A second selection of exhibitor company and product news from November 2019's successful 77th "Milan Show" …
Puig: Spanish parts and accessory specialist Puig (Motoplastic) is celebrating more track success in 2019 as a technical sponsor of the KRT team's WSBK winning team, with Jonathan Rea taking a fifth successive championship. Puig is the KRT's windscreen partner, bringing its wind tunnel derived aerodynamic expertise to that most demanding of environments; www.puig.tv
Bihr: This is proving to be a big year for the Bartenheim, France based distribution business originally founded by Cyrille Bihr four decades ago. Under the ownership of the Belgian Alcopa Group and leadership of CEO Christophe Piron, the company is moving forward with aggressive expansion and service development plans. The summer saw the company announce the establishment of its German and other market-specific dealer service centres and the extension of distribution agreements to some of those countries with the likes of Arai and Bell helmets and Answer off-road apparel. Following news of distribution in Germany for the Italian Midland Radio range of rider communication products, the big news at EICMA was of Bihr's acquisition of British distributor Moto Direct and with it ownership of the popular RST apparel brand; www.bihr.eu
National Cycle: Recent new products from the world renowned Maywood, Illinois based windscreen manufacturer have included applications in a choice of sizes and tints for models such as the Yamaha Tracer, Multistrada, Kawasaki Z900 and Z650 (VStream+), the BMW F750GS and VStream+ designs for Honda's ground-breaking X-ADV and the 2019-20 BMW R1250R. Made in tough 3.0 mm Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate, VStream gets its name from its unique patented shape - the advanced "V" profile and dimensional contours push the wind vortex out and away from the rider's helmet, resulting in a peaceful, quieter riding environment. The "+" means these windscreens include a custom mounting bracket specifically designed and engineered for that model; www.nationalcycle.com
Newfren: This has been a big year for the Italian brakes and clutch specialist. A stream of application updates for its wide ranging brake pads programme was followed by new RacePro QC clutch plate development applications, high performance fixed brake, solid and steel hub floating discs in laser-cut AISI420 steel for off-road and street, hardened and coated AISI420 steel vintage disc application discs with Ergal 7075 T6, machined from solid hub, and urban, riding-friendly ProRace brake shoes; www.newfren.com
Eleveit: Described as being the result of thirty years of experience in motorcycle boot and technical work shoe manufacturing, Treviso, Italy based manufacturer Eleveit says that "Italian authenticity" is at the heart of its riding boots, gloves and apparel designs. The technology and feature-rich programme includes race, touring, urban and café racer style boots and gloves, one-piece race suits and textile and leather jackets with removable CE certified protectors. The top-of-the-line RC Pro boot features Eleveit's proprietary Internal Protection Technology (IPT) - a new ankle protection system that is said to offer "an excellent balance between flexibility and protection"; www.eleveit.it
Wind Trading: It has been a busy year for the Ravenna, Italy parts and apparel distributor and designer. Hard parts have included WRP brand off-road discs and tapered design 'Pro-Bars'; W2 brand 'Air-RT' and 'DZF' touring boots and a complete collection of styles and finishes of 'Cruiser' boots. However, the big news was the launch (at EICMA 2018) of its new "Premium Budget" Ravenna Motorcycle Fashion line - distributed exclusively in Europe by Wind Trading; www.ravenna-moto.com, www.w2boots.com, www.windtrading.it
Vertex Pistons: The Italian off-road performance specialist is celebrating another championship win, with Tim Gajser scooping the 2019 MXGP title using Vertex GP-Racer's Choice pistons. Recent new products include its updated range of 'Top-End' piston kits - further expanded to include all 2019 off-road motorcycles. Developed by VP Italy to make the repairing process easier, saving time and money, the 'Top-End' kits "come with everything needed to replace the piston, top end gaskets and wrist pin bearing or chain"; www.vertexpistons.com
Polisport: Recent highlights from the Portuguese 'Performance Plastics' manufacturer include additions to its rider protection options with the EN1621-3:2018 (Chest – Type A) and EN1621-2:2014 (Central Back – 1) compliant Phantom PRO body chest protector. Neck brace-friendly with thermoformed shoulder paddings, the slim and adaptable design is made in "high impact-resistant plastic and soft impact deflecting padding - the Phantom PRO has the perfect blend between comfort and protection"; www.polisport.com
Hevik: Recent new products from the Italian gear, apparel and accessory brand have included its 'Typhoon' motorcycle vest, new summer gloves, the 'Ikaro' jacket, an update of its popular 'Titanium-R' all-season jacket and the new versatile and practical 'Andromeda' CE certified parka; www.hevik.com
SIXS: This year saw SIXS celebrate its 10th anniversary and as a follow-up to the two TS6 (long, in WindShell Carbon underwear material) and TS7 (short, in Carbon Underwear material) multisport garments launched earlier in 2019 the company marked its anniversary with a special limited edition short sleeve commemorative base layer. The TS1 Anniversary short-sleeved base layer shirt - limited to 1,000 pieces - is designed for athletic performance at high temperatures and is said to have been made with the lightest fabric ever used in a SIXS product (90% Polypropylene, 7% Elastane, 3% Carbon), making it 33% lighter than the already incredibly low weight TS1L and producing the "best breathability ever". The company also unveiled a new logo as it looks forward to its next decade, with a new strapline - Innovative Solutions For Sport - that highlights the brand's high tech materials and advanced manufacturing technologies; www.six2.com
