THE BIGGEST MYSTERY OF THE PANDEMIC: MOTORCYCLES SALES SOAR

The warehouses of distributors like WPS are busy places this year.

According to the MIC and Lightspeed  DMS sales figures,  motorcycles sales were up 60.7% in May of 2020 versus May of 2019. Average revenue for motorcycle shops jumped up 51% over last year, while parts sales jumped 16.4 %. The only negative number was in the service departments which were down 6%. In addition to seeIing impressive and mysterious sales numbers are reports that aftermarket suppliers, distributors and and accessories companies are having the biggest sales months of their history in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

The most common explanation is that during the lockdown period, when people had nothing to do and no place to go, they turned to motorcycles for fun, exercise and a chance to get away from the world’s worries. Contributing on the street bike sales side was that public forms of transportation had been cut back in many regions and that commuters were wary of the crowded spaces of trains, planes and buses. Bikes represent a unique form of transportation that came with built-in social distancing.

The sales burst caught many motorcycle dealers off guard. They have reported selling out of lots of models, especially small play bikes, with no opportunity to refill their stories in a short time. No one predicted this and no one knows if it means a revival in motorcycling once the pandemic subsides.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE EUROPEAN ZOO: BIG GRAND PRIX CHANGES AFOOT

Trentino is one of four GPs that will be held in Italy in 2020.

An updated 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship was released on Friday, July 3, 2020 with a lot of surprises; Here is a quick list:

(1) NEW DATES: The new schedule boasts 15 confirmed GP races—down from 20 races at season’s start.

(2) TRIPLE HEADERS: Eight of those 15 races are being held at three tracks. The Kegums track in Latvia will host three GPs in seven days (Sunday, August 9, Wednesday, August 12 and Sunday, August 16). The Faenza track in Italy will have a double-header races on Wednesday, September 16, and Sunday, September 20. Lommel will host three consecutive GPs in Belgium on the same Sunday/Wednesday/Sunday cycle as Latvia on October 18, 21 and 25.

(3) SPECTATOR LIMITS: The first MXGP event, since the World Championship series was stopped after rounds one and two will be the AMA Supercross-like Latvian trio of races, but only 1000 spectators will be allowed to attend each of the three events.

(4) REJECTED NATIONS: Obviously with three nations taking up 8 of the 15 dates more half of the 2020 FIM World Motocross Championship will take place in three nations. Which countries got the axe? The Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Germany and, unless otherwise announced, Russia and Portugal don’t have dates and are iffy for 2020.

Matterley Basin will host the 2020 MXDN, but the USA is suppose to get it in 2022.

(5) MXDN ON THE MOVE: The 2020 Motocross des Nations at Ernee, France, has been canceled. It will move to England’s Matterley Basin track on the same ill-timed September 27th date. It is ill-timed because that date is in mid-season—with 7 GPs scheduled after it. Hardly the season-ending jubilee that the MXDN is known for.

(6) MXDN COMING TO AMERICA: Ernee will get the MXDN in 2023, but according to the MXGP organizers, Italy will have  it in 2021 and the USA will get it in 2022.

(7) AMA FORMAT: For the 2020 season, the MXGP race day schedule will be changed to the AMA National schedule. The 450 and 250 GP classes will be held on one day with timed practice in the morning and the main races starting at 12 Noon. No more Saturday qualifying races for gate pick on Sunday.

REVISED 2020 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Mar. 1…Matterley, Great Britain (Held)
Mar. 8…Valkenswaard, Holland (Held)
Aug. 9…Kegums, Latvia
Aug. 12…Kegums, Latvia
Aug. 16…Kegums, Latvia
Sept. 6.…Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Sept. 16…Faenza, Italy
Sept. 20…Faenza, Italy
Sept. 27…MXDN, Matterley, Great Britain
Oct. 4…Mantova, Italy
Oct. 11..Arroyomolinos, Spain
Oct. 18…Lommel, Belgium
Oct. 21…Lommel, Belgium
Oct. 25…Lommel, Belgium
Nov. 1…Trentino, Italy
Nov. 22…Neuquen, Argentina

BETTER THAN MULTI-COLORED GRAPHICS: A DECAL THAT ACTUALLY DOES SOMETHING

We can only hope that every 2021 KTM and Husqvarna comes with this informational sticker on the  forks of all their WP Xact AER forks. It answers a question that MXA  is asked every day at the track—”How much air is recommend for the forks on my bike.”

HAVE YOU SEEN THE AUGUST 2020 ISSUE OF MXA? SUBSCRIBING IS THE BEST DEAL IN  MOTOCROSS

In this issue, out this week, we testa full race Pro Circuit Yamaha YZ125 that we built for the World Two-Stroke Championships. We also had Doug Dubacj sheparad our GYTR-kitted YZ450F through its hop-up phase. Unwilling to leave well enough alone we herded up a bunch of kids to help us test a Stacyc electric balance bike, ask a kid to let us ride his full-race Supermini and not only resurrected a 2005 Honda CR125, but blew it up, while we were at it. If that wasn’t enough we interview Rocket Rex Staten to prove that we weren’t afraid of him.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO MXA SO THAT YOU NEVER MISS ANOTHER ISSUE OR SPEND A PENNY
If you subscribe to MXA you can get the mag on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google Play or in a digital version. Even better you can subscribe to Motocross Action and get the awesome print edition delivered to your house by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government. You can call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here (or on the box at the bottom of this page) to subscribe.

INDIA NOW OWNS MOST OF THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE BRANDS OF THE 1960s

The Indian motorcycle industry, which is huge, has been expanding their product lines by buying the nameplates and productions right to many of the world’s most famous motorcycle brands from the 1960s.

NORTON

Norton Atlas.

Norton, the iconic British motorcycle brand, was bought by TVS, one of India’s biggest two-wheel manufacturers. in an all-cash deal for $19.98 million dollars. The Indian firm took control of the 122-year-old brand and picked up where the cash strapped British management left off. TVS currently sells lots of mopeds, scooters and small displacement bikes in the Asian markets. It had previously partnered with BMW to manufacture the G310 GS and G310 models in India. The Norton Atlas, which was the model replaced by the Commando in 1962, is now the newest model in the Norton line-up and could be the first to see Indian production.

BSA

BSA Catalina Scrambler.

The Indian firm Mahindra has a subsidiary named Classic Legends Private Limited, and it acquired 100% of the BSA Company for $4.1 million. The $4 million purchase price seems outlandish, given that BSA licensing only returned $34,000 in apparel and marketing deals the year before. Mahindra is part of a growing trend for Indian-based companies to revive old brands for markets in Southeast Asia, South America and through partnerships with established Big Six companies (most notably KTM and Bajaj).

JAWA

Jawa.

Under communist rule after WWII, Jawa absorbed both ESO Motorycles and CZ under one umbrella company. But none of the three Czech brands could stay competitive and faded from the American scene. Mahindra signed a deal to build Jawa motorcycles at its facility in Pithampur. India has log history with Jawa going back to when Jawa India Ltd. produced Jawa-licensed street bikes for the 1960-70s domestic market, but after Jawa India folded Mahrindra’s Classic Legends bought the rights to the Jawa name in India and used the already in service Mahindra Mojo engine to power the bikes that were built in a former Honda factory in Pithampur —now run by Mahindra.

ROYAL ENFIELD

Royal Enfield Classic.

From 1901 to 1970 Royal Enfield was a British brand. It sold millions of motorcycles and even licensed their designs to other countries, including India, which produced copies of several famous Royal Enfield models, most notably the Bullet, for the Commonwealth market. During the decline of the British motorcycle business in 1970, Royal Enfield went out of business. Except, no one noticed that the India licensee kept right on producing Royal Enfields in the droves. Today, 45 years after Royal Enfield folded in England, the Indian firm sells 300,000 Royal Enfield machines a year.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ASTERISK CELL KNEE BRACE LINE

ASTERISK ULTRA CELL 3.0 KNEE BRACE

Asterisk’s all-new Carbon Cell 1 (CC1) is an example of our dedication to making the finest quality, fitting and performing knee braces in the world. The CC1 is manufactured from Military Spec and Aerospace grade carbon fiber pre-preg that is made in America, the finest in the world. Retail price $679.15 (pair).

ASTERISK CELL KNEE BRACE

.With continued support of the current Ultra Cell, we have trimmed down the profile of the cuffs and liners on the Ultra Cell 3.0 to allow independent adjustment for the best comfort and support. Although many of our customers have been extremely satisfied with the Ultra Cell with the BOA system, we felt it necessary to focus on a lower profile model. Retail price $619.15 (pair).

ASTERISK CELL KNEE BRACE

The Asterisk Cell Knee is built on more than 10 plus years of time-tested and proven designs. Several patented design concepts come together in unison to create the Cell knee system: the adjustable A.R.C. Cuff has the ability to be totally adjustable, yet remain rigid; simple and low profile. The rolling-gliding hinge follows the natural movement of the knee, while the tibia plateau-capturing frame design provides strong, yet lightweight protection. A brace-to-boot tether attachment helps prevent lower leg rotation. Retail price $594.15 (pair).

ASTERISK JUNIOR CELL KNEE BRACE

Riding and racing motorcycles is serious business – even for the kids. There is no doubt their growing knees need and deserve protection, and the Asterisk Junior Cell Protection System is ready to do the job. Revolutionary design meets simple, stress-free fastening to create a comfortable and user-friendly brace for the Pros of tomorrow. Sometimes the bike needs protection too so we’ve added a special guard to the hinge area—your riding pants and tank graphics will thank you. Retail price $296.65 (pair).

ASTERISK MICRO CELL KNEE BRACE

The Micro Cell is designed for young rider between 5 to 10 years old, depending on size and weight. This is the first of Asterisk’s “Slim Line” of carbon knee braces. The Micro Cell has an epoxy pre-preg carbon frame, made in our factory in Corona, California, with a full coverage patella cup and hyperextension stops ranging from 0 to 30-degrees (similar to the Junior Cell brace). It is also equipped with a true motion hinge. This brace offers rigid lateral arms for the best support and lowest profile. Retail price $296.65 (pair).

For more information go to www.asterisk.com

MOTOGP RACER ANDREA DOVIZIOSO BREAKS COLLARBONE AT MOTOCROSS RACE

Andrea Dovizioso.

Ducati factory road racer Andrea Dovizioso sustained a left collarbone injury at the Monte Coralli motocross track in Faenza province, Italy. Like many Italian road racer,s including Valentiono Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso likes to race motocross and reportedly was given permission by Ducati to attend the race—although there are reports that the higher-upa at Ducati had no idea that he was doing it. Andrea hopes to be ready for the first round of the 2020 MotoGP scheduled on July 19 at Jerez de la Frontera. To get back on his bike as soon as possible, Dovizioso, had immediate surgery to put a plate on the injured collarbone to speed up his recuperation in time for the first 2020 MotoGP race in Jerez.

Andrea Dovizioso said, “The surgery went well, and I want to thank all the medical team that did the operation so quickly. I don’t feel much pain, and that makes me very optimistic. I came home this morning, and during the afternoon, I will plan my rehabilitation. I am confident that in these weeks I will be able to recover and that I will be in full shape in time for the first 2020 GP in Jerez.”

Dr. Giuseppe Porcellini said, “We proceeded with the internal fixation of a plate with six screws with anatomic reduction and, from a mechanical point of view, we are delighted with the outcome of the operation. I want to thank the Direction of the Policlinico di Modena that made the operating room available in three hours, and all the staff who made possible to perform the surgery quickly.”

TAKE THE MXA 2020 READER SURVEY & HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN FREE THOR GEAR!

Please fill out the entire survey. Click here to start

Score free head-to-toe Thor gear now! Complete our reader survey we’ll take your input to help improve future web and monthly print content of Motocross Action. One lucky winner will be chosen at random to receive a free gear ensemble from Thor (style and/or color may vary). This year’s Thor (www.thormx.com) gear giveaway includes the following: Prime Pro jersey and pants, Sector Split with MIPS helmet, Radial boots, Sniper Pro goggles, and Agile gloves. That’s $750 worth of products, so don’t miss this opportunity to win all this stylish gear for free! Fill out the entire survey!

MXA AD OF THE WEEK: AT FIRST GLANCE…

At first glance this looks like an ad for a 50cc Solex two-stroke powered bicycle. But look again. It is actually an ad for Full-Bore 2-Cycle SAE #30 oil injection oil. That’s odd because Solex engines did not have oil injection systems—they ran on pre-mix, which on this bike was held in the top tube of the bike’s frame (note the gas cap on top of the tube). Full-Bore SAE # 30 sold for 95 cents a quart back in 1973 .

CLASSIC MOTOCROSS PHOTO: WHEN TRAVIS WAS THE KING OF THE X GAMES

Look on the ramp at the far left. That is Travis Pastrana dropping in at the 2004 X Games in Los Angeles. The next seven shots are of travis doing a 360-degree whip to a slightly askew landing (bottom) right).

CELEBRATE THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS & THE 4TH OF JULY

July 2…Randy Skinner 1958
July 3…Steve Stackable 1954

July 3…Marland Whaley 1958
July 3…Jacky Martens 1963

July 3…Paul Carpenter 1981
July 4…Billy Mackenzie 1984

July 4…Dean Ferris 1990
July 4…Scott Champion 1989

July 5…Lars Larsson 1941
July 5…Kyle Cunningham 1989

EVERY 2020 AMA SUPERCROSS WINNER AT A GLANCE

Eli Tomac got the Cup, the million dollar bonus and the monkey off his back by winning in his 7th try.

Venue                                         450                             250

1. Anaheim 1…………………Justin Barcia………..Justin Cooper (West)
2. St. Louis…………………….Ken Roczen…………..Austin Forkner (West)
3. Anaheim 2………………..Eli Tomac………………Dylan Ferrandis (West)
4. Glendale…………………..Ken Roczen…………..Austin Forkner (West)
5. Oakland……………………Eli Tomac……………….Dylan Ferrandis (West)
6. San Diego…………………Cooper Webb……….Dylan Ferrandis (West)
7. Tampa……………………….Eli Tomac……………….Shane McElrath (East)
8. Arlington………………….Eli Tomac……………….Chase Sexton (East)
9. Atlanta……………………..Ken Roczen…………….Chase Sexton (East)
10. Daytona…………………Eli Tomac………………..Garrett Marchbanks (East)
11. Salt Lake City #1……Eli Tomac………………..Shane McElrath (East)
12. Salt Lake City #2……Cooper Webb…………Shane McElrath (East)
13. Salt Lake City #3…….Eli Tomac………………Chase Sexton (East)
14. Salt Lake City #4...…..Eli Tomac……………….Austin Forkner (West)
15. Salt Lake City #5…….Ken Roczen…………….Austin Forkner (West)
16. Salt Lake City #6……..Cooper Webb……….Chase Sexton (East)
17. Salt Lake City #7……..Zach Osborne………Chase Sexton (East)
450 Supercross Champion…Eli Tomac
250 West Champion…Dylan Ferrandis
250 EastChampion…Chase Sexton

IN THE BOOKS: FINAL AMA SUPERCROSS POINT STANDINGS

Eli Tomac.

FINAL 2020 AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(after 17 of 17 events)
1. Eli Tomac (Kaw)…384
2. Cooper Webb (KTM)…359
2. Ken Roczen (Hon)…354
4. Jason Anderson (Hus)…287
5. Justin Barcia (Yam)…272
6. Zach Osborne (Hus)…252
7. Malcolm Stewart (Hon)…252
8. Dean Wilson (Hus)…239
9. Justin Brayton (Hon)…227
10. Justin Hill (Hon)…213

Chase Sexton.

FINAL 2020 AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(after 9 of 9 events)
1. Chase Sexton (Hon)…218
2. Shane McElrath (Yam)…209
3. Jo Shimoda (Hon)…122
4. Garrett Marchbanks (Kaw)…119
5. Enzo Lopes (Yam)…107
6. Jeremy Martin (Hon)…105
7. Jalek Swoll (Hus)…104
8. Kyle Peters (Hon)…94
9. Pierce Brown (KTM)…92
10. R.J. Hampshire (Hon)…80

Dylan Ferrandis.

FINAL AMA 250 WEST SUPERCROSS STANDINGS
(After 9 of 9 rounds)
1. Dylan Ferrandis (Yam)…200
3. Justin Cooper (Yam)…180
3. Austin Forkner (Kaw)…176
4. Brandon Hartranft (KTM)…158
5. Michael Mosiman (Hus)…139
6. Alex Martin (Suz)…124
7. Derek Drake (KTM)…120
8. Mitchell Oldenburg (Hon)…109
9. Luke Clout (Hon)…106
10. Jett Lawrence (Hon)…97

PASHA 125 OPEN TWO-STROKE RACE ON JULY 12 AT GLEN HELEN

The Pasha 125 Open Two-Stroke race will be held in conjunction with the SoCal Old Timer’s  on Sunday July 12th on Glen Helen’s main track. You don’t have to belong to the Old Timer’s Club to race, but you do have to have a two-stroke.

2020 GREAT PLAINS VINTAGE MOTOCROSS SERIES: JULY 19, AUG. 9 & OCT. 11

For more information about the Great Plains Vintage Series go to www.greatplainsvintagemx.org

THE 32:1 PREMIX CLASSIC COMING TO LAST CHANCE RACEWAY ON SEPT. 11-13

For more information about the September 11-13 race in Montana go to www.lastchancemx.com.

2020 WISECO WORLD TWO-STROKE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2020

For more information go to www.glenhelen.com

40TH ANNUAL CZ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 9-10 AT MARYSVILLE

Dating back to 1980 when MXA’s Jody Weisel, Ketchup Cox and Pete Maly talked Saddleback Saturday promoter Jim Beltnick into holding a CZ race, the CZ World Championship is now on its 40th anniversary in 2020. For more information go to www.czriders.com

36TH ANNUAL WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOVEMBER 6-8: START PLANNING NOW

For more information go to www.worldvetmx.com

AIM EXPO CHANGES ITS DEALER SHOW FROM OCTOBER TO JANUARY, 2021, IN COLUMBUS, OHIO

The American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) will change the date of the 2020 motorcycle show from October 2020 to Jan. 21-23, 2021. It will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. The 2021 show will now focus on retailers over three days instead of four. For 2021, AIMExpo will become a trade-only event. The transition to trade-only will bring more focus on industry needs and education. AIMExpo hope to educate dealers on improving efficiency, staying competitive and enhancing the bottom line.

BORED AT HOME? TRY FREE ACCESS TO MXA DIGITAL EDITIONS FOR FREE, FREE FREE, FREE FREE FREE

Click here or on the above photo to get your free digital issues.

THE EVER CHANGING 2020 RACE SCHEDULES

The AMA National Motocross Championship got to within 18 days of holding its first race in Crawfordsville, Indiana, but that plan fell through. It looks like the first AMA National will now be August.

TENTATIVE AMA NATIONAL  MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
TBA…Crawfordsville, IN
TBA..Jacksonville, FL
TBA…Washougal, WA
TBA…Mt. Morris, PA
TBA…Southwick, MA
TBA…Red Bud, MI
TBA…Lakewood, CO
TBA…Unadilla, NY
TBA…Hurricane Mills, TN
TBA…Millville, MN
TBA…Budds Creek, MD
TBA…Pala, CA

REVISED 2020 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 1…Matterley, Great Britain (Held)
Mar. 8…Valkenswaard, Holland (Held)
Aug. 9…Kegums, Latvia
Aug. 12…Kegums, Latvia
Aug. 16…Kegums, Latvia
Sept. 6.…Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Sept. 16…Faenza, Italy
Sept. 20…Faenza, Italy
Sept. 27…MXDN, Matterley, Great Britain
Oct. 4…Mantova, Italy
Oct. 11..Arroyomolinos, Spain
Oct. 18…Lommel, Belgium
Oct. 21…Lommel, Belgium
Oct. 25…Lommel, Belgium
Nov. 1…Trentino, Italy
Nov. 8…TBA, Indonesia
Nov. 22…Neuquen, Argentina

2020 FIM MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Sept. 27.…Matterley Basin,Great Britain

REVISED 2020 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 25-26…Courtland, ON
Aug…1-2…Chatsworth, ON
Aug. 15-16…Walton, ON
Aug. 29-30…Sand Del Lee, ON
Sept. 5-6….Deschambault, QC

REVISED 2020 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 9…Connondale. QLD
Aug. 6…Maitland, NSW
Sept. 16…Newry, VIC
Sept. 12…Horsham, VIC
Oct. 4…Gympie, QLD
Oct. 11…Coolum, QLD

2020 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 3-8….Hurricane Mills, TN

2020 WISECO WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Oct. 3…Glen Helen, CA

2020 MONSTER ENERGY CUP
Oct. 10…Carson, CA

REM OCTOBERCROSS
Oct. 31…Glen Helen, CA

2020 DUBYA WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 6-8…Glen Helen , CA

JOIN MXA’S FLIPBOARD PAGE

If you use Flipboard make sure to subscribe to the Motocross Action page for all the updates on our website. Click HERE to check out the page.