Cyril Huze Blog – World's Number One Source For Custom Motorcycle News

On November 16, British manufacturer Norton Motorcycles will finally unveil a production sport bike with a brand new 1200 cc V4 engine and a tubular aluminum frame, both built in-house. The new Norton V4 is based on the Isle of Man SG5 racera. This high-end model is designed, developed and built in its Donington Hall factory.

Little is known about the motorcycle’s engine apart from its V4 configuration and 1200 cc capacity. Stuart Garner, the man who resurrected Norton in 2008, revealed last year his plans for a V4 superbike and a 650 twin. Since then most information is based on reports from the English media, which implies that the V4 is angled at 72 degrees and produces around 200 hp (149.1 kW) – the typical standard of all modern superbikes. The engine is designed and developed in-house by Norton and is expected to be loaded with electronics. Continue reading ‘Norton Motorcycles To Unveil Brand-New V4 Superbike In November’

Overall sales for the third quarter of 2016 totaled $1,185.1 million, down 19 percent from last year’s third quarter sales of $1,456.0 million.

“Our third quarter results, while discouraging, were in line with our revised guidance and reflect our ongoing execution of the RZR® recalls and significant quality and safety improvement initiatives. During the past three months, we have accelerated our efforts to get our loyal owners back to riding safely, and are now over 50 percent complete with the RZR® 900/1000 recalls and slightly below 50 percent on the more recent RZR® Turbo recall notice.

In addition to these recall challenges, we continued to face a weak overall Powersports industry, but were encouraged by continued retail strength for Indian and our overall motorcycle business, and the return to growth for side-by-sides in September,” commented Scott Wine, Polaris’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Third Quarter Segment Results (in thousands). Includes respective parts, garments and accessories (“PG&A”) related sales

Motorcycle segment sales, including its respective PG&A sales, decreased three percent in the 2016 third quarter to $183.2 million. Victory® and Indian® motorcycles reported increased vehicle sales growth, while Slingshot® sales were down during the quarter due to shipment timing. Gross profit decreased 26 percent to $21.2 million, or 11.6 percent of sales in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $28.4 million, or 15.1 percent of sales, in the third quarter of 2015 due to higher warranty expense related to recent safety and service bulletins, primarily for Slingshot®.

North American consumer retail demand for the Polaris motorcycle segment, including Victory®, Indian Motorcycle® and Slingshot®, increased high-single digits percent during the 2016 third quarter with Indian Motorcycle® and Victory® increasing low-teens percent combined, while overall motorcycle industry retail sales 900cc and above was down high-single digits percent in the 2016 third quarter. Continue reading ‘Polaris Reports 2016 Third Quarter Results. Motorcycle Retail Sales Up High Single Digits. ORV Down High Single Digits.’

Mahindra, under Mahindra subsidiary Classic Legends Pvt Ltd. acquired 100% of UK motorcycle maker BSA. The move was a much anticipated one although Mahindra was also contemplating the acquisition of Norton.

The principal activity of BSA is licensing of brands related to motorcycles. Incorporated in the UK, the company has also presence in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, Mexico and Canada.

Mahindra stated that this acquisition will enable Classic Legends to acquire or obtain license of the BSA brand and utilize the same for selling marketing, distributing motorcycles globally. Over the years, Mahindra has been on acquisition spree and has quite a few auto brands under its umbrella. Last year, it acquired a 76.06% controlling stake in Pininfarina, South Korean automaker SYM motorcycle brand and last year 51% of Peugeot Motorcycles

As reported during yesterday’s Harley-Davidson 3rd quarter results announcement, the company intends to reorganize its operations and to lighten up its workforce.

The management decision is consecutive to Harley-Davidson worldwide retail motorcycle sales in the third quarter down 4.5 percent, US sales down 7.1 percent compared to the year-ago quarter, with the overall U.S. industry also down for the same period.

Harley-Davidson said it will incur up to $25 million in employee separation and reorganization costs as it cuts production and reduces workers. The cuts by the end of the year amount to 5% of the company’s salaried workforce or about 225 employees. Harley-Davison didn’t disclose specific locations in the US and abroad for the job cuts. The company employs 1,024 salaried workers at its Milwaukee headquarters and 3,246. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson To Downsize Salaried Workforce By 5 Percent Before Year End’