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Latest NMDA Dealer Attitude Survey shows fall in satisfaction levels
“It is disappointing to see that motorcycle and scooter dealers’ average satisfaction levels with their respective manufacturers have fallen across the board”, said Stephen Latham, interim head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) commenting on the results of the latest, recently-published NMDA Spring 2022 Dealer Attitude Survey (DAS).
Mitas celebrates official opening of new two-wheeler tyre factory in India
Mitas’s newest two-wheeler tyre production facility in India has been formally inaugurated, following our early 2022 article that the factory was ready to commence production. The factory, which will serve global motorcycle tyre markets, is the result of a joint venture with the Mahansaria Group. The two companies are combining their expertise to bring Mitas tyre engineering into the two-wheeler tyre market. Both companies have been working throughout the challenges of the last two years, to test and produce tyres. The Mitas brand is part of Trelleborg Wheel Systems, whose sale to Yokohama for 2.1 billion euros was confirmed at the turn of the year.
Pirelli to supply soft compounds for WorldSBK in Estoril, Portugal
PirelliPirelli will focus on the softest tyres in its range for the third WorldSBK round of the season, the first of two 2022 meets in Portugal. The supplier will offer riders the standard soft SC1 and the development SC1 A0674 on the front. Rear specifications will be the supersoft SCX and soft SC0 tyre, in addition to the SCQ option that can be used in the Superpole session and Superpole Race.
Dunlop MX33 OE on larger KTM motocross bikes
KTM has selected the Dunlop Geomax MX33 as original equipment for the majority of models in its 2023 motocross range. Dunlop will supply the Geomax MX33 for all the larger capacity 2023-spec KTM SX bikes, including the KTM 450 SX-F and KTM 250 SX-F.
Bridgestone supports international youth motorcycle racing series
BridgestoneBridgestone has confirmed a second year of partnership with the Hawkers European Talent Cup (HETC). As of this year, the tyre manufacturer is also official partner of the Federation Française de Motocyclisme (FFM) and sole supplier for the Objectif Grand Prix (OGP), the French national championship dedicated to promising young riders. Bridgestone says it shares the passion for competition and performance that are the basis of motorcycle racing.
Newcomers share victory in Motorrad touring tyre test
The latest issue of motorcycling magazine Motorrad includes a test of half a dozen touring tyres. Four of the six are more or less the same products that Motorrad tested a year ago, but two are newcomers – and this fresh pair share first place.
RoadSmart IV: Dunlop’s “multi-talented tyre”
The latest generation of Dunlop’s RoadSmart is available in 21 sizes and 24 SKUs, a line-up that brings the total range to over 40 sizes that cover 97 per cent of the sport-touring radial tyre segment. Following the trade preview of RoadSmart IV at the end of 2021, Dunlop has released more information on the technologies that go into this tyre.
Dunlop evolves tyre range for new Moto2 & Moto3 season
As the 2022 FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships get underway this weekend, Dunlop respectively begins its 13th and 11th consecutive years as exclusive tyre supplier. In preparation for the packed schedule ahead, Dunlop recently tested new tyres during the official pre-season test held at Portugal’s Algarve circuit on 19-21 February.
Dunlop supporting teams in 2022 MXGP
On Sunday 20 February, FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) will begin its 2022 campaign at the MXGP of Great Britain in Matterley Basin. From there, the championship will host more than a dozen rounds across Europe and return to a global schedule with races in Argentina and Indonesia for the first time since 2019. Dunlop will once again fight for MXGP victories, supporting top teams and independents alike.
NMDA expects “record year” for new PTW sales after buoyant January
January 2022 experienced a 161.4 per cent increase (2353 units) for new PTWs in comparison to January 2021, a month that was once again plagued with partial lockdowns. “The latest power Two Wheelers (PTW) registration figures showed a positive outlook for 2022; as long as supply continues to increase, PTW retailers can expect a record year for new registrations driven by high demand” said Paddy O’Connell, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest MCIA new registration figures.
“If we don’t have something, it’s usually not available anywhere”
Vaccinations were our great hope at the start of 2021, but we entered the new year entirely lacking immunity against other threats. Supply chain issues and escalating raw material, shipping and energy prices quickly became an unwelcome reality. Cambrian Tyres is one of many firms that’s seen the cost of many products go up and the availability of some go way down, but the wholesaler is striving to minimise the global situation’s impact upon its customers.
Michelin introduces City Extra for commuter bikes
A new Michelin tyre aims to satisfy demand in two-wheeler commuter markets around the world. The Michelin City Extra is available in dimensions that suit scooters, step-throughs and small motorcycles, and replaces both the Michelin City Pro and City Grip Pro ranges.
Dunlop a KTM Grade A supplier
KTM has awarded Goodyear EMEA, owner of the Dunlop brand across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, a Grade A supplier rating in its latest evaluation audit. The Austrian performance motorcycle manufacturer will present its Supplier Quality Excellence Award in recognition of the tyre company’s work across product design and development, manufacturing, supply chain, administration and sales functions.
