Motorcycle News, News

Dakar 2019: The Green Flag Waves in Peru

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Our friends from WestX1000 are on the ground in Peru for Dakar 2019. 

Begin Press Release: 

The Green Flag Waves in Peru

With the Dakar Rally Opening Its 41st Year to a Roaring Crowd 

Monday, January 7th marked the beginning of the 2019 iteration of the world’s most infamous off-road race: the Dakar Rally. But the party really started the previous day at the beach… 
“What can I say but ‘wow!’ Crossing the Dakar podium for the first time was an incredible experience. The energy from the fans was off the charts. This has been something I have dreamed of doing since I was a little kid, and it has become a reality.” – Garrett Poucher #71, Garrett Off-Road Racing, USA
Sunday is a time for family in Lima, which was evident as hordes of adults, children and the elderly alike packed themselves against barricades, outside the fences or lining the tall cliffs which overlook Dakar Village just to catch a glimpse of their favorite Motorsports heroes. The word floating around most of the day was “mayhem.” But as always, the ASO organization kept their cool and sent the 541 challengers (334 vehicles) up and over the bayside podium in swift fashion. Each met by excited cheers which would burst out as each team approached and exited the stage, warming the spotlight for the next.
“Up until this point the process has been pretty easy-going, but today going up and over the podium, the magnitude of this event really set in. The amount of people there to watch the ceremony was unreal, and we were packed right in there with them getting snagged for selfies left and right.
Going up over the podium was brief but still a huge moment for me, putting that check mark next to my #1 dream and goal in life.” – Skyler Howes #73, Garrett Off-Road Racing, USA
The following day was an early one, as motorbikes departed Peru’s capital at about half-past 5a.m. local time for the event’s first Special Stage – enroute to the Pisco bivouac. What obstacles could riders and drivers face? Where will we find the 12 Americans (Ricky Brabec #15, Andrew Short #29, Garrett Poucher #71, Skyler Howes #73, Nathan Rafferty #104 on bikes; Robby Gordon and Kellon Walch #316, Cole Potts and Max Eddy #346, Blade Hildebrand and Bill Conger #367 in cars; and Casey Currie #343 in a Side-by-Side) in the starting order for Special Stage Two? Until the final competitor reaches the end of his or her road book today, we’re yet to know. Stay tuned…
Key points:

Ø 541 competitors and 334 vehicles —137 motorbikes, 26 quads, 130 cars (including 30 SxS) and 41 trucks— were cleared to start the 41st edition of the Dakar at the end of the technical and administrative scrutineering.

Ø This year the roster of women racers continues to grow, including the rally’s first-ever female Malle Moto contestant, Sara Garcia #98 of Spain.

Ø Before the start of the race, the drivers, riders and crews will get a big send-off from the fans during the podium ceremony in Lima. The celebration will take place on Magdalena beach, where over 100,000 visitors flocked to enjoy a wide range of activities in the Feria Dakar over the last three days.

Ø The first round comes with a sand-packed 84 km course in the Pisco region.

The post Dakar 2019: The Green Flag Waves in Peru appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

News

Original Grip Buddies Smartskin Lite Comfort Grips | Gear Review

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Original Grip Buddies
Smartskins Lite Technology is thinner than original Smartskins (3.2mm vs. 4.7mm).

Original Grip Buddies neoprene motorcycle comfort grips with Smartskin Technology add cushion to hard rubber OEM grips and provide a grippy, tactile feel through gloved hands. Because they fit over OEM grips, they add slightly to grip circumference. Many riders like that added grip thickness, but for riders who don’t, there’s now a thinner alternative.

Original Grip Buddies has added a Lite version to its Smartskin Comfort Grip product line for riders with smaller hands or anyone who wants the comfort and grip benefits with less bulk. Smartskin Lite comfort grips are made from the same rubber-rich neoprene as the originals, they’re just thinner: 3.2mm for Lite vs. 4.7mm for the original.

Smartskin grips are different from the foam tubes that slide over OEM grips. Made by hand in upstate New York in sizes to fit specific bike models, these rectangles of textured neoprene wrap around the bike’s handgrip. Installation is quick and easy. Just clean the grip with alcohol wipes (included in the kit), stick the adhesive strip along the length of the bike’s grip, then wrap the Smartskin grip around it. The sewn-in strip of hook-and-loop fastener holds it securely in place, and with a little fine-tuning you’ll have it all lined up. There is a seam, but align it where the crotch of your thumb is positioned on the handgrip and you won’t notice it.

If you want that same cushion, grip and appearance of Smartskin grips to extend all the way down onto your bar ends, Original Grip Buddies offers Bar End Buddies. Depending on the shape and width of your bike’s bar ends, both straight and tapered versions are available.

Original Grip Buddies
Smartskins Lite grips installed on the author’s Kawasaki Versys.

I’ve used Smartskin grips for years on my Honda ST1300, BMW R 1200 RT and Kawasaki Versys, and I like the improvement in hand comfort and control they provide compared to hard rubber OEM grips, especially over long distances. I put a set of the new Lite version on the Versys. The texture and tactile feel is the same as the originals and I found I prefer the less bulky version. I also noticed that the aftermarket grip heaters on my Versys heat up noticeably faster with the thinner Smartskin Lites compared to the originals I had before.

So why did I replace the originals? I’ve come to appreciate that what makes Smartskin grips work so well also makes them a wear item. Just as rubber tires interact with the road surface and gradually get used up, Smartskin grips interact with your gloved hands and over time they gradually get used up. Fortunately, at $24.95 it’s not expensive to wrap on a fresh set (in my case after three seasons). Just like a fresh set of tires, a fresh set of Smartskin grips feels great. 

For more information, call (518) 461-3003 or visit originalgripbuddies.com.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

News

Yamaha best off-road seller in 2018 as Honda tops overall sales

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Australian motorcycle market records 8.7 percent decline in sales.

Image: Greg Smith (iKapture).

Honda Motorcycles Australia has topped overall sales for 2018 according to the latest Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) report, which has indicated a 8.7 percent decline in overall sales for the industry from 2017.

The Japanese manufacturer rounded out the year with 22,735 motorcycles sold, edging out Yamaha Motor Australia’s 21,145 units and Kawasaki Motors’ 9376 sales.

The off-road market saw Yamaha emerge as the best seller after 11,105 units were sold, followed by Honda’s 9807 sales and KTM Australia’s 5900.

Mini bikes proved to be the most popular in 2018 as the Honda CRF50F topped the off-road segment with 2159 sales, being joined in the top three by the Yamaha PW50 (1953 units sold) and Yamaha TTR50E (1715 units sold).

Yamaha reigned supreme in the motocross division with its ever-popular YZ250F (797 units sold) topping the class along with the all-new YZ450F (768 units sold), as the Honda CRF450R (736 units sold) ended the year third on the sales charts.

The enduro category was also taken out by Yamaha with its WR450F (1136), followed by KTM’s 300 EXC (1052 units sold) and 500 EXC (746 units sold). Other best sellers included the CRF50F in the fun bike market, Honda CRF230F (1095 units sold) in the trail bike class and Honda XR190 (659 units sold) in the farm bike category.

Detailed Top 10 Report

Detailed Comparison Report


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

News

Are more red light cameras welcome?

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While many riders hate covert speed cameras that are turning us into a nation of speedo gazers, they should welcome more red light traffic cameras.

Lane filtering now puts us at the front of the traffic light queue, so when the light changes to green we have a duty to get away quickly to avoid holding up traffic.

However, this puts us in danger of being cleaned up by motorists running yellow and/or red lights.

More red light cameras with good signage might just prevent motorists from running lights and putting us in danger.

Queensland has just added eight more intersections to its list of locations with new combined red light and speed cameras.

They not only detect motorists who disobey the red traffic light, but also those who speed through the intersection.

Statistics reveal that 11% of all serious casualties on Queensland roads occur at intersections with traffic lights.

Accidents involving motorists running red lights are usually t-bone crashes which are the most lethal, especially for riders.

During the past five years, 42 people have been killed and more than 3000 hospitalised in crashes at signalised intersections in Queensland.

Triggering traffic lightsred light cameras

The only problem we can see if if the lights fail don’t change for motorcycles.

Many small motorbikes don’t trigger the inductor loop in the ground.

red light cameras
Tell-tale cut marks in the road

Click here to find out how to make them trigger and what you can do if they don’t work.

Riders who give up waiting for the lights to change and ride through the red light can expect to cop a fine!

If these cameras are being installed at more intersections, it is vital that the authorities ensure lights detect motorcycles or install more roadside buttons like these to trigger the lights.Red-light traffic light red light cameras

Speed and red light cameras

The new combined red light and speed cameras are fixed and operate 24 hours a day.

They are at the following intersections in Queensland:

  • Glenlyon Street, Gladstone Central at intersection with Tank Street;
  • Anzac Avenue Road, Kippa-Ring at intersection with Boardman Road;
  • Morayfield Road, Morayfield (intersection of Caboolture River Road);
  • Lutwyche Road,  Lutwyche  (intersection of Norman Avenue);
  • Lutwyche Road, Kedron (intersection of Kedron Park Road);
  • Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo (intersection of Cavendish Road);
  • Smith Street, Southport (intersection of Kumbari Avenue); and
  • Bermuda Street, Burleigh Waters (intersection of Christine Avenue).

The combined red light and speed camera systems have advisory signs installed prior to the intersection advising motorists that a combined red light and speed camera system is operating.

For the complete list of combined speed and red light cameras in Queensland, click here.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Honda tops overall motorcycle sales in 2018

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Australian motorcycle market records 8.7 percent decline in sales.

australian motorcycle sales

Image: Supplied.

Honda Motorcycles Australia has topped overall sales for 2018 according to the latest Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) report, which has indicated a 8.7 percent decline in overall sales for the industry from 2017.

The Japanese manufacturer rounded out the year with 22,735 motorcycles sold, edging out Yamaha Motor Australia’s 21,145 units and Kawasaki Motors’ 9376 sales.

Honda tied on road bike sales with Harley-Davidson, the duo each securing 7019 sales in the division, while Yamaha was third with 5702 motorcycles sold.

The best selling motorcycle of 2018 was Honda’s CB125E, posting a 58.8 increase in popularity with a total of 1113 rolling out of dealerships around the country, followed by Kawasaki’s all-new Ninja 400 (1089 units) and the Yamaha MT-07L (1002 units).

The adventure touring market was taken out by Suzuki DR650SE (574 units), as the naked bike sector was topped by the previously listed CB125E. Harley-Davidson’s Street 500 rolled in first in the cruiser category with 944 purchases, while the Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special took top honours in the touring division 272 units.

Yamaha’s popular YZF-R3A sits atop the sports touring charts with 712 sales, with the final super sport sector was taken out by the Ninja 400.

Detailed Top 10 Report

Detailed Comparison Report

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

News

Shoei updates GT-Air touring helmet

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Shoei has updated its GT-Air touring helmet with a longer internal sun visor, better venting and more aerodynamics to make it quieter.

The GT-Air II will be available in April. Australian pricing is not yet available, but in the USA it will cost $US599 (about $A840) for single colours and $US699 (about $A980) for graphics.

Perhaps to make way for the new model, current GT-Air helmets are on sale in Australia from $790 to $883 depending on graphics.

GT-Air a polular tourerShoei GT-Air II touring helmet

Shoei is the most trusted helmet brand in Australia and the GT-Air has long been popular among tourers who ride all day and into the night.

The GT-Air II model should improve on that status.

Aussie riders will appreciate that the internal sun visor is now 5mm longer for improved glare protection. 

Shoei has also redesigned the main visor so it has a “first position” opening for better venting and to prevent fogging. However, it also comes with a Pinlock EVO anti-fog insert.

Tourers often fit bluetooth intercom units to their helmet and the GT-Air II now has a special recess on the base to fit the new Sena SRL2 unit.

Another new addition is a micro-ratcheting buckle instead of the conventional double-D ring.Shoei GT-Air II touring helmet

While racers use double D for security, the quick-release buckle is more convenient for tourers who often stop for fuel, coffee or a toilet break. It makes it easier to fasten, remove and adjust.

StreamliningShoei GT-Air II touring helmet

Shoei has streamlined the new shell in a wind tunnel so it is more compact and more aerodynamic which reduce the amount of fatiguing wind noise inside.

While most helmets have a couple of intake vents and one exhaust vent, the GT-Air II has three intakes and five exhausts, so it should be a lot cooler in the summer.

It comes with the 3-D Max Dry System that is removable, washable, replaceable and adjustable.Shoei GT-Air II touring helmet

They claim it absorbs sweat twice as fast as nylon and is shaped to match a rider’s head. But if you’ve got a weird head shape, you can buy thicker and thinner pieces to ensure an optimum fit.

Like the GT-Air, the new model has the Emergency Quick Release System (EQRS) that allows first responders to remove the helmet from an injured rider’s head without further injuring their neck.

It will come in a range of sizes from XS to XXL and colours.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Competition, News

Consistency key for Roczen in ‘tough’ A1 mudder

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Factory Honda ace on target at Anaheim’s season-opener.

Image: Supplied.

Ken Roczen has attributed consistency as the key to finishing runner-up at Saturday night’s opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in what eventuated as a rain-soaked encounter.

The Honda HRC talent, who’s overcome significant arm injuries in the last two seasons of supercross, put on a stellar display in the deteriorating conditions, negotiating his way into second by the conclusion of the 20-lap affair.

It’s a strong start for the German ace as he endeavours to secure his first premier class title in the discipline, and with a heat race win also to his name, he’s departing round one with strengthened confidence.

“It’s good to get out of here healthy and with a solid podium,” Roczen explained. “The conditions were tough – they can obviously play in your favour but they can also bite you bad. For about half of the main, we were still jumping the big doubles in the middle but it was definitely sloppy and sketchy out there.

“It was really all about consistency. There were ruts everywhere so you had to try not to make any mistakes. Once we got into the lappers that’s when it got really bad. I got held up a couple times, which cost me time. I’m pumped though – I’m leaving with a heat race win and second in the main, so I couldn’t have asked for a better first race.”

Anaheim served up a number surprises in the 450SX category, with Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) capturing his first main event victory since 2013. Round two of the series will visit Glendale in Arizona this weekend.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

Harley-Davidson Livewire likely to be around 44k AUD

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Harley overnight dropped detailed specs and pricing on their first EV, the LiveWire Electric motorcycle which the company is touting as the most connected motorcycle experience ever.

Harley Davidson LiveWire
Harley-Davidson Livewire

The LiveWire motorcycle represents Harleys high performance entry into the musktopian electric future. The first of a new portfolio of motorcycles slated to deliver an “all new motorcycle experience”.

When the LiveWire debuts in showrooms there’s no doubt it’ll be the coolest looking machine in the Harley line up. That old school roots style supercharger mock-up hanging out of its belly marries some hot-rod styling to what will most certainly be Harley’s hottest rod!

Harley Davidson LiveWire
Harley-Davidson Livewire

Harley are claiming a 0-100 km/h time of 3.5-seconds and during my brief taste of an early LiveWire prototype some years ago in Malaysia, I belive that the LiveWire will be the fastest machine Harley has ever produced for mainstream consumption.

With a claimed range of 177 kilometres the LiveWire should also prove practical enough to use as everyday transport for most consumers.

I expect there will also be a myriad of bolt on accessories to vajazzle that rather boring looking battery pack in its guts, which isn’t dripping in chrome and polished aluminium like a conventional Harley.

Harley Davidson LiveWire
Harley-Davidson Livewire

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is set to hit showrooms in the US priced at $29,799. Given how current Australian pricing extrapolates to other comparably priced models in the current Harley range, our best guesstimate is that the LiveWire will be priced somewhere around $44,000 AUD. There is no official word from Harley Australia on that score, that number is only educated supposition on our part. ABS and Traction Control will be standard.

While American customers will be able to get their LiveWire shortly, Australian motorcyclists will have to wait until ‘Late 2020’ to get their hands on one. What are the bets that somebody can’t wait, and will import their own LiveWire in from America ahead of the Australian release…?

Harley Davidson LiveWire
Harley-Davidson Livewire

Some of the reason for the delay of the Australian launch could be the work required to successfully integrate and adpat Harley’s new Connect Service to Australia.

The LiveWire motorcycle is equipped with H-D Connect, which pairs motorcycle riders with their bikes through an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit coupled with connectivity and cloud services using the latest version of the Harley-Davidson App. This technology makes the LiveWire motorcycle the first North American mass-market cellular-connected electric motorcycle.

Harley Davidson LiveWire
Harley-Davidson Livewire

Information available through H-D Connect includes battery charge status and available range from any location where sufficient cellular signal is available. This allows the rider to remotely check the charge status including charge level and time to completion. Riders will be able to locate a charging station with ease thanks to an integrated location finder built into the H-D App.

H-D Connect indicates the location of the parked LiveWire motorcycle and alerts can be sent to the rider’s smartphone if the bike is tampered with or moved. GPS-enabled stolen-vehicle tracking provides peace of mind that the motorcycle’s location can be tracked. This feature will be available in America but it is unclear if Australian regulators will co-operate enough for this feature to be lawfully activated in our market.

Harley Davidson LiveWire
Harley-Davidson Livewire

Source: MCNews.com.au

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