I was offline for a few years and this popped up in a search.
My '05 has won numerous awards over 15 years and my new-to-me '15 won one this year.
Best advice:
- If possible, get entered in a class with few or zero competitors. Easy-peasy.
Best odds in the States if you enter in one of these classes (in order):
- Rocket-only class increases odds (unless someone brings a modded 'trailer queen')
- British class is next best
- European class
- Metric Stock
- Metric Performance
- Metric Cruiser Mild Custom
- Metric Cruiser Full Custom
- Next would come "Open" classes (Stock, Performance, Cruiser Mild Custom, Cruiser Full Custom etc.).
Note: If you're at a Patched MC Club event in the U.S. the odds are stacked against you due to HD bias,
politics, favoritism etc.
In one case, someone crossed my bike off all the ballots before passing them out to the judges. A mechanic
friend who wrenches on some club members rides won with a POS homemade frankenstein Chopper/Bobber with a 350cc Honda engine that sounded like a lawn mower. I'd won two trophies in prior years before he became their buddy.
Your odds improve if its a balanced non-sponsored contest with unbiased judges (or ones who used to ride Bonnies back in the day).
My trophies are packed away but here are a few pics I could find: