But with dealers suffering in the third year of a sales slump, anything that takes them away from the process of selling could make them very nervous.
Online orders
Online ordering of cars has been happening in the US for more than a decade.
But cars are more modes of transport than motorcycles.
A 2015 US motorcycle industry study found that the availability of demo rides not only improves customer satisfaction of dealerships but also increases motorcycle sales.
Harley offers non-licensed people a demo ride with their Jump Start
You can’t do a demo ride over the internet.
We can understand the success of online orders for limited-edition motorcycles such as the MMV Agusta Superveloce 800 Serie Oro and Brutale 1000 Serie Oro as well as the Katana which is limited to 5000 worldwide.
Collectors would be more likely to buy a bike based on its collectibility, not its rideability.
But it may be difficult to extend that to mass-produced models.
Do you think online ordering is the future for motorcycle sales and will it destroy or promote dealerships? Leave your comments below.
However, they should also be alert to the bushfire conditions.
Fire and Emergency Services have specifically asked all motorists to stay away from Lamington National Park Road, Illinbah and Upper Coomera Road in the Gold Coast hinterland.
They say motorists “rubbernecking” are putting their workers’ lives at risk as well as the lives and properties of the public.
Bushfires can spread rapidly and even outrun a vulnerable rider, no matter how fast you are riding!
Riders are also in danger from smoke inhalation, low visibility and eye irritation.
Rural fire services also point out that fires have been sparked by motorcycles in the past.
They say about 40% of all bushfires are accidentally started by humans dropping cigarette butts, campfires, discarding bottles, sparks from machinery and motorcycles.
Most riders who accidentally spark these blazes are off-road and adventure bikes riding in the bush and on forestry tracks.
However, there is also the possibility of fires being started by road bikes if the rider pulls over to the side of the road where they may be long, dry grass.
The bike’s engine, exhaust, or catalytic convertor can be hot enough to set dry grass alight.
Just days after we published an article in which Queensland Police waived an erroneous fine for a “void” helmet sticker, a second similar incorrect infringement has surfaced.
And it seems one of the chiefs of the Road Policing Command is so out of touch with the Australian and Queensland Road Rules and Standards he even thinks European-approved helmets can’t be sold legally in Queensland stores.
The lack of police knowledge about helmet rules has alarmed the new Australian Motorcycle Council chairman, Guy Stanford.
He has called on Police Minister Mark Ryan and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll to ensure officers are correctly educated about the rules before more riders are erroneously fined.
And Queensland is not the only state where police are getting the rules and standards wrong. Click here for more details.
Incorrect fine
Ian with his “void” sticker
In the first instance of an incorrect helmet fine, a rider had an external sticker showing “VOID” from sun exposure and an internal certification label affected by wear and sweat.
Neither the Australian Road Rules nor the Australian Standards make any reference to an age limit for motorcycle helmets.
Police admitted their error and said it was an “isolated incident” and “the officer has been given guidance regarding the matter”.
However, that is not the case and police are issuing incorrect fines because they apparently don’t know the relevant road rules and helmet standards.
Second fine
In the second incident, Robbie Graham copped a fine for a non-compliant helmet even though it had a proper Australian compliance sticker on the outside although the interior label had disappeared with normal wear and tear.
Sticker
No label
Guy says riders only need one form of certification “mark” on their helmet, either the external sticker or internal label, not both.
He says there is no reference in the road rules nor standard to helmets being non-compliant because of the wear and tear to the certification sticker or label.
The Queensland Department of Transport also notes that “either” a sticker or label is all that is legally required.
Fight against incorrect fine
Robbie has vowed to fight the $400/three-demerit-point fine and has written to the Police Commissioner and Department.
We also contacted Police HQ to ask why this has occurred, how they would ensure proper education of their officers and whether they would waive the incorrect fine.
Their insufficient reply did not answer any of our questions.
Instead, police referred us to the officer in charge and said “personal correspondence has been provided to the relevant party regarding this matter”.
That “personal correspondence” consisted of a phone message left for Robbie by an officer from the Organised Crime Gangs Maxima Road Policing Unit.
The message suggested Robbie had “two options — you can pay the fine or go to court”.
We contacted the phone number supplied and spoke with the Officer in Charge of the unit, Sgt Cameron Wilson.
The Sgt agrees that riders only need either the sticker or label as stated on the Department of Transport website and admitted by police in waiving Ian’s fine.
However, he says if the helmet only has the sticker, it needs to have all the information that is on the internal label as well as a date of manufacture.
Guy Stanford
Guy points out that there has never been any external sticker with all that information and the date of manufacture is superfluous because there is expiry date requirement for helmets.
Not only was his interpretation of the rules askew, but he didn’t even know that European-approved helmets could legally be sold in shops.
We asked Police HQ what training police received on helmet rules.
They replied: “Although there is no specific formal training package regarding motor cycle helmets, all officers are trained in statutory interpretation to enable them to enforce the law.”
Guy says the term “trained in statutory interpretation” sounds like something the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland would say.
“Perhaps this Sergeant needs to take advice from a hookah-smoking caterpillar before he goes crimson with rage and demands “Off with his head!” before going off to play croquet using flamingos for sticks,” he says.
“We really are in some childish alternate reality with this stuff.”
Court option
While police continue to incorrectly issue helmet fines, riders are left with the two options of paying a fine for an offence they did not commit or waste the court’s time and their time with the expense of a court hearing.
“They shouldn’t be issuing incorrect fines to people in the first place,” Robbie says.
“This doesn’t show ethics or integrity. It’s just wrong.
“You have to stand up for everyone else not just yourself.”
We contacted the Police Minister who has now asked the police to investigate the matter.
The Police Commissioner has been asked for comment, but is busy with bushfires this weekend and may not reply until next week.
We will follow the progress of Robbie’s fine challenge.
A fundraiser page has been started to raise money for the family of rider Scott Rose who was killed in a collision with an unlicensed driver at Tumbulgum, NSW, on Monday (2 September 2019).
Scott died in the crash at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tweed Valley Way in Tumbulgum near Tweed Heads, about 3.20pm on Sunday.
The driver left the scene and another rider involved was injured but later released from hospital.
Graham Belcher, 52, of Britain, was arrested at Brisbane International Airport on Tuesday (3 September 2019) at 2am as he was about to board a flight to Hong Kong.
dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous;
fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death;
negligent driving (occasioning death);
cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle;
drive while licence cancelled;
not give way to vehicle (give way sign/line); and
driver fails/refuses to disclose his identity.
Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody until November 20.
Family fundraiser
The fundraiser page was started by brother-in-law, Codie Holliday, to raise money to support Scott’s wife Tenniel and his children Lacey and Nash.
“As the sole income provider for his family, Scott’s tragic death is impacting his family in so many awful ways, including financially,” Codie says on the fundraiser page.
“At this horrible time of need it would be most appreciated if as a community we can get together to support Tenniel, Nash and Lacey so that finances are one less thing they need to worry about.
“It is one burden that we can actually help to lift. All funds donated will go directly to the family to assist with all related costs and assist in supporting this family through this time.
“Thank you in advance to everyone who donates, to all of the people who have offered their support and kindness, the first responders on scene, and those who went past the accident and stopped to help, we are forever grateful.”
A British man facing multiple charges involving a fatal crash with two motorcycles on Sunday was an unlicensed driver in a rental car.
Graham Belcher, 52, of Britain, was arrested at Brisbane International Airport yesterday (Tuesday 3 September 2019) at 2am as he was about to board a flight to Hong Kong.
He will appear in Tweed Heads Local Court today.
NSW Police will allege his rental car was involved in the crash at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tweed Valley Way in Tumbulgum (pictured above) near Tweed Heads, about 3.20pm on Sunday.
Crash scene
A male rider died at the scene and the other male rider was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop.
NSW Police have successfully applied for his extradition in Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday.
He will appear in Tweed Heads Local Court this morning charged with an outstanding warrant, as well as:
dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous;
fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death;
negligent driving (occasioning death);
cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle;
drive while licence cancelled;
not give way to vehicle (give way sign/line); and
driver fails/refuses to disclose his identity.
He is expected to be remanded in custody to appear at a later date for a hearing.
His arrest was a joint operation involving the Crash Investigation Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Tweed Byron Police District officers, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Queensland Police.
Police had appealed for the public’s assistance to locate the Hyundai with Queensland registration 170-ZCP.
Similar Hyundai
It was found late yesterday in Terranora and seized for examination.
Inquiries into the events leading up to the crash are continuing.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our condolences to the deceased rider’s family and friends and our best wishes to the other rider for a quick and full recovery.
A highly visible police presence will target motorcyclists on Victorian country roads enjoying the warmer spring weather in Operation Argus this weekend.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane says officers would have a “heavy emphasis on motorcycle safety”.
“As we head into spring we expect riders to start getting their bikes out of the garage and making the most of the warmer weather,” he says.
“We don’t want to see a repeat of the beginning of the year, where too many people never finished their ride.
“If a motorcyclist leaves the road, they don’t stand much of a chance. Sadly we have already seen more riders die on our roads this year than the whole of 2018.”
So far this year, 32 riders have died on Victorian roads compared with 21 by the same time last year and the five-year average of 24, according to the Traffic Accident Commission.
Over the past 12 months 49 have died compared with 34 the previous 12 months and the five-year average of 38.
However, Victorian Motorcycle Council media spokesman John Eacott said the scant Victorian Police assessment of crash statistics was “absolutely meaningless”.
Visible police presence
Beautiful Victorian spring weather entices riders
The highly visible police presence will target speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, seatbelt offences and driver distraction.
There will also be a strong focus on country roads, where the increase in lives lost has predominantly occurred.
“Road trauma doesn’t discriminate and we have seen that time and time again – we just can’t afford to take gambles on the road,” AC Leane says.
“We’re taking road safety seriously and we need Victorian motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to do the same.”
Operation Argus runs from 12.01am tomorrow (5 September 2019) to 11.59pm Sunday (8 September).
A 29-year-old woman has been charged with negligent driving after a collision with a motorcycle in Sydney on Sunday (1 September 2019) that left a 63-year-old male rider with a severely injured foot.
NSW Police say that about 3pm a Toyota Aurion was turning right from a driveway on to King Street, Randwick, when it collided with the motorcycle heading east.
The rider was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for further treatment. He remains in a stable condition.
We wish him well for a full and fast recovery.
The driver of the Toyota Aurion, a 29-year-old woman, stopped after the crash and spoke with police.
About 7.50pm yesterday the woman attended Maroubra Police Station where she was charged with negligent driving.
She was given conditional bail to appear before Waverely Local Court on Wednesday, 16 October 2019. We will have an update on that day.
Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command are investigating the events leading up to the crash and appeal to anyone who might have dash camera or security camera footage and is yet to speak with police to contact them.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
A driver, 52, wanted in connection with a double motorcycle crash that killed one rider and left another injured has been arrested about to board a flight to Hong Kong.
NSW Police will now apply for the extradition of the man, who was arrested trying to board an overseas flight in Brisbane this morning (Tuesday 3 September 2019).
A male rider died at the scene of yesterday’s crash involving two motorcycles and a blue 2019 Hyundai i30 rental car which failed to stop.
NSW Police say the crash occurred at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tweed Valley Way in Tumbulgum (pictured above) near Tweed Heads, about 3.20pm.
The rider died at the scene and the other male rider was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop.
Driver arrested
The man was arrested at 2am today at Brisbane International Airport after a joint operation between the Crash Investigation Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Tweed Byron Police District officers, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Queensland Police.
He is currently in custody at the Brisbane watch house.
Crash Investigators will seek extradition to speak with the man about the collision.
Police are appealing for the public’s assistance to locate the Hyundai with Queensland registration 170-ZCP.
Similar Hyundai
It is believed the vehicle has considerable damage to the right-hand side and a missing front registration plate.
Crash investigators believe this car could be in northern NSW or South East Queensland.
Inquiries into the events leading up to the crash are continuing.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our condolences to the riders’ family and friends and our best wishes to the other rider for a quick and full recovery.
Elvis Presley’s last motorcycle, a 1972 1200cc FLH Electra Glide, has sold for $US800,000 (about $A1.2m), failing to beat an Aussie bike’s auction record.
Kruse GWS Auctions had expected the Elvis bike set auction records, believing it was worth as much as $A3m.
However, it was sold at almost a quarter of that value.
That means the auction record remains with an Australian-owned 1951 Vincent Black Lightning aptly sold on Australia Day 2018.
There were 22 bids for the “King’s” bike, his last before he died in 1977, aged just 42.
Elvis bought the customised FLH full dresser in California on 11 August 1976 and shipped it to his home at Graceland, Memphis.
He barely rode the bike, clocking up just 202km in less than a year before he sold it to a local Harley dealership 90 days before he died.
Elvis often gave away his favourite “toys” after a short time of enjoyment, substantiating his lifelong charitable nature.
The immaculately preserved Harley includes a number of custom features, with Presley choosing a black and blue two-tone paint job, stitched leather seat and chrome accents.
Incredibly, the bike was still registered in Presley’s name and has been on show at the Murdo South Dakota Pioneer Auto Museum for over 30 years.
The motorcycle has been housed in a glass museum quality display for its entire stay at the museum and guests have never been allowed to touch it.
A male rider has died at the scene of a crash involving another motorcycle and a car which failed to stop in the NSW Northern Rivers region today.
NSW Police says the crash occurred at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tweed Valley Way in Tumbulgum, near Tweed Heads, about 3.20pm (Monday 2 September 2019).
The rider died at the scene and the other male rider was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop.
Police are now searching for a small bright blue hatchback with front-end damage and Queensland registration plates 170 ZCP.
Anyone with information regarding this vehicle should contact Triple Zero or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Our condolences to the riders’ family and friends and our best wishes to the other rider for a quick and full recovery.
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