Motorcycle Industry News | Wind Burned Eyes

2026 DesertX and Monster Will Get a New Ducati V2 Engine

It seems those engineers over in Bologna are busy brewing something new, meaning the DesertX and Monster will get the Ducati V2 890cc engine.

You’re looking at an 890cc V-twin engine, according to the records that are available out there.

The LiveWire Doki Scooter Is Coming Soon

LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s electric spinoff, just filed a trademark for a new name: Doki. Sounds playful at first — like a cartoon dog — but it’s deeper than that.

“Doki” echoes the Japanese “doki doki,” the sound of a racing heart. And make no mistake, that’s exactly what LiveWire aims to stir with this new electric scooter. But will this work?

South Korea Launches Study to Electrify Gas-Powered Scooters Amid Emissions Push

In the bustling heart of Seoul, where scooters dart through narrow alleys delivering everything from kimchi to K-pop albums, the South Korean government is charting a new course.

Recognizing that these two-wheeled workhorses, especially the older 50cc models, emit significantly more hydrocarbons than cars, officials are piloting an eight-month study to assess the feasibility of converting gas-powered scooters to electric.

Check Out the 2025 Indian Challenger Elite and Pursuit Elite

In the grand tradition of American iron, the 2025 Indian Challenger Elite and Pursuit Elite were recently rolled out—two limited-edition baggers that blend muscle, luxury, and a dash of race-bred swagger.

With production capped at 325 units for the Challenger and 150 for the Chieftain, exclusivity is the name of the game.

This Yamaha Camera-Based Warning System Could Improve Rider Safety

In a world where motorcycles are increasingly asked to think for themselves, Yamaha’s latest idea is a curious blend of simplicity and sophistication: one camera, one brain, one big step toward smarter riding.

While Honda is off tinkering with stereo lenses and radar arrays, Yamaha’s new patent filings show it’s betting on a lone front-facing eye to do all the heavy lifting—measuring speed, trajectory, and distance with nothing but image analysis and digital smarts.

Verge Motorcycles Record Set for Distance on a Single Battery Charge

On a crisp March morning in London, Verge Motorcycles etched its name into the annals of electric motorcycling history. My guess is this Verge Motorcycles record will stand for a while.

Their TS Pro model, a marvel of Finnish engineering, embarked on a journey that would culminate in a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by an electric motorcycle on a single charge—310.6 kilometers, to be precise.

Harley Shareholders Demand Changes In Order to Save the Company

Once upon a time, Harley-Davidson thundered down the American highway like a king on two wheels, its V-twin heartbeat pounding in the chest of freedom. But these days, the rumble’s echoing through corporate boardrooms instead of canyon walls.

Now comes H Partners, the second-largest of the Harley shareholders, storming the gates with a campaign that’s more rebellion than polite proposal. They want CEO Jochen Zeitz out, pronto. They’re also gunning to oust longtime board members Thomas Linebarger and Sara Levinson. According to them, Harley’s not just idling—it’s sputtering.

Piaggio Will Launch New Premium Scooters in India

India’s streets are about to get a little more stylish, a little more Italian, and a whole lot more interesting. Piaggio, the folks who brought us the Vespa’s vintage cool and the Aprilia’s racy edge, are cooking up a new range of premium scooters for the Indian market.

Only this time, they’re not just dipping a toe—they’re diving headfirst into the value end of the pool.

Harley Boardroom Drama and Resignations

Well, folks, it seems the Harley boardroom has become the latest battleground in the corporate world. Jared Dourdeville, a director representing H Partners, Harley’s second-largest shareholder, has resigned, citing “grave concerns” about the company’s direction.

In his resignation letter, Dourdeville criticized CEO Jochen Zeitz and other senior leaders for fostering a “cultural depletion” through widespread remote work policies and the departure of many experienced executives.

Jochen Zeitz Retirement: Harley-Davidson’s CEO Leaves the Company

In a move that reverberated through the corridors of Milwaukee’s iconic motorcycle manufacturer, Harley-Davidson’s CEO, Jochen Zeitz, announced his impending retirement after a five-year tenure marked by both bold strategies and formidable challenges.

Zeitz, who took the helm in 2020 amid the tumult of a global pandemic, sought to steer the venerable brand through stormy economic seas and shifting consumer landscapes.