SC- Project

Counterfeiting sucks – it is theft … simple!

Marco De Rossi and Stefano Lavazza have achieved remarkable things since they started their SC- Project exhausts business in Italy a little more than 10 years ago.

A widespread problem throughout the motorcycle industry, especially where premium brand products are concerned, national governments and international trade organisations must do more to clamp down on design theft and product counterfeiting

Unfortunately, as all too many respectable and respected manufacturers have found to their cost, with success come the product counterfeiters who try and “pass-off” low grade, cheap knock-offs of their products. These products are produced with low-grade, potentially hazardous materials, by forgers with no design or production experience, with no thought given to the serious damage that could be inflicted to bikes and people.
As Stefano says of the SC-Project copies he has found: “Finishing is of the worst quality, the assemblage is extremely inaccurate and the SC-Project logo appears in terrible copies made with polished plate and laser branding of low quality. The assembly is imprecise and the inner soundproofing presents material with amianthus, which is carcinogenic and dangerous for health. Welding is of terrible quality and subject to breaking under even minimal stress, and it is impossible to replicate the precise CNC-engineering undertaken by our specialist equipment”.
The internet in Asia is pock-marked with sites from thieves offering imitation original product – product that is such a poor imitation of the real thing that it is extraordinary that anybody could be fooled by them – sadly though, enough hapless consumers are fooled to make it worth the thieves’ while, and although steps are being increasingly taken to stamp on the counterfeiters, it is likely to be a long time before the practice is completely eliminated, if ever.

This is what cheap gets you – no more words necessary

Unfortunately, Marco and Stefano aren’t the only people to have seen their Intellectual Property, hard work and massive investments stolen. We here at IDN know that Akrapovic have had similar issues, and it isn’t limited to exhaust manufacturers – as we found out a couple of years ago, when German bullet light specialist Guido Kellermann had to confront the same problem.

Original SC-Project quality of the kind that got HRC’s attention

If we wrote up every known case of counterfeiting, our news pages would be chock-full of such reports every edition, but please, anyone reading this who is facing similar issues, do please let us know.
Organisations such as Koelnmesse, organisers of INTERMOT, have taken radical steps to try to prevent fraudulent product from appearing at their shows, and offer exhibitors access to legal support at their show to get such items confiscated and the vendors concerned barred from the show when such instances do occur.
Their initiative is to be applauded, but we here at IDN call on our industry’s trade associations and our national government trade departments to do more to help their members and their domestic businesses deal with the issues that arise.
The sooner international organisations such as the EU and the World Trade Organisation can also do more to enforce Intellectual Property observance and recognition, especially (but sadly not only) in Asia, the better.

www.sc-project.com/counterfeiting.htm

Vertex (VP Italy)

Vertex Pistons dominate Argentine MXGP

Italian piston and performance specialist Vertex (VP Italy) recorded a podium clean-sweep at the Argentine Grand Prix, the third round of the World Motocross championship, with their “GP-Racer’s Choice” pistons used by the Honda HRC, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory and Kawasaki KRT factory teams. 

Vertex “GP-Racer’s Choice” pistons are available for any off-road motorcycle and valued for their remarkable performances and reliability, and in Argentina they won the entire GP!
In the first race, they got to the finish line in the first five positions, and with the success of the second race they won the GP, ensuring that all three steps of the podium were taken by racers using “GP-Racer’s Choice” pistons - with the winner Tim Gajser (Slovenia, Honda), Jeremy Van Horebeek second (Belgium, Yamaha) and Russian Evgeny Bobryshev (Honda) third. 
“This exceptional result further underlines the technology and performance level achieved by Vertex Pistons products”, said Vertex’s Lina Saccani Vezzani.

www.vertexpistons.com

UK motorcycle registrations

UK motorcycle registrations -18.48 percent for January/February

In common with the new model registration statistics for early 2017 from other European markets, the latest date released by the MCIA, the motorcycle trade association in the UK, show the same Euro 3 pre-registration impact as elsewhere, with sales for January and February put at 7,867 units, down by -18.48 percent!

However, as with elsewhere, by the time the pre-registered bikes are taken into account, in all probability the UK market was at worst level with early 2016, and in all likelihood could have been at least marginally up, given the heavy discounts and incentives now being offered by dealers to clear those Euro 3 bikes as zero mileage “pre-owned” models.
In the UK, for the full year 2016, new motorcycle registrations grew by + 13.52 percent at 118,990 units – a fifth straight year of growth for the UK market and the best annual market performance since before 2008; though some of the bikes registered in November and December are those now “not showing” as sales from January and February.
In total PTW terms the UK market was +11.86 percent for 2016 at 127,702 units – a third straight year of growth and also the highest annual market performance since before 2008.
For the record, the MCIA reports new Moped registrations for the first two months of the year in the UK at -18.79 percent (834 units only), and total PTW sales at -18.51 percent (8,701 units).

Yamaha

Yamaha – awards and new models for emerging markets

There has already been a steady flow of interesting news coming out of Yamaha so far this year.
Following the expected announcement in January that their unit sales in Europe for the nine months to December 31st 2016 were up, February saw the company scoop a global “iF Design Award” for the fourth consecutive year for its XSR900.

Yamaha says it developed the XSR900 “to satisfy customers in developed markets who prefer a more “traditional” style of machine. The simple and retro exterior combined with performance through cutting-edge technology provides pride of ownership along with riding enjoyment”.
This award marks the fourth design honour for the XSR900, after the ”Good Design BEST100,” the “Auto Color Award 2016 Special Prize,” and the “JIDA Design Museum Selection Vol.18.”

The iF award-winning XSR900

The iF design awards have been awarded since 1953 by the international design promotion organisation Industrie Forum Design Hanover (iF), Germany.
In other news, the company has moved to strengthen its position in less well developed markets with what it describes as the “stylish and sporty GDR155 scooter ASEAN strategic model aiming to build a new sporty scooter category” and the’ CRUX Rev’, its first “strategic model” for Africa, Central America and the Caribbean.
The GDR155 aims to “create in the ASEAN region a sporty scooter category, which will become a stepping stone to the big scooter class”. Launched in Vietnam as the NVX and in Thailand as the AEROX in December 2016, the GDR155 will subsequently be introduced in Indonesia and other ASEAN markets.

GDR155

Manufactured in plants in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, development of the lightweight 116kg GDR155 targeted upwardly-mobile 25 to 30-year old males “with the intention of being crowned the "ASEAN Best Sporty Scooter." The 155cc ‘Blue Core’ engine incorporates a Smart Motor Generator – described as a Yamaha first - which combines start-up with power generation functionality to deliver quieter starting while also reducing power generation loss.

CRUX Rev

The ‘CRUX Rev’ features a 4-stroke, air cooled 110cc ‘Blue Core’ engine, and is described by Yamaha as a “next-generation basic street model based on thorough local surveys to incorporate design aspects geared to local conditions and needs. Two configurations will be available - a spoke wheel specification with kick start, and a cast wheel specification with electric start”.
Yamaha says the “African and Central America/Caribbean motorcycle markets total roughly 3.6 million units (2016 results/Yamaha Motor survey). Approximately half of this number are 100 to 150cc motorcycles, which are used as bike taxis. The current CRUX model (110cc) was originally developed for India, and was introduced in Africa and Central America/the Caribbean from the early 2000s.
“It earned popularity in Africa through its use as a bike taxi, and in Central America/the Caribbean for its entry-level commuter and delivery purposes. With the growth of various financial support systems such as microfinance in recent years, demand for bike taxis and delivery applications is forecast to grow even further, and customers expect the launch of models which fulfil criteria for fuel efficiency, cost and quality/reliability.
“The CRUX Rev has been developed in response to these needs, and is a model with superior cost-performance in addition to great practicality and comfort. Although IYM (India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd.) will be the main production company, CKD production of the same model is scheduled for Yamaha Motor's Nigerian production company, CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Ltd. (CYMNG) in 2017”.

Yamaha’s ‘Yard Built’ custom bike build programme is underway again already for 2017 – seen here is the all-new SCR950, reinterpreted by Californian customiser Jeff Palhegyi – a homage to the 1966 YDS3C Big Bear Scrambler that featured a custom exhaust system with heat shields which hark back to the days of do-it-all motorcycles, Renthal handlebars wrapped in Duane Ballard Custom Leather that matches the seat and front fork tool pouch, a shortened swingarm suspended by Fox RC1 Podium 14-inch performance rear shocks, custom sub-frame and side panels, custom vintage off-road style front and rear fenders, chunky Shinko Adventure Trail tires mounted on Californian made Ride Wright 40-spoke aluminium soft lip wheels, custom aluminium headlight bracket and skid plate, steel braided brake lines and a "Faster Sons" custom-logoed aluminium cover for the K&N air cleaner

Australian motorcycle sales

Australian sales in 2016 best for seven years

The latest data released by the FCAI, the trade association in Australia that includes representation of the motorcycle industry there, shows that a surge in consumer activity during the final quarter of 2016 (as Australia headed in to its summer) generated a strong finish to the sales year for Australia’s new motorcycle market, with the calendar year result up +6.6 per cent on 2015.
Australia’s motorcycle, ATV and scooter sales reached a total of 114,783 in 2016 — an increase of 7,073 units over 2015 - and posting the fifth highest sales result in the industry’s history. It was also the industry’s strongest sales result since 2009.
Honda was the largest selling brand again, holding 22.9 percent (26,276 units) of the total motorcycle, ATV and scooter market.
Close behind in second place was Yamaha with 21.7 percent of the total market (24,899). Kawasaki was third with 9.2 percent (10,592 sales), Harley-Davidson fourth with 9 percent (10,282 sales) and Suzuki fifth with 8.6 percent (9,924 sales).
Road bike sales were again healthy across the industry, increasing +5.3 percent over 2015 and accounting for 41.6 percent of the total market. Australians rode home with a total of 47,753 new road bikes in 2016.
Harley-Davidson took the top sales position in the road bike category. The Milwaukee (USA) based manufacturer sold 10,282 new road bikes across Australia in 2016 to claim a leading segment share of 21.5 percent.
Honda was the second highest selling brand in this category, with 20.2 percent of national road bike sales (9,651). Honda was followed by Yamaha with 16.3 percent (7,768 sales), Kawasaki with 10.1 percent (4,798) and BMW with 6.7 percent (3,178).
Off-road motorcycle purchases accounted for almost 35 percent of the total market with 39,710 sales. The popularity of this segment grew at a slightly higher rate than that of road bikes in 2016, with the 39,710 off-road sales for 2016 representing a +6.3 percent increase on 2015 figures.
Yamaha also led the market for off-road motorcycles, selling 30.5 percent (12,090) of the total number sold in this segment. Yamaha was followed by Honda with 24.8 percent (9,848 sales), KTM with 17.7 percent (7,023), Kawasaki with 11.0 percent (4,382) and Suzuki with 10.3 percent (4,081).
The ATV market grew by a solid +14.4 percent over 2015, with a total of 22,834 ATVs sold nationally in 2016. ATV sales represented 19.9 percent of the total motorcycle market.
Polaris was the leading ATV brand with a 26.4 percent share, or 6,037 sales. Honda was second with 25.5 percent (5,832 sales), Yamaha was third with 20.5 percent (4,692), BRP fourth with 11.1 percent (2,524) and Suzuki fifth with 10.2 percent (2,337).
Scooters continued their decline in popularity with total sales in this segment of 4,486, down -11.0 percent on 2015; Piaggio remained market leader with a 24.0 percent share (1,075 sales).

Piaggio

Piaggio reports global PTW unit
sales +6.7 percent

Piaggio has reported that it sold 344,000 two-wheelers worldwide in 2016, up by +6.7% from 2015 (322,500 units), generating net sales of 916.5 million euro, an improvement of +3.6% from 884.9 million euro in 2015. The figure includes spares and accessories, on which turnover totalled 124.5 million euro (a slight increase from 2015).

Piaggio says that it continued to strengthen its leadership of the European two-wheeler market in 2016, with an overall market share of 15.4% (15.2% in 2015), and 25.4% (24.1% in 2015) in the scooter sector alone, with a lead of more than 12 percentage points from the second competitor.
On the Indian two-wheeler market, the Group reported volume growth of almost 40%, thanks in part to the introduction of the well-received new Aprilia SR 150 scooter. The Group recently entered the motorcycle market in Thailand with the introduction of the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands, in addition to its existing Vespa and Piaggio branded scooter sales there.
The Group says it maintained a particularly strong presence on the North American scooter market, with a share of 20.1%; it also intends to strengthen its position in motorcycles in North America.
In the scooter segment, global revenues in the ‘high-wheel’ segment made strong progress, largely thanks to the Beverly and the new Piaggio Medley ABS, which have boosted market share for Group vehicles since their launch.
The Vespa brand strengthened its presence on the EMEA market, with revenues up by 5.6%.

Good performance was also reported for the Aprilia brand, which in August made its debut on the Indian scooter market (the world’s largest market with annual sales of more 5 million vehicles) with the Aprilia SR 150 sports scooter.
The Group motorcycle sector also reported healthy performance, thanks to a +13% increase in Moto Guzzi sales, assisted by the new V9 Roamer and Bobber and by the MGX-21, the large totally black cruiser, which had its world preview in August 2016 at the 76th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Aprilia’s good performance reflects the growth of the Supersport models in the Tuono V4 range, which reported a +24.8% increase in sales, and steady sales performance for the RSV4 1000 line.
In global corporate terms, Piaggio says it has seen positive 2016 performance in all the sectors it is active in, with improvements in all its main indicators and a reduction in debt compared with 2015.
The company says it sold 532,000 vehicles of all kinds worldwide in 2016, an increase of +2.4% from 519,700 in 2015.
Group consolidated net sales in 2016 totalled 1,313.1 million euro, an improvement of +17.8 million euro and +1.4% (+2.8% at constant exchange rates) from 1,295.3 million euro in 2015.
2016 closed with net profit of 14 million euro, an increase of +18.3% compared with 11.9 million euro in 2015.
At EICMA 2016 Piaggio unveiled its Vespa Elettrica project, confirming its commitment to development of alternative low-emission mobility solutions. Production and marketing of Vespa Elettrica are scheduled for the second half of 2017.
Additional new products at EICMA included the Moto Guzzi V7III, developed to mark the 50th anniversary of the debut of the first V7 model, the Moto Guzzi V9 MY 2017 and, for the Aprilia brand, the Shiver 900 and the Dorsoduro 900, two new motorcycles offering enhanced performance compared with the previous versions.
In January Piaggio announced the strengthening of its distribution network after opening its 200th Motoplex store in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Asia and India – a concept that made its debut just two years ago. Motoplex stores are a network of Group multi-brand stores in addition to its traditional distribution network.

Suzuki

Suzuki sales up in Europe in Q3

Suzuki has announced that on a Group basis its motorcycle sales in Europe for the third quarter of its current financial year (the period to December 31st 2016) were up by +30.1 percent at 8,000 units (up by 2,000 units over the year-ago quarter).

For the nine months of its financial year so far motorcycle sales in Europe were down by -2.1 percent at 37,000 units, but at just 1,000 units down for the period, its trend is in the right direction and the company should see sales for the full financial year about flat with the year-ago period – meaning that Suzuki will have halted its decline in units sold here.
It has a similar picture in North America, where sales for the third quarter were down by -2 percent at 6,000 units, but it has further to go to get back on an even footing there with sales for the first nine months down by -24 percent, with 25,000 units sold so far (some 8,000 down on the year-ago period).
Globally unit sales (including ATVs) were -1.7 percent at 329,000 for the third quarter and are running at 11.9 percent (1,009,000 units) for the year-to-date.

Energica

Energica now in the Netherlands, Sweden, Israel and U.S.A.

Italian electric sportsbike manufacturer Energica has enlarged its retail presence in one of Europe’s strongest E-Bike markets, with Electric Motorcycles Nederland (EMN) as its importer and lead dealer there, having signed new agreements with four new business partners.

Having inaugurated its new 32,000 sq ft headquarters facility at Soliera near Modena last year, Energica has moved quickly to consolidate its international opportunities

The stores are situated in some the most strategic areas of the country from Groningen in the north to Sint Anthonis in the south in order to “guarantee the presence of the Italian brand throughout the Netherlands”.
Along with Energica motorcycles, EMN provides important services for customers, like customised financing plans and a mobile workshop for a professional and prompt after sales service.
In addition, EMN is offering all Energica owners ‘free charge’ for four years through the Fastned fast-charge infrastructure network.
Energica has also finalised a new commercial agreement in Sweden and other markets with Energica motorcycles available in Marieholm, near Malmoe, based at E-MC Sweden AB. Through November 2016 the Swedish market was +80 percent in EV unit terms, with 11,913 machines registered in 11 months.
In December last year Energica received its sales license for the State of California, having already achieved U.S. homologation of its ‘Ego’ and ‘Eva’ models, and opened “Galleria Energica”, a San Francisco flagship store and a Redwood, California, service centre.

Energica’s ‘Eva’ (left) is a ‘streetfighter’ styled street bike with a permanent magnet AC (PMAC) oil cooled motor that produces 70kW (95 hp c.ca) of instantaneous power and a torque of 170 Nm. It is said to have a range up to 200km (ECO mode) and can reach a top speed of 200km/h in Sport mode. The ‘Ego’ is Energica’s sportbike model

In another sign of its growing international reach, Energica entered the Israeli market in November, with the government approving its bikes for registration and Auto Electric appointed as importer.
Meanwhile, in other news from Energica in the United States, the company has become the only electric motorcycle company to join the CharIN E.V. Association, whose mission is to come up with a standard for electric vehicle charging and devise solutions for future charging systems.
The primary aims of CharIN E.V. are to develop and establish the Combined Charging System (CCS) as the standard for charging battery-powered electric vehicles of all kind; to draw up requirements for the evolution of charging-related standards and develop a certification system for use by manufacturers implementing the CCS in their products and to promote the CCS standard worldwide.
Right from the start Energica believed and invested in the Combined Charging System (CCS) as standard - today Energica is the only electric motorcycle manufacturer to include in its products the DC Fast Charging technology based on CCS Combo.
“In the last years, the auto industry unveiled several new electric models, therefore it is necessary to affirm the CCS system as standard and to implement the infrastructure’s network in all countries”, says Giampiero Testoni, CTO Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
“It’s important to generate an influential critical mass to standardise the CCS system and affirm it worldwide“.

Kappa

KV30 Enduro full-face
This new KV30 Kappa full-face, with removable spoiler and main visor for use with goggles, comes in two monochromatic versions (glossy white and matt black) and three graphic versions - ‘Aventure’, ‘Track’ and ‘Tour’ (seen here). It is aimed at the road maxi-enduro rider who uses the bike on the street as well as off-road, combining the angular design of enduro helmets with elements such as a visor and sun visor.
Made from technopolymers with air vents at the top and the chin guard and exhaust at the rear of the shell, the lining is removable and washable; closing is with a micro-ratchet strap and it weighs just 1,550 grams.

KAPPA S.r.l.
www.kappamoto.com

Barkbusters

Revolutionary ‘Storm’ hand-guard for street bike applications

It is eight years since Australian hand-guard specialist Barkbusters turned its attention towards street bike hand-guards, with the launch of its popular ‘Storm’ as a design that added weather protection to the all-terrain impact resistance that hand-guards were principally noted for.

Launched in 2009, the easy install, model compatible new concept was immediately well received. Two mounting options give weather or dual weather with impact resistance options - a single point handlebar clamp or bar-end mounted design and a stronger two-point mount design with reinforced aluminium frame for impact protection.
Practical yet stylish, the aerodynamically shaped plastic guard is large enough to be fully functional while still being ergonomically compatible with a huge selection of naked, sports and adventure bike models as well as scooters and even cruisers.
Dealers can search Barkbusters’ online ‘What fits my bike’ tool for the right ‘Storm’ fitment for their customers’ bikes, with applications available for most makes, models and years.
Barkbusters CEO Matthew Phillpott explains that “the concept for the ‘Storm’ hand-guard was driven by demand from riders who frequently asked if our regular hand-guards could be adapted for their street motorcycle.
“In the majority of cases this just wasn't possible, so we set about designing a product specifically for street bike use – one that would be a simple and fully reversible install for as many models as possible, and one that delivered weather protection as well as reassurance and confidence in modern day urban and highway road traffic conditions.
“As the idea spread, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and our customers are genuinely surprised at the difference it has made to their comfort in cooler conditions. Everyone at the Barkbusters factory is extremely proud to have played a part in establishing street bike hand- guards as a widely acknowledged essential accessory for year-round riding”.

RIDEWORX
www.barkbusters.net

KTM

KTM announces “ground-breaking” 2-stroke fuel injected Enduro machines

KTM says it is marking a “major global milestone” by announcing that it will unveil the world’s first serial production fuel injection 2-stroke Enduro machines at an official launch this coming May. 

The KTM 250 EXC TPI and KTM 300 EXC TPI models will be introduced to the market as part of their model year 2018 line-up.
The Austrian manufacturer is well known for its investment in new technology and says “now the game-changer is finally here. With KTM’s unwavering commitment to being at the very forefront of off-road motorcycle sport, in which the orange brand has achieved many championship wins over the years, the latest exciting development in technology has come to fruition.

“It has been no secret that KTM’s Research and Development department in Mattighofen, Austria, has been developing this technology, which offers considerable benefits over carbureted models, including drastically reduced fuel consumption while also no longer having the need to pre-mix fuel or alter the machines’ jetting.
“Not only that, the new 2-stroke TPI models offer a completely new experience in terms of power delivery and rideability, which once again demonstrates KTM’s commitment to its off-road roots, following on from the all-new generation of Enduro machines released last year.
“As market leaders in this segment, we believe the new 2-stroke fuel injection technology, known as TPI (Transfer Port Injection), is revolutionary. More information will be available during the international media launch, which begins on May 15, 2017.
“This is an incredibly exciting development for KTM. We have been developing 2-stroke fuel injection for some time, and our goal was to create competitive motorcycles with all the benefits of fuel injection, while fitting into our READY TO RACE mantra” said Joachim Sauer, KTM Product Marketing Manager.
“There has been extensive testing and considerations for our Research and Development team to take into account during this process, so we are very motivated by this next step and world first in technology, as we take a major step forward in this segment. We are certainly looking forward to unveiling the new 2018 KTM 250 EXC TPI and KTM 300 EXC TPI machines in May”.
KTM say that in Europe the bikes will arrive in dealer showrooms in early summer. In the USA and Canada, the new 2018 KTM 250 XC-W TPI will be available in very limited quantities in late autumn.

www.ktm.com

Italian motorcycle registrations

Italian motorcycle registrations -11.43 percent January and February

With the now customary reader health warning about the reliability of new motorcycle registration numbers for early 2017 (see our Spain report with regard to the Euro 3 effect), the latest data released by ANCMA (the Milan based motorcycle industry trade association for Italy) put new motorcycle registrations for the first two months of the year down at – 11.43 percent (at 10,286 units), but with sales of the pre-registered 2016s, the picture is likely to be one of a level market, year-on-year, or even one with some modest further growth.

For the full year 2016 motorcycle registrations in Italy were +21.49 percent at 75,936 units, a third straight year of growth.
In total PTW terms, January/February registrations were -10.02 percent at 22,389 units in total. For the full year 2016 they were +13.26 percent at 193,814 units – also a third straight year of growth, the Italian market having fallen to a low of 153,933 total PTW registrations in 2013.
The top-selling motorcycle in Italy in January and February 2017 was Honda’s CRF 100 L Africa Twin (511 units), followed closely by BMW’s R 1200 Gs Adventure (508 units); the positions were reversed for the full year 2016 with BMW’s R 1200 GS the top seller (3,329 units), followed by Honda’s Africa Twin (2,840 units); Yamaha’s MT-09 Tracer (2,609 units – third so far this year also); Honda’s NC 750 X (2,355 units – also 4th so far in 2017) and Ducati’s Scrambler 800 (2,264 units – also 5th so far this year).
Scooter registrations were -11.96 percent for the first two months of 2017 at 5,402 units.
Enduro style models are the strongest of the “major” sectors in styling terms in Italy so far in 2017, closely followed by Naked/’traditional’ style bikes.

SBS

SBS adds street and race series applications for 2017

When IDN met with the Danish brake specialist’s Chief Sales Officer Christel Munk Pedersen last year, we asked her if she was able to summarise what her experience has taught her about what dealers need from a brake pad manufacturer.
Her answer was simple and to the point: “Access to wide and comprehensive product range is one of the basic criteria – a range that is being constantly updated for the newest models, and that offers confidence-inspiring quality and compounds that are engineered for the application”.

Sinter rear for Honda SBR 500

That is a straight forward and simple answer, but one born from years of experience on the track and massive investment in R&D and manufacturing processes.
Their ability to respond quickly is impressive, and goes beyond simply pad shape and deep into offering dealers the right compound choices – choices that meet the variety of needs their customers have, from race to street, from wet to dry and from urban cycle riding to touring and off-roading.

Carbon Tech for the Kawasaki 300 Ninja

An example of their responsiveness came in January with the release of new applications for 2017 and prior models, including race pads for the KTM390, Yamaha R3 and Kawasaki Ninja cup series and the Honda CBR 500 in a choice of ‘Carbon Tech’, Sintered and ‘Dual Carbon compounds; ‘Carbon Tech’ pads for Brembo’s road racing callipers, and sintered pads for Kymco’s 500 and 700 off-roaders.

Front Dual Carbon for KTM RC 390

A selection typical of the wide-ranging output that is routine for the SBS R&D team, and exactly the kind of range and responsiveness that Christel described.
“Our ambition is to be first with the newest and last with the oldest”, Christel went on to say. “There should not be any motorcycle – whether street, off-road or racetrack - for which you cannot find a compatible SBS brake pad. Therefore, product range development has the highest possible focus for us, and we spend a lot of resources on our product management, identifying and developing new applications constantly”.

Those resources include their 13,000 sqm (approx 140,000 sq ft) Svendborg, Denmark factory, the 120 people they employ there and the importers who sell SBS products in over 50 countries - oh, and let’s not forget the hundreds, maybe even thousands of weekend and top-line racers who have trusted in the SBS brand down the years and helped develop street pads that dealers can stock with confidence.

SBS FRICTION
www.sbs-friction.dk

Spanish motorcycle registrations

Motorcycle registrations in Spain -20.80 percent for January/February 2017

The predictably misleading new registrations data for the first months of 2017 has emerged from Europe’s trade associations – thanks to the rush to pre-register unsold Euro 3 models before the December 31st deadline rendered them obsolete.

According to the latest data available from ANESDOR, the motorcycle industry trade association in Spain, new motorcycle registrations for the period January to February 2017 were down by -20.80 percent at 14,006 units (17,684 in 2016), but that makes no allowance for the several thousand of pre-registered Euro 3 bikes that nonetheless have probably found happy buyers and attractive prices – probably boosting the “official figure” sufficiently to, at worst, make for a flat market, but in all probability for one that has continued to grow.
Moped registrations in Spain do not appear to be having equivalent pre-registration blues though, with the January and February market there up by +24.22 percent, albeit on low volume (2,431 units), leaving the total number of all PTW units newly registered in Spain in the first two months of the year at -16.32 percent, 16,437 units.
Honda remains market share leader in Spain, taking 21.1 percent of the motorcycle market there year-to-date (2,954 units), followed by Yamaha (13.8 percent), Kymco (9.1 percent), BMW, Piaggio, Kawasaki, Sym, Suzuki, KTM and Triumph.
The top-selling motorcycle remains the Kawasaki Z 900, followed by the Yamaha MT-07.
So far in 2017, 73 E-Bikes have been registered, representing 0.5 percent of the motorcycle market.
So far in 2017, scooters represent 54 percent of sales of vehicles greater than 50cc at 7,584 units YTD; motorcycles of 126 to 750 cc represent 31 percent of the market so far in 2017 at 4,371 units, with 750cc+ machines representing 20 percent of sales (2,756 units) YTD.
The Spanish market has seen 269 ATV/Quad/UTV models registered YTD, with Polaris the major player (82 units), followed by CF-Moto and Can-Am.

Yamaha

Yamaha growth, but results hit by appreciation of the yen

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Has announced its results for its 2016 full financial year (the period to December 31st 2016), reporting total group net sales of 1,502.8 billion yen (approx. 12.5 Bn. euro), a decrease of 128.3 billion yen (-7.9%) compared with the previous fiscal year. 

Operating income was 108.6 billion yen, a decrease of 21.7 billion yen (-16.7%); ordinary income was 102.1 billion yen, a decrease of 23.2 billion yen (-18.5%), and net income attributable to parent company shareholders was 63.2 billion yen, an increase of 3.1 billion yen (-5.2%) compared with the previous fiscal year.
The fluctuation in operating income compared to the previous fiscal year was caused by profitability improvements of 36.5 billion yen thanks to increased sales of products in the higher price range, and cost reductions through development methods such as for platform and global models and manufacturing methods such as for theoretical-value-based production, being overshadowed by negative foreign exchange effects of 43.8 billion yen and increased expenses etc., resulting in decreased income of 14.4 billion yen.
In addition to the continued appreciation of the yen against the U.S. dollar and the euro, the foreign exchange effects were driven by the yen continuing to appreciate against the currencies of emerging markets such as Indonesia, Brazil and India. Excluding foreign exchange effects, consolidated net sales increased (by 29.3 billion yen or 1.8%) and consolidated operating income increased (by 22.1 billion yen or 16.9%) compared with the previous fiscal year.
For the fiscal year, the U.S. dollar traded at 109 yen (an appreciation of 12 yen against the previous fiscal year), and the euro at 120 yen (an appreciation of 14 yen against the previous fiscal year).
Net sales of motorcycles were 930.1 billion yen (a decrease of 102.4 billion yen or -9.9% compared with the previous fiscal year), and operating income was 36.0 billion yen (a decrease of -3.2 billion yen or 8.1%).
Unit sales increased in markets such as India, Vietnam and the Philippines, were on a similar level to the previous year in developed markets, but decreased in markets such as Indonesia, China and Brazil.
Global net sales decreased due to foreign exchange effects. Operating income increased in emerging markets thanks to greater sales of products in the higher price range and the effect of cost reductions, but decreased in developed markets due to foreign exchange effects, leading to an overall decrease.
In developed markets, Yamaha says it is progressing initiatives regarding reductions in distribution inventories, the finance business and further structural reforms. In addition, active work continues to expand sales and reduce the break-even point in the healthy Indian market, and structural reforms are progressing amidst the Brazilian and Chinese market slumps.

Metzeler

Metzeler MC 360 tyre sets three world records

The brand new Metzeler MC 360 tyre which, thanks to its promising features, has already caught the attention of off-road enthusiasts, and before its market availability (which starts in April) already has three world records in its trophy cabinet.
At the beginning of March this year, the tyre was subjected to the final stages of a test that challenged it with extreme trials in Chile at the Nevado Ojos del Salado volcano, situated at the border between Argentina and Chile. 

At 6,891 metres high, it is the highest volcano in the world, and the MC 360, with the Honda Africa Twin and CRF450RX, established three records in riding it:
1) From zero to 5,900 metres above the sea level in less than 24 hours
2) 5,960 metres as maximum height for a twin-cylinder motorcycle
3) 5,977 metres as maximum height reached with a motorcycle in less than 24 hours
 
The team for this record expedition was composed of Salvo Pennisi, Metzeler’s Head of Testing Department, Carlo Fiorani, Honda’s Head of Racing Communications, the industry journalists Francesco Catanese and Karsten Schwers, and Fabio Mossini, the enduro champion, now part of the Honda Sud America team.
The first record set was a real team victory: Francesco Catanese, Fabio Mossini and Karsten Schwers riding the Honda Africa Twin and Salvo Pennisi, riding alternately both the Africa Twin and the CRF450RX, managed to reach 5,900 metres, after starting from sea level, in 22 hours and 30 minutes.
The second success was an individual record scored by Fabio Mossini, who managed to bring his Honda Africa Twin to 5,960 metres above sea level, the highest level ever reached with a twin-cylinder motorcycle.
The third record, another individual one, was set by Metzeler’s Head of Testing. Riding the CRF450RX, he set the record for the highest climb above sea level ever reached by a motorcycle, bringing his single-cylinder Honda to 5,977 metres of altitude in 22 hours and 40 minutes. This came after a challenging climb to reach the Atacama hut at 5,200 metres when riding the Africa Twin.
Both the Africa Twin and the CRF450RX had been equipped with the new MC 360 tyres, in prototype sizes for the Africa Twin and standard sizes for the CRF450RX.
The adventure in Chile represented the final and most severe testing for the new tyre, aimed at assessing its level of performance, wear, versatility and resistance to tearing in extreme conditions, with temperatures ranging from +40° in the Desert of Copiapó, down to -15° on the Andes.

The record climb started on February 24th in Copiapò, the capital of the Atacama region, in Chile. Things were made even tougher by the challenge to reach the extreme height in 24 hours without the support of oxygen.
After 5 days mandatory naturalisation at increasing heights, where one of the riders and one of the technicians supporting the team were forced to give up due to increasing symptoms of acute altitude sickness, the team left from the Pacific shore at Bahia Inglesa on Friday 3rd of March at 1.20 pm local time.
After a challenging 300 kilometres ride through all kind of asphalts, screes, dirts, endless stretches of sand and deep mud pits, the team reached the base camp of Laguna Verde at 4,300 metres of height. The Metzeler MC 360 had, already in this first stage, shown exceptional versatility, providing maximum stability in any condition, power of traction and reduced wear with an outstanding level of resistance to rips and tears.
On the morning of Saturday March 4th, at the crack of dawn and -5° C temperature, the team set off to climb towards the top of the volcano. From the Murray hut, after an exhausting 40 kilometres ride to reach the Atacama hut 5,200 metres above the sea level, the four riders composing the team went through the toughest stage - Fabio Mossini, Karsten Schwers and Francesco Catanese with the Africa Twin and Salvo Pennisi with the CRF450RX, all using Metzeler MC 360 tyres.
Following a dramatic climb to the Tejos hut, 5,837 metres above the sea level, and after riding through stretches of sand and ice sheets, the group had to deal with an unpleasant surprise - at 5,900 metres there are some impenetrable icy patterns, also known as “penitentes”. Such patterns, typical in this kind of area with very strong wind, were obstructing the chance of climbing any higher.
This is when Fabio Mossini and Salvo Pennisi decided to accept the challenge posed by the volcano and try the last effort. Luck smiled on the brave and Fabio Mossini, with the big Africa Twin, on the MC 360s, managed to reach 5,960 metres to set the World Record for twin-cylinder motorcycles, following the path opened up by Salvo Pennisi, who had just managed to get his CRF450RX to 5,977 metres above the sea level to set the absolute height record ever reached by a motorcycle in 24 hours.

Powerbike

Rebelhorn apparel – versatility, style and protection

Rebelhorn is a popular riding apparel product line, introduced by leading Polish distributor Powerbike in 2010. Already being exported to 10 different countries, the company offers dealers access to a programme of over 140 products for four of the strongest selling sectors of the market - Tour, Street, Classic and Sport.

Runner II jacket - “very comfortable and classy. The Runner II jacket offers perfect fit and protection”. Made in 100% full grain cow leather with a soft and breathable, moisture-wicking polyester mesh lining; features include the ‘Rebel Clima System’; the ‘Rebel Protect System’ featuring CE elbow and shoulder protectors, back protector pocket and double or triple stitching, and the ‘Rebel Ergonomic System’

Brand Marketing Manager Joanna Sobieka told IDN that “Rebelhorn is a brand that we have created from scratch. From the initial assumptions through the concept and design solutions, ending up with rigorously quality controlled finished products.
“We use modern materials and advanced technologies. Each product with the Rebelhorn logo is carefully thought out, and therefore functional. We continually seek out new materials and solutions, add innovative features and then exhaustively test garments where it matters - on real motorcyclists, on the road.

Hardy Pro jacket - “packed with features that truly set a new standard. Designed with the modern touring rider in mind, Hardy gives a flexible fit, perfect ventilation and incredible comfort”. Made in 500D Cordura Nylon and Ballistic with a polyester mesh lining, the ‘Rebel Dry System (a detachable waterproof and breathable REISSA membrane ensures water resistance); and ‘Rebel Clima’, ‘Protect’ and ‘Ergonomic’ systems

“The exhaustive product evaluation process includes analysis of how they perform in impact and accident conditions. We conduct in-house testing and spend a lot of time researching improvements. Therefore, we can guarantee to our dealers that each product they sell with the Rebelhorn logo is comfortable and functional.

Fuel II boots - “offering paramount protection, while allowing you to make incredibly precise and incredibly minute inputs at incredible speeds; fully CE certified to EN13634” - fault-tolerant, very light and modern microfabric material; non-slip, oil resistant outsole securely sustains the foot on the footrest; strengthening for gearshift lever; interchangeable sliders; tough heel protector provides solid protection; antibacterial insole provides freshness; mesh interior guarantees good air circulation and thermal comfort; large flexible panel for freedom of movement

“The wide selection of motorcycle clothing that we offer means that the Rebelhorn brand offers dealers versatility with comfort and riding conditions and preference options for every type of ride”.

POWERBIKE S.A
www.powerbike.pl
www.rebelhorn.eu

Hevik

‘Madsen’ wax cotton jacket

Developed by Hevik in Italy, this new, short, double-layer men’s and women’s version addition to their wax cotton line is said to feature a sporty look, excellent fit, high-quality details and level 2 CE protectors.
The ‘Madsen’ uses an external fabric treated with wax-based paraffin, which “makes the jacket waterproof and pleasant to touch”, with the differences between the male and female versions being in the cut of the jacket - the technical features are identical, including the 3D mesh breathable lining and the removable thermal lining that makes ‘Madsen’ an all-year option.
Details include air vents at the shoulders and back, with zip opening, neck and cuff leather detailing, and technical trouser attachment. Available in black or grey, ‘Madsen’ has CE EN 1621-2012 level 2 certified protections on shoulders and elbows as standard and a pocket for a back guard.

HEVIK S.r.l.
www.hevik.com

Gaerne

Gaerne sponsor Everts managed Suzuki MXGP team

Stefan Everts, the 10-time World Champion Belgian rider, has teamed up with his former boot supplier Gaerne, who will be the 2017 sponsor of the Suzuki MXGP team that Everts now manages.

Ernesto Gazzola (left), founder of Gaerne, with Suzuki MXGP manager and 10-time World MX Champion Stefan Everts

“Another circle is completed”, the Belgian champion said. “When I first rode with Suzuki I wore Gaerne boots, and now I have come back to both brands! It’s a weird coincidence, but nothing happens by chance. So, this collaboration will be for sure a great support in the next seasons.
“Gaerne is an excellent company that manufactures each single item with great passion and one of the best boots in the world as far as safety and technology are concerned. This is the real made in Italy”!
Marta Gazzola, Marketing Manager at Gaerne, and daughter of founder Ernesto Gazzola, seen here left with Everts, said: “Stefan is the greatest champion ever. In his role as team manager, he’s doing his job with as much professionalism and commitment as when he raced. The Suzuki MXGP Team managed by Stefan Everts are a guarantee of success, and have ambitious goals that they’ll reach without any difficulty”.
Kevin Strijbos and Arminas Jasikonis will be wearing Gaerne SG.12 boots in the 2017 MXGP series. Designed in-house by Gaerne’s R&D department, it features the Italian specialist’s patented DSPS (Dual Stage Pivot System). The new design features a slimmer shape in the toe area for an improved feel of the shift lever, a steel toe cap, adjustable, interchangeable aluminium buckles, special rubber inserts for bike grip and heat resistance and a “Dual Composite” anti-shock rubber sole.

www.gaerne.com

Surflex

Monster and Hypermotard clutch kits

Well known Italian clutch specialist Surflex is one of the world’s leading complete clutch, clutch component and special version clutch system manufacturers. Their new, versatile, “100 percent Made-in-Italy” clutch disc kits for Ducati Monster and Hypermotard models include friction plates and ‘steels’ that are interchangeable with the original unit.

The features of the precision applied organic friction material and additional discs improve the transmission of the engine power through the drivetrain, delivering smooth, reliable and consistent clutch performance with improved feel and reduced lever effort.
Elegantly presented in a special black case that showcases the package in a manner appropriate to the decades of friction material engineering experience that goes into every Surflex clutch product, full instructions make securing the improvements offered straight forward. Applicable for Ducati Monster ‘14-‘16 and Hypermotard ‘15-‘16.

SURFLEX
www.surflex.it

German motorcycle registrations

German ‘Bike Park’ at record levels

Some markets have seen the return to growth have a greater impact than others, and information released in February by the IVM, the motorcycle industry trade association in Germany, cites the growth having gone straight to the statistics for the overall size of the ‘Bike Park’ in Germany, the total number of motorcycles and other PTWs on the road there, with new record levels reached.

Now positioned as Europe’s second largest market in new motorcycle registration terms (behind Italy still, but ahead of France now), the IVM says that there are now more than 6 million PTWs on the road there in total, or at least road-registered, with 4,092,288 of them classed as motorcycles, with an additional 1,942,465 PTWs of under 50cc.
The latest monthly data from the IVM (at the time of going to press) showed motorcycle registrations for January in Germany at a statistically misleading -26.85 percent, but on such low volumes (1,812 units) it is likely that the sales of pre-registered Euro 3 units will have meant that the market was at worst broadly level with January 2016, in all likelihood somewhat up.
In total Powered Two-Wheeler terms (PTW), the German market was -36.69 percent at 2,210 units registered.
The top-selling motorcycle in Germany in 2016 was BMW’s all conquering R 1200 GS, with 6,932 units sold, and it maintained that position in January, with another 279 units sold. However, 2016’s second and third best sellers (Yamaha’s MT-07/3,398 units and the Kawasaki ER-6n/2,629 units) were supplanted by the BMW R nineT (115 units of all variants) and their S 1000 RR third (72 units); Honda’s CRF 1000 ‘Africa Twin’ is now up to fourth from fifth, with the Ducati Multistrada now fifth – but all on such low volumes that it is perfectly possible that enough pre-registered Yamahas were sold that the MT-07 could have maintained its 2016 momentum.
Indeed with 11 models in the Top 20, it is no surprise that BMW has continued to hold on to its number one spot in market share terms, scoring a massive and no doubt equally massively miss-leading 37.06 percent of all January’s new motorcycle registrations in Germany; Honda is shown as second at this stage with a 9.32 percent share, Ducati is third, followed by Yamaha and Harley-Davidson, as Europe’s ‘petrol heads’ continue to gobble up them “Big Inchers” in increasing numbers!

KTM Industries AG

KTM forecasting 300,000 unit sales by 2021

In guidance issued for investors at the beginning of February, KTM Industries AG, the holding company that controls the majority of the shares in KTM AG, the KTM and Husqvarna branded motorcycle production business, is projecting in the region 7 to 9 percent compound annual growth of revenue and production of some 300,000 motorcycles in 2021 (including those made by Baja in India and elsewhere) – close to a 50 percent increase on sales achieved in 2016. 
Having made a successful primary listing debut on the Swiss Stock Exchange SIX in Zurich in November, as the second largest Austrian company listed there (KTM Industries AG group shares can still be traded on the Vienna Bourse), preliminary postings at the end of January show the group forecasting record results for 2016.
Revenues of 1,343.0 m euro are 10 percent up on 2015 (1,223.6 m euro), with EBIT improved to 122.3 m euro (+8 percent from 112.9 m euro in 2015); the preliminary result after taxes increased from 65.0 m euro to 83.8 m euro (+29 percent).  In 2016 all operational divisions are said to have increased revenues as well as earnings.
Combined KTM and Husqvarna motorcycle sales are put at 203,340 units for the twelve months, leaving KTM again claiming number one spot in manufacturing terms in Europe (in terms of units), ahead of BMW and Ducati [and Piaggio in terms of in-class motorcycles produced in Europe] and able to say that it is also “the fastest growing motorcycle brand worldwide. The export ratio is sustainably over 95%, with more than 50% sold outside Europe”.
The Pankl Racing Systems AG division closed 2016 with record results due to a very strong fourth quarter, with the new Formula 1 regulations bringing a further boost – KTM took its shareholding in Pankl from 55.9 percent to 94.5 percent by the end of 2016.
In 2016 WP AG “equipped a new set-up with updated exhaust production at its Munderfing, Austria facility, completing its long-term modernisation project. Through the closer connection to KTM AG, further growth of the vehicle group is secured.
The group hired an additional 516 employees in 2016, 428 of them in Austria, taking the group’s global employee head count to 5,069 people, 3,916 of them in Austria and about 15% of the total described as being in R&D roles.
The group made total investments of 144 m euro in 2016, in model development, operating facilities and infrastructure, including the exhaust production and motorsports centre in Munderfing, Austria, the extension of the production capacities in the KTM headquarters in Mattighofen and their new high performance drivetrain production facility at Pankl in Kapfenberg.
The business year under review was also characterised by additional acquisitions of shares in Pankl Racing Systems AG, which thereby strengthens its strategic position effectively within the KTM Industries Group. KTM Industries AG increased its current share in Pankl Racing Systems AG from previously 55.9% to 94.5%.
Based on the order situation at the end of January, the company said that it expects further organic growth in its core areas in 2017, with investment in new models, infrastructure and development further increased.

_________________________

KTM Motorsport

Among the investments made in 2016 was completion of an all-new 12m euro race department facility, opened in October 2016.
The company says that since its first World Championship title in 1974 (Gennadij Moiseev, MX 250), the brand has up to now earned 269 more World Championship titles and 15 consecutive Dakar Rally victories. “In the last two seasons we have taken the final big title in off-road motorsports, first place in the Supercross World Championship; now, after an early victory in the 2016 Moto3 World Championship, KTM is entering Moto2 in 2017 - the intermediary category of road racing and the next step towards the premiere MotoGP class”.
Stefan Pierer, CEO of the KTM Group, said: “In 1992 KTM Racing was still a single small workshop, and successfully tackled Rally and Motocross alongside the initial niche of Enduro under the strong leadership of Heinz Kinigadner. Meanwhile, since Pit Beirer took over our motorsport in 2006, the team has grown to more than 300 employees worldwide and employs more than 60 factory riders. Five percent of our annual sales revenues flow into our motorsport operations, and we are Europe’s biggest sport motorcycle manufacturer”. 

With an area of 18,000 sq m, KTM’s new Motorsport facility is located directly behind KTM’s engine factory in Munderfing and is flanked by the new KTM Logistic Center and the WP Group

_________________________________

Husky +43 percent in 2016

Husqvarna has recorded a third consecutive year of record breaking sales, reaching total global sales of 30,700 units during the 12 months to December 31st 2016 – putting unit and turnover growth at +43 percent.
In fact, the business has come close to doubling both their production and turnover in the last two years. 

This result follows the 32% gain in bikes sales during 2015 and “underlines the brand’s positive strategy of growth. Generating the largest ever turnover in the brand’s history at the end of 2015, Husqvarna’s annual, worldwide turnover increased significantly in 2016, reaching more than 200 million euros”.
2016 saw Husqvarna successfully launch the all-new 2017 line-up of FE and TE Enduro models. In addition, the new 701 Enduro and 701 Supermoto models “with the latest class-leading engine technology” were also released during the second half of the year.
Husqvarna completed their range of motocross bikes with the introduction of the 2016 TC 50 and TC 65 models. Together with the TC 85 and an extensive line-up of full-sized 2-stroke and 4-stroke models, Husqvarna now offers a complete range of nine motocross bikes.
In 2016 Husqvarna also unveiled the serial production version of the VITPILEN 401 and the SVARTPILEN 401 – the brand’s first “Real Street” motorcycles, slated for showroom availability late 2017.

Parts Europe

Parts Europe with more brands, more products and more pages for 2017

The Parts Europe catalogue has been growing every year since the company opened its giant state-of-the-art distribution facility at Wasserliesch, near Trier in Germany in 2008. Every year the Parts Europe Street catalogue grows, and with it the staff at the European headquarters – some 160 people now make Parts Europe one of the largest distribution teams in Europe.

This year, there are some 370 fewer pages in the main catalogue, but the company is also now offering a unique new dealer guide to tyres, service and workshop items, chemicals and lubricants that provides their dealers with an additional 580 pages of high turnover, high margin and often exclusive brands and product items.

The ‘Street’ catalogue is still a beast though, at 1,624 desk-bending pages of the most “outstanding selection of top brands and new products in the industry”.
Available in print and online, they detail the complete Street inventory available from the European operation of the world’s largest parts, accessory, performance, tuning, service and apparel products distributor.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the US based LeMans Corporation, a 38 million euro investment has produced a 16,500 sq m distribution centre offering 750 brands and over 280,000 products.

www.partseurope.eu

Japanese made motorcycle exports

Japanese made motorcycle exports to Europe +7.76 percent in January

The latest data released by JAMA (the automotive trade association in Japan, which includes representation of motorcycle manufacturers among its membership) shows exports of 250cc+ Japanese made motorcycles to Europe up by +7.76 percent in January 2017, despite the hangover from Euro 3 pre-registrations (19,689 units) – the strongest January export figure since 2009.

For the full year 2016 exports to Europe were +18.83 percent at 180,290 units – the best full year performance experienced by the Japanese factories in terms of exports to Europe since the 201,000 exported in 2010, but still a long way south of the 420,000 exported in 2007 and 461,000 in 2000.
Exports to U.S.A. were -12.22 percent in January at 5,008 units, the lowest January number since compatible records are available. Global Japanese made motorcycle exports were essentially flat overall for January at +0.6 percent (30,473 units).
Japanese manufactured total PTW exports to Europe were also up in January at +9.23 percent (20,586 units) – also the best January performance since 2009. To the U.S.A total PTW exports were -23.43 percent at 8,138 units and -4.37 percent globally at 38,002 units.
Total worldwide Japanese manufactured PTW exports were +2.61 percent for the full year 2016 at 428,619 units – their second lowest in the 21st century, having appeared to have bottomed out at 417,000 in 2015; they peaked at 1.641m units in 2000.
The increasing number of units being made by the Japanese manufacturers elsewhere in Asia, the US and South/Central America goes some way to explaining the data, though the majority of higher value larger displacement Japanese brand machines, especially those being sold in Europe, are still made in Japan.
Their overseas factories are primarily engaged in making and selling scooters and smaller capacity units in 'emerging' markets (where import tariffs are high) and in making ATV/UTV units - especially in the United States, where demand for such machines is strongest.