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The 10th annual V-Twin Expo, held Feb. 5 through today in Cincinnati, Ohio, evidently could’ve been better.

“Attendance was down,” a friend of mine informed me via text this afternoon. “Exhibitor attendance way off. Bad really.”

The V-Twin Expo showcases vehicles, parts, garments & accessories, and offered more than 10 seminars repeating over the weekend. The trade show is run by Easyriders magazine, owned by Paisano Publications, LLC.

Held at the Duke Energy Convention Center, the event was not open to the public. Attendees were limited to motorcycle retailers, PG&A suppliers, vehicle manufacturers or members of the press.

Next up: Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Feb. 12-15.

Walking a motorcycle show, seeing so many two-wheelers in one place, makes my brain work overtime to remember everything I’ve learned and nearly forgotten about the brands involved.

Below are photo captions from the Minneapolis stop of the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show tour.

BRP’s Can-Am line of three-wheeled Spyder garnered more attention than the brand’s ATVs. For 2010, there’s the Can-Am Spyder RS (roadster sport) and new Spyder RT (roadster touring) models. Check out this luxury "RT-S" model with a trailer. One friend I ran into at the show said it was likely longer than his Excursion.

Like some of its Japanese and even European counterparts, Honda is showing 2009 model year sport ATVs. A number of companies have decided against bringing in 2010 models because of a backlog of ’09 stock. The Moriwaki 250 race bike powered by Honda. The sign says: “MSRP: $12,699. Available at participating Honda dealers.”  How about we in the U.S. get a CBR125R or a 250cc sport for the street?

Honda’s great idea: Showing the mileage that can be achieved via its scooters. Hmmm, why don’t we see Honda’s TV ads touting the same facts rather than relying on video of a motocross rider pulling a tail-whip over a triple? Scooters are inexpensive, fun, economical and practical for riders of all ages. I’m amazed more people in the U.S., particularly the warmer half, don’t use scooters in urban environments.

Finally, even a Yamaha guy wanted to feel the Honda VFR1200. It’s obviously a nice bike (really, what isn’t nowadays?) but I’m confident the past 20 years worth of VFR owners would’ve rather seen a pumped up Interceptor. This bike is neither a supersport nor a sport-tourer. So what is it? To me, simply a symbol of Honda’s V4 anniversary.

Suzuki was sticking to its race “heritage”, showcasing race quads and AMA sportbikes at its display. Check out the Mladin ride.

The GSX-R series, 600, 750 and 1000, continue to be popular, but it’s nice to see bikes like the TU250X being offered (where’s the GSX-R250R?). Too bad the Gladius and B-King haven’t proved more popular. The Gladius just hasn’t hit the same entry-level buyer as the SV650, and the B-King – RIP –evidently is still being marketed until its stock is depleted.

I walk by the Yamaha display and I look at the R series, the Star Warrior, FJR and FZ6R. My brother and I agree that the V-Max is of limited attraction to us. Straight-line power isn’t what we’re interested in. The FZ6R looks like two different bikes put together. Somehow, the front half to the gas tank doesn’t match proportionally to the back half. Nice to see the Rossi Limited Edition R1. It’s a $1,210 increase over the stock model, but there’s always someone willing to spend the extra coin. I’m surprised we don’t see more race replicas offered to the sportbike crowd. Every sportbike manufacturer should have one available.

Americans love big vehicles, and Kawasaki’s big ZX-14 and Concours 14 were popular attractions. Sign me up for a ZX-14 with hard luggage. Speaking of hard luggage … my brother recently purchased a KLR650. We’ve been looking at these bikes for many years. He finally pulled the trigger, outfitted it with crash protection and christened it on a two-wheeler camping trip to Colorado. Only good things to report.

I’m really enthused by Kawasaki’s motorcycle line-up. TheNinja 250 still is a tremendous attraction; the 250 supermoto is a nice small (too small?) displacement option; the KLR pretty much has the market cornered on reliable dual-sports at a very attractive price point; there are parallel twin 650s for sport, naked and commuter modes; and the big 1400cc bikes offer spectacular power. One thing missing: a mid-sized street-legal supermoto at a price point not much higher than the KLR.

Women on wheels. I found women a big percentage of visitors at two particular displays: Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki. I passed the Harley display several times. Each time, I noticed ladies aged 35 to 65 climbing aboard bikes. At Kawasaki, the female clientele proved a bit younger. Was this Buell Blast supposed to be a joke? 1) Buell wasn't planning to bring it back; 2) H-D closed Buell late last year.

Ducati has worked hard to solidify itself in the U.S. marketplace. Sheesh, think back to the operation in New Jersey earlier this decade. Now there’s better product offered in a wider price range, improved service and support, and increased branding. The Multistrada 1200 was the star of the display. Could we see a smaller displacement version next year? The new product is kick-ass, no doubt, but I’d still rather have a Sport Classic model (preferably the Sport 1000 S).

The Royal Enfield brand is imported and distributed exclusively by Classic Motorworks of Faribault, Minn. Visitors saw the Bullet Classic C5 and Bullet G5, both retro-looking models channeling 1950s styling but offering a newly designed, modernized Unit Construction Engine (UCE) and Royal Enfield's first electronic fuel injection (EFI). That means they’re now also approved for sale in California. 

I’ve ridden the Victory Touring Cruiser (TC), Vegas, Vision and Hammer S.  These bikes get better every time I’m on ‘em. Refueling is difficult, because of all the conversations the bikes acquire. I was lost in a sea of metric cruisers over at the displays of the Big Four from Japan. Here at Victory, it’s easier to comprehend the different families of bikes.

Have you seen CF MOTO’s latest side-by-side? I looked once, twice and three times before I decided this Chinese creation wasn’t a Polaris RZR. I’ve seen many, many, much more subtle rip-offs of the Yamaha Rhino. But this … this bit of reverse engineering (at least in design) is unbelievable.

Motorcycle Stunt Champion Aaron Colton is a Rock Star sponsored by Red Bull. The senior at Shakopee Senior High was mobbed by a gaggle of young men when he appeared at the Simply Sport Bikes booth to sign autographs.

I was glad to see so many people browsing and trying on product at the aftermarket product displays. Also, every time I passed The Hub stage there were people filling seats for the 10 product and riding seminars that were being offered.

Scooterville Minnesota, Bob’s Cycle Supply and Leo’s South were the three local dealerships that stepped up big to attend the show with a display. Scooterville and Leo’s represented companies that chose not to attend with a corporate display – Scooterville represented KYMCO and Leo’s displayed new BMW, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa. Bob’s sells parts, garments and accessories via a retail store and mail-order. GM Robert Jara says the business recently opened a second retail location and larger warehouse in Chisago, Minn.

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Show (IMS) is in my hometown of Minneapolis this weekend – the 10th of the show’s 12 stops during the 2009/2010 tour.

I’ll refrain from covering the mixed martial arts and hip-hop sections of the show and cover the event’s more important aspects: the vehicles.

CAN-AM

Can-Am chose Minneapolis as one of six IMS stops it is participating in. Standouts at the display include the 2010 Can-Am Spyder RS (roadster sport) and new Spyder RT (roadster touring) models. Released in response to consumer demand for a Spyder with a touring platform, the RT features 5.5 cu. ft. of cargo space, an electric windshield and touring saddle. Plus, there's also a hopped-up "Audio & Convenience" model, an all-out luxury "RT-S" model and even a trailer.

Spyder RT-S

DUCATI

Ducati has come out with a stable of new bikes during the past couple of years: the Hypermotard, Streetfighter, Desmosedici RR, 848, 1198 and Monster 1100. This year check out the all-new 150hp Multistrada 1200.

 Multistrada 1200 S

HARLEY-DAVIDSON

H-D is showing a seven model Touring family; an old-school chopper style Wide Glide that returns as one of five Dyna models; a darker and lower Fat Boy Lo; the evolved VRSC V-Rod joined by the V-Rod Muscle and Night Rod Special; the Sportster line highlighted by the recently introduced Forty-Eight; four CVO models highlighted by the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide; and the new Street Glide Trike that joins the Tri Glide Ultra Classic in H-D's Trike family for 2010.

 Forty-Eight

HONDA

Honda’s display has something for everyone. For scooterists, there's the already-popular-in-Europe SH150i and the returning, redesigned Elite; off-road enthusiasts can find a CRF250R with an all-new engine, the Big Red side-by-side and a multitude of updates to Honda ATVs; V-twin fans have the company's Fury to check out; sportbikers can inspect the new VFR1200F; and long-haul riders will want to look for Europe’s best-selling NT700V now available stateside, the V4-powered ST1300 and Gold Wings offered in a variety of new hues.

 NT700V

KAWASAKI

Over at the Kawasaki display, there’s the Ninja ZX-10R with upgraded suspension, transmission and bodywork; a Z1000 with a new chassis, engine and styling; the Versys featuring new bodywork, adjustable windscreen and revised passenger accommodations; a greatly enhanced Concours 14 that's now also available with ABS; the KLX110 with a new 111cc engine, transmission and push-button electric start; four models of Teryx 750 side-by-side; and a number of ATVs.

 Z1000

SUZUKI

Suzuki's selection of on-road two-wheelers for 2010 includes the world-famous Hayabusa; best-selling GSX-R series of sport bikes; standards like the Bandit, Gladius and neat little TU250X; dual-sports including the popular V-Strom 650 & 1000; more than 12 Boulevard cruisers; three models of Burgman maxi scooter; and one of my personal favorites, the DR-Z400SM supermoto. Off-road, there are revised RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 motorcycles; changes to the King Quad ATV line; and a selection of four-stroke sport quads.

 DR-Z400SM

VICTORY

At the Victory booth (Victory is participating only in the Long Beach, New York and Minneapolis shows) visitors can take a look at the company’s five families of motorcycle – the three Touring models, highlighted by the Victory Vision Tour ABS; the expanded 8 Ball Cruiser family; three models of Custom Cruisers; the two Hammer Muscle Cruiser models; and two Ness Signature models. Look for the Vegas LE. Like it? If so, act quick – only 100 will be made.

 Victory Vision 8 Ball

YAMAHA

Finally, at the Yamaha display, there’s the new-for-2010 YZF-R1 Limited Edition Valentino Rossi/Fiat Yamaha M1 replica; the R6 with a remapped ECU, new muffler and intake; the FZ1 revised to pack more punch; an updated Star Stratoliner Deluxe and V Star 1300 Tourer; and the completely revised YZ250F and YZ450F.  Also, Yamaha has a 17-model ATV line for 2010, highlighted by the all-new YFZ450X.

 YZF-R1 Limited Edition Valentino Rossi/Fiat Yamaha M1 replica

CAMPAGNA MOTORS

Campagna Motors produces the T-Rex  (MSRP: $52,000) a queer looking three-wheeler outfitted with a 1400cc Kawasaki engine and six-speed close-ratio gearbox that can achieve zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, climb to a top speed of 130 mph and carry lateral acceleration of 1.3 g. Founded in 1995, Campagna Motors underwent an ownership change in 2008, was injected with capital, early last year settled into a new 24,000-sq.-ft. headquarter facility in Montreal, and is now seeking to boost brand awareness.

 T-Rex

ROYAL ENFIELD

The Royal Enfield brand was founded in Redditch, England, but has been manufactured and headquartered in Chennai, India since 1955. The brand made an appearance at its “hometown” show (Royal Enfield is imported and distributed from a firm in Faribault, Minn.) with two all-new bikes: the Bullet Classic C5 and Bullet G5. The Bullet Classic C5 is a completely retro-looking model, channeling 1951 styling, but with a newly designed, modernized Unit Construction Engine (UCE) and Royal Enfield's first electronic fuel injection (EFI). The Bullet G5 is an updated G5 model that now also embodies the new UCE engine with EFI while retaining its 1955 image and style.

 Bullet C5

KTM wasn't represented, and other well-known brands like BMW, KYMCO, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Vespa and Triumph were included only in displays manned by local dealerships. Remaining IMS show stops include Chicago, Feb. 19-21; and Daytona, Fla., March 3-6.

IMS organizers say the 2008-2009 tour attracted 585,101 attendees. The top three most-visited stops included Chicago (74,384), Cleveland (66,083) and New York (64,523).

World Superbike (WSBK) Champion and Texas native Ben Spies was recognized in the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 4

"Mr. Speaker, here on the floor ... of the United States House of Representatives, tribute must be paid to the incredible achievement of a constituent of the First District of Texas, from Longview, he's already a legend, Ben Spies," said Congressman Louie Gohmert, R-Texas. "Ben Spies is to be congratulated upon his winning the 2009 FIM Superbike World Championship. He has no doubt blazed a trail for future successes with his steady hand, nerves of steel, and balance like nowhere found here in the House of Representatives."

The 2009 WSBK series saw Spies take 11 pole positions, win 14 of 28 races and claim the championship in his rookie year. Before contesting WSBK, Spies was the U.S. Superbike champion for three consecutive years.

Recognizing that owners of expensive Italian motorcycles weren’t responding well to the 600 mile first service interval on Ducati bikes, the OEM in 2007 launched a bid to further improve the brand ownership experience by aiming to reduce the frequency of needed service with its new models.

“Ducati Motor Holding has extended by 25 percent the maintenance service intervals giving us an opportunity to change the customer perception that our product is ‘high maintenance’,” Ducati wrote in a bulletin to dealer service managers in 2007 before promptly extending the service interval on its bikes to 7,500 miles.

Now, with an updated valve seat material in the new Testastretta 11° engine, the 2010 Multistrada 1200 goes 15,000 miles before the need for major engine service.

The 417-lb., 150hp Multistrada 1200 is scheduled to arrive in North American showrooms in April. The standard model (MSRP: $14,995) features optional ABS ($1,500). The flagship Multistrada 1200 S ($19,995) has ABS and Ducati Electronic Suspension by Öhlins as standard equipment. It also comes in ‘Sport’ edition, with specific components in carbon fiber; and in a ‘Touring' edition, with side luggage, heated grips and a center stand.

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. net income for its fiscal nine-month period ended Dec. 31 totaled ¥196.2 billion ($2.131 billion), down 38.1 percent compared to the same nine-month period during its 2008 fiscal year. Revenue for the recently ended period totaled ¥6.299 trillion ($68.4 billion), a decrease of 23.4 percent compared to the same period in ’08.

Honda sales of motorcycles and ATVs for the nine-month period ended Dec. 31 totaled 7.037 million units, a decrease of 13.3 percent compared to the same nine-month period in 2008.  Revenue from sales decreased 29.2 percent, to ¥805.1 billion ($8.742 billion), compared to the same period in‘08.

Honda forecasts motorcycle sales of 9.515 million two-wheelers for its business year ending March 31, down 599,000 units compared to sales for the same 12-month period last year.

Polaris Industries, Inc. has acquired the powersports portion of swissauto Wenko AG, a designer and developer of high-performance and high-efficiency engines

Founded in 1987 by Urs Wenger and Beat Kohler, swissauto's core capabilities are in developing, prototyping and manufacturing internal combustion engines. The company, based in Burgdorf, Switzerland, and 100 percent owned by Wenger, Kohler and two other associates, employs approximately 30 people in two locations - in Burgdorf, where design and development of engines and vehicle prototypes are the main focus, and at a site in Mellingen, where development, optimization and mapping of supercharging devices for the auto industry are main activities.

The Minnesota-based OEM acquired the powersports portion of swissauto and plans to continue to operate the business in Burgdorf. The automotive division of swissauto was not involved in the acquisition and will continue to operate autonomously.

The Burgdorf location includes two engine test benches; one rolling road test bench; several data acquisition and application tools; Unigraphics 3-D CAD systems used for design and modeling; integrated machining capabilities for prototype and small series parts; and a workshop for assembling and optimizing prototype parts and vehicles.

“Swissauto has industry leading powertrain design and development capabilities and a strong understanding of turbo-charging and high-performance engines,” says Polaris Chief Executive Officer Scott Wine, adding that the acquisition will further strengthen the company’s global engine and vehicle design capability while also enhancing the company's European presence.

Last week, during Polaris’ year-end investor’s conference, Wine said “international growth” would be a primary focus for 2010 and said the OEM would allocate more focus and resources on opportunities outside of the United States.

Swissauto Wenko AG Timeline

1989…Optimizes the Judd V8 engine for a Team Brabham F1 car, which obtains a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.

1992…Engine development and prototype manufacturing begin for the Swatch hybrid concept cars (Smart pre-project).

1995…Develops a two-stroke 500cc V4 engine for motorcycle GP racing. Obtains 29 wins and 41 pole positions.

1999…Develops a new engine for an MZ race bike to campaign in GP1 motorcycle racing. Obtains two pole positions and several top ten rankings.

2000…Development begins on the SA250 2-cylinder 4-stroke kart engine.

2003…swissauto’s MPE750 engine is used in the Polaris MSX personal watercraft.

2004…Polaris begins production of the FS / FST snowmobiles with swissauto’s Weber MPE 750 engine.

2005…Develops 4-stroke stand-up personal watercraft for Hydrospace.

2008…Production begins on a new high-performance single-cylinder engine for various applications.

swissauto's two-stroke 500cc V4 engine powered this MZ-badged GP1 race bike. The firm also developed engines for Polaris' MSX personal watercraft and four-stroke snowmobiles.

“The financial and economic crisis, which hit public finances, businesses, employment and households, took a heavy toll on the motorcycle industry in Europe, as well.”

That was the message representatives of 12 powersports vehicle manufacturers and 15 national associations in 13 European countries had for members of the European Commission during a meeting Jan. 28 in Brussels, Belgium.

The meeting between industry stakeholders and European policy makers was part of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers(ACEM) 6th annual conference. The industry representatives, among them the heads of KTM, BMW and Ducati, called for a common strategy to overcome the crisis and move towards recovery.

ACEM is a professional body representing the interests of the powered two-wheeler (PTW) industry in Europe. The annual conference provides the opportunity for policy makers, professionals and company managers to share an overview of the motorcycle sector and engage in discussions about topics that may shape the industry.

The recent conference, titled EU 2020: Which Industrial Policyfor the Motorcycle Sector?, included a panel featuring ACEM Secretary General Jacques Compagne; ACEM President and KTM CEO Stefan Pierer; ACEM Vice President and BMW Motorrad CEO Hendrik von Kuenheim; Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio; and Philippe Jean, head of the European Commission’s Automotive Industry Unit.

The European Commission is preparing to review proposals for new regulations impacting motorcycle design.

The motorcycle manufacturers 1) urged policy makers to outline a dedicated strategy for the short and medium term, calling for swift action to ensure that the European industry is in the best position when the recovery starts; 2) called for any new PTW regulations to be justified by a long-term perspective and a cost-benefit analysis; and 3) asked that the industry obtain a clear roadmap with sufficient lead time if the EU’s goals are to be achieved.

"We are pleased with the close collaboration established with the European Commission in the context of the future PTW regulation,” Compagne said following the conference. “The Commission has acknowledged the serious crisis faced by the industry, as well as the opportunities it represents for the European economy.”

Cycle sales in Europe in 2009 dropped an estimated 25 percent compared to 2008. ACEM says the motorcycle industry in Europe was “deeply affected” by the economic and financial crisis as a fall in demand for PTWs gave way to a decline in production and pressure on manufacturers and employment.

Read the entire ACEM conference report HERE.

As requested from LinkedIn subscribers, I’ve assembled the numbers associated with Japan’s export of powersports vehicles to Europe in 2009. I've also addressed two related queries.

EUROPE

As previously reported, Japan’s four major powersports vehicle manufacturers – Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha – in 2009 cut production 47 percent compared to 2008. Exports to the U.S. were slashed 57 percent.

According to figures supplied by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the Big Four’s exports to 27 European Union nations in 2009 totaled 201,519 units, down compared to shipments of 356,301 units in 2008.

Specifically, exports to France in 2009 totaled 49,853 units, down compared to 71,487 units in 2008; Germany, 31,972 units, down compared to 43,133 units; Italy, 35,568 units, down compared to 77,086 units; Spain, 13,082 units, down compared to 31,764 units; and the United Kingdom, 19,170 units, down compared to 27,179 units.

Production in Japan           ExportsTo Europe        Exports to the U.S.

2009 …644,901                    201,519                              160,655

2008 … 1.226 million           356,301                              372,362

2007 … 1.232 million           449,824                              455,139

2006 … 1.334 million           448,659                              596,507

2005 … 1.332 million           449,748                              567,367 

 “Is it in your opinion that U.S. people consider bikes less necessary in a downturn, while the love affair of Europeans with bikes is more solid?” asks Jose from LinkedIn.

In my opinion, the U.S. market has never viewed the motorized two-wheeler as a necessary mode of transportation. However, I don’t believe consumers in Europe think of cycles as a necessity.

Big displacement bikes are popular both in Europe and the U.S., but selling scooters in the U.S. happens to be like selling motocross bikes and ATVs in Europe. Popular in one place, but of a limited audience in another place.

Something Europe has that does aid two-wheeler sales: 1) licensing tiered by age and experience, and 2) extremely congested metropolitan areas.

Italy’s market remained “stable” in 2009, but only because of an incentive program that stoked scooter sales and left motorcycle sales to plummet 20 percent.

U.S. market figures set to be released later this month should show, at best, performance equal to what was experienced in Italy, Germany and the UK.

ASIA

Another LinkedIn subscriber, Gabriele, asked about Japan’s powersports vehicle exports to “Asia”.

Any good businessman knows the benefits of manufacturing a product close to its intended customer base.

So, while high-margin, relatively limited demand vehicles – the sportbikes, cruisers and touring machines – continue to be sent to customers in the U.S. and Europe from factories in Japan, in-country manufacturing has proved an asset for OEM’s doing business in many of the markets across the globe where millions of customers demand smaller, lower priced models (China, Indonesia, India and Brazil make up the four largest markets for powered two-wheelers).

Look at Honda: the OEM says its global cycle and ATV sales in 2009 totaled 15,042,000 units. Of that total, more than 11 million units were sold in Asia (mainly Indonesia) and more than 1 million units were sold in South America (mainly Brazil) – two spots on the globe where Honda has staked manufacturing facilities to help satiate demand.

So, in context of how Japan’s OEMs have changed their exports to nations like India, Viet Nam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. – Since Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha now supply many of those larger markets in Asia with product built in-country, their export numbers from Japan are limited and of course not a reflection of the market situation in those target export nations.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), Honda’s motorcycle production and sales subsidiary in India, recently introduced the 110cc CB Twister. HMSI plans to sell about 220,000 CB Twister annually!