It has been nearly 30 years since Ducati ' s legendary but limitedproduction Supermono demonstrated the potential of converting a V-twin engine into a balanced single-cylinder - and now Swedish company NCCR is performing the same trick on the Rotax-made Buell Helicon engine . The Helicon was the basis of the final generation of original Buell machines , including the 2007-on 1125R and 1125CR , and went on to form the basis of the Erik Buell Racing 1190 models that emerged from the ashes after Harley-Davidson closed Buell in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis , with power ranging from 146 hp to 185 hp . By turning it into a single , with an initial capacity choice of 562 cc or 595 cc , depending on whether it ' s based on the 1125 or 1190 Helicon , NCCR expects around 70 hp , with the option to increase that to 90 hp with a planned big bore kit to raise capacity to 660 cc - 700 cc . Why build a single from a V-twin ? The answer today is the same one that Ducati explored in its 1992 Supermono : the unused cylinder forms the basis of a balancer mechanism to eliminate the usual single-cylinder

vibes . In simplified terms , the piston and cylinder are removed and the conrod is bolted to a pivoting balance weight mounted in a new casting that bolts on where the cylinder should sit . It ' s a balance system that worked not only on the original Supermono , but more recently on BMW ' s parallel twin models , which have a rocking balancer below the crankshaft . The NCCR engine isn ' t simply a Ducati Supermono copy , though . The initials stand for Northern Classic , Custom and Race , and NCCR was EBR ' s European partner . The company also looks after the original EBR WSB race bikes , as well as EBRs that competed at Macau and the IoM TT . To create the first SuperSingle , NCCR has opted to remove the V-twin ' s front cylinder , where Ducati sliced off the rear one . The result is a backwardleaning single-cylinder with a reverse cylinder head - intake at the front , exhaust at the rear . It ' s an unusual layout , but not unique ; Honda ' s Moto3 race bikes use the same rear-leaning , reverse head idea , as do certain Yamaha motocross bikes and BMW ' s single-cylinder G310 models . However , there ' s little reason that the

same kit of conversion parts couldn ' t be used to remove the rear cylinder and keep the front one if the layout works better for some applications . Jens Krüper , co-founder of NCCR , explains : " The SuperSingle concept gives us some great opportunities , like positioning the working cylinder front or rear , depending on which weight distribution you are looking for . Modern standing Enduro riding styles always generate bad rear wheel traction , that ' s why we use the rear cylinder position for our first build now . It also gives us excellent packaging possibilities to protect other components like the radiator and the exhaust system . " Imagine how reliable that engine will be - three litres of oil plus a clutch and gearbox that can easily handle more than double of the power we ' re aiming on . The Helicon is a very reliable and long-term proven engine platform . The engines are fairly cheap to find , and last but not least , we have more than a decade of experience with it ." NCCR is initially building the engine into a ' travel enduro ' demonstrator , but also envisages a future for the engine in a Sound of Singles race

machine using the big bore version of the Helicon based unit . Birgit Krüper , CEO at NCCR , explains that the company will make the engines available along with chassis kits , and may even offer complete machines : " We see a clear business opportunity in developing the SuperSingle engine concept . In times when most bikes get heavier and heavier and have more and more technology on board , a light and simple but rugged and reliable set-up will have its market . With making engine and chassis components available , we plan to support costfriendly individual bike builds ."

BMW says it delivered 194,261 motorcycles and scooters to customers worldwide in 2021 for a + 14.8 % unit increase over 2020 ( 169,272 units sold in 2020 ). Europe showed strong sales growth in 2021 - Italy ( 16,034 units /+ 15.2 %), Spain ( 12,616 units /+ 14.4 %) and France ( 19,887 units /+ 13.4 %) " were the most important growth drivers and able to continuously increase their sales figures . In total , 9,100 more vehicles were delivered in Europe , including Germany , than in the previous year . " The Asian market is also continuing to expand - China ( 14,309

BMW M 1000 RR

units /+ 21.4 %) is also one of the strongest growth and volume markets in Asia with double-digit growth . India continues to develop well , posting growth of 102.5 % and a remarkable 5,191 units ." Germany remains by far the largest single market for BMW Motorrad . With 25,972 units sold , BMW was the most successful motorcycle manufacturer in the German market again in 2021 . The market in the USA also developed very positively for BMW Motorrad in 2021 . " With 16,030 motorcycles and scooters sold ( previous year : 12,135 units ), BMW Motorrad achieved an impressive + 32.1 % growth in the

USA . Sales in Brazil are not growing quite as fast , but they are increasing steadily . With 11,150 vehicles sold ( previous year : 10.707 units ) and a growth of + 4.1 %, the South American market is among the top seven BMW Motorrad markets in 2021 . " Fortunately , the UK ' s exit from the EU had no significant impact on BMW sales with an increase of 26.6 % and sales of 9,263 units in Great Britain / Ireland ( previous year 7,315 units )." A total of over 60,000 units of the two touring enduros R 1250 GS and GS Adventure were delivered to customers in 2021 . Sales of the traditionally strong R Series increased significantly overall . " Thanks to the new top-of-the-line R 1250 RT tourer and the four emotional BMW cruisers from the R18 model family , sales figures in the flat-twin boxer segment once again grew strongly , accounting for around half of the total 194,261 vehicles sold . " The BMW M 1000 RR was the first true M motorcycle from BMW Motorrad to enter the market in 2021 . With 1,070 units sold and numerous

sporting successes on the racetracks of the world , this powerful sports motorbike once again underlines the high innovative strength and passion of BMW Motorrad . A clear commitment to the sporty fourcylinder is demonstrated not only by the S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR , but also by the S 1000 R , which was launched in 2021 and which achieved an excellent result with 4,796 units sold following its comprehensive update ." Markus Schramm , Head of BMW Motorrad : " I look forward to 2022 with great confidence as we start the year with what is sure to be the strongest product offering ever . Our four cruiser models from the BMW R 18 model family are entering their first full year of sales together . In addition , in the first few months of 2022 , the market launches of the all-electric BMW CE 04 and our upgraded four superior 6-cylinder models ( K 1600 GT / GTL / B and Grand America ) will generate a further sales drive in the first half of the year ."