From the monthly archives:

March 2006

Ducati Hypermotard Available in Spring 2007

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/31/2006

in Motorcycle Business, Motorcycle Design

Looks like a lot of the Ducati faithful get their wish, the Ducati Hypermotard is going into production and will be in dealers in the Spring of 2007.
Ducati Press Release:
After the success of the “concept” presentation in Milan and following the great response from fans, Ducati has decided to begin producing the Ducati Hypermotard. The [...]

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China Taxes Encourage Small Motorcycles

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/31/2006

in China, Motorcycle Business

Just about a week ago, Harley Davidson announced their first dealer will open in China next month. What is China doing to encourage the motorcycle business? According to Gaijin Biker, the Chinese have cut taxes on motorcycles in the 250cc and smaller category from 10% to 3%. All Harley has to do now is fill [...]

{ 2 readers have commented so far, ... your thoughts? }

AMA Looking For New President and Staff

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/30/2006

in Motorcycle Business, Motorcycle Racing

After all of the controversy earlier this year and the announced shakeup at the AMA, the AMA appears to be looking for a few new people including a new president as well as staff members in the race operations and marketing areas. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
AMA racing jobs
AMA Searching for NewPresident

Advertising the New Vmax

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/30/2006

in Motorcycle Business

One of our readers left a great suggestion on our Vmax ideas post. All of the comments are usually directed toward technical issues or styling but Ahmed J, suggested someone for Mr Max’s introductory advertising campaign. “Get Samuel L. Jackson to dress up like the Movie Pulp Fiction and Describe the New V-Max at [...]

{ 6 readers have commented so far, ... your thoughts? }

Screamin’ Eagle Exhaust Going Away

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/30/2006

in Motorcycle Accessories, Motorcycle Business

A few weeks ago I mentioned Harley Davidson wants Harley riders to tone it down a bit. Straight pipes can lead straight to anti noise ordinances that affect everyone and once you get someone on city council playing to the voters, those restrictions can be pretty harsh for all bikers.
In this morning’s mail, I received [...]

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Motorcycle Trends – Declining Trend 2

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/29/2006

in Motorcycle Business

Every motorcycle company wants one, the mass produced category killer, the one model that does it all and everyone wants it. Turn them out by the tens or hundreds of thousands because their appeal is universal. Well, dream on. The motorcycle world has become far more fractured and segmented and more riders want something a [...]

{ 14 readers have commented so far, ... your thoughts? }

Buell Sport Chopper

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/29/2006

in Motorcycle Builders

Here’s another take on the Buell idea, a Buell Sport Chopper. The owner took a Buell XB9S Lightning, removed the front fork, wheel and brakes plus the rear swingarm and wheel along with the Buell engine and built himself a frame that turns it into a sport chopper. It looks pretty decent, though, as even [...]

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Motorcycle Trends – Declining Trend 1

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/28/2006

in Motorcycle Business

What’s new and growing in motorcycling? Is there a growth area out there waiting or already present that’s about to explode or primed for steady growth? If you were a motorcycle company and your job was to build a brand new motorcycle, what would it be and who would you serve?
On the flip side, what [...]

{ 14 readers have commented so far, ... your thoughts? }