Sources : AMD , IDN , FT , Reuters , PSB , MPN , BDN , MCN , AP , Bloomberg , MSNW , Electrek , electricmotorcycles . news , RideApart . com , Motor1 . com , Cycle World , motorbikewriter . com news ROOM
NEWS
BRIEFS
Just as the prospect of a new tariff war appears over the horizon , the sun has only just set on Harley ' s attempts to contest the fall-out from the last batch of EU / USA bitching . The EU had charged Harley with moving production of its bikes for sale in its markets to Thailand purely as an attempt to side-step the EU ' s retaliatory tariffs . The arising legal dispute that has been rumbling away ever since has only just been resolved - with Harley losing . Harley ' s appeal against the tariff imposition has now been dismissed by the EU ' s Court of Justice , finding that Harley " failed to provide sufficient evidence showing that its move [ of production intended for sale in the EU ] was driven primarily by [ wider ] economic efficiency rather than [ being driven entirely by ] regulatory avoidance . While businesses are free to make decisions optimizing their operations , relocations timed to align with EU measures face additional scrutiny ." The move of production to Thailand has been adjudged by the court to have been " aimed primarily to avoid these duties " and deemed it as " economically unjustified " under Article 33 of the EU ' s Delegated Regulation 2015 / 2446 .
After its first iteration as a pre- Christmas motorcycle expo in December 2024 , the organiser has announced 4-7 December for its 2025 date for INTERMOT in Cologne , Germany ; www . intermot . de
Omnia Adds OZ Wheels
Naples based Omnia Racing is the latest official reseller to sign up with internationally respected Italian performance wheels manufacturer OZ Group . Founded in 1971 by Silvano Oselladore and Pietro Zen - from whose initials the company takes its name and produces car and motorcycle wheels , specifically alloy wheels . The company is an OEM supplier to a number of manufacturers , in addition to aftermarket sales , and is a prominent wheel supplier in motorsport . OZ began its long-standing involvement with Formula One in 1984 , supplying Riccardo Patrese and Eddie Cheever ' s Alfa Romeo team . In 1990 , the company was wheel supplier to the Toyota rally team as Carlos Sainz won his first World Rally Championship . In 1996 , OZ supplied Williams F1 team won the Formula One constructor ' s championship and driver Damon Hill won the drivers ' championship . The following year , an OZ supplied car won the Indianapolis 500 . 1989 saw the company ' s first affiliate set up as OZ Japan began business , and in 1992 the company moved to a new factory in its current headquarters location of San Martino di Lupari ( between Vicenza and Treviso ). OZ branched out into motorcycle wheel production in collaboration with Aprilia in 1991 and in 1999 partnered with Aprilia to develop forged aluminum motorbike wheels for the RSV 1000 R . 2011 saw the by then 40-year-old brand win the World SBK Championship with Carlos Checa on the Althea Racing Team ' s Ducati . The Moto2 championship with Marc Marquez followed a year later with a fourth consecutive Moto2 crown won in 2015 with the Ajo Motorsport team . In 2026 OZ became part of the official
Honda HRC MotoGP team , supplying the wheels for World Champion Marc Marquez . " There ' s only one way to describe OZ Motorbike wheels " says Omnia Racing CEO Fabrizio Bertollini - " Performance Without Compromise . OZ Motorbike wheels represent the pinnacle of excellence in alloy wheel terms in the motorcycle market - designed to offer extraordinary performance , an attractive aesthetic and superior durability . They are the ideal equipment for those who want the most from their bike ". Noted for manufacturing technology and investments in materials of the highest quality , OZ Ultra-light Alloys are made of forged aluminium or magnesium , guaranteeing a significant reduction in weight , which improves acceleration , handling and braking . Each wheel is produced with advanced CNC machining technology to ensure the minimum tolerances and perfect centring . The forged structure increases resistance to impacts and stress , ideal for use on the track and on the road . Approvals and Certifications include TÜV and JWL approval - all OZ wheels " comply with the most stringent international safety and quality standards ". Universal compatibility has always been a hallmark of the OZ range , available for a wide range of models and compatible with the main segments of the sport , even including naked and custom motorcycles . The reduced inertia produced by OZ Ultra Lights improve responsiveness in curves and changes of direction and less unsprung mass means faster starts and reduced braking distances . " The OZ Racing design adds an aggressive and sophisticated touch to any motorcycle ," says Fabrizio . " Choosing OZ Motorbike wheels means investing in professional-level performance , guaranteed safety and a racing look . Every detail is designed to transform the riding experience into a unique and unforgettable emotion ". www . omniaracing . com
14 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - MARCH / APRIL 2025 www . idnmag . com