Why would anyone think this Marabese Blade with three in-line wheels is a good thing for motorcycles?
The Marabese Blade is the work of the family owned Luciano Marabese design company that also designed the Piaggio MP3 scooter with two side-by-side front wheels.
PIaggio MP3
The company has also designed bikes for Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Triumph and Yamaha.
Their Blade has been designed by Luciano’s sons Ricardo and Roberto specifically for Asian markets.
Pros and Cons of Marabese Blade
The advantages could be more braking power and cornering confidence given the increased contact patch of the third tyre.
Locking up the wheels in a brake test
That’s also true with other three-wheelers with two side-by-side front wheels such as Yamaha’s Niken and TriCity scooter.
Niken
Tricity
It also makes the wheelbase longer which provides more seating space.
That makes it particularly suitable in Asian and African countries where they often fit whole families on motorcycles and scooters.
However, it would also make it heavier and more expensive to buy and maintain given the extra tyre.
We also don’t buy their argument that it is narrower for lane filtering as the two Yamahas are not much wider than normal bikes and scooters.
We’re also a bit sceptical about the designers’ claims that it is more stable over bumps.
Despite the complex and heavy front suspension system, the impact on the handlebars of the two wheels taking a bump at different times must double the chance of kickback and instability.
The original prototype Blade used 10-inch wheels, but they have now gone up to 12-inch wheels.
That could make steering geometry fairly fast, but it may also contribute to some steering issues we’ve experienced with 12-inch-wheeled scooters.
It is powered by a single-cylinder 300cc engine, but the designers say it will also fit a twin-cylinder 550cc engine.
Marabese is still working on the prototype and it is not yet confirmed for production.
The best way to celebrate Australia Day this year is to get out and ride in regional areas that have been hit by the bushfire crisis and spend your tourist dollar.
Some Asian and Mid-East cities ban all motorcycles or impose a curfew.
Some countries also ban women from riding for “modesty” reasons!
In London, motorcycle theft has halved in the past two years, yet almost 10,000 were stolen last year.
In Malaysia, 26 unmarried couples have been arrested for riding together on a motorcycle.
AUSSIE BIKE HISTORY
More great reasons to celebrate motorcycling on Australia Day is our rich motorcycling history.
With its vast distances and rugged terrain, motorcycles were popular at the start of the last century. We even had a thriving motorcycle manufacturing industry, particularly during World War I when supplies of British motorcycles dried up.
While we have not had a motorcycle manufacturing industry for some time, Australia once built many motorcycles such as Lewis, Pasco, Blue Bird, Bullock, De Luxe, Peerless, Invincible JAP, Whiting, Mostyn, Rudge, FN and Norton.
Lewis motorcycles
Robert Saward wrote A-Z of Australian-made Motorcycles which details 396 brands of motorcycles, most of which were assembled here from imported engines and frames.
In 1928, the Auto Cycle Council of Australia was formed to represent the interests of motorcycle clubs and state associations at a national level. It is now called Motorcycling Australia which represents motorcycle racing.
RACING HERITAGE
Racing successes are more great reasons to celebrate.
Australians were among the first in the world to start racing motorcycles. Many believe the first speedway meetings were held in Australia and our speedway riders travelled to the UK to pioneer the sport.
Over the years, Australia has had many motorcycle champions. MA notes our first world champion as speedway rider Lionel Van Praag in 1936.
Here is MA’s list of champion Aussie riders and teams and more reasons to celebrate on our national day:
RIDERS
Lionel Van Praag
1936 Lionel Van Praag, Speedway
1938 Bluey Wilkinson, Speedway
1951/52 Jack Young, Speedway
1957 Keith Campbell, Road racing (350cc)
1961 Tom Phillis, Road racing (125cc)
1969 Kel Carruthers, Road racing (250cc)
1979/81 Barry Smith, Road racing (Formula TT)
1983 Steve Baker, Speedway (under 21)
1987 Wayne Gardner, Road racing (500cc)
1992 Leigh Adams, Speedway (under 21)
1994-98 Michael Doohan, Road racing (500cc)
Mick Doohan enters Hall of Fame
1995/2004/06/09 Jason Crump, Speedway (under 21)
1996/2005 Troy Corser, Superbikes
1997 Shane Watts, Enduro (125cc)
1997 Peter Goddard, Endurance Road Racing
2000/01/03/04 Stefan Merriman, Enduro
2000/02 Warwick Nowland, Endurance Road Racing
2001/06/08 Troy Bayliss, Superbikes
Troy Bayliss
2001/08 Andrew Pitt, Supersport
2001 Heinz Platacis, Endurance Road Racing
2003/08 Chad Reed, Supercross
2003 Chris Vermeulen, Supersport
2004 Karl Muggeridge, Supersport
2007/11 Casey Stoner, MotoGP
2009 Jay Wilson, Junior Motocross
2009/10 Darcy Ward, Speedway (under 21)
2009 Steve Martin, Endurance Road Racing
2010 Mick Headland, Jesse Headland, Track Racing Sidecar (1000cc)
2011 Darrin Treloar, Jesse Headland, Track Racing Sidecar (1000cc)
2012 Caleb Grothes, Junior MX (65cc)
2012 Chris Holder, World FIM Speedway GP
2013/14 Matthew Phillips, Enduro (Junior/E3)
2014 Jett Lawrence, Junior MX (65cc)
2015 Matthew Gilmore, Youth Speedway World Cup (250cc)
2016 Matt Phillips, Junior Enduro GP
2016 Toby Price, Dakar Rally
Toby Price
2017 Jason Doyle, World FIM Speedway GP
2018 Toby Price, FIM World Cross Country Champion
2018 Josh hook, World Endurance
2018 Braden Plath, World Junior Motocross
2018 Tayla Jones, ISDE (Enduro EW)
2018 Daniel Milner, ISDE Enduro E3 and overall
2019 Toby Price, Dakar Rally
2019 Daniel Milner, ISDE Enduro E3 and overall
Teams
1974 Pairs Speedway, 2nd
1976 Team Speedway (Phil Crump, Billy Sanders, Phil Hearne, John Boulger), 1st
1998 ISDE World Trophy, 3rd; ISDE Junior Trophy, 3rd
1999 Team Speedway (Jason Crump, Leigh Adams, Ryan Sullivan Jason Lyons, Todd Wiltshire), 1st; ISDE World Trophy, 3rd
2001 Team Speedway (Jason Crump, Leigh Adams, Ryan Sullivan, Todd Wiltshire, Craig Boyce, Jason Lyons), 1st
2002 Team Speedway (Ryan Sullivan, Todd Wiltshire, Leigh Adams, Jason Crump, Jason Lyons), 1st
Jason Crump and Troy Bayliss
2003 Team Speedway, 2nd
2006 Oceania Motocross (Nathan Brochtrup, Lee Ellis, Josh Strang, Kirk Gibbs, Chris Hollis, Cody Mackie, Ryan Marmont, Joel Passlow, Harley Quinlan, Tye Simmonds, Todd Waters), 1st
2006 ISDE Junior Team (Christopher Hollis, Joshua Strang, Blake Hore, Darren Lloyd), 3rd
2007 Team Speedway (Ryan Sullivan, Rory Schlein, Leigh Adams, Jason Crump, Chris Holder, Dave Watt), 3rd; Oceanic Motocross (Craig Anderson, Troy Carroll, Lee Ellis, Jay Marmont, Jake Moss, Cameron Tatlor, Danny Anderson, Lewis Stewart, Kristy Gillespie, Ashlea Bates, Adelia Barton, Tye Simmonds, Ross Beaton, Luke Arbon), 1st
2008 ISDE Junior Team (Jarrod Bewley, Geoff Braico, Blake Hore, Andrew Lloyd), 2nd
2009 Junior Motocross (Tye Simmonds, Jay Wilson), 1st; Track Racing Sidecar (Mick Headland, Paul Waters), 1st; Team Speedway (Leigh Adams, Jason Crump, Chris Holder, Davey Watt, Troy Batchelor), 2nd; Women’s Team (Jacqui Jones, Alison Parker, Jemma Wilson), 3rd
2010 Junior MX (Wilson Todd, Mitchell Evans, Joel Dinsdale, Scott Mann, Matt Phillips, Errol Willis), 3rd
2011 ISDE Womens Team (Allison Parker, Jess Gardiner, Jemma Wilson), 3rd; ISDE Mens Team – E2 Class (Toby Price, Matthew Phillips), 1st; MXoN (Chad Reed, Brett Metcalf, Matt Moss), 3rd; Speedway World Cup (Jason Crump, Darcy Ward, Chris Holder, Davey Watt, Troy Batchelor), 2nd
2012 ISDE Womens Trophy Team (Jess Gardiner, Tanya Hearn, Tayla Jones), 3rd; Speedway World Cup (Chris Holder, Davey Watt, Jason Crump, Darcy Ward, Troy Batchelor), 2nd; Speedway World Cup U21 (Darcy Ward, Sam Masters, Dakota North, Alex Davies, Nick Morris), 2nd
2013 ISDE Womens Trophy Team (Jess Gardiner, Tayla Jones, Jemma Wilson), 1st; Speedway World Cup (Darcy Ward, Cameon Woodward, Jason Doyle, Troy Batchelor) 3rd
2014 ISDE Womens Trophy Team (Jess Gardiner, Tayla Jones, Jemma Wilson), 1st; ISDE Junior Trophy Team (Daniel Sanders, Tom McCormack, Lachlan Stanford, Scott Keegan), 3rd; Speedway World Cup (Chris Holder, Darcy Ward, Jason Doyle, Troy Batchelor), 3rd
2015 FIM World Junior Motocross Championships (Hunter Lawrence, Cooper Pozniak, Rhys Budd, Bailey Malkiewicz, John Bova, Regan Duffy), 3rd; Trial des Nations International Trophy Competition (Chris Bayles, Tim Coleman, Kyle Middleton and Colin Zarczynki), 3rd; ISDE Junior Trophy Team (Daniel Sanders, Broc Grabham, Tom Mason, Tye Simmons), 1st; ISDE Women’s Trophy Team (Tayla Jones, Jess Gardiner, Jemma Wilson), 1st; ISDE Senior Trophy Team (Daniel Milner, Matthew Phillips, Lachlan Stanford, Glenn Kearney, Beau Ralston, Josh Green), 2nd (Provisional); FIM Team Speedway Under 21 2015 World Championship (Max Fricke, Brady Kurtz, Nick Morris, Jack Holder), 3rd
2016 and 2017 ISDE Women’s Trophy Team (Tayla Jones, Jess Gardiner, Jemma Wilson)
2018 World Junior Motocross (125cc) Bailey Malkiewicz, Brad West & Braden Plath
Indian Motorcycle Australia is extending its massive discounts to FTR 1200 in its expanded closing-down sale.
Two weeks ago they announced they were closing down their Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth company-owned stores and moving to a system of privately owned dealerships.
Then they announced discounts that last to the end of January including:
$3000 off accessories or apparel and free on-road costs on Roadmaster, Chief Vintage and Springfield Dark Horse;
$2000 off accessories or apparel and free on-road costs on FTR 1200 and Scout Bobber.
Now they are offering up to $3000 off the rideaway price on any FTR 1200 model.
This new offer is separate, ends on 31 March 2020 and cannot be used in conjunction with the previous offer.
Shame if you bought one of the above Indian models before these massive discounts were announced!
Closing down
Indian say there will be a gradual closing down of their stores throughout the year as alternative dealerships are found.
By the end of 2020, Indian Motorcycle in Australia and New Zealand will operate solely with an independent dealer network, except for Christchurch for is independently owned.
Clearing out floor stock with sales offers will help them move the process along faster.
That’s one customer benefit from closing their company-owned stores. Another benefit they claim is that it will increase the spread of dealerships throughout the country.
Company history
Perth store opened in 2016
The model of a mix of company owned and independent dealers has been operating since they started in Australia in 2008 with Victory Motorcycles.
Indian Motorcycle was added in 2013 after being bought by Polaris. They sold 102 Indian Chief models in their first year.
The traditional brand has experienced substantial growth since, even during the past few parlous years of motorcycle sales, but last year recorded a 3.9% decrease to 803.
That’s still far better than the 11.9% slump in total road bike sales in Australia.
In 2017, Polaris axed the Victory Motorcycle brand, but continued with the company owned stores just for Indian.
However, it was only a matter of time before they switched to the conventional system as used elsewhere in the world.
Polaris Australia boss Alan Collins said customers needed “more locations and more support”.
“Moving to an independent franchised network of dealers is more sustainable for us and our partners as we look to grow in order to meet demand, while also enabling a broader network of support and options for our customers.”
Comments on our article about the closure last week offer a wide variety of views of the efficacy of the MRAQ and whether it should continue or be replaced by another organisation.
Minister advised
Transport Minister Mark Bailey (centre) with RACQ spokesman Steve Spalding and MRAQ president Chris Mearns at a 2015 media event
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says he and the department were advised of the MRAQ’s closure.
However, he suggests it leaves no void in rider representation at a government level.
“TMR regularly engages with several stakeholders on matters that relate to Queensland riders and will continue to do so,” the Minister says.
“For example, RACQ are consulted on all initiatives in addition to attending regular meetings, a Q-Ride industry forum is held annually, and Q-Ride trainers have a dedicated contact officer within TMR to contact about Q-ride and other motorcycle related matters.”
The RACQ is the biggest club in Queensland with more than a million paid members and most likely the largest number of motorcycle riders.
Will RACQ fill void?
Steve Spalding RACQ
Several of the key RACQ staff are also riders, including Technical and Safety Officer Steve Spalding.
“The RACQ regularly contributes to government policy and local council discussions on motorcycle issues, particularly road safety, to promote greater awareness of rider vulnerability, along with practical advice and information that helps makes it safer for them,” Steve says.
“RACQ has also supported greater theft prevention awareness by partnering with the Queensland Police Service on securing motorcycles parked at home or in public spaces.
“We successfully advocated for the reinstatement of government funding for the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council which tracks and collates data on all vehicle theft including motorcycles.
Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich and Steve Spalding RACQ with a motorcycle disc lock
“RACQ provides advice to members on motorcycle ownership, care and maintenance, through its technical advisory service and recently appointed a Mackay based Approved Riding School to help learners in that area connect with a Q-Ride trainer,” Steve says.
Advisory group
In the void of a rider-initiated representative group, we asked Minister Bailey if he was considering a ministerial advisory panel of motorcycle experts.
The Victorian Government had the Motorcycle Experts Advisory Committee, but is now in the throes of replacing it with the new Motorcycling Community Engagement Panel.
However, Minister Bailey saysTMR is “not considering a motorcycle riders panel”.
“However, the department welcomes any opportunity to improve engagement with Queensland riders and industry,” he says.
New group?
Steve McDowall
Former MRAQ member and SMART Rider trainer Steve McDowall says he has had discussions with riders since the meeting.
“A number of us recognise the need for a body that adequately represents the interests of riders in Queensland, both to government and amongst the community in general,” he says.
“There has to be perceivable benefits for riders and an organisation that the government can have faith in.
“I’m not suggesting that the MRAQ didn’t have that trust from the government but it’s obvious that it didn’t have the support of the riding community.
“How we create that body/organisation that meets those criteria is what the initial discussions have been around, and at this time there are no definite plans in place but there is a desire among a group of us to ensure that body is created.
“It’s going to be a massive task.”
Motorbike Writer comment
Rider apathy seems to be in abundance nationwide as many riders gravitate to free and informal social media groups.
Consequently, incorporated rider representative associations struggle for paid members and volunteers to nominate for laborious and thankless executive positions.
In the midst of such endemic apathy there seems little point in trying to fill any perceived void in advocacy with yet another doomed association.
As Albert Einstein is oft (probably erroneously) quote:
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
I must disclose I am an RACQ member, I write their monthly motorbike review and am good riding mates with Steve Spalding and motoring editor Barry Green (another rider).
For all its flaws, the RACQ provides perhaps the best advocacy for motorcyclists of any of the state automotive clubs.
It would have the largest number of motorcyclists in its membership so it owes we riders to properly represent us.
I trust Steve and RACQ’s advocacy team will work hard to push our cause in the boardrooms and backrooms, and I am hopeful that in the next few months we can organise a joint survey on rider needs.
In the meantime, riders who a re members can contact the RACQ if they need assistance with an issue.
Instead, I fear the same vocal “keyboard warriors” who helped destroy the MRAQ will continue to white-ant rider groups around the country.
As we celebrate Australia Day weekend and Toby Price’s podium finish in last week’s Dakar Rally, let’s also celebrate three Aussie riders in an equally tough African rally.
Three Australians competed in the gruelling 14-day 2020 Africa ECO Race from France to Senegal.
The event is probably closer to the original Dakar Rally when it was held in Europe and Africa before shifting to South America after a 2008 terrorist threat cancelled the event. This year it moved to Saudi Arabia to “follow the oil money”!
Matt, who was born in Ballarat but now lives in Vancouver, was a late entry replacing a rider in Lyndon Poskitt’s Team Races 2 Places who had to withdraw due to illness. Matt finished the rally in seventh place.
“It was a crazy hard race,” he says.
Matt Sutherland
Andrew (pictured top of the page) from Albury is an experienced international off-road racer. He finished 21st outright and is on a mission to compete in the Dakar next year.
“I came with no expectations other than to finish,” says Andrew.
“I had a couple of bad days and a few really good days.”
He has already had great success in Australia and now has backing from Coca-Cola Energy for next year’s Dakar.
Andrew Houlihan
Peter, who now lives in Saudi Arabia, finished 36th after losing plenty of time in an early stage when he got lost in the sand dunes.
He finished 30 hours off the pace so even finishing the tough event was a great achievement.
Peter Caldwell
African event
Riders struggled over the 14-day event with the demanding terrain, some stranded in the desert for up to 30 hours. One stage has to be cut short due to multiple serious crashes requiring evacuations by helicopter.
The Africa ECO Race is an annual rally raid that starts in Europe and retraces much of the path of the original Paris-Dakar rally, ending on the banks of the famous pink lake – Lac Rose – in Senegal.
The event started after the 2008 Dakar was cancelled one day before it was due to start amid fears of a terrorist attack in Mauritania.
While the Dakar was relocated to South America, diehard fans were disappointed it had left Africa.
So the ECO Race was created to ensure the original format and character of the Paris-Dakar continued.
Matt Sutherland
Andrew says they travelled through “some of the toughest terrain in the world.”
“Whilst the Dakar Rally is the best known rally in the world, the Africa ECO Race is often referred to as the real race to Dakar as it retraces much of the old Paris-Dakar route and finishes at the original end point in Dakar, Senegal.”
This year’s event started under lights in Monaco on 4 January 2020.
Competitors then travelled to the port of Savona in Italy to board a ferry which took them to Tangier in Morocco.
From there they competed for 12 days racing over a distance of 6,500km through the mind-blowing landscapes of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal.
Each stage was between 300 to 750km, with the average day being a distance of 400 to 500km.
The race was won by Italian Allesdandro Botturi on a Yamaha, ahead of mostly KTM riders.
An accident can happen anywhere at any time, and this sense of precariousness will leave you feeling anxious and insecure. Having legal assistance ready at the dial is incredibly handy, but what if something happens and you find yourself in a predicament beyond the borders of your home state? Perhaps you are on a business trip in California and got into a major car accident – but you actually reside in Illinois, where all those who can help you, including friends, family, and your lawyer are also based. It might seem very confusing and scary figuring out what to do at first, and with good reason. The laws in each state are different, and wrapping your head around what your rights are is not the easiest thing to do in the heat of the moment.
If you do get into trouble while traveling, you might want to keep in mind that there are specific laws that apply in different states.The following are a few tips to help illuminate the proper procedures for you.
What is the Jurisdiction?
Let’s start with the most basic issue:jurisdiction lawsusually claim that from the state where the accident took place, you need to file a case. At the same time, plaintiffs do end up hiring the lawyer that they are familiar with from their state to help, and in this event, if this lawyer is going to represent you then they have to be recognized in the state. It doesn’t matter if you have gotten robbed or were involved in a car accident. It’s all the same, and so if you need an attorney to represent you in the state in which an accident occurred, they need to be licensed there. So if you’re from out of state and find yourself in California, for example, and your car gets wrecked, then action needs to be taken immediately. You may think that the first thing to do is call your lawyer, but it might be far more prudent tofind a car accident lawyer in San Diego, CA, than to reach out to your lawyer back home in Illinois who is not certified to work in the other state. You could consult your lawyer to direct you to someone reliable in the current state to help you out.
Alternative option
As an alternative option your lawyer can apply for a limited law license if you really value your lawyer’s work and trust them wholeheartedly. However, bear in mind that the states follow through on this option only in very specific instances and usually reserve them for legal aid services or public defenders. This is also something that may take up time unnecessarily, but it’s important to know that it is an option if you are adamant on having your own lawyer from out of state take on your case.
In more extreme cases, the state makes exceptions and permit in-house counsel. This is when a company employs an attorney from out-of-state to plead their case. Again, this is a rarity, so it’s best not to bank on this being a solution since it depends on your own specific situation.
When the “writing is on the wall”
Hiring an in-state lawyermight be your best option, depending on the nature of your case. There are instances where you won’t have to be responsible for finding a lawyer. If, for example, you are involved in a car accident, then it’s important for you to know that often these kinds of cases are taken care of outside the court, and you’ll be provided with a lawyer, most likely by your insurance company. However, in some cases, it does go to court, and in the event that this happens, and you’re unable to work out a settlement, then it’s time to look for a lawyer yourself who is well versed with the laws of the state in question.
Image: Pixabay
At the end of the day, getting into any kind of trouble when traveling is hugely taxing emotionally and psychologically. You will want to find the best person for the job, meaning the best match for you. It all comes down to sharing a mutual level of trust with your attorney – if you don’t trust the person tasked with protecting you, then it might be an uphill battle. Furthermore, you want to find someone able to work in the state in question. Hiring someone who works in an entirely different state from the scene of the crime might not be the best judgement call when all is considered.
Triumph Australia will join a global recall on various Thruxtons over side stand spring issues and the Speed Twin over a gearshift linkage fault.
A spokesman for the Australian distributor, Peter Stevens Importers, confirms “Australian bikes are affected and customers are being contacted as information comes to hand”.
If an official notice is posted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission with VINs , we will update this article so you can check your VIN to see if it is affected.
Thruxton recall
Thruxton TFC
The sidestand recall apparently affects 2016-2018 Thruxton, 2016-2019 Thruxton R, and 2020 Thruxton TFC models.
It seems the spring may vibrate through resonance, weakening it and causing it to break.
If this happens, it could allow the side stand switch to activate and shut off the engine.
The replacement spring sits inside a rubber sleeve, preventing the resonance.
Speed Twin recall
Speed Twin
Affected 2019-2020 Speed Twin models may develop a loose ball joint in the gearshift lever linkage thanks tocontaminated thread locking compound.
This could result in excessive movement at the end of the shift lever and riders will find gear shifts more difficult or even impossible.
Triumph can fix this issue by simply applying a new thread locking compound to the existing components.
This follows a Speed Twin recall last year for leaking coolant.
Owners of the above motorcycles should ask to schedule an inspection with an authorised Triumph Dealer “as soon as possible”. If it needs a fix, it will be free of charge.
Bonneville recalls
The “Bonneville” range has been the subject of several recalls since they were introduced in 2016:
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:
Police in all states will be out in force over the Australia Day long weekend with double demerits applying from tomorrow (24 January 2020) in NSW, the ACT and Western Australia until midnight Monday.
in NSW, they’re calling it Operation Safe Return and they are asking motorists to “look after themselves and others in the true spirit of ‘mateship’ this Australia Day long weekend”.
They promise a high-visibility presence.
Be aware that one high-range speeding offence could be enough to get your licence suspended for several months under double demerit points.
Double demerits danger
Riders from Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and South Australiapassing through NSW, ACT or WA during any declared holiday period do not cop the double demerits.
However, Queensland riders should note that there is also a double-demerit points system effectively in place all year round.
The law in Queensland is that double points do apply to speeding offences of 21km/h or greater over the speed limit and seatbelt offences if they occur more than once within a 12 month period.
If you incur the penalty in another state, it still applies as if it happened in Queensland.
“For example if you commit two speeding offences of driving 21km/h over the speed limit in a 12 month period, you will be allocated four demerit points for the first offence and four demerit points for the second offence plus an additional four demerit points,” he says.
“This means that you will have accumulated 12 demerit points within a 12 month period and you risk having your licence suspended.”
How demerit points are recorded
Double points apply in NSW and ACT over the Australia Day weekend, Easter, Anzac Day, Queen’s Birthday, Labour Day and Christmas/New Year.
In WA, the double points apply on Australia Day (unless it falls on a week day), Labour Day, Easter, Anzac Day (unless it falls on a week day), Western Australia Day, Queen’s Birthday, and Christmas/New Year.
If a rider in another state commits a traffic offence in a state during a double-demerit period, the offence is recorded as a double demerit offence on their traffic history in the state where the offence happened.
The state licensing authority will then report the offence to the transport department in your state who will record the offence on your traffic history.
However, the double points will only apply in Queensland under the circumstances described above.
Choice of penalty
Stephen says that if you have committed a traffic offence recently and you receive a Queensland Transport notice that you have accumulated your allowed demerits, you will have a choice of a good driving behaviour period or a licence suspension for a period.
“When considering whether to agree to a good behaviour driving behaviour period and a licence suspension, it is important that a licence holder understands that accepting a suspension of their licence may preclude them from making an Application for a Special Hardship Order or an Application for a Restricted (Work) Licence for the next five years,” he warns.
If you are unsure about how many demerit points you have, you can search your record online at your state’s transport department website or call them and request a copy of your traffic history.
The internationally awarded MotoCAP safety and thermal comfort ratings system for motorcycle clothing has added 15 more items to its list of tested gear.
It has now rated 186 items of clothing, including 50 pairs of pants, 90 jackets and 46 pairs of gloves.
Safety and comfort
Macna Vosges Nighteye
Of the newly rated jackets, two were leather which scored two stars for safety. All the others were textile and scored just one star for safety except the Alpinestars T-Core Air Drystar and Macna Vosges Nighteye which scored two stars.
The best of the newly added jackets for beating the current heatwave was the $500 Spidi Ventamax (top image on this page) which scored three stars for thermal comfort. The others scored from half a star to two stars.
Best of the newly rated pants are the Bull-It Covert Blue which scored two stars for safety and three for comfort and the BMW City denim trousers which only scored one safety star but four for comfort.
MotoCAP gives clothing two separate star ratings – one for protection and one for heat management or comfort.
Clothing manufacturers’ advertising is not an extremely useful resource for protection in a crash or from the extremes of an Australian summer.
Australian Motorcycle CouncilProtective Clothing sub-committee chair Brian Woodpoints out that MotoCAP tests the whole garment, unlike European Protective Clothing Standards which only tests samples of fabrics, fastenings and stitching.
“(It) gives the motorcycle community more information when they are making choices about the clothing they wear when riding,” he says.
MotoCAP is a partnership between Transport for NSW, State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), VicRoads, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), Lifetime Support Authority (LSA), Western Australian Police: Road Safety Commission, Department of State Growth, Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Australian Motorcycle Council and Accident Compensation Corporation in New Zealand.
Testing is carried out by the Deakin University Institute for Frontier Materials on behalf of the MotoCAP partners.
The rider stops for a confrontation with the driver, bringing traffic dangerously to a halt in the right lane.
One driver dangerously has to pass the stopped vehicles, giving the dashcam car a clear view of what happens next.
After the rider gets back on his bike and takes off, the BMW driver dangerously and illegally moves over on the rider, passes him and then brake checks him.
The result of the confrontation is that the rider slams into the back of the BMW which leaves the scene of the accident.
VicPol say they have no record of the incident being reported.
I imagine the rider wouldn’t be stupid enough to report it as he could also be liable for a $289 fine for obstructing the path of other motorists. The fine is the same as exceeding the speed limit by 10-15km/h.
How to report road rage
Vicpol urges motorists to report all road rage incidents to police so that we can investigate accordingly.
“We know that many of these incidents start as minor traffic incidents but can escalate very quickly which turns into criminal offending,” a VicPol spokeswoman says.
“We’ve seen a distinct change in driving behaviour over the years where there is a lack of courtesy and respect on the roads. It is often the case that minor incidents escalate into much more serious offending. Unfortunately we are seeing a small number of people who are unable to hold their temper while on the roads however there is never an excuse for this type of behaviour.
“We want to remind all drivers to take their time on the roads and drive to the conditions. We all need to be mindful of other road users.
“If you are involved in a road rage situation, do not get out of your car and call Triple Zero (000).
“Obtain the registration number and report the incident to police. If you see someone acting aggressively on the road please make a confidential report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“We encourage everyone to be courteous on the roads. Yes, people do make mistakes and there are instances on the road where people cut people off. However if this is the case, a simple wave apologising to the other vehicle often de-escalates the situation very quickly.”
Tips on handling confrontation
This is not the first road rage video featuring a rider-versus-driver confrontation that we have posted. (Just type “road rage” into our search field and see what comes up!)
In every video, the rider comes off second-best to the bigger vehicle.
Riders are vulnerable and get harassed almost every day by other traffic.
But it is pointless being being lured into confrontation. Just smile, give a shrug or a wave and ride away from the problem.
If you are tailgated like the guy in the video, click here to find out what you can do to avoid such a situation, rather than ending up in a bleeding heap on the road.
“Unfortunately, it seems to involve individuals from all road user groups as both the victims and the perpetrators. Motorcyclists and bicyclists are of course the most vulnerable due to the lack of physical protection around them. But the fundamentals of personal safety of the roads are no different to anywhere else,” he says.
Sgt Park and a group of riders
Here are Ian’s tips to avoiding road rage:
If you find yourself feeling unsafe as a result of the actions of another road user, the first priority is to remove yourself from the situation as safely as possible. Unfortunately far too often incidents of poor behaviour by one road user to another are only exacerbated when the ‘victim’ retaliates. If another party chooses to yell at you, beep their horn or flash their lights – so what? Let them get it out of their system and get on their way. Inflaming the situation by ‘biting back’ rarely assists, and often only makes the situation more unsafe for everyone.
However if the other party continues to behave in a manner that makes you feel unsafe, then consider your environment. Perhaps pull into a service station, licensed premises or shopping centre that is likely to be fitted with external CCTV. This will often discourage the aggressor from taking the matter further if they know their actions (and registration details) are going to be recorded.
If no such place is available continue to drive without reacting to the aggressor until a place of safety is available, avoid making eye contact and attempt to disengage from the situation as best and safely as you can.
If you feel that you are in imminent danger, pull over and call triple zero (000). Don’t forget that ‘000’ from a mobile phone doesn’t necessarily go to your nearest operator, so always be ready to say ‘I need police in (name of City/town or nearest regional centre)’.
When speaking with a 000 operator, pass on relevant information that could assist police to investigate the matter, for example, registration details, descriptions of the person/s in the vehicle, time, date, correct location (in case there are traffic monitoring cameras located nearby etc.), descriptions about any features of the vehicle that are not standard (i.e. post factory fitted wheels, decorations, accessories, damage).
If you carry any kind of video recording device, ensure the footage is set aside so that it doesn’t get recorded over before being provided to police. Make sure you don’t just secure the footage of the incident – also keep footage leading up to and beyond the incident to help clarify any potential counter claims by the other party that it was actually you that was the aggressor.
If the situation is over, but you are still of the belief that the matter warrants investigation with a view to action by police, you always have the right to report it. You can either attend your nearest open police station to speak to someone, contact the non-urgent police reporting number which is now 131 444 in almost all Australian Police Jurisdictions. Similarly most policing services across Australia also provide on-line reporting services. Just search the police service in your State or Territory to find their websites and follow the prompts.
Be mindful, however that any complaint of an incident involving one person upon another without any supporting evidence is often difficult to successfully prosecute. A successful prosecution requires sufficient evidence being presented to a court to determine that an offence was committed beyond reasonable doubt.
However, this should not prevent you from reporting the matter, but is something to keep in mind if police determine there is not sufficient evidence for a matter to proceed. It doesn’t necessarily mean police don’t believe you! If you provide police with a video recording you must be willing and able to give evidence.
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Sgt Park and a group of riders