Isn’t it funny how specific types of music are synonymous with certain motorcycles? Take the image of two Panhead choppers blasting along on a desert road, two lidless riders with Fu Manchu’s and wraparound sunglasses–the soundtrack that comes to mind is Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild”, right? A stretched, chromed, and lowered turbo Hayabusa with neon lights sounds good with 50 Cent’s “Just A Li’l Bit”. Pierced-face SoCal dudes flying motocross bikes over sand dunes in the desert? Any drop-D tuned rap metal song will do.
Now think of the classic British cafe racer custom scene from the 1950’s and 60’s. The sound is… More Info…Â
Despite a weakened motorcycle market, BMW Motorrad USA reported a gain (0.6 percent) in 2008 sales compared to 2007.
Following a strong performance during each of the last six consecutive months, BMW motorcycle sales outperformed overall U.S. motorcycle sales, which dropped more than seven percent last year. Both retail and wholesale performance during October 2008 established all-new BMW Motorrad USA records… More Info
A deadline is fast approaching on February 10 that could potentially be deadly for the youth motorcycle and ATV market. In less than two weeks, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, enacted August 14 of last year, will go into effect and ban all products designed for children ages 12 or under which contain lead over specified limits. The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America and Motorcycle Industry Council are attempting to get an exemption for ATV and motorcycle parts…
…What exactly happens on Feb 10 for motorcycle dealers?
“On February 10 large inventories of motorcycle and ATV products that present no health risk to children could be rendered retroactively illegal and future products prohibited from sale. These products may need to be destroyed resulting in severe hardship for dealers and manufacturers in the motorcycle industry. Along with the current state of the economy, this may be a hit that dealers and manufacturers will not be able to recover from…Â More Info…
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. agreed to buy $300 million of debt from Harley-Davidson Inc., the biggest U.S. motorcycle maker, adding to holdings of corporate debt as yields rise.
Berkshire will get 15 percent interest on the senior unsecured notes, Milwaukee-based Harley said today in a statement. Davis Selected Advisers LP, the largest holder of the company’s stock, also committed to buy $300 million of debt. Harley, which is raising cash to lend to customers, rose the most in more than two decades in New York trading… More Info…Â