Open Road Cycles

Documents released by the Federal Reserve last week show that Harley-Davidson received $2.3 billion in loans during the federal bank bailout program. The program was meant to keep large banks such as Citigroup and Wells Fargo from collapsing during the financial crisis, but were also handed out to smaller companies such as Harley-Davidson, Caterpillar ($733 million) and McDonalds ($203 million).

How effective was the bailout? According to Donald L. Kohn, who was the Fed’s vice chairman during the crisis, the bailout “…prevented an even more disastrous outcome”. He further stated that, without the bailout, “liquidity would have dried up even more than it did, asset prices would have fallen even more than they did, and economic activity and employment would have fallen further and faster then they did.” (more…)

The first Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show, a new feature at each stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows, took center stage at last weekend’s Dallas event.

The bikes were on a red carpet right down the middle from one end of the show to the other. Attendance was estimated at 30,000 during the three days.

Not only were the builders competing for $7,000 in first-place awards and $1,500 in prizes, they also were competing for a chance to qualify for the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building to be held at next year’s Sturgis.

The judging for this show was done in a manner similar to World Championship judging, with builders themselves being a major part of the decision-making. VIPs from the motorcycle industry also were invited to share their expertise as judges, and in the case of a tie the Mob Rules (aka people’s choice) became the tiebreaker. There were three classes.

Read the entire article and view pictures at dealernews.com

Think you had a bad day? What about Robert Harper of New Albany, Indiana. He was starting one of his more than 100 vintage motorcycles when a spark started a fire and burned down his 30,000 square foot warehouse. The loss is estimated at over $100,000. Harper did not have insurance on the warehouse.

Read the original story here.

JT Racing USA, an iconic motocross gear company of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, is back for 2011 with a new line of high-end riding gear.

The 2011 collection will make its debut Nov. 19-20 at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Las Vegas. Not only will JT Racing founders John and Rita Gregory be inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, but several Team JT champions will be on hand, including world champ Danny LaPorte and AMA champions Broc Glover, Donnie Hansen, Jim Gibson, Ronnie Lechien and Chuck Sun. (more…)

The 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Toy Run is only two weeks away.

Entry Fee: $10 per bike/vehicle plus a new unwrapped toy per person. We are in need of toys for both boys and girls aging from 6 months to 14 years of age.

First 100 to register will receive a free toy run t-shirt. Additional t-shirts will be available for sale at $10 per shirt.

Everyone Welcome – Bikes, Cars, Trucks

Registration (more…)

Due to the increased motorcycle fatalities around the nation, the National Traffic and Transportation Safety Board is trying to pass a nationwide helmet law. Last year there were over 4,400 motorcycle deaths across the nation. Motorcycle experts say a similar law in 1976 lasted only 9 months and predict a new helmet law also would fail. This would mean that riders in South Carolina would be required to wear a helmet. South Carolina is one of three states which currently do not have a helmet law.

It was bound to happen.

Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle brand with a cult-like following, has announced it has chosen to build its second assembly plant ever outside the United States in India.

The “complete knock down” plant or CKD is expected to be up and running in the northern Indian state of Haryana in first half of 2011. Parts made in America will be put together for the Indian market in Haryana.

“What we are doing is made in USA, assembled in India, which will have a positive job effect back home which is why we are driving this investment as quickly as we are,” Anoop Prakash managing director for Harley Davidson India told CNN.

Re-posted from CNN

The cold weather is officially here. Be sure to protect yourself from the elements. The new shipment of gloves and chaps have arrived.

On October 22nd the Open Road Riderz Riding Group took a ride up to Deals Gap. The Riderz left the Open Road Cycles shop in Denver just after the sun came up and began the nearly 4 hour ride towards the NC TN border. After a short break to check into our rooms at the Two Wheel Inn, and a short rest, we left the Inn and headed out. (more…)

Kawasaki launched it’s new 2011 product lineup on October 20th. The new products include the Ninja® 1000, Ninja® ZX-10R, Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero Cruiser and the Jet Ski® Ultra® 300X.

The Vaquero paint is restricted to two choices, Ebony and Candy Fire Red. It is powered by a 1,700cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled V-twin engine with 108 foot-pounds of torque. The six-speed transmission boasts overdriven 5th and 6th gears.

Vaquero Features: