News Briefs

Turin, Italy based Tacita Motorcycles is the latest E-bike manufacturer to cast covetous eyes on the domestic US market, having established Tacita USA Corp. in Miami, Florida, headed up by CEO Axel Heilenkotter. Tacita says it has been building electric motorcycles since 2011 and plans to offer two model ranges - the T-Race off-road and Enduro E-bikes, and three power/price point cruiser style models (T-Cruise) that are clearly aimed at Harley's LiveWire. Whereas most electric motorcycles have a 'Twist & Go' throttle, the T-Cruise will apparently have a more conventional gear shift transmission.
 

British "luxury" helmet manufacturer Hedon is to supply BMW with classic and custom-inspired helmets. The London-based company is known for its eclectic mix of retro-styled open and full-face lids. Despite that retro aesthetic, Hedon says its helmets are made with modern materials and features, including fibreglass/carbon fibre shells, anti-bacterial fabrics and multi-channel ventilation systems.

Known as the largest annual spring motorcycle show in Germany, Motorräder Dortmund is being staged at its usual Congress Centre Westfalenhallen venue, from March 5th to 8th, 2020. The show regularly features over 500 exhibitors and is known to attract up to 100,000 visitors in one of the primary riding markets in Germany.

Spanish accessory manufacturer Puig is celebrating a remarkable end to the WSBK season with five time WSBK champion Jonathan Rea taking both race wins on the final day of the 2020 season at the Losail International Circuit, Qatar, ending a remarkable season with 17 victories in all and a points total well into the 600s. Puig is a Kawasaki Racing Team Technical Partner supplying their aerodynamic race windshields.

Hoco Parts, DC AFAM and CMS owner Powersports Distribution Group (NL) has made two strategic acquisitions in the UK - adding distributors Bradbury Bros and Rob Hunter. The move follows news three months ago that PDG had also added Belgian distributor Rino Trading to its Hoco operation. The combined UK businesses will be re-branded as 'Bradbury Hunter'.

Kudos to Thomas Timmen, Dealer Management Team Leader at German Kymco and Hyosung MSA (Wieden, Bavaria). He has been running an online petition to force the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) to consider the issue of bringing German car licensing rules in line with several other EU markets. In France, Italy, Austria and some other markets, car driving licences (Category B) permit appropriately experienced drivers over 25yo to ride A1 category PTWs. German trade association IVM and industry magazine Bike & Business are also lobbying for regulatory change.

 
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MNW

Artein

X-Radical 'Super Gaskets'

Spanish gaskets, seals and air cleaner specialist Artein is entering the off-road/MX market with its X-Radical 'Super Gaskets' range of advanced compounds for extreme applications.
Founded in 1958, Artein is based at Girona in north eastern Spain and is a major European gasket manufacturer, noted for its advanced technology, precision manufacturing and performance materials research and development. 

Export Sales Manager Esther Junca told IDN that "our research showed us that in the extreme conditions of off-road riding and racing there was a need for a gaskets programme that was engineered and specified to deal with the unique and uniquely challenging conditions that off-road components have to deal with.

"Our new X-Radical range of robust and durable materials and designs, including Foamet gasket technology, are engineered specifically for the stresses and wear that engine and transmission components are exposed to. Engine and gearbox failures due to gasket failure have always been a big issue for motocross riders and racers. X-Radical 'Super Gaskets' are specified to meet those challenges and deliver reliable sealing and longer service intervals - another big issue for off-road engine tuners."
www.arteingaskets.com

HP Corse

HP Corse SP-3/SPS Carbon - "One soul, two styles"

Bologna based Italian specialist HP Corse used EICMA to unveil two new exhausts - the SP-3 Carbon and SPS Carbon slip-ons, both also available in the popular, performance oriented "Short" version seen here.

Designed in-house by the HP Corse R&D Centre, the shape of the body of the two new designs is inspired by the 4-TRACK model and offers two different styles in a beautiful carbon finish - the SP-3 Carbon straight and SPS Carbon curved.
Each has been long duration bench and road tested to withstand any stress that can be thrown at them and "guarantee great reliability and better performance than all the original exhaust systems that they replace, generating increased power and torque - especially at the low to medium engine speeds where riders need it most".

Made of three different materials - titanium, black ceramic and Satin Inox - SPS Carbon and SP-3 Carbon "are as home on the ADV trail as they are on the long-distance highway".
Equipped with different types of carbon heat shields, which can be positioned on the fittings or directly on the silencer body, SP-3 Carbon and SPS Carbon are available in both Euro4 and racing versions. They have a length of 380 mm in the "Normal" version and 300 mm in the "Short" version and weigh between 3.1 kg and 3.7 kg.
At EICMA, HP Corse showed the SPS Carbon Short installed on a Yamaha Ténéré 700, with the SP-3 Carbon on the brand new BMW R1250 GS ADV.

HP CORSE
www.hpcorse.com

LighTech

Ergonomic paddock stand gets the high-tech LighTech treatment

Never ones to miss an opportunity to apply its 'Hallmark of Quality' to everything it produces, Italian parts and accessory manufacturer LighTech has even given the humble paddock stand a make-over…ergonomics meet high-tech!
Like many manufacturers in Europe and the USA, but especially in Italy, LighTech is among those for whom product counterfeiting is a major issue. This year at EICMA, the company chose to present its new products "behind closed doors'' on its booth, so dealers and distributors could see them before the designs and photography go public, while delaying the opportunity for counterfeiters to steal the designs.
However, we here at IDN did persuade LighTech to let us show a picture of this new paddock stand design in carbon and aluminium. It can be used with forks or rolls and has mainly been developed for race paddock use, but would be equally at home in a dealer's or rider's workshop. It can be customised by selecting different coloured plates or washers.

LIGHTECH S.R.L.
www.lightech.it

Bitubo

Street and track version 'Speedway' shocks

Italian suspension specialist Bitubo has announced an evolution of its popular 'Speedway' shock absorber range (YPA00V2).
It is a single chamber, nitrogen-pressurised shock absorber with a 12 mm high-strength piston rod, highly responsive bushings, precision CNC-machined billet aluminium alloy mounts and new, integrated 'bellows'.
Compared to the previous version, this updated model "represents an advance in design, with a significant reduction in weight and new protective 'bellows' to prevent damage and preserve its smooth operation under aggressive riding conditions, such as on the track.
A race version (YPR00V2) is also available, developed by our in-house racing and R&D department and created for Speedway professionals.
Equipped with hydraulic adjustment in compression and external compensation tank, for precise control of the front end, this new shock absorber also has  a "compensation tank for better sensitivity (bump absorption rather than sensitivity), especially during wheel landing and corner entry".

BITUBO
www.bitubo.com

Kappa

Kappa hand warmer

Hand protectors for motorcycles and scooters have been a part of the Kappa accessory range for many years, but for the first time model KS604 includes a technical feature which allows users to actively regulate the level of heat with a 12V circuit that connects the vehicle's battery to an insulated and recessed electric heating element located inside the hand protectors.

The warmth generated does not cause problems such as overheating or, given the low voltage, pose any shock danger. Motorcycle or scooter owners who already have a 12V outlet on the dashboard as a cigarette lighter or part of a power hub can connect the KS604 cable directly to this.
Heat builds up inside the KS604 in about 3-4 minutes and can be switched to four power levels: 40%, 60%, 80% or 100%. The advantage of this system is excellent hand protection even when wearing light gloves.
The KS604 is easy to install with the rapid fixing system developed by Kappa, which does not require the handlebar ends to be removed. It has TÜV certification to standard EN 55014.

KAPPA
www.kappamoto.com

Eleveit

Eleveit goes for technology

Italian specialist Eleveit had two big launches at EICMA - its 2020 'Metamorphosis' touring boot featuring Internal Protection Technology (IPT), previously seen in the RC Pro boot (see IDN October/November), a variable density skeleton in polyurethane with two flexing mechanisms with programmed stopping points, and a new off-road boot and clothing line.

'Metamorphosis' touring boot

Described as a technologically innovative boot, as well as a shirt, trousers and gloves with attractive graphics and carefully colour-matched to the boot colour options, the line is available in two versions - one in classic Cordura and another more modern and slim line made of stretch material.
The X-LEGEND boot, the historic core business of the Montebelluna/Treviso based company, is available in six colour variants, with the highlight being the internal protection system based on controlling the movement of the ankle in all its directions, without sacrificing perfect sensitivity while riding.

The closing levers with micrometric adjustment are positioned at four points of closure on the boot to ensure greater precision, comfort and reliability in the event of accidental release.
The gloves are made of extremely soft material to ensure maximum sensitivity without compromising safety thanks to a special reinforcement designed specifically to protect the little finger's knuckle.
Eleveit is also offering new urban FREERIDE 2.3 shoes for 2020, new STUNT Air and STUNT WP touring boots with a sporty appearance and character, and a long and short sleeve shirt combined with underwear and pants.

ELEVEIT SRL
www.eleveit.it