Hey, our industry is bigger and better than ever, it’s just expanding like crazy and we need to adjust. Daytona Bike Week was an eyeopener for me and the numbers were reportedly slightly down, but they vary from one major anniversary to another. Speaking of events, there are more motorcycle events than ever before. Think about it for a second. The wild west lasted about 20 years, then trains, cars and more people came, and the West was toast, so what happened? The West became an icon. It became the source of entertainment and it still is. As I’ve said before, motorcycling represents freedom and it won’t go away. Let’s hit the news. The Himalayan Is Here From Royal Enfield -The Himalayan motorcycle is officially stateside. Royal Enfield North America launched the highly anticipated motorcycle through a week’s worth of events at TexPlex Park in Midlothian, Texas. Enthusiasts, journalists, dealers and more gathered to learn about the journey of bringing the Himalayan to North America and to test its capabilities in both on-road and off-
100 June ‘18
- CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
road environments. An incredible adventure motorcycle at $4,499. The rugged, go-anywhere, riderfriendly Himalayan has launched in the U.S. and will soon be rolling out at dealerships across North America. 2018 Sturgis Hall Of Fame Inductees - From the philanthropic efforts of the Hamsters to the journalistic coverage of the Rally and the Museum to home town resident Jack Hoel, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s Class of 2018 demonstrates that Sturgis really is the epicenter of the motorcycle universe. Living up to its mission to recognize individuals who have made a long-term positive impact on the entire motorcycle community, the Class of 2018 features some truly legendary talents.
“We have world renown sculptor Jeff Decker and motorcycle artisan Mondo Porras working with metal to capture the essence of motorcycling,” says Myrick Robbins, Executive Director for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall Of Fame. “Where Jeff and Mondo bend metal, Jack Hoel shaped motorcycling indelibly by bringing the DT-1 and the XS 650 to market for Yamaha. We also have
Land Speed Record setter Valerie Thompson and the woman who has chronicled the motorcycle world since 1989, Marilyn Stemp.” In addition to the individual achievements of the class of 2018, The Hamsters USA is being collectively recognized this year. “Given the tremendous philanthropic efforts the Hamsters have made on behalf of the entire Black Hills region, we have global achievements on a local scale for an outstanding group of inductees,” adds Robbins. THE CLASS OF 2018 - Jeff Decker; Jack Hoel: Armondo “Mondo” Porras: ; Marilyn Stemp; Valerie Thompson; Hamsters USA: 2018 FREEDOM FIGHTER AWARD - Kirk “Hardtail” Willard: The 78th Sturgis Rally is set for August 3-12, 2018 and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Strider will be held August 8th at the Lodge at Deadwood in Deadwood, South Dakota. Breakfast tickets are available for a $40 donation, tables of eight for $400. Tickets are available online at https://www. sturgismuseum.com/Hallof-Fame-Banquet-Tickets or by calling the Museum at 605.347.2001. America’s “Queen Of Speed” Sets New 328 Mph Speed Record - Survives 343 mph crash in Australia-Eight-time land speed record holder Valerie Thompson earns new land speed record and “Fast Lady on the Lake” award at Australia’s Lake Gairdner DRLA Speed Week - Valerie Thompson survived a horrific crash in the Team “7” Racing Streamliner while attempting to capture the world’s fastest motorcycle title during the 28th Annual Speed Week and World Speed Trials competition at the Lake Gairdner dry lake bed in South Australia. While falling short of the ultimate goal to become the world’s fastest motorcycle, the team collected a new speed record and proved the superiority of leading edge streamliner design by team engineers Denis Manning and John
