Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing - 2018 Dakar Rally Review

The 2018 Dakar Rally came to a close on Saturday January 20 with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team celebrating two of their riders on the podium. Matthias Walkner was crowned Dakar Champion, the first Austrian ever to win the motorcycle class, while Toby Price rounded out the podium in third.
The 40th edition of the Dakar Rally proved to be one of the toughest since the event was first held in South America in 2009. Contested over 9,000 km of treacherous terrain through the three countries of Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, the race was filled with drama. Many top riders were forced to retire along the way, including last year's winner Sam Sunderland. 

KTM goes on to say that “runner-up to Sunderland at last year's event, Matthias Walkner rode an almost faultless 2018 Dakar Rally. Never phased by the difficulty of the stages or the adverse weather conditions, Walkner rode each stage with one goal in mind - to win the rally.
“Walkner's Dakar was nearly over before it started - a scary moment with the local traffic on the opening day nearly took the former Cross-Country Rallies World Champion off his bike. The results could have been disastrous. Despite the scare, Walkner continued, riding each stage aiming to keep to a steady pace whilst not making any huge errors in the way of crashes or navigation.
“At the end of the rally, Walkner had only one stage win to his name, but his consistency throughout the event took the Austrian to the top of the rankings from stage 10, and that is where he stayed. After two weeks of racing and over 43 hours of timed specials clocked, Matthias crossed the line as the 2018 Dakar Champion.
Matthias Walkner: "It has been an amazing Dakar for me. I still can't believe that I managed to do it in the end. The rally has gone really well, even when I didn't quite get the results I was hoping for, I kept my head down and concentrated on the finish, not just each individual stage. Good navigation and staying focused won the rally for me - that and the backing of my team who have been there the whole way with me. It's nice to be able to reward them with this win. After my injury of 2016, to be able to stand here as a Dakar Champion is a dream come true."
“2016 Dakar winner Toby Price came into the event this year simply hoping to complete the rally. This time last year, Price was lying in a hospital bed with a broken femur sustained on stage four of the 2017 event. The injury plagued Price for the entirety of the 2017 season and right until the last minute the Australian's participation in the 2018 Dakar was in doubt.
“Price started the rally taking a great deal of care. Aiming to finish each stage and take each day as it came, he had mixed results on the first half of the event. Following the rest day, Price made a concerted effort to push. His results improved dramatically. Always near the top of the rankings, including two stage wins, Price was in the hunt for the win.
“Unfortunately, when running at the front on stage 10, a navigation error made by the leading group of riders took Price way off course. The result was 30 minutes lost and the chance of a second Dakar title realistically disappeared. Despite the set-back, Toby continued pushing on; his final result was third overall, just minutes from the runner-up position.
Toby Price: "Overall, I am really pumped to have gotten to the finish line and come away with third position. I certainly didn't expect to place this high up on my first Dakar back from injury. I have to be a little disappointed that stage 10 not only cost me time but knocked my confidence a bit. All I could do from there was to keep pushing, and sat here at the finish in third place just goes to show you should never give up. I certainly couldn't have done it this year without the team behind me - the Red Bull KTM crew have all been amazing along with the new bike, too. I'm happy that I can walk away from this year's event fit and healthy, with a good result under my belt and hopefully come back even stronger next year."
Antoine Meo's Dakar story mirrors that of his team-mate Price, as 2017 dogged with injury also put a doubt on the Frenchman's entry into the Dakar. Overcoming his lack of time on the bike and not being 100% fit, Meo also put in a superb performance over the course of the rally. Starting off steadily, Meo's pace slowly increased throughout the event, with the Frenchman eventually winning two stages and fighting for the final podium at the end.
The 2010 World Enduro Champion, in only his second attempt at the Dakar, placed fourth at the finish after battling with his team-mate Price for much of the race. On reflection, Antoine was extremely happy with his result.
Antoine Meo: "I'm really happy. I honestly didn't think at the beginning of the rally that I would be able to take fourth position at the end. Coming from injury, I have not had as much time on the bike leading up to the event as I would have liked, and if there is one race on the calendar you need to prepare for, it's the Dakar. Obviously, stage 10 cost us a lot of time and the cancelled stages meant our plans didn't exactly pan out. But I am here at the end of the rally in one piece. Now I will go home and start looking at the 2018 season, hopefully I can get some good results there and come back to the Dakar next year a lot stronger."
Laia Sanz is an inspiration at the Dakar Rally. The Spaniard contested her eighth Dakar in a row in 2018 and continued her 100% finishers record. Going into this year's event, Sanz was realistic about her chances and her main goal was to get to the end of the race successfully. Hesitantly aiming for a top-15 position, Sanz was well aware of the quality of the field riding this year.
“With the new KTM 450 RALLY suiting her incredibly well, Laia rode an almost perfect race. Handling with ease the soft dunes of Peru, the extreme conditions of Bolivia and the fast, hard-packed tracks of Argentina, a couple of high-speed crashes didn't dampen the Spaniard's spirits.
“Through consistency, hard work and out-and-out speed, Laia eventually placed 12th overall, well within her initial goal. The 'Queen of the Desert' will be back next year for more”.
Laia Sanz: "I am so happy, I wanted to get into the top-15, so to place 12th is even better than I dreamed of. I'm really proud of my result, especially in a rally with such a high level of competitors. The new KTM 450 RALLY has really helped me achieve this result - I feel like I have taken a big step forward in riding and speed. My pace throughout the rally has been very consistent and I am happy with my navigation too, I can really make up some time there. The crashes put me back a little, I was so exhausted, and following the trucks makes the tracks very difficult. I managed to put the pain to the back of my mind and got to the finish in Córdoba. I am so happy for Matthias with his win, and it shows how strong we are as a team. I am now looking forward to next year and hope to do just as well."
The organisers promised that the 2018 Dakar Rally would be one of the most demanding. Two of the KTM factory riders were unfortunately forced to retire during the course of the event. Last year's winner Sam Sunderland enjoyed a storming start to the 2018 event. Sunderland won two of the first three stages and was looking good for a top result. But a hard landing from one of the Peruvian dunes put an end to his title hopes - although the Brit didn't come off his bike, the landing compressed vertebrae in his back and the former champion had no option than to stop.
Luciano Benavides, contesting his first ever Dakar Rally, was also forced to retire from the event after a nasty crash on the infamous stage 10 resulted in back injuries for the young Argentinian. Benavides was flown to the local hospital where the rider was diagnosed with three broken vertebrae. Luciano is already on the mend and will be back on a bike later this season.
“With the 2018 Dakar Rally at a close and the team already making their way back home, it won't be long before the start of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship kicks off in Abu Dhabi in March. Following the climax of the six-round championship at the Rally du Maroc in October, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team will have just one thing on their minds - the Dakar Rally 2019”. 

NEXX Helmets

NEXX Helmets, Portugal, suffers 
factory fire

Portuguese helmet manufacturer NEXX has had a fire (January 20) at the fibre and carbon production unit of its factory in Anadia, Portugal.

Helder Loureiro, founder and CEO: “We deeply regret the impact this fire has caused on our employees, clients, partners, area residents and other companies in the area”

At the time of the incident (a Saturday) this part of their facility was not working, so there have been “no injuries or damages to third parties,” the company says.
Helder Loureiro, founder and CEO of the company, says: “We would like to express our gratitude for the solidarity and encouragement we have received locally and internationally. We deeply regret the impact this fire has caused to our employees, clients, partners, area residents and other companies in the area. The incident is being investigated and we are working with local authorities in every possible way to clarify what has happened. 

Pavilion 3 before the fire, a further three pavilions were not affected

“We would like to thank all our employees, customers and third parties for their support messages and to let everyone know that none of the 160 jobs are at risk. We can guarantee that NEXX will recover quickly from this situation and continue our growth. Production will be affected in the short term, but we expect that within a month the situation will begin to stabilise.
“The company activated its disaster contingency plan on the same day, to restore its activities and meet its commitments, and we already resumed business, as near normal as possible, effective Monday January 22nd. Many operations are unaffected, so we can continue with much of what we do.”
www.nexx-helmets.com

LSL Motorradtechnik GmbH

LSL goes Paaschburg & Wunderlich

German parts and accessory specialist Paaschburg & Wunderlich GmbH (P&W) is to take over all sales activities and trademark rights of LSL Motorradtechnik GmbH, with both companies cooperating on all future parts, accessory and motorcycle project concepts and designs.


 
Based in Glinde near Hamburg, this asset deal is effective February 9, 2018, with the entire warehousing and sales activities of LSL being relocated to the P&W facility at Glinde.
The logistical excellence of P&W will be complemented by the LSL development department, design and engineering teams, which stay at the existing LSL facility at Krefeld under the leadership of the founder and head of development Jochen Schmitz-Linkweiler.

Dr. Oliver Moosmayer of P&W said: “With LSL, we have considerably strengthened the brand and product portfolio of Paaschburg & Wunderlich. I am also very pleased that Jochen Schmitz-Linkweiler and his team are exclusively available to us for product development, which will significantly increase our product development capabilities and capacities.”
Jochen Schmitz-Linkweiler commented on the new cooperation, saying: “With Paaschburg & Wunderlich, we have found a perfect partner to further expand the LSL brand and make it even more successful worldwide. 

“For me personally, this new cooperation means that I will have much more time to do more in order to promote product development in Krefeld and to develop new techniques for the production and perfection of LSL products.”

Jochen Schmitz-Linkweiler: “With Paaschburg & Wunderlich, we have found a perfect
partner to further expand the LSL brand”

A former Harley-Davidson dealer, Jochen Schmitz-Linkweiler founded LSL over 30 years ago and has an enviable reputation for performance, styling and handling product quality and innovation that isn’t only limited to parts - with the Clubman brand, LSL has also created an internationally recognised name in the fast-growing retro classic market.
Paaschburg & Wunderlich is an equally well-respected designer and distributor of own brand and third-party products, having been founded in the early 1980s by Uwe Paaschburg and Norbert Wunderlich. With more than 28,000 articles and more than 4,500 customers worldwide, the company specialises in lighting, exhausts, accessories, spare parts, care products, workshop and service parts for motorcycles, ATVs and quads. Their highly regarded own brand programme includes brands such as HIGHSIDER, Shin Yo, Takkoni and Moto Professional.
www.pwonline.com
www.lsl.eu

Suzuki

Suzuki motorcycle sales increase

For the second quarter (to 30th September 2017) of its 2017/18 financial year Suzuki has announced worldwide motorcycle sales increased by +18 percent year-on-year at 797,000 units, driven by increases in India, China, Indonesia (despite the market slump there) and other of their emerging markets.

The company is now forecasting that it will sell 1.5 Mn units for its full financial year (a forecast increase of some 96,000 units).
For its first six months, Suzuki says sales revenues from motorcycles were up by +1.5 percent in Japan, and by +26.3 percent in total in all its international markets combined, with Europe +4.5 percent at 24 Bn yen, with North America +5.4 percent and Asia as a whole +15.0 percent.
Driven by sales of the all-new GSX-R1000 in global markets and the GSX-R150 in emerging markets, their motorcycle segment operating loss of ¥0.7 billion in the previous fiscal year improved to an operating income of ¥3.7 billion.
Global production increased by +20.2 percent year-on-year for their first six months of the 2017/18 financial year (793,000 units) – an increase of 133,000 units.
In other news the GSX250R and V-Strom 250 both picked up Good Design Awards, and in September, attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Suzuki opened its new Suzuki Motor factory and saw the cornerstone laid for a new Lithium-ion battery plant at Gujarat, India.

EICMA 2017 review part 8

Parts Europe: Next year will mark ten years since construction of Parts Europe’s giant state-of-the-art distribution centre began at Wasserliesch/Trier, near the German border with Luxembourg. Since then the complex has been commissioned, equipped and a sales force speaking 17 different languages hired. Along with building a wide international dealer network, they are able to sell hundreds of thousands of parts throughout Europe (and beyond) from a massive vendor portfolio.
The inventory consists of a combination of market leading and internationally recognised American and European brands, with house brands Thor, ICON, Moose and Drag Specialties leading the way. These are sold and distributed in the States by the parent company, Parts Unlimited; www.partseurope.eu

 

Sifam: Based near Nice in southern France, the Sifam Group (founded in 1994 by Pierre Manuel) is one of the largest France based distributors. Selling Europe-wide, they stock a wide range of famous name and own brand hard parts available from its 3,900 sq m headquarters warehouse. We featured the fast-growing own brand ‘S-Line’ apparel range in IDN earlier this year, and recent additions include the S550 flip-up helmet with Pinlock that the company describes as “mechanically and functionally excellent, with many high-end segment features setting a new standard for quality and price”. Weighing in at 1,550 grams, it is said to be one of the world’s lightest flip front designs, “combining low weight with optimal stability”; www.sifam.fr

 

Powerbronze: Recent model-specific accessory kits from the British specialist include make-overs for the Honda MSX-125, Suzuki GSX-S750 and a full range of Yamaha MT-09 options that includes light screen, hugger, eliminator (tail tidy), front mudguard, mudguard extender, carbon dash panel, hand guards, seat cowl, cooler grill, swingarm protectors, fork protectors and badged crash posts; www.powerbronze.co.uk

 

Oxford Products: The British distributor is one of Europe’s primary players – in addition to being one of, if not the largest, parts, accessory and apparel distributors in the UK, the company has strong export sales of its ranges of accessories, including security products, rainwear, motorcycle covers, battery care and power accessories, eyewear, handlebar accessories, lighting, paint protection products, styling parts, workshop products, luggage and more; www.oxfordproducts.com

 

LS2: With an impressive line-up of sponsored riders that includes MOTO GP racers Hector Barbera and Loris Baz, LS2 Helmets was founded in 1990 and steady growth ever since has seen the brand now producing over 3,000.000 helmets a year – all designed at and sold throughout Europe from its Barcelona headquarters; indeed LS2 helmets are now sold in more than 86 countries around the world; www.ls2helmets.com

 

Forbikes/FK Visors: The Italian importer for HEL hoses, Davida helmets, Scorpion exhausts and R&G crash protectors and accessories from the UK and Barkbusters handguards from Australia (among other notable product lines) is also an international vendor in its own right. Its FK Visors programme make them one of the helmet market’s “go to” specialists. Noted for its artisan craftsmanship, precision fit and optics and advanced design capabilities, Forbikes’ FK visor is the result of its acquisition of the noted AB S.r.l thermoforming and plastic processing helmet visor business in Reggio Emilia in Italy in 2012; www.fkvisors.com, www.forbikes.it

 

Mitas: Now under the ownership of Trelleborg, Sweden, Mitas is launching a new scooter tire line TOURING FORCE-SC. This line is ideal for any scooter type and will be progressively available for sale over the next two years in a wide range of sizes from 10 to 16 inches. The company says that “TOURING FORCE-SC provides to all scooter riders and their passengers, safe, dynamic and comfortable riding, whether during a short city trip or for longer journeys as well”; www.mitas-tyres.com

 

LighTech: Export Sales Manager Michele Balboni. Recent new products from the top-end Italian parts manufacturer include kits or individual parts for the Honda X-ADV, GSXR 1000-R and Kawasaki Z650 and 900. Earlier this year LighTech parts became available in France from Bihr Distribution; www.lightech.it

 

Matris: Recent new products include high quality “entry level” suspension options such as its M46KD, an easy to use and adjust rear shock for naked and road bikes, and F15K hydraulic fork cartridge kit that completely replaces all the existing fork internals. Computerised engineering systems are used to design, test and produce all the components, and as with all Matris products, “only materials of high-end technical and mechanical characteristics are used,” says co-founder and co-owner Alberto Turcato; www.matrisdampers.com

 

Touratech: Herbert Schwarz, Founder and CEO. The good news for the Niedereschach, Germany based adventure touring specialist is that there has been a massive response from potential investors to the company’s recent insolvency filing, with a short list of candidates now entering the final phase of due diligence. Market response to Touratech’s well publicised troubles has been almost universally positive, with its distributor community pledging significant forward orders and OE customers confirming their long-term commitment to the market leading specialist; www.touratech.de

 

Polisport: Noted for its brand-specific colour-match accessory kits and replacements, the latest new products from the Portuguese specialist include an exclusive new line of MX kits and spare parts. As a follow-up to its ground-breaking FLO yellow colour programme, nothing could be quite such a contrast with Polisport clear plastics available for selected KTM, Yamaha and Honda models. Other new products for 2018 include a utility can, upper fork protectors, bottom fork disc protectors and a new bike stand; www.polisport.com

Orina

Aria

'Aria' and 'Drift' heated gloves

New from German apparel specialist Orina are these heating system equipped gloves for men (Drift) and women (Aria).

Drift

'Aria', with a slim fit for ladies, features a high-quality Soratex outer shell material, a 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable AquaDry membrane, skin-friendly CareLock Velcro at the wrist and cuff and a wiper at the index finger. Additional features include a highly abrasion resistant Carbolex protector at the edge of the hand and material reinforcements at the small finger and the palm, reflective inserts at fingers and thumb and light padding on the knuckles, supported by very soft and comfortable fleece lining, shock-absorbing gel pad and silicone printing at the palm and stretch inserts at the back side and the fingers for optimal movement.
'Drift' is also made from Soratex material with an AquaDry membrane with skin-friendly CareLock Velcro straps at cuff and wrist. It has a built-in heating system with three different levels of heat, padding on the fingers and knuckles, small finger reinforcements, reflective inserts at the fingers, extremely abrasion resistant SuperFabric material at the palm and a hard Carbolex protector at the edge of the hand. It also features comfortable fleece lining with PrimaLoft insulation, a wiper at the left index finger, stretch inserts at the fingers and the back hand and silicone printing at the palm.
www.orina.de

Pyramid Plastics

Hugger extensions for over 75 models

British bodywork and accessories specialist Pyramid Plastics has just launched the latest in its ever-growing range of hugger extensions, designed to complement the top-selling range of Extenda Fendas. 

Having originally developed the ‘Extenda Fenda’ back in the late 1980s, Pyramid continues to innovate and expand on the idea of guard extensions, now offering a comprehensive range of hugger extensions which are designed specifically to extend the short OEM rear huggers of today.
As well as offering greatly improved protection at both the front and rear of the bike, Pyramid has designed its extensions to replicate the OEM guard to which they are to be fitted, ensuring that they are functional whilst remaining subtle. 

Both extension ranges are available in matt black and carbon fibre, and all products are free from glossy finishes and unsightly stickers.  Pyramid offer hugger extensions for over 75 models and counting, with over 350 Extenda Fendas available from inventory. Founded in 1986, Pyramid ship worldwide direct from its UK factory.

PYRAMID PLASTICS
www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk

BC Battery

BC 5000 EVO+ battery charger

The IP44 weatherproof BC 5000 EVO+ is described as a smart battery charger and battery and alternator tester “with a latest generation microprocessor to execute a cutting edge eight step charging algorithm”, featuring an embedded temperature sensor to adapt the charge according to ambient temperature.

Said to be ideal for complete care of 12V batteries up to 160 Ah from the initialisation of new batteries to the recovery and desulfation of used batteries through to long-term maintenance.
Features include three programmes, a maximum charging current of 5 Amp (reduced to 1 Amp for the motorcycle programme), LCD display with digital voltmeter, and on-board guided battery and charging system test. The Start & Stop programme is optimised for AGM and EFB battery maintenance.

It can be used to charge gel, MF, AGM, EFB, VRLA, Ca/Ca batteries, protects polarity inversion, short circuit, overcharge and overheating, so no sparks, and it verifies if the battery is able to retain its charge. Made it Itally, it comes with a five year warranty and a wall mounting system.

BC BATTERY CONTROLLER
www.batterycontroller.it

Honda

Honda European motorcycle sales revenue +29.5 percent April - September 2017

For the three months ended 30 September 2017 (the second quarter of their 2017/18 financial year) Honda has reported total global sales revenue from its motorcycle business of 510,109 m yen (3.75 bn euro), yielding a segment profit of 68,520 yen (503 m euro).
For the first six months of their financial year, motorcycle sales revenue was 1,018,649 m yen (7.5 bn euro) for a 147,362 m yen profit (1.08 bn euro).

In Europe the company reported sales revenue up by +44.7 percent at 30,809 m yen for their second quarter (226 m euro), taking their six months year-to date to + 29.5 percent at 76,464 m yen (562 m euro).
Euro conversions are approximate at 4th January 2018.
In other Honda news, the company has celebrated the 10th anniversary of its motorcycle production plant at Iquitos City, located in the Selva, Amazon rainforest area of Peru. The company started operations there in 2007 with some 40 employees and today has 120 people working there, with cumulative motorcycle production in the last 10 years exceeding 300,000 PTW and ‘MotoKAR’ three-wheeler units. Honda first started production in Peru in 1975.
Based on its longstanding commitment to “build products close to the customer,” Honda began motorcycle production in Peru in 1975 in Trujillo in northern Peru. In anticipation of increasing demand for motorcycles in Peru, Honda established HSP, a new production operation, in Iquitos in 2006.
Meanwhile, Honda R&D Co., Ltd., the R&D subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has signed a 5-year joint research and development contract with SenseTime Group Limited, a China-based IT company with strengths in the area of AI technologies.
Specifically the project will evaluate and develop moving object image recognition technologies powered by deep learning technology, currently one of the most advanced AI technologies. The joint research project will combine SenseTime’s moving object recognition technologies with Honda’s AI algorithms for scene understanding, risk prediction and action planning.
The two companies will develop highly-sophisticated automated driving technologies, which will enable complex automated driving in urban areas to establish automated driving technologies to “realise a collision-free society.” The two companies also plan to expand their joint activities into the area of robotics.

Motorex

Motorex becomes Husqvarna official oil partner

Langenthal, Switzerland based Bucher AG, the manufacturer of the Motorex line of powersports lubricants, has announced that it is to be the official lubricant partner of Husqvarna Motorcycles and of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team.
In addition to increasing visibility of the Motorex brand through involvement in top-level racing activities, Motorex engine and gearbox oils will be used as the first fill in all Husqvarna motorcycles, with their Motoline care and maintenance products being recommended for all servicing of Husqvarna motorcycles through the worldwide Husqvarna dealer network.

Husqvarna says that “in 2013 Husqvarna Motorcycles re-established their position as one of Europe’s key motorcycle manufacturers, achieving sales and production records year-on-year ever since. Husqvarna strives to develop high-quality products that appeal to motorcycle enthusiasts around the world. Swedish-inspired design and a pioneering tradition help Husqvarna position itself as a premium brand in both the off-road and street sectors.
“Like Motorex, Husqvarna Motorcycles are committed to competition. Establishing the global Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team at the start of 2016, Husqvarna have further strengthened their presence in all off-road disciplines worldwide.

Motorex’ partnership with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing began on January 6 when team riders took to the start of the Dakar Rally, the AMA Supercross Championship and round two of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. Pablo Quintanilla (Chile) and Andrew Short (USA) will compete aboard FR 450 machines in the Dakar Rally, while Jason Anderson (USA) and Dean Wilson (Great Britain) will spearhead Husqvarna’s Supercross participation on their FC 450 bikes. Colton Haaker (USA), Alfredo Gomez (Spain) and Billy Bolt (Great Britain) will represent Husqvarna and Motorex in the SuperEnduro Championship.
Edi Fischer, CEO of the Bucher Motorex Group, said: “This new cooperation comprises all the components needed for success – a dedicated cooperation in R&D, in production, in racing and in aftermarket business with Husqvarna dealers.”
Ronald Kabella, Motorex Powersports Director, added: “As a pioneer in off-road racing, Husqvarna is another strong partner for us in Motocross, Supercross, Enduro and Rally racing – all disciplines where, as a brand, we are traditionally well established.”
Stefan Pierer, CEO of the KTM Group, is quoted as having said: “With this strategic partnership with Motorex, Husqvarna will continue their exciting and dynamic forward progression. Focused on pioneering development, it is of crucial importance to partner with a globally acclaimed lubricants manufacturer - one with whom we share the same objectives.”
www.motorex.com

EICMA 2017 review part 7

Beringer: The respected French brakes specialist was founded in 1985, and many customisers consider the company’s 6-piston radial calipers and Aerotec master cylinders and discs to be a “go-to” choice for high performance braking applications, especially when upgraded suspension systems and controls are being used; www.beringer-brakes.com

 

TecMate: The manufacturer of the market-leading OptiMate programme of battery chargers, diagnostic and maintenance systems for AGM, GEL and standard lead-acid batteries is on a crusade to educate the market about the advantages and safe and proper use and maintenance of lithium (LiFePo4) batteries for powersports applications; www.tecmate.com

 

Ferodo: New from the brakes specialist, the FERODO MXR disc range covers most popular motocross bikes, with all MXR discs incorporating Ferodo’s unique Dirt Expulsion System (DES). They are manufactured with Ferodo’s cross drilled holes design in order to improve braking performance and consistency; in off-road conditions, traditional hole designs tend to act as a collection point for mud, gradually reducing performance and increasing wear. This is further compounded when the mud starts to bake and harden at the high temperatures often experienced during MX use. Ferodo’s cross drilled hole pattern expels dirt and mud, maintaining the braking performance, reducing the risk of pad glazing and prolonging the life of the braking parts; www.ferodoracing.com

 

Stylmartin: “The adventure never ends” with Stylmartin’s new ‘Matrix’ boots, featuring full grain, water-repellent leather uppers, waterproof and breathable lining, gear shift, malleolus, shin and fibula protections and Vibram outer sole; www.stylmartin.it

 

Vertex Pistons: Celebrating 23-year-old Kiara Fontanesi’s 5th women’s MX World Championship in six years in 2017, new products this year from the Italian piston and performance specialist included an enlarged range of street pistons. Developed in the World Championship, in collaboration with Team Gresini and several other series, including Superbike and Supersport, the Vertex street range includes 15 models in replica or high compression versions for selected Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and BMW and Ducati models. Provided in kits with segments, pins and mounting rings, they feature a minimum limit weight for their category and an increased compression ratio with a “great performance increase without any loss of reliability”; www.vertexpistons.com

 

Nexx Helmets: Andre Varandas, Marketing Manager. The Portuguese manufacturer’s 2018 line-up will be available for dealers in November, and from the highlights teased so far, it looks like Retro is its “new black”. As part of the X.GARAGE Collection, there will be the off-road X.G 200 helmet, along with a backpack, a facemask and a complete line of off-road retro-inspired goggles. Also new for the adventure segment is the new X.WED 2 helmet; www.nexx-helmets.com

 

SBS: A new branding programme is the latest in a series of upgrades to the Danish brake pad manufacturer’s market presence that has also included entry into new market sectors, including the brake disc market; www.sbs.dk

Yamaha

Yamaha Motor earnings “strong” in first 3 quarters

Yamaha Motor Co. has raised its 2017 income forecasts after it announced consolidated business results for the first nine months of its 2017 financial year (the period to 30th September 2017) with net sales up by +10.4 percent and a +35.9 percent increase in operating income.

Net sales for Yamaha Motor Co.’s consolidated accounting period for the first nine months of its fiscal year (ending December 31, 2017) were 1,250.7 billion yen, (an increase of +117.9 billion yen or +10.4% compared with the same period the previous fiscal year), and operating income was 120.8 billion yen (an increase of +31.9 billion yen or +35.9%).
In the emerging markets motorcycle business segment, net sales increased thanks to higher unit sales in the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, and operating income increased thanks to the effects of product mix improvements and cost reductions such as promotion of the platform transition.
Despite decreasing in Indonesia due to the market slump there, unit sales and net sales of motorcycle products increased overall.
In developed markets, all businesses (apart from power products) saw increased sales and income.
Net sales of motorcycle products overall were 782.0 billion yen (an increase of +82.8 billion yen or +11.8% compared with the same period the previous fiscal year), and operating income was 54.5 billion yen (an increase of +25.8 billion yen or +90.3%).
Operating income increased in emerging markets - principally the ASEAN region - thanks to the effects of product mix improvements and cost reductions such as promotion of the platform transition and increases in developed markets, as well thanks to the effects of yen depreciation, leading to increased income overall.
In other news, Yamaha has signed the UN Global Compact (the “UNGC”), a voluntary initiative promoted by the United Nations in which participating companies and organizations “create a global framework to realize sustainable growth by acting as good members of society through displaying responsible and creative leadership. Participating companies and organizations are required to support and enact ten principles.
Meanwhile in India, Yamaha saw its FZ25 recognized at the CII Design Excellence Awards, winning the “Two-Wheelers Commercial” - “Mobility Design” category. This competition is hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the accolade represents the company’s first honor in these awards, received at its first application.

Made and sold in India, Yamaha’s FZ25 was recognized at the CII Design Excellence Awards, winning the “Two-Wheelers Commercial” - “Mobility Design” category

Now in their seventh year since establishment in 2011, the CII Design Excellence Awards recognize outstanding products manufactured and/or sold in India. Produced and sold in India by their subsidiary India Yamaha Motor Private Limited, the FZ25 is a street model motorcycle featuring a new 250cc BLUE CORE engine, which is said to deliver “both riding enjoyment as well as excellent fuel efficiency and environmental performance”.

Design notes – Yamaha logo; building pic if we have it, and for this combo piece, at least for the MW version, can you rip the pic of the FZ25 from here …
https://global.yamaha-motor.com/news/2017/1221/design-award.html
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FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE)

2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro dates changed

The 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), originally scheduled for Oct. 22-27 in Viña del Mar, Chile, has been rescheduled to Nov. 12-17 at the same location.
The International Six Days Enduro is the world's largest annual off-road motorcycle competition. Since 1913, countries have sent their best off-road racers to exotic locations around the world to be tested on everything from sandy beaches to rocky crevices, to deep woods and motocross tracks for the event's top prize: the ISDE World Trophy.
Each year, countries from all over the world send teams to compete at the ISDE. The World Trophy Team features four riders that compete for the world title, along with the Junior Trophy Team, which features three riders, and the Women's Trophy Team that features three riders.
In addition, each country can send a number of three-rider club teams. Teams compete for team honors, while individual riders race for a gold, silver or bronze medals, which are based on a rider's finishing time relative to the leader. 

Widely regarded as the “Olympics of Motorcycling”, the ISDE is the most prestigious off-road motorcycle event in the world. First held in Carlisle, England, in 1913, the ISDE is one of the longest-running events on the calendar of the FIM calendar.
Originally known as the International Six Day Trial, the event was held primarily on roads in the beginning – although the “roads” of the era were often as difficult as today’s trails – and were designed to test both machine reliability and rider skill. Today, the ISDE, a name it adopted in 1980, is primarily an off-road event that traverses some of the world’s most extreme terrain.
Europe was the exclusive domain of the event until 1973, when it first made a trip to the United States. The event has since been held as far afield as Chile, New Zealand, Brazil and Australia.
The rules of the ISDE have evolved over the years, but it has always run under an enduro-type format, where riders have to follow a set route at a set pace over six days. In addition, there are strict controls on when a rider may work on his or her machine and the availability of tools and spare parts. The mileage of the event can vary, but is well over 1,000 total miles.
In August 2017 France won both the FIM World Trophy team championship and the Junior Trophy on home ground on the occasion of the World Trophy’s 92nd year at Brive, France. The French team of Jeremy Tarroux (Sherco), Loic Larrieu (Yamaha), Christophe Nambotin (KTM) and Christophe Charlier (Husqvarna) won the World Trophy by a six-minute and fourteen-second margin of victory ahead of Australia, Finland, Portugal, Great Britain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Brazil, Norway and Switzerland.
Australia won the women’s event for the fifth consecutive year.
www.fim-isde.com

TRW-Lucas

TRW-Lucas sintered Road and Track pads, floating discs for BMW and new accessories

Website downloadable, the new catalogue from TRW-Lucas is “packed to the brim with an almost infinite variety of spare parts and accessories from the legendary TRW-Lucas brand” with “everything from performance brakes and clutches to handlebars and levers, from foot controls and registration plate holders to lowering and jack-up kits,” according to the Neuwied, Germany based company.

New products include general type-approved SRT Sinter Road & Track brake pads that are said to “guarantee the extra bite to allow safe and powerful braking on the street as well as on the track.” Described as offering high friction, consistent efficiency and fade-free braking, the premium sintered compound is “inseparably bonded to the backing plate using NRS technology - a hook matrix on the backing plate that moulds into the friction material, which TRW-Lucas says “rules out the loss of the pad material, even under extreme thermal conditions such as during mountain pass descents or in racing. The new Sinter Road & Track brake pads are totally compatible with OE discs and, of course, with all the TRW-Lucas brake discs.” 

TRW-Lucas brake discs for BMW motorcycles are now also available with riveted floaters, just as in the newest original parts, which is said to make replacing the brake discs easier. The company is also offering high-grade steel replacement brake disc bolts that meet the original specifications in disc service kits for a wide range of popular makes and models, supplied partially with thread locker, the kits have the correct model-specific quantities.

TRW-Lucas say their SP Edition racing rearsets are “in a league of their own. These sophisticated rearsets are especially designed for ambitious sports riders. With their filigree contours and black anodised surface, the ultra-lightweights give each sportsbike an individual touch”. Made from high-grade aluminium, they are CNC-milled, come with a certificate of conformity (TÜV) and are individually adjustable up to 28.5 mm horizontally and up to 18 mm vertically. The footpegs are foldable, and almost all the systems can be easily converted to reverse gearshift. 

Available in two lengths and four colours, their new adjustable brake and clutch levers can be matched to the design of almost any motorcycle. They are “ergonomically perfect, allowing optimum control of brake and clutch pressure, with glove-friendly adjustment wheel and available in two versions with general type approval – an 80mm “Street” design and a 50mm sporty “Racing” version, both in black, silver, titanium and the special gold; the standard black adjustment is also available in optional colourways.

TRW-LUCAS
www.trwmoto.com

Swiss motorcycle registrations

Swiss motorcycle registrations +1.86 percent through October 2017

The latest new registrations data released by Swiss industry association MotoSuisse shows motorcycle sales at +9.74 percent on low volumes for October 2017 and +1.86 percent for the year-to-date at 25,859 units.
Overall PTW registrations were +5.39 percent for October (2,113 units) and were broadly “flat” for the year-to-date at -0.71 percent (43,314 units).
Motorcycle registrations for the 2016 full year were -3.4 percent (26,391 units) after being +17 percent in 2015. In total PTW terms, the market in Switzerland was down by -6.21 percent at 45,897 units for the full year 2016.
In motorcycle market share terms, Yamaha had top spot for the ten months through October 2017, having sold 4,625 units, with BMW second (4,243 units), Harley-Davidson third (2,794 units), Honda fourth (2,662 units) and Kawasaki fifth (2,657 units).
Yamaha’s MT 07 was top seller (1,168 units), followed by the Kawasaki Z 650, the BMW R 1200 GS and the F 700 GS, with Yamaha’s MT 09 in fifth spot. Vespa is the top-selling scooter brand, having sold 3,553 units in Switzerland in the first ten months of 2017.
www.motosuisse.ch

Premier Helmets

Premier launch VYRUS and confirm 5-year warranty on all helmets from 2018

Brand new from Premier for 2018, this full-face helmet is for “all those who love long-distance travel but also like to experience the pleasure and spirit of sports riding. High quality for high performance - the result of research by the Premier R&D Department”.

Called VYRUS, it boasts a “cutting edge design and offers maximum aerodynamic performance without compromising comfort. Thanks to our detailed study of aerodynamics, VYRUS is as noiseless as it is possible to get – ultra quiet – making it ideal for both touring and sports use”.
Made from a thermo-plastic material that is highly resistant to impact, with the ability to dissipate the energy resulting from any kind of impact, the inner shell is moulded in variable density EPS to ensure maximum protection and absorption. The interior is available in two different sizes. 

The ventilation system involves three adjustable air vents (one on the chin and two on the upper shell) with fresh air channelled around the inside before exiting via the adjustable rear extractor, allowing internal climate (temperature) tuning.
VYRUS comes complete with an accessory that is said to increase safety margins during long trips in the sun - the dark scratch-proof internal sun shield eliminates the need for sunglasses, but can easily be disabled when entering a tunnel thanks to an ergonomic lever located on the lower left edge of the external shell.
The visor can be replaced and adjusted without the use of tools. Injection-moulded in transparent polycarbonate, it is 2.2 mm thick, anti-scratch treated and suitable for use with the Pinlock anti-fogging system - a Pinlock lens is provided as standard. It has an external housing through which the cables for Bluetooth technology can be routed.
As with all Premier helmets, the interior is in sanitised-treated, anti-allergenic fabric and fully removable and washable, while the strap features a rapid-release fastener for micrometric adjustment. A removable wind stop and nose guard are included as standard. VYRUS is homologated according to current standard ECE 22-05.
As of January 2018, Premier says all its helmets “will benefit from another important new feature, with helmet warranty valid for a period of 5 years following purchase, subject to registration on the Premier website”.

PREMIER HELMETS
www.premier.it