Harley-Davidson Exiting India

Milwaukee, WI, USA (September 25, 2020) - Harley-Davidson has decided to call it quits in India owing to low demand of its bikes. The company will stop the sales and production of motorcycles but will continue to offer after-sales services through its existing dealership network. The decision to end operations in India is in line with the company's 'Rewire' strategy under which it will focus only on select markets.

Harley-Davidson will also wind up operations from various other markets that project low sales and profitability for the brand. The iconic American brand commenced operations in India in 2009 and currently has a wide range of products in its portfolio. However, the demand for H-D bikes in India has plummeted over the last few years.

Why is Harley-Davidson exiting the Indian market?

Harley-Davidson is ending operations in India as part of 'Rewire' strategy. The company reported a $96 million loss between April 2020 to June 2020, which is the first quarterly loss for the motorcycle maker. Despite an almost cult-like following in several markets besides the US, Harley-Davidson has been facing financial difficulties for quite some time now.

To counter this, the motorcycle maker had devised 'Rewire' strategy a few months ago that which included consolidation of operations to profitable markets like North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia. The company will also wind up operations in several low profitability markets like India.

According to figures released by SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers), Harley-Davidson sold only 103 units of motorcycles in India in July 2020 and 176 units last month in the country.

There were rumors that Harley-Davidson was considering to partner with an Indian company to share the financial load in the country and localize production. This would have been similar to what Triumph and KTM have achieved with Bajaj Auto. However, the company is now calling it quits in India as of now.

Harley-Davidson noted that it will close the manufacturing facility in Bawal and significantly reduce the size of its sales office in Gurgaon. And as for the after-sales services, the company's dealer network will continue to serve customers through the contract term.

Harley-Davidson's official statement

Harley-Davidson, in an official statement, said, "Harley-Davidson, Inc. today announced that as part of The Rewire, an overhaul of its operating model and market structure, the company is changing its business model in India and evaluating options to continue to serve its customers. Harley-Davidson plans to close its manufacturing facility in Bawal and significantly reduce the size of its sales office in Gurgaon. The company is communicating with its customers in India and will keep them updated on future support. The Harley-Davidson dealer network will continue to serve customers through the contract term."

SOURCE: Harley-Davidson

Harley Pulls Plug On HOG Magazine

Milwaukee WI, USA (September 18, 2020) - Harley-Davidson is shelving HOG magazine and replacing it with a newer and more upscale title, The Enthusiast, as it seeks to broaden its aging fan base with younger riders.

The first issue hits today with actor Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on the cover. It’s being mailed to 500,000 Harley-Davidson owners in the US and another 150,000 overseas. Single copies are available on the company’s Web site.

The Enthusiast is not a new Harley title. It was first published by Harley-Davidson in 1916. In 1984, the company published both Hog and The Enthusiast but merged it into Hog by 2009.

“In a year when so many people have been stuck inside, we passionately believe in inspiring riders and aspiring riders to get out in the world to rediscover adventure through socially-distanced riding,” said Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz, who was hired in May to woo new customers and revive sales.



Zeitz took the reins amid a five-year sales slump that saw the iconic American brand post a $23 million loss in the first six months of fiscal 2020 on revenue of $2.2 billion.

Press Release

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RE-LAUNCHES THE ENTHUSIAST™ MAGAZINE

A Re-Designed Publication to Inspire Riders and Celebrate Motorcycle Culture MILWAUKEE (September 09, 2020) – Harley-Davidson is re-launching The Enthusiast™ magazine as a print and digital magazine designed to showcase motorcycle culture and the riding lifestyle through the lens of the Harley-Davidson brand. Originally published by Harley-Davidson from 1916 to 2008, The Enthusiast magazine will replace HOG® Magazine as the official publication of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and will become more widely available through other distribution channels.

“This is the return to a great tradition,” said Jochen Zeitz, Harley-Davidson President and CEO. “We believe today The Enthusiast title is more relevant than ever. In a year when so many people have been stuck inside, we passionately believe in inspiring riders and aspiring riders to get out in the world to rediscover adventure through socially-distanced riding.”

The first new issue of The Enthusiast magazine appears in the United States this week with a cover story featuring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, stars of the new Apple Original series “Long Way Up,” premiering Friday, September 18 on Apple TV+. The series follows the epic motorcycle adventure McGregor and Boorman experienced on a 13,000-mile journey aboard two Harley-Davidson® LiveWire™ electric motorcycles through South America, Central America and Mexico.

Printed four times annually, with a circulation of more than 500,00 print copies in the United States plus 150,000 copies internationally, The Enthusiast magazine is the most broadly circulated motorcycle magazine in the world. First published by Harley-Davidson in 1916, The Enthusiast magazine was among the first consumer motorcycle magazines in print, although Germany’s Motorrad (1903), Italy’s Motociclismo (1914), and Motorcyclist magazine (1909) in the United States preceded it.

From 1984 until 2008, Harley-Davidson produced two separate publications for owners and riders, The Enthusiast magazine and HOG Tales magazine. In 2009 they were merged under the HOG Magazine title into one new magazine that drew content inspiration from both publications.

With the movement of Motorcyclist to a digital format in 2018, the Enthusiast magazine, including the HOG Magazine years, remains the oldest continuously printed motorcycle magazine in the United States.

All Full and Life Harley Owner Group members will continue to receive a complimentary subscription to The Enthusiast magazine as part of their membership benefits. Free App versions of the magazine are also available for iOS and Android phones and tablets. Harley-Davidson is also exploring new ways to deliver the print magazine in the United States, including by selling single copies of the magazine on the H-D® eCommerce site and through limited retail establishments, including at Harley-Davidson™ dealerships and select boutique motorcycle shops. For more information and history about The Enthusiast magazine, visit h-d.com/enthusiast.

SOURCE: Harley-Davidson

Ken Kaplan On Discovery Channel Show

Vernon, CT, USA (September 17, 2020) — The transformation of a dilapidated, crumbling old textile mill into the New England Motorcycle Museum and a vintage bike restoration business in the Rockville section of Vernon has made it to a television series on the Discovery Channel.

Ken Kaplan and his son Ken Kaplan Jr. are the stars of a new reality show that made its world premiere on the Discovery Channel on Wednesday. In "Kaplan America," Ken and his son work to get five bikes restored and sold in a week.

At the same time the try to track down three stolen bikes and bring the "thieves to justice."

Thanks to a combination of federal- and state-administered brownfield grants, Kaplan was able to convert the historic the Hockanum Mill on West Main Street to the museum and his Kaplan Cycles operation. The museum gets about 10,000 visitors a year, Kaplan said.

Kaplan, who founded Kaplan computers in Manchester, said he was all to glad to showcase a collaboration between himself, state and federal entities that built up a part of Rockville. "It's not just about the museum, it's about Rockville and the state of Connecticut," he said.



Ken Jr. said Discovery discovered the Kaplans' You Tube channel and seemed to like what was going on at the old factory. "We want to congratulate the Kaplans on their long road," Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne said. "The show is going to be a hit and I can't wait for everyone to see it."

Kaplan said was a rough stretch when the coronavirus pandemic first broke out. But as people began spending more time at home, a passion for motorcycles increased.

"It's good clean American fun," Kaplan said. "It's a good American sport. Think about it ... put on a helmet, get on your bike and stay 6 feet apart. It's a breath of fresh air as the world is going downhill. It's good to bring our business and Rockville to a worldwide audience."

SOURCE: Patch

Local Bike Nite Continues To Grow

Rodgersville, TN, USA (September 17, 2020) - Red Dog Cafe co-owner Ben McGrew acknowledges that events like Saturday’s Rogersville Bike Nite are good for the downtown economy, but for him these local festivals have a greater purpose.

McGrew, who recently purchased a home about a block from his downtown eatery, said the real blessing of such events is the ability for people to still come together as a community and have fun.

“Yes, the numbers are down for hospitality and restaurant businesses, but the numbers as far as community involvement aren’t down, and we really appreciate that,” McGrew told the Times News earlier this week. “Economy is what drives us, and in the end we need dollars to make these businesses happen. But first and foremost for the Red Dog, it’s the community.

You have people pulling together and spending their time to organize these events to attract people downtown, and for us the biggest thing is what the community does. In the end, the rest of it falls in place.”

“There are a lot of bikers in this area” The fourth annual Rogersville Bike Nite is scheduled for Saturday in downtown from 5-9 p.m. Main Street will be blocked at 4 p.m.

McGrew added, “We’re always excited about Bike Nite. The first year they said there would be 100 bikes, and they had 200. The second year they said they would have 200 bikes, and there were 300. There are a lot of bikers in this area, it keeps getting bigger every year, and it’s always fun.”

McGrew and both of his business partners are motorcycle enthusiasts, and aside from being a major sponsor of the event this year, McGrew is also a judge for Saturday’s Bike Show.

Trophies will be awarded in three categories including Best Stock Bike, Best Custom Motorcycle, and Best Paint Job.

“Some of these motorcycles cost more than a new SUV, and they’re beautiful,” McGrew said. “There’s an interesting mix. You’ve doctors, lawyers, businessmen, etc. on their $50,000-$60,000 bikes, and then you’ve actual bikers.”

“Folks may be looking for something to do” The inaugural Rogersville Bike Nite in 2017 had 200 bikes show up, followed by 300 the next year, and 325 last year.

Rogersville Chamber of Commerce Director Nancy Barker isn’t counting on a third consecutive record breaking year, but she also isn’t counting it out.

“If COVID wasn’t going on, I would say a definite yes (to a new record Saturday),” Barker said. “With COVID, it’s hard to say whether people will venture out. The fact that so many events have been canceled across our area, folks may be looking for something to do, so you never know. We’ve got the space to accommodate however many show up.”

Live music will be performed by The Valley Authority, which plays a combination of rock, country and easy listening. Downtown restaurants will be open late, and several downtown shops will also be open.

A few vendors will be set up along Main Street including Busted Knuckles Motorcycle Shop from Rogersville, an audio store, and a motorcycle apparel store from Kingsport. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the event. Social distancing and face masks are encouraged, and there will be hand washing stations throughout downtown during the event. Free face masks will be available at the event information booth.

“Some of the most beautiful bikes you’ve ever seen” Barker noted that you don’t have to be a biker or own a motorcycle to enjoy Rogersville Bike Night. It’s fun to bring a lawn chair, listen to the music, and people watch.

“I’m not a big motorcycle person, but I love our show,” Barker said. “You’ll see some of the most beautiful bikes you’ve ever seen, and the original things that people do to them. It’s worth a walk-through. It’s amazing the creativity people have when it comes to customizing their motorcycle.”

Barker added, “It’s a great venue and laid back, and folks like riding in and being able to hang out and relax and visit with people and enjoy the music. With the restaurants open, it’s a good opportunity to check out some of the new restaurants. Apparently we’re doing something right because folks keep coming and it keeps growing every year.”

SOURCE: Times News

Biker Bar Closed Due To Large Crowd

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina (September 13, 2020) - A popular biker bar closed Wednesday night after requesting assistance from police.

Horry County police said the owner of the bar near Murrells Inlet requested assistance on Wednesday night to clear the crowd. The owner closed down in compliance with the governor’s orders.

The crowd was dispersed without incident. No citations were issued, according to police.

This is not the first time attention was called to the biker bar during the pandemic. The bar was cited in July for having a concert. The concert was part of the 81st annual Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally.



A state senator sent photos of the concert to the governor or South Carolina as an example of “recklessness,” and called it a “super spreader event.” The business posted live videos from the concert and throughout the week on its Facebook page.

“HCPD continues to monitor and respond to activity around the county,” the department posted on social media. Additional patrol officers have been assigned to work weekend coverage. “Community members and visitors are reminded to act responsibly.”

SBB, as it's often referred, was issued an administrative violation for violating the governor's executive orders back in July. Patrols have been stepped up in the South Division to monitor and respond to any activity.