International Dealer News IDN 140 December 2017 / January 2018

SHOW ZONE the public, recording a 24% increase in attendance”. The release does not associate an attendance number with that percentage, either overall or otherwise. Therefore they are able to avoid breaking cover about last year’s number (which patently was way down on 2015) or the downward trend (despite the Italian trade association’s assurances to the +28% international attendance contrary) that has been underway for anything up to a decade. Indeed, the often quoted 500,000 plus numbers have long been unreliable - with total attendance likely to be in the region of 300,000 to 350,000, and attendance by people of riding age more probably in the region of 250,000 to 300,000 – which is still a mighty number, no question, but if wrong, then I invite ANCMA/EICMA to follow the example set by INTERMOT, AIMExpo and other national and international motorcycle industry shows around the world to declare and prove their numbers. The release goes on to declare that 2017 has seen record numbers of visitors, though appear to be saying that the +24 percent is a comparison with 2015 and is therefore a two-show cycle trend. Which, if true, is great, but why the continuing obfuscation ANCMA? Apparently, there were “over 150 innovations and world premieres presented at EICMA this year”, which doesn’t need to be accurate for anyone doing their job there to be able to confirm that yes, there were a lot of new model launches and a noticeable uptick in new parts, accessory an d apparel introductions. In terms of the increased exhibitor numbers, the statistics continue to be woefully distorted by way of exhibiting own and third party brands catalogued, with EICMA claiming that there were 1,713 “exhibitors present” when both direct and indirect “exhibitors” are (pointlessly) counted. However, EICMA has always been consistent in this idiosyncrasy, so even if the claimed +20% in exhibitor numbers (from 43 countries) over the recorded 2015 number (there they go again) is misleading, there’s no question that there were more than in 2016, a year that appeared to mark a nadir +20% exhibitor numbers for the show (hence it being airbrushed from their statistical history). EICMA says that “no less than 61% of the exhibiting companies came from abroad” (really?) and that the “net occupied area” increased by +15% (over 2015 presumably). Personally, I find it hard to believe that the actual number of individual vendor (aftermarket and OE) exhibit decisions can have been much more than a more realistic 700 to 800 (net of own and third-party brands), and if more than half of those exhibit decisions were made by non-Italian companies, then the figure is distorted by the numerically high number of small booths bought by Asian businesses. 18 Andreani: The company’s award-winning DB4 test bench is an advanced “Suspension Dyno” that has been in development for several years. Described as a significant advance on the original DB3 design introduced eight years ago, “we have rebuilt the entire concept,” Giuseppe Andreani says. “Our engineers have developed new software and hardware, with the software marking the revolution. We focused on precision, ease of reading, managing and comparing data. The DB4 gives technicians the final tool needed for them to develop and test materials, specifications and performance. It features optimised design, engineering and software.” The powerful 4 kW powerful motor, the load cell that allows reading up to 5.000 Newton force, the 800 mm side rods and the simple and versatile software are all said to make the DB4 “easy to use, but very accurate”; www.andreanigroup.com RD Moto: Martin Drasnar (left) and Petr Holoubek. Latest products from the Czech parts and accessory specialist include crash protectors, levers, crash frames, engine covers, tuning accessories and travel bags for the Yamaha MT-07 and other top-selling street and sports models; www.rdmoto.eu Venhill Engineering: Max Adams, Managing Director. Recent new products from the British control cables and accessory specialist include a range of smooth action replacement clutch cables for all generations of Yamaha’s YZF-R1. Noted for its massive range of cable colour options, all Venhill cables are designed and made in the UK. The light and durable cables feature a smaller conduit to reduce weight, increase flexibility when routing and provide an improved, smoother operation compared to the OE version, without compromising strength or performance. The cables feature the much- needed additional length to route around the R1’s starter motor, so that when at rest on full lock, there is no binding/pinching on the starter socket. Each one features high quality Featherlight abling - marine-grade stainless steel inner wire for minimum stretch and a Teflon liner for minimum friction and a lighter action, removing the need for lubrication; www.venhill.co.uk INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018 Cardo Systems: Latest products from the ‘Scala Rider’ bike communications and entertainment systems specialist include the rugged Q-solo Bluetooth communicator for solo riders, Freecom 4 and Packtalk DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communication) based Bluetooth communication systems; www.cardosystems.com

International Dealer News IDN 140 December 2017 / January 2018 | Page 18