“Loud pipes save lives” is one of the more contentious philosophies among motorcyclists. Advocates argue louder exhausts make drivers notice motorcyclists better while detractors say the noise pollution leads to stricter anti-motorcycle legislation.

This probably wasn’t what those critics had in mind.

Prosecutors in northern Mexico have charged two motorcyclists with terrorism after their exhaust pipes backfired, causing a crowd of people to panic thinking the sound was gunfire. In a country with serious drug violence issues, this was a valid fear for the crowd. Continue Reading »

Mexico’s largest motorcycle manufacturer has reached a new distribution agreement with Wal-Mart to offer its motorcycles and scooters across Mexico.

Motociclestas Italika, which claims a 63% share of the Mexican motorcycle market, will offer its FT150GT motorcycle (pictured above) and its GS150 scooter at 200 Wal-Mart Supercenter locations across Mexico. Italika’s FT110 and FT125 Sport motorcycles and DS150 scooter will also be offered at 500 locations of the Wal-Mart-owned discount chain Bodega Aurrera.

Continue Reading »

Harley-Davidson opened a new regional headquarters in Miami, Fla., to house the company’s Latin America operations.

The new Harley-Davidson Latin America headquarters supports the Motor Company’s subsidiaries in Brazil, Mexico and other countries in Central and South America. Harley-Davidson projects international sales to exceed 40% of the company’s revenue by 2014 with the Latin America office a prime area of growth.

Continue Reading »