Motorcycle & Powersports News

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween from all of us at Motorcycle & Powersports News!

30/10/2024

Who's joining us in Vegas? AIMExpo and Motorcycle & Powersports News (MPN) have partnered once again to bring even more engaging, actionable education sessions to the Dealer Excellence education series for the 2025 show, happening Feb. 5-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
More info: https://www.motorcyclepowersportsnews.com/aimexpo-mpn-partner-again-for-dealer-excellence-education-series/
Our dealer education will include these topics:
- Harnessing the Power of AI
- Powersports Dealers vs. Automotive Dealers
- Creating a Cultural Hub
- Revving Up the Fight Against Fraud
- The Four Pillars of Operations: harmonizing sales, service, F&I and PG&A
- Getting More Door Swings: competing in a direct-to-consumer world
Still need to register for AIMExpo 2025? Do it here: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=115

AIMExpo and Motorcycle & Powersports News (MPN) have partnered once again to bring even more engaging, actionable education sessions to the Dealer Excellence education series for the 2025 show, happening Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 5-7, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For 2025, the Dealer Exc...

29/10/2024

OEM Update: 2024 Keeway Vieste 200
The Vieste 200 is a scooter that Keeway markets as a “daily rider.” We spoke with Luis Rojas, sales manager at Keeway America, to get more details on this vehicle’s selling points as well as any promotional assistance the brand is offering.

21/10/2024

OEM Update: 2025 Benelli TRK 702X
We spoke with Luis Rojas, sales manager at Keeway America, to get the details on Benelli’s top-line adventure bike, the TRK 702X. He covered this vehicle’s selling points and some promotional assistance Benelli offers.

15/10/2024

Cycle Trader Implements New Protections to Combat Powersports Vehicle Scams

Learn more about how Trader Interactive is enhancing security in the powersports vehicle marketplace with new protections against scams:

Cycle Trader is enhancing security in the powersports vehicle marketplace with new protections against scams.

08/10/2024

SUPER73 Teams up with Red Bull Racing for two fully customized e-bike models. These models merge cutting-edge design with the adventurous spirit of both brands.

The Oracle Red Bull Racing R ADV Series and Oracle Red Bull Racing Z ADV Series capture the high-performance excitement of Red Bull Racing and the innovative style SUPER73 that fans appreciate. These bikes feature striking midnight blue finishes, bold red accents, exclusive limited-edition decals and premium features such as gold chains and yellow-lettered MAXXIS Super Sucker tires.

07/10/2024

OEM Update: 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Just 10 years ago, Royal Enfield only had one motorcycle model here in the U.S. Today, the OEM has 11 different models, and one of the newest is the Himalayan 450. To get the details of the new bike, we spoke to Nathan Kolbe, head of marketing for Royal Enfield's Americas Region.

01/10/2024

Honda Motorcycles & ATVs has confirmed that the Dax 125, first offered to European customers for the 2023 model year and paying homage to the 1969 CT70, will be available in the U.S. market for the 2025 model year. The Dax joins Honda’s lineup of miniMOTO models, which have appealed to young and old riders.

30/09/2024

OEM Update: 2025 BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
The R 1300 GS Adventure is BMW’s next level up in its adventure line. We spoke with Shawn McLean, product and accessories manager at BMW Motorrad USA, to get more details on this vehicle’s selling points as well as any promotional assistance the brand is offering.

17/09/2024

Can Dealers Get Back to the Mom-and-Pop Feel?
Obviously, the bottom line is important, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice that small shop feel.

Read More:

Obviously, the bottom line is important, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice that mom-and-pop shop feel.

16/09/2024

We spoke with Chase Rastegar, communications manager for Suzuki Motor USA, to get more details on the selling points for the DR-Z400SM, Suzuki's long-running and extremely popular supermoto model.

10/09/2024

509 has partnered with the family of motorsports legend Ken Block and their foundation set up in Ken’s honor, 43 Institute (43i), to launch the KB4EVER Altitude 2.0 Limited-Edition Helmet. A portion of the helmet’s sales will be donated to 43i to help support programs promoting helmet safety.

Check it out:

509, Ken Block’s Family and 43 Institute unveiled the helmet at Hay Days.

09/09/2024

The 2025 Sportsman Touring 570 is from an expansive two-up lineup from Polaris Off Road. We spoke with Caleb Willi, product manager, Sportsman at Polaris, to get more details on this vehicle’s selling points, as well as any promotional assistance the brand is offering.

03/09/2024

OEM Update: Kawasaki Brute Force 450

The 2025 Brute Force 450 is an all-new mid-sized ATV from Kawasaki USA. We spoke with Tomi Lutz, four-wheel product manager at Kawasaki, and Joslyn Petty, senior public relations specialist for Kawasaki, to get more details on this vehicle’s selling points, as well as any promotional assistance the brand is offering.

27/08/2024

When it comes to brand loyalty, Ducati aficionados (Ducatisti) are right up there with Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. World Ducati Week in Northern Italy drew 94,000 fans from 86 countries this year. MotoCorsa, a single-brand dealership in a world of multiline retailers, manages to thrive by tapping into the brand's love and providing its customers with a world-class experience.

More on MotoCorsa:

In the 26 years MotoCorsa has been in existence, the Ducati-specific dealership has perfected the art of selling to that niche.

26/08/2024

OEM Update: JackRabbit OG2
The OG2 is a brand-new model from micro-e-bike manufacturer JackRabbit that just dropped on Aug. 12. We spoke with Jason Kenagy, co-founder and CEO of JackRabbit.bike, to get more details on the selling points for the whole JackRabbit lineup, as well as any service issues and promotional assistance the brand is offering.

20/08/2024

Dealer Dialogue: Ruhnke’s Xtreme Cycles in Odessa, TX

For this Dealer Dialogue, we go to Odessa, Texas. In the western half of the state, Odessa is known for its cowboy culture, oil rigs, and the popular book and film “Friday Night Lights” (not the television show, however, which takes place in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas). Odessa is also where you will find the Ruhnke family and their dealership, Ruhnke's Xtreme Cycles. Owned and operated by Mike Ruhnke, Ruhnke’s Xtreme Cycles is all about selling fun. His dealership came about from a passion for motorcycles and powersports equipment that runs in his family.

Read more:

Family owned and operated in Odessa, Texas, Ruhnke’s Xtreme Cycles aims to provide a positive experience for customers.

19/08/2024

Even though we’re still burning up in the sun, you’ll soon be turning your attention to winter fun, so let’s talk about the 2025 Yamaha Sidewinder S-TX GT EPS snowmobile.

We spoke with Bryan Hudgin, director of motorsport sales with Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd. and a member of the North American snowmobile team, to get more details on this vehicle’s selling points, as well as any service issues and promotional assistance the brand is offering. In addition, we get a first peek at the 2025 Sidewinder SRX LE EPS and the special way Yamaha is celebrating that final edition!

Yamaha Motor USA

13/08/2024

Polaris Off Road has announced the redefined 2025 RZR Pro lineup, featuring the race-inspired toughness of RZR Pro R, wide open RZR Pro S (formerly Turbo R) and fast paced RZR Pro XP trail machine. Elevating these dominant vehicles with unparalleled performance even further, this RZR Pro lineup showcases revitalized RZR styling and bold, refined fit and finish to deliver an exceptional rider experience. The result is an uncompromising lineup of vehicles —the most durable, versatile, capable and stylish RZR vehicles on the market.

The new Pro lineup offers riders the toughest RZR vehicles while delivering revived styling, a refined rider experience and race-proven durability.

12/08/2024

OEM Update: 2025 KTM XC/XC-F Range

2025 model year vehicles have started hitting dealership floors, and the 2025 KTM XC/XC-F range rolled out this past May. We spoke with Ryan Sarancha, product manager of KTM North America, to get more details on this vehicle’s selling points, as well as any service issues and promotional assistance the brand is offering.

06/08/2024

Off-road applications place significantly higher demands on suspension components compared to street use. This increased stress means that off-road suspensions often become the highest-maintenance point on the vehicle. For dirt bikes, it’s recommended to service the suspension every 20 to 40 hours of use to ensure optimal performance and longevity. For side-by-sides, it can be around 50 hours or 500 miles.

Read the break down of the critical suspension points that require regular inspection and maintenance:

Let's break down the critical suspension points that require regular inspection and maintenance for off-road applications.

05/08/2024

OEM Update: 2025 Arctic Cat ZR 858 R-XC
Even though we’re in the dog days of summer, today we’re going to dream of cooler temps and talk about the 2025 Arctic Cat ZR 858 R-XC snowmobile. The ZR 858 R-XC is a new cross-country model with a starting MSRP of $18,199. We spoke with Ben Langaas, engineering manager for snow at Arctic Cat, to get more details on this vehicle’s selling points, as well as any service issues and promotional assistance the brand is offering.
Arctic Cat - Snowmobiles

31/07/2024

Has your dealership considered creating a Powersports Playbook? What about training your staff for greater success? MPN contributor Maggie Stevens of ARS Power Sports shares her great insights to help fellow dealers!
See her articles here: https://www.motorcyclepowersportsnews.com/?s=maggie&submit=Search

30/07/2024

American Honda confirms Honda E-Clutch technology will be offered to U.S. customers on the 2024 CB650R and CBR650R. Now available to U.S. customers on Honda’s middleweight standard and sport bikes, Honda E-Clutch is appealing to riders of widely varying skill and experience levels, enabling all to focus on the fun of riding more comfortably. In addition to E-Clutch, the new CB650R and CBR650R receive other important updates, including styling, LED lighting and a new TFT screen.

Read more, and see all of the specs for Honda's 2024 CB650R, 2025 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, 2025 CBR1000RR, 2025 CBR600RR, 2025 CB300R, and their 2025 Monkey:

Honda's middleweight sport and standard machines get important upgrades, and the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP benefits from improvements.

25/07/2024

Segway’s latest mantra is: “Embrace Evolution.”
Segway Powersports held its first-ever Global Dealer Conference in Changzhou, China, from June 26-27, 2024, not only to celebrate this tremendous growth, but also to announce the launch of new vehicles as well as a vision for the future.

Read more:

Segway’s latest mantra is: “Embrace Evolution.”