The Motorcycle Industry Council reports that retail sales increased 2.6 percent last year among 19 leading manufacturers tracked by the trade association. And for the first time since 2002, all four segments (scooter, dual, on-highway and off-highway) showed increases in year-over-year new unit sales, according to the MIC's Retail Sales Report. Scooters posted the most significant rate of growth with an increase of 7.7 percent, while dual-purpose motorcycles also showed impressive growth with a rise of 7.4 percent. Off-highway motorcycle sales were up 2.1 percent, while sales of their on-highway counterparts improved by 1.8 percent. "The MIC is optimistic about this increase in motorcycle and scooter sales," said MIC President and CEO Tim Buche. "In spite of some challenging ...

  Even before the V-Twin Expo opened there were comments from some people about the changes scheduled for first weekend in February, 2013. You’re not going to please everyone all the time, so in my opinion I would please the vendors, as they are the ones the show was designed for. Actually it was concocted because no show ever gave the V-Twin market the respect they deserved.  Read Roque's report on the event last weekend.   http://www.bikernet.com/pages/VTwin_EXPO_2013.aspx

  Born Free 5 is happening Saturday, June 29th, 2013. And Lowbrow Customs is the online source for purchasing your BF5 poster and ticket for a chance to win one of the Invited Builder bikes! The first 500 tickets sold gets not only the main poster (art by Adam Nickel) but also a hand screenprinted 11" x 17" poster with art by Gorgeous George. These are limited to 500, and as of right now there are only 200 left, and we just got these online yesterday! $25 including shipping in the US gets you your official poster, ticket, stickers and promo goods. Check it all out right here.

  Harley-Davidson is more than just an iconic American brand. It is also a surprisingly good reflection of the forces shaping the US economy as a whole. The motorcycle company reported its fourth-quarter earnings last week, and the details show a company that is as typically American as the roaring sound of a Hog on the highway. Here are the five ways the company's financial results explain the forces shaping the US economy. Coming back - but not all the way: Harley-Davidson shipped 247,625 motorcycles in 2012, up 6.2 per cent from 2011 (that's an extra 14,508 motorcycles out the door). The company forecasts a similar gain in 2013. That is up handily from the recent past: the company shipped ...

BDL’s New GMA 500 Series Calipers provide Bagger and Softail riders with all the benefits of cutting edge technology, the finest materials, unsurpassed American craftsmanship and superior performance. Designed specifically for 2008-2012 H-D Touring and 2000-2011 Softail machines, these high performance billet calipers are CNC machined and assembled at the BDL factory. Attention to detail and precise fit are what you would expect from BDL/GMA as is each caliper’s solid stopping power and reliability. Sleek lines and a flawless finish on both the black or chrome calipers are once again a trademark of BDL and make a visually stunning upgrade. Available in either chrome or black, for single and dual disc models, the new calipers are supplied with mounting hardware ...

  Motor trikes have been around since the dawn of motoring, with many starting out as utility vehicles or prototypes of cars. But trikes haven’t died out or become mere relics of motoring history – companies all over the world still produce them today, and many will convert a motorcycle into a trike. Trikes are not only huge fun, but can also be a lifestyle choice.READ FULL STORY

Affable Scottish comedian/actor Billy Connolly (Journey to the Edge of the World, Brave) takes the ultimate road trip as he travels the world's most famous highway, Route 66. In this stylish mini-series, Connolly adopts a kind of "Easy Rider" approach to the trek as he makes the iconic 2,488 mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica. With his unrivaled ability to tell a great story, he brings to life both the big and small moments of American history, the world changing events and the comic asides.READ FULL STORY

    Motor Trike, Inc. announced today a new accessory for their Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 conversion, the Challenger. Released in October of last year, the Challenger Independent Rear Suspension conversion is designed to fit the Kawasaki 1700 family of large touring motorcycles including the Voyager, Vaquero, and Nomad.READ FULL STORY

    Las Vegas, Nevada, February 4, 2013: Las Vegas BikeFest announces the 2nd Annual Vegas Poker Run, Thursday, April 25, will run from both Southern California and Arizona to Las Vegas.  Added this year is a route from Wickenburg, AZ.  A $2,000 best hand prize will highlight the Run, along with other prizes, including 2013 Las Vegas BikeFest Ultimate passes.   The run will begin simultaneously in Victorville, CA at the Harley-Davidson of Victorville and Wickenburg, AZ at the Historic Gold Nugget Restaurant, and finish on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Participants can spend an evening in Las Vegas before heading down to the event in Laughlin over the weekend.   "The inaugural Vegas Poker Run was a great ...

        High mileage tire to complement Metzeler’s best-selling ME880 Marathon    Rome, Georgia, February 4, 2013 – For 150 years Metzeler has provided the best in motorcycle tires for riders around the world. The brand’s emphasis on quality and performance has been epitomized in the Metzeler ME880 Marathon and its position as an industry leader fully committed to the V-Twin segment, including customs, vintage and touring. In the face of an evolving consumer and marketplace, Metzeler announces the ME888 MarathonUltra, also known as the “Triple 8.” A high-mileage tire with increased wet and dry performance, the Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra guarantees a Metzeler quality ride for the life of the tire.   “As opposed to rushing the ...