This week, we’ve been a little bit of motion in KTM’s nook, in addition to the inventory market…particularly, how LiveWire is doing. Right here’s the total lineup for at the moment:
- KTM has formally put themselves able to renew manufacturing, they usually’ve simply teased an journey bike we’ve been ready for since EICMA 2024!
- Harley-Davidson and LiveWire board members have been promoting LiveWire shares at a constant fee, main us to surprise what’s subsequent in retailer for the two-wheeled EV model.
- Converse of the satan, LiveWire has simply began the very first EV motorbike coaching program in Marina del Ray.
- Norton Bikes is now supported by dad or mum firm TVS Motors, they usually’ve been driving round on what seems to be a brand new V4 superbike!
Let’s begin with the Crew Orange a part of our {industry} – each of them – and go from there, lets?
KTM Teases New 390 Journey R Forward of Launch
“We Are Excited that Fashions are In Manufacturing and Already On Their Approach.”
Our favourite Austrian model is formally again in full manufacturing mode, they usually’re lastly giving us that beginner-happy Journey bike we’ve been ready for ! In keeping with protection from MCN, KTM’s next-gen 390s, together with the long-awaited 390 Journey R, are one step nearer to hitting showrooms. The official launch will purportedly embrace the 390 Enduro R, in addition to the 390 SMC R and the budget-friendly Journey X. As for the 390 Journey R, this pleased little zipper would be the first “R” badge mannequin in three generations of single-pot KTMs, making for a really thrilling debut season, certainly!
Included within the pleased chaos are phrases from KTM’s World Advertising and marketing boss, Gareth Davidson, and LC4c Product Supervisor, Agustin Augustinoy:
“The corporate went by way of a little bit of a tough patch, however lastly we’re excited that fashions are in manufacturing and already on their means… “For the primary time in our historical past, it’s the primary R true mannequin in our 390 Journey mannequin line-up. We needed to offer folks a motorbike they might take to the Trans Euro Path and have a great time. It’s an entry-point bike by way of value, nevertheless it’s actually succesful.”
– Gareth Davidson, World Advertising and marketing, KTM (MCN) |
“[The new 390 Adventure R] has a unique footpeg place, completely different handlebar place, a unique seat, completely different headstock angle – it’s so significantly better than the earlier technology that it’s tough to match them.”
– Agustin Augustinoy, LC4c Product Supervisor, KTM (MCN) |
We’re anticipating a slew of perks for the 390 Journey R, together with tubed 18/21-inch wheels, a really good WP Apex suspension system (each adjustable for preload and rebound), a revised body with an extended swingarm. The latter, particularly, places the Journey R’s geometry according to KTM’s competitors enduro lineup, and we’re trying ahead to round 44 horsepower and 28.8 pound-feet of torque mated to a fantastically related six-speed gearbox and an non-compulsory quickshifter.
For an in depth have a look at the brand new KTM 390 Journey R and its siblings, be sure you try the total report on MCN:
Harley-Davidson Sells LiveWire Shares
“We Will Proceed to Relentlessly Enhance the Fundamentals of the Enterprise.”
The EV {industry} might present sure perks for our good energy-conscious {industry}, however at current, there’s a little bit of motion in LiveWire’s pit. Lest we neglect, LiveWire was beforehand regarded as separated from Harley-Davidson when the EV model went public. We now know the 2 bike corporations to be related, and LiveWire’s market actions stay printed below Harley’s monetary 12 months statements, making for an fascinating dynamic between the 2 titles, to say the least.
Now, in keeping with protection from ADVRider, LiveWire is navigating some uneven waters. Regardless of the looks of two new electrical fashions, 2024 noticed 612 complete items bought, with LiveWire shares dropping 60% since final month (July).
For these of us nonetheless at the hours of darkness as to LiveWire’s monetary standing, let or not it’s identified {that a} press launch from Harley-Davidson again in This fall of 2021 talked about investing $100 million into LiveWire, among the many contributions of different corporations (see press launch by way of Harley’s web site right here). At a current quarterly traders’ assembly, ADVRider additionally feedback on how Harley-Davidson’s earlier Chairman and CEO, Jochen Zeitz, made it clear that LiveWire wouldn’t obtain any further funding past its current $100 million line of credit score.
No matter how the cookie crumbles, we go away you with a quote from LiveWire’s present CEO:
“The Firm plans to proceed establishing its management within the EV area. With our world-class merchandise, first-class workforce, and best-in-the-industry retail companions, we are going to proceed to relentlessly enhance the basics of the enterprise and place ourselves for long-term success.”
– Karim Donnez, CEO, LiveWire (ADVRider) |
Count on extra info at Harley-Davidson / LiveWire’s traders convention on July 30, 2025.
Nevertheless, ADVRider raises questions on whether or not this public outlook matches insider sentiment. It seems Donnez has been promoting LiveWire inventory at a “prodigious fee” since November 2024, reportedly dumping over 100,000 shares. Different LiveWire Board members and executives have additionally reportedly bought a mixed 3.7 million shares. These insider gross sales immediate questions on what these “within the know” really imagine about LiveWire’s future.
Extra readability is predicted after the mixed Harley-Davidson / LiveWire traders convention scheduled for seven days from now, on July 30, 2025.
For an in depth have a look at LiveWire’s challenges and associated inventory gross sales, be sure you learn the total report on ADVRider:
LiveWire Begins EV Electrical Motorbike Coaching Academy
S2 Mulholland™ and S2 Alpinista™ Outfitted for New Program
Regardless of the earlier article, EV motorbike firm LiveWire continues to be going robust in different areas of the group – and one of many model’s initiatives contains giving again to that very same group by offering machines on which to coach!
In keeping with LiveWire’s press launch, LiveWire has partnered with Bartels’ Harley-Davidson® Driving Academy in Marina del Rey. Because of this the connection between LiveWire and Harley-Davidson is stronger than ever, with Bartels’ Academy turning into the primary program in america to supply licensed coaching on LiveWire’s all-electric bikes. Riders trying to enroll in this program will discover themselves both on an S2 Mulholland™ or an S2 Alpinista™; because of this, for the primary time in my private line of thought, a bike coaching academy has emerged that trains riders on clutchless/shiftless bikes.
On high of the twist-and-go novelty, LiveWire’s machines will purportedly include chassis safety kits, in addition to software program that’s been tweaked so the aforementioned new riders don’t unintentionally entry full torque and yeet themselves into the brand new week. Adjusted regenerative braking and enhanced traction management spherical out this softened driving package for LiveWire’s S2 contributions to this neat academy.
FYI, riders who full this course will get a a Fundamental RiderCourse (BRC) completion card (DL 389 certificates); this certificates doesn’t permit riders to scoot about on public roads, nevertheless it does waive the DMV abilities take a look at and permit anyone getting ready to get their license to finish the written take a look at for entry to both M1 or M2 endorsement.
Naturally, there’s no yet another enthusiastic about this partnership than the CEO of LiveWire himself:
“This partnership is about breaking down limitations and empowering the following technology of riders. By integrating LiveWire bikes into rider coaching, Bartels is redefining what it means to be taught to trip—making it extra accessible, extra intuitive, and higher aligned with the way forward for motorcycling.”
– Karim Donnez, CEO, LiveWire (LiveWire) |
LiveWire plans to increase its distinctive model of motorbike coaching to extra driving academy areas throughout America, so keep tuned for updates on that initiative as we proceed by way of this 12 months and into the following one.
To be taught extra about this groundbreaking new rider coaching program and to enroll, go to LiveWire’s official web site:
TVS-Supported Norton Bikes Teases New V4 Superbike
TVS Managing Director Exams Prototype with Massive Smile
Norton Bikes, now below the influential umbrella of TVS Motors, has been driving a motorbike round by way of varied testing phases – and up till now, we didn’t notice it was a superbike heavy-hitter! Protection from RideApart tells us that this incubating brainchild may very effectively be a brand-new V4 superbike.
We’re unable to offer the photograph because it belongs to MotoBob, however should you lookup the media on their IG web page right here, then you possibly can comply with alongside.
Upon viewing this teaser media, two issues are rampantly obvious:
- Norton Bikes has ensured this bike’s silhouette to be similar to the enduring V4SV, a 1,200cc superbike able to 185 horsepower, 92.2 pound-feet of torque, and carbon fiber chassis/wheels/gasoline tanks, amongst different issues.
- TVS boss Sudarshan Venu has taken this prototype for a correct spin and emerged with a giant, foolish grin on his face.
Ought to we get something comparable to what Norton initially had in retailer for us with the V4SV, we’ll doubtless be getting a motorbike on par with Ducati’s Panigale V4 and Aprilia’s RSV4, with the V4SV’s race-spec Brembo brakes and fairly complicated, fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension system. Both means, it is a enormous, fairly unprecedented transfer for TVS Motors, who is among the largest moto producers in India and has already made strikes towards the premium bike sector by way of their partnership with BMW. This might actually be the primary V4 liter bike from an Indian-owned firm, and that’s tremendous cool.
Keep tuned for EICMA, as a result of ain’t no means Norton will probably be staying quiet with this bike for lengthy… plus we’ve acquired that count-down displaying we’re getting one thing about three months from now…
For extra insights into Norton’s prototype, head over to RideApart:
*Media sourced from KTM, LiveWire, and Norton Bikes*
