Five ways to improve dealership communications
Steve Jones, Columnist
May 1, 2013
Before we do any kind of on-site analysis of a dealership, we send out a survey form that the dealership’s employees are to complete. We provide specific instructions to the dealer that ensures these surveys are returned while protecting the identity of the employee. Anonymity from the owners and upper... Read more »
50 Below data reveals top parts
Dave McMahon, Editor-in-Chief
May 1, 2013
PartStream data shows Honda parts in demand OEM parts searches for Honda cruisers showed strong demand in February, according to data provided to Powersports Business exclusively from ARI Network Services. Honda took the top 10 spots among metric cruiser models searched for OEM parts, data from ARI’s... Read more »
Arctic Cat sleds gain new engine, lose weight
Tom Kaiser, Senior Editor
April 29, 2013
High-tech two-stroke, heritage names for ’14 lineup With its first self-made snowmobile engine, the big news for Arctic Cat snowmobile dealers and customers in 2014 is the addition of a direct-injected 600cc two-stroke engine that meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s more stringent 2012 emissions... Read more »
How prepared are you for a Suzuki-like letter?
Dave McMahon, Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2013
American Suzuki Motor Corp.’s Chapter 11 filing brought with it a restructuring of the company’s U.S. dealer network, which you can read more about on the cover of this edition. Dealers on the chopping block received their notification letters during the third week of March, and soon after the phones... Read more »
Fay Myers keeps small store feel to 10-brand dealership
Liz Hochstedler, Managing Editor
April 29, 2013
Carrying 10 brands means Fay Myers Motorcycle World has a wide selection, and of course, a good sized building to house those units, but the dealership’s aim is to make the store feel more like a boutique with great customer service. “We try to work very hard to be a one-stop shop. We try really... Read more »
Polaris expands affordable trail sled lineup for ’14
Tom Kaiser, Senior Editor
April 26, 2013
Indy line range now runs from 550 to 800cc A more affordable and conventional alternative to the still-avant-garde Rush, Polaris has significantly expanded its lineup of Indy trail sleds for 2014 by unveiling seven additional models that include low-displacement, fan-cooled, crossover, lightweight utility,... Read more »
Lessening the struggle for F&I income
Peter Jones, Columnist
April 26, 2013
You’ve heard it many times, F&I is “found income,” and it most certainly is. It’s income you can generate without the need for a floorplan; there’s no inventory to do each year; and the shelf life of the products is better than even the late great Hostess Twinkie. It can also be one of... Read more »
World’s best OEM HQ? Norton by a mile
April 24, 2013
Historic Donington Hall gets new bike resident Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd. has completed the purchase of historic Donington Hall, which will serve as its new corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities. Situated on 26 acres of classic English countryside and located within the Donington Park... Read more »
An easy-to-use solution for service intervals
Liz Hochstedler, Managing Editor
April 24, 2013
Service Manager Pro keeps schedules, profits growing With thousands of different powersports vehicles of the road, remembering each model’s service intervals and the recommended work for each can be hard to manage. A 2010 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing, for example, needs its front forks and rear suspension... Read more »
The business of UTV racing
Tom Kaiser, Senior Editor
April 22, 2013
As side-by-sides become more capable, interest in racing grows At the genesis of the UTV craze in 2003, when the Polaris Ranger and Yamaha Rhino were the pioneers of the segment, any gearhead worth his salt could feel the potential of these utility-meets-sport vehicles from behind the wheel. With go-anywhere... Read more »
