Kappa

KVenture touring luggage

KAPPA's KVenture aluminium cases come in a 37 litre sidecase version and a 42 litre topcase.

The maximum load for the cases are 10 kg, the profiled aluminium is 1.5mm thick, featuring polymer edges and internal reinforcements. Measurements for the 42l case are 40.9 x 32.3 x 45.4cm (LxHxD) and for the 37l case it is 49.5 x 38.7 x 24.6cm. The top case has a Monokey mounting kit and security lock, and the side case can be mounted on tubular sidecase holders KL and KLR. Fitting is enabled through quarter turn screws.

In addition there is also a waterproof 15 litre cargo bag that has a Roll Top and zip in tarpaulin silver and black.

KAPPA Srl
Barbariga (BS), ITALY
info@kappamoto.com
www.kappamoto.com

HP Corse

Three Hydro by HP Corse

HP CORSE has released its Three Hydro exhaust, a system designed for use on MV Agusta’s three-cylinder models. 

Available in a choice of satin stainless steel or black finishes, the new system features a reversed pre-muffler and three hydro-formed pipes. There is also the option of a collector without a catalytic convertor for increased performance. 

HP CORSE
Canaletti di Budrio (BO), ITALY
Tel: +39 051 802334
info@hpcorse.com
www.hpcorse.com

Free Spirits

Free Spirits parts for Triumphs

ITALIAN aftermarket parts specialist Free Spirits offers an extensive range of parts for modern Triumph models, including the Scrambler
Among them is their electronic fuel controller uses third generation Dobeck Tfi technology that is programmed by means of three top-face push buttons.

Free Spirits also offers high flow air cleaner kits for the Scrambler (and Bonneville, Thruxton, America and Speedmaster models) which feature a lightweight, high strength 180-degree for optimum air-flow positioning, and a fuel controller that can be calibrated for the increased air-flow. A powder coated metal battery box is offered for when the original air box is replaced by the conical air filter.
Free Spirits has also designed a new 2-into-2 performance exhaust system made from 1mm stainless steel and an aluminium sprocket cover that can be used in conjunction with their final drive belt conversion.
Created to reduce the loss of power between transmission and the rear wheel and eliminate routine maintenance (such as cleaning and greasing a chain), the belt conversion fits Thruxton and Scrambler models and includes a 65-pawl alloy steel pulley, 29-pawl nickel plate pinion and 132-pawl belt to provide the same drive ratio as the original chain drive.

Free Spirits' belt tensioner keeps a constant but light tension on the belt throughout the swingarm’s movement, reducing stress and shock loads to improve belt life and reduce stress on the wheel and gearbox output bearings.
The Free Spirits crash pad dissipates impact energy across a large area; a 3mm thick aluminium cover for the front and bottom of the chassis and engine is also available.
For the front of the bike, Free Spirits has a fork kit that includes longer legs for improved sliding and a 63mm increased height, a new spring, and a new larger wheel axle with spacer and new wheel bearing. Red anodised aluminium preload caps are available to replace the original fork tube plugs and special 32mm anti-scratch socket is included to aid fitting. An additional central Allen head bolt is used to facilitate maintenance and oil change without the need to remove the fork tube plugs.
Free Spirits also make CNC machined billet triple trees to fit Triumph’s Scrambler Thruxton and most Bonneville models. They will accept the original risers or Free Spirits’ own fat bar risers for 28.5mm diameter handlebars.

Rear suspension options include alloy forward riser blocks, to reduce excessive shock absorber progression and lightly increase stiffness, and high performance 40mm longer Bitubo rear shock absorbers, with a micrometric metal ring for spring preload, rebound and compression adjustment.
Four-piston Brembo caliper kits includes a CNC machined aluminium mounting bracket and fully floating Newfren front brake rotor with Ergal aluminium hub and centres.
Another brake option offered by Free Spirits are adjustable and articulated levers made by Bolcato Racing with micrometric screws to adjust lever distance, and a pivoted lever that folds away upwards, to reduce chance of breakage in case of a crash.

FREE SPIRITS SRL
Carrè (VI), ITALY
Tel: +39 0445 390437
info@freespirits.it
www.freespirits.it

ABM

CUBE hydraulic reservoir

ABM now has its CUBE aftermarket reservoir in production for use with both brake and clutch levers. The CNC machined CUBE has a capacity of 30ml and can be rotated through 360 degrees and has a 90-degree outlet.

The CUBE is available in a choice of five different colours and made with a satin anodized finish.
Due to its multiple mounting options, the CUBE can be used to replace the standard rear brake master cylinder on many bike models. As with all ABM parts, the CUBE was developed and made in Germany.

ABM FAHRZEUGTECHNIK GmbH
Breisach, GERMANY
Tel: +49 (0)7667 9446 12
info@ab-m.de
www.ab-m.de

Yamaha

Yamaha unit sales +17.9 percent in Europe in 2014

Yamaha's annual results (for its January to December 2014 full financial year) show that its global net sales of motorcycle products were ¥977.6 bn (an increase of ¥49.4 billion/5.3 percent)  compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year, with a 174 percent (¥14.6 bn) increase in operating income.
However, its global net motorcycle sales in unit terms actually went down in 2014,  by -3.4 percent from 5.65 million bikes in 2013 to 5.39 million in 2014.
In developed markets such as North America and Europe unit sales were up by 13 percent overall to 414,000 (from 370,000 in 2013). The higher price and margin in the northern hemisphere compensated for a drop in the income generated by unit sales in less well developed, emerging markets.
In Europe unit sales were up from 162,000 in 2013 to 191,000 in 2014 (+17.9 percent) and up 3,000 units in the United States at 79,000 in 2014.
While sales in some emerging markets, such as India were up (+23 percent), Yamaha sales in the ASEAN region fell (-9%) due to a decrease in overall demand and a drop in product strength.

Yamaha's MT series contributed to their massive increase in sales in Europe - to 191,000 units in 2014, nearly 18 percent up on 2013

Yamaha say that major new product releases such as the MT-09 and MT-07 boosted 2014 sales in Europe. They expect to see sales start to grow again in the ASEAN markets in 2015 with new models such as the Nozza Grande, Grande Filano, and Mio125 commuters (featuring their next-generation 'Blue Core' air-cooled engine platform).
Yamaha say that income also increased as they benefitted from effect of cost reductions and yen depreciation, which outweighed the effects of currency depreciation in emerging countries and increases in research and development expenditure.

Corporately Yamaha reports net profit of ¥68.5 bn in 2014, up from ¥44.1 bn in 2013. The company is forecasting sales of 6.28m units in total worldwide in 2015, and exceeding ¥1 trillion in worldwide net sales income. Some 25 percent of this income will be generated by the approx 8 percent (500,000) of unit sales that are expected in developed markets.

EICMA

EICMA: one week later in 2015

THIS year's "Milan show" this year (EICMA) is being staged one week later than usual (November 19-22) because Milan is staging Expo 2015 from May 1st to October 31st - the latest International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) sanctioned "Universal Exhibition" (aka World Trade Fair).  

The last such 'Expo' was held at Shanghai in 2010; after Milan in 2015 the next city to host it will be Dubai in 2020.

Expo 2015 will use the full 200 acre site of the 10 year old award-winning Massimiliano Fuskas designed Fiera Milano Rho exhibition centre, where EICMA is staged. Some 140 plus countries are set to exhibit, and over 20m visitors are expected during the 6 months the event is open to the public.

www.eicma.it

Harley-Davidson

Strong international growth boosts Harley

IN line with its lowered forecasts for the second half of last year, Harley-Davidson's full-year motorcycle sales were up, but only by a disappointing 1.3 percent in the United States in 2014 - which translates into 171,079 motorcycles sold (63.8 percent of total production), an increase of just 2,216 additional bikes.

Dealers worldwide sold 47,149 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the fourth quarter of 2014, up 2.8 percent compared to 45,875 motorcycles in the year-ago quarter. In the U.S., dealers sold 26,957 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the quarter, down 1.6 percent compared to sales of 27,387 motorcycles in the year-ago period.
Overall, Harley's worldwide motorcycle sales are up by +2.7 percent, but the good news, in motorcycles sales terms (as opposed to shipments, and as opposed to the corporation's financial performance), comes from their international sales, which dramatically improves their overall performance picture.

H-D President and COO Matt Levatich is stepping up to replace outgoing
corporate CEO and Chairman Keith Wandell

Total international sales are now a massive 96,920 motorcycles, up by 9.2 percent and accounting for 36.2 percent of total production. Harley's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region leads the way with 45,323 motorcycles sold (+6.4 percent), 38,491 of which were sold in Europe itself (+6.7 percent). 

Outgoing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell was nonetheless upbeat in his investor community briefings, preferring to point instead to balance sheet and demographic improvements, while acknowledging the Company's international strength. "We continued to broaden our customer base and expand the reach of our brand through unrivaled products and experiences. In international markets, our dealers in Asia Pacific, EMEA and Latin America posted their highest new motorcycle sales on record for each region, delivering on our expectation for international sales to grow at a faster rate than U.S. sales. And in the U.S., for the third straight year, sales to our outreach customers grew at more than twice the rate of sales to core customers."
Full-year revenue from motorcycles was $4.39 billion compared to $4.07 billion in the year-ago period. Revenue from parts and accessories was $875.0 million compared to $873.1 million in 2013.