International Dealer News IDN 148 April/May 2019 | Page 34

THE AMERICAN REPORT
Rekluse clutch upgrade for
401 Vitpilen/Svartpilen
Husqvarna's collaboration with Boise,
Idaho based clutch manufacturer
Rekluse (a ProX sister company) now
sees the Austrian manufacturer
offering its dealers the opportunity to
offer owners a clutch upgrade with
the Rekluse Radius X automatic clutch
kit.
The Rekluse Radius X centrifugal force
clutch kit combines a TorqDrive clutch
pack with Rekluse’s innovative EXP
automatic clutch disk. Following a
quick and uncomplicated installation
process, the kit offers smoother clutch
engagement while improving traction
in all conditions.
Installing the kit eliminates the
chances for engine stalling when
starting and when braking hard, or
simply when the bike is brought to a
standstill with the engine still running.
It offers "an even more accessible and
enjoyable experience for riders of all
levels, the automatic clutch allows for
easy starting and stopping without
the need to use the clutch lever -
providing a more relaxed and
controlled riding experience".
www.rekluse.com
husqvarna-motorcycles.com
AIMExpo to "place greater emphasis on four-wheelers"
The events division of the
Motorcycle Industry Council
(MIC) in the United States says it
is "all change in 2019 for
AIMExpo presented by
Nationwide. The new and
improved show will include a
number of innovative features
and return to the heart of the
U.S. and the powersports
industry in Columbus, Ohio, on
September 26-29.
"The largest showcase of the
motorcycle and powersports
industry in North America will
highlight the exciting and
diverse lifestyles represented by
the modern industry and desired
by today’s riders. It will be more
experiential than ever, with
lifestyle vignettes in the exhibit
hall allowing visitors to immerse
themselves in the different
segments that powersports has
to offer," according to Cinnamon
Kernes, Vice President and
General Manager, MIC Events.
"AIMExpo Outdoors will allow
visitors to take two-wheel test
rides as well as a new-to-
Columbus four-wheel dirt
experience to ensure dealers and
consumers are fully versed in
every aspect of powersports.
Despite the move to the
Midwest there will be "increased
emphasis on the four-wheel
segment with dirt demo rides"
as part of a programme of
"significant changes".
The expo floorplan will be laid
out to showcase the main
powersports lifestyle groups. The
'Alley' is dedicated to Street,
Urban and Sport riders, the
'Camp' will focus on two and
four-wheel Off-Road and
Adventure enthusiasts, while the
'Shop' is where visitors will find
the V-Twin, Cruiser and Custom
segments - in effect seeking to
create three show-within-show
concepts.
"These featured
'neighbourhoods' will allow
visitors to easily identify their
areas of special interest and
provide a more immersive
experience on the show floor.
Each will showcase the diversity
of the modern powersports
industry and highlight the latest
buying trends, new machinery,
parts, accessories and
technologies available in each."
In recognition that the show may
have gone too far with its
programme of breakout
sessions, Kernes says that
AIMExpo is "changing the
traditional show schedule to
create more dedicated time for
attendees to spend on the show
floor. Our goal is to create the
best balance of comprehensive
education and time spent with
our exhibiting partners and the
latest products and the
innovations they have to offer”.
As the ATV and side-by-side
segments continue to experience
growth, Kernes says that the
show will "shine a spotlight on
the four-wheel segment", with
dirt demos returning to AIMExpo
Outdoors. Product showcases,
featured parts, accessories and
apparel "will spotlight the
lifestyle alongside the latest and
greatest from the ATV and side-
by-side world".
In other news, AIMExpo has
confirmed that after a one-off
event at Columus, Ohio, in 2017
before being staged at Las Vegas
last year, it will now stay at
Columbus for two years in 2019
and 2020.
www.aimexpousa.com
Erik's Fuell - an $11k E-bike project
Erik Buell has announced Fuell - a new
urban electric mobility brand, formerly
known as "VanguardSpark" - with its
first planned bikes, the 'Fluid' Pedelec
at $3,295 and the 'Flow' E-bike at a
stunningly low and eminently realistic
planned entry-level price-point of
$10,995.
Erik Buell has teamed up with
legendary engineer Frédéric Vasseur,
Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team principal
and founder of Spark Racing
Technology (which builds the Formula
E racers), and Francois-Xavier Terny, a
transatlantic entrepreneur "fond of
industrial endeavours," to create a
"genuinely new experience entirely
focused on the urban rider - Fuell is all
34
about creating freedom and emotion
through innovation."
The 'Fluid' will be offered as a Pedelec
(max 20 mph) or S-Pedelec (max 28
mph), requiring helmet and insurance
in most States. Described as a "robust
and elegant electric bike with
exceptional range (up to 125 miles
thanks to its two removable batteries
with a total of 1,000Wh) and
generous torque (100Nm)" and as
being "virtually maintenance-free
with its carbon belt and internal hub
gears."
In the context of competitive Pedelec
offerings, the 'Fluid' looks to be a
powerful, stylish and upscale example
of its kind, drawing from urban-proof
INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL/MAY 2019
BMX design best practice and likely to
offer a versatile urban mobility
solution that should fully justify its
quite reasonable price tag.
The 'Flow' on the other hand is a fully
formed E-bike concept - a bona fide
electric motorcycle available in 11kW
(125 cc equivalent) or 35kW
(motorcycle licence) versions,
combining practical features for the
urban journey (integrated 50 litre/13
gallon internal storage), technological
innovations (proprietary wheel-
motor1, connected dashboard) and
"unparalleled driving pleasure"
(thanks to its acceleration and low
centre of gravity) in a stylish,
contemporary package.
The 'Fluid' and 'Flow' prototypes will
be in New York City before end of
March 2019 for 4 to 5 weeks to be
presented to investors, journalists and
influencers - not available as pre-
production prototypes for test rides yet,
but as concept provers and available to
be seen by appointment only - a full
reveal is slated for April 23rd.
www.fuell.us