Always firm ground under the tyres
A typical Harley festival takes place in Hamburg every year. Typical? We’re drawing the first ace for Hamburg! The great thing about the Hamburg Harley Days is that you always have solid ground under your tires. There are no dirt tracks, gravel, or grit. That’s a real ace in the hole for the best event. It makes Harley riders happy—unless they’re riding a Pan America.
Being part of it is everything
The Hamburg wholesale market, which was cleared for this weekend, is an ideal map table for low-slung show bikes because of its tarmac surface. So, it was no surprise to find a Chicano from our company in the bike show contest. His bike met the jury’s strict criteria, as not every Harley was allowed to participate. However, our El Fuego didn’t make it to the stage for an honor, and the “Best of Show” trophy went to an even lower Bagger from Berlin. We take it with Olympic sportsmanship. Being there is everything!
According to official figures, 60,000 people attended the event. Not all of them rode Harleys because our scene also provided enough of a show for pedestrians. Visitors were able to see for themselves that Harley riders are not bad guys but lovers of honest rock music who showed their rage when the show bikes were not honored.
They could also see that daredevil feats are possible on heavyweight Harleys when they watched the stunt show.
Visitors could also see that Harley riders are avid travelers who love to ride long distances. The local HOG chapters organized guided tours through the Hamburg region. Always on solid ground, of course.
Our El Fuego was featured in the bike show at the Hamburg Harley Days. It met the strict criteria for participating in the show, of course.
Stunt Show
Looking back and ahead
They were able to see for themselves that Harley is still capable of sensational innovations. This was evident in Harley’s own expo tent, where the latest models were available for test rides, as well as brand new one-offs. Of particular note was the strictly limited 2025 Icons model, “The Gray Ghost.” Its shiny “Reflection Finish” is reminiscent of the morphing scenes of the evil Terminator, and it’s no coincidence.
We have already presented “The Gray Ghost,” a tribute to the Fat Boy from the 1990 film The Terminator. An original Fat Boy, which appeared in the film with Arnold Schwarzenegger, was placed next to the Gray Ghost for a direct comparison. As a historic model, it was perhaps even more exclusive than the Gray Ghost.
Because the Harley-Davidson phenomenon is inconceivable without references to its history, we presented the 2023 Electra Glide Highway King from the Icons Collection next to it. The racing Harleys on display there, such as the “Plan B” from the Super Hooligan class, based on the Pan America and powered by the Revolution Max engine, and the Wilbers Bagger for the Bagger Races, offered a glimpse into the future.
“The Gray Ghost” is a modern tribute to the 1990 Fat Boy.
This is an original 1990 Fat Boy that became famous in The Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The 2023 Highway King from the Icons Collection.
The ‘Plan B’ competes in the Super Hooligan Races.
This privately converted excavator won the “Best of Show” trophy. It deserved it – let’s be fair!
On Sunday morning, the Harley parade was led by Peter Maffay through Hamburg.
Harley riding keeps young
After two days of roaring and thundering at Hamburg’s wholesale market, the must-attend event is, of course, the parade on Sunday morning. It’s one last chance to see the scene as it makes an impressive parade through the whole city.
It has become a tradition for celebrities to lead this parade on Harleys. This time, the leader was none other than 75-year-old Peter Maffay. The people of Hamburg were able to witness one last typical Harley scene phenomenon with him. Harley riding keeps you young!
Text: Michael Ahlsdorf | Photos: AmyLee Photography / Alexander Oehme
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