Posted in Automotive, Minoli
20th January 2023
Minoli’s heritage with the motor industry spans from before the company’s incorporation in 1960 right through to present day, but our work with both specialists and mainstream car manufacturers is perhaps better publicised than our equally exciting relationships with motorcycle brands and superbike teams.
Technical advancements in motorcycle manufacturing and their appeal as exhilarating leisure, commuting and racing machines, have seen motorcycles propelled into the spotlight with broader appeal than ever before. Performance bikes have entered the realm of truly premium possessions with an unprecedented array of personalisation options including carbon fibre components, specialist tuning & race kits, colour coordinated accessories and apparel.
Statistics released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) revealed that versus the last ‘pre-pandemic / normal’ year of trading in 2019, registrations in 2022 were up by over 8%, demonstrating their enduring appeal through tough times and growing importance as the transport ecosystem evolves. Of note, within that figure, larger cc machines saw the biggest upswing, with ‘modern classics’ also outperforming the market trend.
Aside from the sheer thrill of two-wheel riding, greater environmental awareness and ever-increasing road congestion make the fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability of bikes more and more appealing. Added to that, dramatic improvements in safety, the emergence of battery electric models and lower costs of travel are also driving demand.
Example projects, where Minoli porcelain products have been used to enhance retail environments include supplying The Crescent Motorcycle Company, based in Dorset and operators of the Yamaha World Superbike Team.
Founded over 70 years ago, Crescent Motorcycles is one on the country’s leading motorcycle retailers, with branches across the south coast, representing the major brands such as Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki.
Designed by team principal and MD of Crescent, Mr Paul Denning, in order to create a space that was both fit for the functional requirements, but also reflecting the team’s aspirations to compete at the highest levels, Crescent selected the Evolution Marvel series for the client facing presentation areas and the Minoli Workshop series for the technical areas.
The Crescent Yamaha PATA World SBK Team compete in the world-wide superbike series, running the very latest Yamaha R1 world superbikes in a fully factory supported program.
Regarding their relationship with Minoli, Paul Denning commented, “Crescent Motorcycles, who run Yamaha’s official WorldSBK Team in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), are continuing to carry the brand of their long-time partner, Minoli, on the world stage in 2023.
“The team’s stylish HQ situated on the edge of Dorset and Hampshire’s New Forest area, as well as its flagship Yamaha facility – recognised by Yamaha Motor Europe as one of (if not) the best in Europe – are stunning examples of how Minoli tiles are used in both office and workshop contexts.
“Since 2016, the Yamaha WorldSBK Team has gone from strength-to-strength, culminating in Crescent’s first ‘triple crown’ title in 2021 when it won the Riders’ Championship with the supremely talented Toprak Razgatlioglu alongside the Manufacturers’ Championship for Yamaha and Teams’ Championship.
“Another thrilling season followed last year in 2022 which saw Razgatlioglu fight tooth-and-nail to defend the title, ultimately finishing runner-up to Italian manufacturer and team Ducati. Now, in the coming weeks, Yamaha will reveal its new race machine and colours for the 2023 WorldSBK season – which the team hope to use to take back the top position from its rivals”.
Another case study of note is our work with Ducati Coventry and the stunning showrooms at their retail centre featuring Minoli’s distinct and durable 600/600 Nero Rectified Porcelain tiles in black, selected to the specification of the Ducati corporate identity.
The showroom of John Hackett Performance (JHP) in Coventry showcases an amazing line-up of new and used Ducati Motorcycles, and includes a feature display plinth with stepped access, all clad in the tarmac-toned Ducati Nero tile.
As well as all the very latest Ducati road bikes, there are always several classic and contemporary racing bikes on display, from the race series of World Super Bike and Moto Grand Prix, an association with which the founder and owner is world renowned.
For motorcycle enthusiasts, we’d strongly recommend visiting either The Crescent Motorcycle Company or Ducati Coventry to see these remarkable machines up close, but such is Minoli’s passion for performance bikes that you can also see a stunning example at our Oxford Corporate Clients showroom. On display is a rare example of the world championship winning Yamaha WSB R1, kindly donated to Minoli by Paul Denning in recognition of our many years of close cooperation.
It’s not just our Oxford HQ that has links to winning Superbike teams. In 2017, Minoli London welcomed the Crescent Yamaha World Superbike Team to our Marylebone showroom on George Street, W1… complete with full Race Truck! Team Principal, Paul Denning gave insights into the intricacies of running a highly professional and competitive racing team on a worldwide platform to well over 100 assembled guests.
Whether for a corporate showroom or workshop, a collector’s display rooms or for private garaging solutions, we believe that high performance motorcycles deserve high performance porcelain, as a distinct and durable flooring solution.
Please contact either our Oxford or London showrooms to discuss suitable ranges for your motorcycle display, maintenance or storage requirements, or for corporate clients, please contact Jonathon Minoli directly.
- Minoli Oxford – 01865 778225 / showroom@minoli.co.uk
- Minoli London – 020 7474 2934 / thesurfacewithin@minoli.co.uk
- Corporate Clients – Please email jonathon@minoli.co.uk