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6 • March 17, 2014 • Powersports Business NEWS www.PowersportsBusiness.com www.PowersportsBusiness.com NEWS Powersports Business • March 17, 2014 • 7 especially involved with efforts to get more rid- ers to willingly wear helmets. "It's kind of a personal vendetta to make sure we're protecting motorcyclists as much as we can, so the sport doesn't dwindle," he said. Sackett said though he and Bell don't believe in mandatory helmet laws, they do have hopes for getting more riders protected, and that goal isn't just based on trying to make money, but instead, growing the sport. "We reinvest a massive amount of our profit into developing our product," he said. And from all the testing that's done, it's clear that development is geared heavily toward safety. "There are helmet companies, a couple of them. Arai and Shoei are helmet companies — they make helmets. They've tested them. They do a good job making helmets, and there are others, too, not to name them all," Sackett said. "We are a helmet company. There are plenty of companies making helmets, as you know, they're a marketing company, and a helmet is an extension of their product line. Some of them do a good job; some of them are just sourcing helmets off the shelf of manufac - turers and putting their name on it, so there is a difference. We focus on head protection; Shoei [and] Arai focus on head protection. I think it's just important to note that those are the differences." PSB Bell recently added a second rotational impact rig to its slew of testing equipment to study how a head rotates inside a helmet upon impact. With the variety of testing equipment Bell employs, engineers can test rotational, linear, chinbar and penetration impacts on its helmets. Distributor to showcase more brands at Orlando trade show The American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) announced that Tucker Rocky/ Biker's Choice will return to AIMExpo in 2014, scheduled for Oct. 16-19 at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center. Tucker Rocky/ Biker's Choice was one of the cornerstone exhibitors at the inaugural AIMExpo last Octo- ber, and will expand its presence this year. North America's first combined trade, media and consumer powersports event, the unique AIMExpo format puts brands in direct interaction with the entire marketplace. Last year, Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice showcased several of its key brands including Speed and Strength, Firstgear, Twin Power, Answer Racing, MSR and ProTaper on the AIMExpo exhibit floor and, following the success of the inaugural event, plans to expand its footprint to ensure all of its brands are represented. "AIMExpo addressed a void in this indus- try that was long overdue," said Hank Des- jardins, VP marketing, Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice. "We were able to bring attention to our brands, introduce new product, and inter- act with dealers, the press and consumers, all of which was something we could never do before at a single venue. After our success at last year's launch, we look forward to return- ing with our complete arsenal, presenting everything that Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice has to offer, to everyone!" Attendees at the 2014 AIMExpo will have the opportunity to see the latest products from the aforementioned Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice brands, as well as BikeMaster, Bully Locks, QuadBoss and River Road Gear. "Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice took full advantage of the AIMExpo platform last year and demonstrated how a distributing exhibi- tor can very effectively use this groundbreak- ing event to great benefit," said Larry Little, vice president & general manager, Motorcycle Group. "We were impressed by the way they embraced our vision and we are looking for- ward to helping them grow within AIMExpo and bring attention to all of their brands." With over 230 exhibitors already com- mitted to AIMExpo in 2014 and the return of Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice, the event continues to cement its place within the pow- ersports landscape. PSB Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice will bring a bolstered lineup of its brands, including Answer Racing, to AIMExpo in Orlando in October. Tucker Rocky books return trip to AIMExpo Honda's U.S. sales increase Honda Motor Co., Ltd. recently released its fis- cal third quarter financial results and reported motorcycle sales had increased over Q3 2012. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reported a 13.1 per- cent increase in consolidated motorcycle unit sales to 2.7 million units in its third quarter. The company's overall consolidated operat- ing income rose 73.2 percent to ¥228.5 bil- lion due to automobile sales in Japan, North American and Asia; motorcycle sales in Asia, and cost reduction and favorable currency effects with the deprecation of the yen. Powersports Business has learned from American Honda that Honda powersports sales in the U.S increased over 4 percent in calendar 2013, compared to calendar 2012. America Honda attributed the rise to new model releases like the Pioneer side-by-side, all-new Fourtrax Rancher and Fourtrax Fore- man ATVs and motorcycle releases like the new CTX700, CB500s, CRF125F and 125 Grom all driving growth and bringing new riders in to the dealerships. PSB P01x09-PSB4-NEWS.indd 7 3/5/14 11:29 AM