Swiss motorcycle registrations

New motorcycle registrations down in Switzerland

The latest data from the motorcycle industry trade association in Switzerland (MotoSuisse) shows new motorcycle registrations in Switzerland down in April 2016 at 4,734 units (from 5,106 units in April 2014) and down by -10.35 percent for the first four months of the year so far at 10,446 units (from 11,652 January – April 2016).
Yamaha are market share leader so far in 2016 (1,865 units), followed by BMW, Honda, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, KTM, Ducati, Triumph, Suzuki and Aprilia in 10th place.
The top-selling model so far in 2016 in Switzerland was Yamaha’s MT-07 (482 units), followed by Honda’s new XRD 1000 L ‘Africa Twin’, the BMW R1200 GS, Yamaha’s MT-09 Tracer and the Kawasaki Z800. Yamaha have four models in the top twenty, Honda two and BMW five.
Total PTW sales in Switzerland were down by -9.37 percent in April, and are running -11.67 percent for the year-to-date at 16,414 units so far in 2016.
The top selling scooter so far this year in Switzerland has been the Vespa Primavera 125 3V; Yamaha are scooter market share leaders, followed by Honda and Vespa third.
www.motosuisse.ch

Kawasaki

Kawasaki waves goodbye to W-series

Some fifty years since its launch, Kawasaki has announced the end of the iconic W-series of four-stroke vertical twin motorcycles; the W800 “Final Edition” marks the end of an era. 

With a limited number available for the 2017 season, fans and enthusiasts across Europe have a last chance to experience the contemporary descendant of the famous W-series that first emerged from the Kawasaki factory in Akashi, Japan, in the mid 1960s. Suitably christened the W800 “Final Edition”, the last model in the line is resplendent in its remarkable Candy Brown and Candy Sunset Orange paint scheme.
The W800, with its authentic retro look and feel, is considered by many to be a modern day classic. The clean and simple lines of the beautifully sculpted air-cooled, 4-stroke vertical twin motor displaces 773 cm3, complete with a bevel gear driven camshaft, contributing to the carefully considered heritage engineering approach and stunning visual appearance. Attention to detail abounds and gives the W800 an exquisite quality and nostalgic beauty, complete with its distinctive tank badge resembling that of the original W-series, highlighting the long-lasting heritage of the W800.
The family tree of the W800 and the W-series itself can be traced back to 1966 when Kawasaki introduced its “great grandfather”, the W1. Equipped with a robust and reliable 650cc engine and 50hp, the W1 was the very first large capacity, high performance four-stroke under the Kawasaki banner and turned out to be a true manufacturing milestone – especially in the American market, where it helped set the foundations for the brand in a huge, motorcycle-hungry market.
Echoing the lines and the engineering essence of the original W1, Kawasaki later introduced the W650 in 1998, which was enthusiastically embraced by a new legion of fans both young and old, proving that true style never really goes out of fashion.
Selecting retro overdrive, the Japanese manufacturer then introduced the W800 in 2011, extending the W-family line further still. All the generations of the W-series possess authentic quality and classic beauty, and Kawasaki has concentrated on delivering a mixture of high-tech with heritage in a seductive retro package throughout the modern W series. Now, sadly, the line must end as the current machine will not meet future European motorcycle regulations.
Celebrating over 50 years of the W-family, Kawasaki hopes this last-in-line “Final Edition” will highlight the heritage of the W800 once more and prove a fitting end to the W-series, according to the Corporate Planning Director for Kawasaki Motors Europe, Mr. Morihiro Ikoma.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye to an old friend, especially one as iconic as the W800. Paying homage to the W-series with this “Final Edition” is therefore a truly fitting end to a long and successful line of machines.”

Swedish motorcycle sales

Swedish motorcycle sales +11.88 percent for first four month

The latest data from McRF, the Swedish motorcycle industry trade association, shows new motorcycle registrations at +16.18 percent for April 2016 at 2,197 units after being down in March, (by -8.05 percent) and +11.88 percent for the YTD at 4,051 units.
 In total PTW terms April in Sweden was +14.34 percent for the first four months (3,755 units) and is +9.47 percent at 6,904 units for the YTD. Moped sales were also up in April at +11.84 percent and are now running at +6.22 percent for the year-to-date (2,853 units).
Per Johansson, CEO of McRF, said that “these figures show that the interest remains high for motorcycles and mopeds in Sweden, and with technological advances in recent years such as sophisticated ABS systems, efficient traction control and tire pressure monitoring, Swedish consumers are becoming increasingly convinced that motorcycles are a safe transport option”.
For the full-year 2015 motorcycle sales were up by +14.4 percent at 9,424 units, with Mopeds +22.8 percent at 10,635 units, and all categories of MotoCross models worth an additional 2,707 units, putting the Swedish market at 22,766 total PTWs.
In related powersports vehicle terms, the Swedish market was worth 7,198 ATVs in 2015 (+9.9 percent), 5,840 snowmobiles (+16.7 percent) and 2,911 'Quadricycles' (+13.4 percent) for a combined total motorcycle, PTW and powersports vehicle market of 38,715 units.
Next year's MC Massan Swedish motorcycle show (www.mcmassan.se) will be held in Stockholm from 26 to 29 January 2017.

SBS

SBS DC Dual Carbon Classic

Derived from their more than 25 years of experience in World Superbike & Moto GP championships, and inspired by their successful championship-winning SBS DC Dual Carbon pads, SBS has introduced a touch of modern technology for classic bikes with pads formulated specifically for classic racing.

Modified and developed for production with the same processes, machinery and quality inspections as the DC, and tested and approved in European classic endurance series races by their partners, the SBS DC Dual Carbon Classic is said to deliver a smooth initial bite, ideal for the construction of classic motorcycle front forks and superior brake power and front-end feel.

The high thermal stability and reduced disc wear due to transfer film technology make the DC Classic a versatile, reliable and durable pad that brings modern race bike braking standards and technology to older bikes.

SBS FRICTION
www.sbs-friction.dk

Hevik

Kevlar lined 'Indigo' motorcycle jeans

These new Kevlar lined men's and women's fit 'Indigo' jeans from Hevik are part of a wide range of Hevik jeans for riders that also comprises their 'Stone' jeans (as featured in IDN before), with new 'Titan' jeans being added later in the summer.
Features include external knee protector pouches with Velcro closure, "boot cut" legs and a fashionable "distressed look" fabric, which conceals the reinforced Kevlar lining. Passive safety is addressed by providing removable padding for the hip area and CE approved knee protectors, which can be removed from the outside and adjusted for height.
The same features can be found on the 'Indigo' Lady model, which, together with the necessary adjustments to ensure fit, also feature a comfortable, elasticated, removable and windproof waistband.

HEVIK S.r.l.
www.hevik.com

ABM

Kawasaki ZX-10 R 2016 accessories

The latest new model to get the ABM treatment is the 2016 ZX-10 R with a selection of ergonomic styling parts and individually adjustable items for the handlebar area.

Their ‘multiClip’ sporty short handlebar comes as an installation-ready kit with all necessary parts, has laser scaling for symmetric and correct adjustment of all positions, ensuring safety against twisting through triple-clamping on the fork. The handlebar tube is bent 5 degrees for optimum adjustment of the angle (can be adjusted up to 40 mm) and made from black, hard anodised CNC-machined aluminium.
The black powder-coated licence plate holder has a seamlessly adjustable licence plate angle and offers a perfect fit and adjustable indicator insertion. Supplied with all necessary mounting parts, excluding indicator.

ABM’s 2016 170-page German/English catalogue can be ordered free from their website

Their 6-way adjustable anodised ‘synto’ and ‘syntoEvo’ levers can be adjusted while riding and come in short or long styles – available in a selection of colours, they are said to provide excellent grip and feeling.
ABM’s abrasion resistant Nylon crash pads and axle are made from highly resistant material with pressed-in aluminium socket. The crash pads are impact-absorbing damper caps with a special lamella profile.
Their ‘scio’ (seen here) and well known ‘cube’ design brake fluid reservoirs are available with a sight glass made from Jena glass.
Finally, their easy to mount repair stand-up bobbin protects the swingarm against scratches, even after multiple use, and the steering stop protector, which protects the original steering stop, has a flexible rubber profile with a Polyamid core in black.

ABM FAHRZEUGTECHNIK GmbH
www.ab-m.de

Sifam

S-Line summer, all-seasons and adventure jackets

French distributor Sifam is extending its S-Line motorcycle clothing range with the addition of CE-approved summer, all seasons and adventure jacket designs.

adventure

all seasons

Their S-Line summer jacket is made from durable and robust 6000D Oxford polyester with hard-mesh inserts for comfort and air-flow. Arm and waist adjustment features progressive tightening for improved ergonomics and 3D mesh at the neck delivers further structure and ventilation.
The interior mesh lining delivers optimal ventilation, and protection is provided by CE-approved soft shells at the elbows and shoulders, with a removable back protector available in any size from S to XXXL.

summer

The S-Line all-seasons jacket has the addition of two zipped vents and a removable thermal lining, while the S-Line adventure jacket features three zipped vents in addition to the removable thermal lining, CE-approved soft shells at the elbows and shoulders and a removable back protector.

SIFAM
www.sifam.fr