| Motorcycle
Electronics
Megan Vickers
Assistant Editor
Photo courtesy of MK Battery
Your customers are demanding the latest high tech wired gadgets
and gizmos to dress up their bikes. In order to help you know
which products are available, we’ve compiled this look at the
latest motorcycle electronics from some of the industry’s best
companies to help you stay on the cutting edge of this
electrifying market.
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The TPX™ Motorcycle Radar and Laser Detection System from Adaptiv Technologies is the first portable radar detection system designed specifically to be compatible with most bikes on the road today, stated CEO Wayne Chen. “It is water and vibration resistant and comes with optional wireless headset and visual alert to ensure riders hear or see the radar detector going off,” he explained. Chen said he has noticed that there are more motorcycle application specific products being introduced to the market these days; however, consumers need to watch out for knock-offs and cheap imitations. Niche products are where the biggest opportunity lies, he told us, adding, “No one is really focusing on niche products … yet.” Sales are up, he divulged, because the company has just introduced its products this year. He concluded by advising stores that before they sell motorcycle electronics, they need to know how each item works. “Try it out yourself so that you’ll understand the product better,” he added.
Adaptiv Technologies
www.radarforbikes.com |
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National Marketing Manager Kathryn Rhodes reported, “Cardo Systems announced the launch of its new Scala RiderÆ Q2 intercom- enabled headset for bikers.” This headset provides safe and hands-free bike-to-bike communication, she explained, adding, it features Multiple Device Connection
(MDC) technology, which allows bikers to connect to several audio sources. This includes voice instructions from a GPS, mobile phone conversations with third parties, intercom conversations with passengers and with other bikes, as well as high-quality FM radio transmission using the embedded FM module, described Rhodes. “In addition to MDC technology and the bike-to-bike intercom, it offers the same high-quality performance as in previous Scala RiderÆ models, including wind impact reduction, noise controlled receipt and rejection of incoming calls, automatic volume adjustment according to driving speed and ambient noise, full rain and snow protection, plus much more,” stated Rhodes.
Cardo Systems
www.cardosystems.com |
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“The touch screen LCD accessory allows viewing of Power Commander data in real-time,” explained Dynojet Research spokesperson Nelson Yee. “Users can load, store and view map data, make on-screen adjustments and multiple maps can be stored in the unit on an optional SD memory card,” he told us, adding, these maps can be sent to the Power Commander ‘on the fly’. Sales are up, he noted, because people are modifying their current bikes, instead of buying new ones. “Dealer/retailers need to know the benefits of selling these items,” said Yee. He continued by saying, “For our Power Commander, there are many options a dealer can provide to a customer by suggesting new exhaust or
airboxes. Other Power Commander accessories such as the ignition module, quick shifter and multi-function hub can lead to increased sales.”
Dynojet Research
www.dynojet.com |
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The Can-BUS lighting interface
for BMW motorcycles allows the installer to add a trailer or
additional lighting to any Can-BUS BMW without interfering
with the Can-BUS computer, informed Electrical Connection
spokesperson Lewis Preston. “Bike manufacturers are using
Can-BUS electronics more,” he told us, because it
simplifies the initial build: however, it makes it very
complicated to add aftermarket lighting, towing a trailer,
or even adding a sidecar. Low quality, Chinese made products
are the biggest threat, Preston said, but offering customers
plug-and-play components is where opportunity lies. Sales
are up, he divulged, and products have become more
functional and easier to install. Plug-and-play systems have
become more common and it makes the sale easier and almost
guarantees no problems when the consumer does their own
install, he stated.
Electrical Connection
www.electricalconnection.com |
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The Optimate 4 battery charger from MK Battery (pictured in the opener) features a dual recovery system and a turbo mode recovery system for dead, flat batteries, stated spokesperson Jason Smith. It also comes with a comprehensive 10 LED status and information panel, he added. One trend Smith said he has noticed is that of the rising materials costs and prices. “Economic adversity, rising material costs and a weak American dollar” are all threats he sees in the motorcycle industry. On the other hand the increased sales in Europe and abroad due to a weak dollar have given the market its biggest opportunity, he told us. Sales are the same when compared to the year prior, he divulged, adding, “Price increases have compensated for a decline in sales due to a soft economy in which motorcycles and electronics have become even more of a luxury item than before.” He reminded dealers that when selling batteries, they should also include the sale of a battery charger with each purchase.
MK Battery
www.mkbattery.com |
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Omniscout Vice President of Business Development, Keith Pitts, explained the Omniscout security system incorporates both GPS and cellular technology. “GPS is the same technology used by the military, government and all law enforcement agencies to determine the exact location of a person, vehicle or asset,” he noted. “When GPS is partnered with cellular technology, we have an interactive system that can communicate with the vehicle owner or their family using the Internet, emails or SMS messages,” Pitts told us. As a result, he stated, for safety, vehicle security and vehicle theft recovery, there is no better system than that which Omniscout provides. As far as personal safety is concerned, Pitts explained that “the ability to have someone keep track of your location in real-time means that they can be there, or send help if needed quickly.” In terms of vehicle security, according to Pitts, “most police will tell you that without an active GPS tracking device, the likelihood of finding a [stolen] vehicle quickly … is pretty unlikely.” Pitts concluded that as GPS technology has advanced, the price has dropped to a point that is well within the rider’s budget. Omniscout is priced at under $500
(MSRP), he said, and in many cases offers a discount in insurance.
Omniscout
www.omniscout.com |
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Lee Knight announced the release of Phantom Tracking’s Phantom Tracking unit, which is a GPS based anti-theft tracking and crash detection system. He told us he has noticed the introduction of products that are more geared toward bagger bikes, rather than chopper ones. Inferior products and the tightening of riders budgets are two threats the industry is facing today, Knight said, adding, “As the automotive world seems to move to the luxury end of electronics, I see the integration of the same types of electronics” in the motorcycle industry. Despite decreasing motorcycle sales, Phantom Tracking’s sales have grown, he divulged, which is mostly due to an increase of older riders and riders who want to protect their bikes with motorcycle based security systems. “While dealer/retailers are seeing a decline in sales due mostly to an unsure economy, there is a huge opportunity to sell the aftermarket items that still provide a decent margin,” concluded Knight.
Phantom Tracking
www.phantomtracking.com |
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PIAA Corporation USA Powersports Manager Gordon Robertson reported, the company’s new Cross Country two inch HID lamp system features internal ballast and igniter in the smallest HID available, with only 30 watt draw per lamp. “HID lights are two to three times brighter than comparable halogen lamps,” he told us, adding, PIAA sells this system as a complete kit that includes wiring harness and switches. “There is a growing demand for HID lighting systems. Even though they are by nature more expensive than traditional halogen lights, consumers are willing to pay for increased performance,” explained Robertson. Online discounts are the main threat he sees to the current industry, he said. “The growth in the touring bike sector has given lighting a boost in sales. Touring riders generally want the best lights they can get to enhance their night driving and make their bikes safer and more visible,” Robertson noted. He continued by saying, “Our overall powersports business continues to grow; however, our sales through distributors was the same or a little down” compared to this time last year. Stores should let their customers know that adding accessories to their bikes is easier than ever, Robertson advised. He concluded, “There are many mounting systems and custom made products in the lighting end that make them easy to install.”
PIAA Corporation USA
www.piaapowersports.com |
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TrackSide offers new fender eliminator kits with LED lights and new models of mini stalk marker lights, informed Tri-R Distributing spokesperson Randy
Mashin. These products are easy to sell when displayed on a bike on the showroom floor, he told us. Mashin said he has noticed there has been more thought going into the design of motorcycle electronics and that they are getting more elaborate in their construction. The biggest threat to the industry, he said, are “cheap knock-offs that at first glance may look the same; however, they are not built to the same quality levels as the products of original manufacturers.” The continued growth of the LED market creates more design opportunities for the designers, he added. Sales have remained the same as last year, he told us, because the company has slowed its new product development for a variety of reasons. Displaying motorcycle electronics properly makes a big difference, he noted. Mashin added, “In our case, showcasing the product on a floor model really helps.”
TrackSide – Tri-R
Distributing |
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Ultima Products has expended its
Ultima AGM battery line to include seven more motorcycle
applications, said Vice President of Engineering Ken Francis.
“The patented post design reduces internal battery
resistance by replacing three internal connections with
one,” he told us, adding, “Our AGM batteries have flush
mounts and threaded terminals allow for easy connection to
bike terminals.” These batteries also feature a non-spillable,
sealed AGM valve, regulated lead acid (VRLA) design that is
maintenance free and meets all requirements for shipment via
air carriers, informed Francis. “Its rugged construction has
been lab tested and field tested to ensure long life, even in
demanding V-Twin applications,” he continued. Dealers are
looking for high-quality ‘essentials’ that have better
profit margins for their business and these ‘essentials’
are less influenced by difficult economic times, so increasing
profitability in electronics is a steady resource, Francis
explained. “These batteries should be displayed to create
awareness of their value, plus we just took the extra measure
of making them aesthetically pleasing with brand embossing at
no added cost,” he told stores.
Ultima Products –
Midwest
Motorcycle Supply
www.ultimaproducts.com |
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The XC100M Xtreme Charge branded battery charger/maintainer features exclusive and patented military based technology that increases battery life up to five times, exclaimed spokesperson Robert White. The XC100M tests, charges, maintains and de-sulfates all lead acid battery types, from standard, to
AGM, to gel, explained White, who continued by saying, the XC100M is fast, safe and simple to plug-in and can be left on the vehicle indefinitely. It reportedly features a weatherproof housing with a rubberized base. “Batteries are being asked to provide more power for ‘creature comforts’ and electronic gadgets which is a good thing for the industry, but has its drawbacks if not addressed properly using the proper technology now available,” White told us. He added, “Because of the ever increasing electrical demand being placed on batteries, combined with seasonal use, they are being discharged to a deeper and deeper level causing battery plates to sulfate and fail prematurely.” The biggest opportunity he said he sees is by offering consumers the ability to do 24/7/365 personal battery maintenance with products like Xtreme Charge’s battery charging and maintenance products. The company’s sales are up, White divulged, and it is “in the process of capturing market share through the replacement of old technology products with the Xtreme Charge and other new, advanced battery charging and maintenance products.” As your customers add new electric gadgets to their bikes, a personal battery charging and maintenance program is needed more than ever, advised White.
Xtreme Charge – Pulsetech
Products
www.xcmotorcycle.com |
When selling motorcycle electronics, whether it is batteries, lights, or stereo systems, it is important for both the dealer and their employees to know each item’s benefits and features, as well as the proper installation methods needed, before selling it to your customers. Information is the key and the more you know about what your consumers plan to do with their bikes, the happier you both will be with the final result. We hope this motorcycle electronics report can help you satisfy your customers’ wants and needs. Be sure to check out our segments on metric cruiser accessories and eyewear, elsewhere in this issue. |
