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NEWS
BRIEFS
Well known industry leader Frank Tatsuo Miyake has passed away at the age of 83. A longtime executive and aftermarket pioneer, he founded RK Excel America. Born in Los Angeles in 1942, Miyake built a career that spanned decades and left a lasting mark on the U. S. motorcycle aftermarket. After college and service in the United States Army, Miyake began his professional career as an advertising representative with the Los Angeles Times. His passion for motorcycles eventually led him into the powersports industry, where he would become one of its most recognizable figures. In 1977, Miyake left his position with Sudco to launch FTM & Associates, focusing on sourcing, importing and marketing specialty motorcycle brands. Under his leadership, the company built a broad portfolio that included RK Chain, Excel Rims, SBS, Bendix Brakes, Fram-Autolite, ThreeBond, Add-Awn, AFAM Sprockets, Ken Sean Mirrors and Napoleon Mirrors.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced consolidated business results for the full 2025 fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 with revenues in its Land Mobility Business( which includes motorcycles & PTWs) of 1,615.1bn yen(+ 5.6bn yen / 0.3 % compared with the previous year) and operating income was 108.7bn yen(+ 4.7bn yen / 4.6 %). In its motorcycle business in developed markets, unit sales increased in Japan, but declined slightly overall due to lower demand in Europe and the U. S. In emerging markets, unit sales decreased in Vietnam, where production and shipments were temporarily halted, but rose in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. As a result, total unit sales and revenue were on par with the previous fiscal year. Operating income fell overall due to higher procurement costs, increases to R & D spending, labour costs, and other SG & A expenses, the tariffs enacted by the U. S. and other developments.
Barcelona, Spain based electric motorcycle maker Stark Future has claimed a first FIM SuperEnduro Manufacturers ' World Championship title- representing " a new milestone in FIM off road racing." The FIM SuperEnduro is widely regarded as one of the most demanding disciplines in off-road motorcycle racing and the Stark VARG EX has built an enviable global reputation for its performance, durability and handling.
Harley Cancels Homecoming Festival
In the latest evidence of renewal at Harley-Davidson, the MoCo has announced that effective 2026 it is ending its annual Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee- after three years- and will revert to a milestoneanniversary event strategy instead. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the news in early March with the previously announced Homecoming dates of July 9-12, 2026, now canceled. Harley will return to hosting largescale hometown celebrations every five years, tied to major anniversaries. The next major event is expected in 2028, when Harley-Davidson marks its 125th anniversary. The annual Homecoming festival debuted in 2023 for the 120th anniversary, drawing more than 80,000 attendees to Veterans Park concerts headlined by Green Day and Foo Fighters.
Attendance dropped to just over 60,000 in 2024, when Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jelly Roll led the lineup. The 2025 event also faced weather challenges, with storms forcing the cancellation of opening-night headliner Hank Williams Jr. About 40,000 attendees returned the following night for a concert headlined by Chris Stapleton. This latest strategic shift comes after new CEO Artie Starrs replaced Jochen Zeitz as CEO in October and has
New Chrome Options
Harley-Davidson has revealed three additions to its 2026 motorcycle line – a new solo trim option for the Road Glide model and a new chrome trim option for the Road Glide 3 trike and Low Rider S performance cruiser. The chrome trim option for the Road Glide 3 and Low Rider S models is a direct response to increasing customer preference migrating from dark to bright chrome finishes, a recent style trend seen globally. The chrome option features brilliant chrome on the powertrain and exhaust and other trim details, and bright machined details on the cast aluminum wheels. " Big attitude and West Coast style define the Low Rider S model; a performance cruiser designed for the rider who wants hot rod power and aggressive style. From its adjustable suspension to the Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output engine equipped with the Heavy Breather intake and performance-tuned 2-into-1 exhaust, this motorcycle is built to dominate the road. With the chrome trim option, the Low Rider S model has an MSRP starting at $ 18,999. " With a hot rod attitude and threewheel stance, the 2026 Road Glide 3 model introduces new performance and design features, including all-new smooth-riding rear suspension, muscular Milwaukee-Eight VVT 117 engine power, an aerodynamic fairing with all-LED lighting, touchscreen infotainment powered by Skyline OS and selectable Ride Modes. With the chrome trim option, the Road Glide 3 model has an MSRP starting at $ 35,799. " For riders that prefer a lone wolf attitude, the Road Glide model solo option replaces the standard two-up touring seat with a slammed custom Low Profile Solo Touring Seat that combines street-rod style with a comfort insert for long-haul support.
started to unwind his predecessors failed rewind. Harley-Davidson reported a profit of $ 339m in 2025, a 26 % decline from the previous year. From $ 5.3bn in 2016, HD revenue from motorcycle operations had declined to $ 3.6bn in 2025. Over the same timescale Harley’ s market capitalisation( HOG) had shrunk from $ 8.35bn in 2016 to $ 2.46bn by the end of 2025. Harley lost its much-vaunted place on the S & P 500 index in June 22, 2020.
The Road Glide model remains the goto bagger for performance customization. Its aerodynamic Road Glide ' sharknose ' fairing coupled with the formidable Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine invites riders to push the limits of performance. The solo seat option is available in Dark Billiard Gray paint with chrome trim, with MSRP starting at $ 25,999( available only in North America). Still no news about the promised ' price-point ' $ 6k low displacement( 350 / 400 / 450 cc?) Sprint single and $ 10k entry-level cruiser – but hey, that ' s okay- these new finish options have ' Magic Chrome ' and that will get ya home. Alchemy is cheaper than engineering.
18 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER- APRIL 2026 www. AMDmag. com