British Dealer News January 2024

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key business information for the UK motorcycle and scooter industry

Key business information for the UK motorcycle and scooter industry • January 2024

UK NEWS

New owners for Superbike Factory New and used bike market data TRADE NEWS

Shoplifters target motorcycle stores Sammy Miller hits 90

Hoco Parts UK takes on ABUS 2023 Sportsbikeshop open new store

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Honda dealers honoured New head at Private investment Visordown builder for British bike in its golden anniversary Full year – Norton rebuilds report page 10

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February 8 January

Expansion for Pure Moto Time for bike test regime change?

Bullit rebrands bikes to Bluroc Mutt goes large with new HQ

NMDA switches on survey Sunra broadens its network

New and used sales data

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winter

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HEAD OF CONTENT Andy Mayo: editorial@dealernews.co.uk FINANCIAL EDITOR Roger Willis: editorial@dealernews.co.uk PRODUCTS EDITOR/DESIGNER Colin Williams: design@dealernews.co.uk COMMERCIAL CONTENT MANAGER Maurice Knuckey: creative@dealernews.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Roger Willis; Dan Sager; Alan Dowds; Rick Kemp; Adam Bernstein; Brian Crichton ACCOUNTS MANAGER Mark Mayo: accounts@dealernews.co.uk ADVERTISING Alison Payne: tel 07595 219093 Paul Baggott: tel 07831 863837 adsales@dealernews.co.uk

4 Sportsbikeshop opens new Preston store 6 New Japanese classic show at Ardingly 7 MCIA keeps up its political campaigning 8 Dealers beware – thieves target bike stores 10 EICMA welcomes half a million visitors 12 Motorcycle Live show report 20 Sammy Miller hits 90 21 NMC points to backlog of issues for MPs 22 Shoplifting: the crime that never stops 24 International news 26 West Coast appoints two new directors 27 SHARP contract awarded to TRL 28 Fowlers adds CFMoto 30 Electric news 32 Alternative power registration analysis 34 Off-road news

CIRCULATION circulation@dealernews.co.uk TAIWAN AGENCY Albert Yang, Pro Media Co: info@motopromedia.com; tel +886 4 7264437

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the business

38 GOING ALL-IN Yamaha signs up multi-product dealerships

PUBLISHER Colin Mayo: editorial@dealernews.co.uk British Dealer News, 10 Daddon Court, Clovelly Road Industrial Estate, Bideford EX39 3FH

40 BUSINESS BEAT Mergers and acquisitions – the pros and cons

Copyright © Mayo Media Ltd:

44 THE BUSINESS ESSENTIALS Five VAT mistakes that land businesses in trouble

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part by any electronic or mechanical means without express permission is strictly prohibited.

Mayo Media Ltd can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by advertisers. Printed by 54 ON THE MONEY S&G Print Group.

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42 MARKETING MATTERS Crisis communications: you can run but you can’t hide

46 PRODUCTS All the latest retail profit opportunities

Market analysis by Roger Willis

55 INTERNATIONAL SHARE PRICES A snapshot of global performance 56 NEW REGISTRATION DATA MCIA and international statistics 58 REGISTRATIONS ANALYSIS

By Glass’s and the NMDA 60 USED BIKE DATA From Auto Trader and MCN 62 MARKET WATCH Market report by cap hpi

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Contents

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Business news

Superbike Factory sold ONE OF THE BIGGER USED BIKE specialist dealers in the UK, Superbike Factory, has been bought by Livingbridge EP, a British private equity firm. Set up in 2010 by Scott Behrens and James Watson, Superbike Factory claims to be the UK’s largest independent supplier of used motorbikes as well as the UK’s leading finance broker in the motorcycle market. The firm employs 89 staff, operating online and from five UK showrooms based in Macclesfield, Donington, Bradford, Bristol and Milton Keynes.

Livingbridge says its investment in Superbike Factory will support the company’s plans to accelerate growth through the opening of a new site in the South of England, increased marketing initiatives, more opportunities for staff and provision of added-value services for its customers. The deal is being financed by Livingbridge’s Enterprise 2 Fund, which raised £220m when it opened in October 2015, and adds to a portfolio of online-first businesses such as ticket aggregator Direct Ferries, car rental platform Travel Jigsaw, and fast fashion retailer In The Style.

Scott Behrens, founder and MD of Superbike Factory said, “Livingbridge’s experience in helping high-growth, digitallyfocused retailers become clear industry leaders made them the natural choice for us when we sought to take the business up a gear. We have built a strong and scalable business model and Livingbridge is the ideal partner for the next stage of our journey.”

Nick Holder, investment director at Livingbridge, said: “Superbike is a compelling investment opportunity for Livingbridge.

Scott and the team have built a disruptive, digital-first retailer in a traditional market, which is winning because it is delivering the service that buyers and sellers of used motorbikes want.”

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JANUARY 2024

Sportsbikeshop FF353 opens new store II RAPID in Lancashire 38 38

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iding kit specialist Sportsbikeshop has opened a new outlet in Preston, Lancashire. It’s the eighth location in total for the company, joining Bristol, Reading, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Harlow, Birmingham and Boston, and the first in the North West of England. The store will be open seven days a week for customers, and offers the firm’s try-before-you-buy service, linked to its online store, where punters can have anything in stock sent to their local branch to try on before purchase, free of charge.

Sportsbikeshop’s MD, Chris ‘Bernie’ Winters said, “Our Preston store has been a long time in the making and we were really excited to finally be opening the doors. This will be our first store

in the North West, and our eighth in the UK – a plan that we’ve been working on since 2016. If our other stores are anything to go by, it should be a big success.

Not only can customers drop by, we also offer our ‘Try on or Buy’ reservation system – with this we’re pretty sure we’ve found the best way to link the full choice of

the UK’s biggest biking website to a local store.”

HEL investment

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xeter-based brake component maker HEL Performance has announced a big investment in new machinery. The firm is spending £1.4m on four new Star CNC SW 20 sliding head lathe machines, vital for making brake hose end fittings, and two new Brother CNC milling machines to cover a wide range of manufacturing processes. The new machines will help in the production of the firm’s brake calipers, master cylinders, oil filter plates, and other parts.

HEL has also invested in Lang robot loaders to allow 24-hour operation of the production lines.

Speaking to the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, HEL chief executive Simon Lane said: “We continue to invest in our facility to meet the increasing need of our customers. Through this

HEL chief executive Simon Lane

investment, we will be able to produce 1.25 million more banjo fittings per annum. Bringing in four new machines means that we’ll have one of the largest quotas of Star CNC machines in the UK increasing our manufacturing capability.”

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Business news

SHORT CUTS

ISLE OF MAN TT

ONE FOR THE NEW YEAR: THE 2024 TT+ ONLINE video pass is now on sale, and the Isle of Man government has kept the price at the 2023 rate – £19.99 for access to the entire fortnight of race and practice action. More info: ttplus. iomttraces.com.

CLOSE BROTHERS

FINANCE FIRM CLOSE BROTHERS, HAS donated more than £2000 to the BEN charity after holding a Bangers4BEN rally.

The Close Brothers team took part in a 2000-mile rally around Ireland in a £750 Barbie and Ken-themed car.

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM

THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM HAS announced the winner of its summer raffle prize – an immaculate 1974 Norton Commando 850 with AP Lockheed front disc brake conversion.

The lucky winner was Nicola Rolleston, from Kent. And the NMM has unveiled an even more unusual prize for the winter raffle: a brand new/ old stock Triumph TSX750 showing just 13 miles, which has never been run or registered. More info: www.thenmm.co.uk.

ROBINSONS FOUNDRY

SUZUKI PARTS SUPPLIER AND DEALER, Robinsons Foundry celebrated 55 years as a retailer for the Japanese firm on 1 December. Fans attended an open evening with food and refreshments, and 20% off parts, kit and accessories. Here’s to many more years for them!

ROAD REPAIR PROMISE

AS PART OF THE FALL-OUT FROM THE COLLAPSE of the HS2 railway extension to Manchester, the government claims it will re-allocate £8.3bn of funding from the project to be spent on road repairs and highway improvements over the next 11 years. Whether riders will notice the difference remains to be seen!

COVEC RE ZRO DEAL

BRITISH RIDING JEANS MAKER COVEC, HAS adopted RE ZRO armour inserts for its BullIt range. RE ZRO uses a biodegradable and recyclable impact absorption material, rather than conventional plastics. Covec MD Keith Bloxsome said: “As pioneers of performance fabric technology, Covec is delighted to launch a relationship with RE ZRO impact protection technology.

Identifying the benefits of a new biodegradable polymer, high-performing ventilation and class-leading protection comfort, RE ZRO is an ideal fit with Covec’s high-technology materials.”

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JANUARY 2024

New Japanese show at Ardingly

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awasaki main dealer, Alf’s Motorcycles in Worthing, West Sussex, has pledged support for a new motorcycle show planned for the 26 May, which is focused primarily on Japanese and Italian machinery.

To be held at the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex, not far from Gatwick Airport, the show is being organised by Graham Prevett, Sussex Section coordinator for the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC).

Keen to give owners of Japanese classic bikes, in particular, a bigger platform, Prevett thinks it’s time for them to headline a show in the South to reflect a growing interest.

“There isn’t a show in the South East that champions Japanese motorcycles, and I have been keen to organise something,” says Prevett. “Along with a union of fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, I am putting on the all-new MotoUnion Motorcycle Show. It will be a celebration of Japanese and Italian motorcycles, both classic and modern. I have secured support from the VJMC and Alf’s Motorcycles.”

His show plans also include female riders and public services bikes and riders.

“I want to promote female motorcyclists and will be working with a female riding group based in East Sussex which is looking to grow its membership. I hope also to work with Sussex Blood Bikes, West Sussex Fire Bike, and Bike Safe, who work with Sussex Police to promote safer riding. Our chosen charity will be Sussex and Kent Air Ambulance.”

Ardingly regular Graham Prevett with his original spec 1972 Honda CL175 on the five-bike VJMC stand he ran at the October 2023 Ardingly South of England Classic Show. In May 2024, he plans his own Ardingly show, with Japanese bikes as the prime attraction. An award-winning 1972 Suzuki T500 is in the background

Owner of 20 Hondas and a Kawasaki, 62-year-old electrician Prevett has displayed his Hondas at Ardingly for Elk Promotions shows for several years. He organised the VJMC presence of five Japanese bikes at the Elk season-ender on 29 October last year.

Volunteering to be VJMC Sussex coordinator in 2022, he has been keen to play a more active role in promoting the Japanese bike movement.

“There are plenty of Japanese bike owners in this area. For example, in August, the VJMC Surrey Section put on a meeting at Box Hill, which attracted loads of bikes. I have long wanted to put on a show for Japanese machines,

and now is the time to do it.”

The VJMC, now in its 41st year, is the UK’s second-largest motorcycle club with an active event presence throughout the UK. It is the headline club at the annual October Classic Show at Stafford County Showground.

First held in 1993, this show was a VJMC initiative. Last year, it drew a larger crowd than the more established April Stafford Classic Show, anchored primarily by British bikes.

A new Moto-Union Show website is being created to provide updates, but there is no autojumble planned for the event.

Interested parties should contact Graham Prevett on 079737 19948 or graham.prevett@virgin.net.

Tracker sponsoring Kwaka BRITISH SECURITY FIRM TRACKER, has signed up to support next year’s Superteen championship, featuring exciting new Kawasaki ZX-4RR machinery. Tracker MD Mark Rose said, “We have been protecting riders for decades against the risk of theft. Our stolen vehicle recovery solutions won’t prevent a bike from being stolen, but will significantly improve the chances

of it being quickly located by the police and returned to its rightful owner. We are thrilled to not only have this opportunity to showcase our brand to track side enthusiasts during the series but also partner with Kawasaki UK to safeguard its customers.”

Kawasaki marketing boss Ross Burridge added, “We are delighted to welcome Tracker as the title

partner of our new series. We are really excited about the Superteen Championship in 2024 and look forward to seeing a packed grid of riders all on board our Ninja ZX-4RR machines with the Tracker logo taking pride of place on each bike. We also fully endorse their fantastic SVR solution, which will be available to purchase with your new Kawasaki at every genuine dealer.”

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Business news

Tony Campbell, MCIA CEO

MCIA keeps up its political campaigning AT THIS STAGE OF THE government’s life cycle, political campaigning on things like motorcycle licencing and support for powered two-wheelers is perhaps an even more thankless task than usual. However, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) is continuing the fight after it managed to secure a debate in the House of Lords on 23 November, during which a number of peers, led by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, debated the role of motorcycles, scooters and powered light vehicles in achieving transition to net zero carbon emissions, safety, licensing reform, government/industry collaboration, and a technology-neutral approach to zero-carbon two-wheeled transport.

According to the MCIA, the debate demonstrated widespread support for the L-category light vehicle sector within the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, and increased understanding amongst parliamentarians about the unique challenges manufacturers face on phase-out, as well as the numerous mobility benefits of L-category vehicle usage and the need for full implementation of the joint MCIA and government action plan.

The MCIA also comprehensively briefed all peers listed to speak ahead of the debate, with many of its arguments being delivered directly, including from Labour frontbencher Lord Liddle, and parliamentary under-secretary of state Lord Davies.

Perhaps the only area of contention for the bike industry is road safety – bikers still account for

20% of road deaths but only 1% of total traffic. Nevertheless, doughty MCIA CEO Tony Campbell took centre stage at the UK’s National Road Safety Conference to call for a major shake-up of how to address current motorcycle safety issues. He opened by highlighting the MCIA’s joint action plan, produced with the government, entitled Realising the Full Potential of Zero-Emission Powered Light Vehicles, before expressing deep concern about the current state of motorcycle safety. Campbell outlined initiatives undertaken by the MCIA, including the Elite Rider Programme launched in 2022, which has seen an estimated 14% of full licence holders complete advanced rider training to date, and went on to call on the government to demonstrate a commitment to promoting L-category vehicles as a greener alternative. Campbell also proposed a full-scale review of the existing licensing regime for L-category vehicles, aligning with the MCIA’s A Licence to Net Zero campaign.

Commenting on his conference address, Campbell said: “Instead of basing policy decisions solely on past safety concerns, the government needs to adopt a forward-thinking approach in a way that anticipates the future traffic mix. Rather than being a reason to disregard our vehicles, their safety track record should serve as motivation to liberate and optimise their viability as a sustainable mode of mobility for the future. It is only through industry and the government working together that we can ensure a safer and more prosperous future for British motorcycling.”

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Business news

Shoplifting gang targets dealers

M

ultiple dealers have asked BDN to raise awareness of a gang of shoplifters targeting motorcycle showrooms.

CCTV footage suggests the team has been operating since May last year and has visited numerous stores in the Midlands, Wales, South West, South, and East of England.

Activity seemed to intensify in the approach to Christmas period, with a spate of stores being targeted and multiple high-value items being stolen.

In most cases, a male and a female enter the dealership, pushing a pram or pushchair – which they use to conceal their loot. The male distracts staff while the female removes items from

Elk dates for 2024 shelves and de-tags/removes bar codes. They certainly don’t rush, spending up to fifteen minutes “looking around”.

The gang seems to target highend helmets, but other items have also been taken. The couple are in their thirties/forties and have been taking up to three items per visit.

Dealers we have spoken to say the police aren’t interested, even though one dealer has recovered a helmet with fingerprints from the offenders on it. Pictures of the thieves are shown above.

If your showroom has been targeted, please let us know at: editorial@dealernews.co.uk.

TOP BIKE SHOW AND autojumble organiser Elk Promotions has announced its 2024 calendar, with seven events in the South East of England between March and October. The first event is the South of England Classic Show and Bikejumble on 24 March at Ardingly near Gatwick, then the Ashford show on Easter Monday 1 April. More dates at: www.elk-promotions.co.uk.

Hoco Parts UK takes on ABUS distribution

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erman lock maker ABUS, one of the best-regarded brands in motorbike security, has signed a new UK distribution deal with top importer Hoco Parts UK. Founded in Volmarstein, near Dortmund, Germany, by August Bremicker and his sons in 1924, ABUS is widely regarded as unique in the security world because of how it designs, develops and manufactures its products – proven in the user-friendly Granit Detecto XPlus 8077 and, more recently, the Granit Victory XPlus 68, which is one of the few ‘Powered Cycle’ products to achieve Sold Secure Diamond accreditation.

The brand will be served nationally by Hoco Parts UK’s team of account managers,

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with them to realise our UK ambitions in the territory.”

Mark Fenwick, UK country manager at Hoco Parts UK, said: “We are delighted that ABUS has partnered with us as its exclusive motorcycle distributor and representative in the UK. ABUS is an exciting and innovative brand and we are confident that our support will enhance its offering further, enabling the brand to grow and flourish. ABUS has been a key supplier to the Hoco Parts Group for over 30 years in the company’s mainland European territories, so to add the UK to this is a very positive move and shows the strength of our partnership.”

Initial stock is now available from Hoco Parts UK. Order online at www.hocoparts.com or call 01484 641073.

The Sold Secure Diamond accredited ABUS Granit Victory XPlus 68

as well as being fully supported by its internal sales organisation.

Peter Romanov, MD at ABUS UK, said, “Hoco Parts UK is perfectly positioned to help ABUS reach its full potential in the UK. We look forward to working closely together

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Business news

Milan hits half a million

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he Esposizione Internazionale del Ciclo, Motociclo, Accessori (EICMA) show in Milan long ago cemented its place as the top European bike industry exhibition, and it underlined that with some very impressive attendance figures for the 2023 show, held last month.

According to the organisers, no fewer than 563,848 visitors passed through the entrance gates of the Fiera Milano Rho showground for the 80th edition of the event – that’s a 19% uplift on 2022. The breakdown on attendance was as follows: 39,392 of attendees were industry professionals, and 52% of those

were from outside Italy, with 120 countries represented.

When it came to exhibitors, there were an amazing 2036 brands represented by 700 firms, 67% of them from outside Italy, representing 45 countries. A third of these were new attendees. The show itself was bigger than both 2022 and 2021, with eight full halls, up from six the previous year and five in Covid-struck 2021.

Pietro Meda, president of the show, said: “EICMA has not only continued to invest on its evolution from a trade fair to an exhibition event, but it enters its 110th year with an open

eye to the future and to the innovation of the event itself. The pavilions were packed with families and young people, with passion, new special content, entertainment and events, which flank in an increasingly comprehensive and engaging way the great commitment of the exhibitors, to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks for the trust and loyalty they continue to show us. We also extend the same gratitude to our sponsors, partners and institutions that support EICMA.” EICMA 2024 will run from 5-10 November – get your hotel booking in now is our advice. www.eicma.it/en

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Business news

Did the show shine?

T

he annual bike jamboree that is Motorcycle Live at Birmingham’s NEC is over for another year, and it’s fair to say that for most of the trade, it went off well. Headline crowd numbers were flat from last year – around 90,000 attendees over the nine days of the show – but organisers claimed success, with the show consolidating its place at the centre of the UK biking event scene.

We spoke to MCIA Events MD Finlay McAllan a few days after the show ended, for his take. He sounded pleased, an emotion echoed in his initial press release: “The enthusiasm and passion of the motorcycle community have made Motorcycle Live a

Feedback from exhibitors was that the new layout worked well

One early event at the show was the Completely Motorbikes ride-in on opening day, which saw BSB stars Jason O’Halloran and Max Cook setting off from the Completely Motorbikes showroom in Hinckley at 8am with fans and customers after a quick coffee and breakfast roll

12

JANUARY 2024

true celebration of the culture, innovation, and camaraderie that define our industry. We are thrilled to see manufacturers, riders, and enthusiasts come together and share their love for motorcycles.”

We turned that statement

MCIA Events MD Finlay McAllan

around and asked what had gone wrong for the organisers. “It went alright! Did things go wrong? Yes of course, things go wrong all the time: it could be anything from a visitor having a problem to an exhibitor pulling out last minute.

It’s just our job to make sure that from the outside looking in you don’t see that. And if you’re having to ask me, I think we’re ticking that box!”

What went well for 2023 then?

“The feedback from exhibitors was that the new layout worked well, allowing people to move through the halls without trouble.

The last thing we want is choke points where people end up being scrunched up and not able to enjoy the day.”

And McAllan echoed the views of many that the calibre of exhibitors’ stands had moved on once again – though he sounded a note of caution about rising costs.

“Yes, there were some fantastic stands, but we’ve got to try and make it cost-effective. I love to see these big stands, any show organiser would, but while I don’t want to stem any of the creativity that’s going on, you don’t want to have things career out of control.

Some of the smallest stands were thinking outside the box in terms of engaging with people and giving them something over and above what they’ve come to see.”

When it comes to retail stands, the feedback comes in fast, and is based on cold, hard bottom lines, of course. And again, McAllan was optimistic about that side of the show. “I walk through the retail areas of the show every morning, and they aren’t backwards in coming forward if something is not right… Not everyone is making a huge amount of money, and you have to remind everybody that we are now in a post-pandemic economy.

The Covid years were exceptional, but we do need to get back to some sort of normal level. We are

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Business news

All the rider needs

Langen’s LightSpeed revives the Buell 1190 motor in a £44k bespoke suit

mostly a leisure industry and the impulse purchase is something that perhaps isn’t being made as frequently as it was before – the credit crunch is real. But generally, I would say that the feedback I’ve had from retailers was that it was hard work, but it was good. It set them up nicely for London.”

SOCIAL SHOW TIME A big modern phenomenon for shows is social media – every visitor has the potential to air their thoughts, for good or bad, on their timelines and it can show instantly what’s going on.

“We monitor social media all the time,” said McAllan. “Most of the time we don’t have to get involved, and we don’t want to get involved because starting a war of words with someone who’s being negative isn’t good: there’s no winner. But most of the time another visitor will step in and say ‘no, no you can do this’, or ‘you

what’s going on there, and I’m pleased to say most people were very happy with what they saw.”

NEW METAL One thing that visitors would have seen was a massive increase in the number of brand-new bikes

Motorcycle Live always provides us with a great opportunity to speak to our customers and showcase our full model range BMW spokesperson

launched exclusively at the NEC, with four big bikes shown in public

The new BMW R12 and R12 nineT arrive at the NEC ready for the show stand

can get to the show this way’ or something.”

Social media also gives valuable instant feedback on the show. “You have to be careful how you use it, but in terms of understanding how your event is going it’s quite easy to put your head into the social pool and see

for the first time. British firm Langen released its limited-edition £44k LightSpeed power cruiser, which uses the Buell 1190 engine in a 185bhp low-slung hot rode chassis. The firm also launched a tie-in with tracking firm BikeTrac, with an approved fitment of the high-tech anti-theft kit now

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

available from the factory.

BMW showed two brand new bikes – the R12 and the R12 nineT – at Birmingham first. The R12 range will take over from the old R nineT line-up, with a rebrand to fit in with the bigger R18 custom range. The R12 is based on a new/ old engine, the oil-cooled 1170cc Boxer from the 2008 HP2 Sport, which features a radial valve arrangement and makes 109bhp in the new nineT, 95bhp in the base custom R12. BMW has also uprated the technology, which means customers can specify the latest digital dashboards as an option to old-school round analogue dials. Expect more R12 models to appear over the next 12 months.

BMW UK was positive about the show as a whole, with a spokesperson telling us, “Motorcycle Live always provides us with a great opportunity to speak to our customers and showcase our full model range – especially with our interactive R1300 GS demos in the Make Life A Ride arena. This year the stand drew huge audiences, as we had no fewer than nine new 2024 models on display in addition to the rest of the BMW Motorrad line-up.

Motorcycle Live also allowed us the opportunity to host the unveiling of the new R12 range on the stand, a world premiere.”

Honda had already released its 2024 range – but the show was the first chance for UK bikers to see the no fewer than eight new bikes – three new 500 twins (CB500 Hornet, CBR500R and NX500), a pair of 650 fours with a new E-clutch auto transmission (CB650F and CBR650R), the new Fireblade, a Hornet 1000, and the return of the CBR600RR. Honda UK’s head of motorcycles Neil Fletcher gave us his take on the show. “Motorcycle Live 2023 was a brilliant event for everyone ➥

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More than 500 riders enjoyed hauling a Yamaha Ténéré around the Experience Adventure course

Some visitors took Kawasaki’s Superteen race simulator very seriously

involved at Honda. With more than 100 Honda motorcycles across the show, it was the first year where we took part in all the activities: from the TryRIDE zone to the on-road test rides, the Electric Zone (our first time) to off-roading in the Experience Adventure area. Our stand seemed very busy every day and it was great to see the strong attendance numbers just announced by the show team. Our latest innovation, the E-clutch, was on display for the first time in the UK showing potential customers a new kind of experience that can make their riding even more fun and exciting.

We’ve also recently launched a number of new models and it was great to see such strong levels of interest in all, particularly the updated Fireblade and Africa Twins, as well as the new CBR600RR and CB1000 Hornet.”

Kawasaki’s stand was a real eye-catcher, with a lineup of rideon ZX-4RR race bike simulators promoting the 2024 Superteen BSB support series, and new bikes including the Ninja 7 Hybrid machine. Kawasaki UK marketing and race manager Ross Burridge told us how it went for him; “Motorcycle Live is always very important for Kawasaki as it’s one of the only times we get to speak directly to our customers face to face. The show this year worked very well for us, with multiple new models, unveilings, launches and the awesome Superteen Challenge all happening on our stand.

Although the number of visitors ended up being similar to last year it certainly felt busier for us with our stand packed to the rafters at the weekends and busier than usual during the week.

14

JANUARY 2024

“We spoke to many people over the nine days, most of whom were very pleased with their experience of the show. The vibe across the

the firm also had a slew of new MT-09 and Ténéré 700 variants and upgrades. Veteran marketing guru Jeff Turner has seen it all

Our stand seemed very busy every day and it was great to see the strong attendance numbers Neil Fletcher, Honda UK

halls was positive and with so much for customers to experience and enjoy, we are sure they will be back again in 2024.”

Over at the Yamaha stand, the new XSR900 GP was the débutante that grabbed most attention, but

over the years, but he was feeling chipper after another NEC show.

“Motorcycle Live remains a highpoint of the season, providing the first opportunity for UK enthusiasts to see the new-season models and colours in the metal.

Customers, dealers and trade partners visited our stand during the nine days and most felt there was a very positive buzz around the show this year, and a sense of anticipation for the new season.

Every metric we use to compare the show to previous years was up, and we were especially pleased with the improvements to the Experience Adventure course – where more than 500 riders tried out the Ténéré 700. As a launch pad for new models Motorcycle Live is an essential part of our new model introduction planning, whilst the PR and social media results confirmed the importance of the event.”

The last of the big new bikes released during Motorcycle Live was the KTM 1390 Super Duke – but the Pierer parent group

CCM Commissioned service gives customers ultimate control over the look and style of their bike

Whether your choice is glitter, snakeskin or a Bridget Riley-style striped finish, Herald can have it painted onto a new bike

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Part of the 125th Anniversay collection, Norton’s Commando 961 LE 588 echoes the colours of the marque’s 1980s rotary-powered racers

had no less than five brands on paint schemes that echo the firm’s show – KTM, GasGas, Husqvarna, heritage and racing liveries.

Another heritage brand, BSA, MV Agusta and CFMoto, with the adventure-style MV Agusta also showed off a new Shadow Black LXP Orioli proving to be a big paint scheme for its Gold Star 650 highlight. KTM UK’s head of – though there was no sign of any marketing Simon Roots said, other new models from the Indian“Motorcycle Live offers a platform owned firm. Kymco UK launched that allows us to communicate a new security partnership with directly with the end customer, Datatool, which will see the and it’s paramount that we have Stealth tracker and DNA security these personal conversations with marking fitted free of charge to the people buying our product. We all new petrol-powered products attend Motorcycle Live with the from December onward, and the Taiwanese brand primary goal of also took part in supporting our We attend the TryRIDE and dealer network Test Ride zones by raising brand Motorcycle for petrol and awareness and Live with the electric bikes. listening to CCM has both existing primary goal of been forging and future supporting our ahead with its customers’ retro-style range wants and needs. dealer network and this year’s With KTM Simon Roots, KTM UK news is that the AG exhibiting whole range is five of its motorcycle brands to the 90,000 being simplified, making it easier people that visited this year’s for customers to select their show, Motorcycle Live 2023 has perfect steed. All models will now definitely proved successful in come in three spec levels – Core, gaining essential insights as to Premium and Ultimate, each one what our dealers need to progress with improvements to both the mechanical spec and more fancy and successfully move forward.” trim and accessories. It is also possible to personalise these, with SMALLER PLAYERS Away from the bigger brands, a choice of tank colour and seat there were new limited-edition material. For customers wanting 125th anniversary bikes on show to go one step further there is from Norton, with just 125 special a new Commissioned service, Commando 961, V4SV and V4CR which allows completely bespoke machines available, in special paint and finish. CCM’s ➥

Kymco UK national sales and marketing manager Neil Keeble (left) seals the new deal with Datatool regional manager John Singleton

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JANUARY 2024 15

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R&Gs Tyre Change Challenge drew wannabee-race mechanics (and a few actual race mechanics) to the main Black Horse stage.

Oliver Smith and younger brother Elliott showed the capabilities of the OSET machinery

Electrics

bikes make the jump 16 JANUARY 2024

team of designers will work with customers to spec their perfect bike – any colour and design can be applied, the seat material can be specified, the frame can be painted or anodised ... it could probably be gold plated if pockets were deep enough! Trim parts such as levers and suspension can be anodised to match or contrast, wheels can be painted to suit... the list of possibilities is virtually endless. In more trade-oriented news, CCM is planning to expand its dealer

network this year, leaving the factory to concentrate on making bikes rather than sales.

Herald Motorcycles didn’t have any new major new models to shout about but, as with CCM, its focus was on a new facility to provide bespoke paint finishes and designs. Each bike’s tank and side panels can be professionally sprayed in whatever colour or design is wanted, and to show this off the stand was populated by bikes sporting metalflake, pearl

IT WOULDN’T HAVE ESCAPED MANY a planned rebranding in the spring, which show-goers’ notice that the electric-powered will bring marketing and brand identity motorcycle brands enjoyed much more advantages. New models are also waiting in prominence this year. After years of being the wings, with the 125cc-equivilant Stash somewhat sidelined into the outer reaches of leading the charge. It sports a 97Ah battery, the halls, this year there were enough for a 112 mile range, and a impressive full-sized stands 15kW motor good for 75mph. The front and centre as soon as rest of the range will also get you entered the halls of a boost from more powerful Motorcycle Live. It also motors and revised pricing, won’t have escaped including bigger margins for anyone in the dealers. motorcycle and The founder of offscooter trade’s road kids’ bike specialist attention that OSET, Ian Smith, was electric-powered very happy with both the two wheelers have amount of visitors to the stand had a pretty torrid and demo area and the direction The Vmoto Stash is step toward year, with sales dropping of progress since Triumph took more premium models across the board. So this over the firm nearly 18 months was a chance for them to ago. The buy-out means that there shine, to make their case to the public at large, is far more scope for R&D than before, with and to hopefully reverse the decline.

Triumph making its prototyping facilities Claiming a prestigious position just inside and skilled engineers available without, says the entrance, off-road e-bike market leader Smith, killing the innovation and creativity of Sur-Ron had a slightly cheeky police-liveried the smaller brand. “This is a prime time for the machine on display, an attempt to counter market,” he commented, “OSET is uniquely the negative press the brand has recently placed.” received due to the action of its customers...

Having the clout of Triumph behind or maybe not. Dealer development manager OSET has also helped in developing a new Lee Westbrook claimed to be “a bit pissedsupply chain, which should add resilience to off” when Sur-Ron was named as the steed of the whole manufacturing process, and will choice for a gang of ne’er-do-wells in Bristol be further leveraged with both a planned in a BBC News report highlighting dangerous expansion into the US market and the riding. “They weren’t even riding Sur-Rons!”, development of larger-wheeled machinery for he bemoaned. “And the BBC said we had a broader audience of older teens and adult declined to comment, when we had actually riders. spent over an hour talking with their reporter.”

Scooter brand Silence had something a To counter the grey imports that bit different on its stand – a new quadricycle Westerbrook says are to blame for much which it hopes will revolutionise urban travel, of the objectionable riding, Sur-Ron will be in what it says is a “tough time” for the reducing retail prices to undercut the backtwo-wheel sector as the delivery sector has street suppliers and ‘cash-in-hand’ traders.

Over on the Vmoto stand, MD Clive Mann, said, “Motorcycle Live was a great success for us both from a customer awareness and dealer networking point of view. The Stash was a headline grabber for us, but the whole range had good profile. It actually felt like a trade day again, with over half the dealer network visiting the stand.”

The Vmoto team has had a busy time since The new Caofen FX is a it took over UK distribution duties in the full-size off-roader summer, and now everything is in place for

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BITS AND PIECES Accessories were well represented as ever, and British firm R&G Racing was pleased with results.

Simon Hughes, MD at R&G told us, “Motorcycle Live was a fantastic event for us. We brought a completely new stand to the show, which was very well “fallen off a cliff”. The 52mph SO4 Nanocar seats two people within its compact footprint, and a single seater version is already under development for the delivery market. It will retail for under £16k, and uses the same swappable batteries as the firm’s scooter models.

Artisan had a brace of new models on its stand. The CBTfriendly Caofen FX model is due to arrive in dealerships in March, and it provides a comprehensive update with bigger 21in and 18in wheels shod with Kenda tyres, a larger capacity 60Ah battery and a dinnerplate sized 72-tooth rear sprocket.

The Kottler RS1 is still under development for the UK market, although it has been on sale in the US for a while. Artisan is working with the factory to finalise the ancillary kit – levers, rearsets, switch gear etc. – to make sure it fulfils its premium £8k market positioning.

Although it is A1 licence compatible, it is capable of nearly 80mph and has a range of up to 120 miles, with a 3-4 hour recharge time, thanks to a Type 2 charging socket. Along with most other brands, Artisan has seen a drop in sales which it, at least in part, attributes to the cost of living crisis, so the firm has implemented a price cut that it hopes will buck the market up in the new year.

Zero Motorcycles occupied a huge stand space in a very prominent position, which it duly filled with new bikes, including the sleek SR-X prototype.

Country manager Dale Robinson sensed a lot of positivity and a change in attitude from show-goers. “The show was really strong for Zero.

We had a great location by the entrance and there’s a real feeling that Zero is accepted as a

Business news

and candy colours, all fashioned into weird and wonderful designs to show the extent of what is possible.

received by customers and gave them a chance to see the full range of protection and accessories we have to offer – including the likes of Denali Electronics. The R&G Wheel Change Challenge also returned to the main stage this year, with participants able to win a range of goodies, including a voucher to spend on our stand, and it was great to see so many visitors signing up to take part!”

Brake Disc Lock

The latest Zero DS moves upmarket, with new motor and chassis ‘proper’ motorcycle manufacturer these days, with much more knowledge of the brand and EVs in particular. We also offered demo rides for the first time, with every slot taken and feedback was very positive.”

The new learner-legal DS was catching the eye of younger visitors, thanks to an 80mph top speed and 100 mile range, while the fully kitted out DSR/X Black Forest proved appealing to more experienced adventurers.

Last, and probably least in terms of size, young entrepreneurs Matt Page and Ethan Wilkin were looking for angel investors for their prototype semi-folding Vulpin.

The 70kg small-wheel bike uses a patented motorised folding mechanism to reduce its length by around a third to make storage easier for flat-dwelling customers. It also received considerable interest from motorhome owners looking for easily-loaded lightweight transportation.

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JANUARY 2024 17

Business news

Royal Enfield

BMW M1000 XR

BMW Motorrad 54 TWO NEW SPORTS TOURERS GRACED BMW’s show stand. The new M1000 XR is a lighter-weight and higher performance version of the adventure crossover which now sports more than 200hp. Deeppocketed riders wanting to go even further can get it with the optional M Competition pack, which adds carbon wheels and other carbon parts. It will come in a choice of white or black with M Motorsport BMW S1000 XR graphics. The M1000’s progenitor has also been updated, with the S1000 XR now having engine revisions that boost it to 170hp, a new seat design and adaptive cornering headlights. Keyless ignition and a USB charging socket have been added, too.

BMW; www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

THE LAUNCH OF THE TOTALLY new Himalayan model provides a boost for dealers feeling increasing pressure from new entrants into the mid-capacity sector, which was previously almost entirely Royal Enfield’s domain. Mid-capacity adventure sport rivals, not least the new Triumph Scrambler 400, have upped their game, so the new Himalayan’s water-cooled Sherpa 450 motor – a first for Enfield – is a vital upgrade in terms of performance and tech. It comes with ride-by-wire – another first for the brand – and produces 40hp, but the emphasis is on its tractable delivery and forgiving nature. There is also a new six-speed gearbox and a stiffer and stronger twin-spar steel frame. Despite the Himalayan’s traditional go-anywhere looks, tech hasn’t been forgotten, so there is a new electronic dash with built-in Google mapping capability and mobile connectivity for audio, calls and messaging.

Retail price will be £5750.

Royal Enfield; www.royalenfield.com

Out 2024

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PIAGGIO CHOSE TO FOREGO MOTORCYCLE LIVE THIS YEAR, WITH none of the Group’s brands taking a stand at the show. Instead, it chose the home soil of Milan to release its new metal. As well as a new, more powerful version of the Piaggio One electric scooter, and the launch of the Aprilia RS457 lightweight sportsbike (see BDN November 2023), the big news was the return of the Stelvio adventure bike to the Moto Guzzi range after a seven year absence. The original Stelvio was killed off by Euro 4 emissions regulations, so the new version has pinched the Euro 5 90o V-twin from the V100 Mandello with a retune for better off-road performance. The passing years have obviously also allowed a whole new range of electronics to be developed, so the new bike comes with radar-controlled cruise control, a collision warning system, blind spot radar vehicle detection and a lanechange aid that warns of vehicles approaching from the side. Other high-tech additions include five riding modes, six-axis cornering ABS and traction control, which can be turned off during off-road use.

Piaggio Group; 00800 818 29800; www.piaggio.com

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Business news

Eliminator 500

Kawasaki 56

AS WELL AS THE NINJA 7 HYBRID FEATURED IN LAST MONTH’S BDN, Kawasaki had a trio of new A2 licence compliant 500cc models at Motorcycle Live. The Eliminator 500, Ninja 500 and Z500 give Kawasaki a competitive foothold in the burgeoning mid-capacity sector, competing directly against Honda’s CBR500R, Rebel and Hornet models, as well as slightly larger or smaller-engined rivals from Yamaha, KTM and Suzuki.

The Kawasakis share engine and chassis tech – a water-cooled twin, with a slipper clutch on the Ninja and Z, combines with a trellis-style steel frame – but differ in styling. The naked Z500 can be fitted with an optional screen, whereas the sportier Ninja 500 has a full fairing and optional higher Ergo-Fit seat.

Ninja 500 Z500 The Eliminator is what Kawasaki calls “urban”, but the rest of us probably class as a cruiser, with a laid back seating position and 18in front and 16in rear wheels. Exposed twin rear shocks add to the retro vibes, and it is available in three seat heights, including a low 715mm option for the short of leg.

Kawasaki; 01628 856750; www.kawasaki.co.uk

GSX-S1000GX

GSX-8R

SUZUKI HAS SHOEHORNED ITS 776cc parallel twin engine into some sporty-looking bodywork to create the rather pretty GSX-8R, which was launched at EICMA and subsequently gained plenty of attention at Motorcycle Live.

To give it the handling to go with its looks, new Showa suspension is fitted front and rear to the tubular steel chassis. An aluminium swingarm and forged aluminium handlebars help to reduce the overall weight. Pricing details were confirmed at Motorcycle Live, with the base model retailing at £8899, making it a competitor for the £8599 Honda CBR650R and £8910 Yamaha R7.

The GSX-S1000GX is classed as

a sports crossover, with plenty of poke and vaguely adventure-bike styling cues it will go up against the BMW S1000 XR, Yamaha Tracer 9 GT and Ducati Multistrada in what is becoming a crowded but lucrative segment of the market.

The engine is the familiar 999cc retuned to make 150hp, and has three switchable modes, but Suzuki has thrown all the tech it has at its disposal onto the rest of the bike – Showa electronic adjustable suspension, Bosch IMU-controlled ABS, anti-wheelie, traction control, cruise control, bi-directional quick shifter and more. Prices start from £14,499.

Suzuki; 08085 011959; bikes.suzuki.co.uk

Suzuki

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elmets.com | ukservice2@ls2h

WITH STYLING AND PAINTWORK TO MAKE BIKERS OF A CERTAIN AGE go weak at the knees, the new Yamaha XSR900GP could be one of the hottest new bikes of next season. Taking the retro roadster XSR900 as a base and clothing it in bodywork inspired by 1980s Yamaha race machinery means the XSR900GP is bang up-to-date in terms of tech, with a six-axis IMU, leansensitive traction control, anti-wheelie, three riding modes, a 5in TFT dash and smartphone connectivity. The new bodywork even helps top speed and acceleration figures, thanks to improved aerodynamics, and when it comes to colours, there really was only one choice for inspiration – the Marlboro sponsored livery as ridden by Wayne Rainey et al, complete with silver frame and yellow number board. Other changes over its naked stablemate include fully adjustable KYB suspension front and rear, a revised and stiffer frame and clip-on handlebars. Prices start from £12,500.

Yamaha; 0808 812 6066; www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb

JANUARY 2024 19

Business news

SHORT CUTS

P R E S S

K I T

ROYAL ENFIELD

ROYAL ENFIELD HAS RELEASED ANOTHER new bike based on its successful 650 parallel twin powertrain and chassis. The new Shotgun was revealed in limitededition form at the Motoverse bike show in Goa, India, last year. It’s a bobberstyled machine, based on the SG650 concept bike shown off at the EICMA show in 2021, with easy customising from single-seat cruiser to two-up touring machine, special wheels and tank design. The Motoverse edition is limited to just 25 bikes, with special paint work, and the main production version will be on sale this year.

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YUASA TURNS SANTA

JAPANESE BATTERY GIANT YUASA GOT properly into the festive spirit last month, handing out toys and gifts to trade customers with every new battery bought throughout December. Lego, Hot Wheels, Playmobil and Matchbox presents were sent out, and bike distributor Bickers helped facilitate the giveaways. The firms are also running a prize draw for a £250 gift card when you sign up to the mailing list at www.gs-yuasa.eu/win.

HACKNEY PARKING FIASCO

The long-running campaign against shocking parking charge increases for motorbikes and scooters in Hackney continues. But the newly elected mayor, Caroline Woodley, says her focus will be “on the implementation of the policy”, despite winning with less than 50% of the vote. The four other mayoral candidates all stood on platforms opposing the new parking charges, suggesting there is a majority of Hackney voters against the policy.

A spokesperson for the anticharges campaign group Save London Motorcycling said: “The winning candidate lacks any mandate to implement this new tax, given the explicit opposition expressed by the majority of Hackney voters. Motorcyclists play a vital role in alleviating congestion and reducing the carbon footprint in urban areas, and the proposed new tax which will plunge thousands into transport poverty, was comprehensively defeated at the ballot box.”

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JANUARY 2024

Sammy Miller and family. Sammy was 11 times British trials champion and twice European

Golden Miller hits 90

I

don’t want to be 90!” declared nonagenarian Sammy Miller MBE as he roared into his Hampshire museum on his fabulous 1957 works Gilera 500-4 replica, thus proving that age is but a number.

Still riding a trials bike and a bicycle daily, ‘Golden’ Miller was 90 on 11 November. The following day, staff at the Sammy Miller Museum, led by manager Sharon Bumpsteed, organised a surprise party attended by family, friends and VIPS. Hosted by classic bike racer and journalist Alan Cathcart, this memorable day also celebrated 40 years of the Sammy Miller Museum.

Tributes were paid by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, former works Honda and Suzuki rider Stuart Graham, and Sammy’s architect son Stuart Miller.

VIPs attending included 1977 world F3 champion John Kidson, former motocross ace and manufacturer Don Rickman, industry key player (mainly Norton and Greeves) Mike Jackson, televised specials builder Allen Millyard, and industry historian Nick Jeffery.

Miller was particularly pleased that the 1958 works Ariel trials team was re-united – namely himself, Ron Langston, and Gordon Blakeway, who had travelled from Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Members of the Miller family attending, as well as son Stuart, included daughter Jane, her husband Phil Wilson, and six grandchildren.

Indefatigable Miller used the occasion to reveal that a new separate restaurant is planned at the museum, thus allowing the present tea rooms to house up to 50 more bikes, which could bring the collection up to 500 machines. He added that Stuart, Jane and Phil, museum trustees, will keep the museum under family control for the nation and overseas visitors.

Sammy and his wife Rosemary, thanked the museum staff and volunteers for their work and for organising the special party.

Sammy Miller greets fellow mus eum owner Lord Montagu of Beaulie u

Re-emphasising the point that 90 was anathema, Miller, the most successful trials rider of all time, was clearly delighted by the occasion, and pride in his museum shone through.

“Only five bikes in this museum don’t work, and one of them is wooden!” he declared in his usual forthright manner. “I try to look forwards and not backwards,” he added.

“We are in the presence of a living legend,” said Lord Montagu, whose late father founded the first motor museum in 1952, adding motorcycles in 1956.

Referring to Miller’s magnificent trophy cabinet and list of nearly 1500 trials awards, Lord Montagu suggested his achievements be submitted to the Guinness Book of Records.

TT winner Stuart Graham, son of the first-ever 500cc world champion (Les Graham, 1949), said: “It is a great pleasure to come to this wonderful venue and celebrate your 90th birthday after you have spent your entire life trying not to reach old age!”

Thanking everyone for their attendance, Stuart Miller said: “Dad’s enthusiasm and drive know no bounds. What he has created here is quite extraordinary. The museum is an amazing legacy.

With brother-in-law Phil and sister Jane, we intend to preserve it.”

Sammy’s son-in-law, Phil Wilson, commented: “We are enthusiasts acutely aware of the importance of the museum for motorcycle heritage and Sam’s legacy,” adding, “I have observed him close up for 40 years, and he is relentless… a bundle of energy.”

The entrance to Sammy Miller’s on-site restoration workshop bears the plaque Another Day in Paradise.

Miller has created this paradise and continues to defy age and any thought of retirement. He’s 90 going on 21.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

T

he recent government reshuffle sparked by the sacking of controversial home secretary Suella Braverman, means there’s a new set of Tory ministers settling into the Department for Transport offices in Horseferry Road, Westminster.

Guy Opperman, the MP for Hexham, is the new minister for roads and local transport, while South Cambridgeshire MP Anthony Browne, has e-scooters and transport decarbonisation in his brief.

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has called on both new ministers responsible for direct motorcycling matters, as well as ministers in the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to act on the backlog of issues for powered two-wheelers. These include laws on decarbonisation, licensing

Craig Carey-Clinch, executive director, NMC

reform, changes to Compulsory Basic Training, road safety, and much more. According to the campaigning group, government announcements are long overdue on a range of consultations, which closed in some cases two years ago. There was also no mention of e-scooter legislation in the King’s speech,

while vehicle tampering rules and other areas of concern in motorcycle sport have also been left hanging.

NMC executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said, “New ministers have the opportunity to make progress in government business, which has made small progress in some cases but has largely stalled in other very important areas. With an election looming we call on the government to progress several policy issues so that motorcyclists can benefit from a much more positive approach to policy. The ongoing delays are sustaining huge uncertainty right across motorcycling and makes future planning very difficult. Many issues interlink and illustrate the pressing need for a more strategic approach to motorcycling in transport and other policies.”

MCIA HONORARY MEMBERSHIP THE NMC HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS joined the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) as an honorary member... with the MCIA reciprocating. NMC executive director Craig CareyClinch said: “Sharing memberships marks a new phase to adding weight behind joint working on the key issues that face motorcycling in this important time of political change. Motorcycling’s future faces many challenges and uncertainties in policy terms and joint activities this year have demonstrated where industry and riders can work effectively together on issues that affect us all. Of course, there will remain areas where rider and industry interests will continue to differ, and for very good reasons, but on key issues

where views on public policy align, a ‘whole sector’ partnership strengthens the motorcycling lobby and enhances its impact on the government.”

MCIA CEO Tony Campbell, added, “As our industry and riders face many challenges and opportunities both now, and in the future, it will be ever more important to work collaboratively with the rider organisations NMC collectively represents. Now is the time to stand together protecting what we love, whilst also recognising the future will look different with a new generation of riders and users. We look forward to continuing to work with the NMC and the collective rider representative groups under its membership”.

Business news

NMC points to backlog of bike issues for new transport ministers

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OBITUARY

Bryan Forbes 1958-2023

B

ryan Forbes of Church Stretton Motorcycles, Church Stretton, Shropshire, sadly passed away peacefully at home on 10 November at the age

of 65.

Brothers Bryan and Ian Forbes have been trading for more than 40 years, with Ian in the workshop and Bryan heading up sales from the business’s Church Stretton showroom. Bryan was well-known in the bike trade and had many friends across the country.

Bryan’s funeral was held at Emstrey Crematorium, Shrewsbury, on Monday, 11 December. All donations to The British Heart Foundation.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

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Business news

Shoplifting: the crime that never stops taking S hoplifting is a scourge on honest retailers and according to reports, it’s at epidemic levels. With countless stories in the broadcast media on the subject detailing how theft is sometimes opportunist, sometimes to order, but always at the expense of the retailer, the subject is now a hot topic.

Consider the Gloucester kleptomaniac, Lisa Dalby, who was banned – mid-October – from all bar three stores in Gloucestershire following a £4000-worth series of thefts.

Then there are the retailers in Kettering who say that shoplifting is breaking them; one – a home and gift shop – said that shoplifters are regular customers.

IS THE PROBLEM REALLY GETTING WORSE? According to Statista, using ONS data, there were 342,343 shoplifting offences in 2022/23, up from 275,076 the previous year and 228,154 recorded in 2019/20. Notably, those two lower years might seem high in their own right, but in reality they were lulls following Covid which caused retail closures and ‘shoppers’ to stay away and instead buy online.

Where the numbers get interesting is when data from much earlier years is examined.

Statista highlights that, for example, in 2002/03 there were 310,881 offences, a similar number (300,623) in 2012/13 but a peak of 382,649 in 2017/18 (with higher numbers in general in the year before and two years after) when the economy was in fine fettle.

LARSSON-adv2-2023-210x76.pdf 1 2023-12-12 14:44:53 It should be said that the issue is not uniformly spreading around the country.

Again, Statista cites ONS data to show that during 2022/23 the average number of shoplifting offences per 1000 population in England and Wales was 5.7. However, by police area, Cleveland saw 13, Nottinghamshire 10.9, Humberside 8.9, and West Yorkshire 8.2.

Part of the problem is that criminals feel they are almost invulnerable to arrest since the police rarely turn up to shops At the other end of the spectrum, with the lowest rates, was Surrey with 3.3, Devon and Cornwall with 3.4 and Dyfed-Powys with 3.5.

HOW TO TACKLE IT? At the start of October, Chris Philp, MP for Croydon South, and minister for policing, during a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference, called on retailers to use security guards to halt shoplifters. During the same meeting, he suggested that members of the public, shop staff, and security guards have the power to carry out a citizen’s arrest – “where it’s safe to do so.”

The comments were met with consternation.

Union USDAW said that the “minister is deeply irresponsible to suggest that ‘citizen’s arrests’

are the answer to the shoplifting epidemic.”

And Triton Security, a firm which helps safeguard retailers, said it has witnessed a concerning trend of increased violence and aggression from shoplifters when confronted, making such actions potentially dangerous. It, too expressed concerns over Philps’ call.

Part of the problem is that criminals feel they are almost invulnerable to arrest since the police rarely turn up to shops where shoplifting is alleged. It doesn’t help that police chiefs have effectively decriminalised shoplifting because of the £200 rule – a value below which officers are not sent.

But while, as the Daily Telegraph reported, ministers want police to attend and investigate every shoplifting allegation, they are resisting such demands because “it is not realistic” for them to do so.

SO, WHAT CAN RETAILERS DO? According to police.uk, there are six key steps to securing a shop and its contents.

The first is to meet and greet customers as it shows that staff are paying attention to those that enter. Second comes crime mapping, where data is captured on what is stolen and from where, with security in those areas improved.

Next is the electronic tagging of often stolen or valuable items. Fourth is keeping a tidy shop with clear lines of visibility. And last is having enough staff to deter the casual thief.

Ultimately, though, it’s going to be a combination of vigilance, proactivity and luck that will protect today’s retailer.

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International news

International news With financial editor Roger Willis

Indian invasion imminent CFMoto goes big in Minnesota BURGEONING CHINESE motorcycle brand CFMoto unveiled its new US headquarters, based in Plymouth, Minnesota, with a grand opening ceremony in early November. The event hosted employees, corporate leaders, dealers and local politicians – and featured a ribbon cut by an oversized pair of scissors.

This new-build 100,000sq.ft facility provides the company with its biggest footprint in the US so far. It will be home to many functions, including sales, marketing, R&D, warehousing and domestic shipping, all combined into a hi-tech operation. Initially, about 120 employees and contractors will be housed there, with plenty of room for expansion.

During a formal presentation, CFMoto US chief financial officer Eric Fan said: “The new facility is more than just a structure, it’s a symbol of shared dedication to our community’s growth and progress.”

The US HQ opening came just four months after the similar grand opening of a large manufacturing plant at Monterrey in Mexico, where CFMoto will assemble ATVs and UTVs for the North American market. Such an approach contrasts vividly with CFMoto’s recent outsourcing of all its European distribution, marketing and sales through the KTM arm of close global manufacturing partner Pierer Mobility.

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C

onsidering India is the world’s largest motorcycle and scooter producing nation, its presence on the UK and European market has been peripheral until recently. Sure, the formerly British Royal Enfield has been building modest strength in depth in the past few years.

And it has now been joined by similarly retro BSA-badged niche products. India’s Eicher Motors and Mahindra were respectively responsible for those.

But the only other input was under the radar, in the shape of “modern” contract-manufactured machines for European consumption. They came from Bajaj Auto, on behalf of Pierer Mobility’s KTM and Husqvarna brands, and then smaller-capacity bikes for BMW Motorrad by TVS Motor. The latter, of course, is also well-known for acquiring and relaunching the Norton brand on British soil.

However, a dramatic change is now in the air. Realising that their relatively premium-priced domestic products – geared towards flush lower middleclass Indian consumers rather than basic transport for dirtpoor subsistence farmers – are

actually bargain prospects elsewhere, India’s big-league manufacturers are now eager to seize export opportunities in the developed world.

WE COULD BE HEROES… India’s largest motorcycle manufacturer by the proverbial country mile, Hero MotoCorp, rocked up for its European debut at Milan’s EICMA trade show last November, with a fleshedout Eurocentric proposition.

Event attendees wisely ignored the Harley-Davidson X440 single proudly displayed on Hero’s stand.

After all, this was only Milwaukeelicensed badge engineering, destined purely for aspirational Indian domestic consumption.

The real nitty gritty was less flamboyant, led by a pair of petrol-engined Xoom 125R and Xoom 160 scooters, Hero’s first e-PTW Vida V1 Pro scooter, and a reasonably highspec Concept 2.5R XTunt motorcycle. This allegedly

presses the right buttons with liquid-cooled motive power, a trellis frame, USD forks and adjustable rear monoshock. Whether the XTunt moniker, tempting jovial mispronunciation, survives is another matter. Further Lynx and Acro electric prototypes unveiled at EICMA claimed development by Hero’s own Tech Center European R&D hub near Munich.

These are all presumably prepped for Euro 5 compliance and should be landing in showrooms across the UK, France and Spain by mid-2024. In due course, Hero

Hero Xoom 160

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

APACHES ON THE WARPATH No sooner had the dust settled on Hero throwing its gauntlet into the European arena as a fresh contender, TVS Motor revealed a full entry into Europe too. By signing an import and distribution agreement with Swiss-domiciled but pan-European automotive specialist Emil Frey Group, the TVS corporate tub-thumping volume knob was promptly turned up to maximum hubris.

Hailing their deal, TVS Motor managing director Sudarshan Venu said: “This strategic alliance with Emil Frey is a crucial step in our global expansion strategy. Europe will be a key market for us, and through this partnership, we aim to bring our cutting-edge products closer to European customers. In having a partner like Emil Frey, there is a coming together of two pedigree organisations, both driven by shared values of responsible and sustainable mobility, and customer service. Together, we are excited to serve two-wheeler aficionados in Europe and look forward to a successful partnership.”

Emil Frey director Lorenz FreyHilti was equally effusive: “We take great pride in forging a robust and loyal partnership between our two esteemed traditional companies in the mobility sector,” he said. “Together, we seamlessly blend heritage with innovation. I am very proud that TVS is relying on our expertise in the European market to bring their great products to customers.”

As one of Europe’s largest automotive importers and retailers, Emil Frey will employ

International news

plans to start bringing its entire premium range of motorcycles and scooters into Europe.

Distribution has been sorted.

MotoGB will handle the brand’s UK operations through its 150plus mostly independent dealer network. GD France has been appointed to supply our Gallic cousins, promising more than 300 outlets, and Onex Group subsidiary Noria Motos will be the Spanish representative.

Backed at EICMA by his chief executive Niranjan Gupta, Hero MotoCorp executive chairman Pawan Mujal enthused: “With this foray into Europe, I am confident that Hero will soon emerge as a trusted brand in key markets in the region, just as it has done in other parts of the world.”

Cruise the open valley roads TVS Apache RTR310

its sales, marketing and service networks to oversee TVS product distribution in various targeted countries. France will be first on the receiving end from January 2024 onwards, according to Venu, with “a diverse range of highperformance and technologicallyadvanced powered two-wheelers” – all without a Norton in sight!

Hero and eventually own-branded Bajaj will go away disappointed, once they have tasted European profitability potential. Their indigenous production capacities run to millions of units annually, still mainly serving what has become a turbulent market on home turf.

No sooner had the dust settled on Hero throwing its gauntlet into the European arena as a fresh contender, TVS Motor revealed a full entry into Europe too

Returning to Royal Enfield parent Eicher Motors, the company may have struggled to manage a smooth transition taking its UK motorcycle distribution in-house from MotoGB over the past year.

But that pales into insignificance compared with current domestic success in India.

Eicher has just reported a record rise in second-quarter earnings to the end of September, led by a mega performance from Royal Enfield operations. Consolidated Q2 net profit soared by 54.7% to Rs10.16bn (£96.2m), beating analyst averaged estimates by a considerable margin. Eicher’s total Q2 turnover was about 17% up to an all-time high of Rs41.15bn (£389.6m), riding on a 13% increase in Royal Enfield sales. Motorcycles accounted for 92% of the company’s quarterly sales revenue. The rest came from Eicher’s commercial vehicle segment, making buses and trucks in partnership with the Swedish AB Volvo concern.

As a Reuters news-feed commentary pointed out, total Q2 Indian motorcycle sales had declined by 1.6%. According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, they had been dragged down by muted rural demand for entrylevel models. Premium offerings, where Royal Enfield has the largest domestic market share, cater to a more affluent audience largely unaffected by India’s rampant post-Covid consumer price inflation.

However, lawyers working for BMW Motorrad may hove into view, given certain inclusions in the TVS model roster being made available to European punters.

These are the Apache RR310 and Apache RTR310, both sourcing input from the BMW G310 engine platform. While the relevant Motorrad tech is undoubtedly licensed for use on TVS-branded products sold exclusively in India, that might be questionable for G310-based bikes in TVS guise exported to Europe.

Anyway, there are plenty of alternatives on offer, with which British dealers may eventually become familiar. These include the Jupiter 125, NTorq, Raider, iQube S and Ronin – names that slip easily off the tongue, er, not.

Perhaps better to be scalped by an Apache?

It’s difficult to imagine that TVS,

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

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Business news

Hyde’s book reveals Triumph secrets BRITISH BIKE INDUSTRY LEGEND Norman Hyde, gave an illustrated talk at the National Motorcycle Museum last month to launch his latest book. Winning Ideas which reveals ideas and drawings generated during his time as a development engineer working in Triumph’s Experimental Dept from 1968 to 1975.

Concentrating purely on development for production and racing, the department was constantly innovating and problemsolving. Concerned that the many drawings and parts involved were not recorded in Triumph’s main numbering series, Hyde initiated the department’s own special numbering system, keeping track of everything in a dedicated ledger.

Their work resulted in numerous prestigious wins by Triumph factory machines, including nine Isle of Man TT races, three Daytona 200 races, two Bol d’Or and Thruxton 500 endurance events, and in 1971 the Race of the Year and MCN Superbike Championship.

More than a thousand projects are recorded in this unique 50-year-old ledger and can now be found listed, along with many illustrations, in Winning Ideas.

The standard book comes with a free video of Hyde’s talk and costs £40. An enthusiast’s copy, with a nine-foot-long print of a 1969 T150 engine layout, is £65. For orders and more information, email triumphbook2nh@gmail.com.

Two new directors at West Coast

T

he group behind West Coast Harley-Davidson and West Coast Triumph Glasgow, has announced a brace of new appointments to its board of directors. John Weir, who has been with the company since 2015, has been appointed aftersales director while Derek Muir who joined in 2021 to head up the sales operation has been appointed sales director.

West Coast MD, David Hackshall said, “I’m delighted for both John and Derek who have been instrumental in our continued growth, helping us to win the prestigious HarleyDavidson Dealer of the Year award for the 3rd year in a row. They’re taking up their positions on the board with immediate effect.”

Derek Muir

John Weir

Last year, the West Coast group opened its first Triumph dealership in Hillington Park, Glasgow, creating 15 new jobs.

The two new board members will oversee not only the HarleyDavidson operation but also West Coast Triumph Glasgow, which has already exceeded its first year’s target objectives.

Executive director Don Rutherford said: “After our first 12 months with Triumph, we’re confidently looking forward to the future; our customer response to the new business has been amazing. This iconic brand together with Harley-Davidson make a very compelling business proposition.”

Lexmoto training referral scheme TOP LEARNER BIKE IMPORTER LEXMOTO HAS released the latest version of its Training School Referral Programme, which aims to reward trainers who recommend the firm to new riders. Each student who successfully completes a CBT and then buys a Lexmoto bike or scooter will earn a referral credit for their training school. Each credit earned is equivalent to a £100 deduction on the trade price of any model in the current Lexmoto range. So, the more riders a school refers to Lexmoto, the more discount it gets on buying Lexmoto bikes for its training fleet. The student rider also gets the OTR costs discounted off their bike when they buy.

Lexmoto provides the vouchers for the school to give to their customers, and these include all the information needed to claim the OTR costs off the retail price of the bike. Vouchers are filled out by the training school once the customer has completed

their CBT. Lexmoto will then credit the dealer’s account with the corresponding referral points.

Lexmoto sales@llexeter.co.uk 01395 234578

CMC tools up with new customer management tech

M

ajor Yamaha dealer CMC Motorcycles has boosted its customer buying experience with an upgraded store software platform from software firm MAD DEVS at its four retail sites in Wales, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

The new iStoreDOCS package uses the latest encryption and cloud computing technology and supports the ‘omnichannel’ retail strategy while claiming to deliver “an efficient sales experience for dealership staff and customers”.

Commenting on the technology, Jordan McWalter, business manager at CMC Motorcycles, Cannock, said: “We find the

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JANUARY 2024

system intuitive and easy to use. It saves an enormous amount of time, and distance sales have become easier with no need for paperwork to be signed and returned.”

David Boyce, CEO at MAD DEVS, said: “CMC Motorcycles is a respected retailer that has put the customer at the heart of its business. The new technology will ensure that customers benefit from an easier and safer buying experience. We are rapidly expanding the number of motorcycle dealers we support across the UK as online sales continue to grow.”

MAD DEVS says it launched iStoreDOCS to help dealers better manage customer documentation. It claims more than 80% of employees use file sharing on the platform to reduce issues while increasing collaboration.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Business news

PURE PURE PURE MOTO MOTO MOTO

New RAC app makes warranty experience easy

T

he RAC has released a new smartphone app that aims to make life easier for the 1200 dealers and 500,000 customers who use the club’s motorcycle, car and van warranty products, as well as extending the customer communications options available.

Developed by the RAC’s partner in the aftersales sector, Assurant, the Vehicle Care by Assurant app allows dealers to notify their customers about key product information and keep in touch with new offers, as well as creating the opportunity to renew at the end of an existing term. For customers, the app allows claims to be made and status updates to be accessed 24/7, provides help with booking repairs either with the supplying dealer or elsewhere and stores essential vehicle documents, including MOT certificates, giving a convenient single point of reference.

Vehicle Care by Assurant is Apple and Android compatible, and the same services are also available through a new online portal – www.yourvehiclecare. co.uk – for anyone who prefers to access them through an internet browser.

EXCLUSIVE STAY WARM DISTRIBUTOR AND DRY EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR EXCLUSIVE STAY WARM DISTRIBUTOR AND DRY Lee Coomber, RAC client director at Assurant, said: “On one hand, the app is about making it easier for customers to interact with us and use our services, providing them with access in the palm of their hand. Whatever they need from their warranty can easily be found, delivering what we believe to be a market-leading digital experience.

“On the other, it is an important tool for dealers in terms of continuing a relationship with their customers, whether that is fulfilling a claim in the workshop, providing information about new products and services, or offering extended cover when an existing policy comes to an end.”

SHARP contract awarded to TRL THE DEPARTMENT FOR Transport has given the contract to manage its Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) safety scheme to TRL (formerly the Transport Research Laboratory).

The two-year deal will see the Wokingham-based research organisation manage and deliver the consumer information scheme, which carries out NCAPstyle performance testing on motorcycle helmets.

Set up in 2007, SHARP aims to provide more information on helmet performance than the simple ‘pass’ rating of ECE 22.05/06 or BSI approval with a five-star rating scheme, depending on the amount of protection provided.

The scheme had a slightly rocky start after some top-end helmet firms found themselves receiving the same scores as very cheap entrylevel lids. Things settled down after that, but the scheme has suffered from a lower profile in recent years – so the Department for Transport is relaunching it with a publicity and

marketing boost, with the aim of improving safety for riders.

SHARP aims to test around 30 helmets each year and according to TRL, it utilises research findings from international studies on road traffic incidents involving motorcyclists.

These studies replicate real-world accidents in laboratory conditions, allowing for the determination of impact locations, frequencies, and severities on helmets. By subjecting helmets to more demanding impacts than required by the statutory regulations, SHARP identifies helmets that perform significantly better in real-world collisions.

Dr Phil Martin, head of transport safety at TRL, said: “Our appointment on the SHARP programme feels like a return to our roots. From developing the original SHARP protocols, to advising the DfT on updates to the test protocols to reflect evolving helmet designs, TRL has been involved with SHARP for almost 20 years. Over time we have collected better data and provided better insights about the head

o the talking www.britishdealernews.co.uk

injuries suffered by motorcyclists in road collisions. This data not only reveals the cause and location of injuries, but also the long term effects, derived from decades of collision research and our experience in providing expert testimony for personal injury claims.”

And Martin re-iterates the point of the SHARP scheme: while all legal bike helmets have an equal base level of protection in terms of ECE 22.06 certification, they do vary in ultimate safety performance. “Although all helmets that meet the minimum standards are inherently safe, some provide superior protection. SHARP solves the challenge for consumers in identifying these distinctions, as price alone does not serve as an indicator. Since its launch, helmet manufacturers and retailers have embraced the SHARP star rating system. We have confidence that they will demonstrate their continued enthusiasm for the scheme by participating in the process to update and expand it.”

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Business news

LETTER TO EDITOR

THE BDN DECEMBER ISSUE story about Elvis Presley’s historic volume purchase of Triumph motorcycles was indeed a major news item when, way back in 1970, I was working for Norton Villiers Corporation in Long Beach, California.

The most popular version was how, one fine sunny morning, while Elvis was driving – or, more likely, being driven – along Santa Monica Boulevard on his way to the film studio, he spotted a brandspanking new Triumph Bonneville on the forecourt of Robertson Cycles, Triumph’s official dealer for Hollywood and that part of Los Angeles.

The story goes that he either arranged its immediate purchase during a brief stopover or, having noticed this gleaming machine, he returned during his lunch break, snapping it up without listening to any sales spiel or taking a test ride. The tale then continued that upon returning the bike to the ranch where he resided, he was so impressed that he returned to Robertson’s the following day and bought a whole bunch of Bonneville’s for his buddies, a.k.a.

“The Nashville Mafia”. The actual number of bikes in this spectacular sale usually depended upon who was telling the tale. In 1971, for instance, a Triumph dealer in Texas told me it was a dozen bikes, which was the highest number I ever heard attributed. I duly met Bill Roberston Jr in early 1972, so you can imagine at least one of the matters we discussed. If memory’s correct, Bill stated that Presley’s subsequent buy was for four new Triumphs.

I’d like to conclude with some political news not involving Triumph but with yet another close link to pop music. I just learned that, for the next election, the Green Party will be entering a candidate who is an active rock-and-roll singer. Oh, and this minstrel’s name is Elvis Parsley!

Mike Jackson, Romsey, Hampshire

28

JANUARY 2024

700CL-X Heritage

Fowlers adds more variety and value C FMoto has joined the line-up at Fowlers, offering bikers in Bristol an unrivalled choice of new machines.

A relatively new motorcycle brand in the UK, CFMoto is rapidly gaining in popularity due to the impressive variety of bikes in the range and the accessible OTR prices. It will sit alongside 15 other manufacturers currently represented in Fowlers’ central Bristol showrooms.

CFMoto was founded in 1989 and currently employs around 5000 people worldwide. The firm sold 127,000 new bikes worldwide in 2021 and it was also the first new manufacturer to enter the Isle of Man TT for more than 50

300CL-X

years. In 2016, a WK650i – ridden

by TT legend Gary Johnson – finished fourth in the Lightweight class, missing out on a podium by just two seconds.

The growing CFMoto line-up has something for riders of all tastes. The neo-retro 300CL-X and 700CL-X Heritage, priced at £3599 and £5999, respectively,

are sure to be popular with fans of modern classics.

At £4499, the super-sharp 649cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected parallel-twin 650NK is said to offer an effortless and engaging naked bike experience, perfect for newer riders looking to step up.

For those who want to broaden their horizons, the range-topping 800MT Touring dual sport feels equally at home on a mountain trail as it does on the motorway.

Its impressive spec include a DOHC liquid-cooled 799cc twincylinder engine, KYB suspension, and cornering ABS; all at an OTR price of £9199.

Fowlers of Bristol 0117 977 0466 www.fowlers.co.uk

Cole goes on tour HENRY COLE FANS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO get up close and personal with the man himself as the effervescent presenter of Shed and Buried and The Motorbike Show embarks on his first-ever theatre tour.

An Evening with Henry Cole will take place at five venues throughout April and May and will take fans on “a deep dive into Cole’s fascinating life and career”.

Cole’s old mucker and former racing supremo, Steve “Stavros” Parrish, will host each show, guiding Cole through his incredibly varied life, covering his battles with addiction in his late teens/early twenties; his 32 years in the TV and movie industry as a director, working in both film and advertising; the founding of HCA Entertainment – Henry’s TV Production company; and his journey into presenting.

There will also be plenty of chat about his lifelong passion for motorcycles and the tinkering and restoring of vintage machinery. Plus, a smattering of fishing, tractors, cycling, and most importantly, his wife Janie, two sons Charlie and Tom, and his dog Jelly Bean!

Parrish – former British motorcycling champion, teammate to Barry Sheene, and ex-MotoGP

commentator – will doubtlessly pull out a few anecdotes along the way.

An Evening with Henry Cole dates and venues are: • 14 April – Princess Theatre, Hunstanton • 20 April – The Capitol, Horsham • 30 April – Epsom Playhouse • 15 May – Stafford Gatehouse • 24 May – The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden Prices are set by the venue, but typically start at around £30. Contact the venue directly for tickets and further details.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Electric news

Electric news F

air play to the UK Zero Motorcycles team, who picked the coldest week 04/12/2023 of the year 17:43 to complete an attempt on the ACU’s Maudes Trophy endurance event, first set up

by George Pettyt, owner of Maudes Motor Mart in London back in 1923. The inaugural Maudes Trophy was awarded to Norton, and Zero has now completed the first attempt with a batterypowered bike. The course for the award has varied over the years, but Zero’s route was a gruelling 1200-mile 60-hour run, which kicked off at Land’s End, then headed to Lowestoft – the easternmost point in Great Britain – before it turned north to Edinburgh, finishing up in Liverpool at the FIM’s award ceremony.

Seven riders battled -6°C temperatures, wind, rain, sleet and snow to ride the two allelectric Zero DSR/X motorcycles in shifts, Back row, left to right: Craig Carey-Clinch (NMC); Macauley Perkins (The Bike Sanctuary); Martin including the National Motorcyclists Council’s Fitz-Gibbons (journalist); Curt Langan (former racer), on bike: Ben Grayson (The Bike Sanctuary), kneeling: Matthew Drew (J&M Electrobikes) and Andy Dalton (Wheels Motorcycles) Craig Carey-Clinch, former racer Curt Langan and bike journalist Martin Fitz-Gibbons. The remaining team members were staff from authorised Zero dealerships: Andy Dalton from Wheels Motorcycles, Matthew Drew from J&M Electrobikes, Macauley Perkins and Ben Grayson from The Bike Sanctuary.

Speaking after the challenge, Dale Robinson, Zero Motorcycles UK country manager, said: “Wow, what a ride and much more an endurance to be the first EV company to win this trophy shelter for riders waiting off their bikes. This of man than machine. The bikes performed 100 years after it was first awarded. Electric is a matter the NMC will look into further.”

Zero’s Maudes Trophy challenge was faultlessly, but the biggest challenge was for the motorcycles are no longer just the future but a supported by a number of UK partners, riders, who were riding in sub-zero conditions. viable proposition for many riders today.”

Craig Carey-Clinch added: “In such extreme including Lexham Insurance, Pirelli, Moto They stuck to the task with great dedication, and not one gave up when they could have been cold weather conditions, teamwork was vital Novo Finance, Pidcock Motorcycles, Oakley to the ride’s success, and every member Motorcycles, J&M Electrobikes, Wheels forgiven for doing so.

“Aside from the honour of winning this played a key part in what was a gruelling Motorcycles, Cradley Kawasaki, JPB Signs prestigious award, it has been an excellent ride at times. I started the challenge with an and Magnet Motos. opportunity for all involved to learn more open mind about the capability of electric about riding electric motorcycles in extreme motorcycles on long-distance journeys, but ZERO HAS EXTENDED ITS ELECTRIC BIKE conditions. Potential customers are often the DSR/Xs performed very well, considering range for 2024, with new models for restricted asking questions about touring and riding in the extreme cold. However, when it comes to licence holders. New for learners and A1 licence cold temperatures. Our dealers now have first- infrastructure for riders, much more needs holders is the Zero S and DS, and there’s a new hand experience riding in conditions no Zero to be done by public authorities if they want DSR model for A2 licence holders. The bikes can owner is likely to ever find themselves in, and to encourage a switch to ePTWs. It’s not that be upgraded to unlock more power when the we have been able to prove our product in these charging facilities are rare; the opposite, rider’s licence permits most challenging conditions. It feels fitting in fact. It is that many have no facilities or

header.indd 1

Sub-Zero Maudes Trophy success

JOIN THE ELECTRIC EVOLUTION As the UK’s best-selling electric motorcycle brand, we were strategically bought out by the Vmoto Soco Group manufacturer in 2023 to guarantee long term stability to owners and to further our commitment to encouraging a shift towards electric commuting.

As we continue to grow we are looking for new dealers to come on board and join the UK’s electric revolution.

Email gareth@vmotosoco.com for more information.

30

JANUARY 2024

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Electric news

Talaria Dragon

Llexeter takes on Talaria LEADING SMALL BIKE IMPORTER Llexeter has become the exclusive UK supplier for Talaria Power Tech products, replacing the previous distributor for the lightweight electric on- and off-road motorbike brand.

First seen in the UK market at the end of 2021, Talaria quickly gained momentum, selling more than 2000 units in its first year. There are now three models in the range, priced between £3495 and £4595, from the off-road X3 MX to the top spec road legal 8kW Sting R. Talaria brand manager Rob Woolley said, “Talaria made a global debut in early 2022, rapidly gaining momentum from

the outset. Our team dedicated countless hours engaging with dealers, articulating how this bike would emerge as a formidable competitor among its counterparts.

As soon as the bikes hit the market, the momentum escalated swiftly, resulting in a surge of orders.

Several dealers achieved impressive sales, surpassing 200 units for the year.

“Over the past 18 months, we’ve diligently cultivated our social media presence, and our Talaria_ UK Instagram account now boasts an impressive 45,000 followers, making it the most-followed Talaria account worldwide.” www.talariauk.com

Royal Enfield shows off electric Himalayan

I

t’s been a real journey for Royal Enfield over the past decade or so. It’s not so long ago that it was producing and selling bikes which had barely changed in six decades. But now it’s got a solid line-up of modern petrol-powered machinery – and is working on its own electric bike. The firm showed off the Him-E – a batterypowered prototype adventure machine, aimed at developing the technology required for future zero-emissions bikes. The testbed has some interesting tech, including using the battery housing as a main structural part of the chassis and bodywork using organic flax materials.

There’s no word on performance, range, weight or anything else, suggesting a project that’s quite early on in development.

But Mario Alvisi, chief growth officer – EV at Royal Enfield, reckons there’s much more to come. “We saw this as an opportunity to create something unique and to inspire future generations. What began as a

capability exercise for our teams, is now an electric adventure motorcycle we are very proud of; a new expression of our love for adventure and the mountains.

The Him-E testbed is much more than a design concept. For us, this is our vision and a glimpse of what to expect from us in the future.

There is a much larger electric mobility blueprint that is being brought alive at Royal Enfield.”

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Comprehensive Caliper Seal Kits For Single & Twin Calipers Japanese Quality

all your workshop needs wmd-online.com 01273 595746 JANUARY 2024 31

Registrations data A Alternative powered two wheeler registrations for November 2022

POWER BAND

32 JANUARY 2024

Nov 2022

% Change

Highest registering model by power band

Nov Regs

Under 4kW

112

156

-28.2%

1653

2803

-41.0%

Sur-Ron Light Bee

20

111

173

-35.8%

1826

2864

-36.2%

Sur-Ron Ultra Bee

37

11-35kW

3

3

0.0%

67

125

-46.4%

BMW CE 04

3

Over 35kW

4

1

300.0%

58

115

-49.6%

Multiple models

1

Electric Motion Epure Sport

1

Exempt

1

4

-75.0%

88

77

14.3%

Unknown

8

9

-11.1%

114

144

-20.8%

239

346

-30.9%

3806

6128

-37.9%

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

2023 / 2022 Registrations by style MOPEDS

Nov 2023

Nov 2022

% Change

MOTORCYCLES

Nov 2023

Nov 2022

% Change

Adventure

0

0

0.0%

Adventure

1

2

-50.0%

Competition

46

56

-17.9%

Competition

40

8

400.0%

Custom

1

0

0.0%

Modern classic

12

50

-76.0%

EPAC

6

0

0.0%

Naked

21

29

-27.6%

Modern Classic

0

0

0.0%

Road sport

0

1

-100.0%

Naked

9

11

-18.2%

Scooter

51

97

-47.4%

Other L-Cat

3

2

50.0%

Unspecified

2

2

0.0%

Scooter

46

83

-44.6%

TOTAL

127

189

-32.8%

Unspecified

1

4

-75.0%

112

156

-28.2%

Nov 2023

Nov 2022

% Change

239

346

-30.9%

TRICYCLES

Nov 2023

Nov 2022

% Change

0

1

-100.0%

TOTAL

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

BEST SELLING MODELS 2023 YTD

Alternate power rolling year 1200

1. Sur-Ron Ultra Bee 2. Vmoto Super Soco CPX 3. Sur-Ron Light Bee 4. Maeving RM1 5. Vmoto Super Soco CUx

2021/22

1000

2022/23

800 600

315 258 221 206 193

400 200

No v

Oc t

Sep

Feb

Jan

0

De c

How the future of e-scooters will develop, both in the UK and elsewhere, remains to be seen. Legislation to permit private usage of the machines in Britain has been held up by the ongoing political car crash in Westminster, while places like Paris that had allowed free reign for the batterypowered urban mobility tools, have been pulling back. Part of the answer will be better-made products, like this Husqvarna Skutta. Dreadful name aside, it looks like a properly engineered piece of kit, with 10in front wheel, aluminium chassis, dual drum brakes, lights and side stand. The easily swapped 36V battery recharges from empty in around four hours, but there’s no word on the range. Price is to be confirmed.

% Change

Year to date Nov 2023

4-11kW

TOTAL

HUSQVARNA E-SCOOTER

Nov 2022

Au g

TOP-SELLING ELECTRIC SCOOTER FIRM Vmoto has set a new Guinness World Record for ‘the longest distance achieved on an electric scooter in 24 hours by a relay team’. The firm managed to ride a standard 8kW (11hp) CPx PRO scooter, which has a top speed of 65mph and a range of around 62 miles, more than 1931km (1200 miles) at the Circuito Tazio Nuvolari in Cervesina, northern Italy.

That topped the previous record by 151km (94 miles) and was an impressive result for the five-strong team of bike racers and journalists considering the terrible weather conditions in November.

Nov 2023

Jul

VMOTO WORLD RECORD

2023 / 2022 Registrations by power band

Jun

ULTRA-HIGH-END ELECTRIC BIKE MAKER VERGE has announced a new software platform for its machines. The Starmatter system claims to “revolutionise motorcycling by combining OTA updates, sensor technology, artificial intelligence and an advanced user interface.” In addition, the firm reckons it has utilised the video game technology behind the Unreal Engine for the interface, which is an interesting development, despite sounding a bit science fiction. The firm also reckons it will be able to improve how its bikes work over time with better software updates, as with smartphones and computers.

Ma y

NEW VERGE SOFTWARE

Ap r

CHINESE FIRM YADEA PRESENTED A NEW high-performance electric bike at EICMA, with a super-fast charging system. The new Kemper claims to charge from 0-80% in ten minutes using a CCS2 rapid charger connection. It has a claimed top speed of more than 100mph and peak power of 54hp, but there’s no word on range from the 6.4kWh battery pack. The chassis boasts some impressively high-end components, with KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, Bosch ABS and DID final drive chain.

No word on price or availability as yet. www.yadea.com

Ma r

YADEA KEMPER

road motorcycle styling that is currently in vogue for teen riders.

As usual, volume of larger ePTWs was barely worth a mention. The 11-35kW slot, roughly equating to A2 licence application, was dead flat, filled by precisely three 15kW BMW CE 04 maxiscooters. Above 35kW, four bikes of indeterminate origin were registered, rising from only one in November 2022. Nine exempt or unidentified items completed the grim tally, deteriorating from 13 a year earlier.

In the year-to-date, total battery-electric registrations stand at 3806 units, a 37.9% reduction compared to 2022. Mopeds are 41% in arrears on 1653. 4-11kW bikes have declined by 36.2% to 1826.

11-35kW stuff has copped a 46.4% loss at 67 and over-35kW premium contenders have shrunk by 49.6% to 58. YTD overall market share has fallen from 5.5% to 3.5%.

fter October’s lonely burst of optimism for the UK battery-electric firmament, November delivered a resounding return of abject decline – a 30.9% slump to just 239 units.

And in what was a fairly dismal month for PTW registrations generally, electrified market share shrivelled from 5.2% to 3.8%.

The key low-power electric mobility sector spanning machines up to 11kW took the brunt of this punishment, falling by 32.2% to 223 units. Within that, up-to-4kW mopeds ridden on AM licences were 28.2% down to 112. A1 (125cc equivalent) products in the 4kW-11kW bracket sank by 35.8% to 111.

Vmoto’s Super Soco resurgence in the previous month simply vanished. Some 20 samples of the SurRon Light Bee took best-selling moped honours, while a 37-strong fleet of Sur-Ron Ultra Bee kit topped the 4-11kW chart. Both of these models feature the off-

No v

Electric news

SHORT CUTS

Registration statistics supplied by the MCIA; tel 02476 408000; www.mcia.co.uk

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Off-road news

LINEAR The UK’S TOP SELLING OFF-ROAD RACE WEAR 01900 873456 www.wulfsport.com

Off-road news With off-road correspondent Rick Kemp

S Plug and go DUALWAYS HAS INTRODUCED A new top-of-the range Amped A60 electric off-road model, which, it says, further extends the brand’s target audience. The larger-wheeled model is aimed at the growing leisure and electric competition off-road market.

The A60 is fitted with a JYX brushless permanent magnet motor, which is capable of delivering an impressive 6kw of peak power with 280Nm of torque, enough to whisk it up to a top speed of 47mph. A marketleading, high-spec Samsung 60v 40AH battery provides high-power output and a fast charge time.

The A60 has 19in alloy-rimmed wheels front and rear and also uses a forged alloy frame. Tried and trusted Fastace multi-adjustable upside-down front forks and preload adjustable rear suspension provide 200mm of travel at both ends for smooth handling on the rough.

The Amped A60 is available in black and red colourways at an SRP of £4495.

Dualways 01623 708607 drew.m@dualways.com

34

JANUARY 2024

herco has apologised to dealers and customers for the recent lack of transparency regarding its UK operations “resulting from a complex transition to a new direct sales strategy”. Moving forward, the company claims this change will quickly prove successful, as Sherco has already seen in France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands, all markets that have already transitioned to a direct sales strategy.

The transition started at the beginning of December, when the French motorcycle manufacturer moved to the new direct model which, it says, means approved dealers will be able to take advantage of better conditions and gain access to enhanced benefits, with supply directly from the Sherco Factory HQ in Nimes, France.

Speaking about this latest strategy, Sherco CEO Marc Teissier said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Malcolm Rathmell Sport for all its work with Sherco in the UK over the last 24 years. We have shared good memories and many successful years of partnership.

However, the world is becoming more globalised and in order to stay competitive and responsive against other manufacturers that supply directly, Sherco needs to adapt to protect and support its dealer network.”

Sherco also took the opportunity to announce a new dedicated UK team, headed by former Eurotek boss Mark Jackson, with support from Sherco’s nine-times World Championship winning duo Emma Bristow and James Fry. The trio

Sherco CEO Marc Teissier

Sherco goes direct in UK combines experience, energy and knowledge in enduro and trials, as well as 18 years of experience in direct supply from Sherco factory HQ, ensuring a solid basis to develop the brand in the UK. Jackson, well known for his support at International Hard Enduro events as well as more than 20 years of UK dealership insight, makes the transition from dealership to manufacturer, which means he understands first-hand the challenges of a modern UK dealership – experience he has used to help develop Sherco’s new UK trade offerings.

Bristow also sees this as a natural progression for her career: “It’s been a lot of fun planning our strategy together, and I will still compete, but having a long-term plan to continue my relationship with Sherco beyond competition excites me. I look forward to

getting my boots dirty with test days, rider development and supporting all authorised dealers.”

Fry, a top trials rider himself, added: “I’ve ridden with Sherco for 17 years and having the opportunity to join the commercial team is incredible.

I’m enjoying working with and learning from Mark; his experience in the motorcycle industry is mind-blowing. I look forward to working with dealers on new sales initiatives, giving more people the chance to try a Sherco, and developing our new Sherco UK Trials Academy Team with a high level of support at many UK events next year.”

Trial Enquiries – James Fry 074 69 929685 james.fry@sherco.com Enduro Enquiries – Mark Jackson 07786 267330 mark.jackson@sherco.com

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Off-road news

Boss ORV to distribute Powerland

LS2 makes history

L

S2’s X-Force has become the first off-road helmet to achieve FIM-2 homologation (FRHPhe-02), the new international standard for motocross, enduro, speedway and Cross-Country championships.

Refreshed for 2024, the carbon-fibre shell comes in four sizes to keep the profile and weight to a minimum – it’s not just one standard shell with different-sized liners. The standard peak can be extended and adjusted to suit, alternatively, a flexible and shatterproof peak (supplied as standard) can be quickly swapped in. The X-Force has multiple top and exhaust vents, and there’s a built-in hydration kit for drinking on the move.

Fastening is taken care of by a double-D ring and reinforced strap, anchored to the shell with LS2’s unique metal security plate. In addition, an Emergency Release System allows first responders to pull out the cheek pads safely. It’s ECE 22.06 homologated and therefore road legal, as well as ACU Gold approved and comes complete with a backpack for carrying and storage.

The LS2 X-Force is available in a solid carbon finish for £299.99 SRP, or three graphic options for £319.99.

O

ff-road vehicle specialists BOSS ORV has been appointed as sole UK distributors for Powerland Agro Tractor Vehicles. Powerland is the company behind the development and production of the fully electric Tachyon and Xplore ATV models and is based in Goa, India.

BOSS ORV managing director Phil Everett commented: “I have known [Powerland Agro founder]

LS2 Helmets UK 01670 856342 www.ls2helmets.com

New Corsair range from Wulfsport THE NEW 2024 CORSAIR RANGE from Wulfsport International is now available. The range features striking new designs, ensuring the brand continues to stand out from the pack and offers quality off-road wear that isn’t going to break the bank.

The new Corsair range is available in six colourways in adult and kid sizes.

Kids’ shirts and pants are £12.49 and £32.95, with adult shirts priced at £15.45 and adult pants at £35.95.

Further trade discounts are available for bulk orders.

Wulfsport has also added the new kids’ Air-X helmet to its range for the 2024 season; the new kids’ helmet has a TPR shell construction with an aerodynamic outer shell design and is ECE 22.06 homologated.

It has a quick-release fastening system and a fully washable and removable inner lining and cheek pads. The new Air-X is available in six colourways and has a trade price of £36.95.

Established in 1980, Wulfsport is the longest-standing offroad apparel brand in the UK. The company continues

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

to distribute worldwide from its Workington base and, uniquely, doesn’t insist on minimum order quantities. Clothing can also be exchanged for new releases at the end of each year, so dealers need never worry about being overstocked with out-of-date kit.

The firm is heavily involved in all disciplines of off-road sport, including support for Grand Prix and world championships in motocross, sidecar MX, long track, grass track and BMX racing, ensuring exposure to a broad mix of consumers.

To see the new range in the flesh, visit the Wulfsort stand at the Classic Dirt Bike Show, Telford International Centre, over the weekend of 10-11 February.

Wulfsport International 01900 873456 www.wulfsport.com

Left to right: Boss ORV owner Murray Boss with MD Phil Everett, alongside Tej Naik, MD of Powerland Agro Tractor Vehicles

Tej Naik and his family for many years, and we have been in constant communication over this time. We have watched with great excitement how Powerland’s business and products have developed. The factory in Goa has become a fully independent facility, manufacturing complete vehicles in-house, including their own chassis. We took the opportunity to visit the Powerland stand at the show in Milan and seal the deal with a long-term distribution contract.

The Tachyon is a fully electric (Liion) ATV, which is road legal, with tractor homologation, and the time is right to launch it into our market.”

Powerland is continuing to expand its Indian operations and expects to increase its workforce to more than five hundred over the next three years.

BOSS ORV 01785 561046 sales@bossorv.co.uk

JANUARY 2024 35

Off-road news

Triumph launches new MX-er

T

riumph Motorcycles has officially launched the long-awaited TF 250-X, which boasts a class-leading powerto-weight ratio and a specification package to contest the ultra-competitive 250cc motocross market.

The four-stroke competition model is an all-new design, developed entirely

by Triumph in collaboration with racing champions including Ricky Carmichael and Iván Cervantes. The performance racing powertrain and aluminium chassis are ultracompact and lightweight, with top-quality components already fitted out of the crate.

Triumph Motorcycles’ chief product manager, Steve Sargent, said: “The launch of the TF 250-X is the culmination of a significant commitment and investment from Triumph, to not just bring a totally new bike to the motocross world, but to deliver a winning performance. To achieve this, we are focused on delivering the most complete package for any riding level, from champion to amateur.

“This bike is 100% Triumph, conceived, designed, developed and manufactured by our

world-leading chassis and engine teams, with expert support from our racing champions.

We started with a blank sheet of paper and began an all-new ground-up design, including new engine, new chassis and new electronics.”

Triumph has already appointed a network of specialist motocross dealerships, which will be offering sales, servicing, parts and a dedicated range of apparel, backed by a mobile-optimised 24/7 online parts supply system, so customers can order for express delivery straight from the track.

The Triumph-developed racing powertrain comprises a competition four-stroke single with a forged aluminium piston and titanium valves. The motor also has low-friction carbon coatings, lightweight magnesium covers and an Exedy Belleville clutch.

Advanced engine management and tunability are complemented by the optional MX Tune Pro app, enabling riders to use real-time selectable mapping with an engine sensor dashboard and live diagnostic functionality.

The unique aluminium chassis has a highstrength, lightweight spine frame with twin

cradles designed for the optimum balance of performance, mass and flexibility. Triumph claims that the bike’s total weight will see the TF 250-X set a new benchmark for the best power-to-weight ratio in the category. It also delivers a high level of adaptability to suit different riders and styles.

The TF 250-X features premium componentry throughout, which includes KYB suspension, Brembo floating-calipers, a Galfer disc-braking system, and DirtStar 7000 Series aluminium rims with machined aluminium hubs fitted with Pirelli Scorpion tyres.

Prices for the TF 250-X will start from £9795 and it will be available from specialist Triumph MX and Enduro Centres across Europe, Australia and USA, with 300 due to be in operation by the end of 2024. These are dedicated, fully trained, specialist offroad centres providing sales, servicing, parts, clothing and race support.

Triumph Motorcycles 01455 251700 becomeadealer@triumph.co.uk

V-Strom 800RE joins DE version SUZUKI HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW V-STROM 800RE model that will expand its adventure bike stable.

In this case, the RE suffix probably stands for Road Explorer. While using the same engine and frame as its DE sibling, the RE has swapped spoked wheels and tubed tyres for more road-biased 19in and 17in cast aluminium wheels wearing Dunlop tubeless tyres.

Showa still provides the suspension, but focuses on delivering superior on-road performance. The 150mm of travel at the front and rear comes courtesy of preload-adjustable inverted front forks and a link-type mono shock adjustable for preload and rebound damping.

For comfort on the road, it comes with a seat height of 825mm, while aluminium, rubbercovered footpegs are set slightly further rearward and higher than on the V-Strom 800DE, and the aluminium tapered

36

JANUARY 2024

handlebars are lower and further forwards. They’re also narrower. A taller and wider screen offers more weather and wind protection on longer rides.

Beneath the screen is a 5in colour TFT display screen with all the navigation of menus and features done via a rocker switch on the left-hand handlebar. There’s also a handy USB port. A ride-by-wire throttle connection allows Suzuki’s low rpm assist and easy start function to be fitted, while a standard-fit bi-directional quickshifter – allied to a slipper clutch – makes gear changes slick and seamless.

The V-Strom 800RE comes in Pearl Vigor blue, metallic matt steel green, and Glass Sparkle black.

A full suite of genuine accessories will also be available, including a choice of three-piece aluminium or plastic luggage, heated grips, and a centre stand. The OTR price is £9699.

Tearaway Ténéré

F

or the first time, Yamaha has developed a range of GYTR (Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing) performance parts in collaboration with the Yamaha Rally team, creating three tuning kits to turn the Ténéré 700 World Raid into a genuine competition motorcycle.

Available through European Yamaha dealerships, the Performance, Handling, and Rally kits combine to create the ultimate Ténéré 700 World Raid. A selection of GYTR parts, developed for racing purposes only, will also be available separately for any standard Ténéré 700 customers looking to take their Yamaha to the next level of adventure riding.

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THE BETA RX 450 4T is officially the first four-stroke motocross bike built by the Italian manufacturer, and has been developed after competing in the MXGP World Championship for the last three years. It is now being released for enthusiasts of all abilities, and will provide the first chance for the wider public to experience Beta RideAbility.

To fulfil the RideAbility promise, Beta’s team spent its time designing a bike that appeals to all riders, whatever their level of skill. It requires making the bike easier to ride while still providing toplevel performance for racing, thanks to an engine and frame combination which is new from the ground up.

The RX 450 has a new aluminium rear sub-frame, which provides rigidity to the bike despite its light weight.

The Kayaba suspension is fully adjustable at both ends, with 48mm stanchions at the front

Join the electric & 3 Wheel revolution become a Can-Am dealer

and 50mm shock at the rear. The engine has been designed specifically for motocross use: the crankshaft and countershaft are new, as are the cylinder, pistons and timing system, allowing a compression ratio of 13.5:1 to be achieved. The gearbox is five-speed, with dedicated ratios. At the same time, the clutch (with diaphragm springs, adjustable to three positions) has been designed to withstand the stresses from the engine’s high-power output while still offering a light pull at the lever.

The weight and dimensions are exceptionally compact. The RX 450 4T is also equipped with two specific engine maps (wet and dry) and four levels of traction control to manage the bike’s power in all terrain conditions.

John Lampkin Imports 01756 793521 www.beta-uk.com

Full-on Fantics

F

antic made a major splash at EICMA, its home show. The widelyanticipated Fantic XE 300 two-stroke enduro is now in production and heading to market, plus a new XEF 310 four-stroke enduro was revealed. The Fantic Caballero 125 and 500 ranges have been updated for 2024 with new lighting and styling changes. Reflecting a shift in direction, Fantic also previewed the company’s first street bike, the naked Fantic Stealth 125 and the Fantic Imola Concept, a racing-inspired sports prototype. And not to be outdone, a full-electric Motard-EV prototype was also unveiled.

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brp.com/en/become-a-dealer.html Craig Morison, craig.morison@brp.com, 07909774767

©2023 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are registered trademarks of BRP or its affiliates.

JANUARY 2024 37

Off-road news

Beta builds its first four-stroke MX bike

Yamaha

n i l l a g n Goi T

he push for single-brand Yamaha is backing a new type of multi- a one-marque dealer doesn’t stack up. But because we have a range of dealerships amongst the big product dealership selling its entire offerings – road, off-road, marine, bike makers has been around range, including quads, marine products, WaveRunner, ATV – actually where for a while now. The advantages for a manufacturer are easy enough ATVs, e-bikes and even golf carts. What’s one product line might not stand up, a dealer of multi product lines can. to see: it gets a high-end store the thinking? Alan Dowds reports And Kelley points to three dealers dedicated to that one brand, with who have now done just that. “In the past dealers. Yes they’ve had to invest more in no distractions from alternative marques. year, we’ve got three new multiple product corporate and visual identity and also invest And the dealer generally benefits from better retailers: Stirling Powersports in Paisley, more in marketing activities. But they’re margins on sales, perhaps some help with QBS/Quadbikes R Us in Essex, and MES selling more and making more profit. We’ve marketing, store fit-out and the like. made no secret that we are on a journey to get Powersports in Deeside, Wales. They’ve not It’s not without its handicaps, though, all come from motorcycles, some are from more solo dealers where we can, and 82% of especially where the sales from one marque a marine background, and one has an ATV our dealers are now solus Yamaha.” alone aren’t sufficient to support a business: background, and it’s working really well now.”

But Kelley acknowledges the limitations that’s particularly common in rural areas.

Dave Brown is the dealer development for some locations. “We know there are But now Yamaha has come up with a plan to manager at Yamaha UK, and he has worked areas like islands or rural areas where being combat this, by encouraging dealers to take closely with these new Yamaha “brand on the full range of Yamaha products. So a centres”. “We’re proud of the strength that single dealership can sell marine outboard the Yamaha brand has in the UK and we engines, WaveRunner personal watercraft, can attribute that firstly to having the best ATVs, e-bicycles, side-by-side vehicles, and dealers in the business, but also the quality of golf carts – together with on and off-road our products including motorcycle, outboard motorcycles and scooters. That means dealers engines, WaveRunner, ATV and Golf Car. The have a wider range of products, generating opportunity therefore to have more dealers a spread of income streams, yet are able to selling more of our products is very exciting stay as solus Yamaha outlets, and can even and we’ve seen genuine success with MES, hold onto a single location. Other benefits Stirling and QBS.” include extending the selling season: off-road, Taking on new products isn’t a simple task ATVs and marine sales don’t have their peaks of course: each line has its own specialisms and troughs at the same time as the leisure in terms of staff and product knowledge. motorcycle sector. There are also practical “We’re very mindful that the different advantages in terms of a single channel for product groups require specific knowledge orders, logistics, sales targets and other and expertise,” said Brown. “We can back this administrative tasks. up with the Yamaha Training Academy for all Adam Kelley, general manager of the land our products. sales division at Yamaha UK, told us more. s ow sh n ger Dave Brow velopment mana “We know that each product group needs “What we’ve done in the last ten years is s Yamaha dealer de s aquatic operation m’ fir e th specialist knowledge,” said Adam Kelley. generally to have fewer dealers but healthier of le off the sca

38 JANUARY 2024

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Kerry Marven, dealer principal of QBS Powersports

Feature

“They need to know the market and there is a lot of expertise needed. That’s not something we expect dealers will just be able to do, but the three new multi-product dealers have generally got specialists in for that area of the business.”

FROM THE SEA TO THE SHORE…

From left: Mark Shovelton, Belinda Palfreman, Kayleigh Palfreman, Kieran Bassett, Benn Walsh, Phil Beach and Ben Preston

has MES Powersports tercraft wa , es bik Yamaha ts all uc od pr r we po d an e roof on r de un corralled

has QBS Powersports room ow sh added more play dis to r de or in e spac e ng ra el the two-whe

THE

And MES is even taking trade-ins across product lines. “Since we’ve got the multi-product lines, that enables people to part-exchange a boat for a motorcycle say. That’s already happened, and it’s the sort of thing another dealership might not be able to do.”

NO QUANDARY FOR QUADBIKES R US Quadbikes R Us (QRU) was, unsurprisingly, an ATV dealer in Maldon, Essex, and has held an official Yamaha franchise since 2005. But in 2022 Yamaha asked if they would be interested in adding twowheelers to the range. The firm’s Kerry Marven takes up the story. “I had never really considered the PTW franchise. But Yamaha could see the commitment we have to the brand and asked if a PTW franchise would be something we would consider by way of expanding. We as a company understand the Yamaha journey through the product lines and wanted to be part of it.”

Like MES, QRU had to expand, taking on another vacant unit nearby, and it also took on a new name.

“The biggest challenge was finding a suitable name for the PTW side: obviously Quadbikes R Us wasn’t really it. We came up with QBS Powersports – QBS to tie in with our current name and Powersports to show the products we sell as a whole.”

Marven says there’s been a lot of interest from existing customers – indeed they’d had queries about two wheels beforehand. “Many of our existing customers are into their motorcycles and there has been some crossover. People were seeing the Yamaha signage and asking if we sold other Yamaha products as well as the ATVs, motorcycles were a common ask. We did carry out some research with regards to a need for Yamaha motorcycles in our area and the answer from feedback was ‘yes’.

“Our existing customers have been so complimentary about the changes that have happened over the last 18 months as well as being very supportive. Both showrooms definitely give the wow factor as customers walk in.” ■ Yamaha Motor 0808 812 6066 dealerenquiry@yamaha-motor.co.uk

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BENCH MARK PERFORMANCE FOR

MES Powersports in Deeside, just inside the Welsh border, has been a marine specialist for over 20 years. The firm’s Kayleigh Palfreman told us how the expansion into bikes has worked for them.

“MES is my parent’s business, Malcolm and Linda, and back in 2019 we became Yamaha outboard dealers, then we took on WaveRunner in 2020, just in time for the new models. Yamaha is such a great brand, we were very confident with them and we were offered the dealership basically for the motorcycles. So we took that on, as well as ATVs and side-by-side at the same time.”

Luckily, the MES family had some background in motorcycling, and the firm’s also been able to source new Yamaha bike staff locally. “My dad has always enjoyed bikes – I’ve also started riding myself, but my dad has ridden since he was a kid.

We’ve taken on new staff from a previous dealer with a lot of experience, so we’ve got fully qualified Yamaha technicians.”

Has the expansion streamlined logistics, in terms of dealing with one supplier? “It has helped yes, we’re able to effectively have just one account, so it’s not like a multi-franchise where you’re having to log into different systems and meet targets with all the brands.”

The expansion has meant physical growth too – MES has expanded its premises and is also seeing crossover benefits between the product lines.

“We’ve had some expansion, yes, we’ve moved into the building next door. And there has been crossover from the marine side. We’ve got owners of fishing boats and jet skis who have motorcycling and riding green-lanes as a hobby.”

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DEALER PACK JANUARY 2024 39

Business Beat

Business Beat

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS – THE PROS AND CONS Mergers and acquisitions can often mean more than the power of two – but only if due process is followed

M

ergers and acquisitions (M&A) refers to transactions between two companies that combine in some form. Although used interchangeably, they come with different legal meanings.

In a merger, two companies of similar size combine to form a new single entity. On the other hand, an acquisition is when a larger company acquires a smaller company, thereby absorbing the business of the smaller firm.

M&A deals can be friendly or hostile,

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depending on the approval of the target company’s board.

Paul Taylor, a partner in the corporate department of business law firm Fox Williams, is of the view that success depends on understanding what an M&A seeks to achieve.

For many, he says that “the goal is to achieve a clean exit from a business. But some may wish to stay on and become a part-owner of a bigger business that makes the acquisition.”

CONSIDERATIONS Many sales take the form of a share sale rather than an asset sale. In essence, the former transfers ownership interests in the company, whereas the latter means the sale of assets and business to another company.

Taylor says that there are benefits and drawbacks to each, but a key driver is tax: “A share sale may give rise to capital gains tax

on the profits made. An asset sale will result in corporation tax on the proceeds of the sale made by the company. Once the company has paid the corporation tax, the proceeds of the sale can then be distributed, but if the owners are individuals, they will be charged income tax on the proceeds.” In effect, there can be double taxation on an asset sale, which is why share sales are preferred.

An issue for private limited companies is that they have no open market for their shares, making it difficult to determine a valuation – at least not without external advisers. Here, Taylor recommends that “a valuation is obtained from a reputable corporate finance adviser early on in the process.” He continues by explaining that there are options for sellers: “With a ‘locked box’, the price is locked on a particular date, and any ‘leakage’ out of the company to the

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Cloud-based Dealer Management System

with Adam Bernstein www.abfeatures.com sellers and connected persons from then is owed to the buyer. But with completion accounts, the price is subject to adjustment once accounts have been prepared and finalised following the completion date to reflect the true position at the date that the buyer acquired the company.”

Understandably, Taylor sees ‘locked box’ being more preferable for sellers.

Regardless of the route, key terms that are important to the seller should, says Taylor, be “documented by way of a letter of intent or heads of terms.” He says that “while such a document generally won’t be legally binding (save for certain specified provisions such as confidentiality), it will record that the parties agreed to proceed with the deal on the basis of the terms.” In other words, the document makes it much harder for the buyer or its lawyers to argue about the basis of the sale when the official documentation is drafted.

Those looking to make a clean exit will likely be looking for the buyer to make a single cash payment upon completion.

However, as Taylor has seen, those intending or are required to remain with the business following completion, may see the buyer suggest a different consideration structure, such as an earn-out.

In fact, he’s often seen “provisions that link a target – say profit or revenue – to the price that is payable at a future date… there are a myriad of other potential consideration structures that may be proposed, depending on the motivations and finances of the buyer.” One example he comes across in private equity transactions is where the buyer expects sellers to stay on with the business and must reinvest a portion of their proceeds into shares or loan notes within the buyer’s group.

Often, there are obstacles to be overcome that buyers will need to resolve ahead of completion. For example, the firm may have contracts that contain change of control provisions whose consent the buyer will need to obtain prior to completion. There

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might be other significant issues that will be uncovered by, or revealed to, the buyer via the diligence and/or disclosure processes.

Even so, Taylor advises that “in all cases, you should communicate potential issues to your advisers at the outset of the process.

Consider together at what stage to make these known to the buyer and how best to handle them at that time.”

Relief should also be available on asset sales and share sales but there are various qualifying conditions and sellers should definitely take advice from a tax advisor before structuring the sale transaction MANAGING THE PROCESS The M&A process takes time because buyers want to conduct due diligence, and as Taylor highlights, “the timing of this exercise will depend on the buyer’s level of urgency, the amount of information to review and the materiality thresholds the buyer might have set for such review.”

Another consideration for Taylor is the high likelihood of the need to give warranties in the sale documentation relating to the company and its business operations, “against which you can disclose any untrue or misleading information to limit your liability.”

It should be said that due diligence does open up a company’s innermost secrets.

It also risks the public, customers or suppliers learning of the deal itself before

it is completed. On top of this are worries if the potential buyer is a competitor and/or within the same industry.

It’s because of these risks that Taylor recommends that sellers enter into a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement at the outset to “provide some comfort that potential buyers will keep the information they learn during the deal process, and the existence of the potential deal itself, confidential.” That said, there are other ways to protect sensitive information that is disclosed during the transaction; two options that Taylor mentions are to “only upload data once it has been established that the buyer is sufficiently serious about the deal and to apply permissions to documents so that they cannot be printed or downloaded.”

PERSONAL TAX IMPLICATIONS Lastly, while proceeds from a share sale should be taxed as capital gains, with the rate depending on whether the individual is a basic rate, higher or an additional rate taxpayer and whether they have made any other capital gains within the same tax year, there is also the business asset disposal relief (BADR), formerly known as entrepreneurs’ relief, to consider.

Taylor puts great store in BADR since it “currently entitles sellers to a 10% tax rate rather than the otherwise applicable capital gains tax rate.” He adds that, broadly speaking, “this relief should also be available on asset sales and share sales but there are various qualifying conditions and sellers should definitely take advice from a tax advisor before structuring the sale transaction.”

SUMMARY Those seriously considering a sale of their business should instruct lawyers and any other advisers as early as possible. They will need corporate finance advisers, accountants, as well as lawyers, and their early involvement will maximise the chances that the desired outcome will be achieved. 

JANUARY 2024 41

Business Beat

DeepBlue CloudDMS

Marketing Matters

MARKETING

MATTERS

Expert adv ice to improve how you promote and sell you IT IS SAID THAT THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER THE PAST ARE r condemned to repeat it. In a new six-part series for BDN, Dan Sager products or from Fab-Biker PR investigates some famous public relations failures and services asks what could have been done to avoid them. fab-biker.co.uk

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS. YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE

How not to manage a crisis. Three things British Airways failed to do when its opening day at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 went into meltdown

D

esigned by internationally renowned architect Richard Rogers, Heathrow Terminal 5 is bright and spacious.

I’ve flown from there on several occasions and rather like it, as much as you can enjoy any airport.

Built at a cost of £4.3bn and operated by British Airways, it was intended to be the most modern and efficient airport in the world, improving the airline’s poor reputation for baggage handling, which was the worst of any major European carrier at the time.

On the day of the grand opening in March 2008 things got off to a shaky start. The baggage handlers struggled to find parking spaces, make their security passes work or log onto the complex and highly automated system.

With 40,000 passengers due to travel, by lunchtime the baggage system was overwhelmed. Flights couldn’t be loaded or unloaded, resulting in delays and cancellations. This caused a domino effect throughout the terminal, with passengers waiting to claim luggage or check-in.

Communications broke down, and frontline staff were unable to tell frustrated passengers – and the press – what was happening.

By late afternoon, it was chaos, with queues of fuming passengers choking the building.

BA eventually released a statement; “Flights

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from Heathrow Terminal 5 will depart with hand baggage only due to problems associated with processing customers’ baggage. British Airways apologises to customers for the problems during Terminal 5’s first day of operations following one of the most complex and largest airport moves in history.”

Being told that you can go on holiday, but only if you leave your luggage behind, is unlikely to placate already agitated customers.

When things start to go wrong, act quickly.

Don’t get defensive.

Say sorry BA’s high-profile chief executive Willie Walsh, added fuel to the fire by saying the launch; “was definitely not British Airways’ finest hour.” It sounded as if the airline couldn’t see how upsetting the situation was for their passengers.

Investors were not impressed either. Shares in BA fell 3% that day, wiping £90m off the company’s value. Problems persisted over the following days, resulting in 250 flights being cancelled and a backlog of 15,000 bags, not to mention disrupted travel plans and some stranded passengers.

From a public relations viewpoint, there

are three things BA should have done differently that would have limited the damage to their reputation; 1. Manage expectations before the launch – make people aware that during the first couple of weeks there are likely to be teething problems.

2. When things start to go wrong, act quickly.

Don’t get defensive. Say sorry. If your CEO is a big personality, get them in front of the media. It might be embarrassing, but it shows they are taking things seriously and are in control.

3. Tell people what you are going to do to make things right, and then take responsibility to follow through.

No business is perfect, but when things go wrong, it is essential to have a strategy in place, hopefully one better than BA’s!

Remember to under-promise and overdeliver, apologise, and formulate a plan for resolving the problem. A successfully communicated resolution could well result in happy, loyal and profitable customers. ■

NEXT MONTH Total Recall. How not to handle things when you need to withdraw a product from sale.

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Business Essentials

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The Business The latest news and views in the world of business

Five VAT mistakes that land businesses in trouble Making a VAT-related mistake can end up being costly – not only will HMRC expect any outstanding VAT to be paid, but it might also levy penalties and interest. Below are five common VAT mistakes that could easily get businesses into hot water NOT REGISTERING A fundamental but common error is not registering for VAT when required to.

Very broadly, a UK-based business is required to register for VAT if the total VAT taxable turnover in the last 12 months was over the VAT registration threshold (currently £85,000) or is expected to go over the threshold in the next 30 days.

The first ‘backwards-looking’ test has to be considered at the end of every month.

The second ‘forward-looking’ test has to be considered every day and is worth keeping in mind if, for example, the business receives a substantial order or contract.

Once either of the tests is met, the business needs to register for VAT with HMRC within 30 days. If it’s late, HMRC will not only ask it to pay VAT on any sales made since the date it was supposed to be registered, but can also charge a penalty of up to 100% of the unpaid VAT.

CLAIMING WITHOUT A VALID INVOICE Generally, a business can’t reclaim any VAT it has paid unless it has a valid VAT invoice.

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This needs to contain specific information, including the amount and rate of VAT charged and the VAT registration number of the supplier. Importantly, it can’t claim VAT back using an invalid invoice, a pro-forma or a delivery note. It’s therefore important to check that it is receiving the right kind of invoices from its suppliers. Otherwise, HMRC could ask the business to pay them back any VAT it has reclaimed, along with interest and penalties.

RECLAIMING MORE THAN THE BUSINESS IS ENTITLED TO A common error made by VAT-registered businesses is to assume that they can reclaim VAT on all of their expenses.

However, some expenses won’t have VAT charged in the first place because they are zero-rated or exempt. Common examples include insurance and bus and train travel.

There are also special rules which block the business from claiming VAT back on certain

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expenses – for example, it can’t claim VAT incurred on entertaining clients.

One area where there are lots of special rules is motoring expenses. As a general rule, a business can’t claim VAT back when it buys a car (unless it bought the car to sell on or hire out as part of the business, are a taxi driver or driving instructor, or can prove that the car is never available to employees or anyone else for private use). If instead of buying a car, it is leased, then generally only 50% of the VAT charged on the lease payments can be recovered. Recovering VAT on petrol or diesel is also tricky – broadly, the business can either choose to only claim the VAT back on fuel used for business miles, or it can claim all the VAT back and pay a fuel scale charge to account for any private use. Whichever option is chosen, it must be applied across the whole business fleet.

And where the business is a sole trader or partnership, it also needs to watch out for the rules on personal use. If an expense has both business and personal use, it can only claim the VAT on the business element. For example, if there is a mobile phone where a quarter of the calls are personal, it can only reclaim the VAT on 75% of the costs associated with that phone.

MISSING BAD DEBT CLAIMS If a business has supplied a customer with goods or services and they haven’t paid, the business may be able to claim the VAT back from HMRC. It must have already paid the VAT over to HMRC and written the debt off in its books – if there’s a good chance that the business might still be paid, it is unlikely to be able to get relief. The debt also has to have been unpaid for at least six months.

One thing that’s easily missed is that these rules cut both ways – if the business has purchased goods or services and not paid the supplier six months after the due date, HMRC will expect the repayment of any VAT recovered on that purchase. Failure to do so could result in interest and penalties.

Business Essentials

Essentials

with Adam Bernstein www.abfeatures.com

A common error made

by VAT-registered businesses is to assume that they can reclaim VAT on all of their expenses.

However, some expenses won’t have VAT charged in the first place KEEP TRACK OF POINTS AND PAYMENTS In January 2023, the previous ‘default surcharge’ regime, which applied to late VAT return filing and late payment of VAT, was replaced by a new penalty system.

Under the new late filing penalty regime, a business will get a penalty point each time it files a VAT return late. Once the points reach a certain threshold (four points for quarterly returns) a £200 penalty will be charged. Each

subsequent late submission will also incur a further penalty until the points expire following a period of good behaviour.

Unlike under default surcharge, a business can now receive a late filing penalty even if it usually files nil returns or claims a repayment of VAT. It’s therefore, important to keep track of any penalty points to make sure the business doesn’t end up with a penalty.

SUMMARY VAT is a quagmire ready to swallow up all who come across it. With so many quirks, foibles and traps set up it’s essential to take good advice; even those who consider themselves au fait with VAT can make mistakes which are expensive to resolve. 

EMMA RAWSON Emma Rawson is a technical officer at The Association of Taxation Technicians, a charity and the leading professional body for those providing UK tax compliance services.

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JANUARY 2024

45

Product news

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Chinlon is a synthetic, lightweight material known for its strength and durability which combines a smooth texture with an ability to wick away moisture. The addition of Spandex provides the required elasticity.

The carbon heating panels are located in the chest, back, and collar, produce 41W (3.4A) of heating power – almost three times more than previous models – and are designed to be powered direct from the bike’s battery using the supplied wiring loom.

Available in sizes from 2XS up to 3XL, the Keis UltraFlex heated bodywarmer has an SRP of £180.

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Dainese racing suits NEW FOR THE 2024 SEASON, DAINESE HAS LAUNCHED A TRIO of new one-piece race suits. The Mugello 3 D-Air, Misano 3 D-Air and Misano 3 D-Air WMN are all fitted with the new D-Air Racing Shield 3X system, which has switchable modes for track or road and uses microfilament technology that allows up to three airbag activations before the bag itself has to be replaced.

The suits are said to be lightweight, with the Mugello in particular being 20% lighter than any airbag-equipped opposition. All three feature a “pentaxial elastic system” on the rear, which provides five-way stretch for a better fit, and the collar is a new Veloce Racing Neck design which reduces pressure on the neck. Externally mounted slide plates on the shoulders, elbows and knees are made of aluminium on the Misano suits, but the Mugello gets lightweight titanium versions.

Other features of the suits include a new slider replacement system that keeps the sliders in the correct position, a washable liner and an ankle design that allows the suit to be worn either over or under boots, depending on preference.

The kangaroo skin Mugello retails for a notinconsiderable £3999.95, while the Misano has an SRP of £2249.95 for both the men’s and women’s versions.

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Product news

Hiplok 1000 series lock and anchor A WELL-KNOWN NAME IN BICYCLE SECURITY, Hiplok is venturing into the motorcycle world with the expansion of its product line, both physically and conceptually. The Hiplok DX1000 is a larger version of the D100 bike lock that has been on the market for a few years. Its larger dimensions mean that it can fit around larger sized bike wheels and frames, but at its heart is the same graphene composite material and hardened steel core that help the DX1000 achieve Sold Secure Diamond and ART four star ratings. The manufacturer, and independent testing, demonstrates that this construction is able to resist an angle grinder attack for around 20 minutes, wearing out numerous cutting discs along the way and probably running the battery flat too. It’s not all about the cutting though, as thieves have other sneaky methods of getting rid of inconvenient security locks. The locking mechanism has been tested against being simply pulled apart by a hydraulic bottle jack or similar, and it needed more than

seven tonnes of pressure before it submitted, and the lock barrel itself is claimed to be resistant to picking.

Obviously, it’s all well and good having a virtually impregnable lock, but thieves could just cut through whatever you have locked it to instead, then lift the bike and remove the D-lock at their leisure. But Hiplok has that covered too, with the introduction of the AX1000 anchor system, which uses the same graphene and steel construction in a pivot-armed floor or wall mount anchor. Both it and the DX1000 lock have a rubber coating which protects the bike’s paintwork as well as providing enough weather protection to make the lock and anchor suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Both locks are currently taking pre-orders through Kickstarter, but Hiplok is looking to work with a UK distributor to get its security range into dealerships for the 2024 season. SRPs are £300 for the DX1000, and £350 SRP for the AX1000.

Hiplok; 01926 298 747; support@hiplok.com

In&motion airbags IN&MOTION HAS DEVELOPED TWO NEW AIRBAG systems which will be available from March through the firm’s nine partner brands, including Tucano Urbano, Ixon, RST, Furygan, Klim and Held.

The In&motion team worked with experts from the Gustave Eiffel University, analysing trauma research to develop the Essential and Performance models for their specific markets. The Essential is aimed at road and motocross riders, although it’s also suitable for the occasional track day, and provides protection to the thorax, abdomen, neck and back, whereas the Performance is predominantly for track use and covers the shoulders, ribs, neck, thorax and back. Thanks to new more flexible construction, the Essential can be inflated up to five times before requiring maintenance, and the Performance can inflate up to eight times – both better than the previous model’s three-inflation limit. No pricing details, as the systems will be incorporated into third-party garments and will not be available separately.

In&motion; + 33 4 57 41 14 30; inemotion.com

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Axor new colours 3 THE BUDGET-PRICED AXOR RAGE helmet has been given a colourful makeover with the introduction of a new Python graphic in three colours.

Available in red/yellow/black gloss, blue/yellow/black matt and black/ grey/red matt finishes, the Rage retails for £49.99, and if you order more than 12 you get a free dark visor (usual SRP £19.99) with every helmet.

Bike It; 02380 658700; tradesales@bikeit.co.uk

Rev’It! Lamina 5 REV’IT! HAS LAUNCHED A NEW adventure-style women’s Gore-Tex outfit – the Lamina GTX Ladies.

The Lamina GTX jacket and pants have a female-specific cut and fit, which Rev’It! says looks better and improves comfort, and are made from laminated Gore-Tex fabric for a waterproof finish that doesn’t get saturated, meaning it stays lightweight and dries out quicker. The suit is designed to take on all sorts of weather conditions, so for hotter days there is ventilation incorporated into the outer shell.

The Lamina achieves a AA safety rating thanks to CE level 2 Seeflex armour at the shoulders, elbows and knees, a Seesoft Air level 2 back protector and CE level 1 Seesmart hip armour. It comes in a choice of blue or grey/black jacket for £649.99 SRP, with black/anthracite pants at an SRP of £469.99.

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48

JANUARY 2024

RIE

T ZEROFIT WAS FOUNDED IN JAPAN IN 2005, AND for the last 19 years it has been expanding around the globe with its range of sporting base layers. But it’s STE the involvement of former Ireland international rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll earlier in 2023 as a shareholder and brand ambassador that has really propelled the business in the UK and Europe, with a new European HQ being set up in County Antrim to service dealers.

Zerofit’s range caters for bikers of any type – touring, commuting or track – and BSB racer Glenn Irwin has been signed up as a new brand ambassador to test and promote the brand for the motorcycle community.

The range consists of four different types of base layer: for the summer months, where keeping cool, rather than warm, is the issue, there are the Ice Weave and Cold Skin which rapidly wick away sweat while keeping dry to the touch. However, it is currently the middle of winter, so my attention was drawn to the Heatrub Move and Heatrub Ultimate ranges. The Move uses a two-layer polypropylene and hollow polyester construction designed to provide both warmth and sweat-wicking properties, making it ideal for active sports during cooler weather. It comes as a unisex long sleeve top in a choice of five colours for £40 SRP, and as leggings in black only for £45 SRP. For the optimum way of keeping warm on a bike Zerofit has the Ultimate base layer, which is claimed to be five times warmer than competing products. The Ultimate has Heat Threads on the inside, which brush against the skin to generate warmth, and when tested by a Japanese institute it was found to have a heat retention rating of 0.78 – double that of a sweater. It comes as a unisex long sleeve top in a choice of six colours, or male and female leggings in black only, at £60 SRP for each garment.

When putting the Heatrub Ultimate outfit on, it feels amazingly soft to the touch. The instructions say it can be worn looser than conventional base layers, as the technology doesn’t require it to trap air against the skin, but these fit quite snug so I’d recommend going up a size over your normal choice if you prefer a looser fit.

That said, the fabric is very stretchy so there is plenty of leeway when it comes to sizing. The material is noticeably thicker than conventional base layers, but once on they aren’t at all restrictive and you barely notice you are wearing them.

To counter single-digit temperatures I went the whole hog, donning the Ultimate top, leggings and socks for my daily commute. Over those went a pair of single skin riding jeans, a midweight fleece and my Dane jacket along with its thermal liner. The result was that I had to make a sharp exit from the house as I was too warm indoors. Things settled down once on the bike and I was kept at a comfortable temperature all the way in to work. Of course, how warm you are The Heatrub Ultimate will depend on weather conditions, riding kit and material has soft-touch the fairing/screen on your bike, but the Ultimate interior ‘Heat Threads’ to Heatrub outfit does an excellent job of maintaining provide insulation core temperature for as long as possible, and should significantly reduce the need for multiple layers.

Zerofit Europe; 02896 013757; info@zerofit.co.uk

D

&

D

THIS NEW ENGINE KIT FROM ITALIAN MANUFACTURER DR TAKES small frame Vespa models from 90 or 125cc up to a mighty 135cc for a kick of extra torque and power. It has a 57mm bore with seven transfer ports, and the kit includes the cylinder, head, piston (including rings and pin) and gaskets. It will fit motors with a 51mm stroke crank that use a 15mm gudgeon pin, and if you are transforming a 90cc motor you also need some longer studs and a revised cowling. SRP is £152.

VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com

TE

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Product news

Vintage Vertex 5 Bluroc Hero 50 EFI THE NEW BLUROC HERO 50 EFI HAS LANDED IN THE UK, WITH AN improved spec and revised rugged scrambler styling. New electronic fuel injection is said to make the Hero smoother to ride, better on fuel economy and provides a more reliable start, whatever the weather. The four-stroke, single-cylinder, twin-overhead camshaft engine is said to be unique for a gearbox-equipped, moped-class bike, and it produces 3.2kW (4.3hp). The gearbox is a five-speed, and the suspension is modern-style upside-down forks and rear monoshock. Brakes are hydraulic discs all round. The Hero 50 EFI is available in matt grey or black/orange, and comes with a two-year warranty for an SRP of £2799.

HDM Trading; 01507 499 107; henry@hdmtrading.co.uk

ITALIAN ENGINEERING FIRM VERTEX HAS INTRODUCED A NEW RANGE of pistons to suit classic motocross and enduro machinery. Despite being for older bikes, the pistons make use of all the latest machining tech, including a molybdenum disulfide coating for improved resistance to wear, a DLC-coated piston pin and anti-rotation retaining rings. The pistons come in a huge range of sizes to suit models from Fantic, Gori, Kramer, Motori Minarelli, Puch, Rotax, Sachs and many more. Prices depend on model and spec.

Vertex Pistons; +39 0522 918811; info@vertexpistons.com

Brembo Hypure 5 LAUNCHED AT THE EICMA SHOW, BREMBO CLAIMS A 10% WEIGHT reduction for its new Hypure high-performance caliper, and says that the new design relinquishes no performance in terms of stiffness. The new asymmetric design has a high level of heat transfer to ensure consistent performance, and a unique spring/pad/pin system which minimises twisting forces. It will be seen on high-end sports bikes and hyper-naked machinery in 2024.

Brembo; www.brembo.com/en/bike

R&G Pro covers R&G HAS EXTENDED ITS PRO RANGE TO include new engine covers. The Pro covers are made from high-pressure cast aluminium with a replaceable HDPE skid plate and are eligible for FIM racing events – indeed they have been tested throughout the 2023 BSB season and at the Isle of Man TT. The covers have a powder-coated finish with a laser etched logo and models currently catered for include the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and RR; BMW S1000 R and RR, F900 R and XR, and M1000 R and RR; Honda CBR1000RR-R and Fireblade SP. Retail prices start from £89.99, with replacement skid plates from £15.99.

R&G; 01420 89007; info@rg-racing.com

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Oxford Rainseal ADDING TO OXFORD PRODUCTS’ RANGE of oversuits is the Rainseal Bright, a highly reflective jacket which aids visibility in poor or dark conditions. The waterproof shell is made of a super-reflective material which illuminates under any light source, with taped seams and a drawcord hem to keep the wind and rain out and a fulllength mesh liner to improve comfort. It folds down into a small waistpack for easy storage. Sizing is designed to fit easily over protective jackets, and it comes in XS-6XL for an SRP of £69.99.

Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com SEE THE FULL RANGE AT OXFORDMINT.CO.UK

JANUARY 2024 49

Product news

Chain guard

Shark Aeron GP FRENCH HELMET BRAND SHARK HAS GONE ALL-IN ON aerodynamic efficiency with its new flagship track-focused Aeron GP, giving it plenty of time in the wind tunnel as well as utilising Computational Fluid Dynamic simulations. The Aeron USP is its Adaptive Aero System, which adjust flaps positioned on the side of the spoiler to channel airflow, resulting in a claimed reduction of 50% for turbulence and 5% for drag. Its shell is made from a combination of carbon and aramid fibres, and the class 1 visor has a quick-release system and tear-off pins. Inside are new 3D Morpho cheek pads, an emergency release system, removable ear pads and two anti-fog masks – one for summer and the other for winter. It comes with a storage bag, a five-pack of tear-offs and an extra dark smoke visor. Colour choice is matt or glossy carbon, red, white, blue or a couple of race replica graphics. UK pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Nevis Marketing; 01425 478936; info@nevis.uk.com

MT-10 hugger 5 PYRAMID PLASTICS HAS LAUNCHED A new hugger for the 2016-on Yamaha MT10. Designed by Pyramid’s team using 3D scanning and 3D printing technology, the hugger is made from 3.5mm ABS and comes complete with a bracket kit for simple installation. It is available in matt black for an SRP of £94.99, or painted in SP-matching colours for £239.99.

Pyramid Plastics; 01427 677990; sales@pyramid-plastics.co.uk

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DUCATI HAS TAKEN THE trouble to equip its rufty-tufty DesertX adventure enduro machine with a guard to stop branches and rocks clouting the chain and sprocket, but that isn’t enough for accessory maker Wunderlich, which has designed an upgraded item. The OE guard is made of plastic, but the new Wunderlich unit is formed from 4mm thick aluminium, making it far beefier, and it also protects the underside of the chain. It’s a simple swap-out with the OE item, using the same attachment points, and comes with a pair of new screws. Only available in black, the chain guard has an SRP of €39.90.

Wunderlich; +49 2641 3082-703; sales@wunderlich.de

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Oxford gloves 45 OXFORD’S NEW HAMILTON AND BYRON GLOVES OFFER very different levels of protection from the elements. Designed for summer use, the Byron is a modern-styled short cuff glove with a goat leather palm, ventilated mesh across the back of the hand, and a distinct lack of any insulation whatsoever. It is CE-approved and incorporates a floating rigid knuckle protector, hook and loop adjustable cuff and plenty of reflective detailing. It comes in blue/red or grey camo for an SRP of £34.99. On the other hand, there is the Hamilton, a full-leather winter glove with a Dry2Dry waterproof membrane and Primaloft insulation. It is made from goatskin leather with padding on the palm, fingers and cuffs, and has a bonded PU knuckle protector and a twin hook and loop fastening for the cuffs. The Hamilton comes in black or brown for an SRP of £69.99.

Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

Suzuki protection SUZUKI HAS MADE A BIT OF AN impact with its new range of 776cc models, so GBRacing has launched a range of damage-avoidance products.

The GSX-8S and V-Strom 800DE can now be fitted with secondary engine covers to protect the alternator, clutch and water pump housings. Along with a range of brake and clutch lever guards, frame sliders and a chain guard, it makes the GSX-8S ready to compete in the new Pirelli Sportsbike National Championship, as well as being suitable for road riders. Pricing is £82.79 for the alternator cover, £95.87 for clutch cover and £81.14 for the water pump cover.

GBRacing; 020 8275 2630; enquiries@gbracing.eu

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TOURATECH’S NEW ENDURANCE BLACK waterproof side bag is a quick-release, robust and lightweight soft bag which attaches to a bike’s pannier rack. Welded from plasticcoated fabric, the Endurance weighs in at 2kg and has internal reinforcements so the bag keeps its structure even when partially filled.

The waterproof fabric is aided by a watertight roll closure. Overall luggage volume is 30 litres, with a 10kg weight limit, making it big enough for a weekend away or to carry a day’s supplies to the office, and an optional shoulder strap makes it easy to carry while off the bike. SRP is €201.58.

Touratech; +49 7728 9279-0; info@touratech.de

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JANUARY 2024 53

On the Money

On the Money I

was cheerfully surprised by the degree to which I enjoyed a three-day stint at the Motorcycle Live industry extravaganza in November.

However, pleasure taken from this sojourn differed wildly from that of the 90,000-odd bike enthusiasts who paid to gain NEC entry. Indeed, seeing so many of them crammed into one place only served as a reminder that our consumer base is now generally middle-aged or even older, and predominantly male.

Tyre kickers, self-evidently, no longer have the stamina of youth.

At least a sufficient number can still open capacious wallets. For how much longer is debatable.

But they weren’t alone in the age anxiety stakes. My own motivation for being there was a prime opportunity to meet up with many of the good ol’ boys I’ve known during a professional lifetime interfacing with the motorcycle trade, rather than getting a respectable job. And I wasn’t disappointed. Luckily, few seem to have “passed under the chequered flag” since the last time NEC socialisation on such scale was on the cards.

The more senior citizens among this throng (yours truly included) are either retired or part-timers now. Cruel wisecracks were also aimed at my “borrowedtime” status, once I confessed to the unlikely achievement of

acknowledging a 72nd birthday at the show. And then there were plenty of veteran workaholics around, trade superstars like Gavin McCaffery and Jimmy Aird, the former now purveying Shad luggage for Pure Moto and the latter measuring punters for his bespoke Scott leathers. They’ll be the “last men standing” of our generation.

Apparently a swansong appearance, he was already preparing for another dose of wanderlust.

My conversation with Pinto on the BSA stand was soon interrupted by an even greater legend, when Bruno Tagliaferri hove into view. A salesman extraordinaire, Bruno cut his teeth at the Motor Cycle

Seeing so many of them crammed into one place only served as a reminder that our consumer base is now generally middle-aged or even older, and predominantly male Casual “whatever happened to…” questions were swiftly answered. In the case of Roy Pinto, it was: “He’s just over there.” For those of you who don’t know him, Pinto has worn more marketing shirts than most of us have had hot dinners.

When I first met him, he was an enthusiastic exponent of Harley-Davidson Europe wares.

His CV subsequently swerved through Triumph, Kawasaki and even electric pioneer Zero.

I’m sure there were others I’ve forgotten. At this year’s NEC show, Roy was sporting a bornagain BSA badge, extolling the virtues of curried Gold Star replicants courtesy of Mahindra.

Association in Coventry almost half a century ago, before jumping ship to Honda’s Chiswick HQ. There, under the often quixotic but nevertheless groundbreaking leadership of Eric Sulley, he rose to the rank of marketing services manager in a team that came to utterly dominate the UK motorcycle market.

A fixture at Honda for 12 years, Tagliaferri was subsequently head-hunted in 1990 by John Bloor as relaunched Triumph’s UK national sales manager, a post he held for almost 30 years before finally retiring in 2019.

I couldn’t imagine finding a better companion for a shared afternoon lap of Motorcycle

Live. And for much of our time together, we were aghast at how much of the industry seems keen on pricing itself out of the market against a cost-of-living crisis background.

Kicking off on the Triumph stand, Bruno was initially bemused by the fact that he recognised none of the personnel staffing its display, just four years since his departure. But we shared a knowing chuckle relevant to the feature celebrating 20 years of Triumph’s Rocket III flagship, originally styled by John Mockett. When the first version was unveiled, I had expressed my admiration to Bruno and cheekily asked if there was any chance of a press discount. He answered in the affirmative. A cardinal red Rocket III was duly delivered to my local Triumph dealership in the spring of 2004, two and a half thousand quid off list. As you do, I also claimed the VAT back. Last laugh is that, decades later, I still own the bike.

Passing from stand to stand, our opinions on over-pricing coincided. At least Triumph, with its 660 triple and now 400 single platforms, is on the side of budget righteousness. New cost-conscious 750/800 twins from Honda and Suzuki tick the boxes too. But BMW Motorrad’s eye-bleedingly extreme attitude to retail economy, with a plethora

International Share Prices USA – AND RELAX…

EUROPE – ON A PROMISE

November’s Wall Street stock rally took a pause moving into December, as investors played a guessing game on likely timing for interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve. Current favourite bet is on next May. The circumspect trading this engendered, characterised by modest swings between winners and losers, translated into lethargy for market indices. The blue-chip S&P 500 and S&P’s MidCap 400 finished on trivial 0.2% weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed dead flat. Only the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite showed signs of life, 0.7% up by knocking-off time on Friday.

Among biker stocks, Harley-Davidson and Polaris topped the pile. Harley’s sparky spin-off LiveWire also made a minor advance. Textron fell, as did all NASDAQ electronic exchange chancers.

The Chinese government’s latest pledge to support its economic recovery and growth boosted European luxury stocks – including premium automotive players – dramatically. The Europe-wide Stoxx 600 index climbed to a 22-month high and key national indices followed. Germany’s Xetra Dax in Frankfurt added 2.2% and the Borsa Italiana FTSE MIB in Milan closed 1.6% up. Across these markets, BMW, Ducati parent Volkswagen and Piaggio all made substantial five-session gains. But Austria’s Wiener Börse ATX only put on a febrile 0.2%, as the Austrian share price of KTM parent Pierer Mobility plunged by a double-digit percentage. Pierer had just announced the disposal of its loss-making Raymon and Felt pedal bicycle businesses, as well as a corporate strategy henceforth focusing purely

54

JANUARY 2024

on motorcycle and e-bike activities – with an accent on production in Asia.

JAPAN – BAD NEWS WEEK A revelation that Japanese GDP in the third quarter of 2023 fell by 2.9%, faster than initially estimated, severely rattled hawkish Bank of Japan policymaker cages. Investors began running for the cover of safe havens. The Nikkei 225 market index plunged by 3.4% over the week and biker stocks, afflicted by such weakening domestic consumption, all took a hammering.

INDIA – THE ONLY WAY IS UPBEAT Indian investors continued to wallow in hubris, driving Mumbai’s headline S&P BSE Sensex market index even higher, this time with a 3.5% weekly rise. But motorcycle

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Contact 01237 422660 or adsales@dealernews.co.uk of lavish price points running up past the £30,000 mark, definitely isn’t playing the game. Ducati risks vanishing down a rabbit hole as well. Harley-Davidson, notable for its absence at the show, already has.

All the same, we entertained ourselves mightily. And I subsequently found myself returning to the Triumph stand for an epiphany moment, recognising that the motorcycling experience has come full circle in Willis dotage. The especially seductive object of my desire was Triumph’s Speed 400, an accomplished piece of kit OTR for an extraordinarily cheap five quid short of five grand, that pressed

all the right buttons.

The first go-anywhere reliable “modern” motorcycle I acquired, in the early 1970s, was a Honda CB350K twin of 1969 vintage. It had no bells and whistles – drum brakes and a kick start – but performed superbly in multiple roles. For most of the time, it was an adequately quick hack for hammering around Greater London and the Home Counties.

But when summer came, I simply added throw-over panniers, tank bag and girlfriend on the pillion, instantly transforming the bike into a continental tourer.

Our regular holiday expeditions involved crosschannel ferries and the old two-

A snapshot of share performance across key manufacturers and markets manufacturing gains were much weaker, with both market leader Hero and TVS actually turning negative. Royal Enfield parent Eicher prospered regardless, though, propelled by new model presentations coming thick and fast.

CHINA – MORE UPS AND DOWNS The latest Beijing government undertakings to deliver massive doses of economic stimulus may well have been applauded

by Europeans. But they were met with deaf ears and scepticism on home turf in China.

So market indices declined without mercy.

Shanghai’s all-share SSE Composite fell again, this time by 2%, and the CSI 300 was a firmer 2.4% down. With the solitary exception of Yamaha JV partner Linhai, added value was utterly absent for other listed motorcycle manufacturing enterprises.

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lane French Routes Nationales network that preceded autoroutes and péage, pausing in modest relais routieres until we reached Provençal sunshine. The Honda’s accumulated mileage during my ownership was staggering.

It hardly ever missed a beat.

The only essential rattle-curing repair was a new camchain and tensioner about halfway through its life.

I perceive the Speed 400 as an equivalent breed. It’s a practical, general-purpose motorcycle without pretensions, certainly no missile but equipped with plenty of grunt and a sensible riding position. Max power output of 39.5hp is remarkably similar to

Price

Week

Month

USA (dollar) Harley-Davidson Polaris Industries Textron Ideanomics (Energica) Niu Technologies LiveWire

32.10 89.86 75.93 1.72 2.16 10.94

+2.5% +2.8% -2.5% -3.9% -6.1% +0.6%

+19.5% +2.5% -0.1% -13.6% -0.5% +18.9%

Europe (euro) BMW Volkswagen Pierer Mobility Piaggio Group

100.92 124.60 52.40 2.83

+4.9% +5.1% -14.4% +4.4%

+10.7% +8.5% -6.4% +7.2%

Japan (yen) Honda Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki

1458 3734 5744 3052

-4.7% -3.2% -5.2% -8.8%

-8.1% +0.7% -10.7% -6.6%

the claimed 36hp of that longgone CB350K. But “modern” now means liquid-cooling, four-valve head, DOHC, ABS, EFI, traction control, USD forks and loads of other frills of which I shall feign ignorance.

Once the prerequisite tyrekicking interlude was over, I felt an imminent purchase decision approaching, with a bold vista of geriatric motorcycling before me. Unfortunately, Bruno Tagliaferri’s retirement means he is no longer available to cut the deal, so flogging a certain Rocket III gifthorse will be necessary to capitalise this project. I’m not expecting obituary notices to spoil my plans any time soon. 

Price

Week

Month

India (rupee) Hero MotoCorp Bajaj Auto TVS Motor Eicher Motors Mahindra

3715.75 6075.70 1902.70 4055.00 1668.55

-1.2% +0.5% -0.4% +4.2% +2.6%

+19.7% +12.6% +16.6% +14.5% +9.5%

China (yuan) Qianjiang Zongshen Sundiro CETC (Jialing) Lifan Loncin Linhai Guangzhou Auto CFMoto Xinri E-Vehicle

12.69 6.56 2.82 13.79 3.85 5.35 10.26 9.31 86.77 13.40

-5.3% -3.4% N/A -8.6% -8.8% -4.8% +0.5% -5.5% -4.7% -5.2%

-5.3% +2.3% +4.8% -8.1% +2.7% +0.8% +7.3% -5.9% -12.5% -3.3%

Share performance as of 8 December 2023 JANUARY 2024 55

On the Money

Market analysis with financial editor Roger Willis

New scooter and motorcycle registrations for November 2023 2023 / 2022 Registrations by style MOPEDS

Nov 2023

Year to date Nov 2022

% Change

Nov 2023

Nov 2022

% Change

Highest registering model by style

Nov 2023 registrations

Moped Naked

37

36

2.8%

512

572

-10.5%

Multiple models

8

Moped Other

89

102

-12.7%

1024

1119

-8.5%

Sur-Ron Light Bee

20

Lexmoto Echo 50

54

108

Moped Scooters

288

285

1.1%

3645

5064

-28.0%

TOTAL MOPEDS

414

423

-2.1%

5181

6755

-23.3%

MOTORCYCLES Adventure

1078

993

8.6%

20096

19800

1.5%

BMW R1300 GS

Competition

464

480

3.3%

5830

5428

7.4%

Sur-Ron Ultra Bee

37

Custom

313

332

-5.7%

7291

7244

0.6%

Keeway Superlight

33

Modern Classic

484

630

-23.2%

10569

11455

-7.7%

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

30

Naked

1144

1384

-17.3%

24004

22463

6.9%

Honda CBF125M

116

Road Sport

453

460

-1.5%

8652

8342

3.7%

Multiple models

40

Scooter

1790

1719

4.1%

23244

25433

-8.6%

Yamaha NMAX 125

431

Touring

118

159

-25.8%

2480

2812

-11.8%

BMW R1250 RT

31

Unspecified

16

17

-5.9%

195

102

91.2%

5860

6174

-5.1%

102361

103079

-0.7%

TOTAL MOTORCYCLES TRICYCLES Other

18

21

-14.3%

357

307

16.3%

Multiple models

4

Scooter

24

29

-17.2%

454

467

-2.8%

Yamaha Tricity 300

8

TOTAL TRICYCLES

42

50

-16.0%

811

774

4.8%

6316

6647

-5.0%

108353

110608

-2.0%

Highest registering ICE model by capacity

Nov 2023 registrations

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

2023 / 2022 ICE Registrations by capacity ENGINE BAND

Nov 2023

Year to Date

Nov 2022

% Change

Nov 2023

Nov 2022

% Change

0 – 50cc

303

267

13.5%

3529

3952

-10.7%

Lexmoto Echo 50

54

51 – 125cc

2619

2655

-1.4%

35756

38317

-6.7%

Yamaha NMAX 125

431

126-500cc

985

976

0.9%

15910

16732

-4.9%

Honda ADV350

51

501 – 750cc

481

624

-22.9%

12698

12087

5.1%

Honda NC750X

35

751 – 1000cc

811

844

-3.9%

18900

15176

24.5%

Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

43

over 1000cc

878

935

-6.1%

17754

18216

-2.5%

BMW R1300 GS

108

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

6077

6301

-3.6%

104547

104480

0.1%

Registration statistics supplied by the MCIA; tel 02476 408000; www.mcia.co.uk

International registrations

2023 Regs

2022 Regs

%

Period

2023 Regs

2022 Regs

%

Period

2023 Regs

2022 Regs

%

Period

2023

2023 Regs

2022 Regs

Dec

Jan

Dec

Oct

Nov

Sep

Jul

Aug

Jun

Apr

May

Mar

Jan

Feb

Dec

0

Oct

0

Nov

0 Sep

5,000

0

Jul

5,000 Aug

5,000 Jun

10,000

5,000

Apr

10,000

May

10,000

Mar

15,000

10,000

Jan

15,000

Feb

15,000

Dec

20,000

15,000

Oct

20,000

Nov

20,000

Sep

25,000

20,000

Jul

25,000

Aug

25,000

Jun

30,000

25,000

Apr

35,000

30,000

May

35,000

30,000

Mar

35,000

30,000

Jan

35,000

Period

2022

40,000

Oct

45,000

2023

Nov

2022

40,000

Sep

2023

Jul

2022

40,000

Aug

2023

Jun

2022

40,000

Spain

Apr

45,000

May

Italy

45,000

Mar

Germany

Feb

France 45,000

Feb

New registrations

UK registrations

%

Jan-Mar

48,945

45,702

7.1%

Jan-Mar

54,964

48,543 13.2%

Jan-Mar

79,008

60,278 31.1%

Jan-Mar

44,127

38,922 13.4%

Jan-Jun

116,224 108,069

7.5%

Jan-Jun

129,696 117,838 10.1%

Jan-Jun

192,519 161,563 19.2%

Jan-Jun

102,626

91,877 11.7%

Jan-Sep

168,118 154,665

8.7%

Jan-Sep

190,490 173,756

9.6%

Jan-Sep

271,552 227,426 19.4%

Jan-Sep

154,019 135,800 13.4%

Full year

n/a 193,356

n/a

Full year

n/a 199,410

n/a

Full year

n/a 271,383

Full year

n/a 176,961

56

JANUARY 2024

n/a

n/a

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

November 2023

November 2022

1. Honda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1235 (-4.8%) 2. Yamaha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 913 (15.0%) 3. BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 (-12.9%) 4. KTM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 (19.1%) 5. Triumph . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 (-14.2%) 6. Lexmoto. . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 (-1.6%) 7. Kawasaki . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 (-0.8%) 8. Suzuki. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 (34.6%) 9. Royal Enfield . . . . . . . . . 197 (10.7%) 10. Keeway . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 (n/a)

1. Honda 2. Yamaha 3. BMW 4. Triumph 5. KTM 6. Lexmoto 7. Kawasaki 8. Piaggio 9. Royal Enfield 10. Suzuki

1297 794 472 394 321 256 249 225 178 159

Rolling Year Comparison 20000 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000

2021/22

4000

2022/23

2000

Oc t No v

g Sep

Au

Jul

Jun

r Ma y

Ap

Ma r

Feb

No v De c Jan

0

For registration statistics for alternative power two-wheelers, see page 32

Registration statistics supplied by the MCIA; tel 02476 408000; www.mcia.co.uk 2023 motorcycle registrations data from key European markets Major markets continue gains THE LATEST FIGURES FOR THE major European markets from ACEM show that the majority of countries are enjoying substantial gains overall, with improvements of up to 19.4%. All, that is, except the UK, which realised a loss of 0.4% compared to Q3 of 2022.

In the electric motorcycle sector it is more of a mixed bag, with France, Italy and Spain all having double-digit losses, but Germany bucked the trend with a near 15% gain.

Across the biggest moped markets it was universally bad news, with Belgium down 2.7%,

Spain 2.8%, Italy 13.5%, France (Europe’s biggest moped market) down 18.7%, Germany 43.0% and the Netherlands reducing by a whopping 45.6% Commenting on the latest figures, Antonio Perlot, ACEM secretary general, said: “Strong growth of the European market in the first nine months highlights consumers’ sustained long-term interest in powered two-wheelers, both for daily commuting and for leisure. Early figures for October confirm the positive trend for motorcycles, with moped volumes partially recovering”.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Same old story for November registrations WITH WINTER INCREASINGLY upon us weatherwise, more than a week of trade distraction for Motorcycle Live at the NEC and an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, November registrations were never going to be memorable. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.

Total numbers were 5% down to 6316 units. The petrolhead contribution fell by 3.6% to 6077. Battery-electric products executed a 30.9% dive to just 239.

Segmentally, motorcycles were 8.6% in arrears at 4070. Scooters put on 4.1% to 1790. Mopeds endured a 2.1% retreat to 414.

Trikes sank by 16% to 42.

The up-to-125cc basic mobility and delivery sector absolutely flatlined on 2922 units. Following Yamaha’s even bigger fleet input during October, some 431 of these were NMAX 125 scooters. The mixture of mobility and budget enthusiast products spanning the 126-500cc range achieved a marginal 0.9% positivity.

An overall tally of 985 were led by 51 samples of Honda’s ADV350 “urban adventure” scooter.

Everything upstream was negative. Machines in the 501750cc slot plunged by 22.9% to 481; 751-1000cc stuff was 3.9% down; and 1000cc-plus premium kit dropped by 6.1% to 878. That figure included 108 samples of BMW’s new R1300 GS adventure stallion showcased at Motorcycle Live, probably registered by Motorrad dealers as demonstrators.

“Best-selling brands” is a bit of a misnomer at this time of the year.

Only Honda was in four figures, 4.8% down to 1235 units. Yamaha was close, 15% up to 913. Of course, its result was heavily dependent on all those aforementioned NMAX scooters, soon to be bearing seasonal takeaway meals or whatever. They accounted for 47.2% of Yamaha’s entire registrations.

Then we plunge into an abyss, to reach BMW Motorrad in a distant third spot, 12.9% down to a seriously depleted tally of 411 bikes plated. That demo R1300 GS fleet represented more than a quarter of the brand’s total. Although to be fair, it also topped the Touring style category with a 31-strong pack of R1250RT products – welcome business at the back end of autumn.

KTM in fourth was a useful 19.3% up to 383, while Triumph closed the top five with a 14.2% slump to 338 – presumably now awaiting keenly priced 2024 stock from distant climes that aren’t Hinckley.

Nevertheless, it did snatch 751-1000cc glory by registering 43 Tiger 900 Rally Pro adventure bikes.

Unusually for Lexmoto, this formerly leading Chinese flag carrier only incurred a 1.6% loss to 252.

At least it narrowly beat Kawasaki, which was 0.8% lower at 247.

Suzuki, on the other hand, could boast a 34.6% increase to 214 in eighth. And Royal Enfield staged a modest 10.6% recovery to 197, 30 of which were Interceptor 650 twins heading the Modern Classic accolade. Finally, another Chinese interloper, Qianjiang’s Keeway brand orchestrated by MotoGB, put in a tail-end appearance thanks to selling 151 bikes. 33 of them were Superlight models claiming top Custom status.

Eleven months into a difficult year, the position is as follows: Total registrations are 2% down to 108,353 units. Motorcycles are actually 1.9% up to 79,117. Scooters have fallen by 8.6% to 23,244.

Mopeds plunged by 23.3% to 5181, and trikes added 4.8% to 811.

Petrolheads can only rejoice to the tune of a 0.1% gain year-to-date at 104,547 units. Our wonderful electrified future plummeted by 37.9% to 3806 units for the same period.

“Best-selling brands” is a bit of a misnomer at this time of the year. Only Honda was in four figures

JANUARY 2024 57

New registrations

Top Ten Manufacturers

New registrations

It is imperative the government warms up consumer confidence

W

ith wet, windy and cold weather approaching, it is unsurprising that the November figures experienced a decrease in registrations. Nevertheless, it is still disappointing, as the market appeared to be gaining considerable ground,” says Symon Cook, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest MCIA registration figures.

“In November, there was a 5.0% decrease in total registrations, going down to 6316 from 6647 units. The market remains behind last year’s figures by -2.0%, with 108,353 units registered this year, compared to 110,608 at the same point last year. Total moped and motorcycle sales have decreased by -2.1% and -5.1%, respectively.

“The majority of motorcycle categories saw a decrease in registrations in November. However, the adventure category witnessed a particularly interesting month, rising from 993 to 1078 units, equating to an 8.6% increase. Looking at the year-to-date figures, most motorcycle categories continue to grow. Naked models increased by 6.9%, rising from 22,463 to 24,004 units, while competition models grew by 7.4%, climbing from 5428 to 5830 units.

“In the current market landscape, ICE motorbikes remain dominant in comparison with their electric counterparts, with electric registrations at 3806 for the year to November 2023, a decrease of 37.9% from 2022’s equivilent.

In November, a noticeable decrease for electric was recorded, from 346 units to 239 units (30.9%).

“Year-to-date figures reveal a decrease in 501750cc motorbikes from 624 to 481 units, with the Honda NC750X remaining the leading model in the category.

“Honda remains the top-selling brand in the market, with 1235 units sold. Yamaha comes in second with 913 units. BMW completes the top three with 411 units, while Keeway completes the top 10 with 151.”

Cook concluded, “The Autumn Statement provided the government with a great opportunity to build on the momentum we saw in October, but this was largely squandered. The lack of any mention of price incentives and the push back of the ICE ban from 2030 to 2035 appears to have given the general public a lack of confidence in electric-powered two-wheelers. As we approach winter, it is imperative the government warms up consumer confidence, especially as we enter new model launch season.”

Glass’s motorcycle market overview Following two months of growth, data published by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) showed that registrations declined by 5% in November compared to 2022. The year-to-date deficit now stands 2% behind the previous year. However, 2023 has already overtaken 2019’s prepandemic registration tally, with 0.8% more machines recorded. Considering economic challenges and ongoing cost of living issues, this should be viewed as positive news.

USED MOTORCYCLE FEEDBACK Used sales and enquiry levels during November were fairly typical for the time of year, with variable demand but overall quieter than in recent months.

Demand was reasonably consistent across the board, particularly for mid-range machines, appealing to many due to their relatively lighter weight. As has been the trend in recent months, offers from the public were more plentiful compared to last year and most dealers are satisfied with their stock levels.

As dealers look ahead to the 2024 season, the outlook is uncertain.

However, with ongoing reduced consumer confidence, the used market will always be a strong option for those on a tighter budget and not wanting to commit to a new purchase.

With ongoing reduced consumer confidence, the used market will The new BMW R1300 always be a strong GS continues to be a hit with consumers, option for those on with dealers reporting solid sales. Meanwhile, a tighter budget the new Triumph Speed and Scrambler 400 models have also been well received, with forward orders already being taken.

The 2023 Motorcycle Live Show took place at its usual venue, Birmingham’s NEC, between November 18 and 26. Feedback suggested that the first weekend was well attended with strong enquiry levels on new models. Although most manufacturers reported 2023 to be a tougher year as expected, with 2024 likely to be similar, the general vibe was positive. The show itself had a thriving atmosphere with plenty to keep the crowds entertained.

OUTLOOK Following another wet autumn, the UK had its first taste of winter in late November and into early December, with frost and ice for many and snow for some. Taking into account the time of year and following a significant reduction in residuals recently, Glass’s expects values to level off in the New Year.

Paul McDonald Leisure Vehicles Editor

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE DEALERS ASSOCIATION

58 JANUARY 2024

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

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Used bike data

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Used bike data What’s hot and what’s not in the used-motorcycle world

NEW BRANDS HIT THE CHARTS IN DECEMBER DURING DECEMBER, SOME INTERESTING DATA cropped up on the MCN website. We saw the KTM 125 Duke rocket ahead of the usual Honda trio to be the single most popular bike for sale on the entire site, while over in reviews, Honda’s market share also dropped slightly, accounting for 18% of all sessions where it previously has been as high as 25%.

Suzuki’s GSX-S1000GX was a notable new bike launched last year and now it’s the most popular adventure bike on the website, while the

BMW S1000 RR takes sports bike honours.

Triumph’s Trident 660 is the naked bike most people want to read about. In fact, a quarter of all sessions in the bike reviews section were attracted by naked bikes, and ditto a fifth of all sessions in our bikes for sale section.

GARETH EVANS Online editor, MCN

Bikes for Sale

2022

Trail

Retro

Classic

Touring

0%

Supersport

5%

Sport/Tour

10%

Scooter

15%

Naked

CN Bikes for sale ws by sector/type

2023

20%

Custom

1. KTM 125 Duke 2. Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 3. Honda NC750X 4. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing 5. Triumph Speed Twin 1200 6. BMW S1000 RR 7. Yamaha R1 8. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa 9. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 10. BMW R1250 GS

Percentage of views by type

25%

Adventure Sport

Most viewed models

MCN Reviews

25%

2023

Trail/Enduro

Retro

Touring

Supersport

5%

Sport/Tour

10%

Scooter

15%

Supermoto

2022

20%

Naked

Review views by sector/type

Percentage of views by type

30%

Custom

1. Honda___________ 18.0% 2. Yamaha___________ 12.3% 3. Suzuki____________ 10.4% 4. BMW____________ 10.3% 5. Triumph___________ 8.8% 6. Kawasaki__________ 8.8% 7. Ducati_____________ 6.6% 8. KTM______________ 3.8% 9. Harley-Davidson_____ 3.2% 10. Royal Enfield________ 2.9%

Adventure Sport

Most viewed brands

0%

Top 5 Bike Reviews by type

Naked

Sports

Adventure Sport

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

60

2021 Triumph Trident 660 2021 Yamaha MT-07 2013 Yamaha MT-09 2017 KTM 390 Duke 1996 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit

JANUARY 2024

2019 BMW S1000 RR 2017 Honda CBR650F 2022 Yamaha R7 2023 CFMoto 450SR 2020 Aprilia RS660

2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX 2014 Honda NC750X 2008 BMW F800 GS 2023 Honda XL750 Transalp 2022 Honda CB500X

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Used bike data

LATEST MARKET INTELLIGENCE REPORT FOR USED BIKES

U

sed bike sales fell short compared to October 2022. Despite this, year-to-date volumes of used bike sales are 7% ahead of 2022. The downturn in used sales has been chiefly driven by bikes older than 10 years, where there is less supply in the market, combined with super sports and sports touring machines falling out of favour with riders as the industry prepares for winter.

The number of visits to Auto Trader Bikes

remained constant, sustaining audience levels to a similar level as October 2022, resulting in a cumulative year-to-date growth of 4%.

Whilst the monthly audience hasn’t grown, engagement within the market remains high, with 67% looking to purchase their next bike within the next three months.

LEWIS NORTON Insight manager, Auto Trader Bikes

USED BIKES SOLD 100 90

MARKET HEALTH YOY Demand for used bikes in October was slightly behind last year, and yet again growth in supply continued to outpace it, resulting in a negative market health of 10% on a year-on-year basis. While demand dipped overall, newer bikes (up to one year old) have again seen the biggest improvement in demand, although with the market bouncing back from supply constraints, these have also seen the biggest increases in supply.

(Indexed to January 2019)

80

Used bikes sold

70 60

Demand YOY

50

Type

40

50%

30%

Supply YOY 10%

10%

30%

Market health YOY 50%

70%

Adventure

30

Classic

20 Custom cruiser

10

Naked

Jan 19 Mar 19 May 19 Jul 19 Sep 19 Nov 19 Jan 20 Mar 20 May 20 Jul 20 Sep 20 Nov 20 Jan 21 Mar 21 May 21 Jul 21 Sep 21 Nov 21 Jan 21 Mar 22 May 22 Jul 22 Sep 22 Nov 22 Jan 23 Mar 23 May 23 Jun 23 Jul 23 Aug 23 Sep 23 Oct 23

0

Roadster/retro Scooter

MEDIAN DAYS TO SELL

Sports tourer

90 80 70

Pre-pandemic trend line

SLOWER

Super moto Super sports Tourer

60

Vehicle age

50

Up to 1 year

40

1 - 3 years

30 20 10

QUICKER

Jan 19 Mar 19 May 19 Jul 19 Sep 19 Nov 19 Jan 20 Mar 20 May 20 Jul 20 Sep 20 Nov 20 Jan 21 Mar 21 May 21 Jul 21 Sep 21 Nov 21 Jan 21 Mar 22 May 22 Jul 22 Sep 22 Nov 22 Jan 23 Mar 23 May 23 Jun 23 Jul 23 Aug 23 Sep 23 Oct 23

0

Supply continued to grow, as dealers replenished stock quickly, and therefore supply outpaced demand resulting in used bikes on average taking three days longer to sell than in October last year. Even with this slower speed of sales, used bikes sold noticeably faster than pre-pandemic levels (on average, 10 days faster). The fastest-selling bike in October 2023 was the Yamaha R125, which took an average of just 11 days to sell.

3 - 5 years 5 - 10 years 10 - 15 years 15 years +

Fuel type

Fastest selling bikes on Auto Trader in October

Average number of days advertised before sale 1. Yamaha R125_______________ 11 2. Honda MSX125_____________ 14 3. Kawasaki Z650____________14.5 4. Royal Enfield Himalayan_______ 16 5. Honda CB125F_____________ 17 6. KTM 890 Duke____________17.5 7. Honda CBF1000____________ 18 8. Yamaha MT-07____________19.5 9. Honda CB650R_____________ 20 10. Kawasaki Z1000SX_________20.5

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

11. Honda CB125R_____________ 21 12. Kawasaki ZZR1400__________ 21 13. Ducati Multistrada V4________ 21 14. KTM 1290 Super Duke R_____21.5 15. Kawasaki Z125_____________ 22 16. Kawasaki Z900RS__________22.5 17. Yamaha MT-125___________22.5 18. Honda CBR650R___________23.5 19. Honda CBR500R___________24.5 20. Triumph Street Triple 675_____24.5

Petrol Electric

Biggest electric brands Advert views by brand October 2023

1. Super Soco______________________ 18% 2. Sur-Ron________________________ 16% 3. Zero Motorcycles_________________ 12% 4. Niu_____________________________8% 5. Talaria___________________________5% 6. BMW____________________________5% 7. Keeway__________________________4% 8. Piaggio___________________________4% 9. Lexmoto_________________________4% 10. Horwin__________________________3%

JANUARY 2021 2024 61

Market Watch

Market Watch

Trade & industry report with cap hpi motorcycle editor Alan Elsworth NEW MARKET THE BANK OF ENGLAND HAS recently warned that, even though the UK economy has weathered the worst of the rapid interest rate rises during 2023, the full impact of the hikes has yet to filter down.

In its Financial Stability Report in early December, the Financial Policy Committee said higher interest rates continued to put some firms and households “under pressure”.

UK corporates, in particular, were expected to remain “broadly resilient to higher interest rates and weak growth”. The report also stated, “In aggregate, UK corporates’ ability to service their debts has improved due to strong earnings growth.”

There is also a warning that the full impact of higher financing costs has not yet passed through to all corporate borrowers, and the effects will be felt unevenly, with some smaller or highly-leveraged UK firms likely to remain under pressure.

The latest data, covering the Q2 period, reports that the outstanding UK corporate debt relative to corporate earnings has continued to fall since its recent peak during the pandemic.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee stopped the rate hikes in October, November and December, with rates remaining at 5.25%. However, it predicts households will likely come under further strain as rates stay higher for longer in the UK. The effect on our industry goes beyond the report, which looks at the larger economy. Many businesses in

our industry are in the smaller-sized category, and the usual seasonal impact seen in the slower months started earlier than would usually be seen, as outside influences had dealers providing feedback that July was a poor month, and that has not been proven to be a short-term blip.

This indicates a real curb in customer spending, with the used motorcycle market suffering more than the new registration numbers. Once we are through the winter lull, the picture will become clearer regarding the willingness for consumer spending, but many opinions point to a subdued 2024.

A positive at the end of November was the industry’s showcase, Motorcycle Live at the NEC, which received positive feedback from manufacturers. Let’s hope this is a sign for a profitable new year.

The Motor Cycle Industry Association’s figures for the year’s penultimate month are yet again a swing from the positive seen in October. Moped is only nine units down and is well on the way to settling into a more typical postpandemic market.

Scooters of all capacities have again broken out of a decline that, at points this year, had been quite dramatic, leading to a year-to-date reduction of 11.7% to 27,343.

The sectors under the motorcycle banner returned to a negative performance, down 5.1%, with the standout sector being adventure, perhaps benefiting from the launch of the latest update of BMW’s larger GS. It unsurprisingly is

USED MARKET AS 2023 DREW TO A CLOSE, THERE WAS LITTLE TO be optimistic about in the used market. The pattern seen since July, when economic woes kicked in, continued as the year closed. Dealers undoubtedly had their eyes on stock levels to retain control of cash flow, and the lower demand, of course, impacted the prices willing to be paid for stock.

2023 was reminiscent of seasonal variations seen a decade ago, when the excess stock did not warrant buying through the winter months in preparation for the following selling season. As trade demands are now more similar to historical seasons, the differential between the recently observed low and high price points is reverting to a more pronounced change and has been reflected in continued price drops.

62

JANUARY 2024

BMW's new R1300 GS topped the adventure sector sales chart in November also the best seller in the group, replacing its predecessor.

Going to the bottom line for the total new numbers in November, we see there were 6316 registrations, down 331 from the same period in 2022. The year-to-date total is still in the negative at -2%. The 2255-registration deficit with one month to go will be a stretch to put the year on par with last year.

Mentioned more than once in this column is the realigning of the electric market from the commuting/ last-mile delivery boom during the pandemic. The EV market is still heavily weighted towards that smaller part of the market, but again, it has seen a reduction of close to a third, with year-to-date registrations 37.9% down.

New motorcycle registrations reported by the ACEM in five of the largest European markets (consisting of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) during the first nine months of 2023 totalled 873,985 units, which is an increase of 11.8% compared to the same period in 2022 (781,839 units).

To give some indication of how our domestic market is performing in motorcycles only (the UK is not in the moped charts due to the relatively small size of our market), the largest, if not the most astounding, growth has been in Italy with 271,552 units, an increase of 19.4%. Spain is in second position, also with an impressive double-digit percentage growth of 13.4%, up to 154,019 units. Germany is in third place, registering 190,490 units, an increase of 9.6%, followed closely by France with 168,118 units, up 8.7%. Compared to our close continental neighbours, the UK has a disappointing 89,806 units, a decrease of 0.4%.

To demonstrate that it is not only our domestic market that is struggling for moped registrations, ACEM reported a total volume of 155,098 units in the top six European moped markets (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). This registration volume is a substantial reduction of 25% compared to the 206,927 units seen in 2022.

AUCTION OVERVIEW

T

he used market and performance in the auction halls are, of course, closely linked. As reported for several months, there has been a continued low number of bids and resultant low conversion rates.

Over this last research period, there has been no improvement; in fact the largest sale, held by BCA, realised a very low conversion rate of just a third, with an overall result that can only be described as “behind book”.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

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303917.

303917.

Lexham Lexham Insurance Insurance Consultants Consultants Ltd is a Ltd company is a company registered registered in England, in England, Company Company No. 3897329, No. 3897329, registered registered address: address: Unit 21, Unit Hopper 21, Hopper Way, Diss, Way, Norfolk, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4NG. IP22 4NG. Lexham Lexham Lexham Insurance Insurance Insurance Consultants Consultants Consultants Ltd Ltd is a Ltd iscompany aiscompany a company registered registered registered in England, in England, in regulated England, Company Company Company No. No. 3897329, No. 3897329, 3897329, registered registered registered address: address: address: Unit Unit 21, Unit 21, Hopper 21, Hopper Hopper Way, Way, Diss, Way, Diss, Norfolk, Diss, Norfolk, Norfolk, IP22 IP22 4NG. IP22 4NG. 4NG. Lexham Lexham Insurance Insurance Consultants Consultants Ltd are Ltd authorised are authorised and and regulated by the by Financial the Financial Conduct Conduct Authority, Authority, firm reference firm reference number: number: 303917.

303917.

Lexham Lexham Insurance Insurance Consultants Consultants Ltd is a Ltd company is a company registered registered in England, in England, Company Company No. 3897329, No. 3897329, registered registered address: address: Unit 21, Unit Hopper 21, Hopper Way, Diss, Way,Norfolk, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4NG. IP22 4NG.