Check it Out: Powersports Business Nifty 50

Every year, Powersports Business releases their Nifty 50 list, including the top 50 products and services that they believe will most benefit the growth and success of dealerships in the coming year. Products submitted for editor selection must have been recently updated, further developed, or improved, and the 2017 list (the publication's 18th edition) proves an impressive repertoire of resources.













Check out the tools Powersports Business think will help your business be the most successful possible this year- and be sure to check out Cycle Trader's own TraderTraxx platform, a revolutionary tool that earned one of these reputed spots this year!



Listed alphabetically:

4XPro — Heavy Duty ATV/UTV Axles

Aegis Powersports — AegisPay

AL3RT Powersports GPS — AL3RT GPS

Alpinestars — Supertech Glove

AltRider — DualControl Brake System

AMSOIL INC — AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Transmission Fluid

ARI Network Services, Inc. — PartStream

Barnett Clutches and Cable — Yamaha YXZ1000R Coil Clutch Spring Conversion Kit

Bell Helmet — Qualifier DLX MIPS—Equipped

Big Bike Parts, Inc. — Electronic Fuse Block

Caliber — Ramp Pro

Cardo Systems, Inc. — SMART H

Custom Dynamics — UTV Turn Signal Kit

Cycle Trader — TraderTraxx 

           That's right - we made the 50, and can't wait to show you all just what makes 

           this Dealer management tool such a game-changer for you and your business!

Design Engineering, Inc. — Heat Shield Kit Honda Pioneer 1000-5

DP Brakes — Drag Specialties Premium Brake Pads

DX1 — DX1 Windows 10 App

Falco Motorcycle Boots — Ranger

Firebrand — Baritone Slip-Ons

Floe International — Cargo Max XRT 13-73 Sport Utility Trailer

FLY Racing — FLY Boot Wash Stand

FlyDive — X-Board

FXR Racing — Team FXR Jacket and Pants

Giant Loop — Great Basin Saddlebag Roll Top

Gigi Montrose Moto Couture — Fearless

Great Day, Inc. — Powerloader ATV/UTV

Hardline Products — RX UV Protectant Cleaner & Polish

Hornet Outdoors — ATV/UTV Adjustable Receiver Hitch

ITP Tires and Wheels — Tsunami Wheel

Joe Rocket — Burner Leather Heated Glove

Kolpin Outdoors, Inc. — Kolpin Stronghold Ice Auger Boot

Kuryakyn — Fixed Trunk Relocator Kit for Indian

MFD — I Shred

Motion Pro — Cable Luber V3

National Cycle — AirFlares

Nelson-Rigg USA — Compact Backpack

Octane Ridge — Alpha Doors for CFMOTO ZForce

PowerMadd — LED Light Kits for PowerMadd Handguards

QuadBoss — 5-Gallon Bucket Cooler

RK Excel America Inc. — RK Chain GB420MXZ4 & GB428MXZ4

RpmOne — Priority Maintenance

S&B Filters — S&B Filters Particle Separator

Scorpion Sports, Inc. — EXO-AT950 Modular Helmet

Seizmik — Versa-Vent Windshield

Sena Bluetooth — Cavalry

Sprint Filter — CFRP Cooling Pipes

Thor Motocross — Invert Glove

Traffic Log Pro — TLP Mobile

Vee Rubber — VRM-081

Western Service Contract/McGraw Powersports — Polaris Slingshot Priority Maintenance

The undisputed online marketplace for motorcycle and Powersports dealer inventory.

Textron to buy Arctic Cat for nearly $250m

Big news for the snowmobile world came earlier this week.

Textron Inc. (TXT), an industrial, aircraft and automotive manufacturing company, has announced that it will be acquiring Arctic Cat Inc. (ACAT) as a new addition to its Specialized Vehicles business for approximately $247 million. Plans are that the Arctic Cat brand will be fully preserved when the acquisition occurs. According to the company's original announcement, the joining will position the brand to grow in its positioning within industry leadership and "allow more aggressive investment" in product development.

Based out of Minnesota, Arctic Cat reported an annual revenue of over $640 million in the 2016 Fiscal Year. ACAT President and CEO Christopher Metz noted the distinct value of the acquisition in an article published by Dealer News:

"This transaction presents increased opportunities for the business to leverage our combined scale, accelerate growth and enhance product innovation in ways that will benefit our customers, dealers and employees."

Based out of Minnesota, Arctic Cat reported an annual revenue of over $640 million in the 2016 Fiscal Year.

Source: Grand Forks Herald

Up your Dealership's Digital Presence with a Website Upgrade to a .Motorcycles URL

Are you interested in upgrading your website address to a .Motorcycles URL, but maybe aren't so sure where to start? With a little planning and preparation, it’s easy to transition your website to a new, unique '.Motorcycles' URL! We’ll arm you with the information and tools you'll need to make the move while maintaining your existing traffic and search engine rankings.

Site Migration Overview

Google has published detailed, step-by-step instructions which provide an excellent overview of the website migration process. These instructions take you through each scenario and show you how to point your existing website to your new website address, ensuring Google is properly notified and aware of it. 

This is an important step. You want to make sure your prospects and customers can still find your website, and you don't want to lose any of your traffic or search rankings you've worked so hard to get. It will take a little time for Google Search to process, but when it’s complete your new .Motorcycles URL will work just like your old website address.

We’d be happy to answer any questions you have when it comes to purchasing your new .Motorcycles URL and moving your website (or creating a new website!). 

Contact us at 757.319.4755 or sales@dominion.domains.

For more information on obtaining your .Motorcycles URL, visit Dominion.Domains!

Motorcycle Industry Council's 2017 Board of Directors Announced

Early this month, the Motorcycle Industry Council published a press release presenting the results of their BOD elections for 2017.

Newly elected Paul Puma will be joining Arnold W. Ackerman and Andy Leisner, both of whom were recently reelected. "Our 2017 Board of Directors is solid," said President and CEO of MIC, Tim Buche. "[It's] made up of individuals who aer fully committed to the success of our industry and ready to tackle the key opportunities facing all of us in the years to come."

A few things to note about these pretigious members include:

Arnold Ackerman 
Current Chair of the MIC Aftermarket/Allied Trades Committee
-Chariman Emeritus/Founder, Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG)
-Background of top positions in manufacturing, powersports, and even aerospace industries
-Described as an "experienced businessman, professional investor, and lifelong motorcyclist"

Andy Leisner
-VP/Group Publisher, Bonnier Motorcycle Group
-Previously managing partner of Hardcard Holdings LLC
-Garnered top positions with Cycle World, AMA Pro Racing, and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
-Began riding at the age of 6
-Rode motocross even into the AMA 250 Grand Prix Nationals and 250 World Championship

Paul Puma
-Executive VP, Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution
-Worked for ITT Commercial Finance as Motorsport Unit manager
-Accumulated numerous acquisitions, including that of Wells Fargo in early 2016
-Motorcycle enthusiast for 50+ years, working in industry for over 3 decades

You can read the entirety of the press release here, on the Motorcycle Industry Council's blog.

In Case You Missed It: TraderTraxx Updates Webinar

Did you miss our recent webinar on Cycle Trader's new TraderTraxx updates? No worries- we recorded it for you. Check out the video below to watch the full webinar by our Vice President of Product, Phillip Billups, as he reviews the new functions and features of this revolutionary tool for dealers.

Watch the Webinar on Youtube here.

Events to Attend in 2017: Shows and more that you don't want to miss

Dallas IMS

A huge part of guaranteeing success for your business is ensuring your presence at trade shows and key national motorcycle events! 

Be sure to lock in your spot by registering for those listed below- you don't want to wait for booths to run out, or wait until the last minute to get your company ready for so many of the potential new clientele at these motorcycle enthusiast highlights.

Progressive International Motorcycle Shows (IMS)

• Washington, DC- January 6-8
• Dallas January 13-15
• Cleveland 27-29
• Minneapolis Feb 3-5
• Chicago Feb 10-12

More dates to be released

AIMExpo

September 21-24, 2017 (Columbus, Ohio)


Sturgis Rally 

August 4-13 (Sturgis SD; 77th Annual)

Ride for Kids 

Multiple each month; see website for details

Americade Rally 

June 5-10, 2017 (Lake George, NY)

Motorcycle Industry Expected to Boom Over Next 5 Years

Recently, Persistence Market Research published a press release noting the likely growth of the motorcycle industry from 2015 to 2021. According to the release, the growing standards of living and 'increasing westernization' of the world today are stimulating the market more than ever before. Along with factors such as climbing petroleum cost and internal combution (ICE) engines, the opportunities for market growth are expected to expand all the more.

Fascinatingly, the report notes that China is expected to continue its reputation as the largest motorcycle market, mostly due to its presence as the largest world population. Following China are India and Indonesia; don't let these rankings fool you, though. Growth rates in Asian-Pacific market arenas are forecasted to be much slower than North America's, and the U.S. is poised to lead the pack when it comes to product sales as a result of economy health.

Read the full article and learn more about this insightful press release from Persistence Market Research on SBWire here.