A king today
Harley fans and customers choose the „Custom King“
- Included: 220 authorized dealers from 21 countries - 24 of them from Germany
- The German „Custom King“ is determined by online voting
(Neu-Isenburg, 17.01.2017) The list of 12 monarchies in Europe ranges from A for Andorra to V for United Kingdom. Anyone who is a king today became one quite undemocratically by inheritance. But when Harley-Davidson defines its new „Custom King“, it's pure popular rule. „Battle of the Kings“ is the name of Europe's largest dealer customizing contest. It enters its third round in 2017. Once again, Harley-Davidson dealers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East were challenged to skillfully and stylishly convert a bike from Milwaukee. This time, a Sportster from the Dark Custom model line served as the basis. The dealers could choose whether they wanted to work on an Iron 883, a Forty-Eight or a Roadster - all machines that offer plenty of scope for customizing, as they have been reduced to the essentials by design. The style? It doesn't matter! The main thing is that it is well received, because after all, the international Harley community should choose its favorite.
220 authorized dealers from 21 countries - including 24 from Germany - took up the challenge this winter. The results are impressive and can be admired on the web at www.h-d.com/customkings. But marveling alone is not enough, because the aim is to make the best conversion and its builder the „Custom King“. Anyone who enjoys cool custom bikes is invited to cast their vote online. Following the national voting phase, a jury of specialist journalists will select the German national winner from the bikes that have been voted into the top 5. Together with its 20 competitors, the winner will face the strict eyes of an international jury of experts at the EICMA motorcycle trade fair in Milan in November in the battle for the international crown of „Custom King 2017“.
The regulations stipulate that every custom bike must be eligible for registration. In addition, at least 50 percent of the value of the parts installed must be covered by original Harley-Davidson accessories. The latter is facilitated by the extensive range of Parts & Accessories, which fills a catalog of over 900 pages in 2017. So simply putting an expensive high-end show winner on the wheels? No, because with the „Battle of the Kings“ Harley-Davidson wants to prove that it doesn't have to cost the earth to create a royal custom bike. That's why the total budget for each conversion was limited to 6,000 euros net.
The virtual polling station is open around the clock until February 14. All kingmakers can take a look online at www.h-d.com/customkings.
Text & image credits: Copyright Harley-Davidson
