Tag: secret the cross country rider

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Media Press Day at Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) in Long Beach, California

The Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) kicks off in Long Beach, California before traveling across the United States to New York, Dallas, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C and Chicago http://www.motorcycleshows.com/.

IMS is the perfect place to see, listen, touch and test ride the various motorcycle brands, to purchase products and obtain resourceful information for motorcycle riders, passengers and future motorcycle riders.

Electric was the common theme throughout IMS this year. The future of personal mobility is driven by electrification. The industry is introducing newbies to motorcycles with no clutch and no gears.

The United States of America will need to get ready to build an infrastructure for electric bicycles and electric motorcycles.

DISCOVER THE RIDE and NEW TO 2

Robert Pandya and his team took the motorcycle industry back to basics by introducing Discover the Ride and New to 2 for children and adults.

The purpose of Discover the Ride is to put people on motorcycles for the first time at IMS with STACYC, Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles and Zero Motorcycles. The goal is to widen the funnel and encourage people of all ages to become motorcycle riders.

STACYC is the first powered balance bike to inspire children who has been walking for a short time. STACYC offers different models for ages 3-7 years of age. The goal is to engage young children with using a throttle and fall in love with motorcycle riding before the age of seven (7).

Individuals with no motorcycle riding experience were required to ride a Yamaha Power Assist Electric Bicycle to demonstrate their ability to balance before test riding a Zero Motorcycle. Total Control Training partnered with Robert’s team to provide safety instructors to shepherd new riders at IMS.

I had the pleasure of witnessing Discover the Ride at IMS with a first time motorcycle rider and it works!

Zero Motorcycles provides a sense of effortlessness just by a simple twist of the throttle without a clutch, gears and low maintenance. The zero motorcycle is speed limited for test riding to about 12 mph for safety reasons and to allow instructors to have a conversation with riders during the test ride on a test track inside the building at IMS.

New to 2 is a video and stage series designed to answer questions for new riders from visiting a local dealer to making a choice of the type of motorcycle to purchase.

Yamaha has been making electric bicycles in Japan for more than 25 years. Yamaha is the first pedal assist bicycle manufacturer. The electric bicycle is huge in Europe and starting to grow in the United States of America. Yamaha is starting out with four (4) models from mountain bike, drop bar, road bike and fitness commuting bike. The Yamaha Power Assist Electric Bicycle serves as the step in between STACYC and Zero. There is a cross over from the motorcycle culture to power assist electric bicycles and motorcycles. If it wasn’t for the bicycle, there would not be motorcycles!

      TRIUMP MOTORCYCLES

Triumph Motorcycles introduced Scrambler 1200 XE and Scrambler 1200 XC. The Scrambler 1200 XC is good for on and off road riding and the 1200 XE the “E” is for extreme. These adventure motorcycles have rider modes rain, road, sport and off road. Cruise control is standard. The 1200 XE is the first Scrambler with a 21 inch front wheel. Bluetooth accessory to communicate directly with GoPro camera to take picture and video and collaboration with Google to allow turn by turn navigation on display. The price of the Scrambler 1200 will be introduced to the United States in December 2018.

Triumph Motorcycles received the 2018 Motorcycle.com Standard Motorcycle of the Year for the Triumph Street Triple 765.

HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES

Harley Davidson announced they are celebrating 115 years of motorcycling and the celebration of 28 new dealerships across the globe in 2018. 4.9% growth in Europe and unprecedented growth in Thailand, China and Asia. Harley-Davidson is focusing on growing the number of riders in the United States to 2 million riders by 2027. On July 30, 2018, more roads to Harley Davidson was established more roads to access of the information to the media about the bikes about to be sold. Harley Davidson is investing $800 million into the strategy to help the United States grow 2 million riders in nine (9) more years.

Harley Davidson is starting an electric vehicle portfolio and continue to innovate their touring and soft-tail motorcycles. They will add a low cc motorcycle segment. They will expand their visibility and marketing to capture new riders. They will work with their dealerships across the globe to ensure their dealerships are an inviting place to capture new and current riders.
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine will be included on touring CVO Street Glide, Road Glide and Limited. These will always get the biggest engine instead of the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine.

Harley Davidson also upgraded their infotainment system on the touring models. The new version is called the Boom! Box GTS Infotainment system include a touch screen with faster download and processing time and it has Apple Car Play compatible for iPhone users, but does not include Android Auto.

On display for presentation on the Softail side was the Harley Davidson FXDR 114. This is the 10th Softail motorcycle in just 15 months with the focus on weight reduction starting with cast aluminum swing arm, which provides a 43% reduction in weight.

The first Harley Davidson electric motorcycle the LiveWire was not on display. LiveWire specifications will be available in January 2019 and on sale in August 2019.

URAL MOTORCYCLES

Ural Motorcycles is now in the 20th century with modernized power plant, redesigned thermal group from cylinders and pistons to combat the air cooled function of the motor, increased fin size fins were added and increased the fins size, new oil pick up design to give another ½ liter of oil due to deeper oil pan, fuel injection system, the spare hub and wheels all match with larger spokes, on the motorcycle for simple plug and ride. Ural has been working very hard to keep the look and the opportunity for big kids to feel like little kids.

Ural also has its first electric motorcycle concept not, yet a production prototype established in Moscow in 2016. The goal is to collect feedback, to understand what the market wants and how the market reacts to it and if Ural should continue to move forward with the project. Zero Motorcycles is providing engineering support to Ural. The battery is inside the seat in the sidecar, which feels like there is always a rider in the sidecar for balance, comfort, safety and confidence. There are two batteries one located on the bike and one on the sidecar. The motorcycle will not operate if the sidecar is removed due to the battery under the seat. The production date is not available.

BMW

BMW is on tract for another year of record growth, which is driven by a lot of the new products such as the G 310 R and G 310 GS. The focus overtime in making sure they bring on products for the market and customers and focus on adding more standard equipment and improving the packages to their motorcycles and features their customers are asking for.

The BMW 700 products helped bring a lot of new riders to the sport with 37% of the product sales to women.

BMW unveiled the 2019 R 1250 GS with shift cam technology to give more increase power, increase torque and balance delivery for every situation.

BMW unveiled the 2019 S 1000 RR. The engine is 9lbs lighter and the overall bike is 25lbs lighter with increased horsepower. The new S 2019 S 1000 R superbike with M package was also unveiled with a weight decrease of 7lbs and motorsports paint.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

Indian Motorcycle decided to talk about something different than new products after mentioning the FTR 1200 was unveiled in Germany this year. The FTR 1200 won 17 of the 18 American Flat Track races in 2018. Jared Mees captured grand national championships and Indian Motorcycle capturing manufacturers championships in both seasons. Racing has a significance importance to the Indian Motorcycle brand because it started in racing in 1901. The 2019 Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew was introduced Jared Mees and brothers Briar and Bronson Bauman.

MV AGUSTA

MV Agusta introduced the 2019 Brutale 1000 and the 2019 Turisom Veloce RC SCS.

The Brutale was first introduced to the market in 2002. It is the most powerful superbike. The main principle in Brutale is power. 212 horsepower on a naked bike weighing about 409lbs. All of the body work except for the fuel tank is carbon fiber. The Brutale is an emotional motorcycle with a lot of power and street legal.

MV Agusta was one of the first companies to provide unique technology to the motorcycle world. For example, MV Agusta is the first company to put an electronic upshift on a production motorcycle, the first company to put an upshift and downshift on a production motorcycle, the first company to have Full Ride By Wire on a mid-weight super sport motorcycle. They have a new first, the first production motorcycle with a Smart Clutch System (SCS) on the 2019 Turismo Veloce RC SCS to allow riders to use either manual or automatic clutch operation. Riders never have to touch the clutch lever. Riders don’t have to worry up using the clutch lever while moving through traffic. The bike weight is 435lbs with 110 horse power and goes from 0 to 60mph in 3.1 seconds. MV Agusta is about performance not touring.

YAMAHA

Yamaha introduced nine (9) new models for 2019 in the three (3) main categories of dirt, road and tour. The focus is to continue to offer a wide range of new and exciting motorcycles with the latest in performance and technology for riders of all ages and skill levels.

Niken and Niken GT multiple wheel motorcycle handles like a two (2) wheel motorcycle offers motorcycle riders a lot more confidence while cornering to make riding less stressful and fun.

Yamaha sold out of Niken motorcycles after opening an online reservation program in September 2018.

The Niken GT is open for online reservations with a retail price of $17,2999 for delivery in March 2019.

PIAGGIO

The 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT was introduced and it will be available from Italy in the 2nd Quarter of 2019.

The world superbike was also on display 2019 Aprilla RSV4 RR Factory 1000. This motorcycle has won multiple world championships and work superbike.
Piaggio is the only manufacturer that is up for scooters sales.

KAWASAKI

Kawakaki introduced their super charged hyper sports bike Ninja H2, H2R and H2 Carbon. The new H2R is the most powerful super charged engine Kawasaki has made to date. Also on display was the ZX-10R with new engine design and maximum performance. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10 RR is a race ready limited model with only 500 available in the world.

2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT Plus was unveiled with cruise control, traction control, intelligent braking system, sport, road, rain and manual modes. There will be a Rideology app available in 2019 to allow riders to make adjustments from the palm of their hands on their Android or iPhones devices to check fuel gage, service intervals and riding module to identify routes taken and for planning.

HONDA

Honda shared one of the best historical videos about their founder and the brand for more than 60 years. The video started with a picture of the first American Honda Motor building on Pico Blvd in Los Angeles, California from June 1959 and a quote from the founder Soichiro Honda “A company is most clearly defined not by its people or its history, but by its products.”

The Honda Monkey is selling out like hotcakes because it’s a fun motorcycle to ride for 1,200 miles on land, through water and mud just ask Ari Herring and Zack Courts. Ari and Zack rode Honda Monkeys from Ensenada to La Paz Mexico to trace some of the Baja 1000 course. Motorcycle enthusiast can check out their show at Motorcycles on Motor Trend: Throttle Out http://bit.ly/2FmWUEq on November 21, 2018.

PROGRESSIVE

Progressive is number one in motorcycle insurance due to customer service with policies starting off at just $75.00 per year. Progressive partnered up with Indian Motorcycle to give away an all expense paid trip to Sturgis with two loaner Indian motorcycles for winners to ride. 

Flo’s Chop Shop offered relaxation break in massage chairs while listening to an interactive music play list created by guest, beard trims, line ups and hair designs for free.

ENERGICA

Engergica approach motorcycles in 2009 and decided later to go green. In 2014, Energica created an electric motorcycle as an opportunity to attract the younger generation. Today, the Energica Ego is known to the world for the first street legal electric Italian sport motorcycle. Engergica’s focus is on style performance and quality and they are living up to it with the ability to charge an electric motorcycle within 20-22 minutes!

SUZUKI

Industry gearhead and living legend Kevin Cameron provided history of Suzuki. Mr. Cameron has decades of experience in the motorcycle industry from racing to technology, product development and product evaluation.

Mr. Cameron shared his knowledge and history about Katana motorcycles, 2 stroke engines, 4 stroke engines, horsepower, crankshaft seizure, piston seizure problem in 2 stroke engines, connecting rod, combustion, cylinder plating and oil consumption. Mr. Cameron expressed the greatest problem facing product development is the internal friction of large human groups, engineers wasting times on committees and in meetings. It’s important for the motorcycle industry to allow engineers to devote their time to designs and test prototypes.

LUNCH

Black Girls Ride Magazine Porsche Taylor, Founder and Editor-In-Chief and Sarah Moreau, Staff Writer enjoyed lunch sponsored by Suzuki with Serena Bleeker, Digital Campaign Manager, Bonner Motorcycle Group and Julian Eger, Communications, http://Motorcycles.org aka Discover Today’s Motorcycling.

DUCATI

Ducati delivered the highest level of market share, which demonstrates taking the brand into new worlds with cruiser and off road motorcycles.

The Scrambler Café Racer is one of the most popular motorcycles with LED light and fuel gage for first time motorcycle riders at a reasonable Ducati price.

ALLSTATE

Allstate Insurance offered guest to Float In and Fill Up on a Free Root Beer Float and the opportunity for current, new and future rides to enjoy an interactive virtual reality motorcycle ride on an Indian Scout.

IMS is a one stop shop for motorcycle riders and passengers and a great place to network, catch up with old friends and plan a future ride within or outside the country.


 

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THE BROAD MUSEUM

Motorcycle Ride to the Broad Museum was worth splitting lanes through downtown Los Angeles rush hour traffic.

The Broad Museum is one of the most popular FREE museums in Los Angeles. That’s right it’s FREE to enter the Broad Museum so make sure to request tickets in advance because sometimes there is a long line wrapped around the corner to get in. It’s the perfect place to capture an Instagram moment in every gallery thanks to self-made billionaire Eli Broad.

On August 23, 2010, Eli Broad announced he will build a museum in downtown Los Angeles to house contemporary art he and his wife Edythe collected over the years. The amount financed for the Broad Museum was $140 million.

The Broad Museum is home to more than 2,000 pieces of art inside a three-story building surrounded by a unique honeycomb square that allows natural sunlight to shine throughout the gallery. The contemporary art consists of pictures and paintings coveted by other museums. The goal of the Broad Museum is to make contemporary art accessible to visitors. There is a thick viewing glass window for visitors to get a sneak peak of the warehouse full of art not on display in the art gallery showrooms, which I hope to see in the near future.

My favorite piece of art at the Broad Museum was the Seated Woman by Ron Mueck because the detail made the miniature woman look real. I was stuck. I did not want to move my feet. I could not stop staring at this amazing sculpture.

Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away by Yayoi Kusama is very popular among visitors. Each visitor is given 45 seconds behind a closed door to spend time inside the Infinity Mirrored Room. Have your camera ready to strike a pose and take a selfie!

Under the Table by Robert Therrien – Grab a seat and let’s enjoy a very small bite to eat in the Giant’s den…

The eyes are creepy on the porcelain sculpture of Michael Jackson and his chimpanzee Bubbles by Jeff Koons…

Roe v. Wade 1973 Supreme Court decision was addressed in a powerful and political art statement (Untitled) Your Body is a Battleground by artist, activist and feminist Barbara Kruger.

It was really cool to see Jean-Michel Basquiat’s paintings on display. This one is titled Melting Point of Ice. Unfortunately, Jean-Michel Basquiat committed suicide at the young age of 27.
If you decide to visit the Broad Museum, download the Broad mobile app available for iPhone and Android to serve as an audio guide.

A huge thank you to Rick Mitchell for a private tour of the Broad Museum.

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EUROPE IS THE RECORD HOLDER FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST ALL FEMALE BIKER MEET

The World’s Largest All Female Motorcycle Meet was organized by Sherrie Woolf and Nimi Patel.

In 2017, the world record was set with 1,132 female motorcycle riders.  Female motorcycle riders in Australia and the United States of America (USA) did attempt to break the record. The total count for Australia was 1,002 and 808 for the USA. On July 29, 2018, the goal was to reach more than 1,200 female motorcycle riders to set a new world record.

In February 2018, Porsche Taylor, Founder and Editor In Chief, Black Girls Ride Magazine http://blackgirlsride.com sent me a Facebook invitation to the World’s Largest All Female Motorcycle Meet. I’m so glad I accepted the invitation.  Porsche and I traveled from Los Angeles, California to London, England. It took us 3 ½ hours to get to Lynn’s Raven Café in Whitchurch, England for the count.

It was an honor to finally meet Sherrie in person after following her journey on Facebook.
Sherrie kept individuals engaged on Facebook throughout the year with sponsor, vendor and charity information and introduced the group to international adventure motorcycle riders Zoe Cano https://www.zoecano.com/ and Steph Jeavons https://stephjeavons.com/.

Steph is the first person from Britain to ride on all seven continents and through 53 countries on a Honda CRF250L. Steph’s motorcycle ride started in March 2014 from London. She returned home in 2018.

Zoe rode her classic Triumph Bonneville T100 solo across the American Continent after receiving her motorcycle endorsement with less than 100 riding miles under her belt in 2012.

Sherry wants to keep raising the number of female motorcycle riders and to raise the profile of female bikers to let manufactures know we are out here. Sherry notices the improvement in gear available for female motorcycle riders over the last few years. One of Sherry’s favorite motorcycle gear providers is MotoGirl https://motogirl.co.uk/.  A lot of the female motorcycle riders at the event were wearing MotoGirl leggings.

Sherrie let Porsche and I borrow a couple of her motorcycles to participate in the ride for the count. Porsche was number 433 and I was number 434. The official count for 2019 was 443. The low turnout was due to rain storms across Europe. The rainy weather did not prevent the event from raising £2,458 (3,182.00 United States Dollar) for charity to split among Shropshire, Staffordshire Blood Bikers and British Bikers Relief Fund.

The participants welcomed Porsche and I with open arms and jokingly referred to us as the “Crazy Americans” for traveling across the pond commonly known as the Atlantic Ocean just to participate.

I hope to return to Europe in 2019 to support the World’s Largest All Female Motorcycle Meet record at Lynn’s Raven Café.

 

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MOTORCYCLE HELMET WITH PINLOCK VISOR FOR CLEAR VISION IN THE RAIN

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS it is worth it to INVEST IN A PINLOCK VISOR FOR YOUR HELMET TO SEE CLEARLY WHILE RIDING IN THE RAIN.  It is dangerous to ride a motorcycle when your helmet shield fogs.

In 1994, Derek Arnold created the Pinlock system for motorcycle riders to see clearly. The Pinlock system uses a silicon bead sealant when the Pinlock visor is attached to the helmet visor to absorb moisture on the inside to allow clear visibility.  The Pinlock inserts integrate with different helmet brand visors.

There are three different types of Pinlocks:

1. Push Pin – used with Pinlock ready helmets by inserting lens into the face shield
2. Three Component Pin – provides extra grip to a helmet that has an expanded version of the Push Pin system with integrated screws
3. Tear Off Pin – uses Pinlock insert lenses and tear-off strips for motorcycle racers. The Pinlock Tear Off Pins are only compatible with 2D visors.

There are three Pinlock levels for fog protection:

1. Pinlock 30 – universal fit for Pinlock ready helmet brands
2. Pinlock 70 – custom fit for specific helmet brands
3. Pinlock 120 – specific helmet brands for motorcycle racing or adventure riding

Visit https://pinlock.com to see if there is a Pinlock visor available for your helmet.

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CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE YOUR MOTORCYCLE RIDE

It’s highly suggested to check the weather along the route you plan to take on your journey to your destination outside your local riding area.

My go to website to obtain weather forecast on Interstates are https://www.theweathernetwork.com/us/maps/us-highway-forecast/ and https://www.accuweather.com/en/driving-directions-weather.  My favorite app to monitor weather conditions is MyRadar http://myradar.com.

The more you ride your motorcycle across state lines, you will LEARN HOW TO READ THE SKY. Is the sky clear? Are the clouds white or dark ready to release rain?

PAY ATTENTION TO THE ANIMALS. I’ve witness for myself during my cross country motorcycle rides the old wives’ tale is true if COWS ARE LYING DOWN IN A PASTURE A RAINSTORM IS COMING…lol

ALWAYS PACK YOUR RAIN GEAR!!! It rains winter, spring, summer and fall.

ONLY YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE YOU DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND LIQUIDS WITH ELECTROLYTES TO HYDRATE to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion, which can lead to more serious health conditions, such as heat stroke.
Ride Safe and Ride Smart,

SeCCRet the Cross Country Rider

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MOTORCYCLE RIDE TO THE FOUR CORNERS MONUMENT IN THE USA

It’s a great feeling to visit four different states at the same time without figuring out how to clone yourself.

I rode my motorcycle on gravel with a beautiful view of seven (7) flags representing three nations Navajo, Ute and United States of America and four states Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The Navajo Nation owns these remote areas of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The Ute Nation owns the southwest corner of Colorado.

On February 2, 1848, the United States acquired the remote area currently known as the four corners from Mexico under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo for $15 million. The people living in the area had the choice to relocate within the new borders of Mexico or receive full civil rights as an American citizen. It is worth noting the land was initially owned by Native Americans before it was claimed by Spain and before Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

In 1912, the cement pad was built on site to officially mark the only place in the Unites States of America where four states meet at one point Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. In 1931, the cement pad was replaced with a brass disc marker. In 1962, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Land Management poured an elevated cement pad around the 1931 brass marker. The monument was rebuilt in 1992 replacing the 1931 brass marker with a disc shaped plate.  In 2010, the monument was rebuilt again with the same 1992 disc shaped plate.

The monument is located miles away from gas, food, and lodging. There are several campgrounds nearby the monument. Visitors are encouraged to bring water and hand sanitizer since there is no running water. There are booths surrounding the four corners monument to purchase jewelry, crafts and food directly from the Navajo and Ute.

You will have to wait patiently in line for your turn to stand or lay down in the middle of the four states or figure out creative ways to touch all four states with your arms and legs. Don’t forget to get a picture!

If you plan to ride your motorcycle to the Four Corners Monument, bring your kickstand pad.

 

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I LEFT MY COWBOY BOOTS IN A SHOE TREE ON THE LONLIEST HIGHWAY IN AMERICA!!!!

I remember like it was yesterday riding an Indian Roadmaster down U.S. Highway 50 through Nevada as the tail gunner for a pack of female motorcycle riders for the Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride.

I notice a shoe tree to my right while riding west on U.S. Highway 50 on our way to grab a delicious burger at Old Middlegate Station.  The station served as a Pony Express stop in 1860-1861.  The restaurant is a few miles up the road from the shoe tree.

I inform Gin Sheer, Robin Rimsky and a few other female motorcycle riders during lunch I’ve been riding cross country with an old pair of cowboy boots in my saddle bag that I’d like to toss on a the tree since Indian Motorcycles gave me a brand new pair of Redwing Boots to wear as a sponsored motorcycle rider.

We ride our motorcycles back to the shoe tree after lunch so I can toss my cowboy boots in the tree.

Cowboy boots don’t have shoe strings so Lisa Jackson gives me a zip tie to attach the boots together by the pull straps.

I toss my old raggedy Cowboy boots in the shoe tree on the first try!

Mission accomplished…now I ride home to California with a lighter load.

 

 

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WATCH OUT FOR WILD HORSES WHILE RIDING YOUR IRON HORSES IN THE WEST

I noticed on my 18th cross country motorcycle ride an increase of wild horses roaming the open roads and bringing traffic to a complete stop.

A few wild horses crossed my path while riding my motorcycle at a slow speed on twisting roads through the mountains in Carson City, Nevada.

I was able to capture a picture of a couple of wild horses grazing the grass near a Chevron gas station.

Wild horses are protected by Federal law via the Bureau of Land Management and roam free in the western states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

Nevada is home to 60% of the wild horses in the United States of America

The Bureau of Land Management provides holding facilities to remove excess wild horses to protect rangeland from over-grazing, which is shared with private livestock.

Cattle Ranchers complain the Bureau of Land Management is not managing wild horses because they have increased 150% over the appropriate management level with a growing population of approximately 20% each year.

The Bureau of Land Management reports a decrease of wild horse adoption from 9,000 per year to less than 3,000 per year.  The holding facilities are getting over crowded.  The cost to maintain 50,000 wild horses and burros in holding facilities is more than $43 million per year.

Wild horses can live 25 years or more in captivity.

Please ride your motorcycles with caution in the wind so the wild horses can run unbridled and live free!

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Million Dollar Highway

In Colorado between Silverton and Ouray U.S. ROUTE 550 is known as the MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY and ONE OF THE DANGEROUS ROADS IN THE WORLD.

I’ll never forget riding a motorcycle on U.S. Route 550 early in the morning through drizzling and sprinkling rain soaking a narrow road with switchbacks and steep hills at high elevation with no guardrails. It was the first time I had three deer to run cross my path while riding a motorcycle and the first time I witnessed deer climb up a steep vertical mountain wall like a mountain goat.

If you decide to ride your motorcycle on U.S. Route 550, keep your eyes on the road, respect the speed limit and stop in Ouray to soak in the Hot Springs!

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WINTERIZE YOUR MOTORCYCLE RIDE!

Motorcycles were made to ride in cold weather!

Motorcycle maintenance is essential to assist with avoiding mechanical issues and unforeseen misfortunes. Your motorcycle like your body requires investment of tender loving care to give you satisfactory performance to live for the ride during the winter just like you do in the summer.  The motorcycle manual provides the prescription for motorcycle maintenance by the mileage on the odometer.  It is crucial not to abuse your machine between service appointments and make a habit to inspect your motorcycle before you ride.

Make sure the rubber on your tire can grip the pavement at lower temperatures and if you plan to ride in the snow, on ice or mud consider tires with studs. Check your tires to ensure the pressure inflation is accurate, there is no exposure of wire or metal coming out of the rubber, there are no nails, screws or hole punctures and flat spots because cold tires limit traction.

Check your motorcycle owner’s manual to see if you can use thinner oil during the winter months to improve performance and if you can use antifreeze in the radiator if your motorcycle is liquid cooled. have a water cooled.

You may consider adding a few accessories to your motorcycle such as windshield, hand guards, fairing and lower leg fairings to assist with blocking wind.

Make sure you know how much wattage your motorcycle alternator can handle before you hook up high watt items such as heated motorcycle gear to include vests, jacket liners, pants, gloves, insoles and socks to avoid burns so you can enjoy a warm luxury ride.

The goal is to keep your body warm and prevent heat from escaping from your head, feet and hands. Don’t layer too much to restrict body movement for operating your motorcycle safely. Start with a base layer to cover your body that also absorbs moisture to maintain body temperature throughout the ride. If you do not have a full body suit, be sure to check your motorcycle riding gear for air gaps by making sure you tuck your shirt inside your pants, wear wool socks, wear a neck collar, wear a half mask over your face inside your helmet not only to keep your face warm, but to prevent fogging up your face shield if it’s not fog free for safe visibility and wear gauntlet gloves under the jacket sleeve. Choose a fleece mid layer for warmth and an outer layer that is wind proof.

If you start shaking uncontrollably while riding your motorcycle because you are cold, find a place immediately to run hot water over your hands, sit inside and enjoy a hot cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate to warm your body.

Roadside motorcycle service comes with restrictions such as limited number of service calls for mechanical breakdowns within a certain time for battery, fuel, keys, flat tire, etc. Towing services are usually for mechanical issues only. For example, if you call to request a tow truck because you are not able to ride your motorcycle through a flooded intersection to get to the gas station for fuel after a rain storm, the company may not provide tow service because there is nothing wrong with your motorcycle.

You are at a greater risk of laying your motorcycle down during the winter because of wild animals and road conditions such as ice, cracks, gravel and salt. Check your motorcycle insurance policy to make sure you have protection in the event of an accident during off season months marked for winter storage or temporary lay-up, which suspends coverage to events related to a collision and your liability.

Plan a safe motorcycle ride, watch the weather forecasts and remember you have nothing to prove.