Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/551693
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: EBR goes to auction, Hero buys . . . . . . . . . PAGE 6 FOCUS: Giant Loop parnters with Rally Raid . . . . . PAGE 20 PWC: Warner sets record for Kawasaki . . . . . . . PAGE 40 POWER 50: Motos Illimitées opens new dealership . . . PAGE 46 AIMExpo announced that S&S Cycle will become the newest exhibitor for the 2015 show. The addition of S&S Cycle further expands the growing contingent of V-twin exhibitors in the show's third year. Established in 1958, the Viola, Wis.-based S&S Cycle has grown to become arguably the most recognizable name in V-twin aftermarket perfor- mance. The "Go-Fast" mantra that was founded chasing speed on the Bonn- eville Salt Flats now defines the brand and its products, which are aimed at maximizing the performance of V-twin motorcycles. S&S Cycle's participation at AIM- Expo will be highlighted by its spon- sorship of the Freestyle class at the new AIMExpo Championship of the INSPIRING SUCCESS THROUGH MARKET INTELLIGENCE Style for miles Divas SnowGear, a women-only snowmobile apparel line, adds four new pro riders. SEE PAGE 42 HOTNEWS Visiting Alaska? The Motorcycle Shop has all riders need to fly in and ride a bike home, unforgettable memories included. SEE PAGE 19 Ural invited Two dealerships co-host the 3rd annual Midwest Ural Gathering. SEE PAGE 36 PSB: FOCUS Adventure Bikes SEE PAGE 16 See Hot News, Page 3 August 17, 2015 • Volume 18, Number 10 • $3.99 BY KATE SWANSON ASSISTANT EDITOR After seeing business progress in the Q2, dealers remained cautious but positive heading into the next quarter. Varying customer traffic, weather and buying interest were among the reasons they're feeling this way, based on results of the Q2 2015 Powersports Business/RBC Capital Markets Dealer Survey. A total of 141 dealers from 40 states and two Canadian provinces completed the survey. The states not represented are Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Dealers from those states who are interested in participating in the second quarter survey should send an email to PSB Editor in Chief Dave McMahon at dmcmahon@powersportsbusiness.com and request to be added to the list. Overall, the responding dealerships sell more than 47 brands of motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, snowmobiles and PWC. A total of 128 of the 141 respondents (91 percent) are single-store owners. DOOR SWINGS The majority of customer traffic responses in Q2 were "about the same" or "somewhat better" in comparison to the same period last year across all segments. Among motorcycle dealers, 31 per- cent of dealers thought that customer traffic was "somewhat better." Mark Moses, owner and general manager of Indian Motorcycle Charlotte in N.C., says as far as customer traffic is concerned, his dealership saw somewhat better door swings and was on plan for Q2. From the responses of dealers in the sur- vey, the majority reported inventory as "about right" across all segments, with heavyweight motorcycles and sport bikes teetering on "too POWERSPORTS BUSINESS/RBC CAPITAL MARKETS Q2 2015 DEALER SURVEY A cautious but positive Q3 outlook See Survey, Page 10 Textron Specialized Vehicles brings two brands to the powersports market BY LIZ KEENER MANAGING EDITOR With its headquarters based in Augusta, Ga., just miles from Augusta National Golf Club, home of the annual Masters golf tournament, E-Z-GO has been producing golf cars for 55 years and is one of the market leaders in that industry. But E-Z- GO's parent Textron Specialized Vehicles (TSV), a division of Textron Inc., wants to be known as more than a golf car company. Instead, it wants to reach a broader audience, including powersports dealers and their customers. "We want to be a more broadly recognized, more legitimate player in the powersports indus- try," explained John Collins, vice president, Con- sumer for TSV. E v e r s i n c e T e x t r o n acquired E-Z-GO in 1960, the company has been known for its golf car expertise. But E-Z-GO is just one of Textron's doz- ens of brands, and one of five that fall under the Tex- tron Specialized Vehicles division. TSV also includes Cushman commercial and utility vehicles, TUG and Douglas aviation ground support equipment and Bad Boy, a side-by-side company that was acquired in 2010. Though E-Z-GO golf cars are TSV's most well- known products, the division in recent years has begun putting more resources into and emphasis on its Bad Boy side-by-sides and its E-Z-GO personal transportation vehicles (PTVs), and the company is looking to distribute both through powersports dealers. TWO BRANDS FOR POWERSPORTS Textron acquired Bad Boy in October 2010, giv- ing the company its first brand that already had a footprint in the powersports industry. But as the company has begun learning more about the industry, its distribution models and its custom- ers, TSV has found that it can bring not only Bad Boy but also E-Z-GO into the powersports market See Bad Boy, Page 8 S&S Cycle to sponsor AIMExpo V-twin event HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR CALENDAR Q2 (APRIL-JUNE) BUSINESS PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO PLAN? Above plan 22% On plan 36% Below plan 42% Source: Powersports Business/ RBC Capital Markets Dealer Survey The Bad Boy side-by-side line at TSV's Augusta, Ga., headquarters is one of the newest, as Bad Boy production moved from Natchez, Miss., to Augusta after Tex- tron acquired Bad Boy in 2010. TSV headquarters consists of six main buildings totaling 775,000 square feet. Bad Boy, E-Z-GO parent: Not just a golf car company Ç È