Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/787665
13 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nMarch 2017n by Shadow CINCINNATI, OHIO, JAN. 28— Saturday evening during the V-Twin Expo has traditionally been reserved for the welcome party and presen- tation of industry awards. Although the party and presentation has been scaled down along with the size of the show, Paisano Publications, producers of the V-Twin Expo, still graciously invites all attendees and exhibitors to partake of complimen- tary salad, pizza, desserts, and bev- erages. The welcome party, situated at the far end of the exhibit hall, is followed by the industry awards ceremony emceed by Dave Nichols, editor-in-chief of Easyriders and V-Twin magazines. Earning Accessory of the Year was fi rst-time Expo exhibitor Big Bike Parts for their Saddlebag Lid Bra for '14–up baggers. Created by the Hopnel division of Big Bike Parts, the product covers scratches and prevents new ones, exposing the lids while protecting the front. Audio product of the year was awarded to ASA Electronics for their HD1BT650 Replacement Stereo System. This product pairs the HD1BT replacement radio for Harley-Davidsons with a set of 6.5" speakers for fairings. The setup is waterproof, satellite radio-ready, offers plenty of power, and supports Bluetooth, iPod/iPhone and many other features. Performance Product of the Year went to Python Performance for their Rayzer 2-into-1 Exhaust. This system fi ts 2007–2016 Touring mod- els and works with either standard or extended saddlebags. The head pipes fl ow into huge megaphones and feature 12mm/18mm oxygen sensor ports for wideband tuning capability. ThunderMax was awarded Tech Product of the Year for their XMS (Exhaust Matched Series) Tuner. The XMS Tuner was designed for throttle-by-wire-equipped Tourers with basic Stage 1 upgrades. With plug-and-play installation, it offers increased throttle response, adjust- able idle speed and speedometer calibration, and is upgradeable to the full ThunderMax EFI system. Value Product of the Year was given to Alloy Art for its Super Cush Replacement Drive Dampener. The product is an injection-molded poly- urethane built to replace the stock standard rubber cush drive on 2009– 2016 Harley-Davidson baggers. It is intended to smooth the ride as well as outlast the stock cush drive. The 201 7 Industry Leader of the Year award went to Mark Finnie, who very recently left Vance & Hines to lead Pertronix Performance, makers of Spyke and Compufi re brands, as its president and CEO. Finnie has worked in the motorcycle industry for nearly 20 years, and along with leading Vance & Hines, he has also led Performance Machine, Weld Racing, and Forge-Tec. Dan Fitzmaurice of Zipper's Performance was bestowed the pres- tigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2017. Dan has been involved with motorcycles in one form or another since he was nearly fi ve years old. After working in various capacities at a Harley-Davidson dealership, he became a racer at a very young age, learning to tune them for more power. He became a professional racer in 1980, but decided to devote his time to his new business, Zipper's, which was formed in 1981 with partners Dave Zehner and, later, John Kitzmiller. 4 (Top row, l.–r.) Industry leaders display their 17th annual V-Twin Expo Awards, Dan Fitzmaurice of Zipper's Performance is awarded the Lifetime Achievement award, ASA Electronics receives the Audio Product of the Year award, and Alloy Art receives Value Product of the Year. (Bottom row, l.–r.) ThunderMax's XMS Tuner is awarded Tech Product of the Year, Big Bike Parts gets Accessory of the Year for their Saddlebag Lid Bra, and Drag Specialties (distributor for Python Performance) accepts Python's award for Performance Product of the Year V-TWIN EXPO AWARDS Leaders of the pack Industry recognizes excellence in motorcycling "Although the party and presentation has been scaled down along with the size of the show, Paisano Publications, producers of the V-Twin Expo, still graciously invites all attendees and exhibitors to partake of complimentary salad, pizza, desserts, and beverages."