Bosch

Bosch backs a hydrogen economy
By Ben Purvis

While there's a heavy focus on battery-powered mobility from governments and many car and bike companies, one of the most important players in the industry has thrown its weight behind hydrogen as a clean fuel of the future.

Bosch fuel cell stack

Bosch might not make motorcycles or cars of its own, but the global automotive giant supplies a vast number of components to the world's manufacturers, so its decision to back hydrogen isn't to be taken lightly. It joins the likes of Toyota, Yamaha and Kawasaki in putting faith in hydrogen, whether to be used in fuel cells to generate electricity or for a future generation of ultra-clean combustion engines.

Hydrogen compressor

"On the path to a climate-neutral future, we have to make it possible for energy-intensive industries to shift to renewables. Hydrogen will be a key element in security of supply," says Rolf Najork, the Bosch management board member responsible for industrial technology and the company's manufacturing technology chief. "We are getting hydrogen-based technologies out of the laboratory and into industrial practice - onto the roads and into factories."

'4,000 filling stations globally by 2030'

Bosch's flagship 'Industry 4.0' lead plant in Homburg, Germany, already demonstrates how hydrogen can be used in factories, with its own renewable electricity powered electrolyser to extract hydrogen from water. It's then used for fuel cell vehicle refuelling and for stationary fuel cells, with energy released as and when it's needed.
"We are continuously improving our carbon footprint. As our Industry 4.0 lead plant, Homburg plays a pioneering role in our global manufacturing network. We are systematically reducing our local energy consumption and generating as much of that energy as possible from renewables. We have to tweak both these variables," Najork says.

Rolf Najork, Bosch Manufacturing Technology Chief: "We are getting hydrogen-based technologies out of the laboratory and into industrial practice - onto the roads and into factories."

 
Bosch has also formed a partnership with Maximator Hydrogen for technology to be used in compressing hydrogen, storage tanks and pipelines, also due to be trialled at Homburg. By 2030 the companies hope to use the same technology in 4,000 hydrogen filling stations worldwide, accounting for one in three such stations globally.
"Industry is paving the way to a climate-neutral future," said Najork. "Bosch industrial technology will deliver key components for the cross-sectoral, ecological transformation of the economy and society."
 
'industry paving the way'

The intention is to create low-cost hydrogen filling stations, reducing the investment needed from their owners when it comes to the compressors used to fill vehicles' hydrogen tanks.
Bosch also intends to invest up to € 500m into volume production of electrolyser components, bringing down the cost of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The move follows a focus from Toyota on hydrogen, both in fuel cells and combustion engines, where the car giant has employed Yamaha to create a hydrogen-powered V8 racing engine to demonstrate its potential. Yamaha is also working with Kawasaki on hydrogen-powered motorcycle engines, with the Kawasaki H2 supercharged four-cylinder providing an initial platform.
Supercharging or turbocharging is essential for hydrogen combustion engines, as is direct injection into the cylinders, and Kawasaki is working on both elements. Kawasaki's aim for a hydrogen infrastructure means the company recently gained approval to build a massive hydrogen-carrying ship, able to hold 160,000 m3 of liquefied hydrogen. The company is already Japan's leading hydrogen supplier, and this year inked a deal with Airbus to work on a hydrogen-fuelled ecosystem.

Benelli

Benelli TRK702 details leaked

Made in China by Benelli's Qianjiang parent company, the Benelli TRK502 has been the best-selling motorcycle in Italy for the last two years despite its styling. Now a freshly styled successor is under development in the form of the TRK702 - seen for the first time in a new type-approval filing from China.

The TRK702 replaces the 502's clunky bodywork and awkward proportions with an elegant look that's closely related to the recently unveiled TRK800. Those new panels are bolted to a tubular steel chassis that's visually similar to the 502's trellis frame, but which holds a completely different engine. Instead of the 499 cc, 46 hp twin of the 502, there's a 693 cc parallel twin that's nearly identical to the engine used in the CFMoto 700CL-X.
With 75 hp, it matches the Benelli TRK800 on peak power, despite a 61 cc capacity deficit to the 754 cc engine used in the larger bike, and since the TRK702 is substantially lighter than the TRK800 - it's approved at 220 kg including fuel, while the TRK800 is 226 kg dry - it should have higher performance.
That places a question mark over the future of the TRK800, despite the fact it was only unveiled last year, as does the fact that Benelli's parent company recently filed patents and approval documents for a KTM-inspired 799 cc engine. It has 95 hp available so is probably destined for a future Benelli TRK800 replacement.
The approval documents for the new 702 show four derivatives of the bike. Two are road-biased, with 17" alloy wheels at both ends, one with luggage, one without. The other two are more adventure-styled, with wire wheels and a 19" front. Again, one is approved with luggage, the other without. All versions have Brembo radial brakes and ABS, while the luggage - a top box and side cases - adds 18 kg to the weight.
While the bike's styling is clearly related to the TRK800, the 702 gets useful additions including clear plastic wind deflectors either side of the headlights. It also might adopt the front and rear camera system that first appeared on the Benelli 1200GT in China - the raised centre of the headlight makes an opening beneath that would be the perfect spot to mount a camera.

Colove

Colove brings back the 400 cc four
By Ben Purvis

Even among the hordes of upstart Chinese bike brands, Colove is a relative newcomer. However, it's one that is showing a huge amount of ambition by demonstrating a new 400 cc four-cylinder engine that's destined for a baby sports bike in the near future.
Colove, which also uses 'Kove' branding and sells its bikes under the 'Excelle' name, presented the new four-cylinder at a press demonstration earlier this year - as well as showing design drawings for the machine that will use the engine. Not only was the engine shown, but it was started and revved on stage, with the company's president stating that it's an entirely in-house design. He even pledged that if anyone could prove it was a clone of another company's design, he'd personally eat the engine!

While 400 cc fours were commonplace in Japan in the 1980s and early 90s, the format has always been relatively expensive to build, and they've fallen from favour in recent years. A high-revving 400 cc four has as many components and needs to use the same high-tech materials as a superbike's 1000 cc four, so they aren't much less expensive to manufacture. Also, European emissions rules, with a focus on hydrocarbon emissions, don't favour high-revving engines - they require a lot of valve overlap to fill and empty the cylinders efficiently at high rpms, which in turn can allow unburnt fuel into the exhaust when they're not revving high.
Colove's engine, measuring 399 cc, has a wide 59 mm bore and short 36.5 mm stroke that lends it to high revs - the redline being set at 16,000 rpm. Peak power is claimed to be 72.4 hp at 13,500 rpm, with 32.4 lb-ft of torque arriving at 12,000 rpm. Unlike the old generation of Japanese 400 fours, it's fuel injected to help meet emissions limits.

The design sketches for the bike it will appear in, the 400RR, reveal it to be a trellis framed, full-faired sports machine with a hint of Ducati in its styling, which includes features such as a single-sided swingarm and side-mounted winglets as well as a large, central air intake to feed the screaming engine.
While only presented as a drawing so far, Colove says the bike will weigh less than 160 kg and hit a top speed north of 220 km/h (135 mph).
The development of a totally new four cylinder isn't the only challenge on the company's agenda, as it's also creating a whole range of 800 cc parallel twin models, all built around an engine that looks suspiciously like the KTM LC8c design that's built in China by rival CFMoto.

Loncin

Loncin launches electric-only sub-brand
By Ben Purvis

China's Loncin - parent to the growing Voge range that's offered throughout Europe – is adding an electric brand to its portfolio with the launch of Bicose.
Bicose (believed to be pronounced 'because'), is expected to have an official launch in June but pictures of its first model, the Real 5T, have already been released, showing a 100 km/h-plus maxi-scooter with a sophisticated look and some intriguing tech touches.

Although details are few in terms of tech, the bike has a steel underbone frame design and fairly conventional suspension, with its powertrain and transmission mounted on the swingarm like most petrol-powered scooters. However, on-board there's a massive touch-screen display that looks very much like a laptop computer - it even seems to have a hinge to allow the screen to be folded down into a recess in the bars, potentially as a security measure when the bike is parked.

Although the dash is a touchscreen, the main functions are also operated via backlit, bar-mounted control blocks. The dash display image released by Loncin shows a large '12kW' readout on the left, perhaps suggesting that a 12 kW motor is fitted to the bike, with the left-hand display showing its real-time output (replacing the rev counter that you might expect on a petrol-powered bike). On the right there's a digital speed display, and icons in the top corner appear to indicate Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile connectivity.

Weisenke

Weisenke 800 cc four-cylinder revealed
By Ben Purvis

China's bike industry is accelerating at breakneck speed at the moment with hordes of little-known brands launching surprisingly ambitious and increasingly large-capacity models.
The latest is Weisenke - which has patented designs for a new 800 cc four-cylinder machine under the 'Viselike' brand name. The bike itself is clearly a close copy of Honda's CB650R, but with a larger engine than its Japanese inspiration.

The engine itself first appeared in patents two years ago, before being shown in the metal last year. It's a 796 cc four that obviously owes a lot to the Honda CB650's motor in terms of its layout and general design, but has been substantially reworked to offer more capacity and performance. Power is rated at 86 kW (115 hp), compared 70 kW (94 hp) for the smaller Honda engine, and is reached at 11,500 rpm. Peak torque is 93 Nm (69 lb-ft) at 9,500 rpm.
Called the VESK800, the new bike that the engine is destined for uses a frame that's shaped almost exactly like the CB650R's as well as a near-identical swingarm, while the exhaust also blatantly copies the Honda's design, with four parallel pipes slanting from the engine in tribute to the original CB400's system, before merging into a single, under-engine collector.
The styling is again a close copy of the Honda's, with a neo-retro look from a circular headlamp and almost identical proportions to the Japanese bike that it copies.
Given the ambition of the Viselike 800 cc engine, and its relatively high performance, it's a shame to see that the bike it is intended for is such an unimaginative clone of an existing design, particularly given that rival upstart companies from China (notably Benda) have recently unveiled much more distinctive-looking bikes in the same category.

TecMate

Portable battery tester-monitors

TecMate has adapted its portable OptiMate battery monitors to display the charge level for any battery - including lithium (LFP), sealed lead-acid (AGM) and standard 'wet cell' lead-acid (STD).
At a glance the rider or dealer will learn if the vehicle's battery has sufficient charge to start the engine or if it needs to be charged first. 

Portable range

O-126

O-125

O-126

 

Connecting the tester-monitor is easy - the O-125 plugs directly into a fitted SAE battery lead and the O-126 has a dual size plug that adapts to a DIN (Ø12 mm) socket found on BMW Triumph and Ducati Multistrada, or the larger AUTO (Ø21 mm) socket found on most of the other motorcycle brands.  
Once connected, the resting voltage of that battery is measured to ensure that it is directly proportional to the State of Charge (SOC). If the LED adjacent to the battery type (STD, AGM & LFP) blinks, the battery's State of Charge is 50% or higher; 50% is sufficient to start and fire up an engine.
Once fired up, it now displays if the vehicle's system is delivering the right charge voltage to the battery, indicated by the green LFP LED turning full on. It also warns if that voltage is too high and might destroy the battery (especially if it is a LFP/lithium battery); all LEDs rapidly blink together if the voltage exceeds 14.6V.
Of course, if the red (warning triangle) LED is blinking, it's time to charge that battery! Both O-125 and O-126 have an SAE charge port; charging can continue through the monitor, and it will then display the rising charge voltage. 

Fixed range
 

O-127

O-124

 

For a more permanent solution there are smart battery leads with built-in monitors that can be fitted to the battery and used as a battery charger input when necessary. The O-124 is ideal for all 12V lead-acid batteries, including AGM, GEL and STD wet cell, and the O-127 is ideal for 12.8V LFP (LiFePO4) batteries.
These permanent smart battery leads make fitment to any powersport battery easy. OptiMate's unique dual size rings adjust from the default M6 (1/4") to the larger M8 (5/16"). Both the O-124 and O-127 come in a jar of 20, ideal for dealers that want to fit these smart leads to all vehicles at PDI.
OptiMate monitors are an easy and cost-effective way to instantly learn the state of a vehicle's battery.  A fitted battery monitor helps avoid battery damage - at a glance the rider will know if the battery is OK or when it's time to charge.

TECMATE
www.tecmate.com
optimate1.com/monitor

Vertex Pistons

Vertex Pistons riders dominate Czech MXGP

As at mid-July, and with six of the 19-race 2022 MXGP season to go, multi-titled performance piston specialist Vertex says it continues "to be the reference point in the Motocross World Championship", leading three MX classes with six rounds to go.

"At the end of the thrilling Grand Prix of the Czech Republic (held on the spectacular Loket track), Vertex Pistons monopolised the podium of the MXGP class, which saw Jeremy Seewer dominate riding the factory Yamaha in front of teammate Maxime Renaux and the Slovenian of Honda HRC Tim Gajser.
"That after having already shone in MX2 with Yamaha riders Kemea Jago Geerts and Thibault Benistant, first and second respectively.
"These and other results so far in 2022 have underlined yet again the degree of competitiveness and reliability that Vertex Pistons delivers, race after race. After this 13th round, Vertex riders are leading three of the World Championship classes: MXGP with Gajser, MX2 with Geerts and WMX with Dutch Nancy Van De Ven".
www.vertexpistons.com

Gaerne

G.RS racing boot

Italian boot specialist Gaerne's newest offering is the G.RS racing boot, suitable for track and street use.

The exclusive Gaerne floating system surrounds the ankle, while at the same time "flowing with your natural movement". The heel cup was designed for maximum strength and further features include a wide shin plate in PU and gear lever protection.
On the inside, the G.RS has a breathable lining and a shinbone area with special padding for extra comfort. There is also a side-entry system with an elastic zip panel and Velcro for a customised fit, a non-slip and oil-resistant sole as well as changeable toe sliders.

GAERNE SPA
www.gaerne.com

STM Trading

STM enters the Ducati accessory market

Internationally respected Italian Slipper Clutch and clutch component specialist STM Trading used EICMA in November 2021 as the platform from which to launch a diversification of the product range that its dealers have access to.

Quick release tank cap

The company is leveraging its design experience and precision-machining expertise to go into the highly competitive, high-performance sports bike accessory segment.
Initially for the Ducati 937 - STM is a Ducati Corse Technical Partner and offers clutches for most Ducati models, including the Monster - the 2022 973 cc Monster and Monster Plus are lightweight, at 166 kg dry, agile and sleek - "representing all the essence of Ducati in the lightest, most compact and essential form possible".

Clutch master plate

Described as the "sport naked par excellence", STM has designed an initial selection of lightweight, durable, high-strength accessories that include a quick release tank cap, a choice of clutch master plates, risers, water pump casing, sprocket cover, clutch slave cylinder, dashboard cover, licence plate holder and more.

Water pump casing

Founded in the late 1970s, and these days led by Valerio Gaffuri as CEO, STM has seen major manufacturing investments recently, and is forever closely linked with the Slipper Clutch (aka 'Back Torque Limiter') technology that first saw the light on Honda's ill-fated four-cylinder NR500.

Clutch slave cylinder

STM didn't enter the motorcycle industry until the mid-1990s, with Ducati scoring two world titles with STM's anti-slip clutch design. Its motorcycle business really took off in 2003 when STM took the critical step of applying its anti-skid technology to oil-immersed clutches for the first time.
Since then, the business footprint and precision-manufacturing reputation it has developed has made it 'brand' ripe for further development - these accessories being among the first such diversifications to come to market.

STM TRADING S.R.L.
www.stmitaly.com

Mitas

Mitas Rally mousse

Mitas has extended its mousse range with a new rally-specific version. Proven by Simon Marcic in the 2022 Dakar Rally, it features a durable, high speed-capable compound that is resistant to heat and sharp objects - "delivering superior performance on vertical technical sections".
 It is designed for use in combination with a range of Mitas Rally tyres, including E-12 RALLY STAR, E-13 RALLY STAR, C-21 STONEKING and C-17 STONEATER Dakar, and available in the 140/80-18 rear and 90/90-21 front sizes.

The Mitas mousse range also includes MX and Enduro products, available in several 18 to 21-inch sizes and in three different versions - from a standard for MX and cross-country to a soft version for Enduro and extreme for technical extreme enduro sections.
www.mitas-moto.com

European Commission

EU ban on new combustion cars and vans from 2035
By Ben Purvis

The European Union has reinforced its plans to end the sale of combustion-engined cars and vans by 2035 as part of a plan to reach carbon-neutrality by 2050.
The European Commission came up with the schedule last year, but has now reinforced it by dismissing a protest from member states including Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Italy to delay the cut-off date until 2040, giving more time for manufacturers and infrastructures to adapt.

Although the current version of the EU's 'Fit for 55' plan - which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990, and to hit carbon neutrality by 2050 - envisions an outright end to the sale of new cars with combustion engines, the door has also been left open for the adoption of other carbon-neutral fuelled engines and platforms, rather than pure electric power.

'stay of execution for bikes'
 

By 2035, the target is to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 100%, in other words to end all carbon dioxide emission from them. That means hydrogen-fuelled combustion engines, which emit water vapour (along with some oxides of nitrogen, preventing them from being classed as 'zero-emissions'), could qualify. In theory, so too could the use of 'synth gas' under appropriate circumstances (production, infrastructure, state of tune etc.).
The Commission has also set a date of 2026 for an assessment of the progress towards the 100% CO2 emissions reduction. While sceptical of the technology at the moment, the Commission will also revisit the idea of synthetic e-fuels - petrol replacements made using carbon capture technology, allowing conventional combustion engines to become net-zero in their carbon emission despite still emitting CO2 at the tailpipe - in 2026.
Several car makers, including Porsche, are backing the idea of e-fuels (as have Bosch and Volkswagen Audi at various stages), and recent tech developments have even seen the development of prototype 'fuel from air' manufacturing plants, using sunlight and CO2 scavenged from the air to create liquid carbon fuels.
 

'fuel from air'

 

Such systems could essentially make current vehicles carbon-neutral, as well as allowing the sale of combustion engined cars and vans after the 2035 cut-off date, and don't have the same mining and manufacturing impact on the environment that battery-powered electric cars impose.
However, to allow these e-fuel-using engines, the European Union will have to reword its proposed 2035 rules to remove the emphasis on 'tailpipe' emissions.
For motorcycles, there's still no official EU cut-off date for CO2 emissions. They contribute relatively little greenhouse emissions overall, and as such are less of a priority. In the UK, the Department for Transport's 'Decarbonising Transport' document, published last year, committed to consult on a phase-out date of 2035 or earlier for non-zero emissions powered two-wheelers.
However, an initial consultation earlier this year resulted in a government response, saying "due to the diversity of the sector and the different vehicle types that are covered by the 'L-category', this cannot be a 'one size fits all' approach. Different approaches will be needed for different types of vehicles."

Artein

XRADICAL gaskets for Beta RR/Racing 125/250

Described as offering "maximum engine protection", Spanish gasket manufacturer v's XRADICAL Super Gaskets range is growing with the addition of kits for 2018-2022 Beta RR and RR Racing models. The company offers gaskets and kits for every maintenance task and set-up - including complete gasket sets, top end sets, smart kits and individual spare gaskets.
Specifically designed to meet the unique demands and rigours of Off-Road and MX, XRADICAL top end kits include the essential gasket kit for cylinder set-ups - cylinder base and head, exhaust and valve, distribution chain tensioner gaskets and all the necessary replacement washers and O-rings.

Artein's SMART kit is a convenient, extended gasket kit for top end repair, which includes cylinder base, cylinder head, exhaust, exhaust valve, distribution chain tensioner, reed valve, clutch cover and friction disc cover.
"For the ultimate in workshop preparedness, the XRADICAL complete set is the indispensable gasket set for complete engine maintenance (including valve stem seals) and for those with a very specific requirement; all XRADICAL gaskets are also available individually".
All XRADICAL gaskets are properly packed with protective packaging that ensures protection and safe delivery. All two-stroke sets include "several thicknesses of cylinder base gasket - three or four depending on the kit - to ensure the dealer has the right option for a perfect and customised set-up".
Export Manager Esther Junca told IDN:"our cylinder base gaskets are always in Victor Reinz AFM34, except when the original is metallic. We use Victor Reinz AFM34 (in soft green) for low compressibility applications which require a very high precision, like the cylinder base. It is a top grade, internationally recognised material with 5-8% compressibility and 55% recovery with high temperature resistance (peaks of 400 degrees C)."

ARTEIN GASKETS
www.xradicalsupergaskets.com

Yamaha

XSR125 Legacy

Yamaha says its Sport Heritage model segment "goes from strength to strength", and the 2021 launched XSR125 saw the company close the circle with an entry level to the Yard Built programme derived, 'Faster Sons' philosophy imbued custom versatility of the popular XSR platform. Since its inception, the Yard Built project has seen the creation of more than 60 exclusive, one-off specials based on production Sport Heritage models, and Yamaha says that it will continue to invest in the Yard Built scene for 2022 and beyond - stating that "the company's mission can be summed up by the Japanese word 'Kando': That is to create deeply satisfying products that inspire the heart and spirit - and the new XSR125 Legacy is a perfect example of Kando in action."

QJMotor

QJMotor develops 700 cc twins
By Ben Purvis

China's Qianjiang has launched a stunning number of bikes over the last couple of years - largely using Benelli models as a template, but already with a range that outstrips that of its European sister company. Now it's adding an array of new machines around a 693 cc parallel twin engine that has yet to appear under the Benelli badge.
The first of these, a naked roadster called the Chase 700, was shown in China last year, but now there are plans for a horde of bikes from fully faired sports models to cruisers under development using the same engine.

The engine itself is all but identical to the 693 cc twin used in CFMoto's 700CL-X, itself derived from CFMoto's earlier Kawasaki-inspired 650 cc twin. However, QJMotor's version is manufactured by Qianjiang, a situation that's not unusual in the Chinese motorcycle industry, where multiple companies manufacturing near-identical engines is the norm. Spec-wise, it matches the CFMoto engine's 693 cc capacity, its 83 mm bore and its 64 mm stroke, and unsurprisingly achieves the same level of power at 56 kW.
The sports bikes with the engine will be called the 701 and 701R, where the 'R' inevitably indicates a higher specification. Both machines use the same tubular steel frame that's debuted in the Chase 700, but wrapped in modern-looking sports bodywork including the inevitable winglets that seem to be part of the uniform in the 2020s.
Photos of both versions have emerged in Chinese type-approval documents, and they're undeniably handsome, and will clearly be rivals to Yamaha's R7 - itself recently launched on the Chinese market and spearhead of a new generation of mid-sized parallel twin sports bikes.

Both versions of the bike have inverted forks, probably Marzocchi units since Qianjiang has recently signed a deal to take on manufacturing responsibilities for the Marzocchi brand, and already uses the parts in its other models. Nissin provides the brakes, which are, unusually in today's market, axially mounted rather than radial.
The 701R version is uprated with gold-coloured fork legs, suggesting higher-spec parts, and more notably with a single-sided swingarm in the place of the base version's dual-sided design. That single-sided arm adds to the bike's weight, though - the 701R is 198 kg wet, where the 701 is 193 kg.
It's clear that both bikes take Ducati inspiration when it comes to paintwork, with the 701 finished in glossy red and the 701R mimicking the 'Winter Test' paint of Ducati's Panigale V4 SP, with matt black paint, red stripes and a silver fuel tank.
As well as the sports bikes, QJMotor has revealed sketches of two new custom cruisers to be built around the same engine. Both adopt standard cruiser styling cues, with flowing fenders and a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, but while one model is a custom-style machine, with a small headlight cowl, pulled-back bars and no screen, the other is a bagger with hard side cases, a batwing fairing and repositioned pegs and bars. Both are due to be launched imminently.

CFMoto

CFMoto 450SR officially launched in China
By Ben Purvis

More power and less weight - it's a reliable formula for sports bike success and CFMoto is following it with the new 450SR, now officially unveiled in China.
We have known about the 450SR for a while and included the first leaked picture of the production model in our last issue, but the official details make for impressive reading. The bike, which was teased by last year's SR-C21 concept, features an entirely new, 450 cc twin-cylinder engine that uses a 270-degree crankshaft to mimic the firing interval of a 90-degree V-twin. CFMoto claims the engine is entirely self-developed, with 4500 hours of continuous dyno testing to prove its reliability.

With 37 kW (50.5 hp) at 9500 rpm and 39 Nm (28.8 lb-ft) of torque at 7600rpm, the engine is claimed to be more powerful than most 500 cc rivals - it certainly outguns the Honda CBR500R, although the bike's 35kW (47hp) is tailored to suit A2 licence restrictions in Europe.
Just as Honda's original FireBlade intended to combine 1,000 cc-class power with 750 cc-class weight, the CFMoto 450SR has the power of machines a capacity class above it with the weight of much smaller bikes, coming in at only 168 kg wet - that's 24 kg less than the CBR500R.
It's a promising combination, and the 450SR doesn't disappoint in chassis terms either, with 37 mm USD forks and a monoshock rear suspension, allied to Brembo brakes at both ends with ABS as standard. There's a colour TFT dash to continue the impression of a high-end machine, and all the lights are LED.
The styling was done in Europe by Modena 40, CFMoto's Italy-based design operation, and it's a resounding success, ticking all the sports bike boxes without being a slavish copy of larger superbike. There are even MotoGP-style winglets on the fairing sides and carbon-look panels on the fairing and tank. Iit is expected that CFMoto will launch a higher-spec 'SR-R' version of the machine with a single-sided swingarm to even more closely match the original SR-C21 concept bike.
Although an official European launch isn't expected until later this year, CFMoto has already filed for European trademark rights on the 450SR name and logo. There is little doubt that this machine will be offered in Europe in the near future.

Benelli

Benelli TRK702 details leaked

Made in China by Benelli's Qianjiang parent company, the Benelli TRK502 has been the best-selling motorcycle in Italy for the last two years despite its styling. Now a freshly styled successor is under development in the form of the TRK702 - seen for the first time in a new type-approval filing from China.

The TRK702 replaces the 502's clunky bodywork and awkward proportions with an elegant look that's closely related to the recently unveiled TRK800. Those new panels are bolted to a tubular steel chassis that's visually similar to the 502's trellis frame, but which holds a completely different engine. Instead of the 499 cc, 46 hp twin of the 502, there's a 693 cc parallel twin that's nearly identical to the engine used in the CFMoto 700CL-X.
With 75 hp, it matches the Benelli TRK800 on peak power, despite a 61 cc capacity deficit to the 754 cc engine used in the larger bike, and since the TRK702 is substantially lighter than the TRK800 - it's approved at 220 kg including fuel, while the TRK800 is 226 kg dry - it should have higher performance.
That places a question mark over the future of the TRK800, despite the fact it was only unveiled last year, as does the fact that Benelli's parent company recently filed patents and approval documents for a KTM-inspired 799 cc engine. It has 95 hp available so is probably destined for a future Benelli TRK800 replacement.
The approval documents for the new 702 show four derivatives of the bike. Two are road-biased, with 17" alloy wheels at both ends, one with luggage, one without. The other two are more adventure-styled, with wire wheels and a 19" front. Again, one is approved with luggage, the other without. All versions have Brembo radial brakes and ABS, while the luggage - a top box and side cases - adds 18 kg to the weight.
While the bike's styling is clearly related to the TRK800, the 702 gets useful additions including clear plastic wind deflectors either side of the headlights. It also might adopt the front and rear camera system that first appeared on the Benelli 1200GT in China - the raised centre of the headlight makes an opening beneath that would be the perfect spot to mount a camera.

Zongshen

Zongshen Cyclone RC401
By Ben Purvis

Zongshen is one of China's most well-established bike makers and one that's respected enough to have partnered with Piaggio among others. Now the company has launched its sportiest-ever machine in the form of the Cyclone RC401.
Built around the company's own 33 kW (44 hp) 401 cc parallel twin, the RC401 has already been shown a couple of times, initially wearing the 'RC3S' name before settling on the 'RC401' name. It has now gone on sale in China as part of a growing class of 400 cc sports models, and given the fact that Zongshen's machines have been sold under various brand names in Europe and the USA before, there's a good chance it will emerge on global markets in the future - though not necessarily wearing Zongshen or Cyclone branding.

Featuring a trellis-style steel frame, LED lights and upside-down forks, as well as twin front discs with Bosch ABS, the RC401 weighs in at 178 kg wet - not as light as some rivals, but not as unexpectedly heavy as some Chinese-made bikes.
Visually, the RC401 is a convincing machine, ticking all the modern sports bike boxes with those LED lights tucked between a pair of nose-mounted air intakes, and small winglets flanking them on the fairing sides.
On board, it leverages the fact that China is overflowing with electronics brands, churning out low-cost colour LCD screens, offering a large, configurable TFT display in sharp contrast to some of the old-fashioned looking instruments that more established brands still use on their cheaper models. There are even backlit bar control blocks, although Zongshen has stopped short of adopting the keyless ignition set-up that several Chinese rivals are using.

Yezdi

Classic Legends revives Yezdi

The trend of reviving deceased bike brands has spread beyond the obvious global names with the relaunch of Yezdi - a big name in the history of domestic Indian-sold, Indian-made motorcycles.
Yezdi has been revived by Classic Legends, the Mahindra-owned subsidiary company behind the revival of Jawa and BSA. From 1973 to 1996, Yezdi was the name used on licence-built Jawas manufactured by Ideal Jawa in India, which had been making the Czech-designed machines since 1960. With Jawa itself now an Indian-owned enterprise, it makes sense for the Yezdi name to be reintroduced for the Indian market, although it's not yet clear whether the company will be offering it elsewhere.

Since Classic Legends has taken a very retro approach to the new Jawa range, the Yezdi brand is an opportunity to sell some less overtly old school machines; all three initial models have 17" rear wheels and are very traditional in their styling and engineering. The Yezdi Roadster is effectively a modified version of the Jawa 42, with an 18" front wheel and similar chassis and styling. The 19" front-wheeled Scrambler has a more off-road look, but similar mechanicals, while the rear mono shock Adventure, with its 21" front wheel, is a very clear competitor for the Royal Enfield Himalayan, right down to the styling and the luggage racks either side of the fuel tank.
Mechanically, all three Yezdi models use the larger 334 cc version of Jawa's single, with a 5 mm bore increase to boost capacity from the 293 cc of most current Jawa models.

Andreani

Andreani suspension vacuum pump series

Italian suspension specialist Andreani Group need little introduction as one of Europe's leading suspension businesses. Headed up by former racer Giuseppe Andreani, it is well known for Misano brand cartridges, top-brand domestic Italian distribution - such as for Öhlins - for its race paddock suspension support team, and for its internationally popular suspension technician courses.

Andreani is also a world leader in designing and building advanced suspension workshop equipment, diagnostic testers and service tools. Seen here, its SP range of vacuum pumps are 'essential kit' for high-traffic suspension workshops.
Andreani says that the most useful is the SP2 vacuum pump, which allows the technician to bleed and fill shock absorbers manually using special hydraulic controls - perfect for a race use, considering how light and versatile it is.
Its evolution, the SP4, allows the technician to vacuum and fill all shock absorbers automatically, controlling all processes using the display, thanks to an easy-to-use software.
At the top of the range, the SP5 is the most innovative vacuum pump developed by Andreani Group. It allows technicians to make easier, more accurate and more efficient filling and vacuuming of shock absorbers of any kind and any brand.
Featuring a fully automated process, it features easy to use and extremely efficient software with a user-friendly, intuitive graphical interface and touch screen display for real time process checking.
 
ANDREANI GROUP INTERNATIONAL
www.andreanigroup.com

SC-Project

Adventure muffler for KTM 1290 Super Adventure

Devised, designed and tested specifically for modern multipurpose and maxi-enduro bikes, Italian specialist SC-Project says this Adventure muffler was developed for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, "in full compliance with Euro 5 regulations".
"The Adventure silencer is manufactured with high quality titanium and an autoclave-made carbon fibre end cap, a very typical SC-Project double outlet design. After having survived in-house R&D department bench testing, all the components and the design of this muffler have been tested all over the world, during very long-distance travels, in the most severe conditions - both on-road and, especially, off-road. 

"All the components in titanium and AISI 304 stainless steel are welded with TIG technology (in a protected, clean-working environment) and the internal bushings are CNC-machined from solid block. Our experience has proven that excellent couplings, top quality materials and high technology production processes are essential in order to be able to offer the best durability, quality and performance."

 

For the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, the Adventure muffler delivers a huge weight reduction of -42% if compared to the OEM exhaust. The company says it gives a maximum power gain of 1.5 hp and 1.1 Nm of torque at 7,700 rpm - "together with a stable improvement of power and torque delivery where it is needed most, in the low and mid-range".
Finish options available are titanium colour or ceramic matt black colour, the installation is plug and play and ECU remapping is not necessary. This silencer is compatible with OEM side cases and fits with the OEM heat shield. The full kit includes the slip-on muffler, springs and screws, SC-Project stickers and a 24-month SC-Project official warranty and homologation card.

SC-PROJECT
www.sc-project.com

Arrowhead Engineered Products

Arrowhead Engineered Products to Buy Bihr from Alcopa

Subject to regulatory approval, Blaine, Minnesota based Arrowhead Engineered Products (AEP) has agreed to acquire 100% equity ownership of Bartenheim, France based distributor Bihr from present owner Alcopa of Kontich, Belgium.
AEP is the owner of Vertex Pistons, in Italy, and Boise, Idaho based domestic U.S. distribution major Western Power Sports, among an impressive portfolio of mostly American powersports industry parts and accessory brands such as All Balls Racing, Hot Cams, Pivot Works and Cylinder Works.

John Mosunic, CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products

Alcopa, which traces its roots in automotive and motorcycle distribution in Belgium and beyond back to 1937, acquired Bihr in 2010. In recent years it has been funding an aggressive strategic acquisition programme to grow the Bihr business footprint. This has included the MotoDirect Distribution, RST Apparel and Race FX operations in the UK and, most recently, noted Hamburg, Germany based distributor and brand owner Paaschburg & Wunderlich.

AEP itself saw a majority stake in its business bought by the massive Genstar Capital private equity firm in the USA last year, having previously been in the ownership of the Investcorp/Bahrain Sovereign Wealth Fund backed Riverside Group.
Bihr was founded in 1975 by industry veteran Cyrille Bihr and these days has a portfolio of some 350 brands (including being a major player for Arai Helmets in Europe) and distributes some 200,000+ SKUs to a growing network of 15,150 dealers across 20 countries from a total distribution centre footprint of over 54,000 sq m.

BMW

BMW R12 cruiser on the way?

After a decade and a half away from the cruiser market, BMW's massive R18 was perhaps the perfect machine to launch as a statement that the German firm was back in the game and serious about its intentions. Given the R18's vast dimensions and weight, riders who want a BMW-branded cruiser with a little less excess will be pleased to hear that the chances of a smaller version of the bike reaching production have just increased.
BMW has filed trademark applications across the globe for rights to use the name 'R12' on a future motorcycle, and given the company's current naming protocol, that badge seems sure to be used on a cruiser similar to the R18. 

BMW's last venture into the Cruiser segment - the R1200C 'Independent' was launched in 1997, but dropped after 2004. The original R12 is legendary - it was an R11 successor based on a 1933 Alfred Boening Art Deco styled R7 concept. It was the first production bike to feature hydraulically damped telescopic front forks and ran from 1935 through 1942 - 36,000 were made.

The R12 name clearly sits alongside the R18, with the 'R' denoting a boxer twin engine and the '12' indicating a capacity of around 1,200 cc. The existing 1170 cc twin from the R nineT retro roadster would seem to be the ideal engine: with 109 hp it has got all the performance it needs to compete in the 1,200 cc cruiser sweet spot against machines like Indian's 1,133 cc Scout, Harley's 1,252 cc Sportster S and Triumph's 1,200 cc Speedmaster.
The proliferation of 1,200-class cruisers and the potential that the BMW R12 will join them illustrates how much the market has changed since BMW's last attempt at a cruiser - the 1997-2004 R1200C. While warmly welcomed by reviewers, the R1200C was left behind by the early-2000s trend for ever-larger engines in the class. By the end of its life in 2004, rivals included the Honda VTX1800, Kawasaki VN2000 and, of course, the then-new, 2.3-litre Triumph Rocket III.
Speaking in 2004, BMW Motorrad's then boss, Dr Herbert Diess (now one of the most powerful men in the motor industry as CEO of the VW Group) said: "There will be no direct successor to the cruiser in our next model generation. This is due to technical considerations: The new engine you know from the GS is designed consistently for low weight and therefore - quite intentionally - offers only a small margin for an increase in engine displacement. Since the trend in the cruiser segment has now been pointing far beyond 1,400 cc for quite some time, a cruiser in its former, classic style with a smaller engine would no longer fit into our concept for the future."
Even then, he left the door open for a return, saying: "This does not mean that we are turning away from the cruising philosophy with BMW motorcycles once and for all. On the contrary, it would be quite conceivable for us to reinterpret this theme quite differently at some time in the future."
Fast forward to 2022 and the market today is very different, with a thriving class of cruisers in exactly the capacity category where the R1200C used to be. Since BMW already has the right engine for the job - in fact the R nineT's 1,170 cc twin is directly descended from the identically-sized motor used in the R1200C - the development costs of a new R12 cruiser would not be great. In fact, there's already an aftermarket kit from NMoto - called the 'R sevenT' - that converts the stock BMW R nineT into a pre-war-style cruiser inspired by the 1934, one-off BMW R7.

News Briefs

 

Just weeks after a 2022 schedule was announced, and after just one year, the IMS Outdoors powersports expo tour event series in the US has been cancelled. The series was a 'rescue' iteration of the venerable indoor, winter, expo center based International Motorcycle Shows programme that had been staged by Advanstar in leading domestic US markets such as LA, New York and Chicago for some 40 years. It looks like current series owner Informa (a UK based media and events conglomerate) has finally figured out that the world is a changed place!

Energica Motor Company (Italy) has signed E-ZY Move of Herault (Aude, Pyrenees Orientales) in France as a new dealer. With headquarters in Cap d'Adge (and soon to also open in Montpellier) E-ZY Move is a specialised electric two-wheeled vehicles sale and rental operator. In 2021, registrations of electric motorcycles in France grew by 61%, compared to a European average of 28%.

After spy shots were seen last year, BMW has now filed a patent for a spring and wind pressure based system of 'adaptive aero' moving bodywork. Unlike some of the electronic systems seen on some models (such as from E-bike manufacturer Damon in Canada) and the movable fairing panels on the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, the BMW system patents the concept of bodywork components "popping out" on springs. The panels then rely on the increased wind pressure as the speed increases to push them back in, closer to the bike.

Ducati has finally been able to re-open the doors of its Borgo Panigale Museum and run Factory visits full-time (closed Wednesdays). To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Imola 200 won by Paul Smart, the museum is temporarily hosting the rider's '750 Imola' bike.


Yamaha Motors' President Yoshihiro Hidaka has gone on the record to state that, in his view, the priorities of the market should be Biofuel first, EV second, saying that "CO2 may be treated as a 'Bad Thing', but I believe that the engine itself is not." Those remarks came in a magazine interview and followed the news that Yamaha and, initially, Kawasaki are to invest heavily in exploring the potential of hydrogen power for PTWs. Honda and Suzuki are expected to come on-board with the research effort before too long.

The NHTSA in the United States has issued what it is referencing as "final rules" for fully autonomous vehicle manufactures. There is a big, fundamental change. The new "rules" roll back the requirement previously stipulated within SAE J3016 for Level 5 full-time autonomy to still have controls for human override. That requirement has now been eliminated, meaning that vehicle manufacturers are not compelled to equip fully autonomous vehicles with manual driving controls in order to meet crash standards. General Motors Co. and its self-driving technology unit Cruise petitioned the NHTSA for permission to build and deploy a self-driving vehicle without human controls such as steering wheels or brake pedals. The rules revise regulations that assume vehicles "will always have a driver's seat, a steering wheel and accompanying steering column, or just one front outboard passenger seating position," according to the NHTSA.

Airoh has signed as the main FIM ISDE Partner for a further three years, having first teamed up with the series in 2015. In 2022 the Six Days will take place in France, at Le Puy-En-Velay, from the 29th August - 3rd September. Airoh will be the first-ever naming rights sponsor of the ISDE.

The Moto Guzzi Museum in Mandello Del Lario is reopening. Situated at Moto Guzzi's historic home on the shores of Lake Como, the collection has been completely and conservatively restored, the rooms renovated and the visitor experience completely redesigned.


Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com

Triumph

Triumph acquires UK based OSET children's electric motorcycles business

Ahead of the launch of its Motocross and Enduro ranges, and of its first electric motorcycle model, Triumph Motorcycles has taken "another exciting step in the off-road world through the acquisition of UK based OSET Bikes, a leader in the world of children's electric off-road motorcycles."

Founded in 2004 by Ian Smith, who wanted to build an electric off-road bike for his son Oliver, OSET has been "setting the benchmark in its segment for the past 18 years. OSET has sold more than 40,000 bikes globally that feature its in-house developed electric powertrains".
"The acquisition of OSET sits within Triumph's strategy of entering the off-road segment, announced in 2020, and provides both companies with the opportunity to share and benefit from each other's knowledge and experience in their respective segments, enabling both brands to grow internationally in parallel.
"Triumph's philosophy, For The Ride, played an important role in the acquisition of OSET as it enables the Hinckley-based brand to inspire future generations of riders by providing them with the perfect starting point to develop their passion and dreams."
OSET Bikes offers products that are suitable for any rider, starting from three years old and upwards, and Triumph CEO Nick Bloor is quoted as saying that "we are excited about the opportunity of joining forces with OSET Bikes - a dynamic brand that has been encouraging children into motorcycling for many years. OSET has been at the forefront of developing electric trials bikes for fun and competition.  
"Whilst the two brands will continue working independently, Triumph and OSET will collaborate on new state-of-the-art products to inspire young riders into off-road riding, across the segments that Triumph and OSET will have a presence in, drawing on their respective strengths to build the best bikes in the world."
Ian Smith said that "when we built that first 'garage' bike for my son, Oliver, I had no idea that it would lead to this moment. We are all very excited for what the future holds for OSET as part of the Triumph family.
"The OSET brand will remain as OSET and will continue to serve the trials and off-road motorcycling community. We are now better positioned to develop and innovate across our range, while enjoying the security of scale and market position Triumph can offer OSET."

Gaokin

Gaokin V1000 Thor could be a Brixton in Europe

Gaokin isn't a brand name that means much in the west, but it is one of the leading Chinese motorcycle engine suppliers, and is the company that manufactures the machines we know as Brixtons on this side of the globe.
Now Gaokin has launched its latest large capacity model, the V1000 Thor, using a new DOHC V-twin engine in a distinctive, cruiser-style machine.

The Thor's engine is an 80-degree V-twin that measures 997 cc, combining a 92 mm bore, 75 mm stroke and a 10.3:1 compression ratio to develop 88.5 hp (66k W) at 7200 rpm and 70 lb-ft (95 Nm) of torque at 6000 rpm. It is bolted to a cast aluminium frame with a distinctive design that reflects the engine's V configuration, with a monoshock rear end and upside-down KYB forks. Bosch supplies the engine electronics and the ABS for the radial-mount brakes.
The bike's muscle-cruiser styling is emphasised by the use of a 240/40VR18 rear tyre, with a 130/70R18 front, and while the bike's weight - 252 kg dry or 269 kg including 20.5 litres of fuel - is far from light, neither is it vastly heavier than rival machines.
At the moment, the Thor has only gone on sale in China, with a price that's equivalent to € 9200, but most of the company's bikes are offered in Europe under the Brixton brand name. The Gaokin GK500 is the Brixton Crossfire 500, for instance, and the Bonneville-style GK1200 is the Brixton Cromwell 1200.
While not Gaokin's biggest bike - the 1200 cc GK1200 takes that crown - the Thor is its most powerful. It's also relatively high-tech, with ride-by-wire throttles, multiple engine modes and cruise control. Given the company's European access via Austrian importer KSR, and the fact that Chinese emissions rules are close to those in Europe, if there's demand for the machine in Europe there should be relatively few barriers to importing it.

Benelli

Benelli Tornado 402R spotted in patent

A new patent from Benelli's Chinese owners Qianjiang has revealed what appears to be a Tornado 402R using the company's latest twin-cylinder engine design.
At the moment, Benelli's European range is sadly lacking in Tornado-badged sports bikes, even though there are plans in place for a new Tornado 550 twin and 650 four-cylinder in the future. However, some markets, including China, get the Tornado 302R sports bike, which was given a fresh design last year.

This new bike, which is codenamed 'QJ400GS-16A', has a larger 399 cc twin that was also recently the subject of a patent filing. The engine, going by the code QJ270MQ (the '270' means two cylinders with a 70mm bore), is virtually identical to Kawasaki's Ninja 400 and Z400 twin.
In terms of performance, the QJ270MW is good for 33 kW (45 hp), which is on a par with the Kawasaki that it takes inspiration from, and is bolted to a steel tube frame in the new Benelli Tornado 402R. A single-sided swingarm at the back gives the bike a surprisingly high-end appearance, but while there are upside-down forks at the front the lack of radial-mount brake calipers is an unusual omission.

The new bike's styling is clearly related to the smaller 302R, sharing a similar headlight design and LED strip side lights. The mirrors are direct carry-overs from the 302R, but all the body panels are different, and the overall look is more sophisticated than the smaller bike.
In China there's an increasingly hard-fought battle for the 400 cc sports bike market, with contenders from a growing number of companies. Benelli's sister brand QJMotor has already launched its machine in the class - the 400RR - but while it has a similar single-sided swingarm to the one seen here, it's otherwise a totally different bike.
The engine in the QJMotor machine is an older design, derived from the company's own 350 cc twin, and there are differences to the frame, suspension and brakes - for instance, the QJMotor 400RR has twin front discs. The QJMotor's styling is also unlike the Benelli model seen in this patent, with twin headlights mounted side-by-side in a style that's more Ducati-esque.
We'll have to wait for an official launch to discover whether Benelli plans to sell the 402R globally, but in 2020 the company announced plans to offer twin-cylinder bikes in 400 cc, 700 cc and 900 cc categories, as well as 900 cc and 1200 cc triples and 650 cc and 1000 cc fours.