National Cycle: Recent new windshield designs from the market-leading Maywood, Illinois based manufacturer include a choice of VStream windshield upgrades for Indian Chieftain and Roadmaster models from 2014-2018. Taking its name from its unique patented shape, the advanced “V” profile and dimensional contours of VStream windshields that push the wind vortex out and away from the rider’s helmet result in a quieter and less turbulent riding environment. Made from tough, high quality 4.5 mm Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate, using National Cycle’s state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, the company says that they “provide outstanding clarity, impact strength and scratch resistance - unmatched by any windscreen maker worldwide. “Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate is the material of choice for serious motorcycle riders - it is 10 times more abrasion resistant than FMR hardcoated polycarbonate, and 30 times more than windscreens made from commonly used acrylic or “aircraft plastic”; www.nationalcycle.com
Paaschburg & Wunderlich: The distributor and parts and accessory designer made the headlines earlier this year when it announced its acquisition of German parts maker and bike builder LSL Motorradtechnik GmbH from founder and former Harley dealer Jochen Schmitz-Linkweiler. Noted for top-end parts and expansive series production ‘Clubman’ and specials bike building programs, LSL warehousing and sales activities have been relocated to the P&W facility at Glinde, near Hamburg. The LSL development department, design and engineering teams have stayed at the existing LSL facility at Krefeld under the continuing leadership of Schmitz-Linkweiler. P&W existing own brands include HIGHSIDER, Shin Yo, Takkoni and Moto Professional; www.pwonline.de; www.lsl.eu
Fechter Drive: German distributor, best known for own brand product lines such as Hurric, Shark and Falcon exhausts and ProTech accessories; www.fechter.de
Öhlins: Recent new products from the Swedish manufacturer include its NIX 22 cartridge kit for Softails. Based on experience gained through decades of high-end suspension manufacturing, the kit is said to deliver “performance with stable damping characteristics while ensuring a smooth, comfortable ride.” Features include compression damping in the left leg and rebound damping in the right leg; it is an easy bolt-on install for standard front forks and has a 22 mm piston diameter. A range of spring rates are available; www.ohlins.com
Norton: The Stuart Garner chapter of the Norton Motorcycle story is already a story that has been often told throughout the media in recent years, but less often commented upon is the potential impact that his 20-year “Design and Licence” agreement with leading Chinese motorcycle engine manufacturer Zongshen could be going to have on the burgeoning middleweight displacement market - where a real shake-up and tsunami of buying options stands to completely redraw the motorcycle sales landscape for the next 30 years. The joint venture project is for a new 650 cc twin that has been engineered and developed by Norton and legendary British engine designer Ricardo. The Euro 4 compliant engine will allow Zongshen to “fast-track” into larger displacement production numbers and under the Norton imprimatur start selling co-designed Norton badged machines worldwide. While the precise value of the deal to Norton remains confidential, an initial consideration paid to Norton was described as being in the “millions of dollars” with an ongoing royalty on each engine produced. Zongshen is not to be underestimated, it is a player - in 2017 it is estimated to have produced around 4 million engines. For a generation of potential buyers who love ‘retro,’ Norton’s legacy (which can be traced back to 1898) is going to prove a real draw once these new bikes are in northern hemisphere dealerships; www.nortonmotorcycles.com
Motorsport Aftermarket Group: One of the world’s leading and largest manufacturers of aftermarket products of all kinds, MAG has emerged from its September 2017 difficulties in better shape than it has been since before the crash of 2008 changed our world forever. From Vance & Hines exhausts, Kuryakyn accessories and Progressive Suspension shocks, the diverse offer also includes Performance Machine brakes and wheels, RSD accessories and apparel, the popular Speed & Strength program (a staple with a large number of authorized Harley dealers in the United States who want to complement their Bar ‘n Shield product with some ‘Edge’), Mustang Seats, the fast growing Burley Brand and more; www.maggroup.com
Triumph: It is a year ago now since news of the non-equity deal between Triumph and major KTM shareholder Bajaj Auto emerged - a deal designed to pave the way for a whole new generation of Triumph badged middleweights that Bajaj will sell in emerging markets. However, if anyone thinks they won’t find their way into Europe and North America, think again, they will. At the time, the joint statement between the two stated that “this new global partnership will enable Triumph to significantly expand its global reach by entering new higher volume market segments, especially in emerging markets across the world.” While the primary initial targets may well be the “emerging markets”, the mid-displacement sector in the world’s mature markets is where the really interesting action will be found in the next decade. That is the future battleground, and if Royal Enfield, Norton and probably also BSA branded machines are going to be slugging it out with Harley, Indian and others for the price-point sweet-spot at which millennials will engage, there is no way that Triumph will allow itself, or that Bajaj would allow Triumph, to be left outside the party looking longingly at the opportunities from afar; www.triumph.co.uk
Fehling: The well-known German accessories manufacturer offers dealers access to one of the largest handlebar, engine guard, protection parts, luggage rack and related parts ranges in the industry. The company specializes in anything that involves tube bending and designs and makes all its own products in-house at its factory near Dortmund in Germany. Founded in 1945 as a specialist metal-forming and processing engineer, the company specializes in motorcycle parts, currently employs around 25 people and is still in the founder's family ownership; www.fehling.de
Beringer: The legendary French brakes manufacturer was founded in 1985 by Gilbert and Veronique Beringer, and the company got its start with a range of wheels and fork arms for side cars. The company’s entry into the brakes market came in 1990 with cast iron discs, followed by calipers soon after. Selling into the automotive, race (including F1) and aeronautical markets, as well as most sectors of the motorcycle market, including for Harleys, the company moved into new state-of-the-art 1,500 sq m facilities in 2010 and spends 10 percent of annual turnover on R&D. The company’s top end radial bracket mount and Aerotec direct-mount 6-piston calipers are widely regarded as among the best in the industry; www.beringer-brakes.com
Magura: One of the oldest parts and accessory manufacturers in the industry in Europe (tracing its roots back as far as 1893), in motorcycle terms its best known products are its radial master cylinders and ergonomic HYMEC hydraulic clutch systems - now additionally available for selected Sportster applications; www.magura.com