Harley-Davidson and the Golden Gods

Rob Halford on Cross Bones

Harley-Davidson will be front and center at the second annual Revolver magazine Golden Gods hard-rock music awards at Los Angeles’s Club Nokia, April 8 when 2010 Revolver Golden God award winner Rob Halford, lead singer of Judas Priest, rides a customized Harley-Davidson Cross Bones motorcycle onto the awards stage to receive the award from Ozzy Osbourne. The pre-recorded awards presentation will air on the VH1 Classic cable channel on May 22.

Exclusive motorcycle parking will also be provided for participants in Glendale H-D’s Ride to the Revolver Golden Gods group ride from the dealership to Club Nokia the evening of the awards show. Twenty lucky riders will win pre-show VIP access to meet the Golden Gods.

New for this year, fans can cast their votes to choose who will take home the awards for “Best Guitarist,” “Best Drummer,” “Best Vocalist,” “Album of the Year,” “Best Live Band,” “Best Underground Band,” “Most Metal Athlete,” “Hottest Chick(s) in Metal” and “Comeback Of The Year” at revolvermag.com/goldengods. Voting ends on Wednesday, March 31.

As an added bonus, everyone who casts a vote will be entered for a chance to win one of three Harley-Davidson prize packs, including a free Riders Edge course for two, or a free three-day Harley-Davidson Authorized Rental, plus a $100 Harley-Davidson Gift Card to get geared up.

Celebrate Women Riders Month at the Big Event in Milwaukee

Online registration for Harley-Davidson’s May 22-23 event in Milwaukee celebrating international Women Riders Month is now open. To register, visit the events section of h-d.com/womenriders.

Women riders from all over the world will gather for the weekend, which features demo rides and other activities at the H-D Museum. The Milwaukee event is also highlighted by a group ride on Saturday that ends at a Downtown Street Party featuring live music, great food, a beer garden, and more. The event will also feature a Chapter Challenge, with awards for the club with the most women registered for the event, and also for most members registered overall.

Don’t miss the biggest party of the year for women riders, no matter what type of motorcycle you ride. There will be activities for non-riders too, like the Harley-Davidson Experience motorcycle simulator, where no motorcycle license is needed to ride!

The $35 registration fee includes:

Exclusive Commemorative Charm for the Event

Free Admission to the H-D Museum

Participation in the Milwaukee Group Ride

Participation in the Wisconsin Products Passport Ride

Local Merchant Discounts

Harley Does Austin

Going to South by Southwest? Like beer, rock and free motorcycles?

If you’re headed to Austin for SxSW, come to Club DeVille (900 Red River) from noon to 6pm on March 20. There’ll be live music from Priestess, Thee Oh Sees, River City Tan Lines and Bear Hands. If the music isn’t enough, Harley-Davidson is also giving away a Forty-Eight motorcycle and free swag like t-shirts, bandanas and cozys. You can also experience the Thrill of the Throttle by hopping on one of our Dark Custom bikes even if you’re new to riding or not licensed. Plus, check out some of the best work from Art of Rebellion – with tanks and tins painted by the likes of Frank Kozik, Tara McPherson, Brian Ewing and more.

Follow all of H-D’s action from SxSW at facebook.com/darkcustom.

Harley-Davidson’s Ultimate UFC Weekend Contest Goes Live

Fans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship can register starting March 22 on UFC.com for a chance to win the Grand Prize of an Ultimate UFC Weekend experience at UFC 116. The winner will receive 4 Octagon side tickets, front row seats for the weigh-in, and a Meet & Greet with UFC’s Dana White, the fighters, and the Octagon Girls following the weigh-in.

March 18, 2010 – Steve Hurley (Stingray Chevrolet) and Bubba the Love Sponge® purchased and customized a 2010 Hulk Hogan Edition Camaro, which was the feature vehicle displayed at the recent Florida Strawberry Festival, held March 4-14 in Plant City.  All proceeds ($70, 000) from a raffle held to win the car and raise funds for Unity in the Community will be donated to the local non-profit organization, which primarily supports Meals on Wheels for seniors and the United Food Bank in Plant City. 

Hulk Hogan and Bubba the Love Sponge® presented a 2010 Hulk Hogan Edition Chevrolet Camaro to Plant City raffle winner Gary Willetts, and a check for $70,000 to Unity in the Community President Linda Fuhrman.

Premium Features at a Great Price

MILWAUKEE – The Ride Ready Collection from the Harley-Davidson^® MotorClothes^® line eliminates the guesswork by delivering what riders need in functional gear at a premium value. The men’s Ride Ready Textile Jacket (P/N 98303-10VM, $139) combines a mesh-lined, water-resistant nylon shell with underarm venting, body armor pockets at the shoulders and elbow, and six pockets. It’s available in S-5XL and Tall sizes.

Made from waterproof nylon with a comfortable mesh lining, the men’s Ride Ready Packable Rain Suit (P/N 98307-10VM, $139) features ride-smart extras like removable hood, adjustable cuffs/openings, articulated knees (with heat-resistant shield on the inner leg) and 3M^™ Scotchlite^™ Reflective Material. It’s available in S-5XL sizes.

These and other items from the Ride Ready Collection are available beginning in March at most Harley-Davidson dealerships.

For additional information on Harley-Davidson MotorClothes products, see your local
Harley-Davidson dealer or visit harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call 1.800.LUV.2RIDE in the U.S. or Canada.

Custom Fit and Road Ready

MILWAUKEE  – With three custom styles featuring a modern wash and updated fits, the new Men’s Denim Jeans from the Harley-Davidson^® MotorClothes^® line are built to wear as well as they look. They’re constructed from 100 percent 12.75-oz. cotton denim, with five-pocket styling including the unique left-side coin pocket. The dark, slightly-tinted washes feature distressed sandblasting on the thighs, embossed leather Bar & Shield waist patch and custom Harley-Davidson back-pocket embroidery. The New Classic Boot Cut Jeans
(P/N 99028-10VM, $39) combine a slimmer fit through the seat and thighs with a wider boot cut leg opening. Relaxed Straight Leg and Traditional fits are also available, all in 28-46-in. waist sizes with 30-, 32-, 34- or 36-in. inseams.

The new Men’s Denim Jeans are available now at most Harley-Davidson dealerships.

For additional information on Harley-Davidson MotorClothes products, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call 1.800.LUV.2RIDE in the U.S. or Canada.

In the latest round of takeover speculation, traders talk up a buyout by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. But it could just be talk.

Posted by Charley Blaine on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 

Harley-Davidson (HOG) shares shot higher today as traders speculated the motorcycle maker was the potential target of a leveraged buyout.

The stock was up 7% to $28.35 today. Shares had been as high as $28.43.

Traders in Frankfurt, Germany, cited market talk that private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts was a potential bidder for Harley.

Trading in call options was heavy, WhatsTrading.com options strategist Frederic Ruffy told Reuters.

“Traders are focused on short-term March call options with strikes between $25 and $28 and the April $28 and $30 calls,” he said. March options expire on Friday after the close.

Volatility in the options was “hot . . . and indicates fear as well as short-covering,” said Jon Najarian, co-founder of optionMonster.com. There is a 15% short interest in Harley shares, he noted.

Harley-Davidson had no comment.

“There is a lot of cash chasing very low returns at the moment. So, any company that looks like it is well run and is relatively cheap in valuation may find themselves subject to these rumors,” TD Ameritrade chief derivatives strategist Joe Kinahan told Reuters.

The March calls allowing investors to buy the shares at $27 apiece by this Friday and the April $30 calls are trading briskly, said Jud Pyle, chief investment strategist at OptionsNews Network.

In the last few weeks, there has been takeover speculation in a host of stocks, including Radio Shack (RSH), AK Steel (AKS), supermarket operator Supervalu (SVU), Beazer Homes (BZH) and Calpine (CPN) and chemical producer Huntsman (HUN).

Many haven’t panned out. But Najarian noted that rumors about Smith International (SII) have proved true. It’s being acquired by Schlumberger. And medical instrument maker Millipore (MIL) is merging with Merck of Germany (MKGAF).

“Just like many other stocks in the last few weeks, Harley-Davidson is popping on LBO rumors. On Friday it was Supervalu, today it is Harley,” Pyle said.

Retrieved March 18, 2010; from http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/market-dispatches.aspx?post=1707481&_blg=1,1707481

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) told a key U.S. House committee that it opposes a bill to designate 850,000 acres in Colorado as federally protected Wilderness because, among other reasons, the public land contains dams, power lines, bridges and other structures.

The AMA noted its opposition in a formal letter dated March 10 to the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands that will be part of the committee report for the bill — H.R. 4289, the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009. The AMA also complained that the measure would designate the land as Wilderness without any input from local elected officials and affected user groups.

“By designating these public lands Wilderness, the legislation will close off responsible motorized access to hundreds of thousands of acres,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, in the letter.

Moreland sent the letter to committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-Utah) prior to the committee’s hearing on the bill, which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.).

Moreland noted that the affected land isn’t in DeGette’s congressional district, and “to date not one Colorado representative has co-sponsored H.R. 4289. This is very telling — the local population in the area affected does not support this bill.”

At that hearing on March 11, U.S. Rep. John Salazar (D-Colo.) testified: “This bill in its current form will close numerous motorized routes, snowmobile areas and mountain bike trails. These are important activities in my district that contribute to both the quality of life that my constituents enjoy as well as being a major economic activity in these communities.”

Kent Holsinger, a Denver lawyer who specializes in land, wildlife and water law, testified that the proposal doesn’t meet the strict requirements of the Wilderness Act of 1964 “to protect lands untrammeled by man.” He added that “acreage crisscrossed by roads, trails, powerlines and pipelines should clearly be excluded from consideration” for a Wilderness designation, and that the AMA, Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), BlueRibbon Coalition, and Colorado Snowmobile Association all oppose the bill.

In his letter, Moreland wrote that public land is for the enjoyment of all Americans and not just those who are physically able to enjoy them.

“Enthusiasts who enjoy our nation’s public lands are not just the nimble and fit but also families with small children who wish to recreate together, as well as active senior citizens and handicapped who enjoy the freedom to access the outdoors that off-highway vehicles and all-terrain vehicles provide,” he wrote.

“The AMA opposes any process that does not allow full public debate on the disposition of public lands,” he added. “Indeed, these designations deserve to be considered to allow time or thoughtful deliberation and input from affected user groups, local and state elected officials and Congress. However, the AMA, Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA) nor any of their individual members or member clubs were contacted or asked for input to avoid conflict with existing multiple-use (including, but not limited to motorized) activities.”

One reason Moreland and others are so concerned about H.R. 4289 being pushed in Congress without prior input from the local community and elected officials is because it is seen as a prelude to the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal, a project of the White River Wilderness Coalition, to designate more than 400,000 acres in Colorado as Wilderness.

To see the AMA’s letter to the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands click here: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/legisltn/documents/ama_statement_oppose_h.r.4289.pdf. To read Holsinger’s testimony click here: resourcescommittee.house.gov/images/Documents/20100311/parks/testimony_holsinger.pdf.

To take action on this issue, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues and Legislation or click here: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp. To receive e-mail alerts on issues, sign up in the “Get Involved” section of the Rights page or click here: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/legisltn/getInvolved/.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

Travel Management Process on Lewis and Clark National Forest Flawed

Irvine, Calif., March 11, 2010 – On March 10, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana ruled that the 2007 Travel Management Plan issued by the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Montana Wilderness Study Act (MWSA).  The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) had joined a coalition of recreation groups in filing a lawsuit challenging the Plan. 

SVIA and MIC general counsel Paul Vitrano commented, “We are pleased with the ruling.  It shows that when agencies overstep their legal authority OHV enthusiasts and industry can not only get our voices heard, but we can impact the process.” 

The lawsuit challenged the Travel Management Plan covering part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.  The final plan developed by the Forest reduced access for off-highway vehicles (OHV) by over 50% and placed more of the Forest off-limits to OHVs than any alternative that had been proposed.  The Court ruled the plan was a violation because NEPA requires that all reasonable alternatives be presented in a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).  The Court wrote in its opinion: “The [Forest's] final decision was not discussed in the DEIS as an alternative and was not a blend of DEIS alternatives. Rather, it created a unique and separate alternative. Not only was the unexamined alternative viable and reasonable in the eyes of the Forest, it was chosen as the final agency decision.”

The Court also found that the travel plan, which would have eliminated two-thirds of the previously available motorized routes in the Middle Fork Wilderness Study Area, violated the MWSA.  The MWSA directed the Forest to maintain the wilderness character of the study area as it existed when the Act was enacted, 1977.  The Court wrote: “To the extent the wilderness character was there in 1977, it was to be maintained. To the extent the wilderness character was lacking in 1977, it was not to be imposed.” 

The Lewis and Clark developed the plan in an effort to implement the national Travel Management Rule finalized by the U.S. Forest Service in November 2005.  The rule requires each Forest to undergo processes to designate roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicles. 

MIC and SVIA senior vice president, Kathy Van Kleeck said, “We believe the Court made the correct ruling in this case; however, it is important to note that the industry continues to support the Travel Management Rule, as well as efforts by the Forest Service to effectively manage OHV use.  In every case we hope that collaborative processes will result in equitable plans, but in some cases, like the Lewis and Clark, it is necessary to take additional measures.”

The suit was filed by the Russell Country Sportsmen, Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association, Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association, Great Falls Snowmobile Club, Meagher County Little Belters, Treasure State Alliance, Motorcycle Industry Council, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and BlueRibbon Coalition.  Representing the plaintiffs are Paul Turcke of Boise, Idaho, Bill Horn of Washington, D.C., and Rob Cameron of Helena, Montana.

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles through rider training, public awareness campaigns and state legislation. Additionally, the SVIA works to preserve access to off-road lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA is a resource for ATV research, statistics and vehicle standards. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ATVs.

Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is a not-for-profit industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at www.svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

4TH ANNUAL ROAD TO HEALTH POKER RUN

Run stops include

Kahuna’s

Tilted Kilt

Molly Goodheads

Jack Willies

Egypt Shriners

$450 Cash Prize for Best Hand

$50 for Worst Hand

Raffles, Prizes, Food & Drink

Specials at Last Stop

For more Information contact

Shriner Rocky Stout 813-925-1601

Poker run made possible through the following: Krewe of F-Troop, Krewe of Shamrock, Thieves of San Lorenzo and

the Krewe of Agustina de Aragon. All proud supporters of Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Saturday april 17 , 2010

Registration/First Out:

11:00 A.M.

(OPEN TO BIKES & CARS)

Kahuna’s (starting point)

10515 Gandy Blvd. | St. Petersburg, FL

$20 for first hand | $10 for additional HANDS

Visit www.RoadtoHealthPokerRun.org

for more information or to donate to this great cause

benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Power Tops a Quick Pro Stock Motorcycle Field

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 14, 2010) – Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines rider Eddie Krawiec rode a Harley-Davidson® V-Rod® to win the opening round of the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season at the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Krawiec defeated Rum Bum Buell rider Shawn Gann in the final round of eliminations.

Krawiec prevailed over a very quick field of NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle riders. Eight of the 16 bikes qualified for the event with a run under 6.9 seconds, and all but three were under 7.00 seconds. Suzuki rider Karen Stoffer topped qualifying with a 6.855-second run in the last round of qualifying to set a new track record for the class, and established a new national ET record for Pro Stock Motorcycle with a 6.851-second run in the first round of eliminations. Krawiec qualified second at 6.868 seconds. His Harley-Davidson V-Rod teammate Andrew Hines was fifth in qualifying at 6.883 seconds.

Krawiec advanced to the finals with a win over Coffman Tank Trucks Buell rider Angie Smith in round one, a free pass in round two when Suzuki rider Steve Johnson fouled at the start, and a very close win over Valvoline Suzuki rider Craig Treble in round three. Krawiec used a 6.903 ET to overcome a reaction time of 0.076 seconds to get past Treble (0.011/6.971) and win by just 0.0033 seconds.

“I almost gave it all away in the third round,” said Krawiec. “I had a terrible start but used that V-Rod power to get past him right at the end. I think I won by just a few inches.”

There was no drama in the final round, as Krawiec posted a 0.045/6.899 run to defeat the 0.054/6.908 pass by Gann and take his sixth career victory.

“Once again we won by being consistent and steady,” said Krawiec who had runs of 6.864 (a new career-best ET), 6.856, 6.899 and 6.908 on the day. “We were really going to have to be on our game to win against this field. This is a great way to get the season rolling.”

Hines defeated Suzuki rider Jim Underdahl in round one, and went out in round two after leaving the line early. His reaction time in round one was 0.007 seconds.

“We were trying something a little experimental with my bike that we did not have an opportunity to test before the race, and didn’t quite have it dialed in,” said Hines. “It’s something we can fix before the next race, now that we have a baseline. This was a tremendous field, and it’s clear the other teams were doing some R&D work in the offseason. I think 2010 is going to be a very competitive season.”

With one round of the 17-race 2010 NHRA Pro Stock season complete, Krawiec leads the class with 119 points. Gann is second with 94 points, followed by Stoffer with 84, and Geico Suzuki rider Hector Arana in fourth with 76. Treble is fifth with 75 points, followed by VRoom Racing Buell rider David Hope with 58 points, and Hines in seventh place with 54 points.   

The next Pro Stock Motorcycle event on the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule is the inaugural Four-Wide NHRA Nationals, March 25-28, at zMAX Dragway, Concord, N.C.

Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit http://www.harley-davidson.com/ for more information.

The Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team is sponsored by Matco Tools, Dunlop and S100.