American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 229 August 2018 | Page 64
Avon Agrees Multi Year AMD
BRIEFS World Champion and Freestyle
Class Sponsorship
NEWS
One of the big factors driving the
evolution of transport policy and
technology is the ongoing trend to
urbanization. Urban population is set
to rise to 4.7 billion by 2030, an
estimated 63% of global population;
an increase of +34% since 2010, an
extra 1.6 billion city dwellers (and
estimated to rise to 73% by 2050).
This is the context in which H-D and
other manufacturers have to plan the
dealer networks of the future.
As at the end of July, AIMExpo
(Las Vegas, October 11-14) said
that this year’s exhibitor line-up
already featured more than 100
businesses new to the event.
There will be over 400,000 sq ft
of “exclusive business, education
and networking opportunities.”
Confirmed V-twin sector
exhibitors include Harley-
Davidson, Indian Motorcycle,
Drag Specialties, Tucker, V-Twin,
AirFX/Hawg Halters, Andrews,
Barnett, National Cycle, Avon
Tyres, Sport Chrome and more.
The free trade deal signed between
the EU and Japan is good news for
the EU motorcycle industry. The WTO
standard rate 6% import tariff on
Japanese made units will go away.
Less good news for the UK though.
Once outside the EU, British bikers will
still be paying the tariff. Worse, one of
the primary incentives for Japanese
auto makers (Honda, Nissan and
Toyota) to produce in the UK will also
have disappeared.
Having acquired it in 2006, MAG
has sold UK based handlebar
and sprocket specialist Renthal
back to founder Henry
Rosenthal. Following the sale of
MAG Europe to Dutch based
international distributor
Motorcycle Storehouse earlier
this year, this represents sale of
the last of MAG’s holdings
outside the U.S.
64
eading custom tire
manufacturer AVON has
signed a
multi year
agreement to be Freestyle
Class sponsor at the 2018 and
2020 AMD World Championship of
Custom
Bike
Building - the winner
will be the ‘Avon
World Champion
Custom Bike Builder’.
One of the oldest motorcycle
product manufacturers of any kind in
the world, Avon traces its origins back
to 1885. The company entered the
motorcycle and sidecar tire market in
1911.
Always an avid supporter of
motorsport, Avon’s dominance in
motorcycle racing was historically so
great that in its 1957 to 1963 ‘Glory
Years’ every solo world champion,
including legendary Britons John
Surtees and Mike Hailwood, rode to
victory on Avon motorcycle tires
(Surtees remains the only man to have
won World Championships on two and
four wheels).
In the 1970s Avon’s reputation as the
L
custom motorcycle tire of choice was
cemented through its association with
industry legend Arlen Ness – an early
adopter of Avons for his custom builds,
and still an Avon enthusiast. Avon
Venoms quickly became established as
the preferred option for custom bike
builders worldwide.
Always noted as an innovator, with
technologies such as Variable Belt
Density, the inverted V-pattern and
Force Following Grooves becoming
widely adopted, fifteen years ago the
company did much to facilitate what
became known as the “Fat Rear End”
boom and popularity of single sided
swingarms and right-side drives as it
made a series of wider tires available,
including their 300 in 2003 and still
popular 330 in 2004.
Avon was acquired by Cooper Tire of the
USA in 1997 and investment capital did
much to position
the business for the
21st century. In
2007 Avon capitalized
on the popularity of its
Venom series tires with the
Continues on page 24 >>>
Avon added two new Cobra Touring
front and rear fitments last year
Avon traces its origins back to 1885. The company has been making tires in Melksham, England
since 1905 and entered the motorcycle tire market in 1911
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - AUGUST 2018
www.AMDchampionship.com