Fast Motorcycle Industry News

cyril-Huze-fast-newsHarley-Davidson Recalls Soaring To 312,000 In 2015. U.S. government data (NHTA) compiled by The Wall Street Journal show recalls affecting 312,000 motorcycles so far in 2015, 210,000 in 2014 and that compares with an average of 69,000 annually in the 10 years through 2013. Although Harley-Davidson doesn’t communicate how much these recalls cost the company, for sure they damage the brand’s image. Michelle Kumbier, Harley’s senior vice president in charge of manufacturing and suppliers, said in an interview that the Milwaukee-based company was studying its manufacturing, design, testing and sourcing of supplies to see how future flaws might be avoided. New technology used on new models tends to increase recalls for all vehicle manufacturers. Harley’s recent defects included a clutch master cylinder, a defective fuel-pump seal, engine coolant leaks, clasp failing to hold saddlebags. Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) will release its third-quarter financial results before market hours Oct. 20, 2015.

Royal Enfield Global Sales To Be The Biggest Ever In 2015. Royal Enfield Motorcycles–a subsidiary of Eicher Motors–has elaborate plans to become a global brand in the near future that will help increase its sales and profit further. In 2014, Royal Enfield sold over 300,000, overtaking Harley Davidson’s global sales of 267,000 units. Going by the yearly 2015 sales trend and considering the “Himalayan Adventure” model launch, Royal Enfield expects this year to be an absolute record year. Pierre Terblanche, the brain behind the design of some the beautiful Ducati models, Moto Guzzi and Confederate Motors has designed the “Himalayan” to be launched this November.

Zero Motorcycles Will Unveil 2016 Line Of Motorcycles October 15-18th at the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) in Orlando, Florida. An exclusive media presentation will be given on Thursday, October 15th, at 2:30pm EDT in the AIMExpo Media Hub. “In addition to great features, we have some new things in store that are the direct result of customer feedback,” said Scot Harden, Zero Motorcycles VP of Global Marketing. “After a record year in 2015, there is no doubt that we will bring many new riders on board in 2016.”

Polaris To Debut The Slingshot in Europe By Mid-November. After an uneven start in the United States due to confusion is some states about the legal definition and classification of the 3-wheeler as a motorcycle or auto cycle, Polaris is preparing to debut the Slingshot in France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Benelux. The website iwantmyslingshot.com is gauging the interest of European buyers and helps Polaris gauge interest of prospective buyers.

15 Responses to “Fast Motorcycle Industry News”


  1. 1 nicker Oct 6th, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Will be interesting to see the HD report on “… sourcing of supplies t…” as a percentage of failures.
    I wonder if we’ll ever get to see those results…..???

    -nicker-

  2. 2 fuji Oct 6th, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    Quote NY times article. Recalls have cost Harley Davidson $30 million in the three years through 2014.

  3. 3 Roberto Oct 6th, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Cheaper flywheels, bearings and just anout anything that could be cheapened has. Penny wise,dollar foolisg……

  4. 4 James just another crazy kiwi Oct 6th, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    Geez Royal Enfield built 300,000 MC’s

    I thought they were supposed to be a bit niche

    Big Niche lol

  5. 5 Matt W. Oct 6th, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    The frequentness and nature of these recalls (which includes parts missing or falling off bike) seems to point to a disturbing lack of quality control. Especially for a brand like Harley that charges a higher margin for their products and doesn’t update their models as often as many other brands. Hopefully MOCO can get a handle on this sooner than later.

  6. 6 Emmett Oct 7th, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Stay with us now while we return to the thrilling days of AMF……….

  7. 7 Woody's Oct 7th, 2015 at 8:38 am

    It is saddening to see a company that’s been building bikes for 100+ years struggling to build bikes. While much has been made of the caliber of the assemblers, it makes me more concerned for the caliber of engineers that designed the products in the first place. Buildability is what makes the modern assembly line possible. Fewer skilled workers are needed, compared to highly skilled designers making mass production a matter of minding tolerances and using basic process control. I’m beginning to believe that basic, sound, designs are becoming out of reach inside the MoCo. That would be a shame.

  8. 8 NoH2oh Oct 7th, 2015 at 8:56 am

    HD has always seemed to me, at least since the dealerships became chrome emporiums, to be more interested in the after $ale revenue than the initial product being sold. Crap suspension and components do not matter much when you condition your kool aide drinkers to change them before the first long ride.

  9. 9 CaliStyle Oct 7th, 2015 at 9:48 am

    I think most of HD recent woe’s are design related and not assembly related.

    My guess is they were really under the gun to deliver Rushmore on time and small details like proper material choice of certain parts to completely vetting a redesign of saddlebag mounts were overlooked.

  10. 10 Blackmax Oct 7th, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    Trace it back to Wardell & the Board of Directors
    In an effort to chase profits, you:
    1. Lessen the quality of parts (makes the aftermarket happy)
    2. Mess with the heads of your workforce converting them from full to part-time
    never knowing what’s going to happen or when the other shoe is going to drop
    They are lucky not to have MORE recalls than they already do

  11. 11 Blackmax Oct 7th, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    #2. Ok, for Royal Enfield
    #3. Don’t care about electric bikes
    #4. Want to see if the Slingshot makes it past the TUV & the EU guys ???
    (Bets? Any takers???)

  12. 12 Chris Ruggieri Oct 7th, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    Blackmax. Slingshot already approved in Europe.

  13. 13 Blackmax Oct 8th, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    I did not know they had gotten approval already
    Thanks Chris R. !!!

  14. 14 Jay Preston Oct 8th, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    Don’t write when you don’t know. Or just ask a question.

  15. 15 Voice of reason.. Oct 12th, 2015 at 10:47 am

    Jay, who made you the Response police?

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Cyril Huze