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NEWS
BRIEFS
Ohio based Cooper Tire & Rubber Company , the parent company of 130-year-old British tyre manufacturer Avon , has been acquired by Akron , Ohio based Goodyear Tire & Rubber in a shares and cash deal that prices Cooper at an enterprise value of around $ 2.5bn . Based at Melksham , England , Avon was acquired by Cooper ( founded in 1914 ) in 1997 . Some 300 Avon staff were ' let go ' by Cooper in 2018 ; around 400 still work at what is a relatively small and by far the oldest motorcycle tyre manufacturing facility in the world . The combined Goodyear / Cooper business will have around $ 17.5bn in sales worldwide .
Piaggio has been in Nepal with Vespa since 2015 , but has now broadened its range of high-end products in the country by launching the Aprilia brand . The first model to go on sale is the SXR 160 , with ABS and 12-inch , 5-spoke alloy wheel rims in 125 and 160 cc configurations with Bharat Stage VI emissions standard compliant 3V Tech FI engine technology .
Polaris Inc . and Optimus Ride , a Boston , USA based leading autonomous mobility service provider , are partnering to bring fully autonomous GEM vehicles to market . Under this joint development agreement , an exclusive line of Polaris GEM electric low-speed vehicles ( LSVs ) will be manufactured to fully integrate Optimus Ride ' s autonomous software and hardware suite direct from the factory for deployment nationwide on streets in residential communities , corporate and academic campuses , and other localised environments . The partnership builds upon an investment Polaris made in Optimus Ride last year .
The Distinguished Gentleman ' s Ride celebrates 10 years of " riding dapper for men ' s health " this year and is calling on riders worldwide to join in its fundraising efforts on Sunday , 23rd of May , 2021 . This is its first year running on the new annual date in May . Since 2012 , the event has connected hundreds of thousands of classic and vintage style motorcyclists from over 100 countries around the world and to-date has raised US $ 27.45m for men ' s health . It plans to organise COVID-safe events where possible , and those who can ' t engage physically can do so virtually at www . gentlemansride . com .
Stefan Nebel becomes Wunderlich Brand Ambassador
In Germany , the name Stefan Nebel is ubiquitous in its association with motorcycle racing . However , there is more to the former German Superstock and two-time German Superbike Champion , race bike developer and test rider and race training instructor than just a name . There is also ' The Voice '. Nebel is the voice for the millions of race fans who watch MotoGP and World Superbike Championship racing on television , and for those fans he is their technical expert and their ultimate paddockinsider . Now , Nebel has added ' Wunderlich Brand Ambassador ' to his impressive résumé . Frank Hoffmann , Wunderlich Managing Director , said : " When it comes to our components , the technical aspects play the most important role . The innovation , the quality , the functionality , sustainable manufacturing processes . These are important core competencies that define our brand . I also include sustainable thinking . And the joy of riding , actually the joy of life that motorbikes and motorcycling give us . This is pure emotion . " Stefan Nebel embodies that spirit , our spirit - our Wunderlich 360 ° view with his enthusiasm for technology , his emotional attachment to motorcycling , the joy of riding at its best . Not to forget sportsmanship , the courage , the determination to compete and to always improve . In every respect . " In Stefan we have found a credible representative , someone who reflects our actions , our attitude as a person , as a human being and represents Wunderlich as a company and our portfolio of high-quality BMW motorbike components with credibility and conviction . I am delighted that we were able to win Stefan for Wunderlich and look forward to working with him as a Wunderlich Brand Ambassador ." Recent new products from Wunderlich for 2021 include this " pure and sportive tail conversion design for the BMW F 900 R and XR . The stylistic basic repertoire of Wunderlich includes the always high-quality integrated and slim rear . We offer reduced weight , slimmed down , clean looking tail conversions for a large number of BMW models , and we are very happy with how our design for the F 900 has worked out .
Stefan Nebel ( left ), Wunderlich Brand Ambassador , and Wunderlich Managing Director Frank Hoffmann
Tail conversion design for the BMW F 900 R and XR
" More minimalist and sportier than the stock rear end , it is ergonomic and tailored to the F 900 frame and doesn ' t require type approval . " It replaces the taillight with a reduced , harmoniously integrated version , and the kit ' s precise fit , shellshaped rear fairing closes the opening on the underside that appears when the original wheel cover and taillight are removed ". The licence plate holder itself is made of stainless steel . The angle of inclination of the number plate is individually adjustable and the mounts from the original turn signals are reused for a fully reversible conversion ; plus , the original BMW pannier rack can continue to be used without restriction . This easy-to-perform conversion changes the appearance of the BMW F 900 R and XR , is completely " Made in Germany " and backed by Wunderlich ' s 5-year warranty . Also seen here , for the new " 40 Years of GS " edition R nineT Urban G / S , this matching engine guard is based on a
technically and visually proven Wunderlich design and made in 2 mm wall thickness , 25 mm precision steel tubing for maximum rigidity with minimum weight . It is supported at a total of six mounting points so that the energy , forces and moments that occur during external mechanical stress are distributed across the structure with the impact load peaks dissipated . It is another fully reversible Wunderlich design , protects the cylinders , lambda sensors and valve covers and designed for easy access maintenance work and servicing . Backed by a 5-year warranty . Wunderlich offers a wide range of accessories for the R nineT Urban G / S including an Enduro style rear conversion and ' Rallye ' pillion luggage carrier . Designs for all of BMW ' s " 40 Years of GS " editions include engine and tank guards , ' FlowJet ' windscreens , ' AktivKomfort ' seats with ThermoPro for rider and passenger and practical , folding headlight guards . www . wunderlich . de
Engine guard for the new " 40 Years of GS " edition R nineT Urban G / S
14 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL / MAY 2021 www . idnmag . com