Kawasaki

Kawasaki unit sales up over 7 percent in Europe

The Motorcycle & Engine division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries has released financial data for its full financial year (the 12 months from April 1st 2014 to March 31st 2014) revealing worldwide sales of 581,000 motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and PWCs.
 

This is down from the 590,000 units sold in its 2013/2014 financial year, but net sales revenue is up (at 282.4 Bn Yen, from 278.2 Bn) due to the value of increased sales of higher value products (especially UTVs in North America) relative to the decrease in motorcycle unit sales seen in Latin America and Thailand.

However motorcycle and related product sales were up in Europe by 7.55 percent at 57,000 units (worth 50.1 Bn Yen). The company is forecasting growth to around 60,000 units in 2015/2016.

While UTV sales (in particular) were up for Kawasaki in North America, motorcycle units were down to 49,000 from 51,000 in the prior year. Motorcycle and related product sales were also down in their domestic Japanese market at 15,000 units from 19,000.

Swiss motorcycle registrations

Swiss motorcycle registrations +14 percent year-to-date

ACCORDING to the latest data released by the motorcycle industry trade association in Switzerland the motorcycle market there was up at 3,730 units compared to 3,422 in May 2014, and is up by +14.36 percent for the year-to-date at 15,339 units.

In total PTW terms the market was down slightly in May (-70 units), but is running at +4.39 percent for the year-to-date at 24,599 units.

Yamaha are on top spot in total PTW market share terms, followed by Honda BMW, Harley-Davidson and BMW; Yamaha are also taking the largest market share of motorcycle sales, followed by BMW, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Honda.

The top-selling motorcycles are Yamaha's MT-07, their MT-09 second, BMWs R 1200 GS third, the MT-09 Tracer fourth, with the Ducati Scrambler fifth. Some 51.3 percent of all motorcycle sales in Switzerland are over 500cc.

www.motosuisse.ch

Goodridge

Goodridge expansion in Spain

 

GOODRIDGE has announced the opening of new larger premises in Valencia, Spain. The brand new facility will provide the company with almost three times the capacity of the previous location, and include new offices, and new modern manufacturing facilities allowing for "efficient and high quality production of one-off and quantity special products tailored to customer specifications".

The new operation, with over 400sqm and a slick mezzanine overlooking the buzzing factory floor, is one of 11 sites operated worldwide by Goodridge.

www.goodridge.net

Premier Helmets

'Le Petit' and 'Touran'

ANOTHER new 2015 design from Premier, the 'Le Petit' open face helmet is said to be one of the smallest ECE 22-05 homologated helmets on the market.

Initially available in two sizes, four graphics and two mono colour versions, the shell is made from a tri-composite fibre mix (Dyneema, carbon and aramidic fibres), that is a technology "developed during many years of research that we use for all our fibre helmets", according to the company.
The Classic version has three forehead buttons for secure attachment of the supplied peak or an optional "bubble" long visor that can be bought as an accessory. The chinstrap has a micro-metric quick release buckle.

Also seen here, the Touran tri-composite full-face is said to combine lightweight protection and aerodynamics.

In addition to moulded DCA (Dyneema, Carbon and Aramidic fibers), a pure Carbon version is also available. The shape of the shell is said to guarantee "great comfort, aerodynamic performance, quietness and perfect balance".
The inner shell is in EPS, moulded in two sizes and densities for "maximum shock absorption capacity".
The 2.2mm polycarbonate visor has an anti-scratch treatment and is Pinlock anti-fog system prepared. The helmet is supplied with a free Pinlock lens.

PREMIER HELMETS
Lucca, ITALY
Tel. +39 0583 730310
info@premier.it
www.premier.it

Free Spirits

Triumph conversion parts

ITALIAN Triumph parts specialist Free Spirits is now offering a black coated belt guard for its own belt drive conversion for Thruxton, Scrambler and Bonneville models.
 

This black coated belt guard is compatible with Free Spirits' Thruxton, Scrambler and Bonneville belt drive conversions

Also seen here is a dual disc front hub for twin front brake conversions. CNC machined, it can be used with the bike’s original spokes and hub and uses 25mm Speed Triple axle compatible bearings. Free Spirits owner and chief engineer Marcello Fontana suggests the use of ’05 or later Speed Triple USD forks, or Speed Master forks, to provide suitable brake caliper mounts to complete the conversion.

Front wheel hub for dual disc conversions on Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler models with spoke wheels

Marcello says the hub is ideal for use on Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler models with spoke wheels.

FREE SPIRITS
Carrè (VI), ITALY
Tel: +39 0445 390437
info@freespirits.it
www.freespirits.it

Draggin Jeans

Draggin Jeans are Back in Black

THE latest option from Draggin Jeans is the BLKGEN, made from stretch denim, with a straight leg, mid-rise waistband and a sports liner that is said to draw away moisture in summer and keep the wearer warm in winter.

Made with Draggin’s own abrasion-resistant Roomoto fabric, which is claimed to offer unrivalled safety and climate control, heat and sweat are drawn away from the skin while an anti-bacterial treatment keeps them fresh.
Draggin is the world’s first Preferred Licensee for motorcycle garments built with DuPont Kevlar fibre, and it was this partnership that created Roomoto for abrasion resistance and day-long comfort.
CE approved armour is also available and can be fitted to the knees and hips for additional impact protection, if required.
Also, as a Preferred Licensee, Draggin Jeans has been invited to attend this year's C-Games at Austin, Texas, where Managing Director and former skate champion Grant Mackintosh will be showcasing the use of Kevlar in his designs on the DuPont booth.

DRAGGIN JEANS PTY LTD
Port Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 (0)3 9646 0377
sales@dragginjeans.net
www.dragginjeans.net

BC Battery Controller

BC Lithium Booster K1200

BC Booster K1200 is the smallest jump starter in the BC Lithium Booster range, suitable for all low and medium-powered motorcycle requirements.

Product safety is said to be guaranteed by lithium-iron-phosphate technology (LiFePO4) and the LED bar on the jump starter shows the state of charge. 

The K1200 is equipped with an emergency LE lamp with SOS and stroboscopic lights and it also includes a 5v USB port to charge tablets, smartphones, GPS and other electronic devices.

BC BATTERY CONTROLLER
Cisliano (MI), ITALY
Tel: +39 02 90385059
info@batterycontroller.it
www.batterycontroller.it

Giannelli Silencers

Slip-ons for RC 125/390

GIANNELLI’s range of slip-on exhausts now covers the KTM RC 125 and 390. The range includes their latest GX-One and X-Pro silencers. Among the options available are titanium silencers and a choice of carbon or stainless steel end caps. All of the exhausts are street legal, with removable baffles.

GIANNELLI SILENCERS SPA
Selci (PG), ITALY
Tel: +39 0758 61081
info@giannelli.com
www.giannelli.com

Piaggio

Piaggio report first quarter Vespa, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi unit sales growth
 

The Piaggio Group is reporting consolidated net sales of 302 million euro for its first quarter of 2015 ended March 31st - up by 9 percent compared to the 276.8 €/million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2014.

The company reports revenue growth for all its business sectors (two-wheelers, commercial vehicles, spare parts and accessories) and for all the main regions it sells to (EMEA, India, Asia Pacific).
Pointing to performance improvements in the scooter sector for the Vespa brand and the Piaggio Mp3 three-wheel scooter, Piaggio also says that it has seen higher motorcycle sales volumes for Aprilia and Moto Guzzi.
The company recorded total vehicle shipments of 121,000 vehicles worldwide (123,900 in the first quarter of 2014) and says that, in revenue terms, the slight decrease in sales volumes was offset by a shift in the product mix towards premium products with higher value per unit.
In the two-wheeler sector, the Group shipped 74,200 vehicles (down from the 76,500 shipped in the first quarter of 2014) but net sales revenue was up by +4.3 percent at 204.1 million euro (195.7 million euro in the year-earlier period). This includes spare parts and accessories, which generated revenue of 29 million euro, an improvement of 13.5% from the first quarter of 2014. 

Piaggio say that the 6.1 percent growth to 2,200 units seen at Moto Guzzi in the first quarter should be boosted for the rest of the year with the second quarter introduction of the Audace and the Eldorado 1400cc seen here

All the main geographical areas where the Piaggio Group operates in the two-wheeler sector reported net sales growth, assisted by a no longer adverse exchange-rate effect, a feature of the entire first half of 2014. Revenue amounted to 139.8 million euro in the EMEA area (+2.2% from the year-earlier period), 43.7 million euro in Asia Pacific (+17.1%) and 5.7 million euro in India (+43.2%).
In the scooter segment, the Vespa brand performed well, with revenue growth of 14.1 percent compared with the first quarter of 2014. Growth was also reported for the Piaggio Mp3 - revenue for the Group's three-wheel scooter range rose by 12.7 percent in the first quarter of 2015 from the year-earlier period.

In terms of motorcycles, growth was reported for the Aprilia brand (approximately 3,450 shipments in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 3.4 percent from the year-earlier period) and for the Moto Guzzi brand with approximately 2,200 shipments, an increase of 6.1 percent.
The company says that from the second quarter of 2015 onwards both brands will benefit from the launch of new products - the new Aprilia RSV4 and Tuono 1100 and for the Moto Guzzi brand the Audace and the Eldorado 1400cc.
In their Commercial Vehicles sector, 46,800 vehicles were shipped (47,500 in the year-earlier period) for net sales of 97.9 million euro, an increase of 20.8 percent from 81.1 million euro in the year-earlier period.

BMW Motorrad

BMW - fifth consecutive month of growth

MAY saw BMW post its fifth consecutive month of growth, supplying 15,004 motorcycles and maxi scooters, up by +6.5 percent over the 14,088 units sold in May 2014.

In the first five months of the year BMW has supplied 62,928 units, up +6.4 percent over May 2014.
Heiner Faust, Head of Sales and Marketing for BMW Motorrad, said: "The strongest growth is coming from Europe and Asia. In Germany alone sales increased by more than 1,000 vehicles as compared to the previous year, and we are seeing especially strong growth in China - nearly 100% up (over 1,100 units) compared to the previous year. We believe the future prospects for us in the Chinese market are very promising".
The new BMW sports tourer, the R 1200 RS, became available in the middle of May and the company points to this and the new adventure sports model, the S 1000 XR, becoming available in mid June, as good indicators for continued growth in the second half of the year.

BMW anticipate record crowds at their 15th 'BMW Motorrad Days' rally at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Southern Germany July 3rd - 5th

"We continue to see strong demand for our new models. The launch of the R 1200 RS went very well, our world travel enduro bike, the R 1200 GS Adventure, now in its second year, is selling well above 2014 and we sold almost 1,000 units of our new Supersports bike, the S 1000 RR, in May alone".

Hero MotorCorp Ltd.

Hero MotorCorp post 6.2 percent unit growth for the full 12 months of its 2014/2015 financial year

Indian giant Hero MotoCorp Ltd., which claims for itself the title of "the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer", followed up April sales of 533,305 units (compared to 571,054 in April 2014, -6.6 percent) with 569,876 in May 2015 (compared to 602,481 in May 2014, -5.4 percent).

The company says that its HF Deluxe commuter bike has reached the million unit sales mark for this financial year, making it the third Hero platform to do so - the other two being the Hero Splendor and Hero Passion.
Hero also reports sales of over 350,000 units so far for the Splendor iSmart since its launch last year; Hero claim it as "the world’s most fuel efficient bike with a mileage of 102.5 km per litre".
For its full 2014/2015 financial year (ended March 31st 2015) Hero says it sold 6,631,826 PTW units (1,575,501 in its 4th quarter, the first three months of 2015), up by +6.2 percent from the 6,245,895 units sold in 2013/2014, which itself was 2.8 percent growth over 2012/2013. 

Splendor iSmart

Hero MotorCorp CEO Pawan Munjal said that the company has "lined up an investment" of over US $450m in order to "add capacities and brand building initiatives in domestic and global markets over the next two years. This is in keeping with the company’s vision of expanding its global footprint to 50 countries and total annual sales of 12 million units by the year 2020".
The company has taken a hit in its 2014/2015 fiscals for the closure of Erik Buell Racing (EBR), in which it has a 49.2 percent ownership stake. Though reports suggest that can "only" have been for $5m as non-payment of a $20m balance is being cited as one of the reasons for EBR's problems.
In March, HMC-MM Auto Ltd., the Joint Venture between Hero MotoCorp Ltd. and Milan. Italy based Magneti Marelli inaugurated its "first autonomous ‘Production and Development Centre’ at Manesar (Haryana), India. With the commencement of operations at the Development Centre, HMCL is set to become India’s first two-wheeler manufacturer to have its own EFI Product-line".

Victory

TT podium for Victory Ebike

VICTORY has scored a podium place at its first ever appearance at the Isle of Man TT races, scoring a third place in the SES TT Zero race for electric motorcycles - Lee Johnston recording 111.620mph lap on the iconic mountain road circuit. 

The second Victory electric motorcycle took fourth place with UK racer Guy Martin recording a lap time of 109.717mph, after stepping in to replace the injured William Dunlop.
Victory Racing Team Manager, Brian Wismann, said: “It was a good day for Victory Racing at our first ever time at the TT. We accomplished what we set out to achieve. We got on to the podium, but we also got a 111mph average in our first ever TT Zero race.
"The speeds were good, the bikes were good and reliable; they looked great out there. I’m just very, very pleased with all the hard work the team’s put in and the work that the riders have done to get the bikes round so quickly.”

The company’s entry in the SES TT Zero race has followed on from Polaris’ acquisition of Brammo, the electric motorcycle manufacturer, at the beginning of this year.
The success of the Victory team on the Isle of Man will strengthen rumors that Polaris is looking to repurpose the Victory brand as a performance marque, while it develops Indian Motorcycle as its cruiser range of motorcycles.
These rumors have been increasing since Victory announced plans to compete at the annual Pikes Pike Hill Climb with a prototype naked sports bike bearing the Victory name. Built in collaboration with Roland Sands Design, the bike will use a modified Indian Scout engine, under the "Project 156" banner. 
First held in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motorsports event in the United States. Polaris' choice of "Project 156" recognizes the 156 turns involved in climbing the 12.42 miles and 4,620ft/1,440m of the famed Colorado course.

www.victorymotorcycles.com

UK motorcycle registrations

UK new motorcycle registrations +13 percent in May

THE latest data released by the motorcycle industry association in the UK (MCIA) shows new motorcycle registrations for May up by +13.14 percent at 10,856 units, with the market +13.57 percent for the year-to-date at 44,337 units.

In total PTW terms the UK was +10.74 percent for May (11,638 units) and is +11.3 percent for the year-to-date (47,837 units).
This is the best May and year-to-date sales performance for motorcycles since before 2009.
The 'Naked' style (+32.2 percent/9,728 units) and Adventure Sport (+22.1 percent/6,051 units) sectors continue to lead the growth in the UK. Supersport models were up in May at +11.4 percent and are now level for the year-to-date; the small touring bike and sport/tourer sectors were both down in May (-18.6 and -13.8 percent respectively) and for the year-to-date (-24.9 and -16.8 percent respectively).
he top selling motorcycle in the UK in May was the Yamaha MT-07 ABS, with their MT-09 Tracer second. The top selling scooter was the Honda PCX 125. Honda take top spot in the UK in market share terms (1,963 units in total in May), with Yamaha second (1,779 units), Triumph third (915 units), BMW fourth (840 units) and Kawasaki fifth (703 units).

Marzocchi

Tenneco closes Marzocchi

American owner Tenneco has closed the legendary Bologna, Italy based suspension manufacturer Marzocchi, resulting in 120 job losses and a number of motorcycle manufacturers scrabbling for replacement product.
Marzocchi hit trouble back in 2011, but as a result of the involvement of trade unions, Tenneco, at that stage, decided to keep the factory open.
However, the changes taking place in the suspension industry with the spread of electronically controlled and adjusted systems and semi-active electronic suspensions rapidly becoming a de facto standard requirement for OE product, it is believed that Tenneco wasn't prepared to front up the huge investment that would have been required to turn their loss-making Italian subsidiary around.
Of all people, Tenneco know only too well the kind of capital investment and R&D lead time required for getting into the electronic suspension market - as owners of the Monroe shocks business.
There has been speculation that Marzocchi would be a "soft-close" with stocks being run-down and the factory finally closing later this year, but it has now emerged that Tenneco has acted decisively to close the company down sooner.
Though Marzocchi's core market has always been 'metric' front-ends, the brand has always been a popular choice with Harley-Davidson aftermarket customizers and builders looking for beefed-up and performance capable suspensions. Tenneco acquired Marzocchi in 2008, just as the bottom started to fall out of Marzocchi's market.

LSL

'Modern Classics' by  LSL

THE Clubman-style aluminium fender and matching '60s style taillight seen here are designed and manufactured in Germany by LSL as part of their 'Modern Classics' parts and accessory range.

Suitable for a range of wheel sizes and widths for front and rear applications, they feature a beaded front edge and a polished finish.
Model-specific kits are available for the Honda CB 1100F, Kawasaki W650/800, Moto Guzzi V7 and all Triumph Twins. 

To match the rear fender, LSL has a new polished, cast aluminium taillight produced to a ‘60s design that takes a 12v dual filament bulb for homologation purposes.

LSL MOTORRADTECHNIK GMBH
Krefeld, GERMANY
Tel: 02151 5559 0
info@lsl.eu
www.lsl.eu

GPR

Z 300 exhausts

KAWASAKI’S Z 300 is the latest bike to be able to benefit from the improved performance and lighter weight of a GPR’s exhaust options. The Italian specialist is now manufacturing model specific versions of its Deeptone Black ceramic line and Albus white ceramic silencers for the Z 300. 

GPR BY LINEA OG JOLLY
Cerro al Lambro (MI), ITALY
Tel: +39 02 98112058
info@gpr.it
www.gpr.it

Honda

Honda confirms RC213V-S

The much anticipated launch of a road-going version of its RC213V MotoGP bike has finally been confirmed by Honda.
 

Honda has made "minimum possible" changes to some of the specifications of the race bike and will start taking orders for the RC213V-S on July 13 2015.
Honda says the new model "is not merely the result of a feedback of technologies created by Honda through its competition in races into a commercially available model, but rather represents a wholly new endeavour to make it possible for a machine developed for competition in MotoGP races to run on public roads".
The RC213V-S has "inherited the specifications of the RC213V to thoroughly ensure mass concentration and reduced friction, as well as all key aspects in manufacturing that set the RC213V apart as a MotoGP machine from ordinary mass production models, with overwhelming differences which involve light weight and precise machining of the components, plus superior expert skills required in manufacturing.

 

"In addition, the RC213V-S is equipped with control technologies used on the RC213V. The RC213V consists only of the necessary parts for winning races, based on the idea of changing specifications as necessary according to the rider and course. To achieve the specifications that make the RC213V-S eligible to run on public roads, the minimal amount of necessary changes and additions has been made compared to the RC213V".
Honda say the sale price will be €188,000 (tax inclusive) in Germany, with national equivalents/variations as appropriate.
The principal changes for the street-spec include a coil spring system instead of the pneumatic valve in the camshaft gear train structure, conventional (rather than "seamless") transmission, and the addition of  a headlight, taillight, license plate lamps, front and rear turn signals, right and left rear-view mirrors, speedometer, muffler with a catalyst, license plate holders, horn, Honda Smart Key, self starter and side stand.
The steering angle is 15 to 26 degrees, tyres are RS10s by Bridgestone and there is stainless steel the front brake disc with Brembo brake pad.

www.rc213v-s.com

Spanish motorcycle market

Spanish motorcycle market +18 percent in May

The latest data released by the motorcycle industry trade association in Spain (ANESDOR) shows new motorcycle registration in Spain for May up by over 18 percent at 13,202 units with the year-to-date in Spain up by nearly +18 percent at 49,067 units.

This represents a dramatic continuing recovery for a market that saw sales collapse when the recession hit. This is the 21st straight month of growth in Spain, best May market there since 2010 and best first four-month market performance since 2011.
The strongest growth was in the large displacement 750cc+ sector where new registrations were up by +27.4 percent in May; sub-125cc "light motorcycle" sales were +19.4 percent, representing 61.7 percent of the market; 126-750cc were +10.5 percent.
Scooter sales were +18.1 percent, taking 68 percent of the market, with on-road motorcycles +20.3 percent and off-road models +8.6 percent.
Jose Maria Riano, the General Secretary of ANESDOR, said that "the whole motorcycle sector continued to grow in May, despite PTWs still being excluded from government initiatives and incentives such as preferential PIVE (VAT) benefits, as citizens increasingly value the advantages of the bike in terms of mobility, parking, reduced costs and environmental impacts".

OptiMate

OptiMate makes solar charging more efficient

TecMate have been researching 'off-grid' charging for years. The challenge they have been trying to meet is to overcome the inefficiency of traditional solar charging devices, while meeting riders' needs for a reliable source of 'off-grid' energy to maintain their vehicle batteries while still being able to know the condition of battery at all times during the charging cycle or during long term charge maintenance.
Solar chargers for 12V batteries have been available for some time now, yet many who have tried them have been disappointed by low power delivery and the lack of information during charging - this makes for a frustrating charging experience.
The primary problem is that efficient solar charging starts with unobstructed and direct sunlight onto the panel surface. However, even with 6-8 hours of perfect daily sunshine, power delivery is affected by the fixed position of the panel and in reality, very few days are perfect for solar unless you live in the Sahara desert!
On an even modestly cloudy day power delivery can drop to 20% or less, effectively reducing charge current below the level that will charge the battery and fail even to combat the current drain from the vehicle circuitry. Some 12V panels come with built in charge controllers, but they may use 2-3W of power just to operate, resulting in very little power reaching the battery. 

Tecmate has now developed an OptiMate SOLAR charge controller that converts low constant solar energy into efficient pulses of energy that are more effective for battery charging. The principal is simple and critically, very accurately controlled. A high efficiency capacitor is 'filled' (charged) by the solar panel; once full it is then discharged into the battery by the OptiMate SOLAR controller's micro processor operated circuitry.
This occurs repeatedly, with the frequency of pulses being directly managed by the solar energy being delivered, with each pulse only being delivered once the current level is effective for battery charging and maintenance.
This process is highly efficient, the circuit needs around 4-8mA to control the power and indicate progress, resulting in almost all the delivered solar power being passed to the battery. 
A 4-step program includes low-volt desulphation, pulse charge and safe long-term maintenance that is ideal for all lead-acid batteries, including motorcycle, automotive and marine.
A battery as low as 1V can be recovered and charged, after which the safe long term 'pulse' maintenance mode kicks-in to keep the battery 100 percent ready and, crucially, prevent sulphation from re-occuring. The program is also smart enough to check if the battery can continue with the lower-voltage maintenance mode when it strts to receive light again in the morning, rather than restarting the entire charging process again.
The company says that the OptiMate Solar controller is light and small enough to be located at the battery, even hanging directly off the fitted battery lead, instantly allowing full information access at a glance; information such as, whether there is sufficient sunlight / solar power to charge a battery, whether it is charging or maintaining the battery and how fast is it charging.
The TM-524 OptiMate SOLAR charge kit includes a 6W high quality solar panel that comes with a 2m / 6 1/2 ft output lead ending in an SAE connector. Add the OptiMate Charge controller and reach is expanded to 3m / 10ft between solar panel and battery. If you need to mount the panel further away, the reach can be extended with the O-3 or O-13 charge cable extenders.
For those who already own a 12V solar panel, adding OptiMate Solar charger kit will instantly improve the solar charge experience. The TM520 Solar charger kit works on 12V batteries and the TM521 Solar charger kit will convert a 12V solar panel into a 6V battery charger. Both kits are delivered with high grade durable cable accessories, including OptiMate's O-1 weatherproof battery lead and O-4 OptiMate battery clips - these connect directly to the OptiMate charge controller, as well as the O-27 polarity converter, just in case the solar panel's SAE connector is the wrong polarity.
Tecmate are continuing to develop the range, and say that further solar products will be added soon, including new high-power solar solutions.

www.tecmate-int.com

Japanese motorcycle exports

Japanese 250cc+ motorcycle exports -8 percent in April

The latest data released by the motorcycle industry trade association in Japan (JAMA) shows Japanese motorcycle manufacturer 250cc+ exports to Europe down by nearly -8 percent for April (at 12,742 units) and broadly "flat" for the year-to-date at 67,131 units.
To put that in context, this is the lowest April figure since 2011, with April 2007 seeing the "Big Four" Japanese manufacturers export some 52,000 units to Europe. In 2007 the first four months of the year were worth more than double the present level at 199,000 units.
Exports to the United States (250cc+ machines) were down by a massive -43.22 percent in April at just 5,466 units and are now running at -28.45 percent for the year-to-date at just 34,220 machines.

 

In global terms Japanese motorcycle manufacturer exports of 250cc+ machines were down by -20.55 percent at 23,880 units in April, and -9.2 percent for the year-to-date (134,885 units).

A lot more Japanese brand motorcycles and small cc machines are now coming into Europe from subsidiary and affiliate factories elsewhere in the world, but the data still makes alarming reading as the historically market-defining "Big Four" look increasingly like a "Big Two plus a few other models" as European and American manufacturers take ever increasing shares of a much smaller market in Europe and North America.

German motorcycle registrations

German motorcycle registrations up by +3 percent in April

The latest data released by the German motorcycle industry trade association (Industrie-Verband Motorrad Deutschland e.V./IVM) shows new motorcycle registrations at +3.17 percent in April at 15,800 units, and +4.75 percent at 46,019 units for the first four months of the year.

 

With the exception of a modestly better 2013, this is the best April performance in the German market since before 2009. For the year-to-date the market is running at +4.75 units with 46,019 new motorcycles registered so far - the best first four months market performance seen there since before 2009.

In total PTW terms April was +3.8 percent at 21,979 units, and is +3.78 percent for the year-to-date at 61,799 units - also the best seen since before 2009.

The IVM, their members and dealers in Germany will be relieved at how sales have performed in March and April after a soft start to the year saw sales down year-on-year in Germany in January and February.

FullSix carbon parts

FullSix carbon parts now available through Metisse

FULLSIX, the Slovenian carbon fibre parts specialist, is now making its product range available through Metisse in Germany.
FullSix was founded by CDT Group in 2008 and produces carbon fibre parts for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket applications. The business, which now employs 40 staff, has seen 40 percent growth over the past three years, and supplies OEM parts to both BMW and Lamborghini and claims to offer the widest range of aftermarket Ducati parts with over 90 items for the 1199 Panigale alone.

Among the carbon fibre parts produced by FullSix for the Panigale is a one-piece seat/tail unit

These parts include a one-piece fuel tank Panigale, an option which is also available for Ducati’s 1098 and Streetfighter, and BMW’s S1000RR and a monocoque tail for the Ducati 1199 Panigale.
FullSix offers its carbon fibre motorcycle parts in three product lines that cater for different performance and cosmetic needs: Street, Race and FullSix Custom. Street line parts are designed to replace OEM parts and enhance both the visual appearance and performance of the motorbike. The Race line components are fully race compliant and incorporate features from World Superbike and British Superbike, such as oversized air intakes and improved aerodynamics.
FullSix Custom components are designed in collaboration with renowned motorcycle designers, and the line began with a collaboration with John Keogh for the Ducati Monster 696, 796 and 1100.

A one-piece carbon fibre tank for the Ducati Panigale meets the requirements established by European Commission for fuel tanks

Full Six’s carbon fibre seat hump for the BMW R nineT

A key development in the success of FullSix has been the introduction of ACM (Adaptive Coding and Modulation) technology to manufacture flawless hollow carbon fiber parts. This has allowed the company to develop a fuel tank that is not at risk of having leaking seams caused by temperature fluctuations or the dissolving of the glued seams by fuel.
Each FullSix fuel tank design passes a point of impact test which simulates puncture damage. Each resists the force of a 15kg weight dropped from a height of 1m that lands in a 3mm point of impact. To demonstrate its commitment to quality the carbon fibre tanks are manufactured in accordance with build requirements established by European Commission for fuel tanks (Directive 97/24/EC, Chapter 6, Annex I) and include tests for permeability, shock absorption, mechanical strength, fuel resistance, fire resistance and high-temperature resistance.
The complete range of FullSix carbon fibre parts, including the fuel tanks, fenders, side panels and other special parts, are now available through Metisse Germany.

www.metisse.de