Sito Pons, Team Principal: “It’s a shame Augusto’s injury and not being able to have him with us in Austin. We had started the season very well and a rider doesn’t like to miss a Grand Prix, but as not taking more risks than necessary it is better to preserve its good recovery in order to be able to face the Spanish Grand Prix in full physical condition. We have thought in Mattia Pasini, an experienced rider who has already shown himself to be very fast in the Moto2 class, so we welcome him to this weekend and we will work together to achieve a good result.”
Lightweight and protective motorcycle jacket now available.
Link International, the Australian distributor of Merlin, has announced the release of its 2019 Leisure range, including the Victory leather motorcycle jacket.
With many years of motorcycle apparel manufacturing experience, Merlin has focused on combining the latest production technology and componentry with authentic heritage styling.
Whether you’re enjoying a Sunday morning tootle or your riding is hardcore, Merlin will keep you comfortable and well protected while providing class and style.
Image: Supplied.
2019 Merlin Victory jacket key features:
– Halley Stevensons 10oz Super Dry water-repellent cotton outer.
– Dupont Kevlar 220g reinforced impact areas (shoulders, elbows and back).
– SW Level 2 armour pre-fitted to shoulder and elbows (removable).
– Back pocket prepared for optional CE back armour.
– Silver micro snaps plus silver YKK central zipper.
– YKK zippers used throughout.
– Stunning tartan lining throughout the jacket inside.
– Two lower pockets with side entry hand warmers.
Available in sizes small through to 3X-large, the Merlin Victory jacket is priced at RRP $329.95. For more information, visit www.merlinbikegear.com.au.
Acknowledging the long straights of Aragon won’t play into his favour, Marco Melandri’s focus is to capitalise on the Yamaha YZF-R1’s strengths in the more technical points of the Spanish circuit as the 2019 FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) heads there this weekend.
The GRT Yamaha contender, who wound up on the podium last year at Aragon on Ducati machinery, believes a repeat performance is a realistic target this Saturday and Sunday, however he’ll have to establish a set-up that benefits him in the closing stages of races – an issue he’s been facing so far season.
“I’m happy to be back in Europe and Aragon is one of the most beautiful tracks we race at during the season,” said Melandri. “The long straight doesn’t play to our strengths, but there are a lot of technical sections, with nice corners, where I think we can be very competitive.
“The late race was quite a difficult one for us, but I’m excited for the weekend ahead and I’m confident that we can find a solution to the issues we experienced in Thailand. The podium is our target this weekend; it won’t be easy, but it’s a realistic target.”
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) leads defending four-time champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) in the standings with a 26-point advantage.
Triumph has issued the sixth recall on models in the new Bonneville liquid-cooled range with a safety notice for the Speed Twin over coolant leaks.
The official safety recall notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the coolant hose between the radiator and expansion tank may have been misrouted during assembly.
“A misrouted hose may come into contact with the exhaust header pipe, potentially causing damage to the coolant hose,” the notice says.
Coolant hazard
“If the coolant hose is damaged, it may lead to a loss of coolant in the area of the rear tyre. The rear tyre may lose traction without warning, resulting in an accident and causing serious injury to the rider and other road users.”
Owners have been advised to contact their dealer to make an appointment “as soon as possible” to have their motorcycle inspected, and if necessary, repaired free of charge.
The Speed Twin was only hit the showroom floors last month and already 60 have been sold.
The Vehicle Identification Numbers of affected bikes are listed at the end of this article.
Bonneville recalls
Triumph Bonneville T120 and T120 Black
The Bonneville range has now been the subject of six recalls since they were introduced in 2016:
Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.
Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.
If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:
Class rookie targeting maiden victory in New South Wales.
Image: Foremost Media.
E1 rookie Michael Driscoll is drawing added energy and drive as his home round of the 2019 Yamaha bLU cRU Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) looms this weekend at Dungog in New South Wales.
Two-time EJ champion Driscoll, a Dungog local, is targeting a season-first victory at rounds three and four this Saturday and Sunday, however he’s acknowledged the talented field he’s stacked up against that will challenge him for top honours.
Piloting a Yamaha Active8 Yamalube WR250F, the youthful contender will take to the Enduro format for the first time this year as he comes off a stellar double-podium while on debut at Toowoomba’s opener last month.
“You definitely feel more energetic and driven coming into a local event because you want to do well in front of a home crowd,” Driscoll explained. “I have a really strong field of competition that I’m going up against, so taking out the win will be tough but if I can manage it, it will be that bit sweeter than any other round.
“The main goal in the lead up to this weekend is sharpening up on my skills and my understanding on Enduro rules. Apart from this, my training doesn’t change. I am putting particular effort into my health and fitness, which in turn helps me remain utterly focussed and motivated.”
Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Racing Team) and defending E1 champion Luke Styke (Yamaha Active8 Yamalube) are currently tied at the top of the E1 points rankings, each taking a win at Toowoomba.
The love of motorcycle ownership could be replaced by the love of riding with an increase in ride sharing and rental expected in the next 10 years at the expense of motorcycle sales.
A Fact.MR report has surprisingly found that increased traffic congestion and population is discouraging people from buying motorcycles. Perhaps they are finding it too dangerous to ride.
They also say millennials, who are estimated to hold the largest share in global demographics, prefer to share and buy or even ride motorcycles.
Ride sharing growth
However, these factors are expected to contribute to a growth in motorcycle sales to rental services such as the new Scooti “taxi” ride sharing service which recently started in Melbourne, as well as motorcycle tour companies
The report suggests these sharing services are bolstered by the development of sophisticated technologies such as data analytics, Internet of Things and the growth of automated vehicles.
Motorcycle manufacturers are not oblivious to the changes and are investing heavily in the industry.
Yamaha has invested US$150m ($A210m) in Grab, a bike rental service operational in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
They plan to develop affordable motorcycles available for rental purposes.
BMW has also launched its own bike rental service in Germany, France, and Austria. If successful, the Bavarian company plans to expand its services around the globe.
The popularity of overseas motorcycle tours is also driving the demand for rental sports bikes, cruisers, and adventure bikes, the Fact.MR report says.
“A significant increase in recreational activities coupled with the development of lightweight and high-performance motorcycle suitable for different terrains is also fuelling the sales of adventure and touring motorcycles,” it says.
Electric damper
Harley’s coming electric bicycle
The report also claims the acceleration and handling capabilities of many new e-bikes (electric bicycles) is so similar to many small bikes and scooters, they are expected to cannibalise motorcycle sales.
The report says many e-bikes have value-added features such as ABS, superior suspension, and fat tyres for better grip and handling.
The availability of affordable e-bike models will also sabotage more expensive electric motorcycles, the report says.
Overall Australian motorcycle sales decline by 14.6 percent.
Image: Supplied.
Harley-Davidson has topped road bike sales in the first quarter of 2019, with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) report indicating a 14.6 percent decline in overall motorcycle sales compared to 2018, while Honda Motorcycles Australia controls the market share with 21.8 percent.
In the road category, Harley-Davidson was the market leader with a 19.1 percent share, followed by Yamaha with 18.2 percent and Honda with a share of 16.6 percent – the division recording a 19.2 percent decline.
The supersport category saw Kawasaki’s Ninja 400 emerge as the best-seller with 250 units sold, followed by the Honda CBR500R (82) and Honda CBR1000RR (67), while in the sport touring segment, Yamaha’s YZF-R3 (189) topped the charts ahead of the Kawasaki Ninja 650L (95) and Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (57).
Harley-Davidson dominated the touring sector with its Street Glide Special (112), Electra Glide Ultra Limited (66) and Road Glide Special (47), as its Breakout (171) was the most popular in the cruiser category ahead of the Honda CMX500 (171) and Harley-Davidson Soft Tail Fat Boy (161).
Out of the naked bikes, Honda’s CB125E (318) was the most popular followed by the Yamaha MT-07L (281) and Yamaha MT-09 (189), with the adventure market being topped by the Suzuki DR650SE (121), BMW R 1250 GS Adventure (97) and BMW R 1250 GS (85).
Overall Australian motorcycle sales decline by 14.6 percent.
Image: iKapture.
Yamaha Motor Australia has topped dirt bike sales in the first quarter of 2019, with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) report indicating a 14.6 percent decline in overall motorcycle sales compared to 2018, while Honda Motorcycles Australia controls the market share with 21.8 percent.
In the off-road category, Yamaha maintained its market leadership with a 27.8 percent share, followed by Honda with 26.4 percent, and KTM with 18.1 percent – the division recording a 9.3 percent decline.
The enduro category saw Yamaha’s WR450F take top honours with 332 sales, followed by KTM’s 300 EXC (153) and 500 EXC (129), while the motocross segment saw Yamaha’s YZ250F emerge as the best-seller with 167 units sold, finishing ahead of the Honda CRF450R (118) and Kawasaki KX450 (115).
The fun class was topped by Honda’s CRF50F (400), as the Honda CRF230F (222) and Honda XR190 (86) were the most popular in the trail and farm categories.
Most accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles occur when the other vehicle is turning across their path.
The result can be lethal as the rider hits the car in a t-bone fashion, rather than a glancing blow.
There are a number of scenarios of turning-vehicle crashes where the rider is completely blameless and others where they are at partial or complete fault.
But in the end, it doesn’t matter whose fault it is if the rider is dead.
Most common turning crashes
These are the four most common crash situations where the other motorist is turning, often without looking for motorcycles:
Oncoming driver turns across the rider’s path to enter a property or side street;
Vehicle pulls out of a side street into the path of the motorcycle;
Motorist pulls over to perform a u-turn without looking; and
A vehicle in front suddenly turns without indicating just as a rider is overtaking them.
Look for these signs
We all know drivers don’t look for motorcyclists for a variety of reasons.
If an approaching vehicle has its indicators on, assume they may turn without giving way to you and look for movement of the wheels and the driver’s head turning;
Be suspicious of all vehicles coming out of side streets (left or right) and again check their wheels and the driver’s head to see if they have seen you;
Treat any vehicle that pulls over as a possible u-turn or at least that they will suddenly open their door and step out in front of you; and
If the vehicle in front suddenly slows, don’t take the opportunity to pass them. Be cautious that they could be about to make a turn, even if they haven’t indicated.
How to avoid SMIDSY crashes
In all the above four situations, slow down and be prepared to take some sort of evasive action, looking for a possible escape route.
If the driver is on a side street or oncoming, try to make eye contact with them.
Make yourself seen by moving in your lane.
You can also alert drivers to your presence by blowing your horn or flashing your lights, although these may be illegal in some jurisdictions and could give the false message that you are letting them cross your path.
Don’t trust loud pipes to save you. Most drivers have their windows up, air-conditioning on and the radio turned up loud, so they may not hear you, anyway.
Besides, in all these situations, your pipes are facing away from the driver.
Ducati pilot not banking on season rebound in Spain.
Image: Supplied.
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Chaz Davies isn’t relying on his strong win tally at Aragon to turn his season around as the 2019 FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) heads to the Spanish venue this weekend for round three of the series.
Davies has seemingly struggled this season as he continues to adapt to the all-new Panigale V4 R, while his teammate and WorldSBK rookie Alvaro Bautista has dominantly won all six races that have unfolded.
“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the Aragon round – given my seven wins here – is a track where it’s all going to come together, because it’s not as simple as that,” Davies explained. “For sure it’s a track which on paper is better for me and this could help to mask some problems, but we still have to continue to work hard to find the best possible set-up.
“We did two days’ testing immediately after Buriram which was quite good, so now I’m going to Aragon to confirm the progress we’ve made so far and make another step forward because, as Alvaro continues to show, the potential of our bike is very high and it’s just up to us now to extract it.”
The British talent sits 11th in the championship standings with 18 points to his name.
