Thousands of engines will roar as motorcyclists from five states - Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada and California descend upon the historical landmark of Allensworth State Historic Park, Star Route 1 in Earlimart, California on June 5-8 to attend the first annual West Coast Bikers Roundup (WCBRU). WCBRU is a celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the founding of the township by Colonel Allen Allensworth’s, a pioneering black man whose vision for the town was to be a thriving, prosperous and self-sustaining community.

WCBRU coordinators anticipate more than 15,000 motorcyclists, motorcycle enthusiasts, families and friends over the three-day event.  Harley-Davidson Motor Company is a major sponsor providing many fun activities, seminars and events for attendees to participate in. 

“Harley-Davidson is very pleased to sponsor the first West Coast Bikers Roundup event.  We look forward to highlighting the many contributions African Americans have made to motorcycling and celebrating the historical accomplishments of Colonel Allen Allensworth,” said Lynn Bonner Austin, director of Market Outreach, Harley-Davidson.

Harley-Davidson Softail® stars in new Indiana Jones movie (May 22, 2008)

A Harley-Davidson Softail® Springer Classic features prominently in the new Indiana Jones movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ opening in theaters across the country today.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the latest in the series of cult Indiana Jones movies stars Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf along with a 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail Springer Classic customized to reflect the movie’s 1957 period setting. The bike’s starring role comes during one of the film’s signature action-packed chase scenes, and features Shia LaBeouf tearing through a college campus with Harrison Ford along for the ride as a passenger.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company prepared five bikes for this movie and was closely involved with the on-set handling of the bikes. After the completion of the filming, two of the bikes will be returned to the Motor Company and will be on display in the soon-to-be-opened Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Museum, which opens to the public on July 12 in Milwaukee.

Over the past decade, women have increasingly embraced the sport of motorcycling – seeking the freedom and empowerment associated with riding solo on the open road. Today, in celebration of the growing presence of women in the sport, Harley-Davidson® is participating in International Female Ride Day and encouraging female riders around the world to allocate time to hit the open road.

International Female Ride Day is devoted to women riders of all ages and experience levels--spotlighting their passion for and involvement in the sport of motorcycling. The event celebrates women of all ages who take life by the handlebars by encouraging them to ride, no matter what type or style of motorcycle. This is the first year the Motor Company will be involved with this event, started last year by Vicki Gray of MOTORESS.

"The growth in the number of female riders over the past two decades is exciting, from 4 percent in 1990 to 12 percent today,” said Leslie Prevish, Women’s Outreach Manager for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Our participation in the event is our way of embracing and acknowledging women motorcyclists worldwide.”

Harley-Davidson Motor Company will celebrate International Female Ride Day by providing special parking for all female riders, gathering an employee ride in Milwaukee and hosting a Garage Party in the afternoon for female employees interested in motorcycles.

The Harley-Davidson Garage Party is a women’s only event held at dealerships nationwide to help women learn more about motorcycling and to meet others who are interested in riding. Attendees experience activities that are both entertaining and educational with topics including a review of the basic motorcycle controls, how to customize a motorcycle’s style and ergonomics, how to pick up a motorcycle and how to gear up for a ride.

Motorcyclists reminded that April is ‘Check Your Helmet Month’ (March 27, 2008)

As the motorcycle riding season gets fired up around the country, now is the time to make sure helmets are ready for riding. During April's “Check Your Helmet Month” and throughout the year, motorcycle enthusiasts are reminded to follow a few simple rules to make sure their helmets are ready for summer riding:

1. Fit is vital – a helmet must fit properly to be effective, and not all helmets fit the same. A good fitting helmet should rest one inch above your eyebrows and shouldn’t roll forward or sideways on your head. To ensure a comfortable fit, wear a helmet for 15 minutes before making a final buying decision.
2. They don’t last forever – manufacturers and the SNELL Foundation recommend helmets be replaced every three to five years, depending on use. Glues, resins and other helmet materials break down over time and can make a helmet less effective. Every new Harley-Davidson helmet comes with a “purchased on date” sticker that can be placed under the comfort liner for a quick reference.
3. Keep it clean – a clean and well cared for helmet will protect better and longer. Use a mild soap to wash the outer shell and internal liners. Never use solvents or chemicals for cleaning as they can destroy protective coatings.
4. Mirrors are not hangers – hanging a helmet on a motorcycle’s mirror can damage the impact absorbing liner inside.

A Helmet Designed for Women
Harley-Davidson recently released the Skyline Helmet, the first and only helmet designed specifically for ladies who love to ride. The Skyline has a deeper cavity to provide a better fit, 3D-type comfort padding with removable and interchangeable pads for a custom fit, a notch for a pony-tail and an anti-static liner to keep hair smooth.

Who to Ask?
Harley-Davidson dealers can work to find the right helmet and fit for every rider. Harley-Davidson carries a range of helmet styles including half, three-quarter, full-face and modular helmets, and dealers can provide even more detail with “The Heads-Up on Helmets” brochure.

In addition to the information provided by MotorClothes Specialists at local dealerships, consumers can visit www.harley-davidson.com for detailed information about helmet styles, components, fit, care and replacement, as well as check out the selection of helmets offered by Harley-Davidson. This information can also be accessed in the Helmet Guide section at www.harley-davidson.com/helmets.

Harley-Davidson’s Women’s Day Ride raises more than $67,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Association (March 10, 2008)

For more information about the Get Down to Daytona contest, profiles of the six winners, and more, visit www.harley-davidson.com/womensride.

“Ride to work, at lunch, or all day long. Ride alone, with friends, or with your chapter,” said Mike Keefe, V.P. of the Harley Owners Group. “Just get out, ride and have fun.”

Million Mile Monday, which H.O.G. hopes to make an annual event on the last Monday of June, is open to all H.O.G. members-- riders or passengers. The feat will be recorded by logging into the club’s exclusive members-only website (members.hog.com), where participants can register their miles ridden on that day. For more information about H.O.G. log onto www.hog.com.