Harley-Davidson CEO Retiring

Milwaukee, WI, USA (April 8, 2025) - Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced on Tuesday, April 8, that the company’s Board of Directors is engaged in an ongoing CEO search process. The search process was initiated in Q4 2024 after CEO Jochen Zeitz expressed his interest in retiring. Zeitz had been a member of the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors since 2007 and was named CEO in February 2020.

 

Zeitz will remain as CEO until the board appoints a successor. "The Board is grateful to Mr. Zeitz for his many significant contributions to the Company as CEO". These contributions include, but are not limited to, the creation and successful execution of the Hardwire, the Company's five-year strategic plan (2021-2025), reinvigorating the brand, and his leadership during one of the most challenging operating environments in the history of the Company."

Zeitz, 65, grew up in Germany and went to school in Germany, Italy, France, and the United States. He's a graduate of the European Business School in International Marketing and Finance. He's been riding motorcycles since he was a teenager.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal 

Hollister Independence Bike Rally Returns for 2025

Hollister, California, USA (January 9, 2025) - The Hollister City Council has unanimously approved the return of the Independence Bike Rally for 2025 during a special meeting on Tuesday night. Hollister’s annual downtown Independence Day motorcycle rally has drawn large crowds of bikers and spectators for the summer holiday since the city began officially sponsoring it in 1997. The rally dates back more than 70 years, starting out as an informal gathering that was more loosely organized by the Hollister biker community.

 

Formerly an annual occurrence, the last formal rally event took place in 2017. Since then, various factors including financial concerns and the Covid-19 pandemic have derailed plans to host an organized rally. Johnny's Bar and Grill owner Peter Lago spoke at the meeting speaking about how the rally would be beneficial to the city. "If you're wondering if it's just we, the people, or just business owners, it is in fact every single business in San Benito Street wants this rally back," Lago said.



Rally supporters touted the event’s proven financial boon to local businesses, and stressed the advantages of hosting such an ingrained tradition that draws visitors from far outside of Hollister. Mike Corbin, founder of the Corbin motorcycle saddles company which is based in Hollister, thanked the council for considering hosting a rally in 2025. “This is all done with a high cooperative spirit,” Corbin said of past motorcycle rallies in Hollister.

Corbin and other observers said the city shouldn’t expect large crowds for this year’s rally, largely because of the short notice in organizing and promoting the event before July 4. City Councilmember Rudy Picha voiced his support of the rally at the meeting with hopes that it can be done safely. "I'm very optimistic that it can and I can see this being a very powerful thing for our local businesses," Picha said. City Councilmember Rolan Resendiz also proposed a motion that to ask Amazon to sponsor the fireworks show due to the company having a warehouse in Hollister.

Sheriff and friends search for missing motorcyclist

Kooskia, Idaho, USA (August 14, 2024) - Zachary DeMoss was last seen riding with a group of bikers Sunday, according to the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office. He last contacted his fellow riders at Kooskia, and gave the group a head start. DeMoss’ motorcycle was last seen pulled off U.S. Highway 12 at Eagle Mountain Trailhead around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the news release.

DeMoss was riding a black Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 with “ape hanger” handlebars and a large spike on the end of each handgrip. His motorcycle had black Harley saddle bags and camping gear loaded on the back.

 

Zachary DeMoss with his Motorcycle

The back left turn signal was slightly hanging off but still worked. The motorcycle had Montana license plate with the word “HOGG.” DeMoss is described as 24 years old, Caucasian, 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds. He was last seen wearing a bright white helmet with black designs on it and a bluish-grey long-sleeve under shirt with a leather vest on top of it.



When his phone is dialed, it goes straight to voicemail, and there has been no activity on his bank cards since his disappearance, according to the news release. Anyone with information about DeMoss is asked to contact the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 258-4810 or the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 983-1100, extension 0.

Harley-Davidson reconsiders policies after backlash

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A. (August 12, 2024) - The Harley-Davidson motorcycle company is undertaking a review of its corporate policies after filmmaker and anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck accused the iconic motorcycle manufacturer of embracing the “woke agenda of the very far left” which do not align with the values of the company’s core customers.

 

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company

Sources claim that Harley-Davidson's presence at the legendary Sturgis motorcycle rally this month has been noticeably diminished, with many motorcycle enthusiasts boycotting the company’s tent and activities in protest of policies exposed by Starbuck.

“Harley-Davidson has been a proud American institution for more than 120 years. United We Ride defines how we run our business, treat our people, and underscores our commitment to freedom. As a responsible company, we are committed to evaluating our policies, strategies, and activities to ensure they are relevant to our business,” the company said in an email to employees viewed by Bloomberg.

SOURCE: Seeking Alpha