22 • August 2024 • Powersports Business
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Triumph shares DGR 2024 produced record-breaking attendance
The Distinguished Gentleman ’ s Ride ( DGR ), supported by Triumph for the 11th year , took place simultaneously on May 19 worldwide with a record-breaking 113,000 riders and 959 rides across 105 countries , raising $ 7.6 million .
The top global fundraiser and highest single fundraiser in DGR history was DGR Brand Ambassador Jaime Camil from the U . S ., who has been rewarded with a piece of motorcycling history , the iconic Thruxton RS Final Edition . Kat Thomsen , another U . S . DGR Brand Ambassador , claimed the second spot with Matias Seijo from Edinburgh taking third place . The Gentlefolk prize winner is Jason Etters , who led the Jacksonville ride in the U . S .
As part of the DGR ’ s “ Side by Side , Worldwide ” campaign , Triumph dealers around the world hosted and participated in rides to help raise awareness and funds for men ’ s mental health and prostate cancer research , ensuring even more motorcyclists were able to take part . These included 541 riders who chose to raise funds and ride on Modern Classics as part of the official riders group “ Team Triumph .” The top five fundraisers in this group have each won a prize package from the DGR & Triumph Clothing Collection .
Riding the new Speed 400 and Scrambler
400 X in London as part of Team Triumph were 007 stunt riders Paul Edmondson and Martin Craven , and Kieran Clarke , a stunt rider for the Mission Impossible franchise , while actor James Phelps , best known for playing Fred Weasley in Harry Potter , rode the Bonneville T120 Stealth Edition in Poole , UK .
In Thailand , social media star Witsarud Panich rode his Bonneville T100 through the streets of Bangkok , while writer-photographer Eric Hendrikx led Canada ’ s Toronto ride on his Thruxton RS . In Spain , actor Pepe Barroso , best known for his role in Gran Turismo , rode a T120 in Madrid , and world record holder Ivan Cervantes rode a Scrambler 1200 XE in Reus . Multi-platinum music producer Tai Jason rode his Bonneville T100 with more than 600 other riders from the Triumph dealership in Munich , Germany ’ s largest ride .
“ This year , Triumph and the DGR have achieved their goal to bring even more riders together , in more places around the globe , to raise even more money for men ’ s mental health and prostate cancer ,” says Paul Edmondson , 007 stunt rider . “ It is a wonderful event to be part of with everyone making such an incredible effort to dress dapper and showcase our community in the best possible light .”
“ Riding through the streets of London on a
The 2024 Distinguished Gentleman ’ s Ride included 113,000 riders and 959 rides across 105 countries . Photo courtesy of the DGR
Triumph , surrounded by hundreds of motorcyclists united by a common cause to raise money to support men ’ s health was an amazing experience ,” says Keiran Clarke , Mission Impossible stunt rider . “ The reaction of pedestrians and traffic on route was simply brilliant .”
Hedon Helmets , ELF Lubricants , and Quad Lock also supported the classic inspired charity event , further rewarding the efforts of the year ’ s fundraisers .
Harley-Davidson wins class-action lawsuit over ‘ right to repair ’
U . S . District Judge William Griesbach in Green Bay , Wisconsin , recently ruled against 15 individual consumers who bought Harley-Davidson motorcycles between 2016 and 2022 .
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According to reports , a judge has dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit against Harley-Davidson . The lawsuit claims the company imposed unlawful restrictions on customers that boosted the cost of repairs .
U . S . District Judge William Griesbach in Green Bay , Wisconsin , recently ruled against 15 individual consumers who bought Harley- Davidson motorcycles between 2016 and 2022 .
The consumers claimed Harley-Davidson illegally tied the sale of its motorcycles and factory warranties to the requirement that buyers use only the company ’ s branded parts through authorized dealers . The lawsuit alleged violations of antitrust and warranty laws .
The judge says the plaintiffs can file an amended lawsuit within 30 days .
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In their lawsuit , the Harley owners challenged the company ’ s limited warranty provision , which stated that using unauthorized parts “ may void ” the warranty . Harley-Davidson claims the provision does not say the company will void a warranty for using aftermarket parts but says it may enforce it if necessary .
The plaintiffs said Harley-Davidson acted “ impermissibly ,” putting Harley owners in the position of guessing whether they would lose valuable warranty coverage by using the “ wrong ” parts .
Griesbach sided with Harley-Davidson on the warranty provision and concluded that they had not tied the sale of its motorcycles to the use of branded parts . The judge wrote that the consumers had not alleged they were “ precluded
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” from buying a motorcycle without agreeing to purchase Harley-Davidson parts .
In 2022 , Harley-Davidson agreed to resolve an FTC case accusing the company of illegally curtailing buyers ’ repair rights .
In the FTC settlement , Harley said it
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would not void warranties for customers who had used authorized service centers or third-party parts . Harley did not admit liability in agreeing to settle . The company claims its resolution of that case has no bearing on the private civil lawsuit . |
Triumph reveals limited edition ʻElvis ’ Bonneville T120
The 2025 Triumph Bonneville T120 Elvis Presley Limited Edition is limited to only 925 units worldwide and celebrates Elvis and his Memphis Mafia group of friends who rode on Bonnevilles .
Inspiration for the model came from a story in 1965 . Friend Jerry Schilling had ordered a new Triumph T120 Bonneville and Elvis took it for a ride around the neighborhood . Elvis was impressed and told his Transportation Manager Alan Fortis to “ order one for all the guys , but … it has to be tonight !” Motorcycle dealers Bill Robertson & Sons delivered seven Triumphs that night . Elvis and his friends rode around Bel Air late into the evening , only stopping when neighbors called the police to complain .
The Carnival Red color scheme was inspired by the J Daar custom Bonneville , created in 2023 to raise money for the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation . The bike has “ ELVIS ” gold lettering on the tank and “ Taking Care of Business in a Flash ” emblem on the front fender . Other details include tank stripes in Aluminum Silver , hand-painted gold line detailing , and a chrome finish on selected parts , including the sweeping exhaust with peashooter silencers . Each bike will feature a numbered handlebar clamp with Elvis ’ signature laser-etched onto it . The three-bar tank badge and machined engine fins recreate the look of the 1959 Bonneville . Each bike will also come with a Sony gold disc in an Elvis Presley and Triumph Motorcycles record sleeve , and a certificate of authenticity signed by Triumph CEO Nick Bloor and Jamie
The model will start at $ 15,495 and will arrive in dealerships in September . Photo courtesy of Triumph
Salter , founder , chairman , and CEO of ABG , Elvis Presley Enterprises .