American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 244 November 2019 | Page 30

Swiss-Moto 2020
BRIEFS Zurich, February 20 - 23
NEWS
Intimidator UTV and TGB Engine
Company have joined forces to bring
you one of the most powerful UTVs
on the market. Intimidator, based in
Batesville, Arkansas, with dealers
throughout the U.S., is powering its
GC1K and GC1K Crew Series UTVs
with TGB's 1000 engine. Taiwan
Golden Bee (TGB) is a subsidiary of
Taiwan Vespa Company (TVC) and
was established in 1965 under a
license of Italian Piaggio. Intimidator,
Inc. is owned by entrepreneurs
Robert and Becky Foster and "offers
world-class American-made side-by-
side 4×4 vehicles with unparalleled
strength, power and performance at
an affordable price."
A British start-up has launched
what it claims is "the world's
smallest and lightest" E-bike kit
for conventional bicycles. The
compact Swytch conversion kit
weighs less than 7 pounds and
is available through Indiegogo.
It consists of a small,
lightweight hub motor wheel
(1.5 kg/3.3 lbs) that replaces a
traditional bike's original front
wheel, and a palm-sized power
pack (also 1.5 kg), which
attaches to the handlebars to
provide 250W of power assist
for a top assisted speed of 20
mph for the US version (15.5
mph for the EU market) and a
claimed range up to 50 km/31
miles.
BMW is applying for a
patent on technology
that will lock the
bike's transmission to
make it impossible for a
thief to wheel the bike away -
technology that "will be far more
robust and hard to defeat than its
current equivalent, the steering
lock".
Damon Motors Inc. (Canada) has
raised US$2.5m Seed Financing,
including investment from
Round 13 Capital, as the
"leading two-wheel technology
company" seeks further growth
and product development.
Damon's Advanced Warning
System for Motorcycles (AWSM)
addresses "safety pain points of
the $90 billion motorcycle
industry, using sensor fusion,
robotics and AI to form a 360
degree 'bird's eye' view for a
safer and smarter ride". The
company says that "major
manufacturers are evaluating
Damon technology for factory
integration."
30
The 17th annual Swiss-Moto,
Switzerland's largest motorcycle,
scooter and tuning show, will take
place in Zurich again in 2020 with
"numerous industry leaders and new
brands already having confirmed their
participation," according to Messe
Zurich.
Features next year will include a revival
of the popular Streetbike Freestyle
Show and a focus on the response to
the motorcycle driving licence
regulations for young people aged 16
and over in the new "SWISS-MOTO
Youth" meeting point 2020.
In the wake of the Swiss Federal
Council's decision to allow young
people aged 16 and over to ride
motorcycles and scooters with a
displacement of 125 cm3 (maximum
11 kW) by 2021, the organisers' new
"SWISS-MOTO Youth" initiative will
be a platform that appeals to young
people between the ages of 14 and
17, with the show welcoming future
riders with a mix of shows, news,
gaming and the opportunity to
experience first road tests.
Organiser Yves Vollenweider sees a big
opportunity in the change of the law:
"This adjustment opens up exciting
opportunities for both the motorised
two-wheeler industry in Switzerland
and for Swiss-Moto as an expo.
"For us, as an important sector engine
with a digital reach of around 1.7
million people interested in public
transport and a media coverage worth
over 1.3 million Swiss francs, it is clear
that we are now responding to and
promoting the many advantages that
motorcycling has to offer. A target-
group campaign is planned that uses
humour and creativity to highlight the
many advantages of riding a
motorised two-wheeler at a young
age, such as the unrivalled
price/performance ratio compared to
public transport and the independence
that two-wheelers bring to their
lifestyles.
"As an additional highlight, after a
ten-year break, the organisers are
reviving the crowd pulling Streetbike
Freestyle Show. Action is provided by
international stunt professionals with
spectacular stunts, smoking burn-outs
and daredevil manoeuvres on two or
one bike."
www.swiss-moto.ch
Tucker V-Twin 2020 Dealer Expo
Fort Worth, Texas, January 21st to 23rd
Expanded to three days of expo, Tucker Powersports
has confirmed its 2020 Dealer Expo for January 21 - 23
at the downtown Fort Worth, Texas Convention Center.
Expected to attract an increased dealer attendance
and featuring seminars, networking, Texas style
hospitality and around 100 or more vendor displays,
many of the V-twin market's majors will be there -
from S&S to Vance & Hines, Kuryakyn to Twin Power,
Avon Tyres to Arlen Ness, Memphis Shades, Barnett,
Lectric Lighting Co., JIMS, Andrews, Le Pera, Aquatic,
NAMZ and more. www.tuckershow.com
Polaris Opens its Nevada
Distribution Center
Polaris Industries has formally opened
its previously announced 475,000 sq
ft (50,000 sq m) Fernley, Nevada
Aftermarket, Parts, Garments &
Accessories Distribution Center.
Described as its first Aftermarket and
PG&A multi-brand DC, the facility "will
support Polaris' growing Aftermarket,
Parts, Garments & Accessories
businesses by providing additional
capacity, improving delivery speed and
customer service, and optimizing
operations."
Polaris says that early operations and
initial shipments began last month
[August] at the facility located just 30
miles east of Reno. The Fernley location
is said to offer an experienced
workforce and access to prime
transportation routes, allowing Polaris
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - NOVEMBER 2019
to "enhance customer and dealer
service within the western region of
the United States."
"The addition of a western region
distribution center to support our
growing portfolio of brands and
customers is an important strategic
investment for the company," said
Steve Eastman, President of
Aftermarket, PG&A at Polaris. "From
initial concept through construction,
this state-of-the-art facility has been
designed to elevate service to our
customers while leveraging innovative
technology and impressive local talent
to efficiently support an expansive
range of products and brands."
The Fernley facility will serve Polaris,
Transamerican Auto Parts and Kolpin
customers. Similar to other Polaris
distribution centers, the facility's
automated footprint "provides flexible
operations while supporting speed,
quality and safety."
Construction of the DC is said to have
been completed within 12 months and
already employs 50 people, with plans
to employ up to 100 at full capacity.
www.AMDchampionship.com