Upon hearing the single moniker of “Sturgis,” most people can associate it with the grand gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts in the Black Hills of South Dakota. And for this year’s Aug. 3-9 event, Dunlop’s Harley-Davidson Series tires are along for a history-making 900-mile ride as Doc Hopkins and nine of his closest friends are en route from Wisconsin to the 69th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally aboard a custom 10-seat, nine-engine Harley-Davidson bike.
Hopkins, owner of Doc’s Harley-Davidson of Shawano County in Bonduel, Wis., outfitted the vehicle with an array of Harley motors from various models dating back to 1909.
“We are excited to send off Doc and his group to Sturgis with a motorcycle unlike anything I have ever seen,” says lawyer Michael F. Hupy, who is sponsoring the trek as “a unique effort to remind the public to watch out for motorcycles on the road.”
The bike is indeed unique – certain to attract wide-eyed notice wherever it goes while also highlighting Hupy’s cause, Hopkins’ craftsmanship and the Dunlop tires upon which the vehicle rides.
“The bond between Dunlop and Harley-Davidson has been growing stronger and stronger for decades,” according to executives at the tire maker, who say the line’s endorsement by the motor cycle manufacturer amounts to “the ultimate vote of confidence in Dunlop quality.”
New from the company for 2009 is the D407, developed and tested jointly by Dunlop and Harley engineers. They say the MT Multi-Tread rear tire incorporates a tread compound in the center that runs cooler to provide stability and traction under braking; on each side is a section of lateral-grip compound that enhances traction at higher lean angles for better grip while cornering. Dunlop reports that the reinforced multi-layer carcass offers “maximum strength for long life and provides great handling at all speeds and lean angles,” with a higher performance level achieved through “bold, angled lateral grooves in the tread pattern” designed to efficiently and safely evacuate water from the contact patch on wet roads.
The tire is likely to get a lot of looks on the streets of Sturgis. Established on Aug. 14, 1938 as a weekend celebration among nine racers and a handful of onlookers by the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, the event has grown to entice Woodstock-like crowds into the community. The 2008 extravaganza attracted 400,000 attendees who were apparently in a happy mood with 66 marriage licenses being issued. The average age of those taking part in the various sanctioned racing competitions is 23, while the spectrum of spectators averages out at age 42.
Perhaps mindful of this aging – and most likely widening at the hip – demographic trend, Harley-Davidson is this week unveiling its “Fit Shop” department at dealerships across the country.
Specialists work with current and prospective Harley owners to help customize the suspension, seat, handlebars and foot controls to meet what the company calls “riding preferences.”
“New riders may not realize all the customizations that can be made to a bike to make it a one-of-a-kind ride based on build and preference, while long-time riders may not know about the latest customization options,” explains Steve Earnshaw, director of parts and accessories marketing.
Any Harley can be outfitted to fit most people. “We want every rider to feel at home behind the handlebars of their dream bike,” he says.
Earnshaw observes that “sometimes the first time someone swings a leg over a Harley-Davidson motorcycle sitting on the dealership floor, the fit isn’t perfect. Our vision is that by spending one-on-one time with a trained Fit Shop specialist, our customers – whether they’re a long-time or new rider – can ride out of the dealership feeling comfortable and confident on the open road.”
For more information, visit www.docshd.com, www.dunlopmotorcycle.com, www.sturgis-sd.org, www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com, www.sturgis.com and www.harley-davidson.com.
