Powersports Business articles from March 2005

Powersports Business archives from March 2005

Viper eyes refinancing with investor.(HOT NEWS)(Viper Motorcycle Company)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Viper Motorcycle Company, New Hope, Minn., has pulled its application for an initial public stock (IPO) offering and today faces an uncertain future. Viper filed a request with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Feb. 1,...

Japan ups production.(HOT NEWS)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Japan's major motorcycle manufacturers produced 210,194 units during January 2005, up 50,841 units or 31.9% compared with the 159,353 units produced in January 2004, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). Of...

Investor hikes stake in AIH.(HOT NEWS American Iron-Horse Motorcycle Company, Inc)(Xponential, Inc.)(American Iron-Horse Motorcycle Company, Inc)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Xponential, Inc., Norcross, Ga., says it has acquired an additional 51,111 shares of American Iron-Horse Motorcycle Company, Inc. common stock to increase its holdings to 793,859 shares, or 15% of the common stock outstanding. Xponential also...

Harley-Davidson adds financial program.(HOT NEWS)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) has launched a program to extend small business financing to Harley-Davidson dealers. The program, offered through Wachovia Small Business Capital (WSBC), offers all nationwide Harley-Davidson dealers...

BMW, Aprilia discuss new model production.(hot news)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... BMW said it is discussing a deal with Italy's Aprilia. The discussions focus on efforts in "development and production," BMW said in a statement. Aprilia manufactured the BMW F650 from 1993 to 1999, before BMW Motorcycle relocated...

UTI adds board members.(hot news)(Universal Technical Institute Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI), a Phoenix, Ariz., provider of technical education training, added two new members to the company's board of directors at its Feb. 16, 2005, annual shareholder meeting. Kimberly J. McWaters, UTI's...

Kawasaki launches Custom Cruiser Tour.(hot news)(Kawasaki Motors Corporation U.S.A.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has launched its Custom Cruiser Tour (CCT), a traveling exhibit showcasing the different ways to modify and personalize the company's Vulcan line of cruiser motorcycles. Eventually traveling to nine major...

Patriot to sell through major retailer.(hot news)(Patriot Motorcycles Corporation)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Patriot Motorcycles Corporation, Dana Point, Calif., plans to sell its products through an unidentified major chain retailer. The move involves the Yamoto by Patriot brand. Traditional authorized dealers will sell and service the full line of...

Kymco enters Canada.(hot news)(Kwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd. )(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Taiwan's Kwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd., better known as Kymco, is preparing distribution to powersports dealers in Canada. Beco Motors International, Caledon East, Ontario, says it expects to have Kymco scooters, motorcycles and ATVs available...

AMA Sports taps track racing manager.(hot news)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... AMA Sports, the amateur and pro-am competition division of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), has named Ken Saillant as track racing manager, effective March 21, 2005. Saillant will oyersee operations of flat-track, Supermoto,...

Dealer group plans Lemco purchase.(Ride Now Powersports Management Group, Lemco Management Group)
March 14, 2005... Ride Now Powersports Management Group, the country's largest dealer group, has reached an agreement in principle to purchase a majority interest in Lemco Management Group, Denver, Colo. Lemco is the nation's largest motorcycle training group...

BRP continues to go for Gen Y buyers.(Bombardier Recreational Products)
March 14, 2005... ACAPULCO, MEXICO -- BRP is continuing its drive for the young crowd with the introduction of a lightweight, maneuverable, low-cost snowmobile, that sells for only $3,999 U.S.--the 2006 Ski-Doo Freestyle The move seemed to hit the mark with...

Expo continues strong performance: venue change eyed to handle growing exhibitor needs.
March 14, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- Managers of the powersports industry's largest trade show seriously are considering other venues to accommodate the growing space requests from exhibitors, the show manager told Powersports Business. In an interview...

What's the definition of a major OEM?(original equipment manufacturer)(Editorial)
March 14, 2005... Change often brings conflict, and the latest big change in the U.S. powersports industry is no exception. If you visited the Dealer Expo at Indianapolis last month, you saw the most recent example of a huge new trend: the rapidly growing number...

Giant forms financing unit.(digest)(Giant Motorsports, Inc.)(Company Profile)
March 14, 2005... Giant Motorsports, Inc. has formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Giant Motorsports Acceptance Group, Inc., to provide direct financing to purchasers of the company's motorcycles and other powersports products. Giant operates two additional...

BRP repays $280 million loan.(digest)(Bombardier Recreational Products)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Privately held Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) says it has repaid a $280 million (C$347 million) loan, but replaced it with a new term loan facility of $50 million (C$62 million), under the existing Senior Secured Credit Facilities,...

CFO George leaves Oakley.(digest)(Tom George)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Tom George, the chief financial officer of Oakley, Inc., Foothill Ranch, Calif., has resigned to pursue a new opportunity as the chief financial officer of a private emerging growth company in San Diego. George joined Oakley in October 1997....

Ducati expects loss of $10.4 million.(digest)(Ducati Motor Holdings S.p.A.)
March 14, 2005... Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. says preliminary full year 2004 financial results show revenues of $501.8 million (Euro 382.8 million), up 1.0% excluding foreign exchange (forex) effects and down 1.4% including forex effects, versus last year. "We...

Fairchild Sports hits $43.1 million.(digest)(Fairchild Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The Fairchild Corporation announced net earnings of $900,000, or 4 cents per share, for its first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2004, up from a net loss of $2.2 million, or 9 cents per share, for the first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2003. The...

Liquidity ratio can help spot cash gap.(business doctor)
March 14, 2005... EDITOR'S NOTE: As we saw last time, the Inventory Turnover Ratio was useful in helping our dealership improve its ordering quantities, and thereby improve its cash flow. This time, we will look at some "liquidity" ratios and see if a...

Dealer Expo show report.(focus)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... A record number of attendees strolled through the jammed aisles of the Indianapolis Convention Center and RCA Dome for the 39th Annual Dealer Expo Feb. 19-21. Preliminary registration figures tallied immediately after the Expo showed that...

Expo is candy store for motorcycle people.(focu: dealer expo report)
March 14, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 900 exhibitors participated in the Dealer Expo here this year and most of them seemed to have at least something that could be sold by a motorcycle dealers. Attendees saw everything from parts and accessories to...

More ATV accessories seen at Expo.(focus: dealer expo reports)(all terrain vehicles)
March 14, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- The Dealer Expo is a good way to gauge trends most likely to rule the ATV aftermarket during the rest of the year. The February event allows manufacturers and distributors to introduce their new product while dealers prepare...

Polaris, Lehman Trike strike deal.(focus: dealer expo report)(Polaris Industries Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota))
March 14, 2005... Polaris Industries Inc., Medina, Minn., manufacturer and distributor of the fast-growing Victory Motorcycles brand, announced at the Dealer Expo that it has established a relationship through which Lehman Trikes, Inc. will development,...

US Mini GP group offers road racing program for kids.(expo spotlight)
March 14, 2005... An organization comprised of several companies and motorcycle enthusiasts, US Mini GP is a new spec racing program designed to create future motorcycle road race champions in North America. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spec racing is a...

Auction company plans fast track growth.(expo spotlight)(National Power Auctions)
March 14, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- Selling repossessed motorcycles doesn't sound like much of a business, unless, of course, you build it into a national operation, buy out your major competitor, service most of the major finance companies, add consignment...

MH motorcycles now available in the United States.(expo spotlight)(Motorhispania, Martin Racing Performance)
March 14, 2005... Martin Racing Performance, Miami, Fla., imports and distributes vehicles by Malaguti and Motorhispania (MH), and offers performance parts for imported ATVs, scooters and motorcycles through Turbo Kit, Polini, CB, WY, Malossi and the MRP house...

eBay helps dealers move merchandise.(espo spotlight)
March 14, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- So, Bunky, you say you've got a room full of used bikes, a couple of crates of non-currents and a boatload of old parts and accessories gathering dust in the back room? And worse than the mess is the amount of cash you've...

Recruiting firm finds Dealer Expo good for business.(expo spotlight)
March 14, 2005... Anthony Cisneros has attended plenty of powersports trade shows, including the Dealer Expo, but never as an exhibitor. This year was the first time for him, and he's glad he pulled the trigger. Cisneros is general manager of Associated...

Coolskunk uses racing to provide youth values.(expo spotlight)(Coolskunk KyDs)
March 14, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- Philip Rispoli is founder of Coolskunk KyDs, a sports promotion organization and racing team he says is dedicated to "learning life's values while competing in youth motor sports." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rispoli was at...

BlueRibbon Breakfast of Champions draws nearly 500 fans.(focus: dealer expo report)
March 14, 2005... INDIANAPOLIS -- Nearly five hundred motorcycle race fans enjoyed breakfast, spirited bidding for race memorabilia, and some of the best bench racing stories ever at the BlueRibbon Coalition's seventh annual Breakfast of Champions Sunday, Feb....

Marshall U offers OHV e-course.(ATV Digest)(Marshall University, West Virginia, off--highway vehicle recreation)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Marshall University in West Virginia first offered a minor college degree in OHV Recreation Management in 2003. Now the four-course series is available online in a distance-learning medium. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The University says...

Kawasaki recalls 9,500 ATVs.(ATV Digest)(all terrain vehicles)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA announced a recall of approximately 9,500 units of its Brute Force 750 4X4i. Kawasaki says the nut securing the front upper suspension arm pivot bolt could come loose during vehicle use. Continued use of the ATV...

Club Car recalls 19,663 vehicles.(ATV Digest)(all terrain vehicles)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Club Car, Inc. has recalled 19,663 of its 2004 and 2005 model year gasoline and electric powered Rough Terrain Vehicles, DS Golf Cars, Hospitality and Utility & Transport Vehicles sold between April 6, 2004 and October 1, 2004. The company...

Segway goes off-road.(ATV Digest)(all terrain vehicles)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Segway has launched three new models of its personal mobility device, the Human Transporter. Why report on it in this space? One of the new machines, the XT, has been designed as an all-terrain vehicle. The new off-road Human Transporter...

ATV of the year: Suzuki King Quad.(ATV)(all terrain vehicle)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 14, 2005... Those who have followed Suzuki since the early 90s know the King Quad name. For many years it was Suzuki's premier utility ATV. It was a workhorse and had one of the neatest differential systems ever produced on an ATV. When Suzuki retired the...

SAE International creates OHV I.D. system.(ATV)(product identification numbers, all terrain vehicles)
March 14, 2005... SAE International, Warrendale, Penn., has established a new product identification number system for off-highway recreation vehicles. The PIN system, which became effective this month, provides manufacturers of off-road recreation vehicles...

Robertson's power & sports.(power profile)(Company Profile)
March 14, 2005... CONTACT 733 Lebanon Street Sanford, ME 04073 207/324-5502 www.robertsonspower.com OWNER Gary Robertson BUSINESS PROFILE 6,200-sq.-ft dealership (2,800-sq.-ft. showroom, 2,400-sq.-ft. service area,...

AMA's 'Justice for All' gains support.(Cycle Update)(American Motorcyclist Association)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that its "Justice for All" campaign enters its second year with promising legislative momentum, as well as active participation and generous financial support from enthusiasts...

Hall of Fame Museum hosts reunion.(cycle update)(Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, Pickerington, Ohio, plans to celebrate the opening of its next major exhibit, "Motocross America," on July 14, 2005. Planned festivities include a special Museum reception honoring the men and women...

Dealers stock more PG & A items, margins continue to increase.(trendline)(parts, garments and accessory)
March 14, 2005... EDITORS'S NOTE: During January, Power Products Marketing conducted a telephone survey on behalf of Powersports Business among 100 authorized motorcycle dealers across the U.S. These dealers collectively reported 2004 motorcycles sales of over...

The business of racing: dealership involvement.(motorcycle racing)
March 14, 2005... Editor's Note: This is the second in a three-part series on the Business of Racing. here, we explore the role dealers play in supercross and motocross racing. It's safe to say that nearly all of today's professional off-road riders started...

Frontier Harley-Davidson/Buell.(power profile)(Company Profile)
March 14, 2005... CONTACT 2801 North 27th Street Lincoln, NE 68521 402/466-9100 www.frontierhd.com OWNERS Dave and Deb Fischer BUSINESS PROFILE 22,000-sq.-ft. dealership (15,000-sq.-ft. main building plus four warehouses,...

Frank's motorcycle sales and service.(power profile)(Company Profile)
March 14, 2005... CONTACT Route 15 Essex, Vermont 05451 802/878-3930 www.franksmotorcyclesales.com OWNER Lester Pelkey BUSINESS PROFILE The 7,800-sq.-ft. dealership was founded in 1955 by Frank Pelkey, Lester's father. Essex...

Desert Steel takes over Jet Jam.(making waves)(Desert Steel Motorsports, motorboat racing)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Lake Havasu's popular Jet Jam series has found a new promoter in Desert Steel Motorsports. Formerly produced by Bullett Racing, the Jet Jam will continue to be held in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Of note, Desert Steel Motorsports has elected to...

Aqua Xtremes retains Madison-Berkeley & Associates.(making waves)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Aqua Xtremes Inc., a subsidiary of Nova Communications Ltd., has retained Madison-Berkeley & Associates LLC for strategic financial and public relations services. Aqua Xtremes, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is the designer, manufacturer, and...

Watertop Unlimited takes reins of Florida rally series.(PWC)(personal water craft racing)
March 14, 2005... After three successful years under the guidance of Glen Perry's Perry Performance Group, the popular Florida PWC Rally Series will be produced by WaterTop Unlimited in 2005. A newly formed company founded by long-time industry veteran Tim...

APBA unveils high points ranking system.(PWC)(American Power Boat Association, personal water craft racing)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The American Powerboat Association (APBA) recently announced details on a new national high points ranking system. Based on the system that the APBA has successfully used in other APBA race categories, the system will produce a means to...

Polaris reveals record snowmobile line-up.(snowmobile)(Polaris Industries Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota))
March 14, 2005... Polaris Industries, Medina, Minn., has introduced the largest group of new products in its snowmobile line in company history. Fifteen new models featuring five all-new engines highlighted the announcement to dealers at the company's annual...

SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge begins March 14.(Snowmobile Report)(Society of Automotive Engineers)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The sixth annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge takes place March 14-19 at Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Houghton, Michigan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thirteen student teams from universities...

BRP recalls '05 Mach Z, Summit sleds.(Snowmobile Report)(Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) has recalled approximately 1,455 of its 2005 Ski-Doo Mach Z 995 and Summit 995 snowmobiles sold from Sept. 2004 through Jan. 2005. Quebec-based BRP says an inappropriate clutch ring gear was...

Pearl Street Motors.(power profile)(Company Profile)
March 14, 2005... CONTACT 2483 Elm Street Montpelier, VT 05602 802/223-3336 www.go-polaris.com/psm OWNER Donald Gove BUSINESS PROFILE 2,880-sq.-ft., two-story dealership founded in 1972. Carries Polaris snowmobiles...

Cycle Country targets supplier for acquisition.(distributor report)(Cycle Country Accessories Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Officials at Cycle Country Accessories Corp., Milford, Iowa, say the company has reached an agreement in principle to purchase Simonsen Iron Works, Inc., Cycle Country's largest supplier. Under the terms of the agreement, Cycle Country is to...

Helmet House releases '05 catalog.(distributor report)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Expanded to 226 pages, the 2005 Helmet House catalog features helmets, apparel, soft bags, gloves, boots, and rainsuits from Shoei, HJC, Tour Master and Cortech. Helmet House says it hopes users find the newly designed catalog useful. In...

Advantage reveals '05 products.(distributor report)(Advantage Performance Distributing)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Advantage Performance Distributing, Riverside, Calif., recently released its new full-color 320-page catalog, dubbed the 2005 Flight Manual. Advantage says it has expanded its selection to better serve the multiple markets within the...

Nichols expands for 2005.(distributor report)(Nichols Motorcycle Supply)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Nichols Motorcycle Supply has entered 2005 with more than 5,000 new products numbers and three new catalogs offering a total of 1,600 pages. The Main catalog features items for dirt, sport and cruiser motorcycles and ATVs; the Sport catalog...

American Capital exits Cycle Gear.(distributor report)(American Capital Strategies Ltd.)
March 14, 2005... American Capital Strategies Ltd., a publicly traded buyout and mezzanine fund based in Bethesda, Md., says it realized a $4 million gain through its recent full exit from Cycle Gear, Inc., one of the companies in its portfolio. In the last...

BDI services powersports dealers.(distributor report)(Baltimore Display Industries)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... Baltimore Display Industries (BDI) has been assisting retailers with store design and merchandising displays for more than 55 years, and is now making a play for the powersports industry. Exhibiting at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, BDI...

SAE World Congress, April 11-14.(distributor report)(Society of Automotive Engineers)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2005... The 2005 Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress takes place April 11-14, 2005, at the Cobo Center in Detroit. SAE celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2005. Founded in Manhattan on Jan. 20, 1905, the organization sets the specs for...

Snell introduces children's helmet standard.(aftermarket)
March 14, 2005... Snell Memorial Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to head injury protection, recently announced its first ever helmet standard for children's off-road motorcycle activities. Snell says most existing motorsport helmets used...

BUB 4 to 2 Royal Star exhaust.(HOT PRODUCTS)
March 14, 2005... Specifications -- BUB's new 4-2 Exhaust System fits 1999-05 Yamaha Royal Star Ventures and 2005 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe. Features a true four-into-two header design utilizing larger diameter, free flowing headers; removable 2_" diameter...

Applied Racing triple clamp set.(HOT PRODUCTS)
March 14, 2005... Specifications -- Designed for 1996-2005 Honda CR80, CR85 and Expert bikes, the Applied Racing CR85 Factory Set includes upper and lower clamps, handlebar mounts, bar pad, and required hardware. Available in Red, Black, or clear anodize. ...

SBS/Parts Unlimited brake products.(HOT PRODUCTS)
March 14, 2005... Specifications -- Parts Unlimited and SBS Brakes have teamed to offer a line of high-performance brake pads and shoes for a variety of motorcycle applications. For the street, this new line includes ceramic, sintered metal and dual carbon brake...

Two Brothers M7 exhaust.(HOT PRODUCTS)
March 14, 2005... Specifications -- The M-7 Titanium MX race systems, built using Two Brothers' patented V.A.L.E. system, will be available for Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki 250 and 450 motocross race bikes. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Benefits -- The...

Pro-One cover ups.(HOT PRODUCTS)
March 14, 2005... Specifications -- These fork covers are crafted from billet aluminum in lengths of 5_" and 7 1/8"; are precision machined for a precise fit using 41 mm forks; feature a ball milled design; and are finished in show quality chrome. ...

Motogp Diva jacket.(HOT PRODUCTS)
March 14, 2005... Specifications -- Made of Cordura 1000D nylon and MICRODRY waterproof and breathable coating, the Diva jacket for women features horizontal front intake and vertical rear exhaust ventilation; an insulated, removable liner with cell phone...

Motion Pro SM Bead Buddy.(HOT PRODUCTS)
March 14, 2005... Specifications -- Motion Pro's Supermoto Bead Buddy is designed to be used on 3 1/2" to 5" wheel widths. Use it to push the tire bead down into the drop center of the rim on supermoto wheels while using tire tools to change tires. ...

January dealer profit drops.(Top Guns)
March 14, 2005... Overall dealer profitability in January, as measured by Top Gun dealers nationwide, was a negative 3.3%, off from 5.6% in December. In January 2004, profitability was a negative 2.3%. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Showroom traffic also...

Do you have enough staff to service your customers?(dealer checkup)(motorcycle dealers)
March 14, 2005... I was recently asked to come into a very nice mid-size dealership that represents four manufactures and do a general evaluation to help them in their search for best practices. When evaluating the parts and accessory department, I looked at...

Looking for the latest products in the powersports industry?(paid advertising)(Web sites)(Advertisement)
March 14, 2005... Powersports Business presents this WEB SITE/CATALOG showcase of companies that you will want to research. Please take the time to visit these Web sites or circle the reader service number on the accompanying Reader Service Card in this issue....

Tapping into the women's market.(marketing)
March 14, 2005... EDITOR'S NOTE: Marcia Kull presented the keynote speech at the first PowersportsBusinessXchange, in December, discussing ways to attract an emerging motorcycle market: middle-aged women. Kull knows what she's talking about. She has 20 years...

Can training help poor performer?(Sales Management)
March 14, 2005... EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part three in a series of articles about training your sales staff to achieve optimum performance. Now that you've used a Sales Training Needs Assessment Worksheet to identify performance deficiencies, you must...