Growth continues in the UK

Growth in motorcycle registrations continues in the UK

The latest new PTW and motorcycle registration data released by British motorcycle industry trade association MCIA shows that registrations have continued their upward trend in the UK in May, albeit at a slower rate than for the previous two months, with 8.77 percent growth (9,595 units) compared to May 2013 (8,821 units).

 

April was the eleventh month of motorcycle registration growth seen in the last 13 months (July 2013 was only off by -0.51 percent, with February this year down by -11.04 percent due to poor weather). For the year-to-date, the UK is up by 14.12 percent at 39,040 units compared to 34,211 for the first five months of 2013.

 

Although the rate of growth has slowed from the 18.04 percent growth in April (and 20.25 in March) it is still possible that the UK could see new motorcycle sales edging towards the 100,000 unit mark by the end of this year. Last year, the UK motorcycle market grew by 1.16 percent compared to 2012 (with 81,180 units registered in 2013), having grown by 1.07 percent to 80,251 units in 2012 – which means that the UK motorcycle market had been stable for four years following the 95,000 units sold in 2009.
The small cc market in the UK remains low in terms of volume (approaching 4,000 units for the year-to-date). In total PTW terms, the UK was up by 8.22 percent in April and is up by 12.286 percent for the year-to-date at 42,979 units in total.

Borile B500 Ricki

Borile B500 Ricki

BORILE Motociclette has announced the launch of its B500 Ricki, a limited edition scrambler model hand-made by Umberto Borile. 

Founded in 1988 by Umberto Borile, Borile Motociclette is a small volume motorcycle manufacurer based in Vò Euganeo, Italy, and this latest model is built around a Borile specification GM engine, which was originally developed for speedway racing. Housed in a frame built from 7020 aluminium, the motor is backed by a a classic Norton four-speed gearbox with a dry clutch driven by a toothed belt. The B500 Ricki rolls on spoked wheels; 3 x 21in front and 4.5 x 18in rear. The mudguards and tank that make up the minimal bodywork on the bike are hand-beaten from aluminium and left raw.
The launch of the B500 brings the range of motorcycles available from Borile Motociclette up to six, with the selction covering both off-road and cafe racer models.

BORILE MOTOCICLETTE
Vò Euganeo (PD), ITALY 
Tel: +39 049 9941307
info@borile.it
www.borile.it

Mitas for FIM Speedway GPs

Mitas for FIM Speedway GPs

MITAS, the Czech Republic-based tyre manufacturer, has signed a multi-year contract with BSI Speedway, the promoters of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix, to be the official tyre supplier and associate sponsor of the World Championship Series.

Andrew Mabin, Mitas’ Marketing and Sales Director, said: “Mitas’ association with speedway spans over 67 years since we began manufacturing specialist tyres for the sport, back in 1947. Over the years we have been dedicated to the development and support of the speedway discipline and look forward to continuing this work over the coming years.”
In 2014, Mitas renewed its FIM certificate for both the SW-07 and SW-09 speedway tyres. The FIM certificate, issued by the governing body, is to confirm that the named tyres have met or exceeded the requirements of the FIM certification programme, and the certification is valid until the end of 2017.

MITAS A.S.
Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
Tel: + 386 4 206 58 83
info-moto@mitas-tyres.com
www.mitas-moto-radial.com

World Champs entry forms

World Champs entry forms available online

THE official entry form, rules and class definitions for the 2014 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building are now available online.



Being staged at INTERMOT for the first time, in Cologne, Germany, from September 30th to October 5th 2014, 'Early Bird' competitors can scoop a €100,00 entry fee discount - bikes entered prior to June 30th will be able to enter for €100,00 (fee exemptions apply to 2013-14 Affiliate Show winners and previous World Championship prize winners).


All competitors also receive the AMD World Championship 2014 special edition 'Competitor Logo' for use in all their own advertising, marketing, print, website and social media activity, in addition to a free of charge studio-grade photo-shoot set of pictures of their bike.



There will be five classes at the AMD World Championship in 2014 - the now traditional and highly acclaimed FreeStyle class from which the 11th annual AMD World Champion Custom Bike Builder will be chosen, plus four further classes to recognise specific sectors of the custom motorcycle market.



The Retro/Modified Class will showcase customs based on engines manufactured before 1984.


The Modified Harley-Davidson Class will feature stock frame geometry customs with engines (minimum stock cases) from 1984 and up.


The Street Performance Class will showcase custom design and engineering work where the primary objective is to improve the performance and handling of streetable customs.


All new for 2014, a Cafe Racer Class for 50s/60s inspired road race bikes.

One change from previous years is that no run-testing will take place at the event itself, so video evidence of each bike being ridden must be submitted prior to arrival at the Cologne Exhibition Centre (Koeln Messe) on Monday September 29th (set-up day) for the bike to be eligible to win a prize.
 

For further information or for any clarifications contact the World Championship program Director Neil Blaber at neil@amdchampionship.com 


To enter, follow this link: www.amdchampionship.com/worldchamps

Liqui Moly re-launches

Liqui Moly re-launches its motorcycle line with 40 new products

GERMAN motor oil and additive specialist Liqui Moly has completely revised its line of products for motorcycles, adding numerous new oils and additives to its two-wheel product line.

 
Industry specialist Carlos Travé, who recently joined Liqui Moli as General Manager for their motorcycle and scooter product lines, said that "with these new products we now offer a complete line of products for two-wheelers. No one else offers such a comprehensive line of products for motorcycles".

The re-launch also includes changing the name of the motorcycle line from "Racing" to "Motorbike". "The name 'Racing' appealed particularly to sporty riders, but all motorbike owners can benefit from our products", continued Travé. 

Altogether 40 new products have been added to the motorbike line, including a "complete series of motor oils for cross-country [off-road] bikes". Moreover a 20W-50 HD oil and an economical 10W-40 oil have also been added.

"In addition to the motorcycle additives we already have available, we are adding our 'Engine Flush' for thoroughly cleaning the oil system when the oil is changed. In the area of gasoline additives, we are introducing our gasoline stabiliser to ensure that the bike starts well in spite of the old gasoline still in the tank after standing the entire winter.

"Another new product is our Speed Additive to improve acceleration, particularly in the partial-load range; for radiators we have one additive to clean them from the inside and a second to reliably seal any leaks. No other manufacturer offers additives exclusively for motorcycles in their product line. 

"Our policy of offering everything in the chemical sector from one company also applies to the motorcycle segment. This is why, in addition to motor oils and additives, Liqui Moli also offers transmission oils, air cleaner oil, fork oils, care products, chain cleaner, chain oil and even cleaner for helmet visors and leather balm for motorcycle leathers. This wide assortment makes Liqui Moli unique in the world of two-wheelers. 

"With our motorcycle product re-launch we are also improving message clarity in our line of motor oils. The motorbike line will now be divided up into two segments: Street and off-road. The off-road sector includes  motorbikes, ATVs and snowmobiles. The street sector serves the motorbikes, scooters and go-cart segments. Two and four-stroke oils can be identified by the colour of the container, and the colour of the label indicates at a glance whether the oil is a mineral based, semi-synthetic, fully synthetic or synthetic technology oil. This gives the line a clearer presentation at point-of-sale and makes it easier for customers to find the right oil quickly".

LIQUI MOLY
Ulm, GERMANY
Tel. +49 731 142059
info@liqui-moly.de
www.liqui-moly.de

Sinisalo MX ‘Battery’ outfit

Sinisalo MX ‘Battery’ outfit

SINISALO is marking its continued partnership with Finnish energy drink Battery by introducing the MX Battery outfit and RaceCult Battery MX helmet for the 2014 season.

A raglan style cut is used for the polyester Battery jersey, which features stretch collar and cuffs, armpit ventilation and a long back. Sinisalo is making it available in sizes S to 3XL. The matching pants are made from polyamide and have reinforcement at the seat and knees, YKK zipper, mesh lining and pre-formed legs. The Battery pants are available in sizes 28 to 44. 
The matching Sinisalo RaceCult Battery MX helmet is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic and features a large face opening, integrated chin guard, adjustable shade, ventilation, double D-ring fastening, removable cheek pads and a breathable interior that can be removed for washing. The CE -approved helmet, which weighs a claimed 1,150g (medium size), is available in sizes XS (53 /54) to XXL (63). 

SINISALO SPORT
Lahti, FINLAND
Tel: +358 (0)3 822 2313
info@sinisalo.com
www.sinisalo.com

Spidi Sport

Spidi team up with Aether Apparel

INSPIRED by Spidi's renowned custom MotoGP gear and a "shared appreciation for both technical performance and design", Los Angeles based Aether Apparel teamed up with the Italian motorsport brand to create the Eclipse motorcycle jacket.

Designed by Aether and made by Spidi, the collaboration has resulted in a jacket that is said to "combine a refined modern aesthetic with the finest in old-world leatherwork". Made with a premium leather shell and yarn-dyed cotton lining, the Eclipse uses hand-selected natural materials that have been prepared in "traditional Italian fashion". Box quilting on the upper torso and arms offer a subtle nod to "vintage styles of the past, while the clean lines and piecing underline the jacket's distinct modern look".
Aether incorporated Spidi CE-certified armour into the elbows, shoulders and back and removable shock-absorbing pads that have a multi-layer construction to progressively dampen and diffuse the force of impact. 

SPIDI SPORT
Sarego (VI), ITALY
Tel. +39 0444 436411
info@spidi.it
www.spidi.com
www.aetherapparel.com

“smart, digital” battery chargers

Digital multi-language battery chargers

FORELETTRONICA, the Italian manufacturer behind the BC Battery Controller brand, has introduced a new series of “smart, digital” battery chargers and testers featuring an LCD display and selectable languages. The range includes their BC BRAVO, BC 3500 EVO and BC 9000 EVO.
 

The backlit LCD display digital voltmeter helps the user follow every step of the charging and testing process. All the BC chargers automatically execute a microprocessor-driven 8-step charging algorithm, offering the opportunity to check the battery’s state of charge and cranking power, as well as the function of the alternator.

BC chargers are 100 percent made in Italy, and Forelettronica say that their technology represents a “complete solution for car and motorcycle battery care, allowing recovery and reconditioning of deeply discharged batteries and recharge, desulfate and maintain all kinds of 12V lead-acid batteries, including gel, sealed and AGM start & stop batteries”.

The company says that the charger can remain connected to the battery indefinitely, with no risk and no need to disconnect it from the vehicle. Languages can be selected from English, French, Italian, German or Spanish, and the package includes a waterproof battery cable and insulated clamps.

BC BATTERY CONTROLLER
Cisliano (MI), ITALY
Tel +39 02 903 85059
export@batterycontroller.it
www.batterycontroller.it

German motorcycle registrations up

German motorcycle registrations up slightly in May

After a strong start to the year followed by a small decrease in registrations in April, German motorcycle registrations were up slightly in May. There were 11,900 units registered, up 2.6 percent over May 2013 (with 11,601 registered).

For the year to date, German motorcycle registrations are running at 10.7 percent up, on volume of 55,929 units (compared to 50,541 units for the first five months of 2013).

 

However, there was a decline in overall PTW registrations in May - down -2.5 percent with 16,610 units registered, compared to 17,029 in May 2013. For the year to date 76,160 units have been registered, up 9.4 percent from 69,626 units for the equivalent period in 2013.
 

The growth in motorcycle sales in Germany continues a recovery trend first seen in 2012, and which accelerated from late 2013. Although sales of new small cc models in Germany continue to be sluggish, the turnover value of the growth being seen will come as a welcome trend for German dealers and is already being reflected in increased optimism among Germany's aftermarket parts and accessory manufacturing and distribution community.

If this trend continues, then expect to see a level of optimism among exhibitors at this year's INTERMOT expo in Germany of a kind not seen since 2006.

BMW Concept Roadster

BMW Concept Roadster

BMW still shows no signs of retiring its characteristic boxer-twin engine - it features as the power-plant in another new concept bike design, unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy, in May.
The Concept Roadster takes a different styling direction to the well received R Nine T that went into production as an anniversary special last year, and both represent different offers to the "Harley Beater" LowRide concept unveiled by former design chief David Robb at EICMA four or five years ago.

Ola Stenegard, the current Head of Vehicle Design BMW Motorrad, says of the Concept Roadster that "it is exciting to look at, and at least as exciting to ride." Citing the “the interplay between the fuel tank, seat and radiator" as being "modelled to perfection in flowing style", it certainly has plenty of urban ergonomic credentials and design ideas, but is clearly aimed at a younger wheelie-popping hooligan torque-beast market for which the BMW brand would be an alien concept, rather than the riding demographic mid-point at which the BMW brand is generally to be found.
As such this iteration of Roadster thinking is a robust Concept , and another tick in BMW’s box as they continue to back brand value reinvention with convincing design and engineering solutions - a streetwise minimalist street fighting ‘Beemer’ for the stunting generation.

Based on a tubular space frame with single sided swingarm, the power from the 1,170cc 125hp twin makes it to the rear wheel via a Paralever cardan shaft drive, and the self-supporting, aluminium seat/tail section is machined as a one-piece unit.
While the Brembo brakes are likely to feature on the final version (if this concept is to make it as far as production), the Concept Roadster's near race-spec Ohlins suspension is unlikely to be offered as standard at an entry level price-point, and while the stylised exhaust collector and upswept single megaphone look true-to-concept, even BMW’s engineers may struggle to get that design configuration through emissions testing and noise controls. 

www.bmwgroup.com

Comment: By IDN Editor Robin Bradley

Will Eurozone deflation kill off the recovery in new motorcycle sales after just six months?

JUST as you thought it was safe to get back into the water, the surprise fall in Eurozone inflation from 0.7 percent in April to 0.5 percent in May is a reminder that the economic recovery in the 18 nations that share the single currency remains far from robust.

Many commentators and politicians are now beginning to ring alarm bells about the possibility that Europe could be heading for a deflationary spiral that could result in negative interest rates and a moribund business climate of the kind that haunted Japan for so long.

It is widely expected that the European Central Bank (ECB) will have taken dramatic action by the time you are reading this – action that needs to be engineered to reverse a downslide into “lowflation” that will see consumers and businesses delaying spending amid expectations that prices will fall further still.

Despite the optimism being expressed by politicians and the hype that investment banks would have savers and consumers believe, a sustained recovery has yet to take hold in the Eurozone, with growth slowing to a mere 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2014, down from 0.4 percent in the final quarter of 2013. 

"action needed to reverse downslide into ‘lowflation’"
 
While economic indicators appear, broadly speaking, to suggest that underlying factors continue to move in the right direction, especially in terms of labour market statistics, nobody should think that there is recovery juggernaut in play, because analysts and economists have actually been trying to have their alarm bells heard for some nine months now.

It became apparent as early as last summer that producer price deflation in China among other places was more than a response to continued over-supply and sluggish domestic demand (in the case of China).

That deflation was being immediately exported to Europe (and elsewhere) and there were calls for the ECB to fend off the risks of deflation as long ago as August 2013.

However, as is so often the case with “inconvenient truths”, those calls went unheeded by a European political elite that has been desperate to paint the pavements gold in advance of electoral judgements that would see them being forced to take responsibility for years or even decades of inaction and lack of foresight.

Fast forward to May 2014 and those votes have not gone in the way that the established generation of political leaders would have hoped and we are now faced, in the case of the European Parliament, with the prospect that Europe’s levers of influence are now going to be pulled by the least economically educated generation of so-called politicians ever seen.

Just at the time when Europe needs more than ever to be able to get smart, it looks like we’re just going to get small again.

At least from our point of view the electorate in The Netherlands had the good sense to elect Wim van de Camp for another year into the Parliament, so we will continue to benefit from the realism that he has stamped on EU Parliament and Commission negotiations in matters that affect the PTW industry.

Economically, the risks faced currently will have very different manifestations to those of a ‘conventional’ recession in that we will be faced with a long-term period of economic stagnation.

The motorcycle parts and accessory aftermarket in theory would see its sales increase as, again, fewer consumers buy new machines.  However, that was also the conventional wisdom as we entered recession in 2008, and we all know how that ended.

As ever, the one primary USP that the motorcycle industry can cling onto is the passion for riding two wheels and the economic, urban and environmental advantages that two-wheeled transport continues to have in its favour.

After six months in which new motorcycle sales statistics appear to have finally shown that we are starting to see genuine and sustainable growth, it is to be hoped that the impacts of a deflationary spiral can be averted and growth sustained.

Bitubo Suspension

Alpha Technik to be Bitubo Suspension technical consulting centre for Europe

ALPHA Technik have been the Bitubo Suspension importer for Germany since 1994 and as a result of that 20 year collaboration have now become Bitubo’s technical consulting centre for Europe.

The partnership consists of development and customisation of suspension set-ups for race teams, retailers and end users as well as service of Bitubo products.

 

Alpha Technik has a track record of providing suspension support for many of the biggest factory race teams in the world and is equipped with the latest available technology, which means Bitubo will certify that set-ups and service undertaken by Alpha Technik meet Bitubo’s own internal procedures.

Gianni Mardollo, owner of Bitubo, said that “the long relationship that we have had with Alpha Technik has been excellent for both of us, and this new arrangement is a logical extension of the relationship that already exists between our R&D departments and development of ABE homologations”.

BITUBO
Selve di Teolo (PD), ITALY
Tel: +39 0499 903 475
info@bitubo.com
www.bitubo.com

Givi Air Jet Helmet

Air Jet unisex open-face helmet



THE Air Jet from Givi is a new open-face unisex helmet equipped with a full ventilation system and available in a range of high impact colours.

With the 10.4 Air, Givi was one of the first companies to offer a demi-jet helmet with true mesh protecting shell ventilation. With the Air Jet, the company claims that it improves on existing technology available on the market.

The features and look are the result of a new design which creates a summer helmet equipped with a full ventilation system by working on the internal structure of the shell, which takes full advantage of the depression generated by the large slide intakes installed in the front and by the two rear extractors.

The new helmet includes a new and more protective profile around the neck area, a sun visor and a completely removable interior lining.
Along with classic white and matt black, it now introduces Military Green, Purple, Mocha and Neon Yellow for its motorcycle helmets.

Sizes are XS to XL, and the weight is 1,150 g. The shell is made from Polymer and the interior is hypo-allergenic. Closure is by micrometric chinstrap buckle. 


GIVI Srl

Flero (BS), ITALY

Tel. +39 030 358 1253

info@givi.it

www.givi.it

Metzeler Sportec M7 RR

Metzeler Sportec M7 RR

METZELER has introduced a new supersport tyre – the Sportec M7 RR, which it claims offers the highest levels of handling and safety, even on wet, rough and dirty asphalt.
Introduced to replace the existing Sportec M5 Interact, the new Sportec M7 RR is said to offer up to 20 percent greater mileage. 

 

 
Metzeler’s Sportec M7 RR tread features a groove layout designed to provide grip in the dry, while at the same time offering water drainage and excellent cornering stability. To achieve this the longitudinal grooves are interrupted by elements of the compound to improve the stability of the tread, the regularity of wear and increase the thrusts in acceleration. These elements are also said to contribute to maintaining the grooves well open when the tyre is in contact with the road to drain water.
In the lateral grooves, the depth decreases gradually towards the shoulder area to increase the compactness and the lateral thrust when cornering at maximum lean angle in the dry; their width, on the contrary, increases towards the shoulder area to ensure an effective drainage of the water at a high angle of bend.

Metzeler has developed a new range of compounds for use in the Sportec M7 RR. The front tyre is mono compound with 100 percent silica. The rear is dual compound, where the shoulder has a 100 percent silica to provide chemical grip on both dry and wet surfaces, supported by a harder compound in the substrate for high levels of stability and cornering precision.
The radial carcass of the new tyre is composed of a special version in rayon. The structure is claimed to be much more rigid and able to maintain its shape under conditions of greater stress and deformation from the load, and above the radial structure is a 0-degree steel belt with Metzeler’s ‘Interact’ technology with different tension zones that offers a progressive behaviour at every lean angle. 

The Metzeler Sportec M7 RR is available in the following sizes: 110/70 ZR 17 M/C 54W TL, 120/60 ZR 17 M/C (55W) TL, 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL (M), 150/60 ZR 17 M/C 66W TL, 160/60 ZR 17 M/C (69W) TL, 180/55 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL, 190/50 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL, 190/55 ZR 17 M/C (75W) TL, and 200/55 ZR 17 M/C (78W) TL.

METZELER REIFEN GmbH
Munich, GERMANY
Tel: +49 (0)89 14908 0
www.metzelermoto.de

OptiMate Lithium 0.8A

OptiMate Lithium 0.8A features specific programme

THE OptiMate Lithium 0.8A is a LiFePO4 battery maintainer that “protects the battery in the most effective way”, according to manufacturer TecMate International.

Designed as an affordable single or 4-Bank optimiser that has been specified for protection and maintenance of low voltage, LiFePO4 battery technology features include a specific programme that recharges and balances cells efficiently and safely and a maintenance programme that delivers current to the vehicle circuitry “protecting and keeping the battery at 100% charge”. 

TecMate CEO Martin Human explained that “LiFePO4 starter batteries are becoming more and more popular as an aftermarket replacement. However, those batteries need special care to perform at their best, so we have developed a dedicated charger/maintainer for their regular maintenance.

“The OptiMate Lithium 0.8A is the perfect solution to make sure that the often expensive Lithium replacement battery will remain charged at 100% at all times, with all 4 of the 3.2V internal cells balanced – thanks to the exclusive OptiMate Lithium maintenance programme that we have developed”.

The company says that for quick charging and saving discharged batteries, the “bigger brother” OptiMate Lithium 5A remains available from TecMate – with 5 amps of charging current available and advanced recovery features.

TECMATE
Tienen, BELGIUM
Tel: +32 (0)16 805440
sales@tecmate-int.com
www.tecmate-int.com

Rebel suit from Richa

Rebel suit from Richa

RICHA’S 2014 clothing line includes the two-piece, sports styled leather riding suit Rebel.
Both the jacket and trousers are constructed from a combination of cow and goat skin leather with stretch nylon panels for improved comfort and ease of movement. The jacket includes a removable thermal lining.

Rider protection is offered by D3O protectors at the back, shoulders, elbows and knees. There are also removable knee sliders on the trousers, and a long zip to connect the trousers to the jacket. 

RICHA
Brakel, BELGIUM
Tel: +32 (0)55 423435
info@richa.be
www.richa.be

'International Night'

'International Night' to be staged on INTERMOT's Trade Visitor Day

THIS year's INTERMOT will see the return of IDN’s popular 'International Night', from 18:30 to 20:00 pm on Wednesday October 1st at the Dealer Lounge Business Centre of the Koelnmesse exhibition centre.
The show is open to the media on Tuesday September 30th, with Wednesday October 1st being a Trade Day, and Thursday October 2nd to Sunday October 5th open for all visitors.
Since the move to Cologne from Munich in 2006, this is the first time that INTERMOT has promoted a specific Trade Visitor Day, with consumers only able to gain access by invitation.

To get your invitation to the free of charge IDN International Night at INTERMOT
(18:30 hours Wednesday Oct 1st) just email Sara Viney  (sara@dealer-world.com)

Promoted by International Dealer News, and hosted by INTERMOT and the show's sponsors, International Night is unique - the only 'meet & greet' business reception specifically for industry professionals (of all kinds) and unique in the motorcycle industry.
The 'Cologne' Show has always been regarded as the world's primary international motorcycle industry expo, and with the backing of International Dealer News this is your opportunity to meet colleagues from the industry in a relaxed environment as the show closes (at 18:00 hours) on the Trade Visitor special day.
In 2012, INTERMOT underlined its position as “the most significant motorcycle industry international business platform” with the number of visitors increasing to 55,000 – with a record proportion of those trade visitors (43 percent) being from outside Germany and an 8 percent increase in the number of countries represented.
That year also saw the introduction of the Business District, which was developed to bring together a number of expo initiatives that had been developed for trade visitors in prior years.

This year it is once again located between halls 4 and 5, with the Dealer Lounge as the central meeting point.
In addition to International Dealer News the business district is being supported by other motorcycle industry trade magazines in Europe such as World of Bike and Bike und Business in Germany, British Dealer News in the UK, L’Officiel in France, Moto Dealer News (Italy) and Moto Taller (Spain).
The business district provides exclusive exhibition space for vendors who only want to meet other professionals in the international motorcycle industry and provides facilities for all kinds for professional visitors to be able to make meeting appointments away from the exhibition booths.
Additional trade initiatives operated by INTERMOT include the Dealer Card, which provides show access privileges and the online Matchmaking365 service, which is an expo visit experience optimiser – it enables trade visitors to gain an overview of the suppliers of selected product groups in the run-up to the fair, establish valuable business contacts and place targeted requests.
Matchmaking365 is a free of charge, time-saving service that helps trade visitors maximise the benefits of their visit.
This year sees the international motorcycle industry celebrate the 50th anniversary of its expo involvement with the city of Cologne, and highlights and a timeline from past shows will be showcased along with an “old timer” exhibition. 

www.intermot-cologne.com

BMW up 7.1 percent in May

BMW up 7.1 percent in May

BMW Motorrad’s "stable growth" continued for a fifth consecutive month in May according to the Munich based manufacturer.
The company says that May 2014 saw 14,088 motorcycles and maxi-scooters delivered to customers, which is up by +7.1 percent on the 13,081 deliveries made in May 2013 - this was BMW Motorrad's best May ever.
In the first five months of the year sales grew 12.9%, totalling 59,151 deliveries compared to 52,400 in the first five months of 2013.

Heiner Faust, BMW Motorrad Head of Sales and Marketing said that “With solid growth for the first 5 months of the 2014 season, we have very easily exceeded the results for the [first five months of the] previous year. We have managed to grow in all sales regions. Our growth is driven mainly by the new boxer models R 1200 RT and R 1200 GS Adventure -BMWs top-seller with 2,687 units sold in May.
"We are also particularly pleased with the incredibly successful market entry of our new products, the BMW C 600 Sport, the C evolution e-bike, the R nine T and the S 1000 R. These completely new BMW models will enable us to gain lots of new customers for the BMW Motorrad brand”. May saw 386 C 600 Sport maxi-scooters sold.
BMW Motorrad say they have made a "very successful start" to the month of June, and have celebrated a significant racing landmark at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races - 75 years after the historic TT victory by Georg “Schorsch” Meier, Michael Dunlop (Hawk Racing, engine by BMW Motorrad Motorsport) on the BMW S 1000 RR.
Meanwhile preparations are underway for "the world’s biggest BMW Motorrad meeting" - the BMW Motorrad Days, (4 to 6 July 2014) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Japanese export growth slows in April

Japanese export growth slows in April

JAPANESE motorcycle manufacturer exports to Europe slowed down in April, with exports of 250cc+ machines up by 1.5 percent (13,847 units) after being up by 19.5 percent (19,179 units) in March.

This means that motorcycle exports to Europe by the Big Four Japanese manufacturers have shown growth for seven straight months. In 2013 annual 250cc+ exports of 130,455 were down from the 147,377 seen in 2012, but the final three months of last year and the first three months of 2014 have seen strong monthly growth percentages.
In total PTW terms, exports to Europe were actually down a little in April, at -1.9 percent (14,292 units), also following six months of strong growth.
Total PTW Japanese manufacturer exports to Europe were 147,965 in 2013, and 163,533 in 2012; a long way down from the peak of 663,662 total PTW imports from Japan in 1999 (motorcycle imports from Japan in 1999 448,051 units).
While it remains to be seen what macro-economic impacts lie ahead for Europe in the context of the increasing concerns surrounding deflationary pressures, it is to be hoped that these latest Japanese manufacturer statistics do not contradict prior analyst forecasts that their dealers have seen nine years of decline stabilising.

Honda sales up

Honda sales up, 'Vultus' in showrooms in June

Honda saw Group motorcycle sales for its financial year ended March 31st, 2014 grow by 9.8 percent, to some 17 million units (up by some 1.5m PTWs and ATVs), thanks to a strong fourth quarter in which it sold 4.5m units, up from some 4m units in the year-ago quarter, marking a 7th straight quarter of growth.

Some 14.6m units were sold in Asia (up +11.5 percent), with North American sales also growing strongly - up 10.4 percent to approximately 276,000 units; North American fourth quarter sales (the first three months of 2014) were up 20.3 percent at around 83,000 units.

The 750cc NM4 ("New Model") 'Vultus' is a v-twin motorycycle with maxi-scooter technology that is designed to
attract riders who may be intimidated by conventianal motorcycle characteristics. The styling is straight out of Japanese Magna culture - no surprise that Honda chose the London ComiCon event for its European debut in May

For the 2013/2014 financial year motorcycle sales generated some 1.67 trillion Yen in revenue (approx €12bn/US$16bn), thanks as much to improved exchange rates as to unit growth, and overall (including automotive, power products etc.) Honda saw profits jump from Yen367bn in 2012/2013 to Yen574bn in 2013/2014 - approx €4.1bn/US$5.6bn.
Honda are projecting further growth this year, with motorcycle sales for their 2014/2015 financial year forecast to increase again, to around 18.2m units (7 percent growth).
No doubt the company will be hoping that some of that growth will come from its ongoing new model blitz, including the radically styled 750cc v-twin NM4 'Vultus', which is due to start arriving in dealerships in Europe and North America in June.

Unveiled at the Osaka and Tokyo Motorcycle Shows earlier this year, Honda are hoping that 'Vultus' will come to define a new class - one that the 'Vultus' will populate with a new young urban demographic to whom the edgy, futuristic 'Magna'/"Japanimation" styling speaks in a way that other motorcycles don't.
The NM4 ("New Model" 4) features a low seat height, a Combined Brake System that includes dual-channel ABS, and Honda's proprietary Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) - an electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).