NEWS
BRIEFS
Emergency Call Systems ( eCall ) are set to follow the automotive industry in Europe and become compulsory on new motorcycles . Such systems become compulsory on new cars in Europe from April this year and the motorcycle industry is also now firmly in the regulatory cross-hairs . BMW has been offering an S . O . S . alert system ( their “ Intelligent Emergency Call feature ) as an option on selected models since last year . Estimates vary , but it is thought that such systems could save anything up to 2,000 lives a year in Europe .
Doug Vancil and the Vance & Hines Top Fuel Harley team took the win at the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona , California , February 11 . Qualifying # 1 , Doug and tuner Mike Romine put down the quickest pass of the weekend , posting a best 6.304 ET at 231.04 mph and then followed that up by dominating the Eliminations .
The first Ducati Scrambler sold exclusively online went on sale at the start of February in Italy , France , Germany , Spain and Portugal . Suitably the model is the “ Scrambler Hashtag ”. After a day in the mud will they be known as the Hashbrowns ? ( RB ).
Motonation has announced it is now the exclusive distributor of Trilobite Premium Aramid Fashion in North America . Trilobite apparel is designed and developed by Biker ’ s Crown / Rusty Piston in the Czech Republic and has never before been distributed in the U . S . With the Heritage , Urban and Travel collections , advanced protective materials used include Dyneema , Cordura Denim and patented Trilobitex .
BRP announces the creation of a Powersports Group and a new senior management member with the appointment of Bertrand Thiébaut as Powersports President . The new group brings together the Ski-Doo , Lynx , Sea-Doo , Can-Am and Rotax product lines into a single operating unit . The Spyder and Evinrude lines will continue to be operated independently .
Polaris announced a 3 percent increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend , raising the payout to $ 0.60 per share . This increase represents the 23rd consecutive year of Polaris increasing its dividend effective with the 2018 first quarter dividend . The first quarter dividend will be payable on March 15 , 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1 , 2018 .
Indian spotlight unknown builders
Indian Motorcycle has announced a new competition for 2018 – “ The Wrench ”, a build-off for three nonprofessional customizers to be supplied with a stock 2018 Scout Bobber and a $ 10,000 build budget . “ There was a time when building custom motorcycles came with zero promise of fame or fortune . Instead , it was purely about the love of chopping , welding and grinding on sheet metal . “ The Wrench ” will celebrate those who find their sense of identity , purpose and glory spending painstaking hours wrenching on garage builds .” In collaboration with Bonnier ’ s Hot Bike magazine and a panel of expert judges , featuring Roland Sands , Satya Kraus , Jason Paul Michaels and Hot Bike Editor-in-Chief Jordan Mastagni ,
“ we are seeking three of the most talented motorcycle craftsmen in the United States with the vision and talent to transform stock Indian Scout Bobbers into one-off works of custom motorcycle art . The competition is not open to professional builders and contestants cannot make a living customizing motorcycles . “ Instead , Indian Motorcycle is looking for everyday wrenchers , home builders and amateur customizers who tinker in
the garage for the passion , not the pay . Motorcycle industry professionals , such as a mechanic or salesperson , are welcomed to submit ,” said Reid Wilson , Senior Director Marketing and Product Planning for Indian Motorcycle . “ Last year we saw what professionals could do with the Scout Bobber platform when Kraus Motor , Keino Cycles and RSD unveiled incredible designs at the Brooklyn Invitational . This year , we ’ re turning the spotlight away from the pros , and shining it on everyday wrenchers .” Indian Motorcycle will arm each amateur builder with a new 2018 stock Indian Scout Bobber and provide a build budget of $ 10,000 . The three custom Scout Bobbers will be unveiled in July , followed by a fan vote . The winner will be announced at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and receive a $ 10,000 grand prize along with a feature spread in Hot Bike magazine .
Drag Specialties – on the road again
A massive logistical and resource undertaking , and a major commit to their dealers and vendors alike , Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties have announced their three Dealer Training Tour schedules for 2018 , with stops at some 70 plus different locations in total . The 27-stop Parts Unlimited Training Tour for Street & Off- Road started in Florida in February and will end at Albany , New York , on April 26 ; the 20- stop Parts Unlimited Tour for Helmet & Apparel started at Santa Clara / San Jose in February and will finish in St . Louis , MO , and Pewaukee , WI , in mid- March . There are 25 Drag Specialties Training Tour stops , starting at Houston , Texas , at the end of March and finishing at Tampa , Florida , in October .
Drag Specialties celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018 , and this year ’ s FatBook Cover Bike goes back to where it all started : on the drag strip . This 2017 Harley-Davidson Road King showcases 50 years to the fullest . Drag Specialties collaborated with Ray Price Harley-Davidson in Raleigh , NC to get back to its roots - this M-8 Dresser is loaded with products from the FatBook .
THE DRAG SPECIALTIES DEALER TRAINING TOUR
March 27 March 29 April 10 April 12 April 24 April 26 May 8 May 10 May 22 May 24 June 5 June 7 June 26 June 28 July10 July 12 July 24 July 26 Sept 11 Sept 13 Sept 25 Sept 27 Oct 9 Oct 11
Houston , TX New Braunfels , TX Los Angeles , CA San Francisco , CA Portland , OR Seattle , WA Baltimore , MD King of Prussia , PA Marlborough , MA Albany , NY Batavia , NY Pittsburgh , PA Louisville , KY Chicago , IL Appleton , WI Minneapolis , MN Kansas City , MO St . Louis , MO Nashville , TN Knoxville , TN Concord , NC Atlanta , GA Ft . Lauderdale , FL Tampa , FL
6 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2018 www . AMDchampionship . com