ExPo Visits the Motorcycle Industry Dealer Expo 2012!
- Thread starter Brian McVickers
- Start date
At least I was using a Leica!
The show ended on Sunday afternoon and after a few cab rides and the red-eye flight, I am back at home base.
This was the first Dealer Expo that I have attended and it was certainly a special opportunity to take the pulse of the motorcycle aftermarket industry.
On a very positive note, everyone seems to be noticing the growth of the Dual-Sport Adventure Rider category and many companies are paying attention! I heard reports of sales growth in dual-sport specific product ranging from 20-30% and nobody reported that the category wasn't working for them in some way.
What does that mean? It means keep on exploring on your bike and look for continued support from the industry with new products and enthusiasm!
In fact, there are talks of a larger powersports show for 2013 that will combine the industry trade show with a consumer show.
:bike_rider::bike_rider::bike_rider:
There is far from a helmet shortage out on the market!
After seeing the number if manufacturers and helmet models I am even more amazed to see riders out on their bikes without one. There is a shape, style, color and price point available for everyone.
Having tried on and tested several helmets, a few years ago I purchased an Arai XD3. After several thousand miles including the heats of the southwestern and Baja deserts it is still my go-to helmet and I was very excited to see that Arai has introduced a new XD4 version with increased ventilation. New vents have been added to the brow and neck areas.
I also had the opportunity to talk with an Arai engineer and learn that for all the helmets they produce, car racing and motorcycle, they only have 15 helmet makers, individual skilled craftsmen, to make all the helmets they produce! The helmet making team can put out 150 helmets per day, unless they are making their new full-carbon-fiber helmet that takes 9 hours to make and retails for $4,000! It seams like a lot of cash but after holding it I wanted it, incredibly light and well built. Unfortunately I had to put the camera down in order to hold it so no pictures.
Here is the new XD4!
Ooooohh! A KTM Version!!!!
This was the first Dealer Expo that I have attended and it was certainly a special opportunity to take the pulse of the motorcycle aftermarket industry.
On a very positive note, everyone seems to be noticing the growth of the Dual-Sport Adventure Rider category and many companies are paying attention! I heard reports of sales growth in dual-sport specific product ranging from 20-30% and nobody reported that the category wasn't working for them in some way.
What does that mean? It means keep on exploring on your bike and look for continued support from the industry with new products and enthusiasm!
In fact, there are talks of a larger powersports show for 2013 that will combine the industry trade show with a consumer show.
:bike_rider::bike_rider::bike_rider:
There is far from a helmet shortage out on the market!
After seeing the number if manufacturers and helmet models I am even more amazed to see riders out on their bikes without one. There is a shape, style, color and price point available for everyone.
Having tried on and tested several helmets, a few years ago I purchased an Arai XD3. After several thousand miles including the heats of the southwestern and Baja deserts it is still my go-to helmet and I was very excited to see that Arai has introduced a new XD4 version with increased ventilation. New vents have been added to the brow and neck areas.
I also had the opportunity to talk with an Arai engineer and learn that for all the helmets they produce, car racing and motorcycle, they only have 15 helmet makers, individual skilled craftsmen, to make all the helmets they produce! The helmet making team can put out 150 helmets per day, unless they are making their new full-carbon-fiber helmet that takes 9 hours to make and retails for $4,000! It seams like a lot of cash but after holding it I wanted it, incredibly light and well built. Unfortunately I had to put the camera down in order to hold it so no pictures.
Here is the new XD4!
Ooooohh! A KTM Version!!!!
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Walking through the helmet section I was pulled aside by a member of KALI.
I had never heard of the company before but they make helmets for motocross and downhill mountain biking.
They do have a dual-sport adventure helmet in the works and based on their approach to helmet making I am curious to see what they come up with!
KALI takes a unique approach. Rather than assembling the helmet internals separately and then pushing them into the shell, KALI actually forms the internals, in place, inside the shell. This allows for a precision fit between the internal foam structure and the outer shell which eliminates glue and air gaps therefore increasing the efficiency at which the helmet absorbes and dissipates impact forces before they reach the user.
In some models KALI also uses a spiked internal which dissipates impact forces along the internal plane of the lining rather than directly through to the user.
I had never heard of the company before but they make helmets for motocross and downhill mountain biking.
They do have a dual-sport adventure helmet in the works and based on their approach to helmet making I am curious to see what they come up with!
KALI takes a unique approach. Rather than assembling the helmet internals separately and then pushing them into the shell, KALI actually forms the internals, in place, inside the shell. This allows for a precision fit between the internal foam structure and the outer shell which eliminates glue and air gaps therefore increasing the efficiency at which the helmet absorbes and dissipates impact forces before they reach the user.
In some models KALI also uses a spiked internal which dissipates impact forces along the internal plane of the lining rather than directly through to the user.
There were a lot of companies with ideas products for rider to rider in-helmet communications but only two that I found offered a solution to an overlander adventure rider specific issue (how can a moto rider communicate in-helmet with other moto riders and trucks using 2-meter HAM radio?
All of the companies offering had a solution for bike to bike communications ranging from bluetooth or FRS/GMRS to one with visual light signals, but only two had the option of incorporating a handheld radio of either CB or HAM frequency.
The IMC HS100 includes adapters to connect with several common brands in the HD 2-meter market including Icom and Yaesu.
With helmet mounted speakers and microphone along with a handlebar PTT button this is a good solution for under $100, around $60 I believe.
SENA is the other company offering a solid solution
All of the companies offering had a solution for bike to bike communications ranging from bluetooth or FRS/GMRS to one with visual light signals, but only two had the option of incorporating a handheld radio of either CB or HAM frequency.
The IMC HS100 includes adapters to connect with several common brands in the HD 2-meter market including Icom and Yaesu.
With helmet mounted speakers and microphone along with a handlebar PTT button this is a good solution for under $100, around $60 I believe.
SENA is the other company offering a solid solution
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Hey Brian thanks for the info on the radio setups...believe it or not that has been a huge issue for disabled overlanders who use handcontrols and want to talk on the radio.
With 1 hand on the brake/throttle lever and one on the steering wheel there is nothing left for the mic.
With 1 hand on the brake/throttle lever and one on the steering wheel there is nothing left for the mic.
Cody1771
Explorer
yeah thanks for that one! been trying to find one to plug into a handheld VHF. the ones i have found have a hardwired connection plug so you need to buy the kit to fit the radio, and if you ever upgrade, destroy, or replace one you need a new kit if it has a different jack
Victorian
Approved Vendor : Total Composites
Two thumbs up for the Michelin T63 tire! I rode many thousand miles in Africa on several of them... Same rear profile as the Michelin Desert but is a bit softer and doesn't offer the "flat tire" protection. The front tires are different... Found the Desert to wild for on road but the T 63 is a nice compromise 
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Cody1771
Explorer
just checked out there website, the IMC HS400 series has adapters so you can run the 2m or 2way radio, along with plugging it into your phone or IPOD and allows switching between easily! $80US on there site.
