Sneak Peek: 2014 EBR 1190RX (Pre-Production)

Get ready to see some eye candy here.

Now, I'm a fan of the old Ulysses adventure bike from a few years back. I'm glad to see that Erik Buell is making a comeback with his fully-independent company and isn't held back by the restrictions of another corporate force (cough, cough, Harley, cough cough). So here you go, a pre-production version of the 2014 EBR 1190RX. This is the same bike that was first premiered at the AIMExpo in Orlando, FL earlier this year. Enjoy these exclusive shots right here on TwoWheeledTourist.net. I hope to be able to ride a finished one someday, but this definitely brings a lot of hope for the future of American-made motorcycles.

Say good-bye to traditional headlights. It's LEDs for this model.

On-board computer is programmable and customizeable. No gauges to be seen here.

Super-adjustable Showa forks and Vortex clip-ons demonstrate EBR's attention to detail and search for quality components.

The placement of the fans for Buell's 1190cc V-Twin engine are in a more unusual place compared to other sportbikes. Did I mention that this thing delivers 185HP @ 10,600RPM? And those are just the numbers they had to officially post. Rumor has it this thing can top over 200MPH.

Triangular subframe combines both strength and lightweight.

Side profile of the bike still retains that unmistakable, trademark look from its Harley-attached predecessor of yesteryear.

Showa rear shock comes stock. Ohlins will probably be available as an upgrade.

Adjustable shifter peg will make riders of all shoe sizes quite happy.

The kickstand doesn't stick out like an eyesore as there is a special cutout specifically for this critical part of the bike to keep the seamless design intact.

One of two heatsinks for the front LED headlight.

Yes, that is an air scoop for the front brake rotor to help avoid overheating, ensuring the stopping power will be there when you need it.

For more information about Erik Buell Racing, visit http://www.erikbuellracing.com/.

Day 3: A Gas Shortage in Iowa, near Waterloo. Couldn't escape if I wanted to.

**This series of posts recap my two-week trip to Billings, MT and back from July 1-16, 2013. For the entire list of my featured rides, click here.**

Murphy's Law: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."

I don't know who you are, Murphy, but if I ever meet you in a parking lot, you're getting a swift kick to the nuts.

At least the first part of the day was just fine and dandy. Actually it wasn't.

How to make religion fun again - with motorcycles.

I've had some interesting run-ins with Christian based motorcycle groups.

One of my favorite stories was my rest stop at Zion Harley-Davidson in Washington, Utah in 2009. I was riding from Los Angeles to Columbus, OH and parked at this dealership to take a break. (When you're a long-distance rider, you learn very quickly that H-D dealerships along interstates are great places of refuge, regardless of what motorcycle you ride!) I was still two hours from my final destination for the night in Salina, UT, and as I got up to leave, a representative from the local Christian Motorcyclist Association chapter stopped me and invited me over for a BBQ they were roasting near the dealership's front entrance. I ended up sticking around for another half hour and chatted it up with other riders about my journeys while filling myself up with a free dinner. My experience was so positive that I even got out of there with H-D dip dot* from that location stuck to my bike's fairing and is still there to this very day.


*NOTE: A dip dot is a small emblem that is placed over a Harley-Davidson motorcycle's oil dipstick cover. Dealerships have their own dip dots that help identify the origin of the bike's sale. Riders have been known to collect these as a reminder of where they've traveled on their bikes. Here's an example (left).


Anyway, the easiest way to make something relevant and motivational to a group of people is to (1) be happy and positive, (2) find a common theme or interest that binds everyone together, and (3) hold activities that brings everyone together. In this case, the draw for this group is the love for two wheels, the chance to ride down the open road with others, and charitable work that benefits others with special needs and/or are less fortunate. When I was growing up, the only church fundraisers in my Catholic parish (which I will not name to save them the embarrassment) I dealt with only benefited the church's maintenance department and paying for some priest's vacation - no joke.

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a Saturday Night Biker Blessing event hosted by the GEARS Motorcycle Ministry who are based out of the Grove City Church of the Nazarene.

I'm standing in the worship center in my Aerostitch suit and surrounded by other like-minded motorcyclists in their respective vests, colors, and patches while watching a choir and full-blown concert. And these guys are really into it too!

One of the few places where your church clothes is your riding gear. WIN.

I will admit that I'm not at the point in my life to seek any sort of religious group or return to a regular routine of weekly worship - I'm still suffering from the scars of a decade of deceit and hypocrisy that have separated me from the people who are biologically related to me. However, it is refreshing to know that there are people out there who still use Christianity as a banner of goodwill and charity toward other human beings regardless of their faith (or lack thereof), which Catholicism has failed at miserably over the last several years and still continues to do.

GEARS is one of several motorcycle-based ministries in the Columbus region. Other wonderful groups I have had the opportunity to meet are Leave a Mark Ministries and Sons of Thunder. I recommending checking them out to see what they're about, and at the minimum, meet a few new friends.

If you'd like to continue hearing about my issues with my former "faith" (and aren't easily offended by personal opinion), you can continue clicking below. Otherwise, go out there and make some new friends at a motorcycle ministry.

H-D Women's Garage Party...riders wanted.

Harley-Davidson has named March as "National Garage Party Month" in which numerous dealerships across the country host a women-only evening event filled with seminars and opportunities to network with other ladies that share an enthusiasm for motorcycles and riding. I, along with three other members of my Women On Wheels® chapter, met up to see what this event was all about.

I was one of a handful of riders to brave the 55°F weather (yeah, it was "that" cold) and take the FJR on down to Centennial H-D in Pataskala (just outside of Columbus) to join about 100 or so other women to socialize, learn about the Harley motorcycle lineup, and take home safety tips such as picking up a fallen motorcycle. The event was very well organized, with free food and drinks provided by the dealership. The event opened with a social time in which we had to meet other ladies by matching pictures of various H-D bikes with another person holding an identical image. After that, we all gathered in the main showroom for a small introduction and then split up into three separate groups to partake in three various workshops. Here was the breakdown of the workshops.

Workshop 1: Harley-Davidson bike customization for fit and style. Speakers went over various options women riders have in terms of fitment (i.e. seats and suspension) and accessories for aesthetics and comfort.

Workshop 2: Introducing the Harley-Davidson bike line. Speakers went through a rundown of H-D's bike lines from the Sportster to the touring series. Guests were then able to break into groups and sit on various models. I was mostly interested in the V-Rod Muscle bike and the XR1200; more so on the former because I've already test ridden the XR.

Workshop 3: How to pick up a fallen bike. Speakers played a DVD demonstrating how to pick up a fallen motorcycle by yourself. The technique was then demonstrated live and several women tried it themselves. This was probably the most useful workshop of the evening. I hope I never have to use the technique, but at least I have an idea on how to use it.

Overall, the evening was a great success and very enjoyable. I wish other motorcycle makers would make an attempt to reach out to women riders as H-D has with their Garage Party campaign. I truly believe that social events such as this increase brand loyalty and sales in the product. But as a female, I'd like to take a potential woman rider to a Garage Party just to show her that yes, you're not crazy; there are other ladies who are interested in motorcycles just like you.