Who are these HOGs anyways??

Our Northern New York Harley Owners Group (sponsored by FX Caprara Harley-Davidson) -or NNY H.O.G. for short- had their Annual Christmas Party celebration, this year at the Watertown VFW. The food was excellent, the staff kind and professional, and great fun was had during the Great Card Game Gift Exchange. To see more pictures, just click over to NorthernNewYorkHOG.com

But who are these HOGs and how did they get here?? To answer that we've got to go back -way back to 1919 with Ray Weishaar, the Wrecking Crew, and a little piglet named Johnny. The newspapers related how the factory race team 'hogged' all the race track records. This led to the term "hog" as referring to a Harley-Davidson motorcycle: "Nice Hog, man."

Fast forward to 1983 and times are lean. The Motor Company had bought itself back from AMF just two years before, but the tarnished reputation was still there. To strengthen the bond between dealers and customers, Willie G. Davidson (grandson of co-founder William A. Davidson) and some other company execs went on a cross-country ride.

Willie G. is on the far right, standing

As they rode, they figured out that riding, having fun and connecting with people who share the same passion of the open road is a great thing. Why not start a club where they could promote motorcycling, offer benefits & services, and develop a close relationship with those who are passionate about riding?

Then they took the term "hog" and created an acronym: Harley Owners Group. Almost immediately H.O.G. becomes the largest factory sponsored club in the world. 

To join a local H.O.G. chapter you need to be a National H.O.G. Member first. That's easy to do -just own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and go to HOG.com. There's all sorts of benefits to being a member: discounts on insurance, hotels, motorcycle shipping and more, mileage and membership year recognition, rallies, events and rides, and tons more.

Even though our NNY H.O.G. Chapter isn't riding right now, we still like to have fun. All through the winter months we'll have monthly get-togethers, meet up occasionally for breakfasts and dinners, and have parties at Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter. Then during the riding season it's on! We'll have all that plus day and overnight rides.

With bloodlines like ours, it's no wonder that our motto is: 

We like to Ride and Have Fun!

Going Fall Throttle - 5 tips for great Autumn Rides

Anyone who has lived in the Northeast during the three months of Fall knows that Mother Nature puts on one hell of a show! And the predictions for 2018 are that it'll be an Awesome Autumn up in the Adirondacks.

Gazebo in Harrisville, NY

Some of the best riding of the year can be had in the vast Adirondack mountain wilderness to the east of FX Caprara Harley-Davidson. The vistas that now have blazing orange, red and yellow can be breath-taking. 

Looking for New Roads to Ride? Get with the NNY H.O.G. Chapter or check out GoTourNY.com

But before heading out to fall in love with all the Fall colors, here's a few tips to take with you down the road:

Cool roads & tires can affect your traction -make sure you've got the right tire pressure!

• Do your T-CLOCS Inspection

Pay particular attention to your tire pressure (cooler temps can cause the pressure in your tires to go significantly lower!) and your lights (all the better to see and be seen with!).

• Check the Weather

The weather in the valley can differ greatly from what they're getting up on the mountain, so check all the points you plan on riding to know before you go. Plus it never hurts to take your Rain Gear.

FXRG Layers will help keep you warm while looking cool

• Look cool, but stay warm

It might be warm when you start out, but things can quickly change so you'll want to layer up. A good base layer (Harley-Davidson's FXRG line is good to start), wind proof jacket (in a pinch you can use your rain gear b/c waterproof = wind proof), chaps and a good Leather Riding Jacket with a removable liner is just what I've been recommending for years.

Neck gators, 3/4 or full face helmets, and insulated gauntlet gloves will complete your look -plus help fight against the cold. And a 'Hi-Vis' top layer will help you be more visible to the cagers.

• Be aware of the Road Conditions

Leaves gathering on the asphalt and in turns, wet pavement, slick 'tar snakes', frost & fog, etc., etc. -watch for these potential hazards and plan ahead for how you'll ride through or around them as necessary.

Let's not forget increased traffic -thousands of tourists come from all around the world to enjoy Autumn in the Adirondacks. Leave yourself enough of a 'cushion' so that they'll have more time to see you -not that they will... When you see someone waiting to turn left and they're going to cross your path, take that as an immediate threat to you! Slow down, cover your brakes and prepare to take evasive action.

Photo by Scott Jackson on Unsplash

• Please Deer, not tonight

The fall months mean it's that romantic time of year for our furry four-legged friends as well!! That, along with the fact that farmers are out in the fields harvesting their crops, means deer are more active.  

Best advice is to ride during the day only..... but that's not always doable so when you have to ride at night, go at the speed limit or slower (within reason) and stick to the main roads (as opposed to the back country roads for obvious reasons). For more deer avoidance tips, check out this Common Tread Post.

Riding Home for the 115th Family Reunion

This month I'll be riding out with members of our Northern New York Harley Owners Group, taking our two-wheeled 'wagons' and heading West. Because the HQ of Harley-Davidson is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and this is their 115th Anniversary Paaaaarty.

It's going to be my first 'Family Reunion' of sorts, and the first time I've ridden my motorcycle this far - I'm so excited!!! I'm hoping that I'll actually follow my own advice that I recently blogged about: THE List of What & How to Pack and Battle Biker Fatigue (but I'm not making any promises!!).

Of the nine Bikers riding with me, some I've known only a couple of months, others a couple of years, and one going on 25 years (hi honey! 😉) -and all I feel close to because we share the same passion for a life on two wheels.

I just read how scientists have proof that 'the family we chose'  (aka our friends) are actually genetically related. Enough so that your 'Sister from another Mister' or 'Brother from another Mother' just might be your fourth cousin... How cool is that?!

That being said, families can still have squabbles and debates. Hell, these days good friends and even perfect strangers can get into a heated argument. 

Seriously! Ask about politics, climate change or religion- most people are quick to give you their opinion, and even quicker to ridicule yours if it doesn't match their view. 

Recent so-called journalism only adds fuel to that fire. Take this bit from NY Times on Youtube - 'reporting' other peoples' reactions to but not the whole story of the facts (and yes, I watched the entire video). It seems that their interest lies more with getting all of us wasting our brain power and energies on their pointless horror stories rather than practicing real journalistic values.

So before heading out, I just wanted to clarify a couple of issues that go to the heart of our family tree -because there is still a lot of gossip & rumors floating around out there:

• Harley-Davidson is a company and iconic brand that has been operating continuously since 1903. Over the 115 years since then they've grown to include markets outside the United States. In 2017 there were 103 countries that their motorcycles sold in. Of that, 94% of those motorcycles were produced in their US plants.
• It is their plan and preference to make their motorcycles in the United States - something that has not changed since 1903. 
• The MoCo does not wish to be in any political spotlight, but thanks to the current media highlighting and inciting drama, here we are.What Harley does want is a level-playing field, to inspire current and new Riders, and to work diligently to resolve these trade disputes while keeping the best interest of their customers, dealers, employees, suppliers and the brand in mind.
• With the current tariffs in place, HDMC is being squeezed at both ends: 1) Steel prices have gone up and 2) the European Union has increased their tariff to 25% on US bikes over 500cc's. Despite this increase to manufacturing and export costs the motor company has pledged to not pass along those to dealers or customers, opting to cover the cost themselves. However they cannot carry these higher costs indefinitely and, like any company with good business sense would, must look to find the best solution. Hence them looking at the possibility of building a plant overseas for overseas production. 

Let's all just take a breath and remember to enjoy this life. We certainly don't have to race to the 'conclusion finish line' and we can be open to the whole, entire story of facts. 

And if you're one of the hundreds of thousands about to descend on Milwaukee, look me up!! 😉

How Bikers Save Money for their Road Trip(s)

Admittedly, when most people see a Biker, they think that they have little to no money. And in most cases they'd be wrong. (Unless you see us right after a trip to a Bike Rally or long road trip.)

On my way back from Laconia, NH

Truth be told the average Biker has a decent bank roll. There's their Harley-Davidson motorcycle, about $12K+. Then there's all the Riding Gear- leather and/or nylon jackets, leather chaps, usually two or more helmets, rain gear, boots and gloves- probably $2500 all together. Plus there's bike parts and maintenance, another $1000-$2000 annually, depending on the bike's mileage. 

And then we have money for our long road trips, probably to Laconia or Sturgis, or over several (or longer) days. That's fuel (although it only takes $20 or so to fill up on high octane), food, lodging, entertainment and souvenirs. 

Our bikes (I'm in the middle) on the Cape May - Lewis Ferry

But how do Bikers afford it all? How can we afford to take our long road trips across states, or maybe even across the country? 

We save for it. And this is how we do it:

1) We don't spend excessively when we're home. We don't get Starbucks every morning, we drink the coffee at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson. We don't eat out every lunch time, we bring our lunches with us to work. Cable and streaming services are at a minimum, we look to save on groceries, and we do our drinking at home (which also saves on DUI charges!). We know that while we're on our Road Trips we'll be having coffee, eating out and having loads of entertainment while having our adventures, so waiting for that is worth it.

2) We use dedicated savings accounts. By cutting our expenses at home we're able to put that money immediately into a savings account where we can't touch it. We take $25 a week out of our paycheck, so at the end of the month that's $100, and at the end of six months that's $600. See how fast that adds up?

My boots in the sand at Lake Winnipesaukee

3) Have spare change will travel. I'm talking about apps that take the spare change from purchases on your debit card and invest them (Acorns, Digit and Chime). You spend $29.32 filling up your car, they'll take the remaining $0.68 cents and put that into an investment account. You'll be surprised at just how fast that adds up!! With Acorns (that's what I have and I love them!!) you can even have them invest another $10 -or which ever amount you wish -every week and it'll add up even faster. The only caveat: it takes about a week to ten days to withdraw your money.

Then there's apps like Ibotta, EBates and other cash back sites that will put money in your account for making certain purchases. It's a little, but it's still money that adds up over time.

4) We are H.O.G.s! That stands for the Harley Owners Group and you can be a member as long as you own at least one Harley motorcycle. By being a member you'll get pins & patches for mileage accumulated, HOG Magazine, Touring Handbook and more. While at home you can save on your AT&T wireless services, motorcycle insurance & shipping. While your traveling on the road, even if you're in your car, you can save on lodging with Best Western Ride Rewards. See all the H.O.G. membership benefits for yourself by clicking here.

5) Of course you can't travel by motorcycle if you don't have one! We at FXCHD have that covered: until the end of January 2018 we at FXCHD have a "No Money Down, No Payments 90 Days" with AmeriCU. Get the new bike now and be ready to ride come spring-time.

As with any travel, things rarely go exactly according to plan. So you'll want a little money cushion and be open to adjusting your plans as needed. And remember what all Bikers know to be true: 

It's the journey, not the destination, 

that makes all the difference.

Me stuck in the middle again!

ICYMI: Shop Talk -DIY Winter Motorcycle Storage

Recently I talked about this at our dealership, as I'm a firm believer in preventing Harley abuse! And because of that, I'm sharing it here just in case you missed it:

Days getting shorter, temps dropping, and soon that four letter "s" word will be upon us. While some of us can transition easily into the coming winter wonderland, your bike isn't one of them. That's why FXCHD is here to show you how to tuck your bike in for it's long winter's nap.

Why winterize?
Sure your Harley is tough, but old man winter can be tougher.

Without proper weatherization the condition of your motorcycle will rapidly deteriorate. That can add to your repair bill and will adversely effect the resale value. Of course the most important reason to prep your bike for storage is because you want to be riding your bike, not wrenching on it (or having us do it for you) come Spring.

Make some room:
Find some room in your garage or other permanent structure that has a floor, four walls, a roof and power. Clean and organize your area, then put a tarp down to act as a moisture barrier. Next put an old carpet over the tarp -this will be your baby's home for the next 4-5 months. Remember that mice will want to be getting out of the cold too, and your bike is a nice way to do that. Get some moth balls, put them in an old tube sock and put them around where your bike will be napping.

Prep your bike:

• Fill your bike's gas tank up to the neck and add fuel stabilizer. By the time you get home from the gas station the stabilizer will have worked it's way through the fuel system. Now your bike is warm so you can....
• Change your Oil & Filter: oil is like underwear- it should be changed every so often! The acids in dirty oil can step up engine corrosion, so you should change these out for fresh Harley Syn3 Oil.
• Is your bike liquid-cooled? V-Rod, Street and certain Touring models are. You'll want to check your levels and add antifreeze if necessary.
• Prep the Paint: Bug guts and road grime is like a badge of
  
  honor for all the miles you've ridden, but if left on over winter they can eat away at the paint & chrome. Thoroughly wash your bike, dry it, then coat all painted parts & chrome with wax and use S100 Corrosion Protectant or WD-40 on unfinished metal (mag wheels and engine fins). A better way to show off all the miles you've ridden: H.O.G. Mileage Program
• Keep the spark alive! Even as our bikes are sitting quietly there is a drain on their battery. Hook your bike up to a Harley Supersmart Battery Tender (66000038) - it even comes with a "Pig Tail" (94624-97B if purchased separately) which allows easy access. The built in "smart" circuitry of the battery tender will turn the charger on and off as needed, so your battery never overcharges. At only $39.95 +tax (versus $115 on up for a new battery) it's a real bargain!
• Be well-rounded.... Protect your tires over the winter months by making sure they have the proper tire pressure. Now park
  
  your bike on the carpet (on top of the tarp) you put down earlier. That will prevent your tires from freezing to the concrete. Your bike will be fine on it's kick stand, but if you want to go the extra mile you can put your bike up on a lift. 
• Set it and forget it (yup, I'm borrowing from Ron Popeil). Plug in the battery tender, put one of the moth-ball-filled socks right underneath your bike (according to Dennis in Parts this will help to keep the mice away), and tuck your bike in under a premium motorcycle cover with breathable microfiber material that promotes air circulation and reduces moisture build-up.

Don't have space at your place? You can store your bike with FXCHD - all you need to do is provide us with a cover.

Don't forget your Riding Gear:

• Use Leather Care to clean, condition and preserve your leather jackets, vests and chaps. 
• Use Novus Plastic Cleaner to clean the bug guts off your helmet(s). Store helmets inside your house (or other climate controlled area) so the freezing temps and rodents won't get to the shell and lining. 

Waiting is the Hardest Part

Tom Petty sure got that right! Suffering through PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) can be a challenge in the North Country. Of course you can take advantage of the down time by customizing.... Turn the bike of your dreams into your reality while she sleeps. And you can come see us at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson- we'll have our annual Chili Cook-Off in February, and our NNY Harley Owners Group will have their annual Motorcycle Insurance Seminar in April.

Not close to us? Most dealerships host events and are open year round. Click here to find a dealer in your neck of the woods.

Despite all your hard work to prep, in the Spring as you wake your Sleeping Beauty, it's always a good idea to do a T-CLOCS inspection. Then dust off your riding skills- ride over to an empty parking lot and practice figure eights, emergency stops and evasive maneuvers. 

Keeping It Real- here's how to avoid counterfeit Harley merchandise

That's right, we're taking the side of the law this time (Bikers are Rebels, but we stand up for what's wrong when we need to). 

Last year counterfeiters raked in $460 Billion dollars- mostly online. And even though the majority of items are luxury- Rolex watches, Gucci purses, Nike Air Jordan- Harley is also a lifestyle that people want. Which means others will fraudulently forge the brand just to make a buck. 

Harley-Davidson logos and trademarks symbolize more than just the quality and heritage of their products. They stand for something important enough that people tattoo the logo on their skin. It’s something that can’t easily be expressed with words, but is felt in the soul. For many, “Harley-Davidson” isn’t a name or a brand. It’s a way of life.

Will buying one counterfeit album, movie, purse or t-shirt hurt you or those you love? Probably not. But multiply that one by 20 million sales and it adds up fast. That's a massive amount of money that should have gone to the artist, actor or business, but went to criminals instead. Not to mention, it reduces the amount of taxes collected, which reduces the amount of annual budgets- which can affect jobs. 

You may have seen or even purchased a counterfeit item in the past without knowing it. But when the article arrived you discovered the quality wasn't there- wrong size label (it says XL but really is XS), the graphic wasn't centered, and/or the item was already falling apart. And then when you return it to the company that sold it, they keep promising to return your money (but they don't).

With the biggest gift-giving time of year coming up (aka the Christmas Season), I thought it might be helpful to explain how to spot selling counterfeit Harley merchandise. After all, if you're spending the money to buy that someone special (or even yourself) a gift, it might as well be the real deal, right? 

1. Money Talks, Bullshit Walks: compare the price. If

   

   The Bar & Shield logo

   it sounds too good to be true, it's probably false. 
2. Feel it Up: check out the item for the correct use of labels. There should be labels & hang tags with the official logo and security stickers.
3. An Altered State: has the logo been altered?

   

   On dark backgrounds, it's
   framed in white

   Stretched, color change and word substitutions are all indicators of forged items and copyright infringement. 
4. Know before you Go: Harley-Davidson's logos & trademarks include the Bar & Shield, the B&S outline, Screamin' Eagle, H.O.G., and

   

   Screamin' Eagle logo

   MotorClothes to name just a few.
5. Wonder about the Website: if online, check out the seller's website. Do they say they're an authorized seller?

   

   The H-D MotorClothes label

   Do they have a physical address, contact info and return policy clearly spelled out? If no, then that's a very red light- you should stop.
6. Use Active Listening: find out what others are
   saying. Reviews on Google, Amazon, E bay and/or

   

   Licensed Vendors will use this label

   Facebook are pretty good indicators. And find out their rating with the Better Business Bureau.
7. How's Your Package?: if the packaging is naked (no logo), there's no contact info, or has misspellings, it's most likely a fake. 

If you're still not sure that the item is real or counterfeit, feel free to contact me at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson, or by email (Dawn@FXCapraraHarley-Davidson.com). 

Harley's Brand Protection team monitors against sellers of counterfeit H-D merchandise, and recently scored big wins on two of the largest selling companies of counterfeit t-shirts. 

The Harley-Davidson brand (and lifestyle) is powerful, full of meaning and emotion. So when the company developed logos & trademarks unique to Harley, it communicates something special about our brand for our customers, and it’s important to protect that message. If others misuse it for their own profit, we run the danger of diluting or weakening it.

The Best Fall Leaf Peeping Trips are by Motorcycle.

Even though the calendar now says we're into Autumn, Mother Nature (in Northern NY anyways) has deemed it to be Summer - temps in the 70's & 80's with big, white cumulus clouds in the sky.

But regardless, the shorter days and cooler temps are coming and will trigger the

My fav tree in my backyard

leaves to throw on their many coat of colors. That plus the many Fall Festivals & Events going on throughout our area make this the perfect time to jump on the bike and do some Leaf Peeping.

Just some quick tips from FX Caprara Harley-Davidson: 1)Do your T-CLOCS inspection - make sure your bike is ready to go. 2) Dress in layers, especially if you plan to be out for the entire day. 3) Watch for wet leaves in the corners and frost on the road in the early morning. 4) Be sure to bring a camera or that your phone is fully charged so you can take as many pictures of the b-e-a-utiful scenery as you like. 5) Leaf Peeping is really a thing for a lot of folks, and they'll be taking to the roads as well this time of year. Watch out for cagers who aren't paying attention.

Here's my idea of a perfect Fall Ride in the Adirondacks:

Gazebo in Harrisville on the Oswegatchie River

1) Start off with a Good Breakfast: Just like your bike, you'll need a good tank of fuel to get you through the day. My favorite spots are Gram's Diner in Adams (they are on vacation 9/25-10/3) or Lloyd's of Lowville in Lowville of course. 

2) From Lowville (pronounced "Lau-ville" by the locals), take Route 812 up to Bonaparte's Cave State Forest and take a hike in

The Adirondack Hotel is popular with riders & non-riders alike

the region where Napoleon's brother once eluded hired assassins. 

3) Take Route 812 back to Harrisville, then jump on State Route 3 heading East. In Tupper Lake follow Route 30 to Long Lake. Just about now you might be hankering for lunch, and the Adirondack Hotel is a perfect spot to grab some grub.

4) After lunch hop back on Route 30 going South to State Route 28 and head West. Enjoy the views of Raquette, Seventh and the Fulton Chain Lakes as you ride into Old Forge. A stop at the Old Forge Hardware Store is a must because they have everything.

Inside Old Forge Hardware Store

5) Continue West on 28 until you get to Route 12, jump on that heading North. It won't be too long before you'll be in the quaint village of Boonville. If you're wanting dinner, a place to stop for the night, check out the Boonville Hotel - a great place for both.

Or you can ride with Northern New York H.O.G. Chapter on their Fall Foliage Ride, October 7th. Meet at FXCHD at 11am, KSU at 11:30.

Of course you can do your own thing too - check out Go Tour NY for more rides/routes in the Adirondack & 1000 Islands regions. Just as long as you take the time and celebrate Autumn in the Adirondacks the best way possible - by Motorcycle.