Sources : AMD , IDN , FT , Reuters , PSB , MPN , B & B , BDN , MCN , AP , Bloomberg , MNW , electricmotorcycles . news , RideApart . com , Motor1 . com
NEWS
BRIEFS
In June , British distributor Oxford Products announced that it had closed its Swansea , Wales based Tri-Motive distribution subsidiary , having bought the business in 2017 . Citing the impacts of COVID-19 , Oxford said it would integrate distribution of some of the Tri-Motive portfolio into its own programme - at the time , the brands potentially affected one way or the other included ARMR , Dojo , Eleveit , and MT , Vemar , Simpson and Momo helmets .
Italian electric drivetrain manufacturer ASKOLL has launched a range of three electric Made-in-Italy scooters . Aimed at city use , the top of the range NGS3 is said to offer 2,700W ( two removable batteries ), a top speed of 66 km / h , a range of up to 96 km and charge time of about three hours ; askollelectric . com
Backed by Triumph Motorcycles , The Distinguished Gentleman ' s Ride was a solo riding effort in September 2020 , but still managed to raise over € 2m for charitable causes ; over € 20m has been raised since 2012 . For 2021 the date has been brought forward from its usual end of September date and will now be staged in May each year - Sunday May 23 in 2021 .
British online platform Bikesportnews . com has acquired the Dirt Bike Rider magazine and online brand from newspaper publisher JPIMedia . Dirt Bike Rider is a long-established publication and the leading motocross title in the UK . The deal will see well known off-road journalist Sean Lawless return to his role as editor after eight years .
The UK motorcycle insurance market took another twist recently when the British Competition Regulator reversed the planned sale of Bennetts Insurance to Carole Nash insurance brand owner Ardonagh . The regulator decided that the deal could result in a worse deal for customers .
Galfer , Vertex , D . I . D , Twin Air and Airoh Helmets are celebrating the success of Betamotor and the Beta Boano Team in the 250 cc and Junior MX categories - Davide Soreca winning the 250 cc class and Lorenzo Macoritto the Junior category .
Supersprox continues to back its race teams
European sprocket specialist Supersprox says that " despite a year of unprecedented challenges , motorcyclists have shown their resilience to the ever present COVID-19 restrictions . Motorcyclists find relief from the constant bombardment of COVID related news by getting out on their bikes ". Supersprox General Director ' DJ ' Maughfling told IDN : " While commuting use has grown , and recreational off-road riding has still been mostly possible , the racing scene has been particularly badly hit in 2020 . Many events were cancelled and championships have been shortened , in most cases to 50 % of the original plan . " Through this , the teams and their sponsors have been pressed to find a compromise position . Supersprox supports several high-profile teams in street and off-road . We know that this is a year where we will lose out in the balance between sponsoring cost and promotional returns . " Many of the 2020 sponsorship contracts that vendors have with teams were set up in pre-COVID times and don ' t reflect the new situation . We here at Supersprox are taking a pragmatic position though and honouring our side of the agreements . We understand that the teams are not able to meet their side because of this Force Majeure . While we hope that 2021 will be better , it seems unlikely to return to normal within the next six months , and even then only after significant distribution of vaccines ." Maughfling says that Supersprox will
With many restorers and bike builders finding themselves with time to focus on their projects , British brake component specialist Venhill Engineering says it has seen " significantly increased demand for cables and hoses this year ". Operations Manager Martin Bradfield told IDN : " We initially thought we ' d have to close the factory in the spring due to the British Government ' s mandated lockdown - there wouldn ' t have been space for all the staff to socially distance . " After an open discussion the team decided to introduce a split shift system , allowing everyone to continue to work while allowing the required workplace continue to support racing activity in the future . " We will go on despite the imbalance that presently exists . The motorcycle market will find a new position with teams and suppliers adapting - we all need the teams . Without racing , there cannot be product development .
Tom Sykes ' BMW WSBK
" Product development and technical superiority is what sets us apart from our competitors , but without the opportunity for continuous development through racing , none of us would be able to improve , to have great new products to offer our distributors and their dealers , and everything would come down to price . " We understand that enthusiasts buy Supersprox , ask for Supersprox by name , exactly because of the high quality that we are able to maintain , and that comes from the innovative design and engineering that racing stimulates .
distancing . Before long we could see that this offered the opportunity to bring on a few new team members to the quieter of the two shifts , which we did once lockdown restrictions were eased ." Five new members of staff have joined the team at Venhill ' s factory , located south of London , increasing production capacity in the hose and cable workshops and shipping . Venhill has also launched a completely new website with an enhanced ' My Garage ' Part Finder tool with an option for dealers to store details of vehicles they have ordered products for . www . venhill . co . uk
Tim Gajser – HRC MXGP
Venhill - " increased demand for cables and hoses "
" We want to be able to keep that advantage , so we will stay with our race support plans !" www . supersprox . com
Martin Bradfield , Operations Manager : " We ' ve been able to keep up with demand by introducing a split shift system , so everyone can continue to work while social distancing ."
12 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 www . idnmag . com