The Milwaukee Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally is starting up today, and continuing through Labor Day weekend. 2013 models that debuted to dealers last week at the Harley-Davidson Summer Dealer Meeting will be on display at the Harley-Davidson Museum just in time for Thursday's Bike Night.  Check out the Milwaukee dealerships for tons more events this weekend. 
The rally also officially starts the 110th Anniverary Kick-Off, which includes a year long celebration!

Official events for Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary celebrations around the world:
Date                                                Event                                                                    Location
August 30 - Sept. 2, 2012         110th Anniversary Kick-Off Party                   H-D Museum, Milwaukee, WI
September 4 - 9, 2012              110th Anniversary Kick-Off Party                   European Bike Week, Faaker See, Austria
January 25 - 27, 2013                110th Anniversary Experience                     National HOG Rally, Goa, India
February 14 - 17, 2013              110th Anniversary Experience                     Auckland, New Zealand 
March 9 - 16, 2013                      110th Anniversary Experience                     Daytona Beach Bike Week, Dayotona, Florida
May 2 - 4, 2013                             110th Anniversary Experience                     Qian Dao Lake, Zhe Jiang Province, China
TBD                                                 110th Anniversary Experience                    Mexico City, Mexico
April 26 - 28, 2013                        110th Anniversary Experience                   Africa Bike Week, Margate, Africa
April 12 - 14, 2013                        110th Anniversary Experience                    Melbourne, Australia
TBD                                                 110th Anniversary Experience                    Sao Paulo, Brazil
June 13 - 16, 2013                        110th Anniversary Celebration                 Rome, Italy
August 3 - 10, 2013                       110th Anniversary Experience                 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis, South Dakota
August 29 - September 1, 2013 110th Anniversary Celebration                 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 14 - 19, 2013             110th Anniversary Experience                 Asia Harley Days, Kuala Lumpur

And a few more details on the Celebrations in Rome and Milwaukee:
Rome, June 13-16, 2013:

• The Pope’s blessing of the bikes at the Vatican
• An outrageous festival at the Port of Ostia
• Two nights of amazing concerts at Stadium Olimpico
• And a parade from the Port of Ostia to City Center

Milwaukee, August 29 – September 1, 2013:  

• Rides to Milwaukee organized by dealers, HOG Chapters and fans
• A special HOG 30th Anniversary event to celebrate our members from around the world
• A massive parade through the city
• New experiences along the lakefront parks and beaches
• Activities at the Harley-Davidson Museum
• And three days and nights of amazing concerts on the Summerfest grounds

Tickets to the Milwaukee event will go on sale in November, followed by concert tickets for both Rome and Milwaukee in early 2013.

A few weeks ago I traded my first motorcycle (Buell Blast) for something crazy different....  2011 Zero S, electric motorcycle.  Not only have I been referred to as a crazy hippie but I also have a motorcycle enthusiast husband that loves new technology.  So it's no suprise that after a year of studying and test driving electric bikes and motorcycles that we finally went for it.

Our local Zero dealer (Schlossman Power Sports) had a beautiful year old black with metallic red rims greatly reduced.  The 2012 models get much greater range but were double the price (80-100 vs my 2011 with 40-50).  It was a big decision, but in the end  I loved the way the 2011 looked way better.  Plus, I already do not travel outside my 5 mile radius of home to work very often.  I think  my previous longest trip on the last motorcycle was 20-some miles (my butt gets sore and again I don't really go far anyway!).

I get  lots of questions out on the road, and a few stares and even "what is that!?".   The motorcycle has no clutch and makes no noise!  I have scared a few birds on  some suburban highways.  There is no engine, just a motor and a giant battery.   Under the battery is a short cord.  Under my seat is a cylinder that holds a folded up longer extension cord that plugs into the battery which in turn plugs into a standard 3 prong 120 volt outlet.  Also, the only liquid onboard is break fluid.

Charging time is about 2.5-3 hours, but I rarely run the battery down that low.  For me I'm usually at  3/4-5/8 power and a charge to full is about an hour.  They saw the cost to fully charge this bike is 95 cents.  The city of Milwaukee has installed some ChargePoint stations, but they are not ideal (most are 220 not the 120 I need, one my cord doesn't reach the plug and another is in a reserved parking lot).  I found better luck just asking businesses that I see an outside outlet.  They are so intrigued they agree to let me plug in while I visit their establishment.  Or I find friends along my way and ask to use an outlet in their garage.

I know it's not a vehicle for everyone but for me, it's perfect.  Besides cheap to run, it's lots of fun to drive this stealth dirt bike-ish ride!  My husband even enjoys taking this out for a spin and maybe will eventually trade his gas guzzling Harley or Yamaha in!  ;)