M&P Direct has been sold. A pioneer and major player in the mail order aftermarket for over forty-years and an important dealer in South Wales with showrooms in Cardiff and Swansea, M&P founder and owner Mark Collings, has sold the business to an investment group led by a former BSB racer and entrepreneur Peter Graves. He is partnered by accountant Steve Rooms and systems expert Ric Wilson.
Graves and his team say they bring a wealth of experience and passion to the business and will overhaul operations with plans for a new premises, improved e-commerce functions and a renewed focus on customer service and quality products.
M&P founder and MD, Mark Collings, and director Lynette Ballard, will remain in their senior roles along with the rest of the existing team of staff.
Announcing the sale Collings said: “We’ve had a challenging few years in common with many in the industry. We’ve seen many friends and competitors fall by the wayside. We wanted to make this change to give M&P the best possible opportunity for the future, and by bringing in this expert new team we can build on what we have, and give our loyal employees the best possible prospects for the future.”
The showrooms in Cardiff and Swansea are a central part of the deal: the Cardiff showroom has the Royal Enfield and Ducati franchises, while Swansea has Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Honda, KTM, Husqvarna and Royal Enfield. The new owners will also take over On Two Wheels, which has been distributing clothing, parts, and accessories directly to dealers for more than 30 years.
“We’re thrilled to join the M&P family,” said Peter Graves, who will be interim CEO, with Steve Rooms as CFO and Ric Wilson looking after systems. “We know how our own motorcycling friends have, for decades, relied on M&P as the most expert and reliable supplier of bike parts and accessories. We know what a force it has been for the motorcyclists of Wales, running these absolutely stunning dealerships. Our goal is to build on the solid foundation already in place, investing in the future while maintaining the legacy and passion that M&P Direct is known for.”
More info: www.mandp.co.uk.
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M&P founder Mark Collings (left) with new interim CEO Peter Graves
SHORT CUTS
CELEBRATING JOEY’S LAST TT
THE 2025 CLASSIC TT IS SET TO MARK 25 years since Irish road race legend Joey Dunlop last competed on the Isle of Man. Dunlop won a hat-trick of races in 2000: the Formula 1, 250 and 125 TTs, shortly before his untimely death in a crash at a road race event in Tallinn, Estonia on 2 July 2000. There will be a special demonstration lap on Friday, 29 August, with Joey’s nephew, Michael Dunlop riding a replica of his 2000 factory Honda VTR1000 SP1. Organisers are also planning a pop-up exhibition, alongside other events marking the anniversary.
SPORTSBIKESHOP TAKES ON CTEK
SPORTBIKESHOP HAS ADDED THE CTEK range of battery chargers and conditioners to its line-up. The motorcycle accessories chain, which has ten outlets across the UK, will make the advanced smart chargers available to buy both online and at its stores. Chris Winters, MD at Sportbikeshop, said: “We are excited to broaden our portfolio of charging solutions by partnering with leading European brand CTEK.”
MAG’S BUS LANE PETITION
THE MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP (MAG) has launched a petition calling for default access for motorcycles in bus lanes. MAG director Colin Brown said: “The petition is only a part of our campaign to get this default access policy across the line. It will be pivotal though, supporting the direct engagement with politicians that will be going on behind the scenes.” Sign the petition here: petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/712763
KTM FOUR-YEAR WARRANTY
AUSTRIAN BIKE MAKER KTM IS trying to recover confidence in its motorcycles, after being hit by the financial woes of its owner, the Pierer Group. To reassure customers it has announced a new four-year warranty covering its twin-cylinder models –that means the parallel twin 790, 890 and 990 models, as well as the 1290 and 1390 V-twin range. Spela Kovacic, VP of global customer service, said: “Every KTM motorcycle that leaves our factory comes with the promise of quality and excitement for both new and regular customers. To offer extra protection against any and all eventualities, we’ve added a premium manufacturer’s warranty, ramping up the value for our customers.”
Suomy returns to the UK
It’s been quiet for a while now, but one of the biggest bike helmet brands from the early 2000s is heading back to Britain. Suomy started up in Italy in 1997 and quickly gained a strong following in the racing and sports bike world. It signed up a slew of top racers in sponsorship deals, with riders such as Troy Corser, Troy Bayliss, Loris Capirossi, Max Biaggi and Ruben Xaus on its books. The firm even scooped a couple of WSBK championships, with sponsored riders Neil Hodgson in 2003 and James Toseland in 2004 and 2007, and a 250 GP title in 2003 with Manuel Poggiali. Its race replicas were big sellers, and many a magazine road tester sported the latest Suomy track lid.
The brand faded in the early 2010s but was taken over in 2014 by an investment fund in the Far East, alongside the KYT helmet brand, which launched in 2004. Production was moved to Indonesia, while the R&D department remained in Italy. The firm says its Indonesian factory employs 3500 people, turns out millions of lids each year, and has cornered a claimed 70% of the Asian market with the KYT brand.
And now, the Suomy brand,
alongside KYT, is heading back to British bike dealers’ shelves, thanks to a new distribution deal spearheaded by Trevor Hall, former Spidi and Nolan importer through his MotoGear firm. Hall
With new developments in R&D and other exciting prospects on the horizon, we’re looking forward to getting started
has set up a new company – 2-Rev Ltd, which, with support from Motogear, will be bringing in the new range of Suomy and KYT helmets this season.
“From our very first meeting with the team, there was never any doubt Suomy and KYT were the perfect fit for us”, said Trevor Hall. “The company profile, the quality of the product, and the huge presence at all levels of motorsport are all driving factors for success, not only today but also in
new developments in R&D and other exciting prospects on the horizon, we’re looking forward to getting started.”
Suomy has expanded its range beyond the race-focused line-up of 25 years ago and now boasts sport-touring, open-face and off-road designs. But its heart is still on the track, and it’s signed up some top racers for 2025, including Davey Todd and John McGuinness at the Isle of Man TT, plus Peter Hickman in BSB and the TT. There are world-championship Suomy riders too: Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini in MotoGP, as well as the Lowes brothers, Alex and Sam, and Nicolo Bulega in WorldSBK.
Said Hall: “We’re excited and raring to get started; our sales team will be out on the road with the range imminently. If you have any questions in the meantime, contact us at info@2rev.co.uk, 01536 485484. or check out www.2rev.co.uk.”
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Mortons sold to Kelsey Media
In a sudden announcement, which took staff by surprise, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, based magazine publisher and events firm Mortons Media is selling up to Kent publisher Kelsey Media. In a statement on 18 February, Kelsey said it had acquired the publishing and events part of the Mortons business, but not the print and distribution part of the business, which has been rebranded as Mortons Print and Mailing Ltd.
Mortons is, along with Bauer Media, one of the ‘big two’ in terms of motorcycle media and exhibitions in the UK, owning a long list of twowheel titles, including Fast Bikes, Motorcycle Sport and
Leisure, MoreBikes, Back Street Heroes, Scootering, Classic Scooterist, Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, Classic Racer, The Classic Motorcycle, Old Bike Mart, Classic Bike Guide and Classic Dirt Bike, as well as running a host of classic bike shows annually including the Stafford, Newark, Bristol and Classic Dirt Bike Show in Telford. Kelsey has a wide range of car titles and events – but nothing in the twowheeled world, suggesting an element of synergy in the takeover.
Kelsey is a significant independent publisher with more than 80 titles and brands across the digital, print and events worlds. It says
it has invested significantly in growth over the past five years. Mortons claims more than 50 brands in print/ digital titles and live events, so the deal represents a big expansion for Kelsey. There’s no announcement on the cash value of the deal or its structure, but it’s set to happen fast, with the purchase due to have been completed by the end of March.
“This is a significant step in our growth strategy as we look to build market share and skills in specific markets,” said Steve Wright, executive chairman of Kelsey Media. “I look forward to working with the talented Mortons team in the coming months to further develop our products and services.”
Ian Fisher, executive
CCM unveils first ever interest-free finance deals
BOUTIQUE BRITISH BIKE MAKER CCM HAS announced a 0% finance deal for the first time ever. The PCP offer covers a range of models in the firm’s 600cc single-cylinder range, including the premium Bobber and Maverick machines.
It offers potential new owners a chance to buy a CCM with a 25-month interest-free package and low monthly payments. There’s an annual mileage limit of 4000 miles and an
optional final payment to purchase the bike.
Models covered are:
• Roadster – £11,995, deposit £2400
• Bobber – £12,595, deposit £2500
• Maverick – £12,595, deposit £2500
• Street Moto – £9995, deposit £1999
• Street Moto R – £11,495, deposit £2299
• Tracker – £12,495, deposit £2499
chairman of Mortons Media, said: “In recognising both the opportunities and longerterm challenges presented by the markets we seek to serve, I am confident Kelsey will be a great home for our brands. With the greater scale afforded by the acquisition and the combined strengths of the respective businesses and staff, I look forward to seeing them continuing to flourish in the future”.
Philip Sharpe, nonexecutive director and shareholder at Mortons, said he was “Pleased that the merged operations would be maintaining a significant presence at the Morton Way premises in Horncastle in conjunction with Kelsey’s offices in Yalding, Kent.”
For more information or to become a dealer, see www.ccm-motorcycles.com/0-finance-pr
Mortons Media sells its publishing and events business to Kent-based publisher
Kawasaki bids Dale goodbye
Howard Dale is leaving Kawasaki UK after spending his entire working life with Team Green.
The notion of a ‘one-club player’ used to be common in the world of football. Lads would sign as a schoolboy for their local team, live near home, and retire to open a pub up the road from the ground. Legends like Ryan Giggs for Manchester United, Pat Bonner at Celtic or Tony Adams for Arsenal all fit the bill – though it’s much less common today.
The bike trade also has its ‘one-club’ – men and women, who earn long-service awards at just one brand. Howard Dale is one: he started out as a mechanic, aged 16, at his local bike shop in 1980. It just happened to be a Kawasaki dealer, and from there, he
progressed to the Japanese firm’s importer, where he’s worked ever since. And now, aged 61, he’s retiring from his general manager role after 45 years, to spend more time with his family – and his bicycle.
I’m sitting with Dale in his office at Kawasaki UK, a few weeks before his last day, discussing his biking history.
Back when he was 16, his heart belonged to another brand. “I had been racing motocross since I was about 16, and ironically I raced a Suzuki! But when I started working, I quickly built a strong allegiance to Kawasaki.
I liked the bikes, I liked the training courses, and I liked the company. They were doing really well in the 1980s, the GPZ era or red revolution as they called it.”
An opportunity to move
on from the dealer came in 1991. “I worked at CBS in Twickenham, and Kawasaki was based at Slough. I saw an advert in Motor Cycle News for a ‘leisure products manager’, which was actually a technical service adviser. I was workshop manager at CBS but was looking to progress, so I sent in my CV and got the job, starting at Bourne End on 2 January 1991.”
Dale later moved up the ranks to look after warranties, then into legal work with product liability. “I worked on all the carburettor icing problems at the time, doing lots of testing in the middle of the night to work out what conditions caused the icing.
“By 2002, I was a technical service manager, and my opportunity to move into ‘proper’ management came
when Kawasaki, formerly a KHI subsidiary, became a branch office of Kawasaki Motors Europe. That changed everything; the Japanese MD moved to Europe with two senior managers, Geoff Selvidge and Jack Ford. And they wanted a general manager here for the new branch structure. Howard Coombes was the first general manager in 2003, and I was his deputy for a year of training. Howard retired in 2003, and I took over in January.”
So what has he been doing over the last 21 years? Collecting a lot of air miles for a start. “I was travelling to Amsterdam probably every month in the early days. As time went on, it was more like once a quarter, up until Covid, anyway. However, one of the most interesting things for me were the trips to Japan. Akashi is the heart and soul of Kawasaki, and it’s always a nice feeling when you walk into the factory. This is where the history of Kawasaki started.”
Howard Dale, Kawasaki’s ‘one club player’, steps down after 45 years with Team Green. Alan Dowds reports
Team Green from start to finish: Dale started his Kawasaki career as a mechanic in 1980 and at the 2025 KMUK dealer conference was the subject of a This is Your Life presentation
Howard Dale holds a photo album celebrating his career alongside the Kawasaki UK team
Dale saw a lot of new bikes before they were released. “We get to work on products two or three years before they come to market – sketches, a clay model, then a pilot production bike. Being able to ride stuff like the first ZX-10R and the H2, giving feedback, is really quite something.”
What changes has Dale seen in the UK market? He believes things have turned full circle in 25 years. “When I first became general manager, the biggest complaint in the market was discounting; the Japanese brands were beating each other up trying to get more market share.”
That changed after the 2008 financial crisis and massive rises in the exchange rates for Japanese products. The trade just about recovered from that by the mid-2010s, when the uncertainty of Brexit hit hard. Dale has never hidden his dismay over the UK leaving the EU: “Brexit’s still a problem, though we’ve learned how to deal with it. But in terms of efficiency and cost, it’s a drag. I haven’t found a positive for Brexit, either in my business life or my personal life. I’m still looking.”
income to spare.”
Of course, it didn’t last, and over the past couple of years, the trade has ended up back in the same situation as when Dale became general manager more than 20 years ago –oversupply and discounting. “We moved from famine to feast. We had a flood of product coming in, and at the same time, there was a costof-living crisis, Russia invaded Ukraine, inflation rose, interest rates went up, and demand became lukewarm.”
How does he see the future for the industry? “I think the biggest threat the industry faces are overzealous ‘netzero’ politicians, who have these ambitious targets, and no real idea, in my opinion, of how they’re going to achieve them. I am optimistic for the future, but that is a blot on the landscape that makes it unpredictable.”
Then, just as the election of Boris Johnson settled some of the uncertainty of Brexit, came the massive impact of Covid-19. “Covid stopped everything,” said Dale. “But bikes were an essential service: you could still sell motorcycles, with remote selling and delivery. 2020 was a difficult year, with three months pretty much cancelled, but 2021 was the most profitable year for any manufacturer in history, I’d say. Supply was down 20%, but people had disposable
There is an alternative to buying a pub for the one-club footballer: They can get kicked upstairs with the suits. And that’s what Howard Dale is planning. He’s going to a part-time consultancy role with Kawasaki Europe three days a week and will use his free time to catch up with some personal goals. “I really enjoy cycling, and I want to do some big events in France, in the Alps. I also have an old Suzuki RM500 motocross bike, which I’m restoring. I raced one of those at 16, and I picked another one up a few years ago. It’s quite rare, and I’ve been rebuilding it in my spare time, it’s probably about twothirds finished.”
Hiroshi Suzuki replaced Howard Dale as Kawasaki UK general manager on 1 April.
Dale’s future will bring more twowheel action, as he takes time to enjoy his cycling and motorcycle restoration hobbies
Lind’s new Ducati North London show home
The press is often accused of prioritising doom and gloom – so it was a pleasure to be covering a good news story when Ducati opened its latest top-end showroom in Watford, North London, last month, writes Alan Dowds.
Ducati North London is the first retail outlet for the Bologna brand owned by the Lind Group, and it replaces Lind’s Harley-Davidson branch, which closed at the end of 2024. The rebranded store was officially opened by Ducati BSB star Leon Haslam, assisted by TV’s Grace Webb and Lind chairman Russ Dacre. The gala event attracted big crowds, thanks to some spring sunshine, pizza, gelato, coffee, and cannoli!
A very happy Fabrizio Cazzoli, Ducati UK MD, was there, and was delighted with the new opening. “It’s a good news story for us. North London has been an open point for quite a while, and it is a very important part of the country that needs a relevant presence. That’s exactly what is happening here: the showroom is beautiful and includes the largest Scrambler display area in the country.
“It comes with a state-of-theart service department, which is perfectly designed, and puts emphasis on accessories, parts and apparel, which are extremely important for us.”
Cazzoli spoke of the ‘cultural impact’ of a Ducati store like this. “Ducati showrooms are not just a box with some people who sell motorcycles. More and more for us, the showroom is a meeting point, the hub, the place where all the Ducatisti can see the bikes, but also everything that supports them – events, track days, trips to Italy, visiting the factory – the full package customers are looking for.
“The other key element is we are partnering with one of the best names in the business. Lind is an established business
focused on high-end premium automotive distribution.”
While Lind chairman Russ Dacre, cut the ribbon at the opening, Toby Sleeman, head of motorcycles explained the background. “We opened a Harley business here in February 2020, and literally three weeks later, we had to close down because of Covid, which wasn’t ideal. We’re still proud of it, and we still represent Harley-Davidson: we have two of the biggest Harley showrooms in the UK. Unfortunately, for Harley, this area wasn’t giving us what we needed. We’d been talking to Ducati for probably six years about the opportunity with the open point in North London and Herts, and we moved quite quickly.”
Having a premium bike dealership in place already was an advantage, and Lind was able to keep on pretty much all of the staff from the Harley business – many of whom are retraining with Ducati in Silverstone and Italy.
“It was a bike shop already,” said Sleeman, “so it was a fairly straightforward identity change. But nothing’s easy, and it took longer than anticipated. We’ve been opening bike
businesses for many years, so we know what we’re doing.”
The challenge now for Sleeman and Lind is to grow a new local customer base, both for sales and servicing. “Ducati is very helpful in terms of marketing, and we’ve got a big reach within the community in the south of England. Obviously, we’ve been in contact with lots of local Ducati owners’ groups, and many of them are here today, which is great.”
Sleeman and Cazzoli agree that it’s a good time to be starting with Ducati because of this year’s strong new product range. “I think we’ve come into the market with Ducati at the right time in terms of the product cycle,” said Sleeman. “It’s going to be fantastic for us, and hopefully we’ll hit the ground running.”
“The timing is perfect,” said Cazzoli. “We’ve launched our new V2 engine configuration, and it’s fantastic. Of course, I have to say that! But it really is, and every comparative press road test says so. The V2 comes together with our lineup of V4 engines, and the Multistrada V4 keeps winning every comparative test, both in and outside the UK.”
Guest BSB star Leon Haslam shares a joke with Ducati UK MD Fabrizio Cazzoli as Lind chairman Russ Dacre cuts the ribbon on the new site
Kawasaki Dealer Demo Days return
The drive for new bike sales is well underway, and demo rides are a big part of most firm’s spring campaigns, so Kawasaki UK has launched its latest initiative, the 2025 Kawasaki Dealer Demo Days. These events will run at official Kawasaki dealers across the country, with the logistics looked after by KMUK partner Focused Events. Prospective buyers will have the opportunity to ride the 2025 Kawasaki range, including the all-new Z900, Ninja 1100SX SE and Versys 1100 SE, as well as other popular machines.
Craig Watson, Kawasaki sales and marketing manager, said: “With the spring weather upon us, biking is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, so now is a great time to book a demo ride. With a huge number of events planned and a fantastic range of models to try, customers really are spoilt for choice.”
DEMO DAY DATES
All the current confirmed dates are listed below, with more to be announced:
• Saturday 17 May: Cobb & Jagger, Shipley, West Yorkshire
• Saturday 24 May: Coleraine Kawasaki, County Londonderry, N.Ireland
• Saturday 31 May: Wigan Kawasaki, Lancashire
• Friday 13 June: A&D Motorcycles, Denbigh, North Wales
New website for Fuchs
YOU’LL NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHEN TYPING THIS ONE INTO your web browser – but Fuchs Silkolene has an all-new website for bikers, mechanics and dealers! There’s added functionality like an Oil Chooser, which provides recommended lube choices from a registration number look-up or via make and model search, and a product stockist locator, too. The firm says it will help users and service staff find the right oil for a bike, whatever the make or model. They also say that the website will have a news section, racing coverage, product technology updates, and expert insight. Joost van Genderen, Fuchs head of two wheels, said: “At Fuchs Silkolene, we are passionate about delivering not only world-class lubricants but also the best possible experience for our customers. The launch of our new website is a significant step in supporting our global riding community and making it easier for riders to find exactly what they need.” www.fuchs.com/uk/en
Italian Manufactured | Diverse Model Range Road and Off-Road www.fantic.com
Household Brand Name | Compact Model Range 50cc, 125cc & Tricycles www.peugeot-motocycles.co.uk
Large range of 125cc Motorcycles Stunning Specification Scooters 699cc Triple Launch Imminent www.zontes.co.uk
Conference call
What a difference a year makes.
In February 2024, the MCIA held its annual conference in Birmingham, with senior Labour opposition politicians in attendance, and a Tory government minister sending apologies together with a video message. Twelve months later, the conference took place in London, with Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon in person, and Labour transport minister Lillian Greenwood making a video presentation! The optics were obvious, and raised a chuckle amongst the more cynical attendees – plus ça change…
The strapline for the 2025 conference was “Solving the Mobility Puzzle – Piece by Piece”, and it covered a broad range of subjects, some more engaging than others. The event kicked off, after a brief introduction from Honda head of motorcycles and MCIA chairman Neil Fletcher, and MCIA CEO Tony Campbell, with the video presentation from Lillian Greenwood. It offered some hints of positivity but was largely a re-run of what BDN has been reporting via the NMC and MCIA of late – the Department for Transport would take a look at powered two wheelers and other light vehicles as part of an integrated transport strategy and might think about licensing reform too. But Greenwood reiterated the simplistic politician’s truism that motorcycle accident statistics are bad and made no mention of the use of bus lanes or any concrete proposals on
Current and future problems facing the bike industry take centre stage at the MCIA’s ‘Solving the Mobility Puzzle’ conference
decarbonisation. Meanwhile, shadow transport secretary Bacon went through the motions, attacking the current government for failing to help the bike industry – despite essentially equivalent inaction from his party when it was in power.
The next presentation offered much more substance, with a quick rundown on the global economy from Andy Goodwin, chief economist at Oxford Economics. Goodwin is a seasoned performer, and he took the audience on a journey, from Donald Trump’s tariffs, via UK debt dynamics and Employer National Insurance contributions to Bank of England base rate cuts and the state of the US dollar. The message from Goodwin was that 2025 will be a bumpy ride – but that there’s a decent chance of some slight improvements in the overall economic picture, mostly driven by lower interest and inflation rates. Fingers were crossed around the hall.
The mood further improved when Triumph UK’s chief product officer Steve Sargent took the stage, for a quick rundown on how Britain’s biggest bike builder was doing. Most were familiar with Hinckley’s history, but Sargent
also offered decent insight into how the firm has built its success, with a look at the firm’s product mix, and its global expansion – now in 63 markets worldwide with nearly 800 dealers.
Sargent also sounded a warning about decarbonisation: he related the lessons learned from the prototype electric TE-1 bike Triumph has built: a battery-powered equivalent to a Speed Triple is simply not possible with current technology, engineering and cost limitations. Realism in policy making was needed, and net zero targets needed to be both realistic, and technology neutral.
Tony Campbell returned to the stage, with something to quench the mood a little: a deep dive into the latest demographic and sales information for the UK bike sector. There were few big surprises: there’s been a 400,000 drop in the number of bike licences held between 2006 (3.6 million) and 2024 (3.2 million), the average age has gone up from 53 to 57 years old, and that trend will continue. A prediction based on estimated licencing figures sees a further drop to 2.4 million and an average age of 60. The bike parc follows the same predicted route, logically enough, with the current number of motorcycles – 1.52 million in 2024 – declining to 1.1 million in 2044 and the new bike registrations dropping from 116k today to 90k in 20 years. Those numbers were offered on a ‘best case’ basis too.
How to deal with this decline is a big
question, and the following debate with MCIA director of policy and public affairs Alfie Brierly offered a couple of options. Should the industry try to maintain the current thrust of mainstream motorcycling – the ‘passion-led’ world of high-powered machinery, trackdays, offroad riding, large capacity touring and adventure bikes? Or should the focus be on possibilities in pure mobility? Building a manufacturing and retail industry focused around modern, clean, lighttransport solutions, that will deliver for urban commuters and rural travellers in a practical sense over the next few decades – and that can be sold to sceptical politicians? Rumblings from the audience suggested there’s no consensus on this, or any easy answers, but a mix of the two approaches seems likely medium term.
Squeezed in before lunch were a couple of presentations from Claire Haigh of the Zemo Partnership and Anna Lindt from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), looking at how light vehicles like bikes could fit into an integrated transport policy, and how the car world has adapted in recent years. This round-robin of road transport was completed before lunch by a chat with Peter Eland, policy director at the Bicycle Association, who outlined the very similar problems his industry has to ours: declining sales, worries about safety, and problems with a move to electric power. The event was running late by now though, and ACEM secretary general Antonio Perlot felt the pressure as he whizzed through the association of European bike maker’s priorities at the moment in the EU: licensing regulations, type approval, anti-tampering and green issues.
The risk of a dozy audience after an excellent light lunch was tackled with one of the most interesting speakers at the conference: Christian Groeger, head of engineering at the two-wheeled division of Bosch Europe. Bosch is behind much of
the recent innovations in bike safety and performance, and the affable engineer provided an entertaining trip through the history of kit like ABS, traction control, IMU-assisted cornering aids and radar cruise control. Groeger underlined the safety problems that need to be looked at – bikers have a 20 times higher risk of death or serious injury and 28% of all fatal injuries involve bikers. But Bosch is working hard to help with a UN target to cut deaths and injuries on the road by 50% for 2030. Bosch plans to help with vehicle connection to the environment and other road users, even better ABS and stability control functions, and new predictive safety systems to help riders avoid dangerous situations like other vehicles pulling out.
Laudable stuff from Bosch, and a tough
The petrol station network will atrophy as battery-powered cars take over, and gasoline will be a niche product in the vein of two-stroke oil
act to follow, but Jamie Baker from the UK Fuel Industry did a decent job, with a presentation on the possible alternative fuel options for bikes and other transport methods. He went through battery electric, hydrogen and low-carbon fuels, suggesting that battery power is fairly settled for cars and vans, and will eventually become an option for larger trucks too.
Large passenger jet aircraft will continue to need some sort of manufactured hydrocarbon fuel, ideally using hydrogen from water and carbon captured from the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is technically possible now, but not at the scale required, and probably needs some
serious technological and engineering breakthroughs – but is more likely than usable nuclear fusion or suitable battery technology for planes. Could bikes piggy-back onto this future liquid fuel technology? Perhaps, though it will be a vanishingly small part of the mix overall.
Baker also suggested that fossil fuel production will continue – it seems perfectly possible that you will still be able to ride your Honda FireBlade or BMW GS in 2060, filling up with 95RON petrol as now. You might have to look a bit harder though: the petrol station network will atrophy as battery-powered cars take over, and gasoline will be a niche product in the vein of two-stroke oil.
A final presentation on connecting with young people in the digital world by Philip Reynolds rounded off the day, with an on-stage discussion and Q&A session finishing up what was a worthwhile event all round.
A few days after the conference, Tony Campbell told BDN: “It was a great pleasure to welcome MCIA members, sector stakeholders and government officials to the event. Feedback from the conference has been extremely positive, we are confident our objectives were met by sending a strong message to the new government, inform our members across a wide range of subjects and influence other sector stakeholders of the importance of our lobby strategy, in order to ensure the industry can shape a bright and profitable future”.
The 2025 MCIA conference was the third the association has organised in this format – it used to be a stage show adjunct to the Motorcycle Live show at the end of the year. Now it’s become a vital part of the industry calendar in its own right. It was a busy event with more than 200 attendees and was packed with all the people you’d want to meet from the bike trade. We’re looking forward to the 2026 event already.
Tony Campbell, MCIA CEO
Neil Fletcher, MCIA chairman
Gareth Bacon, shadow transport secretary
Anna Lindt, SMMT director of vehicle regulation
Alfie Brierley, MCIA director of policy
Christian Groeger, Bosch head of engineering
Asensational sale at the Las Vegas, USA, Mecum auction (held from 29 January to 1 February) saw the world’s first £1m motorcycle sale.
The new world record sum –£1,062,070/$1.32m – was paid for a 1915 Cyclone V-twin, helping Mecum set a new world record gross total for a motorcycle auction – $27.2m (£21.2m), up nearly $1.5m (£1.2m) on Mecum’s previous world’s best. Prices quoted include a 10% premium.
Other world records were set by a 1938 Crocker V-twin ($880,000/£710,000) and an 1898 De Dion Bouton threewheeler ($165,000/£133,000).
All but one of the top ten sellers were pre-war machines, a 1974 Ducati 750SS ($198,000/£159,800) proving to be the exception. Five of the top sellers were from 1915 or earlier, and eight were from the late ‘Ink King’ Urban S Hirsch III (1941-2024) collection. Hirsch III was founder and CEO of Ink Systems Inc, manufacturers of printing ink. He loved pre-1916 motorcycles in particular.
Commenting on the record haul, Mecum’s motorcycle director Greg Arnold said: “Las Vegas sets the market for the year. So we are optimistic for 2025.”
RECORD BREAKERS
The fabulous 1915 Cyclone 61cu.in V-twin stormed into history as the first machine to make £1m at auction. The star superbike of its day, the leaf-sprung, foot clutch, American-built Cyclone was restored by specialist Stephen Wright, and has gone to an American collector who has a private museum. This means there’s a chance it may reappear in public at some point, according to Mecum motorcycle
Record £1m for a Cyclone
director Greg Arnold.
The previous auction world record holder was a 1908 Harley-Davidson ‘Strap Tank’ single sold by Mecum for $935,000 at Las Vegas in 2023.
Another record breaker under Mecum’s Vegas hammer – and again American-built –was a 1938 Crocker
‘Small Tank’ V-twin, taking the marque to a new auction high at £710,000/$880,000.
Number 46 of a production run of around 200 made from 1935-1940 the Crocker
was reckoned to be equal in performance to a pre-war Vincent Series A Rapide V-twin.
The final record breaker was a venerable 1898 De Dion Bouton tricycle. Made 126 years ago, this French-built single-speed machine was another marque star turn for Mecum, making £133,000/$165,000. Mecum research reveals the trike was the most popular vehicle of its day, selling 20,000 examples worldwide. It was one of 1510 machines entered at Mecum’s monster sale, the biggest bike auction in the world. Bikes sold totalled 1345, an 89% success rate.
NMC reveals transport strategy proposals
MOTORCYCLE LOBBYING GROUP THE National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has unveiled its response to the Department for Transport’s Integrated Transport Strategy consultation “Call for Ideas”. The NMC proposals request the DfT includes motorcycling as an integral part of new transport policy, alongside cars, public transport, cycling and walking.
At the top level, the NMC is asking for four main policy approaches to biking: integration within transport policy at all levels, integration between motorcycling and other modes, local policies which
reduce rider vulnerability and facilitate journeys for those who ride, and a refreshed Government Motorcycling Strategy to facilitate the development of motorcycling as part of an overall integrated national network of transport.
NMC executive director Craig CareyClinch said: “Motorcycling is a dynamic transport sector which, aside from being a viable and attractive alternative mode of transport, also represents a notable contribution to society, the environment and the economy. Motorcycles already contribute to a low-carbon future, and their
wider use can accelerate progress towards this end. Traffic congestion and pollution can be cut at a stroke through a modal shift to commuter motorcycles right now.
“We call on the DfT to recognise the potential that motorcycling offers to transport policy within the forthcoming Integrated Transport Strategy and alongside this, to work with the NMC to develop a positive policy approach to support those who ride both now and in the future.”
More details on the proposal are on the NMC website: www.uknmc.org.
1938 Crocker ‘Small Tank’ V-twin
1898 De Dion Bouton
Mutt Motorcycles in administration
MUTT MOTORCYCLES, THE British manufacturer and exporter of custom motorcycles, has officially entered administration. On 28 February, the London law firm Addleshaw Goddard submitted an application to the High Court, signalling their intention to appoint an administrator to oversee the company’s affairs.
Mutt Motorcycles, known for its distinctive designs, created a small but loyal following but has struggled to navigate a highly competitive market. The appointment of an administrator will allow the evaluation of options for the business, including potential restructuring, asset sales, or seeking a buyer to preserve jobs and continue operations.
the administrator of the Birmingham-based firm, but no other information has been released, and its official digital channels are silent.
A public Facebook group for Mutt Motorcycle owners has several customer comments expressing concerns for the 20 employees. They hope for a positive outcome for the company and are worried about the future of the brand.
Mutt has created a small but loyal following but has struggled to navigate a highly competitive market
Additionally, they have practical concerns regarding spare parts and warranty coverage.
RSM UK Group, an audit, tax and consulting service, has been appointed as
The owner’s group also has a post by Matt Plested, a Mutt dealer and owner of Speedway Motorcycles in Cannock. Plested says that Speedway is pledging to continue to support owners with servicing and repairs and is approaching the administrators with a view to buying stocks of spares.
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YUASA EXTENDS MOTOGP DEAL
FOR BATTERY MAKER YUASA, ONE OF THE big premium Japanese brands, it makes sense to sponsor another premium Japanese brand in its racing endevours –the Honda Racing Corporation MotoGP team. The Yuasa logo will be carried on the 2025 H RC Castrol RC213V bikes of Joan Mir and Luca Marini, continuing a deal that started in 2013.
DESIGN AWARD FOR SUPERVELOCE
THE GORGEOUS MV AGUSTA Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro has been awarded a prestigious Good Design 2024 gong by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. MV Agusta board member Luca Martin gushed: “We are proud of this achievement, as it is one of the most coveted and prestigious awards worldwide, serving as a hallmark of quality recognised by industry professionals. Winning the Good Design Award reaffirms MV Agusta’s role as a benchmark in the motorcycle industry, seamlessly blending tradition and innovation in the name of motorcycle art.”
MAG RESPONDS TO GOV STRATEGY
THE MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP (MAG) has joined other riders’ rights groups in responding to the government’s plans for an integrated transport strategy. MAG wants bikes at the heart of it, including embedding motorcycling into the National Transport Strategy, leveraging technology around decarbonisation and a data-driven approach to policy development on safety and bike usage.
HAYNES MUSEUM EVENTS
THE HAYNES MOTOR MUSEUM IN Sparkford, Somerset, has released its 2025 events calendar online. The museum makes a great day out for any petrolhead and has added a monthly car boot sale, volunteer talks on automotive history, Formula One presentations and other fun activities. More info: www.haynesmuseum.org
Strong start for auction season
The Fleet Auction Group had a bumper start to the season, with its first sale at the end of February offering more than 130 bikes for auction. The majority were late-model, low-mileage bikes, and that was reflected in the impressive results, with more than 120 lots sold, achieving an average CAP value of 92%.
“After compiling an outstanding sales catalogue of scooters and motorcycles, we are extremely proud to have achieved an exceptional sales rate of 94% in our first two-wheel sale of the year,” said Andrew Walker, CEO of Fleet Auction Group. “We had nearly 140 dealers log in for the sale, with dealers participating from Edinburgh to Devon. Online auctions have become increasingly popular in the trade. Dealers no longer need to take time away from showrooms and travel for hours to attend an auction to secure stock. They can simply view everything from their phone, tablet or PC screens, and we can arrange delivery if they wish.”
Dealers no longer need to take time away from showrooms and travel for hours to attend an auction
The Fleet Auction Group’s trade-only auction has been operating online since the pandemic. The firm’s facility features auction suites where live auctioneers conduct the auction using the
latest online technology. No bikes are present on the auction floor, but all entries are on-site for the sale. For dealers who wish to inspect the bikes in person before the sale, stock is available for viewing at the Loughborough facility. Each lot is graded using a tiered system of gold, silver, or bronze, and every bike is presented with a detailed condition report, accessible through the itemised lot numbers listed online. The auction buying and selling process is transparent and straightforward, with a flat buyer’s fee of £285 plus VAT. There is no tiered structure based on the hammer price. This allows for easy calculation of the final price (including fees) when comparing trade prices to retail pricing and determining potential profit margins.
Stock is entered for sale by various manufacturers, leasing companies, finance providers, as well as dealer-aged stock and part exchanges. Fleet holds 10 monthly live online auctions each year. Results from the second auction of the year on 20 March will be published in the May issue of BDN. Contact 01530 833535; info@fleetauctiongroup.com; www.fleetauctiongroup.com
Andrew Walker, CEO of Fleet Auction Group
Aprilia RS 125 2023 9313 £3200
Benelli TRK 502 X E5 2021 1327 £2600
BMW S 1000 R Sport 2021 2833 £8700
BMW K 1200 R Sport 2007 18427 £1700
BMW K 1200 R Sport 2007 18427 £1300
Ducati Panigale V4 2019 6337 £10,700
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob FXDF 103 2014 0 £2700
Harley-Davidson XL 883 N Iron 11 2011 0 £1100
Honda CBF 125 M-M 2024 1242 £2100
Honda CBF 125 M-M 2024 1901 £2000
Honda ADV 750-R 2023 308 £8800
Honda CBF 125 M-M 2023 152 £2100
Honda NT 1100 D-P 2023 16855 £7400
Honda WW 125 A-M 2022 9149 £800
Honda NSS 350 A-N 2022 542 £3400
Honda CB 1000 RA-M 2022 5347 £6800
Honda NSS125 AD-N 2022 18511 £2500
Honda NSS350 A-N 2022 4656 £3100
Honda CB 650 RA-M 2022 1180 £5400
Honda CRF 1100 A-N 2022 2285 £10,000
Honda CB1000R A-M 2022 1986 £6800
Honda CMX 500 A-L 2022 2845 £3700
Honda CMX 500 A2-L 2022 443 £4100
Honda NC 750 XD-M 2021 5592 £5200
Honda CBF 125 NA-M 2021 7751 £3000
Honda NC750X A-M 2021 5634 £4600
Honda CBF 125 M-M 2021 10572 £1600
Honda CBF 125 NA-M 2021 6519 £3100
Honda VFR 1200 X-J 2021 33233 £5200
Honda CRF 1100 A4-L 2021 492 £9300
Honda CRF 1100 D-L 2020 4663 £7500
Honda CBF 125 NA-J 2018 0 £1100
Honda VFR 800 X-F 2016 12086 £1900
Honda CBR 500 RA-F 2015 19849 £800
Honda CBR 650 FA-E 2014 42838 £1000
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 2024 3680 £4300
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 2023 372 £2700
Royal Enfield Classic 350 E5 2023 653 £3200
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 2023 2201 £3200
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 E5 2023 1538 £3400
Royal Enfield HNTR 350 E5 2023 2390 £2200
Royal Enfield Interceptor Int 650 E5 2023 1762 £3700
Royal Enfield Himalayan E5 2023 950 £2500
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 2023 4730 £3900
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 2023 3737 £3600
Royal Enfield HNTR 350 E5 2022 1188 £2400
Royal Enfield Scram 411 E5 2022 2618 £2400
Royal Enfield Scram 411 E5 2022 4740 £2100
Royal Enfield Himalayan E5 2022 20287 £1100
Royal Enfield Himalayan E5 2022 14803 £1700
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 2020 9934 £2300
Suzuki DL 650 AM4 2024 7 £5900
Suzuki UZ 125 NEY M4 Address 125 2024 2 £1800
Suzuki GSX 1300 RRQM4 Hayabusa 2024 92 £12,600
Suzuki GSXS 1000 TRQ M4 2024 293 £8200
Suzuki GSXS 1000 X RREM4 2024 571 £9300
Suzuki GSXR 125 RLX M4 2024 15 £3400
Suzuki GSXS 125 RL M4 2024 19 £3200
Suzuki UZ 125 NEY M4 Address 125 2024 7 £1600
Indian Scout Bobber Limited 2024 760 £10,295
Indian Springfield Dark Horse 2024 836 £14,400
Kawasaki EX 650 A8F 2008 34158 £600
Keeway Superlight 125 E5 2023 33 £1400
Keeway K-Light 125 E5 2022 10222 £600
KTM 790 Duke L 23 2023 2 £5000
KTM 390 Duke 17 2017 5458 £1900
Rieju Marathon 125 Pro Sm 2020 368 £1600
Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 2024 3109 £3600
Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 2024 5877 £3600
Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 2024 2160 £4200
Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 2024 2119 £3800
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 2024 320 £2800
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 2024 1363 £4400
Royal Enfield Meteor 350 E5 2024 691 £2400
Suzuki UN 125 NE2 M4 Avenis 125 2024 6 £1800
Suzuki GSX Suzuki UB 125 LNM M4 2024 6 £2000
Suzuki DL 650 X AM4 2024 611 £6100
Suzuki GSX 800 RQM4 GSX-8S 2024 695 £5400
Suzuki DL 800 DE RCM3 2024 47 £7000
Suzuki DL 800 DE RCM3 2024 50 £7000
Suzuki DL 1050 RJ M3 V-Strom DE 2024 507 £7200
Suzuki DL 800 DERCM4 V-Strom DE 2024 539 £7000
Suzuki GSXS 1000 X RREM4 GSXS 10 2024 1126 £8900
Suzuki GSXS 1000 X RREM4 GSXS 10 2024 2205 £8700
Suzuki GSX 800 RQM4 GSX-8S 2024 1011 £5200
Suzuki GSX 800 RQM4 GSX-8S 2024 2614 £5300
Suzuki GSXS 1000 GT+ M4 2024 671 £9100
Suzuki GSXS 1000 X RREM4 GSXS 10 2024 579 £10,200
Suzuki GSX 800 FRQM4 GSX-8R 2024 3594 £5700
Suzuki GSXS 1000 X RREM4 GSXS 10 2023 2509 £8800
Suzuki GSXS 1000 X RREM4 GSXS 10 2023 6002 £8000
Suzuki DL 1050 RR M3 V-Strom 2023 1202 £7200
Suzuki DL 1050 RR M3 V-Strom 2023 776 £7000
Suzuki DL 800 DE RCM3 2023 6715 £6200
Suzuki DL 1050 RJ M3 V-Strom DE 2023 4424 £6900
Suzuki GSX1300 N/A 3 £13,400 Yamaha
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M/C LIVE 2024 AWARDS
MOTORCYCLE LIVE SHOW ORGANISERS have announced the winners of the ‘best stand’ at last year’s Birmingham show. BMW Motorrad UK took the manufacturer and customer experience gongs once more, while Infinity Motorcycles took the best retail show stand prize.
FOGGY GOODWOOD CELEBRATION
GOODWOOD HAS ANNOUNCED A special celebration of four-time WSBK champion Carl Fogarty at the 2025 Festival of Speed. Foggy will be honoured alongside his 1995 titlewinning Ducati 916 on the famous balcony. The festival takes place on 10-13 July, and is well worth a visit. www.goodwood.com
SHARP RATINGS OUT NOW
THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARP HELMET safety rating scheme has released its first set of 2025 assessments, with test results for the Arai Concept XE, Roof Boxxer2, Ruroc EOX, MT Atom and Scorpion Exo 491. The EXO 491 was given three stars, with all of the others getting four stars out of five, . More info on the results: sharp.dft.gov.uk
SIDECAR SATURDAYS
WATSONIAN SIDECARS IS NOW opening its showroom and café every Saturday. The store is in a lovely spot – Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds – and is ideal for a pit stop on a sunny ride out. The café – called Mr Watson’s after the founder – is housed in a converted double-decker bus for added nostalgia and has a range of tasty treats and free Wi-Fi. www.watsonian-squire.com
SUZUKI DEAL ON GSX-S1000
WITH A NEW FINANCE OFFER, SUZUKI IS looking to make its GSX-S1000 super naked more attractive on the showroom floor. Buyers can now get a 0% four-year PCP deal, with £69/month payments and a £1000 dealer contribution, with a £2337 deposit.
Ixon signs BSB sponsorship deal
French riding kit firm
Ixon has plans to raise its profile in the UK after signing a major new sponsorship deal with British Superbike (BSB) organisers MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR). The agreement will see the Ixon brand featured as an official sponsor, as well as being BSB’s exclusive official motorcycle safety apparel partner. Ixon will also have an extensive trackside advertising presence, together with a new “fan experience and retail zone” in the paddock. The brand will also provide the official BSB fan merchandise. Finally, the BSB organisation will use Ixon branded kit for all staff and officials at events.
Thierry Maniguet, founder and CEO of Ixon, said: “We are proud to announce this incredible partnership with one of the most prestigious championships in the world. Having established ourselves as a global benchmark, it is a natural step for Ixon to collaborate with the key players of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
fan base, and the strategic vision of its promoter, MSVR.
“Our expertise will enhance the experience for the championship’s stakeholders and fans, offering greater visibility and an improved customer experience.
“We are committed to a longterm partnership alongside the fantastic and loyal partners of this outstanding championship. We invite all our respective fans to join us at the various events throughout the season.”
BSB director Stuart Higgs added: “I am hugely excited to announce this new partnership, and we look
thousands of fans who watch the action trackside throughout the season, so I believe our fan base will really engage with the Ixon brand within a new-look retail zone.
“I look forward to working with Ixon on this new collaboration as together we strive to enhance the fan experience and offer a new premium merchandise collection, both for the championship and also a range of Bennetts BSB teams.”
Ixon is distributed
Fire hits race bike builder
A BLAZE HAS DESTROYED the Trident MCS classic race bike workshop in Dudley. Fire broke out on 14 March, destroying three-quarters of the unit, with an electrical fault suspected as the cause.
Owner Les Whiston spoke to the Stourbridge News about the incident, commenting: “My wife, Denise, woke me up around 6:30am and told me to look out of the window. My heart sank when I saw the fire. There are bikes in there worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and unfortunately, I have no insurance.”
Trident MCS specialised in classic race bikes, including the Rob North Trident and Rocket 3 machines.
Following the news of the fire, Huggy’s Speedshop based at Mallory Park set up a GoFundMe to help with the extensive damage. The fundraising message urged readers to “come together to support Les and his family in
Financing the deal
Dealers can overcome retail hurdles in 2025 says Black Horse
The motorcycle trade has shown remarkable resilience, especially in the face of recent challenges. Over-supply in the market, more pre-registered Euro 5 bikes than expected, and broader economic worries have all impacted the industry. Early signs are of a stronger market in 2025, with exciting new models and positive economic news. However, as the headlines across specialist and local press have shown, a number of dealers have sadly had to close their doors over the autumn and winter season.
Retail finance provider, Black Horse, is actively working to help dealers tackle these issues head-on. It offers FCA-compliant, user-friendly HP and PCP packages that meet your customers’ needs. Additionally, it provides smart back-office data management and customer communication products, to address problems like static or declining sales and the glut of pre-registered stock.
Black Horse motorcycle finance manager, Matt Wellings, has been in the trade for more than 25 years, and he has seen the industry’s challenges from both sides. “Black Horse has been helping dealers help their customers
with financial support for more than 100 years now”, he said.
“I’ve seen a fair amount of change in the sector, but also in the way that we adapt. There are big regulatory changes that have come in, and we’ve taken a lead there, helping guide dealers through them.”
How does Wellings see the situation for the industry now, in early 2025? “We’ve seen a few dealer failures and that can create a negative mindset. We’re working with manufacturers and dealers, to build confidence back in the market and assist with the pre-registered stock resulting from Euro 5+ emissions thresholds. We saw almost double the normal registrations in December, and those bikes need to be moved. Manufacturers have mirrored their new bike campaigns into pre-registered bikes, to help with that. We have to deal with that as an industry, so the ‘real’ season can begin.”
Wellings also noted that PCP has become as popular as HP in recent years, because it suits riders who like to swap their machines every few years. “At the end of the agreement they can pay off the optional final payment and keep the bike, part exchange it at their local dealer, or hand it back to Black Horse, subject to certain
conditions” he said.
Black Horse focuses on simplicity. “We don’t want complicated products that customers don’t fully understand,” Wellings said. “This can cause problems for both them and us down the line.”
And the same applies for dealers: the finance process can begin before the customer even visits the showroom. Black Horse offers online support tools, that let dealers easily integrate features like finance calculators into their websites. Potential customers can browse at home and work out what payments, deposit and loan term times would work for them.
Wellings emphasises the importance of making the finance process enjoyable.
“A lot of our systems and processes are geared around convenience, so a dealer can propose the customer and get an instant decision in 96% of cases. This allows dealers time to prep the bike and customers time to sort out insurance etc. We enable dealers to send a link to the customer’s mobile device for the signing process, which they can do in their own time. Meaning the physical handover is just about the bike, making it more enjoyable.”
This is just the beginning
of the relationship though. Maintaining customer relationships throughout the length of a deal is crucial, especially for PCP purchases. “Sales staff need to be able to contact customers nearing the end of their contracts to discuss new bike options” said Wellings. “We help dealers identify those customers, to enable their sales teams to say ‘I notice you’re coming towards the end of your contract, would you like to come in and see what’s available?’”
Wellings concludes with optimism: “Black Horse sees 2025 as an opportunity to confirm our position as market leader in the bike sector, delivering support and innovation through our nationwide team of account managers. There is optimism in our approach as we face into the coming season.”
If you’re interested in finding out more, speak to your local Black Horse account manager or visit www.blackhorse.co.uk/bike Black Horse www.blackhorse.co.uk/bike
For the use of bike dealers and motor professionals only. Black Horse Limited. Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Registered Number: 661204 England and Wales. Black Horse Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Black Horse motorcycle finance manager, Matt Wellings
Black Horse
NMC calls for more action on road repairs
THE NATIONAL Motorcyclists Council has revealed the results of a new industry survey, showing that roads need more, and faster, repairs. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey of local authorities was carried out by the road repair industry body Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) and shows a huge £17bn backlog in carriageway repairs in England and Wales. According to the ALARM report, roads are resurfaced, on average, once every 93 years, while around 106,000 miles of the local road network have less than 15 years of life remaining. A third of those –34,600 miles – may only have up to five years left.
NMC executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “The latest ALARM report should act as a wakeup call for the government. Although the nation’s finances face serious challenges, the AIA noted that the Department for Transport’s 2024 economic appraisal for investing in local highways maintenance sets out that for every additional £1 invested there is an absolute minimum return of £2.20, with analyses identifying typical returns of up to £9.10 at a national level.”
Recognising the good in employees
Employees are the backbone of every organisation. Sensible employers understand that if they care for their staff so, they, in turn, will care for the organisation. And staff that feel valued invariably become motivated and loyal.
Regardless of position –whether owner, director or manager – those in senior roles need to learn how to motivate their team.
THE BASICS
It doesn’t – or shouldn’t – take rocket science to know that employee recognition done well can improve employee engagement, which in turn leads to higher productivity, better performance, and lower staff turnover.
Good recognition can help staff gain confidence in their abilities in the workplace; recognition effectively empowers staff.
As to the basics of employee recognition, it’s important to appreciate the key elements of any rewards programme. First, all should be given an equal chance to be rewarded. Second,
Employers who want the best
from
their staff need to find ways to
reward good
work and the right
attitudes
recognition should relate to a specific behaviour or activity, and third, that recognition and rewards should be given quickly once earned.
A good recognition scheme requires thought and an understanding of the objective – that is, what is being recognised
SCHEME DESIGN
A good recognition scheme requires thought and an understanding of the objective – that is, what is being recognised (longevity, performance, service or whatever else is important to the employer), what employees would most
appreciate (a public vote of thanks or private recognition), and what they would prefer to be given (time off, a gift or a voucher… remembering the tax implications).
When it comes to the rewards themselves, there are both tangible and intangible options. The former might be increased pay and benefits to make staff feel more secure and so better off, or it could be a gift voucher. A certificate or plaque also offers more obvious public recognition.
But money and trinkets don’t always work for all; rather, employees who think they are valued often feel higher levels of job satisfaction. In other words, the intangible can be as important and valuable as the tangible – the bonus is that intangibles often come without any cost.
Options to consider here include simple recognition via an ‘employee of the month’ photo wall or a private letter
to the employee concerned, career development, help to better an employee’s worklife balance, or it could be something as simple as a prized parking spot for a month. However, public praise not only enhances the standing of the individual concerned but can also rub off on others in the team. This is especially impactful when recognition comes from the team themselves, and has been ‘peer-reviewed’.
IMPLEMENTATION
With the landscape set out, it’s important to consider how a recognition scheme should be implemented. Done well, it can work wonders, but if done poorly, it may be very damaging.
The first thing to consider is how the scheme is to be communicated to staff. This means thinking about the type of reward and tightly defining the criteria for winning. Options here include a general meeting or an email that explains the rewards regime in detail. Alternatively, the scheme may be posted in a staffroom where all can see it. Those that are working from home regularly will need a private email or letter.
As for the recognition itself, this needs to be specific and outline why the individual has been singled out for praise.
Next, it’s important to be consistent so that staff can trust the process as being open, transparent and fair. This should include reasonable regularity of the award (once a year is too infrequent to hold any value), making the award at the same time of a period (say the first working day of a new quarter), and giving rewards out quickly.
It follows that awards must be fairly given, especially given the impact of discrimination laws. This means that all must have the same opportunity to earn recognition, that those with special circumstances are recognised as are those doing their best even if they don’t
perform to the same level. At the same time, it’s important to recognise the rate of any improvement – everyone is different.
Remember that no programme will ever stand still. This means that management needs to regularly assess and reassess the recognition programme and make changes whenever and wherever necessary. Rewards schemes must be flexible, so if an element looks like it’s not working, it needs to be tweaked or changed to stay effective.
Remember also that just as employees are individuals, so, they also work in teams. This means that while it’s important to recognise the individual, so it’s important to recognise the team, too. If a whole team is rewarded, this may lead to the improvement of others within the team who may have been disincentivised, as success tends to breed success.
SUMMARY
Employers and managers who treat employees as valued individuals will soon see that the organisation improves in every way. It’s perfectly true that we work to be paid – that’s the evil necessity of life. However, we also work for numerous other reasons, such as to be with others, to have a sense of purpose, and to develop as individuals. Employers that can address employee needs to be independent and considered competent will maintain a happy workforce.
Naturally, every employer is different, so what works for one will not necessarily work for another. The key, then, is to design a flexible programme that suits the employer’s and their employee’s needs in equal measure.
Beyond the need to reward and give praise, creating a happier workforce is good for all as the happiness rubs off on others – including your customers.
Digital driving licences are coming
Towards the end of January 2025, the government announced that it was developing a secure app to allow a mobile version of a driving licence to be stored on a smartphone, in addition to paper and card versions.
The app will be a digital wallet that will, it is hoped, ultimately hold other digital documents such as entitlement to benefits, a DBS (criminal record) check, a veteran’s card, proof of age to be able to purchase restricted items, and a passport.
In time it is thought that, because the app will be securely protected by password and/or biometric log-in, instead of official communications being sent by post, they could be sent electronically directly to an individual’s smartphone and app.
The government says that usage of digital versions of licences, passes and the like will be voluntary.
While the digital wallet is to be welcomed, it does appear that the UK is coming a little late to the party – a pilot will be running by the end of 2025 with the app fully rolled out, if all goes to plan, by the end of 2027.
However, Mexico was first out of the block with a form of electronic driving licence in 2007. In Europe, Norway introduced a version in October 2019, then came Iceland in July 2020 and Denmark in November 2020. Further afield, some US states, such as Louisiana and Colorado, now offer digital driving licences.
Of course, the true value of a licence comes not so much in its usability domestically but when driving overseas. As a result, an International Organisation
for Standardisation (ISO) standard for the mobile driving licence (ISO/IEC 18013-5) was created, subsequently approved in August 2021 and published in September 2021.
And greater rollout of digital IDs and personal digital wallets is on the cards – in Europe at least – through the EU Digital ID Regulation, which mandates that member states provide digital identity wallets for citizens.
As digital technology trade association techUK.org commented when the regulation came into effect in May last year, “the EU Digital ID Regulation seeks interoperability between government, citizens and industry under one framework for 27 countries. It doesn’t just stop at European borders; the EU is actively seeking wider international interoperability.” It gives the example of an EU and Japan memorandum of cooperation that establishes agreements of cooperation on Digital ID with the EU’s Digital ID wallet and trust services. In other words, the EU’s concept could roll out around the world.
However, could there be problems with the acceptance of normal non-digital licences?
Last August, TV channel GB News ran a story which said that motorists were being warned of potential digital driving licence issues, and that they may wish to consider seeking extra road permits when travelling in certain situations.
In essence, while the digital app and, for example, digital driving licence will be voluntary in the UK, GB News is suggesting that it might become a de
facto requirement if a UK driver wants to hire a vehicle elsewhere. It cited the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), which warned drivers that it may be more difficult for a rental company to verify that an oldstyle licence is genuine, or they may no longer accept paper licences at all. The BVRLA says that drivers “may wish to consider adding a note to their booking, stating that a digital driving licence is not currently accepted in the UK and therefore a physical licence will be presented”, when hiring a car overseas, in order to forestall any issues when collecting the vehicle.
On the plus side, some countries around the world currently require drivers with a paper licence to also have an International Driving Permit, or to carry a secondary form of photo ID, such as a passport. All of these problems may disappear once the UK formally introduces a digital wallet with allied documents.
But there remain nagging security concerns. William Fletcher, managing director at Car.co.uk, highlighted privacy and cybersecurity risks. He thinks that “storing sensitive information on mobile devices increases the risk of data breaches and hacking, something which can happen to anyone no matter how good your phone security is.”
There’s also a potential issue with device power – what would happen when showing your licence is required, but the phone is not charged? How will people prove their identity?
There is clearly much for the government to ponder.
New home for Harley
The UK arm of Harley-Davidson and LiveWire has a new eco-friendly home in Oxfordshire. The American bike maker has moved to an 8523sq.ft ‘workspace hub’, with offices and workshops, in the Nebula R&D development in Milton Park, south of Oxford. Harley-Davidson is the
first business to move into Nebula, located just off the A34, and staff from Harley were present at the grand opening last month. Local MP Olly Glover was there to cut the ribbon on the new £40m development and posed with Harley staff for local press pictures.
Glover, who is the MP for Didcot and Wantage, said: “It
Bridgestone for latest Tracer
BRIDGESTONE’S BATTLAX T32 TYRE HAS BEEN chosen as the OEM fitment for Yamaha’s 2025 Tracer 9 range. The sport touring rubber will come as standard on the full line-up, including the higher-spec GT and GT+ variants. Bridgestone says the T32 – its latest sporty touring road-biased rubber – uses advanced technologies for maximum performance. There’s a big focus on wet performance, with the firm’s Pulse Groove 3 tread design to disperse water and boost wet traction. A new carcass also improves stability and wear resistance while still improving cornering performance.
was a pleasure to be invited to open the impressive Nebula building. I welcome Harley-Davidson as the first occupier and look forward to meeting the other research and development businesses who are lucky enough to join them at Nebula on Milton Park. The building not only looks fantastic, but the low carbon materials and highest possible energy efficiency rating is an excellent example of sustainable construction techniques.”
Philip Campbell, commercial director at Nebula owner MEPC Milton Park, said: “The launch of Nebula is not just a milestone for Milton Park, it’s a real flag in the ground for the Oxford to Cambridge corridor. The arrival of a world-renowned occupier such as Harley-Davidson dovetails into the ambitions for Nebula to become a driving force for cuttingedge developments which support green technologies.”
Bikes banned from iconic Nürburgring
Like the German autobahns and the Isle of Man Mountain Course, the Nürburgring racetrack has been a bastion of public high-speed freedom for decades. But the curtain is finally coming down on two-wheeled access to the 12.9-mile hybrid public road/race circuit after organisers banned bikes from public “Touristenfahrten”, or tourist days, on safety grounds. Anyone who’s ridden a bike there over the years will have seen the dangers during the public open days: local experts in very fast cars dice with sightseeing tourists, motorcycles, rental cars and even buses and vans.
Now the circuit bosses have decided to stop access to motorcycles, and only a few organised race schools and track days will be allowed each year.
In a statement shared online, the circuit said: “The differing driving dynamics of two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles can lead to misunderstandings, particularly for motorcyclists. To enhance safety for all road users, we will implement strict separation between cars and motorcycles in the future.”
R&G’s new US race partner
R&G HAS SIGNED UP AS AN official supplier to the MotoAmerica race series. The Hampshire-based bike protection and accessory maker will become the Technical Partner to the inaugural Parts Unlimited Talent Cup by Motul – a one-make series with riders using Krämer APX 350 MA racebikes. The firm is also continuing to support Royal Enfield’s “Build.Train.Race” program, created to highlight women’s motorcycle culture across North America via flat-track and circuit racing. Finally, R&G will support a number of teams directly, including the Ben Spies-led Rahal Ducati Moto squad. Simon Hughes (above left), R&G’s MD, said: “With MotoAmerica engagement and attendance growing hugely in recent years, this evolving partnership is an increasingly important part of growing R&G’s global presence. We’re thrilled to be stepping support up further in 2025 for what is sure to be an incredible year!” MotoAmerica’s director of sponsorship, Lance Bryson, said: “We’re thrilled with our newest sponsorship agreement, naming R&G our Official Protection Partner. We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to kick off the 2025 racing season.”
Norton’s new sales manager
Solihull-based bike maker Norton Motorcycles, has appointed Christian Gandar (right) as a new area sales manager. Gandar has plenty of experience in the role. He’s been working in bike sales since 2008 and has held sales manager roles at Yamaha, Honda and Mutt Motorcycles.
Speaking about his appointment, Gandar said: “I’m very pleased to be joining Norton at such a pivotal moment. I’m looking forward to spending time with the current network of sales partners and working with them to grow our sales.”
Norton Motorcycles head
Vmoto appoints Clarke as parts manager
Electric urban mobility specialist Vmoto, has appointed a new parts manager. Rob Clarke (right) joined the Guildford-based importer at the beginning of March, bringing extensive experience from his time at Jack Lilley Triumph as general manager, BMW Bahnstormer as parts manager and Infinity Motorcycles as store manager. Speaking about his new role, Clarke said: “I’m excited to join Vmoto at this time in their journey and I am looking forward to connecting with and supporting the dealer network. The electric motorcycle industry is evolving rapidly, and I’m keen to play a role in ensuring
our dealers have everything they need to succeed.”
Vmoto UK added that strengthening its parts department has been a key focus, and Clarke’s expertise will be invaluable in providing efficient service, fast parts supply, and enhanced aftersales support.
Moss moves to DVLA
THE DVLA, THE government agency responsible for vehicle and driver licensing, has a new chief executive. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander announced that Tim Moss will take over the role, succeeding interim CEO Lynette Rose and former chief executive Julie Lennard. Moss joins the Swanseabased agency from the Welsh
of sales, Chris Bexon, said: “Norton is at a point of huge growth, so it’s important we attract the right people to capitalise on that. With six new models coming in the next three years, along with planned growth in the network, Christian is perfectly placed to help us achieve our goals.”
New head of marketing at Wunderlich
government, where he served as chief operating officer and director general of corporate services and inspectorates. He officially took over on 31 March.
Alexander said: “I’m delighted to confirm Tim Moss CBE as the new CEO of DVLA. He brings valuable experience, and I look forward to working with him as he continues the work of Julie Lennard.”
GERMAN AFTERMARKET parts firm Wunderlich, has a new head of marketing, communications and PR. Kathrin Wunderlich joined the firm from her previous role at biscuit maker Griesson-De Beukelaer at the beginning of February as part of a management reorganisation. Herbert Schwarz also takes over brand management for Wunderlich’s third-party brand division, which includes all premium motorcycle brands apart from BMW. Wunderlich (who is married to MD Felix Wunderlich) said: “I am looking forward to my new role in our family business, especially to further develop the brand and communication strategy. The great potential of our brand offers exciting opportunities to provide new impetus – a challenge that particularly appeals to me.”
Frank Lethbridge 1947-2025
Frank Lethbridge, the well-known northern sales representative, has died aged 77.
Born in Edinburgh, he stayed close to his roots and spent most of his life in the area. Frank covered the Scottish region for more than 40 years as a sales representative for several leading wholesalers. His sales career began with W.E. Wassell and A.E. Autoparts, where he gained valuable experience selling automotive and motorcycle accessories. In 1980, he joined Lintek (Motorcycle Accessories), well-known for its innovative products and customer service, as a sales representative. In this role, he was responsible for managing sales across Scotland, parts of Northern England, and Northern Ireland. He quickly emerged as one of Lintek’s top representatives, building strong relationships with retailers and expanding the company’s market share by understanding the needs of dealers. His contribution played a significant part in establishing Lintek as a leading name in motorcycle accessories in the North.
Unfortunately, his time with Lintek came to an end when he lost his driving license. This led to a period of working in retail at Carrick Motors in
Edinburgh, followed by Midas Motors, where he sold Suzuki cars, before taking on a new challenge with Alan Duffus Motorcycles.
In the late 1990s, Frank joined George Lloyd’s thriving Lloyd Lifestyle operation as an agent, selling the Akito, OGK, Swift, Nankai and Texport brands. In the early 2000s, he transitioned to the newlyestablished VSJ operation, selling Nitro helmets, which were making a significant impact on the helmet market.
Frank had a passion for horses and saloon car racing, having once been a Scottish motor racing champion. Recently, he completed building a replica Austin Healey Sebring, which he sold just before his death.
He leaves wife, Jane, along with many family members and close friends. The funeral was held on 21 February near Edinburgh, followed by a reception in West Linton, attended by more than 300 people.
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Stafford show set to break Brough records
The 2025 International Classic MotorCycle Show is planning the world’s largest-ever public display of Brough Superior SS100s on 26-27 April. The special event – marking 100 years since the launch of the SS100 – will see more than 20 of the legendary machines on show. It will include the ‘holy grail’ Brough: the 1929 JTOR V-twin JAP-powered ‘George VI,’ owned by T.E. Lawrence, AKA Lawrence of Arabia. Organisers have also confirmed the presence of the 1927 JTOR V-twin JAP powered ‘Works Scrapper,’ built by Freddie Dixon, which earned the title of the world’s fastest bike in 1929. Another confirmed display machine is the 1926 KTOR V-twin JAP powered ‘Cunliffe Brough,’ renowned for its striking lilac and nickel finish.
The Brough celebration continues onto the Bonhams auction on Sunday, which will
see the sale of two Brough Superior SS100s, expected to fetch more than £300,000 each. The event will be presented by special guest and Brough enthusiast Henry Cole, who will be on stage all weekend.
Broughs apart, the show will also feature the usual displays from bike clubs
and private collectors, as well as trade and autojumble stalls selling parts, spares and memorabilia.
Advance tickets are priced at £16.50, while on-the-gate entry is £21, and under16s go free. More info: www.classicbikeshows.com
DF Capital enters consumer finance sector
IT’S BEST KNOWN IN THE BIKE TRADE for providing dealer-focused finance services. But now Distribution Finance Capital (DF Capital) has been authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to conduct consumer lending.
DF Capital, a specialist bank providing working capital solutions to dealers and manufacturers across the UK, applied to the FCA for permission to enter the consumer sector last summer. After due diligence, the firm has demonstrated to the FCA that it can meet the expected standards for consumer lending. It’s now planning to begin an asset finance/hire purchase scheme in the first half of 2025, initially through existing dealer clients.
Carl D’Ammassa, DF CEO, said: “This development represents a significant step forward in our growth strategy. Becoming a multi-product lender has been a key
element of our medium-term growth plan and strategic ambition for some time. Now, having the required permissions from the FCA to launch a consumer asset finance product unlocks a sizeable opportunity for the group and one that is in significant demand from our dealer and manufacturer customers.”
Meanwhile, DF has launched a new ‘Structured Finance’ scheme in its current dealer financing operation. This is a series of solutions to meet customers’ capital needs, including financing projects like mergers and acquisitions, business restructures and asset purchases. Run by a dedicated team based in Manchester, the Structured Finance program includes wholesale finance, stock flow finance, invoice finance, and secured short-term business loans, and it is complementary to the firm’s existing inventory finance range.
Sarah Barker, MD of Structured Finance at DF Capital, said: “The formal launch of our Structured Finance offering is an exciting milestone for DF Capital, representing a fantastic step forward in our mission to be the go-to specialist funding partner for businesses across the UK.
“Complementing our core inventory finance offering, Structured Finance reflects our focus on finding new and innovative ways to support businesses, and we are committed to working with our customers to quickly and efficiently unlock new funding opportunities to achieve their ambitions.
“We now have a dedicated team in place to deliver this offering, and given our early successes to date, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with existing customers and helping new customers achieve their goals.”
1929 JTOR V-twin JAP-powered ‘George VI’ Brough owned by T.E. Lawrence
Picture: James Robinson, Mortons Media
Bragging rights at Triumph
Triumph sold more than 100,000 motorcycles globally in 2024, passing this landmark figure for the first time in its 122-year history. The overall tally was, in fact, 134,635, representing 64% year-on-year growth. Sales were up in all key regions, rising by 44% in the Americas – Brazil, Canada and the US, and reaching 29,736 examples of the new 400cc single-cylinder platform in India. This was echoed in its distributor markets, which put on 33%, as well as a 30% increase in Asia.
Triumph’s European markets grew by 18%.
This was also the fifth consecutive year that Triumph has achieved an all-time unit sales record, with a 123% increase since 2019. The company can boast stand-out growth achieved in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Mexico and India. This reflects expansion of its global dealer network, which now has 950 outlets, with more than 230 new business partners joining the brand during this time frame.
Triumph says it has also invested in offering a complete aftersales package for riders, with the launch of Triumph Performance Lubricants, improved finance and warranty offers, and new clothing collaborations and ranges, which have combined to deliver record revenues in parts, clothing and accessories.
Commenting on these achievements, Triumph Motorcycles chief commercial officer Paul Stroud said: “We’re very pleased with the growth that we achieved last year, despite a very challenging global economic climate.”
Two-way tariff war will hit US/EU bike makers
HAVING GIVEN THE European Union plenty of notice about his unhappiness with the EU-US trading relationship, mercurial US president Donald Trump duly imposed punitive 25% tariffs on up to £22bn-worth of EU steel, aluminium and derivative exports destined for markets in the USA. But instead of addressing this challenge through sensible trade policy negotiating channels, European Commission supremo Ursula von der Leyen came out with all her guns blazing, loaded with counter-measures likely to fuel a vicious circle of tariff warfare. Specifically, these imposed tariffs of up to 50% on a wide range of imports from the US, from 1 April. Among them is
a 50% additional duty added to US-originated motorcycles above 500cc. Obviously, large-capacity products from Harley-Davidson and Indian are immediately in this particular firing line. A second phase of European Commission retaliation being considered could hit all motorcycle categories below 500cc, as well as electric motorcycles, too.
Reciprocal tariffs from Trump, targeting motorcycle exports from European sources into the US will now become a certainty, European motorcycle manufacturing association ACEM has therefore voiced its disappointment relating to the Commission’s move.
ACEM has pointed out that
the motorcycle sector in Europe and the US is deeply interconnected with strong industrial and economic ties. European and American manufacturers enjoy two-way traffic with strong presences in each other’s markets. Tariffs in either direction will disrupt businesses, harm consumers and threaten jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Commenting on this standoff, ACEM secretary general Antonio Perlot said: “Instead of allowing this dispute to escalate, the European motorcycle industry calls for a negotiated solution for fair transatlantic trade and a return to reason.”
Krazy Horse’s thirty years of passion
Managing a bike business into its fourth decade is difficult at the best of times. When your showroom is a little bit different, conventional wisdom suggests it could be a lot harder than just “difficult”!
But that’s not the case for the South East’s Krazy Horse, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The rock’n’roll nature of the business has turned out to be its strength, helping it stay both relevant and exciting in the face of a mainstream bike trade that has become ever more corporate.
Quizzing the owner of Krazy Horse, Paul Beamish, at the Devitt MCN London bike show, where he had a stand packed with novelty, I kicked him off with a bit of history.
“We started in a shed, in my mate’s garden, at a place called Little Whelnetham just outside Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk. Me and a mate were riding around on old Harleys and at the time there weren’t many Harley dealers around. We were off to a European Harley rally, but his clutch cable went, and we couldn’t get one anywhere. I had a friend who worked for Zodiac, a Dutch distributor of aftermarket Harley parts, I had a chat with him, and he got us the bits so we could do the rally. I later asked the Dutch guys if it would make sense if we opened a weekly Saturday morning store. There were a lot of people locally with Harleys because of all the American air bases in East Anglia, but there was no
Alan Dowds talks to Paul Beamish, boss at Krazy Horse, and a man who doesn’t do ‘corporate’
dealership. We started off selling service parts, gaskets, and oil filters from my mate’s shed and it grew from there.”
At the time, Beamish was a 29-yearold engineer working in the packaging industry, and his firm, Ravenwood Packaging, is now a major player in the global food distribution business. If you look in your fridge, a few items will, apparently, have come via a Ravenwood
We started off selling service parts, gaskets, and oil filters from my mate’s shed and it grew from there
Paul Beamish, Krazy Horse
machine. For Beamish the bike business was a bit of a sideline at first. However, changes in the industry and the popularity of custom choppers in the late 1990s helped Krazy Horse move up a level.
“In the late 1990s, TV programmes like Orange County Choppers and West Coast Choppers appeared on the Discovery channel and we became very busy building custom bikes, so much so it
meant moving into a retail showroom and workshop in the centre of Bury St. Edmunds. When Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval was legislated in the UK it was a step-change for us. We could still build and register custom bikes in the UK, but a lot of European countries couldn’t. For example, you could not build a custom bike from scratch and register it in France.
“Then I got in touch with Zero Engineering in Japan, and we started to distribute their small-volume typeapproved bikes and to set up dealers across Europe, building a distribution business.”
European expansion brought many contacts across the continent, and Krazy Horse became known as the people to go to for low-volume, premium bike distribution. Beamish took on two brands from Italy – Zaeta lightweight offroaders and Patton, best known for its Isle of Man TT race bikes, as well as the Absolute Choppers range from Sweden.
“All this grew our business in a slightly
different way, and we were running out of space,” said Beamish. “So I bought a bigger unit in Bury St. Edmunds. The world’s changing, people want something different to ride, and they want a destination, we decided we’d build a destination dealership. It took ages to get planning permission, but we put a café in and completed everything in 2012. And that took us on to another level.”
Today, Krazy Horse has four dealerships: the original Bury St. Edmunds store, plus locations in Chipping Norton, Kensington in central London, and Welling, South East London. That growth has been driven by taking on more franchises, including Indian Motorcycles at its launch in 2012, when it rose out of the ashes of the Victory brand.
“After opening in Bury in 2012, we were at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, next to Victory. Lee Frankish [Indian’s UK launch manager] was there, and he kept trying to get us interested saying; ‘there’s something coming you need to know about!’ I wasn’t really interested in Victory, but I was in Indian. So we
became one of the first Indian dealers.
The Welling site was already an Indian dealer (Aye Gee Motorcycles) who had decided to get out of the business. Lee asked, do you want to get involved? So we bought the showroom in 2015, then we took on Chipping Norton just before Covid, and Kensington in 2021.”
Ultimately, you’ll get success if dealers and manufacturers are on the same trajectory and want the same things
Paul Beamish, Krazy Horse
The Kensington High Street store is a local landmark – it used to be the London HQ for the luxury Bristol car brand. How did it become part of Krazy Horse? “We were looking for a London MV Agusta dealership when we saw it. Bristol Cars had just gone bust, and so we had a chat with the Hilton hotel which owns the building. We thought it would be a great place for MV: they decided not to go with it, but Indian did. Initially we were exclusively Indian, but we’re now also doing other brands there. Selling motorcycles in London is tough at the moment.
“For this reason, we’ve increased our brands: Indian, Norton, MV Agusta and Fantic. Back in 2012, when we opened the new Bury site, we started doing Morgan three-wheelers. That grew so quickly we had to open on the other side of the road, and now we also do Caterham and Dodge/Ram. Plus, of course, the new Microlino electric bubble car range.”
It’s an eclectic mix of brands, and perfectly in tune with the firm’s ethos.
Passion is the watchword, rather than the corporate approach that’s taken over in the big brand motorcycle and car world.
“It’s a social business,” said Beamish. “We’re all motorcyclists first, and manufacturers don’t necessarily understand that. And because manufacturers are so demanding in the way they treat their dealers; they don’t listen to them. They just force them down what they think is the right route. And that isn’t always the case. They force dealers to spend so much money on showrooms to get their dealer standards to where they want, but the reality is, do motorcyclists want that? Not really. What they want is a good café and someone that won’t worry if they turn up wet or covered in crap. They also want someone to talk to about their passion, not a car salesman who’s been transferred from cars to the bike side and probably doesn’t even have a bike license. But he can sell you gap insurance…
“Ultimately, you’ll get success if dealers and manufacturers are on the same trajectory and want the same things. The motorcycle industry needs to be driven by passion because that’s what everyone is here is for.”
www.krazyhorse.co.uk
Krazy Horse owner Paul Beamish in a Microlino
Left to right: Krazy Horse’s showrooms in Bury St. Edmunds, Kensington and Chipping Norton
With financial editor Roger Willis
Harder European times
BOXER REBELLION
BMW Group’s monumentally tedious 432-page tome detailing full-year results performance during 2024 landed on our desktop like a thunderclap. But as far as specific BMW Motorrad content is concerned, it proved to be a damp squib. Much was made of strongest annual retail deliveries to customers in the company’s history, amounting to a record 210,385 motorcycles and scooters sold. But this actually meant only a miniscule 0.6% increase. And yearly production had declined by 2.8% to 215,727 units.
Motorrad annual revenue rose by 0.2% to £2.713bn. Operating profit dropped by 23.6% to £166.8m. Operating margin fell from 8.1% to 6.1%. Pre-tax profit was 23.3% lower, after favourable pricing and product-mix effects were offset by higher material and development costs.
Return on capital employed came in at 15.5%, down from 22.1% in the previous year. According to BMW bean counters, this change reflected mainly the downturn in profit before tax on one hand and an increase in net working capital, due to a rise in average inventory levels, on the other. Net profit garnered from the Motorrad segment suffered a 24.6% decline to £116.3m.
Providing further retail sales figures, the results presentation said a total of 118,704 motorcycles were delivered to European customers in 2024, 2.3% up year-on-year. Within that tally, German
Leaving aside the mainly self-inflicted destruction that has been ripping apart KTM for months, the three other major motorcycle manufacturers domiciled in mainland Europe – BMW Motorrad, Ducati and Piaggio – have also been suffering a litany of disruptive influences sucking stability out of their businesses. And few have begun to assess the huge impact on their exports from rampaging US president Donald Trump’s tariff warfare.
BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports
sales volume grew by 8.3% to 26,177, while the French market fell by 4.5% to 20,693. Italy put on 2.7% to 16,617 and Spain added 2.3% to 13,009. The UK didn’t warrant a mention.
that might emerge: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our customers and community around the world for the tremendous trust they have placed in us once again in 2024.
Much was made of strongest annual retail deliveries to customers in the company’s history, amounting to a record 210,385 motorcycles and scooters sold
On the other side of the Atlantic, bike sales improved by 3.3% to 47,692 units. Most notably, Brazil posted solid growth of 8.2% to 15,267. But the USA managed only a 1.5% rise to 17,272. Subdued economic activity in Asia also saw the Chinese market slump by 12.4% to 13,872. Banging his drum prior to the results, head of BMW Motorrad Markus Flasch ignored any inconvenient facts (such as embarrassingly thin profitability)
BMW Motorrad claims first place in the global premium motorcycle segment. Our market leadership in numerous segments and markets in based on our claim to innovation leadership, our highly attractive product offering as well as the consistent strategic focus on brand strength. Based on these success drivers, BMW Motorrad is well-positioned for the future and so I approach the year 2025 with a very positive outlook.”
His boss, BMW Group chief executive Oliver Zipse, pointedly disagreed, though, against the background of Donald Trump’s raging global trade war. Zipse had just warned investors that EU, US and China tariffs will cost the group an additional €1bn at least this year, after profits fell by 36% in 2024. Group earnings before tax had dropped to €11bn last year, compared with €17bn in 2023. €-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 14 March
DUCATISTA PASSION THROBS ON?
Despite admissions of a particularly challenging competitive environment and market conditions in 2024, Ducati chief executive Claudio Domenicali and his chief financial officer Henning Jens managed to fall back on the excuses of protecting overall profitability and prioritising longterm sustainability, rather than just aiming for increased sales volume. Hopefully, this will secure Ducati’s presence on the bottom rung of Volkswagen’s Audi-led Brand Group Progressive luxury ladder, which also harbours Bentley and Lamborghini. Last year, Brand Group Progressive had struggled to turn over about 50 billion quid, to yield an operating profit barely reaching three billion. Shortcomings at Audi were largely responsible for those woes.
Having said that, Ducati’s fullyear financial outcome wasn’t exactly enthralling either. Annual revenue fell by 5.8% to £844.3m, narrowly scratching up past the billion euro mark for a third consecutive year. But operating profit was a painful 18.4% down to £76.6m, allegedly influenced by negative forex effects and higher depreciations. Operating margin dropped from 10.5% to 9.1%.
Total worldwide retail sales declined by 6.4% to 54,495 units, reportedly reflecting both the aforementioned tough market conditions and fierce competition. The Dual/Hyper bracket of Hypermotard, DesertX and especially cash-cow Multistrada models did best, with customer deliveries 13.4% up to 23,092. The Scrambler sub-brand did worst, 24.4% down to just 6217. The Naked/Sport Cruiser segment’s Diavel, Monster and Streetfighter range shrank by 18.7% to 15,220. The Sport slot, armed with Supersport and Panigale kit, dropped by 8.7% to 9966.
European countries accounted for 60% of sales, rising from 57%. China, including Hong Kong, fell to just 4% from 5%. The USA’s slice slipped to 13%, from 14%. Various other markets were responsible for 24%, against 25% in 2023.
Ducati’s full-year production crept
higher by a mere 1.3% to 55,956 units. Dual/Hyper claimed the lion’s share, 30.9% up to 24,546. Sport was 3.5% down to 10,531 and Naked/Sport Cruiser down by 12.8% to 14,799. Scrambler took a 29.2% dive to 6080.
For 2025, Ducati is dependent on ten new models, which it says will enrich an increasingly complete, sophisticated and technologically advanced range. These include the XDiavel V4 and Multistrada V4 with V4 Granturismo engines, Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4 models with the latest Desmosedici Stradale engine, plus Panigale V2, Streetfighter V2 and Multistrada V2 models, all featuring the lightest twincylinder motor ever made by Ducati. And there’s a motocrosser available in selected dealerships too – the success of all no doubt predicated by difficult circumstances evaporating imminently. €-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 18 March
The Dual/ Hyper bracket of Hypermotard, DesertX and especially cashcow Multistrada models did best, with customer deliveries
PONTEDERA PRAYS FOR MERCY
Trying desperately to cover the cracks in yet another struggling big-league European biker enterprise, Piaggio managing director and chief executive Michele Colaninno has his work cut out. 2024 full-year Piaggio Group consolidated sales revenue fell by 14.3% to £1.416bn. Turnover from the EMEA regions (predominantly Europe) and the Americas was 11.8% down, while Asia Pacific declined by 32.4% and India by 3.9%.
Annual operating profit posted an 18.2% retreat to £122.9m and operating margin sank from 9.1% to 8.7%. Pre-tax profit suffered a 28.1% dive to £81.4m. Finally, net profit finished 26.2% in arrears at £55.9m. Group net debt on 31 December 2024 had risen by 23% to £444.3m, versus the position 12 months earlier. This “temporary increase” was shrugged off as reflecting a reduction in trade payables and the trend in capital
expenditure. The latter had grown by 12.2% to £152.2m during the year.
Piaggio’s 2024 global powered twowheeler unit sales volume fell by 17.5% to 359,000 scooters and motorcycles. Associated revenue generated was 15.3% down to £1.083bn, including £127.6m from spares and accessories. The largest PTW downturn at a geographical level was in the Asia-Pacific region, affected by a 30.8% fall in demand for premium products in China and Thailand. India achieved a 10.3% turnover improvement, largely thanks to introduction of two new Aprilia RS 457 models.
In the scooter segment generally, Piaggio claims to have recaptured leadership of the European market with a 21.4% share. And its share of the North American market reached 28.1%. As for motorcycles, the market apparently had a strong response to the aforementioned Aprilia RS 457 models, as well as Moto Guzzi Stelvio and V85 models.
The company also boasted that 2024 had been a year of outstanding results in motorcycle racing for Aprilia, as its Tuareg model dominated the season, winning all the competitions in which it took part. These included the Transanatolia Rally in Turkey and the Italian Motorally Championship. And riding an Aprilia RS 660, Alessandro Di Mario had won the MotoAmerica Twins Cup.
To conclude, why should I deny an Italian Captain of Industry the right to embarrass himself, a specialism at which Michele Colaninno seems to cherish?
His commentary on these results began by hailing “excellent margins in 2024 thanks to careful management of productivity in a highly anomalous economic situation.” Sorry, Michele, but the notion of excellence doesn’t really fit with falling revenue, operating profit, pre-tax profit and net profit, set alongside rising debt.
And then he eulogised harsh reality. “The downturn in revenues is the direct consequence of the correct strategy employed by dealers all over the world to reduce their inventories,” opined Colaninno. “This enabled us to maintain the profitability of the distribution network and simultaneously prepare for 2025 from a pragmatic perspective. A reversal in global economic trends that would generate a solid recovery in consumer spending has not yet emerged!” That’s probably enough for those of us who don’t want to jump in the deep end wearing concrete boots.
€-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 4 March
Euro markets show sustained growth
End of year motorcycle registrations (classed as any PTW over 50cc) across Europe’s five biggest markets – Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the UK – recieved a strong boost in the last quarter of 2024, boosting total full year registrations by more than 10% to nearly 1.2 million units. It was the seventh consecutive year of increased sales.
ACEM secretary general Anotonio Perlot’s previous prediction of registrations slowing down in the last quarter, despite the consumer interest created by the autumn bike shows, proved to be totally wrong. In the event, last quarter sales were up by 89,069, or more than 50%. This was almost entirely ascribed to an avalanche of pre-
registrations for bikes not compliant with the new Euro 5+ emissions regulations, which came into force in January.
Electric-powered registrations for both motorcycle and moped markets continued to slide. The battery moped market is now the smallest it has been for six years, and for motorcycles, electrics make up only 2.45% of the overall market.
Global share prices
A snapshot of motorcycle and ATV industry share performance across key manufacturers and major global markets at the trading week closure on Friday 21 March. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports
USA – YO YO TRADING
Wall Street market indices, afflicted by the Trump regime’s erratic behaviour, were on course to end their losing streak, albeit with slim gains. The S&P 500 eventually closed just 0.5% up, while NASDAQ’s Composite struggled to add only 0.2%. Best performance came from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, finishing 1.2% ahead. S&P’s MidCap 400 put on 0.6%.
Harley-Davidson electric spin-off LiveWire and Indian Motorcycle parent Polaris were about to feel the receiving end of 50% European retaliatory import tariffs, exacting revenge for Trump tariffs on steel and aluminium exports from Europe to the US. This unwelcome prospect certainly showed in their share price weakness.
NASDAQ-listed electric delivery scooter brand Niu Technologies’ run of good luck in the share price department is also likely to hit the buffers, following US trade investigators questioning the origin of its products. It transpires these may begin life solely in China and therefore be subject to the full weight of anti-Chinese tariff warfare.
EUROPE – NO ESCAPE
European stocks slipped after European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde opined that Trump’s trade war could deal a heavy blow to the eurozone economy, reigniting inflation in the currency area. Frankfurt’s Xetra Dax index subsequently closed 0.4% down, and share prices for BMW and Ducati-owner Volkswagen dropped by larger margins.
JAPAN – READY FOR ACTION
Tokyo and Osaka’s key Nikkei 225 stock index was positive for a third consecutive week as the Bank of Japan held fast to its interest rate setting – essentially battening down the hatches in advance of an anticipated slice of the Trump steel and aluminium tariff assault. All four Japanese motorcycle brands enjoyed upbeat weekly share price advances too, thanks to booming sales in Asian markets.
INDIA – BETTER INVESTMENT PROSPECTS
Mumbai’s S&P BSE Sensex 30 and NSE Nifty 50 market indices brightened up, with strong respective gains of 4.2% and 4.3%.
Muscular quarterly economic data from Bank
of India sources was largely responsible. All five indigenous motorcycle manufacturing majors benefited from this surge in investor interest.
CHINA – FIDDLING THE FIGURES
The Beijing government has just launched a wide range of economic stimulus measures to circumvent increasing US tariff obstacles. The stimulus packages are geared towards boosting personal incomes to increase domestic consumer activity, as well as stabilising the stock and real-estate markets by encouraging investors.
However, it seems to have got off to a rocky start, as far as market indices are concerned. Shanghai’s SSE Composite promptly fell by 1.6% and the blue-chip CSI 300 finished 2.3% in arrears. As for the ten listed Chinese motorcycle producers, more than half of them declined in value.
SHARE PERFORMANCE
21 MARCH 2025
Europe
Japan
India
China (yuan)
More power for Light Bee X
SUR-RON HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW 2025 version of the Light Bee X off-road electric bike. It’s been upgraded with added power, improved agility and uprated suspension.
In terms of powertrain, the new Light Bee X has 33% more power than the old model, now producing a claimed 8kW (11bhp), and has a claimed peak torque figure of 266Nm (196ft.lb) – an increase of 16Nm (12ft.lb). That extra urge comes courtesy of a new high-performance midmounted electric motor, which gives a top speed of 46mph. Claimed range is up to 46 miles at 25mph, and the 11.6kg battery is removable for off-bike charging.
As well as the updated motor, the pressureforged aluminium main frame is also new and is fitted with uprated competition-class suspension with adjustable damping and air assistance. A multi-link swingarm, 19in front and 18in rear wheels, and four-piston brake calipers round off the 57kg chassis spec.
As well as the previous phantom purple, Lapis blue and carbon black colourways, there is a new sage green option for 2025. The price is TBC, but further information can be found at www.sur-ron.co.uk
Government extends £500 e-bike grants
The government might arguably have the wrong end of the PTW stick on a number of issues, but it clearly recognises that the battery-powered motorcycle sector needs all the help it can get, because the Department for Transport has just announced a 12-month extension to the £500 purchase grant available to consumers buying electric bikes.
The DfT grants were cut from a maximum of £1500 to just £500 in 2021, and were ended altogether for moped-equivalent electric machines in April last year. However, the £500 bonus for buyers of battery bikes with 125cc-equivalent and above performance is now set to continue until at least next year.
The news came as part of a wider announcement for grants to assist taxi and van drivers, alongside further investment in the UK’s national charging infrastructure.
The minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood MP, said: “From van drivers and businesses to drivers with accessibility needs, bikers and cabbies, we are making it easier, faster and cheaper for
people to switch to electric vehicles. By making the transition to zero emissions a success, we’re helping to drive growth all over the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets and rebuilding Britain to deliver our Plan for Change.”
Speaking to BDN, Gareth Hughes, UK general manager at leading electric bike brand Vmoto, said: “It’s great news for us that the government has decided to extend the e-grant for another year. With all the recent budget cuts and changes in funding, we had feared the worst and had prepared and planned ahead for life without any grant assistance.
“Its continuation has effectively doubled the profit margins available for dealers across our entire product line, making it much easier for them to sell our electric models. For example, our latest Stash model now allows dealers to earn a solid profit of just under £1500 per unit, which is fantastic for their business and shows the government’s ongoing support for the electric product. This extension is a big boost for growth and stability in this fast-changing market.”
Vmoto moves into new Bristol home
BRISTOL, THE BIGGEST CITY in the South West, has a reputation for “progressive:” views. Four of its five MPs are from the Labour Party, and one is from the Green Party, which also runs the City Council. Add in indifferent public transport and nightmare levels of road congestion, and it should prove to be fertile ground for Vmoto and its top-selling range of battery electric two-wheelers.
fully bought into the range of zero-emission machines from Vmoto, including the latest motorcycle-style Stash model.
Charlotte Armstrong, Downend director, said: “We have a strong, loyal, local customer base, so it was a big decision for us to make a change, but we are passionate towards electric bikes, and our experiences with Vmoto have been overwhelmingly positive. It has been refreshing to have this level of enthusiasm from a manufacturer, and I think we can make a good go of it, looking at the margins and support that Vmoto offer.”
THEROADYOURS . JUSTRIDE . IS
THE ROADSMART IV. EVEN STRONGER FOR LONGER.
With the RoadSmart IV, the road is yours – so you’re free to just keep on touring. The optimised tread pattern and advanced compounds help you command the road with confidence, even in the wet. Ride stronger, ride longer.
So it looks like a smart move from local dealership Downend Bikes & Scooters, to take on the full range of Vmoto models with immediate effect. The family dealership, in the Downend area of Bristol, has been a small bike and scooter specialist since 1999, and well-known owner Simon Osguthorpe has been in the motor and motorcycle trade all his life. Now run with the help of son Josh and daughter Charlotte, Osguthorpe’s Downend dealership has
The network expansion continues the growth of Vmoto in the UK, which remains the biggest-selling electric bike marque, albeit restricted to the urban mobility sector rather than the much tougher world of large electric bikes. Vmoto UK says it has several open points left in its dealer network, which it’s keen to fill.
“Downend is a well-known scooter specialist in an urban area perfect for electric biking,” said Vmoto sales manager Ed Boxell. “They have been very enthusiastic, and we’d like to extend support for the dealership as they look to grow their customer base.”
Vmoto ed@vmoto.com 07572 313983
Josh and Charlotte Osguthorpe run the Downend dealership
E-scooters boost kids’ insurance convictions
AN INCREASE IN THE numbers of children aged 13-16 being convicted of motoring insurance offences is being blamed on the growth in unlicensed e-scooter use. One of the offences committed when using a private e-scooter on the road is riding without insurance. So the boom in scooter use comes with a 2100% increase in the number of under-16s penalised for uninsured driving since 2021.
The IAM Roadsmart safety charity analysed traffic offense data and found that 375 children had been issued an IN10 endorsement – the police code for “using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks” in 2024, up from just 17 in 2021. Of course, the big penalty will come when these kids try to insure a car or motorbike and have to declare the previous offence.
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said: “The number of children caught driving or riding without insurance is shocking, and is likely to be down to those riding e-scooters. Although riding a privately-owned e-scooter on public roads is illegal, it’s estimated that more than 750,000 private e-scooters have been bought.”
And Lyes makes the point that legislation on e-scooters is long overdue.
“The government needs to urgently bring forward legislation, which must include minimum type approval device standards, speed limiters and proposals for riders to have a
level of competency.”
Alternative powered two wheeler registrations for February 2025
Given February’s absolutely parlous mainstream motorcycle market, trying to beef up parallel battery-electric performance was always going to be a futile exercise. The resultant 3.7% market share really wasn’t worth it. Total electric volume fell by 15.9% to just 127 units.
The not-so-vast majority of these were low-powered and shorthaul urban commuter products totalling 123 units, almost the entire sparky presence. On the bottom rung, 4kW mopeds declined by 48.8% to 44 units.
Best-sellers were a phalanx of 16 Yamaha Neo’s moped scooters. The 4-11kW slot with approximate 125cc equivalence fared a bit better, 29.5% up to 79
units. Sector leadership came from 25 Vmoto Super Soco CPx scooters.
Products in the 11-35kW range were notable for their complete nonexistence, as had also been the case in February 2024. This year, however, the over-35kW league followed suit with a blank scoresheet.
Precisely three machines of unidentified provenance featured in the “exempt” category, plus a solitary “unknown” steed. And that’s the full story.
The Vmoto Super Soco CPx ruled the battery-powered PTW roost, claiming best-seller status and cornering nearly 20% of the market
Total electric powered registrations for the two months of 2025 to date sank by exactly 26% to 299 units. For the yearto-date the electric market share stood at 3.9%.
Thor spring collection
THE NEW FLEET HELMET from Thor combines advanced technical features with a stylish design. Its ABS shell emphasises performance with high-flow ventilation, while the dualdensity EPS liner, enhanced with Energy Reduction Technology (ERT), provides comfort and impact protection. Key features include 13 vent ports, a flexible polyamide visor with a four-point snap retention system, and a removable, washable liner. The nylon chinstrap is equipped with a stainless-steel D-ring. Retail prices start from £127.30. Additionally, Thor has unveiled its new spring collection of racewear, available in Sportmode and Launchmode styles, showcasing new colours and designs for the season.
partseurope.eu/en
Off-road news
With off-road correspondent Rick Kemp
New Ducati Desmo 450 MX
Ducati is set to launch the new Desmo 450 MX at UK dealerships, with a retail price of £11,245. The model will be available through Ducati Cambridge, Ducati Leeds, Ducati Preston, Ducati North London, Chris Walker Motorcycles, GT Motorcycles and Millsport Motorcycles. All these dealerships are currently undergoing technical training and an assessment process focused exclusively on the new model.
For this season, Ducati is introducing the new Ducati MX Experience in collaboration with Barry Johnson, a well
OSET sponsors youth trial championship
The ACU has announced that OSET Bikes will continue as the title sponsor for the 2025 TrialGB Youth Series, marking its second consecutive year of dedicated support for the next generation of trials riders.
OSET Bikes has long supported youth development in trials, supporting young riders
from grassroots to national level. Its commitment extends beyond sponsorship, with active involvement in local and centre-level events, helping to shape the future stars of the sport.
Ian Smith, founder of OSET Bikes, said: “Young trials stars like George and Harry Hemingway, Euan Sim, Kaytlyn Adshead and Harry Turner all started
known figure in the motocross industry. Johnson, who has organised schools for various brands over the past 20 years, will kick off the Ducati MX Experience from July to November at various local sites. Bookings will open soon on www.ducati.com
This initiative marks the first step in Ducati’s evolution within motocross. Following a successful season in the Italian Prestige MX1 national championship, Ducati is officially entering the Motocross World Championship for the first time. The MXGP 2025
operation will be managed by the new Aruba.it – Ducati Factory MX Team, which features riders Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini. The Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team will continue its development of the Ducati MX Project, focusing on the new Desmo 250 MX prototype that will participate in the Italian MX2 Championship. Factory rider Alessandro Lupino will collaborate with motocross legend Antonio Cairoli to establish the best foundation for the future production version of the 250 MX.
their riding journeys on OSETs. They mastered skills and techniques on our bikes and triumphed at youth nationals. Today’s riders are
tomorrow’s champions, and we wish them all a successful season as they take on the challenge of the Youth national series.”
Triumph signs Sunderland
Triumph Motorcycles has signed double Dakar Rally Champion and FIM World Rally-Raid Champion Sam Sunderland as an official brand ambassador to help develop new adventure and off-road projects.
Sunderland has begun working with Red Bull and Triumph to explore opportunities for his next adventure, which will build on his unparalleled experience in the Dakar. “This collaboration with Triumph marks an exciting next step in my career, and I’m looking forward to being a part of this British team which, alongside Red Bull, is ready to take on new challenges with me. I can’t wait to get started.” He commented.
Sam Sunderland
Triumph Motorcycles chief commercial officer, Paul Stroud, said: “We have seen fantastic growth in the adventure sector over the last five years with the global success of our Tigers and Scramblers, as well as our decision to launch into the motocross and enduro markets for the first time.
New British Sprint Enduro Championship organiser
THE AUTO CYCLE UNION (ACU) has announced that Fast Eddy Racing, led by fourtime World Enduro Champion Paul Edmondson (right), will organise the ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship, starting in 2025 under a three-year contract. Known for their high-quality events, Fast Eddy Racing is currently finalising the FIM Super Enduro series round in Newcastle on 1 March.
The ACU aims to grow the championship in 2026 and 2027 by adding more events and venues, including a Youth series. ACU secretary general Matthew Edwards-Wear expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting Edmondson’s dedication
to the sport. Edmondson stated they are eager to bring consistency and quality back to the championship and are considering expanding to a sixevent series across the UK and potentially beyond.
PROVISIONAL
• 15-16 March – Shropshire
• 10-11 May – South West
• 26-27 July – Wales
• 7 September – Shropshire
The opportunity to work with Dakar winner Sam Sunderland on a new adventure is very exciting, and we’re delighted to welcome Sam to the Triumph family.”
Triumph Motorcycles has made significant investments in the off-road market, successfully launching into the motocross market with its highly acclaimed TF 250-X and TF 450-RC models.
With a class-leading power-to-weight ratio, the TF 250-X proved its podiumwinning potential with a landmark win by Triumph Factory Racing in the AMA Supercross. Triumph is also going racing this season with a new enduro model under the leadership of team manager and former World Champion Paul Edmondson.
Sherco for Motorex
FRENCH OFF-ROAD BIKE
maker Sherco has entered a long-term deal with Swiss lube firm Motorex as OEM oil and lubricant supplier. Motorex will provide the ‘first-fill’ oil supplied with Sherco’s trials and enduro bikes from new, as well as supporting the firm’s motorsport and other activities.
Marc Teissier, founder and chair of the board at Nîmesbased Sherco Motorcycles, said: “The professional support that Motorex provides in the form of lubrication technology is key to the development of both the racing and business aspects of our company. This is the only way we can utilise our full potential.”
K-Tech becomes ACU’s new MX suspension partner
The Motul ACU British Motocross Championship has announced K-Tech Suspension as its official suspension partner for the 2025 season. The partnership will provide advanced suspension technology, expertise, and track support at every event, ensuring riders have the best setup to compete.
K-Tech has a strong reputation in bike racing, delivering championshipwinning suspension solutions across circuit racing, motocross, and enduro. K-Tech says this collaboration emphasises its commitment to supporting riders with innovative and proven technology.
Paul Irwin, series director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome K-Tech as a key partner for the 2025 season. Its focus on quality and performance aligns perfectly with our championship goals.”
Chris Taylor from K-Tech added: “Partnering with the Motul ACU British Motocross Championship allows us to showcase our advanced suspension technology and help riders achieve peak performance on every track.”
BICKERS MARKS
50 YEARS
The Bickers name has been associated with motorcycling in one form or another for 50 years. Bickers Anglia Accessories Ltd. was incorporated on 2 April 1975 and as events have proved, it was no April fool’s joke! Over the years, the company has traded as Bickers plc, Maxxis International (UK) plc, and Maxxis International Ltd. And from this month it’s Bickers Powersports. Rick Kemp reports
If you wind the clock back to the days when there used to be scrambling on Saturday afternoon TV, you would have seen Dave Bickers winning on a Greeves, and a few years later, it would have been on a CZ winning multiple British and European MX championships. By the early 1970s, apart
from retailing CZs, Dave Bickers was also a motorcycle stunt consultant to various film companies. This ended up with Dave doing most of the stunts himself – it was easier than trying to teach actors how to do tricks on motorcycles.
According to Bickers managing director, Derek
Bickers Action was doing everything: James Bond, Jason Bourne, Mission Impossible. Dave’s son is still in charge of the business, which now includes Harry Potter
Derek McMartin, Bickers MD
McMartin, working with actors necessitated Dave getting an Equity card: “He had to go through the process of becoming an actor, which allowed him to do more and more stunts for the film industry. He started a company called Bickers Action, and was spending more of his time doing film and stunt work than selling bits and pieces for motorcycles. That
was in 1976 – we had started our company a year earlier. Bickers Action was doing everything: James Bond, Jason Bourne, Mission Impossible Dave’s son is still in charge of the business, which now includes work on Harry Potter I can tell you, James Bond rides on our tyres and uses our oil and chains!
“My father [Peter McMartin] at that time was
BICKERS POWERSPORTS TOP BRANDS
Bickers Powersports MD, Derek McMartin
a presence in Northern Ireland through Bickers Dornan Wholesale.
What was a totally family-owned business changed, in as much as Bickers plc issued a 30% shareholding to Maxxis and this coincided with the corporate move in 2005 to its present 3.5-acre site adjacent to Felixstowe Dock, with its 40,000sq.ft of warehouse space. The company now operates under the Bickers name for the motorcycle and ATV range of products, but the Maxxis and CST tyre side helps to open new doors.
The McMartin family is now into its third generation, developing the Bickers Maxxis brand with Derek’s two sons on board. The marketplace is ever changing, with a rise in the popularity of 4x4 vehicles for agricultural, leisure, and sporting use, not to mention the ATVs, UTVs, bicycles, and mobility fitments that are now all part of the product line-up.
The market for what Bickers offers seemingly gets bigger by the month, hence the new company name: Bickers Powersports.
LOOKING AHEAD
The change of name to Bickers Powersports better reflects its range of parts and services, all of which is highly impressive. Bickers holds stock of 11,326 individual products to serve a vehicle database of 61,000 models, covering more than one and a quarter million fitments for a dealer network of in excess of 2500. Bickers Powersports prides itself on being able to obtain stock directly from the manufacturer and, as such, is the first-call distributor for an impressive portfolio of top-quality motorcycle hard parts, consumables and
DANNY’S 25-YEAR JOURNEY
THIS YEAR BICKERS CELEBRATES THE remarkable 25-year journey of employee Danny Davey (above right), who has been an integral part of the team since January 2000. Davey started with Bickers Anglia Accessories Ltd as a warehouse operator, and his dedication and exceptional leadership skills have seen him rise through the ranks to become operations manager in 2016, a position he continues to excel at to this day.
accessories. These include Maxxis and CST tyres, Motorex oils, GS batteries, Fulbat traditional and lithium batteries, Ferodo brake pads and friction products, Champion filters and spark plugs, RK chains and sprockets, as well as Supersprox kits and Axxis helmets, gloves and goggles. All its product lines are monitored for stock availability in real-time at www.bickerspowersports.co.uk
To celebrate the first 50 years there are lots of deals on offer: 50% off, £50 off, buy 50 get 10 free... The list has only just been finalised, so it’s worth checking the website.
Orders can be made 24/7 online and sales staff are available on the phone during business hours.
Bickers Powersports
01394 604040
www.bickers-online.co.uk
www.bickerspowersports.co.uk
DAVE BICKERS IN DETAIL
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY DAVE
Bickers Unscrambled tells the story of an amazing Suffolk man who showed doggedness to overcome challenges in his childhood and then go on to achieve success in two very contrasting fields: firstly, as a champion motocross rider,
when he was affectionately known as the Coddenham Flyer, then as a stuntman in the world of film and TV.
The book also covers Dave’s business activities after he founded Bickers Anglia Accessories in 1975, which later merged with the
McMartin family business. Both the Bickers and McMartin families are still in regular contact.
Amazingly, during his 25 years at Bickers, four of his brothers and two of his sons have also joined the team. His brother Simon and his son (working part-time while he attends college) are continuing the Davey family tradition.
“Danny’s journey is a testament to the values we hold dear at Bickers – dedication, integrity, long-term vision, community, and a commitment to excellence,” said Bickers’ managing director, Derek McMartin. “We are incredibly proud of Danny and grateful for his contributions over the past 25 years. His leadership and the family legacy he has built within our company are truly remarkable.
“Danny’s story is a shining example of what it means to grow with a company and contribute to its success over the years. We look forward to many more years of success and innovation with Danny as a key player in our team.”
Dave Bickers Unscrambled has 228 pages and more than 240 photos. It is available in paperback (£20) and hardback (£30) formats.
Bickers secured distribution in the UK for MotoMaster brakes and Alpinestars off-road products last year. The firm also announced exclusive distribution for Spanish helmet brand Axxis in 2023, launching the product with a industry-leading five-year warranty
MATTERS MARKETING Expert advice to improve how you
promote and sell productsyour servicesor
SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE BEGINNING of the 21st Century, yet many business people still regard it as new technology. In this final episode of the six-part series for BDN, Dan Sager from Fab-Biker PR guides you through the social media maze. fab-biker.co.uk
SOCIAL MEDIA: WHICH PLATFORM IS BEST FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
The big four social media service providers all have massive audiences of 20 million plus, but knowledge is needed before selecting which one to use
When we started this series, I wanted to demystify some of the main aspects of social media and guide readers on how to get the best results for their business. Going back to the basics of marketing, we covered what you hope to achieve, who you are trying to reach and which is the best channel to use, taking into account your customer demographic and the type of content you can produce.
Before deciding which channel is right for you, there is one very important rule to remember – if you cannot commit time and/or money to running your social media in the long term, don’t start. It’s better to do nothing than do it in a haphazard fashion. Customers are increasingly using social media to communicate with businesses, and if they don’t receive an answer from them because they haven’t checked their Facebook or Instagram in weeks, they’re unlikely to buy anything or recommend them to their friends.
That being said, let’s look at the ‘big four’ contenders for your social media presence...
FACEBOOK – ORIGINAL AND BEST
With 56 million users in the UK, Facebook is the longestestablished and biggest of the main social media channels. You could reach a vast audience, but you need to create engaging, original content and respond
promptly to comments. Facebook’s algorithm prioritises high-engagement posts, limiting visibility for inactive pages and posts with poor engagement. The good news is that photos work well on Facebook, and if you provide an interesting subject with a well-written caption, you should get a good response.
If you cannot commit time and/or money to running your social media in the long term, don’t start
INSTAGRAM – FOR THE COOL KIDS
Instagram, launched in 2010, is a visually driven version of Facebook, attracting a younger, more engaged audience. With 35 million UK monthly users, it’s popular for showcasing products and lifestyle, leveraging visual content for higher engagement. Its younger demographic, with a higher proportion of 25-34-year-olds, fosters faster brand growth. The platform’s influencer culture facilitates collaborations, expanding reach and credibility. This makes Instagram a great place to raise awareness of your brand or products.
TWITTER/X – GOOD FOR NEWS
Twitter, now X, evolved from a short message platform to a news and commentary hub. Its 2022 acquisition by Elon Musk brought significant changes, including a rebrand and altered content policies. Since then, UK user numbers have dropped to 22 million. X is favoured by politicians and media for rapid announcements, fostering lively, often contentious, public discourse. Its fast-paced nature suits those aiming to break news stories but is less effective for building brands or presenting products.
TIKTOK – FICKLE AUDIENCE
Launched in 2015, TikTok is a shortvideo app boasting 20 million UK users, primarily aged 15-24. While users spend extensive time on the platform, engaging them consistently requires continuous, expensive content creation. Younger audiences are fickle, quickly moving on to new content. For brands offering low-cost, universally appealing products, for markets like beauty or wellness, TikTok can yield impressive results. However, selling higher-value items to a mature audience here would be much trickier.
Whichever platform you use or choose, remember to keep an eye on your account, responding to comments and messages regularly. The algorithms, and your customers, will reward you!
NEXT MONTH
Tune in for the start of a brand-new series in the next issue, written exclusively for readers of BDN!
Contact 01237 422660 or adsales@dealernews.co.uk
Running a business without the full facts will inevitably lead to trouble
Employment law is an ever-changing and complex field that employers and employees often misunderstand. From misconceptions about employee rights to confusion over proper procedures, such misunderstandings can lead to costly legal disputes and workplace tensions.
Debunking some of the most common mistakes and hopefully setting the record straight could avoid problems for employers and employees alike.
An employment contract must always be in writing to be legally binding It surprises many that an employment contract can be verbal or implied as well as written; however, there is a legal requirement that employers provide certain written terms and conditions no later than the first day of employment.
Employers often fulfil this obligation by providing a written employment contract that includes the necessary details, such as hours of work, pay, benefits, and obligatory training.
If an employee is on probation, they can be dismissed without notice
While employees on probation may face a more straightforward dismissal than those who have been with a company longer, they are still entitled to receive notice pursuant to the terms of their employment contract. However, the statutory minimum notice for employees with less than one month’s service is currently nil.
The Business
Debunking employment law myths
Therefore, if contracts are drafted in line with statutory notice requirements, then, technically, an employee in their probation period with less than one month’s service can be dismissed without notice.
Employers must always give one month’s notice to terminate an employee’s contract
The required notice period is determined by the employment contract or statutory law. While some contracts may stipulate a month’s notice, the minimum statutory notice period is based on the length of service and is as follows:
y One week’s notice for employees who have been
employed for less than two years but more than one month.
y One week for each year of service after two years, up to a maximum of 12 weeks for employees with 12 years’ service or more.
Employees who have been employed for less than two years have no unfair dismissal rights
While it’s generally true that employees with less than two years of service typically do not have the right to claim unfair dismissal, there are important exceptions. Employees can claim automatic unfair dismissal if the reason for dismissal
relates to pregnancy, health and safety concerns, taking time off for dependants, or being a part-time employee. This list is not exhaustive. However, it’s worth noting that the government has proposed a significant change to make the right to claim unfair dismissal a day one right, meaning all employees could claim unfair dismissal from the start of their employment, regardless of length of service. This change is not yet in effect, but if enacted, it would mark a major shift in employee protections, making it essential for employers to stay informed about any updates.
Essen tials
with Adam Bernstein www.abfeatures.com
Employees who resign voluntarily are not entitled to claim unfair dismissal
Employees who resign may be able to claim constructive dismissal if they feel forced to leave their jobs due to their employer’s actions, such as a breach of contract or creating an intolerable work environment. In such cases, resignation is seen as a form of dismissal initiated by the employer’s conduct and, as such, the employee can look to bring a claim of constructive unfair dismissal.
Ordinarily, an employee will need to have more than two years’ service to bring a claim; however, as noted earlier, some with less than two years’ service can bring a claim for unfair dismissal.
Suspension is mandatory when investigating an allegation of gross misconduct Whilst suspension should be reserved for cases of gross misconduct or very serious disciplinary issues, not every case of gross misconduct will call for suspension.
Suspension is necessary if:
y There is a genuine concern that the employee’s continued presence could pose a risk to the organisation, other employees, or clients.
y There is a risk that the employee might hinder the investigation by tampering with evidence or intimidating witnesses.
y There has been a significant breakdown in the working relationship between the employee and their manager or team.
There are sometimes alternatives to suspension that can be considered that will not necessarily prevent a dismissal on grounds of gross misconduct
Zero-hour contract employees have no employment rights
Employees on zero-hour contracts still have a wide range of employment rights, including the right to receive the National Minimum Wage, protection against discrimination, sick pay (if they qualify) and entitlement to annual leave. However, their hours of work are not guaranteed, which can affect their income and job security.
Employees who resign may be able to claim constructive dismissal if they feel forced to leave their jobs due to their employer’s
actions
Zero-hour employees are still technically part-time employees. As such, they are afforded protection against discrimination on account of their part-time status; in other words, they have the right not to be treated less favourably than their fulltime counterparts. However, matters are slightly different regarding zero-hour workers rather than zero-hour employees as they are seen differently by the law.
Employers can terminate an employee’s contract if they’ve been off sick for an extended period
While it may be possible to dismiss an employee for long-term sickness, it must be handled carefully. There is no definitive timescale that triggers a dismissal, and these situations must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Dismissing an employee due to illness can lead to claims of unfair dismissal and discrimination if the employee is protected under the Equality Act 2010 (for example, if the illness constitutes a disability). Employers should consider alternative options, such as adjustments or redeployment, before pursuing dismissal.
Employers can select part-time employees for redundancy before full-time employees
Employers cannot discriminate against part-time employees in redundancy situations. Redundancy must be based on objective criteria like skills, experience, or business needs, and part-time employees should be treated equally to full-time employees. Employers should ensure that the redundancy process is fair and transparent, avoiding any discrimination based on part-time status.
All employees are entitled to a statutory redundancy payment Only employees with at least two years of continuous service are entitled to statutory redundancy pay. If an employee unreasonably refuses suitable alternative employment offered to them, they may forfeit their right to statutory redundancy pay.
SUMMARY
It’s easy to see why employment myths become perpetuated. Regardless, there is only one solution for employers wanting to keep out of the Employment Tribunal and that is to seek good advice when making decisions or if they’re in any doubt.
CHARLOTTE BEEDLES Charlotte Beedles is an employment law adviser and solicitor at WorkNest.
- 5XL Salopettes built to keep you dry and visible in the heaviest downpours.
Products
All the latest products, with Colin Williams
HJC RPHA 60 5
HJC SAYS ITS NEW RPHA 60 IS ITS FIRST-EVER PREMIUM DUALsport helmet, and its £429.99 SRP certainly propels it into the upper echelons of the adventure touring helmet sector. The shell uses HJC’s proprietary PIM (Premium Integrated Matrix) construction to minimise weight, and has been aerodynamically honed for stability at high speed – including the customary removable peak. There is a drop-down sun visor, which has a new mechanism allowing it to be set in three positions to user preference, and also an additional dark tinted exterior visor shield.
As this is a premium lid, it has all the bells-and-whistles you would expect, so it comes with both clear and light smoke Pinlock 120 anti-fog inserts, a ventilation system with three intakes and four exhaust vents, an anti-bacterial fabric liner, 3D contour cheek pads and, of course, it is equipped to take any of the HJC comms packages. For now, it is available only in solid colours – matt black, pearl white, matt sand beige and flat titanium – but graphic options are sure to follow.
Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
Honda hugger
ANOTHER NEW REAR hugger has been added to the Pyramid Plastics catalogue, this time for the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin.
Given the bike’s adventurous nature, a rear hugger is almost obligatory to stop grit, grime and mud being thrown up onto the rear shock, whether from the roads or the rough stuff. Pyramid’s version also includes a chain guard to stop lube flinging onto the tyre. It’s made from ABS plastic and fits to existing mounting points on the swingarm, so is a quick and easy fit. It comes with required fittings for an SRP of £134.99. Pyramid Motorcycle Accessories; 01427 677990; support@pyramidmoto.co.uk
MAINTAIN WITH MINT
Auxiliary spotlights
KAPPA’S KS311 SPOTLIGHTS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE auxiliary lighting for adventure and enduro style machinery, so to ensure the lamps can stand up to the rigours of rough terrain they have been built with a shock-resistant aluminium chassis and IP67 water and dust-proofing. An optical glass lens protects the 25W LED units, which can provide 6000 lumen output and have three user-controlled setting – high beam, low beam, and both high and low beam – to minimize blind spots and prevent dazzling oncoming road users. The supplied fitting kit allows the units to be clamped on to any 20-26mm diameter tube, and the brackets can be rotated and also have four threaded connections to allow the lamps to be fitted top, bottom, left or right. SRP is €168.99.
Hoco Parts UK; 01484 641073; info@hocoparts.co.uk
Sidi ARX High WP
Colin Williams
FOR A BOOT WITH “HIGH” IN its name, the Sidi ARX HIgh WP isn’t particularly lofty, reaching just above the ankle, and only an inch or so higher than the standard ARX casual boots. They come in two colour options: black with a tan sole and laces, or a rather fetching reddish brown that Sidi calls Cinnamon with an off-white sole and laces. Both colourways are very “grown-up” and understated, with an easygoing casual style that pairs well with jeans or chinos and won’t look out of place in the office or around town.
Behind the subdued exterior the ARX High boots cram in a few techie features: discreet reflective details on the heel and laces provide extra visibility when on the bike and don’t detract from the overall street-smart aesthetic, reinforced gearchange areas protect feet and keep the boots looking good, and the impact protectors fitted in the toes and heels are nice flexible items from British armour specialists D3O, which should help in an incident (thankfully, I didn’t get the chance to put this aspect of performance to the test).
Vibram sole manages to be longitudinally flexible to make comfortable walking a breeze whilst also being laterally stiff (thanks to Sidi’s proprietory Foretex technology) to reduce the twisting motion injury that can often happen when riders take a tumble. Inside, the boots have a perforated breathable mesh liner which keeps feet from getting clammy or sweaty whatever the situation.
The ARX boots have two main roles: to provide protection from injury while being used as a biking boot,
enough to provide plenty of ‘feel’ of the controls while riding, and they don’t cause any rubbing or soreness even on longer rides. I had to perform a static test of waterproofness, as it has been one of the driest spring periods in decades with no rain to speak of for weeks, but during a 10 minute dunking in a paddling pool they kept my socks dry, so seem well up to the job. During the day, the ARX are completely forgettable, which is a good thing. Whether tucked under the desk, wearing them for a walk to the shops, or grabbing a post-work pint, they just feel like regular high-top smart casual boots.
NEW CORROSION CONTROL
Designed to protect your bike from existing and new corrosion. This product is easy to apply, and once used it forms a thin film that creates a protective barrier against corrosion.
- 500ML / OC223 - 750ML
When off the bike, a grippy
and to be comfortable and street-friendly when being used off the bike. They fulfil the brief more than capably – I’ve been using them every day to complete the 30 minute commute to BDN Towers and then for all-day wear in the office, and find the synthetic leather to be soft and supple
Obviously the ARX High WP don’t offer ultimate levels of protection, but Sidi has a range of sports boots to provide that. Nor do they have the level of weather protection required for long distance touring, but, Sidi also has boots for those occasions. Instead, I found that the ARX High WPs make an ideal everyday boot for the urban leisure or commuting rider, with enough performance, protection and good looks to fit into most environments. SRP is £199.99. Feridax (1957); 01384 413841; info@feridax.com
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ABR T-SHIRT
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO VISIT THE ABR Festival in June, and we recommend you do, then if you pre-order the T-shirt ahead of time you can get a 20% discount, down to £19.99 rather than the on-site price of £24.99. Sizes go from S up to a commodious 5XL for the men, or S to 2XL for the ladies.
ABR Festival; www.abrfestival.com/product/ abr-festival-2025-t-shirt/
LOWER COST COMMS
HELMET MAKER HJC HAS SLASHED the price of its integrated comms systems for its RPHA 31, 60, 71, 91; F31 and F71; and I71 and I91 lids. The 50B Intercom, with Mesh and noise cancelling, has had £50 lopped of its SRP to make it £349.99, while the lower-spec 21B has had £80 knocked off, now at £219.99. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
TRAVEL LUBE
FUCHS SILKOLENE’S PRO Chain synthetic lube is now available in a handysized 150ml aerosol to allow tourers, travellers and adventurers to keep their transmission in tiptop condition wherever they may be. The compact can easily fits under a saddle, in a bag or even in a pocket ready for a spray of frictionreducing lubricant. SRP is £5.35. Fuchs Silkolene; 01782 203700; www.fuchs.com
Givi E46 Black Edition
WITH STEALTHY BLACK CURRENTLY BEING ONE OF THE MOST popular colour choices for all styles of motorcycle from supersports to adventure and naked, it was almost inevitable that accessory makers would jump on the Stygian bandwagon. Givi’s all-black offering is its E46 Riviera top box finished in a new more durable paint and fitted with smoked lenses for its rear reflectors. Even the badging and lock buttons have had their former bright finishes replaced with glossy black. Other than the new colour, the E46 remains the same, so a 46-litre capacity, aerodynamic styling and compatibility with accessories from the Givi range. SRP is £187.50.
Givi UK; 01327 706220; info@givi.co.uk
Vcan H276 5
A NEW AGGRESSIVELY-STYLED ADVENTURE HELMET FROM budget brand Vcan, the H276 has the convenience of flip-front operation controlled by a single chinbar-mounted button. It can be used on the road in both the open and closed positions, as it has double homologation. The H276 also comes with an optional peak, which can be flipped around to convert it into a rear spoiler. The Pinlock-ready visor is a quick-release type, and there is also a drop-down dark smoke sun visor. Ventilation is provided by either opening the whole front of the helmet, or for more controlled airflow there are chin and crown air inlets with rear-mounted extraction vents. SRP is £129.99 for plain colours, or £139.99 for the graphic and gradient options. Midwest Marketing; 01527 574422; www.midwestmarketingltd.co.uk
Kriega updates MOTORCYCLE LUGGAGE
specialist Kriega has teamed up with armour maker Rheon to create a new CE-level 2 back protector that fits into the tailored pocket of all current Kriega backpacks, and many older models too. The superpolymer armour is soft and flexible for comfort, only stiffening under impact. The back protector weighs just 300g and has an SRP of £55. Also new to the Kriega catalogue is a 2-litre heavy duty Hydrapak reservoir. The Hydrapak features stronger TPU construction with RFwelded seams, an insulated drink tube, a Comet bite valve and a Plug and Play tube fitment for easier refilling. It fits into all current Kriega backpacks, using hook and loop mounts to secure it. SRP is £49.
Kriega; 01244 280487; sales@kriega.com
VMC Ranger kit
VMC HAS A NEW RANGER 213/225 ALLOY CYLINDER KIT TO uprate the performance of the Vespa PX200. The Italian-made kit features a 69mm Nikasil-coated bore that can be used with 57mm and 60mm stroke cranks. A long list of features includes a centrally-mounted spark plug to improve combustion, a radialfinned aluminium head for better heat control, double-ring piston and an optimised exhaust port design which claims to improve torque and smooth acceleration. SRP is £396. VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
Akrapovič Suzuki
AKRAPOVIČ HAS LAUNCHED A NEW RACING LINE (SS) FULL exhaust system for the Suzuki GSX-8S and GSX-8R.
The Euro 5+ system has been engineered to integrate with the bike’s lines, and it comes as a single unit, with no remapping required and plug-and-play installation. It is made from stainless steel, with the catalytic converter welded inside the muffler, and is finished with a handmade carbon-fibre cover with a honeycomb grille guard for the outlet. Akrapovič’s engineers have managed to extract an extra 1.8kW (2.5hp) at 9500rpm and a torque boost of 1.4Nm at 5500rpm compared to the stock system, and weight is also reduced by 29.1% (2.2 kg) compared to standard. Despite its racy pretensions, the system still allows fitment of Suzuki’s soft luggage panniers, and it is fully ECE type approved. SRP is £1310. Performance Parts; 01327 706139; enquiries@performanceparts-ltd.com
LS2 racing colours 4
LS2 HAS REFRESHED ITS range-topping Thunder GP Aero helmet with graphics inspired by the designs worn by 2024 World Supersport Champion Adrian Huertas, MotoGP rookie Fermin Aldeguer and two-time FIM Endurance World Champion Gregg Black.
The carbon-fibre Thunder GP is fully-specced for racing and track use, with an aerodynamically honed shell and a rear spoiler, a class-A quick-release visor ready to take tear-offs, Pinlock 120 MaxVision and emergency release system for cheek pad removal with minimum disturbance. All this leads to ECE 22.06 accreditation as well as the all-important ACU Gold sticker. A plain carbon Thunder costs £459.99, with the new 2025 Replica liveries available for £499.99 SRP.
IT’S BARELY REACHED THE SHOWROOM FLOOR, BUT BRITISH manufacturer GBRacing has already released a set of secondary engine protectors for Yamaha’s sporty new YZF-R9. This is thanks to the firm’s experience of working with the Ten Kate and GMT94 teams, which are already using GB protection for their racing R9s. The 890cc triple is also used in the MT-09 naked, but GB says the new protection plates are completely redesigned to suit the R9’s racier faired styling. The kit consists of four parts – alternator cover, clutch cover, pulse timing cover and water pump cover – at an SRP of £298.12.
GBRacing; 020 8275 2630; enquiries@gbracing.eu
Rheon armour
RHEON IS A UK COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN making its lightweight and flexible CE level-2 armour for fitment into clothing and accessories for the likes of Harley-Davidson, Ruroc, Road Skins and Kriega and is now expanding into the aftermarket world, providing standard-sized elements that can fit into a huge array of jackets and jeans.
The armour pieces are remarkably thin and pliable, as well as being highly ventilated due to the geometric-pattern moulding – in fact, Rheon claims to be “the most breathable protection in the world”.
The armour is made from Rheon, a “nonNewtonian” material, which means it is soft and flexible under normal conditions, but stiffens when exposed to force. The geometric pattern has been designed to act in a similar way to the crumple zones in a car, absorbing impact forces and dissipating them throughout the material and away from the rider’s body. The range includes Level 2 armour for the knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, and back (in two sizes), as well as level 1 armour for all of those placements, plus there is also a level 1 two-piece chest protector. The level 2 armour is only 11mm thick, with the level 1 being even more slender at just 7mm, and the design means it is lightweight too, with a L2 back protector weighing just 260g. Prices range from £29.99 to £49.99 SRP. Matt Dawson; 07756 265304; info@rheonlabs.com
Furygan Chattan D3O Michelin 5
A NEW-FOR-2025 ADVENTURE TOURING BOOT, FURYGAN SAYS ITS NEW Chattan is ready to face any challenge the terrain or weather can throw at it. They are waterproof and breathable, and have a wide opening to make getting them on and off easier. Fastening is by a rear-mounted Atop reel knob lacing system, allowing quick one-handed operation. Protection comes courtesy of soft and flexible D3O inserts in the ankles, plus reinforcements at the shins, heels and toes. The non-slip sole is a result of a collaboration with French tyre, and restaurant recommendation firm, Michelin. They come in a choice of black or grey, and UK pricing is yet to be confirmed.
Furygan; 01489 582707; www.furygan.com
Axor Hunter
THE HUNTER IS A NEW FULLface, budget-priced helmet from Axor that provides ECE 22.06 protection for minimal outlay. It doesn’t skimp on features – not only is the quick-release visor scratch and UV-resistant (and Pinlock-ready), but an extra smoked visor is included in the box. It’s also got a lock button to secure it in the closed position. The shell is made from ABS with a dual-density EPS liner, finished with a removable and washable interior liner. A D-ring on the chinstrap fastens everything in place. It comes in a choice of three graphic styles, each in two colourways, for an SRP of £69.99.
Bike It; 02380 658700; tradesales@bikeit.co.uk
Touratech Companero Rambler Pro
TOURATECH CLAIMS ITS COMPANERO RAMBLER PRO IS THE world’s only AAA-rated textile suit for ladies, and who are we to doubt them! It has been developed in conjunction with Rev’It! and is made from Gore-Tex Pro triple layer laminate material, with Armacor reinforcement in critical areas. Protection is provided by CE level-2 armour at the back, shoulder, elbows and knees, plus level 1 armour on the hips.
The Gore-Tex material is waterproof to 28k, more than double that of most suits, and is also breathable. An Aquadefense ventilation system has been designed to provide maximum airflow when on the move, using waterproof flap openings on the chest and thighs, plus there is a zipped mesh panel alongside the main front zip which can be called upon for extra fresh air when needed. The insulating mid-layer can be worn on its own as a leisure jacket for off-bike use, and there is a detachable kidney belt and storm collar. It comes in ladies sizes XS to 3XL, with the jacket at £1157.50 SRP and the pants £743.81 SRP. Touratech; +49 7728 9279-0; info@touratech.de
Zerofit IceSkin 4
ZEROFIT’S HEATRUB THERMAL BASE layers have been doing a fine job of keeping me warm on my winter rides for a couple of years, so the new IceSkin base layers have a lot to live up to. The IceSkin does the polar opposite of Heatrub, as it is designed to reduce skin temperatures on hot days. It uses Cool Stamp technology on the front of the garment, which works by having a special printed layer that absorbs sweat, causing a reaction which in turn makes the skin’s temperature sensors send a signal to the brain that it is cooler than is actually the case. More simple to understand is the Rhombus Mesh used on the back of the garment. The raised pattern provides high levels of airflow and wicks away sweat, keeping the user drier and cooler. The fabric is also stretchy, allowing freedom of movement when on the bike. It comes in icy white or more prosaic black, in unisex sizes from XS to 3XL, for an SRP of £59.95.
Feridax (1957); 01384 413841; info@feridax.com
EXPLORELIMITS . JUSTRIDE . WITHOUT
GO BEYOND THE ROAD WITH TRAILMAX RAID.
Trailmax RAID is the missing link in the Dunlop adventure tyre line-up. It complements today’s capable adventure and dual-sport bikes with tyre performance to match. Outstanding traction off-road and strong wet grip on-road are paired to balanced wear enabling both the occasional greenlaner and the demanding explorer to face the most challenging journeys.
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ALPINESTARS REPLICAS
FOLLOWING ON FROM THE Supertech R10 helmet replica for MotoGP champion Jorge Martin Almoguera, Alpinestars has released a further pair of replicas celebrating R10-wearing racers. There’s a Thriller graphic for MotoGP star Jack Miller, and a shark-inspired red, white and blue design celebrating top racer Pedro Acosta. Both new designs retail for £1149.99.
Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
MALOSSI BATTERIES
ITALIAN SCOOTER PARTS AND TUNING
brand Malossi has launched some new gel batteries for use in modern or classic scooters, that can also fit motorcycles, quads, snowmobiles and more. The gelfilled batteries are no-spill so can be fitted at an angle of up to 90o from vertical if necessary for custom machinery. There are two sizes of battery in the range, the MB5L-B which is 5.3Ah and 65A CCA, and the MTZ7V which is physically bigger as well as more powerful at 6.8Ah and 105A CCA. Prices are £28.80 and £37.80 respectively.
Weise rucksack
THE TEMPEST RUCKSACK, WHICH WE PREVIEWED LATE LAST year, is spearheading Weise’s return to producing motorcycle luggage. It has a useful 25-litre capacity, and is completely waterproof thanks to its main body being made of Ripstop PVC tarpaulin material with a roll-top closure. It’s IPX6 rated, so can be used in driving rain without leaking, and there is an air-release valve to allow trapped air to escape, making the bag as compact as it contents. Extra storage options include an interior zipped compartment, a waterproof front pocket and dual elasticated drinks bottle pockets on the sides. The back panel is mesh to improve airflow, and the shoulder straps are padded for comfort; it also comes with additional straps to convert it into a tailpack to attach to a rack or seat. SRP is £79.99.
The Key Collection; 01179 719200; sales@thekeycollection.co.uk
Motorex Helmet & Gear Care 5
SWISS LUBRICANTS
VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
company Motorex has renamed its Helmet Care spray to Helmet & Gear Care, to highlight the product’s more widespread capabilities. As before, it’s an active foam formula that can be used on helmet interiors, but it is just as useful for fresheningup gloves, boots, or anything else that needs a gentle clean. It comes in a 200ml spray can for an SRP of £9.99.
Bickers; 01394 604040; www.bickers-online.co.uk
Honda clutch kit
RS bicycle stand 5
OFF-ROAD DEALERS WILL ALREADY BE WELL AWARE OF THE popularity of mountain biking among motocross, trials and enduro riders, with many dirtbike brands also having an MTB sideline. While relatively simple to work on, they still need some specialist kit in the workshop to make things easy, and that is where the new electric height-adjustable stand from RS Workshop Equipment comes in.
The motorised lifting column can hold up to 45kg (plenty, even for electric bikes), and at the touch of a button can lift up to 152cm high to allow for comfortable servicing. Three customisable preset heights make it quick to set up perfectly for different technicians. Prices start at £545 +VAT for the bare stand, with a range of different clamps to affix the bike available at extra cost.
VENHILL CLAIMS IT IS THE first company to produce a clutch hose upgrade kit for Honda’s 2025 CRF250RWE motocrosser. At the centre of the Powerhose Plus clutch line is a Teflon liner, chosen for both heat resistance and its smooth bore. That’s surrounded by marine-grade stainless steel braiding with a PVC sleeve, available in 10 colours plus clear. It has swivel socket nuts at both ends for easy installation, and can be ordered in different lengths to suit custom handlebar setups. SRP is £45.35.
Forty years is a long time ago. But my memories of events in 1985, pivoting around the motorcycle industry’s dire ill-health and my personal interface with it, are still sharp. And they have a lot in common with current threats to the well-being of our business.
The early months of that year featured a professional milestone. I had just been elevated to the editorial throne of leading monthly title Bike magazine by publisher EMAP, rewarded with a relatively fat salary and plump expense account. But, as colleagues from that era will recall, the pressure was immediately on from rapidly falling motorcycle registrations.
Industry headcount had risen pretty much remorselessly throughout the 1970s and peaked in 1980 at a stupendous pinnacle of 315,641 units. However, that commercial success concealed a murderously slack attitude to safety from both manufacturers and their Motor Cycle Association trade body. “Ton-Up” 250cc machines, which could be
ridden on L-plates, were killing customers in droves. The industry signally failed to engage with governmental displeasure at the scale of this blood-bath and a dramatically restrictive new learner regime was imposed in 1982. By 1984, sales had been slashed by more than half from the 1980 peak and were set to reduce steadily henceforth. By the time I got my feet under a desk at Bike, they were already heading further south in 1985.
Looting the industry’s then well-stuffed piggy bank, Britain’s top-dog advertising practitioner Saatchi & Saatchi was commissioned to rejuvenate those seriously jaded sales figures via a campaigning blizzard of TV and cinema commercials, national newspaper ads and a host of insertions into various branches of the specialist press. Twelve million unsuspecting households were also due to get a sixpage brochure slapping on
Looting the industry’s then well-stuffed piggy bank, Britain’s top-dog advertising practitioner Saatchi & Saatchi was commissioned to rejuvenate those seriously jaded sales figures
The MCA’s response on behalf of its corporate membership was laughable. Rather than keenly climbing aboard the training bandwagon to focus on promotion of enhanced
the doormat too. This item would feature a lottery ticket returnable through participating motorcycle dealers’ showrooms. As the launch date approached, selected
poor at this uninspiring edifice, an example of the Public Lavatory School of architectural thinking which had probably been slung up after one of Adolf Hitler’s better-known urban clearance efforts.
The only reason I went was because my arrival at Bike had coincided with delivery of a tasty and thunderously loud Roy Thersby Ducati F2 Replica press test bike to the magazine’s London office. An opportunity for a run out to damage fellow attendees’ eardrums was just too good to miss. And they were indeed gratuitously annoyed by my dose of throttle abuse rattling the Starley House windows. EMAP managing director, and my boss, Peter Strong was there too and later congratulated me on what he acknowledged as an appropriate interruption. Once ensconced in the MCA boardroom and subjected to a weird language of perverse Saatchi adspeak, we learned that the objective was “displacing the apathy and
negativism of a blank younger generation”, who were apparently experiencing “an erosion of innate desire for motorcycling due to a lack of self-esteem”. This, the Saatchi spokesperson insisted, could only be combatted by “a total communications strategy spearheading the notion of two-wheeled liberation into the population’s collective psyche”. Honestly, I didn’t make this garbage up. He did.
At Saatchi’s on-screen strategic heart was a pithy televisual slogan of “Free with every motorcycle – You!” and a biker image making his escape from the restraint of snapped chains in some sort of doomed sci-fi landscape. Key creative input seemed to have come from a visit to Saatchi & Satchi’s favorite Soho BDSM club.
Needless to say, the whole thing was an unmitigated and eye-bleedingly expensive flop. The TV commercials roster was never broadcast, pulled at the last minute to cut costs. Saatchi & Saatchi trousered its plump fees and
After marking time for a couple of years, registrations resumed this rout, down to 64,003 in 1991 and 52,451 in 1992, before hitting their rock-bottom nadir of a mere 46,724 in 1993.
Then, an almost miraculous turnaround arrived as we advanced through the 1990s. The introduction of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and an altogether more positive attitude to rider skills development were paralleled by a revival of the
We
roller-coaster behaviour. We even managed to survive the Covid years remaining in sixfigure territory. Probably the biggest challenge has been an increasingly aberrant attitude from the industry’s official representation.
Having morphed from Motor Cycle Association (MCA) to Motor Cycle Industry (MCI) and Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA), it dissolved into a meaningless acronym where “M” must never be
are also supposed to be sworn adherents to zero emissions at the tailpipe since climate-change lunacy became adopted as a fanatical new religion
previously moribund scooter market and, significantly, a “born-again biker” phenomenon attracting the return of more mature motorcycling consumers. By 1998, annual registrations had recovered into six figures – 120,416 units – and we celebrated the millennium with 170,346 in 2000.
The 21st century’s advent has since seen continuity of moderately healthy headcount, punctuated by
associated with the accursed word “Motorcycle”. Instead, we must only speak of our duty as purveyors of L-Category Vehicles. And we are also supposed to be sworn adherents to zero emissions at the tailpipe since climatechange lunacy became adopted as a fanatical new religion.
The recent MCIA Conference, fully reported by my colleague Alan Dowds elsewhere in this BDN and covered in a somewhat circumspect
critical point of change for the sector,” preached MCIA chief executive Tony Campbell. “With this in mind, there is no place for dreams of the past, old ideas and tired thinking. Looking back over the past 30 years, it has delivered little or no positive outcomes for biking.” Campbell’s prayers went on to extoll the holy virtues of moving away from leisure motorcycling into a wider embrace of his sacred L-Category Vehicles for purposes such as deliveries and urban travel.
His disciple Alfie Brierley, the MCIA director of policy and public affairs, underlined this crazy message: “Nostalgia has no place anymore in government policy, and that’s why we’ve stopped talking about yesterday and stopped defining ourselves purely as motorcycles. We’re about the solutions that meet future transport needs, not hurdles to maintain the status quo.”
And what were the MCIA’s motorcycle industry membership up to while all of this was going on? Avoiding a tail wagging the dog, they were cheerfully justifying long-term commitment to churning out ample quantities of conventionallypowered leisure motorcycles, on the basis that their future
NAKED BIKES GO TOP
THE MCN WEBSITE REMAINS a vibrant place for bikers to find their next steed for the summer. Honda remains the most popular manufacturer in MCN’s bikes for sale section, with 20% of all sessions, and naked bikes are the most popular category of bikes for sale, with 21% of sessions.
1. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
2. Honda NC750X
3. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
4. Kawasaki Z900RS
5. Honda CB400
6. BMW R1250 GS Adventure
7. Honda VFR800
8. MV Agusta F4 1000RR
9. Honda CB500F
10. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
Used bike data
The most viewed individual models for sale are a hat-trick of Hondas: the CBR1000RR Fireblade takes the top spot, followed by the NC750X and GL1800 Gold Wing.
In bike reviews the most popular brand is Honda, which corners 19% of traffic, followed by Yamaha with 12% and
Kawasaki with 10% of sessions. Again, naked bikes account for the lion’s share of traffic, with a full quarter of review sessions, followed by sports and adventure bikes. Maybe it’s the recent spate of sunshine which has prompted this shift towards sports and naked bikes, but we reckon the recent launches
ADAM OLDFIELD
Digital reviews editor, MCN
Hornet,
WELL AHEAD OF FEBRUARY LAST YEAR
USED BIKE SALES ON Autotrader Bike’s website saw a significant increase of 22% in February, compared to February 2024, marking the fifth consecutive month of market growth. Sales data showed double-digit growth during the final quarter of 2024 as well as in the first two months of 2025. On average, used bikes are now
selling within 52 days, three days quicker than was the case the same time last year. Although the overall market experienced a slight slowdown in February, due to a fall in supply of machines, demand for used bikes still grew by more than 6%. Notably, half of the models in the top twenty fastest-selling bikes are 125cc
bikes. Benelli’s BN125 leads the chart, selling in an average of just 11 days. Kawasaki’s Ninja 125 and Yamaha’s R125 secured the second and third places, both selling in less than two weeks.
Honda’s venerable CBR1100XX Super Blackbird rocketship ranked in eighth position on the chart, indicating that second-hand buyers might be in search of a capable, spacious, and fast sports tourer on a budget.
EDDIE BAHN Account director, Auto Trader Bikes
Fastest selling bikes on Auto Trader in February
Honda’s Super Blackbird
UK registrations
No relief on registrations
MOVING THROUGH
February, there was initially a degree of optimism abroad, on the basis of things couldn’t get worse. But that has proved to be an illusion. The flood of Euro-5 products preregistered in the final weeks of last year, mostly now still swamping showrooms at distress discounts, has perpetuated a massive market distortion that is set to undermine new bike sales throughout the first quarter of 2025 – and potentially far beyond.
Total new registrations in February collapsed, 32.3% down to 3457 units. Within that, motorcycles (including over-50cc scooters) fell by 32.9% to 3215. Mopeds dropped by 12% to 227 and trikes took a 72.2% dive to just 15. The powertrain split had petrolhead products suffering a 32.8% decline to 3330 units while electric cul-de-sac residents shrivelled by 15.9% to a mere 127.
The ICE-powered firmament was uniformly lamentable. Sales in the 0-125cc basic mobility and fleet delivery slot
fell by 32.7% to 1606 units. “Best-seller” in the 0-50cc bracket with Euro-5-plus compliance was Lexmoto’s distinctly verbosely-named Diablo 50 LJ 50 QT-9M. Leading compliant 125cc machine was Honda’s PCX125 scooter, 116 of them – possibly derogated – no doubt competing for a slice of
topped that particular pile. Finally, premium 1000cc-plus products copped a 32.6%
There are consistent and credible rumours that stock availability through March’s crucial new-plate month is likely to be impacted by unwelcome scarcities
the sales action versus a host of similar pre-registered models. The 126-500cc range dropped by 30.5% to 621 units. Some 51 representatives of Honda’s new bargain-basement GB350S took best-selling honours. Middleweight 501-750cc volume sank by 34.4% to 290, led by 38 Honda NC750X budget adventure tools. 7511000cc kit was 35.5% down to 422. The unusual appearance of 32 BMW S1000XR steeds
Mod2 test pass data from DVSA
retreat to 391 units, 50 of which were BMW R1300GS Adventure offerings, the current Motorrad cash cow.
The MCIA’s traditional best-selling brands chart had nothing in the way of yearon-year meaningful respite. Honda registrations had plunged by 36.6% to 688 units. Yamaha was 38.3% down to 453. Triumph slumped by 22.6% to 264. BMW Motorrad fell by 36.6% to 239. Lexmoto
BMW’s S1000 XR sport tourer made a rare appearance in the charts – it was the best-selling 751-1000cc motorcycle
was 22.6% lower on 195. KTM, its dealers scratching around for stock and customers anyway, plummeted by 49.1% to 130. Kawasaki was 35.8% adrift at 115. And Royal Enfield completed the list of casualties with a 34.8% drop to 103. Multi-brand distributor MotoGB finalised the top ten thanks to input from 85 SYM and 77 Keeway products registered. For what it’s worth, overall year-to-date 2025 registrations have now deteriorated by 31.3% to just 7658 units. And to conclude on some really bad news, there are consistent and credible rumours bouncing around our trade sources that stock availability, going forward through March’s crucial new-plate month and into the full-blown season, is likely to be impacted by unwelcome scarcities.
THE OVERALL NUMBER OF MOD2 TEST passes, as recorded by the DVSA, has been on a very slight upward trend since 2010 (the furthest the data goes back). The biggest rises are among the older generations, with the number of over-30s getting on the road increasing dramatically after the Covidprompted hiatus of 2020/21.
However, it’s not all good news. The number of under 20s passing their test plummeted after the introduction of the third driving licence directive in 2013 and has remained in the doldrums ever since. And the 20-29 age group, by far the biggest, has also failed to reverse a long-term downward trend in numbers. It can only be hoped that new licensing rules (if introduced) will encourage more youngsters on to two wheels.
New
Market decline continues, NMDA urges government to address uncertainty
The new motorcycle market continues to decline in 2025, with total registrations dropping by 32.3%,” says Symon Cook, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest MCIA figures.
“In February, total registrations dropped by 32.3%, from 5106 to 3457 units compared to the same period last year. Total motorcycle sales declined by 32.9% from 4794 to 3215 units, whilst moped registrations also dropped, by 12.0% to 227 units. Year-to-date figures show a decrease of 31.3% for total registrations.
Glass’s motorcycle market overview
“The majority of motorcycle categories experienced declines during the month, modern classic saw a decrease of 23.3% for the month to 385 units. Adventure dropped by 36.1% to 533 units. Competition was the only category to see growth, though it was minimal, by 2.0% from 300 to 306 units.
“Electric motorcycles experienced a decline, with registrations dropping from 151 to 127 units, a drop of 15.9%. Yearto-date electric figures are down by 26.0% compared to the same period last year.
“In terms of the different ICE capacities, the majority saw declines, except the 0-50cc moped category, which saw growth of 6.4% from 172 to 183 units. The 126-500cc category fell by 30.5%, as did the larger engines, with 751-1000cc dropping by 35.5%.”
Symon Cook concluded: “The figures are not unexpected, given that February is typically a slower month for the market. However, they are concerning as they show a significant decline compared to the previous year, including for electric models.
“It is essential that the government addresses the uncertainty in the sector, with motorcycles needing to be included in transport policy and greater clarity provided on issues like decarbonisation.
“Despite the February figures, NMDA members remain optimistic for 2025. With warmer spring weather, and with March being a plate change, the market is expected to receive an additional boost.”
RECENT FEEDBACK SUGGESTS THAT some dealers have had a more positive start to the season following a poor end to 2024. However, data published by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) showed another month of significant decline, with February registrations 32.3% down compared to last year. Apart from Competition models, which increased by 2%, all other categories declined. The touring category was the biggest casualty, with registrations 51.3% behind last year.
Although 2025 has started on a disappointing note it is still early days, with new models only now arriving in dealerships and better weather prospects moving forward. Market activity should therefore begin to gather momentum.
USED MOTORCYCLE MARKET
Vibes at the MCN London Show were positive with manufacturers cautiously optimistic that 2025 could be a stronger year than 2024
Following a period of strong motorcycle sales in 2020/21, some dealers are hoping that 2025 may be stronger as a result of machines coming to the end of their finance deals and consumers upgrading to newer models.
The MCN Devitt London Motorcycle Show took place at its usual venue, London’s Excel, over the weekend of 14-16 February. Although attendance figures were marginally down compared to 2024, the vibes were positive with manufacturers cautiously optimistic that 2025 could be a stronger year than 2024. Some dealers have also reported an increase in interest since the show.
Sales activity for used machines in February was typical, with sales patchy and enquiry levels remaining subdued. Although, as with the new machine market, some dealers have had a stronger start to the year compared to a poor 2024. Current trends continue, with mid-range machines being the most sought-after. Stock levels in the market remain plentiful. However, a few dealers have found sourcing stock more of a challenge recently, due to fewer part exchanges in dealerships and riders choosing to hang on to their machines instead of changing, a result of reduced spending confidence. This, combined with stronger-thanexpected sales for some dealers, has led to their stock levels running a little lean recently.
OUTLOOK
February was a benign month weather-wise, with little snow and ice. March has started on a dry and mild note and with the clocks moving forward at the end of the month and daylight hours rapidly increasing, riders can look forward to better riding conditions. Glass’s expects residual values to remain firm across all segments in the coming weeks, apart from pre-2013 model years which are expected to increase.
