Pesky rain showers couldn’t dampen the spirits of more than 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts who showed up for The Quail Motorcycle Gathering. Held near Carmel, California, the concours-style event is unlike anything else in motorcycling.
Now in its 14th year, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering consistently brings amazing two-wheeled machinery to the lush lawns of The Quail Golf Club. It’s an event that celebrates the evolution of motorcycles and motorcycling. The diversity of motorcycles on display is unparalleled, with vintage American bikes joined by dozens of other brands from around the globe.
“The enthusiasm for riding and unbridled passion within the motorcycling community never ceases to inspire, and it particularly shines through on a rainy day like we had this year,” said Gordon McCall, director of motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events, organizer of The Quail.
The 2024 edition was highlighted by several milestone anniversaries, including the centenary of the American Motorcyclist Association and the 30th anniversary of Ducati’s iconic 916 sportbike.
Also in the spotlight was famed motocross racer Ricky Johnson, who received the Legend of the Sport honors this year. He was joined on stage by 2013 Legend of the Sport and three-time MotoGP world champ, Wayne Rainey, for a “fireside chat” with McCall.
This year’s Quail had four featured classes alongside 11 returning traditional classes. As always, we’ll concentrate mostly on American machinery. Winner of the Antique class was a 1930 Indian Big Chief for owner Mike Lynch. John Ventura and his 1979 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide won top honors in the American class.
The Custom/Modified category was one of the most interesting ones. Multitime show winner Max Hazan brought a superlative custom built around an incredible supercharged 1,000cc JAP V-Twin, which surely deserved some kind of award for its audacity. Hazan’s bike is owned by actor Jason Momoa (Aquaman), but even with that Hollywood shine, it only finished 2nd in class to an intriguing homage to Harley-Davidson’s board-track era.
Find more moto-events at American Rider‘s Events Calendar
Based on what is shown here, this event has become more of a static Art Show and far less of a dynamic motorcycle exhibition.
The Seeley-Norton= a track star in a tin foil hat.
The board track clone sportster= iron cylinders that have shaved fins and are nickel plated, which means it’ll overheat before you can get it to a track, let alone on one.
The (pick one) choppers= have never been a model of function over form—just the opposite.
Ridiculous!
The prototype Honda four is more like the Quail of old.
The 64 Duo-Glide is the last of the kickstart-only H-D Big Twins and deserves a place in history, and one this nice, a place in the Quail as well.
Sensible!
My 2-cents…