Drag Racer Dustin Lee, of Hard Times Parts and Service has bought the respected, previously Sanford, FL based Motorcycle Performance Specialties (MPS Racing) business from owners Dan and Beth Rudd. Long an electrical and component innovator in motorcycle drag racing, MPS is also a warehouse distributor for many top brands in the sport - including APE, Web Cams, Worldwide Bearings, DME, Vance & Hines, and many more. Lee has developed a respected distributing business of his own with Hard Times Parts and Service, and both of these brands will continue the goal of operating seamlessly as the transition to Lee's Tennessee shop occurs over the winter. Dan Rudd started MPS in 1980, "placing it on the forefront of the technological innovations that have transformed both drag racing and internet retailing," says Dustin. "From the first Mixture Control Unit EFI tuning device in '81 through the first ever autoshift in '85 and their leading edge of motorsports websites in '96, MPS has always been a leader of motorcycle drag racing technology;" www.mpsracing.com, www.hardtimesparts.com
Royal Enfield is returning as AFT Official OEM Partner for the sixth consecutive year in 2025. Additionally, the manufacturer returns as the event entitlement sponsor for the Royal Enfield Short Track at Daytona, scheduled for Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Royal Enfield's "Build. Train. Race." (BTR) program will return to Progressive AFT events in 2025, kicking off with both days at the Royal Enfield Short Track at Daytona along with other select rounds in the season ahead. This initiative, which highlights and celebrates women in flat track racing, has become a cornerstone of Royal Enfield's involvement with the series. Utilizing customized Royal Enfield INT650 motorcycles, the program combines hands-on motorcycle preparation, skill development, and national-level competition; www.royalenfield.com
JCS Racing has announced the return of Brandon Robinson as its premier class rider in the now fully Production bike only AFT SuperTwins class for the 2025 season - this time aboard the H-D XG750R. Robinson boasts 16 career Mission AFT SuperTwins wins, 45 podium finishes, and numerous top five championship finishes. This marks a reunion of sorts with the H-D brand. He was a Harley factory rider from 2017 to 2018. Wrenching on Robinson's machines this season will be returning crew chief Ben Evans alongside suspension tech Kayl Kolkman.
BMW Motorrad has reported the strongest results in its history for 2024, selling 210,408 motorcycles in total. Germany remains its largest market (26,177 units), followed by France (20,693), Italy (16,617) and Spain (13,009). Total European sales of 118,727 units were up by +8%. Central European markets were +12% at 14,411 despite the economic and geo-political issues there. USA saw 17,272 units sold (essentially flat on 2023), Brazil 15,267, China 13,872 and India 8,301.
In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first American states to allow cannabis to be sold for recreational use. Another 22 followed, creating a sizeable market: in 2024 Americans spent about $29bn on legal marijuana. But according to analysis by The Economist, the cannabis boom is losing strength. President Joe Biden did not, after all, federally decriminalise the drug, and reform at state level has slowed. The American Cannabis Operator Index, which tracks firms' market value, has fallen by more than 90% since February 2021.
Indian Motorcycle has already had to issue a recall on certain 2025 Scout and Scout Sixty motorcycles. The issue concerns the gear position display - it has been found to possible for it to falsely show that the motorcycle is in neutral. Dealers will update the Engine Control Module (ECM) software, free of charge.
Supported again by Permco, the 2025 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days are set for July 25-27, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a rider's paradise. The 2.4-mile road racing track features near-endless racing in various disciplines - including trials, motocross, hare scrambles, road racing and pitbike racing - North America's largest motorcycle swap meet and numerous recreational riding activities, and more; www.vintagemotorcycledays.com
Progressive AFT has announced a five-year partnership with Lincoln Electric to remain as the Official Welder of AFT through the 2029 season.
Parent company Race Winning Brands (RWB) has hired industry veteran Garrett Quinlan as Rekluse brand Product Manager. A drag racer and motorcycle rider Garrett has racked up 24 years of motorsports industry professional experience, 20 of them in powersports. He has spent a lot of time in various product and already had a working knowledge of the Rekluse product range from his time at Western Power Sports. Garrett has also spent valuable time in manufacturing at Pro Moto Billet. Garrett will be working with RWB Director of Product Innovation and Management Nick DiBlasi.
