Category: Motorcycling (Harley Davidson)

All of that hype

about Polaris (manufacture the fake Indian motorcycle) giving Harley-Davidson a run for it’s money is falling flat on it’s face, exactly as I expected. From what I’m reading, Polaris is suffering from some major quality control issues. Paint, electrical (ECM), suspension and other issues are coming to light. With that being said, keep in mind there are very few fake Indian motorcycle authorized warranty service locations throughout the United States as compared to Harley-Davidson, that can take care of these issues. Unless you have a fake Indian motorcycle dealership in your area, you best have a trailer available to haul it in for service. Read the fake Indian motorcycle forums, and you’ll quickly realize the problems.

Some have contacted me and ask me why I keep referring to the bike as the fake Indian motorcycle. I do because it is. Hendee manufacturing company (the real Indian Motorcycle, and I’d LOVE to own one) went belly up in 1953. Since then Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, and maybe others have slapped an Indian badge on their offerings and called it an Indian. Those were no more of an Indian motorcycle, just like what Polaris is producing and calling it a Indian. It’s a damn fake.

Back Of The Dragon Ride coming up soon!

Been looking forward to this ride for a month. Hwy 16 north of Marion, Virginia, aka Back Of The Dragon. Sue and I have ridden that stretch of Hwy 16 several times. 32 miles of curves, over 3 mountain tops, with some scenic views, unlike Tail Of The Dragon in NC/TN.

On this ride I will be accompanied by Dale, Tim, and Ben. We’re meeting up in Morganton and heading to Lenoir, then onto Hwy 321 toward Boone, NC, then onto Shady Valley Tennessee via Hwy 421. Aka “The Snake”. Another curvy route from Mountain City, Tn over toward Bristol, Tn. From there we cut-over toward Damascus, Va, onto Hwy 58 east to Hwy 16 north. Kinda of a round-about way to Hwy 16, considering Hwy 16 is less than 10 miles from my home!

Once we ride Back Of The Dragon, we’ll be making our way over a Tazewell, Va for dinner, then over to Richlands, Va where we’ll spend the night. The following morning we’re planning riding over to West Virginia for breakfast, then take some nice curvy mountain roads back south to the Blue Ridge Parkway, then on back to the barn. Nothing, I mean nothing beats traveling these curvy mountain roads on 2 wheels.

Roan Mountain State Park Ride

Dale, Tim and I met up in Morganton, took Hwy 181 then 19E over to the Roan Mountain community and had lunch at Highlander BBQ. Food was very good, fantastic service, very staff friendly. Highly suggest that you give them a try when you’re in the area. We’ll sure be going back!

After lunch we headed south on Hwy 143 to the parking area on top of the mountain to enjoy the area. The road was in good shape with only a few sections that did have some minor issues. I did find a grove while in a right-hand curve that slightly wash my front-end out a little. Other than that, the pavement is good.

Once in the parking lot, I made the goofy video in this post. Always having a great time riding with both Dale and Tim. We hung out here for a while, and I told them the time that Sue and I were there, and my truck failed to start. Cell service is very sketchy, however I did have one of my amateur radio (HAM) transceivers with me, and contacted a friend in Lenoir, NC, and had him to dispatch a towing service to my location. Typically a cell phone will always fail you when needed the most. Amateur radio (HAM) always gets through!

Tim lives in Marion, so we continued into North Carolina where Hwy 143 becomes Hwy 261. Made our way down the mountain through the curves into Bakersville, then onto Hwy 226 towards Marion where Tim peeled off. Dale and I continued on back to Hickory to complete the ride. 8 hours out on the bike.

Living the dream…

Footnote. Carrying a handgun in a Tennessee state park for us is 100% legal.

Short video of the ride

after departing the Asheville Harley-Davidson End Of Summer event.

Dale is on his CVO Ultra Classic
Stacy is on her Softail Deluxe
Sue is on her Anniversary Road King Classic
Tim is on his awesome Road King Standard
and I’m on my Anniversary Street Glide

This was Stacy and Tim’s (both new HD riders) first time on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We entered the Parkway in Asheville, and exited at Hwy 221. Was a very nice, relaxing ride.

I have owned a slew of

riding jackets, and now have found my favorite of all. The Harley-Davidson Metonga Switchback Lite Riding Jacket.

For my riding adventures, this is going to be my go to jacket. No longer will I need to carry a standard jacket, along with a mesh jacket for those days when it starts out cool, then warms quite a bit.

For summer riding zip open the panels to expose the mesh vents and keep cool, while maintaining a decent level of protection.

Spring and Fall, close the panels and enjoy the mid-level temps this time of years brings.

Winter, use my Gerbing heated jacket liner, and continue enjoying motorcycling while most others have their rides connected to a battery tender.

The jacket has extra abrasion panels, plus pockets for installation of additional impact resistant pads.

Harley knocked it out of park with this one…

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/Mens-Metonga-Switchback-Lite-Riding-Jacket/p/98393-19VM