This Week in Powersports Business – The week of September 1, 2024

News and stories from the world of Powersports business.

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New Digital & Tech Hub for Dealer Solutions

Dealers asked and AIMExpo delivers. The 2025 premier powersports industry event will feature The Digital & Tech Sector, a dedicated space for brands offering the latest technical and digital solutions to help dealers take their businesses to the next level. Here, dealers can easily visit a hub of companies offering the latest innovations and can take part in Tech Talks — small-group discussions with tech leaders who can help them approach opportunities and challenges from a new perspective.

“Every day, technology plays a greater role in making businesses more efficient, more profitable, and more sustainable,” said Cinnamon Kernes, Vice President, Market Expansion at the Motorcycle Industry Council. “We’re inviting all attendees to stop by The Digital & Tech Sector, centrally located on the show floor, and visit with some of the country’s leading digital solution providers and take advantage of the fireside-chat style Tech Talks.”

The Digital & Tech Sector was created when Bob Lettis, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Partnerships at 700Credit, and Chris Yeloushan, Vice President of Dealer Development and Industry Relations at Rollick, Inc., approached the AIMExpo team after this year’s show with the idea of curating such a space to make it easier for dealers to connect with this important, fast growing market segment.

“We listened to direct dealer feedback, which led us to seek an easy way to create a digital tech hub that would feature the top digital solutions companies in the industry,” said Yeloushan. “By consolidating these innovative partners in a single place and providing Tech Talks, dealers have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation and problem-solving sessions with one another and with our panel speakers. AIMExpo provides the perfect platform for this experience given its impact in the industry by recognizing the role technology plays in today’s dealerships.”

“Technology is driving the industry, and it’s important for dealers to adapt and adopt new innovations so they don’t get left behind,” said Lettis. “We wanted to make it easier for dealers to quickly see how some of the latest software can help them enhance their sales processes, and having this central hub allows them to quickly evaluate multiple options and offerings, since dealer needs are not all the same. We thought AIMExpo would be the perfect place to showcase The Digital & Tech Sector because it is the premier event for the powersports community to connect and learn.”

“We have always said that AIMExpo is your show, so we’re thrilled to see our exhibitors take an active role in the evolution of this event,” Kernes said. “This is one of the most valuable ways our exhibiting partners can contribute, and it helps us better serve dealers and deliver a better experience for all; it’s important that we listen to the wants and needs of the industry and pivot when it makes the most sense. The Digital & Tech Sector is a fantastic idea, and we are very thankful to Bob and Chris for coming to us with it.”

Brands participating in The Digital & Tech Sector include:

• 700Credit
• Accelerate2Compliance
• AppOne
• Auto Data Direct
• Avonbrook Software Solutions
• Cycle News – Digital Throttle
• Cycle Trader
• Data Here-to-There Inc.
• Dealer Spike
• FlexPath DXP
• Horsepower Financial
• Impel
• LeadHelm
• Lightspeed
• Podium
• Rollick, Inc.
• Service Manager Pro and ZPlan
• Spader Business Management/NCM Associates
• Statistical Surveys, Inc.
• The Accounting Guys

Note: This list does not include all digital and tech services brands at AIMExpo.

AIMExpo 2025 will be taking over more than 300,000 square feet at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 5-7. The powersports industry experiential event will offer many new additions, including The Digital & Tech Sector and the AIMExpo Starting Line, featuring the FREE Launch Coffee Lounge fueled by Dealer Rocket, a charity auction hosted by NPA, race simulators, and more.

Registration is open, and as always, it’s free for dealers. AIMExpo has also partnered with Connections Housing for discounted rates at the Renaissance Las Vegas, Sahara Las Vegas, The Westgate, and The Las Vegas Marriott. Book soon to get your preferred hotel.

Dainese Group Partners with Turn 14 Distribution to Expand U.S. Market Reach

Dainese (www.dainese.com), the world leader in protective wear for dynamic sports, has entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with Turn 14 Distribution for the U.S. market.

This partnership will leverage Turn 14 Distribution’s extensive network to distribute all Dainese motorcycle products and TCX boots and shoes collection throughout the United States.

“I’m thrilled to announce our agreement with Turn 14 Distribution, marking a significant milestone in our expansion and consolidation efforts across the USA.” Said Jeffrey Geiskopf, CEO Dainese Group US and Americas. “Having the right distribution partner that aligns with our brand and strategy is key to us achieving our goals.”

“Dainese embodies the spirit of individuality and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines true motorcycle riders. The gear isn’t just about protection and comfort; it’s about enabling riders to embrace their inner speed demon and push beyond boundaries with confidence,” expressed Jon Pulli, CEO of Turn 14 Distribution. “At Turn 14 Distribution, we are thrilled to partner with a brand that understands the heart of motorcycling and delivers products that inspire both passion and performance on every ride.”

Triumph Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Evel Knievel’s Rocket Jump

Triumph Motorcycles joined the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Evel Knievel’s legendary Rocket Jump at Twin Falls, Idaho on Sunday 1 September. The day of festivities began with a motorcycle parade and featured live music from Krysten Knievel (Kaptain Robbie Knievel’s daughter) and The Knievel Daredevil Band.

Leading the motorcycle parade, Knievel’s son Kelly rode a custom-painted Bonneville T120, alongside stunt rider Robbie ‘Maddo’ Maddison, who rode a custom Rocket 3, in tribute to the one-of-a-kind Skycycle X-2 Rocket used in the original jump. Six-time gold medal X Games champion Colby Raha also chose a Triumph to ride in the parade, opting for a Speed 400.

The matching custom schemes were inspired by Evel’s original Bonneville T120-TT ‘Color Me Lucky’, which he used to perform his legendary 141-foot jump over the Caesar’s Palace fountains in Las Vegas on December 31st, 1967. Although the crash-landing crushed his pelvis and femur, fractured his hip, wrist, and both ankles, the stunt confirmed him as the ultimate daredevil. A Bonneville T120 was also used by Knievel to promote his Canyon flight in 1972, which he fitted with wings to capture everyone’s imagination.

Kelly Knievel said: “This bike is painted up just like ‘Color me Lucky’ the Triumph he used, it looks great! He always had a soft spot for his T120, said it flew ‘straight as a bullet’. Robbie’s riding a Triumph Rocket with the same custom paint scheme as this bike, which feels a very appropriate way to celebrate the anniversary.”

Triumph Motorcycles Chief Operating Officer Paul Stroud added: “This was an uplifting celebration of one of Evel Knievel’s best-known stunts, and Triumph is thrilled to support his family and fans by creating these one-off custom bikes to lead the parade. Following his jump at Caesar’s Palace on a T120 TT, Evel Knievel performed many stunts on Triumph motorcycles during the 60’s, securing his name in the hearts of generations of fans. It’s good to see the latest generation of the T120 bike that was used to first promote this notorious Snake Canyon jump, now being ridden by the next generation of the Knievel family.”

Evel Knievel and the Rocket Jump

Robert Craig “Evel” Knievel (October 17, 1938 – November 30, 2007) was an iconic American motorcycle stunt performer and showman, performing more than 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps during a career that took him from rural county fairs to sold-out stadiums.

Evel’s infamous ‘rocket jump’ of the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in September of 1972 delivered his most dramatic career highlight. While recovering from his crash at Caesars Palace, Evel dreamed up his most daring stunt ever – an ambitious and heavily-promoted plan to jump the Grand Canyon. Following difficulties obtaining the necessary permissions, the location was changed to the Snake River Canyon in Idaho, a site that required him to clear a gap a quarter-mile wide and more than 500 feet deep!

To promote the Grand Canyon jump, a prototype ‘jet powered’ Triumph Bonneville T120 fitted with wings, named the ‘Skycycle’, was shown to the press. Aeronautical engineer Doug Malewicki was then engaged to design and build a real ‘rocket-powered’ motorcycle to jump the Snake River Canyon. The Skycycle X-1 was based on a heavily-modified motorcycle chassis and powered by a steam engine built by former NASA engineer Robert Truax. After a test flight, which resulted in the X-1 crashing into the Snake River, the decision was made to remove the wheels entirely and instead take-off and fly more like a rocket than a motorcycle.

The final X-2 Rocket, with Knievel inside, launched at Snake River Canyon on September 8, 1974. During take-off, the drogue parachute deployed prematurely. Even though the X-2 made it part way across the canyon to the north rim, the drag of the prevailing winds caused it to drift back south, into the canyon, landing only a few feet clear of the water in which Evel would have surely drowned, strapped into the craft.

However, along with his jump at Caesars Palace, despite its ultimate failure, the Snake River Canyon rocket jump secured Evel’s reputation as the King of Stuntmen.

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