According to ANCMA, the Italian Motorcycle Industry Trade Association that owns and operates EICMA, the 80th edition/110th anniversary year saw "over 560,000 people attend the exhibition".
That is some +19% up on 2022, and describing it as a "Gold Medal Edition", that is actually still some 200,000 or more visitors lower than the peak pre-pandemic claims made for the attendance, but, whether an overestimate or not, there were more than enough people there to keep the aisles and booths of the eight occupied halls busy.
That was two more halls than in 2022 and three more than in 2021. Some 2,036 brands were "present" according to the organisers, with more than 700 direct exhibitors - confirming the long and growing list of aftermarket parts and accessory and gear and apparel absentees.
Some 67% or those exhibitors were international, representing 45 countries. EICMA says that more than 30 percent of the exhibitors were "first timers" - another 'tell' in terms of the underlying trend that continues to affect all the major shows in terms of the 'core' international motorcycle industry vendor community, with consolidation, market changes and atrophy continuing to have their effect.
EICMA says there were 39,392 selected and profiled industry professionals present with updated quality criteria that were introduced in 2022 intended to improve dealer (and press) day attendee scrutiny. There were though several tens of thousands more people than that in the aisles on the so-called "Trade Day". Of the "industry professional attendance", 52% was theoretically recorded as "international", from 120 countries.
In media terms, EICMA claims that just over 7,000 journalists, technicians and communication professionals and content creators attended from 62 countries - there were though several thousand more people than that in the aisles on the so-called "Press Day".
EICMA 2023 saw the unveil of a second iteration of that thinking - 'DIABLO X' - as a second stage in the translation of design philosophy into design language. Parts developed include frontal spoilers, a smart display, height-adjustable seat design and rear seat cowl, side panels, rear spoiler, drag-reducing lenticular rim, side fins that modify the airflow and a fairing with an electronically adjustable windshield and full LED headlight. The most important boxes that the Puig design studio seeks to tick are to produce accessories that not only look great, but that are fully functional - "without purpose, there is no design"; adaptable - "versatile designs that can be purposed to different uses and needs"; aerodynamic - "the basis of everything"; ergonomic - "designs for every kind of rider"; minimalistic - "designs with nothing unnecessary getting in the way" and 'Smart-Electronic' - "technological, useful and interactive - "a bike that responds"; www.puig.tv
MIPS: The internationally respected Stockholm based motorcycle helmet safety specialist has advanced its helmet testing technology with its Virtual Test Lad (VYL) - "with the potential to lower the environmental impact while significantly reducing costs and time-to-market for new helmets". The MIPS safety system is categorised as an "ingredient brand" business model, with the MIPS system being sold to the global helmet industry as a patented additive safety technology. Rotational motion is a common cause of concussions and more severe brain injury in oblique hits to the head. The MIPS system consists of a low friction layer that is mounted inside the helmet. In a crash, the low friction layer is designed to move slightly inside the helmet to help redirect forces away from the head. This is intended to help reduce the risk of brain injury. Recent news from MIPS include a US$7.3m investment into Quin, a sensor-based technology company specialising in 'event detection' and data-driven emergency response protocols; www.mipsprotection.com
Mytech: New luggage from the Italian brand includes its 'Raid Pro' line - new aluminium cases with "an innovative design, featuring integrated corners". An upgrade to its popular 'Raid' line, the set consists of a 44-litre top case and a pair of 41 and 48 litre side cases in natural or black painted finish; www.mytechaccessories.it
Delta Braking: Founded in the Netherlands in 2001, Delta offers dealers access to a broad programme of on and off-road, scooter and ATV/Quad brake pads for vintage, pre-2000 and twin shock model applications for brands from Adiva, AJP and AJS to Yamaha, Zero and Zontes; www.delta-braking.com
Kellermann: Recent new products from the award-winning Aachen, Germany motorcycle lights specialist have included its 'Dayron' ECE-approved intelligent DRL system with smart control. Internationally respected for innovative, high quality, ECE-approved LED lighting solutions that set the benchmark for durability, design and safety, 'Dayron' is the world's first high performance daytime running light for motorcycles with intelligent light control and ECE approval. 'Dayron' can be completely integrated into the onboard electronics of the motorcycle, it is offered as a pure daytime running light with position light and indicator function option; www.kellermann-online.com
Haan Wheels: Former Maico MX racer Arie den Haan took his first steps as a wheel builder more than 45 years ago - in a small garage behind his house. Building spoked wheels for street and MX bikes remains its core business. He gave over the running of the business to his son Rob den Haan in 2002 and sequential moves has seen them grow into a 1,500+ sq m building in the Netherlands where it has a full stock of 8,000+ rims and 300,000+ spokes. Haan exports its wheels worldwide from Europe to Japan, Australia, Thailand, Canada, Russia and many more countries. Used by many of the best teams and riders in the world, they have helped many riders to more than 35 world championships and countless European and national championships in professional and amateur racing divisions; www.haanwheels.com
