The new Harley-Davidson Street 750 and Street 500 created a huge buzz all over the motorcycle community, but here are images of a different kind of buzz. This swarm of bees was seen clustering onto a parked motorcycle in a dealership yesterday in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The spectacular swarm had motorists bees a wide berth. The bees settled on the bike, a Hyosung, about 12.30pm. Later, the dealership’s staff called a beekeeper in to remove them. Bees were generally docile when they were without a hive to defend, something the beekeeper backed up by approaching the bees without protective gear and brushing them into a box. 

The Sturgis Buffalo Chip added chart-topping country act, Florida Georgia Line, to the artist lineup of its 33^rd annual motorcycle and music festival. The duo will bring their collection of hard-driving country hits to the 2014 festival including singles, “Cruise,” “Get Your Shine On,” “Round Here” and “Stay.” The contemporary country superstars will perform on Wednesday, Aug. 6 during the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, joining a lineup that currently includes previously announced headliners, Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Buffalo Chip festival will take place July 28-Aug. 9, 2013.

Florida Georgia Line’s popularity has skyrocketed since releasing consecutive, multi-week No. 1 hits from their debut album, “Here’s to the Good Times.” The smash hit, “Cruise,” broke the record for longest No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, sold over 6 million downloads in the US and is the second best-selling country single ever, according to SoundScan.

“These guys are selling out stadiums all over the nation right now,” says Rod Woodruff, president of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “Their work-hard-play-hard attitude provides fans a heavy dose of ‘Good Times,’ which is very relatable for those who come to the Chip to have fun and let loose.”

The four-time American Music Awards nominee, Florida Georgia Line, is one of many artists Buffalo Chip campground guests can enjoy during the nine-day music festival. Concertgoers can expect to sing along with popular radio hits while taking in the authentic 2014 Sturgis Rally experience at the Buffalo Chip. The festival will continue to announce world-class entertainment as it books more artists who fit its motto of “Best Party Anywhere™.”

The 33^rd annual Motorcycle and Music Festival delivers nine days of non-stop entertainment July 28-Aug. 9, 2014. Camping passes are on sale now, and all concerts are free with camping. For more information about camping, concerts and motorcycle events at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip campground, visit www.BuffaloChip.com or call (605) 347-9000.

You can be the new owner of one of Bruce Willis’ motorcycles. The action film star donated five motorcycles from his garage for an online auction to benefit military, past and present, through the national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Boot Campaign. Now up for auction is a 1972 Harley Davidson Ironhead Sportster with a reverse shifter. Place your bid now through December 3, 2013 on Charitybuzz.

This is the final bike being auctioned from Willis’ personal collection so don’t miss your opportunity to own this beautiful Harley. San Diego Harley Davidson recently restored the motorcycle. Renovations include: new carburetor, intake, and manifold, cleaned up wiring, new exhaust system, new battery, and new tires. Born on a military base in Germany, Bruce Willis has a long-standing commitment to supporting U.S. Forces. “I wanted to use my bikes in a way that would benefit our military service members, and I am thankful to have found the Boot Campaign as the catalyst for using my bikes in a way that will give back to our country’s true heroes,” said Bruce Willis. “These bikes have been a lot of fun to ride, and my hope is they can do a lot of good for our veterans.” The fifth and final bike of Bruce Willis’ five donated motorcycles will be auctioned online starting on November 5, 2013 at Charitybuzz. Motorcycles from Willis’ collection that were previously auctioned to benefit the Boot Campaign include: 1956 Cushman Eagle, 1988 Yamaha TW, 1991 Yamaha XT 350, 2005 Ducati 1000DS. The Boot Campaign is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is dedicated to showing tangible appreciation of our active military, raising awareness of the challenges they face upon return, and supporting their transition home. The Boot Campaign cultivates awareness, promotes patriotism, and provides assistance to military, past and present, and their families. Through the sale of its signature military combat boots, general public donations, and corporate sponsorship, the Boot Campaign operates five distinct initiatives — Jobs, Housing, Wellness, Urgent Assistance, and Family Support– that are caring for military personnel, past and present, healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, embodying the campaign motto that, “When They Come Back, We Give Back”. www.BootCampaign.com

Lehman Trikes is pleased to announce their new light bar for the Renegade LLS independent suspension trike kit for Harley-Davidson FLH and FLT models.

Professionally constructed of durable urethane composite at the Lehman Trikes factory, the new light bar features six dazzling red LED lights encased in stylish chrome for maximum brightness and class. The light bar can be exact color-match painted at the Lehman Trikes factory or can be ordered unpainted through an authorized Lehman Trikes dealer.

The light bars fit the Renegade LLS trike kit for 2002-current Harley-Davidson FLH and FLT models and are available through authorized Lehman Trikes dealers worldwide. Suggested MSRP is $559 (unpainted), $659 (painted). Customers are encouraged to visit www.lehmantrikes.com or call 1-888-3WHEELS for more information or their nearest Lehman Trikes dealer.

Sales/Public Relations Information:
Jaime L. Kreager
Creative Media & PR Coordinator
Lehman Trikes USA, Inc.
125 Industrial Drive
Spearfish, SD 57783
Phone: 605-642-2111
Fax: 605-642-1184
Website: www.lehmantrikes.com

The Street 750 and Street 500 Feature New Liquid-Cooled Revolution X Engines and Dark Custom 

In the wake of its monumental publicity campaign with the introduction of project Rushmore in Sturgis this summer, Harley-Davidson just revealed two new Dark Custom motorcycles designed for young urban riders around the world.

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 and Street 500 motorcycles – the first all-new platform from Harley-Davidson in 13 years – are built for urban environments with all-new liquid-cooled Revolution X powertrains, nimble agility and the sound and look that lets everyone know they are genuine Harley-Davidson.

“These are the newest motorcycles to join our Dark Custom lineup, which helped make us the number-one selling brand to young adults in the U.S. for the past five years,” said Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Both the Street 750 and Street 500 were designed with thousands of hours of input from young adults in cities around the world. This input guided both the attitude and capabilities of these motorcycles. They are proof that being customer-led continues to be a core driver of our product development process.”The Street 750 and Street 500 from Harley-Davidson are built for an urban environment. Each motorcycle features the new Revolution X engine, designed to match the demands of stop-and-go traffic with nimble agility, while delivering instant throttle response to escape city gridlock. 

The Revolution X engine will be housed in a new, narrow and lean chassis built for agility, with a super-low seat height, new suspension and broad handlebar sweep that provides confidence and maneuverability when managing tight turns and fast moves. Both signature Dark Custom motorcycles feature a premium, minimalist style that serves as a blank canvas for riders to customize.

“These new bikes are leaner, yet still have a mean streak – they’re the real deal, made of real steel.” said Mark-Hans Richer, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “They’re designed to handle the abuses of urban environments and provide authentic opportunities to customize.”

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 and Street 500 will be rolling into dealerships in select markets starting in 2014. More information is available at www.h-d.com/street.

Here are more specs about the first new truly Harley models to come out of the motor factory in over a decade.

Enjoy the video below

Features: 2 into 1 exhaust ; mid mount controls ; easy lock to lock sweep ; single caliper disc brakes ; specially tuned suspension ; 2 up seat with passenger pegs ; metal tank and fenders ; LED tail lights and bullet signals ; locking gas cap, forks, and ignition ; V twin 60° 4-valves per head ; Wheel size: 17” front, 15” rear ; Wheelbase: 59.5” ; Weight: 480 lbs (wet)

Prices starts at $6,700 –  and $7,500 U.S. MSRP

 

If you’ve been around motorcycles for awhile, you might remember the advent of the motorcycle drink holder.

Leader Motorcycle was one of the first companies to offer one, the Roadrunner, way back in 2001. (It proved such a popular idea that we now have many emulators.)

For ten years, the Roadrunnner Drink Holder included a very classy all-stainless-steel travel mug. When the manufacturer of that mug ceased production, we sourced a replacement that has served our customers well. However, it just didn’t have the … shall we say, cache?! … that our original mug did.

So we are happy to RE-introduce the Roadrunner with its classic, 16-ounce stainless steel travel mug – just in time for holiday gift giving!

A 1953 Triumph motorcycle stolen in Omaha, Neb., in 1967 was recovered just as it was about to be shipped to Japan, and California Highway Patrol officers were working today to return the bike to its original owner.

The vintage British motorcycle had a stated value of $9,000 on its manifest papers when it was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex. It was being shipped to Yokohama, Japan, but no immediate arrests were announced.

Depending on the model and condition, some 1950s Triumph motorcycles are worth up to about $16,000.

The original owner, now 72, reported the motorcycle stolen out of his yard in Omaha in February 1967, according to Lee Harty of CBP. The motorcycle was turned over to the California Highway Patrol Wednesday.

From the Red Bulletin

Sebastian Vettel, the best Formula One driver of his generation, has a lifelong passion for historic vehicles. It’s a love of engineering, beauty, form and freedom. On a recent day off, he rode some of the rarest old bikes in the world. The Red Bulletin joined him.

On the Furkajoch alpine pass in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg, a young man dressed in a stylish leather jacket, jeans and silver helmet is doing circuits on a motorcycle. There are several bike lovers present, but only a few can identify the ride, even after looking at its emblem. It’s a Scott Flying Squirrel, made in 1938. The rider is much more easily identified: Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula One world champion and lover of historic vehicles.

“Once I learnt to ride a bicycle my father bought Mini Vespas for my sister and me,” says Vettel. “When I took my first ride in the garden it was freezing cold, and I shivered so much that I fell.”

Vettel had a normal, active childhood, and the most obvious means to freedom came on two wheels: “You could ride into town, to the outdoor pool, meet up with friends. The bicycle was the first means of transportation which gave me independence.”

As a teenager, Vettel raced go-karts, and a moped licence was the logical next step. A racing driver travelling to school on a pushbike? No way. Naturally, the moped underwent certain mechanical modifications to increase its speed, “fairly aimless tinkering”, laughs Vettel.

In any case, he was born too late – 1987 – for the true golden age of moped tune-ups. It was his father’s generation that pushed the parameters of that particular mode of transport. “At 16, I invested all of my confirmation money in my first motorcycle, a Cagiva Mito,” says Vettel. “It was quite something. From the front it looked like a Ducati.”

The Mito was rarely parked out front of the school because Vettel was otherwise engaged with storming his way through different junior racing series. Not long after he passed his final exams, he made his debut in Formula One, aged 19.

Read more

We were so overwhelmed at your response to our Super Gas Air Cleaner that we decided we had better not leave anyone out.  So, those of you running a S&S Super E or G Carb can now pick up a PM Air Cleaner.  Same features as the original, just an updated application.

• Interchangeable Face Plates design matched to PM Wheels
• Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Screen for High Volume Air Flow
• Built-In Crank Case Breathers
• CNC Machined from Billet Aluminum
• Chrome Hardware
• 

Go to performancemachine.com to check out the styles and get your Super Gas.

014 marks the introduction of the Tanom Motors Invader Model “R”, a high performance reverse trike. The Model “R” will join the Invader TC-3 coupe and TR-3 roadster in the growing line up of high performance reverse trikes  offered by Tanom Motors. These three trikes represent an exciting one-of-a-kind fusion of super bike and super car. With two steering front wheels and one rear drive wheel they provide comfortable side-by-side seating for two and awesome performance all wrapped in a stunning body design.“We are really excited to be introducing the Model “R” in 2014,” said Sandy Hall, Tanom Motors President and CEO. “We designed the Model “R” for those who want the ultimate in performance. With upgrades to the suspension, brakes and exhaust we have created a machine that will deliver a driving experience unlike anything else on the track.”The Invader Model “R” shares the same chassis, body and motor as the Invader TC-3 coupe before receiving a number of performance enhancements.

Some of the upgrades include a fully adjustable Elka Stage IV front suspension, high performance brakes by Wilwood, and a performance exhaust system. The interior will feature Type R race seats and four-point seatbelt harnesses while the exterior will highlighted by a rear deck spoiler, black accent striping and special badging.The Model “R”’s cockpit features a side-by-side seating configuration that will comfortably accommodate two six foot plus occupants. The driver will find a set of controls similar to those found in any sports car – a steering wheel, gas, brake and clutch pedals and a six-speed sequential shifter and reverse gear. A full compliment of gauges round out the cockpit along with many standard amenities.All three Invader models feature a frame constructed from one-and-a-half-inch tubular steel chassis. Wrapped around this framework is a sleek composite body with flowing sinewy lines, a testament to the power and speed hidden underneath. Pushing the Invader’s start button brings to life a 1,300 cc Hayabusa powerhouse capable of delivering 197 horsepower to the 18-inch wide rear tire. From a standing start the Invader rockets to 60 mph in less than four seconds.If you want to have a track experience that is unlike anything else then you have to check out the Model “R”.For more information please visit us at the 2013 SEMA Show in booth #37031 or visit our web site at www.tanommotors.com.