For students of vendor longevity ( looking at you National Cycle , Barnett , S & S and others !) raise a glass for Central Wheel Components of Birmingham , England . Founded in 1897 , the company has celebrated 120 years of continuous operation . The company stocks more than 15,000 motorcycle wheel rims and 500,000 spokes and nipples at any one time , most manufactured in-house . Its SM Pro Platinum rim is widely recognized as the world ’ s strongest and lightest aftermarket MX / Off-Road rim . These days the company is based at Coleshill , England , near the UK ’ s National Motorcycle Museum .

Indian manufacturer and former Eric Buell collaborator Hero Motor Corp has splashed the cash on a new $ 3m Global Design Center in Manchester , England .

Garland , Texas based UTV / SxS vehicle assembler Sportsman Country is being acquired by Jinhua , China based electric and off-road vehicle and component manufacturer Kandi Technologies . Sportsman assembles and distributes under the Massimo , Benneche and Linhai brands .

Honda is bringing its legendary ‘ Monkey ’ back to market in Europe later this year . It first saw the light of day in 1961 as a 49 cc child ’ s plaything for Tama Tech , an amusement park in Tokyo , with a road-going version exported to America and Europe from 1963 . Its popularity was secured in 1970 when a quick-detach front suspension made it possible to fit in the trunk of a small car . The easy to ride “ groovy icon ” of the 1970s did much to popularize and introduce whole generations to riding , but by the 21st century sales were reduced to occasional specials . Prompted by the success of the Honda MSX125 it is to return with a 125 cc air-cooled engine , steel frame , USD forks , twin rear shocks , 12-inch diameter tires , LED lights and a wet weight of 107 kg .

The Dakar Rally has been provisionally slated for Peru ( only ) in January 2019 , with countries such as Argentina , Bolivia , Chile and others either increasingly less enthusiastic or being over-eager about hosting the event . The Rally found its way to south America in 2009 after cancellation of the 2008 race when it required rescuing from the difficulties it faced in Africa . Speculation is rife that it may well now return to something akin to its Paris-Dakar route origins in 2020 .

Polaris Industries reported first quarter 2018 sales of $ 1,297 million , up + 12 percent from $ 1,154 million for the first quarter of 2017 , with first quarter 2018 net income of $ 56 million ($ 0.85 per diluted share ) compared with a net loss of $ 3 million ($ 0.05 per diluted share ) for the 2017 first quarter . “ We delivered record first quarter Off-Road Vehicle retail sales to begin the year , driven by innovation and improved dealer engagement . This translated into strong revenue and earnings growth for the quarter ,” commented Scott Wine , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Industries . “ Through the tireless efforts of our team and the efficacy of various quality and productivity initiatives , we overcame commodity and freight inflation and product mix pressures in the first quarter to maintain our gross margin year-over-year , while leveraging operating expenses even as we continue to invest heavily in research and development .” Polaris increased its full year 2018 sales guidance to up 4 % to 6 % and narrowed its full year earnings expectations by raising the lower end of its earnings per share range , and now expects adjusted net income to be in the range of $ 6.05 to $ 6.20 per diluted share , which includes the absorption of an additional approximately $ 15 million of commodity , freight and tariff costs anticipated in 2018 . “ We are fully prepared to build upon this early success and deliver solid growth for the full year . Our production flow improved steadily throughout the quarter and inventory , snow notwithstanding , is in great shape . With the recent introduction of the all new RANGER XP 1000 and the 72-inch RZR XP Turbo S , and a robust innovation pipeline , we are exceptionally well positioned to bring more customers into Polaris dealers . While we must overcome significant commodity , freight and tariff headwinds throughout the remainder of the year , I am confident Polaris is taking the necessary steps towards becoming a customer-centric , highly efficient growth company ,” Wine concluded . North American retail sales increased 3 % for the quarter ; ORV N . A . retail sales were up mid-single digits %, with side-by-side vehicles up highsingle digits %. Gained market share in RANGER , RZR and Sportsman ORV brands during the quarter along with

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME ( LOSS ) ( in thousands US $) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31

2018 2017

Net income ( loss ) 55,714 ( 2,911 )

share gains in both Indian and Slingshot motorcycle brands . Total first quarter 2018 dealer inventory was up 6 % year-over-year ; ORV dealer inventory was flat . Motorcycle segment sales , including PG & A , totaled $ 132 million , an increase of nine percent compared to $ 120 million reported in the first quarter of 2017 . Indian Motorcycles wholegood sales increased in the lowdouble digits percent range in the first quarter of 2018 , while Slingshot sales were down low-double digits percent . Gross profit for the first quarter of 2018 was a positive $ 17 million compared to a loss of $ 20 million in the first quarter of 2017 . Adjusted for the Victory wind- down costs recorded in both the 2018 and 2017 first quarters , motorcycle gross profit was $ 17 million , or 13 percent of sales in the 2018 first quarter compared to $ 19 million , or 15 percent of sales for the 2017 first quarter , down on a dollar and percent of sales basis due to higher warranty expense for Slingshot .

North American consumer retail demand for the Polaris motorcycle segment , including Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot , increased low-single digit percent during the 2018 first quarter . Indian Motorcycle retail sales increased low-single digits percent . Slingshot ’ s retail sales were down mid-single digits percent during the quarter . Motorcycle industry retail sales , 900cc and above , were down mid-teens percent in the 2018 first quarter . Both Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot gained market share for the 2018 first quarter on a year-over-year basis , in spite of unusually cold and wet weather in March and an overall weak N . A . industry motorcycle market in the first quarter . International sales to customers outside of North America , including PG & A , totaled $ 211 million for the first quarter of 2018 , up 27 percent from the same period in 2017 . Foreign exchange movements represented 11 percent of the sales increase for the quarter . The remaining increase was driven by strong sales in the company ’ s EMEA business . Gross profit increased 33 percent to $ 323 million for the first quarter of 2018 from $ 242 million in the first quarter of 2017 . Reported gross profit margin was 25 percent of sales for the first quarter of 2018 compared to 21 percent of sales for the first quarter of 2017 . During the quarter , Polaris recorded charges of $ 20 million , including the impairment of the company ’ s equity investment in the Eicher-Polaris joint venture in India .

18 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - JULY 2018 www . AMDchampionship . com