Jesse James Is a . . .

[podsobinski]

I got suckered into watching the show "Jesse James Is a Dead Man" because I heard he was going to drive a BMW R1200GS Adventure over a `100 miles into the Arctic on ice and snow to shuttle supplies to a stranded village. Well what a made up story line. . . they never mentioned once the bike they were using.. Must not have got a sponsorship. All make believe stuff and maybe 10 minutes out of an hour less commercials on actual riding. Last time for me watching that series.

gpodzo

R1200GSA
DR650

[glennhendricks]

And was sorely disappointed that he'd survived.

[haughty]

LMAO - what pray tell did you actually expect? its Pablum and no sugar coating it either....
As many channels we have and very few expectations from them anymore....

Maybe next week boys and girls...

I see its figure eight racing next week..

THis site here has actual information to gain... thank god!

nice bike tho....... I see there wasnt a final drive failure... Yayyy...

I wonder if he would be caught on a beemer again or was this the one and only time...

MOnster bikes in Tuk...

:bikes

[TandemGeek]

Actually, what I liked was the challenge of converting a regular 'street bike' into a bike that could handle the 200k trip... by adding a pair of aftermarket bolt-on pipes and a custom paint job: woo hoo.

Of course, then we have the 'death defying' journey supported by a pair of snow mobiles and a helo... which I guess is almost like going it alone if the 'crew' can't offer any help with navigation or support.

I used to like him when he built bikes on Disco, but Jesse jumped the shark along the way and now it's just lame.

[crazydrummerdude]

Tough crowd...but I didn't see it.

Jesse's a member over on advrider. I guess you can criticize him there, if you want.

[Mika]

JESSE JAMES TAMES THE HARSH ARCTIC WITH A BMW R 1200 GS MOTORCYCLE FOR EPISODE OF HIT SPIKE SERIES "JESSE JAMES IS A DEAD MAN"

11.06.2009 Press Release Information from editor: Photos coming soon!
New York, NY - June 11, 2009… What happens when you combine the treacherous Arctic Ice Road, negative 60-degree temperature, and the superior capability of the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycle? The next adventure of Jesse James, of course.

On Sunday, June 14 from 10:00 -11:00 p.m. , ET/PT, Spike TV will telecast the third episode of the new hit series “Jesse James Is A Dead Man,” where James will traverse the infamous Arctic Ice Road from Inuvik to Aklavik, Alaska. This hazardous highway of snow and ice is home to some of the world’s most extreme conditions, including bitter below zero temperatures, piercing wind chills, and the perilous ice road itself that can open at any moment, swallowing a traveler instantly. With virtually no traction on the unprepared ice and not a single gas station for miles for refuge or repairs, at least the BMW R 1200 GS motorcycle could offer some comfort and peace of mind, and not just from the heated handgrips.

“From motorcycle enthusiasts to those who just can’t get enough of Jesse James, this episode will provide viewers a chance to see the extreme capabilities of the BMW R 1200 GS motorcycle, and how it excels in what could be the world’s most inhospitable conditions,” said Roy Oliemuller, communications manager for BMW Motorrad USA.

For this perilous journey, a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycle was outfitted to fight the frozen north with a multitude of modifications, including studded tires and custom flame paint in typical Jesse James fashion. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycle is coveted around the world as the only motorcycle that can tackle any terrain, from the African Desert to the Tibetan mountains, and come back for more. The GS series of dual sport motorcycles are at the forefront of adventure riding, which is quickly gaining in popularity in the United States due to its promise of fun and freedom both on and off road.

Ten weekly one-hour episodes of “Jesse James Is A Dead Man” are being produced for Spike TV by executive producers Jesse James and Hildie Katibah through his production company, Payupsucker Productions, in conjunction with executive producers John Brenkus and Mickey Stern of BASE Productions (“Sport Science,” “Crime 360”). Kevin Lee also serves as executive producer. Sharon Levy and Tim Duffy are executives in charge of production for Spike TV.

:rofl

[jdmetzger]

For this perilous journey, a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycle was outfitted to fight the frozen north with a multitude of modifications, including studded tires and custom flame paint in typical Jesse James fashion.

You MUST have the flame paint job if you're traveling in those icy conditions. I don't think he would have made it, otherwise. In case someone is going to do something similar but don't want to repaint their bike, I can offer flame decals for the bargain price of $800. Much cheaper than paint, and they may just save your life! :nyah

FYI: I found Hubert's trip more interesting, but then he was not trying to entertain the lowest common denominator. :heh

[jamesdunn]

Jesse James is a lucky guy. He is married to Sandra Bullock. Well, she sure is easy on the eyes anyway....

[Visian]

Come on now, no one was endanger because it was not an Iron Butt event. :wave

BTW MOA member Hubert (http://www.thetimelessride.com/US/Transition-folder/Arctic-Canada-Iceroad.1.htm) did the trip on a GSPD and a hack.

:thumb

http://www.thetimelessride.com/English/Images/My%20rides/Arctic%20Circle/Equipment/gpsroad.jpg

http://www.thetimelessride.com/English/Images/My%20rides/Arctic%20Circle/Road%20of%20ice/iceroad16.jpg


even though the show was dumbed down more than just a little, i still liked it. helicopter/snowmobiles or not, jesse still did the ride.

and... did anyone notice that he was running *jesse* bags? :ha

ian

[Mika]

May be bad television but who watches TV when you’re riding. Some of you panned Long Way Round because of all the soul searching tent time. Heck he made the ride.

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/564409157_Fjb2K-M.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/564411016_sTtv7-M.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/564409489_o2sG4-L.jpg

[119240]

He made the ride, & on a souped up BMW - "Flames, stud tires & Akarpovic pipes"
That's far from being souped up by anyone - even the press release - multi mods - OK what mods. we would all like to know the mods. so we can do it - too.

I for one - take my hat off to Jesse's riding buddy - the guy with NO MODS. - he made is own screw studs tires. And got the chain saw working - if not for him- they all would of froze with no wood to cut & stay warm- They slept out side - THAT GOT ME - a fire kept them that warm?
They need to due a follow up.

[TandemGeek]

Heck he made the ride.

No doubt, and that -- in and of itself -- would have been enough.

However, just like most of the latest reality-based shows, they collect all of the footage they need to produce the show and then artificially add drama and suspense via the narrative script with the ubiquitous computer-generated drawings thrown in to suggest what 'could' happen.

If the whole thing was filmed using moto-mounted cameras and hand-helds by Jesse and his moto companion it would have been far less seemingly contrived.

Instead, we have a story line here that's just so seriously flawed...

Again, converting a street bike? Well yeah, that is what the S in GS stands for, but...

Delivering critical medicine to the locals who are otherwise cut-off from all support, that is unless there aren't any of the film crews for Ice Road Truckers or Spike TV around with their helo's and other support vehicles???

I'm sorry, but hats off to the guys on the snow machines who are off-camera and all of the other support crews that film and support these contrived stunts.

Yeah, Jesse did the ride and gets props for enduring the elements on the GS. But it was hardly a death defying, humanitarian relief mission and you got that 'give me a break' feeling from the guy Jesse was riding with.

I know, I know... then don't watch. Hey, it was an accident... I simpy surfed into it late last night when there was nothing else on and couldn't get to sleep.

[jdmetzger]

So if you were Jesse what would you have done differently ? Tell us about gear selection and bike modifications.

I'd go with an Airhead - if Hubert can do it on an Airhead, it proves that it will work. As for modification, aside from adding a GPS and running something like Pelican Luggage instead of crush-prone aluminum stuff (and sticking with the tire studs), I think that's all it would take. Honestly, an oilhead/hexhead works fine as well, I'm just a fan of the Airhead bikes. :)

[sgtboring]

I thought it would be neat to see the show so I stayed up for it. The bike looked great but I was suprised when the talked about getting a GS Adventure ready for the trip. What needs changed? Studed tires.....

It was like they merged Ice Road Truckers, with Orange Co Choppers. They used the same cheesy computer disaster and crash graphics, and felt that the average Joe did not know that unlike a custom chopper, there is little that can be changed about them without inviting structural, mechanical, or electronic failure.


I thought the bike looked good, but looking good is not what gets you from point A to B. I think the "looks are more important" view of the world leads to much disappointment and denial. As far as the bikes and cars we buy. :wave

[rdalland]

http://www.spike.com/full-episode/arctic-bike-journey/32602

[Brettendress]

My home has a reality TV ban in effect ever since I saw the first episode of survivor ten years ago. Never any kind of dancing with anything, fatties losing four ounces and crying, No Idol ever. Maybe that's why I've logged 117,000 miles in the past 5 years because there is never anything to watch. I do however TIVO all motorcycle racing and anyone who wants drama should have seen the Moto GP race yesterday. WOW Valentino Rossi is a god. Is this whats called thread hi-jacking?
Like any other Chopper person I would never give Jessie James the time a day unless he makes an adult movie with Sandra, that would work!

Brett Endress
Altoona pa

[henzilla]

Saw the post ride bike at Long Beach BMW when I was out there a few months back for my daughters wedding. I first said WTF? then saw lots of scratches and signs of use and the salesguy told me who's it was. He didn't mention the trip. It's an eyecatcher and made for TV ..that's about it... Don't knock the flames...seen them on other Beemers...

Impressive since I haven't ridden in that kind of environment...cheesy because of the basis of the show's many episodes and stunts.

[Mika]

I post almost every BMW motorcycle press release but did not post the Jesse James press release when it first came out. If this thread had not been posted it would never have seen the forum from me.

I will give him his props for making the ride.

I have not seen this particular show. I sat through one episode of this series because I was at someone else’s home and they wanted to watch it. It is contrived reality TV and not my cup of java.

Statdawg’s question “So if you were Jesse what would you have done differently?” can be a fun one to play with. The trouble is what we would come up with to meet our tastes and desires would probably never get shot because it wouldn’t have enough mass market appeal to generate sponsors and get to the small screen.

What disappoints me is SpeedTV has shows like Truck U, Two Guys Garage and a couple others that deal with the four wheeled world but have not done anything along those lines with the two wheeled world. We are left with things like Jesse James is a Dead Man and American Chopper that won’t die.

[TandemGeek]

So if you were Jesse what would you have done differently ? Tell us about gear selection and bike modifications.

Set it up just like the old Monster Garage schtick...

Have a challenge with two teams supporting two single riders: Jesse and someone else, e.g., an ADV A-Crew for Jesse and a B-Crew from Alaska or Western Canada's BMW MOA Chapters.

See who can 'build' the better bike and then follow a course layed out by an advance team on snow machines doing what Jesse's riding partner essentially did.

Add time for crashes, getting stuck and mechanicals to the guy who's got the problems and stop the clock for the other rider so that they can still stick together. Basically, if Jesse dropped his bike his ET keeps ticking whereas Rider B's clock gets put on pause until Jesse is going again.

Let 'em have a camp out but don't pretend that they're out there unsupported and living in peril. Just camping out the elements in those temps is hard enough.

Who ever arrives in Tuk with the lowest ET 'wins' the challenge. Now, go unload all of the meds that were flown up there along with hockey sticks in that support helo and have another party.

It's just as cold and just as big of a challenge, but without the cheesy and contrived plot.

As for other gear mods to the bike, as someone else noted what all can you do short of turning it into a hybrid snow machine with a rear track instead of a tire?

[petepeterson]

Hey,, at least Jesse James did it on 2 wheels ,,not three.. Hubert's trip is fine but not in James league at all.. His overall time was good,, nobody on this board has ever done it or ever will:brow ...

The cops scene was staged we all know that or those cops would still be chasing their tails........ :scratch

Jesse James has never been one for advertising brands, Hell his Viper is custom painted with with a 800HP motor in it and not a single name badge anywhere.....

Never seen such a nasty, vicious, jealous board in my life as this one,,,:fight been this way since I joined, and will probably stay this way until the last man turns out the lights....Sad, truly sad, at least there are other more upbeat BMW boards to visit:type

[Mika]

Not nasty or vicious, I am just jealous. :ha


maybe for a couple of reasons. :hide

[535is]

Hey,, at least Jesse James did it on 2 wheels ,,not three.. Hubert's trip is fine but not in James league at all.. His overall time was good,, nobody on this board has ever done it or ever will:brow ...

The cops scene was staged we all know that or those cops would still be chasing their tails........ :scratch

Jesse James has never been one for advertising brands, Hell his Viper is custom painted with with a 800HP motor in it and not a single name badge anywhere.....

Never seen such a nasty, vicious, jealous board in my life as this one,,,:fight been this way since I joined, and will probably stay this way until the last man turns out the lights....Sad, truly sad, at least there are other more upbeat BMW boards to visit:type

Come on, Jesse; at least you could join up under your real name ... :whistle

[BubbaZanetti]

I like Jesse James, dunno why, but he seems like a pretty alright guy. He was on ADV a few months ago and put up with their harassment pretty well. As usual, i have little need or want for flash on my own bikes, so his creations don't do much for me, but like some have said, he did the ride and gained some press for bmw, so that is chill.


and as far as Hubert is concerned, keep your eyes peeled for your ON around August or so.:brow

[barryg]

Is the funeral going to be televised. :groovy

[108625]

What disappoints me is SpeedTV has shows like Truck U, Two Guys Garage and a couple others that deal with the four wheeled world but have not done anything along those lines with the two wheeled world. We are left with things like Jesse James is a Dead Man and American Chopper that won’t die.

Greg White used to host "Two Wheeled Tuesday" on Speed, and while there weren't really projects on there, he did a really good job of trying to show the world there was more to motorcycling than chopper building or parking lot stunt riding. A lot of big names made time for him, and he made time for a lot of unknowns.
Not only could kids watch it; he put them on it, too.

It's a damn shame good stuff like that loses out to contrived crap.

[yellowrosefarm]

Jesse James is a lucky guy. He is married to Sandra Bullock. Well, she sure is easy on the eyes anyway....

You beat me to it. I still don't know how those two ended up together.

[KGT1200]

If you ever meet him, try offering him an ice tea versus a micro brew; he may just set down and stay awhile...

His film/documentary before this one was interesting because it tapped into how his success was causing him to put his real life on hold, and later on how he had to fight to find balance. Part of the show was leaving everything behind for a few while him and Kid Rock took a visit into Mexico. I am sure the reality of it was him and Rock being followed by quite a big entourage of film makers, but it presented an interesting perspective into his personal life, the breakup of his first marriage and the price of success.

[jdmetzger]

Jesse James had a all the ingredients to lead a negative way of life but he used it positively to be a producer in society than a ward of the state. His parents divorced leaving him to be self sufficient early. His life began as band bouncer but his inner drive directed him towards building motorcycles starting out in a small garage and progressing to what he has today. I admire his entrepreneurial vision beyond motorcycles to cars to burgers to kids clothing and now TV beyond the garage.

Reality TV is a strange platform, your life comes down not on your accomplishments but what they are selling. The thousands of hours of tape has to be boiled down to a program dominated by short attention span commercials so you are not allowed to see the real characters. The OCC is no longer about bikes but the conflict between father & son, the survival shows are not about how to stay alive but how gross you can be with the very food you need to survive and the act of checking your urine for hydration analysis. Gone is the great scenery, gone is the human spirit and being with fellow travelers on the road. Its all conflict and negativity of how bad humans can be. Its a training film to inspire you to be the same in a work setting or educational system to cheapen the formality and decency that once was the fabric of our society.


I always liked "Survivorman" because it seemed to be more reality-based and not just about eating strange things. Sure he did it a few times, but I felt that "Man vs. Wild" was more into the sensationalistic things - eating weird food, crawling under/through glaciers, etc. Of course, it seems Man vs. Wild was more popular because many people seem to enjoy watching someone eat bugs alive or drink water from elephant dung than learn something. I guess the audience is mostly to blame for what we see.


The bike reality shows are a tough market. The market is 80 % foreign bikes so your audience is reduced by the loyalist. The other 20 % are customs and H-Ds reflecting a lifestyle of want, the haves verse the have nots. Even if you had a great travel venture and a class act educational show with motorcycle touring the world the audience nor the commercial interests would support it and of course you will have the critics saying you could ride better or why that gear. Ewan & Charlie are a prime example verses the closed circle of overland travelers quick to criticize and the possers complain about the support and film crews that brought you the show. The very one they watched to be inspired.

One thing I found interesting with "Long Way Round" was the sudden lack of gear when they rode the choppers, after wearing helmets and full gear the rest of the trip (as far as we saw) and after Charlie getting hit by a car. Was this a bit of catering to the masses, or just them doing what they felt like doing?

I would like to see a motorcycle travel show filmed in the style of "Survivorman". No film crew - the rider is in charge of all the filming. I could see meeting up with someone to drop the tapes off every few days (which is reasonable as you would need to stop for fuel). This actually was done with "Riding Solo to the Top of the World" - the tradeoff is film quality. It's hard for a solo rider to film a bunch of HD quality footage alone and still cover any ground. On top of that, unless you're eating bugs when you camp at night, you audience is going to be pretty limited.

[KGT1200]

Alton Brown and his motorcycle tours to gastromic delights will be sadly missed. The idea was a reality show, involved BMW's, involved food, involved travel; what am I missing here?:eat


Girls, thats what!:kiss

The show needed a woman or two, it would STILL be on the air


I wish I could get my hands on the DVD's of every show!

[xp8103]

I believe after AB's close up with terra firma, the powers that be at Food Network saw just a wee bit too much risk at putting their prized rooster back on a MC to do more FOA. That is where FOW came from. I enjoyed FOW a lot as well but enjoyed more the "unknown" factor that riding on bikes added.

As for a reality show about motorcycles, Josh beat me to it. Something done in the "Survivorman" vein would be cool. Rides throughout the world, maybe a small group of riders with a main host.

How about it Discovery channel??

[108625]

I would like to see a motorcycle travel show filmed in the style of "Survivorman". No film crew - the rider is in charge of all the filming. I could see meeting up with someone to drop the tapes off every few days (which is reasonable as you would need to stop for fuel). This actually was done with "Riding Solo to the Top of the World" - the tradeoff is film quality. It's hard for a solo rider to film a bunch of HD quality footage alone and still cover any ground. On top of that, unless you're eating bugs when you camp at night, you audience is going to be pretty limited.

Robert Edison Fulton did just as you asked, in 1932.

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Twice-Upon-A-Caravan-p-17605.html

I enjoyed and recommend his book, "One Man Caravan", and the film.
Having been some of the same places myself, I can tell you that some of them haven't changed much at all, and I'll always be impressed not only by what he did, but what he had to say.

[Rob Nye]

I also liked the medication delivery twist. Ewan & Charlie supported Riders.org which delivers health care by motorcycle to remote villages in Africa. Fellow member Salcar delivered health care by Moto and river boats in east Nicaragua. Motorcycles are a great tool for humanitarian causes and often open doors between opposing forces. Unless there is a forum involved. :)

It would be interesting to see how effective the medication is post its sub-zero temperature exposure and packaging choice. There is on going research in medication storage and its move across the world cold chain. Vaccines can loss their potency in too much heat or cold. Jesse was delivering a cardiac and a diabetic medication which are concerns for the long distant overlanders as they are exposed to the elements.

Perhaps they could bring them more medicine faster by using the helicopter that they were using to film the ride (including the finish).

[jdmetzger]

Perhaps they could bring them more medecine faster by using the helicopter that they were using to film the ride (including the finish).

They could probably pay for the medicine as well by not hiring someone to dub in v-twin sounds. :heh

[GrafikFeat]

Watching these shows is like watching porno...
Yer sitting there looking at something you'd rather be doing.

Same goes for the Saturday AM fishing shows. :laugh

[glennhendricks]

Alton hit the rabbit in the first season while on his RT.

The second season of FOA was the Mississippi from the mouth to the source on GSs. All the riders were on GSs and I'm thinking a bit of promo was involved.

Either that or Brown was planning on hunting down that rabbit and making hassenpfeffer from scratch.

I generally don't watch the so called reality shows because I don't like the whole people yelling at each other in real life.