FOCUS – More ATV Accessories Seen at Expo

INDIANAPOLIS— The Dealer Expo is a good way to gauge trends most likely to rule the ATV aftermarket during the rest of the year. The February event allows manufacturers and distributors to introduce their new product while dealers prepare orders for the changing season and consumers in much of the country are still in winter hibernation.
In years past, 4×4 utility product ruled the aftermarket. This year there was a greater selection of ATV products as more manufacturers entered the market to specialize in various segments, whether that be sport, recreation or pure utility.
Of course, OEMs are blurring the line between utility and recreation with big-bore ATVs such as the Kawasaki Brute Force 750, Suzuki King Quad 700 and Polaris Sportsman 800 Twin, and the aftermarket also is poised to take full advantage of this trend.
The other trend easily noticed at Indy was the emergence of the side-by-side category. Yamaha’s Rhino is popular, and the Indy show showcased this fact. Many companies based in Southern California expressed surprise at the popularity of the vehicles in recreational areas such as the Imperial Sand Dunes, or “Glamis.” Many in that area also told tales of customers driving to Arizona, Utah and Nevada to buy Rhinos from Yamaha dealerships because the SoCal dealers were sold out.
Aftermarket manufacturers said they were also tipped off to the expanding side-by-side market through Kawasaki’s redesign of its long-time workhorse, the Mule; and through Polaris’ release of a new Ranger powered by the same engine found in the Sportsman 800 Twin. Then there’s the smaller vehicle manufacturers getting into the game – like Brister’s, which had its Honda-powered Chuckwagon on display with a number of newly available accessories.

WHEELS AND TIRES
Almost every major tire manufacturer is releasing new ATV tires for 2005. Those who did not have a new tire on display said that new product would arrive sometime during the year.
Pirelli introduced its first ATV tires at Indy this year. Pirelli has long been known for its performance in the motorcycle — both street and dirt — and auto market, and the Mudweiser and Rut Buster represent the company’s initial foray into the ATV tire market.
ITP introduced new tires and wheels. The company’s Craig Petersen says the 2005 Mud Lite XTR is a radial version of the lightweight mud and trail tire. He said new, larger sized C Series wheels are designed specifically for utility and side by side vehicles.
Duro Tire says it is specifically focused on the dirt market. While the company’s strategy has been to serve as an OE supplier, Patrick D’Auria, marketing manager, says the company is in the middle of major expansion into the consumer market.
“We’re trying to infiltrate the aftermarket more, and trying to expand sizes of some of the more popular sizes and tread patterns,” D’Auria told Powersports Business. One tire turing heads was Duro’s Scorcher, an EU-approved ATV street tire.

POLYETHYLENE
A continuing trend at Indy is the prevalence of polyethylene accessories. What once was treated only as a stock replacement product, has become custom colors and designs. Rack boxes, rack tubs – if it can be molded out of poly, it will be available to ATV consumers this year.
Parts Unlimited’s Moose Utilities Division has a new line of rack tubs made from molded polyethylene. The company also has a case for carrying bows that is sealed from the elements.
Tucker Rocky Distributing has rack trunks, too. TR’s QuadBoss brand now includes rear rest and rear wrap trunks, the “Duo” rack-mount hard luggage plus “Daytona” front luggage in seven colors.

HELMETS
Helmets were one of the most popular products at the 2005Dealer Expo, as they have been for years. From the $99 price point to lids costing more than $500, helmets are everywhere and the color schemes and patterns are improving.

EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Exhaust manufacturers are proving to be nearly as prevalent as helmet suppliers. That may be important, since the Blue Ribbon Coalition’s new motto – “Less sound equals more ground” – is making a push for the industry to build quieter pipes and find innovative ways to provide power without the noise.
Aftermarket pipes continue to sell well to sport quad enthusiasts, but dealers say more and more consumers are looking for applications for utility machines. With the big-bore class becoming increasingly performance-driven, aftermarket exhaust companies are coming out with more a greater array of items.
At this year’s show, it appeared that the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 was a popular candidate for aftermarket exhaust systems. In the sport segment, applications for the Yamaha and Honda four-strokes seem to be popular.

WINCHES
Warn Industries revealed at the show that its ATV Division has been renamed the Powersports Division to reflect the growing line of powersports products the company offers. In addition to its ATV winches, bumpers, lights, plows and accessories, the company also now offers applications for snowmobiles.
Warn may be one of the most recognizable brands in winches, but there are others aiming for a piece of market share. Like Iowa-based Cycle County.

BOLT-ON ACCESSORIES
The availability of ATV armor like nerf bars, skid plates, bumpers and foot pegs has been expanding in the sport market.
In utility, both Swisher and Agri-Fab are continuing to release product for those who work hard on their ATVs. Swisher was showcasing a belt-driven snowblower attachment that connects to an external engine and can be used to run other implements, like lawnmowers.
Agri-Fab expanded its popular three-point hitch system. A neat feature of this system is the implements are all attached to a single trailer that keeps the weight off the ATV and on the trailer.

SUSPENSION
Shocks, as far as the sport side of things go, are huge right now. Just
three years ago, the business was rather flat and truly ignored except for a few companies. Now, new companies have popped up, and Elka, Progressive, Fox, Works and many others are furthering the engineering of ATV suspensions and have made huge commitments to make their ATV-related businesses profitable.

APPAREL
ATV Riders are as hard, if not harder on their gear, as dirt bike riders. Another of the trends we noticed was the influx of ATV-only riding gear – whether it be men’s apparel or gear specifically designed for women.
O’Neal debuted its FOUR gear at the Dealer Expo, although it was out prior to the event. Fly Racing has a sponsorship deal with Suzuki’s factory race team, and revealed associated product at the show.