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Greetings Riders,

Well, I have to admit, I have never had a response to a newsletter like I had from last week's review of Arizona Bike Week. If you missed it, Click Here. It was nice to see so many take the time to weigh in and give their critique of what could be done to improve this event. Most agreed with my review of the event and also agreed that moving the event to the Gila River area would be a mistake. The good news is that it looks like your voice will now be heard. I talked to the new organizer of ABW, Ed LeClere, and he is anxious to read these responses to get a pulse from the riding community on how he can make this event what YOU want it to be. If you would like to respond directly to ABW with your ideas, send your email to info@azbikeweek.com. Some photos are up from ABW. Go to the front page of www.cyclerides.com for the link.

Last week you might have seen some headlines like these: "Harley-Davidson shares skid like bald tires in the rain" or "Harley-Davidson Stock Plunges 17%" or "Harley-Davidson Shares Skid As CEO-Elect Ziemer Puts Brakes On Shipment View". Those lines and several others just like it clogged the newspapers and online news reports about the Milwaukee Motor Company. Yep, it looks like Harley has finally reached the point that supply and demand are leveling off. HD cut its shipment and earnings forecasts for this year Wednesday after weak first-quarter sales and a glut of 2005 models on dealer floors, sending its shares down nearly 17 percent to their lowest in more than 14 months. While the company still made $227.2 million for the quarter, it was the future that investors were looking at.

Incoming CEO James Ziemer stated that: "U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the first quarter of 2005 have been relatively flat with the same period last year--falling short of our expectations. Despite our continued optimism for the year, we feel it is prudent to limit short-term production growth, maintaining demand in excess of supply." The company cut its shipment and earnings forecasts for the year due to flat U.S. retail sales, although it met analysts' first-quarter expectations with $227.2 million in earnings, up 11 percent. In fact, HD is cutting production 10,000 units from 329,000 to 319,000 units for the year. The first time in over a decade that Harley has cut estimates. Ziemer attributed the cutback in shipments to the company's desire not to have too many 2005 bikes around when the 2006 models come out in June. But he said demand still exceeds supply.

Ed Aaron, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets, said Harley is at a turning point. Demand has been ahead of the company's ability to produce bikes until now, and Wednesday's report was the first concrete indication of the true demand growth for Harley, he said. "It's a well managed company with still one of the strongest brand names in consumer products, but I just question whether the company can grow its production 7 to 9 percent in an environment where demand doesn't seem to be growing at that rate," he said.

Wow, it almost seems by this report that you'd better go get your last bit of Harley paraphernalia as the dealership is about to close their doors and go the way of Indian motorcycles. That is hardly the case. The problem here is that HD is being compared to themselves which has been 19 straight years of record sales and earnings. After that generational run of outstanding growth it looks like they might resemble a more mortal company with high single digit growth rather than the explosive growth they have seen since they bought the brand back from AMF.

Overall, this news really doesn't surprise me. I could see this coming over the last couple of years. (See my article from 7/7/04 titled "The Value of Your Harley".) We all saw the fall of the premiums over MSRP and the softening of the resale market. Supply was slowly catching up with demand and it appears that it is now official. I personally think that HD management is making the right decision by cutting production at this time and applaud them for making a tough decision now. In fact, it probably could have been done a little earlier. A lot of the allure and high resale value of a Harley was due the fact that you couldn't just walk in and get one. That is not the case at the present time. You can pretty much get whatever model you want and the color you want within days.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next 18 months with HD sales and marketing. Will the marketing kick in and try to attract the younger riders? Or will the "Baby Boomers" still be the bread and butter of the Motor Company? Will the metric companies smell blood and come out with a marketing campaign like never before to try and attract those buyers on the fence? Or, will HD just dig in their heals and prove that they are still, and will always be the king? At any rate, it is "Game On" and it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds over the next several months.

This Week's Bike Night Events

Wednesday

Hooters at 1-17 and Bell Rd. Wednesday Bike Night. Hooters at I-17 and Bell will be hosting a new Bike Night every Wednesday night from 6pm - 9pm. They will feature a "Ride In" Bike Show with weekly prizes for 1st - 3rd. And then, the third Wednesday of every month we will crown the Bike of the Month with a Grand Prize and will also be featured on Cyclerides.com as the "Bike of the Week". We will have $2 Bud, Bud Light, and Mich Ultra bottles. There will be 20% off of all food and merchandise when you ride in on your bike. Stop by for loads of Raffle Prizes. There will be VIP Motorcycle Parking and you will be greeted at the front door by a Hooter's Girl waiting to give you your raffle ticket. Hooter's is located in the Bell Canyon Shopping Center at 2834 W. Bell Rd., West of I-17 on Bell Rd. 602-375-0000.

Thursday Night

Thursday Night features 4 Bike Nights all over the Valley.

Here is one for those of you in the far East Valley!
Hooters Mesa Thursday Bike Night. Hooters in Mesa located at 6730 E. Superstition Springs Blvd. will host a Bike Night every Thursday night from 6-9 pm. If you haven't seen this Hooters yet you will have to stop by and take a look. This is one of the nicest locations that they have. Hooters will $2.00 Corona's and 20% off of food and merchandise if you ride your bike in. Stop by for raffles prizes every Thursday Night with Big Raffle prizes the first Thursday of every month. For more information call 480-396-9396.

For those of you in the far West Valley!!
Drivers Sports Grill Thursday Bike Night. You have been asking for it and now it is here. Starting Thursday, February 3rd, Drivers will be hosting a new Thursday Bike Night. Drivers is located in Litchfield Park on the S.W. Corner of Indian School and Litchfield Rd. They feature a huge outdoor patio that holds 150 people as well as an indoor dining area with multiple TV's and a HUGE menu to choose from. You can park on the sidewalk or in coned off areas out front. Enjoy Food and Drink Specials Every Thursday Night, Domestic Bottles $2.00, Corona's $2.25, Drivers Burgers, Grilled Chicken "Sandwedges" and Chicken Caesar Wraps are 15% off. Drivers is easily accessible from I-10 at the Litchfield Rd. exit. Stop by from 6-10 PM for giveaways. For more information call 623-536-8571.

Hooters at Arrowhead Bike Night. Continues Giveaways and Raffles. Ride by and join in on the fun! Hooters will host a Bike Night every Thursday at the Hooters at Arrowhead located just 1 block S. of Bell on 83rd Ave. Stop by for some great food and Hooters Hospitality. There will be 20% off menu items, $2.00 Corona Thursdays and plenty of parking next to the outdoor patio. Stop by for some giveaways and raffles from Hooters and Arrowhead Harley as well as great wings and fun at Hooters. Click Here to see Pictures and all the detailed information.

Casey Jones Grill Bike Night. A valley favorite bike night for over 3 years. Ride in and sit out on the patio for what I call the Best Cheesesteak Sandwich in town. This thing melts in your mouth. They have 3 new pool tables, darts and foosball. Located in the Mervyns Shopping Center on the SE corner of 43rd Ave. and Thunderbird Rd. Casey Jones is a great place for a bike night featuring a large outdoor seating and over 150 people inside. And for those of you that want to watch a sporting event they have 50 TV's scattered throughout the restaurant connected to satellite to get any game you can think of. They have a full menu for lunch, dinner and a Happy Hour from 11:00AM - 7:00PM and a reverse happy hour from 10:00PM - 12:00 Midnight. $1.75 domestic bottles and $2.00 Jacks. There are always a lot of bikes showing up for bike night at Casey Jones Thursday night. Join them for open mic night on Wednesdays. Sunday. You can always count on lots of bikes here.

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 right next to Genesis Custom Cycles 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!!
Cave Creek Roadhouse Bike Weekend. Take a ride and stop by the Hottest New Restaurant/Bar in Cave Creek where every weekend will be Bike Weekend. There is plenty of motorcycle parking right out front. I have mentioned this place before and now it has finally opened to rave reviews. CCR is located on Cave Creek Rd. in the heart of Cave Creek directly across from Harold's. It is a restaurant and bar that focuses on a broad menu of good food and has a large bar for socializing with your riding pals for a good time. It is built to look like something out of the 1800's, but it is brand new. Stop by this weekend for lunch, dinner or just to have a drink and take a look at the place. I can tell you that their hamburgers and steak fries are exceptional. Mrs. C. had the swordfish and said it was very good.

Live Music Every Weekend:
Friday: Live Music with "Rondavous" 9pm - 2am
Saturday Afternoon: Live Music with "Dok and Gal" 2pm - 6pm
Saturday Night: Live Music with "Rondavous" 9pm - 2am
Sunday: Live Music with "Rondavous" 2pm - 7pm
Click here for pictures and more information. 480-575-3098

Wild Willy's Weekend Bike Days in Cave Creek.
Stop by for a relaxing place in Cave Creek for Food, Fun and Entertainment. Happy Hour every day from 11:00am -7:00pm featuring $2.00 domestics, $3.00 well drinks and $13.00 bucket of crabs. You can also choose from Wild Willy's Extensive Menu with Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches and Dinner Entrees. You will find Great Food, Great Service, Tasty Appetizers and Drinks at Wild Willy's. This is the best food menu I have seen in Cave Creek. Wild Willy's is formerly Fandango and is under new ownership. It has been remodeled and features a new bar with a giant TV screen, plenty of outdoor seating on the upper and lower patios, seating on the top deck for a great view of the mountains and the bikes riding by. The parking lot has been improved for easy navigation and sealed. Wild Willy's is located at 6032 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek. More information at 480-355-6150. Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm - Close stop by for $1.00 Beer, Shots and Cocktails.

Sunday

Sugar Daddy's Blues Biker Sunday Brunch.
Now is the perfect weather to be sitting out on the Sugar Daddy's patio, listening to Live Music while dining from the Brunch Menu. This Sunday: Hans Olson, 10am - 2pm. Paris James, 2pm-5pm.
And Sunday Brunch Just Got Better! You now have 3 options to choose from.
Option #1: Eggs Benedict – Grilled English muffins, smoked ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Served with your chose of fresh fruit or crispy potatoes. ($8) or Sugar’s Pancakes – You won’t eat pancakes anywhere else. Buttermilk pancakes served with butter and syrup. ($5)
Option #2: Can’t decide what to eat? How about an All-You-Can-Eat buffet for ONLY $12.
Option #3: Order off our regular menu.
Our 5,000 sq. ft. temperature controlled patio has six air conditioning units, misters, and plenty of shade. Sugar Daddy's patio, food and entertainment is becoming a regular Sunday stop. If you haven't tried it yet, give them a try. Complimentary coffee is now served. Make Sugar Daddy's Blues your stop on your ride down Scottsdale Rd. for Brunch or Lunch from 10am - 4pm. Enjoy live music from 10am - 2pm Or maybe just relax on the patio with your favorite beverage and enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the bikes roll down Scottsdale Rd. Click here to see the awesome pictures and details of Sugar Daddy's located at 3102 N. Scottsdale Rd. between Indian School and Thomas on the West side of the road. Stop by and check it out. A great place to hang out. Plenty of Bike Parking. If you have suggestions, email them at sugardaddysaz@aol.com . 480-970-6556.

Events This Week

Saturday, April 23rd
Superstition Harley-Davidson Open House. It is time to "Spring Into Gear" this Saturday from 8am - 5pm at Superstition HD. The 2005 MotorClothes Spring Collection is in. For a limited time only, get in and get them now while taking advantage of the dice roll discount. The number you roll is an additional percentage off your total MotorClothes purchase! Demo Rides from 1pm - 4pm. Superstition H.O.G. Chapter demo rides from 10am - 1pm. There will also be door prizes all day long and Hot Dogs from 11am - 1pm. Be sure and stop by Superstition Harley located at 2910 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction for the latest in MotorClothes and to Demo Ride your favorite Harley-Davidson. 480-346-0600.

Saturday, April 23rd
1st Annual AIADA Ride/Drive-What-cha-Got Poker Run. Ride benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix. Sign in from 10 - 10:30am at ADESA Phoenix Auto Auction located at 400 N. Beck Ave. in Chandler, AZ. Ride ends at the Elks Lodge #2429 located at 1775 W. Chandler Blvd at 4pm. Ride end party features Food, Music, Raffle Prizes, and the winner of the $500 cash grand prize for the best hand. $25 per person. End of run party only, $15 per person. More info at 602-694-3344.

Sunday, April 24th
2nd Annual Run For The Kids Poker Run. Registration begins 10:00 am at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind at 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. in Tucson, AZ. All proceeds benefit the school. Pins for the first 100 riders. $250 high hand, $75 low hand, 50/50, Raffle and Door Prizes.

April 29th & 30th
15th Annual ABATE of Arizona Yavapai Chapter Spring Run. The run is at Kid Chileen's located in Black Canyon City off I-17 at exit 244. $30 single/$45 couple includes 2 nights camping, Saturday breakfast buffet 7am - 9am. Live Music, bike show, bike games, raffles and 50/50. Saturday only pass $15 includes Saturday BBQ supper and bike show entry. Info at 928-775-3243 John Murray.

Saturday, April 30th
Bikers for Babies Presented by Hyde Park Jewelers in association with Women in the Wind. Sign in from 9-11 a.m. Registration & Breakfast at Biltmore Fashion Park 2442 E. Camelback, in front of Hyde Park Jewelers. Noon - 3 p.m. Post-ride celebration Grease Wood Flat 27500 Alma School Parkway, Scottsdale. It's a Poker Run ending with lunch (included), prizes, silent auction, a "shopping mall," and live music from SHUT UP AND DRIVE! Cost is $20 per person in advance, or $25 on the day of the event. Riders are invited (not required) to raise additional funds to advance the mission of the March of Dimes. Free T-shirt & pin to the first 200 registrants. Proceeds benefit the March of Dimes mission of preventing birth defects and infant mortality through research, education, community service and advocacy. For more details and to register, call 602-266-9933.

Saturday, April 30th
Power To Cure Roosevelt Lake Poker Run. You are invited to join us for a day ride to beautiful Roosevelt Lake. Riders will depart from the southeast parking lot of SRP at 1521 N. Project Drive and proceed North up the Beeline Highway, though Punkin Center to Roosevelt Lake. The Roosevelt PERA Club will provide lunch by the lake (included with registration). On-Site registration 8am - 10am. First riders depart at 9am. $20 single, $35 with passenger. All Riders Are Welcome. This ride is to benefit Huntington's Disease Society of America - Arizona Chapter. For more information about the ride, contact Sandy Petraitis at 602.499.5277.

Sunday, May 1 - May 8th
Buddy Stubbs is Celebrating Mother's Day. Looking for that special something for Mother's Day? Enjoy a week of specials of 20% off all in stock jewelry items at Buddy Stubbs. Stop by any time during the week to take advantage of these big jewelry savings. You can also enter to win a Stamper Black Hills Gold Necklace. Winner will be announced on May 10th. On Saturday, May 7th enjoy 2 informal fashion shows. One at 11am and one at 3pm. The new 45,000 sq. ft. Buddy Stubbs dealership is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix. 602-971-3400.

Sunday, May 1st
W. Steven Martin's Police Memorial Poker Run from Phoenix to Payson. Proceeds support Police Week and Arizona Memorial Programs. Check in from 8-10am at Childress Automall located at 2223 W. Camelback Rd. (2 blocks East of I-17). $10 donation per bike. $5 poker cards. $1 50/50 tickets. Pick up your first card and a map at check-in. A cookout will be held at the end of the ride. Lunch, Fallen Heroes Bracelets and T-Shirts will be sold separately. Click Here for more information or call 480-921-6366.

Sunday, May 1st
Motorcycle Awareness Event. Event held at Spectrum Mall located at 17th ave. and Bethany Home Rd. in Phoenix from 12-4pm. People's Choice Bike Show, Biker Memorial Monument, Riders Education Information. Hosted by MMA and ABATE of Arizona & Governor's Office of Highway Safety. For more information contact Ray Huston at 602-402-8026 or Bobbi Hartmann at 602-243-9479.

Sunday, May 1st
Ride for Kathleen. Kathleen was hit on her motorcycle March 31st and is still in the hospital. She is facing a long hospital stay and months of rehab. Your help will help cover costs including keeping her house. Sign in at Cobbs restaurant located at 944 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction just W. of Idaho Rd. $20 solo rider and $30 for 2 up. Includes breakfast.

Sunday, May 1st
Lights On For The Kids Rally. All proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Club. Kick off National Family Week and Motorcycle Awareness Month by supporting out future generation. Poker Run $15 single/$20 couple. Meal included. Sign in at 9am at Chaparral located at 325 S. Main St. in Cottonwood, AZ. Rally hosted by Rock Springs Cafe located at 35769 S. Old Black Canyon Hwy., Exit 242. Live Music with J.D. Simo. Raffles, Door Prize, Bike Games, Clown, Face Painting, Jumping Castle. More info: Pat Rogers 928-639-4675.