Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles. news, RideApart. com, Motor1. com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter. com
NEWS
BRIEFS
The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure has advanced a new draft rule that specifically excludes off-highway vehicles from the definition of children ' s products. A previous version of the bill would have included youth OHV products in the wider PFAS prohibition, effectively banning these products from sale in the state.
New Harley CEO Artie Starrs has gotten off clean in terms of LiveWire taint. Jochen Zeitz ' role as LiveWire CEO is being taken over by Harley CFO and President of Operations Jonathan Root- the board ' s original, late 2024 preferred choice as Jochen Zeitz ' H-D CEO replacement- until investor and Hedge Fund H Partners decided it wanted skin in that game. Zeitz has served as LiveWire ' s board chair since September 2022 when Harley- Davidson spun off LiveWire( NYSE: LVWR). Harley still holds about 90 % of LiveWire stock, and Harley executives fill the majority of LiveWire ' s board seats. Karim Donnez remains as CEO of LiveWire, a role he has held since June 2023. Based in Milwaukee, it manufactures and sells electric motorcycles and STACYC electric balance bikes. It recorded $ 8.6m in net revenue the first six months of 2025 compared with $ 11.4m during the same period of 2024. The company posted an operating loss of $ 38.9m the first six months of this year compared with an operating loss of $ 58.6m a year earlier. The company recorded declining sales in 2024 and this year so far, posting net losses totaling over $ 200m combined in 2023 and 2024. Doubt we ' ll be hearing a big fat shout of ' Thank You ' from Mr Root for what is, undoubtedly, a poison chalice of a consolation prize. The fact that the CEO post has not been handed to the new Harley CEO is the clearest signal yet that LiveWire ' s race is run.
Energica in Italy looks to be on the comeback trail after its bankruptcy and subsequent liquidation. Global Sales Director Stefano Benatti has announced the completion of a sale to a Singapore based group of investors. Founded at Modena in 2014, he says that the new iteration of the company will continue with a new financial base and the same development team; www. energicamotor. com
Sturgis: 85th Rally Brings Record Breaking Results for Museum
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame announced that the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was " it ' s most successful to date, with recordbreaking attendance, sales, and community support." The museum ' s success mirrors the overall rally ' s impressive turnout, which saw a significant increase in visitors over previous years. " The increased attendance we saw this year reflects the connection the museum has with this passionate community of riders," said Executive Director Heidi Haro. " We are thrilled by the enthusiasm and generosity shown by everyone who visited." The City of Sturgis reported a strong rally with vehicle traffic up 14.1 % over last year and an 11.3 % increase over the five-year average. Mobile device tracking also indicated a higher number of unique visitors than in previous years. Against this backdrop of heightened visitation, the Museum posted a 15 % increase in overall attendance and a 20 % rise in merchandise sales compared to the previous year. The annual Hall of Fame breakfast, a cornerstone event for the museum, sold out months in advance, underscoring the strong interest of the rally attendees. The success was bolstered by several
Raha Hurrah!
Motocross daredevil and longtime Rockstar Energy partner Colby Raha, a 30-year-old professional MX athlete from California, successfully launched himself 205 feet on a Harley V-twin Motorcycle at the Record Breakers event at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. In doing so he established a new world record for the longest ever jump on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. After years of preparation, Raha successfully soared 205 feet, over half the length of a football field, at the Record Breakers event at the historic Thunderdome in Sturgis, ND on Saturday August 09. The new distance broke the standing 15-year record previously held by Seth Enslow. The monumental jump marked Raha ' s longest ever on two wheels, sending 550 lbs of motor and metal through the air in front of more than 5,000 fans. Colby said: " This jump at the Thunderdome in Sturgis channeled the
key events and notable contributions. A new event, " Pearl ' s Jam," drew hundreds of attendees and focused on celebrating women in motorcycling. The event featured notable figures such as Rally Grand Marshal Gloria Struck, acclaimed designer and fabricator Theresa Contreras, and Harley-Davidson ' s Karen Davidson. It also featured the debut of the longform trailer for upcoming feature film " Iron Lilly," about the life of Sturgis Hall of Fame inductee Lillian Farrow. " Pearl ' s Jam " also generated $ 11,000 in sponsorships and grants. Philanthropic efforts and generous donations further propelled the museum forward. Well known riding group The Hamsters donated a remarkable $ 109,000 in auction proceeds from their annual Sturgis
spirit of Evel Knievel, an absolute legend of the sport and I ' m beyond stoked to have landed it as part of my Record Breakers event. It was a dream to push the limits at the Thunderdome, and I felt really dialed in the whole time. I ' m grateful for the support from Rockstar Energy and all the partners who helped make this world record attempt possible." Raha ' s record-breaking jump comes on the heels of his seventh X Games gold medal in Salt Lake City, where he currently holds the record in the Moto X QuarterPipe High Air competition with a height of 53 ft. 6 inches, and a jaw-dropping, record-breaking 200 ft. to flat leap at Palm Springs Surf Club earlier this summer. Since his breakthrough gold medal win there, Raha has become one of the
banquet and in another show of support, collector and television personality Richard Rawlings contributed a generous $ 10,000. There were numerous additional donations throughout the week. The museum ' s robust performance was also reflected in its digital communications, with social media traffic surging by 293 % during the rally period. Tagged or mentioned content saw a parallel rise of 245 %, showcasing a dramatically increased online presence and engagement. " We couldn ' t be happier with the results of the rally," said Museum Board Chair Paul " Fozzy " Fosdyck. " This is a direct result of the creative approach and hard work of the Museum ' s staff and volunteers." www. sturgismuseum. com
sport ' s most fearless competitors. He has earned 11 X Games medals, including 6 golds. Most recently, the Rockstar Energy athlete made headlines by breaking a 51-year-old world record at Palm Springs Surf Club, jumping 197 feet over 23 BMW cars at 110 mph at his inaugural Record Breakers event. Known for his gritty work ethic and fearless approach to massive jumps, Raha has established himself as one of motocross ' s most breathtaking performers.
10 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER- OCTOBER 2025 www. AMDmag. com