Arlen Ness, 1939-2019
The word "icon" is often overused when describing someone who could more accurately be called well-known. That's not the case with Arlen Ness and his influence on motorcycling. He is an icon of our sport.
Arlen was an design innovator, an entrepreneur and an artist in metal. He was also a genuine, earthy guy who never lost his connection with the audience he served. And he was a rider — the real thing, not some Sturgis phony. The company he founded, Arlen Ness Enterprises, is still a family-owned and operated third-generation business. Anyone who can make their passion their life's work is a lucky person, and Arlen summed it up pretty well in his usual understated way: "Motorcycling has been a great ride."
The word "icon" is often overused when describing someone who could more accurately be called well-known. That's not the case with Arlen Ness and his influence on motorcycling. He is an icon of our sport.
Arlen was an design innovator, an entrepreneur and an artist in metal. He was also a genuine, earthy guy who never lost his connection with the audience he served. And he was a rider — the real thing, not some Sturgis phony. The company he founded, Arlen Ness Enterprises, is still a family-owned and operated third-generation business. Anyone who can make their passion their life's work is a lucky person, and Arlen summed it up pretty well in his usual understated way: "Motorcycling has been a great ride."
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