NEWS
BRIEFS
From a 2016 low of $ 56.25 following release of their 2016 fiscals , Harley saw its share price recover ground to reach a 23-month high of $ 62.94 in mid-March , a level not seen since April 2015 , but it had fallen back to $ 60.57 as this edition of AMD Magazine went to press March 21 . However , that is still substantially up on the year-ago ( March 22 , 2015 ) level of $ 49.66 .
As the Official Motorcycle Tire through 2019 for the American Flat Track series ( AFT ), Dunlop is stepping up technical support in the form of additional tire choices - at select Twins class rounds competitors will have the option of choosing between two Dunlop DT3 tire compound tires . Additionally , Dunlop will increase contingency offerings by nearly 300 percent and expand payout to first through fifth place finishers in both the AFT Twins and AFT Singles classes .
In what is being described as the biggest two-year jump in 50 years , reports suggest that the United States has seen a dramatic increase in car and motorcycle road fatalities in 2015 / 16 after years of gradually declining fatalities . Within this figure , it is believed that motorcycle fatalities are , at worst , level .
Bringing an end to the tradition that founded the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb , the event ’ s Competition Committee have announced 2017 as the last year in which motorcycles designed to race on dirt surfaces from competing on the 156 turn 12.42 mile now paved course at “ America ’ s Mountain ” near Colorado Springs . The course starts at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak and has been fully paved ( for environmental reasons ) since 2011 . This will be the 95th running of what is the second oldest motorsports event in the USA .
Polaris CEO Scott Wine has seen his annual compensation ( salary , stock awards , option award etc ) fluctuate in-line with the company ’ s financial fortunes , share price and stock market capitalization . From a healthy $ 8.8m , his share of the action shrank to $ 7.1m in 2015 and in 2016 he has had to get by on $ 5.46m .
J & P Cycles Iowa Rally
J & P Cycles say their Anamosa , Iowa location will become the largest motorcycle aftermarket store in the world during the weekend of June 24-25 , 2017 as the J & P Cycles Iowa Rally celebrates its 38th anniversary by becoming the site of Hot Bike Magazine ' s National Garage Build-Off for custom motorcycles . The competition is expected to draw the nation ' s top garagebuilt custom bikes competing for $ 3,000 and an invitation to the annual Hot Bike Tour , where their motorcycle will go up against famous builders in the Invitational Build-Off . Located at J & P Cycles ' original store , the free rally includes motocross stunt shows from Cowboy Kenny ' s Steel Rodeo Tour , live music throughout the weekend , food , beer and opportunities to support Camp Courageous , a camp for kids and adults with disabilities . In conjunction with the rally , the National Motorcycle Museum is opening a new exhibit , Dirt Riding in America . Located near the rally in Anamosa , visitors will be among the first to experience the exhibit and will see more than 450 vintage bikes on display in the museum ' s permanent collection .
Jared Mees and Indian win at Daytona
Jared Mees took home a dominant AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines win to become the first rider to win an American Flat Track race on the Indian Motorcycle Scout FTR750 . The No . 9 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing FTR750 rider ’ s big win at the 2017 season opener also marked the first time that a rider won a TT on a twin in nearly 34 years , when fellow National No . 9 rider and Flat Track legend Jay Springsteen won at the Peoria TT in 1983 . “ You don ’ t know how special it is to win the first Daytona TT on the Indian ,” Mees said . “ I ’ m going to go down in the record books as the first to win on the Indian . I ’ m so excited just for my entire team and the hard work that everybody put in . It ’ s unbelievable what we all went through . Indian Motorcycle did an outstanding job .” The win also marked a personal record as Mees ’ first TT win . It also served as personal redemption as Mees gets his run at recapturing the No . 1 plate off to a good start . Although it ’ s a new era for flat track , it was the usual suspects who
Congratulations to Jared Mees and Indian Motorcycle ! As the legendary Indian Vs . Harley rivalry is renewed in a reinvigorated American Flat Track Racing series this year , Mees and Indian took the win at the inaugural Harley-Davidson Daytona TT presented by Politis & Matovina race at Daytona Bike Week , a race that played-out under the lights at the Daytona International Speedway on March 16
The Iowa Rally is a chance for riders to get up-close and personal with reps from more than 50 companies offering motorcycling products . It ' s a chance to see the newest motorcycle accessories , and ask questions to experts from companies like Vance & Hines , Kuryakyn , Dunlop , Klock Werks , Metzeler , Mustang Seats , Rinehart Racing , and many more . Riders can even have selected parts installed on their bikes on site .
dominated . Mees ’ rival and fellow Indian Wrecking Crew rider Bryan Smith finished second on the No . 1 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate FTR750 . Although it was not a win , the reigning Champ was happy to leave Daytona right on Mees ' heels . “ There was a lot of pressure ,” Smith said . “ There was so much focus on this weekend and especially us , having a new bike and a new team . So , second place at a TT in Daytona ? I ’ m happy .” Joining the Indian Motorcycle duo on the podium was TT specialist Henry Wiles on the No . 17 DPC Racing Kawasaki Ninja 650 . Jake Johnson had a bit of redemption himself , as the No . 5 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R rider was plagued with poor luck all day until when it counted , taking a fourthplace finish in the main event . Completing the top-five was Bronson Bauman on the No . 37 Rod Lake Kawasaki Ninja 650 . As this edition of AMD Magazine went to press , the American Flat Track series was heading for the Atlanta Short Track at Dixie Speedway , March 25 , then on to the half mile course at Charlotte on April 1 . After a six week gap battle will be resumed at the Indian Motorcycle presented Arizona Mile , Phoenix , May 13 ; then it is on to the “ Legendary ” Harley-Davidson Sacramento Mile , May 20 , and the Springfield , Illinois TT , May 27 .
10 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2017