ESTOPA brothers & MARQUEZ brothers
Source: Marc Márquez on Facebook
Greens want us all on electric motorcycles
If the Australian Greens had their way, we would all be riding electric motorcycles like the one above by 2030 and would foot the bill via government incentives.
Their plan includes:
Australian Greens transport spokesperson Senator Janet Rice announced the plan after the final report of her Select Committee on Electric Vehicles was released.
Greens rewards
“The Greens are the only party with a real plan to get Australia in the fast lane so that we can reap the rewards that will come from electric vehicles,” she says.
She doesn’t say what the rewards are, but with the current electric supply problems, labouring our system wth more electrical products could put us all in the dark.
The Greens also don’t mention anything about the environmental concerns of electricity from our coal-fired power plants and the disposal of batteries.
Their reference to “strong vehicle emissions standards” probably means faster acceptance of Euro standards.
That’s hardly a reward!
Lagging behind the world
The Greens Senator says Australia is lagging behind other nations on electric vehicle (EV) incentives and infrastructure.
We are also lagging behind countries that ban some motorcycles from their CBD.
The Greens would have us follow countries such as Sweden which is among the world leaders in EV adoption with more than 50,000 plug-in vehicles registered and a plan to have a 100% fossil-fuel-free vehicle fleet by 2030.
That’s not a reference to just new vehicles coming into or made in the country. That’s ALL vehicles.
That would mean a total ban on riding all motorcycles, except electric bikes like this!
Meanwhile, the Greens want the government to incentivise motorcyclists and drivers to buy EVs.
“The government has a choice to get Australia in the fast lane, but that means hitting the accelerator with ambitious targets and incentives to drive the uptake of electric vehicles,” Senator Rice says.
In the end, the motorist pays for those incentives through taxes, so where’s the incentive?
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
2019 KTM 790 Adventure And 790 Adventure R Price Revealed
KTM prices middleweight ADVs aggressively
Do the KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R entice you? Wait till you see the price tags. Get ready to open your wallet.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
Cyclist video shows ‘safety in numbers’
This cyclist video from a Tasmanian rider shows how cyclists use numbers to defy the road rules, prompting more calls for an identification system for bicycles.
Suzuki rider Estelle Rose posted the video on her Facebook page.
Cyclist video
“I’m riding to work this morning, obeying the road rules and such, but then I get to the roundabout to go into the industrial estate near Legana,” she says.
“I have the right of way so I can exit the roundabout, correct? No, not according to the mass group of cyclists that force me to stop in the middle of the roundabout to give way to them.
Angry react only, please and thank you.”
She then adds this later as an edit:
“Been advised that the lead rider yells “stopping” and they all start to slow down. Me, in my situation, saw ahead that not everyone was slowing down so I made the call to come to a complete stop. Saved myself from crashing into the ones that didn’t slow to stop and from causing unnecessary injuries.”
Call for cyclist ID
Her video follows calls by the Tasmanian Motorcycle Council for free identification numbers, not registration, for cyclists over 18 so their traffic offences can be reported and riders fined.
The article points out a number of offences by cyclists, which is supported by the above Launceston video.
Their call was backed by Emeritus Professor of Transport Marcus Wigan who says electric bicycles and scooters blur the lines between bicycles and registered motorcycles and scooters.
He says bicycles are legal transport and as such should be bound by the same features of ID as other vehicles using the roads.
The issue has been around for a while and divided motorcyclists and cyclists and those who ride both.
We would suggest readers take another look at the TMC’s suggestion which does not include children under 18 and is not a paid registration system.
No stopping cyclists
We have no beef with cyclists. Today’s young cyclists could be tomorrow’s motorcyclists!
In fact, we believe young people should be encouraged to ride bicycles. But “helicopter parents” would need to stop driving their kids to school!
We also believe we can learn a lot from cyclist lobby groups. They seem to be more unified and therefore stronger than motorcycle representative groups.
Perhaps we should form a united “two-wheels” lobby group!
But we also believe cyclists should be accountable as road users.
On a personal observation, it seems cyclists are reticent to stop for stop signs, roundabouts (as above) and traffic lights because their shoes are clipped into the pedals.
Perhaps a ban on those clips would be more likely to make cyclists obey signs and lights!
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Lane filtering road rage charges stalled
Charges against a driver who is shown in a video and photograph to swerve toward legally lane-filtering riders have stalled because the riders have not come forward with evidence.
ACT police have confirmed they are still investigating the October incident and hope to charge the driver.
However, a spokesperson told us that the driver could easily cast doubt about his actions without critical evidence from the riders involved.
The incidents occurred on Majura Parkway on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. One incident is shown in this video which we published on November 2.
Police were made aware of this video a day later and began investigating.
A week later, a photo emerged of a second similar incident on the same day.
Surely it demonstrates the first incident was not accidental and that the driver is intent on causing alarm and/or injury.
Charges stalled
On November 15, we published a plea from ACT Policing for the rider to come forward.
There was no response and the charges have stalled.
The police spokesperson has now asked for us to make another call for help to identify the two riders.
Here is the Police version of the events:
About 4:30pm, the riders were separately travelling northbound on Majura Parkway, Majura, when a green Ford Falcon swerved, almost colliding with the riders. At the time, the riders were lawfully lane filtering.
If you are one of the motorbike riders affected please contact ACT Policing on 131444. Please quote reference 6327970.
Police are also urging anyone who knows the motorbike riders or who witnessed or has dash-cam footage of this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
Please quote reference 6327970. Information can be provided anonymously.
ACT Police have confirmed Motorbike Writer “will be the first we call” if/when the driver is charged.
Legal filtering
Interestingly, these incidents occurred only a few weeks after the ACT made lane filtering legal.
Lane filtering is now legal in all states and territories (except NT and WA which is expected to follow shortly) and has been legal in NSW more than four years.
So there is no excuse for this driver’s ignorance of the laws as the ACT is inside the state of NSW.
Not only is lane filtering legal but it also benefits all motorists as it helps move heavy traffic more quickly.
What does it take for drivers to understand this?
You can do your bit to educate drivers by sharing this article you are reading now as well as this “Open letter to drivers“.
Filtering rage
Drivers trying to obstruct riders has been happening ever since lane filtering was introduced.
Check out this video from last year sent to us by Newcastle rider Harry Criticos.
“I was filtering legally when a driver stuck his whole body out in an attempt to block me,” the 2016 Triple Black R 1200 GS rider told us.
“I did not stop and he did make contact with the bike. I hope it hurt.”
It might be worth telling your driver mates that this particular motorist not only got hit, but also copped a $325 fine and three demerit points.
Lane filtering is legal
Surely it is time for some major advertising campaigns in each state to advise motorists that riders are allowed to filter and what benefits there are for ALL motorists.
That was the major finding of an online poll we conducted in 2016, yet there are still no major ad campaigns.
So far, lane filtering education campaigns have been minimal and mainly aimed at riders, not the general motoring public.
We not only need major ad campaigns, but also roadside signage such as this photoshopped sign.
We are not aware of any polls about lane filtering in Australia.
However, in California where lane splitting (filtering at higher speeds than 30km/h) is legal, polls have found it is vastly unpopular among other road users. The main objection is that it’s unfair!
That breeds hostility which results in stupid behaviour such as in the above video.
So long as lane filtering remains unpopular and/or erroneously believed to be illegal, motorists will do stupid and dangerous things to stop riders filtering.
Police ‘not interested’
Not only are authorities not interested in educating the motoring public about lane filtering, but police don’t seem to help, either.
Harry says police were initially not interested in following up on his complaint about this driver.
After we published the video, Harry went back to the police to find out why charges had stalled.
Eventually the driver was charged.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
📍 Camp Nou
Ride scenic Croatia with a local couple
What better way to see the scenic Adriatic country of Croatia but with a local couple who have more than 20 years of motorcycle experience!
Robert and Andrea Vrabec of Moto Tours Croatia have planned a 2400km ride through their home country which, as the map shows, is dominated by a rugged coastline, multitudes of islands and craggy mountain ranges.
Unforgettable Croatia
“The nature, the sea and the cities we will go through, with their history and culture, will make this trip unforgettable,” Robert says.
“Some parts of the routes we ride are truly spectacular and majestic“.
“The cities we will visit like Rovinj, Zadar, Dubrovnik count among the most beautiful tourist destinations, while islands like Cres, Mali Lošinj, Hvar will leave you breathless.” 
They promise that their customers will truly “feel Croatia”.
Their tours range in price from €2990 for a rider and €2290 for a passenger for the eight-day Feel Croatia Small tour to €4290 and €2790 for the 14-day Croatian Island tour.
Motorbike Writer readers who book before the end of March 2019 will receive a 10% discount.
Price also depends on the type of motorcycle hired. Robert says they only use high-high-performance KTM and BMW motorcycles.
Tours run from May to October, but not the hottest months of July and August. 
Riding passion
“It is difficult to explain even to ourselves, from where we draw such will and passion to go along the same road, same curve, to sit in that same coffee bar,” he says.
“There are no special words to describe it; just that sense of freedom, contact with nature; that smile on our faces when we meet those wonderful people who share the same and true passion for motorbikes, nature, travel, adventure.”
Robert and Andrea have worked in real estate, so they know the best places to stay and eat in no less than four-star comfort.
“After an exhausting ride, dinner will be served,” says Robert.
“For this we will also choose the places whose food and wine offer follows the customs of their geographic location.” 
Moto Tours Croatia plan only small groups so they can devote their attention to each guest.
“Whenever we travel, we always find a new curve and pass the old ones with a smile,” Robert says.
“We plan our trips with a lot of attention to details and we also know that mileage is not the only purpose of travel. Therefore, the journeys we plan for you will always have additional content, depending on whether we are on the sea side where we will sail to a hidden cave, or we are on a hill where we will try zip-lining, or we will simply enjoy a glass of Croatian wine and watch the sunset.”
Robert says their two main tours — Feel Croatia and Croatian Islands — are “similar yet so different”.
“These tours are ideal for romantics who love the sea, scenic coastal roads and impressive sunsets, as well as for gastronomes and fine wine devotees,” he says.
Moto Tours Croatia also organise tours through the mountains in neighbouring countries such as Slovenia, Italy and Austria. They can even arrange a unique, customised tour to your requirements.
Guided tours include:
- Late-model BMW and KTM motorcycles with lockable hard luggage and tank bags plus a third party liability insurance and comprehensive vehicle insurance;
- Experienced motorcycle guide;
- Support van for luggage and 1 or 2 passengers;
- All accommodation in mostly four-star hotels and apartments;
- All buffet breakfasts;
- All dinners, mostly in traditional local restaurants (except on rest days);
- All ferry rides and tolls (according to tour program);
- All fuel during the tour;
- All entrance fees for national parks and museums (according to tour program);
- Airport transfers on arrival day or one day before and on departure day;
- All maps with marked routes for the region being toured;
- Extensive tour booklet; and
- GPS with all the routes uploaded.
Not included in the price: Airfares, dinners on rest days, most lunches, drinks, personal spending and tips.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Kawasaki Racing Team launch 2018 WorldSBK #NinjaSpirit
***Team launch coming soon!*** Here’s a look at last year’s team launch video! Can you imagine what it’s like to ride for @KRT_WorldSBK?
Unveiling of the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR KRT 2018 for the WorldSBK Championship. #NinjaSpirit “Racing. A world where you come to achieve dreams and defend…
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
KRT WSBK Shoot Preview
It’s not all about twisting it! Saying that, I ain’t no model, or actor!
WSBK Test – 27th January – Portimao
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
Yamaha: does a strong Sepang Test await?
Viñales’ win at the Australian GP softened the blow of last season, but if anything, it was a sure sign that Yamaha was back heading in the right direction. The Spaniard then kicked off preseason by topping the Valencia Test, while finishing fourth overall when the paddock went testing in Jerez.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here