Thursday, February 22, 2007

The Nightster - 50th Anniversary edition Sportster

The old boy turned 50 this year. Since 1957, the Harley Davidson Sportster has sold over 1 million units to some very happy customers. The Sportster has had it's share of bad mojo (chick bike, beginners bike) but this is the Harley that many people first rode and still love. Personally, I love them.

But it was time for the guys to come up with a new, spiffier version for the golden anniversary and the early review on the Nightster are pretty good. The Nightster is probably aimed at those who are comfortable with the 1200cc engine and is priced very reasonably at a starting $9595 for the flat black finish.

And speaking of flat. This baby has like ZERO chrome. Probably as a reaction to all the chrome and bling floating around out there, the Nightster is a low key, flat matte finish.


The rims and handlebars are both black and the gas cap has a sort of silver satin finish. NO chrome to be found there.

There's also the bobber styling with side mounted license plate frame and a low seat that stands at 25.3 inches. The suspension isn't really adjustable so big guys...not the bike for you.

The Nightster has one more thing - finally, Fuel Injection. That pretty much completes Harley's lineup leaving no more carburated bikes in their line up.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Laughlin River Run

One of the big runs in the southwest has to be the Laughlin River Run held at the end of April every year. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the run and it should be a blast as usual.

As with all things biker, we're late comers to this event and missed out on the really crazy years. Back in 2002, the Hells Angels had a shoot out with one of their biggest rivals, The Mongols in Harrahs casino leaving a few people very dead. We weren't there for that funfest but it has definitely been a little more, shall we say, monitored by local law enforcement since then.

Laughlin and nearby Bullhead City which is just over the border in Arizona, probably don't have 40,000 residents between them so when 75,000 people hit town, they get a little nervous. Since the problems in 2002, the police are really out in force. Hey, for this old dude who just wants to smoke his cigars, drink some martinis, check out and hit on some hot chicks, I'm not stressing over it.

It'll be here soon and I'm definitely looking forward to heading out into the desert for some gambling, riding, drinking and whatever else comes my way!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Spring will get here eventually

I almost feel guilty writing about the weather in southern California and how it's been a little too cold to ride. That means high 50's around here. How people back east and in the midwest manage to put their bikes in storage for 3 or 4 months without going nuts is beyond me. Weekend weather for California this weekend is looking great - mid 70's.

And it's thoughts like that that make my mind wander to thoughts of the upcoming Laughlin River Run. Warm desert weather, bikes, girls.....and girls. April 26, it's right around the corner....girls