by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Ever since before the start of the second world war, at a time when the world was fighting for its survival during what became known as the Great Depression, and well into the 1970s, the American motorcycle landscape was dominated by a three-wheeled contraption called the Servi-Car. Produced by Harley-Davidson from 1932 to 1974, the Servi-Car is the forefather of the current Tri Glide Ultra and the Freewheeler trikes, but despite being made in great numbers, they’re not so easy to come by in current times. From time to time, such machines do pop up on auction sites and elsewhere, but generally they come in the form of custom builds that kind of ruin the initial purpose of the trike. Not the same can be said about the example we have here. This 1949 Servi-Car was, like many others of its kind, used by a police department. In this case we’re talking about the one in Oakland, California. Despite having underwent a rebuild, needed because of its age, it remains fitted with pretty much all the hardware it had back when it was in the force. Aside for the mandatory red lights and a siren, it also features a 750 cc side-valve engine with large cooling fins to avoid overheating when on patrol, a left-hand throttle that allowed police officers to draw their weapons with the right hand, and a lockable box at the rear to store items needed for police work. Just as it was back during its glory days, the trike has the rear wheels spaced apart just enough to be able to ride in the tracks made in the snow by a car. Given the way it was rebuilt, and the fact that it is an original police Servi-Car, this particular one managed to fetch an impressive amount at a recent RM Sotheby’s auction: $54,000.

by Elena Gorgan from https://www.autoevolution.com

Harley-Davidson may arguably not be the best or most affordable motorcycle maker in the world, but it is a strong contender for the title of most recognizable brand out there. Throughout its 117-year history, it is not without hit and misses, though.

Today, Harley sells a wide array of bike-related merchandise, from clothes and footwear, to accessories and other assorted riding gear. It also puts its name on other, perhaps more surprising stuff, like home decorations, holiday décor, garden gnomes (biker style!), and the usual range of cups, mugs and drinkware.

This is nothing compared to some efforts the company has made in the past to become more relatable, more popular and to effectively shake off that bad biker boy image and / or association with Hells Angels criminal activity. Here are three of the most surprising and strangest items Harley sold under the Harley-Davidson name, of which you may or may not have known about.

You think of Harleys and you immediately see a leather-clad biker. Whether that biker is male or female isn’t even of relevance, because he or she will be wearing black leather from head to toe, perhaps with studs, fringes or the occasional chain.

Yes, this is an over-generalization of the image of the Harley rider, but it’s meant to serve a point. The last thing on your mind when you think of a Harley biker is the image of a man in a suit with a necktie.

Back in the ‘90s, HD was struggling, both financially and image-wise. In an appeal to expand its reach to include new segments of the market, it started selling ties. These sold until the early 2000s and were discontinued following tepid response. You can still find them on eBay, though: they sell for anything between $10 for a used one and $40 for a 2-pack with the original tags still on.

The ties came with comic book-inspired patterns, or variations on the HD logo, or even in patriotic colors with the bald eagle. Some were funny, others quirky, and many just tacky. Only someone with a vivid personality and a strong sense of humor could have pulled them off, even in the funky ‘90s fashion.

Harley-Davidson Beef Jerky

In 2007, Harley-Davidson and ConAgra Foods announced a partnership that would mark the bike maker’s first and only foray into the food market: beef jerky. Starting from the premise that bikers too get hungry and are reluctant to cut their rides short just so they can grab a bite, the Harley-Davidson Beef Jerky came to be.

“Harley riders live for the time they spend on their motorcycles, and beef jerky is a convenient food for the open road,” Tom Parsons, Harley-Davidson acting general manager of General Merchandise at the time, said. “It’s a great way for riders to grab a snack and keep on rolling.”

Selling at $5.99, it came in three flavors (Original, Teriyaki and Pepper) and became so popular that dealers would include it in the purchase of a new bike.

Harley-Davidson Cigarettes

Back in the day, smoking was the “cool” thing to do. Before its health effects were fully revealed and the war against the tobacco industry started, smoking was everywhere, from music and movies, to ads, magazines and, perhaps more importantly, a fixture to the image of the Harley biker.

So, at the start of the ‘80s, Harley-Davidson decided to sell Harley cigarettes, as part of a limited-time partnership with Lorillard Tobacco Company. The decision was perhaps prompted by a 1985 Lorillard study that showed that, while people had a positive image of the Harley bike, they had a negative one of the Hells Angels members who rode it.

The goal was, as with the other two items on this short list, to broaden the Harley appeal, present a softer and more relatable image, and capitalize on the existing Harley image. The cigarettes were a hit among the bikers, but it’s not known if they helped Harley reach that stated goal.

In the early 1990s, Harley and Lorillard had a major falling out, which saw both companies sue and countersue each other. By then, the image of the good Harley biker was on the rise, so the maker wanted to distance itself from the tobacco war that had started. In court documents unsealed years later, it was revealed that its biggest concern was that cigarette ads would appeal to minors, and it would get dragged into tobacco litigation.

Lorillard was granted the right to sell the cigarettes until 2001, but in 1998, decided to rebrand them as Maverick. The Harley-Davidson Cigarette officially died then. Empty packs are still sold as collectibles online, if you’re the nostalgic type.

In addition to these three items, Harley also sold lampshades, beer, table sets and novelty phones – shaped like Hogs, of course.

by Express Drives Desk from https://www.financialexpress.com

Panigale, Multistrada biggest contributors to growth

The Panigale and the Multistrada are said to have played an instrumental role in helping Ducati sell more than 53,000 motorcycles worldwide in 2019.

Ducati Motor Holding has announced that in 2019, the brand sold 53,186 motorcycles. Recoding a margin growth of 0.3% when assessing against 53,004 units sold in 2018. For the fifth consecutive year, Ducati has sold more than 50,000 units within a calendar year. Globally, the 500cc above segment for motorcycles has seen a growth of 1.4%.

However, while sales volume saw marginal growth, Ducati’s revenue saw further positive growth. The company’s turnover at the end of 2019 stood at €716 million (~Rs 57.7 billion) with an operating profit of € 52 million which is higher than € 49 million it secured in 2018. Ducati says that it recorded a turnover per bike figure which with about € 13,500 / motorcycle shows the highest value in the history of the company.

The Italian superbike manufacturer claims that the Panigale superbike and the Multistrada adventure tourer motorcycles were instrumental in helping Ducati achieve these numbers. The Panigale has been the best selling super sports bike in the world for the second consecutive year and currently holds a massive market share of 25%. The Multistrada 950S and the 1260 Enduro being added to the range, the ADV family saw its best sales performance till date since it was first introduced back in 2003.

Currently, there are 1,655 employees that work directly under Ducati Motor Holding. The Italian superbike maker has its presence in over 90 countries one of which is in India. Ducati India sells multiple variations of the Panigale, Supersports, Multistrada, Monster, Diavel, Scrambler and the Hypermotard motorcycles.

by Sebastian Blanco from https://www.forbes.com/

It’s a specific category, but the Venturi Group’s Voxan Motors is working to create the fastest electric motorcycle in the world. Well, the fastest electric motorcycle “propelled by the action of one wheel in contact with the ground, partially streamlined, under 300 kg,” according to the team website.

That specific record is currently held by Jim Hoogerhyde, who rode a Lightning SB220 electric bike to 203.566 mph in 2013, according to Jalopnik. Voxan has set a target of 205 mph for its attempt but the date of the record attempt has been pushed back.

The new world speed record attempt was supposed to happen in July 2020 at the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, but that has been indefinitely postponed due to the cornoavirus. The Venturi Group, which is based in Monaco, issued a statement today saying that it is following the health directives issued by the Monegasque Government and that: “The development teams responsible for the Voxan Wattman motorcycle, which has just completed its initial on-track testing, are now confined to their homes.” Without being able to get together to work on the bike, the team can’t fine-tune the machine on-track, leading to the postponement.

“The health and safety of my teams is paramount. In view of the current health crisis, I have put in place the necessary measures. All of my staff, whether they are attached to Venturi North America (Columbus, Ohio) or to the headquarters in Monaco, are now working from home,” said Gildo Pastor, president of Venturi Group, in a statement. “We will establish a new calendar of operations as soon as the health situation allows it, and announce the new operational arrangements for this project, which is very important to me personally.”

The bike Voxan was (is) going to use to try and set the new speed record is a tweaked version of its Wattman, originally introduced in 2013. The normal Wattman bike is capable of accelerating from zero to 62 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds thanks to its 203-horsepower all-electric powertrain that produces 147.5 pound-feet of torque. Voxan’s high-performance version of the Wattman has been upgraded to produce 367 horsepower in order to hit that 205 mile-per-hour target.

The Venturi Group acquired Voxan in 2010 and shifted the brand’s focus to use electric motors. Both versions of the Wattman (on-road and high-performance) were designed by Venturi’s long-serving lead designer, Sacha Lakic.

The speed record attempt, whenever it happens, is likely to still be driven by Max Biaggi, a two-time World Superbike champion (2010 and 2012). He officially retired from racing in 2012, but has raced a few times since then.

Cycle Source, Providence Cycle Worx and Flat Broke Chops & Rods Join The 2020 High Seas Rally Crew

 

Alright, you scallywags, it’s time for a massive dose of motorcycle misbehaving and general skullduggery on the 2020 High Seas Rally. Cycle Source Magazine, Providence Cycle Worx, and Flat Broke Chops & Rods will be boarding the ship and setting sail on the High Seas Rally from December 3 – 10, 2020.

 

Alright mates, what we have planned for this epic quest is unheard of in the lifetime of our crew. Coming up will be seven days of Grease & Gears Garage segments, where we will be showing the ins and outs of keeping your bike in shipshape condition and how to build your own chopper baubles. Let us translate that for the non-pirates in the crowd. Chris Callen of Flat Broke Chops & Rods and Xavier Muriel of Providence Cycle Worx will hold daily seminars for your viewing pleasure aboard the cruise to show you everything from fabrication to basic motorcycle maintenance.

 

There will be much more mischief coming with the Cycle Source mini bike racing. First, one to win gets a big prize from our own treasure chest while the last of you landlubbers gets a one-way trip to Davey Jones’ Locker. No, they do get a prize, but I’m not telling you what it might be.  And not to worry, we will provide the mini bikes to race with, and the professional Christmas tree to start the races.  All you have to do is sign up and show us your need for speed.

 

Sure, there may be many of you who wish your own trusty steed was aboard for the gold doubloons that will be awarded. Well, Cycle Source will have its famous bike show via virtuosity on board. Actually, Cap’n, it will be a virtual bike show. Cruise guests may sign up ahead of the cruise and submit a dozen photos of their bike. Cycle Source will print poster displays for each bike; they will be classed and awarded prizes in 25 classes on the ship. Not only that, the entire world will vote on the High Seas Rally Bike Of The Year through social media voting. There are tons of prizes – Class winners get $500, Best in Show gets $500 plus a free cabin for 2021!

 

Cruise guests will also have a chance to win the custom-built motorcycle by Providence Cycle Work that Xavier is building all through 2020. The giveaway benefits High Seas Rally’s Dialysis Program, which provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take a cruise at no expense. They provide the medical care, the transportation, the cruise and some spending money for the patient and his or her caregiver.

 

So, what is the High Seas Rally, you ask? Well, it’s the World’s Only Biker Rally on a Cruise Ship. 2020 marks the 21^st sailing on a luxury cruise ship. Every guest is a motorcycle enthusiast, and with over 2,000 onboard, lifelong friendships are often made. There is world-class live entertainment at sea, including Foghat, Joe Diffie, Molly Hatchet, and so many more. Rallygoers will be treated to killer parties not only at sea but on land as well. Big money raffles and giveaways totaling some $200k in cash and prizes are an added bonus for passengers. Over the years, High Seas Rally has raised funds for many great causes to date totaling $3M raised for charity. This year’s rally is December 3-10, 2020, onboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas with ports of call and exciting adventures awaiting passengers in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Grand Cayman.

 

Well, for sure, it sounds like there will be plenty of souls to be counted for the locker. It be good to have fresh crew members to choose from! Actually, it’s our job to make sure the guests are having fun, and as for the locker, let’s keep it closed for this trip, shall we!

 

You can stay up to date with the progress on the custom motorcycle raffle bike project by following @providencecycleworx or @highseasrally on Instagram. Passengers are automatically entered to win this one of a kind motorcycle but don’t worry if you aren’t lucky enough to score a spot on this epic adventure, you will still have a chance to win it!

 

For more information or to book your rally experience of a lifetime, please check out www.highseasrally.com

 

 

Heather Callen

Managing Editor

Cycle Source Magazine

China on March 19 reported no new local infections for the previous day, a milestone in the ongoing fight against the pandemic. The news signaled that an end to China’s epidemic could be in sight.

 

However, experts said the country would need to see at least 14 consecutive days without new infections for the outbreak to be considered over. And the announcement did not mean that China recorded no new coronavirus cases. Officials said that 34 new cases had been confirmed among people who had arrived in China from elsewhere.

–NY TIMES

Dear Patients and Friends

Dear Patients and Friends
During this challenging times I will continue to give our patien health news that ts helpful and implementable facts. This information below just came out of the University of Virginia:

1. WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
People should suspect that they might have COVID-19 if they are experiencing fever, cough and/or shortness of breath. These symptoms, however, are also symptoms of other illnesses. For example, the nation is still in the middle of a flu epidemic, and fever and cough are also symptoms of flu. It is most likely that you have flu or other respiratory illness. So, it is important to pay attention to symptoms but to also know they will not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19.

2. WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR?
If you have fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, call your doctor. Do not just show up; it is very important to call first. Most doctors’ offices will have ways to isolate someone who potentially has COVID-19. Your doctor’s office will likely ask screening questions on the phone and will provide instructions about what to do when you arrive.

3. I’VE HAD A RUNNY NOSE AND SNIFFLES. COULD THIS CORONAVIRUS?
A runny nose or nasal congestion would not be likely to be COVID-19.

4. WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you put on a face mask before you enter your doctor’s office or other health care facility.

Your doctor or health care provider would likely test for flu first because the country is in the middle of a flu epidemic. If the flu test is negative then you will be tested for COVID-19, especially if you have risk factors. That would include having traveled to a country or area of the U.S. with the sustained person-to-person transmission or having been in contact with someone with COVID-19.

This likely will change as soon as COVID-19 tests are more available – at that time everyone with a fever and cough will be tested.

In Health,
Dr. Christian Reichardt

by Svea Herbst-Bayliss from https://www.reuters.com

The $2.8 billion hedge fund run by Robert Bishop, which owns 1.9 million Harley shares, or 1.2% of the company, has nominated former auto industry executive Brent Dewar and Leo Hindery, Jr., who has public board experience, as directors to Harley’s nine-member board.

BOSTON: Harley-Davidson Inc faces a battle with one of its investors after Impala Asset Management said on Wednesday it will try to install two directors at America’s oldest and best-known motorcycle maker.

The $2.8 billion hedge fund run by Robert Bishop, which owns 1.9 million Harley shares, or 1.2% of the company, has nominated former auto industry executive Brent Dewar and Leo Hindery, Jr., who has public board experience, as directors to Harley’s nine member board.

Harley has rejected the two men, saying in a filing that they would not bring fresh skills and declining to settle with Impala when the hedge fund first approached the company about new nominations to the board.

Impala has criticized the company for losing market share and the board for being slow fixing poor returns. It also pushed for the ouster of former CEO Matt Levatich in January.

“Impala approached the Board and advocated for the removal of then-CEO Levatich and a modest refresh of the Board itself. We believed then, and still believe, that the Company underperformed its potential under Mr. Levatich and that the Board should have taken action on its own,” the hedge fund said in a filing.

Harley tapped long-time board member Jochen Zeitz as interim CEO on Feb. 28.

A German passport holder, Zeitz’s appointment came just days before U.S. President Donald Trump banned some travel from Europe amid the spread of the coronavirus that has sent markets reeling and killed more than 8,700 people so far.

The motorcycle maker said in a statement on Wednesday an employee in one of its manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin had tested positive for the coronavirus, and that it would shut majority of the production at its facilities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin starting March 18 through March 29.

Automakers Ford Motor Co , General Motors Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV also confirmed they will shut down U.S. plants to stop the virus’ spread.

Meanwhile, like other Harley executives, Zeitz is working remotely and is communicating by video. In one sent to the company’s dealers and seen by Reuters, he said he is “hitting the ground running.”

A company spokeswoman said Zeitz is “in the process of moving to Milwaukee,” where Harley is headquartered. She declined to offer more details.

Zeitz, a former CEO of German apparel and footwear maker Puma, has lead a push for sustainability at Harley and was a force behind The Live Wire, the company’s first production of an electric bike.