I am convinced of one thing, that MotoGP™ today represents one of the sports with more respect. It is not always easy to see and notice this detail but, in my career, I can say that I have learned that our work is essential from this aspect. Respect among riders, even when the contrasts are strong, are often beyond the limit. There is a basis that unites us all, the high risk of this discipline that necessarily must lead you to respect a colleague, whoever it is. Starting from here, you can define yourself (or define yourself as always happens) more or less sporty, more or less professionals, more or less respectful.
2019 ASBK Official Test
Wakefield Park – March 4-5, 2019
By Trevor Hedge – Images by TDJ Media
While Wayne Maxwell showed some stellar speed at the Phillip Island season opener, including surprising himself with victory in race one, when I spoke to him during the weekend he said the Suzuki still didn’t feel like ‘his’ bike, and that he was still far from fully comfortable.
Wayne Maxwell was clearly emotional after winning the opening race of ASBK season 2019 at Phillip Island – TBG Image
This week, alongside many of the ASBK regulars present for an official two-day test at Wakefield Park, Maxwell got to turn plenty of laps on the Team Suzuki machine to further familiarise himself with the GSX-R1000R.
Wayne Maxwell
Today Maxwell got familiar enough to top the two-day test with a best of 57.659. That was today’s official benchmark by a slender margin over Troy Herfoss’ 57.728.
Troy Herfoss
More importantly the test gave Maxwell enough time to experiment with different settings on the machine, and to learn more about what affect those changes had on the bike. This will arm him with more knowledge to give better feedback to the team throughout each session from hereon in, as the season progresses.
Wayne Maxwell
Max Croker air-lifted to hospital
Unfortunately though another Suzuki rider was made very uncomfortable today. Young Max Croker crashed heavily and was air-lifted to hospital. There it was confirmed that he has broken the same collarbone that he broke last year, from which he only had the plate removed from about four months ago. The more worrysome injury is to his hand, where early indications suggest that multiple breaks have been sustained that will leave him on the sidelines for some time.
Max Croker
He is currently waiting to see a hand specialist before any treatment plan and prognosis can be made. Team owner Mat Mladin rang in to tell us that they will support Max the best they can on his road to recovery, and when he is ready to go again, his Mladin Racing Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 and all the team support will be waiting for him.
Max CrokerAiden Wagner
Aiden Wagner put in a 58.067 to end the second day third quickest on the time-sheets ahead of Josh Waters.
Josh Waters
Alex Phillis stopped the clocks at 58.896 ahead of Lachlan Epis who with a 59.964 was the final rider to lap under the minute mark.
Alex Phillis
Was Mike Jones actually quickest today….?
One rider missing the test, while recovering from surgery after being injured at round one, was none other than Troy Bayliss.With TB laid up after surgery and wanting to rest up in order to have a fighting chance of some good results when ASBK returns to Wakefield Park to race in a few weeks time, DesmoSport Ducati recruited Mike Jones for testing duties aboard the 1299 Panigale R Final Edition.
Mike Jones
The recently turned 25-year-old turned up on a K&R Hydraulics backed ZX-10RR for the season opener at Phillip Island where he scored a best of second place, and a fourth overall for the round.That’s a pretty good scorecard by anyone’s standards.
Jones of course is no stranger to Ducati machinery and took little time get back in the groove. The team elected to not run a transponder, thus no times were registered on the circuit timing system, but talk around the paddock suggested that Jones might have actually undercut Maxwell by two-tenths-of-a-second to end the day fastest, unofficially at least…
Mike Jones
DesmoSport Ducati were not originally planning to attend this test and actually have the track booked for next Wednesday. But after Troy’s injury they decided to attend anyway and put Mike on the bike. They will test again next week and have now opened up an opportunity for other interested parties to join them on track at that test.
Mike Jones will ride the bike again next week and unless Troy’s hand gets a hurry-on in its strength and dexterity, Jones might actually ride the 1299 Panigale R Final Edition at the race here at Wakefield Park later this month.
Mike Jones
What is YRT’s form like heading to Wakefield Park…?
The Yamaha Racing Team also tested at Wakefield Park recently but their pace is an unknown. Likewise, how will the Kawasaki and the Dunlop challenge via Bryan Staring fare around the tricky Wakefield Park layout?
We will have to wait until the weekend of March 24 when the second round plays out around the 2.2-kilometre Wakefield Park circuit, situated on the outskirts of Goulburn between Sydney and Canberra. See you there!
It was the experienced Adenanta Putra of Indonesia who topped testing by a margin, followed by Sho Nishimura and Takuma Matsuyama of Japan, who were split by almost nothing. Then came Tatchakorn Buasri of Thailand, but it was a rookie who completed the top five: Indonesian Herjun Firdaus. He showed the new names on the Entry List can certainly have a key say in the Cup, as did a number of other rookies who hit the ground running. But do the testing timesheets at Sepang tell the whole story ahead of Qatar?
CDR Yamaha Monster Energy newcomer in career-best form.
Image: Jeff Crow.
A crowded schedule is part of Luke Clout’s strategy as he campaigns for a maiden premier class crown in the Pirelli MX Nationals this season.
The former MX2 champion, a title-contender on the championship-winning CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team, has been challenging a selection of local events in New South Wales, which he intends to maintain throughout the year to form a weekly racing schedule.
The talented number four is adamant the newly-implement strategy is currently paying off, ensuring the return to competitiveness at the highest level domestically is natural and seamless once the MX Nationals kicks off next week at Appin in New South Wales.
“Last year I did a few small races, but I was kind of just doing my own thing and not really getting behind the gate,” Clout explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “This year I wanted to do more local races and familiarise myself with racing and being around other riders.
“The seasons starts a little earlier this year, so I wanted to get into it early, get going and try race week in, week out – I don’t want be racing nationals and then waiting a week before racing again – I want to be racing week to week so I’m consistent and can work on everything.”
Piloting the title-proven YZ450F alongside Kirk Gibbs in 2019, and under the guidance of Craig Dack, Clout is beaming with confidence, expressing he’s in a strengthened mental and physical state.
“To be honest, I feel the best I’ve ever felt – that just comes down to everything. Obviously being with CDR – that’s a big confidence booster in itself to be picked up by Dacka – and just with how good the bike is and how good I’m gelling with the bike – it’s really coming naturally to me.
“I’m working hard off the bike – I have personal trainer now, and we’ve been working really hard on some weaknesses. I’m definitely in a better spot than last year – mentally and physically, I’m in a much better state.”
Red Bull KTM Ajo rider endures difficult test at Losail International Circuit.
Image: Supplied.
Brad Binder reached a dead-end in developments during days two and three of Moto2 World Championship testing at the weekend in Qatar.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was unable to discover a desired set-up he was seeking, admitting the team and himself delivered their all despite facing difficulties, ending the test 10th fastest – half a second off from pace-setter Alex Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2).
“On Friday it seemed that everything was fine – we had some problems but we were not too worried about them,” Binder explained. “However, over the last two days we couldn’t find what we were looking for.
“Overall, the whole team have worked hard and, although we have had some difficulties, we have done our best. This test has allowed us to assess where we are and see what we need to do to be faster. If we can fix those details, we’ll be further up the order.”
Red Bull KTM Ajo team manager Aki Ajo added: “It has been a tricky weekend, since the weather was constantly changing and made the track conditions vary, forcing us to adjust the bike to the different circumstances. On Friday we started very well, with Brad leading the timesheets, but today we had to deal with some issues.
“Even so, we are happy because we have extracted some very important information from these past three days. The Moto2 class is getting more competitive all the time, so we will have a very tight season ahead.”
This season marks a new era in the intermediate category as it transitions from Honda to Triumph-powered machinery. Round one of Moto2 will take place this weekend at Losail International Circuit.
Honda HRC entrant lodges 2-2 scorecard in Argentina.
Image: Supplied.
Tim Gajser says discovering his flow in the final outing of Argentina’s opening round of the 2019 MXGP World Championship enabled him to enjoy his time out on-track.
The former world champion made strong start to his campaign, finishing second in both motos for runner-up honours, falling short to nine-time world champion Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
“I’m really happy to start the season strongly with a podium, and to feel really good on the track,” said Gajser. “In the first race I didn’t get the best of starts and it took me a couple of laps to find a good rhythm and to find the nice lines but once I did that, I passed a lot of the guys in front of me and finished in second.
“That was a great way to start the season off. Then in second moto, it was even better as I almost took the holeshot and I led for a lap but I was riding tight and not enjoying my riding so Romain (Febvre) and Toni (Cairoli) passed me. After this, I found my rhythm and found the flow around the track and was able to move into second and just start enjoying riding again.
“Two second places is a good start to the season and I’m really looking forward to the next races. A big thanks to the whole team around me, who help me out and put together this amazing CRF450RW.”
Team Honda HRC manager Marcus Pereira de Freitas spoke positively of the Slovenian’s efforts, commending him for positioning himself strongly in the title hunt in just the initial stages.
“It was great to see Tim lead the qualifying race and part of the second moto today, and to just see him riding to his true potential,” Pereira de Freitas. “Already he showed that the Honda CRF450RW is very fast out of the gate and has the speed to lead the best riders in the world, and to leave here in the championship hunt is exactly what we hoped after the first round.”
The 19-stop series heads to Matterley Basin in Great Britain for round two, scheduled on 24 March.
Double race victory for Italian ace at MXGP opener.
Image: Supplied.
Enduring a technical problem in qualifying at Argentina’s opening round of the 2019 MXGP World Championship wasn’t a concern for Antonio Cairoli, as he bounced back on Sunday for two race victories and the overall.
The issue ultimately forced him to retire from Saturday’s heat race, granting him 28th gate pick for both of Sunday’s outings. Despite the poor gate choice, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider managed to string together two strong starts before sealing victory.
“I’m really happy about this race because we unfortunately had a problem yesterday and on this track the start is really important because there is not much difference between the riders and the lap-times,” the nine-time world champion explained.
“I did my best to get to the front both times and it worked – I was in the top ten and could manage to work my way through. It was a nice race and nice event. So many fans, it is like being in Italy for me!”
The Italian ace was joined on the podium by Tim Gajser (Honda HRC) and Jeremy van Horebeek (Honda SR Motoblouz). The next stop on the MXGP calendar is scheduled for 24 March at Matterley basin in Great Britain.
It stems from the import of 82 motorcycles from China in 2016 which were fitted with plates.
Braaap Wholesale took a deposit from a NSW company for the bikes and shipped them to him pending a Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities audit.
An audit of Braaap Wholesale’s Victorian and Tasmanian warehouses also found bikes fitted with parts not specified on the Identification Plate Approval, including having different head lamps, direction indicators, and back and rear break pads.
Braaap Wholesale’s defence lawyer told court that although the equipment didn’t comply with the Identification Plate Approval (IPA), it complied with Australian Design Rules.
Magistrate Ken Stanton will hand down his sentence on March 19.
Toby says he would “prefer not to add personal comment while it’s still before the courts”.
“I can say though – Braaap has the upmost respect for DIRD and the Motor Vehicles Act and have worked tirelessly with the department over the past few years to ensure compliance is met and exceeded,” he says.
“It’s also important for people to be aware that there was no risk to public safety with any of the issues identified.
“The issues before the court were issues that were identified prior to vehicles being released to market and once all relevant checks had been performed the vehicles and parts in question were found to be in accordance with the ADRs and passed.”
Braaap Wholesale
Braaap Moto 3
Toby points out that the entity tied to this issue is not Braaap Motorcycles, but Braaap Wholesale which has been a non-trading entity for some time and went into liquidation in August 2018.
“I’m still with Braaap and we are forging forward,” he says.
“Braaap Wholesale was the wholesale arm of the company that dealt with IPAs and dealers etc.
“Due to the past few years it’s paid its toll on this entity. We are working with the administrators though and plan to pull it back out of liquidation.
“Braaap is still trading and Braaap Frankston is still open, Braaap Vietnam has also been launched and they will have bikes shortly (just finishing off emissions testing).
Braaap history
Braaap ST-250 recalled
In 2005, at the age of 17, Brad sourced factories in China to make bikes to his specifications.
He was named 2008 Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Tasmania’s Young Australian of the Year in 2010 while the company won the Australian Retailers Association’s Small Business of the Year four times.
In 2017, Braaap released a range of new models and in 2018 introduced the electric MotoE electric motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson has released a new MY 19.5 touring model dubbed the Electra Glide Standard.
Somewhat reminiscent of the Street Glide, with its batwing fairing and standardhard panniers, the Electra Glide Standard does boast a lot more chrome than the current Street Glide Special in Harley Australia’s catalogue.
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
At $34,495 Ride Away though the Electra Glide Standard comes in more than $4000 cheaper than the current Street Glide Special. Some of that price disparity comes via the fact that for $38,750 the 2019 Street Glide Special ships with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 (1870cc), while the new Electra Glide Standard runs the 1745cc Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine.
The cockpit on the Electra Glide Standard has a cubby hole below the instrumentation where the Street Glide’s Infotainment and bluetooth systems would normally reside.
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
The pricing is line-ball with Harley’s iconic Road King, which is also powered by the 107 engine, but the Electra Glide Standard is only set-up for single rider touring and offers slightly less lean angle than the Road King.
H-D’s Vice President of Styling and Design, Brad Richards
“To express the stripped-back essence of the Electra Glide Standard, we focused on finishes that were simple, timeless, and fundamental to the Harley-Davidson’s touring line. Chrome was added to key components and complimented by polished and blacked out parts, for example. The rocker, cam, and derby covers are finished with chrome to emphasize the V-Twin shape of the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. In addition, they add a dose of nostalgia that draws a through-line all the way back to the first Electra Glide.”
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
Electra Glide Standard features all the latest ride and handling technology of Harley-Davidson’s Touring line such as standard electronic cruise control, hand-adjustable rear shock absorbers, 49 mm dual-bending valve front forks and Reflex Linked Brembo Brakes with standard ABS.
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
Engine – 1745cc Milwaukee-Eight 107
Torque – 150 Nm at 3,250 rpm
Bore x Stroke – 100 x 111 mm
Compression Ratio – 10.0:1
Induction – Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Exhaust – Chrome, 2-1-2 dual exhaust with tapered mufflers
Rake / Trail – 26-degrees / 170 mm
Lean Angle – 31-degrees (L), 29-degrees (R)
Wheelbase 1625 mm
Tyres – 130/80-17 (F), 180/65-16 (R)
Brakes – 320mm dual discs with fixed four-piston calipers (F), single at rear
Indian Motorcycles have announced their latest premium touring motorcycle, the 2019 limited-edition Roadmaster Elite. Australian stocks of the machine are schedule to arrive around June and will be priced at $52,995. The 2019 Roadmaster Elite boasts exclusive features including a hand painted custom-inspired design along with top of the line amenities, to make for a unique offering.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Every Roadmaster Elite features Wildfire Red Candy over Thunder Black Crystal paint with real 24-karat gold leaf badging, while each bike undergoes a meticulous paint process that takes nearly 30 hours to complete and is finished by hand.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
For 2019 the Roadmaster Elite receives an upgraded 600-watt PowerBand Audio Plus system. The high-powered system delivers sound and clarity from high-output fairing, trunk, and saddlebag speakers that are 50 percent louder than the stock audio system offered on the 2019 Roadmaster.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
The PowerBand Audio Plus system features an enhanced nine-band dynamic equalizer that auto-adjusts specific frequencies to the optimal level at different vehicle speeds to compensate for road, wind, and engine noise.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Additional features unique to the Roadmaster Elite include leather passenger armrests, spacious billet aluminium rider and passenger floorboards, a touring console, billet aluminium pinnacle mirrors, and chrome bumpers.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Reid Wilson – Senior Director for Indian Motorcycle
“The Roadmaster Elite offers the most refined, premium touring experience for riders that demand the best of the best. We’ve truly left no stone unturned, packing this bike with style and comfort features that take the touring experience to a new level.”
Powered by the well-proven Thunder Stroke 111 engine, which produces 151 Nm of torque at 3000rpm, the Roadmaster Elite features Selectable Ride Modes, where three modes, Tour, Standard and Sport, allow the rider to adjust the bike’s throttle response to fit their riding preferences.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
The throttle map for each Ride Mode was designed with a specific application in mind, resulting in one motorcycle with three distinct personalities.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Rear Cylinder Deactivation is also featured, and when the Thunder Stroke 111 reaches operating temperature and the ambient temperature exceeds 15⁰ C, the rear cylinder will automatically deactivate when the bike is at a standstill, resulting in less engine heat for improved rider comfort in slow-moving or stopped traffic. The rear cylinder instantly reactivates when throttle is applied for a seamless transition to full power. The bike also features redesigned lowers that provide optimal airflow for improved comfort.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Ride Command is also included, and the The Indian Motorcycle Ride Command system includes a seven-inch glove-compatible touchscreen, features turn-by-turn navigation, customisable rider information screens, Bluetooth compatibility, and pairs with the Indian Motorcycle Ride Command mobile app for remote accessibility to key vehicle information.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Riders can also plan a ride route with up to 100 points on the Ride Command website and wirelessly transfer it to the bike via Bluetooth.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
The 2019 Roadmaster Elite also comes standard with all the touring package riders expect from an Indian Roadmaster, including full LED lighting, a genuine leather two-up touring seat individually heated for rider and passenger, ABS, heated handgrips, keyless ignition, a push button power windshield, weatherproof, remote-locking saddlebags, a spacious trunk that fits two full face helmets and over 140 litres of storage space in total.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Among the upgrades available for the 2019 Roadmaster Elite are many comfort and style accessories available including a mid-rise handlebar, a new colour-matched open fender and 19-inch front wheel.
2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite Limited Edition
Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
