Partners since 2008, Michelin and Harley-Davidson have now struck a deal calling for the sale of co-branded tires at both Harley-Davidson dealers and at authorized Michelin dealers. The Scorcher line of tires bear the names of both Michelin and Harley-Davidson on the sidewalls. Michelins says the Scorcher 11, Scorcher 31 …
Read More »Harley-Davidson Unveils 2016 Lineup
MILWAUKEE – The return of the Road Glide Ultra model (pictured above) after a two-year absence, limited-edition Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models, and new Iron 883 and Forty-Eight models as part of the Sportster lineup provide the highlights of Harley-Davidson’s 2016 lineup released
Read More »Recall of Harley-Davidson, Honda Models
Harley-Davidson is recalling 10,580 of its 2015 model year Street XG750 and Street XG500 models to fix a fuel pump problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, “The fuel pump modules on these motorcycles have
Read More »Oil Drippings: Harley, Ducati, Royal Enfield
Oil drippings: News and opinion… – This comes as no surprise: Out of Harley-Davidson’s 694 dealerships in the U.S. only a dozen are operated by minorities. The company wants that to change, though, as a dealer network and customer base of aging white men doesn’t have much long-term potential. “Automotive …
Read More »Harley-Davidson Sales Drop In Q2
MILWAUKEE – Is this odd? Ducati recently reported sales growth of 22 percent for the first six months of 2015 over 2014. BMW reported a sales increase of 10.5 percent during the same time period. However, Harley-Davidson, which saw its sales dip 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2015 …
Read More »Doc’s Vintage & Classic Bike Show
WATERBURY, CT – Could it have been much hotter? Sweating spectators at Doc’s Vintage & Classic Bike Show found themselves searching for shade today as sunshine and a 90-degree temperature baked the annual event at Doc’s Motorcycle Parts, 1625 Thomaston Ave. That didn’t stop motorcycle owners from bringing
Read More »Harley-Davidson Dominates At Falls Village
FALLS VILLAGE, CT – It’s the same story every year. Hundreds of vintage car and truck owners bring their rides to the Falls Village Car & Motorcycle Show, but only a few motorcycle owners ever bother to show up. That was the case again on Sunday, although the bike turnout …
Read More »If You Had Asked, I Would Have Told You…
Every question needs an answer. If you had asked, I would have told you that… – Harley-Davidson has not one but two flops on its hands with the smaller Street 750 and Street 500 models. We’re talking “Gigli” proportion flops. I’ve yet to see one on the road, dealers don’t …
Read More »Updated: Two Recalls For Harley-Davidson
Make that two more major recalls for Harley-Davidson. After recalling more than 19,000 motorcycles back in January for a brake issue, the company is now recalling nearly 46,000 other motorcycles (45,901 to be exact) because
Read More »Sales Dip For Harley-Davidson
MILWAUKEE – First-quarter sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the United States dipped slightly to 35,488, compared to 35,730 in 2014. That’s a 0.7 percent decease. In announcing its Q1 earnings this morning, the company cited “increased, aggressive competitive motorcycle discounting” among the factors adversely affecting sales.
Read More »Yamaha/Star Judged Most Reliable Brand
Japanese manufacturers build motorcycles that are “significantly more reliable” than those made by companies in the U.S. and Europe, according to a just-released “Consumer Reports” survey of subscribers. They provided their experiences on more than 12,300 bikes built between 2008 and 2014. Yamaha/Star was judged to be the most reliable …
Read More »Moonshine Maker To Give Away Street Bob
GATLINBURG, TN – There’s probably no better company at branding than Harley-Davidson, and it has now allowed its logo to appear on a brand of moonshine. Ole Smoky Tenneessee Moonshine is now distributing its Ole Smoky Harley-Davidson Road House Customs Charred Moonshine – is that name a mouthful or what? …
Read More »Indian Dealer Takes Swipe At Rival
WESTFIELD, MA – So far, the revived rivalry between Indian and Harley-Davidson has been largely civil, with each manufacturer touting their respective products. However, a Facebook post at 6:03 p.m. on Friday by Indian Motorcycle of Springfield showed some attitude by taking what can be viewed as a swipe at its …
Read More »Revived Torrington Thunder To Benefit Theater
TORRINGTON, CT – After a two-year absence, Torrington Thunder is being revived, with the Warner Theatre as the beneficiary of the downtown motorcycle show. Torrington Thunder was previously staged for three years (2010-2012). The date for this year’s event is
Read More »Harley-Davidson Plans Layoffs In K.C.
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson plans to cut the workforce by 169 employees at its Kansas City, MO plant in May. The “Journal Sentinel” newspaper in the company’s headquarters of Milwaukee reports that a notice filed with the Missouri Department of Workforce Development said the layoffs are
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