Motorbike Tyres
In the motorcycle segment, Italian firm Pirelli offers something its competitors don’t; not one, but two unique brands – and one of these is Metzeler, the industry’s only two-wheel tyre specialist. Jim Worland, who is the product and marketing manager for Pirelli Tyres Ltd’s Moto business unit, recently spoke to Tyres & Accessories about the latest products and developments from both brands.
Bike Tyrestore plans to introduce a new Sava range to UK customers at the Motorcycle Trade Expo show in Birmingham in the second half of January. This new product, the Sportforce radial, is aimed at riders of sports, naked and Supermoto motorcycles as well as for riders of sports touring machines who enjoy dynamic rides.
Early next year Michelin will launch several new motorcycle products. Available from the start of 2013 is the replacement for Michelin’s Power One Track, the Power SuperSport. The new tyre is said to slot between the Street and Power One Power Cup in Michelin’s motorcycle line-up, and be intended for 50-50 road/track use. One front wheel size – 120/70-17 (58W) – and four for the rear wheel – 180/55-17 (73W), 190/50-17 (73W), 190/55-17 (73W) and 200/55-17 (78W) – have been announced.
On 1 March Bridgestone will launch its latest sport touring range in Europe. The Battlax Sport Touring T30 radial will be marketed in ten front and 13 rear sizes. The Japanese manufacturer says the Battlax Sport Touring T30 is a “premium brand steeped in technology refined through the company's development of MotoGP race tyres” and is intended for use on medium to large motorcycles.
The market for motorcycles in November shows a decline of 3.2 per cent in a year where the market has experienced a mere 0.1 per cent growth for the year to date.
Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA)/Motorcycle Retailers Association (MRA) commented "Of particular concern is the slowdown in the 51-125cc commuter bike market that has performed throughout the year with an increase in the year to date of 9.3 per cent. However, in November the 51-125cc market experienced a downward fall of 6.8 per cent. This is a strong indication that economic pressures are affecting basic purchases of lower priced motorcycles that many consumers consider an essential form of commuter transport."
The successor to Metzeler’s Karoo and Karoo T will be available in spring 2013, the tyre maker reports. The motorcycling world gained a sneak preview of the new Karoo 3 at November’s EICMA motorcycle show in Italy, and when it hits the road next year the tyre will be available in three front wheel and six rear sizes. Metzeler describes the new knobbly tyre as a product “designed for bikers who love adventure and off-road travel.”
Continental has introduced the ContiClassicAttack; a new radial tyre that has been designed to revitalise the handling, stability, grip and safety performance of classic motorcycles. It is the only radial tyre in this category, says Continental and enables riders to eliminate many of the performance compromises of older bias-ply (aka cross-ply or diagonal) tyre designs.
KTM, Triumph and Harley Davidson rate as top motorcycle franchises according to the Motorcycle Retailers' Association (MRA) Motorcycle Dealer Attitude Survey Autumn 2012 results.
Metzeler has announced that its new sport touring Tourance Next tyres will debut on the BMW R 1200 GS at international motorcycle, scooter and bicycle show, Intermot, which runs from 3 to 7 October in Cologne, Germany. Metzeler has been a BMW development partner for its GS line since 1980 with street enduro products and since 1999 with its Tourance-branded tyres. The Tourance Next is the third generation of the range and was specifically designed for the latest generation of street enduro and adventure touring bikes. The tyre is original equipment on the BMW R 1200 GS in sizes 120/70 R19 M/C and the 170/60 R17 M/C, having been developed in cooperation with the Bavarian manufacturer.
It is 25 years since Michelin launched the first radial motorcycle road tyres, and the French manufacturer has announced that it will mark the occasion at London’s Ace Café. Michelin will attend the venue’s regular monthly ‘Streetfighter Night’ on Friday 7 September, with ex-250 and 500cc world champion, Freddie Spencer. Spencer will arrive at the café at around 18:00-18.30 on a Michelin Pilot Road 3 liveried Virgin Limobike, which has been painted to mark to company’s switch to the ground-breaking Michelin sport touring tyres, which are now fitted to its entire fleet of Yamaha FJR1300s.
A motorcycle repair centre opened by Altrincham-based insurance specialist Carole Nash is celebrating its tenth birthday. The Carole Nash Repair Centre opened in August 2002 following a £250,000 investment. Since then it has rescued and repaired thousands of bikes nationwide which were damaged in accidents or through attempted thefts.
In response to marketplace concerns, Pirelli Tire North America has reassured its customers that the tyre maker doesn’t intend to cease production of 16.5-inch slick and rain motorcycle tyres. In a statement, the company’s Moto Road Racing manager Jeff Johnston said “Pirelli is committed to servicing the North America market now and in the future with 16.5-inch racing tyres. Our road racing distributors stock these slick and rain tyres in the latest constructions and compounds…as a worldwide leader in motorcycle road racing tyres sales and service, we maintain one of the broadest selections of performance products for both amateur and professional racing enthusiasts.”
Two-wheel tyre specialist Metzeler has launched a new scooter product at the Olympic Games. The Feelgreen is being used by some journalists as they move around the London venues; the tyre has been chosen as original equipment by BMW for its electric C evolution scooter, which was introduced at an international press conference on the opening day of the Games. The new scooter will be fitted with the Metzeler Feelgreen in size 120/70 R15 on the front and 160/60 R15 on the rear, and will be sold from 2014 as exclusive original equipment on the BMW electric scooter, as well as in the replacement market.
On 27 July Metzeler chose London as the host city for an ‘opening ceremony’ of its own, the global debut of its Feelgreen tyre. The new range, which from 2014 onwards will be supplied as original equipment on BMW’s electric C evolution scooter (120/70 R15 on the front and 160/60 R15 on the rear), is designed with an emphasis on minimising rolling resistance.
The latest new motorcycle and scooter figures show last month sales overall were down 3.5 per cent against April 2011. Under 50cc scooter sales were down 9.6 per cent in April, while over 50cc motorcycle sales have decreased by 2.5 per cent.
Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents motorcycle and franchised car retailers across the UK commented "It is disappointing to see motorcycle sales down in April after signs of recovery in the first quarter of 2012.
"The poorest performing sectors were the custom, super sport, touring and trail bikes. With people’s disposable income shrinking, the demand for these larger motorcycles has noticeably dropped, as they are often considered a non-essential purchase.
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