Category Archives: Motorcycle News

Motorcycle sales up, but shares slump

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Shares in Australia’s biggest motorcycle dealership conglomerate, MotorCycle Holdings, reports increase revenue and bike sales, yet shares have dropped 13.7% to a six-month low.

MotorCycle Holdings, which owns TeamMoto dealerships among others and Cassons accessories, released its six-month results showing new motorcycle sales were up 1% while the total Australian new bike/ATV/scooter market fell 6.1% last year.

The report says their used bike sales were up 6.2% compared with the same period in 2019 and overall sales of new and used were up 3.5%.

Acquisitions

CEO David Ahmet says the company strategy is “growth through acquisitions and diversification”.

Last month, the company acquired rights to sell Indian motorcycles in six of its dealerships: Springwood in Brisbane, Nerang on the Gold Coast, Penrith and Auburn in western Sydney, and Keilor East and Dandenong in Melbourne.

It follows the announcement in January that Indian Motorcycle would close its factory owned dealerships in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth this year. A statement on a dealer to replace their Perth store is expected to be made “in the near future”.

MotorCycle Holdings also bought two dealerships in late 2019 which are claimed to be “outperforming expectations”.

The company now has 48 franchises operated from 31 dealerships and eight retail accessory locations in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and The Australian Capital Territory.

No interim dividend has been declared so the company can “take advantage of any acquisition opportunities that may arise”.

Shares slump

Motorcycle Holdings share price history

MotorCycle Holdings went public in 2016 at about $2.50 a share, reached a peak of $5.22 at the end of 2017 and hit a record low of around $1.25 in May last year.

The Indian announcement bumped the share price about 5c to $1.80.

However, it is now down to $1.50, despite a 31% increase in revenue to $178.2m.

Apart from the impact of bushfires and coronavirus, the problem seems to be that net profit after tax is now $4.8m for the half year compared with $5.2m for the 2019 comparative six months.

Ahmet says the overall new motorcycle market is beginning to stabilise.

However, January sales figures have actually dropped -10.2% on January 2019.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Dunlop on Ducati V4 R for 2020 IOM TT

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Michael Dunlop on Ducati

Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) has confirmed 19-times TT winner Michael Dunlop will race one of the team’s VisionTrack Ducatis at the Isle of Man TT Races this year, with the 30-year-old from Ballymoney in County Antrim signing a deal to race a factory-supported VisionTrack Ducati V4 R in both the Superbike and Senior races at this year’s festival.

Dunlop didn’t enjoy the best of TTs in 2019, but despite finishing in the top six in the Superbike, Senior, Superstock and both Supersport events, he did win the Lightweight TT to add to his tally as the third most successful rider around the 37.73-mile course.

Michael Dunlop on the VisionTrack Ducati in testing

He will race his own machines in the Supersport and Superstock events but seven times BSB champions PBM will field the Ulsterman in the two main races as they look to add to their illustrious TT history.

The last time the Penrith-based team contested the Isle of Man TT Races was in 2015 when Ian Hutchinson scored a second in the Superbike TT and a third in the Senior TT as well as winning the Superstock TT race, all aboard PBM Kawasakis, to celebrate the team’s first major foray onto the Isle of Man for 12 years.

That success came after PBM previously contested the event with Ducati in 2003 when John McGuinness took second in the TT Formula 1 race and third in the Senior TT riding the MonsterMob-sponsored bikes.

Prior to that, Joey Dunlop – Michael’s uncle – famously won his last big bike TT for Paul Bird when he took victory in the 2000 TT Formula 1 race onboard a Demon Vimto Honda SP1, just a month before he was tragically killed in a race in Estonia.

PBM and Michael have worked together before when they prepared a Kawasaki ZX-10R for him to win the 2011 Superstock TT. Ducati’s current quickest lap at the TT is 128.717mph by Michael Rutter in 2011.

Michael Dunlop

Michael, who rode the machine for the first time at the official BSB test in Jerez, will also race the PBM-prepared VisionTrack Ducati at the 2020 International North West 200 in Northern Ireland during the week commencing Monday 11th May.

Meanwhile, regular Bennetts BSB riders Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon are continuing their Spanish pre-season schedule at Jerez today and tomorrow. The VisionTrack Ducati pairing were at the cutting edge of last week’s tests at Monteblanco, setting first and second fastest times on day one before ending day two with Australian Brookes second fastest and new signing Iddon in eighth.

Josh Brookes
Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

Is ABS the saviour safety experts suggest?

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Despite its much-lauded safety benefits, ABS may not be your saviour in a motorcycle crash because many riders don’t have time to even use their brakes before crashing.

That is one of the startling findings of a real-world global report called The Dynamics Of Motorcycle Crashes : A Global Survey of 1578 Motorcyclists.

Written by motorcycle-riding road safety researchers, it collected feedback from 1578 riders in 30 countries, with 126 from Australia, who had all crashed in the past 10 years.

Click here to read more about their findings including that speed is not related to the severity of crashes.

ABS a saviour?

The study found that more than a third of the riders surveyed did not use their brakes, “whether they just did not have time or were unable to because of the circumstances”.

“How this can be addressed is relevant to the fact that in this study a third of the motorcycles were equipped with Advanced Braking Systems while 12% had traction control,” the study found.

The study questions the value of such technology in a crash scenario, considering that the perception/reaction time of the rider/driver is between 0.75 and 1.5 seconds.

“The assumption that technology will save the day may miss the obvious fact that what matters in an emergency situation, is the rider him/herself and his/her ability to control the technology.”

The study does not dispute that ABS could be a saviour when used, only that brakes are not used in many situations.

“ABS can and does make a difference,” says one of the authors, UK Motorcycle Research Analyst Elaine Hardy.

However, it seems training on the correct use of brakes, particularly with ABS, may be a contributing factor.

Interestingly, it found 37% of riders who crashed with ABS on their bikes went over the handlebars, probably because ABS stops the wheels locking and causing a low-side.

This research expands on a pilot 2016/17 study based on a survey of motorcyclists whose motorcycles were fitted with ABS.

Again, this research involved analysis of feedback from riders involved in crashes, rather than academia simply sifting through statistics.

ABS being demonstrated

ABS criticism

Critics of ABS claim it gives riders a false sense of security that the technology will be their saviour in a crash.

Others say they can brake over shorter distances without ABS, especially slippery surfaces such as gravel and wet roads.

Many modern motorcycles with ABS have a feature to disable ABS.

In 2016, university safety researcher Ross Blackman criticised a VicRoads brochure that stated: “A motorcycle with ABS enhances your riding skills and techniques by preventing the wheels from locking, skidding and sliding under.”

However, no technology makes you a better rider. It only helps compensate for poor skills or in emergencies.

Even then it has no effect if you don’t use your brakes or know how to use it properly.

ABS mandatory

From November 2019, all new motorcycle models sold in Australia over 125cc must have ABS, while bikes with lower engine capacities must have either combined brakes systems (CBS) or ABS.

All previous generation motorcycles sold in Australia must have ABS by 2021. Enduro and trials bikes are exempt.

The Federal Government declared that ABS can reduce motorcycle-related road trauma by more than 30%.

However, that referred to very early estimates of ABS effectiveness in cars more than 10 years ago.

In 2009, an American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that ABS in cars significantly reduced injury crashes but had “close to zero overall effect on fatal crashes”.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Navarro tops Qatar Moto2 Test | Remy Gardner third

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

2020 MotoGP – Qatar Moto2/Moto3 Test

The final day of the Moto2 and Moto3 Test at Losail International Circuit is done, with Jorge Navarro going fastest in the intermediate class and the lightweight class ending in a dead heat as both Ai Ogura and Filip Salač set the exact same laptime.

Jorge Navarro – 2020 Moto2 Test Qatar

Moto2

In Moto2, Jorge Navarro pulled a tenth and a half clear of Remy Gardner on his ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team mount, as both continued to flex their 2020 pace. Fabio Di Giannantonio moved up into third as Speed Up chassis impressed once again on Sunday.

Marcel Schrötter – 2020 Moto2 Test Qatar

Most of the fast laps came late in the day, with the top 16 setting their quickest laps in Session 9. Marcel Schrötter was next up behind the top three as he made the most of his time attack, with Enea Bastianini completing the top five to do the same.

Sixth was another impressive performance from rookie superstar Aron Canet as the Aspar Team got their hands on the new Speed Up fairing, although teammate Hafizh Syahrin sent it down the road.

Remy Gardner was second overall for the final day, and sat third on the combined timesheets

Luca Marini was seventh, with Xavi Vierge, Lorenzo Baldassarri and Nicolo Bulega completing the top ten.

Moto3 Combined

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	Jorge NAVARRO	SPEED UP	1m58.520
2	Jorge MARTIN	KALEX	+0.135
3	Remy GARDNER	KALEX	+0.144
4	Fabio DI GIANNANTON	SPEED UP	+0.311
5	Marcel SCHROTTER	KALEX	+0.408
6	Enea BASTIANINI	KALEX	+0.433
7	Aron CANET	SPEED UP	+0.540
8	Nicolo BULEGA	KALEX	+0.542
9	Joe ROBERTS	KALEX	+0.546
10	Luca MARINI	KALEX	+0.552
11	Xavi VIERGE	KALEX	+0.572
12	Lorenzo BALDASARRI	KALEX	+0.609
13	Thomas LUTHI	KALEX	+0.735
14	Edgar PONS	KALEX	+0.826
15	Hafizh SYAHRIN	SPEED UP	+0.857
16	Bo BENDSNEYDER	NTS	+0.860
17	Marco BEZZECCHI	KALEX	+0.870
18	Tetsuta NAGASHIMA	KALEX	+0.948
19	Hector GARZO	KALEX	+1.025
20	Somkiat CHANTRA	KALEX	+1.036
21	Augusto FERNANDEZ	KALEX	+1.109
22	Stefano MANZI	MV AGUSTA	+1.218
23	Marcos RAMIREZ	KALEX	+1.244
24	Lorenzo DALLA PORTA	KALEX	+1.365
25	Jesko RAFFIN	NTS	+1.394
26	Simone CORSI	MV AGUSTA	+1.462
27	Jake DIXON	KALEX	+1.610
28	Andi FARID IZDIHAR	KALEX	+2.175

Moto3

In Moto3, Ai Ogura, who was fastest in Jerez, ends the test with an identical laptime to Salač, who was fastest on Saturday, as the timesheets tightened up. Tony Arbolino was third quickest, only 0.024 back, with Tatsuki Suzuki completing a top four split by only 0.036.

Filip Salac – 2020 Moto3 Test Qatar

It was almost a mock qualifying session to end the test, with many of the riders’ fastest laptimes set late on – but wind catching a few out, including Andrea Migno. But there was no big drama, and the stage is now set for the season opener.

Behind the incredibly tight top four, John McPhee took P5 as the veteran Scot once again showed good pace, with Albert Arenas and Raul Fernandez next up – and Arenas once again fastest KTM, with the same man on his tail. Dennis Foggia was eighth quickest, ahead of compatriot Celestino Vietti. Deniz Öncü once again completed the top ten and was the fastest rookie.

Ai Ogura – 2020 Moto3 Test Qatar

Moto3 Combined

Pos	Rider	Motorcycle	Time/Gap
1	Filip SALAC	HONDA	2m04.892
2	Ai OGURA	HONDA	+0.519
3	Tony ARBOLINO	HONDA	+0.543
4	Tatsuki SUZUKI	HONDA	+0.555
5	Dennis FOGGIA	HONDA	+0.585
6	Gabriel RODRIGO	HONDA	+0.595
7	Jaume MASIA	HONDA	+0.648
8	John McPHEE	HONDA	+0.744
9	Albert ARENAS	KTM	+0.791
10	Raul FERNANDEZ	KTM	+0.906
11	Sergio GARCIA	HONDA	+1.036
12	Deniz ONCU	KTM	+1.045
13	Celestino VIETTI	KTM	+1.066
14	Kaito TOBA	KTM	+1.219
15	Jeremy ALCOBA	HONDA	+1.319
16	Yuki KUNII	HONDA	+1.326
17	Romano FENATI	HUSQVARNA	+1.338
18	Darryn BINDER	KTM	+1.395
19	Alonso LOPEZ	HUSQVARNA	+1.418
20	Andrea MIGNO	KTM	+1.496
21	Ayumu SASAKI	KTM	+1.498
22	Davide PIZZOLI	KTM	+1.654
23	Niccolo ANTONELLI	HONDA	+1.665
24	Khairul Idham PAWI	HONDA	+1.681
25	Stefano NEPA	KTM	+1.894
26	Carlos TATAY	KTM	+1.901
27	Riccardo ROSSI	KTM	+1.910
28	Jason DUPASQUIER	KTM	+1.966
29	Ryusei YAMANAKA	HONDA	+1.969
30	Maximilian KOFLER	KTM	+2.457
31	Dirk GEIGER	KTM	+3.351

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Quarantine cancels MotoGP season opener

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

MotoGP class cancelled at the Grand Prix of Qatar

Due to Qatar travel restrictions brought into force affecting passengers from Italy and other countries, the premier MotoGP class will not race at Losail, with FIM, IRTA and Dorna making the announcement of the cancellation of all MotoGP class sessions, including the race.

All passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past two weeks, were being taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Italy’s vital role in the Championship and in the MotoGP class – both on track and off – meant the decision was made to cancel premier class competition.

Losail, Qatar

As the teams and riders of the Moto2 and Moto3 classes are already in Qatar for the three-day official test at Losail International Circuit earlier this week, the races of both categories will go ahead. The lightweight and intermediate classes will therefore compete in their season opener from the March 6-8. The same will apply to the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, which will have two races during the Qatar Grand Prix as originally planned. A revised schedule will be released soon.

Team Suzuki Ecstar shared they are naturally disappointed not to race but agree with the decision which was not taken lightly by the officials.

Davide Brivio – Team Suzuki Ecstar Team Manager

“Obviously It’s a big shame to have to cancel this first race of the season, as we were all really ready to start, and so were the MotoGP fans. Some of our team staff stayed in Qatar following the test days, as we were aware of the seriousness of the outbreak. But at this time the most important thing is the safety of the people, and we have to respect the decision made by the local authorities and by the MotoGP officials. It’s a delicate and strange time for everyone around the world and we need to take things race-by-race at the moment and see what develops in the coming weeks. I’d like to wish good luck to those riding in Moto2 and Moto3 next weekend, and I hope we can be back on the track soon.”

Davide Brivio
Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

5 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer After an Accident

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

(Contributed post for our North American readers)

There’s nothing better than cruising down the open road with nothing between you and the asphalt but your bike. The thrill is part of the fun. Unfortunately, the lack of protection also adds to the potential for injury in the case of a wreck.

If you get in a motorcycle crash, you may be uncertain whether or not to hire legal help. In many instances, where there’s only slight property damage, the case will be handled by the insurance companies, and you don’t have to worry about hiring an attorney. However, sometimes, you should have someone who is in a better position to handle your claim.

It’s best to be prepared and know how to proceed if something does happen. In this article, we’ll go over five reasons you might want to have a lawyer on your side after an accident.

The Accident Resulted in Severe Injuries

Motorcyclists face severe injuries and even death in the instance of a crash. According to a post on the site for Diamond and Diamond Lawyers, “motorcyclists account for a disproportionate amount of catastrophic injuries sustained on roads and highways.”

If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, a lawyer would be able to help you fight for your claim. In some cases, insurance adjusters will deny your request or rush a settlement in order to save money. If this is the case, you might be missing out on fair and fit compensation for the damages that you accrue as a result of the accident.

An attorney has an understanding of your legal rights and can negotiate on your behalf. They will identify the amount of compensation that you deserve.

The Insurance Company Is Using Unfair Tactics

An insurance company will possibly use tactics to reduce the amount of money that they owe you. These bad practices include fighting over medical costs or trying to prove that an injury was related to a preexisting condition rather than the accident in question.

A company may also offer you a low settlement directly after the accident. Even if you think that the offer sounds fair, its best to consult with a lawyer to make sure that you’re expecting the right amount.

Your Claim Has Been Denied

In some cases, the company may deny your claim. Insurance plans are designed to be complicated so that consumers can’t easily understand the terms. At times, you may feel as if you’re at the mercy of your agent, but the truth is, they aren’t always looking out for your best interest.

There are state and federal laws designed to protect consumers. A motorcycle lawyer will take a comprehensive look at your case and the relevant legislation and ensure that you’re given a chance to fight your denied claim.

One Party Bears Fault

In some cases, more than one party could bear fault. Each state has different laws surrounding fault in auto accidents, and you may want an attorney to help you cut through the red tape. Lawyers can help you identify which party to contact for compensation and negotiate on your behalf.

You Have Legal Questions

Getting in a motorcycle accident is horrifying. Even if you walked away without serious injuries, it’s easy to get shaken up and to feel lost in the midst of all of the insurance claims. Most people aren’t familiar with the intricate nuances of motorcycle laws and insurance policies. A lawyer will help you with any query you might have after the accident.

The Verdict

An experienced motorcycle lawyer takes over the burden of negotiating from you. By hiring legal assistance, you won’t have to worry that you’re being taken advantage of by the insurance company. You can value your claim and fight for the compensation that you deserve.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

MotoGP™ Class cancelled at the Grand Prix of Qatar

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has resulted in Qatar travel restrictions being brought into force that affect passengers from Italy, amongst other countries. As of today, all passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past 2 weeks, will be taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Italy clearly plays a vital role in the Championship and in the MotoGP class – both on track and off – and therefore the decision has been taken to cancel premier class competition.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes will race in Qatar

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Navarro back on top as Moto2™ testing concludes

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Sixth was another impressive performance from rookie superstar Aron Canet (Aspar Team) as the Aspar Team got their hands on the new Speed Up fairing, although teammate Hafizh Syahrin sent it down the road. Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) was seventh, with Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) and Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) completing the top ten.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, News

Ogura and Salač end Sunday in a dead heat

March 1, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

The final preseason test for Moto3™ is now complete, and it’s interesting reading at the top: Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia), who was fastest in Jerez, ends the test with an identical laptime to Filip Salač (Rivacold Snipers Team) as the timesheets tightened up. Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) was third quickest, only 0.024 back, with Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing a top four split by only 0.036.

Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here

MotorCycle News

Category Archives: Motorcycle News

Motorcycle sales up, but shares slump

Acquisitions

Shares slump

Dunlop on Ducati V4 R for 2020 IOM TT

Michael Dunlop on Ducati

Is ABS the saviour safety experts suggest?

ABS a saviour?

ABS criticism

ABS mandatory