Honda

Honda opens its doors to co-creators with new R&D Innovation Lab

Honda R&D Co, a research and development subsidiary of Honda, has announced the establishment of a new R&D Innovation Lab in Tokyo. The new facility will be dedicated to the research and development of intelligent technologies, and become the focus for Honda’s collaboration with external experts and other global research institutes. The Honda R&D Innovation Lab will be opening its doors by September 2016.

Members of the Innovation Lab’s staff will work with associates from other global entities with particular focus on technologies associated to automated driving, connectivity and robotics. It will also act as an arena for Honda to attract and develop new research and development talent from across the world.
The new facility will form the latest addition to Honda’s Research Institute (HRI) network. First established in 2003, the Tokyo base is added to existing facilities based in Germany (Frankfurt), Japan (Wako-City, Saitama Prefecture) and the US (Silicon Valley and Columbus, Ohio).

Harley-Davidson

Harley international sales +4.3% for second quarter

Harley-Davidson’s second quarter 2016 worldwide retail motorcycle sales were down by -1.9 percent on weak domestic U.S. industry results.
Harley-Davidson retail motorcycle sales in the U.S. were down -5.2 percent compared to the year-ago quarter, with the overall U.S. industry down -8.6 percent for the same period - meaning that at 49.5 percent Harley managed to claw back 2.0 percentage points of market share in a down market compared to the second quarter in 2015.
International retail sales increased by +4.3 percent over the prior year quarter and by +4.4 percent for the first six months of 2016.

Harley-Davidson President and CEO Matt Levatich: “Our investments to grow product

Given market softness in the U.S., the continued competitive environment and global economic uncertainty, the company is taking the precautionary step of lowering its full-year motorcycle shipment guidance, revising its forecast to ship 264,000 to 269,000 motorcycles to dealers worldwide in 2016, which is approximately between -1.0 percent and +1.0 percent from 2015. The company says this action is consistent with its long-standing commitment to manage supply in line with demand. The company had previously provided full-year shipment guidance of 269,000 to 274,000 motorcycles.
President and CEO Matt Levatich said that “while our investments to grow product awareness and ridership globally are beginning to take hold in a number of markets, current conditions in the U.S. and economic headwinds in other parts of the world combine to raise caution for us as we continue to focus our strategy to drive demand and deliver strong returns to shareholders”.
Retail sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) were up by +8.2 percent in the second quarter and +8.4 percent for the first six months. Asia Pacific retail sales were up by +0.8 percent in the quarter and up +3.4 percent for the first six months compared to 2015.

Gilles Tooling

Gilles parts for 2016 ZX-10R

Luxembourg based parts and accessory manufacturer Gilles Tooling has a range of updates available for Kawasaki’s 2016 ZX-10R, from brake and clutch, drivetrain and foot control components to handlebar accessories and protectors.

The line-up includes their adjustable phosphate bearing equipped Factor-X brake and clutch levers, Factor-X rear sets that include reverse shift, foldable pillion footrests, a swingarm spool and choice of chain adjusters, handlebar weights, front and rear axle protectors, frame sliders, right and left-side engine covers and their advanced design GT Shield lever guard.

Designed to meet the requirements for mandatory lever guards on closed circuit tracks, their GT Shield lever guards (for race and street application brake and clutch levers) are CNC-machined from billet aluminium with fibreglass reinforced plastic; off-set spacers means the guards can be adapted to various lever lengths - the downward sloped design leaves enough space to place the hands at the outside of the handlebars. They are compatible with most Supersport bikes’ original handlebars (and Gilles’ own GP Light and ‘Variobar’ handlebars).

GILLES TOOLING GmbH
www.gillestooling.com

CNC Racing

Universal carbon clutch and brake reservoirs

Italian parts and accessory designer and manufacturer CNC Racing has developed these universal clutch and brake oil reservoirs in carbon (with inspection windows) for all bikes fitted with tanks independent of the clutch and brake pumps.
Entirely made in plain weave carbon, with aluminium threads, they are available in 40mm (40 grams) and 50mm (50 grams) - both in a choice of matt or polished carbon.
The kits include three outlets (45 degrees, 90 degrees and vertical tilt), two metal brackets and precision seals.

CNC RACING
www.cncracing.it

Akrapovic

Lightweight C650 slip-ons

 
Slovenian exhaust manufacturer Akrapovic has launched simple plug-and-play installation EC/ECE approved Euro-4 compliant slip-ons for BMW’s C 650 Sport and C 650 GT Maxi Scooters. Manufactured with a titanium alloy outer sleeve, carbon fibre end cap and heat shield, the company claims increased power and torque levels through the entire rev range with weight savings of 44.9% over the stock system. AKRAPOVIC, Slovenia, www.akrapovic.com

Mueller Motorcycle AG

Mueller pimps Triumph models

Founded some 30 years ago, Mueller Motorcycle AG are well known to Harley and custom bike parts and accessory aficionados with a deserved reputation for design innovation and manufacturing quality.

The Bavarian manufacturer now also includes products for popular Triumphs in its portfolio, including fitments for Bonneville, Thruxton and Scrambler models.
Seen here, the range features a triple tree kit for improved stability and optimised riding performance that includes a machined lamp holder, steering head axle and wider wheel axle, and all necessary spacers and hardware. At 217 mm wide, it is 27 mm wider than the OE tree, allowing fitment of wider tyres up to 5.00 x 16".
In addition, an ignition holder allows the lock to be relocated to the left, under the tank, and a tachometer holder for Motogadget Classic Series gauges adds to the sporty vibe of the Triumphs.

A stiffer 20 mm wheel axle improves stability, and a new licence plate holder with LED rear light and illumination with detachable reflector and splash guard, a tachometer holder for Motogadget Motoscope mini gauges, an inner gas pull and aluminium grips complete the offer.

MUELLER MOTORCYCLE AG
www.mueller-triumph.de

German motorcycle registrations

German motorcycle registrations +5.28 percent for first six months

The latest statistics released by the IVM, the motorcycle industry trade association in Germany, show new motorcycle registrations up by +11.16 percent in June at 13,373 units and +5.28 percent for the first six months of the year at 73,078 units – the strongest first half year market performance seen in Germany since before 2009.

In total powered two-wheeler terms, the market in Germany was up by +9.38 percent in June (19,410 units) and is +4.14 percent for the year to date (100,047 units).
The top selling model in Germany so far this year is the BMW R 1200 GS (4,908 units), followed by Yamaha’s MT-07 (2,135 units) and Honda’s CRF 1000 ‘Africa Twin’ (1,942 units).
With eight models in the top 20 sellers list, it is no surprise that BMW is total PTW sales market share leader for the first six months of the year in its home market, having sold 16,856 units for a 16.85 percent market share (up by +0.43 percent in unit terms over the 16,784 they sold in the first six months of 2015, when they scored a 17.47 percent market share).
Yamaha is second with a 13.12 percent market share (+3.35 percent over the first six months of 2015 in units sold terms), with Honda third (12,173 units, 12.17 percent market share), KTM fourth (9,753 units, 9.75 percent share) and Kawasaki fifth (7,718 units, 7.71 percent share).