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Powersports Business • February 2026 • 3

Polaris Inc. plans to permanently close its manufacturing facility in Osceola, Wisconsin, a move that will affect approximately 200 employees, the company announced recently.

According to reporting confirmed by Polaris, the closure will occur in phases beginning this summer and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The Osceola plant produces engines and components used in motorcycles, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.

Engine production for Indian Motorcycle models will be consolidated at Polaris’ Spirit Lake, Iowa, manufacturing operations, where more than 500 employees are currently based.

The plant closure follows Polaris’ previously announced sale of Indian Motorcycle to California-based private equity firm Carolwood LP. That transaction was disclosed in October and is expected to close later this quarter. Polaris will retain a minority

The Osceola facility has been part of Polaris’ manufacturing footprint for decades and has played a role in supporting multiple segments of the company’ s powersports portfolio.( Photo: Polaris Inc./ Google)

ownership stake in the Indian Motorcycle brand following the sale.

No additional details regarding severance, employee relocation or future use of the Osceola facility were immediately available.

The Osceola facility has been part of Polaris’ manufacturing footprint for decades and has played a role in supporting multiple segments of the company’ s powersports portfolio.

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA( YMUS) has promoted longtime executive Dean Burnett to senior vice president and president of its Motorsports division, effective in early 2026. The move comes as current Motorsports President Mike Martinez prepares to retire after more than three decades with the company.

Martinez, who has served as SVP and president of Motorsports since 2022, will remain with Yamaha through the first quarter of 2026 to support the transition before officially retiring on April 3, 2026.

“ Yamaha owes Mike Martinez a huge debt of gratitude for his decades of service, spearheading groundbreaking products, dealer programs, and initiatives that directly led to Yamaha’ s success in the U. S. powersports industry,” says Michael Chrzanowski, president and CEO of Yamaha Motor Corp., USA.“ I’ m confident that Mike’ s legacy is in great hands with Dean Burnett.”

BURNETT BRINGS MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF YAMAHA EXPERIENCE

Burnett brings more than three decades of experience across Yamaha’ s global organization. Most recently, he served as vice president of Yamaha’ s Marine Innovation Center and as president of Siren Marine, Skeeter Boats, and G3 Boats. His background spans sales, marketing, service, operations, manufacturing, and finance.

Born into his family’ s marine dealership in Louisville, Kentucky, Burnett joined Yamaha in 1987 and has held numerous leadership roles. He previously served as president and managing director of Yamaha Motor Canada, Ltd., and Yamaha Motor Finance Canada, as well as president of Yamaha’ s WaterCraft Business Group.

Left: Dean Burnett brings more than three decades of experience across Yamaha’ s global organization. Most recently, he served as vice president of Yamaha’ s Marine Innovation Center and as president of Siren Marine, Skeeter Boats, and G3 Boats. Right: Mike Martinez, who has served as SVP and president of Motorsports since 2022, will remain with Yamaha through the first quarter of 2026 to support the transition before officially retiring on April 3, 2026.( Photos: Yamaha Motor Corp., USA)

“ I’ m proud and excited to accept this new opportunity,” Burnett shares.“ The Yamaha Motorsports team values, supports, and celebrates our dealer partners and business relationships. At its core, Yamaha creates lifelong memories, and we’ ll continue to deliver on that promise to our dealers and customers.”

MARTINEZ LEAVES LASTING LEGACY Martinez joined Yamaha in 1994 as a motorcycle and ATV product planner and went on to shape some of the brand’ s most influential powersports products. During his career, he led the development and launch of models including Yamaha’ s first automatic 4 × 4 ATV, the Kodiak 450, as well as the Raptor and Grizzly ATVs and the Rhino side-by-side— a vehicle widely credited with creating the modern recreational SxS segment. He also oversaw Yamaha’ s organizational alignment of its motorcycle, RV, and parts and accessories operations, and led the company’ s 2018 corporate relocation to Georgia.

Under Martinez’ s leadership, Yamaha reinforced its commitment to U. S. manufacturing and expanded the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, which has contributed more than $ 8 million in grants supporting public land access for motorized recreation over the past 18 years.

Yamaha also reignited its racing presence during Martinez’ s tenure, partnering with Star Racing to manage its 450 Supercross and Motocross programs. Over the past seven years, Yamaha riders have captured 26 premier-class championships across Supercross, Motocross, SuperMotocross, and road racing, along with 34 national ATV and side-by-side titles.

“ I have full confidence that Dean will be a strong leader and a great partner to Yamaha dealers,” Martinez says.“ I’ m proud of what we’ ve accomplished and excited to watch Yamaha’ s continued success in the years ahead.”

WHAT IT MEANS FOR DEALERS Yamaha said Burnett and Martinez will work closely over the coming months to align strategy and operations, with a continued focus on supporting Yamaha’ s nationwide dealer network as the Motorsports division moves into its next chapter.

The transition signals continuity for Yamaha dealers, with leadership remaining firmly rooted in Yamaha’ s long-term experience and a dealer-centric strategy.

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The American Motorcyclist Association announced that longtime AMA board member and former vice chair, Tom Umphress, was elected chairman at the January board meeting.

With Umphress moving into the top role, previous chair Russ Ehnes will now serve as vice chair alongside Umphress. AMA Board Members Brad Baumert and Hub Brennan will remain in their roles as assistant treasurer and executive committee member, AMA announced.

“ My focus will be on continuing to support the AMA’ s involvement in amateur racing, as well as the important work we do in the professional racing space,” Umphress says.“ Remember, the majority of our racing members are amateur racers, and it’ s essential to continue providing a safe, competitive environment for them to participate.

“ At the same time,” Umphress continued,“ I want to help grow our non-competition membership and expand our presence in both on- and off-road riding. I believe this

See AMA, Page 4