Should You Buy a New Harley Davidson

You may think that purchasing a new motorcycle is as easy as simply picking a model, going to the nearest dealer and paying for it. Well this is not true, especially if this is going to be your first motorcycle. It is important for you to know that owning a Harley Davidson is comparable to owning a legend. Therefore, you should look at it as an investment, not just a purchase. Since a Harley Davidson is also expensive, you need to know what you want, what you need and what you can handle before you make the purchase. Before you purchase a new bike, you really should do some research since not all Harley Davidsons are suitable for cruising. In other words, just because a bike looks good does not mean that it is the right one for you. Instead, you are going to want to take the time to find one that runs well, is comfortable for you to ride and handle. If you are just starting out, then you may want to start with a smaller bike until your skills improve. You will find that touring bikes are actually the heaviest of the Harley Davidson bikes. These bikes range in price from $16,000 to more than $20,000 without you even customizing them. Models include the FLHR Road King, FLHRS Road King Custom, FLHRC Road King Classic, FLHX Street Glide, FLTR Road Glide, FLHT Electra Glide Standard, FLHTC Electra Glide Classic and FLHTCU Ultra Classic Electra Glide. If you would like a slightly smaller bike that is also faster, then you should go for the VRSC models. These bikes include the VRSCAW V-Rod, VRSCD Night Rod, VRSCXD Night Rod Special, VRSCX and VRSCR Street Rod. You will pay between $14,000 and $20,000 for these bikes. For something even lighter than that you will want to check out the Softail models, which cost between $14,000 and $18,000. These models include the FXST Softail Standard (a bare bones model), FXSTB Night Train, FXSTC Softail Custom, FXSTD Softail Deuce, FLSTF Fat Boy, FLSTN Softail Deluxe, FLSTSC Softail Springer Classic and the FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic. There are also the Dyna models, which sell for between $12,000 and $17,000. These models include the FXD Dyna Super Glide, FXDC Dyna Super Glide Custom, FXDB Dyna Street Bob, FXDL Dyna Low Rider and FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide. Now if you are in search for the lightest Harley bike that you can buy, then you will want the Sportster model, which cost between $6,500 and $10,000. At the upper end of this price range you will find the special 50th Anniversary limited addition model. Other models that are available include the XL Sportster 883, XL883L Sportster 883 Low, XL883C Sportster 883 Custom, XL883R Sportster 883, XL1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster, XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom, XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster and XL1200l Sportster 1200 Low. Some riders think that the Sportster is the most difficult bike to ride even though it is so light. This is because of the high placement of its gas tank and the bikes center of gravity. For this reason, you should test drive it first instead of simply assuming that you will like the way that it rides. Regardless as to which model you choose, you should test drive it before you purchase it. Actually get on a new bike, start it up and listen to the engine. Take the time to feel its vibrations and go for a ride. It is possible that you may need to actually test drive several different models before you purchase your new Harley.

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Harley unions to vote on pay cuts, loss of jobs

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Tbo.com
Published: September 12, 2010

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MILWAUKEE -- Harley-Davidson employees in Wisconsin are being asked to vote in favor of a labor contract that will freeze their pay, slash hundreds of jobs and hand large volumes of work to nonunion workers.
As bleak as the proposal sounds, employees may have little choice but to accept it. If they don't, Harley-Davidson Motor Co. has threatened to move its last two Wisconsin operations to another state, leaving about 1,350 employees out of work.
Employees are scheduled to vote on the proposed seven-year contract Monday. The results should be available by the evening.
The Milwaukee-based motorcycle company blames its hardball tactics on finances. It says labor costs at its Milwaukee and Tomahawk plants are too high and it only makes sense to keep them open if the workers agree to labor concessions.
Tom Koltz, who has worked at the company for 22 years, doesn't buy that explanation. The 56-year-old from Cudahy acknowledged the tough economic climate but said Harley is turning its back on longtime loyal workers.
The company could have asked the union to help work out a fair compromise, he said. Instead, Harley is "putting the squeeze on us," said Koltz, a product-development mechanic. "This is a downright attempt to crush the union."
A number of items in the proposed contract - which the company called its lone and final offer - could give workers pause.
At least 200 jobs would be slashed in Milwaukee and about 75 jobs could be cut in Tomahawk in northern Wisconsin. The company could then bring in temporary, or "casual," workers, to work at about half the hourly rate and with virtually no benefits. Where a full-time production technician would make $30.50 per hour, a comparable casual worker would make $16.80 per hour.
Most long-term workers also would be subject to a seven-year wage freeze, although there are provisions for tentative raises in the final two years.
Even though workers may be disappointed by the contract, Harley's three unions have encouraged them to approve it - perhaps because they have little leverage.
Harley made no secret of the fact that it's been scouting out replacement facilities in other states. Harley spokesman Bob Klein has declined to say which sites - or how many - were under consideration, but after union officials revealed Kansas City, Mo., was a possibility, Klein confirmed it was one option.
Klein said depending on how the votes turn out, the company could decide its next steps as early as Tuesday.
Even if Harley moves one or both of its production facilities out of Wisconsin, its headquarters will stay in Milwaukee. That would be little consolation to displaced workers - and to the city of Milwaukee, which has embraced Harley-Davidson since its founders built their first motorcycle here 107 years ago.
This isn't the first time Harley has tried to extract steep concessions from workers. In December, the company and the union at its main motorcycle plant in York, Pa., agreed to a cost-cutting contract that involved layoffs for about half the company's unionized work force there.

Bikers display skills at ABATE rodeo

By Katie Collins Brush News-Tribune Staff Writer

Posted:   08/28/2012 01:02:00 PM MDT

Updated:   08/28/2012 01:42:23 PM MDT

The tennis ball or cone race event was a crowd favorite during the ABATE Biker Rodeo at the Prairie Biker Rally in Brush where riders such as Travis Danner and his passenger Jazmine Danner of Yuma, fast became fan favorites for their daring attempts. The cone race was won, in the end, by Bob Chapman and his passenger, niece Madison Chapman, though her brother Joe 'Dirt' Chapman certainly gave her a run for her money. (Katie Collins/News-Tribune)

They rumbled into Brush as part of a crowd of bikers who all rode in to enjoy the fifth annual Prairie Biker Rally over the August 24-26 weekend,  gathering at the Morgan County Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon to test their mettle.
Skills involving both riders and passengers were put to the test during the Biker Rodeo, organized by the rough-and-tumble crew of the ABATE District 1 who venture to rallies all over Northeastern Colorado providing thrills and chills to fans and riders alike during a number of organized events, all while providing the action on a volunteer basis. 
During the Brush Biker Rally a total of 20 bikes signed up for events that included a slow race, plank race, balloon toss, weenie bite, tennis

The always hilarious Weenie Bite event held at the ABATE Biker Rodeo in Brush heralded an array of humorous metaphors, but also challenged the skills of bike drivers and passengers alike, as seen with 2012 champions Bob Chapman and passenger Jerry Walker of Brush, whose infamous skills won her a donated pair of undies and a t-shirt courtesy of the TNA Weenie booth wenches. (Katie Collins/News-Tribune)

ball race and water race, much to the amusement of crowds gathered in the grandstands.
The Brush Area Chamber of Commerce honored each top competitor  and  their passenger in many cases, with a distinguished trophy to acknowledge the skill and experience involved. 
“It's something not every bike rider can do, so make sure to cheer them on. We have some riders here from the region that are the cream-of-the-crop when it comes to handling their motorcycles,” said ABATE District 1 Legislative Officer, temporary State Legislative Officer and announcer Kirk Fry.
Cream-of-the-crop was exactly what spectators got as many events went into overtime ride-offs with riders such as ABATE District B rider Duane  Roller of Firestone and Hillrose's own Bob ‘T-Bone' Chapman, who  managed to take first place in every event with the exception of the plank ride, where Roller managed to oust Chapman for top-honors after not one, not two, but three ride-offs that eventually went to a timed status. 
In the tennis ball race, crowd favorite rider-passenger duo of Travis and Jazmine Danner of Yuma put on a show, especially as the very young and local ABATE favorite Jazmine had recently endured

The ABATE Biker Rodeo waterballoon toss proved much harder than it looked as contestants tried to toss one, two and then three water balloons over the bar while riding through and catching the balloons on the other side. Pictured above are runners-up Shayla Lehr of Wiggins in back of driver Travis Danner of Yuma, though first place honors went to Bob Chapman and Donnie Kalb. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

gallbladder surgery, but displayed an amazing strength of aptitude and character during her effortless participation.
The tennis ball race, involving the driver's passenger having to place a tennis ball atop cones set up in a line, also went into sudden death weaving run-offs with sole driver Bob Chapman reigning supreme with two different riders who both vied for the top title. His top two passengers included Joe ‘Dirt' Chapman versus sister Madison Chapman who both rode on the back of Uncle Bob Chapman's bike.
In the end, after two ride-offs, it was Madison who came out on top with  the  win after placing her tennis balls atop an array of shorter and shorter cones in just 17.9 seconds.
T-Bone and Joe managed

The 'expert' heat in the ABATE Biker Rodeo slow race featured Jack Chapman of Hillrose, Lawrence Bassett and Duane Roller of Firestone, though first place honors went to Bob 'T-Bone' Chapman of Brush. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

to become the winning duo during the water race. 
The highly-anticipated weenie bite may have brought  out a plethora of humorous metaphors from all volunteers and announcers  involved, but  in  the  end  it was T-Bone Chapman, along with passenger Jerry Walker of Brush, who won first place over reigning champions and crowd favorites Jack and Adriane Chapman, as well as over top contenders Greg and Patty Foiles, after a thrilling bite-off. 
T-Bone Chapman and passenger/ABATE District 1 Sergeant at Arms Donnie Kalb of Yuma  won  the water balloon toss after a throw-off  that had volunteers  raise the bar and add  three balloons to  the  mix  that 

Passengers of all ages tested their skills during the Weenie Bite race at the Prairie Biker Rally in Brush, including Brush's own rough-rider Gary Chapman and passenger Cheyenne Lehr of Wiggins. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

had to be tossed over the bar and caught for the win. Driver  Travis Danner and passenger Shayla Lehr, 14, of Wiggins were in contention.  
The volunteers and organizers of ABATE District 1 come from all walks  of life and are gearing  up to hold another  thrilling round of Biker  Rodeo  action on Saturday, September 8 in front of Jambalaya's in Merino.

ABATE Balloon toss winners 'raised the bar', so to speak during four rounds of playoff action where champions Bob Chapman of Hillrose and Donnie Kalb of Yuma earned the top title. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

The cone/tennis ball race was won, in the end, by Bob Chapman and his passenger, niece Madison Chapman, though her brother Joe 'Dirt' Chapman certainly gave her a run for her money. (by KATIE COLLINS, Brush News-Tribune Writer/Photographer.)

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