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Greetings Riders,

I don't know about you, but I am ready for winter to be over. The Phoenix Chamber of Commerce brochure that was handed to us when we moved here 27 years ago didn't mention 2 months in a row of 50 and 60 degree weather with rain, mostly on the weekends. Alright, this is where the people back East start yelling at the computer screen saying "you don't know what cold weather is, we would be planning road trips if it ever got up to 50 degrees!". And that is probably true, but it is all what you get used to. We are definitely spoiled here in the Southwest. There are so many good days to ride in our State, why push it when it is cold and rainy? Having said that, I recalled back to AZ Bikeweek last year when we rode in 32 degrees and snow on the Wednesday Ride for Kids. Click Here for the short video clip with music. Ahhh! The memories we create on motorcycle rides.

Some of you Harley riders might have known that this week was the HD winter meetings in San Antonio, TX. The winter meeting is a time when Harley usually comes out with a new bike to re-energize the sales staff and their customers going into the coming riding season. This year I was particularly interested in this announcement because we have been looking for a possible new bike for Mrs. C. She continues to be fond of the V-Rod but I am encouraging her to look at some of the touring bikes to experience what comfortable travel is all about. So I anxiously awaited the announcement on Monday morning, thinking that they were going to come out with something so cutting edge and revolutionary that it would excite investors as well as the riding community.

In other words, I was expecting the motorcycle equivalent of the next high tech installment of the "Mission Impossible" movie series, but what I got was a digitally enhanced re-run of an old "Father Knows Best". It looks like they went into the HD museum, walked down the isle of 1950's bikes, dusted one off, stuck in a twin cam 96, blacked out the chrome and called it a custom. The only thing missing in the introduction of this bike was James Dean rolling out on it with a pack of cigarettes rolled up in his sleeve. Harley has named this bike "Cross Bones" and has added it to their line of Dark Customs along with the Nightster, Night Rod, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Night Train. Cross Bones is a chopped, blacked out minimalist softail with a bobtail rear fender, mini apes and a springer front end. Not remotely close to what I was looking for and certainly not the revolutionary new product and shot in the arm for the motor company that I had in mind.

As I was watching the promotional videos and lamenting what I thought was a huge mistake by HD to bring this kind of bike to market at this time, I finally realized that this bike wasn't meant for me, or anyone else that you might find in my high school yearbook. Baby boomers, the core of HD buyers over the last 20 years are retiring now and will be thinking more about cruise ships than new motorcycle purchases over the next 20 years. I'm guessing what HD thinks they need is a new edgy group of motorcycles that will attract the skateboard crowd which will soon be moving on to motorcycles. Click Here to see Cross Bones page on HD and the Dark Customs Video and motorcycle group.

So when I started to look at the whole pie, instead of just this piece that I am living in, I suppose this new bike makes some sense. Let's face it, the boomers pool of money will be dwindling over the next 20 years and we are well taken care of with a nice assortment of baggers already. But to fuel future sales, Harley is going to have to start the cycle all over again just as they did with the softail custom and Fat Boy 20 years ago. If everyone had the same tastes, there would only have to be one model and one color. Kudos to the motor company for trying to broaden their scope of potential buyers. As for me, I'll be happy as long as they keep improving the Road Glide in the years to come. Some day I will want to freshen mine up with some new technology.

I will be anxiously awaiting Harley's earnings report coming out this Friday to see what their projection is for next year and the effect of the recent plant closures last fall. The bottom line is, the entire economy is starting to look like Liz Taylor after marriage number 8 at this point. It will be interesting to see how luxury purchases like new motorcycles, cars and boats hold up over the next few months. I'm sure this too will pass, and we will be looking forward to the new model introductions for 2009. But until then, you can stop by your local Harley dealership and take a look at the "Rocker" and soon you will see the "Cross Bones".

If you didn't get your yellow help ribbons yet, they have now been printed and are shipped to some local motorcycle dealerships here in the Phoenix, Tucson and surrounding areas. They are a plastic ribbon 3 inches wide and 30 inches long. On the left side of the ribbon it says "If you need help, tie to left handlebar". Click Here to View. If you are in need of help, simply tie the yellow ribbon to your handlebar or mirror LIKE THIS. Riders coming by will soon recognize this yellow ribbon and will hopefully become the universal sign for help. You can roll this up to 1 inch by 3 inches to easily store in the saddle bags, tool kit, or under your seat, or tape it under your gas tank. I ordered 2400 of these help ribbons to get the program started and am encouraging all dealerships to get their own ribbons made to continue to make this the standard for signaling help, and would avert the inconvenience on those riding by that would stop for no reason.

Initially, the ribbons will be available for you to pick up this weekend at all of the Harley Dealers and Ridenow Powersports stores in Phoenix and Tucson. There will only be about 100 ribbons per store. I will be getting them to other dealers over the next couple of weeks.

Tuesday Nights

Chandler Harley-Davidson Two Wheeled Tuesdays.
Take a ride on a Tuesday Night to the Chandler HD Bike Night at the Tilted Kilt. Bike night is every Tuesday night with food and drink specials, but Chandler Harley will be doing a special with live music the first Tuesday of every month. Enter drawing to win door prizes and gift certificates. For November, look forward to another special night at the Kilt. There will be Raffles, Vendors, Bike Competition, Portable Dyno Competition. Watch next week for weekly event specials. Bike night hosted at the Tilted Kilt in Tempe located at 660 W. Warner Rd.

Thursday Night

New!
Fuzzy's Southwest Sports Grill Bike Night. Riders on the far west side in the Surprise area finally have a Bike Night. The brand new Fuzzy's Southwest will be hosting a bike night on Thursday Nights. Fuzzy's features an outdoor patio, 17 HD TV's, Pool Table, Large Horseshoe Bar and all glass front to see the bikes roll in. Enjoy Great Food, Pool, and Your Favorite Sporting Events all on new Flat Screens every Thursday Night at The Newest Bike Night In the Far West Valley. Bike Night Specials Include:
2.25 Corona's, Corona Light, Dos XX, Dos XX Amber, Pacifico, Tecate. $3.00 Jalapeno Poppers. $4.00 Super Spuds. $5.00 Chicken Tenders. $6.00 Baby Burgers. From 6-9pm. Fuzzy's is located 18795 N. Reems Rd. in Surprise at the corner of Reems and Grand Ave.

Chester's Harley-Davidson Hooters & Harleys Thursday Bike Night. Join Chester's Harley-Davidson as they start their new Bike Night at Mesa Hooters located at 6730 E. Superstition Springs Blvd. Just South of U.S. 60 on Superstition Springs Dr. Specials, 1/2 off appetizers. Raffles and Games. Biker Punch Cards. Ride from the dealerships at 5:30pm. Chester's HD is located at 922 S. Country Club in Mesa. For more information call 480-894-0404.

The Bike Night At The Billet Bar. Voted "BEST BIKER BAR IN PHOENIX" by New Times. There is no better place to watch all the Bikes ride down Scottsdale road than from The Billet Bar Patio. The Billet is ALWAYS packed with bikes Every Day. Stop by and take a look at the New Flamed Booths on the Paradise Patio. The new bars front and rear provide spacious seating, fresh air atmosphere, perfect temperature and courteous staff. The food is amazing and always the latest in cold libations await. You can sit at the back bar and watch your favorite TV on any of the seven big inch televisions. Play pool, listen to the latest music and socialize. The front patio seats over 75 people and is perfect for people watching on Scottsdale Rd. The Billet Bar is located on 3752 N. Scottsdale Rd. Check it out this Thursday night and all weekend long. Info: at 480-941-1876. Click Here for the New Billet Bar Page with pictures.

Every Saturday and Sunday

New!
Western Trails Ranch Bike Weekends with Live Music featuring Doc & Gal Rocking the Ranch every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm - 4pm with their Classic Rock Renditions, costume changes, and jokes. 12 Acres of pure fun in a Laid Back Old West Town. Two Large Dance Floors for those that want to cut loose. Four Regulation Horse Shoe Pits, Pool Table Room, Life Size Chess & Checkers. Nothing beats an open fire –lots of wood burning fire pits to keep you warm all winter long, we supply the wood. Bar Food, Snacks, & Appetizers available. Secure Motorcycle Parking in the “Steel Horse Corral”. Western Trails Ranch is also a Special Event Venue! You can Rent the facility for your SPECIAL EVENT, Corporate Party, Concert, Weddings, Charity Events, Western Events or BIKE RUN at “The Ranch”. 623-521-0367. Western Trails is located (Map) at 37823 NW Grand Avenue Mile Marker 124 1/2
Morristown AZ. Click Here for more information.

Harold's Cave Creek Corral Bike Weekends. This is the patio that we have all been waiting for in Cave Creek. The new 4000 Sq. Ft. patio at Harold's is finally finished complete with misters, TV's and an outdoor bar. There is plenty of room to put some tables together and hang out with your riding group for breakfast, lunch or the cold beverage of your choice.
Saturday: Every Saturday Patio Party 12-5. 50% off appetizers (under $10). Drink Specials, $2.00 Bud / Bud light Bottles, $3.00 16oz Bud / Bud Light Aluminum Bottles & Widmer Hefeweizen Pints. $3.00 Margaritas, Sunrise, etc.. (new cuervo flavors; lime, orange, & pineapple)
Sunday: Every Sunday. All you can eat Breakfast Buffet $8.99 (from 8am - Noon). Live Music from 2-6.
Sunday's are SERVICE INDUSTRY DAY (from 8am to close). Are you in the Service Industry. Golf, Hotel, Restaurant, etc. Show us your check stub & receive 20% off your entire bill because we appreciate all that you do.
(not valid on already discounted items)
You can also choose from their full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu every day of the week. Plenty of new motorcycle parking right in front of the patio. A great destination patio for your weekend rides. Harold's is located at 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. 480-488-1906. There are still no tickets being given for DB violations. Just continue to keep the noise down as much as possible when riding through Carefree.

Every Sunday

The Popular Sugar Daddy's Sunday Biker Brunch. Voted Best Brunch in Phoenix New Times 2006. Sugar Daddy's is under new ownership and is undergoing a half million dollar makeover. The outdoor patio is being completely upgraded with new granite table tops and will be available for the new $9.00 all you can eat brunch. Sundays from 10am - 4pm. Live Music from 10am - 2pm.
Enjoy the patio with $2 mimosa's, $4 Skye Bloody Mary's.

Buffet includes: French Toast, Fruit, Eggs Benedict, Potatoes, Rice Veggies, Salad, Pasta Salad, Chicken Marsala, Biscuits and Gravy and much more. Sugar Daddy's is located at 3102 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale. 480-970-6556.

Saturday, January 26th
Hacienda Harley-Davidson Swap Meet. GIANT Parking Lot Sale 9am - 5pm! Over $1 Million of MotorClothes Apparel to be sold. Take advantage of this overstock and stop by to take advantage some incredible deals. There will also be a Huge Surplus of take-off parts and accessories to be sold. While you shopping you can take advantage of a Free Bike Wash. Been thinking about how the new 2008 Harley's perform? This is the day to find out. Top Spoke Rentals are offering FREE DEMO RIDES. Sign Up starts at 9am at the Top Spoke location in the Hacienda North store. Free demo rides offered all day till 5pm. Need to sell some of your stuff? 10x10 vendor spaces are available for $20. Bring your own table and chairs. Setup time at 7am. Limited space available. Call Ernie in the parts dept. 480-905-1903 or email marketing@usbiker.com . Hacienda Harley-Davidson is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ.

Saturday, January 26th
Chester's Harley-Davidson Customer Appreciation Party. Take a ride to join Chester's from 8am - 4pm in thanking you for your business. Free Continental Breakfast 8a-10p, Free Lunch 11a-1p by Tom’s BBQ, Parking Lot Party, Live Music 11a-4p: The Roxsters. Special sales in Parts: up to 75% off select items and MotorClothes: up to 80% off select items. 10% off leather jackets and vests, 20% off long sleeve T’s, button shirts, fleece & sweatshirts. Chester's Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.

Saturday, January 26th

Buddy Stubbs Hogs and Dogs. Join Buddy Stubbs for their monthly last Saturday of the month HOGS and Dogs Party. From 11am - 3pm enjoy free hot dogs and soda, Live Music, Pool Tournament, 50/50 Raffles and at 12:30pm take a tour of over 50 Vintage motorcycles in the onsite museum with Buddy Stubbs. And while you are there take a look at the new 2008 Harley-Davidsons and the latest in Motorclothes. Ride by Buddy Stubbs and enjoy the festivities at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix, AZ. 602-971-3400.

Saturday, January 26th
MMA Leather District 6th Annual 3-Ball Run. Come on out for an afternoon of 3 ball and a whole lot of fun!
Come out and show your skill! Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place. Sign in 10 -11 am at the Stardust Lounge, 4346 W. Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ (In Corner of Strip Mall on northwest side of 43rd and Olive.) $5/per person- 5 Stops with 3 ball played at each stop Lowest 3 scores wins! End Party at The Amber Inn, 43rd Ave and Dunlap (East of 43rd Ave on Dunlap in the Strip Mall on North Side of Road) Raffles & 50/50, FMI call Lee 623-693-4932. EVERYONE WELCOME!

Sunday, January 27th
MMA Leather District Swap Meet. Motorcycle parts and other related items. 7am - 3pm. Vendor parts start at $10. Setup is at 6am. Location is Charley's Place at NW corner of 43rd Ave. and Thunderbird. For more information call Cindy at 623-695-5659.