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Here are a few excerpts from some of our past newsletters to give you a better idea:

GM's Corner: Improper handling might be an alignment problem

When your bike is properly aligned, your tires will last longer, and your braking will be safer.  A motorcycle must have both wheels going in precisely the same direction and in the same plane.  It only takes a minor variation in the way the rear wheel is adjusted, a small tweak in the frame, or an improperly adjusted stabilizer bar to get things out of whack.

Almost all Harleys are set up perfectly from the factory, but with accidents or improper service the factory alignment can be compromised.  Luckily with the rubber-mounted Touring Harley-Davidsons from 1980 to 2008, there are adjustments that can be made to ensure the alignment is perfect.

In the past, the problem with verifying those adjustments was finding two eight-foot straight edges to use for precise measuring.  Some shops have used extruded aluminum track or long fluorescent light bulbs, but they only appear to the naked eye to be straight. Even a small variation carried that far leads to an unacceptable measurement, especially for the precision that is required for motorcycle alignment.

At Patriot, we have a laser alignment tool that makes it far easier to check and adjust the alignment of your rubber mounted model, or check for frame damage on a solid mounted model.  At its most basic, the alignment tool sends a beam forward from your rear wheel to a ruler on either side of your front wheel, and we can see precisely how much the alignment is off, if at all.

If you have been bothered by handling problems that have been tough to diagnose, your bike has been involved in a wreck, or you have purchased a used motorcycle and are unsure of the service history, you may want to have the alignment verified at your next service. 

If you’d like more information on how alignment affects your specific model, then please contact the service department service@patriothd.com.  If you have questions about how the tool works or anything else, please feel free to swing by and ask for me or for George, our Assistant Service Manager. 

Keep the shiny side up,

Lyndon

(from December 2008)

Jury's In: XR1200 ROCKS!

As I write this article, I have just returned from a test ride on the brand new and much anticipated XR1200.  There is a reason that Cycle World magazine called it the best Harley ever, and the reason is FUN!

This bike certainly isn't for all Harley riders - the foot pegs are set back a bit further and higher than most prefer, the bars are a little far forward for those who gravitate to beach bars and ape hangers, and it is taller since it's not a cruiser.  However, those who do like the XR will appreciate the extra clearance the pegs give, and the fact that they allow a more forward lean of your upper body that makes reaching the bars very natural.  Many will consider the riding position aggressive; by sportbike standards, it is simply upright.

Turning right from our parking lot and rolling on the gas, the torquey feel I get from the motor is all Harley but as the revs climb past 3000 the motor is smoother and the power increases - too soon I reluctantly roll back off the gas as the motor is not fully broken in yet (I look forward to another test ride when no such constraints exists).  Brake check with no traffic behind me: a smooth, predictable, low-effort squeeze and things are hauled down fast.  Back on the gas then a push to the right side of the bar and we are quickly changing directions.  A break in the pavement lets me know it is there but doesn't upset the line of the XR.  More throttle, smooth shifts, excellent braking and steep lean angles (well, steep for the neighborhood anyway) follow but too soon my test ride ends.  Screw it, do another lap -- NICE!

As stated, this bike is not for everyone, but it is a very nice machine with a storied history.  When Harley first paid homage to the XR750 back in 1983 they did a nice job on the motor but wrapped it in a stock-looking package and gray paint, and it never got the respect it deserved.  Today they have rectified that failure with the tank and tail section, then upped the ante with high performance suspension and brakes.

If you think the XR might be calling your name, come in to Patriot and ask for George in Service, as he just picked one up, and would be happy to talk to you about it.

(Rick, if you're reading this article, it's time for your next XR!)

-- Lyndon, GM

(January 2009)

Communication Systems Overview

We’ve had a request for a “how-to” regarding combinations of headsets, Bluetooth, and bike-to-bike communications.  Unfortunately there's so many items on the market with infinite combinations.  It’s a wide-ranging scope, actually, so in all honesty your best bet is to swing by the store and talk to Geoff Graves in Parts.  He’ll be able to work with what you already have (if you’ve got a Harley Zumo, stock or after-market radios, etc.) and what’s within your budget. 

Remember that the quality of sound from any system is highly dependent on the combination of your helmet, headphones, and your own ears. 

The Scala Cardo Bluetooth system is a crisp, clear unit that adjusts well to almost everything that comes stock.  The self-adjusting volume makes it one of the best on the market today.  It’s designed to be used with gloves and also withstand the weather.  It’s got a nice wind-resistant microphone that can be used at higher speed too.  It can be synched with almost any cell phone, and with the Q2 which adds another unit, can be used for bike-to-bike and bike-to-passenger communications without a phone.  The bike-to-bike synch will of course depend on the terrain around you – hills and twists will decrease the range, while some users have reported up to a half mile range on straight flat highways.  The Zumo and the Scala Cardo Bluetooth system both get the best reviews.  Together they make an awesome pairing.  

J&M also makes a wide variety of systems, including Bluetooth wireless helmet headsets and also helmets with the entire Bluetooth system already wired into them.  If price is a concern, you can pick up a J&M plug in walkie-talkie system, and it doesn’t come with all the technological gizmos so it’s very easy to use.

Harley-Davidson also makes a wide range of communications products that work seamlessly with any standard equipment -- it's one of the benefits of purchasing Genuine Harley-Davidson Accessories.

In any case and any budget, swing by and talk to Geoff in Parts.  He’s done quite a bit of research on this topic, and has a lot of experience with headsets and setting up communications systems.  He’ll be more than happy to talk to you about it.  You can reach him via email at parts@patriothd.com, or give him a call at 703.352.5400.

(August 2009)

Trend Change in Touring Exhausts

For many years, most customers have wanted loud Harleys and we suspect for many that desire will always remain.  At Patriot, we have always steered our customers away from drag (unbaffled) pipes, as we felt they were unreasonably loud and hampered performance in the RPM ranges where most of us ride.  Recently - with stock motors displacing 96 to 110 cubic inches and the Touring family becoming the most popular Harley line -  we now receive requests for exhaust systems that perform well but keep the noise down to a minimum.  We understand: you want to hear your stereo and still get those additional pounds of torque.  On HD’s Touring motorcycles, the stock headers perform well (especially on the new 2009s) but the mufflers are restrictive.  Obviously if you remove restriction from the mufflers, you get more noise with a few HP.  But there are at least two “slip-on” muffler systems that achieve better flow by increasing the volume of the muffler instead of the volume of the bike.  

S&S, longtime makers of performance upgrades, released their Stainless Performance Oval (SPO) mufflers a few years ago and they work as advertised.  Similar in width to the saddlebag above it, the polished stainless steel body is oval shaped and has two different baffles available.  Both are quiet by most standards.  

Newer are the Vance and Hines Monster Ovals.  They have a shape similar to the S&S, are chrome with full coverage heat shields to prevent any possibility of heat discoloration, and feature a billet end cap that provides a nicely finished look to the tips.  Additionally the end caps are available in either chrome or black. 

Which set you prefer will probably come down to a preference in looks or sound.  If you or someone you know is interested in a stealth exhaust for their FL that will still perform, stop by or email parts@patriothd.com and we’ll help you select the right ones.

(July 2009)

Monday June 21, 2010 Ride to Work Day 

Imagine what would happen if even 25% of the people commuting by car would ride instead.Probably the first thing we’d notice would be the lack of traffic and the availability of parking spaces! Motorcycles simply take up less space; on the highway the difference would be noticeable as we’d certainly have fewer back ups and a shorter commute because of it and with parking the difference would be much more dramatic. One car space can fit between 4 and 6 motorcycles- imagine if each block in downtown DC suddenly 5 cars removed; kiss parking problems goodbye!Other things would take more time to notice:

• Less damage to the roads because of lighter vehicles would lead to huge savings on road repairs and resurfacing as well as a decrease in the traffic and pollution created by those repairs.
• Commuters riding 40, 50 and 60 MPG motorcycles instead of 10 and 20 MPG cars and SUV’s would lead to a decrease in the consumption and reliance upon foreign oil.
• Workers that arrive on time and happy from a fun ride in with no traffic vs workers that arrive late and cranky after another day in stop and go traffic.

That last part there is probably the most important part.  Riding to work can make you happy! Isn’t that why you got a bike in the first place?

Stay tuned for more events coming up soon by visiting our events calendar.

(June 2010)