A snapshot of key motorcycle industry share performance at close of trading on Friday 26 June
USA
Banging the Harley-Davidson drum with gusto, members of the National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) Harley-Davidson Council, representing Harley dealers across the US, boast that they are committed to serving riders, supporting their local communities, and strengthening the future of the brand. Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they? The Council has highlighted that, in recent weeks, there has been renewed public discussion surrounding Harley-Davidson and its leadership. While outside voices may choose to focus on past affiliations, speculation, or commentary, the Harley dealers represented swear they are focused on what matters most – the future of the Harley-Davidson brand, the success of their dealerships and the satisfaction of their customers. Drum satisfactorily banged once again, and investors kept at arm’s length. Well, actually, Harley shares have done better than that, drawing keen investor attention after a sharp return of about 45% over the past three months!
LiveWire’s acquisition of off-road brand Dust Moto’s start-up assets has made it into one of the currently most volatile “penny stocks” on the NYSE. In parallel, Harley’s electric sub-brand has partnered with its Taiwanese shareholder Kymco to develop premium electric maxi-scooters utilising LiveWire’s S2 Arrow powertrain.
Polaris Inc has appointed yet another management recruit from outside the direct powersports world with which it is familiar. According to Polaris chairman John Wiehoff: “Dustin Semach is an accomplished leader in the industrial and technology sectors whose experience across finance, strategy and operations brings valuable perspective to Polaris. His background complements the board’s focus on advancing our powersports strategy and positioning the company for its next phase of growth, while delivering long-term value for shareholders.” However, prospective shareholders weren’t amused.
EUROPE
Bajaj Mobility euro-denoted stock remains fairly static on both Frankfurt’s Dax and the Wiener Börse in Austria. This is unsurprising, given that company insiders in what was previously KTM hold 75.03% of issued shares, and what is technically the “free float” amounts to only 23.23%, almost all of which is shuffling around the hands of speculative investors. The brightest news is that the company has returned to profitability, despite a 46% drop in revenue since it resumed trading.
Piaggio Group continues to have nothing to smile about, considering its profits had halved in 2025 and were nearly 40% down in Q1 2026.
And BMW has cut its profit guidance for 2026, as disruption in the Middle East has added to European automotive manufacturers’ struggles in the Chinese market. Inevitably, given the slump in profits, BMW’s share price has been impacted. The company is now forecasting a “significant” decrease in its pre-tax profits this year and expects its operating margin for 2026 will fall behind those of both Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz. No separate commentary on the motorcycle division has been released, but the Group will publish its full second-quarter results on 30 July.
JAPAN
Honda hasn’t yet got over the embarrassment of posting its first annual loss since listing in the 1950s, on a mistimed bet on EV market entry, which was originally intended to involve a merger with Nissan. Nissan director Motoo Nagai, who had been a prime mover in the potential union, has now been sacked by fellow Nissan board members. Honda’s share price, meanwhile, had briefly reached ¥1533.00 in early June but has since been dipping all over the place. Yamaha saw its share price sink to a low of ¥1189.50 in mid-June but has since recovered, thanks to keen investor attention after consistent gains. Suzuki shares took a mid-June dive to ¥1774.50 on the back of issues at the brand’s Indian Maruti car subsidiary, from which it has recovered very well. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, awash with a plethora of diverse divisions (only one of which makes motorcycles), sank as low as ¥2670.50 halfway through June but has now climbed out of that hole.
INDIA
Royal Enfield parent Eicher Motors reported the best news in the Indian motorcycle industry, beating quarterly profit estimates and posting record sales. Its Q4 net profit rose by nearly 12% to Rs15.2bn ($158.9m). Broadly, Mumbai-quoted shares climbed on the back of Iran peace deal hopes, but motorcycle business stocks were inconsistent. Domestic market leader Hero Motocorp, Bajaj Auto and Mahindra were losers while TVS and Eicher continued to prosper from their widely acknowledged export gains.
CHINA
Yadea, profiled as the world’s largest producer of battery-powered scooters and motorcycles in BDN last month, has promptly surfaced in a partnership with dominant Kenya-based e-motorcycle provider ARC Ride. Yadea’s immediate role will be to build battery-swapping infrastructure that will be interoperable with its two-wheelers. Kenya now plans to waive import duties on all two and four-wheeled EVs. In the wake of the Hormuz fuel famine crisis, it’s among a host of African nations now abandoning ICE vehicles and welcoming cheap Chinese EV input for motorcycles and taxis through to trucks.