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MOTORCYCLE Six technicians will be aiming for a spot at world event Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A.'s Customer Support Group has announced the top six technicians invited to participate in its U.S. Technician Grand Prix. The six technicians achieved the highest scores on Yamaha's Tech- nical Academy (YTA) Gold classes conducted between fall 2013 and spring 2016. The top six YTA technicians participating in the U.S. Technician Grand Prix are: Scott Campbell — DuPage Honda Yamaha, Chicago, IL Josh Fugate — CC Powersports, Louisville, KY Bryan J. Harner — Yamaha of Camp Hill, Camp Hill, PA Steven Maltba — Fayetteville Powersports, Fayetteville, NC Kevin Miller — Honda/Yamaha of Savannah, Savannah, GA James Summerson — Heyser Cycle, Laurel, MD Yamaha's YTA Gold class is an intense five- day training course emphasizing advanced problem solving techniques while utilizing the latest computerized diagnostic tools. Using their dealership experience and acquired skills gained from YTA Bronze and Silver courses, the technicians attend the YTA Gold class to further advance their troubleshooting skills on a variety of Yamaha motorsports products. These top six technicians will compete in the U.S. Technician Grand Prix, a gruel- ing two-day head to head competition, June 9-10, at Yamaha's Southeastern headquar- ters in Kennesaw, Ga. The winner of the U.S. Grand Prix will represent the U.S. in the 2016 World Technician Grand Prix in October at Yamaha's world headquarters in Iwata, Japan. "Yamaha is committed to providing the best possible service to our customers. Our techni- cians in our dealerships are a vital part of that mission. We are invested in providing them the tools and training to perform at the highest level. We celebrate the success and dedication of these six technicians and continue to sup- port them through this exciting competition," said Colin Haugh, national service manager of Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A.'s Customer Support Group. PSB Yamaha's top techs to square off at Grand Prix 22 • May 23, 2016 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Nelson-Rigg seeking more V-twin dealers Company's cooler bag was a 2016 Nifty 50 winner BY LIZ KEENER MANAGING EDITOR Nelson-Rigg has been producing soft motor- cycle luggage, apparel and motorcycle covers for more than 40 years, and this year marked the 17th annual V-Twin Expo, and yet this year was the first that Nelson-Rigg had a booth at the Cincinnati show. Rick Brooks, brand manager for Nelson- Rigg, told Powersports Business that his com- pany is especially homing in on the V-twin segment as of late, and the V-Twin Expo was the ideal place to talk to those dealers. "We want to reach out to the dealers in the V-twin market. We have product in this space, and everything we have is sold through distrib- utors, so it gives us the opportunity to reach out directly to the dealer and get feedback from the dealer as to what they like and what they don't like and which direction the market is going. So that's why we're here," he said. Among the products Nelson-Rigg brought to the V-Twin Expo were its All Weather Dry Bags, which have an airtight roll closure that makes them 100 percent waterproof. Also at the booth was the brand's new RG-006 Mountable 12-Pack Cooler Bag. A 2016 Powersports Business Nifty 50 Award- winner, the cooler bag has a zipper storage compartment that easily holds 12 cans plus ice, and the waterproof lining is removable for easy cleaning. The cooler bag fits a variety of vehicles, including V-twin motorcycles. During the Feb. 6-7 show, Brooks also talked to dealers about the brand's rain suits and wheeled luggage, which are aimed at the bagger market. "The V-twin market is evolving, and where the Softails were so popular, now we just see it moving into baggers," he said. "The bag- ger market is really growing, and we see the Sportster and the Dyna market growing for the younger generation. So that's kind of how we see the split. We want to get closer to the younger generation and see what's going to work for that Sportster/bobber/Dyna market. And we want to get closer to the bagger market and do more for that." Attracting consumers to buying Nelson- Rigg product and dealers to carrying it is the lifetime warranty that comes will all bags and the styling that's on par with luggage trends in the industry. "We build quality into it, so when somebody gets something, it's going to work; it's going to last; it's not going to tear out on them. The zip- pers aren't going to break when they're out on a trip, and next thing they know they've got a bag they're trying to duct tape closed or Bungee cord on. So really it's the quality that put into our product. Our fit and our finish will compare to anybody's on the market," Brooks said. Nelson-Rigg's V-twin-focused line is dis- tributed by Drag Specialties, and HardDrive recently picked up some of the products. PSB Rick Brooks, brand manager for Nelson-Rigg, shows a V-Twin Expo attendee one of the company's All Weather Dry Bags. The company's V-twin products are distributed by Drag Specialties and HardDrive. "We want to get closer to the younger generation and see what's going to work for that Sportster/bobber/ Dyna market." Rick Brooks, brand manager, Nelson-Rigg David Speeks of Houston Motorsports peforms a head gasket replacement on a 2013 Yamaha YZ450F during the World Technician Grand Prix in 2014. Jeremiah Thibeau of Davis Service Center in Grand Junction, Colo., advanced to the 2014 World Grand Prix.