January, 2019

• 17 January

  Dealer Perspective: BMW Treads Water In U.S.

  

  LITTLE NECK, NY – We’ve read nearly endless articles and commentaries on the decline of Harley-Davidson motorcycle unit sales. They’re not the only company experiencing sales stress in North America, only the most visible. BMW just announced another growth year for worldwide motorcycle sales with 165,566 units sold in 2018. Indeed, …

  Read More »
• 16 January

  BMW Motorrad Sales Increase In 2018

  

  BERLIN – Sales of BMW motorcycles were up slightly in 2018, the company announced this morning, with 165,566 models being delivered. That represents a worldwide increase of 0.9 percent. The company sold 164,153 units in 2017. “We achieved a sales record for the eighth time in succession. I would like …

  Read More »
• 15 January

  Dealer Perspective: The Hidden Costs

  

  LITTLE NECK, NY – Quite a few comments attributed to Harley-Davidson dealers have accompanied the recent introduction of the LiveWire electric bike. Among other things, they have lamented the costs they will have to absorb just to bring this model on board; things like a dedicated charging station, special tools, electronic …

  Read More »
• 13 January

  “Always Riding” Siciliano Prepared For Crotona Midnight Run

  

  NORTH GRANBY, CT – The Crotona Midnight Run will be staged for the 101st time next Sunday morning in Nanuet, NY and, for the second consecutive year, “Always Riding” columnist Paul Siciliano will be participating (and raising a little money for charity). This time Siciliano will be fighting the cold …

  Read More »
• 12 January

  A Prudent Decision To End Middletown Motorcycle Mania?

  

  MIDDLETOWN, CT – It was one-of-a-kind, impossible to duplicate and irreplaceable for those who enjoyed it.  It was also exhilarating, claustrophobic and much anticipated every year. The sudden end to Middletown Motorcycle Mania, which was announced Friday morning, cannot be viewed as a surprise, though, because last year’s 13th annual event …

  Read More »
• 11 January

  Abrupt End To Middletown Motorcycle Mania

  

  MIDDLETOWN, CT – Middletown Motorcycle Mania is no more. Last August’s 13th annual event, which drew thousands of riders and created a madhouse in downtown, was the last one. The reason given for the axing of the event was that it “has grown so large that the cost of providing …

  Read More »
• 11 January

  Energica Having Chuckle At LiveWire’s Expense

  

  It’s a coincidence to be sure – two companies in the same field using the same words to promote an identical product. In this case, it’s a teaser line touting battery-power motorcycles. “The Future Is Electric” proclaimed Harley-Davidson in its website introduction earlier this week of its new LiveWire model. …

  Read More »
• 10 January

  BMW Shows Off Riderless Motorcycle

  

  LAS VEGAS – BMW calls it a “research prototype for future mobility innovations.” It’s a R 1200 GS model that’s able “to ride off, accelerate, corner, and slow down to a standstill – completely independent of its rider.” Yes, it’s a riderless motorcycle and BMW used the Consumer Electronics Show …

  Read More »
• 8 January

  Museum Announces Event Slate For 2019

  

  VERNON, CT – The New England Motorcycle Museum over the weekend released a schedule of major events planned for 2019, including a 2nd annual Café Fever show in August and auctions in May and September. While the museum’s booking agent, Keith Gorden, reported in a Facebook post that details will …

  Read More »
• 7 January

  LiveWire Will Shockingly Cost Nearly $30,000

  

  LAS VEGAS – Harley-Davidson used the Consumer Electronics Show here to provide more details today on the LiveWire, its first production electric motorcycle. The 2020 model-year LiveWire will go from 0-60 miles per hours in under 3.5 seconds, will have an urban range of 110 miles and will be priced …

  Read More »