26 • October 2023 • Powersports Business
MOTORCYCLE www . PowersportsBusiness . com
Redding Harley-Davidson of California acquired by auto group
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Rami Yanni of Wise Auto Group and Wise Riders has acquired Redding Harley-Davidson from the Wright Family . Redding Harley- Davidson , established in 1977 by David and Robyn Wright , has been family-owned and operated for 46 years . In 2012 , David and Robyn ’ s son , Ernie , and his wife , Jesica , joined as co-owners to continue their family ’ s legacy .
After over four decades of ownership , the Wright family has decided to retire and hit the open road with their riding community .
“ Using Performance Brokerage Services was an absolute treat . George Chaconas and Courtney Bernhard were extremely professional and kept us informed throughout the entire process ,” says David Wright . “ The sale of our business was smooth and we were
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able to contact Courtney anytime with questions or concerns . She was quick to respond and had an understanding of the emotions we felt selling our family business after 46 years . We would highly recommend Courtney and Performance Brokerage Services for the sale of your dealership .”
Rami Yanni is a seasoned automotive dealer and Harley-Davidson rider and enthusiast . This acquisition brings Wise Auto Group ’ s total to seven Harley-Davidson dealerships in California and Nevada .
“ It ’ s hard to believe it ’ s been over seven years since George Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services introduced me to my first Harley-Davidson dealership ,” Yanni says . “ We are now on our fifth buy-sell . It
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was very exciting and awesome to work with George again and his partner , Courtney Bernhard , on our latest acquisition of Redding Harley-Davidson in Redding , California .”
The dealership will remain at its current location at 1268 Twin View Boulevard in Redding , California , and will be renamed Shasta Harley-Davidson .
The Wright Family was represented by Halbert Rasmussen of Scali Rasmussen , PC in Los Angeles , California . Rami Yanni was represented by Brady Dean McLeod of Miles McLeod , APLC in Sacramento , California .
“ I appreciate the Wright Family , David , Jesica , and Ernie for trusting me to guide them through the sale of their Harley-Davidson dealership after 46 years ,” Bernhard says .
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“ Digesting the numbers and going through the process is only a small part of the transaction , while preparing for the rollercoaster of emotions when closing the chapter after four and a half decades can be overwhelming . I hope they can now enjoy the open roads on their bikes with the customers and friends they have built along the way . I wish Rami Yanni and his team continued success as they add to their successful group of dealerships .” |
Kawasaki celebrates milestones
In September , Kawasaki Motors celebrated its 70th anniversary of making motorcycles , making its first foray into the motorcycle business in 1953 . After the end of World War II , Kawasaki produced motorcycle engines under the name of “ Kawasaki Machine Works .”
Since then , Kawasaki has continued to “ Let the Good Times Roll ” and has shared its motorcycles with customers around the world . Today , Kawasaki motorcycles are sold in more than 90 countries and regions .
To commemorate the milestone anniversary , a special exhibition is displayed at Kawasaki USA Heritage Hall in Foothill Ranch , California , as well as Kawasaki Good Times World in Kobe , Japan . The display focuses on the history of the motorcycle business in the U . S . market , which marked a major turning point in the company ’ s overseas strategy .
KAWASAKI IN THE U . S . Kawasaki ’ s path to success in the motorcycle industry began with the launch of the KE−1 motorcycle engine in 1953 . Several efforts were made to try to expand sales , including working with trading companies to expand to overseas markets , in addition to a business alliance and subsequent merger with the Meguro Manufacturing Company . However , each of these efforts failed to produce the sales results that Kawasaki had hoped for . It was decided that selling directly to dealers would be the better business model .
In 1966 , American Kawasaki Motors was established . Kawasaki ’ s U . S . operations began with – 10 employees and adopted an innovative policy of “ localism ” before going on to develop motorcycles like the Kawasaki A1 Samurai 250 , Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III , and iconic Kawasaki Z1 900 for the U . S . market . Early on , Kawasaki USA launched a new kind of sales policy aimed at expansion that included the industry ’ s first model year system and worked to strengthen relationships with dealers by setting up branches in every region of the U . S ., thereby consolidating its base in the U . S . market .
In 1974 , Kawasaki made a $ 20 million
investment to build a manufacturing plant in Lincoln , Nebraska , to be in line with a coming shift to a floating exchange rate in the U . S . Kawasaki ’ s Lincoln plant became the first plant built by any Japanese auto or motorcycle manufacturer in the U . S ., and it remains Kawasaki ’ s main plant to this day .
The KX450 50th Anniversary Edition . Photo courtesy of Kawasaki USA .
It is where all Kawasaki Jet Ski personal watercraft and SxS , including the Teryx and MULE , are still manufactured today .
This year , the KX and Jet Ski brand mark their 50−year anniversaries , and next year the American-born Ninja brand will mark its 40th anniversary .
MOTOAMERICA INKS PARTNER TO BRING KING OF THE BAGGERS TO EUROPEAN FANS
MotoAmerica and MotorSport Vision Racing ( MSVR ), the promoters of the Bennetts British Superbike Series , have announced an agreement that will see MSVR become the European promotional partner for the MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers series .
The hugely popular MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship features highly modified American-made Harley-Davidson and Indian V-twin touring motorcycles . The upstart class got rolling in the MotoAmerica series in 2020 as a one-off invitational at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca .
The race was a resounding success , and the series grew to a three-round championship in 2021 , featuring factory teams from both Indian Motorcycles and Harley- Davidson as well as teams supported by well-known V-twin aftermarket companies . The growth of the championship has continued and the current 2023 season consists of 14 races with a star-studded grid
MotoAmerica partners with MotorSport Vision
Racing ( MSVR ) to bring King Of The Baggers Series to Europe . Photo courtesy of Brian J . Nelson
competing in seven of the MotoAmerica rounds , including the series opener on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway during Bike Week in Florida .
The new agreement will see MSVR evaluate different venues , series and events throughout Europe and plan a series of races .
MSVR BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs concludes , “ King Of The Baggers has captured the attention of fans , the motorcycle industry and the media alike across the USA . I am confident that we can develop the series to a new European audience and replicate the success already achieved .”
DIGEST
MOTORCYCLES TO RETURN TO BARSTOW FOR CALIFORNIA 300
Unlimited Off-Road Racing has announced more details about the addition of motorcycles to The California 300 off-road race . Multiple classes will compete on a three-lap , 60 + mile bike course designed by Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famer and multi-time Champion Johnny Campbell , that will challenge even the most seasoned desert motorcycle racers .
The green flag will drop at the Official California 300 Barstow Main Start / Finish Line on Friday , October 6 , just after sunrise , and the race will end grand prix style when the first pro motorcycle has crossed the finish line . Included in the race are three vintage classes amongst sixteen sportsman and pro classes .
“ Motocross , supercross , desert racing , hill climbing , and free riding used to be more directly connected . We want The California 300 to be the catalyst to reconnect off-road bike culture in America . Years ago if you rode a bike , you pretty much rode everything . Bikes are the gateway to off-roading and most offroad racers started on a bike somewhere in their childhood . They are still the most affordable way to off-road . We welcome all the men and women on two wheels to come to be a
Multiple motorcycle classes will compete on a three-lap , 60 + mile course designed by Off- Road Motorsports Hall of Famer and multi-time Champion Johnny Campbell . Photo courtesy of
Unlimited Off-Road Racing
part of The California 300 ,” states Unlimited Off-Road Racing CEO , Matt Martelli .
“ Barstow has always been a mecca for bike riding and testing . I am stoked to be helping bike racing return in a major way to Barstow . I have spent a lot of time out here riding and know the area intimately . There is a lot of fantastic terrain out here for bikes and the team at Unlimited Off-Road Racing has given me the freedom to put together an amazing bike course . I am looking forward to showing bike racers what ’ s here in Barstow ,” says multi-time Motorcycle Champion , Johnny Campbell .
Race registration for the 2023 California 300 is now open .