DEALER HEALTH IS INDUSTRY HEALTH
Michael Maledon, President Elway Powersports
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The National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) has opened registration for DealerConnect 2026 presented by AppOne.
Stop surfing the Internet trying to cure inventory blues this summer. Already the leading source for pre-owned powersports products in the nation, National Powersport Auctions (NPA), turns up the heat this June with its NPA RV Summer Spectacular.
KYMCO continues to rebound by bringing in a power forward and investing in its dealer network with the expansion of its sales team, highlighted by the addition of a returning sales professional, Steve Fischer, and the promotion of an existing team member, Austin Terrell.
Proving the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Baja Legend Johnny Campbell’s boy Preston Campbell claimed his first World Cup Rally 2 stage victory on Stage 2 Desafío Ruta 40.
While Preston Campbell was ripping up the Rally 2 ranks at the Ruta 40 Rally, HRC Rally GP heroes Ricky Brabec and Skyler Howes lost their way on Stage 2… Literally.
Shifting Gears
KYMCO continues to rebound by bringing in a power forward and investing in its dealer network with the expansion of its sales team, highlighted by the addition of a returning sales professional, Steve Fischer, and the promotion of an existing team member, Austin Terrell.
Although he says, “I have pretty much reached my goals and now I am just helping newer people in the industry to be recognized,” Rogue just can’t ride off into the sunset.
After cutting his teeth at the dealership level, industry pro Brenden Gill joins Turn 14 Distribution as a new Outside Territory Sales Manager.
After a year of planning and development, Central Powersports Distribution (CPD) and YCF have officially launched their strategic partnership, and brought in industry pro Robert Arnold to ride herd on the Texas-based team.
Can you hear me now? Former Cardo exec Jamie Cheek continues to climb the ladder at HISUN Motors USA.
#ShiftingGears Although he says, “I have pretty much reached my goals and now I am just helping newer people in the industry to be recognized,” Rogue just can’t ride off into the sunset. “I am now also Senior Editor at Easyriders Magazine… And still Senior Editor at Bandit's Bikernet.com,” admits Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Famer (Class of 2005) John “Rogue” Herlihy. Once you are in, you can’t leave the biker lifestyle? “I have been riding motorcycles for over 70 years and worked as a motojournalist for 55 years,” he admits. Subscribe To #Dealernews To See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/shifting-gears-at-easyriders/
DEMO DAYS OPENER In addition to shifting its focus from EV-exclusivity to the more broad based appeal of demo days, Electrify Expo has changed its name and moved its season debut in SoCal from Long Beach to the legendary Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Now known as Demo Days Festival, North America’s largest outdoor demo festival launches June 27-28, 2026. What has not changed is the reach and the sheer number of butts on seats delivered by Demo Days: More than 1 million hands-on demos delivered since 2021. Subscribe To #Dealernews To See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/demo-days-opener/
Absolute dog crap? "I woke up feeling like dog crap today," said 2X Dakar Rally champ Ricky Brabec after Stage 3 of the DESAFIO RUTA 40. "Stage 3 was a long one, it was super cold today." The illness and the temperature were not the only things Brabec had to contend with. "I made a little mistake in the dunes and deployed my airbag, other than that it was good. Just two more days, just going to keep plugging away and do my best." Despite finishing just behind teammate Skyler Howes 10, Brabec still holds 4th overall in the Rally he won last year. Tomorrow the penultimate stage of the 2026 Desafío Ruta 40 sees riders return to San Juan for another gruelling challenge. A total of 634 km still remains, including 324 km against the clock, as the riders continue their fight for positions in the overall standings.
HOWES BEATS BRABEC ON TOUGH STAGE 3 Leaving a freezing San Rafael early in the morning, DESAFIO RUTA 40 competitors faced a 49 km liaison before taking on a massive 408 km special stage, followed by a 117 km transfer back to the bivouac to reach the halfway point of the Rally in Argentina. The route wound through the dry riverbeds and into the famed Nihuil dunes before climbing to a staggering altitude of 2,715 meters above sea level. After suffering navigation tablet issues during the previous two stages and receiving time compensation from officials following Stage 2, Skyler Howes 10 was relieved to enjoy a trouble-free run. Clearly more comfortable, Howes admitted he thoroughly enjoyed the challenging terrain and brought his Honda CRF450 RALLY home in fourth place, 5’45” behind the leader. He currently sits fifth overall. 21 minutes from the top spot. “Today just about had everything,” said Howes after beating Ricky Brabec back to the bivouac. “We started out on some really fast tracks, then got into these really awesome dunes which were actually frozen in some areas, so it was a bit tricky. Some of these off-piste sections were through the vegetation, which was really physically demanding and then after that we got into really fast tracks and it was freezing cold, so we were shivering while riding the bike and climbed up to 3,000 meters. Everything they could throw at us they did today and it was really fun. “I had a good stage, had one crash out there but it was all good and then made a little navigation mistake, but kind of everyone did. All in all it was a really great stage and I’m happy. I was having a lot of fun today and today is one of those days that you really have fun on a dirtbike, it makes me really love the job that I have.”
Stage 3 of the DESAFIO RUTA 40 Rally saw Preston Campbell slide back to 3rd plae overall. A problem with the route tablet cost him approximatey 10 minutes heading into the half-way point break. "It started off in the dunes, it was going OK, but I had some tablet problems halfway,"he said. "The dunes are more grey-brown, kind of a different color sand and I was having some fun... just two more days to go!"
Following his breakthrough win on Stage 2 of the DESAFIO RUTA 40 Rally, Preston Campbell was bounced by his Monster Energy/HRC - Honda Racing Corporation Rally 2 teammates on Stage 3. The American remained in the top four for most of the day before a tablet malfunction cost him valuable time (the same problem that plagued Skyler Howes 10 the past two stages). The malfunctioning route book tablet cost Campbell around ten minutes due to the issue and now drops him to third overall, 7’48” behind teamate Martim Ventura. At the halfway point, the Honda HRC Rally 2 riders have dominated the event so far, with Ventura setting the pace in the prologue before Bruno Crivilin and Preston Campbell each secured their maiden World Rally-Raid Championship Stage victories earlier in the week.
INDIAN “ARO” ON TARGET American Racing Operations (ARO) —The all-new performance division for Indian Motorcycle — launched today. ARO (pronounced “arrow”) exists to push Indian Motorcycle forward through a comprehensive portfolio of performance parts, accessories, future technologies and rider-focused solutions. Subscribe To #Dealernews To See The Full Story: https://dealernews.com/Home/post/indian-aro-on-target/
In Case You Missed It
New analysis calls for integrated MSRP and reimbursement for dealer setup to align with FTC transparency requirements.
A mother in California, Tommi Jo Mejer, faces felony charges after her 14-year old son allegedly struck an 81-year-old veteran with an electric motorcycle.
“We are excited to announce a new addition to the Segway Powersports team,” says Marketing Director Gabriel Cruz.
