Normally, I don’t dig big bikes. And this one is absolutely a big bike. BMW’s K1600 series of bikes, the GT and the GTL, are dominating Alpha Dogs in the world of Touring Motorcycles. They are power… very powerful… and they are very comfortable. And believe it or not, they actually have a lot of performance. But Touring bikes are not my thing. And not the thing for a lot of other people too… Enter the world of the Bagger. A Bagger is a chopped down touring bike. Typically, when you say Bagger, you’re thinking something from HD.
A few years ago, Honda shocked a lot of people when they took the Gold Wing and made a Bagger out of it. The slope rear end treatment gives the bike a low mean look.
Continue reading BMW K1600B
All posts by MadOgre
Triumph Street Scrambler
One of my favorite bikes in the world is the Triumph Scrambler. I love the classic good looks and rugged nature. And I love the way it fits me. I love the way I feel on one. It just works… Very well. Now, I’m talking about the Scrambler that’s based on the T100 Bonneville, with that 865cc Oil-Aircooled engine. Such a great machine! 
Unfortunately, Triumph killed it in 2016. After Eons of service, the Scrambler is dead… Long live the Scrambler. Triumph also killed everything with that 865cc engine. (Small violins playing)
The reason for that is the Euro 4 Emissions standards which took effect Jan 4th 2017. So Triumph had to empty the pipeline. This also meant the death of the Speedmaster through 2017.
Continue reading Triumph Street Scrambler
Returning to the Gun Industry.
There is a new gun company that is gearing up, that I am getting involved with. I can not say anything about it as of yet, but hardcore, dedicated enthusiasts and aficionados will really pick up what we are putting down. I am very excited.
Now, this doesn’t change my involvement in the Motorcycle Industry with certain European brands… But it keeps my whistle wet when it comes to weapons.
Goal is to be at SHOT 2019. And as of this point, we are on track.
We’re going to eventually be looking at maybe sharing a Booth at SHOT if someone is willing to cooperate with us.
Loud Pipes Save Lives?
I’ve had many an argument with internet Real Bikers who insist on saying “Loud Pipes Save Lives”. But let’s look at this realistically… Do they? Let’s get something out of the way right from the start. These Loud Pipe Live Savers are usually the guys that are riding certain American made V-Twin bikes with pipes that are seemingly designed to amplify the noise the engine makes so that everyone within a three mile radius hears them start up their bike and rev it for a quarter tank’s worth of fuel. Continue reading Loud Pipes Save Lives?
Adams Holsters’ “Closing Time” Appendix Carry IWB rig
Let’s try AIWB again. Let’s call this “Round Two”. A few years ago I tried Appendix Carry using what was at the time a very popular CCW type firearm in a very popular IAWB type rig. And I quickly found that it wasn’t for me. Because, let’s face it… I’m not the young high speed, low drag operator that I was in my youth.
But I wanted to try it again, and I wanted to try it with my personal favorite type of firearm ever, a 1911 Lightweight Commander.
This isn’t a gun review so I won’t even mention how fantastic my Ruger SR1911 LWC is… But it is. Ahem…
So I had a conversation with my Leathermancer, Lucas Adams. Lucas has been my #1 Go To for Holsters for the last 7 years? 8 years? I don’t know… But when I get a new pistol that I intend to carry, I talk to Lucas. He’s good. He’s that good. Even when I actually worked for another Holster Maker (Kydex, so it like, doesn’t even count) I still had Lucas make my personal carry rigs. Continue reading Adams Holsters’ “Closing Time” Appendix Carry IWB rig
Top 5 Production 1911 Pistols.
At my core, I’m a 1911 Guy. Though I have a great fondness for SIG, CZ, and Beretta DA/SA type pistols, and a love of Revolvers… my heart belongs to the 1911. I get asked about them from time to time, though not as often as I used to. Because everyone’s talking about polymer framed, striker fired pistols these days. People are generally forgetting about the amazingly wonderful 1911. When asked, I’m most often asked about what my top choices are in a 1911. And usually, I’m asked about this after the person buys their 1911 pistol and then gets their Feels bruised because their pistol isn’t on my list.
Now, as far as lists go, I’m not going to a top 5 Brands. Because that’s not just boring, but obvious. So I’m going to pick the Top 5 Pistols. The individual model version… This is a much more challenging list. Made far more difficult by limiting it to only 5 pistols when this list could easily – very easily – go to a Top 20. So if you’re baby isn’t in the top 5, it’s probably really close… so your knee-jerk reaction of “What about this?” is going to be answered with, “There Can Be Only Five.”
Also, this list is just for Production pistols… Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, Carolina Arms Group, Ed Brown, Les Baer and the like, I classify as “Custom” 1911’s.
Anyways, without any more preamble, here’s my Top 5 Production 1911 Pistols: Continue reading Top 5 Production 1911 Pistols.
Why do you hate Glocks?
Message this morning: “Why do you hate Glocks?”
If I’ve given anyone that impression… My apologies. I do not hate them. In fact, I respect them a great deal. For a long time, my EDC pistol was a Glock 23. Solid, good gun. They are reliable and accurate and have a great balance of size, weight, and firepower. A Glock is just fine.
For me though, personally, it’s just not a favorite. I like guns with some character to them. Just like I prefer motorcycles with character to say, a Honda Nighthawk. Nothing wrong with a Nighthawk at all… Fine bike… even a great bike. But like a Glock, I find them to be a very pedestrian, soulless lump that I don’t appreciate spending quality time with, and would rather be spending it with something more interesting. And something that improves on the characteristics that I find important. Like a really really good single action trigger.
If you really groove on your Glock (Or Honda Nighthawk) that is totally good. Join the hundreds of thousands of other people who feel the same way too. Sure, there’s something to be said for them.
There’s also a reason McDonald’s has so many busy locations around the world.
RUGER 1911 Lightweight Commander .45 UPDATED
A few weeks ago I added a Ruger 1911 Lightweight Commander to my personal collection. I wanted to go back to a lightweight Commander style 1911 as an EDC for some time, for a variety of reasons… Namely style, accuracy, hard first shot hits… and I’ve always been a 1911 guy and it’s been a few years since I really carried one. I really appreciate the narrow profile of a 1911. So I started my shopping process. I wanted to try something a little different. And I’ve been impressed with the quality and value that Ruger has been churning out lately. So I overlooked my normal Go To brands… and I’m glad I did! Continue reading RUGER 1911 Lightweight Commander .45 UPDATED
Rolling with a Wheelgun
My EDC package.
Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum, 3″, with Hogue Monogrips
The Ruger is amazingly accurate, even with the full house 158 grain semi-jacketed hollow points. And thanks to the bigger rubber grips, it’s not uncomfortable to shoot. Of course, with lighter loads, it’s just a pussycat. 
This is an Adam’s Holsters Texas rig. I’ve had it for a couple years now and it still looks like new, save for some wear along the very top edge. Holds the gun nice and tight to the body, and I can wear it all day long.
Here we have the Benchmade Crooked River folder. I love this knife. It’s a full sized folder, making it larger than in commonly carried. But it’s wicked sharp, amazingly smooth, and just looks so very good.
Guns & Butter
A long time ago I listened to a lecture from a guy that was some sort of Financial Wizard. He said that we spend our money on Two Things… Guns and Butter. The terms are figurative… Allow me to explain.
Guns are Assets. Guns are things that either Hold Value or Gain Value over time. A Gun, if you buy it right, will be worth what you paid for it, and can even go up in value if you buy them right. That’s another subject all together, investing in guns… But I digress. A Classic Car can be considered a Gun Type Purchase… Property… Anything that becomes an Asset to you that either gains value in and of its self, or allows you to make profits because of it. Such as Tooling for your business.
Butter are things that either lose value over time or are consumed. For example, you can buy a pound of butter now, and in a couple months, you no longer have a pound of butter… it’s either been used up or has gone rancid. Butter is also those normal expenses we all have or frivolous spending… like that new boat you want. Because the value of that boat will go down over time.
Now, this sounds very wise to want to spend more on Guns than you do Butter. However this Financial Guru missed the 3rd and most important Thing that we Should be spending money on: MEMORIES. Continue reading Guns & Butter