Yesterday morning went to the Sturgis Hall Of Fame Museum breakfast held at the Rapid City Rushmore Plaza Civic Center for the induction of 6 new members. The museum mission statement is “to collect, preserve, honor those who have made a positive and significant impact on the sport and lifestyle, and pay tribute to the heritage of the Sturgis Rally.” Lorenzo Lamas was the Emcee. A few words about the new members.
Nancy Davidson. Nancy Davidson, wife of Willie G. Davidson, is recognized throughout the motorcycling community as a passionate and devoted ambassador for the sport of motorcycling. While she doesn’t ride her own motorcycle, she’s been an inspiration to her children (Bill, Karen and Michael Davidson) and countless women riders as she shared her passion and support for the sport of motorcycling.
Betsy E. Lister. Betsy Lister has been working to keep bikers informed for over twenty years. She is the founder of two websites – gypsypashn.com and bikerbits.info – that give bikers from all over the country information about rides, rallies, vendor opportunities, biker rights and more. She also operates a third website providing bikers with lessons on insurance coverage. Over the years she has volunteered numerous hours to raising awareness for motorcycle safety and motorcycle insurance issues.
Ron McKinley spent 20 years as a South Dakota Highway Patrolman – 5 of those years as a motorcycle trooper. Both during his time as a trooper and since his retirement in 1991, Ron has dedicated himself to motorcycle safety through talks, seminars and safe riding courses. He is a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor, serves as the safety officer for four Harley Owners Group chapters, teaches Riders Edge safety courses, writes a monthly safety newsletter for 18 groups, has served as a Volunteer State Safety Coordinator for Harley-Davidson Motor Company and teaches for the Harley Owners Group Primary Officer Training.
Roger Schieman, Founders Award Roger Schieman has spent countless hours keeping alive the history of motorcycling and the history of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Roger has been a member of the AMA and as a Jackpine Gypsy for 20 years was instrumental in the operation of races in Sturgis throughout the year, but especially during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Stan Simpson. Stan Simpson’s involvement with motorcycles spans 60 years. From his first Indian Scout ride in 1949 to his present day work improving the direction of the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA), Stan has been a force in the motorcycle industry. Stan is one of a rare breed that is fully involved with both on-road and off-road motorcycling. He won his first AMA race in 1957, was a local motocross champion, won a national enduro and was involved in numerous International Six Day Trials (ISDT) teams. Today, Stan serves as Chairman of the Board of the AMA, is working tirelessly to expand and improve the motorcycling lifestyle and tries to ride at least 20,000 miles a year on-road and 10,000 miles a year off-road.
“Kiwi” Mike Tomas is founder of Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company and is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable experts on classic Indian Motorcycles in the world. Kiwi Indian Motorcycle manufactures four new updated models of classic styled motorcycles that pay tribute to the classic Indians of years past in addition to over 2,500 different reproduction part numbers. Mike sponsors race teams and even competes in endurance rides to demonstrate the viability of the classic Indian.
Picture 1: Inductees together. Picture 2: at my breakfast table, 4 of the most important women of the motorcycle industry. From left to right: Gloria Struck, 85 years old and still riding hard. Cris Sommers-Simmons. Lori Struck DeSilva- Genevieve Schmitt). Picture 3: Willie G. Davidson and Cyril M. Huze.
Congrats to all new members. Cyril always with the cool ladies and the big guys of the industry. Great report on what’s going on in Sturgis.
Cyrill help me understand who is who and for what? The Top Photo has 7 People in it., and 6 names. The 2nd Photo that has 4 women in it and there are 3 Names, mentioned. And who are they? Tthe 3rd photo has 2 Dood’s in it, and the names are maked correct.
There is 1 freedom fighter inducteed, explaining 7 in the picture. Cyril indicated 4 women names. 1 is the daughter of the other.
Post more about the bikes! Nobody cares about the hall of fame. This isn’t the E! Channel, we don’t care about famous wives.
Jack : You need to take a serious look at what you just said!
First of all who is the WE you are talking about?
I suspect it is just you.
Anyone who is serious about motorcycling should be interested in the history and those who have made this lifestyle what it is.
Of course they will always be some who just show up to party and I suspect I will find you in that group.
Go Rogue! Well said! Respect and history has always been important to those of us who truly love the sport of motorcycling. That’s what is being celebrated at the Sturgis rally. If you have no respect for experts, founders, racers, motorcyclists, and their supporters, and what they have contributed, then you are not really a part of who “we” are. Most of the people at the induction ceremony know more about bikes than the majority of people out there. If “you” want to know more about “the bikes”, it might help you to pay attention to these folks. Wake up!
Jack
Why not take up something like tittle-e-winks, or post something good to say. Get a life! One not having to do with motorcycles
There are many good wives/partners who are behind the scenes for their husbands and business’s that do not get yet do deserve recognition.
Congrats to all who were inducted. It is a great honor to be so well respected by your peers. My apologies to Mike for missing the event. I will do my best to make up for it. Mike is correct, my wife is usually organizing and correcting my mess……..she always says something about “men, machines and messes”…….I’m not sure what she means……..but I don’t argue with someone who fixes my mistakes.
-Darin
Jack,
Motorcycles and motorcycling exists because of all sorts of people from all walks of life. Occasionally, we have the good fortune to have family that are a support group and encouragement and inspiration for what we do. I am glad that Cyril includes these people on this blog. Bikes only become great because of the people.
Mike
Jack: If you ever get to Sturgis, go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and hall of Fame. I think you will change your tune if you knew more details about the history of this sport and industry in general. It is not an easy business…….if it was, everyone would do it.
Joe D.
Jack,
You seem confused or you are looking for another entitlement. If you want to see things that are not covered here or in other media, either take the necessary steps to see it in person or hire some one that can and will fulfill your needs.
Cyril runs his site in his way. You can take it or leave it.
Get your own VIP pass with your own press credentials to get the coverage that you desire.
As a guest of this site, I think most people here have the implicit knowledge that this is not the house that Jack built. Rather, this is Cyril’s house and it is successful because he runs it in his own way.
Jack, I understand motorcycles and motorcycling isn’t for everybody. If you feel that this is elitist because you are excluded, change yourself and your life.
Mike
Cyril being a VIP at an event like this has access to some of the coolest stuff you’ll see at sturgis. If I wanted to find out who the newest hall of fame inducted were, I could easily find that information on my own. In fact, the info in this post is copied verbatim from sturgismusuem.com from the hall of fame link on the main page. One Google search and two clicks got me the info straight from the horse’s mouth. I have other websites to link me to those pages.
And the implication that I am not a true motorcycles because I want cyril’s posts to be about something I don’t have access to? Like these people have some claim to motorcycling and I have to pay penance just to be an enthusiast of the sport? Where do I pay my sturgis hall of fame taxes? And rogue? You serious? Do I have to get a release form for the intellectual property to this “lifestyle”?
If a person who “just shows up to a party” on a bike needs to prove their worth by reciting the names of the most recent hall of fame inductees, then maybe you should re-evaluate what it is that your party is being thrown for. It sounds more like elitist bullshit than a love for motorcycles.
Jack,
People have only one resume. Explain to me why I would re-write the resume of all these inductees. Yes, these resumes come from the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall Of Fame and given to members of the press if they request it. The merit of my post is to try to make the largest number of people aware: 1- that the Museum exists, hoping they will visit it. 2- that some people dedicate their life to the betterment of motorcycling and to the defense of our rights as biker citizens.
You seem to prefer seeing custom motorcycles than reading about these people. Without them, the industry would not be like it is now. I publish what I want when I want under my name. Your comments are made using a fake email. Explain why to my readers.
Of all my travels all over the world, it is the people that make the difference. Some scenic places in the world can be replicated in other countries but the experiences with people can not.
Well said Mike! People make the experience and the memories…….Thanks for being part of mine.
-Darin
Congratulations to all new inductees for their contribution and achievements. Congrats to Cyril for always being surrounded by the best ladies, whatever their age…French accent?
I’ve had the pleasure of attending the induction ceremony/breakfast for the past two years; last year James Clark, founder of James Gaskets, Inc. was inducted and is now forever recognized for his contribution to the motorcycle industry. I worked for James for 8 years before he passed away in 2007. It’s unfortunate that he passed before receiving this recognition, but anyone who has been around motorcycles for the past 30 years would already have been aware of James’ ingenuity. What the museum does is preserve this information for future motorcycle enthusiasts, of future generations (just in case the E! channel still isn’t covering industry events).
This year I attended to see a good friend, “Kiwi” Mike recognized for his awesome contribution. This is the stuff that is going to keep future generations interested in our industry! These people are nominated, selected and have earned a special place in motorcycle history and Cyril’s blog is exactly where I would expect to see that acknowledged and the forum for expressing congratulations or open discussion.
So, aka “Jack”, grab an Easy Rider. You aren’t obligated to continue reading something that doesn’t interest you!
Jack, We all read Cyril’s column because we want to hear what he has to say about any and all subject’s. From Lorenzo Lamas fashions, to his jokes, to the motorcycle features, to yes, the Motorcycle Hall Of Fame inductees, and their wives! It’s all interesting to most of us, as you can tell from the responses by the other readers. You make reference to the elitist attitude of others, when it’s obvious you are the one who is pushing your preferences upon the the others who read this column.
We appreciate that you want Cyril to write about only what you might designate. I would suggest you are the one who is being elitist here. I don’t mean to say this in a deprecating way. You certainly have a right to your opinion. I think we are all trying to make you understand how much the people and events that surround the motorcycles themselves mean to us, and to bring you into this family of enthusiasts, who love not only the motorcycles, but the people behind them.
We invite you to be a part of this wonderful motorcycling experience. Without the people, their achievements, and concepts, there would be no depth to this experience. Think about how great it is to go to a rally and see an old motorcycling friend, and to share your own road, shop, and family, experiences with them. That’s what we sometimes feel when we read Cyril’s column, a closer connection to those people, and the motorcycles they and their loved one’s build and ride. Join in that experience. You won’t regret it.
Congratulations to all of the inductees!! It is truly an honor to be selected and every one of you deserved it..I’m fortunate enough to call Kiwi Mike as well as his family friends of mine and I’m glad to see him recognized for everything that he’s done!!! Way to go Mike..by the way would you be interested in saving money on your car insurance LOL!!!! Roadside Marty
Thank you for the wonderful article about the induction breakfast ceremony!
Sorry I wasn’t able to take time to speak individually with you and all the people there!
Loved the write up! Keep up the good work!
Ride and Write On!
Gypsy
The freedom fighter is Gordon, SONNY, Bridges number 1 founder of the United Bikers of Maine who has for 35+ years spent his own money and time to fight for bikers rights in Maine. “Let those who ride decide.”