Parts Europe

EC-approved vintage style open face

With Roadster, Scrambler and open helmets the current hot sellers, Parts Europe is offering an EC-approved open face helmet: the FX-76 Vintage by AFX. 

Made of fibreglass, the lightweight, durable shell has a protective clear coat, the chin strap is fitted with a rectangular DD-ring and hypoallergenic and antimicrobial nylon liner and cheek pads. It meets ECE 22.05 and DOT FMVSS-218 safety standards.

Despite its slim silhouette, the FX-76 is comfortable, with space for ear speakers. New snap on visors are available in a wide range of safe, practical retro style shapes and colours.

PARTS EUROPE
www.partseurope.eu

Nolan

Nolan augmented reality Sony collaboration

Italian helmet manufacturer Nolan will celebrate its 45th anniversary next year. Since 1972 the company says it has sold over 30 million helmets, collected 53 world titles and equipped over 1,000 riders in the most important competitions in the world.
These days the company remains one of the few European helmet manufacturers to still undertake most of its manufacturing operations here in Europe (in Italy, where it employs some 350 people at its 35,000 sq m Bergamo facility) and sells its internationally approved Nolan, X-Lite and Grex brands to more than 80 countries worldwide.
In addition to new helmet introductions, EICMA saw Nolan announce a collaboration with Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony to develop its N-Com ARX project – a prototype helmet with augmented reality technology.
Visitors were able to try a simulated augmented reality experience on the Nolan booth at EICMA by getting on a bike and wearing the prototype helmet fitted with the N-Com ARX system.

The company describes the N-Com ARX as a “technologically innovative project that incorporates Sony’s unique holographic waveguide technology provided in the form of an optical module that takes the light created in the optical engine, and projects a virtual image through the holographic optical elements to the eyes of the wearer.
“The interaction between the N-Com communication system integrated into the helmet with Sony’s optical module and the tailor-made Smartphone App allows the projection, via a heads-up display, of a hologram in the rider’s field of vision, thus supplying support information for safety and riding comfort”. 
Answering the concerns that have been expressed by some automotive consumer groups in Europe that the increasing use of technology could distract drivers, Nolan say that “the viewing of a range of useful and essential information on a see-through display, combined with audio indications, allows the rider to concentrate on driving.
“Through an open-source platform, N-Com ARX offers possibilities for the development of applications for the projection of various types of information on a heads-up display. This special prototype helmet is part of a development project for the N-Com brand for the near future. We cannot market this innovation immediately, but it highlights the innovation that distinguishes the N-Com brand”, stated Claudio Corollo, Nolan’s N-Com Division Manager. 

Corollo added: “Our prime objective remains the safety of our clients, but this kind of technology also represents the near future for motorcyclists, and we definitely do not want to find ourselves, our distributors, dealers and riders unprepared”.
Hiroshi Mukawa, who leads the development of hologram waveguide technology as General Manager of the SIG business department at Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, said “it has been a pleasure to work with Nolan on building this Technology Demonstrator. At Sony we always aim to exceed market expectations, and we believe our hologram waveguide technology will bring about brand new experiences for motorcyclists”.
NOLAN GROUP
www.nolan.com

Kappa

Cafe Racer range

Kappa have introduced a new range of luggage for Cafe Racer style bikes "that takes inspiration from the glorious past of British bike manufacturers".

The three bags are in tone-on-tone black, made in UV-resistant polyester and Eco leather with an orange lining, sealed seams and metal detailing. 

The range includes a 10-l streamlined tank bag (CR600) with internal polypropylene reinforcements that is fixed with four magnets; features include a convenient transparent tablet holder that can be quickly fixed or removed from the bag with strap belts, a shoulder strap, front handle and reflective elements.

The side bags (CR601) are a pair of 23 litre backpacks with internal polypropylene reinforcements, a universal attach/release system that works with the TMT frame to fix to the bike's frame and is compatible with different bike models. 

The roll bag (CR602) is a classic 20 litre internally reinforced big carry bag for the back saddle or rack. Like the other bags in the range, it does not necessarily look like a motorcycle-specific accessory and Navy style roll-up closing allows compression of soft loads.

KAPPA S.r.l.
www.kappamoto.com

German motorcycle registrations

German motorcycle registrations +15% for 2016

The latest data released by the motorcycle trade association in Germany (IVM) shows new motorcycle registrations for 2016 up by +15.01 percent at 117,587 units – the best annual market performance in Germany since before 2008. 

As elsewhere, the December data is affected by OEs and their dealers pre-registering existing Euro 3 compliant inventory in advance of the new Euro 4 regulations becoming mandatory for all newly registered motorcycles in January 1st 2017 – something that has been seen in the data throughout Europe in the final weeks of 2016.
In total Powered Two-Wheeler terms (PTW) the German market was +14.81 percent for 2016 at 172,846 units – also the best German market performance since before 2008.
The top-selling motorcycle in Germany in 2016 was BMW’s all conquering R 1200 GS, with 6,932 units sold. Yamaha’s MT-07 was second (3,398 units), followed by the Kawasaki ER-6n (2,629 units), BMW’s R nineT (2,563 units), and Honda’s CRF 1000 ‘Africa Twin’ was the fifth most popular new motorcycle in Germany in 2016 (2,295).

BMW’s R 1200 GS was the top-selling motorcycle in Germany in 2016, with 6,932 units sold, helping power the Munich based company to leadership of their home motorcycle market

Yamaha’s MT-07 was the second best-selling bike in Germany in 2016 (3,398 units sold) as Yamaha took overall total PTW sales market leadership (14.06 percent share, 24,303 units sold)

With seven models in the list of the top-20 best sellers, it is no surprise that BMW is motorcycle market leader with 23,399 units sold there in 2016 for a 19.90 percent market share – although that is a tad down (in a growing market in Germany) from the 23.17 percent market share that sales of 23,690 units scored for them in 2015.
Yamaha is second with a 12.09 percent market share (14,217 units sold), but the really interesting news, especially where confirmation of the widespread and ongoing trend towards premium price larger displacement machines is concerned, is that Harley-Davidson have taken 3rd spot in the German motorcycle market with their sales of 13,096 units, earning an 11.14 percent market share – ahead of (in order) Honda, KTM, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati and Triumph.
Harley’s success no doubt goes a long way to explaining why the ‘Chopper’ sector was Germany’s fastest growing motorcycle market sector by style of machine, being +29.36 percent over its 2015 importance to the market there with 16,175 units sold, in total accounting for 13.76 percent of the German market in 2016.

Harley-Davidson took third spot in Germany in motorcycle market share terms in 2016, with 13,096 units sold, scooping them an 11.14 percent share; their top seller was their
Softail Slim (1,643 units sold)

The largest market sector in Germany by machine style in 2016 were sportsbikes, 28.67 percent of the market (33,717 units), followed by Enduro bikes, 24.45 percent of the market (28,750 units), and so-called “Classical” bikes (traditional/naked) accounting for 21.40 percent of the German motorcycle market in 2016 (25,163 units).
In total market share terms (sales including all PTWs such as scooters and mopeds as well as motorcycles) Yamaha was “Top Dog” in Germany in 2016 taking a massively improved 14.06 percent market share (24,303 units sold), with BMW second (13.88 percent overall market share, 23,987 units sold) and Honda 3rd (11.64 percent, 20,113 units sold), followed by (in order) KTM, Harley-Davidson, Piaggio, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati and Triumph.

Ducati

Ducati sales up in 2016

Ducati Motor Holding say it enjoyed further growth in 2016, delivering 55,451 motorcycles to customers globally - an increase of +1.2% compared to 2015 (54,809 bikes).

The United States remains Ducati's largest market,
with Italy +20%, Spain +38% and Germany +8% in 2016

“Ending the year of our 90th anniversary with yet another record is a source of immense pride and satisfaction”, said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “2016 was the seventh consecutive growth year for Ducati”. 

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding: “The pattern of constant company growth seen these last seven years continues”

Ducati say the results had much to do with the addition of new motorcycles to the 2016 Ducati  range, for example, thanks to range additions, sales of Multistrada models were up by +16% compared to 2015.
“The renewed Hypermotard family enjoyed double-digit growth (+15%), while the new Ducati XDiavel received an equally warm welcome on the market, with sales topping 5,200.
“During its second year on international markets, the Ducati Scrambler brand extended its worldwide success: over 15,500 bikes were delivered, a result achieved thanks also to the introduction of the new Scrambler Sixty2.

Sales of Multistrada family models were +16 percent thanks to new models

Two new Scrambler models (this Desert Sled and a Cafe Racer styled Scrambler) and the two new Monsters are expected to help power further growth in 2017

Diavel sales topped 5,200 units

“In addition to a new sales record, 2016 saw consolidation of the considerable increase in volumes achieved in 2015, thanks also to the introduction of the Scrambler brand. This growth demonstrates the strength of both range and brand and, above all, the solid performance of the global sales network”, said Andrea Buzzoni, Global Sales and Marketing Director of Ducati Motor Holding. 

Andrea Buzzoni, Global Sales and Marketing Director Ducati: “Results on the Italian market were outstanding, with 20% growth”

“Results on the Italian market have been significant. Thanks to +20% growth in 2016 - and an excellent +84% over the two-year period 2015/2016 - Italy is again the second most important market, after the USA and ahead of Germany”.
The USA retained its position as Ducati’s biggest market, with customers receiving a total of 8,787 new bikes. On European markets, Ducati repeated the excellent progress of the previous year, with Italy (+20%), Spain (+38%) and Germany (+8%) doing especially well.
Beyond Europe, Ducati more than doubled its year-on-year sales (+120%) in China, in Brazil, bike deliveries increased by 36%, and in Argentina by a staggering 219%.
“The seven new models presented for 2017 allow Ducati to look to the future with even greater confidence and optimism, the company says. With the motto ‘More than Red – Evolution never stops’, the 2017 range is packed with all-new developments. ‘Red’ for passion, performance and racing. ‘More’ for an ever-expanding product range that includes more accessible, differentiated motorcycles and an unprecedented range of services.
“For 2017 the Monster family is being refreshed and extended with the arrival of the 1200 and the all-new 797. What’s more, already presented bikes include the new Multistrada 950, Ducati SuperSport and the exclusive 1299 Superleggera. Ducati Scrambler has launched two new bikes to extend the range of the new Ducati brand: the Cafe Racer and the Desert Sled”.
At this time, Ducati has 1,594 employees, a network of 783 sales and assistance centres and is present in 90 countries.

TecMate

OptiMate 3 now available as a multi-bank

The OptiMate 3 charger from TecMate was originally designed in 1994, but a process of continual updating has meant that it still retains all the features that made it so popular over 20 years ago, but with all the modern features that have become available since.
Now available as a multi-bank charger, those original features include the unique maintenance mode that works on sealed AGM and GEL as well as flooded batteries and allows 24-7-365 maintenance.
Tested by Honda Motor Company, they concluded that TecMate’s inter-active charge method of 30 minutes maintenance charging alternating with 30 minutes ‘rest’ (during which time the battery continues to be monitored) is ideal for all their lead-acid batteries.
The original self-discharge test remains, checking if that battery can hold more than 50% charge; warning the rider if not. Recognizing that it could well be the vehicle itself drawing the battery down, OptiMate continues to provide charge to the battery, to prevent it from being drained completely! 

The unique professional level ability to recover a sulphated battery that won’t accept and hold charge remains a key OptiMate feature, doing so automatically without any user intervention. At the same time ‘smart circuits’ are built in to prevent this feature kicking-in if vehicle wiring is detected - completely discharged batteries have the best chance of recovery if taken off the vehicle.
For dealers who want to prepare and keep batteries fresh for sale at the counter, or for customers with multiple vehicles, the Dual bank and Quad bank models offer great features and value for money, according to TecMate. Each bank works like an independent OptiMate 3 - you can even charge series-connected batteries as the banks are electrically isolated from each other. 
OptiMate 3 features are trusted by many OEMS, including the companies that globally co-brand this model, such as Honda, Triumph, Moose Utility Division and Drag Specialties.

TECMATE
www.tecmate.com

Hevik

'Identity Racer' winter gloves and 'Portland' jacket

 

Introduced by Italian specialist apparel brand Hevik at EICMA, these new, long winter gloves have a 100% waterproof membrane and thermal lining. They are water repellent treated, have contrasting leather inserts on the palm and the back of the hand, pleats, high-grade stitching and touchscreen- friendly tips on the fingers.

Also seen here, their 'Portland' wax cotton jacket is a new two-layer urban riding jacket with waterproof treated fabric and thermal lining.
Features include "an elegant look and extreme attention to riding details, such as the positioning of the pockets and waterproof front zips". The external structure is in cotton that has been soaked with a wax-based paraffin; it has an internal fixed waterproof membrane and a removable thermal layer, as well as strap adjusters at the hips and wrists. Closing is by a gasket-protected zip and buttons.
The standard version issue includes CE-approved protectors at the shoulders and elbows with pouch for optional back protector.

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