Supersprox

Supersprox, Dakar and the River Danube

The 2026 Dakar rally closed with Luciano Benevides KTM, taking victory by the smallest of margins, from Ricky Brabec Honda. Racing is tough, no matter how small the margin, there can only be the one winner. 

Those margins don't only live with riders and their teams. They affect sponsors too, especially the technical sponsors - they share the win or lose mentality.

Race preparation for Dakar in 2015

The Dakar Rally may have changed in recent years, but it remains one of the world's top challenges. Between 13-15 days of racing and navigation, with marathon stages, where the riders are not able to be assisted by the teams. 

Covering about 5,000 km (3,000 miles) of racing stages and, after 49 hours of full speed racing, in January 2026, the first and second position riders were separated by only 2 seconds. Dakar is THE test for the riders and the machines who enter and Supersprox has supported the top teams every year since their first Dakar experience in 1986. 

Was a successful undertaking for them? Judge for yourself. During that time, Supersprox hybrid sprockets were fitted on the winning bikes no less than 21 times. In a highly competitive sector, characterised by claim and counter claim [like most motorcycle industry segments] that is HUGE.

KTM and Supersprox have a total of 21 Dakar Rally victories from 2001 to this year. Starting in 2004, with Nani Roma, Supersprox has been on KTM, Honda, GasGas, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Hero and probably 95% of all privateer bikes at Dakar.

Dakar 2019

When it invented the Hybrid (dual material) sprocket in 1998, Supersprox subsequently spent several years refining and perfecting the concept, trying to work out the correct way to combine the two materials in production processes that guaranteed reliability and durability.

In early 2004, Supersprox CEO (DJ Maughfling) visited KTM to show the first 'ready to race' Supersprox-stealth sprockets. DJ says: "KTM production staff were cautious about the idea at first. They simply had not seen anything like that before. They told me that they wanted to make at least six months of tests on the concept before committing themselves. I left them 10-15 samples and thought nothing more about it. 

Cyril Despres, five-time Dakar winner with Supersprox

"You need to remember that KTM was much smaller back then and they had only started to have Dakar success quite recently at that stage - in 2001 when Fabrizio Meoni won the event. What happened was that when the KTM race team mechanics saw the sprocket they immediately thought it was a great idea. They decided to fit it on Nani Roma's 2004 Dakar bike and go race with it. 

"The result was almost a disaster for the team, with several of the sample sprockets breaking. I remember driving back to KTM after the race to collect the remaining sprockets in my car. I was so disappointed with the first result that I threw the sprockets into the River Danube before driving from Austria back into Germany.

Luciano Benevedes, 2026 Dakar winner

"We could have given up at that moment, and the hybrid sprocket would never have existed. I don't like to lose and being told that the product was not good enough, was a real motivation for me to prove that we were good enough. Being the underdog is sometimes an advantage and a big motivation. 

"The team must have thought that the concept had something going for it, because over the next 20 years, we have been providing them with race parts and using the results to improve the sprockets that we sell to our distributors and dealers. Their customers really are buying a genuine factory race sprocket. A lot of brands make that claim but with Supersprox' Stealth sprockets it literally is true."

Every common product that we take for granted has an origin story. Supersprox Stealth sprockets are no exception, and their existence is closely connected to KTM, Dakar, Rally and extreme races. The Supersprox motto is "Extend your journey". It is not only a catchy phrase. In the case of Supersprox Stealth, it is engineered into the product DNA. "It is the Stealth's raison d'etre," says DJ.

Dakar - 2004 - 2026 Winning With Supersprox 

2004: Nani Roma (ESP) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2005: Cyril Despres (FRA) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2006: Marc Coma (ESP) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2007: Cyril Despres (FRA) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2008: Cancelled

2009: Marc Coma (ESP) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2010: Cyril Despres (FRA) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2011: Marc Coma (ESP) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2012: Cyril Despres (FRA) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2013: Cyril Despres (FRA) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2014: Marc Coma (ESP) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2015: Marc Coma (ESP) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2016: Toby Price (AUS) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2017: Sam Sunderland (GBR) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2018: Matthias Walkner (AUT) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2019: Toby Price (AUS) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2020: Ricky Brabec (USA) - Honda Fitted with Supersprox

2021: Kevin Benavides (ARG) - Honda Fitted with Supersprox

2022: Sam Sunderland (GBR) - Gas Gas Fitted with Supersprox

2023: Kevin Benavides (ARG) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2024: Ricky Brabec (USA) - Honda

2025: Daniel Sanders (AUS) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

2026: Luciano Benevides (ARG) - KTM Fitted with Supersprox

UK motorcycle registration

UK 2025 - full year motorcycle registration -19.42%

As elsewhere in Europe, the latest new motorcycle registration data available from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) in the UK for 2025 are not good. The UK motorcycle market, still (presumably) suffering from the 2024 Q4 'pre-reg' Euro 5+ side effects as well as declining consumer confidence, is reports that new motorcycle registrations were down by -19.42% at 89,160 units for the full year (the lower since 2013).

The final quarter of 2025 saw October down by -9.36% (6,729 units), November down by - 25.56% (4,924 units) and December down by -58.26% (4,511 units).

Total PTW sales for 2025 were -19.27% at 93,418 units, reflecting how small the UK moped market is (4,258 units in 2025).

The largest single motorcycle segment in the UK in 2025 was the Adventure market, with 20,032 units sold, followed by the Scooter market (18867 units) and Naked style motorcycle segment (18,392 units sold).

Total electric unit registrations were recorded as 3,282 units, down by -12.5% compared to the 3,750 units registered in 2024. 

Spanish registrations

Spain 2025 - full year motorcycle sales +7.93%

In 2025 full year registration data terms, the one exception among the 'Big Five' motorcycle markets in Europe has been Spain - the only country to have seen market growth. At the time of publication, the most recent available data from ANESDOR (the motorcycle industry association in Spain) put full year 2025 registrations at +7.93% over 2024 (239,729 units).

In Q4, 2024 there were fewer regulation deadline-beating Euro 5/Euro 5+ pre-registrations than was the case elsewhere and, also unlike other 'Big Five' markets, demand for motorcycles and PTWs remains robust. In the past two- or three-years Spain has proven to be the best performing of Europe's major markets in overall economic terms.

The data showed October at +20.56 (24,008 units), November at +9.16% (18,189 units) and December at -24.40% (a still healthy 16,566 units) as the Spanish market lapped such 2024 year-end Euro 5+ 'pre-reg' impacts as were seen there.

In total PTW terms the Spanish market was +7.29% (252,730 units) for the full year.

Honda was market share leader with a 21.4% slice of the action in Spain (54,056 units in total, up by 11.4% on 2024), ahead of Yamaha second (14.1%), Zontes third (8.0%), Voge fourth (6.8%) and Kymco fifth (5.7%). They are followed by SYM, BMW, Kawasaki, Piaggio and QJMotor.

The Yamaha NMAX 125 continues to be the best-selling model (12,260 units/5.3% share), followed by the Honda PCX 125, Zontes 368 G, Sym Symphony 125 and Voge 900 DSX.

Italian registrations

Italy 2025 - full year motorcycle sales -19.22%

The latest data from ANCMA, the motorcycle industry trade association for Italy, show total new motorcycle registrations down by -19.22% by the end of 2025 at 134,480 units - the lowest number since 2022 and the worst percentage market decline in Italy since before 2014. 

 in the final quarter of 2025 were -10.35% in October (8,866 units), then -23.53% in November (5,992 units) and -72.73% in December (4,570 units) as sales started to lap the 2024 end-of-year Euro 5+ pre-registrations.

The total PTW picture is better, with Italy worth 331,523 units in 2025, which was only down by 

0-6.12%, overall. This reflects the stronger Scooter market performance in Italy, which was up by +5.57% in 2025 with 197,043 units sold, and did not have the same kind of Euro+ 'pre-reg' issues at the end of 2024.

As usual the top selling units in Italy are scooters, with Honda Italia's SH 125, 350 and 150 series taking the top three spots (40,621 units between them), followed by the X-ADV 750, the Piaggio Liberty 125 ABS, Kymco People S 125, Honda Italia's ADV 350, the Kymco Agility 125 S, Voge SFIDA SR16 and Yamaha's XMAX 350 and TMAX.

The top-selling larger displacement motorcycle platform in 2025 in Italy (and the only one in the top 20 best seller list), was the BMW R 1300 GS (3,977 units) in 13th spot.

Although the data for the first two months (especially) of the year is a generally unreliable guide to the year ahead, by the time of publication ANCMA data had been published for January 2026 that showed the Italian motorcycle market +16.26% (8,099 units) and total PTW's at +5.64% (18,499 units). That's not so impressive when compared to 2024, when 9,384 motorcycles and 20,084 PTWs were sold. 

German motorcycle registrations

Germany 2025 - full year motorcycle sales -36.02%

According to the latest data from the German motorcycle industry association (IVM), motorcycle registrations for the full year 2025 were -36.02% compared to 2024 at 97,699 units. This is the lowest since 2014.

This shocking decline represents the effects that the end-of-year 2024 Euro 5+ pre-registrations had on the statistical market performance in 2025, and it reflects the deeper than widely acknowledged decline in the wider German economy in the past 24-36 months.

Motorcycle registrations in October 2025 were -36.15% (5,431 units), -72.07% in November (3,149 units) and -86.21% in December 2025 as the German market lapped the distorted 2024 Q4 data. Not one single month in 2025 showed growth but the Q4 2025 collapse in sales is unlike anything seen in any market before - not even at the height of the 2007-2009 Global Financial Crises and 'Great Recession' that it triggered.

In total PTW terms the German market was -35.50% with a total of 161,744 units registered.

As expected, the BMW R 1300 GS closed out the year as the top-selling motorcycle in Germany with 8,097 units sold for an 8.29% market share. The Kawasaki Z900 was second (4,536 units/4.64% share), with the Z650 in third (2,219 units for a 2.273% share). Honda's CB 1000 Hornet was fourth (2,069 units, 2.12% share) with the CBR 650 R fifth (2,065 units, 2.11% share). They were followed by the Yamaha MT-07 in sixth, the Honda CB 750 Hornet, the Yamaha MT-09, the BMW F 900 R and their F 800 GS in tenth spot.

With 11 models in the list of 50 best-sellers in Germany, it's no surprise that BMW remains top dog in its home market, with an increased market share of 21.84% but with 7,245 fewer units sold than 2024 at 21,336.

Honda closed the gap on BMW, now only slightly behind with a 20.30 % market share (19,571 units).

Kawasaki is third with a 14.51% share (14,177 units); Yamaha fourth (7.24% share, 7,069 units) and Triumph is fifth with a 6.25% market share on 6,105 units sold. Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, KTM and Aprilia completed the top 10 brands in Germany in 2025.

In the electric (light) motorcycles segment, Zero Motorcycles (now a Dutch globally headquartered American manufacturer) remains ahead, with a reduced 11.77% share (288 units registered - the top-seller was the DS). This was followed by Vmoto (108 units/4.41% share), Kawasaki (68 units, 2.78% share), Livewire - somewhat boosted no doubt by its 'Twist & Go' promotions are now up to fourth spot (66 units sold for a 2.70% share) and ahead of Bombardier (Can-Am) in fifth with 42 units sold for a 1.72% share. 

These are the top 5 brands in a German electric motorcycle market that was said to be worth 2,447 units in total in 2025, an increase of 41% over the 1,733 units reported as registered in 2024.

The total electric scooter market in Germany was larger, at 3,865 units, but that was down by -7.5% on the 4,179 units sold in 2024. NIU is the market share leader, followed by BMW, SEAT, Horwin and Scutum.

Regina

Regina – ZRP "one chain for all"

Regina's ZRP chain range is genuinely the Big Bikes "One Chain for All" – Sport/Performance bikes, Adventure bikes, Touring bikes and Nakeds.

Delivering "maximum strength and great durability" Regina ZRP is Original Equipment on select models including Aprilia, BMW, Ducati and KTM, among others.

Though often described as a "Sportbike" chain, the ZRP product range is specifically designed for all large displacement, high powered bikes and is not a bike-style based design but is, instead, a statement of its ability to offer exceptional performance in high performance applications thanks to its patented Z-Ring.

Indeed, ZRP chains feature renowned Z-Ring seals, a technology patented since 2003, which have a specially designed conical shape on the inner side of the seals that enhances the assembly on the bushing, and the lubricant trapped between the plates and the lobes of the Z-Ring keeps the ring lubricated - increasing its life and therefore the chain durability. 

When assembled, the Z-Ring flexes - creating a spring effect that follows the movements of the elements of the chains and their dilatation, and it guarantees a significant increase of the lifespan of the chain. 

The special Z-Ring section also limits the surface of contact between outer and inner plates, therefore reducing the friction of the entire transmission which means, at the end, a much more efficient power transfer, therefore more horsepower transferred from engine to wheel. 

"Assembled with best alloy steel pins and plates, solid bushings and extruded rollers, the combination of premium components assures excellent resistance to the kind of mechanical stresses that large displacement bikes generate."

Available in 520-525 and 530, the ZRP is Regina's 'top of the range product' in the Professional dealer and workshop segment ("Your chain, any time") - merely offered as an aftermarket product. Regina also offers a "Regina Extra" chain which is specifically dedicated to the racing segment of the market.

The combination of great power delivery performance, reliability and durability, positions the ZRP range "as a must for all bikes above 1,000 cc; but if fitted on smaller displacement platforms it will offer longer durability" says Regina'a International Sales Director Federico Gualdi. 

"Not only of the chain itself will last longer than standard chains but also for the entire transmission gear - extending the lifespan before a replacement will be needed. If you look at this in terms of dollars or euros, it is more convenient to equip the bike with a quality chain such as the ZRP. Based on the KMs ridden, it will show great savings. Just a few extra euros spent on the cost of a better chain will give the customer longer durability of the entire transmission in addition of the benefit of improved performance.

"Compared to O-Rings, all Z-Ring seal chains deliver more power from engine to wheel, without wasting horsepower. The chain creates less drag because Z-Rings create less friction when compared to O-Rings. Additionally, under the same maintenance conditions, Z-Ring chains last up to 80% longer than O-Ring chains thanks to the so-called spring-effect." 

REGINA

www.racing.reginachain.net

INTERMOT

INTERMOT to be annual in February from 2027

The IVM (the German motorcycle industry) and Koelmesse (The Cologne Exhibition Centre) have announced another change in timing for INTERMOT.

Having decided three years ago to move it to early December and (finally) accept that it needs to be an annual expo, they have now announced that it will remain annual, but now move to February each year - 12-14 February, 2027.

Koelnmesse say that it and the IVM are now to "position INTERMOT as the central, leading trade fair of the motorcycle industry in Germany". The change comes in the context of the pre-Christmas December timing simply not working, and subtle changes to the event calendar in Germany having altered the 'centre of gravity' of the events cycle in Germany.

Those changes include a rejuvenated MOTORRÄDER Dortmund now being staged slightly earlier (March 5-8, 2026) each year and IMOT (Munich, February 20-22, 2026) having moved to occupy two halls at Messe Munich (The Munich Exhibition Centre) where INTERMOT made its debut in 1998.

The date chosen for INTERMOT likely places it one week before IMOT - both IMOT and MOTORRÄDER Dortmund have started to gain increased traction in recent years, as INTERMOT has declined; in in both exhibitor and visitor number terms.

"More than an event for the motorcycle world", the organisers state that INTERMOT "is the leading national platform for the German and international industry to present its full assortment. 

"For precisely this reason, the trade fair is now being scheduled significantly earlier in the year in keeping with the decision of the extraordinary general assembly of the IVM of 10 February 2026. With the new dates from 12 to 14 February 2027, IVM and Koelnmesse are positioning the INTERMOT as the leading industry platform in Germany and are cooperating to advance further the strategic development that was begun in 2024." 

Mike Sommer, head of BMW Motorrad Germany and IVM President, emphasises the joint decision of the association and the industry. "Germany needs a strong, national motorcycle trade fair. Visitors ideally want to see, feel and smell all motorcycle and scooter brands as well as clothing, accessories, travel and experiences live at one event. 

"And, of course, have fun, take test rides and 'talk gas'. I am convinced that the INTERMOT can once again become the leading trade fair for the entire industry with the shift of the dates to the start of the season and the expansion from two to four halls." 

"BMW Motorrad will of course be there!" - which is an interesting remark because BMW Motorrad's 2020/2021 announcement that it would no longer directly support INTERMOT (in fact no longer directly support any shows) widened and accelerated the loss of confidence in INTERMOT that had started following the 2018 show. 

Both IVM and Koelnmesse must additionally have been watching the growing success of Le Salon du 2 Roues de Lyon at Eurexpo, Lyon (26 February to March 01, 2026, annual).

Former Motorrad Magazine Editor-in-Chief Uwe Seitz, who was unanimously chosen to replace Reiner Brendicke as the new Chief Executive Officer of the IVM in September 2025 (two months before INTERMOT in December 2025) is quoted as stating that this was a "strong vote for a major, central motorcycle fair for all those who share a passion for motorised two-wheelers - that was the shared wish of the steering committee and myself after I assumed office as Chief Executive Officer of the Industrie-Verband Motorrad. 

"We were successful in this. Now everyone can look forward to seeing everything revolving around motorcycling in one place in Cologne, right on time for the start of the 2027 season. This had not existed in this form in Germany in past years, and the great response of manufacturers, motorcycle producers and accessory providers shows me that the industry has understood how important this is for the economically important German motorcycle market. 

"The IVM has already begun creating a two-wheeler experience of a very special kind from this clear acknowledgment in February 2027."