BAAS Bike Parts

Ergonomic Ducati SAE adapters

German electronic accessories specialist BAAS Bike Parts started as long ago as 2001 when Dirk Baas spotted that motorcycle and scooter riders were already facing the need for better, more advanced and certainly more ergonomic functional accessories for the growing use of electronics on PTWs of all kinds.

Recognising that the demands being placed on on-board power sources have grown exponentially ever since, these new BA5 (Euro 5) and BA6 (Euro 4) SAE adapters for Ducati applications are intended for connection to the Ducati DDA series socket. 

BA5

With the SAE Multi Connector on the other side, they provide an improved and much more ergonomic and user-friendly connection to various BAAS automatic chargers and other accessories.

The BAAS business model has always been to sell through wholesalers, distributors and importers, and ever-increasing product demand meant that Dirk had to move his business into larger premises three times since he started. He moved into his current 280 sq m (3,000 sq ft) warehouse and office space of 280 sq m in Abstatt in southern Germany in 2015, where a team of six processes hundreds of orders for thousands of parts every month.

BA6

The BAAS programme of universal motorcycle and scooter accessories includes socket systems, USB chargers, accessory cables, chargers and plastic parts and components.

Dirk has always been quick to respond to the 'direction of travel' in electronic accessories, with new products coming to market regularly. A major accolade for his small business came in 2016 when KTM selected a BAAS USB on-board socket as original equipment on a KTM model - and it can still be selected as an accessory in the KTM vehicle configurator.

BAAS BIKE PARTS

www.baas-parts.de

Gaerne

Gaerne SG.22 updated MX boot

Legendary Italian boot manufacturer Gaerne says it is "putting new horsepower on the ground" with its new Gaerne SG.22 motocross boot that "represents the natural evolution of the popular SG.12. 

"Combining Italian craftsmanship with cutting-edge materials and technical solutions, every component and detail of the SG.22 has been fine-tuned and updated from the SG.12 to produce a boot that is already on the feet of Romain Febvre, the EnduroGP World Champion Andrea Verona, the Sherco Factory Team with the Jr World Champion Zach Pichon and all the riders of Honda Enduro Factory Team".

Advanced features include a new three-dimensional construction main body toe box, which has a single joint element positioned on the outside near the closing lever. This allows the reduction in the height between the sole and the rear derailleur, increasing the speed of shifting.

The aluminium superlight buckle levers can be adjusted in three positions - in addition to the two positions the new frontal shin guard allows. The multiple available configurations optimise the fit and allow easy insertion of knee protectors. There are two air vents near the frontal plate, and internal 3D channels create cavities that help to evacuate humidity and heat.

"The geometry of the movement has also been improved to better mimic the movements of the ankle to improve ergonomics; the newly designed Razorback helps to reduce the overall weight of the boot.

"The Gaerne Dual Stage Pivot System 1.0 protects the ankle with two limit switches which control the hyperextension, hyperflexion and lateral movements. Internally, the Memory foam 1.0 has also been re-engineered - this injected material takes the shape of the ankle, stabilising the whole foot, allowing it to become one with the boot".

The inner leg features Grip Guard 1.0 rubber elements with a compound developed with professional riders to improve protection and optimise the coefficient of friction for better riding feel. The sole features dual density inserts. Their position has been calculated to guarantee grip and durability without forgetting traction and cushioning during walking. The Microshock heel features a variable density compound to provide protection from micro-impact when cornering.

"A new Steel Bumper 1.0 toe between the sole and the upper makes it possible to reduce thickness, maintain the protective capacity and reduce weight. Finally, the unmistakable Goodyear Welted construction that always distinguishes Gaerne boots creates a resoleable and reassuringly solid, durable, stable and resistant structure". 

GAERNE SPA

www.gaerne.com

Kellermann

Kellermann names Tucker as exclusive U.S. distributor

Award-winning Aachen, Germany based lighting specialist Kellermann GmbH is capitalising on the cult-like popularity of its product range in the United States with the appointment of Tucker Powersports as its exclusive distribution partner there.

Kellermann CEO Stefan Woeste

Known for its innovative designs and high-quality precision German manufacturing, its products are already tremendously popular in the custom bike market in the United States - globally in fact - but now Tucker's thousands of dealers will have easy access to the full Kellermann product range through all seven of its domestic American warehouses.

Bullet 1000

Atto Dark

Kellermann has been manufacturing motorcycle accessories for over 30 years and its turn signals and bullet lights have consistently set industry standards for brightness and style - earning it design awards from the likes of Red Dot and the Chicago Athenaeum [and International Dealer News]. 

Dr. Stefan Woeste, CEO of Kellermann, said: "Together with Tucker and its extensive dealer network, we want to take our brand to the next level in the U.S. market. Tucker shares our passion for technology and product innovation." 

Kellermann has worked previously with Tucker's Kuryakyn brand to develop the tremendously successful Tracer lighting systems launched in 2021 and 2022. The company's current product line includes lighting products, mounts and related electronics.

'Dayron' - ECE-approved intelligent DRL system with smart control

"Our current Kellermann product line includes powerful, durable, German precision manufactured lighting products, mounts and related electronics. With Tucker, we are preparing for the launch of our newest products in the United States in the next few weeks, products that will reinforce our technology and quality leadership".

www.kellermann-online.com

News Briefs

The global bicycle industry continues to see unit sales reducing. In the UK, the Bicycle Association's Annual Market Data Report for 2022 showed that UK bike sales had fallen to their lowest level in two decades. Other industry analysts suggest that cycle sales fell by 22% in 2022, down to 1.8 million units and 27% below pre-Covid levels (BDN).

Suzuki UK has launched a new, completely free of charge Service Activated Warranty (SAW), which extends a motorcycle's warranty period after the initial three years through regular servicing at authorised Suzuki dealerships. It is offered once the motorcycle reaches the end of its manufacturer warranty period of three years and is booked in for its next scheduled service within the Suzuki dealer network. This warranty then stays in place until the next qualifying service. It is then simply renewed again, up to a maximum vehicle age of seven years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Germany has reached a deal with the EU on the future use of combustion engines that breaks an impasse between Berlin and Brussels, or more specifically between German auto makers and the environmental lobby, by the EU agreeing to allow some combustion engines beyond 2035. The bloc and its largest economy had been at odds over the planned 2035 phase-out of CO2-emitting cars. Germany had wanted assurances that new combustion engine cars can be sold beyond the deadline if they run on e-fuels - a request supported by parts of Germany's powerful car industry. Vehicles with internal combustion engines can still now be newly registered after 2035 if they fill up exclusively with CO2-neutral fuels.

Not to be confused with INTERMOT at Cologne every second year, Bike und Business in Germany reports that "full halls and enthusiastic visitors swarmed exhibitors' booths on the three days of IMOT - International Motorcycle Exhibition 2023 - at the new location at the Munich exhibition centre in Riem, Munich". The date for 2024 is already confirmed for February 16 to 18.

In partnership with Cardo, Ducati's new communication system V3 intercom offers enthusiasts "the most innovative communication technologies - such as Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) connectivity - without sacrificing the unmistakable Ducati red. The streamlined, antenna-free silhouette makes this intercom aerodynamic, improving comfort, silence and aesthetics, and the magnetic mount for attachment to the helmet simplifies installation". 

Brembo has become a MotoGP "Braking Inspiration Partner". This new partnership began at the season-opening Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal, with MotoGP welcoming Brembo to a whole new role in the paddock for the next three seasons. The partnership sees Brembo supplying data for all-new graphics across the global television broadcast, as well as featuring in some exclusive behind-the-scenes content. "Putting even more information at fans' fingertips and unlocking the secrets to braking in the world's fastest motorcycle racing championship, the new graphics, highlighted as Data powered by Brembo, comprise a special replay showing the heaviest braking point on each circuit and a motion tracker graphic showcasing the reality of deceleration in MotoGP".

Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com

AIMExpo 2023 Review part 5

R&G: Simon Hughes, Managing Director. The British protectors and accessories specialist is building a strong following in the United States. This year has seen it renew what is turning out to be a long- term sponsorship partnership with the MotoAmerica racing programme; www.rg-racing.com

Athena USA: 2023 marks the Italian performance parts and components specialist's 50th anniversary, and leveraging its MX and off-road own brand and famous name distribution partner's products is driving increasing sales through its U.S. operation; www.athena.eu

FunnelWeb Filters USA: The Watertown, South Dakota American importer of the Australian made (Infiltration Pty, Ltd.) foam air filter. Using open cell foam 3D profiling, the 'secret sauce' is the pyramid profile that effectively doubles the filter's outside surface area without increasing its overall size. The result is a technology that is claimed to trap and hold more dust on the outside surface of the filter, maintain optimal airflow by spreading dust build over an increased surface area and enable longer filter service intervals. The majority of FunnelWeb filters are manufactured with a shrink-, stretch- and tear-resistant urethane/foam combination seal for strength and longevity. Distribution in Europe is through CTE Parts B.V. in the Netherlands; www.funnelwebfilter.com.au 

SW-MOTECH: Founded in 1999, the German touring and ADV and accessories manufacturer now has its own U.S. operation at Portland, Oregon. From those humble, three riding friends' beginnings nearly 25 years ago, SW-MOTECH now employs over 400 people and sells to over 70 countries; www.sw-motech.us

Texa: The Italian/American electronics specialist offers what it claims are the "most advanced and capable diagnostics and connectivity solutions available". Its new TXT Multihub VCI "provides smarter connectivity for multi-environment vehicle interfaces. Now supporting a built-in display to visually confirm connection status, new protocols and connection options for versatile modular vehicle diagnostics, it has a stand-alone Linux operating system for adaptable vehicle connection and greater security, as well as new certified durability for rugged environment use; www.texausa.com 

Electro Sport/Procom Engineering/SPC: Manufacturer of replacement components such as stators, regulator/rectifiers, CDIs. Procom is distributing the brand-new SPC Power Clutch for North America described as "an indestructible, sintered, track-based clutch kit for use in motorcycles and ATVs and will make its market debut in the North American market in 2023. Distribution in Europe will be through Delta Braking; www.power-clutch.com, www.electrosport.com, www.delta-braking.com

KTM

KTM planning semi-auto bikes

Patents have emerged revealing that KTM is developing a semi-automatic transmission option for its 1,301 cc V-twin powered models - potentially giving the company a tool to compete with Honda's popular DCT gearboxes with a fraction of the complexity.

Honda's dual-clutch transmissions allow seamless gearchanges by allowing two ratios to be engaged simultaneously. Essentially, it's like having two gearboxes in parallel, each with its own clutch, so the electronics can feed in one clutch while disengaging the other to provide a shift without any interruption in the power reaching the rear wheel. Its clever, but also heavy, costly and complex. Even so, it's a system that's proved popular, particularly with buyers of the Africa Twin, where DCT versions account for close to half the total sales.

KTM's 1290 Adventure is a key rival to the Africa Twin so perhaps it's unsurprising that the Austrian company is working on its own semi-automatic gearbox. However, the KTM design is far simpler than Honda's. Instead of the complex DCT, it relies purely on the increasingly competent ability of modern quickshifters to achieve clutchless changes. With the ability to modulate throttle and ignition, quickshifters able to make rapid, clutchless upshifts and downshifts are already commonplace, so to achieve a semi, or even fully-automatic box, KTM only needs to add a system to allow the bike to start and stop, plus a mechanism to electrically replicate the shifts usually made by the rider's foot.

The company's patent explains that the problem of starting and stopping without a clutch lever is achieved simply by using a scooter-style centrifugal clutch. This is something that's already been tried, and MV Agusta even offers models with its own 'SCS' transmission - using a Rekluse centrifugal clutch and an up/down quickshifter - to eliminate the need to use the clutch lever at all. 

The second problem - automating the gearshifts - is solved by adding an electronic actuator to turn the shift drum inside the transmission, replacing the usual foot-operated mechanism. That allows gearchanges to be made at the touch of a button or fully automatically, using a map of throttle position, revs and road speed to decide on the appropriate ratio at any particular time.

One element that KTM's design has been forced to add is a transmission locking system. The adoption of a centrifugal clutch means that when the engine's turned off, the clutch is disengaged, so you can't simply leave the bike in gear if it's parked on a slope. The transmission lock solves that problem. It uses a pawl inside the gearbox that drops a claw into the teeth of one gear, locking it solid. 

The pawl is moved by the shift drum, only allowing the lock to be engaged when a 'park' position is chosen. Electronics prevent the system from shifting into park when the bike is in motion, rather like a car with an auto transmission.

Such is the detail of the drawings in KTM's patent application, it's even possible to read the part numbers on some of the components. It's from these part numbers that we know the main elements of the gearbox are taken straight from the 1,301 cc '1290' models, with the 1290 Super Duke R and 1290 Super Adventure both using the same components. 

KTM is known to be working on a touring derivative of the Super Duke at the moment, which is a potential target for the semi-auto transmission, and the Super Adventure could also benefit from the system as it aims to steal buyers away from the Africa Twin.

Praga

Praga ZS 800 - limited-edition relaunch

While there's no shortage of defunct motorcycle brands "resting" at the moment, Praga is a name that relatively few will be aware of, even though the company behind it has been running for well over a century.

As the name suggests, Praga is from the Czech Republic, based in Prague, where it's made machinery since 1907. Its first motorcycle came in 1929 when Praga merged with rival company CKD, in the process adopting the BD 500 model, a single-cylinder machine with a bevel-drive overhead camshaft that had been launched two years earlier. However, by 1933 the motorcycle project was ended, and Praga returned to its core business building trucks and buses. The Praga brand reappeared on two wheels in the 1990s with a range of enduro models, but production of those machines ended twenty years ago. 

Praga still makes trucks today, but has also expanded to make track-oriented supercars and even aeroplanes, and with the ZS 800, the company is getting back on two wheels again.

Designed as a tribute to the BD 500, combining traditional looks with cutting-edge technology, the ZS 800 borrows its 773 cc parallel twin engine from Kawasaki's W800, because it's the only modern, emissions-friendly design that shares the original BD's air-cooled design and bevel-drive camshaft arrangement. The ZS 800 keeps the engine stock to stick within emissions limits, making 37 kW (50 hp) and 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) - numbers that seem perfectly fine until you discover the ZS 800's price, direct from the factory it is € 86,000. That's before shipping or any import duties or sales taxes are added.

Unsurprisingly, Praga doesn't expect to sell many, with only 28 due to be made. The first was already sold to a customer in Dubai before the bike was even announced.

While the engine can't justify the expense, the rest of the ZS 800 is impressive. The frame might be simple steel tube, but all the nuts and bolts are titanium and the wheels, despite looking like wires, are actually crafted from forged carbon fibre. Öhlins supplies a TTX22 shock for the girder forks at the front, but there's no rear suspension at all. Any semblance of comfort comes only from another Öhlins shock that supports the rear of the rider's seat. 

Another unusual touch, seemingly at odds with the bike's price, is the use of drum brakes front and rear, albeit beautifully crafted ones. 

While the ZS 800's huge price makes it an irrelevance to the vast majority of motorcyclists, if all 28 examples find buyers fast, it could encourage Praga to expand the two-wheeled project towards a more mass-made, affordable machine in the future.