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Honda ' s Q4 and full year 22 / 23 financial results ( the 12 months to March 31 , 2023 ) put motorcycle segment revenue at + 33.00 %. Worldwide PTW unit shipments of Honda badged machines from its wholly owned and JV / subsidiary factory network were up over + 10 % at over 18m . Sales in Asian markets were up by 10.4 % ( 16.1m units ), Indonesia was + 15.7 % ( approx . 4.5m units ); India was + 16 % ( some 2.4m units ). European sales were + 9.5 % ( 347,000 units ) and North America was + 5 % ( 459,000 units ). Sales in Japan were essentially flat year-onyear at some 246,000 units . Operating profit from Honda ' s motorcycle business segment was up by + 56.9 %, with operating margin of some 16.8 % ( 14.3 % in 21 / 22 ). For 23 / 24 Honda is forecasting growth of around 25 % for European unit sales to over 430,000 .
Kawasaki ' s Q4 and full year 22 / 23 financial results ( the 12 months to March 31 , 2023 ) put motorcycle segment revenue at + 32 %, with worldwide unit shipments + 13 % ( 555,000 unts ) within which ' developed market ' shipments were + 13.9 % ( 237,000 units ). The United States saw a 38.4 % increase in unit shipments at around 119,000 units , but Europe was down by -5.5 % at 67,000 units . Sales in Japan and Australia were also down . Units in ' emerging markets ' were up by 12.4 % ( 318,000 ). The Philippines were up (+ 29.8 %/ 209,000 units ), Indonesia was down ( -4.4 %/ 43,000 units ); China was down ( -18.9 %/ 30,000 ). Powersports segment operating profit was + 90.7 %. ATV / UTV and PWC unit shipments were + 7.4 % ( 87,000 units ). For its 23 / 24 year Kawasaki forecasts 7 % less inventory for its ' developed markets '.
The AMA has announced Nick Harris as its new Government Relations Director , as it " restructures and evolves its Government Relations Department to better serve members across the nation ." As part of the evolution of its lobby efforts , the AMA will additionally bring on board an experienced Washington Representative to monitor and influence policies and programs at the federal level . www . AmericanMotorcyclist . com
SBS Enters Second ' Better Brakes ' Program Transition Phase
Following the launch of the company ' s improved performance brake pad series late last year - SBS ' Better Brakes ' - SBS has announced that it has started the expected second transition phase that will include rear brake pad compounds LS , H . LS , RQ , ATS and CT - plus the H . CT front wheel compound . " Our customers and riders in general expect top brake performance and that is exactly what they with SBS ' Better Brakes '. In addition to improved stopping power and durability , our ' Better Brakes ' program also delivers a product that is produced in a nonfossil production setup and without heavy metals such as copper and nickel ," says Marketing and Product Manager at SBS , Thomas Midtgaard- Jørgensen .
" Our customers have welcomed the introduction of SBS ' Better Brakes ' in full and we look forward to starting to be able to supply riders worldwide with the second wave as well . The second phase is presently being initiated and the first products in the transition will be available for orders by SBS distributors as soon as Q3 2023 . " In addition to the improved braking power and brake feel from first stop , a higher heat resistance increases reliability and durability . All brake pad products will be equipped with integrated NRS Technology which locks the compound material to the backing plate . All compounds for public roads will be ECE R90 approved ." www . sbsbrakes . com
14 AFTERMARKET MOTO DESIGN - JULY 2023 www . AMDchampionship . com