Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/360137
w w w . p o w e r s p o r t s b u s i n e s s . c o m NEWS: Kuryakyn hires new VP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 3 CYCLE: NPA hosts San Diego BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 26 PWC: Gibbs introduces Quadski XL . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 30 CYCLE: Rec-Tech profits from local economy . . . . PAGE 38 Dealership offering free tires for life for H-D buyers The A.D. Farrow Co. Harley- Davidson Family of Dealerships in Columbus, Ohio, is now offering "Free Tires For Life" to any purchaser of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The company has come up with a clear and concise set of guidelines for getting free tires in order to actively practice their mission statement, "To grow and serve the motorcycling community." The program began July 17. "This idea was truly customer- centric," said dealership principal Bob Althoff, a Powersports Business Power 50 dealer in 2013. "We took a step back and asked ourselves what customers really want." INSPIRING SUCCESS THROUGH MARKET INTELLIGENCE Divas in Chicago Divas SnowGear invites retail partners to Facebook event in the Windy City. SEE PAGE 34 HOTNEWS 50th anniversary KYMCO celebrates a major milestone with 32 off-road models for 2015. SEE PAGE 22 Big profit Harley-Davidson of Cartersville increases F&I revenue by involving all departments. SEE PAGE 24 Steering wheel and seatbelts — and 173 horses BY DAVE McMAHON EDITOR IN CHIEF Polaris says the Slingshot was designed for one purpose: exhilaration. The Minnesota-based OEM met that description and many others when it launched the three-wheeled roadster in July during the company's dealer meeting in Minneapolis. The Slingshot features and open-air cockpit for both driver and passenger, both of whom sit just inches above the road. "Corners like it's on rails" is how Polaris describes the Slingshot's wide stance and sport-tuned suspension. The light and powerful machine offers quick acceleration and provides a driving and riding experiences not to be forgotten. PSB managing editor Liz Keener and I were invited to drive the Slingshot earlier this summer at the Polaris research and development facility in Wyoming, Minn., alongside a select few other members of the powersports media. Car or motorcycle? For starters, that will be up for debate. But the design and engineering are unquestionably aimed toward the gearhead on either side of the aisle. The engine power and handling in particular made the ride an absolute blast. Take, for exam- ple, an expert driver's run down the half-mile test strip. Just when thoughts of 'Oh, no, we're going into roll mode,' began while holding on tightly for a J-turn — used in automobile testing and on the Slingshot — the Slingshot sucked tightly to the pavement. Turn off the traction control, See Slingshot, Page 12 Dealer survey shows PWC also strong at retail Side-by-side industry retail sales in North Amer- ica grew in the second quarter, as did heavy- weight motorcycle inventories, according to data from the Powersports Business/RBC Capital Markets Q2 2014 Dealer Survey. A total of 124 dealers from 41 states and Canada, representing 49 powersports brands completed the survey. Of the dealers who completed the survey, 86 per- cent of them are single-store owners. RBC Capital Markets analyst Joe Spak reports that side-by-side industry retail sales grew mid- single digits (4-5 percent) in the quarter. "While dealers still expect NTM (next 12 months) sales growth to accelerate from 2Q levels, the level of expected acceleration has moderated versus prior surveys," Spak writes in his research note. "Inventory concerns also have moderated versus our prior survey, but promo- tional activity stepped up in 2Q14 as well. We expect this to be a focus during earnings." "While our dealer business conditions index broadly suggested an overall sequential improve- ment, the new sales condition, which is most relevant for our powersports coverage, was flat sequentially. Sales growth in the quarter was mixed as SxS, snowmobiles and PWC accel- erated while motorcycle growth decelerated. However, looking ahead, dealer expectations for PSB: FOCUS F&I SEE PAGE 16 UTV market continues growth in Q2 See Survey, Page 4 See Hot News, Page 3 August 11, 2014 • Volume 17, Number 10 • $3.99 PSB / RBC CAPITAL MARKETS Q2 DEALER SURVEY Slingshot whips into spotlight Above plan 22% On plan 38% Below plan 40% How would you characterize your calendar Q2 (April-June) business performance relative to plan? HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR CALENDAR Q2 (APRIL-JUNE) BUSINESS PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO PLAN? Source: Powersports Business / RBC Capital Markets Polaris unveiled the Slingshot on July 27 at its dealer meeting in Minneapolis. Polaris unveiled the Slingshot on July 27 at its