DO you own a Legend? That's the question the world's most famous motorcycle company is asking owners of Harley-Davidson Sportster models. To celebrate the latest and newest models in the Sportster family - the original two-wheeled Hot Rod of the 50s - Harley-Davidson has launched a nationwide competition to find the ultimate Sportster.

At 47 years continuous production the Sportsters are one of the longest running production motorcycles in history, and are steeped in racing pedigree and off-the-wall antics. The XR750 Sportster was Evel Knievel's choice of transport for his whole career of dare-devil stunts, and racers such as Jay Springsteen and Gary Scott took them to numerous wins in the AMA national championships during the seventies.

The winner of the competition will ride off on their very own new 2004 Sportster, and Harley-Davidson UK will also fly 15 successful finalists of the 'Do you own a legend?' competition to Faaker See, Austria, for the grand final during European Bike Week in September. The competition invites all Sportster owners to celebrate Harley-Davidson's longest-running model family by entering their motorcycle into any of the five categories.

These focus on areas such as customisation and paintwork. Harley-Davidson owners are famed for their original and outstanding customising ideas, so a spectacle is guaranteed. Entrants will take part in first round judging during an open day at their nearest dealership in June and July. Five winners from each dealership will then progress on to one of three regional finals held throughout the UK, before the last 15 are flown to the final to battle it out for the prestigious title of the UK's Best Sportster.

Patrice Morin, Harley-Davidson UK's marketing manager, said: "The Best Sportster Competition provides an ideal platform for XL owners to come together, show their bikes and share their ideas on customisation and individualising their motorcycles.

"The whole event, right through from the first round open days at dealerships throughout the UK to the final in Faaker See, is an opportunity to celebrate the unique styling, reliability and 47-year-old history of the Sportster." He added: "The opportunity to ride away on a new 2004 Sportster is an incredible prize and we want to encourage all our XL owners to take part and give themselves a chance to win it."

To enter the 'Do you own a legend?' competition simply pick up an entry form from your local dealership or log on to www.harley-davidson.co.uk. Entries must be received by June 1. To find your nearest participating Harley-Davidson dealership call 0870 419 3063 or visit www.harley-davidson.co.uk and click on 'dealer locator'. The Sportster range starts with the XL883 at £5,195.