Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/617259
42 nJanuary 2016n www.thunderpress.net 2015/2016 Progressive International Motorcycle Shows calendar valued at $15, all for only $5 more than a gen- eral admission ticket. The No Limit Stunt Team featur- ing Jason Britton and Ian Gaines were on hand to perform some awesome motorcycle stunts and the Supermoto USA racers were there burning rubber, throwing dirt and launching their bikes into the air on the combination pave- ment and dirt track all weekend. Allstate Insurance had a Kid's Zone where the under-three-foot crowd could race around a special track on Strider No-Pedal Balance Bikes. The kids loved racing each other through the cones. For the big kids Indian, Can-Am, Suzuki, Yamaha, Victory and Harley were all giving Demo Rides on a fi rst- come, fi rst-serve basis starting in the main parking lot. The only manufac- turer offering non-escorted rides was Harley. They believe that a rider can better assess a motorcycle when riding alone rather than in a group. My favor- ites are still the Heritage Softail and the Road Glide, old or new. There were also presentations throughout Saturday and Sunday featuring topics like "Prepping for the Long Ride" by Twisted Throttle, "Where the Rubber Meets the Road" by Dunlop, "Suspension Made Simple" by K-Tech, "All About Helmets" by Arai, "So You Want to Work on Your Motorcycle?" by Alex Rossborough and "How to Go 200 mph on a Motorcycle," by Salt Flats racer Erin Sills. The Market Place is always neat because, aside from new motorcycles like the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R which will go well over 200 mph in stock form, there are things like the Survive the Ride CHP booth to help you manage all that newfound speed, although number one on their list is probably "don't go 200 mph." California's Motorcycle Safety Program has been revamped. A com- pany called Total Control has the pro- gram now. They offer the basic course and also offer an advanced rider's course, but you need to go online for the advanced course. You can even buy a set of 50 or 80 training cones to practice at home with. They're short but bright so if you run over them you're not going to risk falling over. Check out their site at totalcontrol- training.net. The chief instructor is Lee Parks who is a champion sports bike racer. If you needed new riding gear or a helmet there was plenty of that. For the adventure rider, there was plenty of gear and CSC Motorcycles, a new line of adventure bikes that come ready to ride from Canada to South America, with a little preparation. New items at the Market Place this year were Bar Cuffs and Lock Strap. Jeff Cranny owns Lock Strap and they make locking tie down straps that have a stainless steel cable running through them and a carabiner with a change- able combination lock at the end. Bolt cutters will not cut these straps so you can tie down your bike or strap your helmet and jacket to your bike know- ing it will be there when you get back. Lengths vary depending on whether you're using them to tie the bike down or secure gear to your bike. They are sold through Sears, Grainger, Tucker Rocky, Cycle Gear, Cabela's and some other outlets. Check out their website at www.lockstrap.com for further info and locations. Bar Cuffs Tie Down Cuffs, with three different-sized inserts, will fi t most motorcycles and are beautifully- polished stainless-steel clamps that easily hook around your handlebars and then to your tie-down straps. They won't slip or scratch your handlebars and they dampen road vibrations and are perfect for any bike. They are sold through J&P Cycles and Amazon.com. Check out their video at www.barcuffs. com. Sue Slate from the Women's Coalition of Motorcyclists was man- ning the booth with Gramps and Grumbles from the Sisters of Scota lending a hand. The Coalition part- ners with the motorcycle industry to get more women into the riding and the business of motorcycling to pro- mote the growth of multi-generational families of riders and to provide role models for women in the industry. Erin Sills who spoke at this event has part- nered with them as well. While women only comprise 10 percent of motorcy- cle ownership the fi gure for the effect of buying power is much higher, espe- cially with many more women doing the family books. And how many of you men out there bought your bike without your wife's support? I've been riding since I was 15 years old, but it was my wife who bought me my fi rst Harley. Yep, she's a keeper. The food court was located between the two buildings and fea- tured Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, Husong's Cantina (yep, Mexican/Chinese), the Mexican Grill, Gourmet Hot Dogs and lots of beer. No need to go anywhere else for lunch. Next to that was Harley- Davidson's Jumpstart Rider Experience. You've seen them; a Harley mounted in a vice with the rear wheel running on a big roller. It gives those who have never driven a bike the experience of doing just that without the falling-down part. When I caught up with her, Venus Thomas of Eagle's Nest H-D in Lathrop was instruct- ing the smiling riders as they shifted through the gears of a brand new H-D Street 750. Sunday afternoon the winners were announced and are as follows: Modifi ed Custom went to Shaun Ruddy for his 2015 Indian Chieftain with Sidecar, Modifi ed Retro was given to Kirk Taylor for his 1980 H-D in a rigid frame, and Paul Binford for his 1975 FLH was only one point behind Kirk. Mod Harley went to Andrew Ursich for his 1980 Sportster named Brass Monkey. Freestyle was awarded to Jon McDowell for his 2014 Custom Boardtrack and People's Choice went to Shaun Ruddy again for his one-off Custom Trike. 4 IMS Sacramento Continued from page 40 H-D Rep Carolyn Hewitt instructs Sesha Logan of Carmichael on the proper lifting tech- nique on a downed motorcycle The Allstate Kids Zone was a hit with 3-year-old Pierce Chaffee