The Harleysite 2021 Year in Review – Part 1
2021 was another particularly turbulent year, as I have experienced over the last 18 years at Harleysite. Unfortunately, many events were canceled again. Whether this was the right or wrong decision is open to debate, but most of them were certainly justified, as the economic risks are currently enormous, especially for the organizers. Regardless of whether an event is held or not, organizers and dealers are currently not prepared.
January 2021
Kolja Rebstock takes on leadership role at Harley-Davidson
January 2021 brought a new appointment to a management position at Harley-Davidson right at the start of the year. Kolja Rebstock took over the post from Regional Vice President EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and Managing Director for the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
A highly competent manager who brought with him a wealth of experience from the automotive industry, having previously held senior positions at Mitsubishi and Daimler-Benz, Mitsubishi in particular was not pleased to see him leave the company.
He has been with Harley-Davidson for a year now and is a real asset to the company. The only question is how much influence he will really have on the company's new direction, even though he has the necessary experience in this industry.
Link to the article: Kolja Rebstock takes on leadership role at Harley-Davidson!
Date for Mallorca Bike Week 2021 announced
At that point, it was a very courageous step. The date for Mallorca Bike Week was announced quite early in January, and today we know that the event was able to take place without any problems, just in time before the next C-chaos. It was a very successful end to the 2021 season.
The first images of the STREET BOB 114 have appeared
Shortly before the Harley-Davidson model premiere on January 19, the first pictures of the Street Bob 114 appeared, which until then had been nothing more than a rumor. Today we know that the Street Bob, with its powerful 114 engine, has been a huge hit and is one of the most popular Softail models.
Link to the article: Street Bob 114
Test ride report – Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited 2020
In January, I followed up with a detailed test ride report on the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited.
The Harley-Davidson Tourer With its legendary Batwing fairing, the 2020 model combines tradition with modern technology.
Even if someone without great motorcycle ambitions stands in front of the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited , he usually only needs one attempt to guess that he is facing a Harley-Davidson stands.
Link to the article Test ride report Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
Shocking news from the Top Mountain Crosspoint Museum
Top Mountain Crosspoint Motorcycle Museum burned down
The Top Mountain Crosspoint is Europe's tallest Motorcycle Museum. Since opening in 2016, over 230 historic motorcycles and various classic cars have been displayed in an area covering 3000m².
Link to the article: Top Mountain Crosspoint Motorcycle Museum burned down
The new 2021 Harley-Davidson models
On January 19, Harley-Davidson unveiled its new model range for the first time. Interest was so great that the entire Harley website server crashed for hours afterwards. Thanks to an investment in the latest server technology, this will no longer happen in 2022.
Link to article: THE 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODELS
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
2021 was the year of the Pan America, with Harley-Davidson venturing into the large-volume enduro/adventure segment for the first time. In the end, it is almost sold out, and anyone who wanted it with the top-of-the-line features had to be quick or search hard. In any case, it is a success and, after the typical teething problems, has slowly gained a foothold in the scene.
Dream Machines magazine takes off
On January 20, the Dream-Machines kiosk was completed and magazines can now be ordered online. Following last year's crowdfunding campaign, Custombike and Dream-Machines magazines have enjoyed a successful 2021, with rising subscriber numbers showing that there is still a market for good magazines.
Link to the Dream Machines report
February 2021
The first event was already canceled in February!
The 2021 Super Rally was the first event to fall victim to the pandemic this year. It would not be the only one.
Harley-Davidson welcomes Nils Buntrock as new marketing manager
Harley-Davidson stepped up its marketing efforts in February. This is an important personnel decision for the company, as its marketing department has been understaffed for a long time. Considering that some Harley-Davidson dealers employ more people directly in marketing than the company itself, this situation is still not really acceptable. Since February 2021, Nils Buntrock, Harley-Davidson Marketing in the DACH region, for Harley-Davidson.
Link to the article: Harley-Davidson welcomes Nils Buntrock as new marketing manager
European Bike Week is still planned
In 2021, Harley-Davidson was determined to hold European Bike Week again. Unfortunately, this wish only came true in a very small version.
Bike Week Willingen 2021 has been canceled
Back in February, it was already clear to the organizers of Bike Week Willingen that the event would not take place in 2021 either.
In February, the Pan America is already the center of attention!
The Harley-Davidson Pan America is the perfect bike for explorers who like to take the long way around—on the road and off-road. This robust, powerful, and technologically advanced machine instantly wins the rider's trust and awakens their sense of adventure, wherever the road may lead.
The link to the Pan America article:
First final images of the Sportster S in February
The first final images of the new Sportster S appeared on February 24, but it won't be seen on the roads very often in 2021.
Sneak preview of the Harley-Davidson Sportster S
March 2021
The first Harley-Davidson authorized dealers are reopening their showrooms.
A first positive sign came on March 5, when the first Harley-Davidson dealers in the country reopened their showrooms. That was a good sign for the coming season.
Click&Meet – Livestreams to various Harley-Davidson authorized dealers
It was a disaster; no one really knew who was allowed to open their shop and who wasn't. Suddenly, Click&Meet became a topic of conversation, which was one more reason to clarify the situation. Several authorized dealers across the country reported in via livestream.
Link to the Click&Meet article
Hamburg Harley Days postpones the event
The Hamburg Harley Days 2021 were still on the agenda, but on March 9, the date was postponed to August, and it was agreed that the Harley Days should only take place without masks.
MOTORCYCLE DRIVING BANS – EMISSION LAWS
The issue of motorcycle driving bans came to the fore on March 11, and we slowly began to mobilize.
50 years of Harley-Davidson Super Glide
The Super Glide turned 50 in 2021, so it's time to look back on its history.
Link to the article
Magic Bike Rüdesheim 2021 has been canceled
And so it continued. On March 25, the news came that Magic Bike Rüdesheim would not be taking place in 2021.
Harley-Davidson launches its own online store on March 26
To the displeasure of some Harley-Davidson dealers, the company itself has launched its new online shop. From today's perspective, this seems somewhat half-hearted and not necessarily appropriate in these difficult times, even if dealers receive a commission.
APRIL 2021
Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Tuning – 131 cui Stage IV
My first ride report this year, and what a rocket it is! The Low Rider S is the hottest Harley-Davidson I've ever ridden. Such awesome riding dynamics—it doesn't get any better than this!
Link to the Low Rider S 131 test ride report
The FXDR 114 has been dropped from the lineup.
Harley-Davidson found no place for the FXDR 114 in its 2021 model year lineup, and it has been discontinued. Its price was last listed at €21,995, and it was basically a good template for customization, as there are plenty of parts available for it, and now perhaps even an abundance. Its purchase price was too high for customization enthusiasts, but otherwise it was a cool bike.
On the road for the first time on the Pan America on April 11
At the beginning of April, it finally happened: the Pan America was officially unveiled, and we spent two days putting the pedal to the metal at Stoffel Park—an amazing experience! I was able to really see what it's capable of, and I'm still thrilled about it today!
The dispute over punitive tariffs escalates
On April 20, Harley-Davidson announced that it would file a lawsuit against the punitive tariffs. Today, we know that this story has finally come to an end.
40 years of Harley-Davidson GmbH
The brand's history in Germany goes back more than 95 years, and in 1981 Harley-Davidson was entered in the German commercial register as a limited liability company. On April 22, Harley-Davidson GmbH celebrated its 40th anniversary.
𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆-𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻-𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗵𝗿
This was a very elaborate production. Anyone interested in how a modern Harley-Davidson dealership is set up will find this film fascinating!
On April 26, Harley-Davidson will unveil the first model from the ICON series.
It was a big surprise—everyone kept quiet about it—and on April 26, the new Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Revival was unveiled for the first time. But the coolest thing was that the models intended for the German market were already in the country and were delivered to dealers the following week. The campaign was really cool!
The H.O.G. RALLY PORTOROZ SLOVENIA 2021 has been canceled.
April ends with more bad news in the announcement dated April 30. I know that Harley-Davidson management wanted to do everything possible to make the H.O.G. Rally happen, but unfortunately that was not possible, so the rally has been postponed until 2022.
May 2021
First demonstration in Nuremberg with over 6,000 participants
The first major demonstration against planned motorcycle bans took place in Nuremberg. With over 6,000 motorcycles, it was a good start!
Harleysite calls for flag to be flown against planned motorcycle bans!
On May 2, it was time to show your colors. There was a banner on Facebook that you could add to your profile picture to show that you were against the planned motorcycle bans and route closures. It was pure madness, with almost 7,000 likes and almost 3,000 shares. I can't say how many people installed the banner, but in any case, the campaign was a huge success and we need to be even stronger in 2022!
On May 12, Harley-Davidson announced that LiveWire would become a standalone brand.
Harley-Davidson has spun off the LiveWire electric motorcycle and turned LiveWire into its own brand. Harley-Davidson holds over 70% of this project.
True to the motto: Together we can make a difference! We fight for our freedom!
Harleysite also supported the petition launched by the Association of Harley-Davidson Dealers against punitive tariffs. By September, over 13,000 signatures had been collected.
JUNE 2021
The first Pan America models will arrive at authorized dealers in early July.
Things finally started moving again for H-D dealers, with Pan America deliveries to customers finally getting underway.
On June 6, we went traveling again for the first time.
On June 6, we headed south to the Algarve. Soaking up the sun in Portugal and enjoying another adventure with SKS-Reisen on the 6th Algarve Run. It felt really good after the long pandemic.
June 8 Cancellation of Hamburg Harley Days 2021
Contrary to all expectations, Hamburg Harley Days 2021 has been canceled. It was not possible to obtain firm commitments from the authorities, as Harley Days can take place without a mask requirement in accordance with previously agreed guidelines. A Harley Days masquerade was inconceivable, so it was decided to cancel the event.
Second test drive in the Algarve this year
The 2021 Road Glide Special showed itself at its best on the roads of Portugal. Curves and mountain passes are its territory, and accelerating out of corners with its torque is a blast.
The first KessTech Euro 5 systems were delivered on June 17.
New Euro standards, new game, the flap exhaust systems must be adapted to the required standard each time. On June 17, it was time for the first KessTech customers.
The Sportster S presentation was announced on June 21.
Harley-Davidson announces international presentation „From Evolution to Revolution“
The first real Harleysite test ride of 2021
I subjected the Fat Boy 114 in Deadwood Green to a number of long-distance tests.
The new Harley website app was launched on June 29.
Many of you have repeatedly asked me, "Where has the Harleysite app gone?" There were new technical requirements at Google and Apple that the old app no longer met. So I spared no expense and launched a new one. Thousands of you have already installed it on your cell phones, and thank you very much for using it now that it's available.
Downloads Apple App Store / Google Play Store
The second part is coming on New Year's Day!
