Features

Feb. 8, 2010: Aftermarket Digest

Yamaha Motor Corp. signs with SHAD Motorcases
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA will now distribute a selection of SHAD top and side cases for FZ1 and FZ6 motorcycles, as well as Yamaha’s TMAX and Majesty scooters.
“Partnering directly with Yamaha is key to our strategic vision for further growth in the United States,”?said Michael Schuiten, managing director for SHAD USA. “SHAD will be a featured product within Yamaha’s Distributed by Yamaha program, giving us the opportunity to further enhance our brand positioning, while being able to support Yamaha in becoming a one-stop source of any Yamaha products for its dealers.”
SHAD applications include top and side cases for Yamaha’s FZ6, and top case options for the FZ1, TMAX and Majesty. Sizes range from the SH-40 featuring 40 liters, to SHAD’s top model, the SH-50, boasting 50 liters in storage capacity.
Yamaha’s addition of SHAD Motorcases to its increasing list of “Distributed by Yamaha” products is part of a Yamaha initiative to fully serve its dealers’ accessory needs.

Web service offers performance-based pricing
Dealers overwhelmed with stagnant parts and accessory inventories may now utilize DustyMoto on a performance-based version, free from recurring fees.
Powersports retailers, both franchised and non-franchised independents, have had success in the reduction of their excess parts inventories through participation with DustyMoto, the company said in a press release. Dealers have had equal successes with the locating of parts needed to fill items that were otherwise back ordered or discontinued, improving productivity. Items back ordered or discontinued arrive at the buying dealer at the same figure it would be from the OEM, with no freight and no minimum. This amounts, the company said, to more money at the dealer level, more satisfied customers and a stronger dealer network.
Thus far, membership with DustyMoto has required a recurring monthly fee and a small transaction fee. Taking advice from its membership, DustyMoto has rolled out a new membership option that eliminates the recurring bill entirely in exchange for an increased transaction fee. This is a performance-based membership.
All dealers are welcome to list at no cost their aged inventory with DustyMoto.

Former easton sports ceo TAKES HELM AS OGIO’S NEW CEO
OGIO, a leading global manufacturer of performance gear bags and packs, announced that Tony Palma has partnered with Michael Pratt, chairman and founder of OGIO, and will serve as the company’s new CEO.
“Throughout the past several years, we have focused energies and resources on building a strong brand that would resonate across multiple demographics,” Pratt says. “The next strategic move for our growth is to bring in executive leadership with a proven track record for global success.  I am excited that Tony has joined me to take OGIO to the next level. His experience in growing businesses in consumer products, action and team sports will help us to realize our full brand potential.”
Palma stated, “OGIO is truly a unique company with an incredible culture and passion for designing innovative bags and other products that are a key part of the lifestyle of each market in which we participate. Our strong brand momentum provides us with key strategic opportunities to grow our business as we continue to excite the market with increasingly innovative designs and fashions.”
Prior to joining OGIO, Palma was the CEO of Easton Sports for 14 years, driving the company’s rapid brand and sales growth. After merging with Riddell and Bell Sports, he was appointed CEO of Easton Bell Sports and grew that company to nearly $750 million in sales.

Aftermarket vice president Chapin Leaves Mikuni American
Lee Chapin, the Aftermarket Carburetor Division vice president for Mikuni American Corp., has accepted an early retirement package after 24 years with the company, according to a press release.
Chapin will move on to explore new opportunities within the powersports and Big Twin markets, the release stated. Chapin entered the industry in 1974 selling Boge shocks. He was appointed sales manager at Mikuni American in 1986 where he expanded the division and supported national championship racers to victories in all aspects of the sport.
“Working with Mikuni Carburetors over the years afforded me incredible opportunities,”? said Chapin.
No replacement for Chapin is planned at this time, the press release stated. Steve Webb, longtime Mikuni Carburetor sales assistant, has taken over the duties of running the Carburetor Division and maintaining distributor relations.

Dunlop’s Senior Manager of its Road Racing To Retire
After 31 years of dedicated service at Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, Jim Allen, senior manager of motorcycle road racing, will retire on April 1.
Allen joined the company in 1979 as a tire test coordinator and progressed over the years in various positions within the company, including tire construction and service engineer, motorcycle race coordinator, road race manager and in 1998 was named senior manager of motorcycle road racing.
Allen came to Dunlop with an extensive background in road racing, having competed extensively in Canada as well as the United States. During that time Allen collected two prestigious Canadian National No. 1 plates in 1973 and 1977. His first-ever race in an AMA event was at Daytona, where he raced on Dunlop tires.
“Words cannot adequately express what Jim Allen has meant to the AMA road race paddock and the entire sport,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop’s vice president of motorcycle tires. “Jimmy is an icon in our sport, and his expertise has played a role in the careers of hundreds of racers, including every American champion for the past few decades.”
Allen’s successor will be Sabastian Mincone, who joined Dunlop Motorcycle USA in February 2008 as manager of road racing.

Yoshimura Offers Camshafts for 2010 Honda, Suzuki Bikes
Yoshimura has been making high-end camshafts for more than 50 years and are now making them available for 2010 Suzuki RM-Z450 and Honda CRF150 and CRF250 motocross models.
Yoshimura started out designing superbike camshafts, but has since expanded the line of camshafts to include motocross motorcycles and ATVs.
All Yoshimura camshafts are constructed from one-piece billet or blanks, not re-grind.
Fujio Yoshimura supervises every aspect of the cam design and manufacturing process. The company’s investment in state-of-the-art computerized equipment to aid in the design of Yoshimura cams pays dividends in performance.

EVS Sports adds to its staff
Matt Schumann has recently been hired as the international sales manager of EVS Sports.  Schumann will lead the international sales department, which will include expanding global brands and driving export sales. 
Schumann has gained previous sales experience by working for White Brothers, Alloy MX and the Valencia Sport Group. 

VALLEY TOWING PRODUCTS INTRODUCES ATV BALL MOUNTS
Valley Towing Products, a provider of hitches and towing accessories for more than 60 years, now offers ATV Ball Mounts that makes ATVs capable of towing any number of trailer combinations.
The new ATV Ball Mounts feature a dual platform design in which the upper level supports a hitch ball, which is welded to the ATV Ball Mount, and the lower level acts as a clevis bracket. This two-tier ball mount design creates an area between the levels that contains a vertical pin for users to attach a tow hook or strap. The clevis plate and tow strap each have pin-hole diameters of 5?8 inches.

Extreme Outback Introduces Compact Tire Plug Kit
Extreme Outback Products now offers a compact version of its award-winning Ultimate Puncture Repair Kit.
Known as the Powersports Puncture Repair Kit, it’s ideal for repairing tubeless tires on quads and ATVs.This product won a Global Media Award at the 2009 SEMA trade show.
Major components include 15 plugs, extra valve cores, three glue tubes and a 4-Way Tire Tool. (A refill re-order form is included in the kit.) The Powersports Puncture Repair Kit’s mil-spec pouch measures only 5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches.

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