Painted road surfaces that present a dangerous slip hazard to motorcycle and scooter riders could son be a thing of the past with new grippy surface treatments.
Australian company OmniGrip has commissioned to replace painted surfaces such as bus and bike lanes and pedestrian crossings with their special treatment in several Victorian cities and more recently Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Now the Victorian company is so confident that more of these dangerous surfaces will be replaced with their treatment, it is opening up in Queensland.
Dave Jones, External Affairs Director for Smarterlife the Australian manufacturers of non-slip OmniGrip road surface treatment says it is not paint, but a coloured aggregate using recycled Australian glass.
He claims it has the same grip levels as the surrounding tarmac and lasts about seven years which is longer than painted road surfaces.
OmniGrip Direct also provides calcined bauxite safety surfaces that improve grip between the road surface and a motor vehicle’s tyres (motorbikes, cars, buses and trucks). It is particularly effective at reducing wet weather crashes.
The rollout of this grippy road treatment was suspended in 2020 due to COVID, but the company is opening a new office and depot in Brisbane to work with councils and state road agencies in Queensland and northern NSW.
Chief road safety expert Dave Jones says they are talking to Councils about its use but deals aren’t finalised just yet.
OmniGrip CST on the corner of Leitchs Rd and Stanley St, Brendale, in Brisbane.
Sites in use already in Queensland are:
Stanley St and Leitchs Rd in Brendale (Calcined Bauxite High Friction Surface plus Green Recycled-Glass bike lane, late 2019)
Griffith Road and Boardman Rd, Newport (Calcined Bauxite High Friction Surface on roundabout, early 2020)
Park Road at Patricks Road intersection, Ferny Hill (Calcined Bauxite High Friction Surface late 2019)
Collins Road at Francis Road intersection, Arana Hills (Calcined Bauxite High Friction Surface, late 2019)
Clear Mountain Road at Winn Road intersection, Mount Sampson (Calcined Bauxite High Friction Surface, late 2019)
OmniGrip Direct’s safety surfaces are also used on red bus lanes and with calcined bauxite to improve rural and urban road safety.
A national industry forum heard that the Transport and Main Roads Department is lifting the standard and requirements for contractors that lay coloured surfaces on their roads such as in bus lanes and bike lanes.
TMR is also banning some types of painted products and require independent assessment and approval by the Australian Road Research Board for any product they do use.
Queensland Councils are also signatories to the process and will adopt it.
Dave has welcomed the move.
“The implication for riders is that coloured surfaces that riders cross will have higher texture, for longer, reducing the likelihood that riders will slide or skid when stopping or turning,” he says.
“For example when riders turn across bus lanes or bike lanes at intersections.”
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2021 ride in Belgrade, Serbia (photo by Bob Bobisavljevic)
From Ride for Kids events to annual Toys for Tots runs, motorcyclists are known for joining forces to support good causes. Since 2012, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) has raised $31.5 million to support men’s health. The 10th-anniversary event, which took place on Sunday, May 23, brought together more than 65,000 dapper motorcycle enthusiasts in 913 cities and 116 countries around the world, and raised $4.1 million.
Sydney, Australia (photo by Pat Stevenson)
Funds were donated to Movember, the leading global organization focused solely on men’s health, and they’ll be directed toward prostate cancer and men’s mental health research and programs. Together, Movember and DGR have worked strategically to help men in motorcycling live happier and healthier lives, and they have allocated nearly $1 million to pilot and deliver programs directed at improving social connectedness, life satisfaction, and mental well-being of motorcycle riders.
Los Angeles, USA (photo by Dakota Clark)
Support for DGR 2021 came from thousands of individual volunteers, fundraisers, and city hosts, as well as Triumph, Hedon helmets, Belstaff, and Elf lubricants. To register your interest in DGR 2022, learn more about the research programs that are funded, or make a donation, visit gentlemansride.com.
An hour-long documentary to celebrate an iconic motorcycle brand’s birthday.
Begin press release:
MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. is announcing the release of a 50 minutes documentary film to celebrate its 75th anniversary. The film is a behind-the-scenes, compelling account of what the Italian brand represents today and has achieved over more than seven decades, in the eyes of 8 testimonials-extraordinaire who each have crossed the path of the iconic bike from Schiranna in some significant way. The plot also develops along two other lines: the company’s own storytelling and an exciting introduction to the latest generation of MV Agusta bikes, with a strong focus on the future of the brand.
The title of the film, “You see a bike” expresses the idea that, beyond the unquestionable reality of the object, each and everyone of us sees, in that very bike, something different. The characters in the film share their own intimate view, offering a new, unexpected perspective on MV Agusta every time.
The narrative mechanism is revealed right from the opening lines: “A bike is never just a bike. You think you’re just looking at the surface, and you’re already looking behind. A lot of meanings come to life before your eyes, when you see a bike.” The viewer is thus taken into the fascinating universe of the characters, who share some very personal anecdotes about their relationship with the brand and motorcycling in general, intersected with MV Agusta’s insiders telling the story from the company’s point of view, while we also witness the birth of the brand’s latest iconic models.
Directed by Andrea Manenti and produced by Addiction-PianoB, You see a bike was shot between 2020 and 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, with all the technical difficulties that the situation entailed. Nevertheless the result is a poignant, unconventional and captivating account of the past, present and future of the world’s most iconic maker of motorcycles. It was shot on location in Northern Italy, Australia and California, and the cast included: Horacio Pagani, founder and chief designer of Pagani Automobili; designer and bike maker Roland Sands; Ottavio Missoni, fashion entrepreneur; stunt rider Thibaut Nogues; MotoGP photographer Gigi Soldano; Motorcycling legend Giacomo Agostini, race rider Virginio Ferrari and celebrity DJ and producer Carl Cox. On MV Agusta’s side: CEO Timur Sardarov and board member Ratmir Sardarov; R&D director Brian Gillen, marketing director Filippo Bassoli and brand director Marta Trezzi.
The choice of characters was not casual, each and everyone of these individuals is universally recognised in a field that also belongs to MV Agusta’s DNA; design, lifestyle, industrial excellence and racing. These out-of-the-ordinary people were also able to create a strong sense of belonging to an ideal, just like the MV community, or better, tribe.
The film also shows how videogame designers from Milestone, makers of some of the world’s most successful racing titles, have gone about assimilating and incorporating MV Agusta models into their RIDE videogame. While gamification represents the ultimate consecration for any product or brand, it is also a very effective way to reach out to the new generations, part of MV Agusta’s strategic targets for the future.
Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motors S.p.A., commented: “I instantly liked this particular project for its different approach. It couldn’t be farther from the usual, trite corporate celebration of the past. This film is dynamic, it’s alive and fresh, it’s about our present, it’s about our products being avant-garde and forward-looking, it’s about our enthusiasm and our confidence in the future. It also, and quite rightly, salutes our glorious heritage and the legacy of those who made MV Agusta a legend, but it also offers a privileged view on how we are today and what we stand for. We really bared our soul as a gift to all MV Agusta fans around the world, and explored the different facets of our world and the fundamental values that define us, with the help of external personalities who are champions of those same values in their own fields. I think the film is also enjoyable from an artistic point of view, and I am confident it will be appreciated across generations, bikers and non-bikers alike.”
There are plenty of others also looking for a win at the Sachsenring, Iván Ortolá, the 16-year-old Spaniard had a win in his first Cup season, 2019, but this year has struggled to find that bit extra that would make him a serious Cup challenger after finishing 3rd last season. It is not too late, he has been up front, was 2nd in Jerez Race 1 and 3rd on Sunday in Mugello but he is 41 off the lead so he needs to find that consistency to add to the pace he has never lacked.
A new motorcycle company is setting the words ‘modern’, ‘carbon fiber’ and ‘two-stroke’ alongside the promise of 24-karat gold-leaf detailing – and it premieres in three weeks.
Langen Motorcycles was Founded in 2019 when Christofer Ratcliffe – previously the Chief Design Engineer at CCM Motorcycles – decided to break away from the convention of a larger company and create his own twist on the current market.
“I wanted to create something completely new,” Christopher tells us. “I sold my car, sold my home, I went all-in on it.”
His passion was not misplaced. By the time the lockdowns hit in 2020, the business was in full production of their first bike – and there was an immense amount of interest in the big reveal.
“We managed to get to one show last September, in between lockdowns. The response was overwhelming from everyone who saw the bike in the flesh. It validated all the hard work and sleepless nights.”
According to a report from WiganToday, the Two-Stroke will feature a 249cc, 90º V-twin engine capable of tossing out a top speed of more than 140mph, as well as a hand-laid carbon fiber tank and bodywork, courtesy of the gents at Wigan factory.
The bike will also have a tubular aluminum ‘space’ frame and swingarm, purported to be ‘ultra-lightweight, also a factor that was hand-built in-house.
With only 100 units in the batch, the deposits are coming in hard and fast.
Interested in buying this beauty? The Langen Two-Stroke will be up for grabs at the exclusive price of £28,000, with a £1,000 refundable deposit to secure a build slot.
Langen Motorcycles will be premiering the bike at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in West Sussex, England, in 21 short days.
For more articles on the beauties of limited edition motorcycles, head over to MotorBikeWriter.
Whether you’re looking for a new track day glove or prefer to ride with maximum protection at all times – the Racer High Racer Glove will cater to both. At $239USD, they will do the job they were set out to do. The High Racers sit in the middle of the road price-wise but they offer protection found in much more expensive competitors, and with the Knox sliders, even more.
AESTHETICS
PROTECTION
CONSTRUCTION
VALUE FOR MONEY
Comfortable
Palm feel was great once broken in
Excellent protection throughout the construction of the gloves
Finish construction had minor quality control issues
Grip pads on the fingertips were unnecessary
Break-in time longer than advertised
Racer USA High Racer Gloves
The High Racer gloves are priced among the giants in the racing industry with an MSRP of $239USD. They come packed with protection in key areas like the base of the palm, finger joints, back of the hand, wrist bone, and forearm. In fact, they are rated CE level 1 along with the competitors like the Dainese Druid 3 or the Alpinestars GP Pro.
These race-worthy gloves are best suited for warmer climate riding as they were designed for track riding not dashing through the snow.
The High Racers are overall great gloves and do what they were built to do – protect your paws. Aside from loads of carbon fiber bits scattered across key areas, the two biggest highlights are the Knox SPS palm sliders and the kangaroo leather palm. The palm sliders will pay for themselves should you find yourself sliding your way out of an apex. The kangaroo leather palms not only provides great dexterity but also provides excellent abrasion resistance.
If you’re looking for a full gauntlet glove capable of providing track-worthy protection, the High Racer from Racer (the name is a tough one), will get the job done.
Thank you to Lee at Racer Gloves USA for providing these High Racers at no cost for this review.
The High Racer comes in two colors: black and white. This review was on the all-black men’s version. You can also read wBW’s review on the women’s High Racer glove. The main difference between the two is that the men’s come with the Knox palm slider while the women’s come with a carbon fiber slider.
This glove comes to the party with a 95% leather construction. This figure is surprisingly high considering the amount of less expensive materials found in most products these days. Perched nicely over the knuckle area is molded carbon fiber held securely with a double stitch with padding underneath. This section was very comfortable and fit a closed fist with ease.
The index, middle fingertips, and thumb of each glove have a silicone fingertip grip material present. This actually hinders the dexterity and feel on the finger pads but it does give you a bit more bite when gripping the brake/clutch levers. At the end of the day, I can see the reason for them but I can’t say that I’m a fan.
Fixed atop of the thumb and fingers (excluding the fourth/pinky finger) are small carbon fiber gems or shells with a base layer of soft foam underneath that covers the finger joints. I appreciate these being left off of the pinky area – one less thing to rip off during a crash.
The fourth/pinky finger is bridged to the third/ring finger to prevent “finger roll”. Keeping the ‘weakest link’ (your pinky finger) tied to your ring finger is an absolute ‘must have’ for a track glove – if you don’t have this on your current gloves – upgrade now!
The palm of each glove flaunts two large-looking pieces of LDPE (low-density polyethylene). These are palm sliders that have been supplied and patented by Knox. They are conveniently placed over the scaphoid and pisiform (on the lower sections of the palm) to provide additional crash protection during impacts and/or slides.
At first glance, the Knox palm sliders look obtrusive and in the way, but they aren’t. I actually forgot they were there while riding for hours on end over the past few weeks.
Along the wrist section, is an accordion-style stretch (stitched into the leather) in addition to a velcro strap to keep the gloves snug – no matter how much you move around. Placed right on the wrist bone is another chuck of carbon fiber for more crash protection.
Lastly, on the gauntlet was another chunk of carbon fiber to provide crash protection and all was held together nicely with a large hook & loop for secure closure. The Racer
The interior of the glove is made up of 100% polyester Teramid fabric, a moisture-permeable and waterproof nylon woven fabric. This is present in all areas of the glove, excluding the kangaroo leather section (entire palm/finger area).
Overall, I did not have any “hot spots” or pain points while wearing the High Racer – even with the tightest of grip. The interior was comfortable and provided ventilation in way of the perforated leather sections on top of the wrist and in the sides of the fingers.
Features
Here are the features as per Racer Gloves USA’s website:
Kangaroo palm with Knox SPS palm sliders
Carbon Fiber protection on knuckles, fingers, and wrist bone
CE certified
Ring and little finger adjoined to prevent “finger roll”
Perforated gauntlet and fingers for airflow
Available in Black or White/Black
Sizes S-3XL
Comfort
Racer Gloves USA promoted an “Outstanding fit with virtually no break-in” – but that’s a bit of a stretch (pun intended). Like “virtually” all gloves, the High Racers took over a half dozen, sweaty, hour-long trips before they calmed down and welcomed my hands into them.
Once the gloves broke in, they felt great and like a nice wine, they’ll only get better with age.
Per the Racer size chart, I wear an XL, and my index, middle, and ring fingers each comfortably reach the end of the glove. The pinky does have a smidge of extra material but it isn’t a deal-breaker nor impede function. For reference, my hand circumference is approximately 8″ / 20 cm.
The materials used on the High Racer were quality but lightweight. On that note, my curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to weigh my current track glove against the Racer glove. When weighed against my Alpinestar GP Pro (another track equipped glove), the Higher Racer came in weighing 6.49oz (184g) while my trusty GP Pros (and chunky) scaled in at 7.12oz (202g) apiece.
For the purposes of testing, the High Racers were worn with an Alpinestars GP Plus R Air, an Icon leather jacket, and a Sedici one-piece leather race suit. Not only was I able to put the gloves on quickly (speed is ‘everything’ these days), but High Racer fit over all three with zero problems leaving zero skin exposed.
Dexterity
Utilizing kangaroo leather on the palm is a huge plus in this area. But for me, the grip pads or “fingertip grippers” completely disrupted the feel and dexterity that you typically get with kangaroo leather palms.
In all, the feel was great once the glove was broken in and after I had stopped thinking about the “finger ripper grippers” on the fingertips.
Airflow
The intended use for the High Racer is to fit snuggle on the hands of a rider at the track. During a race or a track day, your hands are usually anything but dry. And like every glove I’ve had my hands in before, perspiration is a constant, and the High Racer was no exception.
I can appreciate the attempt with the perforated leather sections but in a glove meant to provide protection first, I don’t fault Racer for not keeping my paws dry. If they were claiming to be “the perfect summer glove”, this would be a different story.
Water Resistance
Ever get caught in a rainstorm in a leather jacket? How’d that work out? Probably the same way these track gloves would react – wet, heavy, and wetter.
Build Quality
For a glove with an MSRP of just under $250, I would expect the seams and stitching to be next to flawless but this wasn’t the case with the High Racers. Aesthetically, the seams and stitches aren’t perfectly trimmed, nor are the edges as clean as those on other upper echelon racing gloves. These imperfections were mostly surrounding the finger areas while everything else checked out fine.
The High Racer gives the illusion of a hand-stitched glove from decades past. While I commend the classic look, the aesthetic is outdated when put beside a competitor’s new school design.
The High Racers aren’t all bad looks – the branded piping on the cuff and stamped logo on the velcro was a nice touch.
The integrity of the glove construction has the boxes checked as the downfalls are mostly aesthetic.
Fingers
The tops of the fingers consist of accordion leather and carbon-fiber armor with an additional leather layer holding them in place.
The stitching as mentioned above was not perfect but the overall functionality is not affected by the messy stitching or outseams.
The finger sidewalls are made up of perforated leather to assist in ventilation. Like all full gauntlet track gloves, these areas are extremely tough to provide enough ventilation without losing integrity, so no fault in this area.
Palm & Wrist
The palms are made up of very nice kangaroo leather with the gripper material double stitched in place. The gripper material in this area is less of a bother with the exception of the entire thumb being covered. This does detract from dexterity but the purpose is to provide additional grip. While I understand the additional grip provided may come in handy, I don’t believe adding it solved a problem worth ‘fixing’.
I personally run a combination of soft and medium Renthal or Domino grips on my 2008 Yamaha R6. There has never been a time where I needed any more than that, especially at the cost of losing dexterity while on the track.
At the base of the palm lies the Knox palm sliders – they are genius! They may look obnoxious or in the way but they aren’t one bit. The protection they will provide while sliding on the pavement will fair well when compared to the competitors still using chunks of rubber or leather-covered foam in these areas.
The hook & loop wrist strap operated without fail and easy to adjust on the go.
Protection
This where the High Racer shines! The kangaroo leather palms, the full-grain leather everywhere else, and the carbon fiber armor paired with the Knox sliders are sure to protect your hands should you go down. They are on the same playing field as the major players like Dainese and Alpinestars with CE level one certification.
The Knox sliders as mentioned before, are a huge standout. Having had my fair share of crashes in past, those sliders will come in handy when put to use.
The big piece of carbon fiber fixed on the gauntlet of the glove is light and flexible – a perfect combination that offers additional impact and slide protection.
The Verdict
The Racer High Racer comes to the stage packing a ton of protection for a medium price. Do they come with the same level of protection found in $400 gloves like the Dainese Full Metal or Alpinestars Supertech? Yes. Are they of the same refined caliber? No, but can they play with the MotoGP giants? Absolutely, for $150 less in fact.
After a few hundred miles of riding, the High Racers are broken in and conform to your hand. At that point, they fit perfectly and are ready to hit the track or canyons.
If you have a motorcycle gear obsession like most of us have, $239USD is a fair enough price to snag a pair. Sure you won’t have the flashiest gloves on the track but you can feel confident in knowing that your hands are about as fully protected as they can be.
Pros
Comfortable
Accurate fit
Feel was good once broken in
Excellent protection throughout the glove
Cons
Stitching/finish construction wasn’t built for looks
Team Suzuki Ecstar and the MotoGP™ World Championship are preparing for another dose of back-to-back rounds following a short break after the Mugello-Catalunya double- header.
The first stop will the Sachsenring circuit in Germany, where Alex Rins will make a tentative comeback following injury and Joan Mir aims to build on his Championship points with another strong finish.
Important information There’s no minimum level of experience required for riders, but a certain skill level must be shown. Previous experience could include dirt-track, motocross, scooter or mini bike racing, but the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup is focused on searching for talent and potential, not experience. Applicants must be born between the 1st of January 2001 and the 1st of March 2010.
The list of those chosen to attend the Selection Event will be published on the 20th of August 2021.
Key dates Registration is open now at www.asiatalentcup.com) Registration closes: 16th July 2021 Publication of the list for the Selection Event: 20th of August 2021 (www.asiatalentcup.com) Selection Event: 26th & 27th October 2021, Sepang International Circuit
Thought it would look great on Insta so I stopped for a photo. One of them days with no plan, no route and just taking it in, sights smells and of course a coffee mid ride! @vitusbikes
Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
