As much as many Americans believe the world revolves around the land of the stars and stripes, there's a whole 'nother world of motorcycling across the pond. This is the first instalment of a new column on MCUSA that will bring a Euro perspective on the moto world, written by veteran UK motojournalist Ian Kerr. -Ed

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Hello and welcome to the first in a series of regular updates on what is happening in the UK and Europe. All the movers and shakers will be featured at some stage, along with information from the Eurocrats about impending legislation that may be useful to know if you venture to Europe on vacation!

BMW Motorrad and Aprilia S.p.A., Noale (Piaggio Group), have successfully completed talks regarding a renewed collaboration in the motorcycle sector. A cooperation contract was signed in Munich relating to development and production services. This is in connection with an additional future product in motorcycle segments that are entirely new to BMW. Production is due to take place in the Aprilia plant near Venice.

"This is a further extension of BMW's motorcycle range," said Dr. Herbert Diess, Head of BMW Motorrad. "Models of the existing single-cylinder series (F Series) are not affected by these considerations. Among other things, we see in this cooperation a key contribution to the reinforcement of the European motorcycle and supply industry."

BMW has a fairly long history with Aprilia. From 1993 until the end of 1999, Aprilia built the first generation of the successful single-cylinder F650 for BMW Motorrad. Production of the successor model was then moved to the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin.

For the BMW Group, the collaboration is a useful medium for releasing its own resources for other strategic functions. Aprilia S.p.A., which since 30 December 2004 is 100% controlled by the Piaggio Group, will bring to the cooperation agreement its renowned technological and production capabilities in the motorcycle sector.

"This cooperation will further consolidate the sales volume of components manufactured for the BMW Group in Italy," said Dr. Marco Saltalamacchia, President of BMW Italia. "In 2004, this figure was around 420 million euros (60 million euros for motorcycles) making Italy one of the most important supplier countries of the BMW Group."

Dr. Roberto Colaninno, Chairman of both Piaggio Group and Aprilia explained: "The agreement with BMW Motorrad confirms Aprilia's reputation and technological and design capabilities. For us, it is a further significant step in the recovery process of Aprilia as one of the most important motorcycle brands and manufacturers in Italy and Europe since its acquisition by Piaggio."

BMW have long been rumoured to be heading for MotoGP, but the good bets are now being placed on a machine for WSB. If they follow the same ideas they had for the GP class they will need a new bike, perhaps a three cylinder! But BMW's recent tie-up with Aprilia to jointly develop new machines may steer it towards a V-Twin. However, a parallel-Twin machine in two guises has already been spotted undergoing tests in Spain, meaning that they have already developed a new range. BMW's recent tie-up with the Italians might also result in a new use for Aprilia's 450cc V-Twin.

The Germans are also further adding to their range with an M series of bikes similar to that used on cars, but in this case the initials HP for High Performance will be used. Expect to see the R1200GS and the K1200R as the first bikes carrying these letters.

Piaggio finally completed the purchase of the Aprilia group at the end of December 2004. As a result they now own, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Laverda, these great names joining a stable that already includes Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Puch and Bianchi. Surprisingly, Ivan Beggio retains a seat on the Aprilia Board despite being responsible for the financial debt that caused their demise. The GP-mad Italian walked away from WSB to throw millions unsuccessfully into Moto GP.

However, the good news from his point of view is the statement by Piaggio CEO Rocco Sabeli, who has gone on record as saying they will continue in 125 and 250 GPs but withdraw from MotoGP and make a return to WSB as soon as possible. He also promised to increase the effort in the World Supermoto Championship with the SXV4.5 and SVX5.5, as well as entering open-class motocross GPs with a single works rider.

Leo Marcanti, the Italian businessman who has been sent in to get Aprilia back on its feet, has stated he may use the 450cc V-Twin originally developed for off-road to power the new RS250 replacement. He also confirmed the desire to get back into racing as quickly as 2007, although he did not quantify if that was with BMW.

However, he did state that Moto Guzzi and Aprilia would compete against each other, although there were no immediate plans for Laverda. Do not be surprised to see bikes in either range powered by Piaggio engines either!

Another name in the Piaggio stable, Derbi, has made a profit for the first time in nine years. Expanding from a solid base in the scooter industry, the Catalonia based company produced 59,000 units this year. Originally formed in 1922, the company hope to see this rise to 80,000 in the next three years.

Right here in the UK, Triumph has just posted record profits of £3m for last year, a 44% gain over 2003 figures. Not bad when you consider the fire that nearly ended their rise from obscurity a few years ago!

Despite the recent launch of the four-cylinder Daytona 650, Triumph has a 675cc Triple that is undergoing final testing before being put on sale. Spy pictures have already been published and a factory insider has confirmed the bikes existence!

Work is already underway on the new Speed Triple to ensure that it will pass even tighter noise tests that come into being in Europe for 2006. These tests measure overall sound levels in a ride-by test that will pick up chain, engine and general mechanical noise as well as the exhaust note. This means lots of sound deadening material being used around the bikes bodywork. 

Avon tyres have just produced new Viper tyres. The Viper Sports are road tyres competing against Dunlop D208s and Pirelli Diablos and the Bridgestone BT01/04. The Supersports are for track use and are set to go against the D208RR, BT012SS, Pilot Power and Diablo Corsa.

The recently re-opened National Motorcycle Museum (in England) has many of the bikes damaged by the fire rebuilt. They have done such a good job that one sneaky private restorer has already surreptitiously removed parts from one of the bikes in the collection to complete his own restoration, despite the security cameras!

The UK government has confirmed it has no intention on capping the power output of bikes. This, though, is at a time leading up to a general election when they desperately need all the votes they can get. They promised the earth to bikers before and have yet to deliver on those promises some ten years on.

Italian firm MV are rumoured to be working on a 650cc entry-level model. This bike will have a 'sensible' price tag and is likely to head to head with the Triumph mentioned above.

MV also has a WSB-spec version of its F4 1000 engine running on the dyno to get ready for an assault on the championship in 2006. Inside sources suggest that it gives 206 bhp and it is virtually indestructible.

Staying in Italy, the new Bimota DB5 has been seen out and about during road tests. Shown at Munich last year the Ducati-engined bike will also form the basis for the naked DB6 that will follow.

Mondial, who last year announced a V-5 road bike, reckon the engine will be on display at the Milan show this year, with the whole bike being ready for the Intermot show in 2006.

Meanwhile the Mondial Nuda is expected to go into production this summer, although more changes are planned like a redesigned tank and a single headlight. The naked bike powered by Honda's SP-2 motor is expected to cost the same as a Ducati Multistrada.

MZ have now launched their naked SF (Street Fighter) version of the 1000S sports bike introduced just a year on. The re-emerging German factory, who once produced more bikes than any other factory in the world, has retuned the 998cc motor for more torque. Its nose fairing uses jet fighter technology to give greater rider protection from the small frontal area and was designed by Peter Naumann who penned the original 1000S

Blata are a Czech firm who currently manufacture minimoto bikes. They have just been backed by the government and are currently building a factory in Blansco, which will be capable of churning out 100,000 bikes by 2009.

But, the big news is that Blata has plans for a V-6 racer to compete in MotoGP. Mounted in an alloy beam frame, the motor is claimed to produce 220bhp, which it will need as six-cylinder bikes carry a 10kg (24-lb) weight penalty.

"The effort and commitment Blata are investing in the project is tremendously impressive," Comments WCM Director of Racing Peter Clifford. "They have taken a very basic initial concept and developed into something that is very exciting. The initial progress may well have looked slow from the outside but Blata's determination to do it right will certainly pay off in the medium and long term."

In Burandi, South Africa, frustrated bike owners took the law into their own hands when police failed to deal with bike thieves. They placed tyres around the culprit's neck and set fire to them!


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