Rumble Through the Tunnels to Biketoberfest - PART I

OCTOBER 20, 2007
by The Chief

When our company decided to hit the road for a three-week extravaganza of bike events, I tried to imagine all of the contacts we would make and the new friends we would meet along the way. The thoughts that flooded my mind and the time that I spent pondering this most recent of road trips would in no way come close to the actual events that took place or that the RoadLoK crew was fortunate enough to experience.

First stop: Portsmouth, VA – Rumble Through the Tunnels. October 12 -14!

This event, hosted by Bayside Harley-Davidson, is an annual gettogether of vendors and bikers alike. The highlight of which is a Saturday morning biker’s parade through the Hampton Roads area--traversing through several of the tunnels around Virginia Beach. The proceeds of this police-escorted parade are used for the benefit of our Military Personnel whom proudly serve our country. Thousands of bikers roaring along on their colorful two-wheeled scoots keep the “rumble” alive and well in the tunnels.

Bayside Harley-Davidson found its parking lot peppered with vendors and bikers for this three-day event. RoadLoK Security was among the list of vendors. It was here that we met some of our newest of friends. I could spend hours writing about “Gunz” and some of his marketing and product ideas. Then there was Timm, the Portsmouth Police Motor Patrol Officer. Being former law enforcement myself, I still gravitiate toward the men and women in blue. We watched in amazement as Timm rode his steel horse at a “ slower than snail's pace “ in such tight circles that the bags kissed the pavement.

I would be remiss in my road report if I failed to mention our newest of Authorized RoadLoK Dealerships which came as a result of the Rumble Through the Tunnels. A bit of a soft-spoken man, Bayside Harley-Davidson’s Parts Manager, Tom James, gave the seal-of-approval to our RoadLoK Motorcycle locking system. Not only was Tom interested in showing me every bit of available chrome for my FLHX, he agreed that his personal ride, an immaculately-kept Road King, was in need of a RoadLoK Defender.

Thank you, Bayside Harley-Davidson for caring about our Service Personnel and thank you for your commitment in helping to keep motorcycle theft in-check. Two thumbs up!

-The Chief

Check back soon for Part II of Rumble Through the Tunnels to Biketoberfest where the Chief meets the Hooter’s girls.

Miracles Can Happen!

OCTOBER 7, 2007
by The Chief

It wasn’t the fact that we rode early in the morning through a heavy and damp fog to reach our destination that made this journey extraordinary. It probably wasn’t the fact that the leader of our pack, Special Ed–you'd have to know him to understand–chose a route of heavily traveled highways peppered with pot holes and some of New York’s worst examples of deteriorating thoroughfares. And, without a doubt, it wasn’t about the irresponsible drivers going about their daily routine of big city life, as they rudely weaved in and out of their respective lanes-of-travel paying little attention to the five of us bikers, as we journeyed to Great Neck.

The miracle that did take place on this Saturday morning in early October was the discovery by our team, Team RoadLoK, of yet another exceptional Harley-Davidson dealership: enter Miracle Mile Harley Davidson of Great Neck, New York.

Unfortunately, the written word falls drastically short of encompassing the true magnitude of my elation when I happen upon a business that is run by folks who genuinely care about their customers. Customer care or better yet, quality customer care is increasingly rare these days. For that reason alone, I take great interest in writing about those experiences that I--as an individual--along with our company, find to be in the upper-echelon of our scale.

Let me talk for just a moment about my take on the required ingredients for a business--in this case a Harley-Davidson dealership to be considered a top-notch place to exchange currency for goods and service. Regardless of the products being sold, the foundation of a great business truly lies in customer care and assurance of customer satisfaction. Many consumers, myself included, typically will spend more money for a “like” product, as long as great customer service is provided. To some of us, good and/or great customer service seems so simple yet like previously stated is often hard to find. I believe that the average person, if treated well and with respect when making a purchase of goods or services, will be a returning customer. The bargain hunter looking for a new motorcycle, a new car or any major purchase for that matter, may find early-on that the best price didn’t include the best service department or the best dealership staff to stand behind the product once the deal was made. I for one cannot put a price tag on quality service and great customer care, subsequent to the sale.

The staff at Miracle Mile was a great pleasure to deal with. Within minutes of our arrival the two baggers we brought-in for service were wheeled away into the shop for that much-needed work. Although “Special Ed” didn’t feel so special when my cruiser was finished first, we both agreed that the service was done well, and at what we both felt was a reasonable fee. The service staff explained what was done to our bikes and seemed to be very thorough and knowledgeable in their field.

Our experience at Miracle Mile was very pleasant to say the least. We received excellent customer care, quality products and service and above and beyond that, the dealership was clean, well organized and set up to be very customer friendly. What more could a biker want? Needless to say, Miracle Mile Harley-Davidson is now a full-service RoadLoK Dealership! We are truly honored to welcome their team into the RoadLoK family because we know that our customers will be hard-pressed to find better service!

To Joey and all the staff at Miracle Mile Harley-Davidson, our new friends–two thumbs up–from the RoadLoK gang!

-The Chief

Sturgis or Bust

OCTOBER 6, 2007
by The Chief

Imagine if you will for a minute or ten… cruising down the highway, interstate 90 to be exact, between Spearfish and Rapid City on a new Harley Street Glide at 85 mph. Add to this picturesque thought, temperatures in the 90s, the stereo blaring out the blues of BB King and this helmet-less rider enjoying life more than ever before.

Alright, so that may be nothing great or special to many of you who have lived this dream so many times before. But then again, I could guess that many of you didn’t enter into a world of bikes, babes and booze quite like I did, and from such a contrast from a previous lifestyle. A lifestyle that saw me with badge and gun in hand typically six days of every week. A lifestyle of dealing with those three things previously mentioned, from a totally different perspective. If I have achieved nothing else in my life worth mentioning, I can at least say that I have lived a very diverse life.

Sturgis is everything I dreamed it would be and more. Ideal riding weather coupled with unbelievable scenery and a land rich in history. Night life was anything you wanted it to be - as wild or as laid back as a biker could want. An evening group ride with a couple of really Dirty Girls probably highlighted my time spent in Sturgis. Throw in with that, the fact that I was called upon to rescue a young lad whom his mother had accidentally locked in her car while refueling. Yes, I still carry some tools of the previous trade and no doubt, there are flashbacks from time to time of a past that I have fond but fading memories of.

It has been said that attendance was down this year at Sturgis. Being my first time there, I would simply say that I for one, saw a lot of bikes and met a lot of cool people. From a business perspective, I am typically very impressed with the people I meet at bike events, and their interest in our product. Sturgis, I will return.

It’s not all about bikes, babes and booze. Well, yes it is.

-The Chief