Dealer Expo 2005
The latest and greatest for motorcyclists is coming from
Northwest companies!
For three years now Sound RIDER! has gone to the
Powersports Dealers Expo in Indianapolis held each February in search of the
next products and innovations that are coming to the motorcycle market. It’s a
large event with several miles worth of booths and vehicle displays. The main
floor typically has the items you see on any day in a motorcycle shop. But
throughout the show, and particularly beyond the main floor, you’ll find the
innovators. This year many of the innovators are actually Northwest businesses.
Sport Vue
 Race
car driver Dominic Dobson has come up with a way to watch your speed without
looking down. It’s called the Sport Vue and it’s a nifty little device you
connect to the top of a face shield on a full face helmet. Set with an infinity
focus you can actually see your speed, rpm and what gear you are in just by
looking straight ahead as you ride. For those who wonder what gear they are in
after completing a turn, now it’s easy to know with the Sport Vue. The wireless
unit has an aerodynamic shape to it that contours the helmet and easily comes
off in the event of a crash.
Sport Vue is manufactured by Motion Research in Seattle.
More details are at http://www.sportvue.com
PacSafe
PacSafe has made a name for themselves in the outdoor
market creating anti-theft luggage products such as day packs, waist packs and
money belts. Now they are planning to enter the motorcycle market with a tank
bag, tail pack and helmet bag this summer. Each unit shares the same concept, a
storage membrane with metal webbing laminated into the fabric, and a cable
system to lock the opening and provide the rider the ability to lock the bag to
the bike. Designer Rob Schliper was on hand to show the new bags and get
feedback from potential customers before the units go to factory production.
PacSafe is distributed in the US by Axis Outdoor of
Everett. More information on PacSafe products is at
http://www.soundrider.com/store
Muzzy’s ZX10 Turbo Kit
The folks at Muzzy in Bend, Oregon, really love to play
with Kawasakis. Whether they are customizing exhaust systems for Kawasaki drag
bikes, making billet parts for dirt bikes or creating pre-tuned power commander
setups for street bikes, there’s always something Kawasaki going on with them.
The latest is a turbo kit they have created for the popular ZX10. Essentially
you toss your exhaust system entirely, mount the turbo system and replace a
piece of exterior bodywork and you’re ready to roll. As if the ZX10 wasn’t fast
enough already!
More details are at
http://www.muzzys.com
 Norton
Commando 952
It’s finally happening. After several years of people
toying with the resurgence of the Norton brand, Kenny Dreer and his team from
Oregon are heading into production of the first 100 Commando 952 models. Each
will be hand built and will supersede an expected larger production run which is
expected at dealers in 2006.
More information is at
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com
Lambretta Returns
Tom Lynott, founder of Classic Motorcycles and Sidecars in
North Bend, Washington, is no stranger to the motorcycle business having put
into motion a series of import/export ventures over the years. His latest
project is to revive the Lambretta scooter. In certain scooter circles, Lambretta
owners used to be shunned by their Vespa counterparts, but this time it’s going
to be different. Keeping the exact same styling as the popular Lambrettas of the
50s and 60s, Lynott has ingeniously replaced the old motor with a 200cc engine
from Vespa's parent company, Piaggio. And because he’s kept the exact same body
style, replacement body parts will now be available for vintage Lambrettas.
More details are at
http://www.lambrettausa.com
 Green
Light Trigger
While legislation has been working its way through the
halls of Olympia which would allow riders to turn left after a traffic light
sensor refuses to acknowledge their existence, another answer is now available.
The Green Light Trigger is a simple magnet that connects to the bottom of any
bike with a piece of high temperature 3M tape. The magnet then triggers the
light sensor making it believe a large vehicle is overhead. During the show we
saw the latest version, which has a stronger magnet.
The Green Light Trigger is made in Portland, Oregon.
More information is at:
http://www.greenlightstuff.com/
 High-Tec
Motorcycle Socks
Finally, someone has come to the table with socks
especially made for motorcyclists. If you despise sweaty feet and having your
socks slide down your calf, getting scrunched up in your boots, these socks are
for you. They come in two formats, a summer/warm and winter/cool weather sock
respectively. The winter sock features Thermolight and the summer socks are made
with Coolmax.
More information is at
http://www.soundrider.com/store
Custom Echo Kits
We’ve been selling a lot of Global Vision multi-lens
touring eyewear. The company produces one other kit we have not yet carried in
the Sound RIDER! online store because of the absence of an amber driver lens.
Called The Echo, we have now worked with GV's product development lead, Joy
Wright, to develop a custom kit that will include a set of driver lenses. The
Echo is a bit more stylish than other touring kits provided by GV and comes with
either a black or silver frame. Look for the new units this spring. Initially
they will be a Sound RIDER! exclusive, but we guess if they’re popular, GV will
make them available to all dealers.
More information is at
http://www.soundrider.com/store
PT/Winter 05
|
