Vertex Pistons

2016 Vertex Street Pistons

Italian piston specialist Vertex (VP Italy) introduced several new and updated product lines at the Milan show last year, including a new four-stroke street piston range for 2016.

Available as replacement or high performance versions, they have been developed in MotoGP with the Gresini team and several Superbike and Supersport teams.
The line-up has 15 models of replacement and high compression configurations for most popular models from Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW and Ducati 600 and 1000cc (for track use only). 

Forged from the highest quality aeronautic 2618 or 4032 alloys, they are coated with a special Molybdenum Bisulphate black coating to aid during piston break-in and reduce friction. New for 2016 Vertex forged pistons for high performance 4-strokes are made with a 'T-Bridge' structure inspired by F1.
The company says that their "unique piston profiles and compression ratios maximise power while reducing blow-by and oil consumption". They sell in kits with segments, pins and mounting rings and feature a minimum limit weight for their category.

VERTEX PISTONS - VP ITALY SRL
www.vertexpistons.com

Ducati Group

Ducati Group - more 2015 financial performance details

The financial figures of the Audi Group - of which Ducati is part - relating to the fiscal year 2015, were presented at the annual press conference held at the AUDI AG headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany, on March 3rd 2016. 

Motorcycle deliveries for the 12 months of 2015 increased by 21.5%, for a total of 54,809 motorcycles sold - almost 10,000 more than in 2014. In this record year, Ducati grew even faster than the global motorcycle market, and achieved a market share of 5.4% in the over 500 cc motorcycle segment, an increase of 0.9% compared to the previous year. 
 This result translates to 702 million Euro revenue, with a 22% increase compared to the financial year 2014 (575 million Euro). At the close of the 2015 fiscal year, Ducati Group achieved an operating profit of 54 million Euro - up by 12.5% compared to 48 million Euro in the previous year.

"In the course of this past financial year, Ducati demonstrated the effectiveness of the strategy followed in the past three years, based on investment in product, quality and customers. This growth is reflected not only by volumes, but by all the main financial indicators and shows how the company today is solid and well prepared for future challenges," said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO.

Claudio Domenicali CEO Ducati Motor Holding - "In the course of this past financial year, Ducati demonstrated the effectiveness of the strategy followed in the past three years, based on investment in product, quality and customers"

 "Key financials confirm that Ducati's growth is on a consistently upward curve," added the CFO André Stoffels. "We maintain our high investment level and increase significantly our positive net cash flow."
 The company says that their 2015 result is also the fruit of the company’s constant investment in new technologies and new models. This investment effort has enabled Ducati to present nine new models for the year 2016, including the XDiavel, Multistrada 1200 Enduro and Scrambler Sixty2, with which Ducati has entered three new segments - the "Cruiser", "Off Road" and the below-500 cc capacity segments, respectively. Thanks to this further enlargement of the product range, Ducati can look to the future with optimism and confidence, and expect to continue its growth trend.
 The sales network of the motorcycle manufacturer now includes more than 720 dealers in over 90 countries and, in the course of 2015, has led to an increase in deliveries in almost all the world’s regions. North America is confirmed as Ducati's largest market, with 12,136 delivered motorcycles (+14% compared to 2014). In Italy, the company has achieved a 53% increase in sales for a total of 6,569 motorcycles. Other sales records were achieved in the rest of Europe, where Ducati increased total deliveries by 31.2% to 21,473 units, with a 24% increase in Germany and a 37% increase in the United Kingdom.
Asia-Pacific area markets also trended well: Ducati delivered 6,502 motorcycles (+12%) in total in these regions, also strengthening its presence in China, up by 46%.
Today, Ducati Group has a total of 1,541 employees, with 137 new hirings in the course of the past year, and around 100 planned for 2016.

Industrie Forum (iF) awards

Kawasaki Ninja H2 wins prestigious iF Design Award

The Hannover, Germany based Industrie Forum (iF) awards were started in 1953 by a group of European design industry representatives. Their ambition was to draw attention to beautifully designed products and stress the importance of design to brands, users and society. These days, iF holds the reputation for being among the oldest truly independent design institutions in the world.
This year two motorcycle manufacturers are among those to have been honoured - Kawasaki and Yamaha.

Kawasaki Ninja H2

The supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2 won the prestigious iF Design Award, with Yamaha's flagship supersport YZF-R1, and the smartphone application "Rev Translator", which deciphers engine sound, have received the 'iF Design Award 2016' in the product category and the communication category respectively.
This is the third year running that Yamaha has received an award in the product category, and the first time in the communication category.
With over 5,000 submissions from 53 countries, winning the award is recognised as a symbol of design excellence. Every submission is thoroughly assessed by a panel of design experts and judged on grounds of practicality, innovation, usability and ergonomics.
Carrying the tag line "Built Beyond Belief", Kawasaki describe the Ninja H2 as representing "Kawasaki's collective strength in terms of performance, innovation and engineering".
Senior Manager for the Styling & Design Department at Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Mr. Keishi Fukumoto, commented: "It is a great honour to win the internationally recognised iF Design Award, and we are very proud of this flagship motorcycle and what it represents for Kawasaki. We truly believe the Ninja H2 has changed the motorcycle landscape forever and are understandably delighted that this prestigious award endorses its all-round excellence."

Yamaha YZF-R1

Yamaha say that the YZF-R1 was developed "allowing riders to experience the technical concepts of a MotoGP YZR-M1 machine" and that it comes "equipped with the potential for a circuit-level top speed. The design, in addition to projecting the image of a YZR-M1 MotoGP machine, is a new interpretation of the innovative "Speed Racer" concept and has built a new strand of R-DNA".

Yamaha Rev Translator

"Rev Translator" is the first smartphone application in the world to translate the sound of an engine. The translator has six different personalities and offers over 100 million lines of dialogue. "Rev Translator will reveal its mood based on the engine sound it hears, and its comments can also vary depending on the time of day and the weather".

www.ifworlddesignguide.com

Pirelli

Pirelli equip Ducati Scramblers

Chinese owned tyre maker Pirelli has deepened its Tier 1 relationship with German owned motorcycle manufacturer Ducati.

Pirelli has announced that after being chosen for all versions of the Ducati Scrambler 800, Ducati has confirmed the Pirelli enduro street tyre for their small displacement model, (in this case in the 110/80 R 18 M/C 58H TL front and the new 160/60 R 17 M/C 69H TL rear).
From now on the MT 60 RS is also available in 120/70 front and 180/55 rear sizes with (W) speed index.  

The new Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 rides on Pirelli MT 60 RS as original equipment tyres in 110/80 R 18 M/C 58H TL front (the same supplied to Ducati Scrambler 800) and the new 160/60 R 17 M/C 69H TL rear. This best fits the new 399 cc model, rather than the 180/55 R 17 M/C 73H TL of the Ducati Scrambler 800 versions, including the new Pro Flat Track.
Pirelli MT 60 RS has therefore undoubtedly an extremely powerful bond with the family of the new Ducati brand of which it equips all models, but in addition to the sizes for Ducati Scrambler and Scrambler Sixty2, Pirelli, given the strong demand and interest from part of a wide motorcycle audience, decided to make it available in other sizes.
From now on the MT 60 RS is available also in 120/70 front and 180/55 rear sizes, both with a (W) speed index which, along with the new 160/60 rear of the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2, join the other sizes, which were already available in the range.

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 doesn't just extend the range on offer from the new Ducati brand. It opens the way for a new two-wheel audience for those seeking an accessible bike that is easy to handle and has low running costs, but not wanting to miss out on the unique Scrambler spirit: fun and sharing of positive emotion. Sixty2 is a Scrambler inspired by youth street culture, skateboards, street food, pop music and, above all, the pop art that, back in 1962 (the year the very first Ducati Scrambler was launched), was taking the United States by storm. That's why the Sixty2, the most "popular" Scrambler ever, is already a "pop icon".
MT 60 RS is present in the enduro street range of Pirelli motorcycles tyres and has become a reference for the segment due to its ability to combine sporty road performance with excellent grip, even on unpaved roads. The new Ducati Scrambler family was an opportunity for Pirelli to develop new sizes and to redesign this product in terms of specifications and performance. The tread pattern of the new sizes (including those for the Ducati Scrambler family) presents larger and more variable size knobs along the edge, thus giving rise to a design of multi-pitch compared to the single-pitch that characterised the original tyre.

The new tread geometry is crucial in road use where, usually, the knobbly tyres are less efficient than those created only for road use. In this case the new tread pattern gives a substantial improvement in terms of grip while braking and reduction in noise. This is thanks to a considerable decrease of the land/sea ratio and to the increase of the contact surface, plus a stiffer knobbly tread. The resulting benefits are a reduction in braking distance thanks to the work of the front tyre, and greater stability both on the straight and whilst leaning.
The compounds are another important component of the tyre, which has been renewed by exploiting the experience gained by Pirelli in recent years.
At the front a compound which is derived directly from the sporty DIABLO ROSSO II, with a balanced content of silica and carbon black, provides dynamic riding, with high grip both on dry and wet surfaces.
Regarding the rear, the choice has fallen on a sport touring compound with high silica content so as to ensure long distances and high grip in the wet.

Also, the structure of the front tyre was completely redesigned with regard to the original version of the product. From radial with cross-ply belts it is now radial, but with a 0° steel belt, with significant benefits in terms of stability and steering precision.

www.pirelli.com

Rainers

'Everest' glove

Spanish apparel specialist Rainers' new 'Everest' glove in waterproof goat leather includes woven polyester and nylon Softshell fabric and a breathable high-resistance and durable Superfabric laminate that incorporates armour platelets to increase protection in a fall.
The design reinforces the glove at the most vulnerable places and features added Kevlar on the hand palm for even greater protection.
A waterproof and breathable three-layer microporous silicon coating structure Hipora membrane adds to the weather proofing and year-round performance with an inner lining, with thermal insulation that surrounds the hand boosting cold weather comfort and protection.


RAINERS SPORTS
www.rainers-sports.com

Touratech

Touratech Plug & Play - ESA suspension

"Safer and more enjoyable riding at the touch of a button", that's the claim Touratech makes for its "Plug & Travel" ESA suspension for 2007 - 2013 BMW R 1200 GS/Adventure models.

The company says that the standard BMW shock absorbers are a "compromise solution, designed for a relatively lightweight rider without luggage", and that they are not serviceable. "Consequently the conditions under which the GS is used, and the different loading conditions it has to cope with, cause trouble with the suspension over time, as components wear out prematurely".
Touratech say their "Plug & Travel ESA" is the only complete BMW ESA replacement suspension system available, and that it simply replaces the BMW ESA shock absorbers and plugs into the vehicle's control system.
"It is completely and fully integrated into the motorcycle via the original BMW control unit", according to Lars Wuerdemann, Head of Suspension at Touratech.
"The existing connectors and switches on the handlebar remain fully functional. All riding modes and configurations can be used normally, and are indicated on the BMW's cockpit display. As a result, the BMW buttons work as before, but the ride characteristics are better".

The centrepiece of the Touratech "Plug & Travel" ESA suspension system is a stepper motor that is integrated into the shock absorber - one developed specifically for Touratech. It regulates the damping adjustment, while the famously robust Touratech suspension EPA spring preload (Electric Preload Adjuster) enables specially tested Touratech balance and damping set-ups. The shock absorbers ("manufactured using precision components that have been tried and tested over thousands of miles of touring") adapt to "all kinds of road conditions", according to Wuerdemann.
Available with alternative spring rates to compensate for a significantly heavier or lighter rider and luggage weight, it is fully serviceable ensuring "maximum ride dynamics and the longest possible service life for riding with a heavy load and varying road conditions while touring".
For seriously ambitious long-distance travel with a lot of off-road work, Touratech offers a severe-duty "Plug & Travel" ESA "Expedition" version. Featuring a shock absorber with an external reservoir and tuning for more extreme requirements, the hydraulic position-dependent damping system (PDS) ensures that it will not bottom out "even with heavy luggage in the most extreme off-road conditions".

TOURATECH AG
www.touratech.com

Akrapovic

H2R Evolution (Carbon), GSX-S1000F Slip-On (Titanium) lines

Akrapovic has launched an all-new exhaust system for the "ground-breaking" Kawasaki Ninja H2R that is said to "further enhance this incredible motorcycle with the latest technologies from the world’s premier exhaust manufacturer".

This carbon system uses the same design originally seen on the Akrapovic concept system and first used on the Slip-On Line exhaust for the Ninja H2. The unique profile of the exhaust muffler, with the sleeve, end cap, heat shield and bracket constructed from carbon fibre "follows the lines of this motorcycle perfectly", with headers (components cast in Akrapovic’s in-house foundry), collectors, link pipes and a sleeved pre-muffler all manufactured from high-grade titanium. 

Akrapovic say the main goal of their technicians has been to lower the noise level to make it "compliant for some track usage without any impact on performance levels. Intelligent solutions have reduced the noise emissions from 116.4 dB to 101.8 dB without compromising any of the performance of the stock open system". In fact, the company says it has actually managed to increase the mid-range power levels.
The company also says its sound engineers have tuned the system to give the motorcycle a deeper and richer sound – despite the reduction in noise levels. An easy-to-follow installation manual is said to make this performance upgrade a simple plug-and-play operation with no need for remapping or other parts.

The company states it is also a perfect fit for the road-going Kawasaki Ninja H2.
Also seen here, the latest addition to their Slip-On Line (Titanium) exhaust for the Suzuki GSX-S1000F features a conical muffler described as manufactured from race-bred materials with an outer sleeve in titanium, with the front and rear muffler assembly constructed from stainless steel, carbon fibre heat shield and carbon fibre end cap.
Akrapovic says that reduced weight adds to the performance of the 999 cc inline four-cylinder engine, especially when the engine hits 5,000 rpm, and torque levels are enhanced to "ensure a smoother and more enjoyable ride as the performance increases". The system meets EC/ECE type approval without having the need for a noise-reduction insert. No additional modifications are needed.

AKRAPOVIC
www.akrapovic.com