In the second episode of Season 2 of Centerstand, host Robert Pandya speaks with Bob Althoff, CEO of Dealernews, to discuss the recent call to action made in the January edition of Dealernews for a National Powersports Dealer Association. Together, Robert and Bob dive into the premise for the association, the benefits to dealers, customers, and the larger industry, and what needs to happen next. 

Show Notes: 

·     00:00:00 00:00:12

o  Host Robert Pandya introduces guest Bob Althoff, CEO of Dealernews, and his recent call to start a National Powersports Dealer Association.

·     00:00:00 00:02:00

o  Bob shares his experience in the Powersports world. 

·     00:00:00 00:03:35

o  Robert speaks to Dealernews and how it is a resource for the Powersports community.

·     00:00:00 00:04:14

o  Bob discusses the need for a trade association serving the Powersports industry and the genesis of its need. 

·     00:00:00 00:7:40

o  Bob describes how the lack of an association is hurting our industry. 

·     00:00:00 00:11:00

o  Bob and Robert discuss why now is the time to create an association and the need to work together. 

·     00:00:00 00:16:00

o  Bob explains his reasoning for purchasing Dealernews and the support he has received from outside industry leaders. Bob speaks to the potential for a ridership initiative. 

·     00:00:00 00:18:50

o  Bob describes the forms in which the Association could look like and how he envisions dealers will respond.

·     00:00:00 00:22:20

o  Bob shares how those in the industry can get in touch with him and how to get involved.

·     00:00:00 00:23:40

o  Bob explains the differences between what a National Powersports Dealer Association would provide compared to a Twenty Group.

·     00:00:00 00:29:54

o  Bob explains how he sees the AMA and MIC fitting together.

·     00:00:00 00:33:50

o  Bob explains what good advocacy looks like in serving customers and employees.

·     00:00:00 00:36:28

o  Bob gives advice to the entire dealer network.

·     00:00:00 00:37:35

Robert closes the conversation and reminds everyone to subscribe and get in touch with the producers of Centerstand at [email protected].

In the first episode of Season 2 of Centerstand, host Robert Pandya speaks with Todd Baldwin, GM of Coyne Powersports, and Chris Sackett, President of Fasthouse, to discuss the challenges dealers and retailers faced amid-pandemic and how they are responding to continue industry growth.

● 00:00:00 00:00:11

o Host Robert Pandya introduces listeners to Season 2 and identifies the focus of the new season and walks through Episode 1, from getting product from suppliers to drawing in new customers in a virtual age.

● 00:00:00 00:02:27

o Robert introduces Chris Sackett, President of Fasthouse.

● 00:00:00 00:05:13

o Robert introduces Todd Baldwin, GM of Coyne Powersports.

● 00:00:00 00:08:08

o Todd addresses dealership challenges that are a result of the pandemic shut down in early 2020.

● 00:00:00 00:11:50

o Chris discusses how retailers had to pivot in order to connect with customers amid pandemic and lean on content.

● 00:00:00 00:14:44

o Todd speaks to how their dealership addressed their existing customers and sought out new customers via door-to-door delivery program.

● 00:00:00 00:20:13

o Chris identifies Fasthouse’s target market and increase in youth demand.

● 00:00:00 00:22:06

o Todd discusses Coyne’s plans to increase youth enthusiasts and how his dealership retains youth riders.

● 00:00:00 00:25:11

o Chris and Todd speak to building a career in the powersports industry.

● 00:00:00 00:32:21

o Todd offers advice to decision makers in the motorcycle industry on how to continue industry growth.

● 00:00:00 00:33:35

o Chris offers advice to decision makers in the motorcycle industry on how to continue industry growth.

● 00:00:00 00:35:13

o Robert closes with a statement around cultivating the group of new riders that arose from the pandemic and wraps up the episode.

In this bonus episode of Centerstand, host Robert Pandya and Lauren Lloyd, IMS PR Manager and producer of Centerstand, take a look at the best moments of Season 1. We reflect on the learnings from key episodes and tease the exciting Progressive IMS Outdoors 2021 tour schedule.

00:00:00 00:00:10

o Host Robert Pandya introduces the surprise episode and introduces the guest, Lauren Lloyd, IMS PR Manager and producer of Centerstand.

● 00:00:00 00:01:52

o Robert and Lauren speak to the Progressive IMS Outdoors schedule announcement.

● 00:00:00 00:06:00

o Lauren offers the full 2021 Progressive IMS Outdoors.

● 00:00:00 00:07:34

o Lauren highlights the new features and potential attractions available at the IMS Outdoors 2021 tour.

● 00:00:00 00:06:05

o Roy provides his personal background and editorial experience in the world of motorcycling.

● 00:00:00 00:11:10

o Robert and Lauren go through highlights of Season 1 and reflect on the wide diversity of guests

● 00:00:00 00:12:45

o Robert and Lauren dissect episode 4 where we learned about how to bring in the millennial rider.

● 00:00:00 00:14:19

o Robert and Lauren reflect on episode 6 where we learned about how to increase female ridership.

● 00:00:00 00:16:15

o Robert and Lauren discuss episode 5 where we learned about transitioning youth riders to becoming motorcycle enthusiasts.

● 00:00:00 00:21:14

o Robert and Lauren break down episode 8 where we learned about the future of motorcycle sharing to sell more motorcycles.

● 00:00:00 00:24:20

o Robert thanks the listeners for tuning into Season 1, teases Season 2 and closes out the episode.

In the tenth and final episode of Centerstand Season 1, we speak with two influential journalists that report on the motorcycle and automotive industries about the current state of the powersports industry and how to influence change in the coming year. Join host Robert Pandya as he sits down with Peter Valdes-Dapena, Senior Writer for CNN Business, and Roy Furchgott, contributor to The New York Times as they speak candidly about what OEMs and dealers need to learn from this year to grow the industry.

● 00:00:00 00:00:10

o Host Robert Pandya introduces the topic of discussion for Episode 10 of Centerstand and welcomes this week’s guests.

● 00:00:00 00:01:02

o Meet the guests, Peter Valdes-Dapena, Senior Writer for CNN Business, and Roy Furchgott, contributor to The New York Times.

● 00:00:00 00:01:45

o Peter offers a look into his background and why his editorial focus is on all forms of transportation.

● 00:00:00 00:02:56

o Peter speaks to what happened with the automotive industry in 2020 and how trends in the automotive and motorcycle industries are parallel and divergent.

● 00:00:00 00:06:05

o Roy provides his personal background and editorial experience in the world of motorcycling.

● 00:00:00 00:11:10

o Peter addresses how powersports and motorcycling communities are seen from the business perspective.

● 00:00:00 00:14:35

o Peter analyzes the regulatory differences between riding an electric bicycle versus a motorcycle, and if it will be a gateway to new motorcycle riders.

● 00:00:00 00:15:34

o Roy discusses barriers to getting new riders on two wheels, such as the motorcycle industry’s culture of exclusion, and offers an example of a sector that embraces new customers in a compelling way.

● 00:00:00 00:18:25

o Peter adds color to the motorcycling industry’s intimidating air and addresses ways to change this culture.

● 00:00:00 00:21:55

o Peter addresses how the industry can break common editorialized stereotypes to talk about the different strata of powersports enthusiasts.

● 00:00:00 00:25:44

o Peter and Roy explore what would be an interesting story that non-endemic media would cover and that would expose motorcycling to a broader audience, including safety technology, rider education, and tiered licensing.

● 00:00:00 00:33:55

o Peter, Roy, and Robert dive into the three-wheeled category and the opportunities and challenges that exist in this space.

● 00:00:00 00:36:18

o Roy and Peter project differences from a regulatory standpoint from the old administration to the new.

● 00:00:00 00:40:35

o Roy shares his advice to the dealer and retailer network from a reporter perspective.

● 00:00:00 00:24:39

o Peter shares his advice to the dealer and retailer network from a reporter perspective.

● 00:00:00 00:43:20

o Robert closes the conversation and thanks listeners for tuning into Season 1 and teases Season 2.

Episode 8 of Centerstand: A Motorcycle Industry Podcast, host by Robert Pandya speaks with Mike Shedivy, President, Windy City Motorcycle Company who oversees an impressive 16 different dealerships and six different brands and Austin Rothbard, Founder and CEO of Twisted Road, an innovative platform that enables consumers to rent any motorcycle from a nationwide community of local bike owners. They discuss the evolution and growing importance of motorcycle sharing in the powersports ecosystem and how incorporating ride sharing platforms into dealership strategies will enhance the consumer experience.  

Evolution of Ride Sharing   

·         00:00:00 00:00:00 

o    Host Robert Pandya kicks off Episode 8 of Centerstand and introduces the topic of motorcycle rentals and sharing and how the new model is exposing more new riders to the industry and increasing sales.   

·         00:00:00 00:01:00 

o    Meet the guests, Austin Rothbard, Founder and CEO of Twisted Road, and Mike Shedivy, President, Windy City Motorcycle Company. 

·         00:00:00 00:2:28 

o    Austin explains what his company, Twisted Road, is all about and what makes his rental business unique and the problems they are solving in the industry. 

·         00:00:00 00:4:30 

o    Mike shares where he sees the industry going from a dealer perspective and insight into the Harley Davidson brand. 

·         00:00:00 00:9:50 

o    Mike explains how his dealership incorporated Twisted Road for a better consumer experience.  

·         00:00:00 00:14:25 

o    Austin announces multiple locations he is launching Twisted Road and growing the dealer platform.  

·         00:00:00 00:18:57 

o    Austin reveals previous research on top things that stop people from buying a bike.  

·         00:00:00 00:20:25 

o    Mike touches on the integration and adoption of Twisted Road into his dealership. 

·         00:00:00 00:26:20 

o    Robert and his guests discuss female ridership. Mike speaks to the increase in female riders, female focused activities, how the topic personally touches his life, and his advice for the industry to welcome and grow female riders.  

·         00:00:00 00:32:45 

o    Austin speaks to female ridership and how his company works with women riders.  

·         00:00:00 00:36:00 

o    Austin reveals some of the most popular models used on his platform.  

·         00:00:00 00:37:30 

o    Mike and Austin give their personal advice to dealers.  

·         00:00:00 00:41:21 

o    Robert closes the conversation and reminds everyone we are getting close to announcing the...

• 00:00:00 00:00:00

Host Robert Pandya introduces this week’s topic of ridership and our Episode 7 guests Kelly Yazdi, founder of Ride Wild Collective and Bryan Carroll with Why We Ride. 

• 00:00:00 00:02:05

Kelly gives listeners her background in powersports, her passion for community gatherings, why she started Ride Wild Collective, the challenges she has seen engaging female riders, and solutions her team has come up with. 

• 00:00:00 00:8:45

Bryan provides a sneak peek into this childhood, his early love for riding, and how he was able to combine it with his passion for storytelling and cinema.

• 00:00:00 00:15:00

Bryan reflects on the creation of Why We Ride, why it became so successful, and how the industry has changed.

• 00:00:00 00:19:35

Kelly speaks to Ride Wild, how her network has grown and developed, how she curates her events, and how she is staying connected during the current times.

• 00:00:00 00:25:27

Bryan touches on Why We Ride’s evolution into the non-profit MOTOvational and how he has expanded his charity efforts.

• 00:00:00 00:29:50

Kelly highlights the brands that are developing the women’s platform and successfully reaching women riders.

• 00:00:00 00:32:00

Kelly speaks to the type of women she has seen coming to her events and the goals she has for her platform.    

• 00:00:00 00:34:00

Bryan shares ways he believes the powersports community can increase retention of existing riders.

• 00:00:00 00:37:35

Kelly shares advice for the Powersports industry.

• 00:00:00 00:40:00

Robert closes the conversation and reminds everyone the upcoming IMS Outdoor schedule is going to be announced in the next few weeks and to tune into ContinueTheRide.com.

●     00:00:00 00:00:39:

Host Robert Pandya introduces Episode 6 discusses Progressive IMS Outdoors and introduces this week’s topic of growing female ridership.

●     00:00:00 00:03:24

Meet the guests, Porsche Taylor, Founder and Publisher of Black Girls Ride (BGR) Magazine and Jaime Dempsey, Co-Founder and Development and Production Director at ATWYLD.

●     00:00:00 00:14:56

Jaime offers insight on how ATWYLD connects with customers outside of traditional retail.  

●     00:00:00 00:18:19

Jaime offers advice for women looking to start something in the Powersports industry.

●     00:00:00 00:21:55

Porsche analyses the sense of community that exists within the motorcycle industry and how this community was what piqued her interest in and passion for motorcycling.

●     00:00:00 00:21:45

Porsche reminisces about her worst dealership experience and what other dealers can learn from the experience.

●     00:00:00 00:30:00

Jaime discusses the expectation of how retailers and dealerships regarding selling merchandise to women.

●     00:00:00 00:31:48

Jaime speaks openly about how ATWYLD had to pivot their marketing strategy amid-pandemic.

●     00:00:00 00:35:46

Porsche offers constructive criticism on how to improve female-focused rides, specifically her own.

●     00:00:00 00:38:45

Robert congratulates Porsche and the other women named to Polaris Empowersports Council. 

●     00:00:00 00:39:57

Porsche speaks to the broader purpose of the Polaris panel and how powerful it is to have a panel of women advisers.

●     00:00:00 00:42:07

Jaime imparts advice for women looking to enter the industry.

●     00:00:00 00:43:14

Porsche shares advice for who want to work in the Powersports industry.

●     00:00:00 00:43:14

Porsche shares advice for who want to work in the Powersports industry.

●     00:00:00 00:45:38

Porsche shares advice for dealers.

●     00:00:00 00:46:24

Jaime shares advice for dealers.

●     00:00:00 00:47:01

Robert closes the conversation and teases the next episode that will feature Bryan Carroll with Why We Ride and Kelly Yazdi with Wild Gypsy Tours. 

Episode 5 of Centerstand: A Motorcycle Industry Podcast, is brought to you by Kenda Tires. In this week’s episode, host Robert Pandya diagnoses the primary challenges in retaining youth riders with guests Jason Baldwin, Director of Powersports at Kenda Tires, and Ryan McFarland, Founder and Chief Enthusiast at Strider and Founding Board Member for the nonprofit AllKidsBike.org, and explore strategies to encourage youth riding enthusiasm and keep the joy of being a rider for decades to come.

Retaining Youth Ridership

● 00:00:00 00:00:25

o Host Robert Pandya introduces Episode 5, brought to listeners by Kenda Tires, and announces the focus of the conversation: retaining youth ridership.

● 00:00:00 00:01:48

o Meet the guests, Jason Baldwin, Director of Powersports at Kenda Tires, and Ryan McFarland, Founder and Chief Enthusiast at Strider and Founding Board Member for the nonprofit AllKidsBike.org.

● 00:00:00 00:10:00

o Jason discussed how Kenda gets in front of parents to encourage their kids to ride both motorcycles and bicycles.

● 00:00:00 00:11:32

o Jason discusses the importance of manufacturers working with the local community – dealerships, riding schools, camps, youth organizations – to encourage kids to ride in a fun atmosphere and how to explore the possibility of working with Kenda Tires.

● 00:00:00 00:16:00

o Ryan analyses modern hurdles to bringing kids into bicycling and the importance of the industry integrating organized kid-focused activities, such as soccer, into parent’s field of vision.

● 00:00:00 00:21:45

o Jason articulates the importance of electric serving as a jumping point from bicycling to motorcycling, and how the industry should market electric’s ability to bridge this gap.

● 00:00:00 00:32:17

o Jason shares his advice to the U.S. dealer base.

● 00:00:00 00:35:47

o Ryan shares his advice to the U.S. dealer base.

● 00:00:00 00:38:04

o Robert closes the episodes with his final thoughts and shares the details for Episode 6.

On episode 4 of Centerstand: A Motorcycle Industry Podcast, host Robert Pandya has a conversation with JP Stacey, Account Director of Experience at Match Marketing Group, and Grant Longenbaugh, General Manager of Janus Motorcycles, on facing the industry challenge of reaching new and young riders. The guests discuss how they’ve successfully reached new riders through various marketing techniques and give actionable advice on how to connect with these new buyers.

● 00:00:00 00:00:13

o Host Robert Pandya introduces Episode 4 where listeners will hear about Powersport industry challenges from aging core demographic to marketing strategies.

● 00:00:00 00:00:45

o Meet the guests, JP Stacey, Account Director of Experience at Match Marketing Group, and Grant Longenbaugh, General Manager of Janus Motorcycles.

● 00:00:00 00:01:42

o JP shares his experience with the Powersports industry including the launch of the Spider demos and the implementation and success of the Flo’s Chop Shop activation.

● 00:00:00 00:06:04

o Grant shares his background with Janus and how the direct-to-consumer model works for the brand.

● 00:00:00 00:09:43

o Grant continues to explain the Janus consumer demographics and how they cater to each of them in different ways.

● 00:00:00 00:13:47

o JP addresses the challenges in experiential marketing for dealers due to COVID-19 and how Match Marketing Group is pivoting to meet needs of powersports consumers.

● 00:00:00 00:17:50

o JP answers to the marketing tactics that are appealing to Millennials and Generation Z consumers.

● 00:00:00 00:21:42

o Grant adds to the discussion, positing that “one-size-fits-all” is not an effective approach for younger riders.

● 00:00:00 00:22:11

o Grant shares what type of Janus models appeal to younger/older demos, the types of questions they ask, and their preferred sales experience.

● 00:00:00 00:30:25

o JP adds the importance of breaking down stigmas in the industry to evolve with the new generation of buyers and lists successful trends/companies serving the younger demo.

● 00:00:00 00:37:19

o Grant shares his advice to dealers.

● 00:00:00 00:39:22

o JP shares his advice to dealers.

● 00:00:00 00:42:05

• o Robert closes the episodes with his final thoughts and shares the details for Episode 5.