DISTRIBUTOR NEWS
Nevis launches new Riderr range
Ducati showroom opens in Hailsham
FINANCIAL NEWS
Administrator moves in at CCM
Yamaha salutes standout dealers
MANUFACTURER NEWS
QJMotor range hits the UK
Poor start to 2025 for Euro markets
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
British bioethanol thrown to the dogs
Bike Shed MotoShow takes over in the capital after MCN called time on the London Motorcycle Show last month. Full story on page 10
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/DESIGNER
Maurice Knuckey: creative@dealernews.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS
Roger Willis; Dan Sager; Alan Dowds; Rick Kemp; Adam Bernstein
ACCOUNTS MANAGER
Mark Mayo: accounts@dealernews.co.uk
ADVERTISING
Alison Payne: tel 07595 219093
Paul Baggott: tel 07831 863837 adsales@dealernews.co.uk
CIRCULATION
circulation@dealernews.co.uk
TAIWAN AGENCY
Albert Yang, Pro Media Co: info@motopromedia.com; tel +886 4 7264437
PUBLISHER
Colin Mayo: editorial@dealernews.co.uk
British Dealer News, 10 Daddon Court, Clovelly Road Industrial Estate, Bideford EX39 3FH
Jason Broome, CCM managing director
CCM Motorcycles has gone into administration after more than 50 years in the motorcycle manufacturing business. Founded in 1971 by Alan Clews, the company was originally called Clews Competition Machines, and it operated from its longterm home at Jubilee Works in Bolton.
More recently, the business received significant investment from Pitalia Capital, backed by entrepreneur Anil Pitalia, which initially enabled expansion to meet “pent-up demand across Europe and the United States.”
However, in February, Motor Cycle News reported that CCM had reduced its workforce to just 12 employees as part of a “strategic” downsizing. Development of its upcoming Project X adventure bike was also paused. The company faced additional headwinds following the closure of one of its largest retail partners, Completely Motorbikes, last year. Broader challenges in the industry, including a slump in new bike sales and the introduction of Euro 5+ regulations, further impacted the business.
“Last year wasn’t the best for dealers,” CCM managing director Jason Broome told MCN. “One of our major dealer partners closed, which had quite a
detrimental effect. We don’t see this year as being much stronger than last year. Our average annual production has typically been around 300 bikes, but we didn’t make nearly as many in 2024 –maybe about 150.”
Despite these difficulties, Broome stated in March: “no one’s coming to foreclose or put us into administration,”
CCM’s collapse highlights a wider downturn in the motorcycle market
suggesting the company was still in a relatively stable condition. However, on the 2 June, six related entities –including CCM Motorcycles (UK), Jumptec, Clews & Sons, Alegatum, and two Project Black Investor companies –formally appointed administrators.
CCM’s collapse highlights a wider downturn in the motorcycle market. Last October, Completely Motorbikes shut down, and three other dealerships entered administration. In March, Mutt Motorcycles in Birmingham also went into administration, citing falling
demand, around the same time CCM announced delays to Project X and its reduced staffing levels.
Manchester based business restructuring firm KR8 Advisory Ltd, has been appointed as administrator. Contact; caseenquiries@kr8.co.uk
SOME POSITIVE NEWS EMERGED AS BDN went to press. Langen Motorcycles has stepped in to help out the owners of CCM Motorcycles after the Bolton firm went into administration last month.
In an online post reported by Motor Cycle News, Langen founder Christofer Ratcliffe said: “Several of our team members have a professional history with CCM and are fortunate enough to call many of the current and previous staff friends. We also have a deep engineering knowledge of the bikes, having been involved in all models from 2010-2020.”
Langen says it’s setting up a space at its facility to work on CCMs and is also looking to source and supply spare parts for the CCM Spitfire and GP450 models. Anyone looking for help should contact info@langenmotorcycles.co.uk.
HELMET HEADSET MAKER CARDO HAS launched a summer promo campaign, offering 10% cashback to buyers of its Bluetooth communication units. Any customer buying a Spirit HD Duo, Freecom 2X Duo/4X Duo, Packtalk Neo Duo, Packtalk Edge Duo, or Packtalk Pro Single kit can claim their discount after purchase. They simply need to purchase from a participating retailer and then visit the dedicated website, providing proof of purchase, to receive the cash: www.cardo-cashback.salespromotions.com. According to the firm, this is the first time its top-ofthe-range Packtalk Pro has been included in a promotion. Featuring built-in crash detection, auto on/off functionality and 45mm JBL speakers as standard, the Pro is a premium setup with extensive features. www.pama.com/cardo
40 YEARS OF WUNDERLICH
IT’S A BRAND WHICH HAS COME INTO ITS
The expansion of Ducati’s dealer network continues apace, with the addition of a new outlet in East Sussex. The Bologna bike brand has teamed up with Sykes Motorcycles to open a new dealership in Hailsham, Sussex, making it the 29th Ducati store in the country.
The dealership is Ducati’s first collaboration with Sykes, which has been in the bike business for 22 years, and features a new bright
Enterprise Park, Lower Dicker, Hailsham. It has the entire range of Ducati and Scrambler machines on offer, with full parts, accessories and servicing backup.
Steve Willis, MD of Sykes Motorcycles, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Ducati and very excited to welcome current and new customers to enjoy the premium Ducati experience at our new store. As a longrunning family business
quality of products very seriously, and in Ducati we have the perfect partner to offer our customers the very best in motorcycling.”
Fabrizio Cazzoli, MD of Ducati UK, said: “We are delighted to add another state-of-the-art showroom to the existing dealer network. The opening of the new store in Hailsham in partnership
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MANUFACTURED
Here are just a few of the many reasons our dealers chose MOTUL:
• Comprehensive Market Leading Product Range
• Experienced UK Customer Care Centre
• Next Day Delivery
• Online Ordering
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ANOTHER ORANGE-FRONTED showroom came to the end of the road last month as KTM dealer Gear4 Motorcycles announced its closure. In an online statement the showroom, based in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, said it would be shutting its doors after 30 years of operation. However, it assured customers that all deposits and outstanding orders would be honoured.
The statement reads: “After more than 30 incredible years in the motorcycle industry, the time has come for us to turn the page and begin a new chapter. We are announcing as of today, the closure of our
showroom doors.
“It’s been an extraordinary journey, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have spent these decades surrounded by an amazing community of passionate riders, customers, devoted staff and, of course, two wheels.
“To our long-standing and loyal customers – thank you for riding with us through the years. Your enthusiasm and passion have inspired us daily.
“Our dedicated and hard-working team have been the engine that has kept everything running. Your commitment, expertise, and camaraderie have been the
heart of our business, and we are endlessly grateful for everything you’ve brought to the journey. We sincerely wish you every success in your next role.
“Thank you all for making the last 30 years truly unforgettable.
“Jason, Justin and all at Gear4.”
Any enquiries should be directed to info@gear4motorcycles.co.uk.
Most bikers know how vital good tyres are to safety on the road. However, new research by the Bridgestone tyre company suggests that those on four wheels are not as aware. And, worryingly, younger people are even less concerned with the state of their rubber. According to the Japanese tyre maker, 63% of drivers wait for an MOT failure before considering new tyres for their cars. Nearly a quarter – 23% – never think about
their tyres at all, and a tenth only change them when completely worn out. But the most concerning statistic is
on the road and will come off worst in any incident caused by worn tyres on a car. But it’s also a warning that
63% of drivers wait for an MOT failure before considering new tyres for their cars
the figure for young drivers: 60% say they never check their tyres at all.
The figures, which come from a survey of 2000 drivers, are concerning for riders –who are much more vulnerable
younger riders may not be as aware of tyre safety issues as more experienced bikers – making it important for dealers to remind them.
Bridgestone UK marketing manager Helen Roe said the
results are worrying and highlighted the importance of tyre safety education.
“Tyres are the only contact points between a vehicle and the road, yet they remain one of the most neglected safety components,” she said.
“At Bridgestone, we want to continue to highlight that regular tyre checks and good maintenance habits are key to preventing accidents.
That’s why we’re stepping up our efforts through our Be a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero campaign.”
There have been far too many negative news stories in the bike trade lately, so BDN is pleased to announce some good news. Pragmasis, the lock, chain and ground anchor firm that closed in September last year, is back up and running under new ownership. The original founders, Steve and David Briggs, remain involved, sharing their experience and expertise.
The firm has been relaunched as Pragmasis Engineering Ltd by Ben Cope, creator of the original Visordown website. It will continue to design, test, and produce some of the UK’s heaviest-duty security anchors, chains, and locks.
“Our customers can rest assured our existing product range, including the bestselling Protector Chains, RoundLock, and Torc
ground anchors, are back in production,” said Cope.
“Steve and David are staying closely involved, and we’re working hard to build on our reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability, including introducing some exciting new products.”
Pragmasis says that new product development is already underway, with the first wave of innovations
expected to launch later this year. The additions will extend the company’s reach into broader applications of physical security, informed by customer feedback and product development.
“This is the dawn of a new and exciting era for Pragmasis and our highly respected product range”, said Steve Briggs. “We
started Pragmasis in 2003, wanting to raise the bar for security products. We have a long legacy of doing exactly that, and I am delighted that Ben and the new team will be able to carry on our core priorities of quality and ethics whilst enabling the products to reach a much wider audience.”
Dealers interested in stocking Pragmasis products should get in touch via the firm’s website:
Join the powerhouse behind some of the world’s best known brands, including Vespa, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Piaggio
Tobacco Dock, in London’s Wapping, was the venue once again for the 2025 Bike Shed MotoShow. The organisers declared it a success, with 16,000 people through the doors over the two days and one evening of the event – despite it clashing with both the British MotoGP round at Silverstone and the start of TT practice week. BDN’s Alan Dowds attended the Bennetts-sponsored show and was impressed by some of the custom bikes on display – particularly the Yamaha-backed XZR900 Thunderbolt custom and the Royal Enfield custom bike stand. The Yamaha XZR is a
retro reboot of the marque’s 1980s and ‘90s road and track supersports machinery based on an XSR900 roadster. A full fairing has been hand-beaten from aluminium sheeting by custom builder Haxch Moto of
the Great Frog was a British chopper based on the Super Meteor 650 built in association with London jewellery maker Great Frog and featured extensive engraving work, as well as a dual-disc front fork
It offers an opportunity to grow and become ‘The London Bike
Show’ by default, but I hate to see our gain come from anyone’s losses
Anthony ‘Dutch’ van Someren, Bike Shed founder
Kent, while the chassis gear is all British: Maxton suspension and HEL brake components.
The Royal Enfield customs were a bit more left-field:
with massive bar risers. The Kingsman, based on a Shotgun 650, is a homage to the eponymous spoof spy film and boasts a streamliner fairing, with a picnic basket and drinks cabinet built into the rear bodywork. Very Bike Shed.
Interestingly, the Triumphowned Oset electric trials bike brand featured both a live-action freestyle stunt show in the ground-floor gallery and a display of five unique, custom batterypowered machines alongside.
Bike Shed founder, Anthony ‘Dutch’ van Someren, was very positive about how it went. “Despite being our 14th
MotoShow since we started in 2013, this show was said by customers and exhibitors as being our best-ever event. We had a footfall of 16,000 people over the weekend to see 260 custom motorcycles and enjoy hundreds of exhibitors, retailers, live music, live art, bars and street food, backed by Michelin, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Alpinestars, Bennetts, Monster Energy, AppleTV/ LongWayHome and Norton.
“This year, we added an electric trials stunts show with Oset, live link-ups with MotoGP and with Two Wheels for Life. We also had a movie screening room,
and added Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman to our roster of Shed Talks, which were packed, and re-screened all over the Tobacco Dock venue.
“Invitational bikes came from as far away as the US and Japan with pro builds sitting alongside our ShedBuilds – all bikes not seen at previous shows. We’re already planning 2026, which should be even bigger and better without the clash with MotoGP at Silverstone.”
compliance and health and safety are up exponentially. And secondly, venues seem to think we’re made of money.
Meanwhile, as BDN’s exclusive story last month revealed, the Bike Shed gig is now the last major bike show inside the M25, after MCN announced the closure of its London Docklands show. “‘I’m sad for the organisers that the MCN show is ending,” said ‘Dutch’ van Someren. “But I can see why. Firstly, the events and hospitality industry are in dire straits because costs have increased since Covid. Staff costs and the costs of more rigorous
“But the truth is brands and visitors have less money to spend. Ultimately, the motorcycle industry is transitioning from being based on transport into a lifestyle and luxury business – which is smaller and more niche and will probably continue to shrink.
“For us, the end of the MCN show does offer an opportunity to grow and become ‘The London Bike Show’ by default, but I hate to see our gain come from anyone’s losses.”
DF Capital has announced a move to a new flagship HQ in Manchester’s Northern Quarter this autumn. The automotive finance firm, which offers tailored finance solutions to the car and bike trade, will move into the former Daily Express building later this year, taking a 10year lease on approximately 23,000sq.ft of space across two floors in the Grade II-listed Art Deco building, originally constructed in 1939.
DF Capital says the relocation is a strategic step in its ongoing growth and expansion, providing a larger, modern workspace for its expanding team.
Carl D’Ammassa, CEO of DF Capital, said: “As a Manchester-based bank, we’re proud to continue investing in the city and in its local talent. This marks our third home here in Manchester and represents an exciting new chapter for us as we continue to scale the bank and grow our team further. The Express Building is a true Manchester landmark that shares our values of originality, bold thinking and creativity –qualities that define our people and the Northern Quarter.
“We look forward to welcoming our colleagues, clients and partners to our new home later this year.”
Suzuki has signed a new dealer in the South West. JD (John Deacon) Racing in Saltash, a former solus KTM outlet, has added the Japanese brand to its line-up and will sell Suzuki’s full-road and off-road range alongside KTM and GasGas.
“We have become an official Suzuki dealership – JD Racing Suzuki,” said JD Racing MD Tracey Deacon. “We will be offering the whole of the road range, including Hayabusa, and demonstration models will be available soon.
“We’re hugely proud, honoured and excited to be given this opportunity and look forward to welcoming Suzuki customers to Saltash. In addition to selling new bikes, we will also be able to service bikes and repair warranty issues. Parts, accessories and merchandise will also be available in-store and online.
“We will, of course, continue to be a KTM dealer, and we think the two brands are distinct
Suzuki account manager Lyndon Bull (centre) alongside technician James and JD Racing manager Zoe Deacon
and offer a different appeal and values.”
The official opening and fully branded showroom opens on 7 July with an open day planned for later in the summer.
MILTON KEYNES BIKE DEALER
The Bike Sanctuary, has announced that it is closing its doors and entering liquidation.
The Hanslope-based store has cited sudden and unforeseen circumstances as the reason for its decision to cease trading.
However, in an online post, the owners have pledged to “do the right thing” and will “work with administrators to return motorcycles currently in our care – both customer workshop bikes and bikes left with us on a sale-or-return basis.”
“We made the difficult decision to close the doors on 12 June to allow our appointed insolvency practitioners the space to assess the business and determine the best path forward,” the statement said.
“This is a formal and legal process, not a decision we made lightly.”
The firm hit out at what it called harassment and intimidation of its staff following the closure. “Some of our staff, who have sadly lost their jobs through no fault of their own, have been subjected to harassment via personal social media, phone calls, and even at their homes. This behaviour is not only deeply unfair – it is unacceptable. We will report every case of intimidation or threats to the appropriate authorities without exception.”
The statement also suggested that The Bike Sanctuary might live
on in another form. “This liquidation process is in place to protect customers, safeguard remaining assets, and explore the potential for new ownership or investment that could see The Bike Sanctuary continue in a new form. However, this is a legal and complex process that does not happen overnight. If you are affected and need to get in touch, please email info@ bikesanctuary.co.uk.”
Benefit from 40 years of peak development expertise for premium motorbikes
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High-end
The Qianjiang Motorcycle Group has appointed a UK distributor for its QJMotor bike range. A new firm, Moto73 Ltd, is being set up near Manchester, making the Chinese brand’s bikes available in this country for the first time.
QJMotor was founded in 1985 in Wenling, Zhejiang Province, China, and has since grown into one of China’s biggest motorcycle manufacturers. The giant Geely automotive group became QJMotor’s largest shareholder in September 2016, and since then, QJ has expanded significantly.
Moto73 is a new operation said to be staffed with industry professionals. Among the 16 models to arrive at Moto73’s HQ as part of the 2025
2025 RANGE HIGHLIGHTS
Street cruiser with a 561cc V4 engine making 67bhp and putting down 54Nm of torque to the belt-driven rear wheel. Low 720mm seat height and a 16.5-litre fuel tank.
RRP from £5699
This is a true premium brand, and we are working hard with dealers to give as many riders as possible a chance to try out these incredible bikes
Steve Dean, Moto73 Ltd
range available from August are the sporty naked SRK900, the SRK800 RR sportsbike (which is currently competing in the World Supersport championship), and the SRK125 R learner bike. The
SVT650 X 645cc V-twin adventure bike boasting spoked wheels, full metal luggage, engine bars and a 20-litre tank. 795mm seat height, 236kg all-up wet weight, and a full set of rider aids.
RRP from £6199
firm says it has a strong offering for adventure riders, too, with the SVT650 X and SRT900 SX which it claims gives an incredible specification and big-mileage ability at highly competitive pricing.
Steve Dean, national area manager (sales) for Moto73, said: “We are proud to announce the official launch of QJMotor in the United Kingdom – an exciting new chapter in the British motorcycle market. The range is not only impressive and diverse but also technically very high. This is a true premium brand, and we are working hard with dealers to give as many riders as possible a chance to try out these incredible bikes.”
Moto73 Ltd 01257 809137 info@moto73.co.uk
SRK800 RR Homologation model for the bike raced in the WorldSSP championship. Powered by a 778cc, four-cylinder engine putting out 120bhp and 74Nm of torque.
RRP from £6999
Street-biased adventure bike with a 95bhp 904cc parallel twin-cylinder engine featuring 19in front and 17in rear tubeless spoked wheels, 24-litre tank and an 835mm seat height.
RRP from £7699
As the electric vehicle (EV) market accelerates, Zero Motorcycles – the global leader in electric two-wheeled mobility – is expanding its dealer network across the UK and Europe. Backed by nearly two decades of innovation and millions of miles on the road, Zero offers forward-thinking dealers a unique opportunity to grow with the industry’s most experienced and trusted electric motorcycle brand.
Through its new All Access strategy, Zero is significantly expanding its model line-up. Over the next two years, the brand will launch several new bikes, all priced under £9000, making them more accessible to a wider range of riders. With models designed to meet every need, from entrylevel to performance, the company is well-positioned to lead growth in the two-wheel electric vehicle sector.
Zero is committed to dealer success, offering the most comprehensive support in its history. Dealers benefit from:
• Training and technical support – in-depth education and hands-on assistance
• Customer support tools –proven strategies to enhance satisfaction and retention
• Marketing and PR –localised campaigns to drive awareness and sales
• Sales and business development – tailored plans to support long-term growth
Zero is currently exploring dealership options across the UK, with a specific focus on Southampton/Bournemouth, Wales, North East England, Manchester, Cumbria and Northern Ireland. Dealers will have the option to become either a full-power dealership, offering the full Zero range, or a low-power-only dealership.
“Zero has been at the forefront of electric motorcycling for 19 years,” says Umberto Uccelli, VP and MD. “We offer a professional model range, a loyal customer base, and a clear roadmap for future innovation. There’s never been a better time to join our dealer network.”
As interest in electric motorcycles continues to grow – and government regulations tighten – Zero is meeting demand with performance, reliability, and sustainability. For dealers, this represents an exciting opportunity to align with a brand shaping the future of motorcycling.
A lot more information about the Zero proposition is available from: dale.robinson@ zeromotorcycles.com
Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods. All three are esteemed retailers, and all three have recently become victims of a cyber attack.
M&S has had its retail operations severely curbed, with online ordering going offline for – at the time of writing – the best part of a month. Its Sparks rewards programme has also been impacted.
M&S CEO Stuart Machin expects a £300m hit to profits, and the firm’s share value has lost around £750m. Machin may lose £1m in bonuses.
As the Financial Times reported, Machin said the attack was a consequence of “human error” rather than weakness in its IT systems or cyber defences. He added that “threat actors only have to be lucky once, and we didn’t leave the door open, so this wasn’t anything to do with under-investment.”
It appears that, in the case of Marks & Spencer, hackers employed social engineering tactics via a third-party supplier to trick IT staff into changing passwords and resetting authentication processes, thereby gaining access.
As for the Co-op, it took down some of its IT systems to cope with the attack, while Harrods did not take its website offline and told customers to “not do anything differently at this point”.
The National Crime Agency suspects that a cyber-criminal collective, Scattered Spider, is behind the attacks. It used ransomware known as DragonForce. The group has been linked to high-profile attacks, including two US casinos in 2023 and Transport for London in 2024.
Cyber-security firm Red Goat reckons that “calling up IT help desks is a tactic that Scattered Spider seems to favour, and they use social engineering techniques to manipulate someone into doing something like clicking on a link or resetting someone’s account to a password they can use.” It’s this that seems to be leading investigators to the group.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working with firms and organisations to better understand the nature of the attacks so that it can offer better advice on protection.
Businesses of all sizes and in all sectors need to plan for a cyberattack. Small firms, especially
The Centre’s CEO, Richard Horne, has urged companies “to follow the advice on the NCSC website to ensure they have appropriate measures in place to help prevent attacks and respond and recover effectively.”
In particular, it has recommended that corporate security teams use multifactor authentication, check for risky logins, and review help desk login procedures.
But why is it that some firms survive such attacks while others struggle? In many cases, it’s down not only to technical processes put in place to thwart attackers but also a combination of good luck and the goal of the attacker.
In the case of Marks & Spencer, it looks
like the attacker wanted to cause material harm to the company. In contrast, the attack on the Co-op was an attempt to harvest personal data. Harrods somehow got off lightly, given that the attacker appears to be the same group behind the attack on Marks & Spencer.
It’s easy to be wise after the event and lock the stable door after the horse has bolted. Similarly, the firms that tend to be best protected are those that have survived and learned from a cyber attack.
But some have not been so fortunate. Code Spaces, a cloud-based hosting service, closed within 12 hours of an attack in 2014 which deleted all hosted data and backups. And Travelex, the currency retailer, fell into administration in January 2020 following an attack the previous New Year’s Eve.
Of course, there are lessons for every business to learn – why did Harrods seem to get off scot-free while M&S was pummelled? Did it have better security and cyber controls? Had it better procedures for coping with cyber incidents? Was the company better practised in isolating systems and halting the attack? And has Marks & Spencer suffered more because Harrods was simply better at PR?
It’s unlikely that we’ll ever know the full extent of the attack or the response. But one thing is certain: Businesses of all sizes and in all sectors need to plan for an attack – small firms in particular, as they’ll likely have fewer reserves to keep the plates spinning should the worst happen and will, in all probability, have invested less proportionately in cyber defences.
ROYAL ENFIELD HAS renewed its promotional programme with a new demo ride campaign for the summer, as well as expanding its media service.
The demo campaign –Royal Enfield Demo Days (REDD) – kicked off at Sykes Royal Enfield in Lewes, East Sussex, at the start of May and continued at the end of May at QB Motorcycles in Quarry Bank, West Midlands, and in early June at Midwest Moto in Worcestershire. Phase two of the campaign kicks off at Revolution in Perth on 19 July, followed by Eddy’s Moto in Tadcaster on 26 July, and Crewe Motorcycle Centre on 9 August.
Meanwhile, the UK arm of Royal Enfield has launched a new media service run by PR agency Motocom. The new
site at www.royalenfieldmedia.
co.uk offers journalists, content creators and media professionals easy access to high-resolution images and videos, as well as news updates and press kits. For all media enquiries, including press fleet requests, contact Alex Strange alex.strange@motocom.co.uk or press@royalenfieldmedia.co.uk.
Royal Enfield has also taken on Clive Mann, formerly of Vmoto UK, to work at its Flying Flea electric bike division as new business development manager. Mann’s experience from Vmoto – the top-selling battery-powered brand in the UK – should be a big advantage for the new electric urban mobility operation at Enfield. “I’m very happy with the move,” Mann told us. “I’m actually in Chennai right now, at RE HQ!”
BDN exclusively revealed the end of the MCN London Motorcycle Show last month. The organisers, Bauer Media, called time on the Excel show, which it has run for more than 15 years, blaming rising costs and a decline in exhibitor numbers. Bauer has promised to throw its weight behind the NEC Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham instead, with promotional budgets and editorial support from its specialist motorcycle titles, as well as the general audience at Bauer-owned radio stations.
We asked some of the industry’s major players for their thoughts on the closure and its impact on them and the trade as a whole. Not everyone wanted to comment, but those that did expressed a fairly common set of responses – sadness at the news, but perhaps not surprise, and a commitment to increased efforts at the NEC show.
Craig Watson, Kawasaki UK sales and marketing manager, said: “We’re obviously sad to see the end of London’s most popular motorcycle show, which we have always
It’s a shame for any industry to see one of their major annual shows disappear
Andy Mineyko, head of motorcycles,Honda UK
supported and traditionally helped kick off each new bike riding season.
“However, we genuinely believe that with Bauer working in partnership with the Motorcycle Live organisers, they will motivate even more motorcyclists, especially from the South East, to make the trip to the NEC on two wheels, four wheels or even by train.
“We’re looking forward to this year’s show with exciting new activities and a myriad of new models to be unveiled.”
Meanwhile, Andy Mineyko, head of motorcycles at Honda UK, told us: “It’s a shame for any industry to see one of their major annual shows disappear. Honda has been involved in the London show for many years, as it was a good way to showcase our extensive model line-up to the London and South East customer base.
“We do have a strong dealer presence in the area, so customers can still see and test ride bikes within and around the M25. Hopefully,
we can encourage the London bikers to make the trip to Birmingham later this year, where we will be displaying all the latest models.”
Devron Boulton, Triumph Motorcycles general manager UK and Ireland, said: “We were saddened to hear about the closure of the MCN London Show. It’s always been a fantastic opportunity for the Triumph team to connect with passionate riders and customers from across the South of England. We’ve always valued the energy and enthusiasm the London crowd brings, and we sincerely hope the show will return in some form in the future.”
Fabrizio Cazzoli, MD of Ducati UK, told us: “Ducati has enjoyed some fantastic times at the London Motorcycle Show, from the display of Foggy’s WSBK winning bikes to introducing visitors to our new experiences, such as the Sweet Lamb DRE Adventure Academy. Luckily, we now have a new Ducati North London store, which opened just as the London Motorcycle Show closed. Together with Ducati London, Ducati Croydon, Ducati Chelmsford,
and Pro Twins, they continue to deliver the highest-calibre Ducati experience to our clients in London and the surrounding area. We will also have a presence at the ABR Festival and Motorcycle Live to bring Ducati motorcycles closer to everyone outside the capital, too. “
Away from the bike makers, kit and accessory firms were also saddened by the news. Gavin McCaffery at Pure Moto said: “It’s a sign of the times, I think. We are in a bit of a slump registrationwise, and everybody has to get the best bang for their buck. It was an expensive show to exhibit at, not including accommodation and travel.
I think Bauer getting behind the Birmingham show is a positive move, and we should all be supporting it
Gavin
it was a great opportunity for us to connect with riders who have a very real need to consider security properly. We always used our presence as an opportunity to educate riders on security as a whole, not just as a brand or retail presence. While we’ll continue to do this at Motorcycle Live, the regionality of the London show was certainly useful for us.”
Finally, one of the major sponsors of the show, Devitt Insurance, echoed the feeling of sadness at the end of a longrunning event.
McCaffery,
Pure Moto
“I think Bauer getting behind the Birmingham show is a positive move, and we should all be supporting it. It’s our showcase event now.”
Bill Taylor, sales and marketing director at security and tracking firm BikeTrac, also sounded a note of sadness at the closure. “We’ve been a regular exhibitor at the London show over the years, which, for us, was on the whole successful. With bike theft having such a high concentration in London and the surrounding areas,
Devitt marketing executive Elle Blomfield said:
“It’s been an incredible journey being the headline sponsor of the MCN London Motorcycle Show. Over the years, we’ve witnessed the passion, innovation, and community spirit that make this event truly special. We’re proud to have played a part in celebrating the two-wheeled culture and connecting with riders from all walks of life.
As this chapter comes to a close, we want to thank the organisers, exhibitors, and –most importantly – the fans for making it unforgettable.
The road ahead is full of new adventures, and we look forward to what’s next for the motorcycle community.”
In past years, visitors to the Isle of Man TT have suffered from serious amounts of bike theft. Not on the Island – where vigilance at the ferry port during the TT puts off most scrotes – but on the way to the races, especially at the Merseyside ferry ports. However, for 2025, riders’ rights groups from across the spectrum joined forces with police in the North West to clamp down on bike theft en route to the TT. A counter-theft campaign, dubbed Operation Needle, was operated by Merseyside Police in collaboration with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool BID Company, Lancashire Constabulary, Isle of Man Constabulary, the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP), the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), and the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF). It was directly supported by financial contributions from NVCRP, the MAG Foundation and BMF. These funds enabled enhanced security measures in Liverpool city centre, including Oxford heavy-duty bike chains,
additional barriers near hotels, increased police patrols, and electronic detection equipment. The initiative achieved outstanding results, with no reported motorcycle thefts in the city centre locations where the measures were applied. Across Liverpool, only two motorcycles were reported stolen during the 2025 TT period, a significant reduction from the five reported in both 2023 and 2024 and 12 in 2022.
Operation Needle’s, sergeant Craig Winstanley, said: “It is great to see the work of many partner agencies paid off this year, with another reduction in the number of bike thefts. While it is regrettable that two
people suffered the anguish of having their motorcycles stolen, the number of victims was significantly lower than in previous years. This is thanks to our joint efforts with partners and our commitment to listening to the motorcycle community, considering their concerns, and taking action to protect motorcycles. From speaking to motorcyclists from both the UK and overseas, they have given us really positive feedback about the security measures we have been able to implement thanks to the additional funding we have received.”
Mark Kameen, project lead at NVCRP, said: “The deployment of targeted crime prevention
measures has proven to be an effective deterrent, with no reported motorcycle thefts in areas where the security provisions were in place. Achieving a 100% reduction in thefts compared to previous years highlights the impact of proactive, collaborative efforts.”
Colin Brown, MAG’s director of campaigns and political engagement commented: “MAG is proud to have contributed financially through the MAG Foundation. Working alongside BMF and NVCRP, we’ve helped protect riders’ bikes and strengthened the motorcycling community’s trust in Liverpool as a safe transit point for the TT. We look forward to future work with Merseyside Police”
Paul Morgan CBE, BMF’s government relations executive, said: “The BMF was pleased to support Operation Needle, working in partnership with the police and other agencies to deliver a successful anticrime initiative that ensured motorcyclists had a safe and enjoyable time in Liverpool en route to the TT races.”
“THE OLD FARMER” COLIN MAYO, WHO COfounded British Dealer News some 24 years ago in 2001, celebrated his 85th birthday in June. A now-legendary bastion of the industry, he has supported dealers and promoted the motorcycle trade in general throughout a long career approaching almost 70 years.
Mayo entered the publishing firmament at Ilife & Sons in 1957, before going on to join EMAP in 1968 as editor of Two Wheeler Dealer, fighting in the trade corner alongside Motor Cycle News. After eventually moving on from EMAP in 1994, he and Larry Riches subsequently launched the longrunning annual Motorcycle Trade Expo show, before adding British Dealer News to Mayo Media’s entrepreneurial portfolio. And, of course, he is still going strong with plenty to celebrate.
These celebrations invaded a picturesque country pub in North Devon, not far from the Mayo Media HQ, and featured a mix of Mayo’s family, friends and business associates. Guests included dealers, former EMAP colleagues, and both current and past staff from British Dealer News. On tap were Mayo’s favourite ales, London
BDNco-founders, Mayo and Willis, sample the Bass. Below, Norton birthday cake
Pride and Bass, quenching thirsts until late into the night. The inevitable birthday cake dodged the imposition of 85 candles and instead was topped with an image of the Old Farmer on board his beloved Norton 650SS, which was served as a surprise by his two grandsons Ronnie and Charlie.
Oxford Products has a significant presence in the UK, but it also has a network of global distributors for its own range of products. In recent years, it has held a series of training and sales conferences for distributors here in the UK called the Oxford WDM –World Distributor Meeting.
Last month, the Witney-based firm hosted distributors from as far afield as Canada, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Alongside delegates from mainland Europe, the visitors watched and participated in a series of product launches showcasing Oxford’s apparel and accessory ranges. There
were also presentations on pricing and contract sales, as well as demos, a warehouse tour, trips around the in-house photo and design studios and technical seminars.
The next WDM is scheduled for October. Visit www.oxfordproducts.com for more details.
NEW LOOK INTERMOT SHOW THE ORGANISERS OF THE INTERMOT bike show in Cologne this December have a new concept for the show, featuring stronger community, activities, innovative displays, and more for younger fans. The organisers say BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Royal Enfield have already confirmed attendance, alongside accessory firms such as Bering, Nolan, Shark, Segura, Wilbers, SW-Motech, and Wunderlich. “The strong response so early in the year shows that Intermot is back. As a trade fair hotspot, Cologne offers a unique environment with an enormous reach beyond the country’s borders,” said Alexander Wolff, director of Intermot.
BIKER ROAD DEATHS INCREASE THE GOVERNMENT HAS RELEASED provisional road casualty figures for 2024, which show a significant increase in fatalities among motorcyclists, up 9% to 343. The IAM RoadSmart charity has highlighted concerns over the figures. Director of policy and standards, Nicholas Lyes, said: “These figures demonstrate a troubling lack of progress in bringing down fatal and serious injuries on our road network. Moreover, 2024 saw a significant increase in the number of motorcyclists that were killed, highlighting that more needs to be done to protect some of the most vulnerable road users. The government’s updated road safety strategy cannot come soon enough.”
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The Fleet Auction Group delivered a strong result at its June auction, with 82 late-model, low-mileage motorcycles offered for sale and 72 lots successfully sold. The sale achieved an average CAP valuation of 93.8%, demonstrating robust demand from dealers.
“We’re pleased to report a near 90% conversion rate, with 113 trade buyers logging in to bid,” commented Andrew Walker, CEO of the Fleet Auction Group. “This reflects the continued appetite for quality used stock, and the growing role of digital remarketing platforms.”
Trade participation continues to rise, Walker says, because the system offers dealers a convenient and efficient way to source
stock remotely. Fleet Auction Group provides collection and delivery services to support buyers and sellers.
The auction procedure and charging structure are transparent, with a fixed buyer’s fee of £285 + VAT. Inventory is sourced from major manufacturers, leasing and finance companies, and franchised dealer groups offering part exchanges and overage stock.
Walker says trade buyers are welcome to visit Fleet Auction Group’s Loughborough site to inspect stock ahead of the next sale, scheduled for 17 July. Sale catalogues are available for download from www.fleetauctiongroup.com. For further information contact 01530 833535, or info@fleetauctiongroup.com.
This reflects the continued appetite for quality used stock
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All bike dealers enjoy selling big-ticket accessories such as helmets, exhausts systems, textile clothing and leather suits. However, day-to-day, bread-and-butter sales are also essential. A consistent turnover of smaller ‘pocket money’ purchases can provide a significant source of income, with customers often making impulse buys in-store. Sales of items like £10 neck tubes, £25 cleaning kits, £50 battery chargers, and £75 D-locks can really add up, and these products typically offer much better profit margins, compared to selling new bikes. The current market leader is, of course, Oxford Products, which has built a massive reputation over the years, but there have been other brands, too. Many will remember Motrax and its ubiquitous point-of-sale displays festooned with disc locks, stick-on helmet ears, anodised tax disc holders (remember those!) and other high-volume, fast-moving bike trinkets.
Now there’s a new name in this sector – Riderr – and it’s aiming to provide some stiff competition to the existing players. Backed by one of the UK’s largest distributors, Nevis Marketing, it’s a brand-
product launch, featuring 45 separate product lines, with stock already reaching dealers. Phase two will arrive later in the summer, adding another 100 SKUs to the mix. And more is promised over the next year.
Chris Crutwell, Riderr
available at better price points, with integrated heating controls, and they’re not only built for ease of use but also for the convenience of the consumer. They’re also made so that they’re easier to fit in a workshop. We’ve looked at what the retailer wants, and what would a workshop want. What would the wholesaler want? And what would the end user want? And then we’ve tried to make a product that works for everyone.”
new operation that aims to provide a range of wellmade, well-designed bike accessories, covering both the usual basics such as bike covers, heated grips, and locks, as well as adding some novel technologies.
Riderr is the brainchild of Chris and Lucy Crutwell, both long-time bikers and workers in the bike trade. They registered the Riderr trademark at the end of 2023, with Nevis getting involved in the summer of 2024. Now, Nevis and Riderr are launching the first phase of the brand’s
BDN’s Alan Dowds spoke to Chris Crutwell, who is understandably excited about his new venture. “The idea behind Riderr is to go into dealers and offer them new and innovative products. Something that we think is better, and of higher quality, than other products on the market.”
Crutwell outlined the key products in the initial range. “We have bike covers, but quality covers that are better at their price point than the competition. There are decent-quality heated grips
Crutwell says the brand will focus on both the traditional biker demographic and new, younger riders. “We have innovative products, we have the smallest micro-charger coming through on the market. We have products that are next level. We’re targeting everyone – we want to appeal to the whole market, but we’re specifically looking at Gen Z, Millennials, sub-45-yearolds... the people that we can transition into the future.”
How is Riderr developing its range? “We do a split of ODM [original design manufacturer]
and OEM [original equipment manufacturer] products. ODM is a full design; it’s effectively like white-label products. We will do more ODM, and we have a lot of ODM products for phase two.”
And as with many modern brands, manufacturing is focused in China. “It’s important for us to offer quality products, and we deal heavily with China. We have some fantastic factories there. They work very hard, and they want this to succeed. It’s nice for them to have European clients, and if we can drive the European market for them, it looks good for them.”
Nevis clearly plays a big part in this story and will be distributing the Riderr brand internationally, as well as in the UK. It’s a big change for the firm, which has previously focused entirely on rider kit – helmets, boots and clothing. This will be its first brand ‘for the bike’ rather than for the rider.
Nevis MD Scott Empson told us about the thinking behind the new operation. “It’s something we’ve spoken about as a company for years, but we’ve always concentrated on what the rider wants, not necessarily what the bike wants. We don’t do any hard parts: chains, sprockets, tyres. We’re not involved because its very price driven. But
How is the international distribution plan going?
“We already have European distribution with MKC, which has 18 shops throughout Europe, mostly Benelux. We attended an international meeting recently with a lot of big international distributors and retailers. But our main focus really is the UK market.”
And Empson spoke a bit more about the philosophy behind the Riderr launch. “We want to give dealers a choice. We believe our quality is equal or better [to the current competition], and many of the designs are better. Phase two is the exciting part. Phase one is very much what people want and what sells: locks, covers, and heated grips. But phase two is innovative; there’s stuff there that isn’t on the market right now.
“We don’t want to knock the competition out of the market; Nevis has never operated with that mentality. We just
want to do our own thing and develop the brand. What we want is for the brand to be successful and to hit our own personal targets.
“I can also honestly say dealing with Chris and Lucy is a pleasure. You can feel Chris’s enthusiasm – and what better brand ambassador than the man who owns the company?”
One big advantage for Nevis is obviously its existing sales infrastructure, with sales staff, logistics and ordering portals already in place. And Empson says that current Nevis dealers and new dealers are more than welcome to take on the Riderr brand. “Just get in touch and we’ll send an area manager in straight away. Riderr products are on our live B2B system now, and stock is already in.”
Nevis Marketing 01425 478936 info@nevis.uk.com www.nevis.uk.com
Regular BDN readers will be well aware of the D3O armour brand. We visited the British firm’s Croydon headquarters last year for a tour of the R&D facilities and to learn about its work on rider protection. Its patented polymer technology gives topperforming impact absorption, and its trademarked Pantone orange colour is becoming a more common sight in the bike trade.
The firm says its ultimate aim is to become as significant an ‘ingredient’ brand as Gore-Tex, 3M, and Intel, with the D3O branding accentuating other already strong brands in the bike kit market. To that end, it has been developing protective inserts that provide the required CE protection levels, approved to those regulatory standards, with lighter, thinner, and better-vented products. It’s a great British success story and a good example to those who think the UK doesn’t ‘do’ advanced manufacturing these days.
D3O already supplies multiple British bike brands with armour products –Belstaff and Triumph Motorcycles use the orange protectors in their clothing ranges. But at a special launch on the Isle of Man, backed by a sponsored Superbike race in the TT, the firm announced that it’s supplying a third UK firm, this time the RST Moto brand.
BDN spoke to D3O’s chief marketing officer, Mostyn Thomas, and asked what D3O offers over ‘standard’ unbranded OE armour products. “Anyone can go and make a jacket in China and ask the factory to source the material, which will likely pass the standard,” he said. “And then they’ll have to go and test it. That’s fine – there is a market for that. What it won’t have, which we do, is that
we’ll be supplying a product that’s already certified. So, the brand isn’t going to have to go and certify the armour separately.
“Additionally, parts from an ingredient brand will be more suitable for their intended purpose. Therefore, you can have a 4-6mm thick protector instead of a 20mm one. And you’ll have something low-profile, stealthy, lightweight, comfortable, breathable, and more ventilated that’s been designed and moulded to fit the body.
“But the whole play on ingredient brands is that we, like Gore and Intel and Vibram, invest in our brand and look to actively market to consumers. We build that trust factor and build the value, and that creates demand for our partners’ products in itself. People say, ‘ah, it’s got D3O in, I’ve seen that, I’ve read about it, I know Michael Dunlop wears it – I trust it.’ And that trust and brand recognition is where our partners say the value comes in: they know a D3O product will sell better. There’s a commercial value we
That’s backed up by comments from two of the British brands which use D3O. We spoke to Colin Harvey, motorcycle consultant at Belstaff UK, and asked him about D3O. “We saw D3O at EICMA many years ago, and Franco Malenotti, who was the head of the company back then, invited them to our Italian HQ. He was particularly impressed by the hammer test when the rep from D3O placed a piece of the armour (not entirely voluntarily…) across the back of my hand and then struck it a heavy blow with a hammer. Result? No pain or damage whatsoever. We started to use it in most of our motorcycle jackets from then on.
“They are the market leader in their field and are immediately recognisable by their bright orange colour. Also, they are constantly evolving and improving their product; we’ve seen huge progress from the early Level 1 and 2 products through to Ghost and now Diablo – each variation proving more wearable, lighter and just as protective.”
RST’s Stuart Millington also praised the tech side of D3O. “We’re proud to collaborate with the industry’s leading innovators in rider protection. D3O is at the forefront of impact protection technology, making a partnership with such a pioneering brand a natural progression in RST’s evolution. Together with our elite-level riders, we’ve been developing the RST x D3O programme – rigorously testing and validating performance enhancements that we’re now thrilled to introduce in our upcoming 2026 collection.”
marketing@d3o.com www.d3o.com
WE’RE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR NEW DEALERS...
The Oulton Park British Superbike test event in April was the venue for Yamaha Motor UK’s dealer conference. And in between watching their man Brad Ray going very fast on an R1 superbike, Yamaha management took the opportunity to recognise dealers across the UK for their outstanding contributions over the past year, handing out its 2024 awards to the best-performing dealers.
Lee Neesham, country manager for Yamaha Motor UK, personally congratulated the award recipients and distributed the trophies.
OUTSTANDING MARKETING EVENT AWARD
Ian Bell Motorcycles
Bedlington, Northumberland
“Ian Bell Motorcycles hosted a launch night for the highly anticipated Yamaha R9. The event drew a crowd of
passionate biking enthusiasts. In attendance was 2024 British Superbike Champion Kyle Ryde, who took time to meet fans and talk all things racing. The lads from the popular motorcycle podcast Chasin’ the Racin’ were also in attendance,” said Jo Morgan (Yamaha brand specialist, dealer development and trade marketing).
Mott Motorcycles
Basingstoke, Hampshire
proactive, cooperative and 100% committed approach to utilising Salesforce, setting a benchmark for dealer engagement across the entire Yamaha Motor Europe dealer network, receiving regular plaudits and references at all levels,” commented Dave Brown (manager for dealer development and trade marketing).
Lind Motorcycles
Alford Bros
Folkestone, Kent
“Providing a high level of customer service is paramount in retaining customers to a
“Salesforce forms a large part of our future as a company and will continue to evolve, integrate and benefit customers, dealers and distributors. Mott Motorcycles have consistently shown a
Newmarket, Suffolk Dave Brown also presented the VI award. “Lind joined the Yamaha family in 2024 and took great pride in delivering their new Yamaha showroom, meeting the very highest standards with regards to the Yamaha Visual Identity program, ensuring the VISIT element of the customer journey is the best possible experience.”
business or brand. Adapting to maintain that high level in the face of increasing competition and customer expectation, across all areas of the business, is an even tougher challenge. Therefore, for the second consecutive year, Alford Bros has achieved this award, demonstrating a customer-centric approach that is successful for both their business and Yamaha,” commented Karl Radley (manager for aftersales).
PARTS & ACCESSORIES SALES
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tinklers Motorcycles
Norwich, Norfolk
Tinklers impressed Yamaha parts and accessories divisional manager, P&A Gareth Sloane.
“Tinklers continues to set the highest standards with their dedication to providing expert knowledge that has set them apart, ensuring customers are always offered genuine Yamaha parts and accessories as a first option, leading to an outstanding customer experience.”
YAMALUBE SALES AWARD
Flitwick Motorcycles
Bedford
Gareth Sloane also appreciated Flitwick’s lubrication sales efforts: “Flitwick Motorcycles provide exceptional customer service both in the showroom and online, demonstrating a proactive approach to e-commerce sales. They continuously evolve their online sales strategies with
fresh ideas to boost revenue. Having been the UK’s top Yamalube dealer for over four years, they continue to see growth, with a 20% increase in sales compared to 2023. Additionally, they are highly proactive in parts sales, both online and instore, continuing to see strong growth each year.”
AMBASSADOR AWARD
Crescent Motorcycles
“This award goes to a longestablished dealer that is about to celebrate 75 years in the business. Crescent not only supports the range of road and off-road PTW products but is synonymous with racing at an international
level and supporting track riding through its Pro-Shop. They engage in customer experiences, supporting an off-road adventure school and supporting racing in many national disciplines. Crescent have their own comprehensive e-commerce site and remain one of the most proactive dealers in marketing expertise with strong marketing across all platforms from local events through to local digital marketing and a strong social media presence,” said Adam Kelley (Yamaha general manager, land sales).
Woodford Motorcycles
East London
Karl Radley also recognised dealer investment in staff training. “As our business continually changes, selfimprovement is essential
to setting the standard and staying one step ahead, ensuring that we are as prepared as we can be. In 2024, Woodford Motorcycles committed to making selfimprovement a priority through the Yamaha Motor Academy, making full use of the training available, the rewards of which we hope were reflected in their own business achievements and their reputation within their customer base and beyond.”
EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING ENGAGEMENT
Sycamore Motorcycles
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
For the marketing award, Drew Irvine (brand specialist, PTW and SPV) recognised Sycamore Motorcycles’ efforts “2024 proved to be a year where taking the fight to the marketplace was more valuable than ever, with customers more vigilant and discerning than ever. It proved to be incredibly important to be active in marketing your dealerships, stepping outside traditions and accepting some risks. We want to recognise Sycamore’s incredible efforts with their marketing in 2024, with a real highlight being Steve Wong’s willingness to put himself in front of the camera on social media to captivate sales leads. It’s no easy thing to put yourself out there in front of an audience, but it certainly got our attention, and we’re sure it got the attention of prospective Yamaha customers.”
Mitchells Motorcycles
Inverness, Scottish Highlands
“Mitchells consistently sells the benefits of finance as part of the sales process and is a strong advocate for Santander’s Gateway 3Sixty, which has led to high retention of finance customers and strong penetration,” said sales manager Barry Wharmby.
One of the many repercussions of KTM parent Pierer Mobility’s financial collapse was the return of MV Agusta to independent ownership under the Art of Mobility company belonging to the Russian Sardarov family. And like the rest of the bike trade, the Varese-based firm is trying to adapt to a new reality. It’s issued a statement outlining its progress on finalising the separation process from KTM, which, it says, is going well. It seems the exact legal position isn’t completely finalised as yet. The statement says: “The official transfer of full ownership from Pierer Mobility AG to Art of Mobility is approaching its final stages. This marks a pivotal step in the company’s strategy to reaffirm its independence and strengthen its position in the global motorcycle market.”
The statement goes on to detail plans for international expansion, relaunching its spare parts operations, which are currently still operating through the KTM logistics chain, and working on a new strategy for operational efficiency and brand identity. The firm has moved its historical Centro Stile design office, formerly the Cagiva Research Centre, from San Marino to the Varese factory.
In an online press conference at the start of June, BDN’s Alan Dowds was able to speak to MV Agusta executive director Luca Martin. He asked about plans for MV Agusta’s distribution and dealer
The UK is one of the markets that has the highest potential but has also been suffering the most disruption in terms of spare parts distribution
Luca Martin, MV Agusta executive director
networks in the UK. Martin said: “The UK is one of the markets where we want to enter with our own subsidiary. Its one of the markets that has the highest potential but has also been suffering the most disruption in terms of spare parts distribution. The reason is very simple: there were agreements with a logistic provider that caused a lot of trouble for
dealers. We attempted to resolve the issue with urgency directly from Varese, but we now know that the support was insufficient.
“And on top of this, there has been, I admit, a mistake during the KTM management because we allocated a lot of Euro 5 bikes to the UK that were not registered. And now we have an allocation of Euro 5 motorcycles dedicated to the UK market, that we can’t sell there.
“So, to be extremely honest, the UK is one of the markets that we are really underperforming in. But at the same time, we want to return with our own management, with our own team, and really listen and try to improve our performance.”
Encouraging news from Varese, with the UK very much on the firm’s radar, it seems. Martin also stated that the firm is developing new engine platforms and updating model ranges, with new metal set to debut before the Milan show this autumn.
In the meantime, MV has released a stunning special ‘Ago’ limited edition of its Superveloce 1000 to celebrate the 83rd birthday of its most famous rider, Giacomo Agostini. Priced at €83,000, just 83 of the 208bhp carbonclad superbikes will be made, all with a special key made from an actual piece of metal from one of Agostini’s Imola 500GP winning trophies.
American consultant Bob Phipps bills himself as a “retail doctor”. He reckons that it’s easy to spot a bad manager through nine tell-tale signs, chief of which are that they’re “invisible on the sales floor”, “allow a dirty store”, and “criticise staff in front of others.”
He’s right in many respects –and it’s shown by comments on workplace website, Glassdoor, with comments such as “ALDI – Worst Managers EVER!!”, “B&M Retail – poor management”, and “Harrods’ poor management’”.
Of course, it’s unthinkable that an individual would ever take on a management role just to become a poor manager. Yet, with time and pressure, it’s easy for a wellintentioned individual to slip precisely into that position.
Leadership is challenging, and when stress levels rise, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the team isn’t as engaged as it should be.
But as everyone’s patience starts to wear thin, you, as a manager, may find yourself frustrated with your role as a leader. And the more you try to fix things, the worse it
Just as employees are key to business success, so are managers
feels. Then, suddenly, it dawns on you that you’ve become the manager that you’ve always hated.
So, what are the warning signs to be aware of? What are the managerial behaviours that need to be avoided if you want to be the manager that everyone admires?
Never assume employees know something that’s important
As a leader, you have access to all the information. This makes
succeed. Good leaders make communication a priority.
You put up objections and say ‘no’ more than trying to find a solution
In uncertain times, it’s easy to become risk-averse and shut down new ideas. But good leaders understand that creativity should be encouraged, not stifled. Saying ‘no’ too often or too quickly kills innovation and morale. So, reflect on whether
Success means that you will need to re-evaluate whether you’re projecting the work ethic you expect from your team. The point is to not lead from the rear
it key to remember that your team might not have the same information or the context for it to be used properly. In other words, it makes sense to never assume they ‘should already know’ about something. The only solution is to take responsibility for ensuring that the team has the information they need to
you’re shutting down ideas too often and becoming closed off to possibilities.
You ask others to do things you’re not prepared to do Leadership is about leading by example. If you’re asking your team to, for example, put in extra hours but aren’t willing to do the same, then you’re
sending the wrong message. Success means that you will need to re-evaluate whether you’re projecting the work ethic you expect from your team. The point is to not lead from the rear.
You think that no one can do what you do
Believing that you’re the only one who can undertake certain tasks is a trap that leads to micromanagement and a lack of delegation. It’s important to recognise that others can probably do parts of your job better than you can. By letting go of control and trusting your team, you will create a stronger, more capable group.
You fear questions that might cause trouble
You might think that asking employees about their concerns or for feedback on your performance will distract from the work at hand. But the truth is that avoiding these questions only lets problems fester. Good leaders ask difficult questions, even when they don’t want to hear the answers. And so, it’s better to know the truth than to remain in the dark.
Similarly, being surrounded by ‘yes-men’ will get you nowhere – and quickly too.
You consider that emotions are irrelevant in the workplace
Emotions are an integral part of the human experience, and they significantly impact how people perform. Dismissing your team’s feelings is a mistake. Accepting and acknowledging emotions is crucial in maintaining a healthy workplace and fostering strong relationships with your team. Ultimately, it’s key to remember that the team is made up of people.
You’re reluctant to delegate Hesitation to delegate is a sign of poor leadership. In contrast, trusting your team and giving them the chance to succeed will build a collaborative environment. Furthermore, delegation will not only remove stress from your life but also add to the confidence in others that they can complete the tasks they’ve been assigned.
You favour some individuals over others
Playing favourites is a sure way to undermine trust and create division. Even if you don’t think of it as favouritism, treating some team members better than others can lead to resentment. Fairness and consistency are essential traits of a good leader.
You believe that everyone needs to be on site to work well Clearly, certain roles require an individual to be on site for the job to be completed. However, other tasks can occasionally be performed at home. But just because an employee isn’t physically present doesn’t mean that they’re not being productive. Focusing on where and when people work, rather than on results, is a sign of micromanagement. Shifting your focus from monitoring work hours to tracking outcomes and fostering autonomy may help matters.
The bottom line should be results, and results only.
You expect employees to come to you with issues
There’s no point in having an open door if employees are reluctant to walk through it with their concerns because they’re afraid. It’s important to recognise the power relationships in the workplace and that they can make it difficult for employees to speak up. This means that managers must be proactive in asking employees about their concerns.
Some managers test staff to see how they’re progressing by asking questions, looking to see if they’ve understood the matter. However, staff aren’t stupid and will soon see through the charade and will feel that trust has been undermined. So, instead of testing staff, ask yourself why you feel the need to do so? The best environment is one where employees feel empowered to perform at their best without constant oversight and are scored on their results.
You focus on distractions more than anything else
It’s easy to get caught up in trying to curb distractions, but the best managers focus on what will inspire and engage their team. Rather than micromanaging coffee breaks or social media use, ask yourself whether your team feels connected to a larger purpose and is excited about their work.
At some point, every leader will slip into one of these badmanager behaviours. The key is to recognise it and make a conscious effort to change. If you think this is you, don’t excuse yourself, but also don’t flagellate yourself either. Acknowledge the problem, decide how to deal with itand move on; you are human, after all.
With financial editor Roger Willis
Under the terms of a US-UK trade deal just concluded between Donald Trump and Kier Starmer, the future of potentially carbon-neutral “green” fuel produced in Britain – upon which the survival of internal combustion engines powering motorcycles could one day depend – may be thrown to the dogs.
Trump has agreed to cut his 27.5% tariff on British-manufactured cars to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles shipped from the UK to the US each year. This aspect of their deal claims to save thousands of UK automotive jobs and will mainly benefit upmarket exporters Bentley and Jaguar Land Rover, which are incidentally owned by German and Indian parents.
But, in return, the UK has offered the US a zero-tariff quota of 13,000 tonnes on beef and an extraordinary 1.4 billion litres of bioethanol annually, respectively produced from US cattle farmers and maize growers. The latter, heavily subsidised without any ongoing supply certainty and equivalent to the entire current annual ethanol demand in the UK, is set to swamp the UK’s only two bioethanol plants, forcing them out of business.
These plants, Ensus in Wilton on Tees-side and Vivergo at Saltend near Hull in East Yorkshire, are presently responsible for manufacturing the E10 element in petrol already sold on UK forecourts and employ more than 7000 workers throughout their supply chains. A projected trajectory of moving to E40 and then eventually fully carbon-neutral E100 pump fuel is therefore in jeopardy.
The biggest player Vivergo was
originally established in 2007 as a joint venture between ABF Sugar, BP and Du Pont to create a future-facing biofuels operation. ABF Sugar subsequently became its sole shareholder. At the moment, the £450m Vivergo plant can distil up to 420 million litres of bioethanol per year from more than one million tonnes of non-food-grade wheat,
Officials at the Department for Business and Trade admitted to industry leaders they had been blindsided by the decision to offer a tariff-free quota to US producers
unsuitable for milling into flour for bread or pasta. This is sourced from thousands of farms, mostly across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It is also the UK’s largest single production site for high-protein animal feed, delivering over 400,000 tonnes to farms throughout the country. So far, the government’s response has been lamentable. Weeks before Starmer did his deal with Trump, the Department for Business and Trade said it was “working closely with the companies affected to consider what options may be available to support them.” But no solutions emerged. Since then, ABF Sugar has delivered an
ultimatum to the government, following an emergency meeting with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, demanding that the government come up with a rescue package within two weeks. The alternative would be opening consultations to make the plant’s workforce redundant.
ABF Sugar chief executive Paul Kenward has said that investors would no longer support continued losses when the government wasn’t offering any support, unless he had a copper-bottomed guarantee that the regulatory regime will change. And officials at the Department for Business and Trade had admitted in calls to industry leaders that they had been blindsided by the decision to offer a tariff-free quota to US producers. His plant had only made a profit for six months since the E10 mandate was introduced in 2021, which he blames on the way the UK bioethanol market is regulated. Kenward also notes that plants in Europe identical to those in the UK are profitable because they are shielded from US imports. His Vivergo Fuels managing director, Ben Hackett, added: “The Department for Transport was perpetuating our demise, and the Department of Business and Trade is now accelerating it.”
As we went to press Vivergo continued that unless the government provided it with the necessary financial support, it will close its Hull bioethanol plant on 25 June. Ensus says it will make a decision on the future of its Teesside operation “in a matter of weeks”.
PIAGGIO GROUP’S FIRSTquarter 2025 performance was verging on tragic once more. Consolidated net revenue sank by 13.4% to £311.9m. A generalised downturn across global markets was held responsible. In Europe, the company blamed slower demand after the introduction of the new Euro 5+ PTW standard, which drove significant registrations in the fourth quarter of 2024, followed by a fall-off in the first quarter of 2025. But market contractions were actually broader than that. The EMEA region (predominantly Europe) and the Americas declined by 17.2%. Asia-Pacific was 10.5% down and India dropped by 2.3%. Operating profit slumped by 41% to £20.5m. Operating margin fell from 9.7% to 6.6%. Pre-tax profit was 55% down to £10.7m. Net profit more than halved to just £7.3m. Net financial debt stood at £498.8m, having risen from £419m in the same period last year. During the first quarter, Piaggio sold 78,700 scooters and motorcycles worldwide, a 13.9% decline, generating associated
150 lines associated to over 25,000 different models
revenue which was 14.4% down to £238.9m.
In its dominant scooter segment, Piaggio claimed an overall European market share of 15.3% in Q1. North American share apparently reached 29.9%. The Group reported strong performance for the Piaggio Liberty and Medley high-wheel models, both of which featured completely new versions introduced in Q1 2025. In motorcycles, the market “responded warmly” to new Aprilia RS and Tuono models with 457cc engines and the Moto Guzzi V85 Enduro.
Group chief executive Michele Colaninnno (below) was inevitably armed with longwinded excuses: “The beginning of the year was once again a time of international markets looking for stability, and ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical complexity, which we continue to counter with a prudent management approach in competitive scenarios that aren’t always favourable to European manufacturers.”
€-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 4 June
203 lines associated to over 27,000 different models
111 lines associated to over 17,000 different models
375 lines associated to over 164,000 different models
808 lines associated to over 100,000 different models
396 lines associated to over 9,000 different models
Beleaguered British dealers may find some solace in discovering that their continental cousins are, on the whole, also struggling to generate sales as the market comes to terms with stagnant economies, a generally uncertain and cautious outlook by consumers and the continuing fallout of mass preregistrations at the end of 2024.
Among the big five European motorcycle markets it is Germany that is taking the biggest hit, with first-
quarter sales a whopping 41% down on 2024. This makes the ACEM-reported 26% decline in UK sales seem somewhat less onerous. The French and Italian markets are significantly contracted too, by 22% and 12% respectively. The only national market to show a glimmer of progress is Spain, which eked out a 1.5% improvement in the first quarter.
Moped markets are down across the board, by proportions ranking from the relatively minor (Spain, down 4.1%) to
the disastrous (Italy, down 41.6%).
Commenting on the current situation, Antonio Perlot, ACEM secretary general, said: “Long-term trends in the European market confirm steady growth for motorcycles and some stagnation for mopeds. Overall, it is important to continue supporting the sector’s competitiveness, through policy recognition of L-category vehicles’ mobility advantages and support for innovation at European level.”
A snapshot of motorcycle and ATV industry share performance across key manufacturers and major global markets at the trading week closure on Friday 20 June. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports
Against a background of escalating conflict in the Middle East, President Trump dithered around for a while, lining up all the toys in his pram, and Wall Street investors didn’t know whether they were coming or going. New York market indices initially rose on hopes of some sort of resolution to the Israel-Iran conflict coming from Trump’s two-week negotiation deadline. But they surrendered those gains as the weekend approached.
The blue-chip S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average respectively closed 1.3% and 1.8% down and NASDAQ’S Composite was 0.4% in arrears. Only the S&P MidCap 400 held its head above water by 0.8%. However, leading MidCap biker stocks – HarleyDavidson, Polaris and Harley’s electric spin-off LiveWire – all incurred losses. Harley’s woes included yet another significant product recall. NASDAQ-listed Chinese interloper Niu, protected by Trump’s recent relaxation of tariffs on China, escaped punishment.
Meanwhile in Washington, Trump promptly reduced his extended negotiation deadline with Iran from a fortnight to just two days, and then unleashed a huge aerial assault on Iran’s key uranium enrichment facilities, contrary to his previous peacekeeping promises. This included a wave of B-2 stealth bombers dropping 30,000lb “bunker buster” GBU-57 MOP bombs on Iran’s underground Fordow enrichment plant. Trump later claimed that Fordow, along with other plants, had been “completely obliterated” – without any evidence to back it up, of course. He also threatened to keep on bombing until Iran unconditionally capitulated.
As the Middle East was descending into a state of total warfare provoked by Trump and his Israeli partner Benjamin Netanyahu, an imminent European NATO summit conference fortifying opposition to Russia and a calming approach to Tehran faced jeopardy. Key euro-zone market indices had inevitably turned negative as the week progressed. Frankfurt’s Xetra Dax in Germany finished 0.7% down, while the FTSE MIB in Italy and the Wiener Börse ATX in Austria respectively dropped by 0.4% and 0.2%. Military manufacturing began to accelerate everywhere.
Almost surprisingly given the erratic global context, Tokyo and Osaka’s Nikkei 225 market index snapped out of the previous week’s negativity to rise by 1.7%. Motivation came from Japanese business necessity to fall in line with abject obedience to US requirements. Among Japan’s biker-related industrial giants, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki stocks made modest gains. The Kawasaki Heavy Industries conglomerate failed to follow suit, probably because its interests are so diverse.
With the haze of warfare growing, a striking note came from Indian premier Narendra Modi, who categorically denied that the USA – and specifically President Trump – had played any role
whatsoever in settlement of the recent violent conflict between India and Pakistan. Why he would suddenly stress this fact is unclear, but may be an expression of both Asian nations’ desire to steer well clear of involvement in Middle Eastern aggression. Otherwise, it was very much business as usual in Mumbai. The S&P BSE Sensex 30 and NSE Nifty 50 market indices posted identical 1.6% gains and almost all indigenous motorcycle manufacturers benefited from share price advances. The exception was Bajaj Auto, where its recent big bucks bail-out of KTM may not be entirely acceptable to investors.
The dramatic new focus on events in the Middle East has undoubtedly reduced attention on a distrustful interface between the USA and China. So the weakening Chinese economy has become more apparent, as expressed by cooling investor commitment. In the past week, Shanghai’s all-share SSE Composite and blue-chip CSI 300 market indices declined in unison by 0.5%. More pertinent to the biker firmament we monitor, every single quoted Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, without exception, lost value within this timespan.
China (yuan)
Not one but three pieces of news from Spanish electric kids’ motorcycle maker Torrot. First, it has released a limited-edition special model, the Urban Wolf motocross. It’s available in two versions: UWMX1 for ages 3-7 and UW-MX2 for those aged 6-10. The models feature a refreshed aesthetic with a unique livery that blends digital camouflage with carbon fibre accents. Swingarm protectors and fork decals also help shield components, keeping the bike looking sharp and ready to hit the track. The UW-MX1 is priced at €1680, and the UW-MX2 is €2080 (both prices are plus VAT), and both models
This limited series responds to the demands of our customers and today’s market
include an extra battery. The Torrot Kids app enables safe control of power delivery and includes a parental control feature, allowing parents to remotely shut off the motor in case of an emergency.
Mark Franklin, Torrot CEO
Torrot CEO Mark Franklin said: “This limited series responds to the demands of our customers and today’s market, offering a refreshed version that stands out for its bold, adventurous design.”
The second update from Torrot is that its entire 2025 range is now available through importer EmotoUK, based in Milton Keynes. Dealers interested in the brand can get in touch with Matt Charter at matt@
emotoukltd.co.uk, 077917 29921 or visit www.emotoukltd.co.uk
Finally, Barcelona-based Torrot has also announced that former interim CEO Mark Franklin has had his tenure extended on an “ongoing” basis. Franklin is an old hand from the UK bike trade, as we reported back in April, and will be a safe pair of hands for the firm going forward.
BDN REPORTED RECENTLY ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF high-performance electric superbike maker Energica. The Italian company, best known for supplying the original control bikes for the MotoE World Championship, faced hard times and closed its doors last October.
However, there are now rumours of a possible rescue for the brand, originating from the Far East. Online EV specialist news site The Pack (www.thepack.news) has published a story claiming that Energica has attracted the attention of a foreign firm, probably from Asia, and that developments could be on the way soon. It's all very vague – but Energica did have some very good technology, and it would seem an obvious target for existing firms looking to pick up some valuable intellectual property and engineering know-how at a cut price.
Electric urban mobility company Vmoto, has announced a new discount on selected models from its range of batterypowered vehicles. The Vmoto Green Bonus applies to three models: the TC and TSX electric motorcycles, and the CUx Pro scooter, and offers discounts of up to £500.
The CUx Pro scooter
now has a £500 discount, bringing its price down to £1999. The TC and TSX motorcycles are available with a £250 discount, priced under £3000 at £2849.
All three models are technically mopeds, so legal for riders with a CBT licence as young as 16, as well as for car licence holders who passed their test before 2001.
Embrace adventure with the new Outback EVO aluminium cases. Thanks to their extreme sturdiness and practicality, they are the ideal way to equip Adventure and Maxi Enduro motorcycles. With a vast range of optionals for customisation, get ready to explore the world just the way you want. Make room for your passion, and let GIVI take care of the rest. givimoto.com
Alternative powered two wheeler registrations for May 2025
Thanks partly to energetic Vmoto input, and helped along by the overall slump in registrations, May’s batteryelectric presence was surprisingly upbeat. Sparky market share soared to 4.1%, up from 2.7% year-on-year. The total electric headcount increased by 30.1% to 402 units.
However, up-to-4kW mopeds proved to be a disappointment, plunging by 41.1% to just 63 machines. “Best-seller” among them was a total of 11 Vmoto Super Soco CUx models. The 4-11kW slot with approximate 125cc equivalence fared much better, boasting a 72.7% surge to 316 units. More than half of
them – 195 units – were Vmoto Super Soco CPx scooters.
There, as usual, any good news ceased. The 11-35kW range slumped by 54.5% to a mere five units, three of which were Zero Motorcycles DSR models. A further five machines of mixed origins populated the over-35kW sector. Another four occupied “exempt” territory, two of them 2.5kW Electric Motion Epure Factor-e products. And finally, four more of unknown provenance completed the tally.
For the five months of 2025 to date, total batteryelectric registrations have declined by 11.1% to 1333 units. YTD market share stands at 3.4%, improving slightly from 3.1%.
With off-road correspondent Rick Kemp
The first Desmo450 MX has rolled off the production line, boasting the distinction of being the only motocross bike equipped with desmodromic valve operation and advanced traction control measuring rear wheel slippage.
This new bike, developed at Ducati’s Borgo Panigale factory, is the first model in a new range of specialist offroad bikes; the Desmo450 MX aims to expand Ducati’s audience and grow the Ducatisti community. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali emphasised the company’s strong connection between racing and production motorcycles, noting their in-house expertise among off-road enthusiasts.
The 449.6cc desmodromic singlecylinder engine is said to allow for optimal gear usage, while the lightweight aluminium frame minimises welds for
added rigidity. The bike also features state-of-the-art traction control.
To complete the factory package, Ducati Performance has released an off-
road apparel collection developed in collaboration with Drudi Performance, featuring Alpinestars clothing, an Arai helmet, and various accessories.
All
Dunlop has been chosen as the event partner for this year’s Honda Adventure Roads series, providing all 30 riders with its 50/50 on-/off-road tyre, the Trailmax Raid.
The tour began in Rome and concluded nine days later in Istanbul, with riders covering 2500km across eight countries on Honda’s Africa Twin. Accompanying the main group of riders was a team of journalists, content creators, and two professional Honda Racing Corporation riders.
The Trailmax Raid is part of Dunlop’s trail range, which includes the Trailmax Meridian. While the Meridian is suited for occasional off-road use, the Raid is for those seeking regular offroad performance, ensuring ultimate versatility for adventure riders.
Nick Bennett, brand marketing section manager at Honda Motor Europe, said: “We are thrilled to have Dunlop as a partner in the Honda Adventure Roads series. The Africa Twin is known for its durability and
pairing it with the Dunlop Trailmax Raid will enhance the riding experience across diverse terrains.”
NESTLED IN THE BEAUTIFUL WELSH countryside, the Sweet Lamb Adventure Rally Bike Academy offers off-road motorcycle training classes for all skill levels. In a new partnership with Merlin, the academy now features an onsite showroom stocked with a range of Merlin’s off-road apparel and helmets, available for riders to try during training sessions at no extra cost.
Steven Franklin, chief executive of Merlin, said: “We visited the Sweet Lamb Academy as riders, looking to develop our skills in off-road riding. We had heard great things about the academy, and after a fantastic day riding through the Welsh hills, we started a conversation with Mark about how we could potentially work together. After a few discussions, we agreed to become the official kit supplier for the academy. It just made sense; we are growing our product range in adventure touring, and Sweet Lamb is ideally positioned to showcase what we do for a wide number of off-road riders. We are delighted to be working together.
“Both Merlin and Sweet Lamb firmly believe in the importance of wearing the right gear when
JOOV, A UK-BASED BRAND focused on muscle recovery and hydration, has announced a partnership with Apico as its official off-road distributor.
riding off-road as it enhances the overall riding experience, keeping riders dry and comfortable as well as playing a vital role in ensuring their safety. Merlin’s Explorer gear is equipped with the latest technologies, such as D3O armour, Superfabric and woven Kevlar, which offers impact protection, abrasion and tear strength. Additionally, Merlin ensures that all their products meet stringent CE and ECE certifications.”
Mark Molineux, owner of Sweet Lamb Academy, added: “I’m delighted to be partnering with Merlin to provide riding gear for our offroad academy customers to use. Having the correct kit is so important when riding on or off the road, and Merlin produces top-class gear that is reli able and well-made. It wasn’t a tough decision, having used Merlin’s gear myself.”
www.merlinbikegear.com
Founded by Tom Johnson in 2015 to develop natural remedies for pain following a motocross injury, Joov began gaining traction after the successful introduction of its Muscle Rub. By 2017, the brand had expanded significantly, appealing to a diverse range of athletes.
“I’m thrilled to work with Apico, a brand I’ve admired since I started racing at the age of seven,” said Johnson. “Presenting the Joov range to their team and reaching an agreement was a proud moment for us.”
This collaboration represents a significant step for Joov and strengthens its presence in motorsport. Johnson noted, “Working with a leading distributor like Apico, known for its reach and passion, is a dream come true.”
Dylan Brown, Apico’s MD, commented: “We've noticed the Joov brand over the past couple of years, and more recently with the riders we sponsor. I was impressed with Tom and his range of products, which is one of the main reasons why Anna and I thought it was a good option for Apico. With a good mix of products to help the off-road rider recover from the day-today tests of racing and riding, we feel Joov will be a welcome addition to the current range of products and brands we offer to our customers.”
The answer is probably not. But after years of doing the same thing, it could be time to freshen up
As a rule of thumb, there are three reasons why you might be considering a rebrand;
1. Your brand is looking dated or tired
2. Your brand has a negative reputation
3. Your CEO/owner met someone in the golf club bar or listened to a celebrity podcaster who convinced them that a radical rebrand is a priority!
Coca-Cola is a prime example of a brand that continually evolves. It is always recognisable but never looks dated. It’s no accident that it’s the best-selling soft drink in the world. You may not have noticed it, but another household name that recently got a facelift is Pringles. In 2021, their Mr P mascot (with the handlebar moustache) got a ‘haircut’, and his bow tie became the new logo. When you compare the old and new logos, you can see that the branding has a more modern appearance while still immediately recognisable as Pringles.
In the second category are brands that have become ‘toxic’ and needed to be reinvented to win back the public. One of the most spectacular success stories is New Labour. Following Margaret Thatcher’s landslide Conservative victory in the 1979 general election, the Labour Party suffered an even worse defeat in the 1983 general election and set about modernising. After becoming leader in 1994, Tony Blair introduced the
term “New Labour” in his party conference speech. Things moved fast, with a new logo, new policies and new faces in the shadow cabinet. And it worked. Labour won the 1997 election with a huge majority and remained in power for the next 13 years – its longest term in government since the party was founded in 1900.
Unless something has gone horribly wrong with your business, you shouldn’t need a complete rebrand
Then we come to the ‘what were they thinking?’ class of rebrands. Do you remember Consignia? In 2000, the Post Office became a public limited company, although it remained government owned. The idea was to give it more commercial freedom, allowing it to diversify the services offered and generate greater profits. After 500 years, the Royal Mail changed its name to Consignia to reflect
its broader services beyond postal delivery. It was a PR disaster, with the new name ridiculed by the public and media for being confusing, meaningless, and jettisoning the brand’s heritage. Having existed for just 16 months and spent an estimated £2.5m, Consignia reverted to Royal Mail plc.
Unless something has gone horribly wrong with your business, you shouldn’t need a complete rebrand. What we learn from the likes of CocaCola and Pringles is that, done right, most customers won’t notice a rebrand. It’s a case of evolution, not revolution. Coming back to the original question – “Do I need a rebrand?” – unless your customers are deeply dissatisfied with what you offer, the answer is probably “not right now”. However, look at your branding and ask yourself when it was last updated, if ever. It may be time to freshen things up. That might coincide with redecorating the showroom or updating the website.
We ask whether it is worth running a loyalty scheme.
Pure
Pure Moto, the Wrexham-based distributor of motorcycle luggage and accessories, has recently unveiled some new and unique sales-winning products for the motorcycle and fleet markets. Andy Mayo took a trip to its North Wales headquarters to find out more
Pure Moto distributes Shad luggage, Puig accessories, and Longride luggage from its 20,000sq.ft headquarters. Founder Jos Medinger reports the business has been thriving, experiencing sustained growth over the last couple of years. A relocation to new premises in Ruabon, near Wrexham, four years ago allows the firm to carry more stock to meet growing demand and enables the company to more efficiently service nearly five hundred trade accounts.
Northern Ireland, because he likes to stay connected to dealers and to keep in touch with what’s going on. “Most of my dealers have become friends. I’ve been working with many of them for 40 years or more,” he says.
had
Industry veteran Gavin McCaffery, who many will remember from LS2, Lloyd Lifestyle and Nitro Helmets, joined Pure Moto in the summer of 2020 as national sales manager. Since then, he has focused on developing and expanding the company’s dealer network and OE business, assisted by a team of five regional agents. McCaffery also oversees Scotland and
Jos Medinger, Pure Moto founder
Because of ever increasing demand from the fleet and delivery market, Pure Moto has designed and developed a brand-new Fleet Delivery Rack and Fleet Delivery Box system. The Fleet Rack is designed to fit onto Shad mounting plates and is interchangeable with top cases from the SH29 to the SH47 models. Weighing nearly 3kg less than other available options, the rack is manufactured here in the UK, a rarity these days. The solid metal base securely clicks onto Shad mounting plates, uses rubber dampers to minimise vibration and has a spring-
mounted latching system coupled with a security locking screw.
“We have had lots of interest from dealers and major operators in the fleet sector,” said Medinger. “This includes the usual trade day-to-day enquiries and also insurance and claims management companies specialising in the fleet sector. Handling claims and supplying a replacement bike after an accident can be an expensive process because a replacement bike typically requires a new rack or often needs to be fitted with a top box. Our simple yet cost effective solution allows the end user to easily have one or both, significantly reducing the time and money needed to fit them.”
The new Fleet Delivery Box is made from Foamex material and offers a capacity of 100 litres. The standard box comes in black, but Pure Moto also provides a fully branded option, which has been popular with larger delivery franchises like Deliveroo and Domino’s.
There has been a great deal of interest from the sector due to the ‘one size fits most’ design, and RRPs are extremely competitive, with dealer margins negotiable based on volume. Shad base plates and fitting kits start at £30 while Delivery Boxes begin at just £10.
Shad, a worldwide recognised motorcycle luggage brand, offers an extensive range of award-winning products compatible with more than 850 different models of motorcycles and scooters. With its ongoing investments in research and development, Shad is continually designing products and fittings to cover new bikes across all market sectors.
For this season Shad has launched three new ranges. These are the SH38X expandable pannier range, the Terra TR41 top box, and the latest awardwinning Click System range of tank bags. Given its current growth in product development and sales, Medinger believes that Shad is now the fastestgrowing luggage brand in the UK.
The new SH38X expandable panniers complete Shad’s range of expandable luggage and complement the SH58X expandable top box launched a couple of years ago. This cleverly expands from a 46-litre top box to become a 58-litre box, with an additional 52-litre midway setting, allowing riders to use the top box for day-to-day commuting, then increase the size for touring. It’s a great idea, with both the SH58X and the new SH38X panniers working on the same principle. The panniers are Shad’s slimmest design to-date, with each offering a storage capacity of 27 litres when closed and with a simple adjustment of three internal clips, they can be expanded to give 38 litres of storage space in a few seconds, creating enough room to accommodate a fullface helmet. They are available in two finishes: black, with a recommended retail price of £487.99, and aluminium, at £576.99.
Shad has also developed what Pure Moto believe will be a winner in its new Terra TR41 top box. While it is
designed to resemble a larger aluminium adventure top box, the Terra TR41 is actually made from durable ABS plastic. This offers a more budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing the image many adventure riders are looking for. The new design allows riders to achieve the rugged adventure look of an aluminium box while enjoying the lightweight and cost-effective benefits of ABS. The Terra TR41 is available in two finishes to cater to different preferences: a classic standard black version is priced at £141 and a striking aluminium lookalike option at £149.
The new Click System range of tank bags has already won a Red Dot Award, received a RiDE Recommended triangle, and was recently rated 9/10 by ABR magazine. This new lockable range is available in five options (E02, E03, E09, TR10, and TR15) with recommended retail prices starting at £50.99. To assist sales, the Click System can be showcased in-store with a selection of eye-catching display stands,
enhancing both visibility and accessibility for customers. Display stands are also available for the expandable pannier range.
“We are excited about the Shad range; the new products are welldesigned, well finished and offer exceptional value for money,” said Medinger. “Luggage is very seasonal; everything happens in the spring and summer months, so we need to be on the gas as soon as riders start thinking about their next adventure.
“The addition of expandable panniers is something we have been waiting for and will complete the Shad expandable range. If they match the success we’ve had with the expandable top box, we’ll be delighted. The new adventurestyle Terra TR41 we expect to be a fast seller. The price is right, and it looks fantastic on the bike, most people don’t even realise it’s not made of metal!”
The new Fleet Rack has already generated a lot of interest, and McCaffery sees Pure Moto’s increased focus on the fleet market as assisting sales during the winter when interest from touring and adventure riders slow up.
Pure Moto took on trade distribution of Spanish brand Puig in 2021. Puig specialises in high-quality aftermarket accessories, including screens, levers, footpegs, grips, huggers, handguards, and more.
Based in Barcelona,
The new Shad SH38X panniers cleverly expand from 27 litres when closed to 38 litres when in the open position. There is easily enough space to store a full-face helmet
all products are manufactured to EU standards and homologated where necessary. It’s a little-known fact, but Puig makes products for MotoGP, BSB and World Superbike Championship teams.
Puig sales are already up by more than 50% this year, and Pure Moto has committed to increased stocking (up 50%) and now offers more than 18,000 SKUs, “It took a couple of years to really get going, but last year was strong, and this year has been amazing”, said Medinger. “Puig are a great company to deal with, they don’t allow any discounting, and, unlike luggage, it’s an everyday purchase. Screens are very popular, the last time I checked, we offered 5500 different versions, so we have a fitment for everyone!
OEM SOLUTIONS
“One of the larger internet-based retailers began working closely with us last year when their IT team integrated our Shad and Puig data feeds into their own system. As a result, they have already seen sales grow by 300% on 2024 and we are still only halfway through the year. The integration process can be fully automated, eliminating the tedious hours normally spent on manually processing and listing images, model fitments, and prices. We have developed software that provides dealers with a stock feed, parts look-up, and stock updates. Additionally, our software link to some clever intermediary programs will allow retailers to push information on major reselling platforms such as eBay, Amazon, and Shopify stores. Regardless of the content management system [CMS] or back-end system a business uses, we offer a customised solution for every dealer, and we are confident they will see results almost immediately!”
Pure Moto has developed a bespoke supply service for Original Equipment Manufacturers and has made products for brands like BSA, Kymco, Zontes and more over the past four years. Within the partnerships, Pure Moto handles the design, sourcing, stocking and delivery of branded accessories, with a primary focus on screens and luggage systems. The service began after a manufacturer had problems producing its own product. With Pure Moto’s assistance, the process was completed in a hassle-free manner, taking only six to ten weeks from design approval to completion.
BSA has ordered a complete luggage system for its Gold Star model, and Pure Moto is currently developing a comprehensive range for BSA’s new Scrambler model, which includes screen options, handguards, skid plates and a complete luggage offering.
In a nutshell, Pure Moto offers exclusivity to its partners and provides a wide range of luggage and accessory capabilities, including tank bags, tool rolls, screens, backpacks, fitting kits, garage products and even paddock stands.
Contact 01237 422660 or adsales@dealernews.co.uk
The latest news and views in the world of business
Staff need guidance to work at their best, but managers can make mistakes when overseeing employees
Poor performance can significantly impact a business, undermining efficiency, morale, and overall success. Effective performance management is key to addressing these issues and maintaining a positive and productive workplace where employees are motivated to reach their full potential. However, it can be challenging to get it right, and it’s an area where many businesses falter. So, where do managers go wrong, what are the most common mistakes, and how can they be avoided?
Understanding this will help tackle performance management challenges while protecting the business against legal risks.
Worryingly, there are plenty of cases on the government’s Employment Tribunal Decisions website involving retailers – some 2400 if the word ‘retail’ is searched for and more than 1500 relating to unfair dismissal – including Mrs A Robertson v Ris Retail Ltd: 4112519/2019 where the claimant was awarded a total of just over £26,000.
Getting the process wrong could prove expensive.
The cornerstone of effective performance management is a fair and transparent process. When performance issues arise, it’s essential to investigate them thoroughly, providing the employee with both time and an opportunity to improve. Managers should consider factors such as disabilities or personal circumstances that may affect an individual’s performance. For instance, if an employee’s performance dips due to health-related issues, exploring reasonable adjustments to their workload or environment
When performance issues arise, it’s essential to investigate them thoroughly, providing the employee with both time and an opportunity to improve
may be necessary. A consistent approach is vital; if one employee is given one or two months to improve, all employees in similar situations should be afforded the same opportunity. This consistency lowers the risk of claims for unfair dismissal and boosts morale by fostering a sense of fairness.
Next, it would help to develop a documented performance management policy. It should include clear steps for escalation and resolution and ensure
all managers are trained to apply the policy uniformly. Utilise Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) that outline specific goals, timeframes, and supportive measures.
A common mistake that employers often make is confusing performance issues with matters of concern that fall into the category of misconduct. Performance issues relate
to an employee’s ability to fulfil their role to the expected standard and should be managed via the performance management procedure. This includes offering constructive feedback and support to help the employee improve.
In contrast, misconduct involves breaches of company policy or conduct standards and should be addressed through the disciplinary process. Keeping these processes distinct helps ensure that performance management remains a growth-oriented exercise rather than a punitive one. It’s important to ensure that managers are trained to identify and categorise issues correctly. Regular training and clear examples of what
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constitutes performance issues versus misconduct can prevent misclassification.
Employers have a responsibility to provide employees with adequate support and opportunities to enhance their performance. This means more than just annual performance reviews; it involves ongoing feedback and a structured improvement plan.
Employees should be given realistic targets and timelines for improvement, supported by training or resources if needed. Simply stating “you’re not performing, so you’re out” is inadequate and unfair and can affect the legality of any dismissal decision. By facilitating a supportive environment and clearly outlining pathways for improvement, organisations can foster a motivated and productive workforce.
Employers should encourage monthly checkins between employees and managers to discuss progress and address any concerns promptly. Providing access to professional development programmes or workshops can empower employees to raise their performance levels.
Proper documentation is a critical component of an effective performance management process. Employers should meticulously document every step, from meetings and feedback sessions to action plans and follow-ups.
Thorough documentation not only provides a clear record of the process followed but also supports any actions taken, helping to protect the employer against legal risks.
Documenting the rationale behind decisions, the support offered, and the outcomes can demonstrate fairness and transparency, which is invaluable if challenged.
Employers must ensure that their performance management procedures are equitable and free from discrimination. In situations where an employee’s poor performance is attributable to or exacerbated by a disability, it’s imperative to adhere to a comprehensive and equitable capability process.
Initially, employers should engage in discussions with the underperforming employee to assess performance-related issues and understand how their disability influences both their personal life and job performance. It’s equally important for employers to clearly articulate the expected standards of work and, again, to explore reasonable adjustments.
When determining what adjustments are reasonable, the business should take into account both the nature of the employee’s disability and the specific demands of their role.
The objective is to establish an environment where employees with disabilities can function effectively without encountering significant obstacles.
Examples of supportive measures that could be offered to any employee include providing additional training or support, enabling flexible working arrangements, modifying an employee’s role, reassigning non-essential duties, or even adapting performance assessments or capability procedures to consider the impact of their disability.
Employers should meticulously document the
• Provide regular feedback to recognise accomplishments and address issues promptly
• Invest in employee development through training and resources.
• Standardise review processes across the company to ensure consistency
• Promote work-life balance and mental health for employee wellbeing
• Celebrate achievements to motivate and inspire employees
• Address challenging conversations promptly with empathy
• Adapt strategies to align with evolving business needs
discussions held with the employee, detailing any agreed adjustments or those not implemented, along with the reasons why. Additionally, employers should gather and consider all relevant evidence, including occupational health assessments and other pertinent medical information, before progressing to formal action. Keeping a record of the employee’s perspective on how much time they might need to take off due to their disability is also beneficial. Moreover, employers should not shy away from addressing performance issues simply because an employee is disabled. If an employee isn’t informed that their performance is subpar and formal action is taken against them, the employer may risk facing disability discrimination and/or unfair dismissal claims.
LS2 IS BEST KNOWN AS A HELMET BRAND, BUT IT HAS ALSO been producing a small clothing range for a number of years, where it is now making a serious push to increase its presence. The latest addition is the AA-rated Narvik, an adventure-style jacket with a spec for year-round use. For the summer there are large zipped ventilation panels on the front, twin rear air vents, and zipped sleeve vents; for the winter there is a removable thermal liner; and as rain is almost a certainty year-round in the UK, there is a fixed waterproof membrane which is rated to 8000mm of waterproofness. Protection is provided by CE level 1 armour at the shoulders and elbows, with optional level 2 chest and back protectors also available.
Practical features for touring abound, with lots of straps on the arms, waist and collar to adjust the fit, a pair of front waterproof pockets and a huge rear waterproof pocket big enough to carry spare clothing. The Narvik comes in men’s sizes S-5XL and ladies sizes XS-5XL, in a choice of black with hi-vis yellow trims or a BMW-esque grey, blue and black with red trims, for an SRP of £179.99. LS2 Helmets UK; 01670 856342; ukservice2@ls2helmets.com
WULFSPORT’S NEW TRACKSTAR 2 BOOTS ARE DESIGNED FOR the budget-conscious motocross, enduro or green lane rider. They have leather uppers with a suede heat shield and built-in flex zones for better movement and control. A micro-injection shin guard and rear panel add impact protection, and a heavy-duty moulded sole has a high-grid tread. The adjustable fastening straps are replaceable. The Trackstar 2s come in a choice of black or white, in EU sizes 39 to 48, for an SRP of £99.95.
Wulfsport; 01900 873456; stores@wulfsport.com
IF A SIX PLATE PERFORMANCE CLUTCH JUST ISN’T BUTCH enough, then step forward AF’s Rayspeed’s new Python eightplate cassette clutch for various Lambrettas. The cassette design makes fitting and removal quicker and easier, and the eight-plate configuration manages to be lighter than the six-plate – thanks to its steel ring gear and aluminium basket –which in turn leads to reduced drivetrain inertia improving responsiveness and increasing longevity. The clutch is also built to tighter tolerances and uses a needle roller bearing which helps it handle high-torque motors without adding to clutch lever weight. It comes with two clutch tops, one for Lambretta GP models the other for Li, SX, GT and TV models, for an SRP of £385.
VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
IT’S NOT EVERY DAY THAT YOU GET TO WEAR a pair of jeans with royal approval, but Covec is the proud recipient of two such plaudits – a Queen’s Award for International Trade from 2020, and more recently a King’s Award for Innovation. The 2025 King’s Award was granted for Covec’s Oneskin denim material, which is used to make the in-house Bull-It brand’s range of AA- and AAA-rated jeans.
Oneskin is a single layer denim that was developed in 2017, well before the EN17092 standard came into use, but despite that, it still passed the CE standard with flying colours when it was introduced. It claims to be at least as resilient and strong as Dyneema and aramid fibres, but without the heat- or moistureinduced degradation that can plague those materials.
Top of the Bull-It jeans range is the AAA-rated Guardian jeans, which I have been trying out on my daily commute and bike testing duties. First impressions are good. The tailoring is traditional five-pocket style and branding is subtle, with the embroidered logo and jacron (the leather patch over the yoke) being in black, with buttons and other metalwork sporting a small white logo. Double stitching is used along the seams for strength, and there’s a bit of faux selvedge edging on the hems to add a touch of designer style if you want to have turn-ups.
street jeans, but not so thick or stiff as to cause problems while wearing them and there is enough stretch in the material to maintain comfort on and off the bike. They are all-day wearable, and are comfortable around the office or when walking, even with the armour installed. The single-layer material means they are not too hot during long term use, although they can get pretty toasty under the beating sun, as with any black denim.
Designed
Plenty of shapes and sizes are catered for: the Guardians come in waist sizes from 26-44, in up to four leg lengths, and two cuts: straight or slim. I went for the straight cut, which was just as well as they are still quite narrow – the slim must be cut for slender types who skip leg day at the gym. The ladies’ version comes in only one leg width – straight – but in three leg lengths and a huge range of sizes up to 22.
The thin and flexible (and biodegradable) Re Zro level 2 armour fitted at the hips and knees also helps to keep a slim silhouette.
The knee armour can be repositioned at three different heights, and its housing has an external zip so it can be removed “on the fly” to make the Guardians even lower profile while not riding. Removal was very easy, however, replacing the armour while wearing the jeans proved to be trickier – but it is still better than not having the option.
The main feature that stands out is that these are black jeans... really black. A deep, dense matt black without a hint of paler cross-weave fabric showing, and there are no signs so far of the material going shiny on the knees – an issue I have experienced on several pairs of jeans previously.
The single layer denim is fairly heavyweight, certainly more so than a pair of standard high-
Having worn the Guardians day-in, day-out on all sorts of rides, in all sorts of weather conditions, for long hours in the saddle or in the office chair (or even the sofa at home) I can say these are the most comfortable armoured jeans I have ever worn, and at an SRP of £199.99 they are not the most expensive on the market either. Covec; 01489 582707; www.covec.co.uk
WHAT COULD BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF BMW SUPERBIKE HAS been teased with the reveal of the Concept RR prototype at the posh Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este classic car event at Lake Como. The Concept RR is built around the World Superbike winning M1000 RR engine and mechanicals, but clothed in new lightweight and aerodynamic bodywork. BMW says airflow around and through the bike has been optimised for stability at speed. It’ll be interesting to see how much of the design makes it through to the production road machine.
BMW Motorrad; www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk
DUCATI HAS REVIVED ITS LINKS WITH SUPERCAR MAKER Lamborghini to produce the Panigale V4 Lamborghini. The Pani-Lambo has been given unique forged rims, tailpiece and wings along with a new carbon fibre weave for the bodywork. A titanium exhaust also helps to make this the lightest model in the Panigale family. There will be just 630 examples made, with the majority in an exclusive Verde Scandal and grey colour scheme, but 63 deep-pocketed owners will be able to chose to have the bike specially painted to match the Lambo in their garage. Ducati; www.ducati.com
TRIUMPH HAS LAUNCHED A NEW TRACK-FOCUSED VERSION OF THE Speed Triple. The new RX features more aggressive ergonomics and a selection of fancy bits: Öhlins smart suspension, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust and a smattering of carbon fibre parts. SRP is £18,995, a £1500 premium over the standard RS version . Triumph; 01455 251700; becomeadealer@triumph.co.uk
KAPPA IS TOUTING ITS NEW K5600 TOP BOX as a greener and more sustainable option than the opposition. It’s made from recycled technopolymers and has been designed in such a way that it doesn’t need painting, which not only reduces the amount of chemicals but also reduces water consumption and energy use. Beyond the eco credentials, the K5600 is a commodious piece of luggage, with a capacity of 56 litres, big enough to stash a pair of modular helmets. Despite being unpainted, looks haven’t been ignored – the lid has gloss black polycarbonate inserts and a brushed aluminium effect centre section. The K5600 has an SRP of £262.95, with optional extras including an inner bag, an elasticated storage net and even a faux leather passenger backrest available.
Hoco Parts UK; 01484 641073; info@hocoparts.co.uk
BRING A PIECE OF MOTOGP tech to a road bike with the new Galfer FloaTech Road brake discs. Developed initially purely for the track, the FloaTech has since been optimised for road use by improving the durability and feel. It uses a pin and washer joining system that reduces noise and vibration, as well as allowing the lateral float required to accurately align the disc with the brake pads. Galfer claims that this improves braking, reduces temperatures, extends life and minimises wear. Prices depend on specification.
Performance Parts; 01327 706139; enquiries@performance parts-ltd.com
SIZE MATTERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES to wind protection. So to provide the ultimate in breeze-blocking, Wunderlich has developed the Marathon Pro windshield for BMW’s R1300 GS and GS Adventure. Shaped to reduce pressure on the head and upper body, the Marathon Pro has backflow plates which are height adjustable to counteract turbulence. It’s handmade from scratch- and UV-resistant PMMA plastic, and at 553mm high by 433mm wide is significantly larger than the standard screen. It’s available in clear or smoked grey, and for models with adaptive cruise control it retails for €209.90, or for those without ACC it’s €219.90 SRP.
Wunderlich; +49 2641 3082-703; sales@wunderlich.de
CONTINUING THE STREETWEAR/SPORTSWEAR THEME SEEN in previous Alpinestars urban outfits, the Italian brand has launched the A-rated Stella Actea riding pants. Featuring a tapered lower leg to give a sportswear silhouette, with a zippered hem, the Actea is made from a mix of stretch polycotton twill and Ripstop fabric with a mesh lining making them summer ready. Nucleon Flex Plus CE level 1 protectors are fitted at the knees, with adjustable compartments meaning the armour can be adjusted for perfect positioning. They only come in black, in waist sizes 26in to 34in, for an SRP of £189.99. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
VENHILL HAS ADDED A SLOTTED ADJUSTER for the clutch and brake cables on older BMW R50, R60 R75 and R100 models. Ideal for restoration projects, the adjusters are a direct replacement and can fit cables up to 2.5mm in diameter. Each one comes with a locking ring for precise cable adjustment.
The adjuster and lock ring are black chrome plated for an original look, and have an SRP of £10.60. Venhill Engineering; 01306 885111; sales@venhill.co.uk
ITALIAN ACCESSORIES BRAND GIVI HAS LAUNCHED A NEW combined torch/compressor/powerbank, which it says has many practical applications. Its small size (53mm diameter by 165mm long) and rechargeable 5200mAh battery mean it can be slipped into a bag for emergencies, such as re-inflating a tyre after reducing the pressure for a gnarly off-road section. The compressor part of the equation can go up to 150psi, and it has an LCD display showing pressure in a choice of units. If you prefer to light something up rather than blow something up, the integrated torch will help, and the supplied USB-C cord means it can also be used to recharge a phone. The S502 comes with a variety of adaptors for car and bike valves, and more, for an SRP of £72.
Givi UK; 01327 706220; info@givi.co.uk
THE NEW FURYGAN ALLROAD D3O MOTORCYCLE SNEAKER IS a waterproof and breathable low-rise boot, produced in collaboration with French tyre and restaurant recommendation firm Michelin. It’s made with a 600D Polyester upper, and Michelin has developed the high-grip sole for security whether on the bike or walking. Protection comes courtesy of soft and flexible D3O inserts at the ankles, plus reinforcements at the heels and toes. Fastening is by a side-mounted Atop dial lacing system, allowing quick one-handed operation. They come in black for an SRP of £209.99. Furygan; 01489 582707; www.furygan.com
THERE ARE SEVERAL CAR BRANDS THAT ALSO OPERATE IN THE MOTORCYCLE realm: Honda, BMW, Suzuki and Peugeot are current purveyors of both two- and four-wheelers. But several others have dabbled historically, including Czech brand Škoda, part of the VW Group which also includes Ducati in its ranks. Škoda is now revisiting its biking roots with a new electric concept bike, the Slavia B, which has been designed in-house to pay homage to the 1899 production bike of the same name. The new concept is, of course, electric powered and the styling is said to reference sporting variants of the original machine as well as bits of Škoda’s “Modern Solid” design language soon to be seen on upcoming cars. As a concept there are no performance figures, there’s no pricing, and Škoda says it has no intention of building a production version, but it is interesting to see a major car company’s take on a two wheeler. Škoda; skodamedia.com/releases/1582
OFF-ROAD BRAND THOR HAS LAUNCHED A brace of new mid-season gloves, just in time for the British summer. The Sportmode gloves feature fourway stretch polyester and Spandex for mobility, with Clarino on the palm for comfort. They are made with minimal seams to reduce rubbing, and have a hookand-loop wrist fastening with a taped cuff hem to avoid skin irritation. Despite an otherwise minimal spec, they have touchscreen sensitive fingertips to operate navigation on the move. They come in a selection of lurid colours and designs in men’s and ladies’ sizing for an SRP of £26.95. Alternatively, the Launchmode glove has a similar spec, but with an Air-prene cuff and a TPR wrist closure. They come in slightly less garish colour schemes in sizes XS to 2XL for an SRP of £20.72.
Parts Europe; 0049 6501 9695 1035; sales@partseurope.eu
IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THAT WE announced the launch of Insta360’s flagship X4 actioncam, but technology marches quickly on, and there is now a new Insta360 X5. The X5 has an updated pair of camera sensors, which are 144% larger than the X4’s for better clarity, and adds a pair of imaging chips alongside the AI chip to increase processing power by 140%. That means improved frame rates for smoother footage, plus PureVideo mode, which uses AI to remove noise and improve dynamic range (giving better performance in low-light conditions). To combat careless fingers, the lenses have been given a new, harder, scratchproof coating and have also been made to be owner replaceable in the event of breakages. Waterproofing has also been uprated, with the X5 now ID68 rated so it can operate down to 15m underwater, with an optional Dive Case extending that to 60m. To reduce wind noise from the microphone, there is a new built-in wind guard, and a new algorithm can clarify the soundtrack even more after it has been recorded. Last but not least, battery life has been improved by 50 minutes, taking it up to 185 minutes of recording.
The Insta360 X5 comes in various bundles including cases, lenses, selfie sticks, mounts and batteries with prices starting from £519.99.
Pama & Co; 0161 494 4200; sales@pama.co.uk
HONDA’S E-CLUTCH ELECTRONIC CLUTCH IS A NEW SYSTEM WHICH BLENDS ASPECTS of a manual clutch, quickshifter and the original DCT. It has debuted on the CBR650R and CB650R sporty middleweights and will almost certainly be seen on a wider range of Honda machines in the future. The system uses a variety of high-tech sensors and motors to control and operate the clutch, and is therefore expensive to replace if the bike is dropped on it.
So GBRacing has produced a secondary protective cover for the e-clutch and associated controller to reduce the risk of damage from a simple bike drop. It’s a quick four-bolt install that can be done in minutes. SRP is £109.49. GBRacing; 020 8275 2630; enquiries@gbracing.eu
OXFORD HAS LAUNCHED A NEW longer-cable version of its lightweight Retra kit lock. It’s a simple four-digit combination lock with a 120cm retractable braided steel cable which can be threaded through a helmet chinbar or jacket sleeve, or both, to secure kit from opportunistic thieves. It’s only 95mm x 65mm in size and weighs 80g, so can easily be slipped into a pocket. SRP is £14.99. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
THE REV’IT! SAND ADVENTURE SUIT has been around for 15 years, and it now enters its fifth iteration with yet further refinements to the design and materials. It’s a proper three-layer suit, with a removable thermal layer (made entirely from recycled polyester for added green credentials) and a waterproof layer that can be worn either over or under the jacket and pants. The Sand 5’s biggest update is the ventilation, which is now better suited to hot climates by the provision of large drop-down mesh panels on the chest and back of the jacket, and the thigh of the pants. SeeFlex CE level 2 armour is fitted in all the usual places, with pockets to take optional back and chest protectors. The jacket comes in five colour options in sizes up to 4XL for men, or three colours and up to size 46 for ladies, for an SRP of £439.99.
The Sand 5 pants come in two colours and three leg lengths, in sizes up to 4XL for men or 46 for ladies, for an SRP of £349.99. Rev’It!; info@revitsport.com
No matter the road, whatever the weather –Dunlop Mutant has your back. The world’s first crossover tyre boasts hypersport-level handling, the best grip in wet conditions this side of racing wets, and exceptional touring durability. Mutant’s M+S technology gives you the confidence to just ride and conquer all conditions.
PYRAMID’S NEW 35-LITRE BACKPACK IS made from 500D PVC, so it should be durable and waterproof, with heat-sealed external stitching. An air relief valve allows it to be compressed down as the roll-top closure is fastened, to save space and stop the contents moving around. For comfort, the back is padded, as are the two shoulder straps. A bungee-strapped storage net for long items is incorporated on the front alongside a zipped pocket for essentials, and there’s a water bottle pocket on one side. It comes in black, relieved only by a reflective patch and logo, for an SRP of £49.99 including four straps to lash it to a rack or seat so it can be used as a tailpack. Pyramid Moto; 01427 677990; support@pyramidmoto.co.uk
GP-PRO HAS INTRODUCED A NEW OFF-ROAD protection jacket, designed to offer a defence against the numerous knocks and bumps encountered in motocross, enduro or green laning. The stretch mesh body of the jacket has been covered with multiple armour panels which allows better mobility without skimping on protection. CE level 1 plates have been fitted at the elbows, shoulders, chest and back – all of which can be adjusted using hook-and-loop straps and an elasticated belt. There’s also builtin kidney protection.
The GP-Pro comes in youth sizes for £89.99 SRP, or adult sizes for £99.99 SRP. Bike It; 02380 658700; tradesales@bikeit.co.uk
THE WEISE TORQUE IS A FULL-GRAIN LEATHER SPORTS GLOVE providing feel and protection for budget-conscious bikers. The Torque features leather overlay panels on critical abrasion areas, and accordion stretch panels to help with fit and comfort. TPU protectors on the knuckles and backs of the fingers, plus padding on the palm and fingers, provide impact protection. Other features include adjustable wrist closures, a silicon print on the palm for improved grip, and touchscreen compatible fingertips to allow phone or satnav control. They come in black, in sizes S to 3XL, for an SRP of £79.99.
The Key Collection; 01179 719200; sales@thekeycollection.co.uk
ITALIAN EXHAUST MAKER
Mivv has developed a new slip-on system for the CFMoto 800MT adventure bike. The Speed Edge silencer comes in two finishes – stainless steel and black stainless steel, both with carbon endcap and carbon mounting bracket. Its hexagonal shape and compact dimensions mean it can be fitted on bikes with side cases without interference. Mivv claims some performance increases too: an extra 3hp, 2.3Nm of torque, and a reduction of 1.5kg in weight.
Mivv S.P.A.; +39 086 181 20237; moto@mivv.it
R&G HAS ADDED THREE NEW MODEL LINES TO ITS LIST OF protection products: the Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS, BMW F900 R and F900 XR, and Honda’s popular GB350S. The Kawasaki and BMW models can be fitted with Apex fork protectors, Aero crash protectors, a Pro radiator guard, engine case covers and bar end sliders, as well as a tail tidy. The options for the Honda are fewer, with just Classic crash protectors and a tail tidy. Prices vary depending on model.
R&G; 01420 89007; info@rg-racing.com
FOR RIDERS WHO JUST LOVE SPENDING THE weekend wiping off fingermarks and polishing their steed, Harley-Davidson has launched the limited edition Fat Boy Gray Ghost, which features a chrome-look paint across most of the bike. The Reflection finish is produced by applying a thin PVD (physical vapour deposition) coating to the tank and fenders – a process which vaporises solid aluminium alloy and then electrostatically sticks it to the bodywork before it is clear coated for protection. Other details include yellow accents on the engine, a black tank strap with laced edging, and a tank plate etched with the series number.
There will be 1990 made for global consumption, so some should make it to the UK, at whatever the sterling equivalent of $25,399 is. Harley-Davidson; 0208 891 9088; www.harley-davidson.com
WHEN THE MERCURY RISES A MESH JACKET CAN BE AN ABSOLUTE boon for motorcyclists, providing huge amounts of ventilation to keep core temperatures down. But in the UK, those sweltering days are few and far between, so Richa has had the bright idea of combining copious quantities of mesh on its new Monaco jacket with a detachable waterproof layer that can be worn over the top to counter the inevitable shower. The Monaco is made from abrasion resistant polyester, leading to a CE A-rating, and has an elasticated hemline and soft neoprene collar and cuffs. D3O protectors are fitted at the shoulders and elbows and, as with most mesh jackets, a back protector isn’t available because it would stifle airflow. It comes in a choice of black in men’s sizes up to 6XL, and in green or light grey up to size 4XL, for an SRP of £199.99. Nevis Marketing; 01425 478936; info@nevis.uk.com
THE APRILIA SXR50 IS A SPORTY-LOOKING moped, but its legally-limited performance is not going to set many pulses racing. So Italian tuning firm Polini has developed a range of performance-enhancing bits to add a bit more pep.
A big-bore cylinder kit will increase engine capacity to 80cc, with a commensurate boost to performance. It’s got a cast iron barrel, an aluminium cylinder body, a 49mm
piston, and retails for £216.
The next recommended step is to fit a performance variator to improve acceleration, and Polini’s £67.40 kit promises improved top speed too. To get the best out of it, there’s a new ECU which comes with new valve springs that allow the rev limit to increase to 10,000rpm – SRP is £276.
To enjoy the benefits of all this extra power, a longer secondary gear kit can be fitted which will up the top speed by 20%
TOURATECH HAS developed new heavy-duty rear suspension for Pierer Group’s triumvirate of big off-road singles – the KTM 690 Enduro R, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro, and the GasGas ES700. The Extreme shocks feature an extra-strong chrome-molybdenum steel 16mm piston rod to cope with extra payloads or extremely severe terrain. The spring preload is widely adjustable, as is the rebound damping, and the compression damping is separately adjustable for both high and low speed oscillations. The large oil tank aids cooling under severe conditions and a secondary damping piston protects against the shock ‘bottoming out’. It comes adjusted to customer requirements for an SRP of £1178.26.
Touratech; +49 7728 9279-0; info@touratech.de
thanks to a new 15-54 ratio. It costs £90 SRP. VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
When generally respectable Financial Times correspondents start to extol the murderous virtues of heavily armed biker gangs, their readership may become somewhat disturbed. But, given we may soon have the makings of a Third World War on our doorstep, none of us should be unduly surprised. The ancient oriental curse of “may you live in interesting times”, revived by the late wickedly comic novelist Terry Pratchett, is back with a vengeance.
FT reportage in question was actually focused on the Ukrainian Army’s 425th Skala Assault Regiment. Local military analysts now reckon that drones account for more than 70% of combat deaths on both sides. So Skala has concentrated on extremely nimble tactics, staying highly mobile and employing unpredictable manoeuvrability to make its troops much harder to pin down.
A crucial element of this approach was the regimental transformation into Ukraine’s first dedicated motorcycle combat unit, where soldiers are trained to ride hard and fast, strike quickly and then clear off before Russian antipersonnel drones can lock on to seek revenge. They are taught to fight in pairs. One controls the bike while his pillion passenger slaughters Russians
with a hail of high-velocity gunfire – and they can even shoot down pursuing killer drones.
Equipping the Skala regiment’s biker gangs was dead easy. They were supplied with ludicrously cheap madein-China Forte Cross 300 Pro products – enduro-style machines from bigleague Ukrainian recreational vehicle importer and distributor MotoLux. (It also does a bargain line in Chinese 4x4 quadbikes, which can also be instantly
Ukraine’s first dedicated motorcycle combat unit, where soldiers are trained to ride hard and fast, strike quickly and then clear off
repurposed into offensive weapons.)
Each Forte Cross 300 costs only around twelve hundred quid. At that price, even the impecunious British Army could afford to fully mobilise its infantry – a requirement that might arrive sooner rather than later.
Kyiv-based FT journalist Christopher
Miller had no difficulty in extracting effusive quotes from blood-thirsty Skala squaddies now mounted on motorcycles, who have already had plenty of practice with hit-and-run tactics and then fast extractions across rough terrain.
“You get in, hit the target and move before they can respond," enthused one. "The bikes are quick, light and reliable.”
Other soldiers told Miller that their biker unit had already proved its worth in real smash-bang-wallop combat. “The initial deployments confirmed our concept –speed, surprise and the ability to quickly change positions yielded results in both assault operations, reconnaissance and direct engagements,” they said.
Miller was also shown a video released by the unit, apparently featuring the Skala bikers’ attack on a beleaguered Russian position under covering fire and swiftly securing it. They didn’t appear to introduce any facilities for prisoners. Well, hey-ho, it wasn’t exactly a benign sporting fixture. And he was told that the unit’s early success has attracted the attention of other Ukrainian Army brigades, which are now considering establishment of their own motorcycleequipped squads.
However, the FT coverage couldn’t avoid spoiling a good story with the risks involved. Wimps in the Ukraine government have an emphasis on preserving their soldiers’ lives,
hidden safely behind all the modern military hardware they’ve been assiduously scrounging from Western supporters – long-range heavy artillery and ballistic missile systems, main battle tanks, a host of other armoured vehicles and even some state-of-the-art fighter aircraft. To them, drip-feeding limited quantities of such kit to keep casualty figures on the battlefield manageable seems a lot more sensible than unleashing hordes of trigger-happy hooligans on motorbikes.
Vladimir Putin and his Russian Army commanders treat their own troops as utterly expendable cannon fodder. But such an observation is missing the point, because they are nevertheless gradually winning the war. In the wimp’s corner, the FT ignored that salient fact and trotted out a pair of surrender-monkeys.
Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Krotevych, a former chief of staff of the Ukrainian National Guard’s Azov Brigade, was distraught: “For the love of God, start thinking about defence and building up reserve forces," he bleated. “Until Ukraine’s fortunes shift on the battlefield, it should forget about assault.” Ukrainian military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko opined that motorcycles were “useful” for logistics, unit support or reconnaissance and sabotage missions. “But for assaults, this is a path we shouldn’t have taken. Better to turn back while we still can.”
Fortunately, though, a hard-case streak in Ukraine’s armed forces nonchalantly shrugs off these pansies in their midst. Skala Regiment founder and commander Major Yuriy “Rock” Harkaviy – the moniker originating from his muscular physique and aggressive behaviour, has been hailed for successfully leading his troops into several frontline battles, pushing back Russian thrusts, prior to the adoption of show-no-mercy biker forays.
And now the anonymous “spook”
Kovalenko opined that motorcycles were “useful” for logistics, unit support or reconnaissance and sabotage missions
squadrons of Ukraine’s SBU security service have ascended to instant stardom too. In early June, SBU spooks mounted a stunningly effective longrange assault code-named “Operation Spiderweb”. This featured specially constructed trucks with concealed launch compartments to hold fairly compact and agile quadcopter drones, loaded with high explosives. These were driven overland for literally thousands of kilometres into the proximity of four supposedly “safe” Russian air bases, deep within Russia’s hinterland.
Once in position, the SBU drivers
melted away without being detected, and quietly returned to Ukrainian soil. Their sophisticated drones were subsequently launched by long-distance AI remote control, targeting hugely valuable aircraft parked on the airfield runways. The impact was enormous. Depending on who you believe, they destroyed or damaged a fleet of somewhere between 20 and 40 planes. These included TU-95 and TU-22 strategic bombers with nuclear strike capabilities, plus A-50 surveillance planes similar to NATO AWACS equivalents. Some of the wrecked bombers had been previously employed to fire high-altitude airlaunched ballistic missiles at Ukrainian domestic targets.
Although Russian sources disputed the overall scale of damage, according to US satellite imagery it was so severe that the planes will take years to replace. The specialist A-50 surveillance rigs are probably irreplaceable. Needless to say, Vladimir Putin was not amused and has since been raining revenge munitions on civilian targets throughout Ukraine. Straining his patience (and arrogance) undoubtedly amuses the Ukrainian Army mightily. But we have to consider that it may take more than Ukraine’s Cossack heritage modernised via cheap Chinese dirt bikes to keep the prospect of pressing the red button on his presidential console at bay. And in that context, it’s doubtful that Keir Starmer would have the bottle to activate our kiss-your-arse-goodbye button. Did I mention the Third World War?
WITH THE SUN MAKING regular appearances, festivals in full swing, and tours proving popular, it might be time to search for another bike…
Speaking of which, Honda remained the most visited manufacturer on the MCN website from May through to June, claiming 18% of all users’
1. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
2. Honda VFR1200F
3. Petronas FP1
4. Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. BMW R1250 RT
6. Honda NC750X
7. BMW R1250 GS Adventure
8. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
9. Honda VFR800
10. BMW K1600 GT
sessions across the bikes for sale pages. Still in bikes for sale, naked bikes remains the most popular category, accounting for a fifth of users’ session time.
The most popular individual bike for sale was the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing followed by the sports-tourer Honda VFR1200F. The high-value and
unique Petronas FP1 takes third. BMW’s K1600GT and R1250RT have also crept into the top ten, suggesting touring is on the mind of many a rider.
It’s a similar tale in the bike reviews section, with Honda the most viewed brand and naked bikes leading the way in terms of bike type. A unique entry from
the Paton S1-R Lightweight tops the sportsbike chart for review reads, presumably prompted by its success at the recent TT. ADAM OLDFIELD
Digital reviews editor, MCN
IN MAY, USED BIKE SALES VIA the Autotrader Bikes website experienced a 23% increase compared to May 2024, and the overall health of the used market was rated at 29%.
Autotrader also reported eight consecutive months of positive market growth – a trend not seen in recent years, and a
clear indicator of sustained used bike sales momentum.
Market health is at its strongest level in 12 months, thanks to rising consumer demand coinciding with a shortage of quality used stock in the trade. And according to sales data, on average, used bikes are taking just 28 days to
sell – half the time taken at the start of the year.
EDDIE BAHN
Account director, Autotrader Bikes
Once again, half of the models in the top twenty fastest-selling bikes chart are 125cc. Topping the list is the sporty Kawasaki Ninja 125, which is currently selling in an average of just four days. Hot on its heels are the KTM RC125 and Yamaha YBR125, each clearing showroom floors in under a week.
THE FACT THAT SURPLUS PREregistered Euro 5 stock could be continuing to distort current registrations five months into this year is now tedious beyond belief. May’s overall headcount fell by 12.3% to 9800 units –the lowest total for 10 years, excluding pandemic-struck 2020. Within that, motorcycles and scooters were 12% down to 9403, mopeds declined by 14.8%, and trikes plunged by 36.4% to 56. Petrol-fuelled registrations incurred a 13.5% retreat to 9403, including five hybrids, while the electric cul-de-sac basked in a 30.6% increase to a hardly aweinspiring 397 units.
Almost all of the internal combustion firmament, where whatever’s left of dealer prosperity resides, was spattered with a thick coating of negativity. The basic mobility and delivery sector spanning 0-125cc products dropped by 20.3% to 2933 units.
“Best-sellers” – either Euro 5 compliant or derogated – were Honda PCX125 scooters, 280 of them.
At the opposite end of the
spectrum, premium 1000ccplus machines plummeted by 28.9% to 1280 units. Some 141 examples of the BMW R1300 GS were flying the Motorrad leadership flag in this rarefied atmosphere.
In between these two extremes, it was very much a case of scratch and sniff. The bargain 126-500cc slot sank by 14.8% to 1742 units, headed up by Honda’s dirt-cheap GB350S. 501-750cc stuff faded by 3.2% to 1295 units with another
Honda’s CB1000 Hornet has hit the consumer appeal sweet-spot of looks, performance and price and is consequently flying out of dealerships. Restricted availability is the only fly in the ointment
pre-reg detritus and accept underlying significant market shrinkage instead? Certainly,
Maybe we should just ignore pre-reg detritus and accept underlying significant market shrinkage instead?
Honda, the NC750X, taking the top step. The only sparkle of positivity came from a 7.3% increase in the 751-1000cc range, boosted by Honda’s attractive new CB1000 Hornet.
But that’s hardly going to last, given anecdotal reports of disgruntled Honda dealers in desperate pursuit of slim stock availability.
Maybe we should just ignore
the MCIA best-selling brands chart in May suggests that might now be afoot. Year-onyear, only three brands out of the ten achieved monthly gains. Honda was 7.4% up to 2084. Yamaha rose by 4.6% to 1127. And Ducati posted 3.3% growth to 280.
The serried ranks of losers began with Triumph, 31.4% down to 1014. BMW Motorrad
fell by 21.2% to 788. Kawasaki was 19.4% adrift on 475. Lexmoto declined by 21.4% to 414. Royal Enfield was 20.9% down to 386. KTM, compounding its many other woes, plunged by 38.8% to 357. And finally, Suzuki retreated by 24.8% to 261.
During the five months of 2025 to date, total registrations have now fallen by 20.4% to 39,050 units. Motorcycles and scooters are 20.2% down to 37,267. Mopeds have shrunk by 23.5% to 1546. Trikes are 33.6% lower on 237. Taking the powertrain split, petrolhead products are 20.7% down to 37,764, while electric machines are 13.8% in arrears on a negligible 1286.
THIS BAR CHART SHOWS THE TOTAL mileage travelled by PTWs in Great Britain each year. 2024 saw 3.5% year-onyear growth, continuing a steady upward trend that has been apparent since 2020’s pandemic.
The 2024 total of 3 billion miles is the highest since 2014 showing that, while the total number of bikers on the road isn’t increasing, the distances they are travelling are, on average, longer.
Further data from the DfT splits motorcycle traffic by road type: motorways were used for just 0.2 billion vehicle miles, ‘A’ roads cornered 1.2 billion vehicle miles, but minor roads were used for 1.6 billion vehicle miles, illustrating how much bikers love the twisties over boring motorway miles!
Last month, the new motorcycle market continued its steady Q2 improvement.
Despite this upturn, there is still an element of disappointment with this year’s stunted growth,” said Symon Cook, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest registrations figures published by the MCIA.
“New registrations in May improved to -12.3%, which is up 2% compared to April’s -14.6% figure. The data, however, is ahead of the now “year-to-date” market of -20.4% compared to 2024.”
Cook continued: “Whilst this is a lift for the market, it is still disappointing to see volumes drop compared to 2024, and the slight recovery has been expected in keeping with the last few months.
“The NMDA has been pushing for the government to provide some clarity on the rider license review and tries to reassure dealers amidst a tumultuous first half of the year and economic uncertainty.
“For now, the NMDA urges dealers to try and remain positive as well as anticipate the market’s gradual improvement.”
Sales activity for used machines in May was more buoyant than the new market, with some dealers having a particularly strong season so far. Following multiple closures in 2024, some of this increase could be attributed to there being fewer dealers this year. Also, the dry, warm and sunny spring would have given the market a boost, keeping workshops busy as well as strong sales.
A good mix of machines are selling well, provided they are priced correctly, with midrange machines being particularly sought after. Although larger machines have seen a drop in demand recently, some dealers are doing well with Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000SX and Z900/Z900 RS models.
Sourcing quality stock with low mileage is challenging, and being proactive is key. However, many dealers are satisfied with their stock levels.
Data published by the Motor Cycle Industry Association showed another month of decline, albeit the deviation is smaller compared to earlier in the year. May registrations were 12.3% lower compared to last year, with all categories experiencing a decline. The biggest casualty was road sport, which suffered a decline of 23.2%, while nakeds saw the smallest reduction at 3.8%. Meanwhile, year-to-date registrations to the
end of May were 20.4% behind last year.
Feedback from dealers continues to suggest a variable market, with reports of sales and demand stronger than last year, while other dealers are having a tougher season. Interestingly, some dealers had a buoyant period from February, but sales and enquiries have dropped in recent weeks. In view of ongoing reduced consumer spending confidence, riders are likely hanging on to their machines rather than upgrading. As a result, demand is largely dictated by manufacturer deals and campaigns. The trend of riders swapping larger, heavier machines for smaller to mid-range models continues, with Royal Enfield a popular choice.
Following the warmest and sunniest spring on record, summer has started on a mixed note. However, it has not been a washout, and with daylight hours approaching their maximum, riders can hopefully look forward to further ideal riding conditions.
Glass’s expects residual values to remain firm, with the exception of pre-2013 machines, which will experience a moderate increase.
Paul McDonald Motorcycle editor
