The Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket

By Bob Kay

The answer is NO. There will always be an Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket but the real question is “What will it look like”? Having been involved in the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket for over 5 decades I can tell you I have seen many adjustments and changes. In my last article I addressed the fact that change is inevitable and must be faced head on. It cannot be ignored but rather must be directed to favor our culture and riding preferences. The dumbest statement I have heard way too many times is “That will never happen”. If you ignore the introduction of legislation designed to restrict, control and minimize our lifestyle and preference to ride two wheels I suggest you have no right to complain when the ability to customize your motorcycle is reduced to paint and grips, increase your performance is only available at some unobtanium cost or hang with your brother and sister misfits that like to party the same way you do.

The first motorcycle trade show I attended was 1979 in Cincinnati. That show was mostly metric focused but there was still a fair representation of the V-Twin Aftermarket. During the 80’s the metric market struggled while the Harley market was building momentum to the introduction of the Evolution engine in 1984. The V-Twin Aftermarket became dominant in Cincinnati throughout the 90’s and when the metric focus regained strength the industry outgrew Cincinnati and the show was moved to Indianapolis in 1998. This move did not fare well for the V-Twin Industry and in the year 2000 Paisano Publications, the parent company of EZ Riders magazine, founded the V-TWIN Expo back in Cincinnati. The show served the V-Twin industry until 2017 at which time faltering economy would no longer support it. While many attempts were made to incorporate the V-Twin influence into trade shows the grand days of the V-Twin Expo were gone. Today there still are attempts to incorporate the V-Twin Influence but as the major motorcycle manufacturers focus on side by sides and electric power the IMA, Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket, has become the only organization to fight for our Right to Repair and Modify, the right to utilize Internal Combustion engines and the right to gather and ride with the brothers and sisters we love.

The IMA is constantly monitoring legislation and seeking relationships with other organizations to advance our agenda. Building a membership of substantial volume is critical to saving the values we so much believe in. The right to repair appears to be taken a very complicated path. Original manufacturers are opposing us by pricing needed software so only a few can afford, creating new designs that require dealer only maintenance. So, if certain legislation and practices go unopposed our customization will be limited, very limited. We will be able to paint, install grips and windshields, change seats and maybe still change handle bars, but I do remember a time when handlebars were limited.  Will electric replace internal combustion? Will motorcycles be required to have gyro balance capability? Will the number of bikers that gather in one area be limited? I don’t know what the future will bring but I do know I am going to continue the fight to protect the culture and lifestyle that always been a big part of my life. I know thing will change, they always do but I support the changes that support freedom.