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- On the ground at Sturgis: fundraising, art and a windshield dispute
- Easyriders Issue 602: what’s inside
- Federal court limits NFA registration rules in NRA challenge
- VA launches psilocybin trial for treatment‑resistant depression in Veterans
- Publishing shaken by alleged AI use in high‑value book deal
- Bots now account for a majority of web requests, Cloudflare data shows
- Industry notes: Harley, racing and the Rumble & Thunder meet
- Bonneville week and community moments
The Sturgis rally delivered a chaotic, crowded week — and plenty of headlines. Between fundraisers, art sales and a handful of run-ins with police, the event also produced industry news ranging from a federal court ruling on gun regulations to a new VA trial testing psilocybin for depression.
On the ground at Sturgis: fundraising, art and a windshield dispute
Organizers and vendors reported a busy rally week. The museum associated with the event says it raised more money than in previous years, artist Danial James moved more pieces than usual, and one vendor even sold an oil can for $200.
Triumph Bonneville T40: 398cc single-cylinder powers the 2027 T40
Bikernet releases pre-rally weekly newsletter dated July 23, 2026
Participants described a mix of routine motorcycle help, a few mishaps in the garage and steady turnout from riders nationwide. Several staffers acknowledged tiredness and illness after long days on site, but said the rally atmosphere remained strong.
One notable incident involved former Wisconsin state senator Dave Zien, who says he was stopped by Sturgis police on August 12, 2026, near the Harley-Davidson bandshell on Main Street. Zien says officers told him his windshield was too low and urged him to wear protective glasses. He told officers he had been slumped in his seat and had sat up to check traffic.
According to Zien, a second officer later cited the South Dakota statute and declined to issue a ticket because he was “too busy.” Zien says he left a business card and urged a statutory exemption for Klock windshields, offering to testify at state legislative hearings. “It would be an honor for me to testify at State Legislative committee & Floor action hearings!” he wrote.
Easyriders Issue 602: what’s inside
Easyriders’ September/October 2026 issue is now available and features a broad mix of event coverage, bike builds and profiles. Highlights include coverage of the Lone Star Rally; a look at Frisco Choppers and their link to rock‑and‑roll history; England’s Helter Skelter 101 Run; and a profile of jeweler and engraver Darren Burrow.
The magazine also spotlights V8-powered builds, a V8 barstool racer called Hoss Fly, and a market overview titled The State of the American Big Bike Market. Other items include Paul Clark’s Evo and GSX choppers, a tribute to artist David Mann, a Corvair-powered custom, and the next installment of Sportster Choppers.
Federal court limits NFA registration rules in NRA challenge
In a significant legal development, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled that parts of the National Firearms Act’s registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short‑barreled rifles and short‑barreled shotguns exceed Congress’s constitutional authority. The decision came in litigation brought by the National Rifle Association and follows Congress’s removal of the NFA’s transfer and making taxes on those weapons, according to court filings.
The ruling affects how those firearm categories are regulated and marks another major decision in ongoing disputes over federal firearms law.
VA launches psilocybin trial for treatment‑resistant depression in Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has opened a randomized, controlled clinical trial to test psilocybin in Veterans with treatment‑resistant major depressive disorder, including those with co‑occurring PTSD. The study, called PIVOT (Psilocybin Intervention for Veterans Overcoming Treatment‑Resistant Depression), will compare two dosage levels and measure outcomes such as symptom change, side‑effect tolerability and patient‑reported depression.
VA Secretary Doug Collins framed the study as part of broader efforts to accelerate mental‑health treatments for Veterans. “Far too many Veterans are living with mental health conditions that don’t respond to available treatments,” Collins said, adding that the trial represents “another step toward this goal.”
The trial will run at five VA locations: Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Portland, Oregon; the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia; and the VA Puget Sound system in Seattle. VA said the study will use pharmaceutical‑grade drugs in controlled clinical settings with psychological support and safety protocols developed in consultation with the FDA.
Publishing shaken by alleged AI use in high‑value book deal
Publishing circles were roiled after a debut novel that reportedly drew a 14‑way bidding war and a $2 million offer was pulled when the author’s agent said they suspected the work had been produced or heavily assisted by AI. The agent withdrew the deal and cancelled the sale while investigators and industry observers debated whether the manuscript could have been created with large‑language‑model tools.
Industry commentators say this is the third high‑profile book cancellation linked to alleged AI use. The episode has renewed questions about how publishers will verify authorship and how the industry should treat works that may incorporate or have been edited by AI systems.
Inside the publication’s staff chat, one editor called the situation a likely dissertation topic, while another warned that new technologies have historically faced intense scrutiny before becoming normalized.
Bots now account for a majority of web requests, Cloudflare data shows
Data from Cloudflare indicate automated traffic — or bots — now makes up about 57% of webpage requests worldwide, a milestone its CEO Matthew Prince had predicted would arrive by 2027. Prince previously warned that AI agents and automated browsing could generate vastly more site visits than individual human users because agents collect information differently.
The shift raises practical concerns for publishers and advertisers: rising raw traffic driven by automated agents may not translate into increased human engagement, ad views or direct monetization. Observers say the trend increases pressure to make content machine‑readable and clearly authoritative for both human readers and AI systems.
Industry notes: Harley, racing and the Rumble & Thunder meet
Harley‑Davidson continues to adjust its strategy amid margin and tariff pressures, promoting stripped‑down models such as the Deadwood that nod to post‑war styling. Overseas competitors like Royal Enfield are cited as exerting pressure on traditional American market shares, while Japanese brands remain prominent in U.S. registration figures.
On the track, the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally wrapped with American Flat Track highlights. Dallas Daniels extended his lead in the Progressive American Flat Track championship after back‑to‑back Grand National wins, and Mathew Scholtz claimed victory in a dramatic MotoAmerica Superbike race at Mid‑Ohio.
Rumble & Thunder, an annual cross‑over meet hosted by Thunderbike that pairs V8 hot rods with custom choppers, is scheduled for August 15, 2026, at the Thunderbike grounds. The event traditionally draws builders and fans of both American cars and radical custom motorcycles.
Bonneville week and community moments
With Bonneville a week away, staff held a Main Street gathering and shared small restoration projects. One neon sign needed a new transformer after sputtering; its repair traces back to a family shop opened in 1962. Attendees also visited a Michael Lichter exhibit and previewed Danial James’s centerspread for Easyriders 602 — a portrait tied to David Mann’s early photography work.
The event included a raffle for a limited print by Danial James; the artist produces only 11 copies, and the winner was allowed to pick a preferred edition number. Organizers said the crowd featured many industry figures and enthusiasts, underscoring a busy season for shows, builds and magazine features.
