American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 237 April 2019 | Page 64

AFT Series Again Secures
BRIEFS Widespread Industry
Support for 2019
NEWS
Harley rumors about changes for the
MY 2020 Harley line-up (in addition
to the LiveWire) range from the non-
existent to the minimal. Our betting is
on some new models, just to keep
some momentum going, and to keep
the 100 new bikes in 10 years
counter ticking. Look for a new
Touring model and 114" Softail, and
maybe a new CVO. The strangest
report we have heard so far is of a
considerable reduction in the number
of Sportsters being offered in the USA
- but that would be too odd to be
true, unless it is to plow the ground
for a subsequent stand-alone mid-
cycle announcement?
Harley has approved a cash
dividend of $0.375 per share for
the first quarter of 2019, an
increase of +1.4% percent
compared to the first quarter
2018 dividend of $0.37 per
share, payable March 29 to
Common stock shareholders of
record as of March 14, 2019.
Following the difficulties encountered
by Alta Motors after Harley's
termination of its investment and
collaboration agreement, BRP is
reported to have purchased select
assets (IP, patents and some physical
assets) of Alta parent company Faster
Faster, Inc. "as part of BRP's
longstanding interest in new
technologies and alternate energy
sources for the powersports
industry."
Harley has partnered with IBM
Cloud for the H-DF Connect
Service that LiveWire riders will
have access to. The service will
provide owners with 'concierge'
services and allow the
expansion of the use of IBM
artificial intelligence (AI),
analytics and IoT to "enhance
and evolve the rider's
experience of the vehicle." H-D
Connect Service provides
cellular connectivity and links a
LiveWire owner with their
motorcycle through their
smartphone, using the latest
version of the H-D app.
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With a new rider roster for 2019
featuring defending champion
Jared Mees, along with Briar and
Bronson Bauman (supported by
J&P Cycles), and with Brad Baker
as a technical advisor and rider
coach, Indian Motorcycle has
reinforced its support for the
series with a contingency. It is
offering nearly $360,000 and an
impressive line-up of team
sponsors - headed by S&S Cycle,
Parts Unlimited and Drag
Specialties, Indian Motorcycle
Oil, Alpinestars and Bell Helmets.
The 2019 series also has significant
contingency program backing from
Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha,
and KTM as an OEM sponsor. This
year's series features an 18-round
championship and 112 AFT
Production Twins events for twin
cylinder engine production bikes from
BMW, Ducati, Harley, Honda,
Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha street
bikes between 649 - 800 cc.
In the premier AFT Twins presented by
Vance & Hines the line-up of
aftermarket brands supporting the
Parts and Accessories Distribution
Partner.
Danish specialist SBS Brakes is now
into the second of a three-year
commitment to AFT, with North
American Market Manager Chris
Lyngkilde Jensen commenting that
"we could see the success that lay
ahead for the series, it is proving to be
a classic case of the right format at
exactly the right time - that is why we
were very happy to commit for three
years."
Maywood, Illinois windscreen
specialist National Cycle has renewed
its involvement for another year. In
2018, National Cycle served as a
sponsor to AFT Twins presented by
Vance & Hines champion Jared Mees
and heavily supported his campaign to
victory. After a successful season,
National Cycle has now stepped up its
support of the sport by joining AFT's
family of partners.
"National Cycle has been a passionate
fan and supporter of professional flat
track racing for much of its 82-year
history," said Barry Willey, President
and CEO of National Cycle. "After
years of sponsoring riders - including
current #1 Jared Mees - we are proud
to partner as the Official Windshield of
American Flat Track." Barry speaks for
many when he says: "We enjoy all
aspects of motorcycling, and we are
thrilled to see the diverse brands and
styles of motorcycles AFT fans are
riding."
Continues on page 6 >>>
series is impressive. In addition to their
sponsorship of the Indian Motorcycle
factory team, as reported elsewhere in
this edition, Parts Unlimited and Drag
Specialties return as the series' Official
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2019
S&S Cycle has been a major contributor to Indian Motorcycles' success, and
this year President Paul Langley is overseeing team operations for Briar and
Bronson Bauman
www.AMDchampionship.com