International Dealer News IDN 146 December 2018 / January 2019 | Page 13

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Supersprox Steel-EDGE
Supersprox is well known for the
dual material sprockets that it
pioneered back in the 1990s.
Now an industry standard for
long life motorcycle sprockets,
the Supersprox team has
continued to innovate
throughout the past 20 years.
Recent market trends have led
the company to focus on street
motorcycles below 400 cc. A
vibrant and growing sector, and
vital as transitional models to a
lifetime of riding and brand
affinity, Supersprox General
Director DJ Maughfling says that
“this is something new for
Supersprox. It is a market sector
where we don’t sell our ‘Stealth’
brand sprockets, and like
everyone, we have seen that
there is a strong trend towards
the development of smaller and
more affordable motorcycles.
“With the Indian and Chinese
motorcycle manufacturers
offering more capable and higher
quality vehicles, in the chain
sector we have identified an
absence of affordable quality
upgrade parts for these bikes.
“While it is not easy to offer
something that is both
affordable and innovative, with a
real performance improvement
for the rider, our ability to work
economically with relatively
small volumes per item in a wide
range means we can leverage
our flexible production systems
and achieve the right balance
between innovation and price-
point.
“Contrary to the perception that
many in the industry have had so
far, in our opinion some of the
riders in this category are looking
to tune their bikes. Although the
percentage sell-through will be
significantly smaller than our
traditional market, we are able
to make the sector economically
viable for dealers and the
distributors they buy from.”
Supersprox Steel-EDGE sprockets
consist of two parts, with the
Supersprox steel rear sprocket as
the base. The steel sprocket is
modified to reduce weight and a
larger 1.5 mm recess was added
in the centre. The removed steel
is replaced with aluminium and
the sprocket retains its original
technical specification. This is
important for fixing on the
NEWS
BRIEFS
motorcycle, so the screws tighten
up correctly. Compared to the
original steel sprockets, the
Supersprox version can reduce
sprocket weight up to 30%.
“Lower rotational mass is the
reason to buy the sprocket and
the upsell is the great visual
enhancement for the bike. The
most difficult part of the
production process has been the
precise fitment of the two parts.
Although the sprocket retails for
about 50% of the Supersprox
Stealth price, the expectation for
quality and precision remains.
“These sprockets will not be
offered for larger engine
motorcycles of off-road
motorcycles, because they have
different dynamics - this is
exclusively for the smaller bikes.”
www.supersprox.com
Metisse Motorcycles owner Gerry
Lisi is to build a new 1,850 sq m
factory and museum at his present
Oxfordshire headquarters in the
UK. Industry icons Don and Derek
Rickman broke ground on the new
facility at a ceremony in
November. The plan is for the
licensed McQueen replicas to be
handbuilt alongside the recently
announced MK5 framed 1000 cc
parallel twin.
Motorcycle Live in the UK in November
saw Norton unveil two prototypes of its
planned Norton Atlas - the Nomad and
the Ranger naked style Roadsters. The
84 hp twins are using the 1200 cc from
the long-planned Norton V4, cut in half,
and is targeting production of 2000
Atlas units a year from 2019.
U.S. distribution giant Tucker
Powersports has announced the
hiring of industry veteran Greg
Blackwell to the new position of
Senior Vice President of Sales and
Marketing. Blackwell’s 30-year
industry Tour of Duty includes
KTM North America, Lemans
Corporation (Parts Unlimited),
Metzeler Motorcycle Tire North
America, and, most recently, as
president of MTA Distributing.
Tucker Powersports is a division of
the Motorsports Aftermarket
Group (MAG).
Motorex has again been honoured by
KTM as an A+ supplier in their
prestigious “KTM Supplier Quality
Excellence Award”. The Swiss oil brand
(blended by Bucher AG) is ‘First Fill’ oil
for new KTM models and a major
player in KTM’s factory race team
endeavours.