The world’s fastest electric motorcycle, the 351km/h Lightning LS-218, will soon have a mass-market brother called the Strike that beats Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire electric.
A teaser photograph of the Strike above) shows a Ducati-esque set of headlights.
It will start at $US12,998 (about $A18,000) when it is released in March, compared with the LS-218 at $US38,888 (about $A51,150).
That’s even cheaper than the Zero SR at $US16,495 (about $A23,000).
When the company pulled the plug on importing to Australia in 2017 their prices ranged from $18,000 to $25,000 on the road.
When it comes to tech specs, the Strike is also a lot more electric bike than the LiveWire.
Harley promises just 177km of range, a top seed of 190km/h and 0-100km/h in “under 3.5 seconds”.
In its photographic teaser of the Strike’s headlights, Lightning Motorcycles claim the bike will have 150 miles of range (about 240km) and a top speed of 150mph (240km/h).
Lightning Motorcycles say the Strike will charge in just 35 minutes on a DC fast charger.
Lightning Motorcycles does not yet import to Australia and is a small-scale company.
However, its price and tech specs should cause concern to both electric newcomer Harley-Davidson and the world’s biggest electric bike company, Zero Motorcycles.
Australia’s Toby Price has scored his second Dakar Rally win in a nail-biting finish and won a kiss from KTM Factory teammate Laia Sainz, but will lose his trademark mullet.
Toby only won one stage of the rally, the penultimate leg yesterday, but was consistently in the top 10 finishers.
Nursing a broken wrist from a training accident last month and just a one-minute gap from Chilean Pablo Quintanila (Husqvarna), Toby won the final stage and increased his gap to over nine minutes from Pablo.
It is the 18th straight win for KTM and despite strong opposition from Husqvarna, Honda snd Yamaha throughout the rally, KTM cloud out the top three with last year’s winner Austrian Matthias Walkner second and Brit Sam Sunderland third.
The long-time friends made a bet before the Peruvian rally that if Toby finished better than fifth he could kiss Laia for five seconds and if the Spanish rider finished 15th or better, she could chop off Toby’s trademark mullet.
Laia finished the stage 10 in 15th and overall was 11th, so Toby will soon loose his mullet.
Toby started racing the Dakar in 2015, finishing an astounding third. He became a KTM factory rider in 2016 and was the first Aussie to win the rally. He broke his leg in 2017 and last year finished third despite not racing for a year due to injury.
Not only is he the first Aussie to win the gruelling rally, but last year he also became the first to win the world rally title.
Laia is competing in her ninth Dakar, having finished top 20 in five. Her best finish was a ninth in 2015.
Aussie rookies
Ben Young
Aussie rookies, Ben Young and James Ferguson made it to the end in grand style.
Ben nursed a spec ted broken hand to 55th in the final stage to be 51st overall and an amazing 10th in the rookie class.
Australia’s only other motorcycle competitor, Queenslander Rodney Faggotter, was out of the rally on stage three with a mechanical failure on his factory Yamaha.
Water will be sprayed over the Oxley Highway in the next few days as the road melts even more in the current heatwave conditions.
The road began melting in December in 31C heat and is now melting even more as temperature soar higher.
Save the Oxley campaigner Ken Healey says the lines of molten tar are “right on the line your bike is going to take”.
In a short-term fix, the Roads and Maritime Services poured sand on the slippery melting tar last week. This prompted outrage from riders.
Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Steve Pearce said it was “very disappointing to see this work without any consideration for motorcyclists”.
“You could easily come to the conclusion that Melinda Pavey doesn’t want motorcyclists to use this road, remember it was just a year ago when the speed limit was dropped,” he says.
Water to cool road
Now the RMS says Walcha Council will spray the melting road surface with water between Toms Creek and 85km west of Wauchope “due to extreme heatwave conditions”.
“Roads and Maritime Services acknowledge water is a scarce resource at this time, however it is required to ensure the safety of motorists and keep the road open,” a spokesperson says.
“Council will be monitoring the road and will use the water cart as required to cool the bitumen for the safety of all road users.
“Roads and Maritime is working with Walcha Council to identify and carry out further work in the coming weeks, taking into account appropriate weather conditions required for this treatment.
“Road users are reminded to take care and drive to conditions on all roads in northern and western NSW following extreme weather events.”
Speeds in affected areas will be reduced to 60km/h with variable message signs indicating the speed change and the affected road surface.
After the images were posted, RMS spread thick sand over the road in what independent road surface expert and rider Ian Kite says is a short-term fix only.
Melting tar cause
Ian Kite, a 40-year local government infrastructure manager and lecturer in road construction, pavement design and bitumen sealing says the technical term for melting tar is “bleeding”.
“The cause of the problem is the aggregate in the seal being completely submerged by the bitumen and allowing the tyres to make contact with the bitumen,” he says.
“This can be caused by a number of factors – usually a combination of several.”
How to fix the issue
Ian says sand is the “quickest/simplest/cheapest solution” in the short term to absorb the excess bitumen.
Sometimes fine aggregate or crusher dust is also applied.
“The bitumen adheres to the surface of the particles and is no longer free to stick to tyres or present a slick surface,” he says.
He says the photos of the road indicate a high application rate of sand resulting in a loose, unbound surface “not much better than the slick road”.
“It’s pretty hard/near impossible to get the application rate just right since the bleeding of the surface is not uniform,” he says.
“Therefore it is usual to over-apply the sand or dust, but sweep off the excess ASAP.
“Until the sweeping is done, appropriate ‘slippery surface’ signage should be in place.
“I would expect the sweeping to be carried out within 24 hours. It may be necessary to re-apply the sand on subsequent hot days followed by sweeping.”
Other long-term solutions require analysis, design and specialist equipment to implement, Ian says.
Treatments include application of a “fog” coat of bitumen, rolling in another layer of aggregate, removal of excess bitumen by water blasting and replacement of the entire seal.
Ian says the analysis, design and resourcing of these treatments may take a couple of months to a year to organise and finance.
The Tasmanian Motorcycle Council (TMC) has called for free identification numbers, not registration, for cyclists over 18 so their traffic offences can be reported and riders fined.
It’s an old complaint about cyclists disobeying road rules and not being fined that surfaces every now and then.
Council president Paul Bullock says his call follows “many complaints” from motorcyclists, car drivers, bus drivers and truck drivers about cyclists who behave irresponsibly.
Since his call for cyclist ID, the TMC has received “lots of negative responses from cyclists but very positive from all other road users”.
Identification not registration
However, this is not the usual call for cyclists to pay registration fees. After all, most cyclists are already motorists who pay rego that goes into maintaining our roads.
“Cyclists don’t understand it is for identification, not registration. It is to stop cyclists breaking the law. At no cost to the cyclist,” Paul says.
The TMC wants cyclists over 18 to wear some form of reflective identification number on their bike, clothing or helmet. Paul says it could be funded through the road safety levy.
Tasmanian road sign
Rule breakers
What seems to irk many motorists is that cyclists get political favour, their own lanes, free footpath parking and yet avoid traffic offences.
We receive many complaints of cyclists blocking the road, breaking road rules, running red lights and even speeding down hills.
I was recently overtaken in a 50km/h downhill zone on Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane, by a cyclist who at the end of the road didn’t stop for a stop sign.
However, cyclists are not avoiding traffic fines altogether.
In the past two years, Queensland Police alone have booked more than 230 cyclists for speeding and 540 for running red lights.
The TMC also provided this list of traffic offences in Tasmania by cyclists:
Offence
Legislation
Fine
Code
Item
Penalty
Unit
Cyclist unreasonably obstructing the path of other driver/pedestrian
RR
125(1)
$81.50
B819
174
0.5
Cyclist ride without due care and attention
RR
367(1)
$122.25
BC11
441
0.75
Cycle without reasonable consideration for other road users
RR
367(2)
$81.50
BC12
442
0.5
Cyclist unreasonably obstructing the path of other driver/pedestrian
RR
125(1)
$81.50
B819
174
0.5
Cyclist not seated astride and facing forward
RR
245(a)
$81.50
BA97
330
0.5
Cyclist riding with no hands on handlebars
RR
245(b)
$81.50
BA97
330
0.5
Cyclist seated other than on seat
RR
245(c)
$81.50
BA98
331
0.5
Cyclist fail to ride in bicycle lane
RR
247(1)
$122.25
BB01
335
0.75
Cyclist cause traffic hazard (moving into path of driver/pedestrian
RR
253
$122.25
BB22
345
0.75
Ride bicycle with no warning device in working order
RR
258(b)
$81.50
BB38
356
0.5
With identification numbers, more traffic offences could be issued, more than paying for the cost to implement the program.
“While the majority of cyclists obey the law there is an element within the cycling fraternity that continually do not,” Paul says.
“They obstruct vehicles travelling on the road; while travelling in a group doing far less speed compared to other vehicles, they will not move into single file to allow vehicles to pass.
“Cyclists use the excuse that they are entitled to ride two abreast on the road, while failing to accept that they are unreasonably obstructing traffic, which is illegal.
“Despite it being legal for cyclists to travel two abreast and laws allowing other vehicle to cross double lines to pass when safe to do so, irresponsible and discourteous rider behaviour puts cyclists and other road users at risk.”
Petitions against cyclists
Last year, a Change.org petition was started by Drivers For Registration of Cyclists for cyclists to ride single file.
It has so far received more than 134,000 signatures.
Suzuki Australia is doing a ride-away deal on the 2019 Boulevard M109R which now comes in two new colour schemes with dark accents.
Price is $18,990 ride away, which means a saving on rego and other delivery costs of about $1000.
The new colours are white with blue trim and wheel rims, or black and red.
Dark accents
With the current shift away from chrome, most of the parts from the standard M109R have been swapped from chrome to dark, matte black.
Dark features include rear-view mirrors, drag-style handlebars and switches, clutch and brake levers, tank, clutch, magneto, side and cylinder head covers, brake calipers, side stand and the slash-cut mufflers.
The Black Edition also features clear indicator and tail light lenses.
There has been no change to any mechanicals or performance.
It is still powered by a 109 cubic inch (1786cc), 54-degree, V-twin, liquid-cooled engine producing 92kW @ 6200rpm with 160Nm of torque.
The massive 240mm low-profile radial rear tyre is the largest used on a Suzuki motorcycle.
The 2019 Suzuki Boulevard M109R Black Edition comes with a two-year unlimited-kilometre warranty.
A Honda Neowing leaning three-wheeler looks likely to be coming soon, possibly as a replacement for the ageing Goldwing.
Honda has now applied for a patent for the power steering of its Neowing leaning three-wheel concept (pictured above) unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.
If it does go into production, Honda would be following the bike tracks of the Yamaha Niken leaning three-wheeler.
And why not? The Niken has scored some sales success in Europe.
Leaning three-wheeler scooters have been around for about a decade, but Yamaha is the first with a big-capacity three-wheeler.
Yamaha Niken
We’ve ridden several leaning three-wheel scooters and they are great fun.
The advantages are more front-end grip, better handling and increased braking performance.
However, the disadvantages are extra weight and price.
The Niken is based on the triple-cylinder MT-09 which sells for $12,299 (plus on-road costs) up to $15,499 for the Tracer model and $16,999 for the Tracer GT.
Niken starts at $21,999 with a GT model coming in March 2019. That’s about a third more expensive!
Niken
Powerful Neowing
While Yamaha’s three-wheeler is powered by an 847cc triple, Honda’s Neowing could be a lot more powerful.
The concept featured a four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine with electric motors in each wheel.
However, the patent drawings for the electric power steering do not show the engine, only the complex steering system.
Neowing patent drawings (Image: Morebikes.co.uk)
They also don’t show any electric motors in the front wheels.
But it would need to be powered by a hefty engine to cope with the extra weight and power requirements of the steering system.
Yamaha’s Niken is marketed as a sport tourer.
The Neowing could be more of a tourer, perhaps to take over from the ageing Goldwing with its six-cylinder boxer powerplant.
Some might say these leaning three-wheelers are not strictly motorcycles.
But if they provide the same thrill as a motorcycle, yet with more grip, then who cares!
As if the Dakar Rally isn’t tough enough, Australian rider James Ferguson (pictured above) is taking it on solo and unassisted and is closing in on the top 10 in his Original by Motul category.
James and countryman Ben Young are among a record field of novices in this year’s Peruvian rally.
Ben Young 20th in the rookie class
Ben is a commendable 55th overall and 12th in the rookie class.
In preparation for the Dakar, Ben has been training with Toby and finished 18th in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and 24th in the Morocco Rally on his KTM.
Australia’s first Dakar Rally winner Toby Price is first overall after stage 8, zeroing in on a kiss with KTM Factory teammate Laia Sainz but risking the loss of his mullet.
The long-time friends made a bet before the Peruvian rally that if Toby finished better than fifth he could kiss Laia for five seconds and if the Spanish rider finished getter than 15th, she could chop off Toby’s trademark mullet.
Long kiss
Toby finished the 323km beach-and-dunes stage eight overnight in third and despite not yet winning a stage, his consistency has landed him in first outright, a minute in front of Husky rider Pablo Quinanilla.
With just three stages to go, his five-second kiss with Laia is looking good.
But his mullet is also in serious danger.
Laia is currently 13th outright, but almost three hours behind Toby.
Laia Sainz
Both are not in prime physical condition with Toby nursing a wrist he broke in training last month and Laia recovering from Q fever which prevented her training most of 2018.
Toby started racing the Dakar in 2015, finishing an astounding third. He became a KTM factory rider in 2016 and was the first Aussie to win the rally. He broke his leg in 2017 and last year finished third despite not racing for a year due to injury.
Not only is he the first Aussie to win the gruelling rally, but last year he also became the first to win the world rally title.
Laia Sanz
Laia is a 13-time Women’s Trial World Champion and 10-time Women’s Trial European Champion in outdoor trials.
She is competing in her ninth Dakar, having finished top 20 in five. Her best finish was a ninth in 2015.
If you’ve crashed or been stopped by police who suspect you’ve been doing something illegal, your action camera, phone, GPS and bike could help incriminate you.
Each of these items can contain the evidence police and the courts need to convict you for a traffic or criminal offence.
Phones are the most likely to be confiscated, but we have also heard of police confiscating action cameras.
Your phone could contain incriminating evidence
Motorcycle Riders Association of WA safety officer Dave Wright has defended police for confiscating a Perth rider’s GoPro helmet cam SD card.
“If people are doing stupid things, they should pay the price,” he says.
In the latest case, a helmet camera from a dead rider has this month helped convict a British motorcyclist of dangerous driving.
His conviction was based on video evidence confiscated from the helmet of a riding colleague who died in a crash last year.
Police can also get vital evidence from GPS devices that record fastest and elapsed times.
They can also obtain incriminating evidence from motorcycles that feature data loggers.
What rights do you have?
So what do you do if police ask for an item that could incriminate you?
In some places, such as America, police may first have to obtain a search warrant. In Australia, they don’t, so long as the search is lawful.
If police conduct a lawful search, they can seize your camera, SD card, phone, GPS or bike data.
SD Card in a GoPro
It’s not just the item of the alleged offender; police can also ask a bystander to an offence for evidence.
A lawful search is where you give police permission to search you or when the officer has a “reasonable suspicion” that you could have an item containing evidence of an offence.
A crash is a situation where police might exercise their right to collect relevant evidence from victims, offenders and bystanders.
How do you not incriminate yourself?
If you don’t want to incriminate yourself, there are some steps you can take.
Without wishing to pervert the course of justice, we suggest you extract the SD card from your camera, bike or GPS.
Or at least turn off your camera to avoid attracting the attention of the police.
If they see the camera or GPS is off or that the SD card is missing, they might assume you weren’t recording.
However, we do not suggest you lie and say you don’t have it or that it wasn’t recording. That could incriminate you in a whole other offence.
Even if you want to use the evidence later in your defence, your lie will then be obvious and police could charge you for providing false information.
If they ask for the camera, GPS, phone, SD card or data logger, you can politely tell the police you will gladly make it available after it has been copied.
That may not work, unless you have been syrupy sweet.
Don’t be obstinate. That could be seen as refusing to hand over evidence and you could be charged with obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty.
That would result in a court appearance where you could cop a fine of a few hundred dollars.
The proper procedure is to let them take it and then challenge it in court. But, of course, the horse has already bolted.
Another legal opinion
However, one legal advisor suggests that would offend the right to not incriminate yourself.
“But there is the law and there is reality,” he notes.
“Coppers will usually do whatever is easiest to ‘prove’ an offence. If that entails bullying a motorist into handing over an SD card, that is what the coppers will do.”
If your camera or SD card has been confiscated by the police or handed over to them, ask the officer to make a note of it.
Police must supply you with a receipt of the item as “soon as possible”.
It must also be returned to you in 30 days unless it is to be used as evidence. In that case, police have to apply for an extension through court.
If the matter goes to court, your legal representative can also ask for the card or, at least, a copy to be supplied for your use as evidence.
Please note:
This article is based on several other articles already published on Motorbike Writer as well as information from police and lawyers, including East Coast Lawyer Tina Davis and assistant Robyn Temperton. It is not legal advice. For legal advice, you should engage the services of a lawyer.
Since the law can be challenged and is open to legal interpretation, you may disagree with many of the points raised here. Please feel free to comment in the “Leave a reply” section below.
“I don’t like them just sitting in my shed and I can’t ride them all so it would be good if someone could display them to the public,” he says.
“Suzuki two-strokes are what I learnt to ride on.”
First Suzi
TS90s
His first bike was a 1970 TS90. He doesn’t have that bike, but he now has two examples in his collection.
“They’re not mainstream bikes so they don’t cost ridiculous prices to buy,” he says.
“They are simple a hell of a lot of fun to ride and attract a lot of attention wherever I take them, not that l’m after that.
“You go to get fuel for your bike and you’ll be there for an hour talking to people about your bike.
“A lot of people like me learnt to ride on these types of bikes.
“It strikes a chord with people and their great memories.”
TC100
Most of the bikes are restored, only five bikes are registered, but all are in good mechanical condition.
Among the bikes is a T500 he bought in 2004.
T500
“I searched for one for quite a while,” he says.
“A nice example was listed in the US and I wished there was one in Australia. Well literally a week later this one was advertised in Brisbane.
“It wouldn’t start but had good compression. I registered it in August of that year and have been riding it ever since.
“It has had every seal replaced including the crank. The gearbox was rebuilt and modified. The top end, piston and rings, have not been touched. The frame has been repainted as well as the tank and side covers.
“It is a joy to ride. Contrary to popular belief it has good torque at low revs for a 50-year-old design.
“Once it hits 5000rpm she picks up her skirt really gets going. You just ride to its limits which is good as you ride slower.”
Favourite Suzi
Neil says he doesn’t have a favourite.
“Please don’t make me choose,” he says.
“The thing people don’t realise is how difficult it is to choose which one to ride for the day.
“If you ride one the others get a bit sookie so have to be careful.
“I try to to alternate them so they all go for a bit of a run.
“One of the most endearing is a Jacaranda Blue 1967 Suzuki K10 80cc road bike.
“Whenever you ride it, you ride it full throttle and it feels like you are going as lot faster than you actually are and you can really throw it around in the corners.
“It’s not restored but it’s a delightful littler machine.
“None of them are rare or valuable. They cost around the $2000-$3000 mark. But they are worth something to me.”
New home
And they will be with a lot of sentimental value to old bikers who would love to see them on public display.
“A lot of cafes are aimed at women with crafts on display, so this would be ideal to attract some male customers,” he says.
But it would have to be nearby as Neil likes to ride a different one nearly every day.
