Charity

In an attempt to break a Guinness World Record, a British 22-year-old lad, Henry Crew, will travel around the globe on a motorcycle to become the youngest person to do so. His quest will take him 35,000 miles through 35 countries on six continents where he will be raising funds and awareness for the Movember Foundation.

It is a multinational charity that aims to raise awareness of and money for men’s health founded in 2003. It has funded more than 800 programs focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health, men’s health awareness and healthy lifestyles.

Since its discovery in 1981, AIDS has been responsible for the loss of more than 35 million people, and more than 37 million people are living with HIV in this world. And these numbers are only increasing by the second. To curb such a massive outcast, two greats named Bono (U2 frontman) and Bobby Shriver began paving the way for a new idea – (RED).

Now, (RED) got a new partner recently and it is from Italy with love. Being the first automotive brand to collaborate with the organization, the Piaggio Group has created the stunning (Vespa 946) RED and (Vespa) RED VXL – an all-red amalgamation of their classic scooters.

Every purchase of this beautiful scooter, Piaggio will donate towards initiatives fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. $150 for the (Vespa 946) RED and $50 for the (Vespa) RED VXL. This one gesture allows (RED) to provide a total worth of 500 days and 165 days, respectively, of life-saving medical treatments for HIV and help prevent mothers infected with the virus from passing it on to their unborn children.

After seeing a smart sharply-dressed chap astride a vintage classic motorcycle, Australian Mark Hawwa etched a grand plan to banish the negative take on biker image and started up a charity event in 2012 called as ’Movember’. it raises awareness and funds for prostate cancer research and suicide prevention and was attended by 2,500 dapper ladies and gentlemen.

For this 2017 chapter, British legendary motorcycle manufacturer, Triumph, was the official DGR motorcycle partner. They created a one-off custom T100 Bonneville christened as the Triumph ‘Dapper Bonnie DGR100’ and was ridden across London’s finest establishments by Phil Green, an A&E nurse who was diagnosed with prostate cancer seven years ago.

As a surprise gesture, Triumph asked Phil to take the special Bonnie back home with him since it was his to keep.

Imagine you are going on a motorcycle tour from one country to another and you get abducted by the world’s biggest terror organisation, al-Qaeda, in an unknown country and are held captive for six years.

That is exactly what happened to a Swedish national, Johan Gustafsson while he was on a motorcycle trip from Sweden to South Africa in 2011. Now, after his release, he is being donated a brand new adventure motorcycle by his loved ones.

Despite making gorgeous motorcycles, MV Agusta always seems to find itself under the radar and it never seems to end for the Italian marquee. Last year, it was reported that the company allegedly misused $ 8 million of social security contributions of the employees. Post this, the company’s major owners, Mercedes-AMG looked out from the company after an acrimonious situation, leaving the Italian high and dry.

This made MV Agusta restructure its financial situation and was compelled to cut down its employees from 300 to just 190. They were even planning to cut down operations and production of newly developed motorcycles. And the company was hunting for investments. Then came the news from Russia, with Love.

After many allegations, the Italian has now signed an agreement to increase its capital with a Russian investment group-Black Ocean, which is a flagship satellite of Ocean Group holding company.

Many, if not most, motorcycle manufacturers and brand-specific groups participate in some form of charitable endeavors, but it’s hard to beat Harley-Davidson and its riders when it comes to charitable causes. For the third decade in a row the Muscular Dystrophy Association is joining forces with the Harley Owner’s Group and the Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealers Association to put on the MDA Ride For Life. This is a weekend-long event in the beginning of May that brings Harley riders and their bikes together with the kids and parents to raise money and awareness while sharing the joys of “motorcycle therapy” with some children who could really benefit from some wind in their hair and bugs in their teeth.

Continue reading for more information on the MDA Ride For Life.

The 23rd Northern California Ride for Kids event took place in Fairfield, California during the weekend of October 4, 2015 as the family gathering welcomed motorcycle riders from all over the state to ride for the benefit of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The event began at Solano Community College with almost 200 hundred participants taking part in a ride along California’s wine country, all with the objective of raising money for the foundation.

As of ride time, the gathering already received $59,342 in donations with more money coming in through the event’s website. Motorcycle clubs and chapter, as well as motorcycle businesses, also took part in raising money for the event. Special mention should go to Buffalo Soldiers for raising $13,855, Doug and Sandy Werner for chipping in $12,000, and Hillside Honda Yamaha Marine for giving away $2,723.

The well-attended gathering also found a way to give back to its participants courtesy of a raffle draw that gave away prizes like a new Honda Rebel, Dunlop tires, a Scorpion helmet, and a Cardo Systems Scala Rider Teamster. In the end, it was Howard Cook who took home the top honors, scoring for himself a new Rebel.

Overall, the organization has raised a total of $2,434,920.12 and is approaching its goal of raising $3,396,250. All that money will be used for a great cause so congratulations to those who attended the event. More importantly, a big thanks goes to those who took time to participate and donate their hard-earned money for the worthy cause.

Continue reading to read more about the Northern California Ride for Kids.

Even as Sturgis, South Dakota prepares for the Black Hills rally, preparations are under way at another Sturgis – in Mississippi! Officially known as “The Rally,” this event has also answered to the names “Sturgis South” and “Little Sturgis” through its 10-year history. Like most bike rallies, this one will host scores (over 100, at least) of vendors and merchants, with the local restaurants and businesses promoting biker-friendly atmospheres and deals. Bike games, shows, dinner rides and a poker run keep things happening during the day, with Full Circle, Southern Halo and The Jason Miller Band jamming into the nights. Be sure to visit the official site for the complete schedule of events.

Early camping opens on August 9 at the City Park. The Rally jumps off at 8 am on Friday, August 15th and runs through Sunday the 17th. Friday and Saturday are the big entertainment days, with Sunday reserved for the Blessing of the Bikes. I plan on heading out with a few friends Saturday morning, and getting there around noonish. We will spend the night and head back Sunday morning, hopefully with pictures, swag and some stories to tell. Be sure to check back for “coverage from the ground” on Monday the 18th.

Continue reading for the full story.

Back in March I let you know I’d be attending this annual event. Well, the weekend has come and gone, and I had a blast. The Gulfport racetrack was alive with the sound of bikes of every make and model this weekend, and the festivities started early and carried on well into the nights. Drag bike pilots were greeted by perfect racing weather on Sunday morning as race teams from around the country began their qualification runs down the track. The smell of burnt rubber, race gas and hot engines permeated the air, and the adrenaline-induced euphoria was almost enough to make me want to enter my own bike in one of the (decidedly lower tier) brackets. While the official numbers are still being crunched, it’s safe to say that attendance was ’up there,’ and the proceeds from the event should leave the Gulf Coast Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Boys and Girls Club, and other charities well-funded. Remember folks, this was an entirely charitable event hosted by the ASGARD MC, and it represents just one of the many ways that the club gives back to the community.

Continue reading for the full story.

Anybody who is familiar with Dr. Henning Butzow knows that this is a man who can all look up to. Dr. Butzow is a motorcycle aficionado and he’s literally traveled all over the world via motorcycle, all in the spirit of enjoying the world on two wheels. But Dr. Butzow isn’t just a bike nut; he’s also a philanthropist at heart, having done numerous motorcycle events for charitable purposes, including the upcoming Ride of Smiles, a 50,000-mile motorcycle journey around the world that begins in New York City on May 1, 2015.

During the course of his global joy ride, Dr. Butzow will be asking for donations from all of his stops with the hope of collecting €50,000 ($56,020), which he plans to give to four-reputable aid projects, specifically the Doctors Without Frontiers, Christian Blind Mission, United For Africa and the Bayerischer Rundfunk’s ‘Sternstunden’.

It’s a nice gesture from Dr. Butzow, but it’s also not surprising. Remember, he’s the same man who participated in a similar long-distance charity run back in 2008. It’s been seven years since the Ride of Change event, but from the looks of things Dr. Butzow’s heart and intentions are still in the right place.

For it’s part, BMW is once again throwing its support to Dr. Butzow by donating an R1200GS Adventure that the doctor will use as he travels across North, Central and South America, into Australia and New Zealand.

Continue reading to read more about Dr. Henning Butzow’s Ride of Smiles charity ride.

The days are getting longer and the wisteria is in bloom, which means Spring has sprung and another Memorial Day Blowout is right around the corner. The ASGARD M.C. is preparing to host their 33rd Annual Blowout at the Gulfport Dragway in Gulfport, Mississippi. This four-day event will run from May 22nd through the 25th, and the gates are open 24 hours a day. Plenty of events are scheduled, including drag races, and ’biker events’ such as the slow race, weenie bite contest, ring toss, barrel race, bike show and tattoo contest. The contests are open to all, and are run-what-you-brung, so come on down and bring your “A game.” Lots of vendors will be on hand to meet all of your food and beverage needs, with plenty of biker apparel and what-nots. There is room for RV parking and primitive camping for those who are so inclined, with close proximity to hotels for those who prefer a hot shower and cold AC. Entry fees are $40 per person for the entire weekend plus $20 per non-bike vehicle, or $20 per person (plus vehicle fee) for Sunday-only access. The good times are not limited to the event itself however, as there are plenty of restaurants and casinos in the area in case you decide to seek alternative entertainment off the gated private property on which the event is held. For more information go to www.mississippigulfcoastmemorialdayblowout.com, and be sure to make your hotel reservations in advance, or you may be availing yourself of the primitive camping whether you planned to or not!

Continue reading for more information.

If you know any rough, tough, hard-core bikers, you know there are at least two things that soften their hearts: kids and animals in need. Today at the 2015 Bike Week in Daytona, all those things came together. Sponsored by the Iron Horse Saloon for the Halifax Humane Society, the Ruff Ride & Poker Run kicked off from the HHS Shelter at 2364 LPGA Boulevard, with stops at The Hideout, Roadside Tavern, Diamondbacks and the Iron Horse Saloon.

Dinner, drinks, swag and live entertainment wrapped up the event to benefit abused and abandoned animals in the community. This morning, the Elks hosted a biker’s breakfast followed by a bingo run for the Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida. With stops at four other Elk Lodges, the run wrapped up at the Port Orange Lodge with a spaghetti dinner. The run wouldn’t be complete without door prizes, run prizes, a raffle and auction.

Continue reading to learn more.

Spanish fashion designer Custo Dalmau has adapted the colorful look of his signature t-shirts on this Harley-Davidson Night Road Special modified by Spanish bike builder Ferry Clot. Their combined goal was to achieve a dragster-like stance and a funky paintjob on top for what they call the “Animals in the Wild” project.

The unique bike will be auctioned for charity by Harley-Davidson Spain and the money obtained will be directed to the San Juan de Dios Foundation in Barcelona, who works on aid and development in the African country of Sierra Leone.

The Yamaha R1 Rossi Edition is a one-off custom motorcycle that will go up for charity auction right after its customizers “give it wide exposure.” The bike was created by a team led by Don Emde, 1972 Daytona 200 winner and founder of US based fundraiser Friends of Riders for Health, to raise money for the official MotoGP charity.

It was an expensive project achieved using aftermarket parts supplied by different manufacturers such as Rolands Sands (the aluminum wheels), Akrapovic (the Evolution exhaust system) and Ohlins (the FGRT808 front suspension and TTX rear).

Valentino Rossi’s AGV ‘Five Continents’ graphics done by Pole Position Racing Service in Italy make it a “Rossi bike” and all these changes bring it much closer to the race track rather than the street but, just for the record, The Doctor’s R1 is also street legal.

Although the bidding day hasn’t been announced yet, Emde told MCN: “One thing I want to have in place would be the ability for anyone to bid on the machine, via online or some off-site methods. That would be something we would announce on the website, www.friendsofriders.org”

The friends from Pro Italia are raffling a new 2009 Ducati M696 to benefit the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Tickets are $25 each (or buy 5 chances for $100) and limited to 500 total. Tickets are available in their online store or in their Los Angeles showroom.

Tickets are available now until October 24th. The winner will be announced on the 26th of October at the annual Love Ride in Pomona. The first prize winner will win a 2009 Ducati Monster 696 (MSRP $8,995) and the second prize winner will receive an America leather jacket from Vanson (a $550.00 value).

For more information go to —> http://www.proitalia.com

You know your company’s slogan is perfect when people not only start repeating it, but living it. So when Star Motorcycles coined the term, “We build it, you make it your own,” we figured that many riders would step up and personalize their own Road Star, Roadliner or Raider cruiser to suit their own tastes. And they have. But the message has hit even a more powerful chord as some historically important custom bikes have already been created around Star Motorcycles, taking Best in Show at some (...)

0Despres’ Dakar-winning KTM 690 Rally Bike; Kallio’s GP 250 racing helmet.0
The countdown is on for the close of the Wings for Life Charity Auction on eBay, a unique opportunity to acquire some unique motorcycle memorabilia, including Cyril Despres’ Dakar winning KTM 690 Rally bike and Mika Kallio’s GP 250 racing helmet.
The auction, which raises funds for the Wings for Life, the foundation engaged in spinal injury research, closes on March 30 and offers a dazzling array of memorabilia from (...)

On Tuesday, hundreds of Harley-Davidson women riders joined together in Daytona Beach, Fla., along with Season two "American Idol" star Kimberley Locke for one of the largest Harley-Davidson women’s rides in history.
Originally, the Harley-Davidson Women’s Day Ride benefitting Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) was to be limited to 105 women, but after an incredible response from women riders asking to join the ride, Harley-Davidson decided to increase the size to accommodate the (...)