10. Mad Max. (1979) An Australian dystopic action film, starring the not-yet-famous Mel Gibson. Motorcycle gangs have taken over, so Mad Max is put on the job.

 9. On Any Sunday (1971) A documentary following the lives of motorcycle racers and enthusiasts, showcasing the unique talents needed for each kind of racing.

 8. Hell’s Angels ’69 (1969) Two brothers have a plan to rob Caesar’s Palace – and they do it by joining a Hell’s Angel’s gang.

 7. The Born Losers (1967). Veteran Billy Jack takes on the vicious Born Losers motorcycle gang.

6. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Among the many pleasures of this movie are Batman and Catwoman on some seriously tricked-out bikes.

 5. Electra Glide in Blue (1973) Starring Robert Blake as a motorcycle cop and Billy “Green” Bush as his partner. Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles were often issued to traffic cops.

 4. The World’s Fastest Indian (2005) The life story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle, which helped him set the land-speed world record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.

3. Terminator II (1991) Arnold was made to play a robotic assassin from the future. By the way, “I need your clothes, your boots and your mote-ah-cycle.”

 2. The Great Escape (1963) Allied POWs plan a huge escape from a German camp during World War II.

 1. Easy Rider (1969) The clear winner was the flick that has inspired generations of riders, where Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda road trip to find America.

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Got a Rig? Love motorcycles? You should drive for HaulBikes, one of the best truck driving jobs in the world. 

TV and movies like to make motorcycle gangs seem scary and criminal, and no doubt there are a few bad apples out there. But 99% of motorcycle groups are committed to good clean fun. That being said, if your club of choice sports 1% patches, we sincerely hope you have a fast bike and a good lawyer.

Brand Clubs. This may be the easiest place to start – whether it’s the legendary HOG (Harley Owner’s Group),  Triumph or BMW, these big brands have chapters all over the world. Check your brand’s website for details on when and where to meet up with other riders who share your passion for your make and model. Your local dealer may also sponsor events and get-togethers with others who ride your ride.

Vintage Clubs.  If your brand club doesn’t appreciate the joys and challenges of riding and maintaining a vintage bike, check out the Antique Motorcycle Club of America  or the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club. These clubs have events and online forums where you can get and give advice about your piece of history.

Social Causes. There are also clubs that rally around specific causes. While it’s not unusual for a local club to sponsor a ride for charity, there are also clubs that are dedicated to donations, such as Steel Thunder, the Blue Knights (law enforcement)  and Warrior Bikers 4 Charity.

Special Interest. You can also ride with like-minded women in the Women in the Wind MC, keep it safe and sober with the Association of Recovering Motorcyclists,  provide escorts for fallen veterans with the Patriot Guard Riders, or even spread the word of God with Bikers for Christ.

With all these options, there’s no reason you can’t find a club who’ll have you as a member. And if you ever want to get all your new friends together and ship a truckload of bikes to that big national rally, you know who to call for motorcycle shipping for motorcycle clubs. We even have special motorcycle shipping discounts when you book a whole truckload!

SO, what are some of the favorite places to combine a bike obsession with a BBQ destination?

Kundlas Western BBQ, Hamlin PA  No need to go indoors, you can smell this place a mile away with their outdoor BBQ pit, cafeteria-style serving and picnic-tables-under-a-tent. Watch the BBQ masters work on beef ribs, chicken and creamy cole slaw. Bring cash and bring plenty of time – on weekends, you’ll wait in line during dinner hours!

Bikes Blues and BBQ One meal not enough for you? Then you need to make a weekend of it in Fayetteville, AR. Hundreds of BBQ vendors, a BBQ contest, Bikes, Blues & BBQ is the largest non-profit, family-friendly motorcycle rally in the United States dedicated to raising money for local charities. Ride, eat and jam, all for a good cause.

Elbow Inn & BBQ Pit St. Roberts, MO . This one is for you Route 66 travelers – a little out of the way, but tops in atmosphere and food. Try the pulled pork, brisket or rack of ribs with thick sweet sauce. And ladies…you may want to pack some extra undergarments…apparently there is a tradition here of leaving your bra hanging from the ceiling. How could this place NOT be fantastic?

Hawg Pit Grafton IL One look at the Hawg Pit’s website and you’ll know they don’t just like bikers – they LOVE bikers. Open March through December, Hawg Pit was voted Best BBQ, Best Hot Wings, and Best Biker Bar in the Riverbend. Specialty item? Wide Glide Hawg Shoe: Texas Toast and pulled pork served over fries, and smothered with cheese.

Mac’s Speed Shop We couldn’t let a BBQ discussion go without a shout out to North Carolina. Pull up to your reserved motorcycle parking area,  listen to an open-air local band, dig into some tender brisket and enjoy the huge beer selection.

*not really

Where are YOUR favorite BBQ destinations? Tell us about them on our Facebook page and we’ll try to feature them in upcoming editions.

 Q & A

How Long Does Motorcycle Transport Take?

To keep shipping a motorcycle affordable for you, we pool as many motorcycles as we can on a truck during our cross country runs. Our trucks depart frequently with normal shipping deliveries running around 28 days from the time the order is booked or time the bike is ready (whichever applies). The truck’s total delivery time (and essentially your bike’s pick up time) depends on the zones that the truck crosses. If it picks up and delivers in the same zone, timeframes are shorter. Don’t forget to reserve a spot early for a motorcycle rally! Rallies are popular shipping venues and our trucks fill up quickly during these times.

1. Go early and stay late. Don’t you hate getting to a rally and hearing “you should have been here last night” or having to say “I have to leave early to get to work”? Resolve this year to make the time to enjoy every minute. (You know what’s a good way to get the most out of a rally? Shipping a motorcycle, of course!)
2. Meet at least 10 new people. Some of the best friendships can be made with people who share your love of bikes. Resolve to walk away with ten new phone numbers (or Facebook friends) at your next event.
3. Get all maintenance done well in advance. Nothing is more boring than being flat broke at a rally. Resolve to get your bike in top working condition a few months prior so you’re not hit with unexpected bills at the last minute.
4. Pick a major headliner. Resolve this year to see the band you’ve always wanted to see. Get tickets, get there early, and enjoy every minute.
5. Do something entirely new and different. Heading to South Dakota this year? Always think you’d make a great reality show star? You need to check out the Full Throttle Saloon reality show taping at Sturgis.
6. Make History. Another resolution for Sturgis.  Leave your mark behind by buying a brick for the main drag. Someday it’ll give you a reason to return.
7. Play a game. Never participated in a rally game or poker run? Make 2013 the year to try something new. At Daytona Bike Week, you could be in a treasure hunt.
8. Plan well ahead. Get your lodging booked or your campsite reserved as soon as you think you’re going. Last minute accommodations are NOT going to be nearly as convenient or affordable.
9. Get completely wild. Think your last rally was crazy? Why not resolve to step it up a notch this year and try out the “Wildest Bike Rally in the Country”  – bamabikefest.com. You’ll have to check out the website for more details…we’ll just leave it at “topless hula hoop contest.”
10. Get to one not within riding distance.  Make this the year you’ll never forget by getting to that faraway rally you’ve always wanted to attend. Ship your bike with HaulBikes!

1. Full of Hot Air.

This is a popular one in our neck of the woods. Santa lighting up the yard, and tearing up the grass (or snow) in your neighborhood. We especially like the sunglasses.

2. Up Close and In Person

How would you like Santa to roar up to your house with a sack full of goodies for your special event? Or even better, what about having Santa RIDE UP on the bike you’re giving for a gift? Blow your mind yet? If you live in the Dallas area, just call on Motorcycle Santa and Motorcycle Momma.  These folks bring the Christmas and motorcycle spirit to life.

3. All Lit Up.

Here’s a spectacular Harley-reindeer towing a Santa’s sleigh in style. Notice the details of Rudolph’s lighted nose. Sure to be the highlight of the parade.

4. On Parade.

The only thing better than one Santa is unlimited Santas. Santas for everyone!

5. Redneck Santa.

This one may be our all-time favorite Santa ever. OK, not technically a motorcycle Santa…but maybe you can build one into your front yard display next year and send us a picture. Please?

Do you have a favorite motorcycle Santa photo? Post it on our Facebook page! Or let us play Santa any time of the year and let us ship a motorcycle wherever you need it to go.

A few of these are international, where we don’t ship motorcycles – but this is dream time, right?

1. Route 66, start to finish.  Starting in Chicago and ending in LA, Route 66 is 2400 miles of classic roads, restaurants, gas stations, and nostalgic landmarks are preserved just as they were in the 1950s.  Our bucket list gives us a month to enjoy it – but if your time is short, two weeks is enough for a one-way trip. More info at  The National Historic Route 66 Association.
2. Centopassi, race through the Italian Alps. This one week, 1600 mile event is geared towards expert riders (Ducati  optional). Test your skill and precision in the competition category, or enjoy the spectacular scenery as an Iron Biker. Find out more at www.centopassi.com.
3. Isle of Man TT. For years, this was the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world. These extremely dangerous races feature  high speeds on very narrow, twisting streets, roads and lanes flanked by stone walls and even buildings. Of course, you can always go as a spectator if the 239 deaths (since 1907) on the  Snaeffel Mountain Course have you a little spooked. Start your planning at www.iomtt.com
4. I f you want something shorter and slightly less deadly, every bucket list should include the 50 miles of Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana. Click here for a sneak peek at what you can expect. Watch out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and pull over at the Jackson Glacier Overlook to take in the most spectacular scenery in the park.
5. Chile and Machu Pichu. How about an amazing adventure though spectacular ocean scenery, ancient civilizations, precarious border crossings and Andes mountain roads.  We think this one is probably best navigated with an experienced tour operator.

That’s just a start! How about you? What’s on your bucket list for motorcycle travel?

Ozark Mountains

Beautiful any time of year, the winding roads of the Ozarks mean red red blackgum and dogwood, yellow hickory, orange sassafras, purple sweetgum, and flaming maples  in late September and October.  As the leaves fall from the trees, breathtaking views are revealed.

Mississippi Valley

Minnesota isn’t just the land of 10,000 lakes – there are some fantastic routes following the mighty Mississippi. This ride, starting in Hastings and finishing in Cannon Falls gives great views of the river and bluffs almost the entire trip.

Ohio

If you’re a little further south you can leave West Union, OH on Rt.125 and motor east over rolling hills and farmland to Blue Creek. From there, the roads heads upward and curves through the hills of Enjoy the deep forest canopy and peaceful vistas of the Shawnee State Forest.

North Carolina/Tennessee – Cherohala Skyway

What’s it like to ride on a 100 million dollar road? You can find out in North Carolina’s Cherohala Skyway.  Winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee, the e road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name “Chero…hala”.

Scenic route to the Field of Dreams

If you’re in the Chicago area, here’s a journey for a long weekend for fall color lovers and baseball fans alike. Follow quiet country roads into Galena, IL, scoot through a corner of Wisconsin, and head for Dyersville, Iowa to visit the Field of Dreams movie site.

If any of these rides are on your bucket list, but perhaps aren’t easy to get to, why not make your next vacation a “fly and ride” destination and have your bikes meet you there? HaulBikes motorcycle transport ships bikes ready to ride! Check out our motorcycle shipping rates online.

Why not grab a group of friends (or just your main squeeze), and plan to hit that rally you’ve always wanted to go to? If your time is too short or it’s too far to ride, you know we can help with rally motorcycle shipping discounts, motorcycle shipping prices and meet you there!

Wonder no longer – this month’s edition is all about taking your dog along for the ride.

Your first thought may be for safety – both for you and for the dog. Not to mention the risk to others should your pup decide to hop off on the highway. Experts recommend starting slow, on a safe surface (like a parking lot) to see if your dog takes to the idea. Once you’ve established your pooch can tolerate the roar of the engine and the balance of a bike, start looking into a carrier or safety harness made especially for dogs. Whatever you choose, don’t make the mistake of this guy – a behind-the-rider carrier is probably the safest choice.

Take a few rides with the pet carrier attached so YOU can get used to it first. Add some weight so you can practice without putting your dog at risk. Once you’re comfortable, start with a short, slow trip on safe streets to make sure everyone’s comfortable. Once you’re ready for longer rides, make sure to plan regular pit stops for water – more often than you would riding alone. Think how dry you’d get with your tongue wagging  in the breeze.

Once everyone’s having fun, look into companies that specialize in dog rider gear (who knew?) Goggles, helmets and carriers are all available from online stores.

Do you ride with your dog? Post a picture on our Facebook page!

Each month we receive calls or emails from consumers who have fallen prey to an online motorcycle shipping scam. Scammers are more sophisticated than ever, and they frequently use trusted names like ours as a part of the bait to lure in unsuspecting victims. One recent scammer came to our attention by using  “haul bikes” as the first part of the email address. (Any official emails from us will be @haubikes.com!)

Since HaulBikes/Daily Direct cannot provide help for a victim of fraud once money has exchanged hands, we have the following tips to help motorcycle buyers shop smarter and safer:

1.  Consider the payment method – Do not trust a seller who insists on using MoneyGram or Western Union to receive funds. These sources are top choices for scammers.

2. Validate the seller – Call the seller to get some information on their background and history. Anyone can build a website or put a listing on Craigslist, but if the seller makes excuses for not being able to speak with you personally, that is a good indicator of a possible scam.

3. Look at more than the CycleVIN – While a buyer should always ask for a CycleVIN report, some scammers will actually pull real reports for their fake motorcycle. To best protect yourself, do your own background check on the vehicle to ensure everything matches up correctly with the CycleVIN report. Also, check that the registration or license plate matches the seller’s name.

4. Validate the details – If the seller says the bike is being held by a relocation company and will be shipped once payment is made, then verify this statement. Do an online search of the relocation company – never trust the website or the number you are given – and call to validate the arrangement.

5. Get pictures – If the seller is sharing only a stock image of the motorcycle rather than an actual photo of the bike with the license plate visible, this is a good indication the real bike does not exist. Ask for a digital photo from a different angle, or ask the seller to photograph the bike in a specific location.

Providing shipping services for online motorcycle sales is a large portion of our business, and as industry leaders, we want to raise awareness to protect buyers and sellers. By releasing these tips and educating the public, we not only hope that consumers will have peace-of-mind when buying motorcycles online, but more importantly, we hope to see an end to online shipping fraud.

HaulBikes/Daily Direct is a trusted shipping partner of EBay Motors. HaulBikes does not offer shipping services through Craigslist or any other online bulletin board.

About HaulBikes/Daily Direct

Since 1994, HaulBikes/Daily Direct has shipped over a half million motorcycles.  With a shipping system specially designed for motorcycles, they specialize in national and dealership events, custom trips and tours, corporate and auction house transportation, and personal motorcycle shipping.