American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 207 October 2016 | Page 13

Corbin awarded U.S. patent for ‘Sparrow’ ZEV design
Back in the late 1990s and early
2000s, motorcycle seat designer Mike
Corbin was among early adopters
where seeing the future potential for
21st century design and production of
electric vehicles was concerned.
Headquartered at his Hollister,
California seat manufacturing facility,
and drawing heavily on the materials
and production expertise he’d
garnered from decades as a leading
high-volume motorcycle seat designer
and manufacturer, his Corbin Motors
off-shoot business designed and
prototyped the “Sparrow’ - a
lightweight, 3-wheeled, single
passenger, zero emissions electric

vehicle (ZEV).
It was well received at the time, even
among those who were not paid-up to
the vision of future transportation

needs that Corbin and his group of
“fellow travellers” shared.
Although that early business iteration
succumbed in 2003, Corbin has kept
the dream alive, quietly continuing
R&D even through the toughest of
financial times until 2010, when a new
design was ready for development.
Now his new and technologically
advanced version of the original
‘Sparrow’ has been awarded a U.S.
patent for a design that reduces the
wind resistance of a vehicle. Still using
the original 3-wheeled, single
passenger configuration, a lithium ion

power source with an electronic
battery management system is said to
produce prolonged battery life and
greater range.
The new model made its debut this
summer at the Fourth of July weekend
during Corbin’s annual Hollister Rally
Open House.
In 2017 Corbin plans to produce 100
hand-built ‘Beta Sparrows’, each one
displaying an exclusive number, which
will also be the individual VIN # 1/100
through 100/100.
www.corbin.com/motors

Biker’s Choice Dealer
Expo slated for Texas,
February 2017

Biker’s Choice (Tucker Rocky) has
announced that its Dealer and Brand
Expo is to come back for 2017.
The event will be held on February 910 at the Embassy Suites Dallas Frisco
Hotel Convention Center & Spa in
Frisco, Texas - “and it’s not just any
Expo, it’s Tucker Rocky’s 50th
anniversary.”
Designed to help position the business
for success in 2017, the Brand and
Dealer Expo will include “exciting new
brand introductions as well as amazing
show-only specials that will allow
dealers to make the most of their
inventory dollars as they prepare for
the start of the peak riding season.”
The 42,000 square foot showroom
floor will provide dealers with the
opportunity to interact with 150 of
“our world-class vendors and get the
inside track on their brands. By visiting
the vendor exhibits, dealers will learn
about recently launched products as
well as the latest gear and apparel, and
have the chance to score some
awesome swag in the process.
“In addition to vendor education on
the showroom floor, we will offer
www.AMDchampionship.com

impactful, profit-boosting training to
help our dealers ensure that 2017 is a
winning year. Attendees will also have
the chance to participate in industry
round table discussions with Tucker
Rocky leadership, as well as to network
with some of the most successful
dealers and retailers in powersports.”
On the evening of February 10, the
two-day event will culminate in a
celebration of Tucker Rocky’s first 50
years of serving the powersports
industry.
Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice will
provide dealers who are interested in
extending their stay to attend the AMA
Supercross at the AT&T stadium on
Saturday, February 11, with two
complimentary tickets. “Dealers also
have the chance to be reimbursed for
their airfare to the event through our
Earn Your Wings program. Dealers
should contact their Tucker
Rocky/Biker’s Choice Sales Rep for
additional information, or visit our
Dealer Expo registration page to
register.”
www.bikerschoice.com
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - OCTOBER 2016

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