Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM has extended its commitment to Maxxis by selecting the tyre maker as original equipment supplier to its new Freeride range. Maxxis also supplies its FIM approved MaxxEnduro to KTM’s EXC range of bikes.
A motorcycling blogger and his family have fitted the Avon Distanzia to their two Triumph Bonnevilles and single-cylinder Yamaha XT660R for their holiday circumnavigating the globe. Aad Schram, his wife Jeannette and son Mike are currently in South America, and are uploading dispatches from their adventures, which began in 2012, to popular website earth-roamers.blogspot.com. Aad […]
While the North American tyre market struggled to create demand for additional volume in 2013, Bill Sweatman, president of Marangoni Tread North America, announced the company managed to achieve a 70,000 unit sales increase for the year. “Growing faster than the market is a key indicator that we continue to collectively provide our customers with best-in-class products, service, support and the best network of independent dealers in the industry,” he said.
On 2 January, Kumho Tire announced the domestic market launch of its first self-sealing tyre. The company’s ‘K-Seal’ technology has been introduced on the Kumho Majesty Solus range and is available in three sizes – 275/40ZR19 XL 105W, 245/45ZR19 XL 102W and 235/45ZR17 XL 97W. These tyres are capable of self-sealing tread punctures of up to five millimetres in diameter.
Some three years after introducing its first motorcycle tyre, the Roadiac WF-1, Nankang has expanded its two-wheel portfolio with the release of the WF-2 Sportiac sport touring tyre. The Taiwan-based tyre maker claims that two years of research and testing went into the WF-2 Sportiac’s development, and as a result the tyre “stands out with high performance in grip within every kind of road condition.”
Although a date still hasn’t been set for the inauguration of its large new tyre factory in India’s Tamil Nadu state, on 18 December Michelin inaugurated two new certified Recamic retreading facilities in the state. The commercial vehicle tyre retreading facilities, located in the Chennai and Pudukottai regions, have been established in collaboration with TVS Tread, the retreading arm of TVS Group.
Galgo Pre-Q’s DP tread for use on Long-haul class-8 drive axle has been awarded SmartWay approval, the second time a Galgo tread has been accredited in his way. According to a company statement, this means the product meets the requirements of the SmartWay Technology programme that verifies low rolling resistance retreaded tyres which help reduce truck fuel consumption by at least 3%, according to the EPA. This programme is compliant with California Air Resources Board (CARB) as well.
In addition to appearances from football freestylers Christopher Noel and Colin Nell and giving away more than 16,000 free footballs, during last month’s Agritechnica show off-road tyre specialist BKT presented two new ranges – the Constar and Star Trac. Both products are scheduled for market release before the end of 2013.
The evolution of Kenda’s original Bearclaw ATV tyre is now available, Kenda Tire reports. The tyre maker says the new Bearclaw Evo “has raised the bar in all areas of performance” and notes that reducing weight without sacrificing durability was a priority for the new tyre.
Contract tyre manufacturer, Enjoy Tyre is promoting its Rotalla range and a trio of winter tyre patterns in particular. The S100 M+S, S110 and S210 have all been produced as so-called “skid proof winter tyres”. All three patterns reportedly offer a thin multi-curve tread incorporating significantly deeper grooves in order to maximise performance in both standard and difficult winter road conditions.
Subaru UK is offering customers buying a new Subaru BRZ sports car some early festive cheer with a free set of alloy wheels and cold weather tyres, worth a combined £1095 including fitting.
For the last year Goodyear has teamed up with Lancashire County Council’s highways maintenance department to test a range of winter tyres in some of the coldest and slipperiest conditions found on UK roads. Goodyear’s UltraGrip winter tyres were fitted to the council’s winter gritting vehicles in late 2012 to see if they could improve safety and stability during the vital task of applying salt to the 1,550 miles/2,500 kilometres of roads in Lancashire that are treated within four hours of a freeze being forecast. As a result of the successful trial, Lancashire County Council is extending its relationship with Goodyear. It is now looking to introduce a winter tyre policy for its gritting vehicles to ensure continued service in all conditions.
Bridgestone has revealed its second generation air-free concept tyre. The manufacturer said the new model features improved load-bearing capabilities, environmental design and driving performance. The tyre is “one step closer to a viable, commercially available air free tyre,” Bridgestone stated.
TRM, the Marangoni Meccanica division dedicated to the sale and development of retreading machinery, is reporting that its premium “Black Dragon” tyre building machines have pushed the envelope in terms of technology and helped inspire growth in mould cure retreading in general as well. The Black Dragon, purportedly the best machine of its kind available in the market for bead to bead application, is available in two versions: the Black Dragon 90, featuring a rotating twin turret serving a 90mm extruder for tread application and a vertical extruder for sidewall application, and the bigger version Black Dragon 120 (formerly known as Alpha Twin Dual Black Swan), featuring a 120mm extruder for the tread and two sidewall extruders.
Trelleborg has launched the TH400 Trelleborg Agro Industrial radial range of tyres for telescopic handlers, backhoes and mini loaders in North America. According to the company, the range’s advanced radial casing and reinforced structure ensures maximum stability even when booms are fully extended.
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