Post Salt Bikernet issues weekly edition for August 28, 2026

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• Bonneville return and a sneak peek at speed
• Who’s behind the weekly roundup
• Industry presence at Sturgis and brand notes
• New rules for e-bikes and electric motorcycles
• Federal and state motorcycle legislation to watch
• Safety alert: fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters
• International rulemaking for riders
• Aftermarket and parts updates
• Notes from the road

We rolled back into town yesterday evening after a rough-cut run from the Bonneville Salt Flats, bringing back a mix of race results, regulatory shifts and safety warnings that matter to riders. Highlights include a high-speed Bonneville debut, new state and federal e-bike rules, and a worrying rise in fires tied to electric two-wheelers.

Bonneville return and a sneak peek at speed

The crew arrived around 5:00 p.m. after taking a 40-mile shortcut off Highway 80 near Wamsutter, Wyoming — a route of unpaved roads, washboards and scattered wildlife. Conditions forced long stretches at about 30 mph, but the team made it back intact and ready to debrief.

Mechanical work from Departure Bike Works handled final adjustments on a 45 Flathead engine before the runs. Berry Wardlaw of Accurate Engineering turned up with the machine the team now campaigns under the name Rough Boys Racing and recorded a first Bonneville pass at about 140 mph. A full race report and technical write-up will appear in the Nov/Dec issue of Easyriders magazine.

Who’s behind the weekly roundup

The Bikernet Weekly News assembled this dispatch with contributions from a regular roster of writers and editors, including The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura, Viscous Vickie, Danial James, Freak Show Team, Sturgis Prospect Kendra, Paul Davis, Agent Zebra and Berry Wardlaw.

Industry presence at Sturgis and brand notes

Harley-Davidson marked its long history and community ties at this year’s Sturgis rally, underscoring the company’s emphasis on riders and partner relationships. Company representatives highlighted the brand’s evolution over more than a century and the role of events in connecting customers, partners and employees.

New rules for e-bikes and electric motorcycles

Illinois enacted a law redefining faster electric bicycles and e-motorcycles: devices capable of exceeding 28 mph are now treated as motor vehicles and subject to licensing, registration, insurance and DUI rules. Most of those new requirements are scheduled to take effect in 2027.

In California, lawmakers are tightening enforcement around street misconduct and rewriting equipment definitions. AB 1588 now explicitly covers motorcycle-side “sideshows” and increases penalties, while SB 1167 revises how electric motor-driven cycles, mopeds and off-highway e-motos are defined and regulated.

Federal and state motorcycle legislation to watch

On Capitol Hill, the recently introduced Ride in Freedom Act (H.R. 10067 / S. 5274) seeks to prevent the District of Columbia from enforcing its universal helmet law. The proposal, filed in early August by Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Sen. Tim Sheehy, has drawn support from industry groups and opposition from D.C. officials and safety advocates. The measure arrives against a backdrop of six motorcycle fatalities in the District so far this year.

Broader transportation policy remains a battleground. After industry advocacy during the 2026 Powersports Capitol Hill Fly-In, House negotiators excluded two contentious items from a base highway package: a proposed change to the federal motorcycle definition that would omit autocycles, and mandatory VIN etching rules for catalytic converters. Those topics, along with tariffs, public-lands access, Recreational Trails Program funding and PFAS rules, remain under discussion.

The House has also advanced H.R. 4386, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, which would restore the prior practice of covering two motorcycles (plus passengers) on a single national parks pass. Interior revised that policy in 2024; H.R. 4386 now awaits Senate consideration.

At the state level, Washington’s HB 1367 — which would permit limited shoulder use for motorcycles during slow or stopped traffic on certain highways — remains in the House Transportation committee after hearings in 2025 and 2026. Lane filtering continues to be adopted in limited forms in several states (including Utah, Montana, Arizona, Colorado and Minnesota), while California still permits full lane splitting. Minnesota is also expanding its Digital Fair Repair Act to include motorcycle parts, tools and documentation for independent shops.

Safety alert: fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters

Reporting by the BBC has highlighted a growing safety concern in the U.K.: fire-and-rescue data show more than 2,000 fires involving e-bikes, e-scooters or their batteries between 2019 and 2025. Those incidents have been linked to 18 deaths and nearly 700 injuries, often occurring when vehicles ignite in homes or garages.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha told BBC Verify that the service is “increasingly concerned by the significant fire risk” posed by some devices — especially second-hand units or bikes modified with aftermarket parts. Video shared with reporters shows how quickly battery fires can spread, producing intense smoke and rapid flame growth.

International rulemaking for riders

Regulatory changes are also unfolding abroad. Spain plans new circulation rules beginning October 1, 2026, including mandatory gloves on interurban roads and closed footwear in all situations, with additional helmet homologation requirements to follow. India is preparing a 2027 package addressing headlight glare and broader two-wheeler safety measures, including speed alerts and reflective components. Mexico City is considering restrictions on app-based motorcycle passenger services, and China implemented a wide set of 2026 standards covering registration and licensing for small electric vehicles.

Aftermarket and parts updates

Product news this week includes a new handlebar offering from Burly Brand aimed at large-fairing touring models; the bars are configured to clear fairings and support internal wiring and are available in black powder-coat and chrome finishes. Separately, S&S Cycle announced the HPT542 cam for M8 non-VVT engines (117–121 ci with oval port heads), promoted as a direct bolt-in with a strong torque band and a pronounced idle character. S&S also introduced precision camshaft chain drive kits intended as direct replacements for many 2007-and-newer models.

Notes from the road

Back in the shop, the editor reports plans to wash and inspect the Bonne Belle, check wheel bearings, and run further carburetor tests. He also reflected on AI’s place in the industry after a recent interview, describing AI as “another tool” that will require adaptation — a view he framed alongside the history of technological shifts that changed how people work.

Work is already underway on the forthcoming Nov/Dec Easyriders issue, which will carry the in-depth Bonneville coverage and technical details from the salt runs. Riders and readers can expect the complete race story and breakdown of what the team found once testing and interviews are complete.