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Motorcycle News, News

Harley boss buys up millions in shares

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New Harley-Davidson boss Jochen Zeitz has bought about $US2 ($A2.8) million of company shares just weeks after announcing a 30% cut in coming models and three months after buying $2.1m ($A2.9) in shares.

It’s a huge vote of confidence in his austere “Hardwire” strategy for the company which also includes cutting 700 jobs globally.

Shares

On Wednesday (12 August 2020), Jochen bought 71,450 Harley-Davidson shares at an average per-share price of $27.86.

In early May, he paid $US2.1 million for 97,850 Harley-Davidson shares at an average per-share price of $21.26.

These are the first purchases of company shares by a Harley-Davidson insider since 2017.

He now owns about almost 300,000 shares in a personal account.

In the past six months, Harley shares have dropped from 35.87c to 15.04 in April and then steadily rising to 27.96c.

Jochen was announced as CEO on 8 May 2020 after becoming interim CEO when former CEO Matt Levatich was sacked in February. 

Matt Levatich Harley-Davidson CEOP and president boss Hog
Levatich in Australia last year

When he became interim CEO, Jochen implemented measures to ride out the pandemic recession including he and fellow board members forgoing salary/cash compensation.

The measures also include cutting back on all non-essential spending, temporary salary reductions, 30% reduction in executive leadership, 10-20% reduction for US salaried employees, no merit increases for 2020 and no new staff until further notice.

Jochen also announced his plan five-year strategy which he called “Rewire”.

Last month he changed it to “Hardwire” with the following five main strategies:

  1. Reorganisation of the company structure and a new marketing strategy toward freedom, led by Hollywood action star and Harley fan Jason Momoa;
  2. Cuts in model lines and 2021 models delayed from September to early 2021 (click here to read more);
  3. More emphasis on merchandise and bike accessories;
  4. Pulling out of some international markets (click here to read more); and
  5. Cutbacks on production to promote exclusivity and avoid discounting.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

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(Contributed post for our Southern California readers)

If you ride a motorcycle in Orange County or anywhere else in southern California, you know that it’s dangerous. With their high-speed capabilities and minimal frames, motorcycles offer their riders little protection. Because of this, even a minor motorcycle accident can result in severe injuries. We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents on the California freeways. If you do ride a bike, wear your helmet and body protection.

Ten Common Causes of California Motorcycle Collisions

There are many hazards for motorcyclists—always from other drivers, but also often from themselves.

1. Improper or unsafe lane changes

When you’re riding a motorcycle, drivers frequently don’t see your minimal profile. When you change lanes, it’s important that you’re not relying on other drivers to break or to expand the gap you’re moving into. If you don’t have a wide berth, remain in your lane.

2. Speeding or driving too fast for conditions

There’s no doubt about it. Bikes are fast. But they’re also harder to control at higher speeds. You can also override your headlights, which means that things can appear in the road too quickly for you to react. In addition to causing motorcycle accidents, speed can make accidents more dangerous.

3. Drunk driving

When a car driver is drunk, they endanger everyone on the road. While motorcyclists are also a danger to other drivers, the primary peril is to themselves. Alcohol affects coordination and slows reaction times.

4. Lane splitting

This occurs when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes, usually to avoid traffic. The danger comes when cars suddenly shift lanes, blocking the motorcyclist’s path or squeezing the gap.

5. Car doors opening

Many drivers forget to check their side mirror before opening the door. If they don’t hear a motorcyclist, they’re likely to block the rider’s path with the door. This is also dangerous for bicyclists and skaters.

6. Rear-end collisions

If you stop suddenly, there’s a good chance that an inattentive driver will continue forward or notice you too late and strike you from the rear. This is one of the most common types of vehicle accidents.

7. Inexperienced motorcyclists

Newer motorcyclists are more prone to accidents. Riding a motorcycle is a skill that takes time to develop. When you’re learning, stay off of busy roadways and try to ride during slower times.

8. Left-turn intersection accidents

Intersections are dangerous, but when you add to it the smaller profile of a motorcycle, they can be a nightmare. Statistically, making a left turn is the most dangerous type of turn at an intersection.

9. Road hazards

From construction sites to potholes to inconsistent surfaces, when you’re on two wheels as opposed to four, the smallest inconsistency can cause a rider to lose balance and lose control.

10. Defective equipment

Having properly maintained equipment is always important on the road, but when you’re riding a motorcycle, having even a minor malfunction can cause your bike to throw you, causing a hazardous situation.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in southern California, call an Orange County motorcycle accident attorney for a free consultation.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Indian issues 2nd Scout recall on brakes

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Indian Motorcycle has issued a global recall on 2019 Scout and Scout Bobber motorcycles for a possible problem with the brakes.

The brake fluid on some bike might not have been filled to the manufacturer’s quality standards which could allow an air bubble which would affect braking efficiency.

This is a follow-up to the 2018 recall for a brake issue on the Scout which advised owners to do an “urgent pre-ride inspection” to ensure the brakes were working properly.

An official Australian Competition and Consumer Commission notice has not yet been released, but Indian Motorcycle Australia says owners have been contacted.

We publish all recall notices in case ownership changes hands and the distributor is not notified.

Inspect brakes

Since the official notice has not been released, we suggest riders check their brakes before riding and arrange an inspection.

The original notice advised riders to do the following urgent pre-ride inspection before riding the bike straight to the dealership:

  • Press down on the rear brake pedal. It should move freely and smoothly. The pedal should feel firm and continue to feel firm until released.
  • Release the pedal. It should return to its rest position quickly when released.
  • Repeat Pre-Ride Inspection for the front brake lever. Ensure the lever feels firm and that it returns to rest position quickly when released.

“If either the front or rear brake fails to perform as stated or travels too far before beginning to engage the brake, please contact your Indian Motorcycle dealer directly,” the 2018 notice said.

It’s always a good idea to do this sort of inspection with any bike as part of your usual pre-ride check.

It is believed the new notice invites riders to make an appointment at their Indian dealership for the brake fluid to be flushed and replaced, free of charge.

The manufacturer confirmed that no components of the brake system needed to be replaced.

We will update this article with the official notice if/when it is released along with the VINs of affected vehicles.

Indian Scout Bobber pricing rapid brakes
Indian Scout Bobber

Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

• Australia

• USA

• New Zealand

• Canada

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Carbon frame closer to mass production

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A new BMW Motorrad patent for a carbon fibre swingarm brings the hi-tech, lightweight technology closer to mass production through a manufacturing process that makes it more affordable.

In 2018,  BMW Motorrad won a JEC Innovation Award for the development and manufacture of a carbon fibre swingarm for its 2017 HP4 RACE (pictured above).

A new filing patent brings that technology closer to mass production.

Instead of a conventional swingarm pivot, the patent shows a flexible carbon fibre with the swingarm integrated into the chassis.

Carbon fibre and other lightweight materials are becoming more prevalent in motorcycle design with a wide range of benefits to handling, braking, acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.

The properties of carbon fibre that make it so attractive to motorcycle manufacturers is its light weight and high strength.

Carbon fibre and other lightweight materials are becoming more prevalent in motorcycle design with a wide range of benefits to handling, braking, acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.

The properties of carbon fibre that make it so attractive to motorcycle manufacturers is its light weight and high strength.

I switched to Blackstone TEK carbon fibre wheels on a 2006 Ducati GT1000 project bike and was stunned at the wide range of benefits it brought to the bike.

Blackstone TEK Black Diamond carbon fibre wheels for Ducati GT1000 hype swingarm
Ducati GT1000 with Blackstone TEK carbon wheels

Carbon history

Carbon fibre construction has come a long way since it was first used in a motorcycle in 1994 in Cagiva’s C194 500cc two-stroke.

It featured a chassis made of carbon-fibre and alloy, but was short-lived.

The other famous early use of carbon fibre was in chassis of the Britten V1000, designed and hand-built by Kiwi John Britten.

Britten laps at Phillip Island Classic swingarm
Britten V1000

John, a brilliant, but dyslexic mechanical engineer, died of skin cancer in 1995 having hand-built only 10 V1000s.

Carbon fibre is today used extensively in motorsport and expensive automobiles and motorcycles such as the Ducati Desmosedici.

Carbon swingarm project

Carbon fibre is expensive because it is difficult to mass-produce.

However, manufacturing processes are improving, resulting in better quality finishes and cheaper products.

Joachim Starke, who is in charge of BMW’s lightweight composite fibres, says the HP4 RACE combined optimum technical qualities, uniform manufacturing quality and cost efficiency for the first time.

The HP4 RAE swingarm was made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic with CFP tape reinforcements using thermoplastic material.

BMW HP4 RACE Swingarm
BMW HP4 RACE swingarm

BMW believes it will be possible to establish a cost-efficient manufacturing process suitable for the large-scale production of such injection-mould components.

He says they developed a technology that allows precise configuration of component properties by using a variety of composite and metal inserts.

“This scalability means that a single tool can be used to produce a wide range of different components at cycle times of less than a minute,” he says.

“The maximum strength can be adjusted by means of additional CFP panels which can be thermoplastically joined.”

BMW also used welding robots in the process to reduce costs.

The HP4 RACE carbon fibre project forms the basis for the use of carbon fibre in serial production of BMW motorcycles and automobiles.

BMW HP4 Race has carbon swingarm
BMW HP4 RACE

Carbon technology explained

BMW project manager Elmar Jäger explains the technology:

We opted for chassis components under continuous load since the requirements involved are especially demanding. While car chassis parts are concealed, the visible motorcycle rear swinging arm was ideal for our project since the forces at work are immediately evident. Our production technique uses CFP in the form of high-strength endless fibres where this is required by the stress pattern, while an injection mould part with short CFP recycling fibres is used where the stress levels are not as high. In this way, we developed a cost-efficient design that can be scaled according to requirements by inserting endless fibres with varying levels of strength in the same tool.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Teenager interviewed over rider death

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A teenager is “assisting police with inquiries” after a rider standing on a Gympie highway ramp was struck by an unknown vehicle and killed on Monday night (10 August 2020).

Queensland Police say the body of the 48-year-old rider was found about 11pm on Monday (10 August 2020)  between the two northbound lanes of the Bruce Highway, 200m south of the Mary Valley Link Road overpass.Teen interviewed over rider death

Police found his Suzuki SV1000S on its side about 100m away.

“Preliminary inquiries indicate the motorcyclist parked on the nearby off-ramp and had been standing while holding his helmet when struck by an unknown vehicle,” police say.

It is believed a utility “may have overtaken the motorcyclist and another vehicle at high speed prior to the incident”.

Police are now interviewing a 19-year-old man about the incident.

“There is no further information at this time and investigations are continuing,” they say.

Forensic Crash Unit investigators are appealing for any witnesses, particularly motorists travelling on the Bruce Highway around the Kybong area between 10pm and 11pm, or anyone who may have relevant dash cam vision to contact police.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

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

Our sincere condolences to the riders’ family and friends.

Rider injurednsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states lying seeking dubbo overnight bail negligent SUV young national park fatal knocking unlicensed guilty stolen

In another incident, NSW Police are investigating a serious motorcycle crash that occurred in the Central West about 2pm yesterday (11 August 2020) on Renshaw McGuire Way, about 10km west of Yeoval.

The rider, a 20-year-old female, was transported by Ambulance NSW to Parkes District Hospital where she was later airlifted to Liverpool Hospital. She remains in a critical condition.

Officers from Orana Mid Western Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.

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.

Quote this reference number: QP2001680708 within the online suspicious activity form.

Our sincere best wishes to the rider for a full and swift recovery.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Man in court over pillion death

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A 43-year-old male driver has been bailed in a Sydney court today over the death of a motorcycle pillion and the injury of the rider in a three-vehicle crash in Moorebank in July 2020.

Yoshiaki Watanabe was charged with:

  • Dangerous driving occasioning death — drive manner dangerous;
  • dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm — drive manner dangerous;
  • negligent driving (occasioning death); and
  • negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm).

He appeared in Campbelltown Local Court today where the matter was adjourned to 7 October 2020 when Watanabe will be excused from attending. He was released on conditional bail.

The incident occurred about 10am on Sunday 19 July 2020, on Moorebank Avenue, near Church Road, Moorebank, when two cars and a motorcycle collided.

The motorcycle rider, a 34-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.

Sadly, his 41-year-old female pillion died at the scene.

The driver of a silver Lexus, a 36-year-old man, and Watanabe, the driver of a red Mazda CX5, were uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit officers arrested Watanabe at a unit on Hosking Crescent, Glenfield, about 7.40 that night.

He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station, charged and granted conditional bail.

Investigators are continuing to appeal to motorists who witnessed the crash or who may have dash cam vision to come forward.

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 pillion’s family and friends and our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for the rider.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Will electric vehicles drain power grid?

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One of the main concerns about motorists swapping to electric vehicles is that they would place an even bigger drain on the already strained power grid.

However, some electric cars and now the Damon Hypersport electric motorcycle have what they call “smart chargers” that actually prop up the grid.

Damon Hypersport Premier and HS
Damon Hypersport

This is how they work:

You arrive home from work on your electric motorcycle, plug it in to recharge, put on the kettle, turn on the air-conditioning, switch on the TV and/or computer and start cooking dinner.

The power grid labours under this surge in demand and there is a brownout!

However, because your bike is equipped with a smart charger, it doesn’t immediately start charging the vehicle.

Instead, it takes the remaining charge from the bike and puts it back into the grid.

Solar Cake Kalk electric motorcycles standardise election
Power back to the grid

So it actually supports the electricity supply at a high-demand period, preventing brownouts.

Of course an electric two-wheeler wouldn’t have as much electricity to give back to the grid as a car, but with thousands around the country plugging in at peak hour, it would still have a positive effect.

The smart charger only starts charging the vehicle later in the evening when the demand is low and the price is cheap.

Of course, if you decide you need to go out to get some milk you might find your electric bike is now flat!

Grid trial

So the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has launched a $A2.9 million trial providing smart chargers across the national grid.

The smart chargers will be installed across residential, commercial and industrial premises of EV owners and fleets, where they will be remotely monitored and controlled via software.

Australia Post postie bike electric trike eDV
Australia Post postie bike electric trike eDV

It will not only evaluate the effects of controlled smart charging on the grid, but also provide details on EV driver behaviour and willingness to accept third-party control of charging.

The trial would also ascertain what incentives are needed to encourage future participation in charge-management programs.

Some may see this as Big Brother intervention, prying into how, where and when they use their vehicle.

Of course, most of this information is already available through various sources.

And it could be a benefit to the whole community.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Sturgis is biggest crowd since pandemic

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Motorcycle riders are about to inherit a bad reputation around the world as hundreds of thousands crowd into the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this weekend.

As riders start to roll into the town, organisers predict attendance will be about 250,000, down from an annual average of almost half a million.

Yet it will still be the biggest crowd of people in the one place in the world since the pandemic was declared six months ago.

That will be a tremendous black mark against motorcyclists everywhere and already America and the world’s media is massing in the small town to record the spectacle.

Vendors

The number of vendors is down from about 700-800 to 330 as some companies decide it is not worth risking the health of workers nor the associated bad image.

Harley-Davidson employees are forbidden to travel so they will not be there but will have a lot of signage at the event.

Meanwhile, Indian Motorcycle will be on hand offering demo rides.

The company vaguely claim they will do it “in a way that keeps them safe and makes sure we are keeping employees and the dealership employees safe when they are interacting”.

Crowd checks

USA America Sturgis Rushmore South Dakota rally crowd
Riders in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Town leaders say they will be handing out masks, advising social distancing and offering testing to the crowd but it is doubtful many of the freedom-loving riders will comply.

They say there is little likelihood of transmission in the outdoors event, although a lot of the activities do take place in close quarters and in clubs, hotels and inside venues.

Currently South Dakota is recording about 75 new cases a day and increasing.

In April, the Smithfield pork processing plant in Sioux Falls became what was then the nation’s largest coronavirus hot spot when more than 600 staff contracted the virus.

So far, the state has recorded 9273 cases and 141 deaths with four in the past day.

Death projections for the state are 250 by December 1 as restrictions ease. That could be reduce to 180 if masks were made mandatory.

However, South Dakota is among several states that has not locked down nor made masks mandatory.

Those projections for deaths don’t take into account the Sturgis rally.

Nor do they show how the virus can be spread in other states and countries as rally goers head home, taking the infection with them.

As this becomes evident, the stigma that motorcyclists have spread the virus will taint riders everywhere.

Vote against rally

Of the 7000 Sturgis citizens, 63% voted not to hold the rally, but a gift wholesaler in nearby Rapid City threatened to sue the council.

Sturgis City Council member Terry Keszler says they should have postponed or cancelled the rally in March.

However, Doreen Allison Creed, Meade County commissioner who represents Sturgis, says the county lacked the authority to shut down the rally because much of it takes place on state-licensed campgrounds.

“We are either going to be a great success story or failure,” she says.

“I truly believe it could not have been stopped.”

The state’s Department of Tourism has estimated that the annual festival generates about $800 million in revenue.

Warning

Neighbouring Minnesota Department of Health commissioner Jan Malcolm called the decision to go ahead with the event “disappointing”.

Malcolm and other state public health leaders have warned that the rally could be a potential petri dish for spreading the virus here and across the nation.

Michael Osterholm, head of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, says the rally could cause a major virus spread.

“Come mid-August to late August, early September, Sturgis will have one hell of an imprint on this country,” he says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Is water power the future for motorbikes?

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Yamaha is the first major manufacturer to give some credence to the theory that future motorcycles and other vehicles could be powered by water.

In 2016, the company commissioned industrial designer Maxime Lefebvre to provide a concept for a 2025 Yamaha motorcycle. That’s just five years away!

After three trial efforts, Yamaha has now officially released images of the prototype bike which looks like an original 1975 XT model but is powered by water.

They call it a closed-loop H2O engine powered by a water pump that continually cycles water.

However, Yamaha is short on technical details.

For example, they don’t say what powers the water pump. Maybe it’s a small electric motor.Yamaha water bike

Nor do they say what sort of power output it would deliver.

It all seems very mystical at the moment. Or is it?

Water and algae powerDutch wooden bike runs on algae oil combustion

Two Dutch designers have built a wooden bike that runs on algae oil and a South American has invented a bike that runs 500km on one litre of water.

The Dutch wooden motorcycle runs on algae oil grown by scientist Peter Mooij as bio fuel.

Designer Titsert Mans thought it appropriate to put it in a bike made of sustainable materials such as wood.

They have written a book, The Thick Algae, to explain their principles.

Sao Paulo inventor Ricardo Azevedo says his T Power H20 bike can even run on polluted water.

It uses a car battery and the water to generate electricity and separate hydrogen from the water molecules. This results in internal engine combustion which powers the bike.

However, don’t hold your breath waiting for some of these technologies to come to your bike.

Ricardo’s bike was revealed back in 2015 and no manufacturer has yet taken up the challenge of introducing it to a production bike.

But change is surely coming and the internal-combustion-engine motorcycle is not dead yet!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Riders risk being torn to shreds on trial surface

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Riders could be torn to shreds by a rough “tyre-shredding” road surface designed to stop “hoons” doing burnouts and drifting, according to an ex-bike cop and now riding instructor.

George Foessel joined Queensland Police in 1983 and became a bike cop and a driver/rider trainer as well as a qualified crash investigator.

“My concern is how the surface will impact on the two-wheeled community in the event of a fall,” says Greg who now trains riders at Motor School.

Greg Foessel is now a rider instructor

Shreds tyres

Brisbane City Council has trialled the special abrasive road surface at known hoon burnout locations in Chuwar and Willawong and will soon release their findings.

The road surface consists of bitumen spray sealed with a highly modified rubberised binder and sharp, angular aggregate stones.

It is designed to have high friction to prevent spinning tyres. If a driver or rider does manage a burnout, the rough aggregate shreds tyres quickly.

Road surface trial shreds tyres and riders
These gloves would be shredded if they hit the road at speed

“I totally understand the need to curtail the activities of a few reckless people and the initiative definitely has merit,” Greg says.

“However, I feel that if the surface shreds tyres then it may also shred motorcycle protective clothing and any exposed skin.  This in itself could impose more severe injures who come into contact with this surface.

“I feel that the surface may need to be re-evaluated whilst in the trial phase to ensure there is not an increased risk to cyclists and motorcyclist who may inadvertently come to grief in these areas.”

Despite his concerns and the fact that BCC has yet to release its findings, the Queensland Liberal-National Party (LNP) already plans to roll out the “tyre-shredding surface” at more burnout spots.

The say the road treatment causes increased tyre wear.

Road surface trial shreds tyres and riders
Close-up of rough surface

“If you are driving normally or are on a push bike or motorcycle you are able to ride over the road surface with no issues,” they say.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo says they were not consulted about the trials but are interested in the results.

Council trials

A Brisbane City Council spokesperson says that during their first 12-month trial on Allawah Road, Chuwar, the number of hooning complaints dropped.

Road surface trial shreds tyres and riders
Burnout marks just outside the trial area

I inspected the Chuwar trial and noticed burnout marks just outside the trial area, so it hasn’t totally stopped “hoon” activity in the area.

“Following its success, Council applied a road treatment to a second trial site at Gardens Drive, Willawong in November 2019,” the BCC spokesperson says.

“We have been working with the Queensland Police Service, analysing crash data, undertaking pavement testing, evaluating survey data and analysing community feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of the trial surface.”

“We expect to release the information next month.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com