Oxford Products

Oxford Products - Worldwide Distributor Meeting

British apparel and accessories specialist Oxford Products is to stage its 2025 Worldwide Distributor Meeting at its 150,000 sq ft (14,000 sq m) campus at Witney, Oxford on May 14.

Founded in 1973 (Oxford Products marked its 50th anniversary two years ago) Managing Director Henry Rivers Fletcher told IDN that the meeting will preview another record number of new products which will be landing across all their ranges in 2025.

"We’ll start off in our HQ showrooms with an in-depth look at our latest collections, presented and explained by the same people who designed and developed the products in our R&D facility.

"The day will include a tour of our Design, Research & Development Centre where the latest testing equipment will be in action, before once again getting hands-on with all the new products in an open Q&A session."

The latest products in Oxford's Atlas range of luggage will be available in March 2025, including an advanced tail harness, tank harness, B-10 backpack and waist packs.

The Oxford products facilities are worth a visit as the company has been investing heavily in initiatives to make their operations as sustainable and as compatible as possible with a 'circular economy' as possible.

Recent years have seen Oxford's annual WDM become an increasingly popular fixture in its partners' business cycle - and it doesn't hurt that the company is located just 25 km from Oxford, one of Europe's most historic cities. 

Home to the world renowned 'Dreaming Spires' of Oxford University, The Ashmolean Museum and the world-famous Bodleian Libraries, Witney, home of the Oxford Products HQ is just 110 km NW of London Heathrow Airport.

www.oxprod.com

Hero

Hero extends Harley-Davidson deal

By Ben Purvis

Harley-Davidson struck a licencing deal with Indian bike-making behemoth Hero back in 2020 that allowed Hero to develop, manufacture and market a Harley-badged motorcycle in its home market. Now that deal is being extended to cover additional bikes and international sales in certain markets.

The original Hero-made Harley was the X440, launched in 2023 and sold alongside other Harley-Davidson models in India, where Hero also took on the US brand's sales network after H-D decided to close its own Indian subsidiary back in 2020. 

Now the deal with Harley has been expanded to include more Hero-developed machines, with the Indian company issuing a press release stating: "The Company has extended its partnership with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. in order to expand the Harley-Davidson X440 into new variants as well as to develop a new motorcycle for both domestic and select international markets."

The addition of 'select' international markets will be of interest to Harley-Davidson dealers who have been crying out for a more affordable, entry-level model to tempt customers into the fold. The recent success in Europe of bikes like Triumph's Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X, as well as bikes like Royal Enfield's affordable singles, shows that there's a strong market for such bikes, with many of the customers being existing riders either trading down from larger bikes or adding an additional machine to their garage. The Triumphs, like the Royal Enfields, are made in India, and were developed with the help of KTM business partner Bajaj. Their success shows that customers aren't afraid to spend their money on Indian-made machines.

While Hero's focus has been on India, where it sold the vast majority of the 5.9 million bikes it made in 2024, the brand has started to turn an eye to international markets - already having an R&D facility in Munich, Germany, and announcing its intention to expand into Europe and the UK in the second half of 2025. It makes its own variant of the Harley X440, the Mavrick 440, sharing an identical SOHC, air-cooled single and a similar chassis. If that bike proves to be an export success, it's clear that the Harley X440 could also be appealing to customers outside India.

The additional variants of the X440 will use the same engine but the company's announcement that it will also develop a 'new motorcycle' suggest it has another power unit on the way - perhaps one that will fill the void in the range between the X440 single and Harley's smallest homegrown engine, the 975 cc V-twin in the Nightster now being produced for all global markets in Thailand. 

Kove

Kove Lancer 600 

By Ben Purvis

The Kove brand hasn't been around long but it's already got a range of motorcycles from 250cc to 800cc with an array of different configurations and target markets as well as a growing international presence with importers around Europe and in the UK.

The company's current bikes include the four-cylinder 450RR sports bike and its naked 450R sibling, the 800X adventure bike, the 450 Rally and a brace of motocross machines, the MX450 and MX250, but it doesn't have a presence in the cruiser market. That's about to change with the upcoming launch of the Kove Lancer 600, a V-twin machine that's already type-approved and expected to make its official debut imminently.

The new bike has a 578 cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine that puts out 45 kW (60 hp), sitting in a steel tube chassis with upside-down forks and a twin-shock rear end. The styling is reminiscent of the cruisers from fellow Chinese brand Benda, with side indents on a fuel tank that's split down its centre by a console that houses the filler cap, along with a circular headlight featuring two LED lamps separated by a horizontal bar. 

The engine is Kove's own work, and drives the rear wheel through a belt final drive and a conventional transmission - despite a growing number of Chinese-made cruisers are appearing with semi-automatic and even CVT gearboxes.

Equipment includes an 18-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear, with 120/70 and 160/60 tyres respectively, as well as Taisco-branded radial front brakes with ABS from Chinese brand Ningbo.

QJMotor

QJMotor adding three more cruiser models - V4 and parallel twins on the way 

By Ben Purvis

The latest batch of new model type-approval documents published by the Chinese government includes a trio of as-yet unlaunched QJMotor machines that are set to make the company's fast-growing model range even larger.

Only launched in 2020, QJMotor is now the flagship brand of parent company Qianjiang's group of manufacturers, with a vast array of models on the market in China - more than 100 of them at the last count. They're rapidly spreading around the globe, too, with QJMotor importers across Europe and even in the USA.

QJ600-12F

The new cruisers demonstrate the company's intention of filling ever imaginable niche. The company already offers three 600 cc-class cruisers - a V4, a V-twin and a parallel twin - so another three will bring the total to six, alongside a mind-boggling array of 125 cc, 200 cc, 250 cc, 300 cc, 350 cc, 400 cc, 500 cc, 550 cc, 700 cc and 900 cc cruisers in its range.

Of the new models, the most interesting is codenamed QJ600-12F and borrows the 67 hp, 561 cc V4 engine from the existing SRV600V. It also appears to use the same frame and tail bodywork as the SRV600V, but adds a fixed front fairing with a distinctive rectangular headlight. A range of different exhausts appear to be similar to those on the larger QJ Motor V4 in the SRV900V.

The second model is codenamed QJ600-12E and also uses the 561cc V4 engine and the same chassis, but with much more traditional, rounded styling including a circular headlight. Unusually, at least in the west, it has cowled forks that mimic the look of girder suspension. That's something of a trend at the moment in China, with models from rival companies Benda and Cyclone also adopting the same idea in recent months.

Both the new V4 bikes have the same 178km top speed and 1580mm wheelbase, with the faired model weight 5kg more than the naked 223 kg.

The third bike, codenamed QJ600-11D, takes a different approach, with a parallel twin engine instead of a V4, and a peak power of 60hp. It's engine, which actually measures 554cc, is shared with several other models in an array of capacities, and the frame appears to be similar to the QJ-made Harley-Davidson X500 that's sold in Asian markets, as well as the related Benelli Leoncino 500.

Souo

Souo flat eight tourer makes its western debut 

By Ben Purvis

When Chinese car-making giant Great Wall Motors launched its first two-wheeled machine last year it instantly became the biggest and most high-tech bike yet to emerge from the country and it sprang another surprise by giving the Souo S2000 its western hemisphere debut CES in Las Vegas in January.

In case you missed it, Souo is Great Wall's newly-minted motorcycle brand, and while China's other bike makers have worked their way up from small single-cylinder machines to bigger, multi-cylinder bikes, Souo has leapfrogged them all - as well as every other bike maker on the planet - by starting out with an eight-cylinder machine. 

The S2000 is clearly inspired by the Honda Gold Wing, something the company readily admits: its philosophy is to start with the most capable tourer on the market and then to take everything up a notch or two. As a result, it clocks in at 1,999 cc and 152 hp compared to the Gold Wing's 1,833 cc and 125 hp, with a flat-eight engine rather than the Honda's flat six, double overhead cams instead of a single cam per bank, and an eight-speed-plus-reverse dual-clutch semi-auto transmission where Honda uses seven speeds. 

All that is bolted to a cast alloy chassis with a Hossack-style girder front end, again similar to the Honda's, and garnished with tech including a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen display using the latest Snapdragon 8155 automotive CPU (it's first appearance in a bike), rear-facing radar sensors for blind-spot monitoring, electronic suspension and just about every other luxury that can be imagined on a bike.

Its appearance at CES in January came immediately after Souo passed the major milestone of delivering the first examples of the bike to customers. Initially the brand sold a batch of 288 bikes in China, with Great Wall CEO Wei Jianjun personally presenting the keys to some of the customers that opted to pick their machines up from the new brand's dedicated handover showroom. 

Although Souo hasn't made an official announcement about how it will go about offering the S2000 and future models, which will include a cruiser based on the same flat-eight engine, outside China, the company has stated that its ambitions are global. Its presence at CES in the States, where the Souo machines were displayed alongside an array of Great Wall cars and trucks that are already being offered internationally, was a clear indication that Souo - which means 'Soul' - is not planning to remain a China-only brand for long.

Voge

Voge joins the small four-cylinder sports bike market 

By Ben Purvis

Not long ago the small-capacity four-cylinder sports bike appeared to be dead. The Japanese 'big four' were letting their 600 cc supersports models decline, and the era of the exotic 400 cc fours of the 1980s and 1990s seemed consigned to the history books. 

Then Kawasaki revived the market with its Ninja ZX-4RR four cylinder, only to be followed by the even more surprising arrival of Chinese-made four-cylinders in the same market. CFMoto launched its 500SR in China - although it's yet to be released onto export markets - and Kove introduced its 450RR. Last year QJMotor showed its upcoming 400RR four-cylinder sports bike and now Voge is getting in on the game with its new RR500.

500RR

Voge, the high-end marque from Loncin, is already familiar in Europe, suggesting the RR500 could make its way to the west when production is underway. It's the second four-cylinder machine from the company in quick succession, following the RR650S that was shown last year, competing in the burgeoning new market for 400 cc-500 cc fours.

It's an unusual-looking design with a high-mounted air intake on the nose above the headlights, but the on-paper specs look promising. At its heart lies a 475 cc four-cylinder engine, made by Loncin's engine division and codenamed 'LX460MR' - a title that indicates four cylinders and a 60 mm bore, which means the stroke must be 42 mm. Peak power is 76.4 hp, which is on a par with the slightly smaller Kawasaki ZX-4RR, while the Voge's weight is 192 kg wet, including fuel.

Another new arrival in the same part of the market is the Lulang 500RR, which was shown last year under the 'ZXJC' brand - 'ZX' for the company's founder, Zhang Xue, who also founded the Kove brand before leaving it early last year. 

New type-approval documents have been filed showing a toned-down version of that show bike, with the product name 'Lulang' and changes including a double-sided swingarm instead of the prototype's single-sider. It's lighter than the Voge RR500 at 175 kg, with an engine that's slightly smaller at 470 cc, with a 59 mm bore and 43 mm stroke for each of its four cylinders. Peak power is 75 hp for this version, down from a claimed 83 hp for the single-sided swingarm machine shown last year.

All these bikes could be overshadowed soon, though, as Honda is planning to get in on the four-cylinder baby sports bike game in the near future. The Japanese giant recently filed trademarks for the names 'CBR500 Four' and 'CBR400 Four' - suggesting it has two versions of a new sports bike under development, clearly in the 'CBR' mould and with four cylinders, as the names indicate. 

The 400 cc version is likely to be for the Japanese market, where there's a different licence required to ride bikes over 400 cc, while the CBR500 Four is expected to be exported to the rest of the world. Honda alluded to the new bikes during a presentation at the Chongqing Motorcycle Show last September, indicating that China is a key market for these machines.

Pirelli

Pirelli - Diablo 'PowerCruiser' sport touring tire

Pirelli had added to its Diablo tire range with the Diablo PowerCruiser. A new range of high-performance Custom-Touring tires designed for custom motorcycles - "especially for the sportiest models such as performance baggers, club style and power cruisers that offer remarkable levels of acceleration and riding pleasure."

"The Diablo PowerCruiser is part of the Diablo family because it embodies Pirelli's sporting DNA, this time applying it to the field of customization. It has been created to meet the needs of these motorcycles, which require specific tyres capable of offering high performance and sportiness, with the aim of becoming the new benchmark in its segment in terms of grip and handling, even in wet conditions."

The range is 'dense', both in construction technology and sizes and includes radial and conventional specifications with dimensions ranging from 100 mm to 260 mm. "Therefore, each size is specifically developed in terms of structure, materials, compounds and profile design according to the motorcycle, adopting different specifications and solutions for specific models."

Leveraging its Supersport and Racing experience, Pirelli says that the Diablo PowerCruiser is "very easy to handle and with high levels of grip - capable of withstanding strong dynamic stresses, both in lean and in braking and acceleration. 

"The structures change the stiffness according to the riding style. In Touring driving mode (lower levels of deformation) the tyre offers a comfortable, smooth and predictable ride. When the style is sportier, they increase feedback as the tire deformation increases, to ensure greater steering precision, more lateral support and better control. 

"This behaviour represents the perfect balance between comfort and support, giving riders confidence - on both highway cruising and sportier rides. The radial sizes feature a 0-degree steel belt that contributes to a well-controlled deformation of the footprint, resulting in better tire conformability at all lean angles and better stress distribution across the contact patch - providing an advantage in terms of grip and wear regularity."

The rear radial sizes are bi-compound and enriched with silica, combined with 'Cap & Base' technology that offers a softer lateral compound for grip when tilting, supported by a harder compound substrate also positioned at the level of the central band that guarantees performance consistency and thermal balance. The size of the compound's center tread varies depending on the tire size and contact patch, to ensure the best possible force distribution and thus provide the best possible driving feel and even wear. 

The 'Cap & Base' compound pattern "provides excellent performance during sporty riding while the use of silica provides a wider operating temperature range that promotes a high level of grip, even in wet conditions and consistent performance." Fast heating and adhesion is achieved thanks to an innovative and specially developed blend of resins, plasticizers and silica present in the composition of the compounds. In addition, Pirelli's proprietary and patented mixing process maximizes the dispersion of all components in the polymer matrix to achieve a high level of homogeneity.

The profiles are multi-spoke and sharper than those typically used in the Custom-Touring segment to provide greater handling and very quick changes of direction, while the slicker shoulders provide better grip and line in corners. "The optimized sidewall height provides excellent traction both when accelerating in a straight line and when exiting corners. The balance between the front and rear contours allows for excellent ride control and neutral motorcycle handling."

Omnia Racing

Omnia Adds OZ Wheels

Naples based Omnia Racing is the latest official reseller to sign up with internationally respected Italian performance wheels manufacturer OZ Group.

Founded in 1971 by Silvano Oselladore and Pietro Zen - from whose initials the company takes its name and produces car and motorcycle wheels, specifically alloy wheels. The company is an OEM supplier to a number of manufacturers, in addition to aftermarket sales, and is a prominent wheel supplier in motorsport.

OZ began its long-standing involvement with Formula One in 1984, supplying Riccardo Patrese and Eddie Cheever's Alfa Romeo team. In 1990, the company was wheel supplier to the Toyota rally team as Carlos Sainz won his first World Rally Championship. In 1996, OZ supplied Williams F1 team won the Formula One constructor's championship and driver Damon Hill won the drivers' championship. The following year, an OZ supplied car won the Indianapolis 500.

1989 saw the company's first affiliate set up as OZ Japan began business, and in 1992 the company moved to a new factory in its current headquarters location of San Martino di Lupari (between Vicenza and Treviso).

OZ branched out into motorcycle wheel production in collaboration with Aprilia in 1991 and in 1999 partnered with Aprilia to develop forged aluminum motorbike wheels for the RSV 1000 R.

2011 saw the by then 40-year-old brand win the World SBK Championship with Carlos Checa on the Althea Racing Team's Ducati. The Moto2 championship with Marc Marquez followed a year later with a fourth consecutive Moto2 crown won in 2015 with the Ajo Motorsport team.

In 2026 OZ became part of the official Honda HRC MotoGP team, supplying the wheels for World Champion Marc Marquez.

"There's only one way to describe OZ Motorbike wheels" says Omnia Racing CEO Fabrizio Bertollini - "Performance Without Compromise. OZ Motorbike wheels represent the pinnacle of excellence in alloy wheel terms in the motorcycle market - designed to offer extraordinary performance, an attractive aesthetic and superior durability. They are the ideal equipment for those who want the most from their bike".

Noted for manufacturing technology and investments in materials of the highest quality, OZ Ultra-light Alloys are made of forged aluminium or magnesium, guaranteeing a significant reduction in weight, which improves acceleration, handling and braking.

Each wheel is produced with advanced CNC machining technology to ensure the minimum tolerances and perfect centring. The forged structure increases resistance to impacts and stress, ideal for use on the track and on the road. Approvals and Certifications include TÜV and JWL approval - all OZ wheels "comply with the most stringent international safety and quality standards".

Universal compatibility has always been a hallmark of the OZ range, available for a wide range of models and compatible with the main segments of the sport, even including naked and custom motorcycles. 

The reduced inertia produced by OZ Ultra Lights improve responsiveness in curves and changes of direction and less unsprung mass means faster starts and reduced braking distances. "The OZ Racing design adds an aggressive and sophisticated touch to any motorcycle," says Fabrizio.

"Choosing OZ Motorbike wheels means investing in professional-level performance, guaranteed safety and a racing look. Every detail is designed to transform the riding experience into a unique and unforgettable emotion".

www.omniaracing.com

Leatt

Leatt releases Adventure helmet range

Capetown, South Africa based Leatt Corporation has announced the launch of its first motorcycle adventure helmet. 

Available in 9.5 Carbon and 8.5 models, the new Leatt ADV Helmet "combines "essential road and off-road features, creating a highly adaptable solution for the demands of adventure motorcycling," says European Sales Manager Kris Kurowski. "This marks a significant expansion for Leatt, completing our head-to-toe lineup for riders across all terrains."

9.5 Carbon

In the design phase of the ADV Helmet development, Leatt placed significant focus on practicality and comfort. "Exceptional vision comes standard via the large eye port, complete with a photochromic shield. This design increases rider safety as well as enhancing performance off-road when goggles are worn.

"Outstanding aerodynamics make long distance riding more comfortable and less tiring and by working seamlessly with goggles on, the shield can be opened and closed at any time. In true Leatt fashion, the ADV helmet includes all necessary accessories in the box as part of the base model. So, while the price remains competitive for the helmet, the additional accessories that make up the package ensure that this offers riders great bang for their buck."

By combining road and off-road helmet elements, Kris says that the ADV helmet features the best of both - a streamlined aerodynamic shape allows for smooth, high-speed road performance - meaning it is configurable for different riding styles."

8.5 in Hi-Viz

Put through its paces in the Leatt Lab, and refined and perfected with meticulous attention to detail before going to market, extensive wind tunnel testing shows up to 38% lower lift and 8% lower drag compared to industry benchmark helmets - delivering stability, noise reduction and comfort on long rides.

"With a tool-free, quick-release shield system, a removable chin curtain, emergency quick-release cheek pads, and compatibility with communication devices, the ADV helmet prioritizes rider safety and convenience above all else - they are sold with spare parts and shield mechanism covers to protect from sand and other elements when using off-road mode."

A photochromic shield is fitted to the helmet as standard, with an additional clear shield included. Pinlock 120 XLT MaxVision delivers fog-free visibility "and bulletproof Leatt 4.5 Velocity goggles are perfect for off-road trail riding. All this, a helmet bag and spare parts are included in the box. The 9.5 Carbon model features a magnetic Fidlock buckle, while the 8.5 has a DD Ring system. The 9.5 Carbon also comes in a premium helmet bag, ideal for travelling with on planes.

The Leatt ADV meets the rigorous ECE 22.06 and DOT safety standards, and features Leatt’s 360° Turbine Technology, improving rider safety by reducing both low impact energy associated with concussion and brain rotational acceleration. Four densities of impact foam further enhance protection, all housed under a thin shell profile for a stylish, compact looking helmet. The Leatt 9.5 Carbon helmet weighs in at 1,490 g (M/L) and the 8.5 composite version 1, 575 g.

Leatt’s three-year Helmet Replacement Program offers riders added peace of mind, providing support for a replacement unit in the event of any helmet damage sustained while riding.

LEATT CORPORATION

www.leatt.com

ACEM

ACEM statement on US/EU motorcycle tariffs

In response to the U.S. decision to impose 25% tariffs on up to € 26bn of EU steel, aluminium, and derivative exports, the European Commission has launched countermeasures matching the economic impact of the U.S. tariffs. The EU will reinstate its 2018 and 2020 tariffs on U.S. imports starting on the 1st April and will introduce additional countermeasures by mid-April.

Specifically, the European Commission confirmed yesterday that, without further action, a 50% additional duty will be added to U.S.-origin motorcycles above 500 cc from April 1st, 2025. 

Furthermore, in the European Commission's expanded second phase rebalancing proposal, due to apply on April 13th, all motorcycle categories below 500 cc, as well as electric motorcycles, have been suggested for possible inclusion. The second phase list remains subject to a public consultation to which ACEM will respond urging the exclusion of all motorcycles from this trade war unrelated to our sector.

The motorcycle sector in Europe and the U.S. is deeply interconnected, with strong industrial and economic ties. European manufacturers export significant numbers of motorcycles to the U.S., while American manufacturers have a strong presence in the European market. Placing tariffs on motorcycles risks disrupting businesses, harming consumers, and threatening jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Instead of allowing this dispute to escalate with retaliatory measures, the European motorcycle industry calls for a negotiated solution for transatlantic trade. The U.S. and EU motorcycle industries want fair transatlantic trade and to be able to continue delivering our highest quality products to our passionate customers across Europe and the United States.

Commenting on the measures, Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, said: "Whilst we recognise the need for a balanced response to trade disputes, motorcycles should not become collateral damage in broader trade conflicts. 

"The motorcycle industry provides high-quality manufacturing and related jobs, mobility and access to employment for millions of people and is a fundamental economic driver. As nobody wins in trade wars, we strongly call for a return to reason and for both parties to reach a fair solution".

www.acem.eu

Ducati

Ducati sells 54,495 motorcycles in 2024

For the third consecutive year, Ducati recorded revenues of more than one billion euros in 2024 (€1,003bn; compared to €1,065bn in 2023) - "a result achieved despite the challenges that are the industry is facing and the current global competitive environment."

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, said: "The 2024 results confirm the strength of our brand and the company's ability to generate the financial resources that allow us to continue to invest and consolidate the excellence, value and exclusivity of our products."

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali: "The 2024 results confirm the strength of our brand and the company's ability to generate the financial resources that allow us to continue to invest and consolidate the excellence, value and exclusivity of our products."

Described as proof of the effectiveness of the strategic choices made in recent years - "oriented towards the development of a product range that represents the best fusion of beauty, performance and technology" - Ducati posted 2024 operating profit (EBIT) of € 91m (9.1% margin; 10.5% in 2023).

The company sold 54,495 motorcycles in 2024 (58,224 in 2023). "2024 ended with a positive balance for Ducati, one that confirms the solid basis that Ducati has both as a brand and in financial terms - a benchmark of profitability in the two-wheeler market." 

Henning Jens, Ducati CFO, added: "2024 was a complicated year due to the particularly challenging market conditions the whole industry faced. In this context, we chose to focus on protecting overall profitability and prioritising long-term sustainability rather than just aiming at increasing sales volumes. This approach, combined with further improvements in the efficiency of our manufacturing processes and logistics operations is in line with our premium strategy."

For 2025 Ducati has presented ten new models, including the new XDiavel V4 and Multistrada V4, equipped with the V4 Granturismo engine, alongside the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4, both powered by the latest evolution of the Desmosedici Stradale engine. There is also the Panigale V2, Streetfighter V2 and Multistrada V2 - equipped with Ducati's new V2 engine, the lightest twin-cylinder ever made by Ducati. 

However, the news that has the potential to either take Ducati to another level, or rain on its parade, is its entry into Off-Road racing with the introduction of its first motocross bike due to be available at selected dealerships from June 2025 - the Desmo 450X.

www.ducati.com

Honda

Honda outlines its motorcycle strategy

By Ben Purvis

Honda believes that the global motorcycle market is set to grow from 50 million to 60 million sales per year by 2030 and has set out a strategy that it hopes will see the brand's share of that market expand to 50% of the total.

At the moment, Honda sells 20.2 million bikes per year globally, accounting for 40% of the overall market, with Asia responsible for the majority of those sales - 17.17 million, or 85% - while the high-end markets of Japan, Europe and the USA make up a mere 6% of the company's bike sales at 1.2 million units. The long-term ambition of expanding to a 50% share of a larger, 60-million bike market would mean Honda needs to increase its global sales to 30 million bikes per year.

Honda believes that the main growth area will be an area the company calls the 'Global South' - encompassing Southwest Asia, which includes India, plus Indonesia, the Philippines, and Central and South American countries. The projected 60 million-strong 2030 market includes electric bikes as well as conventional ones, with battery-powered machines becoming increasingly important.

Specifically looking at Europe, Honda's plan is to expand its system of using common platforms as the basis of multiple models. It's already the master of that art, with various common-platform model ranges in its lineup - for example, the Africa Twin platform, which also forms the basis of the NT1100 (and in Japan the Hawk 1100) - and more recently the CB750 platform used underneath the CB750 Hornet and XL750 Transalp. It's a system that allows a broad model range while minimising R&D and production expense, vital given the relatively small proportion of sales that the European bikes account for in Honda's global picture.

The new V3 engine complete with an electric supercharger that was shown inside a trellis-style frame at EICMA last year previewed another common platform that's set to underpin multiple models in the future, according to Honda.

Electric bikes is another area that the company is focusing on despite disappointing - and falling - sales of electric bikes in European markets. Honda's plan is to have 30 electric bikes in its global lineup by 2030, accounting for 4 million sales. Honda's electric plan revolves around two separate pillars: one is the concept of swappable, standardised batteries, used in small, low-performance bikes and scooters - Honda already has battery-swap networks established in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and India - the other is the more European-focused idea of larger electric bikes with fixed batteries.

To ensure the success of electric bikes, Honda wants to bring costs down so the total cost of owning an electric bike, over a period of three years, is equivalent to the same period of owning an ICE bike. That indicates initial purchase costs will remain higher, but the overall savings from cheaper energy will be used to bring the ownership costs level with conventional machines.

As part of its efforts to make electric vehicles - both two and four-wheeled - more appealing, Honda began operation of its pilot plant manufacturing all-solid-state batteries in January. The factory isn't making batteries for production vehicles yet, but it's verifying the production methods at full scale, so once perfected and proven it's possible to rapidly expand. All-solid-state batteries are a potential game-changer, replacing the liquid electrolyte used in existing li-ion cells with a solid one, they allow batteries to be smaller and more energy-dense. Because there's no flammable liquid electrolyte inside - it's replaced with a solid one, allowing the electrodes to be closer together without needing a separator layer - they can be run hotter than existing designs, in turn making them faster-charging. 

Solid state batteries can also be made without using as many rare materials as existing li-ion designs, and thanks to the reduced fire risk, they don't need the same heavy, bulky protective cases. For electric bikes, where the size, weight and cost of the battery make up a larger proportion of the whole vehicle than in electric cars, the benefits of cheaper, smaller, lighter and more powerful batteries will be even more keenly felt.

Honda expects solid-state batteries to start appearing in production vehicles in the latter part of this decade.

As a final note, Honda expects to hit a key milestone of cumulative global motorcycle production this year, with the 500,000,000th bike to wear the Honda badge since 1948 rolling off one of its production lines at some point in 2025.

Vmoto

The Vmoto Eco system - making it easier to love electrics 

EICMA 2024 saw the Vmoto take a major step forward with the launch of its EMS – Electric Mobility Solution.

Described by CEO Charles Chen as "an innovative integrated ecosystem designed to tackle the challenges of charging, range, and fleet management for electric vehicles, this project, focused on the B2B sector but offering benefits to private users as well, marks a decisive step toward more efficient and sustainable mobility."

At a time when ecological transition is at the forefront in every sector, Chen says that Vmoto has approached the issue from a completely different direction of travel, from the endpoint - "despite electric vehicles being the best choice in terms of operating costs, reliability, and ease of use, why do they continue to provoke scepticism among users, especially in the ideal context of urban last-mile delivery"?

CEO Charles Chen 

To answer this question, Chen says that the Vmoto Team has worked intensively to develop not just a single product, but a complete system based on seven key components, tightly integrated and designed to work synergistically. 

• 74V battery architecture: developed to ensure greater vehicle range, available in two versions: 74 V/30 Ah and 74 V/45 Ah.

• Fast charger system: the new rapid charging system, designed for the new 74V batteries, enables full charging in 30 minutes. Available in both portable and wall-mounted versions.

• Vmoto fleet platform: the B2B platform for comprehensive fleet management services. An intelligent software for monitoring charging, movements, and maintenance of each vehicle.

• Swapping station: Vmoto's new technology designed to minimize battery stock at dealerships and drastically reduce charging times.

• Super-fast charging station: designed to minimize charging times, featuring a simple, functional design with Type 2 connectors on both sides for simultaneous charging of two vehicles.

• Financial consulting and business development: an advanced consulting service to support companies in planning and managing electric fleets, offering customized solutions and tailored business plans for an efficient and sustainable ecological transition.

• Vmoto E-Fleet Range: Vmoto's B2B vehicle range, tailored to meet specific business needs, offering reliable and high-performance vehicles. Each model is designed to ensure maximum productivity in daily operations, with particular attention to sustainability and operating cost containment.

It was EMS and Beyond for Vmoto at EICMA, where the company also introduced the VS4, a new L3-homologated electric motorcycle designed for urban commuting. Drawing on B2B experience, the VS4 combines "high performance, exceptional range, and a competitive price, catering to both professional and private needs".

Graziano Milone, President and CMO of Perth, Australia headquartered Vmoto Limited, said that "at a time of cultural transition when the challenge of using electric vehicles for urban mobility has become a necessity for our plane, our goal is to prove that electric vehicles are already the solution for getting around in large urban centres. 

"The seven pillars of EMS are proof of this, as well as the launch of the new Vmoto VS4 and the Workshops that we had at EICMA. Vmoto is ready with concrete solutions that meet the needs of users".

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield planning more twins

By Ben Purvis

Royal Enfield's twin-cylinder lineup has already grown substantially from its original two-bike range to at least seven variants but it will soon be hitting double figures with a new Bullet 650, Himalayan 650 and a faired café racer model all expected in the coming months.

All three machines have already been spotted on test in India, indicating their development is well underway, and they each represent a significant step for the Enfield twin-cylinder range. The company recently filed trademark registrations for the name 'Bullet 650 Twin' - and the name alone leaves few questions over the bike it will be attached to.

As a Bullet model, it's likely to be an access point to the company's twin-cylinder range, with a lower price point than machines like the Meteor 650 or Classic 650. Spied prototypes have shared the cruiser-style chassis of the Meteor, Classic and Shotgun models, and most closely resemble the Classic 650 in terms of components like the wheels and suspension. In keeping with the smaller 350 cc Bullet, the Bullet 650 Twin will have a long, one-piece saddle and a squared-off rear fender instead of the Classic 650's single seat and curved mudguard.

The Himalayan 650 will use the same engine, but in a quite different chassis. It's set to be the first twin-cylinder Royal Enfield that isn't a retro-style bike, instead adopting styling influenced by Dakar race bikes and using a purpose-made chassis with upside-down forks and a monoshock rear end. A circular headlight ties the bike to the existing Himalayan 450, but the twin-cylinder model will get more bodywork, with a nose cowl that sweeps back to merge into the fuel tank.

Finally, there's the upcoming faired café racer model. Also spotted on test recently, this machine uses a classic, bullet-shaped fairing and humped seat, allied to the same twin-shock frame used on the Continental GT. 

However, it's expected to be a transitionary model, debuting a next-generation version of the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, potentially with more capacity and power - it's rumoured to be a 750 rather than a 650. That's backed up by the fact that the spied prototypes' engines have been extensively wired to datalogging equipment, indicating they have internal changes compared to the twin used in the existing range.

SBS

SBS launches 243HF brake pad for Cygnus RayZR

Seen here specifically for the Yamaha Cygnus Ray ZR, the SBS 243HF is a brake pad specifically designed for scooter applications that is "set to redefine urban commuting with its exceptional performance and durability."

An OE replacement compound tailored for scooters with non-sintered pads, it is "meticulously engineered for commuters, general-purpose street, and cruiser bikes, ensuring a seamless fit and superior braking performance."

The ceramic compound offers long pad life, low dust, and minimal brake disc/rotor wear, making it ideal for daily city rides. The consistent performance delivers excellent braking power in both wet and dry conditions, ensuring safety and reliability in all weathers.

SBS uses NUCAP NRS Technology to secure a mechanical and indestructible bonding of the compound, providing unmatched durability and an innovative noise-reduction technology design to reduce noise for a comfortable and quiet ride, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Part of SBS 'Better Brakes' programme, the innovative and refined heavy metal-free compound delivers improved braking power with reduced waste and contamination of the environment.

"SBS is committed to providing top-quality brake solutions that meet the demands of modern urban riders," said Thomas Midtgaard-Jørgensen, Product & Marketing manager at SBS. "The SBS 243HF brake pad is a testament to our dedication to innovation and excellence, offering scooter riders a product that not only enhances performance but also ensures safety and comfort in dense city environments."

SBS FRICTION

www.sbs.dk

SIP Scootershop

SIP 4-piston brake calliper for Vespas

With the braking performance of the standard Vespa 2-piston brake calliper being widely regarded as "rather sluggish", SIP Scootershop in Germany has introduced this new CNC machined billet aluminium 4-piston brake caliper for Vespa GTS/GTS Super/GTV/GT 60/GT/GT L 125-300cc models (also suitable for GILERA/PIAGGIO DNA/Runner VX/VXR/Super Hexagon GTX 125-200cc).

"At the least, when demanding riding manoeuvres and high loads are applied to the OEM brake calliper, it definitely reaches its limits" says CEO Ralf Jodl. " Our SIP Series Pordoi brake caliper gives the scooter a sporty upgrade and maximum performance in terms of braking and safety."

Suitable for use with the standard master brake cylinder, the EU Homologated (ABE approved) SIP design features 2 x 34 mm and 2 x 30 mm pistons - meaning that the ratio of braking energy transmission to the disc is optimised, guaranteeing a significantly improved braking performance.

"In addition, we have given the brake calliper a GALFER brake pad with a larger pad width and tilt-proof contact surface. The large surface area ensures improved heat dissipation, and this results in a longer service life, both under continuous load (passing) and in terms of pad wear. The brake callipers are anodised and come in black or silver with a milled SIP logo.

SIP SCOOTERSHOP GMBH

www.sip-scootershop.com

Triumph

Triumph achieves record global sales in 2024 

After a successful 2023 in which Triumph Motorcycles sold 84,985 motorcycles in the calendar year, Triumph sold more than 100,000 motorcycles around the world in 2024, passing the landmark figure for the first time in the 122-year history of the brand. 

Overall, 134,635 Triumph motorcycles were sold to customers across the world in 2024 representing a growth of 64% on the previous year. This was the fifth consecutive year that Triumph Motorcycles Group Ltd achieved an all-time record in its motorcycle sales - selling through some 950 dealers in 68 countries globally. 

Triumph's sales were up in all its regions across the world, with the greatest growth achieved in India, where sales reached 29,736 and the Americas region, which includes Brazil, Canada and the US, where sales were up by 44%. This was echoed in its distributor markets, which experienced a 33% growth in sales, as well as a 30% growth in Asia, and 18% growth across its European markets, which remain Triumph's largest region.

Since 2019, sales of Triumph Motorcycles have increased by 123%, with growth being achieved in all markets, and standout growth being achieved in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Mexico and India where Triumph's sales have more than doubled since 2019, with 230 new dealer business partners joining the brand since then.

Though a 'Legacy Brand' whose origin story starts at the very beginning of the motorcycle industry itself, that has not been baggage for the company, but a platform for success. "This incredible set of landmark results for 2024 has been achieved by delivering a comprehensive new model launch programme, as well as successfully tapping into wholly new segments of the market.

"In response to growing global demand for smaller capacity motorcycles, Triumph launched the 400 cc Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, which arrived in dealers in early 2024. Designed from the ground-up with a brand-new single cylinder engine platform, these new models are designed to deliver a fun, agile and confidence-inspiring ride for buyers of all ages and experience levels."

Triumph also entered the motocross market for the first time, with the arrival of the TF 250-X in Triumph's new network of Motorcross & Enduro Centres in May 2024. "With a class-leading power to weight ratio and the most complete specification package ever to launch into the ultra-competitive 250 cc motocross market, this new model has been celebrated by the media and riders. Triumph's first 450 cc motocross model, the TF 450-RC Edition, was revealed in September 2024, and became available in dealerships in February 2025."

TF 250-X

Triumph Motorcycles Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud said: "We're very pleased with the growth that we achieved last year, which follows an incredible run of continuous growth since 2019, despite a very challenging global economic climate. 

"Our decision to enter two new segments has been very well received by our dealers and customers and has helped us to bring new riders to the Triumph brand. This is reflected in our growing international dealer network and expanding aftersales programmes.

"Our growth is even more remarkable when you take into account the sales of Triumph Motorcycles being achieved by our partner Bajaj Automotive in India, where in 2024 they sold 29,736 Triumph 400's taking our total global sales including India to 134,635 Triumph motorcycles. That's 64% more than in 2023, and an incredible 123% increase since 2019."

FUN FACT - to promote its ADV 'chops', Triumph officially claimed the Guinness World Records title for 'The greatest distance travelled on a motorcycle in 24 hours (individual)' in 2023. Riding a factory-specification Tiger 1200 GT Explorer on the High-Speed Ring at the Nardò Technical Center in Italy, five times Enduro World Champion and Triumph Global Ambassador Iván Cervantes travelled more than 4,012 km in a 24-hour period, beating the previous record of 3,406 km by a huge margin of more than 600 km.

Triumph's new model programme is continuing at pace into 2025, with the all-new Tiger Sport 800 launching into a new Sports Tourer segment and arriving in dealerships from March. Four model family updates have already been revealed, including the Speed Triple 1200 RS, Speed Twin 900 and 1200, plus the launch of a new Speed Twin 1200 RS. Special editions including a new Bobber TFC (Triumph Factory Custom), a range of Bonneville Icon Editions and a 2,500 cc Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition have also been announced. The Rocket 3 Triple is the world's largest production motorcycle engine.

Triumph currently employs around 3,000 personnel worldwide and has subsidiary operations in the UK, North America, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Sweden (Scandinavia), Benelux, Brazil, China, and Thailand as well as a network of independent distributors. Triumph has manufacturing facilities in Hinckley in the UK and Thailand, plus CKD facilities in Brazil and India.

www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk

Galfer

Galfer is in the news

The weeks since the last edition of International Dealer News went to press (in December 2024, after EICMA) has seen Barcelona based brakes specialist Galfer release a slew of news as the company finalised partnerships, initiatives and plans for what promises to be a busy and exciting 2025 season for the company.

Probably the most prestigious news (with apologies to the likes of Triumph, Stark and MSI Racing) has been the announcement that Galfer is the exclusive braking systems supplier for the Ducati Factory MX Team in the 2025 Motocross World Championship as an official Ducati Racing factory partner.

Ducati 2025 MXGP World Championship

This strengthening of its established partnership with Ducati comes after Galfer supported Alessandro Lupino in the 2024 Italian MX1 Championship. With Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer and Italian talent Mattia Guadagnini, Galfer will compete in the 20 MXGP races across four continents, kicking off with the Ducati Factory MX Team's debut in Córdoba, Argentina, on March 2, 2025, and concluding in Darwin, Australia, on September 21, 2025.

The company has developed cutting-edge brake discs to ensure maximum performance for the Ducati Factory MX Team riders Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini - subject to conditions either the either 260 mm grooved Disc Wave (for optimal performance in extreme mud and water conditions) at the front or Disc Sharks (for dry terrains and high temperatures) with the 240 mm discs at the rear.

The Ducati partnership gains even more relevance thanks to the collaboration with a high-profile international sponsor, Aruba.it.

Francisco Catena Martinez, who took over from Umberto Milesi as Galfer CEO in mid-2023 said: "Galfer has always been synonymous with high performance and safety, fundamental qualities for competing at the highest level. We are thrilled to support Ducati in this new adventure in the MX World Championship for the 2025 season. Our commitment is to provide riders with the best braking systems to tackle every race, anywhere in the world."

Additionally, Galfer has also taken a major step forward in its commitment to MotoGP by becoming the Main Partner of the MSI Racing Team's Moto2 and Moto3 teams for the 2025 season.

MSI is using Galfer Floatech discs and Racing G1310 sintered brake pads

Having collaborated with the team for five seasons, since its foundation in 2020 in the FIM Jr. GP, Galfer has played a key role in its success by providing top-quality braking solutions. Now, the brand says it is pleased to announce its continued partnership with the two MSI Racing Team squads competing in the MotoGP World Championship: QJ Motor-Frinsa-MSi Moto2 Team, featuring Sergio García and Iván Ortolá and Frinsa-MT-MSi Moto3 Team, with Ryusei Yamanaka and Ángel Piqueras.

This follows incredible success in 2024, with Japanese rider Ai Ogura securing the Moto2 World Championship title using Galfer Floatech brake discs and Racing G1310 sintered brake pads.

In news that sees Galfer partnering with fellow Barcelona area manufacturer Stark Future, the company is the OEM supplier for braking power on the new STARK VARG EX model for enduro and dual sport enthusiasts.

The Stark Varg EX

After successfully equipping the Stark VARG motocross model, the Spanish brand has been chosen to supply the brake discs for the new Stark VARG EX, the second model from the Barcelona headquartered Swedish company, one designed expressly for enduro riders. The Stark VARG EX will run Galfer's 260 mm Disc Wave rotors on the front, with 220 mm Wave discs at the rear.

In other news, Galfer has announced its inclusion in the prestigious FIM Quality Product (FQP) program for the 2025-2027 period, as recognised by the technical committee of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.

Guillermo Font, Marketing Director of Galfer said: "We are extremely proud to have joined the prestigious FIM Quality Product program for 2025-2027. This milestone attests to our commitment to excellence and solidifies Galfer's position as a global leader in braking technology. With the FIM Quality Product mark now alongside Galfer's name, the company is preparing to write new success stories in the world of competition and technological innovation. I believe the FIM Quality Product program helps to further solidify Galfer's global reputation, confirming that every component, from discs to brake pads, is designed to deliver flawless performance in any condition."

Finally, Triumph has once again chosen Galfer as the official brake supplier for its motocross bikes. The newly launched TF 450-RC, developed in collaboration with MX legend Ricky Carmichael, is equipped with Galfer discs, as is the TF 250-X launched last year.

The new Triumph TF with 450-RC brakes with Galfer discs

Galfer Disc Wave editions exclusively manufactured for Triumph feature with reduced weight of only 380 g for the front disc (260 mm, 3 mm thickness) and 399 g for the rear disc (220 mm, 4 mm thickness). Produced using cutting-edge technologies including laser cutting, tempering, painting, CNC machining, and grinding, "they guarantee uncompromising quality, perfectly aligned with the excellence of the Triumph TF 450-RC".

Industry legend and Galfer Aftermarket and OEM Sales Director Martini Bristot Ivo said: "We are extremely proud to continue our collaboration with Triumph, which has once again chosen Galfer brake discs as original equipment for the new and highly anticipated TF 450-RC. This significant recognition, following the success of last year's TF 250-X, is a confirmation of Triumph's strong belief in our brand and products".

2024 - 10 world titles, three European titles and 11 National titles

For the record, 2024 was a big year on the racetracks of the world with no less than 10 world titles, three European titles, and 11 national titles. "From the high-speed circuits of MotoGP to the extreme challenges of Motocross and Enduro, riders supported by Galfer brake components have shone brightly, confirming the excellence of 'Made in Spain' technology," said Ivo.

www.galfermoto.com