American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 232 November 2018 | Page 54

Öhlins: Recent new products from the
Swedish manufacturer include its NIX 22
cartridge kit for Softails. Based on experience
gained through decades of high-end
suspension manufacturing, the kit is said to
deliver “performance with stable damping
characteristics while ensuring a smooth,
comfortable ride.” Features include
compression damping in the left leg and
rebound damping in the right leg; it is an easy
bolt-on install for standard front forks and has
a 22 mm piston diameter. A range of spring
rates are available; www.ohlins.com
Kellermann: The German custom lights specialist continues to get bigger as it gets smaller - in the
shape of its recently released ‘ATTO’ LEDs, probably the smallest custom lights ever designed and
manufactured. Fully compliant, they feature ‘uber-bright’ 3-in-1 combination turn signal, brake light
and running light functionality and the latest advanced circuitry for safe, reliable low-draw
installation in an almost infinite range of possibilities and configurations. Additional recent new
designs also include the Micro S DF Dark and updated bullet light BL 1000;
www.kellermann-online.de
Norton: The Stuart Garner chapter of the Norton Motorcycle story is already a story that has been
often told throughout the media in recent years, but less often commented upon is the potential
impact that his 20-year “Design and Licence” agreement with leading Chinese motorcycle engine
manufacturer Zongshen could be going to have on the burgeoning middleweight displacement
market - where a real shake-up and tsunami of buying options stands to completely redraw the
motorcycle sales landscape for the next 30 years. The joint venture project is for a new 650 cc twin
that has been engineered and developed by Norton and legendary British engine designer Ricardo.
The Euro 4 compliant engine will allow Zongshen to “fast-track” into larger displacement
production numbers and under the Norton imprimatur start selling co-designed Norton badged
machines worldwide. While the precise value of the deal to Norton remains confidential, an initial
consideration paid to Norton was described as being in the “millions of dollars” with an ongoing
royalty on each engine produced. Zongshen is not to be underestimated, it is a player - in 2017 it is
estimated to have produced around 4 million engines. For a generation of potential buyers who
love ‘retro,’ Norton’s legacy (which can be traced back to 1898) is going to prove a real draw once
these new bikes are in northern hemisphere dealerships; www.nortonmotorcycles.com
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - NOVEMBER 2018
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