News Briefs

Indian Motorcycle has had to issue a recall of "certain" 2020 Challenger motorcycles 
already, due to a potential engine output shaft bearing problem. The bearing may not have been sufficiently lubricated during assembly, possibly resulting in bearing failure at very low mileage.

Kevin Lackey of Freedom Powersports, the 13-dealer group in Texas, and Curtis Sloan of Sloan's Motorcycle & ATV (Murfreesboro, TN., a 13-brand powersports store) have joined the MIC's Dealer Advisory Council, "adding more veteran talent to represent the needs and interests of dealerships across the nation."

Royal Enfield is discontinuing production of the 500 cc single-cylinder engine it introduced in 2009 - reportedly due to compliance issues with India's new domestic emissions regulations. The popular 'Classic' and 'Bullet' model names that used the engine will continue, but with a new engine that is in development.

A recent survey of 100 dealers in 35 US states by PSB and BMO Capital Markets found that as at the final 10 days of March, a total of 67% were either operating at full capacity or were still open, but with reduced hours. The remaining 37% were either only open for service or closed entirely until further notice. Some 61% of those surveyed were stores with a turnover of $3m or more.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Report shows continuing decline in ATV injuries according to the ATV Safety Institute. Assessing a 10-year period (2009-2018), CPSC staff continued to find a statistically significant decreasing trend of -38% for the 10-year period; with a -13% decrease coming in 2017/2018.

The Irvine, California Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) hopes to be conducting a series of regional Rider Education Training System workshops across the country this year. These RETS are one to two-day professional development workshops offering a variety of activities to help RiderCoaches become more effective motorcycle safety professionals.


Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news

Roland Sands Design

RSD in Comoto Strategic Partnership

Previously available through Tucker Powersports, Roland Sands Design has reached a "strategic partnership with America's largest omni-channel platform in the powersports industry - Comoto - and will align efforts for 3PL functions and US wholesale distribution."
Under this partnership, Comoto will be the exclusive US distributor for RSD Apparel through their entity Upshift Distribution, while also offering third party logistical services for the brand for direct to consumer fulfilment.

"Aligning with the Comoto group ensures best in class sales operations for our dealers and efficient fulfilment to the end consumer," says Rob Ramlose, Director of Product, RSD. "RevZilla and J&P Cycles are powerhouse eCommerce retailers and have always been huge supporters of our apparel business, and with UpShift managing our dealer network, we feel this partnership is a great opportunity for all involved."
Stevan Popovich, VP, Merchandising and Business Development at Comoto, said: "This strategy will allow for Comoto to maximize business potential through multiple channels including our eCommerce platforms RevZilla and J&P Cycles, our retail chain Cycle Gear and UpShift Distribution LLC, which will target motorcycle dealerships and specialist retailers in the US."

Tenneco

Tenneco Closing In On Plans To Separate DRiV Ride Performance Division

Following the acquisition of Federal Mogul by former Marzocchi shocks owner Tenneco, the Lake Forest, Illinois (Chicago) based conglomerate is close to completing consolidation, realignment and rebranding of the $11.8 billion turnover, 81,000 employee 'Super Group'.

 
Just one of several large scale mergers and acquisitions to be seen in recent years as the automotive industry positions itself for the radical change it faces, Federal Mogul was sold to Tenneco by controversial billionaire activist investor Carl Icahan in 2018 for around $5.4bn.
Federal Mogul owns several businesses and brands with significant sales and profile in the international motorcycle industry, including Italy based brake pad maker Ferodo and Champion air filters (and automotive spark plugs).
Tenneco is best known for its ownership of the giant Monroe shock absorber business and, in motorcycle terms, followed up its 2015 acquisition and 2018 closure and sell-on of what was left of Marzocchi with the late 2018 acquisition of Swedish shock absorber manufacturer Öhlins from founder and Chairman Kenth Öhlin.

In advance of the separation of DRiV, the newly renamed Ferodo, Champion and Öhlins owner that is being spun out of the combined Tenneco and Federal Mogul 'Super Group', has said that DRiV is being positioned for a possible stock market flotation as "one of the largest multi-line, multi-brand aftermarket and OE ride performance and braking companies in the world."

Tenneco CEO Brian Kesseler (who masterminded the Öhlins acquisition) used a January 2020 update to announce plans to streamline the leadership structure (he is now the sole CEO) and reinforce Tenneco's commitment to the planned spin-off of its Aftermarket and Ride Performance business - renamed in the spring of 2019 as "DRiV" - from the remaining Powertrain Technology business ("New Tenneco"), stating that this action "is part of a broader plan to accelerate the reduction of operational costs, improve cash flow performance and reduce leverage.

"During 2020, Tenneco will be focused on the execution of its accelerated performance improvement plan to facilitate the expected separation of the businesses. The company intends to provide additional details on this plan when it reports full year 2019 earnings."
The company says that it is ready to separate the businesses as soon as favourable conditions are present. "In order to facilitate the separation, the company continues to evaluate multiple strategic alternatives, as well as options to deleverage and mitigate the ongoing impact of challenging market conditions". An IPO (Initial Public Offering) is expected eventually.
Kesseler is quoted as saying: "The Tenneco Board and management team remain focused on delivering shareholder value. While we are making tangible progress to optimize our performance and right-size our cost structure, we continue to face a volatile industry environment which has created near-term headwinds. Streamlining our leadership structure is a first step in a comprehensive plan to further expand our margins, improve cash flows and lower our leverage profile. We believe these incremental actions will better position both businesses for the planned separation. This plan is modular and specifically tailored to each division to ensure continuous improvement even after the businesses are separated."
Tenneco will become a business focused on Powertrain Technology while DRiV will be "an Aftermarket and Ride Performance company" and "one of the largest global multi-line, multi-brand aftermarket companies, and one of the largest global OE ride performance and braking companies. DRiV's principal product brands will feature Monroe, Ӧhlins, Walker, Clevite, Elastomers, MOOG, Fel-Pro, Wagner, Ferodo and Champion among others.
Based on 2018 data, DRiV would have pro-forma revenues of $6.4 billion, with 54% of those revenues from aftermarket and 46% from original equipment customers. The new corporate name echoes the former name of an innovative product in the company’s Original Equipment advanced technology portfolio of patented road-smoothing electronic suspensions.

Polaris

Polaris - Chief Digital Officer

Polaris has created a new senior management role, that of a Chief Digital Officer, with the role being filled by new hire Victor M. (Vic) Koelsch, who joins Polaris from Exide Technologies, where he was CEO, leading "a challenging turnaround of the company."
Reporting directly to Polaris CEO Scott Wine and CFO Mike Speetzen, he "possesses 30 years of digital and technology experience, with extensive background in digital strategy, technology development and connected product and service offerings, as well as general management. 

A seasoned executive, with technology and customers' digital expectations evolving faster than ever, Koelsch will "own the digital strategy for the company. He will be responsible for accelerating Polaris' development and integration of digital technologies into its products, services and experiences, as well as leading the creation of new business solutions and digital offerings," said Wine.
"We have been building industry-leading digital capabilities for several years and are excited for Vic to take our digital efforts to the next level and deliver more value to customers and shareholders. He has made a career of developing and implementing market-leading technology solutions, and we are excited for him to leverage that acumen to augment our existing initiatives and spearhead Polaris' digital future."
For his part Koelsch is quoted as saying: "I look forward to joining Polaris and leveraging my background in bringing innovative, digitally enabled business models and solutions to market that will drive significant transformation and impact across our business and deliver breakthrough value and new experiences for our customers."
Prior to his role at Exide, Koelsch held multiple roles with the Michelin Group, including leading two of Michelin's largest business units "where he successfully deployed numerous new digitally enabled service offerings and business models. In addition, Koelsch served as Michelin's first Chief Digital Officer where he led the company's digital strategy including development of digital services and assets and directly managing the company's standalone digital businesses." Koelsch has an MBA from the University of Houston and a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Oklahoma.

Magnum

Magnum - Braided Lines and Cables for Indian Models

Upstate New York based Magnum Shielding has a wide range of replacement brake lines and control cables for Indian motorcycle models.
The company's DOT brakes lines are available in ABS and non-ABS versions, depending on the application, with braided DOT ABS upper brake lines offered in either proprietary STERLING CHROMITE or BLACK PEARL finish - "which would look great on any of Indian’s Dark Horse models."

Chief ABS upper brake line in STERLING CHROMITE

Indian Touring models 2014 through 2020 are equipped with ABS only, so Magnum has engineered another addition to its premium braided Designer Series brake lines. Indian ABS upper brake lines incorporate the exact bent tube assembly needed to fit the Indian ABS controller and give a trouble-free installation. 
On Indian Touring models, only the DOT upper brake line is needed to complete the routing from the ABS controller to the master cylinder. The lines are available in a stock fitment to plus 8 inches over and fit the Chief, Chieftain, Springfield, Roadmaster and Vintage.
For Scout owners, non-ABS brake lines are available for 2015 through 2020 - these single disc DOT EZ-Align brake lines come in stock to plus 8-inch lengths and fit Scout, Scout Sixty and Bobber.
Premium Magnum Shielding brake lines are manufactured with inner PTFE tubing and braided with DuPont Kevlar Aramid Fiber reinforcement, a Signature Magnum over-braid, and a crystal-clear outer PVC jacket that offers exceptional protection against scuffing paint or chrome and will never discolor.
Magnum’s STERLING CHROMITE II and BLACK PEARL brake lines feature braid that matches in color and weave with all Magnum control cables. Both products feature high quality, polished and plated fittings.

Scout BLACK PEARL clutch cable

For changing handlebars or simply improving the look, finish and attention to detail, Magnum Shielding manufactures clutch cables - for both Scouts and Big Twin Indians - featuring matching braid, a durable clear coating, are manufactured with components that are equivalent to OE, "and have the built-in quality Magnum is known for." All products for Indian motorcycles are made in-house at Magnum’s manufacturing plant.
Although Polaris discontinued Victory motorcycles, pursuing just the Indian brand, Magnum does still support brake line and cable fitments for Victory also.
Magnum Shielding has been a manufacturer of matching braided products for over 37 years, including brake lines, control cables and ignition wires. Every Magnum Shielding brake line is pressure tested and fully compliant with all DOT FMVSS-106 specifications and assembled in the USA.

MAGNUM SHIELDING
www.magnumshielding.com

Bagger Nation

"The Fix" Rear Fender for Sportsters

Designed to eliminate the ugly plastic side mount license plate holder and cheap dirt bike style rear fender on Sportster models, 'The Fix' from Bagger Nation is a Paul Yaffe designed solution that brings a touch of class to what is otherwise an unnecessarily low grade example of stock Harley design.

Made right by Bagger Nation in their own Phoenix, Arizona composite shop, the new "The Fix" rear fender for Sportster models is a longer, pre-drilled, direct bolt-on replacement using the stock hardware.  Each kit comes with their sleek fender and frenched-in hidden LED license plate frame in either gloss black or chrome. 
Shipped in primer for a ready to paint turnkey upgrade to the stock rear end, the clean look can be further refined by installing Bagger Nation 'Lightning Bullets' super-bright LED taillights to replace the stock lights. To retain the stock signals, just ask for a Bagger Nation left lamp mount to replace the factory side mount spacer that is moved when installing their kit, or choose a Bagger Nation 'Lightning' solution.
A 'The Fix' version is also available for M-8 Sport Glides and Low Riders, Street Bobs and Softail Slims, 2018 to present.

PAUL YAFFE'S BAGGER NATION
www.baggernation.com

Mid-USA

V-Factor Two-Piece and OE Replacement Rocker Arm Cover Assemblies

Having celebrated its 35th anniversary last year, Hazelwood, Missouri based Mid-USA marches on and continues to see own brand popularity growth with dealers seeking that illusive balance between quality and price.
The company's V-Factor range has a reputation for taking that price to quality ratio to the max with warranty backed designs, quality materials and precision manufacturing at a dealer-friendly price "that leaves margin for the shop while still allowing you to deliver competitive value for your customers."

These custom rocker arm cover assemblies are a classic example - "die cast aluminum construction allows the strength to be kept high and the price low." They are precision CNC-machined for an excellent fit with a six-bolt top cover design for improved sealing quality, the two-piece design minimizes the possibility of leaks while featuring one-piece rocker arm supports for easy installation.
Extended height vent towers help eliminate the oil mist carry-over problem normally associated with the head type venting system, and larger than OE vent valves are incorporated into the rocker cover seal with silicon beaded lower gaskets. All necessary mounting hardware included.

"Developed to provide a high-tech look while reducing the high cost of a similar product machined from billet aluminum, they can be used on all years and models of the Evolution engine regardless of whether the engine vents go through the crankcase or the cylinder heads. The one-way breather valve has been upgraded from the OE umbrella type to a much more efficient flapper type, located higher in the cover."
Importantly, installation of these covers on OE height and most comparably sized engines can be performed without removing the engine from the frame; sold as an assembly for front and rear heads.
Available for Evo Big Twins from 1984 to 1999 and Sportsters from 1986 and up; finished chrome plated or polished; for extending service life, a replacement gasket and O-ring set is available that includes ten pieces for two rocker covers.
Additionally, V-Factor offers a custom look CNC precision-machined finned or smooth billet rocker arm covers for Panheads (1984 - 1965) that eliminate the oil seepage associated with the OE rocker box covers; bolt-on OE style replacements for Big Twin Evo (1984 - 1991 and 1992 - 1999) and Sportsters 1986 to 2003 and for Twin Cam 1999 and later.

Also seen here, these OE quality V-Factor valves give the option of rebuilding worn out heads without the high cost of purchasing stainless steel valves - "use these budget valves with confidence. They are manufactured to mirror the dimensions and materials used in the factory versions, with all head diameters, stem diameters and overall lengths the same as OEM."
Intake and exhaust valves available for all years of Panheads, Shovelheads, Evo Big Twins and fitments for Sportsters from 1958 up to 1985. 

Also newly added for 2020, these Twin Cam hydraulic cam chain tensioners are available as a shot peened billet set for added strength and anodized for extra durability or as die cast primary or secondary tensioners for 1999 - 2006 with cam plate upgrade, 2006 - 2016 and 2007 - 2016 for all Twin Cam models. Helpful install pins are included, sold as set or individually.
Finally, primary and secondary can chain tensioners for earlier model Twin Cams 1999 - 2006 are available.

MID-USA
www.mid-usa.com
www.mid-usa.ca

Progressive Suspension

490 Sport series shocks

490 Sport Series Shocks and Asymmetrical 49 mm Monotube Cartridge Kits

"A true sport performance shock at heart at an unbelievably low cost," Progressive Suspension's new 490 Sport series shocks feature a high-pressure monotube with deflective disc damping technology, hand threaded preload and a rebound adjustment to dial in the ride. 
"This technology, coupled with a linear rate spring, allows for consistent feel through the damper stroke and the ability to withstand extreme temperature ranges and heavy loads. An engineered jounce bumper with a built-in metal cup also helps smooth out and control bottoming."
Also seen here, Progressive says it has "gone back to the drawing board and created a state-of- the-art fork cartridge kit designed to outperform everything on the market," and that this fork monotube kit with external preload adjustment means "true high performance front suspension is finally available for H-D 49 mm front ends."
The new asymmetrical design places a preload adjuster over a progressive rate spring in one leg and an aluminum bodied, sealed cartridge damper on the other. "The result is superior damping and ride control combined with tuneable preload and a new benchmark for high performance suspension on the 49 mm Dyna and Sportster platforms."

Fork monotube kit

It can be installed in either configuration - standard or 1" low for 2006+ Dyna applications and 2016 XL 48 models. All Progressive Suspension products are hand built, tuned and dyno tested at the company's California facility and backed by a lifetime warranty.

PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION
www.progressivesuspension.com