Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/813630
www.PowersportsBusiness.com MOTORCYCLE Powersports Business • May 1, 2017 • 27 The Piaggio Group celebrated its 130th anniversary on March 31 with an event at the Vetra Theatre in Milan, attended by chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno. The celebration was packed with significant moments and offered a window into the future of today's leading European player in light mobility. Those present included Jeffrey Schnapp, author of the book "FuturPiaggio" and AD of Piaggio Fast Forward, and Stefano Belisari, aka Elio, the front man of Elio e le Storie Tese who has always had a passion for classic Piaggio vehicles. Since the company was established in the second half of the 19th century, its history has been interwoven with the extraordinary economic, civil and cultural growth of Italy and Europe. With the creation of the Vespa scooter, and having designed and produced a wide variety of cargo and passenger vehicles, Piaggio has become a worldwide symbol of Italian industry, revolutionizing the concept of mobility. COLORADO, WYOMING RECLASSIFY LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR SLINGSHOT Polaris Slingshot has announced that Colo- rado and Wyoming are the latest states to reclassify its licensing requirements — allow- ing Slingshot drivers to operate the vehicle with a valid state driver's license instead of requiring a motorcycle endorsement or license. Drivers and passengers in Colorado and Wyoming under the age of 18 will still be required to wear a helmet, in accordance with the states' motorcycle helmet laws. Because of the unique three-wheeled con- figuration and unique characteristics of the Slingshot, determining how to classify it has been a challenge for state governments, which Polaris classifies as a three-wheeled moto- roadster. Initially, when it was introduced to the market in 2014, consumers were required to have a motorcycle endorsement or license to operate the Slingshot, which offers a distinct ride through its open cockpit and side-by-side experience. Currently, 30 states, including the District of Columbia, require only a driver's license to drive the Slingshot. The remaining states require a motorcycle endorsement, but efforts are being made to reclassify the vehicle to gain full conformity throughout the U.S. "As we educate state officials on the unique attributes of this category-creating Slingshot, they are realizing that the licensing requirement for the roadster are more similar to that of a driver's license than of a motor- cycle endorsement or license," said Rachael Elia, Slingshot marketing manager. "Our goal is to gain a unified classification across the country to provide more opportunity and driving freedom for consumers looking for the ultimate thrill experience." PSB DIGEST Piaggio Group celebrates 130th anniversary Roberto Colaninno, chairman and CEO of the Piaggio Group, celebrated the brand's 130th anniversary in Milan. HARLEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 opportunities to meet with other beginner riders who are riding for the first time. It's about bringing a community together that needs to know that they're not the only ones starting new, and the they're not the only ones who might be intimidated by the first ride," Prakash said. Cole Harley-Davidson already offers short group rides for Riding Academy alumni, and though the dealership's fol- lowup has been solid, Horne is increasing those efforts this season. "We used to average 40-50 students a year only a couple years ago, but then this last year we doubled that, so it was a really busy year for Riding Academy, and we don't want to let one of those students fall through the cracks," she said. "We're really focused as a dealership, all the departments, on keep- ing in touch, following up with those stu- dents, so that's one goal for this year is more intense follow up with them, more dedica- tion to it." Harley-Davidson's plans for the year include increasing the number of dealerships that offer Riding Academy, growing after-graduation mentorship programs and training another 65,000-plus new riders. "We're not really looking at numbers of trained as really the best metric, but really the best metric is the number that move into the sport," Prakash said. "We want them to not only graduate, but then also move into the sport in some manner and continue on their journey with motorcycling in general, and hopefully with us." PSB