Drag Specialties

S&S MK45 Cutlass Slip-On Muffler

The bold 4.5" OD design of the 50-state legal S&S Cutlass slip-on muffler is "perfectly aligned to match the bags or reversible for a slash-down look."

Available in show chrome or heat-resistant 'Guardian' gloss black powder coat (a match for the factory header), they include S&S' stainless steel baffle and RaceTEX packing; the removable dB reducers allow riders to tune for sound and back pressure.

DRAG SPECIALTIES
www.dragspecialties.com

News Briefs

 

Harley-Davidson, Indian and Polaris dealers have been ranked highest in a 2022 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness Motorcycle/UTV Industry study measuring response to website customers - "despite inventory shortages and COVID-19, dealers who responded quickly by email, phone and text showed markedly stronger sales to web customers.

Harley has announced that Kjell Gruner and William (Bill) Cornog are to join the LiveWire board of directors on completion of the merger with AEA-Bridges Impact Corp. ("ABIC"), along with Dr. John Garcia (representing ABIC), Jochen Zeitz and H-D executives Gina Goetter (CFO), Edel O'Sullivan, CCO, and Bryan Niketh, SVP Motor Company Product and Operations. Gruner is CEO of Porsche Cars NA, served as Porsche CMO for a decade and as Director of Strategy Mercedes-Benz Cars for Daimler prior to that. Cornog is a Managing Partner of KKR Capstone.

Asphalt & Rubber has reported that Harley sold 2,500 Pan Americas in the USA in 2021.

The NHTSA in the United States has issued what it is referencing as "final rules" for fully autonomous vehicle manufactures. There is a big, fundamental change. The new "rules" roll back the requirement previously stipulated within SAE J3016 for Level 5 full-time autonomy to still have controls for human override. That requirement has now been eliminated, meaning that vehicle manufacturers are not compelled to equip fully autonomous vehicles with manual driving controls in order to meet crash standards. General Motors Co. and its self-driving technology unit Cruise petitioned the NHTSA for permission to build and deploy a self-driving vehicle without human controls such as steering wheels or brake pedals. The rules revise regulations that assume vehicles "will always have a driver's seat, a steering wheel and accompanying steering column, or just one front outboard passenger seating position," according to the NHTSA.


Following the resolution of the tariff disputes between the EU and USA, Web Bike World (citing Business Times) reports that a new US-UK Trade Deal (designed to "counter China's Unfair Trade Practices") will remove tariffs from H-D motorcycles and protect US/UK steel and aluminum.

The AMA is opposing a planned E15 waiver that would allow for summertime E15 gasoline sales and potentially weaken already inadequate labeling standards. "E15 has been shown to damage carbureted and fuel-injected motorcycles, reduce gas mileage and decrease shelf life of the gasoline," said AMA Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre.

With production at its Russian plant on hold, historic motorcycle and sidecar specialist IMZ-URAL has announced that it is to set up production at Petropavlovsk in Kazakhstan - some 400 miles southeast of its Irbit HQ.

Royal Enfield, a motorcycle manufacturer with a history dating back more than 120 years, has been named Presenting Sponsor of 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for the second year running. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and 500 cc World Champ Kevin Schwantz has been handed Grand Marshal duties for this year.

Suzuki is to stop racing "temporarily," leaving the MotoGP grid at the end of the 2022 season, with no mention of motorcycles in a 'Mid-Term' management plan.

Mission Foods has continued its impressive spend on powersports race sponsorship, signing a three- year deal as the title sponsor of the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship. The 2022 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship (FTGC) will be staged at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill., July 7-13.

BMW reports "strong" Q1 Motorcycles Segment increases in deliveries and revenues. A total of 47,403 BMW motorcycles and scooters were delivered to customers - up +11.3% on the year-ago; revenues were +6.1% (€ 799/$842m). Segment EBIT totalled € 108m at a 13.5% margin.

Having signed with Tucker Powersports for domestic U.S. distribution, Erik Buell's FUELL e-bikes are to be sold to dealers in Canada by Velocity Distribution of St-Michel, QC.


Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com

Hydrogen

Japan's 'Big Four' Explore Hydrogen Motorcycle Engines By Ben Purvis

Japan's 'Big Four' are considering working together to work on hydrogen-fueled combustion engines, which promise to be carbon-neutral and nearly emissions-free while retaining the feel, performance characteristics and sound that we're familiar with. Initially Yamaha and Kawasaki hope to work together on hydrogen engine development, with Honda and Suzuki expected to join the effort at a later date.
Kawasaki showed its first step towards a hydrogen motorcycle engine last year, revealing a direct fuel-injected version of the supercharged H2 four-cylinder. While that prototype currently runs on petrol, not hydrogen, the development of direct injection tech is vital in the pursuit of making hydrogen engines work. 

If mixed with air before entering the cylinder, the volume of hydrogen would take up too much space, even though the ideal stoichiometric ratio is around 34:1 - far lower than for petrol engines. That would leave less space for air in the cylinder, reducing power by around 15% compared to petrol. In contrast, using direct-injected hydrogen raises power compared to a petrol engine by about the same percentage.
What's more, most hydrogen combustion engine prototypes are designed to use far more air than necessary for combustion, effectively running extremely lean, to reduce NOx emissions. To achieve that, forced induction is required, hence Kawasaki's decision to base its project on the supercharged H2 motor.
We've yet to see the result of the Yamaha-Kawasaki cooperation, but Yamaha has revealed its own hydrogen-powered combustion engine in the form of a V8 that it's developing on behalf of Toyota. This five-litre monster is based on an existing Toyota unit. With 450 hp and 540 Nm of torque, its performance is roughly on a par with the stock Toyota petrol version.
"We are working toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," said Yamaha Motor president Yoshihiro Hidaka. "At the same time, 'Motor' is in our company name, and we accordingly have a strong passion for and level of commitment to the internal combustion engine."
Although the deal to develop hydrogen motorcycle engines with Kawasaki has yet to be completed, Yamaha's announcement says: "Kawasaki and Yamaha Motor have started considerations toward the joint development of a hydrogen engine for possible use in two-wheeled vehicles."
What's more, they plan to add Honda and Suzuki to the arrangement later on, saying: "The four companies intend to jointly explore the possibility of achieving carbon neutrality through the use of internal combustion engines in two-wheeled vehicles. To maintain a distinct line between cooperation and competition, they intend to proceed after establishing a framework that will clearly define areas of cooperation and collaborative research".

Performance Machine

PM Phatbar and Riser Kit   

Performance Machine Phatbar and riser kits come complete with a Fly-By-Wire ready aluminum handlebar and a billet riser set that mount to most H-D models. The bar features an 1.25" clamping area, tapered down to 1" to accommodate stock H-D hand controls without any modifications. 

The bar is made from 7050-T6 aluminum with a 3" rise and slots for internal wiring. The risers feature a 9" rise and are made from 6061-T6 billet aluminum with either internal or external wiring options.
Phatbar and riser kits are available with Black Ops or Gold Ops risers, include a textured black handlebar and are compatible with cable throttle and electronic throttle applications. They are 12" tall and 32" wide, have a 3" pullback and 2.5" rise.

PERFORMANCE MACHINE
www.performancemachine.com

Zodiac International

Zodiac International Additions

Riser Clamp for 1 1/4" Touring Fat Bars

 

This forged billet aluminum riser clamp for 2008 to present Touring and Trike models features a one-piece base and top with 1/2" x 13 UNC threads in the base, a silver anodized finish and is for use on 1 1/4" bars. It includes eight 1/4-20 UNC riser cap screws for increased clamping grip.

P16 Powerplant FXR  Brake Pedal 

 

New from Yaniv Evan's Powerplant in southern California, this cast aluminum brake pedal is a replacement for the (OEM 42523-82) mid-control FXR rear brake pedal. Threaded to take any 5/16-24 UNF threaded shifter peg, the pedal is available black coated, polished or in raw cast.

Linkert Tool Kit

 

This Linkert tool kit includes six special drill pivots with brass knurled handles, an idle shot tool and a venturi tool for use on all years of brass Linkert carburetor bodies; drills and tool blades are for hand use only. The use of an arbor or hydraulic press is recommended.

Vity's Adjustable M-8 Softail Risers

 

Made in Italy by Vity's Design, these adjustable CNC-machined billet aluminum risers for M-8 Softails feature 10" rake (25 cm) with an adjustable head and one-piece top clamp. Designed for use with handlebars that are 1" in diameter at the riser mounts, they come complete with M12-1.5 x 70 mm riser bolts.
The top clamp is ready to take the OEM instrument cluster. They fit 2018 to present FXBB and FXBBS Street Bob, 2018 to present FXBRS Breakout, 2020 to present FXST Standard and 2022 to present FXLRST Low Rider ST, and are available in silver, gold, black, blue, red and purple.

Reda Jerry Can for Bagger Bags

Designed specifically for H-D saddlebags with one gallon (U.S. - nearly 4 l) capacity, the can fits left and RHS bags, so two will give riders an extra 70-80 miles (110-130 km) of emergency driving range. It is custom made to fit perfectly in that "hard to reach" back corner of the bag, so they hardly take up any space.
The spill proof pouring spout sits under the cap inside the can, so it is there when you need it. The can is EPA and CARB certified - meeting these standards makes this gas can 100% vapor proof and 100% spill proof.

VPerformance for Sportster S

 

This Italian made E-approved VPerformance exhaust design for the Sportster S comes from the mind of QD Exhaust maestro Manuel de Liso.
His VPerformance brand exhausts are manufactured to the same exacting tolerances and quality control standards that have made the QD line one of the most sought after 'Sport and Street' performance exhaust programs in Europe.
This set of collector and two mufflers with built-in catalysts replaces the stock silencer unit and re-uses the stock front and rear exhaust header. Mufflers feature removable dB killers, but note that removal of the dB killers voids the E-approval.
Zodiac also offers an optional under tail plate holder that is compatible with this exhaust - for use with 3-into-1 tail/brake/turn lights and license plate lights.

MCJ Adjustable Exhaust for RH1250S Sportster S

 
Designed and made in Italy, this E-approved exhaust system with an adjustable exhaust valve allows the rider to tune the sound of the new Sportster S while still being able to get back to legal levels when and where needed.
They come complete with a manually operated adjusting lever that can be placed on either the handlebar or below the tank.
Also available through Zodiac, the MCJ rear fender license plate kit for the Sportster S comes complete with easy to install bracket and E-approved taillight.

ZODIAC INTERNATIONAL BV
www.zodiac.nl

The Jekill and Hyde Company

J&H Euro 5 Softail 'Bomb' Options

Dutch sound management exhaust specialist The Jekill and Hyde Company has released a Euro 5 compliant update to its "classic" Jekill Bomb electronically adjustable exhaust systems for M-Eight Softails.
Designed to deliver "a more vintage and distinct look," it is available as a slip-on for the OEM headers and for use in combination with the J&H 'V-Strike' header on the 107" Softail Standard and Slim and 114" Street Bob and Low Rider S, and with the J&H 'V-Strike' header only on the Fat Boy, Breakout, 107 and 114" Heritage and 114" Fat Bob.

To get these electronically adjustable exhausts Euro 5 approved, J&H developed a mandatory extender with a O2 sensor, placed between the body and the end cap. This solution (extender for the O2 sensor) is an important upgrade which guarantees Euro 5 compliance, "and, equally important, ensures the same exceptional sound and product quality that the rider is used to from Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde.
"Because of the different locations of the O2 sensor/Lambda probe, this extender is not needed when your customer chooses a J&H V-Strike header."

THE JEKILL AND HYDE COMPANY
www.jekillandhyde.com

KOSO

Mini 4 Infrared Temperature Meter

The KOSO Mini 4 IFR infrared temperature meter can be used to monitor critical temperature readings such as tire surfaces, brake, shock absorber and transmission temperatures and a range of other critical components.

It monitors temperatures with the help of the supplied sensor and, by way of an example, knowing what temperature the tires are running at, how the riding style, speed and surface could be affecting tire and changing tire temperature, and being able to monitor how the temperature changes as the miles are added, could contribute to improved tire wear and safety.
Similarly with brake friction and pad wear and a range of other heat-sensitive critical functions.
The sensor features a 10-degree field of view and measures temperatures up to 390 degrees C (735 degrees F). The Mini 4 IFR can also be used as voltmeter and features a dimmable back light and programmable warning light.

KOSO EUROPE
www.kosoeurope.com

Red Thunder Exhaust

Red Thunder Exhaust Teams with Yaniv Evan on an FXR One Piece 2:1 Full System

Noted customizer Yaniv Evan's Hollywood, California based Powerplant Motorcycles has a limited quantity of Italian made Red Thunder exhausts available - a 2:1 one piece full system for FXR models, 1989-2000.
They are said to feature the "signature Red Thunder sound and performance combined with Powerplant's impeccable design and unique aesthetic," according to Yaniv, "making for an extremely high-quality product with amazing sound and unique torque curve."

Shipping with a dB killer included, these P16 Red Thunders are available in polished, satin or black. The Monaco based Red Thunder brand owner told AMD that "this is the first time that Red Thunder has done a 'Monolithic' pipe, and while these are FXR specific, there is something similar in the planning for M-8 models - again in collaboration with Powerplant."
Red Thunder has its own R&D team based at its Monaco headquarters and owns its own tooling at one of Italy's best known performance and race exhaust manufacturers.
Red Thunder co-founder Violeta Stratan told AMD: "We teamed up with Powerplant at the end of 2020 and the idea we devised was to have Powerplant style with Italian craftsmanship.
"Powerplant created a raw first prototype of how it should look and fit, and we used the experience we have in our in-house R&D department to turn the concept into production reality. None of the final design or engineering decisions were a compromise - everything was developed between Powerplant and Red Thunder, with every angle and curve precisely made to measure.
"Each exhaust is a piece of hand-crafted art with decades of top-end manufacturing experience guaranteeing quality and durability. We are proud of the results achieved and the close relationship that we have built between the two brands - a relationship that has delivered an authentic product for a model that is an icon for so many 'motoheads'."

RED THUNDER EXHAUST
www.redthunderexhaust.com