‘Déjà Vu’ for January Wholesale Prices
Déjà vu is defined as “a feeling of having already experienced the present situation.” This is an apt description for Average Wholesale Prices (AWP) in January as 2017 got underway. Markets in the West started slow in San Diego and Dallas, then picked up steam in Cincinnati and Atlanta as the month progressed. This is
Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017
Our latest survey of powersports dealers indicates that the retail sales environment improved sequentially but on balance remained weak to close out the year. For many powersports and motorcycle dealers, the end of 2016 couldn’t arrive soon enough, as end-markets were choppy and consumers were generally more price sensitive than at any point since the
Bring on the Luck of the… Sauerkraut?
I have been eating pork and sauerkraut for years on New Year’s Day without ever questioning it – until this year – finally. Sauerkraut, along with pork, is eaten traditionally in Pennsylvania on New Year’s Day. The tradition was started by the Pennsylvania Dutch and is thought to bring good luck for the upcoming year.
Anticipating Improved Retail Sales in 2017
Our latest survey of powersports dealers indicates that the retail sales environment remained weak in November. The general theme in the marketplace is that consumer interest was focused on model year 2016 products with large incentives. While the amount of 2016 units on showroom floors were nearly depleted by month end on many models, we
Shifting Gears (January): Printing All The News That Fits
Turmoil in the e-tail ranks to ring in the New Year! Word broke December 16th that RevZilla frontman Anthony Bucci was out as CEO effective January 13, 2017. “As I looked towards RevZilla’s future – which I believe has incredible potential – I recognized that the best approach for continued growth and expansion is a
Music City Indian / Victory Motorcycles
Most people go on Yelp to complain. It is really hard to get people to post compliments about a business online, but Music City Indian and Victory, located in Nashville, Tenn., home of the guitar picking, strumming and twanging Nashville Cats, has done it. Music City has managed, despite the odds, to get a five-star
Motorcycle Industry Council Announces 2017 Board of Director Election Results
The members of the Motorcycle Industry Council have elected Paul Puma to the 2017 MIC Board of Directors. In addition, Arnold W. Ackerman and Andy Leisner have each been reelected to the MIC board. All three will serve two-year terms.
’16 was not so Sweet, but ’17 Could be Better
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or most motorcycle and powersports dealers, 2016 was anything but sweet. In fact, we would venture to say that it was a year most dealers would rather forget. Much of the volatility that plagued the end of 2015, carried over into 2016 and pressured not only sales, but more importantly, weighed on profits. Issues that
Printing All the News That Fits: December
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s the Greek philosopher Heraclitus noted, “The only constant is change!” Seems like the entire powersports industry was in a state of flux in 2016. Mergers, acquisitions and simple cases of the ‘grass is greener’ wanderlust made it tough to tell who the players were without a scorecard this season. From industry veteran Greg Blackwell
St. Pete Powersports Acquired by iMotorsports
iMotorsports, one of the largest pre-owned motorcycle retailers in the United States, recently announced it has completed the acquisition of St. Pete Powersports, a St. Petersburg, Florida-based franchised powersports dealer serving central and southern Florida for more than 10 years.
FLY Racing Carbon Backcountry Mountain Technical Snowmobile Outerwear
Watch as Erin Beukelman, Polaris Factory rider, breaks down the many technical details that go into FLY’s Carbon Backcountry Mountain Technical Outerwear jacket and bib pant.
Retail Sales Environment Remained Sluggish in September
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ur latest survey of powersports dealers indicates that the retail sales environment remained sluggish in September. The general theme from the market place is that consumers are being cautious with their spending and are often compelled to make a purchase only when heavy incentives are included. Perhaps the best example of this consumer behavior comes
TrakMotive 2017 ATV-UTV CV Axle Catalog
TrakMotive has announced the release of its new comprehensive 2017 ATV-UTV CV Axle catalog. Featuring more than 5,400 ATV, UTV, and Side-by-Side applications, this new catalog illustrates the increasing scope of the TrakMotive CV Axle product lines.
Victory’s Thank a Hero Program to Donate Up to $100K for Veterans
Victory Motorcycles has launched the “Thank A Hero” program, which invites the public to thank a military veteran or active service member with a personalized note posted to the VictoryMotorcycles.com website. The Thank A Hero program benefits Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
#001 Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian Chief Auctioned for $150K
Indian Motorcycle has announce that the #001 2016 Limited Edition Jack Daniel’s Indian Chief Vintage motorcycle auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas on Saturday October 15 raised $150,000 for the benefit of Operation Ride Home, a program that assists active duty U.S. military personnel in traveling home to visit their families.
Hydraulic Tappets
1. Hydraulic tappets are used to eliminate or reduce the need for valve clearance adjustment. An engine without hydraulic tappets must have a gap between the tappet and valve or tappet and camshaft to allow for the change in clearance as the engine components heat up. If this clearance is too small the valve may hang
