A new Harley Dealer Sentiment Index survey of 74 dealers in the USA and Canada conducted by Baird Research and Dealernews shows that 2nd quarter retail sales falls short of expectations, that inventory levels are somewhat too high (in average a U.S. Harley dealer had 67 bikes on the floor at the end of first quarter) and that higher discounting of new models is required due to competition from used bikes.
Excluding the impact of the Street models sold into the Riders Academy program dealers said that U.S. retail fell between 1 percent and 2 percent in April/May, inclement weather being partly responsible. Demand in the Touring category, including Trikes, remains solid but the excitement for the Rushmore models and for the re-introduced Road Glide has tapered off. Sales of other models in the Custom category – Dyna, Softail, V-Rod – as well as Street and Sportster bikes have slowed down.
Sportsters don’t need belt drive kits wider than 1.5”. Outside, thanks to its design and clear hard anodization, this one will look extremely good on all types of themed Sportsters, high tech or vintage. Inside, the best driveline components with a Barnett Performance best a Barnett Scorpion Billet Clutch kit offering twice as much friction surface area compared to the stock clutch and providing a smooth, positive engagement and release for ease in finding neutral as well as smooth positive shifting. A pro will install this Open Belt Drive Kit in about 45 minutes. Not bad for a radical Sportster makeover. The same company offers Pyrex velocity stacks with a brass or aluminum base. At South Beach Kustoms. or email achomier@aol.com
Known as the “Birthplace of the American Biker” the Hollister Freedom Rally is the largest of its kind in California and one of the top ten in the United States. The epicenter of the event is in Benito street, downtown Hollister.
Throughout the 1930s, Hollister, California hosted an annual Fourth of July Gypsy Tour Event. Gypsy tours were American Motorcyclist Association sanctioned racing events that took place all over America and were considered to be the best place for motorcyclists to converge. Interrupted by WWII, the event resumed in 1947, and after some interruptions was revived under the name Hollister Freedom Rally because held on the 4th of July weekend. Enjoy live entertainment, bike shows, poker runs, and see the top custom parts, accessories and apparel from some of the best motorcycle manufacturers and vendors. Hollister Freedom Rally. Continue reading ‘Hollister Freedom Rally July 3-4-5, 2015’
As for cars, an automatic wash will never replace a hand job, but when I read that 3 youngsters of India just launched 3 bike wash locations and intend to franchise 800 of them in the next 24 months, I wondered why the concept never developed here in the US, Europe and Asia. At least one major investor believes in the concept and its profitability in India. The legendary Mark Mobius, the executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group who manages emerging markets portfolios in 18 countries has just invested in the startup. Continue reading ‘XPress Automatic Motorcycle Wash’
You can add some Bling to all three corners of a Harley-Davidson® Trike model with the new H-D Enforcer Custom Wheels for Trike (P/N 43300324 19-inch front, P/N 40900070 15-inch rear; each $659.95). Polished and mirror-chrome plated, split five-spoke Enforcer Custom wheels broadcast stunning reflections, even when standing still.
Designed by Harley-Davidson specifically for 2009-later Tri-Glide® Ultra and Freewheeler™ models, these wheels have undergone hundreds of hours of real-world testing to meet the highest standards of performance and durability.
Installation requires separate purchase of a model-specific Wheel Installation Kit, sprocket hardware and brake rotor-specific hardware. Installation may require separate purchase of wheel size and model-specific tire. See an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer for fitment details. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson.
On the small Isle Of Man between Great Britain and Ireland, the 2015 TT practices and races are going on the 37.73 miles mountain course . Victory electric motorcycle 1st rider Lee ‘General Lee’ Johnston rode a 103.94mph lap and screamed through Sulby 15mph faster than his previous practice lap, hitting 157.9mph. 2nd rider William Dunlop is unable to ride due to a crash in morning practice in another class on his Tyco BMW S1000RR . He has a broken rib and bruising, ruling him out of any more racing this week. After consultations with both teams and both riders, William’s Tyco BMW teammate Guy Martin will ride the electric motorcycle in Wednesday’s TT Zero race. For his first ever ride on the electric bike, Martin rode an incredible 104.56mph lap and hit 147.8mph through the Sulby speed trap. Continue reading ‘Victory Racing At Isle Of Man TT Races. Update 2.’
Elio Motors announced it has begun work on its fifth generation prototype vehicle following a successful supplier summit meeting last week. The P5 will include Elio Motors’ recently unveiled 0.9 liter, 3-cylinder engine prototype and a manual transmission. Created in 2008 by Paul Elio, Elio Motors is targeting a launch date mid 2016 for a vehicle that will get up to 84 MPG and is expected to retail for $6,800. The P5 is being developed using funds raised in a recent 506 (c) offering. The 506 (c) offering is made possible by the Jobs Act of 2012, and allows accredited investors to buy in to Elio Motors. The P5 is the first in a series of 26 prototypes, codenamed P5 through P30 that will be developed for a variety of testing and validation purposes.
The supplier summit, a unique supply chain management technique employed by Elio Motors, provides an opportunity for all of the company’s suppliers to come together in one room and meet on a regular basis to discuss every aspect of the vehicle’s design and manufacturability. The input and collaboration of the supplier team has been a critical element in Elio Motors development.” Continue reading ‘Elio Motors To Build Fifth Generation Prototype Of $6,800, 84 MPG Vehicle’
The 24th annual Motorcycle And Scooter Ride To work Day is June 15th. To encourage record-setting numbers of riders to participate spread the word by every means possible.
In many parts of the country, particularly those with vibrant local economies, automotive ‘gridlock’ is rapidly becoming an unattractive fact of life. This is due to the greatly increased use of single-occupancy automobiles. Increases in automobile usage cannot be sustained without consequences, and this sentiment is beginning to have some resonance among the general public.
An objective analysis of the potential benefits of increased use of motorcycles will reveal that they are an underutilized solution, and that their value as a source of congestion relief is being largely ignored. Motorcycles are a legitimate part of the overall transportation mix, deserving of greater consideration in traffic planning procedures and by those responsible for all kinds of social policy decisions. Our current culture largely considers motorcycles ‘toys’. This is an unfortunate hindrance to the status they deserve as a legitimate mode of personal transportation.
The best custom motorcycles are those projects commissioned to a great builder when a client gives him close to complete freedom of creation. ‘Do whatever you want with it’ have always been the magic words to get the most and the best of your partner in motorcycle customization. Advice to all. Choose your builder like you choose your surgeon. Take your time, make your own intensive research on who you will enjoy working with. Then when you find him, give an overall direction and trust him as an expert without systematically challenging all his ideas. You are looking here at the result of a great collaboration between a very good custom shop and a very trusting client.
Conceived by Harley-Davidson to be the “urban brawler” of the Sportster lineup, the Forty-Eight model is factory born already dripping a lot of attitude from every element. But builder Winston Yeh from Rough Crafts has a weakness for street fighter bikes, a style which the client agreed on for his Sportster makeover. With a great sense of humor and perfectly fitting the project, Winston called it “Hooligan Tactics”… Continue reading ‘Hooligan Tactics. A Sportster To Show The Street What You Are Made Of.’
Although Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler in the iconic movie “The Wild One” gave him a kind of biker image, he was not at all a gearhead as was fellow actor Steve McQueen. But he in 1970 (well after the “Wild One” was shot and well before he starred in “The Godfather”), he bought this 1969 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra-Glide on which he put 13850 miles.
And now it’s for sale online with a starting bidding price of $100,000. This motorcycle is not the bike featured in “The wild One” (that was a Triumph Thunderbird), but it can attract very high offers. Auction ends June 26, 2015 at 10 a.m. PDT. Ready to bid? Jump HERE. Hammer price will be?
The roster for the 12th annual Artistry in Iron – Master Builders Championship – is now complete. The competition will be held during the 15th Annual Las Vegas BikeFest®, October 1-4, 2015. The annual invitation only competition will include 21 award winning builders. A limited number of builders are invited to participate annually. The 2013 & 2014 Champion Rick Bray of RKB Kustom Speed, will be back to defend his title.
Artistry in Iron participants include builders who are shaping the industry and who are establishing the trends in engineering custom bikes and. “Each year we invite those on the cutting edge as well as some past participants. We’re excited that so many builders have accepted our invitation,” commented event producer Mindi Cherry. “It solidifies the importance of the championship. There are no rules or guidelines on the builds so it is always exciting to see what each builder brings to the competition.”
The bikes are judged solely by the master builders themselves, and the winner is announced on Saturday, October 3 and presented with a check for $10,000 as well as a custom designed championship bracelet created by renowned designer and master artisan Steve Soffa. The public is invited to visit the bikes during Rally Central hours and to meet the participating builders during autograph sessions throughout the weekend. Continue reading ‘Las Vegas BikeFest. Artistry In Iron Master Builders Championship. October 1-4, 2015.’
J&P Cycles released information regarding how they will implement some big changes in an effort to make their customer service even better. The changes will, over time, impact the location of retail and warehousing operations currently in Anamosa. Plans call for the J&P Cycles warehouse to move to Louisville, Kentucky, the administrative offices to move to Texas, and call center operations will move to Daytona Beach, Florida. The nice showroom now in Anamosa might stay or get relocated.
Since the National Motorcycle Museum is an entirely separate 501(c)3 corporation, completely separate from J&P Cycles, and there has never been any corporate management relationship between it and the Museum, these changes do not impact the Museum. If you have donated or loaned motorcycles, they will still be at the Museum, in Anamosa, Iowa, and the Museum will be open daily, year around. The Museum and J&P Cycles do promote each other in their respective marketing work, and with J&P Cycles’ reach to over a million customers, it has beena helpful marketing partner for the Museum. Continue reading ‘J&P Cycles Moving Its Headquarters And Operations. National Motorcycle Museum Remains In Anamosa, Iowa.’
Victory Racing has successfully run its two electric bikes in the first practice session ahead of the TT Zero race. Six racers set out on the practice, but only three crossed the line with two of those being the Victory machines. Getting both bikes back across the line and breaking past 100mph laps on Victory’s first ever attempt at the TT is a promising start.
William Dunlop and Lee Johnston rode one lap of the course, achieving average lap speeds of 104.185mph and 105.185mph respectively. Both riders also achieved 140mph through the Sulby speed trap – testament to the GVM Parker electric motor installed in the machine. This means that Victory is now the third electric bike team to ride over a 100mph lap, something made extra special by doing this on their first ever time around the course. Dunlop completed his lap in 21:43.717 minutes while Johnston was 12 seconds faster, crossing the line after 21:31.322 minutes.
Team manager Brian Wismann (also head of Brammo product development) said this first ever ride of the course by Victory Racing follows a trouble-free week of testing at Jurby. “We are really pleased with our first lap of the TT course,” he said. “Both riders executed clean laps to bring a pair of 100mph+ laps on our first attempt. The reliability of the bikes has been a strong suit for us so far at the TT, with very few technical problems arising. I think this will continue to be a key to being able to translate practice results to race results when it counts.” Continue reading ‘Victory Racing Breaks The 100mph Average Lap Speed Barrier On Its First TT Zero Practice Session (Update1)’
20th Century Racing is a group of old motorcycle lovers aiming to preserve the magnificent history of early motorcycles racing by generating excitement, to educate current and future motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world through their antique motorcycle racing adventures.
During the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the 20th Century Racing team led by Brittney Olsen will revive the racing roots of the rally in commemorating the historical half mile Sturgis races hosted by Pappy and Pearl Hoel.
For this purpose, Brittney Olsen is restoring a 1938 Indian Sport Scout Class C hand shift race bike, a faithful representation of those raced in 1938. Named “The Spirit Of Sturgis”, the project is sponsored by the local Sturgis Indian dealer. It is built to meet the Class C rules for AHRMA road racing and AMA flat track racing, while staying true to the “Ride It To The Track And Race It” culture by remaining legally usable on State highways. Continue reading ‘Racing And Setting Records On Old, Vintage And Antique motorcycles During The 75th Sturgis Rally’
A well-worn machine proud of its scars and age, this 1936 Harley Knucklehead was not run since 1952. Brought back to life with only a light tune-up, not a restoration. Only a pair of new tires, a flushed crankcase, a new coil and greased bearings. An honest and beautiful bike too happy to be ridden again.
You heard about 3D printing, a series of various processes used to make a three-dimensional object. A 3D printer is a type of industrial robot using additive processes to create successive layers of material. Objects created can be of almost any shape or geometry. Using 3D printing, someone already a car. And now a “functional” motorcycle by Charles D. Fry of TE Connectivity. A bike designed on a computer, printed in plastic. Add tires and a motor, then take it for a spin? Almost. Continue reading ‘First 3D-Print Functional Motorcycle’
1. We all love to spend money buying new clothes but we never realize that the best moments in life are enjoyed without clothes.
2. Having a cold drink on hot day with a few friends is nice, but having a hot friend on a cold night after a few drinks – PRICELESS.
3. Arguing over a girl’s bust size is like choosing between Budweiser, Miller, Guinness and Heineken. Men may state their preferences, but will grab whatever is available.
4. I haven’t verified this on Google but it sounds legit. A recent study found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than the men who mention it
Victory Motorcycles, in partnership with Roland Sands Design and Cycle World, will race a new prototype engine at the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb on June 28. The prototype racing motorcycle, named Project 156 for the 156 turns in the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb, also known as the Race to the Clouds, will feature a liquid-cooled engine and be piloted by Cycle World Road Test Editor Don Canet.
“We have an intense focus at Victory Motorcycles to prove the performance of our vehicles,” said Rod Krois, Victory General Manager. “Competing as an American OEM at America’s race is an exciting opportunity. The grueling conditions at Pike’s Peak provide the perfect proving ground for our new Project 156 race engine.”
The Project 156 motorcycle is a hand-built road-racing bike with a prototype Victory motor developed at Victory’s Minnesota research and development facility. This liquid-cooled engine represents the future performance of the Victory brand. It features intake Twin 67mm throttles with downdraft runners for maximum power and torque as well as a performance valve train including titanium intake and exhaust valves to allow for maximum engine speed.
The Roland Sands Design team developed and built the chassis to cradle the Project 156 motor. “This truly has been an All-American effort,” said Roland Sands. “The Race to the Clouds is a legendary event and we couldn’t be more proud to partner with Victory on the endeavor. We’ve built lots of custom motorcycles, but building a purpose-built race bike for this project has been a unique experience that we’ll remember for a long time.” Continue reading ‘Victory Motorcycles Reveal Final Prototype Pikes Peak Racer’
Last Sunday, the custom motorcycle community lost Joe Palermo, one of the most creative bike builders and a dear friend to many among us. Although building bikes after hours alone in his modest personal garage of Edgewater, Florida, each year he was able to surprise us with a new very unusual project mixing pure art and advanced technology. An amateur builder who wanted to stay amateur, he was more talented and knowledgeable than many respectable well known professionals I know. Above all, he was a superb human being, extremely humble, generous, always ready to help others and share his unconventional ideas about how a motorcycle should look, start, run, shift, brake, etc… He was a fierce competitor during all Daytona bike shows, but the most loved by all competitors for his genius and gentle manners. Joe, we have so much pain that you left us. Thank you for all you gave and shared with us. My deepest condolences to Mary, Kate, all his family and friends. (photos @ H. Roesler)
J&P Cycles is going to take the Open House Rally to the next level on Saturday night, June 27, with a free concert at the Jones County Fairgrounds, in Monticello, Iowa, featuring Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, The Voice of Ratt Stephen Pearcy, and former Warrant guitarist Billy Morris playing tribute to Jani Lane. Don Jamieson, co-host of VH1’s Classic “That Metal Show,” will serve as emcee. The free Sunday afternoon concert, as previously announced, will feature Great White.
Emceeing the event is Don Jamieson, a stand-up comedian and co-host of “That Metal Show,” where legends of rock hang out to discuss their past and current projects in front of a live studio audience full of metal enthusiasts on VH1. The location for the 36th annual J&P Cycles Open House Rally, scheduled for June 27-28, is moving to the Jones County Fairgrounds, located in Monticello, Iowa, just 10 miles north of the J&P Cycles headquarters outside Anamosa, Iowa. The size of the event is the main reason for the move as it has grown tremendously over the years. Continue reading ‘J&P Cycles Open House Rally June 27-28, 2015. The Concert Line Up.’
About three dozen LiveWire produced by Harley-Davidson and tested by 6,800 people at dealer events around the U.S and in Europe have brought to the company a lot of information about what riders like about the prototype electric motorcycle and their expectations. An unanimous positive is the LiveWire design and black & gray color combination and clutch free accelerations. The low-pitched whine is not an obstacle and doesn’t bother many, especially younger riders.
But new President & CEO Matt Levatich said that potential buyers want a riding range of at least 100 miles (instead of 50 miles with the prototype) before recharging the batteries , maybe less when there will be more charging stations, especially those available at a work place. Consequently, Levatich said that the LiveWire model is unlikely to hit the market before 2 or 3 years, time probably necessary to await for an improved battery technology.Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson LiveWire Electric Motorcycle Will Not Hit The Market Before 2 Or 3 Years’
William Shatner, the legendary Hollywood icon that captained the Starship Enterprise for over 30 years,, has teamed up with American Wrench to create the first-of-its-kind “Rivet” motorcycle. The bike, straight from the creative brain of Shatner alongside American Wrench owner/designer Kevin Sirotek, looks like a land jet and certainly unlike anything else.
In conjunction with the release of “Rivet”, Shatner will be riding across the country to showcase the machine on the open road. The ride will kick off on June 23rd from the American Wrench shop just outside of Chicago. It will be an 8-day journey showcasing “Rivet in various cities across the United States and will be following the legendary Route 66 for most of the trek. Continue reading ‘William Shatner On Cross-Country Ride On “Rivet”’
(Source AMA) The Renewable Fuel Standard proposals announced yesterday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would increase the risk of misfueling for motorcyclists and all-terrain-vehicle owners by forcing the widespread availability of higher-ethanol fuel blends, such as E15, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The EPA proposed setting the renewable fuel standard for 2014 at the levels that were actually produced and used, which totaled 15.93 billion gallons. But for 2015, the standard rises to 16.3 billion gallons. And for 2016, the total increases again, to 17.4 billion gallons.
At the same time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled a $100 million plan to double the number of higher-blend renewable fuel pumps. Under the blender pump subsidy program, the USDA will administer competitive grants to match funding for state-led efforts to test and evaluate innovative and comprehensive approaches to market higher blends of renewable fuel, such as E15 and E85.
“The federal government is moving in the wrong direction on this issue and against the interests of the motoring public,” said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “Motorcycles and ATVs are not built to handle ethanol blends higher than 10 percent, or E10. Mandating the increased production and sale of higher-ethanol blends and subsidizing more blender pumps significantly increases the likelihood that motorcycle and ATV riders will inadvertently pump unsafe fuel into their tanks.” Continue reading ‘Proposed EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Would Increase Ethanol Risks For Motorcycles & ATVs ’
The beauty of the Seattle Cossacks performing precisely engineered aerobics atop magnificent two-wheeled machines will bring an air of grace and incredible excitement to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s CrossRoads this August. The Seattle Cossacks are well known for their daring stunts, balancing man upon man in impossible configurations all while riding vintage motorcycles.
In sharp contrast to the typical road weary biker, the team of motorcycle acrobats wear crisply pressed matching white and maroon uniforms reminiscent of their historic Russian namesakes. The finely polished vintage Harley’s upon which they perform their amazing acrobatics are carefully painted to match their uniforms. Continue reading ‘Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Stunt & Drill Team To Perform At Sturgis Buffalo Chip’
In the USA, the Dyna Street Bob may be one of the most under-rated bike of the Harley line up and unfortunately is not currently one of the favorite platforms of customization for professional custom builders. As a matter of fact, the Street Bob is a fun, raw, gritty and no-nonsense minimalist bike, quite comfortable thanks to its less-vibration rubber mounted engine. A blast down the straight and an easy bike to handle through the twisties. Factory stripped down to the bare essentials, it can be customized for a moderate budget either into a Cafe Racer, a root Bobber or whatever Street Bike flavor you can imagine.
But some know that “the old-school looks meet new-school engineering” Street Bob is a great canvas for customization. For the bike featured here, they are 2 friends of the industry. Current President of Küryakyn Holger Mohr (ex. CCE, CCI, MAG Group) as the client and Roland Sands as the builder. Because Mohr is a professional of the industry who rides, including trips to Sturgis, and because Roland Sands has a racer background and always privilege building customs with very predictable handling, design objective was to keep the Bob as naked as the laws allow, while still improving performance. Continue reading ‘Bullet Harley Street Bob’
A new Harley Dealer Sentiment Index survey of 74 dealers in the USA and Canada conducted by Baird Research and Dealernews shows that 2nd quarter retail sales falls short of expectations, that inventory levels are somewhat too high (in average a U.S. Harley dealer had 67 bikes on the floor at the end of first quarter) and that higher discounting of new models is required due to competition from used bikes.
