A 1913 Flying Merkel Twin owned by Douglas and Marian McKenzie was awarded “Best of Show” out of more than 350 entrants today at The Quail Motorcycle Gathering presented by GEICO Motorcycle, a Peninsula Hotels Signature Event. More than 3,000 spectators gathered on the lawns of Quail Lodge & Golf Club for the show’s much-anticipated awards ceremony, which recognized the antique bike for its presentation as well as its historical and cultural significance.
The 10th Anniversary event presented a grand selection of pre- and post-war sports and racing bikes as well as live music, lifestyle vendors, local wines and gourmet cuisine—highlighted by a custom-designed lunch menu by Componere Fine Catering and Michelin-starred chef Curtis Duffy.
Traditional classes that included American, British, Italian, Other European, Japanese, Competition On Road, Competition Off Road, Antique, Custom/Modified, and Extraordinary Bicycles and Scooters, lined The Quail Motorcycle Gathering Event Field for guests to explore.
In addition to the “Best in Class” awards given in each of the above categories, the following top honors were announced:
⦁ Spirit of The Quail Award
1920 Indian Streamliner
Clyde Crouch – Texas
Competition On Road Class
⦁ Industry Award
1960 Harley-Davidson Super 10
Jackson Burrows – Canada
Custom/Modified Class
⦁ Innovation Award
2020 Curtiss Zeus
Curtiss Motorcycles – Alabama
⦁ Design and Style Award
1968 Ducati 250 Narrow Case
Analog Motorcycles – Illinois
Custom/Modified Class
⦁ AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Heritage Award
1971 Honda CT-70
Steve Mast – California
Japanese Class
⦁ HVA Preservation Award
1920 Indian Streamliner
Clyde Crouch – Texas
Competition On Road Class
⦁ Significance in Racing Award
1981 Freddie Spencer’s Factory Honda Racing NS-750 Flat Tracker
Anthony Giammanco – California
Competition Off Road Class
⦁ Why We Ride Award
1970 Indian Little Indian
Clive Belvoir – California
American Class 1936-1979
The event also showcased four featured displays that were special for this year’s show. The first of which, Arlen Ness Private Collection, honored the 2018 “Legend of the Sport” Arlen Ness, his son Cory Ness and grandson Zach Ness for their many contributions to the motorcycling community. Personal builds from their Dublin, California museum were displayed on the grasses such as the Art Deco-inspired “SmoothNess” and the “Curvaceous-Ness,” which has been featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Design Museum.
Other featured classes recognized cutting-edge Electric Motorcycles, artfully-crafted Café Racers and the 25th Anniversary of the Ducati Monster. Bikes on display ranged from a 1973 Corbin Electric X1 “City Bike” to an aluminum 1971 Triumph T 100 R Daytona, to a rarely-seen 2007 Ducati S4RS Monster Testastretta.
Throughout the event, guests were given the opportunity to try out the latest products from the industry’s top manufacturers, which included everything from gear to motorcycles. Shoei Helmets allowed guests to test its products during demo rides, which were offered by event sponsors Zero, Royal Enfield and Moto Guzzi. Honda also offered demo opportunities on the all-new Gold Wing, while it displayed every generation of the Gold Wing ever made.
The 2018 show also marked the launches of two bespoke motorcycles. ARCH Motorcycle debuted its limited-edition Method 143, featuring a carbon fiber mono-cell chassis and a 2,343ci S&S V-Twin engine. Meanwhile, Curtiss Motorcycle Company made its worldwide debut and unveiled the Zeus concept electric bike.
“The success of this year’s The Quail Motorcycle Gathering was truly overwhelming,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “From the immense support of our sponsors, to the involvement of star chef Curtis Duffy, to the diverse range of amazing motorcycles, we are so proud of how far we’ve come in the past ten years and are thrilled to see what 2019 will have to offer.”
