Harley-Davidson Announces Second Quarter Financial Results

I am as far from a financial analyst as you can by but here is what I gather from the accounting doublespeak (almost as bad as legalese):

• Motorcycle sales down 5.5%
• Income up over last year ($139.3 million vs. $33.4)

 For more information take a look at the actual announcement here. 

It is all very interesting and I am glad to see the results improving but I will be more way more excited to see the new models released on or about the 27th...

-Buddha 

Harley-Davidson headed for MotoGP

No it is not April Fools day, in late August MotoGP returns to Indianapolis and The Motor Company is too, not to race but as an exhibitor.

In a press release on the 16th, it was announced that they will be among the list of exhibitors at the speedway during the event.  They will have the new 2011 motorcycles on display as well as displays of new technology, customization options from the Parts and Accessories division as well as the clothing line.  They will also have something they refer to as the "XR1200 Racing Dyno Experience."

H.O.G. is also offering special ticket pricing for the event as well as a parade lap of the circuit on two different days.

For more information see the press release here and for more information on the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis GP check here.

-Buddha

Excellent post on another site

This post from another site captures my own thoughts and feeling when riding a nice back road I just had to post a link to it: As I Rode Through The Night

Hang in There

-Buddha

Another new bike in the family

Some would say that I can be very persuasive.  Some would say that I am a bad influence.  I am not sure which of these is true (if either) but another son-in-law has come over to the dark side and purchased a motorcycle.  Eric, from here on out referred to as Pretty Boy, recently picked up a very cool '97 Sportster that has been nicely customized with a overbore kit, Wide Glide front end, Fat Boy Tank and fender as well as lots of other goodies. 

Seller's photo of Eric's new ride

Now, it is perfectly normal to be excited about a new bike.  I know I have spent many an hour pacing the floor waiting for a bike to be prepped or a deal to be completed but I don't think I have ever waited in the heat in front of an apartment complex waiting for a bike to arrive from another town.  Nor, have I insisted on riding a bike before the final assembly is completed.

When he arrived that night to show us the bike, it was steadily "marking its territory" with both oil and gas.  There were also a few pieces missing but he rode it over and brought the seller with him to finish the final assembly in my driveway!

Sportster marking its territory

Now that is a guy who is excited about his new bike...and like I said, one that might just might be a little bit crazier than I am.  

Maybe...

No, probably...

Now, pretty Boy and I have "talked bikes" on many an occasion and he even took a few laps of the neighborhood on the Triumph before it was sold but I never really understood how much he loved to ride. In fact, he may actually be nuttier about riding than I am.  I didn't think it was possible but it just may be true.

Proud new owner!

Since he he had it in his possession, Pretty Boy has started to spend his minimal free time doing two things; riding it and working on it. It isn't that he is adding or really changing anything but he is pouring some much needed TLC into his new ride.  Commendable.

Since he bought the bike he is now far more likely to show up anywhere and anytime.  Riding up in the morning on the weekends when I am out working in the yard or in the evening when I get home from work; he even came over to help with the yard one morning.  Now, I have the sneaking suspicion that he is somewhat less concerned with seeing me or helping me out than he is having an excuse to ride but I can respect that. 

Welcome aboard and congratulations on a sweet ride Pretty Boy.

Hang in there

-Buddha

Motus Motorcycles: An American Made Sport-Tourer

Sitting around wasting a little time while waiting to go on a ride that never happened, I came across a video on YouTube.  Seems there is a new American motorcycle company, Motus Motorcycles, starting up to build high-end sport tourers to compete with the likes of the BMW K1300GT.  The videos, detail some of the engine development work underway for this new machine.

Going for something a little different and uniquely American, the guys at Motus have opted for an overhead valve V-4.  The engine will displace 1650 cc's and sit longitudinally in the frame.  The sound is very different from the V-Twin staccato of Harley motors; sounding more like a NACAR race motor than a motorcycle motor.  The engine design and manufacturing has been outsourced to Katech Engine Development a specialist in building high performance overhead valve engines for racing.

There is no information on when the first model, the  MST-01, will be available for sale but we'll keep you posted as we hear more.

In the meantime check out the video:



The dyno run starts around the 2:30 mark.

Things that make you smile...and one that doesn't

Things that have made me smile:
When you pull up to a stoplight next to a tough old biker dude, he looks your bike over then leans over and growls, "that is one bad motherf***er."
Coming around a curve on a hot day...straight into a cool breeze off the lake.
A kid who smiles and giggles when you wave at him at an intersection.
An ice cold glass of sweet tea in a small town eatery.

Things that don't:
Walking into a restaurant (Jerry's in Onalaska, by the way) and being ignored in a passive/aggressive refusal of service.

Hang in there

-Buddha