The Hell For Leather FAQ

By

FAQ

We get a lot of questions here at HFL and we try to answer all of them. Now, we’ve got a Frequently Asked Questions page full of information on our subscription system, advertising policy and why we make fun of cruisers. Check it out:

The Hell For Leather FAQ

Did we leave anything off? Ask us anything in comments and we’ll give you an answer.

  • ak

    When will you make/sell stickers? We’ll pay for them!

    • Cheese302

      yes, maybe just a vinyl decal of the logo, that would be awesome.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      We ran a few through a friend’s machine, but haven’t yet found a production/retail solution that we’re happy with for doing it on a larger scale. Any suggestions? We were really unhappy with the quality we got from CafePress. I’m hearing good things about CustomInk though.

      • Cheese302

        a friend from another club i belong to was doing a bunch of vinyl work in northern jersey, outfitting local commercial vehicles and everything. He made decals for that board and one of the members took care of paypal and shipping, if this solution sounds possible i would be happy to do some leg work. not sure what scale HFL would be looking for.

        • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

          Ideally we’d like a turnkey solution along the lines of CafePress. No one wants to be juggling 50 different envelopes at the post office every week.

          • Cheese302

            agreed, just thought i would toss it out there, especially with how relatively easy running a cutter is and how popular with many different industries decals of that nature are. One would think that type of solution already exists.

    • ike6116

      I wouldn’t mind a patch I could get sewn on to my jacket personally

  • Cheese302

    are there any cruisers that you have enjoyed riding? I ask this purely do to a knee problem that i have that really feels more comfortable on a forward control motorcycle. I have been a fan of the road star warrior, but i completely understand and agree with wes’ argument. cruisers generally handle like poop.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

      In short, not any that have forward controls. I just can’t get over the lack of controlled balance and stability forward-mounted pegs offers compared to mid-controls.

      For the knee problem, I’d try either the Diavel, Guzzi’s Griso, or Triumph’s Rocket III Roadster since those are cruisers that properly handle and have decent power/weight ratios, then talk to dealers or your local custom fab shop if the bike you like needs forward mounts and linkage made.

      • Cheese302

        maybe forward controls is the wrong word, i just need less knee engle i guess. hard to explain, i did like using the cycle fit site you guys posted. i jut think that many sportier bikes with adjustable pegs might not be enough. i have split time between a mid 80′s XJ700 yamaha, and a 2003 harley duece. my knee enjoys the duece, but my back and balance like the yamaha. Test rode a street triple r and love it, and i am one of the three people on the planet that actually likes the diavel, but its more than i want to spend.

        thanks for the input.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Another solution might be a maxi-scooter like the Yamaha TMAX, which has superior handling and comfort to any cruiser I’ve ever ridden, or a large touring bike like a Goldwing or BMW K1200LT.

      Tried an adventure tourer? Sometimes the seats are high enough that your legs aren’t too bent.

      Alternatively, as Grant suggests, talk to a dealer about getting some custom fabrication work done. A lot of very tall guys think they can’t drive sportscars, but there’s a cottage industry of fabricators making custom seat mounts.

      • Cheese302

        i was very interested in the new tiger 800, but then reviews seem a bit on the down side. we’ll see. i am kind of in love with the street triple r, and i think the lowered rear sets on that with a slightly thicker seat. or just deal with a little knee pain. and yes i also think some of the more powerful scooters are a lot of fun. i’m usually only really running into issues in the 2-3 hour mark in a ride, and a short break helps out.

        i appreciate the input and agree with all of your suggestions. i’ll be dropping coin when the weather warms up.

    • http://michael.uhlarik@amarokconsultants.com michael uhlarik

      Honda DN-01. Yes, seriously.

      Excellent cornering, braking and control, for a foot forward motorcycle. It is also modern, extremely over-engineered and will blow past any cruiser out there on a twisty road.

      If the goal is to enjoy the road, take in the scenery and wallow in comfort, than an automatic DN-01 or Yamaha T-Max are the way to go.

      On a more conservative note, I will admit to having really enjoyed riding a fully loaded Venture Star to a Metalica concert in Holland once. For 45 minutes, it was kind of cool.

      • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

        Not surprised. I would have suggested the Goldwing, if it was available without all the excess gadgets, disc-changers, linked brakes and worthless storage its target demo generally goes for.

        • JaHo

          Ride a Victory Cross Roads (if you want stripped-down), Vision (if you want the kitchen sink… heated seats, mmmm…), or a Cross Country for somewhere in between.

          Find a twisty road a long way away, and go have an adventure. When you get there, the bike will be fun to ride.

          When you get back, you won’t hate the bike because it forced you into just one riding position.

  • GuessWho

    If you need some serious stickers made I got a guy for you right in Astoria.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Well, we’ll see if we can find a turn-key production/online retail solution, if not, we might take you up on that.

      • GuessWho

        Instead of all that just end the bullshit and ask me for his #. Done.

        • T Diver

          That’s crazy-talk!! The bullshit is what keeps me coming back!!

  • 2ndderivative

    I’m going to treat this thread as a requests section.

    1. Mobile site is ace. Enabling galleries in it would make it perfect.

    2. Podcast!

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Well, the mobile site isn’t going to serve picture galleries. It’s just supposed to be fast to load, simple and universal. You don’t want to be forced to download 6 2mb images over Edge.

      If your phone does actually have a decent web browser and you don’t mind a little slower loading, then scroll to the bottom and toggle the mobile site off for the full experience.

      I’m trying to be better about embedding images in the body of article, which makes them show up on mobile.

      • RT Moto

        Embedding pics would be awesome! That allows for a better experience. Great site overall, glad to be a subscriber.

    • ike6116

      +1 on the podcast. When I requested one though Wes said “Don’t I have enough to do?” I guess he’s right it’s just the “motorcycle podcast” offerings out there are really a sad state of affairs, much like motorcycle magazines before HFL.

  • http://www.thisblueheaven.com Mark D

    Have you guys thought about making the comments section visible (but not interactive) to non-subscribers? The delightfulness, interesting, and often funny comments on HFL are one of its high points, and could possibly entice more subscribers to want to join the “community”, as it is.

    At any rate, you’ll get a couple of extra dollars a month from people wanting to tell you all what idiots you are :) That, of course, may be the exact thing you’re trying to avoid…

    • http://www.thisblueheaven.com Mark D

      *insightfulness

      I need coffee…

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      I think more people feel safer commenting when it’s in a private club. At least more of the people I want to be commenting.

      Don’t worry about us being able to get more subscribers, we’re worried about serving you guys in the best possible way.

  • Restless Lip Syndrome

    Have I told you lately that I love you HFL?

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      No you haven’t.

  • john

    OK I have to ask. For the life of me I can not figure out what your logo IS. I will accept that this is a failure of my imagination, but I have really looked at this thing and I see a grumpy ZZ Top guy, a tape worm or a baby wearing a beanie holding a grapefruit. What actually is it for the visually, mentally impaired?

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      It is a sheep skull.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      We’ve added this one to the FAQ.

    • slowestGSXRever

      For the longest time I thought it was some kinda worm/parasite too. New logo request: HFL parasitic organism. Give it wheels and tentacles.

  • john

    Wait, wait, I unfocused my eyes and it looks like a nude reclining on a conch shell. or a cattle skull if you turn it sideways.

  • john

    OK one less thing to obsess about.
    Other than why a sheep skull?

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Our design, color pallet and photography is meant to re-appropriate traditional motorcycle iconography (which came out of WWII and the old west) in order to give modern motorcycling a sense of classic adventure.

  • noone1569

    You guys should do more motorcycle reviews ala cycle world.

    *ducks*

    Just kidding.

    Seriously, I am curious as to how my subscribers there are here. I think that number would be pretty interesting to know.

    Also, any plans to cover MotoGP or any of the bigger racing series, well I don’t want to say cover, but maybe shed some insight into areas that aren’t covered by typical outlets, something interesting and HFLike?

    Thanks again for dropping your, probably, decently paid gig at Jalopnik to cater to our little crazy passion.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      We do cover MotoGP, when it’s actually interesting that is.

      http://hellforleathermagazine.com/tagged/motogp/

      And here’s some original MotoGP photos:
      http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/07/excursion-mazda-raceway-laguna-seca-motogp-two-seater/
      http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/07/excursion-mazda-raceway-laguna-seca-corkscrew/
      http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/07/excursion-mazda-raceway-laguna-seca-motogp-grid/

      But yeah, now that we have more time and more money we’ll be expanding our existing editorial style, which will hopefully include access to some interesting racers and whatnot.

      We’ve decided to keep our subscriber numbers to ourselves for now, there’s a bigger picture that we’re attempting to realize.

      Oh, and you’re welcome :)

      • noone1569

        Oh yeah, I know you guys cover it, and the items covered are interesting. I think there’s some stuff to be seen in MotoGP that would interest us but is not main stream. Not trying to knock you guys, just curious.

        • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

          I understand what you’re saying and we’ll try to surface those interesting aspects. As always, access is an issue. I’ve been working really hard on my beer gut, maybe we’ll be able to pass for real journalists someday soon.

          • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

            Less of the tasteful black, more lavender and neon green lettering over fake paint splashes with giant logos, or you’re never going to make in this industry. Noob.

            • noone1569

              Something styled similar to Paris’ outfit the other day may work, too.

          • seanslides

            I hear grey hair and an Aerostich roadcrafter goes a long way

  • Kevin

    I think this FAQ needs to be linked at the top of the homepage and accessible to non subscribers as well. It gives a great idea to the non members what HFL is all about.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      It’s linked at the bottom next to About, Learn to Ride, etc. And yes, it will always be open to the public.

  • slowtire

    I’m sure you guys go to motorcycle shows, but do you ever have a booth display at any of the mainstream shows like the NY show in a couple of weeks.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Why have a booth at a lame show when we can throw kick ass parties with hot girls instead?

      http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=128340&id=8113612185

      http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74545&id=8113612185

      • slowtire

        I see your point!

      • http://www.thisblueheaven.com Mark D

        More parties, please and thanks :) Music/Motorcycle meetup/mashup shows?

        • noone1569

          Traveling HFL party? Stop by Indy!

        • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

          We’re working on the more parties thing. Probably not in Indy though, I said girls, not cattle.

          • slowtire

            I’m not from Indy, but ouch! How about Milwaukee? I hear there’s a cycle factory there with a museum and you can rent space.

      • http://www.damiengaudet.blogspot.com damien

        PBR!

  • noone1569

    Hmm, one thing that I think could be interesting here is a small forum for us registered user to discuss articles, ideals, local meetups, etc.

    • ike6116

      I’ll co-sign that one.

      • slowtire

        Absolutely. There’s a lot of people here with more knowledge and expertise than I’ll ever have. It would be a great resource.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      We’ve always hoped our Facebook page would become the off-topic forum.

      • noone1569

        facebook is . . . too public maybe? . . . Lame? IDK

        Doesn’t need to be off-topic, could be very much on-topic.

  • Devin

    I would dig some reviews on relevant bikes. Not every iteration needs to be reviewed, but is it possible to pose as an interested buyer and take a new release for a test ride and post your thoughts? (Because by default we distrust the mainstream mags.)

    I would never have been a commentor if I didn’t have to sign up as a subscriber, so I guess that is working out well.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Well, we have reviewed a good number of bikes. But, we are always trying to ride and write about more. There’s two problems with that:

      1. Believe it or not, most manufacturers don’t keep a single bike in New York for media. Nevermind that ALL mainstream media is based here…

      2. We don’t have terribly good access. We can typically borrow something after it’s gone on sale, but by then every other publication in the entire world has already reviewed it, meaning the traffic returns on investing a significant amount of time and energy on doing a big story with that bike are limited.

      We’re attempting to improve that access, but honestly, you’d think having more readers than anyone else, having those readers be in a more desirable demographic and doing a better job than everyone else would be enough.

      • Devin

        Ok… I had no idea things were this backwards.

        The CBR250R review was pretty sweet though. very pleased with that.

  • george

    Can I change my password? I’m wearing out my keyboard with the one you sent me.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      That’s covered in the FAQ. Just hit “profile” up top next your name.

  • george

    done, thanks !

    • george

      ps: I bought a mid-cruiser for a winter project, honda vlx, also have knee arthritis, but after perusing sites like yours, bikeexif, motorcyclephotooftheday, etc, my next project will be a naked single=seat sportbike. even if I sell it rather than ride it, the ‘building’ of it will be satisfying enough.

      • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

        Great to hear. As discussed above, there’s a myriad of custom or aftermarket options for altering the riding positions on most motorcycles. I’ve even seen highway pegs on a KLR 650.

  • T Diver

    Great site! Any thoughts on where to dump a dead hooker?

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      If you heat your house with one of the high-efficiency outdoor wood-burning stoves, they get hot enough to vaporize tooth and bone.

      • http://www.brammofan.com Brammofan

        Oh, good one! I like the concept of “Ask HFL.” Here’s mine: Is a dog’s mouth cleaner than a human’s?

        • slowtire

          That depends on what they say! :)

        • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

          That depends on whether the dog just ate a fresh pile of poo, or if the person currently has gonorrhea of the mouth.

          • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

            That’s low Grant. Low.

  • slowtire

    I gotta vote for the fresh pile of poo.

  • http://www.damiengaudet.blogspot.com damien

    This is always my first stop when I’m surfing the interwebs. Keep up the great work.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Thanks Damien.

  • Sam

    Are you guys looking for interns?

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      At the moment, no. When we do, we’ll put up a notice.

  • Mattro

    not to be a little pee-hole, but hire an editor. you’re the best motorcycle publication in the english language. don’t do so much damage to that language.

    • http://www.brammofan.com Brammofan

      Wait… people can get PAID for editing HFL articles? Holy crap. Wes: from now on, I’m charging you $1 for every email I send to you in which I suggest that you might want to change “effect” to “affect” or “it’s” to “its.”

      I do happen to share Mattro’s sentiment, however, in that proper use of the language is invisible, while improper use can do a lot of damage to your credibility.

      • Mattro

        don’t forget then vs than. that shit kills me.