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Polaris Industries To Add 300 Jobs To Support Indian Motorcycle Sales. 300 more people are expected to be hired at its Spirit Lake, Iowa plant that already employs more than 700. The company expects strong demand for all its models, especially for the new lower priced Indian Scout launched in Sturgis August 2nd that you can already pre-order for delivery to your dealer before end of the year.

New 2015 Harley-Davidson Models. In less than 10 days we will know what is Harley-Davidson full models lineup for 2015. But listing of those new motorcycles approved by the Air Resources Board as being in conformity to engine and emission rules, tells us which 2015 models will make their debut. They are: An Electra Glide Ultra Limited Low. An Electra Ultra Limited. An Ultra Limited Shrine Edition. A CVO Road Glide Ultra. A CVO Street Glide. A CVO Ultra Limited.

400,000 Electric Motorcycles To Be Manufactured To help Reduce Iran’s Tehran Air Pollution. The Iran Fuel Conservation Company (IFcC)has a plan to get 400,000 motorcycles that use gasoline off the road and to replace them with 400,000 electric motorcycles, saying, “Due to incomplete combustion, some motorcycles pollute the air four times as much as automobiles. A manufacturer will receive $300 for each electric motorbike it produces and sells. Once the plan is implemented, only electric motorcycles will be allowed on the streets of central Tehran.

During the 74th Sturgis rally, the launch party and demo rides of the all-new 2015 Indian Scout have overshadowed all other manufacturer’s activities. To pull off that coup, as Indian did last year with the re-introduction of the Chief model, the company leveraged the Indian brand cachet, mixing the Scout’s rich heritage with up-to-date technology to produce a contemporary yet classic model destined to be the best in its mid-size motorcycle eclass.

Because it is the first truly new Indian Scout in more than 70 years, all industry professionals and bikers had high expectations and very strong ideas about the way the all-new Scout should look and perform. Since Polaris bought the Indian brand 3 years ago, Polaris designers and engineers have respectfully listened to all opinions to eventually lean deliberately toward a contemporary design with classic inspiration, privileging innovation for performance, exactly in the spirit of what made the Scout models (Scout 101 of 1928 to 1831, Scout 741 of 1943 and Sport and Junior Scout of 1934 to 1942) the most storied bikes of all time.

Is it the right approach? I think so, because if still active in 2014, the original Hendee Manufacturing Company – renamed later Indian Motorcycle Manufacruring company (1901-1953) -would certainly not reproduce its own pre-1953 designs, but would create very modern, fast, light, precise and nimble motorcycles, just incorporating some of their own iconic features to preserve the brand DNA.

So, what are these classic features that inspired the new Indian Scout clean sheet design? Just look at a 1920’s Scout. In case you didn’t notice at first glance, the new Scout incorporates a contemporary interpretation of some of the original v-twin engine,then the classic“triangle” frame geometry, the clutch cover design, the structural ribbing and finning, the parallel pushrod machining, the gear cluster, the front fender, the solo seat, the gas tank, the headlight, etc. But because we are in 2014, the new Scout got premium features designed for superb on-road performance. Among them, a brand new in-house designed proprietary 60-degree 69 ci, 100 hp, 72 ft-lbs torque, DOHC 4 valve, liquid cooled engine; a very light weight of 558 lbs (wet) thanks to a cast aluminum frame; a dual-shock suspension with extreme rake to imitate the 20’s Scout hard tail lines; a low seat position, the lowest in its class at 25.3” from ground.

As a rider, my comfort zone gravitates around the middle weight cruiser. So, I was excited at the idea to be one of the first journalists to road test what was promised to me as being a motorcycle offering a superior riding experience thanks to power, balance and comfort. First, let me say that the 2015 Scout is a small package, but not as small as it may look on pictures. Seen from the side or standing on it, shape means “time to go fast.” Seated, my 6ft frame’s reach to foot controls and handlebars felt right. Indian has conceived ergonomics in stock version for riders 5.4” to 6” and 5.0” to 6.4” when customizing with Scout after-market accessories. Continue reading ‘All-New 2015 Indian Scout. Love At First Ride.’

With multiple world records set at last year’s internationally attended Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction, Bonhams is pleased to announce a very extensive and impressive foundation of early consignments for its fifth annual sale scheduled for Thursday, January 8th, 2015 at Bally’s Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Bonhams is now inviting consignments of important motorcycles to fill the limited spaces available alongside these great collections.

From the legendary Silverman Museum Racing collection are two confirmed highlights – although, in reality, all bikes from this famed stable are highlights – a 1971 Ducati Desmo 450 “Silver Shotgun” and 1995 Ducati Supermono. Created at the zenith of Ducati’s final years of single production, this Desmo 450 is the most powerful and most preferred first run of Silver Shotgun bikes. Sexy, lithe and enduringly classic, the powerful Italian café racer is also very uncommon in America due to period distribution challenges.  And the innovative Supermono racer, with only 67 examples built in its three-year period, is even rarer and arguably one of the most collectible models of the Bologna marque. Regarded as a pioneering sensation, the lightweight, compact and blistering fast Supermono was the single most competitive motorcycle in its class and provided a strong design influence for the world championship-winning 916 that would succeed it. Continue reading ‘Bonhams To Auction Motorcycles From Dennis Hopper Estate, Peter Fonda And Silverman Racing Museum’