WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
It is Up To You To Save Our Industry
THE BIG ASK:
Is It Time To Rethink Powersports World
A BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS
By Bob Althoff
News By Category
News
In the September issue Bob Althoff noted we are an industry in crisis. “We all want a healthy industry. However as we are all too aware, what we have is less than our customers — present and future — deserve.
The September issue’s big ask caused a #FlashbackFriday moment back when Mark Rodgers asked Harley Exec Jerry Wilke if dealers were obsolete back in 2021.
AIROH USA now has nationwide availability of its world-championship winning helmets —151 World Titles at last count — via its fledgling network of certified local dealers.
Once again the lunatic fringe for moto bikers hopped up on race gas and Red Bull is taking over the strand. Super Hooligan Flat Track racing replaces beach cruisers on October 11th at Bolsa Chica State Beach in the heart of SoCal.
The much anticipated Vanderhall luxo-UTV has finally hit the trail with deliveries of Brawley production models dropping September 25, 2025.
Shifting Gears
“My job is helping dealerships win with co-op and marketing that moves units,” says Carl Peshoff the new Director of Powersports at Corkboard Concepts. Peshoff came to DealerConnect to spread the word that he had officially joined Corkboard Concepts.
Promoting from within: Matt Heitmann — chief marketing officer for Scott USA — is moving up the ladder and going global!
Just before new CEO Artie Starrs starts on October 1, Harley-Davidson, Inc. has appointed two new independent directors, Daniel Nova and Matt Reintjes to its Board of Directors effective September 15, 2025.
“After four incredible years, it’s time for me to say goodbye to LiveWire,” says Lead Industrial Designer John McInnis.
When we ran the OEM Update on the “new” Sherco in the August issue, we missed the fastest guy on the team: Warehouse Manager Lane Hyatt!
AIROH TAKES FLIGHT! Airoh Helmet USA now has nationwide availability of its world-championship winning helmets —151 World Titles at last count — via its fledgling network of certified local dealers. This marks a significant milestone for the high flying Italian brand, known globally for its uncompromising standards in safety, innovation and lightweight design. To ensure accessibility and service excellence, #AIROHUSA has established a trusted dealer network supported by 20 dedicated sales representatives nationwide. Subscribe To #Dealernews To See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/airoh-takes-flight/
#FlashbackFriday Are Dealers Obsolete? The Dealernews September issue's big ask caused a #FlashbackFriday moment back when Mark Rodgers asked Harley-Davidson Exec Jerry Wilke if dealers were obsolete back in 2021. "Tesla sells direct to consumers. Carvana, Vroom... they've almost guaranteed a dealer-free experience. Setting franchise laws aside, is today's dealer distribution model obsolete?" Subscribe To #Dealernews To See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/flashback-friday-3/
#FLASHBACKFRIDAY Is The Industry Apathetic Or Irrelevant? In Dealernews September issue Bob Althoff noted we are an industry in crisis. "We all want a healthy industry. However as we are all too aware, what we have is less than our customers — present and future — deserve. Certainly less than what our employees and shareholders deserve. Our industry is firing on less than all cylinders. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There is a path to success — a proven blueprint that has played out in powersports before and more recently with phenomenal results for a couple of powersports-adjacent markets... In fact, the years ahead can be great ones. The path has been shown to us all… repeatedly." See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/flashback-friday-2/
With the American Motorcyclist Association EnduroCross Championship launching next month, Triumph Motorcycles has invested in a new EnduroCross-specific track. The new track will provide the perfect place for Jonny Walker Off-Road Racer to get the holeshot on the season. Triumph brought in experts to construct the latest feature of its state-of-the-art facility, which already includes purpose-built supercross and motocross tracks and new race workshops. Subscribe To #Dealernews To See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/speaking-of-triumph-off-roaders/
THE X FILES: TRIUMPH TUNES IN TF 450-X “Our motocross program has already delivered podium finishes in both Supercross and MXGP, and the response to our TF 250-X and TF 450-RC has been outstanding,” says Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Stroud. “The new TF 450-X builds on that momentum, offering the same race-developed performance in a standard production model. Developed and tested to deliver performance, control and reliability for riders of all capabilities, this model is engineered to be accessible for weekend riders while helping competitive racers perform at the highest level.” Subscribe To #Dealernews To See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/35053/
In Case You Missed It
50% Tariffs Hit Entire Industry: MIC’s Strategy To Protect Powersports Businesses
How Expanded Tariffs on “Derivative Products” Will Raise Prices
In June, MIC sent comments to the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) outlining the detrimental impact the tariffs would have and asked that motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and recreational off-highway vehicles not be captured.
Now that she has returned from her ride to Sturgis, founding National Powersports Dealer Association Board Member Gail Worth says it is time for DealerConnect… and for dealers to connect with each other.
RideNow Pushes Them Past 100
