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Attracted by the freedom of the open road and camaraderie of fellow riders, many women are now confidently choosing the front seat of their very own motorcycle. In fact, the number of women participating in the sport of motorcycling is on the rise, representing one in 12 U.S. motorcycle owners, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

“Learning to master and control the motorcycle made me feel that I could do anything,” said Gail Concannon of New York City. “While I enjoyed riding on the back seat of my husband’s motorcycle for years, the sense of freedom and control I’ve had riding my own Harley-Davidson Softail alongside my husband is almost indescribable.”

Concannon is not alone. More and more women are seeking the sense of freedom, independence and adventure that motorcycling invokes and are finding that donning a leather jacket and saddling up not only changes the way they look, it changes the way they feel about themselves.

“Putting on my leather jacket and settling into the front seat doesn’t give me just a style makeover, it gives me confidence and a sense of control like nothing else I have ever known,” said Wendy Cedeno of Chicago.

As more women take control of the open road, they are beginning to have more influence on the motorcycle industry. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, females purchased 45,000 new motorcycles in 2002, compared to only 10,000 just 14 years ago.

“This recent trend confirms what we knew all along,” said Kathleen Lawler, vice president of communications at Harley-Davidson Motor Company (NYSE: HDI). “Women enjoy the freedom and solitude of the open road just as much as their male counterparts. But, women also see motorcycles as a perfect opportunity to counterbalance constraining traditional gender roles.”

While women in the saddle of a Harley-Davidson is not a new phenomenon, the company is experiencing an exponential growth of female owners today. Purchases of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles by women grew from only 600 in 1985, to nearly 30,000 last year, accounting for nearly 10 percent of new motorcycle sales for the Motor Company.

“Getting my Low Rider was truly a life-changing experience for me,” said Eileen Lopez of New York City. “As I pull out of the driveway on my Harley, I leave my worries and stresses behind. Plus, the strong relationships I’ve developed with my fellow riders have really enriched my life.”

Linda Weeden, a new rider from Albuquerque, agrees. “Even though I’ve only put 1,000 miles on my new bike, I’ve already met the most incredible female riders from all walks of life. Although we come from different backgrounds, our love for riding and passion for adventure have made us really close, like family.”

Helping fuel the growth of the sport among women is the Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge program, which teaches basic riding skills at select Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country. Since the program’s inception in 2000, more than 40,000 people have learned to ride a motorcycle, and 42 percent of the students are women.

“I have to admit, I was a little intimidated before I took the class,” said Weeden. “But, learning to master the motorcycle and feeling the wind in my face changed that. Now riding is one of my greatest and most sacred pleasures.”

Although, the number of women riders has been on the rise for the last decade, women have been riding motorcycles since the very early days of the sport. One of the most famous was Vivian Bales, who in the summer of 1929, traveled for 78 days, covering nearly 5,000 miles on her 45 Twin D model Harley-Davidson. In each town she rode through, Bales met with local dignitaries and Harley-Davidson dealers — she even had the opportunity to meet President Herbert Hoover.

Following her famous ride, Bales continued to ride motorcycles and performed stunts at races around Tallahassee, Fla. Like many women riders today, Bales stated that her Harley-Davidson experience was one of her most significant of her life.

MBA Holdings, Inc. (OTC BB: MBAH) is pleased to announce the acquisitions of iDigital, LLC as well as Street Eagle Motorcycle Rental/Rent 2 Ride Motorcycle Rentals.

iDigital is the supplier of a line of chotchkies, specialty marketing products designed to be given to customers as a personal memento of their recent experience with a company’s products, such as Motorcycle and Auto Rentals and Purchases.

Rent 2 Ride has two (2) licensed rental stores operating, one (1) in Scottsdale, Arizona, and one (1) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Street Eagle (www.streeteagle.com) and Rent 2 Ride (www.rent2ride.com) are specialty motorcycle rental companies specializing in Harley-Davidson, Metric and Custom Motorcycle rentals. With several additional stores planned for the near future. Street Eagle has processed in excess of 25,000 rental reservations in the last two years.

MBA owns and operates Blue Sky Motorcycle rentals in fourteen (14) locations in Hawaii and across North America.

Gaylen Brotherson, CEO, of MBA Holdings, Inc., summarized the deals as both timely for and indicative of the company’s future growth. “With these acquisitions, MBA Holdings can begin to significantly enhance sales revenues and profitability,” stated Mr. Brotherson. “We are very optimistic with respect to adding shareholder value in the coming quarters,” he concluded.

M.B.A. Holdings, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Mechanical Breakdown Administrators, Inc., markets and administers vehicular mechanical breakdown insurance policies on automobiles, light trucks, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, boats and certain automotive components and sells contracts for repair services to vehicles and certain vehicle components at www.mbadirect.com. Its second subsidiary, National Motorcycle Dealers Association, LLC (”NMDA”), provides products and programs for Motorcycle Dealership via memberships in NMDA, and it has products like extended warranties for new and used motorcycles, tire and wheel warranties, Gap Coverage, Credit Life, ATVs and trailers. NMDA also provides and/or plans to provide Gap Coverage, Motorcycle Leasing and Financing, Credit Life/Accident insurance, Open Lot and Garage Keepers Legal Coverage, Health insurance and Family Hospitalization insurance for Dealership owners, employees and their families.

n partnership with Jane magazine, Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HDI) is cruising the back roads of America to salute women who take life by the handlebars.

The first-ever national search — titled the Spirit of Freedom Contest — will recognize and celebrate every-day women who overcome fears, obstacles and boundaries to achieve a life-long dream. One contest grand prize winner will walk away with a new Sportster 883 Low and Rider’s Edge New Rider Course training.

“The adrenaline rush of riding a motorcycle out on the open road is like no other experience,” said Kathleen Lawler, vice president of communication at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Through this contest, we are saluting women who embody that spirit of adventure through small gestures, inner strength and every-day selfless acts.”

The Spirit of Freedom recognitions will not focus solely on motorcycle riders. Instead, the awards will honor women who achieve independence in many ways.

“The Spirit of Freedom Awards will honor those incredible women who often go unrecognized,” said Annemarie Conte, editor from Jane magazine. “Whether it’s a mother who returns to school after raising her family, a friend who always provides a shoulder to cry on or an athlete pushing her limits to complete a marathon, we are teaming up with Harley-Davidson to salute women who live life every day to the fullest.”

ominate yourself or another woman who possesses a strong Spirit of Freedom by visiting www.harley-davidson.com for an official award entry form, judging criteria and program rules. Any woman 18 or older is eligible to win. To nominate someone, simply submit a 200-word essay on how she showcases her spirit. The award will be presented in August during the 2005 Sturgis Rally and Races in Sturgis, S.D.

All entries must be submitted to Spirit of Freedom Awards Program c/o Weber Shandwick, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611. Nominators must be at least 18 years of age. Entrants are encouraged to include a picture of the nominee. All entries must be postmarked and submitted by June 30, 2005.

MORE WOMEN HITTING THE OPEN ROAD

More and more women embrace the open road. In fact, the Motorcycle Industry Council reports that women now represent one in 12 U.S. motorcycle owners. The number of female Harley-Davidson owners has grown from only 600 in 1985 to more than 30,000 last year — accounting for nearly 10 percent of new Harley buyers.

Helping fuel the growth of the sport among women is the Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge program, which teaches basic riding skills at select Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country. Since the program’s inception in 2000, more than 40,000 people have learned to ride a motorcycle, and 42 percent of the students are women.

For more information about The Spirit of Freedom Award, visit www.harley-davidson.com.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight street, custom and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers.