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 inexorable march of automatedclutch convenience technology sees the Honda E-Clutch extended to the 2026 Transalp- the middleweight adventure becoming the fifth Honda model to come with the tech.( the announcement also includes CRF300L Rally dual-sport model). New data from the U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show outdoor recreation continued to play a significant role in the U. S. economy in 2024, with powersports ranking among the sector ' s largest activities. According to the agency ' s latest Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, outdoor recreation generated $ 1.3tn in economic output in 2024, supporting 5.2 million American jobs and accounting for 2.4 % of U. S. gross domestic product. The sector grew 2.7 % in real terms( inflation-adjusted) over 2023, reflecting continued demand for outdoor experiences throughout the nation.
The FIM H-D Bagger World Cup got underway at the MotoAmerica race weekend at Austin, Tx.( COTA Circuit) in March- the first( and first ever) of six rounds in 2026. Archie McDonald( Joe Rascal Racing, Australia) claimed victory in Race 1, with Jake Lewis( Saddlemen Race Development) second and Filippo Rovelli( ParkinGO Team, Italy) secured third. Race 2 saw Spaniard Oscar Gutiérrez( Niti Racing, Indonesia) taking the win, ahead of Eric Granadoto( Brazil) second with Archie McDonald demoted to third due to a three-second penalty track limits. Heading into the next round at the Mugello International Circuit during the MotoGP Grand Prix of Italy, May 29-31, Archie McDonald( AUS) heads the standings from Oscar Gutiérrez( SPA), Jake Lewis( USA), Eric Granado( BRA), and Filippo Rovelli( ITA) fifth, Cory West( USA), Travis Wyman( USA), Cody Wyman( USA) and Dimas Ekky Pratama( INA) ninth.
BRP has announced that it is suspending its full-year FY27 guidance following the effective April 6 amendment of Section 232 tariffs on Steel, Aluminum and Copper imports into the U. S. The amendment mainly leads to a 25 % tariff on the total value of imported snowmobiles and the majority of ORV models, replacing the previous 50 % tariff on applicable metal content only. The Company currently estimates the potential incremental tariff cost related to this amendment to be in excess of $ 500m for the remainder of the year, before any mitigation measures that could partially offset these impacts.
Vance & Hines Motorsports- AFT Race Contingency
Brownsburg, Indiana based Vance & Hines Motorsports has announced a 2026 AFT Contingency Program offering nearly $ 20,000 in payouts across all 16 Event AFT Singles and SuperTwins class races.
The latest available data from JAMA( the automotive trade association in Japan, which includes representation of
" This comprehensive program rewards top performance while reinforcing Vance & Hines Motorsports’ commitment to the sport and its riders." vanceandhinesmotorsports. com
Custom Chrome Europe April 2026 Catalog Update
With approximately 1,600 new products in a 92 page catalog update, Custom Chrome Europe has started its 2026 selling season " with new customizing power," says long-serving Marketing Director and industry expert Axel Scherer. " New brands, new parts and new styling options for the new season are presented in this CCE April 2026 update – available in PDF( online) or printed version. " News includes parts and accessories from BT Choppers( Poland); Killer Kustom( Lithuania); Kodlin, Highsider,
Japanese-Made Motorcycle Exports to US + 15.11 % YTD
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
motorcycle manufacturers among its membership) shows Japanese made 250c c + motorcycle exports down by-
Japanese exports to February
15,515
2024
+ 15.11 %
17,859
MOTORCYCLE EXPORTS TO US
2025
46,041
GASLOCK, RWT-Power and Thunderbike in Germany; the legendary Jammer Cycle brand; Performance Machine, Burly Brand, Lectric Lighting, NAMZ, All Balls, Cometic, Progressive Suspension and Arlen Ness from the United States; Daytona International( Japan); EUROL( The Netherlands); Goodridge brake lines and fittings from the UK plus the equally legendary British AVON Tyre brand( these days owned by Goodyear and manufactured in France) and finally, from Italy, RR Red Thunder and V-Performance exhausts and the
-14.02 %
39,587
MOTORCYCLE EXPORTS TO EUROPE
74,660
+ 0.31 %
74,892
WORLDWIDE MOTORCYCLE EXPORTS
AFT Singles
Using One Qualifying Product / PowerPak Or VHM Exhaust
Up to $ 550 per event payout, paying 1st – 5th; plus a $ 1000 Championship Bonus.
AFT Singles-
‘ Double-Up Bonus’
Paid in addition to the single-product payout.
Using Both Qualifying Products- PowerPak AND VHM Exhaust
Up to $ 550 Per-Event Payout, paying 1st-3rd; plus a $ 1,000 Championship Bonus
AFT SuperTwins:
$ 400 Per-Event Payout
( Using one qualifying product / VHM exhaust)
Paying 1st to 5th; plus a $ 1,500 Championship Bonus
extensive FG Gubellini Harley- Davidson suspension program for Harley-Davidson applications. custom-chrome-europe. com
14.02 % for the year-to-date at 39,587 units. January was down by-5.95 %( 19,596 units) with February down by- 20.69 %( 19,991 units). Conversely, Japanese made motorcycle exports to USA were + 15.11 % YTD( 17,859 units) with worldwide motorcycle exports from Japan’ s‘ Big Four’ home factories essentially flat at + 0.31 %( 74,892 units). In total PTW terms( all units / displacements) exports to Europe were-11.97 %( 41,332 units); + 23.92 % to USA( 22,876 units) and worldwide + 4.17 %( 86,907 units). For the record: Japanese made motorcycle exports to Europe were + 7.57 % in 2025( 235,603 units), and + 5.87 to the USA( 100,706 units).
26 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER- MAY 2026 www. AMDmag. com