If you want to look on the bright side of the current coronavirus pandemic, some motorcycle events are now being held online including the now-free Black Hills Motorcycle Film Festival.
The film festival is being put together by the Rev Sisters, a newly created partnership of three women motorcyclists who plan and manage motorcycle events.
Earlier this year they announced a series of motorcycle film festivals to be held across the United States.
The first festival, Santa Cruz Moto Film Festival, was cancelled earlier this year due to a ban on public events.
Free film festival
The beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
The second festival in the 2020 series, the Black Hills Motorcycle Film Festival, will be held online from 14-16 August and Rev Sisters Co-Founder Michelle Lamphere says it’s free!
“At a time when motorcyclists may need an escape and a channel to reconnect with their moto community, Rev Sisters is offering tickets to this online event at no charge,” she says.
Attendees can watch videos at their own pace from the comfort of their own homes.
The curated collection of more than nine hours of films includes a variety of riding styles from around the world — flat track racing, round-the-world adventure travel, bike building, moto culture and more.
Each film is inspired and creative and will leave viewers yearning to get back out on the road. Winners for each category – ultra short, short and feature – will be announced during the festival.
A third event, the South Jersey Moto Film Festival, is scheduled to air online later this year. Each of these festivals is intended to be a live annual event in future years.
Tickets for the Black Hills Motorcycle Film Festival are available by clicking here.
After qualifying 2nd in Estoril, Acosta managed to go one better in Portimao, taking his first pole position in FIM Moto3™ Jr WCh! Less than a tenth behind was Lorenzo Fellon (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Junior Team) who, after Race Direction revisions, was promoted to from 4th to 2nd on the grid after a lap was reinstated. Championship leader Xavier Artigas (Leopard Impala Junior Team) completes the front row in 3rd.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every single member of the MotoGP™ family, including manufacturers, teams, riders, officials, circuits, marshals, volunteers, broadcasters, journalists, photographers, sponsors, partners, service companies and organization staff for their incredible efforts during this difficult time, and for the hard work put in by so many to make it possible for us to go racing again.
Plenty of the ‘silly season’ talk has involved KTM and with their line-up confirmed, it means Pol Espargaro is getting prepped to ride for a third manufacturer in MotoGP™. If the rumours are to be believed, the Spaniard will be making a huge move to line-up next to Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda. Signings don’t get much bigger than that for a rider, and once it’s announced, Espargaro will be the talk of the town. Before that though, both Espargaro and KTM will be hoping their relationship can end with fireworks in 2020. Aforementioned, it’s a huge year for the orange army but it’s also a massive six months for Espargaro, who will want as good a year as possible to propel himself into Repsol Honda, where the toughest – yet most exciting – challenge awaits.
We recently showcased the new white coloured Panigale V2 and now we bring you the news that Ducati have also gone white with an updated livery adorning the 2021 Multistrada 950 S
2020 Ducati Multistrada 950 S
The new look adds a little more sporting flavour to the lines of the Multistrada, with a MotoGP-inspired graphic and a colour scheme that alternates white, grey and Ducati Red. The 950 S is also available in the classic Ducati Red.
The Multistrada 950, in its S version, bristles with technology: electronic suspension with Ducati Skyhook Suspension Evo (DSS) system, Ducati Quick Shift up & down (DQS), full-LED headlamp with Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL), 5” colour TFT display, Hands Free system, Cruise Control and backlit handlebar controls, as well as Bosch ABS Cornering.
2020 Ducati Multistrada 950 S
With a nod to increased sure-footedness away from the black-top the 950 Multistrada rides on a 19-inch front for add stability off-road.
2020 Ducati Multistrada 950 S
The 2021 Multistrada 950 S “GP White”, both in the alloy and spoked wheels versions, will be available in Australian Ducati dealerships this September from $23,900 ride away.
2020 Ducati Multistrada 950 S
2020 Ducati Multistrada 950 S Specifications
Engine – 937 cc, Testastretta L-Twin
Bore x Stroke – 94 x 67.5 mm
Compression Ratio – 12.6:1
Claimed Power – 113 hp at 9000 rpm
Claimed Torque – 96 Nm at 7750 rpm
Induction – EFI, 53 mm throttle bodies, RBW
Gears – Six-speed, two-way quick-shift
Clutch – Wet, hydraulic, multi-plate, slipper
Frame – Tubular steel trellis
Forks – 48 mm fully-adj electronic Skyhook Evo, 170 mm travel
Shock – Skyhook Evo electronic fully-adj, 170 mm travel
Tyres – 120/70-19 (F), 170/60-17 (R)
Front Brakes – 320 mm, Brembo M4.32 radial master cyl’
After a slow start to the year the rebound has been strong
MCNews.com.au recently reported the promising surge in motorcycles sales experience in Australia over the first six months of June (Motorcycle Sales Figures Report Link), with many brands having a very strong June in particular, now BMW Motorrad have confirmed that globally June was their best of that calendar month ever with 20,021 new BMW motorcycles sold in the month alone.
Dr. Markus Schramm – Head of BMW Motorrad
“After a great start to the new year, we were still up by the end of February, with an increase of almost 12 % on the previous year. Then the dynamic development of the Corona pandemic also began to have a negative impact on the demand for motorcycles. But we see clear light at the end of the tunnel again.”
Sales on the pan-European market were largely responsible for the positive development of BMW Motorrad in June 2020. A total of 13,937 BMW motorcycles were sold in Europe. 2,684 units more than in the same month of the previous year – an increase of 23.9 %. In addition to the home market of Germany with an increase of 58.2 %, the markets in France (+72.9 %), the Benelux countries (+ 52.2 %) and Portugal (+ 52.0 %) contribute significantly to the recovery in Europe.
The Asian-Ocean market was also pleasingly robust in the month of June. BMW Motorrad was able to sale 2,997 motorcycles in Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand, an increase of 17.3 %.
The new BMW Motorrad models F 900 R, F 900 XR and S 1000 XR were particularly high in the buyer’s favor in the first six months of this year flanked by the continuous bestsellers R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure.
Timo Resch – Head of Sales and Marketing BMW Motorrad
“In the short term, of course, the operational focus is still on tackling the Corona crisis. The team of BMW Motorrad and our international BMW Motorrad retail partners are also doing everything they can to be able to react as best as possible to the wishes and needs of our customers in the second half of 2020 with the clear goal of successfully closing 2020 in a difficult market environment, however, with significantly reduced sales compared to our record year in 2019. Of course, our entry into the Cruiser segment with the BMW R18 will also play an important role here.”
With the best ever sales result for the month of June, BMW Motorrad concludes the first half of 2020 and enters the second half of the year with confidence.
Exclusive First Edition BMW R 18 should also help boost sales in the second half of this year
Harley-Davidson will shed 640 jobs this year for millions of dollars in savings as it streamlines the company to respond to weakening demand for their bikes.
Last month the company sacked 90 staff at their York Vehicle Operations in Pennsylvania and 50 at its Tomahawk facility in Wisconsin after temporarily suspending production over the pandemic in March.
While the company has not committed to the entire amount of the loan, it is committed to draw at least $US150m (about $A215m).
It’s all very confounding, but Jochen says he will reveal details later this month when he announces second quarter financial results.
Simpler operation
Jochen Zeitz with the electric LiveWire
“Our new operating model is simpler, more focused and enables faster decisions across the entire company,” he says.
“The Rewire is progressing very well and substantial work is being done to eliminate complexity and get Harley-Davidson on a path to winning.
“Our new operating model is simpler, more focused and enables faster decisions across the entire company.
“We’ve taken a hard look at our entire set up, our spending, and how work is getting done, to align our operating model, structure and processes. We are building a strong foundation to drive a high-performance organization in the future.”
Meanwhile, VP Treasurer Darrell Thomas will become interim CFO, replacing CFO John Olin who is retiring.
MV Agusta has put out a tersely worded statement in response to a seemingly snap decision by the Swiss rider to walk away from his contract with MV Agusta Reparto Corse for what the 30-year-old alleges are ‘serious breaches on the part of the company that compromise both the rider‘s performance as well as his professionalism, reputation and personal integrity‘.
Krummenacher also stated that he ‘has also moved to inform the competent bodies, responsible for verifying any technical irregularities.’
Randy Krummenacher
“This is not a pleasant situation and I never wanted any of this. The aim was to fight for the world title once more but unfortunately, the foundations needed to move ahead with the project with MV Agusta Reparto Corse are not there. I have had to take this decision in order to preserve my moral and professional integrity, as well as my safety. Throughout my career, I have always tried to do the right thing, giving it my all in any situation, even the most challenging. But this time there was only one decision I could make. I cannot say more about my motives at this time, but further details will be communicated in due course.”
Randy Krummenacher
Read into that what you will but reading between the lines one could surmise that Krummenacher is accusing the MV team of perhaps not following the rules…MV Agusta then put out the following statement.
MV Agusta Statement
MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. had no knowledge of the rider Randy Krummenacher’s decision to terminate his contract with MVRC S.r.l. after only competing in the first race of the 2020 Supersport World Championship. It being understood that this decision comes as a total surprise to MV Agusta Motor S.p.A., who learned about it through the media. MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. points out that MVRC S.r.l. is a completely independent company which participates in the Supersport World Championship as a private external team.
This apparently sudden decision by the rider was completely unexpected as the company had received no prior warning signs about a possible contentious situation from either Krummenacher nor from the MVRC team.
Following the very encouraging results obtained during the first race of the 2020 World Supersport Championship in Phillip Island, with a front row position on the race’s starting grid, as well as a second place finish by Raffaele De Rosa in the race, MV Agusta was entirely satisfied with the performance and competitiveness of the F3 Supersport bike. Since its inception the F3 Supersport project has brought MV Agusta several vice-World-Championship titles and numerous race wins and podium finishes.
Due to the fact that MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. has no direct contractual relationship with the rider, we will start a comprehensive investigation concerning this matter and reserve any and all rights to take all proper legal actions to protect our brand image and reputation.
2020 WorldSSP Championship Standings
Andrea Locatelli – Yamaha 25
Raffaele De Rosa – MV Agusta 20
Jules Cluzel – Yamaha 16
Corentin Perolari – Yamaha 13
Lucas Mahias – Kawasaki 11
2020 WorldSBK Calendar
March 1 – Phillip Island, Australia
August 2 – Jerez, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
August 9 – Portimao, Portugal (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
Aguust 30 – Aragon, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
September 6 – Aragon, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
September 18 – Catalunya, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
October 4 – Magny-Cours, France (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
October 11 – Circuito San Juan Villicum, Argentina (TBC) (WSBK-WSSP)
November 8 – Misano, Italy (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300) TBD – Donington Park, UK (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300) TBD – Assen, Netherlands (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300) TBD – Losail, Qatar (WSBK-WSSP)
Motorcycle accidents are something everyone wants to avoid. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and any number of injuries can take place when this occurs.
In addition, riders are much more exposed than vehicle drivers and passengers, which can lead to more severe injuries and even some that are unique to motorcyclists. It is important to understand the risks and also know what measures to take to protect the most vulnerable body parts in case an accident takes place.
Head Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are one of the most severe injuries that can be suffered by a human being. The head is especially exposed when riding a motorcycle, which is why wearing a helmet is so important.
Despite this, in 15% of accidents in which a rider wearing a helmet is involved, there is a TBI. This shows that not even a helmet is a failsafe protection. Therefore, it’s important to have an updated health insurance policy in case an accident takes place.
There are three different degrees of severity of TBI, which are mild (also known as a concussion), moderate, and severe. In any case, the person involved will need to go to the hospital, where costly procedures might be necessary.
Depending on the severity, the person involved might only need an examination but there is also the potential of needing surgery and rehabilitation. These and other expenses can be attenuated if a good motorcycle accident attorney is hired if the person wants to present a case against who they think was responsible for the accident.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are also very common givenhow exposed the neck is during a collision. It has been estimated that this type of injury takes place in 22% of motorcycle accidents. One of the most common neck injuries is whiplash, which happens to both riders and car drivers.
Whiplash is caused by a quick and strong stretching of the neck, which results in a stretching of the cervical spine. These injuries often happen when the bike is hit from behind.
Symptoms associated with whiplash can include dizziness, sore neck, headaches, and poor balance.
Facial Injuries
These injuries usually happen when the person is not wearing a helmet or when the helmet is oversized, causing it to hurt the face during the crash. Half helmets and three-quarter helmets can also lead to face injuries as they do not protect the face entirely.
While these helmets might look cooler, a full-sized helmet is always the smartest way to go to protect your face. After all, it has been estimated that facial injuries take place in about 10% of motorcycle accidents.
This means that it’s much better to invest a little extra on a nice full helmet than to go for a riskier option that could lead to lifelong disfigurement and severe injury.
Spinal Injury
Spinal injuries are one of the worst types of injuries a person could suffer. They can have lifelong consequences, which go from mild discomfort to paralysis and death.
It is important to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in case of a spinal injury as the consequences can be quite debilitating. When someone else is at fault or even if the health insurance company is not providing the aid it should be, these cases can be taken to court.
Keep in mind that the brain communicates with the rest of the body through the spine. If this communication is cut due to a traumatic accident, the rest of the body will be severely affected.
In some cases, the injury can be improved and even entirely reversed with surgery or rehabilitation. Rehab will be focused on restoring flexibility, strength and, eventually, mobility, which can be a long and painful process.
Emotional Trauma
The mind can be injured as well, even if no physical damage can be observed. This is often ignored, but in reality, people involved in a motorcycle accident are likely to develop PTSD, which can be very detrimental to mental health.
Furthermore, people who suffer a serious injury can end up falling into a deep depression, which might require therapy for its correct management. It’s important to evaluate the presence of any signs or symptoms of emotional trauma and look for medical health if these are observed.
* About the author
David Martin is a marketing executive and paralegal assistant for Motorcyclelawyerla.com. He has established himself as a prominent author in personal injury matters. In his free time, you can find him playing golf in the public courses.
Yamaha announced its 2021 trail motorcycles lineup including the TT-R50E, TT-R110E, TT-R125LE, TT-R230E, and the PW50 which celebrates its 40th year of production.
All five models return unchanged but for new Team Yamaha Blue colors.
Begin Press Release
Yamaha Announces 2021 Full Lineup of Trail Motorcycles
Yamaha Celebrates the PW50’s 40th Anniversary
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, announces its complete lineup of 2021 trail motorcycles and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the PW50. Designed for experiencing the outdoors, the TT-R lineup is made for trail riding that the entire family can enjoy.
“Yamaha’s trail-focused motorcycle lineup is perfect for those discovering the fun and freedom of the outdoors, trail riding, and enjoying time with friends and family,” said Derek Brooks, Yamaha Motorsports’ Motorcycle Product Line Manager. “With the 40th anniversary of the PW50, Yamaha is celebrating four decades of sharing our passion and introducing generations of kids to the world of off-road riding.”
2021 PW50: 40 Years, One Great Bike
With 40 years under its belt, the 2021 PW50 continues to be one of the best trail bikes for first-time riders. After making its debut, the PW50 established itself as the go-to bike for children just learning how to ride off-road. By focusing on a “toy-like” design, Yamaha engineered a bike that was both visually appealing and approachable to new, younger riders. Selling over 8,000 units in its first year, Yamaha has now shipped more than 380,000 PW50s to over 150 countries.
The 49cc, two-stroke engine coupled with the fully automatic transmission make this a perfect bike for beginners. The PW50’s seat height of only 18.7 inches and the adjustable throttle stop screw offer both rider comfort and parent peace of mind. Additionally, the PW50’s shaft final drive system is virtually maintenance-free while Yamaha’s proven Autolube oil injection system eliminates the need for fuel/oil premixing.
The 2021 PW50 will be available from dealers this month in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue for $1,649 MSRP.
2021 TT-R50E, TT-R110E, TT-R125LE and TT-R230E
The 2021 TT-R50E, TT-R110E, TT-R125LE and TT-R230E are made for ultimate trail riding fun. These electric start, air-cooled, four-stroke motorcycles offer Yamaha’s legendary durability and dependability, along with a broad, accessible powerband for ease of use and great performance in a variety of trail conditions. The low seat height of the entire TT-R line allows smaller and less experienced riders to gain confidence with easy access to the ground and great comfort.
The 2021 TT-R50E ($1,699 MSRP) will be available from dealers in August, while the TT-R110E ($2,299 MSRP), TT-R125LE ($3,349 MSRP) and TT-R230E ($4,449 MSRP) will be available from dealers this month in next-generation Team Yamaha Blue.
