December 2009 - Harley Baggers

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by Buzz Kanter, Editor-in-Chief

It wasn’t long ago that I was in the majority thinking Harley baggers were the bike of choice among mild old guys who didn’t quite want to give up riding motorcycles. But, for me, that changed after spending some time on a factory-owned new Evolution 90th Anniversary Harley Ultra on a long road trip. My wife and I liked that motorcycle so much I asked if the factory would sell it to me (it declined).

A couple of years ago I bought a Twin Cam Ultra Glide for my fiftieth birthday, joking I was an old man so I needed an old man’s bike. After some minor hop-ups and a few other modifications to fit my personal riding style, I think it’s a great ride. Figuring I’m like a lot of other Harley riders, I’m not surprised at the growing popularity of custom baggers. They work well, and are fun and comfortable to ride. Plus, there are plenty of great Harley and aftermarket motorcycle parts to customize a bagger just about any way you want.

What has surprised me lately is the growing number of younger riders who are buying or building baggers of their own. A few years ago, who would have thought of a custom bagger with trick wheels and paint, a full windshield, bags, and apehangers? Yet we’re seeing more of them on the road.

As the best-selling Harley magazine in the world, we owe it to you to stay up to date on the latest developments and popular trends and share them with you. Recognizing the growing popularity of custom baggers we published a special newsstand issue called American Iron Baggers & Bobbers. It sold so well we are planning on more bagger magazines in 2010.

If you’re into Harley baggers, we want to hear from you. Send us photos of you and your custom bagger, tell us your favorite modifications, models, and rides. You can contact us through our web site at www.AIMag.com, e-mail us at Letters@AmericanIronMag.com or mail us at American Iron Magazine, 1010 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905. Who knows, you might find yourself in print, and that’s pretty cool.

Winner of Free Classic Harley

Congrats to Mr. Ryan Mackey of Willoughby, Ohio, for writing the winning essay in the exciting AMCA youth contest. He has won a 1942 Harley. Well, actually it’s more like a motorcycle in a box with pretty much all the parts this 18-year-old college student will need to build a 1942 H-D WL bobber. He’s also won two months of free shop time and support at Carl’s Cycle Supply in Aberdeen, South Dakota. When Ryan has finished this project (with the help of Carl and Matt Olsen of Carl’s Cycle) we’ve arranged to photograph it and feature it in a future issue of American Iron Magazine.

Matt Olsen is the man behind this contest, and he’s the guy who convinced a number of fellow antique motorcycle enthusiasts and businesses to donate the parts for the contest. He worked with the leadership of the AMCA to approve and promote the contest, and he coordinated the press releases to the various motorcycle media (including American Iron Magazine and our free online Classic American Iron web site, www.CAIMag.com). Everyone who appreciates old Harley and Indian motorcycles should thank people like Matt who encourage the next generation to get into the classic motorcycle hobby. We are proud to be associated with him and glad there are creative and fun programs like this to get younger people on Harleys.

The American Iron Magazine Guarantee

We at TAM Communications publish American Iron Magazine and RoadBike for our readers and never take you for granted. We know there are other magazines covering the Harley marketplace, and we work hard to produce the very best publication in the field for you each and every month.

Printing more than 4 million copies of American Iron Magazine every year, we realize our printer might occasionally produce a few less than ideal copies. So our guarantee to you is this: if you receive a copy of American Iron Magazine or RoadBike that is printed, bound, or finished in less than ideal quality, please send it to us, and we will replace it AND give you a free one-year subscription or subscription extension. Send the defective magazine, along with your name and address, to American Iron Magazine Guarantee, 1010 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905. This is just another example of how we put our readers first.

Ride safe, ride smart, have fun.