground you for, so don't get all shy. Every cover features a lovely astride some wicked cool chopper or bobber.......makes for great garage art if you ask me.

Alas, the writing is not much better, and at times can be downright painful, power through it, and focus on the metal, because the featured machines are truly amazing........Again, you're not gonna find too many of the "big name" bike builders, but you just might find some of the most inspired. I guarantee you'll learn something in every issue........and most importantly, be entertained in the process.

Lastly, you have to love a publication that offers subscription discounts to our brave lads and ladies that put their butts on the line defending our freedom.........way to go. They also offer a discount (though not as much of course) to folks spending time, or I should say, doing time........and it just doesn't get more hardcore than that.

Sturgis Or Die, Day Six.....Full Throttle Baby!!

No early day today.....at least not for Vince and I, up way too late the night before, talking and blogging.....until 5:30am to be exact. The lads took off to the Rapid City Civic Center to look at all the new Harleys, while Mark rode off to see Ft. Hayes (was used as a set in Dance's with Wolves). Don't want to rush, but can't waste the day.....there's so much to see and we've only got one more full day in Sturgis.

Vince and Mark mug for the camera

While Vince does his best Fred Sanford imitation.....it's not really a walk, and it's not quite a shuffle.....but it is entertaining, I try and finish up some last minute blog details. Ready to go, the three of us (Vince, Mark, and myself) head back to Sturgis to see more of what we missed the day before. It's a great ride in, only t-shirts, but I did wear sunscreen, so safety wasn't completely abandoned for the sake of biker style.

Not much parking on Main Street

The lads we're gonna take Matt's rental in to Sturgis later and meet us if it worked out. Cruising into town, we find a shady spot to park (sweet!) and set off walking. It's noticeably more crowded today, folks are beginning to roll in and the streets are filling up. Talking to vendors, the mood is apprehensive, business is already off from last year, but there's still quite a bit of the Rally to go, so it may yet turn around.

But looking around the Corbin Seats display you'd never know business was off..............five guys standing around, and me (the only customer in sight) wanting to purchase a gel seat for the ride home.....my trick custom unit is just a little tough on this old bod, and I can't get one staffer to give me the time of day......no seat for me, no business for them. Too bad all around.

The temperature is in the low 90's with humidity about the same..........think convection oven. We amble around taking in the sights, stopping off at the Jack Daniels display for some fun and swag.........first class marketing, these guys know their business. Mark is searching for a painter to do some custom lettering, it's gotta be just right, so not just any hack will do, each candidate must be vetted..........doesn't look like anyone is gonna make the cut. The boys kind of weave in and out, they're around for a bit, then they disappear.

The best part? I scored the scarf!

I go down to the Broken Spoke Bar to check out the action and pick up a long sleeve t-shirt for the trip home. Walking back to meet Mark and Vince it occurs to me that there is virtually never a moment that the sound of a Harley motor is out of ear-shot. No B.S., no hype.........it's total immersion Milwaukee style. And that's what makes this place so great, it's all about Harley's and the lifestyle, simple as that. No apologies, no "...yeah buts". Go Harley, or go home.............and they saw it was good.

I finally get it, what makes the Sturgis Rally special; it's not about the half million dollar motor homes and trailers, accountants playing badass for the week, the MILF's with way too much tan and boobs, posers that shouldn't be on a Vespa let alone an overweight motorcycle with sketchy brakes, muscle bound pretty boys, wanna-bees, or never were’s, hardcase old timers. It's about all those people coming together to share the same experience, and in that moment all barriers come down and folks that would never cross paths in their "normal" lives are sharing stories and beer. Magic. Enough philosophy........gotta  buy a sticker.

We stroll along Main Street drinking in all the people and machines, the truly cool and the incredible weird. It's all here. Vince picks up a cool t-shirt and does some shopping for a friend that couldn't make the trip. Scoring my stickers.......I wish I could tell you what they say, but it's not that kind of blog (well almost not).

Time for some ice cream cones (soooo good, must have been the heat, but we all swear they were some of the best we'd ever tasted), check out the new Indian's (hope they make it this time) and we reach our bikes. Time for the short ride to Deadwood. Only about 20 minutes along a sweet stretch of asphalt that winds its way through a canyon bordered by rock and thick forest..........they could make car commercials on this road. But today it's all ours, the cars are out-numbered 50 to 1, the way it should be.

Street action in Deadwood

If you've never been, Deadwood is a worthwhile look-see. While not quite like going "back in time", it's about as close as you're gonna get.......Main Street's buildings alone are just amazing, and there are always costumed characters walking the streets (at least during the Rally). And the bikes, streets lined with only bikes........hard to believe there are that many in the entire country. We park and start walking. No real purpose, just taking it in. Mark looks at wallets, Vince at belts, there's a fair amount of really nice leather goods in these parts and one never knows what treasures are in the next shop.

Those things aren't loaded, right!?

I score a nifty Sturgis "road sign", perfect for the garage....Vince another t-shirt. Mark's more selective, nothing for him. The lads have decided to head up to Deadwood as well, just as we're leaving...........sometimes that's the way it goes. We'll all meet up in a few hours to take in the vibe at the Full Throttle Saloon.......oh, yeah, that'll be fun! The three of us fire up our machines, take the reverse route back down the mountain, hit I 90 .......and see our first motorcycle accident of the trip.

As quick as a thought, there's a bagger on the opposite side of the freeway that's drifted into the center grass median, for a brief second, I think he's coming all the way over and we might just meet...........but the tall grass and steep "V" of the terrain have other plans. Just as he passes, his machine begins to swap violently at the back, and as I look in my mirrors, it goes down and he goes over the bars. Vince and Mark, who were behind me, saw that the rider to get up.......so no tragedy.

But a reminder of how quickly things can turn to doody on a motorcycle, and why you've got to respect it every moment.............and if that didn't get our attention, the freshly killed dear carcass on the side of the road about a mile from the downed rider sure did. We're focused.

Focused on throwing down some beer and cutting lose..........quick rest at the hotel, and we're off...........Full Throttle! What you say!? The dead deer, the dude hitting the deck.......have you forgotten already? Nope, fear not. Matt has rented a car (he's Paul and Nate's friend that flew in for a few days) and will be our designated driver for the night. See.....no worries.

The lads should look happier, yes?

The Full Throttle is an open air bar that sort looks like Andy Warhol meets Tombstone......a whacked out rodeo arena, but instead of livestock there's bikes everywhere (you can ride your bike up to a bar if you were so inclined. There's a school bus planted straight up in the ground, a bridge to nowhere, bars and stages everywhere, a burn-out pad where you can smoke the tire's literally until the wheels fall off...........trust me, you've never been to a bar like this.....unless you've been here.

You should recognize this lovely......

Tonight, there's an AC/DC cover band; "Big Gun", that's actually doing an amazing job. The joint is thumping, the bartenders who happen to all be women, are friendly and fun...........we're diggin' it. It's all just a huge show and we're part of it...........although how much is subject to strict editing! Nate and I down a fair number of beers (only Corona for me, gotta be loyal to our team!), while Vince and Mark cruise the many vendors, JP and Matt snap photos and make new "friends".

We cap off the night watching JP and Nate get launched about 200 feet straight up into the sky in a steel ball...........very cool. We can still hear JP laughing. Time to slink back to the hotel.......it'll be light soon.

Cool Chrome.....Stuff We Like, That You Might

From time to time were gonna post some info about company's that pimp really cool stuff.......at least we think it's cool, but you'll have to check it out for yourself,  which is really half the fun right........getting a line on what's new (at least to you) and sharing it with your bros. Or not.........totally up to you.

If you dig really "out there" hot rod and rock inspired artwork, you've got to check out http://www.coopstuff.com/ ; the site features all things "Coop" (aka Chris Cooper); stickers, posters, statues, t-shirts, and books. I have to say I really dig Coop's style; his devil girls and devil head are simply iconic, it's not for everyone......trust me, your mom would not be pleased, so you might give this site a pass. Or, you might be rushing off to it as we speak, your call. One other thing, and this is kind of a bummer, apparently the site is closing down, once they sell off what they have, finis!! So get it while you can, I know I'm gonna be placing a fat sticker order real soon.

And while one the subject of hot rods, there's a couple of slick car culture magazines (yeah, I know, magazines are dead, but until the paper actually petrifies, you need to check these out) you may not be familiar with that will blow you away.......no "Fast and Furious" import crap here, only heavy metal American iron. The first is "Car Kulture Deluxe" (http://www.ckdeluxemag.com/), who's motto is, "not your old man's car magazine"........that alone makes it worth the $5.99. The other rag, and my fave is "Traditional Rod & Kulture Illustrated" (http://www.rodandkulture.com/) , both are spawned from the same publisher (http://www.koolhousepublishing.com/). Car Kulture has more ads and "how to" features, while Rod & Kulture is fairly crammed with photo spreads on some of the coolest rides ever.......from Willy's to Merc's, rat rods and Gasser's.........with the occasional sick bobber thrown in for good measure. Oh, and the pin-up chicks (G rated, stop sweating) are kinda hot too......

If you wanna sport some nifty tee's that aren't brandishing the bar and shield, I've got some good business for you. The first site is http://www.deathmachinecorpse.com/, with a name like that how could it be anything but awesome??? And it is........check out their take on Harley's "number one" design, and make sure you get yours today before the Motor Company drops a buzz kill on the Death Machine crew. It's mostly skull themed designs, but they're fresh, simple and raw.......like a biker t-shirt should be. Their shopping cart is Pay-Pal which is kinda lame, but works OK. They process/ship quick and even dropped some bonus stickers into the box! Good stuff.

But wait, there's more. American Made Kustom (http://www.americanmadekustom.com/) has some mouth wateringly sick designs, think "rock-a-billy meets rat rod" and you're on the right track. The prices are reasonable, and the service solid. Check out the "Straight to Hell" shirt........very cool. You can't go wrong with any of them.........and bonus, many of the designs are available in women's styles as well. Now your honey can look as dope as you.............well, almost.

That's it for now..............OK, one more tidbit..............go to http://www.posterpop.com/, there it is, that's all I'm gonna say...........no go, scurry............