Texas dealers gather in Austin for annual conference; ‘Great opportunity to learn’
By Dave McMahon
Contributor
The Texas Motorcycle Dealers Association Annual Conference took place Jan. 11-12 in Austin, and was held at a new meeting location at Lakeway Resort and Spa alongside Lake Travis in the Hill Country.
It was a bit of a homecoming for me, as Tim McKercher and the Sea-Doo marketing and media crew hosted a Spark press ride based out of the same hotel many moons ago. This time, though, I got a nickel (half-dollar?) tour of Austin on the way out when my friend Mark Sheffield offered to play the role of chauffeur.
We didn’t get into too much trouble on the way, but Sheffield did provide an awfully interesting historic tour of old Austin powersports dealerships. The tomfoolery and tales coming out of those stores reached a pinnacle when we pulled over for a quick snapshot of the former Woods Fun Center building on Lamar. It made complete sense, that upon arrival, Mark Woods — owner of Woods Fun Center, which is now Woods Cycle Country, down the road a piece in New Braunfels — offered to share an elevator ride. When I was introduced to his wife, kids and grandkids, I knew I was in the right spot for the family reunion at the TMDA meeting.
Sunday night kicked off with a networking reception that featured the impressive Gigi Worth on guitar, followed by an all-attendees dinner in the adjacent restaurant at the Lakeway Resort. Pleasantries were also found being exchanged at a bonfire on a chilly Texas evening.
With the hotel bar’s existence confirmed, it was off to bed with a 7:00 a.m. breakfast kickoff on Monday and the first educational session greeting sunrise at 7:45. Early to rise, indeed!
Eight hours later, after an information-packed day full of important sessions, attendees were on their way home with heaps of ideas for success.
“I heard a lot of positive feedback overall,” says Trey Sralla, president of the TMDA, shaking off a broken elbow that had occurred mere days before kickoff. “Everybody liked the new location, the schedule. The speakers really did a nice job with their information and making sure it was time well spent for those who attended. We had a lot of great feedback on the speakers.”
The turnout of dealers was certainly the largest since Covid times. Some made their debut appearance at the TMDA Annual Conference and found it beneficial.
“I had two dealers tell me they had never been, and that they won’t miss another one,” Sralla says.
Prior to the 2027 meeting, likely returning to the same location, Sralla and the TMDA board will continue to do work that goes largely unnoticed until governmental rules and regulations begin to infringe on dealership owners.
“The board will be working on initiatives where we lobby various state agencies in a non-legislative session year,” Sralla says, pointing out a handful of topics that will be covered in various meetings and phone calls.
In another words, doing more of what the TMDA always does, advocate throughout the year — and most of the time not under the bright lights — on behalf of Texas powersports dealerships.
Vendors play an important role at the conference, providing both financial support and insight into more effective and efficient dealership operations.
Frank Fulco, president of longtime TMDA sponsor, Torque Group, made his journey to the TMDA Annual Conference for the first time.
“Torque Group believes it is vital to support the conference because it keeps us in tune with what Texas dealers want and need out of their industry partners,” Fulco says. “Texas dealers are currently capitalizing on their partnership with Torque Group by providing us the opportunity to review with them their current programs and how we can improve their profitability.”
I tracked down a handful of dealers to gauge their interest in the conference. It was 26-year-old Sean Tracy who I spied first. His parents, Scott and Shannon, own UVC Powersports Tractors and Outdoors in Alvin. Assistant GM Sean also works alongside older brother Ryan to keep it a family affair. They only sell four-wheel powersports units, and are known worldwide for their Kawasaki Mule sales expertise that has put them No. 1 in the nation for Kawasaki side-by-side sales at various points in their career.
“Me? I’ve been there 26 years, if you can believe that,” Sean says. “I’m the youngest, doing finance, sales and marketing. I’ve been working in the shop since I could walk.”
It’s always great to see eager and interested younger folks attend the TMDA event.
“It’s the first TMDA meeting I’ve been to,” he shares. “It’s been a great use of time and I’m learning a lot. Great to be able to interact with your peers in the industry. It’s interesting listening to the speakers and the takeaways they provide.”
Meanwhile, Eastside Powersports in Baytown had a crowd of four from the shop: Owner/GM Pokey Oler was joined by Sam Archer, who leads F&I and marketing, sales manager Mike Joseph, and Meagan Oler from parts and accessories.
Pokey was also a TMDA meeting newbie, having joined the association only a few months prior. Eastside also has family ties, but with a vastly different tale. Pokey’s dad, Ralph, was part of the original ownership group that opened the Honda shop 25 years ago. Pokey was off owning two successful filtration businesses, which he still has today.
“It was originally started by my dad and Gene Anderson, who went on to start Gene’s Polaris, and a guy named Mike Chatham,” Pokey says. “My dad ended up running it. He beat cancer once and now he’s terminally ill with lung cancer that was diagnosed about a year ago. So I told him ‘I’ll take it. I never worked a day at the dealership. The filtration business was my expertise. I know nothing about powersports, which is why I’m here.”
“We wanted to join the TMDA and come here because we knew it was a great opportunity to learn. Most of the people at the dealership and myself are inexperienced and we have to find the resources and learn. We think it was a very successful meeting. We made some great contacts and have some great information to work with.”
Texas dealers are encouraged to join my free private LinkedIn group: the PowersportsDealerShowcase – Texas Collective. All we’re missing is you!
Join us at the Texas Collective here:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/17146011/
Join the TMDA here:
Contact Dave McMahon at Dave.McMahon@ready2ridemobile.com.
To coincide with its 125th anniversary, Indian Motorcycle kicked off the New Year by unveiling the 2026 Indian Chief Vintage — a reimagination of a timeless classic modernized for today’s enthusiasts.
Inspired by World War II-era Chief models, the new Chief Vintage is a tribute to an American classic from the heart of the golden age of motorcycling, fusing classic design with power, precision, and innovation.
With sculpted lines that pay homage to post-war classics, Indian says its Chief Vintage is designed to look like it rolled straight off the production line in the 1940s. Its valanced front fender is complemented by the lit headdress ornament, while a narrow rear subframe and vintage handlebars reference the era’s designs. A vintage solo seat is reimagined to maximize comfort and support, while wire-spoke wheels complete the American design.
The engine features non-machined black cylinders and silver-painted cylinder heads and pushrod tubes. These painted components and non-machined fins pay tribute to the raw aluminum finishes found on the original Chief models.
Powering the Chief Vintage is Indian’s air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 V-twin engine, delivering 120 ft-lb. of torque. Three selectable ride modes — Tour, Standard, and Sport —allow riders to tailor throttle response.
The bike is equipped with Indian’s 4-inch round touchscreen display. The 2026 system features all-new software, improving startup time and loading times by approximately 25%. The new software introduces Indian’s app-enhanced navigation, delivering integration between a rider’s mobile phone and their on-bike display.
Launching with Chief Vintage is a curated selection of premium accessories. Riders can equip front Highway Bars for low-speed tip-over protection and add Highway Bar Lower Closeouts to reduce wind and shield road debris.
Weather-resistant vinyl saddlebags offer riders the option to add more than five gallons of storage per bag. Complementing the collection are select Premium Handle Grips that elevate both style and tactile feel, while available rider floorboards offer a wider, more stable platform for increased comfort and control.
For two-up riding, riders can purchase the Classic Solo Seat with a matching Passenger Pillion, while a Passenger Touring Backrest Pad can also be added.
On the performance side, the Pathfinder 5¾-inch adaptive LED headlight automatically adjusts for turns and provides an added layer of safety during night riding. The precision-engineered Chief Stage 1 slip-on exhaust produces a deep, powerful tone while improving acceleration and throttle response.
Complementing the exhaust, the slash cut tips add visual flair and enhance the exhaust growl, with the Thunderstroke Stage 1 High-Flow Air Intake improving engine breathing for smoother, more responsive power delivery.
Starting at $19,999, the 2026 Indian Chief Vintage is available in Black Metallic and Indian Motorcycle Red and will arrive at dealerships in March.
KYMCO USA is rolling out the 2026 Downtown GT 125i, a premium 125cc scooter aimed at urban commuters and entry-level street riders seeking higher-end features without stepping up in displacement.
Powered by a fuel-injected 125cc engine producing 12.9 horsepower, the Downtown GT 125i comes equipped with a CVT transmission, Traction Control System (TCS), and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) — a feature set not commonly found in the 125cc category.
Additional highlights include:
Full LED lighting
Large TFT digital dashboard
Modern sport-touring styling
Generous underseat storage
Available in Starry Night Blue, Flat Brown and Black
For powersports retailers, the 125cc segment remains an accessible entry point for new riders and urban buyers seeking fuel efficiency and affordability.
The Downtown GT 125i sits in a competitive price band while offering technology — including ABS, traction control, and a TFT display — that can support stronger margin conversations compared to traditional entry scooters.
The Downtown GT 125i is arriving now at authorized dealers nationwide with a starting MSRP of $4,999.
Dorna Sports, which is the exclusive commercial rights holder of MotoGP, announced that the company will officially be known as MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, reflecting the ongoing growth of the organization, which has served as the exclusive commercial and broadcast rights holder of MotoGP since 1992.
The new company name represents a clear vision for the future of MotoGP, reflecting the evolution of the sport from a premier racing championship into a global sports entertainment platform.
The renaming follows the $5 billion acquisition of Dorna Sports by Liberty Media — best known in motorsports for its ownership of Formula 1 — in July 2025. The move was made to springboard MotoGP’s global fan engagement, commercial growth, and crossover exposure between F1 and MotoGP audiences.
“The company name change is much more than a new identity — it’s a statement of intent. MotoGP has grown far beyond just a championship; it has become a global entertainment property followed passionately around the world,” says Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group.
The transition aligns with long-term strategic initiatives designed to strengthen MotoGP’s reach across continents, broaden its appeal to younger and more diverse audiences, and elevate the fan experience on and off the track.
The group will continue to lead the commercial, sporting, and developing fan engagement with MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, the Road to MotoGP programs, the World Superbike Championship, and the newly created Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup.
Triumph Motorcycles has unveiled the Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition — a limited-run model inspired by the original British cafe racers of the 1960s.
Limited to just 800 units worldwide, this exclusive model is based on the Speed Twin 1200 RS, adding clip-on handlebars, deleting the pillion pegs, and featuring a distinctive brown bullet seat with removable cowl, as well as a curated package of styling enhancements.
Each limited-edition motorcycle is supplied with its own certificate of authenticity, ensuring exclusivity.
Accompanying the elegant sports styling is a British racing-inspired color scheme that combines Competition Green and Aluminum Silver paintwork with silver wheels and a color-coded green headlight bowl.
“The latest Speed Twin 1200 has already struck a chord with riders across Europe and the U.S. who value performance, style, and everyday usability,” says Paul Stroud, chief commercial officer for Triumph. “The Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition will sit at the top of the Speed Twin range, taking inspiration from the British cafe racer scene of the 1960s.”
With a global production of just 800 motorcycles, Triumph says the Cafe Racer Edition should appeal to both collectors and everyday enthusiasts, offering more distinction and exclusivity.
A Bonneville 1200 twin engine powers the Cafe Racer Edition, producing 104 hp at 7,750 rpm with an 8,000-rpm rev limit. The 270-degree firing order, combined with a low-inertia crankshaft, ensures immediate throttle response and power delivery, while strong torque is maintained throughout the rev range, peaking at 83 ft-lbs.
Technology includes Road, Rain, and Sport riding modes, optimized cornering ABS, and traction control. Just like the Speed Twin 1200 RS, the Cafe Racer Edition has shift assist, along with LCD and TFT displays, housed within a circular dial that gives a timeless look.
The Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Café Racer Edition will be available beginning in March, with an MSRP of $18,895.
An interim trade framework between India and the United States will eliminate import duties on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, granting the American brand zero-duty access to India’s premium bike segment.
According to Reuters, India will remove tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles as part of the agreement announced Feb. 7. The deal also reduces duties on certain high-end American cars, though electric vehicles are excluded from the pact.
Additional details reported by PTI and published by multiple Indian outlets state that zero-duty access will apply to U.S. motorcycles in the 800cc to 1,600cc segment and above, with the tariff elimination taking effect on the day the agreement is implemented.
The first phase of the bilateral trade agreement is expected to be signed by mid-March.
Harley-Davidson has long been at the center of trade discussions between the two countries. U.S. President Donald Trump previously criticized India’s high import duties on Harley motorcycles, arguing they restricted the company’s ability to compete in the market.
India had reduced import duties on motorcycles up to 1,600cc from 50% to 40% last year, but the new framework goes further by fully eliminating duties for qualifying U.S. bikes.
While India’s premium motorcycle segment remains relatively small compared to its mass-market two-wheeler category (i.e., sub-500cc), Harley-Davidson is one of the most recognizable foreign brands operating in the space. Since 2020, Harley has partnered with Hero MotoCorp for the Indian market. Under the agreement, Hero develops and sells select Harley-Davidson motorcycles domestically and manages distribution of parts, accessories and merchandise through a combined dealer network.
For Harley-Davidson and its dealer partners, the zero-duty access could improve price competitiveness in India’s premium segment and potentially expand opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle markets.
India’s motorcycle market is huge — totaling tens of millions of units annually — but the premium 800cc+ segment remains very small:
Between April and December 2025, combined sales in the 800cc–1,000cc, 1,000cc–1,600cc and above 1,600cc brackets totaled under 2,000 units in India, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
In comparison, total motorcycle sales in India exceeded 96 million units over the same period across all engine sizes, reflecting how 800cc+ bikes represent an extremely niche slice of the overall market.
Harley-Davidson itself sold just 97 imported 800cc–1,600cc motorcycles in that period.
Tariff relief will lower retail prices for imported Harleys, improving competitiveness vs. deeply tariff-protected rivals.
Growth potential remains niche because India’s broader motorcycle market is dominated by sub-500cc bikes — the bread-and-butter for most dealerships and OEM volume.
While Zero-duty access is headline-worthy and may stimulate interest among premium buyers, Harley and its Indian dealers should not expect to see blockbuster volume gains in India’s very niche, high-capacity segment anytime soon.