Motorcycle Musings

Mecum Las Vegas motorcycle auction hits $24 million



(February 6, 2023) Mecum Auctions added to the momentum from the record-setting $234 million in sales at the recent Mecum Kissimmee 2023 auction with an additional $24 million in sales and a 90% sell-through rate achieved at the Mecum Las Vegas Motorcycles 2023 auction, held Jan. 24-28. Together, the two events culminated in a grand total of $258 million in overall sales for the month of January, making it Mecum Auctions’ highest-grossing month in its 35-year history.

Harley–Davidson CEO plans to phase out gas-powered bikes



By Ben Sellers
Headline USA

(January 25, 2023) Farewell, Hell’s Angel’s. Hello, Heck’s Snowflakes. The CEO of Harley–Davidson said the company plans to go full electric in the foreseeable future, according to a recent interview with British design magazine Dezeen. “At some point in time, Harley Davidson will be all-electric,” said Jochen Zeit, the German-born top executive of the quintessentially American motorbike brand. “But that’s a long-term transition that needs to happen,” he reassured bikers. “It’s not something you do overnight.”

BMW Motorrad achieves the best sales result in the company's history



(January 22, 2023) MUNICH, Germany — BMW Motorrad achieved the highest sales in its corporate history in 2022 with 202,895 motorcycles and scooters handed over to customers, which is an increase of 4.4 percent compared to the previous year. BMW Motorrad remains in first place in the global premium motorcycle and scooter segment.

Honda announces diverse range of returning motorcycle models



(January 11, 2023) In its first product announcement of the new calendar year, American Honda confirmed the return of eight motorcycle models across the sport, standard, adventure, dual sport and cruiser categories. Each of the eight returning models is capable of delivering a wide range of riding experiences, and taken as a whole, the group highlights the diversity of Honda's motorcycle offerings.

BMW unveils 100 year editions of BMW R nineT and BMW R 18



(December 19, 2022) WOODCLIFF LAKE,  N.J . — BMW Motorrad USA has unveiled the 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years Edition and the BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition to commemorate 100 Years of BMW Motorrad. In keeping with the year in which BMW Motorrad was founded, each model will be limited to 1,923 units globally.

'Jim’s Forever Collection' headlines Mecum On Time and Las Vegas 2023


1955 Harley-Davidson Hummer B

(October 12, 2022)  Mecum Auctions’ 32nd annual Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction will return to South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Jan. 25-28, with headlining consignments for the world’s largest vintage motorcycle auction led by Jim’s Forever Collection, to be offered at entirely no reserve. The assemblage features more than 100 motorcycles and quite possibly the largest private collection of Harley-Davidson memorabilia ever offered at auction — a significant portion of which is already available for online bids via Mecum On Time. In total, the Las Vegas auction will feature an estimated 1,750 motorcycles crossing the block throughout the four live auction days as well as additional Road Art selections.

BMW R 18 rear silencers now available



(September 18, 2022) MUNICH — The extensive customizing program from BMW Motorrad for the BMW R 18 is now getting a sonorous boost from new Akrapovič rear silencers. 3.8 inches shorter than the two standard rear silencers, they are made of durable stainless steel, coated in matte black and, together with a silver end cap adjustable in 90-degree steps, give the rear end of the R 18 a decidedly sporty appearance.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 inspired by Lamborghini Huracan



(September 3, 2022) The new Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini, inspired by the Huracán STO super sports car, was unveiled to the public at the San Marino Grand Prix at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The bike is the result of the second collaborative project between the two brands, ambassadors of Made in Italy, which in 2020 gave birth to the Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini, inspired by the Sián.

Triumph completes TE-1 motorcycle project with Helix electric powertrain



(July 13, 2022) MILTON KEYNES, UK —Triumph has announced the completion of its TE-1 electric motorcycle development project, powered by Scalable Integrated Modular Inverter (SIMI) technology from Helix. During rolling road and track trials, the TE-1’s electric powertrain delivered 130kW (177PS/175bhp) peak power, for a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 0-100 mph in 6.2 seconds. It also achieved a 100-mile range, based on live testing and official projections.

BMW Motorrad presents the ConnectedRide Com U1 communications system



(June 27, 2022) WOODCLIFF LAAKE, N.J . — Talk to your passenger or group members while riding, listen to your favorite music together, make phone calls or follow the announcements of the navigation system — the new BMW Motorrad communication system ConnectedRide Com U1 offers all this via Bluetooth or Mesh 2.0 technology.