Hold my beer!

How did I wind up here?

Many, many… many moons ago, I began wrenching. I suppose it started with my first bicycle that, as best as I can remember it- my parents bought for me, from a local guy that took different bikes and put them together to make pretty cool, custom built bikes. Now, there wasn’t a “custom bicycle scene” back then, no, this was back in the late 1970’s and a custom built bike was cheaper than a mainstream bike like a Schwinn, Huffy or Mongoose. I didn’t truly appreciate it until years later, when I realized that it was a one-off bike and that no one else had one like it. I still have it, by the way. 

Back then, a kid’s bike was his ticket to explore the world. We could go as far as our little legs would take us, as long as we were back home by the time the street lights came on. It was awesome growing up in the ‘80’s- no cell phones, no computers, and no video games (yeah, we had Atari, but we weren’t that interested in being inside when there was a whole world of stuff to get into). We climbed trees, went fishing, looked for weird bugs and played in the dirt- life was grand and summers were the best time of the year. 

But, even the best bikes got flat tires and, we were at a time in our lives when we were growing… so dad’s tool box was one of our best resources to fix those flat tires, tighten the chains and adjust the seat heights and handlebars of our trusty steeds. My dad’s Craftsman tool chest was the best, too. Before I was born, dad worked as a welder and a mechanic and he had a tool for just about any job. When we moved South, dad had to sell off a lot of his heavy-duty stuff, but he kept the essentials and I grew up using those tools, as much as (or maybe even more than) he did. I went from turning wrenches on my bikes, to working on go-carts, dirt bikes, and ultimately- my cars.

Growing up

I’m not a mechanic, not by trade, anyway… not anymore. I grew up in a single-income household, so we didn’t have a lot of money. Don’t get me wrong- it was glorious- dad worked and supported the family while mom stayed home and took care of the house, the kids, the meals and keeping it all together. They worked together- each doing their part and both making sacrifices to ensure the overall success and happiness of the family. As a result, we never went hungry, we grew up close and we grew up with a sense of security. But, not having much money, meant that we didn’t have a lot of material things- our cars were older and dad was the repairman for, quite literally, everything that broke- appliances, cars, lawnmowers, you name it. You see, when you don’t have a lot of money, you have to do be the mechanic, the contractor, the electrician, the plumber, the cook… you get the idea. As a result, each of us kids learned a little about everything, and a lot about some things. I took to mechanical work like a duck to water. I found an incredible sense of gratification from replacing a water pump, or rebuilding a carburetor. It seemed to come naturally to me… I didn’t mind getting grease on my hands or busting my knuckles on an exhaust manifold. In fact, I considered it a badge of honor. In junior high, I met a girl that I knew was going to be my wife one day, and by graduation, she was my girl and she knew it, too. 

I didn’t have any real plans for the future, but I knew I was good at mechanic work, so for our first anniversary, she bought me a huge Craftsman mechanic’s tool set! I worked a few jobs after high school, a couple of them being a non-certified mechanic jobs at local shops. I enjoyed them, but as life tends to do, my career goals changed and I found myself trying out a few different jobs and ultimately, found myself being called to a “job” that would ultimately become my career for the next 24 years. I never gave up wrenching though- from oil changes and brake replacements on the family trucksters, to body work on wrecked vehicles, to repairing and maintaining motorcycles- all using that same tool set that she bought me all those years ago… with a few extras that were added along the way.

A couple of years ago, I was able to convince my boss to send me to Harley-Davidson University in Milwaukee for some motorcycle tech schools. Those classes not only helped me in maintaining our motorcycles at work, but they have also given me the knowledge, confidence and experience to work on my personal bikes, and the bikes of friends, too. I’ve also been blessed with becoming a certified motorcycle operator and instructor… something that has benefited me a hundred times over.

Hold my beer

One of my fondest memories as a kid, was dad saying “hold my beer” as he showed me how to fix something. I would hold his beer, as he showed me what to do, then he’d say, “now, your turn.” I’d finish replacing the brakes, or the alternator, or whatever it was that we were working on, as he carefully watched (and often corrected me) to make sure I did it right. The feeling of accomplishment when the job was done was incredible! The “I did that” feeling is something that I still chase to this day. In my chosen career, it’s not the same. The “things” I have had to try to fix over the course of my career, aren’t often tangible things…not like replacing brakes or rebuilding a carburetor. 

Over the past few years, though, my reputation for being “the motorcycle guy” and someone that is pretty handy with a set of wrenches, has given me the opportunity to recapture that feeling, once again. Several years ago, I bought a second-hand air-over-hydraulic motorcycle lift in order to help me work on my personal motorcycles. Having a lift makes all the difference, by the way. If you’re one that does his/her own maintenance… it will pay for itself after just a few riding seasons. With my reputation of working on my own bikes, my experience working on the bikes at work, and my passion for two-wheelers, I’ve had several friends, and friends of friends, reach out for help on their bikes. As I’ve been able, I’ve been happy to help. For a friend of a friend, I’ll charge a reasonable fee for my time, but for a friend, I’m hesitant to ask for any money. I wasn’t raised to try to profit from friends or family. Now, to be completely honest, that’s been to my detriment more than once, but I counted those as lessons learned and sometimes, a lesson learned is more valuable than money. 

As a dad, I’ve been able to see my sons apply those “hold my beer” lessons they got growing up, to their own adult lives. My oldest  has decided to put his repair skills to work as a professional automotive (and soon to be motorcycle) mechanic and my youngest, has applied his repair skills to a profession that allows him to fix people. I don’t think I could be more proud of the men they’ve become, and I know my dad was, and would be, proud of them, too. 

The next chapter

As my current career path (my “payin’ gig”, as I call it), nears it’s natural end, I’m looking toward the future with anticipation of what’s to come. I have a couple of prospective job offers that I’m hoping will pan out, because honestly, they would be awesome. I’m also looking forward to doing a lot more writing and a lot more riding. I can even see myself doing a bit more work in my garage, earning a little beer money and maybe even having some “hold my beer” lessons with my friends who want to learn how to wrench on their own bikes. I’m even looking forward to going to work, part-time, working on motorcycles (and getting paid to ride them, again) and hopefully, being able to teach new riders once again.

Regardless of what pans out over the next few months, or what doesn’t… I’ll still keep turning wrenches, twisting throttles and sharing my experiences with my loyal MotoReaders. 

Until next time…

Ride safe and “hold my beer.”

Abita Springs Mystery House

The Abita Mystery House

What in the…?

You may be wondering just what the hell is in that photo… well, as the small sign says, that’s a “Wolverinegator.” That is just one of many, many…many… weird taxidermied creations at the Abita Mystery House, located in the quaint little town of Abita Springs, Louisiana. Your next question might be… is that real? If you are questioning this… then you should probably go visit the Abita Brewpub, the local brewery located on the other side of the round-a-bout. The short answer is, it’s as real as it exists in the Mystery House. 

Why?

The better questin is… why not? This country used to be full of roadside attractions that were weird, quirky and downright bizarre. With the introduction of the Interstate system, many small towns like Abita Springs were bypassed… sometimes by just a few short miles. These bypasses proved to be devastating for small towns all across the country… and to be completely honest… a lot of the charming personalities of small town America were lost to the history books… all in the name of “progress.” Fortunately, for those of us that appreciate the creativity and, let’s face it, plain ole weirdness of small town creators… some of these fascinating exhibits still exist for our exploration and enjoyment.

John Preble

According to their “about us” section on their website-

The Abita Mystery House also known as the UCM Museum - Louisiana's Most Eccentric Attraction  About Us If you are looking for things to do in New Orleans, the Abita Mystery House is less than an hour north in historic Abita Springs. This roadside attraction features a vintage service station, a 100yr old Louisiana Creole cottage, an exhibition hall of memorabilia and junk, and the much photographed House of Shards. Come see handmade folk art animated scenes of Southern life by Louisiana inventor / artist, John Preble.  With the help of over 50,000 found and recycled objects, Preble created his own fantastic worlds: there's a Mardi Gras parade, a New Orleans jazz funeral, a rhythm and blues dance hall, a haunted Southern plantation, and much more! This joint was built with concrete, glass, wood, water, vision, and invention. Bring a sense of humor and an open mind.

Mr. Preble must be one interesting dude. He’s an artist, and apparently one that works in multiple mediums, as his biography clearly notes. Aside from his music, which I’ll admit- I haven’t heard… the eccentric and creative mind that sees an old gas station in a tiny town… and makes it into a roadside attraction that has become a staple for roadtrippers and explorers of classic Americana, is clearly one that sees the world a little (or a lot) different than the rest of us regular minded folks. 

The town

I’ve been through Abita Springs, LA many times, but last month was the first time my wife and I decided to check out the famed “Mystery House.” The weather was perfect, and the vibe was right… as it was just before Halloween. We decided to take the MotoWriter Road King, in order to take full advantage of the beautiful Southern weather. We saddled up and hit the road and, after a relatively short ride, pulled into the quaint, charming town known for it’s “free-flowing, artesian “healing water.” As the legend goes… 

”a handsome native Orleanian of Spanish descent named Henriquez was visiting the area of Abita Springs, and met and married a beautiful Choctaw princess named Abita.  Shortly after they married and moved to New Orleans, Abita became very ill and Henriquez was told by advisors to bring his bride back to Abita Springs to drink of the healing waters and to bathe in the bubbling springs. She was cured in a month's time.”  

The crazy thing? In 1887 a scientist actually tested the artesian waters and found them to “contain minerals with good medicinal properties.” While I don’t know how accurate any of this is… I do know that our world is full of elements meant to heal our ailments, but each generation seems to get further and further away from these natural remedies, relying more and more on laboratory concoctions, instead of those naturally occurring treatments that our ancestors relied on.

The Brewpub

After your visit to the Mystery House, at only $5 per person to enter, you’ll surely have enough left over to go grab a bite to eat, or a pint to drink, at the Brewpub. We took our time walking through all the exhibits of the Mystery House… because once you see an alligator head sewn onto the body of a dog, you want to see another alligator head sewn onto the body of a bass. The Mystery House also had a few out buildings to explore, that were full of weird, cheeky exhibits… especially the dioramas (don’t forget to push the buttons to see them move and light up). After all that, we decided to go around the round-a-bout to the Brewpub for a bite to eat and a cold brewski. We got full on some delicious food, and enjoyed some refreshing, and locally brewed (on site), beers. I can’t really say enough about the service- in true southern charm, the folks at the Brewpub were friendly and accommodating and our food was fresh, hot and delicious. After enjoying our early dinner, though, it was time to head out.

Mandeville’s Lake Views

The sun was getting low in the afternoon sky, so we decided to saddle up and head toward home, but not before taking a small detour toward Mandeville, LA… located nearby on the northern most shores of Lake Pontchartrain. We rode to the lakeside and took a slow, scenic, ride along Lakeshore Drive- a beautiful road that skirts the edge of the lake, and is adorned with ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss- a truly southern experience. We’ve visited here before, but it’s beauty never ceases to amaze me. While the Lake’s size of over 600 square miles pales in comparison to the Great Lakes of the Midwest, it’s grandeur cannot be denied… especially when you traverse it’s 23 mile long bridge that connects the Northshore to New Orleans.

Final thoughts

As we made our way back home, I was inspired to share our visit, and a lot more of our photos, with all of my MotoReaders. After further contemplation, however, I decided to leave you with my words alone… and of course the above photo of the Wolverinegator. Why? You might ask… well, the answer is simple- you really need to see it, experience it, for yourselves. At only $5 bucks a person, it’s more than affordable, and some crappy phone pictures won’t truly allow you to appreciate the weirdness of it all. 

So get out there and go see Abita Springs for yourselves… drink of the “healing waters”, imbibe some of the locally brewed beer, and stop in the Mystery House so you can experience a little bit of roadside Americana… before it, like so many others before it, becomes nothing more than part of the local folklore of this storied town.

Ride safe and… explore the weird.

 

2026 New Model Lineups

It’s that time of year again and, while I’ve been super busy at my payin’ gig… I didn’t want to miss my chance to weigh in on the new model lineups from our favorite motorcycle purveyors. So, without further ado… let’s get into it, shall we?

First up… Harley-Davidson

The MoCo has teased us for months with the return of a name that many of us know from the past- the Sprint. The rumors of this “new” model being offered in the $6,000 price point has whet many of our appetites to see just what’s been going on in the R&D offices. Well, in their “Chapter One” release (well played, guys… well played), they dropped the first of what they are promising is going to be a whole new lineup. While I appreciate that they have some new colors and some slightly larger displacement engines, in my humble opinion- the first drop was a flop. No new models… yet, just some different versions of what we’ve already seen for the last couple of years. Don’t get me wrong, I like the new Street Glide and Road Glide designs, for the most part, anyway. I’m not crazy about the new hand controls or the digital screen as the only option for gauges, but I suppose this is what the market demands, so I understand that they have to keep up with the demands in order to stay relevant. 

I really, REALLY hope that the new Sprint isn’t the Chinese “X” bike that has just been re-badged for US markets. With everything going on in the world right now, and all of the tensions in the political communities, I’m afraid that a Chinese Harley-Davidson could drive many MoCo loyalists away… and that could be devastating for our new top guy, Artie Starrs. If you look on the H-D website… they are teasing us with the “chapter two” bikes, but none of the black cloth draped bikes are in the “Sport” category and the names of those that are teased, are more CVO models. I really hope this is just some tricky marketing, because unless H-D is planning to drop the prices (significantly), the vast majority of their customer base can’t afford to drop $50k on a motorcycle. I for one, wouldn’t (even if I could), because let’s be honest… while the Custom Vehicle Operations division does make some decent performance parts, most of the CVO bikes are gaudy looking. You know who buys CVOs? Guys like Jochen and Artie… and that rich old guy that lives down the road from you who wears a pastel colored polo shirt that is tucked into his khaki shorts (complete with belt) and loafers, who drives a Corvette to go golfing. The rest of us- the jeans and t-shirt guys that make up the majority of Harley-Davidson riders- would rather get higher performance parts at a fraction of the cost from aftermarket companies and are more concerned about buying affordable maintenance parts over… one more chrome cover that serves no real purpose other than reflecting the side of the ‘Vette as they sit in the garage. 

The marketing gurus in Milwaukee are dangling that proverbial carrot in front of our noses though, for the “next chapter” which is supposed to be revealed on January 14th of the new year, so we’ll have to bide our time and be patient to see what’s next. 

Next we have- Indian 

In an interesting turn of events (but one that I saw coming several years ago), Polaris has sold off Indian Motorcycles to a private investment company, Carolwood LP. This is really the biggest news out of Springfield with our beloved rival company. Look folks, I make no bones about it- I like ALL motorcycles, but I DO favor Harley-Davidson. I’ve been to Milwaukee several times, I drink Miller beer, Wisconsin cheese is delicious and while the Cheeseheads of the Midwest may not have invented the Bloody Mary, they sure did perfect it. With that said, I have loved those long, sweeping fenders of the Indians of old since I was a kid. I loved how Indian and Harley-Davidson always kept pressure on each other to advance and become better and better. But the last real Indian motorcycles were built in 1953. There were several attempts to resurrect the brand over the decades that followed, a couple of which were very promising, but the best chance they’ve had has been with Polaris as their adopted mother. To see Polaris file the Indian name in their 86 file, alongside Victory, just plain sucks. While I really hope that the Carolwood folks can breathe continued life into the company, my more realistic self suspects that Carolwood will join the ranks of IMCA (aka, Gilroy) and Stellican as failed resuscitators.

With all that said, there’s not a lot in the “new for 2026” lineup in the Indian camp, either. They, like H-D, have increased displacements a bit and are offering some new colors, but with the sell off… is any of that even going to matter? I suspect that most new buyers are going to stay away from their loan officers until the dust of Carolwood settles. Who can blame them, either? Nobody in their right mind would want to buy a $15-$30k motorcycle that might not have continued support for parts, warranties, repairs, etc. 

What about the other major brands?

I usually keep my eyes on the “other brand” horizon to see if anything really stands out. If anything really “popped” then I’d absolutely detail it here and give my thoughts, but in reality, no one has really broken any new ground for 2026, so until someone releases something new, it looks like this is the end of this post. 

What about this past 3 month hiatus, you may be asking…

As many of my loyal MotoReaders know, the last few months has been the second busy “season” of the year for my payin’ gig. But, as I’ve spoken about and eluded to in some recent posts and ponderings… that may be changing soon. I won’t get into that here, but I’ll keep you posted on any changes that may be taking place for your humble MotoWriter, over the next few months. If everything works out, you should be seeing a lot more activity on my little corner of the interweb. Maybe when H-D drops the curtain on their “chapter 2” reveal, I’ll be able to cover it in real time, instead of a week (or more) later. 

Regardless of what may come for 2026… I just want to take a moment today to say that I see how much my loyal readers check in, even when I’m not here, and I am truly humbled by the fact that you guys have checked in to my site to read my words, over 180,000 times, with over 21,000 site visits last month alone! When I started this blog over five years ago, I never imagined that it would have a worldwide audience.  So, from the bottom of my heart, I say “THANK YOU!” 

Until next time, MotoReaders… ride safe and make good choices!

Fear

Sunset Contemplations

As I sat in silence and watched the golden rays of the setting sun create long shadows across my yard, and listened to the cicadas sing their rhythmic song from high in the trees that surround my home, I quietly pondered my journey- where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going next. And in my rambling thought process, I couldn’t help but reflect on what was next.

Emotions are strange- you can’t see them, you can’t touch them… you can’t cut them out and set them on a table, so just what the hell are they? Every living being has them. In the animal kingdom, we call them instincts, probably because if we called them emotions, then we might have to face the possibility that animals could be sentient… and lets be honest, nobody wants to think that the deer they are hunting or the chicken that they had for dinner last night might be an intelligent creature with a developed mind. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not suggesting that they are- just the opposite for some creatures, actually. Some critters are here for us to eat, and that’s just part of being in the higher levels of the food chain. We don’t think about a cow’s emotions, any more than a tiger thinks about ours. But I’m not talking about the food chain- I’m talking about something else… the power of the emotions that we have, and how they can, and often do, dictate our lives. 

While I could literally write for hours about all of our emotions and how each one has the power to motivate and alter our path… there is only one that I’m interested in writing about today…

Fear

Specifically, I’ve been thinking about fear a lot lately. Fear is a powerful motivator- fear is our body’s way of trying to protect us from danger, or perceived danger. We all know what dangers we face in our individual lives that gives us reasons to be afraid, but what about the perceived dangers? Real dangers are tangible… but what about the perceived dangers? I’m not talking about what we think is lurking in the dark when the lights go out, but rather, what the future holds for us. When a little kid worries about a monster under their bed, we can easily turn on the light and show them it’s safe… but when an adult contemplates their future, it’s a bit more difficult. There is a myriad of reasons why, but it comes down to one thing- there is no light to shine on the future. The future is uncertain, and there is no guarantee that any of us will even survive past this very moment, much less be safe, happy, successful or content three weeks, three months or three years from now. You might be wondering what I’m getting at with all of this- well, it’s pretty simple- I’m a bit nervous about what my future holds.

Evolution

Taking the next step of your life can be difficult, especially when you’ve gotten yourself into a routine. You see, complacency is a silent killer. Being in a routine is not a bad thing- far from it, but when we get to the point in our lives, when our routines begin to interfere with our potential for future success, we must take a step back and reevaluate. At what point do we break out of our routines, free ourselves from the status quo, and begin again with new routines? How do we know when the time is right? 

Evolution is tricky. One could easily argue that we, as a society, have devolved as our technology has evolved. As our tech has gotten smarter, we as a society have, inversely, gotten dumber because we have become more reliant on it. The younger generations are unfamiliar with basic references such as dictionaries and encyclopedias, relying solely on the quick results of internet search engines. As vehicle tech has progressed- our abilities to operate a motor vehicle has regressed. Fewer people can drive a car with a manual transmission now, way too many rely on sensors to say if there is a car next to them before changing lanes, and many can’t even park without using an “auto park” function. We rely so much on the tech that was designed to make our lives easier, that we have allowed it to dumb us down. If our tech suddenly went away, what would we do? Simple- we would be forced to evolve, again. 

Many creatures shed their skins or shells, in order to grow. Crabs and lobsters come to mind. In order to grow, they must molt- they must shed their shells. Their shells keep them safe, but they also restrict their growth, so they have to shed them, and form new, bigger shells, in order to continue growing. So, how we know when it’s time for us to shed our proverbial shells? How do we know when it’s time for us to grow? I suppose it’s when we realize that we are no longer growing.

Many of us chose career paths that, if we are strong enough to make it full term, have a pension that is available at a certain date. That “end date” could be anything from 20-35 years depending on the employer, and usually promises some sort of benefits after the prescribed number of years of employment have been met. Obviously, getting to the end is the goal, but what then? What comes after? Does one choose to stay, potentially losing benefits of retirement, or does one face the fears and uncertainty of retirement? On one hand- there is security in stagnation- you could stay, and be secure in knowing that, for better or worse, nothing changes. On the other hand, however, you could face the fear of uncertainty, take the leap of faith,  risk failing and potentially grow into a newer, better version of yourself. 

Either way- each of us will inevitably reach a point in our lives when we must make a choice- stay stagnant and safe, or shed our protective “shells”, be vulnerable, then potentially grow into something bigger, better, stronger and possibly- even more amazing. No one can choose for us. We have to make this decision on our own. 

The process

For my employer, the process of retirement takes a few months, so I had another, more immediate, choice to make- start it and see what happens in a few months, or put it all off until later. Well, I decided to take a small leap of faith and started the process. Nothing is final until it’s final, so I can always give in to the fear of facing the unknown and stay where I am, at least for a few more years, but by starting the process, at least I’ll have everything ready to go for when I do decide to jump into the unknown and face my new future. As I write this today- I feel confident in my decision to start anew at the end of this year, but the reality is, I still have several things left to do in my current role. Not to mention- I still don’t which way I want to go after I leave this life behind me either, and, choosing the right path is difficult, but it’s even tougher if you don’t know which direction you want to go. 

So as I finish writing this post, I’m no closer to clarity than I was when I started it, but maybe, hopefully, there is someone out there reading this, that is. For you, I wish you well… in whatever choice you made. If you chose to remain secure, then I wish you continued success in that security; and if you chose to risk the uncertainty and take a chance on yourself, then I applaud you on your bravery, and wish you success and growth.

I suppose that, for me anyway, I will just have to wait until I get a little closer to the fork in the road, before I decide which path to take.

Until next time, MotoReaders…

Ride safe and make good choices.

Well…. Damn, that happened.

Life has a funny way of intervening when things start spiraling out of control. Call it fate, karma or maybe even divine intervention, but whatever you choose to call it, it’s almost always out of our control, and it almost always makes us stop, or slow down, and reevaluate just what the hell we’re doing.

You may be wondering what has gotten into me, to make me go on about this… well, to not go into too many details, I recently had a little accident while working at home, that resulted in, what could have been, a very serious injury. I’m not one to dwell on “what could have happened”… far from it, actually, but this one was different. Mainly because I didn’t know how bad it actually was, for several days. 

In a nutshell, while doing some yard work- I sustained an eye injury that immediately altered my vision. A quick trip to the ER resulted in some meds, an eye patch and a follow-up with an ophthalmologist, along with a “don’t drive, don't ride motorcycles and don’t lie down flat” order- not great for a guy that drives for work, rides for work (and leisure) and lies down flat at least once a night. After a visit to the eye doctor, I was able to lose the eye patch, so my days of Pirating were over before they started, and the doc also loosened the driving restriction a little, but held the motorcycle restriction in place. While my eye still isn’t working the way it is supposed to, the biggest blessing is- I didn’t lose my vision! 

Why am I sharing this with you? Well, it’s simple really… just when you are so busy, with so many different things going on, when you’re too busy to take a break, sometimes, life intervenes and says “Enough! Stop, or I’ll stop you!” That’s what happened to me. 

You see, I’ve been running, hard, for the past few months. I recently learned that I can retire from my payin’ gig… as of right now. But, I still have several things that I want to get done before I clock out for the last time, and I’ve been battling with the decision on whether or not to drop my retirement paperwork. 

On one hand, I can play it safe, stay where I am and get those things done; and on the other hand, I can retire and start my new career as a full-time writer- finishing my novel and writing this blog more often than I have been- and getting some kind of fun, part-time, job to earn a little beer (or more likely- motorcycle parts) money, on the side. It’s a tough decision, especially since I’ve been doing what I do for such a long time. Add to that- I’ve also been working hard to get some bills paid off, fix some things around the house, trying to keep up with regular maintenance on the cars, house and motorcycles, and trying to keep up with new tasks (and frustrating situations) that keep coming up at the payin’ gig. It’s been a whirlwind for the past few months, and I have kept saying, over and over, “I’ll take care of that when things slow down a little.” Well, this past week, life took control and slowed things down for me.

Mechanically speaking- it’s a lot like a bearing failure. One minute, everything is running smooth, then all of a sudden, for no apparent  reason, you hear a horrible sound and everything starts grinding to a stop. It wasn’t for no reason, though. The bearing spun too fast, for too long, and got overheated, overworked and then… it failed and seized. A bearing is typically pretty easy to repair, but… in order to do it, you have to stop the machine, take it all apart, and then put it all back together again, making sure that everything is in it’s right place. Then, you don’t just go full speed again, no, you start out slow, making sure that everything is right. Then, you slowly bring everything back up to speed and, before long, you’re back up to 100%. That’s what I’m doing now. I’m taking time to write a few pieces on the blog, a few chapters in the novel, and contemplating my next move, taking it nice and slow, making sure that everything is in the right place, and that it’s all working right, before I go full speed again. 

My biggest fear with this injury was losing my eye. Wearing the eye patch gave me an eery insight (see what I did there?) into what partial blindness would be like, and the reality of how something like that could impact my daily life was startling, to say the least. I’m not glad it happened, but I am glad that I have learned the valuable lessons that I’ve learned from it. Riding motorcycles is a large part of who I am, and not being able to do that would be devastating for me in several ways. Writing is another, and while I could still write with one eye, you don’t realize how mush easier it is do basic things like that, with both of your peepers… until you don’t have both of them to use.

To wrap this up, I’ll leave you with some advice- Don’t get too busy, or in too much of a rush, to take the proper precautions to avoid getting yourself in a bind. Whether that means taking a few minutes to put on safety glasses, or taking a few days off of work to rest, and reset, yourself. No matter what happens, if life does have to intervene on your behalf, and force you to slow down for a few days, then don’t get mad, sad or dismayed by it- instead, take the time to reevaluate, repair and reset. 

In the famous words of Ferris Bueller, “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Till next time, MotoReaders, Ride safe and wear your safety glasses.

Harley-Davidson Sprint

It’s that time again, folks! That wonderful time of the year when some manufacturers start teasing, and some start releasing, new models! It’s one of my favorite times of the year!

2026 Harley-Davidson Sprint

I haven’t heard much yet, but I just read that Harley-Davidson is about to release info on an all-new entry-level motorcycle, that harkens back to a previous time in their history. The new bike is set to be called the “Sprint”, after the popular model that they introduced in the early 1960s, after partnering with then, Italian manufacturer Aermacchi. 

These days, many people whine about the MoCo’s affiliations with other manufacturers building motorcycles for them, such as the Street 500 and 750 models, originally built in Bawal, India and primarily intended for the Middle Eastern market, or the all-new X350 and X500, built in China and primarily intended for the Asian market. But, our beloved Milwaukee, USA purveyor of fine motorcycles has not betrayed it’s American roots, far from it. They are a corporation that is surviving in a very challenging market… and they have been doing so since 1903. The reality is- survival is ugly sometimes. It often demands unconventional and, sometimes unpleasant, acts to be carried out, in order to be able to live, and in this case- produce motorcycles, another day. For example- guy that got trapped by a boulder while hiking and had to sever his own arm to be able to live another day. While I’m not suggesting that H-D cut off an appendage, here… I am saying that sometimes, in order to survive a struggling market, it requires a partnership that may not be the most popular with it’s traditional customer base. If, however, the partnership expands the customer base… and the company can survive another year, or five years, or a hundred years, then it was worth it. 

Beginning in the 1960’s, Harley-Davidson partnered with several companies, three of which in particular brought the MoCo through some of their  toughest times and helped them survive when many other American motorcycle companies were failing: Aermacchi and their small displacement motorcycles helped expand the Harley-Davidson name plate into the European markets and helped form a love for  Milwaukee steel overseas, that still exists to this day; Tomahawk Boats ushered in a new era of design possibilities and manufacturing facilities that gave us things like the Boat Tail Super Glide, hard side saddlebags, tour packs, and fairings for the immensely popular Electra Glides, Tour (and later, Road) Glides; and of course, the American Machine and Foundry company, quite literally, saved the MoCo from financial ruin. While none of these were probably very popular at the time, all served the greater purpose of helping this American institution survive and that, my friends, is the name of the game because once a company shuts down, if it ever does come back, it will never be the same as it once was. 

The Bike

Currently, there’s very little information about the new Sprint, except that it is supposed to be revealed to dealers this fall, but what we do know for now, is that it is expected be a small displacement, inexpensive and entry-level motorcycle. There’s still no word on where it will be built, but I suspect it will be manufactured overseas initially, or perhaps, built in the US of A, with parts imported from overseas plants. 

What I find interesting though, is I’ve heard so many people already bashing it, and bashing the MoCo for building an “entry-level” bike. Just yesterday, I saw a social media influencer (who I typically agree with on a lot of points), bashing the MoCo over the new Sprint and saying that all “we” want is a “new EVO” engine because the “EVO was the best engine ever built by Harley-Davidson.” The EVO was a good engine, sure… but ”the best”? I don’t think so, not by a long shot. Every engine that H-D has made through the years was the best, until it was replaced by something better. The Knuckle was better than the Flathead, the Pan was better than the Knuck, the EVO was better than the Pan and, yes… I’m gonna say it… the Twin Cam was better than the EVO… and I know that I’m about to get bashed for that one, but it’s true- I’d take a late model TC96 or TC103 over an EVO any day. BUT! Before anyone decides to start roasting me for MY opinion, let me remind you that everyone has their own opinions based on their own experiences… mine are no different. I’ve gotten great performance (and no oil leaks) out of the 5 different Twin Cams I’ve owned, while I had two different buddies that had “late model” EVO’s that coudn’t keep a seal between the jugs and the crankcase. Now, before anyone says, “well Mr. MotoWriter, why does S&S Cycles build so many EVO clones, then?” My simple answer is this- because 1. The patent ran out and they can, 2. They’ve had a chance to fix the problems and get it dialed in properly (I never said it wasn’t a good platform for a great engine) and, 3. They also make updated versions of the Knuckle, Pan, Shovel and M-8. One could argue that the reason they don’t build a Twin Cam, is because the stock H-D TC is already dialed in, easier to get and significantly less expensive than the others. 

As for the Milwaukee 8- I have a first generation M-8 107 on my Road King Special, and a 96” Twin Cam on my Dyna Street Bob… I’ve also had a couple of late model 103” Twin Cams and an early model 96”  and I will honestly say that, in my very humble opinion, the M-8 is a superior engine to the Twin Cam. I’ve heard horror stories about the first gen 107” M-8’s having issues with oil sumping, cam chest and oil pump failures and, maybe I’m just lucky or perhaps it hasn’t happened yet, but mine has not given me any issues with any of those components (like I said, not yet, anyway). Maybe it’s because I ride it like I own it, and like I am the one that is responsible for paying for it when it breaks, or maybe, I have just gotten lucky, I don’t know… but regardless, my opinions are based on my experiences, so I’m willing to acknowledge that others may be (and apparently are) very passionate about theirs, based on their experiences.

Regardless of where your opinion lands, I’ll disagree with my guy on the ole interweb socials and say that, while I’m not in the market for an entry-level, small displacement motorcycle- I think it’s great that the MoCo is thinking about their future survival and making adjustments to get new riders into the sport, and hopefully making some of them passionate loyalists to the brand so that hopefully, it will carry them through the tough times. 

What is “Entry-Level” anyway?

Easy- entry-level can be quantified in two words: size and price. Let’s face it- motorcycles are, inherently, dangerous and, in order to get someone on a motorcycle for the first time, you need to have a machine that isn’t too powerful, heavy and intimidating. Pricing is also incredibly important, as well, because you don’t want to have the perfect machine, but make it so expensive that it can’t be bought by someone who is just getting into the sport, especially when the competition is fierce in this segment. 

The new Sprint is expected to be around $6,000 US and I think that is spectacular. People won’t buy what they can’t afford anymore. When I bought my first new H-D, I was in my mid 30’s and, at the time, I honestly never thought I’d be able to buy a Harley-Davidson at all, much less a brand new Road King Classic. It was expensive and, in all reality, I probably shouldn’t have bought it because there were times that I struggled to pay the note, but it was worth it to me (and my lovely wife supported it, wholeheartedly), so I took the leap and did it. This new generation is different though- these kids now are very money-conscious and they are very conservative in the way they spend their money. I would venture to guess that the MoCo loses hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in potential new riders, because of the costs and availability of their machines. Not that a solid and sustained resale value is a bad thing- it’s not, however, by comparison, a new rider looking at the offerings in dealerships and in the used markets, could be easily put off of H-D by the prices alone. For example, a large displacement Japanese bike, like the Yamaha Stratoliner or the Honda VTX1800 can be had for under $6,000 used, compared to a used Harley-Davidson Road King or Street Glide that will cost you easily over $10,000 for the same or similar year models. That is because the import bikes simply don’t hold their value like the Harley’s do. Those are typical prices of large, heavyweight bikes, too… their smaller counterparts can be had for even less, where the smaller H-D’s are still pretty expensive. For example- a 2006 Yamaha V-Star 650, which is a very easy bike to ride, can be had for around $1,500, compared to a 2006 H-D Sportster 883 that is selling for around $3,000. Again, that’s the difference between resale values- and, while that’s a good thing for H-D owners, it’s not so great for the MoCo when you consider that most new riders will almost always opt for the cheaper bikes. And before you argue that comparing used bikes to new bikes is like comparing apples to oranges, I’ll remind you that the least expensive new Harley-Davidson in the current lineup, the Nightster, is priced at $9,999 before dealer fees, where the comparable Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, is sitting a clean $1,000 less, at $8,999. Does a grand make a difference to someone like me? Right now- not really… when I was first starting out- absolutely. Currently, Yamaha’s lowest priced “cruiser style” motorcycle is the V-Star 250 at $4,799… so, if H-D can enter the market with a bike with double that displacement, but not double that price, I think it’s a strong move for Milwaukee.

The fact remains that this new generation is looking at the overall value for their dollar and, let’s be honest, why would a young, new, rider buy a 2008 Road King for $9,500, when they could buy a 2008 Roadliner for $4,500? After all, the 2008 ‘Liner has a 113 ci engine compared to the 2008 ‘King’s 96 ci mill. It’s a dollar for displacement disparity that favors the Japanese bike. Brand loyalty is often born with a first motorcycle, too… so getting someone into the culture of Harley-Davidson is imperative to gaining them as a lifelong customer. Don’t believe me? How many H-D loyalists started out on one of those very early single cylinder bikes (like the Hummer or the original Sprint), or more currently, on a Sportster? The EVO Sportster is probably the most popular motorcycle ever built by Harley-Davidson if you go by how long it was made, and total units sold (and are still sold in the used sector, today). The EVO Sporty used to be very affordable, with many of the basic models selling for close to- you guessed it- the $6,000 mark, so it’s my belief that this new Sprint’s pricing is right on par with being a, potentially, very successful offering for Harley-Davidson. 

Final thoughts

Hopefully this new bike is well-built, has the American soul  of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, performs well and, unlike the failed Street models, is reliable and well designed. I think one of the biggest reasons the Streets failed so miserably, isn’t because they were small displacement and low priced, but rather, because of the design. They didn’t look like a Harley, they didn’t sound like a Harley and they were not well made, at all. While ole Jochen is out, and this new bike was developed and designed under his leadership, hopefully, it is more than just a re-badged Chinese bike (like the X-440 trainer bikes), and better than the absolutely awful Street that was born, and built, under former CEO, Matt Levatich’s leadership.

For now, we’ll just have to wait and see, though. As for me, I am choosing to be optimistic about the new Sprint. I’m hoping to see a new single cylinder, fuel injected cruiser (or maybe even a sportier version for the kids that like to go zoomy-zoomy), a sharp, distinctly American design, and more importantly- very well built, with high quality components.

Until then… Ride safe and make good choices, MotoReaders!

The Final Lap

The Final Lap?

Greetings, my loyal MotoReaders! I know it’s been a while, but I’m still here. As you know, or may have noticed, there are usually a few times a year that I “disappear” for a few months. That is because my paying gig requires all, or most, of my free time a few times a year, and when I do manage to have time off during these months, my “creative juices” either dry up or I sweat them out. Thankfully, though, these “tides of activity” ebb for a bit and I can get back to my creative writing and, more importantly- back to riding my motorcycle, which often is the best way to get that creativity flowing again.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m dangerously close to retirement. Now, before you go thinking that “retirement” means a Floridian neighborhood with socks, sandals, Hawaiian shirts, khaki shorts, golfing, crafts and planned events each night… I assure you that, no… I don’t mean that kind of retirement. You see, those that know me personally, know that my line of work allows for retirement at a specific waypoint in my career. This means that, while I don’t have to retire, I can. I’ve had to make a few accommodations to make it happen, but those are 97% done and just about the only thing left to do is file some paperwork to start the actual retirement process. 

One could analogize it like this- I’ve been racing… lap after lap, and now the white flag has been waved. The only question left is- is the white flag warning of a slow moving racer… or is it telling me to get ready for the final lap? 

Fuel Level- “DANGEROUSLY LOW”

Regardless of the flag’s meaning at the moment though, I’m having to take myself out of the race this week- I’m simply outta gas. The petrol ain’t “petrolling” and my tank is draining faster than my bike is riding. At the rate I was going, I was probably not going to make it another lap to find out if the next flag was the checkered, or another green flag, telling me to gas it and “go”! 

Racing is actually a great analogy, because it perfectly sums up how I feel right now. I’ve got so many things going on, so many responsibilities to take care of and there are so many projects I’m working on, that I’ve begun to neglect all of them because I either run out of time every day, or I run out of processing power to handle them. One thing is started, then put on hold… then something else gets thrown on me, so I have to get that done. Then, the next thing I know, someone says, “Oh, cool… you got that done? Great! I need you to handle this now… it shouldn’t take long.” I read something lately, probably on social media, that said something like this (and I’m paraphrasing, here)- “The problem with being the most competent person at your job, is that your boss will take the work from the incompetent people and give it to you.” I don’t know who said it, so I can’t give credit, but damn… that is about as true as it gets. 

It seems like the harder you work- the work gets harder. At some point, as you move up through the proverbial (or literal) ranks, your job should get easier… and it does, for some people, anyway. So why does it seem like most of us work our asses off, just to get more work piled on top of us? The simple answer is this- because we can handle it. Our bosses don’t want to screw us over… they just can’t let the machine grind to a halt because there is some booger-eating moron, staring blankly into the abyss, not sure how to do the job he/she has been charged with. The machine has to stay running, so the boss has to do what’s necessary to make that happen. It happens in every workplace… and I’d imagine that, no matter what kind of work you do- you can relate to this.

So, what does the race car driver do, when he’s low on fuel and it’s so close to the end of the race? Does he take the chance, gamble on the odds that he has just enough fuel to get to the checkered flag? Or does he pull in, get fuel and jump back in the race? Well, here’s the conundrum- If he’s leading the pack, taking the pit stop will surely give the other drivers a chance to take the lead. Then, once he’s back on the track, he’ll have to run like hell to retake the lead. But, if he chooses not to take the pit to get fuel, then he risks running out of fuel and not being able to finish the race at all. Decisions, decisions, decisions… and they are all on the driver to make. 

Each, and every, one of us must make these decisions on our own, because we are the only ones that truly know our race cars. Regarding this particular situation- I decided to take the pit, refuel, regroup and get ready for the next lap… or the final lap, whichever it may be. 

What if, then?

What if this is the final lap? How will I know? When will I know? Beats me. Honestly, folks… I have no idea. I’m going to handle it the way I’ve handled every other major decision in my life, though- I’m going to pray about it, think about it, ride about it, then I’m going to just play it by ear and see what feels right, when it feels right. The fact is, that no matter what happens in your job… or what could happen- a pending raise, a potential promotion, a change in leadership, or whatever might be on the horizon… each one of us has to decide on our own, when we are going to pull over, gas up, get some road snacks and take a different route. It’s the same for our personal lives, too.. but for this post, I’m primarily talking about my career, because that it something that isn’t something that I do, but rather, it’s something that has become a part of my personal life, so it’s something that I am. It’s not all that I am, but it is a large part of my identity. 

You see, our career paths inevitably become one with our identities at some point, and it’s at that point of convergence that many people get freaked out and change directions. For those of us that embrace that convergence though, our personal and professional identities continue to intertwine more and more and, if we’re not careful, our career choice will become all we are… or at least, all we are known as, or all we are known for. For example- a guy that welds for a living becomes known by his friends and family as being a welder. 

My career choice has definitely become my identity over the years, but… there’s also more to me than just what I do every day. I’m confident that there’s a helluva lot more to you, than what you do every day, and where you punch your time clock, too. Think about it like having a pocket full of mixed seeds, with each seed representing a specific talent or skill. The trick, then… is taking one of those seeds, and planting it, watering it, and letting the sun hit it, to see if it will grow. 

As for me, I’m just hoping, that if this is the final lap of my metaphorical race, that the seeds that I’ve sown, outside of the racetrack that has been my profession so far, will take root, grow strong and flourish in the new light that they are given. So what are my “seeds”? Well, for the answer to that question, my loyal MotoReaders, you are just going to have to keep stopping by my little corner of the interweb to get the next update… because as of right now… I still don’t know. 

What I do know, though… is that I plan on writing until I don’t have anything else to write about, and I plan on riding until I can’t ride anymore. I’m hoping, that if this is the final lap of my race, that the next path I get on will be as fun, rewarding and as exciting (well, maybe not as exciting) as this one has been. 

Until next time…

Ride safe and make good choices!

***Special thanks to my friend, Brandon W. for the inspiration for this post today.

 

Well, This Won’t Look Good On My Resume’

As I get closer to finishing the current chapter in this book that is my life, I have begun the process of looking into what lies ahead for the ole’ MotoWriter. 

Now, if you’re a regular MotoReader, you know that it’s been a while since I posted anything. If you’re new to the site, you might discover that along with motorcycle-centric content, I also pepper in some life advice and do my best to send good vibes out to the world in hopes of encouraging my readers to live their best lives while being good, decent humans. 

Whichever is the case, don’t worry… I don’t have any plans of shutting down my site or putting down my metaphorical pen. After all these years of sending my words into the world via the internet, I’ve realized that, at least a few, folks like you around the world actually seem somewhat interested in what I have to say. With my little site recently reaching over 100,000 views world wide, I realize that even in my temporary absence, my loyal MotoReaders are still checking in. I appreciate you, and it’s an honor for me to be able to have a few moments of your very valuable time… so thank you, and worry not- the MotoWriter will remain in this story, and may actually get a larger part.

With all that said, let’s get down to the aforementioned resume’ comment. While I love writing this blog, it only pays in satisfaction, and I can’t pay my bills with that, so I’ve been seeking out my next payin’ gig. 

In my current career path, I’ve learned so very much, have achieved several goals and I have, hopefully, succeeded in helping some folks. I’ve dedicated nearly half of my life to making this world a little better place. I doubt that I’ll ever have the same level of job satisfaction in any other career, but every chapter must end, before a new one can begin and the sun must set, before it can rise again. Nighttime brings rest to the world, and the new day brings forth new opportunities to begin fresh. 

I’ve been intrigued by motorcycles for as long as I can remember. I’m fascinated by the diversity in the types of machines, the types of people and the bond that we all share. Being a “motorcycle person” trumps all other characteristics. Details like race, ethnicity, sex and any and all the other identifiers that our current world assigns to every one of us, become secondary to the distinct characteristic of “motorcyclist” or “biker.” Please excuse my language  for a moment… but I fu**in’ love that! 

It’s with this passion that I started writing for Harley-Davidson Forums and why I eventually started writing this blog. I have been a lifelong fan of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and, have been a loyal rider of these iconic machines for over 15 years, after I finally reached a point in my life, when I could actually afford to buy one. I’ve been to Milwaukee and I’ve stood where Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson stood. I’ve walked the same halls on Juneau Avenue, that generations of blue collar American workers designed and built these beautiful, soul inspiring, freedom machines. I’ve learned to work on them in the same classrooms where better mechanics learned to do the same and I’ve experienced the camaraderie of being a part of a worldwide collective of enthusiasts.

To hear that this company, this brand, this iconic representation of the great American culture is in such dire straits… is tragic. Harley-Davidson has endured through financial troubles, tariffs, embargoes, ruthless competition, poor leadership, misguided CEOs and more than a few bad designs, for over 120 years. Each time, however, the MoCo has been able to pull itself up and out of the tough times, by leaning hard on it’s most important assets- it’s loyal owners and followers.

Over the past several years, however, the leaders of our beloved Motorcycle company have made some grave mistakes… and they are just now starting to feel the affects of those poor decisions. So, at risk of losing any hopes of putting “Harley-Davidson Motor Company” as an employer on my resume’… I’m putting this out there for the world, and more specifically- the executives at Harley-Davidson to hopefully read:

YOU’VE LOST TOUCH WITH US

You allowed DEI and the “woke” culture to rust the iron of Harley-Davidson’s foundation. The “woke” culture and DEI practices are like salt on the roads of Wisconsin in winter. It helps to clear the path and expose what’s underneath, but the long term affects are rust and corrosion on the frames of your motorcycles that will eventually destroy the most crucial part that holds it all together. 

Like salt on the roads- “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” practices aren’t bad… but it must be done in moderation. I can tell you, that very few people actually care about how someone else is living their personal lives. The world we live in today is quite possibly the most inclusive that it’s ever been… that is, except for those among us who thrive on division- the people that dress and act bizarre, then get offended by others who react to their bizarreness; the people that get triggered by the lyrics from an old Christmas song from 50+ years ago, but then blast the most vulgar, misogynistic, lyrics from their car stereo, while driving past public parks and playgrounds.

When celebrities speak up and give their opinions on things… I just shake my head and ask WHO CARES WHAT THEY THINK? No offense to any of them, but why does the opinion of an actor, singer, dancer, etc… matter more than that of the guy that takes your order at your favorite restaurant, or the girl that makes your coffee in the morning? Because they can act? Or sing? Or dance? Or because they are wealthy? The simple answer is, their opinion doesn’t matter any more than yours… it’s just that you, or we as a collective society, seem to need some “publicly backed” validation for our own opinions. We have become a society of sheep… afraid of our own judgement. We feel like if Jim Carrey or Keanu Reeves shares our view on something, then it somehow carries more clout. It’s a ridiculous concept. Especially considering we don’t know who these people truly are, or even share similar lifestyles. I like a lot of both of these guys movies and have followed them for several years, but they don’t live the same life as me, and I’m guessing, most of you. I’m not saying they haven’t struggled financially, but I am saying that when they were starting their careers, living in their cars, waiting tables or playing hockey, nobody gave a damn about their opinion. It wasn’t until they became famous that everybody wants to know what they think about politics, religion, fashion or whatever. Keanu Reeves is a motorcycle guy… that’s about the only thing that he and I probably have in common… and our opinion on those are probably drastically different, by looking at the designs (and prices) of his Arch Motorcycles. 

Every company, every person for that matter, should try to practice diversity, equity and inclusion habits- recognizing the differences in people and appreciating the fact that our differences are what make us unique; treating each other fairly and not allowing personal prejudices and biases from affecting how we treat one another; and including people that are different from us to take part in the creation of advancement of a common goal, is something that good people, and good companies, do. But, like any good concept- someone put a title on it, claimed it as their own, new concept, and then started forcing extremist ideas down the throats of everyone, calling it “DEI.” The world got shamed into not being “woke.” Companies rushed to become “culturally sensitive” and the more they worked to change their “company cultures” and buy into this fabricated concept that someone else was selling to them, the more they lost. 

The fact is, that prior to the “DEI” initiatives, mandates and “woke” culture… the MoCo employed people of different races, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds, cultural backgrounds and, I’ll be willing to bet, that the vast majority of them worked well together, got along, got paid the same and felt that their diversity made them a strong workforce, felt that they were treated the same and felt included at their jobs. It wasn’t until someone from HR heard about this “new program” called “DEI”, that they started paying for the pamphlets, buying the programs and paying the DEI speakers to come in and tell people that they didn’t get along, because the DEI peddlers hadn’t “fixed them yet.” Yes, yes… DEI was being sold and the corporate hogs were buying. They forgot about the most important component of their companies… their people.

Harley-Davidson jumped into the DEI pool without floaties, and in doing so, allowed the company executives to drown the company in guilt-driven, detrimental behaviors, practices and policies. Policies, practices and behaviors that are contradictory to their core demographic of hard working, diverse, God and County loving Americans, and a whole world full of people who love, admire and respect the American culture. In trying to satisfy the DEI push into their brand, it backfired in the worst of ways- thousands of the brands most loyal enthusiasts felt insulted. Not because they were bigots, but because Jochen and his cronies insinuated that they were and shamed them for not falling for the “woke” political agenda that they were trying to force on them. 

To make matters worse- Jochen’s goal of making Harley-Davidson a “premium” brand… was inherently stupid and has cost the MoCo millions of dollars in sales. Harley-Davidson was already a premium brand… it had a diverse lineup of motorcycles that appealed to a large group of riders, and even though they were priced high, they were still (somewhat) attainable. Jochen’s goal, which has started to come to fruition, was to make them so expensive that only the elite (like him) could buy them. The MoCo execs chopped the lineup, focused on a few top-tier bikes and slowly raised the prices until they started becoming unattainable for the working class folks that have been buying and riding them for over 120 years. Honestly folks… I paid $35k for my wife’s SUV five years ago… and nearly $25k for my Road King Special, almost 10 years ago. Those numbers were, and are still, ridiculous, and they’ve only gotten worse as of the past few years. How can a motorcycle cost as much as a car? That is simply poor business practices. 

Then, to make matters worse, the boneheads decided to cut the entry and mid level models out of the lineup. The Evo powered Sportsters could be had for way less than $10k, and there were several models to choose from, that fit almost any rider’s style. The next up, and first to be killed off, was the mid-range, next step, Dyna family of big twins. Powerful, tight, fun motorcycles that were a bit bigger and added a few more options for the rider looking to step up a bit. Great motorcycles, but someone at H-D corporate decided that to would be a good financial decision to take a popular, good selling, item off the menu altogether. So, the decision was then made to take away a few popular options from the Softail lineup, but then rename a few Softails with Dyna names… and hope that no one noticed that they were paying more money… just to have a cool name like “Lowrider” or “Fat Bob” on their Softail. So, since the Dyna family (that consisted of several models to satisfy the desires of the diverse styles and personalities of Harley-Davidson big twin enthusiasts) had been cut, the obvious choice would be to add to the Softail lineup to make up the difference, right? Nope. The decision was made to cut popular models from the lineup, instead. The lineup of Softails consisted of a couple of models that carried Dyna names (Lowrider, Lowrider S, Fat Bob and Street Bob), and a Softail Standard (which was, and is, basically the same bike as the Softail Street Bob) the Heritage Softail, the Breakout and the Fat Boy. 

You may be saying, “OK MotoWriter, but what about the touring lineup?” Well… they cut it too. Incredibly popular models like the standard Road King, the Electraglide standard, Road Glide and the Electraglide were eventually severed from the lineup, and replaced with their more expensive counterparts- the Road King Special, The Ultra Classic Electraglide and the Road Glide Ultra… all of which will, after paying for tax, title, dealer set-up, freight, the sales manager’s lunch, the store manager’s bonus and the dealership’s power bill for that day, will set you back nearly $35k… yes… as much as you could get a nice, mid-range SUV for. 

Jochen’s plan to price Harley-Davidson out of business is really starting to take shape now. 

Oh, but what about the Sportster and the Pan America? Well I didn’t forget about them. The new Rev Max Sportster S and Nightster models seem to be pretty nice bikes. The Nightster is fun to ride, but it’s small… and starting at $10k for the base model and $12k for the “Special” which only offers slightly different styling, it isn’t a bad choice for a new rider that wants a Harley-Davidson… however, it’s Indian competitors give it a helluva run for it’s money, with a few models, and engine sizes, to choose from… all starting at the same price. As for the Sportster S… I’m sorry to those who like this bike, but at $15,999, it is terribly overpriced. In all fairness, I haven’t actually ridden one, I’ve only sat on one at the dealership, but after throwing a leg over it, I didn’t want to ride it… and for me, that is saying a lot, because I always want to ride a motorcycle… especially a new one that I haven’t ridden before. I do like the Pan America and while I think that they are priced a little high compared to their competitors, we will often pay a little extra for a brand we love and a well-established dealer network… call it the “Harley tax.”

Although the Pan America does create a new market of buyers and enthusiasts from the ADV crowd, that’s a niche group- not an entry, or mid, level market. The guys buying ADVs are older, middle to upper class riders who, while they can go off-road, will most likely buy these bikes for their upright riding positions, softer suspensions and more forgiving riding traits. The MoCo needs to focus on the younger guys and gals… the mid twenties to upper thirties folks that want fun, fast bikes that have some suspension, but are cool and still a little hardcore. Something that can be bought, built and customized for less than $15k. They need something to build off of, too… something like a comfortable entry level bike that they can get for $6-8k, then after a few years, trade in for the next size up for a few extra thousand. 

And as for the DEI bull crap- newsflash folks- motorcycle riders are the most diverse, equitable and inclusive group of people out there. Have you ever been to a bike night, seen groups of riders pass each other on the roads or been to a major bike event? People of every race, ethnicity, sex, social and economic background and sexual orientation are out there, waving at each other as they pass, talking to each other about their bikes, sharing stories from the road and donating their hard-earned money on good causes. Bikers and motorcyclists don’t need to be lectured about diversity, equity and inclusion… they need to be supported by the brands they love and spend their hard-earned money on. 

I know that Harley-Davidson is searching for it’s next CEO… and if the MoCo wants to hire a smart, down to earth, blue collar, guy that, with some good old fashioned common sense and American pride, will get the company back on track… I’ll be available for a very reasonable salary… but I won’t hold my breath, waiting for their call.