DEALER NEWS
New Southampton store for SBS
Belstaff heading back to bikes
MANUFACTURER NEWS
Two model boost for BSA
Trade Day plans unveiled for MCL
DEALER NEWS
Nightingales announces closure
New backing for Energica?
DISTRIBUTOR NEWS
Oxford promotes Danny Manville Lionel Fowler, long-serving joint MD of Fowlers Motorcycles, retires after five decades at the top. Full story page 6
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Top two-wheel accessory retailer Sportsbikeshop, has opened a new store in Southampton, bringing the total number of branches to 11. The brand-new shop opened on 18 August at Southampton Trade Park and offers a wide range of helmets, riding gear, and accessories. The new outlet also provides the firm’s ‘Try On or Buy’ service, which lets customers browse gear online, then have items delivered to the store to check for a perfect fit before buying.
The new Southampton store joins existing locations in Bristol, Reading,
Milton Keynes, Leeds, Harlow, Birmingham, Preston, Glasgow, Norwich, and Boston. Sportsbikeshop claims to have more than 200,000
We’re excited to open our new store, our first on the south coast – it’s a plan we’ve been working on for nearly 10 years
Chris ‘Bernie’ Winters, Sportsbikeshop MD
items in stock at its Boston warehouse, offering what it says is an unbeatable choice. The new shop is open seven days a week, and offers next-day delivery, free delivery and returns on orders more than £25, and a 365-day return policy.
Sportsbikeshop MD, Chris ‘Bernie’ Winters, said: “We’re excited to open our new Southampton store, our first on the south coast – it’s a plan we’ve been working on for nearly 10 years. The store brings the best of our award-winning website to a local setting, including our unique ‘Try On or Buy’ reservation service, which remains a firm customer favourite.”
ESSEX-BASED TECHNICIAN LIAM COFFEY IS OFF TO Japan to take part in the global Yamaha Technician Grand Prix competition. Coffey, who works for the Quad Bikes R Us and QBS Powersports Yamaha dealer in Maldon, made it through the UK competition back in December before winning the European round in the Netherlands. And now he’s off to the land of the rising sun to take on the best spanner-jockeys from around the world to compete for the ultimate prize.
“Winning the European round was an incredible feeling,” said Coffey. “It was a tough competition with some seriously talented technicians, so to come out on top was a real honour. It makes all the hard work and dedication worthwhile.”
Coffey (right) is looking forward to the trip to Japan. “Going to Japan is very exciting,” he said. “It’s the pinnacle of this competition, and I’m looking forward to testing my skills against the best in the world. I am also really looking forward to being able to see the factory where the products I have worked on for so long are made.”
“Liam’s achievements in the Technician Grand Prix are a fantastic reflection of his dedication and the quality of service provided by our dealer network,” comments Dan Palmer, national sales manager, Yamaha UK. “His passion for the brand and commitment to technical excellence are truly commendable, and we are incredibly proud to see him represent Europe on the world stage. We wish him the very best in Japan.”
Long-serving joint MD at Fowlers Motorcycles, Lionel Fowler, is stepping back from his role after more than 50 years in the business. Although backing away, he will remain as a non-executive director and continue to be a familiar face around Fowlers’ Bristol showrooms and warehouses.
“I have decided that the time has come to spend more time doing the things I enjoy most: walking the dog, pottering around the garden, tackling odd jobs in the back yard and fields, and enjoying precious time with my grandchildren”, said Fowler.
Lionel joined Fowlers in the early 1970s, working in the Yamaha parts department, which was located in the St. Paul’s area of Bristol. He soon kickstarted the first van run, delivering parts himself as far afield as Birmingham, which proved highly popular and soon expanded.
In 1980, Bristol City Council approached Fowlers with a proposal to relocate its showroom from an area that had been re-zoned for residential use to a new site near Temple Meads station. The only catch was that it was just a bare plot of land. This gave Lionel the opportunity to apply his prior experience from the building trade, so, with an architect on board, plans drawn up, and permissions granted, construction got underway under his close supervision. By 1982, Fowlers’ new home on Bath Road opened, featuring a ground-breaking
retail showroom and workshop with warehousing above.
A period of rapid growth followed, with the launch of a new trade clothing and accessories business, The Key Collection, creating a ‘one-stop-shop’ for dealers that were already buying hard parts from Fowlers. With the increasing number of brands and trade customers, additional warehousing was required. Lionel was always involved in selecting premises and ensuring they were suitable, so that Fowlers’ reputation for next-day delivery could be maintained.
Thank you, Lionel –for everything. What an extraordinary contribution – and what a journey!
Stephanie Fowler, Fowlers Motorcycles MD
Throughout these years, Lionel continued building and nurturing strong relationships with dealers, something he’s always been passionate about.
“It’s all about knowing people”, he explains. “It’s not about selling parts, it’s selling confidence that you’ll do what you say”.
Perhaps his biggest project was in 2002, when he moved the parts operation above the showrooms into alternative accommodation and re-purposed the first floor into retail space, with a café
on a mezzanine above. Lionel got his teeth into this with a passion, and a magnificent set of showrooms emerged –the biggest in Europe at the time and still impressive 25 years later.
Stephanie Fowler, who remains as managing director and has worked alongside Lionel throughout his career, sums up the feelings of the board and his many colleagues.
“It would take a long time to cover everything Lionel has done for the business, from his early days in the parts department and behind the wheel of a delivery van, to his position as a director and ultimately as joint managing director. What I can say is this: Thank you, Lionel – for everything. What an extraordinary contribution – and what a journey!”
There’s been no shortage of bad news from the front lines of the retail sector recently, so it’s good to report on a positive story. Conquest Motorcycles, based in ThreeLegged Cross, Wimborne, Dorset, has expanded by taking over the premises of its neighbours, the former Three Cross Motorcycles showroom.
The move represents a return to the past for Conquest owner Howard Parrin, as he began his bike retail career at Three Cross in the late 1980s, and he fondly recalled the halcyon days at the firm. “Well, where do I start? Let’s go back to the heady days of 1986: I still had a full head of hair and at the age of 23 I’d been given a job as a salesman by the then Three Cross boss and owner, Keith Davies. Three Cross was huge. It was the importer for Moto Guzzi, Laverda and the southern importer for Ducati; they had every Japanese brand except Suzuki and were one of the largest Harley-Davidson dealers in the UK. It was all very exciting, and I got to ride everything from the last of the Laverda triples to the first of the new generation Ducatis. Every Harley imaginable, and who can forget the Yamaha LC500 – a ghastly underpowered, ill-handling machine that blew up with monotonous regularity…”
Parrin wanted to strike out on his own, though, and in 1991, he opened a new store just across the road from Three Cross. “I signed the lease and began selling my first love of
motorcycling – anything classic, such as Norton, Triumph, BSA and old Italian bikes. Conquest Motorcycles was born, and we quickly established ourselves as one of the country’s leading classic motorcycle dealers. As with any business, there were ups and downs, but we survived by diversifying, firstly importing full power 125s from Italy. We’d have a lorry turn up on a Monday morning with 30 used bikes on board, and there would be a queue of customers literally climbing up to get the first pick. We also had a brief dalliance with the off-road scene (we have more byways here than you can shake a stick at), and we eventually moved into more
mainstream bikes about 10 years ago.”
The pandemic had a big impact on all dealers, and Three Cross suffered greatly, closing in spring 2020. However, the location was re-opened under a new name soon after, with reduced capacity. Meanwhile, Conquest was prospering, and according to Parrin, even stepped in to help out at the old Three Cross store. “They had no sales staff and one mechanic, and then their mechanic had an accident and could no longer work. They asked us if we would handle all their workshop work, to which we agreed. However, it soon became evident that we would have to employ another mechanic and expand our workshop, which also meant reducing the size of our showroom.
“We managed for a few months, but it was evident we needed bigger premises. I approached the owner, who told me they were considering selling the original double showrooms, and I jumped at the opportunity. So, 34 years later, I’m back where I started. The showroom is once again buzzing; we have an onsite burger van and one of the most eclectic selections of bikes you’ll see.”
A great story, and Conquest is pushing ahead. It’s keeping the original premises as the workshop and MOT bay, moving the retail showroom into the new premises, with the transition now almost complete.
Conquest Motorcycles www.conquestmotorcycles.com
The government doesn’t get much praise these days. But fair play to the Department for Transport, which has announced nearly £10m of upgrades to roads in the North of England, with a big chunk of that cash aimed at improving safety for bikers.
The investment focuses on two roads, the A583 Blackpool Road in Lancashire, and the famous A57 Snake Pass in Derbyshire. Cash is being spent to add new cycle paths and pedestrian walkways, but the Snake Pass is also getting a new motorcycle safety barrier, which is projected to prevent around 100 serious or fatal injuries over 20 years. Money will also be spent on speed limit signage, improved visibility and stabilisation of the carriageway.
This funding is an important step in the right direction, helping to create safer, more reliable journeys
Lilian Greenwood, roads minister
Commenting on the upgrade, South Yorkshire mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “The Snake Pass is a vital connection between Sheffield and Manchester, connecting two of the biggest cities in the North. It’s a road that’s used by thousands of us every day, but one that’s been plagued by closures, stop-start repairs and an uncertain future. I would like even better connections between the big cities of the North, but this funding is an important step in the right direction, helping to create safer, more reliable journeys, and protecting a fundamentally important connection across the Peak District.”
Roads minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Anyone driving on the A57 Snake Pass knows how risky it can feel. Now this iconic road, as well as the A583 Blackpool Road, will benefit from life-saving improvements, making journeys safer for thousands of road users across the North and providing more peace of mind for their loved ones.”
And the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The A57 Snake Pass is a vital crossPennine route connecting two of the North’s biggest economies, so it’s absolutely vital that people can travel safely and reliably between here, Sheffield and beyond across South Yorkshire. This welcome investment will deliver much-needed improvements that will help to save lives and reduce serious injuries. I look forward to these life-saving changes being delivered.”
THE FAILURE of the Marsh Holdings Triumph, Yamaha and HarleyDavidson dealerships in the South West last year is leaving creditors more than £2m out of pocket. According to the Devon Live news website, administrators Westcotts Business Recovery have said that unsecured creditors to Marsh and its three subsidiary companies will receive nothing once the assets have been liquidated.
Devon Live reports that South West Motorcycles Ltd has unsecured claims estimated at £347,818, Marsh Garages Ltd has a deficit of £613,800, and Marsh Motorcycles Ltd has a claim of £1.323m. In all three cases, the administrators have stated: “It is not anticipated that a dividend will be paid to unsecured creditors.”
Long-running family business Nightingales Motorcycles has announced its closure. The Rugby-based firm, which had been operating since 1972, blamed the general decline in the trade, together with higher costs, for its closure. But it also pointed to the retirement of three of the four partners who owned the business.
Nightingales started out in Park Road, Rugby, and later opened two shops in nearby Daventry, before focusing on the current Lawford Road, Rugby, premises in 1981, where it’s been based ever since. Over the decades, the Nightingales showroom has stocked machinery from Honda (for 30 years), Kawasaki, Suzuki, AJS, Lambretta, Peugeot, Aprilia and many other manufacturers.
In an online statement, the company thanked staff and customers from the last 53 years and announced its final day of trading as 16 August.
“We have had some fantastic times and met many wonderful people, many of whom have become close personal friends,” continued the statement. “Like any business, we have had our ups and downs and battled through recessions, relentless government regulation and even a worldwide pandemic which hit our industry hard. Despite that, we take with us countless happy memories.”
VERTU HONDA’S DEALERSHIP IN Stockton-on-Tees has been recognised with a prestigious Yūshū Award for excellence in customer experience from Honda Motorcycles – placing the store second in the UK for sales customer experience. The award “reflects the dealership’s commitment to delivering exceptional service”, underscoring the efforts of the
Vertu Honda Motorcycles Stockton team. Introduced by Honda in 2022, the Yūshū recognition scheme celebrates excellence, recognising dealerships that consistently provide exceptional customer satisfaction. Meaning ‘excellence’ in Japanese, Yūshū highlights the very best in each country across two categories – automotive and motorcycles.
Chris Taylor, group operations director at Vertu, commented: “The development of our teams at Vertu Motorcycles over the long term is something we take great pride in. Representing the iconic Honda brand locally gives our teams great pleasure, with customers at the heart of all we do. This award acknowledges our whole team’s sustained effort at Stockton.”
Winner of the Yamaha European Technician of the Year 2025. Heading for the world stage, Liam will now represent Europe at the Yamaha World Technician Grand Prix in Japan.
Global competition. World-class skill. Local expert.
Its Gold Star 650 was an instant hit, and now BSA is expanding its range with a new 350 single-cylinder platform and a second bike in the 650 line-up. Alan Dowds went to the official launch at London's Bike Shed
The modern BSA project has had its share of ups and downs, as you might expect from a ground-up relaunch. The Indian-owned firm wowed the bike world with the Gold Star 650 when it was unveiled at the Birmingham NEC show back in 2021, but the bike itself took some time to go on sale. The recipe was simple enough: a singlecylinder 650 retro-styled roadster, with plenty of BSA design cues, a basic chassis and an engine based on the old Rotax unit used in the BMW F650 from the 1990s, suitably updated. The new ‘Goldie’ performed well, with strong sales, despite some initial teething troubles; however, four years on from its initial reveal, the firm needed to add something else. The release of a 650 Scrambler model heavily based on the Gold Star was something, but the Mahindra-owned brand really needed another platform to help expand the remit for dealerships.
I was invited to attend the official launch of the new platform, featuring the single-cylinder 350 Bantam. The name is a deliberate harking back to one of the original BSA firm’s most legendary bikes, the post-war 125 Bantam. Based on a German DKW design taken as war
reparations, the 1948 Bantam was a piece of pure utility engineering, designed to get Britain moving again at the lowest cost. Later, the 150 and 175 versions followed, and the Bantam sold an unprecedented half a million units before BSA collapsed in 1971.
The modern Bantam is a very different beast, though it has some similarities in concept. It’s a low-cost machine, with an initial launch price of £3499, undercutting the competition by some way, despite a higher specification. The
engine is a modern, water-cooled, DOHC, four-valve 334cc unit, shared by other bikes in the Mahindra stable, including the Indian-market Jawa 42 and the Yezdi range of Scrambler, Adventure, and Roadster models. The motor itself makes 28hp, lifting it above the Royal Enfield and Honda 350 singles in the same class. The styling of the new Bantam looks great, with what seems like good quality for the price. While the chassis
specification is fairly vanilla, it features ByBre disc brakes and a reasonable 185kg wet weight. At its price, it is hard not to see it as anything other than a tempting prospect for dealers.
The launch event was impressive, organised by the UK importer Lukas Distribution. Journalists, YouTube content creators, online influencers and BSA Bantam Club members from around the world were put up in a chichi boutique hotel before being looked after at the launch event at the Bike Shed in Shoreditch. The test route, on Bantam 350s and Scrambler 650s, wound through east London and down across Tower Bridge, before travelling into Surrey to the famous Ryka’s biker spot at Box Hill for lunch, and back into town for a final presentation. There was also one notable celebrity in attendance: Stanley Johnson, father of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He is a massive fan of BSA motorcycles and gave a speech about his experience riding a Shooting Star across Europe in the 1950s, with the aim of reaching China.
Sales are very strong. I have been doing this job for 23 years now and cannot remember
350 and Scrambler models, after having just the one model in the range for a while. “They love it. I have to say that the BSA Gold Star was launched with some teething issues, but everything is now rectified, and we are firing on all cylinders. Many dealers have already held demo days, and Eddy’s Moto in Tadcaster has reported that their dealer demo day was the busiest their shop has ever been! We, as the distributor, are supporting the network and taking an exhibition trailer around to all our dealers, providing demos and staff training, and we are also promoting heavily online to the end user.”
a
bike that has had this much traction from the start
Luke Gregory, Lukas Distribution
I spoke with Luke Gregory, owner of Lukas Distribution, at the event about the progress of the BSA operation in the UK. He was in good spirits during the event, clearly proud of how his team had delivered the launch, as he told me how sales were going for the brand. “Sales are very strong. I have been doing this job for 23 years now and cannot remember a bike that has had this much traction from the start. The new bikes are now on the water and will start going out to dealers in the next two weeks or so”
Gregory says that current BSA dealers are more than happy with the new Bantam
And even just after the event, Gregory was already pleased with the feedback on the Bantam. “I think everyone who rode it liked it. I certainly did. The engine and brakes are real highlights. The press reviews are incredible. The YouTube videos are receiving more clicks than any other video they have ever created. I have had several YouTubers say that they have never had so many hits on any of their content. Really great news and it shows how much clout BSA has as a brand.”
Riding the Bantam 350 reveals a lively, impressive little machine, with a strong engine and powerful brakes. Around town, it’s got plenty of low-down drive and easily keeps ahead of traffic. It’s up to motorway and A-road work too, topping an indicated 80mph without too much effort. The brakes are strong thanks to a 320mm front disc, and while the suspension is basic roadster kit, it works well. For the intended market, the performance is more than decent. Equipment levels are adequate, with a neat LCD dash and LED lights, but not much more. As an alternative to the likes of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 or Honda GB350S, the new BSA Bantam is definitely worth a look – especially at the low launch price of £3499.
The new models are also attracting more interested potential dealers, according to Gregory. “Dealers are thankful for a brandnew model at this time of year, as they are going into the quieter season and having this bike means their showrooms will still be busy and sales will be strong. We want the Bantam 350 to reach huge volumes. With its increased power against the competitors, brand value and price point, it should outsell all of the competition.
“We want more dealers, though – we still have several open areas. We have a network of 40 at the moment but want to take this to 50 very quickly.”
For more information on BSA see: www.bsamotorcycles.co.uk
The Scrambler 650 is mostly a cosmetic overhaul of the Gold Star, with sharper, more modern styling, a 19in front wheel and Pirelli Scorpion semi-dirt tyres in place of classic Phantoms. On the move, the water-cooled DOHC 4v 652cc engine makes its 45bhp in a grunty enough fashion, though it’s a little down on performance compared with the Royal Enfield 650 twins.
The brakes are decent, and handling is fine once you adapt to the 19in front wheel, but the suspension is less impressive. The front forks and rear shocks are a bit harsh and unsophisticated, bottoming out on speed humps, let alone off-road use. Stick to steady street cruising, though, and the Scrambler works well. Priced at £5999, it’s solid value for a brand new 650 bike, and does look good –it attracts attention whenever you park it!
When it took the keys to Number 10 in July 2024, the new Labour government made improving rights for employees a key priority. It was no surprise, then, that three months and six days into the government’s tenure, a new Employment Rights Bill was introduced into parliament.
The bill brought forward many proposals that had been promised in Labour’s manifesto, including an end to zero-hours contracts, new redundancy rights, changes to trade union law, and significant amendments to the law regarding dismissals.
And it’s this last category that we’re interested in here, as the bill specifically proposes banning “fire and rehire” and “fire and replace” practices and, importantly, removes the two-year qualifying period before an employee gains unfair dismissal protection.
Such dismissals are known as ‘short service dismissals’ and have been abused by some employers who dismiss staff just before the two-year bar. Nothing will change in relation to automatic dismissals, which are proscribed in law for dismissals based on pregnancy, maternity leave, trade union membership, whistleblowing, asserting a statutory right (say, requesting flexible working), or discrimination based on protected characteristics (race, sex, disability, etc.).
If the bill is enacted, employees will have the right from day one not to be unfairly dismissed. The bill recognises that employers need some protection too against bad hires. Consequently, there is likely to be some form of process to allow a ‘light touch’ dismissal during an initial probationary period. However,
this period is as yet undefined, but the government is thought to prefer nine months. This period will not apply to redundancies.
But what will the new unfair dismissal landscape mean in practice?
Well, the change is big. Consider that since the right to claim unfair dismissal became law in 1971, the qualifying period to bring such a claim has ranged from six months to two years. It has never been a day-one right.
The change would “make employees healthier, happier and more engaged,” and would “provide employees with more security”
The Institute for Public Policy Research
People Management – the magazine for the CIPD, the professional body for HR – says “a day-one right to unfair dismissal has significant consequences for businesses.”
It adds that there will be a need to educate staff on the new rules and to ensure that hiring is done correctly the first time, especially as the probationary period may not be very long. Employers will also need to be aware of the ‘have-ago’ employee who seeks to capitalise on the legislation. Employers may also want to consider (greater) use of settlement agreements that effectively buy out the chance of litigation.
And employers are going to be more
careful and restrictive. A May 2025 report from the Institute of Directors referred to an October 2024 survey that it ran on the topic. It detailed comments from members including: “… we take a chance with some slightly unusual candidates who on paper may not fit the job spec. This is often very successful –but in around 25% of cases we do have to let them go. This [policy] will tighten up our recruiting culture and will lead to marginalised candidates not getting a chance.” and “… recruitment mistakes are not uncommon, so our business works hard to make good decisions and to unravel problems in a fair way. These new proposals will make that more risky so we are less likely to recruit staff or create jobs.”
However, an October 2024 report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), written in conjunction with the Trades Union Congress and opinionmonitors Persuasion UK, found that “a significant majority of managers (66%) think giving employees protection from unfair dismissal … on the first day of employment would have a positive impact on their business.”
The IPPR reckons that the change would “make employees healthier, happier and more engaged,” and would “provide employees with more security and predictability in their lives.”
The change to unfair dismissal law might, on paper, seem to help employees, but in reality, it may affect those candidates on the fringe of the labour market who might ordinarily struggle to find work.
Only time will tell what the change will bring. And for this part of the bill, we will have to wait until 2027.
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TROUBLED BIKE MAKER
KTM, has announced a return to full production at its main Mattighofen plant. The firm says it restarted full-time, five-day operations at the end of July, marking what it called a “significant milestone for the company and its global community of riders, dealers and employees.”
The factory has restarted the assembly lines with its off-road line-up to get its 2026 models into stock and has announced new dirt bikes in the KTM, GasGas, and Husqvarna ranges. It’s also bringing the singlecylinder LC4c bikes back into production, with the new 2026 690 Enduro R and SMC R models also being released. More bikes are set to follow in the run-up to the European bike shows this autumn.
KTM AG CEO Gottfried Neumeister, said: “A special thank you goes to our employees, who have made this restart possible through their tremendous dedication, flexibility, and team spirit over the past months. Their commitment during one of the most challenging phases has been – and continues to be – a key success factor for the company’s future development. Restarting production gives us the stability we need to fully refocus on quality, customer proximity, and further development.”
Specialist automotive lending bank DF Capital has released detailed analysis which, it says, shows encouraging signs of a recovery in the retail motorcycle trade.
The figures, covering the second quarter of this year, are based on stock turnover, which DF has strong insight into from its work financing showroom bikes for dealers. The numbers indicate a acceleration in stock turnover for bikes, down to 88 days from 113 days in Q1 2025. The bank also says that this number is the best it has seen since 2023, though it remains below pre-Covid levels.
DF Capital also reports that the age of stock is dropping. Nearly three-quarters of the assets it supports are less than 90 days old, with just 4% being older than nine months. That’s a significant improvement from the end of 2024, when there was a substantial amount of older stock in dealer showrooms across the country.
The firm attributes these Q2 changes to some favourable external factors, including better weather, stabilised inflation and
managing director, powersports, DF Capital
Angela Goulding, managing director, powersports, DF Capital
declining interest rates, as well as the traditional boost at the start of the riding season. However, it notes that challenges persist, with stock levels remaining high.
Angela Goulding, managing director, powersports, at DF Capital, said: “In Q2, we’ve seen a meaningful ramp-up in stock turn compared to the slower
pace experienced in 2024. Dealers are managing their inventory more dynamically, and we’re starting to see discretionary spend return, driven by stabilising interest rates and stronger consumer confidence. Used bikes in particular are seeing better movement, which is helping drive this recovery.”
MAJOR EUROPEAN PARTS
supplier Parts Europe has taken on the French Elf brand of bike oils, lubricants and maintenance products. Elf has been one of the biggest names in the trade for more than 50 years, playing a big part in sponsorship and technical development in GP and WSBK racing, as well
as endurance and national racing.
The new range includes synthetic and semi-synthetic engine and fork oils, chain lubes and degreasers, as well as multi-function spray and silicone lube. For more information, contact your Parts Europe representative or visit www.partseurope.eu
MANCHESTER-BASED specialist bank DF Capital sent its whole team onto the streets recently, volunteering their time for local charities as part of the company’s annual ‘Mega Giveback’ initiative.
The initiative saw 150 employees volunteer to help 18 charities and community organisations, while the bank donated £2000. Carl D’Ammassa, CEO at DF Capital, commented: “Our annual Mega Giveback initiative is one of the highlight events of the year. It’s inspiring to see the difference we can make with our collective effort.”
Riders’ rights group the National Motorcyclists Council has responded to reports about the government’s new Road Safety Strategy. Following several stories from the BBC, The Times, and other outlets regarding the strategy, the NMC says it needs a clear focus on improving motorcycle safety, as well as greater policy recognition for motorcycling and road safety support for motorcyclists as vulnerable road users.
NMC executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “We welcome news that the government’s long-overdue Road Safety Strategy is finally progressing, particularly as the overall level of road casualties has not significantly changed since 2013. However, the strategy must have a strong focus on supporting safety improvements for motorcycling. These must focus on holistic measures to reduce rider vulnerability through recognition and inclusion in overall transport policies, with supporting actions to improve rider accessibility and mitigate the risks that riders face on the roads.
This must include safer infrastructure, further pressure on road maintenance and an emphasis on supporting the greater rollout of post-test rider and car driver education.
“There is also an urgent need to review the motorcycle training, testing and licensing regime, as the current regulations have overcomplicated licensing requirements, while only having a limited impact on motorcycle safety, with fatal incidents in particular being higher than they were in 2013. More also needs to be done to support efforts to reduce motorcycling incidents in rural areas via a range of education, infrastructure and enforcement measures.
“Regarding specific measures trailed in the media, any initiatives to tackle drink driving can only be welcomed, but research into the effect of lowering the drink drive limit in Scotland reveals that a reduction in the limit will require significantly more backing for roads policing teams to effectively enforce new laws if they are to have any real effect on drink and drug related incidents.”
THE MOTOR CYCLE INDUSTRY
Association (MCIA) has issued a bulletin on the new trade agreement signed between the UK and India last month. The trade body has welcomed the deal as a good one for the bike industry, while offering practical advice on tariffs and duties for firms involved in import/export deals between the two countries.
The MCIA’s summary says that India has agreed to reduce import duties on select UK vehicles from over 100% to 10% within a quota system, with phased liberalisation and different timelines for some categories. UK duties on Indian components are expected to drop to zero from their current range of 4-16%.
The full scope for tariffs on motorcycles and L-category vehicles remains to be clarified. However, the MCIA has received advice from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), including full tariff schedules. The full tariff schedule for UK exports to India[1] has details on motorcycles and motorcycle parts from page 1314
onwards. And for Indian imports to the UK[2], the information for bikes can be found on page 25 of the schedule. Finally, there’s an explanatory annex[3], which will help clarify the schedules. Fun bedtime reading for all the family!
Following the trade deal, the MCIA is planning its next steps. It’s engaging with the DBT and has written formally to the department requesting full sectorspecific detail. MCIA staff are also briefing parliament and key stakeholders to highlight the potential for motorcycle and L-category exports. The association is also seeking input from members to help strengthen the evidence base and press the government for wider and faster access under the Free Trade Agreement.
The MCIA is encouraging the trade to take its own steps, including sharing the MCIA’s statement on corporate social media channels, highlighting UK manufacturing credentials and export ambitions to India, and providing feedback to the MCIA on export interests or barriers.
1. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ media/687f696b8adf4250705c9773/ uk_india_ceta_annex2a_a_schedules_ tariff_commitments_of_india.pdf
2. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ media/687f69a177a3acd9f4d0e1cc/uk_ india_ceta_annex2a_b_schedules_tariff_ commitments_of_united_kingdom.pdf
3. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ media/687f692d92957f2ec567c6ad/ uk_india_ceta_annex2a_schedules_ tariff_commitments_for_goods.pdf
LAMBRETTA’S UK importer, MotoGB, has announced a new range of scooters from the legendary Italian scooter marque. The X-Series machines are available as 124cc X125 and 275cc X300 models, boasting modern technology and design with a classic bent. The firm says they’re designed for a new generation of ‘Lambrettistas’ and boast slick streamlined bodywork echoing historical Lambrettas.
The firm’s trademark classic fixed front fender stays, as does the articulated front suspension, and the X chassis is a semi-monocoque steel construction combining leg shield, footboard and side panels. Twin shock rear suspension and disc brakes complete the chassis specification, while the tech
list includes LED lighting, ABS braking, keyless ignition, and a full-colour TFT dash. The 124cc and 275cc single-cylinder four-stroke engines make 12.7hp and 24.8hp, respectively, thanks to a Bosch-developed fuel injection system.
The X125 is priced at £4499, and the X300 costs from £4899. For more information: www.lambrettauk.co.uk.
Henry Cole returns to the nation’s screens this autumn, with a new way to watch his two-wheeled antics. The Motorbike Show will be available online for the first time at www.themotorbikeshow.com from 14 September. The show’s also set to return to ITV4 in 2026.
Digital delivery
Dedicated customer website and app to manage benefits.
We provide options for Motorcycles, Vans, Motorhomes and Caravans.
contact us on 0330 100 3807 dealernetwork@ rac.co.uk
The premium, highpowered electric bike market is worse than moribund at the moment. A quick look at monthly, or even annual, sales figures reveals the problems facing firms like Zero Motorcycles, which made its name with full-sized, full-power, battery-powered machinery. However, the firm claims it’s maintaining its success in other European markets. And Zero is also repositioning itself, aiming towards the more successful lightweight electric sector, while maintaining its highpowered product range.
BDN’s Alan Dowds spoke to Umberto Uccelli, Zero’s European MD, about its plans, and kicked off with a look at how things have been for Zero across the continent. “This is a good year for us, despite what is happening in the world in general and specifically to the motorcycle markets. We are almost 40% ahead of last year’s numbers, and in countries like Germany, the increase is even more significant, at 80%.
Zero Motorcycles is aiming to tempt a broader range of customers with the new X Line lightweight range, which retails from £3890
The UK used to be very successful for us, but it is still suffering from a lot of things that have happened in the past
Umberto Uccelli, Zero’s European MD
We are very successful in the DACH region [D – Germany, A – Austria, CH – Switzerland], but when you think of the markets, I think of waves: in some markets, very long waves, they go up and then they go down. We have seen that in one year, France may have led in terms of sales, and then the following year, it was Germany. But the leading markets for us remain the DACH region and France. These are the two central areas with high demand for our products.”
When it comes to the UK, Uccelli points to the general problems in the entire market and the impact they have had, especially
Umberto Uccelli, Zero’s European MD
regarding the Euro 5+ preregistration numbers. “Euro 5+ affected us indirectly for sure. Because if a customer says, ‘I really want an electric motorcycle,’ but the dealer offers an old Euro version of an ICE machine that’s heavily discounted, customers think, ‘Okay, not this time; maybe next time I will buy electric.’ Our dealer network was also forced to take in a large number of derogated bikes in late 2024; our dealers are also selling ICE bikes, so it’s all linked.
“The UK used to be very successful for us, but it is still suffering from a lot of things that have happened in the past. We had challenges as a company with product availability. Many dealers are struggling to survive as a business. So that’s a broader challenge.”
The poor government support for electric twowheelers is also an issue, and not only in the UK. “You can have a problem in any country; they give incentives then take
them away. That happened in the UK, two or three years ago. One day they say, it’s cancelled, finished. And everybody was asking why? Support has also changed in the Netherlands this year, in the same way. They announced a grant, and then after three or four months, they said, I think we’ve made a mistake, and they cancelled it.”
Confusing times, but Uccelli points to changes Zero has made, including moving production from the US to the Philippines, which has enabled lower prices, and should also help Zero avoid tariff worries. “Our bikes are not assembled in the US anymore, they’re coming from the Philippines. So we are not at risk, unless we have a war with a Philippine Trump!”
now we’ll introduce more affordable bikes, less than £9000, for a broader range of customers, but also a different kind of customer.”
Uccelli says that will mean changes to the dealer network. “Our opportunity, but also our challenge, is to have the network ready for this. Because it’s one thing to sell a Zero to the ex-owner of a BMW GS, but it’s another thing to sell an XE or XB; it’s a different positioning. It’s a different way of doing business, adding additional products in the midlow size category.
“We are introducing two different types of dealer: we’ll have dealers who are able to sell everything, with a full model range. And then with the lower-power products,
We have always been the leader in the top most expensive premium segment. But now we’ve
introduced more affordable bikes
Umberto Uccelli, Zero’s European MD
Uccelli also spoke about the price cuts Zero has been implementing, which are being helped by those lower production costs. “We launched the Go Electric campaign, which has been very successful, basically repositioning the price of the bikes, of some models that were perceived as very good, but quite expensive. And this has helped boost sales.”
Another change coming for Zero is a shift to smaller machinery, such as the recently launched X Line bikes. These tap into the same part of the market as brands like Talaria and Sur-Ron have done so successfully. “Now we’ve got the XE and XB, products that have been quite successful in the UK, and it’s another tool for our dealers. We are planning to introduce several more low cost bikes. We have always been the leader of the premium brand in the top, most expensive premium segment. But
we’ll have dealers suited to that segment of the market.
“And we will add more products in this category; we have a long-term model range plan. Of course, we will maintain the premium bikes, the most expensive models, that’s our history.”
In the meantime, Zero UK country manager Dale Robinson, says dealers looking to stock the brand, either the new lightweight models or the bigger full-power bikes, should get in touch. “Our current open areas are Newcastle/ Teesside, Southampton, Wales, Brighton, Manchester, Nottingham and Cumbria,” added Robinson.
The new lightweight X Line models are now on sale in the UK, with the Zero XB available at a category-leading price of £3890, and the Zero XE at a competitive £5590.
For more information on the X Line range and the rest of the Zero line-up, visit www.zeromotorcycles.com
Greeves Motorcycles has split into Greeves Classic and Greeves Modern.
Richard Deal, owner of the Greeves name, has licensed Gary Bamford of British Bikes 1970 and Greeves Motorsport to take over the supply of spares, manufacture, and all other commercial interests for 1953-1976 Greeves models.
Bamford, based in Moreton Valence, Gloucestershire, is a Greeves specialist, offering parts, service and restoration. He has restored 70 models and ridden the marque in scrambles and trials. He is also the chairman of the Greeves Riders Association. The new business arrangement strengthens his position in the Greeves world, making him the key global supplier for classic Greeves parts, restoration and merchandise.
Richard Deal will now concentrate on his modern Greeves trials bike and develop plans to move into the mobility scooter market with a 4WD all-terrain electric Greeves.
Deal registered Greeves Motorcycles in 1999, commencing parts manufacturing the following year. He is now relocating from his Norfolk farm to a 15,000sq.ft
workshop in Essex to further develop the modern 280 Greeves fuel injection trials model he introduced in 2009.
“My ambition is to get into the indoor arena world trials scene with a more powerful 320cc model and go into production with a four-wheel
Richard Deal, Greeves Motorcycles
drive, independent suspension offroad mobility scooter with a steering wheel,” he said. “The mobility prototype is finished and ready for filming. I have interest from Scandinavia, America, and the UK as well. At the moment, there is not a decent mobility scooter out there.”
Deal is working with a Lotus engineer on the Greeves 2kW all-terrain mobility scooter, plus a junior version that a parent or guardian can remotely control. The mobility market is a growth industry
with an estimated half a million users in the UK alone. Annual UK sales are approximately 80,000 and growing.
If his plans hit target, Greeves will have come full circle because Greeves was born from the post-war mobility industry. Founder Bert Greeves created Invacar (Invalid Carriages) to improve the quality of life for disabled people, many of whom were injured in WW2. He used motorcycles as a means to test suspension components, going on to produce motorcycles as a second business. Invacars were made from 1948 to 1977, and motorcycles from 1953 to 1978.
Greeves two-strokes achieved world fame out of all proportion to the Thundersley, Essex, factory’s size. Highlights included winning the 1960 and 1961 European 250cc motocross titles, as well as the European trials championship in 1964 and 1967.
It is estimated that 15,000 Greeves were manufactured at the tiny Essex factory. Richard Deal has added to that number by 82, plus making thousands of parts. His period parts inventory has been passed to Gary Bamford, who now carries the classic Greeves torch lock, stock and barrels.
AUGUST SAW ANOTHER DEALER CLOSURE, THIS TIME IN North London. Bikestrobe, in Barnet, closed its doors on 5 August, blaming the general financial climate and increasing costs. The dealership had been operating for 23 years, with the last 15 years at the Barnet location, selling new and used bikes, as well as offering repairs and accessories for sale.
The company sold the Quadzilla, Peugeot, Benelli, Keyway and Kymco brands, and was the oldest Zontes dealer in the country. At one point, it was also selling 10% of the total number of Bullit bikes sold in the UK.
In an online statement, the firm said it was the end of an era. The financial climate, cost burdens on self-employed and small businesses, and the general state of the economy meant it couldn’t go on.
Owner Marlon Medway confirmed the news, saying: “It wasn’t worth doing any more. By the time you pay everyone, there’s nothing left. It never used to be like that.
“Sales were down a bit, but not terribly – we were achieving sort of normal-ish numbers. But the margins weren’t changing, and the bills were just going up. When you’re making 30%, but you’re paying out most of that in overheads, it just isn’t worth it.”
Medway is now moving out of the retail bike trade altogether.
“I’ve started another business doing film and TV tracking vehicles – camera trucks, ATVs and motorcycles. I’ve bought a fleet of vehicles, and I’m starting to hire some out and even doing some driving. We’re having two bikes built specially for it – one electric bike and one big BMW, plus a small electric trike.”
Medway’s new firm is www.velocitytrackingvehicles.com.
UK clothing and parts distributor Ignition Agencies has signed up another brand for its range. The firm has taken on Tappezzeria Italia, bringing its range of handcrafted, premiumquality motorcycle seat covers to UK dealers.
covers for the majority of the motorcycle market.
Since 2012, Tappezzeria has been manufacturing top-tier seat covers from its facility in southern Italy. With more than 10,000 different variations available, Tappezzeria makes
Riders can choose from a wide selection of colour combinations, including custom logo options, and a variety of finishing materials; including Comfort System, Ultra Grip, and even a heated seat option.
Interested dealers can find more information at www.ignitionagencies.co.uk or contact Mike Fernandez on 01865 965053 or info@ ignitionagencies.co.uk.
The Fleet Auction Group’s August sale, which featured 76 latemodel, low-mileage motorcycles, saw strong demand from dealers, with 62 lots successfully sold. The sale achieved an average CAP valuation of 88%, further underlining the robust market for used motorcycles.
A wide range of machinery from most major manufacturers was available, including Honda, Royal Enfield, Piaggio, and Suzuki. Additionally, stock from
Benelli Leoncino 125 2024 195 £1650
Honda CB1000 2022 1410 £6500
Honda CB125 2022 11 £1950
Honda CB125 R 2022 1164 £3000
Honda CBR650 R 2022 3728 £5300
Honda CBR650 RA-N 2022 6733 £5100
Honda CRF1100 Africa Twin 2021 27,960 £5447
Honda CRF300 2022 2956 £4300
Honda Forza 125 2023 11,566 £2200
Honda NT1100 A-R 2024 2201 £8000
Honda NT1100 AN 2022 8404 £6600
Honda NT1100 DN 2022 5804 £7400
Honda Rebel 1100 2022 7856 £5500
Honda Vision 125 2022 13,156 £800
Honda Z 125 MA-N 2022 3360 £2500
Indian FTR 1200 2025 124 £9300
Kawasaki Z1000SX 2019 4304 £5100
Keeway Super Light 125 2023 1355 £450
Piaggio Liberty 125 2022 8753 £800
Piaggio Liberty 125 2022 9614 £800
Piaggio Liberty 125 2022 7712 £750
some leading financial suppliers was also available. The most expensive lot was a 2025 Indian FTR 1200, which had only 124 miles on the clock and sold for £9300.
“We’re pleased to report a near 82% conversion rate for the August sale, with more than 100 dealers logging in to bid and buy – we are on a bit of a roll,” commented Andrew Walker, CEO of Fleet Auction Group. “The September sale lineup is again looking strong, even at this early stage. If any dealers have overage
stock that they would like help with, please give us a call!”
Walker says trade buyers are welcome to inspect stock in person at the Fleet Auction Group’s Loughborough site before the next sale, which is scheduled for 18 September. Sale catalogues are now available for download from www.fleetauctiongroup.com.
Fleet Auction Group 01530 833535 info@fleetauctiongroup.com
AUCTION HOUSE HJ PUGH (EST. 1990) will hold its largest off-road motorcycle sale to date at its Ledbury, Herefordshire, salerooms on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September. The total number of lots is projected to exceed 1100, with at least 300 motorcycles, as well as 750 projects and parts lots, expected.
Anchoring the event is the mainly scrambles bike collection built up by former dealer and 1958 British 500 motocross champion Dave Curtis, winner of the 1961 British MX GP at Hawkstone, Shropshire. A Matchless works rider from 1954 to 1962, Curtis ran Dave Curtis Motorcycles in Bicester, Oxfordshire, in the 1950s and 1960s. He rode his first scramble in 1950. In 1954, he was a team member of the victorious Motocross des Nations British squad and the fifth-best rider overall.
His total collection of nearly 50 machines and 100-plus lots of engines, gearboxes and parts are the main attraction for the twoday auction, which is anticipated to bring 250 motorcycles of all types plus spares and project machines to the rostrum.
The Curtis Collection features some rare scramblers and road versions, many
of which were sent by British factories to the then all-important American market. As well as his favoured Matchless and AJS models, they include Royal Enfield, Velocette, Greeves and Norton machines. Age and failing health have prompted the sale. Curtis will be 94 in October. Some of the machines are made up tribute versions of past glories and heroes, including motocross aces Brian Stonebridge and Geoff Ward.
HJ Pugh partner Henry Biss secured the collection and arranged transport from the Curtis home in Bicester, Oxfordshire, to Ledbury.
“This is the biggest collection of scrambles bikes we have ever had,” he said. “Eighteen are Matchless and six AJS. Other marques include BSA, Greeves, Norton, Royal Enfield, Yamaha, Ossa, and Triumph. The most valuable is probably a Norton P11 750 twin.”
Many of the machines were sourced and repatriated from America, Curtis having a taste for unusual and rarer models, such as a 350 Velocette Metisse framed model. This sale is another coup for HJ Pugh’s Henry Biss, who last year secured the
sale of the world’s biggest collection of speedway and grass track machines. More than 100 examples from the Ian Paterson Collection of Loanhead, Edinburgh, were offered.
HJ Pugh 01531 631122 auctions@hjpugh.com www.hjpugh.com
Former dealer and 500 MX champion, Dave Curtis wears his 1954 MX des Nations team jersey at the 2016 Brackley Festival
The slightly stodgy start to the season has seen plenty of marketing-driven finance deals across the sector. And now, Ducati has joined in, with what it calls its “best ever” Panigale V4 offer.
The PCP deals, provided by Ducati Financial Services in association with Black Horse, cover a wide range of the high-end Italian four-cylinder machines, including the XDiavel V4, Panigale V4, Streetfighter V4 and Multistrada V4 models. They’re all available with a 4.9% APR on 2025 models, with a minimum deposit of 10%, and a finance term of three years. As an example, the new Panigale V4,
We want everyone to be able to feel the thrill of riding a Ducati, and these new highly competitive finance offers make it even more accessible
Fabrizio Cazzoli, Ducati UK MD
is now available from £169 per month with a £6073.64 deposit and an optional final repayment of £ 14,882.
At the other end of the capacity scale,
Ducati is also offering a sub-3% PCP deal on the Hypermotard 698 Mono, available at 2.9% APR, from £99 per month with a £2681.37 deposit and £5874 optional final payment. All the deals are based on an annual mileage of 4000 miles and a 37-month term.
Fabrizio Cazzoli, Ducati UK MD, said: “We want everyone to be able to feel the thrill of riding a Ducati, and these new highly competitive finance offers make the latest and greatest Ducatis even more accessible than before. Including the Panigale V4 family in the offer for the first time is particularly exciting and makes one of the most aspirational motorcycles out there an accessible one, too.”
NORTON MOTORCYCLES HAS announced a partnership with Bikesure, which will offer tailored bike insurance for the Birmingham-based bike maker’s customers.
Norton riders who insure their bike through Bikesure will get up to £100,000 of legal expenses cover as standard, new bike replacement if the
motorcycle is written off within six months of registration, uninsured driver accident cover and unlimited accessories cover. Bikesure also offers customers comprehensive European cover, an exclusive owners club, and limited mileage discounts.
Alex Williams, sales business manager at Norton, said: “The
collaboration with Bikesure will support Norton customers purchasing a new Norton or seeking cover for an existing motorcycle. We understand the importance of peace of mind for riders, so we are proud to put our trust in Bikesure to provide this for our customers.”
Gavin Hawes, affiliate relationship co-ordinator at
Bikesure, said: “We’re proud to be chosen as the preferred insurance partner for Norton. At Bikesure, we understand that every rider and every motorcycle is unique, which is why we’re committed to offering tailored, comprehensive cover that reflects the pride and passion Norton owners have for their bikes.”
Belstaff, one of the oldest British bike clothing brands, has produced some genuinely classic pieces of riding kit since it began operations in Staffordshire in 1924. Now, 101 years after it became the first company to use waxed cotton for biking jackets, the firm is planning to focus more on the twowheeled sector.
That comes after a series of ownership changes over the past 20 years, and a move away from ‘proper’ riding gear to a more fashion-centred business model. Riders from the earlier days will remember Belstaff as a mainstream maker of riding kit: textile waterproof suits, leather jackets, boots and gloves. Back then, the brand was owned by the James Halstead textile and flooring firm, distributed by its Phoenix wholesale arm alongside Arai, Abus and Shark. By the middle of the 2000s, though, Belstaff had moved away from producing practical bike kit into the fashion world, with a focus on its heritage and celebrity partnerships with the likes of Kate Moss and David Beckham. Other ownership changes came, until the brand was bought by the Ineos firm, owned by Jim Ratcliffe, in 2017.
Ineos’ ownership explains the Grenadier 4x4 truck, which has been hauling the Belstaff marketing trailer around the country on a promotional tour this summer. BDN’s Alan Dowds went to meet Steve Robinson, Belstaff motorcycle sales manager, during one of those events at Ryka’s on Box Hill, Surrey, last month, and he took him through the firm’s plans to raise its game in the ‘proper’ two-wheeled world once more.
I started by asking what the general
plan to ‘relaunch’ the Belstaff brand in biking looks like. “I wouldn’t say it’s a relaunch,” said Robinson. “We’re just aiming to be a little louder with what we do and who we are. We’ve been doing this longer than anyone in the market and have such a rich history, which feels forgotten at times. There has been a perception that our full focus has shifted onto the mainline fashion part of the business. We just want to remind people that motorcycles are still at our core, and
We just want to remind people that motorcycle is still at our core
Steve Robinson, motorcycle sales manager, Belstaff
continue to build on the heritage we have by engaging more with the community, bringing new products to the market and making sure we remain aspirational for new and young riders whilst serving our long-time customers.”
Does that mean Belstaff is looking to take on premium performance brands like Rukka, Dainese and Alpinestars? “As clichéd as it sounds, we’re only competing with ourselves. We know our strengths with the longevity of the brand and our products speaking for themselves. A lot of companies are making great gear which continues to raise the bar and push the industry forward, which only makes things better for the motorcycle consumer.”
What about expanding into more general bike wear? “We’re launching a new winter base layer and neck tube this
but with graphics that will resonate with the motorcycling audience.”
Belstaff is very strong on traditional materials like leather and its famous waxed cotton, but could it also consider something like a modern adventure riding suit with Gore-Tex membranes, D3O armour, and the like? “We do have something in development that fits the bill,” said Robinson. “It just needs a few more tweaks before we bring it to the market … watch this space. In the meantime, we’re excited to launch two new autumn/winter styles, available from September: the Calder (men’s) and Cherwell (women’s) jackets. Both are AA rated, made from a durable outer fabrication along with a waterproof seam sealed membrane and PrimaLoft insulation.”
On a more practical front, is Belstaff looking to expand its dealer network with new outlets? “We’re always looking for new retail partners to make Belstaff more readily available to our customers and would love to work more with the dealer network,” said Robinson. “They’re in the perfect place to match a new jacket with a new bike.”
Interested in Belstaff? Get in touch at bel.motorcycle@belstaff.com
BUSINESS AWARD FOR WOODCOTE EVENT MANAGEMENT FIRM
Woodcote Events has won the Hospitality, Tourism and Events prize at the 2025 Midlands Startup Awards. The firm, set up by ex-Triumph staffer Gareth Bright, organises events for firms including Ducati UK, Triumph Motorcycles, Royal Enfield and BSA.
BEN’S HOLIDAY SUPPORT AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY CHARITY BEN HAS been focusing on the ongoing cost-ofliving pressures faced by automotive families with its summer support programme. The charity assisted families with essentials over the holiday period, while also providing an opportunity for them to spend quality time together. According to Ben, money worries remain a significant problem for automotive workers, with some skipping meals, a fifth reporting debt issues, and a quarter considering leaving the industry due to financial trouble.
Martin Fitz-Gibbons is returning to Bike, taking over the helm from Mike Armitage, who’s off to replace Hugo Wilson at Classic Bike magazine.
Fitz-Gibbons, or ‘Mufga’ as he’s known in the business, started his bike journalism career as a staff writer at Bike back in 2003, moving up to features writer, road tester and news editor before leaving for a first stint as a freelancer in 2013. A return to staff status came in 2017, when he took on the deputy editor role at RiDE magazine, before moving to Sportsbikeshop.com in 2021, then back to freelance journalism in 2023. He’s also part of the team behind the Front End Chatter podcast, alongside Simon Hargreaves.
In a Bauer release, Fitz-Gibbons said: “I am beyond delighted to be the new editor of Bike magazine. Bike has been a massive part of my life for more than 20 years, having started my career there as a clueless but eager staff writer in August 2003. Hopefully a little less clueless now, but no less eager, I can’t wait to once again be a part of what remains – with good reason – Britain’s best-selling bike magazine. Packing the sharpest writing, inspiring photography and the most thought-provoking insight in the business, Bike remains the best place to discover what’s really going on in motorcycling. It’s a huge honour to be taking the reins from
Oxford Products has announced the appointment of Danny Manville as its new director of motorcycle partner brands. Manville, who’s worked at Oxford for nearly 25 years, will work with the firm’s motorcycle partner brands, including Alpinestars, HJC, MT and Simpson.
Oxford MD Henry Rivers Fletcher said: “Danny has been an important part of the Oxford family since 2001. And what he doesn’t know about the motorcycle industry and the people and products within it probably isn’t worth knowing. He plies a very special cocktail of dynamic trading and
relationship management, the benefits of which can be felt across the whole of our motorcycle business.
“For all the amazing products we develop and bring into the business, we must sell, sell, sell! And in this regard, Danny is perfectly positioned to bring to bear the necessary experience and skills to the boardroom table, as he already does in the field.”
Mike and leading Bike into the future.”
Bauer’s motorcycling group editor, Richard Newland, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Martin back to the Bauer Motorcycling team, and very excited to see him implement his vision for Bike magazine over the coming months. His motorcycle knowledge, industry lens, riding ability and technical know-how have ensured that he’s been a leading voice in bike journalism for more than 20 years – all delivered via his creative and highly engaging ability to turn observations and impressions into collections of words that are so good you’ll want to read them twice. Bike has a rich history of fantastic editors, and Martin has everything in his armoury to continue that legacy.”
INDUSTRY VETERAN MIKE
‘Swampy’ Fernandez has joined Midwest Marketing to look after its sales in the Southern and Eastern areas. Mike is well-known amongst local dealers, having worked at Oxford Products, Bike It, Syntol Lubricants, and his own ongoing Ignition Agencies brands. He brings a wealth of specialist trade knowledge to his new role at Midwest, which distributes Diora boots, Rayven clothing, and VCAN helmets, as well as Pinlock visor inserts.
Fernandez said: “I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into this exciting new venture. The Midwest brands are fantastic, and I’m happy to be associated with them. I’m looking forward to calling on some of my old dealers who have become friends over the years, and also the current Midwest dealers that I have not yet met.”
Fernandez can be contacted on: 07976 533487.
Chinese helmet and kit maker LS2 celebrated 35 years of manufacturing earlier this summer, with a massive international gathering of distributors and representatives from the 127 countries where it operates. More than 400 attendees visited the factory in China, participating in four days of intensive activities aimed at sharing strategies, strengthening partnerships and taking a first look at new products for 2026.
The special event marked the 35th anniversary of MHR, the factory that gave birth to the LS2 brand. Founded in 1990 by Arthur Liao with an initial investment of just €350 in a modest 50m2 space, MHR has since grown into a huge production enterprise. The company’s international expansion began in
earnest in 1999 with the arrival of Arthur’s brother, Paul, culminating in 2007 with the establishment of LS2 as a global brand headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.
Today, the LS2 factory spans over 270,000m2, employs more than 1800 people, and produces more than 3.5 million helmets annually, making it one of the world’s largest manufacturers of motorcycle helmets. LS2 says it’s continuing to grow, with the upcoming acquisition of a new helmet manufacturing plant in Vietnam and the addition of a state-of-the-art paint workshop.
Attendees at the event also got an exclusive preview of LS2’s upcoming product line-up, including three new helmet models, updated jackets, pants, gloves, and boots, and the star launch of the event – a new range of backpacks and luggage.
PREPARATIONS CONTINUE FOR THE flagship Motorcycle Live show at the NEC in November. The organiser, MCIA Events, has announced further details about what’s going on, and what the trade can expect.
There are 41 motorcycle manufacturers confirmed to be exhibiting so far, with more in the pipeline, and some of those are new to the UK market.
Trade Day has been confirmed for Monday, 17 November 2025, and will be sponsored by FUCHS Lubricants. Special discounted trade tickets are available for £5 each, with a maximum purchase limit of four tickets per eligible business. Trade visitors will also have access to the Exhibitor Lounge in Hall 2 on Trade Day, providing a quiet space for work, meetings, or relaxation. Dealers are encouraged to book their tickets early at www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/ trade-day. Highlights of the show will include a VE Day 80th Anniversary display in collaboration with the National Motorcycle Museum, and Bauer Media is working with the MCIA on a special 70th Anniversary stand for Motor Cycle News, with a load of milestone bikes on show as MCN marks seven decades of publishing.
There’s limited trade space remaining, and businesses which want to be part of the show, as an exhibitor or sponsor, and haven’t already registered interest, should contact Penny Kidson at p.kidson@mcia.co.uk.
Finally, fans of the professional social media site LinkedIn can now follow MCL via: www.linkedin.com/company/mcl-motorcycle-live.
Mortons has extended its show programme at Newark Showground with a Classic British Day on 14 September. The event is a celebration of classic British bikes and cars, with stands, autojumble and memorabilia. Andy Catton, event planner at Mortons Media Group, said: “We are celebrating motoring history with a tribute to the vehicles that helped define our roads. It’s an opportunity for owners and enthusiasts to come together and share their passion for British classics.”
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data published in Retail sales, Great Britain: February 2025 bulletin, says that internet sales comprised 26.5% of all retail sales in the UK. And as online market expands, businesses are drawn to what they perceive as the lower cost of selling online. But when selling online, business owners face similar risks to their ‘bricks and mortar’ counterparts as well as additional unique considerations.
Consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015, provides specific protections for consumers making use of online retailers. These include the following:
• Consumers’ right to cancel: With some exceptions, consumers who have purchased goods online are provided with a cooling-off period of 14 days after delivery of these
Retail is increasingly moving online with a new set of challenges and rules to follow
goods during which they can change their mind about the product, return it and still receive a full refund. This is in addition to the consumer’s right to reject defective or faulty goods. This means that online retailers need to
extensive, and it’s there to make sure that the consumer knows exactly what they are buying, from whom, and what rights they have once they have bought the product. Examples of this information include a description of the product,
Where businesses do not comply with consumer legislation, they could, at best, face angry customers and reputational damage and, at worst, investigation and possible measures imposed by the regulator
manage their finances so that they are, in fact, able to refund a consumer where they exercise their rights in terms of this cooling-off period
• Description: A business must clearly set out the information listed in schedule two of the regulations in advance of a consumer purchasing a product online. The required information is
the purchase price, and any additional delivery costs; the identity of the seller; the consumer’s cancellation rights; customer service details; and the retailer’s complaint procedures
• Remedies available: Just like their competitors who operate from physical premises, if the product is defective or faulty, not fit for purpose or damaged, consumers are entitled to
cancel the sale within 30 days of receiving the goods and claim a refund (known as the short-term right to reject). Alternatively, within those 30 days, a consumer may require the retailer to repair or replace the product. Once the consumer receives the repaired or replaced item, they again have a statutory right to reject the goods, subject to different timelines (known as the final right to reject)
Where businesses do not comply with consumer legislation, they could, at best, face angry customers and reputational damage and, at worst, investigation and possible measures imposed by the regulator.
From a practical perspective, online retailers need to understand that they can’t just wash their hands of a sale once the money is in the bank, and it is this failure to make financial plans that sees many online retailers flounder.
A retailer has a responsibility to its customers to ensure that the products it sells are safe
and fit for purpose. The law places, amongst other things, the following obligations on retailers:
• Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, businesses can be held liable for damage caused by a defective product. Consumers do not have to prove fault for strict liability to arise. Instead, they have to prove that the product was defective and that such a defect had caused damage
• Furthermore, the courts have held that businesses owe a duty of care to consumers to ensure that the products sold are safe and will not cause any harm. Liability arises when a business fails to meet the standard of care expected and such failure causes harm
A business found liable to have failed to comply with its product safety obligations could face compensation claims, in certain cases, legal costs and serious harm to its reputation.
When using existing online marketplace platforms to sell products, businesses must comply with the terms and conditions of that platform. These terms and conditions may change – often with very little notice – which may result in unforeseen costs or delays. What’s more, using an established platform doesn’t absolve businesses from being subject to data protection legislation. Depending on the structure of the selling arrangement, these retailers are almost certainly data controllers and/or data processors. Data protection legislation requires businesses to maintain a privacy policy, ensure the secure storage and processing of any data and provide and comply with data subject rights. Any failure to comply will result in, at the very least, fines and legal
action by the Information Commissioner’s Office. The penalties for non-compliance are both civil and criminal –an extremely significant risk to businesses, their directors and management personnel.
But beyond the legislation outlined above, the digital marketing landscape has and is undergoing significant changes in 2025, with new legislation impacting how businesses collect, process, and use personal data.
marketing is undergoing significant changes with new legislation impacting how personal data is collected and processed
Key developments include the introduction of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUA) and amendments to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). These changes aim to balance innovation with privacy, but they also introduce new compliance requirements for online businesses.
DUA, introduced in late 2024, makes targeted reforms to the data protection framework. While it retains the core principles of the UK GDPR, it introduces several notable changes, including:
• Recognised Legitimate Interests: The Act amends Article 6 of the GDPR to permit data controllers to rely on “recognised legitimate interests” for processing personal data without conducting a legitimate interest assessment. These include
processing for direct marketing, intra-group data sharing for administrative purposes, and ensuring network and information security
• Expanded Special Category Data: The Secretary of State is empowered to introduce new types of special category data through secondary legislation, potentially including children’s data
• Enhanced Data Subject Rights: now inform individuals of their right to lodge complaints, and there are provisions for more types of special category data
PECR has been amended to align its enforcement powers with those under GDPR. This means that breaches related to electronic marketing and cookie usage can now attract fines of up to £17.5m or 4% of global turnover, whichever is higher.
Recently, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has intensified its focus on online tracking practices by extending its audit of cookie compliance to the UK’s top 1000 websites, emphasising the need for transparent and user-friendly consent mechanisms.
Retail can be an exciting and rewarding industry. There is so much room for innovation and ways to create happy customers who become walking advertisements for products. But like all aspects of business, careful consideration of any new legislation is important.
Flora Patalane is a solicitor, and Ann Critchell-Ward is a partner and head of commercial at law firm Wright Hassall LLP
LAST MILE CAPITAL HAS taken on a bike trade specialist, Tej Searle, to focus on motorcycle businesses looking to spread the costs of VAT bill payment.
Searle, who has worked in the automotive, retail, and hospitality sectors, and racked up more than 10 years’ experience working at P&H Motorcycles, told BDN: “After decades in the motorcycle industry, I know how hard it can be to access the right financial support at the right time. That’s why we’re creating practical, tailored solutions to help businesses manage the realworld challenges of growth, seasonality, and cash flow.
“The first solution we’re bringing to market addresses the quarterly VAT bill. Our new VAT Loan programme has been designed to allow businesses to spread the cost of their VAT bill over a fixed term, freeing up working capital when they need it most. The funds can be used for stock, marketing or staffing, and can help to avoid disruptive peaks and troughs in the balance. We handle the search and application process across our panel of more than 60 lenders, and there are no assets at risk: all loan options are unsecured, meaning there’s no need to tie up business or personal property.
“Because of my previous experience of working in the motorcycle trade, our team understands biking businesses and the seasonal nature of their cash flow.”
There’s little danger of MotoGB’s latest Chinese motorcycle brand going unnoticed when it lands in the UK this month. The bikes are manufactured by the Hangzhou Saturn Power Technology company, based in the Yuhang District of Hangzhou City, China, and feature some eyecatching tech and unusual designs, including an inlinefour 676cc “sport cruiser” and a pair of V-twin bobbers. However, it’s the nomenclature that stands out – the marque is called Benda and its slickly styled bikes have wild names like Chinchilla and Napoleonbob…
Fun on online forums aside, though, the brand will succeed or fail on the quality of its bikes and the value they provide. The £8999 LFC700 sport cruiser certainly grabs the attention with a massive 310-section rear tyre, claimed to be the widest fitted to a production motorcycle, which should provide plenty of grip to tame the 85hp output. The cast aluminium frame even comes fitted with
brand name components such as Brembo performance brakes and KYB suspension. The Chinchilla and Napoleonbob are priced at £5199 and £5499 respectively, and have similar sharp cruiser styling, A2 licence-compatible 47bhp power outputs from their 476cc V-twin engines, and a sprinkling of interesting tech, such as belt final drive and colour LCD dashboards.
MotoGB general manager Matt Kay said: “The arrival of Benda into the UK introduces an exciting new manufacturer who is driven to explore uncharted territories and push boundaries. We hope Benda’s commitment to blazing new trails in design and technology to capture a bold sense of adventure will inspire the next generation of riders, as well as existing riders wanting something new and different.”
MotoGB 0844 412 8450
www.bendamoto.co.uk
The Haynes Motor Museum is holding its first classic motor show this September, and the Somerset museum is giving motorcycles a leading role. The inaugural John Haynes Classic Motor Show marks 40 years since John Haynes OBE founded the Haynes Motor Museum in July 1985, and the event will celebrate his legacy and passion for the motor vehicle across five outdoor zones surrounding the museum. The new Motorcycle Zone will showcase classic models as well as the latest
innovations in motorcycling, with exhibitors including electric bike maker Maeving and local dealer Riders Motorcycles, featuring displays from Ducati, Harley-Davidson and Indian. There will also be a number of motorcycles from the museum’s collection, alongside the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC), showcasing iconic bikes from Japan’s golden era of motorcycling.
Tickets and more information are available from www.johnhaynesclassic.co.uk
THIS SUMMER SAW KAWASAKI SUPPORTING THE famous Tour de France cycle race once again, with the Japanese firm supplying its bikes for camera, support, medical and organisational duties.
An estimated 12 million fans watched the 2000mile race live from the roadside, with millions more worldwide following the action on TV and online, with Kawasaki’s bikes a constant presence. Versys 1100 adventure tourers were the standard support bikes, but Kawasaki also fielded some Z7 and Ninja 7 Hybrid machines to enhance its ecological credentials. It even brought its prototype hydrogen-powered H2 for the final ride up the Champs-Élysées on the last stage, complete with its massive side-mounted hydrogen tanks.
This year saw Kawasaki officially support the TdF for the first time since 1976, and Team Green will continue to support the event for another two years.
GP champ Wayne Gardner will be guest of honour
Summer has nearly gone, meaning the autumn roster of bike shows will soon be upon us, and Mortons Media has announced some legendary star names for its Classic Bike show to be held over the weekend of the 11-12 October. 500GP champion Wayne Gardner has been confirmed as the show’s guest of honour, and he’ll be joined by multiple British champion and GP rider Roger Marshall.
Gardner famously began his racing journey on a fivedollar dirt bike and quickly rose through the ranks, making his 500cc debut in 1983. The Australian star achieved success with Honda Britain, winning his first GP in 1986, and went on to beat Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola to claim the 1987 world championship title.
The Staffordshire County Showground event will also host top club stands from across the UK and will be packed with stunning machines spanning the decades – some of which will be started and run in the legendary GP Paddock. There’s a large trade area, autojumble stands, live music, and a fully stocked bar.
Tickets are £16.50, and under-16s go free with an adult. For more information visit classicbikeshows.com.
With financial editor Roger Willis
Honda’s motorcycle business got off to a slow but steady and profitable start during Q1 of its new 2025/26 fiscal year. Three-monthly revenue to 30 June increased by a modest 1.5% to £4.853bn. Operating profit rose by 6.4% to £964m. Operating margin grew from 18.9% to 19.9%.
Global sales volume made a remarkably slight advance of 1.6% to 5.143 million units. Asian markets were largely responsible, of course, just 0.2% up to 4.284 million. Other emerging regions improved by 14.8% to 536,000. In the developed world, North America put on 7.6% to 142,000. European countries were 11.6% down to 122,000. Japanese domestic sales increased by 18% to 59,000.
The company’s full-year motorcycle unit sales forecast to 31 March 2026 remains at 21.3 million, set against the 20.572 million result to 31 March 2025. However, there
have been some changes. Asian sales have been marginally revised downwards by 0.3% to 18.060 million. Conversely, other emerging regions have been elevated by 2.2% to 2.095 million. Japanese domestic sales will be static at the previous 210,000 estimate.
Suzuki Motor Corporation kicked off its motorcycle business Q1 fiscal with total turnover dead flat year-onyear at £534.6m. However, operating profit was relatively healthy, climbing by 5.5% to £65.3m, mainly thanks to
Honda’s global sales volume made a remarkably slight advance of 1.6% to 5.143 million units. Asian markets were largely responsible, of course, just 0.2% up to 4.284 million. Other emerging regions improved by 14.8% to 536,000
North American sales have been revised to 1.8% lower at 535,000, and European sales will be 7% down to 400,000.
Best not to mention a Q1 operating loss incurred by the Honda automobile business, which is probably associated with forthcoming US punitive tariffs.
unit sales growth in India. Q1 revenue from Asia only crept up by 0.9% to £278m. But within that, India had put on 3.1% to £186.7m. Other emerging markets improved by 16% to £114.3m. Europe was 17.1% down to £64.3m. North America fell by 3.5% to £56.6m.
Suzuki’s Q1 production rose by 2.9% to 535,000 units. India was responsible for 291,000 of them. Other Asian assembly operations accounted for 193,000. 21,000 were made in Japan. Quarterly sales increased by 4.9% to 548,000. Asia sold 179,000 and India 271,000. North America and Europe were respectively responsible for 9000 each.
The full-year forecast to 31 March 2026 predicts total production marginally lower by 0.7% at 2.028 million. 1.824 million will be made in Asian factories, also a 0.7% reduction. Japanese domestic production is expected to increase by 7.4% to 97,000 units. North American assembly will decline by 48% to 2000. Production at other plants will fall by 6.2% to 104,000.
The full-year unit sales volume forecast sees a rise by 0.7% to 2.078 million. Japanese domestic sales will fall by 8.4% to 33,000. Europe
is expected to be 7.1% down to 37,000. North American sales are set to rise by 11.1% to 33,000. Asia, including India, should be 1.5% up to 1.721 million. Various other markets will drop by 3.5% to 255,000.
The Powersports and Engine division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries seems to dive into a welter of financial confusion and hurriedly revised forecasts as soon as the first quarter of its latest fiscal year has barely swung into gear. And the advent of FY2025/26. Q1 offered no exception.
Total Q1 revenue climbed to £817.7m, a year-on-year increase of £79.1m. This, we were told, was due to higher shipments of four-wheelers (Utility, ATV, ORV, etc) for North America, “despite the impact of yen appreciation”.
But operating profit fell by £17.3m to £40.8m. And operating margin declined from 8% to 5%. The decrease was blamed on that aforementioned yen appreciation, as well as “higher fixed costs associated with increased production investment, despite increased revenue”.
the contribution of which grew by 5.2% to £327.9m. Motorcycles for emerging markets rose by 5.9% to generate £126.5m. Fourwheeled vehicles and personal watercraft were 13.3% up to £235.2m. General-purpose petrol engines added £127m.
Kawasaki’s wholesale unit motorcycle volume for developed countries during Q1 was 11.3% up to 59,000. North America flatlined on 23,000. Europe rose by 4.6% to 22,000. Japan shifted 10,000, and about 1000 went elsewhere. North America was also in receipt of around 19,000 four-wheeled vehicles and PWCs.
Kawasaki’s Q1 revenue climbed to £817.7m, a year-on-year increase of £79.1m
Emerging markets wholesale unit motorcycle volume reached 63,000. The Philippines had the biggest slice, 46,000. Indonesia took 3000 and Latin America 4000. China and Thailand also received a limited number.
And forecasts set in May were already being revised downwards before Q1’s conclusion. “Weakening demand in the US powersports market, despite changes in forex rate assumptions”, were predicted to cut about £200m off the previous ongoing revenue forecast. And operating profit was expected to take a £92m hit “due to lower revenue and deteriorating profitability caused by the impact of US tariff policy”.
The Q1 revenue breakdown began with motorcycles for developed countries,
In its global market overview, Kawasaki claimed that, despite a softening US retail motorcycle market, its share remains strong. The four-wheeled market in the US is expected to grow over the medium to long term, but sales of recreational models, which are susceptible to loan interest rates and fuel price increases, have softened. Additional tariffs are also raising concerns about weaker demand.
In Europe, Kawasaki said that despite a temporary retail slowdown following a pre-registration surge (as if we didn’t know…), it had expanded market share through effective promotions and successful new models.
-£ currency translation in all cases at forex rates applicable during the first two weeks in August
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Maintaining its usual axis of minimalist information between Berlin production and Bavarian bravado, BMW Motorrad’s half-year results data stood as the usual exercise in concealing weakness. Group motorcycle revenue six months into 2025 had declined by 5.1% to £1.527bn. Operating profit was 1.9% down to £183.2m. Operating margin struggled up to 12% from 11.6%. Pretax profit fell by 2.3% to £182.5m. Net profit dropped by 2.6% to £128m.
The brand’s half-year global retail motorcycle sales were 6.3% down to 105,909 units. Within that, Q2 deliveries to customers had fallen by 8% to 61,300 units. No further information (about model mix, for instance…) was made available.
Some rather sketchy motorcycle segment forecasts for the full 2025 outlook predict that last year’s reported operating margin of 6.1% will translate into between 5.5% and 7.5%. Motorrad return on capital employed (RoCE), which stood at 15.5% in 2024, should reach
Potentially under threat from net zero climate-change absolutism, five globally trading petrolhead brands reaching the half-way stage of their 2025 financial performance reporting cannot conceal the struggles they now face. Roger Willis crunches the numbers for BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Piaggio and Yamaha
between 13% and 17%. And the 2024 annual retail tally of 210,385 units will benefit from only a “slight increase”.
Although the boys in
more than a quarter of BMW Group’s deliveries – 26.4% adding up to 220,583 units.
However, they are less than happy about China’s erstwhile
Total sales of BMW battery electric vehicles in the first six months of 2025 made up more than a quarter of BMW Group’s deliveries – 26.4% adding up to 220,583 units
Bavaria are probably far too embarrassed to mention the quantities of CE 04 and CE 02 electric scooters they inflict on paying punters, drivelling on endlessly about fourwheeled electric achievements was to the fore. Total sales of BMW battery electric vehicles (BEVS and PHEVs) in the first six months of 2025 made up
prospering high-end market. Persistent weak consumer spending by the Chinese in the upper price segments had a hugely negative impact on sales, which plunged by 15.5% in the first half of this year. Essentially, the game is over for upmarket Teutonic automotives like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi in
the Far East. The Chinese are buying much cheaper homespun BEVs and, most cheekily, exporting them to sell at budget prices in Europe.
Having said that, BMW Group chief executive Oliver Zipse is far less concerned about the effect of Donald Trump’s tariffs on the brand’s presence in North America, which he regards as “exaggerated”. In response, he has maintained annual forecasts, bucking profit downgrades across the sector. BMW’s US car plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, actually exported about half of the vehicles it produced last year, worth not far short of £10bn.
Finally, an amusing certainty in the BMW playbook is that its spectacular reigning WSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu will be riding in MotoGP next year – astride a Yamaha. Rumourmongers are now suggesting that BMW Motorrad products will therefore disappear altogether from WSBK grids in the 2026 season.
€-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 31 July
Volkswagen Group’s luxuryfocused Brand Group Progressive, comprising Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Ducati, faced significantly decreasing profits during the first half of 2025, with the inescapable influences of US tariffs and restructuring expenses, alongside challenging market conditions for its motorcycle business in particular.
The half-yearly revenue contribution from Bolognabased Ducati fell by 7.9% to £485m, on the back of reduced sales volume. Operating profit was savaged, 42.4% down to just £46m, affected by lower revenue and negative model mixes, as well as forex and tariff impacts. Operating margin declined from 15.1% to 9.5%.
Ducati’s total production in the six months of this year to date dropped by 5.1% to 34,715 units. The only segment boasting growth was Sport, with Supersport and Panigale models therein 19.8% up to 7900 units. Dual/Hyper, featuring Hypermotard, DesertX and Multistrada kit, shrank by 14.5% to 13,181 units. The Naked/Sport Cruiser segment spanning Diavel, Monster and Streetfighter models was 8.8% down to 9581 units. Finally, Scrambler products were 1.6% in arrears at 4018 units. Some 35 units of the new MX off-roader were also manufactured.
Retail sales over the same period declined by 5.7% to 30,234 units. Within that, deliveries to customers during Q2 had fallen by 7% to 18,306 units, as trading conditions worsened. Overall, Sport retail rose by 21.9% to 6670 units; Dual/Hyper was 12.3% down to 12,412 units; Naked/Sport Cruiser fell by 15.4% to 7538 units; And Scrambler sales improved marginally by 2.1% to 3599 units. Apparently, 15 samples of the MX off-roader also reached customers.
In terms of global markets,
Europe accounted for 65% of Ducati’s retail sales, rising from 64% in the equivalent period last year. China including Hong Kong was 2%, down from 4%. The USA was responsible for 13%, up from 12%, although that may be revised, given the fluid tariff position. The remaining 20% flatlined.
Regarding profitability status across Brand Group Progressive, Audi claimed 48%, but that was down from 59%.
Lamborghini had bragging rights on 40%, up from 23%, and Bentley dropped from 13% to 7%. Ducati flatlined on a 5% contribution.
length, without stressing the increasingly gory details of Brand Group Progressive and Ducati’s relatively minor role…
€-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 28 July
DESPERATE DEALS FOR TROUBLED HARLEY
Harley-Davidson’s truly dreadful second quarter 2025 performance figures were primarily shrugged aside behind a litany of excuses –“impacted by a challenging commercial environment for discretionary products and
The
Volkswagen Group chief financial officer and chief operating officer Arno Antlitz almost simultaneously posted a gloomy op-ed press diatribe illustrating parental woes.
The first few lines of this were bad enough. “For too long we have operated under the assumption that growth would offset rising costs and under-utilised capacity,” he observed. “Fuelled by profits from China and strong sales of premium brands such as Porsche and Audi, Volkswagen tried to grow its way out of the problem instead of addressing structural inefficiencies. When demand softened, the consequences became clear – declining margins, idle factories and fast-moving rivals grabbing market share.” He went on at some
an uncertain tariff situation” – as well as a sensational move to share significant financial activities with outside investors.
Revenue from its main HDMC motorcycle, P&A, apparel and licensing operations slumped by 23% to £784.3m. Related operating profit fell by 69% to £46.1m. Operating margin dropped from 14.7% to 5.9% year-onyear. Wholesale motorcycle shipments to dealers worldwide were 28% down to 35,837 units.
Global retail motorcycle sales declined by 15% to 42,254 units. Within that, North American numbers shrank by 17% to 28,931. EMEA volume (predominantly Europe) was 5% lower at 7621, and the Asia Pacific region retreated
by 21% to 4967. Latin America was 11% down to 735.
Sales of Harley’s LiveWire electric motorcycle brand during Q2 dived by 65% to 55 units. Associated revenue was 7% down to £4.5m. Quarterly operating loss was £14m, improving from a £21.2m loss in the equivalent period last year.
Revenue from the HarleyDavidson Financial Services arm (HDFS), which handles consumer credit and inventory finance provision, fell by 2% to £193.5m. Associated operating profit was also 2% down to £52.4m. This was attributed to lower net interest income and higher operating expenses, partially offset by lower provision for credit losses.
For Harley-Davidson Inc. (HDI) as a whole, Q2 operating profit plummeted by 53% to £84.5m. Net profit attributable to HDI declined by 51% to £80.8m.
$-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 4 August
Piaggio Group chief executive Michele Colaninno, is getting really quite adept at listing the woes afflicting his family enterprise, and Piaggio’s half-year 2025 report was no exception. Kicking off with current challenging market conditions, he progressed to slower demand, international
net revenue fell by 13.9% to £744.9m. That generated EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, which is otherwise known as “bullshit profit” by cynical US corporate analysts) of £128.6m, a 15.3% decline. EBITDA margin fell slightly, from 17.5% to 17.3%.
Straightforward operating
Piaggio’s largest downturn in volume was recorded in European markets, due to a significant fall in demand relating to the move to Euro 5+
trade disputes, extensive widening geopolitical tensions and continuing international crises, before recognising the emergence of timid recovery signs in South-East Asia during the second quarter – but only if the international situation doesn’t worsen. And that was prior to any number crunching.
So to begin clocking the cash. Piaggio’s first-half consolidated
profit dived by 32.3% to £61.6m. Operating margin fell to 8.3% from 10.5%. Pretax profit for the six months plunged by 41.3% to £39.8m. Net profit was 42.2% in arrears at £26.3m. Net debt at 30 June 2025 was £467m, rising from £356.4m year-on-year.
During the first half, Piaggio Group scooter and motorcycle sales fell by 12.5% to 184,900
PROGNOSTICATING AS IF EVERYTHING was hunky-dory in his Q2 results statement, soon-to-disappear HarleyDavidson supremo Jochen Zeitz sat back and presided over the announcement of his successor by Harley’s board of directors. Without going too far into the gruesome details, Artie Starrs (below) will take over the hot saddle as Harley-Davidson president and chief executive on 1 October. Zeitz will remain as a senior advisor to the company until February 2026, to facilitate a smooth transition. Existing board member Troy Alstead has been appointed company chairman.
Starrs will join Harley from Topgolf Callaway Brands, where he served as chief executive of its Topgolf International subsidiary. Previously, he had held leadership roles at Yum Brands’ Pizza Hut subsidiary, most recently as its global chief executive. Prior to that, he served as chief financial
officer for Rave Cinemas, having begun his executive career as an investment banker at Wasserstein Perella.
Effectively the Jochen Zeitz swansong has been hailing the “strategic partnership” he had just established. These partners are Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and Pacific Investment Management (PIMCO).
The former, KKR, is one of the most rapacious multi-billion private equity takeover specialists in the world. The latter, California-based PIMCO, is rated as the world’s sixth-largest asset manager. Together, they have valued the HarleyDavidson Financial Services (HDFS) business at about 1.75 times posttransaction book value. HDFS has agreed to sell a 4.9% common equity interest to investment “vehicles” managed by KKR and PIMCO. In addition, HDFS will sell approximately twothirds of its future retail loan originations at a premium, on an annual basis, for five years.
units. Associate revenue was 13.1% down to £598.2m. This figure included spares and accessories, on which turnover totalled £67.6m. The Group’s largest downturn in volume was recorded in European markets, due to a significant fall in demand relating to the move from the Euro 5 to Euro 5+ emissions standard.
However, despite this, Piaggio claimed an overall European market share of 10% and confirmed its position as a leading market player in the scooter segment with an 18% share. Within that, it also reported a strong performance for new versions of the Liberty and Medley big-wheel scooter models. North American scooter market share reached 33.9%. In motorcycles, the Aprilia brand increased volume and turnover, driven largely by the new Tuono 457, the RSV4, Tuono 1100, RS660 and 125cc models.
€-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 5 August
discretionary cash, representing about 40% of current Harley-Davidson market capitalisation. HDFS has also agreed to sell more than $5bn of existing gross consumer retail loan receivables and residual interests in securitised consumer receivables at a premium. HDFS expects to use a portion of the proceeds to reduce indebtedness, to optimise its post-transaction capital structure.
Accordling to Zeitz, this transaction will unlock $1.25bn in
Spelling this out, Zeitz added: “We plan to reduce our debt by $450m and accelerate our $1bn share buyback programme by the purchase of $500m in the second half of 2025. We also have the flexibility to invest up to $300m of additional funds into future growth opportunities.”
Pie in the sky? Possibly. And astute observers cannot help but notice that Harley-Davidson is a relative minnow which could be swallowed by KKR and PIMCO in an inkling. After all, KKR’s legendary pursuit of private equity takeover targets was once famously described as “the barbarians at the gate”. Don’t expect Artie Starrs to be a long-term Harley-Davidson boardroom fixture.
Yamaha’s utilitarian PAS ULU electric bicycle was cover star for its latest financial report
Six months into its 2025 fiscal year, Yamaha’s motorcycle business isn’t exactly a picture of unbridled joy. And splashing an image of a new electrical power-assisted PAS ULU commuter bicycle, ridden by some foxy young Japanese lady – rather than a ripsnortin’ motorcycle – all over the presentation document’s cover was hardly projecting the right image!
Total year-on-year revenue fell by 4.3% to £4.025bn. Key developed markets were 5.4% down to £1.108bn. Within that, European turnover dropped by 7.1% to £676.9m and North America copped a 9.4% decline to £259.1m. Only Japanese domestic performance projected a measure of positivity, its revenue contribution rising by 11.5% to £123.4m. Big-league Asian markets retreated by a more minor 2.1% to £2.198bn. Elsewhere, including Latin America, revenue was 8% down to £767.2m.
Half-yearly operating profit nevertheless took a spanking, 40.2% down to £314.2m. Operating margin sank from 12.5% to 7.8%. The excuses included: “Decreased sales volume, increased procurement costs and other factors led to a decline in profit margin, while increased R&D expenses and selling, general
and administrative expenses resulted in a decrease in net sales and income.”
First-half sales volume hadn’t been too bad, though, only 2% down to 2.442 million units. Japan was 15% up at 42,000. North America dropped by 8% to 47,000. Europe was 5% down to 127,000. Asian numbers fell by just 2% to 1.87 million. And various other markets taken together also dropped by a mere 2% to 350,000 sold.
The full-year forecast outlook is fairly upbeat as well. Yamaha intends to maintain sales volume and sales revenue at the same level as the previous year. However, it pointedly concedes that operating profit and margin will deteriorate owing to “additional tariffs imposed by the United States” – plus further inevitable hiked procurement and R&D costs.
The currently revised annual motorcycle revenue forecast rosters a narrow 0.6% increase to £8.059bn, with operating profit falling by 17.8% to £530.5m. Unit sales volume has been blessed with a marginal increase from 4.961 million in full year 2024 to 4.978 million in 2025. And buried in that revision, European unit sales projections have been rewarded with a 3% enhancement to 232,000.
-£ currency translation at forex rates applicable on 5 August
No matter the road, whatever the weather –Dunlop Mutant has your back. The world’s first crossover tyre boasts hypersport-level handling, the best grip in wet conditions this side of racing wets, and exceptional touring durability. Mutant’s M+S technology gives you the confidence to just ride and conquer all conditions.
New motorcycle registrations in five of the largest European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) totalled 542,361 units during the six first months of 2025, a decrease of 11.3% compared to 2024’s same period total of 611,145.
The only country to improve motorcycle registrations was Spain, with an increase of 5% year-on-year. Italy managed a late lunge to improve registrations in June, 7.7% above 2024, but as previous months
were all in arrears it still fell 4.2% overall. French and German markets were consistently lower every month, with France down 14.8% and Germany faring worse with a reduction of 29.0%.
Moped registrations achieved a total volume of 68,690 units across the six biggest moped markets (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain), an overall reduction of 19.2% year-on-year. All markets were down, with Spain faring best, down just 2%,
and Italy suffering worst with a 32,4% reduction.
Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, commented: “The first half of 2025 confirms the market adjustment expected after the transition to Euro 5+, with a decline in overall registration volumes across several key European markets. Despite this short-term downturn motorcycles remain a popular choice for individual mobility in many parts of Europe.”
A snapshot of motorcycle and ATV industry share performance across key manufacturers and major global markets at the trading week closure on Friday 22 August. BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports
In America, the week began with US stocks sliding from near-record highs, as investors focused on the annual central bankers’ meeting at Jackson Hole – probing for clues about the future path of monetary policy under Trump’s increasingly interventionist stance. This established an erratic pattern for market indices, and although global stocks were eventually boosted by US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell’s remarks at the central bank summit, some of the mud stuck in what was still a fragile mood.
Best performances came from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, recovering to close 1.5% up, and a 2.6% gain for S&P’s MidCap 400. But within the latter, it was noticeable that HarleyDavidson’s share price recovery was petering out below a hoped-for ascendancy from long-term lurking under $30. There was no joy ride for the blue-chip S&P 500 either, finishing on a meagre 0.3% advance, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite actually ended on a 0.6% loss.
European equities initially prospered on signs of progress for a Ukraine ceasefire. But uncertainties about Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees soon undermined confidence. Eurozone indices were also buoyed briefly by the Jackson Hole speech, but any value in that hit the buffers too.
In Germany, Frankfurt’s Xetra Dax finished positive by a mere 0.1% and Austria’s adjacent Teutonic Wiener Börse ATX fell by 1.3%. German automotives with biker connections (basically BMW and Volkswagen) dodged the bullet though, but KTM parent Pierer didn’t. However, the mood was better in southern climes, where the Borsa Italiana’s FTSE MIB in Milan put on 1.2% and Piaggio shares added value.
Japanese government bonds plunged in value following weak demand in a 20-year debt auction, promptly affecting equities. The Nikkei 225 market index, spanning Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges, dropped by 1.7%. But the impact on motorcycle manufacturers was mixed. Honda and Suzuki rode out the reaction, while Yamaha and Kawasaki swallowed spankings.
While the US tariff assault on India’s wayward government continues, indigenous investors are evidently still piling into hot prospects. Market indices, respectively the Bombay Stock Exchange’s S&P Sensex 30 and the National Stock Exchange’s Nifty 50, made modest gains of 0.8% and 1%. All five Indian motorcycle production majors benefited from rising share prices.
Strong surges for Shanghai’s SSE Composite and the CSI 300 market indices underlined Chinese president Xi Jinping’s remorseless push for export sales finding their ways past Trump’s tariff walls in spades. Over the past week, the former stacked on 3.5% and the latter rose by 4.2%. Among the ten listed Chinese bike manufacturers tracked by BDN, only three suffered from deteriorating share prices – Jialing, Loncin and CFMoto.
PERFORMANCE 22 AUGUST 2025
Europe (euro)
Japan (yen)
India
China (yuan)
Indian electric bike maker
Ultraviolette has announced a new $21m (£16m) investment package from Japanese firm TDK Ventures.
Ultraviolette, which recently launched a range of bikes in Europe (BDN August issue), said in a statement: “The investment round of $21m saw strategic participation from TDK Ventures and strong continued backing from existing investors Zoho Corporation and Lingotto (previously Exor Capital), among other institutional investors. The partnership
with TDK Ventures represents a pivotal step in Ultraviolette’s mission to develop and scale globally competitive performance-oriented EVs.”
Ravi Jain, investment director of TDK Ventures, said: “We look forward to bringing our TDK knowledge to Ultraviolette and their ambitious plan to design the next generation of energyefficient and performance electric twowheel platforms.”
Ultraviolette says it is now scaling up manufacturing, accelerating research,
expanding its distribution network, and introducing its product portfolio to global markets. “Our partnership with TDK Ventures fast-forwards our efforts, from advanced battery platforms to intelligent vehicle systems. This collaboration not only accelerates our vision of future-ready mobility but also reinforces our commitment to delivering electric vehicles that are aspirational and globally relevant,” said Narayan Subramaniam, co-founder and CEO of Ultraviolette.
IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, and we’re still not 100% sure about the name, but Honda has finally launched its entry into the mainstream batterypowered urban mobility sector. And, as has become normal with the big H, the new CUV e: is priced to sell, with an RRP of £3800 – the same as a PCX125 petrolpowered scooter.
The CUV e: is a pure battery-powered machine, featuring twin removable 96V Honda Mobile Power Pack e: batteries and a charger, with performance equivalent to a 110cc petrol scooter. A swingarm-mounted motor makes
6kW/8bhp, and top speed is around 50mph. Range is a claimed 45 urban miles, the CUV e: weighs just 120kg, and is well equipped, with colour dash, reverse gear, traction control system, CBS linked brakes, and front storage pockets. The chassis is conventional scooter fare: steel underbone frame, simple suspension and small 12in wheels with front disc brake and drum rear.
One downside is the lack of under-seat storage: the batteries are located here, so there’s no usual scooter shopping space –best to get the optional top box fitted for the Waitrose run!
As one of the most high-profile electric bike makers, the failure of Energica last year was significant. The firm behind the first MotoE race bikes went into liquidation in October 2024, amidst a steep decline in battery-powered bike sales. However, the brand appears to be on its way back after receiving investment from Singapore.
In an online post, the firm’s global sales director Stefano Bennati said: “The judicial process undergoing the sale of Energica has received an offer with a significant deposit from investors based in Singapore. They are enthusiasts who believe in and share the common values of Energica.
“If the process comes through successfully, the same team behind Energica will be entrusted to run the operations, and we will continue creating cutting-edge technologies for our customers. Our first order of business is to support the customers and community.
“The judicial process will be completed by the end of September, and we will continue to share updates during that time.”
Electric dirt bike manufacturer Stark has released the latest version of its high-tech Varg motocross bike. The Varg MX 1.2 features a series of upgrades aimed at improving suspension feel, chassis flex and range, which has been increased by up to 20% compared to the previous version.
The powertrain remains the same, featuring an 80hp electric motor with 978Nm of torque. However, there’s a 20% larger 7.2kW/h battery pack, which provides the extended range. The chassis has a lighter, more flexible frame, and the firm has also re-routed all wiring through the handlebars, while the Arkenstone smartphone dash/controller unit is now supplied as standard instead of being an option. Prices start at £10,490. For further details, visit www.starkfuture.com.
THE GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO FINALLY BE moving to bring laws on light electric vehicles like e-scooters up to date.
The Department for Transport’s Micromobility Team has re-announced its intention to introduce new legislation to create regulations for light mobility vehicles – including design and build standards.
According to the MCIA, this is the first time the DfT has formally committed to exploring this area and has made it clear that it will bid for parliamentary time to address it. The MCIA also says it is an important step towards addressing the current gaps in regulation and recognising the wider commercial opportunities these vehicles offer.
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall for a small number (up to 44) of Zero electric motorcycles. However, the recall is not related to batteries or motors; rather, it involves a specific issue with the front hydraulic brake hose on certain 2024 DSR/X, DS, DSR, and DSRP motorcycles. The hose may be twisted and become damaged, which can cause a brake fluid leak and a loss of brake pressure.
MORE HICCUPS FOR THE move to electric vehicles: hoodlums have started vandalising charging stations to steal the valuable copper wire inside them. Idiotic criminals are risking death to get £25 worth of the metal, costing charging firms thousands, and inconveniencing users. Charging firm InstaVolt reports more than 20 EV charging sites across the Midlands and Yorkshire have been targeted by gangs since last November.
CEO Delvin Lane said:
“Although organised crime gangs target these sites, it’s a misconception that the copper brings real financial gain. The value of any metal stolen is insignificant.”
Alternative powered two wheeler registrations for July 2025
Just as mainstream registrations perked up somewhat in July, so did the batteryelectric business, relatively speaking. Headcount rose by 10.3% year-on-year to a modest gathering of 365 units. Electric market share grew to 4% from 3.6%.
As usual, worthwhile action was centred on the up-to-4kW moped and 4-11kW sectors, the latter boasting approximate 125cc equivalence. Sparky mopeds rose by 2.7% to 114 units.
Talaria TL5500 Sting Pro products accounted for 23 of those, with best-seller status. The 4-11kW firmament did better, 15.8% up to 234 units. Some 54 of these were Vmoto Super Soco CPx scooters topping the pile.
Then typical gloom descended. The 11kW-plus up to 35kW
range contained precisely five machines, three of which were 15kW BMW CE 04 maxiscooters, claiming the “best seller” slot. And the over35kW presence was worse, featuring a solitary Zero Motorcycles SR/S ZF17.3 steed. The “exempt” category halved in volume to just six machines, three of which were Electric Motion Epure Factor-E Pilot items. Finally, five further unidentified bikes made up the numbers.
In the seven months of 2025 to date, battery-electric registrations have declined by 14% to 1941 units. Among what passes for “high volumes”, 4kW mopeds were 46.9% down to 524 units, while 11kW machines put on 17.2% to 1310 units. Market share has flatlined at 3.3%.
OFF-ROAD AND ADVENTURE
bike riders can now benefit from D3O’s expertise in impact protection, with the new Acerbis Flux Air Vest – a protective waistcoat designed to cater for everything from motocross, through enduro, to long distance adventure touring.
The Flux Air is highly breathable and features an elastic mesh structure –Acerbis claims the material “ensures unparalleled freedom of movement and provides enhanced ventilation even on the hottest days”. D3O’s lightweight protectors help to keep weight low, while maintaining a high level of protection across the back and chest. The back protector is certified to CE level 2, and the chest protector is certified to CE level 1.
The Flux Air Vest is available in sizes S to XXL, with a recommended retail price of £124.99.
Acerbis 01582 491076
ukinfo@acerbis.it acerbisb2b.co.uk
Apico Factory Racing has announced SM Pro as the latest brand to be added to the range it distributes across the UK.
SM Pro is a brand owned by Central Wheel Components (CWC). With more than 120 years of experience, CWC has built and restored motorcycle wheels for virtually every bike manufacturer. The company is renowned for producing high-quality products and consistently supplying iconic brands, including Norton and Triumph, among many others. The transition into the off-road market was a natural progression for CWC, leading to the creation of SM Pro Wheels.
From the earliest days of motocross, it was clear that the SM Pro brand had
tremendous potential. Today, it stands as a leading supplier of motocross wheels in the UK and Europe, offering components that fit a wide range of makes and models. As SM Pro expands across the off-road, adventure, and European speedway segments, it continues to establish its reputation as one of the best in the industry.
Apico Factory Racing director and co-owner Dylan Brown said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome SM Pro to the Apico Factory Racing family. I have kept a close eye on the SM Pro brand whilst also getting to know Harry Bradley and his team. They have developed a range of fantastic and affordable products which we are looking forward to supporting the dealer network
with, offering a next-day service on stock items.”
Harry Bradley, sales director at CWC, said: “We are really excited to welcome Apico to our distribution list. We have the same goals and need each other to make those goals happen, so we are excited to work with them. Dylan, Anna and the rest of the team have been great to deal with, and we are convinced they are the right people with the right tools in place to service the UK dealer network. Apico can help us reduce lead times to end customers by stocking wheel sets ready for next-day dispatch. It’s a really exciting time for Central Wheel, and we are looking forward to a fruitful and successful relationship with Apico Factory Racing.”
The Apico 2-Stroke Festival and Red Bull Pro Stroke National has played a significant role within the motocross calendar since 2017. Dave Willet, the promoter of both events, had intended to, once again, fill the Sellindge MX paddock in Kent with the aroma of two-strokes, however, due to family health concerns, he has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2025 edition. All riders who have already signed up and paid their entry fee will receive a refund.
“We have achieved what we set out to do eight years ago, which was to provide a fun celebration of old-school racing aimed at
grassroots two-stroke riders and a weekend of fun for all the family. Having witnessed the event’s growth over those years and welcomed new and old riders, it has been an extremely difficult decision to postpone the 2025 Festival.
“The festival has been at the heart of our family, and we have had amazing support from friends, sponsors, trade partners, the riders and their families. I truly didn’t want to let anyone down, but I’m hoping that everyone will understand that family must come first. For this reason, we have no choice but to take a break this year.”
DESPITE ITS WELLpublicised financial woes, KTM is busy developing new and updated models.
The refreshed KTM SX and SX-F motocross range for 2026 features ten new models that are now available. For young riders there’s the electric KTM SX-E and, as they progress to racing, the KTM 50 SX, KTM 65 SX, and KTM 85 SX.
For older riders, the full-size two- and four-stroke SX and SX-F models retail from £8699 for the 125 SX up to £10,599 for the 450 SX-F.
The new 2026 models come equipped with new electronics, improved chassis dynamics, and the optional Connectivity Unit Offroad (CUO) which pairs with the KTMconnect app to allow riders to fine-tune engine behaviour, traction control, and suspension settings.
The ACU has confirmed that Wayne Braybrook and his RAW Enduro organisation is the new promoter of the ACU British Extreme Enduro Championship for the next three years.
To say that Braybrook is well qualified to take over the position is something of an understatement. He has won five ISDE gold medals, taken victory at the Hells Gate Extreme Race, and was one of only two official finishers at the Red Bull Last Man Standing event in the USA.
Additionally, his wealth of knowledge in the saddle has enabled him to organise some of the best events in the enduro calendar during the last 18 years, including the Ballbreaker Extreme and the Summit Extreme events. Braybrook and RAW Enduro have also been responsible for running three British Enduro Championship Timecard weekends.
“After months of meetings and
discussions, RAW Enduro is excited to have agreed terms with the ACU, allowing us to enhance the professionalism of the highly regarded British Extreme Enduro Championship,” said Braybrook.
“We’ll also be encouraging commercial partners to invest in the championship for a real-time return on their investment via social media channels and key areas at events. This partnership represents an exciting step in the development of the ACU British Extreme Enduro Championship.”
Matthew Edwards-Wear, ACU secretary general, welcomed RAW Enduro into the governing body of UK motorcycle sport’s promoters: “We’re pleased to welcome Wayne and his talented team as the new promoter of the ACU British Extreme Enduro championship. For the Extreme Enduro discipline to develop and flourish at all levels, we need experienced former
competitors and event organisers to drive it forward.
“Wayne’s passion for Extreme Enduro and the ACU British Championship has been clear from the outset, and we’re looking forward to working with him to deliver a bright future for the sport.”
Commercial partners interested in supporting the championship should direct enquiries to rawenduro@gmail.com.
That’s a tough call in today’s environment. So what about selling more to your regular customers?
Sales are down – we need more customers” is a common refrain. However, before you focus on attracting new customers, consider whether it would be easier to meet your targets by focusing on existing ones. Could you encourage them to spend more or make purchases more frequently?
Imagine you’re a window cleaner needing to increase turnover by 25%. Finding 25% more customers might be a challenge. Travelling further increases costs and competition. While you might attract a few clients who want their windows cleaned more frequently, a more effective strategy is to offer additional services, such as gutter cleaning or pressure washing. This is a strategy used by large corporations; you may have noticed Sainsbury’s offering pet insurance and Tesco providing a mobile phone service. A motorcycle dealer who sells bikes, clothing, and accessories can increase sales by getting more customers to buy everything from them instead of shopping around and cherry-picking. When it comes to increasing customers’ average spend or encouraging them to shop more frequently, there are numerous tried and trusted techniques. Crossselling and upselling – suggesting
complementary products or offering an upgrade to a more expensive version –are both effective ways to boost sales. Targeted email campaigns and exclusive seasonal offers will bring people back to your store more often than they otherwise would.
There is one other thing, and it’s often overlooked. Make sure you’re ready to deal with new customers. Remember, first impressions count.
Sometimes, of course, you actually do need more customers. If you’ve got 100 luggage racks for the Honda Monkey 125 and you’ve only sold 10, clearly you need another 90 buyers. This is when a plan is required.
For starters, you should identify who your potential customers are. In the above example, they will be owners of a Honda Monkey 125. In other cases, they could be identified by age range or location, depending on what you’re selling. Having figured out who they are,
next work out how you can reach them. Are there particular publications they read, social media channels or websites they visit or events they attend? Perhaps they follow specific influencers, podcasts or YouTube channels. When you’ve identified who they are and how to reach them, your final job is to decide on a message to attract them. This could be as simple as informing them that your product is available, if it’s unique or innovative. Alternatively, you might need to offer an incentive, like a discount or include something extra for free. Basically, there needs to be a reason for people to shop with you. There is one other thing, and it’s often overlooked. Make sure you’re ready to deal with new customers. Remember, first impressions count. Do you have sufficient stock? Are your staff up to speed with product knowledge, pricing, offers, etc?
When you need to increase sales, take a breath and ask yourself whether your priority is to attract more customers, or get the existing ones to spend more or more often.
In the final instalment next month, we will look at some ways to get more reviews for your business.
Contact 01237 422660 or
The latest news and views in the world of business
If you are a
Directorships come with a multitude of legal obligations and duties. It’s all very well being elevated to the board, but the title ‘director’ brings with it a number of obligations and duties, breaches of which can cause an individual personal financial pain and possible loss of liberty
While breaches can be deliberate, they are more likely to occur accidentally – a simple mistake or misunderstanding.
However, apart from the risk of legal jeopardy, issues may also arise due to poor management.
The worrying part of this – and it should be a concern for any would-be director – is that there are no qualifications required to sit on the board other than being 16 or over and not being disqualified from taking on the role.
Not unsurprisingly, given the ease of appointment and the consequent likelihood of mistakes being made due to a lack of understanding, there are numerous websites offering tips on how to be a good director and what best practice looks like.
For example, the Institute of Directors offers several fact sheets on the subject, Courses
Online provides courses on governance, and firms such as PwC offer training and support for directors.
With the background set out, Paul Taylor, a partner at business law firm Fox Williams, offers his view on the traps ready to snare an unsuspecting director.
Taylor begins by noting that it’s a well-known fact of English law that a company has its own legal personality and is therefore separate and distinct from its members and directors.
Thus, as he says, a company can shield its members and directors from most liabilities. However, he warns “this protective veil can be pierced in certain limited circumstances.” He advises directors to consider several key areas if they want to benefit from the protection that their companies offer through limited liability.
To make this particular point, Taylor refers to a legal case – Antuzis v DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd. He says that the importance of this case is that it “confirmed the principle that directors entering into contracts in bad faith can be held personally liable.” As he explains, “it was held that the director and sole member of the company was liable for inducing the company’s breaches of contract where they were knowingly in breach of fiduciary (duty of trust) or personal duties to the company.”
Consequently, Taylor says “directors should make sure they fully understand not only their statutory duties but what documents, such as any shareholders’ agreement and articles of association, set out.”
Another way to pierce the corporate veil is for a director to have personally guaranteed or otherwise secured the financial obligations of a company. Taylor often sees such guarantees requested
by banks to provide them with maximum protection for any loan taken out by the company. This is because it is often easier to pursue an individual who has the guarantee than to enforce their security against the company.
So, when a director offers a personal guarantee, they are – by definition – making “themselves personally liable should the company not be able to fulfil its obligations to the third party.”
Taylor’s best advice here is to either not give a personal guarantee at all, put a monetary limit on the guarantee, or link any guarantee to a specific loan.
Companies have ongoing obligations to keep Companies House updated with all relevant changes to the company such as the appointment or resignation of company officers, and to make trading disclosures about itself and the nature of its business.
As Taylor details, “these filing obligations vary depending on the size of a company and whether it is public or private and directors
with Adam Bernstein www.abfeatures.com
of every company must prepare accounts for each financial year.”
He says that where companies are delinquent, and do not file within the set time, “directors can be liable for a fine of up to £5000.” Worse, he says that “a director can also be held liable to the company for any loss caused by the making of a misleading statement or any omission from the filings.”
OR
This one is less obvious to many in Taylor’s eyes.
“In a signature block involving a company, you will often see the wording ‘For and on behalf of X Ltd’ under the director’s signature. This phrase is used to indicate that the signatory does not intend to be bound personally.”
insolvency circumstances, can hold directors jointly and severally liable for tax or tax penalties. He says, “this liability was introduced to ensure individuals are held liable for bad behaviour and for HMRC to recover the full amount of any tax liability or penalty where companies are affected by potential or actual insolvency.”
He emphasises that HMRC can issue notices in this regard only when the liability arises or is expected to arise from tax avoidance, tax evasion, repeated insolvency, or a penalty for facilitating avoidance or evasion.
A director can be held liable to the company for any loss caused by the making of a misleading statement
It’s also worth remembering that personal liability can apply where “a company begins insolvency proceedings, or is expected to do so, causing any of the tax liability to be lost to HMRC.”
From his perspective, a failure to use such a phrase “may result in a director being deemed a party to the contract and therefore personally liable for any subsequent breaches.”
The point is that a court will always look to interpret the intention of the contracting parties in deciding who should be held liable. This is why, he says, “it is vital that a director sets out their deliberate intention to signify on behalf of the company rather than as an individual.”
Taylor’s last flashpoint revolves around tax, and he notes that the Finance Act 2020 introduced a new form of liability for directors, whereby HMRC, in specific
Mistakes are more than possible; they’re quite probable. While managementrelated mistakes can be damaging, in terms of legal obligations, directors would be best advised to consider how they can protect their position. They should consider purchasing Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance, check if the company’s articles include a specific indemnity for directors, and determine whether a bank could enforce a personal guarantee against any other guarantors. Additionally, they should explore any other protections that may be available to them. Ultimately, directors need good advice and a thorough understanding of their position before taking action.
THE REVIVED BSA BRAND HAS BEEN RELYING ON A SINGLE model to carry the flag since it returned to the UK market in 2022. But now the Gold Star has been joined by the long-awaited Scrambler derivative of the single cylinder platform, and the smaller capacity Bantam roadster with a new 334cc motor.
The Scrambler concept debuted at the NEC show back in 2022 and has taken three years to arrive in dealerships. It uses the same 650cc single cylinder engine as its road-going sibling, meaning it is A2 licence compliant, but is given an off-road styling makeover with wider bars, a higher riding position, stubby mudguards and a set of knobbly Pirelli Scorpion tyres. Prices start from £5999, with three colour options available: yellow, grey, and black.
Bigger news is the launch of the 350 Bantam, an entry-level bike trying to steal a slice of the popular and lucrative mid-range market from the likes of Royal Enfield, Honda and Triumph. The budgetpriced roadster is chiefly aimed at new riders taking their first step up from CBT-compliant machinery, but BSA is at pains to point out it is suitable for bikers of all ages. The Euro 5+ single cylinder motor pumps out 29hp through a six-speed gearbox, fitted into a compact chassis equipped with modern dual channel ABS and retro twin rear shocks. The Bantam has an SRP of £3499, and is available in five colours. BDN attended the official UK launch at London’s Bike Shed, see page 12 for the full story. Lukas Distribution; 02475 312141; info@lukasdistribution.co.uk
Wunderlich tool box
SP X5 Air
A LIGHTWEIGHT AND vented glove designed for the summer months, the Alpinestars SP X5 Air features a stretch 3D mesh upper with a perforated leather palm. It’s a short-cuff design, and incorporates a double-density KP1 knuckle protector and a wrap-around reinforcement panel that goes around the little finger for extra protection. A touchscreen compatible area is fitted on the thumb and index finger of each hand for extra convenience. It comes in a choice of black/white or black/ red colours for an SRP of £84.99.
Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
THEY CALL IT A TOOL BOX, BUT IN REALITY IT COULD BE USED TO CARRY anything from puncture kit and spanners to purse and sunglasses. It’s a 4.5-litre waterproof, lockable storage container that comes in eight different versions to fit BMW R1300 GS and GS Adventure models. It mounts on the left-side pannier frame, and doesn’t interfere with the luggage, so can be used with or without panniers fitted – the opening is at the rear, to ensure accessibility in all situations. All eight versions (four for the GS, four for the Adventure) share the same plastic moulding for the case itself, and differ only in the model specific mounting brackets they come with and whether they have a lock coded to the OEM bike key or a standard lock with two new keys. Prices start from £199.90 SRP.
Wunderlich; +49 2641 3082-703; sales@wunderlich.de
THE POPULARITY OF ADVENTURE STYLE helmets has surged alongside the rise of adventure touring motorcycles, with riders wanting a lid capable of tackling anything from urban commuting to the Dakar.
HJC, which has been making motorcycle helmets for more than 50 years, and has been selling in Europe since the early noughties, has two adventure options in its range, with the premium model being the £429.99 RPHA 60 (£469.99 for the fancy graphic versions).
The RPHA 60 is a well-equipped lid, arriving in a smart matt black box complete with two visors (clear and tinted), a Pinlock 120XLT anti-fog insert and a soft drawstring bag for protection. The ECE 22.06 shell is made from HJC’s propriety Premium Integrated Matrix, which claims to be both durable and light weight. The medium size helmet on test weighed 1640g, around 100g lighter than similarly-priced rivals. Its light weight doesn’t come at the expense of features. The removable peak is both tool-free and quickrelease, and there is a drop-down sun visor to reduce the glare of the desert, or High Street. It is operated by a neatly hidden slider under the rim, and it drops further than most, leaving just a sliver of undimmed vista at the bottom limit. It also ‘kicks out’ at the end of its travel, giving extra clearance for people with distinguished noses or wearing glasses. The main visor allows a wide viewing angle, and snaps into the fully-closed and fullyopen positions with a solid clunk.
four exhausts, with the chinbar mounted intake proving particularly effective. The intake on the crown was less efficient, and I had a hard time discerning whether it was open or closed, even on hotter days.
HJC claims to have performed extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics and aerodynamic testing, and it certainly feels like it has done its homework, as the aero performance of the RPHA 60 is excellent, with no lift and plenty of stability even when doing over-the-shoulder checks while pressing on. I was expecting the peak to create extra turbulence and wind noise, but there was no evidence of this, with it feeling almost as quiet as my regular full-face lid.
The aero performance is excellent, with no lift and plenty of stability
The interior is made from an antibacterial fabric which is moisture wicking and quick drying. This was a real boon during August’s 30oC heatwave: even on longer jaunts in the sunshine I was left feeling cool, calm and suitably non-sweaty.
My test lid featured the Quid graphic in an unusual orange/grey/ navy blue/metallic green colour combo which looks very smart.
The satin finish is very in vogue, and on a more practical level it wipes clean easily. Other graphic options are available, or there is a selection of matt, satin and gloss solid colours.
Designed to protect your bike from existing and new corrosion. This product is easy to apply, and once used it forms a thin film that creates a protective barrier against corrosion.
The ventilation system has three intakes and
Overall, a fine quality helmet with few drawbacks. It features all the bells and whistles expected of a high-end lid. It’s comfortable, reasonably lightweight, quiet and has a premium look and feel that give good shelf appeal. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
JMP’S NEW 1000A JUMP START PACK IS A compact and portable device ideal for popping on to a little-ridden machine to get it going off the forecourt. It can be used with any battery type and comes with a set of jump leads for quick and easy use, a built-in torch and USB ports. JMP claims it is powerful enough for bikes, quads, cars and vans. SRP is £60.15. Larsson UK; 01536 265633; info@larsson.uk.com
R&G HAS ADDED SIX NEW MACHINES to the list of models covered by its protection range. Four are 2025 Ducatis – the Streetfighter V2 and V2S and the Panigale V2 and V2S – plus the Honda X-ADV and 2025 Yamaha MT-07. All six have been given madeto measure protection, including various Apex protectors, Pro guards and racks, as well as accessories such as blanking plates, tail tidies and bar end sliders.
R&G; 01420 89007; info@rg-racing.com
SIP BLACK BOX
REPAIR A FAULTY SIP SPEEDO/REV COUNTER as found on a host of Vespa and Lambretta scooters with this replacement Black Box. It’s water resistant and designed to provide a reliable 5V power supply to the speedometer. SRP is £40.56. VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
TRIUMPH’S PAIR OF 400S, THE STREET-FOCUSED SPEED AND THE LIGHT OFF-ROAD Scrambler X, have been selling like the proverbial hot cakes since they were introduced a couple of years ago, so the Hinckley firm has taken the logical decision of widening the range further. The new Scrambler XC model utilises the same successful platform but ups its off-road capabilities, with wire-spoked wheels, a high-mounted front mudguard, plus engine bars and sump guard. The larger 19in front wheel ensures the XC looks the part, and a small flyscreen and handguards also add to the adventure-ready aesthetic. To make sure that everyone knows you have the latest version it comes in three new colours: Racing yellow, Storm grey and Vanilla white, all with black graphics and trims. Due in dealerships from September, prices start at £6545. Triumph; 01455 251700; becomeadealer@triumph.co.uk
THE ULTRAFLITE IS A NEW helmet from Icon, which specialises in distinctively aggressive styling and vibrant graphics. The Ultraflite replaces the firm’s previous sporting helmet, the Airflite, and features a fibreglass composite shell with MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) for added protection against rotational forces in the event of an incident. The visor is a Pinlock-ready Ultrashield
with a quick-release mounting, and a drop-down sun visor, moisture wicking liner, emergency release cheek pads and multi-intake ventilation system are all included.
The Ultraflite comes in a range of plain and graphic colourways for an SRP of £383.41, with the Icon Helmlink Bluetooth comms system (made by Sena) available as an optional extra. Parts Europe; 0049 6501 9695 1035; sales@partseurope.eu
Engineered for ultimate strength, offering high performance for all modern superbikes. Featuring a corrosion resistant “Gold & Silver” coating on both the inner and outer links.
JT steel rear sprockets are manufactured using only the finest grade of C45 high carbon steel. Designed to minimise weight and maximise strength, these sprockets are accurately machined to a perfect fit, balance and chain alignment. All JT sprockets are heat induction treated offering maximum durability of both chain and sprockets.
JT rubber cushioned sprockets offer the same quality, design, and OEM proven technology as used by major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers since the early 90s to dampen chain impact.
Carrera and Ducati
CROSS BRANDING PROJECTS BETWEEN PREMIUM AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS and fashion labels has long been a source of creative influence and important revenue for those involved: think of the Peugeot Lacoste models, the Paul Smith Minis and Land Rovers, or at the more stratospheric end of the market, the link between Bugatti and Hermès, which extends as far back as the 1920s. Ducati has been making the most of its own premium credentials with a tie-up with equally high end eyewear brand Carrera since 2022, including sponsorship of MotoGP and a range of Ducatiinspired glasses and sunglasses inspired by the Panigale V4. With a new agreement extending the alliance until 2029, a new selection of frames has been released which use motorcycle-inspired materials such as carbon fibre, titanium and rubber and styling that apparently “apes the DNA of both brands”. Prices start from £110 SRP for sunglasses, and £135 for optical glasses.
Carrera; en.carreraworld.com/pages/ducati
MALOSSI SAYS THAT THE MULTIVAR 2000 IS THE PERFECT upgrade for automatic scooters, as its light weight and precision engineering combine with stronger springs to optimise shifting between ratios, improve acceleration and add a little to the top speed too. It’s suitable for the latest Euro 5+ Vespa GTS 310 and Royal Alloy GP350 and GT350 models, and has an SRP of £114.90. VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com
A NEW JET-STYLE LID FROM SPANISH brand MT, the Cosmo features an outer shell made from HIRP – a trendy acronym for High Impact Resistance Polyester – and a huge polycarbonate shield/visor to protect riders from both the wind and the sort of debris that might get thrown up in the urban jungle. The sporty looks are highlighted by a detachable rear spoiler, and inside there is a drop-down sun visor for sunnier days and a hypoallergenic fabric liner designed ready to be fitted with the optional MT-Rider Sync intercoms system. Fastening is by the commuter favourite micrometric buckle, with MT’s system ensuring at least two teeth are engaged for added security. The Cosmo comes in the Silence graphic in a choice of black or fluo yellow for an SRP of £99.99. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
I MUST BE GETTING OLD, AS THE LIST OF “CLASSIC” BIKES that are on the fitment list for Wemoto’s new ignition coil are all post-millenium machines, and surely that was only a couple of years ago!
The high performance coil claims to offer improved reliability and a fatter spark, giving easier starting and better fuel efficiency for the Kawasaki GPZ500S (1987-2003), Kawasaki ER-5 (1997-2005) and Yamaha TSM900 (2002-2010). SRP is £19.09. Wemoto; 01273 595746; john@wemoto.com
YAMAHA HAS INTRODUCED A RAFT OF UPGRADES and changes to its 2025 MT-07 and Ténéré 700, which include a couple of minor tweaks to the CP2 twin-cylinder engine used in both models. In turn, the tweaks mean that GB Racing has had to revise its protective engine covers to ensure they fit properly, and has taken the opportunity to also update the styling of the covers. The result is a new pack of high-impact composite covers for the alternator (£79.09), clutch (£93.47), water pump (£63.08) and water pipe (£76.98) that fit the standard and AMT versions of the MT-07, and the standard and Rally versions of the Ténéré.
GBRacing; 020 8275 2630; enquiries@gbracing.eu
A MOTORCYCLE IS BARELY recognised as being up to date without a set of aerodynamic winglet protruding from its fairing these days, and Givi is now hoping the same mentality will also apply to topboxes. The Italian brand’s new V49 Air looks at first like a normal 49-litre topbox with space for a pair of full face helmets, but it has the added bonus of four side wings, which claim to improve stability while riding. Givi claims the silver-painted wings optimise airflow, reduce vibration, alleviate turbulence and minimise noise. As well as the wings, the V49 is fitted with red or smoked reflectors, a paintable lid for optional colour matching, and there is the option to have a backrest cushion fitted. SRPs are £275 for the red reflector version, £284.50 for the smoked reflectors.
Givi UK; 01327 706220; info@givi.co.uk
SIDECAR MAKER WATSONIAN SQUIRE IS PROMOTING ITS PERSONALISATION capabilities by building an “adventure spec” Grand Prix sidecar, bolted to a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. The special project has been fitted with enduro tyres, blacked-out chromework, and a selection of off-roading accessories, such as a pair of jerry cans, spotlight, extra large luggage racks, and a map reading light. The outfit is a sample to show off the sort of customisation possible, and to whet the appetites of bespoke sidecar enthusiasts, but Watsonian says it can create a similar one with prices starting from £17,995. Watsonian Squire; 01386 700907; www.watsonian-squire.com
MOTORCYCLE LUGGAGE, ESPECIALLY colour-matched factory panniers, aren’t cheap so it is worth spending a few quid to protect them from scuffs and scrapes. For the popular BMW R1300 RT there is the option of a transparent film that will protect from boot scrapes, flying gravel and other debris. It was originally designed to protect the leading edge of helicopter rotors, so should be well up to the task. The two pieces of film are cut to shape for the factory panniers, come with a squeegee and spray bottle for DIY installation and have an SRP of £44.90 per pair.
Nippy Normans; www.nippynormans.com; sales@nippynormans.com
HJC’S TOP-FLIGHT SPORTS HELMET, THE RPHA 12, has been given a new lick of paint to celebrate the Grand Prix of the Americas, held each year at Austin Texas. The limited-edition lid gets plenty of red, silver and blue pageantry along with lots of Red Bull branding. The ECE 22.06 carbon aramid shell, wide eye port, anti-bacterial liner and emergency cheek pad removal system remain the same, despite the £499.99 SRP. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
THE FOURTH UPDATE TO TOURATECH’S
Compañero adventure suit sees it given the Worldtrack suffix and the claim that it is now “two suits in one”. The Summertrack layer is made from AA abrasion resistant Cordura, and is highly ventilated with lots of supple Cordura Air mesh inserts. It is also fitted with SAS-TEC CE level 2 protectors all round, so can be used on its own in hot weather. For cooler, or damper, climates the Weathertrack layer can be slipped over the top to provide protection from cold or rain. It’s a triple-layer Gore-Tex laminate shell with Aquaseal zips and a host of waterproof pockets. Details include tank paintwork protection, soft collar, and an optional hood for off-bike use. It also can be folded up and stored in its own pocket to reduce stowage space when not needed.
The Compañero Worldtrack comes in both men’s and ladies’ sizes, in Touratech’s signature grey and yellow or black colourschemes, and it isn’t cheap. The Worldtrack trousers are £1036.40, and the matching jackets are £1382.16, bringing the complete suit to a nice round £2418.56. Touratech; +49 7728 9279-0; info@touratech.de
NOBODY LIKES A MUCKY REAR END, SO MUDSLING HAS created an extended mudguard to ensure BMW GS riders keep their stern squeaky clean. The Mudsling is more than twice the size of the OEM guard, so gives extra protection to the Paralever and shock, as well as keeping the underside of the seat clean. It’s made from 3mm thick injection moulded polypropylene with a textured finish that matches OE plastics. It’s a simple bolt-on fitment, and doesn’t interfere with stock pannier mounts. SRP is £149.90. Nippy Normans; www.nippynormans.com; sales@nippynormans.com
MESH BIKING JACKETS ARE EVERYWHERE THIS SUMMER, AND LS2 is the latest brand to add one to its range. The Garda Air ticks all the summer jacket boxes, with its Ripstop poly fabric construction punctured by large mesh panels across the chest, torso, arms and back to provide a refreshing breeze. The USP for the Garda Air is the use of Ruco-Therm CMB, an advanced polymer technology derived from menthol that provides a long-lasting cooling sensation when activated by moisture (ie. sweat). The Garda Air comes fitted with CE level 1 armour at the shoulders and elbows, with the option of adding CE level 2 back and chest protectors. It’s available in both men’s and women’s sizes, in black/grey or all-black, for an SRP of £119.99.
LS2 Helmets UK; 01670 856342; ukservice2@ls2helmets.com
THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED Insta360 action camera has got a new BMW Motorrad-branded version that brings in some new motorcycle-specific features. The interface has been given a BMWthemed look, and users can now add speed and distance overlays over their videos. The other change is a new Mini Remote that fits on the handlebars and allows control of the camera without moving hands. The battery has been enlarged to 2700mAh for a 17% boost in recording time, and it all comes with a BMWbranded carry pouch for an SRP of £549.99.
Pama & Co; 0161 494 4200; sales@pama.co.uk
KAWASAKI’S ADVENTURE-STYLE VERSYS (VERSATILE SYSTEM, FOR YOU etymology fans) has been around for nearly 20 years, and has had a light refresh for the “2026” model released this summer. It’s mostly business as usual, as the 66hp twin cylinder motor and the rest of the mechanicals remain unchanged other than ticking the box for Euro 5+ compliance. New bits are limited to some minor styling tweaks to bring it inline with its bigger 1100cc sibling, and a trio of new colours: metallic black/ matt grey, metallic blue/metallic black and metallic grey/metallic black. SRP has gone up slightly, with a £150 increase to £8049 for the standard model. Kawasaki; 01628 856750; www.kawasaki.co.uk
Leatt 5.5
LEATT’S NEWfor-2026
A BIKE WITH A TOP BOX WON’T FIT UNDER ANY OLD COVER, IT NEEDS TO have a specially shaped one to fit over the luggage. That’s why Oxford Products has taken its Aquatex Pro waterproof motorcycle cover and added a bit of extra material around the rear end to create the Aquatex Pro Top Box. It’s made from 210D polyester with double stitched seams and a PU coating that means it can withstand 8800mm of water pressure, plenty enough to keep the rain off. Front and rear lock holes are edged with yellow fabric, making locking the bike easier while highlighting the fact to potential thieves, and there are belly straps to hold it in place and reduce wind flappage. The cover comes in four sizes, suitable for everything from scooters to grand tourers, with SRPs starting from £44.99. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com
5.5 pants feature lightweight (22% less than the 2025 model), fourway stretch Micro Mesh construction, with tapered seams and 1200D expanded knee protection areas. The matching shirts have three panel construction for a race fit, and the fabric is reinforced for abrasion resistance in vulnerable areas, with MoistureCool stretch mesh for ventilation. The minimalist ‘no collar’ design is said to improve comfort and is suitable for use with a neck brace. SRP is £248.99 for the pair. Apico Factory Racing 01282 473 190
sales@apico.co.uk www.apicob2b.co.uk
PYRAMID HAS EXTENDED THE TOURING capabilities of Triumph’s popular mid-range Speed and Scrambler X 400cc models with a bespoke rear rack. The new rack replaces the top plate that comes as part of Triumph’s optional luggage package, and provides a larger platform and more tie-down options than the OE item. It’s made from aluminium and carbon steel, and bolts on using existing fittings, so no drilling required. SRP is £59.99.
Pyramid Moto; 01427 677990; support@pyramidmoto.co.uk
After reporting on the TT races and parallel Manx motorcycle racing events for almost 50 years in one guise or another, with only the occasional missed trick, I have to admit being charmed by the Isle of Man Government Department for Enterprise Motorsport Team’s recent presentation of my Media Accreditation pass for the Manx Grand Prix and its now-revived premier Classic TT running in parallel. They are occupying the final two weeks in August and, as I write this, enjoying an extremely welcome dose of glorious summer weather.
I was particularly surprised by my unusual press pass number of “007” and assumed this referred to special accreditation denoting a “Licence to Kill”. However, adding to my confusion, conditions of issue on the pass failed to mention from where I could collect the prerequisite Walther PPK and other murderous spook kit to fulfil such onerous duties.
Of course, we have to urgently deal with the climatic pressures, risk aversion and customer disappointments that have recently undermined several of the aforementioned events. And perhaps judicious application of 9mm Parabellum rounds may be a solution. Or perhaps not.
Permitting riders to adjudicate on weather conditions, as clerk of the course Gary Thompson did when he was subsequently railroaded into pulling the plug on this year’s Senior TT race finale, was distinctively questionable though. Sure, rotten weather had been a consistent spoiler. But riders, organisers and spectators used to be made of sterner stuff.
Some of us have long memories of the 1987 Senior TT. Postponed by a day, reduced to four laps and then run in appalling wet conditions, the late, great Joey Dunlop won it, astride a threecylinder 500cc Honda stinkwheel. Geoff Johnson was second and Roger Marshall third. This year, Michael Dunlop didn’t even bother putting in an appearance on the Senior sighting lap which allowed riders to pick their own verdict. Thus, thousands of disgruntled spectators went home without seeing a Senior wheel turned in anger.
Last year’s Manx Grand Prix hadn’t exactly been a delight either, with weather-stricken races shortened to the point where they weren’t much better than jumped-up parade laps. And the same tendency crept into decisions about race lengths at the TT this June. Although the visitor headcount hadn’t been tragic at either event (and was actually good at the TT), miserable
The pass failed to mention from where I could collect the prerequisite Walther PPK and other murderous spook kit
Teutons on campsites and in the pubs were an ominous feature, complaining about lack of fun factor, increased ferry costs and plaintively doubting whether they’ll return any time soon.
Hopefully, the Classic TT resurrection will prove to be a big step in the right direction. Its paddock roster had been equipped with a reasonable quantity
ago shortly after posting a triumvirate of swansong TT victories, will have been an abiding theme. And plenty of star-featuring parade laps were set to keep action on the boil.
Bifurcation of the concluding Historic Senior and Senior Classic races promised an extra treat. Firing up a George Beale replica of Mike Hailwood’s 1967 multiple TT-winning six-cylinder Honda RC174, the 80-yearold TT veteran Mick Grant returned for a full-on demonstration lap of just what an unmuffled 17,000rpm bike of that era sounded like. Close proximity would require ear defenders. And most poignantly, Michael Dunlop was gazetted to end the show with a tribute lap to his uncle Joey.
Having written all of this in advance, for its veracity, you’ll just have to be reliant on the meteorology… There is some room for moaning about keeping TT purity on track, however. And moaning about it is a solemn duty for we elective Manxmen. Take the current spectator apparel fiasco, for instance. The TT and Classic TT attract motorcycle enthusiasts from all over
Market analysis with financial editor
Roger Willis
Europe. And when they get here, the choice in souvenir garments presently demands restriction to governmenttrademarked TT logos, against a hideous orange and purple background.
To make matters really worse, some moron in a creative frenzy has recently chosen to add an enigmatic “37 and three-quarters” logo to much souvenir garment signage, which is a complete mystery to overseas visitors. British fans, when they’re not seeking to make their language more comprehensible by punctuation with profanities, may deduce that this is a slightly inaccurate reference to the TT Mountain Course lap length, officially 37.73 miles.
But for our well-educated European cousins, miles are meaningless. They all measure distance in kilometres. And the continental biker fraternity therefore comprehend that the globally acknowledged TT course length is 60.72km. Can they buy a TT T-shirt bearing that information? No. Similarly, they are aware of nonsense appertaining to the outright TT lap record, which the Brits claim to be 136.358mph. Germans are
Furthermore, he took this accolade while riding a trustworthy German BMW M1000 RR motorcycle.
Local entrepreneurs, most notably Peter Duke of Duke Marketing – the son of six-times TT winner Geoff Duke, another sadly departed racing legend – and native promo clothing specialist Promenade Embroidery, have been assiduously dodging the
They have opened free access to the main TT grandstand too. This is very important for press riff-raff like me, because it allows us to see what’s going on
TT logo trademark trap for some time, replacing the Department for Enterprise Avoidance official logo or anything remotely resembling it with “Isle of Man Motorcycle Races” slogans on attractively illustrated apparel.
NSU brand also built 1000TT and TTS badged car models during the 1960s with impunity, having successfully fielded DKW and NSU motorcycles onto TT grids before and after the war.
Any attempt by Manx government lawyers to block TT logo employment would have hit a brick wall, considering Volkswagen is the world’s secondlargest automotive manufacturer and would have laughed all the way to the Luftwaffe. Pursuing the problem to any depth could have seen Tynwald Hill bombed flat and Panzers parked on the Lieutenant Governor’s lawn. Audi might still pick up a TT motorcycle moniker whenever it felt inclined, without recourse to litigation. The company sits alongside Ducati (plus Lamborghini and Bentley) in Volkswagen’s Brand Group Progressive, which turns over billions of quid.
To be fair, the DfE Motorsport team has loosened up a lot. Besides giving me a dubious Licence to Kill for the 2025 MGP and Classic TT, they put their Mercury Club to good use for the hoi polloi, instead of being an exclusive venue for minted tossers. They have
LONG MAY THE SUNNY DAYS continue, along with the increased interest in MCN’s bike reviews and bikes for sale pages. Honda continues to lead brand interest, claiming the biggest slice of MCN’s bikes for sale section web traffic with 18.1%, and its machines also top the chart of most
1. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
2. Honda NC750X
3. Kawasaki Z1000SX
4. Kawasaki Z900RS
5. BMW R1250 RS
6. Triumph Daytona 675
7. BMW R1250 GS Adventure
8. Triumph Tiger 800
9. BMW R1250 RT
10. Triumph Bonneville T100
viewed models, taking the first and second spots with the GL1800 Gold Wing and NC750X respectively. Triumph is the second most viewed manufacturer with 15.2%, followed by BMW with 11.3%.
In bike reviews, Honda has the top spot as the most viewed manufacturer, with BMW and
Suzuki in close attendance. In terms of which style of machine is attracting the most eyeballs, naked bikes take the top spot, with almost a quarter of the reviews traffic, chased closely by adventure bikes with 21% and sports bikes on 13% – we suspect these figures reflect the release of the Suzuki GSX-8T and 8TT, as well as the engineering crème de la crème: Bimota’s Tesi H2 Tera.
ADAM OLDFIELD
Digital reviews editor, MCN
IN JULY, USED BIKE SALES ON the Autotrader Bikes website saw an 18% increase compared to July 2024 and the overall health of the used bike market was rated at 22%.
The number of 125cc motorcycles in the top twenty fastest-selling bike models has increased significantly, now
comprising 75% of the list. Leading the chart for June was the Honda CBF125M, which sells, on average, in just five days. Following closely are the Kawasaki Ninja 125 and the Zontes ZT125-U1, both of which clear showroom floors in a calendar week.
Autotrader Bikes has
reported 12 consecutive months of growth in the used market, with 10 of those months showing double-digit advances – a clear indicator of sustained used bike sales momentum.
Market health dipped slightly in July, with rising demand coinciding with a shortage of quality used stock. According to sales data, used bikes are, on average, selling within 28 days.
EDDIE BAHN Account director,
Autotrader Bikes
IT’S ONLY TAKEN SEVEN months to get there, but finally, something representing normal service has resumed. While July’s MCIA registration data certainly doesn’t suggest imminent growth, it may hopefully signal that the severity of market shrinkage is moderating.
Total monthly headcount declined by a modest 2.4% to 9057 units. Motorcycles and over-50cc scooters were 2.5% down to 8547 units, although within that tally, the latter actually increased by 6.1% to 1976. Mopeds boasted a 1.8% rise to 463, but trikes slumped by 23% to 47.
However, weakness was evident in most petrol-fuelled capacity categories. The highvolume 0-125cc basic mobility and delivery range rose by just 0.6% to 3464 units, with bestseller domination credited to 386 Honda PCX 125 scooters. The traditionally bargain-driven 126-500cc segment fell sharply by 16.6% to 1489 units. Honda’s
super-cheap GB350S topped that pile with 107 bikes sold. 501-750cc machines were also on the back foot, 8.1% down to 960 units, led by a 67-strong pack of NC750X Hondas.
The 751-1000cc segment was a bit brighter, marginally above flatlining with a 0.3% gain to 1557 units. The keenlypriced CB1000 Hornet kept
Honda’s budget £3999 GB350S, flew out of showrooms during July
While registration data certainly doesn’t suggest imminent growth, it may hopefully signal that the severity of market shrinkage is moderating
Honda’s flag flying in front once more. Finally, the 1000ccplus premium kit was the best performer, 8.4% up to 1222 units, 127 of which were BMW R1300 GS Adventure cash cows.
The best-selling brands chart year-on-year was inevitably all over the place. Honda earned its regular stripes with ease, thanks to a 16.9% gain. Conversely, Yamaha in second spot was 15%
Motorcycle test passes
in arrears. BMW Motorrad, in third place, bagged the biggest plus factor, adding 31.8%, while Triumph retreated by 19.3%.
Lexmoto, the only brand to feature a best-selling model that wasn’t wearing either a Honda or BMW badge (thanks to its Diablo 50 moped), took fifth spot and could boast a 15.4% increase.
Then the swerving around
started. Kawasaki registrations improved by 9%, distantly pursued by Royal Enfield’s 24.8% losing streak. KTM, having only just got its Mattighofen factory back into production and desperately trying to revive its dealer network, fared much worse, plunging by 40.3%. Then Suzuki copped a 13.3% loss. Last but not least, Ducati improved its July sales by 14.8%.
The seven months of 2025 to date are still pretty grim, though, however much spin is applied. Total registrations are 17.8% down to 58,468 units. Almost a fifth of the entire market has gone AWOL.
THE LATEST DVSA FIGURES FOR THE VARIOUS motorcycle tests shows that the financial year April 2024 to March 2025 saw a slender rise in Theory Test passes, but a slight reduction in the number of both Module 1 (off-road) and Module 2 (on-road) test passes.
Theory tests were up 0.22% overall compared to the previous year, despite a slight reduction in pass rate from 68.6% to 68.1%. Mod 1 and Mod 2 passes fell by 0.57% and 0.90% respectively. Men made up more than 90% of tests taken, with women very much in the minority.
Gender differences in pass rates show some interesting trends: women are more successful at the Theory test, with 72% passing compared to 68% of men, but there is a big reversal in fortunes for the Mod 1 test, with women only passing 56% of the time whereas the men manage 75%. For the on-road Mod 2 test, the pass rates are exactly matched, with 72% from each gender successful.
July’s new motorcycle market displayed signs of recovery, steadying after last month’s sharp decline. However, with registrations still in the negative, it suggests consumer confidence has not fully stabilised at the beginning of Q3,” commented Symon Cook, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) on the latest figures from the MCIA.
“New registrations in July saw an improvement to -2.4%, which is better than the -18.6% reduction experienced by dealers in June. Meanwhile the year-to-date registrations total slightly recovered to 17.8% below the same seven-month period of 2024.”
Cook concluded: “The NMDA is pleased with the improvement when considering 2025’s decline, and dealers may have a more positive outlook for the remainder of Q3. However, we are concerned that the government has largely ignored the market. Recently, the government introduced the new Electric Car Grant with a discount of £3750; however, there is no similar incentive to encourage consumers to buy electric motorcycles.
“Looking ahead, the NMDA will be closely monitoring whether this boost can continue into the positive over the second half of the year, and what impact the upcoming autumn budget may have on the industry.”
motorcycles remained stable in July, with used-only dealers enjoying a fair season. Dealers selling both new and used machines reported weaker used performance, with enquiries shifting towards new models instead – possibly as a result of attractive manufacturer promotions.
Some riders are opting to hold onto their machines rather than upgrade, reflecting a decline in consumer confidence. The market is highly price-driven, with Yamaha’s MT range, from 125cc to 900cc, proving especially popular. As with the new market, pleasant weather has played a significant role, keeping workshops busy and riders on the road. Stock levels remain healthy, though some dealers are intentionally maintaining lean inventories.
After a large decline in registrations in June, data published by the Motor Cycle Industry Association showed an improvement for July, with registrations just 2.4% behind last year. Following a period of being the biggest casualty, road sports recovered in July, seeing a growth of 15.5%. Mopeds, scooters and adventure machines also recorded an uptick. However, after showing growth in June, tourers declined by 8.9% in July. Overall, year-to-date registrations as of
the end of July were 17.8% behind those of last year.
Recent feedback from dealers continues to suggest a challenging market, though some are managing to meet their targets thanks to keen manufacturer promotions. The fine, warm and dry weather prevalent since early spring has also likely given the market a much-needed boost.
Demand for 125cc machines is falling, as delivery companies transition to using electric bicycles to save costs. Mid-range retro-style machines remain popular due to their affordability and appeal across all age groups; however, high-end models priced at more than £10,000 are struggling. With attention turning towards the upcoming autumn budget, there is concern among dealers about how this may further impact consumer confidence and the running of businesses.
The first half of July continued the warm and dry theme of early summer, however the second half of the month saw a shift to more changeable conditions.
Glass’s expects values to weaken slightly across most segments in the coming weeks as the summer season nears its end.
Paul McDonald Senior residual value analyst
