Forty-Nine KTM Retailers Join as New Dealer Members of MIC

The recent addition of 49 KTM retailers to the Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) new dealer membership class will help further the MIC’s continuing efforts to increase the support for and the strength of the powersports industry overall.

In a show of support for the dealer membership class, Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM offered to pay the membership dues of its dealers who joined the MIC, with the caveat that the dealers would repay the OEM at a later date. Including these new KTM retailers, 238 dealers have joined the MIC so far. All together, they represent 40 states and 139 out of 436 congressional districts.

“The MIC can’t thank KTM enough for their generous support of the new dealer membership class,” said Mark Blackwell, Polaris vice president, special projects, and MIC chair. “By proactively encouraging their dealers to join the MIC, KTM has demonstrated the kind of synergistic relationship with its dealers necessary to help unite the powersports industry and ensure its successful growth. Manufacturers, dealers, distributors and customers; together, we create our industry, and each of us is a vital component of the owning experience. On behalf of the MIC board, we are pleased and honored to welcome these KTM dealers to the MIC.”

Earlier this year, the MIC welcomed dealers to its membership for the first time since 1974. The goal was for the dealers to help unite the powersports industry under the MIC umbrella, ultimately strengthening existing dealer networks and improving the overall customer experience. The new dealer members join the MIC’s nearly 300 existing member companies, which include motorcycle manufacturers and distributors, aftermarket product manufacturers, importers and distributors, and more.

“KTM is proud to contribute to the strength of the MIC and its dealer membership class with the addition of these KTM retailers,” said Jon-Erik Burleson, president of KTM North America and MIC vice chair. “Maintaining close relationships with our dealers is a priority at KTM, as is promoting their active involvement in the MIC’s activities, most specifically in the areas pertaining to land access and government relations. At KTM, we consider encouraging our dealers to join the MIC as a ‘call to action,’ if you will — a request to come together and support our industry overall, and ultimately to help it grow.”

MIC members enjoy extensive benefits that include access to the MIC’s proprietary market research data, technical data, both Federal and state regulatory support, and a variety of industry discounts. They also benefit from a Dealer Advisory Council that represents their needs and interests, and assists them in regards to market expansion, training and education, public policy and government relations, safety and general member support.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.