Indian Chieftain Motorcycles in Saint Paul, page #14

Moto blog

Polaris Reports Q3 2012 Results

Polaris reported a record third quarter including a 78% year-on-year increase in on-road vehicle sales, most of which is from Victory Motorcycles. According to the Minnesota company’s third quarter report, Polaris recorded a profit of $94.3 million in the three months ended Sept. 30, 2012, compared to a profit of $67.6 million reported in the same quarter of 2011.

Provisional 2013 World Superbike Championship Calendar Released

The International Motorcycling Federation released a provisional calendar for the 2013 World Superbike Championship. The 2013 season will see a new round in India, the return of Jerez, and Laguna Seca replacing Miller Motorsports Park as the series’ lone U.S. stop.

2012 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Pictures

Untold thousands of motorcyclists from around the world have converged in South Dakota for the 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Of course, Motorcycle.com made the trip to cover the most storied motorcycle rally in the world. We rode up from Southern California on a Victory Hard-Ball we outfitted with a host of accessories from the Victory catalog, including a wind-blocking batwing fairing.

Polaris Reports Q2 2012 Results

Polaris Industries reported a 110% increase in sales from its On-Road division over the second quarter of 2012. The On-Road division consists primarily of Victory Motorcycles but also includes Indian Motorcycles, electric vehicle brands Global Electric Motorcars and Goupil. The acquisitions of the latter three brands contributed to nearly a third of the overall growth.

Hero MotoCorp Launches 125cc Ignitor in India

Hero MotoCorp has launched the Ignitor, a 125cc premium model based on the CBF Stunner from former partner turned rival Honda. The Ignitor is one of the final models Hero will produce with technology licensed from Honda, and it is expected to bridge the gap before Hero introduces its own new models (with help from a gentleman named Erik Buell.) Like the Stunner, the Hero Ignitor is powered by a 125cc single-cylinder engine. Both models claim 11hp and 8 ft-lb., but the Ignitor reaches its peak torque at 5000 rpm while the Stunner has to spin up to 6500 rpm.

Anti-Checkpoint Bill Gains Support in US House

A bill that would ban funding of motorcycle-only checkpoints is gaining momentum with 50 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signing on as sponsors.. H.R.

India Lands World Superbike Championship Round

The world’s second-largest motorcycle market will host the World Superbike Championship, with India’s Jaypee Sports International signing a four-year agreement with series organizers Infront Motorsports. India’s first World Superbike round will take place March 9-10, 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, near New Delhi. The rest of the 2013 WSBK calendar is yet to be announced, but the Buddh round will likely be second on the schedule behind Australia’s Phillip Island round.

2012 Headbanger Motorcycles Lineup – First Ride Impressions

Our European correspondent Tor Sagen was invited to test the 2012 offerings from Italy-based Headbanger Motorcycles. Headbanger offers six different models, some of which available in a couple of variants. Tor shared with us some of his first impressions of Headbanger’s 2012 range.

Vespa Arrives in India

Piaggio has launched its Vespa brand in India, introducing the iconic scooter to the world’s second-largest two-wheeler market. When we think of motorcycle in India, we tend to think of low-cost small displacement motorcycles and scooters. That’s beginning to change with the influx of larger displacement models commonly found in other markets.

Polaris Reports Q1 2012 Results

Polaris Industries reported a 44% increase in on-road vehicle sales revenue and a 40% increase in North American Victory Motorcycle unit sales over the first quarter of 2012. According to Polaris’ first quarter report, its on-road vehicle division (which consists of the Victory and Indian motorcycle brands as well as electric vehicle brands GEM and Goupil) generated $64.7 million in sales revenue, compared to $44.9 million reported in the same quarter of 2011. Of course, the Polaris didn’t yet own Indian, GEM or Goupil during that quarter last year, so the figures are a bit misleading.