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Trailer NewsJanuary 2007 - Norway is No.1 Export Market for British Bike Trailers
Norway has emerged as a boom market for British designed and manufactured motorcycle luggage trailers, as increasing numbers of Norwegians recognise the benefits of pulling luggage behind a bike rather than trying to strap it to the machine. Squire, based near Moreton-in-Marsh in the Heart of England, pioneered motorcycle luggage trailer development in the 1980’s with several radical design features, including the 360º rotating hitch, but they have tended to be more popular abroad than in the domestic British market. In recent years over 50% of production has been sent overseas, in spite of the strong pound, and last year Norway emerged as the top market abroad, accounting for approximately 65% of export sales. Many people will be surprised to learn that it is not only legal to tow a trailer behind a motorcycle, but it also has a minimal effect on performance whilst dramatically increasing carrying capacity. The D21 trailer, for example, has an internal volume of 21 cubic feet (595 litres, roughly equivalent to 12 pairs of saddlebags!). Squire has performed several feats over recent years to demonstrate how easily modern high performance motorcycles can pull a properly designed trailer. In 2002 the Company set a record at Millbrook Proving Ground, near Bedford (UK), where a Kawasaki ZZ-R1100 motorcycle towed a Squire D21 trailer at an average speed of 139.5 mph. They subsequently proved that a motorcycle towing a trailer can out accelerate a Ferrari during routine testing at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground near Leicester, where they towed a Squire D21 trailer behind a Yamaha FJR1300 to a top speed of 139.9 mph, achieving a 0-60mph time of just 4.1 seconds, which is faster than a Ferrari*. Prices for motorcycle luggage trailers start at around £1,000 and tow bar kits are available for many popular motorcycles and even scooters.
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Copyright © Apr-08
Watsonian Squire Ltd.
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