Issue #10 October

World’s Luckiest Man

By Bob Althoff

WHEN DID YOU STOP BEATING YOUR WIFE?

When Did You Stop Beating Your Wife? You know the old trick question, right? Well, it has apparently been replaced with yet another one. Namely, “So, you enjoy everything about dealing with your car dealer?”

Predictably, 87% of Americans questioned said they “dislike something about shopping at a car dealership” (24% of the 35- to 44-year-old demographic added they would rather get a root canal than go to a dealership). Seems like 98% of the used car dealers are giving the rest of them a bad name?

A few years ago, a guy named Elon decided to go head-to-head with legacy automakers. He had some pretty cool technology and got into production (no mean feat), but he had no Dealers to distribute his product. However he had lots of lawyers, and they fanned out around America, trying to convince State Legislators that he didn’t need Dealers and Elon should be allowed to sell direct. Like used car salesmen, it would appear that the legal profession suffers from a perception problem… but I digress.

Flash forward to today: 15 states allow direct-toconsumer vehicle sales. Another 12 states have allowed Tesla-only company stores to sell direct. The rest of the states decided that Dealers are not all that bad, and existing DMV statutes requiring an authorized retailer sell automobiles to consumers were allowed to stand.

Still, things have worked out okay for Elon. Last week Forbes put him atop the Forbes 400 with a net worth of $251 billion. His not-so-close-runner-up was Mr. Bezos with exactly $100 billion less! In retrospect, Tesla’s direct-to-consumer model may have been more out of the harsh reality of their economic circumstances at the time, than wisdom.

Meanwhile, since the pollsters asked the leading question, not the appropriate question, the shibboleth that customers don’t like Dealers has stubbornly hung around. In fact, this morning an electric car/motorcycle (3 wheels) advocate was urging the public to contact State Legislatures around the Nation to help destroy the Dealer distribution model. You know, the one that sells, oh, 17 million new cars and 30 million or so used cars. And while we’re at it, let’s throw the Powersports Dealers in with the bath water…

First Musk, then Zeitz and Farley… The corporate “new-think” is that if Dealers can be dis-intermediated, their own margins will fatten… as for the consumers? Oh, well.

What if the question had been posed another way? What if the real question went something like this:

“We know your Dealer can be a knucklehead sometimes, but how do you think you will enjoy working with your Manufacturer when you have an issue?”

Or

“How long were you on hold last time you tried to call ANY major American company?”

Look. The rush into this new corporate groupthink will harm consumers and kill Dealers…

At least that’s what this knucklehead Dealer thinks. Forgive me if I’m wrong. But until I see empirical evidence to the contrary, I’ll stand with consumers.

One thing I know for damn sure — Customers write all our paychecks! And before we mess with their well-being, maybe we ought to slow-walk the DirectTo-Consumer stroll to oblivion?

Bob

Editor’s Note

By Robin Hartfiel

MARKET ADJACENCY

What the heck does “market adjacency” even mean?

More importantly, what does it mean to a dealer in middle America? Plenty… at least if you plan to keep your business. Seems like most people in the powersports industry are passionate about the product, but we can’t see the forest for the trees. Rather than the old enduro riders’ trick of cutting a couple inches off the ends of the bars with a hacksaw to weave through the saplings, it is time to get a better overview of where we are… and where the course ribbons are leading. Or just settle for a DNF and call it a day right now!

The recent MIC Aftermarket Summit proved eye opening in many ways, not the least of which was the fact that we can’t keep doing things the same old way and expect different results (see page 58 for coverage of this landmark event). We are not even in the motorcycle business any more. Say what? There was a time not that long ago when this magazine was launched as Motorcycle Dealer News — okay, that was almost 60 years ago and times may have changed. First off, very few of us have been in the “motorcycle” business for a long time!

Years ago, I interviewed Bob Jones for his first Dealer Profile and he shocked me by saying he wasn’t a “motorcycle” dealer! This coming from the guy who talked brother Jim and their spouses into investing their life savings to get into the motorcycle business back in 1977! Even though he wasn’t a ‘motorcycle’ dealer, J&W Cycles went on to become the only dealership to win 20-straight Dealernews Top 100 awards. What he was doing was fulfilling an innate need of the human species not selling motorcycles. Mind blown!

As a former school teacher he explained that a certain segment of the population is hardwired genetically to be thrill seekers and risk takers. Motorcycles and the then-new crazes for

ATCs and personal watercraft scratched that primordial itch like nothing else. “We might be on hydrogen powered hover boards or something way out there in the future, but these people will always seek a vehicle to meet these needs.” He also suggested there would always be an equal need to sell and service the machinery.

He clued into the fact that ATVs had more wheels than motorcycles and were almost impossible for a shade tree mechanic to mount and balance, so J&W Cycles went straight to an overseas tire manufacturer and was importing containerloads of balloon tires decades before many big distributors clued in. Now retired from the “motorcycle” industry Mr. Jones is running for State Senator in Missouri.

Applying Jones Theory Of Fulfilling Innate Needs to the concept of market adjacency is something I would normally leave to Dr. Leinberger… who was gracious enough to moderate the MIC Aftermarket Summit, so he didn’t have the bandwidth. So, here is my myopic attempt to see through the trees of motorcycles. By definition “Adjacencies are new business areas that most often build from a company’s established assets.” Simply put, market adjacency is one of those business babble terms for opportunity is knocking.

As was demonstrated by Honda in a global vision of the motorcycle market through 2050 (page 44) and reiterated by Kawasaki, Energica, Zero and many others at the eNNOVATIONS presentations during Intermot (page 56), EVs are a leading adjacency. The global eBike biz is estimated to grow from $49.7 billion in 2022 to $80.6 billion by 2027, according to market research platform MarketsandMarkets.

And how about UTVs? Side-By-Sides are literally an “adjacent” market niche! The U.S. UTV market was estimated to be north of $7 billion in 2020, with a projected CAGR of 6% through 2027. There are plenty of retailers who are definitely not “motorcycle” dealers since they only sell and service ATVs and UTVs from their affiliated OEMs. Look around your showroom floor… how many motorcycles are there compared to sleds, PWC, eBikes and the massive footprint of UTVs? Maybe Bob Jones was right, we are not the “motorcycle” industry any more?

That concept makes my head, and my heart, hurt a little bit. I realize I’m a print dinosaur in a digital world and I still like 2-strokes more than electric hoverboards. MIC Aftermarket Chairman Tim Calhoun said as much, “since we are now on track to become the Adjacent Association, is it time to drop Motorcycle from the MIC’s name?” Unfortunately AA has already been taken.

Now I really need a drink!

Former Editor-in-Chief and publisher of Dealernews circa 1990-2003, Robin returns to the magazine. In addition to having been instrumental in creating the Dealernews Top 100 program (still the industry’s ultimate accolade for a motorcycle dealership), Hartfiel has worked for most of the B2B publications in the Powersports arena. Prior to the trade side, he worked as a beat reporter for a local newspaper and was an editor of publications ranging from All About Beer to VW Trends.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

NPDA. MRAA. RVDA and several other industry associations realized that the FTC’s blanket mandates were going to tar and feather virtually every retailer across the board. The language was too broad and the intent to crack down on car dealers was going to have unintended consequences. However even powersports people apparently hate used car sales tactics. Talk about shooting the messenger! When we posted the following NPDA letter and also ran NADA’s attempted explanation of the FTC overreach, we received both barrels. First the note from Bob and then some of the less than social comments that came through via “social” media. Remember, Dealernews is a tradeonly outlet intended for dealers only, not the customers who have an axe to grind with “stealerships” — also note the comment period closed back on Sept. 12, so forever hold your peace, please.

The National Powersports Dealer Association, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the RV Dealers Association, the National Automobile Dealers Association and other industry allies believe the FTC’s initial draft regulations would impose redundant and burdensome requirements for dealers and that compliance will have a major impact on these small entities. Although the NPDA does not condone misleading advertising or unfair practices in the sales or financing process, we believe our members should be exempt from these regulations.

NADA has produced a video showing how the proposed FTC regulations would force consumers who finance their vehicles to sign new forms and disclosures each time they ask about the price of vehicles on the lot.

Sincerely, Bob Althoff,Chairman National Powersports Dealer Association

SCAMS

Dealerships are a nightmare and a minefield of scams. If you don’t know your stuff, they will steal your down payment, add on fees that are completely bogus and sell you crap you absolutely don’t need. The fact that only 37 prosecutions have been made is not in any way a testament to how honest car dealers are. It is, in fact, a testament to how the FTC has let them run their organized crime rings with near impunity. It’s about time they stepped up and did something. —

Michael Wilson

CROOKS

It’s about time the FTC does something with these crooks. There would be less paper work but the crooked dealers will make more because they are butt hurt. — lazer51

OH NO!

Ohh no.....dealerships would have to be transparent and honest with pricing..... Please, there’s a reason car salesmen are consistently ranked at the bottom of the scale, because for the most part they’re nothing but a bunch of crooks. — CheapSkateSimmer

PLAYING THE VICTIM

In which galaxy or alter reality the makers of this video live??? Dealers scam the customers, take advantage of them and now the dealers and NADA are playing the victim??? What a pathetic move! — Frederick A

DROPPING AN F BOMB

Dear National Powersports Dealer Association members and parties interested in the fate of our industry: It is time to take action. The Federal Trade Commission is proposing new regulations that will have a major impact on the financing and sales process for new and used Powersports vehicles - as well as require expanded disclosure on optional products typically sold in the F&I office.

The time to act is now! The FTC’s request for comment period closes Monday, September 12, and we ask that you leverage your voice as a Powersports Dealer and take action. The FTC must understand the impact these regulations will have on our industry and your business and, for that, your voice is crucial!

THE FUSE

More than 45 million vehicles are sold each year, and consumers interact with dealers over a billion times each year according to NADA. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is proposing new regulations that will dramatically complicate the car buying process... and RV, Marine and Powersports dealers are being lumped in under the blanket proposals. This NADA video shows how the rule will work in practice for the car guys... and motorcycle dealers by default.

ZIP, NADA, ZILCH NADA is trash — Eric Swinty

WE ARE HERE FROM THE GOVERNMENT...

Just think if the Government put this kind of effort into managing the real problems we face today? — Mitch Winder

AND WE’RE HERE TO HELP!

The federal government is the best at adding red tape! — Croft315

SOUND OFF!

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SEGWAY STEPS UP IN IAN’S WAKE

Joining forces with its local dealer in the wake of Hurricane Ian, Segway Powersports teamed with Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. in Ft. Myers, Florida, to provide UTVs to the Lee County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) for its emergency response efforts. In need of additional relief vehicles to conduct search & rescue operations on the Barrier Islands, LCSD reached out to Sun Sports Cycle and was able to secure the vehicles needed on its time-sensitive mission.

“In light of Hurricane Ian, whether big or small, there was a need for assistance,” says Segway VP Shane Wilson. “An opportunity to support our first responders in their continued efforts to secure the affected communities is a top priority. To have a dealer like Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft that puts the continued safety of their communities first makes an impactful difference beyond just the powersports industry. We are honored to work with them as a partner.”

Although Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft, Inc. also fell victim to the hurricane, with some employees being displaced from flooded homes and others still without electricity, none of the staff suffered injuries. The dealership itself sustained only moderate damage, including sign and gutter loss, fascia damage and torn roofing that resulted in leaks.

At a time when many vehicles had been flooded and were unsafe to drive, the Segway UTVs were perfect solutions. With an accelerated time frame at hand and very little time to spare, Segway Powersports came through quickly to provide the needed units. In fact, LCSD has already acquired eight UTVs so far and is set to order additional units.

Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft Vice President and General Manager Ralph Graettinger concluded Segway saved the day. “With many manufacturers having difficulty with supply, we are grateful Segway can keep the supply chain full. When we needed more units immediately, Warren Johnson of Segway had replacement units within days.”

BOBCAT GOES BIG!

Cutting The Ribbon On $70 Million Expansion Bobcat Company just completed its Statesville, North Carolina, manufacturing facility expansion. After a ceremonial ribbon cutting attended by company leaders, employees and community members, the massive plant was online. The $70 million investment makes Statesville Bobcat’s largest manufacturing facility in North America.

The 600,000-square-foot expansion increased the footprint to more than 1 million square feet on a more than 150-acre campus, located in Charlotte, N.C. This investment enables the Statesville operation to also serve as a key manufacturing hub to help meet a growing demand for Bobcat products by increasing production capabilities and efficiency.

The expansion adds space for manufacturing and warehousing. However other highlights include an R&D center; automated paint line; parts control and storage; shipping and receiving docks and even open-air space for product testing. Production of the Bobcat mini track loader (MTL) will shift from the Bismarck, N.D., facility to Statesville by late 2022. The new MTL production lines are designed to produce 35 units per shift, which will mean a new Bobcat MT100 will finish production every 10.8 minutes.

The Statesville location also produces compact tractors, generators, light towers and air compressors and will continue to add hundreds of additional jobs in the area for the next five years, while eliminating many supply chain SNAFUs.

DEALER NEWS: ON ANY MOTO REVS UP

“We are a small Mom & Pop shop that has been doing business for more than 12 years, but we have big plans,” says GM Josiah Brennan. “We recently announced a partnership with INDE

Motorsports Ranch and our second location that will be built out soon at Raptor Ranch, adjacent to INDE.” This is big news for the off-highway community in the Southwest with access to new UTV riding areas and MX tracks.

“As an established premier full line powersports dealership staffed with highly trained and experienced personnel selling and servicing brands from Aprilia and Ducati to MV Agusta and Volcon, it only makes sense to expand further into the southern Arizona market,” notes On Any Moto President Bob Stevenson.  “In addition to offering local powersports product sales and service for all forms of riding/driving, we have augmented the Customer—Dealer experience with our corporate membership access to INDE facilities and its expansive acreage.”

The acquisition of 25.5 acres located at 9101 W. Airport Rd., Willcox, AZ in Cochise County closed escrow August 12, 2022. It includes a 10,000 sq./ft showroom as well as a 7,000 sq./ ft five bay garage for service and repair and a 6,000 sq./ ft warehouse. “This acquisition by On Any Moto provided a strategic opportunity to join forces with INDE Motorsports Ranch to support our automotive and motorcycle members while jointly developing 2 and 4-wheel off-road courses and an RV park,” adds CJ Dorland, IMR President. “Expanding our facilities and offerings to current and future IMR members significantly elevates the INDE experience and value proposition, making this partnership a keystone to growth for both businesses.”

“We are excited to offer even more brands for street and offroad, provide top-notch maintenance and service in spacious facilities that incorporate an opportunity to test ride bikes, ATVs and UTVs on-track or dirt right outside our facilities along with space for our customers to relax and refuel from our inhouse mini mart,” concludes Brennan.

On Any Moto will continue normal operations from the current locations at 2525 and 2535 N. Jackrabbit Ave in Tucson and will offer expanded capabilities to the greater southern Arizona, western New Mexico and Texas markets from the Raptor Ranch facility slated to open Spring of 2023.

Continued on page 14

DEALER NEWS: COWBOY UP!

The team at Performance Brokerage, North America’s highest volume Harley dealership brokerage house, is back in the saddle again. This time they brokered the sale of Cowboy HarleyDavidson, with locations in Austin, San Antonio and Beaumont, Texas (along with Cowboy Powersports of Beaumont) between Sheila Umphrey and the Ed Morse Automotive Group.

The Cowboy Harley-Davidson and Cowboy Powersports dealerships were acquired by the late Walter Umphrey in 1999. Well known in the Southeast Texas community for his charitable contributions and his reputation as a successful attorney, along with his passion for motorcycles, Walter was a natural environment that the community wanted to be a part of. After Walter’s passing in 2021, and after 23 years of growing the business, Sheila Umphrey, Walter’s wife, decided it was the right time to sell the dealerships.

“I would like to thank George Chaconas and Courtney Bernhard of Performance Brokerage Services for introducing me to Teddy Morse and Randy Hoffman of the Ed Morse Group,” said Sheila following the sale. “Teddy and Randy were delightful and very professional to work with. We spoke with 6 other potential buyers, but Teddy’s group was the best.

“I have known of the Umphrey’s for years and reached out to Sheila after the passing of her husband, Walter, to offer my condolences,” says Chaconas. “Sheila said she would consider selling the dealerships, so I introduced her to our client, Ed Morse Automotive Group. An avid rider, Teddy Morse jumped on the opportunity to own a Harley-Davidson dealership.”

Ed Morse Automotive Group is headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, and has been family owned and operated for more than 75 years. Ed Morse established Morse Motors in 1946, and the operation is now under the leadership of Ed’s grandson, Chairman and CEO, Teddy Morse. The Cowboy family of dealerships add the first powersports franchises to the group’s dealership count of 30+ stores and add nearly 140 employees to their workforce of more than 1,800.

“When we were in the market to get into the powersports business, one name kept surfacing as an expert, George Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services,” adds Randy Hoffman, COO of Ed Morse Automotive. “George introduced us to the Cowboy dealerships, and we are excited to have acquired all of them and grow our footprint in Texas. Teddy Morse and I want to thank George and his team for helping facilitate this very large and special acquisition.”

The dealerships will remain at their current locations.

KTM TAKES ON MV AGUSTA

A dealer doesn’t live on dirtbike sales alone? A pair of iconic European brands are coming together to better service the North American market as KTM and MV Agusta have signed a commercial agreement for the distribution of the legendary Italian motorcycles in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The deal, extending over several years, focuses on the distribution, the promotion and customer service of the MV Agusta range of motorcycles by KTM AG’s North American subsidiary.

“I am thrilled by this agreement between two historic European motorcycle manufacturers,” claims Timur Sardarov, CEO at MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. “I am confident that KTM’s extensive and professional sales organization paired with the strong appeal of our brand in the region will bring great benefits to both companies.”

The agreement is part of MV Agusta’s strategic plan, which envisions a significant growth in the coming years. KTM Group will create a dedicated US-based legal entity, which will be in charge of all MV Agusta operations in North America. Going forward, MV Agusta motorcycles will be distributed through both, select KTM dealers as well as existing and new MV Agusta stores. “Thanks to our cooperation we will create synergies that will enable us to accelerate our growth strategy in North America,” says Sardarov.

“We are extremely excited to start a new partnership with such a historic motorcycle brand. Our brands are going from strength to strength everywhere in the world, particularly in North America where we will exceed 100,000-unit sales in 2022 with the KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS motorcycle brands,” adds Hubert Trunkenpolz, Member of the Executive Board at KTM AG.  “Taking on the distribution of the MV Agusta brand will complement our extensive premium motorcycle range.

“With the addition of the most iconic Italian luxury motorcycle brand to our KTM North America operations, we are able to ensure support to all North American motorcycle enthusiasts as well as bringing exciting new business opportunities to existing and new dealers,” notes Trunkenpolz. On one hand, the strength of the brand and the exclusivity of its motorcycles, a symbol of Italy’s design and engineering excellence, and on the other hand KTM AG’s extensive and solid commercial organization, will support the growth of MV Agusta in the North American region.”

BIHR’S BIG NEWS!

Bihr, one of the biggest distribution groups in Europe, used the recent Intermot show in Köln to confirm that Arrowhead Engineered Products (Arrowhead) had completed its acquisition

(See full show coverage starting on page 53). Just how big a deal is this? Headquartered in Kontich, Belgium, Bihr is in 20 countries and wholesales 350 brands and 200,000+ SKUs to a network of more than 15,000 retail dealers.

“We seek to combine with highly successful and respected organizations, making every acquisition a success and accelerating our growth to be the largest off-road aftermarket parts supplier in the world,” explains Arrowhead CEO John Mosunic. “The combination of Bihr and Arrowhead creates a global leader in powersports with an undeniable value proposition for dealers.”

Christophe Piron, former CEO of Bihr, joins Arrowhead Engineered Products as co-president of Europe and president of powersports Europe. He will serve on Arrowhead’s executive committee. “Bihr and Arrowhead create a company where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” Piron added. “We are geared up to leverage our shared expertise to expand our offerings and customer reach.”

Alcopa and the other shareholders invested in Bihr in 2010 and spearheaded the company’s European development. “We have been the proud shareholders of Bihr for more than 10 years and are convinced that Arrowhead is now the ideal partner to carry on with the company’s growth,” notes Managing Partner Damien Heymans. “Bihr’s first-class logistics, steadfast commitment to customer service and expanding portfolio of owned brands will be strong assets to Arrowhead.”

Bihr will continue to conduct business as usual, operating and shipping from its current locations.

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Cruz makes career segue to Segway: Segway Powersports Inc.  welcomes  Gabriel Cruz as Marketing Director. “It is an exciting time at Segway,” says  Shane Wilson, VP of Segway Powersports. “As we continue to grow, it is important that we are adding leading-edge professionals to our team. We are thrilled to have Gabriel join our team as he will be instrumental in propelling the Segway brand further along in our powersports journey.” Cruz joins Segway with more than 12 years of marketing performance driving growth and improvement within evolving organizations through the strategic vision and execution of creative marketing initiatives. During his most recent tenure as Director of Marketing for one of the Top 5 powersport OEMs in the US, Cruz played a key role in leading the brand’s presence in the  Canadian market as well as launching its Mexican manufacturing facility. Cruz was also tasked with developing new business, where he was able to create a marketing distribution system that accounted for  120+ new dealers  and 46% of dealer revenue growth. Cruz says he is excited to be expanding and directing comprehensive growth of the Segway brand within the powersports Industry. “My objective is to enrich Segway’s marketing efforts and I will be focused on creating healthy and dependable relationships with Segway’s valued  dealer partners .”

A couple of pros are shifting gears as aftermarket go-fast leader  Race Winning Brands adds  Scott Neely as Director of Powersports Sales and shifts  Scott Highland to Director of Marketing. With more than 20 years on the gas in the powersports industry at  Cometic Gasket, Neely says he is ready to twist the throttle for RWB. Neely caught the bug early, tearing up the family’s lawn in a go-kart before quickly moving to  dirtbikes, competing at various levels over the years. “I’ve loved going fast and anything with a motor my entire life, so working in the industry was a dream come true for me,” stated Neely. “Bob Gorman and his family gave me an opportunity a long time ago to join their business at Cometic Gasket and I ran with it. Fast forward to today and I still get just as excited as I did back then when helping Race Winning Brands customers!” Cary Redman, VP of Sales & Category Management for RWB adds, “Scott Neely’s experience with various levels of channel partners and end users over the years in all facets of the powersports business, both domestic and international, has lent itself to a very well-rounded understanding of the industry.”

Powersports role in 2018, Highland found himself naturally expanding to RWB’s marketing efforts in all segments of the business. “As a lifetime enthusiast and racer, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first four years here with RWB,” he adds. “RWB’s desire to service customers, expand product development, invest in resources and grow its portfolio of brands is a winning combination. There’s no doubt we’ve been growing over the recent years, and I look forward to accelerating these iconic brands.” Scott Neely and Scott Highland will both report directly to VP Cary Redman in their roles representing RWB and its brands effective immediately.

Meanwhile, Scott Highland has 30+ years of powersports industry experience. After originally being hired into the Director of

Landmaster, the American-made UTV company headquartered in  Northeast Indiana, has hired industry veteran Jim Mason as its mid-Atlantic territory sales rep. Mason has been in the powersports and  OPE industry for more than 20 years, including stints with  Arctic Cat, Altoz,  Briggs & Stratton  and ROXOR. “We’re excited to be expanding into new territories with the brand,” says Joe Klosterman, VP of Sales & Marketing. “Having the right territory managers onboard is key to a successful growth plan. Jim Mason is a seasoned professional. Not only does he have a diverse background in powersports and OPE, he has a sense of grit, passion and energy that is unmatchable. I am excited to have an industry-expert in the mid-Atlantic that can really support our new and existing  dealers.” Prior to starting in the mid-Atlantic territory, Mason went through several weeks of extensive sales training and hands-on product training up at the factory. “Landmaster is on the move with a unique product line made in the US. I am excited to begin working with all the people at Landmaster and the dealers in the midAtlantic region,” adds Mason.

MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com

Bowen back in the saddle again. Just in time for the  NVP  featured in the last issue . Parts Unlimited  welcomed back veteran road warrior  Tim Bowen  as the new Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast region. Bowen has a long history with Parts Unlimited serving as a Sales Rep and later as a Regional Manager for 27 years.  All told, he has been in the industry for more than 49 years at the  dealership  and distributor levels and he has ridden and raced enduros and hare scrambles most of his life. Currently, he rides mostly MTB and E-MTB as well as works many industry events to give back and grow the sport he loves. In his spare time, Tim also enjoys golf and bowling. Welcome back, Tim!

industry talent acquisition firm ACTION Recruiting. Seeing the shifts happening in the V-Twin job market, she announces the addition of two high-performance  Harley-Davidson dealership professionals to the recruiting team. To keep pace with a growing client roster and staffing demands across all sectors of the powersports industry, two additional support positions have been filled, including an admin support role and candidate sourcing expert.  Chad Anderson’s HarleyDavidson experience includes seven recent years with stints in two stores:  Gruene  and Javelina HarleyDavidson serving both stores as their Strategic Business Development Manager. Before joining the civilian ranks with the Texas-based dealership group, Anderson served in the  United States Army for more than 20 years, before retiring in 2014. “Chad is going to make a huge impact on our open search roster. His vast industry network, digital marketing toolbox and keen research skills are already growing our talent pipelines across the nation. I’m so excited to have him on the team,” said ACTION Recruiting Founder and CEO Plessner.

Manager, Marketing Manager and Interim GM. Before discovering her passion for the brand, she held customer-service, marketing and event management roles with national brands like  Best Buy corporate and the  American Cancer Society “Sara’s diverse work experience inside and outside of the  HarleyDavidson dealership network is quite remarkable. Her network and natural talent hunting skills are already driving her to discover a variety of fresh talent. We are looking forward to sharing her dealership experience and upbeat personality with our clients,” concludes Plessner. Need Harley head hunting help? Ask ACTION: action-recruiting.com

Dynamic duo added to  Jan Plessner’s team at powersports

Sara Llamas  recently joined Team ACTION after a sevenyear assignment with  Rice Lake Harley-Davidson  in Wisconsin Her  dealership experience includes several customer-facing roles including Business/Finance Manager, General Merchandise/MotorClothes

Former radio personality  Leigh Anderson  has just joined the quiet rebellion created by  CanAm’s  coming return to motorcycling. “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Unit District Sales Manager at  BRP! She shifts from  Suzuki after serving as a DSM calling on  dealers  in  Northern California/Southern Oregon/ Northern Nevada for the past three years. Prior to her OEM gigs, she was with Tucker Powersports as a helmet and apparel specialist for the distributor and before that, Anderson was the  Bay Area account manager for  Helmet House  handling  HJC  and  Shoei helmets as well as  Cortech and  Tour Master. Back in the day she also did some slick work for  Castrol and sounded off as the Events & Promotions coordinator for  LeoVince USA. Before making noise in the powersports world, Anderson was on the radio with numerous radio stations and broadcast companies — 16 years of experience as a radio personality and broadcasting professional — including talk radio and contemporary music stations.

GETTING NASHTY!

Conversations With Brandon Nash

By Mark Rodgers

Brandon Nash has learned this business from the ground up… and he has worked on both the Harley-Davidson and the powersports side, now specializing in Side-BySides. As the saying goes, some people are born on third base and think they hit a triple… not this kid, he has earned it. He’s the co-owner of not one, not two, but three powersports stores! He has gone from a lot person to a salesperson to a sales manager to an F&I manager, to co-owner.

So how important was this from-the-ground-up education to his current success?

“It was absolutely critical, and I’m very blessed that I was able to rise through the ranks the traditional way,” notes Nash who started at the bottom when he was just 15. “I am now able to understand the mindset of all the employees, what their day-to-day is like, what it takes to be encouraged to go to work and push a broom or mount tires. I can definitely appreciate it because I walked in their shoes, and I still push a broom or bust tires sometimes just to show that I’m not above that. Yeah, it’s been critical to my success.”

I was speaking with a former dealer principal, not too long ago, a very successful one from California, and he told me that he would regularly work in all departments just to see the world from his people’s perspectives.

I found that you can’t just arbitrarily change policies — you can’t update things that you’ve done in the past if you don’t get in there and do it with the team. Sometimes I can be a little stubborn and think my way is the better way. But I always tell them upfront, ‘If this doesn’t work and it completely backfires, no problem, we’ll go back to the old way.’ I’m not afraid of doing stuff that is new, especially if it’s adapting to what our current challenges are.

You’ve had these great levels of perspective… what’s it like shifting gears from powersports to Harley back to powersports? What are some differences between the two from your view?

In the finance office, you can go through the motions every single day, but there are times where you just get that person, who breaks down and says, ‘I have literally been wanting to take this pen to paper and sign my name for longer than you could imagine. ”And he is just in tears. That makes you appreciate your job and appreciate the steps that he took to get to that point. Yeah, there are some ups, and there are some downs, you know, life gets thrown at you. But at the end of the day, the highs are definitely worth the climb. I still see that on the powerspoorts side a lot, especially when we are taking their UTV from mild to wild. Sure, you can sell a Kawasaki Mule and the guy just needs it for work and has no attachment to it whatsoever, but then there is the guy who goes the full Nashty Custom route (see sidebar) and puts $60-$70,000 into it and he wants to drive it and show it to everybody and he’s so incredibly proud of it!

Do you find that you have to be even more chameleon when it comes to working with customers?

It really is like being a chameleon when you step in front of someone — you can’t judge them, you can’t assume that they don’t have a pot to piss in. Instead, you have to find out who they are, what they like, and mirror them. The Harley side was so much of that. You’re finding out if they are a performance guy or the comfort guy and is the bike something they just have to have? Traditionally a Harley customer is going to take much longer to make that ultimate decision of buying, where on your powersports side they could be on the hunt for a little 50cc dirtbike for their kid’s birthday, and you get one shot to either make their day or they’re moving on to the next place. They don’t have as much dealership loyalty or brand loyalty as a Harley customer, so you always have to be on your A game.

Back to this idea of being a chameleon, it’s not that you’re being inauthentic. But rather you’re treating them the way they want to be treated, which is the key. I think this is even in your email signature: “I only need one day for one hour to have one conversation to help you change your life for the better.” Tell me about that.

I absolutely believe in the process! Within that one hour, you’ve got to pay attention as a salesperson, you’ve got to understand that you know your greeting and your probe, whichever one you find more important — to me it’s the probe I need to find out all the information that I possibly can. Really take that time and make the customer feel that you have all their attention, you are appreciative that they decided to come to your store and speak to you… Because if you do something wrong, they can go to another store and start the whole process over again. I really want to make sure that when we’re altering their life, that requires you to have an honest conversation and try not to put them on something that they don’t need, something that they’re not going to enjoy six months down the road. Whether it is powersports or Harley, the worst thing ever is to have someone come back in two weeks or two months and say, ‘you know, this was just not what I needed.

You’ve got three stores now, Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale. What should dealers know about running multiple locations?

Well, the obvious answer is patience. You also have to know your market. I can go 45 minutes from one side of town to the other and the demographics are totally different. That’s where that chameleon goes in, you know, and then I can go another 20 minutes over into Scottsdale and everybody

knows the stereotype stigma of Scottsdale is that it’s white glove, you gotta be a boutique. It’s just a different clientele. So you really have to be patient in the process and you have to use each and every time, not just when you want to, or when you feel like it. Every day, every week, every month for every single customer.

Let’s get back to the culture thing. So how do you create or nurture or perpetuate this culture of people who give a damn?

The dealership up in Oregon —Wildhorse Harley — is in a smaller town, so one of the culture things is that we got to know the locals names. We have the  Cheers mentality. Part of that culture is having that welcoming feeling where everybody knows your name. Everyone that walks through the front door is going to have a welcoming feeling. Putting that philosophy into our powersports dealerships is a little more difficult when you have three stores, but even if you don’t know everyone by name, one of the things you do is watch your facial expressions. The body language has got to be welcoming. Phoenix has a lot of traffic. If the customer fought through that traffic to get to your store, you better make sure they feel welcomed right when they walk in the door and feel that you actually care that they’re there!

Culture counts! To drag today’s customers away from their computer, or out of their home, to come to your store is three times as hard as it used to be, according to the experts. Wild Horse Harley isn’t the easiest place to get to. And when you have someone come in and say “Do you know how hard it is to find this place?” You knew that you were at the bottom and the only way that you could possibly climb out of it was to give them a better experience.

At least we knew where we stood. They were already upset that they couldn’t find us that easily. Hey, you know what, I know where we are starting from…. Building the relationship and creating a better buying experience are the things a dealer can control.

Is your dealership worth coming to see? That is a great question to ask yourself. In today’s market for you to pull a customer into your brick and mortar store, your dealership experience better be personalized, it needs to be next level, it needs to have a “wow” factor. Are you and your people worth coming to see? I don’t know. But what I do know is you’re going to want to see the next episode with Brandon Nash, where we’ll talk about his approach to pricing customers. Now. Go sell something will you…

NASHTY CUSTOMS

When we thought about focusing on the UTV market, one dealership kept coming to the top. From ROXORs and RZRs to Talons and Commanders Nash Powersports is on the leading edge. They sell more units, do more customization and, as we were going to press, had just celebrated the first Nashty Customs reunion with the owners of the custom builds the shop has created. UTV visionary and earlier adapter Brandon Nash was definitely in his element.

“This is by far and away the type of day I live for,” said Nash after riding #Nashty on a Friday romp. “Had an absolute blast! We got together most of our Customs for our inaugural #LetsGetNashtyRide!”

All told, the owners of 17 Nashty custom builds and 32 riders showed up. Nash also brought in staff and vendors. “Main point of the ride was to say thanks to our customers and the vendors who helped us make this happen,” he adds. “We also took our Nashty Customs team who do all the dirty work in putting these machines together.”

“Thank you to everyone who came to play in the dirt. All of our wonderful vendors who joined us and the AMAZING team of Albert Andrin Jr., Winston Costabile, Trent Reed, Nick Rosso and of course the big guy, Bill Nash! To the members of Nashty Nation who came out, thank you so much for joining us! We appreciate you and can’t do this fun stuff without you! Cheers!”

A spin-off to the Arizona dealerships, Nashty Customs has grown from an idea that Nash dreamed up back in 2017. “Obviously, it’s a play on words, but truly it provides signature pieces that people can buy. It’s a showpiece for the store. “Just as the store runs on a process, so do the high dollar/high visibility builds.

“We put an idea together, we build it up, design each build to have a fun flair to it, then put it on the showroom floor.” The process works as customers will come in and say, ‘I want to get a Nashty Customs build.’ We are currently building one where the customer is literally saying, ‘I want you guys to be proud of it. I want you to put your logo on there. I want

to go out there and know who built the machine for me.’ It is not a Can-Am, it isn’t a RZR, it is going to be a Nashty Custom.”

This kind of creativity doesn’t come cheap, but Nash knew there would be some opportunities at the high end of the spectrum. He did not know about how many six figure builds there might be, but the customer is always right when they are giving his build team blank checks and clean slates to create one-off UTVs.

Actually, this premise sounds familiar. “I’ve actually had people approach us about doing a TV series for Nashty Customs. We’ve had people say, ‘Man, you guys are kinda like the  Orange County Choppers of the side-by-side world.” However don’t look for screaming matches between Brandon and Bill Nash on cable TV any time soon. “It is not anything we’re willing to do right now.

“At the end of the day, we’re having a lot of fun and we get to do some really different ideas.” And as the reunion ride indicates, these machines are made to ride, unlike some TV trailer queens. Based on this success, Brandon says, the team is looking forward to more #NashtyRides coming soon… Check out and Like Nash Powersports Adventures for future events.

ENJOYING THE RIDE

An Autobiography

Istartedworking for a company called RideNow Powersports Management Group when I was 15 years old. Like most fresh employees, I started from the ground and tried tirelessly to work my way up the ranks. My first real responsibility was in the service department. My daily task was to assist in the Pre-Delivery Inspection of each motorcycle sold. I also was in charge of keeping the shop in order of supplies, safe floors for employees to ride customers’ vehicles on as well as make sure all the customers’ bikes were ready to be picked up after servicing.

My next adventure was starting out as a salesperson on the floor to sell motorcycles. My first day was an awesome success… after stumbling a bit I was able to sell my first unit, it was a 2002 Yamaha Kodiak 400 2x4! I was so happy and from then on I was hooked. From then until December of 2004, I was on the sales floor selling motorcycles, ATVs, side by sides, watercraft, boats, dirtbikes, etc.

On November 14th, 2004, I was asked by my sales manager to start training for the finance dept. I was very excited and ready to take on this next challenge. I knew it was a huge responsibility and honor to take on that position. I then excelled in the finance dept for 6 months before taking a position at Town & Country Motorsports in Chandler, AZ. I stayed in the position of finance manager for 5 years before returning to RideNow of Phoenix.

I worked at RideNow Phoenix for another 7 months before transferring to Arrowhead Harley-Davidson where I accepted the position of Assistant Sales Manager. From the time I started at Arrowhead to the end, I absolutely fell in love with the product and the customers that wanted it. Harley-Davidson has such a following and loyal customer base. Then in Feb 2011 I accepted the position as coowner at Wildhorse Harley-Davidson where I moved and shortly after brought my beautiful Fiancé and her adorable daughter to Bend, Oregon, to share this amazing adventure.

Then came UTVs and a move back to Arizona where I am currently making sure our flavor of customer service is the best!

HONDA PIONEER 1000-5 FOREST & TRAIL

Volunteering In Tennessee

By Robin Hartfiel

Eight years ago, Honda began “pioneering” its recreational/ utility line up. Still a price leader in the 5-person sector, the engineering team was tasked with some subtle, but very meaningful updates including revamping the power steering and changing the throttle maps/shift points for the DCT transmission (no belts!). Proving form follows function, the new Forest and Trail machines acknowledge that one-size doesn’t fit all, see sidebar. Since Tennessee is the Volunteer State, we were first in line to get a seat of the pants impression of the improvements presented at the Ride Royal Blue Resort in the aptly named Pioneer, Tennessee.

“When it comes to rec/utility side-by-sides, Honda has the needs of every powersports customer covered,” said Brandon Wilson, American Honda Manager of Sports & Experiential. “The Pioneer 1000 is the most technology-laden flagship rec/ utility platform on the market, and it’s even better now, thanks to important upgrades. Best of all, the new Trail and Forest versions deliver even more enjoyment for customers seeking specific experiences. Add in the returning Pioneer 700, plus the previously announced Pioneer 520 and 500 (see sidebar), and you have an unbeatable lineup… life is even better sideby-side.”

The Pioneer 1000 Trail is intended to deliver dynamic outdoor excursions with family and friends — hence the 5-person seating configuration, while the Pioneer 1000 Forest facilitates other interests like hunting and fishing. Both versions come with a full array of factory-installed accessories (see page 26). Honda continues to offer the versatile Pioneer 1000 Deluxe, as well as the value-priced Pioneer 1000 EPS as part of its eight variations on the Pioneer theme. However, all eyes were on the 5P Pioneer Forest and Trail version while we were in Tennessee.

While some of the pundits were saying the Pioneer platform was getting a little long in the tooth, the revamped power steering, remapped fuel delivery and recalibrated DCT shift points really do make the Pioneer seem like an all-new machine. And with a new grill/fascia, bigger bumpers, housing, upgraded winch packages and a focus on the suspension, the Forest and Trail definitely look and feel different.

The bump in power is attributed to revised valve timing and an updated throttle-body plate setting, resulting in better midrange power winding all the way out.  Working in conjunction with the fuel delivery, all Pioneer 1000 variants get updated gear ratios to match the increased power output. Additional changes were made to improve shifting action and reduce the “clunk” during gear changes. Talk is cheap, proof was on the trail… in the Trail version. Resisting the temptation to play F1 driver with the paddle shifters, I let DCT do its thing and it did it well… at least until I started monkeying with the paddles again!

Other big news was the expanded storage capacity on the Trail, Forest and Deluxe models. The opening for the underseat storage area has also been enlarged to facilitate getting bulky items out of the way. Additionally, a handy new storage area has been added below the dash, with contents secured via cargo nets. But the biggest news, literally, was redesigning the dash beverage holders to accommodate tumbler-size cups up to 30 ounces… kidding/not kidding. In-door drink-bottle holders are also provided in all doors.

A seemingly minor change until you actually start using them are the new door nets: All Pioneer 1000 versions now have door nets with a simplified mounting structure and a finer mesh pattern for improved visibility. Like a tumbler-sized beverage holder, you never knew you needed a netting update until you have it.

Next time any volunteers are needed to play with the Pioneer… um, thoroughly evaluate the machines in a controlled test environment, I’m your Huckleberry!

PIONEER 500 & 520

Proving Good Things Come In Small Packages In Tennessee

As part of a huge 2022 model-year powersports product announcement, Honda revealed the bulk of its rec/utility side-by-side lineup, including the improved Pioneer 1000 platform and the returning midsize Pioneer 700. However, the entry-level Pioneer 500 and Pioneer 520 were actually announced last November. Proving there is a market for every niche, the little Pioneers have one BIG advantage.

“The Honda Pioneer 500 is an awesome side-by-side with a big difference: its size,” claims Brandon Wilson, American Honda Manager of Sports & Experiential.  “And we’re not talking about its engine; we’re talking about how narrow it is. At just 50 inches wide, it gives you access to width-restricted trails, and fits in the bed of most full-sized pickups for transport.” Want the additional utility of a dump bed? The 520 handles big jobs while still fitting in tight spaces.

“After this past year, we’ve all come to realize just how special it is to get outdoors and move around. How much we need to just get out and explore,” he adds. “And of course, one of the best ways to do that with friends is on a Honda Pioneer 500.”

What makes this side-by-side so unique? “First off, it fits in a full-sized pickup bed for easy transport to the trailhead. And because it’s a Honda, it’s loaded with features like automatic transmission with AT/MT modes and a powerful engine.”

VERSATILITY

Nearly 100 Accessories & Factory Installed Options

Recognizing that “one size does not fit all”, Honda has expanded its Pioneer utility range to encompass 500cc, 520, 700cc and 1000cc versions with multiple variations of these family members. But the personalization continues even beyond that for the Pioneer 1000-5. Two district packages — Trail and Forest — were presented in Pioneer, Tennessee. But wait, there’s more! In addition to the two styles of fiveseater, a brand range of accessories were already in stock as the vehicles were launched.

“As capable as the Pioneer 1000 is, Honda knows that sideby-side customers typically enjoy personalizing their vehicles to make them their own, and to outfit them for specific applications,” explains Colin Miller, Honda’s Marketing & Public Relations Manager. For 2022, there are more than 90 Pioneer 1000 accessories, many of which are new and improved… like the bumper found on the Forest model and the Fox shocks fitted to the Trail Edition.

“Here in front of you, we have the Forest model, which includes a larger front bumper — it’s basically our accessory full coverage front bumper, with a winch already installed from the factory,” notes Miller. The beefy front end was updated to accommodate the factory-installed 4,500 lb. Warn VRX 45 winch.

“This model also has self-leveling suspension straight from the factory, as well as many other integrated accessories such as interior lighting, additional electrical outlets in the cab and the bed,” he points out. “It also has a pre-wired system for installing different switches.” Speaking of switches, there is a “Hill Start Assist” button on the dash, but we didn’t test it in Tennessee, so we will just have to assume HSA works are advertised. Bed/ interior lights worked as billed, though.

“Storage was addressed as well… inside there is additional compartments for storage in the cab and underneath the seats.” And in response to overwhelming customer demand, there are now multiple cup-holders. The customers have spoken and Honda has listened, hence more cup-holders, quips Miller.

“The Pioneer-5 really is something that’s a great starting point,” he says. “In addition to the Forest model, we also have our Trail edition, which is geared a little bit more towards the sporty rider… someone who’s out on the trail, really looking for a nice, spirited ride. That model still comes with a winch, but also comes with our Fox QS3 shocks.” Given its more utilitarian approach, the Forest gets a self-leveling suspension system from the factory for those hunters who have bagged an elk or ranchers hauling hay. Honestly, on the trails around Tennessee, both systems did well.

“The Trail version gets a lot of the interior upgrades that you’re getting with the Forest version, including the extra storage in the front of the cab and under the seat. You also have the prewired electrical accessory outlets for the back bed as well as the front cab. The Forest and the Trail are two great points to really get your side-by-side game going!”

WHAT THEY SAID

In the somewhat crowded utility/rec segment of UTVs, a company has to have several models to be able to compete with the class-leader in sales, and Honda has upped their game with the two latest versions of the Pioneer 1000-5. The Trail and Forest editions are the brand’s top two models and are aimed at different customer bases. I have been a fan of the Honda Pioneer 1000-5 since it came out. I find it to be a comfortable machine to drive and ride in, and I love the capability of it. It is different from the competition, but that’s a good thing. I also feel pretty confident in recommending one to you if you’re in the market.

~ Derek Sigler, ATV.com

We’ve spent a good amount of time with the 2022 Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Trail, putting it to work around the shop and playing on the trails at Windrock OHV. As a dual-purpose machine, that’s exactly what it’s made to do: Spend its weekdays toiling and its weekends splashing through the mud with friends aboard.... That’s not the only place where the Pioneer shines. Engineers worked to soften the throttle and improved the power steering. Those may seem like small tweaks, but they add up to a much more pleasant driving experience. The power steering is among the nicest we’ve tested, with incredibly low effort and good return to center, and the throttle mapping tames some of the dual-clutch transmission’s jerkiness. The ability to safely seat five adults is excellent and puts the machine more in line with true utility vehicles like the Can-Am Defender. But unlike the six-passenger Can-Ams, the Pioneer has a surprisingly small footprint, with a wheelbase of just 80.2 inches. That means there’s more room on your trailer and in the barn. It also means the Pioneer needs less space to maneuver. ~ Zach Bowman, UTV Driver

The Pioneer 1000 already stands out in the recreational utility class because of its sporty, rugged six-speed transmission. With its geared, six-speed transmission with automatic and manual shift modes, the Pioneer 1000-5 already offers a unique combination of ruggedness and versatility. The upgrades to the 1000-5 add more convenience and sportier performance, along with a richer appearance and more comfort. ~ Joe Kosch, UTV Action

For 2022, the Honda Pioneer 1000-5 gets a new transmission, more power, bigger wheels and, crucially, more and larger cup-holders! Seriously, drivability improvements are the highlight of the model year changes, but the Honda Pioneer 1000 has more in store to make your off-pavement experience more enjoyable for both work and play. Beyond the drivetrain upgrades, (and the all important cup-holders) Honda has also reworked the trim levels of the side-by-side family Pioneer. ~ Evan Williams, Gear Junkie

Dealernews Research

By Lenny Sims

THE BOOK

Powersports Market Overview

They used to say the motorcycle market was 10 years behind the automotive industry. That gap has closed considerably with the elevated professionalism of the powersports industry, the implosion of some car companies, the explosion of the EV industry and the ongoing blurring of the lines between both markets with UTVs pushing all of us to a level playing field. Clearly powersports is still very different from the car guys, but the macroeconomic trends and bleeding-edge market shifts hitting the automotive sector do provide a good early warning detector for us.

“October results show that new-vehicle inventory levels are experiencing modest improvement,” says Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Power. “The result is a retail sales pace that shows a meaningful increase from a year ago, but still falls below its potential due to historically lean vehicle availability.” The supply chain issues still continue to impact both of our industries.

“As expected, with an increase in supply, several financial indicators are seeing a ‘cooling off’ from the heated growth rates earlier this year—but the industry’s financial

health is still positive. Dealer profit per unit continues to modestly soften from its peak… Although rising interest rates continue to put pressure on affordability, buyers spent more money on new vehicles this month than any previous October.

“Overall, we expect to see some deterioration in per unit pricing and profitability in the coming months,” notes King. “Dealerships are continuing to pre-sell vehicles in their delivery pipeline. This month (October), 52% of vehicles will be sold within 10 days of arriving at a dealership.” However as inventory levels fill, the automotive sector will backslide to its old trick: discounting!

“Elevated pricing coupled with interest rate hikes are inflating monthly loan payments,” he cautions, noting next month is when the dreaded discounting has historically come into play as everyone tries to clear last year’s models off the lot and balance the books. “November is the traditional start of the holiday sales event season for the industry. This typically involves a bias towards premium vehicles along with pricing discounts…”

Hmm, maybe we are not so different after all?

J.D. Power Specialty Valuation Services (formerly NADAguides) is a leading provider of specialty vehicle valuation products and services to businesses. The team collects and analyzes tens of thousands of wholesale and retail transactions per month, and delivers a range of guidebooks, web service data, analysis and digital data solutions. J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world’s leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power/NADA Guides, Inc. 3200 Park Center Drive, 13th Floor Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (800) 966-6232 Fax (714) 556-8715 www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles

DEALER S FTWARE THAT INTEGRATES

SEPTEMBER AWP IN REVIEW

Seasonality, Our “Old Friend”

Average Wholesale Prices (AWP) in September continued the return to seasonal price softening experienced in August. Nearly every On-Road category, except for Metric Cruisers, fell when comparing AWP on a Year-Over-Year (YoY) and prior 90-day period basis. As we’ve been sharing in recent updates, the market is correcting from the COVID highs and trending back to historical off-season behavior.

RV and Marine

AWP for Marine inventory saw a 6% decline from the 3-month average, while RV inventory saw a slight 2% uptick in September. This anomaly from the normal trend is mostly attributable to an unusually favorable product mix in the lanes during the month. According to industry reports, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, more dealers are reporting inventory is “too high” compared to “too low.” Artificially inflated COVID price increases, excess inventory, and normal seasonality all point to continuing price declines in the Marine and RV segments.

Metrics Younger, Product Mix Stable

Diving deeper into the Metric Cruiser category, we find average model age and mileage decreased in September from August, which helps explain its rise in AWP. On average, Domestic Cruisers and the rest of the On-Road categories saw mileage and model age creep up in September. The overall auction product mix by category has remained relatively unchanged.

Inventory Management Is The Key To Success

Fall means cooler weather, shorter days, and a slowdown in powersports vehicle sales. For the first time in over two years, dealers’ new inventory are returning to normal. While sales may be slowing, inventory levels shifting back to normal is healthy for OEMs, dealers and consumers. With lingering uncertainty about the economy, don’t be surprised if we also see the return of manufacturer incentives, rebates, and dealer discounts to spur retail activity. Dealers successfully navigating inventory turns and pricing swings over the next few months will position themselves for success when the market cranks back up in the spring.

PRICE

Our oils and lubricants are designed specifically for American V-Twin motorcycles. Twin Power is not another repackaged oil; it’s developed explicitly for its intended application. Oil for American V-Twins have unique needs such as extreme heat and pressure resistance, and resistance to heat cycles, which benefit from a completely different formulation than multi-cylinder metric engines. Our unique additive package includes specialized anti-friction, extreme pressure, and anti-shear additives; plus, viscosity improvers, dispersants, and inhibitors to control combustion by-products. Hours of laboratory testing validate the finished product to ensure it’s better than the competition — the same parameters used in the development of all our lubricants.

Dealernews Research

By Don Musick

ALEXA, SIRI… MEET JARVIS

A much more promising licensing agreement was made with Sena Technologies at INTERMOT in 2018. This partnership makes sense given Sena’s leadership position in Bluetooth communications as well as having a helmet line of their own. You’d think that this would make component integration a no-brainer! But, a quick visit to Sena’s website still shows crickets when it comes to details of the collaboration! Sena plans to incorporate Digilens technology into their Momentum line of helmets.

IN THE BATTER’S BOX

At CES 2016, BMW Motorrad introduced a concept helmet, the “Vision” which incorporated the Digilens monoHUD system as part of its closed BMW ecosystem. The key word here though is “concept”, as it’s still under development.

More recently, another California-based startup “HUDWAY” is developing a similar device based on the same AR technology. This product, named the HUDWAY “Sight” shares many of the same features found on BMW’s Vision, but is instead intended to be part of an open ecosystem. It attaches magnetically to any helmet and connects via Bluetooth to your phone. Unfortunately, as HUDWAY is also in the business of developing dashmounted automotive HUDs, development on the Sight was suspended at the end of 2021 to focus on their automotive interests. You can check out the features of the HUDWAY Sight here

In all fairness, COVID threw a wrench into the plans of just about every tech company for the past several years, so delays are not too surprising. But the question remains: are there any products that are actually available now? The short answer is yes, but Caveat Emptor!

TWO (more) FOR THE ROAD

The French tech startup “Eyelights” made its Kickstarter debut in 2018 with their “EyeRide” HUD . Product deliveries began by the end of 2020 and it is currently available for purchase directly from Eyelights. Eyeride is controlled with a helmet mounted touch interface or optional handlebar-mounted control. The system includes earphones and microphone which allows voice control of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto which feeds directly into the Nano Oled HUD display. While there are plenty of positive reviews on the Eyelights website, there are also a lot of negative reviews (both product and customer service) on their Kickstarter comments page. Another red flag can be found on eBay where a vendor is currently listing 9 new Eyeride HUDs for $671.79 each (98 watching), while Eyelights MSRP is only $479.

LONG DVISION

Let’s step away from the crowd-funding startups for the moment and take a look at an HUD product from the German Company “Tilsberk”. Tilsberk is a division of Digades, a technology and engineering company founded in 1991. Focusing on products that make motorcycling safer, Tilsberk was established in early 2022 and the “DVISION” HUD was released shortly thereafter. Unlike other HUDs, DVISION takes a minimalist approach to information display. The monochrome display, inspired by fighter jet helmets, magnetically attaches directly behind the visor and is easily folded away. Weighing in at a featherweight 44 grams it’s the lightest HUD by far. Working through their mobile app, your phone does all the heavy lifting acting as both GPS and speed sensor. Other display options include DVISION and phone charging status, Bluetooth connection status, time, speed warning and incoming calls. The display also automatically adjusts for optimal brightness.

Next, we’ll take a look at a product with similar features from Whyre Technologies, the “Argon Transform”. With a form-factor similar to Nuvis, Argon Transfer was launched on Indiegogo in 2019 and according to their timeline began shipping to first backers in February 2020. But once again, a quick check to the comments section of their funding page (still active) tells a story of unhappy backers who were given Covid-related delay excuses. And then there’s another red flag. The “Available Here” link in the “Shop” section of their website reads “Out of Stock”. Hmmmm… legit? Maybe. Too bad, since @ $649 it appears to be quite a bang for the buck. That gets you integrated GPS that doesn’t depend on your phone, intercom, media/call info plus front and rear cameras! Still waiting!

The user can select from any of 4 display templates depending on the information content desired. For a newcomer, its price point is even more surprising at only €329 or about $330 USD. Keep in mind though that this is an HUD only without voice or audio support. It’s available for purchase online now with a 30 day money back guarantee! Hard to tell how successful it will be, but a quick check on Google Play shows that the app has been downloaded over 500 times since its summer release. Unfortunately the Apple App Store no longer reports download volume. Time will tell!

GET SMART

So far, we’ve only examined technologies that layer over existing helmet designs. But, as Tony Stark might say, “JARVIS is not a bolt-on”!

Continued from page 35

So now let’s take a look at the landscape of holistically-designed “Smart” helmets. But before we dive in, let’s revisit the features we’ve encountered so far as well as other potential candidates.

In no particular order, those features are:

FEATURES CANDIDATES

• Intercom, local and network

• Voice command, native or Siri/Google

• Bluetooth support for multiple devices

• Wi-Fi connectivity

• HUD, external or internal display

• GPS navigation, integrated or smartphone

• Turn-by-turn directions, HUD vector & audible

• Noise-cancelling audio with microphone

• Front and/or rear cameras

• SD card for video/photo storage

• Call management and native app integration

• Traffic alerts

Ok, time to Dive in…. but where to start?

SKULLY-DUGGERY

• Front/rear/side lighting, braking and turn

• Accelerometer, crash detection

• Vehicle proximity sensors, front/rear/side

• Emergency call notification

• Weather, road condition alerts

• Auxiliary USB charging ports

• Lane departure warning

• Night vision

• LiDAR fog/low visibility support

• Auto-darkening visor

• Solar panel charging

“Smart” helmets are not a new concept, but implementation of the technologies has been anything but smooth. One of the first products making it to market came from the Indiegogo-funded ($2.5 MM) San Francisco-based Skully Helmet company. Backed by an additional venture capital investment of $11.5 MM, they began taking preorders for their techno-infused Skully AR-1 smart helmet (Augmented Reality) in 2014. Initial shipments of the AR-1 were expected to begin the following year.

The AR-1 boasted a see-thru HUD, a rear-facing wide-angle camera for an effective 315o FOV, noise-canceling earphones and microphone, native voice commands (17) and photo-chromatic darkening visor. The companion app provided GPS HUD navigation, spoken turn-by-turn directions, hands-free calling, Spotify streaming music and support for third party group communication.

However, deliveries of the AR-1 were compromised by production delays, accusations of misappropriation of investor funds by the founders and unsuccessful attempts to secure additional capital. According to Skully’s former VP marketing Carlos Rodriguez, about 3,300 AR-1 orders were taken but fewer than 200 actually shipped. Even the units that shipped were plagued with technical issues. The company shut down in July 2016 and declared bankruptcy shortly afterwards.

From his first motorcycles (a Honda S65 and an S90) when he was 16 to 50 years later, Don Musick has never stopped twisting the throttle. Although his accomplishments in the research arena have surpassed his MX career Don has over 25 years experience with major manufacturers in the Powersports and Automotive industries specializing in e-business solutions for retail distribution networks. His solution portfolio includes the development and implementation of manufacturer/dealer extranets, consumer-direct commerce portals, manufacturer/dealer e-channel integrations as well as development of web-based sales force automation tools. For most of his career, Don has been fascinated (his wife would say obsessed) with geographic market analytics, dealer location planning and sales territory optimization. He founded Genesys Technology Solutions (GenesysTech) http://www.genesystech.com/ to develop new tools and market intelligence products to help manufacturers understand the competitive landscape of their industries, recognize opportunities and grow their businesses. A Spartan to the core, Don earned a B.S. in Physiology and PhD in Biochemistry from Michigan State University. Contact: dmusick@genesystech.com

AIMEXPO ELECTRIFIED

The e-bike market is estimated to grow from $49.7 billion in 2022 to $80.6 billion by 2027, according to market research platform Markets and Markets, so AIMExpo’s eBike Pavilion is set to bring new focus to this flourishing segment to the powersports industry. E-bikes are unique in that they appeal to two customer bases and bring them together: consumers from traditional motorcycle and scooter markets, and traditional bicycle consumers. E-bikes also help riders explore new options for commuting, recreation, transportation, and mobility.

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/MarketReports/electric-bike-market-110827400.html

“With nearly 2,000 dealers from around the country in one place, this is the perfect opportunity for eBike manufacturers to showcase their products and make the right connections,” said Andre Albert, director, marketing and events at AIMExpo. “And dealers considering adding e-bikes to your sales floor, this is where you want to be to try the products, ask the questions, and get the information you need to grow your business.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council’s American International Motorcycle Expo is expanding the powersports trade show experience with its largest-ever eBike Pavilion and indoor demo course dedicated to this fast-growing market, with powerhouses Bakcou, Recon Power Bikes and Surron Canada/ USA among exhibitors.

“AIMExpo is a must-attend event for Surron as we grow our operations and dealer network in North America,” claims Graeme Jones, director of marketing, Surron Canada/USA. “One of the biggest draws for us is the convenience of networking with dealers, industry, and media all in one place. The floor is always buzzing with positive energy, and the ability to offer demo rides will allow potential new dealers, partners, and customers to feel our product in the truest sense. We can’t wait.”

AIMExpo, North America’s largest powersports tradeshow, will be at the Las Vegas Convention Center February 15-17, 2023. For more information go to: www.AIMExpoUSA.com

TUCKER SEGUES TO SEGWAY

Tucker Powersports, a leader in electric powered adventure products, has expanded its ePower portfolio with five new products from Segway. Ranging from a $200 scooter for kids to a full-grown people mover, Tucker dealers should be receiving Segway products now. The products include a moped/electric bike, a scooter, updated versions of the original Segway device for both adults and children and a go kart.

“Our partnership with Segway gives us access to a wonderful range of products for both kids and adults” said Jamie Kempinski, Tucker’s Director of Business Development. “Early orders from dealers indicate that they are extremely excited to have these units in their dealerships.”

Segway’s iconic self-balancing, stand-up device for adults, the S Max, features two brushless, DC hub motors, an aircooled battery pack, LED lights, an adjustable control bar and adjustable speed controls. The S Max integrates with a mobile app which assists with rider training, adjusting the LED lights, and monitoring battery and mileage. The S Kids version comes with three different riding modes, non-slip, maintenance-free tires, LED lights, and it also integrates with a mobile app. Most kids learn to ride in about three minutes with the aid of the mobile app. The S Kids will travel eight miles at up to 8.7 MPH.

An equally fun approach for kids is the eKickscooter Zing A6, which features three different riding speeds, lights, a rear brake, and thermoplastic rubber grips. It’s lightweight, easy to disassemble for transport and has a range of more than three miles.

For customers interested in making their commute more fun, Tucker offers a moped-styled Class 2 e-bike called the eMoped C-80. It’s available in four colors and comes with an intelligent management system that includes functions like Airlock System, NFC Tag, Smart Seat Detection and Auto-Lock mode. Its small size makes it perfect for travel to an office or home and it’s compact, so it fits in an elevator. It also has a removable battery that can be swapped for one that’s fully charged. The eMoped’s range of 47 miles easily covers the distance of a typical commute.

Also new to the Tucker offering from Segway is the Go-Kart Pro, an electric powered cart with four driving modes which makes it appropriate for beginners to professionals. Designed in partnership with a professional go kart racer, the vehicle has a custom high-end, brushless motor with pure copper coil, low internal resistance, reduced heat generation and electricity loss. It comes equipped with special drifting TPE tires.

LVWR TICKER GOES LIVE ON NYSE

LiveWire became the first EV motorcycle company to list on the New York Stock Exchange and raised approximately $336m in gross proceeds in the process! Complete with a phalanx new LiveWires and Del Mars on the steps of the Exchange, the bell rang in trading under the new “LVWR” ticker symbol on the NYSE.

“This transaction represents a proud and exciting milestone for LiveWire towards its ambition to become the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world,” proclaimed Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, and Chairman and CEO of LiveWire. “We believe LiveWire is well positioned to define the two-wheel EV market, and we’re excited about the future.”

In conjunction with the ticker tape launch, Zeitz sweetened the deal by announcing: “In celebration of our listing, we’re pleased to open reservations for the production version of the S2 Del Mar for the U.S. market.”

An innovative SPAC program made the stock listing possible. AEA-Bridges Impact Corp. — a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), completed their previously announced business combination under which LiveWire EV, LLC combined with ABIC, to create a new public company. The business combination was officially approved at an extraordinary general meeting by ABIC stockholders on September 16, 2022. Upon completion of the business combination, the combined public company operates as LiveWire Group, Inc. (“LiveWire”) and its common stock and warrants trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “LVWR” and “LVWR WS,” respectively.

DEL MAR LAUNCHED

“We are pleased to be opening reservations for the production edition of the S2 Del Mar – our second LiveWire motorcycle and the next step in the evolution of the LiveWire Brand,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of LiveWire Group Inc. in conjunction with LVWR stock going live on the NYSE. As the company becomes the first publicly traded EV motorcycle company in the U.S., LiveWire is opening reservations for the production version of the all-electric S2 Del Mar, the first LiveWire model to feature the new ARROW architecture.

“The modular ARROW architecture underpinning the Del Mar, developed in-house at LiveWire Labs, demonstrates our ambition to lead in the EV space and establish LiveWire as the most desirable electric motorcycle brand in the world,” added Zeitz. “We’re excited about the future at LiveWire and look forward to the company creating the path to the electrification of motorcycling.”

The modular ARROW architecture serves a structural component of the motorcycle chassis, centralizing mass, improving handling and shaving some weight off the Del Mar compared to its LiveWire ONE progenitor. Claimed performance highlights include expected outcomes at production of output of 80 horsepower (59.6 kW), 184 ft./ lbs. of torque, 75 minute 20%-80% recharge time using L2, and 431 pounds of weight, delivering projected 0-to-60 mph times of 3.1 seconds.  Del Mar range in city riding is targeted to be 110 miles.

The production S2 Del Mar debuts with an MSRP of $16,999. Delivery of the production version is planned to follow the Launch Edition, with an expected timeline set for the spring of 2023. All LiveWire S2 Del Mar motorcycles will be assembled at Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, PA.

To learn more about the LiveWire S2 Del Mar Launch Edition motorcycle visit: livewire.com/delmar

ZERO ADDS UP TO $107 MILLION

Zero Motorcycles has completed a new $107 million round of financing. The financing saw participation from strategic partners Polaris, Exor, Hero MotoCorp and financial investors including long-time backer Invus and other undisclosed investors. With this round of financing, the company claims to have raised more than $450M in capital. Zero anticipates bringing the cumulative capital to above $500M with an additional closing by year end.

“Since its launch in a Santa Cruz garage, Zero has defined the category of premium electric motorcycles and powertrains,” said Sam Paschel, Chief Executive Officer of Zero Motorcycles. “This financing will fund the global scaling of our operations and sales and the development of additional new models to continue driving our rapid growth. We welcome our strategic partners and new investors to our syndicate and are grateful to Invus for their steadfast support and commitment to Zero’s vision and mission.”

According to Paschel, Zero has sold more than 20,000 vehicles that have accumulated over 165,000,000 miles of on-road and off-road experience. “Zero has refined the most advanced powertrain technology between e-bicycles and cars driven by its Cypher III operating system.”

Zero’s business strategy relies on three key pillars: consumer motorcycles where Zero carries a broad line of on-road, adventure sport and dual sports motorcycles, fleet sales where Zero is present in over 200 police departments and authority fleets, and powertrains where Zero technology contributes to the electrification of industry-leading applications by its partners.

THE POWER OF DREAMS

Honda Lays Out EV Strategy Through 2050

In a special session webcast globally from Japan, Honda presented its vision of the future for motorcycles. While more than 1 million electric motorcycles will be sold by 2026, that is only 5% of Honda’s global total and they say ICE bikes will be around well into the future, while striving for carbon neutrality. Honda will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, while also continuing to advance ICE, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s. Moreover, Honda will continue to lead the industry at the forefront of its environmental initiatives.

As the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Honda will continue to lead the industry in this “era of carbon neutrality” by continuing to offer the “joy of riding” with its electric motorcycles and by offering products with new value by leveraging the high level of compatibility of software technology and electrified models.

Anticipating market expansion, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that accommodate a wide range of customer needs. Commuter models and fun models combined, Honda will introduce more than 10 new electric motorcycle models by 2025, with an aim to reach annual electric motorcycle sales of 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 million units (approximately 15% of total sales) as of 2030. However, the internal combustion engine remains part of the master plan for motorcycles globally. “In order to realize carbon neutrality while accommodating the wide range of customer needs and usage environments unique to motorcycles, Honda continues its initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from ICE models, while also developing models compatible with carbon neutral fuels such as gasoline-ethanol blends,” explained Takeuchi. “To be more specific, in addition to Brazil where flex-fuel (E100) motorcycle models are already available, Honda plans to introduce flex-fuel models in India, as well, one of the major motorcycle markets. The plan is to first introduce flex-fuel (E20) models beginning in 2023, and flex-fuel (E100) models in 2025.”

Anticipating market expansion, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that accommodate a wide range of customer needs. Commuter models and fun models combined, Honda will introduce more than 10 new electric motorcycle models by 2025, with an aim to reach annual electric motorcycle sales of 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 million units (approximately 15% of total sales) as of 2030. While commuter EVs and machine-like postal delivery bikes will be key drivers of the global EV initiative, U.S. dealers will be glad to learn that “fun” will still be a factor in the future.

Honda aims to realize carbon neutrality for all products by 2050 according to presenters Kohei Takeuchi, Director, Executive Vice President and Representative Executive Officer, and Yoshishige Nomura, Managing Officer. Cutting to the chase, they outlined the big picture:

Striving to realize carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s, as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, Honda will accelerate electrification of its motorcycle models, while also continuing to advance ICE (internal combustion engines).

Honda plans to introduce 10 or more electric motorcycle models globally by 2025 and aims to increase annual sales of electric models to 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 million units (equivalent to 15% of total unit sales) as of 2030.

In addition to commuter EVs, Honda is actively developing electrified models in the “FUN” category. Based on its FUN EV platform currently under development, Honda plans to introduce a total of three large-size FUN EV models in Japan, the U.S and Europe between 2024 and 2025. “Honda will also introduce a Kids Fun EV model, designed to pass on the joy of riding to the next generation,” concludes Nomura.

would like to thank George Chaconas and Courtney Bernhard of Performance Brokerage Services for introducing me to Teddy Morse and Randy Hoffman of the Ed Morse Group to purchase our 4 dealerships. Teddy and Randy were delightful and very professional to work with. We spoke with 6 other potential buyers, but Teddy’s group was the best fit because they are also a family-owned business. The

work perfectly with our employees and that was our main goal.”

SHEILA UMPHREY, SELLER

we were in the market to get into the Harley-Davidson and powersports business, one name kept surfacing as a Harley-Davidson expert, George Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services. George introduced us to the Cowboy dealerships, and we are excited to have acquired all of them and grow our footprint in Texas. Teddy Morse and I want to thank George and his team for helping facilitate this very large and special acquisition. We thank him for bringing us the opportunity and look forward to growing these dealerships while we

and geography.”

RANDY HOFFMAN, COO | ED MORSE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

C.

News

Our Help Is Needed

Dog attack leaves members of OUR Powersports family from Bumpus Harley-Davidson in Tennessee devastated Colby & Kirstie Bennard are members of OUR family, and they need OUR help. Kirstie Jane Bennard, 30, was seriously wounded when she tried to pull the family’s two pit bulls off 5-month-old Hollace Dean and 2-year-old Lilly Jane at their home in rural Shelby County outside Memphis.

When word of this tragedy broke, NPDA Strategic Partner Garage Composites immediately stepped up. “While we are at a loss for words... we are not paralyzed to act,” said Sam and Tony. “This is a close friend and client of Garage Composites and we are compelled to help. Please, if you are connected to our organization in any way, donate to one of our family.” That was the beginning, but the recovery is just starting for Colby and Kirstie.

“We are still doing everything we can to try to help out one of our own. You have all been incredibly kind and generous, and we want to keep spreading the word. Our client, friend and family members Colby and Kirstie Bennard suffered the greatest tragedy in life - they lost both of their young children to a dog attack. Furthermore, Kirstie was also seriously injured and is currently being treated and recovering in the hospital.

It is beyond anyone’s comprehension how these two individuals will recover their lives that have been completely devastated by this horrific event. No amount of money, word or support can make this go away.

Colby is the General Manager of Bumpus Harley Davidson of Memphis. To know him is to know one of the finest humans on earth. Colby has a smile and presence that lights up a room. He is one of the most positive human beings, and his attitude is infectious. Colby was always trying to be better, do better and learn more about his job. He is a friend to everyone and an enemy to none.

Tragedy in Our Dealer Network

While money will certainly not change any of the Bennards’ circumstances, it will most certainly provide the ability to have a funeral, pay for the tremendous medical bills that will confront them, seek mental health care and allow Colby and Kirstie to live life while they are recovering and unable to work. The powersports industry is a FAMILY. One of our FAMILY members is in his greatest time of need. Be the FAMILY that you are and donate some of your hard-earned money to Colby and Kirstie Bennard. They are worth every penny.

How you can help: https://gofund.me/c206cec9

A quick note from Sam & Tony: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../garagecast.../id1434548560...

Register NOW for AIMExpo 2023 - It’s FREE for Dealers!

Make plans now to join the NPDA and thousands of your colleagues at America’s Powersports Tradeshow, the AIMExpo! This progressive, comprehensive B2B platform will connect Dealers, brands, distributors, media and others in Las Vegas February 15-17.

The NPDA will have an expansive presence at the 2023 show, including a prime spot show booth! We’ll also hold meetings and gatherings being planned by our Harley-Davidson Dealer Council, created to serve the specific needs and interests of NPDA H-D dealer members. This will include focused programming and guest speakers, along with the opportunity for Harley-Davidson dealer members to connect and socialize.

We also will support several Powersports educational sessions and panel discussions, as well as sponsor the return of the extremely popular Dealernews “Top 100” program honoring Powersports dealers.

Dealers can attend the show for FREE, and take advantage of special show hotel rates. Follow this LINK and get registered today!

NEW! Higher Profits From Electronic Payments

Thursday, November 10, 2022

2 p.m. ET; 1 p.m. CT; Noon, MT; 11 a.m., PT

Did you know that credit card interchange fees your business pays are lower when you “dip the chip” rather than hand keying the numbers in?

How about this: To easily determine your actual credit card processing effective rate, divide your total processing fees by the total number of credit cards processed every month.

These are just examples of lessons you can learn and insights you can gain from NPDA partner Electronic Data Payment Systems in our November 10 webinar.

Come learn the ins and outs of credit card acceptance in your business to achieve lower costs while delivering better service.

FREE REGISTRATION

There are lots of Dealers reading this who are not yet members of our organization. Why the heck not? Have you read this newsletter, and the ones before it, and seen what we’ve been up to in our first year? Have you seen our website, www.npda.org, and checked out things like the State Franchise Laws we’ve posted? https://www.npda.org/resources

We have a lot of work to do, and to be our best, we need your support. At the price of $395 a year, can you afford NOT to join your industry friends at the National Powersports Dealer Association? For those Dealers who are all ready members, Thank You!

NPDA Partner Profile

How Can NPDA Members Best Benefit From Our Partnership With EPDS? EDPS is just like the average NPDA member. We are an owner-operated organization designed to partner with NPDA members to deliver lower costs and better overall service. We understand owner-operated businesses and have been delivering real value to that audience for over 19 years.

Anything Else You’d Like To Add To Help NPDA Members Understand How EDPS Can Help Them Do Business Better? The one thing owners can do is ‘dip chips’ as often as possible as the interchange fees are much lower when the card is present and being chip read. Avoid hand keying cards if at all possible. Another quick tip is to divide your total processing fees by your total credit card processed volume every month to determine your actual effective rate.

If you would like to get a clear understanding of just how much you are paying in credit card processing fees, visit SimpFee.com/npda and use the calculator located on our site. The results will be surprising. If you have any questions or would like to explore working with EDPS, please give us a call at 866-578-9740.

Intentionally Different!

For the past 20 years, EDPS has built a proven track record of helping businesses of all sizes easily accept electronic payments from their customers. By delivering client-centric, personalized solutions the experts can help you improve your efficiency, analyze your results and build your bottom line. Boiling it down, EDPS’s Why? can best summed up as: Challenge the  status quo of the payments industry and empower the business owner.

The following questions were posed to William L. Treciak, President/CEO of Electronic Data Payment Systems:

Why Is EDPS A Partner Of The NPDA? EDPS shares the same philosophy and commitment to education and excellence that the NPDA embraces. Our primary objective is to educate business owners on the ins and outs of credit card acceptance in their business, delivering lower costs and better service. Assisting them in preparing to make critical decisions and empowering them with the knowledge needed to take back control and implement the proper payment tools for their dealership is at the core of EDPS.

TO JOIN

ABOUT NPDA

INTERMOT IS BACK!

Getting The Motorcycle World Back On Track

Historically held every other year in Cologne — Köln to the locals — INTERMOT has been one of the two biggest trade fairs in the world for the past century, but like everything else around the globe, the Pandemic disrupted the German event. However, things got back on the right track October 4-9, 2022 as the latest motorcycles, e-bikes and scooters rolled out in full force. According to the show promoters, there were 20,000 trade visitors and more than 100,000 total attendees.

“After a four-year interruption due to the Pandemic, the motorized two-wheel world is back in Cologne, and the visitor response underlines how important an industry platform is, especially under difficult circumstances,” stated Oliver Frese, CEO of Kölnmesse and Reiner Brendicke, General Manager of the German Motorcycle Industry Association e.V. (IVM). “Consumers and the trade are looking forward to being able to go to trade fairs again, to experience and touch the products up close, especially such emotionally charged lifestyle products like motorcycles and scooters.”

As the first motorcycle trade fair of the year, the event presented a whole host of world premieres and tech innovations, particularly in the EV arena (see sidebar). “The mood among trade fair participants was very good. One could sense that the industry had missed exchanging ideas in such a framework again. That had simply been missing in recent years,” noted the joint statement issued by Herr Fresh and Herr Brendicke. “Even if the industry was not yet completely

represented in Cologne after the pandemic, INTERMOT 2022 has demonstrated its strengths as a trade and consumer fair and positioned itself on the market again.”

BY THE NUMBERS

While the total number of attendees was off from prepandemic records of 250,000 attendees, INTERMOT 2022 did draw in excess of 100,000 visitors from 75 countries. Around 30% of the trade day attendees came from abroad. Kölmesse also reported there were 500 exhibitors from more than 30 countries. Better still, the people were happy for the return to normalcy: More than 80% of the visitors were satisfied with their visit to INTERMOT 2022 and would recommend the trade fair.

There is also a changing of the guard as nearly 40% of the consumer attendees were under 30 years old. “INTERMOT is addressing new target groups. This is also underlined by the feedback of our exhibitors, who praised the high quality and the detailed specialized knowledge of INTERMOT visitors and reported intensive discussions,” added Frese and Brendicke.

Motorcycle fans were enthusiastic about finally being able to admire, sit on and even ride the more than 1,300 motorcycles and scooters in the halls and on the neighboring event grounds. The show team claims the test track was hardly able to deal with the crush, especially the e-test track and the 125cc test track for new and returning riders. International tiered licensing being what it is, “L” plate (learner) machines have horsepower limitations, so the team created a specific World of 125cc pavilion to welcome new riders to the fold.

One new rider exclaimed “you can sit on any machine and test many bikes on the test track. The 125cc test track was paradise for me as a driver’s license rookie. And now I know which bike I want to buy,” said the young visitor using the school vacation to come to INTERMOT on Thursday.

“From a comprehensive assortment of 125cc machines through the right equipment to driver’s license advice and of course the test track, both young bikers and friends of the B196 driver’s license found everything they need,” noted Brendicke. “It’s just a shame that some of the OEMs were not in Köln, but INTERMOT was also a great experience just as it was.”

Suzuki brought a wide array of entry level machines to cope with the crowd. “With the Address 125, Avenis 125 and Burgman Street 125 EX, three new scooter models celebrated world premieres in Cologne,” said Daniel Schnell, Deputy Managing Director, Suzuki Deutschland GmbH. “But we exhibited the new V-Strom 1050DE for the first time on German soil. We have also used the trade fair to further strengthen the relationship with our traders, in that we invited them to a get-together at the trade fair stand.”

BMW also went big. “As a German motorcycle manufacturer with a nearly 100-year tradition, the entire BMW Motorrad Deutschland team naturally has a great interest in presenting our brand and products to INTERMOT visitors, with a strong INTERMOT trade fair partner in the German market, which is so important to us. This is why we were very much looking forward to meeting our customers and motorcycle fans in person again at INTERMOT 2022 and celebrating motorcycling together.”

And for Americans attending the show, the Motorcycle Industry Council hosted a lounge. “By attending INTERMOT 2022, the MIC helped further establish the presence of AIMExpo in the international market and helped attract dealers and exhibitors from the European market,” explained Andre Albert, MIC director of marketing and events. “Powersports industry professionals attending one of Europe’s key shows were invited to the MIC-sponsored North American Lounge for continental breakfast and afternoon snacks, as well as all-day coffee and espresso during the trade days.

“Four years is a long time, but we made good use of the time we had,” explained Show Director Alexander Wolff. “We scrutinized every detail and took into account the changes that have taken place in the two years of COVID. As a trade fair organizer and industry expert in one of the most important motorcycle markets in the world, we believe we were obligated to provide a world-leading industry platform that involved the entire industry. Consequently, we developed a future-oriented concept that will reinforce the status of INTERMOT as an international business and event trade fair for the world of motorized two-wheelers for a long time to come.”

INTERMOT is and remains a leading international motorcycle trade fair for the industry, but at the same time, it is an event open to the general public with motorcycle enthusiasts from Central and Western Europe. A glance at the figures from the last INTERMOT backs this up: roughly 50,000 trade visitors from nearly 100 countries and approximately 220,000 motorcycle enthusiasts came to Cologne.

“That remains the benchmark that we want to build on, even if the situation this year is different to what it was four years ago,” elaborated Wolff. “But once again: the only way to make a combined business and public event work is to create a platform with an international focus – for our exhibitors, for our trade audience, for the motorcycle community and not least for ourselves.”

“Only on an international platform can companies present themselves directly rather than via the retailers, and only here can trade visitors meet the contact persons they need to meet to enter into business exchanges,” concluded Wolff. “And only here can motorcycle enthusiasts find such a comprehensive range of new products in all industry segments.”

The next INTERMOT is set for October 1-6, 2024.

Eric Anderson and the original Hein Gericke

NNOVATION CHARGES UP SHOW SEGMENT

Kawasaki Shows Off, Zero Shows Up, Energica, Etc.

After a pandemic-enforced hiatus, INTERMOT returned to the international trade fair calendar and charged ahead with an emphasis on alternative propulsion, e-mobility and smart technologies. Of course this is the motorcycle industry, so there had to be some fun in the mix! To that end, demo rides on the ePARCOURS track were one of the highlights of the show.

“Modern mobility on motorized two-wheel vehicles has long since become more than a vision for the future, and all motorcycle and scooter fans who are interested in alternative propulsion and smart technologies will find the corresponding solutions and models at INTERMOT 2022,” said INTERMOT Director Alexander Wolff. “The World of eNNOVATION shows, for example, how visionary technologies can be used to improve your motorcycling experience. From smart safety technologies like riding assist systems and app & smartphone integration to eFuels.”

“We at Kawasaki are very pleased to once again be able to exhibit at INTERMOT after four years. The personal contact with our fans and friends of the brand, with our customers or those who will hopefully soon become them is very important to us. We want to offer them a lovely and positive brand experience at INTERMOT and have done a lot to ensure this. We are certain that this will pay for the Kawasaki brand both in the short and the long term.”

Kawasaki had previously announced an electric prototype back in 2019 and showed an early version of its hybrid bike last year, but the new machines differ significantly from those development models. For example the HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) has upped its horsepower spec and looks to be a more refined proof of concept. Based on a parallel twin engine with a large electric motor mounted above its transmission and a relatively small battery pack under the seat.

Around town, it is said to be able to run purely on electric power, albeit with a somewhat limited range. On the highway the little ICE twin can keep up with the flow of traffic while simultaneously recharging the battery. For higher performance situations, both systems kick on at the same time. Kawasaki claims the result is the emissions equivalent to a 250cc machine with the performance of a Ninja 650, with none of the range issues of a battery-only eBike. Semi-automatic shifting means the transition between gas and electric is relatively seamless.

The new eBike has the swappable batteries defined by the consortium, and looks to be limited to 11 kW as part of the L plate category. Both models are likely to get an official debut later in 2022 and to reach showrooms at some stage in the next 12 months.

From the MotoE grid to the open road… and beyond, Energica presented its Experia “touring” bike at their booth at the INTERMOT trade fair. “We have focused on the real-world needs of motorcycle riders worldwide, creating a state-of-the art engineering platform,” explains Chief Technical Officer Giampiero Testoni. “We melded high-tech electric mobility with the roaming spirit of the motorcycle traveler. The intention was to create the first electric motorcycle created specifically for long-distance bike lovers.”

He notes Experia is the first model released as part of a new second generation “Energica Green Tourer” technological platform. Innovations include a reengineered EMCE electric motor, revised battery chemistry, new frame and chassis design — all intended to reduce weight while improving rideability. Battery capacity has increased, yet has a lower weight, plus a centralized, lower center of gravity. Experia

Fresh from their recent capitalization Zero released their DSR/X ADV bike and touring variant (including one in police trim). Powered by the Z-Force 75-10X direct-drive motor that is purported to have 166 lb-ft of torque on tap and enough juice to top out at its electronically governed top speed of 112 mph. But what about the range? A claimed 180 miles.

Designed for “maximum strength, minimal weight, and maximum capability,” the DSR/X tips the scale 544 lbs. By way of comparison, a well-equipped Africa Twin weighs in around 520 lbs. But what about the range? A choice of five riding modes results in up to 180 miles of “city” riding, with 85 miles of highway range (adding up to115 miles on the EPA’s combined scale).

The standard battery is a 17.3-kWh Li-ion power pack, but there is an option to sacrifice some of the “glove box” storage space to add a Zero Power Tank (basically a small, second battery) that takes it up to about 21 kWh. Level 1 and Level 2 charging are fully supported, but the Zero also gets 6.6-kW “fast-charging” for 0-90% capacity in under an hour.

The newly designed PMASynRM motor EMCE (Synchronous Reluctance assisted by permanent magnets) is also lighter, with less mass, and is positioned lower than in our other models. The results are 75 kW (101 HP) peak power, torque is 115 Nm (85 lb. ft.) and then the top speed for the Energica Experia is 180 km/h (112 mph) – perfect for everyday freeway riding, says Testoni.

MIC AFTERMARKET

SUMMIT

We Are Better Together

For the first time in its 35+ year existence, the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Aftermarket Committee hosted the industry leaders and brought in some serious horsepower to collaborate with powersports peers, gain valuable insight on the aftermarket industry and learn from MIC’s strategic data and research partners. Moderated by Dr. Paul Leinberger and featuring data from the likes of David Savlowitz and Michael Ponton of Competitive Analytics, John Sinski from S&P Global (formerly IHS Markit/ Polk), Andrea Desilets of Consumer Research Solutions and Ryan Kloppe from Statistical Surveys, Inc., along with MIC’s director of research & statistics Buckner Nesheim and VP of Government Relations Scott Schloegel, it was a full day of industry immersion.

Kudos to the entire industry for coming together to make this happen, especially to Aftermarket Committee Chair Tim Calhoun and MIC Membership Manager Lisa Delaney for going above and beyond the call of duty. Now that the ice has been broken, the real work is about to begin, cautions Calhoun.

“As the MIC Chairman of the aftermarket committee, it was my pleasure to host the first-ever MIC Aftermarket Summit,” he said. “The initial meeting was a reintroduction of all that the MIC offers to its members in the way of reports, data and market intelligence, along with all that it does to protect, promote and preserve the powersports industry. More importantly, it was a step towards the future beginning to pave our own destiny as the motorcycle aftermarket.”

Based on this rollout of services and common ground, Calhoun also challenged the industry. “I ask that you share this experience with other aftermarket companies and challenge them to also join MIC. The larger we become, the louder voice we have across this industry and this country to move our industry in a positive direction. We are better together than apart, and I am hoping for a day when we aren’t discussing the several hundred MIC aftermarket members but rather a thousand-plus MIC aftermarket members and the impact this has had on the growth and success of our sector.”

He adds, “The incredible team at the MIC has been hard at work the last three years, improving deliverables, simplifying reporting, and making it easier to disseminate and utilize MIC data. I want to thank all attendees as I know we are all working incredibly tough schedules now and to take 1-2 days out to attend is beyond generous.” The attendees concurred with Calhoun.

“A solid day of discussion with the very first Motorcycle Industry Council Aftermarket Summit,” said David Zemla VP of Marketing S&S Cycle. “Thank you MIC for the invite, the insane amount of data and the goodie bag. Looking forward to this level of idea exchange on a regular basis!”

“What a great collection of thought leaders focused on collectively supporting the powersports industry,” said Chera Gibb, VP of Marketing Arrowhead Engineered Products. “Thank you MIC,”

Photo courtesy

Chera Gibb

“So great to see you and I know a ton of work goes into this so I just wanted to say THANK YOU – it was a wonderful event and fantastic to see everyone again,” exclaimed Deb Drinan, Director of Business Development, NelsonRigg USA. “Look forward to continued growth, a successful AIMExpo and helping out MIC where I can!”

“A special thanks to Paul Langley from Parts Unlimited, Chera Gibbs from Arrowhead Engineering/Western Power Sports (WPS), and Marc McAllister from Tucker Powersports — having these leaders from the industry’s big three distributors all at the same table discussing our industry’s future was a huge step forward,” Calhoun concluded. “We also had a lot of diversity, with upstarts like SUPER73 and

KickstandsUp lending a fresh voice and fresh thinking to the sessions. In conjunction with the veteran counsel from K&N Engineering, Yoshimura Racing, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, S&S Cycle, Inc., Nelson-Rigg, Sena Technologies, Vroom Network,  Dealernews and Jonnum Media all added their voices and thoughts.”

If you are a powersports business, find out what you missing by contacting: memberservices@mic.org

By Alisa Clickenger

DYNAMIC DUO

BTR’s Breeann Poland & Melissa Paris

Noone has raised the profile of women in motorcycle racing in the past couple of years more than Breeann Poland. When Dealernews first spoke to Royal Enfield’s director of marketing, we suggested her ambitious efforts to put the venerable brand back on the map might be a daunting task, so she created the Build. Train.Race. program… and Royal Enfield also fielded Johnny Lewis on the new INT650, evolved into the “Twins FT” race bike in the American Flat Track series.

“We had such success with BTR, even with the COVID curve balls that we received, we just had to do more. American Flat Track was a great partner she recounts. “Then everyone was asking, so what’s next?” Rather than keeping her mouth shut, something she is admittedly not very good at, Bree busted out the Slide School idea to help boost the Himalayan into a decidedly different market niche. “And then COVID came and we had to cancel a bunch of dates for the Slide School and all our BTR event activation plans.”

Rather than being deterred, she redoubled Royal Enfield’s efforts, literally. AFT saw 15 women; 7 returning riders and 8 new ones, plus 7 rounds of dirt fun this season.

Teaming up with Lewis and longtime friend from her roadracing days Melissa Paris (also a Top 100 winner, see page 63 for her side of the story) was definitely over the top…. we said as much, in a series of interviews in December 2020 noting she was crazy. To prove that point Poland doubled the number of women racing BTR flat trackers and then added an equal number of women racing Royal Enfields in the MotoAmerica series!

in a national racing program. Working with a world class racer like Melissa Paris is not an opportunity that comes along often. The ladies will also be some of the first people to road race the Continental GT 650 platform, so the motorcycling world will be watching.

“Melissa Paris has been a friend of the brand through the BTR flat track program and she and I have a 15-year friendship and racing history. It only seemed fitting because she has been such a proponent and is one of the fastest women in professional roadracing history to have her lead this new effort into BTR Roadracing Edition. All of the women are amazing and the attitude they have towards the program is phenomenal.

“Melissa and I want the women to be challenged. I want the women to really focus on learning how to build the bike and not rush through it or feel like they have skipped a step because they don’t have the time. I think the ‘build’ portion is really important. I want the takeaway for women to say ‘I can build a bike, I can train on a bike and I can turn into a roadracer.” Crazy talk, right?

It took more than the COVID crisis to keep Breeann’s crazy ideas from coming to fruition… and if the crazy concept became a winning reality, was it really crazy?

What is crazy is that we received word at press time Poland was leaving Royal Enfield and moving out of the motorcycle industry to tilt with even bigger windmills. She is Head of Brand, Marketing & Communications at Project Re:Car — part of Re:Build Manufacturing. The goal is to revitalize the U.S. manufacturing base over the coming decades, creating substantial opportunities for employees and the communities where they operate. https://rebuildmanufacturing.com/

“Building upon the success of the initial Build. Train. Race. program, we decided to carry the momentum into the roadracing segment,” she explained. “This is a unique opportunity for women interested in getting into road racing and to make a name for themselves

Alisa is a two-wheeled world traveler, author, tour operator, and event producer. She has been featured in a variety of media outlets as a woman pursuing a life of adventure and helping others to access their inner wisdom and be free to lead lives they are passionate about. Her book Boost Your Confidence Through Motorcycling: A Woman’s Guide to Being Your Best Self On and Off the Bike became an Amazon.com #1 Bestseller. In 2019 Alisa was also named to Dealernews TOP 100 People in Powersports. Her personal mission is to empower women through motorcycling and adventure while being a strong advocate for the powersports industry at large. Alisa’s motorcycle touring company is www.WomensMotorcycleTours.com

Girl/Racer/ Animal Rights Champion

Renowned roadracer and Covergirl makeup model Shelina Moreda teamed up with Ducati North America and Wisconsin-based Nowaskey Extreme Performance this season to contest the Super Hooligan National Championship. “We really like Shelina,” says Jason Chinnock, CEO, Ducati North America. “We’ve worked with her on a couple of projects in 2021 including The Matrix film premiere in San Francisco and agreed that working together provides a great opportunity to bring more attention and awareness to the sport. Shelina is approachable, authentic and certainly has the skills on a motorcycle.” She also worked with a woman tech Dailyn Mortenson, at the Daytona debut. “Shelina is a very competent rider and a great ambassador for the sport, and I am a big proponent of more women getting involved in the motorcycle industry,” adds Pete Nowaskey. This also works for Ducati’s diversity approach. “We are an inclusive brand at Ducati,” concludes Chinnock. “We want to reach the broadest possible audience yet remain true to our brand. Our relationship with Shelina offers us a chance to bring new riders into the Ducati family, and that’s a win for everyone.

Britney Olsen —20th Century Racing Founder

The 2017 AIMExpo Ambassador, Brittney started 20th Century Racing in 2012 to preserve the magnificent history of early American motorcycle racing by educating, entertaining, and inspiring motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages, globally. From proudly serving as the Antique Motorcycle Club of America’s National Youth Coordinator to building, racing & winning national titles on her early 1920s & 1930s race bikes, Brittney’s background in racing, promotions, marketing & public relations has elevated her reach & gained her a respective, loyal audience.  If she isn’t racing, she is working hard to pass on our amazing American motorcycle lineage to the youth as well as wrenching, restoring & riding old American motorcycles alongside her husband, Matthew & their little daredevil, Lockheed.

Jill Parham President National Motorcycle Museum Board Of Directors

In 1979 Jill Parham and her husband John, started J&P Cycles. Jill was unable to quit her full-time job because of financial constraints. In 1991 she moved to the company full time. Eventually J&P Cycles became the World’s largest retailer of aftermarket motorcycle parts and accessories. Jill became a pioneer in the motorcycle industry, one of the early women leaders in the historically male-centric industry. John and Jill retired in 2011 from Cycles, due to John’s health issues. At this time they both served on the Board of Directors for the National Motorcycle Museum, heavily involved in the day to day procedures. At this time Jill is the President of the National Motorcycle Museum BOD. The passion you find in this Industry is due to the relationships built over the years. We are all like one big family, and many of my closest friends are in the industry. I still enjoy going to the major events and networking.

Melissa Paris — Racer, Mother, Mentor & More Racer, mother, mentor, team manager… Melissa Paris is all this and more! And she even makes time to cheer on her husband, four time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes, whose racing career continues. Oh, and she’s also a mother of two small children. She has a lot on her plate these days. She was also Bree Poland’s partner in crime launching Royal Enfield’s Build.Train.Race program for women. For more on Melissa’s role with the birth of BTR, see page 63.

Breeann Poland — Global Brand Manager Continental GT/Marketing And Communications Lead — Royal Enfield Americas

From model to team manager, Bree knows her way around the grid. Along the way, her roles in roadracing ranged from managing hospitality to handling PR.  She managed the GEICO RMR program fielding riders Danny Eslick and Michael Barnes. After a successful season she was approached by a private investor to manage a race team/program and they won championships in the Supersport Class with riders. Bree was known to help out many privateers during her time as Team Owner/Manager including Joey Pascarella, Jake Lewis, Cameron Beaubier, Jake Zemke, Kyle Wyman and Jake Holden. Then she joined Royal Enfield in 2015 and things got crazy!

Brandy Richards — ISDE Hero/ AMA Motorcyclist Of The Year

Following a historic and undeniable performance in the 2021 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), Brandy Richards was named the American Motorcyclist Association Motorcyclist of the Year in 2021. Richards became the first person in the century-plus history of the ISDE to win every single test in her class. Her flawless performance in Italy spanned 28 tests scattered across six days of riding. Her efforts helped the U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team win the 2021 ISDE by more than 15 minutes over runner-up Great Britain! She picked up where she left off leading the 96th ISDE in France this year until a bad crash on Day 4. She continued to race both tests two and three before the team recognized her inability to speak proficiently and took her to the hospital with a severe concussion and a lacerated spleen.

Shelina Moreda —

“I knew it was going to be close after Jersey,” said Buyck, referring to the previous round where she finished off the podium in fourth. “I just put my head down and came into this weekend. I wanted to have fun. It’s been a stressful season. Everyone has been kicking butt the whole time. I wanted to win the whole race, but I knew if I at least finished decently, I’d hopefully be able to lock it in. Locking in the championship by winning the last race is definitely the way to end the perfect season.”

Peterson collected second place while Chancellor got caught up in the battle for third with previous round winner Crystal Martinez. Martinez eventually broke free from Chancellor to secure third and made a push to close the gap to the lead duo, but ran out of time and had to settle for third. Despite giving up a handful of points to Peterson at the final round, Martinez still secured second overall in the championship, two points over Peterson.

Jenny Chancellor held on for fourth while Ash Truxal rounded out the top-five in Barber, mirroring their overall championship placement, as well.

BUYCK BTR CHAMP, CROWNED AT BARBER

We Are Better Together

By Jean Turner

Royal Enfield’s BUILD.TRAIN. RACE. second roadracing season wrapped up its six-round championship at the end of September, with Kayleigh Buyck being crowned. For the BTR ladies on the Road Racing side, the season came full circle at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. It was here that they met their teammates for the first time and got their first track time on their completed builds during a two-day test prior to the start of the MotoAmerica season.

“Such a great season,” says the newly crowned champ. “The build went fast, the season went fast, and the memories will sure last,” said Bucyk, “It was one for the books to say the least!” With three from a possible five wins already to her credit, all Kayleigh needed was a podium finish to clinch the championship. But she went above and beyond in the final round, putting a stamp on her title with a victory in what was the most thrilling battle of the season.

When the light turned green, Jenny Chancellor and Buyck rocketed off the line and headed the field. Buyck, Chancellor and Chloe Peterson duked it out in a three-way battle before Buyck and Peterson broke away for their own duel. Peterson, fresh off her first pole position of the season, was eager to turn her fast lap advantage into a race win. But in the end, Buyck would not be denied. In a battle to the end, Buyck claimed the victory and the championship.

“Beyond thankful for everyone who helped along the way and to the amazing friendships we’ve all built,” adds Buyck. “I cannot believe it’s all over already. The girls I have met have been nothing short of amazing. I’m going to miss seeing everyone and hanging out but we will all grid up again… still sorting words and emotions that would give this season the justification that it deserves. I’m still floating around on Cloud 9 in disbelief that I was chosen for such an amazing program, even more disbelief that I won the championship. Alongside some amazing women who were just as deserving of that top spot!”

“It’s fitting that our season wrapped up here at Barber, where it all began earlier this season,” concluded Breeann Poland. “It’s all gone by in a flash and we all can’t believe it’s already done! This season was absolutely life-changing for so many. We’ve had some ups and downs this year, and to watch these women flourish with their fortitude, their confidence and their talent was really rewarding. The speed this group of women has reached in these six races is astonishing. I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.

“We want to thank our 2022 Build. Train. Race. sponsors. Without them this isn’t possible. A heartfelt thank you to all the companies and individuals behind BTR: Parts Unlimited, Harris Performance, S&S Cycle, Dunlop, Maxima Racing Oils, BOXO USA, Öhlins USA Suspension and Arai Helmets.”

more here:

Buyck (113/4 wins)

Martinez (94/1 win)

Peterson (92)

Chancellor (72/1 win)

Truxal (62)

Martin (60)

Michaela Trumbull (48)

Trisha Dahl (43)

Pareso (38)

Bridges (38)

Tennyson (35)

LeBer (26)

Stockton (21)

Theisler (12)

Paul (2)

JAYCEE JONES WINS AFT BTR TITLE WITH ONE ROUND TO SPARE

The same weekend that Kayleigh Buyck won BTR in Barber, the BTR Flat Track women took on the all-new American Flat Track venue for the Cedar Lake Short Track, the penultimate round of the season, while BTR Roadracing wrapped up the six-round championship at the Barber MotoAmerica round. In both cases, the race winners each earned their respective titles — Jaycee Jones in BTR Flat Track and Buyck in BTR Roadracing.

“Through the ups, downs and everything in between this year, this is the thing that kept me going,” said Jones. “I wanted it, worked for it, prayed for it, and did it. What an amazing year it has been!!  Congrats to Kayleigh Buyck as well, I guess teal was the color of the season this year? I think we still need a FT & RR mashup where we swap bikes and race each other.” Shades of the original Grand National races.

As the ladies of BTR Flat Track took to the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval at Cedar Lake, the ever-dominant Jaycee Jones had the bullseye squarely on her back. Aside from the preseason exhibition race at the Volusia Half Mile where Jillian Deschenes nabbed the win, Jones has managed to dominate every round, and was ready to clinch the championship one round early should things break her way. BTR veteran Deschenes and 18-year-old rookie Zaria Martens were hungry for a win and looking to keep their title hopes alive.

The BTR field was slated to have a test at Cedar Lake prior to the race, but sadly, the weather had other plans. Unfortunately, the inclement weather also spilled over into race day, and as the skies opened up and dumped on the track just before the first practice session, which prompted officials to postpone racing until Sunday.

An abbreviated schedule meant the women had little time to figure out the track and get their Royal Enfield INT650 motorcycles dialed in. Jillian Deschenes led the way in practice, setting fast laps, but it was rookie sensation Zaria Martens with the pole position for the main event.

The main event saw Jones once again out front early, where she stayed all the way to the checkered flag. Deschenes and Martens put on another spectacular battle for runner-up honors, and in the end, it was Deschenes with the advantage, claiming second ahead of Martens, who rounded out the podium.

While the overall title may have been spoken for, the battle for runner-up in the 2022 BTR Flat Track championship went down to the wire, with only two points separating Deschenes and Martens heading into the final round, the Volusia Half Mile, where Deschenes already tasted preseason victory… or did it? Although Jones received her #1 plate at the finale in Florida, the rest of the rostrum was confused.

“Apparently math isn’t our strongest skill and the organization we race with doesn’t score our points for the program, we did it on our own and well, we were wrong,” is the word from BTR HQ. “Actually third place for the 2022 season goes to #81 Makenna Hiatt. She was new to this program but not new to racing and it showed throughout the season. You rode like a beast, you built a fantastic race bike and had one hell of a fan base following you around.

“Makenna we are terribly sorry for the mishap over scoring! And we will do our best to make it up to you… Well-deserved third in the Championship!”

See more on the AFT season here: https://buildtrainrace.com/flat-track/

AFT BTR FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jaycee Jones 170

2. Zaria Martens 114

3. Makenna Hiatt 113

4. Jillian Deschenes 113

5. Stephanie Pietz 87

6. Alex Bumpus McDonald 87

7. Erin Ferris 81

8. Malary Lee 62

9. Anna Serena 57

10. Lanakila MacNaughton 56

11. Nean Kiskela 55

12. Kaiela Hobart 48

13. Gabrielle Hughes 38

14. Mia Reese 22

15. Moriah Hummer 14

Supersport event. Since then she’s had the opportunity to race in MotoAmerica, Spanish CEV championship and several 24 hour World Endurance events. In her spare time Melissa likes to train by riding motocross and putting the miles in on her road bike.

Racer, mother, mentor, team manager… Melissa Paris is all this and more! and she even makes time to cheer on her husband, four-time Superbike Champion Josh Hayes, whose racing career continues. Oh, and she’s also a mother of two small children. She has a lot on her plate these days. She was also Bree Poland’s partner in crime launching Royal Enfield’s Build.Train.Race. program for women.

Melissa began riding motorcycles much later than most. She learned to ride at age 20 and a year or so later she started competing in local club races. After a few years racing primarily on 125cc and 250cc machinery she made her professional debut in the 2009 Daytona 200. That same year she became the first woman to qualify for a World

As a roadracer Melissa Paris made her professional debut in the 2009 Daytona 200. That same year she became the first woman to qualify for a World Supersport event. She raced the British Superbike series at Brands Hatch in 2012; scored a top 10 finish at the 2013 Daytona 200; finished 5th overall in the Spanish CEV Superstock championship; celebrated a banner year in 2015 by winning the 24 Hours Of Barcelona Endurance Race, WERA West Superbike championship and taking 8th at Daytona in MotoAmerica Supersport; 2016 member of the first all-girl team to qualify and complete the Bol d’Or 24 Hour race,; 2017 launched MP13 racing and was member of the first all-girl team to complete the LeMans 24 hour…But this year she was wearing even more hats than ever as Team Manager for a rider in the Twins Cup, mentor for all 15 of the BTR women roadracers, and as if all this weren’t enough husband Josh Hayes was chasing the all-time wins title during the 2022 season.

With her professional roadracing background and being a first time BTR Flat Track participant. Paris was the perfect person to mentor the women during every phase of the inaugural season. She worked with each racer on creating a design for their builds, building sponsorship decks and training off and on the track. This season since she was at the track for the entire MotoAmerica season, she added the BTR roadracing participants to her extended family in the pits!

Here she talks about that first season of BTR Flat Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTxLgxuSd-U

Photo courtesy Jen Muecke

RIDE WITH US

Two Terrific Back-to-Back Weekends for the National Moto Intro Series

Over the past two weekends at two different events, nearly 190 guests enjoyed an MIC Ride With Us Moto Intro, and the program had one of its busiest days yet.

Ride With Us reached an adventurous outdoor audience of a different kind at the California Capital Airshow in Sacramento, October 1-2. Many teenage participants made for a youthful group overall with an average age of just 32. Then this past weekend at Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia, Saturday alone saw more than 60 guests go through the 30-minute introductory motorcycle experience – with riders guided along the way by Motorcycle Safety Foundation certified coaches.

“I had two people tell me that they came to this Overland Expo because of the Ride With Us Moto Intros,” said Andria Yu, MSF RiderCoach and MIC director of media relations. “Another great thing about this weekend was that we had Honda and Yamaha displays on either side of our Ride With Us welcome tent and riding area. Several times, after we coached a rider, they were very interested in getting a bike to use with their camper. So I walked them to Honda and Yamaha and we talked about new motorcycles and the different style bikes available at local dealerships.”

“While Moto Intros are largely aimed at first-time riders, one guest who had not ridden in many years came out and joined us two days in a row,” Yu said. “He told us it was the most fun he had in 15 years and that Ride With Us convinced him to go buy a new motorcycle.”

The Ride With Us Moto Intro series travels to Las Vegas next, where it will be among the activities at the famed SEMA automotive trade show, November 1-4.

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE EXPO

AIMExpo Goes to Germany

AIMExpo and the MIC hosted a welcome lounge at INTERMOT this month in Cologne, Germany, driving awareness and visibility for North America’s powersports trade show and promoting the market on this side of the Atlantic. The huge German show was the first INTERMOT after a four-year hiatus, due to the pandemic, and organizers said it drew some 100,000 guests and exhibitors in total.

“Various companies and dealers stopped by to ask about AIMExpo, many of whom had already been to our show,” said Andre Albert, MIC director of sales & marketing. “Some were already registered to be back in 2023. North American companies attending INTERMOT stopped by for refreshments and to talk shop. Others conducted meetings in our lounge. Overall, a great opportunity and time well spent. AIMExpo remains a strong, international player when it comes to powersports trade shows.”

AIMExpo returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center in four months. Registration has opened and discounted hotel rates are still available.

Personnel Files

By Alex Baylon

GOOD HELP REALLY IS HARD TO FIND...

Sometimes You Have To Grin And Bear It

Ever since I started MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com more than 18 years ago, there have been running changes. For example, resumes are now okay to be posted online, back in the day, it was strictly taboo. We have cycled through employer markets and job seeker markets. Powersports-specific recruiting companies were born to help find hard-to-find employees… But the one thing that hasn’t changed since day one is the endless need for mechanics, especially A-Level /Master Techs!

I have been intrigued by this topic for a long time. Let’s go back to my days at Motonation for a minute. There is something Dino Signori, the owner of Sidi Boots, said to me that stuck with me for well over 20 years. Seems that Sidi, Alpinestars and Gaerne all come from the same Montebelluna area in Italy. The region is so well known for shoes that they have their very own shoe museum. So, what did the owner say?

“Shoe cobblers are a dying breed, the new generation doesn’t want to work in a factory making shoes, so we have to make adjustments to our company as to how we proceed in the future.” Not too many years later, Sidi decided to build a factory in Romania to be able to continue to make moto boots and cycling shoes. Around the same time Alpinestars also decided to start outsourcing and finding other means to build their products.

So this leads me to think that auto and motorcycle dealerships are — and have been — in a similar situation to Sidi and Alpinestars. Mechanics are getting harder and harder to find, because there has been a deep generational shift away from working the trade. Motorcycle technicians are badly needed, but in very short supply. That problem grew exponentially worse during the pandemic. Some of the dealerships I have spoken with recently are out as much as 6 weeks before they can take in a service appointment.

Despite competitive salaries and benefits, my dealer friends have been struggling to find techs. In turn, this has caused a drop in revenue for the dealership because they don’t have enough mechanics to service the customers (then throw in the supply chain issues limiting new unit sales). Dealers have plenty of demand, but they just don’t have enough supply of techs and service advisors to be able to do it. This is not just an OE dealer issue, independent service shops are also having the same issues.

Maybe the next industry shift that will happen with more eBikes and motorcycles that are more computerized which will create a new segment of computer-literate technicians that might bring in the younger generation with a whole new set of skills? The cutting-edge motorcycles of today and tomorrow that are built more around computers and software that could replace the old fashioned wrenchspinners we all rely on now.

Funny side story: I was at a dealership 3 days ago and this younger kid (in his 20s) was working on a 2008 Kawasaki ZX10 and said “man, I don’t know how to work on these vintage bikes.” I don’t know if he was kidding or not, but he did have the manual printed out… anyway point made. I feel the OEMs have a responsibility to help dealerships market, train and offer scholarships to help attract new tech talent.

Let’s talk about turnover for a minute. Yes, it’s clear everyone needs mechanics, but the turnover rate for service advisors seems to also be an issue. Unfortunately we don’t have the same data as big brother on the auto side, but we can definitely borrow from them. NADA (National Automobile Dealer Association) recently estimated that the auto industry is short about 37,000 trained technicians per year. So just like big brother, service staffing issues aren’t new to them, either.

Of course, it is no surprise that the number 1 reason for turnover is money. While there will always be someone willing to pay more, they may not be able to compete with culture. Keep in mind, mechanics usually work long hours and often have to work 6 days a week and it’s manual labor that can be grueling. They don’t usually feel appreciated or seem to have similar work/life balance like other departments. What are the solutions?

How do dealers and shops retain talent? I spoke to a few dealers about what they do. Here are some of my takeaways: 1) Create a minimum guarantee pay for newer up and coming techs who may not get many jobs at first and are still training. This helps the upcoming guys be a little more stable before moving on to a flat rate. 2) Give them a sense of security to have them stick around. One dealer even

instituted a bonus program for the techs for longevity. They know that there is always a bigger dealer that can pay more in the beginning, but they are creating an environment that will compete against short term cash. They are focused on creating an environment for their employees so they don’t leave. They offer benefits, in-house training programs and work hard to train up.

Dealers need to work harder than ever to retain staff. Dealers needing service staff need to always be looking. Dealers that think it’s okay to let their good employee leave for more money are making a huge mistake. While I understand you can’t have your employees hold you hostage for ransom, do the math on what it will cost you to look for another employee.

Dealers also seem to have this illusion that they can post an ad on MIJ — or anywhere else for that matter — and immediately find new hires. Let me share with you how bad it’s got. This is taken from a recent job posting. A dealer is offering a $20,000 sign on bonus. Flat Rate scale starting

at $40 increasing from there can do 70 to 80 billable hours in a 40-hour work week and they are booked for months. This specific dealer needs 2-3 master techs. I know they have been looking for over 6 weeks and even with those numbers they are still having a hard time finding A-Level techs.

Unfortunately, until something changes drastically, we will continue with this issue for years to come. What will be interesting is that it will coincide with the EV stuff on the market 10+ years from now. SnapOn rollaways will be replaced with handheld PDAs! However, one thing will remain constant, this industry will still be looking for techs!

Bottom Line:

Work hard to keep the employees you have. This industry is always going to be hungry for A-Levels. If you need more employees, understand that finding a new employee — especially with industry experience — is not as simple or as quick as ordering takeout.

MIJ Industry #PROfiles

Dealernews is honored to work with Motorcycle Industry Jobs to recognize the people who make up this great industry. “When you start reading the Industry #PROfles, you will notice that 80-90% of them get their start at a motorcycle dealership,” says MIJ founder Alex Baylon. “The dealers are on the front lines and have always been the heart and soul of the industry. Without motorcycle dealerships, most of us wouldn’t be where we are today, so part of our message is always going to be ‘support your local motorcycle shop.’”

In addition to recognizing industry pros, Dealernews is also working with MIJ to create a job ticker tape of the latest positions opening in the industry at the Dealernews.com site. Check it out at: www.dealernews.com/Industry-Jobs

“Tell us your story,” adds Baylon. “We would love to feature you! Click here to fill out the questionnaire: www.motorcycleindustryjobs.com/industry-profiles/

Currently with a major distributor, he has also been with Dragon Alliance, Ceet Racing, MX GP Services in Europe, Acerbis USA, Motonation/Sidi Boots and Scott USA. He started MIJ as he saw a need in the industry for people who are passionate about the motorcycle industry to have an employment outlet. The motorcycle industry like many others has always recycled employees from one company to another and it has always been done by word of mouth. MIJ allows companies in the industry to post their openings and give others in and out of the industry a chance to apply and insert new blood and fresh ideas in the many opportunities in the motorcycle industry.

MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com founder Alex Baylon has been hiring and firing people in the powersports industry for 25 years.

BULLY!

Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship Channels Teddy Roosevelt

By Donald Amador

Maybe Theodore Roosevelt was thinking of land-use advocacy when he famously once said, “Nothing in this world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…” We have suffered some serious land use losses lately. But we have been giving as good as we have been getting and the midterms are a time to accentuate the positive… and vote accordingly.

Adversity is nothing new to the powersports community. That historic reality holds particularly true for those of us in the OHV advocacy sector where getting beat down by politicians and government bureaucracy is standard fare. This led Mark Twain to remark that “Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason.”

Fortunately, there are two primary remedies for those times when we are feeling down, best taken in equal measure. Start with a healthy dose of throttle therapy and chase it with a thorough review of positive developments in our sport.

Works wonders! After one of those clear-the-head trail rides, I remembered what our good friends at the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) have accomplished in their efforts to build the Lost Sierra Route in Northern California.

According to SBTS, their Connected Communities Project is a visionary effort led in partnership with the US Forest Service, SBTS, dirt-bike clubs such as the Nevada County Woods Riders, community partners and the California State Parks OHV Grants Program have all collaborated to connect 15 mountain towns for economic prosperity through outdoor recreation – an $887 billion industry. It will create a vision for a recreationfocused lifestyle through community investment, shared stewardship, economic opportunity, and important new local jobs — all benefiting economically disadvantaged communities in California’s Plumas, Sierra, Butte, Lassen and Nevada Counties as well as Washoe County in Nevada.

This route will link more than 600-miles of multiuse (including OHV) trail traversing breathtaking topography, jagged peaks and high alpine meadows. Makes me smile in my helmet just thinking about it!

As we approach Election Day on November 8, let’s remember the advocacy work done at the national level by our industry colleagues at MIC, ROHVA and SVIA as key members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. They have been championing responsible motorized trail use and efforts by those of us in the field to build partnerships with diverse recreation and conservation groups to continue to ensure OHV has a front row seat at the land-use table.

In the meantime, bully for all the grassroots efforts like the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. That is true leadership rather than political rhetoric!

Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation management profession for almost 29 years. Don is President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting. Don served as a contractor to the BlueRibbon Coalition from 1996 until June, 2018. Don served on the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission from 1994-2000. He has won numerous awards including being a 2016 Inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame and the 2018 Friend of the AMA Award. Don currently serves as the government affairs lead for AMA District 36 in Northern California. He may be reached via email at: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

Post Newsom veto of SB 894 Throttle Therapy at the BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area near Redding, CA

Keeping trails open is everyone's responsibility. By working together as one motorized community, we can keep our trails open, healthy and beautiful for generations to come. Do your part by riding responsibly, keeping trails clean and trash-free, and volunteering with organizations that are working to keep access open for everyone.

Do your part, support Tread Lightly! and it's mission by becoming a member at treadlightly.org.

Confessions Of A Customer®

By Eric Anderson

AN ENDLESS CYCLE

What Goes Around Comes Around, Particularly in Politics

Youhave to see what I wrote at election time back 2016--pre-Trump. I had to laugh because it perfectly applies to now... and perfectly correlates to the Consumer Confidence levels needing to be over 100 for incumbents to be re-elected. This is not a presidential election coming up, but it still applies to incumbents being re-elected or not. Voters are predictable or at least can be depending upon the economy. “It’s the economy, stupid!” This “proves” we are all inside the “circle of life.”

Have things really changed post-Trump? It might be a wild but very predictable ride which most powersports businesses will undoubtedly survive. Prove me wrong! Here are the new updated Consumer Confidence numbers from www.conferenced-board.org for comparison. Remember the “theory” goes that if the index is over 100, the incumbents will stay in place. As soon as it drops below 100, the incumbents get voted out. It doesn’t always work, but previous to and including 2016 it was over 90% accurate.

ELECTION CYCLE 2016

Doomsday! If you believe the preppers and the political pundits, Election Day will bring the entire nation to its knees. The government, big corporations and corruption will financially rape us all! The massive influx of illegal immigrants and ISIS infiltrators will destroy what’s left… Really, people? Hasn’t all the political hysteria — thoroughly fanned by the media — gone to our heads a

little too much? Undoubtedly, this upcoming election is unlike any other in history, but we will remain united as Americans more than “paranoids” split by politics. This column isn’t about politics — it’s about your business, so let’s get to it.

Look, let’s say the worst thing possible happens and the candidate you most dislike (OK, hate) is elected. What’s really going to change with your family, your dealership or your personal safety? Not a helluva lot within a year or two! Mr. or Mrs. President will need to get settled into their first 120 days before attempting change. Congress will then slow that process down. The old “checks and balances” system is there for a reason — our forefathers thought of this scenario a long, long time ago, didn’t they? Before you hunker into a hidden bunker or apply for Canadian citizenship, think about this rationally for a while.

Armageddon is not new to American history and society. Tea taxes, independence, slavery, civil war, women’s suffrage, the Great Depression, McCarthyism, the KKK, civil rights, world wars, cold wars, non-wars, 9/11, transgender restrooms… These issues have all impacted the nation, but none of them have necessarily changed our fundamental American values. IISIS, Immigration, international trade and tax plans are the keys to the current campaign, but just look back from where we came. Holy moly, we Americans know how to survive and thrive against the odds, don’t we? The only thing that is really new is the technologically enhanced speed with which the media can fan the flames, making it all seem so much more urgent than ever before — TMI on steroids!

As James Carville once said, “It’s the economy, stupid!” The near-perfect predictive power of the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) essentially says that at the time of voting, the single-most important issue comes down to the economy. Forget flowery hype of hope or the tough talks on terrorism; voters are rewarding or punishing the incumbent based on the economy. Do you disagree? Track consumer confidence through every Presidential term since 1968 — guess what you see? A nearly perfect correlation between a CCI over 100 and the incumbent’s party being re-elected. Presidents and their respective parties who improve the economy tend most to stay in office. Duh!

Remember how Americans have historically needed a poke in the eye with a sharp stick before we come together? We don’t crumble. We don’t run. We don’t cry. We evolve after pain has been inflicted! The Revolutionary War, Pearl Harbor, Harley’s rise from the ashes, Phantom Duck Vs. BLM, discount mail order, the Lead Ban, the Superbike Bill, The Internet… The Election of 2016. Out of struggle arises opportunity! Look for it… like every other red-blooded American would… like every other red-blooded American has for the past 240 years!

If you are spending more time focusing on the negativity in the news (or minutia which can be construed as negativity), then you aren’t being objective. Look beyond

what’s simply thrown in front of your face via a TV, newspaper or mobile device. Filter… then focus. If you are a true motorcycle racer (or good businessperson), you were trained to never focus on the competitor directly in front of you…or that shop across the street, right? If you do, you will never get past him! Instead, you’ll end up following, never leading.

Remember “target fixation?” We all have it this month leading up to the election. So, cure yourself of whatever rectal myopia you may be suffering from and look out further into the light, beyond November. Things will be very different under a new President, but not fundamentally so. If you keep doing the same things into 2017 and expect different results, I suggest you move to China or N. Korea where most everyone thinks alike… and suffers because of it!

American culture has always been based on innovation, cultural diversity and doing it differently than the rest of the world. One Presidential election that doesn’t go your way is not going to change that overnight. Relax, filter, process, then move on to build your business as you see best fit for the new conditions approaching.

BTW — The CCI as of summer 2016 is hovering around 97.3. Going to hell in a handbasket isn’t my choice… instead, look for me on a Husky headed for Heaven (the trails around Reno and Lake Tahoe). There is still too much money to be made in the powersports industry no matter who is in the White House.

TRAVAILS WITH CHARLIE

A Monkey On My Back

By Charlie Williams

Itwas supposed to be the greatest show on earth! Motocross of Nations coming to Red Bud… and the U.S. with a legitimate shot at winning after an 11-year slump! Eli and the boys were on point and even the threat of rain only made the prospect of the  Pit Bike des Nations being a mudder made it that much better! But wait, there’s more! The folks at the International Motorcycle Museum must not have read my story in  Dealernews and I was back on the guest list to meet the Euro hero contingent who couldn’t make it to the first fundraiser because of COVID travel restrictions. Definitely going to be one of the greatest weekends ever…

September 19

Well, shit. This kills my big weekend plans of visiting the International Motocross Museum fundraiser and my chance to meet Heikki Mikkola… Plus missing the greatest spectacle in racing, the Motocross of Nations.

I walked in the emergency room Friday afternoon with some tender spots on my calf. Turns out my left leg has lots of blood clots along with some areas in my sternum (sternum means it hurts like hell).  Add to this, an earlier scan shows my Prostate Cancer is back but this time it turns up in my spine, kidneys and other little nooks and crannies of organs and tissues.

Still, I should be home in plenty of time to see the racing on TV, Go USA!

September 25

I’m home and well. Thank you for all the get well messages and calls, it really means the world to me. I don’t make anything easy. I had put off going to the hospital until the very last minute, in this case, Friday afternoon.

Instead of Red Bud, I surfed into the hospital as an early bird and beat the rush. I was quickly signed in and tethered to a bed. I probably got my first Oxycontin around 6 pm. It brought some relief, not necessarily from the pain caused by blood clots. Not necessarily relief either, but a distance between me and my pain. But to push the pain away, it pulls me closer to the darkness.

In 4 hours I was eligible for another Oxycontin, but they don’t automatically bring it, you have to ask for it. Not knowing this, pain returned to 100%. Friday night passed in a painful narcotic blur. Saturday, the same, no food, little water but like a trained bear, I’m pushing the call button every 4 hours, exactly on time. I would fight sleep so I wouldn’t oversleep and miss my narcotic master.

I couldn’t get fed or watered, I told everyone who would pretend to listen. I haven’t eaten anything but Oxycontin for days! My urine was as dark as my mood, I truly could not get to my food. Let’s not discount the fact they locked up all my daily pills: chemo, brain, nausea, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and bacon!

Two nurses started changing my sheets, I offered to stand up out of the way, I wanted to stand up, it had been days since I had been out of bed.

“No, we can do it with you in it.”

A nurse grabbed me and rolled me up on my side while the other manipulated the sheets, I think they were thinking of the old magician tablecloth trick — and it might have worked except I’m the size of two people, I’m soaking wet, the sheets are tangled in my gown and wires and hoses. They dug their heels in and this time, the nurse grabbed me and rolled me into the side board again, only this time in beast mode. I was looking her straight in the slitted green and yellow eyes and realized she was a man hater and was going to dominate me into submission.

Somewhere behind me a knot of wet sheets are being tugged and ratcheting me tighter in the corner. This is I’m sure standard operating procedure and yes, I got dry sheets, but the reason I’m laying here is because I’m having severe chest and rib pain, and honestly this wasn’t helping. I had a blood clot behind the 6th rib and although it had been getting better, this whole deal brought it to the forefront, to the top of the list and clear over the top. I was hurt.

I was lost, I floated in a sea of infection, pain, confusion. I was having vivid and detailed hallucinations; it was easy to find myself on a cot under an Acacia tree in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Too remote for help, isolation brings fear and desperation, this dream made my current position more palatable, no pun intended. Days later, at morning pill time, I made the decision that the pain in my chest had eased enough... I was going to hold off on the Oxy for a couple of hours.

Progress and a good decision.

At some point I had requested, successfully too, a bag of ice. The nurse warned me it might leak… well, sure enough, like leaving a bag of water with a drug-addled bear won’t end in disaster? It did.

At the 4:00 am blood draw, the nurse mentioned my bed was wet. “Is it blood,” I asked?

“No, it was that ice pack you had to have… Do you want me to change the bedding,” answered Nurse Ratched.  “Hell, I don’t really know or care, I’m too high to worry about it.” Then I added: “But if my wife or the nice Nun lady come back and find me starving in a wet bed, all hell is going to break loose, don’t ya think?” The narcotics really sharpen my wit.

I can only remember pain like this once, my arm had been burnt when the radiator cap had blown off a car. A couple weeks in and the burn nurse was snipping off the dead skin left from the golf ball sized blisters. She was just humming and scissoring along my arm, it looked like cooked onions. She hit a spot and my mind went: waaa waaa waaa! I passed out, threw up and fell out of the chair.

But this morning I can’t breathe, in or out. “I need more pain pills!” I screamed and yelled begging for pain pills!

At this point I’ve probably had 20 doses of Oxy and half a grilled cheese sandwich. I don’t know what is happening, I’m lost in pain, darkness and the icky gooey drug buzz…

A cot under the Acacia is too good, I move my hallucinations to laying on a cold stone floor in a seclusion cell in French Guiana. Worse, I switch to laying flat in a bamboo cage, Deer Hunter style. I feel like a gigantic albino catfish, I’ve swallowed a treble hook loaded with narcotics, but If I just lay here the fisherman doesn’t know I’m caught.

Oh, I’m caught though, with all the barbs and hooks and needles and nails. I came in for pain, but I’ll be leaving (hopefully) a drug addict.

Continued on page 76

Continued from page 75

Biker Bitches don’t always start out to be a Biker Bitch, but the bad guys get hold of her and drug her every day and after a few days, presto! Biker Bitch! Willing to do anything for what she needs, God help me.

I chanted and prayed, but I don’t really know any chants or prayers, so I counted. One, two, three, four, and if I hit 4 just right I couldn’t hear the beep from the machine that wasn’t working. One, two, three, four! Hours of this and I guess I finally exhausted myself and fell asleep.

I fell right back in my 4 hour beg for a pill routine, floating between reality, insanity and the fact that I’m simply a monster and should live chained to a stake in the ground. Nothing cleans a mirror like an opioid! I’m an outdated version of a human being, even when I lisp my S’s I’m still too coarse and crude for today’s gentler climate. I’m seeing myself through opioid glasses.

I finally escaped and got home. Yes, I lost my pill connection but god damn, I battle every day trying to walk the line. I don’t go into gas stations just so I don’t pick up another addiction!

It’s been days since, but I’m still hung over, or hung out, I don’t know. The whole ordeal was awful but I guess that’s part of the slow and painful part.

So they think the renewed Prostate cancer got the blood clot started. Described more as “worms” of thick blood have my left leg swollen and very painful. Another clot had lodged in my rib cage and somewhat dislocated a rib.

Blood thinners are prescribed but I’m certain that will be complicated by the Monoclonal Multiple Myeloma I also have, blood cancer. I’m 21 months in on a 24-month prescription of Chemo pills. I start hormone therapy for Prostate cancer and it lasts about 3 months.

So I’m sitting here with high hopes for Christmas, ideally my cancers will both be in check, both medications end at the same time, that should also give my blood clots a chance to clear up and hopefully I can get back to a normal life of doing wheelies and hanging out with our grandson.

My motto: No pills, no powders!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Charlie was finally discharged, kicking his opioid cravings and set to watch the TV recap of the Motocross of Nations he had missed… until October 8 when the next set of whoops hit! Classic Gonzo style, Charlie pulled off the textbook Flying W and was even able to return home on October 13. However, this course is beginning to look like the Erzberg Iron Giant on steroids and our hero is going to need some help getting to the checkers (see sidebar).

October 13

You’re not going to believe this one!

I had to go back to the hospital again for 5 days! I’m currently getting radiation treatments for cancer inside the spine, unfortunately it was causing pressure on the spinal cord. With the pressure came the pain! With the pain came the oxycontin monkey waiting to jump back on my back…

Cue Dr. Evil and his finger quotes “laser” for a minor miracle and a major breakthrough on the pain front.

Unbelievable technology enables the doctor to pinpoint laser beams inside the spine itself… and I’ll be damned! I felt 90% pain relief after one blast. I’m calling this guy “Dr. Evel” in honor of the man who broke every bone in his body, Evel Knievel. While I’m not ready to leap Snake Canyon, I can at least jump out of bed… well, roll out with some assistance, and go home.

I’m grateful for all the support I’ve gotten and I’ll share some details soon, but for now I’m home and comfortable and I hope y’all are too.

CHARLIE’S CANCER JOURNEY

The picture above was taken July 4, 2019. I was 61 years old and could still win a motorcycle trophy! Two weeks later during my annual physical, tests showed I had Prostate Cancer. I had the big surgery and came out of it pretty well. I was able to continue to work and play.

My cancer numbers crept back up so I had 2 rounds of Hormone Therapy but could still work and get along.

Then in January 2020 I developed a blood disorder, Monoclonal Multiple Myeloma. The Dr. prescribed Chemo pills for two years! I was slowed way down, but Wilma and I have been able to keep our little boat afloat…

Then, a month ago, September 2022 my Prostate Cancer numbers jumped, Dr. again prescribed Hormone Therapy but before that could start I was hospitalized with Deep Vein Thrombosis, blood clots in my leg and rib cage.

All the men in my family have had blood clotting problems, and both my cancers and the chemo treatments are known to cause blood clots, I was the perfect storm for blood clots.

Now I’m stuck, I’m leg up for the next few weeks or months and I’m afraid if I don’t ask for help my boat will go under sooner than later.

My best hopes are, Chemo and Hormone Therapy both end after Christmas, that gives my leg 3 months to clear up, so my very best hope is to get back to work after the first of the year. That’s my best, fact is I have two incurable diseases and a family history of blood clotting.

I keep smiling, but as I’m watching my cancer kill me, I’m also watching my cancer kill Wilma. She is carrying the load around here, 3 years now and we just can’t keep up. I need to ask for help to get us through the next few months. I’m not sure what the future holds, but if I go under now it will be that much harder to get going again.

Thank you, Charlie and Wilma

https://www.gofundme.com/f/vby9p-charliescancer-journey?sharetype=teams&member= 22247241&pc=fb_co_campmgmt_m&rcid=r01166463544003-7c9c453e419711ed&utm_ source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_ campaign=p_lico%2Bshare-sheet&fbclid=IwAR0yVB xRKOqtCfreTrNAsngQhnhUxpuykSNqW3r1o5TEZbx EDUHVNZUZBS4

TRICK OR TREAT!

From Halloween in Glamis to King Of The Hammers in Johnson Valley, UTV season is here! From duners to rock crawlers the market has expanded and continues to grow exponentially. The research experts peg the market between $6-$7 billion, depending on who you ask. “The North American ATV and UTV market was valued at $5.96 billion in 2021,” claims Mordor Intelligence. “It is expected to reach $7.90 billion in 2027, registering a CAGR of about 4.80% during the forecast period (2022 – 2027).” That sounds like $7 billion reasons to check out events like Sand Sports Super Show, the Off-Road Expo and even broaden your horizons into adjacent markets like the Overland Expo. Better yet, treat yourself to a “fact-finding” trip to Glamis for Halloween in a trick Nashty Customs UTV or head to Hammertown and see the sea of UTVs that gather in the middle of the desert — think Burning Man for petrol heads! The unofficial start to Dune Season has been the Sand Sports Super Show for a quarter of a century, so we combed the event in search of our picks to click in the UTV market.

S&S SOUNDS OFF AT SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW

After making an appearance at the last Sand Sports Super Show to soft launch the venerated aftermarket company’s entrée into the UTV game, S&S continued to expand their off-road lineup. This year the gofast guys from Viola, Wisconsin, treated show goers to a number of trick bits of UTV kits, including a turbo package for Kawasaki’s KRX models. “Our development team has been designing and testing a turbo kit for the KRX for the last two years,” shares S&S. VP of Marketing David Zemla. “The end result is a comprehensive conversion that checks all the performance and reliability boxes we could have hoped for.” See all their UTV offerings here: https://www.sscycle.com/feature/off-road-performance/ offroad-division-performance-parts-for-utv

KICKER WAS CRANKING AT SAND SPORTS

S&S wasn’t the only aftermarket leader to be sounding off at the Sand Sports Super Show. In support of its dealers, builders and customers, KICKER brought out its 83-foot rolling showroom – the XRV (Xtreme Recreational Vehicle) tractor-trailer, along with four custom sideby-sides equipped with KICKER systems. The XRV trailer hosted several show-quality vehicles under its awning, including vehicles by Uncensored Motorsports and Morgan Motorsports. KICKER had a strong presence outside of the booth as well, including partnering with SSV Works.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Continuing to crank up the volume at Sand Sports was the crew from MB Quart. Already known for the OE-spec sound systems found in machines like the Kawasaki KRX, MB Quart showcased award-winning UTV-Tuned Audio Kits for Polaris RZR, Can-Am X3, Polaris GENERAL, Polaris RANGER, Honda Talon and Universal Kits. For a breakdown on the entire line of Powersports UTV Kits that MB Quart has head to the MB Quart website at: https://mbquart.com/shop/products/powersports/powersports-utv-kits/

SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW

Saluting UTV Season!

Sand Sports Super Show saluted the start of dune season with the raising of the flag and a rousing version of the Star Spangled Banner to kick off its 24th year.  Back at its traditional OC Fairgrounds location the three-day extravaganza returned September 16-18, playing to a full house of 300 exhibitors and solid consumer attendance.

With the IMS shows ending and the Dealer Expo dropping off the schedule in 2015, the Super Show has evolved (we won’t talk about the Day 1 scratch when they tried to move it to Arizona or the COVID cancellation) and shifting from Baja Bugs and sand rails to side-by-sides in recent years. Sure, there were still some Jeeps to be found on the Fox Proving Grounds and LS-1 rails in the aisles, but this event has become a  de facto UTV show. Makes sense as the U.S. UTV market was estimated to be at more than $7 billion in 2020, with a projected CAGR of 6% through 2027.

A fact not lost on local dealers! Our friends from Coyne Powersports bring their entire crew for an all-hands-ondeck retail push. Malcolm Smith Motorsports shows up in force with show specials… and not just on Sunday. But Bert’s Mega Mall always goes over the top with an entire Pavilion of their very own, packed to the rafters with gear and machines.

“The Sand Sports Super Show represents the official kickoff to ‘season,’ seeing old friends, meeting new friends, and helping families and friends get into the machine they have wanted to get since last season,” says Neil Adams of Bert’s Mega Mall. “The overall feeling of the show is sharing and spreading the passion ourselves, and those that attend have for all things dune and dirt related!”

After dipping their toes in the water last time, multiple motorcycle aftermarket legends went full bore into Sand Sports this year as everyone from Performance Machine and S&S Cycle to Vance & Hines showed up with unique UTV applications for their legendary products. PM Boss Chris Lindstrom got bit by the UTV racing bug back when he was with one of the OEMs and had his personal test mule on display “fresh” from its last race, mashed push bars to prove it. “Sometimes you have to go for it… just like Performance Machine is pushing into UTVs this year,” he quipped.

“Style, sound and performance are the three pillars of our brand,” explains Vance & Hines President Mike Kennedy. “We knew we wanted to enter the side-by-side market with a bold statement about Vance & Hines. Not just great performance, not just great sound, but also a style that totally transforms the rear of the vehicle. I think our team nailed it.”

Kennedy notes every aspect of the new exhaust systems has been tailored to meet the rigorous demands of offroading, from heavy-duty bracketry to an automotivegrade, all-mechanical muffler design that is maintenancefree. Each of the systems produces power gains along with

a deeper and more satisfying growl, while still meeting SAE J1287 sound standards and complying with EPA emissions criteria. All the units are also equipped with US Forest Service compliant spark arrestors.  All of the systems are visually striking and change the look of the rear of the unit with a laser-cut rear guard featuring the Vance & Hines logo. The 4-inch, dual-tip, center exits with CNC-machined billet end caps reaffirm to riders left in the dust that this system delivers the sound, performance and style that Vance & Hines is known for.  The initial launch of the series includes three-part numbers which fit Honda, Polaris and Can-Am units dating back to 2017. Dealers began taking delivery of the Vance & Hines Mojave Eliminator Series in late October.

S&S also sounded off, with complete turbo kits making their debut. This year the go-fast guys from Viola, Wisconsin showed up and showed off a turbo package for Kawasaki’s KRX models. “Our development team has been designing and testing a turbo kit for the KRX for the last two years,” shares S&S VP of Marketing David Zemla. “The end result is a comprehensive conversion that checks all the performance and reliability boxes we could have hoped for — a little company out of the Midwest figures out how to make the KRX fast? Is that possible,” questions Zemla. S&S also had a revamped version of their tunable exhaust for the Can-Am and their latest clutching and fuel system parts on display.

No stranger to the show after making its SSSS debut more than a decade ago, DragonFire rolled out three dunespecific tire and wheel combos. “Our goal is to offer UTV owners products to help them have the best looking and top performing UTV in the crowd,” declares DragonFire brand manager Kyle Frederick. “Tires and wheels are a big part of a rig’s look and feel, so it’s only natural for us to offer products in these categories.”

DragonFire’s Kopa Sand Tires are engineered to maximize flotation and spin in the sand. The Kopa is constructed from a lightweight, 2-ply carcass with 23mm paddles to provide optimum traction for both naturally aspirated and turbo equipped UTVs. The tires are available in both 14 and 15 paddle designs and are available in 30” and 32” sizes.

DragonFire’s Typhon Wheels feature a race-inspired design in a matte black finish with a forged, 6061-aluminum beadlock ring and 20 grade-8 bolts around the circumference of the wheel. Typhon Wheels have a 1000 lb. load rating, are available in red or matte black in 14- and 15inch diameters and widths of 6, 7 and 10 inches. Meanwhile DragonFire’s Echo Wheels are a lightweight 12-spoke design in a matte black finish. They feature a simulated beadlock ring and stainless-steel bolts. Echo wheels are available in 15-inch diameter with 7-inch width and deliver a 1000 lb. load rating.

Something new to this year’s show was the Fox Factory Proving Grounds in partnership with Hammerking Productions. All weekend long, multiple times a day, showgoers could see high horsepower action and meet professional drivers. The proving ground gave everyone to see the vehicles in action, hitting a jump, burning tires, and hitting the rhythm section… all good until the poor Speed UTV prototype had a problem.

Ever the showman, Robby Gordon was showing the crowd on the proving grounds what the Speed UTV can do. After doing some laps and warming the car up, he hit the jump. Everything went well the first couple of times, but just before the third jump, the rear wheel gave way.  “The car we had out on the course has 10,000 miles on it,” claimed Gordon. “This car had the previous welding done before we had caught it and adjusted it for the current vehicles. We broke the inner pivot tabs off before and had to fluxcore weld them with only a 110-volt welder. The ones that broke on the proving grounds were the same. We got them welded properly and headed back for the next day.”

The show must go on! And go on it will. The next Sand Sports Super show is set for September 15-17, 2023 at the OC Fair and Events Center. Get updates here:

VALE GARY LAPLANTE

MotoVentures founder, Friend Of The AMA, Motorcycle Industry Council linchpin. OEM R&D guru, mentor, brother, father… Gary LaPlante meant something special to many people in the powersports industry. Our mutual friends Hector Cademartori and Mike Cline helped lead the GoFundMe effort to support Gary and multi-time Dealernews Top 100 winner Tom Hicks hosted his celebration of life which saw industry types congregate at the dealership.

“We had a Celebration of Life event here at the dealership for my Friend/Brother Gary LaPlante on Sunday, and it brought together more than 100 people, with most from the motorcycle industry,” said Hicks who broke into the industry together with LaPlante (see sidebar). “There were many speakers, and one made a statement that really hit home for me. He said that the motorcycle industry was a family, and when we lose one person everyone feels the loss.”

Certainly Gary’s extended industry family was extensive and close-knit.

“I have been so privileged to be in this industry for well over 40 years, and I consider so many of my industry friends as family.,” adds Hicks. “The loss of Gary was too soon and tragic, and it was so special to see all of the people that attended the event show so much love and respect for him. Gary is physically gone now but will always be in our hearts and thoughts.

“It is important to take this loss and turn it into an opportunity to come closer to the people we care about. Let’s enjoy our

motorcycling passion and get out and ride more, not only with the people we care for but make new friends and enhance our lives. I know Gary would want it that way!”

Ride in Peace, Gary LaPlante

BROTHERS IN ARMS

By Tom Hicks

The world lost a wonderful person, Gary LaPlante, on Sunday August 28th, 2022. Over the years I came to consider Gary as my brother. We met in 1982 as members of the motorcycle

industry club, SCPBRA, and quickly became close friends. He was working for Kawasaki at the time. A short while later he started working at Honda in the Product Research Department, which was where I worked.

Gary was in charge of the off-road motorcycles, and I was the on-road guy. We traveled everywhere together doing product introductions to the press, setting world records and lots of product testing. I helped Gary with roadracing, and he helped me with my off-road riding. Gary even tutored me to two local motorcycle trials championships. We stayed in close touch ever since.

Gary left Honda and started his motorcycle training business, MotoVentures, about a year before I started Southern California Motorcycles. MotoVentures became the elite place for off-road motorcycle training… and still is. It will continue to be operated by Gary’s son, Andre, who not only grew up working there but is an expert rider and teacher. Andre will keep MotoVentures going like the fantastic dream that Gary had envisioned.

I loved that man. He will always be in my thoughts, especially every time I get on a dirt bike.

Even though we all know that life has a limit we seem never prepared for the pain and loss when it happens. Life is short, so cherish the people you care about and spend time with them!

Ride in Peace, Gary!

Andre LaPlante.

a

father was

type of

but dad

to the future.

dad is in a

place now, no more pain or suffering. He’s doing wheelies in Heaven now!

Some of you know him from working with him at Kawasaki, or Honda, or MIC, or any of the other jobs he’s had in the motorcycle industry. Some of you know him from MotoVentures, which he always said was his greatest accomplishment in life. To which I replied “Hey, what about me?” Joking aside, my father will be greatly missed and the giant hole in my heart can never be filled.

His celebration of life was a great party, which my dad would have wanted. Thanks to everyone for the love and support, especially my mom Patty, who has been here with us every step of the way.

Godspeed Dad, I love you and miss you every day!

COMING OFF THE COVID BUMP

Where Do Dealers Go From Here When It Comes To Supply & Demand?

By Mike Murray

The powersports industry is going to continue its’ interesting path as we exit the “COVID bump” that gave us the imbalance of demand over supply. Now we settle into a long forgotten (but very reliably predictable) seasonality curve circa 2019… and before. The sales velocity of all vehicles is receding to that prepandemic “normal” rate.

Although there are some legitimate supply chain hiccups still being worked out, the vast majority of the COVID “supply chain issues” as perceived by the public were really demand issues. Everyone wanted more “stuff” when the pandemic was in full swing. We also had a lot of time on our hands to chase down the “stuff” we wanted and that created scarcity fears, mostly imagined and not real — think toilet paper.

Now that we are back to having more “things” to occupy our time (work, restaurants, vacations, kids sports, in person school, etc) we are buying less “stuff” to occupy that time. The demand curve is going back to prepandemic levels.

Our industry was very fortunate to see sales increases taking us back to total annual unit sales we had not seen since the early-mid 2000’s. There was also lots of “new to the sport” customers. Lots of PG&A sales. Lots of opportunity to move product that may have been slow moving in the past.

Now as an industry we are tasked with moving from the “order-taking” times of the prior 20 months and into the best sales and management practices we know. The quicker we re-employ these best practices that kept us going pre-pandemic, the healthier dealers and the entire industry will be.

Here are a few of my top discussion points on this topic:

• Work every deal

• Take every trade

• Follow up with every customer

• Have a legitimate pre-owned offering on your floor

• Do not let pre-owned units age beyond 100 days

• Follow the wholesale market- know the REAL ACV so you don’t bury yourself in trades

Meanwhile National Powersport Auctions is looking to grow our sales force. Do you love the industry? Do you enjoy the wholesale atmosphere? Are you Interested in learning more about NPA? Drop me a note! linkedin.com/in/mmurray22

VP of Sales for National Powersport Auctions, Mike Murrray has been in the wholesale vehicle and auction space since 1995, ultimately gaining experience in dealership management, inventory buying, inventory selling and managing all aspects of an auction. “As part of the NPA Executive Management Team I take pride in the growth we have achieved in the powersports industry providing world class service and value for our dealers. Our team has blazed the trail in creating tools and teaching dealers proactive inventory management strategies resulting in increased business for all parties.”