Indian Motorcycle's new Challenger model is equipped with the Metzeler Cruisetec tyre as stock fitment - "with 122 hp and 128 ft-lbs of torque, the Cruisetec's performance characteristics will stand up to the demands the Challenger rider will inflict on the road," says Metzeler.
There is confusion in the UK concerning the Government's announced plan to bring its ban on sales of internal combustion (and Hybrid platform) vehicles forward to 2035. The UK Department of Transport has now said that the new date is merely a consultation date and that it would not include motorcycles after all. Presumably they would be banned as of the original 2040 date - but there is no clarity, and the MCIA in the UK points out that the UK Government could decide to include motorcycles at any time of its choosing without consultation.
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has announced that South Korea has doubled the number of industrial robots it has in operation within the past five years to 300,000, and now ranks third globally behind Japan and China.
There has been a shake-up in the fiercely competitive UK motorcycle insurance market, with Bennetts Insurance coming under the same ownership (Ardonagh Group, through its Atlanta Investment Holdings subsidiary) as its long-time rival Carole Nash Insurance.
The IVM in Germany has called on the German authorities to exempt automotive and motorcycle workshops and bicycle shops from the closure regulations. It cites mobility as crucial for coping with the coronavirus crisis and that use of cars, bicycles, scooters and motorbikes can minimise the risk of infection and relieve public transport.
The 2020 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) Show will be staged at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Tuesday 3 November through Friday 6 November 2020.
Car firm SEAT has unveiled its first ever motorcycle - "an electric vehicle which could cost the average biker just £1 per week in running costs". Power is from a 11 kW motor, which is equivalent to a 125 cc petrol engine, and gives it a 0-31 mph (50 kph) time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 62 mph (100 kph), with a range of 71 miles between charges.
In USA data from IHS Markit shows a 41% decline in national automobile registration volume on a week-over-week basis for the week of March 23. The states experiencing the most significant deterioration in automobile volume are New York (-85%), California (-78%), Texas (-43%) and Florida (-16%). Automotive production for North America is projected to fall by -2.3 million units to 14.1m units for 2020; with European automotive production expected to decline by -3.0m units to 18.1m in 2020.
Benelli QJ (Pesaro, Italy) has donated two pulmonary ventilators and 1,000 Tyvek suits (high protection material) to the Pessaro Committee of the Italian Red Cross and 3,500 Tyvek suits to the Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord hospital. Benelli was founded in Italy in 1911, initially as the Benelli Garage repair shop. It was bought by Qianjang Group (Geely) in 2005.
When the calendar permits, Putoline is going racing. The Dutch oil specialist has announced partnerships with long-term partner the EAB Ten Kate Racing team in the WSS 600 cc class with Steven Odendaal on a Yamaha YZF R-6 and Glenn van Straalen in the WSSP300 series on the YZF R-3; and with Gebben van Venrooy Racing, a Yamaha supported MXGP team with riders Alessandro Lupino, former Junior Motocross World Champion, and two MXGP rookies Thomas Covington and Calvin Vlaanderen. All three will represent Putoline Oil in the MXGP class on a YZF450F Yamaha.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW. electricmotorcycles.news
