Bagger Nation

Bagger Nation - SRT 'Steam Roller Touring' Designer Wheel Kits

Paul Yaffe's Bagger Nation has continued developing its big wheel performance kit program since we first featured it in AMD around 18 months ago, adding options and components to make them one of the most complete conversion packages on the market.

The kits are built around a new Bagger Nation 20" SRT front tire, created specifically for this application in partnership with Shinko, Paul Yaffe and Western Powersports. "The SRT tire simply celebrates the big wheel movement that we all know and love, however, with a new direction that delivers what we feel is the best riding 'Sport Touring' experience, period," says Bagger Nation's Phil Locke, "the foundation of Yaffe's unique Steam Roller design and what separates Bagger Nation from others who have followed is that the Bagger Nation SRT Kit creates zero compromise."

High-5

High Roller

Hoopla

The Shinko is a true front tire created specifically for the 'Steam Roller Touring' application. It is 77HD (908 lbs @ 42 PSI) load rated "to ensure optimum 'Sport Touring' performance," speed rated for high performance applications and has a 28.5" diameter (90.5" circumference), which is basically the same outer diameter as a mounted 23" wheel and tire, "so it stays true to the big wheel lifestyle. It is the only 20" performance touring tire in the world and its intentional large tread construction not only provides the best looking 'Steam Roller' profile, but the ultimate tread to road contact patch and the smoothest road-absorbing ride you've ever imagined."
The American forged, one of a kind 20 x 5.0 wheel blank is the "strongest and most consistent blank of its kind. The blank is precision-spun and formed to current TRA spec and was the perfect starting point to for Yaffe to launch his Bagger Nation designer wheel program. Dealers can choose from six "timeless" wheel designs in chrome or black finishes, which can be ordered in standard dual disk application, as well as with a 15" single rotor and caliper bracket kit. Matching rear wheels are also available.
"Wheels are available in both black with accent cuts or chrome plated versions, in both single or dual disc applications. We offer the High 5, Hoopla, High Roller, I-Beam and the new Shredder and Bandit wheels all in our SRT format.

Bandit

I-Beam

Shredder

"The only way to ensure a 'Steam Roller Touring' project both looks and handles incredibly is to add seven degrees of rake to your frame, using our patented rake neck block, and then correct the bike's trail by adding a set of our 'Steam Roller Touring' seven degree wide triple trees. Our exclusive patented rake neck system and widened raked trees make easy work of setting the bike up."

"Our 25 mm wide Yaxle is CNC-machined from stainless tool steel - custom hubs will require the use of 25 mm bearings. Yaxle caps are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and offered in either black or chrome finishes. Our Thicky SRT front fender is deep drawn from one piece of 14 gauge cold rolled steel. Mounting holes are drilled at the factory and our fenders are then E-coated for corrosion protection and a scuff and paint quality finish. Each SRT fender includes free billet spacers in a satin aluminum finish (black or chrome spacers can be requested for a small extra charge)."

Phil says that, for dealers, the 'Steam Roller Touring' builders kit includes everything a dealer or builder will need to create the big wheel custom look - the Shinko SRT 777 wide performance front tire; forged 6061-T6 aluminum 20 x 5.0 wheel blank (the only one of its kind); deep drawn one-piece steel Thicky front fender (includes free corresponding satin spacers); wide custom smooth axle (includes choice of four styles in two finishes); SRT patented raked neck apparatus and billet triple tree kit.
A few model-specific parts may be additionally needed, depending on the year and model of the bike. All accessories are available direct from Bagger Nation or from a HardDrive representative.

PAUL YAFFE'S BAGGER NATION
www.baggernation.com

News Briefs

H-D maintains its "robust" approach to delivering "shareholder value" with the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.375 per share for the fourth quarter of 2019. The dividend is payable December 27, 2019 to shareholders of record of the Company's common stock as of December 16, 2019.

 

At the beginning of December, with 10 months still to go, official entries for the 2020 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building are at 65 bikes from 55 builders representing 23 countries. 

Polaris is to recall certain 31,987 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles as excessive current may damage the fuse holder - damaged terminals may result in the loss of forward and rear lighting, instrument cluster gauges, or power steering assist.

 

Royal Enfield watchers may be interested to know that they are up to 11th place in market share terms in Germany for the first ten months of 2019. They sold 1,523 units for a fast growing 1.40% share.

Orlando, Florida based 'community garage' Standard Motorcycle is closing down. Founder Jason Paul Michaels said "we will be back" after announcing that they had lost their building and that the search was underway for new premises.


 

Following the news that long-time MIC stalwart Tim Buche was to retire from his posts as the head of the American motorcycle industry organization, it has now been confirmed that Erik Pritchard has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and President of the MIC and its 'sister' organizations - the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association of America (ROHVA). Pritchard joined the associations as general counsel in March 2014 following more than a decade supporting the associations as outside counsel on a variety of litigation and non-litigation matters. He was named President of SVIA and ROHVA in 2017.

The U.S. Women's World Trophy team won at the 2019 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE); the American XC Gear team won the Club division; the U.S. Junior World Trophy team finished runner-up. The 94th edition of the off-road competition, the longest-running world championship in motorsport, took place at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal, in November. The USA last won the World Trophy title in 2016, its first ISDE world title. The USA had not won the Women's World Trophy title since 2007, the year that division debuted.

H-D is sixth in market share terms in Germany, having sold 9,826 units in the ten months to October. BMW is market share leader (27.05%), having sold 23,906 units. Harley's top seller in Germany YTD has been the Street Bob (the 18th most popular motorcycle in Germany, 1,182 sold), followed by the Sport Glide (836 units sold) and the XL 1200 X (756 sold). Harley has six models among the 50 most popular in Germany through October 2019.

H-D was in seventh place in market share terms in the UK in October, selling 374 units; the Low Rider S (42 units) was its top seller. The custom style market is -7.9 YTD through October (7,049 units). The largest sector in the UK is 'Naked' style bikes (31,140 units sold YTD, +2.2%), and in October, the Royal Enfield Interceptor INT650 was top dog (136 units sold).


Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek

BAUM Fest (Barcelona Art and Urban Movement)

BAUM Fest
Barcelona, 4-6 October 2019

The 8th annual BAUM Fest (Barcelona Art and Urban Movement) took place at Fira Barcelona from October 4-6, in conjunction with the 22nd Barcelona Tattoo Festival, attracting 18,000 visitors over the three days.

Francesco Mattioli (left) and Kirk Taylor (right) were part of the international jury

The event featured airbrush art, BMX stunt riding, skateboarding and urban dance competitions in addition to a custom bike show which attracted 50 entries from across Spain (plus Chopper Kulture, who travelled from Hecklingen, Germany) to participate in Freestyle, Retro Modified, Café Racer/Scrambler and Modified OEM classes.
Prizes were sponsored by Zodiac International and Custom Design Studios (USA), with CDS's Kirk Taylor participating in the jury alongside Francesco Mattioli (CrazyOils, Italy), Pete Pearson (Rocket Bobs, UK), Frank Burgera (Harley-Davidson University, Spain) and AMD's World Championship Director Neil Blaber.

Pablo Perez of D's Motorcycles took the Best in Show prize
with "Honda 1500 Super Sport"

Best in Show was D's Motorcycles' "Honda 1500 Super Sport", a 1977 GL1000 Goldwing café racer featuring a BMW front and rear end, Valkyrie 1500 flat-six engine, Weber carbs from a Porsche 911 and a remote control operated monocoque allowing the seat and tail to lift, allowing access to the electronics.

OEM Modified class winner AC Calella Custom

Derbidson's "Trescientos" won the Freestyle class

Previous AMD World Championship competitors Derbidson and AC Calella Custom won the Freestyle and OEM Modified classes respectively, Derbidson's "Trescientos", based around a 1999 Indian Powerplus engine, handmade rigid frame and bodywork, and AC Calella's "Breaking Limits" 2003 Sportster café racer, having taken 5th place in the 2018 AMD World Championship Café Racer class.
All three winners received "wild card" invitations to compete in the forthcoming AMD World Championship at INTERMOT Customized, Cologne, October 6-11, 2020.

J&P Cycles' Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Shows (UBCBS)

J&P Ultimate Builder Series - New York

Staged at the Jacob Kravitz Center during the New York Progressive International Motorcycle Show (December 6 - 8), the second of eight 2019/2020 season J&P Cycles' Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Shows (UBCBS) series saw George Stinsman of Chaos Cycle (Shirley, New York) scoop the win in the Freestyle Class with 'Chaos Cycle Café' - featuring an exhaust swingarm, custom gas tank, oil tank/fender, wheels and Chaos Cycle triple tree (valued at $40,000).
Celebrating its tenth successive year, the J&P Cycles sponsored UBCBS series is expected to feature some 300 plus custom motorcycles, with more than $70,000 up for grabs in cash and prizes. This year’s categories include Custom Classic, Custom Street, Freestyle and People’s Choice.
Judged by a panel of industry experts, winners in each city along the IMS tour will be invited to compete in the championship round taking place February 9, 2020 in Chicago for a chance to be crowned “King of the Builders.”
“Custom building is one of the most creative outlets our industry has to offer, and the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows offer the ideal platform for builders to showcase their work on a national stage,” said Bob Kay, Director of UBCBS. “Not only are the motorcycles strikingly ornate, but it’s an incredible opportunity for the motorcycle enthusiast community to learn about and appreciate the unique story behind the creation of each build.”
motorcycleshows.com/UBCBS

 

Freestyle  Winner: George Stinsman with Chaos Cycle and painter
Brian Bruzzone with 'Chaos Cycle Café'

Freestyle
Winner: George Stinsman with Chaos Cycle and painter Brian Bruzzone with 'Chaos Cycle Café' featuring an exhaust swingarm, custom gas tank, oil tank/fender, wheels and Chaos Cycle triple tree, valued at $40,000.
Runner-up: Ryan Coligan was selected as runner-up with a 2019 custom Turbo 100 featuring a turbocharged blow-through carb set-up, 100 ci Merch motor and Evo bottom end and Twin Cam top end. Coligan built the custom frame, hosting all-aluminum bodywork and fuel/oil cells. The fuel/oil cell is found under the seat, featuring an extremely low 14" seat height, with a 26" front and 15" rear car wheel with custom hub and a 230-width tire and a Hurst shifter from a 1969 Camaro.

Custom Classic
Winner: Evan Favaro with Speakeasy Motors and painter Taylored Auto Body won with a 1991 BMW R100RT. Café racer style, the motorcycle features a stainless steel exhaust through a handmade custom tail section, custom louvered belly pan, stripped frame CAN bus wiring, Bluetooth proximity key ignition, custom Cerakote wheels by Prodigy Performance, a seat by Fish Bros, and all electronics operate off a smartphone app. The motorcycle is valued at $25,000.
Runner-up: Dell Battle with Dangerous Designz and painter Brad H Design were selected with a 1991 Harley-Davidson Sportster.

Custom Street
Winner: Dell Battle with Dangerous Designz and painter Letters & Liens won with a 2002 Harley-Davidson Sportster.
Runner-up: Brian Ballard with A&J Cycles and painter Dave at Slag Kustom were selected with a 2019 Triumph Scrambler XE. The motorcycle is based on Steve McQueen’s 1961 Triumph Desert Sled, featuring a custom rear fender, undertail, number plate and light bracket by Slag Kustom, a custom 2:1 exhaust, prototype A&J Cycles TFT dash relocation bracket, custom folding license plate bracket, vintage Harley-Davidson SX125 front fender, lighting upgrades from Denali and Kellermann, valued at $20,000.

People’s Choice winnner: Rob Adams and painter Ryan Kelly with a 2019 RA Chopper

People’s Choice
As voted by IMS attendees, Rob Adams and painter Ryan Kelly were selected as the People’s Choice winner with a 2019 RA Chopper featuring handbuilt tins, Rolling Thunder frame, a Sugar Bear front end, Ultima 113 engine with a six-speed transmission and custom metal flake paint, valued at $40,000.

Motorcycle Industry Council

MIC Symposium - Initial Tactical Steps for Industry Ridership Initiative

A strategy playbook, a new online portal for new riders, and a new director of ridership position highlighted an afternoon presentation to hundreds of guests at this year's Motorcycle Industry Council Communications Symposium.
"More Riders, Riding More – The Ridership Session" outlined these action plans for the developing industry-wide initiative, presented by MIC staff and strategic consulting company Centauric, at the November 21 symposium in Long Beach, California, which saw a record number of attendees. The Ridership Session was free and open to anyone in the industry and was live-streamed as well.  

Left to right: Erik Pritchard, MIC CEO; Larry Little, MIC Vice President; Tina Beranbaum, Centauric Behavioral Scientist

"Helping non-riders gain an awareness of motorcycling and consider riding is at the heart of the new strategy playbook, a free, shared roadmap that the MIC will make available to the whole industry. A beta version was available for the audience to see on their mobile devices. Months of research revealed that almost all potential motorcyclists – from any background, age, gender or race – if spoken to with specifically themed messages, can be well on their way to identifying with the riding experience.
"The playbook will help companies assess their messaging and identify what needs to change to help accelerate an interest in riding among new audiences."
 

"If we can align our messages – and I'm speaking to everyone in this room and across our industry – if we can align our messages to what these people want and need to hear, and we can create experiences that address the barriers they've identified, we will succeed in creating a new, modern era of riders and riding," said Larry Little, MIC Vice President and the staff project lead on the ridership initiative.
He reiterated that while the MIC is making the initial investment in a long-term industry program, it will be incumbent on all of the industry working together, with the newly developed knowledge, to create new riders.
To help get future motorcyclists past the barriers to riding, the MIC is building a primary online portal for potential riders to learn more about riding, training, equipment, gear, rider groups, and all things motorcycling. This gateway to the riding experience will be branded and set up so that information is easy to access, with tools to help people find their path.
"Of course, this is attractive to a generation used to having information at their fingertips," said MIC President and CEO Erik Pritchard. "Here's the bottom line: if we want more people to ride more, we must remove barriers, make it as easy as possible for them and connect motorcycle riding with positive emotions. This portal to motorcycling is the first, essential step for our collective efforts to succeed."
To oversee these efforts, the MIC will hire a director of ridership, a new position at the association. The ridership initiative will be the director's sole, full-time job, and will be supported by other MIC staff.
Pritchard added that "going forward, the entire industry must be expansive and speak to a broader, more diverse population who would choose to ride if provided the right opportunity and connection to the experience. The industry must also be consumer-centric, paying attention to what potential riders feel, think, want and need, and making sure the experience, message or product is designed to match their perspectives."
He said the industry must be "comprehensive and connect with potential riders on an emotional and rational level, instead of focusing on technical specs. We must be responsible and promote safe riding, and we need to be collaborative, with everyone's actions supporting the strategy playbook as well as their individual company's success."
Tina Beranbaum, Centauric behavioral scientist, stressed that this is a big, collaborative effort. "There is an as yet untapped audience of people we might not have thought of as potential riders. We must be working together as an industry to capture their interest. The potential is much bigger than you might have imagined."

Harley-Davidson

More Roads - "Beckoning a New Era of Middleweight Capability"

Following the appearance of prototypes at EICMA, Milan, in early November 2019 and subsequently at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show at Long Beach, California, later that month, Harley-Davidson has now formally press released and confirmed launch timings for the next new models outlined in its 2018 'More Roads' strategic plan.
Described as "performance and attitude," both models, the 1,250cc 'Pan America' Adventure Touring and 750 cc 'Bronx' Streetfighter, will debut with all-new 60-degree 'Revolution Max' liquid-cooled V-twin engines and hit showroom floors in late 2020.

Pan America
"The Harley-Davidson Pan America is an all-new advanced adventure touring multi-purpose motorcycle, in equal parts campfire, wanderlust and grit - a two-wheel multi-tool built to endure, designed to explore, and engineered for the unknown." 

Created to power a range of new Harley-Davidson models, the 'Revolution Max' is "designed to offer flexible performance with a broad powerband that builds to a surge of high rpm power. Minimizing weight and maximizing performance, the 'Revolution Max' provides a narrow powertrain profile that is integrated into the motorcycle as a stressed member of the frame to enhance center of gravity and handling."
The fully balanced powertrain has an internal counter balancer that "mitigates primary engine vibration to enhance rider comfort and improve vehicle durability. Its design is bold and contoured, classic and contemporary, strong and svelte - a representation of Harley-Davidson performance and style." 

Bronx
"The all-new Bronx middleweight streetfighter model rolls with an unapologetic attitude and performance to match."

The 60-degree vee angle of the cylinders "provides space for dual downdraft throttle bodies that maximize air flow and increase performance. Liquid cooling maintains a controlled engine temperature for consistent performance in changing environmental and riding situations.
"To optimize performance of the new Pan America and Bronx models," Harley says it "tapped into the expertise of world class component manufacturers to deliver bespoke solutions for braking and tire performance.
"For braking, Harley-Davidson collaborated with Brembo to create a new radial monoblock four-piston caliper that combines sharp edges with softer curves designed to create a style that complements the personality of the bike and delivers outstanding braking feel and capability.
"For tires, Michelin and Harley-Davidson have worked closely to develop co-branded tires for each motorcycle model that optimize performance, feel and grip in all conditions.

'Revolution Max' 1,250 Engine Performance Targets

•        Displacement 1,250 cc
•        More than 145 horsepower
•        More than 90 ft. lbs. peak torque

'Revolution Max' 975 Engine Performance Targets

•        Displacement 975 cc
•        More than 115 horsepower
•        More than 70 ft. lbs. peak torque

EICMA 2019 Review Pt2

Maxima Racing Oils: The Santee, California based specialist is on the expansion trail in Europe - best known for its MX lubricants range, in the V-twin market the company continues to do well with its popular oil change in a box kits - available specifically formulated for, and specified with the additional quantity needed for the M-8 engine. The kits ship inclusive of Maxima's own ProFilter oil filter and drain bolt O-rings. To complement the manufacturer's comprehensive range of products for the Harley and Indian Motorcycle aftermarket and custom sector, specific V-twin branded dealer display racks are available; www.maximausa.com

 

Venhill Engineering: The internationally respected British manufacturer is well known in Europe for its cables, with fitments for most popular makes and models, and an impressive "back catalog" of applications. Around two years ago the company added replacement throttle and clutch cable kits for Harley applications in universal kits with cables that are unfinished at one end, so that they can be cut to length and used for custom applications and builds as well as stock replacements. All the connections are designed to fasten securely without the need for soldering, so these are proper DIY kits for 'home mechanics' as well as providing dealer workshops with a versatile stocking solution. Dual throttle and idle cable kits come in both push-fit and threaded versions, to suit a wide range of models. Extra long at 1,350 mm/53 inches they allow for bikes fitted with high handlebars and come with either 90° or 75° bends, in a choice of black or braided steel outers. The black cables have longitudinal conduit (not coiled) which won't pinch on bends, so they won't restrict cable movement. The clutch cable (also made extra long at 2,080 mm/82 inches) comes in black or braided steel finishes to match the throttle. Like all Venhill cables, they're designed to deliver improved performance and durability, along with smoother action; www.venhill.co.uk

 

Motion Pro: Hosted at EICMA by Parts Europe, recent new products for V-twin dealers 
from the Loomis, California based AFT "Official Tools, Cables and Controls" sponsor include a new Pro T-6 valve spring compressor - a quick release system design that presses straight against the retainer to eliminate side loading the valve and keepers, a hose removal tool that facilitates removal of fuel and cooling system hoses, and a master link press tool, enabling the easy pressing on and off of master link plates for clip style chains; www.motionpro.com

 

TechnoResearch: Hosted at EICMA by Parts Europe, the Royal Oak, Michigan based fuel-injection management and performance tuning specialist is a U.S. high-technology company with its roots firmly based in the Italian fuel injection industry. Broadly engaged in state-of-the-art electronic hardware and software development, consulting and research and development, the business was founded in 1992 by Sandro Scaccia and fellow Magneti Marelli escapees. TechnoResearch is best known in the Harley aftermarket for the design and development of its award-winning electronic diagnostic tools program; www.technoresearch.com
 

Cardo: In a market segment that is even more crowded in Europe than it is in the USA, Cardo remains competitive with its JBL sound, Dynamic Mesh Communications, Cardo Connect and 'Natural Voice' activation powered Packtalks and Freecoms benefiting from a growing line-up of partners, including the likes of Ducati, Bosch, Shoei, HJC, Schuberth and Detlev Louis; www.cardosystems.com

 

QD Exhaust: Manuel Di Liso's Milan area based exhaust business has just introduced a carbon heat shield equipped, high-level twin muffler exhaust set-up for the FTR 1200 that is being distributed in the United States by Paul Aiken's Charlotte, North Carolina based Aeromach; www.qdexhaust.it

 

Marolo Test: No stranger to authorized Harley dealer workshops around the world, the French motorcycle workshop equipment manufacturer celebrated its 60th anniversary last year and is widely credited with having developed the world's first ever motorcycle/scooter-specific dyno. Best known for its wide range of advanced design workshop lift options, the company's space-saving ‘FlatLift’ provides easy access for technicians and is only 8 cm (3.2”) high in its lowest position - specifically designed for heavier models with low ground clearance; www.marolotest.com

 

G.P.R. Italia: One of Europe's longest established exhaust manufacturers (founded in 1968) with impressive race pedigree and a reputation for innovation. Known for precision-manufacturing, advanced materials and low and mid-range rpm power and torque gains, G.P.R. offers a wide range of fully emissions compliant exhausts for H-D applications. Visually, these are the kind of exhausts that scream "performance"- designs that have race pedigree and deliver that unique "EuroStyle" performance look; www.gpr.it

 

Vance & Hines: Hosted at EICMA by Parts Europe, the big news at Santa Fe Springs, California based exhaust manufacturer Vance & Hines, that is if you overlook the most extensive new applications blitz completed within days of Harley's MY2020 announcement, centered around the appointment of ex-Harley man Mike Kennedy as company President. Kennedy has extensive experience in powersports and recreational vehicles, including senior-level positions at Harley-Davidson, in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He also held leadership roles at BRP Inc. and Buell Motorcycle Company. At Harley-Davidson, Kennedy had operational responsibility and held the position of Managing Director for the United States, and eventually the Americas; www.vanceandhines.com


 

National Cycle: Recent new products from the world renowned Maywood, Illinois based windscreen manufacturer include VStream screen upgrades for the 2014-up Indian Chieftain and Roadmaster. Made in three different heights to fit riders of any size, "even passengers will notice the improvement". VStream gets its name from its unique, patented shape. The advanced "V" profile and dimensional contours push the wind vortex out and away from the rider's helmet, resulting in a peaceful, quiet riding environment. These windscreens are made from tough 4.5 mm Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate. "Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate is the material of choice for serious motorcycle riders. It is 10 times more abrasion resistant than FMR hardcoated polycarbonate, and 30 times more than windscreens made from commonly used "aircraft plastic" or acrylic. These VStream Windscreens are also pre-treated at the factory with National Cycle's RainZip, a specially formulated and highly effective rain repellent that gives a clear view of the road ahead in any kind of weather; www.nationalcycle.com

 

Indian Motorcycle Company: The new Challenger was up front and center, and though being hyped as the "Ultimate Bagger," it has the power and looks to suggest it could do well in Europe, despite the conventional mainstream Bagger market there having remained a niche at best. The most popular bikes on the Indian booth were the Scouts though and, in particular, the FTR 1200. If the enthusiasm among European P&A vendors (Italians especially) to offer suspension and exhaust upgrades is anything to go by, then the FTR 1200 is likely to do some serious volume in Europe once Indian Motorcycle is able to build inventory levels; www.indianmotorcycle.com

 

DP Brakes: The British manufacturer is the originator of sintered brake pad technology and still the only brake pad maker focussed exclusively on developing and producing sintered metal brake pads - both as replacements and performance upgrades for OE sintered metal brake pads. DP Brakes' complete product line offers fitments for most Harley models, plus a fast growing clutch kit program with friction and steel plates. Distributed by Drag Specialties in the United States; www.dp-brakes.com

 

Midland Radio: With its origins in the USA and, since the 1990s, part of the CTE International Group at Reggio Emilia, Italy, the Midland brand has been celebrating its 60th anniversary and finishes the year with the news of a partnership for distribution of its popular rider communication systems in Germany with Cologne area based Bihr Deutschland; www.midlandeurope.com

Custom Chrome Europe

Custom Chrome Europe Additions

J. W. Speaker Model 97 Headlight

 
Germantown, Wisconsin based lighting specialist J.W. Speaker's DOT and ECE compliant 100 mm Bi-LED headlight can be mounted as the main headlight or as supplement to existing lighting as running/driving lights. The LED headlight features high and low beam with front position and DRL, 1,800 raw lumen output high beam, 1,600 raw lumen output low beam, 5,000 K color temperature, and a heavy-duty aluminum housing with UV-resistant polycarbonate lens for ultra-clarity. The company says that this is "currently the smallest LED headlight unit on the market" and that "this versatile light will fit a variety of applications and ships with bottom mount bracket."

Jammer Grips

 
These Jammer Cycle grips in "cool and timeless designs" feature a soft grip with ergonomic shape and absorb shock and damping vibration. CCE also offers single and dual cable application throttle tubes - throttle by wire models use a sensor type throttle tube. Eight different designs are available in black, brown or dark red.

CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE
www.custom-chrome-europe.com

JE Pistons

JE Pistons Partners with Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties

Cypress, California based high-performance powersports forged racing pistons specialist JE Pistons has entered into a new distribution partnership with Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties.

With a history in racing dating back to 1947, JE Pistons "engineers, forges and machines precision racing pistons that improve performance over OEM parts while standing up to the tests of professional powersports competition."

A "seasoned veteran" in four-stroke piston design with a decorated trophy wall of Pro Motocross and AMA Supercross championships and motorcycle drag racing titles and records, JE has "established a sought-after status among factory-level racing teams, not just off-road, but on asphalt too. From nitrous-huffing and turbo-motivated Pro Street drag bikes to performance-built V-twin engines, JE pistons have proved to be incredibly durable pass after pass and mile after mile."
Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties will be stocking JE’s full range of off-the-shelf piston offerings. "Drag Specialties will become a source of JE’s line of proven V-twin pistons from classic to modern engine platforms, offering forged pistons for a wide range of displacement and compression combinations."
www.jepistons.com
www.dragspecialties.com

V-Twin Manufacturing/Tedd Cycle

45" Parkerized Seat Post Assembly

Newburgh, New York based V-Twin Manufacturing/Tedd Cycle says: "Put some spring back in your 45" with our 45" Parkerized Seat Post Assembly." A new addition to its "No One Has The V-Twin Selection" product line, it features a 15 7/8" long inner rod that will sit the rider taller in the saddle. It comes with spring retaining rings and nuts and fits 1937-1952 W models. 
V-Twin Mfg/ Tedd Cycle, Inc., USA, www.vtwinmfg.com

Comment by Editor-In-Chief, Robin Bradley

Harley's 'Revolution Max' - the new EVO?

When the first mentions of the new Harley 'Pan American' ADV, and what we now know will be called the 'Bronx' Streetfighter, appeared in Harley's 2018 'More Roads' wish list, many (most?) assumed that they would be 45-degree V-twins.
Once it became apparent that "new platform" really did mean "new platform", albeit new V-twin platform, the prospect of a 60 or even 90-degree V-twin was tantalizing. A typical Harley 45-degree layout really would have been a missed opportunity.
Much relief then to see at Milan that Harley has gone down the 60-degree route. Always a far superior and much underestimated layout (RIP the much-underestimated genius that was Alan Sputhe), finally embracing a new V-twin layout is a major moment and a major statement.
The all-new 60-degree 'Revolution Max' liquid-cooled V-twin engine is therefore a genuine step forward and a genuinely entirely new platform that should, in the long-term, allow Harley to build a position in two new markets. Now, let's not get carried away, Harley simply will not, ever, overtake BMW or even Honda (with the 'Africa Twin'), to say nothing of others in the ADV market.
Nor is the 'Bronx' ever likely to be a Ducati beater. Regardless of where you stand on the 'Monster' and 'Diavel' streetfighter-esque iterations debate, Ducati just knocked it out of the park with its much anticipated "super naked" Öhlins/Marchesini equipped V4 Streetfighter - powered by the liquid-cooled 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale 90-degree engine from the existing Panigale V4 range.
With an optional full Akrapovic racing exhaust system, the 'S' version is going to be tipping the scales at 220 hp and over 90 ft. lbs torque at a cost of just 180 kg (397 lb) dry.
That is the air that Harley-Davidson is eventually going to be needing to breathe if it has serious ambitions of ever owning the Streetfighter market, so, "let's be serious here", a "reasonably convincing" position in the Streetfighter market, choking on Ducati's dust, is the best it can hope for.
Ditto in the ADV market. BMW is a long way ahead in 'that world,' and even to become a distant object in its mirrors would be quite an achievement.

In strategic terms, will the 'R-Max' do for Harley what the EVO did in the 1980s?

All that said though, kudos to Harley if it does manage to get some sales under its belt once the new bikes start hitting showroom floors around the end of 2020, because the start-point it will have given themselves will have been self-funded and self-engineered.
Harley has a niche in which it is a world beater, a niche in which it is still going to be a long time before Indian Motorcycle can hope to be a major-units rival, and one in which the sales BMW is able to achieve with its burgeoning R nineT program and upcoming R 18 Big Boxer engine 'Heavy Cruiser' range are likely to be on the fringes of Harley's core opportunities with the M-8 Softails and Tourers.
Similarly, Harley's ADV and Streetfighter action is likely to be on the fringes of BMW's and Ducati's respective sector dominance, but no matter. If it is enough to keep shareholders and the private equity investors in the dealer network fed with dividends for a while, then the 'Revolution Max' is going to be something Harley can build on. Maybe 20 years from now it will be seen as the 21st century equivalent of the EVO (which, BTW, was 35 years old in 2019).
It was the EVO platform that built a foundation for turn-around in even worse times for Harley than these are. In 1985 Harley wasn't just circling the drain, but was reputedly 48 hours or less from padlocking the gates at Juneau Avenue.
These days Harley's problems may not be quite so dramatically existential, but if it is to sustain the independence it does have (notwithstanding shareholder equity), then a platform from which to build out an extension to its present market(s) is just as sorely needed in the context of a moribund domestic U.S. motorcycle market, but one that is doing really rather well internationally.
New motorcycle registrations for EU markets were +8.1% at 903,586 for the first nine months of 2019, and by the time the year-end numbers have been crunched, motorcycle sales in Europe will have seen five straight years of (mostly) strong growth.
In relation to Harley and the extension to its present markets, if Europe is anything to go by, its entry into the electric motorcycle market is likely to, eventually, be judged as being more in hope than realistic expectation. Culturally, Europe is at least a decade ahead of the domestic U.S. market in terms of its embrace of electrification, and in Europe, the total number of electric motorcycle sales in the (still currently!) 28 EU markets may have been +66.9% for the first nine months of 2019, but at just 9,386 units (plus a further 46,858 'Mopeds'), it doesn't look like the 'E' sector is going to be a significant balance sheet feeder for Harley or any other motorcycle manufacturer any time soon.

EICMA 2019 Review Part 1

The 77th EICMA Show (Milan, November 6-10) has been universally judged to have been a "Good Year" by the market's parts, accessory and G&A vendors. The organizers are claiming what is almost certainly a greatly exaggerated turn-out of nearly 800,000 visitors, but the real number, even if half of that or less, is immaterial - there were plenty of people to keep the aisles rammed and the booths busy. With +50 cc PTW registrations in Italy running at +5.9% (196,956 units) for the first nine months of 2019, and, having been up consistently for the past few years, the Italian market is now "bossing it" where Europe's "business action" is concerned. Here AMD Magazine presents a selection from the 400 plus vendors who have products for the V-twin market…


 

Harley-Davidson: The hot news at EICMA was the pre-production design concept prototype debut for the 60-degree 'Revolution Max' liquid-cooled V-twin engined 750 cc 'Bronx' Streetfighter and 1,250 cc 'Pan American' ADV - a couple of weeks before Harley broke cover with them at the IMS at Long Beach, California. Harley clearly still has some styling work to do as the ADV especially looks a tad gauche in the context of Europe's mature Adventure Tourer market. Both models look somewhat heavy, but as a start-point to new platforms, they will give Milwaukee something more viable in 'More Roads' business opportunity terms than the LiveWire is doing so far; www.harley-davidson.com

 

S&S Cycle: Hosted at EICMA by Parts Europe, the Viola, Wisconsin based purveyor of 'Proven Performance' has always had an avid following in Europe - the addition of exhausts to the meaning of the S&S brand has gone down very, very well with European dealers, custom shop owners and custom bike builders; www.sscycle.com


 

BMC Air Filters: The oiled cotton filter technology developed by BMC has impeccable performance credentials as the filter of choice from Formula 1 to WorldSBK and MotoGP. BMC says that its oiled cotton filter construction is superior to synthetic materials and that under ISO 5011 'Coarse' grade dirt testing comes as close as possible to complete filtration efficiency - at 98% compared to 48% for comparable synthetic material filters tested. A year ago, BMC entered the Harley air filter aftermarket for the first time with a "no-hassle-fit upgrade" for the OEM H-D paper air filter element, manufactured with a metallic mesh that contains multiple cotton layers of oiled filtration material. Available in the USA through Tucker V-Twin, they are washable and reusable and also available for selected S&S Super B&D and E/G applications; www.bmcairfilters.com

 

HP Corse: Best known for its high performance sportsbike and streetbike exhausts, along with advanced hydroforming technology, recent new products from the Italian high-tech exhaust manufacturer include options from two of its lines for the Indian Scout Bobber. The V-2 is a 2-into-2 available in black that is said to deliver "clean lines, without rivets, with a CNC-machined solid billet aluminum end cap for an aggressive look that emphasizes the design character of Indian's top-seller." The Hydroform Black 2-into-2 features one of HP Corse's most popular and radical curved style mufflers, a "beautiful and unique solution for the aggressive lines of the Scout Bobber"; www.hpcorse.com

 

Puig: Spanish windscreen, parts and accessory specialist Puig (Motoplastic) is celebrating more track success in 2019 as a technical sponsor of the KRT team's WSBK winning team, with Jonathan Rea taking a fifth successive championship. Puig's 'CustomAcess' brand is one of the fastest growing custom accessory programs in the market and its range of products includes options from mirrors, screens and deflectors to pegs, grips, handlebars, lights, protectors, spools and sliders. It introduced a new semifairing at EICMA; www.puig.tv

 

Mupo: The "Eagle" has landed! The Italian performance suspension specialist has new front suspension cartridges specifically designed to improve the feeling and control of the front end of the Harley-Davidson. Called the "Eagle" cartridge kit, it transforms the original adjustment option free forks into fully adjustable units. The transformation takes place by replacing the entire original cartridge assembly with the "Eagle" cartridge, ensuring greater precision and better performance. There are 40 positions of compression and rebound to deliver immediate and noticeable handling and feel improvements. The range of available chrome-silicon steel Mupo springs means the fork can be tuned according to weight and driving style. Made in aluminum, the 22 mm cartridge has a 22 mm sintered piston and 12 mm steel rod. A new high level Mupo monoshock is also about to come to market for the FTR 1200. Mupo's offering for V-twin also includes adjustable rear shocks, "engineered to provide optimal comfort, safety and fun!"; www.mupo.it

 

SBS: Best known for its high-performance brake pads, the Danish manufacturer added to its range for Harleys and custom bikes with availability of a full line of European made stainless steel rotors for dealers in the USA through Drag Specialties. The program comprises both a standard OEM replacement range with the application-specific shape, construction and dimensions to make them a true OEM standard replacement line, and an OEM upgrade line that is "specifically designed to increase brake feel, performance, comfort and looks. We have been in braking for more than 50 years and offer the most comprehensive brake pad range in this market. Together with the brake rotors, we are now able to offer Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited dealers a complete V-twin package"; www.sbsbrakes.com
 

Matris Suspension: Best known for its high performance sportsbike and streetbike shock absorbers, stabilizers and front suspensions, Italian specialist Matris also offers a good, better and best range of Classic and Custom twin shock absorber set-ups, available with a silver cylinder and chrome spring, or 'Black Edition' with black cylinder and black spring. Easy to adjust for a correct set-up and designed and manufactured with computerized systems using materials with high technical-mechanical performance properties, even the Matris M40E standard twin shocks are a feature-rich, ride-enhancing upgrade - hydraulic emulsion-type shocks with Nitrogen pressurized (N2) cylinders in aluminum alloy with a high resistance steel alloy piston with hard chrome coating; www.matrisdampers.com