Webster admits MXoN hindered AUS Supercross preparations
Section: Competition
Western Australian scores 10th in Queensland’s opening round.
Image: Foremost Media.
Kyle Webster admits representing Team Australia at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) last month hindered his preparations for the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship, the SX2 challenger earning 10th at Brisbane’s season-opener.
The Western Australian received the call-up for MXoN in just his initial days of being on a supercross track this season, prompting him to put testing on hold in favour of preparing for the Assen event.
Despite arriving home days out of Brisbane’s first round, the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing rider still lined up for the opening stop of the series, transferring directly to the main events, where he posted a DNF-10 scorecard.
“The whole MXoN experience was amazing, but it did mean my build up for the supercross championship was limited and I only had a few days of supercross training before we lined up in Brisbane,” Webster explained.
“I really struggled with how small and tight track the track was at Brisbane, so now we’ll just move on and I’m excited to put in a solid week of riding, and I cannot wait for the next round at Adelaide.”
The Australian Supercross Championship visit Port Adelaide this Saturday for round two of the series.
An all too brief revival of the famous Moto Morini name commenced in 1999 when Alfonso Morini’s nephew, Franco, bought the name back from Ducati (who had acquired it in the TPG buyout in 1996). The new joint-stock company Morini Franco Motori S.p.A. came into being in 2003.
Moto Morini Corsaro AvioMoto Morini Corsaro Avio
The following year saw the announcement of a completely new motorcycle – the 1200 Corsaro. It was powered by a 87° DOHC V-twin that was designed by Franco Lambertini – who had been responsible for Morini’s V-twins, such as the 3½, back in the ’70s.
Corsaro Veloce, Sport & Scrambler variants followed before the enterprise went bankrupt in 2009. About 40 bikes were assembled from spare parts in early 2011 before the name was sold to Eagle Bike (a company run by two Italian entrepreneurs).
Limited production continued, from 2014 at a new location in Trivizio. The management changed again in 2015 with one of the owners leaving, the dropping of internet only sales and the establishment of a dealer network. New models were introduced including a revised Granpasso, Scrambler and Corsaro ZZ.
Moto Morini Corsaro Avio
Moto Morini are about to be re-born yet again with a display at EICMA next month where the company will present a new platform of mid-engine size motorbikes. A new platform which will be available in different models starting from the Naked and Adventure segment, a first teaser image of that new bike is below.
Moto Morini are to unveil a new adventure bike next month
The new Morini range will be powered by the CorsaCorta 1200 cc engine, composed by the sporty Corsaro ZZ, the Corsaro ZT and the Milano, the company will also present a new element with what they claim will be a definitive version of the Super Scrambler.
In this feature though we focus on this June 2008 build Corsaro Avio that has only done 250km, and apart from being fitted with factory accessory Termignoni mufflers and having the pillion pegs removed, is in completely standard condition. Power output is claimed as 120hp at 8500rpm pushing a dry weight of 198kg.
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati contender recorded a 4-2 scorecard, lifting the British ace’s spirits after being disappointed by Saturday’s controversy.
“It was a really good way to finish the weekend,” said Davies. “This morning in the Superpole race I was able to finish in fourth place which put me on the second row of the grid for race two. Unfortunately, in the second race I made a bad start and I was swamped by several riders at the first corner.
“I felt comfortable enough however and began to pick my way through the pack. When I got up to second place the gap to Jonathan was almost three seconds, and although I closed it down a bit, it was impossible to get any closer to him. Pity because I think if I had been there from the beginning, it might have been a nice race.
“However, we were competitive on another track, that’s four or five now where we’ve been near or on the podium. A big thanks to the team for their work but also for standing by me yesterday. Hopefully now we can go to Qatar and continue the momentum to finish the season strong.”
Davies sits seventh in the championship standings ahead of Qatar season-finale on 26 October.
Race two crash ‘indoor racing at its finest’ says Metcalfe
Section: Competition
South Australian denied of podium result in Brisbane.
Image: Foremost Media.
Penrite Honda Racing’s Brett Metcalfe has described his race two crash at Brisbane’s supercross opener as ‘indoor racing at its finest’ after the South Australian was pushed wide over a berm, ultimately denying him of a podium following a commanding P2 result in main event one.
The former international immediately picked up the form that took him to runner-up honours in the 2018 championship, and was on target to reach the podium before going down in the early stages of the final encounter. His 2-5 results saw him equal for third, although credited fourth on countback.
The tight nature of Brisbane Entertainment Centre delivered a number of on-track clashes throughout the night as expected, however Metcalfe’s incident has only fuelled his motivation ahead of a home round in Port Adelaide this weekend.
“I qualified well, heat race went good and I had a good start, which was important to get through to the main events,” Metcalfe explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “We missed a little on our set-up going in, so we’ll work on that and improve for the rest of the rounds.
“In the last main event, it was indoor racing at its finest – I got put over a berm and went down. I had to charge from last – it happens. I’m definitely motivated, and I’m pretty angry [laughs].”
The Australian Supercross Championship heads to South Australia this weekend, the same venue Metcalfe heroically won at last year.
It was the only motorcycle plate in the auction which fetched $2.4m, including an auction record $181,000 for a “Q1” car plate.
The “4” motorcycle number plate is not the most expensive in Australia. It is believed the 80-year-old NSW “1” plate may have sold for close to $1 million.
That plate was originally owned by Bennett and Wood in 1918. It was bought by Honda’s General Manager in 1935 and spent time on an MV Agusta in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Personalised motorcycle number plates are big business, but they are not as valuable as car plates.
The Australian record for the most expensive car number plate was set in 2017 at the Shannons Sydney Autumn Auction where “NSW 29” fetched $745,000, beating the previous 2003 record of $689,000 for “NSW 2”.
World record
But that is nothing compared with world record prices.
The world’s most expensive plate is believed to be “25 O” which is on a Ferrari 250 SWB enviously owned by guitar god Eric Clapton.
The plate is now owned by Ferrari deal principal John Collins who paid £518,480 in 2014 and fitted it to his Ferrari 250 SWB.
Veyron with F1 plate
However, that could be eclipsed by British car mod businessman Afzal Kahn who is asking more than £12m for his “F1” plate which is on his Bugatti Veyron.
He has previously turned down an offer of £6 million.
He bought the plate for £440,000 in 2008, setting a UK record.
Show us your personalised motorcycle number plate! Insert a photo with your comments below.
Instead, Yamaha will unveil two electric scooters, an electric bicycle, an electric mobility scooter and an electric personal scooter at next week’s 46th Tokyo Motor Show.
Yamaha has not revealed many details of its new electric program at the Tokyo show, but they do promise fast-charging, extra range and removable batteries.
Electric program
So far, Yamaha has only produced the electric PES1 (Passion Electric Street) road bike and PED1 (Passion Electric Dirt), but neither is available in Australia.
In Tokyo they will unveil the small E02 scooter and classic-looking E-Vino, both with removable batteries.
There will also be a YPJ-YZ pedal-assisted e-bike, an electric tilting three-wheelers mobility scooter, and the electric Land Link Concept.
The latter uses artificial intelligence image recognition technology to autonomously move over “vast” outdoor terrain. It is likely designed to transport cargo.
Riding style not compatible with the bike insists Melandri
Difficulties continue for the GRT Yamaha rider in Argentina.
Image: Supplied.
Retiring Marco Melandri has stated his riding style seems to be incompatible with the GRT Yamaha YZF-R1 after another weekend of difficulties at Argentina’s penultimate round of the 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).
Melandri suggests the bike and himself are ‘working in opposite directions’, despite many efforts from the squad in endeavouring to adapt the bike to his style.
“This has been another weekend where I’ve struggled a lot,” Melandri admitted. “My main strength is my riding style and, unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be compatible with the bike.
“Every time I tried to push harder after a few laps I made a lot of mistakes and lost ground. It looks like me and the bike are working in opposite directions still. I’ve tried many things with the team to find a solution this season but, as the results show, we’re still looking.”
Harley-Davidson’s electric LiveWire motorcycle has hit a short circuit with production stopped for a “nonstandard condition” involving the home charger.
The company has asked owners only to charge their bikes with the DC fast charger supplied at some HD dealerships.
LIveWires on DC fast chargers
There is no other information from the company.
Even though it doesn’t arrive in Australia until late next year, we asked Harley-Davidson Australia for comment and received an unusual stoney silence.
Which leaves us speculating.
The strongest possibility is that the home chargers overheat which could cause a fire.
Electric vehicle and charger fires can be caused by short-circuits, power surges, impact, excessive discharge or overheating.
They also cause special concerns for fire fighters.
Lithium batteries are obviously made with lithium which is highly flammable and stored in mineral oil.
Tesla goes up in flames
While it is not toxic, it can cause nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, muscle weakness, fatigue and a dazed feeling.
Electric vehicle and battery fires can also release sulphuric acid, carbon monoxide, copper and cobalt.
Fire fighters can’t douse the flames with water as the high voltage can cause an electric shock or electrocution.
Instead, they have to disconnect the power supply (usually an orange plug) and contain the fire to let it burn itself out.
LiveWire short circuit
Riding the LiveWire in Orgeon
This short circuit to Harley’s electric motorcycle program follows a month delay in deliveries to US dealerships where it has created a lot of interest, but not a lot of sales.
Buyers are apparently baulking at the $US29,990 price (about $A44,000).
Some dealers are even rejecting the expensive DC fast-charger installation which is a requirement of being able to sell the bike.
PR exercise
So Harley has two major PR exercises going at the moment to rescue the LiveWire.
Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor are currently shooting Long Way Up from the bottom to the top of the Americas, riding LiveWire motorcycles.
Ewan and Charley pack their LiveWire bikes for the trip
And now HD has brought in Hollywood action star Jason Momoa who plays Aquaman and Khal Drogo to test ride the bike.
“Harley wanted me to test one of the new LiveWires, I was kind of like ehhh. I like the idea of it but I wanted to hear it,” says Jason who is more at home on pushrod fuel burners.
The most technologically advanced MX helmet is about to hit the Australian market, with the Formula Helmet set to redefine helmet performance and safety expectations worldwide according to McLeod Accessories, and they have independent testing to back up those claims that prove it leads the class.
Fly Racing Formula Helmet – Vector Red/White/Black
The Fly Racing Formula Helmet is the absolute in total head protection. The Adaptive Impact System (AIS) is a high-performance ecosystem of structural design and energy mitigating materials. Each layer of the AIS, from RHEON enhanced Energy Cells, to the dual-density EPS liner, and the 12k carbon fibre shell, was carefully fine-tuned to achieve the goal of creating the highest performing helmet possible.
Fly Racing Formula Helmet – Vector Matte Hi-Vis/Grey/Black
Fly Racing are serious about rider safety and have incorporated the Formula helmet with many safety features, some never before seen on a motocross helmet.
A 12K carbon fibre shell, dual density EPS liner with Cone head technology and Fly’s own Active Impact System featuring RHEON enhanced energy cells, this is the best helmet that Fly has ever produced.
The Fly Racing Formula Helmet offered the best overall performance
Tested independently at SATRA in the UK to EEC standards, alongside at the Rheon Labs, the Fly Racing Formula helmet outperformed all the competition in the front side test, and was one of the top three testing at the crown, offering the greatest probability of being able to prevent and reduce severe brain injury.
Rheon Labs also test for a variety of real world-type situations, with the Formula helmet recording the best (lowest) peak scores across both high and low speed tests.
Extensive testing shows how the Fly Racing Formula helmet can out-perform the competition across a variety of tests
Fly Racing Formula Helmet features
ECE/DOT Approved
MIPS Brain Protection System
Carbon Matrix composite shell
Dual-density EPS liner
Custom rubber trim with integrated nose guard
Lightweight machined almunium visor screws
Stainless steel rivets and D-rings
Two shells and three EPS sizes for the perfect fit
Removable/washable Coolmax liner and cheekpads
True Functional Ventilation
Quad-vent above eye-poirt
Soft fleece helmet bag
From $749.95 RRP
Fly Racing Formula Helmet – Vector Blue/White/Black
Tanti breaks podium drought in AUS Supercross opener
Section: Competition
Serco Yamaha ace on the box for the first time since May.
Image: Foremost Media.
Serco Yamaha’s Aaron Tanti saw his podium drought come to an end at the first round of the Australian Supercross Championship in Brisbane, the New South Welshman appearing on the rostrum for the first time since Murray Bridge’s fifth round of the Pirelli MX Nationals in May.
Tanti consistently fell shy of the podium throughout the second half of the MX Nationals, leaving the title contender extremely frustrated with a string of fourth place results.
Earning second on Saturday night with a 2-3 scorecard, Tanti expressed relief to land on the box in the very first round of supercross.
“It feels good to get back up on the podium again,” said Tanti. “In the MX Nationals I finished fourth more times than I can remember. so it was good to reset for supercross and then come out strong at the opening round and get on the box.
“My day was pretty smooth all round as I was able to qualify in third, was in the top three for my heat race and then finished 2-3 in the main events, so it was a really consistent night for me and my starts allowed me to be up the front every time.
“Anything can happen on a tight track like this but I’m happy to finish second tonight and look forward to getting on the bigger circuits in the coming rounds.”
Port Adelaide will host round two of the Australian Supercross Championship this weekend on a traditional sized circuit.
