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Plano, Texas based Cardo Systems has been awarded a prestigious‘ Red Dot’ Award for Product Design in 2026 – for its new smart helmet, the integrated comms Cardo Beyond GTS., has been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award: Product Design for 2026.
ACEM has welcomed the European Parliament ' s TRAN Committee vote on the Roadworthiness Package and the decision to make periodic technical inspections( PTI) mandatory across the EU for motorcycles above 125 cc. " Removing the Member State opt-out is an important step towards a consistent safety framework." ACEM has historically supported including all L-category vehicles within the PTI framework, including mopeds and light motorcycles up to 125 cc, citing their " high usage intensity ". Conversely, FEMA the( also) Brussels-based Federation of European Motorcyclist Associations( the rider ' s right ' s lobby to ACEM ' s role as the manufacturer ' s lobby) is opposed to the move. General Secretary Wim Taal and the FIM have been lobbying against the removal of national discretion in rule setting for Periodic Testing. They cite the established EU regulatory principle of national subsidiarity and the lack of conclusive research linking the prior, long standing regulatory exemptions with motorcycle accident numbers and safety outcomes. " The EU Council was very clear in its position to retain the status quo and give Member States the chance to introduce alternative measures to improve road safety for motorcyclists. In my opinion it is unheard of that the European Parliament is permitted to overrule national competences." Speaking to the safety issue, Tall stated that " the overwhelming majority of crashes are linked to rider behaviour, road design, and infrastructure issues, not mechanical failure. Despite repeated recommendations, no proof of safety gains has been presented by organisations calling for mandatory PTI for all motorcycles. Policies should be based on real accident causation data, not on assumptions."
Ducati chooses Sprint Filter P08 air filter across the entire Panigale V4 family
Sprint Filter and Ducati Motor Holding S. p. A. have reached a strategic agreement to equip the entire Panigale V4 family with Sprint Filter ' s P08 high-performance air filter- including Original Equipment, original spare parts, Ducati Performance and the Ducati Corse catalogue. Extending a technical collaboration that began in 2013 and establishing Sprint Filter as the air filtration supplier for Ducati ' s most exclusive production motorcycles, the deal covers the Panigale V4 and V4 S, the race-bred V4 R and limited-production models such as the Superleggera V4, Superleggera V4 Centenario plus future special editions based on the V4 platform. " Every motorcycle will leave Borgo Panigale fitted with the same Sprint Filter P08 element." The agreement also extends to all official Ducati spare parts for the Panigale V4 range, the complete Ducati Performance aftermarket catalogue and Ducati Corse applications, allowing customers to benefit from the exact same air filter technology specified for original equipment. This achievement represents a significant milestone for the company based in Riga, Latvia. The company stated that " this is the first time a manufacturer of highperformance air filters has been selected as the original equipment supplier across an entire flagship supersport motorcycle family, including production models, limited editions, performance accessories and factory racing applications. The announcement is the result of more than a decade of continuous collaboration." Sprint Filter ' s relationship with Ducati began in 2013 with the 1199 Panigale R, followed in 2014 by the 1199 Superleggera. " Since then, Sprint Filter technology has accompanied the evolution of Ducati ' s most advanced superbikes through every generation, culminating today in its adoption across the complete Panigale V4 platform." More than thirteen years of laboratory development, road validation, track testing and racing experience have enabled Ducati to verify the " outstanding performance, reliability and durability of Sprint Filter technology, leading to its selection as the standard air filtration system for the brand ' s flagship supersport
motorcycles. Fabrizio Marcucci, Marketing & Sales Director, Sprint Filter told IDN that " being selected by Ducati as the original equipment air filter supplier for the entire Panigale V4 family represents one of the most important milestones in Sprint Filter ' s history. " This achievement is the result of more than thirteen years of close collaboration, testing and continuous development. Every project, from the 1199 Panigale R to today ' s Panigale V4 range, has contributed to validating a technology that was originally developed for racing and is now trusted for the world ' s most advanced production superbikes." At the heart of the P08 lies Sprint Filter ' s patented single-layer polyester filtering medium, an oil-free synthetic material engineered to deliver exceptionally high airflow while maintaining outstanding filtration efficiency. " Compared with conventional paper filters, the P08 dramatically reduces pressure drop, allowing the engine to breathe more
efficiently and helps preserve maximum power and torque throughout the rev range. " Unlike cotton or foam filters that require washing, drying and re-oiling, the Sprint Filter P08 is completely oil-free. Maintenance is remarkably simple: the filter can be cleaned using compressed air only, with no detergents, chemicals or maintenance kits required. Designed as a long-life component, the P08 is intended to last for the entire service life of the motorcycle ". Its reusable design also offers a significant environmental advantage. While conventional paper filters must be periodically replaced and discarded, Sprint Filter ' s reusable polyester element drastically reduces waste, consumption and minimizes the environmental impact associated with routine maintenance. www. sprintfilter. com
16 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS- SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018 www. idnmag. com