Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
8/23/17

Greetings Riders,

If you missed the letter last week I announced the opening of the Fall Season for the Cyclerides.com Bike Night at Westgate Entertainment District. I am excited to announce that we will begin our 9th Fall Season with 11 nights total on Friday, September 8th from 5pm - 9pm. Due to interest in Friday nights last time and some conflict with events at the arena, we have decided to do the first 7 Cyclerides.com Bike Nights at Westgate on Friday nights. For those of you putting this in your calendars to keep track, those dates will be Friday nights from September 8th - October 20th. The next 4 nights will be on Thursday nights except for November 10th which will be on a Friday when we will have a Veteran's Day Celebration. Bike Night will end on Thursday, November 16th.

I am excited to get this kicked off for the Fall season and to give us all an excuse to get out on the motorcycle and enjoying some cooler weather especially for evening riding. There was a lot of good feedback on Friday nights last time as a lot of people used it for a date night on the motorcycle and were able to stay out a little longer as for some it isn't a work night. We will open with Live Music by "Faded Jeans" and on 9/15 we will have 74th Street Band. For more information go to the Cyclerides.com Bike Night Page.

This week I was going to bring you my report on our visit to the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. But with the announcements this week from Harley-Davidson and their completely redesigned Softail lineup, I wanted to bring you this while it is hot off the press.

One thing that we all know about the Motor Company is that they are not known for being ahead of the curve or to make a lot of changes when they think they have something that is working fine as it is. So when they do jump off the status quo, it is usually pretty good, and makes news. It appears that with the push from Indian in particular, Harley-Davidson needed to get back in the game and become more innovative than they have been over the last few years. It appears they have gotten the message from Indian and others, and are now going to continue to suprise us with new products and ideas that will bring them back to the forefront of innovation.

Last year HD introduced the new Milwaukee 8 engine and put it into the cruiser models. As you saw by the newsletter on 7/19/17, we rented a 2017 Street Glide and a Road Glide with the Milwaukee 8 engines in them. I was excited to see how these motors would compare to the former Twin Cam models. I have to say that Mrs. C. and I were both extremely impressed with this motor and the entire bike.

The motor had tremendous torque at low speeds and pulled through the entire band of the gears. I told Mrs. C. that you could almost just use 3rd gear on the twisties and tight corners as it would easily go down to 15 mph in 3rd and effortlessly and smoothly pull out of it. We were very impressed with the smoothness and capability of this new motor. The other part that was impressive was how smooth the whole operation was. I have a 2010 Road Glide and Mrs. C. a 2012 Street Glide. You can definitely feel a big difference between the clunky shifting on our models and the smooth as butter shifting on the 2017 models. In fact the whole handling of the bike through the corners and straight roads was a huge improvement and a joy to ride. It definitely makes you want to upgrade.

So from what I have read and seen on the internet, I guess last year was the start of a string of improvements from Harley-Davidson. This year was the end of the Dyna line-up as they completely redesigned the Softail line and actually merged it with the Dyna line creating 8 All-New Softail models. Now that is a big leap for HD as they have usually been content with tinkering with existing lines. In fact, it is HD's largest product developement in company history. Maybe this means that we will be seeing even more in the next few years as they try to reinvent themselves as they are being pushed by the competition. I hope so, as I think we were all ready for something new.

HD did a complete ground up redesign of the Softail frame and included all of the things that riders have been asking for. “The new Softail models are the result of the most extensive research and development program in the company’s history,” said Paul James, manager of product portfolio, Harley-Davidson. “Thousands of hours of research and testing were put into the complete ground-up design of these new cruisers. We focused on taking the total rider experience to a higher level, where authenticity, heritage and soul meet the modern edge of technology for a ride that must be felt to believe.”

Not only is there a newly designed frame, new chassis that is lighter, new stiffer frame/swingarm, new easily adjustable mono-shock rear suspension for dynamic handling, there is also the most powerful engine ever produced by Harley-Davidson featuring a 114 cubic inch displacement. The 114 produces a claimed 124 ft/lbs of torque. So for those of us looking for power, I think you might have found a good option to run your new cruiser.

I have not seen these new models in person yet or ridden the 114 engine, but from the pictures my favorite newly redesigned model of an old classic is the Fat Boy. This thing is gorgeus looking featuring a 240 rear tire and a 160 front and a redefined contemporary nacelle that gives it a muscular appearance and looks ready to ride. That could very well be a big seller for them. Click Here to View.

Those are my quick thoughts. I am excited to see the new line-up in person. If you get a chance at a demo ride, definitely take the new Milwaukee 8 engine for a test ride.

Click Here for a full report on the new Harley-Davidson Softail Line-up.
Click Here for the report on the new HD Cruisers.

Have a good weekend and Ride Safe,
Barry

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Tidbits and Updates:

Keep an eye on Valerie Thompson this week as she attempts to break the World's Fastest Motorcycle title of 376 mph. The quest for this record is being filmed and will be put into a movie. Check out the video of last years run at 304 mph.

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2017

World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer to attempt third world speed record for Denis Manning led Team “7” Racing

Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials create worldwide film stage for Team “7” Racing and Valerie Thompson battling for World’s Fastest Motorcycle title

(Scottsdale, AZ) – August 21, 2017 – Valerie Thompson and AMA Hall Of Fame member Denis Manning return to the world’s fastest race course for the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Salt Flats, August 26-31, on a mission to rewrite motorsports history by breaking the land speed record of 376.36 mph (605.69 km/h) with the famed Team “7” Streamliner (aka BUB 7).

Thompson stunned the racing world at last year’s trials with a speed of 304.263 mph (489.663 km/h) piloting the Manning designed “7” Streamliner on only her fifth run, becoming the first female rider over 300 mph and earning the Fastest Time of the Meet award.

Click Here for the full Press Release.
Click Here for more information and Valerie's Go Fund Me Account.

This Week

Saturday, August 26th
Chandler Harley-Davidson New Owner Celebration. Did you just recently purchase your bike from Chandler Harley-Davidson? Come celebrate with us at our New Owner’s Celebration on August 26th from 9am - 2pm. We’ll have raffle prizes, a bikini bike wash, FREE lunch and workshop for new owners with our department managers! PLUS be one of the first 50 people to register for the event and receive a FREE goody bag! Chandler Harley-Davidison is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.

Saturday, August 26th
Buddy Stubbs Hogs & Dogs. Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson is your home of the Lifetime Powertrain Warranty! Come by on Saturday, August 26th from 11am-2pm and take advantage of our “Gear Up to Ride” event! We’ll be running 15% off all functional and leather jackets. In addition, enjoy FREE food and live music during our monthly Hogs & Dogs customer appreciation party as well as a bikini bike wash. Be sure to stop in and talked to our friendly staff about Warranty Forever, Arizona’s exclusive Harley-Davidson® Lifetime Powertrain Warranty! For as long as you own your motorcycle we’ve got you covered. Why would you ever want to purchase a Harley without a that? Check our website for all the details at www.buddystubbshd.com/warranty-forever. For more information about Buddy Stubbs H-D check them out online at buddystubbshd.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85022

Saturday, August 26th
Desert Wind Harley-Davidson Take My Temperature Extravaganza. It's all about the horsepower and torque. Does your bike have what it takes? RSVP today for DWHD's Dyno Shootout. It's not showing off if you back it up!
*Bikini Girls/Bike Wash
*Best Dressed Dogs/Hot Dogs
*Live Band - Unknown Associates
Desert Wind Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.

Sunday, August 27th
Desert Wind Harley-Davidson Hawg Heaven. Everyone is welcome to join us for Biker Church on every 4th Sunday of the month at 10 AM on the patio. Service led by: Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry. Live Christian Band. Encouraging Message. Bike blessing and Prayer. Desert Wind Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.

Next Week

Saturday, September 2nd
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Presents Hooters & Harleys. It's going to be a party at Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Saturday, September 2nd from 9am - Noon. Ride in a take advantage of a Bikini Bike Wash with the Harley & Hooters Babes. While you are there, enjoy:
*FREE Hooters Wings
*Live Music
*Raffles.
When you are looking for a destination to ride to, Arrowhead Harley-Davidson is the place to go on Saturday, September 2nd. Arrowhead Harley-Davidson is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Fountain Denter Dr. in Peoria, AZ. 623-247-5542.

Upcoming Events

September 15th and 16th
Thunder Valley Rally 2017. Get ready to rock and rumble in Cottonwood, Ariz. for the 2017 Thunder Valley Rally. The Bootlegging capital of Arizona, Cottonwood knows how to throw a party — and Thunder Valley Rally is a big one not to be missed with added venues and concerts by the “Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band” on Friday, Sept. 15, and “Blue Oyster Cult” and “Mogollon” Sat., Sept. 16. (See full music schedule). The 2017 rally will have two venues filled with merriment, music and motorcycles. Thunder Valley Rally Presented by Law Tigers Arizona’s Motorcycle Lawyers will be at The Freedom Bird Entertainment Park and Campground off of North 10th Street with 96 acres of camping, vendors, concerts, beer gardens and events adjacent to Old Town.

In Historic Old Town Cottonwood on North Main Street, which has been “Rockin’ it since 1885” will host three Vendor Villages, two stages, and two beer gardens. Old Town is located on scenic State Route 89A. Don’t miss the epic ride with the “Bootlegger Poker Run” by Cottonwood Motorsports through the Verde Valley’s Wine Country with $2,000 in prize money, and a Miss T.V.R. Pin-up Girl Pageant by Main Stage. Visit www.thundervalleyrallyaz.com for event updates and make your reservations now. Motorcycle-only parking plus entry is $10. Main concert area only is $5. Only cash accepted. There will be camping at the Kickstand at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds. See all of the details at www.thundervalleyrallyaz.com.

Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to www.facebook.com/cycleridescom. Over 6500 LIKES! Take a look at all the new photos posted on the wall. If you are not on Facebook, you can still view the page, but you will not be able to post. There will be a link there for you to sign up for Facebook if you are inclined. Click the LIKE button!

This will keep you entertained for 4 minutes. A few close calls in this one. Click Here to view.

Video of the Week
Here is one for those of you that like extreme motorsports. Click Here. Click on the Video of the Week graphic to view.

If you would like to sign up for the Cyclerides.com Weekly Update Click Here.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com