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Erik Stephens, Director of eCommerce at BWI (parent company of brands like Twisted Throttle, DENALI Electronics and more), joins Momentum to share the evolution of rider-focused lighting products.

In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz talks with Erik about how a small group buy for motorcycle accessories eventually grew into Twisted Throttle, how DENALI Electronics became a leading name in motorcycle lighting, and how the brands continue to focus on helping riders.

Erik explains how real-world rider experiences, near-misses and customer feedback influence product development, from forward lighting to side visibility and CANbus-controlled accessories. He also breaks down homologation, why some aftermarket lights can be dangerous when improperly designed or installed, and what riders should understand before upgrading their motorcycle lighting.

The conversation also explores the business side of scaling enthusiast brands, including international growth, localized marketing, distribution, fulfillment and the importance of listening directly to customers at events like the BMW MOA National Rally and Touratech Rally.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Twisted Throttle started from a motorcycle accessory group buy
• How DENALI Electronics grew out of a need for better vehicle-specific lighting solutions
• Why rider safety is a major motivator behind DENALI product development
• The difference between seeing better and being seen by other drivers
• Why side and rear visibility are becoming bigger priorities for motorcyclists
• What homologation means and why street-legal lighting standards matter
• How CANbus technology changed motorcycle accessory installation
• Why real-world demonstrations help riders understand lighting performance
• What DENALI learns from customers at motorcycle rallies and events
• The challenges of scaling motorcycle and off-road brands internationally
• How rider needs differ between the U.S., Europe and Australia
• Practical starting points for riders who want to improve motorcycle visibility

📲 Connect with Erik Stephens via email

🌐 Learn more at DENALIelectronics.com

🌐 Learn more at VisionXOffRoad.com

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started.

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers.

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

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Chase Bailey, an independent sales rep in the powersports industry, shares how racing dirtbikes as a kid led him into dealership work, where he learned the value of relationships, product knowledge and connecting with customers. In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz chats with Chase about the role of independent sales reps, how the Powersports Rep Association helps open doors in the industry, and what it takes to represent multiple brands while supporting dealerships in a meaningful way.

From dealer-direct sales and merchandising advice to social media, customer experience and the realities of working on commission, this conversation gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at an often unspoken part of the powersports business.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Lessons learned from working in dealership parts departments
• What an independent sales rep does and how the role differs from working for one brand
• How the Powersports Rep Association helps individuals break into the professional side of the industry
• Why relationships and communication matter so much in sales
• Tips dealerships can use to better sell parts, accessories and apparel
• Why product knowledge, merchandising and social media can make a big difference
• Chase’s advice for anyone wanting to build a career in powersports

📲 Connect with Chase Bailey on Instagram

🌐 Learn more about the PRA at PowersportsRepAssociation.org

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started.

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers.

Support the show

-------------------------------------

Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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David Zelma, USA Country Manager for SW-MOTECH, has built a career around motorcycles, marketing and the aftermarket industry. In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz talks with him about his path from the custom Harley side of the industry to the adventure touring market.

David shares how an early piece of advice helped him choose a career tied to something he loved. The conversation also explores dealer education, motorcycle setup, the growth of smaller-displacement bikes, emerging e-bike riders and why hands-on product knowledge still matters in sales, marketing and leadership.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How David turned his love of motorcycles into a long career in powersports
• Lessons learned from the Harley, custom and performance aftermarket segments
• Why adventure touring became an exciting next chapter
• How bike fitment can make a major difference
• What sets SW-MOTECH apart in luggage, crash protection and rider accessories
• How dealer education supports both dealerships and riders
• David’s perspective on small-displacement motorcycles, Chinese brands and future riders
• Why technical product knowledge strengthens marketing and storytelling
• The role technology plays in modern motorcycles
• David’s favorite SW-MOTECH product and how he uses it every day

📲 Follow SW-MOTECH on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

🌐 Learn more at SW-MOTECH.us

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started.

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers.

Support the show

-------------------------------------

Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook