Galfer

Galfer 2023 - "Find Your Flow" 

Barcelona based brakes specialist Galfer has unveiled a new promotional platform for 2023 as it continues to capitalise on its recent 70th anniversary and huge international growth in both the motorcycle and bicycle brakes market.

Their new "Find Your Flow" advertising campaign "celebrates fun and adrenaline on two wheels, guaranteeing its continued contribution in terms of speed and safety in the search for “flow”. 

Galfer Marketing Manager Dario Ortiz told International Dealer News that "the “Find your Flow” concept is a way of life for those who like to participate in the world of two wheels, inspired by the adrenaline rush of speed, but with the control provided by high-quality, reliable brakes. 

"For this, it is very important to use a top brand with a proven track record, and to avoid skimping on price with low-quality products that could put a rider’s safety at risk. The campaign is aimed at both amateurs looking for fun and personal satisfaction, as well as professional riders looking to push the limits in every corner to try and set the fastest possible time." 

The "Find Your Flow" 2023 campaign from Galfer will be implemented throughout the year using various marketing tools, including the launch of a new collection of merchandise in the adrenaline-fuelled style of the campaign. 

There will also be different advertising initiatives in the major international motorbike and bike media, as well as on social networks (@galfermoto and @galferbike), including contests and activities in collaboration with Galfer riders in constant search of their FLOW with GALFER. 

Honda

Honda jump control system By Ben Purvis

The proliferation of rider assist systems is arguably the defining characteristic that motorcycles have made in the last decade - expanding from simple traction control to a baffling array of adjustable options designed to save us from ourselves. Now Honda is working on perhaps the most ambitious yet in the form of a jump control system for off-road riders.

The basics of the system, which is revealed in a patent application from the company's R&D department, are anchored in now familiar rider assist technology, including ride-by-wire throttles and inertial measurement units (IMUs). To these, Honda intends to add a front-facing camera and a computer that can recognise an approaching jump.

The camera and jump-recognition software side of the design is arguably its most complex element. It registers when the bike is approaching a slope, estimating the distance to the slope and its angle, as well as the position of its peak - the point at which the bike is likely to leave the ground.

With this information, the system can then adapt the bike's speed, intervening between the rider and the throttle to slow down if necessary, and even applying the brakes, to match a pre-selected jump setting. The patent suggests three settings, in much the same way that existing traction control systems often operate. 

In its most moderate setting, the jump control is intended to prevent jumps entirely, slowing the bike down as it approaches the peak of the slope to make sure both wheels stay firmly on the ground. In its mid setting, the system allows a moderate jump, controlling speed to ensure the bike doesn't fly too high or too far, and during flight it modulates the throttle and rear brake to control the bike's angle, keeping a slightly nose-up attitude and aiming for a two-wheeled landing.

In its most extreme setting, the system allows a longer jump and can be configured for a rear-wheel landing, keeping the nose higher during flight. As with other rider aids, Honda envisages a further layer of options for the system, allowing the jump distance to be tailored - something that could be particularly useful on a motocross track where a rider is repeating the same jump again and again.

Although the system is designed for off-road use, the popularity of adventure bikes means it could appear on road-going models in the future. But perhaps the most valuable purpose for the system is hinted at by the patent's illustrations, which show a Dakar rally-style bike. In long-distance rally-raid competitions like the Dakar, when riders spend hours in the saddle, often going over endless sand dunes, jump control could be a useful aid to help ensure a momentary lapse of concentration doesn't result in a potentially race-ending crash.

Triumph

Triumph singles to be launched in June By Ben Purvis

Triumph has been trying to establish an operation to build small, single-cylinder motorcycles in India for more than a decade, and that work is finally coming good with the launch of the Bajaj-built retro range planned for 17th June.

Originally, Triumph hoped to go it alone with its own Indian factory, rather like the three Thailand-based plants the company already operates for the majority of its manufacturing. The company developed a duo of 250 cc, single-cylinder bikes as part of the project, unveiling sketches of one of them - a faired Daytona 250 - back in 2013. Sadly, the planned factory was never started and that project was cancelled in 2014.

Bajaj's MD, Rajiv Bajaj

Three years later, in 2017, Triumph announced a tie-up with India's Bajaj, with a plan to build a range of bikes in the 250 cc-750 cc segment of the market. Now that's finally coming to fruition, and the resulting machines will be part of the company's global product range to provide entry-level offerings in the 'Modern Classics' line-up, sitting below the Bonneville T100 and Speed Twin 900. 

At least two variants have previously been spied on test, a Bonnie-style retro street bike and a more scrambler-styled version, both using the same DOHC single-cylinder engine. Unlike the old 250 cc project, the upcoming models take their inspiration from the Bonneville, and the single-cylinder engine looks very much like one half of the Bonnie's twin.

The planned launch was revealed during a TV interview in India by Bajaj's MD, Rajiv Bajaj. He told CNBC-TV18: "The actual launch will be toward the end of June, perhaps specifically on Tuesday 27th June, in London. It will be a global launch that is being organised by Triumph, the exact content of which I'm not aware of, but that's when the launch might be."

He went on to say: "We should have product on the market in the second quarter of this financial year. I can also say that more than one product will be launched in the second quarter if all goes well."

OptiMate

OptiMate USB-C and USB-A combo for BMW, Triumph and Ducati

Some years ago, the OptiMate USB O-105 popularised a new direction in USB charger design with its ergonomic low profile 'elbow' styling that has a USB-A charging port at 90° to the DIN/ISO 4165 12V connector used on BMW and Triumph motorcycles. 

The OptiMate USB O-115 is a popular alternative to the O-105, with its '180°' styling making it more suitable for use on Ducati Multistrada or Triumph Tiger 800/850/900 motorcycles. There is also a Ducati O-115D branded version. 

Both these USB chargers feature 2 x USB-A charge ports that share up to 3300mA of power and they include the unique OptiMate USB interactive standby mode that prevents the vehicle's battery from being drained. 

Martin Human, CEO/CTO of TecMate, says that these features have made both OptiMate USB O-105 and O-115 some of the most popular aftermarket USB chargers for BMW, Triumph and Ducati motorcycles. 

"However," says Martin, "enter USB-C as the universal USB standard for Europe, and with many smartphones going towards USB-C, including Apple, TecMate has responded by releasing the OptiMate USB O-114 and the OptiMate USB O-119, identical in design to the O-105 and O-115, except for one charge port that is USB-C." 

The USB-C socket delivers up to 3300mA of charge to a single connected USB-C device, unless the USB-A port is also in use, then power is shared with the second connected device. 

"All OptiMate USB chargers have a unique feature that protects the vehicle's battery that it is drawing power from - when the vehicle's engine is turned off, the OptiMate USB charger senses that and will turn off within one hour. 

"So, if a rider has stopped somewhere, but needs to charge their phone, or camera or Bluetooth- ready helmet, the OptiMate USB charger remains on for an hour before it goes to standby mode. That prevents even the smallest lithium battery from totally discharging, always leaving sufficient power to start up the vehicle to ride on." 

Martin explains: "We're ready to meet the demand for USB-C chargers, yet we recognise that there is a huge population of devices (phones, GPS, etc.) and charge cables out there that still connect to the conventional USB-A socket. A combination USB-A and USB-C allows you to charge the latest smartphone along with your GPS or other devices."

TECMATE  

www.tecmate.com 

www.optimate1.com/usb

GIVI

S510 D-Charge

GIVI's made in Italy S510 D-Charge combines charge and charge maintainer functions and is compatible with traditional 12V lead-acid and lithium batteries. It is compact, robust, safe to use, with automatic cycle management and equipped with everything necessary for connection to the vehicle. This maintenance item is a new addition to GIVI's extensive range of accessories.

The design of the GIVI S510 D-Charge "extends battery life by up to four times and achieves maximum efficiency in terms of energy consumption. Primarily intended for the two-wheel sector, it has features that make it suitable for operation with other vehicles, including cars".

It is compatible with all types of traditional 12V batteries (lead-acid, MF, GEL, AGM) and with the latest generation 12V lithium batteries with either lithium-ion or Li-FePO4 technology from 1.2Ah up to 100Ah.

The charge and maintenance algorithm that manages lithium batteries works on seven cycles in a clever, 100% automatic way. The cycles indicated are initialisation, recovery (starting from a minimum of 1.25V), light charge, main charge, analysis, maintenance and equalisation.

With lead-acid batteries, the charge and maintenance algorithm that handles conventional batteries follows a similar automatism to the one described above, adding an important eighth desulphation cycle. Through a process that uses current pulses, sulphates are removed from the lead plates, restoring the battery to its functionality.

Safety features include protection against sparks, reverse polarity, short circuit, overloading and overheating.

GIVI S.P.A.

www.givimoto.com

Artein

XRADICAL gasket set options

Founded in 1958, Girona, Spain based gasket and seal specialist Artein is one of the largest motorsports and industrial sector gasket manufacturers in Europe.

Supplying OEM customers as well as the aftermarket, Artein is noted for its advanced technology, precision manufacturing and the research and development investments it makes into performance materials.

In motorcycle terms, Artein has been a leader in the scooter and competition markets for a long time, and in recent years has started building a high profile in the off-road market with its XRADICAL programme.

Recent new additions are the complete kit for KTM SX 125/150 applications from 2016 to 2022 that is seen here, along with a complete gasket set for the Honda CR 125R from 1990 to 1997.

For the Suzuki RM 85 (2002 and up) and all its other applications, Artein offers complete gasket sets and top end set for standard configuration, and a "Smart Kit", comprising an extended gasket kit (top end, clutch cover and gasket, and friction disc and cover gasket), along with a water pump cover gasket. Spare gaskets are also available.

The quality of Artein's products has been proven many times - on the street and in competition - and for development of the XRADICAL lines, Artein brought together engine technicians, performance engineers and sealing materials specialists to develop premium application-specific product solutions.

The primary gasket materials used in the XRADICAL range include Artein CS6900 Soft, easily recognisable in yellow colour (25% compression capacity, very high 64% recovery and temperature resistance), German made Victor Reinz AFM 34 (an aramid fibre-based gasket material for low compressibility in a wide range of operating temperatures and pressures), and Foamet - aluminium core with Nitrile soft foam in both sides - one of the best known of contemporary gasket materials.

ARTEIN GASKETS

www.arteingaskets.com

Airoh

Airoh 'Specktre' on-road flip-up with ASN

With ECE 2206 and double P/J homologation, 'Specktre' is the new Airoh on-road flip-up designed for those looking for a versatile and innovative modular style helmet. 

With a shell in HRT thermoplastic (High Resistant Thermoplastic), the new Airoh model has the ASN (3-D fabric structure Airoh Sliding Net) system that reduces the forces transmitted to the head in case of impact.

Designed, engineered and tested in Airoh's in-house R&D laboratories at its headquarters facility near Bergamo, features include a larger and extraordinarily wider view, tool-less quick release, scratch and UV resistant visor that can be used in the antifog position with the supplied Pinlock 70 lens and has a practical, integrated sun visor.

'Specktre' is equipped with an advanced ventilation system that includes chin guard vent and rear spoiler, a hypoallergenic, removable and washable inner lining with 2DRY, Microsense and sanitised treatments and weighs in at 1,680g (+/- 50g). Additional features include the micrometric retention system, 'Stop Wind' and Bluetooth-ready. 

Racing is at the heart of the Airoh DNA from 2005 to date, its riders having delivered a remarkable 126 world titles - and counting!

LOCATELLI S.P.A.

www.airoh.com