Glory Road: Ride with the Chester family of Harley-Davidson dealerships

When WTF is most appropriate . . .

. . . even if we are getting better than 50 miles to the gallon.

What kind of mileage are you getting with your Harley? Let us know, using the comments form in the next line.

A special day for riders of the female persuasion

Over the past decade, women have increasingly embraced the sport of motorcycling—seeking the freedom and empowerment associated with riding solo on the open road. Today, in celebration of the growing presence of women in the sport, Harley-Davidson is participating in International Female Ride Day and encouraging female riders around the world to allocate time to hit the open road.

International Female Ride Day is devoted to women riders of all ages and experience levels—spotlighting their passion for and involvement in the sport of motorcycling. The event celebrates women of all ages who take life by the handlebars by encouraging them to ride, no matter what type or style of motorcycle. This is the first year the Motor Company will be involved with the event, started last year by Vicki Gray of MOTORESS.

"The growth in the number of female riders over the past two decades is exciting, from 4 percent in 1990 to 12 percent today,” said Leslie Prevish, Women’s Outreach Manager for the Motor Company. “Our participation in the event is our way of embracing and acknowledging women motorcyclists worldwide.”

The Motor Company will celebrate International Female Ride Day by providing special parking for all female riders, gathering an employee ride in Milwaukee and hosting a Garage Party in the afternoon for female employees interested in motorcycles.

The Harley-Davidson Garage Party is a women’s only event held at dealerships nationwide to help women learn more about motorcycling and to meet others who are interested in riding. Attendees experience activities that are both entertaining and educational with topics including a review of the basic motorcycle controls, how to customize a motorcycle’s style and ergonomics, how to pick up a motorcycle and how to gear up for a ride.

For more information about women rider activities or Garage Parties, visit the Chester family of Harley-Davidson dealerships.

Marvin, not, Brando was the wild one on a Harley

Harley-Davidson remains the most popular motorcycle in the U.K., with the V-Rod being the top-rated model, according to a British motorcycle website. But the news service Sky News, in reporting on the survey, makes a mistake that is annoyingly common.

In the famed 1953 movie, The Wild One, it is not Marlon Brando who rides a Harley but Lee Marvin. Brando's character, Johnny Strabler, and the Black Rebels Motorcycle Club he heads ride Triumphs and other British motorcycles. In fact, Brando rides his own personal machine, a Triumph 650 Thunderbird, in the film.

It is Chino, played by Marvin in a striking striped shirt, and a rival biker gang he heads who ride Harleys.

Speaking of dueling biker gangs . . . Sonny Barger has been in the news recently as he is suing HBO over a new biker series set in Arizona that is about to start production. The high-profile Hells Angel, who resides near Phoenix, claims he and a writer pitched the idea for a series to the cable network but it turned to the writer to create it, cutting him out of the picture. Meanwhile, another biker gang show is in development at FX.

If you're looking to buy into the raw Dark Custom theme that the Motor Company has introduced, such as Cross Bones at left, you'll find insight into the design process in, of all places, the mighty New York Times. The Times also recently reviewed the chopper-profile Rocker C.

Another new model, the XR1200, unfortunately is available only in Europe where it has been described as a gem, somewhat flawed, but a diamond nevertheless.

If you like stats and numbers, take a look at this take on Harley-Davidson over the years published by the newspaper in York, Pennsylvania, where one of the Motor Company's seven factories is located.

As you may surmise, I've been away for a few days and have been playing catch up with the news.

—Georgs Kolesnikovs

Chester's Torch Ride raises $35,200

Ten abreast, Torch Ride participants stage in front of Chester's Harley-Davidson. Photos by Scott Himelhoch.

The ninth annual Torch Ride benefiting Special Olympics was a record-setter as 1,550 participants helped surpass last year's fundraising mark by more than $10,000, raising a total of $35,200.

"€œThe event was fantastic," remarked Lana Walton, Community Relations Coordinator for Special Olympics Arizona. "€œFor many riders, this was their eighth or ninth Torch Ride. The partnership with Chester's Harley-Davidson continues to be strong and they are always eager to help coordinate and plan the event."

Around 7:30 a.m., a steady stream of motorcycles began descending upon Chester's. The weather was what I call "€œArizona perfect," aka 68 degrees and sunny. The sound of bag pipes filled the air, intermittently drowned out by rumbling exhaust pipes.

Bill Cooley warms up on the bag pipes.

Participants were greeted with a warm, hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage and bacon.

The Bates and Webb families enjoy the festivities—and the breakfast.

By 9:00 a.m., the Chester'€™s parking lot was full with the overflow heading south to a neighboring strip mall. An hour later, the call was made to stage the bikes. The Mesa police were on hand and shut down Country Club Drive in both directions.   

A long path of motorcycles, two wide, made their way to the stating point. Then, another group, two wide, took its position next to the first. This process continued until the bikes were lined up 10 wide. There was a bit of a lag between the last group lining the street and the start of the Torch Ride, a perfect opportunity to walk the crowd.

The Harley-Davidson way of life was on prominent display.

Patrick, a U.S. Marine who just returned from Iraq, saddled up with Heather sporting the patriotic bikini top, photo at left.

 

There were the die-hards such as the guy in the photo at right who became known as "Lefty,"  I am not sure how you brake a Harley with a broken right foot but that didn'€™t seem to be of concern. There's always a front brake, carefully applied.

As a whole, the crowd was ready to roll and not shy about posing for a photo op. For some, shown at left, there was no better way to relax then kicking up your feet and cranking the tunes.

It was going to be a great ride for a great cause. Kick-stands up!

—Scott Himelhoch

Footnote:

The Torch Ride was my first ever charity ride. For the last few years, I have tried to give back more to charitable organization but always seem to fall short. You can blame it on work schedules or family commitments or a host of other factors. In the end, all of those are just excuses. But I think I have finally found the perfect venue to channel my charitable intentions: The Charity Ride.

Surprisingly, I was looking forward to the Torch Ride more than any of my self-guided outings of the past several years.  Maybe because this was about more than just a ride. 

Hundreds of motorcycles lined Country Club Drive awaiting the first engines to start, including the riders shown at left.

Finally, there was a faint roar from the front that grew thunderous as it rolled across the participants like falling dominos. The ride itself was at a much slower pace than I am used to—a pace I found to be very enjoyable. I absorbed the desert scenery, discovering fragrances that just don'€™t permeate at 75 mph and enjoying the gentle glide into the curves and switchbacks.

This year I rode. Next year, my commitment is to help promote, organize . . . and then ride.

A grand entrance greets riders to the Chester's Harley-Davidson parking lot.

Arizona Bike Week: A day for vices good and bad

Chester's Harley-Davidson gives Arizona Bike Week attendees a chance to check out the latest offerings from the Motor Company.

I had spent the better part of the week in airports, hotels and a sport coat. When I rode into Westworld of Scottsdale at high noon on Saturday, I was dusty, dry and, most of all, ready. The weather was a perfect 75 degrees, the sun intense. It was Arizona Bike Week 2008. Where else can you experience motorcycles, roller derby and a portable dancing pole all in one venue?
The team from Chester’s Harley-Davidson brought the Commemorative Air Force Ghost Squadron custom motorcycle, soon to be auctioned.  “Strafe,” as one Bike Week participant is known among his fellow F-16 pilots, pondered the thought of bidding against the likes of John Travolta who is reportedly interested in the bike. That's Strafe shown with the bike above.

“I am not sure a government salary is going to make me a competitive bidder. Maybe John will trade me a weekend with the bike for an F-16 ride?  What do ya think?”

I told Strafe I’d get back to him.

There were hundreds of vendors peddling leather, lace and chrome. Some items useful, others questionable. Among my favorites was a bike cleaning product.  Like the spokesmodel, Becky, at left, so eloquently stated, “Just pump, spray, wipe and buff.” She made it look so effortless.

Like any good rally, there was enough fried food to draw protest from the American Heart Association. I chose a burger and double-fried cheese fries because I am 38 and giving up on washboard abs. The photo was taken for purely scientific purposes. I want my surgeon to know exactly what he is scraping out of my arteries 10 years from now.

The afternoon featured the much anticipated Roller Derby exhibition. Suzie Homewrecker, left, was kind enough to explain the finer points of Roller Derby.

At the opposite end of the spectrum were the girls from Christie’s Cabaret with their portable dancing pole. I guess both activities could leave you bruised and battered.

Charlie, Cherry and Cameo were more than willing to demonstrate the use of their prop.   

By the end of the day, I felt like a biker again—with no recollection of that guy stuck in meetings and conference calls just a few days earlier. I realized one day of living the Harley-Davidson lifestyle just isn’t enough.

—Scott Himelhoch

Become a H-D Museum founder

The Motor Copmany is inviting people worldwide to become a part of the Harley-Davidson Museum family through its new membership program.

Opening its doors in July 2008, the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee is offering several membership levels, and those who join the Museum by June 1, 2008 will be invited to a pre-grand opening preview of the Museum, subject to capacity. All who have signed up in 2008 will forever be known as "Founding Members."

Harley-Davidson Museum members will receive exclusive benefits and privileges reserved for those who want access to the back roads of the Harley-Davidson experience.

Just as riders have many route options, the Museum is offering five Membership levels to create the best ride for its new members. Memberships start as low as $40 annually, and each was created to meet the needs of customers, whether they are from Milwaukee or Milan.

Click here to join the Harley-Davidson Museum family.

Chester's Harley-Davidson expands to Gilbert

Phoenix area motorcycle enthusiasts will soon have an exciting new Harley-Davidson retail and service facility, thanks to Chester’s Harley-Davidson.

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company has authorized Chester’s, located in Mesa, Arizona, to construct a new facility in the Santan Motorplex at the intersection of Val Vista and Pecos Road in nearby Gilbert, just off of the Santan Freeway (202).

The new location will offer a full range of Harley-Davidson products and services. Chester's has concluded negotiations for the purchase of a four-acre property and begun work on plans and permits for a 2009 construction start date. A grand opening is expected to take place on or about January 1, 2010.

Chester’s Harley-Davidson will offer a complete shopping experience for its customers in its new facility including new and pre-owned motorcycle sales, service, parts, accessories and motorclothes. The new dealership, an extension of its main operation on Country Club Drive in Mesa, is expected to be about a 30,000-square-foot facility. It will incorporate the latest dealership design technology with a theme in keeping with its new location.

Word of the new facility has created a great deal of excitement among Chester's customers and supporters. Members of the Chester family and their associates look forward to continuing the expansion of its Harley-Davidson motorcycle business and further serving the needs of its many customers from the Gilbert location.

Chester's Harley-Davidson serves the East Valley and beyond from a 45,000-square-foot facility on Country Club Drive in Mesa. Chester's offering of new and nearly new motorcycle sales, service, parts and accessories, rental motorcycles and rider training from the Mesa facility will not be affected by the expansion to Gilbert.

The Chester family of Harley-Davidson dealerships includes Grand Teton Harley-Davidson & Buell in Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Idaho, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Snake Harley-Davidson in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Only a biker knows . . .

"Only a biker knows why a dog sticks its head out a car window."

Our Quote of the Day comes from a poster by the name of That Other Guy on a blog called Musings of a Contemplative Biker.

Direct from Daytona

Can't make it to Daytona yourself this year? The Motor Company has gone to a great deal of trouble and expense to post reports, photos and video on the Web direct from Daytona. Check it out.

Day 14: We beat the weather into Savannah

By starting at 7 a.m. and doing without a breakfast stop, we beat the rain and thunder into Savannah, Georgia, arriving shortly after 12 noon.

Now, several hours later, it's raining but we couldn't care less, being comfortably ensconsed at Wet Willie's on the historic riverfront.

The specialty of the house are daiquiris in many flavors made with 190 proof grain alcohol. Our favorite is Call A Cab. Wow!

We roll out of Daytona at the crack of dawn to stay ahead of nasty weather promised later in the day. We should be able to make Savannah in about five hours, starting out on picturesque A1A, eventually switching to Interstate 95 for the last hour.

At Ormond By The Sea north of Daytona, we catch our first glimpse of this morning's wild surf.

We wait for the ferry across the St. John's River near St. Augustine.

The ferry toll is $3 per motorcycle for the five-minute ride.

That Blackberry of Dan Godec's just keeps on ringing and ringing.

After 3,400 miles, it's all over but the waiting for transport to the Hyatt Hotel on the historic riverfront in Savannah. From the left, E.B. Chester, brother-in-law Bill Torrance, and eldest son Craig Chester.

Craig Chester provides instructions to Kim at Savannah Harley-Davidson for shipping our bikes home.

At our brief lunch stop at a Krystal, I say to to E.B. that I'm feeling sad that we're on the last leg of our adventure together. He agrees: "I do, too."

--Georgs Kolesnikovs