British Dealer News May 2024

HEAD OF CONTENT

Andy Mayo: editorial@dealernews.co.uk

FINANCIAL EDITOR

Roger Willis: editorial@dealernews.co.uk

PRODUCTS EDITOR/DESIGNER

Colin Williams: design@dealernews.co.uk

COMMERCIAL CONTENT MANAGER

Maurice Knuckey: creative@dealernews.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS

Roger Willis; Dan Sager; Alan Dowds; Rick Kemp; Adam Bernstein; Brian Crichton

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Mark Mayo: accounts@dealernews.co.uk

ADVERTISING

Alison Payne: tel 07595 219093

Paul Baggott: tel 07831 863837 adsales@dealernews.co.uk

CIRCULATION

circulation@dealernews.co.uk

TAIWAN AGENCY

Albert Yang, Pro Media Co: info@motopromedia.com; tel +886 4 7264437

PUBLISHER

Colin Mayo: editorial@dealernews.co.uk

British Dealer News, 10 Daddon Court, Clovelly Road Industrial Estate, Bideford EX39 3FH

56 ON THE MONEY

Market analysis with Roger Willis

57 INTERNATIONAL SHARE PRICES

A snapshot of global performance

58 USED BIKE DATA

From Auto Trader and MCN

60 NEW REGISTRATION DATA MCIA and International statistics

62 REGISTRATION ANALYSIS

By Glass’s and the NMDA

the news

6 JD Sports bike advert criticised

8 P&H Motorcycles bags MV Agusta

10 Metzeler Roadtec 02 launch

11 Performance Parts adds Bitubo suspension

12 ABR set to be bigger than ever

13 Ducati and Shell sign partnership

14 Late payments still a problem

16 Consultations on bike access to bus lanes

17 Sweet sixtieth for Kymco

18 Bruno’s tale of two jobs

22 Morbidelli rises from the ashes

24 Obituary and On the Move

25 BSB goes to sea with DFDS

26 TT preparations pick up pace

27 KTM launches 2024 demo ride campaign

28 International news

30 Electric news

32 Alternative power registration analysis

34 Off-road news

12

the business

36 BUSINESS BEAT

How to be an effective interviewer

38 MARKETING MATTERS

Market research: what is it, and why do you need it?

18

40 BACK FROM THE BRINK

Suzuki GB on fire

42 THE BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

Job applicants with criminal records

44 ON THE ROSTRUM

Fleet Auction Group focuses on two-wheel sales

46 PRODUCTS

The latest retail profit opportunities

DIRECTORY

sets DF Capital specialists in distribution and work in partnership you to ensure you always funding when and where need it. are proud of the depth expertise and experience lending team. Our really understand – and some cases have worked the motorcycle sector. programme managers, work with manufacturers distributors to set programme terms for dealers, have been instrumental in our success.

“We

work in partnership with some of the leading motorcycle dealers in the UK – and are proud to support their growth. It’s been an interesting few years for this sector and whilst it’s been a challenge, our partners have thrived because of their relationships with their own customers, industry-leading innovation and product quality. We look forward to supporting more businesses this year and beyond.”

Angela Goulding, managing director, Powersports, DF Capital

Putting customer needs first is at the heart of everything we do. We are here to support our customers – we listen to you and prioritise your needs. Customers tell us we’re easy to do business with because of our user-friendly tools like DF Connect, our account management portal, DF Check, our auditing app

and DF Onboard, our online onboarding process. We can also provide deep insights to help run your business. Whether that’s analysing stock turn or age profiles of stock as well as wider industry trends. Of course, if you’d prefer to talk to someone, our friendly, UK-based team is at the end of the phone whenever you need a chat.

Depending on the size of the facility, we can also provide legal documents and activate your facility the same day. We really, truly care. About you, about each other, and about the world around us. Acting sustainably is one of our core values, we work with integrity and we are here to make a difference. n

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dealerservices@motonovofinance.com www.motonovofinance.com

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enquiries@rmif.co.uk www.rmif.co.uk

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New stock finance backing for Dualways dealers

SMALL BIKE SPECIALIST

importer Dualways, has launched a new dealer stocking finance programme with leading financial services supplier Emtac. The programme offers a number of finance options, up to 180 days, to support cash flow and allow dealers to stock and sell a mixed range of Dualways products.

Henry Maplethorpe, director at Dualways, said: “We were looking for a finance partner that can offer personal, high-value finance packages to support our dealer network. Emtac ticked all the boxes, and we look forward to a long and healthy relationship with the Emtac team.”

David Hardy, Emtac commercial director said: “This alliance reflects Emtac’s unwavering commitment to drive innovation and provide industry-leading customer-centric solutions. By

JD Sports stunt bike ad criticised

Usually, the industry is happy to see motorcycles featured in mainstream advertising, but that’s not the case with a recent online campaign from major sportswear retailer JD Sports. The adverts featured video clips of urban wheelies by stunt rider OneWheelWavey and his crew on dirtbikes and quads – with the riders wearing Nike trainers and sportswear instead of proper riding kit.

To be fair to JD Sports, experienced stunt riders are unlikely to crash doing simple wheelies shown in the video.

The firm told the BBC that the footage was shot under controlled conditions on closed roads after rigorous risk assessments.

Nevertheless, the ads were blasted in online comments from bikers, and have been the subject of complaints to the

Advertising Standards Authority, for promoting unsafe riding.

The MCIA also gave JD Sports the thumbs-down. CEO Tony Campbell, told the BBC, “It is difficult to comprehend how an organisation like JD Sports can get this so wrong on so many levels. Promoting anti-social and irresponsible riding in an

effort to sell more trainers is quite unbelievable.

“The industry has some clear self-imposed advertising guidelines where any form of irresponsible riding depicting speed, wheelies, stoppies or burnouts is a strict nono. For JD Sports to promote and glamorise this to young people is irresponsible.”

Aprilia and Moto Guzzi demo drive

DISTRIBUTOR TRANAM, WHICH WAS TAKEN over by the giant Finnish aftermarket Duell Group in March 2023, has struck a deal with Honda UK to provide riders, including the Honda sales team, with some top-end kit for more rider safety and extra comfort.

The Dorset-based firm has been welcoming groups of Honda Associates to measure up for Rukka suits and Daytona boots so they can safely visit Honda dealers across the country. More than 25 Honda staff will be equipped with full riding kit in total, some also choosing to take Schuberth helmets to complete the outfit. Richard Schofield (national sales department manager) said: “These brands are synonymous with rider safety and this certainly fits with our motorcycle safety message”.

This isn’t the first time TranAm and Honda have teamed up – the two companies have history going back to the early 2000s with the distribution of Honda’s Joe Rocket clothing range.

P&H Motorcycles adds MV Agusta

Top Crawley, Sussex, retailer P&H Motorcycles has signed up as an MV Agusta dealer, adding the Varese marque to a premium list of manufacturers that includes Norton, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki.

But it’s the retailer’s existing relationship with KTM, Husqvarna and CFMoto that’s perhaps most relevant to the new addition, after KTM’s parent company Pierer Mobility bought a majority share in MV Agusta. After stocking KTM for a number of years, P&H reckoned it made perfect sense to solidify their partnership by taking on MV as well.

P&H MD and owner Paul Searle said,

Six new outlets for BSA

THINGS HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT QUIET recently for the BSA UK importer, Lukas Distribution. But the folk there have clearly been working hard behind the scenes, and the fruits of their labour are six new dealerships across England, from Davey Bros Motorcycles in Ipswich to Dave Milling Motorcycles in Whitehaven via Gibson Motorcycles in Welwyn Garden City, The Bike Sanctuary in Milton Keynes, Millenium Motorcycles in Liverpool and Think Bike Gear near Preston.

“We are delighted to welcome The Bike Sanctuary, Gibson Motorcycles, Think Bike Gear, Millenium Motorcycles, Davey Bros Motorcycles and Dave Milling Motorcycles to our growing family of dealers,” said Luke Gregory, MD of Lukas Distribution. “Their dedication to providing exceptional products and services perfectly aligns with our commitment to offering riders the best in the industry.”

“We were thrilled to witness another retro classic brand redefine itself for the modern market with a product that resonates with both

new and established riders,” said Ben Grayson, MD of The Bike Sanctuary. “BSA’s unique blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and performance aligns perfectly with our brand. Our staff are passionate about the bikes, making it an easy and exciting addition to our product range.”

“We are very excited to become dealers for BSA,” said Mark Gardiner, owner of Davey Bros Motorcycles in Ipswich. The brand will supplement our existing range of lightweight bikes and scooters, bringing a new customer profile to our dealership.”

The six new sites bring the BSA dealer network up to 33 dealerships around the UK, including Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands. And Lukas Distribution is still looking for more new dealers to join the network: prospective dealers are asked to contact the company directly for more information. Contact Eathan Cooper for Northern dealers at eathan@ lukasdistribution.co.uk (07933 172673) and Didi Dunlop in the South: didi@lukasdistribution.co.uk (07933 172682).

“We are excited to welcome MV Agusta motorcycles to our store – one of the most iconic brands out there, with a rich history. They make eye-wateringly beautiful bikes and now with the might of Pierer Mobility behind them we will be seeing MV Agusta’s resurgence in the UK. They call them motorcycle art. We are sure our customers will agree.”

MV’s area sales manager, Stevie Day, added, “We are very pleased to appoint P&H Motorcycles as an MV Agusta dealer. Paul and his vastly experienced team have built a hugely respected business with a great customer base that aligns well with MV Agusta’s thrilling range of models.”

The first group of Honda riders get measured up for new kit at TranAm HQ. From left to right, Tom Gillingham, Richard Schofield, Lewis Purtill, Bryan Hughes, Shane Reid and Adrian Will

With an expanding model range, increased market share, high customer satisfaction, and excellent customer retention, our partners are revelling in the benefits of being a Suzuki dealership. As we continue to grow our network we have key open points, nationwide.

Isle of Man launch for Metzeler Roadtec 02

Metzeler used its position as the Isle of Man TT’s official tyre partner to present a brand-new tyre to a specially invited list of global press in early April. The tyre giant appointed Motocom to plan and run the event.

Simon Carter, UK Moto marketing manager at Pirelli, said: “When we looked at the scale of the event, we knew that there was really only one agency that had the required capacity and working knowledge of the island. Motocom certainly rose to the challenge, sourcing 32 motorcycles from brands like BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, MV Agusta, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha. The motorcycles were then transported via a twin-deck articulated truck, a logistical feat managed by KCS.”

The whole event was based out of the Comis Hotel, and Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle and travelling marshalls Tony Duncan and Steve Grainger were recruited to help guide the visiting press around two pre-planned routes designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the new Roadtec 02 tyres.

Part of the Mountain Road was closed for photography. Motocom dealt with all the road

closure orders, working closely with TT clerk of the course Gary Thompson and an expert local team to ensure this once-in-a-lifetime experience ran seemlessly.

The journalists, who flew in from as far afield as Australia, the USA, Brazil, China, Japan and from all four corners of the EU, were also treated to the annual TT launch, which featured Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison, John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop, plus a host of other riders who will all be taking part in TT 2024.

Riccardo Falcetta, Metzeler’s global brand manager, commented: “We are receiving a lot of compliments from our guests both for the beauty of the island and its routes and, above all, for the organization of the event itself.”

David Dew, Motocom; Freddie Dew, Motocom; Tony Duncan, chief travelling marshall; Steve Grainger, travelling marshal; Ben Toon, KCS; Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, TT rider liaison officer

Motocom secured 32 bikes from eight manufacturers for the launch

Indian extends Riders Festival for 2024

In-person promo events are growing in importance for bike manufacturers – the likes of BMW’s Motorrad Days, Suzuki GB’s Suzuki Live, HarleyDavidson’s European meeting, and many others, give brands the chance to cement relationships with their fans – and to have fun while doing it. Indian Motorcycles has joined the club with its Indian Riders Festival and has added another day to the gig this year. Based in Budweis, in the Czech Republic (so the beer should be beyond reproach), the event runs over the weekend of 13-16 July and has all the usual ingredients: test rides, VIP stage shows, stunts, music, food and drink, plus competitions, prizes and guided tours round the local Bohemian countryside. More info and tickets: www.indianridersfest.eu

NEW YEAR NEW RIDE

Indian Motorcycles is also making it easier for UK buyers to own their dream bikes with its “New Year New Ride” campaign. The Indian FTR and the Scout are now available from just £125 per month and £129 per month respectively, under PCP arrangements. For those not opting for finance, there’s a choice between a £1000 tradein or a merchandise offer. Indian sales manager Andy Simpson said: “We understand that affordability is a key factor in the decision to buy a motorcycle. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer low-rate financing for our popular models, the FTR and the Scout. And for those who prefer our PowerPlus or Thunderstroke models, there’s the choice of a better trade-in offer or a contribution towards official merchandise.”

Performance Parts adds Bitubo suspension

PREMIUM AFTERMARKET

supplier Performance Parts has announced a new distribution deal for Italian firm Bitubo Suspension. The Northants distributor, best known fo r brands such as Akrapovič, Yoshimura, Galfer, Gilles and LSL, has been appointed as the official UK distributor for Bitubo, which was set up in 1963 by Scipione Mardollo.

Performance Parts will stock a selected range of popular fitments from the Italian brand’s line-up, including monoshocks, twin shocks, fork cartridge kits

and revalve kits. It will also offer a suspension customisation service directly from the factory. Customers will be able to specify the intended use (racing, road, offroad), rider weight, and tyres used.

Some parts, such as shock absorbers, will be made to order, whilst other popular items will be held in UK stock. But Performance says that fast-track ordering and shipping directly from the factory in Italy should ensure short lead times and express delivery.

More info is available at: www.performanceparts-ltd.com/bitubo

THEROADYOURS

THE ROADSMART IV. EVEN STRONGER FOR LONGER.

With the RoadSmart IV, the road is yours – so you’re free to just keep on touring. The optimised tread pattern and advanced compounds help you command the road with confidence, even in the wet. Ride stronger, ride longer.

ABR set to be bigger and better than ever

The Adventure Bike Rider Festival is again on the upswing. Based at the Ragley Hall stately home and gardens in Warwickshire, near Stratford-upon-Avon, the festival has evolved from small beginnings to a fully-featured outdoor adventure biking festival. It’s backed by some of the biggest names in the industry and offers a wide range of riding activities, weekend camping, live bands, and stage shows.

This year, the festival is set to deliver an adrenaline-fueled experience with 25 miles of purpose-built off-road riding trails featuring three different routes catering to all skill levels. With the backing of 29 manufacturers, including Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, KTM, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha and Zero Motorcycles, all offering demo rides on

the latest machinery, the thrill of adventure is at visitor’s fingertips. Whether they are a seasoned rider or a beginner, there’s something for everyone to get their heart racing.

In addition to the test rides, ABR says it will have 140 leading brands, stands, and traders at the Exhibitor Village trade section, with coffee, food and drink vendors across the festival site. There’s a packed speaker schedule with some of the biggest names in adventure motorcycling sharing their experiences. Legendary pioneer adventurer Elspeth Beard will take to the stage along with Nick Sanders, Chris Birch, Dakar Rally finishers Patsy Quick, Llewellyn Pavey, and many more.

Finally, ABR Festival 2024 promises its greatest-ever live music line-up with a selection of the UK’s best tribute and party

bands and alternative entertainment on the Bridgestone Stage. There are world-class choirs, top dance DJs, string quartets, and also a Brazilian dance troupe.

Alun Davies, chairman of the Festival, said: “This is our fifth Adventure Bike Rider Festival at the magnificent Ragley Hall, and I can’t wait to open the gates and welcome our 15,000 guests, many of whom are returning for the fourth time. With such a huge range of riding, music and festival attractions on offer, plus an emphasis on top-quality facilities, the best description I’ve heard of the festival is that it’s ‘Glastonbury with motorcycles and posh toilets.’ I’m happy to accept that.”

The festival runs over the weekend of 28-30 June; more info: www.abrfestival.com

DfT forum “Clinched”

Craig Carey-Clinch, executive director for the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), has been appointed as the Motorists’ Forum chairman by DfT transport minister Guy Opperman. The appointment represents a significant step forward for constructive engagement with ministers, senior officials, and executive agencies from the transport sector. The forum aims to engage in constructive discussions on a wide range of issues surrounding UK transport policy and the future of transport. It is especially important for the motorcycle sector to have active representation on the DfT’s forum.

Carey-Clinch expressed his delight at the appointment: “I am thrilled and honoured to have been appointed as the chair of the Motorists’ Forum. This appointment reflects our commitment to promoting safe and sustainable transport policies that benefit all road users, particularly those on two wheels!”

He added: “Together with my fellow stakeholders, I am determined to make the forum an active and constructive platform that delivers results. By working collaboratively, we can shape a brighter future for UK transport.”

For further information about the NMC see:

Ducati and Shell tie the knot for three more years

DUCATI HAS RENEWED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH SHELL OIL UNTIL 2027. The two firms have worked closely together on recent tech advances such as the Ducati Corse/Shell Advance Performance Oil, which is said to add up to 3.5hp to the output of Ducati’s high-end V4 superbikes. And they’ll do the same for the next three years, with Shell providing the oil for first fills from Ducati’s Bologna and Thailand factories and supplying approved lubricants for the dealer network in major markets including the UK, US, Italy, France, Germany, Japan and Spain.

Francesco Milicia, VP of aftersales at Ducati, said: “Our company firmly believes in the transfer of knowledge and technologies from the world of racing competition to production motorcycles. The partnership with Shell, which has been successful for more than 20 years, also follows this approach. The renewal of the agreement allows us to continue working together on increasingly high-performance products, with the aim of enhancing the performance of our motorcycles.”

Aysun Akik, VP at Shell, added: “The extension of our collaboration is a testament to the strength of our 25-year relationship with Ducati and will see us continuing to take the learnings and innovations from the racetrack to deliver better road-going products for the benefit of Ducati and Shell customers around the world.”

SHORT CUTS

HUSQVARNA EXTENDS WARRANTY HUSQVARNA IS GIVING BUYERS OF THE Norden 901 and Svartpilen 801 models the chance to double the standard 24-month factory warranty, through having the bike serviced by official dealers. The warranty is also linked to the bike and can be transferred to a new owner if sold. Jens Tuma of Husqvarna said: “We always advise our customers to use the official Husqvarna Motorcycles network to get their motorcycles serviced, purely because the staff are trained on those models and use approved parts and accessories where applicable. This way we can ensure best possible quality and value bikes when they are sold.”

MV AGUSTA FREE TECH CHECKUP

VARESE EXOTIC BIKE MAKER MV AGUSTA, HAS revamped its UK dealer network and is inviting existing owners to come and check out the new dealers. The firm is giving owners of all bikes sold since January 2018 a free technical checkup at the nearest official Agusta dealership and a 20% discount on service parts. Luca Martin, MV Agusta COO said: “We are pleased to start the new “We Care” campaign with which we want to reconnect with our customers. The renovation of the entire dealer network – conducted in 2023 – will now enable our customers to give their MV Agustas the care and attention they deserve.”

NASH RETURNS

TOP CLASSIC BIKE INSURER CAROLE NASH has announced it’s supporting the two major classic bike shows at the Stafford Showground this year. The firm was headline sponsor for the International Classic MotorCycle Show in April and the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in October. “We’re delighted to be back at Stafford,” said marketing director Rebecca Donohue, “Sponsoring the biggest classic bike shows in the world and supporting the hobby is vitally important. Looking after customers and their classic motorcycles has always been at the heart of our business. There’s no better place to experience the classic scene than at Stafford!”

BEN BALL

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR AUTOMOTIVE charity BEN’s annual Christmas ball, which takes place on 11 December at Old Billingsgate Market in London. The event, which raises cash for those in need from the automotive industry, has a new theme for 2024: the Roaring ‘20s. More info: ben.org.uk

Late payments: a problem that’s not going away

The issue of late debt payments to businesses, especially those at the bottom of the food chain, is one that, like the possibility of another Donald Trump presidency, just refuses to go away.

Accounting software provider Xero detailed in an early March set of quarterly data that at the end of 2023 small firms were now holding unpaid debt to the tune of £1.6bn. The firm’s analysis is based on the accounts of numerous small businesses that use its software.

Among the other findings was the worrying fact that small firms were experiencing delays that averaged 6.1 days beyond agreed payment terms in the last three months of 2023.

Xero isn’t alone in its findings. For years, the Federation of Small Businesses has been trying to address the problem, noting that in 2022, “52% of small businesses experienced late payments.”

Various governments have tried to fix this perennial problem. There was the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 which provided businesses with the statutory right to charge interest and a fixed administration fee on overdue invoices. In April 2020 the law was amended to state that no payment term longer than 60 days may be agreed if the creditor is an SME and the debtor is not. Overall, the law gave businesses a legal footing to recover what they were owed. However, the

problem was – and still is – that firms are reluctant to use it for fear of alienating customers.

Then, in 2017, came the Small Business Commissioner (SBC), an independent public body set up by the government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector. The body seeks to provide general advice and information, handle complaints about payment

52% of small businesses experienced late payments

issues and direct small businesses to existing dispute resolution services where appropriate. Its website claims that over £8m in unpaid invoices have been recovered under its watch.

But the SBC is toothless; as the government’s website says, it can make “non-binding recommendations on how the parties should resolve their disputes.” Indeed, the AAT, an accounting body, has since 2016 been calling for the SBC “to be given the power to impose financial penalties to those who persistently fail to pay 95% of invoices within 30 days. This would give it much greater influence when investigating complaints.”

Back in March last year, law

firm Travers Smith, wrote about the government’s December 2022 announcement of a Payment and Cash Flow Review. The review sought to examine the success of the law, the SBC, and a disclosure regime which requires large firms to report their payment practices.

As to the outcome – if there is one – the SBC could be granted stronger powers, the disclosure regime could be strengthened, and the law could be improved. The consultation document predicted a response by the end of 2023. It’s now spring 2024.

One move the government did make was announced at Autumn Statement 2022; it related to public sector payments so that from April 2024 companies seeking government contracts exceeding £5m must demonstrate prompt invoice payment within an average of 55 days.

Looking to the future, Alex von Schirmeister, Xero UK’s managing director, reckons that there’s an urgent need to address the matter as late payment is an “unapproved debt” that significantly affects the operations of small firms. He thinks that firms should be made accountable to ensure faster payments.

But beyond this the government seems not to be in any hurry to change the situation. This leaves firms having to be careful who they supply to and on what terms while trying to build a cash buffer to allow for late payments.

SHORT CUTS

NEW MCAMS BSB SPONSOR DEAL

ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT FIRM MCAMS HAS increased its presence in the British Superbike Championship. Its new official partner deal sees McAMS and sister company Bond Turner Solicitors showcased prominently at each of the eleven rounds of this season.

MAD

SOFTWARE FIRM MAD DEVS SAYS motorcycle dealers should use the latest technology to ensure they don’t face regulatory compliance issues. And it claims its iStoreDOCS online document management software can help with recent changes in motor finance discretionary commission arrangements. Mad Devs says iStoreDOCS enables 100% compliance with sales and finance agreements while giving customers a better experience. David Boyce (above), Mad Devs CEO, said: “The scale of the problem facing car dealers across the UK is huge, and many are now inundated with compensation claims. Moving forward, motorcycle dealers can ensure that their sales processes and procedures are fully compliant with FCA regulations so that they can avoid the significant financial issues that car dealers face.”

ASSOCIATION VAT THUMBS-UP

TRADE BODY THE INTERNATIONAL GARAGE

Association, has given a positive response to the increase in VAT registration thresholds from £85k to £90k made by the government in the recent budget. “We’re pleased to see the government recognise small businesses’ vital role in driving economic growth,” said Stuart James, the IGA’s chief executive. “These initiatives will undoubtedly provide much-needed relief to our members and empower them to navigate these challenging times more confidently.”

ROMNEY MARSH CLASSIC SHOW

This year, the popular classic bike show is moving from Romney Marsh to the Ashford Livestock Market. The show, which takes place on the spring bank holiday Monday (27 May), is themed around legendary classic tuners, the Arter Brothers. Plenty of classic, vintage, and veteran machinery will be on show, along with trade stalls, food and drink, and a massive bike jumble. Tickets are available in advance from £6. www.elk-promotions.co.uk

HOGSLAYER RETURNS

NOSTALGIA MIGHT NOT BE AS STRONG AS IT used to be, but the National Motorcycle Museum is going all out at this year’s Dragstalgia classic drag racing event at Santa Pod on 5-7 July. It’s helping recommission the ‘Hogslayer’ twin-Norton-engined drag bike which dominated the sport in the 1970s, so it can run at the event. The bike’s been on static display for 20 years, so needs a bit of work, but the team are confident it will roar again. www.santapod.co.uk

Government consults on bus lane bike access

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has welcomed a new government consultation on motorcyclists’ access to bus lanes. The riders’ rights group, along with its member organisations, has been working to encourage a default position on the rules across England (the regulations are devolved in Scotland, Wales and NI), to replace the current ‘patchwork’ of laws. And now the Department for Transport has issued an online consultation on the situation.

In an introduction to the consultation, transport minister Guy Opperman MP said: “Motorcycles are an important but sometimes overlooked mode of transport, not just by drivers who fail to spot bikers, but occasionally by government too. Their size and nature make them a dynamic and affordable option for road users, and with that it’s only right that our roads become as dynamic as those using them.”

According to the NMC, the new consultation expands on a recent DfT advice leaflet on motorcycles and bus lanes, which says: ‘Wherever it is appropriate, local councils should allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes’.

Recent leaflet aside, the DfT has been generally neutral on the issue, leaving it to local authorities to decide on access. And it’s this which has led to different rules around the country, with some local authority areas allowing access, and others not.

The consultation is extremely welcome and marks an opportunity to finally bring clarity to the issue

Craig Carey-Clinch, NMC

The situation is even more confusing in London, where TfLcontrolled roads allow access, but many boroughs do not, leaving riders unsure about where they can and cannot use bus lanes.

The consultation, which is open until 9 June, sets out the options and can be found at: www.gov. uk/government/consultations/ motorcycles-in-bus-lanes/ motorcycles-in-bus-lanes

NMC executive director Craig Carey-Clinch, said, “The consultation is extremely welcome and marks an opportunity to finally bring clarity to the issue and certainty to riders regarding where they can and can’t use bus lanes. The first access schemes go back to the early 1990s and experience with allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes since then has not revealed any notable downsides nationally in terms of safety, conflict with buses or with other bus lane users, with the positives outweighing any perceived downsides. Indeed, a Transport for London survey undertaken before TfL-controlled bus lanes opened to motorcycles in the late 2000s revealed high support among cyclists.

“The benefits to motorcyclists are clear, which includes reduced rider vulnerability and improved journey times. The benefits to public authorities are also clear regarding reduced congestion potential and fewer conflicts on routes where motorcycles have to mix with general traffic. This common-sense measure is good for road safety and urban mobility. We encourage all to support default access when responding to the consultation.”

DEVS’ NEW SOFTWARE

Sweet sixtieth for Kymco

More than six decades of making motorcycles is quite an achievement, and it’s Taiwanese firm Kymco’s turn to blow out sixty candles on the two-wheeled manufacturing cake.

The company has been making bikes since 1964, starting out as a manufacturing partner for Honda Japan before striking out with its own range of bikes and scooters in 1992. It’s gone from strength to strength since then, particularly in its home market and mainland Europe, and is now a major manufacturer with several production centres, producing more than half a million bikes each year at its Taiwan factory alone.

We

are optimistic about the future growth of Kymco in the UK

Neil Keeble, Kymco UK

Kymco UK is pulling out all the stops for its 60th anniversary, offering what it says are unbeatable deals on two of its learner bikes. The £2559 Agility City+ 125 scooter now comes with free on-the-road (OTR) fees and a free SHAD top box – a package that saves customers an average

of £230. Meanwhile, the £2559 VSR 125 naked geared learner bike is upgraded with a free Delkevic performance exhaust with carbon silencer worth around £200. “These offers, along with the added security of Datatool’s Stealth Tracker (subscription required) and DNA Security Marking System, are a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible riding experience,” said Neil Keeble, sales and marketing manager at Kymco UK. “We are optimistic about the future growth of Kymco as a motorcycle manufacturer in the UK, as several competitive models with attractive offers serve as a tempting low-cost alternative to our rivals. While some may be new to the Kymco brand, we will actually be 60 years old in 2024–and our long-established existence and experience remain the core reason why we’re a trusted brand of reliable and well-built products among our customers around the world.”

Dorset-Busby auction alliance

DORSET VINTAGE AND CLASSIC Auctions (DVCA) has joined forces with Busby Auctioneers to stage classic bike, car and automobilia auctions at Busby’s North Mills, Bridport, Dorset site. Previously DVCA (founded 2006) staged classic auctions at Athelhampton House near Dorchester.

At DVCA’s 1 March sale a 325cc Villiers two-stroke twin engined 1963 Scootacar three-wheeler made a heady £10,340 (estimate £3000-£4000)

Two DVCA-Busby classic vehicle sales are scheduled for this year – 20 June and 17 October. They mark a return to traditional live auctions, but the usual online and telephone bidding facilities will continue.

Brian Chant, DVCA 01963 363353; brc@dvca.co.uk.

3D SUPERSPORT

SPIRIT ST SPORT TOURING

ROADRIDER MKII STREET

TREKRIDER ADVENTURE SPORT

COBRA CHROME/WHITEWALL

CUSTOM

A TALE OF TWO JOBS

When I retired in 2019, I left with some wonderful memories of a 45-year career in the motorcycle industry. Four and a half years later those memories are still as strong. I was fortunate enough to work with some very inspirational and genuine people throughout a journey that enabled me take on the challenges at two outstanding companies: Honda and Triumph Motorcycles.

My journey started in 1975 when, at the age of 24, I took up a new position at the Motor Cycle Association (MCA, now the MCIA) offices in Coventry. I went for an interview with the then director Robert Liddell, to become his assistant. What I knew then about the industry you could have written on a postage stamp. At the time Triumph had been making the news with the Meriden factory closure, the workers’ sit-in and then the government’s financial support to keep the famous British brand going.

Fortunately, I had done some research. When Robert asked me what I thought of the workers’

In the first of a two-part walk down Memory Lane, Bruno Tagliaferri reflects on his 12 years at Honda when, in one remarkable year, it invoiced UK dealers for more than 165,000 bikes!

cooperative I knew he was not referring to my mum’s favourite supermarket! How ironic that 15 years later I would be helping this iconic brand to relaunch itself.

When I joined the MCA, despite the country being in a major recession, sales of powered two wheelers were going through the roof. I soon discovered the reason why first hand. I needed daily transport for my 50-mile round commute. Within a few months I had become hooked and started saving for my first bike. It made sense as I was totally reliant on the buses. All that was required was a helmet, provisional licence, insurance and some cash; but not much. My first new Honda CB125 cost me £365, with some help, of course, from Honda. With the minimum of training from my dad, I was soon fully mobile. Interestingly, when I had

enquired about car driving lessons, I was advised the waiting time for a driving test was more than 35 weeks.

The summers of 1975 and 1976 saw the two longest heat waves in recent times and brought bikers out in droves. Meanwhile, two-times 500cc World Champion Barry Sheene, a darling of the media, and his glamorous girlfriend Stephanie Mclean, were making motorcycles fashionable. For me, they were the Posh and Becks of

their time. A combination of all these factors was driving many new customers to two wheels. Within a year I had traded up to a Honda 250, passed my test, and then became a very proud owner of a Morini 3½ Sport. My three years at the MCA enabled me to gain a good understanding of the market, and the key manufacturers.

I was privy to sitting in on several manufacturer meetings where you could see the varying styles of the captains of industry. Eric Sulley (Honda), Peter Bolton (Steyr-Daimler-Puch), and Eric Brockway (Vespa) were three greatly contrasting individuals, but if they were running early for a meeting at our offices, they invariably found time for me. I was discovering the art of networking. The benefit of fifteen minutes with those guys was priceless.

The Japanese manufacturers were already very dominant with a 90% market share. They had seduced even the most loyal of British bike owners with their well styled, wellengineered and reliable bikes

After progressing through a brace of Hondas, Bruno moved on to Italian glamour – a Moto Morini 3½

and had strong dealer networks in place. Honda’s CB400/4 Super Sport and Kawasaki’s Z900 were examples of what was then available on the market.

In 1978 the opportunity arose to work for the most illustrious of those captains of industry namely Eric Sulley at Honda. They were recruiting someone to head their market research team and I was encouraged to apply. I was interviewed by Eric himself. He was charming and had the ability to make you feel special. He said he wanted me to join Honda and I accepted his invitation. I felt like a young academy footballer being asked by Sir Alex Ferguson to sign for

Honda had a dealer network of 860 dealers, but their real strength was a hardcore of very loyal solus dealers. These dealers had the vision to take on Honda at the right time and were now reaping the financial rewards. Names like Lings, Ryes, Bill Head, Tippetts, Victor Devine, John Taylor, and Alan Mountain are good examples. I learned at an early stage the absolute importance of having a supporting dealer network, and that to get the best out of it, support had to be two-way.

Within months of joining, I also saw Eric’s great powers of persuasion. It was the winter of 1978/79, and the Met Office had

I was interviewed by Eric himself. He was charming and had the ability to make you feel special

his club. I went on to enjoy 12 fantastic years at Honda who, without doubt, had some of the very best people in the industry, selling world class products. Another very big positive was that the young lady who brought me a coffee during that interview was to become my wife three years after joining!

Prior to signing-on, Eric had invited me to one of his regional product launches, where I witnessed the white suited sales supremo in action. He absolutely captivated his audience, launching twelve new models in some theatrical style. He needed no one to support him, it was simply the Eric show. To add focus to the bikes was Dinah May who shortly after became Miss GB (Eric did not do anything in half measures!).

recorded 53 inches of snow. Eric came into my office and said we needed to somehow re-ignite sales. Could I work on a package of bikes? This was to be the birth of “Bruno’s special deals.”

If dealers bought a package they would be rewarded with an all-expenses free holiday in the sun. I went one better and created two packs, both stacked with the slow sellers, giving dealers more choice. Eric loved it, winked at me and said I was on his wavelength! He then went to the Japanese MD, walked him to his office window, pointed at the deep snow, telling him it was here to stay. Within minutes Eric had persuaded the boss to fund a major dealer incentive. In a week we had enough names to charter a jumbo jet to Acapulco and fill it!

DIGITAL MARKETING?

The

Proven targeted digital campaigns at scale, via

• Bespoke digital display advertising –reach the right bikers for your campaign.

• Social Media. MCN has 1.4 million followers.**

• MCN Newsletter. Sent weekly to 154k+ subscribers.**

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• Advertorial with guaranteed views on motorcyclenews.com.

**Source: Facebook,

Mark Atkins, CEO, Weiser Technik,

Bruno hosting a table of Honda dealers at one of the legendary and sought-after incentive trips. This one was to Trinidad and Tobago

*Source:

The camaraderie amongst dealers under Eric was immense. By the late 1970s some great dealer friendships had developed within the network, and whilst many could well have afforded their own holiday to anywhere in the world, no travel agent sold an “Eric” holiday, with your best

friends. The peer pressure to win a holiday was immense and it worked totally in our favour, and Eric knew it.

In 1980 I moved on to direct sales. The timing was great, that year the industry recorded the highest-ever number of powered two wheeler sales – a third of a million – and Honda invoiced more than 165,000 of those machines. Looking back, the sale of certain models was unreal. Step-though C90/70/50 sales accounted for more than 60,000 bikes a year. The CB250 Super Dream alone registered over 18,000 that year. I can remember Edinburgh dealer Graham Chatham calling me to see how many of them he had on back order: “64”, I replied, “and they’re due to dock in two

weeks”. “Order me another 64 young man”, he replied, “I will leave you to work out the colours”. Certain larger machines were doing well too, with the CX500, for example,

been a director of Honda’s international racing team, and managed the domestic Honda Britain racing team too, with great riders like Joey Dunlop, Phil Read, Wayne Gardner and Ron Haslam. He had earlier established the Hondastyle clothing range and the company’s genuine parts programme, where pattern part suppliers were trying to muscle in on Honda’s significant parts business.

Gerald had to win back Honda’s credibility across the entire dealer network and, through changes made by him, we became a company of much greater integrity and transparency, and far better at communicating.

In 1985 Gerald departed and was replaced by Roger Etcell. Roger had been integral in the marketing of the Honda motorcycle range for more than a decade and had built a great

I remember going to an event where a well-known dealer gave me a cheque, telling me not to lose it. I was later told it was for over a million pounds

breaking 10,000 sales in one year. I recall we announced that year a forthcoming general price increase and took more than 10,000 orders over the following three days. Today a manufacturer with that sort of volume in a year could potentially be market leader.

In 1983 Honda Japan made key changes to the management structure of its UK operation. Eric was let go, and later retired. The deals Eric would do inevitably led to distress selling, with many dealers not privy to the same offers. It also exposed the company to bad debt, which led to several sizeable dealer casualties. Third party flooring line providers prepared to take on the risk had yet to establish themselves, leaving manufacturers very exposed. I remember going to an event where a well-known dealer gave me a cheque, telling me not to lose it. I was later told it was for over a million pounds. Not all dealers had this integrity! With Eric gone it was time for major changes. Enter Gerald Davidson who had

idea of bussing in a Welsh male voice choir. I remember thinking what good value they were, until we saw their bar bill! Fortunately for us, they were bussed back to the valleys that night after a very moving performance.

The second event was the launch of Honda’s Vision Metin, the first moped designed to take a helmet under the seat. In trying to appeal to the female market, we invited the fashion press and engaged a top dance agency who employed professional dancers that we then trained to ride the mopeds onto the stage at the London Hippodrome. It was Honda’s own version of “Strictly” and was followed by a Thames boat cruise and dinner climaxing with a firework display on route. To cap a memorable evening Concorde flew over London, none of us could take the credit for that!

rapport with the press. Under him I was to become responsible for marketing, which led to a key involvement in two memorable European press launches. The first was the launch of the ground-breaking VFR750F in 1986 at the Anugraha hotel in Egham, Surrey. The hotel gave the event a strong British theme, and Graham Sanderson our PR man, came up with the brilliant

When Roger left to create his own Honda dealership, Bob McMillan became general manager. It was seen as a very popular move by the dealers who he had supported so well as an area sales manager, and later as national sales manager. Dealers knew that in Bob they always had a strong voice at head office. I learned and benefited greatly from his ability to work closely with dealers and get the best out of them. With the help of a very good area manager team we continued to build the credibility of the franchise. ■

NEXT MONTH: I MOVE to Triumph, the most important career decision of my life.

A trip to Honda Japan for (from left) Geoff Nichols (national sales manager), Bruno, Mervyn Smith (area sales manager) and Bob McMillan (general manager)

Bruno was profiled in a 21st Anniversary special supplement Honda produced in conjunction with TwoWheelerDealer,the trade magazine later to become MotorCycleDealer.The pearls of wisdom on the display board are lost to time and faded ink!

Morbidelli rises from the ashes

In an ideal world, all the great old defunct bike brands would be resurrected by wellfunded, smart business people from a similar background. The Hinckley Triumph project is probably the textbook example: a local businessman takes on the British brand and sets it up again with a factory not far from the original site.

But we don’t live in an ideal world, so we often have to accept the next best. That generally means a factory in China or

India taking on a dead brand and putting in the funds needed to revive it. Norton and Benelli are recent examples, of this and now there's another. The legendary Italian Morbidelli marque has been acquired by MBP Moto – a subsidiary of the Keeway

Dante Bustos, CMO of Keeway Group

Group, which also owns Benelli. Keeway is itself a Hungarianbased sub-brand of QJ Motor: the Quianjiang Motorcycle Group, based in Zhejiang province in China. Quianjiang is in turn owned by parent firm Geely, which also owns car brands like Lotus,

1968 as a manufacturer of racing bikes in a small workshop. Throughout the 1970s, the company experienced significant success in racing, but ceased its racing initiatives in 1982

Polestar, Proton and Volvo. So – a long chain, with a £10bn turnover Chinese multinational at the top and the new Morbidelli owned by MBP Moto, at the bottom.

The Italian marque has a long history – it grew out of a woodworking machine tool firm set up by Giancarlo Morbidelli in the years after the Second World War in Pesaro. Bike racing was Morbidelli’s passion though, and he entered a team in the 50cc GP world championship in 1969, growing in success all through

Morbidelli was established by Giancarlo Morbidelli in

the 1970s, with a 125GP title in 1975, plus another six 125 and 250 constructor and rider world titles in the following few years. The brand never made an effort with road bikes until 1992, when it released a prototype V8 sport touring bike with a 120hp 848cc transverse engine, shaft drive, and a $60,000 price tag. A few examples were built in 1994, but the brand then disappeared from view.

Dante Bustos, CMO of Keeway Group

125cc scooter, although it will be expanding that range soon. The firm says the new Morbidelli range will consist of road and crossover motorcycles from 125cc to 1000cc and scooters between 125cc and 500cc. It also promises a range of electric motorcycles and scooters starting from early 2025.

Dante Bustos, CMO of Keeway Group, said: “This acquisition is testament to MBP Moto’s

MBP Moto plans to set up a new production and R&D centre in Bologna, the Centro Stile Morbidelli, which will produce a new line-up of bikes, presumably aimed at the higher end of the market. Keeway's previous work with Benelli focused on smaller, cheaper bikes, rather than highperformance products, and there'd be little point in doing the same thing here. The MBP brand currently offers three bikes, a 1000cc V-twin cruiser, a 500cc naked roadster and a

Motorcycle Live awards

NEC BIKE SHOW ORGANISERS have declared the winners of the crowd-powered Visitors’ Awards for last year’s Motorcycle Live. BMW snatched Best Stand and Best Customer Experience awards, while Helmet City took Best Customer Experience in the nonmanufacturer category.

Scott Grimsdall, head of marketing at BMW, said: “Motorcycle Live provides a great opportunity to showcase our new product, with the 2023 show proving a perfect platform to introduce the new R1300 GS to both existing and prospective BMW riders in our Make Life a Ride arena. To win both awards again reflects the hard work and dedication of the BMW Motorrad team.”

aspiration for excellence in the motorcycle industry. We are thrilled to welcome a historic premium brand like Morbidelli into our family. It will allow us to blend the legacy of racing and made in Italy craftsmanship with our vision for the future of motorcycling. Our passion for innovation, combined with Morbidelli’s rich heritage, will lead to the creation of motorcycles with an unrivalled blend of performance, design and history”.

Jennifer Holmes, director of Helmet City, said: “It’s such an honour to win this award for the third time running. The whole team works hard every year to maintain and improve our customer service, and we’re glad to see the customers coming back to us year after year and, of course, voting for us.”

• Specialist Schemes -

125cc & scooters,

• Dealer point of sale

• Dealer Support Team on hand

• Referral Payments made

SHORT CUTS

HONDA SIGNS UP WITH CARDO

HONDA’S ADVENTURE ROADS PROJECT HAS announced a three-year partnership with Cardo to use the Israeli firm’s intercoms on its official adventure tours. Cardo Systems has equipped guide riders with systems to ensure clear, reliable communication. Nick Bennett, head of the HAR project, said, “We’re thrilled to join forces with Cardo Systems. Having personally used the Cardo devices, I know they’re the perfect fit for our adventure and will allow participants to stay connected, share their experience and forge lasting memories.”

CFMOTO SPRING SAVINGS

CHINESE BIKE MAKER CFMOTO IS KICKstarting the new season with £500 off selected models. The 300, 650, 700 and 800 engine platform models are all included, with the firm also offering finance deals at 4.9% for PCP contracts. More info at:cfmoto-motorcycle.eu.

FURYGAN RACE SUPPORT

FRENCH CLOTHING MANUFACTURER FURYGAN has announced an extensive list of supported racers for 2024, headed by Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop and MotoGP star Johann Zarco. Furygan is also backing British riders in BSB, including Max Cook and Oliver Barr, plus FIM Junior GP World Championship riders Eddie O’Shea, Evan Belford, Tom Booth-Amos in World Supersport and Scott Ogden in Moto3.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEMOS

HARLEY IS RE-RUNNING ITS EXPERIENCE demo ride events this year, with seven venues on the schedule across the UK and Ireland. Prospective customers can sample the new 2024 Street Glide and Road Glide models, as well as the Pan America 1250 and the rest of the line-up. Places are free, and riders can book at: bit.ly/H-DExpTour.

Mike Greenough 1963-2024

Mike Greenough, has died aged 61. From Leigh, Lancashire, Mike abandoned his A-level studies to join the staff of weekly Trials and Moto Cross News in Morecambe, Lancashire. An accomplished off-road competition rider winning many trophies, his next move was to Motor Cycle News in Kettering, Northamptonshire, as motocross specialist.

Subsequent work included writing for Robin Bradley at Dealer World where he worked on the first editions of British Dealer News, before it was

New MD at GS Yuasa

sold in 2001 to Mayo Willis Magazines. He also worked for Peterborough-based Dirt Bike Rider magazine, and later for the Suzuki MotoGP PR team in Brighton until Suzuki withdrew at the end of 2022.

Married twice, Mike had a son and four daughters. At his funeral in Kettering on 6 March son Jack and youngest daughter Carla paid tribute to their father. Big, blond, burly Mike Greenough was built like a Marine Commando.

A victim of cancer he was nursed by Carla for the last six months of his life.

GS YUASA BATTERY SALES UK HAS announced the appointment of Wayne Stevens as its new managing director. According to the firm, Stevens brings with him a wealth of business and leadership experience across different market sectors. Commenting on his new role, Stevens said: “I am excited to be joining GS Yuasa at this pivotal moment in their journey, marked by significant investments in a cutting-edge UK facility located in Swindon.”

Andrew Taylor, MD and CEO of Yuasa Battery Europe said: “We welcome Wayne to GS Yuasa and look forward to working with him as we continue to realise our growth targets across automotive, motorcycle and industrial battery sectors. Wayne’s extensive leadership and market experience will play a key role in the future success of GS Yuasa.

Datatool boosts account management team

Bike security firm Datatool has appointed a new key account manager to its sales team. Jon Couling (right) has spent more than 26 years working in the automotive and motorcycle industries, most recently as head of parts and aftersales at Kawasaki Engines Europe. Before that, he worked at Honda UK as a motorcycle aftersales development manager and power products aftersales and parts manager.

Couling will manage relationships with some of the company’s largest customers in his new role, develop new business opportunities, and grow the firm’s market share.

“I am delighted to be joining Datatool at such an exciting time for the company,” said Couling. “I am confident that my experience will help to strengthen the company’s position further.”

Datatool’s UK sales manager, Dan Balsamini, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jon to the team. His proven motorcycle industry track record and deep understanding of dealer needs will be instrumental in our continued growth.”

Gregg steps up for Bombardier

Can-Am and Sea-Doo parent firm Bombardier Recreational Products is boosting its dealer network development team, appointing off-road specialist Richard Gregg as network development advisor for the UK and Ireland. Gregg has plenty of experience in the sector: he’s spent the last four years as BRP’s district commercial manager, managing the Can-Am off-road dealer network in the north of England and Scotland.

Anita Gobbo, BRP regional commercial manager for UK, Italy, Ireland and Spain, said: “We are prioritising the growth of our UK and Irish dealer networks and are delighted that Richard Gregg will be spearheading this expansion, Richard is well known in both the recreational and utility sectors and his knowledge and contacts will enable him to hit the ground running. His experience working with dealers in his previous role will also help him cherry pick the very best dealers that will be an asset to the brands they take on. His passion for BRP will provide new dealers with insights into the breadth of products available to them and the benefits their addition will bring to their businesses in the short, medium and long term.”

BSB goes to sea with DFDS ferries

The British Superbike championship series has announced a new partnership with Danish ferry firm DFDS for this year. DFDS –which retained the title of “Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator” at the 2024 World Travel Awards for the 13th consecutive time – will see trackside branding at all 11 rounds of the race series. The ferry operator is also offering discounts on crossings and travel deals for BSB fans and competitors via a dedicated website.

Will Sonner, UK partnership manager at DFDS, said: “DFDS is delighted to be partnering with the Bennetts British Superbike Championship for this season. Now, in our 156th year, we appreciate the value of strong collaboration with great sporting events, which contribute to our goals of inclusiveness and diversity for all. We very much look forward to meeting and welcoming race teams and supporters across the UK and Europe over the course of the season and beyond.”

BSB series director Stuart Higgs added: “It is fantastic to announce a new partnership with DFDS. Together we aim to make them the go-to company for the Bennetts BSB community seeking transport solutions between the UK and the Continent. DFDS has one of the largest networks in Europe, with around 60 ferries and 20 ferry routes, offering freight and passenger solutions. We hope this new partnership will bring DFDS forward as the sea carrier for all motorsport travel across the Channel.”

For more info on the special BSB ferry crossing deals, see: www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/exclusive-offers/bennettssuperbike-championship.

Quarter-million pound Vincent

THE STAFFORD CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW WAS THE PLACE TO BE last month if you had a pension lump sum burning a hole in your pocket (or were a wrongly accused postmaster with a big settlement…) Because Bonhams had some extremely high-end items on sale, including an ultrarare 1938 Vincent-HRD Series-S Rapide, with an estimate of £240,000£280,000. A bit rich for you? There were also a pair of Brough Superiors, a 1922 SS80 Special and a 1924 SS80, available for just £70,000-120,000.

Japanese classic racing fans were also covered, with the options of a 1972 Kawasaki 750cc H2-R ridden by Gary Nixon, estimated at £120,000£160,000 or a 1974 Suzuki TR750 ridden by Barry Sheene, estimated at £120,000-£140,000.

This year’s TT already on the pace

As you read this, the Isle of Man 2024 TT will be fast approaching, and as we went to press, the organisers were finalising preparations for the two-week operation. Perhaps the least surprising announcement is a ten-year deal signed by the Isle of Man government with the Auto-Cycle Union Events (ACUE) to run and organise the event. ACUE has been at the helm since 2008, and the new deal will take it up to 2033, with the organisation, headed by clerk of the course Gary Thompson, responsible for all racing elements across the Isle of Man TT, from the preparation of the course for racing and controlling all on-course activity, through to appointing race officials, and training newcomers.

One of the organiser’s most important jobs is providing marshal and medical cover around the 37.73-mile TT course, and the new deal means that the ACUE has signed 10-year contracts with both TTMA marshalling service and Manx Road Racing Medical Services (MRMS).

Gary Thompson said: “It’s an honour for ACU Events to continue as TT race organiser. It’s a long-standing position, and we are extremely proud to continue to do it. Our work comes to a head when the bikes leave the start line and power their way towards Bray Hill, but thousands of hours of work are needed year-round to get to that stage.”

y Fans of the TT can watch the official Road to 2024 launch show on the TT+ online video streaming platform. The stage show took place in early April and featured interviews with all the top names, video clips and exclusive content. It’s free to watch now on the Isle of Man TT+ website: ttplus. iomttraces.com/browse

y The TT has also announced a new partnership deal with power and utilities supplier PE. The firm will be the official utility and EV energy provider for this year’s event and will sponsor the Superstock Race two on 7 June

KTM launches warranty extension and demo ride drive

Service-activated warranty extensions are becoming common for manufacturers keen to keep owners within their dealer networks.

The offers are simple enough: get your bike serviced at an official franchise each year, and you’ll get another year’s manufacturer’s warranty, sometimes for as long as seven years/70,000 miles, as with Suzuki UK. They give dealers and manufacturers the chance to tempt owners back from the independent sector, bringing business advantages including cash flow through the workshop and the opportunity to upsell accessories, parts, kits, or even a new bike.

And now KTM UK has joined the party, giving owners of its 2024 LC8c-engined models (the 790 and 890 parallel twins) a maximum four years warranty with official servicing, while the bigger 1290 and 1390 V-twins can go to three years.

The Austrian brand has also launched its new season demo rides campaign, with KTM Orange Day events offering rides on the full range across the firm’s dealer network. More info is on the KTM website, www.ktm.com.

Great start to the season for H&H Auctions

THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM’S AUCTION PARTNER, H&H Classics, had a strong first sale of the season at the end of March, with more than £800,000 of sales. Highlights included a 1951 Vincent Rapide which sold for £31,050, a 1917 Sunbeam 8hp V-twin at £10,580 and a 1979 Honda CBX1000 six, which made £10,350.

“After pulling together such a fantastic catalogue of scooters and motorcycles, we’re very proud and delighted to achieve a remarkable sales rate of 88% in our first two-wheel sale of the year,” said Mike Davis, head of department, H&H Classics. “As always, there was a great atmosphere in the packed sale room with some spirited bidding battles that helped vendors achieve some amazing results. I’d like to thank everyone who entrusted us with one of their motorcycles or scooters, and I offer my congratulations to those successful bidders who are riding off with a new addition to their collection.”

H&H Classics’ next motorcycle and scooter sale will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, on 3 July.

With financial editor Roger Willis

Opportunity to score

THE ISLE OF MAN TT’S HUGE

manual scoreboard, an historic feature operated by lots of Boy Scouts scurrying about behind the scenes, met its demise in 2018, after structural issues necessitated demolition. Since post-Covid revival of TT racing in 2022, temporary electronic displays have served as replacements, at a cost of around £30,000 a year, and the debate on a long-term solution is ongoing and currently unresolved – as throwback sentimentalists argue for some sort of Boy Scout role retention and instant gratification irrespective of available finance.

In the real world, a truly 21stcentury design incorporating permanent large-scale screens, including a live TV-streaming feed, is set to keep TT Grandstand ticket holders and pit-lane support crews well informed. And presumably an element of this will also address the much larger Fan Zone which has grown up adjacent to the grandstand at recent events. Planning permission is already in place but, pertinently, the required budget isn’t.

The Manx government’s Department for Enterprise motorsport unit has responsibility for development. However, in that context, enterprise minister Tim Johnston recently admitted he cannot commit to a new scoreboard array by 2025, with costs likely to exceed £1m once construction gets underway. Therefore the project will remain on hold while the DfE seeks a significant commercial funding input. And therein lie obvious promotional opportunities for the UK motorcycle trade and industry.

Considering the TT is a veritable jewel in the crown of British motorcycle sport, it’s remarkable how thin industry participation has become. Only Honda consistently puts money where its mouth is, providing a fleet of Fireblades for TT travelling marshals, plus other course vehicles. Time for fellow manufacturers and more leading aftermarket brands to step up to the plate too?

ODorna’s done deal?

ver-excitement relating to the buyout of a controlling stake in exclusive MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports, by US-based Formula One car racing owner Liberty Media, has yet to subside – even though conclusion of that deal has potential hurdles to overcome.

Liberty, a broadcast entertainment company, is set to extend its motorsports reach by acquiring an 86% holding in Dorna Sports from current private equity parents, Bridgepoint and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, for €4.2bn (£3.6bn, $4.5bn). Dorna management will retain 14% of the business as an independently controlled company, and Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta will remain in his leadership role.

Hailing these moves, Liberty president and chief executive Greg Maffei wallowed in the usual effusive nonsense: “We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition,” he said. “MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cashflow-generative financial profile. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

Among the latter, US investment guru Warren Buffett’s huge Berkshire Hathaway operation has a major stake in Liberty Media,

holding more than seven million of its Series C Formula One shares.

However, Dorna’s putative transition into the arms of Liberty wasn’t entirely smooth. It has transpired that Bridgepoint, supposedly maximising a profitable exit, actually rejected a higher bid from another top-ranking US sporting entertainment market

that TKO and Emanuel were “culturally not a good fit”.

Maybe that was a snarky reference to broadcast sports, which involve participants beating each other to a pulp, but do not have the in-depth appeal of those merely crashing their motorcycles. Who knows?

Returning to the issue

We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition

Greg Maffei, president and chief executiv, Liberty

player, TKO Group Holdings. Beaming its broadcast output to more than a billion TV-viewing households worldwide, TKO’s existing star turns are UFC martial arts and WWE World Wrestling global franchises, and it was evidently keen on a suck of the motorcycle racing sauce bottle too.

Complaining to a Financial Times reporter, TKO chief executive Ari Emanuel pointed out that his bid was €200m up on Liberty’s final figure, and he couldn’t understand why Bridgepoint spurned this better offer. Bridgepoint apparently didn’t dispute the value of TKO’s offer and declined to comment. But rubbing salt into the wounds, an unidentified individual close to the deal negotiations had remarked

of hurdles, Liberty Media’s Greg Maffei had also told the Financial Times that he is “very confident” Dorna’s buyout deal will be approved by anti-trust regulators in due course. History suggests otherwise. When private equity investor CVC Capital Partners sought approval for its majority acquisition of Formula One in 2006, European Commission competition authorities insisted upon the sale of MotoGP rights, which CVC also owned at that time.

And interestingly, no mention of the World Superbike (WSPK) Championship’s future status –theoretically now sitting within the Dorna/Liberty portfolio – has emerged. Against this background, it could be ripe for a sell-off enforced by disgruntled regulators.

Harley rewards workforce

Harley-Davidson’s historically combative attitude towards unionised workers seems to have melted away into a veritable love-in. Without the slightest grief, Harley has just ratified generous new collective bargaining agreements with trade unions representing employees at its Wisconsin manufacturing facilities.

These horny-handed sons of toil are members of United Steelworkers Local 2-209 and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Lodge 78, at Harley’s engine and transmission

assembly plant in Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls, and United Steelworkers Local 460 personnel making injection-moulded bodywork and other components at its Tomahawk site 230 miles north-west of Milwaukee.

Following a satisfactory conclusion on 8 April, Harley supremo Jochen Zeitz said: “Today's announcement reinforces the strong and positive relationship between HarleyDavidson and the unions. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank both union and company representatives for their hard and most constructive work in achieving an agreement.”

Painful profit hit for Pierer

Fairly challenging 2023 preliminary results for Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer Pierer Mobility, which BDN reported in its March 2024 issue, have now been updated with the fully audited version. Auditors revealed a final figure for Pierer’s annual earnings implosion. Net profit more than halved, plunging by 55.2% to £65.4m (€76.4m).

The company has since added a majority holding in MV Agusta to its stable of wholly-owned KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas powered two-wheeler brands. But we shall have to wait for Pierer’s first periodic financial statement in the current year to discover how much acquisition of this controlling 50.1% MV Agusta stake has cost –if indeed it’s ever made public.

Indian recovery accelerates

LATEST ESTIMATES FROM INDIA’S enormous motorcycle and scooter industry indicate that domestic sales volume during its past fiscal year to 31 March 2024 rose by 13% to approximately 18.5 million units – beating pre-Covid levels. And most pointedly, petrolhead products still comprised around 95% of total sales at roughly 17.5 million. On the back of these figures, market-leading Hero MotoCorp’s chief executive Niranjan Gupta said the industry should see double-digit revenue growth in the new fiscal year.

There are also signs that Indian PTW manufacturers have begun to hedge their bets on unbridled commitment to fossil-free electrification. Royal Enfield has just chosen a move towards the carbon-neutral route, unveiling a “flexfuel” variant of its Classic 350 model. This is engineered to run on up to 85% bio-ethanol derived from sugar cane. Several other manufacturers have already launched models running on E20, with a 20% bio-ethanol reliance.

Meanwhile, Triumph and KTM associate Bajaj Auto, the thirdlargest indigenous Indian bike producer, has hit on a different wizard wheeze to reduce running costs and carbon content for entry-level customers. It plans to launch the world’s first motorcycle fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG). Bajaj apparently acquired the necessary experience through developing three-wheeled utility vehicles and auto-rickshaws powered by CNG. Whether the gas involved comes from non-fossil sources is unclear.

Zero targets commuters

WITH THE ‘LEGACY’ MOTORCYCLE MARKET STILL looking tough for full-power electric bike makers, firms like Zero are on the hunt for new customers. And the American brand has its eye on car-driving commuters, especially those in cities like London. It’s just released research, based on UK government figures, that shows four-wheel commuters inside the M25 spend a fortnight in jams every year. And Zero says its full-size learner-legal electric bikes, which can be ridden with a car licence and a CBT pass, can save half of that time each year – almost a week less of wasted time.

The firm also reckons Zero riders can save cash compared with a car: its research says someone travelling into London five days a week could save £120 per month on fuel, £250 on ULEZ charges, and £300 on congestion charges.

Dale Robinson, UK country manager at Zero Motorcycles, said: “We live in a world where time is precious. Lost minutes can have a huge effect on productivity, attitude, and even go as far as affecting mental health. Being able to maximise time on the things that truly matter is of huge importance. Think about the last thing you did with a bank holiday weekend. Spent time with the family? Went to the beach? What I can guarantee you didn’t do was sit in a traffic jam from the very beginning to the bitter end.

“When the cost-benefit and the time benefit are unrivalled by going onto two wheels, I challenge anyone to find a commuter who wouldn’t want a shorter journey that costs less.”

More info on the Zero range: www.zeromotorcycles.com

Vmoto teams with DF Capital

The UK’s biggest-selling electric urban mobility brand, Vmoto, has announced a new dealer financing programme backed by specialist bank DF Capital. The new scheme aims to help support Vmoto’s floorplan stocking levels across its entire dealer network. Flexible financing arrangements are available for Vmoto dealers, subject to status, which can help smooth out cash flow and secure stock levels for dealers.

Clive Mann, Vmoto CEO, said: “This is another sign of Vmoto’s intention to boost the electric market. Our current and upcoming high-quality dealers can use DF Capital’s flexible facility to ensure

they have the right amount of funding to stock and best represent our marketleading products. It’s come at just the right time for us, as the upgraded new models, including Pro versions and the highlyanticipated Stash, are set to arrive in the coming months.”

Angela Goulding, DF Capital’s Powersports MD, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Vmoto to bring this solution to market. Our flexible finance programmes are designed to support the sale of units, improve cash flow, and strengthen working capital positions. We hope that this helps stimulate business growth for dealers and Vmoto.”

VMOTO HAS ALSO REBRANDED ITS ENTIRE GLOBAL operation, finally dropping the Super Soco brand name in favour of Vmoto. The Vmoto Group board has decided to group all its operational areas – R&D, production and marketing – under one brand. The company will retain rights to the Super Soco and E-Max brands for possible future use.

Charles Chen, CEO of the Vmoto Group, said:

“Today is an important day in the history of our corporation. Unifying all our operations under a single, strong brand like Vmoto means addressing an increasingly-demanding global market with clarity, transparency, and determination, continuing to produce and design vehicles that offer top-of-the-line performance, quality, and design.”

Arc shuts up shop

ARC MOTORCYCLES, FOUNDED BY MARK TRUMAN, A FORMER Jaguar Land Rover engineer, has announced that it has filed for bankruptcy and has ceased all operations with immediate effect.

Central to Arc’s mission was the development of the Arc Vector, a futuristic electric superbike that promised to deliver an unmatched riding experience. Boasting a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, fully adjustable suspension, and a state-of-the-art HUD (heads-up display) helmet, the Vector captured the imagination of riders worldwide. With a top speed of 200mph and a range of more than 200 miles, it seemed poised to set new standards for electric motorcycles.

However, Arc Motorcycles faced many challenges despite generating significant interest and securing investment from high-profile backers, including Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital arm. These ranged from production delays and cost overruns to an increasingly competitive market landscape, making it difficult for the company to translate its vision into commercial success.

One of Arc’s key stumbling blocks was the sheer complexity and cost of bringing the Vector to market. As with any ambitious project, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management realities proved more daunting than initially anticipated. Delays in production and delivery only served to erode consumer confidence and undermine Arc’s reputation.

Uncertainty looms over the destiny of its intellectual property and the future of its employees and partners. While the downfall of Arc Motorcycles is undeniably a setback, it also serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks and uncertainties of innovation.

Government ends electric moped grant

The end of the financial year on 5 April also saw the end of the government’s plug-in motorcycle grant for mopeds with the Department for Transport closing the scheme.

According to an update from the MCIA, the scheme ended because electric mopeds had managed to corner 40% of the market in 2022 (though there’s no mention of the subsequent massive decline in 2023…). The grant had previously delivered £7m in subsidies to help the changeover from petrol to battery electric bikes, with more than 12,000 electric bikes sold under the scheme.

It’s not all bad news, though: the scheme will continue to subsidise L3e (125cc+ equivalent) electric motorcycles for at least another year, at the current rates, to try and help kickstart the moribund market for larger machinery. Dealers with any queries can contact the DfT at plugingrants@dft. gov.uk, or visit the gov.uk website.

Registrations data

Alternative powered two wheeler registrations for March 2024

Just as the regular motorcycle trade gave us a cue to troubles ahead, battery-electric purveyors enjoyed probably the nearest they ever get to a “good month” in March.

Total monthly e-PTW registrations grew 16% to reach 370 units – with most located in the core up-to11kW mobility and short-haul delivery firmament, combining into a 21.4% increase to 346 units.

Within that, sub-4kW mopeds accounted for a 37.5% rise to 187.

Best-sellers were 22 samples of the SurRon Light Bee, a motorcycle lookalike with vaguely off-road pretensions. In the 4-11kW slot featuring approximate 125cc equivalence and therefore requiring at least an A1 provisional licence, sales were 6.7% up to 159. A 34-strong fleet purchase of Chinese-

made NUI NQi GTS Cargo delivery scooters probably provided the bulk.

Then, as usual, sales volumes became brutally emaciated. The 11-35kw range flatlined on just eight machines, seven of which were BMW CE 04 maxi scooters. Five over-35kW motorcycles were registered, improving from four in March last year. Two of them – the category’s “best sellers” – were Zero Motorcycles DSR/X ZF17.3 models. Numbers were then plumped out by ten “exempt” products, a 37.5% decline, and a solitary unknown machine, 83.3% down from six.

For the first full quarter of this year to date, our battery-electric saving grace for the planet has grown by 4.6% to 774 bikes. Do you think we’ll be ready in time?

2023 / 2022 Registrations by style

2024 / 2023 Registrations by power band

Off-road news

With off-road correspondent Rick Kemp

Bickers to distribute Alpinestars off-road range

Bickers has been named as the newly appointed distributor for the Alpinestars off-road range of motocross, enduro and trials footwear and protection ranges. The new partnership will see both companies working together in the UK and Ireland to create what they claim will be an industry-leading integrated sales programme.

The programme will establish new retailers to ensure any rider can try, and then buy, the Alpinestars off-road range locally. Bickers will hold a range of stock in two strategic locations in the UK and Ireland to ensure next-day delivery of products.

Derek McMartin, managing director of Bickers, said: “We are extremely excited to be able to service and sell the Alpinestars range of off-road footwear and protection, and can’t wait to start offering these great products to our dealers”.

Alpinestars is a company that has been producing professional motorsport racing products, motorcycling airbag protection, high-performance apparel, technical footwear, and helmets since 1963. It is recognised as one of the world’s leading manufacturers in the industry and its focus on design and research

GreenlandMX extends MXGP partnership

INFRONT MOTO RACING HAS ANNOUNCED that the existing partnership between GreenlandMX and MXGP has been extended, keeping the Spanish online store as part of the FIM Motocross World Championship family for a further three years.

GreenlandMX is one of Europe's biggest and most important off-road e-commerce groups. With a physical store based in Burgos, Northern Spain, it is known as one of the most specialised retailers for off-road motorcycles and e-bikes. The online store offers an impressive catalogue

in extreme conditions has led to the development of advanced technical equipment for various motorsports, including Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP,

We are extremely excited to be able to service and sell the Alpinestars range

Derek McMartin, Bickers MD

World SBK, AMA Supercross and Motocross, MXGP, and Dakar.

Chris Hillard, Alpinestars’ communications manager, said: “We are pleased to welcome Bickers as a distributor of our motocross and off-road range in the UK and Ireland. With their proven record of offering next-day service to dealers, we see Bickers as a logical partner to add to our already strong network of dealers and distributors. They will focus on offering keystone hard goods from our range, namely footwear and protection. Central to our plan, in July/August, Bickers will also become an official Alpinestars repair and service centre for motocross goods, with the aim of increasing efficiency for our UK and Ireland-based racers and customers, and we look forward to developing this partnership.” Stock is available now. To see the range, visit either www.alpinestars.com or www.bickers-online.co.uk

of more than 100,000 products and 350 quality brands and claims the best pricing to match.

GreenlandMX’s dedication to motocross continues far beyond that, though, as the company also supports riders, events, motorcycle clubs, and other organisations. This year,

Visit www.greenlandmx.com to check out its

GreenlandMX will continue to support Spanish hero and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing rider Jorge Prado, as well as the Spanish Motorcycling Federation's WMX team.

range of products.

GreenlandMX operates from the companies 7000m2 headquarters in Burgos, Spain

Bickers MD Derek McMartin has signed up another major off-road brand

Electrify the kids

ROTHERHAM’S HOOTON LODGE FARM HELD AN OPEN DAY FOR children to enjoy an OSET bike experience last month. Working together with new OSET dealer Rev Shed, the team welcomed more than 160 kids to try an electric dirt bike and watch 40 youngsters participate in the first round of the OSET Cup North.

The day was the precursor to a planned off-road experience centre at the venue where anyone aged 4 to 84, from absolute beginners through to experienced riders, will be able to enjoy a unique motorbike adventure.

Running alongside the ‘have-a-go’ opportunity was the first round of the OSET Cup North. With 40 children, from age 4 to 12, taking part on electric bikes, it signals that 2024 could be one of the strongest years to date for encouraging growth in trials. In addition, more than a quarter of the riders in the event were girls. In a sport traditionally dominated by boys, seeing so many girls having fun and competing on bikes was a welcome sight.

Charlie Schofield, owner at Hooton Lodge Farm, said: “We could have filled those spaces five times over. It bodes extremely well for the OSET experience centre we’re building, and it’s great that we’re getting more people on bikes. Around 80% of the kids that came to try the ride had never been on a motorbike before, which can only be a good thing for the sport and the industry as we introduce new people to the off-road world. And the silent nature of electric bikes means no one even heard us.”

Ian Smith, OSET’s founder, said: “It’s amazing that there is such a huge appetite out there for families to discover and enjoy new experiences together. Whether it’s riding around your back garden or events like the OSET Cup, our goal is to open up motorcycling and give kids the best skill set possible and people of all ages an enjoyable experience”.

Kymco takes it EASI

Kymco UK has elevated its commitment to ATV safety by partnering with the European ATV Safety Institute (EASI). This industry body now offers new Kymco ATV customers the opportunity to take a free training course. The ATV Rider Course is an interactive, hands-on learning experience, which improves operator skills, safety levels and awareness of the capabilities of ATVs.

Neil Keeble, national sales and marketing manager at Kymco UK said: “The ongoing awareness of safe and responsible usage of our ATV range is important to Kymco, our dealers and customers.

EASI’s ATV Rider Course will

RallyMoto launches new

mag

RallyMoto encompasses everything related to promoting and facilitating roadbook adventure rallying. Since 2011, the company has been organising events, providing equipment hire and training on how to use both paper and electronic navigation. Now it has launched Adventure Rally Rider, with the Spring 2024 issue available in print and online for club members.

RallyMoto says its membership is increasing as adventure bike owners realise that their bikes are more than just a fashion statement. There is a whole range of events on offer suited to all abilities and tastes, from those who have never tried roadbooking to highly experienced rally riders.

RallyMoto will be at the ABR Festival in June, which will include its own course and roadbook familiarisation sessions.

ensure a good understanding of safe and considerate ATV usage.”

Andy Heitman, CEO of EASI, added: “We are delighted to be supported by Kymco UK, its sponsorship highlights its commitment to safety and education for its dealer networks and customers.”

For more information visit www.kymco.co.uk. For specific media enquiries, contact Neil Keeble: nkeeble@kymcouk.co.uk.

Zip goes quad racing

THE ACU MOTOCROSS Commission has announced that Zip Racing will be sponsoring the 2024 ACU British Quad Cross Championship, to be held over six rounds starting in April and finishing in August.

Zip Racing has a range of racing products and services developed over the last three decades, and partners Eric Giddings and Stuart Walker have a history of working with some of the fastest riders and best ATV line-ups in the world.

The Championship will follow the same guidelines as last year, with three titles up for grabs

To find out more about Zip Racing, go to www.zipracing.biz.

It’s important that employers hire the right people, but to do this they need to interview correctly

Managers often consider themselves excellent interviewers, adept at sniffing out lies and discovering the real person before them. However, while some may be truth-hounds, the reality is that many might benefit from a little humility and guidance on how to do it better.

So – what is the optimal approach for conducting interviews? How should managers ensure that a fair and impartial process is followed? And how should they extract the information they need from candidates to make well-informed hiring decisions?

AN EFFECTIVE INTERVIEWER

It should be remembered that effective interviewing is an essential skill for any manager. Anything less won’t let them get to know the candidate before them or assess their suitability for the role and its requirements, and nor will it help a manager evaluate a candidate’s compatibility with the firm’s culture.

Recruitment is expensive in terms of cost and management time – not to say that a failed hire is unfair on the candidate. Getting the interview process right can pre-empt many potential future issues.

PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING

Interview success requires preparation where the interviewer takes time to familiarise themselves with the job being interviewed for and its specific requirements – well in advance.

This means investing time to understand the role, its responsibilities, and the experience that a successful candidate needs to succeed along with the key skills that the ‘perfect’ candidate should possess.

When asking questions, the Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against an applicant, either directly or indirectly, on the basis of any protected characteristics it outlines. These are age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. Asking questions about these elements of an individual could lead to a legal claim unless there is a genuine occupational requirement (such as hiring a person of a particular sex because of the nature of the job or for reasons of privacy and decency).

DON’T BE BIASED

with Adam Bernstein www.abfeatures.com

Gone are the days when employers could be ‘biased’ during the recruitment process. Today fair interviews with objectivity and impartiality are central to getting the process right and to staying away from the Employment Tribunal. To achieve this managers and those interviewing must be trained to recognise and eliminate unconscious bias. This is defined as the holding of attitudes and beliefs towards groups of people that are so ingrained that they become unconscious and so lead to discriminatory views and actions.

Bias exists in all of us, but it can be removed by using what is termed ‘blind recruitment’ where any personally identifiable information – names, age and sex – is removed from job applications and CVs. By doing this each candidate will be assessed purely on their qualifications, skills, and experience, rather than on factors which may lead to discriminatory decisions.

DON’T INTERROGATE

The whole point of an interview is to garner information about the candidate so that an interviewer can establish if the individual has right skills and aptitude and will fit into the organisation.

It follows then, that an interviewer’s questions should cover what the manager really needs to know – that is, the candidate’s technical skills, soft skills, behaviour, and cultural fit.

So, when considering what to ask, it’s important to keep questions simple, avoiding convoluted or long questions. Instead, it’s better to put open questions that lead a candidate to elaborate with detail about their skills, problem-solving abilities, experience, and motivations.

It’s also worth giving candidates challenges to resolve based on real or hypothetical situations to see how they problem-solve.

At the same time, it helps to understand a candidate’s long-term career goals and the future that they want to see within the firm

should they be successful. How do their ambitions match those that the employer can offer?

Similarly, interviewers should pay attention to the candidate’s responses, looking for inconsistencies and probing deeper where a response doesn’t add up or if more detail is needed.

Consideration should also be given to their communication skills, as this is a fundamental requirement in many roles. Here it’s worth examining not only what they say but also how they say it. In other words, are they able to communicate information articulately? Can they outline a complex matter in simple terms?

JUST LISTEN

The art of good conversation isn’t so much about talking but rather, about listening. In an interview situation, close attention needs to be paid to both verbal and non-verbal communication – both are equally valuable in a workplace. The interviewer needs to maintain eye contact while using non-verbal cues – such as nodding – to show that they are genuinely listening and engaging in the conversation.

Interviews are not one-sided interrogations; they are a two-way process where the interviewer probes deeper when a candidate mentions something intriguing or when a better understanding of the candidate’s response is warranted. Followup questions and clarification shows that the interviewer is interested.

But just as the interviewer seeks information on behalf of the business, so the candidate will need time to pose their own questions. Any answers given should be open and detailed enough so that the candidate can assess whether the employer is right for them.

BE TRANSPARENT

Lastly, once the interview is over the interviewer should give a clear timeline for the rest of the recruitment process. In other words, candidates should have a fair idea of when they can expect to receive feedback or hear back from the interview.

SUMMARY

Interviews are an information gathering exercise for all. Done well, both sides should come out of the meeting with a good understanding of each other and an expectation of the direction in which the process will head.

As this commentary began, few interviewers are so well skilled that they get the process right every time. A little training will go a long way for everyone.

MATTERS MARKETING

Expert advice to improve how you promote and sell productsyour servicesor

MARKET RESEARCH: WHAT IS IT, AND WHY DO YOU NEED IT?

Market research has been around for more than a century and to celebrate, Dan Sager takes you readers through the key aspects of this useful but often overlooked discipline

Daniel Starch may not be a household name, but most households will have experienced the effects of his work, because he pioneered market research. The Harvard professor of psychology specialised in advertising and wanted to measure its results. To achieve this, he developed marketing and consumer research in the 1920s.

Today market research is so embedded in our daily lives that we barely notice it. Sometimes it is really obvious, like being asked to complete an online survey, but other times it’s almost unnoticeable, such as those cookies on a website that are tracking you and everyone else that uses it. Meanwhile, many of us freely hand over personal details to social media companies, who can then track your activity to build a picture of your interests.

Fundamentally, market research involves gathering information to help you understand your target market;

• Demographics (age, income, location)

• Preferences (what they want or need)

• Buying behaviours (how frequently they make a purchase, how much they spend)

Whatever the size of your business, market research is a necessity, not a luxury

There are two main types of market research:

1. Primary research : This involves collecting data directly from your target audience through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and product testing. Primary research provides in-depth, first hand insights into your customers’ perspectives.

2. Secondary research : This leverages existing data from credible sources, such as industry reports, government publications, and market research firms. Secondary research is a costeffective way to gather valuable background information and industry trends.

Knowing your customers will help you make better business choices in the following areas.

Product development/selection: Designing new products and/or deciding which lines to stock is much easier when you know what most appeals to your target audience.

Competitive edge: The market is a battlefield, and knowledge is power. What are your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses? Identifying those will help you to differentiate your brand and attract people they cannot.

Informed marketing decisions: Once you know what your target market looks like and where they are, it’s much easier to reach them through advertising and other marketing activities.

Pricing strategy: Pile ‘em high and sell ‘em cheap or premium pricing? Understanding your customers’ price sensitivity allows you to strike a balance between profitability and affordability, boosting turnover without sacrificing your bottom line.

Improved customer experience: Businesses that prioritise market research are better equipped to deliver a shopping experience that suits their customers. Aldi is all about price, while Waitrose sells on quality, and this is reflected in their stores.

Whatever the size of your business, market research is a necessity, not a luxury. Investing in understanding your target market will help you to develop and/or select successful products, make informed decisions, and build a loyal customer base. Remember, in the ever-evolving landscape of business, knowledge is the key to navigating towards a more prosperous future.

NEXT MONTH

How to do it; face-to-face, online, on social media and through data interrogation

BACK FROM THE BRINK

Less than two years ago, Suzuki seemed to be on the edge of a precipice. It had pulled out of MotoGP at short notice, and also ended factory involvement in British Superbike and World Endurance racing. Its bike line-up was looking jaded, Euro 5 rules had impacted key legacy models, and with Covid upheaval still around, unthinkable rumours began to spread online. Nothing less than the end of two-wheeled production was the nightmare scenario doing the rounds. Alan Dowds reports

Things came to a head in late summer 2022, when Suzuki GB’s director of motorcycles, marine, and ATV, Paul de Lusignan, had an interview with Motor Cycle News to deny they were quitting two wheels and promised better times ahead.

Two years later, in early 2024, Suzuki had a massive turnaround. It launched a completely new parallel twin 800cc platform covering the adventure touring, naked, and sportsbike markets, which has been a success both in terms of press reception and sales. It’s also struck gold with the GSX-S1000 range, based on the venerable GSX-R1000 K5 inline-four engine and now covering the sport-touring and adventure touring sectors.

I spoke to both Paul de Lusignan and Jonathan Martin, SGB’s head of motorcycles, at Suzuki HQ in Milton Keynes last month to look back at that rocky period in late 2022 and to find out more about how they got back on track so quickly. First, I asked about that interview with MCN and the run-up to it. What was it like for de Lusignan? “From the outside people join the dots to make a picture. There were many strange things going on. The withdrawal from MotoGP was one of them, as it obviously had an impact.”

Many firms would shy away from tackling a problem like this head-on. It would be easier to let things settle down and wait for

the press and public to move on, but in a striking proactive move, de Lusignan took the metaphorical bull by the horns, calling MCN and asking for an interview.

“I thought there was a good opportunity to turn that negative interest in Suzuki to our advantage, to say, we’re not going anywhere,

That was obviously good for dealers to know because it helped reassure them for the future. And it was also great for our customers to know

Paul de Lusignan

and, if anything, things are about to get better. Because I knew it would, nobody else did, but, I wanted to share my optimism and get that message out.

“That was obviously good for dealers because it helped reassure them for the future. And it was also great for our customers to know. I suppose it was quite ballsy; I was saying, ‘I’ve heard all these rumours, but they’re not right’.”

It was a bold move and one that paid off?

“It meant that everybody at HQ could refer to the interview and say, ‘Look, Paul’s has been in MCN and explained what’s happening’, so it was then straightforward to correct anyone who said anything else.”

De Lusignan’s interview would have had no chance of success without new product to back it up. And the factory in Japan came through in spades. Brand new bikes like the V-Strom 800 range, the GSX-8S and GSX-8R, and the premium flagship GSX-S1000 GX have all hit showrooms in the two years since, together with relaunched Euro 5 compliant geared 125cc models (the GSX-R125 and GSX-S125), and no less than three new 125 scooters (the Address, Avenis and Burgman). Add in continued strength for the GSX-S1000 GT and Hayabusa ranges, as well as some revamps of the 1050 V-Strom line-up, and suddenly Suzuki is a brand on the move – with sales figures to back that up.

“We’ve since built up our sales dramatically”, said de Lusignan. “In terms of sales figures, at the end of 2021, we did 2750 registrations and market share was 2.6%. In 2022, we had 3281 registrations with a market share of 3.1%. Then, 2023 saw 5056 registrations and a market share of 4.8% – which is a nice story. We told our dealers our goal was to work towards doubling our sales over those two years, and okay, we haven’t quite done it, but it’s still pretty good…”

Dealers were hearing the same rumours

From left: Jonathan Martin and Paul de Lusignan, Suzuki GB, talk business with Alan Dowds

as everyone else, and some retailers gave up the brand. But most accepted Suzuki’s reassurances. Jonathan Martin: “I think our dealers generally recognise that we are a very transparent and honest brand. Paul talking about the new model’s plan gave them confidence that Suzuki would come good and get back where it belonged. The increased registrations over the last 12 or 15 months have backed all of those reassurances up.

“So yes, we lost a couple of dealers, but we replaced them with new dealers, so our representation overall remains the same throughout the country.”

Did Suzuki Japan understand the problems that SGB was facing in 2022 – and did they have the same problem in other markets? “I’m not sure what the rumour mill was saying in other countries,” said de Lusignan. “But in terms of the basic facts of what was available, the situation was the same.

producing those new bikes. “We’ve been quite involved in the development process, seeing those bikes from quite early on. We got really excited about it, for sure. The great thing about the factory is they are very keen to know what the market wants, what customers want, and they talked to us through all stages of the development.”

A close relationship with Japan then? “The relationship the UK in particular has with the factory is the closest it’s been for a number of years,” said Jonathan Martin. “In the last five years, we’ve been working much more closely, there’s at least one visit a year to the factory as well as bi-monthly meetings through the development stages.”

The relationship the UK in particular has with the factory is the closest it’s been for a number of years

I think [Suzuki Japan] realised it was important to the market and therefore important to them that we got the good news out. That’s why I felt confident doing the MCN interview. I knew Suzuki would back me up and they have delivered.”

Did the SGB team know about all the new bikes that were coming – and did they know what a hit the 800s and the GX would be, especially in the UK? “I certainly knew about all the bikes and had seen them,” said de Lusignan. “And yes, there was a buzz about the 800s. Our dealers know that I’ve been hinting at our annual conference over the last few years, that there was a new platform coming, a new engine, and a new chassis, and we’ve now delivered on that promise.”

According to de Lusignan, the UK was also key in

Jonathan Martin

Suzuki doesn’t have an overall European central organisation, unlike other manufacturers. Does that help SGB? “We have a direct relationship with Japan, which I think really helps,” said de Lusignan.

“We also do have a lot of cooperation with the main European markets, and we meet regularly on a European basis.”

Away from the new bikes, SGB has had some other internal changes. Ian Bland has retired from the marketing team, and Jak Tyrrell has stepped up to the motorcycle marketing managers role. The Milton Keynes team has also been working on video and photography material for global new bike launches. “We have a really strong marketing team here in the UK,” said de Lusignan. “And we’ve been able to help the factory out with quite a lot of global launch material.

with Japan well in advance of bikes arriving. It’s good for the marketing team here to be involved with, and it’s certainly something they can be proud of. It helps us give dealers the assets they need and get the positive press coverage we want, so that’s really interesting.”

The Milton Keynes team are looking after the bread and butter too though. “We’re doing a lot of brand research work this year with customers – online research, as well as at bike shows – to make sure that, as we refine our marketing messages, we’re connecting with our customers and that what we say about Suzuki rings true for them. I think our dealers will start to see and feel changes happening there.” 

NETWORK EXPANSION

SUZUKI’S NATIONAL DEALER NETWORK IS IN good shape at the moment, although it is looking to fill some open points. Jonathan Martin took me through the current setup. “We have 70 dealers nationwide at the moment,” said Martin. “56 are full franchises, and 14 are lightweight dealerships. They’re important, and they can get big bikes if they need to, but 85% of their sales are 125s.”

Is that the right number of dealers? “Like any manufacturer, we have open points throughout the country, and we welcome anyone interested to come and discuss the benefits of a Suzuki franchise. We’ve been advertising in BDN, and that’s created interest. At the same time, we’re always honest with existing dealers, and if we’re taking on new dealers, we will always tell the neighbouring dealers and keep them updated. We aim to be honest and transparent with our dealers.”

Is Suzuki looking for more solus outlets, as seen with other brands? Paul de Lusignan steps in here. “Our approach is much more about the people and partnership and how that can work. So yes, of course, we’d love to have more solus dealers. We really appreciate those who are solus Suzuki and it’s important to us to have them. But we wouldn’t want to exclude a fantastic dealer partner because of that, so we’re quite open-minded about it.”

DEALER ENQUIRES:

Suzuki GB, Steinbeck Crescent, Snelshall West, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK4 4AE 01908 336600

All of the photography and video work done to launch the GSX-S1000 GX was done by the UK marketing team, and we also did the GSX-S1000 GT and GSX-8S. There are a number of projects now where we’re working directly

2wdealerdevelopment@suzuki.co.uk www.bikes.suzuki.co.uk/franchise

The latest news and views in the world of business

Job applicants with criminal records?

Employers generally have the right to ask job candidates about any criminal past. However, applicants don’t always have to answer

It may come as a surprise to many but, according to an April 2023 report in the Financial Times, some 12 million people have a criminal conviction. This makes the chances of an employer having received an application from someone with a criminal record fairly high.

Many employers assume that disclosing a criminal conviction is a legal requirement, regardless of the time lapse since the offence, but as Adam Morris, a solicitor at Wright Hassall, comments, for the majority of roles this is not the case. In fact, he says that “employers are restricted in what they can ask applicants during the recruitment process, not only to protect the latter’s privacy but also to limit any prejudice or negative treatment an applicant may encounter.”

The circumstances governing the need for an applicant to disclose a criminal record to a prospective employer depends on the type of job being applied for and whether or not the conviction is spent.

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS

Morris details that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 was designed to help those with convictions get back into employment. He says that the Act “ensures that all cautions and most convictions (bar the most serious, including life sentences) may become ‘spent’ after a set rehabilitation period (the length of which varies according to the length of the original sentence).” This, he says, “effectively means that once an

individual’s conviction is spent, they should be treated as if they had not been convicted of that spent offence and they are under no obligation to declare it for most purposes.”

Under recent legislation – the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 – which came into force in October 2023, there have been significant changes in the rehabilitation periods of which employers need to be aware.

In essence, those with a custodial sentence of between one and four years, the rehabilitation period has been reduced from seven to four years (from the day the sentence was completed). Those with custodial sentences of more than four years (bar those already excluded such as life sentences or sentences of imprisonment for public protection) will see their convictions become spent for the first time seven years from the day they completed their sentence.

Despite this relaxation, Morris details that there are roles where employees can be

Essentials

expected to disclose convictions regardless of whether they are spent. This is covered by the Exceptions Order and includes professions relating to the care and/or supervision of children, healthcare professions, legal professionals, and certain people employed in the financial sector.

Morris points out that only employers recruiting for roles contained within the Exceptions Order are eligible to obtain a standard or enhanced DBS certificate. He says that “if this is the case, this must be set out this requirement in the job advert. However, employers should be mindful that disclosure is

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE (DBS)

In order to assess whether or not an individual is suitable for work in certain positions of trust, Morris says that employers can carry out a DBS check which provides them with the necessary information to make that decision.

“There are,” he explains, “three levels of certificate: basic, standard, and enhanced, and all can be obtained by any individual over the age of 16 (although a countersignature confirming entitlement is required for the standard and enhanced certificates).”

In overview, the basic certificate contains details of unspent criminal convictions; the standard certificate contains details of all spent and unspent convictions and cautions as well as police reprimands and warnings; and the enhanced certificate contains the same information as a standard certificate plus relevant police information and information relating to statutory lists, for instance those unsuitable to work with children.

also need to be clear why they need criminal records data, what benefit they will derive from having it, and be aware of the intended outcome for the person concerned.”

Finally, Morris says that employers must ensure that the data complies with other relevant law. This means the need to have data protection policies up to date and fully compliant with GDPR. And he gives an example – those normally carrying out a DBS check as a matter of course, “may risk an ICO investigation if they have no lawful purpose for holding such data.”

DEALING WITH INFORMATION ABOUT A CRIMINAL RECORD

not a blanket disclosure of all convictions and cautions and will only show basic details of the offence, not the context.” It should be noted that youth cautions, reprimands and warnings are no longer automatically disclosed.

CRIMINAL RECORD DATA AND THE ICO

Understandably, individuals are precious about information they would naturally consider private including their criminal past. As a result, Morris says that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) offers useful guidance on pre-employment vetting. He explains that if employers are intending to vet applicants this should be made clear early on in the recruitment process and set out how it will be conducted.

He adds: “Employers should leave vetting until as late as possible in the process and confine it to those who have been selected for the job, rather than subjecting all shortlisted candidates to vetting. Further, they

There are sectors where certain convictions will preclude an applicant from being employed in that role, for instance a teacher who is on a barred list. However, Morris says that where there is no industry guidance or legislation employers should use their own judgment as to the weight to attach to an applicant’s criminal history. In particular, he says “employers may also wish to consider whether the conviction is relevant to the position in question; the length of time since the offence was committed; and whether the applicant’s circumstances have changed since the conviction.” He continues: “Although employers may consider unspent convictions – and this is necessary if the role falls within the Exceptions Order – they should not play a deciding role in a decision whether or not to employ an individual.”

SUMMARY

Criminal history is an understandably sensitive area both for employers and job applicants. The law allows those with a criminal record to move on with their lives and not be dogged by an event that might have taken place decades ago. Nonetheless, employers need to tread carefully both to prevent inappropriate individuals from taking positions where they may pose a risk and to protect those wanting to stay on the right side of the law. 

On the rostrum

Fleet Auction Group (FLAG) has been in operation for 24 years and since its inception it has exclusively catered to the trade – no public allowed. Although the company’s primary business comprises the sale of cars, trucks, vans, and heavy machinery, CEO Andrew Walker says motorcycles are an essential part of the group, despite being a relatively small part of the business. The reason is simple: Walker is an avid biker and has been passionate about motorcycles since his childhood and his love for motorcycles is the sole reason for including it in the company’s auction service.

“In my view, other auctions that handle bikes do not do so adequately. Their approach to bikes is purely mechanical, without any passion or interest in the bikes themselves. My aim is to establish an auction that will ensure a superior level of service and we are working hard to provide just that. Our focus is not solely on auctioning bikes, but also on

offering services such as company car swapovers for the leasing firms and for brands such as Honda. We receive all the new cars here at HQ and then manage the handover process and the remarketing of the vehicles customers are renewing. We can provide the same kind of service to the bike industry, whether that be manufacturer press fleets, logistical help in getting products to dealers, or even product launches.

Part of the new approach involves building a massive new handling building next door to the present one at Loughborough, doubling the size of the premises, specifically for motorcycles and motorcycling activities. It will include dealer and manufacturer conference rooms available for hire, together with refreshment facilities. This is in addition to the adjacent operational site, a 160-acre airfield where vehicles are processed. All motorcycles are stored in a secure indoor location.

NEW WIN-WIN SERVICE LAUNCHED

A new motorcycle underwriting service has been launched by FLAG, which is already available to dealers. Motorcycle Underwrite Plus provides dealers with an underwritten value straight away. If the bike sells for more than the underwritten value at auction, the dealer will receive 50% of the uplift. If it makes less, the dealer does not take the hit. It’s a proverbial win-win situation.

According to Walker, “We have both the financial strength and the resources to underwrite any number of bikes. Our new service will provide a competitive value, pay fast, and collect immediately.

The Fleet Auction Group is getting even more serious about twowheel remarketing. Its monthly motorcycle auctions are about to receive a significant upgrade, which will enhance the experience for buyers and sellers. Based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, the company has committed itself to providing the best possible service for its customers, and upcoming improvements are a testament to its promise. In short, get ready for a new, more efficient and profitable way of buying and selling at auction

After consulting with many dealers, both franchised and independent, we realised that they needed help to liquidate stock. We are proud to launch a product that will offer UK motorcycle dealers a totally new approach.”

TRADE ONLY AND ONLINE ONLY

FLAG is trade only and, since lockdown, online only. Its building includes multiple auction suites, where the auctioneers sit at a rostrum looking at big screens. Because there are no bikes on the floor, every vehicle has to be described correctly and in detail. As Walker points out, online is becoming much more popular with the trade because, instead of having to take a day off getting to the auction and then waiting for the vehicle you want to come up, you can look at a screen for 30 minutes and get the same result. If dealers want to see any motorcycles in the metal before the monthly sale, they are available to view at the Loughborough facility, and there’ll probably be a cup of coffee thrown in! Walker is keen to emphasise that the firm does not serve the general public and does not accept cash payments. In order to obtain a trade account, a valid VAT registration number is required as a minimum. He strongly believes that retail customers should only visit retail showrooms to make their purchases.

Walker is very keen to elevate motorcycle re-marketing to the same level as the rest of the FLAG’s activities. Given that he’ll shortly be stepping down as chairman of NAMA (the

FLAG’s CEO Andrew Walker and Declan Belfield man the rostrum, keeping the sales moving swiftly

FLAG’s HQ and storage facilities are all sited on a disused, 160-acre, former RAF airfield in Leicestershire

A dealer’s-eye view of the process, showing details of a bike being sold and the ongoing bidding

National Association of Motor Auctions), he will have more time to ensure that. One of the benefits of NAMA membership is its used vehicle condition grading scheme, which received the King’s Award for Enterprise 2023. Said Walker : “It is a great honour to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise and a wonderful recognition of the contribution our NAMA members have made and continue to make in the development and maintenance of the used vehicle grading scheme.”

MOTORCYCLE AUCTION ANALYSIS

THE FLEET AUCTION GROUP (FLAG) HAS SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED THE SALE OF MORE THAN 100 motorcycles in its previous three sales, achieving an impressive average CAP value of 93.2%.

The stock is typically in good condition with low mileage and is relatively new, reflecting the high quality of the bikes sold. The auction buying and selling process is transparent and straightforward with a flat buyers fee of £285 plus VAT – there is no tiered commission structure dependant on the hammer price. This enables easy calculation of the final price (including fees) when comparing trade prices to retail pricing and working out potential profit margins.

Additionally, FLAG provides comprehensive transportation assistance, including a delivery service for both sellers and purchasers.

A separate grading scheme is used for motorcycles in the form of a Gold, Silver or Bronze tiered rating, with each bike getting a full individual condition report, accessible online under the itemised lot numbers.

FLAG runs monthly live online auctions that offer motorcycles and scooters directly from manufacturers, contract hire companies, leasing companies and finance providers. FLAG deals with many of the leading finance companies, however it has found that, in many cases, their disposal divisions are geared towards cars, and they tend to deal only with mainstream auction providers. Nevertheless, Walker adds that FLAG is making inroads into that market.

Typically, each sale consists of approximately 50 motorcycles. Additionally, the company specialises in dealers’ over-aged stock and part exchanges. Auctions take place on the third Thursday of every month, providing a regular service to the trade.

Interestingly, FLAG is planning to extend its EV Ambassador program, currently covering cars and vans, to include electric mopeds. This program is designed to raise awareness of electric vehicles and promote their use, and the extension to electric mopeds will provide an opportunity to reach an even wider audience.

Motorcycles aren’t FLAG’s only specialist vehicle category. An online auction of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) is held on a fortnightly basis and offers a large selection of premium vehicles direct from Motability, owners of the UK’s largest fleet, as well as from national leasing and contract hire companies. Approaching 500 WAVs are available each month, representing a broad manufacturer and model base. ■

Fleet Auction Group 01530 833535 info@fleetauctiongroup.com www.fleetauctiongroup.com

All the latest products, with Colin Williams

Svartpilen 801

HUSQVARNA HAS GONE LARGE WITH ITS SCRAMBLER-STYLE SVARTPILEN ROAD BIKE, adding a new 801 model that sports a 799cc parallel twin engine. The Svartpilen 801 uses a tubular steel frame to contain the 105hp motor, resulting in an overall weight of just 181kg. WP Apex suspension is used front and rear, as are J.Juan brakes with Bosch cornering ABS. Electronics haven’t been overlooked, obviously, so as well as traction control, ABS and a trio of riding modes there is an optional Dynamic Pack which adds engine brake control and adjustable anti-wheelie modes. Up front there is a 5in TFT screen which can provide navigation and phone connectivity for calls and music when teamed up with the brand’s app. The Svartpilen 801 only comes in a Henry Ford-approved black, for an SRP of £10,500.

Husqvarna Motorcycles UK; 01327 850320; dominic.harris@husqvarna-motorcycles.com

Polini racer 5

Alpinestars Andes Air 5

ANOTHER ADDITION TO THE ANDES RANGE OF textile suits, the Andes Air Drystar is designed for hotter climes and those few days in the English summer when the mercury heads skywards. The Andes Air features extensive mesh panelling on the front and rear of the jacket, while the detachable Drystar waterproof membrane can be worn under or on top of the jacket to provide rapid weather protection. It is both Tech Air 5 and Tech Air 3 compatible, so can be equipped with an airbag system if required. Armour consists of Nucleon Flex Plus CE level 1 units fitted in all the usual places. It comes in both men’s and ladies’ cuts and sizes, in a choice of three colourways. Pricing is £269.99 SRP for the jacket, £209.99 SRP for the matching pants. Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

DESIGNED FOR SMALL-FRAME VESPA PRIMAVERAS fitted with 125cc or larger cylinders, the Polini For Race muffler is built to improve performance at medium and high revs – increasing the 7000rpm limit of the original system to a near 10,000rpm limit. Polini says the For Race system fits without any adaptations to the frame or toolbox. SRP is £255.

VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com

Oxford Advanced Expedition

THE ADVANCED EXPEDITION GILET, OR BODYWARMER, IS PART OF OXFORD’S LAYERING system for motorcycle clothing. Aimed at the dedicated adventurer, whether tackling the Mongolian steppes or the Manchester suburbs, the Advanced gilet has quilted insulation which is ‘mapped’ to the body to provide extra warmth where it is most needed. Stretch panels ensure a snug fit, and a wind-proof under-placket prevents draughts. It comes in sizes from XS to 3XL for an SRP of £59.99.

Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

MotoAirBag

ITALIAN WEARABLE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER DPI

Safety has released the latest version of its MotoAirBag, the V4. The V4 vest has two separate CE approved airbags, a 10-litre one for the chest and abdomen, and a larger 15-litre one to protect the back and cervical areas in the event of an incident, with both triggered by a Fast Lock mechanism, which uses a cable and carabiner to connect to the motorcycle’s seat. Activation time is a rapid 80 milliseconds.

The vest can be reset in the event of a non-impact triggering without need for extra charging, and can be worn over any brand of motorcycle jacket or leathers. Adjustment on the side panels allows it to fit comfortably over both summer and thicker winter jackets. It comes in three sizes for an SRP of £559, with no additional subscriptions.

Ignition Agencies; 07976 533487; info@ignitonagencies.co.uk

Givi Seatlock 4

Airoh Spark 2 56

AIROH HAS BEEN BUSY UPDATING ITS HELMET range to ensure that the whole collection is compliant with the latest ECE 22.06 standard. The most recent model to have been given a new lease of life is the Spark, which has been updated and has had “2” appended to its name in recognition of its new status. It has a thermoplastic shell in two sizes, equipped with a wind-tunnel-designed ventilation system and a Coolmax hypoallergenic liner, and is fitted with an extrawide-angle visor for better all-round vision. A Pinlock Vision 70 anti-fog lens is included in the box. The Spark 2 comes in sizes XS to XXL in matt black, gloss white or cement grey solid colours for an SRP of £184.99, or Spinner, Zenith and Chrono graphics, each in three colour options for an SRP of £199.99. Bike It; 02380 658700; tradesales@bikeit.co.uk

TRUST GIVI TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER NEW WAY TO ATTACH A bag to a motorcycle. Its latest trick is the S430 Seatlock universal base, which straps on to the pillion seat of most motorcycles and provides a standard Givi Tanklock quick-release fastening. This means that any of Givi’s huge range of Tanklock-equipped tank bags, or either of the two new rear-mount specific Tailock bags, can be fitted to provide extra storage space. The EA146 Tailock bag is made of 1200D polyurethane with fluo-yellow piping, and has a capacity of 23 litres overall, split between a main compartment, a pair of side pockets and a rear pocket. A fluo-yellow waterproof rain cover is also included. The larger EA147 Tailock has a 30-litre capacity and is expandable to 38 litres – big enough for a full-face helmet. It can also be converted into a handy backpack for off-bike use thanks to its concealed shoulder strap. SRPs are £129 for the EA146, £134.50 for the EA147 and £27.50 for the S430.

Givi UK; 01327 706220; info@givi.co.uk

MATRYX AWARD

THE AIROH MATRYX HELMET HAS BEEN crowned winner of an iF Design Award 2024. The full-face carbon fibre lid was chosen by a panel of 132 independent experts from around the world, and was selected as one of the winners in the Product Design/Motorcycle category. Bike It; 02380 658700; tradesales@bikeit.co.uk

BIKERHEADZ CATALOGUE

DORSET-BASED DISTRIBUTOR TRANAM has launched its 2024 Bikerheadz catalogue. Alongside well-known high spec brands, such as Schuberth and Scorpion helmets; Rukka, Bering and Segura clothing; and Daytona and Falco boots, there are two new clothing ranges from Halvarssons and Lingstrands. TranAm; 01425 620580; sales@tranam.co.uk

SIMPSON CHAT

Alpinestars one-piece suit 4

AIMED AT THE

DEDICATED TRACK-DAY enthusiast, the Alpinestars GP Force Lurv one-piece leather suit is made from “performance grade” cow leather, which is double-layered in critical areas. Stretch panels are placed under the arms, inner thighs, calfs, and the crotch area for improved fit and comfort, ably assisted by accordion leather panels at the lumbar region and the back of the knees. To aid ventilation there are perforated panels on the hips and thighs.

In terms of protection, there is CE Level 1 GP Lite armour fitted at the shoulders, elbows and knees, and Bio-Flex armour at the hips. The suit is also compatible with the Tech-Air 5 and 10 airbag systems. It comes in all-black or red/white/black for an SRP of £899.99.

Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

Suzuki spray guard

COMMS FIRM CARDO SYSTEMS HAS PRODUCED a Simpson branded version of its Packtalk Edge so that users of the streetfighter-style helmets can keep in touch, make calls or listen to music while on the move. Other than the Simpson logo emblazoned across it, the Packtalk Edge offers voice control, noise cancelling technology and a pair of JBL speakers. SRP is £359.99.

Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

Richa Aquaguard

EVERY BRITISH BIKER NEEDS A set of emergency waterproofs stashed under the saddle to counter the risk of an unexpected downpour, and Richa’s new Aquaguard jacket and trousers should fit the bill for protection and minimal bulk. Made from a breathable taffeta with a laminated waterproof membrane which has a 15,000mm rating, the Aquaguard jacket has elasticated cuffs and hem, and a storm flap over the zip. The matching trousers are made from PU-coated taffeta with the same Aquashell waterproof membrane as the jacket, and have zips on the lower leg to make it easier to put them on over boots.

PYRAMID HAS NOTED THE DREADED “brown stripe” appearing on the backs of riders of Suzuki’s new GSX-S1000GX, so has developed a new spray guard that mounts onto the swingarm. It is said to be at just the right angle to prevent the rear tyre from flinging mud, water and debris all over the rider or an unfortunate pillion. Pyramid claims it also keep the rear light and number plate clean, too. It’s made from glass fibre with a CNC machined bracket, and comes in gloss (£151.99 SRP), matt (£172.99 SRP) or carbon effect (£179.99 SRP) finishes.

Pyramid Motorcycle Accessories; 01427 677990; support@pyramidmoto.co.uk

Venhill KTM 6

Both garments have Scotchlite reflective printing to enhance visibility at night, and come in either black or fluo yellow in sizes up to 6XL. The jacket has an SRP of £49.99, and the trousers are £44.99.

Nevis Marketing; 01425 478936; info@nevis.uk.com

VENHILL’S NEW BRAIDED BRAKE LINE KIT FOR THE KTM DUKE 125 comes in signature orange, or a choice of 10 other colours for those who like to buck the trend. The Teflon core is heat resistant and protected by a stainless steel wrapped braid and a bonded PVC sheath. It comes with stainless steel swivel socket nuts at each end.

Front and rear kits are £66.60 SRP each, for a two-pipe kit and fittings.

Venhill Engineering; 01306 885111; sales@venhill.co.uk

Gixxer muffled 6

THE SPORTY MIDDLEWEIGHT SUZUKI GSX-8R HAS BEEN GIVEN A SONIC and performance boost by Slovenian exhaust gurus Akrapovič. The new two-into-one race system comprises a stainless steel header, resonator and link pipe, topped off with a carbon fibre silencer fitted with a titanium endcap. The use of all these lightweight materials mean the system is less weighty than the OE exhaust, coming in a full 3.2kg lighter. Power and torque figures are also said to be improved, with power rising by 6.4hp and torque increasing by 4.7Nm to give a useful boost when giving it the beans. Akrapovič says that the new system doesn’t require the bike to have a remap, and also that Suzuki’s OE soft side cases will still fit despite the new routing of the exhaust, so it is essentially ‘plug-and-play’. SRP is £1370. Performance Parts; 01327 706139; enquiries@performanceparts-ltd.com

Kappa Eco Rambler

KAPPA HAS FULLY EMBRACED THE RETRO VIBE WITH ITS NEW ECO Rambler soft luggage, which has classic lines that wouldn’t look out of place on Lawrence of Arabia’s Brough. Made from recycled nylon, the five bags in the Eco Rambler range are a 26-litre saddle bag (£108.74), a tank bag (£98.30), a leg bag (£42.01), a 17-litre single side bag (£105.17) that converts into a backpack, and a pair of sidebags (£85.13 each). The sidebag pair provide a total of 28 litres of luggage capacity and fit to the saddle using four adjustable straps. They have an inner lining made of waterproof nylon, which is not dyed to reduce water and energy use, further emphasising the “Eco” credentials. The bags have a roll top closure with metal buckles, and a PVC backing to protect the bike’s bodywork.

Hoco Parts UK; 01484 641073; info@hocoparts.co.uk

Shad SH38X expandable panniers

SPANISH BRAND SHAD IS PROUD OF THE NEW DYNAMIC

Tensegrity technology it has developed which allows its new SH38X panniers to grow. The compensated tension cable system allows each pannier to expand or contract telescopically and uniformly – no wrestling with trying to keep everything straight while adjusting.

This new tech means that the SH38X manages to be both Shad slimmest-ever pannier, and also its most capacious. It can expand by 70mm, which increases its storage capacity by 40%, big enough to store a modular helmet. Its compatible with both Shad’s 3P System and 4P System racks, and is fastened to the rack and secured using just one key, with an extra lock barrel included so a suitable top box can be keyed the same. Other practical touches include inner nets to stop smaller objects rattling around inside, a carry handle for off-bike convenience and a double-channel frame with rubber seals to stop the rain getting in. To save having to lug the panniers around town, there are optional bespoke expandable soft inner bags with a carry handle and shoulder straps for an SRP of £48.99.

The SH38X come in matt black with a choice of aluminium or carbon fibre trim for £576.99 or £487.99 SRP respectively. In addition, there are optional gloss black or white trims available for £59.99, and even an unpainted one for £34.99 that you can get sprayed to match the bike.

Pure Moto; 03333 448 252; hello@puremoto.co.uk

Touratech Discovery 2 6

TOURATECH HAS UPDATED ITS DISCOVERY SOFT luggage system, with the revised version now offering enhanced durability and more practicality. On the construction side there are new stronger buckles, and Molle patches have been added to allow further expansion. Valves have been added to the waterproof roll-top bags to let the air out when packing to optimise space and volume. The bags each hold 25 litres and slide into pockets on the side of the the Discovery 2, while on the rear there are two quick-access 7.5-litre dust-proof compartments for small items. Integrated Molle-style lashing options in the centre section allow for carrying bulky items such as a tent or sleeping mat. The Discovery 2 comes in black with a choice of black or yellow waterproof bags for an SRP of €379.32.

Touratech; +49 7728 9279-0; info@touratech.de

OptiMate Pro-4 Duo

TCX Mood boots 5

TCX HAS INTRODUCED A NEW version of its Mood Gore-Tex boots, cunningly named the Mood 2. The sneaker-style boots have leather uppers with a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort waterproof membrane, reinforced inserts on the toe and heel, and D3O protectors. The midsole is fitted with a Z-plate shank, which combines longitudinal flexibility for walking comfort with transverse rigidity for impact protection. The Groundtrax sole offers grip on all surfaces, and an Ortholite footbed provides durable cushioning. Mood 2 Gore-Tex boots come in black/white/green or green/ black/yellow, in EU sizes 36-48, for an SRP of £179.99.

Nevis Marketing; 01425 478936; info@nevis.uk.com

NEW TO THE OPTIMATE PROFESSIONAL RANGE OF BATTERY CHARGERS, THE PRO-4 DUO can activate, charge, maintain and repair up to four 12V lead-acid (whether sealed, AGM or gel) and/or lithium batteries at the same time. It has four independent 5A charging outlets, each with three modes, covering the two battery types plus a 60 minute quick charge option. Once activated the Pro-4 Duo automatically tests and assesses the batteries before adjusting the charging current via an algorithm to suit each one. It can recover batteries from as low as 0.5V. It comes with four 1.8m-long cables with fused battery clips for £433.25 + VAT. Probike; 01604 660555; www.probike.co.uk

Puig Beam 3.0 4

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR RIDERS TO BE VISIBLE TO other road users when riding in dark or foggy conditions, and it’s equally important to be able to see where you are going, so a bit of extra illumination to light up the lanes and to signal your presence to other road users is always welcome. Puig’s Beam 3.0 is the Italian accessory brand’s latest version of its auxiliary headlight, and it has been upgraded from a 15W lamp to a low-consumption 30W LED housed in a robust black-finished aluminium casing.

The units have an output of 1100 lumens per side, and have a 25mm clamp to fit on to suitable engine guards or crash bars. They come complete with a wiring kit and switch for an SRP of £127.99. Puig; 0034 938 49 06 33;  info@puig.tv

Merlin Torsten/Isla 56

THE ISLA AND TORSTEN ARE, RESPECTIVELY, LADIES’ AND MEN’S versions of a modern take on the traditional leather motorcycle jacket. Made from 1.1mm and 1.2mm cowhide leather, the jackets have a TFL coating which reflects UV radiation from sunlight, resulting in an up-to-25oC temperature reduction for the wearer in hot weather. To further aid hot-weather comfort there is a fixed mesh lining plus mesh inserts for the zipped vents front and rear, and perforations in the leather of the inner arms. Cooler temperatures can also be tamed thanks to the provision of a removable diamondstitched 125g gilet thermal liner.

The Isla and Torsten come fitted with D3O armour fitted at the shoulders and elbows, and there is a pocket to take an optional D3O Viper Stealth back protector. Overall, the jackets get a AAA CE rating.

Both jackets come in a choice of brown or black at £349.99 SRP for the Isla, or £379.99 SRP for the Torsten. Merlin; 01543 270299; info@merlinbikegear.com

SIP Lambretta exhausts

THE SIP PERFORMANCE CLUB SPORT LINE OF EXHAUSTS NOW COMES in two versions, offering a choice of a straight or curly tail pipe. The Club Sport range is said to improve the sound and performance of Series 1, 2 and 3 Lambrettas from 125 to 200cc, allowing increased peak power outputs in excess of those available from the brand’s Clubman systems. They come in four different cylinder fitments, to suit standard, TS1, RB and Quattrini flanges. SRPs range from £179.40 to £235 depending on spec.

VE (UK); 01159 462991; sales@ve-uk.com

Torsten

Isla

HJC 11B

HELMET BRAND HJC HAS UPDATED THE integrated comms system for its latest models with a new 11B unit. The 11B comes with larger 40mm high-definition speakers, audio multi-tasking, better sound equalisation and improved noise cancellation. The new speakers claim to boost low-end and mid-range audio quality, while the implementation of the latest low-power Bluetooth 5.1 standard gives a battery life of up to 22 hours. It comes complete with a boom mic ready to be installed in any compatible HJC helmet, which includes RPHA 71, 91 and 31 models, plus the F71, F31, I71 and I91 ranges. SRP is £149.99.

Oxford Products; 01993 862300; info@oxprod.com

TCX

boot colours 5

TCX HAS THROWN MORE SHADES AT ITS BIKING BOOT RANGE, ADDING NEW COLOURS FOR THIS SEASON.

The walking-boot style Climatrek Surround is now available in black for £199.99, and the adventure style Infinity 3 WP mid-height boots come in a black and green colourway for £239.99.

In more casual styles, the Dartwood WP comes in a new light tan shade for £189.99, while the Hero 2 lace-ups come in a darker brown for a traditional style suited to bobbers and cruisers. SRP is £219.99. Last but not least, the lightweight and ventilated Street 3 Air sneaker-style footwear comes in a green/caramel combo for £159.99.

Nevis Marketing; 01425 478936; info@nevis.uk.com

Weise Wave 2.0

WITH SUMMER JUST AROUND THE CORNER, AND THE THREAT OF hotter days, Weise has taken updated its lightweight Wave gloves. Being attuned to the vagaries of the British climate, however, the designers have incorporated a waterproof membrane to counter the arrival of unexpected downpours. Made from synthetic suede and stretchy Spandex with a fleece lining, the Wave 2.0 now have CE level 1 knuckle armour alongside padded palm panels for impact protection. The index finger and thumbs on both hands are touchscreen compatible for phone or sat-nav use, and there is silicon printing on the palms to improve grip on the bars and levers. They come in a choice of black or grey for an SRP of £99.99.

The Key Collection; 01179 719200; sales@thekeycollection.co.uk

Climatrek Surround Infinity 3

Dartwood Hero 2 Street 3 Air

HEX ezCAN Mojave 5

OWNERS OF BMW’S ADVENTUROUS GS LIKE nothing more than adding accessories to their shiny new bikes, and the latest R1300 GS variant is no exception. While luggage and bodywork additions are relatively simple, when it comes to adding extra lighting, horns, heated clothing, chargers, GPS, or any other electricallypowered items, things can get a little more complicated if you don’t want to void the warranty or chop into the wiring. The HEX ezCAN Mojave is designed to overcome these issues, providing a plug-and-play solution for the installation and control of up to four separate electronic accessories. It plugs into the GS’s wiring harness and provides CAN-bus control, meaning that the factory handlebar controls can be used, and settings can be customised – such as setting lights to flash when the horn is activated, or altering the brightness of auxiliary lighting units. It also provides re-settable electronic fuses for each accessory. It is a model-specific fitment for the 2024-on BMW R1300 GS, and has an SRP of £204, with a silicon protective sleeve an extra £9.60.

HEX Innovate; 01372 364100; www.hexezcan.com

TRK brake kit

THE HEADLINE ON THE fitment list says that this is a stainless steel piston upgrade kit for the Honda RVF750 RC45, but as there are allegedly only 10 of those still on the road in the UK, with a further 50 on SORN, that seems a bit of a niche market. Better to look further down the list to discover that the eight-piston kit, complete with seals, nipples, washers and grease, also fits the VTR1000 Firestorm – of which there is a far healthier number in sheds and garages across the shires. The cost of refreshing the stopping power of a classic Honda is £139.94 SRP. WMD; 01273 595746; info@wmd-online.com

Wunderlich guard bags 5

IT’S NOT ONLY BMW GS OWNERS WHO WANT TO festoon their steeds with every available option, Harley riders are just as eager for an extra accessory or two on their bikes. So, to cater to the Pan America adventure bike rider who wants to carry even more luggage, Wunderlich has developed a pair of bags that strap onto the OE engine bars.

They are, naturally, quite compact, providing only 2 litres of capacity each, and are made from waterrepellant Cordura fabric with a partial rubber coating for added protection. Fitting is simple, using five Velcro straps per bag. SRP is €159.90 per pair.

Wunderlich; +49 2641 3082-703; sales@wunderlich.de

the Money

An abruptly premature change in majority ownership for the sainted MV Agusta brand came like a bolt out of the blue in mid-March. Fair enough, we had been forewarned. But such a proposition was supposedly some distance away.

Pierer Mobility’s most prominent subsidiary KTM had acquired a 25.1% minority stake in MV in November 2022. It subsequently took over MV Agusta’s supply chain and purchasing in October 2023, as well as partial distribution of resultant motorcycle products through the Pierer global sales network. Concomitant to that developing relationship, KTM was also granted a call option, allowing assumption of effectively full control based on satisfactory financial results at the end of 2025.

Suddenly, however, this timescale was accelerated. KTM supremo Stefan Pierer had just bought an additional 25% of MV Agusta equity, giving him a combined 50.1% slice of the action. An opaque purchase price was apparently calculated on the call option’s “previously agreed valuation” framed by a multiple of earnings – but obviously not the same numbers which would have been in play on 31 December 2025. Russian domination of the brand’s Varese boardroom ended immediately, leaving the Sardarov

family with a minority 49.9% holding.

Veteran Pierer Mobility and KTM director Hubert Trunkenpolz was parachuted in to seize the role of chief executive and chairman from Timur Sardarov, relegating the latter to token positions of deputy-chairman, brand ambassador and consultant. Most new executive board appointments were fresh faces. Timur’s brother Ratmir Sardarov warranted only a non-executive directorship.

history. In parallel remarks, Pierer Mobility referred to a planned annual production volume in the medium term of more than 10,000 premium MV Agusta motorcycles. So somebody wasn’t singing from the same hymn sheet under its latest strategic leadership.

In Sardarov’s emotional swansong message, he drivelled on endlessly

The Sardarov perspective on these events was rather different. An exit statement from erstwhile management boasted about successful completion of a five-year plan to revitalise the company. We were told that an objective to bolster the historic Italian brand was completely fulfilled. And, as a result: “The company is now on track to achieve net profit for the first time in many years.”

No mention was made of the original target for Sardarov’s five-year plan, which had been production and unit sales of more than 25,000 motorcycles annually, wishful thinking now quietly consigned to the dustbin of

In Sardarov’s emotional swansong message, he drivelled on endlessly: “MV Agusta embodies passion and a unique sense of romance that captivated me, a seasoned entrepreneur, from day one. The personal challenge of guiding the company out of crisis and steering it towards success through innovative business strategies, team expansion and new product developments has been conquered. It is an honour to play a role in shaping MV Agusta’s legacy. Over the past five years, both the company and I have evolved significantly. Our growth together is a testament to the transformative journey we’ve shared. Time with MV Agusta has been a pivotal chapter in my life, filled with mutual joys and challenges.”

When we’ve all quite finished sobbing into our hankies, what

conclusions can be drawn from this dramatic obfuscation interlude? In the first instance, it smacks of a gesturally concealed distress disposal, almost certainly because the prospect of further family investment had dried up. And the missing actors are due to make their entries, stage left.

First candidate for stardom is plucky Russian oligarch and billionaire several times over Rashid Sardarov, who bankrolled his son Timur’s venture into the motorcycle industry. Rashid must be a fairly nice chap as Russian oligarchs go, because he financed a buy-out of Giovanni Castiglioni’s stake in the perennially nearbankrupt MV Agusta concern, rather than having him thrown from a hi-rise office window –the preferred corporate dispute resolution method in Moscow, and probably an attractive notion for Castiglioni’s frequently cheated Italian creditors.

Rashid got rich on Boris Yeltsin’s presidential watch three decades ago, as the Soviet Union collapsed and managers in Russian minerals, oil and gas extraction industries borrowed relatively modest fistfuls of roubles to put their own names on state assets. The Sardarov prize featured gas fields in Orenburg, a remote Russian region which borders Kazakhstan, to which he later added his own refinery, an LNG plant and oil export interests.

International Share Prices

USA – LOSING STREAK

Wall Street suffered its longest losing streak since October 2022 in the past week. Fading hopes of interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve, given a second monthly rise in consumer price inflation and ongoing tensions in the Middle East, were primarily responsible.

Among market indices, the blue-chip S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite took most punishment, with respective losses of 3% and 5.5%. S&P’s MidCap 400 fell by 2.2%. Within that, leading US biker stock Harley-Davison has incurred a monthly double-digit percentage loss and analysts predicted significant revenue and earnings declines in its forthcoming Q1 results statement due on 25 April. Dodging the fate of other indices, marginal 0.1% weekly positivity for the Dow Jones Industrial Average seemed irrelevant.

EUROPE – KNEE JERK REACTIONS

Following the European Central Bank’s decision to match US cues by keeping interest rates on hold, and then prompt Israeli missile-strike retaliation on Iran – responding to an Iranian attack on Israel – eurozone stock markets got a bad case of the jitters and share prices initially plunged. However, news that the US Congress was about to pass a fresh package of military aid to Ukraine pivoted sentiment towards recovery.

Therefore most losses were pared before close of play on Friday. However, Germany’s automotiveheavy Xetra Dax index in Frankfurt still finished 1.1% in arrears and the Wiener Börse ATX in Austria ended 0.5% down. Despite the late bounce-back rewarding Milan’s FTSE MIB with a 0.5% gain, all four listings relating to the motorcycle industry fell.

JAPAN – MOUNTING FEAR FACTOR

Heightening tension in the Middle East also triggered a steep stock selloff across Asia. The Nikkei 225 index dived 6.2% lower as Japanese investors ran for cover. Among biker stocks, only Kawasaki escaped a spanking.

INDIA – VOTE EARLY, VOTE OFTEN?

Quite where India stands is now entirely up for grabs, as the polls opened on its general election and more than a billion voters began to shuffle through booths to make their marks. Equities trading almost immediately became tentative and market indices retreated. The S&P BSE Sensex 30 and NSE Nifty 50 respectively sank 1.6% and 1.7% down. Among biker stocks, only Royal Enfield parent Eicher and BSA parent Mahindra stayed shiny side up.

Market analysis with financial editor

Roger Willis

This became Rashid’s whollyowned South Urals Industrial Group, a cash cow from which he sensibly offshored huge profits into a plethora of safe Western havens beyond the Kremlin’s remit – offering anonymity, an absence of meaningful taxation and bountiful investment opportunities.

These included acquisition of a 28,000-hectare African game ranch and hunting reserve in Namibia, bought through the Sardarov family’s discreet Swiss-based banking facilities and holding company Comsar Properties. Rashid also established Cyprus-registered Comsar Energy, to invest in large-scale hydro and thermal electricity generation projects, focused on Russia-friendly Republika Srpska and Bosnia Herzegovina in the former Yugoslavia. By comparison, somewhere between fifty and a hundred million euros gifted to Timur, to get MV Agusta back on the road, must have seemed like loose change.

Sadly, geopolitical challenges relating to war in Ukraine have now spoilt the good life for your average minted Russian oligarch minding his own business. The other missing actor, of course, is megalomaniac, kleptocrat and

all-round psychotic Vladimir Putin, for whom former friends have become traitors.

US, EU and UK sanctions against oligarchs deemed to be Putin’s patsies are hurting grievously. Comsar Energy activities in the former Yugoslavia never delivered. Rashid Sardarov’s capital input failed to arrive, two new 300-megawatt units for the Ugljevik thermal plant in Bosnia didn’t materialise and the coal mine to fuel them proved to be a work of fiction. Inevitably, his reputation there disintegrated and Comsar Energy is now allegedly moribund.

Rashid’s cherished superyacht Stella Maris, originally

commissioned from the Viareggio shipyard in Italy with an 84 million bucks price tag, has vanished from posh Mediterranean ports. Recently reported by “vesselfinder” surveillance as moored in Hong Kong’s Repulse Bay, it has been sold at a substantial discount to Chinese-American tech billionaire Ming Hsieh.

Putin is also doing the dirty on many previously loyal oligarchs, who he no longer trusts or who have simply become surplus to his twisted requirements. Yeltsinera privatisations are being reversed without compensation. Last September, a Moscow court ruled that one of Russia’s largest

A snapshot of share performance across key manufacturers and markets

CHINA – WOEFUL ECONOMIC NEWS

Dealogic data on China’s equity capital markets has revealed that activity has slumped to a 20-year low, on both mainland exchanges and in Hong Kong. Chinese companies have raised just $6.4bn in mainland initial public offers, follow-on and convertible share offerings so far this year – the lowest level on record.

“In terms of global investor interest in China, it’s definitely the worst I’ve seen in my career,” commented Wang Qi, chief investment officer of Hong Kong’s UOB KayHian brokerage.

Local punters simply ignored this sobering revelation and market indices added value. Shanghai’s SSE Composite rose by 1.5% and the CSI 300 finished 1.9% up. As usual, biker stocks were all over the place, without rhyme or reason.

methanol production plants had been “irregularly acquired” during that period. Its oligarch owner Seyfeddin Roustamov suffered confiscation.

Similar cases are increasingly frequent and Kremlin stooges have also been empowered to seize the assets of anybody who criticises the war in Ukraine. Timur Sardarov fits into that category, having foolishly voiced his opinions against Russia’s invasion two years ago. His dad will probably get the blame for that ill-judged outburst. How long before the gravy train grinds to a halt and South Urals Industrial Group suddenly has a new owner, chosen from among Putin’s ultraloyalist chums? 

Timur (left) and Rashid (seated) Sardarov relax with some friends and some guns

Timur Sardarov in a more corporate pose as head of MV Agusta

Used bike data

What’s hot and what’s not in the used-motorcycle world

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

THE WARMER WEATHER IS FINALLY UPON US, AND we’re loving being out on our bikes a little more. As is often the case at this time of year, the MCN website is firing on all cylinders as people look for their prospective next steed.

In the Bikes for Sale section, Honda dominates, accounting for 20% of total sessions. The three most popular bikes are the Africa Twin, Gold Wing, and NC750X. The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy and Yamaha R1 round off the top five.

Bikes for Sale

Most viewed models

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin

2. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing

3. Honda NC750X

4. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

5. Yamaha R1

MCN Bikes for sale views by sector/type

6. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade

7. KTM 1290 Superduke R

8. Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200

9. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa

10. Honda VFR800

MCN Reviews

Most viewed brands

Review views by sector/type

Over in Reviews, nakeds account for a full quarter of all sessions on the site, and our most popular naked bike is currently the Suzuki GSF600 Bandit! The Honda CBR600RR is the most popular sports bike, and Moto Guzzi has the most popular adventure bike with its V85, followed by the BMW F900 GS and, of course, Honda’s massively popular NC750X.

GARETH EVANS

Online editor, MCN

Most popular bike reviews by type

SALES QUICKEN AS DEMAND INCREASES

As we move from winter into spring, the average number of days it takes for a motorcycle to sell has started to drop. Used bikes still take three days longer to sell compared to this time last year, but they are selling 22 days faster, on average, than they were in January.

Lexmoto’s sporty LXR125 is the fastest-selling top model, followed by Triumph’s Sprint ST 1050 tourer and Benelli’s cost-effective BN125 commuter.

The market is not just showing signs of

USED BIKES

USED BIKE MARKET HEALTH

change but a significant shift. This time last year, we witnessed a 1% decrease in demand while supply surged by 20%. However, this year, we’re experiencing a remarkable turnaround. Demand has skyrocketed by 11.2%, and supply has also seen a healthy increase of 7.9%. This translates to an overall positive market health of just over 3%, marking a significant milestone.

EDDIE BAHN

Account director, Auto Trader Bikes

DAYS TO SELL

FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR the market health metric – a calculation comparing used motorcycle demand from consumers with the supply of secondhand machinery to the trade – has moved into positive territory. It is only the second occasion that it has achieved that over the previous 15 months. The upswing is mainly due to increased demand from consumers, as they try to source new-to-them bikes for the upcoming summer riding season. The improvement in supply levels of used bikes compared to March 2023, however, still failed to match the increase in demand.

The fastest selling bikes on Auto Trader in March

Average

UK registrations

New scooter and motorcycle registrations for March 2024

/

Registration statistics supplied by the MCIA; tel 02476 408000; www.mcia.co.uk

International registrations

by style

March 2024

1. Honda

2. Triumph

3. BMW

4. Yamaha

5. Kawasaki

6. Royal Enfield

7. KTM

8. Suzuki

9. Ducati

(-6.1%)

(+15.4%)

(-4.3%)

(+10.2%)

(+14.9%)

(+3.9%)

(-17.1%)

(-24.0%)

(-8.4%)

10. Lexmoto 466 (n/a)

Rolling Year Comparison

New plate optimism shrinks

GIVEN A WELCOME FLASH OF registrations positivity in the grim early months of the year, perhaps we could be forgiven for wishful thinking as to the likelihood of a bumper new-plate month in March. What we got instead was a reversal. Not major, but an unforeseen reversal nevertheless, as monthly headcount declined by 3.7% to 16,803 units. Petrolhead participation retreated by 4% to 16,433, while battery-electric products rose by 16% to a hardly earth-shattering tally of 370 (see page 32).

Motorcycles were 2.4% down to 13,549. Over-50cc scooters fell by 9.5% to 2651. Mopeds were 4.4% in arrears on 505 and trikes suffered an 11.7% drop to 98.

the same, BMW Motorrad took bragging rights, flaunting sales of 431 R1300 GS machines to dominate the premier league.

For registration statistics for alternative power two-wheelers, see page 32

Registration statistics supplied by the MCIA; tel 02476 408000; www.mcia.co.uk

2023 motorcycle registrations data from Belgium

Belgians buying bigger bikes

IT’S NOT ALL DRINKING TRAPPIST beers and munching on moule frites in the EU land of Belgium, as the most recent motorcycle registration figures show a modest gain in sales last year, taking the overall parc to a record 538,536, indicating that increasing numbers are enjoying getting out and about on two wheels.

Big bikes are a favourite, with BMW’s R1250 GS pair topping the sales charts. There is also a good showing for other big-capacity machinery throughout the top 20 list. Scooters and other sub-125cc bikes make up just 24% of the

overall market (in comparison they have a 38% share in the UK), and continue to lose some of the share they gained during the Covid years.

In better news, the Belgian government has reported record numbers of A1, A2 and A-category licenses being granted during the year, meaning a record number of new riders keen to purchase a new or used machine to get them on the road.

As with the UK, petrol bikes still make up the vast majority of sales (97.1%), with electric-powered machines struggling to maintain a foothold in the market.

Within the realm of internal combustion, up-to-125cc mobility steeds sank by 7.2% to 4089. Lurking within them, a useful haul of 415 best-selling Yamaha NMax scooters kept the fleet delivery flag flying. But beyond that, only the 126-500cc sector boasted growth, rising by 22.4% to 3184 – notionally a feast of A2 entry-level offerings but in reality populated mainly by budget-conscious enthusiast purchases. Some 222 samples of Triumph’s bargain Scrambler 400X led the field, no doubt closely followed by its Speed 400 version. And they, in turn, were pursued by 146 even cheaper 350 Meteors from Royal Enfield, taking custom style category honours.

Bad news kicked in for the 501750cc range, which was 14.8% down to 2245. Yamaha sold 187 MT-07 ABS models to stay ahead of this weaker game. Then the usually reliable 751-1000cc cash cow was on the back foot too, 8.9% lower versus new-plate March last year with 3301 sales. At least Triumph registered another bonus, thanks to 161 Tiger 900 GT Pro best-sellers parked out in front of the opposition. Finally, 1000cc-plus kit was also behind the loop, losing 6.3% at 3614. All

Among the top-ten array of major brands in this crucial new-plate month, it was striking that perennial Honda leadership also involved a 6.1% unit sales decline. Runner-up Triumph, on the other hand, basked in a healthy 15.4% growth. Conversely, BMW Motorrad in third spot joined the losers – 4.3% down despite muscular R1300 GS volume accounting for almost a quarter of sales. Yamaha, in fourth, went the other way, a similarly-proportioned boost from NMax 125 fleet output helping to lift headcount by 10.2%. (Although it has to be said BMW pricing would have banked a lot more lolly.) Completing the top five, Kawasaki surged by 14.9% and was the final contender achieving four-figure numbers.

Sixth-placed Royal Enfield obviously overcame some recent difficulties getting stock to dealers, as sales grew by a modest 3.9%. However, KTM followed with an embarrassingly torrid month, some 17.1% fewer bikes ridden away from its showrooms. Suzuki was also thus afflicted, 24% down owing to what had to be new-model availability issues. Ducati in ninth also dipped by a significant 8.4%.

Finally, Lexmoto reappeared in the chart after a stock-famine absence in March 2023. Harley-Davidson, which had figured at the tail end last year, failed to qualify this time around.

The inescapable fact at the conclusion of Q1 is blithely confident predictions about market recovery have lost their certainty. Total year-to-date registrations of 27,952 units are now marginally negative by 0.2%. For what it’s worth – not much – electric PTW sales were 4.6% up to 774. The petrolhead mainstream is 0.4% down to 27,178.

Registrations fall, but electric sector sees modest gains

March, a month typically marked by a surge in registrations due to the plate change, saw a notable 3.7% decrease in new powered two-wheeler (PTW) registrations compared to the same period last year. Despite this, the PTW market remained robust, with a total of 16,803 registrations.

In March, total registrations went down by 3.7% from the previous year’s 17,443 units. Year-to-date total registrations also experienced a slight decline of 0.2%, dropping from 28,022 units for the first quarter 2023 to 27,952 units this quarter.

Glass’s motorcycle market overview

Small-capacity machinery suffered the worst, with total moped and motorcycle sales decreasing by 4.4% and 3.6%, respectively.

While most of the motorcycle style categories experienced a decline in registrations, the adventure, road sport and “unspecified” categories bucked the trend with 5.2%, 17.8% and 54.5% increases respectively. Looking at the year-to-date figures, several motorcycle categories showed growth, but others also saw a decrease. Naked models have decreased over the three-month period by 9.3%, from 5883 units to 5336 units, while in contrast road sport models grew by 18.5%, climbing from 2162 to 2561 units.

In terms of capacity, the year-to-date figures reveal an increase in 126-500cc motorbikes from 4425 units to 5334 units, with the Triumph Scrambler 400X the leading model in the category.

Honda remained the top-selling brand in the market, with 3079 units sold in March. Triumph came in second with 1968 units. And BMW completed the top three with 1906 units. Lexmoto propped up the top 10 with 466 units.

In the current market landscape, internal combustion engine (ICE) motorbikes continue to hold sway over their electric counterparts. Electric registrations for the year-to-date stand at 774, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous year. For the month of March, electric registrations saw a healthy 16.0% uptick, from 319 units to 370 units.

Symon Cook, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), concluded: “As we enter spring and the peak months of the market, we should start to see new PTW registrations pick up in the next quarter. Whilst the electric sector has seen slight growth, ICE still dominates in terms of market share. Following a disappointing Spring Budget for the sector, we urge the government to do more to ensure PTWs are not left behind in the government’s Net Zero plans.”

Following two months of growth in January and February, data published by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) showed that registrations in March declined by 3.7% compared to 2023. Adventure and Road Sport were the leading categories, both ahead of last year, while all other categories were down.

Although recent feedback from dealers was mixed following the positive start to the year, March proved to be flatter than dealers expected. In addition to the ongoing cost of living challenges, rising insurance premiums are also a concern, particularly in towns and cities. This has already led to cancelled orders for some dealers. The wet winter and early spring period has also likely played a role in delaying the season. However, it was not all bad news, with some dealers reporting that demand and sales activity had begun to increase.

USED MOTORCYCLE FEEDBACK

Used sales and enquiries during March followed a similar pattern to the new market, with most dealers finding it slower than expected. Despite this, some dealers reported sales to be slightly ahead of last year.

There is a growing trend in demand for small to mid-range machines, a result of the ageing motorcycling demographic, with riders preferring a lighter machine. That said, sufficient demand remains for larger machines.

Rising insurance premiums are also a concern, particularly in towns and cities

OUTLOOK

The Triumph 400 Scrambler and Speed models continue to be exceptional performers with strong order books. The new Yamaha MT-09 continues to be well received, and like its predecessor, the new BMW R1300 GS is proving to be very popular.

Although stock levels remain strong in the market with plentiful part exchanges, strengthening demand for lighter and middle-weight machines has seen some dealers finding stock in this category in short supply.

March was another milder-than-average month; however, it was very wet, with poor riding conditions. April has also started on a mild note, but again, the rain continues. Despite daylight hours rapidly increasing, drier and calmer weather is needed more than ever to boost the season. As we get into May and the season progresses, values are expected to strengthen across most segments.

Paul McDonald Leisure vehicles editor

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