This is a stimulating year for many reasons. Some profess the industry’s down; others are rolling out new models as fast as they can dream ‘em up. What’s it mean? Where will life lead us on our wild journey to utopia? I’ll tell you what. Put all the bullshit aside. We live in motorcycle heaven. We have access to the most outrageous, bitchin’ bikes on the planet and they lead us to the most beautiful women in the world. What could be better?

Unfortunately there are decisions to be pondered, such as blonde, brunette or your motorcycle choice. Choosing a motorcycle is just as delicate as picking the girl to ride on it. Regrettably, the motorcycle decision takes fewer tools to coordinate, and perhaps a smaller wallet. Okay, let’s get to it. Pickin’ a motorcycle demands an understanding of your budget and needs. You obviously can stumble into a H-D dealer and roll out with a number of bikes, then go to work on them. There’s Victory, and I rode them this year—great bikes. Then there’s the production custom market and several choices from Big Dog, to Saxon and Hardbikes.

Saxon seems to fit in the pocket book around $25,000 and they’re making every effort to deliver a reliable, well balance and strong handling custom bike for that number. The new 2007 Saxon Motorcycle base models start at just $23,995 and go to $28,595 MSRP. “We have tried to keep the base price of all our 2007 models reasonable and give the customer the ability to customize their bike with the numerous options packages we have available, ranging from a full custom paint job to wheel and chrome packages,” said David Schwam, their marketing V.P. It would be tough for any garage mechanic to build a decent custom for that number, if you work in minimum wage for time and effort. So you sit back and ponder which way to turn.

Here’s the Saxon code:

Mission Statement
“To design and assemble a line of distinctive heavyweight cruisers that will appeal to a broad demographic profile of consumers looking for a highly reliable, unique and affordable product supported by effective processes and systems and an appealing brand image.”

I like Saxon for several reasons. First, they’re wholly owned by a handful of businessmen who believe in the Saxon name and don’t need to take loans on everything they do. They own the building, the tooling, equipment and parts. They won’t stumble and fall out of business soon. They’re based south of Phoenix, in Casa Grande, Arizona behind the Francisco Grande Hotel, which was summer camp to the San Francisco Giants for years. Plus the entire management team is involved in every aspect right down to the slightest warranty claims.

I went out last year for their second year model launch and this year for the third. I witnessed strong, reliable improvements across all their models, production and components. Their bikes handle well, are more balanced than before and the fit and finish has improved.

Like Victory has the father-son, Ness team, helping with design and accessory line, Gard Hollinger of LA Chop Rods designed the Black Crown last year, improvements to the Crown this year, and he’s developing on a new bobber model. Plus gard is working on an accessory package for the future. They’re right on track.

So I flew out to Phoenix recently to witness their improvements first hand and ride every 2007 model on a run, with several other journalists, to Sedona, Arizona. It’s one of the most beautiful, mentally inspiring places in the world, a virtual vortex of creative spirits and hot chicks. I couldn’t wait to roll through the precipice of Jerome, Arizona, through the canyons, past Cottonwood the home of the HORSE Smoke-Out West and Dead Horse Ranch, into Sedona.

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