ClevelandMoto Motorcycle Podcast / Cleveland Moto

Positivity Wins. And believe me, we need a win. 
Nothing but good vibes on this podcast until Chris decides to bring up Harley Davidsons new smaller bike...we nearly lose it all. McElfresh had to shoot Tom with a Tranquilizer dart. 

Video is here: 
https://www.youtube.com/live/sXOqarOyvmk?si=zNhHkkpU4Invm_zJ

Worlds Greatest Motorcycle Podcast 
541 Episodes, over 15 years of content. Motorcycle history, service, news and ride reports. 
Support the show
Remember folks...Ride Fast and Take Chances! check out our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ClevelandMoto

Our special guest Jeff Corsaro (Robot) from ScooterWest / Motorsport San Diego and Pete share their experiences and advice about riding in Mexico. 

1. Royal Enfield’s First Electric Motorcycle Nears Launch
Key points:
$6500~$8000 USD
Rumored to carry tech roughly on par with a 250–350cc petrol bike’s performance. But top speed 70mph
62-93 miles on a 5~7.5 kw/h battery 
https://www.designboom.com/technology/wing-shaped-magnesium-battery-case-electric-motorcycle-ff-s6-off-road-flying-flea-royal-enfield-11-05-2025/#:~:text=S6%20take%20inspiration%20from%20the,music%2C%20and%20other%20connected%20features.
 2. Honda Revives Multiple Iconic Models for 2026–2027
Key points:
Honda announced the return of several classic and niche models across its 2026–2027 lineup.Sportbikes: MSRP reductions of $500–$1,000 on models like the CB500 Hornet, CBR500R, and CBR650R.
Technology: The E-Clutch system is expanded to the 2026 CB750 Hornet.
Bet you didn't even know they made trials bikes: 

https://hondanews.com/en-US/powersports/releases/release-a1b87e077480ca5300ff8f02cf07a480-2025-honda-montesa-cota-models-features-and-benefits

3. Harley-Davidson Shifts Homecoming & Partners With Summerfest
Key points:
Harley-Davidson is reshaping its Milwaukee Homecoming event, making it part of Summerfest which is an annual 9 day music festival. HD will be part of it every 5 years.
The moves come as Harley pushes to integrate with larger audience demographics and save $$$
4. UK Motorcycle Industry Faces EV Incentive “Cliff Edge”
Key points:
The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) warns the end of the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant (PiMG). Cars continue to get subsidies and discounts. MC's might have to start paying a per-mile road usage fee since they're not buying any taxed-gasoline. 
5. Two British Riders Face Legal Case in Iran – Community Reacts
Key points:
Two British motorcyclists travelling long-distance were detained and charged in Iran.
On 3 January, the couple were detained despite having Iranian visas, a guide and an approved itinerary.
Are they spies or just future trading-fodder? 
Would you ride in Iran? Pakistan? Jordan? 
Support the show
Remember folks...Ride Fast and Take Chances! check out our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ClevelandMoto

Just kidding, sleepy picked these topics and had AI add some flavor. 
This is cool anyway:
https://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/something-different/moto-morini-ti22-corsaro/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQEZkhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1V295MmFRRDVOQmU2VVBac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpamHGALvCgRkivbFcRjQka9PDRaCItlfBDu20z1GwguBnP55H1Nhju3w4ah_aem_-OMJ1omFY3eD_2K0g8jVKQ

 ClevelandMoto – Feb 2026 Industry Deep Dive
(Loose Bullet Point Rundown – No Scripted Radio Stuff)
1) Federal Bill to Redefine “Motorcycle” (H.R. 3385)
Source:
https://powersportsbusiness.com/news/motorcycle/2026/02/19/bill-aims-to-redefine-motorcycles-leaving-slingshot-in-classification-limbo/
Bullet Points:
Proposed federal change to motorcycle definition.
Could remove autocycles (like Polaris Slingshot) from “motorcycle” category.
Would affect:Licensing requirements
Helmet laws
Registration standards
Federal safety compliance

Motorcycle Industry Council strongly opposing.
States often mirror federal definitions → could trigger 50-state mess.
Bigger question:Is this about safety?
Or about protecting traditional motorcycle classification?

Debate angle:
Where do we draw the line between motorcycle, trike, and car-with-handlebars?
2) MotoGP Moving Australian GP to Adelaide Street Circuit (2027)
Official Announcement:
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2026/02/19/motogp-to-roar-into-the-city-streets-of-adelaide-from-2027/874866
Bullet Points:
Australian GP leaving Phillip Island.
Moving to downtown Adelaide street circuit.
First premier-class MotoGP street race.
340+ km/h bikes on city streets.
Why This Is Huge:
Phillip Island is iconic. Fast. Flowing. Dangerous in its own way.
Street circuits = tighter, less runoff, concrete walls.
F1-style spectacle move?
Is this Liberty Media influence?
Will riders push back?
Safety vs spectacle debate.
Discussion angle:
Is MotoGP becoming entertainment-first like F1?
Or is this just evolution?
3) Harley-Davidson Scaling Back Production
Source:
https://www.the-sun.com/motors/15938521/harley-davidson-decreasing-motorcycle-production/
Bullet Points:
Harley reportedly reducing motorcycle production.
Shifting focus toward:Parts
Accessories
Apparel
Aftermarket margins

Higher profit per customer vs per bike.
Big Industry Questions:
Are OEMs becoming lifestyle brands first?
Is this supply chain caution?
Is demand soft?
Smart long-term profitability move?
What does this mean for:Dealer floor space
Inventory flow
Used market values

Debat
Support the show
Remember folks...Ride Fast and Take Chances! check out our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ClevelandMoto

HD loses $37MILLION in sales in just one year. 

https://dealernews.com/Home/post/harley-davidson-reports-q4-year-end-financials/

Livewire #1 U.S. electric motorcycle in the on-road motorcycle market in terms of retail sales!!!

Livewire (is that even still a thing?) They sold only 653 bikes this year. Which they're bragging about being UP over the 612 they sold last year. Great for them, so how much did they lose last year?  Oh, they lost $75MILLION DOLLARS!!!!

https://dealernews.com/Home/post/livewire-q4-financials/

The taxpayer has supported Harley Davidson to the tune of 2.7 BILLION dollars since 2008. 

https://subsidytracker.goodjobsfirst.org/parent/harley-davidson

Ducati Celebrates their 100th anniversary with the Formula 73 $20,000
Now technically they were producing capacitors in their house for Manen, but we're not keeping score anymore and the facts don't matter. Their first actual motorbike was 1949. 

https://www.ducati.com/us/en/bikes/heritage/formula-73

Sleepy will undoubtedly be making "motorbating" noises at this point. 

KTM has layed off / fired over 1500 employees. Says they were too "topheavy" with 3x more administration than actual workers. 

https://www.vikingbags.com/blogs/news/ktm-lays-off-500-more-employees-plans-restructuring?srsltid=AfmBOorgfiE7lQbu_HQTxjIQxjrDMp9YtvqNQM9AWu_0Vxv1a03gxiB3#:~:text=KTM%2C%20mainly%20Bajaj%2C%20lays%20off,He%20further%20added:

Harley admits there's going to be a layoff. See story about $217 Million dollar loss above: 

https://www.rideapart.com/news/787052/harley-davidson-headcount-reductions-layoffs/

Worlds Greatest Motorcycle Podcast 
Over 200 combined years of Motorcycle experience.
Moto news, tricks, tips, insider info and more.
We like fun, so no religious or political talk.

Support the show
Remember folks...Ride Fast and Take Chances! check out our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ClevelandMoto

Wait, who exactly owns Indian now?  Polaris stock has gone up over $5 a share and they've appointed former HD guru Mike Kennedy to run it. The divestiture comes as Polaris refocuses on its core off-road vehicles and snowmobiles, citing Indian's 7% share of total revenue and a reported 30% drop in sales since 2020

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1MycgmeCDM/

https://labusinessjournal.com/finance/carolwood-takes-helm-of-indian-motorcycle/#:~:text=Andrew%20Shanfeld%2C%20a%20Carolwood%20principal.,the%20first%20quarter%20of%202026.

New Retro Release: Czech brand Jawa Moto revealed the 730 Twin, a modern-retro middleweight that signals a shift toward more performance-oriented designs. So what? Well, this isn't made in India by mahindra. It's actually made in Prague! 

https://www.rideapart.com/news/786062/jawa-730-twin-preview-specs-features/

$285,000 For a Honda? 

https://www.visordown.com/news/first-ever-honda-cb750-arrive-america-sells-eye-catching-sum

How about $71,000 for a flying dragon? There were only 4 versions available Gold/Purple, Silver/Purple, Green/Purple, and Blue/Dark Blue.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/540152/1972-honda-cl350-k4-blue-flying-dragon/?aa_id=355947-0

Buell scores a $10,000,000 US federal loan. What does this mean for the SuperCruiser? 
Buell claims to have taken 6000 pre-orders for this bike, they also claim to have sold $120,000,000 worth of them (which is 4633 bikes). They've just started rolling off the line, where can you buy one? 

https://www.rideapart.com/news/785905/buell-10-million-dollar-federal-loan-super-cruiser/

Marshall Thompson will  be joining us, he's just been to Viet Nam, and I'm sure he'll have a lot of stories for us. 
Support the show
Remember folks...Ride Fast and Take Chances! check out our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ClevelandMoto