One of the big factors driving the evolution of transport policy and technology is the ongoing trend to urbanization. Urban population is set to rise to 4.7 billion by 2030, an estimated 63% of global population; an increase of +34% since 2010, an extra 1.6 billion city dwellers (and estimated to rise to 73% by 2050). This is the context in which H-D and other manufacturers have to plan the dealer networks of the future.
As at the end of July, AIMExpo (Las Vegas, October 11-14) said that this year’s exhibitor line-up already featured more than 100 businesses new to the event. There will be over 400,000 sq ft of “exclusive business, education and networking opportunities.” Confirmed V-twin sector exhibitors include Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Drag Specialties, Tucker, V-Twin, AirFX/Hawg Halters, Andrews, Barnett, National Cycle, Avon Tyres, Sport Chrome and more.
The free trade deal signed between the EU and Japan is good news for the EU motorcycle industry. The WTO standard rate 6% import tariff on Japanese made units will go away. Less good news for the UK though. Once outside the EU, British bikers will still be paying the tariff. Worse, one of the primary incentives for Japanese auto makers (Honda, Nissan and Toyota) to produce in the UK will also have disappeared.
Having acquired it in 2006, MAG has sold UK based handlebar and sprocket specialist Renthal back to founder Henry Rosenthal. Following the sale of MAG Europe to Dutch based international distributor Motorcycle Storehouse earlier this year, this represents sale of the last of MAG’s holdings outside the U.S.
The NICB reports that U.S. motorcycle thefts decreased in 2017 by -5% (44,268 motorcycles reported stolen); this follows increases against trend in 2015 and 2016. The top three states for theft were California, Florida and Texas; the top three cities were New York, San Diego and Los Angeles. The three most stolen brands were Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki (Harley the fourth). July and August were peak months.
Skip Eaken (who died in 2012) joins Terry Cunningham, Gary Davis, Nicky Hayden, Clifford “Corky” Keener and Mary McGee as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee for 2018. A motorcycle racing tuner from Lodi, Ohio, he began building competitive and reliable flat track racers in the 1970s. He notched his first Grand National victory in 1983 with Ted Boody riding an Eaken-prepped H-D. He is best known as the mechanic who worked on Hall of Famer Bubba Shobert’s factory Honda motorcycles in the 1980s.
Valerie Thompson, the world’s fastest female motorcycle racer, was among those inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame at this year’s 78th annual Rally, alongside Jeff Decker, Jack Hoel, Armondo “Mondo” Porras, Marilyn Stemp and Hamsters USA. Thompson set a new land speed record of 328.467 mph (528.616 km/h) during the DRLA Speed Week competition at Lake Gairdner, Australia, earlier this year - surviving a huge 363 mph crash during the World Speed Trials.
Vanson Leathers has opened a riding gear studio at the Fillipachi Action Sports Store in Soho, NYC, where it will offer custom riding leathers fitting in addition to its respected ‘off-the-peg’ program.