RENTALS!!! Don't forget about our new Rental service.
By Colleen Brousil
April 2009
If you’re a multiline powersports dealer, the new law preventing lead from children’s toys will undoubtedly adversely effect your business.
I’m all for child safety — I don’t want my 10-month-old nephew sucking on a lead-laced sippy cup, but does the federal government really think his 10-year-old brother is going to use his minibike’s battery terminals as a pacifier?
The Motorcycle Industry Council estimates that the effect on our industry could ring in at a staggering $1 billion per annum. (See Lead Ruling Hits Powersports Industry on page 10 of this issue for more on the specifics of the MIC’s projections on the economic impact of the lead law.) In today’s economy, this over-protective legislation could be the death knell for small businesses just like yours across America.
The question also arises as to whether or not children’s best interests are being served by this legislation. A great number of ATV accidents involving youth occur when a child is riding an adult unit and not wearing the correct safety gear. Limited access to appropriately sized units will drive younger riders to units that are unsafe for their smaller frames. Moreover, as the lead laws also apply to youth gear, there’s the likelihood that the costs of testing will be passed to the consumer, making youth gear more expensive and increasing the chances that children won’t be wearing the appropriate safety gear.
Even if you don’t sell youth units, this ban will eventually effect your business. Since Bobby couldn’t get an ATV for his birthday, he might get a pair of water skis instead. His passion will flourish for that sport instead of ours, and his desire to be a rider just like daddy might wane altogether in a time where it’s more crucial than ever to attract the next generation of powersports enthusiasts.
“I think that the powersports inclusion in this is ridiculous, and the entire things was very poorly implemented,” says MPN columnist, dealer and dad Bill Little. “In fact, I didn’t even realize that we were going to have issues until a month or so before the law went into effect. The bikes are sitting in our warehouse. Though the manufacturers are taking care of interest expense, it’s still a huge problem in terms of coming into spring and missing out on sales opportunities.”
More than 100,000 letters have already crossed the desks of U.S. congressmen urging an exception to the CPSIA requirements to allow the industry to sell ATVs and motorcycles to children under 12 years old.
However, as of press time, congress and the Consumer Safety Product Commission have yet to grant powersports products an exception to the CPSIA ruling.
Visit www.mic.org to download an easy-to-sign-and-send letter to the CPSC as well as a form letter to send off to your individual congressmen. Xerox a ream of the letters and place them prominently in your store for your customers to sign. Many riders, especially those without children, may be oblivious to this legislation that is limiting the next generation of riders.
Colleen Brousil is the editor of Motorcycle Product News, her new monthly column, The Road Ahead explores issues facing dealers across the country. Got a problem? Drop her a line at colleen@mpnmag.com.
WASHINGTON D.C.,
September 3, 2008 :
-- D&S Kawasaki Honda has been selected for the 2008 Best of Arlington Award in the Motorcycle Dealers category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties. About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising. The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community.
Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America. SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association
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MEGA Jumper Ryan Capes Tees On
One Up for W.VA. Bike Fest
CORONA, Calif. – The good folks in West Virginia are about to get hit with a “You aren’t gonna believe what we just saw” moment as Monster Energy’s Ryan Capes gets ready to etch his name yet again into the world motorcycle distance jumping record books with what – if all goes as planned – will be the longest jump ever on a 250F motorcycle.
Capes’ jump ramps and bikes have arrived to the region of the country locals fondly refer to as West By God, Va., for this week’s (July 23-26) “Mountainfest” – a gathering of bikers, country music fans, the Budweiser Burnout Bike, a “The Came Bronson” tribute to the 1960s/early 70s TV show and, of course, professional midget wrestlers.
But headlining the event, as he does wherever he shows up to jump, will be Capes – the American Daredevil himself. “I’m gonna jump over some Budweiser semis,” he says. And when one of his crew yells “How many?,” Capes answered “What’s the world record? I should know this.”
Capes says he’ll huck his Pro Circuit-tuned Mt. Baker Motor-Sports Kawasaki KX250F out well past the 200-foot range, setting a new world record for the furthest 250F jump. “I dunno, maybe we can fit 18 (semis) into the gap?,” he adds.
Mountainfest and the 70,000-plus bikers and onlookers expected to attend will be the first of a number of stops on Capes’ cross-country, record-setting jumping tour this summer. The entire schedule will be released on that shortly, once everything’s shored up here in a couple weeks. Capes says that some sort of record will fall at every event he boots up and jumps at.
“Every fan attending our tour stops this summer will be able to say they witnessed a world record jump of some sort,” said Capes. “And everything will come to a head this October when we end up back out west and set up to smash that 400-foot barrier.”
In addition to Monster Energy, Capes is helped out by the following sponsors: Pro Circuit, Ogio, Von Zipper, Fox, Kicker, Uni Filters, One Industries, BBR, Asterisk, KMC Wheels, Works Connection, Skullcandy, Pit Posse, D.I.D, Maxima Oil, Pro Taper, Dunlop Tires, Acerbis, Hinson Racing Components, Boyesen.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it insane distance jumping, MX, rally, SX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Ryan Capes digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
Consumer Reports Rates Motorcycles:
Consumer Reports has finally started to review motorcycles again for main stream retail consumers. To see the video click here . They have great things to say about the Kawasaki Ninja 250 as well as the Honda Ruckus which is great news for D & S! They also have some great insight for entry level as well as experience riders taking to the open road in search of a fun way to conquer fuel economy.
'Close to elements'
Darlene Davidson of McKinney, a project analyst for Cadbury Schweppes in Plano, has been driving motorcycles since she was a child in Canada and even bought one for cheap transportation after she graduated from college.
"I had to take a little hiatus when I had kids," said Ms. Davidson, 44, whose sons are 13, 15 and 19. "It's something I grew up with. It's not an adrenaline thing. It's not speed. I get a rush from being outside, from being close to the elements."
She rides a 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail and puts about 10,000 miles a year on it. This week, she talked about motorcycles while packing for a bike trip to South Dakota.
Typically, Ms. Davidson said, she rides in a group out of Corinth.
Every other month, she participates in a "Women of Harley" ride.
"It's really cool," she said. "It's independence for women that we haven't always gotten. I'm probably going to ride as long as I can hold up the bike. When I can't, I'll buy a trike."
Ms. Ryan of Denton has similar intentions.
"I feel like I can handle anything now," she said. "It gives me a sense of freedom. It gives me a sense of peace."
American Honda Announces 2011 Off-Road Models and ATVs Full Story
RICHARD L. MANSELL "RICKY" 01/06/56-07/28/2010 REST IN PEACE D&S LOST A MEMBER OF IT'S FAMILY TODAY AFTER A BATTLE WITH CANCER. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE MANSELL FAMILY WHILE THEY DEAL WITH THIS LOSS. REST IN PEACE BELOVED SON, BROTHER, FATHER AND HUSBAND.
