AIMExpo presented by Nationwide

“The Future Starts Here”

That’s the theme of the opening presentations at AIMExpo on September 21st at 8:30 am (the show floor opens to trade visitors at 10:00 am) with Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris, and Matt Levatich, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, the keynote speakers to get the show up and running.

“To help address that challenge, AIMExpo presented by Nationwide (AIMExpo) invites dealers, media and all industry attendees to the show's opening program, where the leaders of iconic American manufacturers Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Polaris Industries will share their ideas. The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) will also reveal a key initiative towards this goal.”

Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris

Matt Levatich, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson

AIMExpo presented by Nationwide will kickstart four days of industry business, with the two industry leaders exploring the challenges and opportunities for motorcycling and powersports’ future as the market approaches the millennium’s third decade.
“The work must begin now to present a powersports riding opportunity that captures the emotion and imagination of the first ride experience to the next generations in America,” said Tim Buche, CEO of the MIC, which produces AIMExpo.
“The moment has arrived for everyone in this great industry to have a role in building the road to our future, and we’re excited to welcome the leaders of legacy American brands Harley-Davidson and Polaris to America’s premier show as we define the way forward.”
MIC Events VP and General Manager Larry Little said: “The future of the powersports industry lies with new riders, and how to develop these new riders is a tough yet intriguing challenge the industry must face together.
“Plotting the path ahead and addressing the real challenges of our collective business starts with coming together. There will not be a better opportunity for the industry to meet face-to-face and discuss these issues than at AIMExpo presented by Nationwide this September in Columbus.”

American Flat Track

“King Henry” takes Peoria win

PEORIA, Ill. (August 13, 2017) – American Flat Track witnessed a coronation of sorts on August 14 as Henry Wiles (No. 17 DPC Racing Kawasaki Ninja 650), "King Henry," extended his reign over the Peoria TT with nearly unthinkable 13 victories in succession.

Wiles' 13th triumph at the Peoria Motorcycle Club moved him equal in all-time wins at the legendary venue with the "Prince of Peoria" Chris Carr - the two masters representing two generations of racing royalty at the longest standing event in American Flat Track history.
The return of the Twins to Peoria for the first time in two decades provided a fitting platform, with the layout altered to accommodate a two-stage jump, introduced in anticipation of the heavier, more powerful machinery.

Wiles was in a class of his own, dominant as ever, firmly controlling the day's AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines action from start to finish. In addition to his Peoria accolades, Wiles' victory also saw him up his overall all-time TT wins record to 18.
Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing Scout FTR750) continued to pile on the championship series points with a runner-up finish – his 13th podium finish in 14 races this season.
Mees will carry a 41-point advantage into the four-race homestretch with an eye on earning his fourth-career premier class championship.
Briar Bauman's third place on the Kawasaki Ninja 650 was his third podium finish of the season, adding to his wins at the Buffalo Chip TT and Lima Half Mile.
Bryan Smith (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) finished fourth; the third "Wrecking Crew" member Brad Baker (No. 6 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) completed the top five.
On the Harley-Davidson/Vance & Hines XG750Rs, Jake Johnson was 10th, Brandon Robinson 12th and Kenny Coolbeth Jr. 16th.
There is now another three-week break before battle will be resumed at the second Springfield, Illinois Mile of the season (Round 15, September 3), followed a week later by the Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half Mile (Round 16, September 9) at Mechanicsburg, PA.
After the Indian Motorcycle presented Lone Star Half Mile at Fort Worth, Texas (Round 17, September 23), the AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines series will reach its crescendo at the AFT Finals presented by Indian Motorcycle at Perris, Southern California (inland from Los Angeles) on October 7.
www.americanflattrack.com

Biker’s Choice

Biker’s Choice issues sub-distribution policy statement

The issue of unauthorized internet re-selling and the damaging effect that this can have on their and their dealers’ businesses has moved Biker’s Choice parent company Tucker Rocky to taking the unprecedented step of issuing a clear and unambiguous policy statement on the subject.

Biker’s Choice & Tucker Rocky VP Sales & Marketing Kenan Ikels: “We have made a commitment to help dealers. To deliver on this commitment, it is important for the brands we distribute to move directly through our authorized network of dealers and retailers to the end user”

The statement, issued by VP Sales & Marketing Kenan Ikels, concludes with a warning to anybody found to be abusing the terms of their account with the company.
“If we have reason to believe an authorized Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice dealer is engaged in the sub-distribution of the brands we represent, we will consider this a violation of our sub-distribution policy and end our relationship with the dealer in question by revoking access to our product data feeds, discontinuing shipments to the dealer and closing the dealer’s account.”
To protect their network of dealers, Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice has adopted a sub-distribution policy that states “no dealer shall sell, transfer ownership or consign inventory of the brands and products we distribute to any person or entity the dealer knows, or may reasonably believe, has the intention of reselling to an end user through any third party marketplaces.”
Ikels explains: “We believe the powersports dealer channel is vital to the growth and expansion of this industry. Powersports dealers are the initial point of contact for the vast majority of new consumers. Protecting their ability to engage new customers and provide a positive brand experience is a priority for Tucker Rocky and Biker’s Choice.”
He went on to say that “over the past 50 years, Tucker Rocky and Biker’s Choice have developed the most profitable, relevant portfolio of brands in the powersports industry, serving the Street, V-twin, Off-Road, ATV/UTV and apparel segments. We have made a commitment to help dealers, who have a vested interest in the growth and the expansion of powersports to grow and expand their businesses. 
“To deliver on this commitment, it is important for the brands we distribute to move directly through our authorized network of dealers and retailers to the end user, without additional intervening parties. Tucker Rocky and Biker’s Choice believe that this method of distribution enhances each dealer’s ability to provide a positive brand experience for their customers and to grow their sales and profitability.”

www.bikerschoice.com

Arch Motorcycles and Suter Industries

Arch Motorcycles and Suter Industries in co-op deal

Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves’ Hawthorn, California based Arch Motorcycle Company, known for its handmade KRGT 1 performance cruiser, has been appointed by Swiss race engineering company Suter Industries as the exclusive North American importer and distributor of their internationally recognized and track successful MMX 500, MMX 2 Moto2 race and other motorcycles.  

Arch KRGT-1; Suter Motorcycles in Switzerland are the European importer for the KRGT-1 and future Arch models, and will work with the Californian builder on future engineering development and European emissions compliance

Arch has formed a separate division within its company named Suter North America, which will specialize specifically in the sales, set-up and technical support of Suter Motorcycles. Graves Motorsports (Van Nuys, California) remain the sole U.S. importer of Suter clutches.
In parallel, Suter Industries has been appointed by Arch Motorcycle as their European importer and distributor – Suter will take the lead in the process of creating a Euro 4 compliant Arch KRGT-1 motorcycles and leverage its highly respected engineering resources for Arch as they develop future models and product.

Gard Hollinger, co-owner with Keanu Reeves of Arch Motorcycles:
the undisputed technical prowess Suter brings

Suter Industries is an engineering company founded in 1996 by Eskil Suter. Well respected within the race industry, Suter won three consecutive manufacturer championships in the Moto2 class (2010, 2011 and 2012); 2012 also marked the first year a young Marc Marquez won the Moto2 Championship for Suter.  In mid-2015, Suter hit the headlines again with the release of its “epic, two-stroke racing marvel”, the MMX500.
Suter CEO Maurizio Bäumle comments: “We at Suter are pleased and proud to have found an enthusiastic partner in Arch Motorcycle Company. Both our companies share the same vision with regard to technical perfection, but I think it is our mutual passion for riding that ultimately makes this a perfect partnership.” 
Arch Motorcycle Company was co-founded in 2012 by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves with the goal of creating the “ultimate American performance cruiser.”  Their inaugural model, the KRGT-1, was released in 2015 and has sold all over the world. Arch say they plan to launch additional models to complement the KRGT-1 later this year. 

The Suter MMX 500 will be sold in the United States by Arch Motorcycles

Arch co-founder/designer Gard Hollinger said: “The undisputed technical prowess Suter brings in precision motorcycle manufacturing is what really excites us about working together.  We’re extremely excited about the engineering resources that Suter brings to the table, which really are unparalleled and will be a great asset to our Arch team as we continue to develop some of the best motorcycles in the world.”
Fellow co-founder Keanu Reeves continued: “It is a real honor for Arch to have the unique opportunity to bring the Suter MMX 500 and Moto2 motorcycles here to North America and conversely, for Suter to be our Arch representative over in Europe. Like Arch, Suter makes motorcycles for riders who appreciate an incredible riding experience. Both of our companies are committed to excellence in everything we do. I’m very excited about the potential for what we can create together moving forward.”
 
www.ArchMotorcycle.com
www.suter-industries.ch

Nitron Racing Systems

Nitron’s shockingly good V-twin suspension story

Founded in 1998 by former SPAX automotive and WP Suspension man Guy Evans, Nitron Racing Systems is a high-end UK based suspension manufacturer with a story to tell – and they are headed for AIMExpo in September to tell it!

Nitron started out making shock absorbers for cars, but these days their motorcycle product line accounts for more than 35 percent of sales, and Evans sees the motorcycle aftermarket as where Nitron’s best prospects for further growth lays.

Nitron Founder/CEO Guy Evans: “Our tooling and assembly system enables us to do runs of 10 as easily as runs of a few hundred. We have our own R&D and prototyping CNC machines with production parts made by specialist aerospace and automotive sub-contractors with advanced CNC machines in other parts of the UK.”

“I’ve been a rider for a very long time, and although I was initially hesitant about getting into the motorcycle market, our sales have grown steadily ever since we showed a limited run of our first motorcycle designs.”
That limited run has now evolved into a large range of high performance shocks – offered either in kit form or made and built to the customer’s own requirements, with applications for all sectors of the motorcycle industry. “Our whole manufacturing process is geared to modularity and customization,” Evans says.
“Our tooling and assembly system enables us to do runs of 10 as easily as runs of a few hundred. We have our own R&D and prototyping CNC machines, with production parts made by specialist aerospace and automotive sub-contractors with advanced CNC machines in other parts of the UK.”

Sportster1200X

 “manufacturing is geared to modularity and customization”

Nitron specializes in gas monotubes, which “cool better than twin tube systems with a second tube inside because of the increased air contact,” says Evans, “but they are trickier to make. Gas monotubes are filled with oil and have a pressurized gas cell separated by a second finely machined piston.”
They are made from aerospace grade aluminum alloys and use stainless steel components, which reduces mass and inertia whilst improving cooling, and after CNC billet machining, they are hard and titanium anodized for protection against corrosion.

R1 Classic Twin

R1 Stealth Twin

R3 Classic Twin

R3 Stealth Twin

Because Nitron’s motorcycle shocks are all hand-built to order and made to exacting tolerances from high specification components to exacting tolerances, Evans says the result is a lightweight shock with excellent anti-fade properties that will last a long time, Teflon-lined bearings and bushes to stop metal-on-metal friction, ultra-low friction seal design, length adjustment fitted as standard, sealed adjusters and a third piston shim stack for very low speed rebound control.
 
 “everything is built to order”

Street 750

The shocks are fully rebuildable and revalveable, have easy adjustment and an infinite range of compression/rebound ratios. Though so far largely only sold in Japan, Nitron has a comprehensive range of aftermarket twin shocks, “possibly the most comprehensive range in the world,” Evans says.
“The reason we have been so successful in Japan is the ease with which our shocks can be customized. The Japanese consumer expects a wide range of choice, and due to the modular nature of the parts, which can be assembled in many different ways, we can offer that choice. Apart from the technical specifications, the spring platform might be available in titanium, silver and black, the spring in black, titanium or turquoise and the body in a choice of colors. We can also do limited edition shocks, which we think will be something that will appeal to the Harley aftermarket and to V-twin custom bike builders, and can also supply specials, for example shocks for drag bikes or ones that are shorter than standard.
“Our Harley shocks are top-of-the line in both price and specification terms, but they have done so well in Japan that we are becoming increasingly convinced that there is a market for them in the United States too, and among customizers, and we are definitely also interested in leveraging our Off-Road and Adventure Touring shock absorber experience in the Quad market there too.”
 
 “their shocks are fully rebuildable and revalveable”

Nitron currently employs 25 people and expansion is underway at its UK headquarters to give it 10,000 square feet of R&D manufacturing and distribution space. “We can offer distributors and dealers pretty good discounts, and although everything is built to order, we supply everything that is ordered, even a single shock - unlike some other well-known manufacturers, who won’t build and ship until they get sufficient order levels.”
With the addition of their ‘TVT’ fork cartridge range earlier this year, Nitron has continued to see incredibly strong growth within the motorcycle suspension market - with overall sales having doubled in the last two years - thanks in large part to success in export markets such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand as well as at home.
The company is conscious that growth must be carefully managed, to ensure that the Nitron brand’s hard earned and enviable reputation for quality and service is not compromised. Rather than just trying to find as many partners and distributors in as many markets as possible, as quickly as possible, Nitron’s approach has been similar to its manufacturing philosophy – modular, gradually adding new market set-ups one at a time and focussing on making them work well before looking for the next opportunity.
So far, the company has really only flirted with the US market, but this is why they will be exhibiting at this year’s AIMExpo at Columbus, Ohio, in September.
 
“possibly the most comprehensive range in the world”

Their presence at the show isn’t so much to launch the brand into the US, “but more for us to be able to talk directly to US consumers and dealers and really start to gain a clearer picture of the US suspension market and exactly where Nitron will fit in,” says Evans.
“With further strong growth predicted in our other markets in the next 24 months, a more considered, steady approach is required in the US, so we can start building relationships that will stand the test of time.
“With the Nitron range already very strong in sports, touring and adventure bike applications, the growing number of American V-twin models we have covered is almost by default making the brand more appealing to the US market. With sales of our ‘Classic’ and ‘Stealth’ twin shock designs having seen massive growth in sales with virtually no marketing effort, it must prove that our blend of performance, styling and quality is what the market is looking for – and because of manufacturing flexibility and low overheads the people we meet in the industry are generally genuinely and pleasantly surprised by the value we offer when compared to other options on the market.”
The twin shock range currently consists of three color finish options, with the ‘Classic’ and ‘Stealth’ options proving by far the most popular. There are also two specification options with a choice between the NTR R1, which offers a one-way combined compression and rebound adjustment, and the NTR R3, which offers independent high and low speed compression and rebound adjustment.
 
“our Harley shocks are top-of-the line”

It is just worth mentioning at this point that the R3 option isn’t available on all V-twin applications as it requires a piggy-back external reservoir, and there isn’t always room for this. Evans says that “most owners’ requirements are also normally satisfied by the R1’s single adjustment, and it keeps things very simple for the owner who doesn’t have the expertise to correctly set up a more sophisticated shock.
“A lot of manufacturers will load their distributors and dealers with unnecessarily expensive track derived feature crammed product simply because they think that is the only way of garnering brand Kudos. We can mix it with anyone, we can and do build the most advanced shock absorbers possible for the most demanding of applications and riders, race and otherwise, but we are also more realistic about the real world riding that most people do.
“One thing that is particularly common with V-twin customers is the reactions we get. Comments like ‘Wow, what a complete transformation’ through to ‘It feels like the bike weighs 60 kilos less’ are pretty much the norm.”
 
“so far, the company has really only flirted with the US market”

Nitron’s twin shock range not only covers V-twin application, but extends right across a whole range of older Japanese and European models, which has grown steadily over the years and has been developed jointly between the UK and their Japanese partner’s R&D operations. Their experience with older models, Japanese and otherwise, has been just as important as their top-end mono shock and Race Pro Series in ultimately proving to be a well-engineered, great performing upgrade design package for V-twins without the company necessarily having the history with U.S. made bikes that others may have.
“Those with the experience largely limited to the existing aftermarket for U.S. made Tourers and Cruisers will not have had the direction of engineering travel to be offering features such as a full lightweight anodized aluminum body, 35mm mono-tube piston design, 14mm induction hardened, super polished piston rod, Nitrogen gas pressurization, 24 click combined compression and rebound adjustment, and Silicone chrome springs with flexible long-life coating.
“With Nitron all this is available for the V-twin aftermarket, all in a fully serviceable and re-buildable design, with a choice of 3 color/finish options, spring preload adjustment and a limited two-year guarantee. Oh, and the confidence of the back-up you can get from our fully trained factory approved service centres around the world, including in the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.”
As I said, Mr Evans has quite a story to tell, and he’ll be on booth 559 at AIMExpo in September to tell you even more!

NITRON RACING SYSTEMS
www.nitron.co.uk

Legend Suspension and Klock Werks

Legend Suspension and Klock Werks hit the road

Mitchel, South Dakota based Klock Werks has hooked up with fellow South Dakotans Legend Suspension (Rapid City) to tour the United States visiting as many dealerships and custom shops as possible in 52 weeks.

Klock Werks is joining Legend Suspensions’ nationwide dealership tour

Legend started their road trip program five years ago, with what is now known as the Legend Suspension Performance Tour and Demo Ride program. Jesse Jurrens, owner of Legend Suspension, says: “I knew there was a lot of opportunity in the nation that we weren’t able to tap into. It was time to take that potential into our own hands and inform reps and customers around the country in a new way. 

Legend AXEO front end

Legend REVO-A 13” shocks

“We knew there was a greater benefit to show up at dealers and have the reps, dealers and customers ride, touch and feel the product,” said Jesse.
This year Brian Klock has teamed up with Jesse, customizing two 2015 Road Glides with products by Legend Suspensions, Klock Werks and other product lines offered by their distributor Drag Specialties such as K&N filters, Custom Dynamics lighting, performance components by Feuling and Californian made Bassani exhausts.
“We hit everyone we can, dealers, mom and pop shops, 10-20 dealerships per week,” Jesse went on to say. “Paramount to the success of the program is not just getting the products in front of people, but creating a relationship with everyone we meet, from customers to the techs, sales and ownership.”
Klock Werks already operates a “Try It Before You Buy It” Flare windshield demo program, but Brian Klock says that “the partnership with Legend Suspensions is one more way for us to help buyers get their hands on our products. 

Legend Suspension CEO Jesse Jurens: “We knew there was a greater benefit to show up at dealers and have the reps, dealers and customers ride, touch and feel the product”

“Ninety-nine percent of people who demo our Flare windshield for their motorcycle ride home with it that day. The increased stability, improved air management and bobblehead elimination never fails to impress.”

Flare 9” Sport windshield

Kicker FLTR fairing audio kit

Along with the patented Flare windshield, the Road Glides have new Klock Werks device mounts, powered by iOmounts and Klock Werks audio kits, powered by Kicker; Legend’s black 13” REVO-A shocks and AXEO 49mm front ends; Feuling HP+ camchest kit with Reaper 543 chain drive cams and high volume oiling system; Custom Dynamics accessory lighting, Bassani Road Rage II B4 pipes; K&N filters and intake system; a Barnett extra plate clutch and Maxima V-Twin oils.
www.legendsuspensions.com
www.getklocked.com

Andreani Group

Italian made ‘Misano’ fork cartridge upgrade kits for Dyna and Sportster

Internationally recognized Italian suspension specialist Andreani Group’s award-winning ‘Misano’ front fork cartridge kit is an established and leading upgrade option, “created as a result of the technology we developed resulting from our race experience,” says Giuseppe Andreani.

“The Andreani Group has 22 employees at its 16,000 sq ft (1,500 sq m) premises at Pesaro on Italy’s Adriatic coast, 150 km south east of Bologna, the spiritual heartland of Italy’s motorcycle industry. The company has over 40,000 product numbers in its offer and exports to over 60 countries worldwide”

“Our group R&D department has more than 25 years of suspension tuning and engineering experience, and the ‘Misano’ line is popular the world over for the improvements it provides to the stability and hold of the front wheel.”

‘Misano’ is an easy install replacement and has 20 mm pistons with increased oil passages to substantially upgrade the stock design. It has adjustable compression, extension and spring preload and a sophisticated hydraulic system that is said to guarantee excellent performance and improved handling in sport, urban and touring style riding.

Former racer Giuseppe Andreani: “Our group R&D department has more than 25 years of suspension tuning and engineering experience. The engineering and technology developed for the ‘Misano’ line of front suspension upgrades improves the stability and hold of the front wheel, resulting in greater comfort and better handling”

The ‘Misano’ is available for most naked and custom bike applications with 39 and 49mm forks and many Harley models, including the ‘16’-17 Dyna Street Bob/Fat Bob/Superglide, Dyna Low Rider S and Superglide, ‘99–‘04 Dyna Switchbacks, ‘11–‘15 Dyna Wide Glides, ’11-‘17 Sportster 1200 Customs, ‘10-‘14 Iron 883s, and ‘10-‘15 Forty-Eight 1200s, Nightster XL1200N, XLH Standard (883, 883R, 1200R) models and V-Rods, plus the ’03-‘12 Nightrod Special.
Dealer and custom bike builders in the United States can buy Andreani ‘Misano’ cartridges for all the applications offered, including most popular late model and top selling sport and streetbikes, from Henderson, NC based suspension specialist Fast Bike Industries (www.fastbikeindustries.com).

ANDREANI GROUP INTERNATIONAL
www.andreanigroup.com

Barnett Clutches & Cables

Barnett clutch cables
for ’14 - ‘17 Indians

Ventura, California based Barnett Clutches & Cables has introduced new clutch cables for the ’14 - ‘17 Indian Chief, Chieftain, Roadmaster and Scout. 

These cables feature their High Efficiency inner wire, which Barnett was the first to introduce to the motorcycle industry. The “HE” wire is nylon coated and lubed with a super slick silicone lube and, combined with the Teflon inner lining, provides longer life, ultra-smooth cable action and reduced lever effort.
Available in stock and custom lengths, on the outside all fittings are chrome plated where applicable and three casing types are available: Traditional Black Vinyl, Classic Stainless Braid with clear coat and Platinum Series bright silver plated braid with clear coat; as with all their cables, Barnett say their clear coat is guaranteed not to discolor from sun exposure.

BARNETT CLUTCHES & CABLES
www.barnettcables.com

Drag Specialties

Street 500/750 head/base gaskets

These cylinder head and base gasket kits for Harley’s Street 500 and 750 models by Cometic are made from Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) and feature two outer Viton-coated embossed spring steel layers with an inner steel layer for additional support. They are available as standard or big bore for both the 500 and 750 dimensions.
Drag Specialties, USA, www.dragspecialties.com

Maxima Racing Oils

Maxima adds five quart M-8 options to its ‘Oil Change in a Box’ program

Available in the fall of 2017, Californian oil blender Maxima is updating its successful ‘Oil Change in a Box’ program specifically for Harley’s M-8 models.

As Maxima’s V-twin Market Business Development Specialist Garrett Andrews told us: “The fact that the Milwaukee-Eight actually holds more oil has gone largely unnoticed by a lot of people.
“Our ‘Oil Change in a Box’ options have been hugely popular with workshops and dealers, as each single order number kit comes with all the necessary products to complete a full oil change, including our V-twin formula 20W-50 engine, transmission and primary oils, plus a K&N ‘Wrench-Off’ oil filter in choice of black or chrome.
“Depending on the year and model, synthetic or mineral engine oil kits are available for coverage from ’84 Evo engines right up to late model Twin Cams and ’84 to present Sportsters. Alternatively, our ‘Quick Change Kit’ includes one gallon of oil only, plus choice of K&N oil filters for ’99 and up Twin Cams.
“Well, our dealers have noticed the extra oil capacity required by the new engines and been asking us to help them with kits for Harley’s 2017 Touring engines, so at AIMExpo this year we are introducing our new Full Change and Quick-Change Kit options specifically for the Milwaukee-Eight engine platform. 

Maxima’s Garrett Andrews: “Our new five quart ‘Oil Change in a Box’ kits for the M-8 will be available this fall”

“The Full Change kits will have the necessary five quarts of Maxima V-Twin Full Synthetic 20W-50, two quarts of Maxima V-Twin Primary Fluid, one quart of Maxima V-Twin Transmission 80W-90 and the same dealer choice between a black or chrome K&N ‘Wrench-Off’ oil filter; the Quick Change kit option will have the five quarts of Maxima V-Twin Full Synthetic 20W-50 and the same choice of black or chrome K&N ‘Wrench-Off’ oil filter.”

MAXIMA RACING OILS
www.maximausa.com

Biker’s Choice

Biker’s Choice issues sub-distribution policy statement

The issue of unauthorized internet re-selling and the damaging effect that this can have on their and their dealers’ businesses has moved Biker’s Choice parent company Tucker Rocky to taking the unprecedented step of issuing a clear and unambiguous policy statement on the subject.

The statement, issued by VP Sales & Marketing Kenan Ikels, concludes with a warning to anybody found to be abusing the terms of their account with the company.
“If we have reason to believe an authorized Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice dealer is engaged in the sub-distribution of the brands we represent, we will consider this a violation of our sub-distribution policy and end our relationship with the dealer in question by revoking access to our product data feeds, discontinuing shipments to the dealer and closing the dealer’s account.”

Biker’s Choice & Tucker Rocky VP Sales & Marketing Kenan Ikels: “We have made a commitment to help dealers. To deliver on this commitment, it is important for the brands we distribute to move directly through our authorized network of dealers and retailers to the end user”

To protect their network of dealers, Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice has adopted a sub-distribution policy that states “no dealer shall sell, transfer ownership or consign inventory of the brands and products we distribute to any person or entity the dealer knows, or may reasonably believe, has the intention of reselling to an end user through any third party marketplaces.”
Ikels explains: “We believe the powersports dealer channel is vital to the growth and expansion of this industry. Powersports dealers are the initial point of contact for the vast majority of new consumers. Protecting their ability to engage new customers and provide a positive brand experience is a priority for Tucker Rocky and Biker’s Choice.”
He went on to say that “over the past 50 years, Tucker Rocky and Biker’s Choice have developed the most profitable, relevant portfolio of brands in the powersports industry, serving the Street, V-twin, Off-Road, ATV/UTV and apparel segments. We have made a commitment to help dealers, who have a vested interest in the growth and the expansion of powersports to grow and expand their businesses. 
“To deliver on this commitment, it is important for the brands we distribute to move directly through our authorized network of dealers and retailers to the end user, without additional intervening parties. Tucker Rocky and Biker’s Choice believe that this method of distribution enhances each dealer’s ability to provide a positive brand experience for their customers and to grow their sales and profitability.”

www.bikerschoice.com

W&W Cycles

Like old, but just new

German old style and vintage parts and bikes specialist W&W Cycles has added more Cannonball brand products for Flatheads, Knuckleheads and Panheads.
W&W say they are authentic reproductions, ranging from engine cases, cylinder heads, cylinders and oil pumps to internals such as lifter blocks, camshafts and timing gear sets. All Cannonball parts are precision manufactured to the stock tolerances in Germany, though the materials now used “were the stuff of dreams in the old days.”
The program is named as an homage to the legendary record runs of Erwin George “Cannonball” Baker, who in 1914 thundered across the continental United States, coast to coast, in an at that time hard to believe 11 days. The line also includes leaf spring forks, handlebars, WR-style tanks, mag wheels, brakes and fenders.
The Cannonball engine housings are finished and detailed like the originals, so they will unobtrusively blend into an old engine, with both case halves carefully matched and featuring pre-installed case bushing which are line-bored and lapped for standard rollers; cam bushings are already in place too, reamed to standard size.

The selection includes cases with a smooth, uniform glass bead-blasted finish and cases with an NOS (new old stock) finish. The latter means the finished cases are not bead-blasted but treated in a traditional process, which gives them the appearance of new factory cases that have been sitting on the shelf for 50 years – perfect for those “patina restorations”. All cases feature laser engraved CB production numbers, which are registered and filed.

www.wwag.com