Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

STURGIS, SD – February 2, 2026 – The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum is proud to announce its Hall of Fame Class of 2026, a distinguished group of individuals who represent the diverse activities and storied history of the motorcycling world. This year’s inductees include an award-winning actor, a decorated American hero, a world record holder, a racing champion, long distance riders and pioneers in the powersports world.

“The inductees in our “Class of 2026” represent almost every aspect of our riding community,” said Keith Terry, the Museum’s Hall of Fame Committee Chairman. “It’s an honor to be able to share the stories of these individuals who have contributed so much to our sport and society. Their spirit of innovation, passion and generosity is part of what makes motorcycling so special.”

While all inductees are enshrined in the Hall of Fame, several receive special recognition for their impact on motorcycling culture. This year’s honors include the Freedom Fighter Award, the American Hero Award (a special award offered only this year, in conjunction with the Museum’s 25th Anniversary), the Educational and Historical Preservation Award, and the Kickstands Down Award (for posthumous induction). The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual previously inducted who has continued to demonstrate excellence in the community.

The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees are:

Dave Perewitz (Lifetime Achievement): A legendary custom builder and “Hamsters USA” founder celebrated for four decades of innovation and his signature flame-painted designs

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Tim Duffy (American Hero): An FDNY firefighter and 9/11 hero who famously rode his Harley into Ground Zero to rescue others and later founded a nonprofit supporting veterans with service dogs

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Dave Dwyr (Freedom Fighter): A dedicated advocate who has spent over thirty years leading legislative efforts and rallies for motorcyclists’ rights through ABATE and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation

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Dave McGraw (Educational/Historical Preservation): A renowned preservationist who curates one of the world’s most significant private motorcycle collections and supports education through a dedicated museum and learning center

Hall of Fame Inductees

Paul Langley: An influential executive leader and current CEO of Parts Unlimited who has driven industry focus on performance through leadership at major companies like Vance & Hines, S&S and Dynojet.

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Denis Manning: A self-taught designer and land-speed record-holder whose streamliners and innovative engineering at BUB Enterprises repeatedly secured the title of world’s fastest motorcycles

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Robert Patrick: A respected actor and philanthropist who owns a Harley-Davidson dealership and remains a dedicated advocate for motorcycle culture and the Boozefighters MC

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Paul Smith: An influential graphic artist who designed Harley-Davidson’s iconic 1976 Liberty Edition Eagle logo and continues to produce fine art for the global motorcycling community

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Rusty Wallace: A NASCAR champion and enthusiast who founded Southern Country Customs to build high-end touring bikes while organizing major charity rides for organizations like The NASCAR Foundation

Kickstands Down Awards (Posthumous)

John Andrews: A pioneering engineer and founder of Andrews Products whose cam and gear innovations revolutionized motorcycle performance for over half a century

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Dave “Huggy Beahr” Hansen: A vintage motorcycle expert and mentor who dedicated over 50 years to preserving Indian and Harley-Davidson history at his shop in Ventura, CA

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“Indian Larry” DeSmedt: A legendary chopper builder and TV icon whose mechanical expertise and authentic personality left an enduring mark on custom motorcycle culture

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Mary McGee: A boundary-breaking racer who became the first American woman to earn an FIM license and famously solo-finished the 1975 Baja 500

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Bessie Stringfield: Known as the “Motorcycle Queen of Miami,” she was a trailblazer who became the first African-American woman to ride solo across the U.S. and served as a WWII courier

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The Three Paisanos (Joe Teresi, Lou Kimzey, Mil Blair): This trio of visionaries founded Easyriders magazine in 1970, creating an iconic publication that defined the biker lifestyle and elevated custom motorcycle culture

These honorees join nearly 280 notable motorcyclists already enshrined in the Hall of Fame, who were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the motorcycle community, the Museum, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Hall of Fame is located in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum on Main Street in Sturgis, South Dakota.

The 2026 inductees will be officially honored at the Hall of Fame Breakfast, a highlight of the annual Sturgis Rally, which will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame breakfast are available today by calling the Museum’s HOF Ticket Coordinator at 605-580-0794.

ABOUT THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM & HALL OF FAME Founded in 2001, the non-profit Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame is located at the heart of the world’s largest motorcycle event, the annual Sturgis Rally. It is a top, year-round tourist destination in South Dakota and features a collection of over 80 vintage and custom motorcycles, as well as extensive motorcycle art. The Museum is a proud participant in the South Dakota Gives fundraising program.

For media access to the Hall of Fame Breakfast, please contact the Museum for a credentials request form at executivedirector@sturgismuseum.com.

Images attached. Additional images of the inductees are available here: Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees.

Additional Information on 2026 Inductees

Below is the list of Hall of Fame inductees for 2026 with additional biographical information:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dave Perewitz: Dave Perewitz is a legendary custom motorcycle builder whose four decades of innovation, artistry, and engineering excellence have made him an icon in the custom bike community. Long celebrated for his pioneering flame-painted designs and as a founder of the influential Hamsters USA organization, he continues his involvement with the custom motorcycle community and support for the underprivileged. Perewitz’s ongoing commitment to the riding community demonstrates why he is worthy of the Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2001 and the AMA Hall of Fame in 2003.

American Hero Award

Tim Duffy: FDNY firefighter Tim Duffy became a symbol of heroism when he rode his 2000 Harley-Davidson Super Glide into Ground Zero on 9/11 to help rescue others, despite being off duty. The iconic image of Duffy riding his Harley into the chaos endures as a lasting symbol of American heroism. After retiring due to health complications, he founded the nonprofit 1 Soldier 1 Dog 1 Team, supporting veterans and first responders with shelter dogs for PTSD recovery. Duffy remains an advocate for mental health awareness and is honored for his bravery through events like the ‘Ride to Remember.’

The American Hero Award is a one-time recognition presented on the 25th anniversary of the Sturgis Museum and recognizing the significance 9/11 in our country’s history.

Freedom Fighter Award

Dave Dwyr: Dave Dwyr has been a prominent advocate for motorcyclists’ rights for over thirty years, serving in key leadership roles with ABATE of Wisconsin and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. He is known for leading highly effective legislative teams, organizing historic rallies and lobbying efforts, and conducting influential workshops nationwide. Dwyer’s achievements have earned him numerous awards, including the ABATE Founder’s Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame.

Educational and Historical Preservation Award

Dave McGraw: Dave McGraw is a renowned collector and preservationist, known for curating one of the most significant private motorcycle collections in the world. His passion for vintage cars and motorcycles is driven by a desire to share and preserve history, which he does through philanthropy and support for education, including developing a museum and learning center. Through his efforts, McGraw is ensuring the history and spirit of motorcycling will be preserved for future generations.

The Educational and Historical Preservation Award is an ongoing award that will be presented on a regular basis to recognize individuals whose work supports historical preservation and education for future generations.

Hall of Fame Inductees

Paul Langley: Paul Langley is a distinguished executive leader and innovator who has influenced the motorcycle industry over the past four decades. His leadership at companies like Dynojet, Vance & Hines and S&S has shaped the motorcycle industry’s focus on performance. He willingly shares his business acumen with individuals and companies throughout the industry. Langley is CEO of Parts Unlimited and sits on the Motorcycle Industry Council’s board of trustees.

Denis Manning: Denis Manning is a self-taught designer and land-speed oracle whose streamliners have repeatedly held the title of the world’s fastest motorcycles. Manning devoted his career to pushing the limits of what a motorcycle could achieve and, as founder of BUB Enterprises, he combined innovative engineering with a relentless pursuit of motorcycle performance. Manning’s achievements, including a 350.8 MPH record setting run in 2006, have cemented his legacy as a defining figure in land-speed racing history.

Robert Patrick: Robert Patrick is a highly respected figure in both Hollywood and the motorcycle community, known for his dedication to the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club and his active participation in the sport. Patrick owns a Harley-Davidson dealership and supports the community through his philanthropic activities. He is also an acclaimed actor playing roles in film and television ranging from T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day to Sheriff McDowell in 1923, A Yellowstone Origin Story.

Paul Smith: Paul Smith is a graphic designer and artist whose work has made a visual impact on the motorcycle community. As a contractor to Harley-Davidson, he designed the iconic Eagle on the Bar and Shield logo used on the company’s 1976 Liberty Edition motorcycles, which is still used on a variety of products today. As a licensee to H-D, he has continued to produce fine art pieces that resonate with motorcyclists around the world. Smith’s gallery is located in Milwaukee.

Rusty Wallace: Rusty Wallace is a NASCAR Winston Cup Champion and lifelong motorcycle enthusiast known for his success in both auto racing and the powersports industry. After his acclaimed racing career, he founded Southern Country Customs, becoming a leading retailer of highly customized, road-worthy touring bikes. Wallace organizes major charity rides and supports organizations like The NASCAR Foundation and Special Olympics South Dakota. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2013 and has earned the Buddy Shuman Award for his contributions to motorsports culture and community.

Kickstands Down Awards (Posthumous Induction)

John Andrews: John Andrews was a pioneering engineer whose innovations in cam and gear design revolutionized motorcycle performance for over fifty years. As founder of Andrews Products, Inc., he developed industry-leading components that became staples in Harley-Davidson upgrades and he mentored a new generation of designers. His creativity and problem-solving left a profound and lasting impact on motorcycle engineering and the riding community.

Dave Hansen: Dave “Huggy Beahr” Hansen was a renowned vintage motorcycle specialist and owner of The Shop in Ventura, CA, where he served as an expert on Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles for over 50 years. Known for mentoring countless mechanics and judging antique shows, he was celebrated for his expertise, passion, and generosity within the motorcycling community. Hansen’s legacy lives on through the many friendships he forged and the lasting impact he made on vintage motorcycle fans and fellow riders.

“Indian Larry” DeSmedt: Indian Larry was a legendary custom motorcycle builder known for his artistry, mechanical expertise, and passion for classic choppers. His creativity, successful televised build-off appearances and his humble and authentic personality made him a standout in the custom bike world. Even after his passing in 2004, Indian Larry’s influence continues to shape the world of motorcycling.

Mary McGee: Mary McGee was a pioneering racer who became the first woman in the U.S. to earn an FIM road racing license and broke new ground in both on- and off-road motorcycle competition. Her fearless riding, highlighted by a solo finish in the 1975 Baja 500, inspired countless women and newcomers to embrace the sport. McGee’s resilience and passion helped redefine what was possible for women in motorcycling, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire riders today.

Bessie Stringfield: Bessie Stringfield, known as the “Motorcycle Queen of Miami,” broke barriers as the first African American woman to ride solo across the U.S., completing multiple cross-country journeys in the 1930s and 1940s. She served as a civilian motorcycle courier for the US Army during World War II. Her courage and advocacy paved the way for women and African Americans in motorcycling. Stringfield’s legacy endures as a symbol of independence and adventure in the motorcycling world. She was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2002.

The Three Paisanos: Joe Teresi, Lou Kimzey, and Mil Blair, known as The Three Paisanos, founded Easyriders magazine in 1970, which was to become the most iconic and influential motorcycle publication in history. Their work not only defined the era’s biker lifestyle but also elevated the custom motorcycle culture. The magazine showcased the world’s top builders, artists, and riders and it played an important role in launching and supporting the careers of many legendary motorcycle builders and customizers. The Three Paisanos impact on the Rally and the riding community is the foundation for their inclusion in the Sturgis Hall of Fame.