Suzuki

Suzuki - global unit sales +16.7% for first nine months

Suzuki's results for the first nine months of its current financial year ending March 31st, 2023 (the period from April 2022 to December 2022) show increases in production and sales of motorcycles, especially in India, the Philippines and Latin America.

Total global unit sales volume for the first nine months was 1,414,000 units, which was up on 2021 by +16.7%.

Sales in Europe were +1.9% at 22,000 units; in North America they were 25,000 units (+14.2%), but -19.4% (34,000 units) in Japan.

Total Asian sales were 1,166,000 units, which was up by +19.6%. Of that, India accounted for 549,000 units (+25.5%); China for 337,000 units (+6.7%); Philippines 153,000 units (+30.3%), with the rest of Asia accounting for a further 128,000 units (+21.2%). The Latin American market was worth some 150,000 units for Suzuki, up by 22.8%.

In total production terms, Suzuki made 1,419,000 units worldwide in the first nine months of 2022, up by 117,000 units (+9.0%) over 2021 production levels.

The company says that "motorcycle and marine businesses have shown significant contributions with an operating profit for the YTD of 53.8bn yen (motorcycle operating profit +13.7%, marine +12.0%), accounting for approximately 20% of the total company profit for the period of 267bn yen. 

Total motorcycle sales revenue for the nine-month period was +37.6% at 252.8bn yen for a 23bn yen operating profit, which was up by a massive +148.8% over the year-ago period at a 9.1% margin.

Moto Morini

Moto Morini

Moto Morini might be a famous Italian name, but the current iteration of the brand is Chinese-owned and perhaps that's why the company made relatively little fuss about the EICMA show in Milan. But just because there was nothing new on display doesn't mean the company hasn't got big plans for the future - new design registrations show that the firm's Bialbero CorsaCorta V-twin engine is set to make a comeback in a new, big adventure bike.

Morini's range is currently made up of 650 cc twins, the X-Cape adventure bike and Seiemmezzo roadster (available in two forms in 2023, the alloy-wheeled STR and the scrambler-inspired, wire-wheeled SCR). However, the 1,187 cc V-twin engine that relaunched the Moto Morini brand in 2003 looks set to be reborn in a new model, seen in these pictures.

The engine is familiar, but the bike seen in these new designs isn't. Featuring a new chassis - part alloy, part steel tube frame - and bodywork sharing a family resemblance to the X-Cape, the next-generation Morini V-twin ticks all the right boxes for a large adventure tourer.

It will be entering the toughest of markets, though. Sales of big adventure models might remain at an all-time high, but such is the domination of BMW's R1250GS - a bike that's set to be reinvented for 2024 as the R1300GS (with an all-new chassis and reworked engine) - any new challenger will have to work hard to earn a slice of the ADV space.

Davinci Motor

Davinci

We still associate China with low-cost motorcycling, but Davinci Motor is an outlier - a Chinese brand making high-end, high-tech electric machines that has just made the move to offer its DC100 model in Europe for the first time.

Launched in China in 2021, the DC100 is already in production - albeit in small numbers - and promises impressive performance. Peak power is 100 kW (135 hp), to give a 200 km/h top speed, and thanks to 850 Nm of torque, the acceleration should be just as impressive. Range is measured at 357 km under WMTC testing, more than matching most petrol-powered bikes.

All this comes in a package that also includes a remarkable array of technology. There's a linked brake system cornering ABS, cornering traction control, a hill-start assist and hill-descent control system, and even the ability to operate in reverse at up to 5 km/h to assist with parking. The Drive mode also means that, once selected, the bike automatically accelerates to 7km/h when you release the brake, before any throttle is applied, making for smooth, easy starts.

Other intriguing features include the fact that the DC100 has no dashboard. There's simply a bracket to hold your smartphone, which doubles as the dash and the key, and the fact that - unlike many electric bikes on the market at the moment - the DC100 features an energy recovery system to help recharge the battery as you decelerate.

On the downside, if you're hoping to get all this for a bargain-basement price, prepare to be disappointed. Pre-order sales for the European market are at a hefty € 26,000.

Exan

Exan for Z900

Italian manufacturer Exan offers three Euro 5 and one race only 4-2-1 exhaust system (that can be integrated with one of the silencers) for the popular Kawasaki Z900 naked superbike.

The company's 'Carbon Cap Ovale' (seen here) features a "classic look with racing character and a carbon heat shield". It is lightweight, slips onto the stock manifolds without modifications, and is available in carbon, titanium and light or black satin steel.

Featuring an aggressive look and carbon finish for a "decidedly racing character", the Exan 'X-BLACK OVALE' slip-on is "extremely light, regardless of the material chosen", and available in light or black satin stainless steel, titanium or carbon and described as delivering "extraordinary power and torque at any speed".

The Exan ' X-GP' is a cylindrical exhaust with a "classic finish". It excels at medium and high revs and improves the agility of the Z900, as well as the power. Extremely light, regardless of the material chosen, it is also available in carbon, titanium and black or light satin steel.

The complete Racing 4-2-1 in stainless steel (silencer not included) "is a modification-free, fully reversible install with a 24-month warranty that ships complete with everything you need, including the fixing kit and heat-resistant adhesives to be applied on the drain". Exan recommends "the installation of an additional control unit to ensure maximum performance".

EXAN

www.exanexhaust.com

Dold Industries

More Ventura luggage applications

Manufactured in New Zealand by Dold Industries, Ventura luggage is a versatile, inventory-friendly, system-based range of model-specific and universal mount luggage options.

The range includes hard top boxes and soft top luggage packs, panniers/side bags, tank bags and more - available for a huge range of makes and models.

With roots going back to the mid-1970s, the company now makes systems for over 2,500 models. The range is a versatile, ergonomic, modular and robust, easy-mount system that is secure and safe, versatile and durable.

The Ventura Bike-Pack system features a rack, packs and model-specific bracket designs - it really is that simple, and it really is that good. Ventura packs are made with Kodra fabric, a heavy-duty ballistic nylon material, and lined with a laminated, waterproof PVC backed material.

They are available as single components or bundled kits. Simple, robust, versatile and durable are the keywords here.

The central mounting component is the company's Lbracket, and, as with all the racks, they are made in mild steel tube and satin black powder-coat finished (or polished silver/chrome for Cruisers).

Recent and upcoming application additions include options for Kawasaki Z650 RS models, Honda CMX 1100 Rebel, MSX 125 and CRF 300L, BMW S1000 XR, KTM 1290 Super Adventures and most Triumph Tigers, Tridents and Speed Triples.

DOLD INDUSTRIES

www.ventura-bike.com

Hornig

Hornig - BMW RnineT conversion

German BMW accessory specialist Hornig's RnineT conversion has a "gentleman old school look” inspired by an old blue metal box that was saved from the dumpster - the worn checkerboard pattern decoration triggering an entire custom job!

"The seats of our BMW RnineT were upholstered and covered with light beige, used-look artificial leather. A robust ABS Hornig mudguard at the rear offers optimum splash protection for the suspension, the gold-coloured heat-wrap taped exhaust system and the passenger, with the rear tidied up by a Hornig lateral licence plate bracket and replacement taillight. 

"Our side stand extension guarantees a safe footing on all surfaces and our fork crash protectors prevent motorcycle fork damage. We mounted an AC Schnitzer Light Bomb insert into the original light housing and installed new indicators.

"Our adjustable brake and clutch levers create a noticeable improvement in the driving comfort. We added a replacement modern speedometer, new handlebars, new rearview mirrors, a new tank filler cap and a footrest system. 

"Our black cooler protection grid protects the cooler and a selection of our anodised aluminium covers close the open holes of the frame - such as our swingarm pivot covers, our rear wheel centre cover with emblem, axle pivot cover, centre cap top yoke and oil filler plug with emblem are also all made of anodised aluminium".

MOTORCYCLE PARTS HORNIG

www.motorcycleparts-hornig.com

Premier

Premier 'JT5' and 'Typhoon'

Originally founded in California in 1956, Italian helmet brand Premier has added to its range for 2023, with new styles including the Pinlock-ready 'JT5' and 'Typhoon'.

The JT5 is an entirely new project for 2023 and described as "a comfortable and practical jet helmet designed for the city, that is the ideal choice for those looking for a helmet to use in everyday life without sacrificing elegance".

Made in an Aramid epoxy resin shell (offered in carbon or in black, matt grey and glossy white), it is equipped with a double visor - the main one is in transparent polycarbonate with anti-scratch treatment and completely covers the face; the dark inner visor works like sunglasses and is activated by a lever that once raised disappears inside the shell.

The shape of the JT5 is derived from that of a full-face helmet and is equipped with a full-face derived ventilation system - two air intakes on the top of the shell and an extractor on the back. Featuring a wide field of vision, there are two sizes of polycarbonate outer shell, a variable density EPS inner shell and Bluetooth-ready, removable and washable sanitised hypoallergenic liner. ECE 22/06 homologated.

A 'price-point' thermoplastic shell full-face for touring use or as a valid alternate for the urban user, 'Typhoon' is described as having a comfortable ergonomic interior and wide field of vision, with scratch-resistant polycarbonate visor and special locking system.

Additional features include a dark concealed inner visor that allows optimal riding in all weather and light conditions. A Pinlock lens is included in the price and a comprehensive ventilation system consists of four elements - a large air intake on the front and one on the chin guard, plus two extractors at the back.

An "Advanced Padding System" kit is included in the package to allow riders to customise the interior fit.

PREMIER HELMETS

www.premier.it