German sport bike builder Kramer Motorcycles (Burghausen, southern Germany) has seen its USA operation achieve an all-time sales record in 2024, more than doubling its 2023 unit sales volume there, doubling its gross revenue over the same period and quadrupling its business size there in just three years. Kramer USA is headed up by Joe Karvonen and former 'Asphalt & Rubber' race and industry blogger Jensen Beeler. As a go-to brand for racers and track day enthusiasts seeking turnkey, dedicated track and racing motorcycles, the sales growth was led by the limited special edition GP2-890 RR with their EVO2-690 single additionally notching wins against top-level Twins Cup competitors. In addition to the Hooligan style GP2-890 XX naked announced at EICMA last year, Kramer's new APX-350 MA is set to be the 'Spec-Bike' for the new MotoAmerica Talent Cup - the new race entry level series for ambitious and talented 14–21-year-olds. The series is a stepping stone into the Red Bull Rookies Cup, as an official part of the "Road to MotoGP" program in USA.
Bike & Business reports that Ducati has named Ducati Rhein-Sieg as its Europe and Africa region 'Dealer of The Year' for 2024. Ledus Motorrad GmbH was founded in 2001 by Armin Dusella and Thomas Lempertz in Waldbröl, North Rhine-Westphalia, and as Ducati Rhein-Seig since 2002. Lempertz left the management team in 2005 with Markus Freyberg becoming co-owner alongside Dusella in 2011.
Yamaha Motor Co. has recently acquired an e-bike bicycle drive unit subsidiary from German auto parts maker Brose. The acquisition will be the core element in the launch of a new Yamaha business unit - Yamaha Motor E-Bike Systems - which will begin operating in June. Located in Berlin, the new operation will have 120 employees and develop, manufacture and sell drive units and electrical components for e-bikes. This apparent volte face marks a repositioning for Yamaha in the e-bike market, having started production of e-bike drive units in France. Then, in November last year, Yamaha announced it would stop production of e-bikes for its U.S. market. Yamaha first started producing e-bikes in 1993. Brose has been manufacturing and selling bicycle drive units since 2014 and has developed components for Harley-Davidson's custom e-bikes. Yamaha says it will leverage Brose's e-kit development capabilities to further strengthen the planning and development of new products. Additionally, Yamaha will strengthen its after-sales service capabilities for customers by utilizing Brose's service network of more than 600 locations.
Husqvarna has announced a new four-year Premium Manufacturer's Warranty on all new, unsold 2023, 2024, and 2025 model year machines that are powered by the LC8c engine platform. The models covered include the Norden 901, Norden 901 Expedition, Svartpilen 801, and Vitpilen 801.
