March 1st, 2012 - Getting Ready for Spring and Rocking Bike Week 2012

Although it’s been one of the mildest Winters in a long time, and just maybe you’ve already had saddle time once or twice over, but there are definitely things to do to prep you and your bike for a full season of riding!

Over the next month we’ll take you through a pretty good checklist of Spring Maintenance, to have you ready to roll.

The greatest bike, greatest engine and the greatest brakes are all useless, if the tires that the bike is riding on do not have good contact with the road. Those precious few square inches of rubber connecting with pavement is what everything is relying on to function as well as controlling your safety. Tires are the most important safety factor on your bike - yet many bikers neglect them, cut costs, or are unaware of all the factors that affect them.

Greg Reich from Continental Tires is here with us today to discuss TYRES! Greg will go over with us a dozen key elements to consider when buying tires and preparing to ride!

Are you ready to Rock? Cuz we are... With Jasmine Cain - some of you might remember Jasmine blew into the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally a few years back with the velocity of a tornado and took the crowd by storm with her passionate rock 'n roll! Jasmine is at it again this year and ready to bring the rock n roll winds with her in Hurricane style to the sunshine state. Jasmine takes a breather and talks to us about this season’s tour for her and the band!

Mike Roland is the guru of anything tech as far as I’m concerned... although used to talking in volumes of performance and speed Mike slows the pace down momentarily to talk to us about Brakes... 'er brake pads! Over-rated? I can guarantee at some of the top speeds Mike is used to... they’re NOT! 

The ALL NEW Open Road Radio: The Evolution! With your host Gina Woods – joined by veteran broadcaster and avid rider, Peter  Maus.  Join us.  And let us know what you think. We're not only talking about motorcycling, but we're listening to motorcyclists, as we take a look what's down the Open Road.

February 23rd, 2012 - Recapping the Industry Events

Since the beginning of the year there’s been a lot of opportunity to see the different motorcycle models the manufacturers are offering this year! The winter is a good time to get out and see the new models, products and services the industry has to offer through events like the recent V-Twin Expo, International Motorcycle Shows, and upcoming World of Wheels show!
 From January 1st through mid-February 2012, a Harley-Davidson dealerships survey by Wisconsin-based Robert W. Baird, a wealth management, capital markets, asset management and private equity firm, reveals that sales of new motorcycles were up about 30% nationwide.
A renewed consumer confidence (unemployment at a 4-year low, positive US stock market with Dow Jones Index up 63% since 2008), better and cheaper models in phase with what bikers can afford and want to ride, a very mild winter especially in the Midwest, all helped produce robust new Harley bike sales.

But sales across the board at many dealerships have had increased numbers since the Fall of 2010… Good news for the Industry!

Mary Slepicka coordinator of the Dealer Expo and dealernews.com editor joins us to discuss the recent Dealer Expo in Indianapolis. Mary talks about the overall attitude of the dealers in what seems to be an exciting year in Motorcycling!

Larry Coleman joins us once again to recap the 2011-2012 IMS series, V-Twin Expo, and Dealer Expo.

This week takes a look inside the Industry with some of the prominent people that are involved with it on a daily basis…. I hope you  are getting your Dily dose of motorcycle happenings! If not check back with us weekly right here on Open Road Radio!
 
The ALL NEW Open Road Radio: The Evolution! With your host Gina Woods – joined by veteran broadcaster and avid rider, Peter  Maus.  Join us.  And let us know what you think. We're not only talking about motorcycling, but we're listening to motorcyclists, as we take a look what's down the Open Road.

February 16th, 2012 - International Motorcycle Show - Chicago

Whether you’re an avid rider, weekend warrior, motorcyclist or biker …there is something for EVERYONE at this year’s Progressive International Motorcycle Show! Come one come all to see everything under one roof that’s motorcycle!

Open Road Radio’s Gina Woods and Peter Maus interview industry personnel from Zero Motorcycles, Ultimate Bike Builder Custom Show, S&S Cycle, author Liz Jansen, Accident Scene Management Instructor Cat Hammes Honda, Ducati, Harley-Davidson and so many more...

Hear the newest in technology, the newest bikes and cycle products to the general public. As might be expected the doings included seminars, stunt shows interactive booths like Kawasaki’s “build a bike”, celebrity built bikes, tons of chrome, new factory production bikes, demonstrations, debuts, Chicago vendor style food, beer and lots and lots and lots of vests and patches. Throughout the 3 day event, a couple thousand people made their way through the venue.

Hear from many in the motorcycle industry that make motorcycling a daily lifestyle!

The ALL NEW Open Road Radio: The Evolution! With your host Gina Woods – joined by veteran broadcaster and avid rider, Peter Maus. Join us. And let us know what you think. We're not only talking about motorcycling, but we're listening to motorcyclists, as we take a look what's down the Open Road.

February 9th, 2012 - IMS Show Preview - Chicago Style

Made world-famous by a recent highly-watched television debut, the Smage Brothers will take their trials stunt riding to the next level with an all-inclusive, never-before-seen show that is sure to make your eyes pop and your jaw drop. In the Kawasaki Design-A-Bike you can grab the digital paint can and turn a brand new Kawasaki into your own personalized two-wheeled canvas!

With $90,000 in prize money and over $20 million worth of magnificent motorcycle machinery, the 12-city Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show represents the largest traveling custom bike competition in the world!

When you step into the Dream Pavilion presented by Schuberth, you leave behind the realm of the “every-day ride”, and enter a fantasy world where a rare, unique collection of unbelievable motorcycles awaits your arrival. Raise your “MQ” (Motorcycling IQ) at the all-new Learning Curve, where more than two dozen FREE seminars will be held throughout the weekend.

Develop strong connections with a community of women who share your passion, energy and excitement for the exhilaration of the open road at the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows.

With nostalgia for the past and an appreciation of the future, witness a tribute to the pioneering spirit that led to today’s motorcycle industry, as you travel through the last century of motorcycling.
Enjoy the Marketplace, a top-of-the-line showcase for all the leading Aftermarket Parts and Accessories.

The Allstate Rider connection is your one stop information shop for everything you'll need to know about the local riding community - riding clubs, local riding areas, track days, local dealer lists, show programs and more.

The Progressive Experience is where Progressive customers and lucky winners can get a custom t-shirt designed at the new Paint Shop featured in the Progressive Lounge at each show and everyone can get a picture out riding with Flo.

The ALL NEW Open Road Radio: The Evolution! With your host Gina Woods – joined by veteran broadcaster and avid rider, Peter Maus. Join us. And let us know what you think. We're not only talking about motorcycling, but we're listening to motorcyclists, as we take a look what's down the Open Road.

February 2, 2012 - Winning Motorcycle Shops

Whether you’re a garage mechanic, shop wrench or dealership  grease monkey – proper space, lifting, equipment, tools & resources are all key to getting the job done correctly and successfully. We talk with the experts – C.G.Masi wrote a book on his expertise of preparing a shop in “How to set up a MC Shop” His well acclaimed book has helped hundreds to establish & prepare for mc building or repair.

You can’t do a good job without good tools! MC repairman aficionado and grease monkey  John joins us to discuss getting the right tool for the job!

Hardtails Cycle Shop -Paul  clocks 20 thousand plus miles every year combing the swap meet circuits buying and selling parts. Paul juggles a busy mc shop, home life & being a parts finder extraordinaire on a daily basis and clues us in on how to be resourceful in finding the parts you need for those restorations, vintage projects, foreign jobbers or just good ole billet for your motorcycle.

The ALL NEW Open Road Radio: The Evolution! With your host Gina Woods – joined by veteran broadcaster and avid rider, Peter  Maus.  Join us.  And let us know what you think. We're not only talking about motorcycling, but we're listening to motorcyclists, as we take a look what's down the Open Road.