What's Happening in Motorcycling — Weekly Roundup (Week of June 26)

What's Happening in Motorcycling — Weekly Roundup

Covering the week of June 26 · published Friday, July 3, 2026 · Mañana Moto Instruction · Albuquerque, NM

Welcome to your ride through the news that actually matters to people on two wheels. It's peak summer here in central New Mexico — hot afternoons and the first hints of monsoon season moving in. A quiet stretch on the law-and-rulemaking side, but three open recalls worth a 30-second check, some out-of-state legislation shaping where riders can and can't filter, a heads-up on the I-25 work zone, and a full calendar of local bike nights and rides. Here's the short version, in plain English, with a link to the source on every item.

🔧 Safety & Recalls

Three motorcycle recalls are open right now — all fixes are free, and one needs your attention today.
The one to act on first: Harley-Davidson is recalling roughly 17,000 2025–2026 Softail models — Heritage Classic, Street Bob, Low Rider S and Low Rider ST — for a rear brake line that can rub against the Body Control Module and wear through, leaking brake fluid (NHTSA #26V234). NHTSA's advisory is blunt: do not ride, and park it outside until it's fixed. Separately, there's a Harley-Davidson recall covering roughly 88,000 Touring, Cruiser, and Trike models (2024–2026, NHTSA #26V270): a breather port can get blocked and pressurize the crankcase, which means oil can spray out if you pull the dipstick while it's under pressure — a burn and slip hazard. And about 840 Kawasaki W230 standard motorcycles (2025–2026, NHTSA #26V387) have turn-signal bulbs that may fail; Kawasaki has issued a stop-sale while a repair is finalized. Why it matters: Softail, Touring, and Trike bikes are everywhere in New Mexico. If you're on a 2025–2026 Softail, this isn't a "get to it eventually" — check your VIN today. All three repairs are free at a dealer.
🔗 Check your VIN: nhtsa.gov/recalls · Softail brake line detail: RideApart · Touring/Trike detail: Powersports Business · Kawasaki detail: Motorcycle.com

⚖️ Law & Legislation

The federal highway bill that bundles several rider priorities is still waiting in the queue.
The BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870) — a five-year, ~$580B surface-transportation reauthorization — cleared the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee back in May (62–2) and is now waiting on a House floor vote. For riders, it re-authorizes the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, strengthens anti-profiling language (no discrimination by vehicle type or attire), and adds education on the limits of partially automated driving systems, which have historically struggled to "see" motorcycles. Why it matters: nothing is law yet, but this is the package to watch; the current highway law expires September 30.
🔗 H.R. 8870 — congress.gov · AMA statement

Year-round E15 fuel is moving through Congress — a good reminder about what goes in your tank.
Legislation to permanently allow year-round sale of E15 (gasoline with 15% ethanol, often labeled "Unleaded 88") passed the House and sits in the Senate. Why it matters: the EPA has never approved E15 for use in motorcycles, and more E15 at the pump raises the odds of an accidental mis-fuel — especially where it sits on the same dispenser as regular 87. The practical, manufacturer-standard takeaway hasn't changed: motorcycles run on E10 or lower. Worth a glance at the pump label.
🔗 Year-round E15 — congressional summary

Lane-filtering is facing a rollback out West — and it still doesn't apply here.
Two of the handful of states that allow lane filtering are now on a 2027 clock: Utah signed a repeal of its filtering law (effective July 1, 2027), and Colorado's filtering law is set to automatically sunset around September 2027 unless lawmakers renew it. Why it matters: the popular "filtering is spreading everywhere" story is only half the picture — it's also being walked back in places. And to be clear for our own backyard: lane splitting and filtering remain illegal in New Mexico, so this is out-of-state news, not a change to how you ride here.
🔗 Utah HB 381 explainer — RideApart · Colorado lane filtering — Colorado State Patrol

A California "robotaxi" oversight law takes effect July 1.
California's AB 1777 lets police cite driverless-vehicle companies for moving violations and adds emergency-response requirements for self-driving fleets. Why it matters: it doesn't require cars to detect motorcycles, but it's part of a growing accountability push around automated vehicles — and a reminder of the evergreen rule: assume a self-driving car can't always see you, and ride like you're invisible.
🔗 AB 1777 explainer — FOX 11

🌶️ New Mexico

Heads-up on the I-25 work zone through northeast Albuquerque.
NMDOT's I-25 Improved project (Comanche Road to Montgomery Boulevard) moved into a new phase: traffic is shifted toward the center median, the speed limit is dropped to 55 mph through the zone, and ramps are closing in stages — the southbound Montgomery off-ramp closed for roughly a month starting late June, with the on-ramp already shut. Why it matters: work zones are higher-risk for bikes specifically — narrowed lanes, temporary lane lines, pavement seams, loose surface, and abrupt merges around closed ramps. If you ride the NE I-25 corridor, give yourself extra space and check the current ramp status before you go.
🔗 I-25 Improved traffic shift — NMDOT · Montgomery off-ramp closure — KRQE · live conditions: NMRoads

No changes at the MVD this week.
For anyone getting endorsed or renewing: motorcycle licensing, testing, and fees are unchanged, and the Legislature is out of session until January 2027. Status quo — nothing you need to do.
🔗 Motorcycle endorsement info — MVD New Mexico

Seasonal note: monsoon is on the way.
Central New Mexico is in its hot, dry pre-monsoon stretch, with afternoon thunderstorms typically arriving in early July and an outlook leaning toward an above-average-rain summer. Why it matters: that first rain on a summer-baked road is the slickest — oil and rubber film haven't washed off yet, so the opening minutes of a storm are the lowest-traction. Add dawn-and-dusk deer and elk activity on foothill and canyon routes, and the cooler morning/evening hours become the smart riding windows. Plan around the afternoon build.
🔗 2026 monsoon outlook — NWS Albuquerque

📅 Events & Rides (next few weeks)

The Albuquerque metro has a steady rhythm of weekly and monthly meetups — easy, low-key ways to be around other riders:

  • Bike Night at Sunday Service Motor Co — every Wednesday, 6–9 PM, 2701 4th St NW, ABQ. Details
  • Bikes & Coffee w/ The Bean — 2nd Saturday mornings at Indian Motorcycle of Albuquerque (next: Sat, July 11). Details
  • Tacos & Rides — every Friday, 7–9 PM, Café Bella in Rio Rancho; NM's longest-running weekly meet, family-friendly and safety-forward. Details
  • Ladies Bike Night at Sunday Service — Wed, July 29, ABQ. Details

And two bigger ones on the horizon:

  • 21st Annual Rough Rider Motorcycle Rally — July 24–26, Plaza Park / Bridge Street, Las Vegas, NM (about an hour from ABQ). Bike show, games, live music, vendors; free admission. Details
  • Sturgis Motorcycle Rally — Aug 7–16 in South Dakota. National, not local, but if you're making the trip it's a good prompt to do a pre-trip bike check and plan your days. Details

Event details can change — confirm date and time before you head out.

🏍️ Industry & Culture

Riders are getting a seat at the federal table again.
The Motorcyclist Advisory Council — the body that advises U.S. DOT on how road design, barriers, and infrastructure affect riders — has been revitalized, with an AMA representative appointed, and holds its first public meeting July 15. Why it matters: this is where rider-specific road issues (cable barriers, pavement, work zones) actually get raised at the federal level.
🔗 Meeting notice — Federal Register · AMA rep appointed — Powersports Business

Right-to-repair took a step forward in Washington.
A House committee advanced right-to-repair provisions (the REPAIR Act, folded into the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act) on a 48–1 vote. Why it matters: over the long run, right-to-repair shapes how much access independent shops and DIY riders have to diagnostics and parts.
🔗 House committee advances REPAIR Act — SEMA

One small ask

That's the week. If you're newer to riding Albuquerque's streets — or coming back after some time off — Mañana Moto offers independent, licensed and insured on-street instruction built around real roads and real decision-making. No pressure and no hard sell; we just like seeing people ride well and ride home. If that's you (or someone you know), we're easy to find at mananamoto.com.

Ride safe out there. See you next week.

Sources are linked on every item above. This roundup reports news as plain fact and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Figures, effective dates, and road-closure phases can change — verify at the linked official sources before relying on them.

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