Also just announced. Harley-Davidson Switzerland confirmed that, this year's event at Campione d'Italia/Lugano, Switzerland will be a Modified Harley-Davidson World Championship affilate event.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
AMD Show - Swiss Harley Days - European H.O.G. Rally 2011
Also just announced. Harley-Davidson Switzerland confirmed that, this year's event at Campione d'Italia/Lugano, Switzerland will be a Modified Harley-Davidson World Championship affilate event.
International Female Ride Day - May 6th 2011
Born Free 3 Vintage Chopper Show, California

Event details: http://www.bornfreeshow.com/

Friday, April 22, 2011
Cody & Kyle Ives Stunt Show at 2011 Thunder Beach Rally

The 13th Thunder Beach Spring Rally kicks off with a free GENEVA concert on Wednesday, April 27 and includes poker runs on Thursday, Friday & Saturday - Free outdoor concerts, free parking and 250 vendors at venues across beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida. Friday - Miss Thunder Beach Pageant with King Cotton Band (Blues w/Country edge.) Saturday - MS Thunder Beach (35+), Thunder Beach Parade, and Steel Horse Law Best of the Beach Bike Show. Sunday - Blessing of the Bikes and Scenic Ride. Details: http://www.thunderbeachproductions.com/
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Washngton State Bans Biker Profiling
In testimony last year, Donnie Landsman of ABATE Washingrton spoke out about law enforcement's use of a banned Biker101 service manual that discribes bikers as dangerous and prone to violence. He also described what he termed "catch and release" stops used by law enforcement as an opportunity to search the motorcycle, photograph the biker's tattoos and fish for information about riding club affiliations. Here's the video.
Here is a copy of the new anti-motorcycle profiling law that was passed by the Washington State legislature on March 5th, 2011:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5242.PL.pdf
Saturday, April 16, 2011
National 2011 Sturgis Road Show Tour Launched at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex
Headliner Sturgis bands include: Bachman & Turner, Styx, and Tesla. Michelle Smith has joined the party with Vicious Cycle that is installing parts for Custom Chrome at the Sturgis Roadshow in Pennsylvania.
The Custom Chrome International Bike Show is a featured part of the Sturgis Road Show that is being presented by two Sturgis icons - The Legendary Buffalo Chip and Loud American Roadhouse, in partnership with promoter Motoring USA and the Eastern Regional Harley-Davidson Dealers Association (EHDDA.)
"Not everyone can make the pilgrimage to South Dakota," said Rod Woodruff, owner of the Legendary Buffalo Chip. "But now they can experience what makes Sturgis the best motorcycle event in the world."
The 2011 Sturgis Road Show will serve up a taste of Sturgis in the Mid-Atlantic region with nightly concerts on "The Legendary Buffalo Chip Main Stage" and food and drink from Main Street Sturgis in the touring Loud American Roadhouse. Features include galleries of work by world-renowned motorcycle artists and photographers, vintage motorcycles and memorabilia presented by the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, Custom Chrome International Bike Show, beauty & fashion events, educational and entertainment seminars, and motorcycle product displays and installations.
Here's the 2011 Custom Chrome International Bike Show Schedule:
Round 1 - North American Championship Powered By The Doc Pros at the Custom Chrome International Dealer Show, Santa Clara, CA March 19th and 20th 2011.
Round 2 – European Championship Powered by DHL Global Forwarding at the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show, Mainz Germany March 26th and 27th 2011.
Round 3 – Sturgis Road Show Championship - Sturgis Road Show, Harrisburg PA. Shows on Saturday and Sunday, with Awards Sunday April 17th.
Round 4 – European Bike Week Faak Austria September 10th 2011.
Local tourism officials see this event introducing the large number of cyclists within the Mid-Atlantic region to Pennsylvania's capital city of Harrisburg and America's chocolate capital of Hershey, The Sweetest Place On Earth®. Special lodging rates can be found at HersheyHarrisburgHotels.com.
"Selecting this region of Pennsylvania was a strategic decision," said Bill Tull, Vice President of the EHDDA and owner of Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson. "Pennsylvania has the fourth most motorcycle registrations (329,750) in the United States surpassed only by California, Florida, and Texas. Neighboring states New York ranks sixth with 202,565, New Jersey has 163,070, and Maryland has 72,533 registered riders."Finding a central venue capable of hosting the elaborate event also played a role in the location," said Sharon Altland, HHRVB Sales Director. "Producers wanted the capacity to host large numbers of attendees, galleries, exhibits, and specialty option plus the capability to produce multiple special events and concerts under one roof."
The FSC is the premier event facility in the region with over one-million square feet of connected exhibit area, including two indoor arenas. As a tourism destination the region also provides ample lodging and easy accessibility for attendees coming from the Mid-Atlantic region.
"There are two kinds of riders in the world - those who have been to Sturgis and those who want to go," said John Detrick, CEO of Motoring USA. "We're taking the Sturgis experience to the world."
The Sturgis Road Show schedule will expand in 2012 to include more cities domestically and internationally. For more details visit http://www.sturgisroadshow.com/
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Harley-Davidson "Share The Road" License Plate Launched Today in Wisconsin
"Rider safety is critically important to all of us at Harley-Davidson," said Matt Levatich, Chief Operating Officer and President of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "We are pleased to partner with the State and help increase awareness and support for motorcycle safety programs that further enhance rider safety and driver awareness in Wisconsin."
The new license plate is the first and only Harley-Davidson branded plate available anywhere in the United States, and it is only being offered in Wisconsin – the birthplace of Harley-Davidson. The plate was designed in collaboration with the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Styling Team. The words "Share the Road" are displayed to emphasize the importance of motorcycle safety.
Motorists who wish to display the "Share The Road" specialty plates will pay an additional $15 issuance fee and an annual $25 donation. The annual donation will help support safety initiatives throughout the state. The plates can also be personalized (standard annual fees apply) and can be purchased at any time, not just when a motorist renews their registration (actual costs will vary based on time of purchase).
For more information about the Harley-Davidson/Share the Road license plates, visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website at http://www.wisconsindmv.gov/.
SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Best 15 Motorcycle Roadways in the USA
* I have personally been on more than a half dozen of these scenic motorcycle roadways, including the North Pacific Coast Highway in California where this photo was taken at Big Sur. Other photos were also taken on vacation in California in 2009.
"When it comes to the best places in the country to ride motorcycles, no group of riders is more knowledgeable than AMA members," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "No group puts in more miles, samples more asphalt or rides more roads.
"By publicizing our favorite roads in American Motorcyclist magazine, AMA members will seek out these destinations and bring tourism dollars into local communities through the purchase of food, fuel, lodging and more," Dingman said.
The editors of American Motorcyclist magazine used the 230,000-member, non-profit association's website, AmericanMotorcyclist.com, to accept nominations and tally votes for members' favorite roads. Nearly 100 roads made the ballot, and the magazine published the top 15 roads in the April issue as well as a list of "honorable mentions."
"Some of these roads are familiar to motorcyclists, and others may not be," said Managing Editor James Holter. "They all have one thing in common: They're the best roads in the country, as chosen by AMA members."
A countdown of the top 15 routes:
15. Washington Route 129 and Oregon Route 3, Clarkston, Wash., to Enterprise, Ore.
14. Ohio Route 170, Calcutta to Poland.
13. California Route 58, McKittrick to Santa Margarita.
12. U.S. Route 33, Harrisonburg, Va., to Seneca Rocks, W.Va.
11. Natchez Trace, from Natchez, Miss., to Nashville, Tenn.
10. Angeles Crest Highway, California Route 2.
9. U.S. Route 12, Lolo Pass, Idaho and Montana.
8. California Route 36.
7. Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina and Tennessee.
6. Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana.
5. California Route 1, Pacific Coast Highway.
4. U.S. Route 550, from Ouray to Durango, Colo.
3. U.S. Route 129 -- The Tail of the Dragon -- on the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina.
1. Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming.
Honorable mentions:
•Highway 12, Colorado
•Route 191, 180, 78, Arizona, New Mexico
•U.S. 191 (Alpine to Morenci) Arizona
•U.S. 16A (South Dakota)
•U.S. 50, Nevada
•Farm to Market 336, Texas
* We also loved everything about the scenic roadways in Tennessee, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada and West Virginia. Wyoming is our next place to visit.
Source: American Motorcyclist Magazine.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Kansas City W.A.R. Rally For "Wounded Warriors"

BANDS: Outlaw Jim and the Whiskey Benders, Bob Harvey Band, Blues Society, Shelter and Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ Top Tribute) Band.
Riders can have photos taken with their bike in front of a real US Army Apache Helicopter.
• The Vision is: To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation's history. For additional Information on the Wounded Warrior Project go to; http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Non-Profit #20-2370934
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Interview with World-Class Bike Builder Stephen Galvin
In 2008, Stephen built a Dragon bike that collected a string of “Best of Show” wins.
Click images to enlarge.


An earlier version of this interview was published in the Leesburg Ratty Rag, April 9, 2011. No part of this interview can be reproduced without written permission.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Laconia Bike Week 2011, June 11 to 19 Event Schedule


This year's rally is June 11 to 19, 2011.
June 11 - Swap Meet in Ashland, NH - at L.W. Packard Bell Field. Free to attend. Vending spaces $35.
June 11 - 4th Annual Rally for Kids in Crisis - 8:30am start at the 1st Assemble of God Church - 45 Myles Drive in Auburn, NH. This is a 100-mile scenic regional ride. $25 rider fee and $10 passenger fee includes lunch. Details: ManchesterAssembly.org

June 11 - 5th Annual Peter Markris Memorial Ride Around The Lake - Starting point 11am to 1pm NASWA Resort and Beach Bar in Laconia. - details at http://www.naswa.com/
June 11 - Blessing of the Motorcycles at Laconia Bike Week - 3 to 4pm on opening day of the rally at United Baptist Church in Lakeport, followed by 4 to 5pm church service and a spaghetti dinner, 5 to 7pm for $10 donation.
June 11 - Laconia Kickoff & NHMRO 35th Anniversary Party at Deerhead Sportsmen's Club in Hooksett, NH - 1 to 9pm with good food and live music.
Enjoy a beautiful ride to Kancamangus Trail and Mt Washington.
Mt. Washington "Ride to the Sky" - Mt. Washington Auto Road is celebrating a 150th anniversary in 2011. Open every day during Laconia Bike Week - Motorcycles Only on Monday, June 13th and Thursday, June 16th. "Ride To The Sky" Motorcycle Ride with guide vans for extra passengers and vendors begins at 10am June 16th.
Jagermeister Promos - Laconia Bike Week Jun 11 - Jun 19, 2011
Rally Headquarters - 11am to 5pm - Broken Spoke Saloon - 5 to 7pm - Bullwinkle's in Ashland - 7:30 to 9:30pm every day of the rally.
Flat Track Races at Big Daddy’s Speed Bowl in Rumney, NH - Three shows will be available, daily - plus bike wash, massages, music, food, and beer.
Biker Build-Off at Lobster Pond - June 13 to 18 - six shops competing for prizes. Builders include Irish Choppers (Dudley, MA), Pitoniak's Custom Cycles (Belchertown, MA), Ready Customs (New Hamptom), Vintage Custom Cycles (Sandown, NH), Deadwood Choppers (NY), and Masshole Moto (Cape Cod) - according to the official rally website: http://www.laconiamcweek.com/
Thursday, April 7, 2011
18th Miracle Ride Around the Indy 500 Track

"Over the past 17 years, the Miracle Ride has raised over $3 million for Riley Hospital and hopes to bring in another $400,000 in 2011," said Holly Farabough, director of marketing and sponsorship for Miracle Ride Foundation.
James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children is Indiana's first and only comprehensive children's hospital, saving lives and helping thousands of children every year. Many of the life saving programs at Riley are ranked as some of the top programs in the nation, setting a benchmark for other programs that help children. Riley is a not-for-profit hospital, so it relies heavily on donations from outside sources.
The Bob & Tom Show - nationally syndicated radio show presents the Miracle Ride.
On Saturday the 4th the Miracle Ride kicks off with six poker runs with starting locations all over the state of Indiana. All poker runs will end at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel, where the winners of each poker run will compete for six major prizes. The Wyndham will also be host of a Miracle Ride bike show and silent auction. Vendors will be available and there will be live music until Midnight.
On the morning of Sunday June 5th, 5,000 plus Miracle Ride participants will gather at Allison Transmission. Bob & Tom from the Bob & Tom Radio Show will be on stage introducing guest speakers, giving some special presentations, and of course making everyone laugh. The Indianapolis Motorcycle Drill Team will perform and then participants will rev their engines for a very big parade ride.
The ride will leave Allison Transmission for a lap around the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will then go past Riley Hospital for Children where doctors, nurses, families, and the children who are able, wave to all the riders and hold up signs of gratitude. This is a very touching moment that can bring you tears and definitely makes you feel good for supporting the cause.
The ride will end in Shelbyville, Indiana outside Indiana Live! Casino. Every participant will receive a complimentary lunch. Then Bob & Tom will do a live auction, announce the winners of the grand prize and most money raised prize, and the totals for the weekend will be announced. To end, anyone over 21 will be invited into the Casino to determine the winners of the Miracle Ride Raffle items.
It is a $50 minimum pledge per person to participate in the Miracle Ride. With this minimum pledge, adult participants receive access to all events both days, Sunday lunch, Saturday night camping, and an event t-shirt. Participants will also receive one chance at the grand prize, which is a 1200cc Harley-Davidson Sportster. For each interval of $50 donated, participants receive a chance at this grand prize. The individual who donates the most money to the Miracle Ride will receive a 2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883. Children who pledge $25 are eligible for a TTR 110 Yamaha or an Agility Kymco 50cc Scooter. Children under eight are free and children 8-15 pay $25 to participate.
Major sponsors of the Miracle Ride include: Lucas Oil Products, Inc.; The Indianapolis Colts; The Bob & Tom Radio Show; AAA Insurance; Allison Transmission, Inc.; UAW Local 933; Indiana Live! Casino; and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Please visit http://www.miracleride.net/ for more information or to pre-register.