April 24, 2006 – Cycle Update

Triumph America sets new monthly sales record
Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., Newnan, Ga., retailed 1,070 units in March, 58 percent more motorcycles than sold in March 2005 and a new single month sales record for the brand in the United States.
Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd., Hinckley, U.K. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.
TMA’s previous monthly sales record was 1,067 units in April 2005.
Triumph officials say growth in 2006 has been led by sales of the new triple-cylinder Daytona 675 and Scrambler 900.
“We’re thrilled with the way the public has reacted to the new Daytona 675 and Scrambler models” said Todd Andersen, marketing vice president, TMA. “But we’re even more pleased with the performance of the rest of the line as sales grew for every one of our continuing models last month. This growth put Triumph back in its proper place as the largest European retailer of road bikes in the United States.”
Ducati Confirms Hypermotard Production
Ducati has confirmed plans to produce the Hypermotard, a concept bike unveiled in November 2005 at the EICMA trade show in Milan.
Federico Minoli, president and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, said the 100 hp, 385-lb. unit is expected to be in dealer showrooms by spring 2007.
Minoli made the announcement on Ducati’s new online Web log, the Desmoblog. “With the enthusiasm shown by Ducatisti and the work done in research and development, we have decided to add the Ducati Hypermotard to our production schedule, without giving anything else up,” Minoli wrote.
Minoli said development time was reduced due to the amount of initial development that went into the concept, which was awarded “Best of Show” during its debut at EICMA and “Best Bike for 2005” by the Motorcycle Design Association.
Aprilia USA announces AMA Flattrack Team
Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, Inc. plans to field Aprilia V990-powered machines during the 2006 AMA Flattrack Season. The primary rider for the team will be Henry Wiles of Blanchard, Mich., competing in 1-mile and half-mile venues.
The Aprilia USA/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team will be touring the AMA half and full-mile circuits totaling 13 events this season. The team will be supported by the Aprilia USA rig at all mile events and select half-mile events. Product sponsors already signed on are Komodo Leathers, Leo Vince Exhaust systems, K&N Filters, Motion Pro Tools and Cables, and Spectro Oils.
“Flattrack is a classic racing series in the United States,” said Mike Kull, vice president of marketing for Aprilia USA. “To see Aprilia, a brand with a long established tradition of racing, fight for an American championship is a very proud moment indeed. We encourage all Aprilia fans to attend the races and cheer on their team.”
“It’s cool to be on a different machine from the rest of the field, and I know that the fans appreciate the effort,” Wiles said.
For information about AMA flattrack events, visit www.amaflattrack.com. For more information about the discipline, visit www.flattrack.com.
Lonski Named Vento Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Vento Motorcycles, U.S.A., supplier of motorcycles and powersports vehicles to global markets, recently announced the appointment of Henry J. Lonski as its vice president of sales and marketing for North American operations.
In his new position, which began March 1, Lonski is responsible for development and management of marketing and sales initiatives, dealer-distributor operations, special events and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company’s sales/marketing staff. Lonski will report directly to President Isaac Calderon, who is based at the company’s international headquarters in San Diego.
Vento announced that Lonski’s first initiative for the company will be to establish a new sales support group based in Melbourne, Fla. In addition, Lonski will be responsible for directing all consumer-driven marketing efforts, including overseeing the company’s advertising, public relations and product analysis to ensure Vento’s overall network retail objectives.
Lonski joins Vento Motorcycles following his tenure as president of Auction123.com, where he led the creation, development and expansion of the company’s Internet and sales services.
Prior to joining Auction123.com, Lonski spent 13 years with Bombardier, Inc., in several positions, most recently as vice president Northeast. He began his association with Bombardier Recreational Products as vice president, sales and communications in 1990.
KTM Adventure Rally Planned for Elko
KTM North America plans to hold its third KTM Adventure Rider Rally in Elko, Nev., on Aug. 4-6.
The KTM Adventure Rider Rally is intended for street-legal dual sport type KTM motorcycles. Registered KTM Adventure owners will begin receiving invitations this month; an entry fee of $125 is required.
Named “The Buckaroo High Desert Rally,” the event is designed to be an adventure for riders of all experience. The trail will lead riders through the Ruby Mountains, Jarbridge, Tuscarora, the Pony Express Trail, Lamoille Canyon, Spruce Mountain, Merritt Mountain, Secret Pass, the Donner trail and more. In addition to the intended rides, a range of activities are planned from technical seminars, Dakar presentations, demo rides and a special banquet and awards party.
“Elko is a perfect location to host the KTM Adventure Rally for more than one reason,” said KTM Adventure Tours Manager Scot Harden. “The city is centrally located for a number of our off-road riders and there are thousands of miles of remote, lightly traveled trails and forest service roads that will make for an epic riding adventure. Most importantly, Elko welcomes Adventure riders with open arms.”
The two previous KTM Adventure Rallies were held in McCall, Idaho and Ouray, Colo.
Pfeiffer now rides F 800 S
Former stunt world champion Christian Pfeiffer presents his motorcycling tricks on the BMW F 800 S this year.
The new motorcycle was unveiled recently at “Stunt Wars” in Florida, the biggest freestyle motorcycle competition in the United States and regarded by professionals as the unofficial world championship. The modified pre-series F 800 S was the only two-cylinder machine in the field — most of the competition used four-cylinder bikes.
“From the very beginning I felt good on this bike, the balance is great — I hardly had to do anything to it, almost everything stayed as standard,” said Pfeiffer, who can be seen performing stunts at motorcycle events worldwide. “The engine is really well connected to the throttle and the power is transmitted spontaneously and sensitively — much better than my last motorcycle with chain drive.”
Roeseler Returns to Team Green
Ten-time SCORE Baja 1000 overall winner, 12-time Baja 500 overall winner, 10-time ISDE gold medalist and AMA Hall of Fame member Larry Roeseler has returned to Kawasaki’s Team Green program as its official ambassador to the off-road community.
In this renewed relationship, Roeseler, 48, will be involved with testing of future off-road products, public relations for high-profile off-road events and will serve as a media contact for off-road publications. He also will provide consultation to Kawasaki management regarding off-road event promotions.
“Larry has a tremendous amount of experience in all disciplines necessary to effectively promote and improve Kawasaki’s participation in the off-road community,” said Reid Nordin, Kawasaki’s Team Green manager. psb