‘Hands-On Harley’ Cruising into Upstate N.Y.

Headed for Rochester’s Strong Museum, Interactive Exhibit Is so Detailed that You May Think You Feel Bugs on Your Teeth

The Strong Museum in Rochester, New York, is a popular “hands-on” museum. There guests are able to interactively experience exhibits via handling of display items and engaging in realistic experiments. Now, Harley-Davidson is bringing the wonderful world of motorcycles to the visitors of the Strong Museum. The “Hands-On Harley-Davidson” interactive display opens Jan. 21 and is part of an ongoing touring exhibit. The showcase chronicles the history of America’s most iconic motorcycle company.

Museum patrons can also learn every nuance of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle by using engineering and math concepts to create a bike design, build a prototype and even take it for a test drive.

Harley enthusiasts can learn how acceleration, speed, friction, gravity and other laws of physics affect a motorcycle in motion at a variety of test sites. These include the Jump Track and Half-Pipe. A series of ramps, jumps and curves allow museum guests to build a custom test track.

Additionally, “Hands-On Harley-Davidson” lets motorcycle enthusiasts step into a working motorcycle service bays. There they can create a custom bike based on the classic Road King.

The exhibit offers the opportunity to experiment with a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories, from mufflers to saddle bags. Magnetic flames, Harley-Davidson logos and a personalized license plate are available to help add flare to the bike. Guests can even rev the engine to give the custom bike a test.

Related interactive videos provide a first-person riding experience through international touring routes. An interactive motorcycle completes the experience. Also, virtual Harley riders can engage an interactive motorcycle map challenge. The interactive showcase covers how to properly check and track fuel, exhaust and other systems to ensure a safe trip.

The opening weekend, on Jan. 21 and 22, will feature a visit by children’s books author Jean Davidson, granddaughter of Harley-Davidson co-founder Walter Davidson.

“Hands-On Harley-Davidson” will remain on display through May 7, 2017.