BMW Set Single Month Sales Record in April 2013 – New R1200GS Represents 27.7% of Sales Volume

BMW announced it set a new company all-time sales record for a single month, delivering 14,587 motorcycles to customers in April 2013. That represents an 11.5% increase from the 13,088 motorcycles sold in April 2012.
The record month helped push BMW‘s overall sales over the first four months to 39,319 motorcycles and scooters, a 5.0% increase from the 13,088 units sold in the same period of 2012.
“Five per cent growth as compared to the first four months of the previous year is certainly satisfying as far as we are concerned,” says Heiner Faust, vice president of sales and marketing for BMW Motorrad. “It was April in particular that got us off to such a good start in 2013, having been the best month for sales in the entire history of BMW Motorrad.”
More impressively, the sales growth comes in spite of declining sales for the overall motorcycle industry, especially in Europe.
“Like last year, the motorcycle markets are currently very varied,” says Faust. “Development of the major markets Italy and Spain has been very weak due to economic conditions. However, we have been able to make up for this negative development with excellent sales in the USA, Brazil, other Latin American markets, Asia and Russia. Germany remains the single most important market by a wide margin.”
Leading the way is new 2013 BMW R1200GS has been a strong performer, with BMW selling 10,883 of the water-cooled adventure tourer since January. That represents 27.7% of the company’s sales for the first four months.
Also doing well, though not even close to the success reached by the GS, is the S1000RR-based HP4 sportbike, with Faust announcing sales of 1,300 units over four months.
[Source: BMW]

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Suzuki Reports 2012-2013 Fiscal Year Results

Suzuki reported an operating loss of 11.9 billion yen (US$117.1 million) from its motorcycle business for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. The loss stems from a 10.7% decrease in motorcycles sales and a 9.6% decline in motorcycle revenue from its 2012-2013 fiscal year.
According to Suzuki‘s year-end report, motorcycles accounted for 230.3 billion yen in sales revenue, down 254.8 billion yen reported the previous year. The drop in sales contributed to the 11.9 billion yen operating loss, compared to a loss of 2.4 billion yen reported in the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
Suzuki sold 2.312 million motorcycles in its fiscal year, a year-on-year decrease of 10.7% from 2.589 million motorcycles. North American sales were down 8.6%, decreasing to 44,000 units from 49,000 units the previous year.Sales were also down 8.6% in Asia, 3.0% in Japan and 28.7% in Europe where the overall economy continues to struggle.
The news looks all doom-and-gloom at the moment, but Suzuki is forecasting a big turnaround for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. Suzuki is forecasting a 16.3% increase in motorcycle sales to 2.679 million units. This includes a forecast of 60,000 units in North America, a big jump of 35.2% from this past fiscal year.
Suzuki is restructuring its motorcycle business in Asia by streamlining its development process and reducing the number of different engines shared across multiple models. Beyond Asia, Suzuki says it intends to strengthen its lineup of middle and large-sized motorcycles which are sold in other markets such as North America.
While its motorcycle division is struggling, Suzuki as a whole managed to increase its profit to an all-time company record of 80.4 billion yen (US$791.0 million) compared to a net income of 53.9 billion yen reported the previous year.
[Source: Suzuki]

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2014 Honda CRF250M Motard Announced for Europe

Honda announced it is bringing the CRF250M supermoto to Europe. We first heard about the supermoto version of the CRF250L in January, when it was announced for Thailand. Though nothing official was said, it seemed likely at the time Honda would introduce the CRF250M to other markets. American Honda has not yet announced whether it would offer the CRF250M, but we hope it will.
Like the CRF250L, the M version uses a liquid-cooled 250cc Single engine based on the powerplant introduced with the CBR250R. The CRF models share similar power and torque figures, claiming 22.8 hp at 8500 rpm and 16.2 ft-lb. at 7000 rpm. Honda claims the CRF250M can get about 80 miles on the gallon. Combined with a 2.0-gallon fuel tank, the CRF250M should have a range of about 160 miles.

The CRF250M’s styling is also based on the L and the two models share the same frame. The CRF250M has lower suspension however, giving it a seat height of 33.6 inches compared to 34.4 inches on the L. Designed more for street use, the CRF250M runs on 17-inch wheels, front and rear, and wider street tires compared to the 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel and knobby tires used on the CRF250L. The M also has a 25°45’ rake and 71mm trail compared to 27.6° and 113mm on the L model. Honda claims a curb weight of 317 pounds.
The suspension system is comprised of a 43mm Showa inverted fork and a 40mm Showa shock, as with the CRF250L, but the motard version uses heavier springs designed more for the street than for off-road riding.
Honda will produce the CRF250M in two color options: Extreme Red and Black with gold rims.
[Source: Honda]

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MotoGP to Hold Official Test in Argentina; South American Nation Returning to Calendar for 2014

Dorna Sports announced there will be a MotoGP test at Argentina’s Circuito Internacional Termas de Rio Hondo in July to allow teams to prepare for the track’s expected addition to the 2014 MotoGP calendar.
Argentina was actually supposed to join the MotoGP tour this season, but the round was scrapped because of a dispute between the country and Spain after the Argentine government seized control of a Repsol subsidiary. Repsol is, of course, a prominent sponsor of several teams including Honda‘s factory team.
A number of teams will take part in the test, which will take place July 1-5 following the TT Assen in the Netherlands. Dorna has not said which teams will take part in the test, only stating representatives of Ducati, Honda and Yamaha will be taking part. MotoMatters however reports the Repsol Honda factory team, the LCR Honda team as well as the factory Yamaha team will not be present.
For Honda, this probably was to be expected considering the tensions between Argentina and Repsol. MotoMatters reports however the decision was compensate for an advantage those three teams had with their pre-season test at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas in March.
[Source: MotoGP, MotoMatters; Photo by GEPA Pictures]

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2013 MV Agusta F4 Models Now Available with ABS

Just as it did with its four-cylinder Brutale 1090 lineup, MV Agusta announced it is adding an ABS version of its F4 models to its 2013 offerings.
Available for an extra 1000 euros (US$1,311), the Bosch ABS will be available for the baseline MV Agusta F4, the more upscale F4 R and the top-of-the-line F4 RR. That’ s quite a premium, but with base prices starting at 16,990 euros for the F4 R, 19,920 euros for the F4 R and 24,290 euros for the F4 RR, MV Agusta customers might not mind paying a bit more for ABS.
The ABS offers two modes selectable from a handlebar control: Normal for regular use and Race, which reduces the system’s intervention for track use. The system can also be entirely disengaged by the rider.
The F4 models will use the lightweight 9MPlus control unit, which Bosch claims adds only 1.5 pounds to a bike’s weight. The compact unit has integrated pressure sensors that interface with each wheel, helping improve stability. The 9MPlus unit also senses when the rear wheel is about to lift off the ground during extreme braking, and reacts by adjusting front brake pressure to preserve grip at the rear.
ABS joins the already-impressive arsenal of electronics offered on the F4. All F4 models come with ride-by-wire system, three selectable modes for throttle sensitivity, torque limiter, rev limiter, engine response and engine braking, and the Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System which includes traction control and electronically-assisted shifting.
[Source: MV Agusta]

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Kawasaki a Winner at New York Festivals World’s Best Television & Film Awards

Kawasaki received four awards including gold medals for Best Venue and Best Cinematography at the New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards for ads featuring the Ninja ZX-6R (636) and the Z800.
The New York Festivals have been celebrating the best in television and films for 55 years. This year’s awards, announced at the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas, awarded 119 gold medals, 145 silver medals, 10 bronze medals and 327 finalist certificates for entries representing 50 different countries.
Kawasaki submitted the videos for the Ninja ZX-6R and the Z800 and received four medals and a finalist certificate.
“For the new Ninja ZX-6R we used the iconic Isle of Man TT course as the location and engaged a top TT rider to star in the video. Likewise, the Z800 production featured a highly respected boxer in line with the tag line that this machine was a middleweight motorcycle with a knockout punch.” says Zoontjes, adding: “Spurred-on by very positive public reaction to each of the two videos we consulted our production partner, Pool Productions, and decided to enter submissions in several categories of the prestigious New York Festivals awards in the hope that they would perhaps be selected among the finalists. To achieve this and then go on to win two gold’s, a silver and a bronze award was simply amazing.”
The “Set Your Heart Racing” ad for the new 636cc 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R won a gold medal for Best Event Venue, a silver for cinematography and a bronze for production design and art direction. The ad starred racer James Hillier riding the ZX-6R on the Isle of Man and featured some stunning footage showcasing the speed of the 636 and some stunning visuals of Hillier leaning precariously close to the walls lining stretches of the Isle’s Mountain Course.
“I had never done anything like this before and to witness roads being closed, helicopter filming coordinated with a camera ‘chase bike’ and all the other elements being organized by the production team convinced me that we would have something special for Kawasaki fans to view,” says Hillier. “If I achieve the same level of success at the TT races in June, I will be delighted!”
The video for the Kawasaki Z800, a model unfortunately not available in North America, is titled “The Undisputed Super Middle Weight”. It features a boxer  Pere Truñó preparing for a big match and riding the Z800 (Hillier is also credited for the riding footage.) The video won gold for cinematography and a finalist certificate for production design/art direction.
Both spots were produced by Kawasaki and its production partner Pool Productions.
“We have been working with Kawasaki for a number of years and felt these two videos were worthy of wider recognition. To have each win the top award in a major category is an amazing feeling which makes all the hard work of the team involved worthwhile,” says Tom Moran, producer and director of photography who rode the camera bike used in filming both videos.

[Source: Kawasaki]
 

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Suzuki Donating $5 Million for Tsunami-Countering Seawall

It’s been a little over two years since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and its ensuing tsunamis devastated the eastern coast of Japan, and the country is still struggling to rebuild from the tragedy that claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless families.
Some areas such as Hamamatsu, an industrial city home to several companies including Suzuki, were not as badly affected as places on the east coast, but they are making efforts to develop anti-tsunami measures to prevent or lessen the damage from future disasters.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Hamamatsu raising 5 billion yen (US$50.2 million) from member companies including 500 million yen (US$5 million) from Suzuki. The money will go to the development of a new seawall to protect Hamamatsu from tsunamis.
Suzuki will spread its donations over five years, with 200 million euros already donated to the effort.
[Source: Suzuki]

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Yamaha Opening Research & Development Company in India

Yamaha is opening a new research and development company for the Indian market. The newly-formed Yamaha Motor Research and Development India Pvt. Ltd., (YMRI) will be based in Surajpur, on the outskirts of New Delhi, near India Yamaha Motor‘s offices.
YMRI will be Yamaha‘s fifth R&D firm to be located outside of Japan, following locations in Italy, Taiwan, China and Thailand. The new company will part of Yamaha’s “New Medium-Term Management Plan“, and will work on creating new products for the Indian market.
According to Yamaha, India accounted for sales of 14 million motorcycles and scooters in 2012, with continued growth expected to push that number to 16 million units by 2015. Yamaha itself sold 350,000 units in 2012, but the company hopes to increase that number to 500,000 units in 2013 and 1 million by 2015. The new R&D center, as well as the opening of a second factory in Chennai in 2014 should help contribute to that goal.
Yamaha’s primary focus for India is producing new scooters, but the company reportedly has some motorcycles planned as well. The much rumored 250cc Yamaha sportbike is expected to launch in India and hopefully other markets, in 2014. IndianCarsBikes.in also reports Yamaha is also developing a new 110cc commuter bike to be priced under 40,000 Indian rupees (US$732).
[Source: Yamaha, IndianCarsBikes.in]

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Semi-Faired Suzuki Inazuma GW250S Coming to Europe

Suzuki will produce a semi-faired variant of its GW250 for Asia and Europe. The new Suzuki Inazuma GW250S, which adds a half-fairing and windscreen to the small-displacement standard, will be officially introduced April 20 at the Shanghai Motor Show in China. As with the original GW250, the S version will first be available in China with Italian

site Motociclismo.it reporting the GW250S will be soon after be offered for Japan and Europe.

An earlier prototype of the Suzuki GW250S (pictured here) was actually unveiled last October at the 2012 China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition (CIMAMotor) alongside a police-spec version dubbed the GW250J. Both models were produced by Haojue, Suzuki’s Chinese joint venture and the country’s leading motorcycle manufacturer.

The GW250J has already been pressed into service by police in China but the final production version won’t finally be introduced until the Shanghai show. The GW250J’s handlebars are set higher than the base GW250, and the same appears to be true of the GW250J. This would give the GW250S a more upright seating position which, combined with the added wind protection, would make it more suited for sport-touring duties.
The GW250S will use the same fuel injected 248cc Twin engine as the naked and police models. Haojue claims an output of 24 hp at 8500 rpm and 16 ft-lb. at 6500 rpm. The GW250 also features a six-speed transmission, Suzuki B-King-inspired styling, twin exhausts, telescopic fork, seven-way adjustable spring preload rear suspension and a 3.5 gallon fuel tank.
North American availability isn’t clear, though it’s worth noting the GW250S releases appear to be following the same path as the GW250.

[Source: Haojue Suzuki, Motociclismo.it]

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Yamaha M1 Engines Available for Leasing for 2014-2016 MotoGP Seasons

Yamaha announced it will offer a leasing arrangement for its YZR-M1 engines to teams interested in racing in the MotoGP World Championship. The Japanese manufacturer has signed a leasing arrangement with MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports to supply engines for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Racing teams will be able to lease a Yamaha M1 engine on a per-year basis for their own race bikes. Teams will be free to develop their own chassis or use a chassis from suppliers such as FTR or Suter. Yamaha will not provide any additional engine development on leased engines, so teams will be responsible for their own engine improvements.
Full details including pricing will be released shortly, but interested parties can contact either Dorna or Yamaha for more information.
Racing teams currently competing as Claiming Rule Team entries will likely be interested in the arrangement. CRT squads currently use engines derived from production motorcycles.
[Source: Yamaha, Dorna]

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BMW Partners with India’s TVS Motor, Plans Sub-500cc Models

BMW announced it has signed a long-term agreement with Indian manufacturer TVS Motor to develop and produce small-displacement motorcycles.
The two companies have been in discussions for several months now, but alliance is only now official. Under the agreement, BMW and TVS will work together to develop a new model with an engine displacement smaller than 500cc. Each company will then produce its own version of this new model, not just for India but for international markets. The new models will be produced in India.

The partnership is similar to the arrangement between KTM and Bajaj Auto which saw the introduction of the KTM 200 Duke and the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS. The new BMW-TVS motorcycle will mark a slight departure from both of their product offerings. The smallest engine in BMW’s current lineup is the 647cc parallel-Twin engine used in its C600 Sport and C650GT scooters while TVS’ lineup are all smaller than 250cc.
“In view of changing motorcycle markets, demographic developments and increasing environmental demands we are expanding our product range so as to tap into fresh growth potential,” says Stephan Schaller, president of BMW Motorrad. “We have a highly expert and experienced partner in the TVS Motor Company. This means that in future we will be able to offer vehicles in smaller capacity classes in addition to the BMW Motorrad core segments.”
No details were provided about any future BMW-TVS models, though Schaller says different kinds of models could come from the partnership.
“Various types of motorcycle are conceivable,” says Schaller. “They will meet the expectations of a BMW motorcycle in terms of riding fun as well as setting a new benchmark when it comes to stability, agility and performance figures. I regard this long-term cooperation as an important step along the road to profitable, sustainable growth.”
TVS is one of India’s largest motorcycle manufacturers, producing about two million motorcycles per year. Working with BMW provides the company with the German brand’s engineering prowess.
“With BMW Motorrad, we see an ideal long-term strategic partner who shares our core values: focus on quality, engineering prowess, innovation and customer satisfaction. We intend to leverage each other’s strengths to deliver a new series of products offering cutting edge technology for our customers.”
[Source: BMW, TVS]

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Classic Off-Road Bikes Featured in Braving Baja: 1,000 Miles to Glory Exhibition

Back in the 60s, American Honda tested the durability of its motorcycles by sending a CL72 Scrambler on a 950-mile trek through rocks, sand washes, dry lake beds, mountain passes and paved roads. Fifty years later, that legendary run is remembered for inspiring one of the most significant off-road races in the world—the Baja 1000. In celebration, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is hosting a tribute dinner, one-day off road show, and summer-long exhibition called Braving Baja, 1,000 Miles to Glory.  

The Petersen will host its Baja Tribute Dinner on May 2 at 6pm., honoring Dave Ekins for that first run down the Baja peninsula on the Honda, and Parnelli Jones, a renowned racer of all genres, for his off-road racing success that includes multiple Baja 1000, Baja 500 and Mint 400 wins in his famously fabricated Bronco, “Big Oly.” Both Ekins and Jones will answer questions from the audience. Tickets for the evening of food, drinks and legends are available here.
The Baja Day Off-Road Show is Saturday, May 4, from 9am to 4pm. The off-road show is included in the daily museum admission rate for spectators, and participation is open to anyone with a vehicle that is off-road capable, including trucks, buggies, motorcycles, sand rails and more. Vendors will be on-site as well.
The Braving Baja: 1,000 Miles to Glory exhibition will run from May 4 through September 2, featuring artifacts of all sizes including significant motorcycles, trucks, buggies, clothing and ephemera. This never-before-seen collection of historic off-road racing vehicles will show where it all began and how it has evolved.
Vehicles on display will include:

•    1962 Honda Scrambler 250 (Bud Ekins)
•    1963 Triumph Cub
•    1964 Meyers Manx
•    1964 Triumph Desert Sled TR6-SC
•    1969 Husqvarna 500 Twin
•    1970 DKW 125
•    1970 Miller Havens VW single-seater (Drino Miller)
•    1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross (Gunnar Nilsson)
•    1971 Harley-Davidso
•    1974 Husqvarna 250CR (Mary McGee)
•    1975 Honda C&J 440 (replica / Baker-Cannaday/ Bell Honda overall winner)
•    1975 Rokon Automatic
•    1960 Bilstein VW Baja Bug (Doug Robertson)
•    1995 Honda XR228R (Mulder, Johnson, Dunlevey)
•    2003 Honda XR650R (Mouse McCoy “Dust to Glory”)
•    2004 Honda XR650R (Winningest Bike in Baja)
•    2012 Honda CRF450X

Proceeds from the Tribute Dinner and the Off-Road Show benefit the Petersen Automotive Museum’s educational programming. The Petersen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution.
Go to www.BravingBaja.org to purchase tickets. Admission prices are $12 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students with ID, $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members, active military with ID and children under five are admitted free. Vault tours are available for an additional $25, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $2.00 each additional 30 minutes. One hour validation with purchase of $20 or more in the Museum Store or Johnny Rockets located in the museum lobby.  Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum’s web site. The Petersen Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, CA 90036.

From Motorcycle

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