BILL SHENK HAS BEEN WORKING in dealerships for more than 30 years and has worked with more than 175 dealers in his PowerHouse dealer 20 Group, but he faced his bi
REMEMBER WHEN THE OPINIONS of a few magazine editors, top celebrities and learned scientists helped us make our purchasing decisions?
We used to live in a world o
AS OUR DEALER LAB, Destination Powersports of Punta Gorda, Fla., prepares to complete its 2011 fiscal year, the numbers it has posted through November are on the
Owners of certain model-year Harley-Davidson Softails who want increased horsepower without worrying about breaking noise laws will find a solution in a new offer
MOOSE RACING EXPEDITION JACKET, PANT: Jacket has a high-denier oxford polyester chassis. Removable sleeves, rear vent, cargo pockets and an elastic pull cord for
Michelin Motorcycle Tires this week launched its Michelin Commander II tire, which is aimed at the cruiser market. There are 15 sizes to choose from, each offerin
The men’s Mission Jacket from Roland Sands Design takes a style cue from the dirt-riding world and updates it for the street. The distressed-cowhide jacket
Versa Haul now makes an RV carrier designed specifically for The Auto Moto’s three-wheeled scooters. The VH-AM carrier features an anti-tilt lock bracket, t
Mustang Motorcycle Seats has designed a removable passenger backrest for 1997-2012 Harley-Davidson FL touring models. Mustang says the backrest has all of the fea
Ride-On has announced that it will launch its Smart Caps at Dealer Expo this year. Smart Caps are valve caps that once installed, will let the user know when tire
Sena Technologies Inc. has just released the SMH5, a Bluetooth stereo headset and intercom that’s ideal for scooter and motorcycle riders.
Users can make h
Seat cushion manufacturer Airhawk has just released the Airhawk R Comfort Seating System, which is designed to address issues of prostatitis and general discomfor
Risk Racing has released the mud axe, a double-sided tool that will help off-roaders maintain optimum performance and aesthetics on their vehicles.
“An eng
MSR’s latest addition to its gear lineup is the 2012 X-Pedition helmet, an off-road Dual Sport lid, which offers numerous safety features for an affordable
Hindle Exhaust Systems’ Evolution muffler is now available in four finishes: stainless, brushed titanium, matte black ceramic coated and carbon fiber. The m
Motor Trike Inc. has released a Mechanical Reverse Gear for Harley-Davidson that can be installed on trikes and sidecars, in addition to motorcycles. It will be a
MissingLink has released a nifty way to protect exposed arms from harmful UV rays while riding. The ArmPro is a four-way stretch sleeve with SPF 50 protection. No
Answer Racing’s Skullcandy gear collection features matching pants, jersey and gloves, and come in either black/blue or red/white color schemes. The jersey
Pivothead, founded in 2010, specializes in stylish, hands-free video recording eyewear that offers the same components and features as full-sized camcorders and c
EDITOR’S NOTE: Power Products Marketing is a Minneapolis research firm that specializes in analyzing retail sales of power equipment in markets around the w
TechNiche International's HyperKewl vests are evaporative cooling sport vests that are made of polymer-embedded fabric, which activates when the user submerge
From Snap-on comes its popular 14.4 volt 3/8-inch drive cordless impact wrench covered in Realtree camouflage (CT4410ACAMO).
The camo cordless comes with two high
Dealers and service techs can benefit from the new MS5650 scan tool from The Carlson Company. The tool (touted as the “best available scan tool on the marke
NADAguides Powersports CONNECT is an online application that gives users instant access to pricing and vehicle information for model years 1998 through present da
JUST THE OTHER DAY I was down at my local Napa Auto Parts store shopping for an inner primary bearing for my ’66 Shovelhead.
There, a 20-something associate
If we really want to know how the next generation of shoppers are shopping, it would make sense to just ask them — right? And what researchers have initiall
IN A SEA OF multiple products and brands, maintaining a store's identity can be challenging. Creating a theme and streamlining your store fixtures could be a
Craig Cervenka is senior manager for business development at Edgenet and was OEM relations manager for PowerSports Network. Dealernews enlisted Dealership Univers
Dealernews asked Dealership University's Rod Stuckey to discuss the importance of using metrics in managing a dealer parts and accessories department with Ste
Most of you know Dave Koshollek as a veteran columnist with Dealernews and a long-time instructor at Harley-Davidson University. This year Dealership University r
Sam Dantzler is a veteran sales trainer whose resume includes stints as CEO of the Retail Powersports Management Group, and partner with Lemco and Ride Now. He&rs
I WAS LOOKING through some of the 2012 Top 100 Dealer competition entries recently. It’s an interesting group, varying not only geographically but, as expec
OH, HOW I LAMENT the failure of powersports retailers to embrace technology in any meaningful way.
There’s strong technogeek blood running through my veins,
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I received an email from a dealer on the West Coast complaining about the continued lack of federal and state enforcement of laws governing
