Technology dominated motorcycle news this year with jet thrusters to prevent low-siders, sidecars with a drone launching pad, plus self-riding, self-balancing and even flying motorcycles.
While most of these are fanciful or far-off innovations, there was some advance in more useable technology.
Ducati and KTM have made giant leaps forward with Bosch developing blind spot alerts to prevents sideswipe accidents and adaptive cruise control that keepsthe bike a set distance from vehicles in front.
Big Bosch tech
Bosch tests jet thruster
But the biggest tech story of the year for us was the Bosch jet thrusters that prevent low-siders.
The system uses pressurised gas to blast a jet of air out of the high side of the bike when sensors, gyroscopes and accelerometers detect the wheels sliding sideways.
This sudden jet of air is designed to help counteract the slide pressures and lift the bike back up.
ON the one hand, it would be great to have tech that would prevent low-sides, but just how much will this add to the weight of the bike and its expense.
And, like an airbag inflator it would be a one-time activation, so you would be up for the expense of a new activator after it’s been deployed.
Given the problems with faulty Takata airbags, we’re not so sure about this tech.
Quirky tech of the year
There have been some quirky bits of tech this year.
One of the most interesting is Suzuki beacon light that shines on the roof to make traffic aware of the rider’s presence.
They filed for a patent this year so it may be a while before that comes to market.
Furion M1 Hybrid SportBike
Then there’s the Furion M1 hybrid motorcycle from France that has a Wankel rotary engineand an electric motor. So far, its only CAD images on a computer screen.
And here’s some tech you never thought you would need that will be available soon in Australia.
Owner Enrico Grassi says he has prepared the 2019 riding season “with more determination and passion”.
Having a local guide like this Roman rider is a distinct advantage as he knows and rides all the roads, and he has a great knowledge of local history, foods and the best wines to have with dinner.
Enrico, Mrs MBW and me at the Pantheon in Roma
His tours range from 8-12 riding days visiting scenic destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Italian Alps, Dolomites, Tuscany, Chianti, Sardinia, Corsica, or even watching the MotoGP races at Mugello and Misano circuits.
All include twisting country roads, historical destinations, spectacular views of the mountains and the Mediterranean with four-star hospitality.
“After the sun has set, there’s plenty of opportunities to experience the culture, the food and wine, the night-life and the passion of this amazing country,” Enrico says.
Hear The Road Motorcycle Tours Italy provides motorcycle rental, accommodation with “a local flavour”, luggage transportation and transfer from and to the airport.
While the Ducati 999 was not highly regarded in the marketplace (due entirely to its looks, not performance), that did not hinder the bike’s success as a race machine.
While styling left some in the cold for the consumer models, the race machines were highly successful
Introduced for the 2003 season it scored a debut 1-2 finish at Valencia with Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus.
Troy Bayliss leads Ruben Xaus and Andrew Pitt here in 2006
The model then went on to win the Riders’ title for Hodgson (’03), James Toseland (’04) and Troy Bayliss (’06).
The Ducati 999 was raced to success by a roster of big names from 2003
It also helped Ducati to win three Manufacturers’ titles, for the same years.
Troy Bayliss – 2006 – Magny-Cours
By its WSBK retirement at the end of the 2007, the 999 had won a total of 63 races at the hands of Bayliss (19), Hodgson (13), Laconi (10), Xaus (8), Haga (6), Toseland (4), Lanzi (2) and Garry McCoy (1).
The Ducati 999 would win 63 races across WorldSBK, with Troy Bayliss holding the greatest win tally with 19
This is the number 2 bike used by Leon Haslam during the 2006-07 British Superbike Championship. It recorded five first places, four seconds, and three thirds with Haslam finishing second in the 2006 title, and third the following year.
Haslam took this machine to first on five occasions
Power was 194 hp at 12,500 rpm, with a total weight of 162 kg. A top speed 312 km/h was recorded.
Power was 194hp, with a total weight of 162kg
This Haslam bike was sold to an English collector before being then bought by its current owner (a Queenslander!) in 2010. Full technical information was included.
Full documentation was included for the Ducati 999 BSB Racer
Leon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam’s 2006-2007 Ducati 899 BSB RacerLeon Haslam in action on the 999 Ducati in BSB – This image is not by Phil
The 1973 750 Monocoque was the first design that replaced the Commando framed bikes that Norton had been using up until that point in time.
1973 Norton 750 Monocoque
Norton engineer and rider Peter Williams won the 1973 IOM Formula 750 race on this bike. It was Williams who conceived and designed the Monocoque with the goal of reducing the frontal area, and lowering the centre of gravity by carrying the oil and fuel as low as possible.
1973 Norton 750 Monocoque
This was reminiscent of the Norton 350 Low Boy prototype of 1960, with both designs aiming to make the most of the limited engine output available (compared to the opposition).
1973 Norton 750 Monocoque
The current owner bought the bike directly from Williams after it had been rebuilt (years later), following his crash at Imola two weeks after the IOM.
1973 Norton 750 Monocoque
The dent in the left hand side of the monocoque can still be seen! Only three bikes were constructed (plus a prototype chassis), all in 1973.
1973 Norton 750 Monocoque
The bike recorded a top speed of 257 km/h at Daytona in ’73 before Williams won the Anglo-American Match series a few months later, then the IOM. Output was 76 hp at 7,200rpm while the bike has a dry weight of 150 kg.
1973 Norton 750 Monocoque
For 1974 the Monocoque was replaced by the 750 Space Frame.
What we have here are two firsts from the same company (kinda) 29 years apart.
OSSA 250 MAR with Double cradle frame
O.S.S.A or Orpheo Sincronic Sociedad Anónima, was founded in Catalonian Spain in 1924 by Manuel Giró and made cinema projectors. After WWII the company began manufacturing motorcycles with the first production bikes coming on the market in 1949.
OSSA 250 MAR badging
Their first competition success came in 1967 in the prestigious Barcelona 24 Hour race where they finished first and second. They went on to compete in the 250 World Championship with rider Santiago Herrero, winning four GPs before his death at the IOM in 1970. OSSA withdrew from road racing at that point.
An Ossa cinema projector
Here is the water-cooled version of the 250 Monocoque GP bike.
The modern water-cooled OSSA 250 Monocoque GP bike
In the off road field they had success with Dick Mann developing a 250 dirt track bike for oval track quarter-mile AMA racing.
Mick Andrews developed a trial bike for OSSA
However it is with trials riding that OSSA is best known. They employed Mick Andrews to develop a trial bike to compete with Bultaco and Montesa and the 1972 Mick Andrews Replica was the result. Andrews won the 1971 & ’72 European Trials Championship as well as the Scottish Six Day Trial in ’70, ’71 & ’72 on OSSAs.
OSSA 250 MAR
The 250 MAR was the first design to use an open double cradle frame in the class. The bike made 18hp at 6,000rpm and had a dry weight of 87kg. About 7,000 were produced.
OSSA 250 MAR
OSSA made a wide range of road, trials, enduro and motocross bikes over the years but the company closed in 1982. Fast forward to 2010… when a group of Spanish businessmen purchased the trademark and OSSA was back in business!
2011 Ossa TR280i two-stroke
The 2011 TR280i provides an interesting contrast to the 1972 MAR. Still a 2-stroke, the new design used fuel-injection to defy pollution limits.
2011 Ossa TR280i two-stroke
Other innovative features included a cylinder slanted to the rear to allow the fuel tank to be located in front of the motor, with the radiator between it and the cylinder.
2011 Ossa TR280i two-stroke
The frame is a mixture of CR-MO steel and cast alloy bonded together. Dry weight is 72kg. Factory rider Jeroni Fajardo finished the championship in 5th in 2011.
2011 Ossa TR280i two-stroke
Since then though the company has fallen on hard times and motorcycle production appears to have finished. An electric bicycle, the Spinta e.CP20, was announced in 2017.
Moto News Wrap for December 25, 2018 by Darren Smart
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
What Went Down Last Week?
2019 AORC Support Classes and SA Location Announced
Yamaha backs New 2 Stroke Nationals Series For 2019
Taree Kicks Off 2019 Dirt Track Season
McAdoo Slots in for Injured Sexton at Geico Honda
Kawasaki’s Off-Road Programs Expands in USA
Kyle Chisholm Signs with H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki for 2019
Stefan Everts Up-Date
2019 AORC Support Classes and SA Location Announced
Luke Styke – AORC Omeo 2018
Motorcycling Australia (MA) has confirmed Coonalpyn, South Australia as the location for rounds 8 & 9, running from August 30th to September 1st.
Expanding from two to three weekends running across Rounds 1 & 2, 3 & 4, and 10 & 11, the new and improved 2-Stroke Cup will cater to bikes ranging from 125cc up to 250cc. 2019 will also see the return of the Pony Express (All Powers) supporting class which will run at Round 7 of the 2019 AORC season at Broken Hill.
The Vintage (Evo Pre 86) supporting class will run to the same format as seen in 2018. Featuring at Round 3 and 4 in Dungog, New South Wales (NSW) as an Enduro, the Vintage class will run as a precursor to the Vintage Enduro at the Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE), held the following month.
All other classes from the 2018 season will remain unchanged for 2019 and Supplementary Regulations will be released in early 2019.
2019 AUSTRALIAN OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
Round 1 & 2: Gympie, QLD – 9 – 10 March 2019
Round 3 & 4: Dungog, NSW – 6 – 7 April 2019
Round 5 & 6: Kyogle, NSW – 20 – 21 July 2019
Round 7: Broken Hill, NSW – 10 – 11 August 2019
Round 8 & 9: Coonalpyn, SA – 31 August – 1 September 2019
Support Classes (*only at selected rounds) 2-Stroke Cup (125cc and 250cc) (*Round 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 10 & 11) Pony Express: All Powers (*Round 7) Vintage: Evo Pre 86 (*Round 3 & 4)
Yamaha backs New 2 Stroke Nationals Series For 2019
Yamaha Motor Australia is proud to announce a new partnership with Williams Event Management (WEM), as the naming rights sponsor of the 2019 Australian 2-Stroke national series which will be known as the Yamaha bLU cRU 2-Stroke Amateur Nationals, the series is open to all makes of two-stroke machines, with classes available for junior and senior amateur racers of all skill levels.
Announcing YMA’s involvement in the three-round championship through its bLU cRU sponsorship strategy, Matthew Ferry, National Sales and Marketing Manager Yamaha Australia said the series would provide an opportunity for junior racers to compete at a national level on three different circuits.
“During the 2018 MX Nationals, we had the opportunity to run the YZ65 Cup and found people were seriously enthusiastic about two-stroke junior racing, so when Kevin Williams from WEM spoke with us about the series, we were very excited. This will be an excellent opportunity for juniors to race nationally and develop their skills in this great sport.”
Five classes will contest the 2019 season, with the three-round series visiting Victoria, ACT and Queensland between February and April. The season kicks off at Traralgon in Victoria on 10 February, before heading north to Coolum, QLD, for round two on 3 March. The season finale will take place at Canberra, ACT, on 27 April.
Classes contesting the series are
Junior – 65cc; 85cc and 125cc
Senior – Two-Stroke All powers; Retro All Powers for motocross bikes aged 20 years or more
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Taree Kicks Off 2019 Dirt Track Season
For many years the Old Bar track near Taree had the honour of opening, and closing, the dirt track racing calendar in New South Wales and that tradition will continue in 2019 with the scheduling of the Twilight Open meeting for Saturday, January 19.
From 2014 to 2017 the Troy Bayliss Classic meeting opened the calendar and despite that event closing down the Taree Motorcycle Club is determined to put on a race meeting that will kick off the 2019 season with a bang.
The dirt track scene of course continues to produce exciting action for fans at the same time as producing exciting young talent progressing through the junior ranks in to other disciplines of the sport like speedway and road racing.
The twilight meeting will give riders the chance to blow away the cobwebs after a break from competition over the Christmas – New Year period.
As well as senior and junior 2-wheel action there will also be sidecar and ATV racing with entries closing on January 11, but Race Secretary Lyndel Butler has encouraged riders to get their entries in early as there will be a cap on entries for some classes to ensure a streamlined program for riders and fans alike.
Max Whale at Taree
McAdoo Slots in for Injured Sexton at Geico Honda
The dramas continue at Geico Honda with the news that Chase Sexton is inured hot on the back of the news that Jeremy Martin will not compete in the 2019 season.
Sexton hurt his collarbone in a mountain bike crash and will now switch from 250SX West Region to 250SX East Region, giving him time to recover so Cameron McAdoo will join RJ Hampshire on a GEICO Honda CRF250R in the West while GEICO Honda will have Sexton, Christian Craig, and Hunter Lawrence racing 250SX East.
Cameron McAdoo seen on the grid here in Dallas 2018 – Hoppenworld Image
Kyle Chisholm Signs with H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki for 2019
After missing the 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross due to a knee injury sustained at round four at High Point, Kyle Chisholm will join Alex Ray and Adam Enticknap in the H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki team in 2019.
Chisholm moved back down to the 250 class in 2018 with 51Fifty Energy Drink Yamaha and finished eighth in the 250SX West Region while scoring five top ten finishes in the 450 class at a few East Coast race.
Chisholm underwent surgery in June to fix a torn meniscus and ACL and is looking forward to the new season – he posted this on social media:
‘Even though it’s no secret I haven’t officially posted about it, but I’m happy to be working with the @hepmotorsports@suzukicycles team for the 2019 @supercrosslive season. Thanks to all of the team’s sponsors. Looking forward to a good and fun season with the team.’
Stefan Everts Up-Date
Stefan Everts was hospitalized in Belgium early in December after he contracted malaria while participating in a charity event in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the family requested privacy during this difficult time so the news on Stefan’s condition have been scant but thankfully the family released some good news to Belgian media just before Xmas.
Below is part of the statement the family released (translated by Google)
‘The situation of Stefan Everts, who has been affected by malaria, is developing favourably and his condition is no longer critical, which is why the ten-time world champion in motocross no longer needs a sedative. Everts is still in intensive care at the University Hospital of Leuven, where he is closely monitored and only his family members are admitted. About the effects of malaria or about the duration of the recovery, nothing can be said at the moment. The Everts family wants to thank everyone for the many statements of support and the encouraging words, we cannot possibly answer them all personally, that is why she (his wife) does it through this way: ‘A big thank you all to give us a heart in this difficult period.’
The family also asks, just like the past weeks, to give them the necessary rest so that she can concentrate fully on Stefan. In the case of new developments, communication will again take place via a press release.’
Stefan EvertsSmarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
We’re happy to see Pastrana named as the AMA’s 2018 Motorcyclist of the Year.
Begin Press Release:
Travis Pastrana named American Motorcyclist Association 2018 Motorcyclist of the Year
Racer, daredevil, philanthropist shined positive light on motorcycling
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association 2018 Motorcyclist of the Year is Travis Pastrana, a professional motocross racer turned action sports daredevil and charity fundraiser.
Awarded annually, the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation recognizes the individual or group that had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling in the previous 12 months.
For one night in July, Pastrana captured the imagination of millions worldwide as he completed three motorcycle jumps in Las Vegas. The jumps were inspired by similar attempts by legendary daredevil Evel Knievel in the late 1960s and the 1970s.
Pastrana is a Charter Life Member of the AMA, signifying 25 years of continuous membership in the association.
“Few things or people in motorcycling today capture the fascination of today’s youth like Knievel did for me as a boy,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Travis Pastrana’s performance no doubt captured the attention of young people in a way that hasn’t been done since the days of Knievel.
“He drew positive attention to motorcycling through mainstream media in a manner that helps to promote motorcycling and the motorcycle lifestyle,” Dingman explained. “It is for this reason that the AMA Board of Directors has named Travis Pastrana the 2018 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year.”
In addition to his high-profile Las Vegas stunts, Pastrana raised awareness of the devastation caused to Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria and helped raise money to rebuild motocross tracks, homes and a school playground.
Pastrana’s career in extreme sports began as one of the country’s top amateur motocross racers. Pastrana won his first AMA amateur national championship at the AMA Amateur Motocross Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in 1994. In all, Pastrana won five AMA amateur titles before being awarded the AMA Motocross Horizon Award in 1999, presents annually to an amateur racer poised for excellence in the pro ranks.
The full story of Pastrana’s efforts can be found in the January issue of American Motorcyclist magazine.
Should north be at the top of your paper map or GPS satnav device for the best guidance? Satnav and mapping expert Peter (World Mapman) Davis looks into the phenomenon in the third part of our satnav series.
Paper maps always have north at the top. However, you can just as easily turn the map around to face the direction you are going.
GPS satnav units also have north at the top when showing your position on a map and sometimes even when a route has been selected.
However, they usually default to having the direction you are going at the top when you start navigation mode.
Using moving maps, you can select points on the map which creates a waypoint file.
These can be selected by going to the menu and usually clicking a plus sign.
You can then either nominate a latitude and longitude or simply touch your finger on the screen to drop a “flag” icon.
If you enlarge the map, you can move the flag to an exact point.
Give the waypoint a name and you will be able to find it easily later on.
The waypoints show up as a layer over the map and you navigate yourself on the tracks and roads to those waypoints.
If you save those waypoints, you can share the file with others no matter what moving maps app they use because it is just a series of lats and longs.
Once you import a waypoint file, go to the menu and it will show waypoints as a series of flags on a moving map.
Moving map nav also allows you to record and save the tracks you have done which allows you to view and share so you can repeat the journey.
Planning a route on guidance nav
GPS units allow you to plan a route using waypoints just like on a moving map by touching the screen.
But it also allows you to use POI (points of interest) or type in names of places, street names, towns, etc.
You can save the routes to favourites, my routes, etc.
However, once you have created a route, you can only share it with other riders who have the same satnav brand.
That’s because manufacturers develop unique software with features they continue to develop. They don’t want people to use their system unless buying their GPS unit.
You can export them via email, Messenger and sometimes Bluetooth or wifi, depending on the device.
They often include a smartphone app so you can plan a route on your phone or computer and then send it to your device or are it on an online community such as TomTom’s MyDrive.
How to become satnav savvy
The trend with most satnav software is to provide fairly limited instructions in the owner’s manual, or no manual at all.
These days you get comprehensive instructions on the internet or even in YouTube.
But studying the manual first will only get you so far.
By all means, explore the menus at home, but then get out on the road.
The only way you really get to know your satnav device, is to start using it and not worry about making mistakes.
Take your satnav device or app for a ride through an area you already know well so that if you get things wrong, you can still find your way home.
I’ve learnt more satnav quirks as I ride along, rather than from studying the manual.
Explore the settings and try changing things to see what happens.
You can also go for a ride with friends and talk to them and get their tips.
They don’t have to be using the same satnav device as you.
These days most systems are fairly similar in how they work.
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