Ducati

Ducati starts its engines again - new motorcycles due at dealers soon

Ducati started up production again at its Borgo Panigale, Bologna factory on April 27 and says that sales are strong and that its dealers are short of bikes.
A company press release stated that the company had recalled the minimum possible number of employees necessary to carry out production and research activities and that they must "comply with a rigid safety protocol developed together with the RSU and subject to a specific agreement. Masks will be mandatory for everyone, regardless of distancing".

CEO Claudio Domenicali stated: "It is absolutely essential to pay close attention to strict compliance with safety procedures - the virus has not disappeared. The work done jointly with the Emilia-Romagna region has been important. It will be an extremely difficult year, but starting up again is still a beginning; we have a lot of orders for the Streetfighter V4, for the Multistrada GT and for the Panigale V2.
"The motorbike is a perfect vehicle for 'phase two': no parking problems and distancing guaranteed; safety and fun at the same time."
The company went on to explain that "this is a first phase of return, which at the moment will only involve some of the workers needed for the production lines. Workshop staff will begin first, then engine assembly workers and, from Tuesday 28 April, motorcycle assembly workers. As for employees, the use of smart working will remain mandatory, only those who are not in a position to carry out their work from home will be allowed to access the factory.
"All resources employed in the commercial, marketing, IT, personnel management, finance, purchasing and logistics areas will therefore be working remotely. The production has been reorganised, going from an eight-hour shift to two seven-hour shifts to allow the minimum number of people to be inside the plant at the same time and thus minimise possible contact.
"R&D technicians who could not work from home were already at work as allowed by the specific ATECO code: therefore the engineers of the engine test rooms, those who carry out motorcycle tests and those who carry out laboratory testing, are all present at Borgo Panigale." 
Domenicali said that "we are ready to go, we have worked hard over the past few weeks to minimise any risk. Despite this we will have to be extremely cautious and rigorous. The virus is still in circulation and we must therefore be careful to combat any possible form of transmission. We will obviously adapt the protocols to the evolution of the health situation and to the indications given by the state and the Emilia-Romagna region.
"The two-wheel market is highly seasonal, and the stop to production in March and April has already had negative effects on sales. The Chinese market is already booming, sales in Korea and Japan are doing well. In Germany, dealers have been open for a week and we already have a major shortage of product. I really believe that this restart can allow us to reduce at least in part the negative effects of the lockdown that we were forced to respect, unfortunately at the worst time.
"I want to thank all Ducati employees who have patiently and collaboratively managed this difficult phase and are supporting us in the management of the restart."

MCIA

2020 UK PTW market forecast assumes Euro 4 'end of series' delay

The MCIA, the UK motorcycle industry trade association, had taken the unusual step of releasing a forecast (April 27) for the 2020 Powered Two-Wheeler (PTW) market in the United Kingdom, based on what it sees as a likely response to loosening of restrictions as the country emerges from the worst of the Covid-19 outbreak.

"After an extended period of market growth, which saw PTWs buck the downward trend established by other retail sectors and post year-on-year growth for both 2019 and 2018, MCIA forecasts a fall in sales for 2020, entirely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"January and February 2020 both posted higher registration figures than the corresponding months of 2019, a trend that carried on into the early days of March. However, the arrival of the lockdown all but stopped PTW sales and March overall was down -21% on 2019, with Quarter 1 down -12.2%.
"Assuming an ease to the lockdown measures by mid-May and a return to something approaching normality by the start of Q3, MCIA predicts a Q2 fall of around -58%, with the third quarter regaining some ground, to show an increase of +7.7% versus 2019.
"With Q4 predicted to return a modest rise on last year, MCIA sees the full year down -18.2% against last year with 87,897 units registered (there were 107,408 units registered in 2019).
"Although it is anticipated that all segments of the PTW market will be affected, small capacity commuter and delivery PTWs are expected to fare better than larger, leisure orientated products."
The MCIA went on to say that these figures assume a 12-month postponement of the end of series regulations for Euro 4 vehicles. MCIA, ACEM and all other European industry associations have requested a delay to the end of series due to the existing impacts on the market caused by Covid-19. 

WRS

BMW WSBK team chooses WRS screens

The BMW World Superbike team has signed specialist Italian windscreen manufacturer WRS as its Windscreen Technical Partner for the 2020 season.

Made in Italy using state-of-the-art manufacturing, advanced design techniques and high quality acrylic, WRS is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and announced their partnership with BMW at EICMA last year - adding to an impressive line-up of collaborations that also includes Pramac Racing (Ducati MotoGP) and Team SIC 58 Squadra Corse (Moto3) and the GRT Yamaha Racing Junior WSBK team.
"We are very happy to be invited to partner with a prestigious team like BMW, and very proud they chose us for our 'Made in Italy' product quality and designs," said Nicolas Zavoli, CEO of WRS.

"We combine new technologies for design and development with the use of certified materials with the best parameters of resistance and transparency. All our products are designed with the utmost attention to detail and checked one by one to give our clients a product of the highest quality with 100% 'Made in Italy' precision.
"We will do our best to help all the teams we support and will use all our experience and resources to work with them to develop winning products - this experience will also allow us to improve the quality of our street use screens still further."
One example is the new range of designs for the BMW F 900 XR. Manufactured in high quality 3 mm or 4 mm thick DOT626 approved PMMA plexiglass (subject to application), which is the same material WRS uses for its world championship fairings, such as for the Ducati Pramac MotoGP team and Sic58 Moto3 team.
Available as standard replacements or in Touring or Sport styles for the F 900, in a selection of clear, smoke or matt black finish, "our precision designs are conceived to fit perfectly and to enhance the design lines of the bike for an improved appearance".
www.wrs.it

News Briefs

Indian Motorcycle's new Challenger model is equipped with the Metzeler Cruisetec tyre as stock fitment - "with 122 hp and 128 ft-lbs of torque, the Cruisetec's performance characteristics will stand up to the demands the Challenger rider will inflict on the road," says Metzeler.

There is confusion in the UK concerning the Government's announced plan to bring its ban on sales of internal combustion (and Hybrid platform) vehicles forward to 2035. The UK Department of Transport has now said that the new date is merely a consultation date and that it would not include motorcycles after all. Presumably they would be banned as of the original 2040 date - but there is no clarity, and the MCIA in the UK points out that the UK Government could decide to include motorcycles at any time of its choosing without consultation.

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has announced that South Korea has doubled the number of industrial robots it has in operation within the past five years to 300,000, and now ranks third globally behind Japan and China.

There has been a shake-up in the fiercely competitive UK motorcycle insurance market, with Bennetts Insurance coming under the same ownership (Ardonagh Group, through its Atlanta Investment Holdings subsidiary) as its long-time rival Carole Nash Insurance.

 

The IVM in Germany has called on the German authorities to exempt automotive and motorcycle workshops and bicycle shops from the closure regulations. It cites mobility as crucial for coping with the coronavirus crisis and that use of cars, bicycles, scooters and motorbikes can minimise the risk of infection and relieve public transport.

The 2020 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) Show will be staged at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Tuesday 3 November through Friday 6 November 2020.

Car firm SEAT has unveiled its first ever motorcycle - "an electric vehicle which could cost the average biker just £1 per week in running costs". Power is from a 11 kW motor, which is equivalent to a 125 cc petrol engine, and gives it a 0-31 mph (50 kph) time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 62 mph (100 kph), with a range of 71 miles between charges.

In USA data from IHS Markit shows a 41% decline in national automobile registration volume on a week-over-week basis for the week of March 23. The states experiencing the most significant deterioration in automobile volume are New York (-85%), California (-78%), Texas (-43%) and Florida (-16%). Automotive production for North America is projected to fall by -2.3 million units to 14.1m units for 2020; with European automotive production expected to decline by -3.0m units to 18.1m in 2020.

 

Benelli QJ (Pesaro, Italy) has donated two pulmonary ventilators and 1,000 Tyvek suits (high protection material) to the Pessaro Committee of the Italian Red Cross and 3,500 Tyvek suits to the Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord hospital. Benelli was founded in Italy in 1911, initially as the Benelli Garage repair shop. It was bought by Qianjang Group (Geely) in 2005.

When the calendar permits, Putoline is going racing.  The Dutch oil specialist has announced partnerships with long-term partner the EAB Ten Kate Racing team in the WSS 600 cc class with Steven Odendaal on a Yamaha YZF R-6 and Glenn van Straalen in the WSSP300 series on the YZF R-3; and with Gebben van Venrooy Racing, a Yamaha supported MXGP team with riders Alessandro Lupino, former Junior Motocross World Champion, and two MXGP rookies Thomas Covington and Calvin Vlaanderen. All three will represent Putoline Oil in the MXGP class on a YZF450F Yamaha.

Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW. electricmotorcycles.news

Honda

Honda

Scooter production at Honda's Atessa/Chieti (Abruzzo) factory in Italy has been suspended until further notice and a planned test launch for a new SH125 cancelled.
The company continues to bask in the glory of having produced over 400 million motorcycles and scooters, over 100m of them 'Super Cub' models, while continuing to garner plaudits for the CB4X inline four concept it unveiled at EICMA - a "blend of Sport and Touring with a healthy dash of Crossover from the imaginative pen of Valerio Aiello and his team of young designers".

CB-F Concept

In March Honda announced an online world premiere for its CB-F Concept, which had been planned for appearance at the 36th Osaka Motorcycle Show 2020 and the 47th Tokyo Motorcycle Show; recent design awards include a Red Dot for the 2020 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
For the three months ended December 31, 2019, Honda reported motorcycle segment revenue of 530,227m yen for a segment profit of 74,527m yen, up against revenue of 530,227m yen and profit of 69,537m yen in the year ago quarter.
For the nine months to December 31, 2019, Honda reported motorcycle segment revenue of 1,585,770m yen for a segment profit of 246,711 million yen, down against revenue of 1,610,740m yen and profit of 246,711m yen in the year ago period.
In volume terms, Honda reports Group Unit Sales of 15,038,000 PTWs worldwide for the nine months to December 31st 2019 (-4.1%); 186,000 of them in Europe (+5,000 units), 221,000 in North America (+5,000), 154,000 in Japan (-3,000) and 13,453,000 in Asia (-734,000).

 

Gilles Tooling

Gilles options for Z900RS/Café

Luxembourg based parts and accessory specialist Gilles Tooling has turned its attention to Kawasaki's popular Z900RS/Café with a selection of styling, performance, protection and ergonomics components to enhance the riding experience.
Among the highlights are lightweight, high-strength CNC-machined and anodised RCT10GT footrest system, a new licence plate holder option for the Z900 and advanced, multi-adjustable risers, ergonomic handlebars and FXL levers.

Additionally available for the KTM 790 Duke and Ducati V4 Panigale S/R series from 2018 and up, the design features Gilles' new rotational adjustment mechanism for versatile adjustment options and best possible ergonomics.

RCT10GT rearsets

2DGT handlebar clamps/risers

The system is offered in choice of Touring (80 mm long with special, wider shape) or Sports style, with the driver and passenger footpegs in black or silver. The foldable replacement footpegs can be quickly and easily mounted on the original mounting points thanks to the included hinged joints.
The Touring style pegs can be used with or without the included vibration-isolating rubber pads. Optional accessories include outriggers that allow the rider to adjust the replacement footpegs by 360 degrees (divided into 24 individual positions) by 20 mm and 30 mm through to 40 mm for the pillion seat position, and optional spacers in a choice of colours.

GTO-Low oversize tapered handlebars

The FXL handbrake and clutch levers (with optionally available 14 to 19 mm clamping range handguards/lever protectors) feature an optimal shape for riding styles and an ideal length for perfect control with a predetermined breaking point in the two-finger area, and up to 35 clicks of central wheel adjustment with millimetre precision. 

GTA front axle protector set - perfectly shaped exclusive design, made in milled aluminium, no TÜV required, simple and quick installation IP crash pad kit - features patented, innovative crash pads with "impact inlay" for progressive shock absorption impact body made of special plastic for best grinding properties.

Engine bracket set - two-tone anodised OEM replacement in CNC-machined aluminium to match the retro look of the bike.

Gilles describes its 2DGT handlebar clamps as a "revolutionary way to find the perfect position for the handlebar - adjustable up and down in 5 mm steps with discs (-10 mm, -5 mm, +5 mm compared to original) as well forwards and backwards in 3.6 mm increments for an unimaginably wide range of adjustment options". Suitable for use with either the OEM handlebar or Gilles' own ergonomic, oversize GTO-Low handlebars - available in black or gold with a 28.6 mm clamp diameter, 755 mm width, 86 mm height and 94 mm pullback at a 24 degree angle and 140 mm clamping width.

GILLES TOOLING GMBH
www.gillestooling.com

Adjustable licence plate holder – two-colour anodised and designed for EU, US and JP licence plates, CNC-machined in aluminium. Includes E-approved LED licence plate light and mini reflector including M8 bracket for all common turn signals with hidden, well thought-out cable routing (cable and fastening material included). Regulation compliant OE chain tensioner block replacement; 1 kg weight saving.

GIVI

'Alaska Trekker' side case

This "efficient, sleek, lightweight and practical" case is part of the GIVI aluminium range and equipped with patent-pending mechanisms featuring the Monokey all-purpose system, "all at a competitive price".
The 'Alaska Trekker' has an internal capacity of 36 litres, is sold in pairs and available in natural and black finishes. The main body is made from mechanically finished aluminium, the opening mechanism from stainless steel and reinforced technopolymer is used for the profiles, the pivoting hinge of the lid and other detailing.
This is the first of GIVI's adventure side case range to feature a Monokey attachment. Further innovations include a unique cable system (patent-pending) for use in the detachment position, a handle integrated into the lid hinge and four belt-strap loops are set into the lid structure. The easy loading feature is assisted by a unique hook mechanism (also patent-pending) which enables the side case to be tilted without detaching it completely from the frame.
The side frames have been designed to maximise mechanical resistance and vibration absorption. In addition to dust, water and oil protection, the 'Alaska' range has the minimum number of bore holes, the industrial seal has been subjected to exhaustive testing and the vents were designed for pressure variations.
A series of optional accessories are also available. The maximum load is 10 kg (excluding the weight of the case) and its dimensions are 586 x 248 x 373 mm. The case is entirely made in Italy.

GIVI S.P.A.
www.givimoto.com

Vertex Pistons

GP-Racer's Choice pistons - updated for 2020 4-stroke MX/Off-Road
   
GP-Racer's Choice is the top hi-tech piston in the Vertex Pistons off-road range, developed with the factory Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki teams in the Motocross World Championship and as used by 2019 MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser.

Updated for all 2020 4-stroke off-roaders, they are hot forged with high-resistance VP-310 alloy and equipped with Vertex' exclusive F1 'T-Bridge', a DLC (Diamond Like Coated) pin, rings in chromed or nitrated steel (depending on the application) and a special shape head that allows the maximum compression ratio for great performance without any loss of reliability. 

The GP-Racer's Choice range is available for 250 and 450 Honda CRF, Kawasaki KX-F, Yamaha YZ-F and Suzuki RM-Z and for 250, 350 and 450 KTM SX-F and Husqvarna FC 250 models.    

VERTEX PISTONS/VP ITALY S.R.L.
www.vertexpistons.com

Piaggio

Piaggio

In mid-March, Piaggio announced it was to close its Pontedera, Mandello del Lario, Noale and Scorzè plants to implement the Italian government's provisions to protect the safety of its employees. The plan had been to re-open on March 16th, but the rest, of course, is history.

In February, the Italian giant's full year 2019 results had made good reading, with the Group performing "significantly better than the previous year, with growth in all key indicators, increased net profit, higher investments and the reduction of debt".
Consolidated revenues of € 1,521.3m, up +9.5% (€ 1,389.5m in 2018); EBITDA was € 227.8m euro, up +12.9%, with an EBITDA margin of 15% (14.5% in 2018) - its best since the IPO listing in 2006. The operating result (EBIT) was € 104.5m, up +12.7%; and the pre-tax profit of € 80.7m was up by +18.9%.
The company says it sold 611,300 vehicles worldwide, up +1.3% (603,600 in 2018); during the period the Group recorded a strong increase in revenues, in particular in the Asia Pacific two-wheeler area (+ 23.2%), followed by the EMEA and Americas area
(+ 8.8%) and India (+4.8%).
In two-wheeler terms, as at December 31, 2019, the Group sold 399,600 two-wheeled vehicles worldwide, up +1.6% for a net turnover of € 1,055.1m (+10.1%). 2019 saw an excellent PTW performance in the Asia Pacific area (+14.5% volume, +23.2% turnover) and a positive performance in the EMEA and Americas area (+2.4% volume, +8.3% turnover), while the Indian market slowed slightly.

Bradley Smith - RS-GP 2020 testing at Sepang in February

In Europe the Piaggio Group confirmed its leadership in the scooter segment with a 24.1% share, and on the North American scooter market the Group maintained a strong positioning with a share of 23.7%, where the Group is also committed to consolidating its presence in the motorcycle segment through the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands.
Overall the scooter sector saw a +8.1% growth in turnover, mainly driven by the strong performance of the Piaggio MP3 three-wheel scooter, the Piaggio Liberty high-wheel scooter, the Vespa brand and Aprilia scooters.
The Group's motorcycle sector ended 2019 with a +24.6% increase in turnover, mainly thanks to the performance of the Moto Guzzi brand, which reported a significant increase driven by the new Moto Guzzi V85TT. The results of the Aprilia brand also grew, driven by the sales of the SX 125, RSV4 1000 and Shiver models.

Norton Motorcycles

India's TVS buys Norton Motorcycles' assets

India's TVS Motor Company has emerged as the buyer of Norton Motorcycles, or at least of the brand and the most likely remaining still viable current models and design IP.
In an all-cash deal for a consideration of GB£16 million ($20m/€18m) the assets have been acquired from Norton Motorcycles (U.K.) Limited (in administration) through one of TVS Motor's overseas subsidiaries. "This will be one of the most interesting acquisitions of a storied motorcycle maker in recent times and will reflect TVS Motor Company's and India's rapidly rising prominence in the international two-wheeler market," said a TVR press release confirming the deal.

Norton went bankrupt in January after several months of appearing to become increasingly creative in its attempts to secure additional funding, and several years in fact ever since the brand was acquired by Stuart Garner, in which there has been widespread industry scepticism about the financial and strategic stability of the project to revive the brand in Britain under British ownership.
Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company said: "This is a momentous time for us at TVS Motor Company. Norton is an iconic British brand celebrated across the world and presents us with an immense opportunity to scale globally. This transaction is in line with our effort to cater to the aspirations of discerning motorcycle customers. We will extend our full support for Norton to regain its full glory in the international motorcycle landscape."

This is not the first attempt TVS has made to "scale globally". Among other hitherto unsuccessful endeavours had been a non-equity deal with Triumph some years ago to take on manufacturing of lightweight and middleweight machines for the Asian market.
Mr. Sudarshan Venu further added: "Norton will continue to retain its distinctive identity with dedicated and specific business plans. TVS Motor will work closely with customers and employees in building the success and pre-eminence of the Norton Motorcycles brand and we look forward to growing together globally in the years to come."
TVS is India's third largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume, and this deal brings them toe-to-toe with Eicher Motors, whose UK/USA bred Interceptor 650 parallel twins are being very well received in Europe and North America, and with Bajaj Auto, who appear to have successfully engineered a non-equity partnership for lightweights and middleweights with Triumph.

Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company: "This is a momentous time for us at TVS Motor Company. Norton is an iconic British brand celebrated across the world and presents us with an immense opportunity to scale globally."

TVS says it is "excited about the existing and upcoming products at Norton Motorcycles, including Commando, Dominator and V4 RR. Confident of the strong synergy between both the brands, we believe that Norton Motorcycles can leverage TVS Motor Company's global reach and supply chain capabilities to expand to new markets."
However, no mention is being made of a Riccardo designed engine "Design and Licence" deal that Norton is reputed to have signed with Zongshen in 2017.
Part of the $8.5bn 1911 founded TVS Group, TVS Motor Company is the largest group subsidiary, which has revenues of around US$2.9bn and an annual sale of more than 3 million units with an annual capacity for over 4 million two and three-wheeled vehicles. TVS Motor is also India's second largest exporter with sales in over 60 countries worldwide.
The company has four manufacturing plants, three located in India (Hosur in Tamil Nadu, Mysore in Karnataka and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh) and one in Indonesia at Karawang. It is unclear at this time (though thought unlikely) as to whether TVS plans to keep any of the manufacturing or assembly in the UK, or has acquired an interest in Norton's Donington Hall facility alongside the Donington Park race track - former home of the British MotoGP round.

Bihr

A business continuity statement by Bihr, France

Drop-Ship help and support for motorcycle professionals at the local level
Bihr, one of the leading suppliers of parts and accessories for two wheels in Europe, has historically been based in the Alsace region of France since its creation in 1975 - around the area of the city of Mulhouse, one of the epicentres of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe.

Despite the obvious difficulties, Bihr has preserved the maximum 250 site employees with the appropriate and important safety conditions and says it has tried to maintain at least a minimal service in order to continue to process and dispatch orders from its dealers.

This has been a decision that has become vital for many motorcycle industry professionals who have decided to maintain activity and play their part in preserving employment and maintaining at least some part of the economic cycle.

In addition to the workshops that remained open to respond to urgent repairs, many brands wanted to maintain minimum activity by being able to be contacted by phone, email, internet or via an online store to register orders.

 
The Bihr team has developed new services for its resellers to support them during this unprecedented period.
 
With over 230 brands in its catalogue, Bihr has facilitated the use of the home delivery option (drop-shipping) for its 5,000 resellers by offering the possibility for each of them to fulfil orders by having them delivered directly to their customers.
 
During this period, when outings have to be limited to the strict minimum, this home delivery service (drop-shipping) facilitates consumer access to some 200,000 products in stock by placing an order with their usual motorcycle dealer. 

Thierry Chonglez, VP Marketing & Communication, says: "In this particular context, we have decided to generalise our drop-shipping solution to the entire Eurozone and to the UK. This solution allows traders to take orders by phone, email or via their website.

"Once these orders have been sent by the merchants to Bihr, we take care of the delivery to the end customers' homes. This allows retailers whose stores are closed due to confinement to maintain activity despite this particularly complicated situation."

German motorcycle registrations

Germany: motorcycles -18.70% in March

The latest data from the IVM, the motorcycle industry trade association in Germany, shows motorcycle registrations down by -18.70% in March at 16,581 units, having been -8.35% (20,394 units) in March 2019.
Having been +6.38% for January and February combined (13,698 units), Germany was -8.99% for Q1 (30,279 units YTD). In total PTW terms, Germany was -15.81% in March (22,987 units) and -2.52% for Q1 (43,114 units YTD).

In Q1 motorcycle market share terms, BMW is 'Top Dog' with a massive 28.99% share in its home market (8,778 units sold YTD), followed by Kawasaki, KTM, Honda and Yamaha.
The top selling model was BMW's R 1250 GS (3,028 units YTD), followed by the Kawasaki Z900, BMW R 1250 RS, Kawasaki Z650 and BMW S 1000 RR. A record 10 of the Top 20 best sellers were BMW models.
For context - the German motorcycle market grew by +4.38% to 113,039 units in 2019, with PTW sales growing by +6.53% to 165,311 units - both the best performance since 2008 (excluding the rush to register pre-Euro 4 models before the law changed at the end of 2016).

News Briefs

German BMW specialist Wunderlich has cancelled its annual "Anfahrt" homecoming customer appreciation day - slated to have been held at its new corporate HQ and warehouse south of Bonn for the first time on April 25-26, on what would have been a celebration of its 35th anniversary. The company has just been awarded 'Best Brand' in Germany by Motorrad.

Leopard Racing and LeoVince have renewed their relationship for a third consecutive year. Last year saw Leopard's Lorenzo Dalla Porta win the Moto3 World Championship. This year Italian Dennis Foggia and the Spaniard Jaume Masia will be the riders who will line up in Moto3 for Leopard in 2020.

 

Royal Enfield is discontinuing production of the 500 cc single-cylinder engine it introduced in 2009 - reportedly due to compliance issues with India's new domestic emissions regulations. The popular 'Classic' and 'Bullet' model names that used the engine will continue, but with a new engine that is in development.

The 95th edition of the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) has been postponed. The event had been slated for Lombardy-Piedmont, Italy, from August 31 to September 5th. The event is now slated for August 30 - September 4, 2021 at the same Rivanazzano Terme venue south of Milan. The USA claimed the World Trophy, Women's World Trophy and Club division titles at the 2019 ISDE in Portimao, Portugal, and finished runner-up in the Junior World Trophy Class. The ISDE is the most prestigious off-road motorcycle event in the world. First held in Carlisle, England, in 1913, the ISDE is one of the longest-running events on the FIM calendar.

 

The MCIA in the UK is demanding the immediate introduction of the Euro 4 'End of Series' sales period provisions, as provided for during the January 2017 transition from Euro 3 to 4, to be introduced immediately and extended by 12 months to allow Euro 4 vehicles to be produced and registered throughout 2021 with End of Series derogations taking place in 2022.This would allow a further year to sell Euro 4 vehicles already in stock or yet to be produced. This is not a request for a delay to the Introduction of Euro 5, but simply for additional time to allow Euro 4 stocks to clear through the market. The health emergency has brought the PTW market to a near standstill, and with the traditional spring and summer demand peaks unlikely to be realised, the result will be large quantities of unsold product.

In the USA, Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (Timmonsville, SC) has suspended production at its ATV and SxS/UTV factory from March 26 through to April 10.

 

British crash protection specialist R&G is to sponsor the MotoAmerica race series again for 2020. Distributed in USA by Twisted Throttle, the R&G range includes tank sliders and engine case covers. Created in 2014 by three-time 500 cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created for the AMA Superbike Championship.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced that nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi will ride his last season as a Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team rider in 2020. Following discussions together, Yamaha and Rossi have mutually agreed that the decision as to whether the Italian will remain an active rider in the MotoGP World Championship in 2021 will be taken mid-2020. This will be Rossi's 15th year with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team. Should Rossi decide to continue as a MotoGP rider in 2021, Yamaha assures Rossi of the availability of a factory-spec YZR-M1 bike and full Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. engineering support.


Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW. electricmotorcycles.news

SBS

SBS brake pads - ECE R90 approved

Danish specialist brake components manufacturer SBS says it has now achieved ECE R90 approval for the most comprehensive list of products and vehicles in the industry.
Described as the largest manufacturer of motorcycle brake pads in Europe, the company says that it has "achieved a full and comprehensive ECE R90 approval", which is required for all replacement brake pads used for street riding throughout the EU and in non-European countries that have adopted the ECE regulations. 

SBS' approval covers all its catalogue motorcycle and scooter applications back to 1969, including all brake pad shapes and compounds that can be used for street riding purposes. This means that the approval includes ten different SBS compounds - HS, HF, HM, MS, SI, LS, SP, RQ, RS and their new RST, due for launch later this year.
From April, the individual approval numbers are being printed on all products and labels. In the meantime, the company wants its distributors, dealers and riders to know that products already in the supply chain prior to April are also covered by the approval. The 2020 SBS catalogue and the SBS website clearly state which compounds are ECE R90 approved.

CSO Christel Munk Pedersen says: "As the largest manufacturer of brake pads in Europe we know that our brake pads are high performance quality, but we want to make sure that we always live up to the highest standards and, of course, fulfil all legal requirements so our customers and riders can always feel safe and secure. Our customers have approved of our products since 1965, since 1980 our brake pads have been TÜV approved and now we, of course, have the latest and updated approval within our industry with the ECE R90."
R90 is a state-of-the-art regulatory assurance of quality and safety for dealers and riders and requires brake pads to be tested in an inertia dynamometer instrumented for continuous recording of rotative speed, brake torque, brake line pressure, number of rotations after brake application, braking time and brake rotor temperature.
The brake pads are divided into three categories - A, B and C - depending on area of the friction material, and all compounds are tested individually. All vehicles recommended for the specific brake pad compound must be calculated according to the kinetic energy to find the most severe vehicle for testing. This way all compounds and vehicles are checked and the most severe combinations tested on track for the consumer to get a very safe and secure product.
The tests required by R90 include bedding, performance check, brake tests, cold performance equivalence and speed sensitivity tests. Under R90, replacement brake pads and brake shoes are permitted to deviate from the frictional characteristics of their original equipment counterparts by not more than 15%. ECE R90 requires correct marking of the products and sealed, tamper-evident packaging.
A factory and test equipment approval are also part of the R90 homologation. It involves engineers inspecting and accrediting the factory once a year. SBS holds the approval for both manufacturing and testing facilities.
www.sbsbrakes.com

TecMate

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Martin Human, CEO and CTO of TecMate, answers a common question - why is a different battery charger needed for a lithium battery if it works in a motorcycle that originally came with a lead-acid battery?

As with many things to do with battery types and motorcycle electrics, diagnostics and charging, the answer is not as simple as many people expect.

The safe working voltage range for both lead-acid (Standard lead-acid, AGM and Gel) and lithium LiFePO4 (LFP) battery types is 12.8V to 14.5V. As long as voltage is within that range, yes, a lithium battery works fine in the same system as a lead-acid battery, but below this safe voltage range, lithium and lead-acid batteries need different care.
An over-discharged lithium battery will accept charge at low voltage, but the healthier cells demand all the charge and weaker cells keep on falling behind. Charging at high current will damage that battery. A gentle low current pulse charge brings all cells back to good health simultaneously - once above 9V-10V the battery is ready to receive normal charge.
An over-discharged lead-acid battery is unable to accept charge at low voltage due to a high concentration of lead-sulphate that inhibits the ability of all cells to accept charge. To 'convince' the battery to once again accept charge, a higher pulsed voltage is required to break through.
A single battery charger that can differentiate between battery chemistries and deliver the right recovery method for the connected battery would be ideal, and fortunately the OptiMate 1 DUO fits the bill. 

OptiMate 1 DUO recovers batteries from as low as 4V; the smart programming automatically figures out which recovery programme is right for the attached battery, never mind the chemistry. A deep discharged lead-acid battery receives a higher voltage pulsing mode up to 14.5V, so it remains safe for lithium, and a deep discharged lithium battery receives a mild pulsing current that gently recondition the cells until they are equal and the battery recovers to above 9V - then a suitably higher charge current is delivered.
Here is a valuable tip learned from many years of experience - below 4 volt batteries need care from a chemistry-specific charger; OptiMate Lithium 4s 0.8A can safely recover lithium batteries from as low as 0.5V and test battery health as it does so. The best option for lead-acid batteries is the OptiMate 4.
OptiMate 1 DUO's 24-7 maintenance programme is also adaptive, it can sense what is required. In a parked vehicle a lithium battery needs protection against total discharge by that vehicle's system, and the OptiMate 1 DUO delivers when needed. On the other hand, an AGM battery - the most popular lead-acid in powersport – receives hourly maintenance to remain at full charge and prevent lead-sulphate build-up that weakens the battery. 
Best of all is that the OptiMate 1 DUO has no buttons, no need to guess what battery is in the motorcycle. Simply connect to the battery and let that smart charger do the thinking.
In today's world everyone wants 'easy'. OptiMate 1 DUO is as EASY as connect and forget, no more battery problems - and that is what people want and need these days!
As time goes on, more and more reputable brands are choosing to partner with OptiMate 1 DUO for their diagnostics, maintenance and charging - the latest to offer the OptiMate 1 DUO is Moose Racing - and the Moose Racing OptiMate 1 DUO is distributed by Parts Europe, Parts Unlimited and Parts Canada.

TECMATE
www.tecmate.com
www.optimate1.com

BAAS Bike Parts

BAAS updated right-angle DIN plug

Southern Germany based motorcycle electronics component manufacturer BAAS Bike Parts was founded in 2001 to specialise in "the development and distribution of innovative and universal motorcycle accessories," says founder Dirk Baas. 

All its products are manufactured to "our own high-quality standards, and we target to produce as much as possible here in Germany", with its 'Made in Germany' content is currently around 50 percent.
"Our mission is to develop specialty components and kits for all aspects of the electrics on a motorcycle – replacement parts and accessories that are difficult to source or simply not available elsewhere as individual items."
A classic example of the BAAS Bike Parts programme is the splash-proof BA12W DIN right-angle plug seen here. Designed for small sockets (e.g. SD14 or BMW, Triumph, Ducati series sockets), it is almost as compact as BAAS' well known BA12 right-angle connector, but the completely redesigned housing contains seals over the housing seam, the plug head and the mounting screw, making it even more weather tolerant for motorcycle use.
The tightly fitting, long cable grommet is tapered on the inside. Depending on the shortening of the grommet, the optimal fit to the outer cable diameter can be adjusted. The cable will be screwed or soldered as usual.

BAAS BIKE PARTS
www.baas-parts.de

Comment by Editor-in-Chief, Robin Bradley

The ultimate stress test of all that we have built

Well, this is one of the most difficult pieces I have ever had to sit and write. It is right up there with the 'Lehman Apocalypse' that presaged the full horror of global economic meltdown that we were about to endure in October 2008, and the occasion I had to try to write something the day after the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center had come crashing down on 9/11.
At times like that, times like this, it feels somehow dishonest and dirty to be worrying about our beloved international motorcycle industry, when potentially hundreds of thousands of people are losing their lives - for some of us right in our own neighbourhoods or families.
But worry we must, because part of any recovery from the health emergency, whenever and however that materialises, will be getting our lives, our communities, our workplaces and our economies back on their feet again.
Just as we all have a role to play in keeping ourselves and our families, friends and co-workers safe, so too we will all have a role to play in trying to get the global economic juggernaut inching forward again.
One of the biggest problems we face though is that we do not know when either of these things will be - when our lives may be safe (or at least safer), or when industries like ours may be able to switch the lights back on and start the machines up again. We just don't know - and the not knowing is one of the hardest things about this emergency.
However, one thing we do already know (and I am writing this on April 3rd) is that the outcome isn't going to be trivial.
 
wake up Berlin

Another thing that we all by now must know and realise is that while society as a whole may return somewhat to normal, our industry, the humble little backwater of global capitalism we make our livelihoods from, will never be the same again.
Most people are concatenating the two issues of health and financial emergency. Viewing them as one and the same, as solvable in the same way and at the same time. There is an entirely erroneous assumption that just as soon as the spiralling death toll is under control, people will start spending again and all will be right with the world.
How naïve. How wrong. While the two issues are clearly connected in that the health crisis has given rise to the economic downturn, the only enduring relationship between the two will be time - the time it takes for the health issues to tamp down sufficiently for us to be able to switch focus back to the economic issues. But doing so is simply like first gear on a bike. A mighty and powerful mover of a heavy inanimate object, but not one that will produce the kind of results needed in the timescale needed.
The economic downturn created by the health crisis has had its umbilical cord snipped and it is now out in the wild on its own, maturing quickly and taking on a life of its own. The economic crisis that has been set in play is going to cast a long, dark shadow over our lives - even if we are lucky enough to emerge from the health crisis personally unscathed.
Many people are pointing to factors like globalisation and international interdependency as putting us at a greater risk, of making us more vulnerable to viral and fiscal shocks like this. In fact, that view couldn't be more wrong.
Those who point to our dependency on an international just-in-time supply chain as being proof that barriers need to be erected, manufacturing be brought home and perspectives turned inward are simply perpetuating the very problems that 70 years of post war international progress and cooperation have done so much to allow history's horrors to disappear in the world's rear view mirror.
Far from proving our vulnerability, the international system of trade that sees China (at the West's request) placed at the centre of a newly imagined global supply chain has proven to be remarkably robust. In the scheme of things, the global free trade order that has fuelled growth and prosperity from the 1980s onwards, is still a relatively juvenile product.
Sure, it clearly needs fine-tuning, but the stability and reliability that a global system of commerce needs is one that needs more cooperation, not less. More freedoms and opportunities, not less. More acceptance and adherence to the established principles of intellectual property ownership, regulatory equivalence and equal business opportunities, not less.
What these twin emergencies point to is not the weakness of a world of interdependency, shared values and common goals, but its strengths. If countries pursue a 'my country first policy', we will all be last.
Far from pointing towards the desirability of increased national isolationism, the fact that we all got into this together points to the fact that we will all only be able to get out of this together. Only by deploying concerted, coordinated efforts to 'put the band back together again' can the economic order that had been serving us all so well prosper again. We need to work more closely together - politically, economically and socially - not less.
There is emerging evidence around the world that failure to work together has already made the damage done by the coronavirus way worse than it needed to be. From deciding to isolate entire countries from the international self-help and shared resource health provision networks that could have made more respirators, tests and PPE available sooner and faster, through to the misguided, outdated soviet era social control and news management that totalitarianism thinks was ever a good idea.
Yes, China - I'm looking at you, and the time, lives and money your lies cost us, your customers, around the world. Time for a reboot, yes? Wuhan will likely go down in history as Chinese communism's Chernobyl. I hope it does. It deserves to.
Meanwhile, if the ECB isn't allowed to emerge butterfly-like from its chrysalis, the indecision and introspection that keeps EU financial policy makers in the slow lane is likely to cast the Euro Zone 19 into a financial abyss that will make Japan's lost decades look like a dress rehearsal. Wake up Berlin and show leadership!
What is happening to our world, to our economies, is the ultimate stress test of all that we have achieved and built. We can only pass that test by reducing the influence of amateurs (aka Politicians) and adopting the twin pillars of Good Governance - transparency and honesty - as our touchstones.

Italian motorcycle registrations

Italy - March 2020 Motorcycle Registrations -69.18%

The latest motorcycle industry registration statistics from ANCMA, the motorcycle industry trade association in Italy (and owner of EICMA), do not make good reading.
In motorcycle terms, March was -69.18% at 3,855 units (compared to 12,507 units for March 2019 - the third highest month of last year).

This followed a good start to 2020 with January +3.13% (6,817 units) and February +12.70% (8,857 units). For the year-to-date (first quarter), motorcycle registrations in Italy are -27.61% (19,529 units in total).
In total PTW terms, March was -66.09% at 8,519 units (+27.27%/25,121 units in March 2019), and the Italian market is -24.73% in total at 41,324 units (54,900/+18.88% for Q1 2019).
Scooter registrations for Q1 were -21.95% at 21,795 units YTD compared to 27,924 units for Q1 2019.
The top seller in Italy in Q1 was Honda Italia's SH 150 (2,205 units), followed by the Piaggio Beverly 300 ABS (1,374 units) and the Yamaha TMAX (1,356 units). The top selling motorcycle was the BMW R 1250 GS Enduro (779 units), followed by the Honda Africa Twin (719 units), BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, Yamaha Tracer 900 and Ténéré 700.
For the record, the Italian market was +6.26% in motorcycle registration terms for 2019 at 98,883 units and +5.65% in total PTWs at 231,937 units.

Norton

Norton

The sorry tale of the historic Norton motorcycle brand continues to see chapters of disappointment added to its illustrious story. Having been founded in 1898 and seen many decades of, mostly, success, with some excellent race stories and achievements added to the annals of the international motorcycle industry (not least on the Isle of Man), since the 1950s the brand has mostly lurched from one ultimately doomed ownership scenario to the next.

Norton production was based in a former airline call centre in a two-storey office block in the car park behind Donington Hall.

Acquired by a certain Stuart Garner around thirteen years ago, and re-established at Donington Hall in the UK (alongside the Donington Park race track), a company that had been heavily supported by the UK tax payer and various, generally ill-fated investment and finance plans, finally folded and filed for bankruptcy in January this year.
For a project that at one stage had even boasted the hiring of internationally recognised motorcycle design guru Pierre Terblanche, the ambitions had always exceeded the resources and reality has finally brought the fantasy crashing down. Hundreds of people, from consumers who have paid deposits, or in some cases, paid dealers in full in advance for complete bikes, to pension pot investors, banks, the UK tax authorities and police fraud investigators are looking for Garner.
You could fill a book with the various twists, turns and failed plans that have characterised this latest short and spectacularly inept iteration in the life (and now death) of the Norton brand, but one that sums up the parallel universe in which Garner operated came in the second half of 2017. Garner signed a 20-year "design and licence" deal with Chinese conglomerate Zongshen (which makes around four million motorcycle and scooter engines annually) in an attempt to commercialise the Norton IP.
The stated aim had been to see Zongshen build a new 650 cc twin engine that had theoretically been jointly engineered and developed by Norton and Ricardo - for likely production under the 'Zongshen' or 'Cyclone' brands.
However, like so many of the deals that had Garner's fingerprints on them, it appears to have come to nothing. Although the value of the deal was to remain private, the initial consideration paid to Norton was described at the time as being in the "millions of dollars", with an ongoing royalty on each engine produced.
Garner's final insult to all those who had shown faith in him (and the project) down the years was to sell off the rights to the 961 engine platform (IP and tooling) to Chinese scooter manufacturer Jinlang Science and Technology Co Ltd. Jinlang is quoted as saying that it intends to "work with our design partner in Italy to develop a new motorcycle using the 961 engine, which we will sell worldwide".
At the time of writing, various phoenix ownership scenarios have been suggested. Triumph politely but firmly distanced themselves from rumours that the two brands may be reunited again, and names from Stefan Pierer to Zongshen, Bajaj to BMW and Mahindra to Hero have all been mentioned as possible deal makers.
However, the truth is that in the context of these troubled times and the likely recession into which the motorcycle industry is about to be plunged, the damage inflicted on the Norton brand might prove to be fatal this time round.
As this edition of IDN went to press, it emerged that the auditors analysing the Norton accounts appear to have found a £28m hole.

UK motorcycle Registrations

UK: Motorcycle Registrations -22.19% in March 2020

Though hit slightly less hard than Spain and Italy so far, the latest data available from the MCIA, the motorcycle industry association in the UK, shows that new motorcycle registration growth in the UK came to a crashing halt in March with sales down -22.19% for the calendar month at 12,484 units, having been +2.29% in January (5,709 units) and +3.48 in February (4,254 units). For the YTD, the UK was -12.78% for Q1 at 22,449 units.
In PTW terms, the UK was -21.74% in March (12,981 units), and was -12.30%  for the first quarter, having been worth 16,586 units in March 2019 (-21.74%).

The largest single market sector in the UK remains 'Naked' style bikes, followed by Scooters and the Adventure Sport sector broadly equal. Speed has historically been the name of the game in the UK, but ever since the 2008 financial crash, Supersport model sales are at a fraction of what they were. The UK was worth over 1,400 'custom' style bikes in March.
The top selling motorcycle in the UK in March was the BMW R 1250 GS, with the S 1000RR topping the sportbike market and the R 1250 RT the leading Touring model. Honda is market leader in the UK, followed by BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Triumph, KTM and Suzuki, with Harley 9th and Ducati 10th.
By way of context - motorcycle registrations in the UK grew slightly in 2019, +0.72%, with 100,472 units sold. Many in the UK pointed to Brexit and general economic uncertainty, with consumer confidence low, as the reasons for the UK to lag so badly behind the 2019 and prior growth seen in most other markets in Europe. Along with Italy, France, Germany and Spain, the UK is one of Europe's 'Big Five' markets (actually, the 5th largest), who between them account for over 80% of new motorcycle registrations annually in Europe.

Bitubo

Bitubo suspension options for the Speed Twin

Italian suspension specialist Bitubo has released new products for Triumph's popular 2019 and up Speed Twin.
Bitubo has a choice of rear twin shock set-ups, WMB and WME, with model-specific calibrations and available in a choice of chrome for more classic applications or black anodized for "that sleek modern look".

WMB 02V2

Bitubo designed these shocks to improve bike comfort and control, achieved thanks to the company's internal hydraulic system. The WMB offers continuous spring adjustment, with compression adjustment added to the WME.
JBH pressurised cartridges are described as "the perfect upgrade to enhance the performance of the OEM fork, allowing for greater stability during braking and consistent, reliable response and performance to provide maximum driving safety". The cartridge is fully serviceable and does not require any modification to the original components, and allows for the restoration of the original suspension at any time.

WME 03

The JBH features an 'Easy Change' component design system, allowing for the quick change of the spring and has a new system for easy disassembly of the cartridges, without the need to remove the fork from the bike.
This system also means that technicians at the track can quickly modify the hydraulic calibration settings - all they need to do is to modify a single cartridge for compression or rebound. The cartridges allow the adjustment of the compression, rebound and spring preload.

K-rate linear fork spring kit

Also seen here, Bitubo K-rate linear fork spring kits are suitable for sports style bikes that require a uniform response on the entire trail. They are available in various rigidities, for different tuning needs.

BITUBO
www.bitubo.com