Focus on Eyewear

98276-12VM / 98275-12VM Switchback Performance Eyewear with Removable Arms ~ Arms remove easily and includes adjustable strap for a versatile fit.
Convertible eyewear with NXT lenses that transition from light to dark (98275-12VM). Meets ANSI Z87.1 standards. Custom graphics graphics, includes microfiber bag. Retails $45 - $75

An important item to have while out riding is eyewear. Harley performance eyewear is designed exclusively for motorcycle riders, providing the best in comfort, protection and style.

A clear and accurate field of vision is critical while riding. Carl Zeiss Vision Sunless (industry leader in optical technology) conducted studies of eye movement in traditional lens technology and revealed that lenses, especially those in wrap frames, typically cover only 80 degrees of straight-ahead visual space. Our patented Enhanced Vision System (EVS) provides increased directional accuracy in straight-ahead and peripheral vision, including optimum optical power in wrap frames by allowing you to see objects not in the normal field of view and therefore more of the road while riding., correcting vision across the entire lens to drastically decrease prismatic distortion, providing 20% wider field of vision from edge to edge, as compared to conventional lenses.

98272-12VM / 98273-12VM Switchback Performance Eyewear with Removable Arms ~Arms remove easily and includes adjustable strap for a versatile fit. Convertible eyewear with NXT lenses that transition from light to dark (98275-12VM). Meets ANSI Z87.1 standards. Custom graphics graphics, includes microfiber bag. Retails $45 - $75

Choosing the right lens is important. Different lenses provide different benefits depending on the conditions while riding. Smoke lenses provide the truest picture of actual light that you are seeing, and are best for riding in sunny conditions. Yellow decreases haze and makes objects appear sharper with more contrast - great for increased depth perception in foggy and low light conditions (like rainy weather). Interchangeable lenses is a multi-lens system, allowing you to change the lenses to suit your riding needs. They come with a smoke lens and clear lens. Day/Night lenses transition from clear to dark when exposed to sunlight, eliminating the need to change lenses for different lighting conditions. Prescription lenses are custom-made for those who wear prescription glasses or contact lenses. Prescription is available for single vision lenses only and not available in all Harley frames.

New for 2012, a high performance anti-fog coating has been added to all lenses. Fogging is caused by a difference in air moisture and/or temperature and the lens. This permanent anti-fog technology keeps lenses clearer by minimizing the build up of moisture condensation on lenses that cause fogging.

All Motorclothes eyewear have a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase against manufacture defects under normal use. Coverage is valid only with proof of purchase. The warranty does not cover scratched lenses. Replacement lenses are available for purchase.

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Fun fact : Did you know polarized lenses can create double-vision when looking through Lexan windshields and/or face shields because Lexan is already meant to cut distortion. Riders should wear non-polarized lenses to avoid this condition.

The Spring Black Label Line Arrives at Liberty

Spring Mens Black Label
The Black Label Collection for men has a unique, authentic heritage Harley style, with the nostalgic look and feel of classic vintage 50's streetwear. The look may have a retro touch, but the fit, slim and modern. The "slim cut" is narrow through the chest, shaped at the sides, with a narrower sweep at the hip. Right off the rack, they look worn, comfortable and already broken in. Tough. Timeless. Understated.

Spring Womens Black Label
The Black Label Collection for women is edgy, rebellious, glitzy, and feminine. There's a new silhouette - longer length, figure hugging and fashion-forward. Washes and graphics add a splash of color, and the Harley-Davidson branding is present, but subtle.

See more of the Spring Black Label Collection by Harley-Davidson at Liberty!

Krawiec Wins an All-Harley Final at Gainesville Drags

GAINESVILLE, FL (March 12, 2012) - Riding a Harley-Davidson® V-Rod® motorcycle, Krawiec opened the defense of the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship he won last season by leading each round of qualifying, winning four rounds of eliminations, and setting a new national elapsed-time (ET) record for the class. According to the NHRA, Krawiec is only the second racer to score the maximum 150 points available for a race weekend since the organization started awarding bonus points for qualifying.

There was anticipation before the Gatornationals that Krawiec, who set the class speed record of 199.26 mph at last year’s event, could be the first Pro Stock Motorcycle rider to break the 200-mph barrier during the weekend. Instead, the two-time champion took his V-Rod to a new ET record of 6.750 seconds in the third round of qualifying on Saturday, breaking the record of 6.777 seconds set by Lucas Oil Buell rider Hector Arana at Gainesville in 2011.

“I guess if I could have run 200 here it would have been the perfect weekend and I could just retire,” said Krawiec, who also became the first Pro Stock Motorcycle racer to win the season opener at Gainesville in three consecutive seasons. “Unfortunately we didn’t get 200, so I’m not going to retire. We had a great off-season and my V-Rod was running well right off the truck. It’s a nice way to start defending our championship. I’m really excited about this season.”

Read More at www.libertyharley.com

The (Surprisingly Long) History of Women Riding - International Women's Day

Not Such a New Concept...

Lately, it seems there's a HUGE focus on Women Riding - and not as passengers.  But a quick look at some history will show you, it's not such a new phenomenon after all...

For example, take the story of Effie N. Hotchkiss and mother Avis, the first women to ride cross-country on a motorcycle from NY to San Francisco.  There was a picture posted on a 1915 issue of The Harley-Davidson Dealer.

Or perhaps read the story of Linda Dugeau, the co-founder of the Motor Maids, the oldest Women's Motorcycle organization founded in 1940, with 51 charter members.  Her husband had taught her to ride on an old Harley-Davidson when she was 19 years old.  She actually moved from Boston to LA so she could ride year round.  She once took a trip that covered 3,500 miles in 2 weeks - talk about one of the original Iron Butts!  She was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2004.

The other co-founder of the Motor Maids was Dot Robinson, who, in 1939, rode all over the country looking for members to join her.  There's a great little story on the Motor Maids Website, related by "Hap:"

He tells of how he "chased that woman for two days, through mud and trees" and never caught her. At the end of the race, all the guys tramped into the local bar, but not Dot. She went to her room and got cleaned up first. "I'll never forget the picture: Dot walking into the bar in a black sheath dress and a pill box hat." Dot was always a lady.

Another great Women Rider story is that of the Van Buren sisters - the first women ever to ride up Pike's Peak.  In 1914, they set out on a cross-country trek from Brooklyn to LA.   Keep in mind, back then, women hadn't even earned the vote yet in most states.  They were often arrested for "wearing men's clothing".

Bessie Stringfield was the first African American woman to ride cross-country.  She served as a civilian courier for the US Army during WWII, carrying documents between domestic army bases. During the four years she worked for the Army she crossed the United States eight times.  Because of her skin color, she was often denied accommodations during her rides, and slept on her motorcycle at gas stations.  Once, she disguised herself as a man, and won a flat-track race.  When she took off her helmet and they saw she was a woman, they refused to give her the prize money!

As they say, we've come a long way, baby.  Let the stories of these women, and many more, inspire YOU.   If you've never ridden a motorcycle, maybe it's your time.  If you already ride, why not share your spark with some friends, and help them to see how it feels.  Because you can't really explain it with words.

Visit www.libertyharley.com/women for upcoming events.  And visit the Harley-Davidson women's site also for lots of information, links, and inspiration.

Just for fun - check out this link to "Don'ts for women riders from 1895."  Yes, I know, it's about bicycling, but some of the advice is just as useful (or completely non-useful) as it probably was back then.  I find this one to be particularly apt today:  Don’t contest the right of way with cable cars.

Gas prices rising again - and the riding season right around the corner...

Time to revisit an old concept:

A few years ago we at Liberty put together a few interesting factoids about possibly the BEST way to trim your budget - both your gas budget AND your therapy budget - at the same time!

RIDE TO WORK!

Doesn't sound that groundbreaking, does it?  Almost seems obvious..well, at least to us at Liberty.  But people have some serious hesitations, some spoken, some subconscious, about why they couldn't possibly ride to work EVERY DAY.

First, let's do a little quick math on how much you can save.

Let's say you drive 25 miles to work and back.  And let's say you have a car right now that gets 20 MPG.  And let's say, you were considering a nice Dyna to ride back and forth to work.  Is it REALLY that significant of a difference?

Well, a quick trip to gasbuddy.com shows gas in our area at about $3.59.  At 50 miles a day, that car costs you about $206/month, or $2,477/year.

That same trip on a Dyna will cost you about $77.16/month, or $952/year.

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For a savings of - $129/month!  That's about $1,551 a year!

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Now, can you ride EVERY day of the year?  Maybe, maybe not.  Depends on your personal constitution.

But there are less tangible benefits as well, as anyone who ever went for a ride "to clear my head" will tell you.  You can let the stress of the day melt away as you ride home - no, don't take the stupid highway, take a back road - and arrive home relaxed.  Your family will thank you.  :)

Visit www.loveyourcommute.com and try out the savings calculator based on your car and mileage, and see how it comes out.  Think you might be surprised.  Not a great savings yet?  Wait, wait until the gas prices hit the supposed $5/gallon as predicted this summer.

You can also check out a FAQ that addresses some of the more common concerns about the commute, including helmet hair, wrinkled business suits, and what to do with your laptop.

I'm telling you people, there is no better way to get to work.

St. Patrick's Day at McLiberty is already begun!

You guys know it - Liberty LOVES St. Patrick's Day!  (With an owner named McTamney, what else would you expect??)

Here's a quick shot of the St. Patrick's Day T-Shirts, Barware, Key Chains and other goodies to help you celebrate the day in true Harley-Davidson fashion.  Yes, that tagline says "Gettin' Lucky since 1903".  :)

Also - this year YOU can help support MDA (and help decorate our store) by purchasing a Shamrock and donating to the MDA.  The Shamrocks are available in $1, $5 or $10 increments, and we're hoping to hit our goal of selling ALL of our Shamrocks by St. Patrick's day.  You can write your name, your HOG or riding group, or anyone else you want to honor, and we'll proudly display it at our cashwraps.

And, of course, our Corned Beef and Cabbage Party is Saturday, March  17.  Lunch from 12-2pm (or until we run out!) - made with love by our very own staff and HOG members.  Try your luck with our Pot 'o Gold!

Don't miss all the fun!  Spread the word - ask anyone who's been here - you don't want to miss our Corned Beef!

EagleRider Franchise Convention - The Ride

Entering the Park

Part 3 - FINALLY Time to RIDE again!

So, all day Saturday we had meetings, and learned lots of stuff, and conducted business in a business-like fashion.  Just like one would expect on a business trip.

And so on Sunday, I think we had earned a little fun.

First Stop

So a whole bunch of EagleRider folks, corporate AND franchise owners together, went for a ride through the park again.

So, what's the point of all this?  I'll tell you a secret:

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The View from Above...

You don't HAVE to work in the motorcycle business to have a business trip like this.  You can have ALL this fun on ANY business trip you take.

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The View from WAAAY Above

Yup, it's true.  The secret's out.  If you have a motorcycle license, you can rent a bike from EagleRider.  EagleRider Newark is located right here at Liberty, across from the NJT Train Station, and less than 10 miles from Newark's Liberty Airport.  Hop on a train, land at Liberty, and RIDE to your next business trip, anywhere in the NYC area.

Not flying to the NYC area?  It's OK - EagleRider has locations all over the nation.  And internationally!  You can see all the locations on the EagleRider website.

The best part is - I bet some of your coworkers, or other people from your business trip, also ride.  You may not even know it.  But with a little social networking, you could probably put together a little ride like this, and tack it on one end of your trip.

Chase vehicle

"Business" Lunch

It's time to Think Outside the Cage!  You don't HAVE to rent a car.  Rent a bike.

And your next trip could look something like this.

Going round the curves