Motorcycle auction to benefit North Idaho Hospice House
<p>Justin Veo, owner of Cruiser’s Biker Bar and Grill at Stateline, talks on Friday about motorcycles that are up for auction today at the bar. Starting today at 1 p.m., at least 10 bikes, most of them less than 5 years old, are for sale. People who enter their bikes for auction pay $25, all of which will go to Hospice of North Idaho.</p>
<p>A Harley-Davidson motorcycle, left, and green Kawasaki are among at least ten bikes up for auction today, at 1 p.m. at Cruiser’s Biker Bar and Grill at Stateline.</p>
A few Harleys, Hondas and Suzukis sat in the corner of Cruiser’s Biker Bar in Stateline Friday. The light from the windows highlighted the road machines’ curves as they awaited their fate. Some were cruisers, others were touring bikes. There was even a dirt bike in the mix.
Today these bikes are being auctioned at Cruiser’s and the proceeds are going to the Hospice of North Idaho Hospice House. The auction starts at 1 p.m. and starting bids range from $500 to $18,000.
Hospice of North Idaho has been in Coeur d'Alene for more than 30 years and is the community's only local, nonprofit hospice. Its goal is to provide a comfortable environment for its patients. It has a pet therapy program as well as grief and loss services. The Motorcycle Auction's event director, George Kendall, decided to give the proceeds to Hospice of North Idaho because he was blown away by its atmosphere and employees when he was using it for some of his family members.
The motorcycle auction at Cruiser’s Biker Bar is open to the public. There are currently 14 bikes available for auction, and Kendall said he was expecting more bikes to come in this morning.
“This event is a great way for people looking to sell or buy without the hassle of posting on the Internet and dealing with phone calls and visits to make the sale,” Kendall said. “It’s also a way to support a great cause.”
In lieu of an auctioning fee, people selling their bikes will pay a $25 donation that will go to Hospice of North Idaho. The sellers are also encouraged to donate a portion of their profit.
According to the owner of Cruiser’s, Justin Veo, the bikes for auction retail for $12,000-18,000. He predicts most of the bikes will sell for about $5,000 less than retail price.
“I hope we have a good turnover,” Veo said. “We have the bikes, now it’s a matter of selling them.”
Cruiser’s is a drive-through biker bar where more than 100 bikers can be found on summer nights. It has live music and a stage that can open to be outside.
“The biker community in North Idaho and eastern Washington is second to none when it comes to uniting for a good cause,” Kendall said. “We are always supportive of charitable activities, and we expect this event to be no exception.”