There's something very pleasing about well thought out, designed and functioning parts such as the AMP Research PowerStep Motorized Running Boards. These Made in the USA Running Boards feature integrated LED Lights, high-strength anodized and coated die-cast aluminum-alloy linkage arms, precision zero-maintenance stainless-steel pivot pins, extruded aluminum steps with a textured powder-coat finish for maximum grip and durability, 1200 lb total load capacity, weatherproof OEM-quality electric motors and wiring harness with sealed weather-tight connectors, and a 5-Year/60,000 Mile warranty. As the saying goes, "a picture (or a video in this case) is worth a thousand words!" Take a look at this video for a neat summarization of everything pointed out abo...
Read MoreHorst Leitner, who founded AMP Research in 1980 and was also the owner, began his long affiliation with the motorcycle and automotive world competing in off-road motorcycle racing. Mr. Leitner's first project after completing his engineering studies in Graz Austria was to improve the suspension function of the motorcycles he raced. His innovations include the A-Trak and AMP-Link chain-torque eliminators, which are designs that made great improvements in ride quality, handling and performance of on and off-road motorcycles, and eventually of ATVs. Horst Leitner relocated with his family to Southern California, which was the center of the motorcycle industry, and lived in a motor home in Tustin, California while he built his own company, ATK Motorcycles. Several ATK innovations had a major impact on the design of off-road motorcycles of the time with their unique combination of four-stroke power, smooth chain-torque-free suspension and electric starting. During this time Leitner engineered a braking and transmission system for Polaris snowmobiles and a 125 cc motorcross motorcycle prototype for KTM which in turn became the catalyst for the current linkage-free rear suspension on today's KTMs. In addition, he originated the EZ-Pull clutch device for Harley Davidson motorcycles. Eventually Leitner sold his interest in ATK so that he could concentrate on AMP Research bicycle, motorcycle and automotive products. In the 1990s Leitner focused on forward-thinking designs in the mountain-bike world, leading to the creation of the now renowned AMP Research full-suspension bikes. Later Leitner licensed the Horst-link technology to Turner and Specialized Bicycles, which became the design foundation for their full-suspension mountain bikes. In 1998 Horst Leitner focused primarily on the automotive world, where they innovated the Bed X-Tender, alloy fuel-filler doors, PowerStep power-deployed running boards and BedStep for climbing into the bed of a pickup. AMP Research now has been relocated to a 40,000-square foot engineering, R&D, adminstration and manufacturing facility in Irvine, California.
