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Tomac emerges with Washougal Pro Motocross victory

News 29 Jul 2019

Tomac emerges with Washougal Pro Motocross victory

Ferrandis edges Cianciarulo for 250MX overall victory.

Image: Supplied.

Reigning champion Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) emerged with the overall victory at Washougal’s ninth round of the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

The number one dominated the day with a perfect 1-1 scorecard, making a hard pass on Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) in the final encounter to earn top honours.

Roczen was second overall and was joined on the podium by Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), as Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) locked out the top five.

In the 250MX category, Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Star Racing) got the better of points leader Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) to seal the overall, as Justin Copper (Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Star Racing) completed the podium.

Fourth and fifth were awarded to Michael Mosiman (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Chase Sexton (Geico Honda). The Pro Motocross Championship now heads to Unadilla in two weeks’ time for round 10.

Detailed results


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

5 Best Security Gadgets for Your Motorbike

(Sponsored post on bike security for our North American readers)

Motorbikes are excellent travel options for those who cherish adventurous trips on and off the road. Moreover, it is one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to beat heavy traffic in highly populated cities. Therefore, your motorbike is an investment that you need to protect against criminals who target to take this asset away from you.

In the recent past, bike theft has been on the rise with thousands of bikes stolen in the US every year. Even though there are ways to track vehicle history to prevent buyers from buying stolen motorbikes, most of the stolen bikes are never recovered. Thieves will quickly piece out the bike and sell the parts or reassemble it on a different frame. In this article, we have compiled 5 best security gadgets to help you secure your motorbike.

Aldi motorcycle cover Aldi annual sale securityMotorcycle Cover

Thieves do not steal any motorbike; they usually spy around to identify particular models to go for. Keeping a cover on your bike hides most of the important details that the criminals could be looking for, thus making it a less attractive target. Besides, there is a time-consuming hindrance for the thief. Though the cover is a basic accessory to keep your scrambler in good condition, it also provides security benefits.

Motorcycle Anti-Theft Lock and Alarm

A bike lock is one of the most effective preventive gadgets, making the job of a thief more risky and harder. However, with the right tools and techniques can break any lock or even carried in a track but using a strong lock along with other security device or mechanism is a great way to secure your bike. Some of the recommended anti-theft lock devices include:

Fork (Steering) Lock – This makes it impossible to steer the motorbike, so the thief cannot wheel it away.

Disc Lock – A small type of motorcycle lock fitted on the brake rotor to prevent the wheel from turning.

Digital Smart Locks – It can either be the steering or the disc lock that integrates it with the alarm system. Whenever a thief tries to break the lock, it activates the alarm scaring away the thief. Some smart locks in the market like Lock8 have a Bluetooth feature, which detects when you are away from the bike and automatically activates the alarm. Additionally, the device has a motion-sensing feature that activates the alarm when it detects motion. Some even have mobile apps that will alert you when the alarm starts.

Lock theft thief stolen steal clever steal security

Kill/Stop Switch

A motorcycle kill switch disables the connection to the ignition circuit stopping the bike from starting even if the thief has keys. Not even hot-wiring will start the machine. However, some criminals know how to flip the kill switch and can easily wheel away with the bike. Hiding the kill switch is an extra step to help you prevent theft of your motorbike.

Motorcycle Chain/ Cable

Some intelligent thieves have the techniques and powerful tools to break the steering or disc lock to escape with your machine. Combining the lock with a chain or cable enhances the security of the bike, making it harder to steal. The best way to use the chain/cable lock is on the back wheel as the front can be easily removed. Additionally, it is advisable to anchor the chain on an immovable object such as a street lamppost. You may also chain through the back wheel and the bike frame.

Motorbike GPS Tracking Device

Though the above gadgets can prevent bike theft, it is never a 100% guarantee. A GPS tracking device does little to nothing in preventing your ride from being stolen. However, it is a clever investment to help you recover your scrambler in the event it is stolen. Mostly the GPS tracker is attached in a hidden part on the bike. The device transmits the live location and other details about the bike such as movement and speed to a service which you can track online from a web-based or mobile app.

Summary

Losing a valuable possession like a motorbike can be a painful experience for anyone. While the unexpected may happen to you at any time, investing in advanced bike anti-theft gadgets can save you from this pain. Other bike safety measures include removing the keys from the ignition even when you are a few metres away from the bike, locking it in your home garage and parking within your sight whenever possible.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Moree MX Nationals curtailed early but some races run

2019 Pirelli MX Nationals

Round Eight – Moree

Images by Bella Maurer

Thor MX1 Report

Kirk Gibbs won Superpole ahead of the opening MX1 moto but due to incidents in the previous MXD moto, riders were pulled back from the gates as organisers chose to instead delay the start of the MX1 moto and head to an early lunch break instead.

MX Nationals Rnd Moree MX Pro class
MX1 450 Start – 2019 MX Nationals – Round 8, Moree

Hayden Mellross carried some injuries into the opening MX1 moto and it was clear from the outset that those knee problems were causing him issues, and likely ruining his championship chances. Heading to Moree Luke Clout held an 11-point lead over Mellross, who in-turn had three-points over Todd Waters.

Kirk Gibbs had been effectively ruled out of the championship chase due to his problems earlier in the season but that had not dented any of his drive for race wins.  A much better middle part of the season has pushed Gibbs forward into fourth place but it would still take not only amazing rides for Gibbs over the remaining races of the season, but probably also some significant misfortunes for the leading trio, for the rider to improve on that placing.

MX Nationals Rnd Moree Kirk Gibbs
Kirk Gibbs – 2019 MX Nationals – Round 8, Moree

Once racing recommenced, Gibbs capitalised on his pole position to break away to an early lead over Todd Waters and that pair quickly started to march away from third placed Brett Metcalfe and Dylan Long. The order remained static until late in the race when Waters squeezed past Gibbs and then pulled away to take a clear victory.

What unfolded ahead of the next race for the premier classes was something we saw once before at a road race meeting. The rough Moree circuit had taken its toll, with 12 riders already sent off to the local hospital, which saw the hospital administration declare that they were not in a position to take any more urgent patients. 

MX Nationals Rnd Moree st Todd Waters nd Kirk Gibbs Brett Metcalfe x MX Pro class
MX1 450 Podium – 1) Todd Waters, 2) Kirk Gibbs, 3) Brett Metcalfe – 2019 MX Nationals – Round 8, Moree

Thus organisers were left no choice but to call it a day, and Todd Waters will take the red plate to the championship finale, with a two-point buffer over Luke Clout. 

As it stands Todd Waters leads Luke Clout in the Thor MX1 class on 422-points to 420, with Hayden Mellross a further 12-points behind Clout on 408. Kirk Gibbs is a distant fourth with a 61-point gap to third placed Mellross, while Brett Metcalfe holds fifth on 323-points.

The 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals will reconvene next weekend at Coolum for the final double-header round that will decide who will wear the championship crowns, with Waters, Clout and Mellross all in the mix, with Kirk Gibbs holding an outside chance of breaking into the top three. 

Thor MX1 Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Male rider dies in Sunday crash on Mt Glorious

A motorcyclist out for a Sunday ride on his favourite local mountain road has died in a crash.

The 34-year-old male rider from Middle Park was enjoying a Sunday ride on Mt Glorious (pictured above) Brisbane’s favourite motorcycling road, at 8.27am today when he “lost control and struck a tree”, police say.

The incident happened on Mt Glorious Road, about one kilometre west of the township.

Emergency services responded to the incident and pronounced the man dead at the scene.

“Passing motorists stopped and rendered assistance and first aid until the arrival of police and emergency services,” police say.

Emergency treatment was provided, however the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Police delayed releasing information until the rider’s family had been contacted.

Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Quote this reference number: QP1901452523

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Moree Hospital overload causes early MX Nationals cancellation

Image: Foremost Media.

The penultimate stop of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals calendar at Moree has been called early following the opening motos due to the current lack of medical services available in the area.

The opening MX1, MX2 and MXD motos had been contested with a share of incidents throughout, however, local demands in the region have attributed to the overload.

Those circumstances have prompted championship organisers to make the decision of cancelling the remainder of the round in regional New South Wales.

“Unfortunately being out in regional New South Wales this weekend, it’s not a very big hospital and their demand around the community increased today so they have unfortunately run out of beds,” Williams Event Management’s Kevin Williams commented.

“We have an ambulance sitting here, but their ability at the hospital to provide further medical services in the need of an emergency is almost at zero – it could be up to a two or three-hour wait. We’re not prepared to put any competitor’s life at that risk.

“It was a no-brainer because all of the championship races have done one moto, so everybody is leaving here for the rest of the afternoon safe and we’re not got to put anybody’s well-being at risk by not being able to provide the level of services that we expect to have everywhere.”

It’s the second time this season that a round has been cut short, as Appin’s opening event was called following the first motos due to the torrential rain on that occasion.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Waters charges to Moree MX Nationals opening moto win

News 28 Jul 2019

Waters charges to Moree MX Nationals opening moto win

First MX2 moto to Crawford as Duffy increases advantage in MXD.

Image: Foremost Media.

DPH Motorsport Husqvarna’s Todd Waters claimed a decisive win in Thor MX1 moto one at Moree’s eighth round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals.

Waters chased down Super Pole winner Kirk Gibbs (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) to take charge in the latter stages, which was a vital result for his title challenge.

Behind Waters and Gibbs, South Australian Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing) was third, directly ahead of Dylan Long (Empire Kawasaki) as Richie Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) put forward a strong performance for fifth on the rutty, technical layout.

Places sixth through 10th were completed by Caleb Ward (Davey Motorsports KTM), Connor Tierney (Yamaha), American Justin Rodbell (KSF Racing Suzuki), red plate-holder Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) and Lawson Bopping (Empire Kawasaki).

Clout was forced to recover from an early incident, while more importantly, Raceline KTM Thor’s Hayden Mellross had to settle for 11th after sustaining a knee injury in practice this morning. Another top rider, Jayden Rykers (Suzuki) crashed out in the early stages.

Image: Foremost Media.

The opening Pirelli MX2 sprint race saw Dylan Wills (Davey Motorsports KTM) holeshot and go on to win for the first time in 12 months.

Wills managed to remain out front for the duration, topping Nathan Crawford (Serco Yamaha) and Isaac Ferguson (Davey Motorsports KTM), Aaron Tanti (Serco Yamaha) and Joel Evans (Husqvarna).

Disaster struck Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), who went down on lap one in the sand section while running second and then he was collected by defending champion Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna). Todd crossed the line seventh and Wilson was 12th, one position ahead Kyle Webster (Penrite CRF Honda Racing) in P13.

Sprint two was won by Crawford in a continuation of his recent form ahead of Todd and Wilson, with Tanti and Wills completing the top five. Combined, Crawford took top points from Wills, Todd, Tanti, Wilson, Evans, Cooper Pozniak (KTM), Luke Reardon (Yamaha), Webster and Riley Ward (Davey Motorsports KTM).

Image: Foremost Media.

Moto one of the Motul MXD class was marred by multiple incidents that caused a delay for the opening MX1 moto, however it was series leader Regan Duffy (Raceline KTM Thor) who took the win.

Duffy won ahead of Brodie Ellis (Yamaha), who in turn was a couple of seconds up on New Zealander Maximus Purvis (WBR Yamaha) to complete the top three. In fourth position was Tye Jones (Husqvarna), followed by Jai Walker (KTM).

Detailed results

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Loncin to produce 350-500cc models for MV Agusta

MV Agusta & Loncin enter strategic partnership


Italian manufacturer MV Agusta and the Chinese Loncin Motor Co. have entered a long term strategic partnership agreement that has, as a base, the development of an all new family of MV Agusta products in the 350-500cc displacement.

The vehicles, completely designed by MV Agusta to occupy a premium tier of the high growth lower and mid-capacity market, will be industrialised together with Loncin, who are a market leader in the production of motorcycles in Asia. 

MV Agusta Superveloce RHF
Loncin partners with MV Agusta to produce a 350-500cc model range, as well as an 800cc premium machine for VOGE

MV Agusta have stated that the new four-model family will embody the unique MV Agusta DNA, sound and vehicle dynamics to spark a strong connection with all the new riders.

This strategic alliance enables MV Agusta to enlarge its current product portfolio, while meeting an objective to also increase sales globally, specifically expanding access into Asia through the partnership with Loncin Motor Co.

The collaboration marks a significant progress towards a major pillar in the MV Agusta growth plan, with the company’s objective to expand access of the MV Agusta brand and driving sales – both of the new, smaller displacement motorcycles and of the current MV Agusta product range of 675, 800 and 1000cc machinery.

These smaller and more accessible MV Agusta motorcycles will be available for sale in MV Agusta dealerships by the end of 2021.

MV Agusta F Claudio
The new model range is expected in 2021

MV Agusta and Loncin also announced that their partnership will not be limited to the development of the new family of products in the 350-500cc range. It also includes MV Agusta assisting Loncin into entering the premium segment market with a premium range of 800cc models.

Through CRC, its state of the art design and engineering center, MV Agusta will develop an entirely new family of products for VOGE, Loncin’s premium high-end brand. The family of VOGE products will target the mid- and large-capacity market through sharing technology and engineering with MV Agusta.

Mr. Yong Gao – President of Loncin

“The conclusion of the strategic agreement is conducive to Loncin’s and MV Agusta’s joint response to the changes in global market demand and to the coordinated development of both sides. Loncin will use advanced manufacturing resources and Chinese market knowledge to help MV Agusta expand its product line and enhance product competitiveness. MV Agusta’s technology and advanced design experience of high performance motorcycles will support Loncin’s “VOGE” brand in becoming the market leader of premium motorcycles in China. I am looking forward to our strategic cooperation based on the principles of mutual benefit and success.”

MV Agusta LONCIN
Yong Gao, President of Loncin and Timur Sardarov CEO of MV Agusta
Timur Sardarov – CEO of MV Agusta Motor

“This strategic alliance is an important step to consolidate our vision for the future of MV Agusta. Our target is to reaffirm our leadership in the production of upper-premium motorcycles, while also enlarging our customer base by offering a broader range of products without compromising our distinctive design and performance. We are looking forward to grow with the right partners and the right products, making sure that our clients enjoy the larger choice of models, all of which share the same DNA and MV Agusta pedigree.”

Source: MCNews.com.au

New Yamalube Synthetic Engine Oils 2019

Both synthetic oils are said to offer excellent thermal stability for optimum protection. Yamalube’s Hi-Performance oil ($10.99 per quart) gets the JASO MA classification, while the GP Racing Spec oil ($18.99 per quart) is classified as a JASO MA2, a spec of lubricants that deliver enhanced friction performance.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Factory Yamaha retain pole after Top Ten shootout cancelled

2019 Suzuka 8 Hour
Qualifying Times / Results


Following the cancellation of the Top 10 Trial, the starting grid of the Suzuka 8 Hours retains the positions taken in qualifying. This means Yamaha Factory Racing Team remain on pole, followed by Kawasaki Racing Team and Red Bull Honda.

Persistent rain on the Suzuka circuit this morning and concerns for rider safety led Race Direction to cancel the Top 10 Trial, the Superpole session in which the ten fastest teams in qualifying were scheduled to face off on a flying lap. The positions taken on Friday after the two timed sessions were used instead to determine positions on the starting grid.

Yamaha Factory Racing Team, the winners of the past four editions, will hence start from pole on Sunday at the 2019 Suzuka 8 Hours, in front of Kawasaki Racing Team and Red Bull Honda.

Behind this threesome of Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda factory teams, Musashi RT Harc-Pro Honda and Yoshimura Suzuki Motul Racing round off the Top 5, who will each receive their share of the first points (5 down to 1) awarded at the Suzuka 8 Hours to the teams securing the first five positions on the starting grid.

YART Yamaha and F.C.C. TSR Honda France will start from 6th and 7th place on the grid respectively. F.C.C. TSR Honda France, who are disappointed not to have had the chance to try for a Top 5 spot and a few extra points in the Top 10 Trial, are focusing on their twin objective: finishing as high up the podium as possible and taking a second FIM Endurance World Championship title.

Suzuka Hour Q FCC TSR Honda Josh Hook
Josh Hook F.C.C. TSR

VRD Igol Pierret Expériences, who will start from 13th at their Suzuka debut, ahead of championship standings leaders Team SRC Kawasaki France. F.C.C.

TSR Honda France’s motivation makes them formidable adversaries, but Team SRC Kawasaki France’s closest rivals in the championship chase are Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, who will start the race from 17th position. There is only a five-point gap between the two teams, both competing for the 2018-2019 FIM EWC title.

The forecast predicts improved weather on race day tomorrow (Sunday), with overcast skies but no rainfall.

The 42nd edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours will be flagged off at 11.30am local time (GMT+9) tomorrow, Sunday 28 July.

2019 Suzuka 8 Hour Qualifying Results

Source: MCNews.com.au