Heidenau: By repute the world’s first ever scooter-specific tyre maker, the new sport-style tread K 80 SR is a medium compound tyre “for outstanding grip, even at low operating temperatures with a wider tread area to increase mileage, performance and feedback; www.heidenau.com
Airsal: Earlier this year the Spanish small cc motorcycle, scooter and moped engine, cylinder, piston and engine heads manufacturer launched a new range of off-road cylinders for leading brands such as KTM, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Gas Gas. Founded in 1986, Airsal manufactures some 15,000 to 16,000 cylinders a month at its 3,000 sq m Centelles, Barcelona facility and exports to more than 30 countries worldwide. Made in aluminium with Scanimet interior coating - an extremely hard, durable and heat resistant, high performance nickel silicon carbide (carborundum) proprietary technology - the new cylinder line “will include a huge range of 250cc 4-stroke models and 2-stroke options. We plan to be offering more than 30 different off-road engine cylinder options within the next 2-3 years,” says Export Sales Manager Frank Gili. In the more immediate future, the company plans to launch adaptable cylinders for KTM SX50 and SX65 for 2018; www.airsal.com
Supersprox: Seen here (insert), the HRC world rally team meeting with Director General DJ Maughfling for a 2018 Dakar sprockets briefing. Recent new products from the European manufactured sprocket brand of choice for more than 60 World Champions of various disciplines (including 11 Dakar Rally victories – a real sprocket killer!) include a new range of sprockets for Ducati motorcycles. With a claimed weight reduction compared to the OEM steel sprocket of over 30%, Supersprox ‘Stealth’ racing sprockets have steel teeth for long life and an aluminium core for light weight. The inventor of aluminium and aluminium and steel combination sprockets is currently working with HRC, KTM, Yamaha and Husqvarna factory teams to develop their latest idea of a sprocket that will help extend chain life by more than 40%. “Although this may sound like an exaggeration, we are closer than you may imagine,” says DJ Maughfling, whose father Roger founded the company in the 1950s. “The goal is to keep riding affordable for our clients,” says DJ. With its ‘Stealth’ sprockets featuring steel teeth that last up to three times longer than aluminium, and aluminium cores that are 70 percent lighter than steel, if anyone has the credentials to back up ambitions such as these, Supersprox certainly does. DJ says that the company has openings for importers/distributors in certain markets; www.supersprox.com
Paaschburg & Wunderlich: The Hamburg, Germany, distributor and parts designer is well known internationally for own brand parts programmes such as Highsider and Shin Yo lights, covers, mirrors, electrical components and accessories and Takkoni exhausts; www.pwonline.com
Blackstone TEK: Terry Annecke, Operations and Marketing Director. The South Africa based carbon wheel specialist has had a huge response to its new ‘Black Mamba’ interchangeable 7-spoke rear wheel, and to judge by the crowds at the company’s EICMA booth, looks set to repeat the success with the new split spoke design; www.blackstonetek.com
Ilmberger: Latest news from the specialist German carbon fibre parts manufacturer includes styling parts and accessories for the BMW R nineT . So far Ilmberger has completed 12 model-specific parts, with options such as “a street fairing as well as an exclusive version for racing, which works well on the race track, but is also a great basis for customising the bike, as customers often install very small lights. With our race fairing, we pave the way for all fans of the racing look,” says Julius Ilmberger, Managing Director. Core to the carbon for the R nineT ‘Racer’ is the engine spoiler – “a direct adaption from racing, which also looks quite impressive on the street version.” The full line-up includes a belly pan, cover behind the headlight, fairing holder, front fender, tank vent holder, pillion seat cover (with or without holders), rear splash guard, rear undertray (without number plate holder), side covers at the seat (left and right), silencer protector (rear) and complete top fairing in choice of race or street style; www.ilmberger-carbon.de
Modeka International: The German apparel specialist celebrated its 70th anniversary last year with the launch of a CE-equipped ‘jubilee’ retro leather jacket called 'August 70' in honour of August Oberkoenig, who founded the company in 1946; www.modeka.de
Kappa: Experienced in manufacturing motorcycle accessories for over 50 years, Kappa has introduced new features across all its ranges including helmets, soft bags, hard cases and smart accessories. These include the new jet helmet KV28 which comes in 11 colours and features a double shell, the K-Venture and Garda suitcase in "black line", the unusual "Racer Range" of soft bags which is suitable for urban use and travel on all types of motorcycle, and the KS410 universal trolley base for the Monokey range of topcases: www.kappamoto.com
