hogbiker.com v3.0 » Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Want’s You To Raise Your Voice On Riding & Living Free

Two Tone — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:40:01 +0000

Harley-Davidson is giving enthusiasts a chance to raise their voice on riding and living free. Visit http://www.h-d.com/freecountry to make your statement and see nearly 6,000 others.

Using your message and an image of a 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle of your choice, you can create a custom banner ad that can then be shared on social media sites and turned into a wallpaper.

Cool, no?

Check out the new 2010 model video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9c6NI32QdU

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Have You Checked Out H-D Ink Yet?

Two Tone — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:15:52 +0000

H-D Ink is a new, limited-edition brand of MotorClothes® apparel from Harley-Davidson.

Inked by tattoo masters from around the world and cut from the highest-quality materials, H-D Ink is available exclusively at select H-D dealerships. See it online now at http://www.harley-davidson.com/hdink.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GddyL58f8DE

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We’re In The Harley-Davidson Mosaic!

Two Tone — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:36:15 +0000

If you hadn’t heard, Harley-Davidson did something unique for their 2010 catalog.

Check out the Harley-Davidson 2010 Mosiac at http://www.h-d-mosaic.com/.

Collecting thousands of photos from around the world, they created a cover that is a mosaic symbolizing the passion and enthusiasm of the community that has fueled Harley-Davidson for more than 105 years.

My girlfriend Lynn & I are part of the 2010 mosiac. You can find our pictures by using the following codes: karl1, karl2, karl3, karl4, & karl6.

The best part of this mosaic is that it showcases the people who ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles – enthusiasts, riders, their bikes, tattoos or experiences such as rallies, rides or concerts. The goal of the 2010 Motorcycle Catalog Mosaic speaks to the fact that no matter what your background or where you’re from, with Harley-Davidson, you’re part of something bigger…the Harley-Davidson family.

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Be Part of History!

Two Tone — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:32:07 +0000

Harley-Davidson is doing something cool with the 2010 Motorcycle Catalog. The cover of the new catalog is going to be a photo mosaic of images of the people who ride our motorcycles and make up the Harley-Davidson family. Anyone around the world is open to pick a favorite photo with their bike or of a riding experience (rallies, events, etc.) and upload it to the mosaic through the Harley-Davidson website.

All the details and instructions on how to submit are listed here: http://www.harley-davidson-mosaic.com

Their goal is to collect at least 10,000 photos by Friday, May 15th. Once a photo is submitted, we’ll send out an email to confirm its receipt. From there you’ll be able to review and locate your photo in the mosaic.

I’m looking forward to seeing you on the cover with me!

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Remembering History & Tradition Will Make Marketing Better!

Two Tone — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:13:53 +0000

Thanks to twitter I’ve met some really cool people who also ride. Today I received a tweet from Chessie talking about her feelings regarding Harley-Davidson making May Women Rider’s Month. I’d been trying to decide how to write about it.

I have issues with May being anything other than Motorcycle Awareness month within the community. We should NEVER add anything that encroaches on, what I feel should be, the single biggest issue in motorcycling. The stats speak for themselves…the MSF’s campaign saves lives!

Secondly….as Chessie so eloquently points out in her rant on the subject: http://chessiestales.blogspot.com/2009/04/celebrating-female-riderif-youre-gonna.html, the impression is that the women riding today is a new phenomenon wiping away for newer riders the very proud history of the woman rider.

Here in Alaska we have some serious women riders (we have one woman that’s the daughter of a long time rider – her mother would get in trouble in the 50′s for wearing pants – even though she was riding) and they definitely tow their own against the guys. In some cases I’d prefer them over the guys when riding!

Harley Davidson has done a very successful job of marketing the “biker lifestyle” to its customers creating a very large following for their brand.

However, I would love to see them stick to tradition and/or history in their marketing.

Case in point, the reemergence of the FLTC Tour Glide, now called the FLTR Road Glide. Why the new name? My personal favorite, the “harley wave” (which I speak about in my FAQ), was not a Harley invention by any stretch of the imagination.

It seems that when the Harley marketing team gets involved in adding to the lifestyle, they don’t research any history or traditions which is sad really. You’d think a company of “motorcycle enthusiasts” would be…oh…I don’t know…more into maintaining history/tradition.

Maybe that’s what the new Harley-Davidson museum will do!

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On The Road Again!

Two Tone — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:34:19 +0000

For those who didn’t know/remember I was in my first motorcycle wreck about a year ago. I spent last year in a Wheelchair, a therapeutic pool (that was so soothing), working my way up to a walker, to being able to just walk.

Did I mention that using a walker flat out sucks?

Anyways…the bike was at the shop pretty much through the winter waiting on parts to be repaired so baby didn’t get home till February. So I didn’t have the bike in the garage till I was in good enough shape to sit in the saddle.

So the bike and I have been back together for almost 90 days & I’ve been honestly apprehensive about what would happen when I was able to ride again.

Would I be able to sit on the bike?
Would I be able to handle the bumps?
Would I be able to sit for extended periods on the bike?
Would I freak out with drivers acting stupid?
Would I be able to ride to and past the place where I wrecked?

So yesterday the weather was sunny, the roads were dry and my anticipation was an all time high so I went for it.

I’ll say that donning everything and throwing a leg over the bike was envigorating to say the least. Starting the bike up was easy (once I remembered to turn on the fuel ) and rolling out of the garage was a snap.

You hear the adage “it’s like riding a bike, you never forget” but yesterday I finally see what they meant. The old habits kicked in and I was off!

I stopped at the local dealership to ask if they wanted to test drive the bike (standard procedure, but since it was ready in February they didn’t get a chance to perform the test ride). The shop manager, Craig, looked me dead in the eye and says “Karl…do you really want to give up riding today? You rode it here, so you tell me.”

After making one adjustment on the bike at the shop (the boot shifter was off slightly), I was back on the road and it was wonderful! All of the MSF training, years of experience and so on kicked in and I was doing very well.

A lunch hour that will stick in my mind for a long time.

So I arrive back at the office and I’m told I look like the Cheshire Cat coming into the office. I do notice that the day is brighter and better for sure.

At this point I am presented with a wooden sign that the guys got for me it simply says “Time spent on a motorcycle is not deducted from ones lifespan” which I couldn’t help but be moved by the gesture. I work wth some really cool guys.

Twice yesterday I went to the corporate office, once I had to go and the other I volunteered. What can I say? I’m willing to make the effort…know what I mean .

So at the end of the day I take the long way home. I even rode past where the accident occured and no problems.

Tomorrow, I’m grabbing Lynn and heading out!

[Show as slideshow]

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The 30th Anniversary “Elvis Harley” Is Coming!

Two Tone — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:08:28 +0000

Graceland has quite a few special activities planned for August, when Elvis Presley Enterprises commemorates the 30th anniversary of the death of the undisputed King of Rock-and-Roll.

Bruce Rossmeyer, CEO of 12 Harley-Davidson locations around the country — including the world’s largest dealership in Daytona, Florida, and the all-new Graceland Harley-Davidson is recreating the personalized 1957 Black Harley-Davidson FLH model that Presley once owned.

With only 30 of these motorcycles being customized and individually serial numbered, each motorcycle in the elite Elvis Presley Anniversary Bike Signature Series will capture Presley’s passion for motorcycles. Although designed to replicate the 1957 model that Elvis owned and appearing as a classic custom vintage bike, the motorcycles will feature a 2007 Softail chassis and drive train maintaining all of today’s engineering and safety features.

Rossmeyer has also partnered with renowned Harley-Davidson painter David Uhl and Harley-Davidson sculptor Jeff Decker, who will be creating unique pieces that will be included in the purchase price of each of the Elvis Presley Anniversary Bikes and paired with the corresponding motorcycle. The Elvis Presley Anniversary Bike Signature Series will be unveiled at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee on April 22nd at the Elvis Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride for Life to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

Bikes 2-24 of Signature Series will be offered for sale through the lottery system at the April 22nd ride in Memphis and are expected to be sold for just under $59,000. In order to purchase one of the Elvis Presley Anniversary Bikes, interested parties must register for the April 22nd Elvis Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride for Life. Those who register for the ride will be chosen out of a lottery and contacted that day to determine their intent to purchase. Participants need not be present for the opportunity to purchase if selected in the lottery. To register for the Elvis Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride for Life benefiting the American Diabetes Association, call 901-682-8232 or 800-DIABETES ext. 3121.

Bikes 25-29 will be available for purchase at a later date. The bike numbered “1″ will be sold for $100,000, with $40,000 of that being donated to the American Diabetes Association. Bike number “30″ will be auctioned off in Memphis on August 15th during Elvis Week, the annual celebration of King’s life and career.

All of the motorcycles will be delivered at the steps of Graceland the morning of August 15, 2007 – the day before the 30th Anniversary of Elvis’s passing. The purchase price includes a two-night stay at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, a unique Graceland Pre-Delivery Party on the evening of August 14th, and one round-trip ticket from within the continental U.S. (figures) to Memphis for the delivery experience.

Even if you’re not an Elvis fan…you have to admit this is the epitamy of cool.

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Found This When Redoing My DVDs

Two Tone — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:20:21 +0000

Back in 2005, when I just became the Director for my HOG chapter, I was asked to be part of a commercial for our local HD dealership. I remember Sean talking about his idea to us over some beers after work. We couldn’t stop laughing!

So…here is Sean Burshek’s genius. Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OOizUICIQQ

One final note: This was done during winter and some of the crew would go outside to have a smoke. To all you women who wear skirts in the winter, I SALUTE YOU!

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The All New Iron 883

Two Tone — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:25:16 +0000

Iron 883

The latest Harley-Davidson Dark Custom motorcycle, the Iron 883

3 Photos

Not sure if you’ve seen it yet, but I wanted to let you know that Harley-Davidson unveiled the new Iron 883 – the latest Harley-Davidson Dark Custom motorcycle. Decked in black from fender-to-fender, the new Harley-Davidson Iron 883 brings the beat of an 883 Evolution engine backed up by a combo of gritty, old-school garage features like front fork gaiters, drag style handlebar and side-mount license plate holder.

The black powder-coated 883 cc Evolution powertrain with black covers takes the Iron 883 deep into the heart of darkness. With Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and performance tuning with a flat torque curve, the Iron 883 delivers plenty of power for the city scene. The pipes on the straight cut shorty dual exhaust flow the distinctive American V-Twin sound.

The black chopped rear fender with its combination stop/turn/tail lights shows more of the 150 mm rear tire and black, 13-spoke cast aluminum wheel, while the front tire also rides on a black wheel. The rest of the Iron 883 gets a darker-suited presence with black front forks and fender supports, fuel tank, oil tank cover, belt guard, drag style handlebar and mid mount foot controls.

A classic Sportster solo seat with a height of 25.3 inches fits the lone rider, while a passenger seat and a backrest in complementing black finishes can be added as accessories.

Check out more on the Iron 883 and Harley-Davidson Dark Custom motorcycles at www.harley-davidson.com/darkcustom. You can also see the Iron 883 in action on the YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/harleydavidson

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The XR1200 Comes To The US…WOO HOO!

Two Tone — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:46:54 +0000

Inspired by the legendary XR750, the XR1200 is the newest member of the Sportster family and finally comes to the U.S. following its Europe-only release back in April.

The XR750 was the most dominating American dirt track racing motorcycle of all-time, earning the Number One plate in an unprecedented 26 AMA flat track seasons that set new standards for dirt track racing success over the last 30 years. The XR1200 features technical innovation to provide potent street performance and handling. In fact, Harley-Davidson dirt track racing legends Scott Parker and Rich King participated in the XR1200 development, along with European GP racing champion Adrien Morillas.

The 1200cc Evolution V-Twin cranks out 90 hp with high torque. Rubber mounted to a new frame with a cast aluminum swingarm, the engine delivers exhilarating performance and responsive handling with less vibration. A unique upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 straight shot exhaust system includes dual mufflers and is finished in satin chrome.

A sport-tuned Showa® suspension with inverted 43mm front forks and twin preload adjustable shocks combines with lightweight black cast three-spoke wheels to make the XR1200 ride and corner with feeling. Specially designed Dunlop® Qualifier D209 tires connect the rider to the road, while Nissin® four-piston calipers and large dual disc front brakes provide stopping power.

As a tribute to the XR750, Harley-Davidson will be having a pre-sale of only 750 XR1200 models from 12/1 – 12/15!

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