Turndown slip-ons
Vance & Hines’ new turndown slip-ons feature large 4-inch muffler bodies with Vance & Hines signature turndown end treatment, making them compatible with CVO drop skirt bags.
Featuring nostalgic styling, they have 4-inch muffler bodies with scalloped turndown slip-ons.
Made in chrome plated mild steel for 2017 Touring models (will not fit Trike/Freewheeler models), an optional quiet insert is available.
VANCE & HINES
www.vanceandhines.com
V-Twin Expo cancellation
The news that Easyriders Events has cancelled its 2018 V-Twin Expo at Cincinnati may have come as no surprise to many, but everyone should be sad that market conditions and consolidation has brought us to this place.
First staged in 2000 as a reaction to the relocation of the all-industry Dealer Expo to Indianapolis and to recognize the specialty needs of the then fast-growing V-twin parts and accessory and custom bike building sectors, V-Twin Expo has been a “child of its times”.
Fast forward 17 years, and my, what changed times these now are! I have always guesstimated that the market hit “peak-V-twin”, certainly in aftermarket terms, in the spring of 2006, by which time there had already been mutterings about the market not sustaining into the final months of the year prior. The impacts of hurricane Katrina and Detroit’s liberal splashing of so-called employee discount levels were cited as issues, but hey, it’s okay, they are just short-term, specific and isolated factors, normal service will be resumed next year.
In fact, 2006 was the first year that those who were listening were starting to hear rumblings about credit apps failing and mortgage defaults becoming an issue. I remember staying in the U.S. after the V-Twin Expo in advance of ‘Indy’ two weeks later (an ‘Indy’ which more resembled an Asian ATV swap meet than a professional powersports expo), and being in a Harley dealership in California and seeing some sharply reduced stickers – a shock after the years of gouging.
If memory serves right, it was in 2007 that we saw the highest number of booths at V-Twin Expo. As the shockwaves caused by the EPA’s plans to tighten on-highway emissions standards and the cycle of ever deepening financial issues took a hold of consumer confidence and spending, by the time of the “Lehman Apocalypse” of October 2008, layoffs and closures were already commonplace, and the parts and accessory industry atrophy, that we are still enduring to this day, had set in.
The V-twin industry and its specialty Expo had a long way to fall, and barring a couple of false dawns, it has dropped like a stone ever since.
In recent years the number of visitors and exhibitors at V-Twin Expo had continued to decline in line with the market’s diminishing sales opportunities and when, three years ago, Harley’s own recovery stalled and went into reverse, the writing was on the wall.
In tandem with the consolidation of the channels through acquisitions, the impact of e-commerce and the changing of the demographics that had underpinned the phenomenal growth in the V-twin industry since the early 1990s, it was, regrettably, only a matter of time before Easyriders had to face the altered realities in which we are all trading.
Personally, I don’t think AIMExpo has had much effect on V-Twin Expo, largely because of the timing and because, until this year, it was being staged just about as far away from the V-twin industry’s midwestern heartland as its possible to get.
However, there is no question that the emergence of the current pattern of expo style distributor, dealer and vendor events has had a massive impact, along with the wider consolidation issues and collapse in available budgets.
Down the years the opportunity that the V-Twin Expo provided has been a mainstay of my business opportunities, and I for one will miss it – not least because I still do firmly believe that there is a need for there to be speciality events as well as wider, multi-discipline shows.
As one person put it to me once, dealers need to tend their own gardens as well as look over the fence at what others are doing!
On behalf of all those who, like me, have valued the business opportunity that the V-Twin Expo has represented down the years, and have seen it as the defining “child of these times”, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Jim and Meredith Betlach and their team for all their dedication and hard work, and to Easyriders owner Joe Teresi, for what they have done for countless businesses these past 17 years.
I’m sure I am not alone in sharing the regret that they no doubt feel keenly that it should end in cancellation rather than the sunlit uplands of a vibrant future, but they can be mighty proud of the legacy the show leaves and the contribution they made to the lives of so many of us.
Robin Bradley
Editor-in-Chief
Mees ends season on top at the Cycle Gear AFT Twins Finals
Grand National Champion Jared Mees brought his epic 2017 American Flat Track presented by Vance & Hines season to a close with one last flawless performance at the Cycle Gear American Flat Track Finals presented by Indian Motorcycle at Perris, California, on October 7.
In an AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines main event that perfectly encapsulated the season as a whole, Mees once again made it apparent that he was simply in a class of his own. With a packed house at the SoCal State Fair cheering him on, Mees put the No. 9 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing Scout FTR750 at the front from the start and relentlessly built up an unassailable advantage from there, before easing up late on as he sailed toward victory around the Perris Auto Speedway's clay Half Mile.
The final numbers confirm that Mees' 2017 campaign was of historic excellence. His season finale win saw Mees establish the new single-season podium record, surpassing the previous mark held jointly by American Flat Track icons Scott Parker and Ricky Graham. Mees ended the year with 17 top three finishes in 18 attempts, but perhaps even more impressive than the sheer number was the manner of those podiums - 10 came as victories, six were runner-ups, and just one was a third.
"I just had a phenomenal night," Mees said. "The Indian Motorcycle Scout was really good, like it's been all year long. It was a solid day to end a solid, solid year. I don't know what else to say…it's fantastic…it was a record-breaking career year for me. I'm happy to have the Indian Motorcycle guys on my side.”
Mees was joined in his celebration of domination by Indian Motorcycle - the Indian Wrecking Crew combined to earn 14 of 18 wins and locked down six podium sweeps.
The four victories beyond Mees' 10 were obtained by 2017 championship runner-up Bryan Smith (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750). Additionally, Brad Baker (No. 6 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) held on to third place in the title fight to sweep the championship top three for Indian despite Baker missing the final two rounds due to injury.
Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Ben Evan's Racing/Carver’s BBQ Harley-Davidson XR750) completed his storming late season charge with an impressive second place finish at Perris.
American Flat Track kicks off again at the Daytona International Speedway during Bike Week for the second annual Daytona TT on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Memphis Shades: Made in aircraft grade Lucite and designed to be looked over, Memphis Shades’ spoiler windshield diffuses the air stream, effectively slowing the flow, without buffeting, and is available in 5”, 6.5” and 9” heights, mounting to their popular Batwing fairings with the existing hardware; www.memphisshades.com
Revolution Performance: The Plymouth, Wisconsin based specialist’s bolt-on Big Bore Kits “are the best, most reliable way to increase horsepower and torque,” with power gains of up to 25 percent claimed, “just by bolting in our cylinders and pistons.” Made from aluminum with nickel silicon carbide plated bores “our cylinders are lighter, with 10 x better wear resistance and tighter clearances than the OEM cylinder.” Monster big bore kits, crankshaft and cylinder head services also available; www.revolution-performance.com
ASA/Jensen: The latest news from the Elkhart, Indiana based audio specialists includes a follow-up to its award-winning HD1BT525 Harley-Davidson replacement stereo package with the addition of an adaptor ring install 6.5-inch speaker option. “Combine these new speakers with the already incredible HD1BT stereo, featuring Bluetooth, Sirius XM capabilities and a USB port, and we have one awesome package of in your-face beauty. It doesn’t only sound excellent, but it is aesthetically built to look great installed in a Harley,” says the company’s Jordan Lucas; www.asaelectronics.com
Magnum Shielding: Launched earlier this year, the Pittsford, New York based specialist has scored a home-run with its new ‘Caliber’ 1 1/4” handlebar kits, with 12”, 14” and 16” height options for select Bagger and Ape Hanger styles. Described as the industry’s only complete kit, Magnum combines its signature ‘Sterling Chromite’ and ‘Black Pearl’ matching braided brake lines and control cables with premium quality chrome plated or black powder coated ‘Caliber’ handlebars. The kits include all needed ABS or non-ABS brake lines, control cables, washers, hardware and terminated wiring extensions, and the bars are pre-loaded with E-Z pull-thru sleeving to make internal wiring easy; www.magnumshielding.com
Arlen Ness: Recent new product introductions from the legendary Dublin, California based parts designer and manufacturer include hand finished steel winged stretched gas tank designs for 2008 and up stock Touring model and custom Bagger applications. With a 6-gallon (U.S.) capacity, the “smooth flowing design gives factory tourers a custom look and more improved leg clearance than any other stretched tank available.” They ship with a steel dash, rubber trim and all the necessary hardware; www.arlenness.com
Le Pera: Design meets craftsmanship in the hands of the North Hollywood, California based seats specialist’s craftsmen and women. The company says that every one of its seats can be made in the popular black and white combination - including the 2” set back ‘Daddy Long Legs’ version for taller riders. All Le Pera seats feature a powder-coated steel base plate, a specially poured high-density “Marathon” molded foam foundation and double-stitched, handcrafted cover with bonded polyester thread for durability; www.lepera.com
Daytona Twin Tec: The latest addition to Allen Alvarez’ Daytona Twin Tec team is Electronics Engineer Dave Celsnak (seen here on the left). Recent new products include Twin Tuner II, which retains all the features of the original Twin Tuner and now includes ignition timing and control capability. Twin Tuner II easily adjusts the OEM Delphi fuel injection and ignition to match the requirements of installed performance parts, including high- compression pistons/heads, camshafts, free-flowing exhausts, and low-restriction air filters; www.daytona-twintec.com
J.W. Speaker: Based in Germanstown, Wisconsin, J.W. Speaker specialize in building the technology behind the Adaptive Series headlight, the “world’s first dynamically adaptive motorcycle headlight, representing a genuine evolution in motorcycle headlights.” Designed to address the issues of lighting blind spots created by fixed lights when a motorcycle is leaning or cornering, they use onboard sensors and advanced electronics to calculate bank angles on a real-time basis, automatically directing the light array up or down as the motorcycle leans; www.jwspeaker.com
EagleRider Rentals - 25 years young
Los Angeles, California based motorcycle rentals specialist EagleRider is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Started by founders Chris McIntyre and Jeff Brown in a suburban garage with four bikes, the idea came from meeting some foreign tourists while on a ride up the Californian coast to Big Sur.
Those tourists wished they were able to do such a ride without having to airfreight their bikes and BOOM – the proverbial lightbulb went on!
Fast forward 25 years, EagleRider now employs over 100 people, rents all kinds of motorcycles at over 100 locations worldwide (the world’s largest motorcycle rentals business) and, among other claims to fame, is Harley-Davidson’s #1 new motorcycle customer - this year EagleRider became the exclusive U.S. provider of rentals and tours for Harley-Davidson.
“We are so proud to be celebrating our Silver Anniversary at EagleRider,” says CEO Chris McIntyre. “It has been an incredible 25 years. It took a lot of hard work and passion to reach this point. We look forward to the future as we expand and gain more riders who will enjoy incredible motorcycle travel experiences with us.”
In celebration of this milestone year, EagleRider is planning multiple activities to toast its existing fans and encourage new audiences to get on a bike. Their vast network of locations allows the company to offer a variety of motorcycle travel options and a Club EagleRider membership program – the first of its kind in the motorcycle industry.
Their customers have the option to select from a fleet of thousands of bikes that include Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Honda, Triumph and BMW motorcycles and Polaris Slingshot open cockpit roadsters, also offering guided self-drive or custom tours and exclusive apparel lines.
www.eaglerider.com
Lowell Anderson – new Director of Brands at TR/Biker’s Choice
Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice has announced the addition of Lowell Anderson as Director of Brands. Anderson comes to the company with an extensive background in the powersports industry.
“I’m very excited to be part of the Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice family,” says Anderson. “As Director of Brands, I am looking forward to working with our brand team members to create a compelling assortment of products that is both profitable and desirable to our customers.”
Anderson previously worked as Director of Brands with J&P Cycles, responsible for the assortment, design and development of products for their private label brands, making him the perfect fit for his new role at Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice. He also led their merchandising team as well as assisted with the company’s creative marketing and branding efforts.
Prior to his position with J&P Cycles, Anderson worked as a senior manager for KTM North America, helping to create the KTM Hard Equipment product line. He also worked for Cycra Racing as the Director of Brands, creating their accessory line and an inventory management system.
Anderson is a motorcycle enthusiast who has raced both road bikes and dirt bikes. He continues to race dirt bikes as well as building metric bobbers in his spare time.
S&S M-8 cam install kits
Drag Specialties is offering a large selection of Viola, Wisconsin based manufacturer S&S Cycle’s replacement, service and performance upgrade options for Harley’s 2017 Milwaukee-Eight engined Tourers.
This chain drive cam installation kit includes everything needed for a successful gear or chain driven cam service and installation, including inner cam bearing, cam cover gasket and O-rings and, for gear driven cam installations, a tensioner block-off plate.
A two-gear set is required for M-8 gear-driven cams that do not come with secondary cam gears – this two-gear set from S&S includes the outer cam drive gear, pinion drive gear and mounting hardware.
Due to the inherent characteristics of gear drives, increased valve train noise is common with gear driven cams, so S&S has separately available oversized and undersized pinion gears available to help achieve correct gear lash.
DRAG SPECIALTIES
www.dragspecialties.com
Softail Slim saddlebags
Good news for Softail Slim riders - Stockton, California based craftsmen The Leatherworks can provide bags that keep the license plate and turn signals in stock location. This is done using quick release Easy Brackets or The Leatherworks’ permanent mounting system.
There are three different bag models on offer for the Slim with pipes in stock location, and five others that will work with lowered pipes. All bags can be customized from a large selection of options that include long straps, chrome studs and conchos, hand braid, key locks and many choices of colored leathers.
All saddlebags are American made using 10-11 ounce leather and trimmed with The Leatherworks’ Indian head nickels.
THE LEATHERWORKS INC
www.leatherworksinc.com
