Saddlemen Tattoo Seat Winner

Thunder Bob and Tom Monroe award the first Tattoo Saddle

This profile orginally appeared on Metric Thunder’s web site.

MetricThunder.com conducted the Thunder Saddle Tattoo Contest sponsored by Saddlemen, which ran monthly from November 2006 through June of 2007. Thunder Bob and Tom Monroe introduce the first winner of the contest in Indianapolis.

It’s an online tattoo contest where the winner receives a custom Thunder Saddle for his/her motorcycle with the tattoo embossed in the seat of the saddle.

Contestants submit a photograph of their tattoos at the MetricThunder.com website. Celebrity judge Keith Ball of www.Bikernet.com selects the best of the best for that month to be stitched into a custom Thunder Saddle.

We have seen some really outstanding ink work from Bikers and I’m excited to see the finished product on the Thunder Saddles.

- Keith Ball, Bikernet.com Owner.

Black Hawk Customs Shows Fighting Spirit With Custom Truck Artwork (And Saddlemen Logo)

Saddlemen Retailer Salutes Our Military With Eye-Catching Truck

Black Hawk Customs, an online retailer that focuses on providing motorsport accessories, parts and apparel to members of the armed services, just unleashed this military-themed company truck out onto the roads. A number of the company’s big sellers are featured on the tailgate, and we are proud to say Saddlemen is one.

James Campbell, the CEO of Black Hawk Customs told us, “The wrap is perfectly done by Kaieos here in San Jose, California. Keith Vu was great to work with and put in way too many hours into the design. He took our idea of a Powersport themed military design and came up with a vehicle wrap that will blow our competition away… especially with our door gunners!”

James tells us that Saddlemen items are big sellers at Black Hawk, and we are pleased to know that our products are being enjoyed by the hard-working, brave and sacrificing people protecting our nation.

Southern California “Malcolm Smith” Dual Sport Charity Ride Hits San Bernardino National Forest

Benefits Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Friends of Saddlemen from the Orange County Dualies Motorcycle Club are inaugurating a great charity event. Check out the details of this Glenn Helen to Arrowhead ride, provided by the organizers below:

The inaugural “RIDE THE MOUNTAIN WITH MALCOLM SMITH” Dual Sport & Adventure Ride is coming up quickly on Sunday, November 15th and there are still spots available for the ride that has something for everyone.

Start your day off with Malcolm and his friends as they enjoy a pancake breakfast presented by the Orange County Dualies motorcycle club (www.dualies.com) with voluntary donations going to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (www.pbtfus.org) (Yours truly will be flipping pancakes!). Then it’s time to saddle up and ride the San Bernardino National Forest trails that helped make him an off-road legend and star of the famous motorcycling movie – ON ANY SUNDAY.

The ride’s basic route contains fun trails and roads that is challenging, yet can be ridden by most riders without any difficulty. Adventure class riders will especially enjoy the challenge of this ride, as will entry level riders as the roll chart has been developed to call out information route information. All of the ride’s routes contain great vistas with plenty for room and time for you to enjoy the day.

In keeping with the NO WIMPS tradition, Malcolm himself, along with son Alexander Smith and SOBOBA Trail Ride promoter Bob Graziano, laid out aggressive hard sections for riders ready to accept a “A-Level Enduro Rider Only” challenge. Better bring your bike in top shape and your skills in full working order!

With the weather cooling and moisture coming into the mountains the riding conditions will never be better. Click on www.sobobarides.com for more ride information and an entry form.

We’ll see you out there on the trail.

The Soboba Rides Team

We at Saddlemen are happy to pass along information for worthy events, such as this charity ride, and wish everyone a fun, safe and successful run!

Saddlemen On Hand At Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson For Memorial Day Weekend Event

Michigan Dealer Hosts Distributor Display

Over Memorial Day weekend, Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson hosted the traveling promotional truck from motorsports product distributor Drag Specialties. Their display included a wide range of Saddlemen items, and the dealership also made sure plenty of Saddlemen gear was available for purchase. Our own roving sales and technical expert, Gary Smith was there as well, and reports plenty of interest in our products, and a top-notch presentation of Saddlemen luggage on motorcycles.

In the photos above, at left, are our “Bagger Chaps”, and at right, on the bike’s back seat, our ultra-popular BR1800 Back Seat & Sissybar Bag.

Gary took part in the Thursday night “Bike Nite” ride, and was available for questions and product advice on Friday.

Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson is located southwest of Grand Rapids, in Hudsonville, just off U.S. Interstate Highway 196.

Our thanks go out to the folks at Grand Rapids H-D for hosting the Drag Specialties truck, and for showcasing Saddlemen products.

Saddlemen is proud to show what our expertise, craftsmanship and technology can do to make riding better. We are well represented across country, throughout the year, by distributors such as Drag Specialties, and our own specialists, like Gary.

Saddlemen Open For Business At Sturgis

Come See Us In Sturgis At J&P Cycles And Black Hills Harley-Davidson In Rapid City

As this posting goes live, Saddlemen staff are busy running our displays at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. We are at two locations: J&P Cycles in Sturgis, and nearby at Black Hills Harley-Davidson in Rapid City.

Saddlemen’s Gary Smith and Jerry Beaty are manning the Saddlemen booth at Black Hills Harley Davidson, 2820 Harley Drive, in Rapid City. Our area will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, August 5th through August 15th, with a wide variety of Saddlemen product available, and years of experience to offer.

Above: Jerry Beaty, with samples of Saddlemen luggage, and at right, Jerry with Adam Nystrom, Drag Specialties representative (North Dakota), Diedre Webber, Drag Specialties truck coordinator, and Jay Varley, Drag Specialties Representative (eastern South Dakota).

For more information, check the Black Hills H-D website:
Black Hills Harley-Davidson, or call (605) 342-9362

Saddlemen’s Stan Alicki will be on hand at the Saddlemen display at J&P Cycles, 1650 Lazelle Street, right in the center of things, in Sturgis. Stan will be there from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, August 5th through August 15th, to answer questions and offer advice, and with Saddlemen items (including seats) available for purchase.

For more information, see the J&P Cycles website:

J & P Cycles – Sturgis, South Dakota – (605) 720-0800

Our thanks to Black Hills Harley-Davidson, and to the Sturgis location of J & P Cycles.

We’ll continue to be out across the country all through the year. Most often, we’ll be affiliated with a Drag Specialties, display, and will always be looking forward to answering questions and proudly showing what our expertise and technology can do to make riding more enjoyable.

Bergen County Harley-Davidson Hosts Manufacturer's Gathering

Saddlemen's Gary Smith reports an big turnout and excellent sales of our luggage at the recent "Vendorpalooza" at Bergen County Harley-Davidson, in Rochelle Park, New Jersey.

Gary represented us at Bergen County H-D as part of the travelling display of manufacturers affiliated with Drag Specialties, our major nationwide distributor for Harley-Davidson related products.

Above: A sampling of the Saddlemen items we featured, including the BR1800 Back Seat/Sissybar Bag just purchased by Dominick Russo, at left. Gary tells us we just about sold out that day!

Our thanks to the fine folks at Bergen County Harley-Davidson / Bergen County BMW Motorcycles for being great hosts.

Saddlemen values the opportunity to meet riders nationwide at events like Bergen County H-D's Vendorpalooza. We're confident that by getting to show the public the great features, innovation and value of our product line, our luggage and seats will continue to prove leaders in the motorsports market. Keep an eye out for Saddlemen, and the Drag Specialties truck, across the country, throughout the year. We hope to see you, in your area, soon.

Supporting This Year's "Eagle Run," Assisting The Families Of Deceased Bikers

Saddlemen is pleased to provide raffle prizes for the Fifth Annual Ray "Eagle" Ramirez Benefit Poker Run, to be held in the San Bernardino/Colton area on Saturday, May 21st. The charity event is presented by Roadhouse Biker Church and local chapters of the Black Sheep H.D.F.C. club.

For more details and information, along with a printable registration form, CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE for the required release form.

Saddlemen has proudly supported charitable events since our beginnings. Founded by riders, Saddlemen values the riding public, and the individuals, friendships, enthusiasm and community that defines us.

J&L Harley-Davidson Hosts Saddlemen During Big Four-Day Event

This weekend, starting on Thursday, July 7th and running through Sunday, July 10th, Saddlemen will be at J&L Harley-Davidson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in conjunction with the big "Hot Harley Nights" annual charity event.

Our travelling product expert, "Road Warrior" Gary Smith will be on hand to demonstrate Saddlemen items and offer top-notch advice before and after purchases. J&L Harley-Davidson is a BIG seller of Saddlemen gear, so there will be plenty of selection available.

J&L Harley-Davidson is located near the intersection of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29, just off exit 83 on I-29. Their address is 2601 W. 60th St., North, in Sioux Falls. Their telephone number is (605) 334-2721.

We are always pleased to be able to be a part of great events (especially charity events) like "Hot Harley Nights." It's an excellent chance to meet with the riding public and show how our products can make their ride better and more enjoyable. And it's a great chance to be a part of an effort that shows the spirit of the people we make Saddlemen gear for.

We're In The Middle Of The World's Most Famous Motorcycle Gathering

It's that time of year again, and Saddlemen product specialists are at the center of the action at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. More of our team are heading up Dakota-way. We'll be there at two major retailers, offering product and installation advice through the end of the rally on Sunday, August 14th. In nearby Rapid City, we'll be at Black Hills Harley-Davidson and at the heart of things, Saddlemen people will be available at J & P Cycles, right in Sturgis itself.

Left: happy customer Kerry Jo Vines, with the new Explorer seat she bought at Black Hills Harley-Davidson for her 2008 Dyna.

A wide variety of excellent Saddlemen seats and luggage items are available at Black Hills H-D and J&P. We're there too, at motorcycling's biggest event, to match riders up with the perfect gear to suit their style and on-the-road needs.

Our Staff Visit This Year's International Motorcycle Exhibition

The Saddlemen team is proud to have our own Ron Benfield representing us this week at the Milan Fair as part of the major EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, Italy.

We are their, in conjunction with our European distributor, Parts Europe to meet face-to-face with "movers and shakers" of the motorsports industry in Europe, and to introduce and further familiarize them with the Saddlemen product line.

We're really fired up about this exciting opportunity.