YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO SEE THIS…

Stop me if you have heard this before. Some 40 odd years ago, the pundits were telling us there was no such thing as a bad motorcycle! Technology, manufacturing expertise and dealer support meant every rider had access to the thrill of powersports. Even the aftermarket was onboard; “There is no such thing as bad riding weather, only bad gear” still stands out in my faltering memory.

Yet here we are! Technology has taken us to ride-by-wire, TFT displays connect us to the entertainment world (as if riding wasn’t entertaining enough?). Traction control and ABS have transitioned from MotoGP tracks to lightweight commuter bikes, fit and finish has never been better… there really is no such thing as a bad bike now, right? Even the Hayabusa cruise missile for the streets is celebrating 25 years of ne plus ultra performance. The trick is to expand the market and have more folks w rather than push the boundaries of motorcycle manufacturing and performance to ludicrous speed.

Not to sound like that jaded old guy at the back of the room (being a bitter little man is reserved for my esteemed colleague John Burns), but I have seen much of this movie before. So when Triumph Motorcycles GM Rod Lopunsak said, “you are going to want to see this one” I perked up. Rod had transitioned from his family’s dealership and was working his way up the OEM corporate ladder during the same time as

I was transitioning from being a crash test dummy for consumer magazines and focusing on the trade side of things with my first stint in the saddle at Dealernews. As the industry itself transitioned from motorcycles and ATCs to quads and “powersports” products, Rod and I shared some pretty cool riding adventures on what were then game-changing machines.

In addition to his OEM position, Rod also spent some time with the AMA and a major aftermarket distributor (all the while remembering his dealership roots). His perspective is well grounded as well as diverse as anyone I know in this business. “You are going to want to pull rank and cover this one yourself,” he nudged me at an MIC Board meeting. “And it will be in England.”

Sold! The last time I had the opportunity to tour Triumph’s factory in the English Midlands was when industrialist John Bloor had decided the time was right for the storied brand to return to the U.S. and a handful of ugly Americans were invited to see what was coming from the reborn company. We also toured the NEC museum and saw legendary machines from Triumph’s past like Slippery Sam… sadly the Museum and the factory both burned down. Worse, all my film from the event was lost at La Guardia… all I had was half a roll in the camera. So a chance to see London, and experience the new Triumph Experience Center/Factory in Hinckley saw me headed to Old Blighty just before Treason Day… um, the 4th of July holiday for us wayward colonists.

Rod was right! Yes the Triumph technology teamed with Bajaj’s mass market manufacturing capabilities is a tour de force for the new 400s, but the bigger story is what this means for the global motorcycle market. In the first 10 days after the London debut, Bajaj booked 10,000 bikes! Triumph made plans to add 100 dealerships in India by 2024 (on top of the 660+ existing Bajaj dealers). A single platform is anchoring an entire dealer network in the largest motorcycle market in the world!

But will it play in Peoria? I surveyed a dozen of my Triumph Dealer friends when I got back from the London launch, and all of them said the 400cc single is the proverbial game-changer Triumph is touting it to be. From the Pocono mountains, to the flat expanse of Florida; urban dealers and my buddies at Baxter in the Iowa cornfields can’t wait for this bike to make it to the U.S.

Even if you are not a Triumph dealer, you are going to want to see this…

Former Editor-in-Chief and publisher of Dealernews circa 1990-2003, Robin returns to the magazine. In addition to having been instrumental in creating the Dealernews Top 100 program (still the industry’s ultimate accolade for a motorcycle dealership), Hartfiel has worked for most of the B2B publications in the Powersports arena. Prior to the trade side, he worked as a beat reporter for a local newspaper and was an editor of publications ranging from All About Beer to VW Trends.

DEALERNEWS 2.0 ANNIVERSARY

Eight years ago Advanstar accepted my Term Sheet to purchase Dealernews. Since then, Dealernews (our team of contributors, columnists and believers) has done its job — acting as the glue in our industry; informing; inspiring; and, at times, perhaps infuriating some.

Robin’s leadership, his love for our sport and unwavering support of Dealers, has earned him a unique position in powersports. It also earns him my thanks for all of that and his friendship.

As we look forward to another year, as always, there are challenges everywhere. But our job, collectively, is to point the way forward; to try to see around corners; to visualize a brighter future. Doing so takes your observational skills; your writing skills and your courage.

Leadership is like that.

In thanking you, I would be remiss in not reminding you Dealernews must fight for the businesses, the jobs, of course. But it is the fun, freedoms and fundraising that millions of our customers enjoy. It is the inclusiveness of our community. It is the way hard-working families recreate; play together; stay together.

Our work is so very vital. None of us is in it for the financial rewards. It is our passion for this lifestyle that must resonate. Be bold. Make sure that what we love, lasts. Lead this industry to all that it deserves!

Bob Althoff World’s Luckiest Man

Bob Althoff sent this note to the Dealernews team on the eve of celebrating our coming out party at AIMExpo this year, but Dealernews

2.0 actually launched in July after the principals agreed to get the band back together for one more tour.

The Band Is Back Together

Thank you Bob. Well said. It’s great to be part of a real team again!

Eric Anderson Confessions Of A CustomerTM

ILLUSTRATING BOB’S POINT

When I moved to the US in 1983 from Argentina to see if I could make a living as a motor sports artist, the motorcycle industry gave me the firsts assignments and its members the encouragement I needed to keep going. Since then, I made a living as a motor sports artist, stayed involved in our industry and met the most wonderful group of people, including all of you at Dealernews. I’ll be forever grateful.

Having said that, comes to mind the ineffable Groucho Marx’s quote: “I wouldn’t want to join a club that would have me as a member”, or something along these lines.

Hector

Cademartori

MOTOR RACING ART hectorcademartori.com

AGREED

Agreed! We’re blessed to be in the midst of greatness and I know we’re all committed to the industry we love.

Jim Woodruff, CEO National Powersort Auctions

TIME FLIES!

8 Years already? That explains why I’m running low on Personnel Files topics.

Congratulations!

Alex Baylon, Personnel Files MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com

Hall Of Famers

As I read Bob’s message I couldn’t help but feel a little humbled, more than grateful, and genuinely inspired for being included as part of the “Bad Idea” team he was directing his message to.

54 years into my love affair with motorcycling, and I’m painfully aware, now more than ever before, that what miles lay ahead pale in comparison to what lay behind. To top it off, I just had one of my knees replaced, a clear indication the wheels are starting to fall off.

One might accept, “you’ve had a good run”, but then again, if that were true I would have just suffered through and gotten by with the right knee the good Lord gave me stock. Instead I fight back every way I can, replacing OEM parts with aftermarket so I can get back in the game, get back on the bike and see just how much longer the ride will last. And that, I guess, is the point of Bob’s message because every time I open Dealernews and read your articles, opinions, stories and bylines, I’m inspired to do whatever I can to keep moving forward. To remain in the game, and keep trying to blaze new trails.

I hear over and over again how powersports companies are tightening their belts, that the COVID-induced “good times” have run its course and everyone from OEMs to aftermarket companies to dealers are fretting about what comes next. Forget that many of them just had three of the best years they’ve ever had, now it’s a case of hand-wringing about the future. Yes, there are challenges everywhere but there are also opportunities. With Dakar having just ended I am reminded, it’s easy to lead, to open the road when the trail ahead is flat and smooth, but like Dakar a much different story in the dunes and camel grass. I’ll take the hard way over the easy route any day. Why? It’s easier to distance yourself from your competition when the going gets tough. It also separates the leaders from the followers.

In that spirit, I say thank you to all of you, especially you Robin, Gus and the rest of the team at Dealernews for fighting the good fight, for riding herd on the rest of us to keep the pages of Dealernews full. Thank you Bob, for your inspired leadership and for trying to make a difference in our industry. And thank you to all my fellow contributors. It’s an honor to be a part of the “Bad Idea” team. Long may all of you run.

Scot Harden, President Harden Offroad, Inc.

Don Amador, Quiet Warrior Racing

SOUND OFF!

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