British Dealer News June 2021

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

key business information for the UK motorcycle and scooter industry

Key business information for the UK motorcycle and scooter industry • June 2021

MILLION POUND POTENTIAL The ‘Holy Grail’ AJS E90 Porcupine to be sold at Bonhams bonanza see page 14

+PLUS+ Dainese goes exclusive Bennetts sold ROI for Arai NMDA dealer survey results 31% of riders to hang up their helmets?

Used bike data Full year DfT registration data Demand outstrips supply Erratic European recovery

FF900

VALIANT II URBAN COMMUTER

WWW.LS2HELMETS.COM | 01670 856342

DRIVE SALES ONLINE AND ON THE FORECOURT Become an RAC Approved Dealer

Now more than ever, buyers are doing their research online before stepping onto the forecourt. That means you need to earn their trust on your website – before confirming they’ve made the right choice in the showroom

Join the RAC Approved Dealer Network and you’ll get…

INCREASE BUYER TRUST

OFFER YOUR CUSTOMERS MORE

GET EXPERT DIGITAL SUPPORT

Iconic RAC branding enhances trust in independent dealerships, online and on the forecourt

As an RAC Approved Dealer, your customers will get 12 months free RAC Breakdown Cover with their vehicle*

You’ll have access to digital assets to add to your website and social channels

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY!

Visit rac.co.uk/approvedonline Call 0330 100 3807 *12 months free RAC Breakdown cover is provided following the purchase of a vehicle from one of our RAC Approved Dealerships and applies to the vehicle purchased at the RAC Approved Dealership. If this condition is not complied with, we reserve the right to cancel this membership.

RAC Approved Dealer Network is managed by Assurant. RAC Warranty is a non-regulated product, provided by an Assurant company: The Warranty Group Services (Isle of Man) Limited (TWGSIOM), Company No. 94279C, whose registered address is Third Floor, St George’s Court, Upper Church Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1EE. MS.DRIVE.LFLT.0421.CRS-1387

XERAMIC

MOTORCYC LE

IN THIS ISSUE

June 2021 : Issue 239

the team

the news

HEAD OF CONTENT Andy Mayo: editorial@dealernews.co.uk tel 01237 422660; 07780 857693

4 6 8 10 11 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 30

FINANCIAL EDITOR Roger Willis: motobusiness@icloud.com PRODUCTS EDITOR/DESIGNER Colin Williams: design@dealernews.co.uk DESIGNER Maurice Knuckey: creative@dealernews.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Roger Willis; Adam Bernstein; Dan Sagar; Pete Plummer; Rick Kemp; John Featherstone; Brian Crichton

Dainese appoints new UK wholesaler MotoGB’s Covid fundraiser ROI for MotoDirect Virtual shop window Super Soco plug in Glass’s market summary Bonham’s extravaganza NMDA Spring Survey results Final call for our 2021 Directory On the Move A guide to selling your business International news Off-road news – Sur-Ron hit paydirt

ACCOUNTS MANAGER Mark Mayo: accounts@dealernews.co.uk

Xeramic Motorcycle Care product catalogue

NEXT MONTH Look out for the 2021 Trade Directory FREE inside the July issue of BDN

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE/AGENT Alison Payne: tel 07595 219093 Paul Baggott: tel 07831 863837 adsales@dealernews.co.uk

the business

CIRCULATION circulation@dealernews.co.uk

34 REACTION The Trade’s viewpoint

TAIWAN AGENCY Albert Yang, Pro Media Co: info@promedia.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 Copyright © Mayo Media Ltd:

36

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part by any electronic or mechanical means without express permission is strictly prohibited. Mayo Media Ltd can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by advertisers. Printed by S&G Print Group.

the knowledge

52 DFT STATISTICS Full year registration statistics 54 ON THE MONEY

55 INTERNATIONAL SHARE PRICES A snapshot of global performance 56 NEW REGISTRATION DATA MCIA statistics, NMDA and BDN reports 58 USED BIKE DATA From Auto Trader, MCN and Glass’s Guide

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

CATALOG

Contents

Contents

®

CARE | PRO DUCT

35 OFF THE CUFF Opinion in brief 36 BUSINESS BEAT Lease breaks 38 MARKETING MATTERS Top tips for performance PR 40 THE BUSINESS ESSENTIALS Tax payments may change

advanced copy

deadlines

July Issue 7 Jun 2021

Aug Issue 12 Jul 2021

4

Sep Issue 9 Aug 2021

42 PRODUCTS Retail profit opportunities 49 TRADE CLASSIFIEDS Small ads, big opportunities

JUNE 2021 3

Business news

Dainese appoints Nevis exclusively I

talian technical clothing and protection giant Dainese has appointed Nevis Marketing to exclusively distribute its product line-up throughout the UK. Effective from 30 April, Dainese products will be available to order and fulfilled through the high-tech 10,000m2 Nevis Marketing warehouse based in Ringwood, Hampshire.

Managing director of Nevis Marketing, Scott Empson, commented: “Innovation

and product development have always been foremost in our company philosophy and we work with brands which reflect this – Dainese is therefore a perfect fit. We’ve been working with TCX Boots since 2001, and when Dainese acquired the TCX brand in 2020 links began to grow between us.

We love the brand and we’re very excited about this new chapter for both Nevis Marketing and Dainese and are looking forward to 2021 and beyond”.

Dainese chief commercial officer, Andrea Nalesso, adds: “The UK is a key market for Dainese and offers great potential. The relationship with dealers is a top priority for us, so it has been a natural decision to liaise with Nevis Marketing. This longterm partnership will ensure the highest levels of service”.

Dealers interested in becoming a Dainese stockist should contact Nevis Marketing; 01425 478936; www.nevis.uk.com.

Bennetts bought by Right Choice

S

pecialist motorcycle insurer Bennetts has yet another new owner, after Ardonagh Group was forced into a disposal by the Competition and Markets Authority.

Bennetts began its travels in 2015, when it was purchased by Saga from BGL Group for £26m. The business was than subsequently sold for a similar amount to sit alongside bigleague biker brokers Carole Nash and Swinton in the Ardonagh portfolio last year.

But the regulator took umbrage over this deal as anti-competitive. So Bennetts has now been bought from Ardonagh for an undisclosed sum by Romford-based Right Choice Holdings, proprietor of Right Choice Insurance Brokers (RCIB) and various other branded motor and JMT-li-ion_battereis-210x76.pdf 1 17.05.2021 motorcycle insurers, including Bike 14:10:49 Devil.

Commenting on the acquisition, Right

Choice chief executive Mike Joseph said: “We are very proud to be the custodians of this great business and will work closely with the Bennetts’ management team to invest in and

expand from its existing locations in Coventry and Peterborough. Both this acquisition, and other recently announced motor acquisitions, add great value to our group.”

LITHIUM BATTERIES BUILT IN CHARGE INDICATOR FOR INSTANT BATTERY STATUS COMPLETELY SEALED AND NO MAINTENANCE REQUIRED THE QUICKEST AND CHEAPEST WEIGHT REDUCTION SUPERIOR COLD CRANKING AMPS (CCA) – PERFORMANCE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

4 JUNE 2021

For Trade Enquiries Contact Larsson UK

Tel. 01536 265633 info@larsson.uk.com WWW.LARSSON.UK.COM

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

FF900

VALIANT II URBAN COMMUTER

NEW GRAPHICS 2021 catalogue out now!

VALIANT II

RRP FROM

£249.99

TRADE FROM

CITIUS

£124.99

WHITE BLUE

CITIUS

HUB

STELLAR

ORBIT

ORBIT

REVO

REVO

REVO

GRIPPER

JEANS

NOIR

SOLID

SOLID

SOLID

WHITE RED BLUE

VALIANT

SOLID WHITE

WHITE SILVER

MATT TITANIUM

RRP FROM

SOLID

MATT BLACK BLUE

TITANIUM

£219.99

MATT TITANIUM

SOLID

TRADE FROM

MATT BLACK

JEANS

MATT BLACK

£109.99

SOLID BLACK

MATT BLUE

WHITE

NATIONWIDE DEALER SUPPORT

WHITE BLUE

MATT BLACK H-V YELLOW MATT TITANIUM FLUO ORANGE

MATT TITANIUM

BLACK

PAUL HASKINS UK Sales Director: 07932 725119

DAVE PRIDDLE South West & South Wales: 07900 682775

JON RUSSELL London & South East: 07582 512581

LEE BELL Midlands & North Wales: 07582 178996

PETER CAMPBELL North East, North West & Scotland: 07966 431388

STEVE FORSTER Northern & Southern Ireland: +353 876 486863

* TRADE PRICES EXC. VAT / RRP INC. VAT

out now!

• FREE MERCHANDISING • HUGE UK STOCKS • sizes: Xs - 3xl DEALER DIRECT • NEXT DAY DELIVERY • NO QUIBBLE WARRANTY • GLOBAL BRAND, LOCAL SERVICE • ALWAYS AHEAD •

TRADE HOTLINE 01670 856342 WWW.LS2HELMETS.COM | ukservice2@ls2helmets.com |

ls2helmetsukofficial

2021 CATALOGUE INDUSTRY

AWARDS

2019

INDUSTRY

AWARDS

2018

RIDER PRODUCT BRAND OF THE YEAR

RIDER PRODUCT BRAND OF THE YEAR

MERIT AWARD

MERIT AWARD

INDUSTRY

AWARDS

2017

RIDER PRODUCT BRAND OF THE YEAR

WINNER

INDUSTRY

AWARDS

2016

RIDER PRODUCT BRAND OF THE YEAR

WINNER

INDUSTRY

AWARDS

2015

RIDER PRODUCT BRAND OF THE YEAR

WINNER

Business news

L

eading independent bike distributor MotoGB has linked up with an Indian health charity to help raise funds for vital medical equipment as the country battles a wave of Covid-19 infections and deaths.

The Lancashire based importer and distributor of Royal Enfield, Bennelli and Lambretta, amongst other brands, has had a close relationship with India and has had trading partners there for many years. MotoGB’s Indian business friends have been keeping their UK contacts informed about the terrible suffering being experienced as a huge resurgent second wave of Covid-19 infections and deaths spreads across the country.

BDN readers will have seen the press headlines and TV footage of Indian hospitals under pressure from the sheer number of infected people, and the battle for beds, ventilators and Oxygen supplies as precious resources run short throughout the country, leaving desperately ill people unable to get the medical attention they require.

So MotoGB has linked up with the Ekam Foundation, an Indian health charity founded by doctors now working on the

MotoGB’s Indian Covid fundraiser Covid pandemic’s front line. Its aim is to raise funds for vital medical equipment, oxygen, PPE, pharmacy requirements and food supplies for the most underprivileged in Indian society.

Ekam says it will ensure all donations are spent in the

areas that will make the biggest difference, and it will provide complete clarity on where and for what the funds have been spent, logging and documenting all expenditure.

MotoGB says it will be making its own sizeable contribution

to this cause and would really appreciate any support other members of the motorcycle trade and industry can provide.

Contributions can be made at the Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/indiacovid19

CFMoto’s new warranty and finance deals CFMOTO UK HAS LAUNCHED A NEW four-year warranty on its full range of motorcycles, including the larger-capacity 300NK, 650NK, 650MT and 650GT models, as well as the recently-launched 300SR sportsbike (pictured right), which arrived in the UK in April.

As well as the new four-year warranty, CFMoto is also set to further increase the appeal of its machinery by offering 0% APR representative finance across the range.

CFMoto UK managing director Freddie Hinkley commented: “We’re absolutely

thrilled to introduce the new four-year warranty. We stand by the excellent quality of our bikes, and having four years of coverage will give our customers added peace of mind.

“The 0% finance offer makes our great value bikes even more affordable and allows us to offer some of the most competitively priced motorcycle packages on the market.”

For further details see: www.cfmoto.co.uk/motorcycles

Performance Filters

TUV certified

• • •

Great prices No fuss website Next day delivery* WMD a British company with 60,000 sq ft of motorcycle parts on the south coast

6 JUNE 2021

www.wmd-online.com

info@wmd-online.com Tel:01273 595746

Improved fuel consumption Up to 7BHP released

WMD

ended Recommuct Prod

(dependent on model)

Great quality alternative

www.britishdealernews.co.uk *Terms and conditions apply

Business news

DVSA launches rider portal THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched a new information portal aimed at all types of road users, including motorcycle and scooter riders.

The site –safedrivingforlife.info – offers advice to existing and new drivers and riders, including giving practical help and advice to get on two wheels.

The website provides advice to all riders – from novices wanting to practice theory test questions or view hazard perception clips, to more experienced bikers wanting to develop their riding skills or find information on touring abroad.

The site also offers guidance on advanced rider training and the enhanced rider scheme.

Karen Cole, director of road safety and rider training at the MCIA, said: “The new platform offers a selection of resources, giving some excellent advice and tools to make the journey on to two wheels as simple as possible.

MotoDirect gets the Republic M

otoDirect has been appointed as the new Arai distributor for the Republic of Ireland.

The retirement of the existing long-serving Southern Irish distributor has allowed MotoDirect to step in and take a fresh and consolidated look at how to increase Arai market share in Ireland.

Having been involved with Arai since 2012 in the UK, this appointment allows the wholesaler to apply its experience and expertise to deliver a superior Arai experience and to boost both dealer and consumer satisfaction with the brand right across Ireland.

James Thompson, MotoDirect’s account manager for Ireland, said: “We have a huge racing legacy

We have a huge racing legacy in Ireland, and the love for Arai helmets is incredible

Irish market, and with the addition of the new Quantic model, we expect demand to increase.

“Becoming the new Irish distributor is an exciting opportunity for us to support dealers, not only with the finest helmets but to complement this with high-level training, point of sale solutions and promotional materials to help maximise sales.

“We also look forward to continuing to provide the valued race service when racing resumes,” Thompson added.

in Ireland, and the love for Arai helmets is incredible. The brand needs little introduction to the

James Thompson 07889 291055 james.thompson@moto-direct.com

by building gearboxes only.

In 1975 he had become an agent for Quaife five-speed clusters and worked closely with Rod Quaife on developing a sixspeed version. He was on target to build and supply his 1000th gearbox.

Hemmings was the race winner of the inaugural Goodwood Revival meeting in 1998, beating twice 500cc world champion Barry Sheene. He won the Revival again in 2000. He also won international classic races in Japan, Italy, and France as well as in the UK. Apart from two years, Hemmings spent his 62-year working life in the motorcycle trade. At the time of his death he still owned his 750 Norton Commando production racer and he was looking forward to starting restoration on a 500 Excelsior Manxman he had owned for many years.

Hemmings made his mark through his racing and

mechanical skills. Assertive and confident, he was a brilliant mechanic with sound business acumen, and he gave the impression of being indestructible. Energetic and with a good sense of humour he championed the Norton marque gaining high profile international repute. He was a Norton Dominator personified.

OBITUARY

Mick Hemmings 1944-2021

L

eading Norton specialist and former Norton, Triumph and Suzuki dealer, Mick Hemmings died at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford on 17 May after collapsing in his workshop at Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. He was 77 and leaves wife Angie and son Steve.

Hemmings built up a reputation second to none in the Norton world. The late Norton works rider Peter Williams chose Hemmings to build the engines and gearboxes for his limited run of five £70,000 replicas of the 1973 Norton John Player monocoque racer.

Hemmings bought his first Norton, a crashed Commando, in 1969. He rebuilt it as a production racer, scoring more than 50 wins on it.

After leaving school he joined the motorcycle trade in 1959 as apprentice to TT rider Joe Glazebrook of Northampton.

He moved on to Bert Avill

8 JUNE 2021

Motorcycles (1962) and Andre Baldet Motorcycles (1964), both Northampton dealers.

In 1972 he joined the advertising team of motorcycle industry magazine Two Wheeler Dealer, followed by Motor Cycle News as Midlands ad rep.

In 1974 he set up Mick Hemmings Motorcycles in Northampton, gaining a Norton Villiers Triumph franchise the following year. In 1977 he added Suzuki to his portfolio. Wife Angie handled the paperwork and spares.

In 1990 he moved to new premises in Northampton concentrating on Norton and Triumph and developing his own range of improvement and race parts, building up an international clientele.

In 2015, aged 71, he closed his town centre shop to concentrate on engine and gearbox preparation at his extensive home-based workshop. In 2020 he decided to further scale down

Mick Hemmings in 2015 building a Norton five-speed gearbox

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

OUT NOW!

DO YOU SELL TYRES? THEN YOU NEED THESE CATALOGUES

ut 1 12/04/2021 09:30 Page 1

Specials_2021_issue2_9_4_21.qxp_Layo

SP EC IA L O FF ER S The UK’s Numb er 1

CAMBRIAN T Y R E S

ISSUE 2 2021

All prices plus VAT

For one or all of these catalogues call our sales team on 01970 624004 or email: mcsales@cambriantyres.co.uk

www.cambriantyres.co.uk

Business news

Virtual shop window

A

uto Trader has been on a mission over the last year to support customers and the industry through the trials and tribulations of Covid-19.

Visits to the new and used bikes platform are up a massive 48% in April vs last year, 49% on April 2019 and this demand is likely to continue throughout the season.

Auto Trader’s product lead, Paul Edmondson said: “There’s no doubt that the retail landscape has changed dramatically. We’ve seen years of digital acceleration in months and consumers are unlikely to revert back to old behaviours as things gradually return to normal”.

A recent on-site survey of bike buyers highlighted that 40% of bike buyers said they would prefer to complete some or all of their purchase online when asked how they would like to buy a bike in the future.

Now is the time to evaluate the current market, dealers need to consider how they need to adapt and operate in the “new normal” and make sure their adverts are telling buyers everything they need to know.

This following advice will help to give buyers

full online visibility of all stock, services and safety measures to help make that easier: • Ensure you advertise as much stock as possible. By taking your forecourt online, you can make the most of buyers browsing from home.

• Review your advert images, making sure you have clean backgrounds with no clutter or text. The bike should really be the star of the show with no other distractions to ensure you get optimised click through from the search results.

Retailers who optimise their images in this way have excellent performance on Auto Trader.

• Use advert video, not only to showcase the bike to buyers, but also to introduce yourself and give the buyer a good feeling of trust for who they’re going to interact with. During April, advert videos for bikes were viewed 198,000 times on Auto Trader, 41 views for each bike that had a video.

• Ensure you request dealer reviews from bike buyers you’ve done business with, which can be done easily through Portal.

TOM BURKE OF LIND MOTORCYCLES “AFTER WORKING CLOSELY WITH AUTOTRADER AND INVESTING INTO PHOTOGRAPHY infrastructure, we’ve had increased advert views and lead generation across the LIND Group by presenting our product in a retail-ready format. Customers are presented with professionally shot photographs and all the information and specification of the products, which leads to greater buying confidence and brand exposure.”

Review scores will show on your adverts to give you great credibility. Four out of 10 buyers browsing Auto Trader Bikes said that reviews of dealers from other buyers were either “Essential” or “Important” when making their purchase decision.

• Enable online enquiries through all contact methods, including live chat, text and video viewings. This will help open a dialogue with buyers, giving you more chance of converting a lead.

• Finally, ensure your Retailer Store is up to date using the self-serve customisation in Portal. This store is there for you to help bring your brand to life, promote specific vehicles, showcase any awards you’ve attained and generally drive consumer confidence in your business.

Petrol phase-out survey THE MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP (MAG) has published the results of its snapshot survey of motorcyclists’ attitudes to potential phasing out of petrol motorcycles.

MAG recently ran the survey to establish an overview a potential phase-out of petrolpowered motorcycles.

The survey attracted a total of 4805 responses. Of these, 1575 responses were from MAG members. The remaining 3230 were from non-members.

The first question covered opinion on a

10 JUNE 2021

potential phase-out of the sale of new petrol motorcycles and just 8% of respondents accepted a potential ban, 36% want to see a ban delayed and 55% were completely opposed.

The second question focused on lobbying, with 83% of all respondents wanting to see MAG work with other groups opposed to the ban of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.

The third question probed attitudes to electric motorcycles and asked whether they would stop riding altogether, keep existing petrol motorcycles running for as long as possible,

or adopt electric before the end of any phaseout, 31% said they would hang up their crash helmets, 56% would resist the switch for as long as possible and just 13% would make the switch before it was unavoidable.

MAG Chair, Selina Lavender, commented: “I was delighted by the level of response to the survey. MAG always represents the views of all riders, regardless of their choice of motorcycle and we have worked hard to develop the channels that get riders opinions heard by government”.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Business news

Bragging rights for Super Soco

L

atest MCIA registration statistics show that Super Soco has not only become the UK’s fastest-growing electric powered two-wheeler brand, but also the UK’s fastest-growing bike brand overall, beating petrol-fuelled alternatives to this accolade.

Vmoto Super Soco has claimed a 17.5% market share increase in the electric sector and a 1.3% rise versus all motorcycle and scooter brands available in the UK. It also accounted for 50% of ePTW registrations for April and a third of year-to-date ePTW market share.

Furthermore, Super Soco’s 4kW CPx scooter model has become the highest-registered ePTW and is now ranked eighth in the MCIA’s top-ten chart of highest-registered motorcycles and scooters during the first four months of this year.

Celebrating this success, Super Soco chief executive Richard Jordan said: “We’re obviously thrilled with these latest figures and see this as a pivotal moment. We launched in the British market in 2017, so in the space of just four years we’ve gone from a relative unknown to the fastest-growing ePTW brand with a dominant market share position. But we won’t be resting on our laurels. We’re confident of seeing sales in excess of 1000 units by the end of 2021.”

Silence in Solihull SPANISH ELECTRIC SCOOTER AND MOTORCYCLE BRAND SILENCE HAS opened its UK headquarters, training centre and first retail store on a regenerated site at Solihull in the West Midlands.

The flagship store, covering more than 700m2, serves both retail and business customers and has the full range of Silence electric machines available for test rides. It will be one of several such stores opening across the UK, with the next sites planned for London and Manchester. A partnership model will also allow businesses who want to take advantage of the rapidly increasing electric sector to retail Silence machines.

Ten jobs will be initially created in Solihull with an estimated 200 jobs to be supported across the UK as the company expands. The company’s targeted investment in the West Midlands comes as the region adopts green travel initiatives. The area will pioneer a UK Clean Air Zone this summer, when Birmingham launches its charging scheme aimed at reducing emissions in the city centre.

Unveiling the new premises, Silence UK founding partner John Edwards said: “Solihull makes the perfect location for investment. Not only is the West Midlands already a hub for electric vehicle businesses and research, but its leaders are focused on ecomobility and infrastructure.”

Telephone: 0333 666 0680 Email: sales@modeperformance.co.uk Showroom: 9A Cygnet Drive, Swan Valley Northampton, Northants NN4 9BS www.modeperformance.co.uk

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT

PERFORMANCE

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

RACING

JUNE 2021 11

Business news

Demand outstrips supply Data published by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) appears to show that motorcycle registrations surged 570% in April, with all sectors recording significant growth over April 2020 HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER that the UK was in full lockdown last year with dealers closed, click and collect not yet available and very little online activity. As a consequence, registrations in April 2020 fell short of those in 2019 by 83.5%. Significant recovery was therefore expected, however, April’s registration haul which was 10.7% up on April 2019s pre-pandemic total, was still more than many predicted.

NEW MOTORCYCLE MARKET Since dealers began reopening across the UK as Lockdown-3 restrictions eased, the market has enjoyed a bounce-back similar to that in June last year. The high level of pent-up demand is leading many dealers to experience exceptionally busy periods, with little sign of the market slowing down. Indeed, some dealers sold five Engine band highest registered models April 2021 Power Band

0-50cc 51-125cc 126-650cc 651-1000cc Over 1000cc

Model

Vmoto Super Soco CPX Yamaha NMAX 125 Royal Enfield Interceptor Int 650 Triumph Trident BMW R1250 GS Adventure Data courtesy of the MCIA

or six machines a day during their first week back. However, long lead times are currently an issue with some dealers suggesting they could have sold more machines if availability was healthier.

Despite this, the stock is arriving, albeit at a slower pace than normal and enquiry levels continue to be very strong.

In line with the latest registration statistics, demand remains strong across the board, with the Honda CRF300L and the new Yamaha Tracer 900 generating very high levels of interest.

Competition at the auctions is high, with very strong hammer prices

WHAT CAN THE INDUSTRY EXPECT MOVING FORWARD?

12 JUNE 2021

STOCK

Throughout the pandemic, sourcing reliable stock supplies has been difficult.

Since dealers reopened showrooms, stock sourcing has become ever more challenging. As a result, competition at the auctions is high, with very strong hammer prices.

RIDING CONDITIONS

Due to the economic landscape, there were concerns that the market might have been slow to recover once dealers reopened to the public.

However, there is very little evidence of this so far. Coupled with a huge increase in registrations and restrictions easing further, the outlook is now optimistic. However, with new mutations of Covid-19 remaining an issue, there are still risks to the freedoms we have begun to get back.

USED MOTORCYCLE FEEDBACK Recent dealer feedback suggests that stock supply continues to be a major concern. Turnover has been very rapid with machines selling even before dealers have had the chance to advertise

HUNDREDS HUNDREDSOF OFBRANDS BRANDS ++ OVER OVER100,000 100,000DIFFERENT DIFFERENTPRODUCTS PRODUCTS AVAILIBLE AVAILIBLEIN INSTOCK STOCK

*ADDITIONAL *ADDITIONAL CHARGES CHARGESMAY MAY APPLY APPLY TO TOWEIGHT WEIGHT AND ANDSIZE SIZE

them with fine weather conditions during April aiding the recent surge in demand. Workshop activity continues to be very strong too, resulting in some long lead times for those wanting their machines serviced and MOT’d.

Although April was cold, a combination of very dry weather and high levels of spring sunshine resulted in superb riding conditions. However, the weather in the early weeks of May has suffered a deterioration with predominately cool and showery conditions. Despite this, it’s early days with the full summer season yet to arrive.

Considering strong market activity and the ongoing stock shortages, values have been increased across the board in Glass’s June edition, except where trade feedback or evidence from the marketplace indicated models required specific adjustments.

Paul McDonald Leisure Vehicles Editor

FREE FREE NEXT NEXTDAY DAY DELIVERY DELIVERY

*ON *ONUK UKAND ANDMAINLAND MAINLAND ORDERS ORDERSOVER OVER£150 £150

www.britishdealernews.co.uk BECOME BECOMEAADEALER DEALER AT ATORO2U.COM ORO2U.COM

Business news

Bonhams bonanza L

eading classic bike auction house Bonhams is brewing up a three-day blockbuster at the Stafford County Showground and heading it with a machine that could set a new world record for a bike at auction.

Running a three-day sale (Friday-Sunday 2-4 July) for the first time at the Stafford International Classic Motorcycle Show, Bonhams presents a “Holy Grail” 1940s AJS E90 Porcupine 500cc road race twin. It’s the first time an E90 Porcupine – so called because of the spike cooling fins on its cylinder head – has come to auction.

Key members in AJS-Matchless circles think this machine has £1m potential. Bonhams list an estimate at £250,000-£300,000.

Only four examples of the E90 were made at the AJS-Matchless Plumstead, London, factory, and

UK

the E90 has the kudos of winning the inaugural 1949 world 500cc road racing championship with rider Les Graham. It remains the only twin to have won the premier class.

The example to be sold was owned by AJS works rider Ted Frend who scored the Porcupine’s first victory, winning the 1947 Hutchinson 100-mile road race at Dunholme Lodge, Lincolnshire.

When he died in 2006 the machine passed to friend, neighbour, and classic bike collector Ken Senior (1928-2021), whose recent death has resulted in the machine coming to auction.

BDN understands that Ted Frend had acquired enough Porcupine parts to build a complete bike and that Ken Senior had brought the bike up to what appears to be concours condition.

The Porcupine is one of 400

This circa-1946 AJS E90 Porcupine could eclipse the current world auction record of £651,715 for a 1951 Vincent Black Lightning (Bonhams, Las Vegas, USA, January 2018)

machines collected by Mr Senior.

Bonhams presents 94 of them for sale on Friday 2 July. Machines from other collections will be offered the same day bringing Friday’s total number of machines up to at least 133. Saturday 3 July presents at least 330 lots including spares, memorabilia and collector bicycles. Sunday 5 July sees a wide range of 205 classic motorcycles.

Ben Walker, head of Bonhams motorcycle division says: “So

far we have more than 650 lots for Stafford, and entries are still coming in thick and fast. The standard of entries is extremely high so it’s always possible we may set a new auction record.”

OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR

PURE MOTO RY

IVE NEXT DAY DEL URCHASE P M U IM GAVIN McCAFFERY NO MIN

Back In Black

IBUTOR NEW UK DISTR L LOOKUP E D O M E IN ONL ARGINS M R E L A E GREAT D

National Sales Manager 07703 180456 WATERPROOF

LOCKABLE JON RUSSELL IMPACT RESISTANT

O.E. Supplier To Most Top Brands

07582 512581

AERODYNAMIC London & S. East

Huge Model Range Compatibility

E L B A D N EXPA

The world’s first expandable clamshell topbox

LEE BELL design reddot

YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE

3 Boxes in one: 46, 52 & 58 litre capacity

award winner 07582 178996 Midlands & N West

Marine grade waterproofing on the Zulupack range of bags

Semirigid Cases

MIKE BRUNSDON 07595 894836 S West & S Wales

PETER CAMPBELL 07966 431388 Scotland & N East

OFFICIAL UK DISTRIBUTOR FOR

NEW DISTRIBUTOR FOR STEVE FORSTER 00353 87 6486863 Ireland

14 JUNE 2021

hello@puremoto.co.uk

03 33 006 9540

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

www.puremoto.co.uk

98%

AS VOTED FOR BY CONSUMERS*

OF C UST OM W REC OULD ERS OMM E F RES IRST ND PON SE

We have been working hard for consumers and motor dealers for over 20 years, giving us a wealth of knowledge and experience in financing vehicles. So, it is no surprise that consumers on reviewcentre.com have made us the most highly ranked and reviewed motor finance company in the UK.

E-Sign Flexible Criteria Full Online Capability USING OUR SIMPLE DEALER PORTAL

Faster Payouts POS

Free POS Material Dedicated Account Manager

TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR NON-PRIME BUSINESS

GET IN CONTACT TODAY. www.frfl.co.uk/bike 0115 946 6260 bike@frfl.co.uk Registered Office: First Response Finance Ltd, Chetwynd Business Park, 5 Regan Way, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 6RZ. Registered in England No. 03560611. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ref no. 309356. *on reviewcentre.com

Business news

DEALER SURVEY DEMOGRAPHIC >1000 800-999 600-799 400-599

PLC Privately owned group

<100

Solus Multi franchise

300-399 200-299

100-199

Number of new bikes sold per annum >1000 800-999 600-799 400-599

Dealership type

Independent dealer

<100

300-399 200-299

100-199

Number of used bikes sold per annum

Ducati top in NMDA Spring Attitude Survey A

fter a challenging year, the high response rate for the NMDA Spring 2021 Dealer Attitude Survey (DAS) demonstrates that dealers see it as an important and useful channel to provide feedback on the business relationship with their manufacturers”, said Paddy O’Connell, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA).

The results of the DAS indicate how dealers view the issues that are currently affecting their relationship with respective manufacturers, and how these change over time. The survey, published in May, acheived a response rate of 29%, compared to the highest-ever response rate of 31% in autumn 2020.

Findings showed that the all-dealer average when asked about the overall value of their franchise, remained similar at 6.3 points out of 10, compared to 6.4 from autumn 2020. yy Ducati (9.2), Royal Enfield (9.0), and Triumph (8.3) remained the top three franchises yy The franchises with the lowest ratings were Suzuki (5.2), Honda (4.8) and Piaggio Group (3.4)

day basis, the average score lifted slightly from 3.4 to 3.5 out of 5 points. yy Piaggio Group dealers were the most dissatisfied for the sixth time in a row, with an average score of 2.4 yy Lexmoto was the top scoring brand at 4.8

When dealers were asked about their ability to do business with manufacturers on a day-to-

The Spring 2021 edition of the DAS also asked dealers a number of questions concerning manufacturer support during the Covid epidemic. When asked about the level of manufacturer support throughout the crisis, the average score was 3.3 out of 5, with Piaggio the lowest (2.0) and Ducati the highest (4.5).

O’Connell continued: “The findings of the survey remained largely similar to the previous edition of the survey which, it is worth noting, had experienced a significant increase in dealers’ satisfaction levels from spring 2020.

“With dealerships reopening, and despite potential issues with supply, dealers remain optimistic about future profitability, in line with six months ago.

“The NMDA thanks our members for their continued support and we encourage manufacturers to look at the results to identify and address any issues affecting the relationship with their dealer network”.

Q17f. How do you rate the level of manufacturer support throughout the Covid crisis?

Q18. How do you rate the value of your motorcycle franchise? (1=low, 10=high)

Ducati Lexmoto Royal Enfield Yamaha Suzuki Triumph BMW Kawasaki KTM Honda Harley-Davidson Piaggio Group Average

16 JUNE 2021

Spring 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.0 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 2.9 2.8 2.4 2.0 3.5

Ducati Royal Enfield Triumph Lexmoto Harley-Davidson Kawasaki BMW KTM Yamaha Suzuki Honda Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 9.2 9.0 8.3 8.0 7.3 7.3 6.8 6.2 6.0 5.2 4.8 3.4 6.3

Autumn 8.2 9.5 8.9 8.0 6.5 7.7 7.5 7.1 4.9 5.7 5.3 4.3 6.4

BDN OVERALL SCORES 1 Ducati Royal Enfield Lexmoto Triumph BMW Kawasaki Harley-Davidson Yamaha Suzuki KTM Honda Piaggio Group

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Spring 104.4 95.1 90.7 83.7 82.0 80.8 78.3 75.0 71.4 68.3 62.1 55.5

Autumn 3 92.1 1 100.7 4 88.6 2 93.9 6 80.3 5 87.0 9 74.6 11 66.0 8 75.9 7 80.2 10 68.5 12 64.2

THE TOTAL SCORES ACROSS THE ENTIRE spring survey have been analysed by BDN and compared to those of the previous survey from autumn 2020.

Ducati is the clear leader of the pack, a healthy 9.5 points ahead of second place Royal Enfield, which topped the autumn survey’s chart.

Lexmoto moved up a single position to claim third spot, while Triumph fell two places to fourth. The Hinckley brand lost points across the board, only improving on questions regarding its finance and training programs.

BMW and Kawasaki swapped positions, for fifth and sixth, while Harley-Davidson improved on its poor showing in the autumn by moving up two places to seventh. Yamaha saw the biggest improvement in terms of ranking, leaping three spots to eighth.

Suzuki dropped one place, but still managed to be higher up the table than KTM which suffered the ignominy of both the biggest fall in terms of overall score and dropping three places downwards. KTM dealers are obviously not impressed with the way they have been looked after during this year’s turbulent start.

Propping up the table were Honda and perennial wooden-spoon winner Piaggio Group, which managed to achieve a lower score from its dealers, despite UK registrations since the beginning of the year experiencing a commuterled sales surge that would seem to play straight to the brand’s core market.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Q6a. How does product price and value compare against other brands?

Royal Enfield Ducati Lexmoto Triumph Kawasaki BMW Harley-Davidson KTM Suzuki Honda Yamaha Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 5.0 4.7 4.7 4.3 4.0 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.0 2.5 3.8

Autumn 2.0 3.9 4.7 4.0 4.0 3.5 3.6 3.8 3.3 3.3 3.1 3.0 3.5

Q7c. How easy is it to negotiate realistic new targets and performance related bonus with your supplier?

Ducati Royal Enfield Lexmoto KTM Harley-Davidson Yamaha Triumph BMW Kawasaki Suzuki Honda Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 4.4 4.3 3.8 3.4 3.3 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.3 1.9 3.1

Autumn 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.0 3.1 2.4 3.2 2.3 3.0 3.0 2.4 2.6 3.1

Q9. How satisified or dissatisfied are you with your manufacturer’s warranty policy?

Ducati Royal Enfield BMW Kawasaki Yamaha Lexmoto Triumph Suzuki Harley-Davidson Honda KTM Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 4.7 4.3 4.2 4.0 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 2.9 3.7

Autumn 2.1 2.9 3.6 4.4 4.0 3.9 4.1 3.8 2.5 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.5

Q15a. How do you rate the fairness of the standards your manufacturer expects?

Ducati Royal Enfield Lexmoto Harley-Davidson Triumph BMW Suzuki Yamaha Kawasaki Piaggio Group Honda KTM Average

           

Spring 4.4 4.3 3.9 3.6 3.6 3.2 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 3.2

Autumn 3.8 4.0 4.0 3.6 3.6 2.7 3.4 2.3 2.9 3.0 2.3 3.7 3.3

Q16b. How effective is your manufacturer’s retail finance program?

Ducati BMW Royal Enfield Kawasaki Triumph Lexmoto Suzuki Harley-Davidson KTM Honda Yamaha Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 4.7 4.4 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.1 3.5

Autumn 3.9 3.7 4.6 3.9 3.6 3.0 3.5 3.1 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.5 3.4

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Q6b. How realistic is your target and bonus in terms of achievement?

Ducati Royal Enfield Lexmoto Triumph Harley-Davidson Suzuki Yamaha Kawasaki KTM BMW Piaggio Group Honda Average

           

Spring 4.3 4.0 3.9 3.5 3.3 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.3 3.2

Autumn 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.9 3.4 3.3 2.6 3.1 3.1 2.5 2.6 2.7 3.3

Q8a. How you would you rate the brand image for your franchise?

Ducati Triumph BMW Harley-Davidson Kawasaki Royal Enfield KTM Lexmoto Yamaha Honda Piaggio Group Suzuki Average

           

Spring 5.0 4.6 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.1 4.1 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.1 4.1

Autumn 5.0 4.9 4.0 3.6 4.6 5.0 4.2 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.1 3.1 4.1

Q13. How satisfied are you with your franchise’s profit return?

Ducati Royal Enfield Triumph Kawasaki Lexmoto BMW Harley-Davidson KTM Suzuki Honda Piaggio Group Yamaha Average

           

Spring 4.6 4.0 3.5 3.4 3.4 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.5 2.3 2.3 2.0 3.1

Autumn 3.8 3.1 4.2 3.3 3.3 2.7 3.2 3.0 2.7 2.4 2.4 2.3 3.0

Q15b. Are your manufacturer’s standards realistic compared to return on investment?

Ducati Royal Enfield Lexmoto Harley-Davidson Triumph Suzuki Kawasaki Piaggio Group BMW KTM Honda Yamaha Average

           

Spring 4.3 4.3 3.8 3.5 3.4 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.1 2.0 2.0 3.0

Autumn 3.9 4.0 3.7 3.5 3.6 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 3.3 2.1 1.7 3.0

Q17b. How do you rate the quality of your manufacturer’s training?

Ducati Yamaha BMW Kawasaki Triumph Royal Enfield Suzuki Harley-Davidson Lexmoto Honda KTM Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 4.6 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.5 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.1 2.6 3.6

Autumn 3.7 3.1 3.7 4.2 3.6 4.8 3.4 3.2 2.7 3.2 3.3 3.0 3.5

Q7a. How fair is your manufacturer’s policy for machine supply and stocking?

Ducati Royal Enfield Lexmoto BMW Kawasaki Harley-Davidson Yamaha Triumph Suzuki KTM Honda Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 4.4 4.3 3.8 3.3 3.3 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.1 3.1

Autumn 4.0 4.6 4.0 3.5 3.2 2.4 2.2 3.2 2.8 3.2 2.4 2.6 3.2

Q8c. How do you rate your brand’s retail sales incentives and promotions?

Ducati Royal Enfield Triumph Lexmoto Kawasaki BMW KTM Suzuki Yamaha Honda Harley-Davidson Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 4.6 4.0 3.9 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.0 2.8 2.3 1.9 3.3

Autumn 4.9 4.6 4.6 3.6 4.2 4.2 4.0 1.5 3.1 3.6 2.7 2.5 3.4

Q14a. How do you rate the future profitability of your business?

Ducati Royal Enfield Triumph Lexmoto Harley-Davidson BMW Kawasaki KTM Suzuki Yamaha Piaggio Group Honda Average

           

Spring 4.4 4.0 3.7 3.6 3.3 3.2 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.5 3.3

Autumn 3.9 4.0 3.8 3.7 2.8 2.5 3.2 3.4 2.7 2.5 2.9 2.6 3.2

Q16a. How satisfied are you that your manufacturer takes your opinions into account?

Ducati Royal Enfield Lexmoto BMW Harley-Davidson Triumph Kawasaki Yamaha Suzuki Honda Piaggio Group KTM Average

           

Spring 4.5 4.5 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.8 2.3 2.1 1.9 3.2

Autumn 3.4 4.0 3.7 3.5 2.9 3.5 3.4 2.2 3.2 2.3 2.1 2.3 3.0

Q17d. How easy is it to do business with your manufacturer on a day-to-day basis?

Lexmoto Ducati Kawasaki Harley-Davidson Royal Enfield Yamaha Triumph BMW Suzuki KTM Honda Piaggio Group Average

           

Spring 4.8 4.4 4.3 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.4 2.7 2.4 3.8

Autumn 4.1 3.8 3.9 3.5 4.8 2.9 4.1 3.8 3.6 3.3 2.8 2.5 3.6

JUNE 2021 17

Business news

Selected results from the spring 2021 NMDA dealer survey compared with autumn 2020

Business news

Hi-viz BDN Trade Directory

T

o be mailed with the July issue of British Dealer News, this year’s Directory is well on its way to being the biggest since its launch in 2013, with more than 650 suppliers listed in a dealer-friendly easylook-up layout. The supplement will be available in both print and digital formats, as it will also be hosted on www.britishdealernews. co.uk for dealers to reference all year round.

The news of First Response’s support for the 2021 Directory coincides with dealers opening their doors as the government relaxes Covid rules, and as many wholesalers, importers and service providers report record levels of business and two-

wheeled interest.

Ben Garside, marketing manager at First Response Finance said: “We are delighted to partner British Dealer News and the Directory for 2021. We have worked hard over the years to make our motorbike finance application as simple as possible.

The reason we say it’s simple is that we charge no fees, just the interest rate. This assists in getting more bikes on the road through our dealer partners.”

First Response Finance is an award-winning vehicle finance company within the non-prime market. They have been providing motorbike finance to UK consumers since 2004, making them one of the longest standing

and most experienced companies in the UK. Therefore it should come as no surprise that they are among the highest-ranked and reviewed motor finance companies in the UK. “We consider ourselves to be different from other finance companies because we do not focus on profit. Our focus is on our people and the service we provide, making our customers and dealer partners our priority with everything that we do.”

It’s easy for suppliers to

highlight their 2021 Directory entry by adding full contact details and logos or by running a full company profile feature.

There is also advertising space availabl,e for the very first time, at competitive rates.

Simply call 01237 422660 or email adsales@dealernews.co.uk.

ENJOY THE VIEW WITH THE

F440 MODULAR HELMET FRLEOCEK PIN

®

FEATURING A SEE-IT-ALL, EXTRA-WIDE VISOR

SATIN BLACK 18 JUNE 2021

SATIN GUNMETAL

GLOSS GUNMETAL

01394 604040 Contact your Account Manager

GLOSS SAFETY YELLOW

www.bickers-online.co.uk sales@bickers-online.co.uk www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Business news

ON THE MOVE

New head for MV Agusta Americas M V Agusta has recruited US motorcycle trade and industry veteran Chris Henderson as managing director of its relaunched MV Agusta USA operations – now remonikered as MV Agusta Americas with an extended remit covering the US, Canada and Latin America.

Henderson jumped ship to join MV from Triumph America, where he has served for nearly nine years in increasingly senior roles.

Most recently, he led a team of six regional sales managers covering the British brand’s dealer network across the southern half of the US. Previously, Henderson spent 16 years in largescale motorcycle dealership management.

At MV Agusta, he has been tasked with expanding its range of services and competences on offer, enhancing customer

experience and strengthening dealer support.

In particular, this will involve development of “a premium support network, the application of the latest business technology, and the launch of exciting new products and services to create a thrilling customer experience”.

Commenting on Henderson’s appointment, MV Agusta chief executive Timur Sardarov said: “Reinforcing our presence in such an important market as the Americas is a key part of our strategic plan. I am glad Chris is leading our US operation, as he brings a wealth of experience and forward-thinking, onestep-ahead leadership to the team, on top of his passion for motorcycles. I am confident Christian will succeed on his new path.”

Henderson added: “I will bring to bear my years of experience in the industry, both from

the dealer and OEM perspectives. In order to further propel this iconic brand to new heights in the Americas, my focus will be on increasing brand awareness and strengthening the overall premium experience for both MV Agusta customers and our dealer network. My goal is for MV Agusta to become the premier brand in each of our dealerships.”

Super Soco adds Archibald

Triumph recruits global racing manager TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES HAS APPOINTED JEREMY APPLETON to head up its worldwide racing involvement. He will bring a wide range of expertise and experience to the role, from MotoGP, WSBK, MXGP and AMA Supercross, and also premier automobile racing with F1 and Nascar.

Triumph says Appleton’s appointment reflects its commitment and growing investment within motorcycle racing, where his focus will be on building global brand awareness and demonstrating innovation and performance credentials.

Appleton will report to Triumph chief product officer Steve Sargent. And his duties will include helping to coordinate the company’s ongoing Moto2 control engine supply deal with Dorna, as well as a new factory-supported 2021 British Supersports collaboration with PTR racing.

New names at Norton

N

orton Motorcycle parent TVS Motor has appointed Robert Hentschel and Vittorio Urciuoli to Norton’s management team.

Hentschel has become chief executive of the Solihull-based firm. He replaces interim CEO John Russell, who has stepped down after completing a transition period taking Norton from bankruptcy to born-again icon once more.

Urciuoli has been installed as chief technical officer.

Hentschel joins Norton from Valmet Automotive Holding, where he served as manag ing director since

20 JUNE 2021

2017. Before that, he headed Ricardo Deutschland and Hentschel System, and was also a director of Lotus Engineering.

Urcioli’s CV includes director of URVI and head of powertrain at Lotus Cars, plus project leader stints at both Ferrari and Aprilia Racing.

TVS Motor joint managing director Sudarshan Venu waxed lyrical about their talents: “We are excited to welcome on board a new management team led by Robert. His passion for customers, Robert Hentschel brands and

J Vittorio Urciuoli

the future of mobility will be of immense value. Vittorio has a tremendous commitment and track record of creating worldclass products. Both of them are strong engineers with pedigree on the world stage. I look forward to working together with them for the revitalisation of one of the world’s most storied brands.”

ames Archibald has taken on the role of marketing and social media manager at Super Soco. Archibald (above left) has a wealth of experience in the motorcycle industry, having spent time as a journalist for MCN and more recently at Lextek and Lexmoto. He says he intends to work closely with dealerships, ensuring that dealers are supported with a range of assets to aid promotion.

ALL THE LATEST

JOBS JobScene Live page 25

www.britishdealernews.co.uk/jobs

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY Get Listed Be Seen

Sponsored by:

More than 650 trade suppliers listed Distributed in the July issue of British Dealer News Alphabetically listed – easy reference to the best suppliers in the industry In print and online Published by your only trade monthly magazine

12 MONTHS PROMOTION FROM ONLY

£62

FINAL CALL Get Listed Be Seen

12 MONTHS PROMOTION FROM ONLY

£62

PREMIUM LISTING Upgrade your company listing with full contact details and company logo from only £62

NEW BANNER ADVERTS Quarter page banner adverts available from only £139 New heights in dealer management software

DeepBlue

DeepBlue CloudDMS

Cloud-based Dealer Management System for motorcycle deal erships Sales invoicing Worksh op scheduling Stock control Autom ated invoice email Automated MOT remind ers PDF Printing Purchase order manag ement OF CU Contact management ST SMS Texting W OMERS RECOOULD Double entry accounting MMEN Point of sale D FI RESPRST ONSE Number plate and postcode lookup s

98%

* UMERS

FULL PAGE FULL POWER

For an onsite or online R BY CONS demo call: 020 854 20 years, 1 4131 for over First month motor dealers no FREE at: deepbluesys tems.com icles. So, it is consumers and king hard for in financing veh highly ranked wor nce n erie bee e exp We hav e us the most knowledge and mad of e lth hav wea om a giving us ewcentre.c sumers on revi UK. surprise that con company in the motor finance and reviewed

AS VOTED FO

s Faster Payout

E-Sign ia Flexible Criter Capability Full Online ER PORTAL SIMPLE DEAL

ial

POS

Free POS Mater

er Manag ountNON-P d Acc RIME BUSINESS Dedicate OUT OF YOUR GET THE MOST

Premium advertisements for only £450 less than £10 per week

TO HELP YOU

USING OUR

T TODAY. GET IN CONTAC bike www.frfl.co.uk/ 0 011 5 946 626 uk bik e@ frfl .co.

6RZ. Nottingham, NG9 6.

Way, Chilwell, Park, 5 Regan rity ref no. 30935 ynd Business Conduct Autho Finance Ltd, Chetw regulated by the Financial : First Response Authorised and Registered Office nd No. 03560611.

Engla in Registered .com

*on reviewcentre

Call 01237 422660 or email adsales@dealernews.co.uk

Business news

Y

amasaki importer Keith Bond of Midlands-based CBRS is to set up a UK dealer network for the brand and is looking for a small number of dealers to handle a four-model range of 50cc machines. The quartet all retail for under £2000, and dealer margin is described as “healthy.”

CBRS is a well-established retailer and is determined to expose Yamasaki to a larger audience. Bond told BDN, “We’ve been importing Yamasaki since 2016. The range we have put together is full of style and street-cred and is aimed squarely at the “sixteener” market. The bikes have been a hassle-free and profitable experience, but we can’t cover the whole country. It makes sound commercial sense to be represented nationally through a small number of committed dealers.”

Six to eight dealerships are needed to include South Wales, the South West, East Anglia, London (South), NE, NW, Leeds/ Bradford, and possibly Scotland.

The aim is to create a structured dealer network with a substantial territory for each dealer. All retail inquiries to CBRS HQ in Milton

Yamasaki to build dealer network

Keynes will be directed to the relevant area stockist.

Dealers will initially be expected to stock all four models: the YM-10 Sports at £1999, the F50 naked semi-sports at £1499, the F66 Retro Café Racer at £1499 and the F30 base model at £1399

(all +OTR charges). The initial stock is carriage-free and supplied on a proforma basis. Parts are described as “affordable” with a ready-painted colour matched body panel retailing for £30, including decals.

CBRS has relocated on several

occasions to keep pace with the growth of the business and, for the last seven years, has operated from 25,000sq.ft premises in Wolverton, Milton Keynes.

Interested dealers should contact CBRS on 01908 319889; cheapbikesrus@btinternet.com.

MOTORCYCLE BUYERS’

GUIDE

www.motopromedia.com

Know More & Purchase Better with MBG Motorcycle Buyers' Guide (MBG) will bring you the up-to-date information of more than 100 suppliers from Taiwan & China.

Check our website for more information: www.motopromedia.com or contact us to get a free copy of MBG

How to reach us:

貿 易 風 國 際 有 限 公 司 PRO MEDIA COMPANY LIMITED

24 JUNE 2021

Tel: +886-4-726 4437 Fax: +886-4-728 4657

info@motopromedia.com promedia9@hamicloud.net www.motopromedia.com

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Job Scene

Contact Alison on 01237 422660 or adsales@dealernews.co.uk

MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN / MOT TESTER REQUIRED Please send your CV to Derek Baker: derekbaker@lambamotorcycles.co.uk or Lamba Motorcycles, 120 High Street, Carshalton, Surrey, UK, SM5 3AE

MOTORCYCLE SALES EXECUTIVE

Experienced motorcycle sales executive needed for long-established family-run business. Duties include dealing with customer sales and finance enquiries from initial contact to hand-over plus the sourcing of and listing of stock on various retail websites.

You will need a good knowledge of modern Japanese and Triumph motorcycles and ideally, have previous dealership experience dealing with motorcycle sales.

You must be willing to work on Saturdays and have the confidence and ability to work alone if required. A full motorcycle licence and FCA approval to sell finance are a definite advantage but not essential. Training will be provided if necessary.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES? If you’ve got the skills needed for any of the roles below, get in touch now Competitive Salaries World leading brands Highly rated dealership PDI TECHNICIAN QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN SERVICE CONTROLLER Please send your CV to gareth@5-ways.co.uk or call 07990 517604 01482 358607

EXPERIENCED SALES PROFESSIONAL

AREA COVERED: Parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Norfolk.

We have an opportunity for an Experienced Sales Professional to further develop our portfolio of products to both new accounts and our existing dealer network.

The Ideal candidate will have an interest in motorcycling as well as being highly self-motivated.

Company Car, iPad and Telephone provided.

All applicants treated in strictest confidence.

Please note this is a Salaried Position.

Salary negotiable depending upon ability and experience.

Please send a copy of your CV to sales@ngales.com

AFTERSALES ASSISTANT

HONDA OF BOURNEMOUTH | FULL TIME POSITION

A dynamic person is needed to complete the aftersales team at Honda of Bournemouth The successful candidate needs to demonstrate a passion for customer service excellence.

An interest in motorcycles would also benefit.

Email CV: Service@hondaofbournemouth.co.uk www.hondaofbournemouth.co.uk

Email your CV to: john@staniforths.co.uk

MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIANS We are looking for experienced motorcycle Technicians to join our thriving dealership.

• The candidate will need to have knowledge of PDI, Service, Repair and MOT testing on both new and used motorcycles and across the on and off-road sectors.

• Experience of working within a franchised motorcycle dealership is preferable.

• Knowledge of working on ATV’s would be beneficial.

• A full UK car and motorcycle licence must be held.

Competitive package offered to the right candidate, please check out our website for full details www.colwynbaymotorcycles.com and email your covering letter and CV to natalie@colwynbaymotorcycles.com

RETAIL DEALER OFFER

Contact Alison on 01237 422660 or adsales@dealernews.co.uk

FROM ONLY

Business news

Selling your business Selling your business can be a complicated process fraught with dangers, but with the right approach and some due diligence it can be a smooth and relatively painless experience. BDN offers some help on how to get the best results

T

here will come a point when every business owner wants to move on by selling the business to another. The question is how?

A broker is one option – most certainly so for the larger or more complex concern (say a turnover of £1m or more and significant profits), but they will charge for their service – from 5% to 12% and with minimum fees of £12,000 too. For many small businesses a broker might not be a worthwhile proposition for either party – considering the amount of time that they’ll need to put into marketing the business. Worryingly, the conversion rate (the number of businesses that sell through brokers) can be as low as 20% and possibly even just 4%.

DO IT YOURSELF The reality is that you will know your business far better than any broker. On top of this is your ability to instantly respond to any enquires from potential buyers. Also, it’s possible to stop a sale without worrying about any contractual issues with the broker.

Again, most owners of small businesses know their market well and know who might be a likely buyer – whether a rival or someone they sell to or buy from already. It’s quite likely that most good small firms will probably have received contact from potential buyers already.

So, the first step for a DIY sale is to compile a list of likely candidates and then ask a lawyer or accountant to make a discrete approach on your behalf.

A natural question is what is the business worth? While values vary, there is only one that counts and that’s what someone is willing to pay for it. Most valuations are based on multiples of past profits and rise according to perceived value. For small firms this could range from less than one to three times. But equally, it could rise to six or more times depending on the size, profitability and the assets that the business possesses. An accountant should be able to give a basic valuation.

It’s quite likely that most good small firms will probably have received contact from potential buyers already One way to gauge the market is to do your own research and comparisons using some websites that list businesses for sale (see panel below) to assemble your own list of similar firms to see how they’re priced against turnover and profit. Remember, do not over inflate the worth of your business and don’t just think of the upsides, look to the downsides too, as that’s what an investor will do. Consider if the business is one that has been run as a ‘lifestyle’ where there’s no real prospect of growth and therefore few prospects for a sale.

TAKE GOOD ADVICE Selling or buying a business is a complex matter riddled with mantraps. You need good accounting and legal advice to deal with contracts and negotiations as well as tax matters and the production of financial information necessary for the sale.

Don’t forget a non-disclosure agreement which protects confidential information against misuse by those with no real interest in buying the business, only an interest in gathering competitive information.

INFORMATION IS KEY Any interested party is going to want at least three years’ worth of accounts and current year management accounts. On top of this, expect to be asked for the company registration and VAT certificates along with VAT and corporation tax returns.

Next will come an outline agreement, with heads of terms which will be fleshed out later on. Buyers tend to set these out.

Due diligence follows, where claims are checked for accuracy so that the buyer has a true picture of what they could be buying into.

An inventory of assets will also be needed.

It’s important to not hide anything, especially things that may arouse suspicions. Mistakes can lead to deals failing with unrecoverable legal and accounting costs on either side.

While it’s not an easy process to sell a business. Those that attract interest should see the process complete between three and six months, or possible a little longer.

Sell online instead?

ALMOST ANYTHING CAN BE bought online, including a business.

Selling a business online will save on the fees charged by a broker while also increasing visibility of the business. However, as can be seen

26 JUNE 2021

on the likes of eBay and Autotrader, many of the items up for sale never sell because they’re either marketed poorly or overpriced. It’s also possible to end up wasting time and effort dealing with those with no

real intention of buying.

If it doesn’t sell quickly, it’s not likely to sell at all and you’ll just end up in a vicious spiral of price cutting to no avail. So, price carefully.

There are several online platforms

that offer business listing services including: • uk.businessesforsale.com/uk • businesstradecentre.co.uk • daltonsbusiness.com • rightbiz.co.uk

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

International news

International news With financial editor Roger Willis,

Another takeover by Brembo ITALIAN AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE giant Brembo is in the process of buying J.Juan, a Spanish specialist in motorcycle braking systems.

This £60m purchase, subject to approval by antitrust authorities, is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2021.

Founded in 1965, J.Juan is based at Gavà in the outskirts of Barcelona. It has three plants in Spain and one in China, mainly concerned with manufacturing braided motorcycle brake hoses.

The company also produces a branded range of bike brake calipers and master cylinders.

Besides being noted for off-road and other sports applications, it supplies many OE industry names worldwide.

“We are proud to welcome J.Juan into the Brembo Group,” commented Brembo chairman Alberto Bombassei. “This transaction is in line with our global strategy and follows the recent acquisition of SBS Friction in Denmark. We continue to invest with the aim of strengthening our core motorcycle business.”

J.Juan chief executive José Luis Juan added: “The takeover will allow us to become part of a strong company with a solid global footprint that will support J.Juan’s development for the professional growth of all our employees and the benefit of customers.”

Erratic European bikes sales recovery A

ccording to Europe-wide motorcycle industry organisation ACEM, firstquarter 2021 registrations of new motorcycles and scooters in five of the largest European markets – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK – grew by 10.3% to 197,856.

A strong 67.6% average increase in March managed to offset negativity in the first two months, which were respectively down by 29.8% in January and 12.8% in February.

However, quarterly trends varied considerably across different countries. Italy and France posted respective 47.3% and 15.1% gains, while the UK sank by 21.3%, Germany was 4.1% lower and Spain slipped by a marginal 0.5%. ACEM thinks this variation is linked to the different

form of lockdowns imposed across European countries last year, and to the fact that 2020’s basis for comparison in some cases was exceptionally low.

Mopeds performed slightly better. In the six largest European moped markets – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain – there were 56,535 registrations, representing a 21.6% increase.

Commenting on the current situation, ACEM secretary general Antonio Perlot said: “The registration figures for the first quarter of 2021 show that the sector continues to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, although at a different pace across Europe.

It wouldn’t be fully accurate to compare this year’s figures with those of 2020 since a large number of dealerships were

closed and several European economies were under lockdown last year. If we look at 2019, arguably a more normal year, 2021 motorcycle registrations are still behind by 4.1%, while mopeds show a substantial increase of 19%.”

Perlot added: “This shows that while uncertainties persist for European economies, at the same time the market is reactive. The attractiveness and convenience of powered two-wheelers for urban and peri-urban commuting, within a sanitary context in which public transportation has not been deemed a safe option, is confirmed. Also, more and more consumers are opting for motorcycling when it comes to engaging in Covid-safe leisure activities, such as touring closer to home.”

AUTOMATIC AUTOMATICTHEFT THEFTPROTECTION PROTECTION AUTOMATIC AUTOMATICTHEFT THEFTPROTECTION PROTECTION THATCHAM THATCHAMAND ANDPOLICE POLICEAPPROVED APPROVED THATCHAM THATCHAMAND ANDPOLICE POLICEAPPROVED APPROVED Supplying Supplyingmotorcycle motorcycleand andscooter scooter Supplying Supplyingmotorcycle motorcycleand andscooter scooter security securityfor forover over30 30years years security securityfor forover over30 30years years LOOKING LOOKINGTO TOJOIN JOINAS ASAADATATOOL DATATOOLDEALER? DEALER? LOOKING LOOKINGTO TOJOIN JOINAS ASAADATATOOL DATATOOLDEALER? DEALER? CONTACT CONTACTUS USTODAY: TODAY: CONTACT CONTACTUS USTODAY: TODAY:

CALL: CALL: 01615 01615 431 431 129 129OR OREMAIL: EMAIL: DEALER@DATATOOL.CO.UK DEALER@DATATOOL.CO.UK 28 JUNE 2021 CALL: CALL: 01615 01615 431 431 129 129OR OREMAIL: EMAIL: DEALER@DATATOOL.CO.UK DEALER@DATATOOL.CO.UK

RIDER RIDERCONVENIENCE CONVENIENCEFEATURES FEATURES RIDER RIDERCONVENIENCE CONVENIENCEFEATURES FEATURES 24/7/365 24/7/365UK UKMONITORING MONITORINGCENTRE CENTRE 24/7/365 24/7/365UK UKMONITORING MONITORINGCENTRE CENTRE DESKTOP DESKTOP&&MOBILE MOBILEAPP APPACCESS ACCESS DESKTOP DESKTOP&&MOBILE MOBILEAPP APPACCESS ACCESS www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Harley escapes European tariff hike THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS temporarily suspended a planned dramatic increase in punitive tariffs on HarleyDavidson motorcycles as a gesture of conciliation with the US government. This decision, announced on 17 May, prompted a spectacular 9% jump for Harley’s share price on the New York Stock Exchange.

The EU had stuck an additional 25% tariff on all Harley-Davidson machines imported into Europe after former US President Donald Trump imposed heavy tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports to the US three years ago, taking total duties levied on the bikes to 31%. And, because there has been no resolution of the original US imposition, it recently announced that the retaliatory tariff would double to 50% on 1 June.

But the European Commission now says the tariff will remain at 25% for a period of up to six months while further trade negotiations take place.

However, the Commission had also recently revoked a “rules of origin” agreement whereby Harley-Davidson bikes assembled in Thailand and then shipped to Europe were exempt from the retaliatory tariff, and only subject to a 6% charge. These machines will now be treated as US-made and liable for the full 31% tariff rate.

International news

Thousands of much-needed Yamaha motorcycles are stuck on the Ever Given in the Suez canal

Supply-chain hurting Yamaha

I

n a message to dealers, Yamaha Motor Europe chief executive Eric de Seynes has apologised for the company’s inability to supply them with adequate inventory.

And he has also admitted that the giant container ship Ever Given is carrying many thousands of Yamaha products destined for Europe. This vessel is still detained in the Suez Canal with all of its cargo by the Egyptian government, as the principal bargaining counter in a damages claim for blocking the waterway.

“Having endured a difficult 2020 year, we thought that the most complicated part of the coronavirus pandemic was now behind us, both from a public health perspective and that of business,” said de Seynes. “The initial outlook for 2021 was positive. Demand has been recovering strongly since last summer, supported by a strong and committed dealer network, with many new products expected to be delivered.

“Unfortunately, this is not really the case now that we are getting into the 2021 season, as the long- term effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the supply chain are becoming clear, and these effects are making it difficult to fulfil our key duty of making enough products available through our extensive dealer network.

“For the past ten months, the availability

of raw materials has become an issue in many areas, such as the semiconductors required in the manufacturing of our smart keys, ABS braking system, ECU, etc.

“Shipping goods overseas was also problematical due to the very high demand for many categories of manufactured products. But these issues have been made bigger right at the start of the season by the unexpected crisis in the Suez Canal, involving the container ship Ever Given, which was transporting thousands of Yamaha products and components.

“Everybody here at Yamaha, from procurement to factory, through logistics and sales teams, are working hard to minimise the impact and to ensure that all available products are delivered. At the same time, we are also trying to provide the most accurate information on availability to our dealer network around Europe, in what was and is remaining a very unpredictable situation.

“In the meantime, while everyone here at Yamaha is working to resolve all of the problems created by the pandemic, and also to increase rapidly the number of our total deliveries, we understand that the wait for products to be delivered can be frustrating, and for that we are very sorry. Therefore we sincerely hope you will accept our apology for any delay.”

MOTORCYCLE SPARE PARTS & ACCESSORIES

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

JUNE 2021 29

International news

Three degrees of Japanese HONDA REPUTATION REINFORCED In probably its toughest year on record, Honda’s motorcycle business amply demonstrated what unassailable world leadership is all about.

Progressively fending off Covidrelated attrition throughout this 12-month period to 31 March 2021, total revenue from bikes fell by just 13.2% to £11.59bn.

Associated operating profit was 21.4% lower at £1.457bn. But a still-muscular operating margin of 12.6% was achieved, down from 13.9% in the previous fiscal year.

To get these figures into perspective, Honda’s pace of recovery was amazing. During its fourth January-March quarter, revenue was actually 11.7% up year-on-year to £3.431bn and quarterly operating profit grew by 14.7% to £468m. Furthermore, annual operating profit made

30 JUNE 2021

Japan’s trio of motorcycle manufacturers plotting the course of their progress through fiscal years running from April to the following March have reported varying degrees of success in staying profitable

on bikes had dwarfed a meagre profit However, India was 17.8% down contribution of £585m from the company’s much to 3.866 million, Indonesia fell by larger car operations – 44.6% to 2.685 million, Vietnam which turned over the lost 18.1% to 2.104 million and Thailand dropped by 17.6% to immense sum of £56.934bn.

1.106 million.

Across the Elsewhere fiscal year, global in emerging sales volume had Honda’s markets, Latin shrunk by 21.8% motorcycle A m e r i c a n to 15.132 million m o t o r c y c l e s business amply volume supplied from Honda’s and scooters. demonstrated big Brazilian Asia was manufacturing 22.8% down to what hub in Manaus 13.319 million. unassailable sank by 23.5% to But among 679,000. individual Asian world In the countries, there were a couple of leadership is all developed world, Honda’s major winners. China, about markets were an early escapee from Covid’s initial rampage, put remarkably resilient. On home on 13.9% to 1.15 million. And turf in Japan, sales improved by Pakistan rose by 0.6% to 1.066 4.9% to 215,000 machines. North America was 0.6% up to 332,000. million.

Only Europe was slightly negative, falling by 2.1% to 234,000.

Honda says it expects demand to grow worldwide in the new fiscal year, and has forecast sales volume recovering to at least 18 million bikes. But the company also voiced concerns about a possible Covid resurgence and the global shortage of semiconductor microchips for automotive applications.

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 14 May]

NINJAS BEAT COVID Thanks to a combination of luck and good management, the Kawasaki Heavy Industries motorcycle and engine division prospered against an unavoidably deleterious parallel background of the pandemic.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Shipments to Australia, on the SUZUKI GETS ITS ACT TOGETHER other hand, grew by 83.3% to Although obviously not immune 11,000. from the effects of Covid, Emerging markets took Suzuki’s motorcycle business harsher punishment, diving by has used the pandemic as 32.9% to 226,000 overall. Within motivation for cleaning up that, the Philippines plunged corporate profligacy, to by 40.4% to 143,000, Indonesia concentrate on raising sank by 41.2% to 30,000 and its bottom line.

China lost 7.4% at 25,000.

Total revenue for its On a retail basis, Kawasaki full year fell by 14.9% to said its European sales recovered £1.343bn, front-loaded by sales to the same decline in the level as the Assiduous first six months. previous year The scale and improved cost-slashing of turnover in the USA resulted in an reduction in key due to rising markets varied. demand for both extraordinary Asia was 20% m o t o r c y c l e s turnaround for down to £652m. and off-road Europe sank by vehicles.

But earnings 13.7% to £201m.

South-East Asia North America remained “sluggish”. lost 19.9% at £157m. Japan only Prospects for the new fiscal dropped by 1% to £128m. year through to March 2022 are But assiduous cost-slashing upbeat. The division predicts an resulted in an extraordinary ongoing increase in demand for turnaround for earnings. Despite motorcycles and ORVs. And it global headwinds, operating has forecast revenue climbing by profit almost quadrupled year12.9% to £2.47bn and operating on-year, a 271.4% increase to profit 45.3% up to £111m. £17m. Set against Suzuki’s serial [Currency translation at forex losses on bikes for much of the rates applicable on 11 May] past decade when there were

far fewer excuses, this was a major achievement given the circumstances.

Worldwide sales volume finished 10.2% down at 1.535 million motorcycles and scooters. Across developed markets, Europe fell by 6.5% to 39,000, while North America and Japan posted respective increases of 32.4% to 46.000 and 4.5% to 51,000.

Apparently aberrant contrasts between volume and revenue were generally attributable to differing model mix and price points.

Asian sales overall were 12.8% lower at 1.225 million. On the positive side, China managed a 23.7% gain to 374,000 and Vietnam was 22.4% up to 28,000.

Conversely, India suffered a 19.5% retreat to 557,000 and the Philippines plunged by 29.6% to 136,000.

Suzuki has delayed performance forecasts for its new fiscal year until continuity of component supply and logistics disruption issues have been resolved.

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 13 May]

International news

Total 12-monthly divisional revenue fell by just 0.3% to £2.19bn, attributed principally to Covid’s impact in the first quarter.

Turnover from motorcycles was 7.2% down to £743m in developed countries and 14.2% lower at £438m in emerging markets.

But powersport products mainly sold in North America – off-road vehicles, quadbikes and personal watercraft – yielded a 19.9% revenue boost to £659m.

And sales of general-purpose petrol engines improved by 4.3% to £348m.

Kawasaki had initially forecast an emaciated operating profit of £33m, against a loss of £12m in the previous fiscal year. However, a rigorous attack on operating expenses cut fixed costs by £68m. So the eventual outcome was a £76m profit.

During the year, Team Green’s wholesale motorcycle shipment volume into the developed world declined by 9.9% to 146,000 machines. Europe was most seriously affected, 21.6% down to 58,000. The US dropped by 1.8% to 54,000. Japan and Canada respectively retreated by 15.8% to 16,000 and 16.7% to 5000.

UK Sales Team

www.britishdealernews.co.uk UK Sales Tel: 01429 650555

Andrew Davidson - 07494 694911 - andrew.davidson@motomondo.com

JUNE 2021 31 Mike Fernandez - 07375 248367 - mike.fernandez@motomondo.com

International news

Demand leads quarterly charge MUM’S THE WORD FOR BMW Considering figures that should have bestowed extensive bragging rights, BMW Motorrad was surprisingly taciturn instead, revealing the minimum detail acceptable to investors in its parental group statement.

Riding along on the bounceback now particularly benefiting European manufacturers with shorter routes to their main markets, BMW’s bike businesss generated quarterly revenue growth of 35.2% to £655m.

Associated op erating profit leapt by 87.5% to £117m.

Operating margin soared to 17.9% from 12.9% in the equivalent period last year.

This good fortune was based on its global retail sales during the three months in question rising by 22.5% to 42,592 motorcycles and maxiscooters. End of story.

Information about the success of particular models or performance in leading markets worldwide was entirely absent. All we can tell readers, from BDN’s own resources, is that registrations in the UK bucked such a positive trend, falling by 3.9% to 2013 machines – a modest 4.7% share of total brand sales.

32 JUNE 2021

Motorcycle manufacturers tied to the calendar year have kicked off with generally splendid first-quarter 2021 responses to these challenging times. But supply-chain bottlenecks are becoming a common complaint In bizarre contrast, the BMW automotive segment got a tedious chapter-and-verse presentation on the efficacy of its cars and volume sold in various markets, accompanied by drivel about the fast-track pace of vehicle electrification.

The only other mention of bikes was in a fact-lite forecast for the full year: “The motorcycle segment is expected to record a solid increase in deliveries to customers. Operating margin is predicted to lie within a target range of 8-10%, enabling the segment to record a significantly higher level of return on capital employed than one year earlier.”

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 7 May]

DUCATI QUICK OFF THE GRID Singing from the European Covidrecovery hymn sheet with gusto, Ducati can also claim to have narrowly beaten pre-pandemic turnover and profit levels in the equivalent three months of 2019.

Quarterly revenue climbed by

37.4% to £176m. Operating profit reached £18.3m, against a loss of £870,000 in the same period last year. At that time, an initial deadly wave of Covid infections surging through northern Italy had shuttered Ducati’s Bologna factory and closed dealerships during March, slashing output and sales.

With production long since back on stream, and in-demand V4 Multistrada and Streetfighter models leading the charge, this latest quarter saw global retail sales increase by 33.3% to 12,803 bikes.

Volume was also 2% up on the quantity leaving dealer showrooms in early 2019.

Around 52% of them were sold in Europe. Italy remained the brand’s biggest European market, accounting for 2354.

Germany followed, responsible for a further 1275. Elsewhere, the USA was Ducati’s biggest export destination, selling 1723 machines, 13.5% of worldwide headcount.

Split into style sectors, the Scrambler sub-brand achieved most growth, 49.6% up to 2635.

A 46.8% improvement for naked machines, spanning Monster and Diavel models as well as the fast-selling new Streetfighter V4, reached a higher tally of 3629.

Top of the pile was dual-sport, fronted by the V4 Multistrada headline adventure act and abetted by the Hypermotard.

Sales in that sector hit 4009, a 37.7% rise. Sports products, covering Panigale superbikes and supersport machines, made a more modest contribution, increasing by just 2.8% to 2530.

Quarterly production rose by 15.5% to 15,470. And commenting on this gain, Ducati chief executive Claudio Domenicali said: “Even more remarkable is the size of our order portfolio at the end of the quarter, which is the best-ever with an extraordinary 93% growth from 2020 and 135% compared to 2019.”

But he ended on words of caution: “Supply and transport are complex, with delivery delays and a shortage of various raw materials. This makes it difficult to satisfy all the demand from customers. But we are strongly

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

CASH SPLASH FROM PIAGGIO Piaggio Group’s results were the most profitable ever, based on surging turnover and bike sales volume.

Consolidated group revenue climbed by 23.5% to £333.1m, its highest firstquarter achievement since 2007.

Operating profit stacked on 135.1% to £20.3m, with operating margin increasing to 6.1% from 3.2% in the same period last year.

Net profit went ballistic, adding 258.1% to £9.6m, an all-time record for the first quarter.

Net debt year-on-year fell by 18.2% to £388.1m. This was attributed to careful management of working capital and operating cash flows generated by the Group’s positive business performance, which also enabled it to absorb a higher capital expenditure requirement.

Piaggio’s global powered twowheeler sales volume rose by 35% to 103,200 machines. Related turnover, including spares and accessories, was 42.2% up at 257m. Piaggio says PTW sales in India and America were particularly significant, rising by more than 90%. The Asia-Pacific region put on 47.2%. And on the European market, notably in Italy, numbers increased by almost 70%.

In Europe, market share for both scooters and motorcycles was also boosted.

And share of the North American scooter market reached 32.9%, up from a previous 23.7%.

Specific to scooters, global sales rose by almost 37%, led by the Vespa brand, three-wheeled machines, the Liberty highwheel scooter and revised Piaggio Beverly.

As for motorcycles, Moto Guzzi reported an outstanding quarter, with its best-ever sales volume and sales revenue, notably thanks to the V7 and V85TT models. Aprilia was also extremely positive, with net sales the highest since 2007 – almost double the figure in Q1 2020 and up by almost 50% from Q1 2019. Its RSV4 supersports model saw an increase of 40%, and the new 660cc RS and Tuono

models attracted strong market interest.

Commenting on this scale of recovery, Piaggio chairman and chief executive Roberto Colaninno said: “The group closed the first quarter with very positive results at global level. Nevertheless, we have to consider that the Covid pandemic is still a risk, so we continue to monitor each individual market closely. Clearly, the Indian continent is suffering.

But the market will recover and be better than before.”

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 4 May]

RECORD RESULT FOR PIERER Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer Pierer Mobility achieved record revenue and unit sales, attributed to rapidly recovering global demand.

Turnover for the period climbed by 82.5% to £440.9m. But the company was unusually coy about profitability. However, despite

and it has raised revenue guidance for the full year by about 3%.

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 12 April]

YAMAHA’S EUROPEAN WOES STIMULATING START FOR POLARIS US off-road vehicle and motorcycle manufacturer Polaris Industries enjoyed an “unprecedented level” of retail sales in its domestic North American market. President Biden’s economic stimulus cash hand-outs to consumers undoubtedly played a large role.

Total three-monthly revenue surged by 38.8% to £1.406bn.

Operating profit staged a powerful recovery, 234.9% up to £132.7m, with operating margin climbing to 9.4% from 0.4% in Q1 2020. Net profit bounced to £96.6m, versus a net loss of £3.9m in the same period last year.

The company’s core ORV sector, covering quadbikes, sideby-side ATVs and snowmobiles, boasted 49.6% turnover increase to £887.5m. Retail volume of wheeled vehicles rose by about about 80%.

Supply and transport are complex, with delivery delays and a shortage of various raw materials.

This makes it difficult to satisfy all the demand ongoing supply-chain challenges, Pierer’s worldwide sales volume of powered two-wheelers stacked on 80% to a total of 106,453.

Within that, the number of motorcycles sold across its KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas brands grew by 74.9% to 87,197. R Raymon and Husqvarna pedelecs added 107.1% to 19,256.

Europe accounted for 53,971 motorcycles and e-bicycles, a 79% improvement. In purely motorcycle markets, North America was 145% up to 12,637, Australian sales rose by 109% to 4357 and in India, despite difficult conditions relating to the severe Covid-19 crisis there, sales increased by 24% to 20,712.

Since the beginning of the year, Pierer Mobility has increased its workforce in Austria by 130 people to 4730 and is still looking for employees in all areas. Some 65 additional apprentices will start their training this year.

Pierer’s executive board says annual outlook remains positive

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

in powersports to deliver for our customers and dealers.”

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 28 April]

Motorcycles, encompassing the Indian bike and Slingshot trike brands, delivered 30.8% revenue growth to £119.3m. Indian retail numbers rose by just over 60% on home turf, racing ahead of an approximate 35% improvement for overall US sales of medium and heavyweight machines.

However, supply-chain issues meant domestic dealer inventory plunged during the quarter, and is likely to remain tight for much of this year.

According to Polaris, quarterly international sales across all of its various divisions had grown by 59% to £207.3m. But specific sector performance details were unavailable.

Commenting on these figures, Polaris chief executive Mike Speetzen said: “Despite supplychain constraints, logistical challenges, and North American weather-related disruptions, sales across our business grew, as we leveraged our capabilities and scale as the industry leader

Although Yamaha mounted an impressive recovery, like many of its competitors, an inability to supply sufficient stock into European distribution channels stuck out like a sore thumb.

The brand’s total quarterly revenue from bikes rose by 9.9% to £1.654bn and was even 2.9% up on the equivalent pre-Covid period in 2019. Asian markets were the main driver, their combined turnover climbing by 13.6% to £1.081bn.

Latin America and various other emerging locations improved by 9% to £189m.

In the developed world, North America put on 35.1% to £82m.

Oceania (Australia and New Zealand) was 56% up to £26m.

But Japan’s domestic contribution slipped by 2.1% to £59m. And most pertinent to us, Europe was 10.5% down at £217m.

Unit sales told an approximately similar story. Global volume increased by 8.2% to 1.215 million motorcycles and scooters.

Asia led the field, adding 6.9% to 1.003 million. Within that, China, Thailand, India and the Philippines were identified as delivering the strongest growth, in that order, while Indonesia lost ground. A hotchpotch of other mainly emerging markets stacked on 22.8% to 124,000.

North America boasted the biggest rebound, a 46.2% hike to 19,000. Japanese sales were 9.5%

up to 23,000, although clearly suffering from a weaker model mix money-wise. And then, once again, Yamaha Europe was the dunce with an 8% decline to 46,000.

Overall turnover for Yamaha’s Land Mobility segment – which is dominated by bikes but also includes assorted ATVs, ORVs, golf buggies and e-bicycles – grew by 11.6% to £1.883bn.

Resultant operating profit went stratospheric, 131.4% up to £129m.

For Yamaha Motor as a whole, revenue rose by 12.2% to £2.88bn, operating profit was 89.8% higher at £313m and net profit shot up by 334.8% to 271m.

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 14 May]

JUNE 2021 33

International news

motivated to do everything we can to reduce the inconvenience caused by this situation.”

[Currency translation at forex rates applicable on 7 May]

Off-road news

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

Off-road news With off-road correspondent Rick Kemp

Supercharging high-end sales

Dual Dunlops TWO OF DUNLOP’S DURABLE off-road tyres have been recategorised providing substantial benefits to leisure riders and hardcore enduro enthusiasts alike.

The Dunlop D952, designed for recreational off-road use, has received ECE R75 certification. This means that it is now legal for road use as well as on tracks, saving riders the expense and resources associated with transporting specialist equipment. The new rating applies to four of the six available sizes: 110/90-18 61M, 110/90-19 62M, 120/90-18 65M and 80/100-21 51M. Another significant development within Dunlop’s extensive off-road range is the application of M+S (that’s Mud and Snow not Marks & Spencer) marking to all three sizes of the D908 RR enduro tyre. This means that Dunlop’s road-legal dual-sport/desert pattern can now be fitted to bikes with a higher top speed than the tyre’s speed rating, opening it up to an even wider range of machinery. Dunlop is keen to cater for the lucrative and expanding adventure/trail market.

KTM BRAKE RECALL

Authorised KTM dealers might find themselves busier than usual due to a factory recall of the 2019 and 2020 790 Adventure for the replacement of the front brake master cylinder piston return spring.

Owners have been informed by letter and can check online in the “Service” area on the KTM website if their motorcycle is affected by the recall. The 35 minute job is free to the customer and is carried out under warranty.

KTM says the fault can result in the brake piston not being returned to its original position, which in rare cases can impair the function of the front brake.

34 JUNE 2021

E

lectric bikes are popping up all over the place Velimotor VMX12, 12 Kw, 4 speed, and that’s bikes in the broadest sense, from with motorcycle suspension and brakes will retail at under £4500 inc VAT power-assisted pedelec bicyles to pukka, scary off-road electric motorcycles with a gearbox and clutch. One brand that has been in the mix for the last few years is Sur-Ron, imported and distributed

by UrbanMoto Distribution.

Let’s face it, we all know that electric power, however produced, is going to be the future not only of the motorcycle industry but also virtually every other form of transport in use today. The only question is … when?

As we’ve highlighted before, lockdown has helped the sale of off-road bikes and particularly electric models because of the noise factor. If you’re riding around the back garden, it’s a lot easier if you’re not “People are now walking into dealers and asking for upsetting the neighbours with noise pollution. electric over petrol. One of the reasons is noise. Some Jamie Masterman, commercial director at of my dealers, who also operate off-road tracks, have UrbanMoto, enlightens us further. “Last year the been warned by the landowner that if there are any growth was tremendous. We sold about 1600 off- more noise complaints it’s end of story.” road units and around 250 road-registered bikes.

The legal status of some e-bikes is a little opaque What we’re seeing now is a switch to the road bikes and, as is the way with these things, legislation is and there are a number of reasons for this. Most reactive depending upon what the manufacturers of the off-road bikes were sold to youngsters who come up with. If end users want to insure their e-bikes treated them like pit bikes but we’re now seeing a lot against theft and/or accident, it’s a lot simpler with a more mature guys in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are road-legal model. In the Sur-Ron range the difference into green lanes and who fancy something new but in price between road-legal and not is only £300. don’t want to have to go to a dedicated off-road area The pandemic has thrown up a host of retail to use them.” anomalies and e-bikes are no exception. UrbanMoto Of course, like a conventional trail bike, a road- has shifted almost as many bikes in the first three registered electric bike can be ridden on the roads months of this year as it did in the whole of last year, between the green lanes as well. An increasing so at present only A-list dealers need apply. number of sales of these models are to city boys, who Sur-Ron supply might be under pressure but will commute on an electric bike and ride a big bike at UrbanMoto’s view of the future is diversification, the weekends. Masterman has got form in the sector, new models, new brands and new markets. firstly as the importer of Rieju trail bikes and secondly Deposits are being taken for the Sur-Ron Storm, for shifting almost 1000 Bultaco Brinco pedelecs a full-size electric motorcycle with gearbox, ABS before they were discontinued. brakes and an impressive power-to-weight ratio.

The Sur-Ron dealer network currently numbers Under evaluation at the moment is the Velimotor 65 and is trail- and enduro-orientated. “The majority VMX12, a 12kW, four-speed motorcycle with full of our network are high-end enduro dealers – KTM, suspension and brakes at an expected SRP of below Honda, that type of brand. Our product is best sold £4500. Another brand is Drill One. This bike, from an off-road style store. However, which comes with fully adjustable suspension, we’re now seeing it populate ATV 14kW power and maximum torque of 30lbs/ft, dealers, smart e-bike shops, a weighs less than 50kg and carries a retail price tag few car dealers and more recently of £7995. Other brands include Frey and Boxx. dedicated electric-only Another lucrative aspect of retailers, where you’ll find e-bikes is the fact that owners Sur-Ron alongside Zero and like their performance aids and ‘bling’.

Super Soco.”

Apparently, it’s not uncommon As far as for owners to spend a Masterman is further few grand on these concerned the aftermarket items. tipping point UrbanMoto Distribution on e-bikes has Drill One Electric, 14kW, info@sur-ronbikes.com been reached. tel 01522 589461 sub 50kg in weight, RRP £7995

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Off-road news

Baby Blade

T

GB has released the Blade 6000 LTX as a compact version of its popular 1000 LTX. It is powered by a high-torque 561cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection and three-mode adjustable electric power steering.

A reinforced CVT transmission, two lockable differentials and EVO gas-charged hydraulic shocks are also included among the top-spec features of the highperforming 600 LTX. The new model is Euro-4 compliant, meaning that this

road-legal ATV is perfectly suited to recreational riding and touring.

Throw in a fully-waterproof 3000-lb winch and robust tow hook and the Blade 600 makes a usefull utility vehicle. The ex-VAT price of £6915.84 also includes the TGB five-year manufacturer warranty.

For dealer opportunities and further product information, contact Drew Marshall at Dualways.

Dualways 01623 708607 drew.m@dualways.com

Husky tech upgrade NEW DARK BLUE AND WHITE LIVERY WITH CONTRASTING ELECTRIC yellow graphics is common to Husqvarna’s motocross and enduro ranges for 2022. The two-stroke TC models and FC four-stroke motorcross models will benefit from a Brembo hydraulic clutch system developed to wear evenly and deliver near maintenance-free operation. Brembo also supplies the hydraulic stoppers. WP XACT suspension is featured at both ends with special low-friction seals at the rear.

The four strokes have a beefed up counter-balance shaft bearing, a previously vulnerable component on the high-revving motor. Traction and launch control with advanced settings are now available. Generally, there have been tweaks all round like the high-grip seat cover and adjustable, progressive throttle mechanism.

The two and four-stroke Enduro models come with Braktec hydraulic clutch and disc calipers as well as the upgraded WP suspension. The four-stroke models continue to feature two switchable engine maps plus traction control, while the two-strokes have two switchable ignition curves.

Additionally, the TE 250i has revised final drive gearing for improved lowend response.

Basically, with both ranges, Husqvarna wants to deliver more power, more control and more rideability. No doubt results will testify to its success.

Husqvarna also offers a full range of minicycles, the TC 50, TC 65, TC 85 and the electric EE 5. All machines provide youthspecific ergonomics and user-friendly operation allowing youngsters to develop their skills and hopefully become future brand-loyal customers.

For interested dealers Husqvarna also offers a full range of clothing and performance accessories.

ACU Datatag offer

T

he ACU reminds us that as events are opening up around the country so does the open season for competition machinery theft. The ACU has an exclusive members’ offer in partnership with Datatag Id Ltd, of 20% off a range of Datatag security marking products. The theft problem is all the more relevant to bikes which aren’t road registered making them harder to reunite with their owners. You can get those bikes protected through the Datatag webshop using ACUMEMBER2021. Discount valid across all motorcycle and trailer systems on the Datatag webshop: www.datatag.shop.

36 JUNE 2021

KTM 2022 models available

A

s you would expect, the KTM 2022 SX range of motocross and supercross machinery has some shared technology with the company’s Husqvarna range. For the four-stroke SX-F range this includes the latest WP XACT suspension technology and advanced tech solutions including traction control, launch control and variable engine mapping. To illustrate its engineering prowess KTM’s 450 SX-F (above) is an extremely compact package that produces a stonking 63hp. The twostroke range of SX 125, 150 and 250 sticks with the tried and tested winning formula of this year’s models. The Range of Sport minicycles follows the Husqvarna junior models save for their KTM colours.

All full-size 2022 KTM SX models introduce a frame coated in racing orange to echo the championship winning machines of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team as does the the new blue seat cover and the fresh colours in the graphics.

Scottoiler for KTM SCOTTOILER IS NOW AN official supplier to KTM. The new Scottoiler KTM Chain Oiler Kit has been developed primarily for KTM’s range of new adventure bikes, with unique parts to simplify installation on selected models.

The development program started with the 1290 Super Adventure then went on to encompass the 790 and 890 Adventure, R and Rally as well as the 690 Enduro R and SMC R models. The kits are available

in normal or high-temperature options and are part of KTM’s Powerparts Accessories Range.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

ARE YOU READY TO RACE?

KTM DEALERS REQUIRED We’re looking to expand our KTM dealer network into some key territories in the UK to continue our success. We sold more new bikes in 2020 than 2019, increasing our market share in the process, and we can see potential for more growth. Sales increases will come, of course, from our extensive class leading ranges of motorcycles – but also by reaching more customers. That’s where you come in.

If you can dedicate 200m2 for a KTM showroom, sell the whole KTM range (including Street, Offroad and PG&A) and create a real destination dealership to attract KTM customers in your territory then we can offer you all the advantages that Europe’s largest manufacturer holds – starting with the most exciting motorcycles on the planet.

The following open points offer genuine and calculated opportunities of up to 300 units for dealers that share the same drive and ambition as KTM. Please contact mike.parker@ktm.com to discuss these opportunities further.

Open points: Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chester, Doncaster, Essex (South), Grimsby & Hull, Hertfordshire, Kent (South), Lancashire, Lincoln, Liverpool, London (North/East/Central), Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Somerset, Staffordshire, Wales (Mid), Wolverhampton.

Photo: Rob Gray (Polarity Photo)

Reaction

Reaction

Your thoughts and opinions on the trade’s top topics

Your thoughts and opinions on the topics that make the trade tick are welcomed: editorial@dealernews.co.uk BDN, 10 Daddon Court, Clovelly Road Industrial Estate, Bideford, EX39 3FH

Scooter sport sponsorship joy

W

ith scooter sport being so badly hit by the Covid restrictions, what a joy it was to sponsor and support Team Vespa in this year’s first six-hour scooter endurance race at Whilton Mill near Daventry back in April.

A Le Mans style sprint across the track got the event off to an exciting start with the winning team completing the most laps of a 1km circuit over the six hours.

Each team comprises three riders all doing maximum stints of up to 59 minutes each. There are classes for racers, clubs and novices.

It’s an exciting event, even for hardened racers. Pitstops and refuelling are great fun, with all the teams working hard to keep their riders on track and in the race.

Team Vespa’s team of three riders comprised Dave Delaney, Chris Lawrence and Dave Steele

who took a second in their class and a well deserved third place overall with 294 laps completed over the six hours.

It was a superb day out after the misery of Covid and I am looking forward to being part of the next event scheduled for Teesside, Middlesbrough in August or September.

Norrie Kerr, MD, VE (UK)

THE

BENCH

MARK FOR PERFORMANCE SILICONE HOSE

DEALER DISCOUNT HUGE STOCK LEVELS 24/7 LIVE INVENTORY WORLDWIDE SHIPPING FREE DELIVERY OPTIONS DROP SHIPPING AVAILABLE 38 JUNE 2021

DISTRIBUTED BY

SALES@RACEBIKEBITZ.COM

+44 (0) 1763 249807

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Reaction

Off the

CUFF A mixture of views and opinions this month, with dealers commenting on improved showroom footfall, stock replacement difficulties and problems staffing workshops TINKLERS MOTORCYCLES

“AN INFLUX OF DELIVEROO RIDERS HAS HAD A MASSIVE IMPACT ON OUR SALES”, SAYS GRANT NEWSTEAD at this solus Yamaha Premier dealership in Norwich. “We are now experiencing what London dealers have. The new customer has completely different, and much higher, expectations for their scooters because their job depends on it! They have to be mobile at all times, so we have adapted to this priority.”

BRIGHTON MOTO

THE NEW TRADING TITLE FOR WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY CD SCOOTERS, LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF Brighton, reflects the all-brand Piaggio status. It’s still under the same ownership team headed by Kevin Falconer who says, “Our major problem, like many others, is machine supply and the need for more trained experienced workshop staff. We still have a wide customer age base wanting scooters and have found that including accessories to clinch a sale makes more sense than discounting margin, especially when you struggle to replace the machine you have just sold!”

COGGERS MOTORCYCLE TRAINING

“DIRECT ACCESS TRAINING IS THE NUMBER ONE DEMAND ON OUR TIME,” SAYS JO DIXON, REFLECTING ON A busy period for this Cannock-based training school. “Most trainees are in the 25-40 age group,” she adds.

“Looking ahead to electric power, we have a new generation that walk across roads with phones jammed to their ear, so the subject of ‘loud exhausts save lives’ and accident awareness could be an issue!”

YORK SUZUKI

“WHERE HAVE ALL THE TRAINED BIKE MECHANICS GONE?” ASKS GARY BUTFIELD. “THE GOOD NEWS IS that our showroom traffic is serious and looking to buy. Most people do not want to use public transport and I think that feeling will continue. We have added the Fantic range now, and I still reckon the most important part of selling a bike is for the customer to sit on it in the showroom.”

SANDY BLOY MOTORCYCLES

BASED IN PERTH, TAYSIDE, STEVE MARSHALL RUNS A MOTORCYCLE SERVICE POPULAR WITH TOURING bikers, “We’ve not seen any for 12 months, but we expect that to change as they return. We still have our regular service for repairs for many loyal customers, but collection and delivery is now the norm.”

LEXHAM INSURANCE

“WE ARE EXPERIENCING A WIDE AGE DEMAND FOR COVER AND HAVE BEEN PROACTIVE IN THE ELECTRIC power sector with increasing sales,” says sales director Andy Goodson. “Particularly successful has been our motorcycle training insurance cover that we provide for many schools. Understanding and flexibility has been key in the last year and we’re pleased to see it’s now being rewarded.”

BRANSON MOTORCYCLES

“POSITIVE AND ROBUST ON SALES” SAYS PATRICK PAILLIN AT THIS MULTI-FRANCHISE DEALERSHIP IN Yeovil, Somerset. “Our training school is booked solid for 10 weeks, mostly with leisure and pleasure riders.” Replacing new stock has been a concern, he adds.

Give BDN your “Off the Cuff” thoughts.

They might just make a difference! e: editorial@dealernews.co.uk t: 01237 422660 e: john.featherstone1@hotmail.com t: 07541 998290

HIGH U BOLT/ CABLE/ DISC LOCK SECURITY FOR MOTORCYCLE & BIKE

Enhanced version of Mitas SPORT FORCE+

Each with anti-drilled cylinder & 2 level keys

FOR LIFE & SECURITY

40 th

Multi Compound Tread Technology (MCTT)

ANNIVERSARY

Road legal tyre for track days

CL-881

4 DIAL COMBINATION CHAIN LOCK

UB2230

DOUBLE LOCKING

DK008

DISC LOCK

ISO 9001:2000

STEEL

SINCE 1981

UB2200

DOUBLE LOCKING

No. 223 Dung Feng Rd. Tainan City, 70456 Taiwan

Fax: +886-6-2364155 MARK Tel: +886-6-2364150 ENTERPRISE LTD. e-mail: sales@steelmark.com.tw ; steelmrk@ms25.hinet.net http://www.steelmark.com.tw

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

mitas-moto.com

Mitas Moto

JUNE 2021 39

Business Beat

Business beat LEASE BREAKS: TOP TIPS AND TRAPS

with both contractual break conditions and any particular service provisions, is required for lease breaks to be effective.

TOP TIPS AND TRAPS FOR THE UNWARY

In times of economic uncertainty, many businesses look to rid themselves of surplus property to reduce rental liabilities. The pandemic, and the consequential surge in home- and flexible- working, has also demonstrated that many businesses can operate effectively with much less rented commercial space

40 JUNE 2021

O

nce a decision has been made to bring a commercial lease to an end, the failure to serve a valid break notice can have drastic consequences. The business may lose the opportunity to break the lease and may therefore remain liable and tied into the property with long-term, unwanted commitments.

And the point was well made in the leading case on the subject, Mannai Investment v Eagle Star in 1997. In the ruling, Lord Hoffmann famously said: “If the [termination] clause had said that the notice had to be on blue paper, it would have been no good serving a notice on pink paper, however clear it might have been that the tenant wanted to terminate.” In doing so he vividly explained that strict compliance,

As a result, very careful consideration must always be given to the exercise of any break. The starting point when serving a break notice must always be to examine the lease and the contractual provisions which set out the options; any conditions which must be complied with; and any particular requirements for service.

WHEN? The question of when a break notice can be served is very important, especially if the option is a one-off or ‘once and for all’ break (as opposed to a ‘rolling break’). There are then three dates to determine: the break date; the date by which notice must be served; and the date by which the notice must actually be issued. If any of these are calculated incorrectly then there is a real risk that the break notice will not be valid, and the lease will continue.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Cloud-based Dealer Management System

with Adam Bernstein www.abfeatures.com

Phone 020 8541 4131 Web deepbluesystems.com Email sales@deepbluesystems.com

HOW? It is essential to check whether the break clause contains a specific process for serving notice or whether the lease contains general ‘service of notices’ provisions elsewhere. Service must be made according to any contractually specified provision. For example, the lease may specify that service must be by fax or email at a particular address; by first class or registered post; on an agent as well as, or instead of, on the party; or even that notice must be written on pink paper!

WHO? As indicated earlier, it must be understood exactly who must give the notice and on whom the notice must be served. However, determining the correct party/ies is often more difficult than first imagined. In most cases the landlord and tenant are no longer the original contracting parties; the land or tenancy may be unregistered; the landlord/tenant may not be based in the UK; and/or the lease may specify that the notice must be served on an agent.

WHAT? CONDITIONAL BREAK OPTIONS Conditional break options should be approached with real caution. If the lease requires absolute compliance with one or more conditions, then failure to do so, no matter how trivial, will render the break ineffective.

For example, if a break option was conditional on making payment of all lease sums and just a penny remained outstanding at the break date or other prescribed time, that penny would make the whole break invalid.

The most common condition is the payment of all rent due as at the break date. On the face of it, that seems straightforward and fair enough. However, is rent defined within the lease and does it include service charge and/or insurance rent? If it does, can these be properly calculated or established? Does rent (and potentially other sums) simply need to have fallen due under the lease, or do sums have to have been demanded? If sums need to have been demanded, can the tenant guarantee that

Once a decision has been made to bring a commercial lease to an end, the failure to serve a valid break notice can have drastic consequences the landlord will have demanded sums in time for the tenant to make payment?

Another common condition is for a tenant to comply with its repairing obligations – that is, putting the property back in the state it was when the lease started. However, a landlord is generally under no obligation to confirm exactly what work it expects to be carried out, nor to provide any certainty prior to the break date that any works carried out are satisfactory to discharge the tenant’s obligations.

If conditions in a break option are not absolute, they are often drafted to say that the tenant must materially, substantially or reasonably comply with certain conditions.

This is to try and protect the tenant from rendering the break invalid through minor

and inconsequential breaches. The problem here is that each of these terms can have a slightly different meaning and no guarantees can be given to provide absolute certainty of compliance. In these circumstances a tenant may be well advised to undertake the fullest possible compliance. Apart from the risk of a break being ineffective, a party will always face the risk of a damages claim for breach of covenant either during or after the end of a lease in any event. The fullest possible compliance has the dual effect of mitigating those risks.

IN SUMMARY Even where a tenant is not exercising a break option which is reliant upon compliance with conditions regarding the physical state of the premises at lease end, misunderstandings or mistakes as regards dilapidations liability can prove costly. Specialist legal advice, as well as advice from specialist building and valuation surveyors, will generally be required and should form part of a tenant’s overall exit strategy on any commercial lease termination.

DAVID MANDA David Manda is a director in the Real Estate Litigation Team at law firm Walker Morris LLP. 

In tune with the industry, leading through innovation and expertise

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

JUNE 2021 41

Business Beat

DeepBlue CloudDMS

Marketing Matters

MARKETING

MATTERS

Expert adv ice to improve how you promote and sell you r products or services

DAN SAGER FOUNDED THE FAB-BIKER PR AGENCY IN 1996 AND HAS been advising businesses in the motorcycle industry on marketing matters ever since. Here he shares some of the most important lessons he’s learned during that time. fab-biker.co.uk

TOP TIPS FOR PERFORMANCE PR

In this final article in a series of three, covering the main aspects of marketing, advertising and public relations, we share six top tips for perfect public relations

M

anaging your reputation – a good reputation is hard-won and easily lost. Ask yourself which qualities characterise your business and what you’re doing to protect and promote them. Ginsters make their pasties in Cornwall, a fact they emphasise at every opportunity. Switching production to the midlands might make sense from a logistical perspective, because of its excellent transport links, but it would destroy the brand’s reputation as authentic regional fare. Keep doing what you do well and keep telling people about it – your reputation will take care of itself.

CORE VALUES Do you talk about them enough and are they reflected throughout your business? Don’t assume that everyone is aware of your values – even if they once knew, they might forget.

Innocent, for example, make healthy soft drinks to help make the world a ‘healthier place’. This outlook extends to a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030 and give 10% of profits to charity. Customers who share those values will feel a strong attachment to the brand and keep on buying.

GETTING YOUR STORY OUT THERE Before you start splashing the cash on advertising, pause to think whether you’ve taken advantage of all the free opportunities to spread the news. Consider starting with your staff, so they can tell your customers, and any one else who contacts them. Whether it’s a deal or something else newsworthy, are you promoting it in-store and on your website? Have you sent a newsletter to your customer database and posted on your social media channels? All are easy and effective ways to get your story out.

MAKING THE MOST OF SPONSORSHIP The bad news is that for every pound you spend on sponsorship, you need to spend

42 JUNE 2021

another pound telling people about it. The good news is that the additional pound doesnt have to be extra spend if you feature your sponsorship in your current advertising. Promotion via your customer newsletter, website and social media channels all has value, so use that to promote your sponsored sports person or team, being sure to also explain the connection to people.

Not only will this create a buzz, it also gives people a strong sense of attachment to your company, with a shared and altruistic purpose to the greater good If you’re running adverts for products, services or offers, be sure to include your supported athletes in it.

BEING CHARITABLE Apart from the obvious benefits to society that your donations will bring, charitable giving can create a feel-good factor around your business too. At the most basic level, simply promote your supported charity on your website and in your communications, to show people you care. However, to really light the blue touchpaper, offer your colleagues, customers and even your

community a chance to get involved with fund-raising. Not only will this create a buzz, it also gives people a strong sense of attachment to your company, with a shared and altruistic purpose to the greater good.

DON’T MAKE A CRISIS OUT OF A DRAMA It’s a fact of life and business that things will go wrong. Although we might not be able to predict what or when, there are some basic procedures you can put in place to help manage the situation before the drama unfolds. Whether the crisis is small or large, you need to ensure clear and consistent communications. Decide who will be responsible for talking to the media and who will inform staff/suppliers/ customers. Make sure everyone knows and avoids careless talk. Don’t be afraid to apologise if mistakes have been made, and say what you’ll do to put them right. Then take responsibility for making it happen. 

NEXT MONTH The good, the bad and the ugly in advertising campaigns

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

CO AL N L Q CO UE NDR ITI ON S. No matter the road, whatever the weather – Dunlop Mutant has your back. The world’s first crossover tyre boasts hypersport-level handling, the finest grip in wet conditions this side of racing wets, and some of the best touring durability in the Dunlop range. Mutant’s technology gives you the confidence to just ride and conquer all conditions.

dunlop.eu

GDE21013_Mutant ad_UK_210x146.5.indd 1

17/02/2021 16:18

Business Essentials

CATALYST

The Business Are more frequent tax payments in the pipeline?

A Constellation Software Company

0116 230 1500 | sales@catalyst-uk.com | www.catalyst-uk.com

The latest news and views in the world of business

A new HMRC consultation, “Call for evidence: timely payment”, is exploring whether income tax self-assessment and corporation tax payments could be made closer to real time.

Could this lead to tax paid on a quarterly, or even a monthly, basis? Emma Rawson, a technical officer at the Association of Taxation Technicians, thinks that it could

C

urrently, the self-employed have until 31 January following the end of the tax year to file their return and settle their income tax bill, with many also making payments on account, based on the previous year’s tax bill, in January and July. Smaller companies have nine months and one day to pay their corporation tax bill.

As Rawson outlines, “HMRC is concerned that this time lag between income arising and tax being due can make it difficult to budget for tax payments. This is a particular issue with the newly self-employed who can sometimes have up to 22 months from starting to trade before their first tax payment is due.”

She adds that HMRC believes that paying tax closer to the point at which income arises could help taxpayers “manage their cashflow, provider greater certainty and reduce the risk of receiving an unexpectedly high tax bill.”

44 JUNE 2021

There would, of course, also be benefits to the Exchequer – as well as bringing in tax revenues earlier, it could go some way towards reducing the amount of tax which remains unpaid; currently, income tax self-assessment

Currently, income tax self-assessment and corporation tax make up around 34% of all outstanding debts to HMRC and corporation tax make up around 34% of all outstanding debts to HMRC. As for the consultation, Rawson says that it explores the possibility of increasing the

frequency and accelerating the timing of tax payments for both income tax self-assessment and corporation tax. “HMRC,” she says, “is keen to stress that there are currently no formal proposals to make any changes, yet, and that this is very much an early-stage consultation to look at possible options and the issues that could arise.”

But it’s of note that the consultation is of interest to not just the self-employed and companies, but all taxpayers within income tax self-assessment for whatever reason.

THE OPTIONS BEING CONSIDERED HMRC already offers a Budget Payment Plan for income tax self-assessment taxpayers who are up to date with their tax payments and wish to make regular weekly or monthly payments towards their next tax bill.

However, Rawson reckons that it is also interested in going beyond this and is looking

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

at the possibility of bringing in more frequent tax payments across the board: “HMRC believes that, in order to be beneficial to businesses, tax payments should be frequent and based on an up-to-date view of the taxpayer’s current position. The preference therefore appears to be to move away from the current payment on account system for income tax to in-year estimates instead.”

The consultation proposes that this could result in the self-employed and companies calculating and paying tax on a quarterly, or even monthly basis.

THE IMPACT Any move to more timely tax payments would bring with it several challenges says Rawson. “One of the biggest arises from the fact that income tax and corporation tax are charged on a yearly basis, and therefore do not naturally lend themselves to more frequent calculation and payment.” She continues: “While VAT is generally paid quarterly, it is a transactional tax which operates and is calculated in a very different way. Similarly, while employees have had tax deducted in real time under PAYE for many years, the position is more complicated for businesses which often have expenses to consider, as well as tax and accounting adjustments.”

But another challenge could be more painful – that paying tax closer to real time could reduce the funds and working capital available to a business

with Adam Bernstein www.abfeatures.com

in-year and result in cash flow problems. It’s not uncommon for businesses to dip into any cash set aside to pay their taxes in order to smooth over periods where little income is coming in, or to meet an unexpected expense. As Rawson notes, “if those amounts were instead paid over to HMRC they would lose this flexibility. More frequent in-year tax payments could also lead to under- or

The consultation proposes that this could result in the self-employed and companies calculating and paying tax on a quarterly, or even monthly basis overpayments arising, for example where income fluctuates, or estimates have to be adjusted post year end.”

And then there’s the administrative burdens associated with requiring taxpayers to calculate their tax and make reports and payments to HMRC on a more regular basis.

On this, Rawson says that “HMRC thinks that the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax self-assessment from April 2023 could go some way to addressing these issues. Under MTD, the self-employed will have to keep digital records and submit quarterly returns of income and expenditure to HMRC using software.” Similar rules will be extended to corporation tax from April 2026.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The government has stressed that these proposals are still at an early stage – as Rawson says, “no decisions have yet been made on changing payment timings, and any such changes would be introduced gradually, and not within this Parliament. That said,” she continues, “HMRC is keen to work collaboratively with stakeholders in exploring the various options, and the consultation poses a number of questions to seek opinions from potentially affected taxpayers, representative bodies and trade associations.”

The consultation is open until 13 July, and responses, request for hard copies and general queries can be sent by email to timelypayment@hmrc.gov.uk. More details can be found on GOV.UK under Call for evidence: timely payment.

Those with any concerns should make their feelings known before they are left to cope with whatever system is implemented. 

In tune with the industry, leading All-in-one Business Management Soſtware through innovation and expertise for Motorcycle Dealers Complete Business Solution. Easy to Use 0116 230 1500 | sales@catalyst-uk.com | www.catalyst-uk.com www.britishdealernews.co.uk

CATALYST

A Constellation Software Company

JUNE 2021 45

Business Essentials

Essentials

Product news

Products The latest products for your showroom

Sponsored by:

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY

12 MONTHS PROMOTION FROM ONLY

£62

Get Listed Be Seen

KTech for Honda CRF 6 KTECH HAS A NEW SUSPENSION KIT FOR HONDA’S POPULAR CRF300L DUALSPORT machine.The 20IDS XC (20mm Independent Damping System) front fork cartridges are a complete replacement damping system designed to fit into the OE forks that do not allow for external compression adjustment. They have 30 clicks of independent compression and rebound damping adjustment and 18mm of spring preload. RRP is £594.

For the rear there is the three-way adjustable, Nitorgen-filled Razor-R Lite rear shock which has rebound damping adjustment, length adjustment and spring preload adjustment. RRP is £475.

Neither forks nor shock come with springs, which can be purchased separately to suit application.

K-Tech Suspension; 01283 559000; enquiries@ktechsuspension.com

A NEW TOP-OF-THE-RANGE FLIP-FRONT HELMET, the X-1005 from X-Lite uses a “carbon-rich” tricomposite weave for the shell, which comes in three sizes for minimum bulk and weight. The helmet is dual homologated so can be worn in both the fully open or fully closed positions when riding. It has an ultra-wide visor to improve visibility, plus a drop-down sunvisor with an automatic retraction system. The interior has a carbon-weave comfort padding liner with LPC (Liner Positioning Control) system and is ready to take the latest N-Com communication system. It comes in a range of seven colourways in sizes 54-65cm with SRPs starting from £399.

Motogear; 01536 485484; sales@motogear.co.uk

Montreal gloves OXFORD PRODUCTS HAS UPDATED its Montreal 4.0 gloves with a new Dry2Dry waterproof membrane for improved wet-weather performance.

The adventure-spec Montreal is Oxford’s best-selling glove, and features TPU knuckle protection and a drum-dyed goatskin palm. Other minor updates to the design include a new integrated visor wipe, a webbing security strap, a quick-release cuff tensioner and some new colour options – black, black/grey/ fluo or black/grey/red. The spec may be new, but the price is the same as the old model at £49.99 SRP. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

Hevik Harbour 4

Touratech seat 6 RIDERS OF YAMAHA’S RUGGED TENERE 700 MAY LIKE TO DISPLAY their hardcore credentials, but they also like their creature comforts, so Touratech has developed a comfort seat option to make long-distance rides more bearable. The new seat is wider than standard in the sitting area but tapers at the front to better allow feet to reach the ground. The seat’s core is made of anatomically shaped foam to ensure even weight distribution and the textured cover material is waterproof and has a Fresh Touch surface coating, which is said to reduce surface temperature by up to 10oC. Touratech’s seat comes in three height options – Low, Standard and High – with 2cm difference between each. SRP is £485.

Touratech UK; 02080 899692; support@touratech-uk.co.uk

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY Call 01237 422660 or emailadsales@dealernews.co.uk 46 JUNE 2021

X-Lite X-1005

A CARGO-STYLE TROUSER aimed at the cafe racer and retro naked fraternity, the new Hevik Harbour is made from cotton denim with a Kevlar-reinforced lining at the knee and hip areas.

Certified AA, the Harbour features slimfit legs and capacious pleated pockets for a classic cargo look. Height-adjustable armour is fitted at both knees and hips. The trousers come in a choice of khaki green or black in sizes 46 to 58 for an SRP of €179.90.

Givi UK; 01327 706220; info@givi.co.uk

Mosfet Reg Rec MOTO-ELECTRICAL HAS A NEW Mosfet by-pass regulator rectifier suitable for most three phase charging systems. Rather than plugging into the loom, the leads fit direct to the battery, removing any faults there may be with the loom.

The regulator rectifier is supplied with a replacement block to fit to the stator side of the loom so that it can plug straight into the new regulator rectifier. SRP is £123.

Moto-Electrical; 01953 603420; sales@motoelectrical.co.uk

Get Listed Be Seen

Sponsored by:

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Sponsored by:

Product news

ALPINESTARS HAS LAUNCHED A NEW COLLECTION capitalising on its relationship with recently-returned MotoGP racer Marc Marquez. This is the third collection based around the Spaniard’s trademark red, black and grey colours and it includes MM93 version of the Hondo and Austin waterproof jackets; Twin Ring, Hondo and Losail gloves; CR-X Drystar and Austin riding shoes and the Jerez backpack.

Alpinestars; 0039 0423 5286; sales@alpinestars.com

TCX Ikasu

Sponsored by:

Weise Scout 5 THE WEISE SCOUT IS A TEXTILE jacket designed for balmy summer days. It has mesh panels at the front, rear and on each arm to deliver maximum airflow to the rider. It’s also built to take the knocks, having been AA CE-rated, thanks in part to the CE-approved shoulder, elbow and back armour fitted.

Two external and two internal pockets provide plenty of places for essential items, and reflective elements feature throughout.

The Scout comes in black, olive or stone, in sizes S-5XL, at £129.99 SRP. Matching black Scout mesh jeans are £129.99 SRP. The Key Collection; 01179 719200; sales@thekeycollection.co.uk

FINAL

G et L G B is e S ted B L et i G ste e e e e t nG S d Li ee ste n et d

SNEAKER-STYLE MOTORCYCLE BOOTS ARE THE HOT TICKET FOR footwear this year, and TCX has jumped on board with both feet with another addition to its range. The latest casual ankle boot is the Ikasu, which comes in a waterproof WP version and a ventilated Air version to cover most climatic conditions. Both are CE level-1 rated, with reinforced toe and heel and D3O inserts protecting the ankle bones. The WP has a suede and mesh fabric upper with a T-Dry waterproof membrane inside, while the Air is made using breathable fabric and microfibre for the uppers and a mesh lining for added breathability. An Ortholite cushioned footbed completes the spec for both models.

The WP is available in black in men’s sizes 38-48 or women’s size 35-42, with a narrower form and a raised heel, for an SRP of £159.99. The Air version comes in black/grey for an SRP of £129.99, but only in sizes 38-48.

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

Get Listed Be Seen

Alpinestars MM93 Collection 5

THE NEW SH47 IS THE LARGEST TOP BOX IN Shad’s top box range, capacious enough to comfortably swallow carry two full face helmets as, despite its name, it actually has a volume of 48 litres, with the maximum load rated as 6kg.

The aerodynamically designed case is impact resistant and waterproof with integrated reflectors, which can be either red or clear, and Shad’s smart lock system. It also comes with a carbon cover.

The SH47 comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and an SRP of £169.99.

Pure Moto; 03330 069540; hello@puremoto.co.uk

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY

Shad SH47

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY

CALL Get Listed Be Seen

BOOK NOW 01237 422660

Call 01237 422660 or emailadsales@dealernews.co.uk

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

JUNE 2021 47

Product news Caliper Rebuild Kit NEW FROM TRK COME REBUILD KITS FOR TRIUMPH FOUR-POT calipers. The kits contain everything for a full refurbishment – stainless steel pistons, wiper seals, dust seals, caliper joint seals, stainless steel bleed nipples, bleed nipple covers, copper washers and a sachet of red rubber grease. Suitable for a wide range of Hinkley machinery, including the Daytona 750, 955i, T595 and 1200; Sprint 900; Speed Triple 900 and 955; Trophy 900 and 1200; Sprint RS and ST 955i; Thunderbird 1600 and the Rocket III, the kits come with a lifetime guarantee for an SRP of £138.

WMD; 01273 595746; info@wmd-online.com

RST Ventilator-X 4 A LIGHTWEIGHT TEXTILE SPORTS TOURING jacket and jeans outfit, the RST Ventilator-X has been redesigned for 2021 to offer improved ventilation. It is constructed from hardwearing MaxTex with Ballistic textile overlaid in key impact area, and large K300 mesh panels to provide the airflow. Inside is an innovative X-Liner – a lightweight lining which combines a quilted thermal liner and a SinAqua waterproof membrane into one. The Ventilator-X is available in black or silver/black at £179.99 for the jacket and £129.99 for the pants.

MotoDirect; 01773 864420; sales@moto-direct.com

Givi 50.6 Sport Deep GIVI HAS UPDATED ITS 2020-LAUNCHE 50.6 helmet with some new features to make what it says is its “sportiest helmet to date”. The slightly-awkwardly named 50.6 Sport Deep is based on the 50.6 but adds in a brushed metal effect to the two-colour graphics, along with a mirror-effect visor and a metallic micrometric buckle. Otherwise, the standard model’s aerodynamic technopolymer shell (in two sizes), dropdown sun visor and washable liner continue on to the new model. The 50.6 Sport Deep comes in six graphic options, in sizes XS-XXL, for an SRP of £149.90.

Givi UK; 01327 706220; info@givi.co.uk

Sinnis Hoodlum 125 THE SINNIS HOODLUM CRUISER HAS BEEN UPDATED FOR 2021 TO Euro 5 spec. While this change has knocked the power of the 125cc single back to 9.8hp from last year’s 11.2hp, torque has actually improved fractionally to 9Nm. The rest of the Hoodlum remains broadly similar to the previous model, with a five-speed gearbox and front and rear linked disc brakes. It comes in a choice of matt black or metallic grey for £2299 plus OTR. Sinnis; 01273 506306; sales@sinnis.co.uk

Ducati exhausts from Mivv 4 MIVV HAS INTRODUCED SOME NEW EXHAUST options for Ducati’s superbike models.

For the Panigale V4 there are two complete racing exhaust options with titanium pipes. The first has a double under-tail outlet, the second is a low-level side outlet. Both use the MK3 silencer with a carbon fibre body, and neither is legal for road use. Mivv claims an extra 12hp for the high system along with a 2.8kg weight saving, whereas the low exit system adds 4hp and weighs 4.8kg less than OE. For the Panigale V2 there is a Euro 4 and Euro 5-approved exhaust which uses the Delta Race silencer and comes with a Mivv catalyst. The silencer can have twill carbon or brushed stainless finishes with a carbon end cap. The system uses a special EXUP valve which helps to improve performance by 8.3hp, while weight drops by 5.1kg over the OE system. For track use there is a full stainless steel system with twin underseat X-M1 titanium silencers which adds 1.4hp and saves 3.6kg in weight.

UK prices are yet to be confirmed.

Moto GB Distribution; 01706 212102; mivvgb@gmail.com

HJC V30 THERE’S A NEW MATT BLACK VERSION OF HJC’S OPEN face V30 helmet for the 2021 season. Made with a lightweight polycarbonate shell, the V30 has an integrated sun visor and a removable, washable and moisture-wicking interior. The leather and suede interior has been designed with built-in grooves to accept glasses or sunglasses. SRP is £149.99.

Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY Call 01237 422660 or emailadsales@dealernews.co.uk 48 JUNE 2021

Get Listed Be Seen

Sponsored by:

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

01900 873456 www.wulfsport.com BRITAINS TOP SELLING OFF-ROAD RACEWEAR BRAND, OVER 40 YEARS STANDING STRONG VENTUNO SHIRTS/PANTS

KIDS SHIRTS

KIDS PANTS

£12.49

£32.95

ADULT SHIRTS ADULT PANTS

£15.45

£35.95

ZIPPED JACKET

ADULT

E V I S S MA KS

£12.95

C STO MORE

& ING A R R IV DAI LY

VENTUNO JACKET

ALSO AVAILABLE IN BLACK

ADULT

£34.95

WATERPROOFS

KIDS

£18.95

ADULT

£21.45

CUB BOOTS LA

KIDS SIZES 27-39

ADULT

ECE R 22.05 APPROVED

ACU APPROVED

£30.45

£33.95

£36.95

£41.95

IMPACT TRIALS HELMET

ECE R 22.05 APPROVED

NEW

VISTA TRIALS HELMET

ADULT

£59.95

OFF-ROAD PRO HELMET

KIDS

FIBREGLASS SHELL

ECE R 22.05 APPROVED INCLUDES DROP DOWN VISOR

PRIMA-X HELMET ADULT

£41.95

WULFSPORT RACE ADULT SERIES HELMET ECE R 22.05 & ACU £50.95

ECE 22.05 APPROVED

GOLD APPROVED

MUD HL TRIALS BOOTS TRACKSTAR MAX KIDS STOMPERS BOOTS ORCA RACING ADULT KIDS BOOTS KIDS SIZES 39-48 KIDS | SIZES 27-39 BOOTS ADULT | SIZES 39-48 SIZES 27-39 SIZES 22-38 CUB TRIALS BOOTS

£70.95

ALSO AVAILABLE IN BLACK

ADULT | SIZES 39-48

£60.95

£99.95

ALSO AVAILABLE IN BROWN

ALSO AVAILABLE IN WHITE

wulfstores2@yahoo.co.uk � stores@wulfsport.com

01900 873456 www.wulfsport.com

£60.95 £48.95 £13.95

PRICES REMAIN COMPETITIVE FOR 2021 NEW DEALERS WELCOME NO MINIMUM ORDER QUANTITY REQUIRED NEXT DAY DELIVERY IN MOST CASES HUGE STOCKS KEPT AT UK WAREHOUSE

Product news Classic exhausts EXHAUST MANUFACTURER DR. JEKILL & MR. Hyde has created a new electronically adjustable exhaust system for three of Triumph’s “modern classic” models: the Bonneville Bobber, the Bonneville Speedmaster and the Speed Twin.

The system is a fully street legal exhaust that, at the press of a dash-mounted button, can be switched between Dr. Jekill mode (quiet and

burbly), Mr. Hyde mode (loud and rumbly) and Dynamic mode (somewhere in between) with the smart software ensuring it is road legal in all modes.

The exhaust comes as a slip-on for all three models and is available in black and brushed stainless finishes. The systems for the Bobber and Speedmaster have a slash-cut end cap and

the Speed Twin comes with a streetfighter-style end cap in black or aluminium.

Prices for the system depend on configuration but start at £1649 SRP, and the system comes with a standard warranty of four years.

Dr Jekill & Mr Hyde; +31 (0)77 3081070; sales@jekillandhyde.de

Kappa luggage

LS2 Valiant II 5 LS2’S FLIP-FRONT VALIANT II HAS BEEN REFRESHED WITH THREE NEW colour schemes for the new season: Hub, Citius and the space-inspired Stelar. The Valiant II has a kinetic polymer shell with a 180o swing-round chin bar and is certified for road use in both full-face and fully-open positions. A mechanism automatically opens the visor when the chin bar is lifted. The lid is ready to take LS2’s LRP3 Bluetooth comms system, comes in sizes XS-XXL and has an SRP of £249.99 for solid colours or £269.99 for graphic options.

LS2 Helmets UK; 01670 856342; ukservice@ls2helmets.com

Muc-Off cleaning A BRACE OF NEW LAUNCHES BY MUC-OFF TO HELP clean and maintain motorbikes. First up are Deep Scrubber gloves. A tough silicon glove with moulded-in bristles covering the palm and fingers to make cleaning tight and hard-to-reach areas easier. They can be cleaned off in hot water, or even chucked in the dishwasher. Available in small, medium or larger sizes, at an SRP of £7.99.

New High-Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser does exactly as its name suggests. The heavy-duty formula blasts away grease and grime from engine casings, bearings and sprockets and dries without leaving a residue, so doesn’t need to be rinsed off. It comes as a 750ml aerosol spray for an SRP of £14.99.

Muc-Off; 01202 307799; sales@muc-off.com

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY Call 01237 422660 or emailadsales@dealernews.co.uk 50 JUNE 2021

KAPPA HAS A NEW RANGE OF BAGS TO ALLOW THE easy carrying of bits ’n bobs while touring or commuting.

The AH204 Small Leg Bag is made from 600D polyester with a PVC coating. It straps to the thigh for convenient access, and has a separate front pocket and a inner mobile phone pocket. SRP is £20.92.

The AH205 is small tank bag which can hold up to 7 litres of stuff in the main compartment and transparent smartphone pocket. It has a handle for carrying, as well as a shoulder strap, and it fits to the tank with straps, although magnets are available to use with metal tanks. SRP is £48.21. Or as an alternative, the RA309R2 is similar in capacity but fits to a model-specific flange on the tank for £89.99.

The AH206 fits to the handlebars and can accommodate a phone up to 6.5in across. It comes with a shoulder strap for off-bike use and has an SRP of £32.99.

The AH207 side bags can hold 17 litres as standard, or they can be unzipped to expand to hold 30 litres when required. They’re made from tough 600D polyester, with a fireproof material bottom area for peace of mind, and come with rain cover. SRP is £99.29.

Neo Distribution; 01778 349333; sales@putoline.co.uk

Sealey cleaners 4 THEY MAY LOOK LIKE INDUSTRIAL DEEP fat fryers, but the new SCT03 and SCT27 Ultrasonic Cleaning Tanks are designed to microscopically clean pretty much anything that will fit in them. The two models differ in terms of capacity – 3 litres or 27 litres – but otherwise share specification. They are made from stainless steel for durability and are fitted with a 0-80oC temperature control, a 1-99 minutes timer and an LED display and memory function. Both models are currently on offer, so the small model is £189.95+VAT and the larger is £739.95+VAT. Jack Sealey; 01284 757500; sales@sealey.co.uk

Get Listed Be Seen

Sponsored by:

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Product news

Arai Quantic Offering high speed, long-haul comfort, the launch of Arai’s new Quantic is big news for touring and regular riders ARAI IS RIGHTLY PROUD OF ITS NEW FOR 2021 QUANTIC helmet. Sitting between the popular Profile-V and the range topping RX-7V, it aims to satisfy the enthusiastic, sports-touring, long distance rider by bringing together qualities and design elements found across the Arai range as well as adding a few fresh features of its own. The aim was to create a full featured, luxurious helmet with extremely high performance and the Quantic ticks all the boxes.

Manufactured by hand, the Quantic

boasts a new 3D Arai logo duct, air scoop chin vent, F1 based dual rear ducts and an RX-7V Racing-derived one-piece rear exhaust spoiler guaranteed to get Arai fans’ juices flowing. It also continues the brand’s desire to attract and engage with new customers by encouraging riders to try the traditionally snug fitting brand with the addition of a 5mm flare around the base to provide easier access on and off.

Additional features such as a removable washable interior, speaker pockets and the Arai Emergency Release System, make this new addition to the Arai range a top end contender for bikers looking for a purchase that combines style and comfort but with the no-compromise safety attributes that Arai has always been renowned for.

To underline the no compromise approach to safety, the Quantic is Arai’s first officially ECE R22.06 certified model. Arai believes it has reached a new milestone by making its latest helmet comply with the new more stringent requirements while staying true to its rounder, smoother, stronger outer shell

which is at the heart of Arai’s “glancing off” philosophy. Arai helmets are designed to reduce the force absorbed by the helmet in an impact by deflecting some of that energy through glancing off.

Available in sizes XS-L, (with XL coming along later) and a range of designs including matt and fluoro colourways and with a price point of £499.99 SRP for solid colours and £599.99 SRP for graphics the new Arai Quantic is sure to make the right sort of impact in dealer showrooms.

MotoDirect; 01773 864420; sales@moto-direct.com

Rayvan gloves 6 RAYVAN IS GETTING A GRIP ON THE NEW BIKING SEASON with a trio of new glove designs.

The City is a CE-approved glove made of soft-shell stretch polyester with a plastic knuckle guard and a reinforced Amara palm with dual-density padding. A neoprene insert on the cuff allows a snug fit, and fastening is by a Velcro wriststrap. A silicon print on the palm provides extra grip and control, and the index finger has a conductive tip to allow touchscreen use. Available in black in sizes S-3XL for an SRP of £24.99.

The Denver is a short-cuff, CE-approved sports style glove made of soft-shell polyester with leather inserts placed in high-impact areas.

The knuckles are protected by a rigid plastic guard and there’s a plastic slider on the perforated Amara palm. The index finger is tipped for touchscreen use. The Denver comes in sizes S-3XL in black for an SRP of £29.99.

The Vintage is, surprise surprise!, a retro-style leather glove which features perforated fingers and a reinforced leather palm. Like the other new releases it is CE-approved, with a leather covered hard knuckle providing the required protection. Fastening is by a zipped wrist enclosure with Velcro and press stud-fastened strap. The lining is nylon, and the index finger is touchscreen compatible. Available in black, brown or tan in sizes S-3XL for an SRP of £32.50.

Midwest Marketing; 01527 574422; infor@rayvan.co.uk

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY Call 01237 422660 or emailadsales@dealernews.co.uk www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Tucano Spencer jacket THE NEW SPENCER JACKET FROM TUCANO URBANO IS DESCRIBED BY the Italian manufacturer as a classic and simple design, but it has the features, protection and materials to make it suitable for spring and summer riding. The Spencer is class A CE approved for protection against abrasion and impact and has soft shoulder and elbow armour included as standard, as well as a pocket for a back protector. The outer shell is made from a mixed nylon/cotton Ripstop material which is water-resistant and has a wax effect. There are quilted padded inserts on the shoulders and elbows, plus side and chest pockets and fit adjusters on the cuffs, collar and waist. Inside, the jacket has a mesh lining for added breathability.

With a nod to a possible Covid-inspired future, the Spencer has a small pocket inside of the collar that holds an included microfibre face mask, as well as a hook for attaching a Tucano Urbano RINA face mask.

Available in blue, in sizes S-4XL, at an SRP of £159.99.

Tucano Urbano; 07799 626635; info@tucanourbano.com

Get Listed Be Seen

Sponsored by:

JUNE 2021 51

Product news

SHORT CUTS DUNLOP

DUNLOP’S SCOOTSMART tyres are now available in a range of new sizes, allowing fitment to a further 50 models of scooter from 14 brands.

The eight new sizes allow fitment to mainstream scooters such as the Yamaha Tricity 125, Honda PCX and Piaggio Medley as well as more niche brands such as Gogoro, Niu and Quadro.

DUNLOP;

HM QUICKSHIFTER

KENT-BASED HM HAS UPGRADED THE PRO version of its Stand Alone Blipper Shifter kit for 2021 with a a pit lane speed limiter and launch control. This upgrade will also be a software upgrade to previous models of the Pro kit using a laptop. More upgrades in the pipeline include anti-wheelie and engine brake control. The Pro kit is priced at £600+VAT or the Lite version is £500+VAT. HM QUICKSHIFTER; 01795 429168

TCX

THERE’S A NEW colour for the new season for TCX’s RTRace Pro Air boots.

The black/grey/ red livery for the brand’s flagship boot is said to be modern and eye-catching. They come in a sizes 38-49 for an SRP of £299.99.

NEVIS MARKETING; 01425 478936

R&G

THE ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR AND Continental are the latest machines to be given the R&G treatment, with the Hampshire-based crash protection specialist launching all-new adventure bars for both bikes. The bars protect the core components of the machine from damage and are made from thick powder-coated steel tubing. SRP is £139.99.

R&G; 01420 89007

Evotech for Aprilia RS660 5 APRILIA’S LATEST MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTS BIKE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE Evotech Performance treatment, with an new line of nine accessories.

A tail tidy is CNC machined from aluminium and comes with a composite cover to stop debris. SRP is £175. The radiator guard and header guard are also aluminium with a hexagonal matrix pattern to allow maximum airflow while preventing stones and debris hitting the radiator, headers or engine cases. They are powder coated in black and are £74.50 for the set.

The crash protectors were designed using 3D scans of the Aprilia to ensure a good fit and so that they can be fitted without any modifications to the bike. SRP is £189.98. The brake lever protector kit prevents accidental application of the front brake and is often a requirement for track days and racing. It is CNC-machined from billet aluminium and stainless steel and features airflow holes. SRP is £100.

The front and rear wheel spindle bobbins are made from high density nylon and aluminium. SRP is £35.99 per front or rear pair. Paddock stand bobbins (£25.99 SRP), stainless steel bar end weights (£40 SRP) and a pillion footrest blanking plate (£31.49 SRP) finish off the range.

Evotech; 01652 680060; www.evotech-performance.com

Xeramic cleaner XERAMIC MOTO INJECTOR CLEANER IS a new fuel additive which, as it name suggests, cleans and protects motorcycle fuel injectors. The manufacturer recommends application every 5000km (about 3000 miles) and is suitable for all petrol-powered bikes. It comes in a 125ml bottle which treats up to 25 litres tank capacity for an SRP of £5.99.

Motomondo; 01429 650555; andrew.davidson@motomondo.com

RST TracTech Evo 4 THE NEWEST ADDITION TO the TracTech Evo 4 Range is a ladies’ one piece suit. The TracTech Evo 4 is a high performance leather suit cut for comfort and suitable for road or track use. It is CE certified to AAA-level, with CE-certified armour at the knees, shoulders and elbows.

To ensure that the shaping is suitable for ladies, the suit has been redesigned from the ground up to offer the best fit. It is available in black/ white, black/grey/blue or black/pink/grey at an SRP of £499.99.

MotoDirect; 01773 864420; sales@moto-direct.com

2021 TRADE DIRECTORY Call 01237 422660 or emailadsales@dealernews.co.uk 52 JUNE 2021

Shark EVO-GT THE LATEST ADDITION TO Shark’s dual-homologated modular EVO range, the EVO-GT is the “Grand Touring” model of the range. It can be ridden in the fullyopen or full-face closed positions, with Shark’s auto-up/auto-down system making it possible to raise the visor with the chin guard, and the new V-TECH system allowing one-handed chin guard locking.

The EVO-GT is also equipped with the new Safe Lock system which ensures that the chin guard stays locked even on impact.

The thermoplastic shell comes in two sizes and has been designed to reduce drag, turbulence and internal noise. Triple inlet and twin exhaust vents provide ventilation while the Microtech fabric liner is made from recycled fibres, and is antibacterial and odour resistant.

To improve fit additional cheek pads are provided. The EVO-GT comes in 11 colour options, with SRPs starting from £369.99.

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

Polini cylinder kit ITALIAN SCOOTER TUNING HOUSE Polini has a new 135cc aluminium cylinder kit to fit Vespa V90, V100, PK100, PK125 models plus 125 Primavera models from 1966-1978. The kit uses a new design head and is compatible with standard induction systems. SRP is £297.36.

VE (UK); 0115 946 2991; sales@ve-trade.com

Titanium sprocket nuts 4 R&G HAS JUST UNVEILED A NEW RANGE of sprocket nuts made from grade five titanium. Available in Titanium and Black Titanium finishes, the nuts are made from grade 5 – 6AL-4V – 1068 MPA titanium and come in bike-specific five or six-piece fitments.

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

Get Listed Be Seen

Sponsored by:

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

adsales@dealernews.co.uk

ACCESSORIES

GEAR EMBED, ANGLE COULD BE FINE-TUNED P1 X-E

P1 X-E

7M

53 -H O PR

7M

53 -H O PR

Throttle Cams

MX MOTOCROSS LOCK-ON GRIPS

NEW

PROPALM INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

propalm.propalm@msa.hinet.net www.propalm.com.tw

AUCTIONS NEW SERVICE

The Fleet Auction Group Professional Vehicle Auctions For Professional Vehicle Buyers

STRICTLY

TRADE ONLY

Motorcycle Auctions Every 3rd Thursday of every month @11.00am To enter a bike or open a buying account please call 01530 833535

NEW SERVICE

LOOKING TO SELL UP OR RETIRE? British Dealer News has launched a new service in response to requests from dealers for a dedicated slot to advertise businesses for sale.

Call Alison on 01237 422660 or adsales@dealernews.co.uk

For more info visit

fleetauctiongroup.com

BATTERIES / CHARGERS

COLLECTION / DELIVERY

NEED A HAND? www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Advert designs

from as little as £25 t: 01237 422660

Looking to grow your distance sales?

You Book Online, Tracked Delivery Service Automated Status Texts & Emails Before & After Photos, Handovers service available We communicate with your customers!!

Tel: 07772024763 movemotorcycles.co.uk quotes@movemotorcycles.co.uk

DAILY | WEEKLY | MONTHLY | YEARLY

DESIGN / IT / WEB eBay Cars & Motors Dealership Solutions Dealership Parts & Accessories Systems Custom, Bespoke Web & E-commerce Promote Distance Selling www.anywebsites.co.uk Social Media Marketing

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

JUNE 2021 53

Classifieds

TRADE CLASSIFIEDS £65 From as little as

Classifieds

DESIGN / IT / WEB

New heights in dealer management software

DeepBlue

DeepBlue CloudDMS Cloud-based Dealer Management System for motorcycle dealerships Sales invoicing Stock control

Workshop scheduling Automated invoice email

Automated MOT reminders

PDF Printing

Purchase order management Contact management Double entry accounting

SMS Texting Point of sale

Number plate and postcode lookups

For an onsite or online demo call: 020 8541 4131 First month FREE at: deepbluesystems.com

HARD PARTS AND SPARES www.electrexworld.co.uk Rotors

THE IGNITION

HT coils

Stator kits

REPAIR SPECIALIST

Generators

Pick-up coils

Starter motors

Ignition & lighting stators

Regulator/rectifiers

Stator Kits for Road & Race

Ignition & lighting coils

t: 44(0)1491 682369 f: 44(0)1491 682286 info@electrexworld.co.uk +

+

over

6,000 SUBSCRIBERS

Showcase your latest products in our Product Focus, and put them in front of the dealers, buyers and distributors that matter.

Unit 6 & 7 Kingstons Farm, Matching Green, Harlow, Essex, CM17 0RB

Professional Bolts & Nuts Manufacturer We promise your samples and designs are professionally made.

Applicable to the following models.

CHENG YI XING ENTERPRISE LTD.

Call 01237 422660 to showcase your product! www.britishdealernews.co.uk

• Ignition and generator stator repairs for Road, Off-Road & Quads • Rewound to heavier duty Tel: 01279 731 172 • Regulators supplied Fast, Friendly service www.westcountrywindings.co.uk

DAILY | WEEKLY | MONTHLY | YEARLY

Contact Person: Peter Chou +886-919813711 E-mail: cyx980520@gmail.com Made in Taiwan

TEL: 016973 43240 FAX: 016973 43245

54 JUNE 2021

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Classifieds

HARD PARTS AND SPARES

OFF-ROAD Bespoke Emailers over

6,000 SUBSCRIB

ERS

Initatur? Osam, qui berenecus sam, eris everferro dendele. atem ipictium rehenim porporum fuga.

T. 01202 667323 T. 01202 667323 E. mito@btconnect.com E. mito@btconnect.com www.mito.uk.com www.mito.uk.com

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

DAILY | WEEKLY | MONTHLY | YEARLY

ACERBIS U.K. Ltd - TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 ACERBIS U.K. Ltd - TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd TEL 0044 (0)(0) 1582 491076 ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K.U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL Ltd TEL 0044 - TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ACERBIS U.K. Ltd --- TEL 0044 (0)(0) 1582 491076 ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL (0) 0044 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it --0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0)1582 1582 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it -Ltd -0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it --0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it -Ltd www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk -0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd TEL TEL TEL (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd -- TEL 0044 (0)(0) 1582 491076 ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL (0) 0044 (0) 1582 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it -Ltd -0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it ---0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL Ltd -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 - TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ACERBIS U.K. Ltd TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K.U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd TEL Ltd TEL 0044 TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it -Ltd -0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it --0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd -- TEL --www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL --www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ACERBIS U.K. Ltd TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it --Ltd -0044 --BRINGING www.acerbisb2b.co.uk YOU THE WIDEST RANGE OF ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd TEL TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd -- TEL Ltd --www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 0044 (0) (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it --0044 HIGH QUALITY SECURITY SYSTEMS AND ACERBIS U.K. Ltd --www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0)(0) 1582 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it --Ltd --0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk --ACCESSORIES www.acerbisb2b.co.uk FOR MOTORCYCLES. ukinfo@acerbis.it -- www.acerbisb2b.co.uk Supplying motorcycle and scooter ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it -Ltd -CONTACT www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd --www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 US TODAY: ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. Ltd Ltd - TEL TEL 0044 -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 security forU.K. over 30U.K. years ukinfo@acerbis.it -- www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076 CALL: 01615 431 129 ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K.U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL Ltd - TEL 0044 - TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 EMAIL: DEALER@DATATOOL.COM ukinfo@acerbis.it --0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it -Ltd -VISIT: www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS U.K. Ltd --www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0)(0) 1582 491076 WWW.DATATOOL.CO.UK ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K. U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it -Ltd -0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it --0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K.U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL -www.acerbisb2b.co.uk TEL (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076

SECURITY

ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk

SUSPENSION

MEGA-3 ENTERPRISE INC.

HIGH POLISH AND CHROME PLATING

ACERBIS U.K. Ltd - TEL 0044 (0) 1582 491076

ACERBIS ACERBIS ACERBIS U.K.U.K. Ltd U.K. Ltd - TEL Ltd - TEL - TEL 0044 (0) 0044 (0) 1582 (0) 1582 491076 1582 491076 491076 ukinfo@acerbis.it -0044 www.acerbisb2b.co.uk ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it ukinfo@acerbis.it - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk - www.acerbisb2b.co.uk

Material: Aluminum, Zinc, Brass, Steel.

Parts Made by CNC, Forging, Casting, Stamping.

“We specialize in chrome plating and polishing’’

No.48-7,Wayao Rd., Dali Dist., Taichung City 412, Taiwan , Tel: +886-4-24066893 , gracew@mega3.com.tw

Mono Shocks

• Billet machined mounts • 18mm piston rod • Made In England

NT KS

FOR

£325.00

NG

WORKSHOP

PRI

inc. Vat

www.hagon-shocks.co.uk Tel: 020 8502 6222

Made in Taiwan

VALVE SPRINGS FRO

• Built to suit your rider weight & riding style • 2 year guarantee • Fully re-buildable • Stainless 304L damper body

CLUTCH LINING

CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CVT CENTER SPRING

KINETICA TECHNOLOGY LTD. Tel: +886-6-5933857 Fax: +886-6-5938606 Kinetica586@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED LINEAGE FOR SALE:

Savvybiker.co.uk Domain name.

Plus savvybiker.com, savvybikers.co.uk, savvybikers.com, thesavvybiker.co.uk, thesavvybiker.com, savvycyclist.co.uk, savvycyclist.org, savvycyclist.uk, savvycyclist.net O.I.R.O £5000 for all 10.

Email: wood1867@hotmail.co.uk Mob: 07517 804354

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

JUNE 2021 55

On the Money

On the Money Market analysis with financial editor Roger Willis

A

t one point in seminal WW2 caper movie Kelly’s Heroes, the hippy tank commandant character Oddball, played by Donald Sutherland, excused his broken-down M4 Sherman thus: “I only ride them,” he opined. “I don’t know what makes them work.”

This remark became relevant to me several weeks ago, when my 17-year-old Triumph Rocket III point-blank refused to start for the first time in its life. The motor would spin up fine. But there was a complete absence of fire in the hole and a nasty little engine warning light wouldn’t go away. So I summoned allegedly expert assistance.

After much futile tinkering, these spanner-friendly chums surmised it was a mysterious electronic issue beyond the remit of mere mortals. And they agreed that tracing my culprit component would require the plug-in genius of model-specific diagnostic apparatus.

That meant taking the Rocket to local Triumph dealer Jason Griffiths, some ten miles distant from home base. Getting a lardy motorcycle which weighs 797lbs wet into the back of my van was fraught, to say the least. Unloading it at the other end proved easier, because Jason and his technician were highly skilled in feats of derring-do. Then their magic

box swiftly identified a deceased EFI relay and it was fortuitously replaced in the twinkling of an eye. Hey presto!

I was left pondering on what other decrepit Rocket gizmos, about which I know nothing, are likely to give up the ghost soon. Although my

orders as Covid infection accelerated and vehicle demand declined last year.

So the big electronics firms – predominantly based in South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China – switched production to specialist advanced chips for highly in-demand consumer

Global automotive and motorcycle industries are currently being starved of sufficient vital microchips bike predates the full-on ABS, sensor-engulfed, fly-by-wire, engine management and multimode traction control era, it’s nevertheless utterly dependent on electronics. And dependence for more modern machines has grown exponentially as the 21st century progressed.

Of course, this subject has also become extremely topical. Global automotive and motorcycle industries are currently being starved of sufficient vital microchips to manage vehicle functionality.

These supply shortages were initially attributed to the Covid pandemic’s impact on consumption.

According to this version of events, car and bike manufacturers slashed their just-in-time chip inventory

“infotainment” kit such as smart phones, tablets and laptops instead. And realigning their supply chains isn’t going to be an overnight task.

However, the situation is actually a lot more complicated.

Automotive manufacturers use a wide range of chips but all the key stuff concerned with engine management, traction, braking and suspension systems is based on proven technology which was state-of-the-art as much as 20 years ago. This is because it meets durability and reliability requirements within a competitive costs framework.

The chip-making equipment and machinery involved is older too, and moves around in a very active used market between electronics producers. Many of the suppliers who cut back on

production geared to vehicles have simply sold on some of the tooling they employed and will have to reacquire second-hand machines to restore capacity, should they so choose.

And a number of them might be losing interest anyway, given that catering to the appetite of those who mainly still build products with internal combustion engines is a legacy game in the face of vehicle electrification. In addition, churning out compact but often cleverer chips for hand-held devices is considerably more profitable than struggling to meet the measly price points automotive buyers insist upon.

Worse, chip design and chip-making technology have both become intensely political. Much of the intellectual property in this field is American-inspired and owned, emanating from Silicon Valley. Ramping up Washington’s Cold War against China, US government agencies responsible for licensing export of these technologies are blocking access for Chinese chip-makers, on the grounds that they could be dedicated to military applications and threaten national security. US strongarm tactics also extend to big South-East Asian, Taiwanese and Japanese chip-makers, to stop them from disseminating

International Share Prices USA – INFLATIONARY MENACE GROWS With evidence mounting that sustained inflation in the US and elsewhere is pretty much unavoidable, New York embarked on a second volatile and generally pessimistic week.

This mood was compounded by suspicions that the rally stoked by recent Covid-related monetary and fiscal stimulus was about to hit the buffers anyway.

On Wall Street, S&P’s MidCap 400 index led the retreat, falling by 1.2%. Smaller weekly declines of 0.4% and 0.5% for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average showed that blue-chips weren’t immune from the gloom.

Harley-Davidson initially bucked this trend, following declaration of an EU-US trade truce on Monday. The European threat to double punitive tariffs on American motorcycles was deferred for

56 JUNE 2021

six months. That spiked Harley’s share price 9% up in a single session, soaring to $51.96 – its highest value for more than three years.

But bonhomie promptly crumbled into a serial slump. The price sank 3.4% on Tuesday and then 2.5% on Wednesday, dragged back below the $50 watershed. Further falls ensued – 1.4% on Thursday and 0.5% on Friday – leaving Harley a mere 0.8% higher than the previous week’s 4.1% net loss.

automotives easily beat this average, thanks to strong Q1 results annouced earlier in May, VW enjoying a second week of positivity, while KTM parent Pierer held station.

Italy extended its advance once again, as Milan’s MIB index rose by 0.8%. Indeed, both the MIB and Xetra Dax have stayed shiny side up through May to date. But like Pierer, Piaggio flatlined.

EUROPE – SMILEY FACES

There were mixed messages in Japan.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index flipped from its previous week’s 4.4% reversal to a 0.9% rise. But stocks were all over the place.

Among bikers, all of which had lost ground during the second week of May, Honda and Kawasaki remained on the naughty step while Yamaha and Suzuki rose without any obvious reason.

Volatility spread across the Atlantic and European stocks see-sawed.

However, upbeat Covid recovery data narrowly overwhelmed doomster influences, as lockdowns were scaled back and economic activity resumed.

The Xetra Dax index in Frankfurt finished on a marginal 0.1% gain. Germany’s two big

JAPAN – SPECULATIVE SWERVERY

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

IP and production capability – inadvertently or otherwise – towards associates in China.

With a range of pressures impeding resolution, the ongoing microchip famine for new bikes may be with us for an as-yet undefined timespan. Several big-league manufacturers inserted cautionary codicils to this effect in recent quarterly or annual financial performance statements, warning of their inability to satisfy full seasonal demand going forward this year.

There are wider implications for our existing and nearfuture motorcycle parc too.

Government edicts are due to slam the door on sales of new hydrocarbon-fuelled machines in or around 2030. By then, there will be more than three decades’ worth of petrolhead steeds on the road harnessed

of carburettors as a substitute for electronic fuel injection isn’t an option. Emissions non-compliance would knock it

to cyber-functionality, with no certain source of replacement electronics availability.

Previous generations of

By then, there will be more than three decades’ worth of petrolhead steeds on the road harnessed to cyber-functionality motorcycles, stretching back into the distant past, are wellserved by competent cottage industries fabricating replica mechanical parts. Hence a healthy classic bike culture. But retro-fitment

A snapshot of share performance across key manufacturers and markets INDIA – HELL ON WHEELS? Much of the vast Indian motorcycle industry has been locked down by Covid, but Mumbai investors piled back in and the BSE’s Sensex 30 index surged by 3.7%. Every major bike producer benefited, even though most aren’t producing or selling anything.

CHINA – CASINO COMMUNISM China’s roller-coaster ride was unabated. After starting May with a week of negativity, followed by a big rebound, the third week essentially lacked any convincing direction. Shanghai’s SSE Composite index slid marginally by 0.1% while the blue-chip CSI 300 improved by 0.5%. Yet again, Chinese motorcycle makers divided down the middle between winners and losers, with some extreme price fluctuations.

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

on the head straight away. And getting some old bloke in a shed to restore your geriatric ECU by chiselling new microchips out of his trusty lump of silicon is never going to happen either.

Sure, a market for obsolete automotive electronics might

Price Week Month

USA (dollar) Harley-Davidson 48.06 +0.8% +0.1% Polaris Industries 129.00 -4% -11.9% Textron 66.61 -2% +10.2% Europe (euro) BMW 85.07 +1.7% -1.4% Volkswagen 272.60 +2.8% -3.9% Pierer Mobility 73.50 N/A +3.4% Piaggio Group 3.17 N/A -3.6% Energica Motor 2.79 +6.1% +6.5% India (rupee) Hero MotoCorp 2884.40 +2.6% +0.7% Bajaj Auto 4125.55 +7.2% +12.3% TVS Motor 625.00 +3.7% +17.3% Eicher Motors 2522.30 +4.4% +8.8% Mahindra 818.95 +10.4% +5.3%

Share performance as of 21 May 2021

develop. But it would be a ridiculously niche operation charging silly prices, probably based purely on salvage rather than commissioning inevitably small batches of new items.

The prospects for my Rocket or other samples of its generational ilk running ad infinitum are, therefore, looking increasingly grim. In Kelly’s Heroes, when Oddball’s stressed tank mechanic Moriarty told him their Sherman was permanently defunct, he riposted: “Don’t hit me with those negative waves, man!” Adding that to my list of useful phrases may become a necessity. 

Price Week Month

Japan (yen) Honda 3309 -0.5% +2.4% Yamaha 3115 +14.3% +14.1% Suzuki 4643 +9.2% +7% Kawasaki 2430 -5.7% -2.2% China (yuan) Qianjiang 17.77 -2.1% -26.6% Zongshen 6.79 -2.6% +2.7% Sundiro 2.08 -4.6% -5% CETC Energy 15.94 -2.6% -4.9% Lifan 5.64 -0.9% -5.4% Loncin 3.49 +0.3% +3.9% Linhai 6.30 +0.3% -0.5% Guangzhou Auto 12.27 +1.2% +11% CFMoto 136.95 +4% -8.5% Xinri E-Vehicle 22.23 +21.6% 4.6% China (HK dollar) Jianshe 4.62 +10.5% -4.1%

JUNE 2021 57

On the Money

Contact 01237 422660 or adsales@dealernews.co.uk

Dft statistics

Annual sales stats Full-year 2020 new registration figures by brand from the DfT Best selling models 1. Honda PCX 125

2648

2. Yamaha NMAX 125

1929

3. Lexmoto LXR 125

1323

4. Honda SH 125

1295

5. BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

1276

6. Honda NSC 110 (Vision 110)

1230

7. BMW R 1250 GS

1214

8. Honda GLR 125 (CB125F)

1143

9. Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650

1131

10. Triumph Tiger 900

1028

11. Honda CBF 125

898

12. Lexmoto Titan 125

843

13. Yamaha Tenere 700

818

14. Keeway Superlight 125 E4

787

15. KTM 125 Duke

782

16. Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX

779

17. Triumph Street Triple

717

18. Lexmoto Echo 50 E4

708

19. Suzuki Address

705

20. Triumph Rocket 3

682

A

tumultuous year saw dealers having to adapt to closed showrooms, lockdowns, new click and collect sales techniques, stock shortages and rapidly-changing demand levels throughout 2020.

Overall DfT sales figures were down by 3096 units, not a terrible result given the uncertain conditions, but within that figure sales of sub-50cc, commuter 125cc and electric powered machinery all saw significant rises in demand as Covid-wary commuters switched from trains and buses to CBT-friendly bikes and scooters in their droves.

This change in demand is reflected in our list of the best selling models, with the top four machines, and more than half of the list overall, being under-125cc fodder.

Bigger-capacity registrations were dominated by Adventure Sport bikes, with dual-sport offerings from BMW, Triumph and Yamaha all making the top 20. But the biggest capacity machine available – Triumph’s gargantuan Rocket 3 – was

the star performer. It stampeded into the top 20 list as the latest GT and R models found favour with torque-seeking punters – many of whom were trading up from the previous model.

In the Top Manufacturers list nearly all the major brands shed sales and market share as a double-whammy of falling demand for premium machinery and stock shortages of commuter bikes hit hard. Honda was the biggest loser but Yamaha, BMW, Triumph, Kawasaki, Harley and Ducati all suffered losses. The winners were Lexmoto, with its extensive range of budget 125 and moped PTWs, and a plethora of lesser-known Far East brands which had the range and stock levels to support the changing customer demographic – Leeway, Yamasaki, Longjia, Wangye and others all saw huge percentage increases, albeit on small numbers of sales.

Electric machinery also saw a surge in sales, with the overall market stretching from 2019’s 1625 up to 2271 units – SurRon and Niu gaining market share.

Top 10 brands by capacity Electric Total: 2271

0-49cc

Total: 5236

50-125cc

126-650cc

Total: 36591

Total: 17497

1. Niu....................................521 2. Vmoto Super Soco..............400 3. Surron...............................206 4. Zero...................................142 5. Artisan................................83 6. Piaggio................................ 53 7. Harley-Davidson.................. 37 8. Lexmoto.............................. 35 9. Horwin............................... 31 10. Ecooter...............................26

1. Lexmoto.......................... 2074 2. Peugeot............................396 3. SYM.................................. 362 4. Piaggio.............................. 274 5. AJS.................................... 223 6. Neco..................................178 7. Sinnis.................................165 8. Longjia.............................. 164 9. Yamaha..............................159 10. Motorini............................143

1. Honda............................. 9303 2. Lexmoto.......................... 6861 3. Yamaha............................ 4113 4. Keeway........................... 1964 5. Suzuki..............................1479 6. Piaggio.............................1396 7. Sinnis...............................1386 8. SYM................................. 1375 9. KTM................................. 967 10. Benelli...............................884

1. Honda.............................4096 2. Royal Enfield................... 2330 3. KTM................................2281 4. Kawasaki..........................1958 5. Suzuki............................... 975 6. Husqvarna.........................893 7. Yamaha.............................892 8. Piaggio...............................719 9. Beta.................................. 565 10. Royal Alloy........................500

Highest registering models

Highest registering models

Highest registering models

Highest registering models

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Niu NQi GTS......................216 Sur-Ron Light Bee..............206 Vmoto Super Soco TCM....... 114 Vmoto Super Soco TC1.......... 91 Vmoto Super Soco CUX........90

Lexmoto Echo 50 E4........... 708 Lexmoto Echo Plus 50......... 552 Peugeot Kisbee 50.............. 283 Lexmoto Aspire 50.............280 Lexmoto Diablo 50..............231

Honda PCX 125................ 2648 Yamaha NMAX 125............1929 Lexmoto LXR 125............... 1323 Honda SH 125...................1295 Honda NSC 110 (Vision 110).1230

Royal Enfield Interceptor .... 1131 Piaggio Vespa GTS 300....... 661 KTM 300 EXC TPI...............602 Royal Enfield Himalayan.....590 Kawasaki Versys 650.......... 545

Award Awardwinning winningMotor MotorTrade TradeInsurance Insurance Designed Designedspecifically specificallyfor forMotorcycle MotorcycleDealers Dealers 58 JUNE 2021

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

DfT statistics

REGISTRATIONS BY CAPACITY

650-1000cc Total: 17600

Over 1000cc Total: 15954

1. Yamaha........................... 4037 2. Triumph........................... 2917 3. BMW.............................. 2509 4. KTM................................1709 5. Honda..............................1622 6. Kawasaki.......................... 1518 7. Suzuki.............................. 1130 8. Ducati...............................965 9. Moto Guzzi....................... 338 10. Harley-Davidson................280

1. BMW.............................. 4073 2. Triumph.......................... 3603 3. Harley-Davidson.............. 2345 4. Kawasaki..........................1363 5. Ducati............................. 1049 6. KTM................................1043 7. Honda...............................983 8. Indian............................... 487 9. Aprilia............................... 425 10. Suzuki...............................386

Highest registering models

Highest registering models

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Triumph Tiger 900............1028 Yamaha Tenere 700............ 818 Triumph Street Triple........... 717 BMW S 1000 RR.................680 Yamaha Tracer 900.............659

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure.1276 BMW R 1250 GS................ 1214 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX...... 779 Triumph Rocket 3...............682 Honda Africa Twin 1100......636

Top manufacturers 2020 vs 2019 Brand

2020 Regs

2019 Regs

Regs change

2020 Market Share Market Share Change

1. Honda 2. Yamaha 3. Lexmoto 4. BMW 5. Triumph 6. KTM 7. Kawasaki 8. Suzuki 9. Harley-Davidson 10. Piaggio 11. Royal Enfield 12. Ducati 13. Keeway 14. SYM 15. Sinnis 16. Benelli 17. Royal Alloy 18. Husqvarna 19. Aprilia 20. AJS 21. Peugeot 22. Mutt 23. Beta 24. Indian 25. Niu 26. Bullit 27. Motorini 28. Neco 29. Vmoto Super Soco 30. CCM 31. Kymco 32. Moto Guzzi 33. WK Bikes 34. Herald 35. Zontes 36. Wangye 37. Sherco 38. Sur-Ron 39. Fantic Motor 40. Longjia 41. Mash 42. MV Agusta 43. Lambretta 44. Brixton 45. Zero 46. Mondial 47. Hanway 48. Leeway 49. Yamasaki 50. Znen

16005 19566 -3561 ▼ 16.82% -3.09% ▼ 9379 10337 -958 ▼ 9.86% -0.66% ▼ 9063 6150 2913 ▲ 9.53% 3.27% ▲ 7026 8554 -1528 ▼ 7.38% -1.32% ▼ 6522 7769 -1247 ▼ 6.85% -1.05% ▼ 6018 5628 390 ▲ 6.32% 0.60% ▲ 5642 6145 -503 ▼ 5.93% -0.33% ▼ 3970 3914 56 ▲ 4.17% 0.19% ▲ 2662 4109 -1447 ▼ 2.80% -1.38% ▼ 2442 2215 227 ▲ 2.57% 0.31% ▲ 2330 2757 -427 ▼ 2.45% -0.36% ▼ 2017 2761 -744 ▼ 2.12% -0.69% ▼ 1964 1075 889 ▲ 2.06% 0.97% ▲ 1758 1307 451 ▲ 1.85% 0.52% ▲ 1567 1295 272 ▲ 1.65% 0.33% ▲ 1231 793 438 ▲ 1.29% 0.49% ▲ 1230 613 617 ▲ 1.29% 0.67% ▲ 1131 1359 -228 ▼ 1.19% -0.19% ▼ 881 890 -9 ▼ 0.93% 0.02% ▲ 828 710 118 ▲ 0.87% 0.15% ▲ 748 1103 -355 ▼ 0.79% -0.34% ▼ 673 528 145 ▲ 0.71% 0.17% ▲ 580 485 95 ▲ 0.61% 0.12% ▲ 535 556 -21 ▼ 0.56% 0.00% ▼ 521 371 150 ▲ 0.55% 0.17% ▲ 517 194 323 ▲ 0.54% 0.35% ▲ 461 220 241 ▲ 0.48% 0.26% ▲ 404 289 115 ▲ 0.42% 0.13% ▲ 400 374 26 ▲ 0.42% 0.04% ▲ 361 511 -150 ▼ 0.38% -0.14% ▼ 347 312 35 ▲ 0.36% 0.05% ▲ 339 356 -17 ▼ 0.36% -0.01% ▼ 304 136 168 ▲ 0.32% 0.18% ▲ 284 121 163 ▲ 0.30% 0.18% ▲ 267 182 85 ▲ 0.28% 0.10% ▲ 227 120 107 ▲ 0.24% 0.12% ▲ 216 164 52 ▲ 0.23% 0.06% ▲ 206 53 153 ▲ 0.22% 0.16% ▲ 172 138 34 ▲ 0.18% 0.04% ▲ 164 3 161 ▲ 0.17% 0.17% ▲ 163 181 -18 ▼ 0.17% -0.01% ▼ 158 127 31 ▲ 0.17% 0.04% ▲ 144 137 7 ▲ 0.15% 0.01% ▲ 142 109 33 ▲ 0.15% 0.04% ▲ 142 125 17 ▲ 0.15% 0.02% ▲ 139 170 -31 ▼ 0.15% -0.03% ▼ 134 152 -18 ▼ 0.14% -0.01% ▼ 127 0 127 ▲ 0.13% 0.13% ▲ 125 12 113 ▲ 0.13% 0.12% ▲ 125 95 30 ▲ 0.13% 0.03% ▼▲

*DATA DOES NOT INCLUDE VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE ISLE OF MAN OR THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

hello@pib-insurance.com hello@pib-insurance.com www.britishdealernews.co.uk

01422 01422358 358525 525

JUNE 2021 59

New registrations

Registration data New motorcycle and scooter registrations for April 2021 2021 / 2020 Registrations by Style MOPEDS

Apr 2021

Moped Scooters

Year to Date Apr 2020

442

Change

92

Apr 2021

380.4%

Apr 2020

1363

Highest Registering Model by Style

% Change

980

Apr 2021 Registrations

39.1%

SYM Mask 50

33

Derbi Senda Xtreme DRD SM50

19

125

Moped Others

110

50

120.0%

400

379

5.5%

TOTAL MOPEDS

552

142

288.7%

1763

1359

29.7%

1836

126

1357.1%

5528

4479

23.4%

BMW R1250 GS Adventure

MOTORCYCLES Adventure Sport Custom

749

89

741.6%

1740

1482

17.4%

Keeway Superlight

126

Naked

3546

432

720.8%

8663

7802

11.0%

Honda CBF125M

228

Scooter

537

2498

517

383.2%

6913

4994

38.4%

Yamaha NMAX 125

Sport/Tour

137

43

218.6%

430

747

-42.4%

Multiple items

35

Supersport

707

133

431.6%

1868

2057

-9.2%

Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX

70

Touring

194

7

2671.4%

594

469

26.7%

BMW R 1250 RT

84

Trail/Enduro

557

109

411.0%

2025

1823

11.1%

GasGas EC300

42

Unspecified TOTAL MOTORCYCLES

8

11

-27.3%

34

64

-46.9%

10232

1467

597.5%

27795

23917

16.2%

TRICYCLES Scooter

41

6

583.3%

155

95

63.2%

Yamaha Tricity 300

19

Other

49

8

512.5%

131

80

63.8%

BRP Can-Am Ryker Rally ED900

11

TOTAL TRICYCLES

90

14

542.9%

286

175

63.4%

10874

1623

570.0%

29844

25451

17.3%

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

2021 / 2020 Registrations by Capacity ENGINE BAND 0 - 50cc

Apr 2021

Year to Date

Apr 2020

% Change

Apr 2021

Apr 2020

Highest Registering Model by Style

% Change

Apr 2021 Registrations

838

163

414.1%

2622

1540

70.3%

Vmoto Super Soco CPX

159

51 - 125cc

3908

775

404.3%

9868

7565

30.4%

Yamaha NMAX 125

537

126 - 650cc

2084

315

561.6%

6061

5474

10.7%

Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650

152

651 - 1000cc

2282

204

1018.6%

5921

5797

2.1%

Triumph Trident

151

over 1000cc

1762

166

961.4%

5372

5075

5.9%

BMW R1250 GS Adventure

125

10874

1623

570.0%

29844

25451

17.3%

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

BRANDS CHART Top Ten Manufacturers April 2021

1. Honda.........................................1666 2. Yamaha........................................1355 3. Triumph.........................................823 4. BMW.............................................694 5. KTM..............................................580 6. Kawasaki........................................558 7. Lexmoto........................................510 8. Royal Enfield..................................345 9. Ducati............................................298 10. Harley-Davidson.............................295

Alternative power registrations April 2021 Alternative power registrations data is also included in the overall market data shown in the tables above

2021 / 2020 Registrations by Capacity POWER BAND

60 JUNE 2021

% Change

Apr 2021

Apr 2020

% Change

357

54

561.1%

1167

290

302.4%

4-11kW

20

2

900.0%

51

17

200.0%

9

0

∞%

19

17

11.8%

over 35kW

15-35kW

11

2

450.0%

31

25

24.0%

Unknown

34

12

183.3%

209

131

59.5%

431

70

515.7%

1477

480

207.7%

TOTAL REGISTRATIONS

2021 / 2020 Registrations by Style Apr 2021

Apr 2020

MOPEDS

Adventure Sport

10

0

Moped Scooters

Naked

38

7

Moped Others

Scooter

219

10

Supersport

tel 02476 408000; www.mcia.co.uk

Apr 2020

0-4kW

MOTORCYCLES

Registration statistics supplied by the MCIA;

Apr 2021

Year to Date

TOTAL MOPEDS

Apr 2021 101

Apr 2021 24

45

25

146

49

TRICYCLES

2

0

Trail/Enduro

13

2

Commercial Tricycle

0

0

Unspecified

0

2

Tricycle

3

0

282

21

TOTAL TRICYCLES

3

0

431

70

TOTAL MOTORCYCLES

TOTAL ALTERNATIVE POWER REGISTRATIONS

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

TO CELEBRATE THE MONTH WHEN COVID almost completely shut down motorcycle retailing a year ago, wildly distorted MCIA registration statistics for April make discerning real market performance a challenge. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.

To sum this up in one sentence, total registrations grew by 570% to 10,874 machines.

Meaningless without context. However, taking a broad stroke back into the pre-pandemic era of “normal” April 2019’s tally of 9820 registrations paints a brighter picture. The latest headline figure is actually 10.7% up on that.

Essentially, this reflects that dealers are now open for business as usual and healthy demand is there in abundance, albeit with sales inhibited by well-publicised inventory shortages for many brands. The best grasp can be found by looking at year-to-date numbers.

After a rocky start to the year afflicted by renewed lockdowns, overall registrations in the first four months of 2021 have reached 29,844, a 17.3% increase. The market is still heavily skewed towards small bikes and scooters, thanks to a mixture of ride-to-work appeal for avoiding public transport and significant delivery fleet growth. Up-to-125cc machines have put on 65.1% YTD to 12,490. And scooters, the vast majority of which are in this lower league, rose by 38.9% to 8431.

Bigger machines have now staged a recovery too, but they are still way behind the tiddler expansion curve. Covid-related production and logistics malfunctions from Asia and the Far East are largely responsible, combined with a global electronic semiconductor famine. The 126cc-plus

Rolling Year Comparison

range has added only 6.2% YTD to 17,354. Worst performer was the 651-1000cc engine band, rising by just 2.1% to 5921.

YTD registrations for leading manufacturers highlight those with ongoing inventory issues.

Honda remained on the back foot, 9.3%

Dealers are now open for business as usual and healthy demand is there in abundance, albeit with sales inhibited by well-publicised inventory shortages down to 4443. And while Yamaha can boast a 25.1% increase, nearly half of all the 3523 products it has plated so far this year are NMax 125 scooters, a goodly proportion of them fleet sales. The brand is also desperately incentivising old stock of dustgatherer models like the Niken, to fill vacancies in dealer showroom floor plan availability. Some of those inventory holes will be filled once a certain notoriously vast container ship detained in Egyptian custody is allowed to complete its voyage.

BMW Motorrad, on the other hand, has

The percentage of the overall market made up of scooters

www.britishdealernews.co.uk

The Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX has been mysteriously re-categorised from the Sport/Tour to the Supersport sector, despite its load lugging capability and its mile-munching credentials

NMDA COMMENT

P

Scooter Market Performance

exploited a mercifully short supply chain and a desirable range to grab 26.9% growth to 2707.

And now 15.1% ahead to 2327, Triumph seems to have overcome some of the logistic obstacles associated to shipping its wares all the way from Thailand.

After that, among higher-volume players, it’s all bad news. Chinese champion Lexmoto dropped by 6.3% to 1544. KTM was 6.9% down on 1501. Kawasaki took the hardest hit, plunging by 23.8% to 1405.

At least Royal Enfield, Ducati and HarleyDavidson reappeared on the top-ten chart’s lower rungs with modest three-figure quantities in April, although BDN is unable to calculate their YTD positions. Suzuki is yet to escape habitual absentee status, but is widely known to be bereft of useful stock volume.

owered Two Wheelers (PTWs) have shown a significant year-onyear increase of 570%. With the lockdown in April 2020 preventing dealers from making sales, this month’s figures should come as no surprise as consumer demand is back on the rise”, said Paddy O’Connell, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA).

“The latest registration figures showed that, since January, PTWs are up 16.2% compared to the same period last year, which is a positive indication that 2021 should be a buoyant year for dealers and the industry. Alongside campaigns such as the NFDA’s #DestinationDealer and the MCIA’s www.unlockyourfreedom.co.uk portal, the push to get the public onto PTWs as an alternative form of transport is showing no signs of letting up.

“April saw sales of electric twowheelers carrying on their upward trend with a 515.7% rise, with 346 of those registered in the 1-4kW category.

This power output is most comparable with the 0-50cc capacity sector, which achieved 838 sales in total. It is interesting to see that ePTWs made up over 40% of that market.

“In the style categories progress has

been made year-to-date on almost all styles of PTWs, it is only Sports Tourers and Supersports machinery that have failed to catch up so far this year.

“The Yamaha NMAX 125cc took the top spot in terms of best-selling model, registering 537 units, while Honda maintained the accolade for highest registering major brand, with Yamaha and Triumph taking the runner-up spots.

“With dealerships now fully open for the month and the NMDA’s members’ order banks growing, the main issue to consider is manufacturer supply.

Managing customer expectations for lead times may prove to be challenging over the coming months.

“The NMDA continues to encourage members to get behind the #DestinationDealer campaign. This initiative is to help dealers reconnect with their customers and remind them that motorcycle and scooter showrooms are not just a place to transact, they are also a place to chat, have a coffee, look at the new products and meet up with likeminded people.”

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE DEALERS ASSOCIATION

JUNE 2021 61

New registrations

APRIL REGISTRATIONS BOUNCE BACK

Used bike data

The Fleet Auction Group Professional Vehicle Auctions For Professional Vehicle Buyers

STRICTLY

TRADE ONLY

Motorcycle Auctions Every 3rd Thursday of every month @11.00am

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

For more info visit

fleetauctiongroup.com

USED PRICES INCREASE BY 6%

T

his month Auto Trader Bikes look at the fastestselling bikes during the period 1 March to 9 May. Overall, the average used bike advertised on Auto Trader sold in 45 days for March, and for April we saw a significant reduction in days taken to sell, at 33 days.

This was no doubt helped by showrooms, along with all other retail outlets, being permitted to reopen on 12 April.

Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000SX leads the fastest sellers at just 6.5 days so pre-registered examples must have been very popular with sports tourer enthusiasts.

Lexmoto’s knobbly-tyred commuter, the Assault, was a close runner-up taking exactly a week, on average, to find new owners.

Now that we’re into the better weather we can see that sports

For April we’ve seen a significant reduction in days taken to sell, at 33 days

Enduros still right up there as they have been for the past few months.

Strong demand has kept used bike prices high, with the average used bike in April priced 6% higher than it was 12 months previously.

PAUL EDMONDSON Product lead, Auto Trader Bikes

bikes are starting to climb the list again, their popularity having dropped off during the winter period. These come in a variety of ages, headed up by the thoroughly modern BMW S1000RR, followed by the Ducati 959 Panigale from a few years ago and the turn-of-the -century Kawasaki ZX-9R. The remainder of the list is made up of nearly all the different bike styles, with

Triumph’s air-cooled America cruiser may have been discontinued in 2016 but it remains a popular choice, being the fourth quickestselling model on Auto Trader Bikes during the spring period

Top 30 fastest selling bikes on Auto Trader

Average days advertised before sale

1. Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX________ 6.5 2. Lexmoto Assault________________ 7 3. Yamaha NMAX_______________ 10 4. Triumph America______________ 11 5. KTM EXC____________________ 11 6. Suzuki GSX1400______________ 12 7. Kawasaki Vulcan______________ 12 8. Honda CRF250L_______________ 13 9. Honda CBF125_______________ 13 10. Honda CB125F_______________ 14

11. Yamaha YZF-R125_____________ 14 12. Triumph Tiger 1200____________ 15 13. Triumph Speed Twin____________ 16 14. BMW S1000RR_______________ 16 15. Honda Monkey_______________ 17 16. KTM 125 Duke_______________ 17 17. Yamaha Tenere 700____________ 17 18. Ducati 959 Panigale____________ 17 19. Kawasaki ZX-9R_______________ 17 20. Yamaha YS125______________ 17.5

21. BMW R1150_________________ 18 22. KTM 390 Duke_____________ 18.5 23. Yamaha MT-125______________ 19 24. Royal Enfield Continental GT_____ 19 25. Triumph Bonneville 865_______ 19.5 26. Triumph Thruxton 1200 R_____ 19.5 27. Aprilia Tuono 1000____________ 20 28. Yamaha R6___________________ 20 29. Kawasaki VN900____________ 20.5 30. Yamaha XJ6__________________ 21

BUOYANT MARKET AS SHOWROOMS OPEN Recent feedback suggests that since dealers reopened their doors to the public, retail activity has been very buoyant. However, stock supply is of major concern to many dealers.

A month has passed since dealers began reopening across the UK as Lockdown-3 restrictions eased, and the market has enjoyed a bounce-back similar to that experienced in June

Motorcycle Auctions 62 JUNE 2021

last year. The high level of pent-up demand is leading many dealers to experience exceptionally busy periods, with little sign of the market slowing down. Turnover has been very rapid, with some machines selling even before dealers have had the chance to advertise. Largely fine weather conditions during April are thought to have aided the recent surge in demand.

Workshop activity continues to be very strong, too, resulting in some long lead times for riders wanting their machines serviced and MOT’d.

STOCK Throughout the pandemic, sourcing reliable stock supplies of second-hand machinery has been difficult.

And since dealers reopened their showrooms, stock

To enter a bike or open a buying account please call 01530 833535 Every 3rd Thursday of every month @ 11.00am www.britishdealernews.co.uk fleetauctiongroup.com

Used bike data

HONDA DOMINATES AS WE HEAD OPTIMISTICALLY TOWARDS ALL lockdown restrictions lifting in the UK just in time for summer, bikers are out shopping for their next machine.

In the past month on MCN’s Bikes for Sale section, which features over £100m of stock, Honda dominated again, with four of the five most popular models viewed, and accounting for one in five readers of all the motorcycles listed for sale on our site.

In Bike Reviews it is brand-new models that have caught readers’ eyes, with Triumph’s recently launched

Speed Triple 1200RS joining the new Aprilia RSV4 Factory and Harley-Davidson’s 2021 Pan America as the most popular bikes in the naked, sports and adventure categories respectively.

We expect used bike values to continue to grow due to a shortage of supply in dealers coupled with rising interest in getting into biking and, of course, the sunnier weather.

GARETH EVANS Online editor, MCN

Bikes for Sale Most viewed models

1. Honda CB500X 2. Honda CBR1000RR-Fireblade 3. Honda NC750X 4. Yamaha R1 5. Honda VFR800 6. Harley-Davidson Fat-Boy 7. Kawasaki ZZR1400 8. BMW R1200GS 9. Suzuki GSX-R1000 10. Kawasaki Z1000SX

Other

Retro

Classic

Trail/Enduro

Touring

Supersport

Sport/Tour

Scooter

Naked

Custom

Adventure Sport

Percentage of views by type

MCN Reviews

Other

Retro

Classic

Trail/Enduro

Touring

Supersport

Sport/Tour

Scooter

Naked

Custom

Adventure Sport

Percentage of views by type

Harley’s new Pan America model has hit the right note with MCN readers, who made it the most-read bike review in the site’s Adventure Sport category

Top 5 Bike Reviews by type Naked 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Sports

2021 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS 2021 Triumph Trident 660 2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP 2021 Yamaha MT-07 2021 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory

Turnover has been very rapid with machines selling even before dealers have had the chance to advertise them

sourcing has become ever more challenging. Indeed, some dealers suggest sales would have been even stronger had they had sufficient stock available. As a result, competition at the auctions is high, with very strong hammer prices.

RIDING CONDITIONS Although April was cold, a combination of very dry weather and high levels of spring sunshine resulted in superb riding conditions. However, the weather

Motorcycle Auctions www.britishdealernews.co.uk

Adventure Sport

6. 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Factory 7. 2019 Honda CBR650R 8. 2021 BMW M1000RR 9. 2021 Kawasaki ZX 10RR 10. 2018 Honda CB1000R

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 2014 Honda NC750X 2019 Honda CB500X 2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R

in the early weeks of May has suffered a deterioration with predominately cool and showery conditions. Despite this, it’s early days, with the full summer season yet to arrive.

Considering strong market activity and the ongoing stock shortages, values have been increased across the board in Glass’s June edition, except where trade feedback or evidence from the marketplace indicated models required specific adjustments.

PAUL McDONALD Leisure vehicle editor, Glass’s

To enter a bike or open a buying account please call 01530 833535 Every 3rd Thursday of every month @ 11.00am JUNE 2021 63 fleetauctiongroup.com

British Dealer News

June 2021