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- Production pressures and subscription changes
- Local politics: correcting a mayoral rumor
- Racing and manufacturer moves
- Voices on online censorship
- Auctions, collections and classic culture
- Holiday merchandise and creative projects
- International business: MV Agusta restructuring
- Quick industry and events roundup
- Community note: Denver first-responder run
- Archival projects and editorial work
As Easyriders closes its Nov/Dec issue, the team is juggling rising print costs, shifting publication logistics and holiday plans while covering the last of the Sturgis season. Readers should expect subscription changes, new merch and a mix of industry and local news in the current edition.
Production pressures and subscription changes
Staffers say the magazine has faced several unexpected costs this cycle: higher ink prices from the printer and increased postal rates. Those adjustments have forced the editorial team to update pricing and bulk-distribution plans across the print edition and website.
Changes are scheduled to take effect around October 15. The publisher confirmed that digital rates will not rise, but print subscription pricing and some bulk-program terms will be altered. For this issue only, the magazine will offer a limited-time gift subscription package that includes a mailed card for recipients of both digital and print gifts.
The staff is also weighing a sweepstakes and a proposed chopper build for next year, and says it will solicit reader input before moving forward.
Local politics: correcting a mayoral rumor
A local rumor circulating online misidentified a candidate’s race. Troy Regas will appear on the November 3 ballot for Washoe County Commission, District 3, not as a candidate for Reno mayor. Regas, a Republican who advanced unopposed after the June 9 GOP primary was canceled, is running against Democratic incumbent Mariluz Garcia, according to local election filings and coverage.
The Reno mayoral contest is separate and set to feature former lieutenant governor Kate Marshall and vice mayor Kathleen Taylor. Incumbent Hillary Schieve is term-limited.
Racing and manufacturer moves
At the end of the road-racing season, signs suggest Harley‑Davidson could reduce its factory involvement in the King of the Baggers series. Riders Kyle Wyman and Bradley Smith used farewell-like language after the New Jersey round, and Smith told Road Race Report he was already talking to other teams. Harley has not issued an official statement about any exit.
Indian Motorcycles secured the 2026 bagger title with rider Hayden Gillim. Industry observers have suggested Harley may refocus resources toward its MotoGP partnership and one-make events such as the Bagger World Cup.
Voices on online censorship
Commentary republished from Michael Shellenberger’s newsletter on Public highlights ongoing concerns about content moderation and platform policies. Shellenberger cites a Santa Fe jury verdict that, according to reporting he referenced, found Meta liable in a case with potential penalties reported as high as $219 billion. He also points to proposed Australian legislation, which his piece says would permit government actors to operate anonymous or automated accounts for official communications—a claim drawn from that analysis and characterized there as troubling for free-speech advocates.
Those views represent the author’s perspective and are framed in his commentary; mainstream outlets have not uniformly reported the Australian legislative detail in the same terms.
Auctions, collections and classic culture
Musician Billy Joel is consigning more than 70 motorcycles to Gooding & Christie’s Rétromobile New York auction at the Javits Center, scheduled for November 20–21. A public preview will run October 8–12 at Christie’s Rockefeller Center. Proceeds are earmarked for The Joel Foundation.
Highlighted lots include a 1978 Triumph Bonneville, a 1975 Ducati 750 Sport and a 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica—machines tied to Joel’s long-running interest in motorcycles.
Holiday merchandise and creative projects
The Easyriders merchandising team is assembling a holiday lineup the publisher describes as “serious,” with apparel and collectible items themed around the magazine’s artwork and brand. Planned items include sweatshirts, bandanas and specialty tin prints of centerfold art.
- Classic Skull Sweatshirts
- Baseball shirts with vintage Easyriders logos
- Printed light scarves and knitted scarves featuring Danial James artwork
- Belt buckles and embossed tin centerfold reproductions
- Potential jewelry pieces from a named artisan
Staff say they will publish weekly updates on these projects while preparing the Nov/Dec centerspread by artist Danial James.
International business: MV Agusta restructuring
MV Agusta entered Italy’s Composizione Negoziata della Crisi process after parting ways with KTM, the company confirmed in filings and local reports. Production at the Schiranna plant has reportedly been idle since April. About 184 employees are on a solidarity contract through the end of the year, and a Varese court will consider creditor protection measures on November 25.
Despite those operational disruptions, retail registrations rose 3.4% in the first half of the year—2,166 units sold—and negotiations with potential partners, including reported interest from CFMOTO, have not yet produced a finalized deal.
Quick industry and events roundup
Several short developments were noted in recent days: Triumph issued a recall for 2025–26 TF 450 models; motocross racer Dylan Ferrandis announced plans to retire after the 2026 season; Zero Motorcycles marked 20 years with a special SR/F anniversary edition; and CFMOTO reported roughly 30% growth in motorcycle sales during the first half of the year, to nearly 200,000 units.
Back on the event calendar, Street Vibrations ran in Reno from September 24–27. Organizers expected about 50,000 attendees, though participants’ impressions posted online were mixed about downtown activity levels.
Community note: Denver first-responder run
Peter Boyles, an 82-year-old member of the Uglies motorcycle group, organized his 13th tribute run for first responders in Denver. After a health scare, Boyles has shifted to riding trikes but continues to lead the annual event, which the magazine plans to feature on its blog.
Archival projects and editorial work
The editorial team reports ongoing work cataloguing the David Mann art collection and tracking down original high-resolution files for archival reproduction. The publisher says some original pieces remain unlocated in the archive and that resolving those gaps is an active priority.
Staff also teased a forthcoming giveaway tied to vintage rider material and preview images from the upcoming issue’s centerspread. Production for the Nov/Dec issue continued through the fall as the team navigated technical and logistical challenges.
