Get a Grip
Rideamotorcycle.com is the newest motorcycle Internet web site, one that takes a totally fresh approach to catering to the street-oriented two-wheeled enthusiast. Rideamotorcycle.com is focused on 3 groups; the established street motorcycle rider, new motorcyclists, or those who do not currently ride motorcycles but are curious about learning to do so. Rideamotorcycle.com LLC Editor at Large: Bill Heald Webmaster: Mark Lesselyoung Publisher: Dean Adams Harley's Open Road Show By Evans Brasfield Click to enlarge Suppose you're a motorcycle manufacturer that sells more motorcycles than any other company in the United States. Now, suppose you have arguably the most recognizable motorcycle name in the US and possibly the world. (Don't believe me? Just ask any non-rider to name a motorcycle manufacturer. Avoid Germans and Italians, they're too biased.) Finally, suppose you're celebrating your one-hundredth anniversary of building those motorcycles. What do you do? Trot out the execs with fancy press releases to distribute among the media while they eat cheese cubes? Not flashy enough. Should you have a big party at the corporate headquarters and invite the masses? That worked well last time, but you'd have to make the event even better. Why not throw ten parties in ten locations around the world over the course of that 100th year? Now, you're onto something. You'll provide a mobile Mecca for the faithful to flock to for a frenzy of moto-worship.
Well, Harley-Davidson has done this very thing with its Open Road Tour. On the weekend of September 6-8, the tour's third stop landed in the California Motor Speedway's infield a stone's throw away from Los Angeles in Fontana, CA. A crowd of enthusiasts estimated at more than 50,000 descended on the hamlet to immerse themselves in all things Harley.
The Motor Company clearly knows how to throw a party. Two stages provided plenty of loud music. Each night ended with a major act. For example, on Friday night, the Doors performed on-stage for the first time this century. (Doesn't that make you feel old?) Food vendors help attendees keep their strength. Of course, plenty of liquids were served.
The centerpiece of the Open Road Tour's festivities consists of three 20,000-square-foot exhibit tents. Each tent features a single theme in the Harley mystique. To ease the navigation among the tents, the theme contained is emblazoned on the outside in multiple languages. The first exhibit I visited was "The Culture," which I thought was appropriate since the Biker culture (with a capital "B") has been more inextricably linked with Harley-Davidson hardware than any other manufacturer. A movie theater ran a non-stop montage of movie selections in which Harleys played a role. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit also featured video clips--compete with flashing lights and raucous sound. However, the most popular area in the Culture hall was the temporary tattoo section. People stood two deep at tables, rifling through the piles to tattoos, attempting to find their favorite Harley-Davidson logo. While standing there I heard a precocious ten year-old tell her mother that she wasn't placing the tattoo far enough down into her ample cleavage. Dad stepped in front of my camera as I tried to capture this heartwarming moment.
Entering "The Machine" was like stepping into the sanctuary of Our Lady of Internal Combustion. Rows of gleaming historic Harleys and displays of engine components surrounded the central altar that rose to the pinnacle of the tent. Mounted on the circular altar were examples of eight generations of engines, ranging from the Panhead to the Revolution. Alcoves off to the sides displayed the internal workings of the fabled Harley engine. One room featured 100 favorite gas tank graphics selected by Willie G. Davidson and his design team. If you listened closely, you could hear proud Harley owners explaining why their tank design was superior to one or more of the 100.
Looking at the 100 years of Harley-Davidson, "The Journey" exhibit focused on major events in H-D history. High points for me were the video displays with excerpts of people describing their Harley experiences. Even in the early stages of the event, a line formed outside the Story Booth as people waited to immortalize their own tales. In contrast to all the lights and dazzle, the recreation of the original shed/birthplace of the company seemed quaint, out of place, and unnoticed.
While the Open Road Tour is a celebration of Harley-Davidson and the associated Biker life-style, the event was also family-friendly. Interactive displays gave kids something to play with, and one tent even housed a little oval track for children to circulate on Fischer Price electric toy Harleys. Of course grown-ups could also play on the demo rides and Buell Battletrax event. Bubba Blackwell performed motorcycle stunts on a Buell, and the Cossacks gave precision riding demonstrations.
Harley owners--or even just fans of the marque--should consider attending the Open Road Tour if one comes nearby. The remaining cities are: Toronto, Dallas, Mexico City, Sydney, Tokyo, Barcelona, and Hamburg. Cruise to www.harley-davidson.com and click on the 100th Anniversary link to learn more.
