01/02/2011 by info.

US-based Victory motorcycle and Polaris ATV manufacturer Polaris Industries has plenty to boast about in its 2010 fourth-quarter and full-year financial results. Dollar-sterling forex translations were made at the rates applicable on 31 January.

In the final quarter, Polaris achieved record sales, up by 31 per cent year-on-year to £386.1m. Operating profit rose by 13 per cent to £48.8m and net profit for the quarter increased by 24 per cent to £34m - also both records.

For the full 12 months of 2010, yet another record revenue figure was up by 27 per cent on 2009, at £1.24bn. Allied to rigorous cost-cutting, this yielded a 34 per cent boost to operating profit at £137.8m and a 46 per cent increase in net profit to £91.8m.

Although by far the biggest slice of the Polaris business is side-by-side and quad-style ATVs, its Victory motorcycle arm also did well. Victory sales were up by eight per cent in the fourth quarter to £12.9m and put on 55 per cent to £50.9m over the full year - despite the US heavyweight cruiser market still being in retreat.

For 2011, Polaris is forecasting a year-on-year sales increase of up to 11 per cent, with net profit potentially up by as much as 20 per cent.

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25/01/2011 by info.

Harley say they “feel good” about 2010 results that confirm shipment target met as retail sales and losses continue to stabilize
In their financial reporting for the final quarter and full year of 2010 Harley-Davidson say that retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the fourth quarter were nearly level with the year-ago period, decreasing 1.0 percent worldwide and 0.2 percent in the U.S.

For the full year, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 8.5 percent overall compared to 2009, with domestic U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles down 11.7 percent against a heavyweight motorcycle market that was off 14.6 percent. In international markets, retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.9 percent for the full year compared to 2009, with dealers selling 222,110 new Harleys in total, 143,391 of which were sold in the U.S.

“We feel good about our 2010 results,” said Keith Wandell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “Through the hard work of a lot of very dedicated and talented employees and dealers, we have made strong progress at transforming our business to be leaner, more agile and even more effective at delivering great products and customer experiences.

“In 2010, we expanded our international footprint, saw improvement in our motorcycle segment results driven by the restructuring of our operations and returned Harley-Davidson Financial Services to solid profitability. A strong, financially sound Harley-Davidson is key to our ability to invest in the business and grow. While there is still hard work ahead and we remain cautious in our outlook, I am confident that we are positioning Harley-Davidson to succeed and deliver value,” Wandell said.
Commenting on the firm’s brand performance in relation to its ability to develop future-facing customer demographics, Wandell went on to say that “in the U.S., we are the market share leader in new on-road motorcycle sales, not only to Boomers but to young adults, women, African-American and Hispanic riders. In Europe, we moved into the number two market share spot for heavyweight motorcycles in 2010 [behind only BMW]. For 2011, we plan to build on our position as one of the strongest brands in the world”.

The underlying trends in Harley’s performance show that the company strengthened its position continuously throughout 2010, suggesting that, with losses diminishing and sales declines stabilizing, the company should emerge into a modest return to profitable growth in the first half of this year (subject to amortizations).

The fourth quarter 0.2 percent domestic US decline in retail sales occurred against a 14.8 percent drop in industry-wide U.S. heavyweight motorcycle (651cc-plus) retail unit sales.

Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the fourth quarter of 2010 was $697.8 million, up 26.4 percent compared to the year-ago period, the Company shipping 44,481 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide, compared to 35,938 motorcycles in the fourth quarter of 2009. Revenue from Parts and Accessories totaled $149.4 million during the quarter, up 3.3 percent.

The Company’s financial services unit (HDFS) was a key contributor to 2010 earnings, with operating income from financial services of $181.9 million for the full year, including $43.5 million in the fourth quarter. Operating income from motorcycles and related products was $378.8 million for the full year. The operating loss of $6.8 million for the fourth quarter was a substantial improvement from the $221.8 million quarterly loss reported a year earlier.

For 2010 as a whole the Company shipped 210,494 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, in line with its target range of 207,000 to 212,000 motorcycles. Full-year 2010 shipments were 5.6 percent lower than 2009, when the Company shipped 223,023 units. Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles for the full year was $3.14 billion, a 1.2 percent decrease compared to 2009. Full-year P&A revenue was $749.2 million, a 2.4 percent decrease from the year-ago period.

www.harley-davidson.com

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25/01/2011 by info.

MILWAUKEE (January 21, 2011) - Lean as wire, hard as iron and dark as a tar road at midnight, the new Blackline motorcycle is a Harley-Davidson Softail model pared to the bone. A rebellious creation of the Dark Custom movement, the Blackline celebrates three fundamental elements of motorcycling: mechanical beauty, internal combustion, and the long black line of the road ahead.

The Blackline balances allegiance with rebellion, discarding previous conventions of color and chrome for a Dark Custom look that’s honest, functional and attainable. Visual elements of the original bobber movement are combined with the raw, hand-hewn style embraced by today’s young builders. The Blackline throws new fuel on a fire that burns across generations, an unquenchable desire to ride.

Lean and Tight
The rear fender is bobbed high-and-tight over a slim, 144mm tire that emphasizes an authentic hardtail profile. The compact headlight and speedometer are tucked low into the wide, FX front end, and there’s just enough shine to make the black parts look blacker. Black-rimmed laced wheels complete a look that’s tough, tempered and undeniably Harley-Davidson.

The styling spotlight shines on a Big Twin engine dressed in black and silver, and on a fuel tank shaved smooth and low. Aboard the Blackline, the rider hugs the frame on the lowest two-up seat ever offered by Harley-Davidson, and reaches high for new Split Dragª handlebars that bolt right to the top triple-clamp.

The Softail chassis utilizes rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally along the frame rails below the powertrain, where they are out of sight. So while the swingarm section replicates the lines of a vintage hardtail frame, the Blackline delivers suspension performance and handling that are thoroughly modern. The internally counter-balanced Twin Cam 96Bª engine is rigid-mounted within the frame, creating a solid connection between rider and the power that moves the motorcycle to enhance the emotional experience of riding.

Key features of the 2011 Blackline include:

* NEW Powertrain styling - Powertrain is finished in gloss black powdercoat on the rocker box covers, the crankcase, the     outer primary cover, and the transmission side cover. The cylinders are silver powdercoat with machined highlights. The     derby cover and timing covers are chromed.

Rigid-mounted, counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B™ V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), rated     at 89 ft. lbs. peak torque at 3250 rpm.

* 6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission.

* NEW Round air cleaner cover in brilliant chrome.

* NEW Black Denim powdercoat frame and swingarm.

* NEW Profile Laced Aluminum wheels with black anodized rims. Front wheel is 21 x 2.15 inches; rear wheel is 16 x 3 inches.     Dunlop® D402 tires are MH90-21 front and MU85B16 rear.

* NEW FX front end with black powdercoat triple clamps and black painted fork lowers.

* NEW Split Drag™ internally-wired handlebars mount directly to the top triple clamp.

* NEW Asymmetric five-gallon Softail fuel tank is clean on the left side, with a low-profile fuel fill on the right. Die     cast “Blackline” trim panel flowing down the center of the tank is just high enough to cover the fuel pump hardware.

* NEW Analog speedometer on a triple-clamp mount that also holds indicator lights. LCD screen on the speedometer includes     low-fuel warning and “miles to empty” display function.

* NEW Bobbed rear fender with combination stop/tail/turn lights in black housings, and a new composite license plate holder     and light module that mounts on the lower edge of the fender.

* NEW Raw forged rear fender supports are finished in Black Denim powdercoat.

* NEW One-piece, two-up seat and passenger pillion. Laden rider seat height is 24 inches, the lowest two-up seat offered by         Harley-Davidson. Gap between the nose of seat and fuel tank exposes the top of the frame.

* NEW 5.75-inch diameter headlamp in gloss black shell.

* Polished forward foot controls.

* Over/under chrome shotgun exhaust.

* Optional Security Package with Anti-lock Braking System and Smart Security System

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07/01/2011 by info.

This would certainly keep your ass warm in winter…..

Check out the video…

Steam Powered Bike - The Video

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03/01/2011 by info.

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24/12/2010 by info.

We at Pro-Street Cycles would like to wish all our customers and the readers of our blog, a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful & Enjoyable 2011 !

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08/11/2010 by info.

Harley-Davidson to assemble bikes in India

Harley has announced plans to assemble motorcycles for the Indian market from CKD component kits supplied by its US plants.

It expects this assembly plant at Haryana to be operational in the first half of 2011. The only other non-US Harley bike manufacturing facility is in Brazil, where Harley began to assemble CKD kits in 1999.

Harley-Davidson began its Indian operations in August 2009 and currently offers 12 models in its 2010 line-up in India, available through dealerships in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad.

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05/11/2010 by info.

Awesome video from Ryan Grassley a.k.a. Half Throttle.  Here’s what half Throttle has to say about it……. “I’ve wanted to make a animated typography that had something to do with motorcycles for a while now. This is my first try and I got a wicked case of deep vein thrombosis while working on it so I hope you enjoy it.

I have spent a lot of time making fun of Harley Davidson and their riders. But Easy Rider is a very cool movie. From an era when Harley Davidson was at the top of its game in the coolness department. I don’t hate Harley Davidson, I make parodies and satires in hopes that this American company will someday return to greatness. They can’t do that if the American public continues to buy their motorcycles because of patriotism. The Harley customer needs to demand more.”

See the video here:

Harley Davidson Logo - Easy Rider Typography

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26/10/2010 by info.

British roads continue to get safer year on year for all road users. The Motor Cycle Industry’s analysis of the Governments most recent statistics found that although traffic rose by 15% in the last year the casualty rate for motorcyclists fell by 6%.

The motorcycle casualty rate has continued to fall since 1994 and the number of motorcycle fatalities has also dropped by 4% since 2008.

The statistics reveal that rider/ driver errors are the main contributory factor to accidents (42% overall).

The three main causes of motorcycle accidents are; a loss of control – 16%, a failure to properly observe – 15% and a failure to judge the other person’s path or speed – 12%. Slippery roads (7%) and inexperienced riders (9%) were also notable.

Steve Kenward, MCI’s CEO commented, “It is important that we continue to make progress and sustain the reduction in accidents and the casualty rate. Riders themselves can also take greater personal responsibility for their actions on the road and can get involved in different activities to improve their skills and experience.”

Taking part in a BikeSafe assessment is an excellent and affordable way to discover strengths and weaknesses on the road. These sessions include an on-road riding assessment with a qualified police bike instructor who will evaluate things such as cornering and braking as well as your overall riding technique.

To find out more and book a session go to www.bikesafe.co.uk

Follow this up with some post-test training to help improve your skills and techniques. The better prepared you are the easier it will be to deal with hazardous situations that might arise.

For more information about how to find a suitable trainer and the different types of training that is available go to the website www.mcita.co.uk

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21/10/2010 by info.

Harley continues to pick-up share, close-in on 2010 ’shipments’ target, and points to “young adult” sales as production and sales gap narrows With retail sales of 185,720 motorcycles for the first nine months of the year, Harley-Davidson is now targeting the upper end of its 2010 dealer ’shipment’ guidance as sales and production edge closer to balance.

Barring further dramatic deterioration of consumer confidence, and despite widespread on-going concerns about the nature of the domestic US economic recovery, the company’s third quarter fiscals show sales declines over the equivalent 2009 periods reducing, with production and sales likely to be running in parallel by some stage in the first half of 2011.

Third-quarter retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 7.7 percent worldwide, 9.4 percent in the U.S. (against an industry-wide decline of 14.4 percent in the 651+cc ‘heavyweight’ sector) and 3.6 percent in international markets compared to the year-ago quarter.

“Despite the continued challenges in the economy, we are making solid, steady progress at transforming our business,” said Keith Wandell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “With our strategic focus on future growth initiatives and continuous improvement, we are positioning Harley-Davidson to succeed at today’s volumes, as well as to grow and restore greater profitability longer term.”

Sales stand at 13.4 percent down in the US for the first nine months of the year, with international sales down just 1.9 percent for a total worldwide decline 9.8 percent for the year-to-date.

“The Harley-Davidson brand has remarkable strength globally. Few products or brands rank as highly in terms of awareness and affinity on the part of customers and non-customers alike. We have continued to gain market share in the U.S. and Europe. Since 2008, we also have been the U.S. leader in new motorcycle sales to young adults for the entire on-road motorcycle category. Going forward, we will continue to build on this brand strength and leadership position,” said Wandell.

Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the third quarter of 2010 was $798.8 million, down 0.6 percent compared to the year-ago period. The Company shipped 53,293 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide during the quarter, compared to shipments of 54,236 motorcycles in the third quarter of 2009.

Revenue from Parts and Accessories totaled $219.0 million during the quarter, down 1.2 percent, and revenue from General Merchandise, which includes MotorClothes apparel, was $64.1 million, down 9.4 percent compared to the year-ago period.
Through the first nine months of 2010, the Company shipped 166,013 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, an 11.3 percent decrease compared to last year’s 187,085 units for the period. Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles through nine months was $2.44 billion, a 7.0 percent decrease compared to the year-ago period.

Nine-month P&A revenue was $599.8 million, a 3.7 percent decrease from the year-ago period. General Merchandise revenue was $197.7 million, an 8.3 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2009.

Operating income from financial services was $50.9 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to an operating loss of $31.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement in year-over-year operating income is largely the result of a lower cost of funds and improvement in credit losses.

Through nine months, operating income from financial services was $138.4 m, compared to an operating loss of $110.8 m in the first nine months of 2009.

Based on this, the Company is now narrowing its guidance for full-year 2010 shipments to 207,000 to 212,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers, a decrease of approximately five to seven percent from 2009; their prior shipments guidance for 2010 was 201,000 to 212,000 motorcycles.

The Company has lowered its cost estimates for restructuring and is also refining its guidance for capital expenditures, which are now expected to be $190 m to $210 m for the full year, compared to prior guidance of $235 m to $255 m.

In the third quarter, the Company completed the divesture of its MV Agusta subsidiary. Harley-Davidson incurred losses of $4.9 m during the third quarter, and $108.4 m for the year-to-date from its “discontinued operations”.

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