Tag Archives: motorcycles

Does your helmet protect from rotation?

Claims that some helmets protect riders from brain injuries caused by rotation have been questioned since there is no official testing procedure for those forces.

Swedish brain safety technology company MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) says they are concerned about the accuracy of claims made by a couple of recently released systems that they address rotational motion and reduce strain on the brain in certain impacts.

However, MIPS boss Johan Thiel says they are more concerned that there is no industry-wide standard from third-party testing organisations.

“We at MIPS have conducted more than 22,000 tests and we know that not all helmets are equally safe, not even the ones that claims to address rotational motion”, he says.

“Right now, almost anyone can claim that their helmet is reducing rotational motion because there is no standard they have to meet.

“This is serious and concerning for the users who think they are buying a helmet with added protection.”

MIPS techBell helmet with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) rotation

Motorcycle helmets with MIPS include: Answer, Alpinestars, AVA, Bell, Flaxta, Fly Racing, Fox, Kabuto, KTM, KYT, LS2 Helmets, Moose Racing, MSR, Salomon, Scott, Thor and TLD.

The MIPS-patented Brain Protection System (BPS) is designed to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain from angled impacts to the head.

It MIPS activates 10-15mm movement in any direction in less than 10 milliseconds after an impact, reducing the tearing effects on the brain resulting from rotational motion.

Crash forces to the head can be divided into radial and tangential forces.

Testing for radial forces mostly demonstrates a helmet’s ability to protect against skull fracture.

Helmet still crash tested in Australia rotation
CRASH testing

Tangential force testing demonstrates a helmet’s ability to prevent potential brain injuries such as diffuse axonal injury, subdural hematoma, and concussion.

Currently, official helmet testing for consumers is only focused on radial forces.

Rotation testing

MIPS tests on other systems have found they do not reduce rotational motion to a sufficient degree.

Over the years there have also been more than 13 third-party tests conducted by insurance companies, universities and organisations that have incorporated the rotational motion test method, but no standard has been set yet.

“We welcome a vigorous scientific debate on all aspects of rotational motion solutions, because it needs to be a standard in place to protect the user,” Johan says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Data allows usage-based insurance

Your motorcycle data could soon be monitored by insurance companies to adjust your premiums or payouts based on your riding behaviour history.

It has long been suspected that data loggers and other hi-tech devices in modern vehicles would one day be used by insurance companies to track motorists’ speed, vehicle usage and location.

Usage-based insurance

It’s called usage-based insurance (UBI).

On the positive side, insurance companies would offer lower premiums to those motorists who provide access to their vehicle data.

The down side is that if the data shows you are using your bike more than you agreed in the contract or are deemed a high-risk rider, your premium could also be increased.

It may even lead to insurance contracts being cancelled or payouts denied.

Dangerous data

privacy big brother data
Check what data is being stored on your computer

Data from GPS units, mobile phones and some modern bikes with data loggers could already be used by insurance companies.

But there are also now aftermarket plug-in devices that owners can retrofit, either in agreement with the insurance company or at their insistence.

One case where they could insist on the devices is if the rider has made a number of claims, proving a history of risky riding behaviour.

UBI products

Automotive technology company ERM Advanced Telematics has developed three aftermarket products specifically for insurance companies to track vehicles.

StartLink OnBat, UBI-Tag and UBI-Plug will be available later this year. We imagine the insurance companies will be looking very closely at these.

StarLink OnBat is a miniature monitoring and tracking device that connects via two wires to the vehicle battery and has an internal backup battery, GPS and a cellular modem in a small, waterproof (IP 67) encasement.

Size and waterproofing make it ideal for fitting to motorcycles.

It sends data regarding motorist behaviour and location to the service provider’s servers or to the insurance company based on a pre-determined frequency.

UBI-Tag is a sensor and Bluetooth interface with a single-use battery that lasts three years. It sends data via a dedicated app on the motorist’s smartphone directly to the server of the service provider or the insurance company. Again, this would suit a motorcycle.

UBI-Plug is a version of the UBI-Tag that is only for use in cars as it plugs into the lighter socket, if it still has one!

There is no word yet on the price of these units.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Horror motorcycle crashes in two states

Three motorcyclists are critically injured following a horror night on the roads in NSW and Victoria with police appealing for witnesses to the crashes, including one hit and run.

On initial police reports, it appears that two of the incidents were the fault of drivers.

Pennant Hills crash

A motorcyclist remains in a critical condition after coming off his bike at Pennant Hills overnight.

The crash happened on Pennant Hills Road when a southbound motorcyclist swerved to avoid a northbound silver Mitsubishi Outlander performing a U-turn, near the intersection of Pomona Street, about 6.20pm (Thursday 7 March 2019),

The 23-year-old rider was thrown from the motorcycle, sliding along the roadway before hitting a brick wall.

He sustained head and internal injuries and has undergone surgery overnight in Westmead Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver of the SUV, a 62-year-old man from West Pennant Hills, continued south but was flagged down by another motorist.

He immediately returned to the scene and spoke with police. The man was arrested and has now undergone mandatory testing; he has also provided a statement to Crash Investigators.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash and has not yet spoken to officers, or anyone with dash cam vision, to contact the Crash Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.nsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states

Hit and run

Keilor police are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage following a hit run in Laverton North last night (7 March).

Investigators have been told a motorcycle rider collided with an unknown vehicle on the entry ramp of the Western Ring Road near the Princes Freeway about 6.25pm.

The rider, a 42-year-old Altona North man, was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to hospital for treatment.

It is believed the driver of the vehicle fled the scene without rendering assistance.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auvictoria nsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states

Rear-ender

Police are investigating a collision in Balwyn North this evening that has left a motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries.

It is believed the motorcyclist was travelling inbound on the Eastern Freeway near Burke Road about 9pm when it has struck the back of a silver Mercedes.

The yet to be identified male rider was thrown from his BMW motorcycle and has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The female driver of the Mercedes was not injured.

Police believe a second motorcycle may have been travelling in the vicinity at the time of the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Long weekend patrols

Riders on Victorian roads and bush tracks are advised that police will be targeting motorcyclists this Labour Day long weekend.

Click here for more details.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Yamaha announces Ténéré 700 pricing

Yamaha has announced very competitive pricing for its much-anticipated Ténéré 700 adventure motorcycle arriving in Australia in December.

And we were right in our pricing tip earlier today that it would cost about $16,500 ride-away.

The price is actually $15,500 plus on-road costs which should bring it up to our tipped ride-away price.

Our pricing tip was based on the recently announced UK price of £8699 which is 27% less than the UK price of the KTM 790 Adventure at £11,999.

In Australia, the KTM 790 Adventure and Adventure R will arrive in June 2019 at $21,195 ride away and an extra $1500 for the R model at $22,695.

KTM 790 Adventure tip
KTM 790 Adventure and R

Pricing tip spot-on!

Similarly, Yamaha pricing is about 22% less than the KTM. The previous model XTZ660 Ténéré cost $13,999.

Prices of other mid-sized adventure models include:

  • BMW F 850 GS from $17,990 (+ORC);
  • Ducati Multistrada 950 from $18,790 (+ORC);
  • Kawasaki Versys 650 from $10,499 (+ORC);
  • Kawasaki Versys 1000 from $15,999 (+ORC);
  • Suzuki V-Strom 650 from $10,290 (ride-away);
  • Suzuki V-Strom 1000 from $15,490 (ride-away);
  • Triumph Tiger 800 from $18,550.

Yamaha Motor Australia says the dual sport 689cc parallel twin will arrive in December in a choice of Ceramic Ice, Competition White and Power Black.

Don’t feel too bad about the late delivery of the Ténéré in Australia as it will not arrive in the US until the second half of 2020.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 2019 tip
Yamaha Ténéré 700

Yamaha Ténéré 700 tech specs 

Engine

Twin cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valves

Displacement

689cc

Bore x stroke

80mm x 68.6mm

Compression ratio

11.5:1

Maximum power

54.0kW @ 9000rpm

Maximum torque

68Nm @ 6500rpm

Lubrication system

Wet sump

Clutch type

Wet, multiple disc

Fuel management

Fuel injection

Ignition system

TCI

Starter system

Electric

Transmission system

Constant Mesh, 6-speed

Final transmission

Chain

Frame

Double cradle steel tube chassis

Front suspension system

Upside down telescopic fork

Front travel

210mm

Rear suspension system

Swingarm (link suspension)

Rear travel

200mm

Front brake

Hydraulic dual disc, Ø 282mm

Rear brake

Hydraulic single disc, Ø 245mm

Brake system

Switchable ABS

Front tyre

90/90 R21 M/C 54V M+S – Spoke wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR

Rear tyre

150/70 R18 M/C 70V M+S – Spoke wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR

Overall length

2365mm

Overall width

915mm

Overall height

1455mm

Seat height

880mm

Wheel base

1590mm

Clearance

240mm

Fuel tank capacity

16 litres

Warranty

Two years, unlimited kms

Colours

Ceramic Ice, Competition White, Power Black

Availability

December 2019

RRP inc GST

$15,499

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

More flying motorcycles taking off

Jetpack Aviation is the latest company to announce plans for flying motorcycles, although so far they have only provided artwork and an animated video.

Despite the absence of a working prototype, they are taking pre-orders of US$10,000 (about $A14,000) for their 240km/h self-stabilising, jet turbine-powered flying motorcycles.

It’s called the Speeder and they claim the 105kg machine will climb to 15,000 feet but only stay aloft for 20 minutes.

It doesn’t sound like the sort of thing that would get riders off their ground-based motorbikes. But it may only be a matter of time before we’re all flying!

The first models will be available for civilian use, followed by a military version. There is no word on how much one of these supposed flying motorcycles will cost.

Jetpack Aviation Speeder flying motorcycles
Jetpack Aviation Speeder flying motorcycle

Pigs might fly

It’s not the first flying motorcycle project.

Dubai police are training to use drone motorcycles to patrol city streets and the Russian Hoversurf Scorpion hover bikes are selling for $US150,000 (about $A212,500).

Neither of these will also ride on the road.

French company Lazareth last month unveiled their jet-powered motorcycle that is claimed to ride on the road and fly.

However, it embarrassingly failed to take off at the launch party.

Lazareth LM496 flying motorcycle
Lazareth LM496 flying motorcycle only gets its nose off the ground

French motorcycle designer Ludovic Lazareth converted his LM496 Maserati V8-powered four-wheel leaning motorcycle into a potential flying version with jet turbines in the wheels.

There is no word yet on when they will actually get the project off the ground.

Speeder flying motorcycles

The Speeder doesn’t ride on the road, only flies thanks to four JB-series jetpacks with a combined maximum thrust of almost 1000Nm.

It runs on kerosene, JetA or diesel and features hand controls, a 12-inch touch screen for navigation and a built-in two-way aviation radio system for air-to-air and air-to-ground communications.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Footpath motorcycle parking under siege

Melbourne’s much-lauded motorcycle footpath parking is under siege by Lord Mayor Sally Capp who says a survey shows that motorcycles and scooters are a major obstruction to pedestrians.

While not saying motorcycles should be banned from footpaths, Sally said “more (on-street) spaces for motorcycles to park are needed so they park there instead”.

Speaking on radio 3AW this morning, she acknowledged that 1300 motorcycle and scooter riders come into the city every day and council provides only 280 parking spaces.

“Our biggest congestion issue in our CBD is actually on our footpaths,” she told morning radio announcer Neil Mitchell.

Draft Transport Strategy

Footpath parking threat bays plan centre strategy siege
Footpath parking in Melbourne

She said their draft Transport Strategy conducted a survey on footpath obstructions.

It found that motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and cafe furniture were major pedestrian obstructions.

Neil butted in: “So can we get the motorcycles and bikes off footpaths?”

Sally acknowledged that “under road rules (motorcycles) can park on footpaths”.

She suggested car parking spaces could be turned over to motorcycles to encourage them to park there instead of footpaths.

Neil replied, “that worries me more that you will take spots away from cars.”

“We’re not say we will do it, but considering,” Sally said.

“We need to provide spaces for motorcycles as well.”

Siege on free parking?

3AW's Neil Mitchell siege
3AW’s Neil Mitchell

Neil increased the siege on motorcycles suggesting paid car parking spaces converted to motorcycle parking should also be paid, not free.

Sally said they would consider that issue, but said their main reason for providing these on-street spaces would be to encourage riders to use them, suggesting they should be free.

She also mentioned that people with disabilities had complained that footpath motorcycle parking next to disability parking spaces often prevented them from accessing their car.

Victorian Motorcycle Council media spokesman John Eacott said he was concerned about the Lord Mayor’s attitudes to pavement parking.

“She is putting her head on the chopping block as this is a Victorian State law (albeit it Council controlled) and she has obviously forgotten the outrage the last time this happened some 30 years ago,” he said.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Police target riders on long weekend.

Victoria Police will target both road and off-road motorcyclists this Labour Day long weekend in the annual Operation Arid.

Extra police resources, including 10 more “booze and drug buses”, will be deployed in priority areas, including Wangaratta/Benalla, Yarra Ranges, Geelong/ Moorabool, Glen Eira and Greater Dandenong.

The operation runs from 12.01am tomorrow (8 March 2019) to 11.59pm Monday (11 March).

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane says they will pay particular attention to road and off-road riders because of the record number of deaths so far this year.

Rider deaths

radio jock calls fr rider ban on highway long weekend
Rider fatality on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway last month

Up to date, 17 riders have died this year compared with seven up to the same time last year.

The five-year average is nine, according to Transport Accident Commission figures.

However, Police say they will not just target motorcyclists, but all motorists.

“We especially urge motorcyclists and country road users to do everything in their power to make themselves as safe as possible as these groups make up 80 per cent of our lives lost this year,” Assistant Commissioner Leane said.

“Please just slow down and drive to the conditions. It doesn’t take much; plan your journey, don’t drink if you’re going to drive, and take that extra few minutes to drive at a speed that is appropriate to the conditions you are travelling in.”

“All too often we accept fatal crashes as a normal thing that just happens on long weekends.

“Well I am saying one person is too many, let alone the 59 lives lost this year.

“The only acceptable number is zero, so we need the community to assist in ensuring that this weekend is safe for everyone.”

2018 long weekend Operation Arid results:

  • six lives lost
  • 3129 speeding offences
  • 441 mobile phone offences
  • 262 seat belt offences

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Yamaha Ténéré 700 prices tip

Yamaha will release its much-anticipated Ténéré 700 adventure motorcycle late this year in Australia and we tip the price will be about $16,500.

Our tip is based on the recently announced UK price of £8699 where the Ténéré.

That is 27% less than the UK price of the KTM 790 Adventure at £11,999.

In Australia, the KTM 790 Adventure and Adventure R will arrive in June 2019 at $21,195 ride away and an extra $1500 for the R model at $22,695.

KTM 790 Adventure tip
KTM 790 Adventure and R

Our price tip

So, if the Yamaha is 27% less than the KTM, it should cost about $16,500 ride-away. The previous model XTZ660 Ténéré cost $13,999.

Prices of other mid-sized adventure models include:

  • BMW F 850 GS from $17,990 (+ORC);
  • Ducati Multistrada 950 from $18,790 (+ORC);
  • Kawasaki Versys 650 from $10,499 (+ORC);
  • Kawasaki Versys 1000 from $15,999 (+ORC);
  • Suzuki V-Strom 650 from $10,290 (ride-away);
  • Suzuki V-Strom 1000 from $15,490 (ride-away);
  • Triumph Tiger 800 from $18,550.

Yamaha Motor Australia is expected to release the details soon.

Don’t feel too bad about the late delivery of the Ténéré in Australia as it will not arrive in the US until the second half of 2020.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 2019 tip
Yamaha Ténéré 700

Discount deal

European Yamaha dealers will offer a discount of £300 (about $A550) for online orders.

The online ordering system will go live at 1pm (GMT) on Wednesday 27 March 2019 in the UK.

First deliveries of the Yamaha Ténéré 700 are due to arrive in UK dealerships this northern summer.

Online customers will get theirs first and will be available at the normal retail price from September.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley-Davidson updates LiveWire specs

Harley-Davidson has now provided more detailed specs for its LiveWire electric motorcycle, together with plans for fast-charging devices at dealerships.

We rode the first incarnation of the LiveWire in LA in 2014 and inspected the production model at Milwaukee last year.

While some of the bike’s specs were provided, range was still a vague figure that seemed to vary from about 100-160km depending on whom you spoke to at HD.

Click here for our overview of the LiveWire.

LiveWire specsSporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire parade silicon specs

Now Harley-Davidson has announced the final production-verified performance figures for LiveWire:

  • 225km (140 miles) of city range or 142km (88 miles) of combined stop-and-go and highway range as measured using the MIC City and MIC Combined (70mph) tests;
  • Standard DC Fast Charge technology which provides a 0-80% of battery charge in 40 minutes or 0-100% in 60 minutes;
  • Top speed is 177km/h (110mph); and
  • 0 to 100km/h in 3 seconds and 100-130km/h in 1.9 seconds.

The range figures are interesting because most companies just state one figure which is useless as range varies substantially on a number of factors. Click here for more details.

LiveWire will be available for sale in North America in August at $29,790, but is already taking orders. It will be available late this year in Europe and Canada with orders open from April.

Australia will get the LiveWire late next year at an expected price of more than $A40,000.

Harley electric LiveWire Harley and Indian announce 2018 sales results specs
Harley LiveWire

Fast charging

The Milwaukee company has also announced that fast chargers will be available at 200 dealerships where the LiveWire will be sold.

Harley-Davidson Australian and New Zealand spokesman Keith Waddell confirms they would also be “looking to have fast charge facilities within the ANZ dealer network”.

Harley-Davidson electric LIveWire parade specs
Charging points on the LIveWire are under the “fuel” cap.

That’s a handy service and we expect it might even be free or, at least, very cheap.

It’s also a good sales tactic as it would guarantee riders called into dealerships more often.

Riders would not only be able to charge their LiveWire electric motorcycle, but also the new children’s Harley-branded electric bicycles.Harley electric bicycles specs

Harley also plans a range of e-bikes, electric scooters and smaller urban electric motorcycles than the LiveWire.

More LiveWire specs

Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWireSporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs
Familiar switchgear

LiveWire has a twist-and-go electric powertrain with no clutch or gear shifting, just like most scooters and many other electric motorcycles.

Braking effect of the power regeneration mode adds charge to the battery, especially in stop-and-go urban traffic.

Central to the technology driving the LiveWire is an Electronic Chassis Control (ECC) system.Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs

It uses cornering ABS, traction control and Drag-Torque Slip Control System to “monitor and manage front and rear brake torque as well as motor torque to the rear wheel to enhance rider control and balance vehicle performance across diverse riding environments”.

In other words, it keeps the wheels on the ground and prevents slides.

In some markets, the LiveWire has the H-D Connect mobile app that uses an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit and cloud services to collect data and provide the rider with information about their bike such as battery charge status and available range, so long as you have mobile signal. It will also show riders where they can recharge and guide them there.

Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs
Touchscreen instruments

The app includes alerts riders if someone is trying to steal their bike and uses GPS to track it if it has been taken.

Riders will also get service reminders and other vehicle care notifications.

LiveWire has a fully adjustable Showa Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite mono rear shock and Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks.

Sporty Harley-Davidson electric LiveWire specs
Fully adjustable Showa rear shock

It comes with Brembo monoblock front brake calipers on dual 300mm discs.

Harley-Davidson Livewire specs
Brembo brakes

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Fly Free opens electric motorcycle orders

Californian electric motorcycle company Fly Free has opened up pre-orders for their retro bikes starting at just $4159 (about $A5870) through an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign.

Backers will not get a refund if the bikes do not go into production and there is no guarantee they will.

However, the Long Beach company have already raised about 50% of their $US50,000 ($A70,650) “flexible goal” with a month still to go.

So it seems likely they will achieve enough funds to start production.

Backers get up to 35% off of the retail prices.

Fly Free hope to deliver the Chinese-made bikes in December but there is no word yet on exports to markets outside North America.

Models and range

There are three models in the range and they come in single or double battery configurations.

The single battery provides range of 80km and a top speed of 65km/h.

If you buy a second battery at $US899 (about $A1270) through their Indiegogo campaign, it doubles range with a maximum speed of 80km/h.

Retail price for the extra battery after the crowd-funding campaign will be $US1299 (about $A1835).

So they are obviously targeted at city riders only.

However, you can double the range by buying an extra battery order as they holds two removable lithium batteries.

Perhaps they are looking at a battery swap solution as suggested by Taiwanese scooter company Kymco.

Range will also be varied depending on the mode you select: Eco, City and Speed.

Their claimed range is calculated on riding in Eco mode. Click here for details on the electric range “hoax”.

They feature a smartphone app that acts as a smart key to unlock and start the bike.

It also warns the rider when the bike’s battery drops below 50% and if someone is trying to steal it, but only if the rider is within about 50m!

All bikes feature LED lighting, twin rear shocks and disc brakes, although there is no mention of ABS.

Fly Free Smart Desert

Fly Free Smart Desert

The cheapest model is the Fly Free Smart Desert, inspired by the “Desert Sled” Triumph that Hollywood and motorcycle legend used to race in the Californian desert.

Steve McQueen’s 1963 Triumph Bonnveille “Desert Sled” smart desert
McQueen’s Desert Sled

It comes with retro knobbies and will be available in red, black-and-white camouflage, grey or beige from $US4159 through the Indiegogo campaign.

After that, it will cost $US6399 (about $5875) and extra for the second battery.

Fly Free Smart Old

fly free smart electric motorcycle

This brat bike features low bars, retro road tyres, bar-end mirrors and over-sized round headlight.

It comes in white, black, blue, or silver starting at $US4679 (about $A6600) for Indiegogo backers.

Retail price will be $US7199 (about $A6610).

Fly Free Smart Classic

fly free smart electric motorcycle

This is also a cafe racer, but with solo seat, rear cowl, fly screen and two-tone paint options at starting $US5329 (about $A7500) for Indiegogo backers.

Retail price will be $US8199 (about $A7530).

Fly Free are pledging to donate 4% of net profits to a (yet to be selected) non-profit that will focus on cleaner air and water.

All Fly Free motorcycles have a range of options and accessories such as side plates, seats and luggage.

You can even buy racks to mount a surfboard, snowboard or skateboard.fly free electric motorcycle

Fly Free tech specs

  • Motor: 3kW continuous, 7kW peak
  • Torque: 200Nm (147lb-ft)
  • Top speed: 80km/h (50mph)
  • Battery capacity: 72V 25.2Ah (1.8 kWh)
  • Range: 80km (50 miles) in ECO mode with one battery; double with two batteries
  • Charge time: 5-8 hours
  • Riding modes: ECO, CITY, & SPEED
  • Max climb grade: 36%
  • Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Suspension: Hydraulic fork and dual rear hydraulic coilover shocks

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com