The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department will have 12 new Harley-Davidson Police Edition motorcycles to lead the Presidential Inauguration Parade. The brand new bikes will lead the inaugural procession through the streets of our nations capital in the famous rolling V formation that stretches across the street from sidewalk to sidewalk.
Potential Harley-Davidson buyers have a new incentive to consider. If they buy a new Sportster they will be guaranteed the M.S.R.P. value of that bike when they trade up to a new Harley-Davidson “Big Twin” or V-Rod. So if you buy a new Sportster before March 31, 2009, ride it for awhile and then trade it in on a bigger Harley you’ll get what you paid for your bike as trade in value towards the purchase of the new bike. Unless of course you beat the bike and it’s not in good shape.
Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual Harley-Davidson Daytona Women’s Day Ride for MDA. The 2009 ride through the streets of Daytona will be held on Tuesday March 3rd and is open to the first 500 eligible lady riders. To be eligible the ladies must ride either a Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycle. All registered riders will receive a ride pin and be eligible for other nice prizes. The ladies will also get to ride in a pack of other women riders through Daytona and most of all get to support a great cause, the MDA. Through pledges and donations that the riders solicited, last years inaugural ride raised over $67,000 for MDA.
If you want to participate in this ride you must be a woman who rides a Harley or Buell and be one of the first 500 to register before February 13, 2009 at www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders
On Thursday night December 11th Harley-Davidson gave the winners of it’s “Lights, Camera, Action!” contest the “Orange” carpet treatment in Los Angeles. Karen Davidson emceed the gala event that premiered the winning “Lights, Camera, Action!” films. The contest was open to women film makers who would create a short (2 minute) film showcasing women riders and the freedom and power that they enjoy while riding their motorcycles. The films will hopefully inspire potential women riders to take the steps to go riding on their own. Right now women make up over 12% of motorcycle riders and is the fastest growing segment.
Harley-Davidson President and CEO James L. Ziemer announced that he plans to retire in 2009 after working for 40 years at different positions within the company. Ziemer, a native of Milwaukee, grew up in the neighborhood next to the original Harley-Davidson factory. He started with the company in 1969 as a freight elevator operator while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After earning his degree from UW-M he took a position in the Accounting Department and rose to Chief Financial Officer in 1990. In 2005 he was named to the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the company. He will remain at the helm until his successor is named.
American fans of the Harley-Davidson Sportster will soon be able to buy the newest racing inspired version of the model the XR1200. With little fanfare the bike will soon be available in the United States. If you wanted one before you had to live in Europe or the Middle East. Word has it that only 750 will wind up in the US.
Chris Rivas of the G2 Motorsports/Drag Specialties/S&S Cycle Team won his 4th race of the season at the season ending race at the Pomona, California track. Rivas and fellow independent rider Matt Smith placed their S&S powered bikes second and third in the season’s final standings.
Rivas won the race but Harley factory team rider Eddie Krawiec won the overall season championship on his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance and Hines machine. Krawiec became the second rider in the history of the class to win the championship without winning a finals race the entire season.