Saltire Motorcycles Ltd (formerly Saltire Suzuki), has ceased trading.
Co-founded in 2006 by Calum Murray, the Edinburgh-based dealership held the KTM, Husqvarna, Indian, Royal Enfield, BSA, Mutt and Sym franchises. A company statement issued on 3 September said: “We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, staff, and trading partners for their support over the years.”
One of Scotland’s highest-profile retailers, Saltire, won the 2014 MCN Dealer of the Year Award for Scotland and the North of England and has twice been crowned the UK’s number one Japanese franchised dealer by RIDE magazine. Saltire also won a British Dealer News accolade in 2017, winning the Stand-out Sales Promotion of the Year award for the company’s TV advertising campaign.
Murray served his apprenticeship as a mechanic with Chatham’s Motorcycles before becoming a partner in A3P Motorcycles in 1987. He then spent time in France and set up MotoCal before returning to Scotland in 1995 and continuing the Motocal business in Edinburgh.
In 2004, Murray became a 50% partner in Alvins Motorcycles, which had dropped Harley-Davidson in favour of Ducati, KTM, Suzuki and MV Agusta, but the business was “haemorrhaging cash”. Murray closed Alvins on 28 March 2006 and opened Saltire Suzuki on 29 March 2006: taking the best of the staff and the best of the products. “We did very, very well in the first year of trading. The following years were tough, and 2013 was the first time we had another successful year,” said Murray. Saltire took on Yamaha when fellow Edinburgh dealer Carrick Motorcycles gave up the franchise.
In 2015, the company set up the Alba Customs showroom, which housed the Victory and Indian brands. The following year, it extended its Saltire showrooms with a £100,000 investment. In 2019, it ended its 13-year association with Suzuki and took on Zero Motorcycles.
In the summer of 2020, Saltire Motorcycles went into administration. Unsecured creditors were owed more than £1.3m – RSM Restructuring Advisory was officially appointed as primary joint administrator by the Scottish Court on 24 July. Saltire’s assets
SALTIRE TIMELINE
1979 Calum Murray enters the trade selling biking clothes for Chatham’s Motorcycles in Edinburgh
1980 Begins a five-year apprenticeship as a mechanic with Chatham’s
1987 Joins A3P motorcycles as a partner specialising in the creation of bespoke motorcycles
1994 Moves abroad and sets up Motocal in France
1995 Returns to Edinburgh and continues with Motocal
2004 Joins Alvins Motorcycles as a partner
2006 Closes Alvins and opens Saltire Suzuki
2006 Takes on Rieju, Sym and Royal Enfield franchises
2013 Takes on Yamaha, drops Rieju, Sym and Royal Enfield
2014 Adds the Victory/Indian frachise
2014 MCN Dealer of the Year Award for Scotland
2015 Launches Alba Customs showroom, which includes Victory and Indian franchises
2016 Opens extension to its Edinburgh showroom
2017 Wins the BDN Stand-Out Retail Sales Promotion of the Year for the company’s TV advertising campaign
2019 13-year association with Suzuki ended
2019 Adds the Zero Motorcycle franchise
2020 Saltire’s assets sold for £125,000 in a pre-packaged deal to newlyincorporated company JCD Motorcycles
2024 Saltire announces closure.
were sold for £125,000 in a pre-packaged deal to newly incorporated company JCD Motorcycles on the same day. The trading name prior to administration had been changed to SML Realisations, so that JCD could subsequently re-adopt the Saltire Motorcycles moniker.
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DESTINATION YAMAHA
YAMAHA HAS LAUNCHED A NEW ONLINE hub for its two-wheeled experiences called Destination Yamaha Motor. The site brings together a variety of Yamaha events including road, off-road, track, adventure touring and water-based experiences. The events are organised in collaboration with selected Yamaha partners, offering a global selection of trips for two-wheel enthusiasts. These excursions include road riding in Thailand, off-road treks in Mongolia, road rides through UK moorlands and track days on Spanish circuits. For more information visit: www.yamahamotor.eu/gb/en/ experience/destination-yamaha-motor.
PIERER DISCOUNTS
THE MARKET FOR BOTH ON- AND OFFroad bikes remains tight, and firms are fighting hard for sales, with some strong retail deals. Pierer Mobility is no exception, and recently launched a series of discounts across its KTM and Husqvarna line-ups, taking VAT off the final price. That makes for some big savings: more than £3k off a KTM 1290 Super Duke GT and more than £2k off a Husqvarna Norden 901. The discounts are also offered on pure off-road models, with £1814 off a Husqvarna FE 450 enduro bike and £1697 off a KTM 250 EXC-F enduro.
WEBB JOINS MOTORCYCLE LIVE POPULAR ONLINE STAR AND TV PRESENTER Grace Webb, has joined the Motorcycle Live line-up and will be part of the new Expert Lab show. Expert Lab is set to feature informative and entertaining sessions –with Webb getting to the bottom of all the latest two-wheeled tech. The stage will also feature daily practical demonstrations from a team behind The Machine Shop.
BICKERS TAKES ON HIFLO
BICKERS HAS signed a new deal with Hiflofiltro (Hiflo) and has added the firm’s oil and air filters to its massive lineup of spares. Hiflo claims to be the world’s first and only TÜV-approved motorcycle oil filter, constructed using the best materials available. Products are all designed to meet, or exceed, original equipment performance levels and are available for street, scooter, motocross, enduro, ATV, and UTV. To stock and sell the Hiflo line-up, visit: www.bickers-online.co.uk.
Ducati claims the NMDA dealer survey is “flawed”
Ducati was a noticeable absentee in the spring edition of the NMDA Dealer Attitude Survey, published in the September issue of BDN. Ducati UK’s MD, Fabrizio Cazzoli, right, explained the reason for the brand’s non-participation in a statement.
“Ducati Motor Holding and its subsidiary, Ducati UK Ltd, hold the Ducati dealer network in the highest regard, recognising them as
crucial business partners. The success of our dealers directly contributes to our brand’s success, as both ourselves and our dealers strive to provide the best customer experience for our clients.
“Ducati actively and regularly engages in various initiatives both directly and through our Dealer Council, including integration projects, training, surveys, meetings and conferences in Europe and the UK. We also share
policies, including a common Code of Conduct. Therefore, any suggestion, such as has been made recently of a ‘lack of concern’ or ‘ignoring feedback from their network’ is wholly unfounded and simply untrue.
“Ducati has chosen not to participate in the NMDA Dealer Attitude Survey because it considers the survey to be flawed in its methodology and not an efficient tool with which to accurately measure dealer satisfaction.”
EU rights groups present their joint plans for better mobility
EUROPEAN MOTORCYCLE ORGANISATIONS
ACEM and FIM, joined forces in Brussels to present their shared plans for improving mobility. During the event, ACEM president Michele Colaninno and FIM president Jorge Viegas, along with representatives from the European Commission and the European Parliament, discussed the role of two-wheeled vehicles in achieving EU objectives for roads and cities.
ACEM and FIM outlined their vision, focusing on five key areas: road safety, sustainability, industrial competitiveness, research and innovation, and tourism and motorsports. They stressed the need for dedicated priorities
in mobility and road safety plans at European, national, and local levels to address the specific needs of riders as vulnerable road users. Additionally, they highlighted the potential of mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles to contribute to efficient mobility in urban and peri-urban areas due to their light and small characteristics.
Colaninno stressed the importance of realistic policies to fully integrate innovative mobility and leisure vehicles into future mobility. At the same time, Viegas emphasised the cultural and economic significance of motorcycle sport, urging politicians to recognise and support it.
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Record-breaking Birchall brothers win the Segrave Trophy
BDN’s Alan Dowds put on his best bib and tucker last month to attend the Segrave Trophy Award at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London.
The trophy, named after Sir Henry Segrave, is awarded to the bravest and best of British speed record breakers. Segrave himself was a pilot and pre-war racing driver and the first man to hold both land and water speed records, although the latter cost him his life in 1930.
With determination such as his in mind, the trophy is awarded for “outstanding skill, courage and initiative on land, water and in the air –the Spirit of Adventure”.
The 2023 award went to the Birchall brothers, Ben and Tom, for their 120.645mph lap record at the Isle of Man TT last year on a 600cc Honda LCR outfit. The Segrave has previously been
won by some of Britain’s greatest bike racers, from fellow sidecar racer Steve Webster and TT legend Joey Dunlop to Barry Sheene, Mike Hailwood, John Surtees and Geoff Duke. Ben Birchall could hardly believe he now ranks alongside those greats. “To be put anywhere near those names – I’m so thrilled we’ve been chosen; it means so much,” he said.
“It’s absolutely mindbending,” said Tom Birchall. “Motorsport and the TT are such wonderful environments and to get an accolade like this is just bizarre.”
Harley signs on Akrapovič as official race partner
SLOVENIAN PERFORMANCE EXHAUST MAKER AKRAPOVIČ, has been announced as a new performance parts partner for the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing programme – specifically, for the firm’s 2024 Road Glide, which competes in the King of the Baggers race series in the US.
The new partnership will see Akrapovič supply full exhaust systems constructed from lightweight high-grade titanium, designed and manufactured using the latest technologies in its state-of-the-art Slovenian factory. Developed in close collaboration between the firm’s engineers and Harley-Davidson Factory Racing staff, the trick systems have been created with high performance and low weight in mind.
Miha Jeraj, race director at Akrapovič said, “After more than thirty years of racing in various series, including MotoGP and WSBK, we are entering a new segment of racing. We are highly motivated and excited as we team up with Harley-Davidson Factory Racing to improve Road Glide performance. It is a great honour for us to partner with such an iconic brand in its home country, and we are looking forward to this new racing chapter for the Akrapovič company and being a part of the great racing that King of the Baggers offers to fans.”
The Birchall brothers, Ben (left) and Tom (right) receiving the 2023 Segrave Trophy Award
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DUCATI WEEK CERTIFIED
DUCATI’S BI-ANNUAL WORLD DUCATI Week meet at Misano has achieved certification as a sustainable event, according to the international standard UNI ISO 20121. That might seem surprising for an event where 94,000 bikers attend, but it’s actually the fourth time the event has won the certificate, also doing so in 2016, 2018 and 2022. Efficiencies in supply chain, organisation and management are behind the award.
KAWASAKI HIT BY HACKERS
THE EUROPEAN ARM OF KAWASAKI Motors was hit by a ransomware IT attack early in September. The attack was a targeted one, according to internal Kawasaki communications, and has resulted in extensive damage across Europe. But the firm says its backups are secure and only small amounts of data have been lost. It’s now working on a staged recovery plan which will take some time and has asked for patience from staff and regional offices while it restores key business systems such as spare parts ordering, invoicing and accounting. The firm is also putting increased security measures in place.
MV AT VENICE FILM FESTIVAL ITS BIKES ARE OFTEN THOUGHT OF AS works of art, and now a proper art-house film has been released featuring MV Agusta machinery. Beauty Is Not A Sin, an MV-produced short movie, became the first ever commercial to enter the Venice Film Festival’s official selection. The seven-minute film, inspired by the Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro, was written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. MITAS TREBLE ON ISLE OF MAN
THE 2024 MANX GRAND PRIX WAS A a disaster in terms of weather, and also suffered from poor attendances. But Czech tyre maker Mitas, was pleased with its performance. The firm had three riders competing in the Junior and Senior Manx GP classes on its Sport Force+ RS race rubber, with a best finish of fourth for Julien Cregniot in the Senior on his Yamaha R6.
Triumph lands six MCN Awards
It’s not quite the massive annual alcohol-fuelled mega-shindig it used to be – but the MCN Awards is still a big, important event on the British biking calendar. And for 2024, it was Triumph that scooped up the most gongs, with an incredible six wins.
The Hinckley firm picked up a pair of awards for its new 400 roadster, the single-cylinder Speed 400, which took the Best A2 Bike prize, as well as winning MCN Bike of the Year – the smallest capacity machine to ever do so. The Street Triple 765 RS won Best Performance Naked, the Best sub-1000cc Adventure bike was the Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro, and the Trident 660 was the best bike for women, or WoMCN as it’s been slightly confusingly dubbed. That’s five awards for the British brand’s bikes, which made the sixth – Manufacturer of the Year – inevitable.
Triumph probably also deserves at least a small part of another award: the Multi Franchise Dealer of the Year was West Coast Glasgow, which covers Harley-Davidson and Triumph from its base in Hillington.
Meanwhile, the Single
MCN AWARD WINNERS
• Manufacturer of the Year
Triumph
• Overall Bike of the Year
Triumph Speed 400
• Best Sports-Tourer
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Plus
• Best Tourer
BMW R1250 RT
• Best Naked
Yamaha MT-09
• Best Performance Naked
Triumph Street Triple 765 RS
• Best Cruiser
Indian 101 Scout
• Best Adventure 1000cc+
BMW R1300 GS
Franchise Dealer of the Year was Sudbury, East Anglia, based BMW outlet, Reiten Motorrad.
Richard Newland, Bauer’s motorcycling group editor, told BDN: “This year’s MCN Awards were dominated by Triumph with a deluge of class-leading bikes. But they didn’t have it all their own way. Yamaha also showed the incredible diversity of its CP3 engine by winning in three different categories with models using that platform, while Suzuki also stood out for bringing the sportbike genre into a whole new world
• Best Adventure sub-1000cc
Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
• Best Retro
Yamaha XSR 900 GP
• Best Sportsbike
Suzuki GSX-8R
• Best Superbike
Ducati Panigale V4S
• Best 125cc
KTM Duke 125
• Best A2
Triumph Speed 400
• Best Urban Petrol
Honda ADV350
• Best Electric Motorcycle
LiveWire Del Mar
of accessibility. Meanwhile, BMW’s R1300GS rose to the top to reclaim the coveted adventure bike crown, and Britain’s Maeving grabbed their first MCN Award, too. “But it wasn’t just about the bikes. The fabulous James Whitham took this year’s Dave Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award, while Roy Pratt, of Imps fame, deservedly picked up the Chris Dabbs Best of Biking Award. In a year saturated with incredible bikes and stories of personal triumph, the award winners can be exceptionally proud to have grabbed a gong – or six.”
• Best Urban Electric Maeving RM1S
• Best WoMCN
Triumph Trident 660
• Innovation of the Year
Kawasaki HEV
• Chris Dabbs Best of Biking
Roy Pratt
• Lifetime Achievement
James Whitham
• Dealer of the Year –
Multi Franchise
West Coast Glasgow
• Dealer of the Year –
Single Franchise
Reiten Motorrad
Devron Boulton, Triumph (left) and Richard Newland, Bauer
Norton pensioners get £9.4m payout after Garner fraud
PENSIONERS WHO LOST MONEY FROM THE Norton Motorcycle pension schemes have finally been compensated. More than 200 people who had been defrauded after Norton boss Stuart Garner (below), invested pension assets in Norton Motorcycle Holdings have had their money returned by the Pension Protection Fund, with more than £9.4m refunded.
The news comes at the end of a decade-
Shaken, not stirred at Stafford Show
The massive annual end-of-season Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Stafford show is taking its final shape, and the organisers are promising a great family day out. Some very fancy auction items join the usual displays, stands, retail outlets and bike shows, plus there’ll be some top race stars and celebrities present.
James Bond actor Daniel Craig has donated two of his special limited-edition 007 Triumph bikes, which will be auctioned off to raise money for his favourite charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The Scrambler 1200 and Tiger 900 Bond Editions, inspired by the
No Time to Die under the hammer at the Bonhams auction on 12-13 October in Staffordshire. With estimates of £10,000£20,000, both bikes have Craig’s name on the V5 and include a special off-road riding experience in Wales with James Bond stunt coordinator Lee Morrison
knuckles and touchscreen compatibility in a smart
Edmondson. Away from the auction rooms, the show will also feature appearances from Carl Fogarty and Frankie Chili, reliving their WSBK duels from the 1990s, as well as loads of other attractions. More info at www.classicbikeshows.com.
What’s SHARP’s point?
It’s hard to believe, but the government’s SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) helmet rating scheme was launched nearly two decades ago, back in 2007. We had a Labour government then too, of course: Tony Blair was coming to the end of his time as prime minister before Gordon Brown took over in the summer. Britain was fighting hot wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Manchester United won the Premier League. The 2008 global financial crash, Brexit, Covid and the Ukraine war were all twinkles in Satan’s eye. It was another world.
SHARP was set up as a sort of mini-NCAP (the European car crash safety testing programme) for helmets. A government-contracted testing house carries out impact testing that goes beyond the statutory legal standard and gives a star rating out of five to reflect the performance. SHARP then publishes the results, consumers have more information about how much protection above the legal standard helmets have, so, in theory they move towards
The government is relaunching the SHARP helmet rating scheme. So what’s about to change? Will SHARP be better for bikers? And what do the helmet importers think? Alan Dowds investigates
buying better-performing helmets, while manufacturers also work to improve their helmets’ safety.
The scheme was controversial at first, when some major helmet brands received sub-par ratings. But the fuss soon died down –
Not
based near Wokingham.
I spoke to the people behind the scheme at TRL and went along on an open day to see the testing facilities in Wokingham. I also canvassed opinion about SHARP from a number of helmet importers. And what I found was a scheme
only did the percentage of higher star ratings go up, but in
that same period the number of motorcycle casualties went
indeed the whole scheme seemed to gradually die over time. Several industry observers say they haven’t seen or heard much from it in years. But now it’s back, with a new contract to run the testing – awarded to the TRL road safety and research company – and a plan for a new marketing push. The Department for Transport pays for and manages the scheme – but it’s run by TRL,
down
with noble intentions – but that seems to have limitations on what it can achieve, given its current funding model.
The first thing that SHARP says is that its scheme has worked – that is, bike helmets on sale in the UK have improved in safety performance since 2007. Far more helmets achieve a four- or five-star rating than in the beginning it says, and it’s rare for a lid to get just one or two stars. Dr Phil Martin,
head of transport safety at TRL, and a specialist in head injury biomechanics, commented: “It was a shock back in 2008 to find that well-known brands were scoring only two or three stars. I’m pleased to say that today those same brands consistently get four or five stars for their helmets. It demonstrates they care about the safety performance of their product.”
A SHARP spokesperson also told us that during the past 17 years of testing 500 plus helmets, the scheme can plot when manufacturers made significant changes to their designs – essentially increasing their energyabsorbing properties. Not only did the percentage of higher star ratings go up, but in that same period the number of motorcycle casualties went down. This is doubtless partly due to improvements in the safety performance of helmets, the introduction of new materials and manufacturing processes, although other improvement in road safety have also contributed. Overall though, SHARP is convinced it is contributing to a reduction in motorcyclist
injuries and deaths.
SHARP also says that its scheme has helped improve safety on cheaper helmets as well as pricier models. According to its spokesperson, it makes perfect sense that one of the lowest retail price helmets on the market is one that scores five stars in SHARP tests. The manufacturers wanted to produce a budget helmet that provides excellent protection and will sell in high numbers – so they invested the production cost in safety features. This helmet is aimed at scooter/moped riders, youngsters getting their first bike, pillion riders or infrequent riders.
Dr Martin again: “SHARP has squarely debunked the myth that you have to pay more to get more protection, but it remains the most common assumption by riders. We need all the help we can from retailers fitting a helmet to persuade consumers that price does not equal performance.”
Positive stuff then. But several of the industry people I spoke to weren’t so sanguine. Henry Rivers-Fletcher, CEO at Oxford Products was brief and to the point in his response. “Representing three helmet brands in the UK as we do (HJC, MT and Simpson), I don’t mind admitting that our position on SHARP is ‘ambivalent’! They made such a hash of the original scheme launch that most people on our side of the trade have never taken it seriously. It is just another potential confusion and therefore barrier to trade...
“Furthermore, we have massively expensive international safety standards for a reason. SHARP has never made it onto that level of credibility and is just another cost.”
Paul Haskins from LS2 Helmets also questioned the need for SHARP, with ECE 22.06 now in place. “In all honesty I don’t think it’s needed. We have 22.06 now, and the standards are much higher than they’ve ever been. Also, as a factory we’ve got test rigs for the world, and they are testing beyond the 06 standard.”
SHARP has squarely debunked the myth that you have to pay more to get more protection
Dr Phil Martin, TRL
Some people were more positive though. Aaron Southern from Shark said, “It’s great to hear about SHARP’s 2025 Project which will see them updating their current testing and rating protocols. Since the SHARP scheme was launched, it’s played a vital role in increasing transparency and educating customers about the importance of helmet safety. For us, activities that help offer customers the ability to make an informed choice and contribute towards overall industry standards are welcomed.”
And a spokesperson for Ruroc helmets said the firm uses SHARP in its marketing materials. “Our AT4.0 helmet scored four stars, which is something we have featured in our marketing comms.”
The major criticism of the scheme from the trade though centred on practicalities. The testing regime simply isn’t big or fast enough to keep up with normal turnover of model development. That means that companies have no chance of getting a SHARP rating across their range before models are changed. SHARP aims to test “a minimum of 30 helmets each year”. LS2 has 22 helmets in its range alone, Arai has 16 listed, Shoei 14, HJC 27 –you get the idea. Firms aren’t able to put forward a helmet for testing either – they can request a model be tested but SHARP doesn’t have to pick that one. SHARP will produce a private ‘pre-test’ on a helmet so a firm knows how it will do, but the cost is prohibitive – into five figures according to one industry insider. In addition, without better communication, testing can become pointless: one helmet firm spoke about a helmet model being tested just before it went out of production – so the firm had a four- or five-star product which had just been replaced and didn’t exist anymore.
One result of this is that the SHARP website lists a series of discontinued helmet models and even defunct brands. Paul Haskins again: “Look at the website now. There are helmets on there that don’t exist, that haven’t existed for a long time like Arashi and KBC. They don’t take helmets off.”
And the industry reckons that is causing confusion. Customers can’t readily understand why the new helmet they want to buy doesn’t have a SHARP rating. Nor why there are helmets on the SHARP site which they not only cannot buy, but which were produced by
SHARP's testing facility is based at its Wokingham headquarters
brands that don’t exist at all now.
I visited the TRL helmet test centre at its HQ in Wokingham for an organised open day, along with some interested consumers. The testing itself seemed impressive, well-thoughtout, and scientifically sound, with enthusiastic, dedicated staff employed there. They came across as dead set on doing the best job possible on rating helmets via rigorous impact testing.
But what seemed to be lacking was logistical capacity. Anyone who’s had to store a large number of helmets knows how much space they take up: thousands and thousands of square feet of racking, filled with bulky cuboid boxes. And the TRL test centre didn’t seem to have the space needed to ramp up testing to a level that would keep the industry happier.
To be fair, the SHARP spokesperson admitted as such. This is a taxpayerfunded operation, with the limited resources that comes with it. It is doing the best it
can with what it has. SHARP recognises it does not test every new model of helmet but likens itself to the Which? consumer scheme that compares some models of a product, but not every model available. The testing and star rating is a way to draw attention to the unseen safety performance of a helmet and get consumers thinking about how to choose one helmet over another, to explore the advice and information provided by SHARP, to educate themselves about how to achieve the best protection for themselves when riding. At the end of the day, SHARP says it’s a consumer information scheme to provide advice about choosing a helmet and educating riders about what makes one helmet perform better than another. And it sees its responsibility as being primarily towards consumers – not retailers, manufacturers, or the wider trade.
SHARP says, however, that the benefit to retailers in selling helmets with star ratings is that the safety performance is conspicuous.
SHARP’S MARKETING PLANS
THE OTHER CRUCIAL PART OF A SUCCESSFUL SHARP scheme is visibility. Some in the trade who BDN spoke to said they’d lost sight of the scheme over the years, and didn’t know it was still running. So TRL and SHARP have a solid plan to promote the scheme as it relaunches – and there should be definite safety benefits to a helmet safety campaign regardless of any issues with the testing regime.
“We had stands at two fantastic shows,” said SHARP. “Motorcycle Live at the NEC and the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show. We spoke with over 2000 people at these events, explaining what to look for when selecting a new helmet (fit, comfort, safety), answering their questions about the scheme, showing them how to measure their heads and how to use the website to check the ratings of helmets on their shortlist.
“We also have a healthy subscriber list (sign up via the website) to our newsletter and followers on the SHARP Twitter/X channel where all the new ratings appear first.
“The primary means of getting the results out to consumers is actually via our loyal fan base of retailers who will enthusiastically promote any helmet with a SHARP rating. CBT schools have to
That doesn’t mean than unrated helmets are “worse”, they simply have not been tested, so the rating is an additional element of confidence for consumers but should not be the only reason for selecting a helmet. The star ratings also demonstrate that price is not an indicator of safety performance.
The real meat of the situation is also made plain by SHARP, which says that “if retailers want every helmet tested, they (and/or the manufacturers) would need to fund a scheme similar to
include a learning module on riding safely, and they direct their customers to the SHARP website and use the information provided about how to choose a helmet. Organisations like Biker Down are great at putting out the key messages for us too. Road Safety Partnerships organised by local authorities are also great at disseminating the safety advice from SHARP. It’s a huge potential audience to reach on a small budget, with lots of sub-groups by age and activity, so the scheme really does rely on the generosity of industry to support it.
“On the cards for the future is an upgrade to the website and possibly a mobile app to make checking the ratings easier, or a widget for retailers to include a lookup of the ratings on their website, plus new point-of-sale material.
NCAP which is funded by vehicle manufacturers.”
Its response to a query about long-defunct lids and brands remaining on the SHARP website was less convincing though. “We know that riders actually keep and use their helmets for many more than five years,” said the spokesperson. “The ratings are left on the website because the models are still in use, even if they are not for sale. Additionally, many models are no longer available in GB but are still for sale in other countries. We are looking into marking the helmets as ‘Discontinued’ on the website, although this is not a straightforward task, and would apply only to helmets no longer distributed in the UK.” Finally, SHARP says it’s already looking at updating its testing regime – which is the same as it was back in 2007 – to take account of the ECE 22.06 standard. While it says SHARP testing is already more rigorous than 22.06, it confirms there is interest in upgrading the SHARP test process and ratings protocol. And SHARP says there is work going on behind the scenes – the ‘Project 2025’ that industry figures have mentioned –but nothing specific that can be shared right now. Whether that process will solve the problems with testing capacity, costs and logistics identified by the trade remains to be seen –but seems unlikely.
Test lids are dropped from calibrated heights onto anvils, and impact forces measured
Vertu opens first Ducati showroom in Sunderland
If you were asked to name the place with the best Ducati dealership in the country – or even Europe –where would you say? Milan, Munich, perhaps London or Bristol? Well, according to Fabrizio Cazzoli, the MD at Ducati UK, the new benchmark for his dealer network is actually in the North East of England, in West Boldon on the outskirts of Sunderland. That’s where the firm’s very latest outlet, the new Ducati Sunderland showroom, is located.
It’s the first branch for the Bologna brand with the Vertu group of car and bike dealers, and BDN had an exclusive chat with Cazzoli, and Vertu CEO Robert Forrester, just after the gala opening weekend event last month. Vertu has been
selling bikes since 2007 and is already a Honda and BMW Motorrad franchise holder (it’s actually the biggest Motorrad dealer in the UK). Why did the firm decide to take on Ducati? And why Sunderland?
and we have a very strong relationship with VAG, so that fits nicely.
“And when we were looking at the business and where Ducati could fit, we felt Sunderland was the place
We were looking at the business and where Ducati could fit, we felt Sunderland was the place for it
Robert Forrester, Vertu CEO
then Scotland, you couldn’t be in a better place. We felt there was a big opportunity, and proof was at the launch weekend when we had north of 400 people there. It’s clearly hit something in the North East bike community to get that many people.
“We don’t want too many franchises,” said Forrester.
“We want to have focus and be experts in the franchises we operate. The only addition we wanted was Ducati. There are a number of reasons: first, we see them at the luxury end, the pinnacle of motorcycling.
Also, they’re part of the Volkswagen Audi Group,
for it. It’s not actually in Sunderland, it’s in Boldon, at the intersection of the main A19 from Newcastle. It’s the most accessible place in the North East, and bikers here are in a great location, they can go south to the Yorkshire Moors, south-west to the Dales, across to the Lake District, or north to Northumbria and
“It couldn’t have gone any better, and now we’ve got to make sure that we deliver good service to our customers and develop a good reputation. Anyone can put a whizzbang event on, but it’s not much use if you can’t deliver the service!”
Vertu has a BMW Mini and Motorrad outlet on the same estate and owns the new Ducati building. “We’ve probably spent £3-4m on redeveloping the whole site,” said Forrester. “The Ducati showroom is to
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Motorcycle licence type
Motorcycle parts and accessories
Motorcycle clothing and helmets
(by manufacturer and style – touring, sports etc)
the latest standards, and it’s a sizable investment within that, but an investment we’re willing to make.
“We have some staff transferring from the existing business, and we will be recruiting. Is it easy to recruit good bike technicians? No, it’s never easy! But I think we’ve done okay; we have a few more on board now, and the service department is open with a dedicated Ducati workshop.
Opening before winter means we’ll be fully trained and up and running to hit next season completely ready.”
Fabrizio Cazzoli was
message to reaffirm our strategy of enlargement and improvement. We need to cover the whole territory, but we need to do it with the best partners.”
Cazzoli praised the opening weekend itself. “The event itself was a pleasure to be at. It was surprising for many reasons. One is that there is a huge loyal Ducati community. They have stayed with the brand despite the fact that no one was taking care of them. I haven’t talked so much at a new dealer opening ever!”
And Cazzoli says that the enthusiasm was matched in
clearly happy with the latest dealership in his network. “We have a new benchmark for Ducati in the country and that benchmark is Ducati Sunderland. The facility is amazing; I think it’s going to be the one to look at, not only in the UK, but I think it’s a very, very high standard internationally as well. I’ve been working in China, where building massive and impressive showrooms is relatively easy, so doing what Vertu has done in Sunderland is quite exceptional. That’s why I’m saying this is the new standard for the country.
“In Sunderland, we had a location that was not covered, and now we’ve managed to do two things – finally, after several years, we have a new Ducati home there, but also with a very successful partner, so we have the best of both. And that is another
the order department as well. “The order intake for such a short opening period was far beyond expectations. I can’t tell you the number, but let me tell you we exceeded our forecasts.”
A positive start for a very high-profile new Ducati outlet. Will we see more from Vertu in the future? You wouldn’t bet against it, but Robert Forrester reckons slow and steady will be the watchwords. “We’re happy with our three franchises, but I don’t think we need to venture into anymore. We will help our management by appointing a dedicated bike director, which is in progress. This isn’t where our bike business stops. There’s a lot of work to do here; setting up from scratch is always interesting, and we’ll look to do more and expand in due course, but we’ll do it in steps: not going too big too soon.”
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From left: Charley Boorman, Fabrizio Cazzoli, managing director of Ducati UK and Chris Taylor, operations director at Vertu Motors plc
SHORT CUTS
EUROPEAN BIKE WEEK
AT THE START OF SEPTEMBER, A CLAIMED 100,000 visitors turned up at the Austrian resort of Faaker See, with 70,000 bikes, for the 2024 European Bike Week. The massive free festival ran between 3-8 September with loads of Harley-Davidson-themed entertainment and displays in the Harley Village. Harley-Davidson also announced the venue for its 2025 European Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) Rally – this time in Croatia. The 2025 H.O.G. meet will take place in Medulin from 12-15 June. The event moves to a different location every year, reflecting the group’s continent-wide membership, and is regularly attended by Harley-Davidson riders and fans from across Europe and around the world. 2024’s Rally took place in Senigallia, Italy and attracted a record number of attendees. More info: www.harley-davidson.com
MCIA NET ZERO TRANSPORT
TONY CAMPBELL, CEO OF THE MOTOR Cycle Industry Association (MCIA), participated in the recent quarterly meeting of the Council for Net Zero Transport, which aims to guide the government’s strategy on decarbonising road transport. The MCIA boss, who has joined the Council’s Strategic Advisory Group, aims to ensure that PLVs are central to its mission. He said: “With road transport decarbonisation stagnating, the powered light vehicle sector presents significant, untapped potential. We urge the new government to collaborate with us to deliver on our Action Plan. By harnessing this potential, we can drive progress and play a crucial role in building an affordable and efficient decarbonised transport network.”
ARDINGLY CLASSIC SHOW
THE AUTUMN ARDINGLY CLASSIC BIKE SHOW and Jumble is introducing a new theme this year and the comeback of the popular Next Gen award for younger classic enthusiasts. The show’s theme, “Round the Clock,” aims to spotlight the everyday commuters, hard workers, and unsung heroes of the classic motorcycle world. An award will be presented for the Best “Round the Clock” Machine, while exceptional show-stopping bikes can compete for other prizes. The show will be held on 27 October at The South of England Showground in Ardingly. www.elkpromotions.co.uk
Freeman Sammy Miller
Honours-laden Sammy Miller, MBE, has another accolade to his name – Honourary Freeman of New Milton, Hampshire.
Miller (90), regarded as one of the world’s greatest trials rider, established a motorcycle museum in New Milton 41 years ago and moved it to Bashley Manor, Hampshire, in 2009. It quickly established a world-class reputation for the sporting motorcycles on display, many of them restored on-site.
“The honour is recognition of a job well done,” New Milton town council clerk Graham Flexman said. “Sammy Miller said he would accept the honour so long as he could have some influence in trying to improve the condition and safety of local roads, especially those leading to his museum.
“He was presented with an illuminated scroll by David Hawkins, chairman of New Forest District Council, on 25 September at New Milton council offices, followed by a reception at the museum. Among those attending was New Forest MP, Sir Desmond Swayne.
“Sammy Miller deserves the recognition,” added Flexman, who rode a Lambretta in his youth and was delighted to see an example of ‘his’ bike had recently been added to the museum collection.
Sammy Miller is the fourth person to be made a New Milton Honourary Freeman. The previous three were councillors recognised for civil achievements.
The award carries no privileges, but elevates the Miller Museum’s status and officially recognises its importance as a major New Forest tourist attraction with 21,000 visitors a year and more than 400 machines on display.
The museum has put New Milton on the world map
Said Sammy Miller: “The museum has put New Milton on the world map. We are very lucky that journalist Alan Cathcart has written about machines in the museum for 39 international magazines. This has resulted in even more visitors from all parts of the world. New Milton would be just another town in the New Forest without us.
“I appreciate the award. It’s good for motorcycling. And hopefully the council will get switched on to making the roads safer. At present, it’s a patchwork quilt of potholes and poor repairs. Quite unacceptable for motorcyclists
visiting the museum.”
Last year, New Milton (population 26,000) granted planning permission for a new separate restaurant at the museum. The development will allow the current tea rooms to be converted to motorcycle displays, bringing the potential machine display numbers up to 500. Work started in early September for a target opening in the New Year.
Recent additions to the museum include five machines bought from the HJ Pugh auction of speedway machines (all lots sold – see BDN July p36).
Ulsterman Sammy Miller moved from Ariel Motorcycles, Birmingham, where he was a works trials rider, to New Milton in 1964 to join Bultaco importer Rickman Motorcycles to help develop new Bultaco trials models.
Eleven times British and double European trials champion, Miller developed his own range of trials accessories retailed as Sammy Miller Equipment. He began collecting classic competition machines, first showing them to the public in 1980. In 1983, the late seven-time world road race champion (1956-60) John Surtees officially opened the museum.
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum 01425 620777
www.sammymiller.co.uk
Sammy Miller
Sammy Miller with his latest accolade Image:DerekMaidment
Flitwick celebrates 40 years with Yamaha
Bedfordshire dealer Flitwick Motorcycles, is one of the landmark firms in the bike trade. It’s been around since 1975 as a Yamaha dealer, with Carole and Steve Linsdell taking charge in 1984 – exactly forty years ago this summer. The firm has had dealings with other brands down the years, but it’s as a Yamaha dealer – and race team – that it has become best known. And Yamaha Motor UK has marked Flitwick’s 40th anniversary (under Carole and Steve’s ownership) with a special award as the Linsdells take a well-earned retirement.
Carole Linsdell said, “Steve and I were so honoured and humbled to receive the unexpected, and much appreciated engraved gift from Yamaha UK to acknowledge our 40 years of partnership selling Yamaha motorcycles and products and our retirement from our family business, which continues under the management of our son, David.
“When we opened the doors in 1984, we had only our love of motorcycles and a belief that we could make a success of selling and marketing what we loved. Today, we look back with pride at what we have achieved during those 40 years.
“We will always be grateful that Yamaha [then Mitsui] gave us the opportunity 40 years ago to sell their products and represent them as Yamaha retailers.
“The journey together has been a
wonderful one, shaping our and our family’s future, and we are confident that following our retirement, our son David will take that partnership forward well into the future. We would not be where we are today without the faith in us Yamaha offered in 1984, but equally without such a fantastic team that has worked alongside us at ‘Team Flitwick’, many of whom joined us very early on in our journey as motorcycle retailers.
“Steve and I would like to dedicate this special gift and Yamaha acknowledgement to our recently deceased workshop manager Wayne Kempson, a Yamaha man through and through, and without whom we would not be where we are now. He would have been so proud to be here to see it. Rest in peace Wayne.
“Thank you all at Yamaha; it’s been quite a journey.”
Adam Kelley, general manager of land sales at Yamaha UK, said, “All the team at Yamaha are proud to celebrate the 40-year relationship with everyone at Flitwick Motorcycles. Carole, Steve, David, and the team have always had a partnership mindset, attending our dealer council meetings and voicing opinions using a ‘working together’ approach. It is not only committed to Yamaha motorcycle and scooter sales, but the team has also always strongly supported the full Yamaha aftersales product line-up, more recently rewarded with the 2023 Parts and Accessory Sales Achievement award at our February conference.
“We wish Carole and Steve a well-earned and enjoyable retirement, leaving the business in good hands. Dedicating the 40-year celebration award to Wayne truly demonstrates the family environment within the business.”
Dave Brown, Yamaha’s dealer development manager, said, “It is a genuine privilege to be able to deliver the sentiments of YMUK to Carole and Steve, recognising their 40 years of trading. It’s a relationship I know we value very highly and one that we can look forward to continuing with David. Legend has it that Flitwick Motorcycles first took on Yamaha in 1975, so we’ll make sure we delve into the archives, ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary.”
From left: Dave Brown (Yamaha’s dealer development and trade marketing manager), Steve Linsdell, David Linsdell, Carole Linsdell and Ross Tiley (Yamaha area sales manager, Midlands, Wales and South West
What next for employment law?
Now that Sir Keir Starmer and Labour have the keys to government, the first time that Labour has been in this position since 2010, it’s clear that employment law is to change radically.
Any discussion ought to start with A New Deal for Working People, published by Labour in May. This document outlines various reforms and pledges.
Albeit in a list-like form, the document proposes many changes, including new protections from unfair dismissal, sick pay and parental leave as day-one rights; the banning of zero-hour contracts; contracts that reflect the number of hours actually worked based on a 12week reference period; the banning of “fire and rehire” practices; amending collective redundancy consultation thresholds based on the number of people impacted across the employer’s whole business; and the merging of employee and worker status.
However, Labour also wants to reform many other areas of employment law, too. It’s proposing to strengthen the rights and protections for whistleblowers and those who transfer from one business to another under TUPE; protect interns and volunteers from sexual harassment; introduce the right to switch off and work autonomously; strengthen the rights and protections for workers and the selfemployed; bring in rules for new employees to inform them of their right to join a trade union; change statutory maternity and paternity leave; introduce “Fair Pay Agreements” negotiated through sectoral collective bargaining; bring in mandatory ethnicity and disability pay reporting for
larger employers (those with more than 250 staff); introduce a menopause action plan for larger employers; change health and safety law and enforcement; and increase the timeframe for filing claims with Employment Tribunals from three months to six months.
That’s quite a list, and consequently, not everything has made the two employment law bills announced during the King’s Speech in mid-July.
Employers will have to be more circumspect in how they dismiss and ensure that they have followed fair procedures
But regardless of when the changes listed above are introduced, they will have a significant impact on employers – even if only some of them become statutes.
Consider the right to protection from unfair dismissal. Presently, employees need to have two years of service before they can bring a claim for unfair dismissal. If that were made a day one right, the whole landscape would be changed overnight, with employers far more exposed to Employment Tribunal claims.
Employers will have to be more circumspect in how they dismiss and ensure that they have followed fair procedures. Notably, the unfair dismissal right has never been a dayone right; it previously had a one-year
service period until April 2012, when it was changed to two years.
Similarly, if the definitions of worker and employee are merged, the pool of individuals who can claim unfair dismissal will be greatly enhanced; at present, this right applies only to employees, not workers. The same risk applies if the timeframe within which employees can bring tribunal claims is doubled – more will have the option to bring claims.
But back to the employment status framework, currently there are three categories of employment status: employee, worker, and self-employed. It’s important to understand that they differ in the way that employment protections work and the obligations they place on employers. Beyond unfair dismissal protection, only employees benefit from statutory minimum notice periods and redundancy payments. Likewise, many statutory family-related and time-off entitlements only apply to employees. If the definitions of employee and worker are merged, many of these workplace rights could then apply to many more people within an employer’s workforce.
As a result, if the rules change as expected, employers will likely spend more time and financial resources responding to claims.
The saving grace is that Labour has mentioned making the rules applicable after the end of a probationary period. Unsurprisingly, employers will no doubt look to lengthen the time probationary periods run for.
Only time will tell how this all plays out, but one thing is certain, employers are going to have a tougher time of it.
Yamaha explains the strategy behind its new automatic gearbox
BDN’s Alan Dowds attended the recent press launch for the new Yamaha MT09 Y-AMT automatic transmission model. While the bike itself was interesting and worked well, the firm's thinking about the technology was even more thought-provoking
The Y-AMT system is similar in concept to the Honda E-Clutch and BMW ASA Automated Shift Assistant, which have also recently been launched. All three systems use nearstandard bike transmission setups – sequential dog gearboxes with selector drums and shift forks – but with computer-controlled actuators on the clutch and gear operating mechanisms. That allows a full- or semiautomatic transmission setup, with the rider either enjoying twist-and-go auto operation or changing gears via an electronic switch on the handlebars or foot
they won’t want to do it on two wheels either.
lever. KTM is also set to unveil a similar system, and CFMoto and others are also following suit.
But why are so many firms opting for these auto boxes?
Yamaha staff from Japan and Europe told me that they think there will be increasing consumer demand for the tech – because there are so few manual transmission cars sold nowadays. With the proliferation of hybrid and fully electric cars, plus the expansion in the dualclutch and other high-tech auto boxes in the four-wheel world, the thinking is that new riders will be so unused to swapping cogs in a car that
EFFECTIVE AND WELL ENGINEERED
YAMAHA'S Y-AMT IS INITIALLY BEING LAUNCHED ON THE NEW MT-09, where it worked very well on the roads of North East Spain, towards the Pyrenees north of Barcelona. It's an effective, wellengineered setup with fast changes, well-integrated into the bike, and only adds £550 and 2.8kg to the cost and weight, respectively. It offers a full auto ‘D’ mode, with a sportier ‘D+’ function, as well as a push-button semi-automatic mode with push-button gear selection up and down.
Yamaha says the system has been designed to fit other bikes easily, so expect to see Y-AMT spreading across the range, beginning at the EICMA show in Milan next month. We’d expect an automatic Tracer, plus more, over the next 12 months.
It's a plausible explanation. I can’t remember the last time I rented a car from an airport with a manual transmission, for example. Also, car sales figures and the number of new drivers taking an auto-only test support this thinking. One industry insider we spoke to did express a more cynical view, though. He thought it’s to help out the increasingly decrepit OAPs who are becoming the majority in the bike world and whose creaking joints are less able to wrangle a clutch and foot lever! A nice easy automatic gearbox will help out at both ends of the two-wheeled demographic…
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Triumph tops list of online bike brand searches
TRIUMPH HAS RANKED NUMBER ONE in a survey of online awareness of bike accessory brands. The report from Salience Search Marketing analysed eleven crucial performance indicators, including year-on-year visibility, search volume trends and brand awareness, and found that Triumph generated 22,200 monthly brand searches. The report merges branded search metrics with social media performance to determine which brands stand out across various channels, offering insights into their overall prominence in the market.
Second place went to Italian kit maker Alpinestars, with 9900 monthly searches, followed by Fox Racing, with 6600. The rest of the top ten contained some equally familiar names: Ruroc helmets, Belstaff, Dainese, 24MX, SportsbikeShop, Muc-Off, and AGV.
Brett Janes, MD at Salience, said: “It’s been an extremely productive year for brands such as Triumph Motorcycles and Alpinestars, with both companies emerging as leading names in the motorbike accessories sector. Analysing search data and social statistics effectively measures how prominent a particular brand is within its industry. By maintaining a strong social presence, brands can remain at the forefront of
HEX and Lone Rider launch smart lighting
High-tech bike electronic specialist HEX Innovate has partnered with premium light manufacturer Lone Rider. The deal will see Lone Rider use smart Canbus technology from HEX Innovate to power an advanced plug-and-play interface and setup for its new range of LED add-on riding lights.
“We are thrilled to partner with Lone Rider to integrate our HEX ezBUS technology into their innovative auxiliary motorcycle lights,” said Neil LePine, business development director at HEX Innovate. “This collaboration
“We are excited to leverage HEX Innovate’s expertise in motorcycle accessory management to enhance the functionality and user experience of our new Lone Rider MotoLights,” said Andrew Dysart, COO of Lone Rider. “By leveraging HEX ezBUS technology to
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Your thoughts on the trade’s
Taking the long view
It was encouraging to read in last month’s BDN that Triumph general manager Devron Boulton is: “Committed to attracting the next generation of riders.” His comment was not just another passing reference to a major industry problem; much better than that, it was supported by a statement of action on two fronts.
First, Triumph has signed a two-year partnership agreement with James Beddows, originator of the highly informative and learnerfriendly RideTo website. Created after Beddows negotiated the current maze of licencing and rider training regulations inflicted over the years by the Department for Transport to steer would-be newbie riders away from two wheels and onto four, RideTo clearly sets out the route to a licence and comes as a result of Beddows’s own painful experience when seeking to renew his bike licence. RideTo has also been developed into a resource hub to include advice on riding kit, insurance, etc and is now developing commercial partnerships with training schools to get more business to them and to the RideTo website.
Triumph’s support for RideTo comes as part of a second new initiative, its Ticket To Ride campaign, which offers new riders £500 towards the cost of two of its novice models, if they buy a bike within a year of taking their test.
Back in the April issue BDN said that some radical thinking and urgent action is needed to get new bums on seats, and suggested that £500 (or more) be offered as an incentive to trainees (after
they had passed their test) to offset some of the cost of training. The reward to come in the form of a discount against the cost of a new bike. It’s good that Triumph agree with BDN, but what about the other manufacturers?
It’s crucial that the industry makes attracting new, younger customers a top priority. The average age of new bike customers is now 55, and getting older. A situation that’s unsustainable, unless immediate action is taken to attract a younger demographic.
Over the last eight years, new registrations (including 2024’s estimated 112,000) have averaged 110,000, and the reality is that unless urgent action is taken, the average customer age will increase and at best registrations remain static. Fine, if in a few years’ time dealers want to be selling pensioner mobility wheels rather the two wheels!
Triumph is to be applauded for taking a long-term view –others need to join the party and that includes the dealer and manufacturer trade associations.
Colin Mayo, publisher, BDN
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Pragmasis
Free trade tickets for Motorcycle Live
REGISTRATION IS NOW open for Trade Day tickets at this year’s Motorcycle Live, which is on Monday, 18 November at the NEC in Birmingham. Eligible trade visitors can receive up to four free tickets. This year’s event will include new attractions, live entertainment, and nearly 50 confirmed motorcycle manufacturers. The show offers a combination of business and pleasure, including riding opportunities, street food and music. The nine-day show runs from 16-24 November. Apply for free trade tickets at: www. motorcyclelive.co.uk/trade-day
Fabio Grandolfo of Automoto Classics with a superb 1961 200cc Ducati Elite (£10,000), one of six Italian lightweights for sale until a torrential thunderstorm sent traders heading home
The Pistons & Props Sywell Classic, held over the weekend of 21-22 September, suffered from the tempestuous nature of the British weather as a monumental thunderstorm erupted mid-afternoon on the opening day. It was so bad that stallholders and sheltering showgoers had to hang on to the awnings to stop them taking flight. Some without success.
Stormy Sywell
Italian motorcycle specialist Automoto Classics had chosen Pistons & Props to stage its first outdoor promotion since the business started in 2018, bringing six machines ranging from £2500-£10,000 to display at the annual Northamptonshire Aerodrome event. But once the storm eased, Automoto Classics partner Fabio Grandolfo loaded his Italian lightweights back into his van and headed home.
The storm continued through Saturday
night, with more rain forecast for Sunday.
Motorcycle autojumbler
David ‘Skip’ Townley, who ran Mad Mile Motorcycles in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire from 2015 to 2020, followed Fabio’s lead and also abandoned.
RGS Motorbikes of Wellingborough, with seven bikes on display plus cars from its Motorsports division, stuck it out for a bit longer, but on Sunday morning event organiser Live Promotions had to call it a day and cancelled the event due to flooded roads and waterlogged parking.
While the Saturday morning sun shone, scooters dominated the two-wheel club displays – Vespa, Lambretta and Maico being the main marques. Last year’s lead clubs –Vintage Japanese and East Northants Classics – were absent, citing rising charges for club displays as the cause.
Motorcycle Action Group backs London lawsuit
The political silly season is over, and the Motorcycle Action Group is pushing for riders’ rights in London once more. The riders’ rights organisation is working with fellow campaigners Save London Motorcycling (SLM) to crowd-fund legal action against Hackney Council’s bike parking charges, an issue which has been dragging on for four years and will see bikes charged up to £10 per day for parking in the borough. MAG director Colin Brown said: “It is shocking that motorcyclists feel the need to resort to expensive legal
action on such an issue. Encouraging a shift from cars to motorcycles is a simple way to achieve the goals that all councils seek in their parking strategies. The unwillingness of councillors in Hackney to listen to reasonable, evidence-based arguments from the people they are elected to represent is depressing. Good policymaking requires pragmatism and compromise – both qualities seem to be severely lacking in Hackney.”
MAG is also fighting against proposed charges for motorcycles to use the new Silvertown tunnel when
it’s built. The group says riders will take long detours to avoid charges, reducing safety, and it says bikes should be able to use the planned new Lower Thames crossing free of charge. Colin Brown said: “MAG has been engaging with the Silvertown Tunnel project consultations for over a decade. We have repeatedly made it clear that the logical outcome is for motorcycles to be exempt from charges. There is no way that TfL can claim that they were not given time or opportunity to analyse the pros and cons of our argument.”
On the RGS Motorbikes stand the storm was a novelty to start, but soon became serious as it raged for 50 minutes. More rain and storms followed
Hughes takes over at Vmoto
Gareth Hughes has been appointed as the new general manager of Vmoto UK. He replaces previous CEO Clive Mann, who stepped down from the role on 23 August after 18 months.
Hughes, who has been sales manager with Vmoto’s UK distributor since 2021, will oversee the dealer network at a crucial time as
the Chinese brand rolls out its eagerly awaited Stash model – a premium machine said to compare well against 125cc petrol learner legal machinery. The UK arm has also been setting up a new HQ in Guildford as the parts supply chain from China is strengthened.
Hughes said: “I’m proud to have been asked to lead Vmoto’s operations in the
UK, especially at this vital time in the brand’s journey. Support from China has been outstanding, and our dealer network can see there is a plan and model progression they can have faith in. The recent announcement of new battery technology, plus investment in e-fleets,
Bombardier appoints Slimon as new commercial manager
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has strengthened its UK team by appointing Alan Slimon as district commercial manager. Slimon is an experienced sales professional with more than a decade of management experience in the automotive sector. He will be responsible for Scottish and North East dealers in the CanAm off-road network. His role will see him “implement bespoke commercial strategies that will help open new sales
avenues for its dealers”. The firm says this will aid BRP’s growth strategy for the Scottish and northern markets.
Anita Gobbo, BRP regional commercial manager for the UK, Italy, Ireland and Spain, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alan into the Can-Am off-road family. His experience in operations and sales are assets we look forward to leveraging. We also believe his background in the on-road sector will bring a fresh perspective and insights to the business while providing
alongside our deliveries of Stash and Pro models, means there’s never been a better time to get involved with the brand!“
Hughes and his team will attend both EICMA and Motorcycle Live. Prospective dealers can contact him at gareth@vmoto.com
value that will help dealers maximise the opportunities Can-Am off-road vehicles bring to their business.”
Hickman promoted at Lukas
UK BIKE IMPORTER LUKAS DISTRIBUTION, best known for the BSA brand, has appointed a new head of technical operations. Mark Hickman (right) has more than 20 years of experience in the motorcycle industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. His extensive background includes many years working in technical departments alongside several well known motorcycle manufacturers. He has worked at Lukas Distribution since it launched, albeit in a smaller role. The firm says his technical management proficiency and his passion for motorcycles make him an invaluable addition as the new head of technical operations.
“We are excited to announce Mark Hickman’s promotion,” said Luke Gregory, MD of Lukas. “Mark’s exceptional track record and dedication
to the motorcycle industry align perfectly with our goals. His leadership will undoubtedly elevate our technical department, ensuring we continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers and partners.”
Hickman will oversee all technical aspects of the company, including product development, quality assurance, and technical support. Additionally, he’ll play a crucial role in developing training programs for staff and customers.
“I am excited to move into the head of technical role and look forward to contributing to the company’s growth and success,” said Hickman. “This is an exciting opportunity, and I am committed to upholding the high standards of quality and service that Lukas Distribution is known for.”
All change in the South for Bickers
BICKERS HAS RECENTLY reorganised the roles of the company’s southern area sales managers. Peter Abbot, who has been responsible for the South East in recent years, has moved to take on the South West area. Meanwhile, the South East position has been filled by new recruit Kurt
New managing director for Liqui Moly
German lubricant giant Liqui Moly, has appointed a new managing director, Salvatore Coniglio. Coniglio is currently export director and joins a duo of managing directors, Günter Hiermaier and Dr Uli Weller, to complete a three-man leadership team.
MD and commercial director Dr Weller, said augmenting the company’s management board was logical and necessary.
“With Salvatore Coniglio, we welcome a very experienced colleague bringing international foresight and sensitivity to the management team. We operate in around 150 countries, so an additional top manager is essential and will give our healthy growth course even more momentum. He knows all the business sectors very well and has an excellent network of contacts. It will enable us to meet the requirements of our stakeholders even better.”
“My new role will boost the Liqui Moly brand and extend our international orientation further. Integrating closeness to our customers and partners all over the world at the top management level is both a great challenge and an opportunity. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Rob Sheldon (right) welcomes Kurt Pringle
Pierer in pain
Pierer Mobility Group revenue slumped by a painful 27.4% to £847.4m in the first half of 2024. Approximately 93% of this total was attributable to motorcycle operations and the rest to bicycles. Then an overall operating profit of £81.6m in the equivalent period last year was replaced by a £164.1m operating loss. The main factor behind such negativity was the bicycle segment’s £99m operating loss, of which about £63m was attributable to special write-offs. Group net profit of £44.6m in the first half of 2023 morphed into a net loss of £144.8m this time around.
An untypical profit warning, issued more than two months ago by Pierer Mobility Group, alerted investors to trouble ahead. But the breadth of business difficulties at Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer during the first half of 2024, revealed in late August’s full results statement, was nevertheless shocking
Net debt grew from £653m on 31 December 2023 to £1.236bn at 30 June 2024. Negative performance was partly to blame. But an increased capital commitment, supporting Pierer’s global dealer network in the face of high interest rates, also had a key role.
However, Pierer Mobility’s motorcycle business had to carry its share of the can. Global revenue from motorcycles was 26.7% down to £787.9m. An associated £98.5m operating profit during the first half of 2023 turned into a first-half 2024 operating loss of £65.6m.
New German parent for Dymag
PUMA PRIVATE EQUITY, A DIVISION OF UK fund manager Puma Investments, has sold British high-performance motorcycle and car wheel specialist Dymag to Borbet, a major German manufacturer of light alloy vehicle wheels. Founded in 1974, Dymag subsequently became famous for its carbonfibre motorcycle applications. Since 2018, Puma has invested £8.75m in the acquisition and enhancement of Dymag Group.
Dymag Technologies, a new wholly owned subsidiary of Borbet, has taken over the entire trade and assets of Dymag Group for an undisclosed sum. This pre-pack transaction included the Dymag brand, patents, production facilities, and the immediate integration of all employees.
Commenting on the deal, Dymag director Chris Shelley said: “We are delighted to become part of the Borbet family. This partnership is a significant step for Dymag branded products and will position Dymag Technologies as a leading supplier to premium car manufacturers worldwide.”
According to Shelley, as a standalone subsidiary at its existing UK site In Chippenham, Dymag Technologies will continue to supply BX-F wheels to aftermarket customers in the US and Asia, as well as Tier-1 wheel companies worldwide. It will also continue to develop and produce motorcycle rims.
Borbet chief executive Burkhard Plett added: “The acquisition of Dymag assets
Operating margin went from plus 9.2% to minus 8.4%.
Total worldwide sixmonthly motorcycle sales volume for the various Pierer brands suffered a 21.2% decline to 147,496 units. The gap between that and the 113,072 sold by nearest European competitor BMW Motorrad in the same period narrowed significantly. KTM was hardest hit, 25.2% down to 108,536. Husqvarna dropped by 17.9% to 26,120 and GasGas was in arrears by 8.9% on 7805.
On a brighter note, the recent Pierer take-over of primarily European distribution for Chinese
expands our portfolio to include carbon and magnesium rims. This strategic decision underlines our aim to be a leader in all key automotive wheel technologies. Dymag will work with Borbet to scale production of its OEM and aftermarket BX-F carbon hybrid wheels. These products will be offered to Borbet’s OEM and aftermarket customers to ensure seamless integration of the innovative technology into our portfolio.”
Founded in 1881 and based at Hallenberg-Hesborn, North RhineWestphalia, Borbet styles itself as a global manufacturer supplying more than 30 car manufacturers and is a popular brand in the specialised trade.
affiliate CFMoto has already begun to pay off, more than tripling the brand’s sales to 3587. And MV Agusta, latest recruit to the Pierer Mobility ownership portfolio, is benefiting too. Its premiumpriced unit sales considerably more than doubled to 1448 in the first half of this year.
Overall PTW sales in Australia and New Zealand were negative too, 6.6% down, and Pierer core brand registrations there fell by 10.1%.
The relevant Indian motorcycle market segment recorded a strong 16% increase. Against that backdrop, Pierer’s strategic
On a brighter note, the recent Pierer take-over of primarily European distribution for Chinese affiliate CFMoto has already begun to pay off, more than tripling the brand’s sales
Europe delivered 61.5% of Pierer’s revenue from motorcycles. North America, including Mexico, was responsible for 25.4%. Other markets worldwide contributed 13.1%.
Reviewing half-yearly development in its most important motorcycle markets, the Group noted a positive trend in Europe, where overall demand increased by 4.7%. But registration figures for core Pierer brands (KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas) had declined by about 5%.
The North American market, (in contrast to Europe, also including motocross models) retreated by 3.9%, while Pierer core brands plunged by 18.4%.
manufacturing partner Bajaj sold more than 31,000 KTM and Husqvarna bikes to domestic customers in India, although market share declined to 4.7% from 5.6%.
Elsewhere among main Asian countries with Pierer Mobility Group presences – Hong Kong, Thailand and China – significant declines in the region of 25% were recorded. Despite so much bad news and what it describes as a “persistently challenging environment”, Pierer Mobility Group’s executive board now expects a significantly better second half of the year. This will, it says, be supported by a higher-margin product mix,
particularly in the off-road market.
For 2024 as a whole, the board is forecasting an annualised revenue reduction of between 10% and 15%. In the motorcycle segment, it assumes that the cost savings introduced will be able to compensate for negative effects of declining sales, to such an extent that a flat to slightly positive operating profit can be generated for the full financial year. On the downside, an operating loss of somewhere between £93m and £110m has already been factored in to meet the bicycle division’s extraordinary impairment and restructuring requirements.
Savings already in place focus on 373 workforce redundancies so far since the beginning of this year, 309 of them in Austria. But total Group headcount has only fallen by 160, because the takeover of MV Agusta added 213 employees in Italy. Development of existing dealers and further expansion of the dealer network will be key issues. In addition, the Pierer executive board stresses confidence in a high level of working capital and solid financing structure. It also highlights the fact that MV Agusta’s integration process is going according to plan.
€-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 27 August
No stopping Brembo!
Italian automotive and motorcycle brake giant Brembo’s half-year 2024 results unveiled a 2.8% revenue increase to £1.693bn – narrowly exceeding two billion euros for the first time ever in a comparable period. Operating profit reached £184.7m and operating margin hit 10.9%. However, net debt stood at £518.2m, £43.3m higher than the position 12 months earlier.
Commenting on these figures, Brembo executive chairman Matteo Tiraboschi said they demonstrated the Group’s ability to ensure profitability despite the pressures of a harsh geopolitical and market situation.
“Although the context remains complex, we continue to pursue with confidence our ambitious investment plan, in line with the strategies we are implementing to support
expansion of our global manufacturing and project-related capacity, particularly in Asia and in the aftermarket,” Tiraboschi added, referencing Brembo’s new motorcycle brakes plant development in Thailand.
Brembo executive chairman Matteo Tiraboschi
Euro motorcycle market creeps up
The European market for motorcycles (classed as any PTW over 50cc) has increased slightly over the first six month of the year, according to ACEM’s latest data from the five biggest markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK). This is good news, as it comes on top of a big increase
in last year’s six-month total. However, the moped sector is still having a torrid time. The biggest markets for sub-50cc machinery (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain) saw a further decline after heavy losses in 2023. The total was more than 15% down on an already depleted total, with
all markets suffering to a greater or lesser extent, with Spain falling nearly 25%. Electric-powered markets were also notably afflicted – motorcycles were down by 27.4% and mopeds by 22.6% – mainly as a result of supply issues, reductions in government grants and general apathy from buyers.
MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKET MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS
Global share prices
A snapshot of motorcycle and ATV industry share performance across key manufacturers and major global markets at the trading week closure on Friday 20 September 2024. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports
USA – RATE REDUCTION CELEBRATED
The US Federal Reserve finally slashed half a point off its benchmark rate – twice the anticipated cut. Fed chairman Jay Powell intimated that there would be more to come this year, having effectively tackled inflation and now in position to focus on America’s weakening economy instead.
This news stoked a massive stocks rally, which went global, although equities in New York eased back as the weekend approached. Nevertheless, Wall Street market indices all closed with comfortable positivity. The blue-chip S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average boasted respective 1.4% and 1.6% gains, S&P’s MidCap 400 topped the pile on a 2.3% advance and the NASDAQ Composite added 1.5%.
Conventional powersports manufacturers Harley-Davidson and Polaris were notable beneficiaries, but electric PTW firm Energica parent Ideanomics’ woes were unabated and Harley’s LiveWire spin-off took a dive.
EUROPE – CHINA SYNDROME
The eurozone’s quarter point interest rate cut in the previous week disappeared from view and the US boost was ignored, as a spate of profit warnings from German automotives accelerated. This surge of negativity was based on deterioration in trade with China, however, its spread widened, noticeably infecting European PTW manufacturers too.
The impact on market indices left them struggling for traction. Frankfurt’s Xetra Dax barely got off the floor, finishing just 0.1% ahead. The Wiener Börse ATX in Austria was only 0.4% up, and Milan’s FTSE MIB put on 0.6%.
JAPAN – KEEN ON THE MOOD SWING
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda tried to temper enthusiasm for the US interest rate cut by suggesting that Japanese rates would remain stationary. But investors didn’t take much notice, so Tokyo and Osaka’s Nikkei 225 stock market index enjoyed a 3.1% rise. Leading exporters, including all four indigenous motorcycle-related brands, rose too.
INDIA – CASHING IN ON GROWTH
Indian market indices were lively for different reasons, as Mumbai’s S&P’s BSE
Sensex 30 and National Stock Exchange Nifty 50 respectively climbed 2% and 1.7% as consumer activity blossomed. Major Indian PTW share prices grew in parallel, with only an slight inexplicable aberration from Norton parent TVS.
CHINA – PARTY PROMISES
Yet another raft of economic stimulus intervention by the Chinese Communist Party encouraged weary investors to risk some of their capital once more. Shanghai’s SSE Composite allshare index and the CSI 300 blue-chip yardstick therefore turned tentatively positive with respective 1.2% and 1.3% gains.
Eight of China’s 10 listed bike producers accrued various portions of value. However the most successful among them – Jialing holding company CETC – is an almost wholly-owned State enterprise, so its investment growth was probably a commie stooge operation.
USA
Europe (euro)
Japan (yen)
India (rupee)
China (yuan)
Safety recall for LiveWire
ELECTRIC BIKE MAKER LIVEWIRE HAS launched a safety recall for its S2 Del Mar and Mulholland battery-powered bikes. According to an internal dealer communication, a problem with a high-voltage fuse may cause a loss of propulsion while riding, increasing the risk of a crash. Repeated rapid acceleration can open the fuse, causing the motor to stop without warning, while other electrical functions remain unaffected. A new replacement fuse and recall repair kit are currently being sent to dealers.
The models affected are the 2024 production of the S2 Del Mar and S2 Mulholland for the worldwide market. Dealers are asked to contact their distributors for more information, while owners are also being contacted. New bikes can only be delivered to customers once the repair kit has been fitted.
Zero launches aftercare warranty
Zero UK has announced a new aftercare warranty plan in association with The Motorcycle Organisation. The company is offering 12, 24, and 36-month warranties, with or without battery cover, on new and used Zero bikes up to seven years old and 70,000 miles. The plans can also include AA breakdown and recovery assistance.
Dale Robinson, Zero UK country manager, said: “We want everybody to enjoy their Zero to the fullest extent, so having a full and complete warranty offer gives all riders the peace of mind that, should anything happen, we’ve got you covered to get you back on the road fast!”
New Apollo electric kids’ bikes
URBAN MOTO, THE EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR of Apollo’s RFN brand in the UK, has launched the Warrior Kids SX-1 and SX-2 electric motocross bikes designed specifically for young riders. Both models are designed to provide parents with peace of mind, ensuring children can ride safely, so have a cut-out lanyard, fully enclosed chain, off-road tyres and high-quality suspension, ensuring stability on wet or uneven terrain.
• 12 months cover with a £3000 claim limit: £355 with six-month battery cover / £255 without
• 24 months cover with a £3000 claim limit: £479 with 12-month battery cover / £324 without
• 36 months cover with a £3000 claim limit: £520 with 18-month battery cover / £418 without
All prices are plus VAT
The £599 SRP SX-1 is designed for riders aged 3-6 years or with a height of 90-110 cm and the £899 SRP SX-2 is suitable for riders aged 4-8 years or a height of 100-120cm. Both models offer a range of up to 11 miles or up to two hours in Eco Mode for the SX-1, and up to one hour for the SX-2.
Urban Moto Distribution 01522 589461 distribution@urbanmoto.co.uk
Registrations data
Alternative powered two wheeler registrations for August 2024
Ironically, given the background circumstances relating to registrations as a whole, August’s battery-electric performance was positive. Volume improved by 5.7% to 353 units and market share rose from 4.1% to 4.6%.
However, growth was limited to the 4-11kW mobility sector requiring A1 licences, where headcount rose by 27.8% to 207. Vmoto’s Super Soco CPx, now regarded as a hardy perennial in the electric firmament and once again available in quantity, creamed off marginally more than a quarter of the action, with 53 scooters sold. Up-to-4kW
mopeds fared less well, down by 8.6% to 139. Best-seller was the Sur-Ron Light Bee displaying trail pretensions, 19 of them.
Thereon, enthusiasts for the sparky genre were left crying into their beer. The 11-35kW slot slumped from nine machines in August last year to a void containing absolutely nothing. 35kWwere represented by only three steeds of mixed provenance, a 25% reduction. And then the “exempt” category halved to three as well, once more of unidentified heritage.
For the eight months of 2024 to date, battery-electric registrations have reduced by 1.4% to 2611 units. Market share marked time at 3.3%.
Can-Am’s expansion in East Anglia
The Can-Am on- and off-road dealer network in the UK has been expanded by owner Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) with the appointment of Range & Road, a family-run business based in Watton, Norfolk, with extensive experience in the off-road vehicle sector.
Range & Road will be adding the Can-Am on- and off-road lineup, and will be taking on two new salespeople and technicians, with plans to recruit more staff as the company grows. Additionally, the business has prioritised the customer buying experience by constructing a custom-built off-road test track. This track will allow customers to test vehicles to ensure they are the right ATV or SSV for their needs. The appointment is part of Can-Am’s strategy to add experienced dealers to its network and expand into the recreational and utility vehicle markets in the East of England.
With off-road correspondent Rick Kemp
NOCO sponsors ISDE Team GB
The 98th ISDE is about to kick off in Spain on 14 October, which puts the date of the first event, which took place in the UK at Carlisle, as 1913. That same year, in Cleveland, Ohio, Joseph Henry Nook, the founder of NOCO, was developing the first battery containing NCP2 corrosion preventative, which he launched a year later. So, you could say that the two brands were made for each other – eventually.
Team GB has a strong history of success in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) competition. In 2022, it achieved a historic victory by winning both the Men’s and Women’s World Trophy in Le Puy-EnVelay, France. However, under challenging conditions, the US claimed the title in 2023 in San Juan, Argentina.
This year, Team GB is determined to reclaim the title. The 2024 ISDE will feature 500 elite riders from over 30 nations, making it one of the most demanding tests of endurance, skill, and teamwork in off-road racing.
NOCO’s marketing manager, Zach Koehler, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Team GB as they take on the 98th edition of the International Six Days Enduro. This event
Airoh
epitomises perseverance, teamwork, and resilience – qualities that are at the core of our commitment to innovation and excellence. At NOCO, we strive to develop products that embody these same principles, providing unparalleled reliability and performance when it matters most. We are excited to be able to witness the remarkable feats these riders will achieve and are proud to be part of Team GB’s story.”
NOCO designs and engineers consumer battery chargers, jump starters, and accessories from two sites in the USA, with manufacturing taking place in the US and Hong Kong. www.no.co
celebrates ISDE sponsorship
AIROH has been a main sponsor and official helmet brand of the FIM ISDE for nine consecutive years. In celebration of the 2024 event, the Italian company is presenting its Aviator 3 6Days helmet in the colours of the host nation’s flag. There are a couple of hundred limited editions available worldwide, each accompanied by a certificate with the serial number and the signature of Airoh founder Antonio Locatelli. The customization also extends beyond the helmet, as the accessories and packaging, such as the boxes and helmet bags, are also uniquely designed. Additionally, each helmet will have a serial number printed on the edge. You can find more information at www.airoh.com.
Ark ATV joins Corvus network
SOMERSET-BASED ARK ATV HAS JOINED the Corvus Off-Road Vehicle network. Phil Everett, managing director of Corvus distributor Boss ORV, expressed his excitement about reuniting with Ark’s director, Rob Blomfield-Richards, praising the team’s professionalism and customer support, and its ability to provide highquality sales and aftercare support to new and existing customers within its territory. Ark will sell and support the Corvus Terrain diesel and electric UTV ranges, allowing it to offer a wide selection of commercial ATVs to meet customers’ needs.
Boss ORV 01785 561046
sales@bossorv.co.uk
Ducati’s Dutch debut for Desmo 450 MX
Ducati entered its new Desmo 450 MX in the Dutch GP as a means to gather crucial development data for the upcoming 2025 MXGP World Championship. However, the results were not as impressive as anticipated. Despite the return of nine-time World Champion Tony Cairoli after a three-year hiatus from GPs, he had to settle for 15th place in race one and a DNF in race two.
Ducati’s efforts in refining the Desmo 450 MX continued in the final two rounds of the Italian Championship, with the goal of preparing for the next year’s MXGP World Championship. Alessandro Lupino, the current leader of the Italian Championship, has been instrumental in overseeing the development of the bike.
Husky leans on heritage
HUSQVARNA HAS REVEALED SOME LIMITED-EDITION Heritage models for 2025 featuring a distinctive retro livery All 10 models – four motocross and six enduro – feature blue radiator shrouds and a matching grippy seat cover, plus graphics which take inspiration from the brand’s Swedish heritage. The range includes both two-stroke and four-stroke models. The two-stroke TC range from 125 to 300 features WP XACT suspension, electronic fuel injection, and a Map Select switch for personalised power delivery. The enduro models include the two-stroke TE250 and TE300, plus four-stroke FE models from 250 to 501.
There is also the opportunity for riders to spend a wedge more cash to personalise their machine with technical accessories and upgrades such as triple clamps, wheel sets, exhaust systems, sprockets, and protective parts developed with Husqvarna Factory Racing.
Business Beat
It’s possible to get out of a premises lease, but only if the terms are observed
Unless a firm is flush with cash, taking on a premises lease and becoming a tenant is the only way to get up and running. In time, however, as a tenant, it may find that its premises needs may change.
It may be doing so well that it has to move and take on a larger property. On the other hand, the situation may not be so rosy; the only option to stay afloat is to downsize.
But how can a tenant move on – how can it get out of a lease?
EXERCISING A BREAK CLAUSE
In law, a tenant does not have an automatic right to end a lease. Further, ‘break clauses’ that lead to the legal termination of a lease are not regulated by statute. This means, very simply, that beyond case law, they are solely governed by what is written within the lease.
Any debate on the subject should start with the recognition that break clauses are complicated, and tenants are strongly advised to seek legal advice if they are considering exercising one.
Bluntly, a tenant must strictly comply with all relevant requirements in the break clause, and they would be well advised to protect their position by keeping evidence of their compliance. This means maintaining proof of how they posted or delivered the notice; if the lease holder is silent on the matter, the tenant should ask the landlord to acknowledge receipt.
Next, it’s key that the tenant pays any outstanding monies due to the landlord,
even if it is disputed; payments can be made on a ‘without prejudice’ basis and argued over later.
A tenant must strictly comply with all relevant requirements in the break clause
It’s also important to ask the landlord for the precise steps needed to comply with any break conditions; this should include the landlord supplying a schedule of dilapidations – a list of repairs that need to be completed to reinstate the
LEASE BREAK OUT
premises to a defined standard to end the lease formally.
Another option is to ask the landlord to accept the break notice upon payment of an agreed amount to deal with any outstanding covenant breaches.
TIMESCALES
As to when to exercise a break clause, that will always be whenever the lease permits it. Often, landlords require tenants to provide three or six months written notice of the intention to exercise a break. But then this must be validly served on the landlord.
It is important to note that break clauses are often conditional. This means that the break clause exercise won’t be valid without satisfying these conditions.
The most common conditions are that the tenant must have paid all the rent (or all payments due under the lease) up to and including the break date; the tenant must have observed all its covenants; they must not be in material breach of repairing covenants; and the tenant must hand the property back empty and with ‘vacant possession’.
Observing the specified time limits is central to successfully exercising a break clause.
Break clauses can be fixed or rolling. A fixed break clause is usually exercised on a defined date during the lease term. Rolling break clauses are a type of break clause that are exercisable at any time during the term, upon sufficient notice. Understanding what the lease demands is key to serving notice on the landlord. If the lease demands notice on pink paper, then pink paper must be used. While the tenant must be clear on their responsibilities in serving the notice, a landlord must act reasonably in accepting this.
DILAPIDATIONS
Dilapidations – the obligation to reinstate premises – can be very onerous to tenants and catch them out.
The end of the lease usually acts as a trigger that raises dilapidations issues precisely because tenants have obligations under the lease to reinstate premises. And even if there are no conditions on the right to break, a landlord can still pursue a dilapidation claim.
As to how tenants can protect themselves against aggressive landlords pursuing them for dilapidations, they would be best advised to seek legal advice
during lease negotiations before taking on a lease to ensure that repairing obligations are limited and not too onerous. Tenants should aim to incorporate a ‘schedule
Once a break notice has been exercised it cannot be withdrawn unilaterally
of condition’ which details the state of the premises at the outset and what is necessary for reinstatement on return at the end of the lease.
But if the lease is currently in force, then the best a tenant can do is regularly maintain the premises to minimise expenditure at the end of the lease.
Tenants should assess the premises before the end of the term and obtain and compare quotes from different contractors to carry out any repairs; they need to make sure that the work is done in time to not block the ability to hand back the premises in time correctly.
Tenants should also seek legal advice upon receipt of a dilapidations claim; and consider instructing a surveyor to assess the landlord’s dilapidations claim in line with the lease to make sure that it’s fair.
REMEMBER
It’s important to keep in mind the fact that once a break notice has been exercised it cannot be withdrawn unilaterally; tenants should be certain that they want to get out of the lease.
This said, the parties to the lease may agree to the break notice being withdrawn. However, as a matter of law, this will create a new lease with effect from the expiry of the break notice, which can have wide-ranging and unforeseen effects.
The importance of obtaining expert advice over the exercise of a break clause or the conditions attached to it cannot be stressed enough; tenants are advised to talk to a solicitor before they exercise a break clause.
Find a surveyor: www.ricsfirms.com/ glossary/dilapidations.
MATTERS MARKETING
Expert advice to improve how you promote and sell productsyour servicesor
MARKET RESEARCH HAS EXISTED FOR A HUNDRED YEARS, and to celebrate, Dan Sager from Fab-Biker PR guides readers through the key aspects of this useful and often overlooked discipline. fab-biker.co.uk
WHAT DO YOUR CUSTOMERS REALLY THINK ABOUT YOU?
One way to find out are your customer reviews. Some review sites have a rating system of between one and five stars, with a score of around 4.5 being the sweet spot
Many years ago, I was a governor at our local secondary school. Eager to learn more about the job, we invited the head teacher from a nearby school, which Ofsted rated outstanding, to come and share his experiences with us.
He explained that his school had been inspected sometime before he was appointed head, and he realised that maintaining those high standards would be important. On starting his new job, he asked the staff for their opinion of the school, and they all responded that it was outstanding. How did they know? They were confident in this claim because that was the verdict from Ofsted.
You might think the case was closed, but then he asked them what evidence they had that the school was still outstanding. They struggled to provide any!
DON’T REST ON YOUR LAURELS. He wasn’t being critical of the staff, who were all dedicated professionals. He wanted to make the point that unless you
continually monitor your performance, you can’t say with any certainty how well you are doing. For example, had the department leaders checked that marking was consistent? If some teachers are harsh and others are lax,
Do you sense that customers are generally satisfied or dissatisfied with your products and/or service?
predicted grades will be all over the place, and some teachers and students will be in for a nasty shock during exam time.
CHECK YOUR RATING
Customer reviews are a good starting point. Google your business name and see what comes up. Browse social media – what are people saying about you? Alternatively, read through the customer service emails.
Start by looking for patterns. Do you sense that customers are generally satisfied or dissatisfied with your products and/or service? Many review sites show a rating between one and five stars. Customers tend to trust businesses scoring higher than 4, with a score around 4.5 being the sweet spot. Ironically, a full 5-star rating is often viewed with suspicion on the basis that no one is perfect, so it must be a fix!
equivalent of Ofsted (which is probably a great relief to us all!), we have to rely on other methods to regularly check our business performance to ensure it’s where it needs to be and stays
When trawling through reviews, take time to see what people are saying about the things you consider important. Are you living up to your reputation for fantastic customer service, reliable products, unrivalled choice, or whatever it is that makes you stand out from the crowd?
You might think you have an excellent reputation, but can you be sure? Once you have your evidence, you’ll know where you stand, and if necessary, that’ll also be the basis for anything you need to change.
NEXT MONTH
We start a brand-new series, written exclusively for BDN, tackling the effective use of social media for your business
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Bill Smith Motors, in its many guises, has been a motorcycle dealership for 65 years, and this year Smiths Honda has become a Dream Concept Showroom, proof that a magic formula isn’t always required to achieve lasting success. Rick Kemp reports
Bill Smith founded his eponymous company in 1959 in Chester. As many will know, Bill was already well-known on the racing circuit, riding the first UK Japanese imported bikes for Honda in the late 1950s and racing alongside names such as Giacomo Agostini, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and Phil Read. Many consider the highlight of his racing career to be the 1978 Formula 3 world title, while TT fans regard Bill as
BILL SMITH MOTORS
1959 Bill Smith Motors opens
1961 Full UK Honda concession offered to Bill Smith
1968 Bill Smith Motors branches out to include the Kawasaki franchise
1978 Bill Smith wins Formula 3 World Championship
1987 Daughter Karen joins the business, soon to be followed by brother Mark
2012 New solus Honda showroom, Smiths Honda, opens in Chester
2013 Bill Smith receives British Dealer News Lifetime Achievement Award
2024 May sees the launch of the Honda Dream Concept Showroom
2024 Bill Smith Motors celebrates 65 years as a motorcycle dealership, representing 14 brands
something of a legend, with 50 Replica finishes to his name. The history of the Smith family in the motorcycle world as a whole, let alone Honda, is impressive. Fast forward to the present day, which see’s Bill’s son and daughter, Mark and Karen, taking the motorcycle business from strength to strength.
BUSINESS EVOLUTION
Bill Smith was the first dealer to import Honda into the UK. By the late 1980s/ early 1990s, the company was helping smaller dealers all over the UK and Europe to bring Honda bikes into their showrooms as the interest in Japanese bikes grew. Bill was always sure of the Honda brand. Not only did he race on Honda works bikes, but he also knew Mr Kawashima, the Honda team boss, who subsequently went on to become Honda president; he was the man who offered Bill the full UK concession in 1961. Business was booming but having to guarantee 5000 sales per annum while still racing full time was a commitment Bill couldn’t make, so in 1962, Honda UK was formed – and at the 1962 Earls Court show it sold 26,000 bikes. Bill was kicking himself but continued to sell Honda at great pace, opening Honda bike shops in Liverpool, Warrington, Winsford, Rhyl and Bangor, and a Honda car garage at Two Mills on the Wirral.
The company has branched out over the years, importing the first Kawasakis in 1968. The family’s aim was to offer customers maximum choice in both on- and off-road bikes. Clothing and accessories also became a huge part of the business, and Bill Smith Motors was by then one of the leading independent multi-franchise dealerships in the UK.
SECOND GENERATION
Bill’s daughter, Karen, has been involved with Bill Smith Motors since 1987, while his son, Mark, joined straight from school. Bill, now retired, leaves the running of the business to the duo, with Karen as finance director and Mark as managing director. But Honda is still where the heart of the family’s history lies, and Mark and Karen were always keen to return to specialise in the brand. When Honda approached them back in 2009, the brother-and-sister team were enthusiastic about opening a new solus franchise and reinvesting in their roots with Honda. So, in 2012, Smiths Honda was born, and the showroom – less than a mile from the family’s original multifranchised dealership – pays tribute to the company’s links with Honda via a special Smiths Honda history wall – not many showrooms can do that these days!
Twelve years later, in May 2024, Smiths Honda was chosen as a Honda Dream
Mark Smith with a replica of Bill’s 125 race bike
Concept Showroom. “Honda rolled out a completely new showroom design and corporate identity,” says Mark. “And we’re one of only five Honda Dream dealers in the country. It’s quite a difficult project to implement, but we decided to go early doors with it. Honda is expecting the entire UK network to go down the same route over the next five years or so.”
The economic climate has been tough, but Mark is confident that opening a new venture like this in hard times is worth the risk. The new premises, with everything on the same site, including the Ride Academy motorcycle training, have turned the whole business into a destination dealership. The Ride Academy also provides European and UK adventure ride-outs, which helps boost Africa Twin sales. Adding to their credentials are a number of other factors. “We have an on-site cafe with outside catering, and on a sunny day and at weekends, the car park is usually full. We are now very much a destination dealership, helped by the fact that we’re on the road to Chester and North Wales.” In addition, Mark feels the demise of many dealers as far south as Birmingham has given the business a much larger catchment area.
Bill Smith Motors and Smiths Honda together occupy a 12,000sq.ft site and employ 25 permanent staff. Mark comments, “Even though Karen and I have set up the solus Honda business, it’s still run very closely with Bill Smith Motors. By running both businesses together, the aim is that they should complement each other and help us as a family to provide the best independent multi-franchise motorcycle offering in the UK.”
While Bill Smith Motors may have lost the Triumph and Yamaha franchises after 28 and 40 years, respectively, Mark feels that some of the manufacturers are slightly short-sighted in their hope that customers will follow the brand. He supports the theory that the majority of customers prefer to stay local, particularly if personal relationships have been established over time. Key brands now include Suzuki, which has been loyal to the business for more than 40 years, together with Royal Enfield, Indian, Benelli and Lambretta. In all, apart from Honda, 13 other brands are available.
We have stayed strong and are one of the very few family businesses still thriving in the trade
Karen Smith
Of the other brands, Mark picks out Royal Enfield. “As a growth area, it’s a brand that’s really on the up. We’ve noticed that, in general, customers aren’t getting any younger. They don’t want big, heavy bikes, so Royal Enfield has focused on the age profile they’re aiming at – a lighter bike with the heritage and build quality of Enfield is appealing. Sales have overtaken Suzuki and Kawasaki in some sectors.”
GLOBAL CUSTOMERS
Smiths Honda not only complements the offering from Bill Smith Motors, but helps the family dominate the North West with a reputable and very well-respected name in the industry, selling the best brands. And although based in Chester, Mark and Karen see the motorcycle market very much as a global market.
“We surprise ourselves every month with how far our customers travel to come to us. This year, we have already sold bikes to India, Scotland, Spain, and Ireland, to name a few markets. Having a strong website is clearly the catalyst, but having an even stronger brand
name and a reputable history is of even greater importance.
“Through the recession, countless motorcycle dealers, including the biggest in the UK, have gone out of business, but we have stayed strong and are one of the very few family businesses still thriving in the trade. Our customers keep coming to us because when you buy a motorcycle, you need good customer care and excellent servicing. It’s totally different to buying a car – it’s specialist, and with safety paramount; customers want the reliability of dealing with a dealership that’s been going for over 50 years and won’t be gone six months after they’ve bought their bike,” says Karen.
WHAT OF THE FUTURE?
Looking to the future, how does Mark see the market changing, particularly with respect to alternative fuels? “I think there’s got to be a change, but we have to wait and see what best suits our industry. A lot of manufacturers are looking at electric. Hydrogen is a good route to market for cars, but most new forms of fuel and engines won’t appeal to traditional bikers, so it is the younger riders who need to be targeted. We’re at a challenging time in the industry, but it does go up and down, and you just have to deal with it accordingly. I think there will be a difficult trading environment with Euro 5+ coming up, but we are having a record year in 2024 on volume with some 1400 bikes being sold.”
The Smith family’s passion for and pride in the business is second to none, and their drive is sure to see the future of Smiths Honda and Bill Smith Motors as strong as ever.
Concluding, Mark Smith passed on special thank-yous to Jonathan Martin of Suzuki GB and Neil Fletcher of Honda Europe for their loyal support.
Bill Smith Motors
Team Honda: Bill Smith (centre) with Karen and brother Mark and the Honda team
The Honda approved Ride Academy at Smiths Honda
The
Silence no solution when it’s time to let someone go
Parting with an employee needs to be done correctly if a claim is to be avoided
Parting ways with an underperforming employee is an unenviable but sometimes necessary aspect of managing a workforce. However, some employers circumvent this difficulty through the practice of ‘quiet firing’.
Worryingly, the practice carries with it not only definable employer behaviours but also potentially serious issues for businesses. There are, simply put, much more ethical approaches to navigating the delicate terrain of employee dismissals.
WHAT IS QUIET FIRING?
Quiet firing is a covert means of employee dismissal employed by organisations to avoid the discomfort of direct confrontations, legal entanglements, or potential damage to their reputation.
In essence, the employer – or, more specifically, a line manager –intentionally creates an undesirable work environment in the hope that an employee will resign voluntarily rather than address performance issues directly. They may do this by isolating the employee, decreasing their responsibilities, or fostering a hostile atmosphere.
Quiet firing is often motivated by a desire to bypass the uncomfortable conversations or procedural complexities associated with formal terminations.
This clandestine approach, however, often has adverse effects on employee morale and productivity and can result in long-term harm to the organisation.
It’s important to note that quiet firing isn’t a new phenomenon; the tactic of encouraging employees to ‘jump before they are pushed’ has been around for some time. However, the recent adoption of the term by the media has sparked
increased awareness and discussion surrounding practices that may have existed but were previously overlooked. This heightened awareness seems to reflect a growing desire for more transparent and ethical approaches to employment-related issues.
EXAMPLES OF QUIET FIRING
Quiet firing can manifest itself in various forms. Common tactics employed by employers and managers can include:
• Isolation and exclusion: Deliberately excluding an employee from team
Essentials
activities, meetings, and decisionmaking signals quiet firing. This can make an employee feel undervalued and prompt them to resign
• Unreasonable workload: Increasing an employee’s workload to an unsustainable level leading to burnout, making them more likely to seek other employment
• Lack of feedback: Withholding constructive feedback and performance evaluations can push an employee out, causing frustration and demotivation
• Micromanagement: Excessively monitoring and controlling every aspect of an employee’s work contributes to their decision to leave
• Undermining confidence: Subtly undermining an employee’s confidence erodes self-esteem over time, making them more inclined to consider resignation
WHY IS QUIET FIRING BAD FOR BUSINESSES?
While employers might initially believe they have sidestepped problems by quietly firing someone, this practice can, in fact, prove detrimental to organisations in various ways. Quiet firing can damage the employer’s reputation. Word travels fast in professional circles. If employees perceive that an employer practices quiet firing, it can damage the organisation’s reputation, leading to difficulties in attracting and retaining employees in future.
It can also result in lost productivity. Quiet firing prolongs the inevitable, resulting in decreased productivity
as employees become disengaged and demotivated. The uncertainty surrounding their job security can create a toxic work environment, affecting overall team performance. Importantly, it can have legal ramifications. In cases where an employee feels they have no choice but to resign from their position due to the employer’s egregious actions or a toxic
While employers might initially believe they have sidestepped problems by quietly firing someone, this practice can, in fact, prove detrimental to organisations in various ways
work environment, employees may be able to claim constructive dismissal. This is somewhat ironic, given quiet firing is often motivated by a desire to evade disputes and legal complications. The compensation awarded in constructive dismissal cases can vary widely and is influenced by factors such as the specific circumstances of the case, the duration of employment, and the financial losses incurred by the employee – but it could be tens of thousands of pounds.
ALTERNATIVES TO QUIET FIRING
Dealing with employee performance issues openly and constructively
is crucial for fostering a healthy workplace culture. Instead of “quiet firing,” employers should consider alternatives such as maintaining open communication, implementing Performance Improvement Plans, and investing in training and development programs. Management training and addressing non-performance-related factors are also important. Establishing clear policies for fair and transparent evaluations and dismissals is key to addressing performance issues ethically.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In the ever-evolving landscape of employment, ethical and transparent practices are crucial for long-term success. Quiet firing may seem like a convenient way to address performance issues, but its negative repercussions far outweigh any perceived short-term gains. While the act itself might be discrete, the consequences can resonate loudly. By adopting open communication, implementing performance improvement plans, and investing in employee development, employers can maintain a positive work culture, safeguard their reputation and, if needs be, navigate dismissals ethically. In the end, a respectful and fair approach to employee management is not only the safer option but also contributes to a more positive, productive workplace.
GERRY O’HARE
Gerry O’Hare is legal director at employment law firm Worknest
All the latest products, with Colin Williams
Dragster suspension 5
THE ITALJET DRAGSTER USED TO BE THE SCOOTER OF CHOICE FOR THOSE WHO liked to modify their steed to the extreme. The Dragster is a rare sight on the streets these days, but still has a loyal following willing to shell out on products to make their scoot faster, finer handling or better looking. The latest suspension kit from Malossi appeals directly to those individuals, equipping the Dragster with oilgas dampers designed in conjunction with specialist Italian engineers Paioli. The lightweight RS24/10 dampers have an external pressurised nitrogen chamber, and feature extension and compression adjustment as well as adjustable pre-load for the spring to adapt it to different riders. Malossi says they are suitable for racing and they fit 2022-on Dragster 125, 200 and 300 models. The front shock has an SRP of £475, and the rear is £513. VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
New Nexx
NEXX HAS LAUNCHED A NEW SPORTtouring helmet, the Y.100R Urbangram (not to be confused with the Y.100 we covered in the August issue of BDN). So what does that allimportant extra R get you? Well the shell is moulded from thermoplastic with Polyfusion technology and has been aerodynamically shaped with a double-blade rear spoiler to minimise turbulence. The visor aperture is wider and the X-Swift quick release fitting system claims to allow the visor to be swapped over in under eight seconds – ideal for the petrol station pit stop. It’s also equipped with a Pinlock 70 anti-fog insert and a drop-down sunvisor.
The interior is finished off with hypo-allergenic and antibacterial X-Mart Dry fabric, and is kept cool with extra-large vents in the chin and crown which guide air through the EPS liner to the rear exhaust ports. Tech isn’t forgotten, as the Y.100R is designed to accept a Nexx X-Com3 comms system and also comes with a removable side mount for a Go-Pro action camera.
The Urbangram graphics come in three colours –indigo blue, neon black and Nardo grey – and a spare iridium or tinted visor is included in the box. It comes in sizes XS-XXL for an SRP of £199.99. Motohaus; 01256 704909; info@motohaus.com
ARMR Kyoto
A LIGHTWEIGHT SOFTSHELL JACKET FOR THE cool urban rider, or for a casual look on a summer weekend ride-out, the ARMR Kyoto manages to fill several roles in one garment. The outer shell is wind and water-resistant, and is also a stretch fit for a slim silhouette without the bulk of more conventional textile jackets.
The softshell is abrasion resistant and incorporates CE level 1 shoulder and elbow armour. There’s also a pocket to slip an optional back protector in.
The Kyoto is styled to look at home off the bike too, with a removable hood to emphasise the street casual fashion. It comes in a blackwith-red-trim or khaki-with-black-trim colourways in sizes up to 5XL for an SRP of £129.99.
Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
Carpuride W702B Pro
Rider tech is becoming derigeur, with helmet comms systems now almost the norm, offering rider-to-rider intercoms, Bluetooth connection to stream your favourite music and the ability to make phone calls on the move. I’ve been using one for years, and enjoy listening to the radio on my commute, or streaming a podcast on a longer motorway haul, but one bugbear has always been controlling operations. The phone screen goes off after a few seconds, and switching it back on means trying to type in a code (fingerprint sensors don’t work with gloves) on a tiny screen which is at best fiddly and at worst downright dangerous.
Tried Tested&
with cables supplied to connect to either a USB socket or direct to the battery. It’s even easier for owners of more modern BMW machinery, as there is an adaptor in the box to fit the 702B directly onto the OE navigation unit. The 7in screen is pretty big, and positioning it without obscuring the rest of the dash may be challenging, depending on the model of bike.
Once fitted the unit powers up in a couple of seconds to the home screen which shows icons for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various settings for audio output, screen brightness and other essential options.
Carpuride’s W702 Pro gets around that problem by providing a dash-mounted display that links wirelessly to the phone safely tucked in your pocket, offering a simplified array of compatible apps through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay interfaces.
INSTALLATION
First impressions of the W702B Pro are good. The screen is glossy, and the slim device feels sturdy and has the feel, and size, of a premium tablet. A moulded-in sun shade adorns the top edge.
Fitting the unit to the bike was quick and easy using the supplied ball-and-socket mount,
I was initially worried about pairing the Carpuride unit with my phone and helmet, but the W702B Pro rapidly found both and we were up and running, with Android Auto automatically starting up and showing my location on a swish 3D map.
ON THE MOVE
A small switch (a bit fiddly with gloves on) powers the unit up, booting it to Android Auto with a layout split between location map and media output, but a quick press on either section will make it full screen.
Streaming music is simply done using the same apps as are on your phone, just with bigger buttons. Voice control works well, even at motorway speeds, meaning your choice of tunes or setting a new sat-nav
destination is just a hands-free ask away. The screen itself is very good, responding to touchscreen-compatible gloves with just the right amount of sensitivity, and despite the glossy finish, reflections don’t seem to be an issue. Audio is crisp and clear, with separate volume levels available for media and comms, and the EQ settings can be adjusted between a range of presets –pop, jazz, rock and suchlike. Gadget lovers will also enjoy the built-in compass and altimeter.
One downside is the relatively easy nickability of the unit, meaning that it can’t really be left fitted in public places. But detaching it only takes a couple of seconds, and it will slip into a bag for safekeeping.
CONCLUSION
The W702 range starts from £213, with the W702B Pro tested £281 SRP, but Carpuride doesn’t currently have a UK importer for its range of motorcycle smart displays. Contact carpuride.com/pages/ agency if you are interested in becoming a dealer or importer. Carpuride; carpuride.com/?ref=mkrvjvvy
PROS:
y Easy installation
y Android and iOS compatible
y Bright screen
y Sensitive touch controls
y Clear audio
CONS:
y Susceptible to theft if left on the bike
Tested by Colin Williams
The W702B Pro comes with an adaptor to fit direct to BMW satnav units
SHORT CUTS
KTM READING
KTM IS GIVING ITSELF A BIT OF SELFpromotion with the publication of a new book/magazine to celebrate its 70th anniversary. The 200 pages are filled with articles and hundreds of images detailing the people and technologies used for racing in everything from the Dakar Rally to MotoGP, plus lots of stats and facts. It’s available online for an SRP of €13.90.
KTM; www.ktm.com
Kriega R25
Pyramid sump guard 56
TO PROTECT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BMW R1300 GS’ engine and its exhaust header pipes, Pyramid has produced a beefed-up guard that replaces the standard undertray. The guard is machined from robust aluminium plate with a matt black powder coat finish and gloss silver inserts to give it an OE look, and it fits using the existing bolt holes. It comes complete with fixings for an SRP of £174.99.
HARLEY CABLES
VENHILL HAS LAUNCHED BRAIDED CLUTCH cable kits to fit popular Harley-Davidson models. The Featherlite spec means the cables get marine-grade stainless-steel wire and a PTFE liner for a lighter action than OE. Kits are available to fit Sportster, Dyna, Super Glide, FL and Softail ranges, with prices varying depending on spec –but a kit for the Sportster 1250S is £62.30, for example.
RICHA’S NEW BOGOTA GLOVES ARE A lightweight and highly perforated design for the summer months. Made from abrasion-resistant stretch material with SuperFabric reinforcement in strategic areas, they have TPR CE-certified knuckle and finger protectors and D3O armour. They only come in black, in sizes up to 3XL, for an SRP of £79.99. Nevis Marketing; 01425 478936; info@nevis.uk.com
IT’S BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN 20 years, and has become one of the mainstays of Kriega’s range, so it is about time that the R25 backpack had its first major overhaul. But improving on a long-established and well-loved product isn’t simple, you have to maintain the essence of the original while using the latest materials and technologies to ensure that it outperforms its predecessor. The biggest change is that the R25 now has a fully waterproof main compartment with a roll-top closure and taped seams, but the back panel is also updated with a new soft-feel material and there is a reflective rear panel for improved visibility. Other elements carry over from the original, using the rationale “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” – the hydration pack loops, Quadloc harness, YKK zips and heavy-duty Cordura material are all preserved. It only comes in ever-practical black, for an SRP of £219 including a 10-year guarantee. Kriega; 01244 280487; sales@kriega.com
YET MORE COMIC BOOK-INSPIRED HELMET DESIGNS ARE ABOUT TO HIT THE ROAD WITH THE launch of a trio of new Marvel superhero graphics which adorn Ruroc’s Eox full-face lid. Deadpool’s signature mask is replicated with a satin finish, crimson and black design complete with doodles, while Wolverine gets a matt yellow and grey scheme based on the X-Man’s suit, finished with a set of snarley teeth. Finally, the Venom gets a glossy blue and white design with menacing teeth and gums that would turn even the hardiest dentist’s stomach. They come in sizes XS-XL for an SRP of £499 each, including a Pinlock 120 and a three-year warranty. Ruroc; www.ruroc.com
Venom Wolverine Deadpool
Oxford boots
BOOTS COME IN PAIRS, SO OXFORD HAS LAUNCHED TWO new designs together – the Code and Cypher! The Code is a sports boot, and is available in mid- and full-height versions. It has a microfibre upper and an anti-slip rubber sole, with external protection fitted at the ankle, heel and calf, plus removable toe sliders. A Dry2Dry waterproof membrane adds all-year-round practicality. SRPs are £119.99 for the mid-height and £129.99 for the full. The Cypher has slightly bolder styling, with TPU shin protectors moulded as prominent X logos and flashes of colour to emphasize the sporty intentions, but otherwise has similar construction and protective elements to the Code. It only comes in full-height style, but there is a choice of allblack, black/white or black/white/red for an SRP of £139.99.
Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
Avant mudguard extender 35
AVANT’S NEW MUDGUARD EXTENSION GIVES A BMW R1300 GS, and its rider, a bit more weather protection. A Fenda Extenda is not a novel idea, but the Avant’s USP is that it doesn’t need drilling, or even sticky tape or glue, to fit, which means that it can be attached in a couple of minutes and removed without leaving a trace. It uses two side-mounted clamps to connect to the stock mudguard, and despite adding more than 15cm of length it will still clear the standard and large BMW sump guards, when fitted. The Avant is made of polypropylene, injection moulded with a texture that matches the OE guard for a factory look, and has an SRP £74.90.
Nippy Normans; sales@nippynormans.com
Sealey gear care 54
A RECENT RIDE HOME THROUGH driving rain left me thoroughly damp (does anyone make overtrousers that are actually waterproof?), which not only made that ride pretty miserable but also ruined the next morning’s commute as my gear had still not dried out. To help overcome the misery of wriggling into damp gear, Sealey has a trio of new accessories to dry and protect helmet, jacket and gloves.
A canvas helmet bag features an integral fan to dry and cool a damp or sweaty lid, helping to prolong the padding’s life and also stop it smelling quite so funky. It’s powered by a USB lead, so can be plugged into a vehicle, power pack or the mains. SRP is £95.94.
For the garage or utility room there is a combined dryer/hanger which has a fan to dry a helmet interior, a strap to hold gloves and a sturdy hook for jacket or leathers allowing plenty of air circulation. It’s made from powder coated steel with a black finish. SRP is £83.94. Last but not least, is a dryer suitable for gloves, helmet or boots. Basically a stand with a fan fitted in the base, there are two removable vented prongs to hold the damp items and circulate the drying air. Supplied with a USB adaptor, the unit is made of firm PU foam to prevent scratches or tears to whatever is mounted on it. SRP is £119.94.
Sealey Tools; www.sealey.co.uk
Muc-Off T-shirts
MUC-OFF IS MAKING THE MOST OF ITS SIGNATURE BLACKand-pink branding with a new Need Money For Bikes printed T-shirt, which is made from organic heavyweight cotton with twin-needle stitching for enhanced durability. On the other hand, the Filth T-shirt’s design subverts a popular car maker’s badge for comedy effect. Both are PETA approved and vegan friendly, important virtues in this day and age. Sizes go up to XXL for an SRP of £28.
Extra lighting
A BIT OF EXTRA ILLUMINATION UP FRONT CAN MAKE A night time ride easier and more relaxed, so Oxford Products has launched a pair of compact LED auxiliary lights that can be fitted to pretty much any motorcycle or scooter. They’re made from black anodised CNC machined aluminium, are IPX7 water and dust-proofed, and are also E-marked for road use. They only draw 2.7W per pair so put a minimal drain on the electrical system, and have a stainless steel bracket allowing them to be bolted on to any suitable point on the bike’s frame or bodywork. The Cube and Strip lighting units come with wire splicing connectors for easy installation and have an SRP of £99.99 per pair. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
Muc-Off; 01202 307799; sales@muc-off.com
GS engine guard 5
ACCESSORIES MANUFACTURER WUNDERLICH HAS DECIDED having two engine guard options for the BMW R1200 GS just isn’t enough, so it has added an extra one – the Ultimate Pro.
The standard Ultimate engine guard protects the cylinder, valve cover and lambda sensors and reduces the risk of expensive damage. The Ultimate Pro does all this, plus it has an additional 3mm thick stainless steel plate which increases protection levels for the cylinder heads and valve covers and acts as structural bracing to increase the guard’s stiffness and rigidity. The Ultimate Pro engine guard is made of 25mm diameter stainless steel, weighs in at a smidge over 2kg, and has an SRP of €599. Wunderlich; +49 2641 3082-703; sales@wunderlich.de
A+A clothing range
ALPINESTARS HAS COMPLETED A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT with Aprilia to produce a collection featuring design cues from the Italian manufacturer’s sporting machinery.
The Speed Blast Air Tex Jacket features poly-fabric construction for high levels of tear and abrasion resistance, with extensive vents and large mesh panels on the chest, back and arms for ventilation. Low-profile Nucleon Flex Plus armour is fitted at the shoulders and elbows. SRP is €229.
For urban riding and commuting there’s the €229 SRP lightweight Next Rival Tech sweatshirt. It has aramidic reinforcements on the shoulders, elbows and back excellent for abrasion resistance and Nucleon Flex Plus protectors on the shoulders and elbows for impact protection. This can be paired with Burnout jeans, which are constructed from abrasionresistant denim with external aramid fibre panels. Again, Nucleon Flex Plus armour is fitted, this time at the knees. SRP is €235
Lastly come the striking Rapid Dash Air gloves, which feature rigid knuckle protection, synthetic suede palms and touchscreencompatible fingertips. SRP is €59. Aprilia; www.aprilia.com
Limberger carbon parts 5
EVEN THOUGH THE BMW R1300 GS IS A FEW KILOS LESS HEAVY THAN ITS R1250 GS predecessor, it really isn’t a lightweight in any way, shape or form. And GS owners’ habit of bolting every available accessory to their bike certainly isn’t going to help matters of mass. So for its range of bolt-on body parts, Limberger has fashioned them from lightweight carbon to minimise the amount of extra poundage. All the parts are available made from either traditional woven carbon with a clear powder coat or Limberger’s Black Diamond Carbon (BDC), which gives a vaguely marble-like finish. A rear splash guard mounts to the swingarm and has rubber coating on the inside to prevent stone chips and reduce noise: SRP is £581 for the BDC version in gloss or matt, £536 for the woven version in matt or gloss. A side air vent cover is £510 per side for the BDC or £510 for the woven carbon, again in matt or gloss options. A sump guard is £411 in gloss or matt woven carbon, while front and rear mudguards are available in BDC for £402 each or carbon weave for £358 each. Other parts available include hand guards, a fuel tank cover, exhaust end cap, heel guards, and frame covers.
KNOX HAS LAUNCHED THE THIRD generation of its Studio rucksack with an update said to make it the most impact-proof backpack on the market and to add a bit more capacity. The new design retains the waterproof roll-top closure of previous models, but adds a new vulcanised rubber base for abrasion resistance and durability and a Micro-Lock armour layer to protect from impacts. It’s made from internally waterproofed 600D fabric with taped seams, and a new stretch fabric helmet carrier has been added to the front for lugging a lid offbike. Storage capacity has been lifted to 28 litres, and there is a separate laptop section and an additional internal packing cube, as well as a pair of external stretch mesh pockets to hold water bottles. It comes in black with reflective trims on the straps for an SRP of £129.99.
Knox; 01900 825825; sales@planet-knox.com
VMC 177cc kit 5
THERE’S NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT WHEN IT comes to tuning engines, and the biggest gains come from smaller motors, as the percentage increase in swept volume is so much greater. To that end, the performance of a Vespa PX125 or 150 can now be improved with a 177cc alloy cylinder kit from VMC. The Nikasil-plated cylinder is given a 63mm bore which, when used with a standard 57mm crankshaft, gives the declared displacement. It uses a seven-port design with a boosted exhaust port (a large main exhaust port with a pair of smaller boost ports either side). A Meteor double-ring piston, aluminium head with eight fixing points and all gaskets are included for the £252 SRP. VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
Alpinestars Hurricane V2
AUTUMN HAS OFFICIALLY started, so it’s time to strip the shelves of vented jackets and restock with waterproofs ready for an influx of soggy bikers. Suitable for commuters, or leisure riders who brave the elements, Alpinestars’ refreshed Hurricane V2 oversuit is available as a one or two-piece, made from lightweight PU coated nylon fabric. Seams are taped for extra waterproofing, and the fabric has been internally treated to prevent it sticking when worn over textile or leather garments. A poly-mesh liner helps air circulation, and reflective detailing means riders will be more visible in the winter gloom. It comes as a diagonal-zipped one piece for £114.99 SRP, or as a jacket only at £59.99 SRP and matching trousers at £42.99 SRP, only in black. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
TRADE CLASSIFIEDS
ACCESSORIES
ACCESSORIES
On the Money
The biblical prophet Jeremiah’s name is usually attached to somebody who is pessimistic about present prospects and anticipates a potentially even more calamitous future. Unfortunately, I’m likely to be stuck with it for a while, having banged on for much of this year about the stink of UK motorcycle market stagnation in monthly BDN registrations commentaries. But for a kick-off here, I would like to stress that none of my many friends in the retail bike trade, or even their wholesale suppliers, can be held to blame for such dire straits. The crucial fault lies elsewhere, and we’ll eventually get around to fingering guilty parties. First, let us illustrate how the industry is fighting back with only conventional levers in its
motocross ranges in allegedly “VAT-free Autumn Power Deals”. The extent to which the KTM portion reaches is truly mind-boggling – more than 31 models (although pertinently, two-thirds of them are remaindered 2023 stock). Seven of the models are entry-level stuff benefiting from sub-£1000 bungs. Some 24 of them feature discounts of more
across discounts varying between £1500 and £2500 on a selection of dust-gathering motorcycles, or accessories and apparel. DesertX, Multistrada V4 and Diavel models don’t flaunt discounts but do attract “low rate promotion” finance of 6.9% APR (excepting the toffeenosed Diavel Bentley edition).
Ducati’s premium-sector competitor BMW Motorrad
The industry is fighting back with only conventional levers in its corporate toolbox – a flood of distress discounts, cheap finance deals, freebies and riding-kit bribes
than £1000. Of those, 19 have dropped by more than £1500, ten by more than £2000, seven by more than
is no longer ashamed about getting its hands dirty either. Not so long ago, finance rates were knocking on the door of
footfall – albeit for what appeared to be a suspiciously short trial period hoping to lift September’s new-plate orders.
Headline target was the relatively-budget F900 R naked twin, which you would have thought has had sufficient sucks of the Motorrad marketing sauce bottle via its starring role in a televised one-make race series at BSB rounds. Evidently not, so Plan B sprang into action – a PCP term of 36 months without interest. Copycat offer structures were made available too for the bargainbasement G310 R and Motorrad’s minted Marmite diversion, the giant retro R18 boxer. And for good measure, S1000 RR and S1000 R sporting speak was added in at a mere 2.9% APR.
Generally, a focus on
its lily with apparel worth £500 and the latter a nodeposit sweetener. Triumph has jumped on the 2.9% finance bandwagon as well, plus £1000 contributions. Honda is promoting 7.9% finance deals padded out with free servicing and apparel discounts.
Even Royal Enfield has been massaging its already minimalist prices with a reward campaign promising £650 towards apparel and accessories upon purchase. And Piaggio belatedly launched a raft of autumn promotional discounts spanning the Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa brands halfway through September.
Such is the desperate zeal behind seeking sales in deleterious circumstances, my head of content Andy Mayo jested about how long we would have to wait until an inaugural BOGOF deal emerged.
Grief among major European manufacturers is easily explained, especially for readers who follow their recent financial results published in BDN. The extraordinary discountdriven dash for cash by Pierer Mobility, which we assume was replicated throughout global markets, was a response to lamentable performance in the first half of 2024. Its motorcycle business had plunged to an operating loss of £65.6m. Overall retail sales volume fell by 21.2% to 147,496 units. KTM was 25.2% down to 108,536, the UK share of which was 14% lower on only a slim 2859. Husqvarna dropped by 17.9% to 26,120. In the same timeframe, Ducati was distinctly uncomfortable too. Operating profit deteriorated by 21.2% to £77.5m and worldwide retail sales were 8.6% down to
32,098 units. BMW Motorrad figures weren’t much better. Its half-yearly bottom line shrank by 31.2% to £128.3m. Global retail output flatlined, just 0.2% higher at 113,072 units. The UK contribution added just 0.9% to 5674.
Perhaps it’s time to look for culprits causing our woes. Back in Jeremiah mode, we’re running out of excuses. Elephant in the room is a consummate lack of industry vision – and aggression –unnerving most aspects of motorcycling’s milieu. Confusion reigns across UK and European consumer
polite description is “trade consolidation” for larger groups, as under-performing outlets are quietly shuttered.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the MCIA seems to still be in bed with an obsolete “zero emissions at the tailpipe” mantra tied to the electric-only option. European manufacturers and distributors association ACEM, now styling itself as “The Motorcycle Industry in Europe”, has been vigorously beating the carbon-neutral synthetic go-go juice drum since 2022. Pump e100 bioethanol could soon
We’re running out of excuses. Elephant in the room is a consummate lack of industry vision – and aggression –unnerving most aspects of motorcycling’s milieu
and commercial bases. Climate-change doomsday electrification dates, or recognition of sensible alternatives involving carbonneutral synthetic fuels for internal combustion survival, are vague in the extreme. We should be fighting tooth-and-nail for clarification of preferred opportunities. Your average British motorcycling punter can be excused for the creeping purchase reluctance we are experiencing, given the current UK cut-off could be little more than five short years away in 2030 and has begun to subvert demand. The same goes for dealers trapped into increasingly onerous investment cycles by their suppliers. Dealerships are disappearing with increased regularity. The
carburated classic bikes cluttering up bucolic lanes forever. Unfortunately, though, ACEM hasn’t filled the ears of the monkeys running the Westminster bubble with this positive message, and neither has anybody else.
Raw reality is that the UK battery-electric market is already moribund. Apart from the few hundred low-power electric mopeds and 125ccequivalent scooters sold each month as an urban mobility option for tree-kissers, sales of bigger electric motorcycles are virtually non-existent.
be readily accessible on forecourts. International motorcycle sport will be running on nothing else by 2027. A more expensive, but ethanol-free and therefore non-corrosive, synthetic has even been developed to keep
We urgently need fresh blood in the lobbyist stakes to tackle an ill-informed UK political establishment and save motorcycling as we have known and loved it. Otherwise, our cherished pursuit will become nothing but scrappage. Please help me to hang up my Jeremiah hat permanently and cancel that aforementioned calamitous future.
fleetauctiongroup.com
Used bike data
What’s hot and what’s not in the used-motorcycle world
NAKED BIKES DRIVE AUTUMN DEMAND
HOW ON EARTH HAVE WE had a frost already? It seems like I was celebrating the start of summer in these very pages only moments ago, and now I’ve had my heated gear on!
The Motor Cycle News website’s as hot as ever, and just before we head into the new bike launch season, here
Bikes for Sale
Most viewed models
1. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
4. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
MCN Bikes for sale
5. Kawasaki Z900RS
6. Triumph Bonneville T120
views by sector/type
7. BMW R1250 GS
8. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
9. BMW S1000 RR 10. Honda VFR800
Most viewed brands MCN Reviews
Review views by sector/type
8.
Top 5 Bike Reviews by type
is a run-down of the popular metal.
In Reviews, Honda’s share of total sessions in the section is at an all-time low of 17%, but they’re still in the top spot, with Yamaha at 12% and BMW at 10% in third place. Naked bikes account for 26% of all traffic to bike reviews, and the most
popular naked on the site right now is the 2009 Yamaha XJ6! I bet you weren’t expecting that. Sportsbikes and adventure bikes each account for 17% of overall traffic, with BMW’s S1000 RR and the CFMoto 450MT the most popular models respectively.
In Bikes for Sale, Honda has a 19% share of traffic and locksout the top three, with the Gold Wing, Africa Twin and NC750X all in demand.
GARETH EVANS Online editor, MCN
SUMMER HOLIDAYS BOOST USED SALES
AUGUST WAS A BUMPER month for used motorcycle sales, with Auto Trader recording a 16% uptick in the number of machines sold through its website during the month compared to August 2023. This is the second best year-on-year improvement in 2024, beaten only by April’s
USED BIKES SOLD
19% boost in used bike sales. However, as the summer buying frenzy gradually waned, the number of days to sell a bike rose slightly compared to June and July. On average it’s taking 31 days for a bike to sell on Auto Trader – two days longer than the previous couple of months. Quickest
sellers were commuter and learner-friendly 125s, with the entire top ten fastest-selling machines all being A1 bikes.
Overall market health was stagnant at -4%, with demand for used machinery up by 7% but the supply of suitable bikes also rising, by 11%. This is much better than the situation the
AVERAGE DAYS TO SELL
market was in last August, when overall market health languished at -10.9%
EDDIE
BAHN Account director, Auto Trader Bikes
USED BIKE MARKET HEALTH
Fastest selling bikes on Auto Trader in August
UK registrations
Rolling Year Comparison
Manufacturers
Registrations decline for third month in a row
BLAMING A THIRD CONSECUTIVE monthly dose of diminished registrations on poor weather would be the easy option. But, of course, the devil is in the detail. Headcount has been fairly weak throughout 2024 and is now getting steadily weaker. And August would have been traditionally thin anyway before MCIA data illustrated the extent of emaciation this time around.
BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports. Total registrations dropped by 5.8% to 7735 units. Within that, motorcycles were 3.6% down to 5599. Over-50cc scooters fell by 15.3% to 1574. Mopeds, for what they’re worth, actually boasted 6.2% growth to 516. Trikes plunged by 20.7% to a mere 46. Internal combustion mainstream bread and butter shrank by 6.3% to 7382. Battery electric stuff increased by 5.7% to 353. All but seven of them were bottom-rung products in the up-to-11kW mobility slot.
Sticking with the ICE mainstream, up-to125cc mobility and delivery fleet numbers serving life in the slow lane were 6% down to 3253 units. Some 210 examples of Yamaha’s NMAX 125 scooter took August’s fleet accolade, challenging recent Honda PCX 125 hegemony. Progress could only be found in the budget-oriented 126-500cc
segment, 19.3% up to 1312. Leadership there came from Triumph’s Speed 400 best-seller yet again.
Beyond that, minus signs ruled. The 501-750cc segment suffered a 5.8% decline to 877, headed by input from Honda’s CBR600RR. The 751-1000cc segment was 15% down to 1119. Best-seller was Yamaha’s
Headcount has been fairly weak throughout 2024 and is now getting steadily weaker
MT-09 SP. And finally, the premium 1000ccplus segment dived by 23.2% to 821, with BMW’s R1300 GS sitting on top of that particular pile.
August’s best-selling brand chart pretty much reflected the gloom pervading the trade and applauded those lucky few who dodged losses. A 19.8% sales slump spoiled Honda’s regular domination. Yamaha got off lighter, just 3.3% down. Then in sharp contrast, Triumph celebrated the second month of its new financial year with 53.5% growth. Chinese flag carrier Lexmoto did all right too,
The decline of the sports motorcycle
Yamaha’s NMAX 125 returned to the top step as the nation’s fleet favourite
topping the moped segment thanks to best-seller Echo 50 models and flaunting overall sales which were 34.7% higher. Serried ranks of dunces followed. BMW Motorrad sank by 23.3%. KTM, afflicted by dealer difficulties in both the UK and throughout Europe, was 21.1% down. Royal Enfield’s recent recovery ran out of steam as sales faded by 11.8%. The two remaining Japanese contenders fared worse. Kawasaki sales plunged by a painful 41.7%, and Suzuki was adrift by 27.6%. However, MotoGB’s Chinese Keeway brand delivered an endgame redeeming feature, rising by 19.6%.
For the eight months of 2024 to date, overall registrations have fallen by 2.1% to 78,836 units. The petrolhead contingent is also 2.1% down on 76,225, and electrickery is 1.4% in arrears on 2611 units. No doubt dealers are now praying fervently for some respite in September’s new-plate seasonal swansong.
“WIN ON SUNDAY, SELL ON MONDAY” USED to be the motorcycle trade’s favourite mantra, as the exploits of racers from Sheene to Rossi set the tills jangling. But the decline in popularity of the supersports category over the past 20 years shows that the results from MotoGP, WSBK, BSB et al now have little bearing on the level of sales.
Since 2004, sales of supersport (now classed as road sport) machinery have dropped by almost 80%, although there has been a slight reversal from the downward trend recently – sales rose in both 2022 and 2023, and based on current performance they are climbing again in 2024. Could this be a resurgence of the once-dominant sector? Maybe the arrival of new, cheaper, small capacity sporty machinery from China can rejuvenate a sector that has been almost abandoned by the major brands.
Jan-Mar 2024 new registration figures from the Department for Transport
Best selling models
First quarter registration figures (Jan-Mar 2024) supplied by the Department for Transport (DfT) to BDN reveal that while total sales for the quarter fell by 4.31%, Triumph, Kawasaki and Lexmoto were the only major brands that easily outperformed the market.
While Honda maintained its status as top-selling brand, despite a 4.6% fall in sales, Triumph’s sales rocketed (pardon the pun) by 23.2%, only 89 registrations behind second place Yamaha. Kawasaki and Lexmoto also put in strong performance increases compared to the previous year,
On the downside, KTM, Ducati and Harley-Davidson all recorded doubledigit percentage falls in sales.
range and larger-capacity classes. CFMoto’s new UK distributor KTM, which took on the brand in 2023, will be delighted that sales improved by a factor of ten, with the brand’s clear best-seller being the 800MT Touring adventure bike. And Voge, which is now part of MotoGB’s extensive stable of brands, more than quadrupled its sales, almost entirely thanks to the ruggedly-styled Rally 300 model.
20. Honda NSS 125 (Forza 125)
Top 10 brands by capacity
Lower down the top 50 chart there is evidence that the Chinese brands are making inroads into the mid-
Best selling model overall was the Yamaha NMAX 125 scooter, which is a perennial favourite with fleet and delivery riders. Honda’s commuter steed of choice, the PCX 125, was second, one of a grand total of nine Hondas in the top 20. Triumph cornered five spots in the chart too, leaving only six places up for grabs from every other brand on the market.
REGISTRATIONS BY CAPACITY
*DATA DOES NOT INCLUDE
651-1000cc Total: 6144
1. Triumph 1199
2. Yamaha 1106
3. BMW ......................... 810
4. Honda ...................... 646
5. Suzuki 549
6. KTM 402
7. Kawasaki ...................386
8. Ducati ....................... 332
9. Benelli 129
10. Aprilia 116
Highest registering
1. Triumph Tiger 900 399
2. Triumph Street Triple....208
3. Yamaha MT-07 ........... 206
4. Honda XL 750 P 176
5. Honda NC 750 X 176
1. BMW 1567
2. Triumph 772
3. Harley-Davidson .........544
4. Honda ....................... 519
5. Ducati 368
6. Kawasaki 290
7. KTM ..........................248
8. Suzuki ........................ 117
9. Indian 96
10. Moto Guzzi 75 Over 1000cc Total: 4687
Highest registering
1. BMW R1300 GS 577
2. BMW R1250 GS Adv .... 468
3. Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX . 221
4. Triumph Tiger 1200 GT 208
5. Honda NT 1100 172
To find out more, visit our website
NMDA calls for government support in upcoming budget
August marks the third consecutive month of contraction in the motorcycle market, capping off a disappointing summer”, says Symon Cook, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest MCIA figures.
“In August, total registrations decreased by 5.8%, from 8209 to 7735 units. Total motorcycle sales fell by 6.4%, from 7665 to 7173 units, while moped registrations increased by 6.2% to 516 units. Year-to-date figures show a slight decline of 2.1% for total registrations.
“The various categories of motorcycles exhibited a wide range of performances, modern classic witnessed growth of 23.3% for the month to 1005 units. Adventure saw a drop of 15.3% to 1099 units. Custom decreased 7.3% from 627 to 581 units.
“Electric motorcycles saw modest growth of 5.7% from 334 to 353 units. Year-to-date electric figures still remain just below the corresponding period last year, down 1.4% from 2647 to 2611 units.
“In terms of the different ICE capacities, the 126-500cc category witnessed growth (19.3%), whereas the larger engines saw a decrease, with 751-1000cc contracting by 15.0% and 1000cc+ contracting by 23.2%.
“Honda once again emerged as the bestselling brand of the month, with 1168 units sold, followed by Yamaha (893) and Triumph (726), while Keeway rounded out the top ten with 232 models sold.”
Cook concluded: “A positive takeaway from the figures is that the electric subcategory experienced modest growth after several months of consecutive declines compared to the same period last year.
“It is evident that the government must take further action to restore consumer confidence. The upcoming budget in October presents the government with an opportunity to address many of the issues, as outlined in the NMDA’s General Election Manifesto
“As we enter the year’s final quarter, the 74 plate change in September should provide a boost as we transition from the end of the warmer months into winter.”
Glass’s motorcycle market overview
DATA PUBLISHED BY THE MOTOR Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) showed that registrations in August declined by 5.8%, rounding off a disappointing peak season. The modern classics sector continues to be the exception, seeing another month of growth, and mopeds also saw an uptick in registrations. However, all other categories remain behind last year’s numbers. Year-to-date registrations to the end of August were 2.1% behind last year.
August brought a mixed bag of feedback from dealers. While some reported reasonable sales, others had a quieter month than last year. The overall market conditions remain challenging, with consumer spending confidence being a key factor. This confidence has been suppressed for some time, and the budget announcement could potentially exacerbate this issue. To counter this, manufacturer promotions and dealer discounts are being offered to stimulate activity and potentially boost lateseason sales.
The recent arrival of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has been well received, while the Yamaha MT-09, Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX and Suzuki GSX-8R continue to be popular.
USED MOTORCYCLE MARKET
The used market in August was variable again, but it remains tougher than last year and made more
challenging by strong deals on new machines. However, some dealers had a reasonable month of sales and enquiries, and the market remains popular with those on a tight budget who cannot afford a new purchase. Demand remains mixed, but middleweights remain the focus, with the Yamaha MT range being a popular choice, and the Triumph Tiger 900 remaining a firm favourite. Meanwhile, larger capacity machines are less buoyant than was the case a few years ago.
OUTLOOK
Mixed summer weather saw significant variations throughout the country. September has started on a similar mixed note, with some warm days interspersed with autumnal conditions. The peak season has now passed, and daylight hours are diminishing. However, with the holiday season over, the market can often see an uptick in sales activity during September, particularly if the country experiences late summer-like weather.
Following a recent ease in residual values, Glass’s expects these to plateau and remain firm during the coming weeks across all segments.
