Another year in the books! As I sit here at my desk wishing I could go for a ride to release the stresses of the day, I remember that it is only 15 degrees out. For me that is just a little too cold even with the heated jacket liner I picked up last fall. Extending the riding season into late fall was great, but January is just a little too extreme for this biker. Between the frigid temps and ice/extra dirt on the road, I think that waiting until it gets nicer out is the smart thing for me to do.

On the other hand, I know there are … Continue Reading

Editor’s Note: Rick Jessen joined the Daytona J&P Cycles staff in May of 2005 as a phone technician (prior to the opening of the Destination Daytona SuperStore). In mid-2008, he transferred to the then-new Destination Daytona SuperStore showroom to hold a showroom sales/tech position. A below the knee amputee, Rick loves giving back and does so by assisting the disabled with their disability applications. When not working or helping others, Rick and his wife, love riding their Shovelhead.

This first blog in a series from Rick is to show you what can be done to personalize your motorcycle with a little imagination and a J&P Cycles catalog. A plus, one … Continue Reading

Editor’s Note: J&P Cycles Iowa Showroom Sales Tech Merrill Bonney started with J&P back in May of 1999 as a phone sales representative. During that year’s Sturgis Rally, he worked in the showroom and after the event stayed there, moving onto to a sales tech. Prior to joining J&P, Merrill worked in the auto parts business for 25 years.

Merrill’s motorcycle riding journey began in 1975 and since he has owned a couple of Suzukis, an Ironhead Sportster, Shovelhead, Electra Glide and his current ride is a 1997 FLHRFI fuel-injected Road King. In his spare time, Merrill enjoys tinkering on his motorcycle (he has done most of … Continue Reading

Now that we’re eight days into the new year, I find myself wondering just how many little road trips I will be able to squeeze in this year. It all started with watching the Food Network’s show starring Guy Fieri called “Diners, Drive-In’s & Dives.” I was instantly hooked and thought to myself – wow I need to go visit some of these places.

Last year I probably went on anywhere from 12 to 20 little weekend getaways, and although I may not remember every small detail of those trips, I do remember the new food I tried vividly. Honestly that’s my favorite part about traveling to a new place; … Continue Reading

Scott here… I’m usually the tech editor type guy at J&P Cycles, but I have a few comments to bring in the New Year. Patrick Garvin (host) and Scott Abing (videographer) recently put out our annual New Year’s resolution video and did a fine job with it. Shawn not talking to them cracks me up! As we bring in 2013 we have a lot ahead of us and hopefully, we will all have positive experiences as we move through the year.

My blog today; however, is not joyful nor pleasant. As a father, the horror of what occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut haunts me. I am … Continue Reading

J&P’s Events and Special Projects Supervisor and Blogger Patrick Garvin takes to the inside of the J&P Cycles Headquarters in Anamosa, Iowa, to find out what resolutions the staffers have in mind for 2013.… Continue Reading

Every year around January, people start asking me what my New Year’s resolution is. I am sure many of you get the same question. This simple question usually brings up some mixed feeling deep within me. Thoughts of guilt and failure simply self-inflicted by the fact that I committed to something I didn’t accomplish. My parents didn’t raise me that way. I have always tried to accomplish the goals I set for myself, but this one New Year’s tradition has always been something I fail at miserably.  Even if I wasn’t considering any resolution at all, as soon as someone asks me about it, I manage to pull some kind … Continue Reading

That’s great it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane, Lenny Bruce is not afraid…. – R.E.M.

…nor was I and I truly hope you weren’t either.  So, beyond a bump in rotation and downloads for a 25 year old tune by erstwhile college-circuit sensations, R.E.M., what about all this nonsense?

In case you missed it, the Mayan “long” calendar ended on 12/21/12, thus prophesying the end of days in some peoples’ eyes.  Yes, the calendar stopped and though these ancient Mayans couldn’t foresee their own downfall at the hands of the Spanish or even develop the wheel, some people in the 21^st Century placed serious stock … Continue Reading

Editor’s Note:What appears below is a guest blog post from veteran biker Jeff Maddox, who regularly holds court over at the JMAdog blog.

It is the season. The season of giving, caring and everything else we should be doing all the time instead of just the last few days of the year. I’m not sure if it’s the colorful lights or the cold temps, but something changes in all of us. I remember as a kid growing up in White City looking out the window of the house at night with the REAL Christmas tree in the living room all lit up with the big bulbs ( the ones … Continue Reading

The holiday season is a time of year we all enjoy at J&P Cycles. We participate in different gatherings: the annual holiday party, employee lunches and departmental gift exchanges. The mood is festive and bright.

This is also a great time of year to reflect on what has taken place throughout the current year and look ahead to the new year. This year was a fantastic one for J&P Cycles. More than 30,000 of you visited us during the 33rd Open House Rally in June (mark June 29-30 on your calendar for next year).

In 2012 we looked at various ways to make shopping with us easier. We lowered … Continue Reading