AS THEY SHOULD BE

 

Courtesy of an invitation from a guy called Dave Brown at MCO and Steve Cain, one of the world’s most exclusive bikers, the Aged Rocker joined in with a demo over in Wigan. No, not the type of demo the Froggies stage on a yearly basis but a collective of likeminded chaps who like American motorbikes. Based at MCO’s Orrell Victory and Indian dealership it was also a chance for those who like to ride an all-American sled without having to throw a leg over a Harley-Davidson. Let’s face it, if ever a brand has become a parody of itself its good old H-D but I must say one of those pink toweling H-D tracksuits does look tempting!!!!! Better still, why not buy one of the dealers T’s and pay them to do some advertising for them. Well I suppose if you’re daft enough.

 

 

 

The oldest name in motorbikes, Indian’s 1953 demise more or less came about due to the Massachusetts’ company patriotism. Whist Indian concentrated their efforts in the production of military machinery at the expense of their dealers and domestic market, another well know US make that could have been mentioned earlier in this diatribe not so keen on flag waving, effectively stole Indian’s market from under them. But much to the delight of real bikers the tables are being turned and here at AR HQ we love it!  

 

 

 

Yes, from an initial re-launch in 1999 complete with S&S engines and then Powerplus bottlecaps, bankruptcy in 2003, another appearance in 2006 it was Polaris’ acquisition of the name in 2011 that gave the brand its newly found solid footing. And solid it bleedin’ well is the Indian’s head now looking arrow straight down the highway ahead.

 

 

 

 

The new range of Indians now recreate the glory days of the name, from the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, Chieftain Dark Horse, the Roadmaster and the stunning new Springfield all powered by the 111cu inch Thunder Stroke engines or the slightly smaller 61cu inch engined Scout and Scout Sixty, all the Indians recall and recreate the halcyon days of enduring motorbike design. All V-Twins, when the open road meant just that, freedom and the far distant horizon, something the old AR can fully appreciate, an Indian’s V is the only way to chase the sunset.

 

 

If the fully blown retro of the Indians is a little to much for those of a slightly more demure and sensitive nature then there’s always the Victory bikes. Debuted at Plant Hollywood in 1997 by none other than Al Unser Jr, the Victory is the tangible vision of how the American motorbike should have evolved if other complacent manufacturers hadn’t sat on their lardy arsed laurels. Divided neatly into Cruisers, Baggers and Touring catagories along with the all new electric Empulse TT and the squared off, 1200cc Octane, the Victory bikes are a beautifully balanced combination of American bike tradition and modernity. Whether it’s a Vegas 8-Ball, the High-Ball, the Hammer S, the new Gunner or the transcontinental Cross Country Tour, it’s a case of big engines, low revs and relaxed riding that make the Victory bikes what they are.       

 

 

 

But if the bikes don’t float yer boat and you’ve got twenty-five large doing nothing do please try a Slingshot. Is it a car, is it a bike or is it a trike? Apart from the fact nobody seems to know as to what exactly the Slingshot actually is, what the AR can tell you is that its one hell of a piece of machinery that can be driven or ridden on both a bike and car license. It gets even better when the R’s got a blonde babe riding shotgun.

 

 

With two ultra wide alloy rims up front and one big belt driven wheel at the back the 2.4 litre,173hp DOHC VVT engine that delivers 166ft/lbs of torque to a vehicle that weighs a mere 1,683lbs. Sited as low as it’ll go and between the passengers’ legs, the Slingshot is encapsulated within and around a steel spaceframe and some of the most off the wall, recreational pharmaceutical induced bodywork, the Slingshot the culmination of a creative genius, a seriously deranged mind or someone with a need for speed that’s off the chart.

 

Mated to a 5-speed transmission, electronic power steering and stability control and Double-Wishbone front suspension and sway bar, if Sigmund Freud was still alive it’d skullf#$k the old guy into submission. Want to know why? Well let’s put it this way, Polaris either won’t or can’t tell you what the 0-60 is but all the AR can tell you is that with 4,000rpm on the clock all hell lets loose. And at MCO Orrell you even got the four piece rockers Marauder and their seriously different version of ‘The Wheels on the Bus’, as heartwarmingly non-PC as it gets. 

 

 

So if American metal and bikes that look like what they should get things stirring down below, go visit your local Indian or Victory dealer and find out when the Road Show hits town. Or why not visit www.victorymotorcycles.com or www.indianmotorcycles.com to find your nearest dealer. And even if bikes aren’t your thing you’ll still get the chance to meet Emma or Stephanie who’ll definitely get things stirring down below. If not, both makes have some rather nice leather chaps in their clothing collection!!!! But thank the Lord, there’s not a pink track suit in sight.     

JAVA A GO’GO

 

The one thing the Aged Rocker guarantees it’s that if you pay him a visit you’ll get a cup of proper coffee. Fresh ground and made fresh, the heady aroma of Columbian, Sumatran, Latin or Italian ground wafting around the AR’s lair. Another thing the AR guarantees is that you won’t find any of that puerile instant muck lurking in a cupboard, coffee extract and decaf the Devil’s spawn! I ask you, what’s the point of drinking coffee that doesn’t have a kick like a stunned donkey? None whatsoever!

 

But not even the old AR can conjure up a hot pot of Java in the middle of nowhere or can he? With Minipresso GR in his back sack, a super smooth blast of espresso can be created absolutely anywhere and with minimal effort. So here’s how it works and unlike numerous other gadgets the Minipresso doesn’t need plugging in, recharging or exposing to sunlight. The only things you need in addition to the small handheld device are some ground coffee and boiling water which you can carry in a small flask or from the traveling kettle you’ve plugged into your car’s 12v outlet.

 

Remove the cup, unscrew what’s called the outlet head and remove the filter basket. Fill the basket with ground coffee using the scoop provided and gently tamp it down. Place the basket in the filter head and screw them both back onto the main body of the Minipresso. Then remove the water tank located at the other end, fill to the line with boiling water and push back into place.

 

All you then need to do is release piston on the side, place the cup beneath the spout and pump. The first six piston pumps prime it all the following six or seven forcing the water through the coffee and out into the waiting cup. End result, a perfect single espresso! Yes, you will have to clean the Minipresso but that takes less than a minute with clean water and a paper towel.

 

Much to the AR’s surprise this real coffee drinker’s gizmo actually works. It’s easy, simple, pleasant to use, looks good, is nicely made, exceeds expectations and unlike similar gadgets, doesn’t leak. So many thanks to Wacaco, their Minipresso machine and the coffee Gods their collective forces meaning real coffee drinkers and the AR in particular can have a cup of Joe whenever and wherever they feel the need.

 

So do like the Aged Rocker and get in touch with Bear & Bear at www.bearandbear.com and part with £48 of your hard earned pounds.    

 

 

CUP O’ JOE

 

If you’re anything like the Aged Rocker, endless hours of pounding the now archaic miles of the UK motorways results in two things. Incredulity at the sheer inefficiency of this country’s road networks when compared to the rest of Europe and a steady supply of coffee contained within those horrendous wax paper cups. The thing that really annoys isn’t so much the price of your caffeine laced beverage it’s the fact you’ve actually had to pay to drink out of a piece of crap that has whichever outlet’s name on it. In other words you’re paying them to advertise their wares.

 

 

Well there are a bit of good news for us weary coffee drinkers or even them that sup tea or whatever it is that floats your boat and it’s called a Stojo or Stowaway Joe. Weighing 4.4oz and at its widest 3.5” this coffee cup is about as portable as it gets. Constructed from a thick, ribbed, neoprene type rubber the cup concertinas out to form a 12oz cup complete with a solid neck, screw on top with sealable mouthpiece and a collar that slides into place to protect your fingers from heat. And when you’ve chugged back you’re Americano or latte, wipe it out, remove the collar and the cup collapses back into itself. Big enough to hold a medium sized cup of coffee yet small enough to go in your jacket pocket or stow in a glovebox or centre console, the Stojo will once and for all do away with the paper cups that end up clogging your drinks holders or rolling round the car.

  

Better still its not just some garbage gadget, the Stojo really does work. It doesn’t leak, its sturdy, it keeps your drink hot, it doesn’t get your fingers scalded, it packs and unpacks in seconds, is easy to keep clean, it’s hygienic, it fits neatly in a cup holder, it looks good and its not a paper cup with bloody great logo plastered on the sides. So what more do you want? Then do like the Aged Rocker and go get your own Stojo.

 

 

To get your hands on your own Stojo that’ll cost you about£14-99p go visit Bear & Bear at www.bearandbear.com