Morning Espresso: Motorcycle Sales Way Up; Husqvarna Launches Electric Scooter; Raha Goes Huge and More

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Motorcycle Sales Way Up

Looking for some good news in the industry? Slaw got ya. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) new model motorcycles sales among leading brands increased more than 37.2 percent in the first quarter of 2021. In addition, Q1 sales, compared to the same period last year, were up by double digits in every category: on-highway, off-highway, dual-purpose, and scooter.

“This is the fourth straight quarter of strong sales numbers, indicating continued and growing interest in riding among new and returning riders,” said Erik Pritchard, MIC president and CEO. “Combine the new-motorcycle sales performance with the pace of tire sales and we know that more riders are putting on more miles. We hope that indicates that riding is becoming a larger part of consumers’ lives.”

Year-to-date sales of dual-purpose motorcycles were up the most, by 47 percent. Off-highway sales were up 45.4 percent. Scooter sales rose 34.6 percent. And on-highway motorcycle sales increased 31.4 percent.

You can read more here.

This is on the heels on a good 2020, which saw an 18.4 percent increase in new model powersports sales, with motorcycle and scooter sales rising 11.4 percent.

Husqvarna Launches Electric Scooter

Speaking of new stuff, following the recent announcement of its move into E-Mobility and the E-Pilen Concept electric motorcycle, Husqvarna has launched the Vektorr Concept, “an eco-friendly offering that brings the future of personal urban transport into the present.”

This is the first even electric scooter from Husqvarna and will deliver a top speed of 45 km/h and offer a range of up to 95 km.

Versus Featuring Jett Reynolds and Levi Kitchen

Versus is a new series from Bell where they highlight two amateur racers going head to head. Tune in for a behind the scenes look into what a week of racing looks like at the Spring Nationals for up and comers like Jett Reynolds and Levi Kitchen as the do battle over six motos.