Rising fuel costs have caused growth in unique areas of the transportation market, and motorcycles offer a far more exciting alternative to an egg-shaped, battery powered foreign car.  Some companies have begun offering more "everyone friendly" alternatives, such as the Can Am Spyder (pictured on the right), which is marketed as a roadster, but is little more than a sport bike with dual front wheels for ease of use.

 

While certainly not in the same league as a Harley, this bike has given people an alternative and in seeing the popularity, there is a chance the HD could be debuting a trike concept at a large show later this year in Cologne, Germany.  Many had expected a more typical setup with dual rear wheels and a single front wheel, but the rumors suggest that HD will be releasing a dual front wheel layout to compete with the market currently controlled by the Can Am Spyder.

 

It has also been reported that rather than the common 45 degree air cooled engine used in most of the Harleys, the new trike concept could be powered by a liquid cooled, 90 degree Revolution V-Twin.  Again, while these are all rumors, we should see in the next few months what Harley Davidson has in store for the ever changing motorcycle market.

While most bike owners take pleasure in carefully detailing their bike, the owner of Harrell's Car Wash Systems has developed the first automated, touch-free motorcycle wash.  The ideal sprouted when owner Mark Harrell spoke with American Chopper's Paul Teutul Sr. about the idea of an auto-wash for bikes.

 

Harrell has spent three years designing and perfecting the layout of his new motorcycle wash, and now that the initial Moto Express Wash is operational near Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Harrell plans to begin selling the technology to dealers early next spring.  While some are concerned about the effects of the high-pressure soap and water on the bike, the company claims that it is safe for everything with two wheels, "from scooters to choppers".

October 24^th, 2008 marks the beginning of the second annual California Bike Week (CBW).  This three-day event, organized by the Southern California Harley-Davidson Dealers Association and the Love Foundation, with everything from vendors to music to food to flat track racing.

 

There are features that go on all week, such as the three-day perpetual bike show, and Harley Village which offers demo rides on 2009 models, as well as a display of vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles.  250 vendors will adorn the area referred to by the planners "The Worlds Best Biker Vendor Village", and during the three days, there will be various stunt shows to check out.

Friday's plans include a Hot Rod show feature both bikes and some of the coolest cars on the west coast and the night finishes off with a concert featuring The Blasters and Lee Rocker. 

On Saturday, the featured event is the West Coast Flat Track Series' Pacific Coast Nationals, and for just $30, you can see some of the best Harley-Davidson racing the west coast has to offer with classes ranging from Open/Unlimited to a class featuring just pre-1976 bikes and riders over the age of thirty, to the Novice class.

The south has a wonderful jewel in it's midst, a road that is filled with adventure, smooth roads, stunning scenery of mountains, sweeping curves, valleys, lakes, and rolling fields, wildlife and many, many scenic stops along the way, and it was as if it was made for motorcycles. And that jewel is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Now I know that when it was first conceived in 1933 that the thought of making it a motorcycle wonderland was not what they in mind. But a wonderland for the motorcyclist it is. And boy is it ever!

With 469 breathtaking miles, the road starts at Rockfish Gap in Virginia and continues on where it ends in Cherokee, NC.

As you motor up to the sign that says "Blue Ridge Parkway" then make that turn onto the road, a feeling of exhilaration and excitement overtakes you as you know that you are in for the adventure of a life time. We always like to start at the southernmost point at milepost 469 at Cherokee. The moment your tires hit the pavement you feel as though you have stepped into a different world. The speed limit is 45 mph but you don't want to go any faster than that anyway as you may miss something. Beautiful trees with their canopies above you envelope you and your senses are overtaken with the coolness of what surrounds you, the smell of the living greenery around you and the freshness of the air. Sweeping curves greet you and you cruise ever so easily around them. So many times after a curve you are greeted by a clearing and you are met with spectacular views of beautiful mountains and valleys. It is nature that has been unspoiled for millions of years and you feel like you are no longer in modern times, but back in time when all nature was unspoiled. Only the rumble of your motorcycle brings you back to the present.....and then a passing car or motorcycle. But there are never any passing commercial trucks as they are not allowed on the Parkway adding to the pleasure of your ride.