Honda’s popular CBR500R has been updated for 2019 with more mid-range grunt and improved ergonomics. The latest generation of the machines have just hit Honda dealers across Australia at $7,999.
2019 Honda CBR500R
The rider’s seat pad and seat unit – plus the upper and side fairings – have been narrowed to improve ergonomics. Seat height remains low at 785mm, making the CBR500R very easy to manage, while its riding position comfortably accommodates riders of any height.
2019 Honda CBR500R
The development target for the CBR500Rs engine for 2019 was focused on faster acceleration through a boost in low-to-mid-range power and torque in the 3-7,000rpm range. This 4% improvement comes via altered valve timing – with ‘close’ timing accelerated by 5° – and lift increased 0.3mm to 7.8mm.
2019 Honda CBR500R
Feeding the PGM-FI fuel injection is now a more-or-less straight shot of airflow through the airbox and throttle bodies. A six-speed gearbox mirrors that of its CBR1000RR cousin and uses the same gear change arm structure and link mechanism. The new addition of an assist/slipper clutch enables lighter upshifts and smooths out any hard downshifts.
2019 Honda CBR500R
New LCD instruments feature a Shift Up and Gear Position function and the indicators are now LED, to match the rest of the lighting. The new 2019 CBR500R will be available in three colour options: Matte Axis Grey Metallic, Grand Prix Red and Pearl Metalloid White.
Fist Hand Wear have announced a new set of Robbie Maddison inspired red label gloves – the Highlighter V1 – featuring the Aussie emblem of the boxing kangaroo.
Fist Highlighter Glove
As always, the Fist glove includes a pre-curved clarino palm allowing for superior wear without sacrificing feel. The gloves include form-fitting technology ensuring that there is no bunching or blistering while enjoying full breathability and flexibility.
Sublimated twill spandex uppers also allow for full breathability and supreme comfort. Tacky silicon finger and palm prints offer maximum grip even in the wettest of conditions. In summary, a glove design that has not skimped on features!
See your local Fist Handwear stockist for more information and to grab a set for yourself!
Highlighter V1 Glove feaures
Pre-curved Clarino Palm
Clarino is one of the most durable man-made synthetic leathers on the market
Form fitted
Sublimated four-way stretch twill spandex uppers
Spandex finger gussets for ultimate flexibility and dexterity
Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama) took victory in the first ever FIM Enel MotoE World Cup ‘race’ in Valencia, with riders lining up for a race simulation at the start of final day of the pre-season test.
The Brazilian missed out on pole by just 0.025s to Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing) on Tuesday, but he fought back once the lights went out to overtake the Spaniard on the final lap. Garzo took second, with Niki Tuuli (Ajo MotoE) – another who has shown consistent pace in practice so far – completing the podium a few tenths further back.
Nico Terol (Openbank Angel Nieto Team) took fourth, with Matteo Ferrari (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top five. One man expected to be in that tight fight at the front wasn’t on track, however – Tuesday’s fastest Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) was absent as he undertook testing duties in MotoGP. Australian Josh Hook (Pramac Racing) was p16 despite battling food poisoning.
The riders then got a chance to have a final 30-minute session from 17:00, although it ended prematurely in a red flag due to crashes for Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Maria Herrera (Openbank Angel Nieto Team), riders both ok.
The session was their last chance to test before heading out on track at the Sachsenring for the first round of the season and it was Tuuli who went fastest with the quickest time of the test, a 1m40.127s and 0.486s quicker than second place Casadei.
Garzo was third on the timesheets at the end of day three, and race simulation winner Granado was 0.533s off Tuuli’s benchmark in fourth. 2008 125 World Champion Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) completed the top five.
That’s it from Valencia and winner Granado heads home with an Energica Eva as his prize. Now the E-Paddock gears up for the Sachsenring, which plays host to the opening round of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup 5-7 July.
The KLX250 remains in the lineup, so it seems almost redundant to have such a closely related bike in the family. But there are some big differences, starting with the inclusion of an ABS option for the 230 (in addition to a non-ABS). The ABS 230 prices at $4,899 which is $500 less than the standard KLX250. The 230 also weighs about 11 pounds less and has a slightly lower seat height (0.2 inch). These could be really attractive to newer riders, or riders who want to have a new bike but balk at a price tag over $5,000.
However, it is not available in Australia because of an eCall hardware update and the lack of a nationwide rollout.
A BMW Motorrad Australia spokeswoman said the company is “currently working on updating the function with new hardware that will be rolled out globally”.
“Several countries, including Australia, are currently under evaluation for the rollout using the new hardware,” she says.
“We are analysing and evaluating the local conditions, technical requirements and various partnerships who need to be involved for this emergency feature.
“We don’t yet have a confirmed date when SOS emergency button will be effective as it’s not only relying on BMW technology but the business chain of services required from third party organisations.”
SOS button
BMW’s SOS button
SOS buttons or eCall systems have been available in cars for some time and have now been mandated throughout Europe.
It is expected it may be mandated on motorcycles in the future.
The button alerts the emergency services and provides GPS co-ordinates of the rider’s position.
It is also connected to various sensors on the bike to detect whether the rider has crashed.
In that case, the button will activate automatically without having to push it.
That’s a great safety feature for solo riders who may spear off the road into the bush and not be found for some time.
However, if you have a small shunt and the sensors recognise you have crashed, the system waits 25 seconds so the rider can cancel before the SOS call is made.
Emergency+ first-aid app
The button can also be used to alert emergency services of other serious situations such as another vehicle crash, bushfire or other emergency.
It includes a small speaker and microphone near the button to talk to the call centre and explain the type of emergency and what assistance is needed.
Civil libertarians may be horrified by fears that a BMW call centre is able to track their every movement.
However, some riders might believe the safety features outweigh those concerns.
Kawasaki developed the air-cooled, fuel-injected 233cc single for this bike and the dual sport version with the aim of providing better low-end to midrange performance. It’s not going to be a torque monster by any means, but it will at least provide enough accessible pull in the low revs to be really fun on the trail. Gear ratio is slightly different for the six-speed transmission when compared to the 230 dual sport, with Kawi opting for a 46/13 final ratio to better meet the needs of off-road-only riding.
Riders believe better trained drivers would be more aware of them and rules such as lane filtering, making their ride safer.
However, politicians and authorities usually reject driver training as being expensive, promoting hooning and unfair for people in remote areas who would have difficulty accessing further training.
Longtime rider advocate John Nelson points out other erroneous arguments in the article “The effectiveness of driver training as a road safety measure” by former VicRoads officer Ron Christie which appeared in the RACV magazine Royal Auto.
Basically it says that there is no empirical evidence that advanced training reduces crashes or makes drivers better or changes their behaviour. You can read the full report here.
Since there is no research into how motorcycle awareness and education about lane filtering affects drivers, there is also no evidence that shows it doesn’t affect behaviour and skills.
John says motorcycle awareness should be trialled it to see if it does have benefits.
Driver training agenda
“I am sure (Ron) was paid a handsome sum for this article to support the VicRoads agenda and silence and oppose advocacy of driver education,” he says.
“He had his finger in the pie with the statement that Vicroads will not do anything that could be construed as encouraging motorcycles. He hates bikes and change.
“There is a big difference between driver training and driver education. We are all taught the three Rs in schools. Why not driver education?
“Attitudes, discipline, behaviour and knowledge are not taught to those who want to drive. All they are taught is to pass the license test.”
John points out that teachers are required to have a university degree before teaching kids, but parents and driver instructors aren’t.
“The government seems hell bent on enforcement and revenue over education,” he says.
“If a lot more road users behaved and complied with speed limits and other popular traffic offences there would be a short fall in the Victorian Budget.
“Victoria has factored in $400 million into the ‘19-‘20 budget. If there is a major drop in traffic related revenue the government would look at other means of raising that short fall. It is a vicious circle.”
RACQ tech and safety guru Steve Spalding says it is good to see police following up on the launch to “measure any changes (hopefully improvements) of awareness of using anti-theft devices”.
“RACQ is very supportive of the work QPS is doing to raise awareness of motorcycle theft and promote the use of simple low-cost devices to help secure a bike,” says Steve who rides a Triumph Bonneville SE.
Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich and Steve Spalding RACQ wth a motorcycle disc lock
“We think the survey is a great opportunity to assist the police in better understanding the level of awareness riders have about security and using anti-theft devices.
“Having a bike stolen is not just costly for the owner but disruptive and inconvenient to sort out a replacement, and to many riders a bike is more than just functional transport.
“A rider can reduce the risk of theft by better securing it and a simple device, such as a disc lock, can mean an opportunistic thief will move on to another bike that’s easier for them to take.
“A standard steering lock is only providing a basic level of protection.”
Theft rise
In Queensland, the motorcycle theft hotspot is Brisbane where 232 bikes were stolen from 2012 to 2017.
Half were stolen from parking bays, 108 (47%) were taken from a residence and eight (3%) from businesses.
Only 48% of stolen motorcycles are partially recovered. Most are disassembled and sold for parts.
Stop Stolen Motorcycles campaign leader Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich says 96% of stolen bikes were not fitted with a security device.
Senior Constable Tony Tatkovich launches awareness campaign
Survey
The short survey asks questions about riders’ use of motorbikes, awareness of anti-theft devices, and ownership of anti-theft devices.
Respondents are not required to identify themselves except to supply a postcode.
Police say the information is anonymous in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009.
It will only be used to inform others of the effectiveness of anti-theft devices.
Should you require any additional information before participating in this survey, or at any other stage, please contact Marcus TESTON, Research & Evaluation Unit, OCC via email at [email protected] or phone on 07 3015 2532.
We will publish results of the review when they are available.
Harley-Davidson may be on a crash course with President Donald Trump over its announcement of a plan to make motorcycles in China.
Trump, who this week launched his re-election campaign, is currently in a turbulent trade war with China.
On the same day as his re-election launch, Harley announced it will partner with Qianjiang Motorcycle to produce 338cc motorcycles for the Asian market from next year.
They released the above rendering of the motorcycle which they say will “embody a distinctive look, sound and feel that will spark powerful connections with riders.”
“The new Harley-Davidson motorcycle and engine will be produced in a Qianjiang facility in China and adhere to the rigorous quality standards and testing processes followed for all Harley-Davidson products,” the statement says.
Trumped
Trump meets with Harley execs in February 2017
Last year, Trump tweeted a suggested boycott against Harley for “shifting production” outside of the USA.
However, he was obviously not aware that Harley has been making bikes overseas for years.
They have been making special ethanol-friendly bikes in Brazil for the South American market more than two decades.
The Street family of 500cc and 750cc motorcycles is made in India as well as the USA and Indian-made Street models are sold in markets outside of Asia, including Australia and New Zealand.
Harley-Davidson Australia spokesman Keith Waddell says the company has confirmed to them that “motorcycles for Australia will not be assembled in Thailand”.
China syndrome
The 338cc Chinese Harley won’t be the smallest motorcycle they’ve ever made. That would be the 1970s 90cc monkey bike.
Harley-Davidson 90cc monkey bike
The sub-500cc bike plan is included in the company’s ‘More Roads’ initiative, a strategic long-term plan, says Harley head honcho Matt Levatich.
He says the strategy hinges on making sales outside the US half of the company’s total.
“We’re excited about this opportunity to build more Harley riders in China, one of the world’s largest motorcycle markets, by creating new pathways to our brand,” he says.
“We are just over a year away from launching our first model that will help provide access to millions of customers in emerging markets in the region.”
Matt pointed out that their More Roads strategy was part of their business plan to deal with the “very real pressures we’re facing across the global motorcycle industry, including the impact of the ongoing trade wars”.
“Today we participate in segments that represent approximately 40% of the global 601+cc volume,” Matt says.
“When we deliver our new mid-weight motorcycles under More Roads, we will compete in segments representing nearly 90% of that global volume. Add to that, the opportunities we have in global lower displacement and electric segments.”
Last July, Harley announced a number of new models over the next couple of years.
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