Join a Women's Only Tour of Northern California in May
Cherie, reservation coordinator at Dubbelju Motorcycle Rentals and Storage in San Francisco, is organizing a women only motorcycle tour sponsored by Dubbelju. It's the first time she's organized such a tour so I told her I'd help get the word out. It's a 3 day guided tour that has room for up to five female riders. This 500 mile long tour is being offered from May 26th -28th 2010. It begins and ends in San Francisco and will include some of the nicest less traveled back roads, places where the locals ride.

The California coastline. Looks inviting.

Cheri has collaborated with her boss, Wolfgang, founder of Dubbelju (with more then 18 years experience creating custom tours in California), to handpick these roads which will guarantee riders an unforgettable journey with spectacular scenery. The ride includes Pacific Coast Highway, the Wine Country, gigantic redwood trees, and a day at the Spa in Calistoga. All of this and riding the famous Golden Gate Bridge twice. Visit DubbelJu.com, or call 415.495.2774, or 866.495.2774 and ask for Cherie.

Harley-Davidson Changes Location for Daytona Bike Week
Going to Bike Week in two weeks? Well, Harley-Davidson will no longer be at the Ocean Center Arena this year. New for 2010, Harley-Davidson will hold Daytona Bike Week 2010 events at both the Daytona International Speedway and at a new location in Riverfront Park on Beach Street across from Daytona Beach Harley-Davidson. There will be no official Harley-Davidson events at the Ocean Center Arena this year. Harley-Davidson events at the Daytona International Speedway from Saturday, Feb. 27 to Saturday, March 6, will include demo rides on the 2010 model motorcycles, a pin stop for Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) members, and other activities. Harley-Davidson events in the Riverfront Park on Beach Street from Friday, Feb. 26 to Saturday, March 6, will include displays of the 2010 model motorcycle products, the annual Ride-In Show and much more.

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Hyosung Adds Fuel Injection for 2010
Hyosung Motors America is unveiling new and improved versions of its GT250, GT250R and GV250 motorcycles for 2010. The latest models feature a number of improvements over last year, most notable is the addition of fuel injection. Other functional and cosmetic upgrades include a redesigned tail section on GT models and a strengthened frame on the GV. All Hyosung 250cc motorcycles will continue to feature fuel gauges.

To see a video review of this GV 250 cruiser by WRN editors, visit WRN's Motorcycle Videos.

MSRP is as follows: $3699 - GT250 Solid colors: White, Black, Red; $3999 - GT250R Solid colors: Black, Red; $4199 - GT250R Two-tone with Graphics: Black/Red, Black/White, Black/Silver; $3899 – GV250 Solid or two-tone: Black/Red, Black/Silver, Solid Black.

To see WRN Editors in a video test ride of the GV 250 and 650 models, click here to go to the WRN Motorcycle Videos page. And to learn more about Hyosung, visit HyosungMotorsUSA.com.

Posted 2/2/10
Free Dirtbike School Training, Whoohoo!
In support of the pink breast cancer awareness theme for the February 13 Anaheim III Supercross held in Southern California, Kawasaki is sponsoring 24-hours of dirt bike training. The flyer to the right has all the details including the class start times and registration information. All you need is a pair of jeans, boots that cover your ankles and a long-sleeve shirt. Kawasaski will provide the rest! Click on the photo to enlarge it and print it out.

To see a video review of this GV 250 cruiser by WRN editors, visit WRN's Motorcycle Videos.

Space is limited to the first 75 who register (ages 14 and up). All participants will receive a free ticket to Anaheim III Supercross event, an exclusive track walk and a one-of-a-kind behind the scenes Monster Energy Kawasaki pit tour. The class is free, with a donation (in any amount) to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. Kawasaki is having special guests coming by all day and night to sign autographs and cheer for the students. Call 714.557.3663, etc. 203 for more information or email Lauren at l.oldoerp@freemanmccue.com

POSTED 1/29/10
New David Uhl Women of Harley Painting Released
Wow was my first reaction to the latest painting to be released by licensed Harley-Davidson artist David Uhl. "Stella" (closeup shown at right) is the seventh in the Women of Harley-Davidson series that David started back in 1998. David adds a new piece to this collection every two years. The painting was completed last week and shown at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Arizona. We hear it was the hit of the show. Every detail on each pearl on Stella's necklace and the vivid colors of her shoes really jump off the canvas.

I've already put my order in for a large sized giclee to add to the other two David Uhl prints I own -- Majestic Tetons, and The Enthusiast. Stella is one I have to have. To me it represents the spirit of the rebel woman, what I as a female motorcyclist sometimes feel like in today's society. Here's the description of Stella in David's words.

"It has been two years since the introduction of Evelyn, the last piece in my "Women of Harley Series." The Evelyn painting was a portrait of a seasoned rider on her way to a hill climb in the early thirties. She was composed o fbig bold strokes with expressive paint and colors. I got to thinking of how women first climbed astride the iron horse in the first place and did a little research. It appears that the decade before was the culprit for paradigm shift of attitudes, "The Roaring Twenties." Now I wanted to do an accurate rendering with all the details of this slice of American history."

"Stella" by David Uhl. Click on image to make it larger.

David continues, "I decided to produce a piece that went full circle back to the "Ruby" era, except focus on the motorcycle as the catalyst of change. Stella sits outside the Oxford Hotel on a shiny new Harley-Davidson in full '20s regalia, igniting the onslaught of the previous Victorian generation's display of contempt. These young women of the '20s could not have been more shocking to their parents, they flew airplanes, rode motorcycles and stayed out dancing until the morning hours, not to mention the attire. Harley-Davidson's rich heritage includes these type of scenes, and I hope you enjoy my window into that past."

If you want to view more of David's incredible work visit UhlStudios.com. You can also find prices for Stella on the site. I think this one is going to sell out like Ruby did, the first one in the series -- and is now a collector's item.

Posted 1/25/10
Need Your Reviews
We're in need of your personal motorcycle and product reviews. Our supply of stories is running low. Our Readers' Reviews is all about you, the WRN reader sending us your mini-review on the motorcycle you ride, or the motorcycle products you use.Here's how to send in yours.. We'd love to hear from you.

Diva Amy Hangs With Paris Hilton!
Diva Amy, our columnist at large, who always knows where the party is, was in Sundance, Utah, over the weekend at the Sundane Film Festival. Amy lives nearby in Park City but spends her winters in Arizona. She drove north to Sundance to showcase her styling hats and blingy belts and accessories at a boutique during the festival. She ran into Paris Hilton and gave her one of her Team Diva cadet hats. We think Paris looks great in the hat! To read more about Diva Amy, check out her column on WRN.

Jillian Michaels Auctioning Off her Yamaha FZ1 for Haiti Relief
Got word that Jillian Michaels, co-host of TV's The Biggest Loser, is selling her prized custom Yamaha FZ1 with proceeds going to an organization raising money for relief for Haiti. Bidding on eBay ends later today! Jillian rode this motorcycle on her return to season four of The Biggest Loser. It is hand painted by Troy Lee, and according to her posting on eBay, "It was customized to the point of being nearly unrecognizable. It has titanium pipes, belly pan fairings, modified mirrors, iPod and iPhone capabilities, and a special alarm. You name it, the bike has it. This bike is special to me. It holds tremendous sentimental value symbolizing my return home to Biggest Loser." Click here to check out the auction on eBay. And then visit our story on how Jillian is teaming up with Harley-Davidson to promote women riders.

New Internet Show on Women Riders
Three enterprising women riders are teaming up to create online video segments on motorcycling. It's called Heels On Wheels TV -- love the name! The second episode just posted. Visit HeelsOnWheelstv.com.

Check Out Sara Liberte and Garage-Girls on Video
Our good buddy Sara Liberte, motorcycle book author, mechanic and photographer, is profiled in two video segments on Harley-Davidson's Dark Customs blog at this link. It's well shot and edited and worth a look-see. To learn more on Sara, do a search on WRN to read the stories we've done on her.

Posted 1/15/10
Who Did Well This Past Year?
I recently received two press releases from two different manufacturers boasting on how well they did in 2009. The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) recently released sales figures for 2009 and these companies report that they fared better than expected. According to MIC reports, BMW Motorrad USA outperformed all of its competitors in 2009. Despite a U.S. motorcycle market that declined 41 percent and lost nearly 360,000 units, BMW motorcycle sales only declined 22 percent, which was the smallest decline among all motorcycle brands. This follows on the heels of 2008 when BMW Motorrad USA was one of only two motorcycle manufacturers to post positive growth."Our dedicated dealers were the key to our success this past year," commented Todd Andersen, BMW Motorrad USA Marketing Manager. "Despite the tough market, they continued to serve our customers well and promote our new products like the K 1300 S and the K 1300 GT.  They were supported by attractive financing programs from BMW Financial Services. While many other dealers struggled to finance their customers' purchases, BMW dealers never lost access to good financing, and this will continue for 2010."

"We expect significant sales growth in 2010 on the strength of the launch of the production version of the S 1000 RR Superbike, the most powerful and sophisticated sport bike ever produced," Anderson continued. "Our dealers have confirmed deposits on more than 600 bikes and deliveries to customers will begin January 26." Also slated for the coming year are new versions of BMW Motorrad's most popular models:  the R 1200 GS, the R 1200 GS Adventure and the R 1200 RT. 

Triumph Motorcycles also exhibited some strength and resilience in 2009, even gaining some market share. The British manufacturer consistently gained market share in the United States every year for the past five years according to the MIC. The sustained growth makes Triumph one of the fastest growing motorcycle manufacturers in the country and one of only two marques that never lost market share in that time period. 

Sales of Triumph motorcycles in the United States increased 5.49 percent in December 2009 over the same period the prior year, which is significant as most manufacturers reported double digit decreases. "The Triumph team and our network of dealers did a fantastic job of keeping a positive attitude in 2009, and their efforts have paid off as customers continued to show strong support for Triumph," said Mark Kennedy, CEO of Triumph Motorcycles North America. "We are really optimistic about the New Year. Our all new 2010 Triumph Thunderbird has great momentum from being named Cruiser of the Year and we're introducing some exciting new models to Triumph's line of Urban Sport motorcycles." 

Triumph also did extremely well in Canada by producing a year-long sales increase of more than 20 percent over the same period in 2008. The achievement makes Triumph the fastest growing motorcycle brand in Canada. This past summer Triumph introduced the all-new 1600cc parallel twin Thunderbird, which earned a number of 'Best Cruiser' accolades from the motorcycle enthusiast news media. The Thunderbird complements Triumph's existing cruiser line that includes the 865cc America and Speedmaster models and the 2300cc Rocket III line. Triumph also manufactures a variety of standard and sport motorcycles that range from the iconic Bonneville to class-leading sport bikes such as the Daytona 675, Street Triple and Speed Triple. Kennedy continued, "Triumph has a wonderful heritage. As a company, we understand the importance of perseverance and working toward the future. It's that culture that has enabled Triumph to be such as strong and resilient company. We're ready for 2010." 

POSTED 1/11/10
Harley-Davidson Women's Parade in Daytona This Year
Many of you have been emailing me asking if Harley-Davidson is going to be holding its women's parade for MDA during Daytona Bike Week this year because there is nothing on Harley's Web site indicating so. I found out that yes, Harley-Davidson is planning on holding the ride again this year as it has for the last two years. The Motor Company has not issued a formal press release yet and is still working out the details that's why you've not seen anything on the ride as of today. For those not familiar with the ride, you can click here to view a video I did on the ride when it started in 2008. It's the third story down on the page. Of course, as soon as we get details we'll pass it along to you. The photo at right is from the 2008 parade.

Speaking of Harley, I suspect one of the reasons the Motor Company is "behind" in getting info out on the parade is because staff has been busy inking a deal with Jillian Michaels of TV's "The Biggest Loser" to help push Garage Parties during the month of March. Click on the highlighted links in the previous sentence to visit our respective stories on these two major initiatives happening with Harley.

And a couple of more items of interest from the Motor Company: those who attended the AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference in Keystone last August may remember the inspirational keynote speech delivered by Leslie Prevish, Harley-Davidson's manager of of women's outreach. Many in the audience were moved to tears hearing the voice of pioneering motorcyclist Vivian Bales (in photo at right) in an audio clip as part of Leslie's slide show presentation. An elderly Vivian talks about riding her own motorcycle back in the early 1900s. That audio clip is now available to listen to online on Harley's Web site. You may access it by clicking here. And for those not familiar with this trailblazing motorcyclist, visit WRN's story on her in our Pioneers Page. We just posted a new comment from a reader who is the niece of Vivian.

Have you seen the new video by country artist Krista Marie? She's a motorcycle rider and recently filmed a new video that's really fun to watch called "Tomboy." You can view it on Harley-Davidson's Web site by clicking here.

Gina Woods and Open Road Radio Expand to More Stations
The longest running motorcycle radio show I know of is Gina Woods and Open Road Radio (that's her in the photo at right) and a team of motorcycle riding personalities. The show has been on the air in Chicago for 13 years, about as long as I've known Gina, a vivacious rider and self promoter. Well, Open Road Radio Presented by National Cycle is starting the new year off with a deal that expands the reach of the show to 200 radio stations through worldwide Sports Byline Radio Network giving the program an extended reach to 2.2 million additional listeners each week. This will also give them access to the American Forces Radio Network with 500 additional stations in 177 countries. AFN's daily audience is nearly four million service men and women and their families. As long time supporters of the troops, both active and retired, the staff of Open Road Radio is very proud to have reached this new platform.

Additionally, the show has added new segments through partnerships with industry leaders who bring a whole new perspective with them to the show. With segments like Iron Work’s Motorcycle News & Previews; Product Reviews Presented by National Cycle; Biker Billy Cooks With Fire, flaming road recipes; Cycle Source’s, Chris "Wildman" Callen’s Generation Next; and Motorcycle Events' Two Wheel Rides, Runs & Rallies. Open Road Radio is broadcast on The Sports Byline Radio Network every Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. SportsByline.com (check for stations in your area). To learn more, visit OpenRoadRadio.com.

Great Deal! Harley-Davidson Offers $500 Over Trade-In to Competitive Owners (that's non-Harley owners)
Harley-Davidson invites competitive riders to trade in their non-Harley-Davidson motorcycles for a new untitled Harley-Davidson motorcycle. As an added incentive, customers who trade-in an eligible competitive motorcycle toward the purchase of an eligible Harley-Davidson motorcycle by January 31, 2010, will receive the dealer-negotiated trade-in value plus $500 towards the final purchase price. "It's all about sharing the Harley-Davidson experience with a discriminating audience and earning the opportunity to welcome new riders into the family," said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson Advertising and Promotions Director. "Currently one-in-four sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles are to competitive brand riders, but there may be some riders out there who don't realize that nearly all Harley-Davidson dealers welcome competitive brand trade-ins, so we are spreading the word through this promotion and sweetening the deal to help get them on the ride of their dreams." For more details about the competitive trade-in promotion, visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer or log onto h-d.com/trade-in.

More Motor Company News: This might apply to you
Harley-Davidson is offering customers extended warranty coverage on new, previously untitled 2009 and 2010 model year Harley-Davidson motorcycles purchased and delivered between November 20, 2009 and March 16, 2010. The offer extends coverage through April 2, 2012, and allows customers to gain additional time and benefits of the warranty, especially for motorcycles purchased in colder weather areas. Additionally, effective December 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010, customers who purchased a vehicle that is still under factory warranty through February 28, 2010 are now eligible to have street-legal Parts & Accessories installed at their selling dealer and added to their 2-year factory vehicle warranty as an extension of the Custom Coverage program. Highlights of the extended warranty include:
- Eligible motorcycles sold during this timeframe will have the manufacturer’s limited warranty coverage extended through April 2, 2012.
- The extended manufacturer’s warranty will also apply to street-legal Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories installed by the dealer on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle prior to retail delivery.
- New, previously untitled 2009MY (model year) and 2010MY Harley-Davidson motorcycles are included in the extended warranty offer with the exception of company owned vehicles (COVs), FLHP and FLHTP police units, and rental or leased motorcycles.
Visit your dealer for more information.

Betsy's Back
For those wondering what happened to our Backroads With Betsy column, Betsy and I took a break from her writing for WRN for her to explore other options. We missed each other too much so she's back in the saddle with WRN. Check out her latest column here.

Women Rider Club Wants Your Input
Twist of Fate Motorcycle Club is thinking about organizing a women riders only retreat as part of Thunder In Old Forge, a rally happening in the Adirondacks in upstate New York in June. Organizers of the rally would like to put together an event for July 2011 just for women riders and are seeking ideas and participation from other motorcycle clubs and women rider organizations. You can email the Twist of Fate motorcycle club, who is working with rally organizers, at twistoffatemc@yahoo.com to send in your ideas.