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!! 😉

Beat Biker Weariness with these 7 Tips

You Deserve a Break

And taking a nice, long road trip by bike is one of the best ways to treat yourself.

However, if you find that you'll be spending quite a few hours racking up miles behind bars (say to Milwaukee for the 115th Anniversary Celebration like me!!), you'll want a plan to stay fresh and alert while on your journey.

At FX Caprara Harley-Davidson we've got these 7 tips to help you avoid the dangers of becoming road weary.

Photo by Floris Jan-roelof on Unsplash

1. Get some good shut-eye

In other words, be well rested. Plan to pack your bike a day or two before you leave so you won't be up till 2am doing last minute stuff. Or go to sleep early and pack in the morning. Either way get a full night's sleep before starting off.

Also, you can always stop and take a 'power nap' if you feel drowsiness setting in. It's much better to recharge your system for the rest of the day's ride than to push yourself too hard/far so that you're putting your life and others at risk.

2. You are what you eat (and drink)

No doubt that you spend more energy while riding than you do when driving. So much so that you might feel famished when you stop for your lunch and/or dinner... a word of caution:

When you eat a large, heavy meal (like spaghetti dinner or double cheese burger with fries) your body will then need to digest all that food -which also takes energy.... See where I'm going with this?

Instead we find it better to eat smaller meals more often -like every other time you stop for gas. Foods high in protein are best. And keep yourself well hydrated -with both water and something with electrolytes if it's hot out.

Photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash

3. You gotta stop sometime

You've got promises to keep and 400 miles to go before you can sleep... But here's a tip: this is not a race, endurance or otherwise. Take your time, pace yourself and stop when you need to. 

My personal preference is to stop every 100 miles or so. If you're riding in a group you'll want to plan with the others when to stop, because different riders will have varying distances for their preferences.

4. Remember to Move It, Move It

When you do stop take a moment to make some movement. Walk, stretch, sit in the shade of a tree, start a conversation, grab that light snack and hydrate. This will help to keep both your body and mind fresh.

Photo by Cristobal Baeza on Unsplash

5. Ride like the Wind (just don't fight it)

The main reason Bikers burn more calories riding than other people do driving is because they're out in the wind. That wind is number one in creating fatigue, both in noise and aerodynamically (it pushes against our middle). 

To cut wind noise use earplugs and/or a helmet that covers your ears (3/4 or full face). And for looooong trips you might want to put a windshield or fairing on your bike to help split the wind around you.

6. Take the Scenic Route

When possible take the back roads versus taking the interstate. That's because you'll be going through different speed zones, shifting through the bike's gears, and leaning through the curves equals more engagement with your mind and body.

Of course there are times when you need to buzz out there as fast as you can, you'll have to be on the highways and the interstate. Here, to avoid getting lulled into a zoned out trance, pass for position and don't use your cruise control. Reasonably moving around traffic and varying your speed by 5 mph will help you keep you alert. 

7. Talk it Out

Try using a communication system so you can talk to the other riders with you, listen to your favorite talk show/podcast, or sing along to your music. 

Even doing the "Biker Wave" will help you feel more alert and engaged. Added bonus: you'll be an ambassador for motorcyclists with everyone on the road.

THE List of What and How to Pack Your Motorcycle

Head 'Em Up - Move 'Em Out

Hands down, there is no better way to experience this b-e-a-utiful country of ours than from the seat of a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle.

Taking the REAL Scenic Route

Or any motorcycle -I'm just a little biased!

Sure there's riding to and from work, but now you've decided to take things a step further and have planned to take the show on the road. Most Excellent!

To help you prepare, I've put together this list plus a few tips I've learned the hard way.

Before you go:

• Any new gear or equipment (i.e. helmet, tank bag or seat) you'll want to try out at least one month before you go!! A few years back I bought a pair of new pig-skin gauntlet gloves just for my trip, and then about threw them away. Because I hadn't broken them in, with my hand on the throttle, it felt like someone was stabbing needles in-between my fingers. Wear or use your new stuff now -it won't be new when your trip comes, but it won't be a waste either since you'll have figured out if it'll work for you or not.
• Take a small, one or two overnight trip on your bike before your big trip if you can. Pack what you think you'll need and see how it all fits on your bike. Then when you get back, re-evaluate: did you use all that you packed? Why or why not? Was there anything you needed but didn't have? These are the questions to ask now!
• Whether or not you've had the chance to take that 'Pre-trip Trip', you should start packing two to three days out. Blocking time out to pack will make your trip sssooo much easier!! Plan what you'll wear before packing and use clothes that will work for several outfits. You never need to bring clothes for more than four days, even if you're riding for weeks -hotels often have laundry service or you can stop in at a coin-op laundry.
• Shoes take up space!! You'll definitely want something for off the bike though, so pack a comfy pair of tennis shoes and/or flats. You can also use them to pack your underwear or socks in, utilizing the space they take the best you can.

Next up, What to Pack:

1) While Riding:

• Helmet and glasses/goggles
• Rain Gear
• Chaps -temperature changes can happen quickly, especially if you're riding in the mountains!!
• Gloves for Summer & Rain, plus a Neck Gaiter or Bandana
• Jeans and a Long Sleeve Tee
• A Three-Season Riding Jacket -preferably with layers you can add or remove as necessary
• Over-the-Ankle Riding Boots
• Water & light snacks (protein bar, nut mix, etc.)
• Chap stick/lip balm, sunscreen and one of those 'quick cool' towels
• Maps of the areas you'll be riding in (cell towers are few & far between, especially if you're heading West, so you might not have a signal)
• A cell phone battery recharger

Not that you'll be wearing all of that while riding, but you'll want it close in case you need to grab and use it.

Riding Gear that has multiple uses are best for a long road trip.

2) Packed on the Bike for At the Hotel/Campsite

• Not more than 3 pairs of jeans, tops/shirts, and socks -roll the jeans & shirts to save space, then secure with rubber bands before putting in zip lock bags or travel shrink bags
• 5 pairs of underwear (3 bras for the ladies)
• A Sweatshirt
• Synthetic long underwear/sweat pants
• Swimsuit
• 1 pair of Shorts
• Sneakers and/or flip-flops
• Toiletries - don't forget the nail trimmers, sunscreen and bug spray! Travel size shampoo, conditioner (or use the little bottles hotels put out for their guests, saving room), mouse, hair spray, body lotion, toothbrush and paste.
• Medications - for headache, muscle ache, allergy and any prescription meds

This is where planning ahead is key!! And if you're 'saving' outfits that you'll want to try out while on your trip, at the very least try them on before you go. I've pulled out an old outfit that I saw in the closet while packing, thinking it'd be nice to wear to dinner only to realize once we were at the hotel it didn't fit anymore!!

3) Bike Maintenance

• 8-in-1 Screwdriver & a Multi-Purpose Tool
• Cargo Net(s) and Bungee Cord(s)
• Tire Pressure Gauge (and Valve Stem Extension if needed). A compact air compressor comes in handy, but not absolutely necessary. 
• 1 Quart of Syn3 Motorcycle Lubricant or Genuine Motor Oil (depending on what you're running in your bike) and a Paper Funnel
• Touring Suspension Air Shock Pump (if equipped)
• Kick Stand Puck
• Travel size windshield cleaner, cleaning wax, a shop towel and two micro-fiber cleaning cloths

Unless you're a Motorcycle Mechanic, you probably won't need a set of tools with you. Even if you do wrench on bikes for a living, having Roadside Assistance  coverage through your Insurance Company or through H.O.G. is always a good idea -review your policy before you go and make sure you take any necessary documents with you.

And now, how to pack your bike:

Let's go back to school for a moment... We'll be talking about Physics and Geometry:

The Load Triangle & Center of Gravity -things to keep in mind while packing your bike

• You and your bike's Center of Gravity: an imaginary point in a body of matter where, for convenience in certain calculations, the total weight of the body may be thought to be concentrated. In a uniform gravitational field the center of gravity is identical to the center of mass, a term preferred by physicists. The two do not always coincide, however, which is why it's important to load up your motorcycle correctly.
• That's where the Load Triangle comes in handy: defined as the triangle created by the bike's two axles and your head. Bike manufacturers know about this too -that's why you see the rider and engine (the heaviest things on the bike) are squarely within the triangle.

While packing your motorcycle, you'll definitely want to keep those two in mind. Put all your heaviest gear as close to the bottom of the triangle as you can. That way the additional weight will have the least effect on your bike's handling.

Got Bags?

If your bike came equipped with saddle bags, then I highly suggest getting liners for them -it makes it way easier to carry your stuff into the hotel or campsite.

If you don't have bags, you can get after-market hard or throw-over bags for your bike.

Either way, because they're close to the bottom of the load triangle, you'll want to put your heaviest items there. Keep in mind the side-to-side balance as well (think scales of justice type of thing). That'll keep it from affecting handling and also helps throw-over bags travel evenly on the bike.

Higher = Lighter

For those with a tour pack/trunk, a luggage rack or a large bag strapped to the sissy bar backrest, remember to keep on the light side when packing. Look back at that triangle -the location of that is way away from the center of gravity.

You can use it for those layers of your three-season jacket, rain jacket, map, gloves, goggles -in other words, things that you'll probably use often while you're actually riding.

My bike all packed up and ready for a new adventure!

Tanks a lot, bag
A popular place to keep an open map or written directions (large print of course). Even in the days with GPS & smart phones, Tank Bags are still pretty useful -an extra place to store gloves, goggles, water and snacks. And if your bike has auxiliary power, you can run wires to your tank bag to keep your phone and other stuff charged.

You might think that because it's within the Load Triangle you can load up a tank bag with heavy stuff... Yes and No. Too much weight in a tank bag will make your bike top heavy, so be reasonable. 

Also, make sure you go for a ride with your tank bag before going on your long trip -see how you like riding with it and that you can still see your instruments.

Practice Makes Perfect
At least a week before your trip, do a test pack.

If you have the saddlebag liners, I highly recommend putting those in your bags first, then stuff your stuff in them. That's because you'll most likely over pack your liners and then try to cram those into your saddlebags... Good Luck! 

You can also try placing different things in different places to see if this helps you include more gear. If you took that pre-trip trip, refer to your notes on what you did and didn't need.

Last but not least: take the time to do a T-CLOCS Inspection on your bike!!

All set? Ride Safe and Have Fun.

7 Ways Why Traveling by Motorcycle is Better

Photo by Gary Lopater on Unsplash

It's ALL About The Journey

For your vacation you can get on a plane and be at your destination in a matter of hours. But when you travel via Motorcycle you really get to the heart of where you're going. Turns out a Motorcycle is an even better way to see the world.

We have several large continents with lots and lots of roads. Those roadways provide access to popular tourist spots, charming towns, beautiful back-roads and hidden gems you won't see from the air.

Here's why we at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson think a Motorcycle Road Trip is the best way to travel and really get to know the country.

1. Save the Air Faire

Average ticket prices are roughly $380 -not including baggage fees, over-priced airport food, and feeling like cattle as you are herded onto and off of a stuffed bus with wings. 

Added bonus of traveling by Bike: you can skip being felt-up by TSA.

2. Travel in Comfort

No kids kicking the back of your seat, no cramped seating without any leg-room, no seatbelt cutting off circulation and no canned air recirculating other people's germs. 

On a Motorcycle you are free in the fresh air, so stretch out and enjoy the ride.

3. Stop Where You Like

On a plane you can't ask the pilot to change where they're going to land... Just another perk of traveling by Bike.

Want to stop and see that vintage roadside attraction? Saw a cool diner you'd like to try? Just want to stop and enjoy the view? You can!!

4. Easily get to Hard-to-Reach Places

Any type of travel involves time spent in transit. Of course a bike is no different.

Except your family reunion is in a little town that's going to take two planes and then another two hours by car just to get there. But on a Motorcycle you can 'fly' directly to your destination!

5. Taste the Town

If you're like us, you've gone out of your way just to try the local famous cuisine. Beans in Boston, Cheesesteak on the Chesapeake Bay, Tacos in Tijuana and Lobster in Louisiana...  

Added bonus of traveling by Bike: ask the local Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) to point you in the right direction so you can eat where the locals do. 

6. Go Greener

Jet wash: something not even Maverick in Top Gun can fly through. A Motorcycle emits the smallest fraction of that = no brainer.

7. Instant Friends

No matter if you're riding solo, with your SO, or with a small group of friends, you'll meet people along the road -some of them will even become life-long friends.

L to R: Queen Mother, Nance, Irish (me), Black Widow, Halo & LoLo

To Biker Wave or Not to Biker Wave -that is the question

I'm getting ready to Ride out to Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson's 115th Anniversary Celebration over Labor Day Weekend. So, in addition to taking the long way to and from work, I just finished a 3 day trip over to Ticonderoga (check out my pics on Instagram).

Summer Riding in the Adirondacks -this is one of my favorite things!! The way the road just stretches out before me, inviting me to twist the throttle and fly...

From Route 84, between Newcomb and Interstate 87

And the crystal clear lakes -I always feel like I've found a slice of heaven. (These three pictures are from Google Maps -I'm not that technologically advanced to go with a personal camera. But this is from the route I took.)

Route 74 by Eagle Lake

Of course, I'm not the only motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys riding in Northern New York. I saw Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, Honda and -my favorite (obviously)- Harley all out and about enjoying the day.

Some bikers waved at me, others didn't...

The tradition of the Biker Wave supposedly goes back to the day Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson passed each other while riding and gave each a friendly wave.

Some think it goes back to the days of Knights on Horseback, lifting their visor to acknowledge each other.

And there are as many styles of biker waves as there are motorcycle manufacturers: two fingers (like ✌) pointed down, pointed up, open handed regular wave, a 'thumbs up', etc., etc.

There are a few Bikers out there who will only wave to other Harley Riders. Sport Bike Riders sometimes fall into this as well. 

As for me, I'm a little different.

At first I wouldn't wave to anyone on a Can-Am Spyder, believing that since they never started out as an actual motorcycle those riding them weren't 'true' Bikers. I wouldn't wave at anyone on a scooter either.

But then I had an 'ah-ha' moment. 

Those that are brave enough to get out of their cage [of their car or truck] and share the road deserve to be recognized. 

There's a whole lot of people in this great wide world, and those of us that ride are truly linked in a special way. 

The Bike doesn't make the Biker. It's the Biker that makes the Bike.

So, I choose to wave. Hoping you'll wave back.

5 Ways to Ruin Your Bike

You just bought a beautiful new (or 'new-to-you') Harley-Davidson. Keeping it in good running order as well as keeping that showroom shine isn't hard, but it isn't exactly easy either. If you're not careful, you can ruin your motorcycle for trade/re-sale later on before you know it. 

Here's a look at five common ways to trash your bike, according to Chad and Kate, our Service and Parts Managers at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson.

1. You changed the Air & Exhaust, but didn't do a Tuner

You've done the research and decided to do a Stage I Kit- increase the air & exhaust for your bike's engine. Then decided, since it's basic motor parts, you could skip the tuner or recalibrating the ECM... but now your bike is running like sh*t. 

Just like you can't be expected to run a marathon without the proper training, your bike cannot run well without 'teaching it' how. It has to be programed how to handle the engine upgrade. 

2. Not Keeping the Charge

A reminder that even as your bike sits in your garage, waiting for the next ride, there's a small drain on the battery. And for your bike's system to be charged back, the bike needs to be under power (in other words you've got to be riding). 

If you find that you won't be riding for a week or two, it's a good idea to put your bike on a Smart Battery Tender to keep your battery fresh.

3. Salt

Not just for your Margarita glass, salt is used on roadways during the winter months in Northern NY. It melts the ice and snow so that we can safely drive our vehicles -you know this. The problem comes in the early Spring and late Fall -you decided to ride even though the salt is on the road.

Salt is very corrosive and your bike's motor, frame and wheels -basically the very essence of your bike- is very exposed to all corrosive loveliness when you're out and about with salt  still or already on the road. 

We all suffer from PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome), but don't compound it by allowing salt to eat away at your precious bike.  This will really bite you in the ass later -either when you're looking to sell your bike -or worse, having to repair it.

4. Not washing your bike

Some see all the dirt, grime and bug guts as a badge of honor. We at FXCHD say that's Harley neglect. Like salt, not washing your bike can destroy your bike's painted & chrome finishes. 

And please, for the love of all that is Harley, do not take your bike through a car wash!! Blasting water at all that electronics is like submerging a toaster in a bathtub full of water, and then expecting it to work right the next time you go to use it. 

For the proper way to wash your bike, visit our webpage: Smash Bugs. Wash. Repeat.

5. Neglecting routine maintenance

A Harley-Davidson Motorcycle is literally a rolling piece of art, with all its parts designed to intracally work together, bringing you the best ride possible.

However, the more miles you ride, the more things can become out of factory specifications. Look at the back of your owner's manual- things to check at 1K, 5K, 10K, etc. are listed. Things like steering head bearings, drive belt & sprocket, transmission lubricant, clutch lever and more.

It's best to have factory trained technicians at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer perform the services for you. This is their job- it's what they do day in, day out. And if they have a question about part fitment or a particular problem, tech services at the Motor Company is just a phone call away.

Bottom line, it comes down to the "7 P's": Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. If you take care of your bike, it will take care of you.

My first 30 days in Behind Bars...

You may remember this past February I broke up... with my 2004 Dyna Super Glide. I traded her in and got my 2018 115th Anniversary Heritage from FX Caprara Harley-Davidson.

Except that it was February... Not exactly Riding Season in Northern New York. 

So I had to wait... and wait... and wait... Then finally, on Earth Day no less, we were finally together and Riding.

One month later and 738 miles are in behind bars of this beautiful bike, and it's been phenomenal! 

Even though there are quite a few differences between my new bike and my old -most notably the engine displacement (my '04 was 88 cubic inch (1450cc), new is 114ci (1868cc)... !!!) -the new still felt like my old friend: cozy & natural. 

And yet, the 114ci Milwaukee-Eight motor is smoooooth -so smooth in fact that it's very easy for me to get up to 70mph and not realize it. (I hope no police are reading this!)

The frame of the 2018 Heritage is as agile as my old bike, making it a true joy to lean into the corners, roll on the throttle and go flying down the road.

With the high-performance suspension, the bike is easily maneuverable in parking lots as well as quite comfortable on long rides. 

Then there's the torque... as in there's A LOT of it!! 

In case you didn't know, torque is the feeling you get as the power of the motor gets transferred to the pavement, sitting you back in your seat.

At first it was hard for me to know when to shift, because this bike has torque that pulls through every gear (rather than running out of power forcing the rider to up-shift). 

The power and torque that the new Softails have will truly put a smile on your face! As the MoCo puts it, "...increased lean angle, quicker turn-in, quicker acceleration and more flickability, all with easier lift-off from the side stand."

I'm here to tell you that is truth in advertising!! Beyond the specs of any bike, there is the 'fun factor' to consider when making a buying decision. And all the new Softails, with their Milwaukee-Eight engines, have a very high rate of 'smiles per mile.' 

I am very much looking forward to many more days behind bars, riding my new Heritage for many, many more miles.

If you're interested in what my 'old' bike is doing now, she's gone on to have lots of fun doing wheelies and performing stunts with Hostile Crew -check out their Facebook page and Instagram.