American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 220 November 2017 | Page 25

establish a new order of things for such
shows in the United States. The
combination of trade and consumer,
OE/new model launch is a style of expo
that has dominated a market in Europe
which, although much larger overall,
does not have quite the same tradition
of OE events or trade shows that has
defined the U.S. show scene for these
past decades. In the single continental
market of the United States people are
not likely to hop an airplane and spring
for a hotel to see new models that will
be in their local showrooms in the fall
anyway – so making the show a
permanent fixture within easier
distance of the greatest concentration
of riders is of critical importance to that
formula, and of critical importance if
the confidence of the OE community is
to be maintained.
While on the subject of the fall timing
though – a plea to the organizers: if you
are going to hold the show in October,
please make it a week later, so you
recognize the importance of
INTERMOT in the years in which it is
staged. Hoisting your colors up the
EICMA mast solely is not the smartest
or most future facing of strategies –
especially where the V-twin and wider
custom market is concerned. While
INTERMOT ‘Customized’ flourishes,
EICMA has had to can its custom
element in search of a more convincing
solution.
Having flogged the attendance issue to
within an inch of its life, there is much
else that AIMExpo and the MIC can
build on for the future.
The excellent ‘Custom Culture’ feature
has proven that it is worth investing in
and has legs, especially for a
midwestern audience, and with one
more year of development under its
belt can be massively leveraged in
2019 as a major dealer and consumer
draw, provided Harley-Davidson and
Indian Motorcycle are still engaged.
I have to say that seeing their
participation at AIMExpo was inspiring
– and given the different places they
are at in their business cycles, seeing
Harley-Davidson participating at a
show in America was especially
motivating.
They are a common sight at the shows
in Europe. Indeed, for many years our
own INTERMOT booth was practically
next to Harley’s, and with the advent of
INTERMOT ‘Customized’ last year, they
even took a secondary booth to
showcase their own custom programs
alongside the AMD World
Championship in Hall 10 at
Koelnmesse.
In the United States though, well, that
is an altogether different matter, and in
a year in which Matt Levatich made a
convincing appeal for industry unity
and working together to meet the
market’s challenges, kudos to the
www.AMDchampionship.com
Organizer MIC Events says that
a record of nine OEMs offered
demo rides at the adjacent
AIMExpo Outdoors! With the
show floor essentially sold out
of exhibit space, available seats
for demo rides outside are said
to have ended up sold out for
nearly all manufacturers, during
consumer as well as dealer days
Avon Tyres: The leading custom motorcycle tire manufacturer has added
to its ever-popular Cobra range of touring tires with two new fronts
(130/60B19 and 130/60B21) and two new rears (160/70B17 and
180/55B18). A firm favorite with custom shops and custom bike builders,
Avon’s Cobras were introduced in 2007 as a replacement line for the
venerable Venoms. Described as delivering “style and performance for
cruisers, customs and tourers,” they are backed by Avon’s Road Hazard
warranty program and 15,000-mile warranty; www.avonmoto.com
Beringer: Noted worldwide for
its manufacturing quality, French
made Beringer brake calipers
and rotors, 6-piston Aerotec and
4 and 6-piston radial calipers are
sold to leading custom shops
and bike builders worldwide;
www.beringer-brakes.com
S&S Cycle: This is proving to be a big year for the legendary Viola, Wisconsin based purveyor of “Proven
Performance” as it continues a product blitz that has seen them move seamlessly from items such as M-8 cams
and install kits right through to the 50-state legal MK 45 muffler/header ‘El Dorado’ performance exhaust system
package for ‘09-’16 Harley touring models. Shipping 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. 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.” Described as a bolt-on install that
doesn’t require tuning, the ‘El Dorado’ package 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
AMSOIL: This year saw the death of founder Al Amatuzio, 93,
a former fighter pilot of distinction and a man widely
regarded as one of the pioneers in terms of bringing synthetic
lubricants to the automotive industry. The Superior, Wisconsin
based company added to its motorcycle product line this year
with a new V-twin synthetic motorcycle oil, in 15W-60
viscosity, as a premium alternative option to manufacturer-
branded oils for Victory and Indian Scout applications. The
company says that this catalytic converter compatible
formulation has been “engineered to protect critical
components operating in the high-heat conditions commonly
found in hard working engines. Fortified with a premium anti-
wear and oxidation-inhibitor additive package to reduce wear
regardless of operating conditions, it remains thermally stable
and extremely resistant to breakdown”; www.amsoil.com
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - NOVEMBER 2017
25