Manheim Specialty Auctions will hold a motorcycle auction for the first time in conjunction with the world's largest Harley-Davidson dealer, Bruce Rossmeyer, during Daytona Bike Week. The sale, featuring more than 200 bikes, will be sponsored by Manheim's Daytona Auto Auction and be held on March 5 at Bruce Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona complex near Daytona Beach, Fla.


"This is the first time we've had the opportunity to host a mobile auction for Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley-Davidson dealerships," said Karen Braddy, director of heavy trucks, highline and specialty for Manheim. "Bringing this type of auction directly to our customers gives them access to a wider variety of motorcycles in addition to added convenience."


Bruce Rossmeyer, the visionary owner of Destination Daytona and Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson, has remarketed motorcycles through Daytona Auto Auction a number of times, but never previously employed the auction's services for an exclusive, on-site sale at his store.


"We have been very successful in previous sales at Daytona Auto Auction and decided it was time to take it a step further," Rossmeyer said. "There couldn't be a better time to have the sale than Bike Week. This will be a great starting point to see where our partnership with Manheim could progress."


The sale will feature bikes from Harley-Davidson(r), Arlen Ness, American Iron Horse, choppers, custom bikes, and metrics. Price, size, year, make and model of the bikes will vary. The sale will begin at noon Eastern time and is open to dealers and the public. It will also be broadcast via a wireless mobile auction unit with Manheim Simulcast capabilities, allowing dealers to participate in the physical auction via the Internet.


The mobile auction unit includes a trailer with an office for dealer check-in, an auctioneer window, and Manheim Simulcast via satellite. A handheld-camera operator gives online dealers enhanced close-ups previously unavailable through Manheim Simulcast.


Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona is situated on more than 150 acres just north of Daytona in Ormond Beach at the intersection of I-95 and U.S. Highway 1; it features restaurants, bars, retail and bike shops and hotels. Bikers Against Drunk Drivers, whose headquarters are within Destination Daytona, will host the largest bike giveaway during Bike Week. This year seven motorcycles and one Toyota truck will be raffled, also during Bike Week. One of the bikes will be awarded during the auction.


Daytona Bike Week, now in its 66th year, is an annual 10-day event and rally in March that attracts more than 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts.