Click here to download .pdf of MotorcyGalz January 20, 2012- Fan Bikes

Lara and Crazy Bob could almost feel the wind in their hair as they tried on the 2012 Harley-Davidson Road Glide this past weekend at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show.

Azzkikr customs debuted the Vancouver Canucks fan bike at the 2012 Vancouver Motorcycle Show. After much ado and buzz, the bike made its debut through the show on Saturday and fans were on hand to cheer on the bike as well as their team.

Contest details

Marcel Irnie is a local racer ‘doin it for himself’. He is a one man show, rider, mechanic, pr, videography, editor, producer – he works pretty hard to get to where he wants to go so if you like the video, let’s help Marcel win!

So the Vancouver Motorcycle Show starts tomorrow and it is a busy weekend for us Galz. Best to get a head start we say and get there a day ahead of time. So we departed Kelowna at approximately 9 a.m. and fully expected most of the winter driving we experienced. Until the Coquihalla.

“Why are all the trucks stopped there?” says Marissa. “I wonder what they know that we don’t,” responds Jasmin.

About two minutes later we were at a standstill, right after we decided we would stop in Hope as opposed to Merritt for gas, food and bathroom break. After about an hour and half, a bathroom break was in order but mother nature dropped the temperature and threw in a dash of wind that solidified no going outside.

However, the guy behind us was experiencing the same plight and began unloading his sled to make a trip to the rest stop some 2 km back. Just as he unhooked it, a trucker honked at him and we were on the move again.

Traction is not the issue up there, the visibilty is the issue with all that snow blowing around you can’t see anyone. If you are up there, turn your hazard lights on whether or not you need them because it will allow the car behind you to spot you in the blowing snow.

This is the snow shed on the Coquihalla.

This is before Hope.

This is after Hope.

If you are heading from the interior to the show, from the north to the show, or any other direction, be safe people and give yourself a lot of extra time and pack food because they closed the highway after we came down.

Ok, so today is definitely a Friday the 13th and the gremlins got us in our column. Despite submitting a photo of Matty Augustine – professional stunt rider – performing a trick in front of the crowds of the 2011 Vancouver Motorcycle Show, the rider that was published was not Matty Augustine. The photos below are Matty Augustine.

Click here to download .pdf of today’s column

For the past few years, we have admired the work of Azzkikr Customs when we go to the Vancouver Motorcycle Show. We have recently learned that this year, Azzkikr will once again be present at the show and will be unveiling their latest custom creation. A Vancouver Canucks inspired fan bike! You will have to come to the show to check it out but in the meantime, here is another Azzkikr favourite – the Ezekiel – a V8 dart performance engine, single sided swing arm, pro street frame, all hand formed metal, all hand pounded steel, and 1200 hours in paint alone and over 2000 hours of building.

I have to say December and January are the tough months for my riding mojo.  It’s cold, often snowy and the spring and clean roads just seem so far away.  Then I start getting a little fired up because the Vancouver Motorcycle Show is on the horizon and I get to hook up with riders from all walks of life.

I had the best conversation with Peter Starr this week.  If you’re not familiar with the name, check him out on-line.

www.starrfilm.com

His list of accomplishments is longer than most.

Here’s our chat…

Click here for Peter Starr on his history in riding and radio

Peter Starr & Mick Jagger

Click here for Peter Starr on missed interiews & prostate cancer

www.healingartsmedia.net

Click here for Peter Starr on charity rides & your health

Click here for Peter Starr on Taiwan Grand Riders

Click here for Peter Starr on riding New Zealand & Norway

Peter knows everyone!

Peter Starr and Steve Baker will be speaking Thursday night from 6:30 to 7:30 in the Ironhorse Lounge at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show in Abbotsford at the Tradex!

www.vancouvermotorcycleshow.com

www.starrfilm.com

www.motodvd.com

www.healingartsmedia.net

Click here to download .pdf of MotorcyGalz Jan 6, 2012 BMW1200 GS

As a professional photographer, I (Marissa) am the official photographer of the Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club in the Western Hockey League – you can view action photos of the games on my website at www.shootthebreeze.ca.

So imagine my delight when my two favourite worlds – Hockey and Motorcycles – collided in this very cool, unique – one of a kind of fundraiser? That’s right – one lucky hockey fan will win this Ducati Monster 696 custom Kelowna Rockets motorcycle from Bentley Motorrad. Below is the press release from the Kelowna Rockets.

ROCKETS AND BENTLEY MOTORRAD TEAM UP IN CANCER FUNDRAISER
The Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League and Bentley Motorrad in West Kelowna are pleased to announce a raffle draw and fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society featuring a high-performance 2011 Ducati Motorbike and taking place on each of the Rockets Wednesday home games.

For the remainder of the 2011-12 WHL season, fans that purchase walk-up tickets at Select Your Tickets for a Rockets Wednesday night game will have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind Kelowna Rockets Ducati Motorbike, designed by Bentley Motorrad and featuring the Kelowna Rockets logo and colours.

The raffle will also be a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society which will be selling Cross Check Cancer Energy bracelets at selected Kelowna Rockets games for the remainder of the season. Fans that purchase a unique energy bracelet will receive an entry form for the Ducati motorbike.

“We’re excited to partner with Bentley Motorrad and with the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Anne-Marie Hamilton, Rockets director of marketing. “We hope that we can raise some money for a worthwhile cause and allow one of our fans to win a really unique prize.”

Staff at Bentley Motorrad designed the high-performance Ducati Monster 696 cc motorbike with Rockets colours. Owner Scott Bentley says it turned out beyond expectations.

“It looks spectacular. I don’t think it could have turned out better,” said Bentley, who added that partnering with the Rockets and the Canadian Cancer Society is something that is close to his heart.

“I lost my mom to this terrible disease, so I am passionate about supporting the Canadian Cancer Society,” said Bentley. “We’re excited to get involved with the cancer society and the Kelowna Rockets.”

The Rockets have six Wednesday night home games remaining in the regular season. The first one is this Wednesday, Jan. 4 when the Rockets host Spokane. The Rockets Ducati bike will be on display at all of those games.

Thank you to Jay Newman Photography for all his hard work and great photos from the Toronto Motorcycle Show.

For the record – we do not do the layout of our column and we know the difference between a VMAX Yamaha and a VROD HD and when we talk about a silver bike we mean the silver bike not the black one – just sayin – if you have read our column this morning you will know what we mean – on to the new year!

Just had a great chat with Kim Young from V-Twin Okanagan…listen up for the latest from this great motorcycle training program!

Click here for V-Twin Expanding interview

www.vtwinokanagan.ca

250-764-7075

Kelowna Honda is currently offering a promotion that you just can’t resist. Thinking about getting the little ones into dirt biking? Now is the perfect time to do it.

A new red 50, 70 or 80 will be the perfect start. Throw on a set of training wheels to build the confidence and then add a complimentary set of ride gear and watch that smile grow. Drop by and see Kirsten at Kelowna Honda.

click here to download .pdf of MotorcyGalz December 16 Goldammer

Professional stylist, Sam Shakura, is an avid rider but just because us ladies love our bikes doesn’t mean we can’t go from biker chicks to biker chic!

Shakura created her own luxury fashion label, Seven Sins, designed for “the edgy and passionate girl on the run” or in our case, on a bike.

Who says you can’t have style when you ride?

From a unique jewellry collection, to blinged out iPhone covers, to a luxury clothing line with one of a kind pieces right through to home decor, Seven Sins is a style to suit many tastes.

Acquiring Seven Sins pieces is as unique as the brand itself. An exclusive shopping experience with Shakura and business partner, interior design celebrity, Cheryl Gillespie is by appointment only providing each client with a personal, detailed visit. Contact www.samshakura.com and keep checking www.rockhouseofdesign.com as their new website will be launching soon. You can also connect with them on facebook by clicking www.facebook.com/rockhouseofdesign.

Here is a sneak peak into Seven Sins style.

If there is one thing international fashion model Robin Hagen knows, its style and at the 2011 Toronto Motorcycle Show recently the style of the 2012 Harley Davidson V-Rod caught her eye.

“This is another bike that I have a new found affection for its style”, said Hagen. “It has all the classic lines of the what Harley is so famous for, with a updated, and modern twist. I love the look, and the comfort of this one. I think its also well suited to the frame of a smaller female rider. I can imagine that you could comfortably ride this bike for many hours on a road trip.”

“Alex from Harley Davidson, who has extensive product knowledge, and who is a rider herself, and who I can understand and relate to, when she is talking about the bikes, made me feel like I was a part of what was going on, and she was listening to me. She wasn’t condescending at all, like many of the guys tend to be, while talking to women patrons at the show.”

Robin is referring to HD Public Relations Specialist, Alex Carroni.

The motorcycle show is on the move, Calgary January 6-8, 2012, Edmonton January 13-15, 2012, Vancouver January 19 – 22, 2012, Quebec City February 3-5, 2012, Atlantic Canada February 10 – 12, 2012, and finally Montreal February 24-26, 2012.

The Galz will be in attendance at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show and hope to see you there.

Click here to download .pdf of MotorcyGalz December 9 Kellee Irwin

Professional photographer Jay Newman took in the Honda 2012 release event yesterday in Toronto. Here is what western viewers have to look forward to come January when the motorcycle show hits Tradex in Abbotsford. Check out Jay’s work at www.jaynewmanphotography.com

Not for the faint of heart – will get your heart racing!

Early bird pricing for this 2012 Great Canadian Bike Rally in Merritt ends in 2 days.

$190 for your wristband which will provide access to the Main Stage Area and beer gardens throughout the day and all concerts.

You will also have access to and from the Rodeo Grounds, Beer Garden, Bike Games, Poker Runs (entry to bike games and poker runs also require you to sign a personal waiver form)

Price goes up to $225 December 1st!

British Columbia ICBC VP, Kellee Irwin has been elected as the Chair of MCC. Here is the press release:

Markham ON – November 18, 2011: The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) is pleased to announce the election of Kellee Irwin as Chairperson for 2011 – 2013. Ms. Irwin serves as Vice President, Personal Insurance for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. She replaces Liz Jansen who has completed her two-year term but will remain on the Board as Past-Chair.

MCC is also pleased to announce the election of Mr. Doug Houghton (Manitoba) as Vice-Chair and Jennifer Ross (Quebec) as Secretary-Treasurer. Joining Kellee, Doug and Jennifer on the MCC Board for the next two years are new Directors Don Galloway (Alberta), Mark Gray (British Columbia), Dave Millier (Ontario) and Norm Sukkau (Manitoba).

“I am honoured to be joining a volunteer Board of Directors with the depth and breadth of riding experience, strategic thinking and leadership qualities needed to represent the interests of Canadian motorcyclists from coast-to-coast,” noted Ms. Irwin. “Taking on this role at a time when the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada is determined to weigh-in on public policy and rider and traffic safety issues that impact the Canadian on- and off-road motorcycling community is challenging and exciting.”

“Motorcycling is a convenient, safe, modern, affordable, community- and family-oriented and increasingly eco-friendly mode of transportation, recreational activity and sport,” added MCC President Daniel Tessier. “The growth of motorcycling from coast-to-coast underscores the need for federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to acknowledge the positive aspects of motorcycling; recognize motorcycling as a transportation choice for hundreds of thousands of Canadians; and better integrate motorcycling into our nation’s transport strategy.”

Comprised of national, provincial and territorial organizations, regional clubs, individual members and industry representatives, the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada is the premier national, grassroots advocacy organization championing motorcycling interests throughout Canada.

Kyle Keast sits at #1 in Pro-Am Lights and Pro-Am Open categories after rounds 1 & 2 of Arenacross held in Penticton at the South Okanagan Event Centre.

We caught up to Keast during warm-up for a couple of quick question:

Question:  Indoors or outdoors?
Answer:  I’m more of an outdoor guy but I’ve been starting to get into the indoor stuff more lately.

Question:  I hear indoors is more technical and you’re not going as fast.  Is that how you have to wrap your head around this?
Answer:  Ya, it’s a short race, only 15 laps and starts are everything.  You get a good start, stay up and stay consistent.

Apparently his strategy worked!

Catch rounds 3 & 4 in Chilliwack at the Heritage Park January 20 and 21, 2011.

Click here to download .pdf of MotorcyGalz November 18 Trimph Street Triple

At the EICMA in Milan recently, Honda announced the latest model to join their lineup in Europe. The NC700S (sport standard) and the NC700X (adventure style).

The Canadian models will come with manual, 6 speed transmission and will arrive on showroom floors in the summer of 2012.

An all new 670 cc parallel twin engine with the cylinders canted forward about 62 degrees. It has a 270 degree crank that Honda says will give you a v-twin feel and offers low rpm torque.

The two models share a common chassis. Fuel tank is 14.1 litres and is accessed below the rider’s seat giving the rider a low centre of gravity. In the place of the traditional fuel tank space is a cargo space large enough to store a helmet or pack a laptop and other essential business stools for your daily commute.

The official launch will take place in December at the Toronto Motorcycle Show and we will bring you all the details as they come available.