By Brendan Baker | Editor-in-chief
A long-vacant spot in Belleville, New Jersey, is being reimagined as a vibrant mixed-use development, thanks to a new partnership between Motorcycle Mall owner John Resciniti and Russo Development, one of the state’s most established real estate firms.
Just five miles from New York City, Motorcycle Mall has become a staple in the tri-state powersports scene, drawing customers from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. As customer demand has grown, so has the dealership’s footprint and vision.
Resciniti, a third-generation powersports dealer, saw an opportunity across the street from his Belleville showroom: a spot of land that had stood empty for over 30 years. “My grandfather always said to keep an eye on the real estate around us,” says Resciniti. “That location had potential — we just needed the right moment and the right partner.”
That partner came in the form of Russo Development, a nearly 60-year-old firm known for residential, industrial, and mixed-use projects across New Jersey. The new development will turn the vacant spot into a modern space that includes residential units and retail, supporting both economic growth and community needs.
“Belleville is at the crossroads of three densely populated counties — Passaic, Essex, and Bergen,” says Courtney Mulligan, vice president of marketing at Russo Development. “It’s a unique community, and this project reflects that mix of urban convenience and suburban roots.”
The collaboration represents a strategic shift from what Resciniti originally envisioned. “At one point I wanted to build a motocross facility, but the town wasn’t on board,” he says. “With Russo, we found a path that works for the municipality and supports long-term growth.”
The project is more than just a real estate play — it’s a testament to Motorcycle Mall’s growing regional influence and commitment to its customer base. The dealership now operates up to six delivery trucks to serve customers throughout the tri-state area, many of whom commute to New York City or maintain second homes in the mountains or at the shore.
“We’re not just selling motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides,” says Resciniti. “We’re building relationships and meeting lifestyle needs — whether it’s for a primary residence or a weekend cabin.”
Team spirit and operational efficiency are core to Motorcycle Mall’s success. The dealership frequently hosts “build parties,” where 25 to 30 team members from every department assemble newly arrived units in a collaborative, high-energy environment. “We’re talking forklifts, charging batteries, unboxing, recycling — it’s a full assembly line,” Resciniti explains. “And yes, we’ve got music and rotating DJs. It’s work, but it’s fun.”
With construction underway and community engagement high, both Resciniti and Mulligan believe the project will have a lasting impact. “This is about legacy,” says Resciniti. “It’s about building something that benefits our customers, our employees, and our town.”
Mulligan echoes that sentiment: “We’re not just expanding a business. We’re investing in Belleville’s future.”
The collaboration with Russo, which operates 17 projects across New Jersey, is the recently completed luxury apartment building in Belleville featuring resort-style amenities and curated retail spaces — including one anchored by Motorcycle Mall. The property is called “REV”, so it ties in with the dealership and the Resciniti family.
“We do a lot of really revolutionary, different work,” says Mulligan. “While we’re best known for our residential communities, we also build commercial spaces, data centers, and warehouses. That broad scope gives us a unique perspective on development.”
The Belleville project, she explains, is a testament to Russo’s holistic approach to community building. “We’re not just about buildings — we’re about energy, vision, and brand. That’s why this partnership with John was so exciting right from the beginning.”
Mulligan notes that both Russo and Motorcycle Mall are family-run businesses, deeply rooted in New Jersey, and that shared ethos helped power the collaboration. “John and I probably have a million people in common. Our companies have that generational DNA, and we both believe in getting our hands dirty.”
The development boasts 268 upscale rental apartments with luxury amenities — including a pool, dog spa, and game rooms — along with 10 ground-floor retail spaces. The goal, Mulligan says, is to create a lively, welcoming destination that’s authentically local.
“We’re working closely with our commercial leasing team to curate the right mix of businesses — we want a good vibe, places that bring people together and create a sense of community,” she adds.
The collaboration began serendipitously, John explains. “I had approvals for 135 units and 20,000 square feet of retail. I was planning to develop it on my own, but kept running into hurdles with the old town administration.”
That changed when he was introduced to Russo’s CEO, Ed Russo. “We just clicked. Ed brought a level of experience, mentorship, and respect that changed everything. I learned more from working with him than I did in college.”
John said it became clear that partnering with Russo was the right move. “Every time I was shopping for other developments, Ed’s projects were the gold standard. I kept saying, ‘We need a dog run, a dog spa, pool tables, a foosball table’ — they just had it figured out.”
The Russo team, including Mulligan, brought in a full-service operation — handling development, construction, leasing, and property management in-house. “That’s a big differentiator,” Mulligan notes. “We don’t hand it off to third parties. We maintain pride and control in everything we do.”
With the Belleville development now open, both teams are focused on building a destination that reflects their shared values: quality, innovation, and community.
“We’re Jersey proud,” Mulligan says. “This project is about more than buildings. It’s about creating a place that feels like home.”
It is also about bringing together two family-run businesses that make the improbable a reality.
REV is located minutes from Routes 3 and 21 in northern New Jersey and will also offer a private resident shuttle to major transit hubs, ensuring a convenient and seamless commute for the community.
The residences at REV are all open concept layouts, with walk-in-closets and private balconies and terraces in select units, in-home washers and dryers, oversized windows for ample natural light, recessed lighting in living areas, hardwood plank flooring, spacious kitchens with stainless steel appliances, matte black hardware, Silestone countertops with Carrera Tile backslashes, pendant lighting and soft-close cabinets and drawers. The spa-like baths feature tile floors, tiled shower stalls and bathtub wet walls, and backlit vanity mirrors.
REV’s amenities include a roof lounge, coworking, private meeting rooms, a fitness center with a private fitness room, club room and lounge seating with dining space, pet spa, private parking, game spaces, a bar area, and a resort-style pool with a sundeck, grills and plenty of space for relaxing and dining al fresco.
For more about REV, visit Revbyvermella.com. Also, stay tuned for an upcoming Power Hour podcast with Courtney
Mulligan and John Resciniti, as we chat in more detail about the REV project and Motorcycle Mall.
John Resciniti is the third-generation owner of the Motorcycle Mall and has expanded into other ventures including real estate development with their latest collaboration.
REV by Vermella is a mixed-use luxury apartment building with retail space, located directly across the street from the Motorcycle Mall in Bellville, New Jersey. (Photo: Russo Development)
By Jessica Shine | Brands That Shine
Recently, we visited the Phoenix campus of Universal Technical Institute (formerly known as Motorcycle Mechanics Institute). A lot of folks don’t realize that UTI actually merged with MMI way back in 1997. Only recently, though, have they rebranded all programs under the Universal Technical Institute name. Rest assured — MMI is still alive and well.
After spending the past four and a half years visiting hundreds of dealers across the country, we keep hearing the same complaint: “We can’t find enough technicians.” We know plenty of folks who’ve gone through the MMI program — some even teach there — so we decided it was time to dig a little deeper into the future of our industry.
The team welcomed us with a full tour and a rundown of all their programs, including partnerships with Harley-Davidson, BMW, Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki. While MMI receives a lot of support from OEMs, we talked about the importance of expanding focus into the aftermarket side of the industry — an area we hope to help them grow. We encouraged them to stay plugged into dealer shows, keep aftermarket catalogs on hand, and keep a pulse on the broader powersports community.
The school already maintains strong relationships with several dealerships that routinely hire their graduates. Independent and multi-line dealers are encouraged to work directly with MMI’s career counselors. They’ll post your job listings and help you find the right fit — but it’s also worth making an on-site visit. You can be very specific about what you’re looking for, and they can tailor a program to match your needs.
We also discussed an important reality: many independent shop owners are looking to retire but struggle to find qualified replacements to mentor and, ideally, take over their businesses. MMI can be a great resource, but just like any school, they can’t guarantee a student’s future success — that’s ultimately up to the individual.
Will every graduate walk through your door ready to wrench like a seasoned tech? Probably not. Think about it: even though most of us graduated high school, how much do we really remember without real-world experience? It’s the same idea here. These are new graduates. They come armed with fundamentals but still need mentoring and hands-on growth. If you bring on a new graduate, remember that investment in their early development can really pay off.
Hundreds of students still come through MMI/UTI each year — and the right one for you might be just around the corner.
Jessica Shine and Gunnar Heinemeyer take a tour of UTI, formerly known as Motorcycle Mechanics Institute.
A UTI instructor shows a student the finer points of Harley-Davidson V-twin engine.
Women riders across the world united May 3 to take part in the 19th edition of International Female Ride Day (IFRD), a global celebration of powersports that spotlights, elevates, and connects women enthusiasts worldwide.
IFRD mobilizes thousands of women each year — from first-time riders to seasoned pros — to take to the streets, trails, and tracks, creating an unmissable show of presence and purpose.
“IFRD is more than a ride — it’s a statement,” says Vicki Gray, founder of the event and longtime road and race instructor. “Each year, women around the world ride in unity to spotlight their presence in motorcycling, motorsport and powersports. The impact is real and growing.”
IFRD is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of May, and female riders in more than 100 countries participate each year. From bustling city rides in São Paulo, Los Angeles, and Toronto, to off-road meetups in New Zealand and across Africa, the event continues to grow in size and scope.
Large manufacturers such as Polaris and BRP celebrate IFRD to honor this growing demographic in powersports.
This year’s edition featured Polaris as the main partner, with strong support from its legendary brands such as Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot, who continue to champion women in the riding community.
Also lending support is Can-Am, reinforcing the collective industry commitment to advancing women’s roles and visibility in all forms of riding.
Polaris Slingshot celebrates International Female Ride Day with its “Women Behind the Wheel” initiative to empower more women to get out and ride. (Photo: Polaris)
Women riders across the world united May 3 to take part in the 19th edition of International Female Ride Day (IFRD), a global celebration of powersports that spotlights, elevates, and connects women enthusiasts worldwide.
IFRD mobilizes thousands of women each year — from first-time riders to seasoned pros — to take to the streets, trails, and tracks, creating an unmissable show of presence and purpose.
“IFRD is more than a ride — it’s a statement,” says Vicki Gray, founder of the event and longtime road and race instructor. “Each year, women around the world ride in unity to spotlight their presence in motorcycling, motorsport and powersports. The impact is real and growing.”
IFRD is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of May, and female riders in more than 100 countries participate each year. From bustling city rides in São Paulo, Los Angeles, and Toronto, to off-road meetups in New Zealand and across Africa, the event continues to grow in size and scope.
Large manufacturers such as Polaris and BRP celebrate IFRD to honor this growing demographic in powersports.
This year’s edition featured Polaris as the main partner, with strong support from its legendary brands such as Indian Motorcycle and Slingshot, who continue to champion women in the riding community.
Also lending support is Can-Am, reinforcing the collective industry commitment to advancing women’s roles and visibility in all forms of riding.
Yamaha Motor’s NMAX 125 Tech MAX scooter extends the company’s streak of Red Dot award wins to 14 years. (Photo: Yamaha Motor)
Indian Motorcycle revealed two 2025 limited-edition models on April 22, which appear to be squaring up Harley’s CVO lineup. The all-new Indian Challenger Elite and Indian Pursuit Elite feature Indian’s championship-winning PowerPlus 112 engine.
Each individually numbered Elite model delivers a great level of detail, custom paint straight from the factory, high-end components, and advanced rider technologies.
“Our Indian Motorcycle Elite series enables our designers to fully showcase their skills, creating bikes that exemplify the artistry and craftsmanship behind every Indian Motorcycle model,” says Aaron Jax, vice president of Indian Motorcycle. “Every detail within the Indian Challenger Elite and Indian Pursuit Elite is meticulously designed, while a multi-layered painting process takes 24 hours to complete. A distinctive American style, with an obsessive attention to detail, paired with a limited production of each model, makes the Indian Motorcycle Elite series the ultimate in style and exclusivity.”
CHALLENGER ELITE
The Indian Challenger Elite draws its design inspiration from Gene “Alabama Flash” Walker, who set a land-speed record in 1920 on his Indian Power Plus and was considered the “fastest man alive.” Wearing a tri-tone paint job, with premium Black Candy and Red Candy finishes over Crystal White Pearl Satin paint, the Challenger Elite is highlighted with shattered glass particles in the paint to add brilliance and depth.
The multi-layered paint job is completed with an Indian Motorcycle Headdress logo pattern over a hand-painted fade. Premium black Dark Horse finishes highlight the striking paint scheme, giving the limited-edition bagger a bold, race-inspired style.
As a nod to Walker’s legacy, each Indian Challenger Elite features an individually numbered center console with an image of Gene Walker’s PowerPlus racer, in addition to distinctive PowerPlus 112 engine covers and Elite badging throughout.
PURSUIT ELITE
The Indian Pursuit Elite draws its style inspiration from the production of 20,000 PowerPlus motorcycles in 1916 for the U.S. Army. The limited-edition touring motorcycle features a tri-tone paint scheme, with premium Black Candy and Black Forest Candy finishes, highlighted by the artistry of hand-painted Championship Gold accents. The custom paint also features premium black Dark Horse finishes, giving the Indian Pursuit Elite a sophisticated look. Each Indian Pursuit Elite features distinctive PowerPlus 112 engine covers and exclusive Elite badging throughout, including an individually numbered center console.
ENGINE
At the heart of each Elite model is the PowerPlus 112, which the company says takes “bagger and touring performance to a new level,” unleashing 126 horsepower and 133 ft-lbs of torque. The contemporary design of the PowerPlus, featuring overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, delivers horsepower and torque. Powering the Indian Motorcycle King of the Baggers factory race team since 2021, the PowerPlus 112 helped deliver championships in 2022 and 2024.
COMPONENTS
Inverted performance forks and dual radial Brembo brakes are prominently visible and designed to turn power into handling and confident stopping.
The 5-spoke precision-machined wheels on the Pursuit Elite and Challenger Elite create a striking stance, shod with Metzeler Cruisetec tires. Each bike comes standard with top-of-the-line components, including a Pathfinder adaptive LED headlight, driving lights, and Pathfinder auxiliary LED saddlebag lights. Three ride modes allow riders to customize throttle response and dial-in their ride experience, while cylinder deactivation enhances comfort at idle.
The adjustable Flare Windshield on the Challenger Elite and the adjustable windshield on the Pursuit Elite can be controlled via the push of a handlebar-mounted button. Keyless ignition and remote locking storage add extra security and convenience. Completing the package is cruise control and USB charging.
Premium audio is a key element of the bagger and touring experience, and both models come with PowerBand Audio. Featuring bass boost and four 100-watt speakers on the Challenger Elite and six 100-watt speakers on the Pursuit Elite, the system provides crystal-clear sound.
RIDER ASSIST
Both the Indian Challenger Elite and Indian Pursuit Elite come fully loaded with a host of ride-enhancing technologies. Indian’s Rider Assist features improve rider awareness and enhance rider convenience. These new features are bundled with the SmartLean Technology and include Bike Hold Control, Electronic Combined Brake System, Blind Spot Warning, Tailgate Warning, and Rear Collision Warning alerts.
With bold, eye-catching paint, exclusive badging, and premium componentry, the 2025 Indian Challenger Elite and 2025 Indian Pursuit Elite have been expertly designed for experienced riders. These models will take the fight directly to Harley’s CVO for the top of the class in the V-twin cruiser segment.
With only 350 Indian Challenger Elites and 250 Indian Pursuit Elites available worldwide, each bike is exclusive. The MSRP for the Indian Challenger Elite is $39,999, and the MSRP for the Indian Pursuit Elite starts at $44,999. Indian says the bikes will begin shipping to dealers this month.
The all-new Challenger Elite and Pursuit Elite feature Indian ’ s PowerPlus 112 engine , are individually numbered , and deliver a high level of detail , custom paint , high-end components , and advanced rider technologies. ( Photo : Indian Motorcycle )