Monthly Archives: May 2020

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix officially cancelled for 2020

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News 29 May 2020

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix officially cancelled for 2020

Section: Competition

COVID-19 pandemic prompts Phillip Island MotoGP round cancellation.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix has formally been cancelled for 2020 as MotoGP organisers move to adjust the championship due to coronavirus.

Both Australia and the British GP have been dropped from the calendar, the FIM, IRTA and Doona Sports confirmed this afternoon.

“We’re saddened to have to announce the cancellation of these iconic events after finding no way through the logistical and operational issues resulting from the pandemic and rearranged calendar,” explained Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

“Silverstone and Phillip Island are always two of the most thrilling race weekends of the season, with both tracks never failing in their promise to deliver some of the closest racing in our championship.

“On behalf of Dorna, I would like to once again extend my thanks to the fans for their understanding and patience as we wait for the situation to improve. We look forward to returning to Silverstone and Phillip Island next year for more incredible battles.”

The Australian grand prix was set to take place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit between 23-25 October. It has been the home of MotoGP in Australia since its return to Victoria in 1997.

“We’re very disappointed that MotoGP fans throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally won’t get the chance to make the pilgrimage to see the world’s best riders compete on one of the best circuits anywhere in the world,” said Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Paul Little AO.

“But the right decision has been made. The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix puts Phillip Island on the global stage and it’ll be back better than ever in 2021.”

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

2020 British and Australian Grands Prix cancelled

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“The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix puts Phillip Island on the global stage and it’ll be back better than ever in 2021.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We’re saddened to have to announce the cancellation of these iconic events after finding no way through the logistical and operational issues resulting from the pandemic and rearranged calendar. Silverstone and Phillip Island are always two of the most thrilling race weekends of the season, with both tracks never failing in their promise to deliver some of the closest racing in our Championship.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

2020 Australian MotoGP officially cancelled

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2020 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix cancelled

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) in conjunction with Dorna Sports today announced the 2020 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is cancelled due to restrictions relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Dorna have also announced the cancellation of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Mick Doohan

“Phillip Island is renowned for hosting the MotoGP, along with some of the best racing on the calendar every year, but unfortunately due to COVID-19, this year will be the first year since 1997 it hasn’t been held. The race will return in 2021 and provide an opportunity to make it one of the biggest and best attended MotoGP events we’ve seen, plus watch Miller take the win!”

PA Australian GPMick Doohan – Australian GP 1992 – Image by Phil Aynsley

The 2020 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix was due to be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from 23-25 October.

The British Grand Prix was set to take place from the 28th to the 30th of August at the classic Silverstone Circuit. Silverstone hosted the first Grands Prix held on the British mainland from 1977, and MotoGP returned to the illustrious track ten years ago. 2020 will now sadly mark the first year MotoGP sees no track action in the British Isles for the first time in the Championship’s more than 70-year history.

Dorna Sports CEO – Carmelo Ezpeleta

“We’re saddened to have to announce the cancellation of these iconic events after finding no way through the logistical and operational issues resulting from the pandemic and rearranged calendar. Silverstone and Phillip Island are always two of the most thrilling race weekends of the season, with both tracks never failing in their promise to deliver some of the closest racing in our Championship. On behalf of Dorna, I would like to once again extend my thanks to the fans for their understanding and patience as we wait for the situation to improve. We look forward to returning to Silverstone and Phillip Island next year for more incredible battles.”

MotoGP Phillip Island Australia Race Miller FlagJack Miller – 2019 Australian GP

The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix has been an annual fixture since 1989 and has raced continuously at Phillip Island from 1997 to present day. Phillip Island also hosted the first two Australian Motorcycle Grands Prix in 1989 and 1990.

Jack Miller

“It’s a massive shame to not be able to race at home this year, but I completely understand that in these uncertain and difficult times tough decisions have to be made. Phillip Island is always one of the highlights of the year for all of us riders because of the amazing fans and how much we all love the track. We’ll all be excited to get back there for 2021 and I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on that podium again.”

MotoGP Phillip Island Australia Race Miller FansJack Miller with his fans at Phillip Island in 2019

AGPC shares its disappointment with fans that the popular event cannot be held this year but looks forward to welcoming MotoGPTM fans back to Phillip Island in 2021.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman – Paul Little AO

“We’re very disappointed that MotoGP fans throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally won’t get the chance to make the pilgrimage to see the world’s best riders compete on one of the best circuits anywhere in the world, but the right decision has been made. The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix puts Phillip Island on the global stage and it’ll be back better than ever in 2021.”

MotoGP Australia Phillip Island RbMotoLens MotoGP Race Jack MillerPhillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott

Full refunds will be provided to all ticket holders.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

KTM/Husqvarna in positive territory coming out of shutdown

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KTM report positive market developments after the end of the shutdown in various world regions

Pierer Mobility Group, comprising of KTM, Husqvarna and more recently Gas Gas and other subsidiary companies, are reporting that their motorcycle sales have developed surprisingly strongly, especially in the US.

They are also reporting that their E-Bicycle division with the brands Husqvarna and R Raymon have benefited from the bicycle boom in Europe and recorded double-digit growth in sales in comparison to the previous year.

KTM has fully restarted the production at its Austrian sites and are ending COVID-19-related short-time work at the end of May 2020.

Due to the positive market developments in Europe and the US, KTM will increase capacities and will hire 70 new employees at the Austrian sites at the beginning of June 2020.

Therefore, the global number of employees increases to more than 4,000, which is higher than at the beginning of short-time work in March 2020.

In the Austrian apprenticeship year which begins in autumn, 45 new apprentices will start their training with KTM towards a total number of 170 apprentices in 13 different specialisations.

Stefan Pierer MotoGP AustriaKTM’s Stefan Pierer
Source: MCNews.com.au

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Will Kawasaki supercharge Vulcan cruisers?

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Rumours are circulating that Kawasaki is planning to shoehorn its supercharged 998cc inline four into their Vulcan cruisers.

It was sparked by the above artist’s render in Japanese Young Machine magazine who make a habit of using artist drawings to push their speculation stories.

Surprisingly, they are often quite accurate!

We would imagine if this supercharged rumour is true, the engine would be down tuned for use in Vulcan cruisers. It certainly won’t be used in their learner-approved Vulcan S!

Kawasaki Vulcan S seats variable riding positionKawasaki Vulcan S

The supercharged Kawasaki engine produces a massive 240kW of power in Kawasaki’s track-only H2R, and 170kW in the roads-going H2 and SX SE sports tourer.

Their motor is also being used in the upcoming Bimota Tesi H2 with a comparatively modest 147kW of power which might be more likely in a cruiser.

Not that there is anything wrong with giving a cruiser plenty of power.

Just look at the 147.2kW Yamaha V-Max 117kW and Ducati Diavel power cruisers!

And many Harley-Davidson owners have been known to turbocharge and supercharge their machines.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Red Bull Ring shakedown completed by KTM MotoGP team

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News 29 May 2020

Red Bull Ring shakedown completed by KTM MotoGP team

Section: Competition

Factory test rider Pedrosa joins Espargaro on-track in Austria.

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM has completed a private two-day test at Red Bull Ring in Austria as Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro took to the Spielberg circuit aboard their RC16 machinery.

The KTM team relocated to the confines of the Red Bull Ring and in full adherence to health and safety guidelines in the wake of COVID-19 on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

“I’m really happy we could organise these two days here in Spielberg and get the MotoGP team back on track,” commented Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM team manager. “It was a big effort to get it done, but we tested everybody, made it happen and I think it was key for the mentality of the company, the team, everyone in the racing department and especially the riders.

“In general, we have been lucky with the weather. It was good for Pol to get back to race speed – after such a long time off the bike riders really need laps. For Dani also it was important to restart the test program. Thanks go to the team for making this happen and to Spielberg for letting us test here. We now hope to have more news on the calendar in the middle of June and we are really looking forward to go racing again.”

The wheels of the KTM RC16 were spun for the first time since the IRTA test in Qatar at the end of February. Over 20 team members joined current racer Espargaro and test rider Pedrosa for further set-up work with a view towards a potential first event of the season in the coming months.

All had tested negative for COVID-19 before resuming MotoGP activities after a three-month pause. Espargaro’s teammate, Brad Binder, could not take part in the test due to the travel restrictions affecting his current location in South Africa.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

KTM MotoGP back in action at Red Bull Ring

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MotoGP is getting back on track!

KTM relocated to the confines of the Red Bull Ring and in full adherence to Health and Safety guidelines in the wake of COVID-19 remissions on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The wheels of the KTM RC16 were spun for the first time since the IRTA test at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar at the end of February. Over twenty team members – most of which travelled inside the country but also from neighbouring territories – joined current racer Pol Espargaro and test rider Pedrosa for further set-up work with a view towards a potential first event of the season in the coming months. All had tested negative for COVID-19 before resuming MotoGP activities after a three month pause.

Dani Pedrosa

Mike Leitner – Red Bull KTM Race Manager

“I’m really happy we could organise these two days here in Spielberg and get the MotoGP team back on track. It was a big effort to get it done but we tested everybody, made it happen and I think it was key for the mentality of the company, the team, everyone in the racing department and especially the riders. In general, we have been lucky with the weather. It was good for Pol to get back to race speed: after such a long time off the bike riders really need laps. For Dani also it was important to restart the test programme. Thanks go to the team for making this happen and to Spielberg for letting us test here. We now hope to have more news on the calendar in the middle of June and we are really looking forward to go racing again.”

Pol Espargaro

Pol Espargaro

“I don’t think I have ever been so long without a bike – especially one for competition – so it was a little bit difficult in the first few runs yesterday but I was quickly up to the kind of rhythm I was setting in Qatar. It was great to get back in action and I think we all felt that: there were a lot of smiling faces in the box. Technically we made some improvements. The first priority was to get our feeling back with the bike but we also brought quite a lot to test and this was interesting. The good weather meant we could play with a lot on the bike and we improved mostly with the chassis but also some electronics. I’m really happy. Now just to look forward to the first race.”

Pol Espargaro

Espargaro’s teammate, Brad Binder, could not take part in the test due to the travel restrictions affecting his current location in South Africa.

Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsport Director

“Seeing the bikes on the racetrack – where they belong – was great for all of us. It was a pleasure to see the happy faces of the riders and the crew but then it was back to work and back to normal. We tried to make the most of the time at the Red Bull Ring. With Pol we were able to check his 2020 bike on a new track and with Dani we ran a very extensive test program. But the most important thing was also the significance: we are making great strides. There is definitely an interesting Grand Prix calendar ahead of us and it is time to prepare our team for it. In the past weeks and months we had been very radical with our response to the virus situation through the closure of our motorsport department, but I promised the team that we would be the first to go out again. We were finally able to keep that promise here at the Red Bull Ring.”

KTM are expecting to run another private testing session in the near future and then continue to prepare resources and material for all four MotoGP riders in anticipation of the first round of Grand Prix this summer.

KTM MotoGP Testing Images

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

Replica of first Harley-Davidson in historic sale

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A replica of the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle ever made is being offered in a sale of historic motorcycles through Heroes Motors in Los Angeles.

The genuine first Harley sits in a glass case in the Harley museum in Milwaukee and would cost millions.Historic Harley

This replica of the 1905 model is a comparatively cheap $US120,000 (about $A180,000).

It was made in the mid-1990s by a group of artisans who ensured it was technically correct.

They included such details as the early engine’s case studs, and the thread and pitch of various fittings.

The engine has never been started but was planned to be fully operable.Historic Harley

Cosmoline has been applied to the internals to protect the finishes from the expected long-term storage in a collection or museum.

The bike is one of several historic models being offered by the prestige LA motor showroom.

Historic trike

Another is a 120-year-old De Dion-Bouton tricycle built by Jules-Albert de Dion who won the world’s first motor race, in 1894, run over a distance of 122km from Paris to Rouen. He was actually the only entrant!

This original 1900 De Dion-Bouton tricycle showing VIN 157 and engine No. 15568 comes from Sweden, where it is the oldest street-legal registered bike.

It features a 2.75hp motor, correct and original mechanical details and will set you back a whopping $US145,000 (about $A218,000).

1904 IndianHistoric Indian

Heroes Motors also have a 1904 Indian Hedstrom Camelback for sale at $US90,000 (about $A135,500).

It is essentially the same bike that Oscar Hedstrom built to show George Hendee as the first prototype for the fledgling Hendee Manufacturing Company in 1901.

This clean, black example of the early Indian models features the famed “Hedstrom Improved Carburetor” on the 260cc single-cylinder motor that serves as a stressed member of the cycle’s frame.

The direct-drive chain Indian used from the start was more reliable than the tensioned leather belts of other cycles.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Aldi confirms annual motorcycle gear sale

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Aldi Australia has confirmed its annual motorcycle gear sale will return, but has not yet named a date nor confirmed whether the pandemic will delay the sale.

The sale is usually held on one of the first Saturday’s in August, but was pushed back to the end of the month in 2019.

An Aldi Australia spokesperson says their motorcycle Special Buy theme “continues to return every year as a result of its popularity and following from motorcycle enthusiasts, who are after quality gear for great prices”.

“Like with all our products, we continue to improve our range by making necessary changes,” they say.

They would not confirm a date nor say whether the pandemic would cause a delay.

We will publish the sale date and list of products and prices as soon as it is available.

Sticky situation

Aldi helmets Ray SchrieverRay with the sticky helmet

It follows a recent claim by Sydney rider Ray Schriever that the silver paint on Aldi helmets he bought in 2015 had crazed and become sticky, despite limited use.

“The helmet was sticky all over. I took it to the sink and gave it a wash but the sticky mess just congealed or balled up,” he says.Aldi helmets Ray Schriever

The Aldi Australia spokesperson says:

Before 2016, a different type of paint was used on the motorcycle helmets and after listening to our customers feedback we learnt that the helmet would sometimes become sticky if stored in damp conditions for a long period of time. As a result we worked with our business partner to improve the paint and the new formula was introduced in 2016. The safety of the helmet has never been impacted, the sticky surface was an aesthetic fault only. It does not damage the shell, the EPS liner or the structure of the helmet. Our helmets come with a 12-month warranty.

We do not suggest this paint issue would also affect helmet integrity in the event of a crash.

However, we do note that most helmet manufacturers recommend you replace your helmet after five years of regular use, anyway.

In Ray’s case, the helmets had not had regular use.

Aldi claims all its rider gear meets proper safety standards.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Piaggio plans first reverse leaning trike

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Piaggio has filed a patent for the world’s first reverse leaning three-wheeler with the two wheels at the back rather than the front.

Traditional three-wheelers or trikes have the wheels at the back, but they don’t lean.

In 2006, the Italian company introduced the MP3 scooter which was the world’s first leaning three-wheeler.

It had the wheels at the front and their revolutionary configuration has since been followed by Yamaha with its TriCity scooter and Niken motorcycle.

Yamaha Niken neowing leaningNiken (Image: Yamaha)

AKO also plans a similar electric-powered leaning trike and other companies such as Honda and Kawasaki have filed for similar patents.

AKO leaning electric itrikeAKO leaning electric trike

Advantages

I’ve ridden several leaning three-wheelers and found them much more stable at high speeds than a conventional trike.

The double front tyre contact patch also makes them much safer on entering a corner where low friction from gravel or oil could cause a low-side crash.

Tricity scooterTricity

This configuration provides much greater rider confidence pushing into corners.

However, we wonder if this conventional trike layout with two wheels at the back but also leaning might actually decrease front tyre friction and therefore rider confidence.

Piaggio design

The Piaggio design actually only allows the front end to lean while the rear axle remains parallel to the ground via a car-like Constant Velocity joint.

It would certainly improved traction under power coming out of a corner.

The patent drawing seems to suggest a scooter with the engine in the rear like a Porsche 911.

And like the German Porker, it might be a hoot to ride — or drift — with its pendulum-like handling.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com