Harley Davidson is considering a move out of Wisconsin if the motorcycle manufacturing company cannot control its costs. Known for the entirety of its existence as a producer of high-quality bikes, this move reflects the overall sentiment in many of the states of the US right now.

There are two main manufacturing plants that may see closure. The first is a powertrain operation that employs 1,320 workers. The second plant produces components for Tomahawks. Currently they are making motorcycle windshields, employing around 375 people for the job.

This report came after the company held meetings with leaders of the employee union. Harley Davidson management is considering moving these elements of their manufacturing to other H-D sites around the country, possibly saving money on the fixed costs of lease and overhead.

Harley Davidson was reported as saying it hopes to save millions of dollars one way or the other, so these two plants in Wisconsin have a lot to do if they wish to stay competitive and stay open. The main form of savings from closing the Wisconsin plant would come from lower labor costs and overhead expenses. The savings would also come when the functions done at the Wisconsin factory would get lumped into the existing operations in other places.

While Harley Davidson has mainly posted rising profits, this is largely due to the fact that the company has been cutting costs. This will keep shareholders happy in the short run, but cost cutting is never a strategy for medium term growth. Harley Davidson must work carefully to uphold the strong brand image it has developed over the decades.

The big custom motorcycle event will be returning to the Queen Mary Event Park in Long Beach, California July 18th and 19th 2010. It will be the 19th annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show event

This event is always a favorite among Harley fans in Southern California, and this year should be no different. Hosted in Long Beach, the weather will be perfect to check out impressive bikes with plenty of sunshine all day and light breezes coming off the waterfront. There is something about this show, walking on the grass having a beer, looking at some great bikes talking with builders and riders alike. Thousands are expected to come out to the event along with the best builders in the game today from American, Metric and Top Pro Custom bike builders. With over 190 exhibitors many of the big aftermarket parts companies will be attending, with the line up being filled out with a lot of motorcycle apparel makers.

The highlight for some will be the Custom Bike Building Championship, as the winner will receive a massive $86,000 for the first prize Best-in-Show award. Other events include a dyno competition, instruction on how to build a super bike, a model show (girls, not bikes) as well as Playboy Playmates. There will be a notable AC/DC tribute band playing throughout the festival as well as acclaimed songwriters Katie Cole and Elizabeth Nicole. This year promises to be one the best yet, after last year, the festival had the largest attendance in the history of the event. The thousands of attendees got to see the superb "One Eyed King" custom bike, designed by Kenji Nagai.

Harleys can be beasts and all that extra weight can sometimes slow you down. If you are content to be riding around at your own leisure, without any need to reach top speeds, then this article is not for you.

For those of you who want to get your Harley back in top shape, horsepower and weight go hand in hand. Any loss of weight without a loss of horsepower is a great thing. Also, replacing some of the stock parts with high-performance accessories can sometimes lift your horsepower number up and up. Enter Belt Drives Ltd. is a company which specifically designs parts for Harleys. Their latest series is a family of super-light transmission pulleys. They weigh just over two pounds, while most pulleys weigh in over six pounds- an impressive weight loss. Additionally, these pulleys will increase your horsepower by varying numbers, depending on other modifications that have already been done to the bike.

These things will last forever. They are made from aircraft-quality materials with the super aluminum 7075. They have been anodized to make the finish even harder and are able to withstand anything. It should be an easy install since these parts were designed to fit into the stock locations, providing an ample fit and the best possible space efficiency.

Currently, Belt Drives is offering the high-performance transmission pulley for a variety of bikes.

• 1979 - 1983 Big Twins
• 1986 – present 5-speeds
• 1992 – present 5-speed Sportsters

 

The Harley Davidson Company has come out with a new idea it hopes that real (and rich) Harley lovers will take part in. The motor company is offering a fantasy camp experience from June 21-25 for those who really want to know what happens behind the closed doors of the Harley Davidson Company. During their time at the camp, visitors will be able to visit areas that are typically off limits to the general public. Getting to take a look at the design and development processes at the most notable motorcycle maker in the USA is a cool experience, but at what cost? $3,000 is the price to attend this event and space is limited to just 20 people. What a cool way to meet some fellow bikers who are really immersed in their passion for Harleys. The high price will limit the number of people who can attend to those who truly enjoy Harley Davidson motorcycles. Harley Davidson seems to have designed the fantasy camp with this in mind, since they limited the number to a one-time group of 20. For this price, the visitors will get exclusive benefits and will be able to do some interesting things:

• Exclusive access to the archives collection and a guided VIP tour of the museum.
• Tour the center for motorcycle prototyping for H-D is the Willie G. Davidson Product Development Center. This is almost always off limits to anyone except the engineers and designers, but fantasy campers will get a tour of the facility.
• Learn how Harley-Davidson V-Twin engines work from a Harley-Davidson University instructor.
• There are also some other activities involved including a Brewers baseball game seen from the exclusive Harley Davidson deck, and a concert/party.
• Summerfest from the private Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.
• All of these activities are made a little more special since the executives of the company will be riding their Harleys alongside. You will have access to these guys so you can annoy them with all of your questions.

The Harley Davidson company has announced changes in its organizational lineup, naming a new head of the Harley Davidson Museum and factory tours. They have hired from within this time, keeping the Harley Davidson tradition close to home. Previously the vice president of core customer marketing, Bill Davidson will take on this new role with great enthusiasm. Bill is a lover of the products and services offered from the American motorcycle maker. His family name may be recognizable because he is the great grandson of William A. Davidson, the company's famous co-founder. Davidson has held many positions during his more than 26 year tenure with the Harley-Davidson motor company. Davidson likes to say that Harley Davidson is in his blood.  For Bill the Museum is not just the story of the motor company it is the story of America's motorcycle.

The position that Bill is taking was formerly managed by Stacey Watson, who helped open the museum in the summer of 2008. Stacey has been given a new role within the organization as the head of marketing for North America. This position will bring on greater responsibilities for her, but she is ready for the new challenges. These changes come at a challenging time for Harley Davidson as some of their factories have been temporarily shut down. With this downtime, future customers may have to wait for their Harleys to arrive. If you are planning to grab one of your own this month, you should go secure yours as soon as you can before the current inventory is gone.

The plants in York County and Kansas City have been closed for the time being, with a reopening date that has not yet been announced. While this closure is not going to interfere with the overall operations of Harley Davidson, the ease of getting your hands on a Harley may decrease.

Starting out, many of us buy our first Harley as a weekend toy. The wind in our face we picture ourselves jumping on and riding off into the sunset. In this daydream, we’re loners without any need for belongings. As long as we’ve got a few bucks in our pocket for a beer down the road, we’re good. The reality is, we’re not that cool and carefree. Chances are you’ll at least want a place to stash an extra layer of clothing when the sun goes down or some rain gear in case the weather changes course. Also, if the wife likes to ride with you, there’s definitely going to be some additional "stuff" that comes along with you.

Luckily, you don’t have to go the full-dresser route. Just adding a simple set of Saddlebags or a Sissybar bag can help you find the cargo space you need without going overboard. If having bags on your Harley all the time isn’t your thing but you need the space from time to time, designers such as Nelson Rigg and Willie & Max, make a variety of throw over saddlebags and Sissybar bags that don’t require permanent mounting. These options allows you to remove the bag easily when you want to your bike to maintain its bare bones look. Throw over and Sissybar bags are a great way to get the best of both worlds.

On April 6th Harley-Davidson (symbol HOG) reported a 40% gain in the preceding eight-week period. CNN Money attributes most of the positive vibes to RBC Capital Markets’ High on the Hog report, which moved Harley’s stock target from $32 to $36 per share. CNN also reports that more aggressive pricing from Harley, along with signs that the retail market is rebounding, are positive indicators.

Of course, if you’re not an investor, you may think this news doesn’t relate to you. However, the fact that the company continues to be on good footing has a bearing on everyone who owns a Harley. Simply put, companies manufacturing all the parts and accessories we love to customize our bikes with want to be assured that they are producing related items for a product that’s here to stay. The recent news is good for them -- and great for those of us who can’t stop customizing. Expect a steady stream of products to continue.

As an owner, you’ll also be secure in the fact that the upgrades you make to your bike will retain value. With the new Harley-Davidson market on solid footing, you’ll rest assured in the fact that the used market will follow suit. This means when it’s time to sell your bike to trade up, you won’t simply be giving away all the improvements you made. So go ahead and add a set of NYC Choppers or Todds Cycle Hand Grips to improve your hand comfort or get those new Cyclesmiths Floorboards you’ve had your eyes on. When you figure the added enjoyment you’ll get, along with the value you bring to your bike, it’s a great investment.

Ready to Customize your Harley Davidson? Start with the Seat. With all the chrome pieces, handle bars, wheels, exhausts, and other upgrades available, the seat is often overlooked as a place to start customizing your bike. However, nothing can change the look of a bike and improve the enjoyment of riding as drastically as this most basic accessory. For instance, if you want to go for the “low” look, you don’t necessarily have to mess with the suspension. Another way to take your bike down a half inch or so is to fit it with a low-profile seat.

There are many manufacturers of this style. One of the most popular is Danny Gray. With leather seating area, gel insert, and available custom hides you can get a seat that is perfect for the look and comfort you are looking for.  Or you can streamline your bike’s profile by pairing it with a Le Pera solo seat. Danny Gray makes the Big Seat that’s great for touring bikes and those searching for an uncluttered look. Of course, for many of us, style comes secondary to comfort. If you’re the type of rider who wants to keep his or her kidneys intact above all else, then a Mustang touring seat is obviously the way to go. Another option is the Saddlemen Road Sofa. The downfall to this seat is looks and durability.

It’s easy to switch seats, and in just a few minutes you have a completely different ride. Because of this versatility, many riders keep several styles around. For instance, a solo option for bar hopping and short commuting and then something more comfy for longer weekend rides. No matter what your situation, there’s a seat out there for you.

 

There was a day not too long ago when it was uncommon to see a women in control of a motorcycle. This is no longer the case; more and more women are moving from the back of the bike to the front and enjoying the freedoms that come with controlling the ride. In my experience, women are after the same thing as their male counterparts; the sense of power and freedom that one gets “in the wind”, the joy and solitude of a solo ride, as well as the camaraderie of their fellow bikers. But, the fact is, for a long time, motorcycles have been built for men. It's only recently that women have been joining the ranks of riders in throngs, and because of that the manufacturers have started to pay attention to their needs and desires.

A frequent complaint that many women have is that the seat height is to high and their feet can't reach the ground. This can be a safety problem, especially at stop lights or when you put your foot down on a wet or oil slicked road. Fortunately, most Harley-Davidson motorcycles can be lowered enough to make a difference to the rider, and get her feet safely on the ground again. And, as an added benefit, lowering the rear of the motorcycle can also give it a custom chopper look. Buying a Lowering Kit from LA Choppers, Wild 1, or Burly is a simple inexpensive choice.  Shorter shocks like those made by Progressive suspension can effectively lower the rear of the motorcycle and at the same time improve the suspension.  A more Le Pera compact low profile seat is another way to get the bike to fit you better.

Lowering has drawbacks.  Lowering the suspension can affect handling, ground clearance and load capacity. Adjusting the springs, suspension, and spacers to properly lower your bike should be done cautiously. We can help you determine whether you should lower both the front and rear of the bike, or just the rear and which method of lowering might suit you best.

Now that spring is here, it’s time to save a little dough and have a little fun. That’s right: it’s time to park your car or truck and use your bike for the morning commute. By doing so, you’ll actually enjoy your ride to work and get awesome gas mileage. Imagine everyone’s surprise when you show up for work with a smile every day. Your bike is also sure to get you noticed around the office.  Whether they ride or have an interest in motorcycles people enjoy talking about motorcycles. Riding a motorcycle invokes a sense of freedom.  Even non-motorcycle enthusiasts can understand the feeling of the wind in your face.

If you’re like most of America, you can’t just hop on a hog and go to work. You’re tied down with smart phones, laptops, iPods, and good old-fashioned paperwork. The good news is there are a lot of solutions out there for the commuting motorcyclist. One targeted specifically toward those who have to carry their computer around with them is the Nelson Rigg Riggpak Laptop bag, this case has plenty of room for a laptop and paper files. The briefcase style bag has a padded panels to help protect your laptop, zippered compartments, and a detachable strap.  An alternative is the Kuryakyn Daily Tour Bag. The Daily Tour Bag has lots of room with a semi rigid construction, two side pockets, and a shoulder strap for carrying your possessions.