The post Testing gallery first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
The chads over at Bikes and Beards are back with another video overview of cheap amazon bikes. Funny enough, I say “cheap Amazon bikes”, but this one happens to be the most expensive model available on the site emptying your wallet with a $2000 cost-to-own. That’s still really cheap in terms of new bikes, as you’re looking at a $4k minimum barrier to entry if you’re looking to pick up a new dual-sport ride.
For an inexpensive bike, you’re definitely getting what you pay for. To put things into perspective, I recently picked up a 2001 Yamaha WR426F used for $2000 CAD. With the Hawk DXL coming straight from China, corners will be cut anywhere to save on costs to provide potential customers with the cheapest bike possible. When shopping for a dual-sport bike catered to offroad riding the last thing you want is cheap parts such as shifters and rims etc, but those are easy to replace in the event they snap or break anyways.
Previously, they unboxed and tested a different version from Amazon by the same manufacturer and it wasn’t quite as bad as you might think. This is the DXL version of the “Hawk” bike they reviewed in the last video, bringing a fuel injection system to the ride providing quite a bit more power. The bike requires full assembly to save money on the packaging/shipping which is odd to me because if you’re experienced enough with bikes to assemble one from (almost) scratch you probably aren’t going to be in the market for a cheap $2000 motorcycle anyways.
After assembling the motorcycle and giving an overview of the cheaper parts used on the bike, Sean gave it a quick test ride around the block to see its capabilities. He says the bike has much more power than the cheaper version, which is hopeful seeing as how the non-DXL version was lacking in power and overall performance. The only real problem that came up on the first impression ride was a frequent stalling issue which I’m sure he will cover and remedy in the upcoming videos.
Be sure to keep up to date with the series as he has a video planned to put the Hawk DXL up against more traditional production bikes in the same category to really illustrate the difference in cost-to-performance.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Motorcycle theft fell a surprising 2.7% to 9021 in the past financial year (2019/20) while overall Australian motor vehicle theft increased 2% to 56,312.
It appears motorcycle thieves stayed home during the coronavirus pandemic as motorcycle thefts had been on course for a bumper year.
Thefts were trending up with a 10.% increase to 9672 in the 2019 calendar year. In fact, that was the biggest increase of any category of vehicle.
Instead, motorcycle thefts have dropped dramatically during the pandemic which seems to run completely contra to thefts of other motor vehicles.
The National Motor Vehicle Theft Council even points out that there is a correlation between the performance of the economy and crime.
They tip that with the recession caused by the pandemic it is “almost certain the current uplift in vehicle crime will extend into 2021 at a minimum”.
However, that may not include motorcycles.
Motorcycle thefts
The biggest drop in motorcycle theft was in NSW, down 251 (11.6%) from 2160 to 1909.
At the other end of the scale, Tasmania was up a whopping 27.1%.
| State or Territory | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | % change | ||
| Thefts | % of thefts | Thefts | % of thefts | ||
| ACT | 104 | 1.1 | 110 | 1.2 | 5.8% |
| NSW | 2,160 | 23.3 | 1,909 | 21.2 | -11.6% |
| NT | 100 | 1.1 | 77 | 0.9 | -23.0% |
| QLD | 1,864 | 20.1 | 1,956 | 21.7 | 4.9% |
| SA | 711 | 7.7 | 783 | 8.7 | 10.1% |
| TAS | 170 | 1.8 | 216 | 2.4 | 27.1% |
| VIC | 2,037 | 22.0 | 2,056 | 22.8 | 0.9% |
| WA | 2,121 | 22.9 | 1,914 | 21.2 | -9.8% |
| AUS | 9,267 | 100.0 | 9,021 | 100.0 | -2.7% |
Motorcycle thefts by Local Government Area
Once again, the South East Queensland and Perth regions were the most popular targets for thieves.
As a consequence, these areas usually attract higher insurance premiums.
| State or Territory | LGA | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | % change |
| QLD | Brisbane (City) | 466 | 599 | 28.5% |
| QLD | Gold Coast (City) | 273 | 277 | 1.5% |
| VIC | Melbourne (City) | 232 | 247 | 6.5% |
| QLD | Logan (City) | 168 | 185 | 10.1% |
| QLD | Moreton Bay (Regional Council) | 169 | 185 | 9.5% |
| WA | Cockburn (City) | 117 | 151 | 29.1% |
| NSW | Newcastle (City) | 156 | 119 | -23.7% |
| WA | Stirling (City) | 156 | 116 | -25.6% |
| SA | Adelaide (City) | 52 | 114 | 119.2% |
| WA | Rockingham (City) | 85 | 114 | 34.1% |
Most stolen
As usual, the most stolen motorcycle brands are also the most prevalent in the market such as Japanese bikes.
However, scooters and off-road bikes were also prime targets of thieves as they are lightweight and easy to steal. Some are also used on properties and tourist destinations where they may not be re-registered.
That explains the high theft rating of off-road brands such as KTM and Husqvarna, and scooter brands such as SYM, Kymco and Piaggio.
Top motorcycle theft targets
| Make | 2018/19 | 2019/20 |
| Honda | 2,010 | 1,938 |
| Yamaha | 1,582 | 1,574 |
| Kawasaki | 854 | 884 |
| Suzuki | 816 | 819 |
| KTM | 647 | 598 |
| SYM | 287 | 336 |
| Kymco | 223 | 257 |
| Piaggio | 203 | 221 |
| Harley Davidson | 219 | 186 |
| Triumph | 182 | 160 |
| Husqvarna | 145 | 146 |
| Longjia | 142 | 130 |
| Hyosung | 173 | 129 |
| Ducati | 92 | 101 |
| Aprilia | 94 | 99 |
| Vespa | 78 | 94 |
| BMW | 78 | 92 |
| Bolwell | 65 | 68 |
| CFMoto | 60 | 57 |
| Vmoto | 65 | 56 |
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Triumph Motorcycles Australia has issued a recall for 217 2019 and 2020 Street Scrambler and Street Twin models over a wiring issue.
The official notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says: “Misrouted harness wiring may become damaged by the lower lug on main frame headstock when the handlebars are rotated. Damaged wiring harness may cause the engine to stall, and increase the risk of injury and death of the rider or other road users in an accident.”
Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted and asked to present their motorcycle to an authorised Triumph dealers to have recall work carried out free of charge.
A new VIN label protector will be fitted to the motorcycle to prevent contact between the wiring and the headstock lug. Some motorcycles may also need a rework of the harness.
Click here to find a Triumph dealer.
Bonneville recalls
The “Bonneville” range has been the subject of several embarrassing recalls since they were introduced in 2016:
Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.
Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.
If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Father’s Day is a great time to share your passion for riding with your grandfather, father or son.
According to recent research, more than one in three motorcyclists got into riding because of their friends or family.
The new research survey was conducted by YouGov and commissioned by ING who is launching their new Motorcycle Insurance.
It also found that a quarter of riders vow to keep biking a family tradition and teach their kids how to ride.
What’s more, riders want to share their joy of riding with friends or their partner (43%).
All in the family
One example of this family biking tradition is Victorian rider Rob Hartnett who says riding is about “friendship, mindset, bonding, shared passions and getting away from all our electronic devices for a while”.
The 56-year-old has been riding since his dad, John, took him on a lap around a race track at just six months and now he is teaching his children to ride and race motorcycles.
From there, he was on minibikes built by his dad, before pushbikes and getting heavily into motorsports and racing.
For Rob, riding is a family tradition.
His mother, Shirley, still rides in her 80s and his 89-year-old dad still rides to rallies after racing for 75 years in speedway and road races.
“My parents met through bikes many years ago and while that was not the same for me, my wife, Leisa, is thankfully a petrol head and loves bikes and cars,” he says.
His three sons also ride. Ben 23 raced junior MX and has his road licence; Finn, 20, and Lachie, 18, rode minibikes and have ridden many kms with Rob.
“We did the junior MX scene in Victoria with our boys when our eldest son, Ben, was racing and it was great family fun,” Rob says.
“Leisa did corner duties which was a baptism of fire for her and we travelled around Victoria and met many great families and friends.
“We often go to rallies together and a couple of years ago all three generations were riding at the All British Rally.”
Encourage kids to ride
Rob believes children should be encouraged to ride as it makes them better car drivers and road users later in life.
“Most of all I encourage it as it’s a way of clearing your mind and focusing on the now,” he says.
“Not the past, not the future but exactly where you are at that time.
“My wife Leisa says when you drive you are in a capsule and then you stop and arrive. On a bike she says you are already in the moment all the time. When you stop, you have already arrived you just get off the bike.
“Riding allows you to experience nature and the world in a unique way.”
Today, Rob considers himself a social rider, taking trips on weekends and attending classic rallies with his wife Leisa.
He’s owned Ducatis, Yamahas, Triumphs, Hondas, a Suzuki and even a Velocette. Rob currently rides a Triumph Bonneville and a Honda Café Racer.
“Riding is a common bond of a group of people with similar interests,” he says.
“No one cares where you come from, rich or poor, what colour you are, your background.
“When the engine starts and the visor goes down we are all one together.
“The joy and camaraderie is a global thing unique to bikes. Watch a junior MX race or a MotoGP race and after every race you see the riders congratulate each other. You rarely see that in car racing.”
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Trail bike riders are being asked to complete a survey so the volunteer NSW Recreational Trail Bike Riders can develop a strategic plan.
The group was formed as a sub-committee of the Motorcycle Council of NSW in July 2020.
Spokesman Adrian Bois says that with an estimated 75,000 recreational trail bike riders in NSW, there was a need for a peak body to represent their concerns about access to riding areas.
“Our aim is to take those concerns to the relevant bodies in order to create a viable relationship that ensures the future of trail riding in NSW,” he says.
“The committee’s first task is undertaking a collaborative approach to the development of our NSW Trail Bike Strategic Plan.
“We will be engaging with all stakeholders such as Riders, FCAI, NPWS, NSW Police, Office of Sport, Outdoors NSW, Forestry Corporation and LGAs.”
They recently launched a website and prepared the Recreational Trail Bike Rider survey.
The survey asks details about you such as your age and occupation, your bike licence and where you live.
It also asks about your riding such as your skill level, where and when you ride, who with and how frequently.
The survey also asks if you have ever had a licence check while riding in a forest.
Then it seeks guidance on whether the trails rules should be changed, concerns about the current system, preserving trail bike areas and how councils and the NSW Trail Riders can help.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
For years riders have been standing on the footpegs to stretch our legs or go over an obstruction oblivious to the fact of the legality or otherwise.
Surprise surprise it was illegal.
However, a few years ago the Australian Road Rules were adjusted to allow riders to take their feet off the footpegs or to stand while riding. The Australian Road Rules are model laws that form the basis of road rules of each Australian state and territory.
Despite this, police in several states have breached riders. Check out what happened to this South Australian rider and this NSW rider.
You would be justified in asking why. It appears when the Australian Road Rules Reg 271 was drafted it stated that a rider is permitted to stand “only if it is safe to do so”. (The actual wording varies from state to state. See the NSW rule at the end of this article)
Case studies
NSW traffic and criminal law specialist Chris Kalpage says he has had to defend a couple of riders who have done just that and been breached by police who considered it unsafe.
Here is Chris’s outline on how he defended the charge:
Two cases come to mind. A rider on a dirt bike who was riding and was standing on the pegs as he traveled along the road. The highway patrol vehicle was stopped at right angles to the traveling bike at a red light. The police vehicle followed the bike and pulled over and charged the rider. We defended the case and adduced evidence from the rider of the many years of experience as a rider that he had and the police in-car video showed that he was riding in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the highway patrol officer was shown photographs by me in cross-examination of police riders using trail bikes standing on pegs and he had to concede that these bikes just similar to my client’s were designed to allow standing and riding whilst maintaining control. My client was eventually acquitted by the Magistrate who made the finding that what the rider did was safe.
Another case was of a similar nature of an experienced rider on a registered dirt bike riding with his father and standing on his footpegs. He did this after a long day ride and was stretching his legs. Again he was pulled over and charged by the highway patrol. On attending the police station to view the in-car video I could see no action by the rider that would constitute being unsafe. I then had a meeting with the Sergeant in charge of the Highway Patrol office who agreed with me and the matter was subsequently withdrawn. So as you see from this article and some of the earlier ones whenever there is a discretion given to a police officer it can very much be determined by the subjective views of the officer such as whether he dislikes you or the fact that you ride a bike.
As you can see from the legislation, similar to the rule governing standing on footpegs, is the rule relating to the removing of one foot off the footpeg by the rider whilst seated unless safe to do so. You are in trouble if your pillion does any of the earlier mentioned transgressions and there is no defense of that nature irrespective of how safe it may be.
So bear in mind be careful next time you decide to stand on the pegs.
NSW Road Rules 2014
Current version for 8 September 2018 to date (accessed 29 January 2019 at 14:17)
Part 16 Rule 271
271 Riding on motor bikes
(1) The rider of a motor bike that is moving (other than a rider who is walking beside and pushing a motor bike), or the rider of a motor bike that is stationary but not parked, must:
(a) sit astride the rider’s seat facing forwards, and
(b) if the motor bike is moving—keep at least 1 hand on the handlebars, and
(c) if the motor bike is moving—keep both feet on the footrests designed for use by the rider of the motor bike, unless the motor bike is moving at less than 10 kilometres per hour and either:
(i) the rider is manoeuvring the motor bike in order to park the motor bike, or
(ii) the motor bike is decelerating to come to a stop, or
(iii) the motor bike is accelerating from being stopped.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
(1A) The rider of a motor bike that is moving may:
(a) stand on the motor bike’s footrests or footboard designed for the rider’s use if:
(i) the rider has both feet on the footrests or footboard, and
(ii) in the circumstances, it is safe for the rider to do so, or
(b) remove a foot from the footrest or footboard designed for the rider’s use if:
(i) the rider is sitting on the rider’s seat, and
(ii) at least 1 foot is on a foot rest or footboard, and
(iii) in the circumstances, it is safe for the rider to do so.
Disclaimer
This article is for reader information and interest only and is based on New South Wales law. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and does not constitute and must not be relied on as legal advice.
Please be aware that every case is different and the matters raised may not be of specific relevance to your situation but may have a general application. You must seek specific advice tailored to your circumstances. Chris is happy to talk to anyone needing clarification. He can be contacted on 0418 211074.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
(Contributor post)
The daily lives of people have always been heavily influenced by the technologies that are currently available to them. Whether it’s in the way that people are so heavily reliant on their smartphones to get them through the day, or in how people use vehicles to move from point to point efficiently is proof of how important technology is to the average person.
One piece of technology that is often heralded to be a technological leap comes in the form of the Internet of Things. Imagine a world where devices are able to share information and interact with one another. This creates a whole ecosystem similar to that of Apple and Samsung in how their devices are able to synergize with each other in order to create a seamless user experience that not only increases convenience, but also productivity. But first things first, what exactly is the Internet of Things, and how does this technology affect motorcycle safety?
The Internet of Things
Simply put, the Internet of Things refers to the concept of connecting devices to the internet. These devices can be anything from cell phones, headphones, lamps, microwaves, washing machines, etc. This interconnectivity is what allows these devices to interact with each other. Imagine opening a fridge and finding that the milk’s run out, and the fridge suggests to make an online purchase for milk. Or how a person can open their garage door, turn on lights, and heat dinner through a microwave, all while driving home from work. This interconnectivity is what allows for an unprecedented level of productivity and efficiency.
How Does This Relate To Motorcycle Safety?
Simply put, a motorcycle equipped with smart sensors can work in synergy with bio-sensors that can measure a rider’s health and it can also detect other vehicles to help reduce the risk of an accident. Data such as speed, road conditions, weather, and obstacles can be used to alert a rider of potential dangers ahead.
IoT-capable motorcycles might even be able to provide real-time diagnostics on the bike’s condition by collecting data from the bike’s sensors. A faulty part can be easily detected by the bike’s sensors, which would then prompt the bike to alert the rider that there’s something wrong with the bike. This extends to aspects of the bike such as suspension, oil levels, engine condition, etc. It can also be used by manufacturers to provide timely recall information, or to give riders a hassle-free diagnostic without the need to bring the bike to a mechanic’s garage.
The Human Factor.
While all these conveniences might sound nice, the danger here lies in the fact that riders might become too reliant on technology, and in turn, neglect the very basics of road safety. Even with all these pieces of technology, the ultimate determinant of whether a rider makes it to his destination safely will always be his decision-making skills, sobriety, and riding skill.
We should never forget that technology is merely a tool, and that it can be used or misused, just like any other tool. An overdependence on these technologies should not be a reason to have our responsibilities on the road diminished, especially considering the fact that according to these Pensacola Personal Injury attorneys, one of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving.
The road is especially dangerous to motorcycle riders because of the fact that motorcycles inherently have less protection than cars. While new safety tech is always good to have, riders shouldn’t rely too much on technology, especially when that piece of tech is merely in its infancy stage.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
(File photo of a ute and motorcycle crash)
A female rider in her late 30s has died in a collision with a ute in Bathurst, NSW, this morning (29 April 2020).
NSW Police say emergency services were called to the crash scene on Ophir Road about 9.30am.
Officers from Chifley Police District were told the rider was travelling west when she collided with a ute.
Tragically, she died at the scene.
Our sincere condolences to her family and friends.
The driver of the ute, a man believed to be aged in his 50s, was uninjured. He was taken to Bathurst Hospital for mandatory testing.
Inquiries continue and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
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.
Indeed, slow down and back off
Without suggesting any blame for this incident, it seems that a lot of motorcycle crashes involve a ute.
Just do a search for “ute crash” on this page and you will see.
We suggest riders exercise extra caution when riding near utilities and trucks.
Ute drivers often use them as their work vehicle and may be distracted by calls involving their work.
A Queensland ute with a cargo net over its load
Unsecured load in the back of a ute
They can also be loaded up with equipment and tools that could illegally disrupt a clear view of a small motorcycle in traffic.
You should also be aware that in some states, such as Victoria, there is no legal requirement for these drivers to cover their load.
So watch out for hazardous objects that could fall out of them.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Those riders still exercising their right to ride before what could be the inevitable lockdown are acting as responsibly as they can during this pandemic crisis.
Many rider Facebook pages are now advising followers that they are no longer organising or sanctioning group rides.
Some are also suggesting riders continue to ride solo and observe social distancing and safe practices such as frequent hand washing.
While rider numbers seem to have dwindled substantially, there are still some heading out in ones and twos and trying their best to act responsibly.
We’ve seen riders using disposable gloves at servos to fuel and pay and some are only fuelling up where they can keep their gloves and helmet on and pay by credit at the bowers.
At cafe stops, riders are maintaining their distance from each other — most are even parking their bikes further apart than usual!
Cafe owners report takings have more than halved.
They say authorities have ordered them to remove seating and only offer takeaway service.
They fear they will soon be shut down altogether and are asking riders to support them before the inevitable lockdown.
Health authorities have pointed out to us that a helmet is not an effective surgical mask and motorcycle gloves are really no barrier as the coronavirus can survive for up to a day on material.
In the meantime, if you touch your face, put your gloved hands anywhere that other people might touch (fuel pump, table, credit card machine) or take your gloves off with a bare hand, then you could transmit a live virus.
Scientists say Covid-19 can survive in the air up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, 24 hours on cardboard, 48 hours on stainless steel and up to 72 hours on plastic surfaces.
As the PM says, use your judgement and act responsibly, whatever that means.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
