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NEWS
Powersports Business • July 2026 • 3
Harley dealers publicly back CEO amid growing controversy involving Indian Motorcycle
A group of Harley- Davidson dealers has issued a public statement supporting CEO Artie Starrs as the company faces renewed criticism from conservative activist Robby Starbuck and an escalating public dispute involving rival Indian Motorcycle.
In an open letter released June 10, the National Powersports Dealer Association( NPDA) Harley- Davidson Council said it supports Starrs and the current Harley- Davidson leadership team, citing improved communication with dealers and a focus on strengthening the dealer network.
“ Based on our direct interactions and experiences, the NPDA Harley- Davidson Council supports the leadership of Harley- Davidson President and CEO Artie Starrs,” the council wrote. The group said Starrs has demonstrated a commitment to dealer relations and aligning corporate initiatives with dealer success.
The statement comes as Harley- Davidson finds itself at the center of a highly public debate that has expanded beyond motorcycles and into broader cultural and political issues.
In an open letter released June 10, the NPDA Harley-Davidson Council said it supports CEO Artie Starrs and the current Harley-Davidson leadership team, citing improved communication and a focus on the dealer network.( File photo)
CRITICISM REIGNITES FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
The latest round of scrutiny began after Starbuck, who led a high- profile campaign against Harley- Davidson’ s diversity, equity and inclusion( DEI) initiatives in 2024, criticized recent executive appointments made under Starrs.
In interviews with national media, Starbuck questioned the backgrounds of several Harley- Davidson executives and argued the company has not fully moved away from
policies that sparked backlash among some customers two years ago.
Harley- Davidson responded by defending its leadership team, telling media outlets that Starrs has spent much of his first several months as CEO meeting with riders, dealers, employees and union representatives while focusing on strengthening the company’ s dealer network and core motorcycle business.
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NEWS
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PWC / MARINE
18 Yamaha rightwaters celebrates 7 years 19 U. S. warns of PWC use in The Bahamas In interviews with national media, Starbuck questioned the backgrounds of several Harley- Davidson executives and argued the company has not fully moved away from policies that sparked backlash among some customers two years ago.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE ENTERS THE CONVERSATION
The controversy intensified after social media posts from several conservative influencers criticized Harley- Davidson while promoting Indian Motorcycle as an alternative American V- twin brand.
Indian Motorcycle later released a statement denying allegations that it orchestrated the criticism but also declined to distance itself from the broader conversation.
“ The claim that Indian Motorcycle manufactured the recent criticism of Harley- Davidson is false,” the company said in a statement first reported by RideApart. Indian added that riders have the right to question Harley- Davidson’ s decisions and argued that stronger competition benefits the motorcycle industry.
The statement marked an unusually direct public exchange between the two iconic American motorcycle brands. Indian also pushed back against criticism of its marketing efforts, noting that Harley- Davidson has long pursued conquest sales strategies aimed at attracting riders from competing brands.
DEALERS CALL FOR FOCUSED PERFORMANCE
The NPDA Harley- Davidson Council largely avoided the political debate in its letter,
See Harley-Davidson, Page 4
AIMExpo heading back to where it all began for 2027 event
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The Motorcycle Industry Council has announced that AIMExpo will return to Orlando, Florida, March 3−5, 2027, bringing North America’ s largest powersports trade show back to its original host city.
Produced by the MIC, AIMExpo launched in Orlando in 2013 and has since evolved into a business-focused event featuring dealer education, product launches, networking opportunities, and industry-wide collaboration. The announcement follows what organizers described as a successful 2026 show in Anaheim, California.
“ Our industry has momentum, and so does AIMExpo,” says Cinnamon Kernes, MIC vice president of market expansion.“ Anaheim showed what this event has become: a true industry gathering where dealers, OEMs, distributors, aftermarket brands, media, and industry leaders can connect, get business done, and set the tone for the year ahead.”
Kernes says the 2027 event arrives at a pivotal time as the powersports industry navigates rapidly changing markets, technology, and legislation.
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Returning features for AIMExpo 2027 include the AIMExpo Industry Party, powered by Turn 14 Distribution; AIMExpo Starting Line, featuring complimentary coffee from Automatic Distributors; the Dealer Tech Zone, powered by Transax Digital Retail; and the Women in Powersports Luncheon, presented by Synchrony.
Organizers also plan to expand experiences beyond the convention center. Following the A1 VIP Track Walk held in conjunction with the 2026 Anaheim event, AIMExpo officials say they are developing another VIP Supercross experience tied to Daytona Supercross weekend and Daytona Bike Week.
“ It wouldn’ t be AIMExpo if we didn’ t do something memorable for the industry,” says Andre Albert, MIC director of market expansion and events.“ The show floor is where business happens, but powersports is also built on passion and community. The response to the Anaheim Supercross experience was incredible, and with the show leading into Daytona Supercross weekend and Daytona Bike Week, we’ re
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The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., was the home to the first-ever American International Motorcycle Expo in 2013.( File photo: AIMExpo)
looking forward to giving attendees another unforgettable experience.”
Participation is already shaping up to be strong, according to organizers, with major OEMs, distributors, and hundreds of aftermarket companies expected to exhibit.
Additional details regarding registration, exhibitor participation, and educational programming are expected to be announced in the coming months.
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