BS Battery

BS Battery extends its 'Smart Accessories' line

French battery manufacturer BS Battery continues to invest in smart testing solutions by extending its battery condition indicator lines with the new BT 03.

Designed for professionals and end-users, the new BT 03 allows dealers and riders to check the state of charge of 12V lead acid batteries, with a three integrated LED lights display diagnostic tool. Extra slim, the accessory is ideal if your battery is difficult to access, hidden or if you cannot use clamps because of the eyelet terminals.

"Making the life easier for workshops and end-users is one of our priorities," says Benjamin Sebban, BS Battery General Manager. "From the installation to the diagnostic, our new BT 03 battery tester performs a very quick check of a powersport vehicle's charging system."
Compatible with all the BS smart chargers, the BT 03 also allows to charge and maintain batteries without disconnecting the fused ring. "Connect, test, charge and forget," says Benjamin.

 

 

 

This new solution completes the wide range of accessories developed by BS Battery - a comprehensive range that includes the BST 50, a specialised advanced battery and electrical diagnostics tool for batteries in the 7V to 30V range that delivers results within one second, and the BT02, a dual-purpose, simultaneous battery and alternator condition tester.
"Compatible with all lead-acid batteries (SLA, GEL, AGM, FM, DRY and Ca/Ca), our testers are ideal during the winter season - or any period when the battery is not being used or charged frequently. They are the quick, efficient and convenient solution for checking battery status at any time," added Benjamin.

BS BATTERY SAS
www.bs-battery.com

ACEM

Motorcycle and moped registrations in largest European markets continuing to increase in Q1

According to the latest data released by Brussels based ACEM (the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers), registrations of new motorcycles in the five largest European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) showed an increase of +14.6% (226,793 units) during the first three months of 2022, compared to the same period of 2021.

Most of the largest European motorcycle markets registered increases, including the UK (27,807 motorcycle registered, +56.4% compared to the same quarter of 2021), Germany (54,106 units, +30.4%), Spain (38,922 units, +16.3%) and France (45,702 units, +2.3%). Motorcycle registrations in the Italian market remained stable during Q1 2022, at 60,256 units (-0.4%).
European motorcycle markets remain very strong and have been consistently growing since 2020, when countries exited the initial Covid pandemic lockdowns across Europe.
The moped segment also performed well during the first quarter of 2022. Moped registrations reached a total of 57,755 units in the six largest European moped markets (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). This represents an increase of +3.5% in comparison to the first quarter of 2021.
Commenting on the current situation, ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot, said: "The registration figures for the first quarter of 2022 show that the moped and motorcycle registrations in key European markets remained strong, in spite of the manufacturing and logistical issues created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Preliminary data for April indicates a slight slowdown for some markets, due to the shortage of semiconductors and shipping delays affecting the availability of some models. Sales in the coming months may also be affected, up or down, by factors such as rising fuel prices and the general economic situation in Europe"
"The registration figures for the second and third quarters will tell us whether the motorcycle and moped markets performed well in 2022, as most sales take place in spring and early summer."

Galfer

Galfer to "own the tracks" in 2022

Leveraging its 70 years of experience, Spanish brake components specialist Galfer is aiming to "go all out in this, our 70th anniversary year - we are increasing the number of riders and teams using Galfer brake discs, pads and lines across the world's most important motorbike disciplines in the 2022 season, both on and off-road".
"We are focusing on racing as never before," says Galfer Director General Umberto Milesi. "We have several new additions with the Snipers Team in Moto3, Sherco CH Racing Enduro team and the Dynavolt-Triumph Supersport team all worthy of a special mention.
"On the track, Galfer will have up to 12 riders in the Moto3 class, two riders in Moto2, eight riders in WSBK Supersport 600 and two riders in Supersport 300.

"Some of the standout names include Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), Andrea Migno (Snipers Team), Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros Team) and Stefano Manzi (Dynavolt-Triumph). They will all be fighting for world titles during the 2022 season with help from the advanced technology of our new award-winning Floatech discs and Galfer racing brake pads."
Galfer will be very well represented in the EnduroGP discipline with up to 21 riders competing in the World Championship, including some of the strongest and most successful international riders in the discipline.
These include Beta Factory Team riders Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman, who have won the most recent world championships, as well as the TM Boano with Cavallo, Ruprecht, Pavoni and Philippaerts and a new addition, the Sherco CH Racing team with Antoine Magain, Hamish Macdonald, Daniel McCanney and Zach Pichon. Galfer also provides components for the Fantic d'Arpa Team and the KTM WP Eric Augé team bikes.
In Motocross, Galfer continues as MXGP sponsor for the second consecutive year and competes in the MXGP 2022 World Championship with 12 different teams and up to 35 riders - including the Beta SDM Corse Team (Jeremy Van Horebeek and Alessandro Lupino), the Honda 114 Motorsport Team (Rubén Fernández and Hakon Fredriksen), the SM Action GasGas Team (Alberto Forato and Andrea Adamo), Diga Procross KTM Team (Thomas Kjer Olsen and Liam Everts) and the MRT Racing Team KTM (Michele Cervellin and Valerio Lata).
The brand will also support several riders and teams in the AMA SuperCross Championship, including Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing with Malcolm Stewart and Dean Wilson. Last but by no means least, in Trials, Toni Bou and his Montesa-Honda will once again be leading the Galfer riders - as he aims to win his 31st consecutive world title - alongside Bou's new teammate Gabriel Marcelli.
Other teams who will also be using Galfer products include GasGas, Beta, Vertigo, Scorpa and Sherco. The 2021 season ended with 12 world titles for Galfer supported teams and riders.
www.galfer.es

IBEX

Distributors Wanted - France, Spain, Scandinavia

Founded some 15 years ago by Frank Zieger, IBEX GmbH has been one of the fastest growing parts and accessory manufacturers in Germany in recent years and has not let the pandemic or other issues slow it down.

IBEX' new Pirna, Germany facility

Although the economic environment has not been easy in the last 30 months, IBEX has taken advantage of the time and continued to invest in the expansion of its production capacity.
During this time, a tube laser, a CNC bending robot and a new milling centre were purchased. The production capacity for licence plate holders, crash bars, centre stands and more has therefor been significantly increased.

Accessorised with Zieger parts by IBEX.

This has represented an investment of approx. € 1m and further benefits the company's dealer network because all production can take place in-house in Germany - so IBEX has been able to avoid the dependency on supply chains that has been such an issue for many in the industry.
The new capacity means that IBEX can now be sure it can meet new demand, so is now embarked on an expansion plan that will see it appoint importers/distributors outside Germany with opportunities available to sell ZIEGER branded product line to dealers in France, Spain and Scandinavia. 

Crash bars

Chain protection

Centre stand

Frank Zieger told IDN: "We attach great importance to our business relationships, to building a long-term, trusting cooperation. Our partners will find IBEX to be a reliable and supportive partner because only a mutually beneficial cooperation is a good cooperation."
If you are interested in working with IBEX, you can contact the sales manager Dieter Klann - d.klann@ibex-parts.de / +49 3501 5719732.
www.ibex-parts.de

BMW

BMW - "Fuel For Life" platform

Initially featuring Travel and Training opportunities, BMW say its new "Fuel For Life" portal will offer budget and time-frame options for "a wide range of routes and destinations - right after having finished researching the routes and destinations, the customer is referred to the appropriate BMW Motorrad partner for booking".

For 2022 "The Great Getaway" offers three "inspiring destinations for a perfect getaway trip. In Costa Rica, Portugal and the USA, you can indulge in motorcycling pleasures for eight days in the saddle and enjoy the feel of pure heritage on motorcycles from the BMW R 18 range. Customers are accompanied by professional tour guides, with select hotel accommodation and meals as well as a support vehicle".
"Follow The Trails" is the "ultimate off-road adventure that takes customers to remote and undiscovered locations of the International GS Trophy. Off the beaten track, the participants follow in the footsteps of the GS Trophy teams and explore unspoilt landscapes on BMW GS models (R 1250 GS, F 750 GS, F 850 GS) - in Mongolia, Albania and Thailand.
"Training options offer Racetrack experiences guided by experts. 'Racing School Europe' on the other hand, offers fast-paced action on supersports bikes such as the BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR. At world-famous MotoGP and WorldSBK circuits such as Mugello in Italy, the 'Circuit Ricardo Tormo' in Valencia, Spain, or 'Motorland Aragon', also in Spain.
"The wide range of 'Fuel For Life' offers for BMW Motorrad experiences is initially available for Europe, but will be steadily expanded in the coming months and, in addition to 'Travel' and 'Training', other exciting categories will soon follow".
fuelforlife.bmw-motorrad.com

News Briefs

Energica (Italy) has signed Autohaus Hofmann (Bad Saulgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) as a new dealer. In 2021, 199,132 motorcycles were registered in Germany and 3,541 of these were electrically powered (about 2.6% market share). Energica, now owned by New York based Ideanomics, already has 12 dealers in Germany and has a monobrand showroom in Munich.

Rumors suggest that a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Raid model could be headed to the next Dakar Rally. The ambitious Indian manufacturer has been in new model overdrive in recent years. An Indian media outlet recently described a prospective new, liquid-cooled 450 cc model as "the upcoming Himalayan 450 Raid". It will expected to feature "next level tech and performance" that will take it closer to models from established Dakar competitors such as Honda, KTM, and others.

SBS Friction has returned as the Official Brake Pad of Progressive AFT in the United States. Always a major race supporter, the 2022 season marks the fifth consecutive year in which SBS has served in that capacity in AFT racing. Founded in Denmark nearly 60 years ago, the company boasts a glorious motorsports tradition with dozens of two-wheel world championships, including in WorldSBK and MXGP.

With production at its Russian plant on hold, historic motorcycle and sidecar specialist IMZ-URAL has announced that it is to set up production at Petropavlovsk in Kazakhstan - some 400 miles southeast of its Irbit HQ.


Nominated for its new Ott Architekten, Augsburg designed office and logistics building, German specialist SIP Scootershop has been awarded a prestigious 'Best Workspaces Award'. Best Workspaces is the first international architecture award for intelligent working environments. "Callwey Publishing House and its partners bring together the best workspace interiors judged by an independent jury of experts. The vision of the award is to recognise pioneering workspace design internationally".

Sweden's Trelleborg Group has agreed to sell its Wheel Systems unit, incorporating its entire global Trelleborg off-road tire business, to Japanese tire giant Yokohama Rubber for $2.3bn in a deal that will more than double Yokohama's existing $970m off-road tire sales. Yokohama will absorb Trelleborg tire plants (ten of them) in seven countries - China, Czech Republic, India, Italy, Serbia, Sri Lanka and the USA. The brands sold include Maximo, Cultor, Interfit and, the best known in the motorcycle market, Mitas - which Trelleborg has only owned since 2015.

Owner Kinderhook Industries, LLC flipped its Mentor, Ohio based Race Winning Brands (RWB) subsidiary in November 2021. The new owner is New York based MiddleGround Capital. Headed up by industry veterans Bob Bruegging as President and Bob Romanelli as acquisitions lead, RWB was originally carved out of Dover Corporation in 2017. It had "completed eight strategic acquisitions" under Kinderhook ownership. RWB numbers Wiseco Performance Products, Manley Performance, ProX Racing Parts, Rekluse Motor Sports and JE Pistons among its best known powersports industry "units".

Dorna Sports has partnered with owner Meta to launch a new game on Facebook, "the MotoGP Pick & Play game brings fans into the action on one of the world's largest social networks". Launching exclusively on Facebook in 2022 it will be available to play free worldwide on mobile devices.


Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com

Ducati

Ducati reports record sales and revenues

Ducati closed 2021 by reporting its best revenues and operating profit ever recorded - a record 59,447 motorcycles delivered worldwide (+24% over 2020/48,042 and +12% over 2019/53,183 units).

Revenues were also a record at € 878m (+30% over 2020 and +23% over 2019). Operating profit reached € 61m (+154% over 2020 and +18% over 2019) on a pre-pandemic equalling margin of 7%. Ducati was able to self-finance future tech, product and process development.
Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, said: "It is difficult to comment on the economic results without taking into account the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. I really hope that the hostilities will come to an end as soon as possible, with a cessation of violence and a return to diplomacy to resolve disputes. We come from an already particularly complex year, during which, like all players in the production industry, we have faced difficulties related to the ongoing supply crisis."

During 2021, Ducati opened 84 new dealerships in key locations, and now has 790 dealers in over 90 countries. In 2021, the number of employees in the company exceeded 1,900 for the first time - a year that saw Ducati win a second consecutive MotoGP Constructors' World Title.