Harley-Davidson Sponsor Of A Completely Revised Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge

Harley-Davidson Motor Company will provide marketing and promotional support for a new  2011 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. The event has been completely changed from last year and from what was initially announced for the 2011 edition.

Under Harley-Davidson’s support and guidance the event will begin in Phoenix, Arizona, (no more San Diego) and travel through all 48 contiguous states and Canada to Nova Scotia (no more traveling to Mexico). The route will travel over 10,000 miles and is open only to all riders of Harley-Davidson motorcycles (no more open to all brands). There will be 15 checkpoints along the route located at Harley-Davidson dealers where participants must check in as they ride the route.

In addition to being an event sponsor and organizer, Harley-Davidson is exploring hosting a checkpoint at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The first 25 participants to reach the finish and who ride the complete stipulated route will be recognized as winners and be eligible for monetary awards (no more a 1 million dollars winner). Each rider will have the opportunity to designate a selected “home Harley-Davidson dealership” when they enroll. The home dealers of the top five finishers will be eligible for awards and recognition alongside the riders. (picture copyright Harley-Davidson)

46 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Sponsor Of A Completely Revised Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge”


  1. 1 Rick Lossner Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:05 am

    So .. this isn’t a Hoka Key Challenge… it’s the HD-48 Challenge…. ??? Toooo funny

    Nice to see some legitimacy to it… ….. but .. guess you wounldn’t want to see an Indian… or a Custom… or … god help us all… a Metric put the HDs in the background….

  2. 2 Tommy Boy Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:09 am

    So, the Hoka Hey is now supported by Harley and only Harley motorcycles can parrticipate!!!!!! Surely, the boys Harley & Davidson are looking down and smiling as once again The Motor Company eliminates Indian from what could have been a tremendous advertising/growth opportunity.

  3. 3 Grayhawk Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Steve Piehl Director of Customer Expierence for HD, have you thought this out? Surprising it would have made it through HD’s risk management, LOL, assuming it did?

    “The new direction of being more about a personal test of touring endurance, where rider and machine stretch the boundaries of long-distance touring, appeals to us. It’s a perfect match for the superior touring experience and capabilities of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. ‘Hoka Hey’ translates to ‘It’s a good day to ride!’ and that is always the case on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.”

    Your words above as exceprt;

    One might surmise that this sponsorship might put HD at the top of the grief list and the deepest pocket if the 2011 event repeats itself in confusion, issues, deaths, publicity, etc. from their 2010 effort no matter the assurances it will be different, your words from an excerpt above specifically, “stretching the boundaries”, may be deemed by some as encouragement to extend man and machine past it/their capability to reap monetary rewards. Event insurance alone may not surfice the negative impacts if this event goes south, just asking.

    Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/02/15/2863684_harley-davidson-to-become-a-sponsor.html##ixzz1E2eoJZQj

  4. 4 Harry Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Ha, ha. Harley making it honest and fair. Good news. Red Cloud limited to small organization tasks. Bet that soon it will be called the Harley Endurance Challenge. Good catch, Harley.

  5. 5 BadMonkeyMW Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:48 am

    The circus continues……

  6. 6 Donnie Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:00 am

    It’s kind of funny and ironic that all the claims, promises, route, registration form, prize award announced by Jim Red Smoke on his Hoka Hey 2011 website are void again. But it’s good news that Harley is now in control via sponsorship of a completely different event. No more riding through Mexico (!), no more $1 million prize for the winner. Of course…

  7. 7 burnout Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:09 am

    Discrimination, Discrimination, Discrimination!!!!!!!!!!!!! peace

  8. 8 Woody Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:21 am

    If Harley’s going to pay it than I have no problem with them deciding who gets to play. Mercury Marine sponsors an annual fishing tournament where only boats with mercury outboards can enter. Love ’em or hate ’em, H-D has a long history of supporting things from HOG to the best Tee shirts. Other MC companies could take a few hints from Harley on brand support. Want a cool Honda shirt? You’ll have to hire a printer to make one for you.

  9. 9 Jeff Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:23 am

    Harley davidson sure does know how to pick a winner with some professional organization this event could become huge Always was a great idea

  10. 10 Shifter Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:24 am

    And the winner is…Harley.

  11. 11 P. Hamilton Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:33 am

    Last year Jim Red Clown offered us the dumbest moments in motorcycling. Happy to hear Harley turning it into a different and professional event. No more BS about raising money for reservations, veterans, 1 million prize money, contradictions each time he opened his mouth, etc. Smart move Harley..

  12. 12 Keith Stone & Kiki Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:39 am

    Honka 2010 was a ‘joke’, a farce, and IMOP in some was illegal, or broke the law………… Now Harley is in bed with this hose bag & organization.. NICE…. TWO THUMBS DOWN
    Also you can only ride a Harley?… ha-ha-ha-ha Typical !

    The winner is going to get a free skull tattoo on your neck, and a free Harley bandanna….

    My $.02, DUMB move for Corporate Harley to get involved with Honkagay. If they wanted a “ride” like this they have enough resources to get the job done on there own two feet… stay away from this 2010 crowd….. jmop…..

    Hope everyone is safe on this ‘ride’…..

  13. 13 L.J. Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:44 am

    meanwhile , the motorcycle cannonball ,which had a “successful” event in 2010, is bankrupt after courting harley for over a year.

  14. 14 Gary Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:48 am

    You can trust Harley lawyers for resolving all the issues, liability and others. The event is now looking like a relaxed touring ride from HD dealers to HD dealers.

  15. 15 Kelley Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:54 am

    I agree. The right move for Harley was to sponsor the Cannonball. At least, Harley, please get rid of this bad entertainer callied Big Jim.

  16. 16 1550tc Feb 15th, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Jeff i agree

    this event could become huge Always was a great idea

    and so are a few other rides that comon to most long haul riders

    why someone never did a tv show or get in on some of those iron butt rides like the 4 corners or the 3 flags ride has always kept me wondering why not??

    some of these IBA rides timed to the element of dnager/safety comes into play

    but this ive always wanted to do and it would be an awesome ride with a group of friends and no chase vechile

    http://www.usa4corners.org/

  17. 17 bigitch Feb 15th, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    suck me off with a breast pump.

    what happen to the posse ride???

    where are the rules for this “new “route?

    where is the “motorcycle challenge” if it is only motor company bikes?

    if it is hoka hey by harley davidson why don’t they change it to hoka duh by h-d

  18. 18 i m spartacus Feb 15th, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    if it is only harleys is it really a motorcycle challenge or a harley challenge

  19. 19 Jeff Feb 15th, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    1550
    Iba rides are like poker runs with alot of miles. Much respect to theriders but I can understand why no major bike makers sponsors the org. The Hoka hey is a new kid on the block and Harley obviously sees the long term potential Iba has good people but a old and dated format. Like this guts and glory rally that is a awful rip off of Hoka. Again Harley davidson can pick winners and looks like they have this time

  20. 20 Henry Kemper Feb 15th, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    Another big blunder by the Big Red Cloud . After claiming during months in various communications that he had a high level of interest and registrations from non-Harley riders, read what he wrote in an email he sent to his listing ” We have evaluated the level of interest in the event from riders of non Harley-Davidson motorcycles and have concluded the current level of interest will not support this division as we initially envisioned.  It does not seem that the interest will result in a field large enough to overcome the significant effort and cost of producing a separate division. Therefore, the event will become an all Harley-Davidson event for 2011″

    What an hypocrite! Unable to organize anything motorcycling, he turned to Harley. And of course Harley is not going to sponsor non-harley riders. So, Jim makes a 180 degrees to justify “his” decision (Harley decision). This guy never remembers what he said the day before. A joke!

  21. 21 Derick Feb 15th, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    Hey guys, it’s good news. Jim Durham does not choose the winner. LOL.

  22. 22 Robert-viva las vegas Feb 15th, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    The Pre 1916 Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run 2010 still rules! Who ever organizes an event should take pointers & advice from the people who participated in, sponsored, and helped out in this once in a lifetime event.

  23. 23 Boomer Feb 15th, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    Unless I missed something; the Hoka Hey was limited to HD’s last year too. I didn’t see anyone going into Mexico either. Maybe I was looking at the wrong rider GPS map’s. Also; 2 people died and others got seriously hurt during last years event. Better have good lawyers write up an iron clad sign up sheet to prevent lawsuits…

  24. 24 Derick Feb 15th, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Yep, Boomer. You missed a few things. Set up your GPS to 2011. From August until last week, Big Jim announced repeatedly that the Hoka Hey 2011 would start from San Diego, then go to northern Mexico first before coming back to the US in direction of Canada. He also announced the non-harley class which was already attracting a lot of registrations.

  25. 25 1550tc Feb 15th, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Jeff
    Again Harley davidson can pick winners and looks like they have this time

    Like anything HD or HOG they will f–k it up and commercialize the f–k out of it

    I can see some RUB”s with a Prevost coach and a nascar crew in tow…..by keeping it HD only
    proves what?? their scared some civicgoldwing or a new bmw 1600 owner winning it all ??

  26. 26 i m spartacus Feb 15th, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    how many of last years participants actually completed the race?

  27. 27 Jeff Feb 15th, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    1550. Harley is notthe only company to put on a event and utilize the opportunity to showcase their product. That’s called marketing and most smart and successful companies participate in it

  28. 28 Lambo Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    Boomer – 2010 was for American made bikes only. I tagged with them on the first leg Key West to Daytona -did all the pre ride meetings, heard Jim give his speaches, etc. Despite the controversy the start would make the hairs on your neck stand up.

  29. 29 Rally Rider Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    Hey, The Guts and Glory Rally is still open to all riders. They are even supporting 4 legit charities. Just saying.

  30. 30 Dave Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    Guys and glory rally. What a joke that is A really bad knock off of Hoka hey.

  31. 31 Todd8080 Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    So it’s now legal to race for money on public roads in which states? Last I checked it was none.

    Call it what you want, a challenge, and endurance test, whatever, the bottom line is, whoever gets there first wins the cash, and that’s a race by anyone’s definition.

    I can’t wait to see how the MoCo’s team of lawyers somehow make an illegal race legal.

  32. 32 Derick Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    And guess who is hiding behing the Guts & Glory rally? John White (Crazy horse Motorcycles renamed American Motorwolk), the guy who defended Jim Durham all along the 2010 Hoka Hey, pretended he owned the Hoka Hey 2011 and who disappeared very mysteriously without any explanation.

  33. 33 Rally Rider Feb 16th, 2011 at 6:16 am

    Yeah I guess it is a bad knock off of the Hoxxa Hay. Let see what they did last year, no money for charities, no way to prove the so called winner rode the actual route, 9107 mile in 194 hours? let see, that is a constant moving average of 46.97 miles per hour no stop for 8 days. Yeah, the Hoxxa Hay is not a race on public roads! And did the wiener get paid or was a deal made. They did not have the riders they said they did. Maybe another Great White Buffalo Caper. Just sayin.

  34. 34 Mike Tomas, Kiwi Indian MotorCycle Co Feb 16th, 2011 at 8:54 am

    History once again repeats its self. Harley used its influence in the old days to control the racing organizations so it could be stacked up to their advantage. Competition between brands brings excitement and is good for all.

  35. 35 Hiro4you2 Feb 16th, 2011 at 10:10 am

    Somebody wished me luck and told me to go break a leg well shortly after completing the Hoka Hey I wiped out and literally broke my leg. It was completely worth it… I’m still paying hospital bills but if I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing. It was an amazing experience with more close calls to my demise than I had in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. I seen some amazing things… I was dive bombed by birds that exploded on impact with my bike. A vulture crossed my path and deflected off my helmet. I had a deer jump over my front tire without any warning, it was so close I could have swiped its hind leg with my hand. I dodged grizzly bears on back roads and cows on mountains. I road through mountain passes that opened up on the most beautiful lake on top where an Indian reservation was located. Through parts of the ride my competitors and myself took turns helping each other navigate through dark forests and unmarked roads… the greatest acts of sportsman like conduct I have ever witnessed. The prize sure it was a great excuse to push myself to the limit but in the end it was the bonding of me, Harley, and the never ending roads.

  36. 36 izadore007 Feb 16th, 2011 at 10:28 am

    All right now we know Big Jim is not Invited to design the Event and I guess since nobody mentined “Indians”, I guess they will stay back and continue Casino operations.Big Jim I know the real reason you are not invited…………No Off Brand Bikes like you ride.

  37. 37 Slow Ride Feb 16th, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    If you don’t like the new Hoka Hey….then you have a couple of choices. First, you can decline to participate. Secondly, you can create your own event and organize it exactly the way you want it to be. ‘Don’t have enough money to put together your own event? Then put on your selling cap and get your own sponsor.

  38. 38 VC Feb 16th, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    I liked the idea of a true challenge. how can they promote the worlds best endurance ride and challenge if the only challenge is on a Harley. That alone is a challenge, I have owned many HD’s now I own a Victory and I can tell you there is not a better riding bike on the rode. It is a good thing I checked the website today before I sent in my application. To all those taking on the Harley Challenge, good luck god speed, be safe and all my prayers are with you on your journey.

  39. 39 kc cheef Feb 16th, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    Slow Ride Take it Easy!
    Yeah.

  40. 40 Grayhawk Feb 16th, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    We might keep in mind, my comment above included to my knowledge unless Cyril or others knows otherwise the only thing I can find out there is a couple references that are Hokey Hey based with a presented quote from a HD rep. One might think when something actually comes out direct from Harley it could be a bit different than we hear so far, just thinking out loud.

  41. 41 Switch Feb 16th, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    With all the crap last year and this apparently being a very different event why is h-d assosiating themselves with the hokey name?

  42. 42 Hungouver Feb 17th, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Are riders required to buy a cheap ass t-shirt at each dealer stop?

    PS Victory would be a bitchin competitor if allowed

  43. 43 kc cheef Feb 17th, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Key word being ”competitor”.
    HD doesn’t care for or want competition.
    Might be embarassing?

  44. 44 Mark Feb 21st, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    The reason that it’s Harley only again is because they couldn’t get enough “Metric” riders to even express an interest in it to make it feasible for them to expend the money and manpower needed for two different classes.

    I guess there just aren’t enough non Harley riders with the heart to do a run like this.

  45. 45 Class War Feb 23rd, 2011 at 12:32 am

    What additional money and manpower … why would two different classes be needed?
    One class, motorcycle. K.I.S.S.

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