Yes we can! No more rubber boots on gas pumps

In a shocking case of common sense overcoming bureaucracy, the Obama administration and the EPA have announced that the rubber boots on gas pumps will be phased out nation wide. You know, the little rubber flaps that you have to lift with your fingers every time you fill up your motorcycle, meaning you spill gas all over your tank three out of four times. Intended to reduce evaporative emissions, they’ve been rendered redundant by vapor-capturing devices in the majority of modern cars. :continue:

Wes Siler. May 11th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (39)

What VW means for Ducati

After weeks of rumor, Bloomberg and Reuters are both independently reporting that VW has agreed to purchase Ducati for something in the neighborhood of $1.12 billion. But why does a gigantic auto conglomerate want a tiny bike manufacturer? What will VW do with Ducati? And, what does the deal mean for that most evocative of bike brands? Let’s examine the background, business and speak to experts that may be able to share some insight.

Photo: Grant Ray :continue:

Wes Siler. April 17th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (71)

What a pro-motorcycle law looks like

An extremely rare event, Virginia has signed a pro-motorcycle bill into law. HB 187 will prevent law enforcement officials from establishing motorcycle-only checkpoints on public roads. C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) introduced the bill after Arlington police exclusively targeting motorcycles for safety inspections during a POW/MIA ride. “If officials are really concerned about motorcyclists’ safety, then they need to stop discriminating against us with these checkpoints and start supporting programs that prevent motorcycle crashes, such as rider safety training and driver awareness programs,” stated the AMA’s Rick Podliska.

Wes Siler. March 6th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (23)

Is Hero Moto Corp trying to take over Erik Buell Racing?

On Monday, India’s The Economic Times reported that, in addition to inking a technology and design partnership deal with Erik Buell Racing, and sponsoring EBR’s race team, the gigantic Indian bike manufacturer would also acquire partial ownership of Erik’s tiny startup. That didn’t jive with what Erik told us or what was officially announced, so we dug deeper. :continue:

Wes Siler. March 1st, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (20)

What a new factory in Vietnam means for Piaggio

Piaggio officially cut the ribbon on its new engine assembly plant in Vietnam today, a move which will see it ramp up scooter production to 300,000 units annually in that country. Piaggio Vietnam produces both Vespa and Piaggio scooters for the Asian market and this plant is part of a massive expansion on that continent. By 2014, Piaggio forecasts that its annual volume will exceed 1,000,000 vehicles a year, with 50 percent of its revenue coming from asia. In comparison, the entire on-road market in the US was just 565,000 motorcycles. :continue:

Wes Siler. March 1st, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (10)

Erik Buell on Hero Moto Corp

Last week it was announced that Erik Buell Racing and Hero Moto Corp were entering into a consulting and design partnership. The deal sees EBR lend Hero its expertise in producing products for Western markets, while Hero will sponsor EBR’s AMA race team this year. Basically, it’s huge news for a tiny startup run out a garage in East Troy, Wisconsin. This weekend, we briefly chatted with Erik about the deal. Here’s what he had to say. :continue:

Wes Siler. February 27th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (19)

Erik Buell’s Hero

“EBR is delighted to partner with a company as iconic as Hero MotoCorp. Both HMCL and EBR share the common commitment to manufacturing world-class two-wheelers with technology of the future,” stated Erik Buell this morning when it was announced that EBR is entering into a technology and design partnership with India’s Hero MotoCorp. Hero is, by volume, the largest manufacturer of powered two-wheelers in India and the deal will see Erik Buell Racing help evolve their products into the future while providing a much-needed injection of capital into the fledgling American company. The EBR 1190RS will now compete in AMA Pro Racing under “Team Hero” colors. :continue:

Wes Siler. February 22nd, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (27)

For Sale: Ducati

“Ducati is now a perfect company but the further growth it requires needs the support of a world-class industrial partner,” the chairman of the private equity firm which owns Ducati told the Financial Times yesterday, indicating that the storied motorcycle brand is officially up for sale. :continue:

Wes Siler. February 13th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (25)

Builder: Erik Buell

I had a chance to sit down with Erik Buell some time ago at Pro Italia’s annual Cafe Desmo event, where not only was Erik showing the incredibly exotic carbon 1190RS, but a client had brought their own freshly delivered 1190RS as well. Several of EBR’s first machines had just gone out and Erik’s enthusiasm was boundless, regardless of the Great Recession. Maybe a future of fast and beautiful American motorcycles isn’t so dim, after all. Click below for the feature.

Builder: Erik Buell

Grant Ray. January 10th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (36)

What 2011 meant for motorcycles

The past three years have cast a pall over manufacturing world wide. For the motorcycle industry, its hue has been particularly dark. We have witnessed the death of brands, from the historic to eager start ups, written long essays theorizing why and what next, and have slowly come to accept that the old business templates no longer apply. It has been a very long recession, with recovery only coming to players who were able to make the quickest and deepest cuts. World Grand Prix motorcycling, the paragon of our particular religion and perhaps the most obvious industry indicator, is being rationalized and some say “dumbed down” in the name of cost reduction, with several global brands opting out. We live in very sobering times indeed. :continue:

Michael Uhlarik. December 27th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (21)

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