Let's start a New Revolution

With Polaris (manufacturer of Indian Motorcycles) and Harley-Davidson's announcement of fourth quarter earnings last week, we are seeing the two year trend of declining sales that is industry wide. And one of the major factors behind this? There are less and less new Bikers getting on the road.

Why should you, as a rider and motorcycle enthusiast, care? Because without new riders, groups like ABATE and the AMA will cease to make an impact on legislative issues that threaten our sport. For instance, the "self-driving" cars that everybody seems to be leaning towards, not being able to "see" motorcycles - exactly what happened last December in San Francisco. 

Not to mention, we'll have fewer friends sharing the road with us. I know I love, love, love sharing my riding adventures with old and new motorcycling friends that "get it." 

We are a rare breed that truly know how live, and we're facing extinction.  

By starting a Revolution (a sudden, complete or marked change in something; a procedure or course back to a starting point), we can change this.

To help ensure the future of motorcycling, Harley-Davidson has already pledged 100 new bikes in the next 10 years, and recently announced plans to bring an electric motorcycle to market within 18 months. 

And this is why Robert Pandya, a fearless moto industry expert in public relations and marketing, has started Give A Shift, or GAS. They are bringing together all interested parties to identify problems and find solutions; and they want to hear from everyone - from newbies to veteran industry personnel.

What can we as Bikers do? 

It all begins with us - all of us have to get involved in order to turn this trend around. We cannot just leave it to the motorcycle manufacturers and dealerships. 

Here's some suggestions:

• Share your passion with everyone: I'm talking about your family, friends, organizations you're involved in (Elks Club, City Council, etc.), and co-workers who don't ride. Tell them about your riding adventures - especially how complete strangers come up to you to admire your bike. Be sure to tell everyone exactly how motorcycling enriches your life.
• Share on your Social Media: Instagram, Snap-Chat, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn -post pictures of you riding, packing for a long motorcycle trip, sitting on a bike at the dealership, hanging out and partying with other Bikers (because as we all know, whenever Bikers get together it's always a party!). 
  
• Have a Dinner Date: Invite the mentioned non-riding friends over to your house for lunch or dinner and a movie. I suggest such motorcycle cinema classics as "21 Days Under the Sun," "World's Fastest Indian," "The Motorcycle Diaries," "On Any Sunday" or the classic "Easy Rider." Then take 'em out to your garage, let them sit on your bike and pick it up off the kick stand. Even teach them how to start it up. This just might spark them wanting to get on a bike.
• Take them to an event: Take them to an International Motorcycle Show. The Syracuse Super Swap and FXCHD's Chili Cook Off happen every February. In April you'll have Spring Open House events, and May will feature a Season Opener event at our dealership. Explain to your non-riders what's going on, introduce them to other motorcyclists, and include them in on the fun.
• Bring them to a dealership: Show off the casual clothing as well as the Riding Gear (I've always said it starts with the clothes!), the branded collectibles and auto accessories. And of course the bikes themselves - all the different colors, shapes and sizes they come in.
• Get involved: Join Give A Shift if you're interested in lending your voice to the wide variety of riders. Or join your local ABATE, H.O.G. Chapter or the AMA.

I am asking all my riding friends to convert at least one non-riding person into a motorcycle enthusiast this year- get 'em on and get them riding. 

We Bikers are a passionate people who have found our freedom with a life on two wheels, behind bars. We can do this and ensure the future of motorcycling will be around for generations to come.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Nearly two weeks ago Harley-Davidson began a custom revolution by taking the best of the 'old' Dyna and Softail frames and combining them in a "New" Softail frame for the 2018 model year. And more than a few people are freaking out about it. #RIPDyna and this hilarious Youtube Video is just the tip of the iceberg.

At first I could understand, even agreed with those crying "blasphemy" to a certain extent. After all, 'better the devil you know than the one you don't.' 

There's a reason it's called a 'comfort zone'! It's what we know, we're comfortable with, and any deviation from that brings a whole host of things that we don't know. That unknown can be pretty scary.

When you look at it though, change is a part of our daily lives. Our bodies change, weather changes, popular music, movies and television change, and on and on. Everything changes. And when we avoid this fact of life, things can get pretty bad pretty fast.

Did I tell you I'm a Ford Girl? Ever since my teens when my best

friend's dad was a Master Mechanic for a local Ford dealership. They even started the same year as my favorite motorcycle company (1903)!! I used to think Henry Ford could do no wrong (when he was alive, of course).

But when I read the history of Ford I saw that he didn't really want to change the Model T, at all. Henry was quite content to sit on the success, even when others were coming up with electric start and hydraulic brakes. If it weren't for his son Edsel and the Model A, Ford Motor Company might just have been a blip on history's radar. 

I mean really, could you imagine driving to work in a Model T with a top speed of 45mph today? How about doing your work on an old Mac computer? And your cell phone - is it the same big brick as they used to be when they first came out? 

We as humans need certain things to change in order for us to grow and evolve. Otherwise we get stuck in the same patterns, going in circles, doing the same thing day in and day out.

Of course we should also honor those certain things that need to remain the same. So then it becomes a balancing act between sameness and change, something Harley seems to have achieved with the new Softail frame.

In designing the new Softail frame, the powers that be looked to the

1950 FL while also keeping pace with the technologies of today. Add in more agility, increased lean angels, more torque and a smoooooth ride and we're talking about a major achievement.

But I wasn't completely sold until I test rode the new FLFBS Fat Boy (with a 114ci Milwaukee-Eight engine!). Other than having to shift, it really felt as if I was riding on a magic flying carpet - it was that effortless and powerful thanks to the motor. And then the handling through the corners - a tiny bit better than my '04 Dyna Super Glide, but with a lot less vibration.  

Keeping things the same while going through change - when we get it right, we're in tune with the universe. Embrace the change AND hold on to the old ways allows us to be free and live a wonderful life.

Therefore I personally invite you out to FX Caprara Harley-Davidson for our Fall Open House, September 22-24 (of course you can stop in anytime- we are open seven days a week) for you to experience these new "Freedom Machines." Not close to us? Check out this link to find a dealership close to you.

Until then, you gotta just keep moving forward in order to balance on two wheels. Ride safe & have fun!!

Are you maintaining your ABS?

No matter what your summer beach body looks like, you  
should know that ABS (aka Anti-Lock Braking System) - if you have it - is important. (I apologize if you were hoping this blog was going to talk about abdominal muscles!)

Do you know if your bike has ABS? The technology has been around since 2005 in Harley-Davidson Touring & Police models, V-Rod models got it in 2008, and today ABS is an option (if not standard) for every 2-wheeled motorcycle Harley makes. 

Look for the ABS module in the space in front of the motor, between the down tubes of your bike's frame, just behind the front wheel.

Or check out your front brake caliper - there will be a wire running alongside the brake line.

Still not sure if your bike has ABS? Just type your bike's VIN into FXCHD's "Contact Us" webpage and I'll look it up for you.

Ok, so back to maintenance: the memories made while riding your motorcycle will last a lifetime! The brake fluid.... not so much!! It is right in the H-D owner's manual that you should have your brake fluid changed every two years - no matter what your riding style is.

Regardless of who made your motorcycle, your bike will take care of you as much as you take care of it. Changing your brake fluid is part of the cost of properly maintaining your bike - just like oil & filter changes, brake pads, tires, etc.

That's because the "brake fluid ages and absorbs water over time. This reduces its performance and ability to protect the internal components of the brake system. If left unaddressed, it may eventually lead to a loss of brake function." <directly from Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. (it don't get more official than that!!)

And, unless you're a certified mechanic with the necessary 
tools, specifically Digital Tech II, and knowledge to replace your brake fluid as recommended, I urge you to take your bike to your local authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. 

This is where that old saying comes in: If you think it's expensive to hire an expert, try hiring an amateur. Going fast is fun, but being able to stop when you want is necessary for motorcycle riding. Hire the expert and have us service your bike.

Ride Motorcycles and be Happier - 10 Ways

At times I'm your typical Northern California girl - I love yoga, definitely a nature lover, I'm into Zen-like thinking, and I subscribe to a number of "feel good" blogs.

One Elephant Journal article I read recently was titled 10 ways to Choose Happiness. (However I'm not a complete "hippie" because my first thought was, "One of them better involve riding a motorcycle!!") 

And, while the author didn't mention motorcycles in the article at all (how DARE they!), as it turns out all the bullet points can be achieved when you're a motorcyclist. Here, I'll show you: 

• Detach: On my motorcycle all I have to do is twist the throttle and I detach myself from all the negatives of my day.
• Give & Receive: By joining NNY H.O.G. (our local Harley Owners Group chapter) I am able to give advice and mentorship to those around me. And the camaraderie & great memories I receive in return? Priceless.
• Appreciate Yourself: "Give yourself some love on a daily basis." Easily done when I'm riding, or thinking about riding, or planning a ride, or reading about riding.... You get the point.
• Connect with Nature: Riding a motorcycle is

  

  "You in the mini-van - how long you in for?"

  completely different than riding in a car. In a car the windshield & cabin act to keep you in a cage, detached from what is around you - like you're watching a movie. When you're riding a motorcycle, you are IN the scene rather than staring at it from afar. You see & smell much more on a motorcycle than you ever do in a car. You're definitely connecting with Nature on a very intimate level.
• Be In The Moment: To be a good motorcyclist you need to be focused on what you're doing, NOW.
  
  What happened 10 minutes ago, last week and last year all melt into the background. And the only future you need to be aware of is which road you're going to take.
• Love Yourself: The fact that I didn't reach my weight goal, or that my teeth aren't going to pass the "tissue test" or that I didn't get many "likes" on my Facebook posts, doesn't matter in the least to my Harley-Davidson!! But seriously I don't really care about any of that stuff because I learned a long time ago that none of that matters. Thanks in large part to riding, I've come to know I'm beautiful. Period.
• Practice Gratitude: It's easy to complain, but then
  
  I realize how blessed I am - I can simply jump on my bike and ride away from it all and not everyone can.
• Get Inspired Daily: I'll think back to Harley-Davidson's four founding fathers who, over a century ago, had the foresight to start a company that evolved into a way of life that I so enjoy. Listening to other Bikers tell their story of their favorite road is another way I'm inspired.
• Focus on the Good: I was stuck in traffic on a hot July day, getting caught up at how I should have
  
  taken another route - getting too focused on the bad. I started looking around and there was a straight up Amish guy sitting close by, just looking at me on my bike as I sat sweating. All of a sudden he gives me the biggest smile and flashes me a 'biker wave'!!! The best one I've ever gotten came out of something I didn't initially see as good... 
• Practice Self-care: Putting on my riding gear and making sure my bike is well maintained certainly rev up my mind, body & spirit!!

So there you have it, when you ride a motorcycle you're a happier person. It's true that money cannot buy happiness, but it can buy you a Harley, which is pretty much the same thing! 

8 Questions Answered About Bikers You're Too Scared To Ask

If you're within the North American continent, then at some point you probably have encountered a Biker as they were pumping gas into their bike, crossing on the ferry, at a stoplight, etc. But ever since Life Magazine published that article about the "Hollister Riot," and the movies (Wild One)

and television shows (Sons of Anarchy) that have followed, the general public has been a little leery of the so-called Biker crowd. 

It's only natural that you have questions about these black leather clad men & women, but didn't know who to ask. Certainly most Bikers seem very cold, so it's only natural you want to keep your distance... so here's everything you've wanted to know about them but were afraid to ask.

What exactly is a Biker?
There is no easy answer to this one... you might as well try to define the meaning of life while you're at it. But Motorcycle-Central.com broke it down into 8 variations for you. However, the majority of Bikers aren't going to "fit" exclusively into just one category. For instance, I see myself as a combo of Brand Loyalist, Cruiser, Philosopher and a small bit of Mechanic.

What does "KSU" mean?
When Bikers are organizing a group ride for charity or for fun, we will have a time to meet up at a preset location and a KSU time, usually 30 to 90 minutes after the meet-up time. "KSU" is an acronym for "KickStands Up" - or a shortened version of "the ride will leave at."  

Why do Bikers wear black ALL the time, even when it's 100°F outside?
The easy answer is that black doesn't show dirt... we are smashing bugs (and sometimes even birds!) with our riding gear. Gas & grease are also easily accessible while riding a motorcycle, so black items of clothing won't show the stains and dirt. Plus with some of the newer technology, like 'coldblack', wearing black in the heat of summer isn't as bad as it once was.

Why do some Bikers wave at each other?
The "Biker Wave" is nearly as old as motorcycling itself. It's

just something Bikers do as they pass each other while riding (I've even "Biker Waved" at riders from my driveway while washing my bike!). It's a way to show camaraderie to others who share the same passion for life on two wheels. But not all riders wave and as a rider, there are certain times you can't wave (your left hand is busy with the clutch), and that's ok too - there's no hard & fast rules to doing the Biker Wave. Except for this dog - bow wow.

Is it ok to sit on a motorcycle?
Only if you're in a dealership showroom is it ever ok just to sit on a motorcycle, and even then you should ask first or wait until someone offers. If the motorcycle is on the street or at a rally, then the rule that my dad taught me is the one you should follow: Look with your eyes, not with your hands (or butt).

What do all the patches mean?
And again, a question that doesn't have just one, straight-forward answer. A "Broken Wings" patch can either mean the rider had a crash and/or broken bones. Fat Boy, Heritage, Dyna & Sportster (and more) are different Harley bikes. You can also have Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead and Evo which are different types of Harley motors. Two-piece and three-piece patch sets can show that the Biker is in a motorcycle club or association. Then there's also the 1% patch. Here's a webpage that goes into a little more detail.

Now that you mention it, what is a "1%er"?
Going back to 1947 and what is now known as the American Motorcycle Association made the comment that 99% of motorcyclists are law abiding citizens - which implied that 1%

are not. The 1% of motorcyclists are the ones who ride hard no matter what the weather, party hard, not "main-stream" type of people. 
     Then there are 1%er "Biker Gangs" - Hell's Angels, Outlaws, Bandidos, Pagans, etc. These motorcycle clubs follow a lifestyle that work for a certain type of personality. There's camaraderie, danger, living on the outskirts of society, no-apologies, a bond stronger than you have with blood relatives and a dedication to each other than most people will never understand. 
     If you encounter a Biker with a three piece club patch and a 1%er patch and/or tattoo, you definitely do not want to f*ck with them and now is not the time to prove just how tough you are. Just give them the same respect you would anyone else. 

Do I have to be a 1%er in order to be a true Biker?
Short answer: No. However most Bikers embody many of the 1%er characteristics: you love to ride your motorcycle - even a day riding in the rain is still riding; you help your fellow rider when you can - especially if they're stuck on the side of the road; you like to hang out and party with people who share the same passion. All you need is two wheels.

Do you have a question about Bikers that I failed to answer here? Ask it below in the comments and I will answer to the best of my ability.

Memorial Day and Rememberance

You may already know that Harley-Davidson has been working with the US Military since the days of General "Black Jack" Pershing and Pancho Villa. 

Then there's Roy Holtz who rode his Harley-Davidson into Germany after WWI.

And all the WLA's Harley-Davidson produced during WWII, making parts easily interchangeable so soldiers could cannibalize one Harley to fix another - as they learned in Service School (which was carried over from WWI). 

All those years Harley-Davidson worked with the military, but what it comes down to is the personal connection that we have to these motorcycles. This picture, that the Harley-Davidson Museum posted to their Instagram today, speaks to that connection.

Wallace didn't use a Harley in wartime - he purchased it on his own. He loved his bike so much that his mom, rather than sell it, saved it as a shrine. Then his nephew, rather than sell it, donated it to the museum so that others may know of his uncle's passion for Harley-Davidson. It is this selfless passion for our country, so that others may have a chance to ride and be free is what I remember today.

Thanks to their sacrifices I am able to go where I want, when I want, dressed how I want on my Harley-Davidson. I can say what I want about our countries leaders - I can even post this blog! - without fear of reprisal. All because of Wallace and other soldiers, sailors, airmen & marines like them. 

8 Common Motorcycle Accidents & How to Avoid them

It doesn't matter if you're new to motorcycling or been at it for a while - every Spring you should take some time to dust off your riding skills (if you're lucky enough to live where snow dominates the landscape 6 months out of the year, that is).

In that spirit, here's a reminder of the most common motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them. Feel free to share this blog post with drivers as well to help them understand better what we motorcyclists go though.

1. Entered a corner too fast and you can't stay in your lane: the best approach is to trust the bike and ride it out. The bike is likely more capable than you are, so it's really you that thinks you're not able to make it around. Take as much lean out of the bike as possible by counter leaning, look where you want to go, and be as smooth as possible on the controls. How to Avoid it: Only ride as fast as you can see and use visual cues like telephone polls or signs to judge the sharpness of a corner.
2. A car/truck is merging into your space: beware of situations where lane changes become more possible. Is highway traffic slowing with one lane moving faster than the other? Did the person merging onto the interstate get behind you? (see "Thanks for waving as you tried to crush me"). How to Avoid it: Know

   

   The Truck Driver cannot see any of these bikes!

   where the blind spots are and spend as little time in them as possible.
3. Someone on a group ride decides to show off their "mad riding skillz": Going out on a group ride when one rider wants to demonstrate their stunt riding act (although they're not professionally trained....). They end up doing something stupid, over-correct and cause an accident. How to Avoid it: Make sure everyone knows group riding etiquette and to ride in staggered formation. 
   
4. A Car Door opens into you: You're in the city, stuck in a traffic jam, and it's HOT!! You decide to pass everyone on the right, between the line of traffic and parked cars when, all of a sudden, Nathan No-Look swings his door open into your path. How to avoid it: Don't "lane split" in the first place. In NY it's illegal - in fact, California is the only state that allows you to do it under the law. 
5. You've hit gravel in a blind corner and are losing
   
   traction: You're out riding through a few twisties when you round a corner only to find gravel, sand, wet leaves, or manure in your path. How to Avoid it: Don't hit it in the first place! Ride at a pace where you have time to move your bike. Enter the corner wide so you can see, and once you can see all the way through the turn you can speed up. "Slow in, fast out."
6. Caught out in the Rain and you're playing "slip & slide": Things like manhole covers, 'tar snakes' and painted lines on the road can become slippery during a rain storm. Plus the first rain after a long dry spell can bring up all the oil & gas out of the pavement. How to avoid it: As long as you've got good tread on your tires, your bike will be fine in wet conditions. Just be smooth on your controls, take corners easy, and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
7. A car/truck turns left in front of you - the most
   
   common type of motorcycle accident: The science behind this happening: a driver looking for cars perceives merely an absence of cars, not the presence of a motorcycle. How to Avoid it: Look for signs that could indicate someone may turn in front of you: a car waiting to turn at an intersection, or come out of a driveway or parking lot. Yes, you do need to take something as innocent as a car waiting in a turn lane as a major and immediate threat to your life. In either situation, slow down, cover your brakes and get ready to take evasive action. And once you’ve identified said threat, you can work through it. Is the driver clearly able to see you? Are they looking at you? Where are their wheels pointing? What’s the road surface like? Is it going to be able to handle the full force of your brakes or are you going to lock them? You do know how to use the full ability of your brakes, right? Look at their wheels, not the car itself, because the wheels will give you the first clue of movement. During all this, also be aware of what’s behind and to your side. Should you need to take evasive action, you’ll need to know your routes of escape. It’s no good braking in time to avoid a turning car, only to be swatted from behind by a tailgating SUV. 
8. The 100% Most Avoidable Accident -
   
   DUI/DWI: You’d think this would be a ‘no brainer’ – we did just cover how, as a rider, you need to develop a precognitive sixth sense. But now you’re out with friends and you think by consuming a beer or two is going to add in on the fun, then ride home after that. It’s not!! You’ve just dulled your senses and taken away your reaction time. How fun is it going to be paying the DUI ticket and state fines? Paying the increases in your insurance premiums? How fun is it going to be when you get demoted at work? How fun is it going to be laying up in a hospital bed, recovering from a major accident? Or that you took someone else's life from them, their family and friends.... How to Avoid it: THINK!! DON'T DRINK AND RIDE!!! I'm not saying you shouldn’t drink at all. Just that when you do, your kick stand is down and your bike is parked for the night.

There you have it so now you can do what my Dad always told me to do, "Plan as if you'll live forever. But LIVE as if you'll die tomorrow."

Do you have any helpful advice to add? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Where the Rubber meets the Road

Saving money.... we all want to do it, Bikers

included. But to a Biker the term does not mean "cut corners" - especially where tires are concerned.

As someone new to motorcycling, one of the first realizations is that it can get expensive buying the bike & the parts to customize it. Usually the first 'add on' is a Stage 1 Performance upgrade (i.e. exhaust, hi-flo air intake & computer download). 

He thought he was saving a sh*t ton of money, but he nearly cost him & his girl their lives.

Then comes all the riding gear = leather jacket,

Good riding gear = always worth it

helmet, nylon jacket, rain gear, boots, gloves, etc. Over time it adds up, however it's definitely not a place to skimp on.

The same thing can be said about your motorcycle tires. Depending on your tire maintenance, how you ride, how many miles you ride, and how the tire was made, they might only last one or two riding seasons. At about $150 for a front tire, and around $300 for the rear tire (before labor), some 'newbies' look for a cheaper deal.... just remember you get what you pay for.

Old school new tire delivery

We once had a rider with a passenger traveling from NYC, riding a Dyna Super Glide Custom, stop in because they felt a "slight wobble" at highway speeds (FXCHD is right next to Exit 42 off of I-81).

This owner was very cost conscious and believed that getting tires from an auction sight online and having his non-biker friend/home mechanic put them on was saving him a sh*t ton of money.... but it nearly cost him & his girl their lives.

Just remember: you get what you pay for.

Car & motorcycle tires come with a date code because, even if they're not used on a vehicle, there is an 'expiration date' you should know about. In other words, there was a reason the tires this guy bought online were sssooo cheap.

How many birthdays have your tires had?
Check the date code!

The date code on a tire can easily be decoded - the four digits translate into the week and year; so 4708 is the 47th week of 2008. The older the tire, the faster the rubber degrades and likely to fail. Any tire over six years old is best used as a tire swing. 

As a motorcyclist, when you only have two wheels instead of four, you should want them to be the best they can be!!

Money doesn't buy happiness.... but it can buy a Harley - and that's just about the same thing!

Can you believe this guy didn't want a new tire??

Not only was the tire old, but it was the wrong size for his bike (too small), and his friend mounted the rear tire so that it was traveling in the wrong direction. Add in the fact that the tires were grossly under-inflated and steel belts were showing - yes, steel belts! - we were all wondering how they'd manage to survive the 300+ miles getting to us.

Can you believe this guy didn't want new tires?? He thought we were trying to scam him into something he didn't need.... It was only when we were insisting he and his passenger sign a release, that their families weren't going to sue the dealership, that he realized we were literally trying to save both their lives.

So, before that first ride in Spring, check out your tires: How is the tread depth and wear? Tire pressure ok? How many birthdays have your tires had? 

Should you need new motorcycle tires, you can always contact our Parts Department online or by calling 315-583-6177.

For auld lang syne, my friends 💖

Glancing in the rear-view at 2016

Well - here we are, another year older and hopefully wiser. Like everyone else, I like to take a quick review of the passing year. But in true Biker fashion, it'll be just a glance in the rear-view mirror!

Is it me or did this year go by fast? With the passing of so many celebrities this year it serves as a good reminder that our lives - celebrity status or not - are all too short. So we've really got to live, laugh & love while we can!

Me & Nancy at Bonnie Castle for the NY H.O.G. Rally

And part of what living means to me is riding my motorcycle with friends. With the NY H.O.G. Rally being in Alexandria Bay this past July, I met lots of new riding buddies. A group of NNY H.O.G. and Fairfax, VA H.O.G. chapter members even rode down to the Baseball Hall of Fame (even though I live in NY, my team is the SF Giants, baby!!) 

Riding out to Boston for the H-D Annual Dealer Meeting and the reveal of their newest motor: the Milwaukee-Eight.

Trying the new Milwaukee-Eight motor

Thanks to the Watertown Chrome Divas & Azz Dogs - they rode along with me and helped lead the Red Cross Ride. 

Last but not least I froze my butt riding out to meet Adam Sandoval & Scooter of #ScootinAmerica. ICYMI Adam was on a quest to ride around the lower 48, going to every Harley-Davidson dealership to raise money for Veterans Families and the Wounded Warrior Project.

As part of the New Year's traditions, I asked the guys

Me, Adam & Scooter

I work with if they had any resolutions. Usually they don't, but if they do it's to ride more miles - which is the only resolution I have.

Of course I'm already planning lots of rides for 2017 - I just hope I can fit them all in!! I'd love to go to the H-D Museum, which I can roll in with the National H.O.G. Rally. A little bit closer to me is the Revolution H.O.G. Rally. I can't forget the 10th Annual Ta-Ta Watertown Chrome Diva Ride! And since the Annual Dealer Meeting will be in LA, I'd love to ride most of Route 66 rather than fly (keeping my fingers crossed on that one!). 


As promised, that's it! Short and sweet. Now it's your turn: What riding did you do this year? Are you going to try and get more miles in 2017? Where do you hope to be riding to? Don't be shy!

And so, I'll close this last Life Behind Bars blog for 2016, from all of us at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson: Let's drink "a cup o'kindness yet, for auld lang syne!" Cheers!!