2008 Dealer Expo Wrap Up
2008 Dealer Expo Wrap Up
For ATV enthusiasts, witnessing products on the bleeding edge of innovation was an eye-opening experience. These new products were all on display at this year’s Dealer Expo for all to see and hold. We brought back what seemed to be a terabyte worth of pictures, and we’re in the process of uploading these for all of ATVConnection’s readers. In addition to the bevy of aftermarket products on display, we also met with purveyors that distribute them. Fun stuff.
With all that has been going on in the ATV industry, the one issue that wasn’t discussed at length was the issue of land use. The Blue Ribbon Association, ORBA, and others were on location to help raise awareness that public
land is just that—public. Land contributes to the rapid grow hot the ATV industry. Without these groups, the industry would stall. Another very important aspect of riding that is worth mentioning is the implementation of an early education for the youth on how to ride and ride properly. The Dealer Expo brought attention to this often overlooked detail through the multiple schools and safety classes present.
This year, there were more aftermarket products available for the UTV market. Price points were carefully scrutinized to help make quality products readily available for every budget. Manufacturers offered products that were relatively inexpensive—from – soft goods all the way up to high end suspension kits in the ,000+ range.
First and foremost, a helmet and the additions for a helmet are crucial to a rider’s sustained safety. A representative fromArai stated, “You can spend 0 for a set of Tech 10s but you won’t spend the same on a Helmet. If you hit your head hard enough it won’t matter whose boots you got on your feet because you’ll be brain dead or paralyzed.” He was referring to the issue of not purchasing a very high quality helmet and settling for a cheaper iteration. This is not to say one must buy an Arai helmet, but getting the highest quality helmet one can afford is extremely important—it’s better to skimp in areas that don’t house your body’s most important piece of hardware. Paying attention to the latest DOT and SNELL homologation is of paramount importance to proper helmet selection.
Winters harsh cold bite coupled with its shortened days limit your ability to ride. So keeping warm on the trail can be challenging; but not with the proper gear. Adventure Action Gear has
developed top quality heated clothing to make any day on the trail bearable. Frostbite and severe chills will stop even the toughest mountain man, but with the +Venture 656 Heating Jacket you can be out all day. Quality of this heated jacket is among the best on the market – no annoying, thick, wires or big bulky electric boxes to fuss with, thanks to tiny wires. In addition, this jacket include carbon fiber heating panels that remain flexible. It has separate heat controls for chest and back areas. Making sure to come back with all ten digits is also a topper on anyone’s list. Action Adventure Gear also has heated gloves featuring a rechargeable lithium battery, 3M Thinsulate construction, and are waterproof.
Houser-Racing is making the parts they sell directly to the consumer making it more economical. Customers find it is excruciating to wait for parts to come from a dealer and dealers to receive parts from the suppliers. With a full line of products that range from long travel suspension kits, brake lines, clamps and much more Houser-Racing wants to make their customers faster and better racers. Offering high quality parts and expert services, they have developed a relationship with their customers who continue to come back and receive some of the best service in the industry.
Everyone who attended has to agree that the Dealer Expo has changed the ATV Industry for the better. Domestic and International companies have the opportunity to come together and coexist in a world of ATV enthusiasts chocked full of great products and people. What will the next few years of Indy bring forth? We shall have to continue to attend and see what new and notable products push this industry to get better. They’re just gonna need a bigger lid on the dome next year!