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Is The Baby Harley HD350 Project Still In The Cards?

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by Sabrina Giacomini from https://www.rideapart.com Only a few weeks ago, The Motor Company announced it would scale back production and scrap the ambitious “More Roads to Harley” expansion plan to replace it with a new, far more conservative strategy. One of the new strategy’s main focus is to reorganize the new models’ launch schedule and potentially ax some ongoing projects that don’t fit the company’s usual scope. What that means is that models like the Pan America and the Bronx have been pushed back to 2021 while some, less-advanced projects have been indefinitely put on the backburner. The line was seemingly drawn at the upcoming, unnamed “high-performance custom model” that pretty much looks like a beefy XR1200 flat-tracker. All the other anticipated and/or patented models such as the café racer will likely have to wait—if they come at all. There’s one model we weren’t sure about, however, and that’s Harley’s new tool of seduction for the Asian market—the HD350 Project. Considering H-D teamed up with Chinese giant Qianjiang to develop the small-displacement bike, it was easy to assume that production would move forward as planned but we had yet to see any proof of it. Now, there apparently is, and here’s what we know. Our colleagues at Cycle World were first to report on the story, quoting “leaked Chinese documents” as their source of information. According to them, said leaked documents detail an all-new 353cc motorcycle, the QJ350-13. Who is QJ? It’s Qianjiang’s recently-launched brand of high-end-ish motorcycles based on Benelli’s designs. You see where this is going. The QJ350-13 is expected to be the elevated version of the soon-to-be-updated Benelli 302S—the very bike the HD350 should be based on. According to Cycle World, the documents suggest that both the QJ350 and the 302S—supposedly renamed 352S—will use a new 353cc […]

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Harley-Davidson Announces New Round of Job Cuts

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by Eric Volkman from https://www.fool.com/ This is not the first time in 2020 the struggling motorcycle maker has reduced its workforce. The economic pain wrought by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus continues to affect Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG). The storied motorcycle maker said Thursday it’s cutting roughly 140 jobs in two factories, one located in Pennsylvania and the other in Wisconsin. The move comes just after the company’s announcement that it’s reducing production volumes. As with many businesses across the economy, Harley-Davidson has suffered from softened demand for its products. “Stay in place” measures, which had been in force in the early part of the pandemic, will likely remain (or in certain cases, be reintroduced given the sharp increases in cases lately). A representative from the company, however, told Reuters in a statement that, “As course of normal business, Harley-Davidson regularly adjusts its production plan and appropriately sizes its workforce.” This is not the first time in recent months that the company has announced reductions in its employee rolls. In late April, it furloughed most of its production workers around the world as part of a broader set of measures aimed at coping with the economic slowdown. It also enacted a raft of salary cuts. Even before the onset of the global crisis engendered by the coronavirus, Harley-Davidson had been struggling due to the aging of baby boomers, a crucial customer demographic for the company. Its sales were falling, with a 6% year-over-year drop in revenue in fiscal 2019. Harley-Davidson didn’t end the week on a positive note. It fell harder than even the beleaguered main stock indexes and stumbling consumer goods names on the day, slipping by nearly 6.9%.

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Segway: Two-Wheeled Personal Transporter Ends Production

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by Elena Gorgan from https://www.autoevolution.com It’s a sad day for electric two-wheelers: the iconic and often-derided personal transporter Segway, a true pioneer in urban mobility, has come to the end of life. The factory producing the PT will shut down permanently on July 15, 2020. When it was teased back in 2001, Segway was said to come to replace the car. It would be, they said, what the car was for the horse and buggy, an invention more revolutionizing than the computer itself. The Segway, a two-wheeled personal transporter (they called it human transporter, HT, back then), was more than just a product; it was, in very simple terms, the future. In many ways, Segway, with its self-balancing technology and versatile functionality, was a trailblazer. It never got to be as popular and commercially successful as inventor Dean Kamen thought (hoped?) it would be, but it was a revolutionary product. It’s now time to pour one out for the Segway PT, because it’s curtain call. The Bedford, New Hampshire factory that produces it will shut down permanently on July 15, 2020, Fast Company reports. Production on the PT comes to an end, and there are no immediate plans to ever revive the product in another form. That said, the decision is hardly surprising. For all the new ground the PT broke in terms of urban mobility, it could never attain wide appeal with the public for a very simple reason: it was – and is – too expensive. A PT still costs as much as a used motorcycle, and it only gets a top speed of 12.5 mph (20 kph) and a range of 31 miles (68 km). Considering it boasted a 10 mph (16 kph) top speed back in 2001, it’s hardly made any progress in this regard. Judy

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MotoGP-Fast Ducati Superleggera V4 Enters Production, Soon on the Streets

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com In the second month of 2020, Italian bike maker Ducati announced the launch of the Superleggera V4, a bike for street use so fast it is borderline a MotoGP two-wheeler. Production of the motorcycle began this week, meaning there isn’t that long until we get to see it on the tarmac, where it belongs. The first Superleggera V4 already rolled off assembly line, and work is ongoing on the other 499 that will make up the limited production run. Once ready, the world would have 500 examples of the only motorcycle “approved for road use with a carbon fiber frame, swingarm and rims.” So, what’s so special about it? First, the engine. Packing a 998 cm3 Desmosedici Stradale R powerplant that is usually good for 224 hp, the bike produces even more than that, 234 hp, thanks to the racing kit all will be offered with. That’s enough power to make it nearly as fast as the Panigale V4 R SBK, a race bike that won the 2019 Italian Motorspeed Championship – the V4 went around the Mugello circuit in 1:52:45 minutes, just a couple a seconds slower than the racer. Then, the extensive use of carbon. The material is at the core of important hardware fitted on the motorcycle, including the frame, swingarm and rims. And it has also been incorporated in other related parts, like the helmet specifically created for this model. Last, but not least, the many kits available. They comprise an Akrapovi exhaust system, headlamp and light replacement, license plate holder removal, side stand removal, mirror replacement aluminum caps from billet, Data Analyzer and GPS, racing fuel cap, brake lever protection, motorcycle cover, and front and rear stand and battery charger. Prices for the Ducati Superleggera V4 are available upon request.

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Honda hit with cyberattack, US production paused at some plants

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by Sean Szymkowski from https://www.cnet.com/ US plant operations still remain offline in Ohio. As Honda continues to ramp up production following an extended shutdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Japanese automaker faced a new setback on Monday. Bloomberg first reported the automaker was the target of a cyberattack of some sort, which led Honda to halt production at various plants around the world. A Honda spokesperson confirmed the cyberattack with Roadshow and said the attack “has affected production operations at some US plants.” The spokesperson added, “There is no current evidence of loss of personally identifiable information.” Production has restarted at all plants save for its Ohio facilities. According to the spokesperson, Honda is still working to restart production at its car and engine plants in the state. Honda notably builds the Civic sedan, Accord sedan and CR-V at its Ohio facilities. The Acura NSX is also made in Ohio. As for what the attack took down, Honda didn’t offer detailed information. TechCrunch reported it was a ransomware attack, meaning it would encrypt Honda’s data and ask for payment before unencrypting it. Bloomberg reported the issue affected a car inspection system. The system checks for defects before cars ship out to dealers and the factories weren’t able to register vehicle information. Honda hit by cyber attack, some production disrupted from https://www.channelnewsasia.com Honda Motor Co suspended some of its auto and motorcycle production globally as the Japanese car giant grappled with a suspected cyber attack, a spokesman said on Tuesday. TOKYO: Honda Motor Co suspended some of its auto and motorcycle production globally as the Japanese car giant grappled with a suspected cyber attack, a spokesman said on Tuesday. The suspected attack affected Honda’s production globally on Monday, forcing some plants to stop operations as the company needed

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Harley-Davidson’s New “Exclusivity” Angle Misses the Point

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by James Brumley from https://www.fool.com The iconic motorcycle maker is paring back production, rather than pricing, in an effort to foster an image of exclusivity. If you’re one of the shrinking number of consumers planning to shop for a Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) at some point this year, don’t be surprised to see limited inventory once you can finally step foot in a dealership again. The company says restarted production facilities aren’t racing back to their full capacity. Around 70% of Harley dealers aren’t expected to receive any more new motorcycles this year. That’s alright by Harley, however, as the scarcity should ultimately improve the brand’s image of exclusivity. That’s the theory anyway. The reality is the plan may ultimately backfire. Harley-Davidson doesn’t need more admiration from consumers. It needs to sell more motorcycles. The typical high price for your average “hog” makes the company’s bikes too exclusive as it is. What they said Harley-Davidson’s relatively new CEO Jochen Zeitz has been alluding to the idea since he took over as the interim chief in March. Most notably, during the company’s April earnings call, Zeitz explained the company will “prioritize the markets that matter.” He added, “We’ll narrow our focus, time, and energy in the most critical countries and market segments that can move the needle for us today.” It was difficult to ferret out at the time, but in just the past several weeks, investors have watched Harley-Davidson scale back a bit on previous CEO Matt Levatich’s plan to launch smaller and lower-cost bikes, particularly overseas. His long-term goal was to drive international sales to half of the company’s revenue by 2027, but Zeitz may or may not be on board with his predecessor’s global ambition. It was a memo from Harley’s director of product sales Beth Truett that cemented the

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224hp Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera: Company’s most powerful bike all set to hit production

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by Pradeep Shah from https://www.financialexpress.com The Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera, which is no less than an engineering marvel is all set to hit the production lines. Here is what makes it so much special! More than stunning looks and breathtaking visuals, Ducatis are about blistering performance! The company keeps coming out with new and better products and believes in answering the prayers of the speed enthusiasts and high-end bike lovers. Now, very recently, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has confirmed that the Panigale V4 Superleggera that happens to be company’s most powerful production motorcycle is all set to hit the production line. He also confirmed that the last pre-production model of the upcoming Panigale V4 Superleggera will be reaching Nardo soon to go through the final quality check. Now digging into the details of the Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera, the bike gets power from a 998cc, Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine that is good for producing a staggering 224hp of power along with a peak torque of 115Nm. When fitted with an Akrapovic exhaust (track only), the power output sees a rise to 234hp. The bike has an incredible power to weight ratio, 1.41bhp/kg to be precise, which is all thanks to its low dry weight of just 152 kg. The upcoming Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera also gets MotoGP derived winglets that have been integrated into the fairing and these help in providing a downforce of 50kg at speeds of around 270kmph. Being an ultra-exclusive model, only 500 units of the Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera will be made and a few of those should make their way to India as well. Coming to the pricing, well, the Panigale V4 Superleggera clearly is not everyone’s cup of tea due to its astonishing price tag. In order to be precise, this one costs USD

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Benelli SRK 600 street fighter spied undisguised

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by Nithyanandh Karuppaswamy from https://www.rushlane.com Chinese-owned Italian motorcycle brand Benelli is in the process of strengthening its middle-weight sportsbike portfolio Several months ago, a sharp looking street fighter with 600 badge was spied in China, sparking speculations that it was the next generation TNT 600i. However, in November 2019, Benelli unveiled the new gen TNT 600i which looked more like a facelift of the current version and had nothing in common with the previously spotted prototype. The sportier version of the 600 has now emerged online again, this time with SRK 600 moniker. It looks like Benelli SRK 600 is a premium alternative to the TNT 600i with additional features. Visually, the Benelli SRK 600 is up there with contemporary street fighters with a sporty headlamp, complete with aerodynamic cowl. The new motorcycle also features edgy fuel tank with sharp extensions and a stubby cantilevered tailpiece with contoured seat and a minimal taillight. As far as the hardware is concerned, the Benelli SRK 600 appears to inherit its TNT sibling’s components. The new street fighter is underpinned by a trellis frame which is supported by a sturdy inverted telescopic front fork and an eccentrically mounted rear monoshock. The alloy swingarm also looks pretty similar to the unit seen on the new TNT 600i. The 17-inch alloy wheels, thick rubber, twin front discs and a single rear disc are also identical to those of the TNT. The four down-tubes confirm that the 600 cc inline-four cylinder engine has been carried forward as well. On board the 2020 Benelli TNT 600i, the sweet sounding motor produces 81.6 hp and 51 Nm of torque. Transmission is a 6-speed unit. Considering that the SRK 600 will be positioned above the TNT 600i, we expect the motor to dish out a slightly higher power output.

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Royal Enfield resumes production, appoints new CFO

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by Nehal Chaliawala from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ The company also said that about 120 of its dealerships will resume partial operations and about 300 will be operational by the middle of this month. Classic motorcycles maker Royal Enfield on Wednesday resumed production and also appointed Kaleeswaran Arunachalam as the chief financial officer of the company effective immediately. The company also said that about 120 of its dealerships will resume partial operations and about 300 will be operational by the middle of this month. The company’s manufacturing unit at Oragadam, near Chennai, will be the first to begin operations in a staggered manner, with minimal staff over a single shift. Employees and shop floor staff residing in and around plant locations will be the first to work in these units so as to avoid long-distance travel. Operations at the company’s other two manufacturing facilities – Tiruvottiyur and Vallam Vadagal – will be started in a phased manner. Meanwhile, office locations including corporate offices in Chennai, Gurgaon and the UK Technical Centre will continue to remain closed, and employees will continue to work from home, the company said. The company’s new CFO Kaleeswaran succeeded Lalit Malik who had been holding the position for the last 10 years. He will report to Vinod K Dasari, the chief executive of Royal Enfield and will be part of the motorcycle company’s management team, Eicher MotorsNSE 0.35 % said in a statement. Lalit, who is also the chief commercial officer at Royal Enfield will continue in that role. His previous experiences include stints at Mondelez International in India and Asia, and in his early career with Aditya Birla Fashions Limited and with TVS Motor CompanyNSE 4.88 % Limited. “He has played an instrumental role in the transformation of Future Lifestyle Fashions Limited as a market leader in its

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Harley-Davidson cuts dividend, halts buybacks to preserve cash

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by Ankit Ajmera from https://www.reuters.com (Reuters) – Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG.N) slashed its dividend and halted share buybacks on Tuesday to boost its cash reserves as global lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic hit motorcycle demand in the first quarter. The company has $1.47 billion in cash and is in talks with big U.S. banks to get $1.30 billion in loan to ride out the crisis, it said, adding it would focus on its core U.S. market to prop up sales. Harley shares, which have lost nearly half of its value so far this year, jumped as much as 17% in morning trading after the company rolled out its cash preservation plan. “Harley continues to struggle with declining sales, but it continues to generate respectable free cash flow and we consider shares fairly valued at current levels,” said CFRA Research analyst Garrett Nelson. To boost sales, the company also said it will “de-emphasize” on some unprofitable international regions. The shift in strategy for the company that symbolized the counterculture movement of the 1960s comes as it struggles to woo the next generation of younger riders with its electric and more nimbler bikes in the United States. Sales have been declining for the past five years in its largest market as its baby-boomer fan base ages. To make matters worse, the pandemic has further dented demand as Americans stay at home to curb the spread of COVID-19. “We are at critical time in our history that requires significant changes to the company,” said acting Chief Executive Officer Jochen Zeitz, who took helm in February and is best known for turning around the Puma brand. Zeitz’s plan to move the launch of new models to early part of the first quarter from August to better align with the start of the riding season

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