Category: Products & Clothing

1. New MICHELIN Road 6/Road 6 GT Tyre Range: The latest in a line of MICHELIN Road tyre firsts

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 19th Jan 2022

   • Improved wet grip* and longevity** compared to the MICHELIN Road 5 tyre range
   • Performance improvements made possible by a new tread design, advances in raw materials and optimized tyre architecture

    

   As the latest in a long line of class-leading sport touring tyres, Michelin is pleased to announce the launch of its MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range, a tyre range designed to offer riders of roadsters, trail bikes, sportsbikes and GT motorcycles the optimised performance in terms of wet grip, longevity, comfort and handling.

   Alongside the standard MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range, which now incorporates sizes for big trail bikes, there is also the MICHELIN Road 6 GT tyre designed for grand touring machines.

   Using technologies developed by engineers in Michelin’s R&D centres, the new MICHELIN Road 6 tyre offers a 15 percent improvement in wet grip* and a 10 percent increase in tyre life** compared with its predecessor, the MICHELIN Road 5 tyre.

   These improvements in performance have been made possible by a new tread design, advances in raw materials and an optimized tyre architecture.

   Tread Design:

   • An optimized void ratio of 14 percent (the ratio of grooves to rubber), which gives high levels of grip performance in wet and dry conditions. This ratio does not change when cornering to give consistent feedback.
   • MICHELIN Water EverGrip technology – a patented sipe technology developed by Michelin to give high levels of wet grip and rider confidence in these conditions. The design of these sipes mean that they open as the tyre wears.
   • New groove and sipe angles, with longer edges to cut through the film of water and grip the road surface.

   Raw Materials:

   • A 100 percent silica compound featuring MICHELIN Silica Technology improves grip in cooler conditions and on damp and wet roads, without any compromise on tyre life.
   • MICHELIN 2CT+ (2 Compound Technology) front and rear means that different parts of the tread are optimized for different performance characteristics. The harder under layer of tread rubber maintains rigidity during cornering, whereas the softer upper layer in contact with the road offers very good grip and high mileage in dry and wet conditions.

   Architecture:

   • MICHELIN Radial X Evo technology – the 90-degree plies on the crown of the tyre ensure a wide footprint giving high grip levels, both in a straight line and at lean angles. The sidewalls of the new generation of Radial X Evo tyres use a special ply fold that provides even more flexibility and greater comfort by absorbing road deformations, and at high speeds the tyre remains stable, making it well-suited to high-powered motorcycles. The overall effect of this technology is that the handling and responsiveness of the tyre are optimized to provide riding pleasure and fun without compromising on safety.
   • MICHELIN Aramid Shield technology is a highly dense, more rigid tyre casing, which helps give excellent feedback and handling. Aramid tread plies resist centrifugal growth at speed, reduce weight and provide excellent stability.

   Another Michelin first
   Bearing in mind the pride that most riders have in the appearance of their motorcycles, a first for a MICHELIN Road tyre range is the use of MICHELIN Premium Touch Design in the design of the sidewalls of the MICHELIN Road 6 tyres. This exclusive technology uses micro geometry on the sidewalls to create texture, which in-turn allows it to modulate contrast and create shades of grey to highlight the tyre markings and give an attractive finish.

   Available in dealers from 1 January 2022, the new MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range comprises six front and eight rear sizes, while the MICHELIN Road 6 GT tyre range is available in one front and three rear sizes. This range provides fitments for everything from small roadsters such as the KTM 390, through sports bikes and trail bikes, up to GT machines such as the BMW K1600 GT/GTL.

   MICHELIN Road Tyre History
   The MICHELIN Road 6 tyre range follows in the footsteps of a long line of Michelin firsts in its Road tyre ranges:

   2002   MICHELIN Pilot Road – the first Road tyre range
   2007   MICHELIN Pilot Road 2 – the first Road tyre range featuring sipes
   2014   MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 – the first Road tyre range with a dedicated GT version
   2018   MICHELIN Road 5 – the first Road tyre range using 3D sipe technology

   *In-house comparisons of the MICHELIN Road 6 and MICHELIN Road 5 ranges conducted at Fontange track:
   07 & 08/07/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17, on a Suzuki 1250S Bandit and a Triumph Street Triple S 765.
   15/03/2021 & 21/05/2021: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17, on a Suzuki 1250S Bandit.
   17/01/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17 (GT version), on a BMW R1200RT.
   17/09/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 160/60 ZR 17, on a Kawasaki ER6n.
   17/01/2020: 110/80 ZR 19 & 150/70 ZR 17, on a BMW R1200GS.

   **Comparison of the MICHELIN Road 6 and MICHELIN Road 5 ranges, according to an independent test on public roads by DEKRA Narbonne:

   20/07/2020 to 07/08/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17, on a BMW K1300R.
   17/08/2020 to 14/10/2020: 120/70 ZR 17 & 180/55 ZR 17 (GT version), on a BMW R1250RT loaded, but without top-case.
   28/09/2020 to 12/11/2020, dimensions: 120/70 ZR 17 & 160/60 ZR 17, on a Suzuki Gladius 650.

   Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tyres, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has 123,600 employees and operates 71 tyre production facilities which together produced around 170 million tyres in 2020. (www.michelin.com)

2. Touratech luggage plate XL for Yamaha Ténéré 700

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 17th Nov 2021

   The luggage plate XL for the Yamaha T7 offers solo travellers the perfect solution for safely stowing even extra-large rack packs. The extremely robust aluminium plate takes over the pillion seat and luggage rack area.
   
   It's not only veteran travellers who know that luggage stowed on a motorcycle should be as close to the centre of gravity as possible. It therefore makes no sense for solo travellers to fix their luggage roll right at the back on a rack. Experienced riders strap their rolls to the pillion seat.
   But the fastening options in this position are often limited, and the bench foam does not provide an ideal base either. For the Lonesome Rider on a Yamaha Ténéré 700, Touratech now has the perfect solution in the form of the luggage plate XL with which you can lash even the largest luggage rolls securely, with a low centre of gravity.
   The luggage plate XL not only replaces the pillion seat, it provides a flat surface, reaching over the mudguard - where the luggage rack normally sits. The luggage plate XL is definitely not lacking in robustness. An aluminium adapter plate with stainless steel hooks snaps exactly into the original locking mechanism of the pillion seat. The device is locked with the standard lock, operated with the ignition key. In addition, rubber buffers ensure a play-free fit.
   The actual luggage plate is made of black anodised aluminium with a sturdy thickness of four millimetres. Generous material recesses keep the weight within practical limits. The straight lines, forming an exact extension of the surface of the rider's seat, prevent the creation of an edge so that coccyx injuries, for example during rough off-road use, are excluded.
   To enable secure lashing to meet any terrain, the luggage plate XL has generously dimensioned strap eyelets. Rack packs can be attached either classically crosswise to the direction of travel or lengthwise.
   The grips at the rear of the frame remain fully accessible, and there is nothing to prevent the simultaneous use of a ZEGA aluminium pannier system.
   
   Luggage plate XL for Yamaha Ténéré 700 benefits
   • Easy exchange with pillion seat
   • Lock with ignition key
   • Four millimetre thick aluminium
   • Huge storage area
   • Generous strap eyelets
   • No risk of injury
   • Can be used together with case system
   
   Item no.: 632-5457

3. Spin e-scooter trials in Essex are extended to until at least March 2022

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 20th Oct 2021

   • More than 450,000 rides have taken on Spin e-scooters across Essex since launching in December 2020
   • Operations have been extended in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester. The Clacton-on-Sea trial will conclude by end of October
   • Accessibility schemes that offer free 30-minute rides for eligible NHS workers and subsidised rates for unemployed and low-income riders continue in areas we operate in

   Thursday 14th October 2021 — Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company and Essex County Council today announce the extension of its e-scooter hire schemes in Essex to March 2022, aligned with the updated Department for Transport (DfT) legislation. In agreement with the local authority districts, Spin will continue to offer short term hire to riders in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester and it will conclude the trial in Clacton-on-Sea by the end of this month. Spin’s long-term e-scooter rental scheme in Brentwood and Braintree will also carry on.

   Spin first launched its public hire e-scooter scheme in Essex in December 2020 and since then riders have taken more than 450,000 e-scooter rides. Chelmsford has seen the most rides (146,000), followed by Colchester (143,000), Basildon (124,000) and Clacton-on-Sea, which was launched in March 2021 (37,500).

   The extension also includes the Spin Access and Spin Everyday Heroes schemes to support NHS workers and low-income riders with free and subsidised rides in Essex, to make essential journeys affordable. Since launch, Spin’s Everyday Heroes programme had 947 NHS workers signing up while nearly 100 riders are taking advantage of Spin Access.

   In Clacton-on-Sea, the eight-month trial will conclude and operations will cease by the end of October. During this period nearly 6,000 riders opted for Spin’s greener transport option, clocking 37,500 journeys. Out of these riders, 40 work for the NHS, who were able to take advantage of Spin Everyday Heroes’ free rides and 20 riders on low income benefited from Spin Access’ subsidised rates.

   Rider data reveals Spin e-scooters are most often used for short journeys, on average 3 km in distance and 23 minutes in length, with 82% of riders stating they have used a Spin e-scooter to replace a solo drive car journey at least once already. This is aiding Essex County Council (ECC) in its goal to lower carbon emissions across the region as part of its Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign. 

   As part of Spin’s commitment to safe riding, it helped convene the Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder Group, which represents various disability interest groups across the county. They work in partnership with Spin to ensure that those with eyesight, hearing impairments or other disabilities can voice their concerns through a single organisation.

   Peter Blackman, Chair, Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder Group said: “The extension of the trial is sensible and welcome as it will provide more time to implement and examine the efficacy of ongoing improvements arising from the constructive dialogue our Group is having with Spin and Essex County Council. Plus the Essex experiences are influencing the national framework. By the end of the extended trial we trust legislation will be forthcoming to provide a smooth transfer from trial to the permanent, but continually improving, safe use of legitimate e-scooters and eradication of the dangerous illegal private ones. In accordance with the recently revised Highway Code, users of all e-vehicles must assume all pedestrians they see may be visually impaired, deaf, frail or have a disability.”

   Commenting on the trial extension, Steve Pyer, UK&I Country Manager at Spin said, “The success of our e-scooter trials in Essex represents an exciting shift to a more sustainable transport solution aligned with Essex County Council’s Safer Green Healthier campaign. Our community-centred, consultative approach with local authorities and collaboration with the Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder group demonstrates that micromobility solutions can provide a safe, sustainable, and reliable service that meet the needs of all residents.”

    

   article supplied

4. Knox wins RIDE magazine Best Buy for base layers

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 25th Sep 2021

   In a recent RIDE magazine test between a range of motorcycle base layers our Dual Active underlayer long sleeve top and trousers came out best against the competition.  

   RIDE described the base layers as 'smooth and silky', the reviewer went on to say that they 'barely knew they were on'.

   Knox Dual Active base layers are constructed with carefully chosen soft Melange fabric which combines Hydrocool® and Silverplus® technology for enhanced wicking, drying and anti-bacterial properties - the result is an extremely comfortable base layer with impressive levels of breathability, moisture management and odour resistance.

   They are the perfect base layer for all types of riding and during in all seasons!

5. Mitas TOURING FORCE-SC tyres selected as original equipment for new Piaggio Beverly 400

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 28th Aug 2021

   Mitas has been selected as an original equipment supplier for the new 2021 Piaggio Beverly 400 range with its TOURING FORCE-SC tyres.
   
   “We are very pleased to be selected as an original equipment supplier for the new Piaggio Beverly 400. The partnership represents a further strengthening of our relationship with Piaggio and our efforts to provide products for efficient urban mobility,” says Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President Two Wheels and Specialty Tyres.