Italian motorcycle registrations +18.62 percent for the first nine months of 2016
The latest data released by the Italian motorcycle industry trade association (ANCMA, Milan) shows new motorcycle registrations for the first nine months of 2016 up by +18.62 percent at 65,409 units for the year-to-date. In September, the market was worth 5,191 new motorcycles, +13.89 percent.
Total PTW registrations were +11.98 percent (165,717 units) for the first nine months of 2016.
The scooter market in Italy was up by +8.04 percent for the first nine months of the year at 100,308 units.
The top selling motorcycles in Italy so far this year were the BMW R 1200 GS (23,068 units), the Honda ‘Africa Twin’ (2,612 units), Honda’s NC 750 X (2,149 units) and Ducati’s Scrambler 800 (2,045 units).
In unit number terms, the largest market sector in Italy in the first nine months of the year was the ‘Naked’ style bike market, which at 23,348 units was up by +21.08 percent over 2015, followed by the Enduro market (21,402 units, +28.42 percent over 2015). Supermotard models are +37.50 percent on low volumes (2,453 units); tourers are up by +2.93 percent (7,767 units).
Honda and Yamaha in home market scooter collaboration
Honda and Yamaha have moved to confirm speculation that they have started discussions that may lead to a possible business alliance in the Japanese market in the Class-1 category, which include scooters with a 50cc engine or electric motor.
The diversification of the types of short-range transportation, including power-assisted bicycles and mini-vehicles, has meant that the market for the Class-1 category vehicles in Japan has been shrinking in recent years. Moreover, motorcycle manufacturers are facing various challenges, including compliance with safety standards and emissions regulations, that will become more stringent in future years, as well as the pursuit of product electrification.
It is under these circumstances that Honda and Yamaha arrived at a common understanding that cooperation is necessary to address these challenges for the future, and based on this understanding, the two companies will strive to realize collaboration in the Japanese market in the Class-1 category.
The Road Vehicles Act of Japan defines the Class-1 category as “vehicles equipped with two or more wheels and an engine with total displacement of 50 cc or less, or an electric motor with rated output of 0.60 kW or less”.
The key plans under discussion include supplying 50 cc scooter models as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). With a target timetable of before the end of 2018, Honda would begin supplying 50 cc scooter models to Yamaha as an OEM that are developed based on the Honda TACT and Giorno 50 cc scooter models Honda currently produces and sells in Japan. Yamaha will sell these models as corresponding models of the Yamaha JOG and Vino.
Honda and Yamaha are currently developing, producing and selling 50 cc business scooter models for the Japanese market, namely the Honda BENLY and Yamaha GEAR, respectively. The two companies will look at the feasibility of the joint development and OEM supply from Honda to Yamaha of a next-generation version of these business scooter models.
For the purpose of further popularizing electric motorcycles mainly in the Class-1 category in Japan, the two companies will look into possible collaboration in the area of establishing the foundation necessary to address various issues relevant to electric motorcycles such as range, charging time, performance and cost.
By broadly sharing the achievement of such collaboration with other motorcycle manufacturers and relevant industries in the form of proposals, the two companies will strive to further facilitate the electrification of motorcycle products.
Shinji Aoyama, Operating Officer and Director, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., said: “Through this collaboration with Yamaha, we will continue to offer Class-1 category products that go beyond the expectations of our customers. With that, we will devote all of our efforts to revitalize the motorcycle market in Japan and establish a market environment that enables the popularization of electric motorcycles at the earliest possible timing”.
Katsuaki Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer and Director, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd., said: “We believe that our collaborative activities, which will start with an OEM alliance, will go beyond the framework of a mere product supply alliance and carve out a future motorcycle culture in Japan”.
EC-approved slip-on for the Africa Twin
Parts Europe is an international distributor for the Italian made Spark exhausts brand. Seen here is their EC-approved slip-on muffler for the Honda CRF 1000L 'Africa Twin'. Designed with a 'Dakar' style shape, it is described as delivering a deep sound and is available in four materials.
PARTS EUROPE, Germany, www.partseurope.eu
New full-face off-roader from X-Lite
Nolan has added a new off-road full-face helmet design to its X-Lite programme – their X-502 – that utilises their proprietary NERS (Nolan Emergency Release) emergency cheek pad removal system, which allows emergency responders to remove the cheek pads from the helmet while it is still being worn.
Described as being “characterised by an aggressive design and a wealth of technical characteristics”, its compact volume (thanks to the availability of two outer shell sizes, ultra-wide visor and efficient RAF (Racing Air Flow) ventilation system) brings a level of technical specification to full-face off-road helmet design that is normally associated with road bike helmet technology.
Additional features include a peak with adjustable, extended additional peak, Carbon Fitting Racing Experience inner comfort padding (with an innovative net construction), compatibility with neck braces and action cameras and a Camel Bag water system are said to “make the X-502 one of the reference points for the most demanding off-road enthusiasts”.
NOLAN GROUP
www.nolan
Honda CBR 650F/R/CB 650F rearset
Italian parts and accessory manufacturer Bonamici Racing is offering these new rearset kit designs for the new Honda CBR 650F/R/CB 650F ’14-’16. CNC-machined from Ergal billet aluminium, they are described as “robust and effective, adjustable in seven positions, with the use of bearings to completely eliminate the friction on the levers, and a spring for the assisted return of the rear brake lever”. Compatible with standard or reverse mode shifting set-ups, matching accessories are also available. BONAMICI RACING, Italy, www.bonamiciracing.it
Sportsbike handlebar switches
Modena, Italy based Jetprime has released details of a complete range of ‘Plug & Play’ handlebar switches for most popular sportsbike makes and models.
Suitable for race or road use, they are designed and manufactured in-house by Jetprime, who are a chosen technology partner to the Althea BMW Racing Team in the World Superbike Championship and the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup.
The company says that all their handlebar switches are interchangeable with the factory originals and that they are 100 percent modification-free installs. Each unit is described as ‘Plug & Play’ and specific to each bike.
Each button control unit has been machined from a solid billet of 7075 aluminium and fitted with IP67 military standard switches to ensure everything is watertight and to guarantee use for more than 1,000,000 working cycles.
They are available in either a left-hand version (5 or 7 buttons) or a right-hand version (3 buttons) for road or race use for all Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Kawasaki, MV Agusta and Yamaha sportsbike models, as well as for selected Ducati road bike models (Monster, Hypermotard and Multistrada).
JETPRIME
www.jetprime.it
EvoXtreme for Multistrada
This is Italian exhaust manufacturer HP Corse’s EvoXtreme silencer for the Ducati Multistrada 1200. Available in black or silver steel with three-dimensional carbon fibre end caps for the slash-cut silencer body, the irregular shape is made possible by using traditional, weld-free hand-craftsmanship techniques to create a power-boosting, lightweight silencer, with a slim profile that reduces the overall width of the bike. HP CORSE, Italy, www.hpcorse.com
