National News

ITASCA, IL – As many as 40,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents last year, according to the National Safety Council, whose estimate is based on preliminary data from 2016. That’s a six percent increase over 2015 and a 14 percent increase over 2014; the most dramatic two-year rise since …

WOODCLIFF, N.J. – BMW Motorrad USA is out with MSRPs for some 2017 models, with the price of two popular GS models getting boosted $200 apiece. The R 1200 GS will now cost $16,695 and the R 1200 GS Adventure going to $18,895.  The cost of some GS options is …

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson today unveiled a new Road King derivation that lessens the chrome level in favor of black. “The Road King Special pounds down the boulevard like a gleaming locomotive rolling through a train yard at midnight,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice-President of Styling and Design. “The Road King …

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson saw its U.S. sales drop 3.9 percent in 2016, compared to 2015, with worldwide sales dipping 1.6 percent, the company announced today. A total of 161,658 motorcycles were sold in the U.S. last year, down from 168,240 in 2015. Worldwide, the company sold 260,289 motorcycles, down from …

BOLOGNA – Sales of Ducati motorcycles worldwide climbed to 55,451 in 2016, a 1.2 percent increase from 2015. The U.S. continued to be Ducati’s biggest market with customers buying 8,787 new motorcycles, but that was roughly a nine percent drop from 2015. The Multistrada line experienced growth of 16 percent, …

MUNICH – BMW Motorrad reports that worldwide sales of motorcycles and maxi-scooters rose 5.9 percent in 2016 with a total of 145,032 units delivered to customers. That compares to 136,963 bikes sold in 2015. However, sales in the U.S. in 2016 plummeted 16 percent, with sales of only 13,730 units. BMW …

TORRANCE, CA – Honda is out with two new small Rebel cruisers for 2017. The company describes the Rebel 300 and Rebel 500 as “youth-focused customs.” “The Rebel 500 and Rebel 300 are simple and raw, offering cutting-edge style and a radical image while minimizing the barriers to riding. There’s …

Triumph launches a 50-city “Brutal Beauty Tour” across North American in Minneapolis/St. Paul today to show off its new Bobber model as well as the new Street Scrambler, Street Cup, T100 and T100 Black models for 2017. Two stops are planned in the northeast region – from 6 to 9 …

SANTA CRUZ, CA – Electric motorcycle maker Zero has debuted its 2017 lineup that features more torque and power, less weight and, most importantly, greater range. The company boasts that it’s offering “the world’s first production electric motorcycle to exceed 200 miles on a single charge.” The Zero S street …

Suzuki is recalling 1,890 units of its GW250 model from the 2013, 2015 and 2017  model years to install an improved bake light assembly and a water protective cover, as necessary, free of charge.

BMW is out with an entry-level GS model – the 2017 G 310 GS, derived from last year’s G 310 R. Employing a single-cylinder, 313cc engine that has 34 horsepower, the G 310 GS weighs in at 373 pounds and claims a top speed of 89 miles per hour. No …

  MILAN, Italy – They won’t hit dealerships for another year, but Husqvarna today used the EICMA show to announce two new street models; the Vitpilen 401 and the Svartpilen 401. Also unwrapped was a concept model; the Vitpilen 401 Aero. In launching its new “Real Street” range, Husqvarna said …

MILAN, Italy – A smaller Multistrada and two more Scrambler models are on the way from Ducati for 2017.  The Italian manufacturer used the EICMA show to introduce the Multistrada 950 as well as the Scrambler Desert Sled and Scrambler Cafe Racer today. 

LAS VEGAS – The Harley-Davidson Cafe is closing its doors on Sunday after 19 years of serving the “Best Bar-B-Que in Las Vegas” from its location on The Strip. A closing notice is posted on the restaurant’s website, and a memorabilia auction is already underway. The Harley-Davidson Cafe opened on …

MILWAUKEE – Royal Enfield’s North American subsidiary is hoping to bring the Himalayan adventure and touring model to the U.S. in 2017. The 411cc, single-cylinder model was announced back in February, but hasn’t been exported to the states by the India-based manufacturer. In an article published today by Powersports Business, …