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| January 2009 Hot Flashes
KELLY LEAVES S&S CYCLE
S&S Cycle reported Communications and Marketing Manager Howard Kelly has announced his departure from the company in order to fulfill his long-time plan of leaving the motorcycle industry. “Kelly will be staying in the La Crosse area, assuming a new director’s role at Multistack, Inc., in Sparta, WI,” the company told us, adding Howard came to S&S in 2004 with plans to work with Brett Smith to create a communications and marketing department that was the quality level to be expected from an industry leader like S&S. “This past summer, the S&S 50th Anniversary was the crowning achievement to that goal and the team that works with Kelly is trained and ready to serve the needs of print, television and film media properly,” it explained. CEO George Smith stated, “Howard has been an immense help to S&S Cycle and has elevated our media presence to a higher level than we have ever achieved in the past. I and the others here at S&S have enjoyed working with Howard and we will miss him, but I am in full support of his effort to embark on this new challenge.” Kelly will reportedly continue to support S&S in a consulting role to assure fluidity for media needs and communications in the company’s future.
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LUKOIL IN TALKS TO BUY REPSOL STAKE
“Russia’s second biggest oil producer OAO Lukoil is in talks with key shareholders of Repsol YPF SA to buy a large stake in the Spanish oil company,” reported The Wall Street Journal. The paper told us the possible purchase of approximately 30 percent of Repsol’s stake could be constrained by the Spanish government’s objections to foreign ownership of the company. “At Repsol’s current share price of EUR 14.27, a 30 percent stake would be worth EUR 5.2 billion, but Spanish media have said Lukoil could pay as much as EUR 26.6 per share,” The Journal explained. The talks with Lukoil are reportedly led by Sacyr Vallenhermoso SA, the company’s main shareholder, which is set to sell its 20 percent stake in the company; however, the Spanish government said it will do everything it can to keep Repsol “independent and in Spanish hands.”
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2008 MIC OWNER SURVEY SUGGESTS MORE WOMEN RIDERS
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reported preliminary data collected by the ongoing 2008 MIC Owner Survey suggests more Americans are riding for transportation, not just recreation and there is a higher percentage of women riding two wheelers. “The survey began in January and will end in December. However, we are getting indications from the preliminary results that some of the market trends we have been noting anecdotally will be confirmed,” the MIC stated. It continued by saying, “Through the first three quarters of 2008 the survey was finding a 29 percent increase in the percentage of female owners, compared to 2003.” That survey reportedly found that 9.6 percent of owners were women, while in the first nine months of 2007, the number had totaled 12.4 percent. Pacific Marketing Research, of Los Angeles, is said to be in charge of the study, which is the first survey being conducted over the Internet, instead of through random phone calls.
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AMA FIGHTS POSSIBLE 100% TARIFFS ON EUROPEAN MOTORCYCLES
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) announced it has written to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative opposing a plan that could double the cost of some European motorcycles imported into the United States. According to spokesperson Peter
terHorst, “The plan being considered by U.S. trade officials would impose a 100 percent import duty on more than 100 European goods – including two engine displacement categories of motorcycles, 51cc to 250cc and 251cc to 500cc.” If U.S. officials impose the tariff, it would double the price of a host of under-500cc on- and off-highway machines from brands like
Aprilia, BMW, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Piaggio and Vespa, he explained, adding the tariff is designed as retaliation to the 27 member European Union’s continuing ban against the import of American beef treated with growth hormones. “There is no logical link between European motorcycles and the dispute over beef,” stated Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, “Imposing these stiff tariffs on motorcycles would do nothing to resolve the trade dispute, but would punish American buyers of European motorcycles.”
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FERODO EXPANDS IN U.S. MARKET
BrakeTech USA spokesperson Jeff Gehrs reported the long-time importer and distributor of Ferodo Advanced Friction Products has plans to expand the company’s product line in the U.S. market. “In light of the recent collapse of Motorcycle Stuff, BrakeTech has undertaken an aggressive effort to expand the scope of brake pads beyond the race-specific category to cover the broader based high performance street and offroad categories in depth,” explained
Gehrs, and this also includes a range of upgrade brake shoes. He added, “Dealers currently stocking Ferodo will be able to obtain new model applications, as well as technical assistance and support.”
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MOTORSPORT AFTERMARKET GROUP ACQUIRES DRAGONFIRE RACING
Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG) announced it has acquired DragonFire Racing, a supplier of aftermarket racing and performance parts for ATVs and
UTVs. “We are excited to continue our expansion into the offroad market with the addition of DragonFire Racing,” stated President and CEO Brian
Etter, “DragonFire Racing, with its comprehensive line of performance parts and accessories, launches us into the attractive UTV segment. We are confident that Todd Romano and his team will continue to deliver quality products and services for our combined company.”
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SC MOTORCYCLE DEATHS TOP 100 FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
“Motorcycle fatalities in South Carolina have topped 100 for the third year in a row, though the total to date is slightly lower compared with 2007,” informed the Rock Hill Herald. The paper explained that so far the state has recorded 103 motorcycle related deaths, down from the 119 deaths during the same period in the year prior. “Last year set a record with 120 motorcycle deaths; in 2006, it was 106,” the Herald said, adding, “Five weeks remain in this year and an average of two motorcyclists a week are dying on the roads.” According to the paper there are several major factors that contribute to these deaths, such as losing control of these heavy machines because riders don’t have the skills to ride them, as well as head injuries due to riding without a helmet. In 2007, 78 percent of the state’s 120 dead motorcycle riders were not wearing helmets. The state reportedly does not have a mandatory helmet law, instead only riders younger than 21 are required to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. |
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HONDA ISSUES MOTORCYCLE RECALL
NewsInferno.com stated American Honda Motor has recalled some of its offroad motorcycles because of a defect that can cause the vehicle to crash. The recall involves approximately 13,000 2007-2008
CRF150R/RB motocross competition bikes manufactured in Japan and were sold through Honda dealers nationwide from September 2006 through October 2008 for between $4,300 and $4,400, it told us. “According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC), the weld on the right side of the swing arm can fail, causing the rider to lose control and crash,”
NewsInferno. com explained, adding the CPSC is urging consumers to immediately stop using these bikes and to contact any Honda dealer to schedule a free repair. |
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FIVE MEN CHARGED IN MOTORCYCLE THEFT RING
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer five Burlington County (NJ) men have been indicted by a county grand jury for their alleged roles in a motorcycle theft ring. “The indictments followed an investigation by the New Jersey State Police and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor into a group of people who were stealing motorcycles, retagging them with new vehicle identification numbers and selling them,” the paper explained. It added in some cases the suspects submitted false insurance claims representing that the bikes had been stolen from their owners when they had actually been given up by their owners. “Wilson Lopez, 25, of Burlington City, Tyrone Sapp, 31, of Willingboro and Angel Carrion 3d, 28, of Mount Holly, were charged in one indictment with conspiracy, eight counts of theft by unlawful taking and five counts of receiving stolen property,” reported the Inquirer, adding the same Burlington County grand jury also indicted Neil C. Moyer, 33, of Browns Mills with receiving stolen property and fencing, and Ian
Boyington, 30, of Riverside, with receiving stolen property, alteration of a vehicle identification number and a motor vehicle title offense. |
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NATIONAL OFFROAD LEGISLATION TO BE DELAYED
“A significant piece of public lands legislation that could impact future offroad riding availability is not expected to be addressed in the upcoming Congressional session,” stated an online news source. It told us a news release from a recreational access group said the legislation, HR 5151, is expected to become an early key issue next year. “The bill would create more than a million acres of wilderness while authorizing dozens of studies for potential parks, protected rivers and historical designations,” they explained, adding, “More than 100 conservation/ recreation organizations, including Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
(ARRA), opposed passage of this measure.” AARA Executive Director Larry Smith said, “The next Congress can wrestle with these issues and ARRA will be ready to engage, once again.” |
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| Passings |
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BOB LE PERA
In late November, Bob Le Pera passed away after a short battle with cancer. Bob had a passion for making the finest handcrafted Harley seats his way, no excuses and never strayed from the ideals that proved so rewarding to him. He always strived to do what was best for the industry and held the customer’s best interest as the foundation for his work. From the beginning Bob instilled his exemplary work ethics and attention to every last detail to his kids Bob Jr. and Christine. Bob Jr. for the past 24 years and Christine, for the past 20 years, have worked side by side with Bob. As a family, they have built what has become one of the most respected names in the industry. Together Bob Jr. and Christine have promised to continue to keep Bob’s passion, work ethic and dreams alive, preserving every bit of history that he started with his bare hands back in 1972. |
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