Kawasaki retains position as Superbike title sponsor
Section: Competition
Manufacturer backs the Australian championship for 2020.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Kawasaki Motors Australia has retained its position as title sponsor of the premier class in the 2020 Mi-Bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK).
Motorcycling Australia (MA) CEO Peter Doyle spoke of maintaining its partnership with the manufacturer, expressing the importance of the brand’s support in the seven-round championship.
“It is great to have Kawasaki Motors Australia renew their support for ASBK and the Superbike class, as they have been a significant supporter of the championship,” said Doyle.
“The support of manufacturers like Kawasaki Motors Australia is vital for the success of any championship to make it stronger, and we are certainly excited for a sensational 2020 ASBK.
“Together, Motorcycling Australia, with Kawasaki Motors Australia sponsorship has grown the Kawasaki Superbike class in recent years, and this year is expected to even be better with fierce on-track battles in the chase for the 2020 Kawasaki Superbike title.”
The series, currently in the midst of its first official two-day test at Phillip Island, is due to kick-off at the seaside circuit on 28 February-1 February alongside round one of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).
Two drivers who ran a red light and a give way sign, hitting and injuring motorbike riders have appeared in court today (29 January 2020) as the wheels of justice grind slowly on.
“The driver allegedly turned right against the red arrow and struck a motorcycle which was being ridden north through the intersection,” police will allege.
The motorcyclist, a 63-year-old man, suffered multiple compound fractures to his right leg and fractured ribs.
For example, a USB stick may not be of any use if the first responder doesn’t have a computer while your phone may have a security PIN lock.
Probably the easiest solution is to keep a card in your wallet as that is where first responders check first.
They are also trained to check keys, phones and any labels on your helmet, clothing and bike.
First responder checks for medical info
The idea of making this information available is that first responders will know how to correctly treat you.
It may mean the difference between life and death!
Smart glove
QR code
Now French glove company Racer has developed a smart glove that includes that info for emergency services.
The Racer ID1 gloves feature a special Quick Response (QR) code on the inside of the glove’s cuff.
QR codes have been around since 1994 and are mainly used in advertising.
However, ambulance officers can also scan them with their phone to quickly reveal the relevant info. That’s great if the first responder has such an application on their phone.
Our other concern is that the QR code is fairly small and could easily be missed, plus gloves can come off in a slide down the road.
Racer mainly make ski gloves, but also have a wide range of casual-style motorcycle gloves for summer and heated gloves for winter.
Command and Tourer gloves
The ID1 gloves are not yet on the market, but they seem to have raised the funds to produce the gloves.
It appears they will be available in summer, winter and touring models.
No other market had experienced the luxury of palatial company-owned Indian dealerships which offered a heightened customer service for the revived brand. It seemed the dream run was now nearing an end.
Secret plan
However, the shock email was simply accelerating a long-held secret plan within Aussie HQ in Melbourne.
Our sources reveal that a secret plan had been hatched some time ago to quietly find alternative independent dealers to take over as leases came up for renewal.
We spoke with several current and former company employees, customers and even online rider group members who mostly agreed to talk if we withheld their identity.
The real shock to most of them was not that it was happening, but that the secret plan was accelerated and made public.
Its timing followed the resignation of Australian boss Peter Alexander and the switch at global level from Steve Menneto to Mike Dougherty. It seems the new management had a different view of how things should run Down Under.
Many in the industry and in the company, as well as customers, acknowledged that it was an excessive and unsustainable business model.
But it still came as a shock that the long-held secret plan was suddenly made public in January, reminiscent of the 2017 shock announcement that Polaris would axe the Victory brand.
However, our sources say this indie dealership move is not part of a plan to axe Indian Motorcycle.
Good future
“Indian is not going anywhere,” one senior source told us.
“You don’t invest that much money and then close down the brand,” the source says.
Another former employee sayshe can see “a good future ahead and more sales once the network expands”.
“Time will tell, but you gotta have a bigger network to sell more bikes; that’s what this business is all about,” he says.
Indian and various sources say the move to independent dealers could create a wider and more regional network of dealers, providing more customers with better access.
Nervous shockwaves
However, the announcement has sent nervous shockwaves through the industry and among customers.
“They had been trying to do it secretly; going public with the plan was not smart,” a source says.
“It leaves too many questions out there.”
It is expected other brands will seek to take advantage of the move and it is admitted by our sources that Indian Motorcycle Australia will take a big hit in sales.
“Our ownership of the dealerships was an investment in the brand,” one source says.
“There are plenty of good indie dealers out there, but I don’t think they will invest at the same level as we did.”
The Indian business model of a mix of company-owned and independent dealers has been operating since Polaris kickstarted its Victory Motorcycles brand in Australia in 2008.
Indian Motorcycle was added in 2013 after being bought by Polaris. They sold 102 Indian Chief models in their first year.
Former Indian Motorcycle executive and now a senior US motorcycle industry consultant, Robert Pandya, said the factory-owned dealership was needed to establish the brand in a new market but had now run its course.
One former employee says the Australian model set new standards for motorcycle industry.
“We raised the bar for other brands, Harley included,” he says.
Well respected
2014 launch of the Indian Chief Classic, Vintage and Chieftain
Indian Motorcycle Australia had substantive hubris and was so well respected by HQ in Minnesota that the relaunch of the brand was simultaneously conducted in the USA and Sydney.
Customers have expressed their concerns on various forums that they will not get the same luxury customer experience and will find it more difficult to access parts and service.
However, the official notice emphasised: “It will remain business as usual at our company-owned stores in the interim while we bring new dealer partners onboard.”
Polaris Australia boss Alan Collins said customers needed “more locations and more support”.
“Moving to an independent franchised network of dealers is more sustainable for us and our partners as we look to grow in order to meet demand, while also enabling a broader network of support and options for our customers.”
Alan said they would double their dealer network in the next two years and confirmed ongoing warranty and parts support.
It’s actually federal legislation that parts supply and warranty must continue for 10 years which is what Polaris is honouring for Victory customers.
Staffing
Brisbane Indian motorcycle shop
Indian Motorcycle Australia also said it would look after about 30 staff and try to deploy them in the new dealerships.
One former staffer says he believes current techs will find a job “reasonably quick as they’re very capable”.
“All I’m worried about are the sales staff and admin. It’s harder for them considering the current environment,” he says.
Sales trends
The current environment is certainly grim.
Road bike sales in Australia dropped 11.9% last year, slipping from the top category to second behind off-road sales.
Indian has experienced strong growth in Australia, even during the past few parlous years of motorcycle sales, but last year recorded a 3.9% decrease to 803 sales.
Globally, Polaris Industries has announced that their motorcycle division was up 7% despite a drop in four-wheeler Slingshot sales.
CEO Scott Wine claimed the increase was largely due to the new FTR 1200 and Challenger bagger.
Despite only being launched in Australia in February, the FTR 1200 price has already been discounted $3000.
While other recent discounts were planned before the independent dealership announcement, the FTR range discount is a new initiative.
One former staffer admitted it looked like a desperate move to get rid of floor stock before closing its company-owned stores.
“It’s not what I would have done,” says one source.
“FTR sales were fine, but market conditions had changed. I suppose it’s moving-metal time.”
Customers have expressed concern in online forums that the discounts on top of the shock independent dealership announcement could not only affect strategic brand values but also the resale value of their bikes.
One long-time customer says Polaris will have to “manage and resurrect the brand name actively” to continue selling at a better rate than the current road bike market trend.
“Will they do that? Time will tell,” he says.
Servicing
As for customer concerns about the expertise of techs, Indian Motorcycle already trains servicing staff at independent dealers, so there should be no change.
Vintage Chief rider Chris Keeble who is organising an Indian riders rally in Silverton on May 9 says she’ll “miss the signature dealerships — they were great to visit — and now I need to find someone to service my bike”.
Chris Keeble
Indian Motorcycle says it will have a totally independent network by the end of 2020.
“We plan to expand our independent network the right way, with the right people, who will represent the values of Indian Motorcycle and provide you with the service you need and deserve,” their email said.
Customers are invited to call their Indian Motorcycle Australia Customer Service Centre on 0460775949 “for a chat” or contact them via email.
Frenchman Romain Febvre says his pace is returning after making his Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing debut at Sardinia’s opening round of the 2020 International Italian Motocross Championship, marking the first race since breaking his femur in August last year.
Febvre, who donned his new number three for the first time, rode to 14th in the opening MX1 moto before finishing 11th in the Superfinal, which was ultimately won by reigning world champion Tim Gajser (Team HRC).
“It’s a great feeling to be back racing after such a long break,” said Febvre. “I knew coming here that I am still working on my speed but that’s normal at this stage of the season.
“Physically I was okay though I suffered some arm-pump in the first race and then in the second one it was carnage at the first corner – I made a small mistake during the race but my speed was coming back all day.
“I know what I have to work on and since the beginning of this month I can train every day on the bike so we’ll stay here in Sardinia for a few days before heading to our final warm-up race.”
Febvre will be on-track again at the Lacapelle Marival in France next month.
Vinales extends Yamaha contract through 2022 season
Section: Competition
Spaniard renews MotoGP deal for an additional two years.
Maverick Vinales has renewed his contract with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing for an additional two years, taking him through the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.
The Spaniard has been a strong contender for the factory squad since joining in 2017, earning a pair of top three championship rankings from three seasons with the Japanese manufacturer.
Vinales has scored six wins and 19 podiums aboard the YZR-M1, including his Yamaha debut race and Yamaha’s 500th GP win in Le Mans in 2017, as well as nine poles in total out of 55 grand prix starts.
“I’m extremely happy because I feel like I get to keep ‘my own team’,” Vinales stated. “This will be the second year with my current crew, and after this I have two more years to look forward to. I’m so excited! I think that if we keep working really hard we are heading the right way. For me, it was very important to make this announcement before the season started, because I’m highly motivated and want to be able to fully concentrate on the 2020 season.
“I don’t want to spend too much time thinking about the future. There were no reasons not to stay with Yamaha, because they feel like family. Yamaha is giving me a lot of support and, as I said, I have ‘my own team’, which is something I really need. We need to keep working and be very strong. Our main objective is, as always, to be world champion and try to bring Yamaha the number one honour again.
“I will try my best. For sure, I will give everything I have to make our team proud too. I would like to say ‘thank you’ to Yamaha for their faith in me. They are giving me a lot of confidence, and I really have trust in our partnership. I think we will both be growing very fast and we will keep pushing.”
Vinales will be on-track for the first time this season at the Sepang test, scheduled for 6-7 February.
As expected, Harley-Davidson sales are down for the fifth year, but they plan to focus on Asia, small-capacity bikes, electric bicycles and bringing new models to market faster.
That could include the electric flat tracker (pictured above) which is an exciting update on the previous concept sketch.
First electric Harley sketch
Retail sales
Bottom line is global retail sales were down 1.4% with a 3.1% drop in the US and slight 0.5% increase in international markets. The share price dropped 3% after the overnight announcement.
The most promising sales result was a 2.7% rise in Asia/Pacific which includes Australia, ASEAN countries and Japan.
However, Australia isn’t contributing to that result with sales down 7.9%.
By comparison, European sales were down 3%, Latin America -3.9% and Canada -7.7%.
The biggest problem is the US domestic market which has dropped in 20 of the past 21 quarters since 2014.
2019
Variance
Worldwide
218,273
-4.3%
US
125,960
-5.2%
International
92,313
-3%
Australia
6462
-7.9%
The bulk of Harley’s sales are touring bikes which dropped 2.1% to 42.5% of all sales.
Cruisers (Softail, CVO and LiveWire) represent 35.6% of Harley sales, up 1.3%, while Street/Sportster is 21.3% and up 0.8%.
On the strength of these new models, revenue is planned to increase from $US4.53b to $US4.66b in 2020.
Part of that could be the reduction in impact of Trump’s tariff war, down this year to $US30m from $US97.9 million last year. Harley has now built a factory in Thailand to side-step tariffs and keep a lid on prices in Europe.
There are no plans yet to import Thai-made bikes to Australia.
President and CEO Matt Levatich says “transformed product development” is allowing them to bring new models such as the Pan America and Bronx to market 30% faster than before.
Pan America
These new models will be released in September, so their impact will not be felt until 2021.
Matt says the new products also include “electric products, motorcycles in new segments and sizes, and even e-bicycles”.
Harley e-bikes
But they haven’t forgotten their core customer, increasing their domestic share in the touring and cruiser segments.
“We’re also leading the electrification of motorcycles with class-leading products developed in conjunction with our new team and our EV development centre, LiveWire labs in Silicon Valley,” Matt says.
Interestingly, American compatriot Indian Motorcycle also says it gained market share, driven by the launch of the Challenger bagger a couple of months ago and the FTR 1200 street tracker.
If both American companies are increasing their domestic share, Japanese and European tourers and cruisers must be losing out.
China is the second biggest powered two-wheeler market in the world next to India, representing 24.9% of global motorcycle and scooter sales and increasing 5% last year to 16.4 million sales.
Harley-Davidson is targeting 50% of revenue to come from overseas markets by 2027.
New riders
Harley’s Riding Academy
Matt was effusive about the increase of 55,000 new riders in the US last year through their riding academy, compared with a net gain of 26,000 in 2018.
However, while they say 527,000 new riders last year joined the brand, that means 472,000 left Harley.
Matt says their research shows they need to “bring people in, build their confidence and capability, and keep them riding through the critical first years of their riding journey”.
“We are testing and developing specific programs and actions right now that nurture new riders and inspire and develop all riders to continue riding with us,” he says.
Small sportbikes needn’t be restricted to riders with small budgets. In fact, if you gather together a group of motorcycle journalists, many of ’em current or former roadracers, the bikes that they claim excite them most might surprise you. When pure, unadulterated fun is the objective, the folks who ride pretty much everything will more often than not choose a small-displacement machine for burning laps at a trackday. Being so light, the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R3 rewards smooth inputs through the controls. And with less than 40 hp on tap, there is nowhere to hide if you blow an apex or botch a braking marker.
2020 Yamaha YZF-R3Yamaha
The R3 was unveiled in 2015 and given a MotoGP-inspired cosmetic makeover in ’19. Keep its revvy, liquid-cooled parallel twin on the boil, and this MotoAmerica Junior Cup-eligible model will make you feel like a hero. Not so many miles under your belt? Still mastering the fundamentals? A short first gear and light-effort clutch ease getaways, and a relatively low seat height inspires feet-flat confidence. An inverted fork, a liquid-crystal display, plus LED head- and taillights further equip the R3 for commuting as well as back-road duties.
2020 Yamaha YZF-R3 Reviews, Comparisons, And Competition
Yamaha has announced that 25-year-old Maverick Viñales has signed for a two further years with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team through seasons 2021-2022.
Lin Jarvis – MD Yamaha Motor Racing
“We brought Maverick into the Factory team in 2017, knowing he is a special talent. He is highly motivated and dedicates himself to being physically strong and is always ready to give his maximum and extract the best from his YZR-M1. In his first three seasons with us, he has given Yamaha 6 wins, 19 podiums, and 100% of his commitment. Now, as the YZR-M1 is improving race by race, we foresee a very bright future for him at Yamaha. Maverick‘s decision to sign with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team for two further years so early shows the strength of our mutual appreciation and underlines the shared conviction that together we can challenge for the MotoGP World Championship Title.”
Vinales was victorias at the Sepang MotoGP in 2019
The successful partnership has thus far led to a third place in the overall standings in 2017, a fourth place in 2018, and another third place in 2019.
Further Yamaha highlights on the Spaniard‘s résumé are 6 wins and 19 podiums, including his Yamaha debut race and Yamaha‘s 500th GP win in Le Mans, both in 2017, as well as 9 poles in total out of 55 Grand Prix weekends aboard the YZR-M1.
Maverick Vinales
“I‘m extremely happy because I feel like I get to keep ’my own team‘. This will be the second year with my current crew, and after this I have two more years to look forward to. I‘m so excited! I think that if we keep working really hard we are heading the right way. For me, it was very important to make this announcement before the season started, because I‘m highly motivated and want to be able to fully concentrate on the 2020 season. I don‘t want to spend too much time thinking about the future. There were no reasons not to stay with Yamaha, because they feel like family. Yamaha is giving me a lot of support and, as I said, I have ’my own team‘, which is something I really need. We need to keep working and be very strong. Our main objective is, as always, to be World Champion and try to bring Yamaha the number one honour again. I will try my best. For sure, I will give everything I have to make our team proud too. I would like to say ’Thank you‘ to Yamaha for their faith in me. They are giving me a lot of confidence, and I really have trust in our partnership. I think we will both be growing very fast and we will keep pushing.”
Maverick Viñales
On 6 February they will start the first MotoGP Test of this year in Sepang, Malaysia, kicking off their 2020 campaign to clinch the premier class title.
Viñales was born in Figueres, Spain, on January 12th, 1995. He began racing in minimotos at just three years of age before moving onto motocross. In 2002 his passion for speed brought him to circuit racing. He competed in the Catalonian 50cc Championship and followed it up with several successful seasons in the 70cc “metrakit” bikes.
Viñales got hold of the Catalonian 125cc Championship Title in 2007, he successfully defended his crown in 2008, and won the Mediterranean Trophy that same year. The following year he also competed at selected events in the German IDM 125GP Championship for RZT Racing aboard an Aprilia RS 125 R, achieving a best result of seventh.
In 2009, he moved up to the CEV Buckler 125GP series, partnering with Miguel Oliveira in the Blusens-BQR team. Viñales secured the Rookie of the Year award, finishing as the runner-up to Alberto Moncayo in the championship standings by just four points and claiming four successive podiums during that season.
In 2010, Viñales and Oliveira joined different Blusens teams and battled it out for the CEV Buckler 125GP Championship Title. Despite winning two races to Oliveira‘s four, Viñales won the title by two points, thanks to finishing on the podium at all seven races of the season. The European Championship Title was also decided between the two riders, and again it was Viñales who came out on top.
Maverick Viñales took his first ever win in the 125 World Championship at le Mans in 2011, and it also staged his first MotoGP podium in 2016. – Image by AJRN
The Spaniard moved to the 125cc World Championship for the 2011 season with the SuperMartxé VIP team. He impressed during pre-season testing at Valencia and finished ninth on his Grand Prix debut in Qatar. After retiring at Jerez due to a technical issue, Viñales finished fourth at Estoril, narrowly missing out on a podium to Johann Zarco in a photo finish, with a margin between the pair of just 0.002s.
Maverick Viñales took his first ever win in the 125 World Championship at le Mans in 2011, and it also staged his first MotoGP podium in 2016. – Image by AJRN
Two weeks later at Le Mans, Viñales took his first front-row grid start in third place and went on to seal his first victory by 0.048s at the age of 16 years, 123 days. This incredible performance made him the third-youngest rider to win a Grand Prix race, behind Scott Redding and Marco Melandri. Securing three further victories that same year, Viñales finished his first Grand Prix season in third place in the championship rankings and claimed the Rookie of the Year award.
Maverick Viñales took his first ever win in the 125 World Championship at le Mans in 2011, and it also staged his first MotoGP podium in 2016. – Image by AJRN
The youngster went into the 2012 season as the title favourite in the newly formed Moto3 championship. He won five races on the Blusens Avintia FTR Honda early on in the season, but a lack in consistency, some misfortunes, and a dispute with his team resulted in a missed race in Malaysia, which allowed Cortese to win the title and Luis Salom to snatch second in the final standings, with Viñales taking third overall.
The next year, the young gun moved to Team Calvo alongside Ana Carrasco. He won his first two races back-to-back at the Spanish and French Grands Prix and kept his competitive form throughout the season, fighting at the front of the field. Viñales, Rins, and Salom went into the final round with a gap of five points across them all. The championship was decided in Valencia by a battle between Rins and Viñales. In the end, Viñales took the race victory and the Moto3 World Championship Title by a twelve-point margin.
Maverick Vinales 2013 Moto3 Champion – Image by AJRN
The Moto3 World Champion then signed a Moto2 contract with Pons Racing, joining former title rival Salom. Viñales didn‘t have to wait long for his first intermediate class victory, which came at the Circuit of the Americas on 13 April, 2014. He ultimately finished the season in third place with four wins and nine podiums, earning himself another Rookie of the Year award.
Maverick Vinales won the Moto2 race at Phillip Island in 2014 – Image by AJRN
In September 2014, it was announced that Viñales would move up to the premier class for the 2015 season, riding for the factory Suzuki team. Despite being a rookie and riding for a factory that was returning to MotoGP, he had a very good MotoGP season. Scoring points in 16 out of 18 races in a competitive field and under challenging circumstances, the young contender proved to be a notable rider. He finished the season in 12th place, winning again the Rookie of the Year award, thus completing his collection (125cc, Moto2, and MotoGP).
Team Suzuki MotoGP celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Suzuki GSX-R machine at Sachsenring MotoGP 2015 – Maverick Vinales
In 2016 Viñales shone anew. He finished third at the fifth round in France, achieving his first MotoGP podium, and it wasn‘t before long that he got to step onto the top of the rostrum. At the twelfth race, the British Grand Prix held at the Silverstone Circuit, he registered his first ever MotoGP win. He finished the season strong with two more third places in Japan and on Phillip Island, to secure fourth place in championship. His talent and strong mentality were undeniable and didn’t go unnoticed by Yamaha, who signed Viñales for the 2017 and 2018 season.
Maverick Vinales
Viñales lived up to the hype. After a very strong debut on the YZR-M1 during the pre-season, the young Spaniard went on to win the first two races in Qatar and Argentina. He later followed up the achievement by securing Yamaha its 500th Grand Prix victory in Le Mans, after a sensational fight with team-mate Valentino Rossi. Despite the season being filled with grip issues, the Spaniard brought in solid points, scoring second places in Mugello and Silverstone and third places in Brno and Phillip Island, to ultimately conclude the season in third place.
Andrea Dovizioso, Marc Márquez and Maverick Viñales with their medals at the end of the 2017 MotoGP Championship season
After such a strong first year with Yamaha‘s Factory MotoGP Team, Viñales was hungry to show his talent again in 2018, but the season proved to be one of the most difficult in his premier class career. Nevertheless, the Spaniard kept his motivation high, scoring podiums at the rounds at COTA, Circuit TT-Assen, the Sachsenring, and Buriram. He returned to winning form in the race at Phillip Island, giving Yamaha its first victory since the round at Assen one year prior. He finished the season in fourth place overall, just five points behind his team-mate in third position.
Vinales was victorious at Phillip Island in 2018 – Image by AJRN
2019 signalled a new start for Viñales. He changed his rider number from #25 to #12 and welcomed new Crew Chief Esteban García to his side of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP pit box (he had worked with him before in 2013, winning the Moto3 World Championship). After a difficult start to the season, the changes that were made began to bear fruit. Though taken out by fellow riders on three separate occasions in the first half of the season (in Argentina, France, and Catalunya), the Spaniard still visited the podium regularly in 2019. He scored a third place in Jerez and followed it up with a stunning win in Assen, a second place at Sachsenring, third places at Silverstone, Misano, and Buriram, and another epic win in Malaysia. Viñales‘ relentless determination earned him third in the overall championship standings and has him fully motivated to push 100% in 2020.
Maverick Vinales and team at Sepang in 2019 Source: MCNews.com.au
Ficeda Accessories have announced the 2020 Shark Helmets range, with a variety of lids available to suit different riders. From the Shark racing line with the Race-R Pro and Race-R Pro GP, through to the S-Drak metro styled helmet.
From the Metro range comes the S-Drak, also available in a stunning carbon-fibre outer shell, with multi-density EPS, micro-lock buckle and two shell sizes.
The S-Drak comes with a retractable light tint internal visor, including an anti-fog deflector, with a quick release visor system.
SHark S-Drak Helmet (Carbon)
An interior suede lining fabric offers a premium feel, with fully removable interior for easy washing, while the Shark EasyFit system allows for comfortable glasses use while wearing the S-Drak.
The S-Drak also comes ready for a Sharktooth communication system, with a carbon-fibre finish on the Carbon model, with premium metal details, and a mask with new locking system.
Shark EVO-ES Helmet
The Shark EVO-ES embodies all the brand’s expertise in modular helmet design, with an injected thermoplastic resin shell and two shell sizes, with multi-density EPS and a micro-lock buckle system.
Shark EVO-ES Helmet
A VZ 150 visor is anti-scratch and anti-fog, with an auto-up/auto-down system moving the visor to match the chin guard being raised or lowered. The quick-release visor system also allows for easy visor swaps or removal.
The Shark EVO-ES also features a Bird Eyes lining which is removable for washing, and includes the EasyFit system for wearing glasses. The helmet is also Sharktooth comms ready, and includes a magnetic, retractable soundproof breath guard. Ventilation is provided by three air inlets and two air extractors.
Shark Skwal 2 Helmet
The Shark Skwal 2 offers a full face helmet with integrated LED lights for increased visibility and a very cool overall effect, complete with a rechargable battery. The shell is injected thermoplastic resin, with a multi-density EPS and micro-lock buckle system.
A Pinlock Max Vision visor is UV380 scratch resistant, with a quick release visor and autoseal system, improving soundproofing and preventing water and air incursion around the visor.
Shark Skwal 2 Helmet
The internal lining features a dual-material design with Aegis Microtech lining and Sanitized Alveotech fabric, and is removable for washing, with a new neck protection design. The EasyFit system also allows glasses to be easily worn in the helmet, with a removable dual-use breath guard, anti-fog mash and is Sharktooth comms ready.
Ventilation is thanks to two air inlets and two air extractors, with CFD design ensuring optimised aerodynamics.
I.C.E.mergency USB stores medical information.
First responder checks for medical info
QR code
Command and Tourer gloves
2014 launch of the Indian Chief Classic, Vintage and Chieftain
Brisbane Indian motorcycle shop
Chris Keeble
Bronx Streetfighter
Pan America
Harley e-bikes
Harley-Davidson 
Harley’s Riding Academy
