May 4, 2009 – Aftermarket Digest

Parts Unlimited, Thor enlist PR help for motocross

National distributor Parts Unlimited and its motocross apparel house brand, Thor Motocross have enlisted the services of Next Level Sports Management to increase the companies’ public relations efforts within the 2009 season.
Parts Unlimited and Thor will utilize Next Level’s PR strategies to target their core customers in addition to publicizing the diversity of each company within the sport of motocross.
Next Level will provide an enhanced media and public presence by promoting their series sponsorship throughout the motocross community via e-mail marketing, on-site follow through, new product integration, publicizing of the dealer support programs and online initiatives.
“Next Level Sports Management will be beneficial for both Parts Unlimited and Thor by providing added exposure for our various initiatives,” said LeMans Corp. Vice President of Sales Greg Blackwell. “Our presence within the sport is a valuable asset to our success and by adding the services of Next Level, we can enhance our continued growth through new avenues.”
“Thor has put a lot of effort throughout its history to reach the forefront of motocross gear and apparel,” stated Thor Motocross General Manager Dave Gowland. “With the help of Next Level Sports Management, we will not only continue to push ourselves into the forefront as a premier developer of motocross riding equipment, but we will also reach a much broader audience generating a greater appeal for the products we provide.”

Exhaust manufacturer kicks off online auction

LeoVince USA announces a monthly online auction program on eBay to support the BlueRibbon Coalition efforts to champion responsible recreational use of public lands.
LeoVince USA is an international manufacturer of high-performance motorcycle exhaust systems and quiet technology X3 off-road mufflers. They are a division of Sito Gruppo Industriale based in Monticello d’Alba, Italy.
This year, LeoVince will be auctioning off one item per month and donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the Blue Ribbon Coalition. Look for exciting items from new exhaust systems to autographed equipment and memorabilia from top LeoVince GNCC and off-road athletes.
Tim Calhoun, executive vice president and general manager of LeoVince USA, said in a press release, “The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving responsible recreational access to public lands and waters. Their endeavors help to keep your land open for use, whether you recreate on a mountain bike, snowmobile, motorcycle, PWC, ATV, four-wheeler, horse or your hiking boots.
“Nothing is free though, and the cost of fighting land-use restrictions becomes more expensive every year. This is where we’ve decided to step up and help.”

Tucker Rocky launches new BikeMaster Web site

Tucker Rocky is launching a new Web site for its BikeMaster hard parts brand at www.BikeMaster.com.
Tucker Rocky recently acquired the domain name and plans to go live with the new Web site April 3. The Web site, which features the entire line of BikeMaster products, was designed to service the needs of dealers, consumers and international distributors. Product images, part numbers, a downloadable PDF catalog and a dealer locator are just some of the featured content. Future plans for the site include expanded content and a searchable product database.
Visit the site at www.BikeMaster.com.

Honda, GS Yuasa to establish firm for lithium-ion batteries

Honda Motor Co. and GS Yuasa, battery manufacturer and supplier, signed a contract to establish a new joint venture company to manufacture, sell and have R&D of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles, according to a press release from Honda.
The joint venture company, Blue Energy Co., Ltd., was scheduled to be established April 1.

Bridgestone brings new high-performance tire to market

Bridgestone has launched Battlax BT-003RS, a high-performance tire that is designed to provide street and track-day performance for all sport motorcycles from 250cc on.
Compared to the BT-002RS which it will replace, the new BT-003RS provides handling improvement in all riding modes — with noticeably better contact feel, feedback, stability and grip — as well as longer wear life, the company said in a press release.
Bridgestone has combined its top MotoGP construction design with its latest multi-compound technology from Straight And Cornering Technology to produce a sport tire that gives high-level grip performance in braking, cornering and acceleration.
The BT-003RS front tire has a Dual Tread Compound: a center compound for linear handling and longer wear life, flanked by a shoulder compound to secure high grip and a strong contact feeling.

Former Shoei national sales manager passes away

Mike Schield, a former national sales manager for Shoei Safety Helmet, died March 14 at his Cedaredge, Colo. home. Schield, 54, had been fighting severe health issues, according to a company press release.
Schield worked for Shoei’s exclusive U.S. distributor, Helmet House, in the product development department in the early 1980s before becoming national sales manager for Shoei Safety Helmet, a position he held for more than 23 years. In 1992, Schield pioneered the Shoei University Seminar program, a national dealer training program that has served as a foundation of Shoei’s sales and marketing efforts in training dealers on new products.
Donations in his memory can be made to the MS Society Fund, 800/344-4867 or www.nationalmssociety.org. Condolences also can be sent to the Schield family at 795 NW Birch Avenue, Cedaredge, Colo., 81413.

Yoshimura now offers exhaust systems for Suzuki Burgman

Yoshimura has added the popular Suzuki Burgman to its line-up of scooter exhausts.
Yoshimura now makes the R77 Full System exhaust in both a full stainless and a carbon fiber/stainless configuration for both the 650 and the 400cc models.
Yoshimura scooter exhaust systems reduce weight by 2.5 pounds over the OEM system, provide a sporty look and have a cool exhaust tone, the company said in a press release.

Bridgestone recalls Exedra motorcycle tires

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation voluntarily recalled 1,018 Bridgestone Exedra G850 G/180/70R16 77H motorcycle tires, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The tires were produced between May 27, 2007 and Oct. 18, 2008. They were sold as original equipment for the model years 2008 and 2009 Triumph Rocket III Touring bikes.
The motorcycle to which these tires are applied develops high torque and can cause torque-induced degradation in a body ply, which might result in inner-liner cracking that might lead to a slow leak in the rear tire, the NHTSA reported, but the condition does not affect the front tire. The affected tires might begin to vibrate at moderate speeds and continued use of a tire with this condition could lead to a vehicle crash, said the NHTSA.

GPS provider LandAirSea Systems revamps Web site

LandAirSea Systems Inc., a provider of passive and active GPS tracking solutions, has updated its Web site.
In March, www.landairsea.com received fresh images and content, to coincide with the company’s move of headquarters, a new logo and the anticipated introduction of new products to the computer and electronics industry.
“The end result is our Web site runs more efficiently,” Robert Wagner, CEO of LandAirSea Systems, said in a press release. “Our dealers and clients will enjoy fresh information and easier navigation.”
Visitors to the site will find a reworked listing of dealers selling LandAirSea GPS technology.

BikeBandit.com expands warehouse, inventory

Due to considerable growth in 2008 and the first quarter of this year, BikeBandit.com expanded its San Diego fulfillment center, reported the company.
BikeBandit.com is anticipating further growth this year and thus, will double the fulfillment center’s size. The company moved into its current location in 2006 when it needed a fulfillment center, and now Don Broton, operations director, said the expansion is “a necessary step for us to reach that next level of business.” psb