The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2022
After a two-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic, the Quail Motorcycle Gathering once again unfolded its stellar presentation of machinery over the 18th green of the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in beautiful Carmel Valley, CA. This preeminent motorcycle event, renowned for showcasing the rarest and most iconic motorcycles of the past 100 years, was in full bloom. For a brief moment, it was as if the trials of the past two years had not stolen away this treasured gathering and once again enthusiasts were able to peruse the Quail’s offering of exclusive motorcycles under clear blue skies and warm weather.
Walking the immaculate fairway of the Quail Lodge (appropriate setting for these priceless machines) sweeps you up into euphoric sentimentality only other motorcyclists can understand. One area was reserved for minibikes, another for off-road machines, with a generous spread of brands and models. Other areas contained perfectly restored versions of small displacement street motorcycles. There was also, of course, a gorgeous example of the almighty Honda CB750—in all its aquamarine bravado.
The 12th anniversary edition of the Quail featured pre- and post-war sports and racing motorcycles, with a display honoring the legendary Harley-Davidson XR-750 flat tracker (the bike made famous by Mert Lawwill in On Any Sunday). The XR-750 machines enjoyed a stranglehold on American flat track for decades, making it the most victorious motorcycle in the world. There were a number of the vintage, irascible Milwaukee-bred orange beasts on display, all possessing impressive flat track racing pedigree.
The 2022 Quail Motorcycle Gathering offered a wide variety of classes, including British, Italian and other European, Japanese, Competition On-Road and Competition Off-Road, Antique, Custom/Modified, Choppers, and Extraordinary Bicycles and Scooters. The result, as always, was an entertaining mix of perfectly preserved classic and iconic motorcycles, with a healthy array of bizarre, esoteric, scary, and inspired machines that run the gamut of two-wheel passion.
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2023 is set for May. It’s an opportunity for motorcyclists to indulge the breathtaking scenery and stellar riding of legendary SR 1 through Big Sur in the ramp-up to the event, as well as a visit to nearby Moto Talbott Museum. Add to this the charm of Carmel and Monterey, with their hotels and restaurants, as well as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and you have the makings of an amazing motorcycle holiday.
Results of The Quail Motorcycle gathering 2022
Best of Show
1951 Vincent Rapide
Max Hazan—California
Spirit of The Quail Award
1984 Honda RS750
Chris Carter—California
Harley-Davidson XR-750
1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750
Terry Kaluza—California
BMW /5 Series
1971 BMW R75/5
Scott Wilmot—California
Two-Stroke “Braaaps”
1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma
Matt Torrens—California
Mini bikes | Big Fun
1971 Montesa Cota 25
David Bookout—California
Design and Style Award, Presented by Arch Motorcycle
1951 Vincent Rapide
Max Hazan—California
Why We Ride Award, Presented by Why We Ride
1987 Yamaha YSR50
Kristen Skvorak—California
Hagerty HVA Preservation Award
1929 Excelsior-Henderson Super X 45CI OHV Factory Alcohol Burner
Jeffrey Thomas—Washington
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Heritage Award, Presented by AMA
2006 Ducati Fuse
Revival Cycles—Texas