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etc.

MOTORCYCLE MECCA MOVES

The Wheels Through Time Museum is moving from its 38,000-squarefoot location in Maggie Valley,

North Carolina, to a yet-to-be-announced site in northern Arizona, with plans to reopen its doors in mid-2009. The museum, housing one of the premier collections of vintage and antique American motorcycles and automobiles, has seen a record number of visitors this year with guests trying to squeeze in one last visit prior to shutting its doors for the relocation on November 15. For more information, visit www.wheels throughtime.com.

H-D’S MUSEUM OPENS

This past July, The Harley-Davidson Museum opened its doors to the public in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hometown to the company for 105 years. In lieu of the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, an H-D primary chain wrapped around a museum tower was cut with an acetylene torch! Among the festivities were a Super Glide Custom bike build-off, live music, and H-D President and CEO Jim Ziemer receiving his first tattoo. Museum exhibits include a chronological display of landmark motorcycles throughout Harley’s 105-year history, plus thematic exhibits telling the stories of the people, the products and the history that have made The Motor Company what it is today. “HarleyDavidson has dreamed about building this museum for a long time,” said Ziemer. “It adds a whole new dimension to the Harley-Davidson experience.” For more information, visit www.h-dmuseum.com.

BMW GETS XAUS

It’s been almost a year since BMW announced that it would enter the Superbike World Championship in 2009 with the S1000RR that is currently under development. This past June, the team hired 10-time WSB winner Ruben Xaus, who signed a two-year contract. “It is not often that you get the chance to start a completely new project, but I am really looking forward to the challenge,” said the enthused Spaniard, pictured here on his current WSB Ducati. “Although it’s going to be tough racing a new motorcycle, I believe BMW will give me a good bike and great support.” With testing progressing very well, according to team manager Berti Hauser, it was time to sign a toprated rider in an effort to give BMW the package necessary to be competitive. “We are under no illusions of the amount of work we have to do before the start of the season next year,” Hauser said. “But we are ready and looking forward to facing this huge challenge.”

AFRICA BY BIKE

Private guided two-wheel travel through spectacular African wilderness and game parks is the concept behind Kensington Tours’ “safari” motorcycle tours. Individuals, couples or small groups of friends ride single-cylinder BMW F650GS models accompanied by veteran bike-safari guides well-versed in Kenya’s diverse landscape, culture and wildlife. “The only thing more exhilarating than coming face-toface with herds of zebra and giraffe on safari,” says Jeff Willner, Kensington Tours founder, “is doing it in the open air and with the freedom of your own BMW touring bike.” Six-day tours start at $3085 per person. For more information, call 866/445-8978 or log on to www.kensingtontours.com.