ACEM, Brussels, has stated that registrations of new motorcycles in five of the largest European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK - responsible for some 80% of the European total) showed a slight decrease of -0.5% (532,980 units) during the first six months of 2022. Some of the largest European motorcycle markets registered increases, including Germany (117,800 units, +1.7%) and Spain (91,870 units, +10.7%). Registrations decreased in France (108,000 units, -6.4%), Italy (161,500 units, -2.8%) and the UK (532,980 units, -0.5%).
Temecula Harley-Davidson and BMW in California has been sold by former owner Andre Lecompte to Rami Yanni, who now has a seven-dealership group (Wise Riders Inc.). H-D of Yuba City was the first, acquired in 2016, with Redwood, Reno, Orange County, Coronado Beach, Death Valley and now Temecula H-D being added since. Wise Riders is a subsidiary of the Wise Auto Group - established in Northern California in 1914.
Avon Lake, Ohio sound and heat management specialist DEI Powersports recently partnered with Indian Motorcycle of Orange County (IMOC) after Powersports Manager John Gabriel stopped by the dealership to show off DEI's new heat shield liner for the '22 Indian Chief. The heat from the exhaust system can become uncomfortable, especially riding in slow traffic. Not wanting to disrupt the attractive lines and appearance of the exhaust, DEI's heat shield liner kit insulates the outer heat shield, without disturbing the looks of the bike.
Mike Donoughe, Polaris' Chief Technical Officer and Head of Electrification, passed away unexpectedly on July 2, 2022. "His spirit for innovation was inspiring and his leadership helped his team achieve a record-setting year. His passion, however, shined brightest when it came to showcasing the success of his team, which he had the opportunity to do at the 2022 Patent and Innovation Awards event held in June, when Polaris marked a record year for U.S. Patent Awards - 70 in the prior 12 months, with nine of them going to just one engineer."
Steve Harris, the founder of Harris Performance in the UK, died in June aged 73. His early work as a welder included F1 Lotus chassis building. He started his own business in 1972 and with brother Lester and fellow director Steve Bayford set up Harris Performance, selling approximately 2,000 Harris Magnum frame kits in five versions, plus making numerous frames to order. Paying customers included world champion Barry Sheene. Harris was involved at world championship Grand Prix level, WSB and with a MotoGP project for Sauber Petronus. Recent work included chassis design for Royal Enfield singles and twins. In 2015, Harris Performance was bought by Royal Enfield.
In response to the apparently conflicting claims being circulated about the upcoming SX World Championship pilot season, the FIM has moved to clarify - emphasizing that the FIM World Supercross Championship is the sole FIM sanctioned World Supercross Championship series. "Whilst the AMA MX and SX Championships are successful domestic championships in their respective own rights, these domestic championships do not combine to score points towards any official FIM sanctioned World Championship" and that this would be "entirely contrary to the exclusive rights granted by FIM to SX Global as the exclusive sanctioned FIM World SX Championship promoter. No other sanctioned world championship exists in the sport of Supercross, and no winner of any other competition will be acknowledged as 'world champion' by the FIM." The opening round of the pilot season of the 2022 FIM World SX Championship is set to take place on Saturday 8th October at the iconic Welsh National Stadium in Cardiff - as lead-up to a full global championship taking place in 2023.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
