Sept. 22, 2008 – NATIONAL VENDOR PRESENTATION

Arctiva
What a difference a couple of gold medals can make.
Don Jensen, brand manager for snowmobile apparel brand Arctiva, says the brand has seen a significant interest boost in a particular product since January’s Winter X Games. There, Arctiva-sponsored Levi Lavallee won two gold medals. During the competition, Lavallee wore new Arctiva outerwear that featured a unique combination of patterns.
“Low and behold, our Web site went crazy after that,” Jensen said of the impact of the X Games’ exposure.
That outerwear will be making it out on retail shelves this month.
“Dealer interest has been excellent,” Jensen said of the Comp 3 outerwear, which features camouflage and solid patterns, a unique combination in the snow sector.
“Considering that we had snow in the region last year, everybody was a little more open to looking at new options in snowmobile clothing. This is a radical departure from a lot of the gear that has been out there.”
The jacket includes added features from what Lavallee raced in, according to the Arctiva Web site. Those features include 120 gram Holofil insulation, hand warmer pockets and a full-length entry zipper.
The outerwear gear, which includes the jacket, glove and bib, was scheduled to be available for retail Sept 1.

Factory Effex
The company known for producing graphic kits for the motocross industry is branching out into another segment: high-end wheels.
The Valencia, Calif.-based company will be offering through Parts Unlimited two motocross wheels, a black-rim, magnesium hub model and a silver rim, magnesium hub model. The wheels will retail for $1,195 and be available this month.
“When we decided to diversify, we wanted to stay within a product category that is still related to decorative components for motorcycles,” said Scott Gilly, Factory Effex’s vice president. “We felt that was our comfort zone and what we’re good at.
“So when we looked at those options, one of the weakest markets out there, we feel, was the aftermarket high-end wheel market. There is no one out there that is aggressively marketing it. There is one company that has had a monopoly on it for years and years and no one seems to want to challenge them.”
The company, along with Yamaha and Honda’s help, has created “a factory replica wheel set that can be used at national-level competition,” Gilly said, adding the company has been working on the project for two years.
Gilly says the company is planning on introducing a second wheel set in the future that figures to be in a lower price range.
“We always want to be mid-priced and up because we want to feel good about the product we’re selling,” he said. “When you’re dealing with a wheel set, it offers so much liability you really need the consumer’s confidence that he’s putting something on his bike that will not only hold up well, look good but stay safe and stay together so that he doesn’t have to think about that and focus on other aspects of his bike.”

Boyesen
The company known for building intake products for snowmobiles, PWC and ATV has expanded into the American V-twin segment.
Dag Boyesen, whose father Eyvind Boyesen created the company in the 1970s, says the company’s expansion into the V-twin industry is a result of a changing industry, one that is much less reliant on two-stroke engineering.
“Obviously with the shift in two-stroke stuff going away, we’ve had to focus on some different product,” Dag Boyesen said.
The company this year introduced the Power X-Wing V-twin fitment, a product that is sandwiched between the carburetor and the air filter to maximize airflow. The bolt-on product (MSRP: $129.95) is said to improve acceleration and horsepower and impact fuel efficiency. The fitment is for late-model carbureted and fuel-injected Harley-Davidsons.
Dag Boyesen noted the company still faces the challenge of marketing its brand name in this new arena.
“If some of these Harley guys had dirt bikes as kids, they would know the name,” he said.

BBR Motorsports
The off-road parts manufacturer based out of Auburn, Wash., has streamlined its exhaust offerings to a single system.
The D2 performance exhaust system replaces the original D system the company offered. Previously, BBR developed a standard, round exhaust system — what BBR’s Larry Kuebler described as a “bare bones” system — and later a D system, named for its head-on appearance that is straight on one side and curved on the other. The D system also featured higher-quality materials and a higher selling price.
The D2 has replaced both of those systems. While it retains the higher quality parts of the D series, Kuebler says it features a lower price point. “We found some more cost-effective ways to make things so we can get more competitive on the pricing,” Kuebler said.
The D2 series includes exhaust systems for 12 different four-stroke, off-road models.

Arlen Ness Motorcycles
The custom bike and parts manufacturer is expanding its partnership with Victory Motorcycles, according to Cory Ness.
Ness said the Dublin, Calif.-based manufacturer is producing a new custom motorcycle that will use a number of Victory components, including both its engine and exhaust systems. The bike, which is called the Ness Low Liner V, will be retailed by authorized Victory dealers.
“We’ve had great response and we plan on shipping out late in the last quarter,” Cory Ness said. “We’re really enthused about it.”
The pro-street-style bike will be assembled at Ness’ California facility and feature a number of the company’s custom parts, including its chassis, wheels and brakes.
The new bike’s price point will be above the Ness Signature Series Victory bikes but below Ness’ other custom bikes that feature a different, larger power plant. MSRP on the Ness Low Liner V is $35,900.
Cory Ness says the company’s goal is to have 20 percent of Victory’s dealer network to carry the Low Liner V.
— Neil Pascale