INTERMOT Visitors are High Mileage, High Spending, Highly MotivatedThis year’s INTERMOT Expo at Cologne, Germany, drew a record equalling 220,000 visitors from nearly 100 countries worldwide to see what 1,041 suppliers from 40 countries had to offer. With a significant increase in “younger” visitors and international attendance, the organisers say that the event has again reinforced its status as one of the motorcycle industry’s most important trade fairs. An estimated 70 percent of visitors (around 150,000 people) visited Hall 10 - home to INTERMOT Customized - the ‘show-within-show’ concept where IDN sister magazine AMD again staged its World Championship of Custom Bike Building …
Avon Tyres: The big news this year has been the launch of the Cobra Chrome tyre for customs, cruisers and touring - an endeavour proudly supported by the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, with the Freestyle Class and World Champion sponsored by the British manufacturer; www.avonmotorcycle.com
Detlev Louis: For the first time this year, the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building featured a ‘Public Choice’ prize for Hall 10 visitors, and our partner for the vote was the leading Hamburg, Germany headquartered motorcycle parts, accessory and gear retailer Detlev Louis. Tracing its roots back more than 80 years, and these days under the ownership of Warren Buffett’s Omaha, Nebraska based Berkshire Hathaway, Louis has over 80 retail stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and a thriving online mail order business, having been one of the originators of the mail order catalogue concept in the motorcycle industry in Europe in the 1960s; www.louis.de
Kellermann: The German custom lights specialist continues to get bigger as it gets smaller - in the shape of its recently released ‘ATTO’ LEDs, probably the smallest custom lights ever designed and manufactured. Fully compliant, they feature ‘uber-bright’ 3-in-1 combination turn signal, brake light and running light functionality and the latest advanced circuitry for safe, reliable low-draw installation in an almost infinite range of possibilities and configurations. Additional recent new designs also include the Micro S DF Dark and updated bullet light BL 1000; www.kellermann-online.de
National Cycle: Recent new windshield designs from the market-leading Maywood, Illinois based manufacturer include a choice of VStream windshield upgrades for popular late models, including the MT-10. Taking its name from its unique patented shape, the advanced “V” profile and dimensional contours of VStream windshields that push the wind vortex out and away from the rider’s helmet result in a quieter and less turbulent riding environment. Made from tough, high quality 4.5 mm Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate, using National Cycle’s state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, the company says that they “provide outstanding clarity, impact strength and scratch resistance - unmatched by any windscreen maker worldwide. “Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate is the material of choice for serious motorcycle riders - it is 10 times more abrasion resistant than FMR hardcoated polycarbonate and 30 times more than windscreens made from commonly used acrylic or “aircraft plastic”; www.nationalcycle.com
VOZZ: The revolutionary rear opening helmet is described as “the most advanced motorcycle helmet in the marketplace”. Unlike regular pull-on/pull-off helmets, the VOZZ is a full-face rear access, dual-locking helmet incorporating the Voztec system. The glove-friendly helmet is the only commercially available full-faced helmet without a chin strap - instead having a fully adjustable chin cup. It comes in three shell sizes with six fractional fittings from XS to XXL and in eight solid colours. A primary feature is the Safety Release System (SRS), developed to help medical staff in emergencies. The RS 1.0 also offers increased peripheral vision, is fitted with an anti-fog visor and equipped with a dual locking security system. The design is said to give riders a “superior range of head movement” compared to conventional helmet designs, with buffeting dramatically reduced and directional visor stability; www.vozzhelmets.com
HS-Motorradteile: Awarded a Best Brand award by German trade journal Bike & Business in 2017, the Mannheim based vendor’s inventory includes service items such as brake pads, oils, filters, batteries and chargers, chain and care products, and parts and accessories such as exhausts, mirrors, sprockets, grips, digital instruments and a huge selection of lights options; www.hs-motoparts.com
Magura: One of the oldest parts and accessory manufacturers in the industry in Europe (tracing its roots back as far as 1893), in motorcycle terms, its best known products are its radial master cylinders and ergonomic HYMEC hydraulic clutch systems; www.magura.com
Keis Heated Apparel: The fast growing Motohaus owned British apparel brand has been “advancing the evolution of heated motorcycle clothing for over 10 years”. Now it is starting to make its range of designs available to distributors and their dealers in continental Europe - last year saw a test introduction in France, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic and Denmark. Designed in the UK, specifically for European riding conditions, the Keis apparel programme includes a range of heated jackets, vests, ladies’ bodywarmers, CE-approved gloves (armoured and inner gloves), heated trousers and boot insoles. Keis uses “micro carbon fibre technology” and the very latest heat generating technology to deliver Far Infra-Red Radiation - the kind that bright sunlight transmits, even on cold days; www.keisapparel.co.uk
