Down Shift – National Motorcycle Museum is closing.
Their notification stated, “We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitations.”
The museum states that it will auction its collections to pay outstanding bills. This auction will include both motorcycles and memorabilia that the Parham’s collected over their many years in the motorcycle industry.
My Take Just another sad note reflecting both the results of the pandemic and the state of the motorcycle industry in America. Also, I am not sure that Anamosa, Iowa is a destination for a lot of folks. I would not be surprised if more “niche” museums closed their doors in the near future.
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Up Shift – Moto Guzzi Experience
Moto Guzzi motorcycles are sponsoring 3 events around the USA. The first up is in Bozeman, MT (June 28th-July3rd 2023). The second is in the Smoky Mountains starting in Knoxville, TN (August 30th-September 4th). The third Moto Guzzi Experience runs October 18th – 23rd in the Ozark Mountains around Bentonville AK.
All these events include tour leaders and support vehicles, and you can rent a Moto Guzzi if you do not want to ride yours to the event. Base costs? $2,500 if you rent a motorcycle, $1,500 if you bring your own and passengers cost $1,000. That cost includes hotels, full board (minus alcohol), the tour leader and support vehicle.
Folks who attend the event will get a discount on a new V100 Mandello or a V85TT afterwards. Discounts of up to $1,250 on a new bike is never a bad thing.
My Take: I am assuming these events are going to be similar to what the Harley Owners Group does with their annual rallies If that is the case it should be a lot of fun. In fact, we were at one of the HOG rallies last year in the Smokey Mountains. If you attend of these Moto Guzzi events let me know I would like to hear how it turned out.
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Ride on, Ride Safe
