Energica MY2021 models are now equipped with the CHAdeMO charging system option, and is therefore the first electric motorcycle manufacturer to adhere to both the major international protocols on charging systems currently in use on the global market - CCS and CHAdeMO. The company has developed a new control unit to manage the dialogue between the vehicle and the CHAdeMO charging station. This system manages the exchange of information to initialise and stop the charge and manage all the CHAdeMO protocol needs.
Some 230 or more classic motorcycles (mostly rare or very rare) have been destroyed in a fire that reduced the world's highest motorcycle museum to ashes. Located more than 8,000 ft (2,000 m) high in the Austrian/Italian Alps, Austria's 'Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum' at the crosspoint where Austria and Italy meet high in the Timmelsjoch Pass - a popular riding route with motorcyclists. The museum was founded in 2016 by twin brothers Alban and Attila Scheiber as a way to show off their personal collection of mostly European marques, and in 2020 it hosted a well-received exhibition of important and rare Indian motorcycle examples.
Battery electric vehicles took 54% of total new car sales in Norway in 2020 - making it the first country in the world in which EVs have outsold ICE units in a year, and putting the nation well on track to meet its previously announced objective of eliminating all new combustion engine vehicle sales by 2025 and becoming a zero emissions nation by 2050.
Fantic Motor and Yamaha Motor Europe have concluded discussions for the closing of the deal for Fantic Motor to buy 100% of the shares in Motori Minarelli from YME. The consultation process included the European Works Council of YME and the Local Works Council of MM in order to "safeguard the current employment levels". Yamaha says the deal will strengthen "the existing YME and Fantic Motor synergy to move the collaboration between the two companies to the next level in the fields of motorcycle and e-mobility".
Korean rider communications manufacturer SENA is forming a strategic alliance in 2021 with Italian company Interphone, who will use SENA's proprietary Bluetooth and Mesh 2.0 technologies - meaning its kit will be able to communicate with SENA's own Mesh 2.0 models.
Royal Enfield continues to extend its global footprint and is now "taking it to the Man" with the opening of its latest standalone flagship store - in Tokyo. Its local distributor PCI Co. Ltd. will introduce five models into a Japanese market in which there are emerging signs of growth ahead for low-cost lightweights - the Bullet 500, Classic 500, Himalayan and the Continental GT and Interceptor 650 twins.
As British Superbikes (BSB) prepares for its 25th season, Bennetts, the UK motorcycle insurer, is returning as the title sponsor for two further years (2021-2022), having agreed a new deal with series promoter MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR).
In December the Italian government is reported to have approved legislation which, if enforced, could see a "significant tax deduction for those purchasing EU-certified airbag protective clothing" - a vest or jacket. Subject to final approval, under the regulation Italian motorcyclists could be refunded anywhere between 20% and up to 50% of the cost of EU-certified airbag protective motorcycle clothing, up to a limit of € 250,00.
Created by Macau entrepreneur Faye Ho, Motul has announced a partnership with the three-rider, BMW supported FHO Racing team for the 2021 BSB Championship and international road races. The team will be on the 2021 BMW M 1000 RR and has been formed from the foundations of the successful Smiths Racing operation - riders will be Peter Hickman, Xavi Fores and Alex Olsen.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com
