Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tips for Group Riding... Charity Runs Are Around The Corner!


Often times we see large groups of motorcycles riding together with 15, 20 or 30 bikes. These large groups of motorcycles are generally spread out over one, two or even three lanes of traffic. The motorcycle riders in the rear of these big groups find themselves in a precarious position of having to run red lights to keep up with the group, thus endangering themselves and others on the road. There is a safer way to ride even if there are a large number of riders.
You can divide a large group of riders into several smaller groups of motorcycles. Since the entire large group of riders are all headed to the same place, one smaller group arriving moments ahead of a second, third or fourth small group for the sake of safety is an easy decision to make. If you have ten motorcycles, divide into two groups of five riders, eight motorcycles into two groups of four, etc... Before you ride make sure everyone is aware of the destination and the route, then ride your bikes in a staggered formation.
Ensure the lead rider of each small group is experienced and conservative. The lead rider should keep the group in the center lane when possible and avoid constant lane changes. Additionally, the lead motorcycle rider should be aware of the traffic and do their best not to have the group hinder others. It is perfectly acceptable if you have to move over to the right to allow motorists to pass. Hand signals are always a good idea, but best used at a minimum and discussed before the ride.
The riders in each small group should do their best to stay together and allow enough space between the motorcycles for a safe stop, but not so much that an automobile can feel they have enough room to pull out from a side street between the group. The rider in the rear should keep the other riders from falling back too far.
Discuss the ride before leaving so all of the riders in the group know where they should be in the formation. It never hurts to have a conversation about motorcycle safety tips beforehand, ask other riders about their pre-ride checks of their motorcycle and discuss any hand signals you may use during the ride. New motorcycle riders should avoid group riding until they become familiar with their bike and different situations in traffic. Most importantly, give the road your full attention and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

HOT METAL HARLEY-DAVIDSON CUSTOMERS WIN BIG AT THE WORLD OF WHEELS!




The 52nd Annual World of Wheels was held Jan 25 - Jan 22 at the David L. Lawrence convention center.  The World of Wheels is known for custom hot-rods, tricked out trucks, and the baddest motorcycles the city has ever seen.  Put that horsepower together with some “B-List” celebrities, and you have gear-head heaven!

It’s no secret that Hot Metal Harley-Davidson customizes some of the best motorcycles around. That thought was turned into fact and backed up by several customers who brought their bikes customized by Hot Metal down to the show.  Each customer bike placed in the bike show.

Denny Eggerton’s 2012 Black Denim Road Glide with stretched tanks and bags snagged 3rd Place in the Road Touring Bike Class.  Dani Jurnak’s slammed and bobbed Softail Slim “Stella” won 3rd Place in the North American Class with her blacked out attitude.

Ed Nassan kicked things up a notch with his 2008 Street Glide as he won 2nd Place in the Touring Class.  This bike boasts a 21” front wheel, a ghost skull custom paint job and three pipes that run under and through each of the functional stretched saddle bags.

AJ Hadad scored 1st Place in the Sport Touring Class with his 2010 Street Glide.  The bike boasts an air bag lowering system, a 21” front wheel, stretched bags and a custom paint job from Cut Throat Airbrushing in Finleyville.

Steve Jurnak not only rode off with the 1st Place nod in his Rad Touring Class, but he also was awarded the Outstanding Bike of the Show with his 2012 Road Glide “Rogue.”  The “best of the best” was built and designed over the course of several months by AJ Hadad and Mike Bakos of Hot Metal Harley-Davidson, and Steve Jurnak, the bike’s owner. 

The bike rolled off the showroom floor and right onto the lift where it was parked and quickly dismantled only to be re-built from scratch.  The bike received a 120R Screamin’ Eagle engine followed by stretched bags, tanks, custom fairing and a raked-out 26” custom front wheel just to name a few items in it’s very long and detailed parts list.

Hot Metal Harley-Davidson would like to thank our customers for bringing their bikes out in one of the coldest months of the year.  In the end it was all worth it to see everyone return home with a trophy and a little boost of confidence going into the 2013 riding season.