Iron Horse Hotel – Motorcycle Friendly Luxury Hotel
Check out this wonderful hotel, catering to the needs of all those travelling by motorcycle!
From http://www.theironhorsehotel.com website
For the Rider
Lodging options for motorcycle enthusiasts generally included no-frills yet friendly motels that catered to riders or higher-end hotels without any amenities for travelers arriving on two wheels. Until now…
Pull in to The Iron Horse Hotel™ and you’ll discover we’ve been expecting you.
* Covered motorcycle parking with rag bins and check-in carts – perfect for transporting saddle bag contents to your room
* On-premise retail with travel essentials and rider accessories
* Packages including special check-in bags complete with The Iron Horse Hotel skull cap, sun screen and lip balm, packed lunches for your saddle bag, ride routes and suggestions for bike-friendly spots throughout the area
* Rooms designed with subtle yet important features for riders
o tile entrances with custom hooks for hanging heavy leathers
o a bench for removing and storing boots and helmets
* Lobby appropriately designed for guests arriving in high heels or riding boots
* Gathering places including solo and group dining at Smyth and small-plate dining and drinks at Branded
* Post-Ride Rejuvenation massage services
* Special shipping rates for your bike by HaulBikes
* On-site motorcycle rentals from Street Eagle
For the Bike
At The Iron Horse Hotel™, we understand that the safety and security of your motorcycle is a top priority.
* One way in and out of our secured parking lot
* Covered motorcycle self-parking with rag bins
* Remote indoor parking option
* On-site bike wash station
* On-call maintenance, service and rental arrangements
* Domestic and international shipping and receiving
* Long-term, climate-controlled motorcycle storage available
* Special shipping rates for your bike by HaulBikes
Touring Tips
1) Eat at weird times. Everyone and their dog eats around 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. To get in and out of restaurants in a hurry, don’t be hungry then.
2) A short metal cable with loops on both ends (like those made to keep people from stealing bicycle seats) is perfect for securing a jacket and helmet to your bike’s helmet lock.
3) Carry a spare key. Zip-tie or duct tape it somewhere hidden on your bike, or better yet, give it to a traveling companion.
4) Portable weather radios are now in the $20 range, and the first time one saves you from running right into a massive storm, you’ll wonder why you ever traveled without one. Check accessory companies like Aerostich, or Radio Shack.
5) On high-mileage days, you’ll feel a lot better if you carry eyedrops and use them every time you stop for gas. Do not use Visine – it gets the red out by dilating the blood vessels and this leads to dryness. Use a good moisturizing drop like SyStane which is available in most drug stores.
6) If you’re nearing the end of your riding day, and want to set yourself up for a quick getaway in the morning, consider riding to the far side of the next city you reach before you stop for the night, eliminating urban traffic the next day.
7) Take a tip from off-road riders and carry a backpack hydration system so you can drink while you ride. A must for arid weather.
Going on a long, complex trip? Keep yourself organized with the envelope system. Before you leave, prepare one envelope for each day on the road. Mark the dates and locations on the outside, then stuff things like hotel reservation info and lists of things to see inside. Instead of juggling your entire stack of literature to find the piece you need, you can just open up that day’s envelope.
9) A simple map case attached to your bike’s tank (we’ve used a Rev-Pak version that has been available through www.whitehorsepress.com for years) can keep you on course without the bulk of a tankbag.
10) Keep your stuff dry in saddlebags by using trash compactor bags as waterproof barriers. They’re thicker and more durable than standard garbage bags.
11) Use earplugs to help reduce wind noise. You can get them from most mail-order shops or dealers, or in bulk from safety-equipment supply houses.
12) Don’t forget that pack-and-ship places are just about everywhere these days. They’re perfect when you spot that antique umbrella stand you’re dying to buy hundreds of miles from home.
13) Don’t forget a small towel or rag for wiping dew off seats, windshields and mirrors, and even for doing a quick whole-bike cleanup. Those synthetic chamois cloths work particularly well.
14) Pack extra bungees and zip-ties. ’Nuff said.
15) Go ahead, buy that GPS you’ve always wanted. They’re perfect not only for finding yourself, but also for allowing you the freedom to get lost in the first place.
16) You’ve heard it a million times, but we’ll say it again: look over your bike carefully every morning on the road. Checking the simple stuff—air pressure, oil level, loose or missing fasteners—can save you from big trouble.
17) Sign up for AMA MoTow. For $25 a year, you get peace of mind, knowing that if you do break down, a motorcycle-savvy towing crew is only a phone call away. To sign up, call the AMA at: (614) 856-1900.
1 Stash a little cash somewhere hidden on the bike or on you, so you can make something happen when all else fails.
19) Before you take off from the hotel or campground in the morning, double check every strap on tankbags or soft saddlebags, and every latch on hard luggage.
20) Especially if you’re riding alone, wear a dog-tag with your name and contact info. You can get them lots of places, including your local army surplus store.
21) Take a look back at where you were parked every time you leave someplace. You’d be amazed at what you find.
22) A cellphone can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You can dial 911 for help anywhere you find cell service, but you’ll need to tell a dispatcher where you are. Keep track of route numbers, interstate exits, towns you’ve passed, mileposts—anything that can save emergency officials time in getting to you.
23) Good motorcycle gear really is worth it. Waterproof, breathable linings in boots and jackets will transform the way you think about bad weather. A number of companies offer materials that work well, but always test your gear on a rainy day at home before facing a storm on the road.
24) Do routine maintenance at home with your bike’s toolkit, so you’re sure you have what you need along the side of the road. Carrying a spare set of plugs (pre-gapped and ready to install).
25) On a long tour, plan for at least one day every week of doing nothing. Time is the ultimate luxury, and can mean the difference between a vacation and an endurance run.
26) Be realistic with your daily mileage. In really scenic areas, 150 miles may make a very full day. Don’t assume you can achieve freeway mileage on good back roads.
27) Guidebooks can be invaluable, but these days, a search of the Internet can add spice to your trip by revealing special-interest locations most books fail to include. One of the sites we’ve used is www.roadsideamerica.com. World’s largest concrete bison, anyone?
2 It is possible to use a kit to make emergency repairs on tubeless or tube-type tires alongside the road. But before you count on this as your safety net, practice using the kit on an old tire in your garage.
29) A packable motorcycle cover not only keeps your bike clean and dry overnight, it also discourages thieves. If you choose not to cover it at night, bring along an old bath towel and drape it over the handlebar controls to prevent dew from accumulating on them. In the morning, use the towel to wipe down the rest of the bike.
30) If you can afford it and are short of time, you could always ship your bike somewhere cool and ride it back. Call the Federal Companies at (800) 747-4100, ext. 217 or 218, for details.
31) If you call a hotel–even if you’re two blocks away–you can often get a better rate than if you just walk in. And if you have access to a computer, there are some spectacular Internet-only deals available these days. Either way, do yourself a favor and have a reservation by 4 p.m. You never know when a convention will take over your destination city. Remember that AMA members get a discount at several hotels chains including: Red Roof Inns (call 800-RED-ROOF or go to www.redroof.com and use discount code CP503343); Choice Hotels (call 800-258-2847 or go to www.choicehotels.com, click on “Enter Special Rate ID” and use discount code 00947556); and Motel 6 (call 800-4-MOTEL6 or go to www.motel6.com and use discount code CP540176).
32) A nap can do wonders on a long day.
33) If you’re traveling east or west, schedule your breakfast or dinner times near sunrise or sunset so you don’t have to stare into the sun when it’s low on the horizon.
34) When securing your bike, use a disc lock (preferably on both the front and rear). Given opportunity and time, a crafty thief can get it off, but it will take much longer than it does to cut a chain or steel cable with a pair of bolt cutters. It also prevents your friends from moving your bike as a practical joke.
35) If you choose to wilderness camp and want to park your ride next to you for comfort, don’t lay out your bedroll so close to the bike that when it falls over in the soft dirt at 2am it doesn’t fall on top of you. If you must have your ride close to you, use a sturdy kickstand puck to rest it on, or better yet, sleep on the right side (opposite of the kickstand). Best to keep it at least 10 feet from the campfire too. Sparks and embers do bad things to paint, leather and vinyl.
36) Pack a travel-size medical kit. More often than not, you’ll find the need for it.
37) If you’re a radar detector user, consider one for your bike. Escort and Beltronics are both highly rated manufacturers. Hardwire kits are also available online (many on eBay). It can be installed to turn on/off with the key, or it can be direct-wired to the battery. Better yet, install a fused power block (recommend the Centech AP-1). If direct-wired, a single-pole switch can be installed inline (in series) between the power source and the detector. Be sure it is turned off when not in use. They don’t pull many amps but it will eventually drain your battery if left on. Mine has paid for itself many times over. They are legal in all States, except VA and the District of Columbia (DC). http://www.ama-cycle.org/legisltn/laws.asp
AMERICADE 2009 ADDS MORE NEW EVENTS THAN EVER
Lake George, NY. Feb 10, 2009
In a strong contrast to most other events this year, Americade announces more new events than ever for 2009.
In addition to over 100 motorcycle tours, meals, parties and other activities, this year we have added whitewater rafting, horseback riding, a “bowling thunder” night, a country music line dancing night, a Mardi Gras boat cruise and even a fuel economy contest. “There’s a whole bunch of new “handlebar and non-handlebar” events this year” according to event founder, Bill Dutcher.
Other events for this year include manufacturer demo rides, 10 guided and unguided MiniTours, 12 boat cruises including a Rock N’ Roll Cruise, a dual-sport ride, a championship rodeo, fashion shows, offerings for trike riders, and a tradeshow with more than 200 vendors.
MiniTours include a train ride, a tour of VT Covered Bridges, a Lake Champlain Ferry ride, and a trip to the ex-Olympic Lake Placid ski jumps, including a bobsled ride option. Their 3 Poker Runs and a Scavenger Hunt offer riders more opportunities to explore the surrounding communities and twisty Adirondack mountain roads.
Featured Speakers at the event include the President of the AMA, Rob Dingman; the publisher of RoadRunner Magazine, Christa Neuhauser; author and developer of the Total Control riding program, Lee Parks; famed motojournalist Fred Rau; popular moto-travel writer from Rider Mag, Clement Salvadori; and trike expert Pete Woodruff.
Americade Volunteer Coordinator Margie Connelly commented: “Americade’s the place for riders to meet many of our country’s top motorcycle magazine writers and leaders in the motorcycle industry, and also enjoy some great riding at the same time. This year we’ve made a special effort to add more new features than ever before in the event’s 27 year history. Our staff of 220 volunteers will have to stay hoppin’ to cover them all.”
Americade Week 2009 is capped off by the Friday night Spectacular at Six Flags Great Escape, with fireworks and awards, and a Saturday morning parade and mountaintop barbecue with a demonstration from the world championship Central Florida Drill Team. Americade 2009 also includes $50,000 in door prize drawings from a wide variety of sponsors plus a drawing for a 2009 Gold Wing.
09 Harley Davidson Iron 883 w/ vance and hines
Check back often for more owner videos of their new Harley Davidson Iron 883 bikes!
New Harley-Davidson Iron 883™ model is dressed for a dark ride
PRESS RELEASE
MILWAUKEE (January 26, 2009) – With a defiant attitude embracing the pure essence of riding, the new Iron 883 model is the latest Harley-Davidson® Dark Custom™ motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles like the Iron 883 have stood against the grain since their introduction in 1957, when the modern rebel culture was being bred from restless veterans and hot rod pioneers. Sportster motorcycles became the starting point for many legendary choppers of the 1960s, while also getting pumped up for championship dirt racing and dare devil stunt riding in the 1970s.
The Iron 883 model continues that rebellious tradition with responsive handling, smooth clutch effort and durable carbon reinforced drive belt while pushing the styling of motorcycling minimalism to the edge. Decked in black from fender-to-fender, the new Harley-Davidson Iron 883 motorcycle brings the beat of an 883 Evolution® engine backed up by a combo of gritty, old-school garage features like front fork gaiters, drag style handlebar and side-mount license plate holder. A ticket to ride the Iron 883 starts at just $7,899 MSRP, leaving plenty of freedom for customization.
“The Iron 883 defies the plastic conventions of other motorcycles at this price,” said Mark-Hans Richer, Harley-Davidson Chief Marketing Officer. “It’s got old school style, a new school ride and gives the owner a platform for creative customization.”
The black powder-coated 883cc Evolution powertrain with black covers takes the Iron 883 deep into the heart of darkness. With Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and performance tuning with a broad torque curve, the Iron 883 delivers plenty of power for the city scene. The pipes on the straight cut shorty dual exhaust flow the distinctive Harley-Davidson V-Twin sound.
The black chopped rear fender with its combination stop/turn/tail lights shows more of the 150 mm rear tire and black, 13-spoke cast aluminum wheel, while the front tire also rides on a black wheel. The rest of the Iron 883 gets a darker-suited presence with black front forks and fender supports, fuel tank, oil tank cover, belt guard, drag style handlebar and mid mount foot controls.
A one-piece, solo classic seat with a height of 25.3 inches fits the lone rider, while a passenger seat and a backrest in complementing black finishes can be added as accessories.
As the latest of the Harley-Davidson Dark Custom motorcycles, the Iron 883 is stripped down and ripe for custom creativity. Dark Custom motorcycle riders have the youngest average age for Harley-Davidson buyers. Soul mates of the Iron 883 include the Nightster®, Night Train®, Cross Bones®, Fat Bob® and Street Bob® motorcycles. Check out more on Dark Custom motorcycles at www.harley-davidson.com/darkcustom.
The Iron 883 is available in Black Denim and Brilliant Silver Denim colors.
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Harley Davidson 883 Photos