Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/183375
6 • October 7, 2013 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com Test results released on E-15 fuel impact on sleds Department of Energy says keep E-15 out of sleds The U.S. Department Of Energy (DOE) released a study conducted by Michigan Technological University that was designed to evaluate the effects of E-15 fuel on current and legacy snowmobile engines and vehicles. Three test scenarios were conducted to evaluate the impact of E-15, including cold-start performance and emissions, snowmobile drivability and laboratory exhaust emissions over the useful life of the engine. Eight engines were tested over a two-year period. The vehicles were tested in the laboratory and on the trail in real-life driving conditions. The conclusion of the testing by the DOE is that E-15 fuel is not approved for snowmobile use. Observations made during the study support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to not approve E-15 fuel for snowmobiles. The testing was conducted since E-15 fuel is being introduced into the marketplace and is viewed by some as an important fuel, enabling the U.S. to achieve the goals of the Reformulated Fuel Standard passed by Congress. Ethanol is being produced throughout the U.S. Ethanol producers use corn, switch grass and other related plant products in the pro- AIMEXPO COVER CONTINUED FROM here, and really it's our opportunity to just make a statement," said Little, vice president and general manager of Marketplace Events' Motorcycle Group. Following the grand opening, the crowd will move toward the expo hall, where there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony before attendees are allowed in the doors. The Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo, which is expected to be a big dealer draw, will then kick off at 11 a.m. with sessions in Sales & Marketing, Digital Solutions, Service & Operations and Powering Profits running concurrently. In total, dealers will be able to choose from 40 sessions throughout Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. More details on those sessions can be found within the pages of this issue. On Wednesday and Thursday night, AIMExpo attendees and exhibitors will also be "We're promoting to the consumer that you can come to the show and learn to ride." Larry Little, vice president and GM, Motorcycle Group, Marketplace Events treated to a happy hour following the 6 p.m. closing of the expo hall. Little said this networking time was well thought out, with consideration made for everyone's time. "The reason this works is everybody's welcome; it gives everyone a chance to network for an hour after the show, as the show ends, but then you still have an opportunity to go to dinner," he said, adding that he expects many people will take advantage of Pointe Orlando, with restaurants, entertainment and more, a short walk away from the convention center and nearby hotels. P01x13-PSB13-News.indd 6 PHOTO BY SNOW GOER MAGAZINE duction of ethanol. It is the directive of the present administration that 13.8 billion gallons of ethanol be produced and distributed in the marketplace. The goal is challenging because U.S. gasoline consumption is declining rapidly. Since it appears the E-15 fuel will be made more readily available throughout the U.S., it is important that owners of snowmobiles and of A new study conducted by Michigan Technological University evaluated the effects of E-15 fuel on current and legacy snowmobilea. Conclusions of the testing done by the U.S. Department of Energy state that E-15 fuel is not approved for snowmobile use. other gas-powered products realize that E-15 fuel may impact the various engines. The 69-page study highlights that one of the key issues related to snowmobiles is that exhaust gas temperatures and muffler exit temperature consistently increase with the use of E-15 fuel. The increased temperatures range from 15 to 40 percent, depending on the vehi- cle. This rise in temperature occurs because of the leaner air/fuel mixture. Since it has been recommended that E-15 not be approved for snowmobile use by the EPA, there is concern in the marketplace that mis-fueling of snowmobiles can occur. Recent surveys show that approximately 50 percent of all Americans fill up their portable gas tank or vehicles that they are towing with the same fuel used to fill their tow vehicle (car or truck). Also, approximately two-thirds of all Americans say that they assume that any gas sold at a gas station is safe for all of their vehicles — including snowmobiles, generators, boats, etc. Approximately 50 percent of Americans check the fuel pumps for warning labels when filling up their vehicles. With various fuels entering the marketplace, it is more important than ever that customers carefully read any and all labels on gas dispensing pumps and understand the guidance messages placed on those pumps. E-85 fuel has been available in the marketplace for many years. E-85 is a blend of fuel that is designed to be used in flex-fuel equipped cars and trucks only. E-85 is 85 percent ethanol. It should not be confused with E-15, which is 15 percent ethanol. E-10 fuel is 10 percent ethanol and has been available and used throughout the U.S. for years and is approved for snowmobile use. PSB FRESH AIR OPPORTUNITIES Along with the expo hall, education sessions and happy hours, dealers will have access to AIMExpo Outdoors, a demo area just a walk away from the OCCC that allows attendees to catch some fresh air while taking their turns on the latest vehicles from Yamaha, Suzuki, KYMCO and EBR before customers take test rides the following days. "I think the worst possible thing would be that if you're a dealer, and the consumer has the opportunity to ride the product, and you haven't, that's probably not a good dynamic," Little said. "You want to make sure that you know as much or a little bit more than the consumer when he walks into your store." He added, "I suspect the smarter dealers will hang around at least for Friday to find out what consumer sentiment is about those machines as well, so they have a leg up before they go back home." AIMExpo Outdoors will include A- and B-rated off-road courses, offering different levels of difficulty, depending on the riders' ability and the capabilities of the ATVs and side-by-sides ridden. Former Grand National champion Mike Kidd is designing each course. A street course will also be available, catering to Yamaha FZ-09 demos, among others. During the consumer days, even more AIMExpo Outdoors activities will open up. An Adventure Challenge course, which is being created under the consultation of an expert involved in the BMW MOA rally, will allow consumers to bring their own adventure bikes to run the course. "I'm sure it will be entertaining from a spectator's standpoint, as well as a participant's standpoint," Little said. Cycle World will also run a Dynojet dyno for riders, with proceeds to benefit charity, and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is offering Introductory Experience courses in street motorcycle, dirt bike, ATV and side-by-side. "They're actually going to have four different ranges set up for their four different types of riding, so a consumer will be able to come STILL INTERESTED IN ATTENDING AIMEXPO? If you didn't pre-register, don't fret. On-site registration for dealers is just $35 at the door. The trade portion of the event runs Wednesday, Oct. 16-Friday, Oct. 18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. in during the consumer days and basically in an hour get an introductory experience. We're promoting to the consumer that you can come to the show and learn to ride," Little explained. Creating the outdoor space has opened opportunities not only for manufacturers ready to show off their new rides, but also for AIMExpo, which was looking to get more excitement from the off-road side of the industry. "As the side-by-side activity, especially, ramped up from a demo prospective, it caught the interest of many, many aftermarket companies that were more oriented toward those products," Little said. "I would say that there's some good scooter coverage as well with the number of scooter exhibitors that we've got, so the word motorcycle is more generic, and we use that in the name of the show, but we go to great pains to talk about motorcycles and the greater powersports industry in most of our messaging." AIMExpo announced Sept. 10 that it had signed its 350th exhibitor, Warn Industries. Due to the volume of exhibitors and the availability of the outdoor space, AIMExpo is already seeing consumer interest in threeday passes, allowing them access from Friday afternoon through Sunday. "Based on the size and what they've heard about it, and the fact that they might want to do street demos and dirt demos and everything else, they just believe that they want to come back more than one day," said Webster, president of the trade show division of Marketplace Events. In fact, the show has gained so much enthusiasm that Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has proclaimed the week of the show "AIMExpo Motorcycle and Powersports Industry Week." "That's very good, especially for the local community, in driving the community and driving consumers to the show. It's also a testament to the city's commitment to being the host and welcoming everybody that's coming in from out of the area and locally," Webster said. Though half of the show is dedicated to consumers, AIMExpo sees the entire event as being beneficial to the industry as a whole and the dealers who help move the product. "Even the seminars that are being delivered to the consumers, the dealers definitely benefit from that. The content and how it's building, that's going to stimulate consumers to do more, get more excited about motorcycling, buy more aftermarket stuff or whatever, so there's residual effect on the dealers for that, which is good," Webster said. It's clear that after more than a year of planning, the crew at AIMExpo is looking forward to a well-attended, industry-charging show. PSB 9/25/13 11:03 AM