Vance & Hines

V&H - AFT Production Twins Presenting Sponsor, Over $100,000 in Contingency Sponsorship

Vance & Hines says it will field two riders competing in AFT racing for the 2022 season. Jesse Janisch will compete in AFT's Production Twins class aboard a Vance & Hines-built Harley-Davidson XG750R, and Brandon Kitchen will campaign a Husqvarna FC450 in the Singles class. Both riders will be supported by a technical team from the company's Racing Development Center in Brownsburg, Indiana.  

Jesse Janisch

Janisch earned his spot on the Vance & Hines team in 2021 when he rode six races on the V&H H-D XG750R and ended the season with four trips to the podium and a win in Charlotte, Nc. His podium finishes were on two different mile tracks, a TT with his breakthrough win on the Charlotte Half-Mile - his first career win on a twin-cylinder motorcycle.
Originally from West Bend, Wi., Janisch is a veteran rider who has raced in both Twins and Singles classes for the past twelve years with a reputation for success on TT tracks.
 Brandon Kitchen has been considered one of the hot young stars on the AFT Singles circuit since his debut in 2020 when he won the Indy mile on a bike borrowed from Vance & Hines. The 2018 Michigan state champion had two top five finishes in 2021 after he was set back by an injury. He ended the season finishing twelfth in AFT Singles. 

Brandon Kitchen

Technical support for the program comes from experienced Vance & Hines employees based at the company's Racing Development Center. Craig Koontz, a 12-year Vance & Hines employee who is a long-time motorcycle rider and racer, will be Flat Track Team Manager. Koontz was involved in the company's H-D XR1200 road racing program from its inception.  
Steve Polk has a decade's long history of preparing racing motorcycle engines for flat track and motocross, with some of the sport's top teams using his handiwork on the track. He joined V&H at the time the company began developing the XG750R for Harley; Polk takes the role of Flat Track Crew Chief.
Vance & Hines has expanded its involvement in flat track racing as the presenting sponsor of AFT’s Production Twins class and has announced a contingency sponsorship program that makes over $100,000 in prize money available to AFT riders. The company has partnered with Harley-Davidson and is the only organization designated to produce the Harley-Davidson XG750R race-only motorcycle - a turnkey solution for riders wishing to compete in AFT’s Production Twins racing.
www.vanceandhines.com

Tucker

Tucker Expands ePower Offerings - Electric Bicycles, Scooters and Skateboards  

Among the initiatives embraced in the past two years, Tucker's decision to get into the burgeoning EV market may prove to have been one of the biggest opportunities for expansion.
At AIMExpo, Tucker announced a "dramatic expansion of its industry-leading portfolio of ePower products with the addition of new Fantic e-bicycles, UBCO utility e-bikes, Evolve electric skateboards, additional models of e-scooters from Dualtron, Speedway, and underwater scooters from Jet Pilot. 

UBCO utility e-bike

"The company's offering of e-vehicles and accessories was launched in early 2021 and has had overwhelming acceptance by forward-looking retailers from throughout the United States."
The expansion of the program includes the addition of three additional e-bike models from legendary and resurgent Italian off-road motorcycle manufacturer Fantic - including mountain bikes, a commuter e-bike and the revolutionary Issimo, a step-through e-bike that has won design awards across Europe, featuring 20” fat tires, mid-motor and front suspension.  
A line of UBCO utility e-bikes features two-wheel drive and built-in components which make them suitable for everything from work, hunting and outdoors, to commuting and family travel. All UBCO bikes have embedded tech that allows over-the-air updates to the bike via a smartphone app. 

 'training and operational change requirements'

Tucker's e-skateboard line-up adds seven new premium boards from Evolve, including its Carbon GTR, Bamboo GTR and Stoke series. Each series features a dramatic look and both GTR series include both off-road and street models.  
Described as "the ultimate accessory for a scuba diver or snorkeler," Tucker has added three models of underwater scooters to its ePower and Water portfolios. The Yamaha Explorer, Yamaha Sea Wing II and Yamaha RDS250 are licensed products manufactured by Jet Pilot.  Tucker has also added new e-scooters from its current suppliers, Dualtron and Speedway. 

Fantic XTF

Jamie Kempinski, Tucker's Director of Business Development, says that the company "recognizes that a dealer's addition of e-bikes and scooters to its business doesn't come without questions. The training and operational change requirements can be significant, so we have also launched a training series specifically designed to help dealers add ePower items to their business operations.
 

'all-wheel drive'

"The education program will assist employees in understanding the products and working with customers that may be new to the dealership and to ePower products. The training is part of a redesigned Tucker University, an online portal that is available to all Tucker dealers and their staff.
"Electric products are a part of our future and they deserve a place alongside a dealership's current product offering. Our growing line-up of ePower products, our online training tools and our knowledgeable field sales team make us a great partner for dealers preparing for an electric future."
www.tucker.com

---------------------------------------

Marc McAllister on eMarket Dealer Opportunities

Interviewed at AIMExpo by Dealernews' Robin Hartfiel, CEO, President and former H-D executive Marc McAllister addressed the issue of electrification and the business opportunity it represents for the market's dealers head-on.
"Is it the 'next big thing'? We do not regard the decision to carry ePower products as an either or for any kind of dealership. It is an additional business opportunity and sits alongside products for internal combustion engine [ICE] motorcycles and their riders.

 

Marc McAllister, CEO & President of Tucker Powersports

"We need to see the market get to a position of maturity in ePower terms, and that will take at least a decade, in which some [vendors and brands] will come and go. We are very happy with the partners we have been able to select. Manufacturers such as UBCO, Fantic, Dualtron and Speedway are quality businesses who will stand the test of time.
"In the case of UBCO, we are seeing the benefits of new technology. The idea of all-wheel drive has been with us for years, but UBCO's in-hub motors are finally making it an accessible idea, one that gives UBCO access to new engineering and to all-new thinking about platform architecture."
 

'dealers need to be more fluid'

Asked about his take on whether getting involved in sectors such as eBikes ['Pedelecs' etc] sees the powersports industry encroaching on the sectors traditionally dominated by independent bicycle dealers (IBD), McAllister doesn't see it as a battle for dominance between sectors, he sees it as a symptom of wider market changes.
"Bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, UTV segments are all merging together. Whereas the motorcycle and bicycle markets went their own ways 40-50 years ago, the market is now changing again with dealers needing to be more fluid and participating in as many of the available sectors as possible.
"There is no more black and white - the lines between market segments are going grey. Consumers are changing their buying habits, so retailers need to track them and deliver what they are looking for."

News Briefs

 

Lon Nordbye has joined the award-winning Electrify Expo ("North America's largest Electric Vehicle Festival") as Business Development and Sponsorship Executive. Nordbye most recently served as VP of Strategy & Commercial Development at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. "Featuring the world's leading brands in e-mobility" Electrify Expo is a weekend festival concept that takes place multiple times per year - Southern California, Miami and Austin in 2021, with additional venues planned for 2022. www.electrifyexpo.com

If Honda can enter the space industry, then why not Sony Corp in the EV market? Sony has created a new division to "explore entering" the market and unveiled an Electric SUV prototype - Sony's Vision-S sport utility vehicle - at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. Sony unveiled a prototype electric vehicle called the Vision-S sedan two years ago. This was viewed mainly as a way to promote the batteries and sensors the group sells to other car manufacturers. The Vision-S has been road tested in Europe since 2020. If or when the project matures, it is unclear as to whether Sony plans to do the manufacturing themselves or outsource the construction of Sony designs to a third party.

Ford has doubled its production target for the electric model of its top-selling F-150 Lightning pick-ups to 150,000 units a year in an "all-in" test for EV demand. "Sales of the F-150 Lightning truck will be a barometer of the success of electric vehicles in the US," according to Bloomberg. This is the second increase, having initially targeted 40,000 a year, the F-150 is regarded as a bellwether - the trucks will be made at Ford's factory in Dearborn, Michigan, with customer deliveries to begin in spring 2022. So far EVs account for about 3 percent of sales of cars and trucks in the US - less than in Europe and China - with Tesla holding a big lead over Ford and GM. Some 200,000 consumers are said to have reserved the F-150 Lightning, at a starting price of about $40,000. Ford has committed to building a "mega campus" in Tennessee that will include an assembly factory to build the Lightning, and CEO Jim Farley is targeting 600,000 battery vehicles a year globally by the end of 2023. That LiveWire forecast of 100,000 units by 2026 still looks ambitious though.


Triumph has finally unveiled the pre-production prototype demonstrator of its much hyped TE-1 electric motorcycle, bringing the curtain down on what it calls the "collaboration phase" and is now headed for planning for the live testing phase to begin. There is still no estimated date for the TE-1 to hit dealer showrooms, at least not publicly, but Triumph has stated that it hopes to be able to offer it to the media for track testing as soon as later this year.

As part of its plans to mark its 60th anniversary, Brembo is planting a forest of 14,000 trees. The initiative, in partnership with Treedom, involves all Group employees. It will reduce CO2 in the atmosphere and support local farming communities. The Brembo Forest will be planted in Kenya, near Lake Victoria, where Brembo will work in partnership with web platform Treedom - the first such system to allow trees to be planted remotely and their stories followed online. Brembo aims to be a carbon neutral company by 2040.

Eugene, OR., based EV manufacturer Arcimoto (of Arcimoto Roadster fame) says it will be livestreaming the ribbon cutting of its first vehicle production line. Founder/CEO Mark Frohnmayer says his company has been engaged in "ground-breaking" development work on "core EV technologies. The purchase and initial renovation of a scale production facility featuring approximately 250,000 sq ft of space under roof on more than 10 acres has allowed us to expand the number of open states for Arcimoto sales by 100 percent, adding Florida, Nevada and Arizona to our original West Coast launch."

Austin, TX., based Volcon ePowersports (Volcon Inc. NASDAQ: VLCN) announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 6,666,667 shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share ("Common Stock"), to be issued by the company at a price to the public of $3.0 per share. The gross proceeds from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $20.0m. The offering was due to close on February 1. Volcon describes itself as "the first all-electric powersports company producing high quality off-road vehicles."

Several technology companies unveiled new or updated EV projects at the CES, Las Vegas, in January. Among them Vancouver, Canada based Damon Motors built on the well-received HyperDrive technology based HyperSport with the unveiling of its HyperFighter family of streetfighter style motorcycles. A CES 2022 Innovation Award honoree, it is described as "a raw, muscular-silhouetted, electrifying streetfighter motorcycle built for a new generation of urban riders."


Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com

Midwest Motorcycle Supply

Midwest/Ultima 2022 Catalog

The 2022 Midwest Motorcycle Supply catalog "has all the essentials that matter most, at affordable prices - plus our own proprietary Ultima Products engine family that powers custombike builds the world over.
"Projects such as Rods & Rides Custom Motorcycle's award-winning combinations (sidecars), Bobbers, Choppers, Derakes and Trikes.  Our dealers receive a weekly sale flyer called the "Friday to Friday Sale" featuring these bikes as well as any builds that they want to contribute and share. This year's catalog cover features Rods & Rides' tribute to the golden age of sidecars (1950s) - the "Morenci" combination.

"For 2022 we have added 100 ci and 124 ci displacements to our 113 Ultima Twin Cam replacement engine line. They are available silver, black, polished and in a stunning 'Blackout finish'. These finishes also apply to our Ultima Evo style Competition Series engines as well as our Ultima Shovelhead engines. We have a rebuild program for Twin Cam and Evo engines. Engine parts like flywheels for early and late Twin Cams and Evos are available as well as new M-8 parts.
"Ultima late model primary 2" and 3.25" belt drives for 06' and up Dyna and 07' to present Softails are also all available in black.
"Our wheel line includes 'Vortex', 'Manhattan', 'Kool Kat' and 'King Spoke' aluminum wheels, including 23" and 26" sizes, all available in black cut series or polished.
"All our drivetrain products, such as the belt drives and transmissions, are rugged, long lasting units and available for Evo Softail and Twin Cam and Evo Dynas. Complete drivetrain packages include the Ultima 6 RSD or LSD transmissions, powerful ThunderFire starter motors and ThunderVolt AGM batteries.
"Also in the Ultima family of products are a line of ignitions, throttle and idle cables, gaskets, forward controls - available polished or black anodized - handlebars, Springer front ends, calipers and brackets, gas and oil tanks, exhaust systems and much more."
www.midwestmc.net

Bagger Nation

Mini Monkey Engine Guard

Designed as a direct replacement for Street Glide and Road King models (2009 to present), Bagger Nation's Mini Monkey engine guard is the perfect complement to its world-famous original Monkey handlebars.
"Each handcrafted Mini Monkey guard is constructed from 316 seamless stainless steel and TIG welded to assure a lifetime of trouble-free enjoyment. Choose from polished, brushed satin or gloss black powder-coat finishes.

"The Mini Monkey engine guard is a direct bolt-on product for most touring models, all the needed hardware and installation instructions are provided. However, 2015 and later Road Glide models will require the use of a Bagger Nation stealth fairing support bar, except for Road Glide "Special" models (2018 - present) - they require no additional fairing support; 2009 - 2013 Road Glide models will require the use of a fairing support bar as well. We recommend Drag Specialties' lower fairing support bar."
Fairing lowers and chin spoilers will not fit with Mini Monkey engine guards; Mini Monkey engine guards for M-8 Softails are coming soon.
 
PAUL YAFFE'S BAGGER NATION
www.baggernation.com

Biltwell

Updated Biltwell EXFIL Luggage Options

California based Biltwell has updated two of its award-winning EXFIL throw-over soft luggage saddlebag options with enhanced features and ergonomics.
Both the options seen here are available in black and manufactured in a durable, UV-treated 1680-denier ballistic nylon exterior that resists moisture and fading. They have strong, flexible EVA foam panels inside to maintain main compartment structure and durability.
MOLLE system on the exterior provides options for attaching accessories and extra gear; one main and two secondary compartments are secured with rustproof nylon zippers and a zippered clamshell cover on the main compartment locks closed with two 1.5 inch wide (36 mm) reflective polyester straps and Duraflex quick-release buckles; the high-vis orange interior lining makes spotting contents easier.

Exfil-18

The EXFIL 18 has a 10" wide x 8" deep (254 mm x 203 mm) zippered pocket on the clamshell top and a two-piece mounting yoke with adjustable hook and loop panel fastens to both bags with extra large, heavy-duty nylon zippers.
Universal fit means they are compatible with a variety of aftermarket saddlebag supports; multiple D-rings and MOLLE points on bag exterior provide options for carabiners/bungee cords and there is a hidden cable port into the main compartment; waterproof nylon rain covers with elastic gathers and drawstring closure provide extra protection in extreme conditions.
The EXFIL 18 weighs in at 5.55 lbs (2.5 kg) and measures 9" high, 16.5" long and 15.25" wide.

Exfil-36

The double capacity EXFIL 36 has an extra large 15" long x 7" wide PVC-treated main compartment door featuring double zippers with a single paracord pull for speedy closure. The bag bottoms are reinforced with heat-resistant, heavyweight canvas panels; the main compartment features three elastic mesh pockets and one vertical pocket and adjustable straps inside main compartment to secure rolled clothing, fuel bottle or other gear. There is a mesh document pocket with two zippers inside the waterproof security flap.
There is also a 15.25" wide x 7.25" deep (388 mm x 184 mm) exterior pocket beneath security flap for documents and small essentials with a 9" wide x 4.5" tall (240 mm x 114 mm) clamshell pocket with double zipper pulls beneath security flap that is accessible without opening the main compartment. Double-sided straps are included for securing the bag to appropriate mounting points on the motorcycle; additional features include hand-sewn seams with high-strength polyester thread.

DRAG SPECIALTIES
www.dragspecialties.com
www.biltwellinc.com

NAMZ Custom Cycle Products

Front 12" ABS Extension Harness

This brand-new design from Oreland, Pennsylvania based NAMZ Custom Cycle Products is the latest addition to its line-up of problem-solving solutions that help dealers "to do it right"!
The NAMZ front ABS 12" extension harness is a 100% 'plug-n-play' harness that eliminates the need for cutting and splicing - for a fully reversible install on most 2008-up Bagger models with ABS (excluding 2017-2020 Road King).

"Fully 'plug-n-play', this 12" extension is all you need to easily accomplish your ABS needs," says NAMZ founder and internationally recognized motorcycle electrics guru Jeff Zielinski.
Celebrating 21 years in business, NAMZ and Badlands products are available through Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, Tucker, Mid-USA, J&P Cycles, V-Twin, Parts Canada, Parts Europe, Custom Chrome Europe, Motorcycle Storehouse, W&W, Zodiac, Rollies Speed Shop in Australia and Performance Cycle Wholesale Limited in New Zealand.

NAMZ CUSTOM CYCLE PRODUCTS
www.namzccp.com

HardDrive

HardDrive Product Additions

Dynojet Power Vision 3 from HardDrive
Dynojet's line of Power Vision EFI tuning devices are available through HardDrive's six-strong domestic U.S. warehouse network. 

The Power Vision 3 for the Indian has an easy-to-read, high contrast screen that gives full control over how your customers can tune their ride. With the ability to flash the motorcycle from the road, riders will be able to achieve the ride they are looking for. The Power Vision 3 comes with unlimited tech support, backed with a one-year warranty.
"With this new addition to the '22 catalog, HardDrive is looking forward to supporting the Indian market in the growing years to come."

GALFER Cubiq Brake Rotors
"The masterminds at Galfer have raised the bar even further with the introduction of their innovative stainless steel, laser-cut rotors," says the Boise, Idaho based distributor.
"These new rotors combine state-of-the-art technology with a modern design that is significantly lighter than the factory rotors. Creating less unsprung weight, reducing gyroscopic effect, which makes the bike more maneuverable. 

"This internationally acclaimed and award-winning design also improves the contact surface between pad and disc, promoting uniform pad wear and better heat dissipation. Designed for street or track, these rotors are for the rider that wants more than what the stock brakes can provide. They are longer lasting, extremely predictable and consistent with a drastic increase in lever feel, modulation and brake torque."
The Cubiq design is available in floating, solid and perimeter styles, ranging from 10.5" - 13".

Ken's Factory Perch Helmet Lock
Ken's Factory says it saw a need in the industry for an elegant and functional way to secure helmets to the bike, so it designed the "seamlessly custom" Helmet Lock & Perch - which is exclusively available through HardDrive.

"Its low profile will keep the lock discrete and out of your way and replaces the stock perch halves on '84-up Big Twins and '04-up Sportsters. The black clamp half set replaces the stock brake master perch w/lock and clutch perch and the tamper-proof hardware with lock and key. It's all about the details," says Ken's.

MotoPockets
HardDrive has announced a new and exclusive partnership with Adventure Pockets' MotoPockets motorcycle utility bags. 

The MotoPockets product line is manufactured from durable 600 Denier nylon with a silicon lining that offers an above average UV rating, secure Velcro straps with PVC back plate and electronic device pockets that allow fingertip operation.
"MotoPockets bags were made with the rider in mind, so to help with maximizing the opening of the bag, MotoPockets have a double zipper to help access your contents. MotoPockets' sleek, rider- driven designs will help keep these popular T-Bar bags out of your way and the contents safe."

Sawicki 2:1 for Big Inch FLTs Running Mid-Control
Sawicki Speed Shop is at it again "with its vision of performance and style," says HardDrive's V-twin Director Krys Brown.

It has two new styles of 2-into-1 exhausts for M-8 and Twin Cam Baggers that are running aftermarket mid-controls, "that will rumble your soul and chatter loose your inner child.
"This exhaust is designed specifically for enhancing the performance on 124" and up displacement motors. The mandrel-bent aircraft quality 304 stainless steel tubing, with a hand-formed merge collector, allows for precise flow and performance.
"From the swept-up muffler for enhanced ground clearance to the by-hand TIG welds, these exhausts are proudly made in the USA and offer a limited lifetime warranty."

HARDDRIVE V-TWIN
www.hdtwin.com

S&S Cycle

Oil Change Kits

S&S Cycle knows a thing or two about oil and performance, so it is logical that it puts the two together to offer S&S branded and specified oil for V-twins. Now it has put it together with one of its chrome oil filters to offer dealers complete S&S oil change kits.
Specified for "ultimate protection," S&S says its engine oil delivers "superior lubrication for reduced engine wear and lower oil temperatures."

An SAE 20W-50 synthetic that meets Harley-Davidson and other manufacturer warranty requirements, the additive package that S&S has specified is said to deliver consistent viscosity and resist thermal breakdown and oxidation at elevated temperatures.
The added moly content reduces heat, friction and wear, with enhanced zinc and phosphorous levels contributing to the increased engine wear resistance.
S&S engine oil is available in model-specific formulations - for M-8 applications, Twin Cams, Evo/XL models and earlier models, and the company also offers fully synthetic gear oil, chain/gear oil and primary oil.

S&S CYCLE INC.
www.sscycle.com

Unit Garage

Hot Air Deflector H-D Pan America 1250

Noted Italian ADV parts and accessory specialist, designer and manufacturer Unit Garage is best known for its ADV styling, performance and handling parts and upgrade kits for 'Metric' motorcycle models such as the popular Yamaha Ténéré 700, with similar offerings for ADV models from the likes of BMW, Triumph, Ducati, Husqvarna, Moto Guzzi, Kawasaki, Mash and the new Harley-Davidson Pan America.

Seen here for the Pan America 1250, this hot air deflector pushes the air outwards, away from your left leg. Like all Euro 5 models, the Pan America gets quite hot. Made out of a high-grade, temperature resistant plastic, it is described as easy to install onto the existing supports. 

"In addition to being very functional it hides the rear area of the fan - a not very aesthetically pleasing design fail," says founder and former racer Fabio Marcaccini. Based in the hills near Rimini on Italy's Adriatic coast, Marcaccini swapped the European 250 cc Championship (in which he rode for 'Team Italy') for the first of his five consecutive Paris-Dakar rallies in 1997 - back when it really was from Paris to Dakar - and, along with commercial partner and industrial designer Michiel Verstockt, has built a business that sells through some 350 dealers in Europe - from Estonia, Sweden and Denmark to Germany, Benelux, France, Italy, Spain and elsewhere.

Unit Garage has a wide range of universal fitment ADV-specific parts and accessory designs available - from hard and soft luggage, bag frames and carriers in stainless steel to apparel, front fenders, homologated and handmade titanium mufflers with heat shields and removable dB killer, exhaust manifolds, including stainless steel exhaust manifold kits without catalyst, and 4 mm PMMA Plexiglass DOT626 certified touring screens.

UNIT GARAGE
www.unitgarage.com

Progressive IMS Outdoors

IMS Outdoors 2022 Schedule

The second annual season of the Progressive IMS Outdoors tour series will visit eight cities across the U.S., "bringing more opportunities for attendees to engage with powersports culture."
Produced with Progressive Insurance as the title sponsor, for the 13th consecutive year, the eight-city series will revisit three markets that hosted the indoor version of the International Motorcycle Shows (Colorado, Arizona and New York) and return to five markets that IMS Outdoors visited in 2021 (Chicago, Pennsylvania, Atlanta and Northern and Southern California).

"The experience-focused events will bring back the popular two-wheel and four-wheel demo programs, eBikes, shopping, custom and vintage bikes and music, while also offering more chances for enthusiasts to engage with brands and their riding community, from ride-ins and races to speakers and charitable efforts."
Organizer Informa says that 2021 saw more than 35,000 motorcycle demo rides taken across the eight-city tour, with nearly half, 44%, of attendees new to riding or being prospective riders. The introduction of SxS and eBike demos were well received and indicated the community's growing interest in adjacent products.
Influenced by IMS' award-winning 'Discover The Ride' program, three different programs put more than 1,600 adults and teens on a motorcycle for the first time. Nearly 1,700 kids rode two-wheeled balance and battery-operated bikes with Strider, Harley-Davidson and Husqvarna.
"The launch of IMS Outdoors was an exciting challenge that armed us with learnings we look forward to applying on the 2022 tour, including an expansion of the highly successful demo program, growing our electric footprint, and adding more experience-focused offerings," said Tracy Harris, SVP of Progressive IMS Outdoors.
"The powersports industry is amid a transformative period in time as new brands emerge, such as bespoke and electric companies, and we welcome an all-new generation of riders. We are so proud to cater our event to the changing needs of the industry and reunite everyone from new riders and kids to life-long enthusiasts."
www.motorcycleshows.com
www.informa.com


IMS 2022 Schedule

Colorado, June 17-19
Chicago, June 24-26
Pennsylvania, September 16-18
New York, September 23-25
Atlanta, September 30-October 2
Northern California, October 21-23
Arizona, October 28-30
Southern California, November 4-6

Vance & Hines

V&H, Suzuki, Mission "Powerhouse NHRA Pro Stock Team"

Vance & Hines has announced a partnership "that brings three legendary brands together in a quest for the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) Championship."
Aiming to add to its NHRA PSM legacy in 2022, Suzuki is to dub Vance & Hines as its "premier drag race team." The two have worked together since the launch of the legendary GS 1000 in 1978 with V&H operating Suzuki's factory drag racing team and programs under several sanctioning bodies. In the years that followed, they earned numerous victories and championships with company co-founders Terry Vance as rider and Byron Hines as tuner. Ultimately, the collaboration established Suzuki as the fastest and winningest brand on the drag strip. Their success paved the way for the emergence of PSM racing as a professional sport. 

The first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle race of the season will be in Gainesville, Florida.

When the NHRA established the PSM class as a fully-fledged national championship in 1987, Vance won its inaugural race in Gainesville on a Suzuki GS 1150E, and later in that season set a Pro Stock milestone as the first motorcycle to run a 7-second ET. Since that time, Vance & Hines-built Suzuki powerplants have won five NHRA national titles, including three consecutive championships on bikes piloted by Byron's son, Matt Hines. 

Mike Kennedy, President of Vance & Hines: "Vance & Hines was born on a racetrack and has a passion for high performance - that's why partnering with organizations with equally strong cultures of winning is perfect for us."

Mike Kennedy, President of Vance & Hines, stated that "the Vance & Hines/Suzuki partnership is a multi-year program which will showcase the performance of a 6.3 second, 200+ mph Hayabusa model in the world's premier form of motorcycle drag racing.
"Vance & Hines was born on a racetrack and has a passion for high performance - that's why partnering with organizations with equally strong cultures of winning is perfect for us. We are overjoyed to have Mission Foods return to our program, and to begin a long and successful strategic partnership with Suzuki. This is already a great start to the 2022 racing season."  
For Suzuki, VP Marketing Kerry Graeber stated that "Suzuki has a tradition of competing at the highest levels in motorcycle racing and, given our history and success in drag racing, it's fitting that we take a high-profile role in NHRA PSM.

Kerry Graeber, Suzuki VP Marketing: "Suzuki has a tradition of competing at the highest levels in motorcycle racing and, given our history and success in drag racing, it's fitting that we take a high-profile role in NHRA PSM."

"One of the specific goals of this program is to showcase Suzuki's all-new, third generation Hayabusa sport bike, and Vance & Hines is without a doubt the best partner for this initiative. We're thrilled to be reuniting with Vance & Hines in NHRA to show the extraordinary capabilities of the Hayabusa."
The first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle race of the season will be in Gainesville, Florida. There will be 15 PSM races in 2020, with the season finale in November in Pomona, California, at NHRA's Auto Club Finals.

News Briefs

 

Tallahassee, Florida ("the only city in Florida with rolling hills and famous canopy roads"), is to welcome Tallahassee Bike Fest - its first annual motorcycle rally on May 13-15, 2022. "This up-and-coming motorcycle rally will be featured in the downtown Tallahassee area dubbed Railroad Square Art District." Founder Giavona "G" Williams says all riders and bike styles and brands are welcome and is targeting between 2,500-3,500 riders for the first year.
www.tallybikefest.com

The Polaris Industries Board of Directors has approved a 2% percent increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend, raising the payout to $0.64 per share. Effective with the 2022 first quarter dividend, this increase represents the 27th consecutive year of Polaris increasing its dividend. It will be payable on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2022.

AMA Hall of Famer and leading off-road and motocross racer Preston Petty has died. His career spanned the 1950s through the early 1970s and he was the owner of Petty Plastics, a ground-breaking plastic motorcycle component business that changed the face of motorcycle racing. Petty passed away on January 16. He was 81.

The iconic BSA Gold Star name is back thanks to Indian conglomerate Mahindra. Having bought the brand in 2016, at the end of 2020 it announced that it was to open a new production facility at Coventry in the English Midlands. In November last year it unveiled a new traditionally styled, Euro 5 compliant 45 hp, 652 cc water-cooled 'naked' single under the Gold Star name.

RideApart reports that Japanese domestic motorcycle sales hit a 23-year high in 2021 - with Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha reporting increased interest among young riders. JAMA data puts domestic Japanese shipments of 233,059 motorcycles (51 cc+) between January-November 2021. That number is a 20.6% uptick over the same period in 2020, and the organization forecasts that the total 2021 shipments will increase to 235,755 when December is factored into the equation.

Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com

AFT

Parts Unlimited and Kicker Audio Step Up to Support AFT Singles

There having been no sponsor for the AFT Singles Class in 2021, Parts Unlimited and Kicker Performance Audio have stepped up for 2022 - named as the Title and Presenting Sponsors of the AFT Singles Class. The class will now be known as the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by Kicker.

Parts Unlimited has signed a multi-year partnership as title sponsor, living up to its time-honored pledge of "We Support the Sport." The Wisconsin-based company's direct partnership ties to AFT date back to 2018, and, alongside its sister brand Drag Specialties, it continues to serve as the series' Official Wholesaler.
As part of the expanded partnership, Parts Unlimited has committed $30,000 in championship bonuses to be paid out to the top three AFT Singles riders at the end of the season - $15,000 to the '22 class champion, $10,000 to the runner-up, and $5,000 to the third-ranked rider.
"Parts Unlimited is really excited to continue the relationship with Progressive AFT with this new multi-year deal," said Hylton Beattie, Global Motorsports Director of Parts Unlimited.
"We are delighted to be the AFT Singles Class Title Sponsor. The Singles class consistently delivers close, exciting racing from a mixture of experienced and talented young riders that in 2021 saw twelve different riders on the podium. We will continue to "We Support the Sport" with the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by Kicker events, encompassing broad factory support, professional privateer teams and raw talent, all the ingredients to produce some legendary racing."
Presenting sponsor Kicker Performance Audio has established a "Living Loud Legacy" by producing high-performance audio products, ranging from powersports, auto, marine, home and personal audio since 1973. After getting its first taste as a Progressive AFT sponsor in 2021, the Stillwater, Oklahoma-based brand will also step up its official support in 2022.
www.americanflattrack.com

Drag Specialties

John Strangfeld - New Drag Specialties National Sales Manager


LeMans Corporation has appointed John Strangfeld as the new Drag Specialties National Sales Manager, effective immediately.
Thrust into the powersports industry through riding, racing and working within various powersports dealers for over 20 years, John has always taken an active role in this industry. This included working every facet of the dealership, including selling V-twin motorcycles in the late 90s. His industry experience eventually led him to the LeMans family.

John started his time with LeMans as the Moose Racing Sales Manager back in 2000 and then served as a territory sales rep from 2004-2020. In January of 2020, John was named a Parts Unlimited National Sales Manager. His sales management and team-lead experience, along with his personal enthusiasm for the Motor Company products, make for a seamless transition to the Drag Specialties position.
John said: "I have had the fortune to work within LeMans in various capacities for the past 22 years. I am honored to be working with the Drag Specialties team and our valued dealer network and look forward to working with the entire LeMans family to continue growth and brand momentum for Drag Specialties."
Jeff Derge added: "This is a bittersweet announcement; we all miss Jim Matchette every day. Jim and I were planning for his retirement and shared a common vision for the future of Drag Specialties. John is a key part of that vision, and the entire Drag team is excited have him leading them forward."

 

Harley-Davidson

H-D Announces H Partners Representative to Join Board

The reshaping of the senior management and reporting landscape at Harley continues with the announcement that "it has entered into a cooperation agreement with one of its major shareholders, H Partners. 

Jared Dourdeville

"As part of the agreement, Jared Dourdeville, a Partner at H Partners, has joined the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors. Mr. Dourdeville has also been appointed to the Human Resources Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
"We believe this agreement is in the best interest of Harley-Davidson shareholders, as we look to deliver long-term, profitable growth as the most desirable motorcycle company in the world," said Tom Linebarger, Lead Director, Harley-Davidson. "We look forward to welcoming Mr. Dourdeville to the Board."
"Under the leadership of Jochen Zeitz, we believe Harley-Davidson's best days are ahead, and we look forward to partnering with the Board, leadership team and employees to reinvigorate this iconic American company," said Dourdeville.

Biltwell

Mission Control

Our thanks to co-founder Bill Bryant at California based Biltwell for this great picture of the company's M-8 hard parts line-up.
Sometimes it can seem that its range of hard parts is a tad random, but far from it - there is system in their ergonomics, and if ever a picture told of a thousand custom combinations, then this is the one - "Hard Parts Made Easy."
"We've made hard parts for Harley-Davidsons since day one," says Bill. "Everything from pegs and seats to bars, risers and grips. When The Motor Company introduced its M-8-powered Softail, we dropped a full range of bolt-ons to help riders customize their machine's control center.

"Engineered to improve ergonomics and handling, Biltwell Tracker bars and Murdock risers are a smart Big Twin upgrade. Accessories like our billet dash panel, utility mirrors and AlumiCore grips harmonize with Harley hand controls and digital speedos to complete the cockpit upgrade. The construction and appearance of these parts and accessories is rugged, performance oriented and super clean."

Punisher and Punisher XL Footpegs
"Our rugged billet aluminum footpegs are styled and manufactured to complement the technology and aesthetic of high-performance Harley-Davidsons. Available in two sizes with a variety of different interchangeable clevises to fit everything from AMF-era Hogs to modern Softails. 

"They are precision CNC-machined from billet 6061 T-6 aluminum. Investment cast chromoly clevises are adjustable, so you can fine-tune peg angle for maximum traction. Replaceable stainless steel pins provide gobs of grip."

Murdock Risers and Tracker Bars
"Murdock risers are engineered tough to endure years of aggressive, high-speed riding. Tracker handlebars are precision-crafted and CNC-bent from seamless, thick walled 4130 Chromoly for unrivaled strength. Assembled together, they're the last cockpit upgrade you'll ever need for your custom Harley.

"Murdock risers are available in both 1-inch standard and oversized models, with the latter featuring beefy investment-cast bar clamps to fit our 1-1/8-inch tapered Tracker OS handlebars."

M-8 Softail Dash Panel

 

"Our Softail dash panel lets you relocate the digital speedo on the '18-up Street Bob or Breakout after you've upgraded it with Biltwell bars or risers. This stylish, compact accessory fits Tyson and Tyson XL handlebars as well as every Murdock riser in our line."

Utility Mirrors
Utility mirrors mount to a wide range of stock and select aftermarket Harley hand controls with a single stainless steel button head Allen bolt - clean and simple. They are available in two CE-certified shapes - round and teardrop - or a small rectangular model for riders who prefer more compact cockpit accessories. 

Utility mirrors are available in long- and short-arm styles and matte black powder-coat or chrome-plated finishes, and feature injection die-cast aluminum mirror bezel and perch construction with stainless steel ball joint mounting hardware.

Alumicore Grips
While all stock and most aftermarket Harley grips feature some molded plastic construction, Biltwell AlumiCore grips are machined from forged billet 6061 T-6 aluminum. "After precision surface detailing and finishing, we install Thermoplastic Vulcanizate rubber sleeves on each grip for traction and comfort. TPV rubber is soft and compliant, but extremely durable and UV resistant." 

AlumiCore grips are available in dual-cable and throttle-by-wire (TBW) styles to fit a wide range of Harley-Davidson models. Replacement sleeves are also available in a variety of colors.
 
BILTWELL INC.
www.biltwellinc.com

Custom Chrome Europe

CCE Adds G&A

They look good and they work "on and off the road": TORC products in hard use while road-testing the new Harley-Davidson and Triumph models.
Custom Chrome Europe continues to invest in its G&A programs, including its popular TORC riding gear, with a trifecta of additions - the TORC "T-3" retro helmet, "Americana" and "Hawthorne" gloves and Pi-Wear "Arizona" goggles.

The TORC "T-3 Retro-Cross" helmet is a "practical, high quality every-day helmet" weighing just 1.85 kg.

Choosing only two glove options from the huge TORC program in the CCE catalog, the "Hawthorne" and "Americana" gloves "stand out for their simplicity and practicability," says CCE Director of Purchasing Guenther Mueller.
"While the black 'Hawthorne' is a more conventional looking, understated design, with the colorful 'Americana' being a true classic style 'show-glove', don't be fooled - both are high quality, fully featured riding gloves that combine comfort with safety."

Americana gloves "combine comfort and safety".

They are both made in high tear resistance premium aniline goat leather, with a 100 percent polyester lining and palm and finger reinforcement. The "Americana" features curved finger structure, internal knuckle protectors, screen-friendly fingertips and a waxed finish with fashionably "used" look.
Described as an "all-purpose glove for everyday use," the "Hawthorne" has been designed for a classic workman's glove look with added knuckle padding, removable "faux suede" liner and high tensile strength nylon stitching in critical areas.

"Hawthorne", an all-purpose glove for everyday use.

The TORC "T-3 Retro-Cross" helmet is described as a "practical, high quality every-day helmet" that weighs just 1.85 kg. Features include removable soft "faux suede" leather liner, air vents, standard D-ring closure, padded chin straps, fiberglass outer shell with metal mesh air intakes and exhaust vents and a chromed frame. The T-3 is DOT and ECE 22.05 approved.
The huge range of additionally available replacement parts and accessory options include frame and strap color choices that mean the Pi-Wear "Arizona" goggles can be configured in some 130 different possible color variations.

Pi-Wear "Arizona" Goggles can be configured in some 130 different possible color variations.

Features include anti-fog coated, optically correct 'Toric' lenses with a wide field of vision; high-quality three-layer foam padding; skin-friendly fleece outermost layer; spectacle-friendly fit and silicone and PU coated adjustable strap with a fit-friendly frame that molds to the rider's face.

CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE
www.custom-chrome-europe.com

Hawg Halters Inc.

'Dominator' Performance Bagger Triple Trees

Georgia based Hawg Halters (HHI) says it offers dealers "the most complete line of billet triple trees for H-D Baggers" and that the line "just grew once again with the HHI 'Dominator' performance triple trees for street and track applications."

Stock style

The stock style triple tree comes in machine or black finish, with an HHI designed and precision- machined clamping system that delivers stronger clamping force for improved handling and safety. "This billet replacement tree, which reduces weight, also stiffens the front end and accepts factory fairings."

Track style

Also seen here, the HHI track style triple tree also comes in machine or black finish and fits 49 mm forks. It too features HHI's improved and superior clamping system for weight reduction and a stiffened, more responsive front end. It can be ordered as a set or top clamp only.

HAWG HALTERS INC.
www.hawghalters.com

Danny Wilson

M-8 Cooling - Not all Fins are Equal

When it comes to an air-cooled V-twin engine, most of us believe that more fins mean more cooling. However, there is one individual who thinks otherwise - Danny Wilson has turned the orthodoxy on its head.
"The large span between the fins on my cylinders creates tunnels for considerably more air movement than is the case with the stock fins. And, if you look at the surface between those fins, there are high and low spots and tool marks. 

"That uneven surface creates disturbance as the air runs over the surface - the rough surface makes it easier for the air to pull the heat from the aluminum."
Danny's unique cylinders are made from billet aluminum with ductile iron liners. The current catalog includes kits that start at 125 cubic inches and go all the way to 159 inches for M-8s.
The two smallest kits, the 125 and 129 inches, are designed for installation in 107 and 114 inch M-8s - while the cases stay in the frame.
The rest of the kits are aimed at the more serious enthusiasts. These kits include cylinders and a crankshaft and start at 131 cubic inches and go right up to 159 inches. Similar cylinders and kits will soon be available for Twin Cams.

LEADING EDGE V-TWIN
www.leadingedgehp.com