ACEM, the Brussels based lead motorcycle industry trade association for Europe, show sales in Europe continuing to rise in 2024. Registrations in Europe's five biggest markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK - increased by 10.1% in 2024 (1,155,640 units), a sizeable increase from 2023. Europe's 'Big Five' account for some 80% of all European new motorcycle and scooter registrations. The 2024 results were Germany: 248,618 units (+16.3%); Spain: 229,685 units (+14.2%); Italy: 352,294 units (+10%); France: 214,049 units (+3.5%) and the UK: 110,994 units (+2.7%). However, a rush to pre-register unsold 2024 spec machines before new regulations came into force at the start of January, means that a substantial number of early '25 sales are showing up in late '24 registration data. This happens every five years or so in Europe as updated noise and emissions standards come into force; www.acem.eu
Daytona tourism officials have reported a significant dip in attendance dip for Bike Week 2025. PSB reports a local news outlet stating that attendance was down by as much as 24% vs. 2024. On Main Street, where the biggest crowds gather, the cell phone data suggested that there were 178,600 visitors at this year's Bike Week, with 289,300 repeat visitor stops. However, in 2024, there were 233,500 visitors and 382,400 repeat visits.
Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.67 per share, payable on June 16, 2025, for shareholders of record at the close of business on June 2, 2025.
Vendors recognized in this year's annual Powersports Business 'Nifty 50' awards included Ciro, CruzTOOLS, DP Brakes, INNOVV, Klock Werks, Memphis Shades, Motion Pro, Regina Chain, TEXA and TwinPower.
PSB has reported that Canada's powersports industry association, Moto Canada, has seen a significant drop in first-quarter retail sales data for 15 of the top powersport brands across the industry for the first three months of 2025 (vs. Q1 2024). According to Moto Canada's Landon French, the impact of the ongoing trade battle, driven by tariffs first imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian counter-tariffs, has hit motorcycle sales the hardest, down nearly 22% over 2024. Approx. 32% (45,000) of all motorcycles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and side-by-sides sold in Canada each year are manufactured in the U.S. In contrast, 4,000 motorcycles are manufactured in Canada and sold in the U.S; www.motocanada.com
Along with his brother Kyle, Tyler Malinky is co-Founder of Lowbrow Customs of Brunswick Ohio. Last year saw the brothers celebrate the 20th anniversary of the business. February this year saw the announcement that Chris and Heather Callen of Cycle Source Magazine fame (Mitchell, SD) had awarded Tyler with their Sportsperson of the Year award for 2024 - recognizing his years of 'derring-do' at the Bonneville Salt Flats; www.lowbrowcustoms.com, www.cyclesource.com
The California Court of Appeal ruled on March 24 that the California Coastal Commission exceeded its authority prohibiting off-road vehicles from driving through Oceano Dunes on the state's Central Coast.
As at April 30, an initial data read says that the U.S. economy shrank at a 0.3% annual pace from January through March, the first drop in three years. First-quarter growth was slowed by a surge in imports as companies in the United States tried to bring in foreign goods before massive increases in import taxes were imposed. The Q1 drop reversed a 2.4% gain in Q4 of 2024; consumer spending also slowed sharply, to 1.8% growth from 4% in Q4; Q1 Federal government spending plunged 5.1%. Some analysts suggested that the 41% surge in imports - the fastest outside of COVID-19 economic disruptions since 1972 - is likely to reverse in the Q2, removing a weight on GDP with April-June growth rebounding with a 2% gain.
Red River H-D, a family-owned dealership operating for 40 years in the Wichita Falls area, is now under new ownership, according to reporting by PSB. Sold by the Gilmore family, the new owners are Willy and Donna Sullivan, and they have renamed the store Copperhead H-D Wichita Falls. The Sullivans also own American Eagle H-D in Corinth, Texas and Diamondback H-D in Lawton/Fort Still, Oklahoma.
