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Husqvarna is the latest manufacturer to " bring the thrills of two wheels to the next generation " with the introduction of its twist action throttle 12eDrive and 16eDrive ( by H-D subsidiary STACYC ). The 12eDrive is designed for kids aged 3 to 5 years old with an inside leg range of 35-51 cm , a choice of three power levels , ultra-low 33 cm seat height , 12 " composite wheels with pneumatic tyres , and a child-friendly , manageable light weight of 7.7 kg ( including battery ). The 16eDrive extends the concept to kids aged 4 to 8 years old with an inside leg range of 45-61 cm .
Sven Mack is the new CEO of Hostettler GmbH at Müllheim ( Germany ). Part of the Swiss Hostettler Group , the German subsidiary " specialises in the distribution of a comprehensive range of products for the European motorcycle and scooter trade ". Mack has been with Hostettler since he sold his Sports Nut GmbH Tübingen business to them in 2014 .
According to the latest available figures , Russia spends $ 61.7 bn a year on defence , which is the 4th highest ( behind USA , China and India ), representing 3.1 % of global defence spending and 4.3 % of its GDP - only Saudi Arabia ( 8.4 %) and Israel ( 5.6 %) spend a higher proportion of national GDP on defence .
Brembo reports 2021 full year revenues + 25.8 % at € 2,777.6m (+ 7.2 % compared to 31 December 2019 ), with net profit + 57 % to € 215.5m and EBITDA at € 502.7m on a margin of 18.1 %. Brembo decreased net financial debt by € 71.5m and made net investments of € 236.2m , completing two significant acquisitions , adding SBS Friction ( Denmark ) and J . Juan ( Spain ), inaugurated its Inspiration Lab in Silicon Valley , Ca ., and introduced a new intelligent braking system called SENSIFY .
Having been a part of MotoE since its inception in 2019 , Michelin is to remain the sole tyre supplier for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup until at least 2024 . The French manufacturer says it is achieving ever-increasing sustainability in its MotoE tyres , including the use of recycled and biosourced materials . The front tyres are composed of 33 % sustainable resources and the rear tyres 40 %, including materials such as lemon and orange peel , pine resin , sunflower oil , worn car and truck tyres and scrap steel !
3D printed steel frame is lighter than titanium
By Ben Purvis
The Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Research Group ( MOD3RN ) at Nebrija University in Madrid has created a motorcycle frame by 3D printing it from powered steel - the result is lighter than conventional designs made from aluminium or even titanium . Backed by steel producer AcelorMittal , the project uses readily available materials in the form of powered steel and known 3D printing technology , using lasers to selectively fuse the material together in layers , building up the entire frame in a series of slices . The challenge was to meet the rigidity requirements of a motorcycle frame while using the absolute minimum amount of material . The project had to develop computer algorithms that allow the operator to enter details of key hardpoints of the chassis - the engine mount positions , for instance , and the steering head and swingarm pivot location - as well as the required level of rigidity . The computer can then work out a layout of frame struts that meets those requirements and which can be 3D printed with the least material . It is the latter part of the process that is critical - the frame struts are all hollow , with walls between 0.8 mm and 1 mm thick , and normal 3D
Founded in 2009 (" by riders , for riders "), Pesaro , Italy based WRS has started the season with new race announcements and additions to its windscreens range with a choice of options for the Suzuki GSX-R 1300 Hayabusa . WRS R & D and manufacturing quality processes are driven in no small part by technical partnerships and sponsorships with major race teams - such as Pramac Racing ( Ducati MotoGP ), Team SIC 58 ( Moto3 and Moto E ), BMW Motorrad WSBK Official Team , and Team RedBull KTM Ajo ( Moto2 , Moto3 ). The latest news is that WRS has now announced that it is the windscreen technical partner for the Mooney VR46 Racing Team - Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi in MotoGP and Celestino Vietti Ramus and Niccolò Antonelli in Moto2 . printing would require those hollow areas to be filled with support structures . By placing the frame struts at particular angles , and orienting the frame correctly during the print process , the Nebrija algorithms eliminate these supports , significantly reducing weight . Sergio Corbera , engineering director at the university , said : " The possibility of generating hollow parts was the
main unknown in metal 3D printing . We are talking about wall thicknesses of between 0.8 and 1 millimetre in the chassis . This involved addressing several issues within 3D printing : stability of the piece during the
WRS windshields are made in high quality acrylic ( Plexiglas PMMA ), which is said to guarantee an excellent " transmittance " ( ability to pass the light ) and correct optical clarity . " They are safe and on impact can absorb the energy by breaking but not shattering like glass and do not create dangerous splinters ," says CEO Nicolas Zavoli . " Our designs are so finely tuned that whether a high or a low design , we gain optimum protection from wind and rain .
The basis of our designs has a more dynamic line that protects most
printing process as a result of the very low thicknesses , control of porosities and mechanical properties in these thicknesses , and orientation of the geometric shape to avoid internal supports ." The resulting prototype frame , designed to suit a single-cylinder race bike , weighs just 3.8 kg , compared to around 5 kg for a similar frame made from aluminium using conventional processes . A normal steel trellis frame of the same size would be 6 to 7 kg . Since the 3D printing process is relatively slow , taking hours to build up the frame , layer after layer , it ' s not ideally suited to mass production ( yet !). However , it could be a gamechanger for prototyping during the R & D phases of a new bike ' s design , allowing new iterations of chassis to be created relatively quickly and with minimal manual engineering input into either the design or construction .
WRS - ' High ' screens for Hayabusa
of the body from the air , but leaves the face uncovered . " Aerodynamics is about ' feel ' as well as maths , and our comprehensive testing programmes allow us to offer aesthetically unique products with excellent aerodynamic protection and minimum turbulence values ." Available for the Hayabusa in clear or smoked , these new ' high ' designs are + 50 mm taller than the stock Suzuki screen they replace . www . wrs . it
14 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL / MAY 2022 www . idnmag . com