Suzuki has reported net motorcycle sales revenue and unit sales considerably down for the 12 months of its financial year ending March 31st , 2021 ( its ' 2020 ' financial year ) but , in the context of its prior performances on higher unit volumes and revenue , the company has acted decisively to control costs , defend ( indeed improve ) its ' bottom line ' and give itself a robust foundation for the coming months and years . At 206.5bn yen , net sales in its motorcycle business were down by -14.9 % ( -36.1bn yen ) for the 12- month period - due in large part to a decline in unit sales that was most pronounced in April to June 2020 and the effect on model mix revenue generation of declines being most pronounced in its sales of large displacement motorcycles . Sales of smaller displacement machines didn ' t escape unscathed though - sales were down in markets such as India and the ASAN countries . However , segment operating profit increased strongly at 2.6bn yen - up by 1.9bn yen year-on-year (+ 271 %), with Suzuki citing decreased expenses and improved motorcycle quality as the principal drivers .

Suzuki global motorcycle & ATV sales

2022 GSX-S1000

By Ben Purvis

Having already worked magic by creating the Katana and V-Strom 1050 from existing parts , Suzuki has turned its attention to the GSX-S1000 for 2022 . Under the skin , the latest GSX-S1000 is very much an evolution of its predecessor . The chassis is a carry-over , as are the suspension , wheels and brakes , while the engine has tweaks to meet the latest Euro 5 emissions limits , but remains largely the same as the old model . That is no bad thing as it is a descendent of the legendary 2005 GSX-R1000 K5 engine . The Euro 5 tweaks include new cams and valve springs , revised throttle bodies and new airbox and exhaust .

Power is pegged at 150 hp , up a couple on last year ' s model , and now arrives at 11,000 rpm instead of 10,000 rpm . On the flipside , the fuel consumption is worse than before , dropping from 53.3 mpg to 46.3 mpg , although Suzuki has increased the tank size from 17 l to 19 l to compensate . A bi-directional quickshifter comes as standard for 2022 , along with a one-touch starter and an anti-stall system that automatically increases revs as the clutch is let in . The styling is all flat surfaces and razor edges . Suzuki has shifted the visual mass of the bike forwards , while the new stacked headlight unit is sunk back between jutting side panels . The GSX-S1000 reaches dealers in June and will cost less than the MT-10 and the CB1000R Plus .

PIERER Mobility - the KTM , Husqvarna and GasGas parent company - announced record Q1 2021 revenues at € 509m , driven by " high global demand for powered two-wheelers ( PTWs )". This represented a + 82 % increase over the € 278.9m recorded for the year-ago quarter . " Despite ongoing supply chain challenges , a total of 106,453 vehicles ( Q1 2020 : 59,168 ) were sold worldwide , including 87,197

The new KTM 1290 Super Adventure S will represent a third standard / base entry level 1290 cc Super Adventure model when it is unveiled later in 2021 . motorcycles ( Q1 2020 : 49,869 units ) of the KTM , Husqvarna and GasGas brands and 19,256 R RAYMON and Husqvarna brand e-bikes ( Q1 2020 : 9,299 units ) - an increase of + 80 % over the same period of the previous year . This is associated with a significant increase in global market shares . " In Europe , 53,971 motorcycles and e- bikes were sold during the period (+ 79 % over the same period of the previous year ). Growth was particularly strong in North America , where 12,637 motorcycles were sold , up by + 145 % over the same period of the previous year . A similar trend was seen in Australia , with an increase of + 109 % and a total of 4,357 units sold . In India , despite the ongoing difficult conditions related to the COVID-19 crisis , sales increased by + 24 % to 20,712 motorcycles . Since the beginning of 2021 , the PIERER Mobility Group has increased its headcount by 130 people to 4,730 and is still looking for employees in all areas . As part of its apprenticeship offensive , 65 more apprentices will start their training in this year . In total , the group is training 190 apprentices . " Despite the ongoing COVID-19 related supply chain challenges , the outlook remains positive , and the Executive Board raises the revenue guidance for the 2021 financial year to between € 1,850m and € 1,950m ( previous revenue guidance 2021 : € 1,800m to € 1,900m ).

Designed as the " ultimate tribute to the iconic Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria ", this special edition KTM 300 EXC TPI ERZBERG RODEO has been built with the sole purpose to conquer the Iron Giant - " it is built to power through the toughest terrain with extreme agility and ease ". Won in 2020 by WESS Enduro World Champion Manuel Lettenbichler , KTM ’ s relationship with the race dates back to the event ' s inception in 1995 - with KTM riders taking no less than 16 wins since then . Getting the power down and keeping it there is key to extreme Enduro racing and special fitments for this ' maniac ' special edition include a Supersprox ' Stealth ' rear sprocket and a Metzeler 6 Days Extreme soft tyre set-up .

16 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - JUNE / JULY 2021 www . idnmag . com