CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Appleton Harley-Davidson celebrated 60 years in the motorcycle business Saturday with their event called Motorcycle Mayhem.  The motorcycle dealership, at 2501 Highway 41-A Bypass, held a full day of activities for their customers to enjoy as a way to give back to the community.

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT)

 The day featured live music from Mike Robinson, Joel Brown, Tim Lynch, Crossroads and Olivia Rose.  A Poker Run was also held with all proceeds going to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  Appleton’s also held a drawing and gave away a Sportster 1200 which was won by Mitchell Alexander.
 
A number of local elected officials spoke at the Motorcycle Mayhem event with each one emphasizing the importance of motorcycle safety along with congratulating Appleton’s for 60 years of serving Clarksville-Montgomery County.                
 
Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan talked about the recent motorcycle safety program involving signs posted around the city to remind motorists to be aware of motorcyclists.  “I was proud to be part of the unveiling of the signs so that everybody would realize that those who ride motorcycles are an important part of our community,” McMillan said.
 
Also talking about safety, State Representative Joe Pitts talked about legislation he and State Senator Tim Barnes sponsored in Tennessee, the Teen Safety Law, to help protect motorcycle riders under the age of 18.  Pitts also spoke about legislation for the 2013 legislative session to require motorcycle operators under the age of 18 to take mandatory safety training.
 
Senator Tim Barnes read a proclamation from the Tennessee House of Representatives saying that we as legislators should pay tribute to those exemplary businesses that have served their respective communities as merchants and public servants.  Barnes added that for 60 years Appleton’s has been synonymous with motorcycles in the Clarksville community.
 
Appleton’s has had a long history of family business in Clarksville starting with Glen Appleton in 1952.  The motorcycle dealership has carried a number of different motorcycle names at a number of locations around the city along with family members Buddy Appleton, Bret Appleton and Mary Appleton Rose.  In 2012, a third generation of the Appleton family, Tia, the granddaughter of Buddy Appleton and her husband Danny Suiter took over the business.    
 
Tia Suiter had this to say when asked about the Motorcycle Mayhem celebration.  “To sum it all up, the mayhem did stand for the motorcycle madness.  The Motorcycle Mayhem that we had, the event itself was just to say the 60 years of business was 60 years of motorcycling, that’s all that this event was about 60 years of motorcycling.  Not the name and not the brand, we we’re saying 60 years of motorcycling,” said Suiter.
 
Sutier added that we honor the military because of our freedom to enjoy the open road, cherish the memories of those who have passed before us, embrace those that we ride with today and look forward to the future coming with the new bikers.



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