How Is Turn 14 Powersports Revolutionizing Motorcycle Accessories?

February 3, 2025
How Is Turn 14 Powersports Revolutionizing Motorcycle Accessories?

The romantic image of a lone craftsman, hunched over a workbench, meticulously shaping metal with hand tools to create the perfect motorcycle accessory is ingrained in custom motorcycle culture. This image represents a time when trial and error, a keen eye, and a steady hand were the primary tools of the trade. While such craftsmanship still exists in race shops and custom builds, the reality of modern motorcycle accessory development is vastly different. Today, sophisticated design technology, advanced software for testing and analysis, and computer-controlled machining have revolutionized the process, delivering higher-quality products in significantly less time. Several of the larger accessory producers in the industry are at the forefront of this technological shift, leveraging the latest technology to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market.

Turn 14 Powersports has taken this approach to heart. With a portfolio of 12 brands, including well-known names like Kuryakyn, TwinPower, and Biker’s Choice, Turn 14 recognized the need for a dedicated space to drive new product development. Thus, its Innovation Center was born, serving as its central hub for product design, testing, and prototyping for all its brands. Digital design and engineering tools such as the SolidWorks package used by Turn 14 have become a critical part of the product design process. Here, a designer puts a new product through a stress test using sophisticated digital analysis within the software system.

Concept to Reality

Transforming initial ideas and two-dimensional sketches into precise 3-D digital models within SolidWorks is the first step in Turn 14 Powersports’ product development process. This step, aptly called “art to science,” allows engineers to virtually “fit” the new part onto 3-D scans of the target motorcycle. This digital fitment process is essential for ensuring compatibility with adjacent components and verifying both the cosmetic appeal and functional integrity of the design. Advanced digital tools and high-tech equipment found in cutting-edge machine shops are pivotal in this transformation phase, where meticulous attention to detail is crucial for success.

The process also incorporates Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a powerful method used to simulate the physical behavior of a part under various conditions, such as stress, strain, and temperature. By applying FEA, engineers can identify potential weaknesses in the design and optimize the part’s geometry and material selection for maximum strength and durability. This analysis gets even more complicated in accessories that may include mounting brackets, bolts, and a range of materials—such as aluminum, steel, and rubber—in the same motorcycle floorboard or hand grip. The meticulous process ensures that every part fits perfectly and can withstand the rigors of real-world use.

Prototype Development

After the digital models have been perfected in the concept phase, the next step is creating viable prototypes, which is where Turn 14 Powersports leverages the digital models created in step one. These prototypes can be created through various methods, such as in-house machining, 3-D printing, or collaborating with specialized prototyping partners. By employing diverse methods, Turn 14 ensures that the most appropriate prototyping technique is used for each specific project, whether that requires high-tech machinery or traditional hand fabrication. This phase is critical as it bridges the gap between digital concepts and physical reality, allowing engineers to scrutinize and refine the designs even further.

Traditional hand fabrication techniques are employed when necessary within the Innovation Center to ensure the prototypes are as accurate as possible. Machining techniques like CNC (computer numerical control) milling and the use of advanced scanning tools help create precise digital representations of popular motorcycle models. This high fidelity in modeling guarantees that the parts developed will not only fit perfectly but also perform exceptionally well under real-world conditions. The goal is to create prototypes that are nearly production-ready, streamlining the transition to full-scale manufacturing.

Comprehensive Testing

Modern motorcycle accessory development has changed dramatically. Nowadays, sophisticated design technology, advanced testing and analysis software, and computer-controlled machining have transformed the process, resulting in higher-quality products produced much faster. Major accessory manufacturers are leading this technological revolution, using advanced tools to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market.

Turn 14 Powersports embodies this modern approach. With a portfolio that includes 12 brands like Kuryakyn, TwinPower, and Biker’s Choice, Turn 14 saw the need for a dedicated space to foster innovation. This led to creating the Innovation Center, the core hub for product design, testing, and prototyping for all its brands. Using digital design and engineering tools, such as SolidWorks, Turn 14 can stress-test new products digitally within the software system, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

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