Comment by Editor, Robin Bradley

EICMA has its momentum back

Following a better than expected visit to EICMA in November, which itself followed a very disappointing trip to INTERMOT in October, the process of putting together this edition of IDN has been, well, "interesting" to say the least.

For me, one of the primary ways to analyse the health of any market, but not least our international motorcycle market, has been to witness the ebb and flow of expo exhibitor attendance and their status fortunes as represented by the changes in the vendor lists at such shows.

Another litmus has always been to weigh the generally prodigious output of the market's R&D departments in terms of new product ideas and new business opportunities for dealers.

This year, the two most striking trends have been the surprisingly high number of exhibitor absentees at both shows - INTERMOT especially - but there were also some 40 or more of what I would call 'staples' absent from the EICMA exhibitor footprint.

The collapse in the exhibitor community at INTERMOT really didn't come as a surprise. Indeed, a major part of my motivation for attending the show was the prospect of witnessing it for myself rather than relying on third party reports.

With the benefit of a few weeks of hindsight since INTERMOT, and with having EICMA 2022 in the rear view mirror now too, I do think the speculation that this might well have been the last INTERMOT at Cologne is overstated and, for sure, unhelpful.

"no tsunami of new P&A yet"

I have to plead guilty that I too found myself figuring that there was no way back for the once mighty north European showcase, and I am embarrassed by that because the simple fact is that, regardless of what it takes, we do all need to do everything we can to ensure that INTERMOT does return to greater strength than the enforced four-year gap reduced it to.

The plain fact is that the buying power value of German and northern European riders is huge compared to that of the scooter dominated greater Milan and southern European riding community. That alone is a compelling and essential argument in favour of ensuring that INTERMOT continues in some shape or form, regardless of what the comparative new motorcycle registration numbers may presently be appearing to suggest.

What shocked me most at INTERMOT was the ill-informed conjecture, negativity and downright apathy I encountered among many members of the domestic German exhibitor community, including many so-called 'majors', and even including some who are German motorcycle industry trade association members. 

I came away from INTERMOT wondering if, how and when some kind of spark of momentum will quick-start the German furnace again - both in terms of positivity to try to make every sale (the 'booth apathy' really was awful to behold) and in terms of new product development.

The contrast with EICMA couldn't have been starker. In Italy the furnace of 'Made-in-Italy' momentum is burning brightly and the great white heat of R&D is alive and well. Even the exhibitor absences were an interesting story, in and of themselves. 

Some traditional EICMA stalwarts (mostly Italian brands, but some others too, and especially from among the traditionally powerful and market leading Italian gear and apparel sector) appear to be relaxed about disappearing off the industry's international radar. But for every 2019/2021 exhibitor who also skipped EICMA in 2022, there was another who decided to come back this year.

I think many of those who decided to miss 2022, on the basis of their 2021 experience being a less than stellar expo experience, will be back in 2023. They are the ones who will now recognise that the 2021 reboot has been effective in terms of setting EICMA back on an upward trend. They are the ones who, belatedly, will be recognising that EICMA has now got momentum again. 

Equally, for all the absences there appears to be at least one or two other newbies - start-ups in the electric motorcycle and scooter 'space' and other tech-led vendors mostly - whose R&D investments made being at EICMA 2022 a 'no brainer'.

There is not yet a tsunami of 'new' in P&A and performance terms, but compared to 2021, that too has momentum despite the supply chain problems. MOMENTUM. The Italian vendor community is turning its focus on export opportunities. Contrary to whatever we outsiders may think we are hearing about the status of Italian capitalism and businesses at this time, the lights are on in Italy in a way in which I just don't see in Germany. 

As an economic powerhouse driving exports and capital reserves, the 'Mittelstand' appears to have stalled. 

In Italy, however, after EICMA's post-Covid comeback last year, I remember writing about the extraordinary explosion in the number of electric PTW projects that were there. They appeared to have come up like mushrooms overnight in the 24-month pause between EICMA 2019 and 2021.

I remember talking too about how many of them may only last a show, or two or three, but then disappear back into the forest floor from where they came as under-capitalisation and market over-supply rained on their parade. 

I wrote too about how, in fast moving tech environments, there are always more casualties than there are 'Alpha Births' - my reference was the first stage of the digital and internet revolution circa 1997 through 2001. 

I specifically pointed to the distributive advantage of the established ICE OEMs to disrupt the disruptors once they got their acts together.

Well, they are starting to do that now, starting to get their acts together, and although the "lens of now" might make the aims and intentions of the likes of Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BMW, Triumph and KTM still appear a tad gauche (to say nothing of the likes of LiveWire/H-D, MV Agusta and Ducati), their critical mass in dealer network and balance sheet terms are going to crush many a start-up.

With 'Big Red' announcing ten electric motorcycles and scooters ready for various showroom floors in the next 36 months, nobody should bet against the traditional OEMs at this stage. 

Equally, with Chinese volume production abilities and cost profiles also driving the sails of the EV space, only those European start-ups and would-be disruptors with genuinely unique and distinctive propositions will achieve escape velocity but, mentioning no names, we are now starting to see that select cohort emerge at EICMA.

SBS Friction

Parts Europe becomes pan-European SBS distributor

Svendborg, Denmark-based SBS Friction is expanding availability of its brake pads and friction solutions for motorcycles, scooters and side-by-side vehicles through a deal with Germany-based Parts Europe as its new pan-European distributor.

SBS says that the addition of Parts Europe as a cross-border distributor follows a focused growth strategy that calls for it "to cover each market with local presence and cover market gaps through a pan-continental distributor".

Christel Munk Pedersen, CSO at SBS Friction A/S, said: "Parts Europe will extend SBS' long-term relationship with LeMans Corporation, USA, (Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties) into Europe. 

"Parts Europe's long history in supplying the powersports sector, its strategic logistic location in Europe and its vast experience in the moto industry will be key in maintaining and growing SBS market presence across Europe.

"Habits and synergies in the European powersports market have changed - due both to the changes and disruption triggered by COVID-19 and to consumers becoming more digitally attuned to the environment in which they buy products.

"To enable riders access to their preferred SBS products anywhere, at any time, we need to secure the power of distribution with partners such as Parts Europe."

Anthony Damevin, Purchasing Manager at Parts Europe, says that "by cooperating with SBS, Parts Europe can add the high-performance brake components and accessories of the Danish manufacturer to its range, thus fulfilling our own standards to offer the right accessories for all types of powersports vehicles."

www.sbsbrakes.com

Peugeot Motocycles

Mahindra sells controlling stake in Peugeot Motocycles 

Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) has sold a 50% equity share and a controlling 80% stake in its Peugeot Motocycles subsidiary to private equity investor Mutares SE & Co. KGaA - a Germany-based holding company.

Mutares' usual business model is to "acquire medium-sized companies in turnaround situations in order to sell them off again if restructuring succeeds". 

"Representing the final part of a two-stage transformation, three years after the return of the 'Peugeot Motocycles' name, the new logo marks a new stage in the development of the brand. It is also a clear sign of ambition: the Peugeot brand is now ready to conquer new markets and accelerate the growth of its international business".

M&M remains a co-shareholder "to support new product launches and the strong growth expected in the coming years". As of 10 November 2022 (during EICMA!), Mutares had submitted an irrevocable binding offer with the transaction expected to close in the first quarter of 2023 after union consultations and antitrust approval.

Headquartered in Mandeure, France (near the Swiss border), Peugeot Motocycles generates revenues of approximately € 140m, manufacturing two and three-wheeler scooters for "distribution through 3,000 subsidiaries, importers and dealers in France and internationally, across three continents". 

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Auto & Farm Sectors at M&M, said: "We are delighted to welcome Mutares to Peugeot Motocycles. Our efforts are directed towards sustaining this French legacy brand that has been delighting customers for 124 years. With an established track record of transforming companies across Europe, coupled with its expertise in the automotive business, Mutares is an ideal partner to strengthen and grow the brand with continuing support from M&M."

Johannes Laumann, CIO of Mutares, stated: "This is Mutares' thirteenth acquisition in 2022. Peugeot Motocycles is an internationally recognised brand built on a rich history as the world's oldest manufacturer of motorised two-wheelers. We are very proud to be associated with the brand.  Based on our vast experience in the industry and a strong operational team, I strongly believe that we will be able to leverage the true potential of the company alongside our partner M&M."

Peugeot Motocycles, which recently updated its corporate identity with a new logo and style palette, has its own manufacturing facility in Mandeure, a joint venture with JNQQ (Jinan Qingqi Motorcycle Co., Ltd.) in China, as well as manufacturing partnerships with several large Asian players including Peugeot car distributor Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO) of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. 

THACO invested in the construction of an ultra-modern motorised two-wheeler assembly line at its factory in Chu Lai in 2020. It is the exclusive distributor for Peugeot Motocycles in the ten ASEAN countries (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

In additional corporate news at EICMA, M&M announced that Peugeot Motocycles is to manage the European sales of the new BSA Gold Star 650 from Mahindra "with immediate effect". 

"The new Gold Star is a 652 cc water-cooled single-cylinder, making 45 hp at 6,000 rpm - to fit into the A2 licence category".

BSA was founded in 1910 and at one stage was the world's largest manufacturer, and ultimately was bought by Triumph, seeing out its days as part of the infamous Meriden, Coventry (England) based Norton Villiers Triumph cooperative. 

Mahindra bought the BSA brand in 2016 for around € 5m - bringing together various brand name and intellectual rights ownerships for the first time since the original BSA went out of production in the 1970s.

Mahindra has established a technical centre at Coventry to develop electric BSA models, but is initially assembling ICE comebacks, starting with the Gold Star 650 at Banbury, England, and in India.

The decision to effectively offload the financial heavy lifting that Peugeot Motocyles needs is thought to have been prompted by the long-term potential that M&M sees in focusing its capital resources primarily on the BSA brand. 

Galfer

Galfer to sponsor FIM SuperEnduro World Championship

Spanish brake products specialist Galfer is expanding its huge sponsorship commitments by signing as an Official Sponsor of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship for 2023. 

This new announcement adds to its two-wheel sports support programmes - the company is already heavily committed to MotoGP, WSBK, EnduroGP, MXGP and TrialGP teams.

Six SuperEnduro World Championship events are scheduled for the 2023 season, with the first round having been in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday 10 December 2022. 

In January 2023 the series will move on to Riesa in Germany, followed by races in Hungary (Budapest) and France (Nice) in February. The last two races will be held in Jerusalem (Israel) at the beginning of March 2023 and return to Poland (Gliwice) to finish the 2023 championship on 18 March.

All the races are being staged in high-capacity venues in popular cities where it will be easy for spectators to attend the events.

"Always well-known and appreciated in the Enduro world as being synonymous with high quality and guaranteed performance, Galfer has been the number one choice among the top teams and riders in the Enduro World Championship for years".

Galfer celebrated race success again in 2022 with four world titles, two for Sherco rider Zach Pichon (Junior 1 and Junior Overall), one for Brad Freeman, a Beta Factory Enduro Team (E3) rider, and one for Australia’s Wil Ruprecht of the TM Racing Factory Team, who graduated as 2022 world champion in the E2 category.

"Among the Galfer riders who will compete in the 2023 SuperEnduro World Championship is the new 2022 AMA EnduroCross Champion, Jonny Walker, whom we would like to congratulate once again on his fantastic success and wish him a successful season, equipping his Beta bike with Galfer brake discs and pads (Disc Wave FLS & W and Racing G1396R sintered pads)".

www.galfermoto.com

FIM SuperEnduro - 2023 World Championship Calendar 

MV Agusta

PIERER Mobility takes 25.1% ownership stake in MV Agusta

Three months ago, PIERER Mobility (KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas etc.) announced a strategic partnership with Italy's Varese based MV Agusta to distribute the Italian manufacturer's motorcycles through its own dealer network in the United States.

MV Agusta has often struggled to be able to manage a viable dealer network in USA and, these days, with the Russian owned Italian marque (Timur Sardarov is CEO), to have a more stable production programme stepping up its American availability made sense.

However, at the time of the announcement, there weren't many in the motorcycle industry in Europe whose immediate response to the news was that it was likely to be a first stage in a strategic alliance that would likely go deeper, and quickly.

Well, so it has proved. Very quickly. Stefan Pierer does very little without it being associated with a bigger picture, and in early November 2022 more of that picture started to emerge. This second stage strategic announcement has three elements to it.

First, KTM AG, the PIERER Mobility subsidiary that owns the KTM motorcycle manufacturing operation, will provide MV Agusta with supply chain support and take over purchasing. 

Second, MV Agusta will partly distribute its product range via PIERER Mobility’s worldwide distribution network. While the announcements from both MV and Pierer are not specific, this strongly suggests joint venture distribution of MV models by KTM way beyond just in the United States, if not yet fully integrating MV availability through the KTM distribution network.

Third, and most tellingly, effective November 2022, KTM AG (as opposed to Pierer AG) "will acquire a 25.1% stake in MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. by way of a capital increase". The structure of the deal suggests that MV Agusta CEO Timur Sardarov's primary driver in seeking to ally MV to KTM so closely is capital requirements and availability.

The extent to which that itself is driven by financial issues at MV, or by financing needed to fund Sardarov's ambitious plans for electrification of the MV range and other previously alluded to new model plans, will no doubt become clear in the months and years ahead - though don't expect a 25.1% stake to be the high watermark of Stefan Pierer's own ambitions for the strategic alignment. 

Although we here at IDN have no evidence to suggest this to be the case, it is pure speculation on our part, but one would have thought it likely that capital resources at Sardarov's family owned ComSar Invest/Black Ocean Group set-up must be under pressure as a result of sanctions. It was the Sardarovs' capital that rescued MV from its loveless marriage with Mercedes-AMG and MV who sold Husqvarna to BMW, who then 'flipped' it onto Stefan Pierer.

It is interesting that it has been Pierer who has stepped in, rather than Loncin in China, with whom MV has had a partnership agreement to produce models, including small displacement MV badged bikes, since 2019. In China, KTM is partnered with CFMoto. We'll see!

In other news, PIERER Mobility has announced that it is to distribute its Chinese partner CFMoto's motorcycles and scooters in select European markets from 1st January, 2023 - Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.

Spanish motorcycle registrations

Spain: motorcycles +7.34% to November

The latest data from ANESDOR - the motorcycle industry trade association in Spain - show that motorcycle registrations in September were +2.77% (15,795 units), +4.82% (14,318 units) in October and +13.56% in November (14,786 units).

That represents the best November market performance in Spain since before 2009 and likely represents further evidence of growing inventories as the logistics challenges that affected deliveries from the Japanese factories, especially, started to ease up in late summer.

In year-to-date terms, motorcycle registrations had climbed to +7.34% at 164,111 units for the first 11 months of 2022 - fractionally the second best in Spain since before 2009 (2019 saw 164,916 units sold).

Moped registrations in Spain were -10.94% YTD at 14,374 units, with total PTWs running at +5.59% at 178,485 units registered so far in 2022.

Demand for electric powered PTWs was +29.9% in November at 864 units and +61.0% at 9,558 units YTD.

Honda remains market share leader in Spain with a 21.8% share (35,824 units), followed by Yamaha (11.9%, 19,592 units), KYMCO (7.0%, 11,518 units), BMW (6.6%, 10,912 units) and Piaggio (6.3%/10,3896 units) in fifth, ahead of Sym, KTM, Kawasaki, Zontes and Aprilia. 

Honda's PCX 125 is the top seller YTD, followed by the Sym Symphony 125, Honda SH 125I, KYMCO Agility City 125 and Honda Forza 125.

For the record - motorcycle registrations in Spain were +6.26% for the full year in 2021 at 165,115 units. The Spanish market had not yet caught up with 2019 registrations though (175,585 units), but 2021 was the second-best motorcycle and scooter market performance in Spain since before 2009. In total PTW terms, 2021 was +3.26% (182,922 units) - also the second-best since before the 2007/2009 financial crisis.

CFMoto

CFMoto

The most interesting bike shown by CFMoto at EICMA was the NK-C22 concept - and shortly before the show opened, design registrations filed by the company revealed that it's soon going to become a production machine.

Just as the SR-C21 concept bike seen a year ago has turned into the 450SR production bike, the NK-C22 (that name can be decoded as NaKed, Concept, 2022) will shortly be followed by a showroom offering that's likely to be called the 800NK and could be the most tempting global model that CFMoto has ever made.

NK-C22

Like the 800MT Adventure bike, the NK-C22 and the 800NK that will follow it use CFMoto's version of the KTM LC8c engine. It's no knock-off copy, either; CFMoto is KTM's Chinese partner manufacturer, and already makes most of the LC8c twins that appear in models like the KTM 890 Duke and 890 Adventure. 

Its own version of the engine is based on the original '790' KTM design, with a 799 cc capacity rather than the 889 cc used by the latest KTM machines. In the 800MT, the CFMoto engine manages 95 hp and 77 Nm of torque, making the adventure model a convincing alternative to the likes of BMW's F850GS. With similar performance, the upcoming 800NK promises to rival bikes like Honda's new Hornet 750 and Suzuki's latest creation, the GSX-8S, as well as established middleweight twins.

The NK-C22 concept will reach production largely unchanged from the concept, as demonstrated by the 800NK's registered designs. The main changes are a swap from a single-sided swingarm on the concept to a conventional dual-sided layout for the production bike, while the NK-C22's SC-Project stacked exhaust system will be replaced with a single, road-legal silencer that retains two outlets to reflect the engine's twin-cylinder layout.

Price will be key to success, of course, and Honda has laid down a tough target with the Hornet. Can CFMoto compete? 

CAKE

CAKE

Sweden's CAKE has been ploughing its own furrow in the electric bike market for the last few years with a range of on and mostly off-road utility models that aim to stand out from the competition with unique design and market positioning. The new Bukk model is the company's most powerful offering yet and proved an instant success with the initial run of 50 limited-edition versions selling out in a week.

"The Bukk represents the boundary-pushing performance ambition of CAKE products. This is a true next-level, off-road electric platform," said founder and CEO Stefan Ytterborn. 

Although the Bukk is a pure off-road model, and the closest thing yet to a full-on motocrosser from CAKE, there's clearly an eye to a street legal derivative in future, as the firm makes a point that it has performance equivalent to the 'A2' licence class. While the 16 kW (21 hp) electric motor is well below the 35 kW limit of the A2 category, A2 bikes are not allowed more than 0.2 kW-per-kg, and the Bukk weighs a remarkably slight 85 kg. That gives a power-to-weight ratio close to the A2 limit. With a 72V battery and 420 Nm of torque, the Bukk promises impressive performance and a top speed of more than 100 km/h. With high-end components including WP and Öhlins suspension parts, and electronics that include three riding modes, it's not cheap; each of the 50 machines cost € 14,970 direct from the factory, but sold out fast. Look out for a more mass-made version in the near future, including a street version to take advantage of that A2 classification.

Puig

Puig additions

Frame slider Pro 2.0

This new version of Puig's Pro model frame slider offers greater protection in the event of a fall - the damage suffered in the area of ​​the engine and the chassis is minimised by avoiding direct contact with the road in the event of a fall and subsequent sliding.

They are made up of a central body made of polyamide, a material with high resistance to impact and abrasion, and two pieces (front and rear) made of thermoplastic elastomer to absorb possible impacts with the rider.

The attractive aerodynamic design with lateral wings optimises the absorption of impact forces thanks to its conical configuration.

Folding rear view mirror

Available in anodised for the 2021 Yamaha XSR900 and machined from billet aluminium, this foldable rear view mirror design "combines character and sensuality with its curved shapes and its machined details. On a functional level, it has a turning mechanism that allows the mirror to be folded down to protect it when passing through narrow areas and recover its initial position without any effort. 

Lumen S LED headlight

Thanks to the advanced LED technology, this Lumen S LED headlight improves lighting while providing an attractive neo-retro aesthetic.

It has compact dimensions (175 mm wide by 160.4 mm high) and fits a wide segment range of models and styles, especially Café Racers and vintage style Nakeds.

PUIG/MOTOPLASTIC S.A. 

www.puig.tv

Arai

Dedication to protection

Arai marked its return to EICMA with new helmets, including the Concept-XE, the latest addition to the company's ECE R22-06 approved line-up. "The Concept-XE continues the standard set by the original Concept-X, combining sleek lines and an aggressive look with the well-known Arai comfort and protection".

The Japanese manufacturer also gave dealers a chance to sneak-a-peak at a prototype of its upcoming new adventure helmet. 

As it does every year, Arai has recently unveiled its Drudi Performance limited edition IOM TT helmet for 2023. 

"For sure, the new models and designs on display at our booth are what you can see and feel, but what you'll actually get is our dedication to protection. What is most important is what goes on behind the scenes, that which you don't see. That's why we continue to evolve head protection by making steadfast improvements wherever possible with stronger and smoother outer shells that excel in glancing off (impact management)".

In total, Arai unveiled 80 brand-new 2023 collection designs, and at the top of the pyramid the race- tested RX-7V RC is described as the "pinnacle of helmet technology. Painstakingly handbuilt - with meticulously master craftsman applied layers of carbon fibre to create a superb helmet in which all the Arai know-how, experience and years of development has been brought together".

Concept-XE

Quantic 'Robotik'

Meanwhile, the ECE R22-06 approved RX-7V EVO is Arai's state-of-the-art motorcycle racing helmet - "ECE R22-06 requires a much more stringent testing process than the previous R22-05 standard". New RX-7V designs for 2023 include the 'Misano', 'Samurai', JR65 Green or Red and 'Maverick Star'.

For FIM sanctioned events, the RX-7V EVO (FRHPhe-01) is the company's flagship model "with proven Arai protection combined with the ECE R22-06 approval, and now also with the addition of the FIM FRHPhe approval.

RX-7V EVO 'Maverick Star'

"For long distance riding, the ECE R22-06 'Quantic' slips through the air neatly and efficiently, wrapping its wearer in a cocoon of luxury, offering a fresh choice for riders that want the very best performance from a helmet - in terms of protection, comfort and ease of wear, day-in-day-out, with zero compromise". 2023 sees new Quantic 'Robotik' and 'Space' colourway/graphic combinations.

The ECE R22-06 'Concept-XE' has been designed to "recall the simple yet aggressive style of the 1980s. The Concept-X came from the heart of Arai R&D - a desire for old school cool, to fit a certain style and motorcycle, but with modern Arai performance". 

The SZ-R VAS features an advanced shell using Arai's VAS design, "improving the protection and glancing off ability in a critical area. It also has RX-7V diffuser technology and a superbly comfortable interior, ready to accept glasses".

RX-7V EVO (FRHPhe-01)

"The Tour-X4 is one of the most versatile helmets ever: adventure, grand touring or off-road, and without the peak looks pretty good on a naked bike too".

In terms of Adventure, "unusually, we have let a helmet out from behind the closed workshop doors of Arai R&D. The Tour-X4 has proved a hugely popular helmet in an extremely important and competitive sector, and the upcoming new adventure helmet prototype gives a preview of what is yet to come".

ARAI HELMET (EUROPE)

www.araihelmet-europe.com

Supersprox

Letter from Ukraine

By DJ Maughfling

From inside Ukraine it is possible to feel the change of season. Gone are the autumn leaves laying on the ground, replaced by snow and biting winds. Winter is arriving in Zhytomyr, and this brings with it new challenges for Supersprox. The winter has brought a strategic shift in the actions of the Russian military.

I was in Ukraine on the first days of the war. That was a tough moment. I believe that most Ukrainians and much of the world imagined that Russian forces could swiftly pass through the land with the speed and efficiency associated with a superpower. Looking back, it is clear to see that things have turned out rather differently. And the Russian government seems to be bringing itself everything that it has been fighting to push away.

Whilst I try to avoid the war topic at work and focus on managing the business, it is impossible not to hear soundbites from time to time. In the western news, I can hear talk of the need for negotiation and the fear of waning support. However, the general opinion remains one of continued support of a Ukrainian nation that has been invaded by Russian forces. This assumes that Russia is fighting against Ukraine! But Putin's tone in his domestic speeches to the Russian people, and his actions, have changed recently. Now he says that his war is actually against America, NATO and Europe, not the people of Ukraine.

We lost power and installed a generator.

Presently, Putin's words and the words of the Russian state media are more about hatred of the West. Compared to the start of this war, he has changed the tone. In the first days he said that Russia was invading Ukraine to save the Russian minority from persecution and genocide. He specifically cited the Ukrainian Nazis, who he said were committing crimes against Russian minorities. 

Now he is intimating that all Ukrainians are brothers of one family, they need to be protected against America and NATO. He now says that the Ukrainian Nazis were, in fact, American and British infiltrators.

This brings us to the point where Russian artillery started shooting at Ukrainian infrastructure, which, due to the deadlock in the Southeast, seems to have come about at the Dnepr River. A physical barrier of water that neatly cuts through Ukraine from Chornobyl in the north, running south to the Black Sea, near Crimea and Odessa. The river crossing is making progress difficult for both sides to move.

And that is where the situation turned darker because the bombing of infrastructure is, clearly, connected to the retreat of Russian troops and the stall at the Dnepr. It appears to be stepping up to the next level, where troops move back and fire all sorts of munitions at Ukraine civilian infrastructure. Targeting infrastructure that supports the lives and wellbeing of ordinary Ukraine citizens, more than the Ukraine military. Targeting civilians in the winter! And all the time, Putin is claiming that he is saving Ukraine.

This tactic is surely not going to break the Ukrainian resolve. From what I noticed, the Ukrainian people become more determined every time the power, heat and water are lost. In the Supersprox factory the staff adapt to each new situation. If the power goes down, we can run off the generator, but with some limitations. Not all machines operate as they should and constant power spikes damage electronics. Our heating system was put out of action, bringing the working temperature in the factory below 10C (50F). Not a single person complained about the cold. There are no streetlights in the city, but I never hear people say that it is unacceptable.

We lost power and installed a generator. We lost city water supply and dug a well. We anticipate that the internet can be lost, so we are probably going to install Starlink satellite for internet. Every time the Russian war on Ukraine pushes us, we push back! And that is the same all over Ukraine.

Militarily, Russia is not able to overrun Ukraine. Bombing civilian infrastructure is making the people more resolved to throw out the invaders. Putin's threats against Finland and Sweden brought them swiftly to the NATO table.

From the start of the war, I have tried to keep away from expressing any political point of view. My goal was to support our Ukraine team and save the company, so that they would have something to do after the madness is finished. When I hear people in the West complaining about the cost of the war, and whether the West should be involved or not, I lose sleep.

As a British Citizen, working 11 years in Ukraine, I understand how different we are culturally. There is no way to politely withdraw from this war. Showing weakness and fear will only bring the troubles of the East to the citizens of the West. 

Winter at Supersprox

Putin is not a man who respects kindness. In his eyes, that is weakness to be immediately exploited.

I believe that we all have good times and bad times. It's what makes us, it defines who we are as people. This is a time to endure, and to make choices that will benefit future generations, even if we must suffer a little in the process. Otherwise, Russia will be at our borders and that could undermine global security for our children's lives.

AFAM Group

DC AFAM evolves and becomes AFAM Group

The newly named AFAM Group used EICMA to unveil a project that it started working on in 2021 - a new corporate structure and brand identity.

"There can be no progress without change," said AFAM Group Product and Marketing Manager Davy Dousselaere. "In 2021, DC AFAM [a member of the Breda, NL based Powersports Distribution Group/PDG] started to spark a fire, a new adventure we needed to go on. There was a need to evolve, and we decided to start a new chapter. AFAM Group was born. 

"Becoming a group was crucial to have one unified story that binds everything and everyone together, a group of people who all have their unique style, but always stay connected through their passion for motorcycles. Our group stands for a strong alliance and a perfect fit. AFAM Group is a house of strong brands. Therefore, we needed to rebrand every product to unlock the full potential of each of them and of the AFAM Group.

"We took our end users and their dealer as a guide at every step of the process. We must ensure that our parts and solutions perfectly match what our end user is looking for from his local dealer and in doing that, initiate better connections between us, our consumers and their dealers.

"I'm very excited to be in at the start of the AFAM Group," says Denis Brouwer, CEO of the Powersports Distribution Group. "This is so much more than a name change. We have paid attention to every individual product, but also to the way we work as a company. AFAM Group focuses on relating to our community on a more emotional level, rather than merely communicating from a product perspective. 

"We will accelerate the development of own brands within AFAM Group. This will allow us to keep growing and serve customers in the best possible way in the future. With the transition from DC AFAM to AFAM Group we aspire to become a lifestyle brand with a strong sense of recognisability, creativity and credibility. 

"Our aim is to reinforce and support our clients in their marketing efforts by being a strong house of brands, by being an aspirational brand that creates a pull-effect in sales. The stripes are an important part of the new AFAM Group logo. They symbolise the road we have travelled together and the roads we will travel in the future. 

"We continue to focus on quality and performance. We are an aftermarket and OEM supplier to European motorcycle parts wholesalers and retail chains with transmission, battery and filter brands like AFAM, NITRO, ISON and SHIDO." 

www.afam-group.com

www.powersportsdistributiongroup.com

EICMA 2022 review Part2

Puig Design Team – Creators of the “Diablo” bike

Puig Hi-Tech Parts: 2022 saw the Barcelona based manufacturer showcase its materials research, product design and precision manufacturing capabilities with a special Yamaha MT-09 project - 'Diablo' - to showcase its "EverFlowing Design" concept. Described by Carles Puig as a design philosophy that can be translated into a design language that ticks all the most important boxes, the aim is to produce accessories that are functional - "without purpose, there is no design"; adaptable - "versatile designs that can be purposed to different uses and needs" and aerodynamic - "the basis of everything"; ergonomic - "designs for every kind of rider"; minimalistic - "designs with nothing unnecessary getting in the way"; smart-electronic - "technological and useful" and interactive - "a bike that responds with an improved riding experience"; www.puig.tv

BS Battery: Known in Europe as an OEM and aftermarket vendor, BS Battery offers a wide range of battery solutions and options for all powersports industry applications: from motorcycle, scooter and large displacement V-twin touring and cruiser models to SSV, ATV, UTV, snowmobiles and watercraft. However, with an eye to the future, General Manager Benjamin Sebban told IDN that their focus at this time is on race-bred innovation in the Lithium-ion space. "We have designed a unique, ultra-resistant casing that can resist up to 230°C, including ultra-robust terminals, to make sure our batteries can be used in extreme conditions." The inventory-friendly BS Battery Lithium range covers most of the existing powersports model fitments in the market - with just 12 models of battery, from 12.8 voltage up to 560 CCA (A), small, lighter weight (up to 70% lighter than lead acid batteries) and maintenance-free, long lifetime solutions to high discharge rate and waterproof designs and features like integral voltage indicators to check the state of charge. "Approved and used by many top race teams, the BSLi02 battery is the right answer to the most demanding riders looking for higher performance, high resistance and high longevity," says Benjamin; www.bs-battery.com

RMS: Based near Monza, Italy, and established in 1985, RMS specialises in the distribution of spare parts and accessories for the motorcycle and scooter industry in Europe. The company sells a range of over 40,000 product references to dealers throughout Italy and worldwide. In addition to parts and accessories for the latest mainstream model motorcycles and scooters from many of the leading manufacturers worldwide, RMS has a strong 'Classic' programme, focusing mainly on older Vespa and Lambretta scooter models, as well as other PTWs such as APE and mopeds. The company's latest 2023 'Classic' catalogue features more than 800 pages of new and updated product lines from the leading brand names as well as its in-house designed 'RMS Classic' line; www.rms.it

QD Exhaust (Arcas Industrie): EICMA saw Manuel de Liso's QD Exhaust business release a slip-on for the new Ducati DesertX. Based on QD's award-winning Tri-Cone series, this muffler has a titanium can with a carbon fibre end cap. The outlet port has a grid with a QD logo that enhances the aggressive look and racing style. "The grid keeps the dB killer in position," says Manuel, "but removing it is a simple procedure - just undo the screws that hold the carbon end cap and remove the grid, pull out the dB killer and replace the grid and the end cap." The kit is comprised of a link pipe that fits on the stock catalyst, the titanium muffler, a carbon fibre heat shield and all the fixing hardware for a quick and easy install. "As with all QD production, this kit meets the Euro 5 standards. A service card provided with the kit allows the customer to achieve the 30 months warranty programme and access all the special services reserved for QD exhaust owners"; www.qdexhaust.it

Andreani Group: International Sales Manager Diego Arduini told IDN: "This has been another good year for the Group, and our message to the market is 'watch this space'. We hope to have a major announcement to make soon about a massive expansion to our capabilities and market reach." Meanwhile, the Pesaro based company has continued to develop its specialty suspension tools and workshop equipment offer with additions to its SP Vacuum Pump series, Misano front fork suspension cartridge programme and professional suspension technician course series; www.andreanigroup.com

POD Active: Reinforcing its status as a global motorcycle industry hub, EICMA saw Italian distributor Innteck play host to Australian knee brace specialist POD Active. Founded in 2005 by polymer and composite materials specialist and motorbike fanatic Geoff Maloney, International Marketing Manager Byron Marsh told IDN: "We have more than 44 globally in at least 52 different countries, and have seen sales growth again this year." Developed in association with American MX Pro Adam Cianciarulo, the company's new K4 AC9 limited edition knee brace boasts "vibrant pops of colour and dynamic graphical treatment while still featuring the unprecedented strength and performance of the original K4 2.0 brace"; www.podactive.com

Arrowhead Engineered Product: Arrowhead CEO John Mosunic has wasted little time investing in growing Arrowhead's footprint in the global powersports business. Arrowhead is owner of Vertex Pistons in Italy and All Balls Racing Group whose brands portfolio including Hot Cams, Hot Rods, All Balls Racing and Pivot Works. The company's first significant acquisition announcement in 2022 came in January with news that long-time owner Craig Shoemaker had sold his Boise, Idaho-based business, Western Power Sports, to Arrowhead. Just eight months later came the news that Arrowhead, one of the big three distributors in the United States, had snapped up Bihr from Kontich, Beldium-based former owner Alcopa. At a stroke (well, two strokes) and in the space of less than a year, Arrowhead had reshaped the European and American motorcycle industry parts, accessories, gear and apparel landscape in dramatic fashion; www.arrowheadepinc.com

Powersports Distribution Group (PDG): Recently appointed as CEO, Denis Brouwer's strong commercial experience makes him ideally suited to plot a growth course for the Breda based owner of Hoco Parts, AFAM Group, Motorcycle Storehouse, CMS and other select acquisitions. "Our strategy is to help dealers to build on the bond between their stores, their customers and the distributors they buy from with world-class brands and products. PDG builds on the relationship between dealers and their local riding community by acquiring or partnering with accomplished local wholesalers, using their expertise to better serve their country's market. Quite simply put, our long-term goal is to become Europe's leading parts distributor. This is ambitious, yes, but the growth realised in a little over four years proves that we aren't just talk"; powersportsdistributiongroup.com

Landport Batteries: Recent news from the Dutch battery specialist includes expansion of its range of SLA batteries. "We offer an extensive range of batteries and battery chargers for various powersports, automotive and industrial applications," says Landport's Bart van Abeelen. "During the last season, we saw the demand for sealed batteries continue to increase - in response to 2021 introduced regulations that ban the sale of sulphuric acid to end-users. As a result, most of our customers are switching their business from batteries with acid packs (conventional and AGM) to completely sealed alternatives (SLA and GEL). The main advantage is that they are factory-activated (filled and charged) and therefore ready to use. No acid handling is needed." The LP brand is available in six series with a total of 200 battery models suitable for motorcycles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, jet skis, snowmobiles and even lawn mowers; www.landportbv.com

Bihr: The Bartenheim, France based distributor became a second acquisition in 2022 for the Minnesota based Arrowhead Engineered Products (AEP) Group. Best known until recently, in powersports terms, as owner of Vertex Pistons in Italy, All Balls Racing and other component brands such as Hot Cams and Pivot Works, the year started with news that AEP had acquired the Boise, Idaho based domestic U.S. distributor Western Power Sports (WPS). The year ended by coming to terms with AEP's August announced addition of Bihr to give them a substantial position as a leading player in both the United States and European markets. Bihr CEO Christophe Piron told IDN that he had always wanted to find a way into the domestic American parts and accessories market for its own brands, and many of its global exclusives, saying: "I always thought we had the critical mass and brand strength to compete there. The combination of Bihr and WPS with AEP's capital and manufacturing resources gives us an immediate platform for expansion in USA and here in Europe"; www.mybihr.com

Italian motorcycle registrations

Italy: motorcycles +5.41% January to October 

The new year started strongly in Italy, with motorcycle registrations +23.31%, +27.81% and +16.18% for January, February and March respectively. However, despite a soft four months from April to July (July was -7.46%/13,194 units), the latest available data from ANCMA - the motorcycle industry trade association in Italy - show the uptick seen in August (+13.50%/6,870 units) sustained in September (+5.46%/9,394) through to a dramatic +17.30% increase in October (7,945 units) for the best performance for that month in Italy since before 2014 - as it was for August and September too.

The increases may represent registrations of sold but awaited inventory, as the logistics issues that had bottlenecked Japanese production (in particular) started to ease in the late summer. For the YTD, Italy was +5.41%, with 116,565 motorcycles registered. 

In total PTW terms, the year to October saw Italy -1.76% at 247,210 units, though, again, October was huge at +28.08% (20,264 total PTWs registered) and the best there since before 2011.

Of the total units registered YTD, ANCMA is classifying 130,645 as scooters, which is -7.37% compared to the ten months of 2021.

The Benelli TRK 502/X was again the top-selling motorcycle YTD at 6,395 units, which also makes it the fourth best seller overall behind the Honda SH 125 in first spot, KYMCO Agility 125 R16 in second, and Honda SH 150 in third. The BMW R 1250 GS is the second bestselling motorcycle (3,753 units YTD), followed by the Ténéré 700 (2,581), Multistrada V4/S and the Keeway RKF 125 (recorded as the top-selling 'naked' style motorcycle YTD with 1,982 units registered).

For the record - Italy was again the largest market in Europe in 2021, with motorcycle registrations +26.49% (119,079 units) compared to 2020 - the best for more than a decade. Total PTWs were +23.58% for the 2021 full year with a massive 270,232 total units sold - also the best for a decade (218,677 units in 2020, 231,985 in 2019). The bestselling motorcycle in Italy in 2021 was the Benelli TRK 502/X (6,543 units).

BMW

BMW

In line with its 2020 pandemic era announcement, BMW corporate has shunned major motorcycle shows in 2022, but that doesn't mean the firm hasn't got plenty of new and updated models for next year. In fact, there's something of a bumper crop, even if it consists of upgrades rather than clean-sheet designs.

The S1000RR superbike is at the top of the list, with wings on the fairing to keep up with the latest trends and add 10 kg of downforce at high speed. Power is also up - an additional 2 kW that takes the 2023 model to 154 kW (206.5 hp/210 PS) from the previous 152 kW (204 hp/207 PS) thanks to changes inherited from the M1000RR's engine, an extra tooth on the rear sprocket takes advantage of the 2023 bike's higher peak revs (max power comes at a screaming 13,750 rpm) to reduce the final drive ratio and improve acceleration without any loss of top speed.

S1000RR

Chassis tweaks include a slightly less aggressive head angle (23.6 degrees instead of 23.1) and a 16 mm longer wheelbase, and the rear bodywork has been revised to match the new-look front end. Weight is unchanged at 197 kg wet.

With the S1000RR closing the gap to the range-topping M1000RR, BMW has also updated the homologation-special model for 2023 - but instead of adding power, the focus is on radical aerodynamics to help make it a WSB contender. There's no change to peak power, 156 kW (209 hp/212 PS), or the 192 kg wet weight, but the 2023 M1000RR has less drag and more downforce than its predecessor thanks to a fairing that targets aerodynamic efficiency over cosmetic appeal. 

New wings increase peak downforce from 16.3 kg to 22.6 kg at 300 km/h but drag is reduced to increase top speed from 306 km/h (190 mph) to 314 km/h (195 mph). All numbers that are meaningless for road riders, but potentially decisive on the track. A bubble-like nose, made of carbon fibre, new side panels and a redesigned tail all contribute to the efficiency, and on the higher-spec M1000RR M Competition version there are also aerodynamic front wheel shrouds.

M1000RR

BMW's 'M' range also grows for 2023 with the debut of the new M1000R - a bike that combines elements of the S1000R streetfighter with parts from the S1000RR superbike to become the most powerful unfaired production machine on the market. 

While the S1000R has always been based on the S1000RR, it lacks the variable valve timing system and outright power of the faired model. That's corrected on the M1000R, which gets the full-fat superbike motor with 154 kW - a huge increase on the 121 kW of the S1000R and enough to beat rivals including the MV Agusta Brutale 1000RR and Ducati Streetfighter V4.

Visually, the M1000R gains winglets that add 11 kg of downforce at 220 km/h, while the 'M Competition' pack adds a small wind deflector on the nose. New suspension includes 45 mm USD forks and electronic damping control, while the brakes are also upgraded to cope with the additional performance, with the 'M' calipers from the M1000RR superbike.

At the more 'real world' end of BMW's range, the R1250R and R1250RS are both given minor refreshes for 2023. The naked R1250R gains a new LED headlight design that freshens the front end's appearance and adds the option of cornering lights, and while the R1250RS looks essentially the same as the previous model, both machines gain a new 'ECO' riding mode and dash display.