Harley-Davidson released a preliminary list featuring some of the musical acts performing during the company’s 110th anniversary celebrations. The acts will share the stage at Milwaukee’s Henry Maier Festival Park (A.K.A. Summerfest Grounds) from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.

The preliminary lineup includes 28 acts including ZZ Top, “Sons of Anarchy” star Katey Sagal & the Forest Rangers, Dropkick Murphys, Lupe Fiasco, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, the Doobie Brothers, and more. Harley Owners Group members will also receive access to a separate show at the Summerfest Grounds headlined by Lynyrd Skynyrd. These acts are in addition to the three headlining acts at the Marcus Amphitheater including the previously announced Kid Rock. Harley-Davidson says more acts will be added, bringing the final total up to more than 60.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg of the talent we’re bringing to town for the 110th Anniversary Celebration,” said Mark-Hans Richer , Chief Marketing Officer at Harley-Davidson.  “Stay tuned for the unveiling of even more bands, including two additional headlining acts.” Continue Reading »

Considering how much his films “Long Way Round” and “Long Way Down” for popularizing the GS, you’d think Scottish actor Ewan McGregor was a BMW guy. His friend and co-star in those two travelogues, Charley Boorman is a BMW brand ambassador, and it’d be easy to assume McGregor is as well.

The truth is McGregor, well known for his love of motorcycles, is a much bigger fan of Moto Guzzi. McGregor has owned several Moto Guzzis including a California Vintage and an Ambassador. McGregor also made Moto Guzzi‘s home in Mandello del Lario, Italy, a stop in “Long Way Down”.

With Moto Guzzi entering a rebirth with the launch of its  new flagship California 1400 models, it seemed a natural connection for McGregor to become the face of the new California. The “Star Wars” and “Trainspotting” star recently got a chance to test both the Tourer and Custom versions of the California 1400, and soon after decided to star in Moto Guzzi’s latest ad campaign called “My Bike, My Pride“. Continue Reading »

CotA management obviously doesn’t fathom the depth of respect MotoGP fans have for Kevin Schwantz. It may be the newest and best racing venue in the U.S., but it seems as though CotA management is going out of its way to make motorcyclists dislike the place.

Statement by Kevin Schwantz:

“I have read several reports regarding my attendance at the MotoGP test last week in Austin. I would like to make this statement:

“I had been in Switzerland over the weekend where I was the guest speaker at the St. Gallen University. I returned to Texas on Tuesday evening and on Thursday I was at CotA for the MotoGP test, with a proper credential supplied by the Attack team, to coach Blake Young. Additionally I was an invited guest of the LCR Honda team.

“While there, CotA security informed me that CotA management requested I leave the track immediately and was not welcomed at the circuit. CotA’s security force also accused me of criminal trespass and warned I would be arrested the next time I entered the track.

“This comes as a tremendous disappointment to Honda, Blake Young, and myself. Especially because I am single-handedly responsible for bringing MotoGP to Texas and for the initial design of the facility to accommodate MotoGP racing.”

Last year Kevin Schwantz filed a suit against CotA owners saying he got squeezed out as promoter for the MotoGP round.

 

Any motorsports fan should be well familiar with the name Travis Pastrana. His worldwide fame as an action sports star has elevated the status of all the disciplines he’s participated in. But in Pastrana’s latest pursuit, his humility comes through clearly. Continue Reading »

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In Bell’s “Go Rogue” contest, Bell is teaming up with famed tatoo artist, and avid motorcyclist, Corey Miller, for a chance to win a trip to Sturgis and get a personalized tattoo from Miller himself.  Continue Reading »

John Penton was one of the most influential figures in the development of off-road motorcycle racing in America during the 1960s and ’70s. His life’s story is triumphant and tragic. When his attempts to convince Husqvarna to produce a smaller, lighter motorcycle fell on deaf ears, Penton created his own design and commissioned KTM, a small moped and bicycle maker in Austria, to build it. The motorcycle was an instant success in off-road competition and led KTM to expand its efforts in the motorcycle realm, initially in conjunction with Penton and ultimately on its own. Today, KTM is the largest manufacturer of motorcycles outside of Japan and winning championships around the world.

When inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, Penton still lived on the family farm not more than a couple hundred yards from where he was born. One of his sons, Jack, became a renowned rider in his own right and competed in 12 ISDE events and was named to the Hall of Fame a year after his father. Continue Reading »

The second of five motorcycles from the private collection of actor Bruce Willis has gone up for auction to raise funds for the non-profit military support group The Boot Campaign.

Bidding is now open on CharityBuzz.com for the “Die Hard” star’s 1988 Yamaha TW200 Trailway. It follows Willis’ 2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000DS which sold for auction for $6,250, just a few hundred dollars higher than its list price in Kelley Blue Book.

The TW200 is listed as being in “good” condition with 1,485 miles on the odometer. CharityBuzz.com lists the TW200 as a $1,400 value and as of this posting, bidding is at $1,000. Continue Reading »

Troy Bayliss is hosting a dirt track race in Australia featuring 24 current and former racing stars. The inaugural Troy Bayliss Classic takes place Jan. 19 at the three-time World Superbike Champion’s home town of Taree, Australia.

The race will feature entries representing different racing disciplines. Participants include former MotoGP racer Chris Vermeulen, current MotoGP racer Randy de Puniet, three-time Speedway World Champion Jason Crump, Australian Superbike racers Shawn Giles and Jamie Stauffer, former AMA Supermoto Champion Troy Herfoss, motocross racers Stephen Gall, Toby Price, and Josh Brookes, and off-road racer Chris Hollis. Continue Reading »

BMW Motorrad announced the winners of its “Ride of Your Life” contest, giving five people the chance to travel on a worldwide tour on the new R1200GS.

The five winners are Stephanie Rowe, a 25-year-old enduro racer who works in the motorcycle accessories industry in the U.K., Herbert Unger, a 50-year-old German metal worker, Alessio Cigolini, an Italian who loves riding through Tuscany, Salvador Echevarría, a 41-year-old businessman from Spain, and Stephane Gautronneau, a 39-year-old fashion photographer from France.

The five winners were selected for their sense of adventure, ability to work as part of a team and physical fitness by a panel of celebrities including actors Adrian Brody, Rick Yune and Charley Boorman and Paris-Dakar winner Jutta Kleinschmidt. Continue Reading »

Formula One racing star Michael Schumacher is a noted motorcyclist, having competed in various motorcycle races after his initial retirement from car racing. Schumacher was no slouch either, and once received an open invitation to ride a Honda in the World Superbike Championship.

Schumacher recently got a chance to ride motorcycles on a track, taking part in a track day at the Paul Ricard circuit in France organized by Monster Energy and Mercedes-Benz. Schumacher was joined by some notable company as well, riding with retired Grand Prix racer Randy Mamola, TT racer John McGuinness, Moto2 racer Pol Espargaro and musician Keith Flint of Prodigy, who also happens to be an endurance racer.

The now re-retired Schumacher rode a Ducati 1199 Panigale (pictured in the red leathers below), and McGuinness says he acquitted himself well alongside the professional motorcycle racers. Continue Reading »