Motorcycle Clubs

 

 

Motorcycles are a lot fun to drive, but they are also a wonderful way to spend time with others that share your interest.  Years ago the notoriety of certain motorcycle “gangs” or clubs gave hanging out in groups for the purpose of riding bikes a bad name.  Thankfully today, motorcycle clubs are plentiful and provide social activities and companionship as well as offer the safety of strength in numbers when traveling.

A lot of motorcycle clubs are sponsored by manufactures such as Harley-Davidson, BMW, or Honda.  Others are more of an affiliation for groups like the Armed Forces of America MC or the U.S. Military Vets MC.  There are also many groups that are made up of police officers and firefighters while there are others intended just for women riders.    

The group known as the Patriot Guard Riders specializes in providing funeral escorts for military personnel. The Rolling Thunder Club rides in honor of members of the military missing in action and prisoners of war.  Likewise there are clubs for Christian groups.  One of the largest organizations is the American Motorcyclist Association with over 235,000 members.  Their mission statement is “To promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.”   

Many clubs include training and education, and frequently sponsor sporting events or motorcycle rallies to give members an opportunity to get together and socialize.  The Internet has a website for a motorcycle index listing that allows you to search for clubs in your area, or by your interest or affiliations.  You can also search by bike type.  With all of the choices available, the chances are good that you will be able to find a club that suits your purpose.

 

The Car Show, Inc. has been a trusted name for used vehicles for over 25 years and was chosen to be the "Quality Dealer of the Year" by the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association (CIADA).  Come in and browse our showroom or check out our online site for the most extensive selection of outstanding used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new and used RVs. 

RV Travel with Kids

 

Anytime you travel with children it requires careful preparation and planning and a RV trip is no different.  A RV is a great way to bring your family together for a fun-filled vacation and is certainly more comfortable than sleeping in tents, and over-all may be less expensive than staying in hotels.

Tips from seasoned RV families include taking your time and don’t expect to put on as many miles per day as you did without the children along.  Stop frequently, and when you do, allow the kids to get out and run around.  Have toys on hand to use outside or find a playground where they can burn off some energy.  Do be sure to do a head count before you get back on the road. 

Inside the RV, have plenty to do to keep the kids occupied.  Purchase special toys and activities books to surprise them with when they are getting restless.  Tablets and DVD players are entertaining but be sure to bring headphones so not everyone has to listen.   Additionally don’t forget to engage in traditional road games as they are a great way to share time together and help to create memories for years to come.  

One big advantage to having your home on wheels is you do not have pack and repack over and over again as you would moving around from hotel room to hotel room or tent camping.  Try and stay organized inside the RV by having bins or baskets for each child to store their toys, books and clothes, and make sure they use them.

If you can, bring bikes for everyone.   They are a fun activity and can be used to get around the campground.  Do remind the children if they are old enough to ride around on their own, to watch out for traffic and wear a helmet.  

 

The Car Show, Inc. has been a trusted name for used vehicles for over 25 years and was chosen to be the "Quality Dealer of the Year" by the Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association (CIADA).  Come in and browse our showroom or check out our online site for the most extensive selection of outstanding used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new and used RVs. 

Cool Truck Accessories

 Whether you are driving a brand new truck or recently bought a “new” used truck, you may want to consider some upgrades to customize the look.  Many of these new items are not all that expensive and can easily be installed as a do-it-self project.  They are readily available from traditional brick-and-mortar stores and online car sites.  

 

One of the larger-sized upgrades you may want is a tonneau cover or truck bed cover.  Tonneau covers can be either soft or hard top.  They come is a variety of styles such as tri-folds, roll-ups, retractable or cover lifts.  Depending on the model, they can cost in the range of a couple hundred dollars all the way up to approximately a thousand dollars for the deluxe versions.  A cover can save on fuel cost by improving your truck’s aerodynamics along with the added benefit of keeping the truck bed dry. 

A truck bed liner or mat is the best way to protect your truck’s tailgate area and makes loading and uploading your truck easier and safer to do.   Find a bed liner designed for your particular model for the best fit.  The good news is they are not very pricey.

Another improvement you can think about making to your new truck is more of an investment but is probably one of the most dramatic changes to the appearance.  This would be the addition of new chrome spoke rims, spinners, or black or white spoke steel rims.  You may even want to go with over-sized wheels.   

Remember anything that is chrome is bound to attract attention.  Chrome running boards, grills covers and bumpers will make your truck stand out and shine.  

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

What Does “Pre-Owned Vehicle” Mean?

Today a pre-owned car or truck stands for a quality vehicle that has been put through a series of tests and inspections by the manufacturer or another qualified, trained expert.  It is a great way to go when looking for a deal on a late model car since a pre-owned vehicle is significantly less expensive than one with a brand new sticker price.

Pre-owned cars are quickly becoming a popular choice.  In fact, according to J. D. Powers, pre-owned sales are up over 45% since the start of the century.  They have become a legitimate category in the industry alongside new and used car sales.  

So what kind of inspection does a pre-owned vehicle receive in order to get the designation? The car or truck is put through a rigorous visual and mechanical inspection process in which highly trained technicians adhere to factory-set standards.  They thoroughly check the vehicle's engine, chassis and body to assert its condition completing a bumper to bumper inspection.  All this provides the potential buyer the assurance that they are getting a quality car or truck back by the inspection report.  

Another resource you can use when buying a car is to take a look at the Carfax report.  It gives you extensive background information on the car from a nationwide database.  Some of the particulars include vehicle registration and title information, an odometer rollback check, and a total loss accident history.  It will also let you know if you the airbags have ever deployed indicating an unreported accident and if the car has ever been labeled as a “lemon”.  

Please check out our blog to keep you up-to-date with all the news and happenings at The Car Show as well as with any significant news from the industry. Or better yet, stop by and browse our inventory of the finest selection of Colorado Springs' used cars and trucks.  

Early History of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

The Harley-Davidson motorcycle is a great American success story with a more than 100 year history.  As the most famous motorcycle company in the world, Harley-Davidson is much more than just a brand name.  The motorcycle dates back to 1901 when Bill Harley, just 21 years of age, drew a blueprint of an engine that was designed to fit on a bicycle. 

 

By 1903, Bill Harley and his friend, Arthur Davidson produced the first racing bike they called a Harley giving start to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Shortly thereafter, Arthur’s brother, Walter joined the company.  They soon had their first sale from an old school friend, Henry Meyers.  

The success of the Harley-Davidson Company was rapid.  By 1905, they had won their first race in Chicago and a dealership had opened there the year before.  By the end of 1908 they had built 154 bikes and had a total of 20 employees.  Shortly after that, work was started on the familiar 45-degree V-twin.  However, it wasn’t until 1910 that the distinguishable “Bar and Shield” logo was developed that still continues today. 

Moreover, the company was early to export bikes.  In 1912 they sold their first motorcycles in Japan and by now had a total of 200 dealerships throughout the U.S.  Two years later the side-car was introduced.  H-D continued to draw attention by winning races and putting on displays of the motorcycle’s power with various endurance tests.

Once World War I started, nearly half of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced were sold to the U.S. military to be used in the war.  By the end of the war, it is believed that 20,000 motorcycles were used to aid in the effort and that the majority were Harley-Davidsons. 

  

*Read more from the official Harley-Davidson website.

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  Our motto is "If it has wheels, we sell it." You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

RV Travel Tips for Stress-Free Trips

For all new owners of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) or those seriously thinking of buying one, they really are a fun, inexpensive way for a family to get out and create memories.  However before you go dashing off on your first trip, there are some basic tips you should know about. 

It appears that the number one recommendation from seasoned RV owners is to be prepared for the unexpected.  Basically a little planning and forethought will go a long way toward reducing unpleasant surprises and ensuring a trouble-free trip.

Use the Internet to learn from those that have already been there by reading or asking questions on RV forums or chat rooms.  Google campground review sites and see how well the sites you are interested in are rated and whether you can make reservations ahead of time.  Most review sites will also list what types of amenities a particular campground offers.  Do keep in mind that the more amenities a campground offers, generally the higher the cost.

Another good suggestion was from Richard Coon, President of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.  He says to use the RV route planner on your GPS (if one if available), which will factor in overhead clearances and other restrictions such as roads and bridges. 

RV enthusiasts say thoroughly read the manual and watch any video instructions you may have received when you bought it.  Go over all of the equipment before the trip to make sure you understand how it works and what type of maintenance will be expected of you.  Furthermore, “test drive” the RV throughout your own neighborhood.  Familiarize yourself with how it handles and practice backing up and making turns.  Experiment with adjusting and using the mirrors. 

The Car Show, Inc. is a family owned and operated dealership that has been offering unsurpassed service to the community since 1987.  While we understand there are many used car dealerships in Colorado Springs, our outstanding customer service sets us apart.  You will find our prices are competitive on high-quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and motorcycles.  In 1995 after many years of enjoyable family camping adventures, we entered the RV industry and expanded our inventory to include both new and used travel trailers.