Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/274927
www.PowersportsBusiness.com NEWS Powersports Business • March 17, 2014 • 5 4 • March 17, 2014 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com Mark-Hans Richer, director of the young adult segment Mike Lowney, vice president of global integrated marketing Shelly Pax- ton, director of strategic marketing for North America Stacy Watson and field marketing manager Dan Mattias. "We're the only Harley dealership servicing Manhattan, and we will attract multiple seg- ments given our location," John Maguire said. "There are tour buses that come down Broad- way. Tribeca is a hip neighborhood, and we're hoping to get some young hip urban kids. It starts with a T-shirt from our T-shirt Loft, then a leather jacket from the Leather Lounge, then they throw a leg over a bike. And the courts are right down the street. Lawyers have been stop- ping by to find out when the store will open." It turns out that this is not a soft opening. John says, "We're hitting the ground running. We're opening for business tomorrow." PSB Marjorie Kleiman aka Shadow is the editor Thunder Press North Edition, a Powersports Business sister publication. Suzuki sees year-over-year sales growth in January Boulevard B.O.S.S. brings sales increases to dealers With year-over-year sales gains in every cat- egory of motorcycle and ATV product, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc., (SMAI) throttled into 2014 in convincingly strong style. Collectively, Suzuki dealers nationwide reported retail sales in January were significantly higher than those for the same period last year. "Shoppers have a lot of reasons to visit Suzuki dealers," said Rod Lopusnak, SMAI's general manager — National Sales. "With exciting new product arriving and our indus- try-leading retail programs led by the power of 0 percent financing on current Suzuki motor- cycles and ATVs, Suzuki dealers have been attracting consumers, in spite of often challeng- ing weather conditions." Sales of Suzuki Boulevard cruisers and touring motorcycles were particularly strong in January, with the new Suzuki Boulevard B.O.S.S. models drawing significant consumer attention. Suzuki also continues to be a leader in the DualSport motorcycle segment, and sales there remain strong. Sales gains were spread across the Suzuki product line, with growth in each category, from Suzuki QuadSport ATVs to Burgman scooters. Suzuki kicked off its Deal Days retail pro- motion on New Year's Day, and buyers have found the offers — including 0 percent financ- ing or cash back — enticing. Plus, the com- pany has generated significant interest with new products such as the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS and Suzuki Burgman 200 ABS, and both new and veteran motorcyclists are eager to learn more. The motocross segment — including Suzuki RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 — contin- ues to gain accolades from enthusiast media. Suzuki's road racing future also got a boost in January with the announcement of Roger Lee Hayden's addition to the Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team. Hayden will join Mar- tin Cardenas and Chris Clark, with all three competing in the AMA Superbike class aboard Suzuki GSX-R1000 sport bikes. Suzuki also announced a new president early in 2014. Takeshi Hayasaki, who served as assistant to the president of American Suzuki from 1998 to 2003, returned to the U.S. fol- lowing executive roles in Australia and at Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan. His expe- rience combined with SMAI's increasing sales momentum is a sign of good things to come for the company. The strong sales keep Suzuki and its deal- ers excited about the start of spring. Con- sumers will find the new Suzuki GW250 priced at $3,999, well positioned for new riders and offering features attractive to veteran riders. PSB we trust implicitly and who has the experi- ence and enthusiasm to lead Husqvarna's growing and vibrant motorsport department. Husqvarna Motorcycles is already achieving racing success, and as the season progresses we want to ensure it continues." "To represent Husqvarna in motorsport is a real honor," Jonas said. "I am extremely grate- ful that Mr. Pierer and Pit Beirer have placed their confidence in me as Husqvarna Motor- cycles expand their racing activities around the world. Husqvarna will have a motorsport man- agement and technical support system ready to handle these increasing demands — one that mirrors the hugely successful working prac- tices of KTM motorsport. This really is a very exciting time for both the Husqvarna Motor- cycles brand and myself personally." POLARIS, YAMAHA ISSUE RECALLS Polaris and Yamaha issued recalls of a select number of units in late February, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com- mission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Polaris has issued a recall of about 16,550 Rangers. The throttle cable can melt on the exhaust pipe and fail to operate properly. This can cause the rider to lose control, posing a crash hazard. The recall involves 2013 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI and Ranger Crew 500 EFI models. Polaris has received one report of a vehicle's throttle failing to return to idle after accelerat- ing, causing the operator to lose control of the vehicle and be thrown from it, resulting in a scraped shin. The units were sold at Polaris dealers nationwide from June 2012 through February 2014 from between $9,300 and $11,000. Meanwhile, Yamaha recalled 24,000 2009- 13 YZFR1 and 2012-13 XTZ12 motorcycles. On the affected bikes, the headlight may generate enough heat to cause the bulb con- nections to expand, resulting in an arching in the bulb socket, which could cause the socket to overheat and melt and cause the headlight to malfunction. Dealers will be repairing the headlight socket of the affected units. Yamaha also recalled about 1,300 of its YZ250 and YZ450 competition off-road motorcycles when it was learned the drive chain can detach and cause the rider to lose control, posing a crash hazard. About 1,300 units were affected. The recall involved 2014 Yamaha model numbers YZ250FEL, YZ250FEW, YZ450FEL and YZ450FEW. The bikes were sold at Yamaha motorcycle dealers nationwide from December 2013 through January 2014 for between $7,500 and $8,500. PSB HOTNEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 (Top) Harley-Davidson of New York City's newest dealership is located in Tribeca, on the corner of Broadway and White. (Bottom) The Power Wall is the first-of-its-kind at any Harley-Davidson dealership, and is planned to serve as a model for future Harley dealerships. Asaf Jacobi, president/general manager of H-D of NYC, designed the con- cept behind the touch-screen kiosk and projection screen. cycleinventory.com, ATV.com, Motorcycle. com, Chopper Exchange and CarSoup. "It's very exciting to be partnering with ARI and to have the opportunity to offer our dealers KYMCO USA-branded websites," said Rick Pawelka, KYMCO USA director of marketing. "As an emerging brand, it's impor- tant that our dealers follow the coordinated national advertising programs developed by KYMCO USA's advertising department. Hav- ing a brand-specific, online presence that reflects the image and marketing direction created by KYMCO USA is just another step in the right direction." PSB ARI to provide websites to KYMCO dealers P01x09-PSB4-NEWS.indd 5 3/5/14 11:29 AM