Torc Helmets: Owned by H&H Sports Protection USA (City of Industry, California), the Torc brand has proven popular with dealers, especially in Europe, where the combination of price-point and contemporary design values has found favor with young riders. The range runs from half-shell to full- face, polycarbonate to carbon and Blinc Bluetooth equipped comms ready designs; www.torchelmets.com
VPerformance: EICMA saw Manuel de Liso's VPerformance business (sister brand to QD Exhaust) release a race-bred, semi-full 2-into-2 with central balancing pipe for the Sportster S. Fully made from stainless steel and TIG-welded, it takes the two mufflers coming from the popular VPerformance 'Tracker' series in brushed stainless steel with a carbon fiber end cap. Also available in a dark version with a special high-temperature resistant ceramic matte black coating on the stainless steel, Euro 5 homologation is obtained by the use of two catalyst converters in the central pipes. 'Racing' pipework can be supplied as a special race-use separate spare part. A special warranty program gives this product real added value - the Service Card provided in the package allows the customer to record his personal profile on the VPerformance platform "to enjoy all the service dedicated to the VP owners" and an extended 30 months of warranty coverage; www.vperformance.pro
HP Corse/Steelform: Recent new Euro 5 compliant designs from the Bologna/Udine based exhaust manufacturer include one of the most beautiful exhausts of recent years, the 1-into-2 Hydroform-Short de-cat for Indian's FTR 1200, the 'SPS Carbon' slip-on for the Pan America, and a selection of options for the Indian Scout, including its 2-into-2 V-2, which is said to "totally reinterpret the character and styling at the rear of the bike, giving it a uniquely aggressive character." Available in polished or matte black ceramic coated, it features removable dB killers, a manually TIG-welded bracket and CNC-machined billet aluminum end caps with "increased hp in all rev ranges and a deeper sound"; www.hpcorse.com
Indian Motorcycle: Coinciding with Indian's MY2023 announcement, EICMA saw a European debut of the new FTR Sport and Indian Challenger Elite. Replacing the FTR S, the FTR Sport sits just below the premium FTR R Carbon, but above the FTR and FTR Rally - "creating four distinct trim models for riders to choose from." For 2023, the FTR Sport and FTR R Carbon are upgraded with a four-inch round touchscreen display powered by its 'Ride Command' navigation tool. There are three ride modes (Sport, Standard, Rain), Lean Angle Sensitive Stability Control and ABS. The FTR R Carbon features carbon fiber components, premium seat, fully adjustable Öhlins gold front forks and a gold piggyback shock; www.indianmotorcycle.com
Tecmate International: The OptiMate manufacturer recently unveiled a breakthrough in solar recharging with a game-changing smart solar controller that charges and maintains 12V lead-acid (conventional, AGM, GEL) or 12.8V/13.2V lithium (LFP/LiFePO4) batteries from any solar panel. CEO/CTO Martin Human says: "Many cost-effective solar panels are delivered without any form of charge control as the low trickle of current is meant to be just enough to prevent the battery losing charge in the vehicle. The drain from the vehicle's circuitry and the battery will keep the voltage within range of the battery's natural rest voltage (12.5V-12.8V for lead-acid or 13.3V-13.6V for lithium LFP). The OptiMate Solar DUO controller (TM522-D) converts the trickle of current from solar to pulses of controlled higher energy that is more effective for the charging requirements of any battery. Installed between the solar panel and the battery, this smart little gadget absorbs the low current into a high-efficiency capacitor that is then frequently pulse discharged into the battery, with the concentrated energy raising the voltage going into the battery. It can, therefore, absorb most of the delivered energy, with the vehicle's circuitry continuing its low constant drain from the battery between pulses. Essentially, more is now going into the battery than it is delivering"; www.tecmate.com, www.optimate1.com
National Cycle: The Maywood, Illinois screen manufacturer's recent additions include custom windscreens for 2014-20 FLHT and FLHX riders. The National Cycle 'Fly Boy', 'Bad Boy' and 'Gee Bee' are made from tough 3.0 mm Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate. "This high-quality material, along with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, provides outstanding 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 ten 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
Arrowhead Engineered Products: Arrowhead CEO John Mosunic has wasted little time investing in growing Arrowhead's footprint in the global powersports business. Arrowhead is owner of Vertex Pistons in Italy and the All Balls Racing Group, whose brands portfolio includes Hot Cams, Hot Rods, All Balls Racing and Pivot Works. The company's first significant acquisition announcement in 2022 came in January with news that long-time owner Craig Shoemaker had sold his Boise, Idaho-based business, Western Power Sports, to Arrowhead. Just eight months later came the news that Arrowhead, one of the big three distributors in the United States, had snapped up Bihr from Kontich, Belgium-based former owner Alcopa. At a stroke (well, two strokes) and in the space of less than a year, Arrowhead has reshaped the European and American motorcycle industry parts, accessories, gear and apparel distribution landscape in dramatic fashion; www.arrowheadepinc.com
