Going out doing what I love... My Passion

Call me crazy, but I have dreamed of my death. In my dream I'm old, probably in my 90s, laying in a bed surrounded by my children and their children. Which is all well and good, but that's not how I wish to depart this reality.

All of us will eventually shuffle off, leaving only the memory of us in the ones we love and who loved us.

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Although, technically I'm not even supposed to be alive! As a child I was diagnosed with All Lymphatic Leukemia, and back in the early 70s the survival rate wasn't exactly the best. At one point the doctors told my father they needed to operate to remove the lymph nodes in my neck, and when he refused the doctors proclaimed I would die. "We are all going to die... No one gets out of this alive,"  was my dad's reply

Obviously I survived... they never did operate and a little while later I finally went into remission. That instilled the mantra into my head as I grew up: 

It doesn't matter how we die, only how we live.

Photo by Harley-Davidson on Unsplash

Last weekend, while I was in Alexandria Bay at the Thousand Islands River Run, I heard the news from New Hampshire. Word of the accident spread quickly through our biker community not only because we're somewhat close to the area (just a day ride), but also because we've got Fort Drum Army Post literally in our back yard (and most of the victims were former Marines). 

Going back to my youth again, growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 80s and 90s, I had quite a few friends pass away from a terminal illness that left their bodies weak and frail. For some it was all they could do just to sit up in bed. There was no way for them to do what they loved, even if that was just a walk in the park.

This past weekend there was also news from Hawaii: a plane carrying skydivers had gone down. In the news coverage, the girlfriend of one of the victims had said, "...he loved what he did and he died doing what he loved, so it was beautiful." 

Yes, both accidents were tragedies. And yes, both should never have happened. However, that is as much a part of the circle of life as life itself: birth, life, death, repeat.

And, if given the choice between a long suffering illness where my body and/or mind could betray me and I'm left virtually helpless, or a quick accident where I was doing something I enjoyed, I'd take the later. If at all possible, I'd like to go out doing what I love.

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. 

You can bet your sweet App on that!!

Here's what happened last week in our Service Department at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson:

As you might already know, I also take pictures of damaged bikes for warranty claims. Within the last year or so, that's expanded to taking pictures of wrecked bikes for the insurance claim.

What I recently found out is that quite a few insurance companies no longer have an insurance adjuster come out to the shop to do the estimate. You just download their app - bing, bang, boom and you're done! And now, one company I just got off the phone with, is doing claims completely through their app on my (or your) smart phone. 

"Isn't that better?" I hear you ask, "That means I don't have to wait on the adjuster, right? So I'll get my money faster." Well, the answer is yes and no.

Yes - it's better if all you care about is getting some money for your accident. Notice I didn't say "enough money" to fix your motorcycle. 

This is the point is when my answer is No - it's not better because there are things that'll get missed (and I get the feeling this is why insurance companies have embraced this practice).

The particular company our customer has told him for us to download their app to my smart phone. I punched in the claim number I had, only to learn that the app allows just three - 3!!! - pictures of the damaged area. But this bike has more than three damaged areas....

So I called the insurance company through their national 1-800 number and, after going through the automated system, got a real live person on the phone. 

"Jake" was quite pleasant to speak with - so that was a plus, but the only one. As it turns out I can only submit photos through their app - I have no way to email them to a claims representative. 

Jake even seemed a little dismayed to hear that the owner had brought their bike into the dealership. "Oh, the owner could have done that [on the app] - he didn't have to take his bike to you."

Alarm bells going off!! This insurance company has done away with claims adjusters in favor of inexperienced representatives who are writing estimates based on pictures taken by the owner (whose primary job isn't as a automotive or motorcycle technician). To say something is going to get missed is an understatement.

Getting something done faster and easier is not always going to be best for you, the customer. Insurance companies are hoping you'll accept the check for a substandard, below cost estimate and just shut-up about it. Consumers need to wake up!!

You've got no excuse!! (Part V of Getting Real Serious Now)

This is the last time I'm going to bug you about your insurance.... for this year.... maybe! Only because it really is that important and, if you screw this up, you only have yourself to blame.

In Part I we talked briefly on motorcycle insurance and how it differs from auto insurance. Then in Part II we covered how insurance companies want to save YOU money (in the short term). In Part III we talked about what motorcycle insurance you're required to carry (and how it does nothing to protect the rider). And in Part IV I showed you the type of coverage you should strongly consider having added to your policy and why. 

(And once again I'll just remind everyone that I'm not an insurance agent or broker, nor am I an attorney of any type. I'm just someone who has seen a few things while working at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson.)

This time around let's discuss another type of insurance that might be beneficial: supplemental insurance.

At FX Caprara Harley-Davidson® we recently had an

insurance rep come through and I signed up big time. In addition to my dental & vision plans, I'm also covered for accident, disability, life & cancer.

Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle for any length of time knows that it is not a matter of IF you'll go down, but WHEN. And that was the major determining factor for me to get those policies.

Having that additional coverage will help me out with lost wages and missed bill payments. Here's a great article on how you can determine if you need supplemental insurance.

Now that you know almost all there is to know about how to best protect yourself while riding your motorcycle - beyond your riding gear and skill set - you have no excuse to be under-insured should the worst happen.

Have Fun & Ride Safe!

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!

7 Mistakes to avoid when traveling by Motorcycle

For anyone who has ridden a motorcycle there is no doubt that this particular mode of travel is different than planes, trains and automobiles. You're in the scene rather than just watching it.

And when it comes to traveling by motorcycle beyond just day trips, that too becomes an adventure all on it's own. If you're new to life behind bars, or planning your first long weekend ride or even riding across a couple of states, here's the mistakes you are going to want to avoid:

1. Not Babying Your Baby: It should be obvious that the better you take care of your bike, the better your bike will take care of you. Routine maintenance is highly recommended - and the back of your Harley-Davidson owner's manual will tell you when & what will be done. But, before heading out on a journey, especially if you skip

   

   So that's what that noise was....

   the routine, schedule your bike to get actual, no-shit service done at the dealer (because we know your bike best). Out on a long road trip, a few hundred miles from home, is not the time to find out your oil pump just pumped it's last and have your motor seize up. Because you wanted to spend large wads of cash now that you're stuck on the side of the road, right?
2. May the Road Rise to meet you: When you're riding a motorcycle you are using your entire body to control the vehicle - right hand for front brake, right foot for rear brake, left foot to shift the bike through the gears, left hand that works the clutch, and your weight as you lean through the curves. You can see why someone might easily get tired out riding a motorcycle for 100+ miles

   

   With the right Riding Gear you can

   compared to driving a car. Try to have a goal in mind as to how many miles/hours you want to ride, but don't hold yourself to it. If you don't feel comfortable riding any longer, stop for the night. Pushing yourself beyond your body's limits while riding a motorcycle is never a good idea.
3. Advance Reservations: With that in mind, don't make hotel reservations ahead of time, no matter what kind of deal you find. You never know when you might have to stop! I got stuck in traffic for hours on a very hot day and that, combined with the heat coming off the bike, led to a royal migraine. Even though I was only 75 miles from my goal and plenty of daylight left, I was DONE. The good news - you can still find great deals thanks to all the apps (Kayak, Priceline, etc.) that have the "room for tonight" feature. If you do make reservations in advance, be sure to check their cancellation policy.
4. Bigger not always better: There are plenty of sites that will tell you what to pack and how to pack it onto your bike. The main key to remember is you don't want to take it all. At first I used to bring travel size shampoo & conditioners, but now I leave them home since almost every hotel has

   

   My bike on the Maine Coast

   them already in the room. Be sure to bring any prescription medicine you might need. Remember my migraine? Good thing I took my prescription pain meds even though I only use them every once in a while. Don't forget you'll want to leave room on your bike to bring back those souvenirs!
5. Forgetting "you are what you eat": You've been riding since 7am and logged over 200 miles. You've only had orange juice and a cinnamon roll.... now both you and your bike are running on empty - time to stop and refuel. You might be tempted to devour half the menu but I'm here to suggest to go lightly. Have a wrap versus a triple-patty burger, or a grilled chicken sandwich instead of the fried chicken meal. When you eat a big, heavy meal then your digestive system is going to

   

   Leave the greasy, heavy foods for dinner.

   be working on getting that through your body, which can overtax you. Eat small meals, stay hydrated with water, tea or juice, and save the big meal for dinner once you've stopped. Another rule when I'm long-distance traveling: I don't eat at any place we have back home. Look for restaurants that aren't local to you - either chain or mom & pop owned. That way the trip is even more memorable.
6. Didn't do the homework: You might have been out of school for a few years now, but you still have homework to do before taking off on a motorcycle trip! Inform your bank & credit card companies that you'll be traveling to avoid getting your cards shut off. Check with your cell phone provider so you don't rack up overages. Decided to take the

   

   I took the road less traveled,
   now I don't know where I am!

   back roads & now you're lost with no cell service? Get motorcycle maps for the area you're riding in. Riding to Nova Scotia? Check the requirements to get into Canada AND back. We once had a couple of guys intent on seeing the beautiful Canadian coast - they brought their birth certificates to get into Canada, but to get back into the U.S. they needed a passport or enhanced DL - oops! Also, you might want to get travel insurance in case you get stranded.
7. Focused on your End Game: When you go, go with an open mind, not one set for certain experiences that have to happen. Because when your expectations don't become your reality, you can get upset and it's just not worth it. Plus you'll be missing out on what actually is happening and that's no fun at all.

The 2017 Riding Season is almost upon us and one of

My bike in Gettysburg, PA

my resolutions is to ride more miles than I did last year. To be sure I'll be doing at least one long distance ride, if not two!

Do you have any travel mistakes to avoid that I missed? Let me know in the comments below.

Are You Plotting Your Partner's Death?? (Getting Real Serious Now - Part III)

Anyone who's been in a semi-serious relationship for more than a few months has probably had this thought cross their mind.... But more than likely not from my point of view. 

Allow me to get a little personal here: Are you guys renting an apartment? Buying a house? Bought a car together? Is s/he helping to pay your cell phone bill? The more your finances are intertwined, the more things have a potential for unraveling. 

Then there's the physical side of it: Does your

partner help cook, clean, take care of the kids, shovel snow, mow the lawn, perform home maintenance, balance the finances, keep to the budget, and/or keep track of your calendar? And have you ever thought what would happen to you if the unthinkable ever happened to your spouse?? 

....if you think having this coverage means your insurance will pay you what you think your bike is worth, you'll need to think again.

In Part I we talked briefly on motorcycle insurance and how it differs from auto insurance. Then in Part II we covered how insurance companies want to save YOU money (in the short term). Now I'll talk about the different parts of a motorcycle insurance policy and things you should consider.

(I'll just remind everyone that I'm not an insurance agent or broker, nor am I an attorney of any type. I'm just someone who has seen a few things while working at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson.)

The Requirements:

• Bodily Injury - protects the other guy when you hit them.
• Property Damage Liability Coverage - protects the other guys vehicle when you hit them.
• Collision Coverage - protects your bike (and the bank if you have a loan on it).... sort of. It's no-fault coverage that will cover the damage from almost any collision (but read the fine print on that). But if you think having this coverage means your insurance will pay you what you think your bike is worth, you'll need to think again.

So, the first three °requirements° for a rider to carry on his/her motorcycle insurance policy do absolutely nothing to protect the person actually riding!!

Are you starting to see where I'm coming from?? If your spouse suffers an accident while riding their motorcycle, who is going to protect them? And should that accident be fatal, who is going to protect you??

This is why I implore every Biker I meet, especially those that are new to the sport, to please review your insurance policy before it's too late!!!

Part IV will be on the road soon....

Planning the Road Ahead

Bikers (aka Motorcycle Enthusiasts) are constantly scanning the road ahead looking for a myriad of challenges that we might have to negotiate when riding: loose dog, pot hole, gravel on the road, other drivers etc.

So it should come as no real big surprise that we usually do the same in our day-to-day life. "I'll leave for work 10 minutes early because they're supposed to start road construction today."  "I better get Bob those reports I know he needs at the end of the month." Those kind of things.

Of course we wouldn't be true Bikers if we weren't looking

forward to next year's riding season! The Watertown Chrome Divas have already started planning their 10th annual Ta-Ta Run, and - even though I stored my bike for winter at FXCHD - I think it would be fun to Ride Route 66 in August 2017.

Because we do all this planning & scanning ahead, we sometimes feel as if everyone should do it - is doing it, because it's such second nature to us. But clearly that wasn't the case because - in case you've somehow missed it - so many people have been stunned by the outcome of our Presidential Election (don't worry- this won't turn into another political blog, I promise!).

Going into this election I assume we all knew there would be a

loser as well as a winner - I mean, that's how the game is played people!! I had a plan in case the person I voted for didn't win (and if you want to see who I voted for you can check out my Twitter and/or Facebook accounts). 


My plan was to move into a quiet cottage in the Irish Countryside (my maiden name is McBride!) and live out my days. Sure I'd have to learn how to ride on the other side of the road.... but that should be easy!

However, on election day, I changed my plan. I'd decided that no matter who won the election I was going to stay in America, stay American. After all, this is where the greatest motorcycle manufacturer was started (I'm talking about Harley-Davidson of course!)!! And this is where the American Biker Culture that I love was born and continues today. 

Nope- just before I walked into my polling station, I pledged I would stay and help to heal the wounds of my country. Especially since many of us have realized our country was divided before the election - the vote just brought it all to a head.

So it is in that mind set that I look to a future for all Americans.

Working towards how we can learn to listen to each other so we're all heard. How we can come to appropriate compromises so the majority or those that need it most benefit. How we can all travel the same road in relative happiness. 

Look ahead. Embrace the future. Say & do good things - ALL of us. Besides us Bikers know that you've gotta #KeepMovingForward in order to balance on two wheels. 

And I'll just leave one of my fav Cat Stevens songs right here...

Two balance on two wheels you've gotta #KeepMovingForward