PIERER Mobility AG

KTM owner to take € 1bn hit as bankruptcy protection filing triggers "Redimension of Production" 

PIERER Mobility AG is finally giving way to the inevitable outcome of the increasingly bad flow of news that has been coming out of the Austrian business empire of Stefan Pierer since this time last year, with the wholly owned KTM AG subsidiary of PIERER Mobility AG filing for an Austrian equivalent of bankruptcy protection.

In a 29 November 2024 application for 'judicial restructuring proceedings' with what is termed 'self-administration' of its on-going trading and restructuring initiatives, it will buy itself the 90-days it says it needs. That time is needed in order to raise the "high three-digit million figure'" it requires to protect itself from its creditors. Failure to do so would ultimately result in a winding-up process that would see it facing a liquidation of its assets and, no doubt, a fire-sale of intellectual properties that would be much coveted in Asia. 

In the byzantine corporate structure that is downwind of Stefan Pierer, KTM AG is the business doing the filing, and the business where the financing is required. The management will have three months to find a 'self-administered' way forward - essentially a variation on the theme of a 'pre-pack' solution, albeit one devised under legal cover.

The PIERER Mobility AG executive board stated in advance of the filing that it was the "Executive Board of KTM AG" that had decided to make the filing, but this is all 'in-house' so details of who actually has ownership of the application for the "initiation of judicial restructuring proceedings with self-administration over the assets of KTM AG and its subsidiaries" is being seen as a procedural moat to protect other trading divisions and shareholdings.

"The proceedings give the opportunity to continue to manage the assets under supervision and to reorganise the KTM Group independently. All other subsidiaries of KTM AG, in particular all sales companies, are not affected." Which in and of itself is patently misleading - of course the outcome affects them, even if not in the ways that a filing would interpret that.

Recently appointed KTM AG Co-CEO Gottfried Neumeister (left) with Stefan Pierer: "Over the past three decades, we have grown to become Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer. Now we are taking a pit stop for the future. The KTM brand is my life's work, and I will fight for it."

The aim of the proceedings is to agree a reorganisation plan with the creditors within 90 days, and in a new generation of 'right sizing' corporate jargon 'redimensioning' of the group is the phrase being used. This is an attempt to try and make everyone think that 'all is okay, it is just a pesky technicality', but it isn't. People are going to lose jobs. Dealers are going to lose their brand investments and all involved will lose money one way or another.

The PIERER Mobility AG release states that the process "should not only secure the continued existence of the KTM Group in the long term, but also create the basis for emerging stronger from the proceeding." Meanwhile, MV Agusta? Will more good money be sent to die on that mountain top?

"A 'redimensioning' of production should lead to a gradual adjustment in excess stock at KTM and its dealers over the next two years. This will result in a reduction in operating performance at the Austrian sites totalling over € 1bn in the years 2025 and 2026."

Having been on the receiving end of 'channel stuffing' and over-trading there are no doubt many hundreds of dealers worldwide who will not be impressed with that time scale. Get it done!

"The restructuring process will result in additional potential losses, for example due to one-off expenses such as necessary write-downs (e.g. for capitalised development costs) and costs for staff reductions as well as the shortfall in fixed costs due to the reduced operating performance and other costs arising from the restructuring process. 

"Consequently, for the current 2024 financial year, the company expects a negative annual net result in the very high three-digit million range."

In a subsequent release, PIERER Mobility AG has described it as KTM AG taking a "pit stop" for the future as KTM AG implements "restructuring measures" - the management of KTM AG having assumed that "it will not be possible to secure the necessary interim financing in a timely manner." 

Stefan Pierer, who is Co-CEO of KTM AG as well as of his eponymous holding company is quoted as saying: "Over the past three decades, we have grown to become Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer. We inspire millions of motorcycle riders around the world with our products. Now we are taking a pit stop for the future. The KTM brand is my life's work, and I will fight for it."

In September 2024 Pierer fired four of the KTM AG board members from their executive posts - Florian Kecht, COO Rudolf Wiesbeck, Stefan Pierer's son Alex, and Hubert Trunkenpolz, grandson of KTM founder Hans Trunkenpolz (the 'T' in KTM).

Instead, Stefan Pierer had hired Gottfried Neumeister as a newly minted Company Doctor and advisor, Executive Board member and Co-CEO. Stefan Pierer states: "Gottfried Neumeister has brought impressive experience and a breath of fresh air and has made a significant contribution to addressing the current situation. I am convinced that together we will get the company back on track for success."

For his part, Neumeister is quoted as saying: "The enthusiasm of our employees is our most important competitive advantage. Their passion is the reason why KTM is globally synonymous with peak performance. We build our motorcycles reliably and robustly for every race, for every terrain. Now it's about making the company robust. Robust for the future. So that we can quickly focus again on what we do best: building the coolest motorcycles in the world."

For the success of the restructuring proceedings, a restructuring plan must be agreed upon with the creditors. Stefan Pierer is further quoted as stating: "The core shareholders stand by KTM and PIERER Mobility and its stock market listing. The goal is clear: KTM should emerge stronger from this difficult time."

The Pierer/KTM corporate structure was theoretically realigned (streamlined is not quite the right word for it) to better accommodate the position of Bajaj Auto as co-owner of the KTM AG motorcycle manufacturing and other PIERER Mobility AG owned operations in 2020. 

However, the structure has morphed since then. Per a further PIERER Mobility "simplified presentation" corporate structure chart issued in November 2024, Pierer Industrie AG owns 50.1% of Pierer Bajaj AG, in addition to other holdings such as Austrian electronics components manufacturer Abatec (100%) and the Austrian automotive engine and drivetrain parts manufacturer Pankl Racing Systems AG (80% - the owner, among other properties of CP Carillo Pistons and Rods and Arias Pistons in Irvine, California).

In turn, Pierer Bajaj AG owns 74.94% of PIERER Mobility AG. It is PIERER Mobility AG that is listed on the Vienna and Swiss stock markets. The shares have plummeted to around the € 7.7 mark as at the end of November 2024, having been as high as € 101.88 as recently as February 2022.

It is PIERER Mobility AG that is the 100 percent owner of KTM AG, not Pierer Bajaj or Pierer Industri, and it is KTM AG that is filing, not, as reported mistakenly elsewhere, its PIERER Mobility parent company. It is KTM AG that owns and operates the KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas and MV Agusta motorcycle brands and their operations, and in which the relationships with CFMoto and ZEEHO electric vehicles are owned and operated.

There are four additional business divisions owned by PIERER Mobility AG, but they stand alongside but separate to KTM AG within the structure. These are the Bicycle, Design and R&D (Kiska etc), Digital Transformation and IT division (such as PIERER Innovation which is among the interests in which Stefan Pierer's son Alex is primarily involved) and the Motorsport division.

This structure is important in understanding who exactly those shareholders left taking the loss actually will be, and it would appear that, through PIERER Mobility AG's 100% ownership of KTM AG it will be Pierer Bajaj AG (74.94% of the hurt) and the other shareholders in PIERER Mobility AG - those on the Austrian and Swiss stock exchanges, and any other 'direct' ownership stakes within the approx. 25% remaining minority balance of the non-Pierer Bajaj AG controlling ownership slice.

The day before the filing announcement, PIERER Mobility moved to deny domestic Austrian press reports that talks had taken place with Mark Mateschitz, the son and heir of the Red Bull energy drink founder. An obvious candidate for the nearly € 1bn of liquidity that is said to be required, but a carefully worded denial simply said that no such talks had taken place at that stage. It did not rule out whether such talks might take place at some stage though. 

However, Indian conglomerate Bajaj Auto remains the favourite to take over ownership. Additionally, CFMoto already has 'skin in the game' through its corporate and manufacturing ties with the group and their primary Chinese rival Qianjiang Motorcycle (the Benelli-owning Geely subsidiary) and is likely to be wanting to keep a close eye on any moves its internationally best know, respected and connected domestic rival may be planning. Both will likely also be eying how Bajaj Auto responds to the mess.

News Briefs

Spanish manufacturer Rieju is to launch its 'revolutionary' new fuel-injected engine for Enduro bikes at EICMA. Promising "unprecedented power and efficiency, this innovative engine promises to take performance and efficiency to levels never seen before, offering off-road enthusiasts an unrivalled riding experience. Jordi Riera, CEO of Rieju: 'We believe this development will transform the future of our MR range."

­Since being appointed as aftermarket product European master distributor by Magneti Marelli, it has been a good year for Milan based Bergamaschi - the oldest established motorcycle parts and accessory importer and distributor in the world (founded 1919 by Enrico Bergamaschi). Two years ago, Magneti Marelli added availability of motorcycle parts to its 'Parts and Services' aftermarket division to give Europe's huge network of 'smaller' and independent motorcycle dealers and workshops access to the huge range of service and replacement parts and components offered under the Magneti Marelli brand.  Bergamaschi has acted quickly and successfully to build a sub-distribution network for them and the latest to join the team is noted Hoya, Germany based Hermann Hartje KG. "It is a huge vote of confidence for Hartje that we have been chosen as the exclusive distribution partner for Magneti Marelli's motorcycle parts in Germany," said Jens Engelking, Head of AutoMoto at Hartje. 

Indian Motorcycle manufacturer Polaris reports Q3 2024 sales of -23% at $1,722m compared to the year-ago. Powersports retail sales for the quarter were down -7%, driven by ORV, Motorcycles and Marine sector declines. Q3 ORV retail was down -3%. North America Indian Motorcycle unit retail sales were down low-double digits percent. Estimated NA unit retail sales for the comparable motorcycle industry were down high-single digits percent. Polaris has lowered its 2024 Full Year guidance, expecting sales to be down by -20% by the end of this year.

Ducati's biennial World Ducati Week (WDW) in July (Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Italy) achieved certification as a "sustainable event" (UNI ISO 20121) for the fourth consecutive edition. "The certification is the final piece in an event that proved to be the most successful ever with more than 94,000 attendees registered over the three days of fun and enthusiasm. The achievement was made possible by an organizational model that ensured economically, environmentally and socially balanced management of each phase of the event."

BS Battery

15 years of BS Battery

Founded in Paris by battery industry veteran Alain Sebban, and headed up since 2009 by his son Benjamin Sebban as General Manager, BS Battery has come a long way in a short time.

Alain's founding vision was clear - to be the first powersports industry battery manufacturer to offer the widest possible range of high-quality battery and care solutions for specialist sectors in an already competitive and overpopulated sector at that time.

Alain Sebban, founder with  Benjamin Sebban, General Manager

Since then, of course, the changes in technology and market direction seen in the powersports battery sector have made it even more challenging, which makes the success achieved in those 15 years even more impressive.

The introduction of smart chargers line in 2011 was the first step in taking the BS Battery brand's service-oriented approach into the adjacent market opportunities, while addressing the increasingly complex issues and importance of charging and maintenance. 

The launch of the SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) battery range in 2014 confirmed a reputation for innovation with ready-to-use ‘plug and play’ solutions that are designed to simplify the user experience.

Headquarters & European Warehouse - Arles (France)

In 2015, the company unveiled its SLA MAX range, offering the kind of higher power capacity and starting amps that large displacement V-twin and touring model engines require, with lithiums coming two years later.

In 2016, BS Battery started to forge strong collaborations with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) approved by leading motorcycle brands worldwide.

2017 saw BS Battery expand its global footprint by establishing offices in Japan, with its first fully automated OEM production line started a year later. The 2018 partnership with MotoGP rider Johann Zarco marked BS Battery's entry into racing and further elevated the brand's profile in the racing and OEM communities.

Fabio Quartararo

Official Sponsor Aprilia Racing MotoGP

SLA -  ready to use batteries

The sponsorship of rising stars like Fabio Quartararo in 2019 further deepened its commitment to motorsport, culminating in the celebration of his MotoGP Championship title in 2021.

In 2020, BS Battery became the Official Sponsor of World Superbike GMT94 Yamaha Team. "Additionally, our partnership with the Kawasaki Bud Racing Team in MXGP has provided us with valuable insights for the off-road segment.

"The following year saw us establish an additional production plant and subsidiary in Vietnam. In addition, becoming the Official Sponsor of Sherco Racing Team highlighted BS Battery’s support for diverse motorsport disciplines, from Enduro to Rally.

"In 2022, we established a new European warehouse in Arles, in France, and the launch of our North American subsidiary has opened new market opportunities.

New range LITHIUM MAX to meet the new standards

"Having established offices in the Middle East and Latin America, in 2023 we strengthened our commitment to MotoGP by becoming the Official Sponsor of Aprilia Racing, extending our collaboration from road, as an Original Equipment Manufacturer, to the racing world. 

"The same year also saw the launch of the new SLA MAX BGZ Series, offering the highest CCA and capacity for V-twin and ATV applications, alongside an innovative LITHIUM MAX range.

"In total, we offer 400 battery solutions, distributed across 80 countries, supported by a dedicated team of 25 employees. With 15 racing partners, three subsidiaries and three coordination offices, the company continues to grow, with the two production facilities enhancing our capabilities.

"So, that's not bad for the first 15 years, is it? We are looking forward to where the next 15 years take us and where it takes the fast-developing industry that we are a part of."

www.bs-battery.com

Honda

Honda to supply Yamaha with complete electric bikes as an OEM By Ben Purvis

Yamaha and Honda might have been fierce rivals for nearly 70 years, but the two are increasingly coming together in the face of the challenge to meet future drivetrain demands - with the latest tie-in seeing Honda become an electric scooter OEM supplier to Yamaha.

Along with Kawasaki and Suzuki, they have worked together in recent years as part of the Swappable Batteries Consortium for Electric Motorcycles, hammering out a standardised removable battery pack for the Japanese market. They have also been cooperating in the HySE research group to develop small hydrogen-fuelled combustion engines and fuel systems for motorcycles.  

"Honda Benly e: 1 and EM1 e:"

The new agreement will see Honda supplying Yamaha with complete electric motorcycles for the Japanese market in the wake of the decision to base the standardised swappable battery pack on the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, as used in the Honda EM1 e: and Benly e: 1 scooters in Japan. Since those machines are already developed around the Mobile Power Pack e:, they will be the basis of the future Honda-made Yamaha models. 

It's a move that replicates an increasingly common trend among car manufacturers to share components and technology, even building entire vehicles for each other, to cut down on R&D expense. With electric vehicles, it's becoming an even more tempting solution, because electric motors and batteries aren't key to a vehicle's character, unlike the combustion engines that went before them.

Although the agreement between Honda and Yamaha currently covers only vehicles for the Japanese market, only the Honda EM1 e: electric scooter is already sold in Europe and beyond, and the two companies, alongside a host of other brands, are core members of the European Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium that's trying to bring the same idea of a standardised motorcycle battery pack to the European market. 

By joining forces on Honda-based bikes, they increase the chances that the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: will prevail as the basis of the European consortium's choice as well as the Japanese one.

K-Tech

Thornton Hundred choose K-Tech suspension

British suspension specialist K-Tech's KTR4 Race fork and Razor shock absorbers have been chosen by British custom builder Thornton Hundred for its new ground-up Triumph Bobber- based custom bike design.

Utilising the talents of companies such as K-Tech, Thornton Hundred has built an excellent reputation for its project builds, but this is its first volume build - the TH Evo Bobber.

Thornton Hundred TH Evo Bobber

Based on its own frame and carbon fibre components, with a Triumph-derived engine giving it a power output of 120 bhp from the 1,200 cc twin cylinder engine, it has achieved an impressive wet weight of just 170 kg. 

Razor Lite nitrogen charged shocks

That is the kind of package that places a premium on the grade of componentry used, not least in terms of the handling qualities available from the chosen suspension.

In choosing K-Tech's race-derived front fork internals and rear shock, it has given itself a top-end suspension configuration that K-Tech has been able to successfully (and mildly) modify to give it a street platform that delivers the kind of precise, predictable and responsive handling that street riders need.

KTR-4 forks

With a range of available spring rates, the 820 mm long by 135 mm stroke KTR-4 fork is designed to install with aftermarket clamp, handlebar, wheel spindle insert and the related component set-ups and offer 30 clicks compression adjustment, 30 clicks rebound adjustment and 18 mm preload adjustment in DLC coated sliders with 7075 outer tubes and axle brackets. They are suitable for 290-320 mm disc diameters with 108 mm centre calipers.

TH are using K-Tech's Razor Lite Triumph Bonneville Bobber shock absorber on its Evo Bobber. They have rebound damping, spring preload and length adjustment, are Nitrogen (N2) filled, have a choice of optional spring rates, anodised black finish and are a 'plug and play', fully reversible, modification-free install.

www.ktechsuspension.com

Società Generale Ricambi (SGR)

Innovation, growth and ambition

Società Generale Ricambi (SGR), the leading Italian motorcycle spare parts and accessories distributor, is seeking to strengthen its position in the international market "with a series of important innovations, strategic collaborations and ambitious goals. With over 70 years of history and the recent creation of the SGR Group, the company is projecting itself towards a future of growth and innovation in the European two-wheel landscape".

Diego Carpinelli

Recent news includes the hiring of Diego Carpinelli as SGR's new Commercial Director. Carpinelli brings over 20 years of experience in the motorcycle industry, having held management roles in leading companies such as Alpinestars, Piaggio and Yamaha. 

"I am very happy to start this journey with SGR," says Carpinelli. "The company has ambitious growth objectives and a structure capable of making them tangible in a short time frame. This challenge is a very positive stimulus, and I look forward to further strengthening relationships with the team and customers."

The SGR Group consists of four national distribution businesses - SGR in Italy, Moraco in France, Euromoto 85 in Spain and Langenscheidt in Germany. Group strategic partnerships and owned brands include UP Design for the off-road world, Supersprox for secondary transmission, ES Battery (a motorcycle battery brand exclusively distributed by SGR Group and a sponsor of LCR Honda team in MotoGP) and the Japanese made MIW filters programme. MIW will have its own dedicated stand at EICMA for the first time this year.

The SGR Group closed 2013 with a turnover of € 81m - testimony to its European brand and expansion strategy. The appointment of Diego Carpinelli is one of several development initiatives in a well-structured action plan that has seen the Group set itself the ambitious goal of achieving € 100m in turnover in the next two years.

www.sgr-it.com

Barnett Clutches & Cables

Barnett clutch plate kit

Legendary American clutch and control cables specialist Barnett Clutches & Cables has added to its comprehensive range of replacement and upgrade clutch kits with this new clutch plate kit for the 2024 Ducati 698 Mono.

Featuring its new K22 Kevlar friction material, bonded to aluminium cores, Barnett’s exclusive K22 material provides smooth shifting and a positive engagement throughout the powerband. 

Also included is a set of tempered steel drive plates. All kits are measured for proper stack height before packaging to ensure proper fit and performance and are made at its Ventura, California headquarters.

BARNETT CLUTCHES & CABLES

www.barnettclutches.com

Rotobox

Rotobox Bullet PRO - ceramic bearings upgrade on pre-orders

Slovenian motorcycle carbon fibre wheels specialist Rotobox has extended its carbon fibre wheel product assortment by unveiling Rotobox Bullet PRO - "a new generation of motorcycle wheels engineered specifically for more demanding users".

Using high-strength continuous unidirectional carbon fibres to form the spokes (rather than orthodox chopped fibres), Rotobox Bullet PRO are an advanced JWL certified upgrade for performance motorcycles.

The unidirectional fibre alignment results in higher levels of stiffness and higher for higher load ratings. They are finished with a satin coating for UV protection, have black hubs and gold valves.

Pre-orders are available from early October 2024, for deliveries commencing in December. Orders placed before the end of EICMA will receive a free-of-charge ceramic bearings upgrade.

This new Rotobox wheel can be seen on Spanish manufacturer Puig's booth at EICMA in November 2024, in Hall 11, booth M40.

ROTOBOX

customize.rotobox-wheels.com

AFAM

AFAM racing bikes stolen after EICMA 2024 

In what AFAM describe as a "calculated theft", two of the show bikes the company had on its booth at EICMA were stolen from a hotel, near to the Rho Fiera Milano, on the night of Monday November 11 after the staff had completed booth tear down.

The Belgian manufacturer and distributor displayed the bikes on their booth to showcase the strength and performance of AFAM products and were a popular feature. AFAM says that it had a successful show, with everyone at the company happy about the way it had gone for them and the business contacts that they had made - up until that point!

Lotte van Drunen's Yamaha YZ250F

These were no ordinary bikes, and it does raise questions about the exact nature of the theft. 

One belonged to Lotte van Drunen (Team De Baets Yamaha MXGP), the 2024 WMX World Champion (chassis number: JYACG51C000000642) and the other was the Honda CRF 450R owned by Team HONDA SR Motoblouz (Kevin Horgmo and Valentin Guillod; chassis number: JH2PE07AXRK701815).

"The bikes were taken, not from the show floor, but a day after the show had closed, from the parking area of our hotel on the night of Monday November 11 - after we had completed the dismantling of our booth," said AFAM's Rolf Verhagen.

Team HONDA SR Motoblouz's CRF 450R

"This suggests that the thieves followed us, waiting for the right moment to strike. It is suspected that the thieves either followed my colleagues or placed a tracker on the bikes or van, as they seemed to know that the bikes were in the van. It would appear to have been targeted as all the other items in the van, such as a large TV screen and electronics, were left untouched.

"The brazen theft is a significant blow. Not only to AFAM but to the athletes and teams dedicated to excellence in motorsports.

"We urge anyone with information on these stolen bikes to reach out to AFAM. Thank you for your support in helping us bring these bikes back to where they belong - at the side of the champions who ride them."

AFAM offers € 2,000 reward in AFAM products for the golden tip that leads to the retrieval of the bike(s).

www.afam-group.com

News Briefs

It has been announced that the FIM Superenduro World Championship will start to allow electric motorcycles, finally. During the 2023/24 season, Barcelon based Stark Future had built a bike that met the regulations and was confirmed as an entrant by the organising body. But less than a day before the opening event in Lievin, France, the FIM changed the regulations specifically to stop the Varg from racing. The FIM has again changed the regulations ahead of the first round of the new season, which is scheduled to run on December 14th in Poland - this time to allow electric motorcycles to compete, though in the prestige class only at this stage.

­­

It has emerged that Liberty Media cannot, apparently, fully afford the acquisition of MotoGP and WorldSBK rights holder Dorna Sports (Madrid, Spain) after all. It is selling over 10 million shares in Formula1 in order to complete funding of the $4.2bn MotoGP purchase.

Akrapovic has extended its Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) partnership with a new multi-year deal to collaborate in the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship - equipping the Monster Energy Honda Team CRF450 RALLY motorbikes with lightweight and performance-oriented titanium exhaust systems. 

Founded in 2020 in Barcelona by Swede Anton Wass, Stark Future (of Stark Varg electric MX bike fame) has been on a trail of a different kind this year…on the trail of fresh investment capital. Earlier this year, it secured an additional € 25m line of credit from existing share holder 'Big Bets', a "leading start-up investor and an active backer of successful repeat entrepreneurs". Anton Wass has followed that up by securing € 40m from the EIB (European Investment Bank).

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has confirmed a collaboration with Marelli Motorsport for the FIM Motocross World Championship. Marelli has been a long-term KTM partner in the development of electronic systems and data administration in various racing disciplines, especially road racing, and with the birth of the MotoGP project midway through the last decade. "The company began an official affiliation with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (in Rally) in 2023, and this bond will now intensify as Red Bull KTM Factory Racing pursues its goals in the MXGP and MX2 classes".

In some European markets, KTM and Husqvarna are discounting the dealer cost of a large number of 2023/2024 models by 19%, by effectively not charging them the VAT - in order to reduce unsold inventory levels at dealerships and at the factory. The promo runs to the end of 2024.

Finnish electric motorcycle manufacturer Verge has opened its first German retail store, in the centre of Oberhausen. Stores have also opened in UK and USA. The store designs have been masterminded by George Blankenship, who supervised retail store design at Apple and dealership design at Tesla.

Spanish electric motorcycle brand Torrot is on the expansion trail - looking for distribution partners for its range of (mostly) children's, youth and city machines in select markets.

Chinese lightweight e-dirt bike manufacturer Gowgow (Shanghai) has opened new headquarters in Munich for the EMEA markets.

MotoGP racers are to finally start using radio comms systems with their pit box. Radios have been tested before, but were abandoned for privacy and focus reasons. Finally, however, the realities of the needs of good pit crew-rider teamwork at speeds of over 300 kph have triumphed over indiscretions and egos. 

Rainers

MotoE World Champ chooses Rainers

Spanish motorcycle boot specialist Rainers has been celebrating another track success this season, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) crowned as the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE World Champion at the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.

"After an intense Race 1, which saw Garzo pull off a remarkable performance from the third row of the grid, which was an incredible performance, the #4 rider carved through the field to deliver a hard won fourth spot".

However, finishing P4 was enough for Garzo to wrap up the championship with one race remaining as the Spaniard headed into Race 2 with a 26-point advantage over closest rival Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team), and with no pressure on him.

Hector's boot of choice was a customised 999 Carbon. The CE-approved boot (Category 2, EN 13634:2017) is made in perforated microfibre, with a hardwearing mixed fibre upper inner lining and Kevlar lining the footbed.

A wide flex gusset area at the rear and forefoot facilitates foot mobility. TPU guards on the laterals, heels and shin, with TPU and magnesium lower sliders and replaceable TPU upper slider deliver an optimised combination of protection and comfort.

The Rainers ErgoFlex system provides maximum flexibility (with carbon printing), a microfibre collar stops stones, gravel and air from entering, and adjustment comes from the millimetric buckle fastening at the instep and the ErgoFlex system. The feature package is completed by a durable, race-grade, high wear-resistant rubber sole.

www.rainers-boots.com

KTM

Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) 

By Ben Purvis

The race to automate clutch functions continues, with KTM the latest to join the revolution. The company's answer to HONDA's 'DCT', the BMW 'ASA' and Yamaha's 'Y-AMT' is simply called Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) - which will first be seen on the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo.

KTM uses just one electromechanical servo to turn the shift drum they combine it with a purely mechanical centrifugal clutch that disengages when the bike comes to a halt, automatically re-engaging when the throttle opens - using the same tech that's been around for decades on scooters.

It's a set-up that should be lighter and less costly than its rivals' designs. On the move, KTM uses the same tech already implemented on quickshifters to cut ignition during upshifts and blip the throttle on downshifts, timing it with the servo-operated movement of the shift drum to make for gearchanges that take only 50 milliseconds. 

The design has also required a rethink of the transmission because the centrifugal clutch defaults to a disengaged state, the opposite of a conventional clutch, and that means it's impossible to leave the bike parked in gear. That would cause a problem when parking on slopes, so KTM has introduced a 'Park' setting to the gearbox that engages a locking pawl to stop the gearbox from being able to turn.

Like others, the KTM system allows multiple modes. It can change gears completely automatically, with three options for shift points and aggression - Comfort, Street or Sport. In these modes it will automatically kickdown if you open the throttle fast, and a kickdown can also be prompted by rapidly closing the throttle, then opening it again. 

There are also manual controls via paddles on the left bar - these will always work, even in fully auto mode, if you want to override the bike's gear choice - and an additional foot control that mimics a conventional shifter if you prefer a more traditional feel. Because it's all electronic, you can even switch the foot shifter to a race-style, upside-down shift pattern simply by altering your preferences on the dashboard.

The system also means KTM hasn't felt the need to stick to the conventional one-down, five-up shift pattern. That design is intended to make sure you can change down to first without accidentally ending up in neutral - something that isn't an issue with an electronically controlled gearbox. Instead, the KTM box uses a pattern of P-N-1-2-3-4-5-6, with park and neutral only selectable when the bike is stationary. 

The AMT transmission opens up new opportunities when combined with the Bosch radar-guided cruise control that's already optional on some KTMs. While the original generation of that system, when active, could keep pace with traffic ahead automatically at speed, when paired with the automatic transmission, it allows the radar to control the bike's speed all the way to a complete standstill. 

Initially, the system is being applied to KTM's large LC8 V-twin engines in '1390' form, and it's expected to be offered on several models in the coming months.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki demonstrates hydrogen superbike By Ben Purvis 

The world's first high-performance motorcycle with a combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen was demonstrated in advance of the Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race in July when Kawasaki allowed its prototype supercharged machine to lap the circuit.

Hydrogen might have some significant drawbacks as a potential power source for motorcycles, but in Japan the HySE research project, which involves all four major motorcycle manufacturers as well as Toyota and Kawasaki, has been charged with the task of developing engines capable of running on hydrogen as part of the effort. The company has previously shown prototype engines and sketches of a motorcycle built to house it, but this is the first time the bike has been seen in action by the public.

The downside of hydrogen as a fuel is immediately apparent. The bike looks like a large tourer with huge side cases, but it's really a single-seater with minimal luggage space. Those panniers are packed with cylinders that carry the hydrogen, compressed to around 700 bar (10,000 psi), and even so the prototype's range is believed to be significantly less than a conventional petrol-powered machine would manage on a normal tank of fuel. 

"supercharged four-cylinder was run at Suzuka"

But fuel systems and storage aren't Kawasaki's role in the HySE project, and it's clear that its part of the deal - to create a combustion engine that will run on hydrogen - is largely complete.

According to Kawasaki, the prototype's chassis has been designed specifically to make space for all the hydrogen tanks, but the engine is derived from the existing 998 cc, supercharged H2 motor. 

Forced induction is a key element to getting good performance from a hydrogen combustion engine, helping to get as much air as possible into the cylinders. It's paired with direct fuel injection that adds the hydrogen to the combustion chambers after the inlet valves have closed.

Although the prototype is running and Kawasaki reports that hydrogen actually provides improved responsiveness compared to petrol, it's still a long way from production. The company believes that it might become "one carbon-neutral option for riders in the early 2030s".­

GPR Tech

GPR Tech - Honda CRF 300 L top case and rear rack

Leveraging its ISO 14021 certified circular economy parameter compatible production technology, Italian exhaust specialist GPR Italia has successfully diversified into the luggage market, initially focused on hard cases for ADV style applications.

Designed in its 'ALPI-Tech' series and equipped with a model-specific luggage rack for the 2021-2023 CRF 300 L, these aluminium top cases are available in 26 and 35 litre capacities - each large enough to store a helmet - in black or silver colour and equipped with a high-quality internal protective lining.

GPR ITALIA S.R.L

www.gprtechparts.com

GIVI

'Vector' full-face carbon fibre helmet

A new addition to the GIVI helmet family, the off-road full-face 70.1 Vector is type-approved to ECE 22.06.

 Made of carbon fibre, "this model, with its gritty and aerodynamic look, complete with classic peak, offers an effective aeration system, a wide range of sizes, a double ring closing system and a nose guard and weighs 1,150 +/- 50 g".

The shell is available in two sizes and made of carbon fibre. Despite being an open helmet, the 70.1 Vector increases internal air circulation through an aeration system consisting of two front air intakes and a rear extractor. The easily removable and washable lining also contributes to comfort.

The locking system is the practical and secure 'double ring' closure and features include the nose guard and removable visor extension. The 70.1 Vector "stands out for its sporty design, accentuated by the long double shell and the absence of a visor". 

Available in two vibrant colours (silver/yellow; white/blue/red) on a black background, it features "sharp" geometric graphics that enhance its dynamic character. The helmet comes in sizes XS to XXL.

GIVI S.P.A.

www.givimoto.com

MIZU

MIZU ‘Fly’ licence plate holder

German parts and accessories manufacturer MIZU has ‘plug and play’ licence plate holders available for a wide range of brands and models.

Seen here for the 2024 Husqvarna 125 and 401 Svartpilen/Vitpilen, ‘Fly’ brand licence plate holders from MIZU are black anodised finished and include the licence plate light and reflector.

“Literally the last detail on any new production bike, the way the licence plate is mounted often determines the overall impression that the rear view of the motorcycle makes,” says owner Michael Zupritt.

“Available for a huge range of motorcycle brands, models and years, our licence plate holders are a real visual upgrade for any bike. No more large mountings - finally a short, tidy and clean rear. A simple plug and play, fully reversible install that requires no modifications to the bike, our ‘Fly’ series licence plate holder designs allow riders to replace the original appearance with the kind of sporty and contemporary design that makes a positive impression.”

Manufactured in high-quality, stable aluminium, they are a lighter weight, angle-adjustable design that comes with E-numbered light and E-marked reflector. Compatible with aftermarket or original turn signals, installation is quick and easy with model-specific assembly kits. Suitable for licence plates from DE/AT/IT/SL and 24-month guarantee backed. The holder may be either installed with or without a plastic cover.

MIZU

www.mizu.de

Moto-Master

Nitro Series road and scooter brake discs

Manufactured in-house in the Netherlands by Moto-Master, its new Nitro Series road discs are targeted at consumers looking for an entry level price range motorcycle brake disc.

The launch of Nitro Series makes Moto-Master a one-stop shop for brake discs for all segments of the market. Nitro Series discs cover the most popular road motorcycles and completes a range of options available for all pricing levels - "we are convinced that there is high demand for quality brake discs at entry level pricing that still offer a good braking experience," says Sales and Sponsorship Manager Elmar Willems. 

The outer ring is made from specially hardened quality stainless steel with double-sided grinding. The black anodised inner carrier is made of CNC-machined aluminium, and they are assembled with stainless steel floaters. 

"Added to our Nitro Scooter upgrade discs for 100 cc plus scooter riders, including the increasingly important Maxi-scooter market, these laser-cut and precision-ground discs give our dealers access to a range that covers most of the popular scooter and road-going motorcycle models, at an accessible price level."

Nitro discs for scooters are a one-piece construction made from specially hardened quality stainless steel with double-sided grinding and available for most popular scooters and maxi-scooters.

"To get the best performance from our Nitro Series road and scooter discs, we recommend using Moto-Master brake pads with the matching pad compound that best suits your customer's style of riding," says Elmar.

The Moto-Master Nitro Series now joins a range that includes its HALO Series OEM upgrade rotors with lightweight stainless steel rotors and superior double-sided grinding finish that sit in the mid-market in price-point terms.

Its top-of-the-range Flame Series brake discs are its distinctive, lightest weight, race-derived OEM replacements that offer an "unmatched braking experience for a huge range of models". 

MOTO-MASTER

www.moto-master.com

Nippy Normans

'Avant' fender extension for R 1300 GS

British BMW aftermarket parts and accessory specialist Nippy Normans (Norman Birtles) is offering this new 'Avant' fender extender design for the R 1300 GS. 

Described as an easy, no-drill, three-minute clip-on install, it adds 15.6 cm to the length and 3.15 cm to the width of the stock fender - though wider, it looks slim.

Nippy Normans is the exclusive European distributor for USA designed MachineartMoto products, which includes the 'Avant' mudguard extenders, 'MudSling' rear huggers and 'X-Head' cylinder head protectors - all for the BMW Boxer range of motorcycles.

The added length of the 'Avant' GS-1300 extender "effectively reduces mud, water, tar and stone splash back onto the engine, pipes and surrounding components. This makes bike cleaning faster and reduces damage to critical components". The 'Avant' is designed with sufficient clearance to fit with both the standard and large BMW accessory sump guards.

In addition to the ease of installation "it integrates beautifully with the styling of the R 1300 GS. It can be transferred to another bike without leaving disfiguring holes behind, a benefit for resale value". 

The 'Avant' GS-1300 fits over the top of the stock GS fender and engages the trailing end with a unique moulded-in saddle. "Two stainless steel compression clamps grip the underside of the stock fender on the sides, drawn tight with T25 Torx head screws. Injection-moulded in resilient polypropylene with a surface texture that matches the GS mudguard, the characteristic flared wing shape widens the splash coverage area without looking wide".

NIPPY NORMANS LTD

www.nippynormans.com 

EICMA

EICMA 2024: The 'Summa Cum Laude' edition?

Never known for its modesty (nor accuracy where attendance numbers are concerned) ANCMA, the Italian government backed motorcycle trade association that operates the annual EICMA 'Milan Show', hailed its 110th year, 81st edition as its 'Summa Cum Laude' Edition.

We here at International Dealer News certainly wouldn't go that far -  it was good, sure, but with the age profile of the largely Greater Milan urban area catchment area from which most of the 600,000 claimed visitors are drawn appearing to include ever fewer visitors of motorcycle license holding age, EICMA may well be a uniquely popular (and Italian) enthusiast-fest, but even after all these years, hundreds of potential exhibitors still appear to regard its effectiveness as a profitable business expo as unproven.

The issue of the attendance age profile and annual parts and service item consuming visitor PTW is something that features like the 'Gaming Zone' will not improve - it can only worsen such issues. At present there is no convincing research on the percentage of motorcycle game players that go on to be riders.

Unlike northern European shows (such as INTERMOT before it imploded), the EICMA visitor base has never exactly been a high mileage cohort. The eternal question of who the 'Milan Show' is really for and who actually makes money from it remains as much the elephant in its eight enormous rooms as it ever has been.

Technically speaking there were ten halls of the Rho Fiera Milano pressed into action this year, but two of them were mostly Chinese in their exhibitor footprint, and even they weren't full. Net of indoor e-bike test ride space and other 'hall fill' features, it remains unlikely that, from a mainstream internal combustion engine OEM and aftermarket hard part P&A and soft part G&A exhibitor perspective, in reality it is unlikely to be much more than a four-hall exhibition when it comes to genuine and genuinely viable hard-core dealer-facing OEM and aftermarket business opportunities.

That still makes it the largest annual motorcycle industry business opportunity in the world, one that gives ANCMA an impressive stat-fest opportunity. 

The 600,000 attendance number cited by EICMA/ANCMA (itself a suspiciously convenient round number) is said to have been some 40,000 up on that seen in 2023. 

The organisers are claiming a record amount of vendor and brand space occupied (330,000 sq m of indoor and outdoor space), and a record number of exhibitors buying into the show. The outdoor MotoLive features and space used is always impressive - including race circuits and test ride tracks.

More than 770 exhibitors were said to be representing 45 countries and 2163 brands. EICMA exhibitor figures show that of those 2,163 brands, 622 were from mainland China, 121 were Taiwanese and a further 18 headquartered in Hong Kong. The 761 from those three 'Chinese' markets compares to 1,105 from the 27 markets of the EU, 963 of which were from the EU 'Big Four' with 770 of them from the Italian home market, 71 from France, 66 from Germany and 56 from Spain. 

Other notable market exhibitor counts included 80 from Pakistan,17 from India, 32 from South Korea, 27 from Turkey and 23 from the UK. Interestingly there were only 31 exhibitors from the United States - one of which was Harley-Davidson, but there was no Polaris/Indian Motorcycle booth this year.

EICMA says that as many as 26 percent of the vendors present exhibiting there for first time. That is a 'factoid' that the organisers have deployed quite often in the post-Covid era, and if anywhere near true it points to two less than wonderful trends.

Namely that the number of available exhibitors in the international 'Vendor Park' has seen considerable churn - suggesting that annual profits and capital investments have been softening, and that there is considerable ongoing 'churn' among the EICMA exhibitor 'family', suggesting that many more familiar and once leading vendors are finding other ways of spending their marketing budgets.

We here at International Dealer News may well be beneficiaries of that - as a unique and uniquely international tool it looks like 2025 will represent an 11th straight year of growth for us. From an individual national market dealer and distributor perspective though, the continuing trend among marketers to move away from in-person selling opportunities confusing the 'Peer-to-Peer' reach of social media with viable trade marketing and branding opportunities. This continues to reduce the effectiveness of the PTW industry's marketing effectiveness. That means higher costs and lower returns on investment. Not good.

Based on "renewed quality criteria" that were introduced in 2022, EICMA claims that the number of "industry professionals" among its visitor footprint saw "more than 38 thousand professionals coming from 126 different nations" to participate in the event. If true then set against the claimed total attendance that represents a lower percentage of trade visitors - which was quite apparent from the profile of those who were walking the aisles on what are, notionally and theoretically the 'trade' (and Press/Media) days.

"The presence of journalists, content creators, experts and communication professionals grew, with a solid +13% over 2023 and a provenance from as many as 74 countries, they almost reached the number of 8,000."

The "EICMA: 110 years of two-wheel design" exhibition that was set up to celebrate the event's anniversary through a selection 36 historical and modern motorcycles was a tad superficial - lacking important historical examples and missing important technological, racing and geo-political milestones. But is still said to have attracted some 20,000 visitors.

EICMA President and CEO Pietro Meda and Paolo Magri stressed that "these numbers are the best way to celebrate such a unique milestone as EICMA's 110th anniversary." No, they are not. The resulting increase in sales and brand profiles among active buyers is the only suitable metric for an industry expo in any market - consumer or otherwise. Though the gradual post-Covid return of the motorcycle manufacturers is to be welcomed.

"Since after the interruption due to Covid, we have never stopped investing in and looking to the future of the event, implementing services for companies, content, promotion and visitor experiences for the public. 

"The return of all the manufacturers was a source of great pride, as was that of seeing the pavilions full of young people and families: to them, to all the enthusiasts and to our partners goes our biggest thank you."

Save-the-Date: the 82nd EICMA exhibition in its 111th year will be staged at Rho Fiera Milano from November 4 to 9, 2025.

www.eicma.it