American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 235 February 2019 | Page 64

HardDrive Announces New BRIEFS Distribution Agreements with Three Major Industry Brands NEWS We here at AMD were saddened to hear of the passing of legendary performance engineer Jerry Branch. An AMA Hall of Famer, Branch is perhaps best remembered as one of the most innovative designers and builders of motorcycle racing engines in the second half of the 20th century. John O'Keefe, Branch's business partner for 43 years at Branch & O'Keefe Co., said Branch was still coming to the shop to work regularly until his passing. Involved in the formulation of the original AMA Superbike rules, Branch authored several books about his work with cylinder head air flow - his innovations in engine design and performance were far reaching. He founded the company Branch Flowmetrics, which he sold to Mikuni in the late 1990s. The world's largest Harley- Davidson dealership group, The Motorcycle Company (the Veracka family), has announced further expansion, acquiring Desert Wind Harley-Davidson in Mesa, Arizona - the fifth dealership acquisition in the past 12 months and 12th Harley store under its ownership currently. TMC is targeting 10,000 Harley retail sales in 2019. UBS estimate that domestic U.S. H-D retail sales in October and November 2018 were looking like they were “down double-digit percent” - which is worse than expectations and especially concerning as numbers lap the hurricane disruption months in Florida and Texas last year - FL and TX are the 2nd and 3rd largest states for motorcycle retail, accounting for some 11-12% of total U.S. sales. October and November are said to typically be around 72-73% of Harley’s Q4 U.S. retail sales and 11- 12% of full year retail. 2018 has been Harley’s fourth consecutive year of U.S. retail sales decline. 64 Boise, Idaho headquartered distributor HardDrive American V-twin Products, the specialty custom parts division of Western Power Sports (WPS), has announced three new distribution partnerships with Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation (PYBN), MagnaFlow Exhaust and Rekluse (clutches). “I am extremely excited to start offering these brands throughout our HardDrive dealer network,” National Sales Manager Ronnie Wehr explained. “All three of these brands are well respected in the V-twin world and we couldn’t be happier to work with them. Each of these brands are distinct, giving HardDrive’s vast dealer network even more options for V-twin enthusiasts across the country.” For over 30 years Paul Yaffe’s products have been industry staples in custom Harley-Davidson creation, always coming up with unique parts. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Bagger Nation’s diverse line-up “includes only the highest quality parts for Harley- Davidson touring motorcycles. This new relationship will allow HardDrive to further help market and distribute Paul Yaffe’s products in dealerships across North America.” For PYBN, National Operations Manager Mark Goss said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with HardDrive. As a manufacturer of the highest quality parts for Harley- Davidson touring motorcycles, including the best-selling handlebars in the world, we feel this relationship will be very complementary to both companies, benefitting dealers and their customers.” MagnaFlow describes itself as a “global leader in exhaust design and AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - FEBRUARY 2019 manufacturing with over 35 years of experience. MagnaFlow engineers use state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques to give V-twin riders that extra boost of performance, style and unmistakable sound. Proudly made in the USA, MagnaFlow develops and manufactures their products to exacting standards to ensure that every part is of the highest quality. HardDrive is proud to begin distributing MagnaFlow to dealerships across North America with their National Sales Manager Ronnie Wehr: “I am extremely excited to start offering these brands throughout our HardDrive dealer network” customer-focused service.” For MagnaFlow, Director Chris McGee said: “We are excited with the addition of HardDrive as a sales partner to enhance the service and support of MagnaFlow to V-twin dealers and shops across North America. MagnaFlow and HardDrive are both family-owned and built from the ground up by good people with determination and a vision for the future. We look forward to more good things in the future with HardDrive.” Founded on the philosophy of “good is not good enough”, Boise, Idaho based Rekluse is “continually innovating clutch technology, offering high performance auto and manual clutches for off-road and street motorcycles, including V-twin clutches - indeed Rekluse are the ‘Official Clutch’ supplier of the American Flat Track race series. “Trusted worldwide, from weekend warriors to world champions in multiple riding disciplines, Rekluse proudly engineers, develops and manufactures in-house here in our Continues on page 8 >>> www.AMDchampionship.com