HARLEY-DAVIDSON STEALS THE SHOW AT DAYTONA BIKE WEEK 2007

MILWAUKEE (March 16, 2007) - Harley-Davidson Motor Company surpassed records and marked a few firsts at Daytona Bike Week 2007, held in Daytona Beach, Fla., from March 3-10.  The Harley-Davidson Indoor Show at the Ocean Center saw a record 48,000 visitors, and Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) representatives handed out more than 14,000 pins to H.O.G. members. Harley-Davidson and Buell gave a combined 9,878 total demo rides over the eight-day period, a 25 percent increase over the total demo rides at Daytona 2006. Also, Daytona Bike Week 2007 marked the first event for the redesigned Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum.

Harley-Davidson enthusiasts also raised more than $150,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) during Bike Week 2007. H-D sponsored activities for MDA included the "Bankers Auction," the Willie G. Davidson pledge ride to Daytona, the Harley-Davidson Ride-In Show, MDA public auction, as well as selling pins and raffle tickets for a customized 2007 Fat Boy.

On Wednesday, March 7, custom Harleys filled the streets outside the Ocean Center for the annual Ride-In Show. Owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles from around the world entered into this contest to prove their bike is the best in class. When the winners were asked what they would buy with their $500 cash prize, most of them said, “More chrome!”

Ride-In show winners:
Antique: Don Hart, Napanee, Ontario, Canada, 1936 EL
VRSC: Allen “Otis” Young, Danville, Va., 2004 V-Rod
Sidecar: Thomas Schoetzler, Sarasota, Fla., 2004 Road Glide
Custom Trike: Larry Werkmeister, Gowanda, N.Y., 2007 Road Glide
Full Dresser: Scott Kessler, Bradenton, Fla., 2001 Road Glide
Street Custom Sportster: Roxanne McNeil, Blainville, Quebec, Canada, 2000 Sportster
Buell: Michael Weckmann, Palm Bay, Fla., 1999 M2 Cyclone
Street Custom Big Twin: Jeffrey A. Wright, Orlando, Fla., 2005 Road King Custom
Show Custom Big Twin: Phil Blackmer, Port Orange, Fla., 2002 Softail Deuce
Sport Touring Street: Dave & Sheni Coke, Chuluota, Fla., 2006 Road King
Sport Touring Show: Margaret R. Nicastr, Bowie, Md., 2005 Electra Glide Standard
Radical Custom: Bill Dodge, Howell, N.J., 1941 Knucklehead
Best Use of Motor Accessories: Sportster: Jodi Milner, Salem, Ill., 2007 Sportster
Best Use of Motor Accessories: Big Twin: Dave & Sheni Coke, Chuluota, Fla., 2006 Road King


On Thursday, two true enthusiasts showed their love for Harley-Davidson and for each other by exchanging vows at the H-D Show in the Ocean Center. The couple, Bruno Accart and Leila Bettioui from Dunkirk, France, are both avid riders and each own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. For the wedding, Harley-Davidson provided a cake, a translator, as well as an escort for the lovely bride. Steve Piehl, director of consumer events, walked Leila down the aisle.

Willie G. Davidson, senior vice president and chief styling officer, spoke at the American Motorcyclist Association’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum annual fundraising breakfast on Friday, March 9, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Davidson shared his vision of Harley-Davidson’s iconic design heritage with 450 motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance. The funds raised at the breakfast supported the non-profit AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum’s mission of education and preservation.

The new movie “Wild Hogs,” was the number one movie at the box office opening weekend of Daytona, and it was also Walt Disney Co’s biggest March opening ever, as well as the largest-ever debut for John Travolta, who rode a Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Fat Boy in the movie. Travolta’s Fat Boy, along with some of his Harley-Davidson MotorClothes he wore in the movie, were on display in the Ocean Center while clips and outtakes played in the background. Visitors even got the chance to sit on the bike and get their picture taken.

Harley-Davidson MotorClothes product specialists presented four daily seminars on helmet fit and function in the Harley-Davidson demo area at Daytona International Speedway. During each 15-minute seminar, participants had the chance to win a new Harley-Davidson MotorClothes helmet by filling out a customer information card. At the conclusion of each seminar, one name was drawn to be fitted with a new helmet of their choice: Stock half helmet or a Jet II ¾ helmet.

Bikers who missed the action this year or who want to relive the party after this year’s Daytona dust settles can check out all the action at www.h-d.com/daytona. Direct from Daytona features a photo gallery as well as four daily blogs: Biker Billy’s “Idle Chat,” “The Adventurers” with Bryan and Pete from the Bouncing Souls, “Custom Showcase” with Beau Allen Pacheco and Jessica Craker’s “Daytona Daily.” All of them brought the action Direct from Daytona to enthusiasts’ computers through interviews, video and daily blogs. Visitors to the site during Bike Week were able to vote on the locations “The Adventurers” would experience next and also vote on their favorite bikes posted by Beau Allen Pacheco each day to declare an online Ride-In show champ.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.


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