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.
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.
Spy photos of the production version of the BMW R 18 cruiser prototype that dropped jaws earlier this year now comes with an oil cooler, longer pipes, bags and a fatter front tyre.
We expected there would be some differences between the beautiful and simplistic prototype and it seems engine cooling for emissions regulations will be the real spoiler of the production model.
BMW R 18 cruiser concept
No surprises there.
The production version is expected to be unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan next month.
Spy photos
We’re not sure where these spy shots came from as we have seen them on many websites, each with their own watermark over them. These are all from Motorcycle.com who say they “received them”.
Unfortunately they don’t show all of the bike as it is loaded on to a truck with a blue tarp covering most of the machine.
However, we can see the 1800cc boxer engine is pretty much the same as the prototype, except for that oil cooler and, of course, EFI instead of the carburettors on the prototype.
That chrome-fronted engine is going to cop a lot of wear from stones thrown up from the front wheel!
We can also see the pipes are much longer and the front wheel is smaller with a fatter tyre.
The prototype front wheel has a 21-inch wheel with a 110mm or 120mm tyre. The production version is likely a 17 or 18-inch with a 130mm or wider tyre.
Like the prototype, the front wheel has twin discs and spokes.
Because of the changed wheel geometry, it seems the front forks may also be a slightly tighter rake and trail.
R 18 prototype
BMW designers have thankfully retained the lovely drop tank, exposed chrome-plated drive shaft and the simple steel cradle frame.
Let’s hope they have also retained the single, simple, lamp-shaped headlight.
Obviously the production version will have indicators, instruments and mirrors that the concept didn’t. And we doubt those back-to-front levers will be used.
Two versions
There appear to be a couple of versions of this bike; cruiser and tourer.
In some photos we can see a rear seat, rather than the prototype’s solo saddle and there are even leather saddlebags and a tall windscreen.
Future Honda electric motorcycles and scooters might feature an alarm to warn pedestrians unaware of the approaching quiet vehicle.
Japanese company has secured a patent through the Indian patent office for the device.
Honda’s compact alarm device fits under the seat with speakers on the front of the bike.
It features an audio processor that sounds the alert and controls the sound level depending on the time and the level of surrounding environmental noise.
We imagine it would be similar to the beeping tone on some vans and trucks when they are in reverse to warn pedestrians.
Most electric motorcycle and scooters make no more noise than a bicycle, so pedestrians could step out in front of them, causing a collision.
While it may be a safety device for both the rider and pedestrian, it could make traffic noise even more annoying than it is now.
Honda patents
This latest patent from Honda continues its blitzkrieg of patent applications.
Honda patent for variable riding position
This is one of many patents Honda has lodged in the past year and we are not sure how many of these they will put into production.
This new patent join the following from Honda over the past year:
RDRS affects chassis control, electronic brake control and powertrain technology, basically providing a safer, more enjoyable riding experience for just $500 more than last year.
What makes it “Special” is the big 114-cube Milwaukee Eight engine with a whopping 163Nm of torque.
Despite all that thump, there is no clunk on start-up. In fact, it is a refined mill married to a finessed transmission where neutral is no longer difficult to find.
What also makes it Special is the step up in rider-aid technology.
Their RDRS features cornering-enhanced traction control, cornering ABS, linked brakes, tyre pressure monitors,a slipper clutch (Drag-torque Slip Control System) to prevent rear-wheel lock-ups on aggressive downshifts and even assistance to prevent you rolling backward on hill starts!
The suite of rider controls combine to provide more confidence, especially in wet or slippery road conditions.
But they don’t get in the way of your enjoyment.
In fact, you don’t really know they are there until you need them.
On a couple of my exploratory rides through the Sunshine Coast hinterland, I ended up on dirt roads and was glad to feel the engine falter as the back wheel lost traction.
It’s a soft intervention that allows a little bit of wheel spin, but not out of control.
If the conditions get extra slippery or the roads are wet, simply toggle the left switch block traction control (TC) button to bring up the blue cloud and rain symbol on the dashboard. This totally eliminates any wheel spin.
Step up to cornering aids
I also accidentally discovered the joys of Harley’s step up to cornering-enhanced linked braking and traction controls on the tight and twisty Bellthorpe Range Rd.
I came around a blind corner a little too eagerly only to find a peacock strutting its stuff across the gravelly road.
My right foot was not perched ready over the rear brake to tuck the bike into a tighter line, so I grabbed the front brake, instead.
Normally this would stand the bike up and point me directly at the peacock. But because the brakes are linked and “enhanced” for cornering, it allowed me to steer around the strutting bird.
The sprinkling of gravel also activated the Cornering Enhanced Antilock Braking System (C-ABS).
While no amount of electronic rider aids is a replacement for a step up in skill levels, it does save your bacon when a bit of inattention and bad luck could otherwise have dire results.
As for the Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), it’s actually quite handy at the traffic lights.
All you do is add a bit of extra brake lever pressure when you come to a stop and it will hold the bike and allow you to relax at the lights without having to hang on to the brakes.
It lets go as soon as you let out the clutch or activate the throttle for a smooth and faultless hillstart. That’s reassuring when you are on a steep incline with a full load and a pillion!
Infotainment
I’m not a big fan of built-in infotainment systems where the music is inaudible at anything over 80km/h.
However, the integrated BOOM! Box GTS infotainment system on this bike works well.
I love the fact that the bike asks you if you would like to guided to the nearest service station if you are low on fuel or tyre pressure.
It has a TFT display with edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass that is touch sensitive, even with gloves and in the wet.
You can also control all functions from the two handlebar toggle switches.
For an extra $300 (approx) you can fit a wireless interface module that adds Apple CarPlay for access to some of your iPhone apps.
Or you can press the speech button to activate Siri and tell the system what to do.
HD OneConnect app
Next year, Aussie buyers will also have access to Harley’s subscription-based OneConnect app that alerts the owner to tampering or theft and provides real-time tracking.
Handling
Suspension was updated the previous year.
It comes with Showa Dual-Bending Valve forks with bigger pistons for improved damping that takes away that “jackhammer” affect through the grips while retaining a sharp and light steering feel.
At the back, Harley moved from air shocks to emulsion shocks with 15-30% more preload adjustment using a single hand-adjustable knob behind the left pannier.
Ride quality is firm, but not harsh.
However, the rear shock is a bit short for bumpy roads and heavy loads, although I never got it to bottom out.
Aero
The first hint of summer arrived just in time for my test.
It’s always going to be hot sitting on top of massive V-twin behind a “barn door” fairing.
However, Harley has advanced the ignition, dropped the rear header down from the exhaust port and moved the catalytic converter rearwards to make it cooler for the rider.
It still gets hot in slow traffic and your pillion’s right leg cops a lot of the hot air that has been moved backwards.
Unfortunately, even the short sporty windscreen blocks a lot of cooling air.
Yet it also creates a bit of turbulence around the top of my helmet.
I’m 183cm, so shorter riders might find it ok. You can also buy taller screens.
I added a windscreen extension which reduced the turbulence but also diverted cooling air.
Conclusion
This torque monster delivers plenty of raw grunt, but with finesse.
It will also provide a step up in comfort and safety on long trips, thanks to its suite of hi-tech rider aids.
PRICING 5
VIVID BLACK $A39,250 ($NZ42,250)
ENGINE
ENGINE2Milwaukee-Eight™ 114
BORE102 mm
STROKE114 mm
DISPLACEMENT1,868 cc
COMPRESSION RATIO10.5:1
FUEL SYSTEMElectronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
EXHAUSTBlack, 2-1-2 dual exhaust with tapered mufflers
DIMENSIONS
LENGTH2,425 mm
SEAT HEIGHT, UNLADEN690 mm
GROUND CLEARANCE125 mm
RAKE (STEERING HEAD) (DEG)26
TRAIL173 mm
WHEELBASE1,625 mm
TYRES, FRONT SPECIFICATION130/60B19 61H
TYRES, REAR SPECIFICATION180/55B18 80H
FUEL CAPACITY22.7 l
OIL CAPACITY (W/FILTER)4.9 l
WEIGHT, AS SHIPPED359 kg
WEIGHT, IN RUNNING ORDER375 kg
LUGGAGE CAPACITY -VOLUME0.071 m3
PERFORMANCE
ENGINE TORQUE TESTING METHODEC 134/2014
ENGINE TORQUE3163 Nm
ENGINE TORQUE (RPM)3,000
LEAN ANGLE, RIGHT (DEG.)32
LEAN ANGLE, LEFT (DEG.)31
DRIVETRAIN
PRIMARY DRIVEChain, 34/46 ratio
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 1ST9.593
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 2ND6.65
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 3RD4.938
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 4TH4
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 5TH3.407
GEAR RATIOS (OVERALL) 6TH2.875
CHASSIS
WHEELS, FRONT TYPE6Gloss Black Prodigy
WHEELS, REAR TYPEGloss Black Prodigy
BRAKES, CALIPER TYPE32 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear
GAUGESGauges styled to complement each vehicle. Display features odometer, trip A, trip B, range to empty and gear indicator; and larger tell-tale indicators.
INFOTAINMENT
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMBoom!™ Box GTS
TYPEFull Colour TFT
WATTS PER CHANNEL25
SPEAKERS2
SPEAKER SIZE6.5 inch BOOM standard
HEADSET SPECIFICATIONS (IF EQUIPPED)16-64 ohms
FMStandard
SD CARD, FLASH DRIVE AND MP3 – VIA USB CONNECTIONSupported
LANGUAGESEnglish (US/UK), German, Spanish(Mexico/Spain), French (Canada/France), Italian, Portuguese(Portugal/Brazil), Russian, Czech, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese
HANDS-FREE MOBILE PHONE – VIA BLUETOOTHStandard
VOICE RECOGNITION LANGUAGES: PHONE FUNCTIONS ONLYEnglish (US/UK), German, Spanish(Mexico/Spain), French (Canada/France), Italian, Portuguese(Portugal/Brazil), Russian, Czech, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese
VOICE RECOGNITION LANGUAGES: TUNER/MEDIA/NAVIGATIONEnglish (US/UK), German, Spanish(Mexico/Spain), French (Canada/France), Italian, Portuguese(Portugal/Brazil), Russian, Czech, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese
VEHICLE INFORMATION SCREEN (AIR TEMPERATURE, OIL PRESSURE AND EITMS)Standard
TEXT-TO-SPEECH (TTS) LANGUAGESEnglish (US/UK), German, Spanish(Mexico/Spain), French (Canada/France), Italian, Portuguese(Portugal/Brazil), Russian, Czech, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese
Honda continues its blitzkrieg of patent applications with a head-display windscreen that is also touch sensitive.
The patent illustrations show both an Africa Twin and CBR1000RR Fireblade.
Head-up display of vital information such as speed and navigation has been in cars for several years and is now coming to many “smart” motorcycle helmets.
This is the first time a motorcycle company has considered it for their windscreens.
It features a projector that displays information on the windscreen.
For those who think this is a distraction, it isn’t. It works just fine in cars where you sit behind the windscreen and look through the information which is directly in line with where you view the road ahead.
Africa Twin with head-up display touch screen
It would be fine on bikes with large screens such as Honda’s Africa Twin and their touring Goldwing.
However, on a Fireblade with a short screen, you would often be sitting up and not looking through the screen. We are not sure how it would work there, although it does seem to have a projector on the tank. Perhaps that is for the touch function.
Fireblade with tank-mounted projector
Touch screen
The touch technology in the windscreen also seems a bit strange on a motorcycle.
On most bikes, it’s a bit of a reach to the screen and it’s also quite a distraction to have to take one hand off the bars and reach that far forward.
Yet they have patented for a capacitive touchscreen layer in the windscreen.
Honda patents
Honda patent for variable riding position
This is one of many patents Honda has lodged in the past year and we are not sure how many of these they will put into production.
This new patent join the following from Honda over the past year:
Both new updated models have more aggressive, angular styling with twin LED headlights.
All Street Triples now have more than 60 accessories, including new scrolling LED indicators and luggage with quick-release mounts.
Street Triple RS
Street Triple RS performance improvements come from Triumph’s work with the Moto2TM team that supplies engines to all the Moto2 teams.
Power is now 90kW and torque 79Nm with 9% more of both right where it’s needed in the mid-range.
Triumph also claims it has a more responsive throttle, “freer-flowing” muffler and a smooth gearbox with slip and assist clutch for clutchless up and down shifts.
They have also improved the five riding modes: Road, Rain, Sport, Track, and Rider configurable.
The TFT instruments have new graphics and MyTriumph connectivity with GoPro interaction, satnav and phone/music operation.
As usual, the Street Triple RS has all the exotic components such as fully adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo M50 brakes and Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3 tyres.
It also comes with a carbon fibre exhaust and interchangeable seat cowl and pillion seat.
Street Triple S
To retain its LAMS compliance the 660cc triple engine has 39.7kW of peak power with 61Nm peak torque at 6000rpm.
Styling updates include position lights, angular bodywork and restyled mirrors with increased adjustability.
Even though it’s a LAMS bike, it features twin front brakes, Brembo single rear brake, Showa suspension and all-weather Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres.
It comes with two riding modes (Road and Rain) which adjust the throttle response and traction control settings, selectable via the LCD instruments.
In modern society, eco-friendly products are getting more and more popular. People want to make an effort in order to save our planet. Electric cars are widely used all over the world when electro motorbikes are just gaining popularity.
Electric motorbikes are not powered by fuel, but by batteries, and they have a special electric motor. What is really comfortable about them, that the batteries can be charged at your regular socket right at your home. While the battery is charging, you can relax at home and enjoy your favorite hobby – read, watch movies, play online casino. If you are looking for a nice and unusually designed gambling platform, we recommend checking Ignition casino review where you can find a lot of online gambling tips.
5 reasons why you need an electric motorcycle
If you are reading this article, you are considering buying an electric bike. Before making a final decision, check the 5 main advantages.
It is silent – you will not be annoyed by the sound the fuel motorbike makes. If you ride it on an empty road, you will hear nothing but your thoughts.
All those features that fuel bike offers – you will not feel any discomfort as you will have all the features you are used to; also, you are not limited in speed.
No spending on maintenance – there is no need to check the engine oil, time belts, or clutch. You do not need to spend additional money on it.
No need to look for petrol stations – just charge your battery overnight when you need it, as it takes 6-8 hours to charge it fully. No need to be worried if there is a petrol station on the way.
Prices are going down – today, an electric motorbike is still more expensive than a fuel one. However, as the popularity of electric bikes is growing rapidly, the prices tend to get lower and lower.
BMW Motorrad Vision DC Roadster electric boxer
Electric motorbikes seem to be a good decision for those who care about global warming and pollution.
Electric motorbike insurance
When it comes to insurance, it is still a bit difficult with electric motorbikes. They are still considered as a risky vehicle because pedestrians might not hear you coming. The silence does not work well here. Also, electric motorcycles are used in urban areas, so there is always a risk of an accident on the road or theft. That is why it is important to get your vehicle insured. Even when it is a bit difficult now, anyway, most insurance companies offer a good insurance plan for your electric motorbike. Check the plans of different companies and choose the best for your needs.
License to ride an electric motorbike
Do not confuse electric motorcycles with electric bicycles. When it comes to a bicycle, everyone can ride it without any special license. When it comes to an electric motorbike, they are only allowed to be ridden by a person over 16 years old. Also, a driving license is the same as for petrol bikes.
Two of the most famous electric motorbikes offered are the Harley-Davidson LiveWire and Honda CR-E. But you can choose from a wide range of models available on the market today.
If you care about nature and want to decrease pollution, if you are open to new innovations and inventions, you should consider an electric motorbike. The future is here, and it is already available to us. Start saving the planet from small things and riding an electric device is a big step to planet-saving.
Having tested a range of the most popular motorbike brands on handling, comfort, reliability, value for money, mileage, and overall satisfaction, customer satisfaction research and ratings business Canstar Blue concluded that Yamaha is the ultimate brand. BMW, Harley-Davison, and Honda also finished with strong overall satisfaction ratings. However, there’s a new brand that looks to be catching on with motorcyclists, following its dominance at a professional competitive level: Kalex. So we’re going to explore what makes Kalex Engineering so revered in the world of motorbikes and if it can challenge the likes of Yamaha, BMW, and Harley-Davidson when it comes to its suitability, and also consider what it offers to hobby motorcyclists.
What makes Kalex great?
Kalex Engineering only came into being 11 years ago, headed up by Klaus Hirsekorn and Alex Baumgartel, with the brand’s name, Kalex, being a portmanteau of the two engineers’ first names. The Bavarian-based engineering company specialises in high-performance parts for motorcycles.
Kalex rose to fame in Moto2 circles in 2010 by providing their chassis to Pons Racing. Riders and manufacturers cite the Kalex chassis as being much more forgiving than other brands at the time, such as Suter, as well as being easier to ride and set up. This eventually led to four Kalex chassis riders placing in the top four of the 2013 World Championship, with Kalex claiming the Manufacturers’ Championship.
When Kalex joined Moto2 in 2010, many questions were raised concerning their choice of using aluminium as the frame material instead of the tried-and-trusted steel. In an interview with Speed Week, Baumgartel stated that he sees steel as reacting very sensitively, more so than aluminium, making the increased cost of using aluminium worthwhile to the Kalex engineer. The gamble has certainly paid off, with Kalex Engineering boasting six World Champion riders from 170 tonnes of cut aluminium and five Manufacturers’ World Champions. With 10,688 World Championship points in total, Kalex Engineering has been the Moto2 world champion’s constructor for seven of the last eight years, with Stefan Bradl, Pol Espargaro, Tito Rabat, Johann Zarco (twice), Franco Morbidelli, and Francesco Bagnaia riding to the championship astride a Kalex. In this 2019 season, Alex Marquez is expected to join these ranks because, as of 3rd October, the Kalex rider is at 1/10 with Betway to win the World Championship, clocking wins in France, Italy, Cataluña, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Is Kalex for the casual rider?
It’s very difficult for any brand, regardless of their success on the professional circuit, to break into the casual motorcyclist market. The simple fact is that a lot of motorbike enthusiasts love the prestige of certain long-standing icons, with Honda and Harley-Davidson regularly tussling for the top sales spot. But of course, having a varied market offers more options for casual riders and makes everything more competitive – which is always good for the consumer.
Other brands have been able to stake a major claim in the market, though, with people preferring a different way to ride and different models. For example, BMW has gained traction thanks to its GS series, with the new R 1250 GS model being one of the very best. While it’s a competitive field that’s filled with legendary brands and manufacturers, there’s a reason why more people are keeping tabs on Kalex. Their success is simply unavoidable, but is Kalex suitable for the casual motorcyclist?
Kalex motorcycle parts are specifically designed to give high performance, with the incredible grade of their products being best suited to professional racing. This means that, unless you’re a budding racer or perhaps are a very skilled casual rider and have access to a race track, you may never be able to fully utilise the potential of a Kalex bike.
This could be seen as a waste unless you’re an avid collector, as Kalex parts and bikes fetch a hefty price. Motorcycle News reported a test bike sale in 2011, early in Kalex’s career, which cost over £70,000. Through the Kalex website, you can get a Kawasaki ZX10RR swingarm for €15,749 and a Kawasaki ZX10RR ASSY triple clamp for €1869. The prices are obviously in the premium range and exceed the desired costs of many hobby motorcyclists.
Kalex Engineering has achieved tremendous feats in professional motorbike racing, but it’s in World Championship competition that the brand will likely remain for the foreseeable future.
Ducati fans want to know if the company taking over its own Australian and New Zealand imports and distribution from NF Importers in April 2020 will lead to cheaper bikes.
Our industry sources say Ducati price cuts are not likely, especially given the current falling dollar.
Instead, they say the advantage for riders is that brands going the subsidiary route will offer better service, better parts supply and a “cleaner corporate message”.
So who’s next? Triumph? MV Agusta? Royal Enfield?
Our industry sources say all these manufacturers must be watching closely to see how the Ducati model works.
After all, the biggest margins are made at the distribution level so there is a lot for them to gain.
And what they want most is control.
Factory imports
Of the major brands, all Japanese are distributed here by the manufacturers, as well as BMW, Harley-Davidson and Indian.
The biggest takeover of Australian distribution was when Harley-Davidson grabbed the reins in the early 2000s.
Harley was selling well before the factory took the market over so the only advantage has been market coordination and corporate profile.
They certainly didn’t offer massive discounts. In fact, they held the profit margins high for dealers and have only recently offered discounts on slow sellers in this current sales slump.
NF Importers
NF Importers has distributed Ducati for 55 years and done a pretty good job.
Managing director Warren Fraser says they have put 55,000 Ducatis into Aussie and Kiwi garages since 1964.
In fact, Australia has the biggest per-capita ownership of Ducatis outside Italy.
The company, and particularly CEO Warren Lees, developed a great working relationship with the factory.
Warren was even able to twist Ducati’s arm to produce a 659 Monster just for Australia and New Zealand to suit our learner-approved motorcycle scheme.
Ducati’s learner-approved Monster 659
The writing was perhaps on the wall for NF Importers when Warren retired a year ago.
The new Australian Ducati subsidiary will be led by Sergi Canovas, who has been the company’s managing director in India for the past three years.
He introduced the brand to the sub-continent and sales rocketed more than 20% in the first year.
Ducati also developed several new dealerships in India, including the world’s largest Ducati store in New Delhi.
