Bolt strengthens SuperEnduro points lead with Budapest win

News 3 Feb 2020

Bolt strengthens SuperEnduro points lead with Budapest win

Walker and Blazusiak complete the podium in Hungary.

Image: Supplied.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt has strengthened his points lead after claiming victory at round four of the 2020 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

A mistake in the rocks on lap five saw him drop back from the leaders in the opening moto, righting his way back to third behind Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo Taddy Blazusiak and Jonny Walker.

Bolt grabbed control of the lead on lap one of race two, putting on a flawless ride to claim an impressive victory, 22 seconds ahead of his nearest challengers Walker and Blazusiak.

Delivering another controlled performance for the third and final race, Bolt put himself out front on lap two before eventually crossing the finish line with 23 seconds over Walker and Alfredo Gomez (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing).

Overall it was Bolt who won from Walker and Blazusiak, the series now heading to Poland for the championship decider in 14 March.

Detailed results

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Triumph And Bajaj Auto India Sign Partnership

“This is an important partnership for Triumph and I am delighted that it has now formally commenced. As well as taking our brand into crucial new territories, the products that will come out of the partnership will also help attract a younger, but still discerning, customer audience and is another step in our ambitions to expand globally, particularly in the fast-growing markets of Southeast Asia, but also driving growth in more mature territories like Europe.”

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Rider dies in crash into gully

A man has died in a motorcycle crash in a gully in Killarney, South East Queensland, this afternoon (2 February 2020).

Queensland Police say their preliminary investigations indicate the man was travelling south on Border Road around 3.10pm when he “lost control of his motorcycle” and crashed into a gully.

The 49-year-old man from nearby Legume, NSW, died at the scene.

Forensic Crash investigators are appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may have dash cam vision to contact police.

No other details are currently available.

Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and fiends.

“Lost control” does not necessarily immune blame on the rider.

He could have encountered a road hazard stray animal or another road user.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ducati Multistrada S recall on side stand

Australia has joined a global recall on 2018 Ducati Multistrada S models over an issue with the side stand breaking due to an “improper manufacturing process”.

The official notice, issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the bike may fall when parked, “increasing the risk of injury to the rider and passenger, or bystanders”.

Importers NF Imports will notify owners in writing to contact their closest Ducati dealer or service agent and arrange an appointment for the side stand to be replaced, free of charge.

For further information, consumers can contact an authorised Ducati dealer or email [email protected]

VINS of affected bikes

The recall only affects these six motorcycles:

ZDMAC00AAJB002363

ZDMAC00AAJB002364

ZDMAC00AAJB002365

ZDMAC00AAJB002366

ZDMAC00AAJB002367

ZDMAC00AAJB002368

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:

• Australia

• USA

• New Zealand

• Canada

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Second win of Supercross season for Tomac in Oakland

News 2 Feb 2020

Second win of Supercross season for Tomac in Oakland

Victory of champion Ferrandis earns 250SX West red plate.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac stood atop the podium for the second time in this 2020 Monster Energy Supercross season with a convincing performance at Oakland.

It was Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) who led early, before Tomac made his move into the lead at halfway on the deteriorating circuit.

However, a mistake from Tomac soon afterwards enabled Roczen to retake the advantage. There was no stopping Tomac though, responding with two minutes left on the clock and going on to win by 3.557s.

The major talking point came on the final lap as a fast-finishing Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) first passed Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) for third, before striking on Roczen on the final lap at the final corner.

Contact made between the pair – Webb finishing second and Roczen third – appeared to cause Roczen pain in his right leg following the checkered flag. The latter still retains the red plate following five rounds.

Fourth came Cianciarulo despite riding with a bruised tailbone from his crash at Glendale, while Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) rounded out the top five. Sixth was an inspired ride from Justin Barcia, who went through via the LCQ due to an engine failure on his Monster Energy Yamaha in his heat.

It was a strong result for Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) in seventh, with heat two winner Justin Hill (Smartop Bullfrog Spas Motoconcepts Honda), Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS) and Malcolm Stewart (Smartop Bullfrog Spas Motoconcepts Honda) in places eight to 10.

In the championship it’s still Roczen who holds the red plate, three points ahead of Tomac as Monster Energy Supercross travels to San Diego next Saturday, 8 February. Chad Reed sat out tonight’s round with an ongoing rib injury.

Image: Octopi Media.

Defending 250SX West champion Dylan Ferrandis has taken over the points-lead with his second win of the year in Oakland.

The Monster Energy Star Yamaha rider stalked Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) until making an aggressive move with five minutes remaining.

From there he extended a 2.336s advantage, while the podium was completed by Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Yamaha), who made a late move by early leader Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki) for position.

Penrite Honda Racing teammates Luke Clout and Mitchell Oldenburg were fifth and sixth respectively, benefiting from a late mishap of Brendan Hartranft (TLD Red Bull KTM), who was fifth but dropped to eighth towards the end.

In seventh was Hartranft’s teammate Derek Drake, while another Australian in Aaron Tanti (Yamaha) took a season-best of ninth place. Martin Castelo (JMC Motorsports Racing Fly Husqvarna) finished 10th.

Disaster struck in-form Rockstar Energy Husqvarna contender Michael Mosiman, who crashed out at the halfway point and was ruled out with bike damage sustained in the multi-rider pile-up. Next of the Australians in the field was Jay Wilson (Yamaha) as he rode to P16.

The final 250SX West round prior to their mid-season break will be San Diego next Saturday night, with Ferrandis now two points ahead of Cooper and Forkner a further eight markers back.

Detailed results

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Aggravated rib injury puts Reed out of Oakland round

News 2 Feb 2020

Aggravated rib injury puts Reed out of Oakland round

Existing off-season injury spells trouble for retiring Australian.

Image: Octopi Media.

Dual Monster Energy Supercross champion Chad Reed is sitting out tonight’s Oakland round of the 2020 season after aggravating an existing rib injury last weekend.

Reed was involved in a multi-bike incident at the start of main event three at Glendale’s Triple Crown, ending his evening as a result.

The Mountain Motorsports cbdMD CR22 Racing rider, who will retire at the close of this year, made the decision to skip round five in a bid to recover further prior to San Diego. He is still in attendance this weekend.

It’s been a challenging beginning to Reed’s final Supercross campaign so far, spending a large portion of the off-season recovering from broken ribs sustained in Paris and only putting together his private team during December.

Coming into Oakland’s fifth round of the season, Reed is currently ranked 19th in the premier class standings aboard the Honda CRF450R, his best main event finishes of 18th coming at both Anaheim 1 and Anaheim 2 during January.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Best Pirelli Performance Motorcycle Tires 2020

Pirelli continues to use its time as the official supplier of racing tires for the FIM World Superbike Championship to advance the development of its popular lineup of sportbike tires including one of our all-time favorite track tires, the Diablo Supercorsa. Pirelli has long been associated with producing premium motorcycle tires and, thanks in part to its role in SBK, the company has been able to expand its super-sticky tire lineup to include faster-warming, longer-lasting compounds across the board.

Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slick

The Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slick is developed with the needs of the World Superbike Championship in mind. The wider, sticker, more durable tire will help racers break track records in 2020.The Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slick is developed with the needs of the World Superbike Championship in mind. The wider, sticker, more durable tire will help racers break track records in 2020.Pirelli

For the 2020 model year, there will be increased tire sizes for the SBK series and its support classes, which Pirelli believes will be a huge factor in reducing lap times and breaking lap records during the upcoming racing season. The new Superbike-spec tires will be offered in 125/70R-17 and 200/65R-17 for the Superbike class, and the new rear 190/60R-17 for the Supersport 600 class.

Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa

The Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC3 DOT-approved tire is one of the best trackday tires on the market today, and for 2020 it will be available in the SC3 compound.The Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC3 DOT-approved tire is one of the best trackday tires on the market today, and for 2020 it will be available in the SC3 compound.Pirelli

Pirelli has also added the SC3 compound to its DOT-approved Diablo Supercorsa, which is great news for club racers and trackday riders alike. The new SC compound gets up to speed fast enough that Pirelli recommends them for trackday use based on the caveat that they reach operating temperature quick enough that us common folk can still enjoy excellent early session grip without the use of tire warmers. This is good news for street riders as well, considering the importance of having tires that offer excellent grip even when you get back on the twisty roads after taking a coffee break.

Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp RS

The Phantom Sportscomp RS was developed by Pirelli for the expanding Classic Motorcycle Racing series popping up around the globe.The Phantom Sportscomp RS was developed by Pirelli for the expanding Classic Motorcycle Racing series popping up around the globe.Pirelli

Classic motorcycle and scooter club racers were not left out of the mix either. The street-legal Phantom Sportscomp RS with its old-school tread pattern and modern grip provides the type of performance that helps make Classic races some of the most entertaining races you can watch or participate in during the upcoming season. The 2020 Phantom Sportscomp RS will be available in 110/80R-18 M/C 85V TL (front), and 130/70R-18 M/C 63V TL and 150/70R-18 M/C 70V TL (rear).

Pirelli Diablo Rosso Scooter SC

If you happen to be racing scooters in 2020, the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Scooter SC brings superbike levels of traction and durability to a paddock near you.If you happen to be racing scooters in 2020, the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Scooter SC brings superbike levels of traction and durability to a paddock near you.Pirelli

If scooter racing is your thing, you’re not alone. The popularity of racing these auto-clutch conveyances continues to gain momentum from Europe to the US, and Pirelli was keen to keep its name in the mix. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso Scooter SC offers the performance of a street-legal superbike tire in the universally accepted 12-inch range. The new Diablo Rosso Scooter SC will be available in 100/90-12 M/C 64P TL (front) and 120/80-12 M/C 55P TL (rear).

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Around the world with The Bear | Part 17 | Marseilles to Biarritz

Around the world with The Bear – Part 17

The King of Every Kingdom
Around the world on a very small motorcycle

With J. Peter “The Bear” Thoeming


Last time we left The Bear and Annie after they arrived in Marseilles in France with their XS1100 along with fellow Aussies Neil and Millie, and now they explore some more and head to Biarritz.


There were no laptops back in the day, and I discovered that even portable typewriters are heavy. Too heavy for spoked Suzuki wheels at least….

A major sort-out followed and we sent three large, heavy parcels back home. My typewriter went – sadly missed; I hate writing longhand.

Then we loaded most of the remaining heavy gear aboard the XS which hardly seemed to feel the difference. We were all breathing more easily as we buzzed off along the coast, over the classy motorway bridge at Martigues and on to Arles for an excellent lunch.

It is difficult to imagine how such flat countryside can be so beautiful, but the Camargue, with its waterways, stands of golden reeds and herds of white horses, looked lovely. With the mistral at our backs, we drifted through the meadows and occasional stands of umbrella pine down to Les Saintes Maries with its little chapel that attracts thousands of Gypsy pilgrims every year.

The town centre still felt quite medieval with its winding alleys and little shops, but a huge modern holiday development all around rather spoils it.

In the sandy campsite we did a little more maintenance work on the bikes and I couldn’t understand why it was impossible to get the rear brake disc of the XS back between the calipers after I had replaced the pads. Lots of headscratching later, it occurred to me that I’d refilled the brake fluid reservoir as well. Sure enough, I’d put in too much fluid. The spokes on the GS seemed to be holding. We tapped them every day now.

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

Morning in Toulouse. The fog was icy and thick, and never lifted.

There was still aggravation in our little party as personalities clashed, and Annie and I took the opportunity to spend a couple of evenings by ourselves in a comfortable bar by the harbour, drinking kir and gazing into the fire. The bar mascot, a dachshund, kept us company. He had a very simple way of indicating that the fire was getting too low—he would crawl right up into the brick fireplace and look out mournfully.

We moved camp after some days of this rather heavily touristed environment; our new home was ‘La Refuge’, a tiny place in the town of Vias. On the way, Neil once more puzzled the locals by asking where the war was when he meant the railway station. His rather good French always seemed to fail him when he had to differentiate between ‘gare’ and ‘guerre’.

We also met a young German woman on a Honda 400/4, who calmly informed us that she was going down to The Gambia to sell her bike. Carrying very little gear, she had been freezing in her leathers for the last three days. We gave her some lunch and wished her luck.

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

A bit of a wander along one of the canal towpaths in France.

Vias proved to be exactly what we needed – it was just a small wine and tourist village in the off season. With friendly people and the ‘Cafe de France’, where we became such good customers that the patron started buying us drinks, the place was cosy. If truth be known the free drinks were a result of his being unable to tell the difference between Australia and New Zealand. Every time we walked in he would burst into a big grin and say admiringly, “Ah, les All Blacks!”

We had a couple of barbecues on the beach and generally took it easy. Our bail bond insurance for Spain didn’t start for another eight days. I also had new tyres, Metzelers, fitted to the XS at the Honda shop in Beziers.

The rear wheel nearly reduced their mechanics to tears, and it took them three times as long as they’d quoted to replace the tyre. They swore they would never touch another XS 1100. I still don’t know why; I’ve replaced a rear tyre on that bike myself and it gave me very little trouble.

Feeling more relaxed, we continued to Biarritz via Toulouse. A sunny morning and pleasant lunch at the very beautiful mediaeval town of Carcassonne were followed by a freezing, impenetrable fog just outside Toulouse. With our heated handlebar grips, electric GloGloves and Motomod Alaskan suits we weren’t exactly cold—but we still couldn’t see. A campsite loomed out of the fog just in time.

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

We replaced a couple of dozen spokes by the side of the road.

Our flysheets were frozen stiff the next morning, and we had to thaw them out in the toilet block before we could fold them. The fog was still just as dense as the night before. We crept through Toulouse, visibility a few metres. To this day I have no idea what the place looks like.

An hour later, the fog lifted and we had the sunniest day of the trip so far. Our run that day through the hills of Gascony was nothing short of idyllic. This was the home of cassoulet, Armagnac and foie gras, substantial chalets peering out of the little copses, and the snowy slopes of the Pyrenees blinking away on the horizon.

I kept seeing signs all day advertising ‘Chiens Bergers Allemandes’ and my mind kept twisting the translation to German Dogburgers, possibly competition for the American fast food chains. They were only selling German Shepherds, of course.

In a little village just before our camp at St Sever, we passed a small church called Notre Dame du Rugby. Now that’s taking sports to heart.

St Sever is on the edge of the Gironde and lies peacefully in a wooded valley. Our petrol stove was acting up, giving only a low flame when it would burn at all. We consoled ourselves with a few drinks in the bar/tobacconist/newsagents/shop in the village. Even this out-of-the-way place had an electronic amusement machine, featuring little clowns breaking balloons. I was interested to see that the last ‘human’ score had been twenty, while the clowns by themselves often racked up 30-35. Clever little electronic clowns….

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

But France in autumn is certainly not always cold and wet.

It was cold again that night, but not unpleasant, and the next day we were nearly at Biarritz when the back wheel of the GS collapsed once more. Oh dear.

We located a Suzuki shop in Bayonne, but they claimed they couldn’t help until the next day. When we pointed out that this meant our sleeping by the side of the road, they gave us the name of another shop in Biarritz. After much pleading, the chap there agreed to rebuild the wheel for us, but he didn’t think there were any heavier spokes available. We had to face facts. There was little point in laying out more money when the spokes would only break again. We had to buy a cast wheel.

After an elaborate series of phone calls, our friend in the bike shop arranged for the other shop to stay open for us and to accept traveller’s cheques. Neil raced back to Bayonne, bought the wheel, raced back to Biarritz, had it fitted with our wheel bearings, tyre and tube; and we put the wheel back on the bike.

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

Around the world with The Bear Peter Thoeming Part

Hmm, this wheel appears to have disintegrated…

By now it was nearly 10 pm, and we had a great deal of trouble finding an open campground. Tempers flared. When we did find a site, we agreed that we must talk our frictions out.

Annie and I spent a relaxing day in Biarritz, where we picked up mail and had a picnic out on the beachfront rocks. Then we all got together for our bit of group therapy in one of the local bars. It emerged that Annie and I didn’t really think that Millie could cope with this kind of travelling, and that she found me too bossy and overbearing.

We thought she complained and niggled too much; she thought we didn’t listen to her enough. We adjourned after a bit of healthy self-criticism, and things did improve quite noticeably for a while.


Spain is next, and we discovered that Australian passports can be less than useless there.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Bayliss secures WorldSSP wildcard at Phillip Island opener

Image: Russell Colvin.

Teenage talent Oli Bayliss will make his international debut as a wildcard in Phillip Island’s opening round of the 2020 World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP).

Bayliss will pull double-duty in round one of the Australian championship and WorldSSP with Cube Racing, following in the footsteps of triple world champion father, Troy Bayliss.

“I’m really excited and grateful to have this opportunity to race at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in the World Supersport Championship for the first round as a wildcard rider,” 16-year-old Bayliss commented.

“It’s going to be really tough with how fast them guys have been going over the years and it’s going to be a great opportunity to ride with some of the fastest guys in the world to see how I can place amongst them.

“I will be doing double duties, so it’s going to be a big weekend and a bit of a challenge – I’m going to be training very hard coming up to that round to stay fit.

“When dad was racing with World Superbikes, I grew up around a lot of the mechanics who are still around in the paddock now. They might help me a little bit, but the main thing is going out there and giving it my all.

“The difference between my ASBK bike and World Supersport bike is around 10 to 15 horsepower. It’s not much, but enough to go a second or two a lap quicker.”

Bayliss will also be on track during the final official pre-season test on 24-25 February, just days before the Motul Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Finance round, at Phillip Island between 28 February and 1 March.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au