Letter from Italy Elisabetta Quadrini , Newfren , Italy
" The new year has started with a brisk pace for us here at Newfren . Thanks to the hard work put in by our team last year , which led to the acquisition of new customers , we have been able to start the new year with production running at a brisk pace . " None of us can be sure what the full year holds , but it has started well here in Turin . The brake discs department saw the arrival of around 18 tons of steel from Japan in the first few days of the year . " This steel comes from one of the best and most historic steel mills in Japan , one specialised in the alloying of martensitic stainless steels - a type of stainless steel that is known for its strength , corrosion resistance , and durability . " The laser cutting department is currently running its automated plant on a continuous cycle seven days a week , and the technical department is working hard to complete the design of the new models that will feature in the 2023 Newfren brake disc catalogue . " After all the uncertainties and issues in the past 36 months , it is a relief to at least be able to start the year in a positive way . " In January , the brake shoe production department also saw the arrival of tons of aluminium in ingots - these will feed the die-casting line . Around 30 tons of aluminium will be transformed into 300,000 pairs of motorbike brake shoes during 2023 . " The brake pad production department is working tirelessly to complete the assortment of exclusive new brake pads that we already have in distribution , with new ' Made in Italy ' sintered brake pads getting an exclusive coloured layer surface treatment . " The only products still seeing some slowdown in production are our clutch discs , where the unavailability of some raw materials used to produce the friction surfaces are still holding the clutch market back . " However , our colleagues in R & D are not in the habit of waiting around and have developed new compounds , which are currently being tested - compounds that involve the use of new raw materials that should not be affected by supply delays . " So , the report from Turin at this time ? A good start to 2023 , with many of the issues that have caused problems in the past three years now under better control , and in-house production developments having given us a firm foundation to build forward on . " We look ahead with our usual optimism and work every day to improve our performance - trying to overcome the difficulties of today and be ready for the unknowns of tomorrow !"
Full system for Streetfighter / Panigale V2
After the release of slip-ons for the Streetfighter / Panigale V2 at EICMA 2022 , QD Exhaust ( Manuel de Liso , Milan ) has now announced that its full system is in production . It features a twin catalyst converter located underneath the engine to ensure Euro 5 homologation and two of QD ' s popular Gunshot DARK MATTER
silencers . The pipework is entirely made in stainless steel with spectacular TIG-welded ' Pie Cut ' bends , the silencers are matt black ceramic coated with removable GP style grids hiding the removable dB killers . A new support for the licence plate that allows use of the stock turn lights and " give the bike a more aggressive look " is also included . The undertail mount does not allow to use the rear footrests , for this reason a
double side mount muffler kit is in the course of development . The total weight of the system is 4.5 kg , while the power increase with the performance map is more than + 7 hp . The system is Euro 5 street legal with certification for road use all over Europe . As with all QD Exhaust products , it is covered by 30 months of warranty by activating the Service Card included in the package . www . qdexhaust . it
Certification programme for tour guides and instructors
In what appears to be an attempt to formalise the burgeoning ADV tours segment , and no doubt to control this premium sector , Touratech has launched what it is calling its A . R . T . T . Certification Programme - setting what it describes as " internationally binding standards for instructors and tour guides ". Standing for ' Adventure Rider Tours and Training ', graduates will " receive a skill set that enables them to create motorbike experiences at the very highest level ". " Guided motorbike tours are becoming increasingly popular . Demanding motorcyclists in particular
are often heavily involved in their careers , leaving them little time for their own planning . Nevertheless , they are looking for the perfect motorbike experience in their valuable free time . " On the other hand , many motorcyclists are also becoming increasingly demanding in terms of their own performance . High-quality motorbike training courses meet this desire to perfect riding skills ". The motorcycle tours market has increasingly started to have a deregulated , almost ' Wild West ' feel to it as operators and tour guides set their own rules . There is little to determine what " best practice " looks like . Touratech says this initiative is in response to " the enormous demand . Demand that has driven the emergence of a huge , almost unmanageable range of organised tours [ sometimes disorganised ] and training courses that has emerged , making it increasingly difficult for customers to identify high-quality offers . " In this situation , we believe that quality labels backed by a brand with high credibility will provide valuable guidance for consumers . This is the reason why , in collaboration with Edelweiss Bike Travel , the world ' s number 1 in motorbike travel , we have launched the A . R . T . T . certification programme ". www . touratech . de
34 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 www . idnmag . com