Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “The Asia Talent Cup is one of the most important projects in our Road to MotoGP program and it’s an unrivalled opportunity for young riders in the region to begin their path to the top. We are excited to be heading to The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia, as it adds a new track to the Cup, which is always good for competition. Australia is an important country for Grand Prix racing, with MotoGP having race there since 1989 and multiple World Champions hailing from the nation, and is therefore also a pivotal presence in our Road to MotoGP program.”
Harley-Davidson trademarks often end up as names for their motorcycles, but in this case, Rude Boy will be used for their upcoming range of electric bicycles.
The bike was delayed a month going into North America dealerships;
Several dealerships refused to pay big money to instal DC fast chargers in order to sell them;
Sales have also been a disaster as customers have baulked at the $US29,950 (about $A44,000 when it arrives in Australia late next year) ticket price; and
The company has filed its application for the Rude Boy trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office for use with “electric bicycles; electric bicycle parts and accessories”.
Harley already has a Fat Boy Softail motorcycle which has been a huge success over the years, so they will be hoping for the same with with Rude Boy.
With Harley sales down and an ageing demographic, the company is keen to bring in new, younger customers.
This shift toward two-wheeled electric bicycles is part of their future-proofing strategy.
Harley electric mountain bike
Harley has previously shown their electric mountain bike (above) and their electric bicycle prototypes (below) under the “Future Vehicles” tab on their website.
We expect the latter will be the Rude Boy bikes.
It says they are not yet available for sale, but “coming soon” and “future models shown may not be available in all markets”.
They include mid-mounted electric motors, belt drive and one with a step-through “female” frame.
NSW Police are at the scene of a fatal collision between a motorcycle and a truck in McGraths Hill in Sydney’s north-west.
About 12.35pm (Tuesday 22 October 2019), police attended the intersection of Windsor Road and Pitt Town Road following reports of a collision between a motorcyclist and a truck.
“The male rider was thrown from the bike and suffered serious injuries,” NSW Police say.
“The man was treated at the scene, however died.
“The driver of the truck was not injured and has been taken to Hawkesbury Hospital for mandatory testing.
“A crime scene has been established and the circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated.
Windsor Road is closed in both directions and local diversions are in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
A brief will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
The Australian motorcycle industry has lost a stalwart with the passing of Alexander Milledge, OAM, on 6 September 2019, aged 89, says industry veteran Stuart Strickland.
He credits Alex with recognising the rise of Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, becoming Yamaha’s first overseas distributor and supporting many motorcycle champions.
Eulogy
Speaking at his funeral service at St John’s Anglican Church, Toorak, Stuart said Alex had led the Milledge Brothers to success as the nation’s largest motorcycle business and had “invested heavily over countless years supporting all forms of motorcycle sport”.
Stuart began his 40+ years in the industry at Milledge Brothers, the first motorcycle shop in Elizabeth St, Melbourne. He was parts and general manager from 1971 to ’81 and, like Alex, he also was awarded an OAM for service to the industry.
Milledge Brothers store
“Milledge Brothers was an enjoyable company to work for because its leader was a man of action, never standing still,” Stuart said.
“Alex possessed fantastic business acumen and was a great mentor. I, like many, built careers from foundations learnt whilst at Milledge Brothers.”
Stuart said many motorcycle dealers around Australia benefited financially through Milledge Brothers’ success.
He also acknowledged Alex’s “exceptional” ability to “gain, build and maintain relationships with manufacturers across world markets”.
“I think his greatest achievement was chasing distribution rights for Honda, being unsuccessful, but through perseverance landing distribution rights for both Yamaha and Suzuki.
“His premonition that British domination of the market would cease through the rise of Japanese manufacturers was accurate, leading to many very successful years for the company.
“Alex broke new ground with Yamaha Motor, becoming their first overseas distributor. He held an exalted position with Yamaha’s hierarchy throughout his life,” he says.
Alex Milledge
Alex and Sue
Alex was born on 5 August 1930, the only child of Alexander and Mary Ellen.
He lived nearly his entire life in Birdwood Ave, Elwood; was educated at Melbourne Grammar; and worked in the family business, becoming general manager in 1956 at the young age of 26.
In 1988, the Yamaha franchise was sold and Alex became semi-retired.
He is survived by his wife Sue, three children – Jane, Sarah and Libby – eight grandchildren and one grandchild. Sadly, his son Tom died in 2002.
A Harley-Davidson signed by Pope Francis has sold at the Bonham’s Autumn Stafford sale in the UK for a bargain at less than half what it was hoped to fetch.
The bike was sold for the bargain price of £42,000 (almost $A80,000) which is a tidy sum that will benefit Catholic Overseas Missions.
However, it’s not as much as was expected with auctioneers tipping the 2016 Custom Cycle “White Unique” would fetch up to $A180,000.
White Unique was created at the suggestion of Dr Thomas Draxler, founder of the Jesus Bikers group in Austria, as a fundraising vehicle, to be donated to the Pontifical Mission Societies (Missio), the official support for Catholic overseas missions.
White Unique
Bavarian-based Harley Davidson dealer, Würzburg Village, supplied the Softail and collaborated with the Jesus Bikers on its customisation.
As the name suggests, the machine is finished in pearlescent white, with Chicano (Mexican American) style detailing, numerous gold-plated components, a Dorne wreath ornament, a sunken cross and Pope Francis’ signature on the tank.
The Harley Davidson was unveiled to the public in Würzburg on 29 June 2019 before being accompanied by the Jesus Bikers to the Vatican, via Assisi, where the ‘Pope Bike’ was handed over to the Vatican at a ceremony with His Holiness in St Peter’s Square on 7 July.
Holy bikes
Holy Softail
The holy Harley is the latest in a short succession of holy motorcycles and cars donated to the Papacy and sold on for charity.
Police claiming all bikies are criminals is vilifying them in a similar way as saying prostitutes cannot be rape victims, says former detective and now Bond Uni criminology lecturer Terry Goldsworthy.
Terry says police commentary over Ross’s alleged murder represent vilification.
Queensland Police Superintendent Brendan Smith is quoted as saying “bikie lifestyle carries its own risk”.
“Anyone who thinks a bikie is a motorcycle enthusiast is kidding themselves – they are criminals and criminal behaviour is hazardous,” Supt Smith is quoted as saying.
Vilifying bikies
Terry says this kind of statement creates “obvious” problems.
“The data clearly tells us that bikies are not all criminals,” he says.
“They generally do not carry out criminal activity within the auspices of the gang.
“Being a criminal does not mean that you should be treated any less as a victim.
“This kind of thought process harks back to the logic that a prostitute cannot be raped, or the short skirt justification for rape etc.
“When you vilify the status of the victim you are intentionally suggesting that they are somehow to blame for the offence committed against them and the act is minimised. Every victim deserves to be treated the same.”
As we found during the height of the original VLAD laws, riders wearing club “colours” were mistakenly vilified as “outlaw bikies” by both the public and police.
Vilifying anyone because of their association is not only careless, but can be dangerous.
Criminals should only be classed as criminal for their actions, not because of their membership of a group.
Victorian Police have warned riders heading to the Phillip Island MotoGP this weekend of increased patrols in and around the track.
The annual Operation MotoSafe will also concentrate on eastern Victorian roads leading to the venue.
Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector Stephen Cooper said that this year has been a “particularly challenging year” on Victorian roads, with a “lot of the trauma taking place in country Victoria”.
“At the beginning of the year we saw a lot of fatalities and serious injuries involving motorcyclists,” Insp Cooper says.
“With the warmer weather encouraging riders to get back on their motorcycles, we want everyone to know that police will be out enforcing against those who engage in risky behaviour.”
During the operation, police patrols will target drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs, as well as fatigue.
Track patrols
Between 25 and 27 October, police will patrol in and around the race track and on all roads leading to Phillip Island.
“With increased motorcycle traffic in the area, we need both motorcyclists and other road users to be alert and aware of their surroundings,” Insp Cooper says.
“The Grand Prix weekend is one motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy and look forward to every year.
“The last thing we would want is for it to end in tragedy.”
During the first few minutes after TJ’s crash, he was woozy and in some pain. Once the adrenaline wore off, his condition became more serious. But without first aid training all we knew to do was call for help.
Like it or not, accidents happen. Fortunately, they tend to be rare events, and when they do happen they’re often minor, such as a parking lot tip over that does more harm to our pride than our body or bike. But sometimes accidents are more serious. Sand or gravel may cause us to lose traction. We may overcook a decreasing-radius corner. Or we may have a close encounter with a car or a leaping deer.
As responsible motorcyclists, we owe it to ourselves, our friends and our loved ones to be prepared in case an accident happens. If we’re riding in or near an urban area, then we can usually count on having a cell signal, the ability of first responders to access the scene quickly and the proximity of a hospital. But even in urban areas it could take up to 30 minutes or longer for an ambulance to arrive on the scene.
What should you do until help arrives? And what if the accident happens when you’re riding out in the country or other remote area? Those are exactly the sort of places we love to ride, where we can escape from the city or suburbia to enjoy winding roads and off-the-beaten-path scenery. How would you call for help? And even if you can call for help, how long will it take for an ambulance or helicopter to arrive?
A few years ago, during a dual-sport ride with friends, our buddy TJ crashed his GS on a downhill, landing on his right shoulder. He was woozy and in pain, but he was able to get up, remove his helmet and speak coherently. After a few minutes, TJ told us his fingers were numb, his arm felt cold and he had a history of heart problems. We were lucky. We had a weak cell signal and were able to use my GPS to provide precise coordinates to the 911 dispatcher, and an off-duty paramedic and a nurse happened to be in the area and attended to TJ while we waited for a helicopter. TJ was airlifted to a hospital where he was treated for a dislocated shoulder, a chipped bone in his upper arm and a bruised collarbone.
We were relieved that first responders were able to provide assistance and evacuation so quickly, but what struck me about that incident was my ignorance of what to do other than dial 911. Recently I completed a weekend-long Wilderness First Aid course put on by NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School. Aimed at those who recreate outdoors where emergency medical response can be expected in less than eight hours, the course teaches the Patient Assessment System, basic first aid and how to make evacuation decisions.
As luck would have it, members of the Pathfinders militia were training in the area, and a nurse and a paramedic from the group attended to TJ until a helicopter arrived. Since help is rarely available in remote areas, it’s good to be prepared with first aid training, a first aid kit and a reliable way to contact first responders.
One of the teachers was Dave Craig, a Senior Instructor at NOLS who is a Wilderness EMT as well as a motorcyclist. He enjoys long, exploratory rides on his Suzuki DR650S throughout Arizona and down into Mexico. When I asked Craig how wilderness first aid applies to motorcycling, he said, “When it comes to first response to a motorcycle accident, whether in remote areas or not, there are several important elements. First, secure the scene to prevent further injuries.” This is the first step in the Patient Assessment System (see sidebar below). If the accident occurs on the road or a popular trail, enlist friends or bystanders to control oncoming traffic, and beware of other potential hazards. If the injured rider is trapped under his or her motorcycle, make sure the bike is picked up safely without putting you or others at risk.
“Second, you should be prepared with training and materials to attend to threats to life,” said Craig. “Take a first aid/CPR course and always carry a first aid kit with medical gloves. For the injured rider, first assess the ABCs — Airway, Breathing and Circulation, and check for serious bleeding. Next, evaluate D — Disability; in particular, do you need to protect the spine? And E — Expose any injuries so they can be examined.” This is part of the initial assessment in the Patient Assessment System, which is the first priority after the scene has been secured.
Many believe you should never remove a motorcyclist’s helmet if he or she has been in an accident. However, a full-face helmet’s chinbar covers the rider’s mouth, making it difficult to check airway and breathing. (A flip-up or modular helmet allows a rider’s face to be exposed without removing the helmet.) Also, if the accident occurs in a remote area where it could be an hour or longer until help arrives, removing the helmet allows the rider’s head to be examined for injury and helps keep them cool and comfortable. Whether or not the helmet is removed, ensure that the rider’s head is supported to protect the spine.
“And third, after completing a thorough patient assessment, you need to have a way to contact emergency services in the areas in which you ride,” Craig said. At a minimum you should carry a cell phone, but a satellite communicator, such as those made by Garmin or SPOT (see Resources), is a great backup because they work anywhere and transmit precise location coordinates to first responders. Be sure to keep your phone and/or communicator in your pocket rather than on your bike in case you and your bike go separate ways in an accident, particularly if you’re riding solo.
Accidents are emotionally charged situations — for the rider(s) involved and for bystanders. If you witness an accident or are one of the first to arrive on the scene, it’s important to stay calm and help keep others calm. Assess the situation before diving in; help secure the scene and act in a thorough, deliberate manner. Just as motorcycle skills training prepares us to be better riders, hands-on first aid training prepares us to act with confidence so we can assist the injured as well as first responders. Always have emergency contact and personal medical information on your person in an easy-to-find location, as well as a first aid kit, a cell phone and, if traveling in remote areas, a satellite communicator.
Roadguardians.org offers an 8-hour Accident Scene Management Bystander Assistance Program for motorcyclists.
PatientAssessmentSystem
Scene Size-up
Identify hazards to self, other rescuers, bystanders, patient.
Determine mechanism of injury.
Form a general impression of seriousness.
Determine the number of patients.
Protect yourself with body substance isolation (e.g., wear gloves).
Initial Assessment
Obtain consent, assess for responsiveness and protect the spine.
A – Airway: Open the airway; look in the mouth and clear obvious obstructions.
B – Breathing: Look, listen and feel.
C – Circulation: Check pulse at the neck; look and sweep body for severe bleeding.
D – Disability: Decide if further spine protection is needed.
Medical history (chief complaint; SAMPLE — Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last intake/output, Events)
Source: “NOLS Wilderness Medicine, 6th Edition” (see Resources below)
Resources
Training
Accident Scene ManagementBystander Assistance Program for motorcyclists; 8-hour course; visit roadguardians.org
American Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Course; 6-hour course (certification valid for two years); visit redcross.org
NOLS Wilderness First Aid Course; 16 hours over two days (certification valid for two years); visit nols.edu
“NOLS Wilderness Medicine, 6th Edition,” by Ted Schimelpfenig (Chapter 1 covers the Patient Assessment System in detail); $16.95, visit store.nols.edu
First Aid Kits/Supplies
American Red Cross’ online store sells a variety of first aid kits, supplies and instructional books; visit redcross.org/store
NOLS Med Kits are made by Adventure Medical Kits and range from the basic, 3.7-ounce Med Kit 1.0 ($16.95) to the well-stocked, 25-ounce Med Kit 5.0 ($84.99); resupply packs and individual supplies also available; add a NOLS Wilderness Medicine Pocket Guide for $4.99; visitstore.nols.edu
Personal MedicalInformation
Smartphones typically have easily accessible medical information and an emergency contact, as well as the ability to dial 911, directly from the home or lock screen. Look up the details for your device and fill in the forms as completely as possible.
Rescue Facts Emergency Pack, which attaches to apparel or helmet with hook-and-loop, contains a rewritable medical information form so it is easily accessible by first responders; $10, visit aerostich.com
Satellite Communicators
Garmin makes several products with inReach technology that allows two-way text messaging and S.O.S. signals via the global Iridium satellite network; starting at $349.99 plus required service plan; visit garmin.com
SPOT makes one-way (Gen3) and two-way (SPOT X) satellite communicators for sending text messages and S.O.S. signals; starting at $149.99 plus required service plan; visit findmespot.com
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