RumbleOn has rebranded itself as the RideNow Group, is to move its HQ from Irving, Texas to Chandler, Arizona, deploy a new NASDAQ ticker ident (RDNW) and build a new structure for its 54 powersports dealership operations. The new HQ offices are at the former independent, pre-take-over Ride Now iteration's flagship store. Cam Tkach, COO says: "Central to the company's plan is the rollout of the RideNow Way, a business framework built on three core pillars: entrepreneurial spirit, customer experience, and operational excellence. The RideNow Way will guide leaders and staff in dealerships and the company offices." Say, maybe that could catch-on!
A new law in Kentucky means that powersports vehicles like UTVs and ATVs can now be used legally on the street. Kind of. RideApart reports that Eligible off-road rigs can now be made street legal in the state, provided they pass inspection, meet safety standards and observe a few basic rules. Under the law, street-legal "special purpose vehicles" (SPVs) must be equipped with things like seatbelts, roll cages, headlights, turn signals, and mirrors. Owners have to get their rigs inspected by a certified professional, pay a registration fee, and secure insurance comparable to what motorcycles carry. Once registered, these vehicles can legally operate on public highways - but with limits. They're capped at 20 miles per trip on roads with centerline markings.
BMW Motorrad dealerships ranked highest in the 2025 Pied Piper PSI Service Telephone Effectiveness (STE) Powersports Industry Study, which measured the efficiency and quality of customer attempts to schedule service appointments by telephone. They were followed by Kubota, Triumph, Polaris Off-Road and Harley-Davidson.
Honda is to add further to its already dominant motorcycle manufacturing estate with a new production facility in Turkey. Honda Turkiye A.S. (HTR) will establish in a new factory in Aliaga, Izmir, aimed at supporting growth in the local motorcycle market and boosting global sales. The Turkish market saw a new PTW unit sales record set in 2024, reaching 162,000 motorcycles. Production is scheduled to begin in mid-2026. Initially, the plant will operate with an annual capacity of 100,000 motorcycles, with plans to increase production capacity to 200,000 units in the future. The total investment amount for the facility and equipment is approximately $20m (€ 17.3m). The plant is expected to create employment opportunities for around 300 people.
The motorcycle industry publishing sector mourns the passing of motorcycle industry magazine and trade show pioneer Larry Hester. As founder of Dealernews and Dealer Expo, those of us who have enjoyed careers in the wake of Hester, Joe Teresi, who also passed recently, must keep the flame of institutional memory alive.
LiveWire e-motorcycles are being made available for training at Bartels' Harley-Davidson Riding Academy in Marina del Rey, California - the first new rider program in the U.S. to offer certified training on LiveWire's all-electric S2 motorcycles.
The MIC says that AIMExpo 2026, taking place January 7-9 in Anaheim, California, has already surpassed 250 exhibiting companies - the fastest pace in show history - "as momentum continues to build around North America's premier powersports trade event."
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) is warning that recently imposed and expanded U.S. tariffs could carry serious consequences for the powersports sector. Scott Schloegel, MIC's senior vice president of government relations said: "The MIC government relations team remains actively engaged with legislators and policymakers on the issue of tariffs. We continue to monitor the effects that broad-based tariffs may have on the powersports industry and advocate for measures to mitigate these impacts."
Heritage Global Partners (HGP) put the remaining assets of the Erik Buell-endorsed, NYC-headquartered Fuell Motorcycles up for sale in an auction that ended in August. Assets included completed and partially built Fuell models, IP (including patents), machinery, inventory, parts and tools.
SEMA has moved to dispel misinformation surrounding a new law in Nevada pertaining to local enforcement of state and federal vehicle emissions laws. The organization specifically wants to reaffirm that the new law, which takes effect on Oct. 1, will not impact the 2025 SEMA Show, Las Vegas's largest annual trade show, which will be held Nov. 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. "SEMA has always been aware of Nevada's SB 80 and provided feedback on the bill on behalf of the automotive community as it was developed. SB 80 is common-sense legislation that maintains the status quo as it pertains to existing state and federal law. SEMA was, and is, comfortable with this bill, which reinforces existing state and federal bans on emissions system tampering. The law is still the law as it pertains to emissions systems."
Former Asphalt & Rubber blog man Jenson Beeler has brought his three (successful) years as CEO of Kramer Motorcycles USA to an end by 'falling on his own sword' and resigning as part of the cost-cutting measures he has implementing in order for the company to survive its present issues. Those issues have not been triggered by lack of sales but by lack of product. One of the many wider international motorcycle industry fallouts from the KTM fiasco is that Kramer cannot get a reliable and timely supply of the KTM doner bike models that Kramers are based for its popular track-day and race prepared performance bike conversions. Among the several deals that Beeler set-up is the supply of spec bikes for MotoAmerica's Wayne Rainey and that series' fledgling Talent Cup.
The list of businesses and brands that have been honored with the Red Dot Award program's prestigious 'Design Team of The Year' reads like a veritable who's who of Industrial and Commercial product design royalty. From Apple and Porsche, to Ferrari, Fisker, Philips and Logitech. Now add Bombardier Recreational Products to that list of luminaries (BRP, Valcourt, Quebec, Canada) - winners of the 'Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2025' - the first Canadian business to be so recognized. Its 2025 success saw the company scoop five additional awards for its Can-Am line up, including a Best of the Best Award for the Can-Am's Pulse electric motorcycle. The design organization also recognized the Can-Am Origin, Can-Am Canyon Redrock, Can-Am Maverick R Max, and Can-Am Outlander XT 1000R. This latest haul takes BRP's impressive collection of international design and innovation recognitions to 200 prizes, including 61 Red Dots; www.brp.com
