- Title: CUBA: Cuba hosts its first-ever Harley Davidson motorcycle convention in Varadero
- Date: 17th April 2012
- Summary: VARADERO, MATANZAS, CUBA (APRIL 14, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON ENTHUSIASTS AT THE CONVENTION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JUAN CARLOS, CUBAN RESIDENT OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, SAYING: "It's the first time this takes place and it's a very happy occasion, because while in the United States we see this every day, but here in Cuba they do much more work to maintain the motorcycles to be able to undertake economic activities. Everything is more difficult. It's a beautiful thing and I am happy that they were able to do this, and I hope they can keep doing it." VARIOUS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEMONSTRATION CUBAN FLAG WITH IMAGES OF CHE GUEVARA AND FIDEL CASTRO HEADLIGHTS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED AMERICAN DIPLOMAT FROM THE INTEREST SECTION AND HARLEY DAVIDSON ENTHUSIAST, SAYING; "It's pretty amazing. I think the enthusiasm the Cubans have - especially because of their old bikes and the hardships they have to endure to keep them on the road - I think their enthusiasm is even over and above a lot of people in the States because they have to work so hard at it." VARIOUS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDERS WITH VIKING HELMETS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JOSE ANTONIO REYES, 34, CUBAN HARLEY DAVIDSON OWNER, SAYING: "Being Cuban for me is the principle thing in my life. But nationality has no importance for motorcycles. Nothing changes." VARIOUS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDERS PARTICIPATING IN A COMPETITION
- Embargoed: 2nd May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cuba, Cuba
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Lifestyle,Transport
- Reuters ID: LVABMNB3AC72KIFGAG2N388K5KZQ
- Story Text: Dozens of Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts gathered in the Cuban resort town of Varadero for the country's first Harley-Davidson convention on Saturday (April 14).
About 100 owners from around Cuba were there to show off their motorcycles to fellow enthusiasts.
"It's the first time this takes place and it's a very happy occasion, because while in the United States we see this every day, but here in Cuba they do much more work to maintain the motorcycles to be able to undertake economic activities. Everything is more difficult. It's a beautiful thing and I am happy that they were able to do this, and I hope they can keep doing it," said Juan Carlos, a visitor from Atlanta, Georgia.
Because of the long U.S embargo, Cubans are forced to improvise because no replacement parts are commercially available for the estimated 300 Harley-Davidsons that exist on the island.
An American diplomat serving in the American Interest Section, who asked not to be named, said he admires the Cubans' spirit.
"It's pretty amazing. I think the enthusiasm the Cubans have - especially because of their old bikes and the hardships they have to endure to keep them on the road - I think their enthusiasm is even over and above a lot of people in the States because they have to work so hard at it," he said.
Many of the models of Harley-Davidson in Cuba date from before the Cuban Revolution in 1959.
"Being Cuban for me is the principle thing in my life. But nationality has no importance for motorcycles. Nothing changes," Cuban Harley owner Jose Antonio Reyes, 34, said.
Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It has since become one of the most iconic brands of motorcycles in the world, and maintains a loyal crowd of enthusiasts through events, clubs, as well as factory tours and museums in several American states. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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