Lorenzo at EXPO... Bradley’s MotoGP debut... Honda hot seat... Dealer with heart...
IN THIS ISSUE we fully report January’s EXPO trade show. It was bad luck that the show should be affected by heavy snowfall in many areas, detering some industry members from attending. But the snow didn’t deter MotoGP world champion Jorge
Lorenzo who put up with six hours of flight delays to attend on the Monday of the three-day BDN sponsored show. It was a treat to in effect have the double world champion to ourselves. Because the crowd wasn’t large the atmosphere was intimate and everyone had access to the world champion. In a question and answer session he handled all questions, even the barbed ones, with humour, consideration and courtesy. Those of us in attendance that day felt that we were members of a select group. It was a day to treasure and we thank Alpinestars’ publicity head Jeremy Appleton for arranging Jorge’s trip.
ALSO BEING INTERVIEWED that day was Oxford Products ambassador Bradley Smith. He talked about his forthcoming debut in MotoGP and within a couple of weeks was showing that he is a force to be reckoned with by finishing eighth fastest in early season testing. Britain has three riders flying the flag in MotoGP this year – Cal
Crutchlow, Smith and Michael Laverty. Their presence in the blue riband of motorcycle racing will surely help the industry this year by focusing interest on motorcycling. We wish them all well.
WE ALSO WISH Steve Martindale well. Honda’s general manager suffered a heart attack last year, and though he was able to get back to work he has decided he needs more time to fully recover, and so has stepped down. The hot seat – the biggest role in UK motorcycling – is to be filled by Nick Campolucci, presently in charge of dealer development for cars and bikes.
FINALLY A HEART WARMING story about a generous dealer – Fastlane Motorcycles of Tonbridge, Kent. They dropped everything to repair a recovered stolen/damaged bike for a new customer who was in a fix because he had booked a three-day track session at Cartagena in Spain. The customer had booked the session so that his terminally ill pal could enjoy a last hurrah on bikes, but he was having difficulty in hiring a suitable bike for him. “Take our Yamaha R1,” said Fastlane, when they heard the story. We need say no more.
Brian Crichton Editor
for Product or Sales info call Keith on: 07808 789 766
CONTENTS
March 2 013 Issue 145
1-20 Business news
4 Campolucci gets Honda hot seat 6 Hived off Husqvarna dealers react 8 Drumming up Indian dealer network 10 International: Harley in rude health 11 This is China column 12 KTM record sales
14 MRA gets a makeover/obituaries 15 Behind the News column 16 Triumph continues big league reign 18 Off-road: Craigs get Montesa 20 Minister backs wheels to work
23 Reaction Your chance to letter off steam
24-32 EXPO news round-up 24 Lorenzo charms crowds 25 Sinnis plans expansion 26 Kabuto helmet launch in UK 28 Motogear Italian coup/ZingBikes 30 ORO2U goes road/Pyramid debut
32 WK plans race series
34-35 Launches at EXPO New products from the industry show
38-44 Profi led at EXPO 16 businesses point the way ahead
46-48 BDN Industry Awards Excellence rewarded with trophies
50-54 Putoline powers up Bike specialist oils business wheels
55 JobScene Industry career opportunities 56 DeFazio column
Brace yourself for Bulgars and Romas
64-70 Statistics section 64 Latest share prices 65 Roger Willis: On the Money column 67 Auction results and news 68 New and used sales and analysis 69 New bikes registrations in January 70 International: Sales in Japan
THE ONE STOP SHOP ONE CALL – ONE ORDER – ONE INVOICE – ONE DELIVERY movers! Fast
SEE INSIDE: Product information from Bull-It Clothing and Direct Distribution
MARCH 2013 3
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