Harley Davidson Designs

Harley Davidson Designs

Harley Davidson bikes come in a standard look that can be recognized from a distance. These looks are classic, definitive for their Harleys model. While many bike enthusiasts love these looks on their Harleys, others prefer to take another road. They prefer to customizing the them powerful bike for truly unique and powerful Harleys. Customization options have become populair for people who have a Harleys.

If you want to customize your Harley, you will first need a Harley Davidson design. A design covers most everything about your Harley – from the saddlebags to front and rear fenders, and color. You can look online for examples of these. There are several Harley custom service sites with sample designs for you to choose from. Just get online and do a simple search using your favorite search engine. You are bound to get several good hits. Another way to do this is to go directly to well-known Harley websites. These sites either have design concepts for you to use or can refer you to websites that specialize in Harley designs. It is always beneficial to have good references when dealing with online entities. Note that the Harley design sites you find online can come in handy by the time you need to bring in your bike for customization.

You can use the designs as is or sample patterns here and there, having these starting points for making your Harley truly your own. Of course, it is best to have a theme, such as blazing red with fiery flares or whatever suits your fancy. With a theme to start with, it won’t be as hard putting custom parts together.

Another option for design is to go to a nearby custom Harley design center. This is a good option if you do not know where to start or what suits your Harley model. The professionals at the design center will most probably have some suggestions for you – ranging from what’s popular to what suits your personality. At the same time, if you have to ask someone about design tips, then might as well ask those who spend hours in their day planning and executing designs.

Once you’ve got your design planned out, it’s time to get to work. A great way to customize your Harley is by doing it yourself. This then becomes truly a custom built bike, for you and by you. To begin this personal project, you can go online to purchase custom parts and accessories. Or, you can head on to your dealer or Harley parts and accessories shops for the gears you need. Make sure to have your manual handy when you temporarily tear your bike apart.

Else, you can just take your bike to the shop and they’ll do the work for you.

Read More..

Ducati Monster 1100 vs Harley-Davidson XR1200

There is no says "motorcycle" like a water-cooled naked sporty bike. They were a little more of the engine with a pair of wheels tacked on at either end. No unsightly radiators and their attendant plumbing, plastic fairings and no hiding the mechanical bits - they're the epitome of Elemental motorcycling.

But in this slice of moto-dom, there are a few different philosophies. Ducati's Monster 1100 represents an Italian school of thought, with eye-catching styling that befits its country of origin. One of the originators of the naked sportbike movement, this new Monster's abbreviated trellis frame pares down the bike's visible components to a level that an untrained eye might wonder how the thing is held together.

The North American viewpoint is provided by Harley-Davidson's new XR1200, an homage to the most American form of two-wheel motorsport, dirt-track racing. Other than its modern aluminum swingarm and triple-disc brakes, the XR appears as if it could’ve rolled off the pages of a Cycle News race report from the 1960s.

What we have here are two machines that are literally half a world apart in origin, and probably a galaxy apart in styling philosophy. Yet the commonality of simplicity – the simplicity of a no-nonsense air-cooled Twin as a power source – make the Harley-Davidson XR1200 and Ducati Monster 1100 brothers in arms.

Read More..

Harley-Davidson creates special program to help riders share their passion

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mentor as a "trusted counselor or guide". Mentors can come from many various ages and backgrounds, but their general goal is to share of all to sharing their passion with others. So as the nation celebrates National Mentoring Month, Harley- Davidson is encourage riders to share their passion to open the road with other people through a special mentoring program called Share Your Spark.

Share Your Spark: A Guide to Mentoring is a tool kit the Motor Company developed for current and aspiring riders featuring information on how to be a resource and support system to others during their motorcycling journey. The mentoring kit includes information for both potential mentors and mentees, including a DVD showcasing tips on how to become or find a mentor, stories from successful mentoring experiences, a special Share Your Spark pin and a planning and reflection guide.

Prevish adds that Share Your Spark is not just for women, but the Motor Company’s research indicates many women have expressed their desire to be – and find – a good riding mentor.

Over the past several years, women have increasingly embraced the sport of motorcycling – seeking the freedom and adventure associated with the open road, polished chrome and a sweet sounding engine. In fact, the number of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson motorcycles has tripled over the past 20 years, with women now accounting for nearly 12 percent of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle purchases.

What Else Harley’s Doing to Inspire Women to Ride?
Harley-Davidson’s We Ride is a comprehensive and inspirational overview on what a new rider or a woman interested in riding needs to know about getting into the sport. It features information on how and where women can learn to ride with details on the Rider’s Edge New Rider Course, as well as the best way to fit a motorcycle for a woman’s ergonomic and functional needs. It also includes tips on getting involved and staying active with riding groups, including inspirational stories from real women who have answered the call of the open road. The special 48-page riding guide is available for free download at www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders or can also be picked up at any local Harley-Davidson dealership.

Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country are also hosting women-only Garage Parties to encourage them to get involved in motorcycling. The Harley-Davidson Garage Party event provides a non-intimidating environment for women to learn more about motorcycling and meet others who are interested in riding.

For more information about Share Your Spark, visit your local Harley-Davidson dealership or visit www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders.

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. [1] National Mentoring Month (NMM) was first held in January 2002 and is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project, MENTOR and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Read More..

Harley-Davidson embraces Hispanic riders

HARLEY-DAVIDSON CELEBRATING HISPANIC RIDERS AND ENCOURAGES HARLISTAS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES

Harley-Davidson Motor Company celebrates the launch of a new web site and is proud and dedication to the Hispanic Riders. As authentic as the Motor Company, experience interactive of Harlista is features true from the Hispanic Harley Riders. A Harlista is a heritage from the Harley rider of Latino.

The new interactive section highlights the appreciation of Latino Harley riders and enthusiasts. Harlistas can share and submit personal stories, photos and videos of their life on the open road by visiting www.harley-davidson.com/harlistas. Some of the stories will be selected for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming documentary produced by Harley-Davidson.

"There is a longstanding history between Hispanics and Harley-Davidson and we want to celebrate it", said Karina Jaramillo-Saa, manager of market outreach, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "We are very excited about our Harlista site and can't wait to share in the spirit of our riders and see their wonderful experiences".

Harley-Davidson has been a previous supporter of the Latin Billboard Music Awards, Lowrider Tours, Los Angeles' Fiesta Broadway and one of the largest Latino motorcycle clubs in the U.S., the Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA).

Merging the Latino and Harley experience is the foundation of this effort that captures the warmth, compañerismo (camaraderie) and trust one would sense in the presence of a true Harlista. The interactive experience will further encourage the camaraderie among Harlistas and also serve as a community to inspire those who want to ride.

"Harlistas share in the pride and passion of Harley-Davidson", said Mario Nieves, president of LAMA whose story is featured at the site. "Riders come from all walks of life. From Central to South America, the Caribbean and North America, Harlistas share a rich and proud history. This centralized online community gives us a space to share in that passion".

Mario is joined by Mike Ramos and Victor Camarillo, fellow Harlistas who share their stories and are also featured in additional material available at local dealerships.

Read More..

New H-D Woman's SHIMMER HYBRID ULTRA-LIGHT SKYLINE HELMET

The new Women's Shimmer Hybrid Ultra-Light Half Helmet Skyline (P / N 97310-09VW, $ 235) in production by Harley Davidson Motor Clothes shines with style and comfort. Created with a mixture of fiberglass and Armaid shell with the exclusive process, all helmets weighs just 1 lb 6 oz, this is guaranteed 17 percent more light from the traditional fiberglass Helmets.

Like all Skyline helmets, its woman-specific design includes a 10-mm deeper cavity for a lower profile fit, a washable anti-static comfort liner that reduces helmet hair, a pony-tail notch and interlocking side and crown liners for a customized fit. It's available in sizes XXS - XXL and meets all DOT requirements.

Riders and/or passengers can complement a woman's helmet with hands-free music and conversation using the Road Tech™ Bluetooth® 2.0 Headset System (P/N 98272-09VM, $200). Small and easy to install, it offers excellent audio quality and fits all helmet styles.

The Shimmer Hybrid Ultra-Light Skyline Half Helmet and Road Tech Bluetooth 2.0 Headset System are available in April at most Harley-Davidson dealerships.

Read More..

Harley-Davidson declares May 'Women Riders Month'

Only the U.S. based motorcycle manufacturer, the company plan had to make the first event around the globe to the celebrate women riders. This May the rumble from april showers will be continues a little longer because thousands of women will be succeed open road to celebrate the inaugural Month Women Riders.

Throughout the month of May, Harley-Davidson is staging a series of events designed to celebrate the number of women who have already hit the open road on two wheels, as well as encourage even more women to get behind the handlebars. Two of the larger Harley-Davidson Women Riders Month initiatives include:

· Activities for the 3rd Annual International Female Ride Day on Friday, May 1, 2009, which was founded by Vicki Gray of Motoress.com. The day celebrates women of all ages who take life by the handlebars by encouraging them to ride. Harley-Davidson plans to stage special rides in New York City and Milwaukee to commemorate International Female Ride Day. Harley-Davidson dealerships, subsidiaries and suppliers across the world have been encouraged to plan rides in their areas.

· Encouraging 100,000 women to learn to ride either by taking the Harley-Davidson Rider's Edge New Rider Course or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourseSM training program. Several Rider's Edge New Rider Courses and MSF Basic RiderCourses are scheduled for the first weekend of May. To kick-off this initiative, a Guinness World Record will be set for the number of women motorcycle riders trained in one weekend during the first weekend of May. For information on the Rider's Edge New Rider Course or a MSF Basic RiderCourse visit your local Harley-Davidson dealership or log on to www.ridersedge.com or www.msf-usa.org.

"Women have been enjoying the sport of motorcycling for the last century", said Leslie Prevish, women's outreach manager, Harley-Davidson. "In the past two decades, we've seen a dramatic increase in number of women embrace the sport. By declaring May as Women Riders Month, we're honoring all of the women who enjoy the freedom and adventure found in taking control of their own handlebars".

In the past 20 years, the percentage of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson motorcycles has tripled, with women now accounting for nearly 12 percent of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle purchases.

"We know there are thousands of women who are interested in the sport, but aren't sure where to start", said Prevish. "We are encouraging women to learn how to ride a motorcycle to increase the women rider community and help them along their journey".

During Women Riders Month, the Motor Company also plans to showcase several other programs it has designed specifically for women, including:

· Harley-Davidson dealerships will also be hosting women-only Garage Parties™ which provides a non-intimidating environment for women to learn more about motorcycling.

· Distributing We Ride, a comprehensive and inspirational brochure on what a new rider or a woman interested in riding needs to know about getting into the sport.

· Share Your Spark™: A Guide to Mentoring is a tool kit the Motor Company developed for current and aspiring riders featuring information on how to be a resource and support system to others during their motorcycling journey.

Read More..

Famous Harley Davidson Riders

Although there is no official documentation, Janet Davidson is probably the women who ride Harley Davidson first time. Janet is the aunt of Arthur, Walter and William Davidson. She helped her nephews out by using her artistic Talents to paint pinstriping and lettering on their motorcycles.

Several other women are notable in the just over 100-year history of the Harley Davidson Company. In 1929 Vivian Bale road her 45 Twin D Harley on a trip of almost 5,000 miles. Along the way she stopped to meet with dealers of her favorite ride. After completing this legendary trip she spent many more years riding and performing motorcycle stunts at various racing events in Florida.

Brigitte Bardot was a famous movie star and pinup star in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s she became so enamored by Harley Davidson Motorcycles that she debuted her hit single entitled Harley Davidson. Also popular was a photograph of her astride her favorite motorcycle. She is wearing hot pants and a partially unzipped leather jacket.

Well-known actress Elizabeth Taylor rode a Purple Passion motorcycle that was given to her by her friend Malcolm Forbes. It was said that the bike matched her famous eyes.

Peter Fonda is probably one of the most famous male Harley Davidson Riders thanks to the 1969 movie Easy Rider. Dennis Hopper also appeared in this movie and the photo of a scene showing them both together, each atop his Harley is still sough after today.

Malcolm Forbes, the founder of Forbes magazine and one of the wealthiest men ever, not only loved giving Harley Davidson’s to friends as gifts, he owned more than 50 of them himself. Forbes began riding motorcycles in his late 40’s and enjoyed it so much he began collecting them. His personal endorsement of the Harley made its sales soar to new heights.

Jay Leno is another celebrity who is known for his love of Harley Davidson motorcycles. He loves them so much that not only does he own several, but he also does his own maintenance and repair work.

Several other well-known Harley Davidson riding celebrities include: Elvis Presley, Don Johnson, Jackson Browne, Mickey Rourke and Tina Turner. And who can forget Arnold Schwarznegger and His Terminator role. Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton also posed astride a Harley during his campaign.

Though not famous in a good way, the hard-core motorcycle gang known of as the Hells Angels also favor Harley Davidson bikes. There is no known link to the Harley Davidson Company. This motorcycle club began in 1948 and by the 1960’s was notorious throughout the United States and Canada. Tied to drugs and crime just the site of these bikers was enough to strike fear into an entire town whenever they rode through. Today the Hell’s Angels sponsor several charitable events in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately they still frequently appear in the news for criminally related activities. The motorcycle club has been deemed an established criminal organization by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Read More..