John Campbell
Staff Writer
You’re on your way home from work. Starting up your nondescript, subcompact car you sense something in the air. A low, melodic rumble calls. Turning, you instantly spot a group of motorcycles approaching. But there is something different about this pack because, one-by-one, as the unique set of machines goes by, there is a stirring in your soul. The experience is not an easily created one for you and doesn’t happen often. You’re in the presence of a special breed called Big Dog Motorcycles.
Big Dog Motorcycles began in 1994 with a simple concept: "to build the premier, high-performance, high style motorcycle." More than 16 years and 25,000 motorcycles later, that founding concept remains.
From its mythically humble beginnings in a small residential garage, the company has grown to a 175,000 square-foot facility headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. All manufacturing, design and distribution is done from this location to a dealer network throughout the United States and Canada.
Today, the 2010 Big Dog line-up represents the company’s state of technical evolution with new speedometers that have dual trip meters giving operators the ability to switch from analog to digital speedometer and RPM readouts. The speedometer can also relay other information to the rider such as a low battery level and even service reminders. Each Big Dog Motorcycle has a custom look and feel with gas tanks that are individually hand-painted, six-speed transmissions and powerful V-twin engines with the capacity to get from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds; all this while getting 42 miles to the gallon. 
And gone are the days of wondering if you can find just the right part to fit your custom cycle because Bull Dog offers a complete line of motorcycle parts and accessories for all their models. From decorative items like Chrome Forward Controls or Louvered Air Cleaner Cover Plates to dress up your air cleaner to functional items like a Drag Handlebar and Seat Combo kit help to take the guess work out of matching components.
To finish off your Big Dog custom motorcycle, you can upgrade the exhaust to a 2-2 Slip On Exhaust System or, for a touch more rumble, the Reverse Radius Exhaust System.
Going over Big Dog’s roll call of customizable models: the Bulldog, Wolf, K9, Mastiff, Ridgeback, Pitbull and Coyote, it’s clear to see these machines were meant to be the leaders of the pack. Woof!
