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Dakar 2019 Stage Two | Walkner picks up the pace | Video

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Dakar 2019 Stage Two

Pisco > San Juan de Marcona – 553 km | 342 km

Stage two of the 2019 Dakar Rally challenged all motorcycle competitors with an extremely fast, and rough, timed special of 342 kilometres. Leaving Pisco and heading south along the coast towards San Juan de Marcona the unusual stage saw the cars opening the route, leaving the bikes to deal with the many tracks ahead of them in the sand. The added traffic not only caused the terrain to cut up badly, but also made navigation even more of a challenge.

Dakar Stage Walkner
Matthias Walkner

Following his solid ride on the short, opening day’s stage, Matthias Walkner was the seventh rider to enter today’s timed special. Feeling comfortable on his KTM 450 Rally, the reigning Dakar Champion opted to push right from the beginning.

Dakar 2019 Stage Two Video

For the majority of the stage Walkner chased down Honda’s Ricky Brabec ahead of him, only to head the American rider in the last 40-kilometres and ultimately claim the stage win by a narrow 22-seconds.

Matthias Walkner – Stage P1 – Overall P2

“That was a long and really, really fast stage. It was hard to judge the pace of the riders in front, so early on I decided to push and give my best. It was enough to set the fastest time, which is great but I’m not too keen on stages like that – two or three in a year is enough for me. Crossing the tracks left by the cars on such a tricky stage can be quite daunting sometimes and I’m glad to reach the finish safely.”

Dakar Stage Walkner
Matthias Walkner

Ricky Brabec – Stage P2 – Overall P3

“The second stage was awesome. More or less like what I’m used to at home. Lot’s of fast track, lots of rocks, fesh fesh and some dunes. I had a fun day, and rode most of the day with Quintanilla. It was great so we’ll see what happens tomorrow. Third overall is not that good. We’ve got to be in front. So we are going to try tomorrow.”

Dakar Stage Brabec
Ricky Brabec

Joan Barreda, who opened the special alone, posted third, 1m41s seconds behind stage winner Walkner. The 35-year-old Spaniard still leads the Rally overall with a 1m31s buffer over Walkner after the KTM rider promoted himself from P7 right through to P2 after a sensational day in the dunes for the Austrian.

Joan Barreda – Stage P3 – Overall P1

“Days like today are really important. When you start out in first position, winning is very difficult. Open the track without making any mistakes throughout the day is really complicated, but these are the days that you really make progress on. At first I doubted as to whether to follow the tracks or not, but in the part on the beach I saw that they were catching me up and following the tracks I was able to push hard with good pace. In the end it turned out to be a perfect stage, with a very good starting position for tomorrow.”

Dakar Stage Barreda
Joan Barreda

Despite a small mistake that caused him to get stuck early on in the stage, Toby Price went on to post the fourth fastest time of the day, three minutes behind stage winner Walkner. Although still riding in pain due to his injured wrist, Price now sits fifth overall in the provisional overall standings and is determined to maintain his strong pace as the rally progresses.

Toby Price – Stage P4 – Overall P5

“Day two was long, 342 kilometres on my wrist was really tough. It didn’t help that I got stuck in a dune around the 50-kilometre mark and had to pull the bike out and turn around. That hurt my wrist a little more but I managed to live with it for the rest of the stage, even though it was really bumpy after the cars had been through. All in all, I’m pretty happy with my time and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Dakar Stage Price
Toby Price

Making good use of his vast rally racing experience, Pablo Quintanilla put in a steady but importantly mistake-free performance on Tuesday’s stage two of the Dakar. Pushing hard to gain some time in the opening part of the special, the Chilean rally star eventually finished less than four-minutes behind the day’s winner Matthias Walkner. Currently fourth in the provisional overall standings, Pablo sits in a very good place ahead of the remainder of the rally.

Pablo Quintanilla – Stage P5 – Overall P4

“Stage two was a long and tough one but I had a good feeling on my bike. The pace was quite high from the beginning and we were riding a lot across the beach. I pushed hard in the first part of the special stage. After the refueling the conditions changed a lot. We were following the cars and there were lots of different tracks everywhere, so I decided to keep it steady and avoid taking any risks. I kept a good pace until the end and managed to get a good overall time for the day. The gap to the leaders is still controllable so I am looking ahead to tomorrow’s stage.”

Dakar Stage Pablo Quintanilla
Pablo Quintanilla

Now sitting sixth, one place behind Price in the overall standings, Sam Sunderland rode another calculated stage, minimising any risks on the heavily worn terrain. Although not quite finding his rhythm on the long timed special, the Brit is still confident that his pace is good and is feeling fit and motivated for the rest of the event.

Sam Sunderland – Stage P6 – Overall P6

“It was a pretty tricky stage covering the car lines. You are always cross-checking the road book to make sure you’re not making any mistakes. I didn’t find my rhythm as well as I would have liked, I know my pace wasn’t too bad but I didn’t feel so strong out there. As the speeds were so high today, I decided to ease off a little after the refuel to conserve my tyre. It may be that I didn’t have to, but this early in the rally I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Dakar Stage Sunderland
Sam Sunderland

Adrien Van Beveren posted the seventh best time in Tuesday’s timed special and is the top ranked Yamaha rider. Currently seventh in the provisional overall rankings, the WR450F Rally powered racer is looking ahead to the coming stages of the rally.

Adrien Van Beveren – Stage P7 – Overall P7

“Today we were treated with a fast and difficult stage. There was a lot of fesh-fesh and some parts with loads of stones. It’s quite hard to feel comfortable racing in this terrain but I did my best to stay close to the leaders. There were also lots of tracks from the cars and it was easy to make navigational mistakes. In the dunes I felt good on my bike and managed to gain some time, but overall I had to be patient and try not to make costly mistakes. There’s still a long way to go in this Dakar and I’m now are set on tomorrow’s stage three.”

Dakar Stage VanBeveren
Adrien Van Beveren

Queensland Yamaha dealer Rodney Faggotter put in another steady performance on stage two. The 42-year-old collected  a 29th place result and is now 27th in the provisional overall standings.

Rodney Faggotter – Stage P29 – Overall P27

“We’re just two days into this Dakar and we’ve already entered the most demanding stages. The stage today was fast and long. For me, the goal is to remain consistent and bring my Yamaha back at the bivouac safely. It’s all going according to plan so far and I’m looking forward to the dune stages to come.”

Dakar Stage Faggotter
Rodney Faggotter

Stage three of the 2019 Dakar Rally leaves the bivouac at San Juan de Marcona and again heads south along the coast of the South Pacific towards the city of Arequipa. The 798-kilometre stage includes another long timed special of 331 kilometres.

2019 Dakar Rally
Provisional Results Stage Two

  1. WALKNER Matthias AUT KTM 03:21’57
  2. BRABEC Ricky USA Honda +00’22
  3. BARREDA Joan SPA Honda +01’41
  4. PRICE Toby AUS KTM +03’06
  5. QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI Husqvarna +03’24
  6. SUNDERLAND Sam GBR KTM +06’03
  7. VAN BEVEREN Adrien FRA Yamaha +09’03
  8. BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Honda +09’59
  9. SHORT Andrew USA Husqvarna +12’25
  10. CORNEJO José Ignacio CHI Honda +13’43
  11. GONCALVES Paulo POR Honda +14’12
    29. FAGGOTTER Rodney AUS Yamaha +33’13
Dakar Stage Walkner
Matthias Walkner

2019 Dakar Rally Outright Standings after Stage Two

  1. BARREDA Joan SPA Monster Energy Honda Team 04:23’14
  2. WALKNER Matthias AUT Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +01’31
  3. BRABEC Ricky USA Monster Energy Honda Team +01’33
  4. QUINTANILLA Pablo CHI Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing +03’17
  5. PRICE Toby AUS Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +04’33
  6. SUNDERLAND Sam GBR Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Team +07’18
  7. VAN BEVEREN Adrien FRA Yamaha Official Rally Team +10’19
  8. BENAVIDES Kevin ARG Monster Energy Honda Team +12’18
  9. CORNEJO José Ignacio CHI Monster Energy Honda Team +17’24
  10. SHORT Andrew USA Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing +17’37
  11. GONCALVES Paulo POR Monster Energy Honda Team +19’12
    27. FAGGOTTER Rodney AUS Yamaha +42’59
Dakar Stage Price
Toby Price

Source: MCNews.com.au

News

Counterfeit motorcycle parts warning

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Riders have been warned about fake motorcycle parts after New Delhi Police arrested four people selling the counterfeit products with the names of three prominent motorcycle companies.

Delhi Police police have not officially revealed the names of the motorcycle companies nor the specific parts.

Is it the 300th case of copyright infringement listed in New Delhi since 2016, resulting in 308 arrests.

Nationwide Research Group director Craig Douglas warns that the counterfeit parts could have found their way to Australia and other countries.

“There is a market for these cheaper parts and we have many buyers unaware of the background or history of parts sold through what look like official Aust based selling sites,” he says.

The Indian incident is one of many around the world including a major haul of counterfeit parts in 2017 in the United Arab Emirates.

Part of the fake parts haul counterfeit
Part of the UAE fake parts haul

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and Nationwide Research Group have regularly warned motorists to be on the lookout for fake parts.

Basically, if the price is too good to believe, it’s probably a fake.

Fake parts could cause your motorcycle damage, make it unsafe and, in a crash, may void your warranty and/or insurance.

How to identify a counterfeit part

“These counterfeit parts parts are normally offered just a little bit cheaper than if purchased from a legitimate outlet so as to convince the buyers that they are genuine, albeit from a discount seller,” Craig says.

“There are many ways to offer these parts and the savvy buyer tends to surf the internet for cheaper parts thinking they are still real as they look genuine, have packaging that looks official, are sold by what appears to be legitimate sellers and are not too cheap to make it seem to be fake.

“If buyers see parts to be available they tend to think they are authorised or approved as they were not stopped at the border. And this is no different to auto parts or running shoes.

“As long as there is a market someone will look to exploit these options and the unaware public will always be a willing buyers if money can be saved and turn a blind eye to the dodgy sellers background.

“And remember sometimes these auto parts are purchased by the trusted local mechanic so the ultimate owner has no idea where they really came from and thinks the parts were sourced from a genuine seller.”

Genuine is best

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Vehicles promotes genuine parts through their Genuine Is Best program.

They urge all motorists to use genuine parts in regular maintenance and repairs.

They also warn about buying over the internet.

The program says the only way a motorist can guarantee supply of genuine parts is by buying them through the vehicle maker’s authorised supply chain.

“Use anything else and you may be taking a risk.” their website warns.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Battle looms on big electric motorcycles

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The big electric motorcycle battle is looming this year between Harley-Davidson with its expensive LiveWire and Zero Motorcycles who are launching a new “effortlessly powerful” naked bike.

But Australia will be at least another year or more behind. Harley-Davidson Australia won’t introduce the LiveWire, predicted to cost more than $40,000, until 2020. Zero Motorcycles pulled the plug on Australia in 2017 with no hint of a return just yet.

Big battle

Harley electric LiveWire battle
Harley LiveWire

Other motorcycle manufacturers have electric models in the pipeline and there is a myriad of startup electric motorcycle companies.

However, the focus this year will be on the big battle between Harley and Zero.

Harley is one of the biggest road bike manufacturers in the world and Zero is the biggest electric motorcycle company.

LiveWire V SR/F

The LiveWire is clearly aimed at the top end of the market with premium components and a price tag to match.

Zero’s new naked bike will be launched on February 25, 2019.

Even though it’s called the SR/F which sounds like a version of the SR model, Zero’s recent teaser Tweet says it is “an entirely new platform”.

Big electric motorcycle battle looms

“More than a new model, SR/F is an entirely new platform. The SR/F provides an effortlessly powerful experience in the naked street bike category,” Zero Tweeted.

It was accompanied by the above teaser photo of the LED headlight.

When Zero pulled the plug on Australian imports, their fleet ( Zero S, SR, DS, DSR, FX and FXS) ranged in price from $18,000 to $25,000 on the road. 

2017 Zero motorcycles have increased range 360km hit battle
2017 Zero motorcycles

Undoubtedly the SR/F will cost a lot less than the Harley LiveWire which will be available for sale in North America and Europe in the third quarter of this year for $US29,799 ($A41,699) plus on-road costs.

That is about the same price Americans pay for a top-of-the-line Ultra Limited tourer with luggage, infotainment and all the bells and whistles. (In Australia, an Ultra Limited costs $A40,995 ride away.)

Expensive electrics

That’s still not as much as the world’s fastest electric motorcycle, the 351km/h Lightning Motorcycle LS-218 at $US38,888 (about $A51,150).

And it’s way short of the Curtiss electric motorcycles coming this year.

Their Zeus Bobber and Cafe will each cost $US60,000 (about $A83,000, £46,845, €53,000) with a holding deposit of $US6000.

The aluminium and carbon bikes have 140kW of power, 196Nm of torque and maximum range of 450km although they don’t indicate how that was achieved.

They are scheduled for delivery in 2020.

Meanwhile, we will be watching the battle between Harley and Zero for the hearts and minds of the early adopters of electric motorcycle technology.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Energica Enters A New Commercial Agreement In New York and NE U.S.

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Energica fans in the Eastern United States now have a well respected dealership to turn to: Hudson Valley Motorcycles. See below for details.

Begin press release:

Energica Motor Company S.p.A. continues to expand in the United States: a new commercial agreement with Hudson Valley Motorcycles in the significant market of New York State and the Northeast Region of the U.S. has just been signed. This will delight hundreds of riders all over the east coast who have been clamoring for Energica to open a retail presence there.

New York has the fifth largest number of motorcyclists in the U.S., with over 392,771 registered street bikes in 2017 and accounted for over 4% of all motorcycles sold in the country that year. According to Plug-In America, New York is also the second largest market for EV vehicles, with about 30,645 currently registered and a growth rate of 67% in just the last year. There are over 2,400 charging stations already in place in the state, the fourth-highest number in the country, behind three states (California, Texas, Florida) where Energica already has dealer representation.

Highly ambitious plans have just been announced by Governor Cuomo to add over 10,000 additional charging stations and expand the New York EV units in operation to 800,000 – so the outlook for electric motorcycles to follow the growth in electric cars in New York is very positive.

“We know that riders have precisely the same concerns as drivers do about the range of EV and the frequency of charging stations. Like cars, this is the #1 barrier to purchase by consumers. Our bikes will travel for over 100 miles on a single charge, so the challenge is the number of places to charge up, especially DC Fast Chargers that Energica alone of all electric motorcycles is able to use,” Stated Stefano Benatti, CEO, Energica Motor Company Inc. “The massive build-out of charging stations planned for New York makes that state a rival for California as a market for electric motorcycles.”

The new relationship between Energica and Hudson Valley Motorcycles is particularly noteworthy as the dealer will have exclusive representation for the entire Northeast region, incorporating Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont – altogether equally the size and importance of the New York market.

“The attraction of electric for avid riders isn’t just ecological. It’s the immediate acceleration and absolutely linear torque,” says Richie Alexander, General Manager for Hudson Valley Motorcycles. “We have a deep experience in sportbikes and racing, but also in electric; and this makes Energica a perfect fit for us. Energica’s high-performance bikes will be a great option for those of our customers who want something truly different and unique.” Richie adds that “We saw enormous interest at the New York IMS show about Energica and that made us very excited to sign up with them. And we are already getting a ton of phone calls from riders wanting to test ride the most powerful electric motorcycles you can buy for street use.”

The post Energica Enters A New Commercial Agreement In New York and NE U.S. appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Motorcycle News, News

Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade | $17,999 Ride Away til March 31

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Honda special ride away pricing until March 31, 2019

 CBR1000RR Fireblade $17,999
CBR600RR $13,999*

Honda have rolled out some great ride-away deals on their supersport machines, with special pricing available until March 31 2019, on both the 17YM CBR1000RR Fireblade, as well as its smaller sibling, the CBR600RR.

Deals available on Honda's CBR1000RR Fireblade
Deals available on Honda’s CBR1000RR Fireblade until March 31, 2019

Honda’s flagship race machine, the CBR1000RR Fireblade, is available at $17,999 Ride Away*, and combines power, handling and ride quality, alongside Honda’s renowned build quality.

The power to weight ratio is the best ever in CBR Fireblade history with a 14% improvement thanks to a weight reduction of 15kg and a 10 horsepower increase.

YM CBRRR Fireblade
Honda’s CBR1000RR Fireblade offers the most advanced iteration of the model yet

Equipped with a new electronic control system offering Honda Selectable Torque Control, Selectable Engine Brake, Riding Mode Select System and Power Selector and full Showa suspension, the CBR1000RR is better than ever.

See the full launch report of the new generation Fireblade here:
2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade Review (link)

Honda CBR600RR from $13,999 R/A*

Honda’s CBR600RR is also available for $13,999* Ride Away and offers racetrack performance with ideal capabilities to be enjoyed on twisty roads or city streets by riders of all experience levels.

Honda CBRRR Overseas
Honda’s CBR600RR $13,999 Ride Away until March 31, 2019

The CBR600RR features adjustable Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) front suspension and Unit Pro-Link rear suspension as well as aerodynamic bodywork for optimum wind deflection to enhance rider comfort.

Powering the CBR600RR is the compact liquid cooled 599cc, DOHC 16-Valve inline four-cylinder power plant, with a centrally located ram-air intake system which delivers strong midrange power and good throttle response in the high-rpm range.

2017 Honda CBR600RR
Honda CBR600RR

The CBR600RR has HESD (Honda Electronic Steering Damper) with optimal damping force constantly maintained by the ECU, allowing for an ultimately smooth ride.

Make the most of these terrific deals and visit your nearest Honda Dealer, ring 1 300 1 HONDA or go to www.hondamotorcycles.com.au.

2017 Honda CBR600RR
Honda CBR600RR
The Fine Print

*Ride away offer available on the CBR1000RR (17YM) and on the CBR600RR. Price includes GST. Available between 1 January and 31 March 2019. Only at participating Honda Dealers. Overseas models shown.

Source: MCNews.com.au

News

Ducati showcases car-to-bike communication technology

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Italian manufacturer joins Audi and Ford in Las Vegas demonstration.

Image: Supplied.

Ducati has completed its first US demonstration of a communication system that interlinks vehicles, street infrastructure and pedestrians, technology in which it has developed alongside Audi, Ford and Qualcomm Technologies.

As a part of the 2019 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), a Ducati Multistrada 1260 as well as Audi and Ford vehicles, demonstrated driving situations utilising C-V2X direct communications.

All vehicles were equipped with C-V2X technology featuring the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset to demonstrate a cooperative intersection use case, exhibiting how C-V2X can be used between vehicles to negotiate the right of way in entering a four-way, non-signalised intersection where intention sharing and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions make the use of a wireless sensor such as C-V2X ideal.

The companies also exhibited additional Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) safety scenarios, demonstrating the maturity and potential of C-V2X technology. The V2V use case featured the Intersection Movement Assist (IMA) scenario, which is a key countermeasure to address angle collisions at intersections, while the V2P scenario exhibited how C-V2X can be used to protect vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.

The V2I use case featured the Work Zone Warning scenario, which is designed to provide drivers advanced warning of road construction ahead allowing them to manoeuvre in a safe manner.

This week’s Las Vegas demonstrations follow the successful showings of C-V2X trial validations and interoperability conducted throughout 2018 in Europe, Japan, Australia, China and the United States, as well as the first live C-V2X interoperability demonstration between a motorcycle, vehicles and roadside infrastructure, which was hosted by several leading automotive and technology companies, including Ducati and Qualcomm Technologies.

Ducati, Audi, and Ford are amongst several global automakers who have closely evaluated C-V2X technology for its reliability, high-performance capabilities and readiness through rigorous testing. Currently, C-V2X is the only V2X alternative that provides a clear evolution path to 5G, in a backward compatible manner, and is designed to deliver reliable and consistent performance in realistic driving scenarios.

While complementing other Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors, such as radar, lidar, and camera systems, C-V2X direct communications supports an ever-expanding set of safety use cases, as well as enhanced situational awareness by detecting and directly exchanging vital information.

Additionally, C-V2X is designed with a focus on security, benefitting from established security transport layers and application protocols defined by the automotive standards communities, including ISO, ETSI and IEEE 1609.

Because C-V2X can be easily integrated into all wireless modems to offer direct and network communications, its implementation is cost-effective, which is especially important as the automotive industry continues to move towards adding wireless connectivity in all vehicles.

The demonstration by Ducati, Audi, Ford, and Qualcomm Technologies will be conducted live in Las Vegas by appointment and will also be livestreamed by Qualcomm Technologies.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

Ducati Partners With Audi and Ford To Debut Car-To-Bike Communication Technology At CES

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The future of safety between motorcycles, cars, pedestrians, and even the very roads we occupy was displayed in a joint venture between Ducati, Audi, Ford, and Qualcomm at CES 2019, in Las Vegas. 

Begin press release:

Ducati continues its safety-focused research by taking part – together with Audi and Ford – in the first US demonstration of a communication system that interlinks vehicles, street infrastructure and pedestrians.

This test follows the one completed in Germany last July (here the press release). The latter saw the ConVeX (Connected Vehicle to Everything) project – a key part of Ducati’s “Safety Road Map 2025” strategy which aims to develop new safety systems and technologies – showcased in Europe for the very first time. The initial stages of this strategy will see ABS Cornering extended to the entire Ducati range and the market launch, in 2020, of a bike with front and rear radar.

Ducati, Audi AG (NASDAQ: AUDVF), Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), announced the companies’ continued joint efforts to help accelerate commercial deployment for C-V2X direct communication technology for roadside safety, traffic efficiency and automated driving. As a part of the Consumer Electronic Show® 2019 (CES 2019), a Ducati Multistrada 1260 as well as Audi and Ford vehicles, demonstrate driving situations utilizing C-V2X direct communications. All vehicles were equipped with C-V2X technology utilizing the Qualcomm® 9150 C-V2X chipset to demonstrate a cooperative intersection use case, exhibiting how C-V2X can be used between vehicles to negotiate the right of way in entering a four-way, non-signalized intersection where intention sharing and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions make the use of a wireless sensor such as C-V2X ideal.

The companies also exhibited additional Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) safety scenarios, demonstrating the maturity and potential of C-V2X technology. The V2V use case featured the Intersection Movement Assist (IMA) scenario, which is a key countermeasure to address angle collisions at intersections, while the V2P scenario exhibited how C-V2X can be used to protect vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. The V2I use case featured the Work Zone Warning scenario, which is designed to provide drivers advanced warning of road construction ahead allowing them to maneuver in a safe manner.

This week’s Las Vegas demonstrations follow the successful showings of C-V2X trial validations and interoperability conducted throughout 2018 in Europe, Japan, Australia, China and the United States, as well as the first live C-V2X interoperability demonstration between a motorcycle, vehicles and roadside infrastructure, which was hosted by several leading automotive and technology companies, including Ducati and Qualcomm Technologies.

Ducati, Audi, and Ford are amongst several global automakers who have closely evaluated C-V2X technology for its reliability, high-performance capabilities and readiness through rigorous testing. Currently, C-V2X is the only V2X alternative that provides a clear evolution path to 5G, in a backward compatible manner, and is designed to deliver reliable and consistent performance in realistic driving scenarios. While complementing other Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors, such as radar, lidar, and camera systems, C-V2X direct communications supports an ever-expanding set of safety use cases, as well as enhanced situational awareness by detecting and directly exchanging vital information. Additionally, C-V2X is designed with a focus on security, benefitting from established security transport layers and application protocols defined by the automotive standards communities, including ISO, ETSI and IEEE 1609. Because C-V2X can be easily integrated into all wireless modems to offer direct and network communications, its implementation is cost-effective, which is especially important as the automotive industry continues to move towards adding wireless connectivity in all vehicles.

“This demonstration is showing use cases in which advanced technologies can significantly improve the safety of motorcycle users,” said Pierluigi Zampieri, Vehicle Innovation Manager at Ducati Motor Holding. “C-V2X communication is one of the key projects of the Ducati 2025 safety road map. There’s no better place than CES to talk about our roadmap towards the future”.

“Audi has demonstrated a novel C-V2X use case together with Ford, Ducati and Qualcomm Technologies. The four-way stop use case provides a glimpse of how cooperative driving will be possible with C-V2X in the future. Besides additional safety, C-V2X is designed to also improve comfort and efficiency, which can be applied to both current and future autonomous driving,” said Anupam Malhotra, Director, Connected Vehicles & Data at Audi of America, Inc. “Audi has demonstrated commercial viability of cellular-based V2X services through the Audi Traffic Light Information service and plays a leading role within the 5GAA to develop this technology further”.

“Imagine a person suddenly steps into the street from out of view and your vehicle stops because it was alerted by that person’s smartphone. This is just one example of how C-V2X can connect smart vehicles to a smart world,” said Don Butler, executive director, Ford Connected Vehicle Platform and Product. “We invite other automakers, governments and tech companies to join the significant momentum building for a C-V2X ecosystem”.

“As part of Qualcomm Technologies’ ongoing work with Ford, Audi and Ducati, we are excited to continue strengthening our mutual efforts towards accelerating C-V2X’s commercial deployment. This new chapter in our longstanding relationships outlines our collective goal to realize the full potential of C-V2X as a global solution for next-generation vehicle connectivity, safety and autonomy,” said Nakul Duggal, senior vice president of product management, Qualcomm Technologies. “We look forward to showcasing the latest results of this relationship as several Ford, Audi and Ducati vehicles demonstrate C-V2X interoperability in real-world driving situations”.

The demonstration by Ducati, Audi, Ford, and Qualcomm Technologies will be conducted live in Las Vegas by appointment and will also be livestreamed at Qualcomm Technologies’ automotive booth in the North Hall (booth #5609), and in the Central Hall (booth #TBD) throughout the show. The demonstration will also be shown in the Audi and Ford booths.



The post Ducati Partners With Audi and Ford To Debut Car-To-Bike Communication Technology At CES appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Competition, News

Barreda controls Dakar standings as Walkner earns stage two win

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Australia’s Price advances with fourth on day two.

Image: Supplied.

Joan Barreda (Monster Energy Honda Racing Team) maintains his position atop the standings in the 2019 Dakar Rally, but it was reigning champion Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who captured victory on day two.

Walkner charged through the fast and rough 342-kilometre timed special, lodging a time of 3h23m57s, bumping him up to second behind Barreda in the standings – just 1m31s separating the duo.

American Ricky Brabec (Monster Energy Honda Racing Team) was second fastest in the gruelling stage followed by Barreda and Australian Toby Price (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who overcame an issue in the dunes to edge out Pablo Quintanilla (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing).

The results from day two now see Brabec trailing the leaders in third ahead of Quintanilla and Price – the former Dakar victor advancing one position from his day one classification.

Compatriot Rodney Faggotter (Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team) was 29th in the stage, placing him 28th in the standings, as fellow Aussies Ben Young (KTM) and James Ferguson (KTM) wound up in 102nd and 115th, granting the pair positions 103 and 116 respectively in the overall results.

Stage three of the 2019 Dakar Rally leaves the bivouac at San Juan de Marcona and again heads south along the coast of the South Pacific towards the city of Arequipa. The 798-kilometre stage includes another long timed special of 331 kilometres.

Detailed results


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

AMA announces 2019 schedule for KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series

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AMA National Adventure Riding Series gives AMA members a chance to go test out there skills on their big adventure machines.

Begin Press Release: 

American Motorcyclist Association announces 2019 schedule for KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series

Nationwide series features 14 opportunities to get out and ride

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association has released the schedule for the 2019 KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series, presented by Kenda Tires, which features 14 events in 10 states organized by AMA-chartered clubs and promoters.

Adventure riding is one of the fastest growing classes of motorcycling. Adventure bikes are comfortable enough to conquer hundreds of miles of interstate without a whimper and are rugged enough to climb the highest mountain passes. Since 2007, the KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series has provided opportunities for adventure motorcyclists to enjoy some of the best routes, roads and two-track trail in the nation.

KTM returns as a series sponsor for the third consecutive year. The company boasts a lineup of well-equipped adventure bikes that are great options to ride in the series’ events.

“The 2017 season was a really good year for KTM sponsoring the AMA National Adventure Riding Series, and 2018 turned out even better,” KTM Ride Orange Manager Mark Hyde said. “The series is home to many great adventure rides across America. Each year, we have been able to attend more events, meet more adventure riders and show off the capability and style of KTM’s adventure models.”

AMA Recreational Riding Manager Heather Wilson said the events are intended for adventure riders of all skill levels and are a great way for new adventure riders to learn more about the discipline.

“These events are so popular, many fill up far in advance,” Wilson said. “The event organizers work hard to ensure the riding is memorable and that riders have a great group-riding experience.”

As part of its sponsorship, KTM will award one series participant an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2020 KTM Adventure Rider Rally.

Supporting series sponsors include AMA Member Benefit Partner ADVmoto. Event participants will be entered to win products from sponsors Helite Moto, Seat Concepts and IMS Products.

2019 KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series schedule

April 27-28: Perry Mountain Tower Run Adventure Rally
Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club — Stanton, Ala.

May 4-5: Yosemite Adventure Tour
Family Off-Road Adventures — Buck Meadows, Calif.

May 16-19: PA Wilds 1000
Pine Barrens Adventures — Port Matilda, Pa.

June 1-2: Durty Dabbers
Durty Dabbers Motorcycle Club — Lock Haven, Pa.

June 8-9: Ride for Research
Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders — Wabeno, Wis.

June 8-9: Ozark 200
Arkansas Dirt Riders, Inc. — New Blaine, Ark.

June 22-23: Big Bear Run
Big Bear Trail Riders — Big Bear, Calif.

August TBD: Dirt Daze Adventure Rally
Dirt Daze — TBD, Vt.

September 7-8: Blue Ridge Adventure Ride
Appalachian Trail Riders — Pineola, N.C.

September 14-15: Show Me 500 National Adventure Ride
Midwest Trail Riders Association — Bixby, Mo.

September 28-29: Big Woods 200
Wisconsin Dual Sport Riders — Wabeno, Wis.

September 28-29: Buffaloe 500 National Adventure Ride
Stoney Lonesome Motorcycle Club — Columbus, Ind.

October 12-13: Renfro Valley Adventure Ride
Appalachian Trail Riders — Mount Vernon, Ky.

November 29-30: L.A. — Barstow to Vegas
District 37 Dual Sport — Palmdale, Calif.

The series schedule and detailed information about the events can be found at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Adventure-Riding. Participants must have a current AMA membership.

Be sure to follow the series’ official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AMAAdventureRiding. Post your photos from the events on social media using #AMAadv.

The post AMA announces 2019 schedule for KTM AMA National Adventure Riding Series appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

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Jeff Ward Is Going to Race American Flat Track TTs

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Wait, how old is Jeff Ward? He was already a grizzled veteran when he won his second AMA Supermoto championship in 2006 – which is the same year he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He’d already been inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, after winning several thousand AMA Moto- and Supercross titles. If Wiki has it right, Jeff Ward is 57 years old. 

AFT Press Release:

Seven-time National MX Champ Jeff Ward to race American Flat Track TTs in 2019

Hall of Famer to ride select events – including the DAYTONA TT – on KTM machinery in AFT Singles with support from Moto Anatomy, KTM, Troy Lee Designs, Blackmore Ranch, The W Training Facility, Malcolm Smith Motorsports and Monster Energy

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (Jan. 8, 2019) – Jeff Ward, a seven-time AMA Motocross champion, AMA Supermoto champion, IndyCar and NASCAR racer, Motorcycle Hall of Famer and one of the most versatile and successful competitors in the world of motorsports, will return to the racetrack to compete in American Flat Track events in 2019.

Ward will compete in the AFT Singles division at all five TT races – and maybe even a Short Track or two – aboard KTM 450 SX-F machinery with support from fellow racer and Moto Anatomy riding-school owner Johnny Lewis, Blackmore Ranch, KTM, Troy Lee Designs, Malcolm Smith Motorcycles, The W Training Facility and Monster Energy.

“Most folks probably don’t know this,” Ward said, “but I started racing flat tracks and TTs as a youngster, and then gradually moved to motocross, so I’ve got some pretty deep flat track roots. I’ve been riding lately at the Blackmore Ranch flat track facility in Southern California, and really enjoying it. I also watched all the AFT races on NBCSN in 2018, and I got to thinking, ‘Let’s try this…’ – and here we are!

“The plan,” continued Ward, “is to do the five TT events, and maybe catch a Short Track or two. I’ll be riding KTM 450s, with set-up, logistical and training help from Johnny Lewis. I’ll ride one of Johnny’s KTMs at Daytona in March, and one of my KTMs in Arizona in April, as it’s close to my So Cal base. After that we’ll figure out logistics for the rest of the rounds.

“I’m working on finalizing sponsors now,” Ward added, “and we definitely have opportunities for companies to come aboard. We are going to have a lot of fun with this and stir things up a bit. I think we’ll be in contention for wins, too. I’m 57, but I’m still pretty fast on a motorcycle and in great shape thanks to all the motocross riding and mountain bike racing I’ve been doing. It will be a challenge, for sure, but I’m committed to this and plenty serious about the season.”

Ward, who’s also a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame, will have serious logistical and bike set-up support from Lewis, a top-level flat tracker in his own right.

“Jeff’s a master,” said Lewis, “and he’ll adapt quickly. He’s just so intuitive and has such a good feel for the motorcycle, what it needs, and how to extract maximum performance from it. I’m always amazed how good he is when I watch him. We’ll be working together and testing before the Daytona round on March 14, and afterward, too, so he’ll be ready. When you combine his world-class natural talent with the fact that he still wants to learn and pays attention to the smaller things I can help him with, he’s going to be tough to beat. He’s also going to be involved in my Moto Anatomy schools whenever possible, so I’m excited about our collaboration. We’re going to have some fun!”

Look for continued coverage of the Ward/Lewis/KTM 2019 effort, including in-depth interviews and features, in the coming weeks on the American Flat Track website (Americanflattrack.com). For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please click below:

Jeff Ward Racing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffward3x

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeffward3x

Email: [email protected]

Johnny Lewis/Moto Anatomy 

Web: www.moto-anatomy.com 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/motoanatomy_ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motoanatomyofficial/

Email: johnny@moto-anatomy.com 

Next Up for AFT:

American Flat Track will kick off its 2019 season with its bar-banging DAYTONA TT in appropriate fashion – during the wild Bike Week festivities in Daytona Beach. The 2019 DAYTONA TT happens Thursday, March 14 once again under the lights of the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Tickets start at just $35 and are available now at https://tickets.americanflattrack.com

How to Watch:

NBCSN and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. For the 2019 season, NBCSN’s coverage of AFT moves to highly-coveted, weekend afternoon programming slots within two weeks of each event. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. FansChoice.tv remains a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event on AFT’s live page while previous events and exclusive features are available on AFT’s VOD page.

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