EU new motorcycle registrations +9.6 percent for first seven months of 2015, +1.1 percent in France
The latest data released by ACEM, the Brussels based trade association for the motorcycle industry in Europe, shows a total of 810,986 PTWs and three-wheelers registered during the first seven months of 2015 in the EU - an increase of +3.9 percent over the same period of 2014.
Of those 613,711 units were motorcycles, a +9.6 percent increase over the same period of 2014, with strong growth in most of the EU's primary markets - such as +21.9 percent in Spain (82,194 units); the United Kingdom, +15.6 percent (67,349 units); +8.6 percent in Italy (125,062 units); +6.5 percent in Germany (114,191 units) and, confirming the trend data, France is up at +1.1 percent for the first seven months of the year at 105,43 units.
In total PTW terms the overall performance of the French market is still suffering from the same headwinds being faced for lower cc unit sales in much of Europe, down by - 2.5 percent (156,610) units, but the picture was a little better elsewhere in the EU for the first seven months - with total PTW sales +20.6 percent in Spain, +13.2 percent in the United Kingdom, +5.4 percent in Italy and +0.9 percent in Germany.
Moped sales continue to languish throughout the EU, with sales in July down by around 3 percent and for the year to date down by 10.7 percent, with only Spain showing growth of the major markets, +9.7 percent YTD - France, the UK, Germany and Italy are all down; however, dealers and manufacturers alike will be reassured overall by the strong, regular growth now being seen further up the market's retail price range.
Italian new motorcycle registrations + 13.52 percent in first eight months of 2015
The latest data from the motorcycle industry trade association in Italy (ANCMA) shows a +20 percent increase in new registrations in August (2,501 units) and 13.52 percent for the year to date (50,015 units).
In total PTW terms Italy was +16.89 percent in August (8,463 units) and +8.77 for the year to date (132,975 units - the best first eight months performance in the Italian market since 2012).
As is the case elsewhere in Europe, the fastest growing style-sector of the market in Italy is 'Naked' design machines, +31.6 percent for the year to date (19,982 units) and in power-band terms the 751 to 1,000 cc sector is the fastest growing with +37.63 percent (15,404 units).
Of the 132,975 total PTWs sold so far in 2015 the three top-sellers have been Honda's SH 150/300/125 series (15,846 units between them); the top-selling model of 500cc or greater is Yamaha's TMAX; the top-selling motorcycle is BMW’s R 1200 GS (a combined total of 4,194 of the GS and Adventure variants) were sold, followed by Yamaha's MT-09 Tracer and then Ducati's Scrambler with 2,093 units sold in their home market so far this year.
Japanese made/brand 250+cc motorcycles to Europe flat for first seven months of 2015
The latest data released by the motorcycle trade association in Japan (JAMA) shows Japanese manufacturer exports of 250+cc machines to Europe from Japan down by -21.01 percent in July 2015 (7,531 units) and about flat (-1.05 percent) for the year to date at 92,862 units.
Exports to the United States were down a massive -45.12 percent for July, at 4,224 units, and tracking down -32.84 percent at 45,116 units for the year to date - that compares to 249,001 units for the first seven months of 2006.
Worldwide 250cc+ Japanese manufactured exports are at -10.26 percent for the YTD at 190,379 units - that is the lowest ever first seven months figure ever (certainly for twenty or thirty years) and by way of a comparison the corresponding figure was 577,259 units a decade ago (the first seven months of 2006).
Total Japanese brand, Japanese made PTW exports to Europe are at -1.26 percent for the YTD (100,983 units); -29.31 percent to the United States (62,496 units); -8.62 percent worldwide (246,352 units compared to 762,784 units for the first seven months of 2006).
A lot more Japanese brand motorcycles and small cc machines are now coming into Europe and the USA from subsidiary and affiliate factories elsewhere in the world, but the data still makes alarming reading as the historically market-defining "Big Four" look increasingly like a "Big Two plus a few other models", as European and American manufacturers take ever increasing shares of a much smaller market in Europe and North America.
Spanish new motorcycle registrations +22.71 percent for YTD
The latest data released by the motorcycle industry trade association in Spain (ANESDOR) shows new motorcycle registrations in Spain at + 22.46 percent for August (9,412 units), having been +27.14 percent in July (17,520 units).
For the year to date the market in Spain was +22.71 percent (91,079 units), having been +21.54 percent for the first six months of the year. This is the best August market performance in Spain since 2009, the best YTD figure since 2010 and marks 24 consecutive months of uninterrupted growth, according to ANESDOR.
Moped sales were fractionally down in Spain in August but are +9.37 percent for the year to date (10,729 units). In total PTW terms Spain was +19.06 percent in August and +20.92 percent for the first eight months of the year (at 101,808 units).
Jose Maria Riano, the General Secretary of ANESDOR, says that the current trend points towards 150,000 total PTE registrations being achieved by year end, but that "this figure is far from our goal of [market] sustainability of 250,000 units" and, while acknowledging some examples of progressive PTW-friendly policies at local administration level, he called on the National Government to do more to recognize and promote the economic, environmental and transport benefits offered by PTWs.
Triumph conversion parts
ITALIAN Triumph parts specialist Free Spirits is now offering a black coated belt guard for its own belt drive conversion for Thruxton, Scrambler and Bonneville models.
Also seen here is a dual disc front hub for twin front brake conversions. CNC machined, it can be used with the bike’s original spokes and hub and uses 25mm Speed Triple axle compatible bearings. Free Spirits owner and chief engineer Marcello Fontana suggests the use of ’05 or later Speed Triple USD forks, or Speed Master forks, to provide suitable brake caliper mounts to complete the conversion.
Marcello says the hub is ideal for use on Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler models with spoke wheels.
FREE SPIRITS
www.freespirits.it
Adjustable footrests for Monster models
ITALIAN sportsbike parts and accessory specialist CNC Racing has added to their large range of specialty components for Ducati models with new footrests for the Ducati Monster 821, 1200 and 1200S - Sport and Touring versions.
Machined from solid one-piece billet blocks, the passenger footrests have an extension for improved comfort in touring applications, pivot-style used for sports riding installations.
The driver footrests are fully adjustable, with two positions and height as well as backward position - a great deal more versatility than offered with the stock footrest.
They can be used with the traditional gearbox, with the gearshift brake levers installed with a double-bearing arrangement, which means they can be slide-adjusted -20mm through to +15mm compared to stock.
CNC RACING
www.cncracing.it
GPR for Rivale 800
GPR is now producing a line of handmade exhausts for the MV Agusta Rivale 800.
The range of options being made available by the Italian specialist manufacturer includes the new double Thunderslash line, TIG welded by hand from stainless steel, the GPE Evo line, and the Albus silencer - an Albino exhaust finished with a white ceramic coating.
GPR ITALIA Srl
www.gpr.it
