Ohio dealer talks China trip, pit bike popularity, and the value brand surge
By Brendan baker
Editor-in-chief
For Brad Tews and his step daughter, Raegan Yuncker, a recent trip to China wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was an inside look at the future of value-oriented powersports. The East Central Motorsports team traveled overseas with Denago Powersports to tour the company’s manufacturing facilities and get a firsthand look at the operation behind some of the fastest-growing products in the youth and entry-level off-road segment.
“It was very eye-opening,” says Tews. “Both the country and the factory. It was cleaner and more modern than I expected. The people were incredibly friendly.”
Tews, a Minnesota native, founded East Central Motorsports in 2016 after relocating to Ohio. Since then, his Brimfield-based dealership has grown into a go-to spot for value brands, youth ATVs, pit bikes, and more. Working with brands like SSR, Thumpstar, and now Denago, Tews says he’s built a reputation around products that deliver performance without breaking the bank.
Denago delivers
Denago, a U.S.-based brand backed by Chinese manufacturing powerhouse Tao Motors, is gaining traction nationwide, and East Central is a key dealership partner.
“They’re built really well,” says Tews. “Customers walk in, see the price, and can’t believe what they’re getting. It’s great value.”
During the China trip, Tews and a small group of U.S. dealers spent several days inside Tao’s main factory, a sprawling, facility where much of Denago’s production is handled in-house.
“I was really impressed by their engineers and their goals for the U.S. market,” says Tews. “Most of the parts are made or finished right there, which helps them control quality and keep pricing competitive.”
He added that larger, more advanced Denago units are on the horizon, but details are still under wraps.
Fuel injection & EV
One of the brand’s standout features is its use of fuel injection in youth ATVs, a rarity in the entry-level space.
“Parents walk in, see that it’s fuel-injected, and that’s it. It’s a huge selling point,” Tews says.
Electric models are gaining ground too, with the Denago E-Hawk youth ATV leading the charge. Built with a gear-drive system, lithium-ion battery, and no chain or belt, Tews says it offers a low-maintenance solution that parents appreciate.
“I’ve handled a few electric ATVs before, but this is the first one I’m really impressed with,” he says. “It’s quiet, clean, and tough.”
Pit bikes
East Central is also deeply connected to the pit bike racing scene, a factor that has boosted sales and brought attention to the dealership’s inventory.
“We’ve got two of the top 20 pit bike racers in the country riding our bikes,” says Tews. “That’s helped a lot.”
He says pit bikes now make up about 50% of sales, thanks in part to their affordability, portability, and performance.
“They’re fun for kids and adults. Some guys prefer them over full-size motocross bikes. The power-to-weight ratio makes them a handful — in a good way.”
Navigating Tariffs and Market Shifts
With tariffs and pricing volatility on the radar, Tews sees continued growth in the value segment.
“Some people who were buying premium are now looking for affordable alternatives,” he says. “And some customers who could barely afford the value units may be sitting on the sidelines. But Denago hits that sweet spot for a lot of families.”
Despite economic pressures, Tews says East Central is holding strong, powered by repeat business, strong word of mouth, and quality products that perform as advertised.
Youth market = Future riders
Tews and Yuncker agree; investing in the youth segment is investing in the future of the powersports industry.
“This is where we build the next generation of riders,” says Tews. “You can’t just throw a cheap product out there and hope for the best. It has to work. Denago gets that.”
The brand’s use of fuel injection, durable electric systems, and U.S.-focused engineering are all contributing to its rise.
“We’ve sold machines from 2016 that are still running, still in use,” he adds. “Some of them have been through multiple families.”
Looking Ahead
East Central continues to expand, now offering more parts and accessories along with new and used inventory. Yuncker, once the store’s top salesperson, now supports the dealership part time in marketing and sales, and even joined her stepfather on the China trip.
“We don’t sell online,” says Tews. “Most of our business is repeat and referral. That’s how you know you’re doing something right.”
As Denago gears up for new releases, East Central Motorsports looks ready to grow alongside it — helping more riders, families, and first-timers find their place on the trail without overextending their wallets.
In partnership with the National Forest Foundation, Polaris recently announced this year’s recipients of the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation Grants, which are awarded to support outdoor recreation, trail conservation, and promote responsible riding.
This year, more than $113,000 in funding will support five initiatives in various national forest locations in Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Kentucky.
“The grants support essential initiatives such as trail restoration, conservation, and responsible riding education, to help enable future generations to create lasting outdoor memories,” says Pam Kermisch, chief customer and growth officer and president of the Polaris Foundation.
2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Navigate Responsibly Project – Coconino National Forest, Arizona: This grant will help improve motorized visitor navigation and protect natural resources with new signage. Signs will be placed along highways and busy recreation corridors to guide visitors.
Snowmobile Park Improvements – Lassen National Forest, California: The funds will support updating trail markers and trailhead signs, and printing winter recreation maps for public use. This will improve access and safer riding experiences in snowmobile areas across the forest.
Snowmobile Bridge Improvements – White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire: The grant will help provide materials to repair snowmobile trail bridges with new wood decking. The improvements will help support a safe riding experience and more reliable winter trail access.
Alpine Loop Trail Kiosks – GMUG National Forest, Colorado: This grant will replace kiosk structures and update information within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The upgrades will improve trailhead visibility for riders and visitor orientation.
Phase 1: Land Between the Lakes NRA – Turkey Bay OHV Area, Kentucky: This grant will initiate projects such as a new paved entrance turn lane, striped traffic lanes, speed bump and safety signage installation.
Polaris and the NFF have a longstanding history of working together to support trail creation, trail restoration, and reforestation projects. In 2021, the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation was established, with Polaris committing to donate $5 million over five years to the NFF.
The endowment issued its first grant in 2022 and has since supported projects across the country, including Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, Sam Houston National Forest in Texas, and Tonto National Park in Arizona.
To learn more about the Polaris and NFF partnership, visit polaris.com.
Despite one controversial bill passing through the Senate, an added proposal to sell off up to 1.2 million acres of federally managed public lands was removed from a major spending bill after facing widespread opposition from lawmakers, recreation groups, and motorized access advocates.
According to a report by The Hill, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) confirmed the withdrawal of the provision on June 28, citing constraints of the budget reconciliation process and a lack of safeguards to prevent foreign ownership of the land.
“Because of the strict constraints of the budget reconciliation process, I was unable to secure clear, enforceable safeguards to guarantee that these lands would be sold only to American families — not to China, not to BlackRock and not to any foreign interests,” Lee wrote in a post on X. He added that he would work with President Donald Trump to explore future uses for what he described as “underutilized” public lands.
The initial proposal called for selling between 2.2 million and 3.3 million acres of public lands, which was later scaled back to a revised version calling for the sale of between 600,000 and 1.2 million acres. Even the reduced plan drew swift resistance from both parties, with five House Republicans indicating they would oppose the bill if it retained the language regarding the land sale.
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), along with the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, strongly opposed the measure. Through MIC’s Action Center, powersports enthusiasts sent more than 700 emails to lawmakers within 48 hours urging its rejection.
“This was a serious threat to motorized access and the broader outdoor recreation economy,” says Scott Schloegel, MIC senior vice president of Government Relations. “We’re pleased with the outcome and grateful to the powersports community for speaking up.”
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a vocal opponent of the measure, called its removal “a major victory for our public lands” and warned against future attempts to pursue similar land transfers.
While the immediate threat has been neutralized, stakeholders say they will remain vigilant as Senator Lee has pledged to continue pursuing land reform proposals through alternative legislative paths.
A recent ordinance passed by the Winnebago County Board is stirring momentum for increased access to public roads by powersports vehicles, and powersports dealers in the region could benefit.
The ordinance, passed in late June with a 26-5 vote, updates several regulations governing the use of ATVs and UTVs on county roads. Most notably, it allows these vehicles to travel at the posted speed limit, removing the previous 35 mph cap, and lifts the restrictions on nighttime riding. Operators must now be at least 16 years old, hold a valid driver’s license, carry liability insurance, and ride single-file. Helmets are required for riders under 18, and machines must be equipped with functional mufflers, according to the ordinance.
The move comes as part of a growing effort by local powersports advocates to expand legal riding areas and connect trail systems via county roads. Dave Schmidt, chairman of the Winnebago County ATV/UTV Alliance, is now urging the city of Oshkosh to join the effort by opening its streets to four-wheelers.
“The economic benefits to the community are real,” Schmidt says, pointing to surrounding counties that have already opened their roads to 24/7 ATV/UTV access. “We want Oshkosh to be part of this momentum.”
Schmidt’s group argues that more inclusive street access could help support local dealers, tourism, hospitality, and service businesses. According to local advocate Gail Haag of Larsen, the industry contributes over $5.4 billion annually to Wisconsin’s economy and supports more than 39,000 jobs statewide.
The ordinance could lead to increased customer interest and sales of street-legal accessories and compliant vehicles. Dealerships may also experience an increase in service work and seasonal traffic as access to the area expands.
Still, not all stakeholders are on board. Safety concerns were voiced during the county board meeting, including opposition from some board supervisors and officials from the city of Neenah.
Despite the concerns, the ordinance passed and will take effect following its official publication. County officials say the rules will be re-evaluated after one year of implementation.
As for Oshkosh, any decision on allowing four-wheelers on city streets will require a separate vote by municipal leaders. Until then, Schmidt and other advocates plan to continue making their case.
The Burbank Police Department’s motorcycle training unit was recently gifted a UMAX Rally 2+2 utility golf car through the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI), along with some help from Burbank resident and former “The Tonight Show” host Jay Leno.
Leno hosted the presentation at Jay Leno’s Garage, which was also featured on the YouTube series of the same name. A motorcycle enthusiast, Leno has more than 160 motorcycles in his collection — one of the most extensive motorcycle collections in the world.
“As a friend and supporter of the Burbank PD, I heard they needed a reliable support vehicle for their training grounds, and I knew Yamaha would be the perfect partner,” Leno says. “The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is an incredible program that helps keep off-road recreation sustainable and safe for future generations.”
The Burbank Police Department conducts monthly training to ensure its motorcycle officers maintain advanced riding skills. The new Yamaha UMax Rally 2+2 will be used to support course design, instruction, and operations at the department’s motorcycle training facility.
“We’re extremely thankful for Yamaha’s generous support and commitment to rider safety,” says Rafael Quintero, chief of police for the city of Burbank. “Whether it’s on the highway or a trail, responsible riding starts with training and preparation, and we’re proud to set that example.”
The Yamaha OAI is one of the powersports industry’s leading programs dedicated to protecting and enhancing access to public land for motorized and outdoor recreation. Since 2008, OAI has contributed more than $7 million to more than 535 projects across the U.S.
“While most OAI grants fund trail building, maintenance, and conservation efforts, we also recognize that access can be threatened by unsafe or irresponsible behavior,” says Steve Nessl, Yamaha Motorsports marketing director. “That’s why we’re proud to support the Burbank PD’s training efforts — it’s a win for the community and rider education.”
Sun Powersports, located in Thornton and recognized as one of Colorado’s largest powersports dealers, announced its Polaris Factory Authorized Clearance event, a limited-time sale on all remaining 2024 Polaris ATVs and side-by-sides, including rebates of up to $4,000.
“We’re pulling out all the stops for this Polaris Factory Authorized Clearance,” says Mark Kite, dealer principal for Sun Powersports. “We know our customers are looking for incredible value, and with rebates up to $4,000 on every remaining 2024 Polaris ATVs and side-by-side, this is the perfect opportunity to get the ride of your dreams.”
The clearance event features price reductions across the entire 2024 Polaris lineup that are still in stock. Sun Powersports is located at 8877 N. Washington St. in Thornton. You can also browse inventory from home, as all available models and deal information can be found online at sunpowersports.com.