Dealership Great Ideas — July 30, 2014
RideNow adds Indian to several dealerships
RideNow Powersports, the largest group of dealerships in the U.S., has added the Indian line at several of its dealerships. Indian of Chandler, located at the same facility as Victory BMW in Chandler, Ariz., took on Indian in October. Indian of Peoria, part of RideNow Powersports Peoria in Arizona, joined in in November. Brand-new Indian-only stores include Indian Motorcycle Kansas City in Olathe, Kan., and Lone Star Indian Motorcycle in Garland, Texas. Indian Motorcycle Tucson is in the works, according to a recent RideNow newsletter, and Indian Motorcycle Daytona Beach is also coming soon, reported The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Dealer goes green with LiveWire event
Stellar Solar, one of California’s leading commercial and residential solar installers since 1998, has teamed up with San Diego Harley-Davidson to present the first-of-its-kind Project LiveWire Experience making its way across America offering test rides and engaging displays to the public. Project LiveWire was at the Morena Boulevard location Thursday, July 24 through Saturday, July 26 with the main event running noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. All three days featured complimentary solar-powered food and beverages from the Stellar Solar Mobile Solar Station.
Stellar Solar is connected with San Diego Harley-Davidson through general manager Ty Miller, who had a Stellar Solar system installed on his home. “When we received word that San Diego Harley-Davidson was going to be one of the first locations on the tour, the Stellar Solar Mobile Solar Station immediately came to mind as a perfect fit to help power the event,” Miller said. “Electric motorcycles and solar power complement each other nicely and we are happy to promote solar along side this innovative motorcycle.”
Kent Harle, CEO of Stellar Solar and avid motorcycle enthusiast was thrilled by news of the event. “I’ve been riding motorcycles for a long time, and the Project LiveWire is a unique and very impressive machine. I’d buy one today, if they were on the market. I can’t wait to test ride it. This is a perfect event for our Mobile Solar Statio, and we are proud to be associated with San Diego Harley-Davidson.”
Hinshaw’s opens new Indian-Victory facility
Hinshaw’s Motorcycle Store in Auburn, Wash., has opened a new Indian and Victory dealership next to its Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM store. Indian-Victory Motorcycles of Auburn is located at 1743 West Valley Highway S. Hinshaw’s has been carrying Victory since 2003, but when the dealership decided to take on Indian, Indian required that the brand be housed in a different facility than Hinshaw’s other non-Polaris brands, according to a recent e-newsletter from Hinshaw’s.
Wisconsin dealership adds new employee
2Brothers Powersports, a multi-line dealership in Onalaska, Wis., has hired a new staffer for its parts department. Rachel Meyer is from the dealership’s local area, and she’s a recent Motorcycle Mechanics Institute graduate, the dealership reported on Facebook.
Pre-owned/custom shop opens in Connecticut
Jim Hamlin recently opened Hamlin Cycles in Bethel, Conn. The dealership will sell pre-owned and custom bikes, while also offering service and accessory sales, reported The News-Timesof Danbury, Conn. Hamlin also plans to add Moto Guzzi to his lineup in the fall. The dealership’s Grand Opening was set for Saturday, June 28.
Wisconsin dealership delivers $104,000 in donations
Vandervest Harley-Davidson in eastern Wisconsin recently distributed $104,000 in donations to six local organizations that deal with cancer patients. The money was raised during last year’s Jerry Parins “Cruise for Cancer” and through other events, The Daily News of Iron Mountain, Mich., reported.
