Harley-Davidson Softail Motorcycles in Stillwater, page #23

Moto blog

Bike Week Is Here!

It’s been a long, cold winter in most of the US, but it’s always sunny in Florida. And that’s why every year around this time tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts descend on Daytona Beach for Bike Week! Motorcycle.com will have our boots – and wheels – on the ground.

Harley-Davidson to Assemble More Models in India

Harley-Davidson is expanding its assembly operations in India, increasing the number of models imported as complete knockdown kits to nine. Harley-Davidson will now assemble the Fat Boy, Fat Boy Special and Heritage Softail Classic in India, joining six models already being assembled in India. The move follows India’s new budget which increases import duties on motorcycles with engines larger than 800cc to 75% from the previous rate of 60%.

India Raises Import Duty on Motorcycles to 75%

The government of India has laid out its budget for 2013-2014, increasing the import duty for large motorcycles. The news will impact several major manufacturers hoping to gain a stake in the world’s second largest motorcycle market. India has become the hotspot for manufacturers but one of the biggest obstacles they face is the duty India levies on luxury goods.

Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Induction Class

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame announced it will induct five new members for 2013. The Hall also announced it will add one new member to its Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame. For 2013, the Hall will welcome to its ranks motorcycle attorney Russ Brown, custom chopper builder Rick Fairless (pictured above), Harley-Davidson dealer Bill Gikling, actor Marjoe Gortner of the television special “Sturgis: The Great Ride”, and antique motorcycle expert Lonnie Isam, Sr.

Harley-Davidson and Best Western Expand Partnership

Harley-Davidson and Best Western have announced a three-year extension to their partnership which will now expand beyond North America. The two companies have been working together since 2006, providing benefits to customers of both brands. Under the new agreement, Best Western becomes the official lodging partner of Harley-Davidson‘s 110th anniversary celebrations as well as the preferred lodging partner of Harley-Davidson’s rentals and tours division.

Harley-Davidson Donated $4.5 Million to Various Causes in 2012

Harley-Davidson donated more than $4.5 million to support various charitable groups in 2012. The donations, which include both grants and merchandise, went to several organizations, including those around Harley-Davidson‘s bases in Milwaukee, Wis., York, Pa., and Kansas City, Mo., but also to groups across the nation. The Milwaukee chapter of Habitat for Humanity received a $200,000 grant for its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, helping fund housing projects in the Washington Park community.

2012 US Motorcycle Sales Results – Industry Reports 2.6% Increase

The Motorcycle Industry Council reported a 2.6% increase in motorcycle sales in the U.S. market for 2012. According to the industry group’s figures, American consumers purchased 452,386 motorcycles in 2012 compared to 440,899 motorcycles in 2011.

Metzeler Me888 Marathon Ultra Introduced At V-Twin Expo

    At V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati this past weekend, Metzeler released the ME888 Marathon Ultra, a high-mileage tire with increased wet and dry performance intended of complement the top-selling ME880 Marathon. Also known as the Triple 8, the ME888 Marathon Ultra features newly processed compounds, updated structure and an innovative tread pattern, resulting in increased mileage while maintaining stability, handling, traction and safety in wet conditions. “We fine-tuned all the features that made the ME880 such a success, and then focused on significant mileage improvement,” Chris Wall, Metzeler Director of Marketing and Key Accounts, said.

Harley-Davidson Delivers Strong Growth For Fourth Quarter And For Full Year

Harley-Davidson released today its fourth quarter financial statements, revealing the company’s fourth-quarter income from continuing operations was $70.6 million on consolidated revenue of $1.17 billion, compared to 2011 income from continuing operations of $54.6 million on consolidated revenue of $1.18 billion. Fourth-quarter 2012 earnings per share were $0.31, up 29.2% compared to EPS of $0.24 in the year-ago quarter. For the full year, Harley-Davidson income from continuing operations was $623.9 million on consolidated revenue of $5.58 billion, compared to full-year 2011 income from continuing operations of $548.1 million on consolidated revenue of $5.31 billion.

Leave Your Mark with H-D’s 110th Anniversary Logo Builder

Excitement is building for Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary celebration. In fact, events are already happening worldwide, and starting soon in places like Goa, India and Auckland, New Zealand. In March, the party comes ashore in Florida at Harley’s Daytona Bike Week festivities and the whole shebang culminates in Milwaukee on August 29-31 with a massive blowout that includes a concert, the World’s Largest Bike Night at the H-D Museum, and more.