Category Archives: Motorcycle News

Alex Briggs: golfer, pineapple grower and Champion mechanic

 “But still, Welkom. The bike was ok, but Valentino made the difference. He wanted to win that so badly, and so did Max because Max had been saying if ‘I only had a Honda, I could win’. All that sort of stuff. So it came down to a lot of pride in that race, and it was one of Max’s best races too in my opinion – although he’d disagree, I’m sure. Just seeing Valentino ride with a bike that was good but not great. We’d done a lot of work to get to that point, and he just made the difference. All that year we had issues but he kept making the difference. That race is the one. And the party after that, oh man…”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

So just who are Norton’s new owners…? TVS

India was once said to be the jewel in Great Britain’s crown, that has long ceased to be the case. Likewise Norton was once the jewel in Britain’s motorcycle industry but has met an ignominious end too many times in its long history.

PA Hockenheimring Museum

PA Hockenheimring Museum

Nortons fall from grace this time around has been a shocking tale of financial mismanagement that will likely see Stuart Garner in court on various charges – Image Phil Aynsley

Few of those disintegrations have been as seemingly dishonourable as the most recent suffered under the stewardship of the now largely disgraced Stuart Garner.

John McGuinness with Stuart Garner - Norton - 2018 Isle of Man TT

John McGuinness with Stuart Garner - Norton - 2018 Isle of Man TT

Stuart Garner (right), has been largely pilloried for the financial state that Norton ended up in before the Indian bail-out. TT legend John McGuinness (left) was also left with a sour taste after his dealings with Garner.

Garner was the great new hope for Norton when he bought the rights to the Norton brand in 2008 but in January of this year those hopes were dashed. And with that downfall it seems that dozens of customers that have paid for motorcycles will never receive them. The misery continues with pension funds also allegedly defrauded and workers left without entitlements.

Norton Commando 961 SF $35,990

Norton Commando 961 SF $35,990

Norton Commando 961 SF was on the new generation Nortons that made it into production

The next re-birth of the Norton brand will be under Indian stewardship via the 42-year-old and very successful TVS Motor Company.

Based in Chennai, TVS is India’s third largest motorcycle company with revenues approaching US $3 billion through annual sales of 3 million units. It is also India’s second largest exporter with footholds in over 60 countries for TVS Motor, while the umbrella TVS Group is present in 129 countries with total revenues of US$8.5 billion.

TVS Ntorq

TVS Ntorq

TVS Ntorq 125

The company has manufacturing plants located at Hosur in Tamil Nadu Mysore in Karnataka and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh. TVA also has a manufacturing facility in Indonesia at Karawang near Jakarta. 

TVS iQube EV x

TVS iQube EV x

TVS are also on the e-bike front with the TVS iQube EV

TVS was the first Indian company to produce a four-stroke motorcycle (complete design, development and production in India – Royal Enfield was British), the first Indian motorcycle brand to employ ABS and catalytic convertors and more recently debuted India’s first bluetooth equipped scooter in the TVS Ntorq 125.

TVS King

TVS King

TVS also makes powered three-wheeler machines

Within Australia TVS has never really gained much of a footing but their scooters have found a market here from time to time.

TVS Apache RR

TVS Apache RR

TVS deal with BMW produced the G 310 R and GS for BMW, and the TVS Apache RR 310 for the Indian company

TVS has manufacturing alliances with the likes of BMW via a partnership that started in 2013 and led to the jointly produced G 310 range, while previous close alliances with Suzuki Japan that have now expired. TVS also enters the Dakar Rally in conjunction with Sherco and 2020 marked the sixth year of their competitive endeavours together. 

Baja Aragon Podium

Baja Aragon Podium

Michael Metge tops the 2018 Baja Aragon Podium with TVS Sherco

With the current coronavirus pandemic holding a Sword of Damocles over the Indian sub-continent it is quite a brave move by TVS who are already navigating troubled waters.  Shares of TVS Motor Company had fallen 36 percent this year but are rebounding somewhat after the acquisition of Norton.

In the short term, the GBP 16 million all-cash acquisition of Norton will see the British brand, for now, continue and hopefully step up production at Norton’s Donington Park facility in Leicestershire with previous staff employed.   

The deal was concluded by Project 303 Bidco Ltd, a newly incorporated company set up under TVS Motor’s Singapore subsidiary specifically to acquire Norton.

TVS joint managing director Sudarshan Venu

“This is a momentous time for us at TVS Motor Company. Norton is an iconic British brand celebrated across the world. With its exciting range of products, Norton presents us with an immense opportunity to cater to the aspirations of discerning motorcycle customers around the world. We will extend our full support for Norton to regain its rightful glory. Norton will continue to retain its distinctive identity with dedicated and specific business plans. TVS Motor Company will work closely with customers and employees in building the success and pre-eminence of the Norton Motorcycles brand and we look forward to growing together globally in the years to come.”

Norton’s CS1 from 1927 was the company’s first over-head cam design. Designed as a TT racer but also found success as a TT replica road bike in the 1930s.
Source: MCNews.com.au

Harley-Davidson Softail Standard review

The 2020 Harley-Davison FXST Softail Standard is not only an entry model for their 107-cube Milwaukee Eight big twin, but also the perfect donor bike or “blank canvas” for customising.

It comes with a solo seat, mini-ape bars, shotgun exhausts, 19-inch chromed steel rims with classic spokes and not much else.

At $A21,495 ($NZ22,750) ride away you can set aside some cash for custom parts and factory accessories.

Most will probably start with forward controls for a more relaxed riding position as well as better cornering clearance. Shorter folk will probably leave it as it is with its ultra-low 680mm seat.

Standard raisedHarley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

The Softail Standard makes a welcome return to the stable as it was one of the Milwaukee’s company’s best-selling bikes in Australia for many years.

Obviously, there are a lot of riders like me who enjoy the simplicity of the bike and the scope for customisation.

However, the 2020 Softail Standard is a long way from the 1984 Evo original or the last model in 2007, thanks to the last major overhaul in 2017.

The main change is the more powerful air-cooled 107 (1746cc) Milwaukee Eight V-twin engine.Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

It’s also a more refined unit which you will notice the moment you hit the ignition switch. There is no longer an awkward jolt, but a delicious thump of big-twin vibe.

Harley doesn’t discuss or reveal power output figures, but the Milwaukee Eight has 149Nm of arm-wrenching torque and with that much grunt, there is little need to work the gears.

If you do, those familiar with Harleys will be pleasantly surprised by the slicker, positive and quieter gearshift. And you can find neutral relatively easily!

Handling and rideHarley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

The other big update in 2017 was the improved ride and handling, thanks to shedding about 17kg in weight, a 17% stiffer frame, emulsion rear shock and Showa dual-bending-valve forks.

It now feels more solid, rides smoother over the bumps, holds its line better through corners and provides confidence in cornering.

The Showa forks not only provide positive steering, but also delete that jackhammer effect through the grips, although I did find the thick rubber grips hurt my arthritic hands after a couple of hours of riding.

I don’t mind the mini ape hanger bars that bring my fists up to chest height. They provide some hand-eye co-ordination which helps with tight manoeuvres, but can be uncomfortable on long highway stints where your body forms a windsock position against the wind blast.

However, the Softail Standard isn’t a highway tourer. It’s a cruiser designed for blasts through the hills.

Yet the solo seat is extremely comfortable with no complaints by the time the fuel light came on after about 200km.Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

Despite the single 300m disc brake up front, I am impressed with its ability to bring 297kg of heft to a prompt stop with minimal fork dive even though the rear brake feels lifeless.

Styling

While Harley has gone for a traditional style, there are some mod-cons such as digital instruments and an LED headlight with a good spread of even light.

Those minimalist instruments are an absolute delight.

The main screen is discretely incorporated into the handlebar with a smaller screen tucked underneath. Nothing to spoil the look of the front end.Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

Despite being small and minimal, they are easy to see in all light conditions and include quite a bit of information.

The main screen displays the fuel gauge, speedometer and gear position all the time and you can toggle through the clock, fuel range, odometer, two trip meters and rev counter via a handy toggle switch on the left switchblock.

The bottom screen displays the warning lights and indicators.

While some Softail Standard owners will enjoy slicing and dicing this blank canvas into their dream bike, Harley has also made it easier with a choice of four accessory packages:

  • Day Tripper Custom Package: Pillion seat and a 21-inch detachable sissy bar with pad, passenger foot pegs and mounts, forward foot controls and a black leather Single-Sided Swingarm Bag.
  • Coast Custom Package: Softail Quarter Fairing, black anodised aluminium Moto Bar handlebar and 5.5-inch riser, a Bevel two-up seat and passenger foot pegs, and BMX-style foot pegs from the 80GRIT Collection.
  • Touring Custom Package: Sundowner two-up seat and passenger foot pegs, a 14-inch-high light smoke quick-release windshield, classic black detachable saddlebags and a 14.5-inch detachable sissy bar and backrest pad.
  • Performance Custom Package: Throttle response and mid-range acceleration is improved with a Screamin’ Eagle Stage II Torque kit for the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine, Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner, Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather Performance Air Cleaner and Screamin’ Eagle Street Cannon mufflers. This factory-engineered performance upgrade retains the original equipment factory warranty when installed by an authorised Harley-Davidson dealer.

2020 Harley-Davison FXST Softail Standard tech specsHarley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

Price

$A21,495 ($NZ22,750) ride away

Engine

1746cc, 45-degree Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin; 4 valves/cyl.

Bore x Stroke

99 x 111mm

Compression

10:01

Transmission

6-speed, belt drive

Torque

149Nm @ 3000rpm

Suspension (front)

49mm telescopic fork w/ dual bending valve; 38mm travel

Suspension (rear)

Coilover monoshock, adjustable for preload; 86mm travel

Brakes (front)

4-piston fixed caliper, 300mm disc

Brake (rear)

2-piston floating caliper, 292mm disc

Wheels (front/rear)

Chrome, steel-laced; 19 x 2.5 in / 16 x 3.0 in.

Tyres (front/rear)

Dunlop bias blackwall 110/90B-19 / 150/80B-16

Rake/Trail

30.0°/157mm

Wheelbase

1630mm

Seat

680mm

Wet weight

297kg

Fuel tank

13.2 litres

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Rins re-signs with Team Suzuki Ecstar through 2022

News 20 Apr 2020

Rins re-signs with Team Suzuki Ecstar through 2022

Spaniard extends factory agreement for sixth-straight season.

Image: Supplied.

Team Suzuki Ecstar has secured Alex Rins through the 2022 MotoGP season after the Spaniard signed a two-year extension with the factory.

The 24-year-old joined Suzuki in 2017 upon debut in the premier class, remaining aboard the GSX-RR for another two years.

“My wish was to continue with Suzuki and finally this is what I did,” Rins said. “I believe that the project has the potential to be a winning one, I have the desire to win, and so we match perfectly. It’s the perfect place for me and we are working hard all together to get big results.

“I have always believed in the team and for this reason it was easy to get to the basic agreement very early on. Then we took some time to finalise the details and follow all the internal processes.

“Now we have to understand what’s going to happen with the 2020 season, we are ready to compete at the maximum level, as we already showed in the pre-season tests. In this very moment the whole world is facing an unexpected situation that affects pretty much all countries and we need to be patient and see how it evolves.”

Team manager Davide Brivio commented: “We are very happy to confirm Alex Rins as a factory rider of Team Suzuki MotoGP for two more seasons in 2021 and 2022. With this agreement we take our relationship to six years and we believe that this stability will prove positive for all of us.

“I must say that this agreement was just awaiting a stamp on it, because both Suzuki and Alex had the will to continue together and a basic agreement for the continuation was already achieved months ago. So now that everything is done we can finally proudly announce it.”

Rins’ first year was marked by a severe injury at the beginning of the season, but he recovered strongly and didn’t take long to show his true potential with consistent races in the second half of the year. He built on his experience in 2018 to take his first MotoGP podium in Argentina with third place.

The 2019 season rightfully placed him among the top championship contenders, with consistent race results in the top five and two outstanding victories at the Americas GP and in Silverstone.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Alex Rins locks in Suzuki contract through 2022

Alex Rins extends contract with Suzuki MotoGP

Alex Rins joined Team Suzuki Ecstar in 2017, making his debut in the MotoGP class. His first year was marked by a severe injury at the beginning of the season, but Rins recovered strongly and didn’t take long to show his true potential with consistent races in the second half of the year. Alex built on his experience and continued his growth throughout 2018, this saw him take his first MotoGP podium in Argentina, with third place.

MotoGP Phillip Island Australia Race Rins Rossi

MotoGP Phillip Island Australia Race Rins Rossi

Alex Rins – Phillip Island 2019

Alex Rins

“My wish was to continue with Suzuki and finally this is what I did. I believe that the project has the potential to be a winning one, I have the desire to win, and so we match perfectly. It’s the perfect place for me, and we are working hard all together to get big results. I have always believed in the team and for this reason it was easy to get to the basic agreement very early on. Then we took some time to finalise the details and follow all the internal processes. Now we have to understand what’s going to happen with the 2020 season, we are ready to compete at the maximum level, as we already showed in the pre-season tests. In this very moment the whole world is facing an unexpected situation that affects pretty much all countries and we need to be patient and see how it evolves. We will make ourselves ready for when we will be called to start racing, whenever this will happen. Dorna is doing all they can to allow us to compete, but they are of course taking into account what matters most; the safety and health of people. We can only stay ready and wait to be told when we can start, and in the meantime focus on training.”

MotoGP Suzuki GSX RR

MotoGP Suzuki GSX RR

Alex Rins

The 2019 season rightfully placed him among the top Championship contenders, with consistent race results in the Top 5 and two outstanding victories: at the Texas GP and in Silverstone.

Davide Brivio

“We are very happy to confirm Alex Rins as a Factory Rider of Team Suzuki MotoGP for two more seasons; 2021 and 2022. With this agreement we take our relationship to 6 years, and we believe that this stability will prove positive for all of us. I must say that this agreement was just awaiting a ‘stamp’ on it, because both Suzuki and Alex had the will to continue together and a basic agreement for the continuation was already achieved months ago. So now that everything is done we can finally proudly announce it. As a team our aim is to keep the whole working group together and become even stronger, we had a fantastic end of the season last year and this is the starting point we want to rely on when we will be able to start racing again.”

MotoGP QatarTest Day Rins

MotoGP QatarTest Day Rins

Alex Rins during Qatar MotoGP Test in February, 2020

The 2020 pre-season tests showed great potential and a good level of feeling between Rins and the upgraded Suzuki GSX-RR, but the results are still to come due to the stand-by situation that is affecting the 2020 MotoGP World Championship.

Shinichi Sahara – Suzuki MotoGP Project Leader

“This renewal of two more years with Alex Rins makes me and Suzuki very proud because it represents a building block in our project to grow young riders and progress alongside them. With this extension, we have stayed with a young, talented, determined and fast rider like Alex for a total of 6 years, and this is exactly what we aimed for when we signed him the first time in 2017. He has grown a lot, and with him also his crew and the whole team has grown too. We’ve achieved podiums and victories, and I feel that the best is still yet to come. Unfortunately, the situation now doesn’t allow us to prove under race conditions all the progress that we’ve made or the results I believe we are capable of, but this Coronavirus situation is new for everyone and we need to adapt. For sure we are remaining upbeat, and this agreement confirms that we are always thinking of the future with optimism and positivity.”

MotoGP QatarTest Day Alex Rins

MotoGP QatarTest Day Alex Rins

Alex Rins
Source: MCNews.com.au

Watch wild Brazil motorcycle cop chase

A new video has emerged of motorcycle cop in a thrilling but highly dangerous motorcycle chase through the narrow streets and back alleys of Brazil.

The notorious police unit is called ROCAM which stands for Ronda Ostensiva com Apoio de Motocicletas in Portuguese and means “Ostensible Round with Motorcycle Support”.

The 7:36 minute video is a thrill a second, but like many similar ROCAM videos it has attracted a lot of negative comments about the dangers to the public of such police pursuits.

The video does not explain why police initiated the chase.

However, Brazil has high rates of violent crimes and is in the top 20 countries in the world for murder.

ROCAM is a group of select police deployed to fight drug and violent crime.

They work in groups of two and do specialised training every 15 days riding Yamaha and Honda motorcycles from 180cc up to the 647cc Honda Transalp.

The unit was formed in 1982 in Sao Paulo but there are now units all over Brazil.

Police 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 the pursuit is then deferred to a senior officer at the station or headquarters.

They have to make a quick judgement based on the lethal risk to the community of the chase 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.

Click her to read about a police and media pursuit that encouraged a motorcycle rider to perform stunts for the cameras.

Police pursuit pursuitsTV 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 CCTV and number plate recognition cameras, negate the need for pursuits, anyway.

* What do you think about police pursuits? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Top 10 motorcycles for college students

(Contributed post for our Indian college readers)

Who said that car is the best means of transportation? College students can make a choice in favor of motorbikes that provide the same speed and save you from traffic jams.

Top 10 motorbikes to consider in college

The time you spend in college is probably one of the brightest and enjoyable periods in your life. College is always about fun, parties, meeting new people, vacations, parties again and other entertainment stuff. Of course, you should not forget about studies as it is your primary goal and your future success depends on your academic performance. Being busy or lazy, you can always pay someone to do math homework or take care of your papers choosing a service based on essay writing service reviews.

However, college is the time when we are open up to discovering something new, look for adventures, burst with energy and have an urge to explore our opportunities. Here is when a two-wheeler can become a great companion in this journey due to its mobility and convenience.

Best bikes to afford in college

Delegating your assignments to reliable writing agencies that can be found looking through top essay services reviews (pay special attention to speedy paper reviews as one of the best in this field), you can devote your spare time to planning trips and increasing your popularity in college due to your new two-wheeler friend. Motorcycles are agile, convenient and very fast when it comes to speed so they can become a great solution for those who don’t like spending hours in traffic jams. Besides, they are light on pocket and can be affordable for an average college student. Just look at these models:

KTM 250 Duke and RC 250KTM 250 Duke and RC 250

  1. KTM 250 Duke. A lively and quick model, this bike comes with 24 Nm of torque and 248.8 liquid-cooled engine that allows you to handle confidently. This is a good choice if you buy a motorcycle for the first time;
  2. KTM RC 200. This model is designed specifically for those who want to become popular with the help of a motorbike. It looks gorgeous, has a perfect riding position and is also a great choice when it comes to paying off the bill. You can count on its 25.4 bhp power and 19.2 Nm torque;
  3. Yamaha YZF R 15. This is one of the most good-looking and affordable bikes when it comes to the combination of speed and money. Its version 3.0 comes with a 155 liquid-cooled engine, braking stability and 14.7 Nm torque which allows you to have an exciting ride;
  4. Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X. For a student’s budget, this model fits perfectly. Due to the blacked-out engine, it looks almost mean and aggressive and it is well contrasted with white and red colors on the fuel tank. It has assertive braking and air-cooled motor with 346cc;

    Jawa Classic Legends revivalJawa 42

  5. Jawa 42. A well-known Czech brand, Jawa is made in a neo-retro style with the matte paint scheme and complemented by the high quality with minimum chrome use. It is powered by 28 Nm torque and 293 cc engine;
  6. Bajaj Dominar 400. It is probably one of the most powerful motorcycles an average student can afford (at least, at the moment of publishing of this article). Compared to the previous models, it is not only more powerful and affordable but also faster and eats less fuel;
  7. Royal Enfield Classic 350. It can offer a loud exhaust, retro look, high quality and enjoyable rides based on the five-speed gearbox and 346 cc engine;

    Royal Enfield Classic 350Royal Enfield Classic 350

  8. Suzuki Gixxer SF. Say hello to this model as your future companion in adventures. Its design is based on older and more powerful models but it still looks good and is built with quality;
  9. Yamaha FZ-S FI (version 3.0). This model is often called the king of the streets and we are not exaggerating. The overall body of the motorcycle tells people about its power and speed and 12.8 Nm torque proves this statement;
  10. TVS Apache RTR 160 (version 4). This model can offer you enough speed without burning a hole in your wallet. It has an aggressive look and a powerful engine for all your college trips.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Riders divided over coronavirus tracing app

Freedom-loving motorcycle riders appear evenly divided about the planned coronavirus tracing app with slightly more than half saying they would download it.

The result comes from our quick online survey which attracted 228 respondents, 98% of which were in Australia.

Divided results

Our survey found 51% say they will download the app to help the health authorities trace people with COVID-19 and alert those who have had contact with them.

However, those who will download the app are also divided with 29% saying they would download it regardless.

The remainder ticked “maybe”.

When asked what conditions they would require before downloading, they were divided between fewer travel restrictions (82%) and privacy assurances (63%). Other inducements attracted negligible responses.

The result appears good news for the government which says it needs 40% take-up rate to be effective.

If more than half of the freedom-loving motorcycle riders in our survey say they will download the app, then the government may be on course to reach their desired take-up rate.

But they may need to offer assurances on privacy and may need to offer the inducement of fewer travel restrictions.

There has been talk that if the app doesn’t reach 40%, the government would make it mandatory, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to have quashed that notion.

Some of the other comments by respondents who said yes or maybe to downloading the app include: ability to remove the app; anonymity; time limited and displaying where infected individuals live

TraceTogether app

The app will be based on the Singapore TraceTogether app that has only had a 20% take-up rate.

Since the app development has not yet been completed, there are no details about how ours will vary from the Singapore app and how privacy would be protected.

For example, the Singapore app uses Bluetooth only, but there is talk that the Australian version will also use GPS tracking.

Facebook comments

Interestingly, the comments on our Facebook posts about the app had a substantially different result to our online poll.

Our two Facebook posts reached 4800 of our 20,000+ Facebook followers and attracted only 37 likes.

Of the 160+ comments, about 80% were against downloading the app, citing concerns about privacy and a government conspiracy.

Critics of Facebook may suggest this is an example of how social media attracts a skew of negative comments and conspiracy theorists.

Please note: This poll sampled n=223 Australian respondents which may not be representative of the wider Australian population at large.

If you would like the raw data from our survey, please send me an email and I will forward it to you.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Alex Rins and Suzuki extend their partnership for two years

Shinichi Sahara (Team Suzuki MotoGP Project Leader): “This renewal of two more years with Alex Rins makes me and Suzuki very proud because it represents a building block in our project to grow young riders and progress alongside them. With this extension, we have stayed with a young, talented, determined and fast rider like Alex for a total of 6 years, and this is exactly what we aimed for when we signed him the first time in 2017. He has grown a lot, and with him also his crew and the whole team has grown too. We’ve achieved podiums and victories, and I feel that the best is still yet to come. Unfortunately the situation now doesn’t allow us to prove under race conditions all the progress that we’ve made or the results I believe we are capable of, but this Coronavirus situation is new for everyone and we need to adapt. For sure we are remaining upbeat, and this agreement confirms that we are always thinking of the future with optimism and positivity.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Should COVID-19 fines link to income?

Should the COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) or on-the-spot fines be linked to your income as speeding fines are in some countries?

After all, a motorcyclist on a $15,000 bike who goes for a leisure ride risks copping the same on-the-spot fine under the Health Act as a rich driver in an expensive supercar.

The issue surfaced today when NSW Police issued a $1000 PIN to the driver of a McLaren 650S worth about $440,000.

This is how Police Media reported the incident:

Just after midnight, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command stopped a McLaren 650S travelling on Ward Avenue, Potts Point. The driver, a 43-year-old Fairfield man, told officers he was driving to Woolloomooloo to get petrol. After being warned, he informed officers driving is a form of exercise. The man and his 60-year-old passenger were each issued a $1000 PIN. The driver allegedly told police “do what you want mate, I don’t care. This $1000 fine won’t hurt with my $15 million.

Australia’s COVID-19 fines appear to be among the highest in the world, starting at $1000 in NSW.

In Italy, where more than 23,000 have died from coronavirus, the fine for disobeying a stay-at-home order is €200 (about $A340).

Consequently tens of thousands have copped fines.

That could be one of the reasons the spread is so rampant in Italy.

Linking these fines to income could be the answer.

Speeding fines linked to incomespeed camera radar speeding fines rich rich

Similarly, Australia’s speeding fines are among the highest in the world.

According to British website GoCompare, Australians rank sixth in the world with the highest fines and 10th in relation to their average wage.

Ours is supposed to be an egalitarian and fair society, but how can it be fair for a motorist on a low wage to pay the same fine as a millionaire?

The average Aussie speeding fine for 21km/h over the limit is $401. South Australia leads with $771 fine, followed by NSW ($472), Queensland ($435), Western Australia ($400), Victoria ($332) and Tasmania ($163).

Top 10 fines for speeding 20km/h+

  1. Norway $1028
  2. Iceland $750
  3. Estonia $626
  4. United Kingdom $595
  5. Sweden $412
  6. Australia $401
  7. Switzerland $362
  8. Israel $282
  9. Netherlands $278
  10. Canada $275

Rich cop higher fines cops speed speeding radar fast speed camera licence rich

Several countries, such as Britain, Finland and Switzerland, have a system where speeding fines are linked to their wages.

The UK has introduced a system where fines for excessive speeding have increased to 150% of their weekly income. It is capped at £1000 ($A1770), or £2500 ($A4435) if caught on a motorway.

After all, they argue that a rich pro footballer, celebrity or wealthy aristocrat would not be deterred by the average UK speeding fine of £188 ($A333).

Meanwhile, the UK has retained their minimum speeding fine of £100 ($A177) and motorists can chose to reduce that further by attending a speed awareness course.

Switzerland and Finland are much tougher on their rich speeders.

Finland uses a “day fine” system of half the offender’s daily disposable income with the percentage increasing according to their speed over the limit.

In 2002, former Nokia director Anssi Vanjoki copped a $A190,000 fine for riding his motorcycle 75km/h in a 50km/h zone.

But that’s not the world record speeding fine which was handed out in Switzerland in 2010 to a Swedish motorist caught driving at 290km/h.

He was fined 3600 Swiss francs per day for 300 days which worked out to almost $A1.5m.

Click here for our tips on riding in Europe.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com