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Thursday, 10 September 2026

Indian Motorcycle

Anniversary Chief Vintage


Available in 125 individually serialized motorcycles to celebrate the brand's 125th anniversary, Indian Motorcycle's limited edition Chief Vintage was unveiled at the Sturgis Rally to highlight the brand's "foundational role" in the Origins of the rally.

Featuring heritage-inspired paint and an iconic, multi-colored Indian Motorcycle Headdress tank logo, its debut at the 86th annual Sturgis Rally had clearly not been a surprise to a certain other long standing midwestern United States motorcycle brand.

Billed as "tribute to the riders that started it all and the bikes they rode in Sturgis, back in 1938," what eventually became the Sturgis Rally we know today was started as a rider's picnic and Hill Climb Race by local Indian Motorcycle Dealer Clarence "Pappy" Hoel along with the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club.

The new Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition is an exclusive, commemorative piece honoring the origins of America's most legendary motorcycle rally. 

"The new Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition draws inspiration from those legendary riders whose passion for the brand sparked what would become the world's largest and most iconic motorcycle rally."

The limited-edition model features a classic two-tone Indian Motorcycle Red and Cream paint scheme and a multi-colored Indian Motorcycle headdress logo reminiscent of the prominent aesthetic featured on Indian Motorcycles of the 1930s. 

Serialized badging up to 125 commemorates the brand's 125-year anniversary, while a painted number 56 on the side plate pays tribute to the hand-painted numbers that original racers ran on their bikes in Sturgis, South Dakota, during the rally's earliest beginnings. 

"When you look at how far it's come and how much it's grown over almost 90 years, it's amazing to think that it was an Indian Motorcycle dealer and a group of Indian Motorcycle riders that literally started it all," said Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. 


"What's even cooler is the fact that back then, it was all based on a simple desire to come together in celebration of a lifestyle and a spirit of freedom that can only be found through motorcycle riding, and it remains the same to this day." 

The inaugural gathering in the Black Hills was built around nine riders and attracted approximately 200 spectators. The event combined scenic riding, racing and camaraderie and cemented the brand as a key pillar in the history and origins of America's most legendary motorcycle rally. 

The new Chief Vintage Sturgis, SD Edition is based on the 120 ft-lbs. of torque air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-Twin engine. Classic Indian Chief styling with valanced fenders, illuminated warbonnet, wire-spoke wheels, Vintage Espresso Solo Seat, Vintage Handleand heritage-inspired engine finishes such as painted cylinder heads, pushrod tubes and black cylinders speak to the Chief's Heritage.

Three selectable ride modes and a 4-inch Round Touchscreen Display powered by RIDE COMMAND with App Enhanced Navigation, live traffic and weather, Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation speak to contemporary riding experiences and expectations - at a $23,999 starting price. 


Arlen Ness

Diamond Mini Floorboards


These new diamond mini floorboards from Arlen Ness in California feature a weight-reducing cut through diamond pattern design and titanium inserts for increased foot traction. 

Each floorboard is CNC machined from aircraft grade billet aluminum, with titanium ‘spikes’ that have been CNC machined from solid. The performance-oriented design is short in length for added ground clearance.

Diamond series floorboards

They accept factory floorboard mounts; no separate mounts or modifications are required for a fully reversible install. Matching grips and footpegs are separately available. They are finished in Black Anodize for 99-up FLT Touring models (Baggers).

Diamond series passenger floorboard


ARLEN NESS ENTERPRISES

www.arlenness.com




Barnett Clutches and Cables

Stinger Clutch Spring Retainer Assembly


Ventura, California based Barnett Clutches and Cables have added this optimized performance Stinger Clutch Spring Retainer Assembly, to deliver consistent clutch engagement and improved rider control.

Described as a high-performance upgrade it is "designed to deliver improved durability, consistent clutch engagement, and superior rider control for M8 Baggers/Softails (all) and 2013-16 CVO's. The Stinger Retainer Assembly represents the next evolution in clutch system optimization.

"Engineered with premium -grade materials to withstand extreme stress and heat, the precision manufactured Stinger Clutch Spring Retainer Assembly is built to handle extreme conditions while optimizing clutch performance for both street and high-performance applications."

It includes two sets of coil springs- one light set for reduced lever effort and one heavy duty set suitable for 190+ horsepower/torque applications – and designed for easy installation with no modifications required; premium hardware is included.

"The Stinger Spring Retainer Assembly reflects our ongoing mission to push the boundaries of performance and reliability," said Chance Darling at Barnett. "We've combined advanced engineering with rider feedback and real-world testing to create a component that performs when it matters most."


BARNETT CLUTCHES & CABLES

www.barnettclutches.com


BS Battery

Power Box - BS Battery Expands Booster Range


Paris based battery and charger specialist BS Battery has expanded its range of power boosters with its new Power Box Air and Power Box Max.

The new additions are "to meet growing market demand" and "build on the strong success of our Power Box PB02. These two new high-value solutions allow distributors and their dealers to address a wider variety of customer needs with a clear, segmented offering."

Their original Power Box PB02 quickly became a "best seller" as a result of the two most important features any Power Boost device can have - reliability and versatility. However, as usage patterns continued to evolve, BS Battery says it has identified two new key demands from riders and professionals alike - even greater functionality for everyday mobility, and even greater starting power for larger vehicles and ever-increasing power requirements. 

"The result is a smarter, more targeted booster range. The Power Box Air integrates a built-in air compressor, combining battery boosting and tyre inflation in one compact device. This all-in-one solution is particularly important for touring riders, but adventure riders and urban riders all suffer from tire vulnerability, so all need the autonomy and convenience of being able to get back on the road quickly."

For distributors and their dealers, it represents a strong upselling opportunity in the accessories and travel equipment segment. 

The Power Box Max is designed for higher engine capacities and more demanding applications - "delivering increased starting power (especially for V-twins) when combined with PA01 Max. 

"This accessory is the ideal solution to jump start your battery when your battery is hard to reach, hidden, or when using clamps is not possible. It answers the needs of professional users and customers seeking maximum performance and reliability. We have brought ergonomics to jump stating!"



BS BATTERY

www.bs-battery.com

Zard

Zard - "Sound Is Not Just a Detail"


Italian exhaust manufacturer Zard is internationally respected for its craftsmanship, attention to detail and sound management - "sound is not a detail". The company's new range of Euro 5+ homologated M8 exhausts 2025-2026 Touring and Softail applications features 2-into1 performance systems and a line of Touring platform Slip-ons.


"Three product families, one artisanal philosophy," says CEO Giulia Gherlone. "Our 2-into-1 'Full Kit' for Grand American Touring and CVO models, and Softail specific 'Full Kit' 2-into-1 for all three (Classic, Custom and High Output) versions of the Softail 117 engine are complemented by Slip-Ons for all Harley M8 Touring and Softail applications.

"This is the most extensive collection Zard has ever dedicated to Harley-Davidson applications and is the result of a long-term R&D investment with the exhausts entirely designed and handcrafted at our Baldichieri d'Asti (AT), Italy headquarters factory.

"Long noted for Italian design excellence and artisanal production of premium motorcycle exhaust, this is the most ambitious and complete exhaust range ever created for the Harley-Davidson market - a new Euro 5+ homologated collection that, for the first time, embraces the entire Softail, Grand American Touring, and CVO lineup (2025-2026).

'a designed acoustic signature'

"Some motorcycles are not just ridden but also listened to and Zard's engineers have been listening since 1989 founded manufacturer GP Tecnica established its Zard brand in 2005. For Zard, sound is not just a detail, not a secondary effect. It is identity. It is culture."

Full Kit for Lowrider S

The Euro 5+ regulation updates represented a Paradigm Shift that has required the exhaust aftermarket to embrace a radical change in approach. It is not simply a matter of stricter emission limits: it is a new way of measuring, analyzing, and certifying. 

"More complex tests, dynamic controls, parameters that go beyond the laboratory with tighter limits on acceleration dB levels, cold-start emissions, and long-term behavior. The Zard team worked on every element: geometries, volumes, flows. The internal chambers are no longer simple tubes, but precision instruments. Back pressure is not a compromise, but a variable to be controlled and finessed." 

The integration of more advanced catalysts brought additional challenges - temperature, efficiency, positioning. "Every choice influences the behavior of the engine. Especially on platform architectures like Harley's, where low-end torque is an integral part of the riding experience.

"We did not choose between performance and the law. We chose both."

Guilia says that the true revolution was not about lowering the volume. "It was about rethinking the sound." Making less noise is one thing she says, but maintaining character within strict limits is another.

Full kit for Street Glide

"We worked on frequencies, not just decibels. On depth, not just intensity. The result is not a reduced sound, but a controlled, full, recognizable sound - a designed acoustic signature. In a market where aftermarket products often sacrifice quality for immediate impact, the difference lies in creating a sonic experience that is not flat but remains true to the original spirit. We learned to design silence without taking away the voice."

The offering is structured into three product families, each designed by the Zard Design Center and entirely handcrafted at the Baldichieri d'Asti facility. All available in Euro 5+ homologated version with TÜV certification and in racing version.

The 2-into1 'Full Kit' for Softails is compatible with the Low Rider ST, Low Rider S and Street Bob (2025-2026). Made entirely in AISI 304 stainless steel with heat shield, the complete exhaust system consisting of headers, short cone silencer, and CNC machined black anodized aluminum end cap with Zard logo tag. Available finishes include satin, mirror-polished and black Cerakote.

'we worked on frequencies, not just decibels'

Performance data (e.g. Street Bob): up to +3.9 HP in the racing version and +1.8 HP in the Euro 5+ version, with weight reduction of up to -1.1 kg compared to the stock system.

The 2-into1 'Full Kit' for Grand American Touring / CVO is compatible with Street Glide, Road Glide, Road King Special, CVO Street Glide, CVO Road Glide, CVO Road Glide ST, Road Glide Limited, Street Glide Limited, Street Glide Ultra, CVO Street Glide Limited, CVO Street Glide ST (2025-2026).

Also made entirely in AISI 304 stainless steel with heat shield, this kit also consists of short cone silencer, and CNC-machined black anodized aluminum end cap with satin, matte black Cerakote, and mirror-polished finishes.

Performance data: weight saving of up to -9.5 kg in the racing version compared to the stock exhaust, with a real engine performance increase of up to +4 HP. 

The Grand American Touring / CVO Slip-ons are compatible with Street Glide, Road Glide, Road King Special, CVO Street Glide, CVO Road Glide, CVO Road Glide ST, Road Glide Limited, Street Glide Limited, Street Glide Ultra, CVO Street Glide Limited, CVO Street Glide ST (2025-2026).

"A bolt-on solution for immediate installation, with no need for ECU remapping, each pair of silencers is entirely handcrafted in AISI 304 stainless steel, with CNC machined black anodized aluminum end cap." Lighter than the stock system, with a significant increase in peak power and torque, we have engineered delivery of the same characteristically deep, full Zard sound into the Slip-ons.

Slip-on range for touring

"Euro 5+ homologation is not a bureaucratic endpoint," says Guilia, "It is a technical achievement. It is proof that one can evolve without losing identity, that one can innovate without betraying what makes a motorcycle unique.

"For us, every exhaust homologated for Harley-Davidson represents a balance achieved between passion, engineering, and respect for the rules. It is not just compliance. It is competence. And above all, it is proof that even within limits, one can continue to make something that is recognizable at first listen."


ZARD S.R.L.

www.zardlab.com


Baker Drivetrain

Updated Hydraulic Side Cover


Baker Drivetrain has reintroduced the Function-Formed (FF) Hydraulic Side Cover. This precision-machined component converts traditional cable-style clutch systems to smooth, low-effort hydraulic operation.

Designed for riders looking to modernize their five-speed Harley-Davidson drivetrain, the cover and precision-designed internal components reduce clutch lever effort and makes the clutch system self-adjusting for moderate clutch plate wear.

"The Hydraulic Side Cover represents the 'true art' of mechanical design by focusing strictly on the parts that do the work. The BAKER engineering team moved the fluid ports and bleeder screw as close to the transmission as possible, resulting in a compact design that fits closer to the transmission than a stock cable cover."

This reduction in componentry and weight even extends to the dipstick, which was redesigned to be smaller while still offering the same reliable performance.

"The Hydraulic Side Cover was the cornerstone of our Function-Formed line, and for good reason - it flat-out works," says Bert Baker, co-founder of BAKER Drivetrain. 


"In the stop-and-go misery of city traffic or a heat-soaked highway backup, a heavy clutch pull is a drag. We engineered this to kill that hand fatigue, carving every bit of unnecessary mass out of billet for a tight, clean look to match its hardcore performance."

The sleek aesthetic of the cover is precision-machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum in BAKER's Haslett, Michigan facility. It features a 1.5" diameter steel piston riding on high-grade Buna N O-rings - ensuring durability against transmission fluid and DOT 4 or DOT 5 fluids. The system is designed to pair perfectly with almost any brand of 11/16" handlebar master cylinder, giving the owner total freedom in setting up their hand controls.

The BAKER Hydraulic Side Cover fits 1987-1999 Softail, Dyna, and FXR models; 2000-2006 Softails; and 2000-2005 Dynas. It is also compatible with 1993-2006 Touring models with the addition of an oil spout kit. This unit works with stock H-D 5-speeds as well as BAKER DD5, DD6, and OD6 transmissions.


BAKER DRIVETRAIN

www.bakerdrivetrain.com


Tuesday, 1 September 2026

Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC)

Half year USA on-highway motorcycle sales +4.6%


The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC – Irvine, California) is reporting that among leading brands monitored, sales of new motorcycles and scooters in the United States increased +1.9% through the first half of 2026 to 273,992 units YTD, compared to 268,822 for the year-ago. 


ATV sales decreased -0.9% among leading brands. Motorcycles and scooters accounted for 76.7% of total new-unit sales through Q2, and ATVs represented 23.3%.  

In the On-Highway segment, retail sales are reported at +4.6% (163,082 units, up from 155,919 in the first six months of 2025). Off-Highway motorcycle sales are the second largest PTW (powered two-wheeler) segment in USA with H1 retail sales reported at 66,541 units, down by -3.3% from the year-ago. ADV (Adventure, aka Dual-Sport) unit sales were up by +2.7% at 39,276 units (from 38,251 units in H1 2025).

The small U.S. Scooter market was down by -12.7% at 5,093 units (from 5,387). ATV sales were marginally down by -0.9% at 83,214 units (from 83,984) to give an overall Powersports Industry new retail unit sales read of 357,2026 units (+1.2%) for the YTD, from 352,806 for H1, 2025.

www.MIC.org

Mid-USA

M8 Softail Coil Covers


These V-Factor Coil Covers from Mid-USA are described as "show quality" and designed to hide the unsightly black coil that the factory leaves exposed. 


They are installed with a simple one bolt installation. These covers "offer big visual impact at a low cost". They are available in chrome or black for 2018 and up Softails.


MID-USA 

www.mid-usa.com 

www.mid-usa.ca