Motorcycle Musings

BMW motorcycle sales at record pace for 2014

(November 12, 2014) MUNICH — Sales of BMW Motorrad are 7.4% ahead of the previous year after 10 months. As of October, 109,052 motorcycles and Maxi-Scooters were delivered compared to 101,530 units in 2013. Sales in October rose by 5.5% to a new record for October of 8,835 vehicles.

Valerie Thompson pilots BMW S 1000 RR to personal best 217 mph

(October 29, 2014) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Valerie Thompson, seven-time land speed record holder and one of the world’s fastest BMW racers, returned to Beeville Texas Oct. 24 - 26 for this year’s second Texas Mile top speed competition. Thompson broke her personal best top speed of 212 mph, set at the March 2013 Texas Mile, with a blistering run of 217.7 mph on her record-setting CTEK Battery Charger sponsored BMW S 1000 RR.

'Captain America' chopper from 'Easy Rider' sells for record $1.35 million

(October 22, 2014) CALABASSAS, Calif. — The famous "Captain America" Harley-Davidson panhead chopper from the movie "Easy Rider" was sold here this past weekend at the Profiles in History auction for an astounding $1.35 million.

This made it the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction easily beating the $580,000 price paid for a 1910 Winchester last October, and the most expensive motorcycle ever sold topping the $1 million paid for Rollie Free's 1948 Vincent Black Lightning in 2011.

Harley-Davidson and 'Sons of Anarchy' fans gear up for the final ride

(October 7, 2014) MILWAUKEE — Harley-Davidson and "Sons of Anarchy" ("SOA") fans are gearing-up for the show's finale and a legendary party hosted by stars of the show Kim Coates and Theo Rossi. Harley-Davidson is offering one fan an "SOA" viewing party at their hometown Harley-Davidson dealership hosted by Coates and Rossi, as well as a 2015 "SOA" customized motorcycle.

BMW Motorrad USA launches National Parts and Accessories website

(October 4, 2014) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.  — BMW Motorrad USA has launched a National Parts website to help BMW riders shop online to find original BMW Motorcycle repair and maintenance parts. The website presents the complete catalog of original BMW parts and acts as a hub to direct riders to their closest on-line retailers to seamlessly complete their order.

Harley-Davidson announces two recalls involving 127,384 bikes

(September 29, 2014) Harley-Davidson has announced two separate recalls. The first recall is for close to 126,000 motorcycles that may have problems in their clutches. As a result, the bikes can move forward even after being stopped. This can lead to a crash.

Valerie Thompson pilots BMW S 1000 RR to new land speed record

(September 16, 2014) WENDOVER, Utah — Motorcycle racer and team owner Valerie Thompson set her 7th land speed record on her CTEK sponsored BMW S 1000 RR during the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association’s 28th Annual World of Speed event Sept. 6-9 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover Utah.

Honda introduces 40th Anniversary Gold Wing

(September 6, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda continues the new introductions to its 2015 motorcycle line with the announcement of several cruiser, touring and dual-sport models. The 2015 model year marks the 40th anniversary of the Gold Wing and Honda is celebrating with a commemorative 40th Anniversary Edition.

Other new introductions include the return of popular and iconic motorcycles from the 1300 Custom and Shadow lines, as well as the Fury and do-it-all XR650L.

Yamaha releases entertaining English version of 'RevTranslator' app

(September 1, 2014) IWATA, Japan — Yamaha Motor Co. has announced the release of the English-language version of RevTranslator, a smartphone app that analyzes sounds and operating environments to enable engines to "speak" to their owners.

Motorcycle Film Festival returns to New York

(August 22, 2014) The enthusiastic participation of motorcyclists and independent movie fans made last year’s inaugural Motorcycle Film Festival a rousing success, so much so that organizers Corinna Mantlo and Jack Drury have announced a second annual Motorcycle Film Festival, scheduled for Sept. 24-27 at the Saint Vitus Bar in the Bronx the Gutter on North 14th Street in Williamsburg.