Howdy instead of Heidi
European Bike Week attracted around 120,000 visitors
• Bill Davidson attends Europe's largest Harley party
• Music, expo, custom bike show, and grand parade
• Riding for the first time: bikes with the new Milwaukee-Eight engine
(Neu-Isenburg, September 13, 2016) Europe's largest and, according to its fans, coolest motorcycle event—for many „the“ traditional end to the season—attracted more than 120,000 bikers, music lovers, and partygoers to Austria's southernmost province of Carinthia this year.
No wonder, because instead of tranquil yodeling in traditional costumes, there's rock ’n’ roll and everything that goes with it. So from September 6 to 11, it was party time again around Lake Faaker See. Even the weather gods played along: except for Tuesday, it was warm, sunny, and dry. The sound of around 70,000 V-twins and the smell of barbecue filled the air, and everywhere you looked you saw cheerful people from all over the world. Word of the event's fame has now spread as far as the Middle East, the Far East, and the Caribbean. Among others, bikers from Dubai, Vietnam, and Cuba were in Faak. Also joining the party this year was Bill Davidson, great-grandson of one of the founders of Harley-Davidson and head of the Harley-Davidson Museums in Milwaukee. In addition, on the grounds, one encountered Starcustomizer Paul Teutul, known from the TV series American Chopper.
The heart of the event was once again the Harley Village tent city in Faak. Here, guests found a dealer mile that had it all: 19
Harley-Davidson dealers from five countries and around 130 independent traders ensured that no fashion or accessory wish remained unfulfilled. From the village, guests could explore the fascinating surroundings on their own bikes or set off on one of five tours led by the Carinthia Chapter of the Harley Owners Group along the region's most beautiful Alpine roads. Thirty caterers took care of the guests’ physical well-being, and of course there was plenty of rock, blues, country, and pop music every evening: 60 gigs by popular bands such as Tito and Tarantula, Royal Republic, Zodiac, The Picturebooks, and Boppin' B took place on the main stage and in the bars and cafés.
A highlight for many visitors were the 2017 Harley-Davidson models—including the stripped-down Dark Custom models and the touring bikes with the brand-new Milwaukee-Eight engine. Not only were they on display together in Europe for the first time, but they were also available for test rides in the large demo ride area.
In the Village's customizer area, visitors could find inspiration for small and large customizations to their own machines and marvel at high-end conversions from all over the world. In the big custom bike show, where Bill Davidson was one of the judges, more than 80 master customizers from eight countries presented their individual creations and competed for honor and trophies in ten categories. Not only did 21 of them end up with tears of joy rolling down their cheeks, but so did a visitor from Austria, who won a brand-new Harley-Davidson Street 750 in the European Bike Week's big prize draw. The big parade on Saturday afternoon caused even more of a sensation, with over 10,000 bikers, led by Bill Davidson and cheered on by countless spectators, riding around Lake Ossiach.
Those who were there will definitely be back, and those who don't know the event yet should definitely make a note of the date for 2017 and book their accommodation quickly: The next European Bike Week takes place from September 5 to 10, 2017 instead – in Faak am See, of course. See you around!
Text & photos copyright Harley-Davidson
Gallery Pictures
