AFAM: Powersports Distribution Group (PDG - owned by Dutch equity investor Torqx) acquired Dutch distribution businesses Hoco Parts and Motoria in 2017 and bought the Nazareth, Belgium based sprockets, chain and batteries specialist DC AFAM from German owner KettenWulf six months ago. AFAM was established in France in 1978 and Dynachains a year later in Belgium as two entirely separate, independent businesses. German manufacturer KettenWulf acquired Dynachains in 1992 and AFAM in 2002, combining the two businesses as DC AFAM in 2003. DC AFAM also sells oil filters under the ISON brand and entered the highly competitive Lithium ion battery market with Shido in 2011. Earlier this year they launched the Shido Connect LiFePO4, describing it as the “first smart battery ever”, a Bluetooth enabled battery that can be monitored in real time via an Android or Apple smartphone; www.afam.com
MACNA: Designed and distributed by Dutch apparel specialist Splash Design, the award-winning MACNA riding apparel range is a feature-rich, high-tech programme with some notable firsts to its name - not least the innovative ‘Night Eye’ technology - a patented approach to night riding visibility that sees a normal, grey motorcycle jacket light up in the headlights without the use of conventional high-visibility materials or vests. Instead, microscopic glass beads in the Night Eye fabric work like small mirrors and reflect the light right back where it came from - lighting the rider up from a long distance; www.macna.com
Fehling: The well-known German accessories manufacturer offers dealers access to one of the largest handlebar, engine guard, protection parts, luggage rack and related parts ranges in the industry. The company specialises in anything that involves tube bending and designs and makes all its own products in-house at its factory near Dortmund in Germany. Founded in 1945 as a specialist metal-forming and processing engineer, the company specialises in motorcycle parts, currently employs around 25 people and is still in the founder’s family ownership; www.fehling.de
DP Brakes: The UK based manufacturer was the originator of sintered brake pad technology, still the foundation of what is said to be the best braking compound formulation available; www.dp-brakes.com
Rusty Pistons: Owned by the company behind the Biker’s Crown retail network and Tribolite riding jeans brand in the Czech Republic, the Rusty Pistons apparel programme is as authentically retro, Rock-n-Roll and righteous as they come; www.rustypistons.eu
Cardo Systems: The most exciting new rider communications system in years, Cardo followed up the big leap forward represented by its user-friendly ergonomics of its PACKTALK line by knocking the ball out of the park with next generation Voice Command Operated PACKTALK Bold - featuring voice command activation, coupled with multi-rider Dynamic Mesh Communication technology. The latest news is of its exclusive relationship with noted audio specialist JBL; www.cardosystems.com
iXS: Swiss apparel to bikes (Yamaha), tyres and parts manufacturer, brand owner and distributor Hostettler AG announced Anselm Zessler (53) as the new Managing Director of its iXS own brand apparel and Motochic third party distribution divisions at the start of the year, having previously served as Head of Research & Development for iXS, overseeing the launch of several innovative new programmes. New products this year have included an entirely new, CE-certified collection of motorcycle apparel featuring the Montevideo Touring & Adventure collection, which received the internationally recognised “Red Dot Award” in the category “Travel”. Also new was its RS-1000 sports line, featuring interchangeable coloured slider elements for motorcycle outfits; www.ixs.com
Hornig: Recent new products from the German BMW parts and accessory specialist include a vibration isolating GPS mount for the F750GS, aluminium oil filler plugs for F750GS and F850GS models, and a range of products for the K1600B, G310R/GS; www.motorcycleparts-hornig.com
