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About Us:
GoldwingCountry.com is owned and managed by a group motorcycle enthusiasts. It is the same
group that started the #1 website for metric cruiser accessories, CruiserCustomizing.com.
Our goal for GoldwingCountry.com is similar: bringing Goldwing riders together, letting them
exchange information about parts adn accessories and providing them with an exceptional shopping
experience.
Everything we do is based on the fact that we are bikers servicing other bikers!
Among all 25 employees we currently own 31 motorcycles, have 255 combined years of riding experience and on average ride 14,100 miles per year. Read more about us:
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Uwe Druckenmueller (BIG UWE), CEO and Founder
Bikes: 00 Aero 1100, 02 GL1800, 04 Aero 750, 05 American Iron Horse Texas Chopper
I'm an import from Germany, came to the US to study in Baton Rouge. Afterwards I went to work for an
e-commerce company in San Francisco, right at the start of the dot-com boom. We built web sites day and night
for a few years until the "hype" was gone.
I decided to combine my passion for motorcycles with the Internet and turn it into a business ...
I used to ride sport bikes in Germany, got an Aero in 2000 and a Wing in 2002.
In 2002 I rode over 30,000 miles on my Aero and Goldwing when I visited all the major bike rallies to promote
CruiserCustomizing. You can read some of the stories here.
In 2005 I got a 750 Aero to test out all the new accessories for that bike. I also got a green American Ironhorse Texas Chopper
and rode it to Colorado. I ride Every day, rain or shine, 30 degrees or 120 degrees, it doesn't make a difference to me.
Visit my profiles:
GoldwingCountry.com/biguwe
CruiserCustomizing.com/uwe999
RealHog.com/two80
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Kyle Bradshaw, Director of Customer Service
Bikes: 2006 Goldwing 1800, VTX 1300 R, DRZ 400, VFR 800, and the big dog a ZX-1200R
Howdy. My name is Kyle and I have been employed with Cruiser Customizing since May of 2003.
I come from a motorcycle family and can’t imagine life without a bike. It all began when I was
just 4 years old riding home from the shop on the tank of my fathers brand new 1979 KZ1000. I rode
on the tank for just over year, before I graduating to the back seat, using dad’s belt loops as grab rails.
In the fifth grade I started my motorcycle career cruising the neighborhood streets on my neighbors Honda CR80.
At the age of fifteen, I sported my grandfathers 1978 Honda CX500 as my primary mode of transportation. My senior
year of high school, my father picked up and GL1500 and I was privileged to “take over” his 1982 Suzuki GS1100L.
I rode the GS until 2000 when I picked up my first cruiser, a 1988 Shadow VT1100C. In 2003 I purchased my first
BRAND NEW bike… a 2003 VTX1300 Retro. What sweet ride! Shortly thereafter, I added a 2002 Suzuki DRZ 400E to the
family. February of 2004 I signed up on the waiting list for a Yamaha FJR 1300. I waited 8 months for the bike
to arrive, and finally took possession of it October 12, 2004. Just six weeks and 1400 miles later a CAGER took
us out on our Friday night ride home from work! The FJR was totaled and I ended up a titanium tibia and a bit of
road rash. When back on my feet in January of 2006, I began my pursuit for a little “sportier” bike with which to
replace the FJR. I settled on fresh out of the crate 2003 Kawasaki ZX12-R. The most recent addition to my “gaggle
of bikes” was a 2002 Honda VFR 800.
Today (04/20/2006) is day 1 of Wing Ownership and It feels great! I own 4 other bikes... but was in the need for some refinement. My Dark Red 2006 GL1800 Prem Audio, comfort package, ABS, Navi is a beautiful machine.
Checkout more stories about me in the newsletter #66 and newsletter #53
Here in California, there is never a “bad day to ride.” Some days are colder, some days are hotter,
most days are PERFECT…but EVERYDAY is a great day to ride!
Visit my profiles:
GoldwingCountry.com/wingplus4
CruiserCustomizing.com/manybikes
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Al "Pizzaman" Piazza, Warehouse Lead
Bikes: 02 VTX 1800C, 03 GL1800
I ride for the feel and power of the motor...I ride because I am FREE. That pretty well sums it up. I have
been riding too many years to count starting with a Honda 250 scrambler crashing up mountains to my 2002 VTX.
I belong to two clubs, Blacktop Knights and NorCal X riders, two great clubs that are very people oriented and
dedicated to motorcycle riding. My handle is Pizzaman and I was one of the first CruiserCustomizing employees.
Visit my profiles:
GoldwingCountry.com/pizzaman1
CruiserCustomizing.com/pizzaman
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Kenneth (Bearkiller) Wright, Customer Service / Showroom / Support
Bikes: Suzuki Marauder, Honda Valkyrie
Names Kenny. I work at CruiserCustomizing. Started ridin' mini-bikes and go-carts as far back as the late '60's.
Took the Yamaha Learn to Ride Safety Course back in '73. After that I begged, borrowed, and stole every bike
I could, includin' my brother's '81 XJ650, until '90 when I bought an '84 RM125 & an '86 GSX-R750. Since then
I've owned the followin' bikes: -'92 DR650 -'89 Sportster which I crashed in a tunnel -'69 Sportster which I
never got runnin' and traded for a 4X4 -'95 VFR750 which I traded for a -'98 Marauder -'00 1500LC which I hit
and killed a bear with on Sept. 28, 2002. I ride almost every day, rain or shine. Can't imagine a life without
motorcycles! See my website: http://wrighteous.homestead.com
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Steven (Simmbad) Tice, Customer Service / Showroom
Bikes: 02 VFR 800, 04 V-star 1100 Classic, 05 URAL Tourist Sidecar, 06 DR650S
I start riding dirt bikes when I was about 10, when I was 14 I got my first bike a 19 something old and broken Kawi 250,
put 3 rolls of duct tape and a new coil on it and rode it to death in the hills about Sonora, (where it is now).
In 1989 I got my first sport bike a CBR 600, it lost a street fight with a small pick up truck, when I ask the
insurance man if they would fix it he said “Are you sure this was a motorcycle” now looking back at the photos,
I got he was right. About 6 months later I got a bike from a friend that he was building into a street racer, the
1984 Interceptor 500 this little bike was my first and only with NOS. All I can say BEEN THERE…LIVED THOUGH IT…DON’T
NEED TO DO THAT AGAIN…EVER!!! Speed kills and I got really close… At this point in my life I thought I need a Harley,
so I went from a 1983 Sportster 1000, to a Soft tail, to another Soft tail. I really loved my bikes, but I really started
to hate having to put them back together after every ride so I sold them off. My next bike was a 1989 Katana 750,
I really miss that bike was fun to ride and had all the power I needed. About this time I met Heather, and because
she was unable to ride with me I started to ride less and less, so after Katana had set around for about 3 years I
sold it. I figured that it was going to be my last bike. AND life went DRAK…… after some time Heather decided that
she could not stand me talking about motorcycles all the time she put a New Yamaha V-star on hold for me right before
Christmas of 2005, and I was back in the saddle again. First thing I did was go on line and buy some pipes for my bike.
(want to guess where I bought them from). A short time later I found the Cruiser Customizing was hiring and now I am here.
In March 05 I bought my 2nd bike a new 02 Honda VFR, this was a factory hold back or as some call them Create bike. Now
I had 2 bikes, and I spilt time riding both. I was in Heaven. And then, I needed a Christmas gift for my self, so Dec 05
I bought a DR650 dual sport bike, now I have a collecton. Heather has now informed me that the next bike I buy will
be a Sidecar so she can ride with me. And so I am looking. Yet again.
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Jason (V0lc0mdude2) Silveira, Customer Service
Bikes:1997 Suzuki Marauder 800, 2005 CBR 600 RR, Honda CR125
I started riding motocross when I was 15 and rode until I was 18. I bought my first cruiser, a Marauder 800,
from a co-worker Kenny Wright. About six months ago I bought a 2005 CBR600RR. I like to shred the backroads
and stunt the 600RR.
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Josh (xjoshmillerx) Miller, Customer Service / Graphic Artist / Product Photography
Bikes:2005 Honda CBR600RR, 2003 XR50
I started riding XR50's in 2003 and wanted to start riding on the street.
So in 2005 I bought my 600RR and fell in love with riding. It's really hard not to love
riding when you work here at Cruiser Customizing.
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Anthony (Shinyhead) DeRouen, Customer Service
Bikes:2004 Honda 750 Aero, 1996 Suzuki GS 500
I have found that riding is an excellent way to commute. I prefer cruisers over sportbikes just because
I'm really not in a hurry to get where I'm going. I purchased my 750 Aero for many reasons, but the major
reason why I bought it was for the freedom you feel on a bike that you cannot get in a car.
Life slows down just a little bit on a cruiser.
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Nu (Nu_Cruiser) Budisukarta, Customer Service / Ebay
Bikes:1991 Suzuki GS500
Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to ride a motorcycle. But due to extreme laziness, I never got around to it.
Then I got this great job at Cruiser Customizing! Being around bikers daily fueled my hunger for riding and in
October 2004 I got my Motorcycle License and bought a 1991 GS500. After a few months of riding, I decided I was
ready to "step it up" and buy a bigger, better bike. So I sold the GS. While I was in the market for a new bike,
something came up and I was forced to use my "New Bike Money" for something else. Booooo! So now I'm broke and
bike-less, but not for long….
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Tifany (Tifany) Alvernaz, Customer Service
Bikes: 2002 Yamaha YZ250, 1999 Yamaha R6, 2002 Yamaha R1, 2002 Honda XR50
I have had a love for bikes since I was 4. The sound, the look, every thing draws me in.
It started with dirt bikes and just went to street bikes. The speed just makes you want to
go faster every time you get on a bike. The way I see it, the faster, the better.
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Miles Davis (Pavandas), CruiserCustomizing Member Newsletter Editor
Editor of Cruiser Customizing Newsletter, Miles Davis is a moto-journalist living in America's most bike-friendly city, San Francisco. He says, "The members of CruiserCustomizing.com are all part of a fraternity of motorcyclists. What our members have to say is important, and it is the job of the CruiserCustomizing Newsletter to serve as their voice." Known as Pavan ("Wind God") in India where he lived for seven years and wrote Motorcycle Yoga, Davis has published over a hundred articles on motorcycling in periodicals from Walneck's to the San Francisco Chronicle. He has interviewed many leaders in the field of biking from Arlen Ness and Jesse James to the writers of best sellers and leaders of the AMA. Here in the States he rides an '81 CB900C and keeps a Royal Enfield in India for his trips over there. A self-confessed motorcycle worshipper, he says, "All I know about bikes is that I love them."
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Andre (SilverX) Vital, Shipping
Bikes: 2002 Honda VTX 1800C
I have been riding motorcycles since the mid 1970's. I picked up my VTX in 2001 and I've been having
a blast with it ever since.
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Beth (BetharoonieandCheese) Cook, Product Manager
So this one time my "friend" offered to take me for a ride on his sportbike. He had extra gear,
so after I got suited up, we hopped on his bike (with me on the back) and rode off. Now, you need to
keep in mind, I am a cautious person. I made him PROMISE not to go on the freeway. So we started
riding down the street. Two stoplights later we were on the freeway. Not only on the freeway,
but he had pinned the throttle. He was accelerating like a mad man. Shortly after I caught my breath from
screaming, I started yelling (while still on the freeway). I don't think he heard me yelling, partially due
to the fact that my voice was so high pitched with fear that only dogs could hear me and partially due to
the wind at freeway speeds. Once the ride from hell had come to a stop, he told me we had been traveling
at 85 to 95 MPH on the freeway. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but with his extra gear on (much to large for me)
I was basically wearing a sail on the back of the bike. This happened in 1999. Have I been on a motorcycle since? No.
Is it a high priority in my life? No. But there aren't any hard feelings. I think I would feel differently if I were
the one driving.
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Susan Passanisi, Accounting
Hi, I'm Susan in Accounting. I've been with Cruiser Customizing since 2003.
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Veronica Niegsch, Accounting
Bikes:1983 Suzuki GS 550, 2006 ATV Bombardier 800
I always have been fascinated with motorcycles. My Grandfather had one; my close Uncle had one for a long time.
In fact, it's the only bike I remember as a child and as a young adolescent. When I was about two years old
my Great-Grandmother loved riding on the back of my Uncle's bike. Once day I had offered my Great-Grandmother
a piece of my cake. She said no. I offered her some of my juice. She again said no. Then, I turned to the
bike and as I pointed to it, I asked her "moto?" Everyone in the family thought that was very cute and it became
a family story to tell. I don't have a motorcycle that I can call my very own, but I'm working on getting one in
the very near future. I heard an automatic transmission bike is coming out and that would beperfect for me.
I never did have a chance to learn how to ride a motorcycle; I always rode on the back seat of one.
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Mike (SEADOGG007) Seagrave, Order Administration
I have worked at Cruiser Customizing since April of 2005. Before then, I had served 6 years active Army. I like the Goldwings. I also enjoy bikes with as little chrome as possible. I am looking forward to joining the riding community in 2006.
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Derek Ellis, Product Administration
Bikes:1977 Yamaha GT 80
I got that little GT80 when I was 11 years old and had the time of my life.
I out grew it when I was about 14 and just haven't gotten back into it since.
Now that I am working with all these cycle heads, I am feeling the urge to get myself
a cool little cruiser and hit the road.
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Mike (WCMikey) Blummenkrantz, Customer Service Lead
Bikes:2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200, 1999 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic
I have been riding for about 2 years now and enjoy the freedom it offers. Safety is just as important as style and
performance to me, so I try to keep up with all the latest gear.
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Trish (dragonflytrish) Payne, Customer Service
Besides life itself, my favorite things to do are going to the mountains, fishing, and gardening.
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Tyler (UltraKyu1) Groch, Customer Service
Bikes: 1983 Honda VT500 Shadow, 1982 Honda MB5, 1979 GL1000 Goldwing, 1987 Kawasaki KZ750E, 1977 Kawasaki KZ750B, 1974 Honda CB750, 1982 BMWR65, 1983 Honda Nighthawk 750, 1982 Suzuki GS1100 GL
My name is Tyler. I've been riding since August 2003. I've put close to 45,000 miles on a motorcycle since then.
My hobbies are fixing bikes, riding them, and playing music. I ride to work everyday, rain or shine. No plans to
give up riding anytime soon. Motorcycles are what make my life complete.
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Jerry McFall, Receiving
I don't ride yet, but I do the receiving at CruiserCustomizing and am really itching to start riding.
I can't help but get the bug working here.
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Roberto Perez, Warehouse
I have liked motorcycles since I was a kid because I am amazed with the incredible speed.
I think if you are riding on a bike, you are a "cool dude". Everyone looks at you.
I might really like bikes, but the only thing is I'm scared of riding them!
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Michael Manning, Warehouse
I'm not much of a motorcycle person, but I do have a passion for cars. I love building and driving them.
I got married in September 2005 to my wife Genesis. (Yes, that's her real name) I started working here
at Cruiser Customizing back in February of 05'. I enjoy working with everyone here; they're like one big family.
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Gary DeBenedetti, Warehouse
Bikes:I had a Honda 250 when I was about 25 years old.
My love is my family. I like to follow my kids around to games and other activities.
I also like to work with wood, making bookcases, cabinets and other things.
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Randy Soriano, Warehouse
What's Up? My name is Randy, I am from the Bay Area and I have been working here at cruiser customizing since November of 04'.
I like cars, modifying them, and going to shows.
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Bill Perrin, Technical Advisor
Bikes: LC 1500, BMW R11RTP, GL1800
My passion and love for riding started more years ago than I'll admit.
It's been interesting watching the industry grow and mature over the years -
born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. My wife also rides, so we have "his" and "hers"
personalized Intruder 1500 LC's and share a BMW R1100RTP. Our enjoyment of riding led
us to becoming motorcycle safety instructors so that we can share our passion with others.
She started riding in 1999 and 2 years later did a solo 31-day 4,500 trip that covered 6
states on her LC. I ride as often as possible (what's rain?) year-round.
Spent several lifetimes in high tech.
Belong to several clubs - Blacktop Knights and RLC.
Checkout my article about riding in cold weather.
Visit my profiles:
GoldwingCountry.com/bill_rider
CruiserCustomizing.com/bperrin
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