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BRIEFS
A H-D patent filing appears to show Variable Valve Timing being used on a new engine for the Sportster - though sources say that whatever bike it may be used for ( if at all ), as plans go , it is still , at best , some way off . Indeed , until Project Rewire , the XL family had been slated to see its demise with MY2022 , bringing a close to what will by then have been a 65-year run . However , that decision is now back in the ' nix mix ' as all bets are reconsidered .
Royal Enfield recently inaugurated a brand-new production plant in Argentina in collaboration with local distributor Grupo Simpa . The country has become an important market for Royal Enfield since it entered the market there in 2018 . The new Buenos Aires plant will source materials from RE ' s home base in Chennai , India , and assemble the Himalayan , Continental GT and Interceptor 650 there , with production expected to begin as early as September 2020 .
The Royal Enfield AFT Production Twins racer made an impressive race debut at the Williams Grove Speedway Half- Mile I at Mechanicsburg , PA ., with professional flat track racer Johnny Lewis scooping sixth spot . A joint effort between Royal Enfield and Lewis ' proprietary race team and flat track academy MotoAnatomy , the project has seen an impressive roster of collaborators - not least the globally recognized British road racing chassis builder Harris Performance and engine tuning specialists S & S Cycle .
In a multi-year deal , Progressive Insurance has been named the AFT Series Entitlement Sponsor - the Title Sponsor and Official Insurance Company of America ' s premier motorcycle racing championship , American Flat Track . The sponsorship includes a $ 50,000 year-end points fund , awarded to the top performing riders in the AFT SuperTwins presented by Vance & Hines , AFT Production Twins and AFT Singles divisions .
# 1 Cycle Center H-D in State College , PA - home of Penn State University - is for sale as the seller is looking to retire .
Harley to Relaunch ' The Enthusiast ' After 12-Year ' Retirement '
Just as many print publications are embracing an uncertain online only future , Harley has decided to look back to its future where rider communications are concerned with the relaunch of its eternally popular ' Enthusiast ' magazine . Described as a " redesigned publication to inspire riders and celebrate motorcycle culture ," and in a move almost certainly prompted by new CEO Jochen Zeitz ' stated desire to rediscover its core , ' The Enthusiast ' will return as a print and digital magazine - hurrah for our side ! 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 - double hurrah ! “ 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 ”. The series follows the epic motorcycle adventure McGregor and Boorman experienced on a 13,000-mile journey aboard two LiveWire electric motorcycles through South America , Central America and Mexico [ aka " The Electrifying Road Trip Adventures of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Learner "]. Printed four times annually , with a circulation of more than 500,000 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
Old news by now , but worth recording - California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a controversial Executive Order ( September 24 , 2020 ) that will phase out gas powered cars by 2035 . His EO instructs the regulation-happy California Air Resources Board ( CARB ) to draft measures requiring that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035 . As you can imagine , SEMA is not impressed ! According to the California Energy Commission , zeroemission vehicles ( ZEVs ) currently make up approximately 2 % of the over 28 million vehicles in use in the Golden State . It is estimated that at least 8 % of new vehicle sales in California will be ZEVs and plug-in hybrids by 2025 . California ' s ZEV program falls within the state ' s greenhouse gas rule that is being challenged in court by the Trump Administration . The federal government is seeking to withdraw EPA recognition of the California rule under the
( 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 '. 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 says it 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 .
California - Further Step Towards ICE Ban
Clean Air Act because it effectively establishes fuel economy standards which are the sole jurisdiction of the federal government . The challenge will likely eventually be decided by the Supreme Court .
20 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - DECEMBER 2020 www . AMDchampionship . com