The European Union has commissioned a $3.5-million study to try and reduce the amount of motorcycle accidents.
Despite the title of this column, we try at all times to be reasonably accurate and check sources of information when we are discussing possible new bikes, sightings and insider rumors. As we fast approach the end of the year and take a quick look back, most of the bikes predicted have appeared - even if, as with the Aprilia Shiver, it appeared with a different name - proving our sources are pretty accurate.
We have also brought to your attention to matters of concern like the crash helmet issue in the UK and the rear wheel problems with the
Triumph Bonneville and its snapping spokes. It would now appear that due to plenty of publicity this is more than just a few isolated incidents and Triumph are now being investigated by the UK authorities.
The Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) is a government body responsible for the safety of vehicles on the UK's roads and they are now looking closely at all the reported incidents of broken spokes that have contributed to punctures, some at high speed. Triumph themselves are currently blaming the owners and lack of maintenance for the problems and refusing to take any action.
However, if VOSA find there is a manufacturing problem, they can force the company to recall affected vehicles and rectify the problem, which will obviously affect the company in terms of reputation, as well as financially. We will keep you posted on this very important issue and let you know if there is a recall enforced.
On the good news front, a new research project has just been announced by the European Union (EU) called Motorcycle and Motorcyclist Safety or
MYMOSA. Commissioned by the European Transport Safety Council, it is the biggest ever research project into motorcycle crashes and will cost $3.5 million.
It will use computers to simulate crashes and collisions, research data and will also look at technology that could prevent them occurring. Amongst its other wide ranging briefs is crash helmet design and general motorcycle clothing. Experts are being recruited from universities in various countries and companies involved in the industry. No time scale has been set, but the ultimate aim is to reduce casualties by 20%. In Europe currently there are 4000 motorcycle deaths, 2500 scooter deaths and 250,000 serious injury crashes.
In the meantime we move on with more facts, rumors and amusing information on the world of motorcycling from all round the globe.
The KTM X-Bow is an intriguing four-wheeled, two-seater design which features an Audi powerplant.
We mentioned it before as a possible project, but now it is official:
KTM will sell an
Audi-engined sports car which will be launched next spring, called the X-Bow. Designed by Gerald Kiska who currently styles the KTM bikes, the radical open top two-seater sports car will weigh just 700kg thanks to a carbon fibre chassis. The car has been developed with Italian race car experts
Dallara and will have the option of either a 220bhp or 300hp Audi four-cylinder motor. Brakes and suspension will come from Brembo and WP respectively. Keeping the motorcycle link is also a tie-up with Dainese who will supply special overalls and helmets for all-weather protection. The cost will be $53,000 for a base model and just 100 will be built for 2007, although if there is the demand a further 500 will be built for 2008.
China
The output of two-wheeled machinery from Chinese manufacturers is immense, totaling 15.54 units through the first nine months of this year. Many of the models are for European brands like Benelli.
Following on from some of trading figures we highlighted in the November column comes some interesting numbers and facts from China. Total motorcycle production for the first nine months of this year was a staggering, 15.54 million units which represented a 25.6% rise over 2005. It is predicted that the final total will exceed 21 million - an overall growth of at least 18%.
Whilst the vast majority of these are currently small-capacity machines, this will change as they look towards the bigger capacity bikes. Some companies have ownership (Benelli) or strategic alliance (Aprilia) with other European/Japanese manufacturers already producing the bigger machines.
You might wonder where all this will stop even in a country as large as China and where are all the bikes are going to go. Bearing this in mind, it is interesting to find out that from 1st January 2007 all motorcycles will be banned from downtown Guangzhou in the south of the country. The reason is that the local municipal government wants a reduction in pollution and to help curb the rising crime rate. It appears that the thieves use bikes to either commit the crimes or use as getaway vehicles.
The TRACK T-800CDI is a shaft-driven diesel-powered motorcycle produced by the Dutch manufacturer Eva Products, which churns out 110.7 lb-ft of torque.
Dutch firm Eva Products is marketing the world's first civilian production diesel motorbike. The TRACK T-800CDI is the first non-military bike to go into full-scale production and uses an 800cc Triple motor giving just 54 bhp.
However, like all diesels it has masses of torque, 110.7 lb-ft, which is more than a Fireblade, but only revs to 3,000 rpm. It also gives 78 miles to the gallon and has shaft drive. Unlike some previous diesel bikes, it is quite stylish with hints towards a large KTM and even uses WP suspension front and rear and Brembo callipers! More information at
www.dieselmotorfiets.nl.
Italy
Many of our rumored models in columns past have surfaced at recent shows, including the Aprilia Shiver, albeit under a different name.
has been out track testing its new V-4 Superbike in Italy. Or, to be more precise, the engine that was officially launched at the Milan Show last month. Although extensively bench tested, this was the first time the engine was used in an actual bike.
Fitted into a basic frame built as a starting point for development, the whole machine was clothed in an RSV fairing in an attempt to disguise it during its hour-long test. The 210-bhp machine should be ready for public consumption in 2008 in order that it be homologated for the WSB championship, although expect to see a race-prepped machine sometime next year.
Cagiva have launched a 500 Mito, no doubt inspired by the increasing number of specials being created around the world using the small compact sports bike as a host for larger engines. Brainchild of Giovani Castiglioni, the son and protégé of
MV Agusta-owner Claudio, the bike has the motor of the 510
Husqvarna.
A new 500 Mito has been unveiled by Cagiva, which utilizes the powerplant of the 510 Husqvarna and retains the styling of the Mito 125 (above).
The 60-bhp machine retains the original styling, which came from the pen of Massimo Tamburini, the designer of the iconic Ducati 916. The bike is likely to cost around $8,000, and thanks to its lightweight (293 lbs) will probably embarrass some sports machines from the 600 class on some tight twisty roads.
Unusually, one high profile Italian firm that did not feature at all last month was
Ducati. However, now they have released their trading figures for the first six months of the year and they are looking a lot better than in the past, showing the restructuring measures we have mentioned previously appear to be working.
Actual revenue generated was $3m, a rise of 1.4% over last year. The operating profit was $6m as opposed to a $9m loss in the equivalent period last year, and the pre-tax profit was $5m. The overall debt was $62m which is better than the $175m a year ago before the recent recapitalization!
Ducati has seen its sales figures enact an impressive rise in the States, although it went into the red on its home soil. Overall numbers figure to surge with the high expectations placed on the new 1098 superbike.
The USA is leader of the pack among all countries, with sales up 23%. Japan also saw a 25% rise. However, in Europe things are not so good, with many countries, including Italy, showing a decline (6%) in sales. However, the new recently announced models like the 1098 may well see these figures take a turn for the better by the time the end-of-year figures are published.
Work has now apparently started on restyling the Multistrada to make it more appealing. Since its launch, people have either loved or hated the design with no middle ground, which has affected sales of the multipurpose machine. Insiders claim the new look will make it more appealing.
The new GP800 from Gilera is the fastest-ever production scooter and utilizes the same 90-degree V-Twin motor in the new Aprilia Mana 850.
has revealed the biggest, fastest production scooter ever - the GP800. It uses the same 90-degree V-Twin engine and semi-auto gearbox as the new Aprilia Mana 850 and in the same state of tune. The big V-Twin motor is tucked under the rider's seat which limits storage, but potential purchasers will probably not worry too much, given the performance! Prices are expected to be around $12,000.
MV Agusta recently exhibited at a show aimed at what might be described as their target audience - the Millionaire Fair in Amsterdam. Despite showing some of the limited-edition (100) Brutale Italia machines, replicas of those built for the World Cup-winning team, on sale at a modest $40,000, they were not the most expensive bikes on show.
MV Agusta boss, Claudio Castiglioni, is the namesake for the MV F4CC. Only 100 of the models will be made, leaving 99 up for grabs, as Claudio gets one of them of course!
The
Walz Hardcore Choppers built in Germany and previously featured in this column topped the bill at $196,000. However, in comparison to the yachts and planes on sale these were still cheap! Surprisingly, MV did not show the MV F4 1100 CC that they built at a cost of $132,000 for boss Claudio Castiglioni, hence the CC designation. Featuring a 1078cc motor that pumps out 198 bhp and is electronically restricted to 195 mph, the vast majority of the bike is hand-built and will form the basis of their 2008 WSB machine. Only 100 of the bikes will be built, and each owner will get a designer leather jacket worth $20,000 numbered to match the bike!
Moto Morini continues its Phoenix-like rise from the ashes of disaster with yet another new bike, the MM3. Although just a concept at present, it could soon be a showroom reality, thanks to sharing a large number of components with the existing Cosaro 1200 Streetfighter.
Aimed at the BMW 1200GS and Ducati Multistrada market, it features advanced electronics, along with lots of top quality components, but will cost just under $18,000 if it goes into production.
India
The Textile Technology Department of the Indian Institute of Technology have just announced that it has developed some new 'phase change materials' which could find their way into motorcycle clothing in the near future. Basically the new product, actually absorbs heat when it is hot to keep the rider cool and then releases heat when it gets cold, meaning that one garment could cope with all extremes of temperature in the future. (
BMW actually has a light jacket that uses Schoeller PCM (Phase Change Material) available now. -Ed)
Japan
Smaller-displacement scooters, like this 49cc Honda Metropolitan, may one day feature paper-based catalytic converters made by the Japanese firm F.C.C..
Most large-capacity machines now feature catalytic converters as part of their exhaust system just like cars, which do of course add weight as well as contribute to higher prices. However, by 2010 things could change thanks to a Japanese company called F.C.C. Co., of which Honda is a major shareholder.
Up to now their core business has been manufacturing clutches for motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles. Now they have devised a catalytic converter made from paper for cleaning motorcycle exhausts. They hope to have a commercial product ready by 2010 that is inexpensive enough to be used even on scooters. With emission standards becoming stricter even for scooters, F.C.C. anticipates high demand for its new paper catalytic converter. It is made by mixing in platinum and other precious metals during the papermaking process. Manufacturing technologies have been adapted from the techniques it uses to make friction materials for clutches in the new process.
(Car catalytic converters are made from ceramics, but motorcycles use converters made from nickel and other metals that can better withstand vibrations. However, these devices are heavy, and the high price of the metals has limited their use to the larger motorcycles.)
The new paper-based catalytic converter is easy to process, lightweight and is claimed to be able to withstand vibrations. Another claimed advantage is that it can be built into the muffler itself, which will tidy up the designs, as well as reducing weight and costs.
Rumor has it Triumph is looking to modify its planned 200-mph superbike into a sport-touring model which would measure up against ZX-14-based Kawasaki Concours (above).
has just launched a limited edition (2500) of its Monkey bike to celebrate its 40th Anniversary in 2007. The small-wheeled bike that has become something of a cult machine first appeared in 1967 named the Z50M and has changed little over the past four decades.
United Kingdom
Two years ago
Triumph abandoned their 200 mph Superbike code-named the 'Hurricane' after consultants working for them claimed it may harm their image due to its high-speed potential. Insiders now say it is back, but this time as a sports tourer to take on the new Kawasaki GTR1400 (Concours 14 in America). Apparently it will not take too much work to detune the motor and re-engineer the ergonomics to suit the new image. Nobody could give a timescale for a launch, although late 2007 seems a possibility in light of the above comments.
Triumph is working on a touring version of the Rocket III to compete against The Motor Company's tourers.
Two new Triumphs have been spied out road testing recently, both based on the gargantuan Rocket III. First up was the touring version, which will be equipped with panniers, etc., to enable it to go head to head with the big
Harley touring mounts.
Probably more exciting, though, is the twin-cylinder version with a capacity of 1529cc to allow it to go directly at the H-D brand. The bike has been under development for three years according to sources and has another year of work before it gets a public launch. We will keep you posted when we know more about this machine!
The Norton name keeps cropping up from time to time, this time in connection with the ill-fated V-8 Nemesis project of some years ago. It seems that its designer
Al Melling and his team are still working on it and developing it ready for use in an Italian bike! Moto Guzzi V-8 anybody?
An MV Agusta GP bike once ridden by John Surtees will be up for auction this April and is expected to fetch upward of $315,000.
The major
Classic Bike show in the UK run in April will be host to an auction selling a unique MV Agusta GP bike once owned by John Surtees, the only man to win a world championship on two and four wheels. The bike was raced in the late 1950s and early '60s and was one of two of the pre-1965 period assembled and complete when the race shop was sold off some years ago. The bike has been regularly ridden by ex-MV works rider Phil Read amongst others and is expected to sell for over $315,000!
Lastly
All that remains is to wish you all the best for the forthcoming festivities and see you next year with more of the same from around the world!
Tell us what you think about this month's installment of Euro Gossip in the
MCUSA Forum.
