Energica

Energica MY 2017 updated

Modena, Italy based high performance E-bike manufacturer Energica has achieved the European Euro 4 homologation and as a result has announced new, increased specs for its 2017 Ego and Eva models.

Energica Ego Lunar White - increased power (Photo: Damiano Fiorentini)

Energica Ego, the electric sportsbike, now offers a higher power output of 145 hp, and Energica Eva, the electric streetfighter, revealed 108 hp. The maximum power of the Ego is now reaching 107 kW (constant maximum power at 6.000 rpm), while Eva has now 80 kW (constant maximum power at 6.000 rpm). The value of the maximum torque is increased too - for the Ego it goes from 195 to 200 Nm, while for Eva from 170 to 180 Nm.
Energica says that with the Euro 4 homologation, the new Energica 2017 model year will have the OBD diagnostics (on board diagnostics). As per European regulations, the Energica motorcycles will have standard software that will communicate with a universal diagnostics tool, so any workshop will be able to get access to the data.

Polish new motorcycle registrations

Polish new motorcycle registrations reported as -33.3 percent in May

It no doubt has a lot to do with Euro 3 carry-over inventory being pre-registered in December, but according to the latest statistics released by the motorcycle industry trade association in Poland (PZPM), the number of new motorcycles registered there between January and May was down by -31.04 percent (at 7,006 units) and in May was down by -33.26 percent (2,013 units). 

New moped registrations were down by -1.67 in May at 3,053 units (having been up by +38.22 percent in March and down by -10.44 in April), giving a YTD total of 9,318 units. Total new PTW registrations were -17.24 percent in May (5,066 units) and are -14.42 percent for the YTD (16,324 units). The PZPM say that this is “the worst result of new PTW registrations in May since 2005.”
However, new model registrations are only part of the story where the Polish market is concerned. Poland is an important market for pre-owned vehicles from elsewhere in Europe, receiving their first registration in Poland, and they provide valuable service, maintenance and PG&A income for Poland’s franchised and independent motorcycle shops and the vendors they buy from.
Used motorcycle sales were -5.44 percent in March (7,316 units) and -2.07 percent YTD (26,822 units); used moped sales were -12.44 percent in May and are -+10.52 percent YTD (3,588 units); total used PTW sales were -6.42 percent in May (8,414 units), and overall are running -3.15 percent YTD (30,410 units).
In total, new and used motorcycle registrations were -13.24 percent in May (9,329 units) and are -9.91 percent YTD (33,828 units); new and pre-owned mopeds in Poland were -4.77 percent in May (4,151 units) and are +0.14 percent YTD (12,906 units); total new and pre-owned PTW registrations were -10.80 percent in March (13,480 units) and were -7.41 percent overall (46,734 units) in Poland for the first five months of 2017.
The full year 2016 saw 25,844 new motorcycles registered in Poland, with estimates of the net of Euro 3 pre-registrations suggesting that the market was down by some 6 percent/2,500 units over 2015. New and used motorcycle registrations combined were up by +1.43 percent for 2016 at 83,298 units. The total number of new and used/first registered PTWs of all kinds, including the pre-registrations of carry-over Euro 3 inventory in Poland, was down by -6.49 percent at 117,309 units for 2016. Poland is the EU’s 9th largest market for new motorcycle registrations and the 7th largest total new PTW market, according to ACEM statistics.
www.pzpm.org.pl

Piaggio

Piaggio unit sales +10.3 percent worldwide for Q1 2017

For the first quarter of 2017, the Piaggio Group posted profit before tax of 2.5 million euro, up +17.9% compared with 2.1 million euro in the first quarter of 2016, and closed the first quarter of 2017 with net profit of 1.5 million euro, an increase compared with 1.3 million euro in the first quarter of 2016.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Group sold 82,500 two-wheelers worldwide (up +10.3% from 74,800 in the year-earlier period), generating net sales of 218.9 million euro, an improvement of 5.2% from 208.2 million euro in the first quarter of 2016. The figure includes spares and accessories, on which turnover totalled 29.7 million euro, an increase of +4.6% from the year-earlier period.

Piaggio says it continued to strengthen its European two-wheeler market share, taking 14.2% of available sales (13.6% in the first quarter of 2016), and 26.4% (24.5% in the year-earlier period) in the scooter sector with a lead of almost 10 percentage points from its nearest competitor.
Highlights in the scooter sector included good results for the Vespa brand, with the Aprilia brand also performing well. Performance was also positive in high-wheel scooters, with a healthy performance in motorcycle markets thanks to a +7.1% increase in Moto Guzzi sales.
The Group maintained a particularly strong presence on the North American scooter market, with a share of 21.6%; it is also committed to strengthening its position in motorcycles in North America. In January 2017, the Piaggio Group announced the strengthening of its distribution network after reaching the important milestone of 200 Motoplex stores in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Asia and India. Launched only two years ago, the Group multi-brand stores are in parallel and additional to their traditional outlets.

Matris

Italian suspension options for late model Triumphs and BMWs

Italian suspension specialist Matris has a selection of new products available for several of the currently best-selling makes and models, including the BMW R nineT 1200 Scrambler and Racer, 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber 1200 and Street Scrambler 900, and the 2016 Thruxton 1200R.

Twin-shock for 2017 Street Scrambler

To customise settings and performance of the BMW vintage Boxer R nineT Scrambler and Racer, model-specific products include Matris’ multi-adjustable hydraulic rear shocks (M46KD, M46K and M46R) equipped with hydraulic spring preload adjuster, a fully adjustable hydraulic cartridge fork kit (F15K), as well as a “price point” FKE fork spring kit, all ready to fit without any modification to the original fork.

2016 Thruxton 1200R Cafe Racer

Also available are adjustable and “speed sensitive” steering damper kits (SDK & SDR) for sport riders, to reduce shaking and provide greater safety at high speed, and an IKS knob-hydraulic spring preload to fit and upgrade the OEM rear shock.
For the custom style 2017 Bonneville Bobber 1200, Matris has rear shocks (M40D) available in the black/black, black/chrome and black/orange options to optimise the minimalist look.

Rear shocks for the 2017 Bonneville Bobber 1200

For the front Matris is offering a fork kit series (FKE & FSE) with spring set and preload adjustment, and a hydraulic cartridge kit (F15K) to convert the factory non-adjustable original fork into a fully adjustable unit, allowing a greater custom setting with dedicated spring rates, tuneable to the weight of the rider. The fork kits are a fully reversible install with no modification to the original fork required for assembly.
To customise the settings and performance of the 2017 Street Scrambler, Matris’ multi-adjustable hydraulic rear twin-shocks (M40D and M40KC) are available in chrome and Black-Edition styles, and their fully adjustable hydraulic cartridge fork kit (F15K) and less expensive FKE and FSE fork spring kit are all ready to install without any modifications to the original fork.

BMW R nineT 1200 Scrambler Racer

Finally, for the “timeless and legendary” 2016 Thruxton 1200R Cafe Racer, Matris has added model- specific products to customise and improve the handling and performance, with dedicated spring rates based on the rider’s weight.
The rear suspension twin set is adjustable on compression, rebound, length and spring preload, with two options available, the base line M40D and the top line M40KC, all available in “Chromed” or “Black-Edition”.
For the front fork, Matris has developed an economic hydraulic kit (FRK) and two options of fully adjustable hydraulic cartridge kit – a standard (F12R) and new sealed (F25SA) kit that will allow a greater custom setting. These fork kits are also fully reversible with no modification to the original fork required for assembly.

MATRIS S.r.l.
www.matrisdampers.com

Vertex Pistons

VP Italy adds ‘B2B’ platform

VP Italy (Vertex Pistons) has added a new ‘B2B’ e-commerce tool to its website “in order to offer a more efficient service to its sales force, distributors and dealers”.

“This is a secured area for our resellers where they can choose and order anything from the extensive product ranges we offer”, Marketing Director Lina Saccani Vezzani told IDN.
Those product ranges include VP’s own Vertex replacement and performance pistons and piston kits and noted American brands such as Arrowhead, Cylinder Works, Fuel Star, Hotcams, Hot Rods, Pivot Works, Wrench Rabbit, All Balls and Motobatt.
“From this platform, you can also access our extensive library of technical information and have direct contact with the several sales and technical departments within our company”.
 
www.vertexpistons.com

Hevik

‘Shamal’ summer gloves

Named for the hot summer wind that blows from the north and sweeps through Iran and the Arabic peninsula, Hevik’s new ‘Shamal’ summer gloves are made from microfibre, with the addition of mesh (also for the lining), Lycra and leather inserts on the palm. 
There is a ventilation system for the fingers and wrists, and additional features include light fabric contrast pleats and the side band that extends to the knuckles, hiding the EVA-injected protection.
‘Shamal’ summer gloves come in two colour schemes - the base is dark grey with three-dimensional silver elements; the green version has light touches of neon yellow, and the palm is light grey. Closing is by adjustable wrist strap and the gloves are compatible with the most recent touchscreen technology.

HEVIK S.r.l.
www.hevik.com

Italian new motorcycle registrations

Italy – new motorcycle registrations +3.09 percent for first five months of 2017

According to the latest data released by ANCMA (the Milan based motorcycle industry trade association for Italy), new motorcycle registrations were up by + 12.32 percent in April (11,928 units), having been approximately “flat” for April 2017 at +0.13 percent (9,928 units), they are now running at +3.09 percent for the year-to-date at 42,230 units.

Allowing for mopeds and low cc scooters, total PTW registrations in Italy were +13.91 percent in May (28,630 units), having been -9.85 percent in April (21,494 units) and are now running at +2.37 percent (95,612 units) for the first five months of the year.
Scooter sales are +1.82 percent for the period January to May inclusive, at 53,409 units; Honda’s SH 150/300/1256 variants are the top sellers (14,225 units between them); followed by Piaggio’s Beverly 300 ABS (3,406 units), the Yamaha TMAX 500 (2,093 units) and the 350 non-ABS Beverly (1,930 units); Yamaha sold 1,198 units of the 300 TMAX variant and Honda sold 1,168 units of their X-ADV 750.
The top selling motorcycles in Italy so far in 2017 are BMW’s R 1200 GS (2,029 units); Honda’s CRF 1000 ‘Africa Twin’ (1,641 units); Yamaha’s MT-09 ‘Tracer’ (1,335 units); Honda’s NC 750 X (1,334 units); the Ducati Scrambler 800 (1,218 units); and BMW’s R 1200 GS ‘Adventure (1,213 units).
In sector growth terms, the Touring (+13.36 percent, 6,433 units) and ‘Naked’ (the largest sector by style, +10.88 percent, 15,429 units) markets are showing the strongest growth; Enduro models, the second largest in Italy by styling sector, were -4.56 percent (13,300 units) for the year-to-date, with sportsbike models +6.83 percent (2,293 units).
The 126-200cc sector has seen strongest growth in power-band terms so far this year at +14.98 percent (11,798 units); with the 201-250cc market down by -50.95 percent (1,490 units). The 601-750cc market is +7.89 percent (10,643 units YTD), the 751-1000cc market is +3.71 percent (13,769 units) and the over 1000cc market is +4.54 percent YTD (12,298 units). The biggest market in Italy in displacement terms remains the 251-500cc market (22,645 units, +4.08 percent YTD).
For 2016 motorcycle registrations in Italy were +21.49 percent at 75,936 units, a third straight year of growth; total PTW registrations were +13.26 percent for the full year at 193,814 units – also a third straight year of growth (the Italian market having fallen to a low of 153,933 total PTW registrations in 2013). Scooter registrations were +117.88 percent for 2016 at 117,814 units.