May 3, 2010: Motorcycle Digest
Annual international trade show to include key OEM brands
For the first time in nearly two years, all of the motorcycle market’s key brands will be present at INTERMOT, Germany’s trade show for two-wheelers.
The event, scheduled for Oct. 6-10, will include more than 1,000 suppliers, including BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, an INTERMOT press release stated.
Other manufacturers scheduled to be at the show include Harley-Davidson, Triumph, KTM, Ducati and the Piaggio Group, with the brands Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. Further information is available at intermot-cologne.com.
Lehman Trikes partners with National powersport auctions
Lehman Trikes and National Powersport Auctions (NPA) have entered into an exclusive new partnership.
The new relationship provides authorized Lehman Trikes dealers access to NPA’s auctions. Qualified Lehman dealers can purchase motorcycles at any NPA location.
Lehman Trikes and NPA have arranged additional benefits to Lehman dealers, including storage and transportation to Spearfish, S.D., for Lehman factory conversion to trikes. Lehman Trikes also will deliver the newly assembled trikes back to the dealers. As an additional benefit, qualified dealers are eligible to have the motorcycle purchase and factory conversion put on floorplan with GE Commercial Distribution Finance.
“This is an excellent opportunity available exclusively to authorized Lehman Trikes dealers to purchase units for trike conversions at competitive pricing,” stated Ken Hines, president and CEO of Lehman Trikes. “It’s the perfect business scenario for all parties involved, and we are happy to continue to provide our dealer network with new opportunities and industry-leading service and support.”
DUCATI EXPANDS THE MONSTER FAMILY WITH THE NEW 796
Ducati North America has added to its internationally acclaimed Monster range — the Monster 796.
The 2011 Monster 796 combines the top level components and style of the Monster 1100 with the user friendliness of the Monster 696. Priced at $9,995, it will be invading streets nationwide this June in white, black and Ducati red. All three colors share the lightweight Ducati trellis frame in red, along with red wheel striping.
The Monster 796’s air-cooled engine produces a 87hp and 56lb/ft of torque. In the interest of rider comfort, the Monster 796 has adapted a new seat, higher handlebars and optional passenger grab handles to enable an optimum riding experience. Borrowing from its 1100cc sibling, the Monster 796 features a single-sided swingarm and four piston Brembo brakes. These features combine with an APTC slipper clutch, blackened foot rests and new five spoke wheels to make the ultimate middleweight Monster.
Arriving alongside the latest Monster are the new “Monster Art” body kits for all three members of the Monster family, giving riders the chance to accessorize and customize the look of their bikes with ten all-new color choices. The new Monster Art body kits allow Monster 696, 796, 1100 and 1100S owners to extend their personal style by changing panels to suit any mood or event.
KTM provides look at zero emissions motorcycle
KTM is planning to present the first series-ready KTM electric sports motorcycle. Under the title “Freeride,” KTM will present two near-series prototypes at the 2010 Tokyo Motorcycle Show.
With its first zero emission motorcycle, KTM has developed an electrically driven sports motorcycle that proves that riding fun and environmental sustainability need not be in conflict with one another. KTM says Freeride stands for the end of motorcycles fleeing the city and the accepted return of sporting motorcycle events in urban areas.
Production declines continue for metric manufacturers
Metric manufacturers continue to bring fewer new motorcycles into North America and have now reduced their production of bikes for worldwide markets for 30 straight months.
That was the report from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), which includes Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki.
Those metric OEMs exported 10,857 motorcycles into the United States in February, a 62 percent decrease from the year-ago month.
In Canada, metric manufacturers’ exports also decreased. Exports there totaled 4,058 units, a decline of 34 percent.
JAMA members’ motorcycle production in February totaled nearly 61,000 units, a decrease of 16 percent from the year-ago month.
Indian Motorcycle extending into California
Indian Motorcycle is opening at least two California dealerships in the Los Angeles and Fresno areas, according to a press release.
Indian Motorcycle Los Angeles in Harbor City will represent the brand’s first dealership in California since the brand was relaunched early last year. The dealership will be located within an existing Harley-Davidson store along the Pacific Coast Highway in Harbor City.
A second Indian dealership in California is scheduled to open in Fresno.
