Midway Review

Archive for the ‘Motorcycle’ Category

Imagine the future. Now, imagine that the past has caught up to it and ‘The Past’ is covered ‘head to toe’ in shining chrome amour and wearing the most decadent war paint. Sandwiched between a 1950 Panhead and a concept car from the SEMA show, you’re standing in the middle, looking at a Harley-Davidson CVO motorcycle.
Now imagine that example of chrome and fantasy parked on the golfing greens of one the world’s poshest resorts. You’d expect to find celebrities and dignitaries hob-nobbing with Willie G in a place like this, but instead you’ve got me and the 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO model launch.

Now in its 11th year, the mission of the Custom Vehicles Operation program is to design and build limited-production, factory-custom motorcycles for customers who appreciate brilliant chrome, exquisite paint, thundering power and the exclusivity of owning and riding a very special motorcycle.

As is typical for the original American iron builder, new CVO bikes are announced before that of the standard OE lineup – apparently, those CVO employees like winning races. Most often we’re treated to improved favorites of the preceding year’s OE lineup, wrapped in that Custom Vehicle Operation blanket of limited production runs, exclusive and pioneering technologies and the freshest bling available from the bar-and-shield parts and accessories catalog.

Model year 2010 is no different. Any possible new models from the world’s most popular V-Twin builder won’t happen at this event. If you’re wondering if Harley has anything to compare to the new Victory models you just read about on Motorcycle.com, you’ll have to wait for Kevin Duke’s report next week

As Harley’s test bed and incubator for P&A catalog items, Harley presents a pile of new goodies to drool over today. With all the market research and metal probing H-D marketing teams do on rally-going riders and owners, they know a lot about the typical CVO buyer and continue to create a club membership with lofty entry fees and high expectations. With MSRPs sometimes reaching 50% higher than standard-model retail prices, exclusivity and the exotic nature of the CVO bikes has its price. CVO buyers like it that way, too, spending even more money to further customize their otherwise premium factory-custom motorcycles.

For 2010, the CVO team introduces two new models to the family: a Softail Convertible and the Street Glide. Plus, two models return with refreshed new faces: the Ultra Classic Electra Glide for its fifth year and the Fat Bob for its second.

Culling from the massive Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories Catalog of past and future, each CVO is decked out with the best parts that Harley builds, and then wrapped in three new CVO-exclusive paint schemes.

Since all these new CVO models are built around Harley’s largest powerplant to date, the familiar fuel-injected Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 (and 110B) V-Twin, we’ll focus on what amounts to cosmetic additions and examples of H-D ingenuity and extravagance. Like the greens surrounding our host hotel, Harley and the Ritz-Carlton know how to put on a show.

For whatever reason – you’ve bought a brand new motorcycle. Your wife says it has to go or you’ve just outgrown it – it’s time to get your motorcycle out of the garage and sell it to someone who will enjoy its splendor once again.
Now that you’ve made the big decision to let it go, you want to make sure you can make the very best deal you can. Here are some pointers to help you get the best buck for your bike:
Clean and polish your bike.
Who wants to consider buying a dirty unkempt bike? Show off your bike’s true beauty. Spend some time cleaning and shining it to make it look as good as possible.
Make any necessary cosmetic repairs.
Buyers are more apt to pay your asking price if they think the bike is well maintained. Besides first impressions count and if a buyer sees a small scratch or dent they think that other things are wrong with your bike.
Give it a tune-up.
Remember how you felt the first time you ever turned the ignition? Give prospective buyers that same thrill! Make sure it is well tuned and ready to ride.
Gather up your old receipts.
Whether it was for a repair, general maintenance or to add a little something extra to your bike, be prepared to show prospective buyers what’s been done to your bike – and when. It’ll illustrate how well you’ve cared for the bike and give them a good idea of the shape it’s in.
Be Truthful.
Nearly every used motorcycle will have some performance quirk. Be honest about performance issues or maintenance problems.
Know your blue book value.
You may think that your bike is worth ten times what the market can bear, but if you don’t price your bike to sell, it never will.
Have the title ready to transfer.
If a prospective buyer shows up with the money, you want to be able to transfer the title on the spot.
Be prepared to say no to a test drive.
After all, if dealers aren’t wiling to take the risk, why should you be?
Selling your motorcycle will ultimately be an emotional event, don’t make it any harder than you have to. Follow these dimple tips to ensure a quick sale that will garner the money you want and need to make it worth your while to get rid of your bike in the first place.

We all know that driving a car has a smaller risk than riding a motorcycle, but by applying some simple tips, we can significantly reduce the risk of riding motorcycles. Here are some suggestions:

CRASH HELMET

We’ve already talked about the crash helmet, but it’s such a crucial piece of kit that it deserves another mention. A white or silver helmet is favorite, but there’s another aspect of the lid that’s probably more important; the fit. An ill fitting helmet can cause an accident by distraction. If it’s too small, it’s going to be very uncomfortable, but if it’s too big, you’ll be forever pulling it back down onto your head or adjusting the strap that feels like it’s going to decapitate you, when you should be watching the road.

BE VISIBLE

By wearing bright clothing and a light colored helmet, the guy who is talking on his cell phone about last night’s game, has a better chance of seeing you. If all car drivers were as vigilant as the average motorcycle rider, we wouldn’t have to take these measures, but they’re not, and saying sorry just isn’t enough. Always ride with your headlight on.

YOUR BIKE

Hopefully, your motorcycle will have been maintained to a certain degree, but before you set out on a journey, whether it is long or short, check that your lights are working and the tire pressures are what they should be. A visual check of the chain (if you have one) is also a good idea. If you’re riding your own bike, you will notice if there are any unusual sounds coming from the machine. If there are, stop and investigate.

SPEED

This probably should be number one. Excessive speed causes more motorcycle accidents than anything else. Apart from being downright unsociable, speed can not only be a sure-fire way of losing your license, it can also empty your bank account, but I suppose having no money doesn’t matter when you’re dead.

CLOTHING

As we said, bright clothing is better, but a yellow pair of shorts isn’t exactly what I was thinking of. Anyone who has slid across the tarmac for more than two feet will tell you that your clothing needs to offer some protection. If you do come off your bike, the first thing you’re going to do is reach out with your hands in order to protect your face, so wear a decent pair of gloves or forfeit your skin.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

I shouldn’t really have to include this section, and the people who use the road under the influence of alcohol or drugs aren’t going to listen to anyone anyway, but I’d just like to ask anyone who does, to let me know when they’re going to be out and about, so that I can keep myself and my family off the road. No, no, no.

RIDING AN UNFAMILIAR BIKE

If you’ve just bought a new bike, or you’ve borrowed your mate’s machine, take a little time to familiarize yourself with the handling before you get too carried away. Even bikes of the same make have their own little foibles and need to feel loved.

TIREDNESS

Tiredness is a definite killer, especially on a motorcycle when you need to be on the ball one hundred percent of the time. I know if you’re on a long journey it’s not easy to pull over to the side of the road and have forty winks, but it may be well worth stopping for a coffee.

ANTICIPATION

One of the most important weapons in your armory is anticipation. Try to anticipate trouble before it happens. Ride as if you’re invisible and expect cars to pull out in front of you, so that when they do you are mentally prepared and have adopted a good road position and speed to handle it.

RIDING WITH A PILLION

Riding with a pillion can turn your beautiful-handling machine into a monster, especially if you’re not used to it. A pillion affects the balance, performance and handling of any motorcycle, so be aware from the outset that there’s someone behind you. Another thing to bear in mind is that your pillion doesn’t need the living daylights scared out of them. Be courteous to your passenger.