NEWS
BRIEFS
It looks like the Sturgis Rally campground wars are back on again . In an effort to upstage ( pun intended ) the Buffalo Chip , and having secured status as the official campground of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and of Harley-Davidson ( as its demo ride HQ for the Rally ), the Pappy Hoel Campground has announced an impressive lineup of bands , on what it claims is the “ largest stage in South Dakota ”. It has fired a salvo in the direction of its established rival , stating that it “ offers 600 acres of adventure , including an Olympic size swimming pool , firing range , helicopter rides , a grocery store and restaurant ”.
Lucky Penny Cycles , part of the Texas based Calculated Risk dealer group ( owner of six Harley dealerships ) is to open five additional stores selling pre-owned motorcycles of all brands . Located out of Bedford , Texas , the new stores will be in DFW , Austin , Houston and San Antonio .
Houston based Tractor and Utility Vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra , the Indian conglomerate that is expected to launch new BSA and Jawa brand middleweights in the next 24 to 36 months , continues to refine the management team at its North American head office , hiring ex Ford and Coca-Cola man Jay Litsey as VP of Marketing and Strategic Planning . Mahindra claims global leadership as the number one selling tractor brand and last year penned a $ 230m / 400,000 sq ft manufacturing facility at Auburn Hills near Detroit Michigan where it plans to build up to 10,000 Roxor brand SxS units a year .
Polaris announced another Slingshot recall in June for some 4,342 units , citing a potential brake safety issue .
Race Winning Brands subsidiary Wiseco has brought itself in line with what has quickly become the powersports parts and accessory market ’ s established best practise and orthodoxy by rolling out a new MAP policy that became effective July 9 .
Sales of electric motorcycles and scooters in France more than doubled in 2017 to 5,451 units , thanks in large part to the introduction of a 1,000 euro government incentive scheme . The sector is dominated by moped scooters , with BMW ’ s C- evolution E-scooter topping the “ big boys ” chart and Zero leading the electric motorcycle sector .
Harley in AIMExpo Return
The American International Motorcycle Expo presented by Nationwide ( AIMExpo ) has confirmed the hoped for news that Harley-Davidson will return as an exhibitor when the show heads west to Las Vegas ( Mandalay Bay , October 11-14 ) after the company ’ s AIMExpo debut at Columbus , Ohio in 2017 . Harley will showcase its new 2019 lineup of V-twin motorcycles , with attendees having the opportunity to test ride the latest Harley and other OEM models at the AIMExpo Outdoors activity area . Catering for those consumers who may be new to riding Harley will again feature its JUMPSTART Rider Experience on the booth inside the exhibit hall . “ AIMExpo plays a valuable and muchneeded role within the greater powersports marketplace of bringing the industry together as we look toward the future ,” said Heather Malenshek , Harley-Davidson Vice President , Marketing . “ Last year , in his show keynote , our CEO Matt Levatich provided invaluable insight into the great need to build new riders as an industry . As America ’ s leading manufacturer of motorcycles and one of the most customer-led companies in the world , we look forward to interacting with new and current riders in Las Vegas .” Show organizer MIC Events says that as part of the new Powersports Industry Week , local dealers Las Vegas Harley- Davidson and Red Rock Harley-Davidson will have a prominent presence at both AIMExpo presented by Nationwide and Las Vegas BikeFest . “ As a show that encompasses the entire powersports industry , AIMExpo presented by Nationwide is the platform to come together and work as one industry to create the paths that will
Indian Confirms FTR 1200 Production Plans
Indian Motorcycle used the annual Wheels & Waves festival at Biarritz , France ( June 2018 ) to confirm what had , to that point , been somewhat of an open secret - namely that the company will put a 1200 cc race inspired street legal version of its all-conquering FTR Scout into production for the 2019 MY season . “ When we unveiled the FTR 1200 Custom at EICMA , we said we ’ d listen to feedback from riders around the world ,” said Steve Menneto , President , Indian Motorcycle . “ Riders definitely have spoken and we will be putting the FTR 1200 into production .” The development of a one-off FTR1200 Custom fuelled the speculation and expectation . The flat tracker style 1200 will be a new V-twin engine housed in a trellis frame and powered by a new V-twin engine . Indian Motorcycle Senior Designer Rich Christoph , who was instrumental to the design
The Scout FTR1200 Custom , unveiled at EICMA in 2017
of the FTR 1200 , FTR1200 Custom , and FTR750 said that “ We wanted to make sure that the FTR 1200 wasn ’ t merely a regurgitation of the FTR1200 Custom , but something uniquely ‘ street ,’ albeit flat track inspired ,” said Christoph . “ We ’ re thrilled about the character this bike possesses , and its ability to take American V-twin motorcycles into new territory .” “ From the very beginning , our welcome new riders for the benefit of all . It is in our collective interests to join together as dealers , media and manufacturers to showcase the great recreational and emotional experience of two , three and four wheels in new , relevant and stimulating ways ,” said Larry Little , Vice President and General Manager of MIC Events . “ Harley- Davidson truly understands the key role the show can play to the long-term future health of the industry , and we are thrilled they will join us again , this year in Las Vegas .” www . aimexpousa . com
intention was to develop Indian Motorcycle into a global brand ,” said Michael Dougherty , President , International . “ Armed with a strong foundation , it ’ s now time to break new ground for an American motorcycle manufacturer and the FTR 1200 is where that begins .” The company is to run a sweepstakes where riders can enter to win one of the first bikes to come off the assembly line .
12 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - JULY 2018 www . AMDchampionship . com