Wide Open Bike Shows 2010

By Loney Wilcoxson

Our fall issue is put to bed, and the Wide Open crew is wound tighter than a three-dollar watch. Before we know it, our Mardi Gras, Christmas and Fourth of July all rolled into one is right around the corner. That’s right friends; the 2010 Wide Open Bike Shows are coming down the pike like a Peterbilt on steroids. Each year’s edition of our shows gives us the opportunity to give back to you in a big way. Grab onto something and hold on tight, because this year we knocked the ball out of the park.

First on our list of surprises is the addition of an all new port of call for the Wide Open Bike Show Tour. That’s right folks; we will be bringing an inaugural show to the biggest venue available in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Adding another show to our already wildly successful Kansas City and St. Louis shows was a natural progression. You can’t keep a great thing quiet, and before long other folks want on the bandwagon. Bandwagon hell; the Wide Open Bike Shows have become a juggernaut. With new, never before seen promotions and innovations, our shows are always on the cutting edge. Every year it becomes harder and harder to top last year’s big promotion, and this year was no exception. Fortunately for us, we have developed relationships over the years with major league partners who team up with us to knock your socks off. 2010 is flat off the hook.

Gail’s Harley-Davidson in Kansas City, St. Charles Harley-Davidson in St. Louis, and one of our newest partners Myers-Duren Harley-Davidson in Tulsa have made it possible to award one of you a brand new Harley-Davidson Superglide Custom. That’s right; some lucky family will walk into each of our three shows, have a great time, then walk out the owners of a brand new Harley-Davidson scooter. Did I mention that to win the bike no purchase is necessary? Most excellent, I would say. No matter how you say it, this promotion blows the doors off of everything we have done so far.

You may have noticed I said “family.” Our shows are a family-friendly event, and to prove this point all the kids under 12 get in free. There is no need for anyone in the family to miss out on our extravaganzas.

You are probably wondering what we are cutting out of the shows to be able to give away Harley-Davidsons at each event. Well, to be honest, not a damn thing. Over $75,000 in bikes, cash, gas cards and Sturgis trips will be given away between the three shows. All the things you love about our shows will still be going on as usual. Kansas City disc jockey Slacker will once again be the ringmaster at our little circus, cranking out the tunes, keeping you informed as to the show’s goings on, and handing out free gas cards as usual. While gas is not over four dollars a gallon this year, just like last year, I will guarantee you when the card giveaways are announced, folks will stop in their tracks digging for their potential winning ticket. Folks just seem to dig free gas. Add all the vendor and sponsor-supplied giveaway items to the mix, and Slacker becomes part emcee and part Santa Claus. Wow, I almost forgot--Sturgis trips. Sturgis trip giveaways have become a major part of our shows, and this year will be no different. We will be giving away free stays at the Mount Rodney Downtown RV and Camping Park. Several of us stayed at Mount Rodney this year. Read the article in this issue to see exactly what a great deal this really is.

The people attending the bike shows will get their first look at our never before seen on the Midwest coast, indoor dice run introduced with an overwhelming response at our St. Louis show last year. Imagine, if you will, the excitement as every two hours someone gets the gift that always fits, cold hard cash. Not only does this event benefit you, it also benefits a group near and dear to our hearts, the March of Dimes. Speaking of the March of Dimes, we at Wide Open plan to help Tulsa out a bit. They don’t have a Tulsa Bikers for Babies Chapter as of right now. By the time we leave Tulsa, we intend to see that they do. While I talk about first looks, I can’t forget to mention our Tulsa show will feature another first. How does the thought of an indoor swap meet suit you? You know you’re stoked.

Our unique registration process from last year will return. Upon arrival at the show, bike or car entrants will have professional, studio quality shots of their ride taken. These photos will be displayed on a mammoth 8’ x 12’ screen continually throughout the show. On top of that little bit of panache, during the awards ceremony, as winners’ names are called, their machine will once again be displayed on the screen so everyone knows what took home the trophies. This proved to be a huge favorite with all the winners last year. Keep your eyes on that screen from time to time; you never know when the roving video camera will be broadcasting what it sees for all to see. Another change for us this year is in the trophies presented. Our buddy Brad Brooks, owner of Consultechs, has cooked up some water jetted billet beauties for our lovely Wide Open Girls to present to the top three winners of each class.

On top of all the shared features and events, each show will have its own distinct flavor as well. Kansas City will feature bikes and custom cars, rats and rods. St. Louis will be all bikes with wall-to-wall leather and chrome. Tulsa will have bikes, rods, and more toy-haulers than you can shake a stick at.

As one last little treat, we are offering limited free bike space on a first come, first served basis. Does it get any better than that? I don’t think so. So get those entries in pronto before the free spaces are all gone.

Let’s review: Free bikes, free gas cards, free trips, free cash, free swag, free admission for the under-12 crowd, and even free bike spaces. Reasons like this are why we are always at the head of the pack, a place we love but will never take for granted. Watch for our numerous billboards; listen to our ads on the radio with 98.9 The Rock in Kansas City, 97.5 KMOD in Tulsa, and KSHE 95/KHITS 96 in St. Louis. There are still several weeks before show time and God only knows what else we can come up with between now and then. See y’all there!

The entire Wide Open Motorcycle Magazine staff would like to extend out special thanks to our partners HOOTERS, CARSTAR, Gail’s Harley-Davidson, St. Charles Harley-Davidson, and Myers-Duren Harley-Davidson. You guys are the best!

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Plus a whole lot more...