This week, main OEM takeovers and dedication to our good trade’s idea corners punt us towards the brand new yr:
- Bajaj has been authorized to realize full controlling possession of KTM, and a few of the new motions Bajaj is making ready embody slicing overhead prices to the corporate by 50%.
- Zero Bikes’ Lompico Idea was a brand new working system designed to indicate off Zero’s capabilities, so we’ve put down every part we all know concerning the factor.
- Rejoice! The world’s first solar-powered, self-charging motorbike has damaged cowl! Vary continues to be TBD, although…
- A beautiful Sweet-Crimson, post-WWII Hummel is up for public sale in late January – and he or she’s a stunner.
Let’s begin with KTM’s new possession below Bajaj, we could?
Business Insider: It’s Official – Bajaj is KTM’s New Proprietor
“KTM Will Stay an Austrian Firm”
The rollercoaster experience that started with KTM’s utility for self-administration in November 2024 has lastly ended. Following regulatory inexperienced lights from Austrian and European authorities, the rescue package deal from long-time companion Bajaj Auto has been formally transformed right into a controlling stake. The share switch finalized on November nineteenth of this yr and noticed Bajaj take a 74.9% controlling curiosity in Pierer Mobility AG (quickly to be renamed Bajaj Mobility AG); with this transfer, Bajaj Auto now owns a majority stake in KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, and WP.
For those who recall, this decision was made doable by the €800 million rescue package deal supplied by Bajaj again in Could, permitting KTM to pay collectors 30% of the cash owed and meet their court-mandated deadline.
With the brand new possession confirmed, Pierer-nominated board members have stepped down, and their areas have been changed by Bajaj appointees – a transfer that was purportedly pivotal to the corporate’s success shifting ahead.
In an interview performed by the incomparable Ben Purvis at CycleWorld with Rajiv Bajaj, the difficulty that turned the straw to interrupt the camel’s again was nothing roughly than operational greed. Overproduction by means of and coming off of post-lockdown meant that there was over a yr’s value of bikes to promote, each at sellers and distributors. An try into the electrical bicycle enterprise and management’s – or prime administration’s – failure to maintain communication ongoing with the companions of the time didn’t assist, both.
| “[The erstwhile KTM management] mentioned European work tradition is useless, wages are too excessive, and dealing hours are too few. They confirmed us graphs evaluating Europe to China and India to that impact. From the skin, to this point, what we observe is that there’s a possibility to cut back the overheads by greater than 50%. That covers R&D, that covers all advertising and marketing areas, together with racing. That covers all of the operational areas.
Over 50% discount is some huge cash; by way of headcount, the erstwhile and present administration that’s been in place since final November have already introduced it down from 6000 to 4000 individuals, which, in their very own estimate, continues to be an excessive amount of. [KTM’s financial struggles] is an issue that isn’t brought on by 98% or 99% of the KTM workers. This can be a drawback of the highest administration of KTM, the [previous] prime administration of KTM, and that’s why, fairly frankly, most of them are gone.” – Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto (CycleWorld) |
KTM’s new possession has positively affected one KTM CEO, Gottfried Neumeister, who stays stalwart in KTM:
| “With Bajaj as our guardian firm, we now have a robust trade knowledgeable with a world presence, who has been with KTM for a few years now and due to this fact understands our enterprise, model, and merchandise. Bajaj’s strengths and KTM’s experience complement one another completely…
KTM will stay an Austrian firm with impartial administration that performs a pioneering function in analysis and improvement, design, product high quality, and racing.” – Gottfried Neumeister, CEO, KTM (CycleWorld) |
For an in depth take a look at the company adjustments and Bajaj’s plans for KTM’s future, remember to take a look at the complete report on CycleWorld.
Right here’s The whole lot We Know About Zero Bikes’ Lompico Idea
A New Working System Designed to Present Off Zero’s Capabilities
As lots of you may recall, Zero Bikes used EICMA 2025 to introduce their Lompico Idea; in layman’s phrases, Lompico was offered as a machine constructed solely to showcase Zero’s next-generation tech capabilities.
We determined to gid into a couple of particulars you won’t learn about what Zero has in retailer for our group’s future seasons, so we broke it down under for straightforward studying entry:
- Zero used this technique to make it simpler for customers to work together with their bikes. The core of this next-generation ecosystem is Cypher 4, an all-new working system. This technological leap delivers clever connectivity and a “rider-first” expertise by means of a brand new built-in show and cell app help.
- Cypher 4 consists of the fact that riders will quickly be capable of monitor efficiency, schedule charging, and customise experience modes immediately from wherever. ‘Nuff mentioned there.
- The machine carrying Cypher 4 was a middleweight bike able to round 45hp and chargeable to 80% within the house of 1 hour. This efficiency is purportedly backed by a brand new light-weight body, premium suspension, and superior traction management/ABS methods.
Briefly, Zero Bikes likes the concept that new stuff can generate profits whereas enhancing the EV trade – and Zero’s CEO, Pierre-Martin Bos, has taken a step additional within the following call-to-action to the EV trade at massive:
– Pierre-Martin Bos, CEO, Zero Bikes (CycleWorld) |
Extra particulars about Zero’s Cypher 4 working system will probably be launched in 2026; within the meantime, remember to take a look at the brand new Lompico Idea and Zero’s future tech on their web site.
New Stuff: World’s First Photo voltaic-Powered Bike Breaks Cowl
Vary TBD…
An organization has invested within the suggestion that sure corners of the powersports trade might quickly be solar-powered.
In response to MASK Architects, their new brainchild has been christened (and registered) as SOLARIS®, the world’s first absolutely solar-powered, autonomous motorbike. This machine challenges our present fuel-dependent economic system by suggesting, in plain converse, that there’s a sunny future on the market someplace that might quickly work aside from gasoline stations, electrical grids, and business charging networks.
Contemplating we’re nonetheless not sure as to the place this bike would sit by way of pace, sturdiness, and vary (maintain the downhill jokes for now, of us), we pulled collectively a bit record of what we all know to this point about MASK Architects’ design:
- The SOLARIS® design attracts closely from a leopard. In utilizing feline mimetic language, the corporate merely compares the bike’s “muscular” but light-weight aluminum–carbon composite chassis and forward-leaning poise to that of a cat.
- Retractable photovoltaic wings clearly punt this kitty from predator into the bug or aviary sector, however we aren’t trying too carefully.
- It’s worthwhile noting that this child will use photo voltaic vitality to hook up a high-torque electrical motor to a high-capacity lithium system, suggesting that the variable elements concerned on this machine – battery capability, panel wattage, and daylight – may make issues a tad sophisticated should you’ve a necessity for pace while pootling about Eire. Or Vancouver. Or Forks.
Helpful options like regenerative braking work to recapture kinetic vitality (good), whereas a digital cockpit and non-compulsory app connectivity permit riders to trace real-time photo voltaic consumption and efficiency.
May this self-sustaining organism be a catalyst for change, bringing renewable transportation to distant areas and providing a robust business benefit by eliminating gasoline prices? We predict it’s too early but to know for certain, however with bikes, boats, and resorts of their portfolio, it’s apparent that MASK Architects will at all times have perform first of their design. Goodness is aware of Masks Architects has sufficient awards and achievements below their belt to be able to turning this factor right into a bodily actuality.
We’re nonetheless dying to know what the vary will probably be with this design, however we’ll maintain off on the feedback… for now.
For a more in-depth take a look at the SOLARIS®, remember to take a look at MASK Architects on their web site.
Eye Sweet: Retro Tin Banana in Sweet Crimson to Cross Vegas Block in January
Attractive 1961 DKW (Hummel) 115 Simply Wants some Go-Go Juice to Roll Into the Storage
Put together for some critical Artwork Deco eye sweet to cross Sin Metropolis’s block in late January!
Apparently, Las Vegas Bikes 2026 is quickly to host a fantastically quirky, 1961 DKW 115 (Hummel). Identified affectionately by the European press because the “tin banana” (blechbanane), this specific instance of the futurism of the post-WWII period is beautiful in its Sweet Apple Crimson bodywork, full with swooping, Jetsons-esque panels and chrome detailing.
Beneath the beautiful styling, mechanics embody the easy however sturdy and totally charming 49cc air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed gearbox. Earles-type suspension clothes the entrance with twin shock absorbers and spoke wheels wrapped in Continental whitewall tires, whereas a blue cowl clothes the bike’s last drive, finishing the Hummel’s artwork deco-esque attraction.
For those who’re contemplating including a chunk of German motorbike historical past to your storage, we’re informed that this specific DKW is about to cross the block on January thirtieth below Lot R619. The deal may even embody a two-position seat, chrome seize rail, baggage rack, absolutely useful headlight, taillight, and even a lil’ horn. (toot, toot)
NOTE: Lot R619 will probably be offered on a Invoice of Sale and isn’t supposed for freeway or public street use! That being mentioned, we’re certain you’ll discover some fairly candy locations to experience this factor. 🙂
For an in depth take a look at the specs, together with the engine and body numbers, and to put your bid, remember to take a look at the itemizing on Mecum Auctions.
