This week we are riding alone as we have no schedule guest. We kick things off with the latest happening in the world of Motorcycling and a lot more. We even spend time chatting about surfing and Bruce Browns film Endless Summer and On Any Sunday and how they helped to expand these niche oriented sports.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame welcomes motorcyclists and fans of motorcycling to its AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Spring Bike Night, 5-8 p.m., April 28 at the American Motorcyclist Association campus, 13515 Yarmouth Drive.
The event, a fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, features music, food vendors, free entry to the museum and a display of police department motorcycles.
“Our bike nights are cool,” said AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “We always have a great turnout, rockin’ entertainment and good food. And everyone loves to go through the museum and check out all the cool bikes and memorabilia. It’s a fun time for all ages.”
Employees of Motohio European Motorbikes, a local motorcycle dealership, will lead a 60- to 90-minute fun run from their site to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Spring Bike Night. The ride stages at 3:30 p.m., April 28 at Motohio, 5936 Scarborough Blvd., Columbus, Ohio.
Registration before April 18 is $10. Onsite registration is $15. All ride proceeds benefit the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation. For more info visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Cameron Beaubier continued to hold the hot hand through off-season testing as the two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion came out on top of the Dunlop Preseason Test at Barber Motorsports Park. Beaubier had previously led all the test sessions coming into the final shakedown and looks more than ready as the season opener looms less than three weeks away with the Suzuki Championship at Road Atlanta.
Dunlop Preseason Test – Day 2 Motul Superbike
Supersport
Junior Cup
Twins Cup
Join us for another great show filled with the latest trends in Motorcycling and the MC Industry. This week we interview Robert Hess Founder of Tour De USA who shares about this unique ride across America that you can participate in if you own a car or motorcycle. To find out more about Roberts Tour de USA visit them at http://www.tourdeusa.events.
Indian Motorcycle Company today announced the hiring of motorcycle industry design veteran Ola Stenegard as its Director of Product Design. Stenegard brings Indian nearly two decades of product-design experience, a life-long passion for American V-twins and a proven record of success in designing motorcycles that resonate with a global audience.
Stenegard’s unique combination of domestic and global expertise aligns perfectly with Indian’s long-term strategy of driving global growth.
“Ola has been incredibly successful in helping brands expand into new product categories and appeal to a wider variety of riders, which is exactly what Indian will be focused on in the coming years,” said Steve Menneto, President, Indian Motorcycle Company. “It’s rare to find a designer with Ola’s unique experience, and we are thrilled to have him on board at such an exciting and important time for our business.”
Stenegard previously led product design for BMW Motorrad. There he played a critical role in designing motorcycles, including most recently the BMW R-nineT. While his professional focus has largely resided in European motorcycles, Stenegard’s life-long personal passion has been the design and customization of American V-twins.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Indian Motorcycle at a time when the brand has successfully returned itself to prominence and is powered by an increasing level of momentum,” said Stenegard. “There is no brand any more historic to American motorcycling than Indian, and I’m thrilled to build on the brand’s momentum going forward. I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”
As a young boy in Sweden, Stenegard was heavily influenced by an older brother who had a passion for choppers and hot rods. In the words of his brother, “If you want to be into bikes, there are only choppers,” and thus, a lifelong love for designing and customizing American V-twins was born. By age seven, he had learned to weld and was chopping and customizing anything he could get his hands on, from bicycles to mopeds.
At 15, Stenegard took first prize at his first motorcycle show in Stockholm with a moped he’d modified into an Arlen Ness-inspired chopper. The years forthcoming would see him customizing a countless array of bikes, including everything from café racers to dirt bikes, and most of all, a host of classic American V-twins.
Intent on making his passion his profession, Stenegard attended University College of Art, Craft & Design in Stockholm in 1994, where he spent three years before transferring to the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. There he was immersed in the design of cars and motorcycles in Southern California, which he refers to as “the epicenter of the hot rod and custom motorcycle universe.” He later returned University College of Art, Craft & Design in Stockholm where he earned a Master’s degree in Applied Art (Industrial Design) in 1998.
After completing his degree, Stenegard immediately entered the work force, working for SAAB, and doing freelance work for Ohlins Suspension, Unique Custom Cycle and MCM Magazine. In 2001, Stenegard returned to the United States to join Indian Motorcycle (under a previous ownership group) in Gilroy, Calif.
In 2003, he joined BMW Motorrad where he would become one of the brand’s most influential designers over the next 15 years, ascending to Head of Vehicle Design and working on virtually every significant new model program, ultimately helping the company successfully increase its relevance with a wider range of riders. Moreover, Stenegard’s influence wasn’t limited to product design. His passion for riding and his understanding of the marketplace allowed him to assume an influential role in the marketing of motorcycles. Stenegard’s creativity resulted in a number of BMW’s more-popular marketing platforms, including the “Soulfuel” campaign that supported the launch of R-nineT.
Aside from his professional efforts, Stenegard still immerses himself in the garage, working on choppers and other custom builds. Over the years, his custom builds have been featured in hundreds of magazines across the world and have earned numerous awards at some of the world’s most renowned motorcycle shows, including the AMD European Championship of Bike Building and Mooneyes, Yokohama. He also is distinguished as the youngest inductee in the Swedish Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Stenegard and his wife Terese reside on a horse farm on the island of Gotland, with their three children, sons Isaac (18) and Grim (11), and daughter Saga (14).
Her is another entry for Ann-Margret. Here she is riding a Motto Guzzi V7 in a brief scene from a movie she did back in the day. She actually rides in real life, so this wasn’t a stunt rider, just herself enjoying the ride.
Check out this old TV Variety show from back in 1972, where Ann-Margret performs at the Hilton Vegas and is performing with a couple of Harley-Davidsons as stage props. I’ll bet this type of programing helped to lift Harley sales back in the day! Watch this fun video and let us know, if this was a great idea and would work today.
Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, and Jack Daniel’s, America’s first registered distillery, today introduced the Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian® Scout® Bobber. For the third straight year, the two iconic American brands have joined forces with Klock Werks Kustom Cycles of Mitchell, SD to celebrate their shared values with an ultra-premium, limited-edition motorcycle. This year, they looked to the Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade and their impressive gold and black firetrucks for design inspiration.
Jack Daniel’s® is the only distillery in the world with its own fire brigade, which is staffed entirely by employee volunteers. The Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade is an impressive showcase of the company’s commitment to quality and a remarkable symbol for the passion and dedication shared by Jack Daniel’s employees. The employees at Indian Motorcycle share that same passion for their craft and developed this bike as a tribute to the people who are committed to keeping their communities safe, the state-certified firefighters of Jack Daniel’s, as well as firefighters and EMS professionals everywhere.
The Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Scout Bobber maintains the low-slung, blacked-out and stripped-down attitude of the Scout Bobber, but also boasts several ultra-premium, custom features that create a truly unique motorcycle. As a nod to the “Old No. 7 Brand”, only 177 of these bikes will be built globally, making anyone who owns one a member of an extremely exclusive club.
“Our partnership with Jack Daniel’s celebrates American craftsmanship of the highest order,” said Steve Menneto, President – Indian Motorcycle. “This year’s limited-edition bike draws inspiration from the incredible story of Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade, while honoring the passion and dedication of firefighters and emergency medical responders who serve our country.”
Each of the 177 individually-numbered motorcycles are accented with Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade themes. The bike has subtle two-tone matte black paint, a first for Indian Motorcycle, and is covered in real 24-karat gold graphics on the tank and fenders. The 24-karat gold carries through to the Fire Brigade emblem on the tank and the “Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix” emblem on the front fender. Other custom details include a perforated genuine leather seat with “Jack Daniel’s” embroidery and custom grips, pegs, and shift levers inspired by the “Old No. 7 Brand.” Premium gloss black finishes on the fender struts, hand control levers, engine valve covers, and exhaust tips, while a gold colored Indian Scout badge further showcases the attention to detail given in the design of this limited-edition bike. Also unique is a one-of-a-kind Montana Silversmith badge that’s individually numbered and coated with real 24-karat gold.
In addition to the bike’s custom accents, it also features chopped fenders, bar-end mirrors, vented exhaust shields, knobby tires and a sleek headlight nacelle.
“The public’s response to the motorcycles that Indian Motorcycle and Jack Daniel’s have collaborated on has vastly exceeded our expectations year-over-year,” said Greg Luehrs, Director of Events and Sponsorships for Jack Daniel’s. “In celebration of this great partnership and our own Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade, we are delighted to deliver a bike that honors firefighters and EMS first responders while also reinforcing the message that ‘Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix.’”
To celebrate the hard work, commitment, and bravery of all firefighters and EMS first responders, Indian Motorcycle and Jack Daniel’s are hosting a sweepstakes only open to these service members. Participants can enter to win bike #001 at a variety of events this year, including Daytona Bike Week (March 9-18), Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (April 23-28), Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Aug. 3-12), and Red Knights Motorcycle Club International Convention (Aug. 16-19).
The Jack Daniel’s® Limited Edition Indian® Scout® Bobber will be available globally for order starting 12 p.m. EST on March 13. To reserve one, visit or call an Indian Motorcycle dealership. The 2016 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Springfield and Chief Vintage models sold out in less than 8 hours, while the 2017 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Chieftain sold out in less than 10 minutes.
Each bike will come with a commemorative fireman’s axe, which will be engraved with the owner’s name, motorcycle number (#001-#177) and VIN. Pricing starts at $16,999 in the U.S. and $20,999 in Canada. Each bike also comes with a two-year unlimited mileage factory warranty and free membership in the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group™ for one year. Each bike will be built to order with delivery starting in August 2018.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
The following is a Video Feed from a motorcycle rider who hosts a You Tube channel by the name of Hammy Moto’s Video. Hammy publishes himself riding his bike. In this video he records himself doing something very stupid and the resulting crash that nearly cost his life.
The lesson here is simple: ride safe not stupid. Please view the following video for things not to do on a bike.
There was a time when building custom motorcycles came with zero promise of fame or fortune. Instead, it was purely about the love of chopping, welding and grinding on sheet metal. Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company founded in 1901, today announced The Wrench: Scout Bobber Build Off competition. A custom motorcycle competition unlike any other, The Wrench celebrates those who find their sense of identity, purpose and glory, spending painstaking hours wrenching on garage builds.
Indian Motorcycle, along with Hot Bike magazine and a panel of expert judges, featuring Roland Sands, Satya Kraus, Jason Paul Michaels and Hot Bike Editor-in-Chief Jordan Mastagni are seeking three of the most-talented motorcycle craftsmen in the country with the vision and talent to transform stock Indian Scout Bobbers into one-off works of custom motorcycle art. The competition is not open to professional builders and contestants cannot make a living customizing motorcycles. Instead, Indian Motorcycle is looking for everyday wrenchers, home builders and amateur customizers who tinker in the garage for the passion, not the pay. Motorcycle industry professionals, such as a mechanic or salesperson, are welcomed to submit.
From March 15-30, amateur builders can submit to be one of three chosen participates. From April 3-13, the top submissions will be showcased online and available for fan voting.
“We wanted to create a program that would celebrate the unsung heroes who spend countless hours wrenching on their bikes. The men and women who don’t do it for recognition or notoriety, but solely for self-expression and the pure art of customizing a motorcycle,” said Reid Wilson, Senior Director – Marketing and Product Planning for Indian Motorcycle. “Last year we saw what professionals could do with the Scout Bobber platform when Kraus Motor, Keino Cycles and RSD unveiled incredible designs at the Brooklyn Invitational. This year, we’re turning the spotlight away from the pros, and shining it on everyday wrenchers.”
Indian Motorcycle will arm each amateur builder with a new 2018 stock Indian Scout Bobber and provide a build budget of $10,000. Participants will design and create their own take on the stripped-down, 100 horsepower cruiser. The three custom Scout Bobbers will be unveiled in July, followed by a fan vote. The winner will be announced at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and will receive a $10,000 grand prize along with a feature spread in Hot Bike magazine.
To enter, wrenchers can visit IndianMotorcycle.com and submit 500 words explaining their build plans and why they’re deserving to be one of three participants. Submissions should include a sketch or digital design rendering of their customized Scout Bobber concept, along with descriptions and imagery of previous builds. Those submitting are asked to include any references who can reinforce their talent and justify their skills. Video submissions are also welcomed.
World of Motorcycling 