The news we had been expecting came today in the shape of this following statement from Motorcycling Australia that confirms that the recently rescheduled round two of the 2020 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship at Morgan Park will be further delayed. An updated provisional calendar is expected to be issued later this week.
The frustrations seem to be never ending and I feel for everyone involved, from M.A., to the teams, the sponsors and to the riders themselves. I wonder just how close we are getting to the point where it really does just start to become all too hard and simply ends up not bring feasible to run an Australian Superbike Championship this year. I hope we don’t get to that point, but if this continues on much longer then a line will have to be drawn in the sand…
M.A. Statement
It is with frustration that the ASBK Management Team advise that the recently rescheduled ASBK Round 2 at Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland on August 21-23 will now not occur on these dates.
The future of the ASBK Round at Morgan Park will be determined in the coming days.
The ASBK Management Team has no choice but to react to the circumstances in Victoria over the past 48hrs.
ASBK Sporting Director – Simon Maas
’We have been clear with competitors and teams that the COVID-19 environment will require their flexibility and understanding in 2020. These date changes are incredibly difficult and challenging to keep finding workable solutions. We are sure the ASBK paddock is frustrated by this latest delay, as we are too. We again thank the entire ASBK paddock for their patience as we are all in this situation together right now.’’
A further review to the 2020 ASBK Championship calendar is now underway and the ASBK Management Team aims to provide an updated calendar in the next few days.
Finally, Texas’ undulating, complex Circuit of the Americas was the venue for the third and final Online Challenge of the Pro Draft. Marc Marquez’s 2019 title triumph made it look like Honda’s RC213V was an easy ride, but riders’ testaments prove it is anything but. Gamers had to wrestle the world championship winning bike around the tricky 20 corners that CotA has to offer, meaning those with the highest skills made it to the top.
This is one of only two or three 175 Bialbero (DOHC) race bikes constructed during 1931-34 and was raced by Dorino Serafini.
Benelli 175 BialberoBenelli 175 Bialbero
Antonio Benelli wasn’t old enough to join his other brothers, working in their motorcycle, car and gun repair business, but by the early 1920s became the racer of the family, promoting the capabilities of their own designs.
Benelli 175 BialberoBenelli 175 Bialbero
In 1927 Giuseppe Benelli designed a gear-driven SOHC 175 cc that allowed “Tonino” to win the company’s first international race the Monza Grand Prix as well as the ’27, ’28 and ‘30 175cc Italian Championships.
Benelli 175 Bialbero
A redesign in 1931 saw a DOHC version take to the track to great success over the next few years. It was originally equipped with a three-speed hand gear change (as seen on this bike) but a four-speed foot change was employed in 1932.
Benelli 175 Bialbero
The Bialbero went on to win GPs in France, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland before the FIM abolished the 175 cc class at the end of the 1934 season.
Benelli 175 Bialbero
The 175 Bialbero made 15 hp at 9000 rpm and weighed just 93 kg, with a top speed of 140-150 km/h.
Road bike sales steady amid second quarter industry boom
Section: General
Yamaha the top-selling brand to date during first half of 2020.
Image: iKapture.
A spectacular second quarter of sales in the motorcycle industry has seen the road bike market remain steady at 15,243 new bikes sold between January to June 2020.
According to reports from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), that figure sees road bike sales decrease by 2.7 percent in comparison to the 15,668 sold during the same quarter of last year.
Overall, a total of 52,838 vehicles inclusive of new motorcycles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Side-by-Side Vehicles (SSVs) have been sold this year, in comparison to 42,457 during the same period in 2019. This represents a 24.5 percent increase in total sales, a bright spot in an economic environment that has been predominantly negative over the past four months.
Honda reported 12,563 sales for a 23.8 percent market share, followed by Yamaha with 12,344 sales for 23.4 percent share, Kawasaki with 6545 sales for 12.4 percent share, KTM with 4391 sales for 8.3 percent share and, finally, Suzuki with 3594 sales for 6.8 percent market share.
“It is wonderful to see some strong sales from our member motorcycle brands,” FCAI CEO Tony Weber said. “A year-on-year increase of 24.5 percent (overall) is significant and signals improving conditions for both members and dealers.
“The ATV and SSV segment is up a remarkable 50.9 percent and now represents 27.5 percent of the total market. And off-road bikes are also on fire, with an increase of 42.4 percent and claiming 39.5 percent of the total market.
“People can’t go for overseas holidays and for quite some time they couldn’t even go for holidays within Australia. So, we believe that instead of spending up big on expensive family vacations, people are treating themselves in different ways and this could mean they are taking up new sports like trail-bike riding.”
The leading road bike brand so far in 2020 has been Yamaha with 2624 sales, ahead of Harley-Davidson (2613), Honda (2373), Kawasaki (2262) and BMW (1258). Brands to increase include Husqvarna by 134.9 percent, Indian 40.2 percent, KTM 21.6 percent, Kawasaki 12.4 percent and BMW 8.8 percent.
It was the Kawasaki Ninja 400 that sold highest in the road bike segment at 636 sales, achieving a 30.3 percent rise, followed by the newly-introduced Yamaha Tenere 700 (530), Harley-Davidson Street 500 (433), Yamaha MT07L (382) and Honda CB125E (377).
Dirt bike sales soar in Australia through second quarter
Section: General
Yamaha the top-selling off-road brand among extraordinary 2020 results.
Image: Supplied.
Australia has experienced an unprecedented rise in dirt bike sales through the second quarter of 2020, increasing by over 40 percent in comparison to the first half of last year.
Understood to be as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has revealed that the industry is currently experiencing an extraordinary upturn.
In the opening six months of the year there has been 20,885 dirt bike sales, which is well above the 14,666 sold between January to June one year ago. The top-selling off-road brand was Yamaha at 6170 sales, followed by Honda (5497), KTM (3338), Kawasaki (3099), Husqvarna (1526) and Suzuki (1255).
Each of those brands remarkably recorded dirt bike sales increases, Yamaha by 49.2 percent, Honda 31.4 percent, KTM 36.6 percent, Kawasaki 72.8 percent, Husqvarna 59.8 percent and Suzuki 8.5 percent. Brands such as Sherco and Gas Gas aren’t currently part of the FCAI reporting.
The highest-selling motocross bike to date is the Yamaha YZ250F at 403 sales, followed by the Yamaha YZ450F (345), Honda CRF450R (334), Kawasaki KX450 (298) and Honda CRF250R (256). Enduro is led by the Yamaha WR450F (745), ahead of the KTM 300 EXC (554), KTM 350 EXC-F (433), Honda CRF450L (423) and KTM 450 EXC-F (323).
“It is wonderful to see some strong sales from our member motorcycle brands,” FCAI CEO Tony Weber said. “A year-on-year increase of 24.5 percent (overall) is significant and signals improving conditions for both members and dealers.
“The ATV and SSV segment is up a remarkable 50.9 percent and now represents 27.5 percent of the total market. And off-road bikes are also on fire, with an increase of 42.4 percent and claiming 39.5 percent of the total market.
“People can’t go for overseas holidays and for quite some time they couldn’t even go for holidays within Australia. So, we believe that instead of spending up big on expensive family vacations, people are treating themselves in different ways and this could mean they are taking up new sports like trail-bike riding.”
Overall, a total of 52,838 vehicles inclusive of new motorcycles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Side-by-Side Vehicles (SSVs) were sold from January to June 2020, in comparison to 42,457 during the same period in 2019. This represents a 24.5 percent increase in total sales, a bright spot in an economic environment that has been predominantly negative over the past four months.
Honda reported 12,563 sales for a 23.8 percent market share, followed by Yamaha with 12,344 sales for 23.4 percent share, Kawasaki with 6545 sales for 12.4 percent share, KTM with 4391 sales for 8.3 percent share and, finally, Suzuki with 3594 sales for 6.8 percent market share.
Updates also made to KX450 in addition to off-road variants.
Image: Supplied.
Kawasaki has uncovered the 2021 KX250 and KX450 models, the former of which is all-new and includes an electric start for the first time in addition to a haul of performance-increasing upgrades.
The 2021 model KX250 builds on engine changes from the previous year to make it the most powerful KX250 to date. Its striking appearance features slim, ergonomic bodywork, plus it now has a factory-style 1-1/8” Renthal Fatbar Handlebar.
In addition to a high-revving engine, it now features new electric start, new coned disk-spring hydraulic clutch and a new slim aluminum perimeter frame that improves handling to enable quicker lap-times, making the KX250 even more potent on the race-track.
The powerful engine of the KX250 features upgrades to both the top- and bottom-end for increased power, improved brakes offer more control when harnessing the power of the stronger engine and an updated KX450-style frame and fine-tuned suspension settings to create the ultimate performance package.
Engine changes are inclusive of new processing for intake and exhaust ports, exhaust cam timing, stiffer valve springs, combustion chamber design and flatter piston crown, longer connecting rod, lighter crankshaft design and revised pressure balance inside the crankcase.
Complimenting the electric start, a lightweight, compact Li-ion battery helps keep weight down, as does an automatic centrifugal decompression system fitted to the exhaust cam, which lifts one exhaust valve to facilitate starting.
The KX250’s new slim aluminium perimeter frame is based off of its KX450 counterpart and with lightweight, nimble handling and slim ergonomics in mind. The new frame offers a better overall rigidity balance and, while many of the parts are common with the KX450’s frame, the cast parts like shock tower mount and engine hangers were designed specifically for the needs of the KX250.
Adding to the frame’s rigidity balance is the use of the engine as a stressed member. The steering head area, main frame rails with updated cross-sections, line for the swingarm brackets, and wider lower frame rails have all been revised and contribute to the overall rigidity balance.
The addition of a KX450 swingarm delivers the rigidity necessary to match the frame and helps to increase traction at the rear wheel. The center of gravity and key dimensions such as swingarm pivot, output sprocket and rear axle locations have all been carefully selected so that the rear tire drives the bike forward.
The lower triple clamp has been revised for optimised rigidity and reduced weight, while contributing to the front’s ability to absorb bumps. In the rear, linkage ratios have been revised, now using the same as those found on the KX450 motorcycle, contributing to both increased absorption and damping performance. Both front and rear suspension feature new fine-tuned settings that are designed to match the frame.
For 2021, a revised design on the top of the fuel tank allows an even flatter progression from the seat to the tank, which gives the rider greater freedom of movement and facilitates sitting farther forward. The single-piece radiator shrouds are now slimmer where they come in contact with the rider’s legs and positioned closer to the frame. Engine covers have been redesigned and are smooth in order to not impede rider movement.
Meanwhile, the Kawasaki KX450 returns as the flagship model in the line-up for 2021 and boasts several new updates to maintain its edge as a leader in its class. For 2021 the KX450 receives engine updates for increased performance and a new 1-1/8” Renthal Fatbar handlebar.
Those engine updates include a dry film lubricant coating on the piston skirt, while larger diameter clutch plates and revised friction material have also been utilized. A coned disk-spring hydraulic clutch offers improved clutch performance.
The championship-proven technology of KX race machines has now been purposely tuned for off-road competition, as Kawasaki announces all-new race ready off-road KX XC models with the all-new 2021 KX250XC and KX450XC models. These are in addition to the KLX450R, which remains as the brand’s registrable model.
These models share many winning traits with their motocross counterparts including the engine, frame, chassis and styling, paired with unique cross-country tuning and settings such as suspension settings, gearing, off-road 21/18-inch wheel combination, Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires, brake components, skid plate and kickstand. Softer suspension settings and shorter gearing ratio help to create the optimal handling off-road race package for the KX XC line-up.
Complete information on the entire 2021 KX motocross and off-road range is available now at www.kawasaki.com.au. Models are due to arrive in Australia during the third quarter of this year.
Emergency call systems are coming to motorcycles and helmets with a French company the latest to release a helmet that calls for help if you crash.
The Kosmos Smart Helmet has sensors which detect a crash and then uses your paired phone and a proprietary app to contact emergency services.
However, just in case you’ve only had a small fall or dropped your helmet, the system first contacts the rider to check.
If the rider doesn’t respond to cancel within a certain time, the emergency call is placed and provides details on the riders location as well as relevant health information.
It’s not the first helmet with this technology.
Help helmets
Several other helmets that call for help after a crash are also being developed.
These emergency call systems have been available in cars for some time and are now mandated throughout Europe with motorcycles and possibly helmets expected to be included in the future.
It points out that motorcyclist deaths have remained stable in major cities over the past decade, but increased in regional and remote Australia by up to almost 50% in recent years.
BMW Motorrad was the first motorcycle company to offer an SOS button in Europe.
The Bosch system uses an “intelligent crash algorithm installed in the vehicle’s inertial sensor unit” to identify a crash via the various sensors such as an accelerometer and lean sensor.
It pairs with their Help Connect phone app to send your location to a Bosch Service Centre.
Australian motorcycle road safety will be a little poorer with the retirement of 50+-year scholar and transport consultant Dr Marcus R. Wigan.
The Emeritus Professor of Transport and Information Systems Edinburgh Napier University says it is time to hang up his mortar board and enjoy his Yamaha MT-10 in his retirement.
Over the past half century Dr Wigan, aged 78, has produced many interesting papers on a range of subjects including transport and, in particular, motorcycling.
One of his enduring themes is the need for more comprehensive and qualitative crash data.
He says governments and big business often exploit poor data, resulting in poor decisions.
Dr Wigan has consulted to many governments and businesses and says his papers have been cited many decades after publication.
His papers have helped formulate policies on several motorcycle issues such as front number plates, parking, lane filtering, rationalising helmet standards and road hazards.
One of the most famous reports on motorcycling is the Leuven Project study into a particularly congested route in Belgium.
It found that when 10% of car drivers swapped to motorcycles – congestion was reduced for all road users by 40%. When 25% of car drivers swapped – congestion was eliminated altogether.
That report also cited Dr Wigan’s research.
Dr Wigan: safety mindset
Dr Wigan and family
His motorcycle safety mindset was probably forged in the 1960s while at Oxford University in the UK where he had his first and last exchange with a traffic cop after riding his Norton way too fast.
“I was roaring up the white line on Folly Bridge Road, helmet-less and in rowing gear, at 60mph in a 30mph zone (in the UK) when I was flagged down and instead of having a book-sized set of infringements thrown at me, I was asked: ‘Why?’
“I said: ‘Because I have eight other people in the Hertford College first VIII waiting anxiously for me.’ He explained very carefully how stupid I had been and why and let me go.
“I have NEVER forgotten this and it has guided me in my riding ever since.”
Future challenges
As he departs for those winding roads into the hills, Dr Wigan says these are the challenges facing motorcycling:
Being recognised in the spectrum of sub-car mobility. This places motorcycles as transport in context instead of as a safety problem; and
Getting high-quality credible research that supports my first point!
Potted riding history
Dr Wigan once held an FIM International Racing Licence, but began his riding career in 1956 with a Lambretta scooter in the UK while studying at Oxford.
He bought a 1946 Norton ES2 single ex sidecar in 1962 for 8 quid and sold it for 8 quid.
In 1964 he bought his first new motorcycle … a Vespa Sportique 150cc that he took on his “first honeymoon”.
Over the years there has been a host of other motorcycles, including race bikes and a stint of racing, culminating in an Indian Scout which he recently sold for his current Yamaha MT-10.
In cahoots with veteran flat track racing champ and instructor Johnny Lewis, Royal Enfield has concocted a plan to introduce people to the sport in one 3.5-hour bite. For $250, you’ll learn the ropes on a RE FT411, all gear provided, including Sena communicator for real-time instruction. Schools are scheduled at Lewis’s Moto Anatomy facility in central Florida, along with several around the US in conjunction with select American Flat Track rounds.
Press Release:
Royal Enfield Launches Slide School Presented by Moto Anatomy
Johnny Lewis to lead flat track training program
MILWAUKEE, Wis (July 7, 2020) — American Flat Track racer Johnny Lewis will host Slide School presented by Royal Enfield, a multi-faceted flat track training program in 2020. Lewis will use a combination of Royal Enfield FT411 and a soon-to-be added FT 650 motorcycles as the primary training tools used in the curriculum. Lewis initially developed the program in India and will now debut at select tracks across the U.S. and also at his Moto Anatomy training facility in Florida this year.
“I’m excited to continue building a deeper relationship with Royal Enfield,” said Lewis. “It was a great opportunity to fine tune the program in India while being immersed in the Royal Enfield culture. I was also able to see first hand just how much potential the FT411 has as a training tool. I am impressed by its versatility and can’t wait to get my students on the FT411. Royal Enfield is committed to growing motorcycling and I’m proud to be part of that effort.”
Lewis will run Slide Schools out of his Moto Anatomy facility in central Florida including in conjunction with select AFT rounds. During the schools, Slide School participants will be taught the basics of flat track and then given one-on-one direction and coaching from Lewis. The program will equip any level rider with the skills needed to become a proficient flat tracker.
Johnny Lewis’s head is permanently looking left.
The program is built around a three and a half hour course with the FT411. Participants will use gear provided by JUST 1 Racing, EVS Sports and have the option to ride with the Bluetooth Sena communication systems, all for $250.
Additional stops will be added throughout the remainder of 2020. Classes are limited to eight participants per time slot and appropriate mask and social distancing guidelines will be in place to ensure a safe environment for all riders and coaches.
September 13: Gettysburg, PA following Williams Grove AFT
October 6: Travelers Rest, SC
October 18: Center Hill, FL following Daytona Beach AFT
About Royal Enfield
The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the mid-size motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. Royal Enfield is a leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market.
Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 110 dealers in North America, including the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. RENA currently offers the Bullet 500, Classic 500, Himalayan and the all new 650 Twins: INT 650 and Continental GT 650 motorcycles along with a range of genuine motorcycle accessories and apparel.
The European Talent Cup riders also had two races in Estoril, and the day would belong to one youngster: Openbank Aspar Team’s David Alonso. The Colombian left the field in his wake in Race 1, cantering his way to a 6-second victory as teammate Ivan Ortola finished P2. The latter was challenging Alonso – along with a whole host of other riders in Race 2 – but a jump start saw him get two long lap penalties. Alonso made no such errors and in the last quarter of the race, his pace proved too strong. It was maximum points for the number 80 rider, with Alberto Ferrandez (Cuna de Campeoñes) and Angel Piqueras (Talent Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) picking up podiums.
