American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 248 March 2020 | Page 18

Metalsport Wheels
is Vee Rubber’s
Exclusive Importer
for Street/Touring
Lines in USA
Vee Rubber Group
has reorganized the
USA distribution of
its motorcycle tire
product lines and will
no longer offer the
Monster and Twin motorcycle
tires direct from its Atlanta,
Georgia warehouse.
Instead, Metalsport Inc., the
South Gate, California custom
wheel manufacturer, is now the
exclusive USA importer for the
Monster and Twin 302 Series
(Street and Touring).
This past year, Metalsport and
Vee Rubber have teamed up to
improve the 302 Series product
line by introducing new sizes
and upgraded load ratings.
Vee Rubber’s 302 Series
inventory will be transferred to
Metalsport by February 2020. To
help with this transition, Shell
Barr, former Sales/Office
Manager at the Atlanta
warehouse, has joined
Metalsport as an outside sales
representative.
www.metalsportwheels.com
The 'Challenger Challenge' -
The Gloves Are Off
Indian Motorcycle says it has "drawn a
line in the sand" with its 'Challenger
Challenge' a "head-to-toe comparison
of the new Indian Challenger Dark
Horse with the Harley-Davidson Road
Glide Special."
Indian Motorcycle says that a "national
demo tour, local dealer demos,
advertising and episodic video series
serve up bold demonstrations of the
Indian Challenger's superiority" over
Harley's category leader - "May the
best V-twin win!"
A fully-loaded premium bagger
designed as a superior alternative to the
category leader, the Harley-Davidson
Road Glide Special, Indian's campaign
"invites motorcyclists to test-ride the
Challenger and Road Glide Special
back-to-back for the ultimate head-to-
head comparison."
Launching at Daytona Bike Week on
Friday, March 6, the 'Challenger
Challenge' product demo tour will visit
Indian Motorcycle dealers around the
country, as well as select motorcycle
rallies and events, including the
legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in
August. In addition to the national tour,
select Indian Motorcycle dealers will
have a Road Glide on hand [that will
pimp Harley's Q1 numbers - Ed] to
ensure that any customer who visits
their dealership can take the
'Challenger Challenge'.
Indian Motorcycle says it will support
the 'Challenger Challenge' with a
digital media campaign, highlighted by
an episodic video series where action
sports icon Carey Hart and his loyal
sidekick, Bryan "Big B" Mahoney, pit
the new Indian Challenger head-to-
head against the Road Glide Special in
a series of tests "that showcase power,
torque, braking and handling." In
addition to the digital media campaign,
the content series can be found on
IndianMotorcycle.com, Indian's social
media and YouTube channels.
"The Challenger's combination of
power and dexterity is at another
level," said Hart. "The first time I rode
it, I knew that they had something
special. But riding the Challenger back-
to-back against the Road Glide, it's not
even fair. The Challenger absolutely
crushes it."
"Over the years, the Road Glide has
firmly entrenched itself as the category
leader and has become the default
choice, but our bike is simply better and
our confidence in this product is what
this campaign is all about," said Mike
Dougherty, President, Indian
Motorcycle. "The difference when
riding these two bikes back-to-back is
undeniable, and we're excited for riders
to experience it for themselves with the
Challenger Challenge."
New Softail Standard - "Unlocks
the Essential Cruiser Experience"
Described as "M-8 V-twin
performance and lean Bobber style
ready for customization," the new
Softail Standard is Harley's latest
attempt at an entry level cruiser, with
a base MRSP of $13,599.
"The contrast of black and bright
components gives the Softail Standard
motorcycle a look that's both classic
and minimalist. Offered only with Vivid
Black painted sheet metal, it is
equipped with a solo seat that exposes
the chopped rear fender, and a smooth
3.5-gallon fuel tank that reveals the
frame and engine.
"The powertrain is styled to draw
attention to the center of the
motorcycle, with an all-black M-8
engine highlighted with polished
rocker, primary and timer covers.
Cylinder head fins are not highlighted.
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A center-bolt, round air cleaner cover
further exposes the engine. With
chrome shields and mufflers, the 2-
into-2 offset shotgun exhaust
enhances the long, low profile of the
Softail Standard model.
"The steel rims of the classic laced
wheels (front 19 inch, rear 16 inch) are
finished in brilliant chrome for dazzling
style. The front end features clear-
coated fork sliders, polished triple
clamps, polished top clamp and riser,
and chromed headlamp bezel and turn
signals for additional contrast to the
Vivid Black paint. The mini-ape
handlebar puts riders of the Softail
Standard model in a fists-in-the-wind
posture with instant attitude. A
compact electronic instrument with
digital display set in the handlebar
riser keeps the front end clean and
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - MARCH 2020
uncluttered. ABS is optional.
"As a mid-year addition to the 2020
line it offers an attainable entry point
to H-D Big Twin ownership and is an
ideal blank canvas for customization.
Whether a starting point for owners
seeking attention-grabbing style,
increased performance, or a look that
amplifies their personality, Harley has
created four Genuine Motor Parts &
Accessories packages designed
specifically for the Softail Standard
model, and offered at a discounted
price when ordered as a package: the
passenger oriented Day Tripper
Custom Package ($1,409.95); West
Coast style performance oriented
Coastal Custom Package ($1,599.95);
Touring Custom Package ($1,699.95)
and 50-state legal Performance
Custom Package ($1,299.95) with a
Screamin' Eagle Stage II M-8 torque,
Pro Street tuner, free-flowing
Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather
performance air cleaner and Screamin'
Eagle Street Cannon mufflers.
www.AMDchampionship.com