BMW - best ever half-year
In the second quarter of 2021 ( April - June inclusive ) BMW delivered 65,018 motorcycles and scooters to customers worldwide , which was + 55.1 % over the COVID-hit year-ago period . For the first six months of this year , it delivered 107,610 motorcycles and scooters worldwide (+ 40.3 %) - its best-ever sales result for a first half-year , building on the all-time highs seen in Q1 . The company said that " this success relies on a strong product offering with a wide range of different models , including no fewer than eight new models released onto the market in the first six months of this year ".
CE 04 electric scooter
Simultaneous to its financial announcements , BMW followed up the July 1st news release about model revisions for 2022 ( mostly new colours and updates to standard and optional equipment to existing models ) with the much trailed final confirmation of its Gen 2 e-bike launch , the CE 04 electric scooter . Billed as " the silent revolution : A new chapter in electrically powered urban two-wheel mobility ", it is described as having a " futuristic design style " with a " low position " for the battery " for an " entirely new geometry - a complete departure from previous conventions ". Claiming that the CE 04 " doesn ' t just master acceleration , speed and bends but redefines them " it uses the same battery cells that power the BMWiX and the company says that " all future new BMW Motorrad models for urban mobility will be pure electric ," according to BMW AG CEO Oliver Zipse . BMW claims a maximum output of 31 kW ( 42 hp ), 0 to 50 km / h in 2.6 seconds and 23 kW ( 31 hp ) drive power " even in the reduced output L3e-A1 vehicle class ". The maximum speed of both versions is 120 km / h , 60.6 Ah ( 8.9 kWh ) battery cell capacity , for " a range of some 130 km ( reduced output version : 100 km ) from the liquid-cooled , permanent magnet electric motor that is mounted in the frame between the battery and the rear wheel ". The lithium-ion battery is charged using the integrated charging device either at a regular household socket , a wallbox or a public charging station .
CE 04 , " the silent revolution - a new chapter in electrically powered urban two-wheel mobility ".
When the battery is completely flat , charging time ideally lasts 4 hours and 20 minutes . With the 6.9 kW output quick charger that is available as an optional extra , charging time is reduced to 1 hour and 40 minutes when the battery is completely flat ( 2.3 kW is the standard level ); charging time is reduced to 45
BMW has agreed a long-term partnership with iconic British sound pioneer Marshall to take its motorcycle sound systems to " new heights ".
' RC30 Forever ' replacement parts scheme
Having launched in Japan in 2020 , Honda ' s ' RC30 Forever ' scheme is to be made available in Europe . Approximately 150 genuine parts will be available for the legendary RC30 through the Honda dealer network . The parts will be produced using newlymade moulds , based on a parts list created following meetings between Honda and well-established owners ' clubs in Japan and Europe . Replacement parts for the RC30 will cover the engine , chassis , bodywork and electronics . These have been chosen based on owners ' requests and the experience of experts within Honda ' s R & D and manufacturing facilities . At the beginning of the ' RC30 Forever ' project , an investigation through the RC30 archives undertaken in 2017 revealed that none of the original wooden models or moulds for the RC30 had been retained . It was clear that the original drawings would be needed to move the project forward . Like all
motorcycles produced at the time , the manufacture of the RC30 was based on 2D hand-drawn wireframe blueprints , from which models and moulds were created . The blueprints available were digitised , enlarged to a 1:1 scale and compared with existing parts borrowed from the remaining RC30s within the Honda family and owners ' clubs to ensure their accuracy . The RC30 was first revealed at the
Tokyo Motor Show in 1987 , making its way to Europe in 1988 . Limited to approximately 5,000 units worldwide , it was created to comply with the homologation rules required to compete in the newly formed World Superbike Championship . Hand-built in the Hamamatsu factory , the RC30 was powered by a liquidcooled 748 cc 90 ° V4 and featured cutting edge race technology of the time - an approach unheard of hitherto . minutes for an 80 percent charge into a battery with 20 percent residual power . Subject to market , a 2.3 kW charging capacity cable comes as standard ; a Mode 3 charging cable is required for fast charging at the wallbox at home or at a public charging station . As a first iteration , the CE 04 has an adequate level of electronics - creature comforts and driving aids such as the standard equipment ASC ( Automatic Stability Control ) for increased riding stability through slip control and optional Dynamic Traction Control ( DTC ). There are three riding modes as standard (" ECO ", " Rain " and " Road ") with " Dynamic " as an option ; directionally stable suspension with one-piece tubular steel main frame is said to deliver " smooth handling and a high level of ride comfort ".
Honda ' s development engineers made maximum use of exotic materials like carbon fibre , Kevlar and magnesium throughout the bike . The engine featured titanium connecting rods and a slipper clutch that worked together with the tall race machine-style gearing . Wheels and brakes featured quick release mountings and the suspension was fully adjustable front and back . The bike prominently featured an unmistakable single-sided Pro-arm swingarm designed to help with rapid rear wheel changes during races . The legacy of the RC30 was cemented when it won the World Superbike Championship in both 1988 and 1989 with Fred Merkel . It also notched up victories in multiple national and international races , including wins on the Isle of Man in the hands of celebrated riders like Joey Dunlop , Carl Fogarty , Steve Hislop and Philip McCallen .
28 IDN - AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2021 www . idnmag . com