WNC Motorcycle Tours

It is officially fall and here in WNC we are ready for the cool air and changing leaves. Fall in WNC is an exciting time, with many events and festivals happening in Asheville and the surrounding cities. Come ride with us through the mountains of North Carolina and enjoy the scenery!

Come out tomorrow for  the Christmas in July Toy Run. The toy run benefits the Saint Nicholas Project by Eblen-Kimmel Charities.

This event is police escorted and meets at  Kearfott Mfg, located at 2858 US HWY 70 w, Black Mountain, NC 28711 at 11 AM on Saturday. The run will begin at Noon, leaving Kearfott Mfg. and arriving at Harley Davidson of Asheville. The cost of admission is $10.00 Free with the donation of a New & Unwrapped to valued at $10.00 or more. There will be food, drinks, live music and more at HD of Asheville from 12-2 pm fo the general public and Toy Run attendees.

Support the kids and enjoy what looks to be a beautiful day in the WNC mountains.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? From Asheville head north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, VA at milepost 213 for the Tar Heel Hoedown this Saturday at 7 PM.

Tickets are on sale now for $10 and Kids 12 and under get in free. Enjoy that summer air and take a ride to the Blue Ridge Music Center!

Featuring Riley Baugus – Ira bernstein/The Stewart Brothers.

“The Blue Ridge Parkway Association has launched a new mobile travel app just in time for the fall leaf season. The new mobile app helps plan a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding regions.

The new travel app included GPS mapping for hundreds of points along the Parkway, historical information, lodging and camping options, major hiking trail descriptions and visitor services on the Parkway and in nearby communities.”

We are excited to see a great tool to help visitors experience the Blue Ridge Parkway. Known as “America’s favorite drive” the BRP is a great destination for families to come and see Western North Carolina and Virginia. With amazing scenery around every corner and the rich history of the Appalachian Mountains, there is something for everyone.

We will be using this on our tours and we encourage everyone to get the app to check out some great spots on their next visit.

See you on the road!

With road construction going on over the winter and spring months the Blue Ridge Parkway 100% open for travel.

Time to get out on the bikes and ride!

One of our favorite parts about being in the tour business is having the opportunity to travel new places and see new things. Sometimes, we even get to include some of our most favorite passions in with our travel and over the last two weeks we jumped at the chance to take a two week camping trip to explore the world of adventure riding throughout Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.

While we were out there, we got clogged up with enough dust and sand to build our own private beach back here in WNC. We experienced the fun of dirt bike riding and the adventure of not knowing if you will make it on your tiny fuel tank, when or if you will get some food, how to even pack everything on a tiny little 40cc dirt bike and the list goes on. Our adventure found us on everything from snow covered passes (which are very difficult on a motorcycle by the way) all the way down to scorching hot desert canyons. We had a fantastic adventure but we got tired of the 2×4 seats that it seems all dirt bikes come with and found ourselves wanting to be relaxing in the WNC mountains on a Harley Davidson.

We are excited to get back on dirt bikes and love the opportunity to experience all different types of riding because everything has great things to offer. For now we can share the pictures from our adventure and get back on the Harley’s for some cruising in the WNC mountains!

We understand, you have been sitting out in the garage staring at your motorcycle all winter, waiting for that first warm day so that you can get out and ride your favorite roads, stop off at your favorite spot and grab a bite at your most special roadside food vendor. We know you are ready, we know the weather is now ready, but is your bike?

Insurance companies know the best about ill prepared bikes at the beginning of the riding season. The excitement of riding as the spring season comes around has caught our bikes unprepared in the past and the dangers are real so check out our list for 2013 and check out your bike to be sure it is safe to ride before you even fire it up.

Oil and Lube

Lets start with the obvious stuff first. When was your last oil change? If it was before the winter storage you should be fine but check it anyways along with your oil filter. If you did not change the oil before storing for the winter season be sure to change it before you head out this spring. We don’t even need to look at it, if you let it sit all season with old oil inside CHANGE IT!

Tires and Spokes

Don’t wait to feel the vibrations on the road and try to figure out if something is wrong. Tune your spokes (if you have spoked rims of course) and make sure your tires are at the proper inflated PSI. You don’t have to be a genius to know the tire loses air pressure while sitting over the winter. Also check the tire for dry-rot and sidewall cracks. You only have two contact patches on the road so make this a close inspection. You can’t afford to lose a tire on your next ride!

Belt and/or Chain

If you have a belt drive motorcycle make sure there is no dry rot or cracks in it either. Just as the rubber on the tires is important so is you belt drive. You won’t get anywhere if your belt brakes and while there are not many guarantees in this world, we can guarantee you won’t be happy. If the belt drive does not apply to you, don’t think you are free and clear (unless you have a shaft drive). You will have to check your chain to make sure it is fit for the road this season. We like to start by checking the tension to make sure it is no too lose and not too tight. Check your owners manual for chain adjustment procedures. Then, after you have made your adjustments, lube the chain with your manufacturers recommended chain oil to ensure you get the full life out of your chain.

Battery

We always  make sure our batteries are in good shape and that they will hold a charge. This is an easy check and if you have any loss in voltage change it out. It won’t be worth the time and riding lost when it dies unexpectedly.

Gas

Don’t just put gas in the tank. Make sure the gas in there has not turned to sludge. Your local auto parts store has plenty of additives to prevent this for use at the beginning of the season. If you didn’t think ahead and use it before you stored your bike, we suggest you cross your fingers. Lastly, make sure there is enough in the tank to make it to your preferred fuel stop. Duh! you say? Believe it or not, people actually forget this important and obvious step all the time. Do not let it happen to you.

This is our short list for 2013 to get you on the road. Make sure you bike is maintained and current on its service at all times. Get out there and ride safe. Spring is here!!!

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It is a beautiful day in WNC! Check out the view from our office. Spring is coming and we are ready to start riding we can hear the mountains calling…