SBS

"Power Cast in Art" 

Made from SBS brake pads, this is the 'Hornsleth Sculpture' - not just an artwork but a "symbol" according to Christel Munk Pedersen, CSO/ Sales Director at SBS in Denmark - "a symbol of a rider's power, a fighter's spirit and a reminder that cancer spares no one."

Created by Artist Kristian von Hornsleth, and made entirely out of brake pads and steel, this unique piece measures 230 cm wide, by 175 cm high and is 45 cm deep and was created by Kristian in 2024 exclusively for a charity auction that is raising funds for Cancer Research.

Named 'Rallentaria', it is a "sculptural interpretation of the beautiful relationship between the freedom of motorcycle riding and the safety of brake pads. Based on the relationship between a mother and her child, this isn't just an artwork, it is a a reminder that cancer spares no one."

Christel told IDN that anyone joining the online auction "is not only bidding on an exclusive piece of contemporary art. You're standing with the millions of families who have whispered 'I miss you' or cursed 'damn you, cancer' at some stage through their loss.

"Your support turns loss into hope - your bid turns art into action. It is because Cancer doesn't care who you are, it is because Cancer is indiscriminate that this auction matters. Every cent raised from the sale of the 'Hornsleth Sculpture' goes directly to cancer research and related initiatives. Together, we can fuel hope, fund breakthroughs, and give families more time with the people they love.

"When you sign up, you're not only securing a chance to bid on an extraordinary piece of art — you're also joining a community determined to make cancer powerless."

For more information or to sign-up (by November 24, 2025) go to:

www.sbs.dk/csr/sbs-brakes-cancer

charityauctions.com/event/auction/251

News Briefs

Bauer Media's UK operation has closed the MCN (Motorcycle News) London Motorcycle Show. Staged at east London's Docklands based Excel exhibition centre since 2007, it is a show that can trace a lineage back as far as the earliest days of the Earl's Court International Motorcycle Show in London in the early 1950's, and beyond.  That leaves the modern MCIA UK motorcycle industry trade association's Motorcycle Live at Birmingham's NEC as the UK's only real 'major' motorcycle expo, though Bike Shed's annual "School of Cool" at Tobacco Dock at the end of May and also in east London continues to grow.

The provisional 2026 MotoGP schedule, the first to be released under the imprimatur of new Dorna Sports owner Liberty Media (Colorado, USA) again includes 22 Grands Prix on five continents. A highlight will be the return of the Brazil GP for the first time since Makoto Tomada's win for Honda in 2004 - the new venue for the Brazilian race will be Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna at Goiania near Brasilia. This will be the final season before the 1,000 cc formula (introduced in 2012) switches to 850 cc for 2027. The season opener is still slated for Thailand but an alternate city and venue to Bangkok is expected to be announced shortly. The casualty for 2026 is the Indian GP, due to ongoing logistical and financial issues since its inaugural race in at the Buddh International Circuit in 2023. Argentina's race at Termas de Rio Hondo also falls off the 2026 calendar, but it is expected to return in 2027 at a new location in Buenos Aires; www.motogp.com

Germany's e-Rocket, which has been in insolvency since November 2024 appears to be back 'in-play' with an Ari Motors joint venture to build military electric two-wheelers. The companies are based at Borna near Leipzig and the news venture is named 'eRocket Defence'.

The FIM has announced 5 December 2025, as the date for its annual General Assembly, with the 2025 FIM Awards being handed out on 06 December - both events being hosted at the SwissTech Convention Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Storied British Motorcycle manufacturer CCM (Clews Competition Machines - founded in 1971 by Alan Clews) has entered administration - a UK form of bankruptcy protection - after more than 50 years in the motorcycle manufacturing business. The company was taken over in 2021 by Pitalia Capital. Financial injections to fund new models and expansion ultimately failed to achieve ambitious objectives, including development of the planned new Project X adventure bike, despite the popularity of the best-selling 600 cc Spitfire single platform. The company faced additional headwinds following the closure of one of its largest retail partners, Completely Motorbikes, last year. Broader challenges in the industry, including a slump in new bike sales and the introduction of stringent Euro 5+ regulations, further impacted the business/BDN.

German motorcycle registrations

Germany - registrations to July -25.95%

The latest data from the German motorcycle industry association (IVM) show motorcycle registrations for the period to July 2025 following the same trend as that seen elsewhere with the decline in new model registrations slowing, but, in Germany's case, still down by a massive -25.95% with 70,172 units sold YTD.

For the record registrations were recorded as -51.15% in January, -46.28% in February, -33.56% in March, -20.16% in April, -21.47% in May, - 18.18% in June and down to -8.08% in July at 12,095 units sold.

The trend appears therefore to be headed back towards some kind of equilibrium and is 'only' some 24,500 units down on the first seven months of 2024, with five months to go. Our analysis reveals a real world 'best guesstimate' forecast of a German market that will be some 3% to 5% down by the end of 2025 (compared to an equally weighted 2024-unit number) - something like 3,000 to 6,000 new units down.

A112,096 units YTD (-25.20%) total PTW registrations are consistent with the modestly improving trend. That said, along with the UK, the German market continues to see way more dealership closures (some retirements, some sales, some bankruptcies) and P&A/G&A vendors getting into difficulties than is usual.

The list of top selling models and brand market shares remain pretty much the same compared to 2024, but on lower numbers. The traditional top seller - the BMW R 1300 GS - remains top of the pile in Germany, followed by the Z900, CBR 650 R, Z650 and CB 750 Hornet.

With 11 models in the 50 best-selling list YTD, it's no surprise that BMW remains top dog in its home market, with lower sales but a slightly increased 22.10% market share (15,476 units). This was followed by Honda (20.80%/14,564 units), Kawasaki (15.47%/10,832), Yamaha fourth (7.29%/5,101 units) followed by Triumph in fifth with a 6.75% share on 4,724 units sold.

In Electric (light) Scooter terms NIU leads the pack (24.78% market share, 564 units) followed by BMW (185 units/8.13% share), SEAT 168 units/7.38% share), Scutum (95 units/4.17% share) and Horwin fifth with 89 units sold for a 3.19% share). A total of 1,101 units were registered between those top five in the first seven months of 2025.

In Electric motorcycles Zero remains ahead, with a 14.02% share (222 units YTD). This was followed by Vmoto (5.11%/81 units), Kawasaki (3.35% share, 53 units), Bombardier (Can AM) with 2.34% share/37 units, Electric Motion (17 units/1.07% share) and Harley-Davidson on a declining still further 1.07% share with just 17 of its Livewire electric motorcycle sold in the period. A total of 427 units were registered between those top six in the first seven months of 2025 - with the exception of Zero they were all down on the year ago period.

Triumph

Triumph Thruxton 400 

By Ben Purvis

The success of Triumph's range of 400 cc singles has surprised even the brand itself - setting sales records in 2024 that look set to continue with the release of additional variants alongside the original Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X. We've already seen the launch of the more offroad-capable Scrambler 400XC and now Triumph has added a nose fairing to the Speed 400 to create the Thruxton 400.

Like the other 400 cc single-cylinder machines in Triumph's range, the Thruxton 400 is co-developed and built in India by Bajaj, rather than in the company's UK or Thai factories, and that's why - like the Scrambler 400XC before it - the Thruxton 400 has been released in India before even a whisper of the bike has emerged in Triumph's UK homeland or other markets. However, it's sure to get that global release, as the Scrambler 400XC did, a few weeks after its Indian debut.

The Thruxton 400's recipe is a logical and predictable one, taking the Speed 400 as its basis, with the same engine, chassis, suspension and fuel tank, it adds low bars, a chassis-mounted nose fairing similar to that used on the Speed Triple 1200 RR, revised side panels and tail bodywork including a cowl over the pillion seat. Splashed with some new colour options and graphics, the result is an appealing, neo-retro sports bike that doesn't have many direct competitors.

According to the Indian model's specifications, power is fractionally up, rising from 39.5 hp to 41.4 hp and hitting its peak at 9,000 rpm instead of 8,000 rpm. Maximum torque is unchanged at 37.5 Nm, but now arrives 1000rpm higher at 7,500 rpm.

While the bike uses the same 43 mm Big Piston forks as the Speed 400, their travel is fractionally reduced from 140 mm to 135 mm, pointing to a slightly more nose-down attitude for the Thruxton, reflected in a wheelbase that's 10mm shorter than the Indian-market Speed 400 at 1,376 mm and rake that's steepened from 25.1º to 24.5º, bringing a 0.5 mm reduction in trail from 102 mm to 101.5 mm - tiny changes that promise, along with the narrower, lower bars and fractionally higher, rear-set pegs, to give a much sportier feel. It's worth noting that Triumph's Euro-spec Speed 400 has a more aggressive stance compared to the Indian version, though, with a 24.6º rake and 1,377 mm wheelbase thanks to 10 mm taller rear suspension. Whether the European Thruxton will also get a more aggressive setup remains to be seen.

As well as the new pegs, the shifter and rear brake levers are revised to suit the new riding position, and the side panels above them get a redesigned look with black and silver elements, behind a redesigned cover for the fuel injection system. At the back, the rear mudguard and taillight are altered, tucking the lamp closer into the seat unit and adding a distinct fender underneath it, above a reworked licence plate hanger.

Wet, the new bike is 2 kg more than the Indian-market version of the Speed 400, which itself is - somewhat inexplicably - rated as being 9 kg heavier than the European version. Again, we'll have to wait for the global release of the Thruxton to get a complete picture of how it compares to the Speed 400 it's based on.

Yamaha

Yamaha patent hints at updated R1

By Ben Purvis

Yamaha's R1 is currently in limbo in the European market - available as a track-only model in 2025 rather than conforming to the latest Euro5+ emissions rules - but a new patent application suggests the company is actively working on a revised version and explores some intriguing ways to both improve its performance and reduce its emissions.

The patent is focussed on aerodynamics, and depicts a current-model R1 fitted with new, more enclosed side bodywork that covers most of the engine rather than leaving it exposed, like the existing version. More importantly, the new panels include adjustable air outlet ducts, operated via small, lightweight stepper motors and a belt-drive system to let the bike's computer open or close them depending on how much cooling is required.

It's a clever setup because bikes need to be designed with enough cooling capacity to cope with the most extreme conditions, like stationary traffic on a hot day, but most of the time that much cooling isn't required. The Yamaha patent explains how the side vents could be kept closed most of the time, preventing turbulent air that's travelled through the radiator from exiting into the airflow running down the sides of the bike, and in doing so reducing the overall drag. Less drag means there's reduced strain on the engine, so emissions and fuel consumption can be improved.

The system also has additional benefits. Keeping the vents closed until they're needed means the engine and the catalytic converter can be brought up to efficient operating temperature faster from cold, and the patent explains that the catalyst's temperature would be constantly monitored and also feed into the computer's decision on when to open the vents. Keeping the catalyst in the optimum range - not too cold, not too hot - will improve its performance and again reduce emissions.

As well as only opening the ducts when maximum cooling is required, the patent explains that they could be briefly kept closed under hard acceleration, boosting aerodynamic performance when the rider is asking the maximum from the bike, giving another performance advantage to the idea.

While variable ducts are already commonplace on modern production cars, with many having hidden shutters to open or close air intakes at the front, Yamaha's approach of closing the air outlets instead of the intakes is a slightly different one, and marks an early attempt to adopt the active shutter idea to motorcycles. BMW is also thinking along similar lines, having filed a patent application for an intake shutter system some months ago, so it should be no surprise if this technology is adopted more widely in in the future.

Kappa

Kappa K’RUGGED AV07

A recent addition to Kappa's K'RUGGED line of soft bags, the AV07 side bags are "well-finished and perfectly equipped for off-road riding". Features include a capacity of 60 litres, total waterproofing, Roll Top closure, quick-release Monokey fixing system and a 'two-component' construction with shell and inner bag.

They can be fitted and removed in seconds, and adapt to a wide range of side frames already available on the market. The pair of AV07 bags is designed not to interfere with the exhaust terminal and to remain well away from hot gases, even when fully loaded.

A side and front MOLLE system allows riders to increase the load capacity by attaching accessories and additional bags, such as the new K'RUGGED AV05.

The shell is made of 1680D polyester with PU coating, reinforced with EVA inserts and materials such as Hypalon and Tarpaulin, chosen for their resistance to wear, UV rays and extreme conditions. A PP Board panel provides greater rigidity in the fastening area.

The inner bag, made of heat-sealed Tarpaulin, ensures total waterproofing. The bags are equipped with a Roll Top closure, reinforced and removable plastic bottom, security lock system and Velcro straps for precise and secure load adjustment. 

KAPPA

www.kappamoto.com

Bonamici

Bonamici Ducati Streetfighter V4/V4S rearsets

Italian parts and accessory specialist Bonamici has added to its accessory line with new parts for the Ducati Streetfighter V4/V4S – "only the best for those who ride with the Ducati Tribe."

At the heart of the new Accessory Line is a rearset "that leads - not follows. Designed for all styles of sport riding, it integrates flawlessly with OEM components including the stock brake master cylinder and heat shield plastics.

"It's fully compatible with both the Akrapovič Ducati Performance and Termignoni exhaust systems, delivering peak performance with no trade-offs."

Key Features include racing-inspired curved heel plates for zero boot interference, nine-position adjustability for custom ergonomics, oversized dual-bearing linkages for ultra-smooth, stable shifting and shift lever supports for both standard and reverse setups, with two selectable riding feels - crisp and responsive and smooth and progressive.

The precision-built gear selector delivers "unmatched shifting accuracy with brake-side innovations including re-installable OEM return spring, micrometric lever height and preload adjustment and integrated master cylinder bracket for enhanced stiffness and feel.

The net weight is just 1.130 kg, in a glossy black anodised finish, highlighted by Bonamici's signature red bushing.

BONAMICI RACING

www.bonamiciracing.it

Bihr

RFX brand titanium-aluminium footpegs

These new RFX from British specialist Race FX are described as "the perfect balance of performance, lightness and durability." Weighing just 160 g each, they are manufactured in a combination of titanium and aluminium, they are said to "deliver exceptional grip and uncompromising reliability, these footpegs are built for the most demanding riders."  

Featuring an innovative, clean, weld-free design, they have been developed by RFX's in-house R&D team in close collaboration with sponsored riders - including Conrad Mewse and the Crendon Fastrack Honda team. These "next generation footpegs have been tested at the highest level of competition. Their innovative, weld-free design offers a clean, modern finish while ensuring maximum strength and durability."

The base is CNC-machined from aerospace-grade materials - 6061-T6 aluminium - anodised for enhanced wear resistance – and teeth in aerospace Ti-6AL-4V titanium. Fully replaceable, the teeth offer long-lasting performance and significantly reduce boot wear thanks to the thicker profile compared to standard steel versions. They are available for most Japanese and European brand motorcycles.

BIHR SAS

www.mybihr.com