Powersports Business articles from July 2005

Powersports Business archives from July 2005

Hall of Fame honors nine new members.(Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum)
July 25, 2005... The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has named nine new members for 2005 induction. The Hall of Fame honors American motorcycling's legendary racers, inventors, promoters, designers, enthusiasts and journalists. The annual Hall of Fame...

Kawasaki eyes sales expansion in Europe.(HOTNEWS)(Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. plans to boost its motorcycle sales in Europe to 87,000 units through March 2006 by expanding its product lineup and strengthening its sales network, the Nikkei Business Daily reported, without citing...

Workers comp bill moves forward.(lower workers' compensation insurance rates for California motorcycle dealers)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Legislation sponsored by the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) that will lead to lower workers' compensation insurance rates for California motorcycle dealers was passed unanimously by the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee of the...

BMW names new head of technology office.(Bernardo Lopez, BMW Group Technology Office )(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Dr. Bernardo Lopez has been tapped to head the BMW Group Technology Office in Palo Alto, Calif. The move was effective July 1, 2005. The BMW Group Technology Office was founded in 1998 to identify and investigate technologies in...

Joe Hice joins University.(HOTNEWS)(University of Florida)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Long-time powersports marketing executive Joe Hice has been named the University of Florida's new associate vice president of marketing and public relations. Hice is responsible for public relations and employee communications at the...

Progressive study identifies bikes most likely to be stolen.(Progressive Group of Insurance Companies)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, Mayfield Village, Ohio, says a recent study of claims data on more than two million motorcycles it has insured over the past three years identifies the makes and models of bikes most and least...

CycleTrader.com expands functions.(HOTNEWS)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... CycleTrader.com has introduced a new tool it says was designed to expedite the browsing process for custom motorcycle dealers and manufacturers. CycleTrader.com officials say a new Browse function leads buyers directly to dealers and their...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
July 25, 2005... Photos in the ATV Focus Section of the June 27 issue of Powersports Business were not titled. The vehicles shown in the section, in the order that they appear, are the United Motors MoonTrax 90, Yamaha Rhino 660, Suzuki QUV, United Motors...

Kawasaki makes several management changes.(Kawasaki Motors Corporation U.S.A.)
July 25, 2005... Tom Orbe, who joined Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., in January 2003, and was instrumental in the move to consolidate all of the company's powersports segments under one umbrella, has left the company. Orbe last year was named vice...

SEC to question Harley-Davidson.(Securities and Exchange Commission)
July 25, 2005... The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is looking into matters surrounding several investor lawsuits filed against Harley-Davidson, the company said at the same time it announced a soft second quarter financial performance....

Polaris, KTM in $80 million deal.(Polaris Industries Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota))
July 25, 2005... Polaris Industries Inc. has agreed to pay approximately $80 million for a large piece of KTM, a move that would give the Minnesota-based manufacturer an expanded retail network in Europe and valuable insight to off-road motorcycle production....

CPSC forms team to review ATV safety regulations.(Consumer Product Safety Commission)
July 25, 2005... The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has taken an important step in its stated effort to review, and possibly rewrite, many of its rules covering ATV safety. On July 6, the CPSC announced the formation of an ATV Safety Review...

CPSC moves on ATV child safety issue.(Consumer Product Safety Commission, all terrain vehicles)
July 25, 2005... The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is taking additional steps to address the issue of safety for children riding ATVs, as you may have noticed in our news report elsewhere in this issue. That's a good thing. Nobody wants to see...

BRP 1Q revenue down 5%.(Bombardier Recreational Products)
July 25, 2005... Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), Valcourt, Quebec, says consolidated revenue for the company's first quarter ended April 30, 2005, was C $594.0 million (all figures in Canadian Dollars), down 5% or $29.9 million compared to revenue...

Bank of America to buy MBNA for $35 billion.(DIGEST)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Bank of America Corp. plans to acquire MBNA Corp. in a $35 billion cash and stock deal. MBNA, Wilmington, Del., is one of the largest stand-alone credit card issuers in the world. Bank of America Corp., Charlotte, N.C., is the...

Kawasaki suppliers meet in Missouri.(Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. U.S.A.)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. held its 2005 Suppliers Conference on June 30 in Maryville, Mo. More than 123 suppliers attended the conference, where they were informed of changes expected to occur throughout the upcoming year. ...

Japanese OEMs to invest $450 million in Indonesia.(DIGEST)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Japan's motorcycle and automobile manufacturers plan to invest nearly $450 million in Indonesia during the next two years, mainly for raising their motorcycle production capacities amid strong demand there, Bisnis Indonesia reported, quoting...

Sport, naked and standard bikes race ahead in sales.(FOCUS)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... The powersports industry has enjoyed 14 consecutive years of increased motorcycle sales, mostly fueled by the expanding cruiser market. However, figures show that in 2004 industry sales were up only 6% overall, yet sportbikes as a segment were...

Texas creates OHV program.(off highway vehicle program)
July 25, 2005... Texas Governor Rick Perry has signed into law a bill creating an off-highway vehicle program in the state. This legislation establishes an OHV trail and recreational area program, administered by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife,...

Wisconsin ATV registrations up 90% in five years.(all terrain vehicles)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... The State of Wisconsin says ATV registrations have increased 90 percent there since 2000 while snowmobile registration has decreased 1 percent. This news forms the basis for increased debate regarding four-wheeler land use and access rights....

China Engine to introduce ATV engines.(ATV Digest)
July 25, 2005... China Engine Corp. (CEC), based in Taiwan, is developing a series of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and pan-utility gasoline engines with displacements of 400cc to 700cc. The company says the first of the new engines, scheduled for mass production...

BRP aims new DS250 at international market.(Bombardier Recreational Products, all terrain vehicles)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... While those in North America might never see it, Bombardier Recreational Products released details on a new DS250 entry level sport quad. The quad is available only in markets outside of North America. BRP said it will be EC homologated...

Honda most-searched on ATVTraderOnline.com.(ATV Digest)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... ATVs manufactured by Honda Motor Co. are the most-searched quads on ATVTraderOnline, sister site to CycleTrader.com and a part of the TraderOnline.com network of Web sites serving buyers and sellers in the new and used vehicle marketplace. ...

Yamaha named Licensee of Ducks Unlimited.(Yamaha Motor Corporation USA)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Ducks Unlimited and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. recently joined forces to market Ducks Unlimited-branded Yamaha ATVs while raising funds for conservation. In the agreement, Yamaha was named an Official Licensee of Ducks Unlimited and...

Polaris expands line-up of mid-sized ATVs.(Polaris Industries Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota))
July 25, 2005... Polaris has experienced tremendous growth in terms of ATV sales in recent years. But, even with a full line of Sportsman quads, the Minnesota-based company still had a few holes to plug to reach an even broader array of utility quad consumers...

Arctic Cat introduces 650cc UTV.(utility vehicle, all terrain vehicles)
July 25, 2005... Minnesota-based Arctic Cat, Inc. recently invited powersports journalists to Missouri to ride the company's line-up of model year 2006 ATVs. The manufacturer chose Dogwood Canyon Park, just south of Branson, as the location for its product...

Route 3A Motors Inc.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
July 25, 2005... CONTACT 170 Tyngsboro Road North Chelmsford, MA 01863 978/251-4440 www.route3amotor.com OWNER Steve Caggiano BUSINESS PROFILE The 8,000-sq.-ft. dealership was founded in 1980 and has been at the present...

Ducati restructures marketing department.(Cycle Update)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Changes are being made to the marketing department at Ducati North America, Cupertino, Calif. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Director of Marketing John Porter will be leaving the company at the end of June. Ducati North America CEO Michael...

Spied--BMW T 800.(Cycle Update)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... A spate of recently revealed spy photos have BMW enthusiasts frantically searching the Internet and the latest consumer magazines for news about what is expected to be the next BMW-Aprilia joint product: the BMW T 800. The T 800 may run on...

2005 ISDE team USA announced.(80th International Six Days Enduro)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Thirty-four enduro riders from the United States will compete in the 80th International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), September 6-19, 2005, in Povazska-Bystrica, Slovak Republic. The ISDE, often called "The Olympics of Motorcycling," gathers the...

City of West Hollywood plans exhaust noise crackdown.(Cycle Update)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... The City of West Hollywood, Calif., held a press conference June 20 to announce the implementation of its new zero tolerance policy on excessive motorcycle noise within the city limits. City officials say the zero tolerance policy will be...

Saxon announces customer programs.(Saxon Motorcycle Company)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Representatives of Saxon Motorcycle Company have announced the launch of a three-pronged program designed to strengthen the Saxon brand and turn Saxon Motorcycle buyers into life-long customers. The three programs include the: 1) Customer...

EagleRider expands rental program.(MOTORCYCLE)
July 25, 2005... Powersports rental enterprise EagleRider, Inc., recently completed two strategic moves designed to make it easier to rent motorcycles, ATVs and watercraft at any of the company's 33 locations throughout the world: 1) The company signed with...

Big Dog's Tornado Rally attracts 15,000 visitors.(MOTORCYCLE)
July 25, 2005... More than 15,000 motorcycle enthusiasts visited downtown Wichita to take part in the Tornado Rally, a bike rally sponsored by Kansas-based Big Dog Motorcycles. "When developing this new annual rally, our ultimate goals were to promote the...

Desimone Motorcycles, LLC.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
July 25, 2005... CONTACT 406 East Route 70 Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856/354-0004 www.desimonecycles.com OWNER Michael DeSimone BUSINESS PROFILE 6,000-sq.-ft. dealership founded in May 2002 when DeSimone purchased an existing...

Kawasaki ER-6n joins list of 'Euro-only' models.(MOTORCYCLE)
July 25, 2005... Kawasaki recently revealed an all-new naked bike, the twin-cylinder ER-6n, to its European dealer network. The bike is scheduled to be available in October 2005 without ABS and December 2005 with ABS. Pricing has not been announced. ...

Japan's OEMs up production 7.5% in May.(motorcycle industry)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Motorcycle manufacturers in Japan produced 119,071 units during May 2005, up 8,311 units or 7.5% from the 110,760 units produced during May 2004, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). Honda produced 43,987...

Ventura Harley-Davidson Buell.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
July 25, 2005... CONTACT 1326 Del Norte Road Camarillo, CA 93010 805/981-9904 www.venturaharley.com, www.simiharley.com OWNERS Tom Elsaesser, Paul Pecoraro, Tracey Warriner, and Jason Barresi BUSINESS PROFILE Two...

Bighorn, Fire Island re-open; Upper Mississippi threatened.(personal watercraft)
July 25, 2005... While they already were on the list of park areas expected to reopen to PWC, the news that Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, which straddles the Montana and Wyoming border, and Fire Island National Sea Shore, in New York, had actually...

New York awaits age law.(personal watercraft riding age)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... All PWC operators in New York born after January 1, 1975, are required to pass an approved boating safety course and carry a certificate of completion in legislation awaiting Gov. Pataki's signature. The legislation, recently passed the State...

N.C. hikes age for PWC operators.(personal watercrafts)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Personal watercraft operators will have to be at least 14 years old to drive the units on North Carolina lakes and shorelines in a bill now awaiting Gov. Mike Easley's signature. The bill also would require personal watercraft users who are...

Sea-Doo brings back Bounty.(Bombardier Recreational Products)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. announced on July 8, 2005, the return of the Sea-Doo Bounty program. Designed to reward racers on Sea-Doo product that have reached the podium, the Sea-Doo Bounty "Double Down" contingency program offers...

Marine industry assembled at MAATS.(Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Accessories aftermarket buyers including mass retailers, cataloguers, U.S. and international distributors, and accessory buyers from marine dealerships assembled in Las Vegas for Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS)--a highly...

Brunswick acquires Kellog Marine.(Making Waves)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Boat and engine builder Brunswick Corp., Lake Forest, Ill, has acquired Kellogg Marine, a distributor of marine parts and accessories. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Based in Old Lyme, Conn., Kellogg will join with the...

Marine Lending Conference, Sept. 11-13.(Making Waves)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Challenges of rising interest rates and a cooling economy, competition for boating from other leisure sectors, and current marine lending issues of concern will be in focus at the National Marine Bankers Association's 26th annual Marine Lending...

Seminole powersports.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
July 25, 2005... CONTACT 1200 Rinehart Road Sanford, FL 32771 407/322-3253 www.seminolepowersports.com OWNERS A Corporation BUSINESS PROFILE 42,500-sq.-ft dealership founded in 1982; at present location since just before...

New snowmobile laws in New York.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... New York lawmakers passed legislation in June that affects snowmobilers on public trails in four ways. First, the snowmobile speed limit is set at 55 mph for most trails statewide. Prior to this law, New York had no speed limit on snowmobile...

Polaris hires Meirovitz for snowmobile, victory.(Tony Meirovitz, Polaris Industries Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota))(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, Minn., has hired Tony Meirovitz as external relations specialist for the snowmobile and Victory motorcycle divisions. In his new position, Meirovitz will work with internal marketing teams, public and media...

Woody's chooses New York as event host.(Woody's Challenge grass drag race)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... International Engineering & Manufacturing (IEM), Hope, Mich., has chosen the Seneca Falls Supertrack in Seneca Falls, N.Y., as the next host facility for its annual Woody's Challenge grass drag race. The event will take place on October 15....

Maine tightens hit-and-run law.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Beginning this fall, a new law in Maine will make it a felony not to report snowmobile accidents that cause injury or death. It will also be illegal to leave the scene of that accident. The lay will cover ATV and boating accidents, as well. The...

Camoplast to sponsor new watercross group.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Sherbrooke, Quebec-based Camoplast Inc., maker of snowmobile tracks, will be the title sponsor of a new snowmobile watercross series in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. The series will be known as the Camoplast Eastern Watercross Series. The races,...

New Hampshire begins snow grants.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... The State of New Hampshire says an advisory committee of the state Trails Bureau approved about $1 million for snowmobile-related construction projects and almost $1.2 million for equipment purchases. So far, 75 snowmobile clubs have...

New Hampshire, Maine agree on trails.(Snowmobile Report)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... In other news related to snowmobiling in New Hampshire, sledders now can ride on New Hampshire Trail 18 and Maine ITS Trail 80 regardless of which of the two states their sleds are registered in. A bill signed by Maine Gov. John Baldacci...

PowerMadd spins off its trailer business.(SNOWMOBILE)
July 25, 2005... In what seems to be an amicable split, the trailer accessories and the powersport accessories divisions of PowerMadd have gone their own directions. As of June 21, PowerMadd--with the powersports accessories--was sold to employees Randy...

National Park Service asks for Yellowstone comment, again.(Yellowstone National Park, snowmobile use)
July 25, 2005... The National Park Service is again taking public comment on snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park. On June 24, the Park Service announced the formal opening of a process to develop an environmental impact statement on the winter use...

ADP Lightspeed adds consulting services.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)
July 25, 2005... ADP Lightspeed has launched a new consulting service that company officials say was designed to help powersports dealers uncover and correct weaknesses in their business. "For years, dealers have asked us to provide onsite, in-depth...

Bell industries holds product show.(Bell Recreational Products)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Minnesota-based regional distributor Bell Recreational Products, a unit of Bell Industries, hosted 47 product suppliers and dozens of powersports dealers at its annual Snow/ATV/Motorcycle Product Show on July 13. Trent Walden, Group Sales...

White Brothers expands Racing Support.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)(White Brothers Performance Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... White Brothers Performance Products, Inc., Yorba Linda, Calif., expanded its race support program in late June through the addition of Jason Partridge as a Technical Racing Support Specialist. Partridge has been assigned to strengthen White...

More new faces at Parts Unlimited.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Wisconsin-based distributor Parts Unlimited has announced four more additions to its sales force. Dan Hollingsworth and Ryan Hemans have been tapped as new Northwest Region sales representatives A parts manager in the Oregon area since...

Kawasaki, Joe Rocket enter licensing agreement.(Kawasaki Motors Corporation U.S.A.)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Joe Rocket and Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA, have signed a co-operative licensing agreement that will have Joe Rocket offer a new line of Kawasaki Road Race Replica apparel products. The 2006 Kawasaki Road Race Replica collection by Joe...

HiPer Technology Inc. recalls ATV wheels.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... HiPer Technology Inc., Lawrence, Kan., has recalled approximately 875 of its nine-inch ATV wheels with an aluminum center section. HiPer says the aluminum center section of the wheel can come apart causing the tire and rim to unexpectedly...

i2tech named Arctic Cat's Supplier of the Year.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)(Innovative Injection Technologies)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Innovative Injection Technologies (i2tech), West Des Moines, Iowa, has been selected as Arctic Cat's Supplier of the Year for 2005. This is the second year in a row i2tech was named top supplier. Chuck Hicks, Director of Supply Management for...

Yuasa names VP of manufacturing.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)(Yuasa Battery Inc.)(Rick Newberry)(Brief Article)
July 25, 2005... Yuasa Battery, Inc., Laureldale, Penn., recently appointed Rick Newberry as vice president of manufacturing. Newberry most recently served as plant manager for Exide Technologies in Bristol, Tenn. Established in 1979, Yuasa Battery is one...

Purpose: the first P in profit.(Dealer Checkup)
July 25, 2005... In the June 6, 2005, issue of Powersports Business magazine I wrote about the four P's of profitability. There was such a great response from readers like you wanting more information on the subject that I plan to elaborate in more detail on...

High Octane PowerSports.(Power Profile)(Company Profile)
July 25, 2005... CONTACT 611 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 805/230-3185 www.highoctanepowersports.com OWNERS The Olmon Family Corporation BUSINESS PROFILE 3,200-sq.-ft. PG & A/service retail outlet,...

Dealer profit continues climb.(Top Guns)
July 25, 2005... Overall dealer profitability, as measured by Top Gun dealers nationwide, continued to climb in May, reaching 10.2%, up from 9.1% in April. Overall net profit for the year through May was 7.7%, one point over the 6.7% YTD figure recorded in...

Stroke boot by Alpinestars.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- Available in black or sand, sizes 6 through 13. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Benefits -- Extended toecap and heel plate, contoured "stay tied" laces, high-wear areas reinforced by rubber guards, full-length molded mid-sole...

Spidi Admiral Touring Suit.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- The waterproof and breathable Admiral Touring Suit features sealed zippers that will not allow wind or water to penetrate the suit. Available in black; sizes medium to 3XL. Benefits -- The step-in system allows wearer to...

Diamond GSX-R 1000 lowering link.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- Diamond Powersports' new lowering link for Suzuki's 2005 GSX-R 1000 is manufactured from 7075 T-6 aluminum and comes with the bike model name engraved on its face. Diamond Powersports' list of distributors includes Tucker...

Zamp RZ-10.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- The Zamp RZ-10 road helmet offes the company's most up-to-date aerodynamics, ventilation and graphics. Meets Snell and DOT standards. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Benefits -- The RZ-10 features a composite fiber shell; an...

Corbin ZX-10R saddle.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- Built using Corbin's exclusive Comfort Cell Foam-dense at first until it begins forming to the body and riding posture, Corbin's new genuine leather pilot saddle for the 2004 and 2005 Kawasaki ZX-10R measures 12 inches wide X...

KBC, Repsol helmet.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- A KBC helmet featuring Repsol replica graphics began shipping from Motorcycle Stuff in mid June. The helmet is based on KBCs VR-2 racing helmet worn by 5 time AMA Superbike Champ Mat Mladin. Only 750 limited edition Repsol...

Olympia mustang jackets and jeans.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- Available in men's and women's sizes in dark gray or khaki. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Benefits -- Combines classic denim styling with abrasion-resistant Dupont Cordura and full CE-approved body armor. Suggested...

Nelson-Rigg CL-350.(HOT PRODUCTS)
July 25, 2005... Specifications -- This tank bag is made from a UV-treated "Tri-Max" Ballistic polyester and accommodates most tanks. Dimensions: 15"L X 7"H X 10W" Benefits -- The exclusive Micro Hug Fiber base with magnets is designed to hold the bag...

Job descriptions supply focus and direction.(Sales Management)
July 25, 2005... This issue we begin a new series of articles that will address implementing job descriptions for your sales department. These articles will include samples of job descriptions that you can utilize in your dealership. The preparation and...