Satnav and mapping expert Peter (World Mapman) Davis provides some interesting background information for those riders who would like to understand how to better use their satnav unit.
There are two forms of Global Positioning System (GPS) satnav (satellite navigation): moving maps and guidance navigation.
Moving maps
This satnav is basically a “raster” or computer graphics image of an actual map.
It is geo-referenced which means the map is embedded in the satnav device and knows where its latitudes and longitudes (or lats and longs as we call them) are on the map.
These are all used in apps for phones or computer programs on desktop or laptop computers.
It shows you where you are. Your position is an overlay on the map and as you move, the map moves with you.
It’s my preferred nav in a remote area because you see details such as water holes, tanks and gradients of roads.
These systems don’t supply turn-by-turn navigation, but you can still use them to plan a route.
Guidance navigation
This is turn-by-turn navigation as used in GPS satnav units from companies such as TomTom, Navman, Garmin, etc.
They use raw data collected by driving the roads, photographing them, mapping them and from satellite images.
The only map data collectors in the world are Navtecm, Teleatlas and Google. They also field-check maps and sell their data to the end users.
They collect the geographic location (lats and longs) and geo-reference images and features.
All of that data is then embedded in proprietary software that can be used on the GPS unit.
Teleatlas was bought by TomTom about 15 years ago and is not sold to any other user.
TomTom is the largest single GPS manufacturer in the world, closely followed by Garmin. But they do not have the majority of the market as there are so many models available.
Their software is set up like moving maps with similar designs for roads, rivers, and even the little position arrow.
The Hema Navigator and Mudmap are the only GPS units that include both turn-by-turn guidance and a moving map option.
Smartphone satnav
Smartphones have a built-in GPS device that allows you to use moving maps via a mapping app. Just make sure you have turned on “location services”.
These don’t need a mobile signal or wifi to work, although they will provide more accurate positioning.
You can be riding in the middle of the Simpson Desert and still use your GPS to access an app with relevant maps downloaded.
Even if you are riding overseas and do not have a mobile plan for that country, the program will work.
The best and easiest to use mapping apps are Hema, Mudmap and Avenza.
Mud Map and Hema Explorer apps for iOS and Android cost $99.99 and $49.95 respectively and come with some maps.
Avenza is free, but you have to buy the maps. They get 10% commission.
Some maps are free and some start at just a few dollars.
Once you buy them, you own them, they are on your device and the GPS will place you on those maps.
By the way, other smartphone apps that use maps such as Uber and Find My Friends won’t work unless you have mobile signal or wifi.
Smartphone maps
Smartphones also have either a proprietary map (like Apple Maps) and/or Google Maps that use mobile signal and/or wifi.
Apple started collecting its own data and bought some data, but didn’t do any field checking.
They introduced the service too soon and relied too much on free crowd-source data, so it was riddled with errors. They have since just bought known data, so it is now more reliable.
You can use both of these to plan a route, find where you are and source nearby points of interest.
In fact, this is how they get their funding as companies pay to be included on their maps.
Next in the series we will talk about how to plan your route.
Las Vegas motorcycle auctions seem to attract the biggest bids and January’s Bonham’s sale is set to do the same with some famous bikes including a Triumph 5T Speed Twin once owned by Steve McQueen.
It was the most expensive bike sold at auction until Australia Day this year when a 1951 Vincent Black Lightning on which Jack Ehret set an Australian speed record was bought at the Bonham’s annual Las Vegas motorcycle auction for a record $US929,000 ($A1,155,000, €748,500) by an unknown collector who is returning the bike to Australia.
McQueen’s 1938 Triumph 5T Speed Twin 500 is estimated to fetch up to $US65,000 (about $A92,000).
The Hollywood star had a long association with Triumph having ridden a TR6 in The Great Escape and the 1964 International Six Day Trial, representing the USA.
This bike was restored for McQueen by friend and fellow ISDT team member Bud Ekins in the mid to late 1970s.
Rare Ducati
Another highlight of the auction is a 1993 Ducati 550cc Supermono tipped to fetch up to $125,000 (about $A177,000).
It is one of only 67 design by Pierre Terblanche and built specifically for the Sound of Singles race.
“The Supermono was regarded as a resounding triumph,” says Bonhams motorcycle specialist Craig Mallery.
“It’s a very curvaceous design. There’s very little that’s angular about it. It’s a beautiful bike, very compact.”
Harley Model F
Another interesting item is a 1916 Harley-Davidson Model F that sat untouched for many decades and still includes a period front tyre.
It was parked indoors many years ago in indoor storage and was recently discovered by American TV car restorer Wayne Carini, host of the Chasing Classic Cars TV series which featured the Harley in one episode.
It is expected to fetch bids up to $100,000 (about $A140,000).
Motorcycles are about action, yet we rarely see any motorbikes in motion in Facebook photos.
I’m getting a bit tired of the same old photos of motorcycles in car parks or parked outside cafes.
Typical Facebook carpark photo
The proliferation of these is probably because we are too busy riding and having fun to stop and think about taking some photos of our mates riding past.
But let’s do our Facebook friends a big favour these Christmas holidays and make a pledge to get more action in our shots. Your mates will appreciate your efforts.
You don’t have to be a photographer or use an SLR camera to take good shots, either.
I started out as a photographic journalist and have for years carried around expensive SLR cameras and lenses.
However, they are too big, expensive and fragile to cart around on a motorcycle. I’ve broken several over the years from vibration and bumps on the bike.
These days I just use an action camera or a phone. Most take fantastic idiot-proof shots.
Here are a few quick iPhone tips to snap some interesting motorcycle action photos on your next ride with friends. (Android phones should have similar functions.)
Panning shots
Action in a photo is best shown by having some blur. This is easy.
When you next stop for a coffee/toilet break, tell your mates you will leave a couple of minutes early to station yourself on a corner or scenic outlook where you will photograph them as they go past.
Park safely off the side of the road and set yourself up somewhere with the sun behind you and a good clear shot of the road as the riders go past.
Hold the phone out about 30cm from your face so you can see the live action at the same time as what’s on your screen. This will help you follow the action.
As each rider comes into view, hit and hold the “shoot” button, careful to keep the rider in the centre of the shot as you follow them around the corner.
This will create a “burst” of photos that focus on the rider and blur the background.
When you check the photos, you will see the word “Select…” at the bottom of the screen.
The main photo may be blurry and not well framed, but if you click on Select, you will see all the photos from your panning shoot.
Select the best to show your mates. They will look like MotoGP starts even if they are riding slowly!
Or you can blur the bike to show speed with a nice panorama in the background.
Simply hold the phone still as the riders go past and hold down the shoot button.
Blurred riders look fast
Scenic photos
A beautiful landscape photo looks even better with a bike in the foreground.
And it doubles the attraction if you also have a moving bike in the frame.
In this shot, I’ve positioned my bike in the foreground with a mountain in the background and a fellow rider going past.
Low-down action
You can also make an action shot more dramatic if you get down low to shoot the bike.
Too many people hold the camera at eye level while standing.
Low-down action
Bikes only stand a bit over a metre tall, so at eye height, most of the bike is in the bottom half of the photo.
Get down low and you will fill the frame with motorbike.
And if you can jump an adventure bike even a few inches off the ground, it looks like a whole lot more!
Ducati Australia has recalled 263 Panigale V4, V4 S and V4 S Speciale bikes over a possible engine oil to leak from one of the hydraulic tensioners on each of the cylinder heads.
The official notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the engine oil “may leak on to the engine sump and on to the tyre, increasing the risk of a crash”.
“This may cause serious injury to riders and other road users,” it says.
The vehicle identification numbers of affected bikes are listed at the end of this article.
Ducati Australia say they will contact owners of recalled bikes by mail.
They will be requested to contact their nearest authorised Ducati Dealer to arrange an appointment.
Apparently it is easily fixed by dealers tightening the two hydraulic tensioners to specification, free of charge.
Recalled again
Ducati’s new Panigale V4 has been recalled four times in its first year of production. However, only recalls two have affected bikes imported into Australia.
Even though manufacturers and importers 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 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:
Triumph Motorcycles looks like having another big year in 2019 with a possible 2.5-litre 134kW (180bhp) Rocket III and high-spec, limited-edition Triumph Factory Custom (TFC) models.
The Rocket III has already the biggest capacity engine of any production motorcycle with a 294cc triple, delivering 221Nm of torque and 109kW of power.
However, rumours about an upgrade and the above photo have leaked from an October Triumph dealers meeting where the bike was wheeled out for a brief time.
Rocket photo
The Rocket III photo taken off a screen reveals quite a bit.
It shows bigger forks, resigned cowl, new exhaust tips, beefier Brembo brakes and a more contoured rider’s seat.
Most importantly, it goes from twin shocks and double-sided swingarm to a single-sided swingarm, probably with a hidden single shock.
Rumours are that the Rocket III will also include many of Triumph’s high-tech rider-aid features such as traction control, cornering ABS and rider modes.
Other tech could include LED lighting, keyless ignition, Bluetooth connectivity and TFT instruments like all modern bikes seem to be getting.
There is no word on when the new Rocket will arrive, but if they have wheeled out a bike at the dealer conference, it should be available sometime next year.
TFC models
Triumph Thruxton R TFC (Photo Triumphrat.net)
Triumph has also told dealers to expect a range of high-spec, limited-edition Triumph Factory Custom (TFC) models.They have had limited-edition and RS models before, but this seems to be a whole new class of bike.
For car enthusiasts think of AMG or HSV.
Triumph suggested TFC models in 2014 when it revealed the TFC Bobber and TFC Scrambler.
The first model will be a Thruxton R TFC in January 2019 with a carbonfibre bobble fairing.
It will weigh less, but have a beefed-up engine mapping, titanium Vance & Hines exhaust and revised riding modes. So it should be a rocket as well!
Suspension is top-shelf Öhlins NIX 30 forks with Öhlins piggyback rear shocks.
Brakes are Brembo radial callipers and radial master cylinder.
Christmas is a great time for a ride, but it is also one of the most dangerous for riders with roads full of families rushing to their holiday destinations.
They are towing caravans or have vehicles overloaded with bikes, luggage and toys and drivers are stressed by screaming kids in the car.
The last thing they are concerned about is giving you any space or consideration.
So our best advice for surviving the holiday with your skin and licence intact is to stay away from the holiday routes and find some back roads to ride.
Here are some other tips and Christmas messages from various motorcycle industry people.
More than any other road user, motorcyclists are vulnerable to road conditions. If it doesn’t feel safe to continue, then stop and wait until conditions improve. You are the best judge. Toughing it out generally is an indicator of subjecting yourself to additional risk.
Rest every couple of hours. Plan your ride. On your way there will be some great places to stop and rest, and enjoy the local hospitality and scenery. Taking a regular break will keep you fresh and alert.
One of the easiest strategies we can implement to survive is to not drink and ride.
As motorcyclists we must apply a new set of philosophies to our riding. We face situations now that weren’t as prevalent a decade ago. Aggressive vehicle drivers with gadgets aplenty distracting their attention on the road, road deterioration, road design and road furniture that’s not rider friendly, bicycle friendly infrastructure that disadvantages motorcycles (bicycle lanes) targeted motorcycle penalties, to name a few.
Enjoy your riding. At end of each journey mark yourself out of 10. Getting to your destination without any ‘exciting moments’ while enjoying your time on the bike is extremely rewarding and satisfying.
The holiday season is the perfect time to unwind and spend time with your family and friends. For those lucky enough to own a motorcycle, we hope you get the chance to enjoy the great weather on your bike and urge you to ride safe. We look forward to advocating for riders again in 2019.
Life is not always a race, take a moment to look and take in your surroundings. This can have a few perspectives. Take a look around, you will see what is going on and by slowing down you can judge the situation better.
We have become more needy of things to be fast paced and we forget to take a look at what we already have around us.
Being able to stop your motorcycle as quickly as possible (for whatever reason), with effective use of the front and rear brake, will give you the very best chance of staying safe. Riding, like skiing, is so much more fun when you do it well.
It’s a handsome helmet with high-quality gloss finish and luxuriously plush leather and fabric interior. The lining is breathable, replaceable and washable.
The helmet could easily go on the mantlepiece for all to admire.
However, this is for test, so I’ve taken it on several rides to test comfort and practicality.
Fit is different for every head. AGV helmets fit my particular head shape well with no pressure points on my head.
However, I seem to take one size larger than with other helmets, so it’s important to try it on in a store, rather than (or before) ordering online.
Pulling the helmet on it feels very comfortable. There is an ear recess where you can fit your Bluetooth intercom speakers without hurting your ears. It’s a snug fit, but I found I can still wear earphones without pulling them out as I pull on the helmet.
Speaking of Bluetooth, there is no way to use the clamp attachment as there is no gap between the lining and shell. Instead, you will need to use a sticker mount.
Visor closure
There are two traditional magnetic snap-latches on either side of the visor. You can open the visor with just your left hand, leaving your right hand free to stay on the throttle.
Closing the visor requires a firm push on both sides and the middle to fit the seal around the wide face aperture.
Most retro helmets have large gaps around the visor. It may be traditional, but it makes them noisy and tiring on a long trip.
This has a rubber ring around the aperture for a firm fit. It is easily the quietest retro helmet I have tested with the visor closed.
However, there are a lot of different whistling sounds when the visor is open.
Like many retro helmets there is no chin spoiler to deflect wind and noise.
Surprisingly, not a lot of wind noise comes up through the chin gap. Yet you do get a lot of cool ventilation for your face.
There is only one long and narrow vent at the front of the visor. It is blocked by a removable black rubber gasket.
Single vent
Pull it out and it feeds cooling air straight into vents at the top of the aperture that channels into the shell.
Together with the facial air flow, it’s surprisingly cool on a hot day.
But with no chin spoiler it might be a bit breezy in winter.
Visor change
Rubber stop
Stopper removed
Changing the visor from clear to tinted or vice versa is not as easy as many modern helmets that simply pop into place.
This one is held by a screwed-in plate and a circlip on each side.
To undo, pull off the small black plastic cap and unscrew the round metal plate with an allen key (not provided).
Pull out the circlip, careful not to drop the two plastic gaskets that locate the visor.
That’s five pieces to remove.
It’s needlessly fiddly, time-consuming and will fill up your swear jar.
Conclusion
If style and safety is your thing, try the X3000 which is the most practical of the retro helmets I’ve tested.
The world’s first motorcycle clothing safety ratings program, MotoCAP, has given just half a star each to three sets of rider leggings and mixed reviews on gloves.
MotoCAP has set a target of testing 10% of available jackets, pants and gloves in its first year of operation.
Leggings tested
BulliIt Fury Jeggings
So far, no women’s jackets or pants had been tested, but now they have tested three pairs of women’s leggings.
The Bull-It, Draggin and Oxford leggings rate just half a star for safety out of five.
The Draggin Stealthz leggings also rated half a star for comfort, while the Oxford Super Leggings rated three and a full five stars for the Bull-It Fury SP120 Lite Jeggings.
Ducati Corse C3 gloves received maximum protection ratings, while Macna Catch Mesh and DriRider Air Ride scored just one star.
No ratings were given for comfort.
Four stars went to Harley-Davidson Circuit waterproof and Alpinestars SP-2, three to Ixon RS Rallye HP and Five Gloves Sportcity and two stars to Dainese Mig C2.
Testing target
MotoCAP testing equipment
In October, a Transport for NSW spokesman told us leather pants are also being tested.
When MotoCAP was launched, the motorcycle clothing industry was not invited to pay for testing to guarantee independence.
The gear was bought anonymously from stores and local online outlets.
However, MotoCAP has invited companies to submit products for ratings and pay a low fee to cover testing.
It is not yet known if these new items were randomly selected or provided by distributors.
Companies can voluntarily advertise their rating using the MotoCAP logo.
MotoCAP is a not-for-profit organisation in partnership with the following: from NSW – Transport for NSW, SIRA and the NRMA; from Victoria – VicRoads, TAC and RACV; from South Australia – DPTI, MAC and RAA; from Queensland – TMR and RACQ; from Western Australia – the Western Australian Road Safety Commission; plus the Australian Motorcycle Council and the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation.
The Transport for NSW spokesperson says MotoCAP is designed to “reduce road trauma and injury severity for motorcyclists” by informing riders of their choices.
“It is hoped this will be achieved by raising consumer awareness of, and demand for, better protective clothing, and manufacturers and suppliers will respond to that demand,” he said.
“The MotoCAP rating system will be continually monitored and feedback will be considered to identify any improvements that can be made.”
Police confirm that a number plate scam has landed some motorists with fines for speeding offences they did commit and unpaid toll notices they did not accrue.
They believe the offenders are using vehicle sales websites to find a vehicle matching the model of their owned or stolen vehicle.
Offenders then create a duplicate number plate on laminated paper and place it on their vehicle.
This plate scam has been around for a while but surfaced again recently in Brisbane when Moreton South Patrol Group received enquiries from motorists who received Traffic Infringement Notices in the mail for speeding offences.
Queensland Police say the motorists denied the speeding fine allegations and provided photographic evidence to prove the vehicle in the speeding offence photo was not theirs, even though it had their number plate.
“Further enquiries have revealed that many of these vehicles have been advertised on commercial car sale websites, exposing their registration details,” they say.
Recently police have also charged offenders with possessing false number plates that share the same number to similar vehicles owned by other people.
However, they have not said how many offenders have been apprehended nor how many speeding fines have been waived.
Plate scam not new
Police and transport departments in NSW and Victoria states the plate scam is not new, but are unable to supply statistics for speeding fines waived or offenders who can be charged with both criminal and traffic offences.
It is recommended that private sellers blur their number plates when they advertise their vehicle online.
In Victoria, Victoria Police, VicRoads, Department of Justice and Regulation, Fines Victoria, the Crime Statistics Agency and National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council are investigating the misuse and theft of number plates.
“If an individual suspects number plate misuse of any kind, they should immediately contact police,” VicRoads suggests.
South Australia Police say it has not affected motorists in their state. Tasmania and WA authorities did not reply to our inquiries.
Unpaid tolls
The scammers have also been using tollways with the video recognition fee going to the registered owners of the plate.
Kingaroy rider Paulette Devine copped a $10.78 fee for an unpaid $2.28 motorway toll when her Kawasaki Ninja 250 was parked in her garage more than 200km away.
Tollway photo of Paulette’s plate on another bike
She bought the Ninja in July 2017 through Gumtree.
We contacted Queensland tollway company Linkt who confirmed they had waived Paulette’s toll.
Linkt is owned by Transurban which also owns CityLink in Melbourne and six tollways in Sydney.
