Clutch and Chrome isn't letting 2007 go away quietly, pulling out the stories that made us laugh, cry or even just wonder why, we've brought together the best and the worst of news stories and headlines that made their way into our world of motorcycles. Grab the digital camera and pull out the tuxedo to join us for the Best and Worst of 2007.

With the New Year upon us, resolutions freshly in our minds, Clutch and Chromes Best and Worst of 2007 gives us the chance to recognize some news makers that caught our eye from the year quickly fading into a memory. It’s also the opportunity for you to read some news stories you may’ve missed, but shouldn’t have.

Although the tuxedo delivery from the local rental store may be a slight hint, the crowd mulling in the lobby waiting to take their seats is probably the biggest giveaway. Anyone will tell you it’s been in the air around the Clutch and Chrome offices for weeks now. Trumpets can blare along with all the pomp and circumstance as the beginning of the New Year makes it officially time for the annual celebration known as The Best and Worst of 2007.

And the road here has been filled with potholes and blind curves. Some would say we had emotional discussions while others call it arguing, but whittling away at what would make Clutch and Chromes Best and Worst of 2007 was an interesting course of events.

Aside from personal favorites coloring the discussion, there were simply more stories to review making the choices all that much harder. For those dedicated readers who remember not only last years awards ceremony, but also the official launch of Clutch and Chrome in April 2006, its easy to appreciate we had an entire twelve months of newsmakers and headlines to choose from this year.

Whew.

There were signs that 2007 was going to be a strange year, especially when the most Iconic of American manufacturers, Harley-Davidson faced a strike by its workers at some the company’s larger factories. According to union officials, Harley-Davidson were asking for reduced pay rates for new hires, required employees to pay part of their health insurance premiums and forced pension concessions. For a company that carries the reputation of being made up by everyday bikers, it was an interesting situation.

Twelve months of news stories about that two-wheeled invention that has captured hearts the world over, turning your average person into a devout rider or biker. With accessories of passion and wanderlust given away free with only a moment in the saddle, what notable motorcycle stories in 2007 were worthy of making the cut?

The rules remain the same as last year’s awards; the story had to be published by Clutch and Chrome and we avoided the well worn path of best motorcycle or best motorcycle product, etcetera, etcetera. There are other publications with much bigger budgets and maybe even more insight to hand out those awards.

Since there were so many great stories that covered a variety of topics, the number of categories has been increased to highlight, honor or in some cases, make fun of the different nominees.

As with everything on the Clutch and Chrome website, this article and these awards are about the people that make riding what it is, not the latest fads or fashion.

Since it looks like all of the staff have managed to clean up nicely, the attendees have taken their seats, the band is warmed up and microphones checks are completed, let’s move onto the first category.

 

Top Celebrity Story
Motorcycles and celebrities have a history dating back to Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen being misunderstood or jumping razor wire covered ravines. More than ever stars are taking to two-wheels with the ‘who’s-who’ list of who likes to ride growing ever longer. Through all the thrills and spills, there were a range of star-studded stories that made the pages of Clutch and Chrome.

The motorcycle itself took a leading role in Hollywood early in 2007 with the release of Disney’s ‘Wild Hogs’ starring John Travolta, William H Macy, Martin Lawrence and Tim Allen. By the way Disney’s public relations machine had the various stars appearing everywhere, you would think the stars were life-long bikers and not for example the aviation enthusiast John Travolta is known for. From television shows such as ‘Ellen’ to appearing at the Georgia capital, the stars walked and talked like your seasoned biker.

Interestingly enough, according to the extras featured on the Wild Hogs DVD, only one actor had any real riding experience before filming started and Martin Lawrence never really got comfortable on a motorcycle. Also, stories appeared in the press of William H Macy catching the riding bug while filming but his wife, Felicia Huffman discouraged him from buying a motorcycle ‘because they had children at home to consider’.

Regardless, it was a funny movie that overall did well in portraying the biker, from the weekend warrior to the motorcycle gang types.

Not only the motorcycle but also Captain America himself, Peter Fonda (left) appeared in both Wild Hogs as well as the other motorcycle movie of 2007, ‘Ghost Rider’. One has to wonder if he’ll make a cameo in the upcoming Indiana Jones movie which features a chase scene using a 1940’s motorcycle.

The motorcycle became the star of the show (sort of) when the movie ‘Resident Evil: Extinction’ took over Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to promote the latest chapter in Resident Evil series which debuted on September 20th. The movies’ custom K 1200 R Sport BMW motorcycle was displayed on the casino floor as part of the month-long promotional campaign.

As much as it may feel like a stretch to include that last news item in the Top Celebrity Story category, other brushes with motorcycles, bikers and stars or would-be celebrities also were considered. Donald trump wasn’t the only person Rosie threw down with in 2007. It could be the lack of a comb-over on the bikers part, but probably more to do with the difference in dollar signs, either way Rosie’s tiff with a biker in Miami made her blog but not much of a media blip anywhere else.

Michelle Obama’s motorcade had an accident with a motorcycle in Iowa and Scarlett Johansson was seen saddling up with Ryan Reynolds at the end of what appeared to be a date. Although he doesn’t have any die hard fans in the Clutch and chrome office, we all agree both he and she are obviously cool people to hang out with if they include a Triumph in the mating rituals.

Needless to say, Clutch and Chrome fell in line with the rest of the media and took any opportunity we had to feature or include the very sexy Angelina Jolie in both news stories as well as a few editorials. There was even a little guilt of using the headline ‘Angelina wants Brad to give up bike’ when the story was more about trading an old ride for a new one. But didn’t he do that when he left Jennifer for Angelina?

That’s a whole other story.

We really weren’t sure whether it was the motorcycle or the celebrity name attached to the story that caught our eye when S&S presented Jay Leno with a custom built performance ride, but it certainly made the list.

Television may be the small screen, but the stories can be just as big. While wondering whether Jesse James is the classic quandary of ‘which came first’ with his bike building, television shows and fame, he made a few headlines in 2007. A celebrity whose claim to fame has nothing to do with motorcycles at all used the two-wheeled past time as a vehicle for a new type of show. And no we’ll never get tired of using that pun.

Alton Brown of the Food Network fame took to the road with his BMW and a few riding buddies to scope out the best roadside food America has to offer. Even though the show appeared on a network dedicated to culinary enthusiasts, it was a darned good motorcycle show. So good, the news item was about the second series.

There were stories that no one saw coming. We found out in 2007 that Matrix star Laurence Fishburn never has to choose between the red or blue pill when he rides, but goes for the pot instead.

On the other end of the moral spectrum, U2’s lead singer Bono carried his philanthropy into the riding world by auctioning off his Ducati at the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in England to raise money for Riders for Health. Largely unknown in the United States, the charity supplies motorcycles and training to health workers in Africa to help them reach patients in remote areas.

This story was in fact the runner up to our winner in the category of Top Celebrity Story of 2007 since it displayed all the best qualities of a biker; charity, a great cause and a taste in motorcycles. But what about the enthusiasm to ride or that resilience that is the very foundation of a biker?

Those qualities were found in our winner, Mr. George Clooney. Although he came to our attention through an accident, how he handled himself, took care of his injured passenger and dismissed the whole incident as a part of riding put him over the top during the voting.

It turned out later that the driver of the car was the person at fault for the accident, but even then George was magnanimous enough to say he was ‘glad no one was seriously hurt from the incident’. How often he rides and the various motorcycle he’s been seen on well and truly puts the award into the hands of the Oceans Eleven star.

Besides, between the philanthropic work and successful music career we’re sure Bono has enough awards to fill an entire wing of the castle he likely owns and certainly won’t miss Clutch and Chrome’s humble statue.

  Best & Worst 2007 Awards Top Celebrity Story Dumbest Motorcycle Moment by a Biker Dumbest Motorcycle Moment by an Organization Best Motorcycle Moment by an Organization Everybody Loves Motorcycles Intermission Most Unusual Story True Biker Story Stories we'll read about in '08