6 • December 2024 • Powersports Business

Piaggio Group cut the ribbon on the latest brand-exclusive group location , MotoPlex Arizona , on Saturday , October 19 . The ribbon cutting marked the opening of the Chandler location . The concept elevates the traditional dealership experience , showcasing Aprilia , Moto Guzzi , Piaggio and Vespa brands , complemented by a robust selection of apparel , accessories and parts .

MotoPlex Arizona is an expansion of a dedicated vision by Colin Barnauskas , who has been a part of the Piaggio Group dealer network at Reparto Veloce since 2018 . Already achieving great success expanding the Aprilia brand in Arizona , Barnauskas and his team are excited for the opportunity to grow the knowledge and market for all that Piaggio Group has to offer across Arizona .

“ Arizona and the greater Phoenix area continue to be a market leader for enthusiast riders and Piaggio Group ,” says Marco d ’ Acunzo , president and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas . “ The quality and diversity of motorcycles and scooters manufactured by the Piaggio Group , across the Aprilia , Moto Guzzi , Piaggio and Vespa brands , has something for every type of rider , and with the opening of MotoPlex Arizona , and the commitment of the team at Reparto Veloce to expand this flagship concept , we know we ’ ll continue to provide not only the products people dream of , but the service and ownership experience they deserve .”

“ The entire Reparto Veloce team and I are very excited to launch and become the exclusive MotoPlex Arizona ,” Barnauskas says . “ I consider this only the starting line in what we know will be a unique dealership experience that has been lost to the ‘ Big Box Store ’ model . Customer service is lost in today ’ s online world . My team and I strive to continue our unique relationship model with our current and future customers . This day to day interaction mirrors the image Piaggio Group seeks to attain at the dealer level nationwide and we are glad to be a part of it .”

The opening event was an all-day celebration with the local community . Local riding clubs attended to support the individual brands , while patrons could demo Aprilia , Moto Guzzi and Vespa demo rides throughout the day . To better support existing customers and riders , the expert team at MotoPlex

Arizona hosted a suspension clinic and an on-site dyno where customers could run a performance test and guess their horsepower . With the new showroom and rider lounge , guests could watch MotoGP , live from Phillip Island , and cheer on the Aprilia Racing team .

To better integrate the larger Phoenix area community and those directly in the heart

MotoPlex Arizona , located in Chandler , Arizona , hosted its grand opening on October 19 . Photo courtesy of Piaggio

of Chandler , the team at MotoPlex Arizona hosted a Halloween costume contest , black carpet ride-in for participating guests , and a Teddy Bear Drive , which benefitted Voices for Casa / Casa Children in Phoenix . MotoPlex Arizona is now open and building on a vibrant community of enthusiasts with the Piaggio Group brands .

Performance Brokerage Services recently announced the sale of Logan Motorcycle Sales in Wilkinson , West Virginia , and Hatfield McCoy Powersports in Belfry , Kentucky , from Mike Ratz to Mitch Potter of United Motorsports .

Mike Ratz has served as president of Logan Motorcycle Sales and Logan Powersports Group since 1964 , and president of Hatfield McCoy Powersports since 1966 . His past affiliations include 30 years with the National Automobile Dealers Association , a brief tenure with the West Virginia Automobile Dealers Association in 1989 , and 10 years on the Polaris Dealer Advisory Council . PSB recognized his contributions to the industry , naming him one of the Power 50 in 2013 and 2014 and the # 1 Powersports Dealer in the Nation in 2015 and 2016 , inducting him into the Hall of Fame in 2017 .

“ Our family has been in the powersports business for over 60 years , and when I decided to sell , I called George Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services ,” Ratz says . “ He

Mike Ratz and his team standing next to their PSB Power 50 award .

is very professional , an industry expert and a leader in buy-sells . I have known George for over 10 years through the powersports industry conferences and the many buy-sell announcements . His team of Courtney Bernhard and Juan Pardo were very instrumental in the successful sale of our powersports dealerships . I would highly recommend them as the best team in the industry to help you buy or sell a powersports dealership .”

In the past five years , Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 300 dealerships . George Chaconas , senior partner , Courtney Bernhard , partner , and Juan Pardo , partner of the Harley-Davidson and powersports division for Performance Brokerage Services , were the

Logan Motorcycle Sales was sold to Mitch Potter ’ s group and will be renamed United Motorsports . It will remain at its current location at 1431 Jerry West Highway in Wilkinson , West Virginia . Photos courtesy of Performance Brokerage Services

exclusive sell-side advisors for this transaction . “ Mike Ratz and his office manager , Shawnda , have become like family over the past 10 years ,” Chaconas shares . “ As a family business , it was crucial to build trust and collaborate , maximizing the value of their family ’ s 60−year history in the powersports industry and successfully closing with the perfect strategic buyer , United Motorsports . It has been an honor and privilege to represent the Ratz family and their team , and I wish continued success not only for the Ratz family and their team but also for United Motorsports and their team .”

Bernhard remarks , “ It was a pleasure working with Mike and his team during the sale . It can be very challenging with multiple locations and manufacturers , but Mike and his office manager , Shawnda , were instrumental in seeing the deal to the finish line . I appreciate the opportunity to work with them .”

Mitch Potter was a professional in the coal industry for 30 years before founding his first powersports dealership in 2004 , Lexington Motorsports of Kentucky . Since then , he has grown his powersports and RV dealership group to include ten locations in Kentucky , Ohio and West Virginia .