In The News

Want to be a featured trucking hog rider?

As a member of the trucking industry — on the driving or corporate side — do you own and ride a hog? Then we’re looking for you.

At Downtime, we thought it’d be great to feature some of our own members in this regular monthly Harley-Davidson column each month. After all, we know that hog-owners are a special breed, and we all enjoy seeing others’ bikes and sharing ride experiences. So we want to know more about you. If you’re a regular rider (or even one with a bike in the garage who wishes he/she could ride more), write us. We want to know how long you’ve been an H-D owner, what type of bike you ride, where’s the farthest you’ve gone on a road trip, what rallies you’ve attended and any other great orange-and-black information you’d care to share. And we’ve got to have photos as well.

Each featured rider will receive a $100 Harley-Davidson gift certificate from Downtime, or you can opt to donate the $100 to the Muscular Distrophy Association (MDA), of which Harley-Davidson is a proud supporter.

Start by sending an e-mail expressing your interest in being a featured O&B rider for the month and providing a little information about yourself. Be sure to include your contact phone number. If chosen we’ll be in touch to gather more details as well as photos from you. Send your e-mail to [email protected].

Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary MDA contributions reach 6.7 million

Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association reached $6.7 million surpassing its original $6 million goal for 105th Anniversary fundraising. The 2008 total brings cumulative 28-year fundraising for MDA to more than $71 million. The announcement was made during Harley-Davidson’s Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee, Wis., and was broadcast on the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. 

Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Officer Jim Ziemer was joined by Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Jim McCaslin and Senior Vice-President and Chief Styling Officer Willie G. Davidson to make the final check announcement.  

Harley-Davidson MDA Goodwill Ambassador Luke Christie accepted the $6.7 million check on behalf of the children and families served by MDA. “The Harley-Davidson family rides for us,” said Christie at the final total announcement. “These are the friendliest and nicest people on the planet and they care deeply about Jerry’s Kids.”

Christie, 15 and a resident of Due West, S.C., visits dealer and customer events throughout the country on behalf of Harley-Davidson and MDA.

Harley-Davidson fundraising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association took place throughout the year and culminated with Harley-Davidson’s 105th Anniversary.  Fundraising activities included pledge rides, dealer fundraisers, motorcycle raffles, Black and Blue Ball fundraising dinners, auctions and pin sales. Top MDA fundraisers were given the honor of leading the company's 105th anniversary parade through the streets of Milwaukee.

Harley-Davidson has been a national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1980. The family of Harley-Davidson dealers, customers, H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) members, suppliers and employees raise funds to support life-saving research, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular disease, and MDA summer camps. For more information on the Harley-Davidson and MDA relationship, visit www.mdarides.org.

H.O.G. Celebrates Silver Anniversary

Late Summer 2008, Harley Owners Group, dubbed H.O.G., celebrated its 25th Anniversary at a special event dubbed CLUB H.O.G.  25, hosted on the exterior grounds of Miller Park.

H.O.G. was established as the official owners club of Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1983 in response to a growing desire among Harley riders to find an organized way to share their passion with like-minded people. Since its inception membership has grown rapidly, as H.O.G. today boasts more than one million members, in 1,400 chapters and 130 countries around the world.

“The principles of H.O.G. are the same today as they were in 1983,” said Mike Keefe, vice president and general manager, Harley Owners Group. “We provide unique opportunities for our members to share their passion for the open road and our great motorcycles.”

Throughout its 25 year history, H.O.G. members have also raised millions of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and donated countless hours to help find a cure for neuromuscular disease.

While H.O.G. regularly stages a variety of local, state, national and international rallies every year, CLUB H.O.G. 25 was the group’s largest event in its storied history.

The 25th Anniversary celebration featured live music, comedians and more from popular names like Kid Rock Sugarland, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Billy Bob Thornton Band and comedians Greg Giraldo, Jim McCue and Lewis Black. There were also performances by stunt riders and motorcycle drill teams, as well as the H.O.G. Wall of Ink tattoo contest, exhibits, MDA fund-raising activities and more.