Off-road news
SUZUKI ATV is to sponsor and exhibit at a number of National Sheep Association events in 2013, after successfully exhibiting at one of the association’s shows in Wales last year. Suzuki say that livestock and hill farmers are one of the biggest ATV user groups and form a considerable part of its customer base. The first of this year’s NSA events to get Suzuki support was the Central Region Winter Fair at Bakewell, Derbyshire, in January.
APICO, the off-road accessories brand, is the new title sponsor for the Penrith round of the FIM World Trials Championship to be held at Nord Vue, Penrith, on 26-28 July. To be known as the Apico British Trial GP, the event will also include two electric youth trials classes as well as a classic trials bike display and demonstration rides.
SALES of Honda’s CRF250L trail model,
introduced last year, are going so well that Race FX, which has made a polyethylene sump guard for the model, says that it can’t keep up with demand. The CRF has topped sales in the trail/enduro sales sector for the past six months consecutively.
OVER 150 motorcyclists and drivers turned out on 25 January to continue their protest against the Peak District National Park Authority’s plans to close the historic Chapel Gate road. Organised by Peaks and Derbyshire Vehicle Users Group, the protest was supported by the Trail Riders Fellowship, the Green Lane Association and other motoring and motorcycling clubs. A further protest is planned for March, when the issue will next be debated.
Craigs Motorcycles – Honda, KTM and Husaberg off-road dealer of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire – has taken over the distribution of Montesa trials bike parts previously handled by Pidcocks of Nottingham. The new arrangement in the UK for the Honda-owned Montesa brand does not include trade distribution of the competitive but ageing fuel- injected 4RT Repsol Replica trials bike. The new set-up has come about as a
result of Pidcocks ceasing to sell all Honda product. Once a big Midlands outlet for Honda, Triumph and BMW, Pidcocks has dropped Honda and Montesa to concentrate on BMW and Triumph sales. Confirming that Craigs had taken over the Montesa parts distribution, a Pidcocks spokesman said: “Craigs are doing the Montesa parts and we wish them well, but it is a very small market.” Craig Holmes, owner fo Craigs
Motorcycles, previously worked for Colin Appleyard and has run his successful off- road business with seven staff for almost five years. He has a long history involving trials and motocross. “We are pleased to be appointed the
Montesa parts distributor and we could well be interested in the bike, especially if a new model is to be developed,” he said. Craigs Motorcycles also handles
Sherco and Beta trials parts and has a substantial turnover in used trials bikes as well as new Honda, KTM and Husaberg motocross bikes and parts. The Pidcocks/Honda shake-up has
Peckforton Castle in Cheshire saw 96 delegates from 52 dealerships turn up for the 23-24 January Polaris Dealer Conference. Country manager Phil Everett reported that overall revenue was up by 17.8 per cent and operating profi t up by 43 per cent. Several new Polaris models were launched, including the Ranger XP900 (above). Contact: 0800 915 6720;
www.polaris-britain.com
given Craigs the opportunity to take on a Honda road bike franchise to be to run from the former Allan Jefferies Motorcycles showrooms in Berry Drive, Baildon, Yorkshire. Despite the present economic climate,
Holmes is excited about what this year will bring to his expanding business. “A new shop with Honda road bikes is a big step for us and I have a contract with Honda which will be beneficial to both parties. We need to sell a reasonable number of bikes, and at a profit. I believe our targets are realistic and achievable. I
am happy with the Honda deal and I am confident I will not be tucked up with bikes I can’t sell.” Honda bought Barcelona-based
Montesa in 1985 as a European low volume production facility in order to overcome import restrictions imposed by the Spanish government. Once a manufacturer of small capacity, high performance two-strokes, Montesa now solely builds bikes as dictated by Honda’s worldwide four-strokes only policy. Despite Montesa taking less than five per cent of the UK total of 800 trials bike sales, Holmes is upbeat. “The Repsol Replica is a good bike, built to a very high specification,” he says. “True, at £6995 the price does nothing to help sales, and if I do take the existing bike or a new model on board I know the market is small and sales will be in dozens not hundreds. “If we take the bike we will not sell it
direct to retail customers locally as has been done previously, but will establish a national UK dealer network. That is the only way to achieve the audience the product deserves and get the numbers up.” Contact: 01924 488117; sales@
craigsmotorcycles.com
In association with
Montesa goes to Craigs Craig Holmes (left) with Steve Tordoff of Honda UK at the Dewsbury showroom. Stalker track success
Reviewing the first full year of running his off-road practice track – Stalker MX at Grantham, Lincolnshire – Chris Walker said: “Last year was not the easiest because of the weather, but even so it was a phenomenal success. The trade was helpful and Kawasaki has been supportive.” This new business venture by Walker was launched at the 2011 Dirt Bike Show. The off-road track is backed by Kawasaki, which provides six motocross bikes for hire in 85, 250 and 450cc capacities. “The hire price is only £75 and that includes fuel. Track hire is £25. So for £100 a rider can simply turn up and ride all day which is great value for money,” said Walker, adding: “The more practice tracks there are out there, the less excuse mum or dad has not to let sons and daughters have a bike.” Stalker MX is open Wednesdays and
weekends. Walker also runs a road race school at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. And he rides for the Quattro Plant Bournemouth BSB team this year. The Quattro team represents the Kawasaki importership. Walker scored a BSB race win at Oulton Park last year.
01788 349333 18 MARCH 2013
sales@putoline.co.uk
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Off-road news
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