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Category: Products & Clothing
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With its synthesis of precision craftsmanship and ergonomic perfection, the Touratech comfort seat for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure ensures a relaxed riding experience on long distance trips, off-road and in everyday life.
A super-powerful V-twin, an indestructible suspension system and large luggage capacity – the KTM 1290 Super Adventure is made for epic rides. Optimal sitting comfort is, of course, a must because every adventure rider wants to get off their bike with a smile on their face, even after hours of riding.
That is the Touratech comfort seat's raison d'être. From shell to cover, this seat, manufactured with the highest craftsmanship, has been thought through down to the smallest detail. This starts with the foam core, for which no standard material is used. Depending on the model and the thickness of the padding, the specialists at Touratech's manufacturing partner, Crew68 in Murnau, Upper Bavaria, make precise adjustments to the firmness of the foam by individually dosing the components.
Model-specific seat core
After a careful analysis of the standard seat, the perfect shape of the foam core was determined in elaborate tests. All the weaknesses of the original were systematically eliminated. This included any annoying edges as well as any sub-optimal inclination of the seat surface. Like all Touratech comfort seats, the seat for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure has a precisely balanced angle of inclination that supports an upright riding position. By means of the seat surface design, the Touratech developers have managed to solve the annoying problem of slipping forward and to provide relief for the rider's coccyx with the typical groove. The reduced inner leg curve, in comparison to the original design, is particularly rider-friendly. It allows the rider's feet to reach the ground more easily while the seat height remains the same.
Seat cover with Fresh Touch technology
Touratech uses a particularly high-quality, bi-elastic cover material with Fresh Touch technology as standard for the comfort seats. The special finish of the material causes increased reflection of sunlight, which noticeably counteracts the heating up of the seat surface.
The seams of the cover have been carefully positioned to ensure that high pressure areas are left free. And unlike many manufacturers, Touratech tapes the inside of the seams so that no water can penetrate the seat core.
As befits a sporty adventure bike, the comfort seat for the 1290 is a one-piece design. It is supplied complete with shell, bypassing any time-consuming replacement procedure. And last but not least, the seams shine in powerful orange, paying homage to the KTM corporate colour.
The Touratech comfort seat for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure is available in three heights. Item no. 373-5962 onwards
Further information can be found in the Webshop
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Take a look at a few of our upcoming events at the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience in Hinckley, including Triumph's collaboration with influential street artist, Dave Bonzai, who specialises in hyper-realistic chrome effect art. Stop by to see this one-of-a-kind piece at the factory for yourself and for a chance to take your own Instaworthy shot.
A brand synonymous with innovation, SHARK, is pleased to announce the launch of the SKWAL i3 – the brand’s latest UN ECE 22.06 certified full face helmet featuring two brand-new patented technologies and integrated active brake lights for ‘Intelligent Visibility’.
The innovative safety LED system, tried and tested since the introduction of the SKWAL platform in 2015, has been redesigned with the addition of active brake lights as standard. Designed without the need for Bluetooth or wires, the industry-leading tech uses an inbuilt triaxial accelerometer to activate the bright red LED’s on the rear of the helmet in the event of braking. There are white LEDs located on the front of the helmet for active rider visibility to oncoming traffic. Be Bright, Ride Safe.
When the unit is turned on, there are a total of three modes to choose from:
White LEDs on front constantly on – smart brake lights flash when braking.
White LEDs on front flashing – smart brake lights flash when braking.
White LEDs on front off – smart brake lights flash when braking.
The smart brake lights will flash three times per second under steady braking and five times per second under hard braking conditions.
The integrated battery is charged via a USB-C cable with three hours of charge offering 12 hours of usage. Sleep mode activates after two minutes of no movement and after 24 hours the unit will turn off completely to reserve battery.
The new SKWAL i3 has a Lexan™ injected Polycarbonate shell and features a new patented rapid, no-tool visor removal system, meaning the Optical Class 1 anti-scratch visor with Pinlock® 70 can be removed easily by simply manoeuvering it upwards and pushing two buttons – to replace simply line up the visor with the markers and push down. There are new Pinlock® tension adjustment pins and a visor locking system with air inlet position.
There’s an integrated anti-scratch and anti-fog sun visor and intercom compatibility with space for 40mm speakers factored into the multi-density EPS padding. The new patented ergonomic textile fitting system makes it easier for the lining to be removed and replaced.
The Skwal i3 is the first helmet in the SHARK range to use the new – ‘Best Fit’ by SHARK – following a campaign of 3D head shape scans by the brand. Five highly technical textiles add to the comfort and ‘second-skin’ feel. It fastens using an adjustable micrometric buckle for a secure and personalised fit.
Available in two shell sizes and in XS-XXL, the SKWAL i3’s design was drawn directly from the world of motorsport and science fiction – the blend of aerodynamics and robotics accentuates the unique signature lighting.
With an RRP from £239, the SKWAL i3 is available now and in a choice of 13 graphics.
As additional options, as well as clear there are six visors, including iridium colours and a variety of tints.
To see the full 2023 range from SHARK or to locate your nearest SHARK Helmet dealer, visit www.nevis.uk.com or call 01425 478936.
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Having the right tools and equipment in your garage or workshop is important for you to stay on top of your motorcycle maintenance. Whether you’re a keen enthusiast or a novice wanting to get to grips with the basics, you need the correct tools for the job. Doing your own repairs can save money, increase your skills and knowledge, and allow you to have a lot of fun in the process.
In this article, we outline the essentials that you should have in your motorcycle workshop.
Socket sets and spanners
One of the must-haves in any motorcycle workshop is a socket set. These interchangeable attachments are key in loosening and tightening nuts and bolts that hold integral parts of your motorcycle together.
Wheel replacements will almost certainly need a socket wrench and the correct-sized attachment to remove and replace the wheel. Spanners are a more manual form of the same tool and are useful when you can’t access a particular area with a socket wrench.
Torque wrench
A torque wrench does a similar job to a socket wrench but the torque can be set and adjusted depending on how much force you want to put into tightening nuts and bolts. Overtightening can result in damaged fasteners which may be difficult to remove and replace, or even might break entirely.
Screwdrivers
A comprehensive set of screwdrivers is also important to tackle many of the exterior tasks that accompany motorcycle maintenance. A range of head sizes and types will give you the versatility to tackle a broad range of tasks such as removing motorcycle bodywork or fitting accessories to your bike.
Hex keys
Hex keys (also known as Allen keys) are in a similar bracket to screwdrivers but will allow you to tackle jobs where screwdrivers aren’t appropriate. They can loosen and fasten screws that typically attach parts of the bodywork and join internal components together. With a comprehensive range of screwdrivers and hex keys, you should be equipped for many repairs that you may face.
Oil and lubricant dispenser 
Keeping your motorcycle well-oiled, greased and lubricated in the appropriate areas is significant to ensure that it runs smoothly and limits wear and tear. Fluid dispensers, such as these here, allow for easy access and help you to apply fluids where they are needed without creating too much mess.
Components such as the axle need to be greased in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations, whilst the chain needs to be lubricated every 400-600 kilometres – but check your manufacturer's guidelines if you’re unsure.
Rags and cloths
Motorcycle maintenance is a dirty, greasy job so you should have plenty of cleaning supplies to hand. Old rags are handy for wiping grease and oil from your bike, whilst cloths can help to clean and polish the bodywork.
These are the essential tools and equipment you should have ready in your workshop to deal with the basic repairs and maintenance that you may need to tackle on your motorcycle. More specialised tools will be needed if you are to contend with more serious tasks, but these should give you a good baseline to work from.
article supplied
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- MAHLE Powertrain and Vepro agree partnership to accelerate development of sustainable solutions for motorcycle and light-vehicle sectors
- Decades of combined experience builds on the UK’s continued growth as a centre of excellence for motorcycle development
- Capitalises on MAHLE Powertrain’s unrivalled facilities, including world’s first motorcycle dyno to operate in climatic and altitude test cells
MAHLE Powertrain and Vepro, an engineering consultancy with decades of experience in motorcycle and light vehicle development, have agreed a technical partnership that will build on the United Kingdom’s continued re-emergence as a centre of excellence for motorcycle development and manufacturing. The partnership will accelerate the creation of innovative solutions to the challenges faced by OEMs across the globe, particularly to drive mobility for a sustainable future. This is work MAHLE Powertrain excels at, with their Northampton facility equipped with the world’s first motorcycle dynamometer that can offer climatic and altitude testing.
“World-famous and storied brands are increasingly choosing to base their development efforts in the UK, and together that makes us well placed to offer the complex range of services that motorcycle and light vehicle producers need,” said John Hollingworth, Sales and Marketing Director at MAHLE Powertrain.
“This year is shaping up to be an excellent year for the British powered two-wheeler and light-vehicle industry,” said Neil Wright, who founded Vepro after more than a decade working for global brands including Triumph Motorcycles. “That’s thanks to the rise of small, enterprising brands and start-ups, but also the return of famous marques such as Royal Enfield, Norton and BSA as they develop their R&D centres, often in the same area where it all began more than a hundred years ago. We’re delighted to be joining forces with MAHLE Powertrain to ensure the support these manufacturers need is always on their doorstep as well as offering support to OEMs further afield.”
Vepro’s experience with full vehicle development is perfectly complemented by MAHLE Powertrain’s expertise with vehicle powertrains, both for traditional internal combustion engines and eMobility. At the company’s state-of-the-art vehicle and battery development centre in Northampton, a purpose-designed mobile motorcycle dyno can be set-up in the facility’s various test chambers. There it can recreate climatic conditions ranging from -40°C to +60°C, humidity ranging from 10% to 80%, and simulate altitudes up to 5,000m (16,400ft).
This unique capability drastically simplifies the development of powered two-wheelers by moving testing to a safer, more controlled environment, away from the challenges and dangers of the real world. By simulating such a broad range of environmental conditions, calibration and verification work can be completed in much shorter timescales, and without the need for expensive and time-consuming international testing regimes.
Lab-based testing also allows for greater repeatability and is particularly important when calibrating products for markets such as China where emissions standards are now among the most stringent in the world.
Standards for motorcycles and light vehicles generally lag behind those of passenger cars. That creates an opportunity to maximise the use of MAHLE Powertrain’s decades of experience in these sectors as technologies developed for larger vehicles filter down throughout the industry.
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Maximum comfort on long stages and optimum ergonomics in all riding situations: the two-piece Touratech comfort seat noticeably enhances the touring capability of the Harley-Davidson Pan America.
With its beefy Revolution Max 1250 engine, track-stable suspension system and generous on-board space, the Harley-Davidson Pan America is made for epic rides. But even a thoroughly successful vehicle like the Pan Am still offers plenty of scope for individualisation and optimisation.
For example, when it comes to the seat: The different statures of riders alone make a compromise in the design of standard equipment unavoidable. Not so with the Touratech comfort seat. This two-part design offers riders a choice of three different heights. And no matter which version is chosen, all the benefits of this seat, which has been manufactured with proven quality craftsmanship for more than two decades, play their part.
Seat core made of ergonomically shaped special foam
For a start, there is the high-grade core made of suitable quality foam, which is specific to the model and does not lose its shape even on the longest stages. The shape of the core is anatomically optimised. This means that not only is the contour completely free of disturbing edges but the special shaping also provides efficient relief for the coccyx and supports an upright sitting position. Thanks to the ingenious shaping of the contour, the Touratech comfort seat has a reduced inner leg curve length so that the rider's feet reach the ground more easily although the seat height remains the same.
Seat cover with Fresh Touch technology
Through bonding the foam core and the seat cover over the entire surface, these two components are prevented from shifting independently. The result is wonderfully firm seating and optimum power transmission for precise handling. In addition, Fresh Touch technology reflects the infra-red part of sunlight, which results in up to 10 degrees less heat-up of the seat. Unlike other suppliers, Touratech has been using waterproof taped seams for more than 15 years, effectively preventing the penetration of water into the foam core.
Two-part concept with maximum compatibility
Riders opting for the Touratech comfort seat retain full use of the standard height adjustment.
And the Touratech developers have also given a lot of thought to the pillion seat. Here, too, a foam mixture is used that is particularly suitable for long stages. In addition, a modified contour effectively prevents the passenger from sliding forward, considerably increasing the comfort of riding with a partner.
The Touratech comfort seat for the Harley-Davidson Pan America is ideally used as a set, but the rider and pillion seat are also available separately and are compatible with standard components.
Further information can be found in our Webshop
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