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Online shopping increases truck traffic

The rapid growth in online shopping has caused a rise in trucks on our roads that are not delivering to shopping centres but right to our suburban front door.

This presents a major increase in congestion, but also danger for riders who easily disappear in truck blind spots.

Trucks reversed image lane filtering blind spot online shopping
All the bikes in this photo are in a truck’s blind spots

Trucks also present problems for riders from tyre blowouts as this video shows.

While the number of truck crashes is low on the statistics, when they crash they can cause multiple deaths and injuries.

Trucks were responsible for 169 deaths from 152 fatal crashes in Australia in the 12 months up to September 2018. 

In the USA, truck crashes kill more than 4000 people each year, including about 500 motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Fashion to blame

The online fashion industry is one of the biggest causes of this increase in truck traffic.

Almost a third of all clothes are now bought online and about 40% are returned when they don’t fit or after the buyer has taken an Instagram selfie!

And that’s just the fashion industry. A lot of other products are now bought online rather than from shopping centres.

Fashion Revolution of Belgium has warned fashion shoppers of the hidden dangers and costs of this increase in online trucking of goods with this video.

It shows women trying on clothes on highways, surrounded by trucks and traffic.

Count the costs

The costs of this online fashion business is not only an increase in traffic congestion, but also road danger and CO2 emissions output.

In 2016, transportation (including air travel) overtook power plants as the top producer of carbon dioxide emissions for the first time since 1979.

A quarter of this comes from trucks doing house deliveries after they have been transported by plane or ship to a warehouse.

Before online shopping, trucks mainly delivered to warehouses and shopping centres.Extend truck lane restriction

Now most packages go directly to a residential address.

Shoppers have traded trips to the shops in relatively fuel-efficient vehicles for deliveries to suburban homes by trucks and other heavy vehicles.

What to do

We are not suggesting you stop online shopping. It’s convenient and cheap. 

In fact, we have several motorcycle products available through our online shop that are difficult or to find in shops or are not stocked in Australia.

However, you can help reduce truck traffic by ensuring you do your research first so that you don’t have to return articles that don’t fit or are not suitable.

You can also buy several articles at a time from the same distributor to try to avoid multiple trips and packages.

However, I recently bought four barbecue items from the same distributor and they arrived over two separate deliveries in four different packages!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Factory Husqvarna drafts Wilson for supercross remainder

Number 15 returns to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing.

Image: Supplied.

Dean Wilson has been promoted to the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team for the remainder of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

Wilson, a former member of the squad, has been racing in a self-managed operation while utilising factory support and components from the European manufacturer in the first five rounds.

The move will ultimately me see him spearhead the outfit’s premier class efforts, as reigning champion Jason Anderson is sidelined for the series while teammate 450SX debutant Zach Osborne is unlikely to make a scheduled return from injury this weekend.

“I am really excited to be back with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team,” said Wilson. “They have been a great help with my privateer effort. I am looking forward to putting in good results and making everyone proud.”

It’s understood the popular number 15 will retain his personal sponsors for the duration of his campaign with the factory team. Equal fifth in the championship standings, no plans have been made official to contest the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship with the squad later this year.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Injury delays AMA Supercross debut of Lawrence

Re-injured collarbone sidelines Queenslander ahead of 250SX East.

Image: Simon Cudby.

Geico Honda’s Hunter Lawrence has confirmed he will miss this weekend’s opening round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East series after sustaining a collarbone injury.

Lawrence was due to line-up for the first time in the US on Saturday at Minneapolis, Minnesota, however will now have his supercross debut delayed.

“Absolutely heartbroken to say the least guys,” Lawrence confirmed via a social media post this morning. “I wont be lining up at round one this weekend.

“Some of you know a few months back I had a collarbone injury that I have now re-injured and it isn’t in a condition where I am able to plate it – a misfortunate crash and part of the sport. Will do everything I can like always to get back to 100 percent.

“I want to thank my amazing team and supporting sponsors for all their great support and a massive shout-out to all of the Aussie fans that were behind me and following along. Super-bummed, but with the Aussie grit and determination I’ll be back soon.”

Lawrence had been easing his way into supercross throughout the off-season in Southern California when the injury occurred, however it’s unclear when he may be fit enough to return later in the season.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Rising costs attract Hartford bike imports

The cost of living is driving more riders to smaller motorcycles and scooters, says Hartford Australia who is importing small-capacity Taiwanese machines.

Ballina-based importer Joe Fisher says scooters and learner bikes have “gone crazy” despite a slow market.

“I come from a time when the industry was formed on XL250s and Belstaff jackets,” he says.

“We see a healthy return to this time where the cost of living is pushing more and more people to find cheaper alternatives to get to work.

“We think the LAMS (learner-approved motorcycle scheme) market is the growth area for the immediate future of the industry.

“I regularly travel between Brisbane and Sydney and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many get-to-work bikes in every town I pass through.

“It is indeed encouraging to be involved in our efforts to expand this market.”

Hartford range

Hartford Classic 250cc
Hartford Classic

So Joe is importing the Classic 250 ($4799 +ORC), and the 125cc Sienna (#3399) and 300cc Vita ($6199) scooters. The Sienna comes with a one-year warranty and the others with a 24-month warranty.

They will be followed by liquid-cooled 450cc adventure and naked bikes later this year.

The sole Aussie distributor is working on setting up a network of non-franchised dealers “willing to give us a god shot”.

He hopes to start with dealers on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.

Joes has been involved in the industry since 1975.

“I think I’ve pretty well seen the good the bad and the ugly of the industry over that time,” he says.

“To keep the motorcycle companies off our case for as long as possible, we have formed a company (Aussie Motorcycle Imports Pty Ltd) as the importer and distributor of this new brand of Hartford under my personal name.”

Their website will be up and running soon at www.hartfordaustralia.com.au and you can email Joe by clicking here or phoning 0407 458222.

Hartford tech specs

  • Engine: 124cc (Sienna); 276cc. Vita; (223cc) (Classic)
  • Power: 5.8kW @ 7000rpm; 12.5kW @ 6500rpm; 13.0kW @ 9000rpm
  • Length: 1980mm; 2105mm; 2000mm
  • Width: 700mm; 770mm; 800mm
  • Height; 1140mm; 1280mm; 1070mm
  • Wheelbase: 1400mm; 1565mm; 1340mm
  • Wet weight: 117kg; 162kg; 132kg
  • Max speed: 95km/h; 113km/h; 111km/h
  • Brakes: CBS, disc front/rear;  ABS, disc front/rear; ABS, disc front/rear
  • Transmission: Automatic CVT; Automatic CVT; 5 speed manual
  • Tyres: 110/70 x 12; 130/60 x 13; front 350 x 18, rear 400 x 18
  • Economy: 2.4L/100km; 2.8L/100km; 2.5L/100km
  • Tank: 6 litres; 12 litres;12 litres

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Kawasaki F9-R | And a short early Kawasaki GP history

Rotary-valve Racer

With Phil Aynsley


Kawasaki began its international road racing campaign a little later than the other manufacturers, not until 1966 in fact. Kawasaki 50, 125 and 250cc race bikes were fast but fragile, and technically behind the Suzuki and Yamaha V-4s and Honda 125/5.


NB: The images featured in this piece do not represent these early 50, 125 and 250cc machines but instead showcase the later F9-R. Which we get to later…


PA KawasakiFR
Kawasaki’s F9-R’s 346cc rotary-valve motor with Mikuni 35mm carburettor and expansion chamber exhaust

Indeed they had no victories at all early on, and despite designing their own 125cc water-cooled V4, they then quit GP racing at the end of that same year, 1966. However they did support Dave Simmonds with one of their 125 twins and some spare parts. The Englishman worked on the bikes himself and finished seventh in 1967 and 14th in 1968.

PA KawasakiFR
Kawasaki had a rocky entry to GP racing

Things changed for the 1969 season with the FIM imposing cylinder limits for the various classes – which resulted in Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all officially withdrawing from the GPs, although they did continue to support various riders at lower levels.

PA KawasakiFR
Kawasaki F9-R

Simmonds then proceeded to win eight of the 11 rounds (missing the first round and placing second in the two others), giving Kawasaki its first world title (on a three-year-old bike)!

PA KawasakiFR
Kawasaki took a removed approach to supporting factory racing, including with this F9-R

This somewhat ‘removed’ factory support is also seen with the F9-R pictured here. Kawasaki USA had decided to take advantage of the AMA’s revision of the rules for the Lightweight class for the 1970 season (those changes had been made to provide some competition for the dominant Yamaha TD2 250).

PA KawasakiFR
Kawasaki F9-R

The 346cc rotary-valve motor from the F5 Bighorn trail bike was slotted into a slightly modified A1-RA frame to provide the basis for Kawasaki’s challenge. A close-ratio racing gearbox was fitted, together with a revised primary gear ratio, modified porting and disc valve, a Mikuni 35mm carburettor and an expansion chamber exhaust. H1-R wheels and brakes were used.

PA KawasakiFR
Kawasaki F9-R

The F5 Big Horn’s motor had suffered from reliability problems however, so by 1972 it had been renamed the F9. When the road racing version was debuted  later that year it was known as the F9-R. Output was 45hp.

PA KawasakiFR
Kawasaki F9-R

Although the F9-R never won a race they did score many podium places, including a second with Yvon DuHamel behind Kenny Roberts at Charlotte in 1973. This particular example was campaigned by Art Baumann.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Lazareth flying motorcycle fails to launch

The future of flying motorcycles is still up in the air after a French company, Lazareth, unveiled their jet-powered motorcycle which failed to take off at the launch party.

French motorcycle designer Ludovic Lazareth has converted his LM496 Maserati V8-powered four-wheel leaning motorcycle into a potential flying version with jet turbines in the wheels.

In December, Lazareth posted this teaser video with promises the LM496 would be unveiled this year.

Lazareth fails to rise

However, at the opening ceremony, Lazareth failed to rise, unlike Lazarus!

It only managed to get the front a few centimetres in the air.

The LM496 or “La Moto Volante” (the Flying Motorcycle) is based on Ludovic’s Lazareth LM847 with a 350kW, 4.7-litre Maserati V8. It was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016.

Its wheels rotate outwards when the bike is on its centre stand and then pivot so that they are horizontal.

Lazareth LM496 flying motorcycle
Turbine jets

Then German Jetcat turbines in each wheel fire directly downward to elevate the bike, like a Harrier Jump Jet or a manned drone.

Note that at the launch party, the rider/pilot was tethered in case it took off and he couldn’t control it!Lazareth LM496 flying motorcycle

There is no word from Ludovic on when the project will “get off the ground”, how high it will fly or how much it will cost.

However, with a Maserati engine fitted, as well as four jet turbines, it is bound to cost a fortune.

It’s not that this will be the first flying motorcycle nor the first commercially available.

Pigs’ might fly

Scorpion hoverbikes flying

Scorpion hoverbike

In fact, Dubai police will soon be using drone motorcycles, or hover bikes or quadcopters, to patrol city streets.

The Russian Hoversurf Scorpion hover bikes are now available for sale at $US150,000 (about $A212,500), which is nearly twice the price of the MV Agusta limited-edition Claudio F4.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

The smart brake light that may save your life

This smart brake light could just save your life. It illuminates even when you slow down with the throttle only and acts as a warning motorists following behind.

Rear-ender crashes involving motorcycles are too frequent, probably because we often slow down with engine braking, rather than the brakes. This can take following motorists by surprise.

So the makers of the clever Smart Turn System self-cancelling indicators ($160 plus shipping) have now introduced their Smart Brake Module ($125 plus shipping).Smart Turn System Self-cancelling indicator may save your life

BUY smart indicators here

They had identified that many crashes are caused by riders forgetting to turn off their indicators. They also believe that many motorcyclists are rear-ended because riders don’t use their brakes to slow down.

How it works

The Smart Brake Module uses the same motion sensor technology as the Smart Turn System.

It detects any decrease in speed, regardless of braking with the front or rear brake or just decelerating with the engine.

Spokesman Miha Ernstscheinder says the module will detect “even the smallest deceleration forces”.

“It senses deceleration, and it activates the brake light when it senses a deceleration greater than 4.1kmh/s (2.5mph),” he says.

So it detects deceleration even before the bike’s brake switch activates.

Two modes

It has two modes of operation – a steady brake light signal (the same as when you press the brake lever) or a “flashing signal”.

“The flashing signal is similar to the blinker frequency,” Miha says.

“It does not have a modulating effect like a strobe which is forbidden and can be used only by emergency services and police.

“Most safety schools teach or advise that you tap the brake lever when you are engine braking.

“That signals to the following traffic and increases their reaction times.

“The SBM module does exactly that, but automatically.”

(When you apply the brakes, the brake lights perform in the usual way as a solid light.)

It could be enough to save you from a rear ender.road rage tailgate tailgating rear-ender motorcycles BMW S 1000 RR lane filtering lane splitting

Miha says the brake light is compatible with all motorcycles whether they have standard bulbs, LEDs or HID lights.

“It is very small and easy to fit – not much bigger than a box of matches — and easy to hide under your motorcycle seat.”

Legality lights

Some riders have questioned whether the unit is legal in Australia.

There is no mention in the Australian Design Rules about the light modulating.

However, Miha says the unit has Homologation Type Approval which is above the requirements of regulations around the world.

“It complies with the unified standards which are standardised in all countries that are part of the United Nations,” he says.

“Thousands of riders have already made the MOT in the USA, UK, Germany and Australia.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

The Best Bikes for Smaller Riders (and Budgets): 2019 Edition!

Bigger doesn’t always mean better, and fortunately for those of us looking for a fun, affordable motorcycle there are more choices than ever. Nearly every manufacturer now offers at least one model that will fit just about any rider’s size and/or budget.

Scroll down for Rider’s 2019 list of Best Bikes for Smaller Riders and Budgets. When possible we’ve included a link to our review, making it easy for you to get a real ride evaluation. We’ve also included the 2019 model year’s U.S. base MSRP (as of publication), seat height and claimed wet weight (when a wet weight was not available from the manufacturer, the claimed dry weight is listed). For more details, you can read our review, which includes comprehensive specs, or click on the bike’s name to be taken directly to the manufacturer’s page.

BMW F 750 GS

2019 BMW F 750 GS
2019 BMW F 750 GS (Photo by Kevin Wing)

BMW F 750 GS
$10,395
32.1-inch seat w/ optional 31.1-inch seat or 30.3-inch seat
493 lbs.

Read our Road Test Review of the 2019 BMW F 750/850 GS

BMW G 310 GS 

2018 BMW G 310 GS. Photo by Kevin Wing.
2018 BMW G 310 GS (Photo by Kevin Wing)

BMW G 310 GS
$5,795
32.9-inch seat w/ optional 32.3-inch seat
374 lbs.

Read our First Ride Review of the 2018 BMW G 310 GS

How did the G 310 GS stack up against the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and Royal Enfield Himalayan? Find out in our comparison test.

BMW G 310 R

The G 310 R is anything but boring. You can't see it, but I'm grinning inside my helmet.
2018 BMW G 310 R (Photo by Kevin Wing)

BMW G 310 R
$4,750
30.9-inch seat w/ optional 30.3-inch seat
349 lbs.

Read our First Ride Review of the 2018 BMW G 310 R

Can-Am Ryker

Can-Am Ryker
2019 Can-Am Ryker Rally (Photo by Kevin Wing)

Can-Am Ryker
starting at $8,499 (600cc model)
23.5-inch seat
594 lbs. (dry, 600cc)

Read our First Ride Review of the 2019 Can-Am Ryker

CSC RX3

The 2016 CSC RX3 is a surprisingly capable small-displacement adventurer tourer, at a price point that is undeniably attractive. (Photos: the author and James Norris)
CSC RX3 (Photo by James Norris)

CSC RX3
$5,395
31.9-inch seat
450 lbs. (dry)

Read our Road Test Review of the 2016 CSC RX3

Ducati Monster 797+

2018 Ducati Monster 797+
2018 Ducati Monster 797+

Ducati Monster 797+
$9,295
31.7-inch seat
386 lbs. (dry)

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

2019 Ducati Scrambler Sixty2.
2019 Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2
$7,995
31.1-inch seat w/ optional 30.3-inch seat
403 lbs.

Read about Ducati’s updates to the 2019 Scrambler lineup

Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle

2019 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
2019 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle

Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle
$10,995
31.4-inch seat w/ optional 30.6-inch seat
417 lbs.

Read about Ducati’s updates to the 2019 Scrambler lineup

Harley-Davidson Street Rod

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod is based on the Street 750, with sharpened handling and styling. It has a steeper rake, longer suspension travel and a higher seat height that enables deeper lean angles. (Photos by Brian J. Nelson)
2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod (Photo by Brian J. Nelson)

Harley-Davidson Street 500/750/Street Rod
starting at $6,899
25.7-inch seat
492 lbs. (dry)

Read our first ride review of the 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod

Harley-Davidson SuperLow

Harley-Davidson Superlow
Harley-Davidson SuperLow

Harley-Davidson SuperLow
$8,699
25.5-inch seat
545 lbs. (dry)

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

Harley-Davidson Iron 883
Harley-Davidson Iron 883

Harley-Davidson Iron 883/1200
starting at $8,999
25.7-inch seat
545 lbs. (dry)

Check out our First Look Review of the 2018 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200

Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom

2019 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom.
2019 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom

Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom
$10,999
26.6-inch seat
562 lbs. (dry)

Honda CB300R

2019 Honda CB300R
2019 Honda CB300R (Photo by Drew Ruiz)

Honda CB300R
$4,649
31.5-inch seat
318 lbs.

Read our First Ride Review on the 2019 Honda CB300R

Honda CBR300R

2019 Honda CBR300R.
2019 Honda CBR300R

Honda CBR300R
$4,699
30.7-inch seat
357 lbs.

Honda CB500F

2019 Honda CB500F.
2019 Honda CB500F

Honda CB500F
$6,199
30.9-inch seat
415 lbs.

Honda CBR500R

2019 Honda CBR500R.
2019 Honda CBR500R

Honda CBR500R
$6,699
30.9-inch seat
419 lbs.

Honda CB500X

2019 Honda CB500X. Image courtesy Honda.
2019 Honda CB500X

Honda CB500X
$6,599 (2018 model)
31.8-inch seat
428 lbs.

Read about the updates for the 2019 Honda CB500X

Honda CB650R

2019 Honda CB650R. Images courtesy Honda.
2019 Honda CB650R

Honda CB650R
$8,899
31.9-inch seat
445 lbs.

Read our First Look Review of the 2019 Honda CB650R

Honda CBR650R

2019 Honda CBR650R. Images courtesy Honda.
2019 Honda CBR650R

Honda CBR650R
$TBD
31.9-inch seat
456 lbs.

Read our First Look Review of the 2019 Honda CBR650R

Honda CRF250L

2017 Honda CRF250L
Honda CRF250L

Honda CRF250L
$5,199
34.4-inch seat
318 lbs.

Read our review of the 2017 Honda CRF250L Rally

Honda Grom

2019 Honda Grom.
2019 Honda Grom

Honda Grom
$3,399
30-inch seat
229 lbs.

Honda Monkey

Honda Monkey
2019 Honda Monkey (Photo by Kevin Wing)

Honda Monkey
$3,999
30.6-inch seat
232 lbs.

Watch our video review of the 2019 Honda Monkey

Honda NC750X

2017 Honda NC750X
2019 Honda NC750X

Honda NC750X
$7,999 (2018 model)
32.7-inch seat
478 lbs.

Honda Shadow Phantom

2019 Honda Shadow Phantom
2019 Honda Shadow Phantom

Honda Shadow Phantom
$7,899
25.8-inch seat
549 lbs.

Honda Super Cub C125

2019 Honda Super Cub C125
2019 Honda Super Cub C125

Honda Super Cub
$3,599
30.7-inch seat
240 lbs.

Honda Rebel 300/500

2017 Honda Rebel 500
Honda Rebel 500 (Photo by Kevin Wing)

Honda Rebel 300/500
starting at $4,499
27.2-inch seat
364 lbs.

Read our First Ride Review of the Honda Rebel 500

Indian Scout Sixty

Indian Scout Sixty
Indian Scout Sixty

Indian Scout Sixty
$9,499
25.8-inch seat
542 lbs.

Read about Indian’s 2019 Scout lineup

Indian Scout

2019 Indian Scout.
2019 Indian Scout

Indian Scout
$11,999
25.8-inch seat
550 lbs.

Read about Indian’s 2019 Scout lineup

Kawasaki KLX250

2019 Kawasaki KLX250
2019 Kawasaki KLX250

Kawasaki KLX250
$5,349
35.0-inch seat (squishes way down under rider’s weight)
304 lbs.

Kawasaki Ninja 400

2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS
2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS (Photo by Kevin Wing)

Kawasaki Ninja 400
$4,999
30.9-inch seat
366 lbs.

Read our First Ride Review of the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS

Kawasaki Ninja 650

2019 Kawasaki Ninja 650.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja 650

Kawasaki Ninja 650
$7,399
31.1-inch seat
426 lbs.

Kawasaki Versys-X 300

2019 Kawasaki Versys-X 300.
2019 Kawasaki Versys-X 300

Kawasaki Versys-X 300
$5,499
32.1-inch seat
386 lbs.

How did the Versys-X 300 stack up against the BMW G 310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalayan? Find out in our comparison test.

Kawasaki Vulcan S

2019 Kawasaki Vulcan S.
2019 Kawasaki Vulcan S

Kawasaki Vulcan S
starting at $7,099
27.8-inch seat
498 lbs.

Read our Road Test Review of the Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

Kawasaki Vulcan 900

2019 Kawasaki Vulcan 900.
2019 Kawasaki Vulcan 900

Kawasaki Vulcan 900
starting at $7,999
26.8-inch seat
617 lbs.

Kawasaki W800 Cafe

2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe
2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe

Kawasaki W800 Cafe
$9,799
31.1-inch seat
489.5 lbs.

Kawasaki Z125 Pro

2019 Kawasaki Z125 Pro.
2019 Kawasaki Z125 Pro

Kawasaki Z125 Pro
$3,199
31.7-inch seat
225 lbs.

Kawasaki Z400

2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS
2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS

Kawasaki Z400
$4,799
30.9-inch seat
364 lbs.

Kawasaki Z650

2019 Kawasaki Z650.
2019 Kawasaki Z650

Kawasaki Z650
$6,999
30.9-inch seat
410 lbs.

Read our First Ride Review on the Z650 ABS here

KTM 390 Duke

2018 KTM 390 Duke
2018 KTM 390 Duke (Photo by Kevin Wing)

KTM 390 Duke
$5,449
32.7-inch seat
359 lbs.

Read our Road Test Review of the KTM 390 Duke here

Moto Guzzi V7III Stone

Moto Guzzi V7III Stone.
Moto Guzzi V7III Stone

Moto Guzzi V7III Stone
$8,490
30.3-inch seat
470 lbs.

Royal Enfield Continental GT

2019 Royal Enfield Continental GT
2019 Royal Enfield Continental GT

Royal Enfield Continental GT
$5,999
31.1-inch seat
461 lbs.

Read our road test review of the 2019 Royal Enfield Continental GT

Royal Enfield Himalayan

2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan
2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan

Royal Enfield Himalayan
$4,499
31.5-inch seat
421 lbs.

Read our first ride review of the 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan

How did the Himalayan stack up against the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and BMW G 310 GS? Find out in our comparison test here.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
$5,799
31.6-inch seat
473 lbs.

Read our road test review of the 2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Suzuki Boulevard S40

2019 Suzuki Boulevard S40.
2019 Suzuki Boulevard S40

Suzuki Boulevard S40
$5,799
27.6-inch seat
381 lbs.

Suzuki Boulevard C50

2019 Suzuki Boulevard C50.
2019 Suzuki Boulevard C50

Suzuki Boulevard C50
starting at $8,299
27.6-inch seat
611 lbs.

Suzuki Boulevard M50

2019 Suzuki Boulevard M50.
2019 Suzuki Boulevard M50

Suzuki Boulevard M50
$8,699
27.6-inch seat
593 lbs.

Suzuki GSXR250R

2018 Suzuki GSX250R
2018 Suzuki GSX250R (Photo by Enrico Pavia)

Suzuki GSX250R
$4,599
31.1-inch seat
392 lbs.

Read our review of the Suzuki GSX250R

Suzuki GSX-S750

2019 Suzuki GSX-S750 ABS. Image courtesy Suzuki.
2019 Suzuki GSX-S750 ABS

Suzuki GSX-S750Z
$8,499
32.2-inch seat
469 lbs.

Suzuki SV650

2019 Suzuki SV650.
2019 Suzuki SV650

Suzuki SV650
$7,099
30.9-inch seat
432 lbs.

Read our first ride review of the 2017 Suzuki SV650

Suzuki TU250X

2019 Suzuki TU250X.
2019 Suzuki TU250X

Suzuki TU250X
$4,649
30.3-inch seat
326 lbs.

Suzuki VanVan 200

2019 Suzuki VanVan 200.
2019 Suzuki VanVan 200

Suzuki VanVan 200
$4,649
30.3-inch seat
282 lbs.

A Man on a VanVan Without a Plan…read the story here!

Triumph Street Scrambler

2019 Triumph Street Scrambler
2019 Triumph Street Scrambler (Photo by Kingdom Creative)

Triumph Street Scrambler
$11,000
31.1-inch seat
447.5 lbs. (dry)

Read our first ride review of the 2019 Triumph Street Scrambler

Triumph Street Twin

2019 Triumph Street Twin
2019 Triumph Street Twin (Photo by Kingdom Creative)

Triumph Street Twin
$9,300
29.9-inch seat
437 lbs. (dry)

Read our first ride review of the 2019 Triumph Street Twin

Triumph Street Triple

2019 Triumph Street Triple R.
2019 Triumph Street Triple R

Triumph Street Triple
$9,950
31.2-inch seat
370 lbs.

2019 Yamaha Bolt.
2019 Yamaha Bolt

Yamaha Bolt
starting at $7,999
27.2-inch seat
542 lbs.

2019 Yamaha MT-07.
2019 Yamaha MT-07.

Yamaha MT-07
$7,599
31.7-inch seat
403 lbs.

Read our road test review on the 2018 Yamaha MT-07

2019 Yamaha MT-09.
2019 Yamaha MT-09.

Yamaha MT-09
$8,999
32.3-inch seat
425 lbs.

2019 Yamaha TW200.
2019 Yamaha TW200

Yamaha TW200
$4,599
31.1-inch seat
278 lbs.

Read our review of the Yamaha TW200

2019 Yamaha V-Star 250.
2019 Yamaha V-Star 250.

Yamaha V Star 250
$4,349
27-inch seat
326 lbs.

2019 Yamaha XSR700.
2019 Yamaha XSR700.

Yamaha XSR700
$8,499
32.9-inch seat
410 lbs.

Read our first ride review of the 2018 Yamaha XSR700

We held onto our XSR700 for a long-term review; read it here

2019 Yamaha XT250.
2019 Yamaha XT250

Yamaha XT250
$5,199
31.9-inch seat
291 lbs.

2019 Yamaha YZF-R3
2019 Yamaha YZF-R3 (Photos by Brian J. Nelson)

Yamaha YZF-R3
$4,999
30.7-inch seat
368 lbs.

Read our first ride review on the 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3

Check out Rider’s Guide to New/Updated Street Motorcycles for 2019

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Were Gonna Need a Bigger Brake

Rules changes designed to even the rest of the field up to the dominant Indian FTR750 should make the 2019 AFT season even more interesting, and running up onto the famed tri-oval at Daytona will reveal pretty quickly how effective those changes are. The season kicks off March 14.

————————————————————————————————————————American Flat Track Press Release:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 5, 2019) – On March 14, 2019 at legendary Daytona International Speedway (DIS), American Flat Track will host what will arguably be the most unique and anticipated professional flat track race in history – the third annual DAYTONA TT.

The hook is that the totally redesigned racetrack, constructed in the iconic Daytona International Speedway tri-oval, will utilize the legendary tri-oval start/finish asphalt straightaway as part of the actual racing surface, and form its high-speed front straight.

Not only will some of the world’s fastest riders launch their AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines and AFT Singles racing machines out of the DIS eastern dirt corner and drift onto the asphalt, they’ll rip across the legendary start-finish stripe at over 100 mph, elbow-to-elbow and wheel-to-wheel – and mere feet from fans sitting along the Daytona International Speedway tri-oval.

In many ways, American Flat Track’s unique, dirt-and-asphalt DAYTONA TT season opener brings the sport of Grand National Championship motorcycle racing full-circle. Recall, of course, the legendary DAYTONA 200 beach-and-asphalt races of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, which featured motorcycles racing up the beach in a northern direction and then South again on the asphalt beach road, with untold thousands of fans watching it all unfold from the dunes and bleachers.

The DAYTONA 200 eventually moved to the freshly-built Daytona International Speedway facility in the early 1960s (quickly becoming the world’s biggest and most anticipated motorcycle race), but those decades of epic beach racing have lodged themselves in the collective memories of the motorsports community ever since. Full circle, indeed.

 Since the reinvention of the series in 2017, American Flat Track has yet to present a multi-surface racetrack. The new, improved DAYTONA TT has been designed in collaboration and consultation with riders and race professionals to proactively address the design challenges inherit in the construction of an asphalt-to-dirt racing surface. Former professional flat track riders have been contracted to ride the surface and prove the design prior to the running of the race on March 14.

This year’s track layout also features enlarged and faster bookend corners, which offer faster straightaway speeds and more passing opportunities – the perfect thing for fans sitting along the front straight or in the enlarged-for-2019 trackside bleachers.

All of these changes combine to amplify the race’s Bigger, Better, Faster moniker to unheard-of levels.

With new teams and riders, new sponsors and manufacturers, some fresh thinking and a tsunami-like wave of excitement and expectation, the 2019 American Flat Track season is bound to be the most exciting ever.

And so it’s entirely fitting that this year’s unique DAYTONA TT, which features that unique mix of dirt and asphalt, and which pays homage to the visionary promoter who brought motorcycle racing to the sands and streets of Daytona Beach 82 years ago, leads things off in March.

The history-making 2019 DAYTONA TT. Bigger, Better and much Faster!

 

Fans looking for an in-depth view of the most-exciting DAYTONA TT track ever can visit the link below:

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/OiBGrzvqztw

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.

For more information on American Flat Track visit www.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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