MV Agusta CEO Giovanni Castiglioni was slapped with a suspended six-month prison term in November after being accused of stealing some $2.3m of employee taxes. At the time when MV had run out of money, the tax had been deducted from employee salaries by MV in the period 2013-2015, but never paid over to the Italian tax authorities. Castiglioni is also being pursued for personal income tax evasion in a challenge to his Swiss residency status for tax purposes. Meanwhile, Castiglioni’s uncle Gianfranco is being investigated for a suspected Casti Group VAT (sales tax) fraud of up to $1.3Bn.
Raleigh, North Carolina’s Ray Price H-D has been sold by Ray’s widow Jean to Arizona based John Morroti - owner of four motorcycle dealerships, three of them Harley stores.
For the year through November 2017 Harley is in 6th spot in motorcycle market share terms in Germany, having sold 9,024 units YTD for a reduced 9.5% share (having sold 11,210 units in Germany for a fifth spot, 10.4% share in the same period of 2016). The company remains ahead of Ducati, Triumph and Suzuki. Harley’s best seller there is the XL 1200 C (in 26th place, 975 units) and has three other models in the Top 50 in Germany - Breakout, Dyna Street Bob and XL 883 Iron.
Indian Motorcycle is in 14th spot in market share terms for the period January to November 2017 in Germany, having sold 642 units YTD for a 0.65% market share (compared to 785 units for a 0.73% share for the same period in 2016).
Zodiac International has been granted TÜV approval on a range of popular Californian-made Freedom Performance exhaust system and slip-on options.
Dobeck Performance’s ‘AXIS’ test ride simulator is a combination video game riding simulator with built-in Dobeck ‘AXIS’ variable inertia dynamometer with patented direct torque measurement and integrated air turbine engine cooling.
Motorcycle rentals pioneer Eagle Rider has sold its 20,000 sq ft Indian Motorcycle of Orlando store to Elmhurst, Illinois based iMotorsports, described as one of the largest used motorcycle dealers in the United States. This acquisition follows up on iMotorsports’ purchase of St. Pete Powersports, Florida.
For 2018, the AMA is to sanction four Extreme Off-Road State Championships in the states of Texas, Michigan, California and Pennsylvania, and will recognize the overall winner of each event as an AMA state champion. AMA Off-Road Racing Manager Erek Kudla says: “This has been in the works for a few years now and came together as a result of the hard work of many clubs who will be hosting these extreme events. The top three overall finishers in each of the four AMA Extreme Off-Road State Championships will have their entry fees waived and qualify to compete in Sunday’s racing at the AMA Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro, an AMA Grand Championship, scheduled for Aug. 18-19 in Sequatchie, Tenn. Courses are made up of a minimum of 50 percent natural, off-road terrain and may include manmade obstacles; features include Le Mans starts, timed sections, GPS navigation and course changes.
Polaris has launched Polaris Adventures, a network of ride and drive destinations “from the tropical paradise of Maui, Hawaii, and the desert terrain of Ocotillo Wells, Calif., to the epic mountain passes of Silverton, Colo., and the wooded trails and trout streams of Pittsburgh, N.H.” Area experts will provide worry-free ride and drive options in Polaris vehicles to create safe, memorable adventures for all skill levels.
Pirelli has launched what it says is the world’s first “multi-compound” motorcycle tire. Derived from its experience as the tire supplier for the FIM WSBK Championship series, the Diablo Rosso Corsa II is a high-performance sport bike tire, said to be particularly good for riders who corner hard with greater lean angles.
New England businessman James Jalbert’s collection of classic American motorcycles, which includes Indians, Harleys, Henderson and Excelsior will be auctioned by Bonhams in Las Vegas in January.