National News

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson always makes a big deal out of significant anniversaries and this year is no different. Having been founded in 1903, the company is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2023 with several limited-edition models as well as other returning and revised models. Among the models announced today was …

European motorcycle manufacturers BMW (from Germany) and Ducati (from Italy) have reported record sales/deliveries for 2022. BMW recently reported sales of 202,895 bikes and scooters for the year, a 4.4 percent increase over 2021. The figure marked “the highest sales in the company’s history,” according to a press release. The …

It may take some time, like years or even decades, but the CEO of Harley-Davidson, Jochen Zeitz, now says the motorcycle brand will eventually become all-electric. And the shift away from gas-powered models has already begun. In an interview published Friday by the architecture and design magazine “Dezeen,” Zeitz said, …

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – American Flat Track released its 2023 schedule of races today and not listed on the 18-track lineup were stops in Laconia, NH and Weedsport, NY, both of which hosted racing during the 2022 season. The closest venue to New England where race fans will be able …

MILWAUKEE – In an end of year move that really isn’t that shocking, Eicher Motors Ltd. is making a €50 million investment in Spain-based electric motorcycle builder Stark Future SL. Eicher is the parent company of Royal Enfield. Stark Future makes middleweight models (the equivalent of 250cc to 750cc). Eicher …

The dates and locations for Ducati’s annual “Ready 4 Red” winter tour are out. The Italian brand will bring its 2023 models to 18 cities between Jan. 17 and March 18, including two in the Northeast. A “Ready 4 Red” tour stop in New York City is scheduled for Feb. …

Time for another edition of Oil Drippings, the catch-all column of news items that perhaps don’t justify a standalone post or somehow got overlooked along the way. Here goes: New 2023 Models From H-D Coming Next Month If you’re curious about Harley-Davidson’s 2023 lineup and are available at 11 a.m. …

TORRANCE, CA – Honda’s ongoing shift to an “all-electric future” for its products gets some high-profile exposure next month with its “Forever Determined” float entry in the 134th Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. The float will showcase electric-powered Honda products, including a private jet, a Honda S.U.V., an Acura race …

Some products and brands just naturally go together. Captain Morgan spiced rum and Coca-Cola come immediately to mind (although at this time of the year Southern Comfort-branded eggnog should perhaps be substituted for Coke). But what about an athletic shoe manufacturer from Germany and a motorcycle maker from Japan teaming …

BOSTON – There’s now proof that the term “donorcycle” has validity. Results of a study by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital released Monday reveal “the number of organ donations and organ transplants goes up markedly during large motorcycle rallies.” The research examined areas where the seven …

It’s been well over a month since the last installment of Oil Drippings. That’s the catch-all column of news items from near and far that maybe don’t warrant a full post or somehow fell through the cracks. Here goes: Two More Electric Models To Consider The growth of the electric …

MILAN, ITALY – It was inevitable that Royal Enfield would find more ways to use the mid-sized motor found in its INT 650 and Continental GT models, and today the company from India revealed a Super Meteor cruiser entry at the EICMA show. Two versions of the model are reportedly …

MILAN, ITALY – Suzuki is out today with two new mid-sized models; the V-Strom 800DE adventure entry and the GSX-8S naked bike, the reveals coming at the EICMA show. Both are powered by an all-new 776cc parallel twin engine with six-speed transmission and will be in dealerships in the spring. …

Nearly half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur at night and a new study has found that “a reimagined lighting configuration” in front could help improve other motorists’ abilities to see riders. The study suggests that “six running lights from the top to the bottom of the motorcycle rather than …

It’s a long overdue fresh edition of Oil Drippings. It’s the catch-all column of recent news items from near and far that maybe don’t warrant a full post or somehow fell through the cracks. Here goes: Lower “S” Version of Kawasaki’s KLR650 The model has been around for 35 years …