BRP has garnered six prestigious Red Dot product design awards – for its Sea-Doo Spark Trixx PWC, Can-Am Maverick X3 and Trail SxS vehicles, Evinrude E-TEC 150-200hp G2 outboard engine, Ski-Doo snowmobile REV Gen4 platform and LinQ snowboard/ski rack for Ski-Doo snowmobiles.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Motorcycle is now available in North America – the 411cc single cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke SOHC adventure model begins at $4,499 MSRP. Royal Enfield North America is headquartered in Milwaukee and headed up by ex-Harley man Rod Copes. The Himalayan is built on a rugged, duplex, split-cradle frame designed and developed by race chassis legend Harris Performance in the UK, who Royal Enfield bought three years ago. The overhead camshaft engine forms the base for its new long-stroke LS 410 engine – “the engine delivers high torque and usable power at lower rpms for smooth riding in higher gears at lower speeds, making it easier to climb hills or manoeuvre through traffic; its modern design and materials translate to increased efficiency and low maintenance,” according to Copes.
Polaris has acquired the historic Glamis Beach Store and surrounding 166-acre property near the Mexican border in southern California. The company says it intends to maintain Glamis Beach Store traditions and improve services to patrons and off-road enthusiasts. The store was opened by the LeBlanc family in 1979 to “provide Glamis visitors with a home base stocked with all the amenities they need while enjoying the Glamis dunes,” said Jeannie “Mama Jeannie” LeBlanc. “It only makes sense to partner with the leader in the off-road recreational community to carry on the traditions.”
Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas fame has opened an insurance company called Fearless Services. “We are all tired of dealing with insurance companies that do not know or understand motorcycles,” says Lena Fairless Lee. “Let us give you a hassle-free and accurate motorcycle quote. Fearless Services has saved people thousands already; we also cater to all the needs of the motorcycle enthusiast (auto, RV, home, etc.).”
Alternet Systems of Dallas, Tx., has announced the formation of a new subsidiary to be called ReVolt Electric Motorbikes to produce Li-ion battery powered motorcycles for US and international markets. ReVolt has partnered with a manufacturing company to first produce a motorcycle based on the 1930s BMW R71 motorcycle with sidecar utilized by the German Army in WWII. The ReVolt classic electric motorbike with sidecar will be powered by an electric motor utilizing an Alternet Systems designed lithium battery solution.
State of Florida having adopted “autocycle” regulations that allow the Polaris Slingshot to be classified there as a motorcycle but be ridden by car drivers without a motorcycle endorsement on their licenses. News now that the State of Hawaii has done the same, meaning that Slingshots can now be sold in all 50 U.S. states, with Hawaii being one of the 40 not requiring a motorcycle endorsement for it to be driven on the public highway.
In November last year, Yamaha WaterCraft Group has built its one-millionth ‘WaveRunner’ PWC (a VX Deluxe) at the Georgia facility where it has been manufacturing them for 29 years.
Following news that it had moved its U.S. headquarters to Plano, Texas, Canadian BRP, maker of Sea-Doo watercraft and Ski-Doo snowmobiles, is reported to be poised to spend some $385 m on acquisitions to expand its product line-up. Group sales in 2017 are reported at $3.4 bn, and CEO Jose Boisjoli is targeting growth to $4.6 bn by 2020.
Although the number of overall road deaths in Germany fell in 2017 (-0.9 percent, 3,206), motorcyclist deaths rose by +8.6 percent over 2016 (689).
