Yamaha ace undergoes successful operation to repair ruptured achilles.
Image: Foremost Media.
Popular Queenslander Dan Reardon has successfully undergone surgery to repair a ruptured achilles tendon sustained at last weekend’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland, allowing him to immediately start his recovery.
Reardon struck a tough-block prior to completing his Superpole lap in New Zealand, forcing him to come up severely short on the finish line double and ultimately resulting in the injury.
“Everything went well yesterday – I walked into surgery early in the morning and fixed the achilles,” Reardon told MotoOnline.com.au. “Now I’m in a half-cast for the next seven to 10 days until I get my stitches out, then I’m in a boot for about eight weeks before I start rehab.
“I’ve got plenty of time to get it right – this injury can take up to five months to heal, but it can also heal sooner. I won’t push it – I don’t have to be back by a particular time, so whenever it feels like it’s ready, I’ll start trail riding and having some fun.
“I might be riding by February, but it all just depends on the injury and the risk versus reward. It’s too early to say. I think I still may go to the states and do some supercross there – that was always part of the plan and the series goes until May, so that could still be a viable option. For the time being, I’ll just enjoy the time off and let the body heal.”
Reardon promoted himself to third in the Australian Supercross Championship this year after landing on the podium at the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney finale, becoming the highest-placed Australian at the prestigious event.
GS Safari heads to New South Wales High Country in 2019.
Image: Supplied.
BMW Motorrad Australia is celebrating its 25th anniversary of BMW Safari with a five-day tour in 2019, which will see the GS Safari head to the New South Wales High Country.
Since 1994 BMW Safari has played a valuable role in the lives of BMW motorcycle owners and enthusiasts across Australia, from hosting tours in tropical rainforests in far north Queensland, to mountainous trails in Tasmania, BMW Safari events have been providing pure motorcycling adventures for almost 25 years.
Commencing in Windsor north of Sydney on 7 April 2019, the ride will take participants on a five-day tour through the motorcycle paradise of northern New South Wales. Riders will experience an abundance of riding highlights across a variety of off-road trails and dynamic bitumen roads that lead them to the completion of the ride in Coffs Harbour on 12 April.
The week will pay homage to the heritage of BMW Safari events of past, whilst looking towards the future and celebrating the evolution of GS motorcycling in Australia.
There is also the opportunity for participants to combine the Safari with a BMW Off-Road Training course which aims to build rider confidence and skills before the five-day ride.
The three defendants charged with speeding detected by police on Lidar guns had their fines overturned.
Now, SAPOL is temporarily withdrawing Lidar guns until legislation is amended to resolve the legal issues with regard to the evidentiary certificates.
They are also withdrawing 125 speeding fine prosecutions.
South Australian Ride to Review spokesman Tim Kelly says anyone who copped a Lidar speed fine and has not yet paid should apply for a review.
Contact [email protected]ov.au or write to SAPOL addressing the request to Expiation Notice Branch, GPO Box 2029, Adelaide, SA 5001.
Impact for other states?
While the judgments were delivered in the South Australian Supreme Court, they could have an impact for all states and territories if the calibration of the guns is questioned.
However, there is no movement yet by other states to withdraw Lidar guns.
The three decisions were all based on an argument put forward by lawyer Karen Stanley of Stanley Law. Her full statement on the judgments is included in full at the end of this article.
Karen Stanley
The judgments are based on a previous case run by Ms Stanley in 2016 case where speeding charges were thrown out because of the police calibration methods for the LIDAR hand-held speed gun. In one of the three recent cases, a motorcyclist was recorded riding 126km/h in a 60 zone in Adelaide.
“My attack was to the certificates that prosecution uses to prove that the guns were accurate,” Karen says.
Lidar gun ‘not at fault’
LIDAR is used around the world
She points out that the Lidar guns are not necessarily inaccurate or unreliable, but that the police method of calibration, and the way police certify their accuracy, is at fault.
Whether the judgments will apply across all states and territories will depend on the wording of the certificates and what the law says, she says.
“However, I expect that the broad principles His Honour addressed in the substantive case of Police v Hanton, will apply in all states,” she says.
“The Crown may appeal against the judgments so until that time has lapsed, it would not be appropriate to draw conclusions about the future of speeding charges from these judgments” Reviewing methods
Justice David Peek criticised South Australian Police for failing to change their testing system since the 2016 verdict.
He wrote that police appeared willing to “accept the odd setback in terms of a not-guilty trial because the cost of that is less than fixing the system”.
There is no word yet from government on changes to legislation to allow police to start using the guns again.
Meanwhile, SAPOL say they will continue to use other “well-established speed detection options” such as hand-held radar devices and fixed and mobile speed cameras.
Stanley Law statement regarding South Australian Supreme Court Judgments
POLICE v HANTON [2018] SASC 96
POLICE v MILLER [2018] SASC 97
POLICE V HENDERSON [2018] SASC 98
On Thursday 19 July 2018, the South Australian Supreme Court published three significant judgments about the use of hand held LIDAR speed guns to detect vehicle speeds. These cases all relied on the argument successfully raised in Police v Butcher, a 2016 Supreme Court decision that resulted in speeding charges against the defendant being dismissed. While the individual cases are complex, the unifying issue in each was the reliance by prosecution on a certificate to prove the accuracy of the speed guns used to detect the speed of the defendants’ vehicles. Justice Peek found that the certificate relied on by the prosecution was not capable of proving the accuracy of the speed gun to within the margin of error stated in the certificate.
To be clear; the Supreme Court did not say that the speed guns were inaccurate. Rather, the Court found that prosecution could not prove that the devices were accurate by relying on the certificate. Speculation on social media that the judgments have “proved” that speed guns are inaccurate and unreliable, is incorrect.
There is always a presumption of innocence and prosecution must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that the offence was committed. One of the things that prosecution need to prove for speeding charges is that the device used to detect the vehicle is accurate. It would be cost prohibitive for prosecution to prove the technology behind the speed devices in every case. This would require experts to give evidence at every trial on how the devices work. To simplify this, the law in Australia allows the prosecution to rely on certificates, signed by a senior police officer, that certify the accuracy of the speed gun used. That certificate then becomes proof of the accuracy of the speed gun and the onus then switches to the defendant to provide “proof to the contrary” of what is certified.
While it may appear that this shifting of the evidentiary burden means that in speeding cases the defendant has to prove that they are not guilty, in actual fact, this only occurs once prosecution have proved that the device is accurate. It’s the certificate that prosecution relies on to prove this. The burden of proof only switches to the defendant once there is proof of the accuracy of the device.
The argument in the 2016 case, and in each of the three judgments handed down last week, was that the prosecution could not rely on the certificate because prosecution could not prove that the gun was accurate to the extent certified in the certificate, ie, within a margin of +2/-3kph. Without the certificate, there was no evidence of the accuracy of the device and therefore prosecution could not prove the speed of the vehicle. This is why the alleged speed of the defendant was irrelevant. For these purposes it does not matter whether the alleged speed was 5kph over the speed limit or 100kph over the speed limit.
Speed guns are required to be calibrated every 12 months in accordance with the Australian Standards. This involves an extensive process of testing the gun in a simulator. When a speed gun is calibrated, a report is issued which states that the gun is accurate to within a specific margin of error.
In addition, police are required to perform a number of daily tests, as prescribed by the manufacturer. These tests are recorded as pass/fail. The law requires that these tests are performed on the day that the device is used. The results of these tests are then used when producing the certificate.
In each of judgments published in July 2018 Justice Peek held that prosecution could not rely on the certificate because the daily testing by police doesn’t show that the devices are accurate to within +2/-3kph. The finding in each of these cases is the defendant did not need to prove that the device was inaccurate, but only that the daily testing done by police didn’t prove that the device was accurate to the extent claimed in the certificate. Without the certificate the prosecution was unable to prove the speed of the vehicles.
In addition, Justice Peek made a number of criticisms of the current testing regime of speed detection devices, and the circumstances under which the certificates are issued. Justice Peek further expressed concern that despite warnings in 2016 (Butcher) and 2017 (Henderson), the prosecution of speeding charges has continued without addressing the issues raised in the earlier cases.
SAPOL has issued a statement confirming that they are assessing the judgments “to fully comprehend if changes need to occur”. These judgments make it abundantly clear that changes need to occur. While SAPOL and prosecution continue to prosecute speeding charges in the manner they have to date, defendants will continue to have speeding charges dismissed. The argument first raised in Police v Butcher is clearly not a “one-off” as stated at the time.
The judgments handed down last week are lengthy and complex and will require further analysis in order to determine what ramifications these judgments have beyond the individual cases, although it is already clear that the broader implications are significant.
There is some commentary on social media about what impact these judgments will have on expiation notices issued since SAPOL was first put on notice about problems with relying on the certificates. At this stage it is too early to speculate on this.
Frenchman satisfied with direction heading into 2019.
Image: Supplied.
With four days total under his belt aboard the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16, Johann Zarco has declared he’s still working on locking down a base setting aboard the Austrian MotoGP machine.
The Frenchman wound up 19th on day two of testing in Jerez, Spain, although the number five confirmed laying down a fast-lap wasn’t the focus throughout the two days, instead he enhanced developments in his transition from Yamaha machinery.
“Some more days with the KTM and I’m happy because I made a step that I was looking for,” Zarco explained. “It gave confirmation for the technicians for which direction we have to go. We began today on a better level and I was improving my lap-time. We then moved to test different things and could not do so many laps.
“We are still working on my base setting. We are not working to be the fastest one out there but the base is coming better and better every time I go out, and I can see that because the lap-time is there and I can repeat it relaxed. It means this is the direction we need.
“This engine is giving a good feeling to go out of the corner. Even if you miss it the bike will go and this is still one of our strong points and when we go faster we will be able to use it even better.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team manager Mike Leitner spoke of Zarco’s continued adaptation to the RC16, stating his understanding of the motorcycle greatened after clocking up 120 laps in the two-day test.
“Johann made a big step with his understanding of the bike and went into the 1m39s lap-times with used tyres and that was positive,” said Leitner. “Also his feeling on the bike was getting better but for sure we still have a lot of work to do with him also. We’ll work during the winter now to be ready for Malaysia.”
For 2019 Triumph celebrate 60 years of the iconic Bonneville Twin, which first broke cover in 1959 and continues to hold a cult status to this day. Alongside the T120 Ace limited edition, Triumph have also announced the T120 Diamond, with just 900 to be available around the world. Pricing is yet to be officially confirmed but Triumph Australia have indicated that like the Bonneville T120 Ace, the T120 Diamond limited edition should be around 18-19k, +ORC.
The T120 Diamond features a unique colour scheme and heavy use of chrome with the latest generation powerplant and electronic safety systems.
2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond
2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond features
Snowdonia White and Aluminium Silver ‘union flag’ tank scheme
Bonneville T120 ‘Diamond’ side panel branding
Chrome 4 bar Triumph tank badges
Chrome engine covers and badges
Chrome chain guard
Limited run of 900 worldwide
Each T120 Diamond will come with a numbered certificate, signed by Nick Bloor, Triumph CEO and is based on the Bonneville T120, featuring rider-focused technology for control, safety and confidence, with the 1200cc High Torque twin Bonneville engine.
A dedicated chassis and suspension set-up, offers relaxed and refined riding alone or with a pillion, while styling is inspired by the legendary ’59 Bonneville.
Born in 1959 and named after the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats, the original T120 set a benchmark for style, capability and handling, and today’s generation aims to take the legend to an even higher standard.
2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond
1200cc High Torque engine
The character of the Bonneville T120 comes to life through the 1200cc high torque eight-valve, parallel Bonneville twin engine. Built specifically for the modern classic riding style, it produces a peak torque figure of 105Nm at a low 3100 rpm – 54% more than the previous generation powerplant.
With the accuracy and instant throttle response of Triumph’s next generation ride-by-wire fuel-injection and engine management system, the six-speed 1200cc Bonneville engine is engineered with a charismatic tone and 270° firing interval for characterful, linear power delivery.
The engine profile has been crafted to incorporate key heritage styling cues from the legendary ’60s Bonneville bikes, sensitively incorporating contemporary components to maintain that iconic engine silhouette.
2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond – 1200 High Output powerplant
Behind the 1200 engine’s exterior sits a liquid-cooling system, carefully integrated to minimise its visual impact while achieving cleaner emissions and enhancing fuel efficiency – 13% better than the previous generation. This, combined with a new extended service interval of 10,000 miles (16,000km) dramatically reduces the overall cost of ownership.
Finally, elegant peashooter style exhausts follow a clean ‘straight line run’ achieved through a twin skin design that covers the pipe run through the cat box and out again. It delivers the true sound of a British twin, with a deep and rich exhaust note that truly matches the T120 character, tuned to a level you would want and expect.
2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond
Modern Bonneville capability
The Bonneville T120 Diamond Edition shares the T120’s advanced standard of capability, with a wealth of rider-focused technology to deliver control, safety and enhanced rider confidence – integrated without compromise to maintain the authentic Bonneville style and character.
Triumph’s variable anti-lock braking system brings a new level of safety and control to the Bonneville, alongside ride-by-wire for enhanced throttle responsiveness, safety, feel and fuel economy.
Traction control takes advantage of the ride-by-wire system, and offers increased and optimised control, alongside two riding modes which are linked to the ride-by-wire system, with ‘Road’ and ‘Rain’ providing the rider with greater control characteristics for different situations.
A torque assist clutch also assists in bringing a light touch and feel to the clutch to make it easy to ride, and ride longer, while a DRL headlight incorporates the latest in daytime running lights, delivering a distinctive light pattern and enhanced power efficiency for long term durability.
LED rear lights are also features, and built into the classically inspired tail set-up, bringing a distinctive rear light pattern and power efficiency, with an integrated number plate light.
2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond – LED rear lights
High specification factory fitted heated grips, with a three-mode settings also ensure comfort in cool weather, while a underseat USB socket is provided so riders can charge up their essential devices on the run.
Other standard features include a engine immobiliser with transponder integrated into the T120 key, stylish twin clocks packed with features apart from the speedo and rev counter, with eye catching 3D dial faces, and cleverly incorporating a digital menu system.
Additionally riders can add accessories which would also then be accessed via the instrumentation display, including cruise control, and switchgear provides simple fingertip controls for easy access to the key features on the dash.
2019 Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond
Relaxed and refined
The Bonneville T120 features a chassis and suspension set-up developed for relaxed and refined riding every day, all day, alone or with a pillion. Combining Triumph’s ride dynamic of neutrality, agility and stability with comfortable seat and suspension travel for an engaging, yet easy-going ride.
With its relaxed riding position, heated grips as standard, centre stand and passenger grab rail, the T120 Diamond Edition is fully equipped for maximum comfort and real world practicality.
Single 255mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, ABS
Length
2,170 mm
Width (Handlebars)
785 mm
Height Without Mirrors
1,125 mm
Seat Height
785 mm
Wheelbase
1,445 mm
Rake
25.5 º
Trail
105.2 mm
Dry Weight
224 Kg
Fuel Tank Capacity
15 L
Instruments
LCD multi-functional instrument pack with analogue speedometer, analogue tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, range to empty indication, service indicator, clock, trip computer, scroll and mode buttons on handlebars, heated grip status, fuel consumption display, traction control status and throttle mode display.
We advise getting in quick because registrations are limited and they usually fill up quickly.
The five-day tour starts in Windsor, north of Sydney on April 7 and ends in Coffs Harbour on April 12.
One lucky participant will also ride away with a new F 850 GS Rallye with the Dynamic and Lights package, dynamic traction control, gear shift assist pro, ABS pro and LED headlights, daytime running lights and indicators and “the next-level of connectivity with the TFT display”.
Dates for the road-based 2019 TS Safari and the Enduro Safari are yet to be confirmed.
Safari marks 25 years
Since 1994, BMW Safaris have offered road, off-road and enduro safaris throughout Australia from the tropical rainforests in Far North Queensland to mountainous trails in Tasmania and the Outback deserts.
BMW Motorrad Australia general manager Andreas Lundgren says reaching the 25th-year milestone is “a testament to the ongoing success of the sensational event.
However, the company is now turning over BMW Safari event management to new directors, Chris Urquhart and Shane Booth, co-owners of Motodevelopment who provide BMW Off Road Training.
Kawasaki Motors Australia has confirmed the new W800 Café and Z400 (above) will be added to their 2019 line-up along with updated models such as the new Versys 1000 SE.
Spokesman Murray Sayle says they don’t have pricing or full specifications yet for the retro W800 Café yet as production is not until mid-2019.
“Our company policy is we don’t release the retail pricing until the new model is released as it may change due to circumstance outside our control in the days before release,” he says.
“Kawasaki new models for 2019 will start arriving in late 2018 and the first quarter of next year with the W800 Café being late second quarter.
“Production schedules are subject to change. We only know arrivals after a product has been produced and is showing on boat on our systems. Other factors include stock control of how we manage 2018 stock with 2019 stock arriving.”
The W800 continues as an SE model and the company adds the W800 cafe with a bubble fairing, a hump-backed seat and clip-on bars next year.
Despite speculation the W800 would be scraped because of tougher Euro4 emissions laws, the engineers have managed to lean down the air-cooled 773cc engine without resorting to liquid cooling.
Kawasaki says the engine is 90% new, yet it retains the bevel-drive camshaft.
And for the first time it gets a disc brake on the rear and modern LED lighting, yet it manages to retain its beautiful heritage looks.
It will be available in a range of colours.
Z400
The Z400 replaces the Z300 ($5999) just as the Ninja 400 replaced the Ninja 300.
Its 399cc parallel-twin engine has 35kW of power compared with 29.4kW in the Z300 while torque remains the same at 38Nm.
Despite the capacity and power bump, it actually weighs 1kg less at 167kg.
The Z400 features an assist-and-slipper clutch, bigger 41mm forks, a 310mm front brake disc and a 767mm seat which is 25mm lower than the Z300.
It has the same analog tachometer/LCD display as the Ninja 650 with a gear indicator.
Versys 1000
Versys 1000 and Versys 1000 SE
For 2019, the Versys 1000 gets Ninja-inspired headlights and integrated daytime running lights and indicators.
The Z1000-powered bike comes with up/down quickshifter and Bluetooth integration.
In top-spec SE form, it comes with semi-active suspension as in the Ninja ZX-10R, coloured TFT instruments, cornering lights, heated grips and self-healing paint from the H2.
In Australia, the SE does not come with the panniers and other accessories offered overseas.
Popular New South Welshman on the market for 2019.
Image: Foremost Media.
Dylan Wills has expressed a desire to graduate to the premier class in 2019 while declaring his availability on the rider market, becoming one of many talented athletes endeavouring to lock down their future.
The number five, who piloted a Husqvarna FC 250 with DPH Motorsport this season, completed the Pirelli MX Nationals in fifth position after earning his maiden victory at Raymond Terrace, while he wound up ninth in the Australian Supercross Championship SX2 standings.
Wills, hailing from New South Wales, is adamant on securing a 450 deal, although with a number of MX2 contenders expressing interest in making the move to the category and just a limited amount of seats available, the process so far is proving to be a difficult one.
“I think my riding style suits the 450 more and I’ve kind of been waiting my time out in the 250 class until I’m at the right age to step up,” Wills explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “All along, I think my style has suited that bigger bike – I think that’s why I excelled on a 250 two-stroke – it all comes down to how I ride a bike.
“I’m definitely looking to step up next year – I’ve only been talking to one team, but I’d really love to put something together. I’m going to head to New Zealand and do a supercross race down there, but I’m going try and stay active on the bike – I’ll figure out a bike situation so I’m fit and ready to go.
“I’ll stay on the phone hassling people until I hopefully put something together. I think I’ve got talent there, and if someone was to give me the chance, I think I’d make the most of it. I work hard, and I’d love the opportunity to go race a 450 next year.”
Wills’ departure from DPH Motorsport Husqvarna strengthens Wilson Todd’s link to the outfit, the reigning MX2 champion tipped to rejoin the Victorian squad as Nathan Crawford and Aaron Tanti are anticipated the fulfil the two positions at Serco Yamaha.
Sikhs in Ontario are now allowed to ride in a turban instead of a helmet, joining riders in three other Canadian provinces as Australian Sikhs seek the same exemptions.
The Ontario government has granted the rule waivers to Sikhs in recognition of their civil rights and religious expression after a bill presented by parliamentarian and Sikh Prabmeet Sarkaria.
“The wearing of the turban is an essential part of the Sikh faith and identity, and exemptions for Sikhs have been successfully implemented in other provinces in Canada and across the world,” he said.
Sikhs are also exempt from wearing motorcycle helmets in Indian, the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia, and the UK introduced the exemption in 1976.
However, Denmark is following France by cracking down on helmet exemptions that allow riders to go without a helmet if they obtain a doctor’s note or have a legitimate non-medical reason such as wearing a turban.
Aussie Sikhs
Aussie Sikhs
The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Australia told us last year that motorcycle and bicycle helmet rules are discriminatory.
They are calling for an exemption for all cyclists and for motorcyclists and scooterists riding at low speeds only.
Founding member Daljeet Singh told us that while initiated male and female Sikhs must cover their hair with a turban, Sikh Motorcycle Club members wear a bandana-style scarf underneath their helmets.
The Central Coast of NSW Sikhs say they have campaigned to Coffs Coast Council for the right to not wear helmets on city streets signposted up to 60km/h.
However, the matter would have to be decided by the NSW Centre for Road Safety (CRS). Neither council nor the CRS can find any record of contact from the group.
There are about 126,000 Sikhs in Australia, according to the 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics census. It is the fifth largest religion after Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.
Victoria has seen the sharpest increase in the number of Sikhs with 52,762. The state with the second highest Sikh population is NSW with 31,737 Sikhs, Queensland 17,433, Western Australia 11,897, South Australia 8808, ACT 2142 and Northern Territory and Tasmania have under 700 Sikhs each.
Unshorn hair (‘Kesh’) are also an essential part of the Sikh Code of Conduct. This makes Turban an essential part of a Sikh’s attire. Like the ‘Kirpan’ issue, this is another issue where the Government and its departments as well as the wider Australian community need to be informed about the importance of the Turban for a Sikh. More importantly, in order to tackle the hate crimes and discrimination based on the ‘looks’ the Australian community is being educated about the distinction between a Sikh and other members of the community who may also wear a Turban or cover their head or perhaps may look the same due to other items of clothing (for example the salwar and kameez for the women).
Hopefully the Government will introduce measures which will allow the wider Australian community to be more aware and tolerant and not discriminate against someone wearing a Turban and not assume that they might be a terrorist.
