South Texas Biker Jam & Expo 2011

by Gina Andrews
(Alvin, TX, USA)

SOUTH TEXAS BIKER JAM AND EXPO 2011


SHOW INFO:
South Texas Biker Jam and Expo 2011

LOCATION:
Houston’s Reliant Arena, 8400 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77054

DATES:
Friday, May 28, 2011, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 29, 2010, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

PRINCIPALS:
CJ Van Wart, President of Infinite Promotions
Tony Palermo, Infinite Promotions
Jason Olson, Infinite Promotions

EVENT:
South Texas Biker Jam & Expo 2011 celebrates the thrill of owning and riding motorcycles for enthusiasts and novices alike. Featuring both V-Twin and Metric motorcycles, the SOTX Biker Jam and Expo will showcase the freshest machines by bringing the shop straight to the rider. Bikers and motor aficionados can see and experience the latest in bikes, parts, accessories and apparel. Test-drive a bike. Get your own bike customized on the spot. Expect demo rides, freestyle stunt riders, and vintage motorcycle exhibits. In addition meet product specialists; see a biker-style fashion show with leather and compete in an outrageous tattoo design competition. Live music like Mean Gene Kelton & the Die Hards and Krimson will be featured throughout the weekend and a Swap Meet area will be set up for individuals to trade and buy parts and accessories for their bikes.

FAMILY FRIENDLY:
Kids can get in on the action with activities geared just for them.

FREE PARKING:
On the day of the event, bikers will be permitted to park their motorcycles in a designated lot free of charge.

TICKETS:
Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, and at
the Reliant Stadium South Ticket Windows. Reduced rates are offered for tickets purchased in advance on-line. Full-price tickets may be purchased at the door.

HOTEL INFO:
For those visiting the show from out of town, book a stay at one of the SOTX Biker Jam and Expo 2010 partner hotels and receive four (4) complimentary show tickets. Hotel packages are available at Crowne Plaza at Reliant Center and the Holiday Inn at Reliant Center.

SHOW SCHEDULE:
Exhibitors, bands and events are still being added. (Schedule subject to change.) Please check show website for up to date info.


Krimson is a Dallas-based band comprised of three local musicians. This Texas trio plays classic rock tunes from artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin and Kid Rock just to name a few.

INFORMATION/DEMOGRAPHICS OF INDUSTRY:
· 380,000 registered riders in Houston, DFW, Austin and San Antonio
· 850,000 motorcycle licenses in Texas
· There are more than 10.4 million riders in the U.S. Motorcycling is considered one of the most popular forms of recreation and transportation. The shear number of people who enjoy motorcycle activities is comparable to the number of people who engage in fishing, golfing and camping.
· Motorcyclist’s primary reason for riding is recreation and the pure joy of riding. The economy does not seem to impact the industry, as riding is a source of relaxation.
· More than 80% of Texas riders travel overnight or longer on their bike, averaging 9,000 miles a year.
· 59 % male; 41% female—motorcycle owner in Houston
· 46% management and professional occupation
· 50% riders in Houston aged 35-54

The Birth of the Motorcycle: An Early History

Motorcycles hail from the "safety" bicycle, bicycles with front and rear wheels of the same size, with a pedal crank mechanism to drive the rear wheel. Those bicycles, in turn were descended from high-wheel bicycles. The high-wheelers predecessor was an early type of push-bike, without pedals, propelled by the rider's feet pushing against the ground. These appeared around 1800, used iron-banded wagon wheels, and were called "bone-crushers," both for their jarring ride, and their tendency to toss riders. tendency to toss their riders.

The inspiration for the earliest dirt bike, and arguably the first motorcycle, was designed and built by the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler (who later teamed up with Karl Benz to form the Daimler-Benz Corporation) and Wilhelm Maybach in 1885. The first petroleum-powered vehicle was essentially a motorized bicycle, although the inventors called their invention the Reitwagen ("riding carriage"). They had not set out to create a vehicle form but to build a simple carriage for the engine, which was the focus of their endeavors. It was constructed mostly of wood, with the wheels being of the iron-banded wooden-spoked wagon-type, definitely a "bone-crusher" chassis.

In the decade from the late 1880’s, dozens of designs and machines emerged, particularly in France, Germany and England, finally spreading to America. During this early period, many manufacturers were adapting their designs for the new internal combustion engine.

In 1894, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first motorcycle available to the public for purchase. However, only a few hundred examples of this motorcycle were ever built. A French firm in 1895, DeDion-Buton, built an engine that was to make the mass production and common use of motorcycles possible. The engine was copied and used by everybody, including Indian and Harley-Davidson in the U.S.

First American production motorcycle - 1898 Orient-Aster

Although a gentleman named Pennington built some machines around 1895 (it's uncertain whether any of them actually ran), the first US production motorcycle was the Orient-Aster, built by the Metz Company in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1898.

More history to follow at www.sotxbikerjam.com