| Motorcycle Offroad
Accessories Article
With the vastness of offroad parts and accessories to choose from, it is important for you to know which products will best suit your customer’s needs and which ones will best fit their budget. Knowing the benefits and features of each item your store stocks is also a good way to ensure that your customers walk away with a product that is right for their riding style. We’ve compiled a list of the latest offroad parts, accessories and exhaust in the hopes that you can find something that will fill your customer’s requirements, the next time they walk through the door.
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Chris Taylor of Barnett Tool & Engineering reported its latest offroad parts are the new segment clutch friction plates (pictured on pg. 21). “The material is applied in a way that allows the clutch to run cooler and results in a longer clutch life and smoother, more consistent performance,” Taylor told us. Barnett continues to see a demand for high performance clutch components that can handle the current high performance motorcycles, he noted, adding, big bore kits have also become more popular as riders are taking their bikes to new extremes. “The demand for our clutch kits, billet clutch baskets and billet pressure plates remain strong,” he said. “Out here on the West Coast, land closures are having an impact on the offroad community. It’s a very real problem and everybody needs to take responsibility and do their part to help keep areas open,” Taylor explained. “We have to be able to co-exist with the ‘non-motorsports’ community,” he added. Like many other markets, Taylor said, Barnett has seen an increase in the demand for quality products and service in the offroad market. “With all the inferior quality products coming in from offshore, with little or no tech support behind them, the quality products and support that we have been providing for 60 years is more important than ever,” Taylor stated. Despite the slow market, Barnett’s sales have remained steady with this time last year, he divulged. Remember to do business with reputable aftermarket companies that will be there with help when you need it, Taylor advised. He continued by saying, “Choose companies that will not only support you and your customers, but also provide quality products at a competitive price. At Barnett, we have always been dedicated to providing this service and supporting our ever expanding network of dealers to the best of our ability.”
Barnett Tool & Engineering
www.barnettclutches.com
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Mike Sauer of Cometic Gasket told us the company’s latest offroad performance product is the EST top end and bottom end kits for four stroke applications. These kits contain all the necessary gaskets, seals, O-rings and washers to completely replace any component in the top end of the machine in any bore size, described Sauer. He added, the bottom end kits include all of the case gasket seals and O-rings and seals to completely rebuild the bottom of the motor. “Paired together, the top and bottom end kits allow for total customization of the complete kit for any bore size or rebuild needed,” said Sauer. The side-by-side market is growing and there are more companies that cater specifically to that segment of the market, he noted, adding, pit bike parts are also selling well. Sauer cited riding restrictions as the most imminent threat, because it could hurt more than just the parts and accessories market, but the industry on the whole. “As riding areas become more restricted, the recreational rider will have less opportunity to go ride; it will become necessary to travel further to riding areas which, along with rising fuel costs, will put a damper on the sport,” he explained. Sauer told us Cometic has seen a slight increase in sales over the previous year, as some riders are keeping their bikes longer, resulting in the need for more maintenance and more aftermarket parts being added to the vehicle. “If you sell high quality parts from companies that stand behind them, your customers will tell their friends,” said Sauer, who continued, “If you sell a cheap part with no warranty or support, your customers will tell their friends.”
Cometic Gasket
www.cometic.com |
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“KTM 500/525 EXC/MXC/SX motorcycles can now benefit from a high flow K&N replacement filter,” informed spokesperson Johnny Jump. The new KT-5201 air filter was designed to provide high airflow and superior filtration and the air filter, filter holder and filter support have been removed and replaced with a K&N MX XStream air filter, attached to an included custom mounting plate, described Jump. “The provided custom bolt assembly keeps the filter tight against the mounting plate,” he told us, adding, “The filter’s sealing edge and mounting plate are matched so that the filter maintains a positive seal under all riding conditions.” Multiple layers of the company’s flow cotton media reportedly trap dust and dirt to allow clean air to reach the engine, which is said to improve throttle response and acceleration. The KT-5201 comes pre-oiled and ready to install and it is backed by K&N’s racing and offroad limited warranty, Jump explained.
K&N Engineering
www.knfilters.com
OFFROAD ACCESSORIES CONTACT LIST
Barnett Tool & Engineering
www.barnettclutches.com
Cometic Gasket
www.cometic.com |
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The MSR AOF clutch perch and lever offers a universal application fit and includes an ‘adjust on the fly’ style perch, described Dave
Casell, director of MX brands. “It is comparable to others that can cost up to four times as much,” he explained. Dealers need to be aware of what’s available on the market, as well as which products work and which don’t, said
Casell. “It can really help if they have first hand experience in what they are trying to sell as well,” he added.
MSR - Tucker Rocky
www.msrmx.com |
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The HC2 lift stand is the latest from Tri-R Distributing, noted President Randy
Mashin. The top plate is height adjustable to fit under most bikes, he told us, adding, it is easy to operate with a damper shock that eliminates the sudden drop and provides a smooth, safe landing. The lift’s maximum lifting weight is 330 lbs. and it comes with a safety hold hook system to prevent accidents after the bike has been lifted, said
Mashin. “The offroad area of the industry seems soft right now but it is still a very good segment,” he explained. Mashin added, “Land use rights is always a concern, however, there appears to be more organized facilities going up.” He concluded by telling dealers the HC2 lift stand offers a 38 percent profit margin.
Tri-R Distributing
www.tri-rdistributing.com |
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Vortex Marketing and Sales Manager Josef Buxton told us the company now offers an all-new 7/8 bend bar called the Mini Coop. “This is an all-new bend not available from any other bar manufacturer,” he explained. Designed by Vortex sponsored rider and top amateur motocross racer Cooper Web, this bar works best with today’s mini bikes and riders, Buxton said. The Mini Coop 7/8 bar has a width of 750 mm, height 74 mm, rise 50 mm, center 165 mm and pull back of 44 mm, he added. “Offroad riders are so demanding on their machines and products that they are constantly seeking out higher quality and better thought out products,” Buxton noted. The market’s great opportunity lies in American and European based manufacturers to compete against the low cost Chinese manufacturers, he told us. “At Vortex, we have noticed an increase in the sale of offroad parts and accessories compared to this time last year,” he divulged. Buxton continued by saying, “While the Vortex brand has been strong for many years in road racing we are noticing that with the additional marketing and relationship building directed specifically towards motocross riders and motocross dealers that the demand for Vortex bars and sprockets in the offroad segment is growing.”
Vortex
www.vortexracing.com |
We know that when it comes to offroad parts, accessories and exhaust there are a lot of items to choose from and sometimes your customers might have a difficult time finding the product that is right for them. That’s where you come in. By keeping these items in stock and on display, as well as keeping yourselves and your staff up-to-date on all of their benefits and features, stores can help their consumers make the best decision in regard to which items to buy. We’d like to thank the companies who provided the information in this report and would like to remind you to read our segment on the latest offroad apparel, starting on page 14. |
