Feb. 9, 2009 – Aftermarket Digest

Brembo opens new plant, starts new brand

Brembo has opened a new plant in India for motorcycle and scooters braking systems production.
The facility will manufacture disc braking systems for scooters and motorcycles between 125cc-250cc for the Indian market. Brembo’s operational market sector has been growing 14 percent in 2008 compared to the previous year and a development is foreseen for this year. The new plant is in Pune, the capital of India’s automotive sector, and employs 220.
Brembo Group, through its Indian subsidiary, holds a 50 percent market share of motor vehicles brake systems manufactured in India and its main clients are the leading local as well as international companies, such as Bajaj, Hero Honda, Honda Motors, Yamaha, Suzuki and Royal Henfield.
Brembo also has introduced a new brand Breco, a synthesis of “Brembo Company,”?which will be dedicated to the braking systems of small-to-medium displacement scooters and motorcycles (up to 250cc) targeted for the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and other southeastern countries (ASEAN).

New Web site feature matches parts to a consumer’s vehicle

According to a new consumer survey from The E-tailing Group Inc., online shoppers find site search the most useful element of a retail Web site by a wide margin. In fact, keyword search rated “very to most important” by 80 percent of consumers in the survey and “advanced search” functionality rated the same by 67 percent. These were the most highly ranked Web site features of the survey and 50 Below’s new EZ-Shop meets those needs, the company said.
EZ-Shop was developed to ensure consumers find what they are looking for and “Shop by Fitment,” which 50 Below did in conjunction with Ready 2 Ride, extends the toolset even further.
“Shop by Fitment” will allow consumers to look up and buy aftermarket parts and accessories by searching via their vehicle’s year, make and model. The consumer types in their vehicle’s information, and the EZ Shop system displays the parts that fit on the machine or vehicle entered. The consumer can then click a button to purchase the part from their dealer.
For more information, visit www.50Below.info or call 866/479-2693.

MIC asks state house to hold off exhaust legislation

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has urged the New Hampshire House Transportation Committee to postpone pending loud pipe legislation until early spring when a new stationary sound test is available.
The MIC and the Society of Automotive Engineers are finalizing this test that is aimed at providing a quick, easy, economical and science-based tool for accurately identifying motorcycles with excessively noisy exhaust systems.
New Hampshire’s House Transportation Committee recently held a hearing on the proposed legislation, HB 95. The bill would prohibit modification of exhaust systems in any manner, prohibit operation of motorcycles without stock mufflers, require that every bike has a functioning tachometer, and also lower the allowable sound limit.
The committee took no action on the legislation at the hearing on Jan. 21, but did create a subcommittee to study the issues more closely and make recommendations.
“Our goal is to provide a consistent tool nationwide for identifying excessively loud exhaust systems without failing those that pass the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency federal sound limit,” Pamela Amette, vice president of the MIC, said in a press release. “This sound test will effectively achieve the sound control goals of New Hampshire, and other states and municipalities, and more so than some of the proposed legislation currently being considered. On a national level, it will eliminate a lot of the confusion and frustration for motorcyclists when they ride through different jurisdictions.”

Drive Systems USA appointed importer of AFAM products

Effective Jan.1, Drive Systems USA was reappointed as the exclusive importer of AFAM Products.
Drive Systems USA and its forerunner, AFAM USA, had been the exclusive importer from 1993-2004. In 2004, the French-Belgium parent company, DC AFAM, started its own import division in Atlanta.
In September, negations were started for Drive Systems to buy out all the existing stock located in the Georgia office. Now that this has been completed, Drive Systems USA inventory of AFAM sprockets is back to proper levels, according to a company press release.
The exclusivity of the importation agreement is meant to assure the availability of AFAM products for years to come, the release said.

SuperTrapp partners with Race Pro for 2009 ProTour

SuperTrapp Industries, a manufacturer of performance exhaust systems, has partnered up with Rob Hassay’s ProTour to grow its reach at numerous motorcycle events and rallies throughout 2009.?
Riders and show attendees can see all SuperTrapp and Kerker exhausts up close, get their questions answered by Sales Manager Jeff Wells and have their new SuperTrapp or Kerker exhaust installed on site at the ProTour display.
“We joined the ProTour with goals of strengthening our relationship with our customers, increasing brand awareness and supporting the many dealers who sell SuperTrapp and Kerker exhausts,” Kevin Berger, president of SuperTrapp, said in a press release. “The ProTour will also allow SuperTrapp to gain enhanced customer feedback and allow us the opportunity to answers riders’ questions regarding performance, quality, sound, style and applications.”
The Pro Tour and SuperTrapp will be at several events this spring, including Daytona Bike Week, Feb. 27-March 8 at Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson; Rally on the River on April 17-19 at Javelina Harley-Davidson in Fair Oaks, Texas; and at Laughlin River Run on April 22-26 at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, Nev.

Comfort Max Gel Pads available in three color cover options

American Motorcycle Specialties USA announced its line of Comfort Max Gel Pads are now available in a choice of three genuine Sheepskin fur colors: Traditional Black, Silver/Grey and Golden Tan.
The gel seat pad’s Sheepskin wool cover is soft and resilient. Its fibers can absorb up to 30 percent of their own weight in moisture without feeling wet, the company said.
The Comfort Max Gel Pads feature five different sizes designed to fit any motorcycle seating configuration. At the core of this comprehensive line seat pad line is an advanced Viscoelastic molded gel used in medical and sports applications. Its unique properties include the elimination of pressure points or “hot spots,” which can cause rider discomfort.
For more information, call 800/710-7237 or look online at www.amspecialtiesusa.com.

Nachman announces new international sales manager

Nachman International has named Peter Larvia as its new international sales manager.
Larvia has spent the past 15 years with Motorfirman Holger Duell AB of Sweden as its aftermarket snowmobile and ATV parts product manager.
The company says it is excited to have Peter join its team and knows he will be a major contributor in the growth and expansion for Nachman International. Nachman International, a Taiwan-based company, is a large parts and accessory supplier to many OEMs and worldwide distributors.

EVS Sports forms partnership with Arenacross team

EVS Sports announced it has formed a partnership and team sponsorship with Team Babbitts Monster Energy Kawasaki.
The Arenacross team, which consists of riders Chad Johnson, Kelly Smith and Leighton Lillie, is managed by Denny Bartz. They will exclusively be wearing EVS knee braces for the continuation of the 2009 Arenacross Series.

Manufacturer to have acorn woods handle PR functions

Coliant Corp. announced the appointment of Acorn Woods Communications to handle advertising, marketing and public relations functions for its two divisions, Powerlet and Contego.
Powerlet manufactures a line of plug and play power connectors, accessories and heated apparel for the motorcycle, ATV and snowmobile industries. psb