Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/208245
November 4, 2013 • Volume 16, Number 14 • $3.99 INSPIRING SUCCESS THROUGH MARKET INTELLIGENCE www.powersportsbusiness.com 1-800/848-6247 FOCUS Powersports Business • November 4, 2013• 15 PSB www.PowersportsBusiness.com This issue: Helmet & Apparel Next issue: E-Commerce/DMS No. 1? It's Go AZ Motorcycles PSB: FOCUS Helmet/Apparel SEE PAGE 15 Heading into the future Bell leaps forward by offering personalized helmets to consumers BY LIZ KEENER MANAGING EDITOR It's no secret that racers are always privy to the latest technology before average consumers can get their hands on it, but another piece of that race-ready intelligence is being developed for the commercial space. Bell Helmets has begun making its customized helmets available to consumers, and 25 trailblazers have already brought home their personalized lids. The 59-year-old helmet company hosted a custom helmet event at the FIM Superbike World Championship at Laguna Seca in September, inviting 25 customers to a VIP experience, provided they purchased a custom Bell Star Carbon. Getting to the point of offering custom helmets to consumers was a big step for Bell, as the company has spent years refining the customization technology to bring a racer-like helmet experience to the average rider. And there's still more work to be done to deliver this technology to the masses. LAUNCHING CUSTOM HELMETS About four years ago, Bell decided it wanted to give its athletes an edge by creating custom helmets shaped specifically to the unique characteristics of each rider's head. The brand turned to the R&D center of its parent company, Easton-Bell Sports. With experience in bicycle, football, baseball, softball, hockey, lacrosse and See Bell, Page 18 Top notch Powersports Business reveals the 2013 Power 50 dealerships. SEE PAGE 6 (Above) GM Gina Marra accepts the No. 1 dealer trophy from PSB editors (from left) Tom Kaiser, Dave McMahon and Liz Keener. (Top right) ARI president and CEO Roy Olivier speaks at the Power 50 Awards Dinner. (Middle right) The Power 50 hardware prepares for handoff. (Bottom right) The Power 50 No. 1 dealer award found a home at Go AZ Motorcycles in Scottsdale, Ariz. New role Tim Calhoun becomes the CEO and president of LeoVince USA after buying the company. SEE PAGE 26 More power Yamaha improves its flagship PWC models by adding a larger displacement engine. SEE PAGE 36 Go AZ Motorcycles, a multi-line dealership in Scottsdale, Ariz., owned by Go Daddy founder Bob Parsons, has been named the No. 1 dealership in North America for 2013 by the industry's leading business publication, Powersports Business. Go AZ Motorcycles general manager Gina Marra accepted the award during the Power 50 Awards Dinner as part of the Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo, the industry's leading trade show. The inaugural Power 50, launched by Powersports Business to honor the top-performing dealerships in North America, culminated in a Bell develops custom helmets . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 15 ATV: Meyer helps dealers expand reach . . . . . . PAGE 24 CYCLE: VW Credit provides Ducati financing . . . . . PAGE 27 SNOW: Bully Dog bursts into powersports. . . . . . . PAGE 32 See Power 50, Page 5 POWERSPORTS BUSINESS / RBC CAPITAL MARKETS Q3 DEALER SURVEY Dealers see optimism with side-by-side sales Q3 Survey shows marginally better business conditions FOCUS: celebration of dealership success during a well-attended dinner at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. "We were honored to have many dealerships make the time and travel commitment to join us for the first Power 50 Awards Dinner in Orlando," Powersports Business editor-in-chief Dave McMahon said. "All 50 dealerships set themselves apart by implementing a variety of profit-building initiatives in 2013, but none did so more than Go AZ Motorcycles." Under Marra's direction, the dealership's New Delivery Room provides customers with a launching EDITOR'S NOTE: Powersports Business, in partnership with RBC Capital Markets analyst John Kempf, conducted its online Q3 Dealer Survey at the end of the quarter. Nearly 150 dealers from 44 states and Canada participated. Participating dealers sell new and/or pre-owned units from more than 40 different powersports manufacturers. Kempf's research note is provided below. Dealers who complete the survey in its entirety receive a copy of Kempf's complete report. Selections from Kempf's report on the Q3 survey follow: HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR While overall sentiment was mixed, businessHow would you characterize your calendar Q3 (JulySept.) business performance relative to plan? CALENDAR Q3 (JULY-SEPT.) BUSINESS conditions appear marginally better. Customer PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO PLAN? traffic has slightly improved, while increased buying interest was a bright spot. However, dealer profit margins appear to have deteriorated. Not surprisingly, concerns have increased Above plan regarding the current political environment and 19% the economy, as the survey was taken during the recent U.S. government shutdown. Below plan 48% In particular, the outlook for side-by-sides appears healthy, driven by recent new product On plan 33% introductions. The outlook for traditional ATVs has also improved, while expectations for snowmobiles are strong following the return of a more See Survey, Page 4 HOTNEWS Polaris to supply Special Ops with ATVs Polaris announced the company was awarded a contract by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to provide MRZR Lightweight Tacti- P01x05-PSB14-News.indd 1 cal All Terrain Vehicles. This contract award spans up to five years and allows SOCOM to manage their ultra-light tactical mobility needs to meet mission demands and emerging threats. The MRZR2 and MRZR4 are highly-mobile, CV-22 transportable, multi-configurable off-road platforms, and will be supplied with accessories, spare parts, mechanical and operator training. "Polaris is proud to supply the U.S. Special Operations Forces with our high-performing MRZR vehicles," said Rich Haddad, general manager See Hot News, Page 3 10/30/13 11:58 AM