Issuu

DN 2.0 #7

DISCOVERING DENAGO‘S DIFFERENCE

DEALER PROFILE:

DenagoPowersports.com 800-267-8949

Denago goes electric with the E-Hawk 6, an ideal way to get kids into powersports.

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• Wholesale and retail financing options • 6-month parts AND labor warranty • Amazing dealer margins • Protected selling areas • Robust parts support • MAP enforcement

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DEALER? Learn more about the Denago Difference by contacting Sales Director Johnny Hayes.

johnny@denagopowersports.com

BOBCAT.COM/BECOMEADEALER

UNLOCK POWERFUL NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. JOIN A LEGACY OF INNOVATION AS A BOBCAT DEALER. With over 60 years of brand recognition, Bobcat offers a proven opportunity for dealer success. Join us in our commitment to innovation and grow your customer base and business profits through our industry-leading lineup of products and services.

Bobcat Company is a member of the Doosan Group. Doosan is a global leader in construction, grounds maintenance and material handling equipment, power and water solutions, and engineering that has proudly served customers and communities for more than a century. Bobcat ®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2024 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 12617

CONTENTS

06 WORLD’S LUCKIEST MAN 08 EDITOR’S NOTE 10 LETTERS+ 12 NEWS+ 16 SHIFTING GEARS+ 20 DEALER PROFILE 24 INSIDE DENAGO EPISODE #1 26 OEM UPDATE+ 32 INDUSTRY RESEARCH+ 36 InDUSTRY RESEARCH+ 40 INDUSTRY RESEARCH+ 42 INDUSTRY RESEARCH+ 44 INDUSTRY RESEARCH+ Bob Althoff On RoboMoto

Robin Hartfiel Johnny On The Spot Arctic Cat Acrimony

AMA VMD, Dealerships Combine, X-Bow Bows Out Personnel Postings, Courtesy MIJ

ATV Wholesale Outlet Does Things Differently Starring Doug Stabler

Dealers Tour Tao, Discover Denago Difference Rumblings From RumbleOn Continue Don Musick On Who Was That Masked Man Lenny Sims’ Take On Moving Forward Jim Woodruff On May AWP In Review Pied Piper Reports No Cell Service

12 4

OUR TEAM EDITORIAL Robin Hartfiel Editor/Publisher Bob Althoff World’s Luckiest Man Gus Stewart Creative Director

50 53 eDEALERNEWS 54 CURRENTS+ 57 eSHIFTING GEARS 59 TRACTION+ 62 ADVOCACY+ 64 CONFESSIONS OF A CUSTOMER 66 PRESS PASS+ 68 GEAR+ 70 GEAR+ 72 VALE+ 74 VALE+ 77 AD INDEX OEM UPDATE

Brenda Stiehl Production Manager

Kayo Coming In Hot!

California Dreaming With Beachman, Eh? Join The Pack, Discover Denago eBikes, Evolution Goes 6 Up Zero & Stark Play Musical Chairs

Official Communication From NPDA

CONTRIBUTORS Don Musick Genesys Technology Solutions Dr. Paul Leinberger Eric Anderson Vroom Network Jim Woodruff National Powersport Auctions Lenny Sims NADA Appraisal Guides

Don Amador On Rules Of The Road

Scot Harden AMA Hall Of Fame/Harden Offroad

Eric Anderson Confesses He Is Not A Joiner

Alex Baylon Motorcycle Industry Jobs

Wine, Women & Wheels

KYT Lights Off Fireworks For The 4th Mil-Spec Seat From TMI

Ave Atque Vale OG Easy Rider Joe Teresi

Hector Cademartori Illustrations William Douglas Little Unique Powersports Charlie Williams Off Road Editor Don Amador Quiet Warrior Racing Joe Bonnello Joe B Photography

Mourning The Passing Of Warner Riley

Uncle Paul Wunsch Love Cycles

This Issue Brought To You By…

The Anonymous Dealer

ADVERTISING Robin Hartfiel Publisher (949) 489-4306 robinhartfiel@gmail.com Blake Foulds Account Executive (760) 715-3045 blakefoulds@dealernews.com Brenda Stiehl Production Manager brendastiehl@dealernews.com John Murphy Publishing Consultant johnmurphydn@gmail.com

Dealernews Magazine 3250 Knoll Dr. Columbus, OH 43230 www.dealernews.com

JULY 2025

visits; the road reps will disappear. Your back office will hum with the efficiency of a Gateway 2000, and the lack of staff will allow you to put massage tables in the Controller’s office. No need to join the NPDA; or go to AIME; your Twenty Group will meet regularly in Bali, except that there will be no need for those pesky composites. Where’s the bar? No worries about Government, as the bikes; SxSs; watercraft and snow machines will be silent and unable to have an accident… and no human interface to muck things up. Honestly, as I write these prophetic words, I’m getting giddy about how wonderful life as a ROBOMOTO DEALER Number 0617653 will be. Except... You won’t have any friends. No smiling faces on the showroom floor. An industry devoid of people, and our attendant problems, will be utterly ridiculous.

World’s Luckiest Man By Bob Althoff

ROBOMOTO? CHECK PLEASE!

lon’s Robotaxis took to the streets of Austin last week. Got me thinking of the wonderful future of motorcycling. Driverless cars will soon be joined on the roads with riderless motorcycles. After all, who needs riders when bikes can guide themselves effortlessly? Just check the boxes as to why our industry will be better without bikers cluttering up efficiently optimized roadways. These magnificent machines, powered by our new Master AI onboard computers, will proliferate. Our industry will sell millions of units most assuredly. Why? Because we will have solved a fundamental problem: Who needs rider training when we don’t need new riders? Check.

Here is the essential fact we ignore at our own peril: We don’t just love bikes; we love the people who ride them! These folks who used to be “customers” are now life-long pals. We ride to leave a mark — to raise funds for a sick kid or a fallen hero. We ride as one to remind those poor bastards in the cages that (as my old pal, Scott Miller, reminds us), “There is a better and fuller life to enjoy!” Before it gets too late, let’s get real about what our mission entails. Dealers exist to grow and serve riders. It is a messy business beset by many problems — clueless regulators; lack of industry cohesiveness; no clear promotional strategy or funding mechanism in place. Since that first purchase is “discretionary”, we are subject to the ebb and flow of the economy. Low margins, high interest rates… Sometimes it’s a bit of a hot mess. We can do better… And we must. Fortunately, we don’t lack for one essential ingredient — passion. It is our hallmark; our birthright. Before our industry becomes sanitized, homogenized and robotized, we might want to come together, hash out our differences and confront the challenges we face.

Why have events at your dealership? Those bikes won’t know or care about your free food, rock bands or some useless charity you want to support. Check.

Our $50 Billion industry must be nurtured and grown. Our riders, and future riders, our 127,000 employees, indeed everyone employed in our industry, need us to be effective, organized and aligned. This is a hard herd of cats to get in line, but the time to lead, follow or get out of the way is running out!

Customizations will be a thing of the past. Fire your Parts Department and empty the storeroom — the bikes won’t care, and profitability continues to soar. Check.

Check yourself: What do you want for yourself, your business, your future? Will it be get-off-your-bike and finish the ride in a robotaxi?

Ditto the Apparel Department… self-riding bikes don’t need leathers. Check.

So, let’s renew our collective mission: Spread the contagion. Deal with the hard but noble work we do. Join the NPDA and your state motorcycle association. Find and train those new riders. Force your O.E.s and the government regulators to understand that it’s not about the bikes — it’s about the people.

Imagine… Service? A breeze! The bikes will bring themselves in all day, everyday, all winter. No scheduliling SNAFUs like the 50% of dropped service calls Pied Piper’s points out in this issue. The bikes will know their place and time and serial number. Oh, and no complaints, call-backs or worrying about beating flat rate since the software updates will be seamless. That will be nice. There will be no new facilities mandates or OE

As Eric Anderson reminds you later in these pages: join up. WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER! Bob

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Soichiro Honda’s philosophy was genba — which roughly translates to “going to the spot” — Mr. Honda believed in the importance of being present where the work is done to understand the reality of a situation. In Dealernews’ interpretation of genba that meant covering a HDFS auction at NPA the day after the proxy vote and the rumors Harley’s captive financial arm was on the auction block. It was important to see the values at a dealer-only auction and it was even more important to see how only dealers were reacting to the boardroom battle. The only dog we have in any fight is that of the dealers, so it was an obligation and an honor to be at that spot in Kansas City at that moment in time.

Editor’s Note By Robin Hartfiel

JOHNNY ON THE SPOT!

ast month we took a deep dive into the tariff situation, the month before that it was airing the dirty laundry from The Motor Company’s proxy battle and before that it was the KTM issues… By calling so much attention to these issues you are only making them worse, cautioned a couple people I respect in this industry. “UNSUBSCRIBE” was another less pleasant response… While I will not flatter myself to think that Dealernews can impact what happened in the trade talks, behind closed doors at Harley or Bajaj’s meetings with its bankers to bring KTM back from the brink, I do think it is important to call attention to some of these existential issues. It is our role to chronicle these happenings, and yes, archive them on a monthly basis just as Dealernews has done for the past 60 years. While it would be much easier just to fill the pages with new product announcements and race coverage, that has never been the magazine’s modus operandi. We have to answer to a higher authority — the dealers — starting with my boss, Bob Althoff. So taking a page from Mr. Honda’s book, Dealernews has been put on the spot once again.

Same goes for going to China at the very height of the saber rattling for the tariff wars. It was eye-opening to see firsthand that we have already lost the battle (yes, I am still collecting hate mail for that editorial last month: issuu.com/dealernews/docs/issue_6_june_2025/8). But I also put our Chinese hosts and every single dealer on the spot by asking them what the tariffs really mean to them. I continued that line of questioning with our cover dealer this month. The Stabler family is in the unique position of being the leading dealer of Chinesemade products in the U.S. for the better part of 20 years. Is Jacob concerned? Of course! Is he “tariff-ied” and burying his head in the sand? Hell no! (and hopefully he didn’t hit “unsubscribe” last month or he won’t see himself on the cover this month. Somewhat last in all the hysteria last month was the news that Honda had hit the 500 million unit milestone since the first Honda Dream was introduced in 1949. Rather than subscribing to the notion that Dealernews is part of some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy about the end of days, maybe we should all take a lesson from Mr. Honda — go to the spot and dare to dream… Dream BIG! “We only have one future, and it will be made of our dreams, if we have the courage to challenge convention.” — Soichiro Honda

Former Editor-in-Chief and publisher of Dealernews circa 1990-2003, Robin returns to the magazine. In addition to having been instrumental in creating the Dealernews Top 100 program (still the industry’s ultimate accolade for a motorcycle dealership), Hartfiel has worked for most of the B2B publications in the Powersports arena. Prior to the trade side, he worked as a beat reporter for a local newspaper and was an editor of publications ranging from All About Beer to VW Trends.

MORE TO IT THAN SLEDS… What about their Side x Sides and ATV? The XX is a great machine but is in bad need of upgrade in both horsepower and the suspension. Just about everything else on it now is good but I’m sure there can be improvement… Bill Driessen, Via Facebook Driessen Farm Kiel, Wisconsin ARGO CAT? You mean ARGO Cat? Oh wait, ARGO YamaCat… Cat is a good machine but they got stuck with the same body style forever and don’t. Make their own motors. I just don’t like the way they handle and I’ve ridden them all. Yamaha was the worst. Rob Shaver, Via Facebook Kemptville, Ontario CANADA CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG Rob Shaver, you ride a Polaris I’m surprised it hasn’t blown up yet… some of them didn’t make it 200 miles before they popped, not to mention the 2010 to 2016 you had to buy a reliability kit because they were JUNK! I can tell you you’ve been lucky I had a 2012 believe me I know what I’m talking about. There is a problem — one they never fixed for at least 6 or 7 years, that’s a fact! And Yamaha joined with them because they needed the best chassis in the business… Mike Spencer, Via Facebook Lake Milton, Ohio

DEATH TO SNOWMOBILE RACING! Snowmobile racing shouldn’t continue. It isn’t going to make a billion dollar company. Nobody watches snowmobile racing. They need someone to lead an off-road racing team to get them in front of an audience. Build the off-road product, not race sleds! Justin Sundberg, Via Facebook WE LOVE RACING! I live in the snowmobile capital of the world. We love our snowmobile racing at the World Championship Derby Complex!! And I bleed Green!! Brian Klemmer, Via Facebook Eagle River, Wisconsin

SNO X SUX Racing leads to some great technology that us consumers can have. I personally don’t care for Sno X racing, but I’m older now and can’t afford a new sled every year so I am not the target demographic. David McCarthy, Via Facebook Cartelli’s Collision Center Williamsburg, Massachusetts

POP-LARIS SUCKS! Pretty sure Pop-laris still sucks. Back in the day when I was a tech in a Polaris dealership their shit sucked. I remember piston recalls right out of the crate… Tom Cat, Via Facebook

SOUND OFF!

DON’T GET ME WRONG, BUT... Don’t get me wrong I’m all for racing. Truth be told, Arctic Cat goes all out on their race programs and spends a lot of money. I would think it would be in their best interest for the first year or maybe two to invest that money in new technology and get established with a little money in the company’s pocket. I have seen this company rise and fall way too many times. Sure don’t want it to happen again. The sport needs them as well as the other manufacturers for better competition. Nuff said. Ross Schmidt, Via Facebook RETIRED! SNOW CROSS IS NOT THE ANSWER! Snow Cross is about dead as far as spending dollars to rekindle a company. Use your mega-college degrees and run this as a profitable company for many years to come. Tom Temple, Via Facebook Barrington, Illinois

LISTEN TO THE CROWD Listen to the riding crowd! They will give better results than racing. Gilbert Gagnon Via Facebook OUI! Oui! Yess et anranger vous pour avoir des 998 t encore ou fabriqué des copies et greffé ça dans un châssis catalyst vous allez en vendre des tonnes de copie! Sylvain Bouffard. Via Facebook Ham Nord, Quebec

Join in the conversation via e-mail: Editor@dealernews.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DealernewsFan Check us out on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dealernews Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Dealernews Tune in—YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@DealernewsMedia Keep up to date on: Dealernews.com

( tts We’re taking performance to the next level! For 2025, Kayo is rolling out fuel injection across some of our most popular models—giving you smoother power delivery, easier maintenance, and reliable starts in any condition. rideability. Plus, the Predator 125 EFI and Bull 125 EFI come with an upgraded LCD display, new grips, and grease service points for an even better riding experience. CARB and EPA approved, these models are ready to hit the trails in all 50 states. The future of Kayo is here—are you ready to ride?

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to the UTV in recognition of the LAFD’s first, full-time, paid wildland hand crew, who help mitigate and control wildfires and will use the UTV on the frontlines of future fires. “I think this is some of the most honorable work that you can do. It takes a special kind of person to sign up as a firefighter, especially in a place like Los Angeles where wildfires run rampant,” said Duhamel. “We believe, myself and Bobcat, that the firefighters deserve the best tools out there, and that’s why we wanted to donate this machine. I think that anytime you can support those who are protecting others is definitely work worth doing.”

ARCTIC CAT IS READY TO RACE

The cat is out of the bag! Not only is Arctic Cat back on track they are getting back on track with a full racing program once again. “We understand the excitement and the passion that exists for Arctic Cat snowmobiles and thank you for your patience,” notes the post-Textron team. “Arctic Cat has been known for speed since 1962. Since the new ownership of Arctic Cat was announced last week, we have been moving faster than ever before.” CEO and President, Brad Darling adds, “Team Arctic has a rich racing history spanning over 60 years and I am excited to announce that we are back with full support for the 2025-2026 season!”

Bobcat is also supporting the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation by donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of its limited-edition hat Duhamel is seen wearing during his recent visit to the LAFD. “We are grateful for Bobcat and Josh’s commitment to advancing our efforts with the generous donation of a Bobcat UTV,” said Adam VanGerpen, Captain and Public Information Officer, Los Angeles City Fire Department. “This will enhance our hand crew’s efficiency in mitigating and fighting wildfires, enabling us to achieve so much more in our mission to keep the community safe.”

Team Arctic released their much-anticipated snowmobile race program application. “I am extremely excited that Team Arctic is back supporting riders on their quest for the checkered flag,” says long-time Arctic Cat snowmobile racing manager Mike Kloety. “We will continue to utilize the race program to advance Arctic Cat snowmobiles for many years to come.” In addition to returning to racing, the new ownership group has ushered many visible advancements to the business since taking possession of Arctic Cat back on April 24. They believe Team Arctic is an important part of Arctic Cat’s DNA. For more information on Team Arctic, contact Mike Kloety at mkloety@ arcticcat.com

DEALER NEWS: DOC’S BECOMES SAINT LOUIS HARLEY-DAVIDSON New team and new location for Doc’s H-D after having been a St. Louis landmark since 1955. “Doc’s Harley-Davidson has been more than just a dealership—it’s been a home for riders, a trusted part of the community, and a place where lifelong memories were made. As we close this chapter, we do so with deep gratitude for the friendships, loyalty, and shared passion that defined Doc’s. While change is never easy, we’re excited to begin our next chapter at St. Louis Harley-Davidson. Here’s to new roads, new memories, and the same great spirit that brought us all together.”

BOBCAT DOING WORK WORTH DOING

Bobcat Company is continuing its “Work Worth Doing” initiative dedicated to recognizing and supporting individuals who are driving meaningful change and giving back to their communities. This time, Bobcat partnered with actor Josh Duhamel for a surprise visit to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Station 88. Duhamel personally handed over the keys

Doc’s has reopened as St. Louis Harley-Davidson at its new location. “We are thrilled to announce the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Doc’s Harley-Davidson as we join with Gateway Harley-Davidson to become the all-new St. Louis HarleyDavidson. Together we look forward to serving you as the premier destination for the region’s riding community!” The all-new St. Louis Harley-Davidson is located at the former Gateway Harley-Davidson site. During the transition the original Doc’s Harley-Davidson location stayed open through Saturday, May 31.

Evan Schipper has been part of the Harley-Davidson industry since 2006. The Schipper family owns five Harley-Davidson dealerships located in Fort Wayne, Indiana: Louisville, Kentucky): St. Louis, Missouri: Evansville, Indiana, and Perrysburg, Ohio. “It was very exciting to once again exclusively represent Evan Schipper and his family in the acquisition of Gateway HarleyDavidson,” says Performance Brokerage principal George Chaconas. This marks the fourth Harley-Davidson dealership PBS has transacted for the Schipper family.

DEALER NEWS: THE OTHER HALF THE STORY

The new St. Louis Harley-Davidson is the culmination of a couple landmark dealerships coming together: Doc’s and Gateway Harley-Davidson have been brought together by the Schipper family of dealerships. Performance Brokerage Services, North America’s highest volume dealership brokerage firm, brokered the deal between Gateway H-D owner Matt Chiappetta to Evan Schipper. At the close of the deal Schipper merged Gateway with Doc’s, relocating inventory to the Gateway location and changing the name to Landmark. “We are excited to consolidate the market and provide more product, events, and a bigger staff to best support the St. Louis riding community,” shared Schipper.

“I am very grateful and blessed to have helped facilitate this transaction and support Evan,” adds Chaconas. “I would also like to wish Matt Chiappetta success in the future, as we were previously privileged to assist him in acquiring Open Road Harley-Davidson in his hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.” Chiappetta, who owned Gateway Harley-Davidson from 20162025, continues to operate Open Road Harley-Davidson. Gateway Harley-Davidson had served the St. Louis community since 1948. Originally founded as Broadway Harley-Davidson by Earl Widman, a World War II D-Day veteran and member of the AMA Hall of Fame, the dealership quickly became a trusted destination for motorcycle enthusiasts in the region. In 2002, the dealership was relocated a few miles south of Interstate 55, near historic Route 66 and the iconic Gateway Arch. Gateway & Doc’s have been renamed St. Louis HarleyDavidson and will remain at its current location at 3600 Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri.

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With the introduction of live pricing check functionality, Lightspeed dealers now have real time access to customerspecific product pricing without needing to log into the Turn 14 portal. This instant access ensures dealers always have Turn14’s updated price book. “This allows dealers to offer competitive quotes and stay current with market pricing, explains Dan Ziegler, business partner integration manager at Turn 14 Distribution.

KTM EXITS X-BOW BIZ

After years of dealers questioning why KTM was entering the super car wars, KTM AG is officially exiting the X-Bow effort. “KTM Sportcar GmbH, a subsidiary of KTM AG, is realigning itself strategically and future-oriented with a new ownership structure,” is how the official notification reads.

“Additionally, our generic Turn 14 Distribution (TR) price book will now be loaded daily into each dealer’s DMS. We’re thrilled to offer these enhanced integration features to Lightspeed users,” concluded Ziegler. “This is a significant step forward in making our dealer experience smoother and more effective, and we look forward to continuing to build deeper integrations with Lightspeed.”

Michael Wölfling, Managing Director of KTM Sportcar GmbH, explains: “With the new partners, we are not only gaining strategic strength, but also valuable impetus for the further development of our company. This lays the foundation for the next stage of development.” According to Wölfling, the post-Bajaj plan calls for “an internationally experienced group of investors to assume responsibility for the further development of the KTM X-BOW brand — with a clear focus on technology & innovation, internationalization and expansion of the X-BOW model family. In particular, the areas of road-legal super sports cars and the newly created off-road segment are to be strengthened and expanded in a targeted manner.” Moving forward, KTM AG will remain associated with KTM Sportcar GmbH as licensor of the brand name.

AMA VMD: BACK TO THE FUTURE

The Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution races into Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on July 25-27. In order to promote the motorcycling lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling, MotoAmerica’s Talent Cup series will be racing at Mid Ohio in conjunction with the traditional vintage classes.

TURN 14 TURNS TO LIGHTSPEED

As a leader in the distribution of performance parts, gear and accessories, Turn 14 seeks to help dealers apex the turns and keep them on track. To that end, the distribution giant has teamed with Lightspeed Dealer Management System (DMS), streamlining order processing and providing live pricing updates. This latest integration enables users to place orders directly with Turn 14 Distribution within the Lightspeed DMS, eliminating the need for CSV file downloads and manual data entry. Additionally, orders placed through Turn 14’s website can be imported into Lightspeed for simple retrieval, improving efficiency and reducing the administrative workload.

“We look forward to welcoming the best and brightest upand-coming roadracers to VMD this year with a round of the MotoAmerica Parts Unlimited Talent Cup to be run at the event,” AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier said. “We anticipate some thrilling competition on one of the best road racing circuits in the United States at Mid-Ohio.” Blending the best blasts from the past with the future of our sport, the 2025 MotoAmerica Parts Unlimited Talent Cup brings the nation’s best young racers. Competitors range between the ages of 14 and 21 to compete aboard GP-style, purpose-built Krämer APX-350 MA motorcycles. The MotoAmerica Talent Cup is a six-round series with four races conducted alongside MotoAmerica races and one event at Circuit of the Americas in conjunction with a MotoGP event, in addition to the round at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. For more information regarding the MotoAmerica Parts Unlimited Talent Cup, visit: www.motoamerica.com/talent-cup

BLAST FROM THE PAST

As the title sponsor of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Show at VMD, Motorcycle Classics will be adding some real incentive to enter those classic motorcycles: Best In Show winner will get both a plaque and a 24 x 18 framed canvas print, “Bugsy” by Dealernews’ own illustrator Hector Cademartori showing Dick Mann at speed in the 1971 Daytona 200! The bike show is set for Saturday, July 26, during Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution. “We are thrilled to partner with AMA for the Hall of Fame Bike Show at the 2025 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days,” Motorcycle Classics Editor Mark Mederski said. “This collaboration is a significant milestone for us, as it allows us to honor the legacy of motorcycling while celebrating the incredible achievements of those who have shaped the industry. Together with the AMA, we are excited to bring together enthusiasts, builders and collectors for an unforgettable event with decades of history that showcases the passion and innovation that defines the exciting world of motorcycles.” More information regarding the Motorcycle Classics AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Show presented by Royal Enfield can be found at www.vintagemotorcycledays.com/bike-show

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at Segway — Derek Jordahl has returned to his roots. “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Sales at Arctic Cat! Beyond excited to be back as part of the talented team who will define the NEXT chapter in the history of this passion-driven powersports OEM!”

Segway continues to surge! “I’m excited to share that I’ve been promoted to National Sales Director at Segway Powersports,” says industry veteran JJ Pecsok. “It’s been an awesome journey so far, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to take on this new role. I look forward to working even more closely with our talented team and dealer network as we continue driving growth and pushing the powersports industry forward.” This isn’t JJ’s first rodeo. He “graduated” from racing to real jobs with Fox and Tucker Powersports before shifting to OEMs. After a stint with HiSun, Pecsok moved from EV moto outfit Greenger to become Sales Operations Manager for Segway in May of 2024. “Appreciate all the support along the way,” he concludes. “ Let’s ride!” See more here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHZ_ mjqbFQA

LeMans loads up, picks a pair of Parts Unlimited road warriors! The newest sales rep for the Northeast region covering dealers in the central New York region – Anthony D’Ambro. He comes to the distribution giant with several years of parts management at the dealer level. D’Ambro has 10 years of riding experience as well, including 3 years of track days. His rides of choice are a Yamaha R6 on the track and a Yamaha Zuma on the street. He is also an avid motorcycle racing fan, in particular, MotoAmerica. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys fishing, kayaking, golfing and walking his dog.

Cat is out of the bag! Most recently VP of Sales for CFMoto circa 20162923 and a cup of coffee — 7 months

newest sales rep for the Central East region covering dealers in Northern Ohio – Kevin Figueira. He joins the Parts Unlimited team with several years of powersports industry experience including service and technician management. His riding experience started at age 13 and includes trail as well as long distance riding. In his spare time, Kevin is a huge hockey fan and has been playing since the age of 6.

Time for the next big adventure for Dale Sargent! “As Kayo’s trusted representative in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa, Dale has been an incredible part of our team—bringing professionalism, passion and a wealth of industry knowledge to everything he does. His commitment to our brand and his dealers has been invaluable, and we can’t thank him enough for all he’s done,” claims the Kayo crew. “Now, with his wife by his side, he’s trading in sales calls for scenic bike rides, mountain hikes and unforgettable adventures. From exploring Southeast Asia to tackling new trails, it’s clear that Dale’s next chapter will be just as exciting as his career.”

Continued on page 18

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Brought To You By MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com Continued from page 16

Sounding off! “I’m excited to announce I’m an Editor at UTV Driver and Octane,” announces Anders Carlson. “To celebrate, I did my best impression of an exhaust pipe. Here’s to growing the future of powersports.” The veteran contributor to media outlets raging from Motorcycle Classics to Motorcyclist is now getting dirty… and taking himself off the market. “To the many global ad agencies I’ve been in talks with regarding 7-figure compensation and leadership roles, I am grateful for your time and lucrative offers but must respectfully decline. Ultimately, it came down to the opportunity to rip giant rooster tails of mud and dirt through the American countryside, instead of quietly typing words in a tall glass box in the sky. I hope you’ll understand.” Carlson’s parting shot: “In conclusion, it’s totally possible to start over in life and end up doing what you love. Thanks, America.”

More MX magazine news as industry icon Jean Turner joins the Dirt Bike crew. “Life sure has a funny way of bringing things full circle when you

least expect it,” recounts the ultimate moto storyteller. “It was over 20 years ago now that I first sat in my cubicle in the Primedia building on Wilshire, the proud new Online Editor at my favorite motorcycle magazine. One year out of college and I had “made it!” I had business cards and everything!” A wild ride running WFO ensued until it wasn’t to be. “Orange cones and a big ‘Detour’ sign put me off at the next exit. Where to now? The last six months have been a bit rocky, getting back to freelance work, seeking new clients and opportunities and for the first time in years, not having any idea where I might find the next path. Fortunately, the path found me (or at least Ron Lawson and Mark Tilley did). It’s a familiar path—or should I say single-track... I’m proud to announce I’m back in editorial as the new Associate Editor at Dirt Bike Magazine.

Speaking of media types, industry veteran Melissa Coffey is getting in on the action — ACTION Recruiting, that is. Coffey brings the executive search & recruiting team more than 25 years of experience in the powersports, motorsports, EV and bicycle industries. “Melissa is a sophisticated, innovative and highoutput industry insider and change agent,” says ACTION founder and CEO Jan Plessner. “She has extensive experience in talent recruitment and team building.” Coffey will be instrumental in enhancing ACTION’s capabilities for executive-level searches for both current and future clients, according to Plessner. “I have had the privilege of working with ACTION Recruiting for nearly five years, both as a client and a candidate,” adds Coffey. “Jan Plessner has been a personal mentor and is widely respected in our industry. The chance to join her team is a true dream and feels like a natural progression in my career.” Coffey has family ties to FOX

Factory, which launched her early career in powersports. Currently a contributing writer for Powersports Business magazine, she is also the founder and CEO of CATCH Strategy, a sales and marketing services firm based in Austin, Texas.

Extra, extra, read all about it! Lifelong motorcyclist, MSF-certified RiderCoach and former reporter Andria Yu is the new Vice President of Communications for the Motorcycle Industry Council, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. She served as Director of Media Relations since joining the powersports associations in 2016, and before that had been the front-page editor at USA Today and chief night editor at The Baltimore Sun. “Andria brings clarity, strategy and a rider-first perspective to everything she does,” said Christy LaCurelle, President and CEO of the MIC, MSF, ROHVA and SVIA. “She’s played a key role in shaping how we communicate with our industry, our members, and the public. Her insight and leadership are invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve. For nearly a decade, she’s helped tell the story of motorcycling to millions, worked with journalists and influencers across the country, and led media and influencer rides that assisted people in riding the right way. Her impact on the industry and our associations has been tremendous.”

ATV WHOLESALE OUTLET “

Veteran Owned, Family Run

e do things a bit differently,” admits ATV Wholesale Outlet GM Jacob Stabler. The results would say the family run business does things better: They have sold 60,000+ ATVs and motorcycles in the past 15 years! They have also embraced the eBike and eMoto niches to become the fastest growing EV dealer in California! Starting with only a few vehicles, ATV Wholesale Outlet has swept the Northern California market by offering high quality, affordable powersport vehicles.

Dealernews caught up with Jacob on the floor of the Tao factory in China to discuss Chinese made motorcycles, tariffs and the Denago Difference. Speaking of wihich, ATV Wholesale Outlet was the #1 volume dealer for Denago in 2024, despite adding the brand years after its other lines.

Born out of a garage only selling dirtbikes, CEO Doug Stabler has built a burgeoning empire of “off-brands” and Chinese products. Feature marques include Apollo ATVs, Aventon, Burromax, Electric Bike Co, Rad Power Bikes, Tao Motor, YCF and most recently Denago. “ATV Wholesale Outlet has been driven by a vision to give customers a better alternative to the over-priced Japanese powersports products,” says Jacob candidly. Like he mentioned, they do things differently. Rather than apologize for Chinese-made product, they focus on giving their customers a quality experience.

We are Northern California’s number one powersports dealer. We just so happen to also be Denago’s largest dealer. We’re very proud to carry the brand. And yes, we do things a little bit different in our area. We are a cash business, no flooring, holdbacks, co-op or other OEM entanglements. But Denago kind of came in and strategically positioned themselves perfectly for what we do. So we’re very glad to carry that line in Sacramento…

“We strive to make every visit to ATVWO a memorable one as every customer is treated like family first, business second,” he explains. “Our business model operates on the pillars of HONESTY and RESPECT. Our employees are an extension of the family, and are the face of who we are.

So here we are in China at the Denago factory. Rumor has it that ATV Wholesale Outlet was the number one dealer in North America last year?

And it is a family business? My father started this about 20 years ago and now the whole family is involved (see sidebar)… We have really carved out a niche in our area for those second tier OEM brands. But we’ve done it differently, we emphasize quality control, parts, service, warranty, getting all the support that consumers need that they oftentimes don’t get online. So with a brand like Denago, they actually solve a lot of those problems and make our job a lot easier. But yeah, that has been kind of our formula this whole time.

That formula — and your whole business model — is a little bit different, just like the “Denago Difference” You guys are not your standard dealership! That is correct, we kind of stand out from the rest of the guys. We’ve got a Yamaha dealer just down the street from us, and we had a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership just down the road from us, but we’re always packed, and they seem to be a little bit slower. It’s because we’re more of a volume dealer that emphasizes the quality but also the affordability. We don’t think that one has to come at the cost of the other. So we try to offer consumers both.

for themselves. But generally speaking, China has been sort of this ambiguous figure that’s sort of looming in the background. We know that a lot of our stuff comes from them, but we don’t necessarily have a good feeling from them. I can say after my visit here we have been very, very warmly received. The factory has given a really strong impression on the way that they control their quality, and their production volume has just been staggering! All the staff here has been incredibly accommodating, so definitely coming away with a strong impression.

The secret of that is probably your ability to get that message out beyond just a local venue. You are the shop’s social media guru driving that traffic and getting the search engines to put you at the top of the que… driving traffic, and more importantly customer engagement via your YouTube videos, blogs on how to care for a Chinese bike — you cast a much wider net than the Sacramento Delta! We just take advantage of basic SEO and marketing strategies. Whether it’s videos, Google and Yelp reviews, strong website presentation… We want to make sure that consumers in our area know that we exist and how we do things differently. So we really try to market ourselves as not only partners of the brand, but also partners with our consumers. We want to make sure that we meet their needs and let them know exactly how we’re doing that. Just a little bit of background. You were in the military before going to work in the family business — thank you for your service. What were your preconceived notions of China before you came over here? My dad married a Russian woman 30 years ago, back when the whole Communist Party stigma was going on. So I’ve been bred in a culture where I don’t buy into a lot of the stigma. So I’m pretty open minded. I let the people speak

JULY 2025

Continued Continuedon onpage page22 22

Continued from page 21

Do you see any repercussions from the tariff war on ATV Wholesale Outlet’s business or is that going to resolve itself before we even get home? It’s so hard to tell. I mean, we’re all optimistic that Trump and President Xi can come together and find a solution, but it really just comes down to the way the parts sort of fall out. There’s no way to know, but I’m pretty optimistic. I think things are going to work out. We’re both strong figures, and both of us need each other, so I believe that things are going to ultimately come together and find an equitable solution. How long it’s going to take and what that’s going to look like is just too hard to tell.

4551 Auburn Blvd Sacramento, CA 95841 916-922-3333 Sales@atvwholesaleoutlet.com www.atvwholesaleoutlet.com

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INSIDE DENAGO EPISODE #1 Doug Stabler ATV Wholesale Outlet

hen it came time to schedule the very first guest for Inside Denago GM David Garibyan had an easy choice: Doug Stabler, CEO of ATV Wholesale Outlet. Not only was the Sacramento, California, dealership the #1 retailer in the country for Denago’s product, the two of them broke into the powersports business at the same time. The friends have experienced the crazy ups and downs this industry has had for the better part of two decades. Both proud fathers have watched their sons grow up and now with Jacob joining the dealership after a six year hitch in the Navy’s elite Search & Rescue team and Isaac becoming a paramedic (and still active first responder with the local fire department), they had plenty to talk about… “And I’m a talker”, warns Stabler! Although he claims to be just a hillbilly who likes to ride, Stabler is a canny businessman with an eye for opportunity, going back to his first days on the job at a Budweiser distributorship. After he became disillusioned by the auto industry and saw the limitations of the local real estate market — they aren’t making any more land — Doug turned his passion for powersports into his profession and brought the whole family along for the ride! In this episode of Inside Denago, they discuss Doug’s journey from Kentucky to becoming a successful dealership owner in Sacramento. The conversation also covers the evolution of Denago products, the importance of family dynamics in business, and the strategies that have led to the success

of Doug’s dealership, ATV Wholesale. They emphasize the significance of customer feedback, the impact of family on outdoor activities, and the necessity of creating a positive business environment. Doug shares valuable advice for aspiring power ports dealers, highlighting the importance of having all departments working together and paying attention to every detail in the business. Takeaways • Doug Stabler has more than 20 years of experience in the powersports industry. • Denago products have evolved significantly, focusing on quality and customer feedback. • Family dynamics play a crucial role in Doug’s business operations. • Location is key for dealership success, being on a main boulevard attracts more customers. • Customer experience is enhanced by attention to detail, including clean facilities. • A successful dealership needs to have parts, service, and riding gear departments. • Building a family-friendly environment is essential for customer loyalty. • The power sports industry is built on passion and enthusiasm for the sport. • Creating a positive work environment leads to better customer service. • Attention to detail can significantly impact customer perception and sales.

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A modern office building fronts the Zhejiang Taotao Vehicles factory located in Jinyun Country, Zhejiang Province, where Denago’s vehicles are built.

THE DENAGO DIFFERENCE Dealers Tour Tao Factory By Kevin Duke

“

hink of it as a brand within a brand,” suggests Denago GM David Garibyan. “Denago Powersports is the premium brand of Zhejiang Taotao Vehicles, akin to how Lexus is related to Toyota.” To help provide insight into how Denago’s American team collaborates with the factory in the process of designing and building motorcycles and ATVs some of the top U.S. dealers were given all-access passes to the factory to see how the team works with engineers to create vehicles designed to stand out in the competitive U.S. market.

even a massive museum showcases landmark dates and vehicles. The factory is a sprawling complex that manufactures Denago’s off-road vehicles, as well as golf carts and Go Trax electric scooters and bicycles.

The Tao Motors factory visited was built in 2018, so it’s a modern, well-lit facility, which currently encompasses 1.3 million square feet. However the footprint is expected to expand another 30% this spring. The flagship Denago Powersports brand has only been in the U.S. market since July 2023. More than 2,000 skilled workers manufacture about 450,000 motorcycles annually — and an equal number of ATVs! In fact, the U.S. dealers saw 800 ATVs produced in a single shift during the tour. Tao/Denago virtually produces every component of every vehicle in this factory — They even build their own wiring looms inhouse, a labor-intensive process typically outsourced by other manufacturers. Along with the production facilities, the factory also includes Denago’s R&D operations where new models are developed, global corporate offices, and

This new section of the factory will construct larger-capacity vehicles for Denago.

Back in April Denago invited dealers and media to China for a look inside the factory where the dirtbikes and ATVs are made. Denago also has a factory in Vietnam, plus facilities in Texas and California. Invitees included Greg Mackey — Cycles of Jacksonville, Florida was the first dealer to sign on (see his Dealer Profile in the June 2025 issue) — Brad Tews, the pitbike king from East Central Motorsports, Ohio; Mike Davidson Swampfox Motorsports, Princeton, West Virginia), this month’s cover dealer Jacob Stabler, ATV Wholesale Outlet, Sacramento, California). Derreck Bernard (Hi-Torque Media), and Robin Hartfiel (Dealernews) and key U.S. staffers David Garibyan (General Manager), Johnny Hayes (National Sales Director), Steve Lawler (former Marketing Manager), Kevin Duke (new Marketing Manager), joined the dealers on their busman’s holiday. The tour provided insight into how Denago’s American team collaborates with the factory in the process of designing and building motorcycles and ATVs. They work with engineers to create vehicles designed to stand out in the competitive U.S. market.

Beginning of the line: even though there is a sweeping change in the factory for more automation, robotic weld cells and more airguns, the whole process begins with a frame and engine manually being mated up.

In addition to the inner working of the factory, dealers were given an early look at a prototype for Denago’s next gen EFI pit bike (codenamed the “Lawler Brawler”) that will be rolling off the assembly lines early next year. The group also got to see a prototype for a new 550cc quad currently in development — the Freelander 550. It will be powered by a 4-valve SOHC engine with a counterbalancer, with output delivered via shafts to both axles (4WD) with high- and low-range gearing — all designed, developed and produced in-house. “Denago is meeting the needs of the powersports market,” notes Garibyan. “We are filling gaps in the model mix and providing quality off-road vehicles that are amazingly affordable, enabling families to get into riding at a modest cost.” Their pit bikes start at just $699 for the entry-level MX model, which has an automatic centrifugal clutch and an electric starter for ease of use by kids. It weighs only 116 lbs, and its 10-inch wheels enable a modest 24-inch seat height. The next step up is the MX1, which has a similar 107cc engine but uses a semi-automatic 4-speed gearbox and ups wheel sizes to a 14/12 combo, retailing for $849.

Following the old fashioned handcart, the chassis and engine are transferred to state of the art individual carts. This system is replacing the traditional assembly lines in the factory. This is a huge investment in efficiency and makes it much faster to change over a product line.

The MX2 receives a 125cc motor with an external oil cooler and a manual 4-speed transmission, plus 17/14 wheels for a 163-lb package that retails for only $1,049. The MX3 model stuffs a 140cc motor into the same tubular-trellis frame as the MX2, with a $1,249 MSRP. Denago ATVs start at only $1,099 for the Mudhawk 6, powered by a 107cc engine with electric start. The Mudhawk 10 uses a fuel-injected 120cc motor with dual A-arm front suspension and storage racks front and rear. It’s priced at $1,549, the same price as the similar but sportier Trailhawk 10. The E-Hawk 6 uses a 1600-watt electric motor for simple ease of use, priced at $1,499.

The frames of ATVs sit on height-adjustable lift conveyors for easier access during assembly. Continued on page 28

JULY 2025

Continued from page 27

Handled! All the control cables are swaged in house, the bars The bundles of wire then are hand woven on massive peg boards bent and even the wiring harnesses are done under one roof. and fitted with connectors (premium waterproof connectors for Denago products), and tested for shorts while individual strands are still accessible.

Sorted, sleeved, bundled and ready to be taken to the production line downstairs. There is a reason why most OEMs farm out subassemblies like wiring harnesses! Not Denago! Individually cut, crimped,sleeved and tested for shorts, it is an amazing process.

Raw rolls of wiring are cut and soldered in bundles of 100 at a time. The average time for one of these bundles? Less than two minutes!

The finished product... no need for individually wrapping or packing wiring harnesses to be shipped to another factory, the palettes are just set next to the assembly line!

Powertrain engineers working on Denago’s upcoming 550cc ATV engine, which is fuel-injected and counterbalanced for smoothness.

Skilled mechanics make quick work of engine assembly.

The engines are all single-cylinder powerplants, at least for now. Bigger projects are in the works.

The “Lawler Motor” — All Denago engines now receive the Pro Motor Works nomenclature, as suggested by former marketing manager Steve Lawler (left). General Manager David Garibyan and National Sales Director Johnny Hayes provide support. Continued on page 30

JULY 2025

Denago’s factory includes state-of-the-art equipment like CNC machines and robotic painters.

Robotic weld cells may be in the works, but Denago still employees 2,000+ skilled craftsmen (and women) welding frames, lacing wheels and everything in between.

ATVs rolling off the well-lit production line.

Cycles of Jacksonville’s Greg Mackey demonstrating his point!

Making sure nothing gets lost in translation! Explaining what the U.S. Dealers are requesting to R&D team.

American dealers had lunch with Mr. Tao, who launched his powersports business in 1985.

A single shift can produce approximately 800 units in a pinch, and annual production from this 1.3 million sq./ft. factory is 450,000 ATVs… on top of a similar number of motorcycles!

Our host, Mr. Tao, not only opened the entire factory and the R&D center to western dealers, he personally took notes on their comments. He also reassured them that tariffs would not be passed on to Denago dealers.

And then there’s an expanding range of adult-sized quads. The Mudhawk 200FI retails for $2,349), while the Daytona 250FI sport quad has a $2,499 MSRP, both of which are fuel-injected and include digital instrument displays. The $4,199 Freelander 300FI is the workhorse, with 1+1 seating and a 2,500-lbs. winch as standard. Dealers were invited to attend briefings about future products to get their insights.

JULY 2025

RUMBLINGS CONTINUE

lthough top line revenue decreased 20% in the first quarter, the new CEO reports he is satisfied with the omnichannel operation’s overall performance. “I am proud of the results the team delivered amidst a challenging backdrop for consumers,” claims Michael Quartieri, RumbleOn’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Interim Chief Financial Officer. “Although we experienced a year-over-year volume decline in our powersports segment, the team is making progress on our turnaround initiatives, and we are looking forward to building on this momentum.” Quartieri attributes the decline to diminished unit sales via the RideNow dealerships. New powersports units were down 23.7% for Q1 to 8,013 units (compared to 10,503 new units in Q1 2024). Pre-owned unit sales were also soft for the quarter, down 13.9% to 4,307 units. Key First Quarter 2025 Highlights (Compared to First Quarter 2024): • Revenue of $244.7 million decreased 20.5%, driven by a 3,399 decline in unit sales in the Company’s powersports segment and an $8.8 million decline in revenue in the vehicle transportation services segment • Net loss improved to $9.7 million compared to $10.3 million

• Selling, general & administrative expense (SG&A) was $61.1 million, a $12.8 million reduction compared to $73.9 million • Adjusted EBITDA declined $0.7 million to $7.0 million compared to $7.7 million • Operating cash outflows totaled $6.9 million compared to inflows of $17.0 million in 2024 • Repaid $38.8 million 6.75% convertible senior notes at their maturity on January 2, 2025

Balance Sheet, Liquidity And Cash Flow Bottom line: RumbleOn ended the quarter with $56.2 million in total cash, inclusive of restricted cash, and $188.2 million of non-vehicle net debt. Availability under the Company’s powersports short-term revolving floor plan lines of credit totaled approximately $115.2 million as of March 31, 2025.

Non-GAAP Measures RumbleOn uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Non-Vehicle Net Debt and Adjusted SG&A (collectively the “non-GAAP financial measures”). The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. RumbleOn believes that they provide useful information about operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our operating performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company in this press release may be different from the measures used by other companies.

Total Available Liquidity, defined as total cash plus availability under floorplan credit facilities, was $171.4 million as of March 31, 2025. Cash outflows from operating activities were $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to cash inflows of $17.0 million for the same period in 2024. Cash flow from operations in 2024 benefited from the proceeds from the sale of the Company’s loans receivable portfolio.

Continued on page 34

JULY 2025

Continued from page 33

Non-Vehicle Net Debt RumbleOn defines Non-Vehicle Net Debt as total principal of long-term debt, including current maturities, less unrestricted cash. “Our restricted cash is principally related to vehicle floor plan debt and is therefore not part of this calculation. Vehicle floor plan debt and finance lease obligations are not included in this measure. We believe that Non-Vehicle Net Debt is useful to investors and analysts as a measure of our financial position. We use Non-Vehicle Net Debt to monitor and compare our financial position from period to period.” A reconciliation of total long-term debt, including current maturities to Non-Vehicle Net Debt is provided below:

About RumbleOn

RumbleOn, Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBL), operates through two operating segments: a powersports dealership group and a vehicle transportation services entity, Wholesale Express, LLC (“Express”). We believe our Powersports group is the largest powersports retail group in the United States offering a wide selection of new and pre-owned motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility terrain or side-by-side vehicles, personal watercraft, snowmobiles and other powersports products. We also offer parts, apparel, accessories, finance & insurance products and services, and aftermarket products from a wide range of manufacturers. We are one of the largest purchasers of pre-owned powersports vehicles in the United States and utilize our proprietary RideNow Cash Offer technology to acquire vehicles directly from consumers. Our Express business provides assetlight transportation brokerage services facilitating automobile transportation primarily between and among dealerships and auctions throughout the United States.

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for calculating latitude, longitude and altitude (trilateration) while a fourth is needed to correct for timing differences between satellite atomic clocks and the clocks on ground-based receivers. Of course, when it comes to accuracy, more is better! In a similar fashion, law enforcement agencies use cell phone towers to locate mobile phones by correlating tower locations with relative signal strengths. And since wireless carriers retain user geolocation data for between 1 and 5 years, cell tower pings can also provide a location history. How does this help GPS trackers under suboptimal conditions? It turns out that some tracker technologies also take advantage of cell tower triangulation to improve geolocation where GPS signals are weak.

Dealernews Research By Don Musick

WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN? PART VI

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

s mentioned earlier, GPS trackers require signals from at least four satellites to determine position. Three are necessary

A cell tower’s coverage area typically ranges from 1 to 3 miles in urban settings and can extend up to 25 miles in rural regions (link). Since 2001, WiGLE (Wireless Geographic Logging Engine – www.wigle.net) has been compiling location data for cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth networks worldwide. The following graphic is a WiGLE map of cell tower locations around Salt Lake City, UT illustrating how tower density varies in urban and rural environments. As a Plan B for weak GPS signals, cell tower geolocation can be helpful, but then again, we’ve all experienced few or no bars on our mobile phones. Is there a plan C? Indeed, there is! Introducing WPS (Wi-Fi Positioning System). WPS is a geolocation system that utilizes the signal strengths of nearby Wi Fi access points (multilateration) to pinpoint a devices location. WPS is a useful supplement to GPS when signal strength has been compromised (e.g. multipath reflection, signal blockage indoors etc.). So, it’s not too surprising to find that GPS trackers are also capable of leveraging the WPS! There are a number of organizations that compile databases of Wi-Fi access point (WAP) locations, one of largest of which is WiGLE. The WiGLE map on the next page shows the distribution of Wi-Fi access points around the same Salt Lake City area. Typically, WiFi access points have an effective range of~100300 ft. However, it’s the ability of WAP signals to penetrate walls and other obstacles that makes it particularly useful for tracking indoors. The WiGLE database table (on page 48) illustrates the coverage of these technologies at the National level as well as WAP listings for the top ten States.

Wi-Fi Positioning System Map

WiGLE map

Continued on page 38

JULY 2025

Continued from page 37

While GPS trackers primarily rely on satellites, they can also use cell towers and WAP as alternatives when GPS signals are weak. Next to satellites (~70-80%), cellular location is the primary GPS fallback (~1525%) while WAP is used mostly in densely populated urban areas and indoors (~5-10%). Compared to crowd-sourced solutions like Apple AirTags, GPS trackers clearly provide much greater accuracy and reliability. However, as we’ve just learned, GPS trackers can also utilize a mix of cellular and WAP technologies to supplement satellite geolocation. Naturally, greater flexibility comes with added complexity which impacts features, programs and pricing. So, where to begin?

SPIN THE WHEEL? While you might get lucky, it’s not the best approach. Instead, let’s examine the key features to consider when selecting a tracker that minimizes theft and maximizes recovery.

From his first motorcycles (a Honda S65 and an S90) when he was 16 to 50 years later, Don Musick has never stopped twisting the throttle. Although his accomplishments in the research arena have surpassed his MX career Don has over 25 years experience with major manufacturers in the Powersports and Automotive industries specializing in e-business solutions for retail distribution networks. His solution portfolio includes the development and implementation of manufacturer/dealer extranets, consumer-direct commerce portals, manufacturer/dealer e-channel integrations as well as development of web-based sales force automation tools. For most of his career, Don has been fascinated (his wife would say obsessed) with geographic market analytics, dealer location planning and sales territory optimization. He founded Genesys Technology Solutions (GenesysTech) www.genesystech.com to develop new tools and market intelligence products to help manufacturers understand the competitive landscape of their industries, recognize opportunities and grow their businesses. A Spartan to the core, Don earned a B.S. in Physiology and PhD in Biochemistry from Michigan State University. Contact: dmusick@genesystech.com

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Dealernews Research By Lenny Sims

TIME TO CALL IT?

IC members, did you catch the latest FLASH Report figures? Not to say our research team called it, but our research team did strongly suggest historical data indicated some sectors were looking at serious setbacks in Q1… and beyond. However there are some surprise pockets of sales activity in terms of both make/models and geographic regions. The Sportbike segment closed out Q4 with a positive surge and remains the standout in the powersports landscape this spring. Sportbike values in the current period are comparable to 2022 — particularly in the 300cc category — and not showing seasonal downward movement. Other segments reflect the realities of a return to seasonality, higher inventories and reduced customer demand. “Dealer feedback is not overly positive as the industry continues to contend with sluggish demand and increased inventories,” reported J.D. Power back on January 29th. “We do not forecast notably changed conditions through the winter months. Finishing the year strong, values in the Sportbike segment for November-December 2024 are still slightly above those for the same period in 2022. Within the other segments of Powersports, however, dealers have reported needing to lure potential buyers with significant rebates and discounts due to elevated new and used inventory. Consumer confidence — or the lack thereof — has certainly contributed to the market malaise. The tariff paranoia wasn’t really rampant back in January but it continues to hinder the

market through Q2. Looking at motorcycles, values for the most recent 10 model years of cruisers averaged 3.5% lower in the September-October period compared to July-August and 6.1% lower year-over-year. Sportbikes averaged 0.5% higher in September-October compared to July-August, and 5.4% higher year-over-year. In the side-by-side segment, the utility segment averaged 3.6% lower in September-October compared to JulyAugust, and 4.9% lower year-over-year. The sport segment averaged 3.3% lower in September-October compared to JulyAugust, and 4.7% lower year-over-year. In terms of percentage change in motorcycles, values for the most recent 10 model years of the Sportbike segment averaged 0.9% lower in the November-December period compared to September-October (edition-over-edition), and 8.7% higher year-over-year. The Cruiser segment followed a more typical depreciation trajectory, where values averaged 3.2% lower edition-over-edition, and 5.6% lower year-over-year. For the Utility segment of side-by-sides, average values were 2.5% lower edition-over-edition, and 3.1% lower yearover-year. In the Sport segment, edition-over-edition values decreased to a slightly greater extent at 3.2%, while the yearover-year decrease was the same at 3.1%. So is it time to call it? Based on feedback we received from dealers and our observation of the market, we anticipate a need for local market pricing adjustments and potential factory rebates. Consumer confidence will be bolstered by final resolution of the tariffs and better weather will certainly buoy some sectors. Stay tuned!

J.D. Power Specialty Valuation Services (formerly NADAguides) is a leading provider of specialty vehicle valuation products and services to businesses. The team collects and analyzes tens of thousands of wholesale and retail transactions per month, and delivers a range of guidebooks, web service data, analysis and digital data solutions. J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world’s leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power/NADA Guides, Inc. 3200 Park Center Drive, 13th Floor Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (800) 966-6232 Fax (714) 556-8715 www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles

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MAY ‘25 VS. AVG OF PRIOR 3 MONTHS AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICE CHANGE

www.npauctions.com/cp/npa-market-report *All data provided by National Powersport Auctions includes live and online transactions from all NPA locations. Closed OEM auction data is excluded. For more info visit NPAUCTIONS.COM.

-5%

-7%

-10

RV / CAMPER

PWC

SIDE X SIDE

ATV

DUAL SPORT

SPORT

-11%

METRIC CRUISER

-15

-5%

MAY ‘25 VS. MAY ‘24

AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICE CHANGE

20%

20% 15% 10%

-1%

-5%

-6%

-10%

RV / CAMPER

MARINE

PWC

ATV

-10%

-15%

SIDE X SIDE

DUAL SPORT

Historically, wholesale prices soften through the summer as retail demand ebbs. Given ongoing economic uncertainty—including elevated interest rates, tariff pressures, and weakening consumer discretionary spending—it seems unlikely that 2025 will defy this trend. In fact, it’s more plausible that we see a sharper-than-normal correction in pricing and dealer conversion rates due to macro headwinds and inventory imbalances. Early June data already shows declining AWPs and lower auction conversion rates for less desirable product, reinforcing the need for dealers to act decisively. As we approach the tail end of the 2025 retail cycle, dealers must stay acutely aware of valuation shifts. Values will fall, books will recalibrate downward, and consumer engagement is likely to fade. That said, as the market softens further into the summer, wholesale inventory should become available at increasingly attractive values. Those closely tracking the pulse of the market will be best positioned to capitalize.

SPORT

Summer Softening Ahead

Mixed May Pricing Trends

From a pricing perspective, May’s Average Wholesale Prices (AWPs) reflect mixed dynamics. Domestic Cruisers and ATV Side-by-Sides—the two largest retail segments—posted low-to-mid single-digit gains over the past 90 days and modest year-over-year (YoY) improvements. However, Sport and Metric Cruiser values dipped in May, both compared to the trailing 90-day window and YoY. This development is worth watching closely: while most segments have normalized to pre-COVID pricing, these two categories have remained outliers. Their recent AWP contraction aligns with DMS data showing significant increases in new metric motorcycle inventories, a potentially bearish signal. Other off-highway and RVM segments posted mild short-term gains but remained largely flat YoY.

MARINE

METRIC CRUISER

May delivered a strong close to the spring selling season, with solid performance across most product segments. However, several emerging trends suggest the second half of 2025 may present meaningful challenges to valuations. Discussions with dealers highlight growing consumer interest in pre-owned inventory, while continued struggles in moving new units persist. Notably, we observed auction pricing rise 30– 45 days earlier than usual—a pattern that often signals an equally early retreat. While this anticipated pullback has not fully materialized, some product categories are already beginning to show signs of softening. The most striking imbalance remains in dealer inventory. New unit supply remains elevated—approximately 3x higher than in 2019—while used inventory has steadily declined since Q1 of 2024. This divergence continues to affect both pricing and retail behavior.

DOMESTIC CRUISER

Spring Comes to an End

10%

DOMESTIC CRUISER

MAY AWP IN REVIEW

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND, AGAIN! BMW Dealers Dialing For Dollars, No Cell Service For Other OEMs

an you hear me know? At a time when service work is more critical than ever to keeping the lights on in many dealerships are disconnected, according to the 2025 Pied Piper PSI Service Telephone Effectiveness (STE) Powersports Industry Study. The biggest finding of the annual survey is that 50% of incoming calls for service work were dropped! This is not bad cell service, this is poor sell service, quips Pied Piper President and CEO Fran O’Hagan. “Industrywide half of all customer calls ended without a service appointment date and time being offered, and 4 in 10 customers were told to “just drop it off” despite a typical one-week service availability backlog… talk about a disconnect,” he adds. While the industry faces tough conditions, BMW maintained consistently high performance three years in a row. So what’s the hang up? “How service customers are handled is critical—especially in an industry where no one has to buy the product,” notes O’Hagan. “If ownership becomes frustrating, many customers will begin to question whether it’s worth the effort — And the cliché is true: sales sells the first bike; service

sells the rest.” Compounding the problem, customer expectations for service scheduling aren’t set by the powersports industry. “Nearly all powersports customers also schedule service for their cars and trucks, and the auto industry has significantly improved the service scheduling experience. “Today, half of all auto service appointments for basic needs like oil changes are booked online, and with the help of AI-powered chat, 84% of customers who call end the call with an appointment—compared to only 52% in powersports,” Can you afford to leave more than half your customers with a dial tone… or worse calling your competitors or some shade tree mechanic? Pied Piper puts some of the onus on OEMs. “The manufacturers can improve performance. In this year’s study, we highlight an OEM whose customers in 2024 booked appointments by phone only 31% of the time—a figure that nearly doubled to 58% in 2025.” But O’Hagan believes there is still plenty of room for improvement and the dismissive “Just bring it in” approach is still far too common.

“Too many powersports dealers—and some ag brands are even worse—simply say, “Just bring it in,” without offering an appointment. That happens 41% of the time in powersports. In the auto industry, just 2% say Bring it in and we’ll keep it for days—outside in the grime… Seriously?

Bottom line: The auto industry is improving this part of the customer experience year after year, through both new technology and a commitment to process. “The powersports industry wasn’t great at scheduling service two years ago—and it hasn’t improved since,” concludes O’Hagan.

To be fair, this can be reframed to become a satisfier: “I can offer an appointment two weeks from today, or if you prefer, you’re welcome to bring it in and we’ll try to get to it sooner.” But without offering an appointment, the dealership misses a key opportunity to demonstrate that it values both the customer and their time.

The bright side? “There are standout exceptions: dealerships building reputations for exceptional service. And for the broader industry, there’s still room for improvement—and it’s absolutely within reach, with the right focus.”

2025 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index® Powersports Brands Ranked by STE® - Service Telephone Effectiveness® BMW (+0) Kubota (+6) Triumph (-6) Harley-Davidson (+4) Polaris (-1) Royal Enfield (+1) Indian (+2) Aprilia (-3) BRP/Can-Am (-1) Husqvarna (+2) KTM (+0) Moto Guzzi (+4) Honda (+3) Kawasaki (-3) Industry Average (+1) Ducati (+2) Suzuki (+4) Yamaha (+5) Segway (N/A) HiSun (-4) Roxor (-1) Arctic Cat (+2) Kymco (-3) CFMoto (-6) Tracker (+3) Cub Cadet (+1) John Deere (+0) Zero (+1) Memo: Auto Industry Avg

33 30

34 34

40 40

41 41

44 44 44 44

45 45

46 46 46 46 46

48 48 48

49 49

64 35

(+/-) vs Previous Year Source: 2025 Pied Piper Powersports Service Telephone Effectiveness Industry Study (USA)

STE Score Range: 0 to 100 w w w. p i e d p i p e r p s i. c o m Continued on page 46

JULY 2025

Continued from page 45

Pi e d Pi p e r Pr o s p e c t Sa t i s f a c t i o n I n d e x ® ( PSI ® ) Po w e r s p o r t s I n d u s t r y ( U SA) Se r v i c e T e l e p h o n e E f f e c t i v e n e s s ® ( ST E ® ) Sc o r e s 2 0 2 3 t h r o u g h 2 0 2 5 P o w ersp o rts S T E S co re C o m p ari so n

S T E S co re 2025

2024

2023

BMW Ku b o t a T ri u mp h H a rl e y -D a v i d s o n Po la ris Royal Enfield Indian A p ri l i a BRP/ Ca n -Am H u s q v a rn a KT M Mo t o Gu zzi Ho n d a Ka w a s a k i Ducati Su zu k i Ya ma h a Se g w a y HiSu n Ro xo r Arc t ic Ca t Ky mc o CF Mo t o T ra c k e r Cu b Ca d e t J o h n D e e re Z e ro

50 49 49 48 48 48 47 46 46 46 46 46 45 45 44 44 44 43 41 41 40 40 39 38 34 34 33

50 43 55 44 49 47 45 49 47 44 46 42 42 48 42 40 39 N/A 45 42 38 43 45 35 33 34 32

50 40 46 53 51 48 50 48 45 46 47 48 44 44 44 46 42 N/A 40 N/A 42 35 40 37 36 37 39

0% 14% -11% 9% -2% 2% 4% -6% -2% 5% 0% 10% 7% -6% 5% 10% 13% N/A -9% -2% 5% -7% -13% 9% 3% 0% 3%

0% 23% 7% -9% -6% 0% -6% -4% 2% 0% -2% -4% 2% 2% 0% -4% 5% N/A 2% N/A -5% 14% -3% 3% -6% -8% -15%

P o w ersp o rts In d u stry A vg

-4 %

M em o : A u to In d u stry A vg

10%

B ran d

Source: 2023-2025 Pied Piper PSI® Service Telephone Effectiveness® Studies (USA) - Scale 0 to 100

Change 2023 to 2025

Change 2024 to 2025

www.piedpiperpsi.com

From right to left: Kevin Philips Head of BMW Motorrad -Region Americas, Alwyn du Toit - VP, Clients & Partnerships Pied Piper, Cameron O’Hagan - VP, Metrics & Analytics Pied Piper.

BMW CONTINUES TO RIDE OUT TOUGH TIMES Motorrad Dealers Ranked #1 Three Years Running

hird time’s a charm? The numbers are in and BMW Motorrad dealerships are best again, according to the 2025 Pied Piper PSI Service Telephone Effectiveness (STE) Powersports Industry Study. The annual study measures the efficiency and quality of customer attempts to schedule service appointments by telephone. Behind BMW in the STE results were Kubota, Triumph, Polaris Off-Road and Harley-Davidson. Methodology and a consistent baseline are critical to any credible research, so Pied Piper once again submitted service calls to 1,531 powersports dealerships representing 27 brands. These calls were then evaluated by their individual telephone interactions. Each brand’s overall STE Score is a combined average of its individual dealer performances. Scores ranged from 0 to 100 and include over 30 differently weighted measurements tracking the best practices most likely to generate service revenue and customer loyalty.

As important as the “how” this study was conducted is the “why” was it done. “The first service interaction that drives loyalty and service revenue is a customer’s initial phone call to schedule an appointment,” explains Cameron O’Hagan, Pied Piper’s Vice President of Metrics & Analytics. “Because these phone calls often go unnoticed in daily operations, they’re frequently neglected — and without clear visibility, improvement becomes difficult.” For more than 15 years, Pied Piper has independently published annual industry studies that rank the performance of brands and dealer groups. These studies track how industry performance changes over time and enables dealers to understand how their own performance compares.

JULY 2025

Continued on page 48

Continued from page 47

BMW Ranked Highest… Again! Consistency In Challenging Conditions “BMW has consistently been ranked among the top three performing brands during the three years this annual study has been conducted,” adds O’Hagan. “This year they have achieved the top position due to that consistency.” BMW led the 2025 STE study with an average STE score of 50 – the same score BMW achieved in both 2023 and 2024. The following are examples of behaviors which set BMW dealers apart from the industry average when customers call for service: • Higher Rate Of Setting Appointments – 65% of BMW service calls resulted in an appointment being set, compared to only 52% for the industry overall. • More Likely To Ask About Other Issues – BMW customers were asked if they had any other issues or needed any additional service 35% of the time on average, compared to only 22% of the time for the industry overall.

their phone having completely failed in their attempt to schedule service. The business implications between those two extremes are substantial, O’Hagan warned. Powersport Industry Performance Lacking In Key Areas Customer expectations for scheduling service aren’t set by the powersports industry. Nearly all powersports customers also schedule service for their cars and trucks. Over the past few years, the automotive industry has significantly improved the service scheduling experience for their customers. • Fail To Live Up To Expectations – Today, half of all auto service appointments for basic needs like oil changes are quickly booked online. With the help of AI-powered chat, 87% of auto customers who phone to schedule service end their call with an appointment—compared to only 52% of the powersports customers.

• More Likely To Ask if Visited Before – On average, BMW dealers asked service customers whether they had visited the dealership before 44% of the time, compared to 28% of the time for the industry overall.

• Too Many “Just Drop It Off” Demands – 41% of the time powersports customers were told to “just drop it off” and wait an undetermined amount of time, rather than the dealership committing to a specific date and time. In comparison, this unfavorable behavior occurs only 2% of the time in the auto industry.

• Reach Service Advisor Quickly – BMW customers on average reached a service advisor within one minute 84% of the time, compared to 78% of the time for the industry overall.

• Rarely Ask About Additional Services – Across the industry, only 22% of customers were asked if they had other issues or needed additional services—significantly lower than the 40% rate seen in the auto industry.

Why Should We Care About A Customer’s Service Telephone Experience? “Well-run service departments focus on building customer loyalty, and the first opportunity to drive that loyalty is a customer’s phone call to schedule an appointment,” O’Hagan noted. “Powersports customers who struggle to schedule service vote with their feet by moving to another dealership or independent shop.” Due to most powersports purchases being discretionary the failure to schedule simple service appointments can cost your customers, cautions O’Hagan. “If ownership becomes frustrating, many customers will begin to question whether it’s worth the effort and may sell the vehicle and become sour with the brand.”

Industry’s Greatest Opportunities For Improvement “The cliché is true: sales sells the first unit; service sells the rest,” said O’Hagan. “Dealerships that prioritize a superior service experience gain in both sales and service.” Pied Piper does offer some strategies to reverse the disturbing trends found in many dealerships’ service departments:

The industry’s average STE score improved one point over the past year, reaching an average score of 44, one point higher than 2024 but trailing the 2023 high watermark average score by two points. Performance varied substantially from dealership to dealership, with a minority of dealerships clearly benefiting from their superior processes —16% of dealerships nationally achieved STE scores over 70 by providing an interaction with their service customers that was speedy, efficient and proactively helpful. In contrast, customers for 11% of the dealerships hung up

• Turn “Just Drop It Off” Into A Positive – 41% of powersports customers are told to “just drop it off,” where the vehicle will wait—often outside in the elements—for an undetermined number of days, before the dealership will get to it. This demonstrates little concern for a customer’s time or expectations. However, this “drop it off” mentality can be transformed from a frustration into a positive experience by also offering an appointment. For example: “I can schedule you two weeks from today, or if you prefer, you’re welcome to bring it in and we’ll try to get to it sooner.” Framing it this way respects the customer’s time and shows that the dealership is organized and responsive—turning a traditionally negative interaction into a loyalty-building moment. • Understand What Customers Are Really Experiencing – In the 2025 study there were actually 14 brands which improved their STE score over the previous year. The brand with the greatest improvement was Kubota, with a six-point gain since last year, moving

from a tenth-place ranking in 2024 to second in this year’s study. Kubota dealers nearly doubled their rate of setting appointments, occurring 58% of the time in 2025 compared to 31% of the time last year. Kubota dealers also drastically cut the rate of insisting “just drop it off” from 62% of the time in 2024 to 38% of the time this year. The key to this improvement was showing dealers what their customers actually experienced when calling for service.

More than 50% of the time on average: Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, John Deere

2025 Brand Performance Compared Performance varied substantially by brand, as shown by these examples:

• “Inquire About Additional Services” — How often did the brand’s dealerships ask if there were other issues or services the customer would like to have addressed? More than 35% of the time on average: Ducati, Husqvarna, BMW, HiSun Less than 15% of the time on average: Yamaha, Segway, Arctic Cat, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, CFMoto, Triumph

• “Set an Appointment” - How often did the brand’s dealerships offer an appointment for a specific date and time? More than 60% of the time on average: Triumph, BMW, Royal Enfield, Moto Guzzi Less than 25% of the time on average: Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, John Deere • “Just Drop it Off” — How often did the brand’s dealerships insist that the customer drop off the vehicle without also offering an appointment? Less than 25% of the time on average: Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi

• “Average Days Out” – What were the brand’s dealerships’ average number of days out until the earliest available appointment? Less than 5 days on average: Kubota, Triumph, HarleyDavidson, Yamaha More than 10 days on average: Suzuki, Zero, HiSun

• “Communication Failure”— How often would calling a brand’s dealerships for service result in an issue that prevented communication (placed on hold indefinitely, straight to voicemail, stuck in phone tree, etc.)? Less than 5% of the time on average: Segway, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, Kubota, Polaris More than 15% of the time on average: Kymco, Zero, Ducati, Tracker

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KAYO COMING IN HOT EFI For 110 Thumper

hings are heating up this summer! Just in time for the kids to escape school and start riding until it gets too dark to see, Kayo USA announces the arrival of its all-new TD110 EFI. “This is one of the very first 110cc pitbikes equipped with electronic fuel injection (EFI) to hit the North American market,” says Kayo USA Marketing Director Brock Harden. “This launch marks a major milestone for us,” Harden notes. “We’re not just keeping up with industry trends — we’re setting them! The TD110 EFI reflects our continued mission to offer modern features and rock-solid reliability at a price that makes off-road fun more accessible than ever.” Based on Kayo’s proven TD platform, the TD110 EFI is built to deliver unmatched reliability, smoother throttle response, and easier cold starts — all at an incredibly competitive price point of $1,739! According to Harden, the TD110 EFI stands as a bold evolution of the carbureted TD125, a model that has already earned a loyal following thanks to its durable chassis, entry-level accessibility, and race-inspired styling. The introduction of fuel injection to the 110cc

class is yet another example of Kayo’s commitment to innovation and value for riders of all skill levels.

Designed for younger riders and new enthusiasts, the TD110 EFI features: • A fuel-injected 110cc four-stroke engine • Easy electric start • Semi-automatic transmission • Low-maintenance, youth-friendly ergonomics • A proven frame built for durability and rider confidence

IT’S HERE!

e’re proud to officially introduce the TD110 EFI, one of the first EFI pit bikes available in North America — and it’s ready to ride with full EPA and CARB approval. Despite industry-wide cost pressures from recent tariff hikes, we’re holding firm on pricing and delivering a fuel-injected 110cc model at an incredible value. This bike is a clear statement of Kayo’s commitment to affordability without compromise. Built off the proven TD platform, the TD110 EFI delivers easy-start reliability, smooth throttle response, and modern fuel injection — all at an unbeatable price.

✔✔ EFI performance ✔ ✔Electric & kick start ✔✔Hydraulic disc brakes ✔✔Skid plate + enclosed airbox ✔✔Classic pitbike ergonomics ✔✔MSRP: $1,779 “The adventure begins here,“ concludes Harden. “Whether it’s your first ride or your next weekend pit bike, ✔️6-month limited warranty the TD110 EFI is built to perform — without breaking the bank.” Interested in becoming a Kayo dealer? Click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjRVW PA9kVXT1v0PznwBs7KA2mm1A8JeT0Z2pwLzWV54Jk Vg/viewform

This is your shot to get ahead of the curve. Limited quantities available now — contact your rep to place an order.

JULY 2025

BEACHMAN WILL BE BACK AIMExpo 2026

CURRENTS+

READ ALL ABOUT!

BEACHMAN WILL BE BACK, EH?

Did you catch the cafe racer eBike in the Beachman booth at AIMExpo in Las Vegas? The Canadian-based outfit says that its flagship ’64 is rideable as either a Class II E-Bike or a Registered Moped (in most states). “The ‘64 is the ultimate weekend cruiser and daily driver for those who want to explore their home town in style,” explains co-founder Ben Taylor. “In 2022, we hit two major milestones; the release of our iconic ‘64 E-Bike, and the construction of our Toronto-based factory, where we now build every single Beachman by hand from a blank frame to a beautiful ride,” Taylor adds. “Opening up our own assembly line was a goal of ours from day one and we are so proud to now say that our bikes are designed and assembled by Canadians” However if you missed Beachman in Las Vegas, the good news is that they are California Dreaming and set to return to AIMExpo 2026, taking place January 7-9 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Dealers can expect to see the company’s latest electric bike models and newest technologies. SPECS • 3000w 72v Brushless Hub Motor (Limited to 750w when in E-bike Mode) • 55 Mile Range (increased to 70 miles with upgrade) • Max Weight 300 lbs (room for two… or your surfboard) • Anti-theft handlebar lock and double-locked battery • Removable 2.88 KWH lithium battery (35lbs) • Regenerative Braking • Remote start/stop feature • Bike Weight: 230lbs • Comes with MCO for Moped registration Can’t wait for AIMExpo? Click here: beachmanbikes.com

The Pack Reaches Out To eContent Creators According to Guy Salens — veteran media guy and leader of the pack at The Pack — now is the time to unite eBike journalists with content creators around the world. He bills the hybrid news/social media/marketing hub as one of the few international platforms dedicated to electric motorbike news. The plan is to expand its reach by building a global network of local journalists, bloggers, vloggers and media partners. The Pack’s goal: to deliver localized, credible, and engaging coverage of the electric revolution to the widest audience possible — while empowering creators to turn their passion into profit, he adds. For the record, we have been flogging eDEALERNEWS as a stand-alone section since 2018! “We’re inviting experienced motorbike storytellers to join a global community with the tools, visibility,and revenue opportunities to make a real impact in the electric mobility space,” Salens explains. “It seems like an ambitious plan, yet both Italy and China have already agreed to participate. I’m confident we can discover like-minded partners who share our vision and enthusiasm for advancing the e-mobility sector. We have the resources to establish the e-manufacturers online presence swiftly, matching the style of our global website. There’s a revenue model in place for content marketing opportunities, and you can even introduce your own THE PACK Plaza at an existing automotive event in your country.” THE PACK’S PROPOSITION • Monetization through content marketing: contributors will have access to a proven MediaPack, including paid brand collaborations and sponsored content opportunities within THE PACK’s growing network. • Website templates for local editions: local teams can launch their own region-specific platforms with ready-made website WordPress templates, mirroring the professional look-and-feel of THE PACK’s global site, ensuring visual consistency and fast rollout. • THE PACK Plaza – Beyond online: journalists and partners can also bring ‘startups and e-brands’ into an existing automotive event in their own country through THE PACK Plaza, our branded offline experience that gives local creators a chance to build community and showcase innovation in real life. “My aim is to position THE PACK as an internationally recognized brand and a top news source in the 2-wheeler e-mobility sector. I think that emphasizing local news will resonate more with regional audiences, which will help boost sales. By engaging with new readers who might not be English speakers,

we can significantly broaden our audience,” he notes. “The electric revolution needs strong voices,” concludes Salens. “If you’re a storyteller, creator, or motorbike journalist ready to join a global community shaping the future of mobility – THE PACK wants to hear from you.” Interested in leading the eBike charge? eMail Salens at: hello@motorguy.eu

DENAGO DOES eBIKES?

Who knew? Even after prowling through Denago’s massive factory for days, for the feature in this issue, we missed the eBikes. However the Hi Roller — a bold new addition to Denago’s 2025 eBike lineup that’s built for adventure and engineered for performance — is here in the U.S. now… in fact, Denago’s network of 300+ bicycle retailers began getting deliveries in May. To be fair, it is a totally separate division from Powersports and the EV Golf Cart arms. What we do know is that it comes with 20” x 4” fat tires, a 500W rear hub motor, torque sensor-assisted ride, Shimano 7-speed shifter, color display, rear cargo rack and even a 2-year warranty. MSRP is $1,899. Range for the sturdy stepthru is more than 60 miles and it is speed limited to 25 mph. Key Features: 1. 720Wh Internal Battery – Go further with reliable LG 21700 cells. 2. Intelligent Torque Sensor – Smooth, efficient assistance based on your pedaling. 3. TEKTRO Hydraulic Disc Brakes – 180mm rotors for powerful, responsive stopping. 4. Integrated Lights & Rear Rack – Ride safer, carry more. 5. BMX-style Handlebar & Comfort Saddle – A fun, sporty feel with maximum comfort. Just don’t pester your Powersports Division rep for details. Denago eBike dealer inquiries should be directed here: denago.com/pages/dealer

VELOCIFERO BACK ON TRACK

The folks who make the world’s fastest stand-up scooter charged into AIMExpo with a somewhat more sedate sit-down scooter…then the tariff troubles hit. “At Velocifero.us, we believe that mobility should be both thrilling and sustainable,” says marketing manager Brock Harden. “We are driven by heart… and passion.” A range of eMotos also joins the standup scooter that put the brand on the map in Europe. “Velocifero’s vision of transforming every journey into an exhilarating adventure… At Velocifero.us, we believe mobility should be both thrilling and sustainable.” Want to become a Velocifero USA dealer? Click here: www.velocifero-usa.com/become-a-dealer

JULY 2025

CURRENTS+

OEM UPDATE: D-MAX XT6 4X4 EV

A crowning achievement from Evolution Electric Vehicles! Six passengers, surround sound audio, 4WD for a shockingly low MSRP — Evolution has released the total package! “Our D-Max XT6 is the 4-wheel drive lifted 6-seater golf car your customers have been asking for, the $16,995 MSRP is what our dealers have requested,” says Evolution Electric’s Harvey Chen. “It combines elevated performance and style with a rugged design perfect for navigating diverse terrains.” Spacious seating for six, an on-demand 4-wheel drive system, premium PPG paint palette in a choice of 6 colorways, customizable lighting and a premium sound system ensure a top-tier driving experience for all passengers, he adds. Highlights include: • On-demand 4WD with dual motors • Electric Power Steering (EPS) • 16” aluminum wheels + all-terrain quiet tires • Touchscreen with CarPlay & premium surround sound • Wireless phone charging + built-in refrigerator • Rear utility box + golf bag holder extension • Sliding tray with portable cooler • LED headlights + underglow lighting • Marine-style luxury seats & running boards for comfort “Room for more, built for more,” concludes Chen. “The XT6 doesn’t just carry people — it carries expectations!” Click here for more details: evolutionelectricvehicle.com/d-max-xt6

OEM UPDATE: TAIGA BACK IN PRODUCTION

EV PWC innovator Taiga Motors Inc. is back in production and being delivered to dealers just in time for a hot summer season. The new MY25 Orca watercraft boasts a number of updates and upgrades, features new innovations, including significant advancements in battery performance and faster charging times. “Restarting production in such a short time is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team and the support of great partners,” said Matthew Taylor, Vice President, Operations. “We’ve leveraged years of operational lessons to build a robust, vertically integrated advanced manufacturing system right here in Canada. Everyone at Taiga is proud to persevere in leading production of the only personal watercraft still made in Canada.” Taylor claims Taiga will continue to strategically ramp up production at its advanced manufacturing facility in Montreal, Quebec with an installed capacity of up to 8,000 combined units per year, enabling delivery of cost-leading electric powertrain components to global boat manufacturers alongside Taiga’s electric vehicles. Taiga plans to begin producing new electric snowmobiles in the fall of 2025 to satisfy growing international demand for its products. This will continue to grow jobs and technological leadership within the Canadian EV industry. “The rapid introduction of new battery technologies is possible thanks to Taiga’s vertical integration bringing advanced engineering and automated production together all under one roof,” said Paul Achard, Chief of Engineering. “We are excited to implement this breakthrough battery technology in our upcoming snowmobile production and future powertrain products.” “We’re also rapidly expanding our global dealer, distributor and commercial fleet networks” concludes Taiga’s Del Munoz, VP of Sales. “We have resumed dealer acquisition across North America and many international markets, providing increased availability in more countries than ever before.” Click here to become a Taiga dealer: www.taigamotors.com/en/dealers

Communications Manager, Bryan Campbell has changed his duds: “I’m happy to share that I’ve started a new position as PR and Communications Manager at Zero Motorcycles Inc. It’s a fun full-circle moment, joining a brand I’ve worked with frequently over the years, throughout my career.” The former Forbes Magazine freelancer notes, “Exciting projects are on the horizon, and I’m very much looking forward to being a part of it all.”

STARK FUTURE BRINGS ON BIANCHI

Former BRP and Michelin exec Philippe Gadbois brings his lifelong passion for powersports and 15 year professionalism to his new role as Global Business Development Manager for Taiga Motors. Gadbois onboarded just in time to relaunch the Orca PWC this summer and he is charged up to join the upstart EV manufacturer at this juncture. As cool as the product is, it is the people that count, according to Gadbois. “At the heart of my approach is a human-centric philosophy: I believe that genuine relationships — whether with clients, team members, or stakeholders — are the foundation of sustained success. My goal is not only to deliver measurable results but also to contribute to the well-being and development of everyone involved.

SPEAKING OF ZERO…

Former Senior MarComm Manager Dan Quick zips from Zero to Stark Future as the new global media director. “His track record in crafting impactful storytelling, building meaningful media relationships, and leading highly successful product and brand campaigns aligns perfectly with our mission to amplify the Stark brand worldwide,” says Benjamin Cobb, director of brand communications. “His expertise will also help strengthen Stark’s media partnerships and reporting processes, delivering measurable results for our brand and partners.” At Stark, Quick will work with the marketing, sales, creative, and brand communications teams to ensure that media efforts boost awareness, drive customer engagement and support sales performance globally. He will drive the company’s global media strategy and expand its presence across both endemic and non-endemic media platforms. This isn’t Quick’s first stint in the saddle, before Stark and Zero, he was head of marketing at Specialized Bicycle Components.

After the past two years twisting the throttle for Alpinestars as Brand

ICE industry icon Martino Bianchi has shifted to EV as Stark Future’s new Racing Partnership Manager. “We’re proud to welcome Martino to Stark Future as our new Racing Partnership Manager, a role that perfectly reflects his extraordinary legacy in motorsport,”says Anton Wass. “With more than 45 years of experience across PR, racing and talent development, Martino has worked with some of the most iconic manufacturers in the industry,including Yamaha, Husqvarna, Honda HRC and Ducati, and has been involved in over 60 world titles across motocross, enduro and rally racing. From managing Yamaha’s Dakar efforts in the late ’80s to serving as General Manager of Honda HRC’s Dakar project and, more recently, consulting Ducati on its Desmo 450MX program, Martino has consistently pushed the boundaries of off-road racing at the highest level. He’s also a passionate mentor and talent scout, having founded the Manetta Team, a minicross development program that’s already producing European champions. “Martino’s appointment marks a pivotal moment in Stark Future’s evolution as we deepen our presence in racing and lay the groundwork for a new era in offroad competition,” concludes Wass.

JULY 2025

All Franchised and Independent Powersports Dealers

ENCOURAGED TO JOIN

WHY JOIN NPDA NATIONAL VOICE OF THE DEALER EDUCATION DISCOUNT PROGRAMS DEALER COMMUNICATION ADVOCACY AND MUCH MORE

ABOUT NPDA The National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) was founded in 2021 and is an association dedicated to direct interaction with our members. Our Mission Statement is for the NPDA to empower franchised and independent Powersports Dealers through special services, products, programs, education, and advocacy of Dealer views and concerns to create a professional, successful, and profitable industry. Our Vision is for the NPDA to advance our industry by elevating Dealers to be well prepared, sustainably profitable, and exceed the expectations of a growing Powersports customer base.

www.npda.org 844-673-2266 For the NPDA to become a productive and powerful force, we need to expand our membership base and bring all franchised and independent dealers in the country together. Please complete your membership application today.

Monthly News & Updates

June 2025 | Issue 6

Welcome to Traction, the monthly newsletter of the NPDA. Please reach out if you have any questions or anything we can help you with. Make sure to View all of the Member Benefits being offered by our NPDA Partners by clicking here.. We hope to see you on an EDGE webinar soon!

HARLEY CALLS FOR HELP, NPDA ANSWERS #WeAreBetterTogether By Bob Kee, NPDA Board Chair, Owner of Destination Cycle When Harley-Davidson calls, your association answers. Fellow board member Brett Tekavec forwarded a note he received from Harley-Davidson Government Affairs Manager Guido Zucconi regarding some pending legislation that stands to impact the powersports industry: “I need the NPDA’s help with some Senators. As you may know, the tax bill currently going through Congress has a provision that would allow consumers to deduct the interest payment on a new US-made motorcycle. This passed the House but now the Senate is considering removing motorcycles and allowing the deduction only for automobiles. “An official letter of support from the NPDA would show the Senate that this deduction would not only help manufacturers but dealers and other community-based businesses… If you decide to support this, I suggest reaching out to Senator Thune and Senator Crapo, who are the key leaders on this bill.” I immediately had round-robin conversations that morning with the Executive Committee and sent the word to our entire Board. After feedback from the Board, we collectively decided that supporting the bill and joining our message with The Motor Company was a solid move for the industry. Within an hour, NPDA Secretary/Treasurer Kim Harrison had drafted a letter on NPDA letterhead (attached) to send to Senators Ernst, Thune, Crapo and Congressman Walberg — all critical voices in this legislation and motorcycle related issues at the federal level. Next, I sent the letter to George Gatto to make sure the tone and wording worked for the NPDA’s HD Council. He gave me the green light. After signing the four letters and scanning them, I attempted to find direct emails for the recipients. All the websites for the Senators and Congressman had contact forms that did not allow attachments. So I contacted Brett who thought Guido might have the inside track. I sent Guido a text. Twenty minutes later I received a phone call from him. We shared a very productive 15 minute call. He told me he did have direct emails, and that if I forwarded them to him, he would get our letters in front of the right eyeballs. An hour later, I received the copies of the emails that he sent. I shared Guido’s contact information with George so that they could start a conversation with the legislators specifically from our Harley-Davidson Council… By then, it was 5:00 and time for my evening scotch and cigar. I reflected that it was a Friday well spent.

DEALERCONNECT IS THE ONE EVENT POWERSPORTS DEALERS CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS! DealerConnect 2025 brings together the business-critical education you need with the high-value, face-to-face conversations that drive real results. Hear from industry experts delivering timely, relevant insights tailored specifically to Powersports retailers so you leave with ideas you can use immediately.

This year, DealerConnect takes place at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in the newly built addition Tower 402 that is connected to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, featuring state-of-the-art meeting facilities and well-designed spaces to conduct business. Located on High Street in the heart of Columbus’ vibrant Short North district, you’ll be steps away from top restaurants, bars, and all the amenities you need to make the most of your visit. And this year’s event is bigger and better than ever with more space, more sessions, and more activities to create stronger connections and even better business outcomes. You’ll also gain exclusive networking opportunities with NPDA Partners, leading industry voices, and fellow dealers from across the country, building relationships that extend far beyond the event. Developed for dealers, by dealers. DealerConnect is where Powersports business moves forward. Register today to secure your spot! Member Registration........................$299 New Member+Registration...............$694 REGISTER TODAY! Non-Member Dealer Registration....$729

HOST HOTEL:

The Hilton Columbus Downtown 402 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215

The Hilton is within walking distance to more than 150 dining & entertainment venues located in the Short North Arts District. With direct access to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Nationwide Arena and North Market are also nearby. Discover our art collection, which is comprised of nearly 400 original pieces by Central Ohio artists. Hilton Columbus Downtown also offers an indoor pool, two fitness centers & several dining options. book.passkey.com/go/NPDADealerConnect2025

PARTNER PROFILE: PROFESSIONAL REP ASSOCIATION JOINS NPDA So You Asked How The PRA Started? By Sid Humphreys

When the Professional Rep Association reached out to your NPDA, the message was clear that #WeAreBetterTogether. What wasn’t so obvious is what is PRA and how did it get established in a vacuum? Here is the scoop, courtesy of the co-founder Sid Humphreys: It’s a cumulative effort from many viewpoints. It started behind the parts counter at Star City Powersports in Roanoke VA, now known as Motosport Roanoke. My Goal was to learn each department in the retail powersports dealership to see where that took me. I got my shot in 2018 when I took a job with Western Power Sports in eastern NC. It was then that I started to understand how important the relationship between rep and dealer really was and how paramount good service can be to a dealership’s success and overall revenue. Some dealers were more receptive to consultations and ideas than others but that wasn’t good enough for me. I noticed early on a mentality that just seemed bad for business. A mentality that says “oh you need me Mr. Rep” or a rep mentality saying “you need me Mr. Dealer”. I never understood the combativeness here.

Fast forward to 2023 when my career took a more “remote” approach to support my family’s needs as a Regional rep. My conversations quickly went from parts managers and sometimes GM’s, to Owners, Principals and GMs. A conversation stuck out when I was talking with a well known industry professional at a dealer show when he said that there were 3 legs that drive this industry. MIC, AMA and the dealer network. I quickly replied, “That’s inaccurate… You need 4 legs for a chair and what about the rep or brand/product that gets sold into those dealers? It was a long pause and then a shrug of the shoulders... We realize, there is no stability or resources to the current rep force unless that was provided by the Distributors or aftermarket companies. We need to provide a place for reps and companies to work collaboratively to deliver the service we all expect. It wasn’t long before we started to see reps getting rug yanked from under them time and time again in hopes to find the next opportunity. Which now leaves dealerships with subpar service or maybe no service at all. Not good for our dealers. During the discovery of the PRA, we’ve recognized a major gap—there’s no clear career path for those looking to grow beyond the dealership. As a result, 1099 opportunities have faded, and dealers are left with fewer reps and less product visibility. When a new product wants to enter our space, or a brand is looking to expand their rep force, where do they go? Typically, you call around and ask if anyone knows anyone right?

THE PRA IS BORN:

For those 1099 reps who wish to invest in their business, we aim to give them the resources they need to excel. For those grasshoppers behind the counter that have big plans, we will provide a pathway. For those reps who’s territory got cut or chopped all together, we have resources and partners available. For those companies and brands who need representation, we will provide you with PRA certified professionals. All which provides the stability we seek. I go back to the beginning of my story when I mentioned some of the dealers were less receptive to teachings or had their “guard up” when talking to a “sales guy.” With the PRA certification program our hope is that we can provide a group of TRUSTED industry sales professionals to the mass dealer network to provide a healthy buying experience. We have the right heads around the table and a long list of Industry experts who have stood up to offer their knowledge and experience. We are taking that knowledge and experience from industry lifers and passing it along to the next generation and wave of 1099’s. This partnership with the NPDA will also provide paramount feedback directly from the dealer network on best practices that want in a rep. We expect to have a great shopping experience when coming into a dealership right? To do that the dealer needs to train and look for ways to enhance operations. Now it’s our turn to be better, not just for us but for the whole industry!

ADVERTISING MAKES IT HAPPEN! ADWAVE MAKES IT HAPPEN FOR DEALERS

As part of its membership package and growth initiative, the National Powersports Dealer Association premiered Powersports World TV at its recent DealerConnect national convention. As we all know, TV advertising is a powerful tool, but many dealerships can’t afford it or don’t have the time to figure out how to get a commercial on TV. “As great a job as dealers do, there are huge barriers in TV advertising,” concedes NPDA’s Growth Committee Chair Bob Althoff. “Producing a TV commercial, hiring an ad agency, targeting and buying media, all demand significant time, cost and knowledge.” For these reasons, the Dealer Association has partnered with the experts at Adwave to knock down the barriers to entry. “With technology and innovation at our core, our team of AdTech, AI, Behavioral Science and TV veterans are passionate about breaking down these barriers and opening the gates for businesses of any size to leverage the power of TV advertising,” explains Adwave Co-Founder and CEO David Naffis. Adwave creates TV commercials informed by the latest insights from behavioral science that are powerful and designed to deliver a brand’s message effectively. “Our expertise in TV advertising simplifies the media buying process and gets your ad on your customers’ favorite shows just a few clicks.” See Adwave at DealerConnect or click here for AdWave’s sizzle reel: videos.ctfassets.net/fia320z3blxi/6xkqrpdAGcPmktkenw7VIW/a9b7ccb00f8615fbf2c5d8609d17d2e8/adwave-reel.mp4 According to Naffis, Adwave’s mission is the full package of ad generation and getting your ad on TV, all in just minutes… and minimal cost to NPDA dealers! Membership really does have its privileges! Stay tuned… or better yet, dial in your dealership’s TV ads now! Watch here or find us on these platforms: DAZN, Sling, FreeCast, DistroTV, LocalNow, Fubo, Streamstak and Roku.

JULY 2025

French notes the actions below aim to maintain essential services, address critical risks and support the agency’s priorities. Key focus areas (excluding ROADS) with dedicated working groups include: • Employee and public safety • Disaster recovery • Active management (timber/vegetation/fuels) • Recreation • Energy, minerals and geology • NEPA planning • Grants and agreements • Information technology • Communication and legislative affairs • Fire response (incident management capacity) • Human resources • Law enforcement and investigations

FOREST ROADS CRITICAL FACTOR TO RECREATION, WILDFIRE & FOREST HEALTH By Don Amador

s a long-time partner, access to Forest Service System Roads & Trails is mission critical for our OHV recreation and post wildfire trail stewardship efforts. Therefore QWR appreciates Chief Tom Shultz’s commitment to managed outdoor recreation, resource management, fuel projects and wildfire mitigation activities. In fact, the Forest Transportation System functions as the common thread that binds or connects virtually all forest recreation, management, research or cultural activities. Yet to date, none of the Administration’s stated policies or guidelines – including the May 20 post by Acting Associate Chief Chris French – have highlighted “roads” as a key focus area. No one has acknowledged the fact that none of the on- theground Forest management objectives or goals happen unless the actual Forest roads damaged or blown out during winter storms are repaired in a timely manner. ACTING ASSOCIATE CHIEF CHRIS FRENCH, MAY 20, STATEMENT ON OPERATIONAL PLANNING www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/leadership/update-interimoperational-planning

• Budget • Chief Finance Office (payments, billings & reimbursable agreements) • Procurement & property services/contracts, facilities & leasing Over the last 4-5 years, the subject of not having the funds and resources to effect post-winter repairs of stormdamaged Forest Service roads is almost always part of any conversation that QWR has had with agency staff and other partners. QWR believes the Administration and Congress should make maintaining the Transportation System a top priority if they plan on increasing the pace and scale of forest management treatments. CHIEF TOM SHULTZ POSTS MAY 6 UPDATE ON NEXT STEPS www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/leadership/our-next-steps

Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation management profession for 35 years. Don is President of Quiet Warrior Racing LLC. Don is Past President/CEO and current board member of the Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance. Don is a Co-Founder and Core-Team member on FireScape Mendocino, a forest health collaborative that is part of the National Fire Learning Network. Don served as an AD Driver for the Forest Service North Zone Fire Cache during the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Fire Seasons. Don is a Pacific Northwest California native and writes from his home in Cottonwood, CA.

Sure, there will always be problems, power plays, drama, rules, regulations, financial disagreements and more… but that is true of any team sport, business office, association or club. Heck, my homeowner’s association and the PTA are this way all the time, but I now more fully realize why we have them in the first place—it would be chaos without them! We are humans after all, and we can’t do EVERYTHING by ourselves. Being shy or anti-social in nature is no excuse to avoid the power of things larger than life — or at least larger than your life. The power of working with other people who are NOT like you is that it balances and completes you professionally, socially and soulfully.

Confessions Of A Customer® By Eric Anderson

NOT A JOINER? ME NEITHER! Why You Should Reconsider… Now!

It almost doesn’t matter what you join. Just join something. As a motorcycle dealer, I would highly suggest the National Powersports Dealer Association (npda.org). As a racer, I would join the American Motorcyclist Association (americanmotorcyclist.com) and local event-oriented clubs. How about an adventure bike club and local BDR fans? Maybe make up your own local club of like 5-10 riders who get along and have similar skills and desires. If you are a manufacturer or service provider, how about joining the Motorcycle Industry Council (mic.org), the industry’s incredible source of data, legislative watchdog services and committees specializing in any number of things? And don’t forget the MIC’s sister organizations like SVIA, MSF and ROHVA (depending on what your vehicular pleasure is). MIC even seeks to invite more riders to ride more (ridewithus.com) and bring the entire industry together at AIMExpo (aimexpousa.com).

Joining clubs was never my style.

Unless it was AMA for racing, I didn’t want to join anything… or socialize… or even deal with the baggage that comes with a hierarchy of any sort. Yes, I was a hermit, hooligan, lone wolf, pioneer, recluse and homebody all the while maintaining my motorcycles and riding them with a very small clan of fellow (unorganized) riders. Actually it seemed normal at the time, but as I got older, I began to slowly understand the power of numbers. There is power in team strength. The even greater power in having multiple points of view and a collection of brains working synergistically for one common goal. What’s funny, I was so self-contained in my ways that I never really put 2 and 2 together to realize my AMAsanctioned and local motocross racing would never have been possible without me “joining” a larger group of humans all dedicated to the same thing I was.

These are additional benefits to joining “something.”

Riding a motorcycle, ATV or side-by-side is not necessarily a club activity for many of us. We often tend to ride alone or only with family because we want to get away from people — not cluster in groups. But…and there is always a but…you might consider resisting our country’s tendency toward divisiveness and division by going the other way. Attending church on Sunday’s used to pull people together, yet many of us have grown away from such formal religious activities toward something else like racing motocross “On Any Sunday.” How about re-considering the “join something” crew in order to re-build the following: • Community: Build yourself a sense of belonging. Join a group of like-minded individuals to do something for a good cause even if it is just for fun. • Personal Growth: Rolf Tibblin used to tell me, “You will never get any faster unless you race against riders faster than you are.” Yes, it’s a metaphor for you “racer heads” to join something that makes you a better rider, a better person or a better business leader. • Networking: Build up your connections with more professionals who you would never meet unless you get out of your own personal box. • Skill Development: Like racing, you won’t get any better without some competition and group support in your life. It could be AA, AMA, MIC or NPDA. Join something. • Improved Well Being: As soon as I joined my local group of off-road riders, I sighed for some reason. It was a sigh that indicated I was surrounded by a “family” of sorts. I was in my good place once again. • Making a Difference: Together we can move mountains. All it needs is focus and some energy and it’s unbelievable what we can do as a group. Build pyramids. Stop the Lead Ban. Exempt motorcycles from bad legislation. Train 300,000 new riders a year how to ride more safely. Grow an industry trade show. • Fun: I loved being a hermit… for a while. But it gets boring if you let it. Letting in other people (joining) and groups makes life and its accompanying challenges that much more fun. Bottom Line: being part of a collective solution is better than being an individual problem. As my dealer friends at NPDA say: #WeAreBetterTogether.

#WEAREBETTERTOGETHER

here are associations for everything… There is literally an Association of Associations! To make a difference and tap into the power of the greater collective good I recommend changing from a dyed in the wool non-joiner. These are the major associations for you in our industry. Join a couple and see how it changes your life and your business. Motorcycle Industry Council for OEMs, aftermarket manufacturers, service providers, dealers and the entire industry: mic.org/# National Powersports Dealer Association for dealers. State dealer associations are listed here too: www.npda.org American Motorcyclist Association Club Finder by City and State for riders, racers and dealers: americanmotorcyclist.com/organizers/charter/ chartered-organizations-list Motorcycle Safety Foundation: msf-usa.org Specialty Vehicle Institute of America: svia.org Motocross Track Association MXTA is a non-profit organization dedicated to revolutionizing the motocross track experience: mxta.org Powerports Rep Association road warriors unite: powersportsrepassociation.org

When else are you going to do it?

JULY 2025

WOMEN, WHEELS & WINE What Else Do You Need? By Aliceje Keyburn

he deal is real and the revolution to get women into the skilled trades continues! Once again Doffo Winery stepped up to host a fundraising event to support Motorcycle SkilledTrade Educational Programs for Women. All the raffle proceeds go to internship/apprenticeships, scholarships and partner sponsorships, through Real Deal Revolution — a 501c3 nonprofit that is revolutionizing the perception of skilled trades, and women’s roles in them. Co-founded by the late Jessi Coombs and Theresa Contreras, The Real Deal is a group of women dedicated to the trades, building community, and inspiring others to push past their limits! “We set out to change the world with our revolution to be the ‘Real Deal’ and share the mission with others,” says Theresa. And what a mission:

MISSION... To revolutionize the perception of skilled trades and women’s roles in them. It is our mission to motivate others in a way that breeds self-confidence, breaking stereotypes, healthy decisions, hands-on training, creative development, positive images, community involvement, and grabbing life by the balls.

However changing the world requires breaking stereotypes and bringing everyone together. How better to do that than with motorcycles at a winery/ museum? Word went out and women’s groups like my friends with The Litas rode in from all over SoCal to support the mission.

Theresa Contreras

Check out the schedule of events, get on the mailing list and join the Real Deal Revolution to bring women to the skilled trades: www.realdealrevolution.org

JULY 2025

KYT UNVEILS “LEOPARD AMERERICAS Just in time to declare independence from overpriced kit, KYT Americas introduces the all-new Leopard Americas graphic for its best-selling TT REVO helmet. Designed to celebrate the spirit of American riders, this special edition incorporates elements of the U.S. flag with a dynamic fireworks motif on the rear of the helmet. The new graphic is now available through authorized KYT dealers and at KYT Americas for just $179.99.

“This new graphic is a fun and meaningful way for riders to express their patriotism while still getting the highperformance safety and comfort KYT is known for,” states Tim Calhoun, National Sales Manager for KYT Americas. “KYT designed the Leopard Americas to stand out—not just visually, but in every aspect of rider experience. It’s a great addition to the TT REVO lineup, and we’re excited to see it hit dealers and get on the road this summer.”

S” FOR TT REVO

The TT REVO helmet merges racing DNA with allday comfort and safety, making it a favorite for both everyday riders and motorsports enthusiasts. It features an aerodynamic shell developed through wind tunnel testing, three shell and EPS sizes for a tailored fit, and certification under both DOT FMVSS No. 218 and ECE 22.06 standards. Key features include a Pinlock-ready Class-1 polycarbonate visor, tool-free ratchet system, Double D-ring closure, and a removable Hydrocool liner with reflective accents for added visibility.

JULY 2025

MIL-SPEC SEATS TMI Ready To Battle

“We know that Can-Am owners push their rigs to the limit, which is why traditional tarp-style seat bases aren’t good enough,” explains TMI Marketing Communications Manager Christian Tuccinardi. The team at TMI turned to the military for the solution — dubbed “Military Inspired Damping“ – in order to maximize load distribution throughout the seat base. “We drew inspiration from military helicopter seats and designed a nylon webbing suspension system that provides superior load distribution and better damping force compared to standard UTV seat base designs.

“This translates into greater comfort and less fatigue over rough terrain, and softer landings when coming off jumps,” he adds. “Integrated limit straps ensure consistent performance allowing the optimum amount of flex.” The first models to get Military Inspired Damping seats are the 2017-2025 Can-Am Maverick X3/X3 Max and 2024-2025 Can-Am Maverick R! Rock-Solid Construction – The frames of TMI Products’ Can-Am Maverick Suspension Seats are CNC-designed, and made using mandrel-bent, notched and welded 1”

Features: • Military-inspired nylon web seat base design maximizes load distribution and damping • CNC-designed frame made using 1” OD powder-coated steel tubing for maximum strength • High-density 2” molded foam seat core provides years of comfort • Marine-grade, UV-resistant vinyl covers stand up to the elements and debris • Removable seat base pad for easy cleaning • Bolt to factory seat brackets or optional TMI Products seat brackets (sold separately) • Sold as a pair, guaranteed fit: 2017-2025 Can-Am Maverick X3 2017-2025 Can-Am Maverick X3 Max 2024-2025 Can-Am Maverick R For more information, click here: www.tmiproducts.com OD powdercoated steel frames. High-density 2”-thick molded foam makes up the core of the seat, and they are wrapped in premium, UV-resistant Marine-grade vinyl that will look new even after years of abuse. “We know it gets dirty out there, so we made the seat base pad removable for easy cleaning,” notes Tuccinardi. Fast & Easy Installation – TMI Products’ Can-Am Maverick seats are designed to bolt directly into the factory mounting points using TMI’s custom seat brackets and sliders made specifically for the Can-Am Maverick.

They feature integrated seat belt slots compatible with the factory belts as well as most 4- and 5-point harness systems. Make Them Your Own – TMI Products Can-Am Suspension seats are available in our traditional Sport pattern or our premium Double Diamond stitch pattern, in 5 different color combinations designed to match most factory color schemes.

JULY 2025

VALE JOE TERESI

e are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Joe Teresi (March 13, 1941- April 25, 2025). A personal note from Ellen:

Joe Teresi, the last of Easyriders’ founders, is on his final ride. Joe dedicated his life to motorcycles and the biker lifestyle. I thank all of you for your loyalty to the brand and for making Joe’s dreams become reality. He had a hell of a ride! — Ellen Teresi It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joe Teresi, a revered figure in motorcycle culture and the last surviving founder of Easyriders magazine. Joe passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 84, marking the end of an era for the motorcycle world.

Joe’s impact on generations of riders and enthusiasts is immeasurable. In 1970, alongside Lou Kimzey and Mil Blair, Joe co-founded Easyriders magazine. Under his leadership, it became the definitive voice of American bikers—a bold, unapologetic celebration of freedom, individuality, and the open road. The magazine’s vivid imagery, particularly the iconic artwork of David Mann, helped define and elevate the custom motorcycle lifestyle. Joe’s journey began in California in the 1960s, where he started altering American and British motorcycles, ultimately focusing on Harley-Davidsons. With a passion for performance and innovation, he played a key role in popularizing the extended fork configuration, and established one of the first outlets for aftermarket parts and accessories. His contributions didn’t stop at

motorcycles; through Paisano Publications, he expanded Easyriders into a global phenomenon, commanding the largest circulation of motorcycle magazines worldwide. Beyond publishing, Joe was a fierce advocate for biker rights. He helped lay the foundation for the National Custom Cycle Association, which would evolve into ABATE, a critical voice for motorcyclists’ freedoms nationwide. Joe also used his platforms to champion the work of custom builders like Arlen Ness, Indian Larry and Dave Mann, nurturing the artistry that fueled a renaissance in motorcycle design and culture. Through it all, Joe Teresi united the biker community, amplifying their voices, celebrating their stories, and inspiring countless riders across the globe. His contributions transformed motorcycling from a niche passion into an iconic, global movement. Joe Teresi’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of motorcycle history—a legacy that will continue to ride on. Ride free, Joe. You will never be forgotten. The Teresi family appreciates your condolences and asks for privacy as they grieve and process their loss.

JULY 2025

S&S CYCLE SADLY ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF WARNER RILEY

une 16, 2025 Viola, WI — S&S Cycle is saddened to share information about the passing of Warner Riley. Warner was an integral part of the S&S Cycle history, and we turned to Ken Smith, George Smith Jr. and Sam Scaletta for a brief look at the many contributions Warner brought us. Warner Riley – The Complete Package Warner Riley’s relationship with S&S Cycle began back in the mid-1960s, first as a customer and then as a friend. Early on, he had purchased some parts from S&S to build a larger displacement Sportster he had that he wished to make more competitive as he was doing some

weekend racing at local drag strips around Chicago. During construction of the engine, he ran into a problem when fitting the intake manifold to his cylinder heads. Thinking there was a problem with the machining, he called S&S Cycle owner George Smith. After talking for a while explaining what he encountered, Warner asked if he could bring his engine so George could look at everything at his home in Blue Island, Illinois. Since Warner lived on the North side of Chicago, it seemed like the best solution. After inspection, George determined that the problem was not in the machining of the manifold, but in the way the aftermarket big bore cylinders Warner was using were made. Warner, a graduate mechanical engineer, immediately understood after the problem was diagnosed.

The two conversed for quite a while picking each other’s brain, talking about Harley performance, racing, and Warner thought it would be interesting for George to attend a local race and see for himself what was going on at the track. At the time, George was working on a new project — a high-performance carburetor for Harleys that was his life-long dream — and some trips to the racetrack seemed like a great idea.

Warner became news for the motorcycle publications, and because of his ability to convey a message, he began writing a monthly magazine column. His knowledge about the magazine industry and association with the publications enabled S&S Cycle to more efficiently advertise on a broader scale, making the public more aware of the company, and that greatly helped sales of S&S products.

It wasn’t long before a friendship evolved between the two. Warner’s love for competition and going fast and George’s suggestion soon lead to racing at the “great white dyno,” the Bonneville Salt Flats. It turned out to be the perfect venue for S&S Cycle to test the durability of its products and for Warner to satisfy his “need for speed.” Quickly George saw the complete package in Warner. He was a smart, college trained engineer, with a good knowledge of the motorcycle industry, HarleyDavidsons, racing, and was articulate so he could put his thoughts and actions into words.

Meanwhile, Warner’s relationship with the HarleyDavidson factory and racing department blossomed beyond his primary interest, going fast. His training as a mechanical engineer and ability as a motorcycle rider put him in a unique position to test and evaluate Harley handling characteristics, performance, and features and serve as an expert witness in many court cases. His experience in court also helped S&S avoid legal issues during product development.

During the first few years of racing at Bonneville, the pair established themselves by setting record after record, at least 16 total at one time, with the highlight being Warner’s entry into the coveted motorcycle 200mph club. Along the way, they both were part of the HarleyDavidson team that sponsored the Denis Manning motorcycle streamliner in 1970 that set the motorcycle land speed record, which still stands, with Warner building and supplying the engines and George Smith supplying his new carburetor and doing the tuning.

On another side, our friend Warner was a guy with other interests. When S&S cycle relocated to Viola, WI, he would make the drive to visit and combine business with pleasure, often bringing a dirt bike or new gun to shoot. On one trip, a Saturday was planned where any of the S&S shop employees who had a favorite firearm could bring it to the farm and shoot at a junk foreign motorcycle he donated. You guess the brand.

Continued on page 76

JULY 2025

Continued from page 75

With little left to prove, he retired from active Bonneville racing for S&S Cycle shortly after George Smith Sr. passed away in 1980. His friendship with the business and family did not end there, and nor did his enthusiasm for the sport. He would often attend Bonneville Speed Week to watch and talk with old friends. He became a friend of George Smith Jr., who had taken over as the company President and was responsible for research and product development. Much like his father, George Jr. ventured into Bonneville racing and on occasion, Warner would help him when he had a problem. When George senior was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Sturgis in 1994, Warner said he had to be there to say a few words. All that can be said is, what a guy! Warner was the complete package, a great friend, and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, friend. The Smith Family and S&S Cycle

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