Motorcycle helmet satisfaction rises, increasingly buyers finding best deals online

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Arai Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Motorcycle Helmets for an 11th Consecutive Year

 

Arai ranks highest in satisfying motorcycle helmet owners for an 11th consecutive year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study released today.

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The study measures the overall satisfaction of motorcyclists with their new helmet in three key factors: ventilation, face shield, and design and styling; which consist of 11 attributes: quietness; ventilation/air flow; de-fogging; face shield ability to keep wind out; face shield ability to resist scratching; ease of replacing face shield; scratch resistance of shell; color/graphic design; weight; ease of fastening the strap; and fit and comfort.

With a score of 830 on a 1,000-point scale, Arai ranks highest and performs particularly well in the ventilation and design and styling factors. Shoei follows with a score of 815 and performs well in face shield. Icon ranks third overall with a score of 806.

“Arai continues to improve in the areas critical to customer satisfaction, which has further differentiated it from other manufacturers,” said Tim Fox, research manager of the powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Arai’s focus on fit and comfort—the most important consideration when purchasing a motorcycle helmet—and its ability to cater to different types of riders have given the manufacturer a consistent edge in satisfying customers.”

Overall satisfaction with motorcycle helmets has increased to an average of 766 in 2009—up 5 points from 2008—the highest level since the study’s inception in 1999.

The study finds that while the percentage of helmet owners who conducted research online before buying has remained relatively steady from 2008 at 36 percent, the proportion of helmet owners who purchased their helmet online has increased—up to 17 percent in 2009 from 14 percent in 2008. Additionally, those who purchased more expensive helmets ($200 or more) are more likely to both research and purchase their helmet online. More than one-half of these helmet owners researched online prior to their purchase, and 22 percent of them made their purchase online.

The 2009 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 4,600 purchasers of new 2008 model-year motorcycles who provided information about their most recent helmet purchase experience and helmet use. The study was fielded in September and October 2008.

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About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Aetna supports Rolling Thunder XXII

$25,000 Sponsorship to be presented during Rolling Thunder XXII “Ride for Freedom” on May 24th in Washington, D.C.

Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced a $25,000 sponsorship of Rolling Thunder XXII, which benefits Rolling Thunder® Charities Inc. Rolling Thunder XXII is an annual event held on Memorial Day that recognizes the sacrifices that veterans have made for our country, including Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action. Aetna will present the sponsorship to Rolling Thunder during the event this weekend in Washington, D.C.

“We are honored to support Rolling Thunder and the veterans they support through their various charitable and volunteer activities,” said Aetna President Mark Bertolini. “The Memorial Day holiday and Rolling Thunder XXII provide us all with the opportunity to recognize our brave veterans and thank them for their contributions to our country.”

Rolling Thunder® Charities Inc. is a non-profit organization created in 2007 to address the needs of veterans, active troops and their families. A national organization, Rolling Thunder is comprised of local chapters that work tirelessly to increase awareness of veteran’s issues and support legislative efforts to help veterans. The organization also spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in financial aid, food, clothing and other essentials to veterans, homeless veterans and veterans’ families in need.

Pennsylvania Governor acts to keep Harley-Davidson plant in York

Asks Top State Official to Meet with Company's CEO

Governor Edward G. Rendell, expressing a commitment to the future of Harley-Davidson's York plant, has directed his top economic development official to meet with the company's management and has put the full range of the state's economic development tools on the table.

In a letter yesterday to Harley-Davidson Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell, Governor Rendell noted the importance of the company's York manufacturing facility to the economy of south-central Pennsylvania and expressed his commitment to ensuring that the company remains a major employer in the region. Read more

Harley’s Chichlowski new chair of Motorcycle Safety Foundation board

Harley-Davidson's Julie Chichlowski has been appointed the new Chair of the Board for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). She succeeds former MSF Chair of the Board David Edwards, who retired in April of 2009 from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. after 38 years of service.

"We're really excited to have Julie take on the role of Chair of the Board for MSF," said MSF President Tim Buche. "Her track record in rider safety programs is exemplary; and we're seeing great synergies as a result of her guidance. For example, MSF worked closely with the Harley-Davidson Rider's Edge staff to pilot test two versions of an introduction to motorcycling RiderCourse, and the resulting data enabled us make to make an informed decision on which course to pursue."

Currently Director, Trike Platform, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Chichlowski began serving as a Member of the Board of Trustees in October 2007, was elected to the position of Vice Chair of the Board for the MSF in February 2009, and succeeded Edwards as Chair this past April.

"I'm honored to serve as Chair of the MSF Board of Trustees," said Chichlowski. "I look forward to working closely with my peers in the industry and the MSF staff to continue to promote the safety of motorcyclists."

Chichlowski joined Harley-Davidson in 1992 as a Manufacturing Engineer in Powertrain Operations, and since then has served in leadership roles in Powertrain Operations, Powertrain Engineering and Product Development, Corporate Strategic Planning, Product Plant Management, and Rider Services. She was Director of Rider's Edge for three years prior to her current role in Trike.

Harley-Davidson joins AMD’s World Championship of Custom Bike Building as title sponsor

H-D TO BACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF CUSTOM BIKE BUILDING

Harley-Davidson has signed on as an Official Partner of AMD's World Championship of Custom Bike Building and title sponsor of the Modified Harley Class.

"This deal came together very quickly and effortlessly," said AMD Publisher and World Championship owner Robin Bradley. "At all stages of the dialog Harley-Davidson has not only been mindful of the event's integrity and independence but repeatedly made it clear that its reputation was a primary factor in motivating them to want to find a way of helping support the Championship Program's aims.

"For me the hot news is that Harley's approach has been 100 percent supportive of our insistence on being able to manage the program without dependency on any one primary sponsor, and without any sponsor being able to buy influence over event policy. We made it clear from the outset that they would not be permitted to turn it into a company bike show," Bradley said.

"By having a market-driven approach to how it has developed the World Championship program, AMD Magazine has achieved its aims of building an event that genuinely showcases the cutting edge of customization," said Steve Earnshaw, Marketing Director, Harley-Davidson Parts & Accessories.

Harley-Davidson Museum honors American war heroes

WWII display opens at Harley-Davidson Museum

From May 22 through August 10, the Harley-Davidson Museum® will host a special display, One American Hero, telling the story of Staff Sergeant Wallace Van Sandt, a young motorcycle enthusiast who was killed in action during WWII. For decades, Wallace's family preserved his memory through his prized possession, a 1941 Harley-Davidson WLD Sport Solo, along with many other personal mementoes from his short life.
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