Yamaha has announced that 2021 Superbike World Champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu will leave the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team at the end of the 2023 season as he and Yamaha amicably end their successful four-year relationship together, with the Turkish rider seeking a new challenge for 2024.
Varese, Italy based MV Agusta has said that the first six months of its partnership with KTM owner PIERER Mobility AG has already resulted in the addition of 100 dealers that are new to the brand, en route to an end of 2023 target of 180 new outlets. "MV Agusta dealerships are being appointed worldwide among the best already existing MV dealerships, the best selected PIERER Mobility AG retailers and business partners coming from the premium automotive industry". The company has also added enhanced customer care with a 4-year warranty on all model year 2023 bikes in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Spain and UK (more countries to follow), with service activated lifetime 24/7 roadside assistance included in the purchase of any MV Agusta motorcycle. The company has also launched a new exclusive limited edition for its North American market - the Dragster RR SCS America edition marking the 50th anniversary of the launch of the 750 S.
Yamaha Motor Europe has announced that it has agreed terms for 26-year old Italian Andrea Locatelli, who will remain with them until the end of the 2025.
May this year saw the second edition of Ducati's #WeRideAsOne promotion bring 15,000 enthusiasts from all over the world to their local Ducati dealerships. "Paris, New York, Cologne, Puebla, Mumbai, Brussels, Ningbo and many other cities of the five continents were the setting for the parade which represented a symbolic moment for all those present."
Chinese auto brands are on track to account for just over 50% of the cars sold in their home market for the first time in 2023, thanks to a growing dominance in electric vehicles.
Yamaha has announced a year-long celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the World Championship winning YZ. The Yamaha YZ250 initially entered production in 1974, but Hakan Andersson raced a prototype version of the bike, the YZM250, complete with monoshock suspension, from the third round onwards in the 1973 FIM 250 cc Motocross World Championship. Andersson went on to win the championship that year, securing Yamaha its first world title in motocross.
Arun Gopal, Head of EMEA Business Markets for Royal Enfield, announced a new Riders Club of Europe - "a community-focused, one-stop-shop for all current and future Royal Enfield riders. One that embodies all aspects of Royal Enfield's 'Pure Motorcycling' ethos." In other news, Royal Enfield has taken its UK distribution in-house, while an electric Royal Enfield - with a girder fork front suspension no less - has been pictured in an Indian automotive magazine. The chassis is believed to be similar to that being used in the Meteor.
As preparations for Triumph's debut in the 2024 MXGP/MX2 and SuperMotocross World Championships intensify, Triumph Racing has signed two riders to lead its race development testing. Clément Desalle joins as test rider for the Triumph Racing MXGP/MX2 Team, run by Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, and Ivan Tedesco comes onboard as full-time test rider for the Triumph Racing US SuperMotocross World Championship Team, led by Bobby Hewitt.
Piaggio has expanded its network of Motoplex flagship showrooms with a new facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The new facility will feature Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa motorcycles and scooters. "We believe that a premium retail experience is critical to serving our passionate Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa customers, allowing them to connect at a deeper level that resonates with a modern enthusiast that allows them to engage with our products and connect with our brands in a whole new way," says Marco d'Acunzo, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
