Harley-Davidson's National Garage Party Month Encourages Women to Learn to Ride

MILWAUKEE, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Female motorcyclists have been the fastest growing demographic in the motorcycle industry since 1990, when women represented just three percent of riders.  Today, women represent 23 percent of all motorcyclists (1), and in an effort to encourage this growing trend of women hitting the open road, Harley-Davidson is celebrating National Garage Party Month by hosting nearly 400 Garage Party events at dealerships across the country in March.

"Garage Party events have encouraged thousands of women to learn to ride over the past few years," said Leslie Prevish, women's outreach manager for Harley-Davidson Motor Company.  "The events help educate and build confidence for new female riders, and March kicks off the beginning of riding season, so it's the perfect time to get women involved."

As part of National Garage Party Month, the Motor Company is kicking off a sweepstakes that will run March 1 - 31, 2010, where one woman and three of her friends will be rewarded with a spa retreat weekend in Los Angeles to learn to ride through the Rider's Edge® New Rider Course. The lucky women will also meet TV wellness expert Jillian Michaels, and get some tips on leading a healthier life.  Michaels, a Harley-Davidson rider and life-long motorcycle enthusiast, recently forged a partnership with the Motor Company to encourage more women to participate in the sport.  Women can enter the sweepstakes by attending a Garage Party event or online by visiting www.h-d.com/garageparty.  

GARAGE PARTY EVENTS

Garage Party events, hosted by Harley-Davidson dealers since 2005, have been developed specifically for women, creating an intimidation-free zone and an opportunity for female riders in local communities to connect with one another.  These free events are designed to be both fun and educational – covering topics such as a review of the basic motorcycle controls, how to customize a motorcycle's style and ergonomics, and how to gear up for a ride. During Garage Party events, the attendees are organized into small groups, getting their first taste of the camaraderie that goes along with riding.

Groups visit four informational seminars throughout the event, including:

• Motorcycle Orientation: learn the basics of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle model families.
• MotorClothes®: discover the differences between riding and non-riding gear.
• Customization: learn how to customize a motorcycle to reflect a rider's personal style and fit any body type using the H-D® Fit Shop™ at participating dealers.  The H-D® Fit Shop™ experience illustrates the benefits of tailoring a motorcycle to the rider.
• How to Pick-up a Motorcycle: find out how to handle the weight of a motorcycle, including an interactive experience demonstrating how to pick up a dropped motorcycle – for those who are interested in trying it out.  

Women interested in taking the next step can also visit www.h-d.com/roadmap to access the Harley-Davidson® Roadmap to Riding online tool. Through several simple milestones, women will get the tips, advice and confidence they need to turn their dream of riding into a reality.

For more information about Garage Party events, to find an event in your area or to enter to win the weekend sweepstakes featuring Jillian Michaels, visit www.h-d.com/garageparty.

About Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

(1) Motorcycle Industry Council statistic

SOURCE Harley-Davidson Motor Company