TecMate

OptiMate Duo does the thinking for you

The OptiMate DUO family of battery chargers is designed to deliver on a very simple premise - make charging and maintaining of a battery easy, and so without the need for the rider to know what type of battery is in their vehicle - if it is a 12V, then an OptiMate DUO can charge and maintain that battery without issue. 

OptiMate 1 Duo

CEO and Chief Technical Officer of manufacturer TecMate says that it is the OptiMate DUO's charging algorithm that does all the 'heavy lifting' - "adjusting automatically for whether it is a Pb/lead-acid or lithium motorcycle battery, an especially valuable feature during long term maintenance where a Pb / AGM battery requires continuous maintenance to remain at 100%, but lithium LFP battery does not." 

OptiMate 2 Duo x4

Lead-acid / AGM batteries receive an hourly 'float charge' to keep the battery at 100%, but when it comes to lithium, the OptiMate DUO charger backs off and monitors the battery hourly, delivering that 'float charge' to bring it back up to around 90% - but only if it had dropped down below 70% due to the drain from the motorcycle's electronics. Clever stuff. Simple stuff. 

"Using an OptiMate DUO charger really is as simple and fully automatic as that - connect to the battery and that's it. No buttons to push, no thinking required. Once connected, the OptiMate DUO charger does the thinking for you and adapts automatically, delivering a true 'connect & forget, no more battery problems' experience." 

OptiMate10 watt solar panel

Two connection options are included - a fused battery lead / harness with M6 ringlets and a protected SAE connector, and a set of battery clips that are designed specifically for the square posts of a motorcycle battery. 

"The range has a selection of options and entry-points," says Martin. "OptiMate 1 DUO is a popular choice, a balance between function and price, delivering up to 0.6A of charge current, ideal for any motorcycle, ATV or UTV that does not have continuously active electronics like a keyless ignition system. 

"With more sophisticated systems and heavier draws the dealer needs to step up to the OptiMate 2 DUO that delivers up to 2 Amps of charge current for a faster charge and sufficient maintenance current for those touring and adventure motorcycles with key-less ignition (key-fob) and electronic lockable side cases / bags."  

The OptiMate 2 DUO range extends to 2-bank and 4-bank models that are ideal for multi-vehicle maintenance or new battery preparation. Each independent bank delivers 2 Amps and automatically adapts to the connected battery type, which means you could have different lead-acid (flooded or AGM) or lithium LFP batteries connected to the same multi-bank charger, which certainly makes battery preparation or maintenance as easy as you like. 

For situations where there is no AC power available there are two off-grid options to consider. The first is the OptiMate DC-DUO that delivers up to 2 Amps of charge to a 12V battery, whilst drawing power from another 12V source or battery, or from the battery in a car or pickup truck. The OptiMate DC-DUO is an essential tool for the rider who wants to maintain a battery in a motorcycle or even their car that is parked in a 'off-grid' storage area. The second option is the OptiMate Solar DUO range with 10W, 20W and 40W options available. 

"Never-mind battery type or size, one of the OptiMate DUO family 'members' will make your customers' battery problems go away and at the same time reduce questionable battery returns," says Martin. "If you want it easy, choose the OptiMate DUO range of chargers". 

TECMATE

www.tecmate.com

www.optimate1.com

News Briefs

German scooter parts, accessories and lifestyle specialist SIP Scootershop has won a German Design Award 2026 for its annual customer magazine CURVE. Honoured as winner in the 'Communication Design Excellence' category, CURVE is a 100-page celebration of all things Vespa and Lambretta - "with a clear focus on the scene, culture, technology and people."

Former BMW VP Stephan Reiff has been added to the Supervisory Board of KTM AG as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) - responsible for Sales, Marketing, Brand Strategy, Dealer Network and Aftersales. 

The Austrian KSR Group is further expanding its international brand portfolio, taking over the official distribution of KOVE Motorcycles in Germany.

LeMans Chairman Paul Langley and legendary Bonneville streamliner racer Denis Manning have been named among the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame Inductees. Legendary customizer Dave Perewitz receives a Lifetime Achievement award and John Andrews receives the posthumous 'Kickstands Down Award' for his lifetime as a pioneering engineer and founder of cams and gear innovator Andrews Products; www.sturgismuseum.com

BRP says its "design excellence shines globally" as it celebrates 20 International Design Awards in 2025 - including for the Pulse and Origin electric motorcycles, with the entire BRP Design Team having been awarded a Red Dot Design Team of the Year earlier in 2025. A 'bright and shiny' thing indeed!; www.brp.com

Boise, Idaho based Western Power Sports (WPS - part of the same Arrowhead Group as Bihr distribution, All Balls Racing, Vertex and RST apparel) has added distribution for another European group member - the British RFX high-performance offroad motorcycle component specialist.

OMotion, a 2013 founded lightweight, electric 3-wheeled vehicle manufacturer has announced that its new 630 m2 factory has been completed at Lund, Sweden, giving it the capacity to build 200 vehicles a year; www.omotion.se

Matris

Matris suspension options for CFMoto 675 SR-R

Italian suspension specialist Matris has a complete range of suspension upgrade options for the 2025 and up CF Moto 675 SR-R sport-racing bike.

At the front, a full range of hydraulic, asymmetric quad-valve system, cartridge kits is available with a choice between 25 mm asymmetric "sealed and pressurised" F25SA top high-end cartridge, 25 mm asymmetric "classic" quad valve F25R - "our classic cartridge for race-track", and the 20 mm asymmetric quad valve F20K as an entry level OE upgrade replacement.

All are fully adjustable on compression, rebound and spring preload, and as usual with Matris replacement front-end component upgrades, they replace all the original internal fork parts for a 'mod-free', plug & play, totally reversible install.

At the rear, Matris' sophisticated three-way "R" series shock for race and track use is said to be a good choice for the 675 SR-R, with a choice of two systems - the two-way (medium level) M46K fully multi-adjustable (compression, rebound, ride-hight, preload) and the entry-level M46KD.

All can be equipped with the hydraulic spring preload unit for an easy and quick change of setting according to rider needs. They are available with classic orange spring or, in the Dark Series, with black spring.

Different spring rates are available for front and rear suspensions allowing Matris suspension products to be tuned for weight load and riding preferences. 

For greater safety at high speed on track or road, and to reduce front wheel shake, a choice of Matris ready-to-fit steering dampers are available, with their well-known 'Speed Sensitive System' SDR and SDK series.

Fully adjustable, hydraulic functioning and Nitrogen gas pressurised, they replace the OEM dampers, using the original mounts.

MATRIS S.R.L.

www.matrisdampers.com

LeoVince

LV-14 R for Honda CB 1000 Hornet/SP 

LeoVince has developed a new exhaust option for the Honda CB 1000 Hornet/SP - the LV-14 R Black Edition silencer - representing "the constant innovation in technology and design that has distinguished us for 70 years."

Features include "innovative shapes and cutting-edge materials" which come together to create an "aerodynamic and elegant exhaust that enhances the look and riding pleasure of the CB 1000."

A special packing material with high thermal resistance is hand-assembled to a straight-through internal muffler core equipped with a db-killer. "This solution tunes the sound to the unmistakable LeoVince tones".

Available in stainless steel and titanium, all TIG weldings are "handcrafted by specialised operators with resistance and reliability the key to durability and performance”.

LEOVINCE

www.leovince.com

Athena GET

GET SX1 PRO Race Tech for new Triumph Enduro models

GET's SX1 PRO family of advanced Off-Road ECUs has grown again for 2026, with new international championships developed applications including the new Triumph Enduro TF 250 and TF 450 2026, as well as the Fantic XEF 310 and XE 300 2026.

"We are the first on the market to offer aftermarket ECUs for the new Triumph Enduro models. Backed by the experience gained as an official OEM Triumph technical partner and through participation with the Hinckley-based manufacturer in international competitions, our new suite of 2T and 4T performance maximising electronic fuel injection management systems lead the way at every turn," says GET Brand Manager Emanuel Gobbi.

The new SX1 PRO ECUs for Triumph (and Fantic) Enduro models offer two racing maps developed with OEM expertise, with a range of new and upgraded features that includes a new high-performance processor for faster and more accurate data processing from CPS, TPS, MAP, IAT and ECT sensors, OEM wiring harness compatible Plug & Play installation and GPA Traction Control.

"Our experience comes straight from the experience we gain from providing Official Team Solutions directly to your customer's bikes," said Emanuel.

ATHENA

www.athena.eu

National Cycle

VStream height choices for Tracer 9 GT/GT+

In response to requests from its dealers, last year Maywood, Illinois (Chicago) based manufacturer National Cycle added new VStream Windscreens for the 2021-Current Yamaha Tracer 9 GT/GT+ models.

The company adds to its popular VStream range regularly, with fitments that are model specific, to ensure that installation is easy and the bike's windscreen height adjustment is maintained.

VStream gets its name from its unique patented shape. The advanced "V" profile and dimensional contours push the wind vortex out and away from the rider's helmet, resulting in a peaceful, quieter riding environment.

Three sizes mean there is a perfectly sized windscreen for almost every rider. "All will offer improved wind protection and riding comfort compared to other aftermarket windscreens."

These windscreens are made from tough Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate. "This high-quality material, along with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, provides outstanding clarity, impact strength and scratch resistance unmatched by any windscreen maker worldwide.

"Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate is the material of choice for serious motorcycle riders. It is 10X more abrasion resistant than FMR hardcoated polycarbonate, and 30X more than windscreens made from commonly used acrylic or so-called 'aircraft plastic'." VStream Windscreens are backed by a three year warranty against breakage.

National Cycle products are made in the U.S.A.

NATIONAL CYCLE INC.

www.nationalcycle.com

Surflex

Surflex - 75th Anniversary, from Vintage Range to 2026 bike clutches

Proud owners of the Italian 'Marchio Storico' - the prestigious recognition awarded in Italy to what are regarded as historic and industrially important brands and businesses - Surflex (founded in 1951) celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2026.

To mark the achievement the Tradate (VA) manufacturer is introducing a 'Vintage Range' of clutch components dedicated to motorbikes from 1914.

It was at that time that the early Italian bike industry was finding its place among the burgeoning British and German brands and models, enjoying already gaining a reputation for design and prestige.

Ariel and Norton dominated the international landscape at that time and, in Italy brands such as Bianchi (founded in 1885), Benelli (1911), Gilera (1909), Della Ferrera (1909) and Frera - founded in 1905 and based in Tradate, the same town that would eventually become home to Surflex.

Early brands that Surflex worked on included the likes of Vespa and Lambretta scooters, and 50 cc mopeds with Minarelli, Franco Morini and Zündapp engines, and the stylish reverse gear equipped Belgian Sarolea marque.

Surflex was founded by Giuseppi Rimoldi, the first Italian manufacturer of motorcycles clutches. Caterina Rimoldi told IDN that "in Surflex enthusiasm and excitement drove the production of mechanical parts and still does. 

"Shaped and made with the same raw materials selected and designated by the OE manufacturer, always conducted our own independent research into friction materials. This resulted in own-made organic and sintered materials for various applications - especially for trial and speedway models - always been among the most demanding and specialist applications for friction materials.

"Racing was always a very important - and successful - market for Surflex. Among other famous racers our sintered discs equipped the MV Agustas of Giacomo Agostini.

"Surflex invested heavily in manufacturing technology, much of it was of our design and some of the original equipment is still used sometimes today. It is the only way to replicate the delicate operations and production differences that characterised some of the earliest components made in our factory. 

"The same attention to detail, precision, materials research and craftsmanship that informed our earliest manufacturing is still applied to everything we do today. Despite the care of the conservation and restoration of vintage pieces, Surflex have continued following, considering, observing, studying and reproducing contemporary European and Japanese model clutches. range, as tradition and innovation."

The Japanese motorcycle industry started to develop in the 1950s, especially with Mr. Soichiro Honda. Surflex was what we'd these days call an "early adopter", offering OEM upgrades for early Honda and other Japanese made models as early as the 1950s. 

The present Surflex catalogue for Honda replacement parts includes about 500 models while the complete catalogue lists 15000 items.

The Surflex attention to detail even went as far as the care that went into packaging with its classic black suitcase for road clutches and the plastic box for off-road items. Both contain instructions for the correct assembly of the products and can be reused in various ways: for tools, documents and small parts. Many is the race van that has Surflex clutch cases being used for race day and pit lane essentials. The design of the plastic box for off-road components has even proven ideal down the years to contain the oil for soaking the clutch disc kit before use, then, to collect the oil during disc changes, directly on the track.

"That is how deeply the Surflex brand has been integrated into the motorcycle power transmission, clutch care and racing culture in the past, and it still is today - 75 years and still counting".

www.surflex.it