Oct. 5, 2009 – Motorcycle Digest

American Honda Motor Co.’s powersports division recently announced its third release of 2010 models.
This on-road motorcycle release follows the earlier announcements of Honda’s 2010 Fury, scooters, dirt bikes and ATVs.
The newly announced models include the Shadow Phantom, a cruiser that is influenced by “bobber” styling and features a blackout look to go along with a 745cc
V-twin engine. The NT700V, a touring model Honda points to as the only “true lightweight touring bike on the market,” is powered by a 680cc V-twin.
On the sport side of things, Honda announced the release of the 2010 CBR1000RR and the CBR600RR. “The CBRs continue to set the standards of performance for the full-on sporting genre,” said Honda Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. “This sets the stage for a great year in 2010, and there will be additional street model announcements later this fall.”

BRP adds touring model to Spyder lineup
BRP introduced the new Can-Am Spyder RT roadster in response to specific consumer demand for a touring platform, the company said in a statement.
The 2010 Can-Am Spyder roadster lineup includes the Spyder RS (roadster sport) and the Spyder RT (roadster touring) models.
According to BRP, the Can-Am Spyder RT roadster will be powered by a Rotax 991 engine with electronic throttle control optimized for touring. The RT features the same BOSCH-engineered vehicle stability system as found in the Spyder RS roadster, which includes anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control systems.
The company also said they’re introducing an industry-first optional RT622 trailer package, providing an additional 622 liters of storage, designed specifically for the Spyder RT roadster and compatible with the vehicle’s stability system.

Metric OEM exports to N. America dip substantially
Metric manufacturers cut back drastically on exports to the United States in July, a trend that occurred throughout the summer.
Metric OEMs, including Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, exported 8,942 motorcycles to the United States, a decline of nearly 64 percent compared to the year-ago month, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
Canada also saw a decrease. Metric OEM exports there totaled 1,033, a decrease of nearly 19 percent from the year-ago period.
For the United States, June and July exports totaled more than 46,000 motorcycles. This year, that number has dwindled to more than 16,500.

Genuine Scooter creates its own ‘Cash for Clunkers’
The Genuine Scooter Co. is urging its dealers to offer their own “Cash for Clunkers” promotions to drive business.
Genuine is not subsidizing the “Cash for Clunkers” promotions, but the dealers who sign up for the program will offer a $300 cash credit toward any Genuine scooter product in exchange for any titled two-wheeler, says Philip McCaleb, president of the Genuine Scooter Co.
“The beauty of this is that you, the dealer, decided what is and what isn’t a clunker,” he said. “The discounts we are providing for America’s most requested scooters are far deeper than any credit you’ll have to give up to sell product at an acceptable margin.”
Genuine has made a video to support these programs, which is available for dealers to put on their Web sites.

KYMCO?Dealers recognized for exceptional sales
KYMCO USA challenged its dealers to a sales shootout to determine the brand’s top producers for the summer season. The contest took place from May 1-July 31, and it sought the top two KYMCO sales producers during the three-month period, according to a company press release.
In order to participate, sales people were required to take an online course at KYMCO University, the company’s Web-based training system. They could then register each sale they made at the same Web site.
“We wanted to motivate our sales force to close deals,” Steve Lazoff, director of sales for KYMCO USA, said in the release. “But we also wanted to encourage them to use the sales training tools that we have made available online. KYMCO University is an easy way for new sales people to get familiar with our products and for experienced people to refresh their knowledge.”
The winner in the two-wheel market segment was Robbie DeMeulenaere of K&W Cycle in Utica, Mich. Dustin Sweeten of Powerhouse Motorsports in Pleasant Grove, Utah, took the four-wheel title by selling the most KYMCO ATV and UXV side-by-side models. In addition to the grand prizes, monthly winners were named for the East and West sales regions.
KYMCO USA is also offering financial support for a special motorsports training package developed exclusively for KYMCO by The Glenn Roller Institute of Scottsdale, Ariz. Without leaving their dealership, sales people can complete online exercises for review, and, with an investment of only 30-40 minutes per day, they can graduate in about six weeks.

Husqvarna headquarters opened in northern italy
A ceremony to celebrate the new headquarters of Husqvarna Motorcycles, now owned by the BMW?Group, was held Sept. 21 in the Varese area of northern Italy.
Present at the ceremony were Hendrik Von Kuenheim, president of BMW Motorrad, and Rainer Thoma, president and managing director of Husqvarna Motorcycles, together with civil and church authorities and the workers themselves. Over an area of 450,000 square feet, the headquarters covers a space of 67,000 square feet, with the partial demolition of an old pre-existing warehouse of about 6,400 square feet. The building has three floors above ground for a total of 62,000 square feet. Fitted with the latest thermal and acoustic insulation to conform with regulations governing energy savings, it also has a system of solar panels providing hot water for the whole building. Construction began on July 2 and lasted less than 15 months.
The new headquarters completes the layout of the Cassinetta plant.
“The new headquarters and its organization have been planned to facilitate the development of the product and to integrate all the production units involved in the creation process of the entire Husqvarna Motorcycles range in an optimal manner,”?Thoma said in a press release.
The structure has been designed to face the foreseen growth in the medium term and to be expanded in the long term. For example, the production capacity of the plant can, with only minor changes, arrive at a quota of 40,000 motorcycles a year.

Johnny Pag Motorcycles beefs up its marketing
Johnny Pag Motorcycles partnered with CycleTrader.com to promote its line of 300cc motorcycles and its dealer network, stated a CycleTrader press release.
Johnny Pag Motorcycles has been given priority in the manufacturer drop down menu on CycleTrader.com’s search screen. Appearing above the alphabetical list of manufacturers, this premium position makes it easier for buyers to find the motorcycles.
The entire line of Johnny Pag Motorcycles also has been added to CycleTrader.com’s new motorcycle showcase, an area that makes it easy for consumers to learn about individual motorcycle makes and models.
“We’re working hard to brand the Johnny Pag name,” founder Johnny Pag said in the release, “but we also realize the importance of capturing folks who are ready to make a purchase. Our new partnership with CycleTrader.com is designed to do just that.”
The partnership aims to promote the line of Johnny Pag bikes as well as increase inventory reach for its dealer network, says Paige Bouma Cycle Trader sales development manager. “This is a manufacturer who doesn’t just want to brand his business; he wants to drive business to his dealers.”

Ducati previews Hypermotard that will be shown at EICMA
Ducati has released images previewing its new Hypermotard 796 ahead of the EICMA International Motorcycle Show in Milan.
At 368 pounds, the 796cc Hypermotard is more lightweight than its predecessors, with a lower seat height (32.5 inches), according to information posted on Ducati’s Web site.
The bike’s 796 Desmodue L-Twin engine is completely new and produces 81 hp of power and 55.7 pound-feet of torque.
Ducati says the new power unit is equipped with an APTC “wet” clutch to give a “slipper” type action that prevents destabilization of the rear-end during aggressive down-shifting.
The Hypermotard 796 is expected to be available in Ducati dealerships starting this winter. MSRP is $9,995.

SABERTOOTH TEAMS WITH TAYLOR TO DEVELOP V8 TRANSMISSION
Sabertooth Motorcycles has entered into a partnership with Taylor Race Engineering, a premier supplier of specialty transmissions for high-powered race vehicles, to develop a new multi-speed transmission for all Sabertooth V8 motorcycles.
This will be the first transmission designed and engineered specifically for use in a motorcycle that can handle the torque and horsepower generated by a V8 engine.
The new DynaClaw transmission will have four forward speeds and an electric reverse and will be used with a Gates Polychain carbon GT belt drive or a 630 chain drive on select models.
Sabertooth expects to have the transmission available for delivery in motorcycles by the second quarter of 2010.
“In V8 motorcycles, the transmission has traditionally been the weak link,” said Ben Daniels, owner of Sabertooth Motorcycles. “Transmissions used in other V8 motorcycles are notoriously fragile and limited to either single-speed or two-speed configurations. The DynaClaw transmission will be the first multispeed transmission designed specifically for the power, torque and weight of a V8 motorcycle.”