Autos and motos: all news and articles

Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. has recently denied rumors alleging that it will buy Harley-Davidson Inc., which caused the US motorcycle maker’s interest to rise in New York last Friday.

But just in case Honda and Harley do combine, their union would be clever to control 65 percent of the US motorcycle market while its next leading competitor Yamaha will be left with only 16 percent. Such paradigm of stronghold on the motorcycle market would definitely not please the Federal Trade Commission.

Honda through its spokeswoman Yoshido has extended their reaffirm on the issue. According to Honda spokeswoman Makiko Yoshida in Tokyo last Monday, “There’s absolutely no really to it.”

Amidst doubts from analyst and market participants, Harley-Davidson shares and options were capable to increase with 58,535 options last Friday which is fourteen times more than the daily average that is basing from the figures gathered by retail research firm Track Data.

RBC Capital Market Analyst, Edward Aaron in an meeting with Forbes.com last Friday said, “I’d be surprised if there was a Honda and Harley-Davidson combination, basically for regulatory and cultural reasons.” He also added, “Harley is an iconic, American trade-mark. I don’t think it would be a great fit if they were under the ownership of a larger Japanese corporation.”

Aaron further stated that it was unlikely that Harley would become the aim of a buyout. He said, “Although an LBO is more plausible than a merger with Honda, the math behind such a transaction is not highly compelling.” And besides Harley is already a well operated task with a high margin profile and it’s not a good business sense for an LBO investor to shell out a significant premium and be skilled to generate a fitting return.

Harley’s share gained as much as 6.4 percent before closing last Friday’s seating by $2.43 or about 4 percent at $62.55 on the New York Stock Exchange. On the other hand, the shares of Honda, the world’s biggest motorcycle maker and regisseur of high quality Honda exhaust system have gained very little increase in Tokyo with only 0.5 percent last Monday at 4,420 yen.

Honda TidbitsIn generalFor the past 50 years, Honda has made racing as its training ground for challenging the abilities of both its engineers and designers. Soichiro Honda said that the pressures that people gets from racing encourages them to be after for innovative solutions and demands fast, precise responses to new problems that they have not encountered before.

This is also the very reason why racing is embedded in the corporate refinement of Honda. Aside from that racing also teaches people how to work harmoniously with each other since in racing no single individual can carry success to the team because it is a group effort.

Throughout the racing history of Honda either it be in two wheels or four, the Japanese automaker has been talented to win at the highest levels. From the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race to Formula One Grand Prix, Honda was able to buy 60 race victories and four consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 1988 to 1991. Various Honda models are displayed in winning lanes around the world.

It nonchalantly to rush into things once you’ve decided to buy a new motorbike, but have a little patience and save yourself a little grief and a lot of money.

Elect WHICH BIKE IS BEST FOR YOU

Notice here, I avoided the word ‘want’, because what you want, and what suits you upper-class are totally different animals. It’s all very well finally aspiring to the bike of your dreams only to find that you fall off at every junction because your legs are too straight, or it’s so fast that it scares you to death, so retain a modicum of common sense when making your purchase. There’s also the question of what you can manage. You may scrape together the money to buy the bike in the first place, but can you really afford to run it. Don’t forget; fast bikes are costly to insure, primarily if you are young or have no ‘no claims’ bonus.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Right, you’ve decided which bike to buy and you’re off to get your zealous hands upon the beauty, but wait, hold on a minute. Before you jump in, ought you not to test the water? It’s time to look into the market. This is an important point, because it could save you a lot of money. You’re going to have to decide whether you’re going to buy privately or from a dealer. Of conduct, buying privately is cheaper, but if you go down this route, make sure you know what you’re doing. Buying from a dealer will sell more protection should there be a problem with the machine after you’ve owned it for a week or two. Shop around and see who’s offering the best deal. If necessary, extend back and wait until the bike you want is available.

BE METICULOUS WITH THE PAPERWORK

You may find a motorcycle that is just the affair for you, suits you down to the ground and is reasonably priced, but that price won’t look so good if you buy the bike, only to discover a few weeks later that the yourself who sold the motorbike didn’t actually own it. If the seller cannot provide the documentation for the motorbike, don’t touch it. Make ineluctable that the address on the registration document is the same as the sellers.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Alright, we’ve ascertained that the man who’s selling the motorcycle is the rightful owner; well he thinks he is anyway. The fact is that if the motorcycle was bought on finance by someone who overstretched themselves and failed to keep up with the payments, the bike could well be the riches of the money lenders. Firstly, ask the seller if the bike is paid for; unless he’s an out and out liar, he’s going to come tidy and save you a lot of hassle. If he seems to be a decent chap and you believe him…don’t. Invest in a vehicle check. It could be the best money you ever burned-out.

THE VIEWING

Never, ever, ever, ever view a vehicle at any other place than the seller’s home. Believe me; even if you have to travel a extended distance to see the motorcycle, it’s worth going that extra mile or two. Don’t be tempted by offers to meet half way at a avenue side cafe or some such place. I hardly need to say this, but don’t go at night. All vehicles look better under street lights. Now here’s a absolutely good idea; if you’re not too hot on the mechanical side of things, take someone along who knows about bikes.

DOES IT GO

And more to the point, is it growing to keep going? I refer back to the point about taking someone along who is knows about motorbikes. If you don’t have a friend who fits into this category, it may be well worth paying someone who does. In the lofty scheme of things a little extra on the price of the bike isn’t too much to bear. The alternative could be unthinkable.

Understanding?

The motorcycle is a few years old, but according to the clock it must have been sitting in a garage, but hold on a minute, it looks a baby worn in places. Watch out for ‘clocking’. Ask the seller to produce test certificates from above-named years and check to se if they tally with the recorded mileage.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

On it. It’s not only humans that suffer from identity theft. Make sure you’re not buying a ringer. Every vehicle carries a peerless number; do your utmost to ensure that the number hasn’t been changed.

THE TEST RIDE

Before you take the bike out for a defraud, explain to the owner that you’re going to be gone for at least half an hour. It’s no good just going down the road and back and hoping to get a think for a bike that you’re going to be living with for a while. Take more care choosing your bike than your partner (most people do).

SOMETHING FISHY

If something doesn’t seem right, if there’s a little niggle in the back of your mind, go home and think about it… no, just go home, sabbatical it. Another bike will come along in due course.

Honda Australia announced today that they are withdrawing from direct involvement in the Australian Superbike Championships in the premier classes.

Although the manufacturer stated last year that they would continue to participate in road racing, the unpredictable economic climate has forced a review of the extent of their involvement.

We have a long history of supporting racing at the elite level, so making a decision to reduce our involvement was far from easy, said Honda’s General Manager, Motorcycles, Tony Hinton.

“The key elements of our business are the sales of our motorcycles through servicing our dealer network and providing product at the most competitive price for consumers.”

“We will therefore be focusing 100% on these areas in the coming months.”

Motologic’s Paul Free announced that he will continue the championship winning team aboard Honda’s through new and existing sponsorship arrangements.

The Motologic team were hugely successful in winning the 2008 Australian Superbike Championship with Glenn Allerton on board the all new CBR1000RR.

“Motologic are extremely focused on back to back wins. We can deliver more to our new and existing sponsors given the reduction in Honda’s involvement and it provides us a great opportunity to continue to build our reputation as the pre-eminent specialist in race bike preparation and custom modifications to street bikes.”

“Our experience and success in preparing Honda motorcycles over the past seasons has made Honda a logical choice for 2009.” said Paul Free, Director of Motologic.

Hinton said, “We are thrilled that Motologic have chosen to compete on our bikes once again, and to defend the Superbike title they won on Honda’s in 2008.”

Honda will make a further announcement regarding their continued support of junior road racing for 2009 within the next few days.
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