International Dealer News IDN 148 April/May 2019 | Page 11

news ROOM Akrapovic and Rapid Bike in technical collaboration Rapid Bike has announced a technical collaboration with Akrapovic in order to offer a range of injection maps for Evo and Racing modules to be installed together with Akrapovic exhaust systems designed for race use (which are not meeting EU emissions requirements for street use). Dedicated maps are available for download that use their own fuelling technology to optimise a motorcycle's engine performance once it is equipped with an Akrapovic exhaust system. "This partnership is extremely valuable considering the Euro 4 and upcoming Euro 5 legislation, and the severe limitations to the performance of the latest motorcycle models being used for racing www.idnmag.com purposes," said Rapid Bike Business Development Manager Maurizio Bellucci. "Tailormade maps for Akrapovic exhaust systems are effective over the entire range of the power delivery curve, while improving the motorcycle's drivability, especially at lower and medium rpm (in the 'closed loop area'), thanks to the innovative management strategy of the stock lambda sensor signal." Installation of the maps is done through the free to download Rapid Bike Master software, currently available for BMW S 1000 XR, model years from 2015, Honda CBR 1000 RR/R, Kawasaki ZX-10R/Z 900 RS and Suzuki GSX-R 1000. www.akrapovic.com www.rapidbike.com Yamaha 2018 - motorcycle unit sales decreased in 'developed' markets Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd has announced that for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 consolidated net sales of 1,673.1 billion yen were up +0.2% from the previous year. The company saw a decrease in operating income of 9bn yen (-6.0%), while ordinary income dropped -10.9% to 138.0bn yen, and net income for the period was down - 8.1% to 93.4bn yen. Net sales increased on the back of strong results in the emerging markets motorcycle business, the marine business and the industrial machinery and robot business. Net sales dipped -2.2% overall due to a decrease in developed markets. Marine business net sales rose 6.4% thanks to an improved product mix and strong large outboard motor sales in North America. Power products increased 1.4%, while industrial machinery and robots rose 3.4% on the back of healthy sales of surface mounters for automotive applications. Operating income saw increased profitability improvements thanks to sales increases in the marine business and industrial machinery & robot segment, as well as from development and manufacturing methods of platform models and global models in the motorcycle business segment. For 2019, Yamaha Motor forecasts net sales rising +1.6% to 1,700.0bn yen, while operating income is expected to decrease -5.5% to 133.0bn yen. There will also be a -9.0% decrease in net income to 85.0bn yen on the back of an uncertain business environment due to factors such as the European economic slowdown and the US/China trade issue. INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL/MAY 2019 11