tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29064708937616673192011-12-29T12:53:59.159ZRiding the wheels off big, daft, American-built motorcycles.Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.comBlogger941100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-29397777519846995662011-12-06T11:25:00.000Z2011-12-06T11:25:49.105Z

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-9739843487922452822011-12-06T11:21:00.001Z2011-12-06T11:23:36.648Z

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-19311325392437950302011-10-11T12:10:00.000+01:002011-10-11T12:10:13.813+01:00

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-57334103593677113922011-10-11T12:06:00.001+01:002011-10-11T12:07:12.552+01:00

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-67695977469701346252011-09-23T11:34:00.001+01:002011-09-23T11:34:55.411+01:00

Had a blast putting the new Dyna Switchback through its paces yesterday. Read the full story in American-V 48, out in early October.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-61932087547782627882011-09-15T16:25:00.001+01:002011-09-15T22:30:15.025+01:00

Spotted one of these going round a roundabout in Worcester, and how could I not drop in? You'll struggle to find bigger fans of S&S.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-12827095842870566712011-08-29T12:11:00.000+01:002011-08-29T12:11:02.949+01:00

Riding back from Ludlow on Thursday up the A49, approaching Wem, there was a bloke changing a car tyre on a fast blind bend. He was wearing a Hi-Viz vest, and as a result I saw him clearly and was alerted to the potential hazard. And it made me realise something VERY important: something that I've always known but have never been able to voice coherently. If every motorcyclist were forced

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-51625304248147506072011-07-19T02:51:00.001+01:002011-07-19T03:12:49.572+01:00

At last: we've only been suggesting that Harley do an FLD for half a dozen years (sixteen if you include previous magazines), and Harley have finally brought out a Dyna Road King, albeit known as the Switchback (well, we assume it's the switchback). Modern 17 and 18-inch tyre fitments beneath full mudguards, the new 103 motor, FL forks and nacelle, footboards and a QD screen and new QD slantbags

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-53862023350278075412011-07-11T00:42:00.000+01:002011-07-11T00:42:10.999+01:00

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-2748255560561184522011-07-10T22:09:00.000+01:002011-07-10T22:09:39.587+01:00

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-86670580464724902792011-06-18T16:26:00.001+01:002011-07-01T12:24:45.749+01:00

Early 2012 model news coming in points to an upgrade to Harley's Softail family for 2012 with a new 103-inch - TC103B - engine across the board, as will a couple of the Dyna models.  The Softail range will comprise the 'yet-to-make-an-impact' Blackline, ever popular Fat Boy and Fat Boy Low - which we'll take as being a Fat Boy Special in the UK - the evergreen Heritage Softail Classic and the

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-3379907591136444172011-06-04T18:59:00.001+01:002011-06-04T18:59:33.183+01:00

Amanda is still laughing ...

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-43927956644801492352011-05-07T11:03:00.000+01:002011-05-07T11:03:15.242+01:00

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-49265093021394248242011-05-07T10:50:00.000+01:002011-05-07T10:50:33.854+01:00

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-55417876518431153232011-04-20T00:06:00.000+01:002011-04-20T00:06:12.641+01:00

Breaking news from Cyril Huze: I'm up to my neck in deadlines, and the release from Polaris speaks for itself, but I can't see this being anything but good news for both Indian and Victory, and all of us who enjoy American motorcycles. Both companies will presumably maintain their current course - Indian couldn't build the Vision any more than Victory could build a Chief - and it will force

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-64220072385539914252011-04-16T23:07:00.000+01:002011-04-16T23:07:44.657+01:00

The much maligned Blackline is with us, and you've really got to ride one to appreciate what Harley have managed to achieve with it! Mechanically, it's a proper Harley for the Shovelhead generation, even if it's supposed to be aimed at youngsters trading up from Sportsters. The Dyna FXs have got some serious Softail competition.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-20959402286158113602011-04-15T16:34:00.000+01:002011-04-15T16:34:22.271+01:00

An interesting new exhibition opens at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry this weekend, showcasing the history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 34 carefully selected bikes. From early, single-cylinder beginnings through war and racing, technologies and lifestyle, to the modern day and a room showcasing the current state of motorcycle customising, the exhibition sets out to give

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-26723172459122178012011-04-11T21:40:00.000+01:002011-04-11T21:40:31.833+01:00

In the absence of an official statement from Sheldon Coleman, CEO of Big Dog Motorcycles, we can only take the comments of Mike Simmons, President of Big Dog Performance Products, at face value, when he says in a piece published by Powersports Business on April 7th: Big Dog Motorcycles was foreclosed upon on Wednesday afternoon, and the company has closed.  Big Dog Motorcycles, LLC has been

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-56205521848594445832011-04-07T13:44:00.000+01:002011-04-07T13:44:35.188+01:00

If you're up to speed with the blogosphere, you will undoubtedly have heard that Big Dog Motorcycles - the world's biggest producer of factory custom motorcycles - had closed their doors for good.  That's not actually the full story. We've got a statement from Jos Dewit - the CEO of Big Dog Motorcycles Europe - pictured centre on the K9 Chopper a fortnight ago in Belgium, flanked by UK

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-21450903770272540382011-03-29T15:05:00.001+01:002011-03-29T15:06:31.390+01:00

While down at the California Dreamin' pre-event party, we got the chance to swing a leg across Battistini's 'production bobber' - the Venti - and it would have rude not to. Read all about it in AmV46, out in early May 2011.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-3547526464849354912011-03-27T13:47:00.001+01:002011-03-27T13:47:17.207+01:00

Not sure which will happen first: posting a message or docking! Sod this, I'll wait till we're in range of a uk transmitter!

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-20080371621570894822011-03-27T13:34:00.002+01:002011-03-28T10:49:20.715+01:00

... looking comfortable in a larger 'modified Harley' class

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-32737338050600823422011-03-26T13:57:00.001Z2011-03-26T13:57:03.830Z

Sorry, couldn't resist it: stunning sidecar on a sidevalve

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-77697487670762360302011-03-26T13:51:00.001Z2011-03-26T13:51:40.087Z

I'm sure someone will know what this fuel tank was originally off ... something small and Japanese from the seventies, I think

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-70387030261818524522011-03-26T13:29:00.001Z2011-03-26T13:52:00.532Z

One of three outfits at Custom Chrome's show on Mainz, any of which I'd love to take home with me

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-27848741198524772102011-03-25T15:00:00.001Z2011-03-25T15:00:50.245Z

Ding ding,  ... Yes, I should have thought to shoot the bikes but with a handful of SLR amd a 3CCD video cam to cope with, I was occupied enough

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-63241540098466398472011-03-24T22:03:00.005Z2011-03-29T16:10:17.172+01:00

Ready for sailing: Hogfather's Yeti Edwards contacted Tatton Brewery to meet up with four firkins of their winter ale. The first was drained before the ferry left Harwich. The second saw us through Holland, into Belgium and was finished off in Germany, a third went North with the Big Dog Motorcycles Europe crew to a dealer event in Norway, and the fourth one gave the local beers a run for their

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-75733898809075857992011-03-21T08:59:00.000Z2011-03-21T08:59:38.185Z

We really must get our act together re the Blog: too much to do, too little time.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-75309170917018432642011-01-17T07:14:00.000Z2011-01-17T07:14:57.332Z

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-370599429939686862010-12-01T12:35:00.000Z2010-12-01T12:35:02.935Z

News Just In ... Following a successful first season of close and exciting racing with the inaugural XR1200® Trophy championship, Harley-Davidson UK and Ireland has signed a new agreement with British Superbike Championship organisers, MSVR, to continue the one-make race series in 2011. Priority entry opportunities have already been opened up to existing teams from this year’s series, with the

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-91839299274312645732010-11-08T12:41:00.002Z2010-11-08T22:58:24.553Z

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-47856821935395434062010-11-08T12:37:00.001Z2010-11-08T22:57:57.326Z

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-36219201177445022582010-09-08T16:53:00.002+01:002010-11-08T22:57:33.913Z

Whatever next? A web redesign ... oh yes: that's why my head hurts. Well, that and three days of spreadsheets, after which a bit of HTML coding counts as light relief.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-78270671951044617492010-09-08T16:50:00.000+01:002010-09-08T16:50:04.682+01:00

... well, we could leave you hanging for too long with the digital preview and no prospect of the paper copy: it'll be on the shelves on the 14th, but in your letterboxes sooner than that.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-58837051588367216282010-08-26T11:38:00.003+01:002010-11-08T22:57:05.978Z

Sorry, was in Stratford-on-Avon recently and some of it must've rubbed off ... though not much, obviously. Where is American-V 42? Sitting in my out-tray, while the one of the biggest news stories of our own history takes shape. Simply put, we've gone about as far as we can as a bi-monthly publication and we're looking very seriously into the viability of going monthly, because of impending

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-72395601821357012182010-08-11T18:43:00.003+01:002010-08-12T12:12:43.721+01:00

Okay, I know the magazine is called American-V but I’m going to indulge myself for a moment and talk about some of the bikes in the World Championship of Custom Bike Building that are not built around Milwaukee’s best known export. After last year’s winning bike which used Honda internals in a one-off crank case, Dave Cook has gone more conventional for 2010 and built one of his long and low

Duncan Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051450716479276932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-57260308457670956012010-08-10T18:38:00.004+01:002010-08-11T06:08:05.942+01:00

At the 2010 World Championship of Custom Bike Building the awards have already started being handed out. While the big winner doesn’t get announced until the last day of the show, the industry sponsors at the event have been busy with the goodie bag. In order for the World Championship to happen every year it requires sponsors and each year those companies that put their collective hands into

Duncan Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051450716479276932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-35584524597266544022010-08-08T22:30:00.003+01:002010-08-09T10:47:40.292+01:00

The World Championship of Custom Bike Building (WCBB) is just that, unlike baseball’s World Series where there only ever seems to be US teams competing, the WCBB does what it says on the tin. A large part of the reason for this global participation is the affiliation of custom shows around the world. Shows whose prize funds include bike freight to Sturgis to compete in the WCBB. Just clarify

Duncan Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051450716479276932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-84232582867098794902010-08-08T01:04:00.002+01:002010-08-09T10:48:44.802+01:00

A V-twin engine is normally a pretty simple affair, right? Well that’s what I thought until I saw Thunderstruck, built by Mark Daily, on display at the World Championship. The starting point for his build was an Indian Power Plus motor. Okay so nothing out of the ordinary about that unless you count the bank of Keihin sports bike carbs on the wrong side of the motor. Now as you all know,

Duncan Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051450716479276932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-55829642818963272332010-08-07T19:31:00.002+01:002010-08-09T10:49:27.182+01:00

You can call me Mr Lucky. Well how else would you describe someone who gets paid to fly out to the States to go to the 70th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? Well that’s me. I’m in the fortunate position of being here to cover the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, kind of goes with the territory of being the editor of AMD magazine I guess. As I’m sitting here writing this the bikes are

Duncan Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051450716479276932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-58486451357487871072010-07-27T21:40:00.000+01:002010-07-27T21:40:04.168+01:00

Major anti-climax at Harley-Davidson, at least as far as the publicly announced 2011 range is concerned: one new Sportster model, the return of the Softail Deluxe and Electra Glide Classic with 103-inch motors in the Tourers and a new range of colours. The official news, range by range is that the Sportster SuperLow is a revamped Sportster with different ergonomics and radial tyres for the

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-36044937393546731222010-07-22T02:29:00.001+01:002010-07-22T02:33:40.490+01:00

It's worth noting that a lot of things we've taken for granted for years have subtly been eroded. we no longer operate to the spirit but to the letter of the law, and that combined with the 'ignorance is no defence' caveat, beloved of the prosecution council, means that you've got to have your wits about you more than ever. If you think you have got a month's grace to tax your vehicle before

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-24251123508871876332010-07-17T14:18:00.002+01:002010-07-20T13:11:10.122+01:00

The patches have arrived, and they look brilliant: a fitting addition to the stunning badge and available now from our e-shop or the next issue of the magazine.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-32176376895584540932010-07-02T17:18:00.001+01:002010-08-10T00:51:22.172+01:00

We've been very naughty children and have been seeing what those nice people at Honda have put together in the misguided belief that they were building the world's first factory chopper, and comparing that to Victory's most radical custom model: the 106/6 Vegas Jackpot. You can guess what our verdict might be, but being entirely objective about it, how does the new American Motorcycle stack up

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-64014660602759314792010-06-30T11:44:00.002+01:002010-06-30T11:46:34.986+01:00

This isn't a definitive list, or an idea of the models that we might get over here, but the 2010 model range as certified for California 2011 has a much reduced 883 range, a 103ci option on the Heritage Softail and most of the Tourers. 883cc Sportster: Iron, Superlow 1200cc Sportster: 1200 Custom, 1200 Low, Forty-Eight, Nightster, XR1200X 1250cc VR: Night Rod Special, Muscle 1584cc/96ci Softail:

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-69451100620916757842010-06-26T03:13:00.001+01:002010-07-01T01:15:20.018+01:00

Hey look at this: it's only taken six years, and they'll be followed by patches in a few weeks. Resplendent in red white and blue, we're really pleased how well they've come out, and their top-hat fixings look like they'll keep them secure. And we're going to have to re-order soon, the rate at which they're going - and that's before we've put them in the mag! Only £3.50 each including P&P: see

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-50999585433230309132010-06-26T03:01:00.002+01:002010-07-01T01:14:55.418+01:00

Organisers of this year's Bulldog Bash bike and music show - which takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway, near Stratford-upon-Avon, 12th to 15th of August - have welcomed moves to end the massive stop and search operation and reduction of the police presence at the event. The assistant chief constable of Warwickshire, Bill Holland has told local people that there will be no road closures

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-42111814085722632892010-06-26T02:56:00.001+01:002010-07-01T01:16:04.369+01:00

Just days after announcing Ozzy Osbourne, the Buffalo Chip has outdone themselves with Bob Dylan. Nothing much more to say, except Bob Dylan! How much bigger can you get? Wonder if Elton John was busy ...

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-39376341497503656502010-06-22T10:28:00.001+01:002010-07-01T01:16:30.492+01:00

... and that's a hell of a line-up to top, as it already includes ZZ Top, Kid Rock, Motley Crue, The Doobie Brothers and The Scorpions. "In addition to being the largest music festival of its kind, this year's Buffalo Chip lineup during Sturgis Rally Week 2010 not only achieves raucous proportions but offers visitors a high-octane and complete biker experience. With Rally Week celebrating its

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-39482499831438402022010-06-14T00:55:00.000+01:002010-06-14T00:55:10.233+01:00

A Snapshot of the main feature bikes in American-V 41: on sale Thursday

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-25744253945551473132010-06-14T00:42:00.000+01:002010-06-14T00:42:40.396+01:00

Here's a taster of what's in American-V 41: on sale Thursday

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-62554650787082524162010-05-24T11:51:00.000+01:002010-05-24T11:51:06.926+01:00

Be mindful that while you might have thought that roadworthy condition could be seen as legal tyres, safe brakes, correctly adjusted swing-arm and steering, the authorities believe it's nowhere near as important as a little round piece of paper to say you've paid for the right to expect well-maintained roads (sic) They might be right in that many insurance companies will say in their small print

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-87744572403013075222010-05-19T23:15:00.000+01:002010-05-19T23:15:39.577+01:00

Just for a change, I thought I'd start with the cover and work forwards ... okay, so I'm really really pleased with the cover, and had to show someone! That's the good news. The bad news, is that I'm deferring publication for a week because we're waiting for parts from the US for the long term Fat Bob, and we've not seen the Vision yet, due to technicalities with SVA and the revised lighting rig

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-10932095691727247752010-05-10T12:25:00.000+01:002010-05-10T12:25:46.626+01:00

Team American-V at Thundersprint 2010: my fastest lap to date and still a long way off the pace: I really need to ride the Buell more so I can deal with the understeer (well, compared to a Fat Bob) so I'll be able to take that first ninety-degree bend at higher speeds rather than running wide. Loads more where this cam...e from, and we'll post some of it when time allows.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-43060717043186781392010-05-04T23:26:00.000+01:002010-05-04T23:26:03.988+01:00

Just for the benefit of the RSS feed off our email signature, and for those who haven't already been bombarded enough on Twitter and Facebook, check out the XR1200 Series Blog for Hazel Jackson's race report and the results from the inaugural round of the Henderson XR1200 Trophy at Oulton Park.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-24528177260523202822010-05-03T12:19:00.000+01:002010-05-03T12:19:53.820+01:00

It's hard no know what to put where in terms of interactive content, but we have put a discussion board - a simple forum - onto the American-V Magazine Facebook page with a few simple topics to start the ball rolling. Facebook Discussion Board

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-56058691288598208682010-04-26T13:59:00.001+01:002010-04-26T14:01:09.991+01:00

A little something for all fans of Harley-Davidson's evergreen (orange?) XR from Gary Inman at Sideburn Magazine. "There are another seven UK Short Track races this year, but if you only make it to one make sure it’s Amman Valley on May 29-30. This is the first joint race between the UK Short Trackers and the European MEFO Sport racers. That means there will be the cut-throat semi-pros on their

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-75751894154049720522010-04-22T18:53:00.001+01:002010-04-22T18:54:43.138+01:00

Readers' Rides with a difference: you do all the work and we let you. You've got to be on Facebook - because there aren't many other opportunities to let you post your own pics - but that does mean it'll be a familiar interface to most. See The American-V Bike Park for more details.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-24364386797151818072010-04-20T00:13:00.001+01:002010-04-20T00:29:08.632+01:00

Who else but Confederate? Not so much breaking the mould as reinventing it, and the most creative use of the S&S X-Wedge Motor seen to date, with Confederate's trademark integrated powertrain. Just a quickie - you'll lose enough time dribbling over the pics in the link, if this sort of thing floats your boat - so I'll leave you to it. I've gone all light-headed, but am really pleased to see a

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-87975509342095435372010-04-19T10:39:00.000+01:002010-04-19T10:39:37.512+01:00

Took a while, granted, but as things are returning to normality after deadline, so the long term blog is taking shape. We've picked up the Fat Bob, got it up to the 1,000 miles and are awaiting the parts from the first upgrade ... some of which are probably in a holding pattern in the skies above the Atlantic waiting for the dust to settle. See American-V Long Termers and Staff Bikes Blog for

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-21981571251760032842010-04-17T09:42:00.000+01:002010-04-17T09:42:21.171+01:00

A little more in-depth than the snapshot to give you a better idea of the look and feel of the magazine, and including all advertising. On sale now!

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-6839864136328854592010-04-15T11:42:00.000+01:002010-04-15T11:42:17.233+01:00

Don't forget this is running until May 3rd: the sun is out and there's a Fat Boy for someone at the end of it. What's not to like? See http://demo.harley-davidson.co.uk/ for full details.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-57846777298185596942010-04-13T12:31:00.001+01:002010-04-13T12:33:03.161+01:00

Due any day now, full preview will be available when I get a moment. Again, double-clicking on the flipping pages will take it full-screen.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-17201270370395192102010-04-12T23:48:00.000+01:002010-04-12T23:48:12.452+01:00

Profuse apologies, but we're running a little more than a week late: I'm waiting to hear exactly how much more than a week right now. Million and one reasons why, all valid, but it all comes down to me needing to get ahead of the game and stay there so that I've got the ability to cover weather, family, availability of bikes and computer crises with little more than a waved wand ... although, in

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-11915528502806749032010-03-31T10:30:00.001+01:002010-03-31T10:33:55.387+01:00

I don't normally get too heavily involved in this stuff, but there's a massive movement on-line to boycott Esso and BP fuel stations in an attempt to bring prices at the pumps down, and I'm tired of getting my email box clogged up with them. It's a well-meaning campaign, with a laudable goal, but sadly this won't do diddly: most people already buy on price - and with 5p as litre and more

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-73256183903994826982010-03-24T08:56:00.000Z2010-03-24T08:56:32.349Z

Amanda's been out playing with the Police again, this time on their most intensive course taken by our local force's chief motorcycle instructor, organised with the county council, and has seen a massive improvement to her riding. To make that all the more impressive, it was undertaken in the pouring rain on a bike that she'd only ridden once before - the previous day on the way down from

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-56149890592344554332010-03-17T11:03:00.001Z2010-03-17T11:05:15.387Z

You're going to hear it somewhere, so you may as well get it here: as-yet unsubstantiated rumours of a private equity giant, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, being interested in buying Harley-Davidson are running round the web, with doom-mongers and the disaffected having a field day. There's a lot of parallels being drawn between how the family-owned business was absorbed into the evil AMF empire and

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-25135371809646786362010-03-16T09:29:00.001Z2010-03-16T09:33:06.665Z

The FLSTC's facelift model might not have been as radical as the Street Bob's – but it underlines the Heritage of Harley's Softail soft tourer beautifully. We found: It's an excellent alternative to the Road King Classic for the more traditional rider. Its QD removable screen almost gives you two bikes for the price of one. The QD removable pillion seat is irrelevant without a QD backrest. The

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-66180813249610173472010-03-15T10:44:00.002Z2010-03-16T09:33:51.426Z

The time to be a new broom in an established company like Harley-Davidson is not at a time of a recession, charged with discontinuing a brand that turned out to have far more, and more passionate support than Harley could have imagined, and set against poor performance figures - indeed the first posted quarterly loss in sixteen years. But then you've got to wonder whether beleaguered Keith E

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-37010073776487637112010-03-12T15:49:00.003Z2010-03-19T09:32:08.789Z

There's never been a better time to trade-up to a Harley-Davidson, with  between £300 and £900 above the book trade-in price on any 500cc+ motorcycle – whether a Harley or not – against almost any 2010 model if you order before the 30th March 2010: the Sportster Iron, XR1200X and CVO models aren't included in the offer. THIS HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO 30 APRIL 2010 The actual figure will depend on

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-76376537158301555302010-03-12T09:49:00.001Z2010-03-12T09:52:19.699Z

So says Alan Cathcart, writing in world renowned trade journal AMD this month. The first bid, for the manufacturing rights and tooling for the 1125cc Helicon-engined models, which they would have produced under the Can-Am name alongside the 3-wheeled Spyder - and which can easily be seen as an opportunity to protect jobs at their Austrian subsidiary, Rotax - was turned down, and was followed up

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-29277007410483554062010-03-11T12:23:00.001Z2010-03-11T15:40:36.374Z

Having a busy week: checked out Craig Jones' stunt XR1200 in Northants; had a gander round the 8-Ball Vision that will be our second long term test bike for the summer, and hurtled round Berkshire/Oxfordshire on a couple of Thames Valley Harley-Davidson's 100+HP Stage IV specials: that blew the cobswebs away!

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-1780969268008141702010-03-04T19:38:00.003Z2010-03-16T09:30:24.090Z

We put one of the new Indian Chiefs – a 2009/2010 model from the Kings Mountain factory – through its paces in American-V 39 and came away very impressed with both the bike and the company's attitude to getting it right, and consigning almost sixty years of false hopes and heroic failures to history. We concluded: Its high price was justified by the sheer quality of materials and engineering:

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-29186414674077009542010-03-02T09:27:00.003Z2010-03-04T14:12:52.037Z

 The XR1200 makes headlines again, providing the vehicle to take US Daredevil, Seth Onslow, into the record books as the longest distance jumped on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle: a distance of 56 metres – or 183.7ft.This broke his previous record of 53.34m/175ft that had stood for a few minutes, which had shattered the ten year record of Bubba Blackwell who had jumped 157ft in Las Vegas in 1999,

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-59366783485295958872010-02-28T12:49:00.000Z2010-02-28T12:49:39.294Z

It might not be relevent for the street right now, but I'm still holding out for the Erik Buell Racing project being and R&D and PR exercise for the time being, and Harley's reluctance to drop the Buell tag from so much of their corporate stuff suggests they haven't finished with the brand. In any event, we wish Erik Buell every success in continuing to demonstrate to the world that there's more

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-18896205800522038042010-02-27T16:11:00.003Z2010-03-04T14:13:16.303Z

Could this be the show that the UK has been waiting for, for so long? After years of many people trying to stage a proper national custom bike show with varying degrees of success, for as long as most of us can remember, it looks like the Ace Cafe Motorcycle and Custom Show, currently on at the Alexandra Palace in North London, might have finally got the balance right. With an accessible

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-88930157497938981512010-02-25T11:47:00.006Z2010-03-04T14:13:41.296Z

I was going to post this before AmV39 came out, but somehow didn't. Still, it's hardly current, and having waited 57 years to see it – it's said to have come from 1953, which seems a little late to me – a couple of extra weeks won't hurt.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-65593297160978684462010-02-22T10:40:00.001Z2010-02-22T10:41:18.351Z

Don't quite know how this slipped under the radar – although arriving on deadline might have something to do with it – but Harley have announced their 2010 CVO Electra Glide Ultra in Black, with a capital B. Fully trimmed with their new Gloss Black Rumble collection from P&A forming part of the 185 specifically chosen unique black parts as well as a handlebar-mounted Garmin Zumo SatNav, it comes

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-295096165054538352010-02-21T13:38:00.001Z2010-02-21T13:40:39.232Z

A comment from a reader, Lofty, in our longtermers blog has rekindled the thought-process running through the editorial in AmV38, referring to the idea of a range of Harley big singles based round the Blast motor. Lofty reminded me of Mac Motorcycles' concept, that they were going to base around the semi-Sportster lump, and revisiting their website has filled me an evangelical zeal demanding

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-72900371376894805702010-02-19T11:36:00.010Z2010-04-15T11:37:38.342+01:00

Click to book your test ride. From Harley-Davidson UK Press Release: To mark the roll out of its market-leading online test ride booking system, Harley-Davidson UK and Ireland are offering motorcyclists the opportunity to win a motorcycle worth more than £15,000. All riders who take a free demo ride at an authorised dealership between Friday 9th April and Monday 3rd May will be entered into a

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-22932390741287673852010-02-16T23:23:00.003Z2010-03-04T14:15:20.032Z

In the interests of objective journalism, I've just contacted Honda's press office with a request to swing a leg across the Fury: I've got to know if its road manners will save it from consigned to history as a heroic failure. I don't hold out much hope of getting one, unless they are utterly convinced that it will win me over. Despite my obvious preferences, I will endeavour to be wholly

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-23130509532507336972010-02-15T23:43:00.003Z2010-03-04T14:15:46.205Z

To be fair, it wasn't really hiding - in fact it got its dealer launch over the weekend, but it's not the sort of thing we're big on attending. But then we found ourselves at Fowlers in Bristol today and there were four of them! First impressions ... errrr ... brave move by Honda but frankly I'm unimpressed. Didn't think the build quality was up to much - very much below expectations for Honda -

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-88095160752948766522010-02-12T11:24:00.005Z2010-03-16T09:30:58.185Z

We're back on-line again! Full electronic editions will cost just £3.95 to reflect the lack of postage and if I can find all of the information from all 39 issues to date, all will be posted. In the meantime, here's the last ten including the brand new edition that hit the streets last week!

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-61326856447992181602010-02-07T10:12:00.008Z2010-03-16T09:31:45.977Z

New issue, new style of preview: let us know what you think? It's probably worth mentioning that if you click on the turning pages, the mag goes full screen.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-21558021039896006142010-01-22T15:46:00.016Z2010-03-04T14:16:45.904Z

22nd Jan 2010: There's another new Hot Rod Sportster on the streets, and it's a stunner. Loosely based on a cross between the Iron and Nightster models, it's a 1200cc model with a blacked-out engine, slammed suspension, a new low-profile speedo mount and a first for a factory XL: a 16-inch front tyre beneath a minimal mudguard, which buy my reckoning - if an FX is an FL with FX forks - means it

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-41727332630475181002010-01-17T18:24:00.003Z2010-02-16T12:57:56.479Z

I just couldn't resist it. Mad Fokker. Whatever you do, turn down the sound unless you like the sound of a 2-stroke Sorry. Actually, no I'm not: it's borderline inspired genius with a heavy hint of madness and I want one. No, two, for recreating dogfights.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-79894217923844983802010-01-17T11:02:00.001Z2010-02-16T12:58:46.117Z

Motorcycle insurance specialists, Carole Nash, have signed a three year contract with Harley-Davidson Financial Services in the UK, which will include a dedicated Harley-Davidson section at their South Manchester headquarters. The deal will include existing pilicy holders, who are set to receive a better standard of cove, including UK and European cover and up to £50k of legal protection.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-47254346364202992262010-01-14T00:23:00.001Z2010-02-16T12:58:25.654Z

Worryingly, it looks like Hamburg's city officlals are opposing "Hamburg Harley Days" on environmental grounds. Seems like Europe's biggest city centre biker street party will have to be held outside the city ... see link.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-72530215071767711362010-01-06T13:41:00.002Z2010-01-06T14:03:03.224Z

This is the sort of stuff we've set this up for: try doing this with a magazine. The big debate is who was first to backflip a Harley: the Aussies posted Kain Saul doing this on 28th November 2009 ... ... the same day that Chuck Carothers flipped one at the Gladiator Games in Prague, although he didn't land as cleanly, and put his XR into a crash mat at the end. Both are pretty impressive. I

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-6901051408267129792010-01-06T08:20:00.001Z2010-01-07T14:19:27.926Z

A clever and sophisticated calendar is now running, is accessible from the main American-V blog but can be accessed here. Once I've got the rest of the coding sorted out for the blog, I'll see if I can hook it into Facebook's interface, but be aware that the blogs will have a lot more information on them when they go live with the publication of AmV39.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-443342340045230072010-01-05T00:24:00.001Z2010-01-07T14:21:04.465Z

Everything here will be pushed out to Facebook and Twitter in some form or another, thankfully automatically.

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-58760465796813307112010-01-04T18:18:00.000Z2010-01-04T18:18:12.549Z

Putting a static calendar into the magazine is a thankless task, so we're going to run it here instead: it means we can correct things that are wrong, and add things as soon as they arrive. It's not such good news for those without computers, but I don't know an easy way round that. if you haven't got access to a computer, send us an email to let us know and we'll despatch a pigeon with the

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-17105951160654821462010-01-04T18:10:00.000Z2010-01-04T18:10:36.745Z

Thanks to the many of you who responded to the survey in AmV37: we've been going through them as they came in, and while we haven't scientifically stuck them all into a database to get accurate percentages, the underlying sense is that we're doing most things right. You can't please all the people all the time, but the only major points of contention were between those who reckon we've got way

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2906470893761667319.post-20179187973580736312010-01-04T17:58:00.000Z2010-01-04T17:58:13.689Z

The web is beating up the conventional magazine world at the moment, but we've got a plan to use each to its strength. We occasionally run out of space or forget to do things in the heat of the last days of deadline; sometimes news breaks before the magazine hits the streets, and sometimes we just want to be able to show a bike moving, listen to its rumble or capture something of the atmosphere

Andy@AmVnoreply@blogger.com0