The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Motorcycle Companies Reborn

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What is behind the continuing stream of new motorcycles (and cars) badged with old names from companies long dead? Any business major or business owner will tell you there is value to good will and name recognition and both entice investors to pay a premium when taking over a going concern but what does the name really mean to potential customers of a resurrected firm? If your … [Read more...]

Motorcycle magazines evolving

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Mentioning Cycle World yesterday got me thinking about the changing press environment. Not many years ago, the only place to find up to the minute news on any subject was television or newspapers and some topics never made the cut, motorcycles for instance. In that case, magazines were the next best or only source available. Today, blogs have pretty well taken over the late … [Read more...]

Honda Police Bike

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Where I live, the police ride around on the classic Harley Davidson Electra Glides. Nice bikes, have the proper look and all, but as I was checking out the Honda version of what the well equipped police unit should ride I couldn't help but think I would prefer their version. Their ST1300 has a 125hp V4, adjustable motorized windshield, adjustable seat, shaft drive and much … [Read more...]

Motorcycle fuel economy

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This press release from Buell touts the fuel economy of motorcycles as a reason to buy. As we've discussed here before, it doesn't seem to be a driving factor in sales, at least not among readers of The Kneeslider. It has a lot to do with motorcycles not being primary use vehicles. High miles per gallon is nice but people buy for other reasons. … [Read more...]

Hellcat’s for the stars

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Waiting to get my haircut yesterday, I was leafing through People magazine (no bike magazines available) and I came across a picture of Brad Pitt riding down the street on his F113 Hellcat. Then I'm looking a little further and there is Tom Cruise getting on his motorcycle, an F113 Hellcat. I think Confederate Motorcycles has the PR game mastered. At $61,000, they're a lot less … [Read more...]

Harley Davidson sues Ridley

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Looks like when the motorcycle business slows down you put the lawyers to work. Word is just coming in that Harley Davidson is suing Ridley Motorcycles of Oklahoma City over their use of the word "glide" in the names of some of their motorcycles. If the case is successful, will GM then sue Harley for the same reason? After all, I seem to recall they have some transmissions with … [Read more...]