MILWAUKEE – Production of Harley-Davidson new’s electric LiveWire model has been short-circuited. A “non-standard condition” discovered as the first bikes were being shipped to dealers has caused a temporary shutdown of the assembly line. After noting a glitch in the final quality checks, the company determined that additional testing and …
Read More »More Of The Same From Harley-Davidson For 2020
MILWAUKEE – How much longer will Harley-Davidson dealers remain patient and quiet when faced with the reality of the company’s continually collapsing sales? Maybe they have no choice. What are their options? Sell out? Close up shop? If I were a dealer, I’d be starting to get very itchy; unless …
Read More »The Week In Review – Massachusetts Traffic
It’s the Week in Review for Aug. 4 through 10 – news items and other motorcycle-related info: MA Traffic At Tipping Point Massachusetts traffic is a mess. It can only take a fender bender or a bit of bad weather to disrupt traffic flow in Massachusetts, causing commute times to …
Read More »The Week In Review – Accidents, New Model Info
It’s the Week in Review for July 28 through Aug. 3 – news items and other motorcycle-related info: Hit-And-Run Driver Strikes Riders on I-95 In MA Sharon, MA – Two motorcyclists have been released from the hospital after being hit by a car on I-95 around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. State …
Read More »Harley-Davidson Sales Tumble Again in Q2
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson continues to struggle as sales sagged again in the second quarter of the year. The company this morning reported a sales dropped 8.0 percent in Q2 compared to a year ago. A total of 42,762 motorcycles were sold, compared to 46,490 in the second quarter of 2018. …
Read More »Bikes And Breakfast, Maryland Style
POOLESVILLE, MD – Some Sunday morning rituals cannot be abandoned just because one’s on a short vacation. For worshippers of the Church of Two Wheels that means riding a motorcycle or at least mingling with those who are. A trip to visit friends near Washington D.C. last month had me …
Read More »IMS Dates Announced for 2019-2020 Tour
SANTA MONICA, CA – The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows tour will expand by one city in 2019-2020, with Denver joining the schedule that includes a New York stop Dec. 6-8 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, it was announced this morning. The eight-city tour kicks off Nov. 22-24 in …
Read More »BMW Offers Glimpse Of Electric Future
MUNICH – BMW Motorrad today unveiled a concept electric model dubbed the Vision DC Roadster that was designed to show how the company might transition its iconic boxer heritage in future years. “The boxer engine is the heart of BMW Motorrad – an absolute stalwart of its character. But BMW …
Read More »Harley-Davidson Finds China Partner To Make Bikes
MILWAUKEE – Nearly a year after announcing its intention to find a partner and build small motorcycles in China, Harley-Davidson today announced that it will link with Qianjiang Motorcycle Co. to produce a 338cc model that will be sold in China beginning in 2020. Reuters reports that Harley-Davidson picked Qianjiang …
Read More »Brits To Tackle Loud Exhaust Pipes With “Noise Cameras”
LONDON – Nothing ticks off non-riders more than excessive motorcycle noise and now the government in the U.K. has come up with a prototype “noise camera” to detect drivers and riders who break legal noise limits. In a press release issued today, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said, “Noise pollution makes …
Read More »New Is Old With BMW Concept R18
MUNICH – It was only a month ago that BMW revealed that it plans to get back into the cruiser market. The German manufacturer dropped its last cruiser – the R 1200 C – in 2004, but now feels the time is right to put its feet forward. Last week, …
Read More »Indian Begins Rental Program; Not In Northeast Yet
MINNEAPOLIS – Indian Motorcycle has started a rental program that will enable riders to hop aboard an Indian for either a short jaunt or a multi-day excursion, but bikes will initially only be available at nine dealerships nationally. None are in the Northeast. In announcing its rental program this week, …
Read More »Harley-Davidson Sales Dropped Again in Q1
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson saw its year-to-year Q1 sales drop 4.2 percent in the United States and 3.8 percent worldwide. The company sold 28,091 motorcycles in the U.S. from January through March (down from 29,309 in 2018) and 49,151 worldwide (down from 51,086). In releasing its first quarter statement this morning, …
Read More »BMW To Go After Cruiser Market Again
MUNICH – No matter that it already makes exceptional touring, adventure and sport bikes, BMW seems to have a serious case of cruiser envy that it just can’t shake. Included in a BMW press release earlier this week was the news that the German manufacturer will make a stab at …
Read More »New Contract For Harley-Davidson Workers In Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE – Union workers at Harley-Davidson factories in Wisconsin have approved a new contract offered by the company that includes a 14 percent wage increase over five years. According to a story by Rick Barrett in the “Journal Sentinel” newspaper, the deal also includes “a signing bonus, no changes to …
Read More »