Harley-Davidson Sales Rise In 2013

Harley-Davidson sold more than a quarter-million motorcycles in 2013 with sales in the U.S. and worldwide rising 4.4 percent each. The company reported today that it sold
260,839 new bikes last year, up from 249,849 in 2012, and that it expects to ship between 279,000 and 284,000 motorcycles in 2014, an increase of seven to nine percent.

Harley’s net income in 2013 totaled $734 million on consolidated revenue of $5.9 billion, up from $623.9 million and $5.58 billion, respectively, in 2012. Earnings per share were $3.28, up from $2.72 in 2012.

Keith Wandell, who is chairman, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson, cited new models and the celebration of the company’s 110th anniversary as some of the reasons behind H-D’s success.

“Harley-Davidson has been relentless at driving improvements throughout the organization that enable us to design, build and deliver motorcycles with unprecedented speed, efficiency, safety and quality,” Wandell said.

“Together with our dealers, we continue to broaden our customer base and inspire riders to experience our brand. In 2013, retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles to outreach customers in the U.S. grew at more than twice the rate of sales growth to core customers, and we continued to expand the reach of our brand in international markets.”

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Triumph is recalling some 2,800 of its 2012 to 2014 Tiger Explorer and Trophy SE models to replace defective electronic control unit hardware and software that may improperly detect throttle position, causing the bike to shut down unexpectedly.

Dealers will install new ECI hardware and software free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early February.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has more details here.

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Max BMW has pushed back until March the opening of its newest – and fourth – dealership at 1535 John Fitch Boulevard (Route 5) in South Windsor, CT.  It will be owner Max Stratton’s second BMW outlet in CT, joining the existing one in Brookfield.

RIDE-CT.com first reported plans for a fourth Max BMW some six weeks ago. The hope had been to get the store up and running by Feb. 1. Max BMW also has outlets in Troy, NY and North Hampton, NH.

There’s been no further word on  additional expansion of Max BMW into northern New Jersey, which was touted last month on the Facebook page of Bergen County BMW in an announcement that it was dropping BMW.

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It’s still barely 2014, but Victory today began teasing what will apparently be its first 2015 machine – a model called the Gunner. That’s fitting considering that the company’s spokesman is actor R. Lee Ermy, aka “Gunny.”

There are no pictures yet, just a logo, but Victory is describing the new motorcycle as a “bobber style” creation. It will be a “106ci full-size urban cruiser that outclasses the competition by handling itself as well on the highway as it does downtown.”