Cars for Girls » Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson 2010 MDA Contributions Reach $3.3 Million

Keri DeVrieze — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:30:02 +0000

The Harley-Davidson family of customers, dealers, employees and suppliers presented a contribution of $3.3 million to the Muscular Dystrophy Association today during the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. The 2010 contribution marks the 30th year Harley-Davidson has supported MDA, and brings its cumulative fundraising to more than $76 million.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s Vice President, Channel Strategy and North American Sales, Jeff Merten, presented the check to the MDA on behalf of those who raised funds throughout this past year. “Today, what began as a charitable idea has become a much more personal journey,” said Merten during the telethon broadcast. “This year, thousands upon thousands of members of the Harley-Davidson family gave their time, their love and their dollars to help fulfill the dreams of a brighter future for kids with muscular dystrophy.”

Harley-Davidson fundraising activities for the Muscular Dystrophy Association included pledge rides, dealer fundraisers, motorcycle raffles, Black and Blue Ball fundraising dinners and commemorative pin sales. Funds raised support MDA summer camps, life-saving research and comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular disease. These efforts have again placed the company among the top corporate donors to MDA this year.

Joining Merten on the telethon broadcast were representatives from the Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealers Association, which holds the single largest MDA fundraising event in the country–the annual Ride for Life. The 2010 event raised more than $965,000. Also participating in the broadcast were representatives from Kutter Harley-Davidson in Janesville, Wisconsin; Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson in Southern California; and Sauk Prairie Harley-Davidson in Sauk City, Wisconsin. All of these dealerships also hosted top MDA fundraising events this year.

Harley-Davidson has been a national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 1980. This longstanding partnership started with the simple notion of “Bikers Ride for MD” and has resulted in millions of dollars being raised to help MDA and the children and adults it supports. For more information on the Harley-Davidson and MDA relationship visit www.mdarides.org.

Harley-Davidson Introduces New Clothing Line to Support Those Touched By Breast Cancer

Tina — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:30:42 +0000

I didn’t intend to write about Harley-Davidson two posts in a row, but the launch of a new line of Harley Gear just introduced Wednesday, which is designed to aid those touched by breast cancer, was just too important to let go without a mention.

As most riders know, it’s simply an unwritten rule to stop for those in distress. Of course, rider ethics go well beyond the open road, as motorcyclists often stop on the journey of life to help those in need – rider and non-rider alike. It’s with that in mind that Harley-Davidson has introduced a new clothing line designed especially to aid those who have been affected by breast cancer.

The new Harley-Davidson Pink Label Collection – inspired by women who have been affected by breast cancer and which has been designed to provide those women support during their difficult ride – shares a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every Pink Label Collection item to help fund the YourShoes 24/7 Support Center, which is administered by the national non-profit Breast Cancer Network of Strength. The YourShoes center, which helped about 50,000 people in 2008, is staffed by breast cancer survivors who provide immediate emotional relief, at any time of day, to people affected by breast cancer.

According to Kathy Whalen, who is the Category Manager of General Merchandise for Harley-Davidson, the Pink Label Collection was conceived and designed by the Harley-Davidson Women’s MotorClothes Product Development and Design team. She says they were inspired to create the Pink Label Collection by the countless women riders and passengers that they’ve encountered on the open road, as well as at events, who’ve been impacted by breast cancer:

“We wanted to create something that honored their personal journey, as well as let them know that they never have to ride alone.”

The Pink Label Collection is comprised of 12 of the most popular women’s MotorClothes designs (each featuring a tasteful touch of pink), including jackets, pants, gloves, helmet, eyewear and shirts, including:

The Pink Label Leather Jacket
The Pink Label Hoodie
The Pink Label Pant
Pink Label Tee’s
Pink Label Headwraps

To find out more about the Pink Label Collection, or to purchase items from the collection, visit your local Harley-Davidson dealership or go to www.harley-davidson.com/pinklabel.

Harley Davidson Garage Party Events: Just For Girls

Tina — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:30:17 +0000

Most everyone who knows me knows I used to ride dirt bikes when I was in my prime. Coming from a family of motorcycle riders, (my dad owned Honda’s back in the day and eventually graduated to Harley’s and finally moved up to a Boss Hoss Trike, while mom, who also began her early days on a Honda, has since moved up and on to Harley Softails and beyond), it should come as no surprise to anyone that I’ll lend my support to almost any movement which promotes the female motorcycle enthusiast and promotes her safely and well.

I mean really, riding isn’t just for guys, right girls?

It just so happens that a few days ago, Harley Davidson announced they’ve teamed up with The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels (who will have a show of her own on NBC called Losing It with Jillian), to encourage women to gear up and get behind the wheel of their own motorcycle.

Michaels, who I’m happy to learn is a life-long motorcycle enthusiast and a licensed rider, is pairing up with Harley-Davidson to spotlight National Garage Party Month, which features one lucky woman – and three of her friends! – with a special weekend and an opportunity for a Michaels meet and greet in Los Angeles. The weekend will feature participation in the Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge New Rider Course, spa treatments and a motivational talk with Michaels on how to live a better, healthier life.

For those who are not familiar with Garage Party events, essentially it’s all about getting to learn about motorcycles and the sport of riding in a non-intimidating environment, and you can meet other women who are also interested in riding, too. These low-key, women-only events are absolutely free and cover things like basic motorcycle controls, how to customize a motorcycle’s style and how to gear up for a ride. Garage Party events are organized into small groups, and the experience can be very empowering, especially if you’ve always had a desire to ride, but didn’t know where to start. While some dealers host the event year-round, Harley-Davidson has declared the month of March to bring awareness to Garage Party events nationally.

Harley-Davidson started hosting Garage Party events at dealerships throughout the country in 2005 to encourage women to embrace the sport of motorcycling. According to recent data from the Motorcycle Industry Council, women riders now represent 13 percent of all new motorcycle purchasers and 23 percent of all motorcyclists.

The groups are small, and there will be four informational seminars:

Motorcycle Orientation – Learn the basic differences between Harley-Davidson motorcycle families.
Motorcycle Gear – The important attributes needed in motorcycle gear.
Customization – Learn how to customize a motorcycle to reflect a rider’s personal style and ergonomic needs, using Fit Shop that many dealers have.
Self-Service – Find out how just about anyone can handle the weight of a motorcycle, including an interactive experience on picking up a motorcycle – for those who are interested in trying it out.

For more information about Garage Party events, to find a Garage Party event in your area, or to learn more about the sweepstakes visit www.harley-davidson.com/garageparty. The website also has some cool videos which feature women who are just learning to ride, and some have even shared their own stories about how they learned to ride, why they ride and what it means to them. Check it out – it’s awesome! If you’eve ever dreamed of rising, but never thought you could, trust me – you really can!