AIMExpo 2024
news ROOM
AIMExpo 2024
Las Vegas , February 6-8
Words and Pictures by Robin Bradley
The 10th AIMExpo was a success . No question about it . But it continues to emerge as a radically different style of industry expo to those we associate with the ' Pipe & Drape ' expo culture of the motorcycle industry in the United States . Available space is tight here , so you can read more about my theory about where AIMExpo is headed in my ' Comment ' piece on page four . Meanwhile we present our IDN signature style of review of selected exhibitor news - with the emphasis on the international P & A / G & S sector , rather than on the OEM action at AIMExpo …
National Cycle : AIMExpo saw the Maywood , Illinois windscreen manufacturer introduce its new Quantum + rain repellent coating - " a world first breakthrough in windscreen coatings ," says International Sales Manager Paul Gomez . " We are elevating and setting a new standard in hydrophobic coating . Our legendary Quantum hardcoating has been hugely respected ever since it was introduced , but the new Quantum + takes its protective properties to a new level . While some aftermarket companies use acrylic material , those who prefer the strength and reliability of polycarbonate use the same standard FMR hardcoating that was first developed decades ago . We here at National Cycle have always used polycarbonate as our screen material of choice , due to its widely accepted superior strength . But as an alternate to FMR hardcoating to resist the scratch and graze from road debris , the environment , UV exposure and simple daily use , we developed our own , superior proprietary Quantum coating to reduce surface deterioration and boost durability . The highway is a hostile environment at the best of times , and our Quantum hardcoat was developed to deliver optimised , robust and durable optical clarity under even the worst of riding conditions . It literally has been a ' Quantum ' improvement in the surface hardness of polycarbonate windshields that are exposed to years of wear "; www . nationalcycle . com
Tribolite Motorcycle Jeans : Started by Martin Solar and Ales Klozem in the 1990s , the first ' Brick & Mortar ' Bikers Crown store was opened in 2000 . The Czech motorcycle retail multiple and parts and accessory distributor now has 11 such stores , a large mail order business , an impressive own-brand portfolio and distributes some 40 internationally known brands from Nexx , Caberg , AGV , Shoei and Shark to Thor , Alpinestars , Dainese , 100 %, Falco , Fox , Kellermann , Hyperpro , HiFloFiltro , Goldfren and EMGO . The star of the own brand portfolio ( along with Rusty Pistons apparel ), Tribolite Motorcycle Jeans was one of a number of own brands started in 2012 and has grown quickly - at home and in international markets . The ' protective riding jeans ' concept has gradually found acceptance in the past decade , but making a play for sales in a domestic American market , where the concept has a checkered past , tells of the confidence in product quality and the ambition that Martin still has as his business heads towards its 25th anniversary in 2025 ; www . bikerscrown . cz
www . idnmag . com
Gilles Tooling : Gerhard Gilles ' Luxembourg based performance parts and accessory design and manufacturing business has one of the most desirable of such programmes in Europe and has been no stranger to the MotoGP and WSBK paddocks of the world for years . Its U . S . breakthrough came in 2023 as a technical partner with Indian Motorcycle Racing on its FTR 1200 race bikes . As Gerhard said at the time : " We are confident that this collaboration will be beneficial for both Gilles and Indian Motorcycle Racing . The roots of Gilles lie in racing . We have always kept close ties to racing and have been supporting world class teams ever since our foundation in 2000 , winning our first World Championship with Cal Crutchlow in the WSSP in 2009 ; www . gillestooling . com
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