Sound is Just Another Barrier Made to be Broken...

Some rides are measured in miles, others ...in decibels. The Magnum X-1 does both.

If you've been craving a street machine with the kind of volume that could make a DJ blush, your ride is here. The Magnum X-1 is the newest addition of Cruisers to Victory Motorcycle's 2015 model line-up. It promises to be loud, real loud. The X-1 has 10" speakers on the saddlebags capable of pumping out 200-watts of sound. This feature isn't available as an upgrade; it comes standard. And for some perspective? That's twice as many Watts as the base Magnum, and four-times as loud as the Victory Cross Country model. This means the next time you're stuck at an intersection waiting for the light to change, and some guy in a Harley pulls up and starts revving his engine? Just crank the volume on your X-1. Maybe some AC/DC... Hey, with a Magnum X-1, it's your show.

The audio isn't the only thing loud on the Magnum X-1, so's the paint job. In an age where too many other Cruisers are sporting flames, Victory gave the X-1 body a unique scheme of electric-red pinstriping. It's edgy and abstract, and sets up Victory as the alternative choice for a much younger demographic of riders. The next generation, let's face it, might not be impressed exactly in believing "flames" are the standard for what makes something bad-ass. That's your ride, Dad; this one is ours.

The Victory Magnum X-1 makes its world debut, March 7th, at the Full Moon Saloon in Daytona during the famous annual "Bike Week." Those who want to take part in the official unveiling, and get the skinny on all the available accessories, including price, need to register as a VIP for the event.

When Less is SO Much More, The 2014 Yamaha Bolt

Ladies and Gentleman, less is not always more. Less toppings on your pizza, less money in your pocket, and less time to get things done, do not make it feel as if you seemingly have more of what you really want or need. Sometimes, less is just plain less. That is, of course, until we're talking about the 2014 Yamaha Bolt by Star Motorcycles, shown below:

No trinkets. No bling. No BS. The Bolt is a back to basics kind of urban cruiser, a masterpiece of exposed mechanical beauty that proudly shows off, not hiding, the components of what makes a motorcycle a motorcycle. Combining acceleration you can feel with a cool looking set of wheels is only half the reason why we love these things in the first place. The other half? It's a damn fun ride.

Here are just a few of the professionals who agree:

"Riding the Bolt is just plain fun. The engine delivers a satisfying, subtle V-twin pulse with a civilized but throaty exhaust note. ...Thick torque, flawless fueling, and smooth clutch engagement make the bike easy to launch while riding the streets..." -Motorcyclist Magazine.

And Motorcycle-USA.com had this to say:

"We rode [the Bolt] hard around the city and beyond because that's what it's made for, to blast around urban environments with power and authority. After our day aboard the 2014 Star Bolt, we're sold on its snappy power delivery, silky transmission, slick handling and ultra-light clutch action. It ain't too bad on the eyes, either, and delivers a lot of fun per-dollar spent."

And that total dollar amount? $7,990.00 at base, proving the Star Bolt is a ride that's authentic AND affordable.  

Welcome to the best motorcycle cruiser you haven't ridden yet, but can at Family PowerSports. Visit us for a test ride at 4160 Houston-Harte in San Angelo, Texas. Just don't be too surprised if, after riding a Bolt, you develop the sudden urge to begin wearing flannel shirts with jeans and a leather jacket, or quit your office job to find something new that involves welding steel or to work with a high-powered drill. You might even find yourself staring at the Bolt, thinking, "I could make it to Wyoming in one of these things..." What's in Wyoming and why on Earth you'd ever want to go are a complete mystery. But there'll be no question about this: you'll arrive in style and have a hell of a lot fun getting there on a Yamaha Bolt.

Hope to see you out there...

–the Blog Rider

Walk On Water

This Labor Day, don't just get in the water; walk on it.

via Rocky Mountain Fly Board

If there's one thing you can count on living in West Texas, it's that our Summers run longer than most. The middle, and even end of September still has perfectly fine weather for getting out to the lake. And, while there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time fishing, boating, tubing, or riding a jet-ski, there is one option you have GOT to try at least once in your life: the Fly Board.

You've surfed waves? Now surf the sky with a Zapata Fly Board, the latest, greatest, sickest growing trend in extreme watersports! What can you do with a thing that makes you part Iron-Man, part mermaid? Well, for starters...

Soar over 40 ft. in the air...

via tripadvisor(dot)com

Pop out of the water like a dolphin...

via gizmag

Start your own invincible army of Aquamen to conquer the world...

via Fly Board Magazine.

You could probably at least take over Antigua ...if you can pry yourself away from the Zapata Fly Board long enough to buy those tickets to the Caribbean. It makes a day on the water a ridiculous amount of fun! Seriously, just watch the video:

So Rejoice! You, me, and everyone you know are some of the luckiest people in the world. After-all, you could have been born a hundred years ago, where your options on the water were anywhere from boarding a "dingy" or the Titanic. But no... You lucked out living in a world where there are Zapata Fly-Boards, tacos, and (oh yeah), THIS beautiful thing...

It's an on-the-water hover-board! That tingling sensation you're feeling? It's your inner-Marty McFly telling you the future is here. Now, get out there, walk on the water, and have some fun!

Wake the Desert!

Miracles happen, and not just on Christmas, but in May too. Before this past Memorial Day, the idea that Lake Nasworthy would host the 15th annual Wake the Desert tournament was laughable. The water-level was dangerously low, well under 50 percent capacity, and so regretful organizers made the decision to cancel.

Then, the rains came.

It rained so much and so hard and so long, Lake Nasworthy was filled to the point of overflowing. The city dodged a bullet avoiding much tighter water restrictions imposed as the water supply dwindled to just 12 months or less. Citizens had been praying for rain, and boy they got it... along with the return of an amazing event called: Wake the Desert!

Located at Middle Concho Park on Lake Nasworthy, Wake the Desert is a wake boarding and wake surfing competition open to young and old, amateur and professional level riders. This year, with the biggest turnout expected in the tournament's history, more than $25,000 dollars will be given out in cash prizes!

San Angelo is one stop out of five for the Tige Endless Wave Tour. The Endless Wave Tour touts itself as "the perfect place for wakesurfers of all ages and skill levels to be a part of the wakesurf revolution."

The Endless Wave Tour promises a complete boating experience, offering clinics and demos, and Tige pros and others will be on hand to help any rider improve their skills heading into a weekend of competition that everyone can enjoy.

Wake the Desert happens this Friday through Sunday. There's no charge to watch the tournament, but admission to the lake park is $3 to $6 per vehicle.

Thanks to the blessing of rain, it's a miracle the Wake the Desert tournament is even taking place. Don't miss out.

One Epic Ride

The word "Epic," gets tossed around a lot, a whole lot. It's one of the most overused words currently in existence next to "awesome," "literally," and anyone who substitutes "nice" in place of what's merely okay. "Epic," however, is supposed to describe something so over-the-top, so unimaginably grand and fantastic and stupefyingly amazing that it all but overwhelms your ability to accurately describe whatever "it" is. Epic haircut does not do this word any justice, nor does epic fail, epic win or epic bacon sandwich. To be fair though, bacon IS pretty awesome delicious.

Let me paint you a picture of something "Epic."

It's a little after 9 o'clock in the morning, June 22nd, 2013. Outside, the sun is shining. The air is warm but not hot, not yet. The wind is coolly lapping your forehead as you stand on the shore of Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo, Texas. Around you are thousands of eager and exited people, anxious for the show to really get going. Ahead of you, two men have suited up to engage in a battle, a contest as old as the oldest games that have ever been or ever will be, a race to see who's faster.

The two pros strap on the hardware, climb aboard speedboats more closely resembling floating spaceships, and, when the start signal flashes, cut absolute Hell through a quarter mile of H2O at speeds surpassing 250 mph... in less than 4 seconds.

Epic. It's the only way to really describe the event we call the "Showdown in San Angelo." It's happening today, tomorrow, and Sunday. Do not miss your chance to see these racers in action. It will literally be an awesome way to spend a very nice weekend.

Once the races are over, Lake Nasworthy is going to look especially inviting. This is in no small part thanks to all the rain San Angelo has received lately. If you're ready to get on the water yourself, hey, you're going to need a boat, or at least maybe some new equipment. Visit our watercraft department and speak with any of our very friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and chipper staff. These guys know boating and are more than prepared to get you out there safely and with everything you want or need to have a great time. You can even get an on-the-water demo if you just ask. Family PowerSports also carries Honda generators–quiet and definitely noise-restraint friendly.

Summer is a great time for boating! Kick it off with the Showdown in San Angelo, and then kick back on the water yourself with a little help from us here at Family PowerSports. We hope to see you out there soon!

-The Blog Rider

Simply Texas Blues Festival, 2013

We're a big believer in supporting our community.  Throughout the year, we stay involved with lots of truly wonderful charities and local organizations that help make our area a better place to live, like the West Texas Boy’s Ranch, Meals for the Elderly, the West Texas Rehab Center, the San Angelo Coalition of Police, Toys for Tots, and just about every local school, church, and hospital.

Well, this Saturday, May 11, Family PowerSports is proud to help sponsor another great local institution in San Angelo: the Simply Texas Blues Festival.

Now in its 5th year of existence, the Simply Texas Blues Festival is a guitar strumming, bass thumping, harmonica blowing, sax wailing, piano playing, vocal celebration of what the blues is all about, put on by the San Angelo Blues Society. If you've never been, go. The Simply Texas Blues Festival is free to the public and it lasts all day long. You can show off your ride, drink some beer, eat some delicious food, and hear some amazing blues music.

Here's a quick breakdown of the events:

8:00 AM, McDonald’s Biker Breakfast

8:30 AM, Blessing of the Bikes

9:30 AM, Opening Ceremonies
  –Welcome, Pledge, Invocation, National Anthem – Opening entertainment

10:00 AM - 12:40 PM, Lots of Local Blues Bands

Introduction of Sponsors and Scholarship Recipients and Judges Lunch                  

  (Sponsors & Scholarship, 12:45 –1:00 and Ft.Concho Elem. Band 1:00 -1:15)

1:20 -  5:50 PM, Blues Bands

6:00 PM, Winners of Car, Bike Show & Cookoff

6:30 PM, Intro of Judges & Winners Announced

6:40 - 7:10 PM, Solo/Duo Winner

7:15 - 7:45 PM, Band Winner

8:00 - 9:30 PM, Samantha Fish

9:45 - 11:15 PM, Carolyn Wonderland

The Simply Texas Blues Festival doesn't come around every other weekend. You need to experience this thing for yourself, this Saturday, May 11th, at the 200 Block of Oakes Street in historic downtown San Angelo.

Hope to see you out there!

-The Blog "Rider"

Meaning of life? You're reading the wrong blog ...probably. Meaning of high-speed, adrenaline-fueling, pulse-pounding, heart-thumping machines that make life insanely fun?

Oh yeah. You're in the right place.

Welcome to the official blog of Family PowerSports in San Angelo, Texas! Why don't we get more acquainted starting here:

The Can-Am Roadster. Can money really buy happiness? Honestly, I'm not sure. But it can definitely get you into one of these (for way less dinero than what you might think), and I DARE you to frown after turning on the ignition and revving this bad boy up for the first time. Comic-book superheroes don't have rides that look nearly this cool, and if they did, we'd be reading those comics right now.

There are too many reasons to list here why I think every leather jacket-wearing, motorcycle-loving, machine-handling human being should take any opportunity they can find for the chance to sit on a Can-Am. For now, just consider this one: enlightenment.

Go with me on this...

If the answers to life came easy, we wouldn't have to struggle to find those answers. And while a solution to a tough problem may not come as quickly as you'd probably like, trust me, it happens a lot faster once you stop worrying, take a moment to relax, and simply clear your mind for a little while ...like maybe going for a drive.

Hey, there's no requirement to "enlightenment." It doesn't have to be you sitting cross-legged, and taking deep breaths, and saying something like, "Ommmm," every six seconds.

For some, the answers are found on the road.

So, want to take a ride on a machine that was made (possibly) for paved road enlightenment? You can at 4160 Houston Harte in San Angelo, Texas. Hopefully, I'll see you out there.

-The Blog "Rider"