manybikes is a member of the Cruiser Customizing International Motorcycle Community.

If it is on two wheels... I love it!

Motorcycling has been a way of life in my family for the past four generations. My grandfather Ted began riding in the 60's on a 125cc Harley Davidson. Over the years he rode many bikes and at one point he was a motor cop for the the State of Utah. His last bike was a 1978 Honda CX500 which he rode until the late 80's before handing it down to my father before it was handed down to me, making it my first on-road motorcycle.

My Father has ridden motorcycles since he was old enough to hold on an balance. Over the years he has ridden / owned a Honda 350, 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000, 1978 Honda CX500, Suzuki GS 1100, Goldwings of all sizes including 1100, 1200, and 1500. Today he rides a dark blue 1998 GL1500.

My motorcycling began the day my father picked up his first ever brand new bike... the 1979 KZ1000. I still remember to this day picking out my ORANGE Bell full face helmet, being set in dads lap for the ride home from the dealership. At the age of 4 I was hooked for life! For the first year or two I rode up in front between dad and the tank. Eventually, I graduated to the back seat where I sought comfort in a pair of belt loops as my grab handles.

In 5th grade, my neighbor Guy Sherwood brought home a Honda CR80. For months I pestered Guy until he finally gave in. I rode that poor bike in first gear for hours on end, taching it out as I roared up and down the street. Later that day his girfriend came out and taught me how to shift. The day went well until I decided to flip a U-turn into the front grill of his truck! Oops. I continued to ride that bike for years.

My freshman year of high school, my buddy had a Yamaha YZ250 sitting in his backyard rotting away. I took it home, cleaned the carb, patched a hole in the gas tank, replaced the spark plugs, and changed the oil. Presto! The bike fired right up! I rode that YZ250 for three years.

At the age of 15, I was jonesing to ride on the street. After much harassment, my father rolled the CX 500 (yes same one!) into the street and said, "If you can pick it up - you can ride it." Come to learn later, that this was said only because he KNEW I would not be able to lift the beast.

Determined, I grunted and groaned... but was finally able to right the bike! Feeling victorious, I jumped up and down awaiting the key! Only until dad walked over to push the bike over on the other side! My draw hit the street! "That is not fair!" I exclaimed! I was then reasoned with ... and was told the bike could fall on either side. It was tough, but to my parents astonishment I was able to right the bike and had earned the right to learn how to ride on the street.

At 15 I got my motorcycle permit, at 16 my M1 motorcycle license, and I have been on 2 wheels since.

I have been riding for over 20 years and enjoy all genres of motorcycling. Over the years I have owned the following bikes: 1978 Honda CX 500, 1983 Suzuki GS1100L, 1988 Honda Shadow VT1100C, 2004 Yamaha FJR 1300tc, 2003 Kawasaki ZX12r and a Honda Magna V45.

Currently in my garage you will find Cruising, Touring, Sport, Dirt, and Enduro motorcycles. Love em all! These bikes are all ridden often and are loved for the specific purposes they serve. They are as follows: 2007 KTM 450 exc, 2007 Viva 200, 2006 Honda Goldwing GL1800, 2003 Honda VTX 1300S, 2003 Honda VFR 800Fi, and 2002 Suzuki DRZ400.

Riding motorcycles is my hobbie, my passion, my mode of transportation, my source of income, and my life... thus my handle "Manybikes"

Motorcycle Audio Tip of the Week from Cruiser Customizing by Manybikes
Posted on: 3 Jul 2009

Kyle Bradshaw (aka: manybikes) of Cruiser Customizing here to discuss Motorcycle Audio Options with you! In this discussion, I would like to talk about fairings, handlebar mounted speakers, in helmet speakers, and audio mounting devices.

Watch the Motorcycle Audio Video to hear the whole scoop!

What are your basic audio options?

Harley Style Fairings - such as the Kuryakyn AirMaster, Dragonfly, etc...
Handlebar (or engine guard) Mounted Speakers
Helmet Speaker Sets
Speaker Bound Tank Bags

Here are links to each of the products discussed in this Tip of the Week Video:

Kuryakyn AirMaster Universal Deluxe Fairing w/o Audio System - Metric Cruisers

Part Number: KY-1341

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=84&manufacturer_ID=16&product_ID=39798&sblid_name=Kuryakyn_AirMaster_Universal_Deluxe_Fairing_w_o_Audio_System___Metric_Cruisers

Kuryakyn AirMaster Universal Deluxe Fairing w/Audio System - Metric Cruisers

Part Number: KY-1340

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=84&manufacturer_ID=16&product_ID=39795&sblid_name=Kuryakyn_AirMaster_Universal_Deluxe_Fairing_w_Audio_System___Metric_Cruisers

MH Instruments Rumble Road Limited+ Speaker System Kit, Chrome, 1" Clamps

Part Number: MHI-127

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=50&manufacturer_ID=202&product_ID=5573&sblid_name=MH_Instruments_Rumble_Road_Limited__Speaker_System_Kit__Chrome_____Clamps

MH Instruments Rumble Road PremiumPlus Speaker System Kit, Chrome, 1inch Clamps

Part Number: MHI-118

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=50&manufacturer_ID=202&product_ID=5572&sblid_name=MH_Instruments_Rumble_Road_PremiumPlus_Speaker_System_Kit__Chrome___inch_Clamps

Cycle Sounds Universal Sound System for Metric Bikes - Chrome

Part Number: 2WT-4405-0080

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=50&manufacturer_ID=540&product_ID=19913&sblid_name=Cycle_Sounds_Universal_Sound_System_for_Metric_Bikes___Chrome

Cycle Sounds Chrome Premium Sound System with 3 inch Speakers - Metric Cruisers

Part Number: 2WT-4405-0077

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=50&manufacturer_ID=540&product_ID=28068&sblid_name=Cycle_Sounds_Chrome_Premium_Sound_System_with___inch_Speakers___Metric_Cruisers

Kuryakyn The Sound of Chrome Speakers - 1 inch bars

Part Number: KY-852

Hondaline Digital Audio System- VTX 1300/1800 series, Spirit 750 C2, Aero

Part Number: HL-08A08-9H1-000

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=50&manufacturer_ID=8&product_ID=28833&sblid_name=Hondaline_Digital_Audio_System___VTX___________series__Spirit_____C___Aero_for_Honda_Shadow_Spirit_750_C2

Camos BTS-300 Stereo Bluetooth Headset and Long Range Intercom

Part Number: CAM-BTS300

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=5&manufacturer_ID=558&product_ID=29591&sblid_name=Camos_BTS_____Stereo_Bluetooth_Headset_and_Long_Range_Intercom

Chatterbox XBi2 Rider to Rider Wireless Intercom w/ A2DP Bluetooth® 2.0

Part Number: CHAT-CBXBI2OKIT

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=5&manufacturer_ID=256&product_ID=40748&sblid_name=Chatterbox_XBi__Rider_to_Rider_Wireless_Intercom_w__A_DP_Bluetooth________OPEN_FACE

Kuryakyn Cranker Bag by Sportech

Part Number: KY-4161

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=3&manufacturer_ID=16&product_ID=39084&sblid_name=Kuryakyn_Cranker_Bag_by_Sportech

Now... what is the best option for attaching your music delivering devise to your bike? Below you will find some of the most common options:

Kuryakyn Universal Handlebar Accessory Mount (ea) - 1 inch bars

Part Number: KY-1421

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=116&manufacturer_ID=16&product_ID=24893&sblid_name=Kuryakyn_Universal_Handlebar_Accessory_Mount__ea______inch_bars

Cycle Sounds Chrome iPod Mount

Part Number: 2WT-4405-0029

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=50&manufacturer_ID=540&product_ID=17028&sblid_name=Cycle_Sounds_Chrome_iPod_Mount

Formotion Products Clip-It - Mounting Miracle with 7/8 to 1 inch Handlebar Mount

Part Number: FOR-CIA-99900

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=53&manufacturer_ID=139&product_ID=16670&sblid_name=Formotion_Products_Clip_It___Mounting_Miracle_with_____to___inch_Handlebar_Mount

Leader Motorcycle Accessories eCaddy Lite Chrome Mount for phone, iPod, MP3, tolls, etc - 1 in Bars

Part Number: LMA-EC-CH

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=116&manufacturer_ID=224&product_ID=30996&sblid_name=Leader_Motorcycle_Accessories_eCaddy_Lite__Chrome_Mount_for_phone__iPod__MP___tolls__etc_____in_Bars

Thanks for taking a read through this weeks Cruiser Customizing Tip of the Week.

Take Care,

Kyle Bradshaw

Views: 514
What Type of Biker Are You? Posted on: 1 Jul 2009
12 Volt Accessory Power Tip of the Week from Cruiser Customizing by Manybikes Posted on: 25 Jun 2009
Long Haul Necessities Tip of the Week from Cruiser Customizing and Manybikes Posted on: 17 Jun 2009
Secure It! Tip of the Week from Cruiser Customizing by Manybikes Posted on: 12 Jun 2009
Video Introduction Posted on: 9 Jun 2009
Manybikes' 2009 Western Adventure Posted on: 3 Jun 2009
May Membership Level Rewards! Posted on: 2 Jun 2009

Spring is here! Am I ready to ride safe?
Posted On: 7 Apr 2009

With spring just around the corner it is time to think about all the great rides we will be coming back from. I did not say going on, because unless you make it home it won’t be a great ride.

I ride every day, no matter the weather but during the summer I add a sidecar to my bike, with the sidecar on my bike handles differently, just like driving a car for the winter months then hoping on your bike for the first spring ride, you need to retrain yourself.

Before that ride with your friends or that event, Reread the motorcycle hand book, watch that motorcycle training video you bought when you first started riding, take the MSF refresher course for experienced riders, get your bike out and put a few miles on it, and get comfortable with your bike again.

Why spend $30,000 on a motorcycle and only $19.95 some plastic toy helmet? You have all the money in your bike, right? What about your personal safety gear? What is your body worth $10, $50, $1000?

I know your saying to yourself “I am a good rider I have never had a crash” but personally I only know two kinds of motorcycle riders, those that have crashed and those that will. And the better prepared you are the better you will survive.

How about a few Facts,

Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased every year for the past 10 years.

NHTSA says that in 2007, 5,154 motorcyclists died in crashes

In 2007 motorcycle helmets saved 1,784 lives. NHTSA says that if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, 800 more lives would have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.

A study done in Munich in 1986 found that motorcyclists wearing protective gear (heavy jacket, gloves, boots etc.) could expect a reduction in injuries of 30% or more.

“MotorcycleSafetyInfo.com” The head, arms, and legs are the most often injured in a crash.

Here is my list of basic summer safety gear.

Helmet, DOT or Snell, I like full face Modular, best of all worlds

Riding Jacket, mesh with CE-approved armor, with two-stage removable waterproof and insulated liners

Riding pants, mesh with CE-approved armor, with two-stage removable waterproof and insulated liners

Riding gloves, mesh, with knuckle protector and leather palm and fingers

Riding boots, good leather boots

Sun glasses,

Cooling Vest,

Bottled water,

I know some people like the black leather jacket and chaps, but when it’s into the 90’s and that jacket is in your saddlebag it is not doing its job. With the mesh I can remove the liners when it is hot and still have my protection, and when it’s really hot add the cooling vest.

Please ride safe. Don’t become a statistic.

Brittany Morrow aka the road rash girl, Road rash 1 year after,

My leg after cashing my dirt bike and having the foot peg cut open my boot and leg (not wearing proper boots)

Views: 203
Desperation for a Motorcycle, Posted on: 27 Jun 2008
My Special "OLDLADY". Posted on: 24 Jun 2008

bernbo said on Thursday, June 25, 2009:

Right on Kyle, thankyou, I hope your foot is doing better.

snake06 said on Friday, June 19, 2009:

Hope you guys have a great weekend. Later

TIMTHEGAS said on Thursday, June 18, 2009:

Kyle just a quickie, i will stay on this site as i love the community spirit. the nagging problem to me is not knowing i have messages or replies, this doesnt show up and on a very regular happening. i have to go into the no new messages/replies and hello there are loads.it pisses me to find i have been contacted and have not replied to them that looks like im being ignorant. have asked Alex if he could look into it for me, it cannot only be me.

brentward said on Wednesday, June 17, 2009:

Hi Kyle!

Thanks for the nod for Cruiser of the Week. I appreciate you appreciating me appreciating CC and the forum we share!

As an old (Star Trek) Vulcan rider once said to me "ride long.. and prosper!"

Brent

RMFIII said on Saturday, June 13, 2009:

Kyle,

I guess I did not get the memo. lol Where do you guys find this stuff out at?

Hey, thanks for the congrats. The real tip of the hat needs to go YOU, the CC Community. There are some of the best people on this site and without them I would have lost interest long ago.

I have a blast on this site and have met and made friends on here that are definately the cream of the crop. I am honored to have such a great group of friends.

Well, time to get riding. Everyone Take care, Have Fun, and Ride Safe....

RMFIII

Cincinnati,OH

darkrenegade said on Tuesday, June 9, 2009: