The latest-generation Krios Pro ADV helmet is now available
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
With the countdown to the first Valencia test underway, Stigefelt and Zeelenberg went to work on the sporting side and, as the Team Director himself recalls: “Yamaha’s help during the team’s first steps was fundamental. If they didn’t help us out in the way they did for the Valencia test, with the engineers, technicians, material… we wouldn’t have been able to do that test or even Jerez.” The other key to those early stages, according to Stigefelt, was to create ‘a good group.’ “You can have the biggest budget and the best material but you need a good human group. If you don’t have that, the team spirit and the team itself will never be the same.”
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Honda shows off its factory team livery for the 2019 MotoGP season
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
With the news that Nicky Hayden’s legendary number 69 is to be retired from Grand Prix racing at the Circuit of the Americas this year, a gesture that celebrates the tremendous career of the ‘Kentucky Kid’, motogp.com share a photo gallery of the 2006 MotoGP™ World Champion’s best moments.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
In tribute to the late, great Nicky Hayden, who passed away in 2017, the number 69 will be retired from Grand Prix racing at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The “Kentucky Kid” rode 69 to the crown and MotoGP™ Legend status during an impressive career that saw him leave an indelible mark on the sport and the paddock.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
“I’m down, I’m down,” a motorcycle officer calmly says into his police radio after being rammed by the driver of a stolen vehicle.
This dramatic video, released by Queensland Police, shows just how vulnerable even police motorcyclists are and the dangers they face in their duty.
The Sergeant, aged 50, suffered a dislocate shoulder and injuries to a rib, hand and ankle. He is recovering in hospital.
In the video, he is slowly pursuing the stolen vehicle on a rainy Wednesday night in Toowoomba when the car does a u-turn and slowly approaches the rider.
In the last 10 metres, the car revs and rams the motorcycle, knocking the cop off his bike.
“941, I’m down, I’m down. He’s run into me,” he says on the radio.
“I can’t use my left arm. Drove straight at me, I was trying to get up on the side of the road to let him go past me,” he says.
The job of a motorcycle cop is an important part of police duties, Queensland Police say.
“It differs significantly from the general perception of the motoring public,” they told us.
“The primary function is to provide a high visibility presence on the road network across Queensland, thus positively influencing driver and rider behaviour.
“Having said that a rider’s day may include a wide variety of functions, be they planned or emerging situations. QPS riders are expected to ride in all weather and road conditions.”
The video quite clearly shows “emerging situations” and riding in “all weather” conditions.
Detectives have now charged two men and a woman after they allegedly threatened a man at his house with a knife and demanded his Ford Falcon.
About 30 minutes later, the motorcycle Police Sergeant saw the car run a red light and pursued it until he was rammed.
The Ford was later found and the woman and one of the men were arrested “without incident” after they fled the vehicle on foot.
The driver allegedly assaulted and bit a police officer while being arrested.
A 29-year-old man is in the hospital under police guard.
A 20-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman have been charged with one count each of armed robbery, burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
They appeared at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court today.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Harley-Davidson Australia has recalled 4798 Street 500 and Street Rod 750 models over problems with rusty brake calipers.
The official recall notice, issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, says that brake calipers may become rusty in the bore area.
“This corrosion could result in the pistons dragging in the caliper bore,” it says.
“If this condition remains undetected it could lead to increased brake drag, posing a risk of accident and serious injury to the rider and other road users.”
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.
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:
• USA
• Canada
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
New South Welshman to challenge MX2 category once again this year.
Image: Foremost Media.
Dylan Wills has outlined his program for the upcoming Pirelli MX Nationals, confirming he’ll return to KTM machinery in a unique set-up for his 2019 campaign.
Gaining support directly from KTM Australia, Wills will receive assistance from Davey Motorsports throughout the entirety of the 10-round series, while his 250 SX-F contenders will be maintained by former factory mechanic Jess Foreman at Hunter Valley Motorsports.
Bringing his own partners to the program has injected confidence within the talented New South Welshman, who finished up fifth in the MX2 standings last year with an overall win to his name.
“KTM has come to the party, so they’re going to supply my bike, parts and everything that goes with it,” Wills explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I’ll end up riding under the Davey Motorsports truck for the year, so the Davey guys have put a pretty good support program together for me, and we’ve worked together to get some great sponsors for the year.
“I’m just finalising gear and a few personal sponsors now. I’ll be getting my bikes through KTM, but Hunter Valley Motorsports is where my bike will actually be maintained for the year. My longtime friend and former mechanic Jess Foreman is now working there and he’ll look after my bikes for the year with race prep and everything.
“In my eyes, that’s a bit different and bit extra from a bike shop that you usually wouldn’t be able to get, so those guys have made my program easier not only on my pocket, but also life in general – it makes it much easier for me.”
Coming from the factory supported DPH Motorsport Husqvarna outfit back into a small and low-key operation, Wills expressed his mindset is at an all-time high as he takes a slightly different approach to the new season.
“My mindset is the best it’s ever been,” he added. “I wouldn’t say I’ve secluded myself, but I’ve just stuck to doing my own thing. I’ve linked up with John Bova – he’s racing in MXD and he’s a really hard working kid – I see the effort he puts in, so I’ve kind of taken him under my wing to show him the ropes a little, but mainly to have him as a training partner.”
The opening round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
ASBK title threat undergoes surgery in a bid to make Phillip Island test.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Wayne Maxwell has been operated on after sustaining a broken collarbone while training in South Australia last Sunday, now facing a race against time to be fit for the upcoming Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test at Phillip Island.
Maxwell, 36, was in attendance at the Tour Down Under and completing his own kilometres on the bicycle while in Adelaide when an incident resulted in the injury. He underwent surgery at The Avenue Hospital in Melbourne on Wednesday with Dr Greg Hoy.
“It is frustrating, but it is what it is,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au after having the injury plated and screwed. “It’s just an accident and can always be worse, so luckily I have got good people around me. I’ve got it fixed now, so we will look to get back on the bike and then go from there.”
Maxwell is no stranger to rebounding from collarbone injuries, riding to victory at Wakefield Park in 2014 on his way to that year’s Australasian Superbike Championship. On that occasion he underwent surgery just weeks out from the series’ penultimate round to maintain his title lead.
Because of that experience, Maxwell is confident he will be able to turn laps at Phillip Island’s official ASBK test on 2-3 February. With only one week to recover, mileage may be limited as he looks forward to the opening round of 2019 between 22-24 February.
“I broke my right collarbone in 2014 and went to Wakefield a few weeks later and managed to get the win,” he added. “Greg Hoy, the surgeon, is one of the best in Australia and I’ve now got a plate and 10 screws in there, so I’m fairly confident I can make the test next week and be good to go at round one.
“I’ve only spent a limited amount of time on the GSX-R, so even though I won’t be at full pace, the more laps, the better. Pirelli have an updated tyre, so I want to get my head around that and do what I can. It might only be limited laps, but it’s still better than nothing.”
Maxwell was one of the major movers of this year’s silly season, transferring from Yamaha Racing Team to Suzuki’s factory-supported outfit alongside triple ASBK champion Josh Waters and satellite entry Alex Phillis aboard GSX-R1000R machinery.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Kangaroo Valley, south of Sydney, features one of the famed motorcycle roads in Australia and is the subject of the latest Roads We Ride road safety video series.
Check out the Oxley video featuring local rider Alex Donnelly and wife Ann on their BMW R 1200 GS.
It’s not the only video of the Oxley Highway that we have featured.
First there was veteran motorcycle journo Mick Matheson’s fantastic review of the road in 2016.
Shortly afterwards, the Roads and Maritime Services decided to reduce speeds along the road after a road safety review.
Their decision was met with howls of protests and a petition supported by riders and locals.
The RMS decided to review their decision and eventually decided to reduce the mountain section from 100km/h to 80km/h.
The result was a substantial drop in riders and trade on the road.
This prompted John Keogh of Gingers Creek Roadhouse to put together this drone video to show off the road’s attractions and bring back riders.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com