Show summary Hide summary
- Publishing pressures and holiday changes
- Inside the newsroom
- Local notes and community events
- Election rumor corrected: Troy Regas
- Racing and competitive shifts
- MV Agusta enters restructuring talks
- Auction: Billy Joel’s motorcycle collection
- Short industry dispatches
- Merch plans and classic tins
- What’s next in the magazine
We’re closing the Nov/Dec issue amid a flurry of deadlines, rising costs and a handful of industry developments readers should know about. Below: operational updates from our team, local and national motorcycle news, and what’s coming in the next Easyriders issue.
Publishing pressures and holiday changes
The magazine is finalizing its Nov/Dec edition while staff juggle end-of-season tasks and holiday planning. Rising printing ink costs and recent postal rate increases are affecting print subscription pricing and bulk-mail programs. The publisher says those adjustments will appear across the magazine and website and are expected to take effect around October 15.
For the Nov/Dec window the team will test a limited gift-subscription program. Recipients of gift subs—digital or print—will receive a physical card from the publisher. The staff is also discussing a possible sweepstakes and a reader chopper build for next year and has invited audience input before finalizing plans.
Inside the newsroom
Even routine production has brought headaches: staff reported connectivity problems, device issues and lost time at service stores while working to meet layout and calendar deadlines. Despite that, the editorial team credited a range of contributors for producing the weekly news roundup.
Local notes and community events
One downtown restaurant has closed, and long-running local events such as quarterly bull-riding nights that once drew crowds are gone, sources say. Separately, Denver radio personality Peter Boyles organized his 13th First Responder tribute run; the longtime Uglies member, now riding trikes for health reasons, plans coverage on Easyriders’ blog.
Street Vibrations ran in Reno from September 24–27. Organizers expected roughly 50,000 attendees; online rider reports, however, described mixed impressions of downtown activity.
Election rumor corrected: Troy Regas
A circulating rumor that a local figure was running for Reno mayor was inaccurate. Troy Regas is listed on the November 3 ballot for Washoe County Commission District 3, not for the mayoralty. Regas, a Republican, advanced unopposed after the June 9 GOP primary was canceled and will face Democratic incumbent Mariluz Garcia.
The Reno mayoral contest is separately set to feature former lieutenant governor Kate Marshall and vice mayor Kathleen Taylor; incumbent Hillary Schieve is term-limited.
Racing and competitive shifts
After the New Jersey season finale, factory riders Kyle Wyman and Bradley Smith used language that read like end-of-season farewells. Smith told Road Race Report an “unfortunate situation” is unfolding and that he is already in talks with other teams. Harley-Davidson has not publicly confirmed a team exit.
Indian won the 2026 King of the Baggers title with rider Hayden Gillim. Industry commentary suggests Harley may be refocusing on its MotoGP partnership and the single-make **Bagger World Cup**, but those reports remain speculative.
MV Agusta enters restructuring talks
MV Agusta has entered Italy’s Composizione Negoziata della Crisi process after ending its split from KTM. Production at the Schiranna plant has been inactive since April. About 184 workers are on a solidarity contract that runs through year-end, and a Varese court hearing on creditor protections is scheduled for November 25.
Despite factory stoppages, retail registrations for MV Agusta were up 3.4% in the first half, to 2,166 bikes. Reported discussions with potential partners—including interest attributed to CFMOTO—have not produced a deal so far.
Auction: Billy Joel’s motorcycle collection
Musician Billy Joel is selling more than 70 motorcycles with no reserve at Gooding & Company’s Rétromobile New York auction, set for November 20–21 at the Javits Center. A public preview is scheduled at Christie’s Rockefeller Center October 8–12. Proceeds will benefit the Joel Foundation.
Notable lots reportedly include a 1978 Triumph Bonneville presented to Joel after a Madison Square Garden performance, a 1975 Ducati 750 Sport and a 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica.
Short industry dispatches
Recent developments: Triumph issued a recall for 2025–26 TF 450 models. Motocross rider Dylan Ferrandis has said he will retire after the 2026 season. Zero marked 20 years with an SR/F anniversary edition limited to 20 bikes. CFMOTO reported roughly 30% growth in motorcycle sales in the first half of the year, approaching 200,000 units.
Merch plans and classic tins
The publisher is assembling a holiday merchandise lineup that includes sweatshirts, baseball shirts, bandanas, knitted and printed scarves, belt buckles and embossed tins reproducing centerspread art. Artist Danial James will have centerspread artwork reproduced on classic tin signs intended as durable, collectible pieces.
The editorial note on tins described them as 24-gauge tin-plated steel, produced in an eight-color UV print process and finished for durability. The team said these items are being made in the United States and will be rolled out in coming weeks.
What’s next in the magazine
The Nov/Dec issue—Issue 603—features Vegas showgirl Sabina on the cover and focuses on mentoring newcomers to the motorcycle industry. The edition also includes Sturgis Rally coverage, a Bonneville record attempt and a story on JIMS’ new six-speed transmission.
Art and photo projects are in progress: photographer Amber and artist Danial James are preparing the next centerspread, and the editorial team is inventorying items from a David Mann art catalog to clarify which original pieces remain available.
