More than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and 70,000 motorcycles invaded this Austrian village, making this event a true festival open to all two-wheel enthusiasts.
Happy birthday to you ! (x 3)
This 2023 edition of European Bike Week was particularly special, as it marked three major anniversaries for the famous American brand. In addition to 120 years of Harley-Davidson, the event also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and the 25th anniversary of the first Harley-Davidson European Bike Week held in Faak am See in 1999 A unique opportunity for participants to travel the scenic roads of Carinthia and Slovenia on free outings organized by the Chapter HOG in Kärnten.
This anniversary year also marked a strong commitment between Harley-Davidson and the Carinthia region. The good news for motorcycle enthusiasts is that European Bike Week will take place every year until 2030 thanks to this sustainable partnership. A new Harley Boulevard was even inaugurated to seal this special relationship, adding to the Harley-Davidson symbols already present in the region, including the iconic “Harleywood” sign at the lake and the famous motorcycle sculpture installed on the main road to Villach.
Exceptional HD
The festivities took place at Harley Village, an impressive 40,000 square meter venue bringing together Harley-Davidson dealers from across Europe, as well as exhibitors selling accessories and clothing. The party atmosphere invaded the site, in particular at the Saloon Bar and the Harley Bar specially created for the occasion, and on the two stages hosted by 25 international artists.
The Harley-Davidson exhibit showcased the brand’s latest iconic models, including the new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide, the most technologically advanced Grand American Touring models ever manufactured by Harley-Davidson. The HD testing area was constantly busy with over 1,700 riders having the chance to test the latest models. Also a highlight was the Pan America Adventure Zone, a technical off-road zone at the heart of the venue staffed by Dakar experts and off-road instructors offering demonstrations, dynamic presentations, driving lessons and in-depth training .
A rich and festive program
On Friday, the Custom Bike Show sponsored by Metzeler brought together 78 machines in six different categories, crowning the most remarkable creations. The Best in Show award was unanimously awarded to Mirko Perugini of Italy for his motorcycle incorporating a first generation V-twin engine. On Saturday evening, Boris Zanki, a participant from Split in Croatia, had the chance to leave with a Sportster S, to the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd.
The event reached its climax during the parade on Saturday, where 10,000 bikers rode the roads of Carinthia from Lake Faak to Villach and Finkenstein, forming one of the most impressive motorcycle parades in Europe.
“European Bike Week is one of the biggest events of the year, and we are delighted to continue this partnership by organizing this fantastic event until 2030. Delivering experiences like European Bike Week to our customers and motorcycle fans is what makes our brand so unique” said Kolja Rebstock, Harley-Davidson vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Already appointments in 2024
The Harley-Davidson festivities will continue next year with the 30th annual European HOG Rally, taking place in Senigallia, Italy, June 6-9, 2024. This historic city offers Renaissance architecture, a stunning coastline and winding roads, making it an ideal destination for adventure-seeking motorcyclists.
European Bike Week will return to Faak am See from September 3 to 8, 2024 to the delight of motorcycle enthusiasts.
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To sum up
European bikers came out in force to celebrate 120 years of Harley-Davidson at European Bike Week which took place September 5-10, 2023 in Faak am See, Austria.
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