Parts Europe

Dutch dealer wins Dunlop/Parts Europe KTM Duke raffle prize

Nils Imhoff from American Bike Store in the Netherlands will soon be finding out just how cool the KTM Duke 390 is, because he is the lucky winner of the Parts Europe and Dunlop raffle. 

From left:  Raoul Smits, EMEA Sales Manager Motorcycle & Racing, Goodyear & Dunlop, Nils Imhoff, American Bike Store, Xavier Williart, Sales Manager Europe, Parts Europe

Parts Europe’s German Sales Agent Diana Rausch was Lady Luck and drew their invoice-number out from the many dealers who had purchased 40 Dunlop tyres or more in the period from June 1st 2015 to May 31st 2016, or ordered 10 Dunlop tyres or more in the qualifying period from June 1st until October 30th 2016.
The bike, equipped with Dunlop tyres, and the shipping, was paid for by Dunlop. Nils Imhoff was invited to join Parts Europe at EICMA where Raoul Smits, EMEA Sales Manager Motorcycle & Racing for Goodyear & Dunlop Tires, and Xavier Williart, Sales Manager Europe for Parts Europe, handed over the keys of the Dunlop-Parts Europe Duke to Nils during the show.

Among Parts Europe’s 2017 catalogue releases, their ‘Tires, Tools, Lubes and Chemicals’ is a specialty guide to the service and maintenance products available to dealers throughout Europe from their 16,500 sq m Wasserliesch/Trier, Germany warehouse

www.partseurope.eu

Forma boots

Drytex lined Adv Tourer

This new Adv Tourer boot from Italian specialist Forma completes their 2017 range of adventure riding footwear with a dual-purpose adventure/tour design with off-road features and a three- quarter length upper.

The boot has a full grain, oil treated suede leather upper, with personalised fit heat protector, double Velcro closure with adjustable and replaceable GH plastic buckles. A double reflective insert is visible on both sides of the boot, and the specific compound rubber sole has an aggressive grip tread that is suitable for both touring and off-road use; the use in the construction of an “Extra Comfort Fit” last and padded inserts on the upper shin and calf area are said to guarantee maximum fit and comfort.
Externally there is a reinforced front plate and pre-formed plastic protections on the gear pad and lower buckle area; internally TPU moulded plastic protections and soft Polymer padding with memory foam protect the shin and ankle. The personalised fit Drytex tubular lining (Booty System - a special sock with thermo-welded seams) prevents water from entering the boot and guarantees breathability.
The contoured and shaped Mid Dual Flex midsole in PP with anti-shock EVA material covering and steel inserts offers higher front flexibility and greater rear stiffness to “ensure sensitivity during gear changing, stability when in contact with the bike pedal and easier walking". The anti-bacterial and replaceable footbed with Forma’s A.P.S. (Air Pump System) enhances air ventilation and cushions body weight. Available in black from sizes 38 to 49, Adv Tourer is CE-approved, designed and developed in Italy and made in the EC.

SDE MOTORSPORT S.r.l.
www.formaboots.com

Rukka

Rukka “Next to Skin”

Rukka say that their next generation Rukka “Next to Skin” (N2S) long-sleeved shirt and long johns, named ‘Wisa’,  combine the function of Gore Windstopper with the properties of a high quality polyester fabric.

Rukka first developed their “Next to Skin” (N2S) functional undergarment programme several years ago specifically to protect against windchill effect, using a wicking Gore Windstopper membrane to do so. The new N2S ‘Wisa’ riding underwear also includes the properties of high quality, skin-friendly, soft polyester textile to guide moisture away from the skin and prevent evaporative heat loss.
Rukka Windstopper N2S garments were specifically developed to be worn directly on the skin, but can also be worn as a mid-layer above functional undergarments.

RUKKA/L-FASHION GROUP
www.rukka.com

CNC Racing

CNC for MV Agusta F4

With the introduction of its accessory line for the MV Agusta F4, CNC Racing now completes its accessory line for the Schiranna bikes, offering “a superb choice and variety of options to customise the timeless MV Agusta icon”.

There are three options available for the brake/clutch/oil tank: the exclusive “Carbon”, produced wholly in carbon, the new and glamorous “Rebel”, or the great classic, the aluminium round tank signed by CNC Racing. The last two are available in different colours. 

 
For the F4, CNC Racing has also introduced a LH side clutch lever protector that is added to the “Brake Guard” used also by Moto GP champions Danilo Petrucci and Scott Redding. To complement this, the brake and clutch levers are available in black, red and gold, in both fixed and folding versions. 

CNC Racing’s adjustable footboards are made in black, with the driver and passenger footrests available in various colours. For chassis and engine protection, CNC Racing proposes a wide range of products from chassis caps to casing protectors and front and back wheel pads. 

To soften the use of the clutch, CNC Racing recommends its famous actuator, accompanied by the pinion cover option.

CNC RACING
www.cncracing.it

Banner Batterien

New generation Accucharger intelligent chargers

Austrian battery specialist Banner’s range of Accucharger brand end-user battery chargers offers “the simplest possible operation and an extensive range of accessories”.
Günther Lemmerer, Marketing Manager for Banner, says that “our new 12V chargers in the Banner Accucharger series represent the state of the art. Highly modern microprocessor-controlled technologies with a multi-level charging programme ensure first class levels of precision and safety, as well as long battery life.

“At the same time, the Banner Accuchargers are extremely simple to use as they require no adjustments prior to operation. This makes our new Accucharger series an ideal end consumer device.” In line with the plug & play principle, the chargers operate fully automatically and have an auto-start function that actuates as soon as the battery is connected correctly to the Banner Accucharger.  
The chargers are available in four different performance categories with 2A for motorcycles or car retentive trickle charging, 3A for small cars or retentive trickle charging, 6A for cars and 10A for large cars, SUVs and small vans. The batteries in quads, snowmobiles, tractor mowers and motorboats “can also be charged to perfection. Equally, the Banner Accucharger is predestined for the retentive trickle charging of convertibles, which stay in the garage over the winter. The chargers are suitable for conventional, EFB, AGM and GEL batteries”.    
The “retentive trickle charging mode” maintains battery voltage “at an optimum level over many months. The chargers also have integrated protection against short circuits, reverse polarity and overloading. Moreover, hooks are provided for the secure anchorage of the device outside the working area, and the Banner Accuchargers are fitted with an extensive range of accessories that includes charging clamps with quick connectors, a fused ring connection with a quick connector, edge protection and a storage bag”.    
Based in Linz-Leonding, Austria, Banner GmbH has been manufacturing batteries for all types of vehicles since it was founded in 1937. The family-owned firm, which is headed by Andreas and Thomas Bawart, employs a workforce of around 770 across Europe. They say they produce and sell over 3.8 million starter batteries annually.

BANNER BATTERIEN
www.bannerbatterien.com

Akrapovic

More power for the powerful ZX-10R

Akrapovic has launched a range of options for the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, with designs said to be strongly inspired by the exhausts used by Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea during the machine’s 2015 World Superbike Championship–winning season.

The Evolution Line (Carbon) is a full system designed to deliver an impressive increase in power across the entire rev range, while also improving torque delivery and decreasing weight by over 5 kg. Constructed from a high-grade, race-proven lightweight titanium alloy and finished with a hand-crafted carbon fibre hexagonal muffler and end cap for a power gain in excess of 16 hp (12.1 kW); an optional carbon fibre muffler bracket is available.
The Racing Line (Carbon) is a full stainless steel exhaust system with a hexagonal carbon fibre muffler sleeve, titanium inners and a carbon fibre end cap. Delivering a huge increase in power and torque across the entire rev range, this system also has an optional carbon fibre muffler bracket available.
Akrapovic has also launched two Slip-On Line exhausts. The carbon fibre version of the Slip-On Line is an EC-ECE type-approved exhaust that provides increases in power and torque across the entire rpm range with a reduction in weight. Features include a hexagonal muffler and end cap finished in hand-crafted, high-quality carbon fibre, with titanium pipes and muffler inners; optional titanium link-pipe carbon fibre muffler bracket available.
The Slip-On Line (Titanium) exhaust is aimed directly at markets where EC-ECE type approval is not valid. With an increase in power and torque, coupled with weight savings, the titanium version of the Slip-On Line is said to be a step up in performance. Designed with a short conical muffler for an enhanced racing appearance and finished with a carbon fibre end cap, the Slip-On Line offers a unique sharper racing sound - optional titanium link-pipe available. ECU remapping required when using the link pipes.

AKRAPOVIC
www.akrapovic.com

MV Agusta

MV Agusta secures undisclosed investment

Troubled Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta Holding (a major investor in MV Agusta Motor SpA) has announced that it has signed a “binding agreement” (November 17th) for “a capital increase” with New York City based asset manager Black Ocean Group.

MV Agusta CEO, Giovanni Castiglioni

The recapitalisation is one stage in a restructuring plan that the company says “has the aim of consolidating its leadership in the production of high-end motorcycles under the MV AGUSTA brand. The closing of the transaction is expected to coincide with the homologation of [the] MV AGUSTA restructuring plan”.
Black Ocean itself is part of an international holding group, the Ocean Group, an investment group founded by entrepreneurs Oliver Ripley and Timur Sardarov in 2005. Ocean Group’s core business is “creating and building businesses” with interests in a diverse range of sectors, including private aviation, agriculture, real estate, corporate finance, banking and services, technology, media and internet, with offices in New York, London, Geneva and Moscow.
Oliver Ripley, CEO of Black Ocean, said of the investment: “We are very pleased to become part of such an iconic Italian company and excited by the opportunity to build this into a truly international brand and industry leader”.
Giovanni Castiglioni, CEO of MV Agusta, is quoted as saying “I am very pleased that we have reached this agreement with Black Ocean. Beyond the strengthening of our capital, which is important for the future growth of MV Agusta, I strongly believe that Mr Sardarov, Mr Ripley and their global team will be able to contribute with their entrepreneurial and managerial skills in the consolidation of MV Agusta as a key player in the super premium motorcycle market”.

The details of the agreement have not been disclosed, with no indication as to how this will affect the 25 percent equity position that AMG Mercedes has in MV Agusta, or Castiglioni’s stated aim of disengaging with AMG – a relationship that he was also fulsome about when it was announced, but which has turned sour in the past year.
In March 2016 it was announced that the company had filed a "Composition" with its creditors – an Italian variation on the theme of what is known in the United States as a Chapter 11 creditor protection filing.
The intention was to allow the company some time in which to restructure its finances - in MV Agustas' case that meant dealing with the 40m euro of debt that was reported on its books at that stage. The filing gave MV Agusta to the end of 2016 to renegotiate its finances, granting them an interim 'payment holiday'.
The company said that in 2015 it achieved 100m euro in sales (some +30 percent up on 2014), with turnover growing from 30m euro in just five years. However, plagued by back orders, MV has had to slow down production from the 8,000 plus units at its peak and accept that its ambitions to see that number grow into the 15,000 to 20,000 bracket were unrealistic.
The restructuring plan will need to see the rationalisation of its 20 plus over-populated offer, massively reduce its 15 percent of turnover R&D spend, generate sufficient capital to allow it to service its debt burden, fund ongoing production and put it in a position to buy back the 25 percent stake it sold to AMG Mercedes for 30m in 2014.
Indeed, the company will also need to repay a 15m loan it took from a consortium of Italian banks in late 2014 to top up its cash flow (having burned through the AMG cash and the $20m dowry Harley-Davidson left it with in order to be able to tackle the AMG 25 percent issue). That loan was conditional on AMG's shareholding not being reduced below 20 percent without it being first repaid in full.

www.mvagusta.it