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Why the disparity? For one, the challenges are different, from the obvious basics onwards. One example: a MotoGP™ bike reaches – for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) at least – up to 66 degrees of lean angle, which is a large operating window, whereas an F1 car’s maximum “lean” – unless you’ve crashed – is comparatively small and more momentary, such as skipping over a kerb.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Roberts is this year alongside rookie Marcos Ramirez, after the Spaniard finished the 2019 Moto3™ World Championship third in the standings. The 22-year-old battled to career first victories at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya and at Silverstone in 2019 and will now fight for the Rookie of the Year crown this season.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
News 19 Feb 2020
Section: Competition
Inconsistent terrain affects track flow according to current champion.
Image: Octopi Media.
Current Monster Energy Supercross champion Cooper Webb has labelled the sand section of Tampa as ‘kind of weird for Supercross’ after finishing second in the main event.
The extensive sand section which included a left-hand turn proved inconsistent for a wide number of riders throughout the first east coast round of 2020.
Red Bull KTM’s Webb said it was difficult to see when positioned behind riders in the heat of battle and that it somewhat disrupted the track’s flow, which made for added challenges during round seven.
“It was definitely something different and when you were behind it was definitely hard to see in that super-white sand,” Webb commented. “It seemed like in Tampa they did that in ’18, but it was tricky all day.
“It was easy to make mistakes, so a little different and it kinda took your flow away. Overall, it was kind of a weird section for Supercross.”
Webb remains third in the points as the midway point of the 17-round season looms, currently 11 points away from new red plate-holder Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) going into Arlington on Saturday.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Polaris has announced it will withdraw all ATV (quad bike) models from sale in the Australian market prior to October 2020 when stage one of the new Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 takes effect, with Honda and Yamaha previously stating they would also be forced to exit the market should they be adopted.
The new Standard takes effect in two stages in October 2020 and October 2021 respectively. While it already holds the required US or European standards for its ATVs and has the capability to comply with the testing and labelling required under stage one of the new Standard, Polaris has stated the process of complying is unviable in the rapidly reducing ATV market. It had already committed to withdrawing by October 2021 when fitment of Operator Protection Devices (OPD’s) became mandatory.
Polaris actively opposed the fitment of OPD’s as a standard, stating this position was due to the lack of reliable science or evidence to support the safety claims made of such devices, and also claiming that research indicates these devices may cause as many injuries as they prevent. Polaris will instead focus on the 30 models it offers with Roll Over Protection Structures (ROPS) which are already offered in the Australian market.
Alan Collins – Managing Director of Polaris Australia & New Zealand
“Over recent years the Australian off-road vehicle market has experienced record levels of transference as farmers transition en masse from quad bikes, to Side by Side vehicles. Polaris has led this transition with its industry-leading range of 30 vehicles with ROPS, and the market shift has been helped along in no small part by the safety rebates offered by SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria. Considering the vast contraction of the quad bike market over the past five years as customers flock to Side by Side vehicles with properly engineered ROPS and factory integrated safety technologies, Polaris maintains its view that the market itself would end up signalling the end for quad bikes over coming years anyway through sheer lack of demand driven by the availability, benefits and range of Side by Side vehicles.”
Alan Collins with the
Ranger 1000 EPS Premium Side by Side
“Polaris has publicly stated numerous times that we believed within 24 months the quad bike market would be minimal at best, as the market shift away from ATVs (quad bikes) and towards Side by Side products was in full force long before any government mandates or safety standards were enacted – obviously this shift will now accelerate even further over the coming two years as the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 takes effect.”
As it moves to exit the ATV market by October, Polaris’ has stated its focus going forward will be on ensuring Side by Sides are accessible and offer a strong value equation for customers, with models such as with the competitively priced entry-level Ranger 500 effectively replacing a quad.
Polaris will withdrawing all ATVs from sale by October 2020, including its current 50cc and 110cc Outlaw youth models, while the ROPS equipped youth range comprising the single-seat ACE 150, RZR 170 and Ranger 150 will continue to be offered, boasting features such as app-based speed control and geo-fencing.
Polaris and its dealers are already clearing the remaining stock of ATVs ahead of the October 2020 deadline, and have urged customers to get in quickly if they wish to get their hands on one of the last remaining Polaris ATVs in Australia.
Polaris ATVs will remain in production for the rest of the world’s markets and full product support for parts and warranty will continue in Australia for at least the next decade.
Source: MCNews.com.au
News 19 Feb 2020
Section: Competition
Factory Husqvarna rider set to don the number one plate this weekend.
Image: Foremost Media.
AORC champion Daniel Sanders believes his ongoing connection with newly-appointed Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team coordinator Ben Grabham will only benefit him as the 2020 season-opener approaches this weekend.
Sanders has worked with Grabham – who operates Grabbo’s Trail and Track away from his role with Husqvarna – as a riding coach in recent years, the former off-road great assisting him to the most successful season of his career in 2019.
“This year it’s good having Grabbo with what I’m doing in Australia,” Sanders explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “Especially with Finke – we’ll be off on our own there – but having him there for that, the AORC and A4DE, he’s probably the best secret weapon anyone can have.
“To have him there running the team, there’s no stress for me – I know everything’s going to be there every weekend and I don’t have to chase anything up myself.”
Sanders will don the number one plate when the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship launches this Saturday and Sunday at Toowoomba in Queensland.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Never mind coronavirus; the biggest epidemic seems to be reduced speed limits, especially on popular motorcycle roads around the country.
The latest is the reduction of speeds on the very open Wivenhoe-Somerset Rd (aka Splityard Creek Rd) which leads to Brisbane’s Holy Grail of riding, Mt Glorious.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson says the speed limit was reduced this month from 100km/h too 80km/h on the 22km stretch from Wivenhoe Pocket to Lake Wivenhoe.
“This is to improve safety for road users. This reduction followed a formal speed limit review which was endorsed by the Somerset Speed Management Committee,” they say.
“Speed limits are set following detailed engineering assessments which consider a range of factors including the road’s function, physical road environment and crash history.”
Speed limit on Wivenhoe-Somerset Rd
The change in speed limit is part of an epidemic that has hit the mountain in recent years with seeds plummeting as much as 40km/h in some places.
It follows a meeting last August by the Somerset Regional Council’s traffic and Safety Audit Committee which suggested a review of speeds for the lower section of the Northbrook Parkway which runs toward Mt Glorious from the western side.
The current speed is 80km/h, but police suggested it be dropped to 60km/h.
One officer said the stretch of road was “advertised as the top road race for motorcycle in Australia.
“There are online statistics for racing top to bottom and they post how fast they go,” the office told the meeting.
However, Motorcycle Advocacy Group spokesman David White says “nobody has found any online post times for races to date”.
A former TMR worker says the change in speed on the Wivenhoe-Somerset Rd is a “complete disgrace”.
“There is meant to be a scientific process that TMR and councils have to go through to determine the right speed limit on a road,” he says.
“It’s patently obvious to me that this scientific rigour is being bypassed in favour of hysterical residents and police.”
Mt Glorious is glorious if the roads are in good repair!
A rider concerned that the epidemic of speed reduction would include Northbrook Parkway has started a Change.com online petition.
However, TMR says there are “currently no proposed changes to the speed limit on Northbrook Parkway”.
“We reviewed the speed limit in late 2019 and determined the existing 80km/h is appropriate,” the spokesperson says.
TMR says that in November 2018, they released a new Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Part 4 Speed Controls, the first major revision of speed limit guidelines in Queensland since 2003.
“The engineering assessment methodology was revised to incorporate a safety assessment of road infrastructure,” the TMR spokesperson says.
“Key road features, such as road geometry, lane and shoulder width, and the presence of roadside hazards, have been found to significantly influence the likelihood and severity of crashes.
“These features are now specific factors in the speed limit review.
“The assessment also considers crash rates as an indicator of safety risk.
“When considering the balance between road safety and efficient travel, the recommended speed limits are the safest and most appropriate speeds for that location at the time of assessment.
“Where the safety risk is high, the review will likely recommend a lower speed limit to give road users more protection.”
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
News 19 Feb 2020
Section: Competition
Queenslander completes successful outing at Wakefield Park.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Yamaha Racing Team’s Aiden Wagner has indicated a thumb injury sustained at last month’s official ASBK test won’t be a hinderance for Phillip Island’s season-opener on 28 February-1 March, the Queenslander taking to Wakefield Park just two weeks after undergoing surgery.
Wagner, who was sidelined for majority of 2019 with a shoulder injury, completed a private test at the New South Wales venue aboard the 2020 Yamaha R1, revealing he didn’t experience any pain or discomfort while out on the bike.
“It’s feeling really good at the moment,” Wagner told CycleOnline.com.au. “I’m actually in the hyperbaric chamber at the minute as we speak, trying to do a bit of extra healing while I have the chance.
“It’s feeling good, the surgery went well and the swelling is going down – on the bike, I didn’t notice it all. It’s definitely on the way up.”
The 25-year-old offered the same feedback as teammate Cru Halliday on the updated 2020 R1, which the team rolled out for the first time in ASBK trim last week. A positive outing has resulted in the outfit electing to use the new Superbike from Phillip Island’s opening round.
“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and where the set-up would be, but immediately in the first few minutes, I had gelled with the bike,” he admitted.
“It felt really good, and the improvements Yamaha has made are noticeable – it’s a big leap forward from last year’s bike. The more we ride it, the stronger it’s going to become – I’m really happy with the package straight off the bat.”
Phillip Island’s round one will run alongside the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
BMW has secured a patent that turns the front wheel into a crumple zone similar to the safety feature built into cars for decades.
In the BMW Motorrad patent, the front wheel stays straight on impact, rather than deflecting, by means of a metal V-shaped unit mounted on the frame.
They claim this will add precious crumple zone centimetres before the rider impacts with the other vehicle or obstruction.
Crumple zones were developed and patented by Mercedes-Benz in 1952 and first installed in their 220 in 1959.
They are now in just about every vehicle on the road, except motorcycles.
But adding a heavy chunk of metal to a motorcycle – even if it is low down and will improve the centre of gravity – doesn’t seem like a smart idea.
It also only serves as protection in a head-on crash and we don’t see how it will stop the rider going over the handlebars, anyway.
Patent drawing
We’re not sure if BMW is serious about this. After all, BMW are kings of April 1 pranks, but this is a little too early for an April Fool’s Day joke.
BMW is also keen on patents and has applied for these just over the past couple of years:
None of these has yet gone into production.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
News 19 Feb 2020
Section: Competition
Rocky Mountain KTM team confirms he will be fit for round eight.
Image: Octopi Media.
Severe whiplash was the reason behind Blake Baggett sitting out the main event in Tampa’s seventh round of 2020 Monster Energy Supercross, still on-track to return this weekend in Arlington.
The Rocky Mountain KTM WPS rider was involved in a heavy multi-bike incident during the opening lap of heat two on the night, but still managed to transfer directly with an eighth-place result.
Baggett suffered from whiplash following the incident and the severity of muscle spasms and pain in his neck led to the decision of missing the 450SX final. He has since been cleared of any bone, ligament or tendon damage.
“We here at team Rocky Mountain KTM WPS are very pleased to let everyone know that team rider Blake Baggett will 100 percent be lining up for this upcoming weekend’s race in Dallas,” a statement from the team confirmed.
“This news comes just a few days after Baggett and his team made a last-minute decision to pull out from the Tampa main event, based upon the rider’s health after very harsh crash on lap one of the heat race. Upon crashing with another rider, Baggett himself was hit hard by the bike of a third rider, resulting in a severe case of whiplash.
“He would remount and put on an absolutely amazing comeback ride, earning a transfer spot and closing within less than two seconds from the sixth-place of [Jason] Anderson. Unfortunately upon returning to the team hauler after the race, Baggett’s neck and upper back muscles began to spasm and lock up from the whiplash.
“Within a 20-minute period and roughly 15 minutes of the 450 main event gate-drop, the muscle spasms and pain had rapidly escalated to a point where Blake could not even hold his head up. After trying everything within the team and Blake’s power, the team made a final decision that it would be both impossible for him to complete the race and not worth the risk of furthering injury.”
Ahead of this Saturday’s Triple Crown in Texas, Baggett now sits 10th in the standings. He was credited a single point for qualifying and scoring 22nd position, despite not actually starting the main event.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
News 19 Feb 2020
Section: Competition
Factory KTM rider hopeful motocross regular can battle for wins.
Image: Foremost Media.
Reigning E2 champion Daniel Milner has reacted to the high-profile arrival of Todd Waters in the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), the title-favourite hopeful the MX Nationals MX1 champion can challenge him for victories.
It was confirmed today that Waters will perform double-duties in 2020 following months of speculation, where details revealed he’ll contest the E2 category aboard a Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia-supported FE 450.
KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Milner believes Waters’ entering the off-road scene will offer the sport a boost, while he’s anticipating the former MXGP World Championship regular to be competitive from the beginning.
“To be honest, I think it’s awesome he’s coming over to race off-road,” Milner declared to MotoOnline.com.au. “In the past, we’ve gone over and done a lot of motocross, so to finally have a really high-profile motocross rider come over is awesome.
“He’ll be strong for sure – he’s one of those riders than can adapt to anything – he’s been over racing in Europe and America. He’s definitely going to be a strong competitor, and it will be sick if he can jump up to our pace straight away and run with myself and [Daniel] Sanders for the outright.
“If he can battle me for E2 wins, it will make it interesting. Having a new face who will be fast and competitive will help make our sport bigger and more enjoyable. I’m excited to have him there, and I have a lot of respect for him.”
The Australian Off-Road Championship kicks off this weekend at Toowoomba in Queensland.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
