News and stories from the world of Powersports business.
Harley-Davidson Announces New Chief Financial Officer
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”) (NYSE:HOG) today announced that Jonathan Root, SVP of Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS), has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Harley-Davidson, Inc., effective immediately.
“Jonathan is a proven leader with extensive knowledge of our business, matched with strong financial acumen – we’re excited to have him in place to lead the finance organisation at Harley-Davidson,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson.
In his role as SVP at HDFS, Root has overseen the global HDFS business as President of Eaglemark Savings Bank, President of Harley-Davidson Insurance, and President of all other HDFS subsidiaries. Root has been responsible for both strategy and execution of the company’s motorcycle retail lending, branded credit card partnerships, commercial lending, and retail/commercial/insurance operations. Root joined HDFS in 2011 and has held multiple roles across the company including VP, Insurance.
Prior to HDFS, Root held a variety of roles at Ally Financial, Inc., GMAC Financial Services, Inc., and General Motors, Inc.
Root holds an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance from Wayne State University.
New Line of Commercial Work Vehicles Released by Landmaster, Called the RVR (Rover)
American-made UTV manufacturer, Landmaster, has designed and released the all-new RVR (Rover), available in gas and electric platforms. The gas UTV, called the L5 RVR, and the lithium-powered UTV, the AMP RVR, will begin production on August 1, 2023. These two UTVs are designed specifically for a variety of commercial applications, including golf courses, schools & universities, apartment/condo complexes, groundskeeping, airports, indoor factories, municipalities, sports venues, events, and other commercial applications. They can be used for various tasks such as transporting people, hauling equipment, security, towing trailers or helping with any other work that needs done around a business.
Landmaster classifies the RVR as the industry’s best commercial UTV regarding features, capabilities, and price point. The AMP RVR and L5 RVR come standard with independent rear suspension and dual-rate shocks. This gives the user a more comfortable, higher-quality ride performance, even at various payload levels. The RVR has a total tow capacity of 1,500 lbs. and a max bed capacity of 750 lbs. This is well above what other commercial brands offer in this space.
Additionally, the RVRs come standard with a dumpable steel bed with removable sides, electronic power steering, two adjustable premium bucket seats, 2″ front and rear hitch receivers, and rear locking differential.
Finally, while most other commercial UTVs in this space are limited to 5-6 inches of ground clearance, the RVRs offer 11 inches of ground clearance, nearly double the amount of others. This additional ground clearance helps to provide a more plush ride that allows users to drive easily over larger obstacles, including curbs, logs, railroad ties, rocks, berms and other objects.
“The electric RVR is an incredible vehicle for businesses owners, super quiet, low-maintenance, fume-free, strong capabilities, and easy to operate. For users who are stopping and starting all day with a UTV, the electric RVR will last all day and charge in as little as 6 hours overnight. I’m excited about getting the RVR into various businesses across the U.S. so they can experience the Landmaster difference.” Says David Piercy, Marketing and Creative Director for Landmaster.
Designed, engineered, and built from the ground up in Columbia City, IN, the RVRs can equip businesses with an affordable work vehicle that offers more features and capabilities than several of the other brands in the commercial UTV space. You can see the comparison chart of the RVR vs. other brands by going to the links below.
For those interested in learning more, visit the links below, or call 800.643.7332.
Gas L5 RVR: https://americanlandmaster.com/utility-vehicles/l5-rvr
Electric AMP RVR: https://americanlandmaster.com/utility-vehicles/amp-rvr-4×2
Yamaha Motor Announces Eventual Withdrawal from Snowmobile Business
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. today announces plans for an eventual withdrawal of the snowmobile business. The Company plans to end sales of snowmobiles in Japan through the 2022 model year*, in Europe through the 2024 model year, and in North America through the 2025 model year.
1. History of the Business and Reasons for Withdrawal
In 1968, Yamaha released its first snowmobile, the SL350, by applying small engine technology which it developed in the motorcycle business. Over the past 55 years, Yamaha developed snowmobiles for sports, leisure, and business use as a means of transportation mainly in snowy areas found in North America and Europe. Yamaha also aimed to grow the business through the early introduction of environmentally-friendly 4-stroke models and alliances with other companies. However, Yamaha has concluded it will be difficult to continue a sustainable business in the snowmobile market. Going forward, Yamaha will concentrate management resources on current business activities and new growth markets.
2. Future Actions
Yamaha will ensure parts availability, service, and related customer satisfaction now and after the snowmobile final production run occurs. Production of the recently introduced 2024 models is underway and scheduled for fall delivery. Yamaha distributors will be working closely with dealers to minimize impact and best position their business over the next 12 – 36 months.
3. Impact on Business Performance
Due to the exit schedule outlined above, the effect on consolidated business results will be minor.
Yamaha snowmobile dealers and customers throughout the world have proven to be among the most passionate. Yamaha thanks and cherishes all for their years of loyalty and shared enjoyment of this special winter pastime.
*The Japanese market currently continues to sell only in stock.
Polaris Announces 2023 Texas Rodeo Tour and Team Polaris Athletes
Polaris Off Road, the global leader in powersports and off-road innovation, has announced its 2023 Texas Rodeo Tour, including a presence at seven marquee events in the heart of rodeo country, and unveiled the 2023 Team Polaris rodeo athletes.
Headlining Team Polaris in 2023 is their newest signee, 23-year-old and seven-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion Stetson Wright. The Utah native sensation is currently ranked the No. 1 Saddle Bronc Rider and the No. 4 Bull Rider in the world. Stetson comes from a family of Saddle Bronc champions and started competing in rodeo in fourth grade. Stetson will be joining Team Polaris alongside fellow champion athletes:
- Tyson Durfey, Texas Native and National Finals Rodeo Champion
- Sage Kimzey, Texas Native and seven-time PRCA World Champion
- Lisa Lockhart, National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion Barrel Racer
- Kaycee Feild, six-time PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion
“As a longtime sponsor of rodeo, Polaris is proud to be kicking off this year’s season with a stacked roster of world champion athletes and support some of the circuit’s most challenging rodeos in Texas,” said Chris Judson, Vice President, Polaris Off Road Utility. “These five athletes embody characteristics that mirror the core pillars of Polaris Off Road – hard work and dedication – and no matter what is put in front of Team Polaris, these athletes will continue to be the hardest-working athletes in the arena.”
While the 2023 PRCA season makes stops all over the country, Polaris has confirmed seven appearances at marquee events in the state of Texas. The Lone Star State is full of passionate fans and Polaris intends to have a greater event presence at those venues to showcase its lineup of hard-working UTVs while supporting its athletes. These events will include:
- Kueckelhan Ranch Rodeo – July 27-29, 2023 (Bonham, TX)
- North Texas Fair & Rodeo – August 18-26, 2023 (Denton, TX)
- West Texas Fair and Rodeo – September 7-16, 2023 (Abilene, TX)
- Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo – September 22-30, 2023 (Pasadena, TX)
- Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo – October 5-15, 2023 (Waco, TX)
- Austin County Fair & Rodeo – October 12-14, 2023 (Bellville, TX)
- WRCA Ranch Rodeo Finals – November 9-12, 2023 (Amarillo, TX)
Polaris Off Road has been a presenting sponsor of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association since 2015 and will continue throughout the 2023/2024 season. As presenting sponsor, Polaris provides 24 Polaris RANGER vehicles to the association annually, ensuring officials and personnel have the hardest-working machines capable of handling the toughest duties on the circuit week-in and week-out. By the end of this season, Polaris will have donated 192 vehicles to PRCA members, including the World Champions at the National Finals Rodeo in December.
To learn more about Polaris Off Road vehicles and Team Polaris, please visit polaris.com/en-us/off-road/off-road-events/ or join the conversation and follow on Facebook®, Instagram®, YouTube® and Twitter®
Ducati Corse Performance Oil Powered by Shell Advance: Developed in Racing to Enhance the Performance of Ducati Super Sports Bikes
Always committed to offering enthusiasts the technologies developed at the highest levels of racing competition, Ducati is proud to announce the arrival on the market of the new Ducati Corse Performance Oil powered by Shell Advance, developed in collaboration with Shell and designed to take advantage of the technical solutions of Ducati Superbikes with significant performance gains.
The Ducati Corse Performance Oil powered by Shell Advance lubricant comes about from experience gained in 23 years of collaboration between Ducati Corse and Shell in MotoGP and in the Superbike World Championship, which in 2022 led to the victories of the Riders’, Teams’ and Constructors’ titles in both championships with Francesco Bagnaia and Alvaro Bautista. A synergy that has made it possible to transfer materials and technologies to series production, thanks to technical solutions such as the dry clutch, pistons with DLC surface treatment on the skirt and the gun-drilled connecting rods adopted on the new Ducati Panigale V4 R.
![230630 Ducati Corse Performance Oil powered by Shell Advance [1200]](https://motorsportsnewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/230630-Ducati-Corse-Performance-Oil-powered-by-Shell-Advance-1200.jpg)
The new Ducati Corse Performance Oil powered by Shell Advance, which uses Shell PurePlus technology, can be used starting from the first oil change on all Desmosedici Stradale engines equipped with dry clutches.
The formulation based on a special selection of base oils and additives aimed at reducing friction guarantees a 10% reduction of the latter compared to the original equipment Shell Advance 15W-50 lubricant, resulting in increased maximum power. In the case of the Panigale V4 R, powered by the Desmosedici Stradale R 2023, this advantage can be up to 3.5 hp, a value that rises to 4.5 hp in correspondence with the limiter.
These targets were achieved thanks to a special formulation of additives, developed by Shell in its collaboration with Ducati Corse, belonging to the friction modifier and viscosity modifier categories. The friction modifier used in Ducati Corse Performance Oil powered by Shell Advance creates an ultra-thin film on the mechanical surfaces, reducing the effect of imperfections and therefore friction. This additive makes using Ducati Corse Performance Oil powered by Shell Advance possible only on engines with dry clutches.
The viscosity modifier used is a special polymer, frequently deployed in racing applications, which tends to reduce viscosity under conditions of high sliding velocities, thus decreasing friction and increasing performance. At the same time the viscosity modifier supports the oil to maintain a good degree of protection, particularly in the most critical conditions of lubrication, such as when starting. These results have been obtained thanks to a rigorous development and test process at the Shell research and development facilities , which are verified and applied in world championship racing competitions.
For the first time, enthusiasts can use a lubricant specifically designed for high-performance Ducati motorcycles, equipped with a V4 engine with dry clutch, to experience the sensations of the track to the fullest thanks to the extra power.
The special formula is dedicated to a specialistic use in closed circuits, and requires performing oil changes every 620 miles (1,000 kms) or 12 months
Distribution has begun through the Ducati sales network in Italy, France, Benelux, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal, and will extend to the United States, Canada and Australia in the following months.
#Ducati #ThisIsRacing #DucatiCorse
Ducati Memorabilia Project Updated with GP16 Componentry
Racing is a fundamental part of Ducati’s DNA, which has always met the passion of many fans in the world of competitions. Ducati Memorabilia is the exclusive project launched in December 2019 by Ducati and Ducati Corse, that offers the most passionate Ducatisti the chance to become owners of authentic and certified parts of the bikes used in recent years by official riders in the MotoGP and World Superbike Championships.
Ducati Memorabilia is a unique proposal in the world of motorcycle manufacturers, which fulfills the desire of many Ducatisti to collect authentic components of the engines of the official Reds of Borgo Panigale. Connecting rod, piston, camshaft and crankshaft, all components that tell a story of adrenaline and success capable of thrilling many enthusiasts.
New for 2023 is the arrival of the components used in the Desmosedici GP16 engine: the GP16 exhaust camshaft, the original Desmosedici GP16 intake camshaft, the original Desmosedici GP16 connecting rod and the original Desmosedici GP16 piston. Unique pieces that enrich the Memorabilia offer.
Each Memorabilia is packaged in an elegant box and accompanied by its certificate of authenticity signed by Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, and Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager. With the certificate, the owner of the Memorabilia will also find the technical description of the piece he has chosen, as well as a reference – where possible – to the rider and the season in which he raced and final race position as a further guarantee of uniqueness and originality.
The Memorabilia can be purchased from the Ducati Store in Bologna, as well as from the entire Ducati dealer network and online at Shop.Ducati.com. Each piece will be delivered, protected and embellished by a plexiglass case, and accompanied by its certificate of authenticity.
The availability of pieces is limited and requests will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis; it will therefore only be possible to reserve pieces that are in stock. An unmissable opportunity for all Ducatisti and other enthusiasts who have always dreamed of collecting the authentic parts of their heroes’ motorcycles.
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