Obama and Harley Davidson...
01-21-09, 10:41 PM
#1
Obama and Harley Davidson...
Too bad two of the 12 bikes stalled during the Inaugural Parade because of the severe cold... 
Obama Inaugural Parade Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
Published by Cyril Huze
January 20 is inauguration day for President-Elect Barack Obama. The week of festivities will include the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, Inaugural Address and of course the Inaugural Parade.
The Frederick, MD Harley-Davidson dealership competed with others across the nation to win the honor to provide the 12 Harleys leading this inaugural parade through the streets of Washington, D.C. as the world watches. The factory bikes, sidecars, decals, lights arrived in Frederick in October.
Each motorcycle then takes about 40 hours of work and special preparation. Multiply that by 12 motorcycles, and 480 hours of labor goes into the.price tag. The cost of the entire contract was just under $300,000. It came out to about $26,000 or $27,000 a vehicle.
After the festivities Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police will use these “Presidential Harleys” daily to patrol the city.
Published by Cyril Huze
January 20 is inauguration day for President-Elect Barack Obama. The week of festivities will include the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, Inaugural Address and of course the Inaugural Parade.
The Frederick, MD Harley-Davidson dealership competed with others across the nation to win the honor to provide the 12 Harleys leading this inaugural parade through the streets of Washington, D.C. as the world watches. The factory bikes, sidecars, decals, lights arrived in Frederick in October.
Each motorcycle then takes about 40 hours of work and special preparation. Multiply that by 12 motorcycles, and 480 hours of labor goes into the.price tag. The cost of the entire contract was just under $300,000. It came out to about $26,000 or $27,000 a vehicle.
After the festivities Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police will use these “Presidential Harleys” daily to patrol the city.
One-off Harley Davidson to escort Barack Obama
By MCN Newsdesk
A one-off Harley Davidson will take centre stage at the inauguration of America’s next president.
The police-specification Tri Glide Ultra Classic will head up a police motorcycle escort for Barack Obama when he’s sworn in as president on Jan 20.
It’s the first Tri-Glide to be kitted out for police duties, and will head up a parade of 12 Electra Glide Ultra Classics riding in a V formation.
The escort is the fifth time Harley’s have accompanied a new president.
By MCN Newsdesk
A one-off Harley Davidson will take centre stage at the inauguration of America’s next president.
The police-specification Tri Glide Ultra Classic will head up a police motorcycle escort for Barack Obama when he’s sworn in as president on Jan 20.
It’s the first Tri-Glide to be kitted out for police duties, and will head up a parade of 12 Electra Glide Ultra Classics riding in a V formation.
The escort is the fifth time Harley’s have accompanied a new president.
01-22-09, 09:13 AM
#2
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I'd assume those were FI Hogs? hehe Never had any problems with the cold on my bikes (Guzzi or SV) once they fired up. I wonder if the trike is for new-cops who need the training wheels. 
01-22-09, 09:41 AM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Yup - all HD bikes are FI as of a couple of years ago. I think the big twin engines (non-Sportster) have been FI only for even longer.
That trike looks, umm... just dumb. The regular bikes aren't bad - they can manuever pretty well. Ever see some of those intense police drills they do on them? They can fling those 800lb bikes around like they're mopeds. Pretty impressive...
That trike looks, umm... just dumb. The regular bikes aren't bad - they can manuever pretty well. Ever see some of those intense police drills they do on them? They can fling those 800lb bikes around like they're mopeds. Pretty impressive...
01-22-09, 11:53 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by PhilipMSPT
Too bad two of the 12 bikes stalled during the Inaugural Parade because of the severe cold...
Severe cold? Is that considered severe by bike standards?
It was only about 25-30 degrees. That, of course, is not exactly room temperature, but aren't modern bikes designed to operate in temperatures a lot lower than that? (although biker clothes and gear that can protect from a wind chill that low is another matter)
01-22-09, 01:45 PM
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Severe cold? Is that considered severe by bike standards? It was only about 25-30 degrees. That, of course, is not exactly room temperature, but aren't modern bikes designed to operate in temperatures a lot lower than that? (although biker clothes and gear that can protect from a wind chill that low is another matter)
It was only about 25-30 degrees. That, of course, is not exactly room temperature, but aren't modern bikes designed to operate in temperatures a lot lower than that? (although biker clothes and gear that can protect from a wind chill that low is another matter)I do agree with you that bikes should be able to withstand that temperature, but then again, I never ride if it is below 50.
01-22-09, 01:55 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Severe cold? Is that considered severe by bike standards? It was only about 25-30 degrees. That, of course, is not exactly room temperature, but aren't modern bikes designed to operate in temperatures a lot lower than that? (although biker clothes and gear that can protect from a wind chill that low is another matter)
It was only about 25-30 degrees. That, of course, is not exactly room temperature, but aren't modern bikes designed to operate in temperatures a lot lower than that? (although biker clothes and gear that can protect from a wind chill that low is another matter)And the funny part - a Honda division, Keihin supplies Harley for carbs/EFI systems.
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01-22-09, 05:18 PM
#8
old harleys used carbs, i don't know of any new ones that still use carbs. not that it really matters, but my buddies buell xb12r hated the cold up here in washingon. compared to my old duc that thing wouldn't like to idle or run well till it got hot it's got a HD 1200 cc fuel injected v twin. i rode it once it was a totally diffrent beast than the duc but fun none the less
Last edited by audi2nr; 01-22-09 at 05:22 PM.
01-23-09, 07:40 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
