These days, if a company – especially a U.S.-based manufacturer of motor vehicles – is still making money, it’s a miracle. That’s why Harley-Davidson’s First Quarter 2009 revenue report is pretty positive, despite showing a 12-percent drop in global sales and a 38-percent drop in new profits compared to the first quarter of 2008. After all, $117.3 million in profits is $117.3 million in profits. Still, H-D’s CEO Jim Ziemer (about to be replaced by incoming president and CEO Keith Wardell) recognizes that the company will struggle in the tough times ahead, and outlined the necessary strategy to weather the continuing storm…Â Details
Archive for the ‘New Motorcycle products & Tests’ Category
One for the “Because We Can” file: What do you do when you’re bored with the paltry horsepower from a garden-variety Japanese superbike? We’ve seen power output from the Japanese fours plateau around the 150-hp mark (at the rear wheel on a dyno) for a few years now, and the OEMs seem to be focusing more on rideability rather than the exponential increases in torque and horsepower we’ve grown accustomed to over the last three decades. If they can make 220 hp MotoGP bikes, they can make them for us. If they wanted to.
Stephen Rothwell of The Two Stroke Shop, located in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, decided to tackle this crisis by using …Â Details & Pictures
 Known for hosting performance racing events, motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy all sorts of two-wheeled fun at Laguna Seca this weekend.
Motorcyclists, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts are expected to come together this weekend for the Sea Otter Classic, a four-day celebration of sport. Taking place at the Laguna Seca area in Monterey, California the event on April 17th-20th, promising more activities and exhibits.
One such exhibit will have rider’s adrenaline potentially pumping with Ducati’s Hyper Truck offering Hypermotard demo rides. Ducati’s tractor trailer full of performance motorcycles is touring all summer offering demo rides and world-class hospitality and is calling Laguna Seca home this weekend. When the Italian motorcycle manufacturer sets up shop, not only will demo rides be in the offering, but For those wanting to fill out the riding wardrobe the latest in Ducati Fashion will be available.
Interested riders should note … Details
Victory Motorcycles made a chess move worthy of Bobby Fischer in 2001. That was the year it first enlisted the services of one Arlen Ness, aka the Godfather of Custom Motorcycle Builders. The introduction of the Arlen Ness Signature Series Accessories made exclusively for Victory followed. It was a savvy marketing strategy. What better name could you have associated with your motorcycles than Arlen Ness, a legend in the custom building world? The only move that could sweeten the pot more would be to enlist the services of Arlen’s son Cory as well, who is a distinguished custom motorcycle builder in his own right. This would initiate a longstanding friendship and working relationship between the Ness family and Victory Motorcycles.
But Arlen wasn’t satisfied with solely providing a line of aftermarket parts with his name on it… Details