Harley has partnered in the launch of an apparel collection in collaboration with elven heroine Arwen Undómiel's Dad's less than elven rock band, Aerosmith. The limited edition line of men's and women's apparel will be sold at Harley dealerships around the world and on Harley-Davidson.com. The collection features "iconic artwork collaborations from both Aerosmith and Harley-Davidson to create truly unique and one-of-a-kind designs." The offering will include 17 total styles and is made up of six distinct graphic "capsules."
Torch Eyewear is to return as Official Sunglasses of Progressive AFT. "Renowned for its world-class products that combine the best elements of American and Italian design with unparalleled precision and craftsmanship, the Florida-based company's products far surpass industry standards for optical quality and impact resistance."
Hollister Biosciences Inc. and Easyriders have "come together to create high-quality cannabis products that embody the independent spirit and attitude of the modern biker." The first products are "premium pre-roll packs in silver or black collectible tins featuring the iconic Easyriders logo." In a press release, Hollister says that "each pack contains 10.2 g pre-rolls designed for quick, socially discreet ways to medicate, microdose and elevate on the go or when sharing with friends. The silver tin features pre-rolls made with an artisan Sherbert strain (Girl Scout Cookies x Pink Panties genetics), while the pre-rolls in the black tin feature lush Ice Cream Cake flower (Wedding Cake x Gelato #33 genetics). Both are terpene-rich, indica-dominant hybrids that may promote stress release, physical relaxation and uplifting moods."
Yamaha Motor Germany has appointed Sandro Cortese as its racing sector brand ambassador. A former Moto3 class and Supersport World Champion, Cortese is currently competing for Yamaha in the World SBN series.
Canadian powersports vehicle manufacturer BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) has announced that it intends to offer electric models in all product lines by the end of 2026. To achieve this, they will invest $300m in product development, special equipment, infrastructure, production tools and plants. The company's Swiss subsidiary Rotax (Gunskirchen, Austria) is developing a modular electric power pack technology for use in all product lines. BRP is to establish the BRP Electric Vehicle Development Center in its hometown of Valcourt, Quebec, Canada. The BRP brand portfolio includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo boats and watercraft, Can-Am on-road and ATVs, Alumacraft, Manitou, Quintrex, Stacer and Savage boats, and Evinrude and Rotax boat propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts, motorcycles and sport aircraft.
Walking back prior remarks by CEO Claudio Domenicali in 2019, Ducati's VP of Global Sales and Board Member Francesca Milicia appears to be suggesting that its membership of the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) might give Ducati an opportunity to prioritize exploring synthetic gasoline rather than electric power as its initial pathway to reduced emissions. "Will we produce an electric Ducati soon? No. We are also looking carefully at other solutions for zero or minimal emissions, such as synthetic fuel. Other brands in our group, such as Porsche, are looking at it and it's something we are looking at in the medium term." In fact, Ducati parent company Audi (along with Bosch) is known to have been investing heavily in prototype synthetic pump gas scale production research since 2017.
PIERER Mobility - the KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas parent company - announced record Q1 2021 revenues at € 509m (+82%). A total of 106,453 vehicles were sold worldwide, including 87,197 KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas brand motorcycles and 19,256 R RAYMON and Husqvarna brand e-bikes (+80%). In Europe, 53,971 motorcycles and e-bikes were sold during the period (+79%). Growth was particularly strong in North America, where 12,637 motorcycles were sold (+145%), and Australia (4,357 units/+109%).
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com