News Briefs

Internationally recognised German BMW parts and accessory specialist Wunderlich was Motorrad Magazine readers' choice as Best Brand in the "Accessories/Conversions" category.

 

In the United States, chain manufacturer D.I.D is to sponsor the MotoAmerica Mini Cup by Motul, the youth oriented racing series, in 2020. "The D.I.D brand has long been known for its exceptional performance and quality. All D.I.D chains are engineer-developed and manufactured in Kaga, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, by skilled technicians whose goal of perfection is to provide outstanding performance chains for all riders," said Clay Solise of D.I.D North America. "Progressing the sport by being an encouragement to younger riders is exactly what we're all about."

 

Swedish off-road, motocross and ADV/Enduro spoke set specialist Cross Center reports strong importer and dealer demand from all around the world in recent months through its award-winning website. The company has just added its 600th spoke set - 50-0600 spoke set for KX 250/450 18" 74-76, rear 9G/275-36 - made in Sweden by Cross Center using top grade Swedish steel. The company also recently added spoke sets for 17" and 18" applications on the Bonneville T 120 18" 2016 and up.

Asphalt & Rubber reports that German automotive suspension specialist Bilstein is said to be about to enter the motorcycle suspension market for the first time later this year with gas pressurised monotube design front forks and coil-over design rear shock absorbers with compression and rebound adjustment for the BMW S100RR, 2009 and up. It is thought that the German manufacturer will aim to go head-to-head for the top-end of the suspension market and OEM contracts with the likes of Öhlins, Showa, Sachs and WP.

 

The Honda factory is to recall the CBR1000RR-R in Europe over concerns about a possible problem with the con-rods. Some 300 units are thought to be affected. So far, there have been no failures, but Honda has decided to act straight away as a precaution. It does not affect the models being sold in the United States, but in other news it would appear that U.S. dealer deliveries are now being delayed until mid-September at the soonest, due to claimed supply chain difficulties.

Well known British dealer and distributor Three Cross Motorcycles has been placed into administration - a pre-bankruptcy stage in the UK that allows businesses to restructure its debts and activities. Founded in 1978, the Ringwood, Hampshire based dealership has held the Triumph motorcycles franchise in Dorset since 1991 and began importing Peugeot scooters into the UK in 1995 - supplying a network of around 200 dealers. At various times Three Cross had also sold Cagiva, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Laverda, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta and Yamaha; the company says that after a restructuring exercise a short while ago, the coronavirus pandemic had left it with no further financial wiggle room.

Piaggio has patented 'Active Aero' - aileron-style winglets that should assist handling and grip - an evolution of the controversial tech seen in MotoGP. The patent (for winglets on either side that can move independently of each other) is seen in filing drawings on an MP3 but, of course, "relates to the field of two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles", so is clearly something that they must be eyeing for the Aprilia RSV4.

Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW. electricmotorcycles.news