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Powersports Business • August 2025 • 29

Performance V-Twin leader S & S Cycle is making bold moves on both sides of the Pacific, announcing its new role as the official performance sponsor of the 2026 Donnie Smith Show while also launching a Vintage Tour competition at the 2025 Mooneyes Show in Japan.

The Donnie Smith Show, now in its 37th year, remains one of the largest custom motorcycle showcases in the Midwest and is widely considered the unofficial kickoff to riding season. Scheduled for March 28−29, 2026, at the Rivercentre in St. Paul, Minnesota, the show attracts thousands of enthusiasts, builders, and vendors from across the country.

“ I visited the Donnie Smith Show for the first time in nearly 20 years and was very impressed with the traffic and participation,” says S & S Cycle Director Brett Smith.“ It was clear we needed to take on a more significant role in promoting the show and supporting the industry with a larger and more strategic presence in 2026.”

As official performance sponsor, S & S Cycle will display its core and latest performance parts and plans to unveil two all-new elements leading into the 2026 show— teased as concepts never before seen in the V-Twin custom world.

At the same time, S & S Cycle is expanding its international footprint with a new Vintage Tour competition debuting Dec. 7 at the iconic Mooneyes Show in Yokohama, Japan. The oneday build-off will feature three Japanese builders competing to be crowned the S & S Cycle Vintage Tour Champion: Masumi

Left: The 37th annual Donnie Smith Bike Show will be held at the Rivercentre in St. Paul, Minnesota, March 28-29.( Photo: S & S Cycle) Right: S & S Cycle is expanding its international footprint with a new Vintage Tour competition debuting Dec. 7 at the iconic Mooneyes Show in Yokohama, Japan.

Tsuchino( Infinity), Yusaku Sato( Satomari Motorcycle), and Takuya Okubo( Vidamotorcycle), each building a different S & S engine platform.

“ Many will remember that the overall winner of our 50th Anniversary Biker Build-Off was Japan’ s own Keiji Kawakita of Hot Dock Custom Cycles,” says Smith.“ He set the bar high, and I cannot wait to see who will emerge as the new leader of custom building in Japan.”

The build-off will be documented on each builder’ s social media as well as S & S Cycle’ s platforms in the run-up to the

Mooneyes event, where fans will vote for the winner. Awards will be presented by Smith and his cousin Tom Smith, both grandsons of S & S founder George Smith, with handcrafted trophies unique to the event.

S & S also credited its Japanese distribution partner, Neo- Factory, for helping organize the competition and supplying the engines.

With these two high-profile initiatives, S & S Cycle is signaling a renewed global commitment to performance, innovation, and the next generation of custom motorcycle culture.

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industry staples. After selling C & L Companies, Leaverton couldn’ t stay away from the business for long. He returned to his roots by founding

VintCo, a brand focused on vintage dirt bike parts— a fitting final chapter for a man whose journey began with a vintage OSSA and a wrench. Known for more than just his engineering acumen, Leaverton valued relationships as much as he did results. He built a global network of friends and colleagues, many of whom considered him family. Beyond motorcycles, Leaverton was a vintage car enthusiast, amateur racer, guitarist, and devoted fan of AC / DC. He found his greatest joy in spending time with his two granddaughters and sharing his passions with them.

Leaverton’ s legacy lives on through the products he created, the companies he built, and the people he inspired. He leaves behind an indelible mark on the powersports industry and a wide circle of loved ones and colleagues who will miss him dearly.

OWNER / PARTNER / PRESIDENT / CEO MANAGER VP & GM

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Father-daughter duo share passion for dealership

NVP impresses in Milwaukee!

Events, Podcasts, Webinars, Market

Data Book & Custom Content

20 18

Father-and-daughter duo Mike Venziano and For 2025, Polaris offers an expanded warranty across

Misty Rohdes own Rich’ s Yamaha of Lockport, the Ranger lineup, new trim offerings, refreshed style,

Illinois, and passionately run their dealership updated colors, and graphics on select models, and alongside other family members. upgrades to its RZR Pro line. Photo courtesy of Polaris

Accelerate opens early bird registrations!

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For those adding the Powersports Business Accelerate Conference to their 2025 calendars, we invite you to register today to receive the early bird discount!

3

In a nostalgic return to its roots, the Best Operators Club( BOC) just celebrated its 36th anniversary in Madison, Wisconsin— the very place where it all began in 1988.

Service tech buys dream dealership, continues wrenching

4

The 2024 North American NVP Product Expo at the newly expanded Baird Center on September 7−8 exceeded expectations and broke new ground with its extensive floor plan.

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Dealer shares racing and b