Over the last 30 days, three prominent Harley Davidson dealerships have announced they are ending operations permanently, adding to the scores of other closures, acquisitions, and consolidations The Motor Company has endured in the last year.
7 Hills Harley‑Davidson in Cincinnati has permanently closed after nearly 40 years in business, ending the run of a dealership that began as Eastgate Harley‑Davidson in 1986.
The dealership announced Sept. 10 that Sept. 12 would be its final day of business. It closed permanently Sept. 13.
The closure comes about a year after the dealership was sold to new ownership and rebranded from Eastgate Harley‑Davidson to 7 Hills Harley‑Davidson. The Sun Times reported on the closure Sept. 24.
In its closing announcement, the dealership thanked customers for their support and encouraged them to visit before closing. Remaining inventory included motorcycles, MotorClothes, parts and accessories.
Seven Hills also directed customers to nearby CinCity Harley‑Davidson for ongoing service and support.
“Moving forward, our friends at CinCity Harley‑Davidson are proud to welcome and support all 7 Hills Harley‑Davidson customers,” the dealership said in a social media post. “Their Service team is working with us to help take care of existing service needs and open work orders during this transition.”
The dealership did not provide a reason for the closure in its announcement.
Another longtime Harley dealer, Benson Motorcycles, a Harley‑Davidson dealership in Muncie, Indiana, announced it will permanently close Oct. 31 after 47 years in business.
The dealership broke the news in a social media post, citing mounting economic pressures facing brick‑and‑mortar retailers and, specifically, “rising costs, lower margins and online shopping” as factors behind the decision. The business said the current environment has made it increasingly challenging for traditional retail stores to compete.
“It’s a hard thing to do, but it is what it is in today’s economy,” Jason Schultz, the dealership’s general manager and a 25‑year employee, told WTHR‑TV in Indianapolis.
Owned by Phil Benson, the dealership operated on South Madison Street before moving to its current location at 6410 W. McGalliard Road on Muncie’s northwest side. According to the report, the dealership’s 23 employees were informed of the closure several weeks before the announcement. Approximately 10 employees remained at the time of the report.
Despite the impending closure, the dealership hosted a customer appreciation event, dubbed the “Last Bash,” on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event included live music, food trucks and special pricing on licensed merchandise.
In its announcement, Benson Motorcycles thanked its customers for their support throughout the dealership’s nearly five decades in business, emphasizing the relationships built with riders and the local motorcycle community.
“It’s your dedication, support and love of motorcycles that has been a huge driving factor behind our business,” the post stated. “We have many wonderful memories to look back on and have made many good friends during our time here.”
The closure adds to the challenges facing established powersports retailers as operating costs, margin pressures and changing consumer shopping habits continue to influence dealership operations.
Closures didn’t just hit U.S. H‑D stores, but north of the border as well. Canada‑based Barnes Harley‑Davidson announced via a Facebook post that it will permanently close its Kamloops location on Jan. 16, 2027, making it the third Harley‑Davidson store to announce it’ll be shutting its doors in the last 30 days.
Barnes Harley‑Davidson Kamloops is one of four Harley stores controlled by Barnes Garage Co., a dealership group owned by the Barnes family, a multigenerational family business in Western Canada. Barnes Garage also owns four other dealerships that sell powersports, British motorcycles, and outdoor power equipment.
In the company’s Facebook post, it underscored that the decision to close wasn’t taken lightly and that it will serve its Kamloops‑area customers until the closing date. The Harley team in Kelowna, British Columbia, will take over sales and service after Jan. 16.
And although the announcement made it clear that its Kelowna location will handle existing Kamloops customers, the post didn’t indicate the future of Kamloops’ employees or whether or not they will transfer to different dealerships throughout the Barnes’ network.
“We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our valued customers.”
“We never envisioned leaving the Kamloops market,” the post said. “We believe this is the best plan forward to ensure high‑quality, continuous service for the riders in the Kamloops community.”
The National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) presented Jim Woodruff, CEO of National Powersport Auctions (NPA), with the 2026 Bob Althoff Founders Award during DealerConnect 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
The award recognizes individuals whose service, leadership and commitment have helped build and strengthen NPDA and support the powersports dealer community. It is named for association founder Bob Althoff, who attended the event and personally presented the award to Woodruff.
Most recently, he led the association’s board of directors through a strategic planning meeting in Dallas focused on NPDA’s future and five‑year direction. Woodruff also donated the meeting facility and covered expenses to help the board complete the planning session.
“Jim has been one of those people who has quietly been there for NPDA from the beginning, always asking what he can do to help,” says Kim Harrison, NPDA secretary/treasurer and founding board member.
Harrison credited Woodruff’s contributions of time, knowledge and financial support, as well as his commitment to the association’s long‑term development.
The presentation recognizes Woodruff’s ongoing role in helping NPDA develop its strategy and strengthen its support for powersports dealers.
Harley‑Davidson has begun teasing its upcoming Sprint 440, a new small‑displacement cruiser developed with manufacturing partner Hero MotoCorp, ahead of an expected debut at EICMA 2026.
The company has shared teaser images of the motorcycle on its social media channels, offering an early look at a model first identified in May as part of Harley‑Davidson’s “Back to Bricks” business plan.
The Sprint 440 appears to take a more traditional cruiser approach than the Harley‑Davidson X440, with a long, low stance, swept‑back handlebars, a round headlight, a teardrop‑shaped fuel tank and a scooped seat. The rear fender also appears to incorporate the license plate holder and turn indicators.
Although the motorcycle appears to share its main frame and engine architecture with the X440, the Sprint 440 is expected to feature distinct chassis components and styling to establish its own identity within the lineup.
The new model is expected to use the X440’s 440cc, single‑cylinder engine, which produces 27 horsepower and 38 Nm (28 pound‑feet) of torque in the existing application, with an MSRP of $6,000. The engine is paired with a six‑speed transmission. Hero MotoCorp will manufacture the motorcycle in India. According to BikeWale, the Sprint 440 could become the first motorcycle based on the X440 platform to be exported to international markets.
A global unveiling at EICMA, scheduled for November 2026 in Milan, Italy, has been anticipated by motorcycle media, although Harley‑Davidson has not confirmed the debut date. An Indian market launch is expected in early 2027.
Harley‑Davidson’s official Asia‑Pacific website has also launched a dedicated Sprint 440 teaser page identifying the motorcycle as a 2027 model. The company currently lists the Philippines and Malaysia as planned markets on that page, with availability timing yet to be confirmed.
Final pricing and specifications, and additional market availability, have not been announced.
The Walt Disney Company has purchased the former Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S. headquarters in Cypress, California, for approximately $115.3 million, according to public records cited in reporting by Disneyland News Today.
The 25‑acre property at 6555 Katella Ave. in Cypress, California, was sold Sept. 23, according to public records. Commercial real estate brokerage Avison Young announced the sale Oct. 2 but did not identify Disney as the buyer.
The property includes office, industrial and warehouse buildings and occupies an entire city block bordered by Katella Avenue, Holder Street and Yamaha Way.
Yamaha has used the Orange County campus since 1979 but is relocating its corporate headquarters to Georgia. The company announced the move earlier this year as part of a broader change to its U.S. operations. According to reports, Yamaha is expected to begin vacating the Cypress property at the end of 2026 and complete its departure by 2028.
Disney confirmed the purchase and said the property will be used for “back‑of‑house operations,” although the company has not provided additional details about its plans for the site. The property is located less than seven miles from the Disneyland Resort.
For Yamaha, the sale marks another step in the company’s transition away from the Southern California campus that served as its U.S. headquarters for nearly five decades.
The transaction also gives Disney control of a sizable commercial property in Orange County. However, it remains unclear whether any of the existing Yamaha facilities will be retained, redeveloped, or repurposed.
WSX shuts down 2026 season after one round as investor talks continue
The announcement came Oct. 7, just days before the scheduled Oct. 10 British GP in Birmingham, England. World Supercross said the 2026 championship would conclude “with immediate effect” while it continues what it described as advanced discussions with potential investors. The decision leaves the future of the FIM‑sanctioned championship uncertain.
“We continue to believe strongly in the series, its global potential and the opportunity to build on the foundations established to date,” World Supercross said in a statement. “We remain optimistic that the ongoing discussions will reach a positive conclusion and provide a strong platform for the future of the championship.”
The 2026 season was originally scheduled to feature six rounds spanning Canada, the United Kingdom, Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Only the Aug. 8 Canadian GP in Calgary was completed.
The British GP had already been canceled before the announcement. The remaining events — including planned stops in Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand — will not take place.
The abrupt end represents a significant setback for the championship, which has positioned itself as an international complement to the established U.S. Supercross series. World Supercross launched its current championship in 2022 intending to take professional Supercross racing to major international markets.
World Supercross did not identify the potential investors involved in the current discussions or provide financial details behind the decision to end the season. The organization stressed that the decision to cancel the remaining races does not represent a stated end to the championship itself.
“The decision has not been taken lightly,” World Supercross said. “We remain optimistic that the ongoing discussions will reach a positive conclusion.”
The series’ official website had previously promoted a 2026 calendar stretching into December, including events in Buenos Aires, the Gold Coast and Christchurch.
The Australian GP was scheduled for Nov. 21 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, while the New Zealand GP was scheduled for Dec. 5 in Christchurch. Both events have now been canceled.
The cancellation also creates immediate uncertainty for teams, riders, event promoters, sponsors and other commercial partners that had committed to the 2026 championship. The series promoters thanked their riders, teams, partners, venues, staff and fans for their support during the season.
“Further information regarding the future of World Supercross will be provided in due course,” the organization said.
For now, the championship’s future rests on whether its ongoing investor discussions yield a deal that can put the series back on track.
Indian Motorcycle recently appointed Angela Stewart as its newest director of North American sales and market development, where she will lead commercial execution across her territory, with a focus on market share growth and market expansion.
Stewart previously served as an Indian district manager for Northern California, Nevada and Idaho. In her new role, she will translate the company’s strategy into actionable market plans, drive performance and accountability, and provide leadership with insights to identify and capitalize on emerging market and competitive opportunities.
“Our four strategic priorities are brand, product, U.S. manufacturing and dealers,” says Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle. “Angy brings a valuable combination of industry experience and dealership ownership that will help us strengthen dealer relationships, improve network effectiveness and capitalize on opportunities across our markets.
Stewart has experience across the powersports industry, with a resume that includes dealership operations, franchise leadership and field sales. She worked at the dealership level before joining Harley‑Davidson, where she served as director of franchise operations.
She also owned and operated a multiline dealership, where she gained firsthand experience with dealership management, manufacturer‑dealer relationships and the opportunities and challenges of running a retail business.
Vance & Hines has reached a final resolution with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over allegations related to the Clean Air Act, concluding an investigation that began in 2018.
The Garden Grove, California‑based motorcycle exhaust manufacturer said the resolution was formalized through a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO). Under the agreement, Vance & Hines will pay nearly seven figures to resolve the allegations.
The company said it cooperated with federal authorities throughout the investigation and has spent the past four years overhauling its product line and engineering capabilities. Rather than simply discontinue certain products, Vance & Hines said it invested millions of dollars in engineering and testing facilities to develop a new generation of performance exhaust systems.
“We have spent the better part of the last decade preparing for this moment,” said Chris Lindstrom, president and CEO of Vance & Hines in a statement. “Our goal was never just to meet a legal standard; it was to prove that addressing the EPA’s concerns doesn’t mean sacrificing performance or a great quality sound.”
The company said its latest exhaust systems incorporate advanced technology and precision tuning, with thousands of hours of research and development aimed at retaining the sound and styling associated with the Vance & Hines brand while improving usable torque compared with previous generations.
The resolution highlights the importance of understanding Clean Air Act requirements for motorcycle aftermarket manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Businesses selling emissions‑related performance products must ensure their offerings comply with applicable federal requirements.
Lindstrom acknowledged that the changes have raised questions among some longtime customers and industry partners, but said the company chose to invest in engineering and development to protect its future and that of its dealer network.
Vance & Hines said it will now focus on developing performance exhaust systems, fuel‑management products and air‑intake components as it continues to adapt its product offerings.
AIMExpo has announced that attendees of the 2027 event will have an opportunity to take their industry experience from the show floor to the racetrack through a new partnership with Daytona International Speedway.
The collaboration gives AIMExpo attendees access to special Daytona Supercross experiences following the powersports trade show, which takes place March 3‑5, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
The Daytona Supercross weekend will include trackside access, premium hospitality, an industry party and opportunities to walk the unique Supercross track at Daytona International Speedway. Two experience packages are available.
Limited to 250 attendees, the Starting Gate package ($160 per person) includes admission to the exclusive Daytona International Speedway Industry Party and access to the Jeremy McGrath Holeshot event Friday night.
On race day Saturday, attendees receive grandstand seating for Daytona Supercross, trackside access with the option to watch from a standing‑room‑only section bordering the Supercross track, a $20 food‑and‑beverage voucher, and a commemorative Daytona International Speedway Supercross hat.
Also limited to 250 attendees, the Checkered Flag package ($280 per person) adds additional access and hospitality. The package includes the Friday night Industry Party, access to the Jeremy McGrath Holeshot event and an exclusive Daytona Supercross track walk, available Friday evening or Saturday before the race.
On Saturday, attendees receive designated seating in the Roost, the closest seating area to the track on Pit Road, along with access to food and beverages on Level 1 of the 500 Club from 4 p.m. through the end of the race. The package also includes trackside access and the option to watch the race from the standing‑room‑only section bordering the Supercross track.
Both packages provide access to an AIMExpo VIP hotel room block at select hotels across from Daytona International Speedway. Optional one‑way shuttle transportation from the Orange County Convention Center to participating Daytona Beach hotels also will be available, with departures scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For powersports dealers and industry professionals attending AIMExpo, the program offers an opportunity to combine business networking at the industry’s annual trade show with one of the biggest events on the motorcycle racing calendar.