News and stories from the world of Powersports business.
Volcon hires veteran entrepreneur in advance of Stag launch
Volcon has appointed John Kim, who has served on the company’s board of directors as an independent director since July 2021, as chief executive officer.
Kim has come out of retirement to lead Volcon’s successful market launch of the Stag. Before joining Volcon’s Board of Directors, he was an accomplished serial entrepreneur and product designer, and is currently a private investor.
Kim was the chief executive officer and founder of Super73 Inc., an electric bicycle company, from 2012 until 2019. In 2003, he founded U-Life, an internet enabled home appliance company in South Korea, which was acquired by LG in 2006. Before his career as an entrepreneur, Kim was the principal designer for Yahoo Search, a car designer at Honda and a former U.S. Army paratrooper. Kim received a Master’s Degree in Design from Stanford University in 2001.
“Kim is an intensely driven, detail oriented, no nonsense executive who will significantly enhance the standards and discipline of the Volcon organization,” says Empery, Volcon’s majority lender.
“I’m very excited to have John on the team,” says Christian Okonsky, chairman of the Board of Volcon. “His skillset and background in building companies, designing products for manufacturing and successfully launching them on the market is what Volcon needs at this stage in our company’s life. John has a passion for building companies and products that appeal to consumers. With the imminent launch of the Stag, we have found the right leader to take this product to market and showcase its capabilities.”
“I’m extremely excited to be joining the passionate team here at Volcon,” Kim says. “Volcon is poised to become one of the most recognized brands in the off-road powersports industry with the launch of the Stag. As a board member, I could see the potential and having spent time meeting with the manufacturer, part suppliers and Volcon employees, I can see that the Stag will be a very special and market-defining product. There isn’t anything out there in the off-road EV space that has the performance of the Stag. The suppliers of the key components are industry leaders. The assembly facility in Mexico is up and running and ready for production. My focus is to get the Stag launched and build the Volcon brand in the off-road industry.”
Triumph names national sales manager
Triumph Motorcycles America has hired Blaine Schuttler as national sales manager. This newly created position includes cross functional team leadership with a focus on sales team management, enterprise sales leadership and organizational implementation for the U.S. and Canada.
Schuttler brings his 30 years of professional powersports and motorcycle industry experience to the team headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Schuttler has served as the owner and operator of a successful powersports dealership in Canada for 10 years, followed by a combined 20 years as a professional motorcycle industry executive.
Schuttler has held positions such as district sales manager, sales director for the U.S. and Canada at KTM and managing director for the U.S. and Canada for Husqvarna. Most recently, he held the title of vice president of Motorcycle Sales in North America for KTM.
“Triumph is currently in one of our most aggressive growth periods in history, and we are committed to building a solid foundational team of industry-leading professionals committed to the success of our dealers, customers and the Triumph Brand,” says Rod Lopusnak, general manager, Triumph Motorcycles America. “Working at all levels of sales, Blaine brings a strategic and collaborative attitude to the organization, with the experience to make efficient, exponential gains. We welcome Blaine to the team and are confident that he will help achieve our current and future goals for Triumph.”
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Triumph Motorcycles America team as the national sales manager,” Schuttler says. “I have always had the ambition to grow in business with a brand that connects with my passion for motorcycles, and Triumph’s aggressive strategic plans to enter new market segments is both inspiring and motivating. I look forward to being an integral part of Triumph’s success in the coming years.”
Suzuki and H.E.P. Motorsports Launch 2024 RM Army Boot Camps
Suzuki Motor USA and H.E.P. Motorsports unveiled the first event in the 2024 RM Army Boot Camp series today. RM Army Boot Camps were launched in 2023 to much acclaim. Boot Camp events offer Suzuki MX bike owners the chance to ride, learn, and hang out with their favorite H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki team riders at some of the best MX tracks in the country.
The first 2024 Army Boot Camp is slated for Pax Trax MX Resort in Bunnell, FL on February 29th. Pax Trax is a key hub for southeastern MX enthusiasts, with multiple tracks, RV camping, and more at its facility located between Orlando, Jacksonville, and Gainesville, FL.
To make the first 2024 RM Army Boot Camp even more memorable, 2023 World Supercross Champion, and winner of the 2024 Glendale SX round, Ken Roczen will join the rest of the H.E.P. Motorsports squad to share his thoughts and stories from his phenomenal 2023 season.
2023 World Supercross Champion and 2024 Glendale SX winner Ken Roczen (94) will help kick off the 2024 RM Army Boot Camp series at Pax Trax MX Resort, on February 29.
Suzuki RM Army Boot Camps offer attendees interactive sessions with the team and riders throughout the day while providing plenty of track time, great food, refreshments, and fun at many of the best motocross tracks in the country. Attendees also earn exclusive RM Army Boot Camp swag commemorating the event, as well as some great memories.
Suzuki RM Army Boot Camps give Suzuki owners an immersive, memorable experience.
Boot Camps are open to Suzuki MX riders of all skill levels, and are planned to cover major regions of the US, including premier tracks in the South East, South West, North East, and more. Additional 2024 Boot Camp events will be announced shortly.
These events are complimentary to Suzuki owners. Suzuki RM and RM-Z motorcycle owners may sign up to reserve their place at an RM Army Boot Camp at SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/RM-Army-Boot-Camp. Attendance for on-track riding is limited and is offered on a first-signed-up, first-served basis.
For more information and to keep an eye out for the full Boot Camp schedule visit SuzukiCycles.com, or on all the Suzuki social media channels @SuzukiCycles for additional updates. For more information on Pax Trax MX Resort, visit paxtraxmxresort.com.
*Boot Camp pro rider lineups and agenda will vary by event and are subject to change. Attendee riding opportunities are limited at certain events, so sign up early.
Triumph Reveals New Tiger 1200 Updates for 2024
Triumph Motorcycles has revealed new features and enhancements for its Tiger 1200 family for 2024, making the range even more advanced and refined. The updates include further refinements to the engine, enhanced comfort and ergonomics, improved cornering ground clearance, reduced seat height with Active Preload Reduction and distinctive new colours.
Triumph’s 1160cc triple engine now delivers an even more refined riding experience, with superior low speed control, whilst retaining the exciting and unmistakable triple character from its T plane crank.
With changes to the crankshaft, alternator rotor and balancer to increase engine inertia, plus some associated engine calibration changes, the Triumph engineering team has been able to create a smoother and more precise low rev torque delivery. Customers will be able to feel the increased smoothness while accelerating or decelerating, especially at low speeds. An updated clutch design will also mean that riders experience a smoother engagement when changing into first gear,
Triumph has also enhanced the all-day comfort of the Tiger 1200 for customers looking for long-distance touring capability. The engine itself is now even smoother and more refined, thanks to a revised engine balancing strategy, which improves comfort through all the key rider touchpoints.
The dampened handlebars and risers, which have proven so popular in the Explorer models, have also been introduced to the GT Pro and Rally Pro, delivering a smoother ride with increased mirror visibility.
The rider seat has been re-designed with a flatter profile, providing more space for the rider which will help reduce fatigue on longer trips. The accessory low seat, which reduces the seat position by 20mm to give a lowest seat height of 830mm on the GT Pro and 855mm on the Rally Pro, has also been designed to be significantly more comfortable. A longer clutch lever has also been introduced, providing increased space for riders’ fingers adding further comfort especially on longer journeys.
Triumph has also increased the cornering ground clearance of the Tiger 1200 GT Pro and GT Explorer models, by lifting the footpeg positions and moving them closer to the bike. The new Active Preload Reduction feature, which was revealed in August 2023, offers the rider greater confidence by reducing the rear suspension preload as the Tiger 1200 slows to a stop, lowering the seat height by up to 20mm, simply by pressing the ‘Home’ button on the switch cube for one second.
The Tiger 1200 is now available in four variants, with new colours for 2024. The Tiger 1200 GT Pro and GT Explorer, tailor made for the perfect road-focused adventure ride, are now available in eye-catching Carnival Red, as well as the previous options of Snowdonia White and Sapphire Black. The Tiger 1200 Rally Pro and Rally Explorer, perfect for an all-terrain adventure, are available in stylish new Matt Sandstorm, and Jet Black options, as well as the popular Matt Khaki.
Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent said: “The updates to the Tiger 1200 range for 2024 will deliver an even more refined ride, broadening its global appeal. While the current generation model has already made a big impact on this segment, more than doubling annual sales of the Tiger 1200 around the globe, our world-class engineering team is always looking for new ways to refine and enhance every model.
“By listening to customer feedback and integrating some of the new enhancements already revealed in the new Tiger 900, this range of updates come together to deliver a significant improvement to the riding experience.”
First launched in 2021, the latest generation Tiger 1200 was designed to be the world’s most capable, agile and manoeuvrable large capacity adventure motorcycle. Since then, the Tiger 1200 range has seen global sales success, and the Tiger 1200 GT Explorer with its 30 litre tank, was even the bike of choice for Enduro World Champion Ivan Cervantes when he took the Guinness World Records title for riding the greatest distance in 24 hours on a motorcycle.
TIGER 1200 FAMILY
- Tiger 1200 GT family; tailor made for the perfect road-focused adventure ride, with 19” front and 18” rear cast aluminium wheels
– Tiger 1200 GT Pro (20 litre tank)
– Tiger 1200 GT Explorer (30 litre tank)
- Tiger 1200 Rally family; tailor made for the perfect all-terrain adventure, with 21” front and 18” rear tubeless spoked wheels
– Tiger 1200 Rally Pro (20 litre tank)
– Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer (30 litre tank)
TRANSFORMATION IN WEIGHT, CAPABILITY AND SPECIFICATION
- Dedicated wheel dimensions for enhanced capability tailored to the ride
– 21” front / 18” rear tubeless spoked set-up for off-road supremacy
(Rally Pro & Rally Explorer)
– 19” front / 18” rear cast aluminium set-up for dynamic road riding capability
(GT Pro & GT Explorer)
- Large fuel tank capacities
– 20 litre (GT Pro & Rally Pro)
– 30 litre (GT Explorer & Rally Explorer)
- Light weight chassis and class-leading specification of equipment
– Lightweight frame with bolt-on rear aluminium subframe and pillion hangers
– Light and strong ‘tri-link’ swingarm
– Category-leading Brembo Stylema® monobloc brakes plus optimised cornering ABS with IMU
– Advanced Showa semi-active suspension set-up tuned for maximum road and off-road capability
- Slim waist and compact overall design
- Rider ergonomics designed for a comfortable and stable ride
- Adjustable seat height, which can be lowered even further with an accessory low seat
T-PLANE TRIPLE ENGINE ADVANTAGE
- 150PS at 9,000rpm and 130Nm at 7,000rpm.
- Unique T-plane triple crank with uneven firing order
– Enhanced low down tractability and responsiveness
– Exciting and engaging mid-range to top-end response and feel
- Characterful and distinctive soundtrack
- Lightweight low maintenance shaft drive
COMPREHENSIVE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE
- Triumph Blind Spot Radar System, developed in partnership with Continental (GT Explorer and Rally Explorer only)
- Showa semi-active suspension set-up for dynamic rider control
- 7” TFT instruments with integrated My Triumph Connectivity System
- Optimised Cornering Traction Control with IMU
- Up to six riding modes
- Keyless system, including ignition, steering lock and fuel cap
- LED lighting with DRL, plus Adaptive Cornering Lights
- Triumph Shift Assist as standard
- Heated grips and seats (heated seats standard on GT Explorer & Rally Explorer only)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (standard on GT Explorer & Rally Explorer only)
- Hill Hold
DEDICATED TIGER 1200 ACCESSORY RANGE
- 50+ Genuine Triumph Accessories for capability, comfort, style, technology and protection
- Full luggage systems – all hard luggage developed in partnership with Givi
– Trekker panniers – moulded luggage, side/corner opening
– 52 litre Trekker twin helmet top box with upholstered passenger backrest
– Expedition panniers – alloy luggage, top opening
– 42 litre Expedition top box with two-piece passenger backrest
- Comprehensive protective range
– Precision engineered tubular stainless-steel engine and tank protection
- Heated seating options
– Rider, pillion, standard height and low seat options
- Triumph Sena Bluetooth communication system
– Dedicated partnership with the leading motorcycle communication brand, Triumph Sena headset featuring a new Harman Kardon sound system
PRICE & SERVICE
- Three years unlimited mileage warranty, with the option to extend
- High service intervals: 10,000 miles (16,000 km) / 12 months
- Competitively priced, starting at £17,295 for the Tiger 1200 GT Pro
ON THE ROAD
- Customers can find out more at triumphmotorcycles.co.uk or place an order with their local Triumph dealer, with the new models arriving in dealerships from end of April 2024.
