In 2008, Shaw rode cross-country, expecting to cover 5,500 miles in roughly a month. Four and a half months and 9,500 photographs later, he returned – having ridden 13,500 miles. Since then, he has undertaken several shorter rides, and looks forward to available time to cross the United States on a northern route.

Shaw’s experience with riding is that there is danger, beautiful scenery, long, low curves through beautiful countryside, and a profusion of interesting people met along the way – often just as savory or unbelievable as the ride itself. The most important thing about biking, thus, is being simply curious about everything. Without fail, schedules never work, the weather never cooperates, weird and amazing people abound, but it all becomes the stuff of stories riders will tell for years to come. As any rider knows, strange things always happen on the road.

Shaw currently resides in Virginia, and works as a combat journalist and veteran advocacy writer.

If your brain swells too much it can close off the vessels and restrict blood flow, which can lead to brain damage and death. After a crash keeping your head cooler can have a dramatic impact on your changes of escaping brain damage…and death.

With the Thermahelm it also has polystyrene on the inside, just like any other helmet, but what makes this helmet unique is that it also has a layer of water and salt which will combine at the moment of impact (think of the type of cold packs that athletes use) to create a cooling effect and can prevent swelling of the brain which can allow precious time for emergency personnel to arrive.

Invented by Julian Powers after a basketball mishap where he accidentally elbowed a player in the head. After getting an ice pack he later gave it to his friend to put into his helmet on the ride home and an idea was born. According to Powers, there haven’t been any significant changes in the design of motorcycle helmets…until he invented this technology.

The turnaround time to retro fit your existing helmet is 5 days according to their website.

Of course critics say that the problem with this type of technology is that it ignores a more important issue: cyclists and drivers need to more careful on the road no matter what type of lifesaving gear they are wearing.

Thermahelm isn’t available for purchase yet, it is still in the prototype stage. You can visit the company website at: http://www.thermahelm.com and sign up to receive updates as soon as they become available.

Along with an interesting ground up build, it’s also loaded with tons of helpful tips for anyone who wants to learn how to build their own bike. It’s far better than the staged ‘reality’ TV shows, this movie shows real people doing what they do best, without all the drama.

You can almost share in the excitement the first time Scott fires up the bike to take it for its maiden spin. It’s exhilarating when everything works just the way it’s supposed to with nothing going wrong, as it so often does.

Even if you have no interest in building your own bike, this is a great movie to just get an inside look at what building a bike is really all about, it also has a great soundtrack by The Lords of Altamont. The DVD has a run time of over two hours.

1. Motorcycle Helmets. This one item is too important to not be at the top of any gift list. A good helmet is literally the difference between life and death. Helmets come in various styles and prices but make sure to get one that is DOT approved. Helmets can be as inexpensive as less than $100 all the way up to over $800.

2. Leathers. A set of leathers can consist of pants and a motorcycle jacket or it can be more racing oriented with protection sewn in at the most vulnerable spots like the elbows, shoulders, and knees. No matter which option you choose this is a great choice for anyone who is an avid rider. It will keep them safe and they can look cool at the same time!

3. Motorcycle luggage. You have quite a few choices when it comes to luggage for your bike. You can get saddlebags that hang over the back fender, these can be permanently attached or just slung under the back seat and easily taken off when you need to. Or you can get sissy bar bags that mount right on your sissy bar. And last, but not least, you can get tank bags…pretty self explanatory! They come in either leather or man made materials and the prices can vary significantly depending on what type you get, but for a whole set you will most likely spend over $100.

If you’re making your list and checking it twice you might want to add some of these items to it. Of course, there are many other great gift ideas for the rider in your life, but hopefully you can use this list as a starting point. No matter what item (s) you choose, the biker in your life will love you for it!

For three years, documentary filmmaker Bengt Löfgren, followed the riders, mechanics and fans in the glorious world of Ice Speedway. Icy Riders is a film about dreams, ambition and aging during what might become the last season of the legendary ice speedway rider Posa Serenius. The result became a warm and intimate road movie that rolls from rural Sweden to freezing cold Siberia. Brought to you by the folks at One World Studios Ltd. in association with Tussilago Films.

Runtime: over 2 hours!
Filed under best Motorcycle DVD, best motorcycle movie category.

Available at choppertown.com

Here is a list of the best safety gear that you can get the biker in your life. This equipment ranges in price from $20 all the way up to hundreds of dollars so there’s something for every price range. 

1. First things first, protect the head. Buying a top quality DOT certified motorcycle helmet will help keep your loved one safe. Helmets come in many different styles from half, to German, to full face. Prices will range anywhere from around $60 all the way up to several hundred dollars. 

2. To make sure your favorite biker keeps all their skin where it’s supposed to be, buy them a nice leather motorcycle jacket. A top quality leather jacket made with heavy duty leather will keep them safe in the event they take a spill, and if they don’t take a spill they’ll look really cool! Prices range from a few hundred dollars all the way up to $600. 

3. Boots. There are many styles of motorcycle boots. Some look like ‘motorcycle boots’ while others have a more everyday kind of style. To be an effective safety precaution make sure whatever boots you buy are of heavy duty construction, come up over the ankle, and are properly sized. Boots will cost anywhere from around $60 all the way up to $215. 

4. Gloves. A good fitting pair of heavy leather gloves can provide warmth as well as safety. Gloves come in many styles and a good pair of motorcycle gloves can run from around $20 all they way up to about $152 for heated leather gloves. 

Giving a gift is a great way to show someone you care about them. When you give the gift of safety to your favorite biker you are really letting them know how much you care. I hope this list helps give you some ideas of gifts for the biker in your life. 

The list I’ve compiled below includes gifts that are priced for less than $50.00. Take a look and I’ll bet you can find something for everyone on your list, and don’t forget to pick something up for yourself while you’re at it!

1. Head wraps. These handy wraps are made to be worn underneath your helmet. They can help keep your hair in place and keep your helmet cleaner. They come in all kinds of patterns and colors and are machine washable. These cool bandanas cost you anywhere from $3-$5. 

2. Goggles.These come in kids and adult sizes and a ton of different colors. Most models feature an anti-fog scratch resistant lens, adjustable straps, shatter proof lenses, and can be used with glasses. Priced around $13. 

3. Leather saddlebags. Saddlebags that are made from heavy duty cowhide and will last almost forever are a great gift. They can be thrown over the rear fender and can be taken off just as easily. You can adjust them easily to whatever height you need and they won’t get in the way of your passengers leg room. They will run you around $30.

4. Vintage, Half, and German style Helmets. DOT certified helmets in assorted sizes, styles, and colors. They sell for around $45. 

Obviously, this list barely scratches the surface of great gifts for the motorcycle enthusiast on your list, but I hope it will get get you moving in the right direction. Whether your special someone has been naughty or nice, you’ll find a ton of great gift ideas that will make their riding time more fun, and they’ll love you for it!

“I’m looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying”, said Erik Buell. “We’ve got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond.”

While you won’t be able to go out and purchase a new street bike, you will still be able to enjoy the Buell brand’s racing team. Erik Buell will be the head of Erik Buell Racing based out of the East Troy Wisconsin factory and backed up by Harley-Davidson.

Many of the workers, who thought they would be losing a job, will stay on to continue with the production of the racing bikes. Erik Buell will supply the parts and preparation services as well as production of the Buell 1125R race only bike.

You can still get a Buell streetbike, while supplies remain, at existing dealers. After they are gone the only Buell bikes will be strictly for racing.

Harley Davidson recently announced they were discontinuing all production of Buell motorcycles and accessories. A press release quoted CEO Keith Wandell as saying: “The fact is we must focus both our effort and our investment on the Harley-Davidson brand, as we believe this provides an optimal path to sustained, meaningful long-term growth” after the recent release of HD’s third quarter earnings report which showed a drop of income of 84%.

180 Buell employees are expected to be out of a job by December 18, 2009. The assembly line in East Troy Wisconsin has built over 135,000 motorcycles during their 25 years in business.

If you are in the market for a Buell motorcycle you might still be in luck. All remaining inventory will be sold through regular dealer networks. Harley Davidson has committed to providing parts and service for all Buell motorcycles sold, including all warranty work.

This decision seems to come at an odd time considering the new product introductions and recent racing success Buell has had such as the 2009 AMA Pro Racing Sport Bike Racing Championship.