Strategy rewarded for privateer Scott at The Bend ASBK
Season-best sixth for Kawasaki-mounted contender at The Bend.
Image: Russell Colvin.
A gamble on tyre strategy has ultimately paid off for Kawasaki-mounted privateer Glenn Scott at The Bend’s third round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) as he charged to a season-best result of sixth overall.
Despite starting from P15 on the grid, Scott took advantage of three stellar starts to lodge a 7-9-8 scorecard, with his tyre strategy coming into play during the final stages of each outing as majority of riders faced challenges in managing degradation.
“I knew we were going to have to work hard all weekend to find the right setting to help increase tyre life,” Scott explained. “The Bend is an amazing layout which I thoroughly enjoy, however, it is quite challenging for tyres as the surface offers an unbelievable amount of grip, which considerably decreases tyre life, so we had to find a setting for longevity and consistency to last the race.
“A strategy that the team and I took was a gamble, as the factory boys had outright fast lap-times, something we couldn’t match, however our aim was to be strong at the end of the race, which paid off, resulting in our best finish yet.
“I’m ecstatic with my weekend, my confidence and consistency is building nicely. The Bend is a unique circuit which challenges both rider and machine. A real solid strategy was needed for the three 10 lap races.”
Scott was the highest ranked privateer in South Australia, joined in the top 10 by fellow Kawasaki-mounted rider Matt Walters (Kawasaki Connection) in ninth and Arthur Sissis (Suzuki) in 10th.
Motocross range boasts updates and enhancements for year model 2020.
Image: Supplied.
Husqvarna Motorcycles has uncovered its 2020 FC and TC range of motocross bikes, confirming a selection of enhancements for the new year models.
Following on from the introduction of the revolutionary MY19 motocross models, Husqvarna Motorcycles engineers have continued to refine the handling, aesthetics and overall performance of the FC and TC models. Delivering functional improvements, the entire motocross range yet again offers state-of-the-art technologies with premium, high-end componentry.
Continuing to develop motorcycles that are more agile, more powerful and more ergonomically advanced, the MY20 range sees upgrades to the FC 250, FC 350, FC 450 four-strokes and TC 125 and TC 250 two-stroke machines, as well as to the TC 50. Notably, the entire motocross range features striking new graphics that offer a modern-day salute to the brand’s rich racing history.
The list of MY20 technical highlights includes a new additional interchangeable airbox cover for optimised airflow on all FC models.
Image: Supplied.
Focused on delivering optimum efficiency, all models enjoy progressive bodywork for optimised ergonomics together with chromoly steel frames that ensure precisely engineered flex characteristics and Husqvarna Motorcycles’ innovative two-piece composite subframe.
WP XACT suspension ensures accurate and responsive handling in all conditions thanks to progressive settings and the AER front fork technology.
High-end components guarantee all models deliver class leading performance with CNC machined triple clamps on all full-size models, Magura hydraulic clutch system, ProTaper handlebars, Brembo brake callipers and high-performance discs as standard. All four-stroke models are equipped with electric start as well as traction and launch control.
Image: Supplied.
Featuring the same level of quality and much of the same technology found in the successful full-size motocross models, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ minicycle range continues to offer up-and-coming youngsters of all skill levels a comprehensive line-up of premium quality bikes.
Giving all new minicycles striking new graphics, for MY20 Husqvarna Motorcycles engineers also focused their attention on the TC 50, fitting it with a new lightweight, cast aluminium swingarm.
Refinements confirmed for 2020 KTM SX-F and SX range
Section: Competition
KTM reveals updated and refined motocross models for 2020.
Image: Supplied.
KTM has unveiled its 2020 SX-F and SX range of motocross bikes, revealing a host of refinements and upgrades for the new year models.
Following on from last year’s ground-breaking introduction of a new KTM SX generation, for model year 2020 the two-stroke KTM 125 SX, KTM 150 SX and KTM 250 SX, and the four-stroke KTM 250 SX-F, KTM 350 SX-F and KTM 450 SX-F have received performance enhancing engine updates to ensure they remain at the fore and as battle-ready as ever.
These detailed refinements, that have been developed with KTM´s test riders in Europe and the USA along with factory racers around the globe, complement the high-quality serial components that the KTM SX range already boasts.
New graphics and colours give the range a fresh look for the new season, while an E-starter and a map select switch with integrated traction control and launch control on four-stroke machines, premium brakes supplied by Brembo, No-Dirt footpegs are fitted as standard to KTM’s class-leading line-up.
Image: Supplied.
High quality exhaust systems, plastics and seats join the reworked WP XACT suspension with the proven AER technology, which offers enhanced handling for model year 2020.
Designed by the very same engineers that are responsible for the bikes raced by the likes of Jeffrey Herlings, Antonio Cairoli and Cooper Webb, the KTM sportminicycle line-up continues to set the benchmark in out-of-the-crate performance for junior riders.
For MY2020 the KTM 50 SX, KTM 65 SX and KTM 85 SX have a new look and feature the WP XACT suspension for precise handling and stability in the toughest motocross terrain.
Image: Supplied.
All of the junior models boast premium components such as high-quality Formula brakes, a high-strength steel frame, ergonomically designed bodywork and high-performance engines. For model year 2020 the KTM 65 SX has a reworked ignition curve for improved performance, while the carburetor has been optimised for better power delivery.
Its bigger brother, the KTM 85 SX, has a new transmission drive shaft fixing for safer sprocket fixation. The KTM 85 SX also has a reworked muffler with improved packing wool, which saves weight.
In addition, the KTM SX-E 5 will join the sportminicycles as another competitive option for junior riders. Based on the KTM 50 SX with its high-end chassis, but powered by an electric motor, the KTM SX-E 5 is easy to ride, has zero emissions, low noise and requires minimal maintenance – giving riders more options for places to ride, whilst being easy to use.
Image: Supplied.
The height of the bike is also completely adjustable, and it is aimed at riders aged from 4 to 10 years old, making it an exciting new model in the KTM line-up. The KTM SX-E 5 will be launched this year.
Pricing and availability in Australia is still to be confirmed. For more information, visit www.ktm.com/au.
Roadracers have been scraping tarmac with their knees since the 1970s. American racing legend Kenny Roberts Sr. popularized a new style of riding introduced by Finnish rider Jarno Saarinen, which saw riders lowering their body position and regularly skimming their knees on the ground—on purpose. The result? Faster lap times, bloody limbs, and torn leathers.
In those days, most riders layered the knees of their suits with duct tape, adding extra protection and helping their knees glide along the asphalt. Others were more creative, carefully dissecting plastic milk cartons. It wasn’t until the ’80s that leather manufacturers adopted dedicated knee sliders mounted to the suit via Velcro, like the ones we still see today. Some wood, others leather, and most plastic, these were the first means of purpose-built pucks, and the end of non-incidental road rash.
Steeper lean angles and evolution in riding technique have since added purpose to the role of knee sliders, with racers using the pucks as a feeler gauge on the track. Touching sliders to the asphalt comes with a boost of confidence, providing riders exactness in their perception of lean angles, especially on a wet racetrack. Like tires, knee pucks require a break-in process before they’re optimal. The asphalt carves into the slider, precisely matching the rider’s angle of attack, perfecting the feel as they drag their bodies through corners.
Sliders can also prove vital in saving racers from hitting the deck. Ask MotoGP rider Marc Marquez—a man known for saving crashes on his knee. The seven-time world champion chews through tens of Alpinestars proprietary plastic sliders each year, replacing them nearly every time he exits the pit lane. Imagine how his knees would look in the duct-tape days.
Managing emotions tough for Webb in East Rutherford encounter
Section: Competition
Factory KTM pilot in line to take out first premier class crown.
Image: Supplied.
Points leader Cooper Webb admits Saturday’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship encounter at East Rutherford was tough to manage as he charged to victory with the title on the table.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing contender’s point situation offered him a slim chance of clinching the title, and he was able to capitalise on mistakes from his rivals to take out the win, stretching his advantage in the rankings to 23.
“It was tough and the track was difficult, so you want to charge forward, but you also want to ride in your comfort zone a little bit,” Webb said in response to managing his emotions with the victory and championship in mind.
“It was good to battle Eli in the beginning, he kind of broke away a little bit and made a few mistakes, so it was a good opportunity for me, then Zach and I, he got around me and also made a mistake, so I definitely got two gifts there.
“It was tough, you want to stay consistent and put in your laps, and I felt they were faster and catching me, so I knew somewhere on the track they were doing something better, but you just don’t what. It’s crazy how it all played out, and to get another win in the season is unreal.”
The AMA Supercross series will wrap up this weekend in Las Vegas, while the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will kick off on 19 May at Hangtown.
The Bend podium reinforces Jones’ decision on full-time ASBK return
Newly-signed DesmoSport Ducati rider moves in on championship lead.
Image: Russell Colvin.
A podium at The Bend Motorsport Parks’ third round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship has reinforced Mike Jones’ decision to contest the series remainder with DesmoSport Ducati.
Jones was a surprise entrant at Phillip Island’s opener aboard Kawasaki machinery, however despite winding up fourth, he still expressed intentions to race overseas before accepting a guest ride with the DesmoSport squad for Wakefield Park, impressing once again as he moved closer to the points lead, and later signing with the Ducati outfit in place of Troy Bayliss.
Claiming pole position in South Australia at the weekend, the 2015 ASBK champion went onto lodge a 2-2-5 scorecard for second overall, moving him to within just 10 points of championship leader Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance).
“100 percent, I was confident of [the decision] after round two at Wakefield Park, and the result from the weekend is proof that we’re good a team, we’re working together and capable of challenging for the championship,” Jones explained to CycleOnline.com.au.
“We moved forward in the championship on the weekend, and that’s always the goal. Obviously, we’re looking to take race wins and be strong for the championship, but at the same time, you have to be careful and stay on the motorbike as consistency is key.
“We’ll have to play each round as it comes – if we’re strong and feel able to win races, then I’ll certainly do that. And if it’s not possible, I’ll consolidate and take the best possible points I can to give it the best chance in the championship.”
Jones raced internationally in 2017 and 2018 , contesting the European Superstock 1000 Championship before transitioning to the Spanish Superstock 1000 Championship with Speed Racing Team Kawasaki, while he also made a guest MotoGP appearance at the Island in 2018 with Angel Nieto Team.
A hidden bump that caused the death of a rider and his pillion may not have been detected by VicRoads because it scans roads in a four-wheeled vehicle, not on a motorcycle.
The Victorian Coroner’s Court did not find VicRoads culpable for the deaths of Mark Rodgers, 47, and partner Jodi Walsham, 42.
However, Coroner Paresa Spanos recommended VicRoads improves training of its inspectors to be aware of vulnerable riders and promote its hotline to report road hazards.
VicRoads accepted the recommendations and pointed out that in February 2019 it announced specialised motorcycle hazard training for road inspection crews.
However it did not agree to inspect the roads on motorcycles.
Tragic crash
In March 2015, Mark was riding his 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail on the road with partner Jodi as his pillion and another couple following on a 2007 Fat Bob.
Mark rounded a blind left-hand bend after the Devil’s Backbone and hit a bump or “shove” that knocked the bike off course into the path of an oncoming marked Victoria Police Nissan Patrol four-wheel drive.
The bike hit the bullbar and went under the vehicle, bursting into flames. Mark and Jodi could not be revived and sadly died at the scene.
Mark and Jodi
Bump to blame
Coroner Paresa Spanos heard that the Softail had rounded the corner at more than the 45km/h advisory speed but less than the posted road speed limit of 80km/h.
The Coroner also heard that Honda Blackbird rider Martin Taylor hit the same bump the previous day, fell off his bike and slid across the road.
Martin survived because there were no oncoming vehicles.
Police did not attend the accident and the bump was not reported to VicRoads.
The bump was described by Justin Ezard who was following Mark on a Fat Bob as being like “a mini ramp”.
“It appeared about three foot long, six inches wide and six inches high,” he told the Coroner’s Court.
“It was big and it would not have been any fun to hit it at a faster speed.
“I didn’t lose control when I bit the bump as I hit it ‘dead-on’. It was just the slam when you hit it.”
VicRoads responsibility
Despite police not providing evidence of Mark’s bike hitting the bump, Coroner Spanos found the bump caused the accident and highlighted the “particular vulnerability of motorcycle riders to irregularities in the road surface”.
The Coroner said VicRoads had the responsibility to “inspect, maintain and repair” the arterial road, but had not identified the bump as a hazard to riders.
“This state of affairs would seem to speak to inherent limitations in the current inspection regime with its reliance on a four-wheeled vehicle traversing the roadway that its ill-equipped to discern road conditions that may be more problematic for a two-wheeled vehicle.”
Our view
Victorian rural road
While VicRoads promises to train its inspectors to look out for specific motorcycle road hazards, it has not made any mention of scanning the roads on a motorcycle.
Four-wheeled vehicles can easily detect potholes and bumps in the wheel tracks.
However, only motorcycles can detect these hazards when they lie in between the wheel tracks.
Therefore, authorities need to send out inspectors on motorcycles, rather than in cars.
It is also important for riders to report road hazards to authorities. They may be cynical that they will be fixed, but at least there will be an official record of the report.
Police in two states have seized 11 stolen motorbikes under investigations into motor vehicle theft and rebirthing as motorbike theft runs rampant across the nation.
Two of the bikes were seized in Deer Park, north-west Melbourne, and nine in Western Sydney after a police pursuit of an unlicensed rider.
In Victoria, Vehicle Crime Squad detectives investigating theft and rebirthing in the North West Melbourne area as part of Operation Unwanted this morning (30 April 2019) executed warrants at three private properties on Robinsons Road, Deer Park. A 37-year-old man from Point Cook is “assisting police with their enquiries”.
Unlicensed rider
NSW Police have also today charged a western Sydney man after he allegedly rode a stolen motorbike in Oxley Park last Friday (26 April 2019).
Officers from North West Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group attempted to pull the rider over, but he failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
“Due to the erratic behaviour and speed of the bike the pursuit was terminated within minutes,” NSW Police say.
An investigation was immediately launched, and officers attended a unit on Adelaide Street, Oxley Park, where police allegedly seized four stolen trail bikes.
Police have now arrested and charged a 28-year-old Oxley Park man with a police pursuit, riding while a licence was refused, riding a motorcycle without the consent of the owner, speeding and dangerous riding.
Further investigations led police to a unit on Marsden Street, St Marys, where the stolen motorbike he was riding was found along with four more stolen motorbikes.
All the motorcycles were seized and inquiries into their ownership continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers onlineor phone 1800 333 000. Information is treated in confidence and the public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Rampant theft
NMVTRC map shows motorcycle theft hotspots in 2018
Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hrambanis says the biggest rises in motorcycle theft were in NSW and Queensland.
The Council is shortly expected to release a review of the amended NSW Crimes Act which introduced a new offence of knowingly facilitating a rebirthing activity carried out on an organised basis.
It was designed to deter thieves by applying tougher penalties to any and all members in a theft network involved in stealing your motorcycle or car with tougher penalties.
While it seemed a good idea at the time, the figures seem to show it is not working.
We will have a report on the review in coming weeks.
Theft by state
State or Territory
2017
2018
% change
Thefts
% of thefts
Thefts
% of thefts
ACT
126
107
-15.1%
NSW
1679
1968
17.2%
NT
126
82
-34.9%
QLD
1510
1696
12.3%
SA
521
555
6.5%
TAS
122
141
15.6%
VIC
2013
2092
3.9%
WA
2052
2105
2.6%
AUS
8149
100.0
8746
100.0
7.3%
Opportunistic theft
“In most cases vehicle theft is almost always opportunistic, with the vehicle being stolen for short-term use and later recovered (78% in Queensland),” Caitlin says.
Unlike most modern cars which have self-alarming engine immobilisers, many motorcycles need owners to lock them with a chain, disc lock or an alarm switch.
She says they can easily be stolen without requiring any keys.
“Motorcycles have their own set of challenges due to their ease of portability, the high demand for parts and poor identification,” she says.
“Two in three motorcycles are also stolen from the home, making home security, protecting keys and considerations of where the bike is stored also important.
“In Queensland, around a quarter of all bikes stolen are off-road bikes, which often makes recovery difficult as they are not subject to a registration system.”
Bike theft is rampant in South East Queensland with Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan and Moreton Bay all in the top 10 local authority regions for bike theft.
Harley-Davidson is pouring sponsorship dollars into the Formula 1 electric category ahead of the release of their first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire.
Just because Harley is sponsoring leading Formula E team Envision Virgin Racing does not necessarily mean the iconic American company will produce electric cars in future.
After all, Harley has previously sponsored other car racing categories, including several of the Australian Supercars drivers, and has not yet released a four-wheeler.
However, never say never, right?
The sponsorship deal is more to do with the incoming wave of electric mobility and raising its profile in Europe where the company is facing hefty retaliatory tariffs in the wake of President Trump’s trade wars.
Trump responded by saying the European tariff hike on Harleys and other American products was “unfair to the US” and that “we will reciprocate”.
However, the tariff hike is in response to Trump’s tariff hike on European steel and uranium which also increased raw material costs for Harley.
When Harley announced last year that they were closing a Missouri factory and opening on in Thailand, Trump called for a boycott on Harley for moving production offshore, even though they had already been making bikes in Brazil and India for some years.
Liminton satisfied to end Toparis’ race winning streak
Yamaha contender secures maiden Supersport race victory at The Bend.
Image: Russell Colvin.
South Australian Nic Liminton has reaped great reward from ending Tom Toparis’s (Landbridge Yamaha) perfect race winning streak in the Supersport class at The Bend Motorsport Park’s third round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK).
The Yamaha-mounted talent put on a thrilling display in the final encounter of Sunday’s racing, trading the lead with Toparis on numerous occasions before making a lunge in the dying moments to lift his first ever Supersport race victory in front of a home crowd.
The win paired with a 2-2 scorecard recorded in races one and two granted Liminton second overall, enabling him to retain second in the championship rankings.
“I’m totally over the moon about that final race and getting the win,” Liminton expressed. “It was so good to do it in front of my friends and family who have come out to support me and this event in South Australia. To top it off with our very first Australian Supersport championship win in the last race is just even better. I couldn’t be happier. Massive thanks to the team.
“In that race, Tom sure did make me work for it. He is very, very quick and has won every race so far this season. So, to be able to put a stop to his winning streak is such a nice feeling.
“I’m looking forward to Morgan Park. Unfortunately, I missed the round last year due to my health issues. It will be great to be back there as I know I can go quick there. It should be another awesome round.”
Toparis still holds a perfect record for overall wins, currently taking three from three rounds. He holds a 41-point advantage over Liminton.
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