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Polaris Slingshot shoots on ahead in 2024

Well, purists may say it is not a trike and hence branded and classified as an “autocycle” by NHTSA. Irrespective of your preference and riding experiences, Polaris Slignshot continues to be a bestseller in its category as an autocycle. Slingshot has been so popular that the 2024 version will receive quite a few updates. In fact, I would like to see if Harley-Davidson will enter the autocycle segment to keep its three-wheeled business busy among dealerships. Polaris so far, has no interest in the traditional trike. Whereas Can-Am Spyder has its own unique market, not directly competing against Slingshot. I would say Can-Am Spyder is a choice for those unhappy with a big and heavy V-Twin powered Harley-Davidson Freewheeler and its luxurious sibling Road Glide and Tri Glide Ultra. H-D took a big gamble with Pan America and riders responded positively, at least initially. Even their return into India market with 440X, a small engine bike to compete against the local legend Royal Enfield, met with more bookings than they ever expected in this year, their 120th anniversary year. The recent India Bike Week saw custom built Harley-Davidson 440X showcased to the crowds which included one with a sidecar and a cafe-racer styled version. Will Polaris Slingshot and Polaris Indian as a whole consider expanding to Asian markets with local manufacturing to rival Harley-Davidson’s aspirations in China and India depends mainly on opportunities offered in investment and capital expenditure by the local governments in those nations. The automotive sector is booming for both, the Asian Dragon and the Asian Tiger, and Elon Musk might just put up a Tesla plant in India since Chinese cars, motorcycles and EVs are not promising given the Chinese military ambitions at it’s neighbors borders. QUAD Summit for 2024 seems to be postponed as POTUS […]

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Triumph Thunderbird Custom by Von Dutch

1958 Triumph Thunderbird Custom by Von Dutch PLAN A VISIT to NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM https://nationalmcmuseum.org WINTER HOURS: Thru March OPEN: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm CLOSED: Sunday and Monday Closing permanently Sept. 5, 2023 A young man in Los Angeles named Ken Howard began tinkering with his Indian Scout around 1946. Removing the shapely Indian fuel and oil tanks, he installed a smaller gas tank, a simple oil tank. He added upswept exhausts and taller handlebars atop risers. Employing one of his best skills, he painted and pin-striped the fuel tank. The story goes that he street raced it, crashed it, reworked it over and over, making it his own. Liking what they saw, Von Dutch did similar types of custom modifications to his friends’ bikes as well. There may have been others detailing what came to be known as bob-jobs that way in 1946. Some car builders were likely an influence, but evidence points to Howard, aka Von Dutch, as a spark for a revolution in motorcycle style. And we are still living with the impact and inspiration of his work. Luckily, many machines he painted decades ago retain his paint work and fabrications. This 1958 Triumph Thunderbird is typical of Von Dutch’s work for customers in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was created when he worked with the famed Bud Ekins to build modified motorcycles in the Los Angeles area. The leather Bates saddle with pillion pad is typical as are the small tank and narrow rear fender with sculpted custom tail light. The fork is stripped of most lugs, chrome plated and a perch style headlight bracket is used letting the headlight float. Where some would go to a spool hub, Von Dutch ran with racers who knew the value of a front brake so the

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Laconia Motorcycle Week 2022

The Original Rally is Back! by Rogue Usually I ride my motorcycle to the rallies and am there to take photos and do an article on the event. This year I am here to be part of an event celebrating and honoring people in motorcycling put on by Paul Cote with Check Twice – Bikers Helping Bikers. https://checktwice-savealife.com I am honored to be invited to this event. CLICK HERE to read this Photo Feature Article only on Bikernet.com * * * * Get the unique motorcycling leathers and more, exclusively on 5-Ball Racing Online Shop. Designed and Sold by lifetime motorcyclists based on daily riding to Events such as Rallies, Functions and many Motorcycle Shows. Click Here To See the New 5-Ball Racing Website.

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