Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Opens New “My First Ride” Exhibit. The exhibit features motorcycles many riders will recognize as that first motorcycle they ever rode. In addition, the exhibit features stories by people from all over the country detailing the first time they climbed on a motorcycle. So often, we hear visitors comment that we have their first motorcycle displayed in the museum. Those visitors tell us regularly how special it is to see that motorcycle and remember their first time on a bike.” said Christine Paige Diers, Executive Director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. When viewing the exhibit, patrons will see QR codes that can be scanned with a smart phone that access additional content on the web. The museum also hopes the exhibit will grow as people visit it. Anyone interested in sharing their story and photos can email them to info@sturgismuseum.com using the subject line “My First Ride.”
Zero Electric Motorcycles Now Used By 50 Police Departments. “This is a milestone for us, as more agencies embrace the benefits of Zero Motorcycles,” said Kevin Hartman, North American fleet sales director for Zero. “When compared to traditional police motorcycles, our patrol bikes have a lower total cost of ownership, are easier to maintain and – with minimal noise and no exhaust – are a vehicle for good community relations.” They also make it easier to nab the bad guys in the act. “This motorcycle is so quiet that we continuously sneak up on…..suspects while out on patrol,” says Officer Steve Carbajal of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Off-Road Unit.
Harley-Davidson Approves 15 Million Stock Buyback. Company Given BBB Credit Rating. The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional 15.0 million shares of its common stock. The 2015 Repurchase Authorization is in addition to the share repurchases that the Board authorized in February 2014, pursuant to which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to 20.0 million shares of its common stock. The number of shares repurchased, if any, and the timing of repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including share price, trading volume and general market conditions, as well as on working capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors. The Company expects the share repurchases to be accretive to earnings per share in 2015. Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) has earned a “BBB” credit rating from analysts at Morningstar. The firm’s “BBB” rating suggests that the company is a moderate default risk. They also gave their stock a four star rating.
Küryakyn Announces Strategic Brand Alliance With Sturgis Buffalo Chip. Küryakyn Holdings, LLC™, a leading manufacturer of premium motorcycle accessories, announced the signing of a three-year strategic sponsorship with the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®, site of the “Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling.” The agreement is effective immediately and runs through the 2017 Sturgis Rally, making it the longest premium sponsorship between a motorcycle aftermarket parts manufacturer and the Buffalo Chip since the campground’s founding in 1981. “We are delighted to welcome Küryakyn to the family of premium brand sponsors of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip,” said Rod Woodruff, Sturgis Buffalo Chip President. “Our brands will serve as the perfect complement to one another because, like our venue and event, Küryakyn and its brands lead the pack when it comes to innovation and quality. The ability to present Küryakyn’s exceptional line of parts and accessories at the Rally’s entertainment and activity hub will be a win for our mutual customers.”
