Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited Spring NVP Product Expo
Louisville, Kentucky,16-17 February 2019
The Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties Spring NVP Product Expo proved to be the biggest Expo ever put on by LeMans Corporation.
"The event not only hit its highest attendee numbers of any previous Expo, it also exceeded all other U.S. distributor shows by spanning over 88,000 sq. feet with more than 240 leading exhibitors including 25 new brands to the Expo!
"The expanded show space allowed for larger displays to showcase the newest products and accommodate the record number of attendees."
Jeff Derge, Vice President of Sales, said: "Our first year in Louisville could not have gone better! Thank you to the dealers, vendors and our team for working the weekend with us. This show is such an important part of improving our industry. There are so many great new products on the market this year, the dealers spent quality time talking with the vendors and reps to really get an understanding of these products. In the end the dealers who attended will deliver a better shopping experience for every customer that enters their stores."
The weekend kicked off on Thursday with training for the Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties Sales Reps which extended into Saturday and also included dealer training from Alpinestars, Fat Baggers, Rekluse, S&S and more. Expanded Expo floor hours both Saturday and Sunday provided dealers ample time to visit exhibitors and see the newest products.
The 2019 Spring Apparel Fashion Show was a highlight of the show floor during Saturday's happy hour. Gracing the catwalk were new collections from over 15 brands highlighting Thor, Icon, Moose, Arctiva, Slippery and Z1R.
Saturday evening brought the industry to the iconic Meet & Greet at the Sports & Social Club in the heart of downtown Louisville's 4th Street Live Entertainment District. Food, drinks, games, live entertainment and the Arlington Supercross (with a Cooper Webb win) on over 60 TVs was the perfect way to cap off the day. The Expo energy carried over into Sunday where a trip to the Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited Rides were awarded and satisfied dealers filled the aisles.
Mike Collins, President of LeMans Corporation, commented: "What a way to kick off the 2019 season. I've never felt such enthusiasm and optimism from dealers, vendors and reps. We all need events like this as a reminder as to why we are in this business. It was a fantastic gathering and we've set the bar high for our next event."
The event came amid a slew of new vendor announcements for 2019 from Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited - from Eibach (UTV springs and accessories) to Galfer USA (V-twin and street bike brake pads and rotors), to Fat Baggers (motorcycle parts and trike conversions), Rekluse (clutches), Woessner (pistons) and WildASS seats.
Following the sale of CruzTOOLS by Dan Parks, new owner CycoActive Riding Gear (Seattle), the new owners became a first time NVP exhibitor, with Drag Specialties renewing its long-standing relationship with the lifetime guarantee backed CruzTOOLS brand of hand tools and roadside emergency tool kits for most powersports vehicles including street bikes, dual-sport, adventure and off-road motorcycles. "Professional-grade, bike-specific tools and kits are designed for reliable roadside or trailside repairs."
Owned by Race Winning Brands, the Wiseco parent company, Boise, Idaho based Rekluse joins the Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties portfolio, offering its award-winning off-road and Harley clutches, including the TorqDrive Clutch Pack and RadiusX.
Sean Brown, President of Rekluse, said: "This partnership will broaden awareness for our expanding product lines while we continue building momentum for the Rekluse brand. We look forward to teaming up with their network and talented rep force to deliver our innovative products to more customers."
In other news, Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited have renewed their sponsorship as the Official Powersports Distributor of American Flat Track for the 2019 season.
"Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties have proven essential allies as we continue to grow our fanbase within the motorcycle community at large," said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. "Our fans are motorcycle enthusiasts and will undeniably recognize the value in names like Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties within our family of series partners."
Hylton Beattie, Global Motorsports Director for Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties, said: "We are excited to 'Support the Sport' and continue the relationship with American Flat Track. 2018 was an amazing year for American Flat Track and we believe 2019 will be even better."
2019 Drag Specialties FatBook
The 2019 FatBook features over 1,800 pages of the "latest and greatest products and information to give your customer’s bike a truly custom look. From Twin Cams to the newest M-Eights, you are sure to find the look and performance parts, accessories and fitment information that work for you.
"The Fatbook remains your best source for late-model V-Twin needs, but don’t forget to check out the 2018/19 OldBook for more specific needs concerning early-model Big Twin H-D models. Together, along with the Tire & Service catalog and the Helmet & Apparel catalog, you will find an unrivaled assortment of every part and accessory available to you and your customers, to help keep American V-twins rolling for years to come."
SBS: As the Danish brake components manufacturer enters its second year as the Official AFT Brakes brand, the hot news at the start of this year was of its entry into the Harley aftermarket and custom brake rotors market with a full line of European made stainless steel fitments, available to U.S. dealers through Drag Specialties. The program comprises both a standard OEM replacement range, with the application-specific shape, construction and dimensions to make them a true OEM replacement, and an OEM upgrade line that is specifically designed to increase brake feel, performance, comfort and looks, and improve the capability to get friction material constantly cleaned off the rotor surface; www.sbs.dk
Feuling Parts: Recent new products from the Oceanside, California based performance components specialist include a slew of additions for M-8 engines, such as HP+, 'Race Series' and Reaper brand cam shaft kits; oiling system kits that include the latest version of the legendary Feuling oil pump and a range of M-8 cam chest kit options; www.feulingparts.com
Battery Tender: Recent new Drag Specialities product exclusives from the Deland, Florida based specialist include a versatile 4-terminal Smart Lithium battery with on-board BMS (Battery Management System) that provides features such as over/under charge protection; www.batterytender.com
Biltwell: Recent news from the Temecula, California hard parts to helmets brand is of ECE certification for its Gringo and Gringo S helmets and a generous donation of nearly 2,000 helmets to the MSF for training course use. The brainchild of Bill Bryant and Harold McGruther, who have guided the brand to a market-defining position among "New Gen" riders; www.biltwellinc.com
Fat Baggers: New to the Drag Specialties program for 2019, Fat Baggers says that its 1 1/4" EZ Install handlebar kits "allow riders to install handlebars in half the time of other brands." The revolutionary interlocking, bolt-together, two-piece design features unique non-welded upper corners for easy wire pulling. The two-piece design is economical to ship and takes up half the shelf space of other handlebars. They fit most '08-'19 Dresser models with or without ABS; www.fatbaggers.com