The 77th EICMA Show (Milan, November 6-10) has been universally judged to have been a "Good Year" by the market's parts, accessory and G&A vendors. The organisers are claiming nearly 800,000 visitors - whether or not that is true really doesn't matter - the fact is there were plenty to go around! We don't need statistics to be able to judge it a success. With +50 cc PTW registrations running at +5.9% (196,956 units) for the first nine months of 2019, and having been up consistently for the past few years, the Italian market is now "bossing it" where Europe's "business action" is concerned...
Fulbat: The Belgian battery specialist recently added Lithium Ion batteries to its range. Developed to be interchangeable with a lead acid battery for motorcycle applications, they are said to "provide excellent starting properties and reliability, an ultra-light weight, a much longer life cycle and a wide operating temperature range with outstanding safety features". They meet all the requirements for starter batteries, especially for riders who are looking for higher performance and are "maintenance-free and ready to use with up to 180 degrees of multi-position mounting, fast charging capabilities, high cold cranking performance, long shelf life, very low self-discharge and an efficient charging indicator"; www.fulbat.com
Barkbusters: A top seller worldwide, the award-winning, innovative Australian designed and manufactured BarkBusters range of handguards by RideWorx continues to grow, with the latest addition being the 'Sabre' MX/Enduro handguards, designed to offer the "ultimate in versatile off-road coverage". Featuring upper and lower removable deflectors and fully customisable colourways, the sleek, lightweight design combines with sturdy alloy mounting clamps to offer a robust and functional handguard to fit a full range of off-road bike models; www.barkbusters.net
Answer Racing: Distributed in selected markets in Europe by Bihr, the American Answer Racing apparel programme is one of the most popular off-road and MX gear and apparel ranges in the United States; www.answerracing.com
BMC Air Filters: The oiled cotton filter technology developed by BMC has impeccable performance credentials as the filter of choice from Formula 1 to WorldSBK and MotoGP. The company says that the technology engineered into each of its washable and reusable filters archives that much sought-after balance between optimised air flow and engine protection. BMC says that its oiled cotton filter construction is superior to synthetic materials and that under ISO 5011 'Coarse' grade dirt testing comes as close as possible to complete filtration efficiency - at 98% compared to 48% for comparable synthetic material filters tested; www.bmcairfilters.com
FullSix: One of the motorcycle industries leading carbon fibre component manufacturers, Slovenian manufacturer FullSix, part of the CDT Group, offers everything from levers, winglets and fuel tanks to complete fairing kits, exhaust heat shields and caliper cooler sets. The hero at the company's EICMA booth was a stunning, light weight, high strength carbon fibre monocoque sub-frame for the BMW S 1000 RR; www.fullsixcarbon.com
SBS: The Danish brake and clutch manufacturer has posted another successful year and with a new booth design at EICMA has completed a journey of brand identity renewal that started with new packaging and marketing 12 months ago. More track success and an ongoing programme of product range updates is keeping SBS and its dealers busy, with plenty to tell their customers - not least about its innovative new online 'Pad Finder' tool; www.sbsbrakes.com
G.P.R. Italia: One of Europe's longest established exhaust manufacturers, with impressive race pedigree and a reputation for innovation, has as a result of sales feedback from its distributors and dealers followed up the success of its M3 Titanium slip-ons to celebrate its 2017 and 2018 Moto3 World Championships and homologated 'Sonic Revolution' and 'Powercone' designs with the launch of new INOX (stainless steel) versions of the M3. The INOX is available in a homologated version with removable baffle for most of the best-selling recent new sport and naked bikes, and the more competitive price will give street bike riders of bikes such as the Z800, Hornet 600, ER 6 and MT-09 access to the same race pedigree that goes into every G.P.R. exhaust system; www.gpr.it
TecMate: Celebrating 25 years of the OptiMate brand, TecMate introduced its first OptiMate battery charger, diagnostics and maintenance tool as a response to the more powerful and compact AGM (absorbed glass mat - a sealed valve regulating lead-acid battery) that were being introduced into the powersport industry in the late 80s, early 90s. AGM batteries are still lead-acid batteries, but with a difference, the acid is absorbed into mats (i.e. sponges), which effectively made it a 'dry' battery that could be turned upside down – no more acid spillage, a real problem for bikers at the time.
