AIMEXPO 2023 review part 4
Highsider USA: A premium brand by noted European lights and accessories manufacturer Paaschburg & Wunderlich in Germany and now available to American dealers from its U.S. warehouse in California; www.highsider-us.com
Vance & Hines: Always a popular booth at any expo and still pumped by its 2022 AFT Production Twins class championship win, industry veteran John Potts (seen here center) told AMD that reaction to the new torque-boosting Power Chamber Exhaust (PCX) technology series (with included catalyst for EPA compliance), introduced last summer, has been "exceptional"; www.vanceandhines.com
Angelle Sampey: Invited to AIMExpo as this year's 'Keynote' guest, her remarkable story and long list of drag race wins and championships is truly inspirational. Having herself been a motorcycle dealer at one stage in her life, the NHRA star (and Mom) likens the single-minded determination it takes to be successful on the track, especially in such a male dominated discipline, to the hard work, determination and focus it takes to succeed in business. Though now north of "a certain age," the girl from the Bayou says that provided she can find a team for 2023, she has no intention of retiring from racing yet.
Öhlins USA: When Larry 'Spiderman' McBride made the fastest motorcycle run ever at 268.38 mph during a Top Fuel motorcycle exhibition race at the Virginia NHRA Nations last year, whose front forks was it that crossed the line a nano-second before Larry did? Why, Öhlins' of course; www.ohlinsusa.com
R&G: The British manufacturer recently announced an extension to its domestic U.S. MotoAmerica race sponsorship support. Additionally, Managing Director Simon Hughes told AMD that it had recently introduced a wide ranging suite of accessories for the Harley Pan America. Best known in Europe for its motorcycle protectors, its Pan America options include bar end sliders and fork protectors, but other accessories as well - such as Adventure Bars, a tail tidy, radiator guards, brake lever guard and factory carbon lever guards, a kickstand shoe and more in what is an impressive and well thought-out range. R&G are represented in the United States by 'Brands That Shine' (www.brands-that-shine.com); www.rg-racing.com
Denali Electronics: Sold in the United States by Exeter, RI based distributor Twisted Throttle, Denali says it is "the only electronics brand that can provide a complete lighting and visibility package that includes the lights and mounts, horn and mount, auxiliary brake light and single intelligent plug-and play controller to provide effortless installation and integrated control of all your electronic accessories." Represented by Brands That Shine (www.brands-that-shine.com); www.twistedthrottle.com
Fred Fox: AIMExpo came just a week after the sad news that Fred Fox, founder of LeMans Corporation (parent company to Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties and many other important pillars of our industry) had died aged 86. Led by Don Emde, the industry paid tribute and said thank you for a life that touched hundreds, if not thousands, of other people's lives and careers and that did much to shape the powersports parts and accessory industry that we know today.
Energy One: Kent and Nancy Foltz are now well established among the Tempe, Arizona manufacturing community, following their decision to move their factory from California. Their Big Twin clutch kits are complete and include a full set of performance friction plates with a maximum groove pattern for heat dissipation and fluid circulation. They have a core of either 6061-T6 aluminum or high tempered steel for maximum durability, along with a race-proven friction material. All steel plates are made with a high tempered steel and vibratory-deburred for extreme flatness for positive engagement and performance; www.energyoneclutches.com
Galfer USA: Mark Crookston (center) is Galfer USA's Senior Sales Lead - "We are celebrating our 70th anniversary and our U.S. subsidiary has been supporting the brand since the 1990s. In addition to new race-bred brake pads, major recent new product introductions include the CUBIQ and revolutionary Floatech rotor designs. CUBIQ rotors feature a brake track design in hexagonal shapes to optimize pad contact to reduce wear, weight and dust; www.galfer.eu, www.galferusa.com
K&N Engineering: It is easy to overlook just how diverse the product offer from the Riverside, California based filter specialist really is, but even by its standards, the move into engine oil is a major brand extension. K&N's fully synthetic "Ultra-Premium" engine oil is available in 20W-50 for V-twin applications and 10W-40 for sport bikes and ATVs, featuring K&N 'Synthmax' additive technology. It can be used as a 3 in 1 formula as K&N says that it can be used as an engine, transmission, wet clutch and primary oil; www.knfilters.com