Fast Motorcycle Industry News

cyril-Huze-fast-newsHarley-Davidson Will Be Ready To sell Its LiveWire Electric Motorcycle When Next Generation Battery Technologies Are ready. This week, during a conference hosted by Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council , Harley-Davidson’s president and chief operating officer Matt Levatich stated that if the Harley electric motorcycle were mass-produced today it would sell for about $50,000, about 50% more than customers would want to pay. Right now, it’s too expensive and too limited in its range (50 miles) to be ready for launch. The LiveWire will be for sale when next generation battery technologies are ready.

Litigation Between Harley-Davidson Motor Co. And Hawaiian Distributor Cycle City in Hawaii. A lawsuit was filed in US district Court of Hawaii with plaintiff Cycle City alleging that Harley-Davidson has broken its Hawaii distribution agreement after trying to impose unreasonable financial terms. Cycle City has been an exclusive distributor of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts and accessories in Hawaii during the last 48 years and also owns and operates dealerships on the islands of Oahu and Maui. Two other Harley dealerships in Hawaii are owned by another company. During litigation, Harley continues to do business with Cycle City without a distribution agreement but with more restrictive terms and higher wholesale prices. In a first round of litigation, a US District Judge turned down Harley’s request to have the case transferred from Hawaii to Harley’s home state of Wisconsin where a jury trial would be expected to be more favorable to a local manufacturer. The case has implications for all manufacturers who usually succeed in getting lawsuits moved where they are headquartered, not where the dispute originated. Jury trial will be scheduled in Hawaii in 2015.

Erik Buell Racing Returns To World Superbike Championship in 2015. EBR is the first American motorcycle to contest the World Superbike championship through Team Hero EBR. The 2-rider team will compete riding the EBR 1190RX. For 2015, the team will continue to have a European base in Italy, but will have a new team structure and riders. Larry Pegram and Niccolo Canepa will be the riders for 2015, bringing a new and international flavor to the Team Hero EBR bikes on the grid.  In addition to his riding duties, Pegram will take on the role of overall team manager. Erik Buell was the founder and former Chairman/Chief Technical Officer of the Buell Motorcycle Company. He is a pioneer of innovative modern sport motorcycle technology as well as the founder of Erik Buell Racing and of the new EBR motorcycle brand. EBR Motorcycles is delighted to be able to bring Erik’s passion onto the world stage. Former racer Buell has himself competed against some of the greats in the past and is equally excited and optimistic about the challenge ahead.

Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) Declared A Quarterly Dividend On Wednesday, December 3rd, Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be given a dividend of 0.275 per share on Friday, December 26th. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th.

Tiger Woods New Endorser Of Hero MotoCorp, India’s Largest Motorcycle Maker. Woods signed a 4-year contract to endorse the New Delhi-based manufacturer. Hero MotoCorp Ltd plans to enter the European market in 2015 and the US by the following year.

Harley-Davidson Recalls Some Softail Slim For Lighting System Defect. About 500 Softail Slim of 2014 and 2015 model year are being recalled in Canada for a software update. The electrical system provides no warning when a turn signal bulb goes out, increasing the risk of collision when the rider is changing direction. Canadian dealers will load a software update. No word yet to know if this safety issue is encountered on other Softball Slim sold in the US and abroad.

6 Responses to “Fast Motorcycle Industry News”


  1. 1 Roadrash Dec 5th, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    Harley is crazy, 50k for the bike, look at Zero motorcycles or some of the other electric brands. They are making bikes with 100-200 mile range for less then 20 grand. It says customers would want to pay 25k, um no they wouldn’t

  2. 2 Rodent Dec 5th, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    I wouldn’t want Tiger Wood to endorse anything except bordello or gentlemans club!

  3. 3 Reyn Mansson Dec 8th, 2014 at 9:05 am

    Will be available when battery technology advances is Harley’s way of saying it was all a publicity stunt.

  4. 4 Mike Corbin.com Dec 8th, 2014 at 9:30 am

    There is not room inside the HD chassis for enough batteries nor a battery charger.

    Nice frame , but too small.

    The batteries available now work very well.

    Look at Lightning , Worlds Fastest Production bike

    Zero sold a couple thousand bikes last year.

  5. 5 Robert Pandya Dec 8th, 2014 at 10:23 am

    That’s form driving function Mike – I get why they would wait and why despite that the Motor Company is letting people ride them now. Interesting marketing take on how to woo attention, a new generation and start to break away from their current product positions.

    I find the current world of motorcycling and powersports very interesting and fun. If anybody is bored, they might consider naked base jumping or something – because what a great time to be in motorcycling!

    Robert Pandya
    Motorcycle Enthusiast

  6. 6 BobS Dec 8th, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Pretty reasonable marketing plan. The salesman that under promises and over delivers will always be more successful than he who over promises and under delivers. Look at where Harley is trying to set the bar with these statements. 25 grand for an E bike with a 50 mile range. They’ll look like geniuses when they release a bike with a 100 mile range for 16,999.

Comments are currently closed.
Cyril Huze