Expo Digest 2006

Cobra to offer EPA-certified two-strokes
Cobra Powersports, the U.S. distributor of Taiwan Golden Bee (TGB) scooters, motorcycles and ATVs, says its 2006 49cc two-stroke and 151cc four-stroke scooters are EPA-certified and ready for sale in all 50 states.
The first shipment of 2006 49cc two-stroke scooters arrived at Cobra Powersports warehouses in January and are already shipping to authorized TGB Dealers in the U.S.
As the name alludes to, TGB is a Taiwan-based manufacturer whose customers have included Piaggio, Suzuki and Peugeot. The company was founded in 1978.
Scooters being offered by Cobra Powersports in 2006 include the TGB Key West, TGB Laser R5, TGB R50X Extreme, TGB Delivery Scooter, TGB Laser R9 151cc and TGB 151cc Delivery Scooter.
Cobra Powersports also recently announced it has lengthened all 2006 49cc and 151cc scooters to a two-year warranty with unlimited miles. Cobra Powersports increased coverage after reviewing 2004-2005 warranty claims and finding the TGB scooters had a warranty claim rate of less than 0.3%. The new warranty policy doubles the coverage of TGB scooters and increased the parts that are covered.
“We knew that the TGB scooters were great products, but after our technical manager totaled up the warranty claims that we paid out over the past two years I had to smile,” said Bill Peirce, president of Cobra Powersports. “Our failure rate was so low that I knew we had a great opportunity to show our customers and dealers that we believe in the TGB scooters so much that we are going to double the warranty.”
“Unlike many warranties that exclude certain parts, don’t pay labor, or drop coverage as the scooters age, we cover the whole scooter, except wearable items such as tires and air filters,” Peirce added.
Peirce said Cobra also will pay labor charges for repairs covered under warranty.
Cobra will be at booth No. 9301 at the Dealer Expo.
Big Gun Exhaust Systems, Inc.
Booth No. 6631
Stop by Big Gun’s booth and allow company owner Mike Young to introduce you to the new EVO Series of exhausts. The new EVO series exhaust systems come standard with state-of-the-art computer mapping technology, something Young said is an industry first.
The exhaust can’s end cap meets all AMA 102 db rules, and the included Vortex Quiet insert made from stainless steel brings sound down to a state park-legal 94db. EVO X is a mild steel version of EVO R but comes with a Ceramic coating that Young says lowers oil temperatures and creates horsepower but never rusts, fades, chips or peels. The EVO Limited is the same as the EVO X except for its flat black look made from a Black Ceramic coating that resists the maximum heat of up to 1800 degrees. The EVO line is rounded out by the EVO Mini and EVO Sport Utility.
Sick Racing
Booth No. 3448
Established in April 2002, Santee, Calif.-based Sick Racing was formed when a group of female off-road riding enthusiasts came together to design and manufacture high quality riding gear for women.
Sick’s focus is women’s riding gear, designed for competition and recreational riding. In addition to the riding gear, they offer related casual apparel, including sweatshirts, tank tops and T-shirts, and accessories such as hats, visors, socks, gear bags, umbrellas. The riding gear comes in a variety of sizes, including children’s, junior, miss and plus sizes.
EMGO International, Ltd.
Booth No. 6600, 344
Georgia-based EMGO is a major worldwide supplier of aftermarket powersports products. The company has more than 40 product categories, ranging from Air Deflectors to Turn Signal Kits.
Owner Emil Gomez has more than 30 years experience in international markets and keeps quality control over his offshore suppliers.
Mod Cycles
Booth No. 8031
Mod Cycles again plans to showcase the three-wheel Suntrike. “The unit that we presented last year was somewhat different from what you will be seeing this coming February at the show,” Javier Opoczynski told Powersports Business. “We will also present the 150cc version.”
The Suntrike is made in Uruguay, South America, with a CPI engine.
The Suntrike 50 is in stock at MOD Cycles warehouse in Miami. Opoczynski said the 150cc will be ready in March or April.
Teknic
Booth No. 2527
Specialty Sports Ltd. offers a number of new Teknic jackets in 2006, the Violator, Sprint, Interstate and Rage.
The Violator Women’s jacket is Teknic’s first high-end performance jacket designed specifically for women. It features a sports cut with anatomical shaping for improved comfort, stretch panels to improve comfort, fitting and maneuverability; an outer shell of 1.2-1.4 mm Cowhide, a zip-out waterproof/breathable fleece inner jacket, and an anti-bacterial, non-allergenic, and moisture wicking liner.
Other features include a Comfort collar and cuff system, KNOX CE approved KFP1 armor fitted into shoulders and elbows, KNOX CE approved TP2 back armor, full frontal perforations; molded air vents on shoulders, rear exhaust perforations, YKK connecting zippers, a hook ‘n’ loop waist adjustment, a padded rear kidney area and two front pockets and an internal document pocket.
Available in multiple colors, sizes 4-14. MSRP: $399.99
Metrakit Industrial
Booth No. 4110
Barcelona-based Metrakit offers a full line of race parts and kits for small engine sportbikes and scooters, but plans to unveil a new Pre-GP125 roadracer and concept bike at Indy. Metrakit products are imported by Cycle Imports, Inc., Miami.
The Pre-GP is a step up from Metrakit’s 12-inch and 17-inch-wheel small-bore roadracers taking part in 50cc and 80cc races during the past four years. This 125 will continue in the Spec format that has proven successful in 13 counties. It boasts a Husqavarna engine with special road-racing transmission and produces 32hp.
Genuine Scooter Company
Booth No. 5359
You probably know Philip McCaleb’s Genuine Scooter Company by its steel-body retro-styled Stella scooter. For 2006, Chicago-based Genuine offers a limited edition sporty scooter called the Black Cat. The low-emission 50cc two-stroke comes with an automatic transmission, knobby tires, disc brakes and graphics co-branded from the makers of the Black Cat fireworks.
“The general overview of this product is that we’ve taken a proven, rugged scooter platform that offers top-notch durability and performance. But instead of doing the same old treatment that everyone else is doing, we thought we’d be different and do something exciting,” McCaleb said. “We think it will be a blast.”
AFX North America, Inc.
Booth No. 3725
AFX has some new colors for its off-road helmets, the FX-87, FX-9 and FX-86.
Snell and DOT certified, the FX-87 is priced at $89.95 and now comes in ice blue multi and purple multi colors. It’s available in sizes X-small, Small, Medium, Large, X-large and XX-large.
DOT certified and carrying a suggested retail price of $74.95, the FX-9 Ultra Lightweight comes in ice blue multi and pink multi colors. It’s available in sizes X-small, Small, Medium, Large, X-large, XX-large, XXX-large and XXXX-large.
Also DOT certified and retail priced at $59.95, the FX-86 comes in ice blue multi and purple multi colors. It’s available in sizes X-small, Small, Medium, Large, X-large and XX-large in new colors.
Dazon, Inc.
Booth No. 3501
Dazon plans to launch a new buggy, a 1100cc buggy built in the U.S. specifically for Dazon owner Terry Chia. It’s called the Dragon.
“I know the Chinese invasion has seen some 25hp 650cc and 32hp 800cc models that range from $7,000 to $10,000, but we have already tried those engines and they are severely lacking power so we scrapped them,” Chia told Powersports Business. “Ours is a four-cylinder automobile engine, a Suzuki copy that is currently in use for a Chinese-made mini-van and small delivery truck. It has 55hp, weighs 919 lbs. and retails for $10,000.”
The Dragon comes with Fox Shox, supplying eight inches travel in front and 12 inches in the rear, and is designed to be a high-jumper – what Chia says is “10 to 12 feet of air without causing permanent damage to the driver or vehicle.”
MRP
Booth No. 8349
Martin Racing Performance (MRP) is offering a full range of scooter racing batteries and scooter racing spark plugs in addition to performance parts and kits.
The MRP scooter spark plug range features both performance and iridium plugs, giving the buyer the option to use plugs for day-to-day use or racing situations.
Valencia Sport Group, LLC
Booth No. 7615
Valencia offers Sunline ARC and SixSixOne product.
The new Sunline PRO Grip Kit is a complete grip kit that includes everything needed to mount your grips the professional way. Included in the kit are two grips with safety wire grooves and available in three patterns (Double Diamond, Half Waffle, and Full Waffle) and in two compounds (Soft and Medium), stainless steel safety wire, foam mud throttle donut for adverse conditions, two neopream grip donuts designed for the Sunline grips, and grip glue. The grips are available in five color combinations and retail for $16.95.
Available in sizes XS, SM, MD, LG, XL and XXL, and retailing for $190, the 661 PRO Pressure Suit features vented anatomic chest plate covers but does not restrict movement. The shoulder cups are injection-molded soft plastic and conform for a custom fit. The large cut out areas in the bend of the arm increase mobility and range of motion. The backside includes a large, interlocking high impact plastic articulate spine panels for protection and flexibility while the pivoting back increases coverage and free movement.
Greg Berg, vice president of Sun line ARC Brand Development, said other new products from Valencia planned for exhibition include the Sunline ARC Axis Rotating Perch / Flex Lever Off-Road assembly, used by Honda, KTM and Yamaha; and the Sunline Hand Guard Blast Shields.
LS Motorsports
Booth No. 5701
LS Motorsports LLC says it plans to unveil four new Diamo scooter models at the Dealer Expo. Founded in 2003, LS MotorSports, Sugarland, Texas, is the exclusive importer of Diamo scooters and motorcycles.
The Aero GTX 50 is Diamo’s first sport scooter; the Diamo Retro, also available in a 150cc engine, is designed for riders that desire a vintage style; the new 250cc Tracer continues in the footsteps of the earlier 150cc Tracer model; and Diamo’s flagship scooter, Velux, has been updated with more features and options, and now comes as a 150cc or 250cc unit. You may remember the convertible top and unique design form last year’s show. The Velux features a large storage space, remote alarm, radio/CD/MP3 player, and room to add an optional GPS navigation system.
Vanson Leathers
Booth No. 3011
In business for more than 30 years in Massachusetts, Vanson Leathers says it is North America’s largest manufacturer of leather motorcycle jackets and motorcycle riding apparel.
Vanson Leathers has a new classically styled Drifter leather motorcycle jacket that incorporates body armor and the company’s patented RAM Air ventilation system. The jacket also features a straight front zipper, two zipped hand pockets and fitted kidney panel. psb