NEWS
BRIEFS
From a 2016 low of $ 56.25 following release of their 2016 fiscals, Harley saw its share price recover ground to reach a 23-month high of $ 62.94 in mid-March, a level not seen since April 2015, but it had fallen back to $ 60.57 as this edition of AMD Magazine went to press March 21. However, that is still substantially up on the year-ago( March 22, 2015) level of $ 49.66.
As the Official Motorcycle Tire through 2019 for the American Flat Track series( AFT), Dunlop is stepping up technical support in the form of additional tire choices- at select Twins class rounds competitors will have the option of choosing between two Dunlop DT3 tire compound tires. Additionally, Dunlop will increase contingency offerings by nearly 300 percent and expand payout to first through fifth place finishers in both the AFT Twins and AFT Singles classes.
In what is being described as the biggest two-year jump in 50 years, reports suggest that the United States has seen a dramatic increase in car and motorcycle road fatalities in 2015 / 16 after years of gradually declining fatalities. Within this figure, it is believed that motorcycle fatalities are, at worst, level.
Bringing an end to the tradition that founded the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the event’ s Competition Committee have announced 2017 as the last year in which motorcycles designed to race on dirt surfaces from competing on the 156 turn 12.42 mile now paved course at“ America’ s Mountain” near Colorado Springs. The course starts at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak and has been fully paved( for environmental reasons) since 2011. This will be the 95th running of what is the second oldest motorsports event in the USA.
Polaris CEO Scott Wine has seen his annual compensation( salary, stock awards, option award etc) fluctuate in-line with the company’ s financial fortunes, share price and stock market capitalization. From a healthy $ 8.8m, his share of the action shrank to $ 7.1m in 2015 and in 2016 he has had to get by on $ 5.46m.
J & P Cycles Iowa Rally
J & P Cycles say their Anamosa, Iowa location will become the largest motorcycle aftermarket store in the world during the weekend of June 24-25, 2017 as the J & P Cycles Iowa Rally celebrates its 38th anniversary by becoming the site of Hot Bike Magazine ' s National Garage Build-Off for custom motorcycles. The competition is expected to draw the nation ' s top garagebuilt custom bikes competing for $ 3,000 and an invitation to the annual Hot Bike Tour, where their motorcycle will go up against famous builders in the Invitational Build-Off. Located at J & P Cycles ' original store, the free rally includes motocross stunt shows from Cowboy Kenny ' s Steel Rodeo Tour, live music throughout the weekend, food, beer and opportunities to support Camp Courageous, a camp for kids and adults with disabilities. In conjunction with the rally, the National Motorcycle Museum is opening a new exhibit, Dirt Riding in America. Located near the rally in Anamosa, visitors will be among the first to experience the exhibit and will see more than 450 vintage bikes on display in the museum ' s permanent collection.
Jared Mees and Indian win at Daytona
Jared Mees took home a dominant AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines win to become the first rider to win an American Flat Track race on the Indian Motorcycle Scout FTR750. The No. 9 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing FTR750 rider’ s big win at the 2017 season opener also marked the first time that a rider won a TT on a twin in nearly 34 years, when fellow National No. 9 rider and Flat Track legend Jay Springsteen won at the Peoria TT in 1983.“ You don’ t know how special it is to win the first Daytona TT on the Indian,” Mees said.“ I’ m going to go down in the record books as the first to win on the Indian. I’ m so excited just for my entire team and the hard work that everybody put in. It’ s unbelievable what we all went through. Indian Motorcycle did an outstanding job.” The win also marked a personal record as Mees’ first TT win. It also served as personal redemption as Mees gets his run at recapturing the No. 1 plate off to a good start. Although it’ s a new era for flat track, it was the usual suspects who
Congratulations to Jared Mees and Indian Motorcycle! As the legendary Indian Vs. Harley rivalry is renewed in a reinvigorated American Flat Track Racing series this year, Mees and Indian took the win at the inaugural Harley-Davidson Daytona TT presented by Politis & Matovina race at Daytona Bike Week, a race that played-out under the lights at the Daytona International Speedway on March 16
The Iowa Rally is a chance for riders to get up-close and personal with reps from more than 50 companies offering motorcycling products. It ' s a chance to see the newest motorcycle accessories, and ask questions to experts from companies like Vance & Hines, Kuryakyn, Dunlop, Klock Werks, Metzeler, Mustang Seats, Rinehart Racing, and many more. Riders can even have selected parts installed on their bikes on site.
dominated. Mees’ rival and fellow Indian Wrecking Crew rider Bryan Smith finished second on the No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate FTR750. Although it was not a win, the reigning Champ was happy to leave Daytona right on Mees ' heels.“ There was a lot of pressure,” Smith said.“ There was so much focus on this weekend and especially us, having a new bike and a new team. So, second place at a TT in Daytona? I’ m happy.” Joining the Indian Motorcycle duo on the podium was TT specialist Henry Wiles on the No. 17 DPC Racing Kawasaki Ninja 650. Jake Johnson had a bit of redemption himself, as the No. 5 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R rider was plagued with poor luck all day until when it counted, taking a fourthplace finish in the main event. Completing the top-five was Bronson Bauman on the No. 37 Rod Lake Kawasaki Ninja 650. As this edition of AMD Magazine went to press, the American Flat Track series was heading for the Atlanta Short Track at Dixie Speedway, March 25, then on to the half mile course at Charlotte on April 1. After a six week gap battle will be resumed at the Indian Motorcycle presented Arizona Mile, Phoenix, May 13; then it is on to the“ Legendary” Harley-Davidson Sacramento Mile, May 20, and the Springfield, Illinois TT, May 27.
10 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER- APRIL 2017