INTERMOT 2025

INTERMOT 2025

Facing increasing domestic German as well as international challenges, Koelnmesse, the organiser of German motorcycle organisation IVM's motorcycle industry trade show, is headed into the first annual event since it announced the change in frequency from biennial, and the change of date from October to December.

That was last year and following a December 2024 event that saw many changes, they have announced more for 2025 - "a fresh concept" - as they continue in search of a formula that will allow the show to emerge from the annual November shadow cast by EICMA.

"From 4 to 7 December 2025, INTERMOT will once again open its doors in Cologne after its dynamic relaunch and bring the passion for motorcycling back into the spotlight - emotional, inspiring and in tune with the times. With a fresh concept, a clear focus and innovative approaches, INTERMOT makes it clear why it is the leading trade fair for the motorbike industry in Germany.

"In future, the event will manifest this claim in the slogan 'INTERMOT - the trade fair. Experience motorbikes in a new way' and will thereby position itself as a central platform for direct dialogue between industry, trade, trade visitors and the community," said INTERMOT Director Alex Wolff.

At the time of their end of May 2025 news release, brands such as BMW Motorrad, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Royal Enfield had already confirmed their participation. 

"The world of accessories will also be represented with high calibre exhibitors such as Bering, Nolan, Shark, Segura, Wilbers, SW-Motech and Wunderlich having already committed to the show. The strong response so early in the year shows that INTERMOT is back - and in full force. As a trade fair hotspot, Cologne offers a unique environment with an enormous reach beyond the country's borders. 

"This year, the 'new' INTERMOT will also send a clear signal in the direction of young target groups and urban mobility: Whether 125 cc bikes, scooters or smart mobility solutions - INTERMOT shows how modern, diverse and future-proof the motorbike world is. To this end, the trade fair will consistently develop its successful creator marketing approach. Influencers, content creators and digital opinion leaders play a central role in inspiring new target groups, increasing reach and retaining the community in the long term. 

"The trade fair will become a stage for new formats, narrative styles and authentic content - directly from the scene, for the scene. INTERMOT 2025 will bring together everything that defines motorbike culture today - from technical expertise and lifestyle to genuine togetherness. It is a meeting place, trend barometer and world of experience all in one - and the most important industry event in the German-speaking world. Anyone looking for innovation, emotion and genuine enthusiasm will find it in Cologne."

www.intermot-cologne.com

News Briefs

As part of its commitment to reduce emissions and employ clean energy sources in its premises, Yamaha Motor has installed solar panels at three facilities in Europe - at its factory Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Europe (YMME), in Saint-Quentin, France; at Yamaha Motor R&D Europe (YMRE) and its branch, in Lesmo, Italy (YMIT).

Well received when first revealed at EICMA 2024 and part of the new 'X-Line', the "revolutionary" new Zero XB full size electric enduro and Zero XE, an ultra-lightweight all electric trail bike, are now making their way to Zero dealers throughout Europe.

Just weeks after being divested from the clutches of KTM parent company PIERER Mobility, legendary Italian performance motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta's historic Schiranna factory opened its doors to the public on Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd to celebrate the brand's 80th anniversary. Some 5,000 people from 36 countries turned up to enjoy the various activities on offer, including 2,000 who took guided tours of the manfacturing facility. Visitors were recorded as including brand enthusiasts from Australia to the United States, Chile to New Zealand, Europe to Asia.

Ten young riders are set for some seriously good training at the Yamaha BLU CRU Master Camp at the Aspar Circuit in Valencia, 27-31 August. Coaching will be provided by some of the biggest Yamaha stars from both MotoGP and WorldSBK. Part of Yamaha's award-winning BLU CRU programme, the foundation of the Yamaha Racing pyramid, it aims to develop future racing stars in both on-road and off-road disciplines, with promotion to the premier classes - MotoGP, WorldSBK, and MXGP are the ultimate goal. 

Charles Chen's Milan based VMoto has done an international deal with Uber to "Electrify Food Delivery". No, it does not mean that the bikes will be cooking your Chow Mein en route to your front door, not that kind of electrification. But it does mean that your meal will arrive without having added to the planet's greenhouse gas woes. VMoto has formed an international partnership with Uber to establish long-term cooperation facilitating the transition of Uber's European fleets, rental partners and drivers to 100% electric vehicles. Uber aims to transition 100,000 motorbike couriers to electric moped/motorcycle alternatives across Europe by 2030. The partnership will also see a first pilot of electric moped/motorcycle battery-swap infrastructure installed in London.

Pirelli is confirmed to continue as the Presenting Sponsor and Sole Tyre Supplier for the British Superbike Championship from 2026 to 2030 in what will become a 23-year partnership, one of the longest-running in motorsport. BSB is one of the most successful domestic motorcycle racing series in the world and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026.

Former Nolan Helmets Export Sales Director Luca Farina has been hired by Belgium headquartered AFAM Group as its new Business Development Manager; www.afam-group.com 

Pirelli is to become the Official MotoGP tyre supplier from 2027 - Michelin will remain the exclusive supplier for MotoGP and MotoE until the end of the current technical regulations, at the close of the 2026 season. Pirelli is already the 'spec-tire' for Moto2, Moto3 and much of the Road to MotoGP. A new five-year contract will run thru 2031 inclusive; www.motogp.com

UK motorcycle registrations

UK motorcycle registrations to May -20.21%

As elsewhere in Europe, the latest data available new motorcycle registration data available from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) in the UK show the UK motorcycle market down by 20.21% (37,267 units) to May 2025.

Based on reports elsewhere (anecdotal and otherwise), there can be no doubt that the UK market would be down for the first five months of the year, but that the apparent end-of-2024 Euro 5/Euro 5+ pre-reg carry-over makes it look worse than may be the case.

It's difficult to estimate how much of a factor that issue is proving to be for the UK market, though there is now doubt that, even after five months, it is still casting a statistical shadow. A best 'guestimate' is that Q4, 2025 saw some 8,000 to 10,000 units distorting the year end registration data in the UK. 

Though that isn't as much as in the other four of Europe's 'Big Five', in purely numerical terms, in the context of the performance of the UK market in 2023 and prior terms, it is significant.

A best 'guestimate' suggests that the UK is likely to be running at a real decline of around -2% to -3% for the first five months. As elsewhere it does look like there is underlying growth, with the rate of market decline slowing, in statistical terms, from January, if it can hold that rate of decline 2025 will likely turn out to have been a modestly better year in terms of negative growth than many had feared.

Kellermann

BearRunner - Desert Scrambler

Kellermann, Royal Enfield and 3 Klang Custom present an RE 650 Bear based show bike.

With a debut at the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Dortmund in May this year, this industrial grade desert scrambler - 'BearRunner' by 3 Klang Custom in Dortmund - is a joint project between 3 Klang, Aachen Germany based lights specialist Kellermann, and Royal Enfield - owner of burgeoning global low - to mid-displacement, price-point market that Harley-Davidson will now be playing catch-up in.

Born in the German industrial heartland of The Ruhr - the traditional home of German iron, coal and steel production - The BearRunner wears its industrial credentials as a badge of honor - "rough and hard to the limit!"

A manufacturer of fine motorcycles, 3 Klang Custom has forged the BearRunner from a Royal Enfield Bear 650 start point to create an impressive touring scrambler in a 60s look. The name behind the RE Bear 650 is Eddy Mulder, an American motorcycle racer and Hollywood stuntman best known for his success in off-road and flat track racing in the 1960s.

Mulder's legendary victory at the Big Bear Run in Southern California in 1960 is a cornerstone of American motorcycle racing history. At just 16 years old, Mulder triumphed in this grueling 150-mile desert race on a 500 cc Royal Enfield Fury - following a punishing route that began in the Lucerne Valley and climbed into the San Bernardino Mountains to Big Bear Lake.

In honor of this remarkable achievement, Royal Enfield developed the Bear 650 as modern scrambler that embodies the spirit of Mulder's historic ride.

The concept for the conversion to the BearRunner came from 3 Klang Custom, a renowned custom bike workshop in Dortmund that specializes in individual motorcycle conversions. Founded by Ulf Gloy, a master craftsman a passion for handmade motorcycles, The BearRunner is one of the first conversions based on a Royal Enfield Bear 650 in the world. 

Aachen, Germany based turn signal specialists Kellermann equipped the bike with state-of-the-art LED signal technology. At the front, the Rhombus S indicators are used on the high and wide position mirror arm. 

At the rear, the Atto Integral RB works in a 3D-printedcover cap. The Atto Dark turn signals shine on the license plate with the KL1. Additional visibility and safety come from the Dayron position light on the crashbar. The lights are centrally controlled by the new Kellermann i.NEX V12, which provides a dynamic link with the on-board electronics.

www.kellermann-online.de

Project Partners include

Voigt Moto Technik - Controls and steering specialist, www.voigt-mt.de

Wilbers Suspensions - Shock absorbers, fork cartridges, www.wilbers.de 

Zard/BOS Exhaust - www.officineitalianezard.it, www.bosexhausts.com

SW Motech, Modeka apparel, B77 Moto Saddles, HJC Helmets

Yamaha Motor Co.

Yamaha MOTOROiD2 Wins Red Dot Award

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced that its MOTOROiD2 concept model has won the globally prestigious Red Dot Design Concept Award 2025. This marks the fourth time Yamaha Motor has won the Design Concept category.

Premiering to the public in 2023, the award-winning MOTOROiD2 is an evolution of the first MOTOROiD concept model, which was unveiled in 2017 and "sought to explore a new relationship between people and their machines. MOTOROiD2 was conceptualized to be a 'lifetime companion' and aims to generate two-way responses between it and its owner, thus the design evolved in a more organic and emotional direction.

"Using an organic, semi-transparent exterior gives the MOTOROiD2 a friendly, lifelike appearance. Also, the entire chassis functions as an interface, expressing the bike's 'emotions' through light, touch, and movement. Additionally, the 'LEAF' haptic device in the center of the chassis enables non-verbal communication with the user through one's sense of touch and sight. 

"These features deepen the rider's sensory connection with the bike, achieving a futuristic, mutually responding design that sets it apart from conventional motorcycles."

QJMotor

QJMotor adds yet more models 

By Ben Purvis

China's QJMotor seems to add new models to its range faster than we can keep up with them and despite only bursting onto the scene around five years ago it's now beginning the process of replacing its earliest bikes with new machines. The first machine to wear the badge was the SRK600 - a four-cylinder based on the existing Benelli TNT600i - and now a new SRK600 is on the verge of being launched.

Revealed first in type-approval paperwork in China, the SRK600 badge expected to appear on the new bike is slightly misleading, as it's actually powered by a new 680cc four-cylinder that's derived from the 799 cc four used in QJMotor's SRK800 roadster and the SRK800RR sports bike, used for the brand's high-profile international competition effort in the World Supersport championship.

By retaining the SRK800's 67 mm bore but reducing the stroke from 55.2 mm to 48.2 mm, QJMotor reaches its target 680 cc, with a peak power of 100 hp. That's substantially down on the 800's 122 hp, but also a big upgrade on the existing SRK600's 73.5 bhp.

Visually, the new SRK600 is nearly identical to the SRK800, with the same bodywork and chassis. As on the SRK800, there are two versions, one with a modern-looking nose cowl, reminiscent of Kawasaki's Z900 design, while the other uses an oversized circular lamp unit, filled with multiple LEDs, for a slightly retro style akin to bikes like Honda's CB650R.

The approval paperwork suggests the bike weighs 201 kg wet, which is 6 kg less than the SRK800, although it's not clear where the weight reduction comes from. 

As on the larger bike, the suspension comes from Marzocchi while the brakes are made by Brembo, giving a typically high specification that's shared by many QJMotor models.

Another upcoming QJMotor, also revealed in approval documents, is a semi-automatic V-twin cruiser. It's based on the company's existing SRV600V2 model, but fitted with an automated transmission that eliminates the rider-controlled clutch and shifter. Visually, the new transmission is marked out by a bronze-coloured housing just below the main transmission cover, which hides the shift actuator, and the lack of a foot-operated shifter - instead there's a simple foot board. 

While there's still a lever on the left-hand bar, it's not to control the clutch. On the standard SCV600V2, the clutch is cable-operated, but the new version's left lever is attached to a hydraulic master cylinder, suggesting it's actually connected to the rear brakes.

It's likely that when the bike is officially confirmed, it will feature a fully-auto transmission mode and the ability to shift ratios using bar-mounted buttons, rather like the recent automated manuals introduced by BMW, Yamaha and KTM.

Oxford Products

Oxford Omega 1.0 Air Men's Mesh Jacket

British apparel and accessories specialist Oxford Products continues to grow its international portfolio of feature rich apparel options and with the hot weather upon us the Omega 1.0 Dry2Dry Men's Jacket is well ventilated, lightweight design that doesn't compromise on safety.

Large venting mesh panels at the torso and under arms deliver cooling airflow that is circulated throughout, with the mesh lining ensuring the ventilation stream remains uninterrupted. The low-profile sport collar also features laser perforation.

A highly durable HD high density polyester outer shell is reinforced at key impact zones and complemented with CE level 2 shoulder and elbow protectors, with the option to upgrade with a back protector. A lightweight, yet highly abrasion resistant, 4-way stretch fabric is utilised at the side torso and under arm for a sport fit that doesn't feel restrictive, with three pant connection methods that cover all options.

Protection is with CE AA Certified (EN 17092-3:2020), CE Level 2 shoulder and elbow protectors (EN 1621-1:2012), back protector pocket (protector sold separately), external TPU shoulder sliders for impact and abrasion resistance and 360° reflective printing for night-time visibility

Climate control is managed by the large venting HD-POLY mesh panels with stretch textile to enhance air flow and air circulation and perforation at the collar.

Oxford's Omega range also includes a robust yet lightweight CE certified short men's boot and breathable, sports style short cuff mesh gloves. The Omega jacket is also offered in anatomically ergonomic women's sizes.

The Omega range and full Oxford line-up is available for dealers to at their new, 'Built Better' B2B website.

OXFORD PRODUCTS

www.oxfordproducts.com