From the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, Harley-Davidson today announces it is offering all current and former U.S. military free Riding Academy motorcycle training. The new “Learn to Ride” program, open to active-duty, retired, reservists and veterans, begins on Armed Forces Day, May 16 and runs through Sept. 13. Harley-Davidson teamed up with U.S. Army veteran and two-time Paralympian, Heath Calhoun, and six riders who are also in the military, to make today’s announcement by demonstrating fundamental motorcycle riding exercises aboard the USS Yorktown in Charleston, S.C.
“As a veteran, and a rider, I have found that nothing is more therapeutic than getting on my bike and taking a ride,” said Calhoun, Wounded Warrior Project® Alumnus and owner of a 2014 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide. “I am honored to help Harley-Davidson empower all of us who have served to find comfort on the open road.” All stateside military can take advantage of this offer by visiting a Harley-Davidson dealer or going to Military Learn To Ride. If Riding Academy is not available in a particular area, Harley-Davidson will issue a Harley-Davidson gift card totaling the cost of the certified motorcycle safety program.
Those currently deployed outside the U.S. can also submit the “Learn to Ride” form by Sept. 13 and will receive a voucher for free motorcycle safety training that is good through 2016. “For us at Harley-Davidson this is our way to thank the millions of people who have courageously defended our country and everyone’s personal freedom to ride,” said Christian Walters, managing director of U.S. Sales and Marketing at Harley-Davidson, and U.S. Army veteran.
Good way to bring more into the fold
I wish I could ride a motorcycle on the deck of an aircraft carrier! Shouldn’t those riders be wearing safety vests?
A good way to say thanks to all those men and women that serve …. as well as for all those lucrative contracts the Company received during WWI and WWI from the military that in the long run was the very foundation of the Company’s survival
Good for the MC. They are stepping up a little to help our service people who have given so much to us. Thanks H.D.
Very nice gesture from the Motor Co.
Always be good to your customers
& this customer base is the best there is.!!!!
Why can’t the same spirit
not apply to the workers in KC & York ????
Good call BobS.
Blackmax You hit it on the head.
Trying to find new riders on a U.S. ship with bikes made in India ?
How many Vets lost there jobs at the Motor Company in the last couple years.
Semper Fi
USMC 61-67
Fuji
Eaglemark Bank should extend low APRs to all Armed Forces, or do they?
Safety jackets? Come on fellas lighten up a little bit. They’re on top of an inactive aircraft carrier! There’s no Jets coming in! there’s no other traffic!
This former Marine thinks it’s great that Harley Davidson is taking care of the Armed Forces!
OOH RAH!
Boots it was meant light hearted. It’s a damn cool photo op, I just found it a little funny that a Marine needs one to ride on base but it’s not needed for a photo op on a ship. I’m glad to see our motorcycle company’s reaching out to our service members and would like to see other industries follow their lead.
I haven’t checked lately but last I knew the moco offered no down payment financing with a better APR to active duty and Vic offers a grand off to all past and current military and to cops and firefighters.
fuji….Street models for the USA are built in Kansas city Mo…..NOT India.
Also, How many vet did lose their jobs at Harley?
How many vets were hired at Harley?
richards . What are the answer’s to those question that you question and how do you realy know that the street model is built or assembled in KS.
Fuji. Because Cyril Huze told us and he knows. The Street is built in Kansas for the US in India for Asia and Europe.
The point I make, is if you want to support the military support it and be commended for those actions. But, don’t turn it into a dog and pony show to promote or publicize your merchandise. And for so few. Support the Military as a whole.
Gene, Cyril reports what information is given to him. That’s the best and only thing that he can do and Cyril does a very good job of it.
Harley Davidson is one of the best at being secretive and one of the best at promoting its products.
If you believe that all information from the MO Co that passes your ear is gospel, then one is gullible, but then again that’s the individual that HD is after as a patron and have been for years.
This is my last statement on this subject……thank goodness! I wish you all well.
P.S. All of you are entitled to my opinion.
Fuji. Cyril is an insider. Knows always a little bit or a lot more than he publishes. It means he has insider info, not the only one officially given to him. He can’t publish untrue info or he would be in legal trouble for doing it. So evident.
A worthy idea from HD….these folks are most deserving…
Do they offer a discount on new bikes?