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Powersports Business • February 2024 • 7

FROM THE EDITOR INSTA TIPS

Sometimes , when I write a column , the magic seems to come into my head as one cohesive story . But other times , it is just a bunch of messy thoughts that don ’ t relate to each other . Basically , my everyday mode : Random

BRENDAN BAKER thoughts stream through my consciousness along with my “ to-do ” list for the day .

This is one of those days . I have a lengthy to-do list and little time to think about the pre-season of powersports . While the boys of summer are getting ready to report to MLB training camp , most dealers are in a different kind of training camp as they prepare for selling season 2024 .

Getting the lighting just right for our Zoom call with Gart Sutton ’ s Best Operator ’ s Club .

We were asked to be presenters at Gart Sutton ’ s Best Operator ’ s Club in California ( via Zoom ). Gart and his team asked the presenters to give our thoughts about the year ahead and to share any trends or data we have with the group , which included moderator Robert Hintz from Engelhart Motorsports , Bob Altoff from NPDA / Dealernews , Eric Anderson of the Vroom Network , Ryan Keefe of NPA and C . J . Peddler from DX1 , among others who we couldn ’ t see from our side of the computer screen . Everyone had a different and eye-opening viewpoint about the season ahead , and as I told the group , I have been wrong more than I ’ ve been right . But I don ’ t mind if my fortune-telling powers err on the upside .

Next , we attended the Parts Unlimited / Drag Specialties NVP in Louisville . In speaking with vendors at the show , I learned that some of the software ERP problems they were experiencing in the summer are persisting . But as one vendor told us ,

Louisville - pronounced - Looeyville , was a bit too cold for us , but it looks like a great city on a normal day .

There was a good turnout for the Parts NVP in Louisiville , despite the record cold temps outside .

“ It ’ s not that bad , just a little slow sometimes .” We can relate . The show was well attended , and most vendors and dealers seemed relatively upbeat about the year . Sure , some had the same old grumbles about the economy and inflation . Still , shortly after the show , we heard the news that the economy grew more than expected at a 3.3 percent clip in December . Personal income grew by over $ 60 billion ( 0.3 %), and consumer spending increased by $ 134.7 billion ( 0.7 %). Seems like good news to me . Even more good news was that personal savings as a percentage of disposable personal income was 3.7 percent in December . It looks like people have enough savings for a down payment on a new powersports vehicle to me !

We also planned to attend Kawasaki ’ s dealer meeting in Phoenix , but the weather had other ideas . We had to divide and conquer the Kawasaki meeting and Parts NVP , so associate editor Madelyn planned to attend the Kawasaki meeting and Ridge UTV reveal . However , the weather in Little Rock was a bit too icy for the FAA , so her flight was grounded , and she had to report from home . Better luck next time !

The Ridge was not what I expected as I watched videos and podcasts leading up to the reveal . Some reports speculated that the machine would be a 300−plus horsepower monster SxS with a supercharged engine from the Ninja H2R . As we know now , that wasn ’ t the case . Instead , Kawasaki played it smart , and probably a bit conservative , with the luxury-equipped , automotive-style UTV that will go up against Can-Am and Polaris , most definitely aimed at the Ranger XD and Xpedition . But it is also quite a bit less than those pricier ORVs .

Our contributor and editor-in-chief of OPE Business , Glenn Hansen , didn ’ t miss his flight to Spain . As I write this , he ’ s on a Triumph press ride , testing the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X . He also seems to be enjoying the local food and wine from the social media posts we ’ ve seen . He certainly knows how to take one for the team . But he won ’ t get off that easy , as he plans to do a full writeup about it in the next issue .

For those planning to attend AIMExpo , we ’ ll see you in Vegas ! This will be my first AIMExpo since 2019 , and I ’ m looking forward to connecting with everyone in the industry I haven ’ t seen since then .

Until next time : Onwards and upwards !

Is your dealership capitalizing on the top-of-mind marketing ease that Instagram offers ? Did you come up with an ideal way to showcase your customers in an effort to help spread the word about your shop and its employees ? If so , let us know . Powersports Business will highlight Instagram posts from a variety of dealerships in upcoming editions of the magazine .

Dealerships featured all follow the Powersports Business Instagram at @ powersportsbusiness . All posts featured will be photo or video in nature , with content from Instagram Stories not considered for this piece .

Got an Instagram tip that works at your dealership or one with which you do business ? Feel like raising the collective industry tide ? Let us know at mhubbard @ epgacceleration . com .

POWERSPORTS OF PALM BEACH @ 561powersports

Followers 2,052

Social media provides an avenue to spotlight the unique culture and atmosphere a dealership provides . Are your posts infused with the same vibrant energy that characterizes your business environment ? Do you share your team ’ s enthusiasm for helping customers ? A notable example is a post from Powersports of Palm Beach in Lake Park , Florida , which shared an energetic video with the caption , “ At Powersports of Palm Beach , our motto is ‘ The Highest

Standard In The Industry ,’ and we aspire to excel in our endeavors .” Remind customers of your business ’ s goals when communicating .

CROSSROAD POWERSPORTS @ crossroadpowersports Followers 4,096 Consider which units at your dealership are best suited for the current weather conditions of your area , whether cold , wet or snowy , and tell your customers . Crossroad Powersports of Darby , Pennsylvania , recently shared a video showcasing two ATVs designed to perform in snowy conditions . The voice behind the camera explains why the ATVs are ideal machines for the snow . The caption says , “ It is about to snow . You need a good ATV . Canam Renegade XMR 1000R , Outlander XT 1000R . They will do the job ! # atv # atvlife # canam # canamoffroad # canamoutlander # canamrenegade .”

DESERT VALLEY POWERSPORTS @ desertvalleypowersports Followers 572 Desert Valley Powersports , located in Prosser , Washington , let its showroom floor do the talking . A video posted by the dealership provides a panoramic view of the showroom filled with an impressive inventory . Using hashtags to share what brands the dealership offers , the caption reads , “ Showroom views . # Yamaha # ktm # motorcycle # atv # honda # triumph # bmwmotorrad .” The short caption lets the showroom speak for itself .