German motorcycle registration

Germany: motorcycles +41.25% in July

Germany's apparently relentless march to market recovery continued in July with the latest data from the IVM, the motorcycle industry trade association in Germany, showing new model registrations massively up over the same month of 2019 at +41.25%, 17,339 units (+21.64%/14,010 units in June).
That means the German market has now largely put the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic on new motorcycle registrations into its rear view mirror, with YTD new model registrations now in the positive for the YTD at +0.80% for the first seven months of 2020, with 88,216 units registered (compared to 87,512 in 2019).

In the context of 2020, the motorcycle registration statistics in Germany for 2020 so far have been remarkable. The market demonstrated the same promising start to the year that was seen elsewhere in Europe, having been +37.14% (4,446 units) in January. After the start of a decline in February (-3.98%/9,252 units), as Germany responded to the upcoming health emergency hard and early, motorcycle registrations were -18.70% in March (16,581 units) and -28.14% (12,064 units) in April, but started to recover spectacularly in May (+6.33%/14,524 units).
Indeed, in total PTW terms, it looks very much like the theory that the urban mobility and isolation messages that PTWs have in their favour are being taken up by commuters. Total PTW registrations in July were up +54.95% at 29,977 units (compared to 19,346 in July 2019) in Germany, putting the YTD at +13.19% for the first seven months (140,840 units, compared to 124,426 in 2019).
In motorcycle market share terms, BMW remains 'Top Dog' in its home market with a modestly reduced 21.86% share YTD (19,287 units sold and six models in the top 20 best sellers list in Germany YTD), followed by Kawasaki, Honda, KTM and Yamaha.
The top selling model was BMW's R 1250 GS (6,653 units YTD), followed by the Kawasaki Z900 (Z650 in fourth), Yamaha MT-07 third (Ténéré 700 in 9th), KTM 790 Duke, 690 SMC and 390 Duke in 5th, 6th and 8th spots, Honda CMX 500 Rebel in 7th and BMW S 1000 XR 10th.
Last year saw the German motorcycle market grow by +4.38% to 113,039 units, with PTW sales growing by +6.53% to 165,311 units.

Honda

Honda 2020/2021 Q1 results to June 30

Honda has released its results for the first quarter of its 2020/2021 financial year (the period ending June 30) stating that, not surprisingly, "business stagnated and demand declined significantly on a global basis due to the COVID-19.

"Production and sales activities of all Honda operations were impacted, as a result, sales and profit for the fiscal first quarter experienced a year-on-year decrease. In forecast terms, the future outlook remains uncertain, but we plan to achieve an operating profit of 200.0bn yen and profit before income taxes for the current financial year."
They plan to do so by "further strengthening our company-wide initiatives to improve earnings. Quarterly dividend for the fiscal first quarter will be 11 yen per share (a year-on-year decrease of 17 yen per share); total dividends paid for the fiscal year planned to be 44 yen per share."

This is what you call and Adventure Tourer...

Total corporate consolidated sales revenue was 2,123.7bn yen (a year-on-year decrease of 46.9%) due primarily to a decrease in sales revenue from all businesses. Operating loss was 113.6bn yen (a year-on-year decrease by 366.1bn yen); loss before income taxes: 73.4bn yen; the impact of the COVID-19 is estimated to be approximately 440.0bn yen.
Honda's motorcycle business sales revenue was 274.2bn yen (a year-on-year decrease of 258.7bn yen), due primarily to a decrease in unit sales, mainly in Asia.
Motorcycle operating profit was 11.2bn yen (a year-on-year decrease of 58.6bn yen). Despite a decrease in unit sales, profit was still made, primarily due to a decrease in R&D and SG&A expenses.
Consolidated unit sales of motorcycles were 1.221 million units, compared to 3.264 million for the year-ago quarter; for the 2019/2020 full year consolidated motorcycle unit sales were 12.426 million, and Honda is now forecasting 9.715 million for 2020/2021.

Japanese made motorcycle exports

Japanese made motorcycle exports to USA -38.55% Jan to June 2020

After the continued monthly decline seen in January and February this year, even before the effects of COVID-19 took hold, 2020 has not been good for U.S. imports of Japanese made motorcycles and powersports vehicles, the decline of 2019 having accelerated.
The most recent available data from JAMA (the automotive trade association in Japan, which includes representation of motorcycle manufacturers among its membership) shows exports from the 'Big Four' Japanese manufacturers' factories in Japan to the US down by -38.55% in June at a mere 1,645 units.

For the YTD, Japanese made motorcycle exports to dealers in USA are down by -39.10% at 18,126 units for the first six months of 2020. Total Japanese made PTW exports to USA were -61.77% in June (3,062 units) and -39.45% YTD (28,557 units).
The increasing number of units being made by Japanese manufacturers elsewhere in Asia, the US and South/Central America goes some way to providing historical context for the data, though the majority of higher value, larger displacement Japanese brand machines, especially those being sold in Europe, are still made in Japan.
In Europe motorcycle imports from Japan were -49.22% in June (3,713 units) and are -12.71% YTD (76,430 units), having had a strong start to the year. Over 65,000 Japanese made motorcycles went into Europe in Q1 before the pandemic struck, which was considerably up on the year-ago quarter and boded well for European Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki dealers.
The Japanese owned "overseas" factories are primarily engaged in making and selling scooters and smaller capacity units in 'emerging' markets (where import tariffs are high) and in making ATV/UTV units - especially in the United States, where demand for such machines is strongest.
Annual worldwide Japanese made motorcycle and moped exports (all PTW) fell off a cliff in 2009 to 583,879 from over 1 million in 2008, having peaked at 1,641 million units in 2000. They have continued to decline most years since then; most recently they were 463,123 units in 2017, 456,758 in 2018, and 386,379 in 2019.

Newfren

Two years of development for new 'Made in Italy' centre ground road discs

Turin, Italy based brake components specialist Newfren has been respected worldwide for its brake discs for decades. Newfren was an early entrant into the brake discs market 'back in the day' and has continuously invested in materials research, testing and manufacturing technology to stay at the cutting edge of brake disc design and performance.
The company has now taken its "high quality, Made in Italy" production to a new level with a new range of road discs that are being laser cut and centre ground from AISI 420 steel plate.
The production process includes long term established and trusted partners in the Turin area, and starts and finishes at the company's 10,000 sq m Turin factory. This involves thermal treatment after laser cutting in order to harden the raw material, then immersing each disc into a paint bath to protect all the parts that will remain exposed and not affected by contact wear with the brake pad.
For the grinding process, Newfren is using what is considered to be the hardest of the available techniques in order to guarantee the highest quality. Also referred to as vertical grinding with opposing planes, centreless grinding is a machining process that uses abrasive cutting to remove material from both the parts at the same time.

It differs from centered grinding operations in that no spindle or fixture is used to locate and secure the workpiece - it is secured between two rotary grinding wheels, and the speed of their rotation relative to each other determines the rate at which material is removed. As a manufacturing technique it is typically used in preference to other grinding processes for operations where many parts must be processed in a short time with a very high degree of precision.
Newfren says that in order to guarantee the best possible braking performance from its new discs, and reduce vibrations to the absolute minimum possible, it has trialled, tested and explored a wide range of factors - including the mechanical characteristics of the materials, the geometry of the hub and braking band, the holes of the band and the tolerances of flatness and parallelism - and evolved, refined and modified production processes repeatedly.
This new road disc project has dominated R&D activity for two years now and extensive after- track testing and releasing them to racers and teams for competitive use earlier this year before the coronavirus lockdown, the company says it is now ready to release them as a new aftermarket programme, having concluded testing on the new Moto3 discs at Misano and Mugello as soon as the teams were able to get back on the track.
Newfren says that the response from its riders was "totally enthusiastic", reporting "excellent feeling, no vibration and progressive and high performing braking power". The discs are mated with CNC-machined from solid hubs and bobbins in 7075 Ergal (aluminium zinc alloy) and T6 heat treatment hardened with hard oxidation 50 µ.
www.newfren.com

Gilles Tooling

Gilles - Africa Twin

Seen here for Honda's popular Africa Twin, and compatible with the OE handlebar, parts and accessory specialist Gilles Tooling's 2DGT adjustable handlebar riser gives a maximum of up to 25 mm increased height for the handlebars, compared to the original, and up to 7 mm of forward and backward adjustment - from such relatively small numbers a huge variance in geometry and ergonomics can be achieved.

Adjustable gear & brake lever kit under breaking load test

Additional Gilles custom options for the 1,000 cc parallel-twin CRF1000L include this ACMA top yoke nut CNC-machined from 7075 zinc alloy aluminium (Ergal), available in a selection of anodised colours, and ACM titanium rear axle nut in titanium - both featuring Gilles' patented pin interlock anti-rotation device.

2DGT adjustable handlebar riser

The RCT adjustable shift lever is machined and anodised, with ball bearing for play-free running and a toe piece with double eccentric multiple axis height and length adjustment - position 1 for between 8 and 33 mm shorter than the original toe piece position, position 2 for between 11 mm wider and 12 mm shorter than the original toe piece position.

ACMA top yoke nut

The RCT kit can be used together with the standard Honda rearset or Gilles' own advanced design super strong footpegs with rubber insert for improved comfort and vibration isolation - add Gilles' RGK2 detent pillion turning joints with any of the up to 40 mm lowerable footpeg styles and extensions for 360 degree, 24 click/20 mm adjustability.

RCT explorer enduro footpeg

Also seen here is the RCT-RK-04-Africa Explorer Enduro footpeg kit option for original height or 20 mm lower positioning and OFC oil filler cap with four different coloured rings and POM locking tool.

RGK2 pillion footpeg

Gilles design, manufacture and test in-house, and in the case of the RCT-RK-04-KIT they report an 8400 Nm breaking load - making it a very stable part. Gilles' advanced technology and manufacturing techniques include CAD Solidworks design and construction simulation to optimise component performance and 3D printing for on time prototyping and resource conservation - all backed up by DIN-ISO 9001 quality certification.

GILLES TOOLING GMBH
www.gillestooling.com

GSG-Mototechnik

Ducati Diavel crash pads

German styling specialist GSG-Mototechnik has been making crash pads for more than 30 years and has now expanded its large range of parts to include these crash pads for the Ducati Diavel 1260.

The plastic pads have an elegant skid shape and are fully machined. The bottom construction is of 50 mm strong aluminium, also available in black anodised. All parts are weight-optimised and can be mounted on the motorcycle without any modifications.
Swingarm and fork protection with anodised coloured inlays are included, and the crash pad is also available for all relevant models from model year 2020.

GSG-MOTOTECHNIK GMBH
www.gsg-mototechnik.de

Polisport

Armadillo head pipe guards for 4-strokes

Portuguese Off-Road, MX and Enduro plastic parts specialist Polisport's Armadillo head pipe guard has been a major success in the 2-stroke market for several years, so the company has now developed a new version especially for 4-stroke bikes. 

The Armadillo head pipe guard will protect against small impacts and rocks. This new protection is available in two different sizes (22 cm/8.6 in and 40 cm/15.7 in) and is a blend of stainless steel and silicone, providing protection while reducing vibrations and noises.

The Armadillo for the 4-stroke is easily installed, will resist the high temperatures of the head pipe and is available in all OEM colours.
Also seen here, Polisport's new graphic guard protector is a translucent plastic design that mounts on the side panels to avoid graphics from peeling away easily - it eliminates direct contact between the boot and the graphics, increasing the graphics' lifespan.
They are made in highly resistant, durable and abrasion resistant plastic, are easy to install with a 1-point mount and available for selected Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, KTM and Husqvarna models.

POLISPORT
www.polisport.com

HP Corse

HP Corse - Yamaha Ténéré 700

Italian performance exhaust specialist HP Corse has these new 4-Track R Short and SPS Carbon Short Euro 4 approved applications available for the Yamaha Ténéré 700.
With its slim lines, the 689 cc twin cylinder four stroke Ténéré is designed for "agile and fast driving - a motorbike born for rallies and long-distance adventures that is also perfect for dirt backroads and everyday highways".

4-Track R Short

 
"We have created two different exhaust applications to give dealers options that will help their customers get the most out of Yamaha's versatile Ténéré platform.
"Designed in our Bologna R&D centre, the 4-Track R is equipped with a seamless hydroformed steel muffler with dB killer. Available in titanium, satin steel and black ceramic steel, it redesigns the rear, enhancing the Ténéré's aesthetics, agility and sound with its pure and essential lines, octagonal end piece, twin double outlet barrel and a carbon heat shield positioned between the front and the brackets. 

SPS Carbon Short

"Tested on the bench, on the most demanding roads and tracks, the 4-Track R Short is light, reliable and guaranteed to deliver superior performance compared to the original - especially at low and medium engine speeds." Euro 4 approved, for the Ténéré 700 the 4-Track R exhaust is available in the "short" 300 mm version.
Also seen here, the lighter weight SPS Carbon Short achieves even greater horsepower gains and extraordinary torque. Also available in titanium, black ceramic coated stainless steel and satin stainless steel, it has a carbon heat shield and end cap and also comes in a 300 mm "Shorty" version for the Ténéré.

HP CORSE
www.hpcorse.com

KTM

KTM owner climbing every mountain in market defying drive for sustainable growth


KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS owner PIERER Mobility AG has reported encouraging results for the first half year of 2020, especially in the context of the Covid lockdown.
Sales of motorcycles and e-bikes were 124,682 units (compared to 135,711 in the first six months of 2019) and the company is reporting early completion of its 100% takeover of Girona, Spain based GASGAS, an increase in production capacity at its Austria headquarters and staff growth with 170 employees added as it experiences a "boom in global two-wheeler demand".

Over 70,171 KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS motorcycles were sold, with 34,351 Husqvarna and R Raymon branded e-bikes sold. "This corresponds to an increase of +1.3% compared to the previous year. In addition, our Indian partner Bajaj sold 20,160 motorcycles (previous year: 32,539) under the KTM and Husqvarna brands in its markets hard hit by Corona in the first six months."
Due to the Corona-related two-month interruption of production, PIERER Mobility AG says it expects sales of
€ 600m (first half 2019: € 754.9m), but still made money in the first six months of 2020 despite the decline in sales revenue (EBIT was € 1.7m, compared to € 46.6m in the first half of 2019).

"After the two-month lockdown, the two-wheeler trade experienced a boom due to an apparent change in mobility behaviour - this was reflected in the double-digit growth rates in registrations in both the motorcycle and e-bicycle sectors.
"The motorcycle market developed surprisingly strongly, particularly in North America (+20%) and Australia (+39%). Globally, our motorcycle registrations rose by around +4 percent in the first half of the year, despite the Corona lockdown - with the KTM and Husqvarna brands able to achieve high market share gains.

PIERER Mobility AG Chairman Stefan Pierer has evolved a masterful 21st century recreation and urban mobility brand strategy.

"In order to be able to cover the increasing demand for two-wheelers and the necessary increase in production capacity, 170 additional employees have been hired for the Austrian facilities since the beginning of June 2020. Our worldwide headcount is now more than 4,400 employees."
The PIERER Mobility Group has now acquired 100% of the shares in global trials market leader GASGAS Motorcycles GmbH, ahead of time, positioning GASGAS as the third Group brand in the off-road motorcycle sector for ambitious CEO Stefan Pierer. The brand fit for the Group is irresistible, with the sporty GASGAS range sitting perfectly as a beginner pathway between the high-end of the e-mountain bike sector and the Husqvarna and KTM Enduro, off-road, MX, ADV and, ultimately, street ranges.
The Group says it expects sales to increase to more than € 800m in the second half of 2020 and significantly higher than for the second half of 2019 (€ 765.3m). Annual sales for 2020 are expected to exceed €1,400m (FY 2019: € 1,520.1m). The e-bike division will already contribute sales of more than € 110m.

The updated KTM 450 Rally Replica - a 'good-to-go' 139 kg, 450 cc fuel injected single race bike with a single overhead cam and WP XACT PRO closed cartridge, cone valve front suspension system.

The company says that "as a pioneer in electromobility for two-wheelers in the low-voltage range (48 volt), the Group and its strategic partner Bajaj have the prerequisites to assume a leading global role.
"With the take-over of the electric bicycle business from PEXCO, the Group took a next step into the
2-wheel electromobility segment. E-bicycle activities will continue to be promoted under the brands Husqvarna e-bicycles and R Raymon in order to participate in the growth of the e-bicycle segment and to become a major international player there.
"Thanks to our innovative strength, we see ourselves as the technology leader in the two-wheeler sector in Europe, and the partnership with Bajaj, India's second largest motorcycle manufacturer, strengthens competitiveness in global markets." 

The 2021 KTM 300 EXC TPI (Transfer Port Injection) 2 stroke - one of eight 2021 EXC 2 and 4 stroke models and special editions that sees the range from 150 right up to 500 cc.

The equally ambitious Bajaj will soon be starting to sell small and mid-displacement Triumph models in India and worldwide through Triumph and Bajaj outlets as the TVS acquisition of Norton, and Mahindra Mahindra's 100% ownership of the BSA and Jawa brands (and Peugeot Motorcycles in France), point to an Indian manufacturer scramble to keep up with the pace being set by Eicher Motors on the global stage with their new, all conquering Royal Enfield 650 cc parallel twins.

Italian motorcycle registrations

Italy - July 2020 motorcycle registrations +31.14%

After being -95.85% in April with just 526 new motorcycles registered in Europe's largest market, and "only" being down by -11.35% in May (11,150 units) and the spectacularly up in June (+54.99%, 16,861 units), the latest new motorcycle registrations data (for July) available from ANCMA, the motorcycle industry trade association in Italy (the owner of EICMA), continues to make good reading.

July motorcycle registrations in Italy were +31.14% with 15,099 new motorcycles registered, putting the Italian market at a way better position than expected with a total of "only" -15.35% (63,165 units) for the first seven months of the year.
Italy is an important scooter and moped market, so total PTW registrations (of all displacements and styles) are a telling sign of underlying market activity and they were +24.50% for July (36,821 units) and are running at -14.66% YTD at 143,775 units. Scooters were 80,610 units YTD (-14.12%).
The top selling motorcycles in Italy YTD have been the BMW R 1250 GS (Enduro, 2,440 units YTD), followed by the Benelli TRK 502/502X (2,196 units YTD), Honda Africa Twin (2,147 units), Yamaha Tracer 900 (Tourer, 1,705 units) and the Honda NC 750 X (1,629 units).
For the record, in 2019 the Italian market was again Europe's largest at +6.26% in motorcycle registration terms (98,883 units) and +5.65% in total PTW terms at 231,937 units.

Motorcycle Industry Council

Industry unites to prevent 100% tariffs

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC, Irvine, California) has collaborated with its member companies, their staff and dealers, and Brussels based ACEM, to successfully coordinate lobby action against motorcycles, parts and accessories being included in the most recent round of tariffs being imposed on EU made products by the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Some 100 comments referencing motorcycles were received by the USTR during its consultation period, urging against tariffs of up to 100 percent on all 500-700 cc motorcycles and scooters, as well as all parts and accessories from the EU and the United Kingdom.
"We're incredibly pleased that European motorcycles, parts and accessories have been removed from the most recent round of EU tariffs in relation to the Airbus situation," said John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America Inc., and MIC board member. "We are extremely thankful that the U.S. Trade Representative heard our concerns and recognised the unintended and potentially devastating impacts that tariffs could have on our industry.
"This would not have been possible without the support of the MIC and its members, the efforts of Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Congressman Tim Walberg, Congressman Ken Calvert, Congressman Jim Jordan, our dealers and our employees, and the support of all our industry partners. Thank you to all who wrote letters, made phone calls, and let Washington, D.C., know the value of our industry and our businesses here in the United States."
It was an international effort as well, with written comments supplied by Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, the motorcycle industry trade association in Europe.
"This was the third time the USTR made this proposal, and the third time the industry was able to prevail with combined support," said Erik Pritchard, MIC President and CEO. "The MIC's Government Relations Office will continue to monitor the situation, hoping that the USTR does not propose these tariffs a fourth time."
www.MIC.org

Dorna Sports

Portimão to host 2020 MotoGP season finale

The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports have confirmed the rumours that the fifteenth and final Grand Prix of the much altered 2020 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar will be at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal, on the weekend of 20th to 22nd of November as a season finale.
The reserve track for MotoGP since 2017, at long last the spectacular and demanding circuit will now make its debut on the calendar. 

Its elevation changes and undulating layout have earned it a reputation as a high-speed rollercoaster – a thrill ride for fans and competitors alike. The track will now welcome MotoGP back to Portugal for the first time since 2012, and the event will see Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) racing on home turf in the premier class for the first time.
FIM President Jorge Viegas: "I am very proud that MotoGP will return to my country eight years after the last Grand Prix, which took place at the Circuito do Estoril in May 2012. I would like to warmly thank Dorna, the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and the Motorcycling Federation of Portugal for having managed to meet the necessary conditions for the organisation of the finale of the 2020 FIM Grand Prix World Championship to take place in Portugal."
Autodromo Internacional do Algarve CEO Paulo Pinheiro: "It is a great achievement for our team to finally have MotoGP at our racetrack! MotoGP is the pinnacle of two-wheeled motorsport, and we are so excited to have it.

“It has been a long process with Dorna, we had an agreement in place since 2017, and finally all the hard work paid off. On top of this to have Miguel Oliveira on the MotoGP grid, being able to fight for the podium, will be an amazing add-on for this race, and hopefully the championship will be decided here.
"We are working to have the fans in our race, and we will start with a capacity of 30,000 fans for the race weekend, and then we will decide with Dorna and the sanitary authorities the following stages. We can’t express how happy we are to have this race."
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta: "It’s big news for us, we signed an agreement in 2017 with Portimão to be the reserve circuit for any kinds of cancellations, and we’ve been in contact with them all this time. We’ve been to Portimão with World Superbikes, and we think it’s an amazing possibility for us, and also in the agreement is that the track will be resurfaced after the Superbike round.
"Portugal has a long history in our sport and there have been some historic battles in Estoril. It’s something very good for us to have the possibility to go back to Portugal, especially with Miguel Oliveira participating, as it’s great to have a Portuguese rider able to compete in his own country. We are extremely happy to be racing in Portimão at the end of the year."

MV Agusta

MV Agusta in new industrial partnership with Akrapovic

MV Agusta has entered into an industrial partnership with Slovenian manufacturer Akrapovic for the supply of exhausts exclusively designed and produced for specific MV Agusta models.
Founded by racing champion Igor Akrapovic, the company is "a pioneer in the innovative use of titanium and super-alloys and is at the forefront of carbon fibre components construction".

"Sound is part of the MV Agusta experience. It's a key element to its style and we pay a lot of attention to it," said Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.
"Our 3 and 4-cylinder models have unique personalities and we've always worked towards matching them with hair-raising sound. But this partnership goes well beyond the look and sound, it is really about leading-edge technology, performance and uncompromising quality."

"Akrapovic is extremely excited about this latest chapter in its motorcycle history," said Uroš Rosa, CEO Akrapovic d.d. "To enter into a new partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the industry, and one that shares a similar ethos and DNA to our own, is another big step for our company.
"Akrapovic will create innovative products for the beautiful MV Agusta models that are coming soon, with designs that have never been seen before. With high-tech, race-proven materials such as titanium and carbon fibre, we will create systems that will enhance the 'Motorcycle Art' that MV Agusta prides itself on, and our engineers will produce a unique sound for the range."

Piaggio Group

Limited Edition Vespa 946 Christian Dior

Named for the year in which both Vespa and the Dior fashion brands were formed (1946), the Vespa 946 is a " collaboration that reinvents this spirit of freedom, movement and expression that drives both the brands - Odyssey(s), style, dreams and Dolce Vita".
"Out of this passionate dialogue, the Vespa 946 Christian Dior scooter comes to life, its monohull architecture and subtle graphic lines paying tribute to the heritage of the two houses. A symbol of refinement, this object of desire reflects their shared commitment to the excellence of savoir-faire and virtuoso art of detail."

An update of the Vespa 946 that was first seen at Milan in 2012, the new model was designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of Dior's women's collections. "The scooter is made in Italy, adhering to the exacting standards, commitment and precision of a couture atelier".
These limited edition creations will launch in spring 2021 in Dior boutiques around the world and subsequently in a selection of Piaggio Group's Motoplex stores. The accessories, including the helmet and top case, will be available exclusively in Dior boutiques.
In the 74 years since the first Vespa scooter, over 18 million Vespa badged scooters have been made, and the 2013 946 took its inspiration from the Vespa prototype MP6 produced in 1946, but updated with the 125 cc 4-stroke, 3-valve, air cooled, emissions compliant EFI single.

FullSix

A world first - one-piece carbon fibre fuel tank

Earlier this year IDN featured a stunning high strength, light weight full carbon S 1000 RR bolt-on monocoque subframe and tail section introduced at EICMA in 2019 by Slovenian specialist manufacturer FullSix.

One of the motorcycle industry's leading carbon fibre component manufacturers, FullSix offers everything from levers, winglets and fuel tanks to complete fairing kits, exhaust heat shields, belly pans and calliper cooler sets.
FullSix carbon fibre monocoque tail sections are structural components used in professional racing to reduce weight. A replacement for stock aluminium subframes, FullSix monocoque tail sections utilise its proprietary Autoclave Composite Monocoque (ACM) technology to achieve a 75% weight reduction (it weighs just 1.8 kg/3.9 lbs).
FullSix says it is the only carbon producer that delivers a complete transformation from OEM to full carbon and its ACM technology is at the heart of its success. One-piece fuel tanks have been the 'holy grail' for carbon manufacturers, the race teams they supply and those looking for the ultimate weight saving advantage on the street.

The FullSix monocoque fuel tank weighs in at just 1.8 kg, 75% less than the stock tank.

Despite claims that it was impossible, FullSix is now able to offer what they say is the world's first ever one-piece carbon fuel tank, having successfully utilised its "innovative ACM technology in manufacturing a flawless hollow carbon fibre part," says International Sales Manager Bojan Justin.
"We have developed a tank that solves the problems that plagued carbon tanks in the past - meaning they were only bought by the bravest of motorcyclists and race teams. Today they can forget about the difficulties associated with tanks made of two carbon parts - there is no longer any need to be concerned about leaking seams, which is what potentially made carbon fibre fuel tanks the most dangerous part of a motorcycle.
"Our ground-breaking ACM technology represents a completely new approach to carbon technology and production, a major step forward that allows hollow pieces to be manufactured without joints and adhesives."

Frame set cover

FullSix is the inventor of Autoclave Composite Monocoque (ACM) technology and is the only company in the world that is able to produce a high decorative finish, complex-shaped, closed-body monocoque out of a single carbon fibre-based unit (e.g. a one-piece fuel tank for motorcycles). 

Monocoque subframe

"This technology is directly applicable for fabrication of various one-step closed-body monocoques, where no cutting, trimming and bonding is required. In contrast to conventional bonding, ACM technology provides monocoques with supreme mechanical strength, chemical resistance and a flawless finish."

Belly pan

FullSix components are available in a variety of weaves and finishes. Carbon fibre fabrics may be manufactured using a plain weave, which features a uniform, grid-like pattern or a twill weave which features a diagonal pattern. Each weave offers a unique look that can only be achieved with carbon fibre. Ducati and MV Agusta parts originally feature a 200 plain weave, while BMW, Yamaha and Aprilia utilise a 245 twill weave.
"All FullSix parts utilise 'pre-preg' carbon fibre - carbon fibre which has been pre-impregnated with resin and stored at sub-zero temperatures. Parts made with 'pre-preg' have more even resin distribution than hand-layering, and this increases strength and durability and eliminates the problem of pinholes in the finish."
www.fullsixcarbon.com

Artein

Artein gaskets for SH300/Forza 300IE

Founded in 1958, Girona, north eastern Spain based gasket, seal and air cleaner specialist Artein is a major European manufacturer, noted for its advanced technology, precision manufacturing and performance materials research and development.
Seen here, the company's gasket sets for Honda SH300 2007-2014 and Forza 300IE 2013-2015 models are available as single replacement gaskets, top end service sets or complete replacement sets.
Artein is one of Europe's top gasket manufacturers, supplying motorcycle manufacturers and the aftermarket, as well as motorsport and industrial sectors; it supplies dealers and the importer/distributors they buy from with gaskets for a wide range of motocross, enduro and scooter models.

ARTEIN GASKETS
www.arteingaskets.com

Comment by Editor, Robin Bradley

Yes - but is it sustainable?

Now, like any generalisation, it is just exactly that - an averaging of a lot of different reports and perspectives, from a lot of different markets, both in geographic and sector terms.
However, the overwhelming number of businesses I have spoken with over the two months since we published the last edition of IDN are reporting that they are doing well!
I have also spoken with some who aren't, and some who are hearing the reports from elsewhere in the market, but wondering when their share of the counter-intuitive bonanza is going to come their way, but overall (on both sides of the Atlantic), most vendors and distributors are busy, and many, if not quite most motorcycle shops, are also doing well.
They are certainly doing better than anybody thought would be the case when asked back in March.
From manufacturers (BMW and KTM in particular), through to the market's importers and distributors to multi-line and aftermarket independents, from hard parts, performance items to gear and apparel, some of the reports I have been hearing are breathtaking.
Depending on their brand, some of the single-line dealerships are not doing as well as others, and there is no question that there is a premium of Urban Mobility - from Pedelecs, eScooters and eBikes to inexpensive small displacement imports, Enduro machines and ADV models, especially the increasing number of smaller cc offerings such as the Ténéré 700.



the next IDN edition is a "No Show" Special
 
The fear of contagion on overcrowded public transport systems and the nightmare that is downtown parking are driving commuters (especially) to embrace PTWs of all kinds for environmental, cost, and convenience reasons, as well as pandemic motives.
Long may it continue - but will it? Is this 'bubble' sustainable? Or is a so-called second wave, or the realisation that we never actually really came out of the first one, going to make this an entirely time-limited phenomena?
Maybe those who are pointing to decisive, epochal strategic and structural changes of how we live and work, how we balance the two, where we work, how we work and how we invest in family and leisure time are onto something.
That there is fundamental social change in play? Actually, as I observe the world and weigh these times against humanity's past, I'd say such prognostications are overly optimistic at best, and in all likelihood downright wrong.
The fundamentals of human nature have never changed, and they never will - indeed, we don't want them to. The very evolution of the species and development of the so-called 'civil' society we are all a part of in the 21st century depended on those fundamentals to get where we are, and we will continue to depend on them as future generations continue the generally fruitless task of trying to square circles.
Whilst everything changes, nothing changes - and we need that too!
The threats that the orthodox motorcycle industry faces were there before the coronavirus escaped a Wuhan meat market, or wherever and however it did get its passport, and those threats (are they really opportunities?) aren't going to be changed by how we succeed or fail in response to a public health emergency.
Personally, I think that the motorcycle market is in for a 'Covid Legacy' - and (mostly) a good one.
Even if the present frenzy for new and used motorcycles and powersports vehicles of all kinds is a short-lived boom, even if it does run out of steam and the pent up and latent demand is satisfied, there are plenty of signals to suggest that a lot of people will sustain their new found 'Two Wheels Good' mantra into the medium and long-term.
And do so in sufficient numbers for us to not only make back the lost 2020 sales but, on a two to three year timescale, see ourselves (at worst) level with where the growth since 2016 suggests we should be by then. Indeed, it could well be that we are not just ahead of the better than initially anticipated result we got in 2019, not just better than the excellent market response to PTWs we saw in January and February this year.
In fact there is every chance that some 36 months from now we could find ourselves decisively ahead of where we might otherwise have been, and the exposure to the environment and health friendly virtues of (especially) urban riding may well give us a decade to remember.
At the very least it could and should put us in a way better position to transition the bans on internal combustion engines that will start biting towards the end of the decade.
For me, two of the key signals are that the spending is primarily on new (and pre-owned) bikes, and on service items. The sales of 'units' suggest that there will be miles being ridden. Anything that is good for the 'Bike Park' is good for all of us. The servicing being done also speaks to commuting miles, rather than leisure riding.
In most recessions, downturns, depressions, melt downs (use your word of choice), money is so short that people can't buy. The kind of sums of 'helicopter' money that governments have been sprinkling around their markets may sound impressive, but they are not. In fact, in the EU, and in Eurozone markets in particular, relative to the gravity of economic damage that will emerge in 2021, the kind of sums of money that EU member states have been haggling over have been embarrassingly, pitifully small. There will be casualties, and there is a tsunami of unemployment headed our way.
However, if a reasonable proportion of commuter, have-to-get-to-work spend heads our way, then maybe the PTW industry will emerge as winner. Maybe the arguments for a future in which PTWs really are acknowledged, accepted, promoted and imbedded as part of the solution are finally about to mature into balance sheet drivers.

News Briefs

In the absence of the 2020 INTERMOT and EICMA shows, IDN will publish the first of a winter and spring 2021 sequence of 64-page "No Show Specials" as the October/November edition - usually our INTERMOT and EICMA preview. The mission is to showcase the vendor company and product news that will otherwise be left to dwell in the shadows! Deadline will be September 14.

The January 2021 edition of MC Mässan, the annual powersports industry expo in Sweden, has been cancelled. Slated for Gothenburg (the show alternates between there and Stockholm), Swedish authorities have not yet indicated any likelihood that the present restrictions on large indoor events will be lifted in time for the show to go ahead. Instead the organisers are working on a tentative plan for the show to move outdoors in the spring - possibly in May 2021. The Start2Ride event planned for 19-20 September in Eskilstuna this year is also cancelled.

Documents leaked from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the USA appear to suggest that Ducati is working on a 1,260 cc 157 hp Lamborghini edition Diavel. A Multistrada Enduro 1260 Grand Tour and a Scrambler 1100 Pro Dark may also be in the pipeline.

 

Discredited former Norton Motorcycles CEO Stuart Garner has been ordered to repay some GBP £14m (€ 15.5m) of pension fund money he is alleged to have embezzled from the business. Norton went into liquidation in January and has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Indian conglomerate TVS. However, Garner insists that the insolvency administrator has access to Norton assets, including cash, property and land, worth considerably more than that. It is a mess - with dealers and customers also said to have lost hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of euro.

Polaris had a much better Q2 and 2020 first half year than it had expected with overall sales revenue down by 'just' -15% at $1.512m with, counter-intuitively, North American retail sales +57%. Motorcycle sales (Indian and Slingshot) were down by -28%, but North American consumer retail sales of Indian motorcycles increased mid-teens percent in a weak domestic U.S. mid to heavyweight motorcycle sector. Polaris off-road vehicle and snowmobile sales were -9% at $953m.

Triumph’s new Trekker GT is an e-bike with components from Shimano and RockShox, based around the Shimano e-drive. It is the first e-cycle in the 118-year history of the Triumph brand and was designed in the UK by Triumph’s in-house styling team - "the elegant frame combined with the narrow-width handlebars and the ultra-comfort of the Selle Royal Vivo saddle provides the rider with optimal ergonomics and great rider control".


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

RST

Integrated airbags - the future of protection?
 

British riding apparel specialist RST integrates CE back protectors into its garments whenever possible, and says that it was the first British brand (and one of the first anywhere) to have its entire range tested and CE certified to PREN17092. 
  

Jonny Towers, RST founder

The next step for RST is to introduce a range of garments offering enhanced rider protection. The solution - using airbag technology to "take safety to the next level".
RST is collaborating with In&motion, the French company that has been one of the pioneers in engineering wearable airbag systems. "Just as armour is integrated into garments, we believe the best way to improve rider safety further is to fully integrate In&motion’s airbag technology into RST garments," says RST founder Jonny Towers.

V4.1 airbag one piece suit

"Knowledge gained through countless hours of product development enables us to keep safety at the heart of our product innovation. We started development with the V4.1 airbag race suit, born on the world's ultimate race track – the Isle of Man TT mountain course - with countless miles ridden by legends such as Ian Hutchinson and Conor Cummins enabling us to verify that the design met the stringent requirements set by the RST development team, the IOM Safety Committee and riders of this calibre.
"We then let our international riding team of pilots, including Kenny Foray (MotoE), Alex Lowes (WSBK) and myself (as British Super Twins champion) verify the V4.1 on racetracks around the world before it was finally signed off to be made available in the 2020 RST collection.
"Alongside the development of the V4.1, everything we learned about integrating In&motion’s technology quickly filtered down into the jacket development programme, and we were able to select RST’s premium jacket in each key category."
The RST airbag range therefore consists of four garments - the Race Department's V4.1 airbag leather one piece suit, the Pro Series Adventure-X airbag textile jacket, the GT airbag leather jacket and the GT airbag textile jacket.

The RST garments are fitted with an In&motion airbag technology system which has been subjected to over 500 crashes since its launch, with its performance meticulously analysed based on three key criteria - DETECT (the rider’s movements are recorded 1,000 times per second to detect a fall), PROTECT (the integrated airbag system airbag inflates in less than 60 milliseconds) and PERFECT (the In&motion App connects to the airbag (In&box) and acts as a dashboard which continuously collects rider data to improve and perfect its algorithms to detect a fall). The airbag technology is available via a membership package.

Adventure-X airbag textile jacket

"Our collection of fully integrated airbag garments combines comfort and discretion to offer enhanced rider protection," says Towers.
"The garments themselves are constructed using the highest quality fabrics and armour. Underpinning all this is the uncompromising focus on comfort - up to 40 changes have been made to existing products to incorporate the airbag technology without impacting comfort levels, offering a superb, tailored fit."

GT airbag leather jacket

"Because the In&motion airbag system is integrated into the garment, the rider can just pick up their garment and In&box and go, without worrying about any additional protection they will require whilst riding - it is quite simply an all-in-one solution."
The In&box is wireless, which means no cables or sensors are required on the bike. Additionally, one box can be used on multiple airbag jackets that use the same In&motion brand technology, offering multiple riding opportunities.
Embedded road or track algorithms in the smart In&box system analyse the biker's moves and trigger activation of the vest - it is powered by a battery which lasts for 25 hours with 15 days auto standby.
The RST airbag garments feature a range of abrasion resistant materials - the whole garment, armour and airbag is fully CE certified and comes with an In&motion CE certified back protector. This is further supported by the airbag technology which protects the thorax, abdomen, spine, neck and collarbone, "offering superior levels of all-round protection".

It is reusable, which means after inflation deployment, the gas inflator can be changed by the rider up to three times.
The RST brand is owned by Belgium based, leading European distributor, Bihr. The acquisition of UK distributor MotoDirect, along with its RST and Wolf brands, was announced at EICMA last year. The RST range is exclusively distributed by Bihr in continental Europe.
www.bihr.eu
www.rst-moto.com

ACEM

Registrations, ACEM statistics for first six months of 2020

ACEM, the Brussels based international motorcycle industry trade association's co-ordinated new motorcycle registration statistics for the first half of the year show the market behind 2019, but demonstrating a greater resilience and recovery than most would have anticipated.


Between January and June 2020, motorcycle registrations in the five largest European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, i.e. about 80% of the EU + UK motorcycle market) reached 413,200 units - a decrease of -17% in comparison to the first six months of 2019.

"The current registration trends in the motorcycle segment, however, can be considered a relative improvement in comparison to the first four months of the year," said Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General. "Indeed, during that period motorcycle registrations in the main European markets had fallen on average by -32.7% as a result of the paralysis of commercial activity that followed the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus."
In moped terms, registrations during the first six months of 2020 in the largest European markets (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) reached a total of 110,600 units. This represents a decrease of -6.9% in comparison to the same period of 2019.
Perlot went on to say "motorcycle and moped registration volumes remain considerably below 2019 levels due to the impact of Spring lockdown measures. The partial rebounding of the market since the restart of activities shows that consumers consider our vehicles as excellent mobility and leisure options in the current context.
"Nevertheless, it is still early to draw any meaningful conclusions about the short-term evolution of the market and operations within the sector, especially given the unforeseeable evolution of COVID-19. The second half of the year will be crucial - the fact remains that a large number of dealers across Europe, in particular in most hit markets, still experience considerable financial pressure.
"They also face the challenge of handling excess inventory of Euro 4 models which, should there be no decisive action from the EU institutions, will become unsellable due to regulatory changes.
"This is why the motorcycle industry in Europe renews its call on policy-makers to support OEMs, dealerships and suppliers in these difficult times through an extension of the deadline to sell Euro 4 vehicles, and targeted financial measures at national level."

Suzuki

Suzuki 2020 - 2021 Q1 results - "There ain't no sunshine!"

Suzuki reports a -53.1% drop in corporate consolidated net sales revenue (to 425.2bn yen) for the first quarter of its new financial year (the period from April to June 2020). Operating income was -97.9% and net income -95.6%.

In its global motorcycle business, net sales decreased by 46.8% (30.7bn yen to 34.9bn yen) with an operating loss of 3.0bn yen.

The company says it produced 189,000 powersports vehicles in total in its first quarter (3,000 of them were ATVs), which was -56% down, with no production recorded at all for the United States, 6,000 units in Japan and 170,000 in Asia.
In sales terms, Suzuki is reporting 261,000 units sold worldwide in the first quarter in total (-39.8%), 8,000 of them were ATVs; with 10,000 units sold in Europe (-32.8% year on year, down from 15,000 units for the year-ago quarter), no sales in North America, 13,000 units sold in Japan (-10.1%) and 170,000 units sold in Asia (-56.7%).
Suzuki's motorcycle business in Europe in the first quarter is reported as having been worth 7.2bn yen in consolidated net sales (down from 11.9bn yen for the year ago quarter).