The Kneeslider — Motorcycle News for Positive People

Harley Davidson Reaches Tentative Agreement with York Union

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/20/2009

in American Motorcycles, Motorcycle Business

Although a vote is still necessary, the union representing Harley Davidson employees at the York, PA plant will be voting on a proposed contract, December 2nd. Workers at the plant predict the contract will be approved. If negotiations had failed, plans to relocate the plant to Shelbyville, Kentucky were in progress.

This is certainly good news for everyone involved if accepted. I'm guessing there was a big sigh of relief in York.

Link: York Daily Record
Link: Bloomberg

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Harley Davidson Hires Firm to Sell MV Agusta

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/19/2009

in Motorcycle Business

Harley Davidson Hires Firm to Sell MV Agusta Harley Davidson has hired BNP Paribas to help them sell MV Agusta. Maybe they could have done that with Buell, too, ...

Press release follows:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC. SELECTS INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM TO ASSIST IN SALE OF MV AGUSTA

BNP Paribas in Milan Will Help Harley-Davidson Move Sale Process Forward

MILWAUKEE (November 19, 2009) – Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) has selected the investment banking firm, BNP Paribas in Milan, to assist Harley-Davidson in the sale of MV Agusta. Harley-Davidson is currently identifying potential buyers for the Italian-based motorcycle company.

“MV Agusta is a highly desirable company for the right buyer,” said Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer John Olin. “MV Agusta has a proud heritage and strong brand, high-quality exciting and beautiful products, and passionate enthusiasm on the part of its customers, employees and dealers, and we are confident in our expectation that we will identify an appropriate buyer.”

Harley-Davidson announced its plans to divest MV Agusta in October, as part of its go-forward business strategy to focus its effort and investment on leveraging the unique strengths of the Harley-Davidson brand to reach new customers, strengthen relationships with existing customers, and grow the Harley-Davidson brand worldwide.

While Harley-Davidson intends to sell MV Agusta, MV Agusta has continued to move forward on the road to revitalization. Under Harley-Davidson’s ownership, MV Agusta has restored production operations and continues to invest substantially in product development, as evidenced by the recent unveiling of the all new Brutale® and F4® models, which generated a highly enthusiastic response among customers and key trade media at the Milan show. MV Agusta is also returning to a position of prominence in the premium performance sport motorcycle category.

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Harley Davidson and Buell – Unfinished Business

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/19/2009

in American Motorcycles, Motorcycle Business

Harley Davidson and Buell Harley Davidson’s decision to close the Buell motorcycle company and discontinue production was met with great surprise and disappointment from many in the motorcycle community, but it was the further decision, not to pursue the sale of Buell to any interested investors, that has puzzled industry observers and frustrated many who would like to keep the company in business. Why would Harley Davidson eliminate 180 positions and incur $125 million in one-time costs related to the discontinuation of Buell without trying to to save those jobs or recover at least a portion of those costs?

A challenging economy requires tough choices and, in this case, Harley Davidson decided not to use any more of their limited resources to continue building Buells, Buell is not at the core of Harley Davidson's business. When times are tight companies must focus on their primary products to preserve as much of the company as possible, however, not pursuing the sale to allow for an independent Buell, essentially driving a stake into the heart of the company, is very difficult to figure out. What does it accomplish? How does Harley Davidson benefit from killing Buell entirely? [click to continue…]

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Millepercento M2S and BB1

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/17/2009

in Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Business, Motorcycle Design

Millepercento M2S introduced at EICMA 2009

When I mentioned the new Moto Guzzi concepts at EICMA this year, one comment pointed to the Millepercento M2S. I'm not very familiar with the company, but I remembered some information I had filed away and took another look. It seems they make some rather interesting water cooled big bore engine conversions for the Guzzis, 1420cc to be exact, which could make for a fun ride with all of the extra power, 135 horsepower and almost 108 foot pounds of torque. Nice!

Millepercento BB1

Last year, the bike they had on display was the BB1, a Moto Guzzi Griso with the big bore kit installed. From the info at that time, they planned to produce a limited number of the BB1 for sale in Europe but I don't know if they did.

Millepercento big bore Moto Guzzi engine used in the BB1

The M2S introduced this year at EICMA looks interesting, but other than photos, I don't have much info. I prefer less bodywork on Guzzis because it puts the engine in plain sight and Guzzi engines look good. I didn't see any specs for the M2S, but it would be nice if they adapted their big bore kit to the 4 valve head.

Overall, it looks like Millepercento wants to develop the Moto Guzzi beyond where the factory is currently going and they seem to be doing a nice job. I think they're worth watching.

Link: Millepercento

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What was Buell Working on When the End Came?

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/14/2009

in American Motorcycles, Motorcycle Business, Motorcycle Design

Could this be the rumored Buell in development?

Since the announcement of the Buell shutdown, some folks who would know, have been talking about a new Buell model that was in development. Details from those folks are mixed with lots of speculation, so it's hard to separate fact from fiction.

Someone tipped me to this photo of what they say is the bike in those rumors. It was shot by John Hanson, a contributing photographer for Road Racer X, somewhere near Milwaukee. It's not what most people expect to see when the name Buell is mentioned.

Speculation about the bike indicates a displacement of 1199cc with much less weight and more horsepower than the current 1125R, it's the kind of bike you would build if you were planning on World Super Bike competition, or more to the point, the bike you would build as a true, no compromise, world class American sport bike.

Let me repeat, though there is a lot of speculation and rumor about this, until confirmed, it is just that. But, ... the plug was pulled, the lights are out, so it may not really matter except as a sad reminder of what might have been.

Photo by John Hanson Road Racer X

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Harley Davidson V-Rod Desert Racing Sidecar

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/13/2009

in Alternative thinking, American Motorcycles, Motorcycle Racing

V-Rod desert racing sidecar from Hog Wild Racing

Lots of folks say the Harley Davidson Revolution (V-Rod) engine should be used in something else. Roehr makes a sportbike and some custom builders have done a few things of their own. But, if you do a little digging, you'll find the V-Rod engine can go off road, too. Who knew? This is the Hog Wild Racing V-Rod powered sidecar desert racer built to compete in the Dakar rally.

Scott Whitney and Joe "Hauler" Desrosiers are the guys behind this rig, they've been racing off road for years and running sidecars up Pikes Peak. The first version of the V-Rod sidecar won at Pikes Peak back in 2003, and when reconfigured to run Dakar in 2006, they did very well until a sprocket problem caused them to miss the time window at a checkpoint and they were done. Their website says they skipped 2 years to get sponsorship for a try this year, but doesn't say whether they raced in this year's relocated rally, run in South America.

Some of you thought the Sportster off road conversions were pretty wild, well, these guys just show you that Harley has more than one engine capable of running through the dunes. Cool.

Link: Hog Wild Racing
Related: Sportster Off Road Conversions

V-Rod desert racing sidecar from Hog Wild Racing

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Last Buell Motorcycle has been Built

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/12/2009

in American Motorcycles, Motorcycle Business

Last Buell motorcycle is built Just got this note from Harley Davidson, so the era of Buell has officially come to an end:

Harley Davidson press release:

On October 30, a Buell Lightning XB12Scg rolled off the company’s East Troy, Wis. assembly line, the last of the 136,923 motorcycles built in the company’s 26 years of operation. Parent Harley-Davidson announced on October 15 that the Buell lineup of motorcycles would be discontinued effective December 18, 2009. Buell motorcycles will continue to be sold through existing dealers until inventory is depleted.

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Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle $7995

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 11/11/2009

in Electric motorcycles, Motorcycle Business

Enertia electric motorcycle by Brammo Motorsports

Computers, digital cameras and cellphones keep going down in price, we've come to expect it with anything electronic, could it be electric motorcycles will follow suit? Maybe. Brammo announced they are lowering the price of the Enertia to $7995. Combined with a 10% tax credit, your final price is $7195. Compared to the initial $11,995, that's quite a deal.

Walk into a Best Buy store stocking the bike, or go to the Brammo website, and put down $2000, add a 24 month zero interest loan with payments of $249 per month and you're set. It's an electric motorcycle that has become affordable and with a top speed of 60 mph and an average range of 42 miles, for some folks, it might now be practical, too.

This could be a perfect commuter ride for a lot of people, if you have less than 40 miles one way, you ride to work, plug in to a wall outlet and recharge for the ride home. If you work close to home, it might just be an overnight charge for the next day's commute.

This is one of those moments when we will see if all of the verbal support from electric motorcycle enthusiasts translates into real world sales. If it does, big things could start to happen. This will be worth watching.

Link: Brammo

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