Akrapovič Rear Silencers for the BMW R 18
Vance & Hines Debuts Its First UTV Exhaust Systems
Gold Wing Family Returns for 2023
Akrapovič Rear Silencers for the BMW R 18
Vance & Hines Debuts Its First UTV Exhaust Systems
Gold Wing Family Returns for 2023
8 Ways Motorcycle and Powersports Dealerships Can Manage Demand with Speed & Efficiency
Demand for motorcycle and powersports dealerships is at an all-time high, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to make a sale. Inventory shortages and delays have created challenges that only add to a growing list of problems many consumers see with today’s motorcycle and powersports buying experience. Find out how you can uplevel your dealership experience in this free webinar. We’ll cover 8 ways motorcycle and powersports dealerships can manage demand with speed and efficiency, meeting customer demands and helping you make the sale.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to:
Speakers Greg Jones, Content Director, Power & Performance Group
Reach out to Greg Jones at (330)670-1234 ext: 272 for general listing questions. You may also visit our contact us page and submit your inquiry with your questions and contact info.
Reach out to Greg Jones at (330)670-1234 ext: 272 for general listing questions. You may also visit our contact us page and submit your inquiry with your questions and contact info.
Motorcycle & Powersports News offers three unique newsletters designed to deliver business intelligence to powersports dealers and other industry professionals who sell and service motorcycles, scooters, UTVs, ATVs, electric motorcycles, karts and more in the United States. Subscribe now to receive the MPN Newsletter, the MPN Off-Road Newsletter and the MPN V-Twin newsletter directly in your inbox every week. If a powersports dealer carries it, MPN covers it. Dealers have come to count on Motorcycle & Powersports News as their No. 1 resource for researching products and services in the industry.
Motorcycle & Powersports News offers three unique newsletters designed to deliver business intelligence to powersports dealers and other industry professionals who sell and service motorcycles, scooters, UTVs, ATVs, electric motorcycles, karts and more in the United States. Subscribe now to receive the MPN Newsletter, the MPN Off-Road Newsletter and the MPN V-Twin newsletter directly in your inbox every week. If a powersports dealer carries it, MPN covers it. Dealers have come to count on Motorcycle & Powersports News as their No. 1 resource for researching products and services in the industry.
ByDr. Raj Shah & Daisy Ann Norman on Mar 18, 2022
ByMPN Staff Writers on Jan 25, 2022
Aric Heckman rode this custom 1976 FLH to the recent Fuel Cleveland show, and upon seeing the bike’s extreme lines and stance, we knew we had to know more about the build for this Ride of the Week!Click Here to Read MoreAdvertisement
This 1976 Harley-Davidson FLH Shovelhead built by Aric Heckman has a very unique stance and line that draws the eye in. Check out what went into this custom build!
Get the latest news, insights, and more delivered directly to your inbox.
What came in as Big Blue goes out as Orange Fury.
After sitting all winter, bikes need an inspection before hitting the road.
Last month, we talked about how to look over motorcycle gear to make sure it’s ready for the season. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the maintenance you or your customers should be doing on a motorcycle before the season starts.
Let’s start with the most common form of maintenance: an oil change. Chances are that the oil inside the engine is due to be replaced, especially if the motorcycle has been sitting all winter. Motorcycle manufacturers may have different oil change intervals, but I’m a firm believer in starting the season off right with a new filter and fresh oil.
Whenever I change the oil in one of my vehicles — two-wheeled and four-wheeled alike — I use it as an opportunity to really look over the entire machine. It’s the perfect time to look for any signs of wear, damage or anything else that might leave me stranded on the side of the road. Remember, preventative maintenance is the best kind of maintenance!
Changing the oil is an easy job with basic hand tools. If you don’t have one, you’ll probably need a low-profile drain pan. Why? Because the frame rail on a motorcycle is lower than you’d think, and the drain pan you use to change the oil in a car might be too tall to slide underneath the bike. You can usually find this type of oil pan at any auto parts store.
Be sure to have some rags on hand to clean up any spills and a small funnel to pour the fresh oil into. I always have a can of brake cleaner around just in case I make a mess. Be sure to use the recommended oil, and don’t overfill it.
Tires might be one of the most important things on this checklist. After all, they’re the one component that is responsible for helping the bike to stick to the road. I’ve been in the habit of looking over tires at least once a week, but the pre-season check is critical.
Tires can’t do their job very well if they’re low on air, so check the tire pressure and fill it up as needed. If the pressure is low, you should inspect the entire tread surface for any signs of punctures. It may have picked up a nail or piece of debris from the road.
Take a look at the front tire from this 1978 Honda Twinstar; it’s almost completely flat. If the front tire is low on air, the bike will feel sluggish to turn or maneuver, and a front tire blowout almost certainly leads to a crash. Let’s not forget that a low tire won’t wear the way it should, and its lifetime could be cut down significantly if it goes unnoticed.
Motorcycle tires are unique compared to the tires on cars and trucks. Motorcycle tires have a rounder profile, which helps to maintain traction as the bike pivots side-to-side. However, the center of the tire contacts the road surface the most, and as a result it will usually wear down faster than the rest of the tire. If your tire is looking worn down or shows any signs of cracking or dry-rotting, it might be time to replace it. It would be better to do it now before the season starts, rather than waiting until mid-season and being without a bike while the work is done.
If the tires are the most important item on this checklist, the brakes are a close second! We all know what job the brakes perform, and hopefully we never experience a brake failure. I’ve experienced it in cars and trucks but never on two wheels. If your bike has drum brakes, check the linkage and adjust it as outlined in the owner’s manual or service information. Check the brake linings for any signs of deterioration or wear.
Check the brake fluid level and color. If the color appears dark or contaminated, it may be time to flush it with fresh fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture from the air. This lowers the boiling point of the fluid and can hamper the effectiveness of the entire hydraulic system.
The lights on the motorcycle are there for your safety. The headlights illuminate the road ahead, and your indicators communicate your intentions to those around you. It only takes a moment to look around the bike and make sure all of the lights are working. Check the low and high beams, turn signals and taillight.
The last item on our checklist is the driveline: That means everything between the engine and the wheel. Check the oil level inside the transmission and adjust if necessary.
If the bike is chain-driven, inspect, clean and oil the chain as needed. If the bike is a shaft drive, check the gear oil condition and fill level. A little bit of maintenance and care here will mean many more worry-free miles this season.
Powersports manufacturers publish maintenance schedules for all of their machines. This may include replacing certain fluids at a given mileage/time interval, inspecting key components or making manual adjustments to systems. One such example would be valve adjustment performed on Ducati and Triumph engines. This routine service may be costly, but it ensures maximum engine performance and lifetime for the rider.
And with that, you’re one step closer to being ready to ride this season. From one motorcycle enthusiast to another, I wish you all a happy, fun and safe riding season in 2022. I’ll see you out on the road!
Tech Tips: How to Properly Dispose of Motor Oil
Tech Tips: Prepping Your Snowmobile for the Season
Tech Tips: Should You Change PWC Oil Before Winter Storage or After?
Tech Tips: Motorcycle and Powersport Lubricant Technology
Motorcycle and powersports content for dealers, professionals and enthusiasts