American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 215 June 2017 | Page 64

NEWS
BRIEFS
Polaris is reported to be looking for a
partner with whom to start assembly
of complete Indian motorcycles in
India for the first time as it continues
to grow its dealer network there.
Rumors abound about the 2018
MY announcement due at
Harley’s Dealer Convention in
Los Angeles (August 21-25)
with variations on the theme
including adios to the Softail
and Dyna lines as we know
them (and maybe even the
brands themselves? Surely
not …); they are being cleared
for new frames and M8 models?
Apparently search parties have
been dispatched to find the
search parties that were sent
into the long grass to find the
Project Overlord V4 and long
rumored Cafe Racer.
S&S’ 50-state legal exhaust system for touring
models features proprietary cat design
S&S Cycle’s new ‘El Dorado’
performance exhaust system is a 50-
state legal MK 45 muffler/header
package for ‘09-’16 Harley touring
models that ships complete with
optimized and matched Power Tune
headers and a set of 4.5” MK45
mufflers fitted with the latest S&S
designed high flow cat technology.
Commenting on the new product
design, S&S Marketing Director David
Zemla said that “much like the
automotive industry years back, high
flow catalysts have finally made their
PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
way onto the V-twin market. Our in-
house developed catalytic converter
meets the motorcycle requirements of
our customers - discrete enough to be
designed into great looking pipes
According to their January annual
reports, Polaris Industries incurred in
the region of $132m in recall related
warranty costs in 2016, and have
made an additional $194m
allowance for future 2016 warranty
liabilities.
Headquartered in Milwaukee,
Royal Enfield’s U.S. subsidiary
(presided over by former Harley
man Rod Copes) is stepping up
its ambitions of one day being
able to breathe the same air as
Harley-Davidson and Indian
Motorcycle with a new
convincingly and traditionally
750cc twin cylinder engined
Continental GT model rumored
for launch at any time. The oil
and air cooled normally
aspirated engine is expected to
produce between 45 – 50 bhp
and go head-to-head with
Harley’s 47bhp Street 750 for
domestic US and international
budget v-twin sales.
without compromising on its
emissions performance or causing
excessive heat build-up.
“By placing the cat in the muffler, it is
insulated and moved away from the
rider’s legs, while maintaining its high
flow and emissions reducing
characteristics. Backed by a California
Air Resources Board ‘Executive Order’
(EO# K-010), it “combines clean
styling and an authoritative note with
increased torque and horsepower.”
The ‘El Dorado’ is a bolt-on install that
doesn’t require tuning. It is available
for ‘09-’16 touring models in show
quality chrome or black ceramic finish
with choice of S&S ‘Tracer’ or ‘Thruster’
style exhaust tips. M-8 applications are
due for release very soon.
www.sscycle.com
Indian upgrades Spirit Lake
Polaris Industries announced in
April that it is making changes
to its manufacturing network
to “consolidate production of
like products and better
leverage plant capacity.”
The changes include
discontinuing manufacturing at
its plant in Milford, Iowa, and
transferring production to
existing Polaris facilities in
Huntsville, Alabama, Roseau,
Minnesota, and Anaheim,
California. The Milford location
will be repurposed as a
storage/warehouse facility to
support the nearby Spirit Lake,
Iowa, Indian plant.
Pro Armor aftermarket product
metal fabrication operations
will transfer from its facility in
Riverside, California, to Polaris’
recently acquired
Transamerican
Auto Parts
facility in Chula
Vista, California.
Pro Armor will
maintain its other business
operations at Riverside.
Meanwhile Polaris’ Spirit Lake
factory, which will continue to
serve as the “manufacturing
center of excellence” for Indian
Motorcycle will receive new
investments to enhance its
facilities.