Daytona Beach, FL — An old beer commercial featured the tagline, “Why ask why?”
When it comes to mounting a V-8 engine in a motorcycle frame, I guess if you have to ask “Why?” you just wouldn’t understand. “There’s no substitute for horsepower” might be one answer. Or perhaps you just want to be noticed (gee, I don’t think any of us bikers are guilty of that!).
In any case, an entire biker subculture is devoted to monster motors. Manufacturers, particularly Boss Hoss of Tennessee, have helped popularize these machines of ample girth. Love ’em or hate ’em, it’s pretty impressive to see and hear one of these bikes idling next to you at a traffic light, shaking and popping like a dragster awaiting the green light at a race.
Every year during Daytona Bike Week, the organizers of Rat’s Hole Bike Show put together what they call “The World’s Largest V-8 Motorcycle Parade.” The event is a fundraiser for charity: entry fees and donations go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
This year’s event was the most successful yet. Organizer Ted Smith says there were a record 127 V-8 motorcycles in the parade, which raised $1300 for the Shriners Hospitals.
Thanks to my cousin Bruce Abowitt for all the photos with this post — Bruce rode to Daytona from his home in Rhode Island — about 1300 miles — on his ’06 Harley-Davidson ElectraGlide Ultra Classic for Bike Week.
Enjoy!
I wish that girl were me!!! I’m green with envy (or should I say red?)
Inka, that bike looks perfect for you!
Most of these seem to be trikes? None of the benefits of a bike and none of the benefits of a car….
Is ‘more must be better’ a good approximation of the American Dream? Do more with less is my strapline!
Bet they sound good though…..
Henry, I think “more is better” pretty well sums it up!
I had no idea that there was such a thing as a motorcycle parade, but it looks like fun!
Laurel, at Daytona (and Sturgis) you’ll see all sorts of motorcycle parades.
Wow, those are some serious bikes!
No substitute for horsepower!
Oh my goodness. I was asking “why” all the way through that post.
Where I’ve done the majority of my motorbike riding – in the chaotic Ho Chi Minh City traffic – smaller is definitely better. I miss my little Yamaha Mio Classico so much!
I can’t imagine pushing one of those mosters up a ramp. Or trying to park it. Crazy!
Why ask why? I agree, driving these monster bikes is one thing, but trying to push, pull, or park it is something else entirely.
So if they’re difficult to push and park … you just keep riding?
That would seem to be the only option!
Those are some sweet rides!
As I’ve mentioned, you’ll see anything and everything during Bike Week!
I’ve never driven a V8 vehicle (true statement) much less a motorcycle!
Jeremy, guess you didn’t grow up during the 60s or 70s like I did! Not too many cars came with anything smaller than a V-8 (imports did, but they didn’t catch on with the public till after the gas shortages of the early 70s)