7 News Belize

Harley Heaven in Belize!
posted (February 6, 2015)
Harley Davidson is one of the most well-known global brands - synonymous with muscle bikes and the American open road. And while it started out as a North American phenomenon, Harley fever has also caught on here in Belize and throughout Latin America where bike rally's happen throughout the year. And February fifth - seventh is the Belize Black Pearl's time to shine. This year's rally is called "Meet in The Middle", and I was there when the Harley's started rolling in:..

Courtney Weatherburne
"These men and women are no regular motorists, they are members of established biking clubs and over 400 riders travel about 10 days from Canada and all over Central America to be here for the bike rally and why do they do that? Well, it's all about the thrill of the wide open road."

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
The freedom and spontaneity of traveling on that wide open road may seem tempting but it comes along with a very hefty price.

You can spend as much as $70,000 on one of these motor-beasts, you would pay that price for this 1100 pound bike

While this 900 pound Classic Harley Davidson, would go for $56,000. It might seem a bit steep, but for these bikers, it is all worth it.

Nigel Espat, Black Pearl Motorcycle Club
"There are some guys that would spend $200,000 on a boat. So, it's all relative. If it's something you are passionate about, then you know that the cost really bears nothing compare to the joy that you get out of it."

And the joy comes from the rapport that is formed among riders.

Nigel Espat, Black Pearl Motorcycle Club
"Really, it's basically to share in the culture of bikers, of motorcycles. It a brotherhood of comradery that exists like no other that exists anywhere. Not in four wheel driving - I am not knocking them. It's just something special about riding a motorcycle and the passion that we all share for motorcycles. It's just everyone hanging out as you can see, getting to know each other, Mexicans, Central Americans - everyone. Some met last year when they were here. Other are new. So, that's basically what it's about."

Courtney Weatherburne
"How did you get into it? Was it just something spontaneous? Just the entire culture attracted to you to it? How was it?"

Mary-Lee Langois, Biker
"My husband always wanted a bike and when we went to Canada that year, he picked on out and shipped it down here and we just never looked back and then he had an opportunity to go have the franchise for Harley Davidson and we took it on 4 years ago. Some people think we are crazy, but I, for the best part of it, everybody understands, everybody have a hobby and this just happens to be ours."

For these city riders, it's more than just a hobby.

G. Perez, Brotherhood Motorcycle Club, Belize
"You definitely got to have something for bikes. I mean my president here would definitely agree with me; if you don't have a love for motorcycles and being on two wheels, it's definitely not for you."

John Ramnarace, President, Brotherhood Motorcycle Club, Belize
"Actually how the club was started, we had our core members who we've founded the club. Everybody use to gather at my house. We hang out, we mess with the bikes, we barbeque - just had fun and then we decided, you know what, we could really make a club from this and we got rolling on it and then we got new members added and still growing. We have 9 members strong right now and quite a few more to come in."

And those members, like in many other clubs, aren't simply riding around 24/7. Many of them are professionals who are enamored with the biking culture.

Didier Efren Medina, Lawyer/Biker
"On these motorcycles, there are people, I mean they are not bums without jobs …no, no, no, it's a stereotype we need to forget because to say he is a lawyer and this guy is a doctor and I am a lawyer…so it is passion, although it is not a cheap one so not everyone can do it because look at this beaut. it is very hard to get from anywhere. It is one of a kind."

And the experience of rolling on with these roaring engines - blindly claiming the path ahead from coast to coast - is also one of a kind.

G. Perez, Brotherhood Motorcycle Club, Belize
"Having 4 wheels is safe and everything and being on 2 wheels with a big roaring engine underneath you is absolutely indescribable."

Rene Marquez, Biker
"It's a wonderful experience, meeting all these kinds of people and going all these places - it's wonderful. No matter where you go, no matter how many times you go in the same place, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the ride. You could go again and again, it doesn't matter. It's the ride that really counts. The feeling in the open road, everything relax, you see lots of places, meeting lots of wonderful people."

Mary-Lee Langois, Biker
"I could really just sum it up - it's an adventure. You never run a time table because something is always bound to happen, hold you up. It's a lot of fun, we have a lot of fun with it and the payoff is right here, right now."

Courtney Weatherburne
"And so these free spirits will muscle their way through Belize City, just another stop on a ride that's more about the journey than the destination."

The rally rolls into the Hour Bar tonight for a concert.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize