110 years of Harley-Davidson and five years of Vienna Harley Days

Down by the River

From July 19 to 21, Vienna celebrated 110 years of Harley-Davidson and five years of Vienna Harley Days on the Danube Island

Austria's lively and creative capital has been hosting the Vienna Harley Days since 2008.

Reason enough to make it to the 2013 edition of the event, which also marked the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson to make a special noise.

July 19 was the day: The first V2 engines could be heard on the Reichsbrücke bridge over the Danube - they formed the vanguard of the great rally „Capital Ride“, Harleys from all over Austria set off for Vienna.

Bike after bike followed, people and motorcycles from all over Europe filled the large event area on the Danube Island with life and pure rock'n'roll: over the three days, more than 40,000 visitors partied like crazy. As always, admission was free.

On the „Main Street“The engines thundered away at the "Harley-Davidson" exhibition, numerous dealer stands offered food and drinks as well as everything to do with the Harley-Davidson lifestyle, and the latest motorcycle models and the latest fashion trends made in the USA could be admired in the large Expo tent.

Right next door Harley-Davidson specialists will be on hand to advise customers on tuning, chrome and ergonomics in a dedicated technology pavilion.

On Saturday, the most beautiful converted machines were presented to the astonished eyes of the motor maniacs and the judgment of an expert jury.

Those who didn't just want to look at the bikes in awe, but wanted to get on the saddle themselves, were allowed to take a free test drive on a brand new Harley - whole truckloads of them and an authentic Driving simulator were available for fans without a driver's license.

Six hot stunt shows provided visitors with plenty of adrenaline kicks, while bands such as „Acht“ and „Alkbottle“ brought the atmosphere in front of the open-air stage to boiling point in the evening hours. A guest who tried his luck at poker in the „Casino on Tour“-The youngster who put the Harley tent to the test is already looking forward to a very special year in 2014, as he will be able to ride a Harley for a whole season. Meanwhile, hundreds of young visitors to the event found their happiness in the new Kids Zone: face painting, sack races and juggling made their eyes light up. On Sunday, around 4,000 bikers enjoyed the full Habsburg splendor of the capital: once again, the grand motorcycle parade led along the magnificent Ringstrasse through the historic center of Vienna.

Of course, the party goes on - for example in Faak am See, where the September 3 to 8, 2013 which European Bike Week increases.