Day 6 - Houston, TX - Baton Rouge, LA

Kobs back again signing on for day 6 updates.

I was expecting some serious 'rush hour' traffic so I left extra early. When your from L.A. ,Traffic means you leave at least an hour to get to where ever. Apparently in Houston traffic has a different meaning because I showed up at my first shop 1/2 hour before they opened. Anyway...today I met some very cool people and hit traffic in some very unexpected places. Check it out.

Mancuso Harley-Davdison Central - this 'Old Skool' shop has been around since 1983 and they are proud to be the first Harley shop in Houston and the original Mancuso shop. They have a real friendly crew here. I walked in around 9:15 and had 4 guys congregated around to see what I had going on....it may have been that I was also the first one in the shop? Raul Mendoza is running the parts counter. He graciously accepted the sample kit an agreed to give it a try. Thanks Raul.

Honda of Houston was next and it was the largest all Honda store I have seen. Cory at the parts counter took care of me and was very helpful. If you are in the Houston area and need anything Honda, this is the place for you.

EXimports Cycles had the most unbelievable display of exotic bikes. The Ducati inventory they have is second to none as far as the Ducati Dealers that I have seen. They also carry Aprilia and Arctic Cat. They also claim to be the largest motorcycle Dealership in Houston...possible, but it is close as there are some large dealers in Houston. One thing is for sure, if your looking for a Ducati, there is nowhere else to go. Juan took care of me and we took a photo in front of his favorite bike.

Team Mancuso Powersports Southwest has the most eclectic array of bikes that I have ever seen under one roof...Big Dog, Victory, Kawasaki and...well that's what they advertise, but I saw at least 3 other brands in quantity. Johnny Mancuso has a lock down on the Houston area with 6 different dealerships. I have been to 4 of those and I must say that Mancuso does it right by hiring the right staff. Jeff Bensen, Parts Manager was extremely personable and dispite being very busy, took a few minutes to take to me about my products and the Mancuso family of dealerships. The staff at each Mancuso dealership are friendly and attentive.

Stubbs Harley-Davidson has a nice old school feel to it...maybe that's because they have been in Business since 1965. The service department is on it, I watched 3 service associates move about 12 people out, with product in hand and smiles on their faces in about 10 minutes. Parts manager Joel Morris has been there for 30 years, however he wouldn't take a picture with me. But Cory Pitts stepped up to the plate and low-and-behold I kept the streak alive and got a photo....Thanks Cory for the photo and the advice.

Gulf Coast BMW/Triumph was my last stop in the Houston area. Cliff Holland the owner of the shop was on the floor making sure his customers were being taken care of. That's dedication and something that you don't see everyday. Cliff walked right up to me to see if I needed anything and I presented him with a sample kit. He was gracious in taking the kit and agreeing to give it a test run. Cliff also rounded up the troop and we got a group photo. Thanks Cliff!

San Jacinto Harley-Davidson in Pasadena, Tx was an unexpected stop as I was just outside of the Houston area and on my way to Lafayette, LA. This is a nice new shop with a friendly staff. Roy Abrego, Parts Manager was extremely busy so Julie "Hootie" Cunninham too very good care of me. She even took a photo with me, what a good sport.


I was on a tear through Houston and on the way to Lafayette, LA by 1:00, plenty of time to get in 3-4 more dealer visits on the day. That is of course until the freeway stopped...I mean parking lot...3 miles in an hour. After an hour I left it up to my trusty navigation system. Picture it....I am in the middle of nowhere, somewhere between Texas and Louisiana. I get off the freeway and start heading deeper into nowhere. After 20 minutes of winding here and there, a couple of dirt roads and a minor stint of off-roading I found my way past, what I found out later was a flipped 18 wheeler. Then another parking lot experience through Lake Charles, LA made my plan of more dealerships all but a dream. Looking forward to tomorrow, but for now...signing out.

Day 5 - Austin - Houston

Kobs signing in for a report on Day 5.

Started a bit late today, mainly to avoid Austin traffic. However, the day started off with bang at Cowboy Harley-Davidson (of Austin... obviously). Scott Craig the current parts manager was eager to see what the products could do so after he showed me a demo of some products that he had on his shelf, I cracked open a sample kit and went to work. No longer than 2 minutes later and a demo on a translucent Buell, I think he was impressed. The incoming Parts Manager Dominic (aka Dom) is all over the place, but when he slowed down enough to talk I handed him a sample kit, we'll make him a believer in Papa. I still spent the next 30 minutes there getting a tour of the dealership. These guys take care of business!!! You want a Harley? What Type? What color? Options? No waiting....You drive out with it same day. The supply of bikes at this dealership is amazing.

Texas Powersports was next in line. It was a bit off the beaten path,but it had a nice warm friendly feeling to it. Billy was running the parts counter and was instantly ready to help me when I walked in the door. He also showed considerable interest in the kit that I handed off and said that he would give it a whirl.

Central Texas Harley-Davidson...one thing you can say is that they are honest. They were very upfront that they don't carry any non-Harley after market products. I left a sample anyway. You guys are missing out.

Woods Fun Center was a surprise visit, as it was not on my list, being that it was right next to CT Harley I decided to stop by. J.J. was running the show in parts and was very accommodating. Not to mention that this store pretty much has everything. I needed to get directions to get through their hugh stock of bikes just to get back to the parts counter. I can't imagine that there is anything that a biker could need that this store didn't have.

Moto Austin just moved into their new location and they were still putting some finishing touches on the shop, but you could already tell from the space that it is going to look great. I had a nice conversation with Tim Lynch. Tim explained to me that you could get into an entry level Duc for only $7K...I didn't know that. Were do I sign up? Their new location is on East Braker right next to CT Harley...Check it out if your riding by.

Lone Star BMW/Triumph was a quick stop. It seems that the helmet distributor and I were on the same schedule, so the accessories Manager, Denise couldn't talk for too long. she was very pleasant and agreed to test out some Ubermoto on her bike and let us know what she thinks. Thanks Denise!

Hog Alley is a Iron Horse shop in Georgetown, TX. The shop has a definite old-school feel and wouldn't you just know it they are opening a Bar & Grill next door - 'Hardtails'. Should be open in early May, just in time for Summer. I got a nice photo with owner, Erica. Thanks Rick & Erica. Rick is in the witness protection program so he couldn't take a picture J/K.

Central Texas Powersports is just up the street from Hog Alley. A smaller shop, but they are building a bigger one just acros the highway. Brad Brown is in charge of Parts and mentioned that they give the best deals on tires. He says,"for a small show we move a lot of tires." Their new shop should open around Jun/July.

Mancuso Harley-Davidson - Just made it to Houston and it was dark. I figured that my day was over, but decided to try and find a hotel near what would have been my first morning stop...Mancuso H-D. Whaddaya know...their open..don't mind if I do. Walked in an had a colorful conversation with Ron & Don about bikes, the dealership and of course water wells and water pressure...let's move on. It was nice and quiet, probably because it was late, but Ron & Don were very willing to sit and talk for a while. I presented Ron with a sample kit (check picture to the right...that one came out nice!) This dealership is big and airy and evoked a family feeling and it is owned by Johnny Mancuso....if you don't know who that is then educate yourself and (click here).

Northwest Honda - Same as before..I rolled up to this shop looking for a nearby hotel and whaddaya know...their open...don't mind if I do. Corky, the Service Manager and I became fast friends. When I asked him what was unique about the shop, he told me that they have over 100 years of experience in the service dept, between 3 guys...that's some knowledge. I wouldn't worry about these guys working on my bike. This shop is also right on Interstate 45 so you can miss it. Say "Hi" to Corky for me if you stop in.

Once again I am Beat, but looking forward to tomorrow another bunch of shops on the way to hitting the Century Mark. Signing out....Passing out.

Day 4 - San Antonio,TX - Austin,TX

Waking up in San Antonio 1 mile from my first stop was a welcome surprise from the day before.  Javelina Harley was stop #1 for the day and a great start to the day it was.  Javelina is a smaller shop with a very personal feel.  I had about a 20 minute conversation with Johnny and David.  They were as interested in my products as I was in their shop.  And I started, what will now become a tradition, taking pictures with the parts guys.  This dealership is family owned and  known as one of the most customer friendly in the country and I found that out first hand.  This shop is a definite stop if you are riding through the San Antonio area. Javelina is off the I-10 west - exit 246.

For all you Metric lovers don't think I forgot about you.  The birth of "Ubermoto"  our new line of products is for you.  My next stop was Alamo Powersports.  Sid Rodriguez is the parts manager.  They have BMW, Triumph and a foreign auto division as well.  And KC International Motorsports to follow had a dizzying supply of Ducati, Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta on hand in a brand new modern facility. Frans de Weers is a very 'Cool Kat'.  Sorry no photos guys, but we'll get'em next time.

Iron Horse of San Antonio was a bit hard to find due to road construction, but Willie is the man in the back shining up bikes.  This shop had a nice supply of choppers, so if that's your thing or if you need some parts and your in the area go say, "what up" to Chuck, the parts manager.

Caliente Harley was "HOT".  Also in San Antonio, architecturally the coolest shop I have seen. Raul Rodriquez is the parts manager and is a super nice guy.  The shop was busy as could be and as one of the parts guys put it, "there is no recession at Harley-Davidson".  From what I have seen on this trip that is definitely the truth.

Alamo Cycle Plex had quite the supply of metrics and gear.  Tom Poplawsky was a bit busy but still found some time to talk.  Thanks Tom I know how it goes when you need to hit a deadline.

Joe Harrison Motorsports Parts Manager, Kevin Horton was happy to talk for a while and take some samples to test out.  Some of the friendliest staff I have come across.

Alamo City Harley-Davidson had one of the most unique shops that I have come across...salt water fish tank and all.  Frank Booker is the parts manager and a very personable guy.  You can tell by the line of people at the parts counter, with big smiles that these guys take care of their customers.  I was asked 10 times if I had been helped...you can tell these guys take pride in their work.  They also had a great collection of classic bikes upstairs.  This Dealership is a MUST SEE!

Gruene Harley Davdison was a bit off the beaten path..only 6 miles off the freeway, which by todays standards is far for a Harley Dealership.  However, because of the location there is a mystique to this shop.  There were at least 45 bikes out front and many of the riders were just hanging around.  Most Harley shops are hangouts, but this felt different.  I can' t really explain so you'll just need to make a trip out here and see for yourself.  Doug Crawford of the parts dept and I had a nice conversation and he expressed his excitement to being on the internet.  Doug...here are your 5 minutes of fame..Enjoy!

Bout' to pass out...until next time...signing off.

 

Day 3 - El Paso, TX - San Antonio, TX

Kobs signing in for entry number 2. 

 Day 3 was a doosie...after waking up in El Paso I took off and  visited Barnett Harley-Davidson - They claim to be the "World's Largest" and I believe it.  This dealership is about four times the size of any dealership I have ever seen and I have seen quite a few.  I met with Ray Ray and Oscar.  These guys do the detailing and after talking shop with them, they know what they are talking about.  Needless to say the largest Harley shop in the world had about 10 details lined up at 9 am...these guys put in some work.  These pictures don't do the dealership justice, but I took them anyway.  Next I stopped by Mr. Motorcycle - they claim to be have "World's Largest Selection of Powersports Vehicles" and with two buildings full of nearly 30 brands, I wouldn't contest their claim.  So I went BIG today going for the "Worlds Largest", afterall I am in Texas.  Then I proceeded to drive 10 hours through the "Worlds Longest" stretch of nothingness between El Paso and San Antonio.  Then Passed out. Signing off.

Day 1 & 2 - LA - Tucson, AZ - Las Cruces, NM - El Paso, TX

Papa Wheelie, Inc. President, Matt Koblick signing in for the first entry of the Los Angeles to Daytona Bike Week- Round Trip Promotional Tour. My goal on this trip is to visit 100 dealerships and bike builders delivering samples and information on our products. As a relative start-up with success over the past 8 months in business we are looking to solidify our place in the market in 08'. This trip is just the beginning. Big thanks to our loyal customers who helped get this company off to a booming start last year with your positive feedback and support. My commitment to you is that Papa Wheelie will continue to deliver the most advanced cleaning products for your bike and we will keep adding new products to make cleaning easier so you can do what you like best....ride!

The trip began on Sunday as I left for Phoenix. There is nothing to report as no shops were visited. Day 2, however was much more eventful as I took off early en route to Tucson, AZ. Never been, but anyone who has driven through Arizona knows that there is not much to look at. As I rolled in to Tucson on the I-10 there is so much construction you can't enter or exit the freway for nearly 10 miles and of course I missed my exit. Lucky for me when I was able to get off I found a Big Dog/Victory Dealership, the largest I had ever seen so I made it my first stop. Followed by All American Motorcycles, if you ever stop by tell Hal - Parts Manager that Papa says,"hi", then Harley of Tucson, they are moving to a huge new facility in April(FYI - if your ridin' through), a few more shops... Oh, if you ever get out to Barnett's Las Cruces Harley Davidson - Harold can give you recommendations on where to go for fun at any US bike event. Thanks for the tips in Daytona, Hal. I can say is that in each of the dealerships I visited today in Arizona and New Mexico, I met with some of the friendliest people...let's see if they take some product?

As I crossed into New Mexico I had a nice conversation with Officer Tate who clocked me going 83 in a 65. I can't believe that on only the second day I am about to get a ticket...that's going to make for a sloooooowwww trip the rest of the way. Tate comes back with the clipboard and proceeds to tell me that he is going to give me a written warning....."A WARNING!"....they can do that? I'm from L.A. 18 miles an hour over the limit is good for a large ticket and in some cases a beating. I signed and cheered as I drove off like I just stole something.

I spent the night in El Paso, TX. It's really no joke that everything in Texas is bigger. I entered the state and needed to stop at a Rest Stop, you know to handle some business. The first Rest Stop on the 10 is nearly as big as the Taj Mahal....not only did they have bathrooms, but visitor info....I understand that Texas is a big state, but this was rediculous. Anyway, ate dinner at Jaxon's Brewery, not too bad. Time for bed because I am Tired. Signing off.