Motorcycles: The Cure for Spring Fever

Bikers who have been cooped up inside during the long, cold winter are aching to get outside and ride as soon as the snow starts to melt. Thousands will be doing just that as they gather at Bike Week in Daytona, Fla. from Feb. 27 through March 4 to get a jump on the latest trends and newest bikes in anticipation of the start of the riding season.

One of the bikes on display at Bike Week will be Big Dog Motorcycle’s 10,000th bike ever made. The leading designer and manufacturer of high performance, highly-styled custom cruisers, Big Dog Motorcycles is celebrating ten years of perfecting custom bikes and will be showcasing the commemorative bike at its display on Beach Street.

The bike, a misty midnight blue chopper-style Ridgeback, is nearly 9 feet long, features a 117 polished cubic inch engine, Baker 6-speed transmission, a 250 rear tire, and a custom graphics package with a patriotic theme. “There is an adrenaline rush that comes with riding a bike of this caliber, not just from the power and the thrill, but from the looks you’ll get. It has what we call ‘stoplight appeal,’” says company president, Nick Messer. The Ridgeback, introduced in 2004, was awarded the “Best New Model of the Year” at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati in January.

If the thought of hitting the streets for Daytona Beach Bike Week 2004, or any springtime ride, has your motor revving, here is a simple checklist of 10 basics to inspect before taking your motorcycle out for the first time this year, courtesy of the experts at Big Dog Motorcycles.

1. Remove and inspect the spark plugs, and replace if necessary.
2. Clean the air cleaner element.
3. Start the engine and run until it reaches normal operating temperature, then turn it off.
4. Check the amount of oil in the oil tank.
5. Check the transmission lubricant level.
6. Check controls to be sure they are operating properly.
7. Check steering for smoothness by turning the handlebars through the full operating range.
8. Check tire pressure. Incorrect pressure will result in poor riding characteristics and can affect handling and stability.
9. Check all electrical equipment and switches, including the turn signals, headlight and horn for proper operation.
10. Check for any fuel, oil or brake fluid leaks.

Even minor mechanical problems could spoil a trip. Before you hit the open road for one of the spring rallies or for just an afternoon ride, make sure your bike is running well.

If you can’t make it to Daytona, there are many other spring rallies for you and your bike. The Heritage Motorcycle Rally is held April 14 to 18 in Charleston, S.C.; Laughlin River Run takes place April 21 to 25 in Laughlin, Nev.; Myrtle Beach Bike Week is held May 7 to 16 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and the Republic of Texas Rally is scheduled for June 3 to 6 in Austin, Texas.

If you need a new bike to start the season, there are all kinds of custom options. Big Dog offers customers a myriad of choices for their custom bikes. Choose from one of six models, then add a bigger engine, custom graphics and paint, full polished motor and transmission, painted struts, accessories like a luggage rack, and more. “Each bike we turn out is truly custom,” says Messer. “Your bike will stand out even among other Big Dog Motorcycles.”

“The first Big Dog motorcycle was put together in a garage; the company’s reputation grew by word-of-mouth from one loyal customer to the next,” says Messer. “What started as one bike has grown to a six-bike arsenal of radically styled models, all with big tires and equally big engines. The passion to build cutting-edge cruisers for real-world riding will always be at our core.” The company’s network has grown to 90 dealers and 120 authorized service centers nationwide.

To see the special edition 10,000th Big Dog, head to any one of these events, or visit the company’s Web site, www.bigdogmotorcycles.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content