Ducati’s planned V4 Superleggera is expected to be one of the world’s most powerful street-legal super bikes with 167kW (224hp) at 15,250 revs.
Throw on the optional Akrapovic full racing exhaust system and power is boosted to 174kW (234bhp), even beating the supercharged Kawasaki H2 at 171kW (230hp).
That compares with the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory at 162kW (217hp) and new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade with 160kW (212hp).
Super light
A leaked photo (above) and details show the largely carbon-fibre bike will weigh just 152kg which is 20kg less than the V4R, hence the term superleggera (super light).
The Superleggera’s Desmosedici Stradale R V4 engine is a big jump up from the “standard” V4 with (155kW/208hp, 124Nm) and V4S/R (top of page) with 159kW (214hp).
However, it is expected to have a super cost as well at $US100,000 (about $A145,000).
Video of a dangerous UK police pursuit of three unregistered trail bikes through city streets has again put police pursuits under question.
The officer pursued the three riders who rode at almost triple the speed limit, on footpaths, through red lights and the wrong way down streets because the bikes were not registered and therefore not insured.
Seems like a flippant reason to endanger the life of the rider, other road users and pedestrians.
It follows three rider deaths in the past year in Australia after high-speed pursuits were started, but then called off.
In the UK pursuit, West Midlands Police caught only one of three riders, Owen Guest, 20, by using astinger to deflate his Kawasaki’s tyres.
He was charged with dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance.
He was given 14 months in a young offenders institute, suspended for a year, and ordered to abide by a curfew and do 80 hours of unpaid community work. He was was also given a two-year driving ban and his bike was crushed.
The video does not show at what speed the riders were illegally riding their bike before the pursuit started, but it seems they went wild once they were pursued.
Dangerous pursuits
A leading police study has found the three most pressing issues for police reform around the world are use of force, policing of violence in families and high-speed pursuits.
A 2009 Australian Institute of Criminology study found deaths in custody at police stations are declining but “deaths in custody” as a result of high-speed pursuits were rising.
While less than 1% of police pursuits results in a fatal crash, 38% of the people killed are innocent bystanders.
It’s much worse in the USA where one person dies every day as a result of a police pursuit. Of those deaths, 1% are police, 55% suspects and 44% bystanders.
Most police procedures acknowledge the judgement of the officer at the scene to begin a pursuit.
However, continuation of a dangerous pursuit is then deferred to a senior officer at the station or headquarters.
They have to make a quick judgement based on how dangerous the pursuit is to the community versus the lethal risk to the community of letting a serious offender escape.
This must be backed by information, not just mere suspicion.
Queensland police figures show only about 3% of pursuits involved imminent threat to life or a suspect escaping after a homicide.
Police have a duty to not only prevent and control crime, but more importantly, they have a duty to protect the community and that includes from their own reckless behaviour and judgement.
TV chopper captures pursued rider performing stunts
Restrictive practices
Despite criticism from police unions, most pursuit policies around the world, including the USA, are becoming more restrictive.
In many jurisdictions, pursuits are only allowed if there is a serious risk to public safety or in relation to a major crime involving death or injury.
However, there is an issue about making these pursuit policies public. Some say they should be public to show transparency while others believe it would give criminals clues on how to evade police.
Those who support pursuits point out that the number of people evading police is rising as a result of more restrictive pursuit policies, despite higher penalties for evading police.
Making the issue more complex is the degree of the pursuit.
Should there be an upper speed limit for police? Should police be allowed to break other road rules in the pursuit?
There have been incidences of police driving at more than 200km/h in a pursuit and on the road side of a major highway.
Another issue is whether police should be criminally culpable in the instance of a death resulting from a pursuit.
To a degree, technologies such as CTV, helicopters and number plate recognition cameras, negate the need for pursuits, anyway.
* What do you think about police pursuits? Leave your comments below.
Nelson-Rigg’s new Defender Extreme Route 1 Half Cover ($59.95) is designed to be the last cover you’ll ever buy, with a lifetime warranty that even covers fading. Its durable UltraMax material is 100% waterproof with electronically taped seams, and boasts the highest UV protection in the industry. A soft windshield liner protects against scratching and the cover packs into an integrated bag for easy transport. Sized to fit all touring and ADV bikes with hard bags.
Dominant 450SX performance from Tomac at Anaheim 2
Section: Competition
First victory of season for Ferrandis in chaotic 250SX West final.
Image: Octopi Media.
There was no stopping Eli Tomac at Anaheim 2 as he became the third different 450SX main event winner three rounds into the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross season.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tomac dominated the premier class to win by 1.979s over Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) and a resurgent Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM).
It was Roczen who led the early laps, fending off a challenge from Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WPS KTM) after the latter went down, but Tomac worked his way from 10th on lap one into the lead by the seven-minute mark.
From there it was all Tomac at the front ahead of a composed Roczen, who held Webb at bay for podium results. Fourth was an inspired ride from Zach Osborne (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), from teammate Jason Anderson in fifth.
Rookie Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) settled into sixth place as Justin Brayton (Team Honda HRC), Malcolm Stewart (Smartop MotoConcepts Bullfrog Spas Honda), red plate-holder Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Dean Wilson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).
It is now Roczen who leads the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, standings by three points over Barcia and a further two ahead of Tomac entering Glendale’s fourth round in Arizona next Saturday, 25 January.
Image: Octopi Media.
Outgoing Australian Chad Reed (Mountain Motorsports cbdMD CR22 Honda) once again qualified via the LCQ and went on to cross the line in 18th position for what will be his final appearance at Angel Stadium.
Defending champion Dylan Ferrandis has won his first round of 2020 in a spectacular 250SX West main event at Anaheim 2 that saw Jett Lawrence crash out of contention on the final lap.
Ferrandis took the lead on the final lap after rookie Jett Lawrence (Geico Honda) led much of the final, however, he crashed out heavily on the final lap in an attempt to counter on the Frenchman.
The victory of Monster Energy Star Yamaha’s Ferrandis was placed under review due to contact made with Christian Craig (Geico Honda) while passing for second at halfway – the pair of them going down and Craig forced out altogether. Ferrandis was soon cleared afterwards.
It was initially Craig who led the way before Lawrence took charge early and stretched his lead to over 10 seconds mid-race. A mistake and fall enabled Ferrandis to catch and make a final lap pass, with Lawrence going over the ‘bars in the final set of whoops while fighting back for the lead.
Lawrence, 16, wasn’t the only big-name casualty in the whoops, with Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) also falling victim while in podium contention in the latter stages and ultimately crossing the line in 17th position.
In the end it was Ferrandis who won round three by 21.013s ahead of teammate Justin Cooper, who retains the championship lead by 12 points. Completing the podium for the second week in a row was Brandon Hartranft (TLD Red Bull KTM) in third.
Despite both going through the LCQ, Michael Mosiman (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki) were fourth and fifth respectively, with Australian Luke Clout (Penrite Honda Racing) scoring a career-best sixth.
Clout’s teammate Mitchell Oldenburg was directly behind him in P7, followed by Jacob Hayes (Gas Monkey AJE Husqvarna), Lawrence credited ninth despite breaking his collarbone and Killian Auberson (Gas Monkey AJE Husqvarna) 10th.
A2 was also a solid outing for Australian championship regulars Jay Wilson (Yamaha) – who sat out last weekend in St. Louis – and Aaron Tanti (Yamaha), riding to 11th and 13th places respectively.
The 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, series now moves onto Glendale, Arizona, next Saturday night on 25 January.
Five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, four-time World Champion Max Biaggi and four-time World Champion Hugh Anderson will become MotoGP Legends this season, with the Spaniard set to be inducted into the MotoGP Legends Hall of Fame at Jerez, the Italian at Mugello and the New Zealander later in the year.
New Zealand’s Hugh Anderson
It was decided on the day he announced his retirement that Jorge Lorenzo would become a MotoGP Legend this season, and the Majorcan is the first of the three riders who will be inducted in 2020. Fittingly, the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto will play host; the venue at which he made his Grand Prix debut on his 15th birthday and where the final corner bears his name.
Lorenzo is one of the most successful riders of all time, taking his first win in 2003 and his 68th in 2018. Back-to-back 250cc Champion in 2006 and 2007, on pole in his first MotoGP race and becoming a winner third time out in the premier class prefaced Lorenzo’s biggest achievements in MotoGP as he then went on to take the World Championship in 2010, 2012 and 2015.
Jorge Lorenzo
He won those titles with Yamaha, with whom he accrued 44 wins, before a switch to Ducati in 2017. Lorenzo took three more stunning wins with the Italian marque before moving to Honda, later announcing his retirement from competition at the end of 2019.
Jorge Lorenzo
“To be named a MotoGP Legend makes me extremely happy. When I began competing in this world, what I really aspired to do was to get into the World Championship. To be able to win races and then five World Championships is something that far outweighs what I expected, and to be a MotoGP Legend is something even more difficult to achieve. To be named a Legend means, apart from the titles, that you’ve left a mark on the people and history of this sport. I’d like to thank Dorna and the FIM for their support all these years, and for having included me in this special group of select riders.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Max Biaggi made his first few Grand Prix appearances in the 250cc class 1991, and the Italian became a winner the very next season as he took his first victory. Two years later he would become Champion for the first time, and another few years after that would see him complete an awe-inspiring run of domination in the class as he became Champion in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997.
He then moved up to the premier class and took a maiden victory in his rookie season, finishing second overall. From his 1998 debut in the premier class until his departure in 2005, Biaggi took 13 wins and was runner up in the Championship on three occasions.
When he left Grand Prix racing, Biaggi moved to WorldSBK and took two World Championships there – 2010 and 2012 – and since retiring from competition, he has returned to the GP paddock at the helm of Sterilgarda Max Racing Team.
Max Biaggi
“I’m honoured to become a MotoGP Legend and know that my name will be up there forever with other important racers like Agostini, Aspar, Nieto, Sheene… I’m happy that my racing legacy will always be remembered and it’s a good feeling that knowing all of my years of hard work are still being recognised, even today. I would like to thank everyone who decided to give me this honour.”
Max Biaggi
Hugh Anderson will be the final inductee in 2020. Anderson made his first GP appearances in the 500cc and 350cc classes in 1960, taking a podium in the latter. Two years later he added the 125cc and 50cc classes to his resume, becoming a race winner in both. That set his course and for 1963 the New Zealander took on the 125cc and 50cc World Championships in earnest, taking the crown in each class.
He retained the 50cc crown the following year to make it back-to-back titles and was third in the 125cc title fight, reversing that in 1965 as he regained the 125cc crown and was third in the 50cc class. Anderson retired in 1966 after taking an impressive 25 Grand Prix wins and four titles in just six years.
Hugh Anderson
“How I felt when receiving the news? At first, apprehension: do my relatively modest achievements warrant this honour? Will I, can I, do justice to this invitation? Some hours later I felt a feelgood sensation envelope me. A gratification that after all this time the modern world has not forgotten the past and the riders of a very much different era still have some value. A question of the history of our sport being recognised at the highest level. Thank you.”
New Zealand’s Hugh Anderson
Lorenzo, Biaggi and Anderson now join a long list of greats that have been made MotoGP Legends that includes Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, Alex Crivillé, Franco Uncini, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Kork Ballington, Dani Pedrosa, Stefan Dörflinger, Jorge Martinez and the late, great Nicky Hayden.
The decision to close their Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth stores was announced just over a week ago and now they are offering generous deals on selected 2019 models.
They are offering $3000 off accessories or apparel and free on-road costs on Roadmaster, Chief Vintage and Springfield Dark Horse.
For their FTR 1200 and Scout Bobber the deal is $2000 off accessories and/or apparel with complimentary on-roads .
The deals end on January 31 and are not restricted to their four company-owned stores.
They say there will be a gradual closing down of their stores throughout the year as alternative dealerships are found.
By the end of 2020, Indian Motorcycle in Australia and New Zealand will operate solely with an independent dealer network, except for Christchurch for is independently owned.
Clearing out floor stock with sales offers will help them move the process along faster.
That’s one customer benefit from closing their company-owned stores. Another benefit they claim is that it will increase the spread of dealerships throughout the country.
Company history
Perth store opened in 2016
The model of a mix of company owned and independent dealers has been operating since they started in Australia in 2008 with Victory Motorcycles.
Indian Motorcycle was added in 2013 after being bought by Polaris. They sold 102 Indian Chief models in their first year.
The traditional brand has experienced substantial growth since, even during the past few parlous years of motorcycle sales, but last year recorded a 3.9% decrease to 803.
That’s still far better than the 11.9% slump in total road bike sales in Australia.
In 2017, Polaris axed the Victory Motorcycle brand, but continued with the company owned stores just for Indian.
However, it was only a matter of time before they switched to the conventional system as used elsewhere in the world.
Polaris Australia boss Alan Collins said customers needed “more locations and more support”.
“Moving to an independent franchised network of dealers is more sustainable for us and our partners as we look to grow in order to meet demand, while also enabling a broader network of support and options for our customers.”
The minimum rider age for South Australians will be raised by two years with some concessions, but they have dodged a plan for mandatory hi-vis vests as in Victoria.
Around the nation it is getting tougher and tougher for young people to get motorcycle licences with Queensland even requiring them to first hold a car licence for a year.
The Australian trend to make it more difficult for younger riders runs contrary to Europe.
In Germany, the minimum rider age has recently been lowered from 16 to 15 while the moped and restricted motorcycle licence (up to 125cc) minimum age in Latvia and Estonia is 14; 15 in France, Czech Republic, Spain; and 16 in Portugal, Romania.
These countries believe that getting teenagers on to motorcycles teaches them a sense of vulnerability and roadcraft before they are let loose on larger bikes or cars.
SA Police Minister Corey Wingard said they would introduce the new bill on graduated motorcycle licensing in the next few months.
Minimum age
The Minister said that last year there were 17 fatal motorcycle crashes in SA with 11 aged under 31 while the youngest was 16.
How does increasing the minimum age have anything to do with those figures, except for maybe that one fatality?
He also says that between 2014-18 young motorcycle riders were over-represented in serious crash data with 10% involving riders aged 15-19, 11% involving riders aged 20-24 and 10% riders 25-29.
So those over 29 represented 69% of serious crashes!
In fact, national statistics from 1995 to 2019 show a steady decrease in fatalities among under 30-year-old riders from 562 in the five-year period from 1995 to ’99 to 312 from 2015 to ’19.
Over the past five years, under 30s have not had the largest number of fatalities, being overtaken for the first time by over 50s with 323 deaths.
This could be the result of tougher licensing laws.
However, it could also be due to the fact that the number of young riders getting licenses has declined while the number of returned riders has increased.
The statistical trends are similar in all states including Queensland and South Australia where under-30s fatalities have halved since 1995.
New rules
The new SA rules will allow various exclusions for students, workers and regional residents.
For example, regional resident aged 16 and 17 can get a restricted motorcycle learner’s permit to travel to tertiary education, vocational education and training or for work.
Also 17-year-olds with a current provisional car licence can get a motorcycle learner’s permit.
There will also be a night curfew on under 25s from midnight to 5am unless the rider has an exemption which is in line with current rules for p-plate drivers.
Rider advocacy group Ride to Review says the restrictions could have been worse.
Tim Kelly of Ride to Review
Spokesman Tim Kelly says they worked hard with the government to secure the concessions and to avoid the planned mandatory hi-vests.
Full details of the new Bill have not yet been released, but previous recommendations included: displaying correct plates, restricting pillions, mandatory carriage of licence, zero blood alcohol, a lower demerit point threshold for disqualification and no mobile phones.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) motorcycle spokesman Rhys Griffiths says tougher licensing laws across the nation have put the motorcycle industry under “more pressure than we’ve ever had in the past”.
He says the tougher licensing laws have dramatically increased the price of obtaining a motorcycle licence and may have led to an increase in unlicensed riding.
Perth store opened in 2016
Indian Challenger
Sydney Indian and Victory store