Tag Archives: News

Competition, Motocross, News

Kahro benefits from Clout penalty in Wonthaggi race one win

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Image: Foremost Media.

Visiting Estonian Erki Kahro (KTM) has stunned the competition by claiming victory in MX1 race one at Wonthaggi’s second round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals, benefiting from a 10-second penalty handed down to Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy).

It was Lawson Bopping (Empire Kawasaki) who led the field early on his his return to the outdoor series – his first MX Nationals in three years – however his lack of seat time soon got the better of him, as Kahro took control from around the halfway mark.

The European talent looked primed for victory, but a hard-charging Clout persevered right to the very end, overcoming the KTM privateer with just a number of corners to go in the 17-lap outing. However, Clout was handed an in-race penalty of 10 seconds for an infringement early on this outing, pushing him back to second.

Hayden Mellross (Raceline KTM Thor) stormed through the field to wind up in third ahead of Jayden Rykers (Suzuki) and Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing), as the top 10 consisted of Bopping, Richie Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Zak Small (Husqvarna), Kirk Gibbs (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy), and Charlie Creech (Husqvarna).

Former points leader Todd Waters (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) suffered a suspected mechanical failure just minutes into the race.

Image: Foremost Media.

The MX2 category experienced the all-new Sprint format for the time this season, where two back-to-back eight-lap motos were hosted, with the overall scores from each amounting to a final race score.

The first encounter saw reigning champion Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) emerge victorious, stamping his authority with a commanding 20.843s victory over Serco Yamaha’s Aaron Tanti, while KTM-mounted privateer Cooper Pozniak put in an inspiring performance to close out the podium.

Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) and Jy Dickson (KTM) concluded top five, while positions six through 10 were completed by Nathan Crawford (Serco Yamaha), points leader Jy Roberts (Raceline KTM Thor), Sam Pelz (Husqvarna), Isaac Ferguson (KTM) and Dylan Wills (Davey Motorsports KTM).

Image: Foremost Media.

The second Sprint race was again a Wilson Todd show, displaying incredible form as he defeated Roberts by a comfortable 22.822s. Joel Evans (Husqvarna) made a surprise charge to third position, edging out Pozniak and Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing).

The top 10 was completed by Bailey Malkiewicz (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), Pelz, Riley Dukes (Husqvarna), Tanti and Dickson. Todd receives the full 35 points ahead of Pozniak and Roberts.

In MXD, class rookie Regan Duffy (Raceline KTM Thor) earned him his maiden race victory, taking home top honours in the 11-lap outing to beat Mason Rowe (KTM) by 4.206s. Rhys Budd (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing) was a distant third ahead of Noah Ferguson (Davey Motorsports KTM) and Mason Semmens (Davey Motorsport KTM). The second motos will commence from 1:45pm AEDT.

Detailed results

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Champion Marquez storms to Argentina MotoGP pole

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Image: Supplied.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took a fifth pole at Termas de Rio Hondo on Saturday, setting himself up for a charge at another victory at the track.

But there’s more than a couple of riders well within the number 93’s postcode, with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) just 0.164s back in P2 and Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) only another 0.010s further off – a tantalising prospect for lights out at round two.

It’s not just the front row in the spotlight, however. Plenty of eyes will be on the second row as 2015 Argentina GP winner Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) lines up fourth and directly behind Marquez, with 2018 polesitter and top Independent Team rider Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) keeping the ‘Doctor’ more than a little honest in fifth. From Marquez to Miller the grid is covered by just 0.244s.

The tiny margins continue in sixth and seventh, too. Sophomore Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) took P6 and his best ever premier class qualifying position to lock out row two, with rookie teammate Fabio Quartararo once again the fastest debutant on the grid and just point blank fast.

The Frenchman was only 0.011 off Morbidelli, and will be hoping to avoid his dramatic start to the Qatar GP. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) took P8 and he’s aiming for the podium having won from P10 on the grid last season, with the British rider joined by teammate and Q1 graduate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) on row three.

Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati) completes a top 10 covered by 0.789s at Termas de Rio Hondo, with Q1 graduate Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) starting from P11.

That was after Jorge Lorenzo’s (Repsol Honda Team) fastest lap was cancelled due to exceeding track limits – the five-time World Champion will start from 12th, nevertheless a solid Saturday as he continues both his adaptation to the Honda and his recovery from injury.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) starts P13 ahead of another impressive performance from Red Bull KTM Tech 3 rookie Miguel Oliveira who will likely fancy his chances at some good points, with Karel Abraham (Reale Avintia Racing) putting in a solid showing in P15.

A major shock in Q1, however, was 2018 Argentina GP podium finisher Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). The Spaniard’s success at the track last year was his first rostrum in the premier class but in 2019 he’ll line up in P16.

In Moto2, EG 0,0 Marc VDS’ Xavi Vierge will once again start from pole position in Argentina, 12 months on from securing his first pole position and after bettering Johann Zarco’s fastest ever Moto2 lap around Termas de Rio Hondo with a 1m42.726s.

It’s blink and you’ll miss the gap though as both Marcel Schrotter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) got almost too close to comfort with their last laps – Schrotter just 0.011s off and a single thousandth in further arrears.

Vierge’s EG 0,0 Marc VDS teammate Alex Marquez will front row two of the grid thanks to a 1m42.773s, making it the top four riders who all bettered Zarco’s previous best ever lap from 2015. Dynavolt Intact GP’s Tom Lüthi is in the middle of the second row, before top KTM Brad Binder who put his Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 machine in P6.

After showing strong pace all weekend, Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) will start Sunday’s race from seventh on the grid. The Australian’s Q2 lap was over a tenth slower than the lap that saw him top FP3 earlier in the day.

Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) will start the Moto3 race from his first ever pole position after FP1’s fastest man struck back to set the pace on Saturday afternoon. His benchmark 1m48.775s puts him over three tenths clear of Q1 graduate Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in second, with 2018 polesitter Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) completing the front row in third.

Detailed results

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

Disabled rider parking fine waived

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Canberra rider Alan Francis has succeeded in having his $600 disabled parking fine waived, but will now campaign for disabled riders to get a more compact motorcycle-specific permit.

Alan, 68, has now permanently attached his permit to his 2015 Harley-Davidson Low Rider’s left pannier. But that leaves him without a permit for his car.

He says he will push for riders who also drive to be issued two permits – one for their car and the smaller specific permit for a motorcycle.

A Victorian motorcycle advocate says this is becoming an issue for disabled riders around Australia who are being “heavily fined and penalised”.

Parking fine

Alan was issued with a $600 ticket for parking his bike in a disabled spot despite displaying a disabled parking permit.

It is believed the inspector told a witness that handicapped stickers are for those who can’t walk any distance and if the owner could ride a Harley he was a “fraud”.

Alan has a compressed spine and has difficulty walking, but not riding.

He photocopied his disabled parking permit because it was too difficult to swap it between his car and his bike while guaranteeing the flimsy permit would not be stolen.

He did not know it was illegal to reproduce the permit and faced a further $228 fine.

Disabled rider Alan Francis claims parking discrimination
Alan’s disabled parking permit

However, the $600 fine has been waived and he does not appear to face any further penalties.

“I have received a letter from Access Canberra informing me of my breach with the sticker but as I was a genuine holder the matter has been waived,” he says.

“They have made it clear I am to destroy and never use a duplicate as this is an offence.

“However I do intend to push forward with the need for change to accommodate the holder for a motorcyclist.

“I wish to personally thank Motorbike Writer for your efforts on my behalf as I am sure that without it they would have proceeded.”

Disabled help

Baton ride plans to go national dean marks of Shepherds Australia Foundation disabled
Dean Marks

Dean Marks, an independent rider representative on Victoria’s Motorcycle Experts Advisory Panel, says he has been looking at disabled rider parking issues for some years. 

“There are many drivers in Australia that hold a legal disability as determined by a registered medical practitioner and are issued a disabled parking permit,” he says.

“Of great concern is that council bylaws officers are issuing infringement notices on motorcycles even when displaying an affixed permit based on their belief that a rider cannot have a qualifying disability.

“If they have a concern then they should report the permit and number to the issuing body.

“Of greater concern is that as it currently stands, provisions made specifically to address riders’ concerns and needs are almost non-existent.”

Dean says getting in and out of a car for a person with an ambulatory disability can be quite difficult and painful.

“With the current ratios that are required with respect to disabled parking spots per normal parking spots, more often than not, many disabled drivers are required to use a normal spot which is a great distance from their desired location,” he says.Disabled rider Alan Francis claims parking discrimination

Many disabled spots also do not allow drivers to fully open their car door to get out safely, he says.

“Because of this, many that can ride do when they can. Not only because it is a great renewed sense of freedom, but also because it is more comfortable and easier than trying to get in and out of their car.

“They can also get much closer to their destination which allows them to walk shorter distances.”

He says there need to be clear guidelines on disabled parking for motorcyclists.

“This is becoming an issue as disabled riders around Australia are starting to be heavily fined and penalised for using the parking spots allocated for their specific use,” he says. 

“The attitude of many is that if someone can ride then they are not disabled. 

“I wish to explore the issues and provisions and ensure that these riders are not excluded and or discriminated against in any way due to their disability and the fact their mode of transport is a motorised two-wheel vehicle.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Stolen And Found: The Story Of A Once Prized 1972 Honda CB350 Four

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I’ve been riding for three and a half years and only owned one bike, this one. It had been in storage for 30 years before I got it, and I completely restored it. It was perfect. I moved to Manhattan in March, and the bike was in hibernation in Brooklyn until May. I had to street-park it at my new place, but there were tons of bikes street-parked, and a lot of nicer, newer bikes than mine. I had a chain lock, a disc lock, and a cover.

I signed a contract on Labor Day weekend with a parking garage for storage beginning October 1. Three days later, I came down from my apartment at 7 a.m., and the bike was gone. When I finally filled out the report, the police told me the bike was probably already cut up for parts, that 5 percent of vintage bikes are ever recovered.

They ran the plate and pulled a photo of a male riding the bike over the FDR Bridge at 6:45 a.m. without a helmet. Someone who was definitely not me. I didn’t understand how any of this was possible. I had two locks on the bike, and the night before I had drained the oil so I could do an oil change the next day. The officer said he would send the case over to a detective, but since it was just a picture of the back of someone’s head, I shouldn’t get my hopes up.
I was gutted—angry at myself for not putting it in the parking garage sooner and defeated.

Two and a half weeks later, I got a call from a detective. He said, “I just picked up your file for the first time, and I know who did it.”

The kid had been pulled over on Staten Island for speeding and for not wearing a helmet. They just gave him a ticket and sent him on his way, but they had the plate and his address. The detective gathered some footage from my neighborhood. He’d approached the bike around 3 a.m., then came back later with a white box truck. The crazy part is he didn’t cut the bike up for parts. He kept it. They found it at his house and towed it to an impound lot.

I had to pay $600 in cash before they’d even let me see the bike. I’d brought my helmet and gloves, ready to ride. Maybe that was a little naive. He’d had a pretty high-speed crash. The clutch lever was completely gone, and the left side of the bike was all crunched in. My right exhaust pipe was gone for some reason, despite all of the damage being on the other side. I had to pay to have it towed to my shop.

My mechanic says it’s a brick, that it’s maybe worth $700 in the shape it’s in. The worst part is, I was ready to move on from this bike before it was stolen, ready to sell it and buy something else. I’m not sure I can fix it. Every time I see a new scuff, it would just bring up all these memories.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Competition, Motocross, News

Knee injury forces Ferris out of scheduled MXGP appearances

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Image: Supplied.

Three-time Australian champion Dean Ferris has been ruled out of his replacement ride in the 2019 MXGP World Championship due to the knee injury he sustained at Matterley Basin last weekend.

Ferris, 28, was signed to a short-term deal in place of Romain Febvre at Monster Energy Yamaha, however a difficult British grand prix appearance led to complications with his knee that will now require further medical attention.

“It’s a shame that Dean’s opportunity has been cut short,” commented Monster Energy Yamaha manager Massimo Raspanti. “He was improving every time he rode the bike and was a pleasure to have around the team. Luck is a factor in top-level motocross and both Dean and Romain have been unlucky this season. I hope he makes a quick recovery and I wish him the best for the rest of the year.”

It was initially intended that Ferris would fill in for former world champion Febvre in Great Britain, The Netherlands and Trentino, however he is instead due to return home to Australia today. It’s unclear what his future will hold from this point, Ferris previously stating that Pro Motocross was still his target.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

Road rules campaign ignores motorcycles

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A campaign to highlight road rules to motorists ignores motorcycles at a time when the fatality rate is high and motorcycle awareness is vital, says the Motorcycle Council of NSW.

Chairman Steve Pearce says it is a dangerous oversight in the annual Road Rules Awareness Week (April 8-14, 2019).

“How do we encourage awareness and discussion around the motorcycle rider road toll?” he asks.

“I would like to see published analysis of the current fatality rate, so we can maybe draw some lessons from what has happened to others.

“I know the analysis is available, it just needs to be publicised.”

His comments follow a recent state of five motorcycle fatalities in a week and seven more deaths so far this year than the previous year.

The only reaction from the police so far is to highlight a few examples of riders caught riding at extreme speeds.

Road rules campaign

Road Rules Awareness Week is part of the Towards Zero campaign by the Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety which has featured videos such as above. 

Community Education Officer Cassady Southern confirms that they “don’t have any motorcycle specific material going out over the road rules week”.

However, riders can ask specific motorcycle road rule questions in a Facebook Live session with Centres for Road Safety boss Bernard Carlon on Tuesday, April 9, at 5.30pm.

The campaign will also feature press releases; Facebook posts, promotions in Service Centres and train stations and “stakeholder communication kits”.

But they will include no motorcycle-specific information.

However, Cassady points out that they post about motorcycling “regularly” on their Facebook page.

“A recent motorcycle lane filtering quiz on our Facebook page performed really well,” Cassady says.

However, it was a pretty simple quiz and didn’t reveal much at all.

Road Safety Quiz: Is this fully licensed motorcyclist in the picture lane filtering legally?a) Nob) Yesc) Yes, under certain circumstancesPost your answer in the comments below.

Publiée par NSW Road Safety – NSW GOV sur Mardi 26 février 2019

Safety agenda

Steve questions the expense of the road rules campaign and the motorcycle-specific Roads We Ride YouTube safety videos.

“Is this a good allocation of funds into saving riders lives?” he asks.

Steve says riders need to “take back the agenda” on motorcycle safety.

He also suggests riders “focus on correcting habits and building awareness of not only the environment we ride in, but also our own skills and limitations”.

“Sure, there are always SMIDSY incidents, as we are hard to see, especially if drivers are not looking.

“Let’s work to understand the controllable factors first, then look at the road rules.”

Steve Pearce chairman of the Motorcycle Council of NSW Look for motorcyclists in Motorcycle Awareness Month roadside assist ignores
Steve Pearce

Our view

The Transport for NSW road rules campaign that ignores riders has missed a great opportunity to make motorists aware that lane filtering is legal.

They say the campaign gives “NSW road users the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the road rules, including new or commonly misunderstood rules”.

So why not lane filtering?

It is also misses an opportunity to alert interstate riders of the differences in rules compared with other states at a vital time when riders from other states will be visiting NSW during the Easter holidays.

Double demerit points will also apply during the Easter holidays from April 18-22.

Find out if they apply to interstate riders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Dovizioso edges Miller for fastest time in Argentina Friday practice

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Australia’s Gardner winds up third in Moto2 category.

Image: Supplied.

Championship leader Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) leads an incredibly tight MotoGP field at the end of play on Friday at the Argentinian grand prix, topping a manic shuffle to the timesheets at the end of FP2 as riders pushed to make it into that all-important provisional Q2 graduation zone.

And Dovizioso may have ended the day on top once the action was over, but the gap back to P2 was tiny as the Italian was just 0.009s ahead of Independent Team rider Jack Miller (Pramac Racing).

The rain mildly threatening overhead ultimately never came to fruition but the seven minute push for a lap-time on fresh rubber made for a spectacular end to the day. Third went to Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) as he headed an incredibly close trio, with LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow just 0.001s off the Spaniard.

And superstar rookie Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) once again showing some stunning pace to complete the top five. The gap between 2018 Argentina GP winner Crutchlow and the newcomer? Just 0.011s.

Just under a tenth was the next gap and that was back to veteran Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), the 2015 winner at the venue, before another infinitesimal 0.010s split him from Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

FP1 leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), who also set the pace throughout much of the second Free Practice session too, was deposed down to P8 by the last minute dash. Sophomores Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) rounded out a top ten split by less than half a second.

So who’s at risk of missing out on Q2 should the rain come down on Saturday morning? Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Andrea Iannone and Aleix Espargaro only just missed out in P11 and P12 respectively, ahead of a somewhat out of position Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati), who crashed in the morning. Rookie duo Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) lurk close by, too.

Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, had a tough first day as he comes back from injuries sustained to his ribs in Qatar and the scaphoid broken in pre-season. He was P21 on day one and the final man covered by less than a second on an extremely competitive Friday – nevertheless quite a feat in terms of pace as he fights back to fitness and adapts to his new machine.

Tom Luthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) leads the way after the opening two free practice sessions in Moto2 division, setting a 1m43.353s in FP2 to lead Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) by just 0.092 – and the tight timesheets didn’t end there.

The two veterans had some close company in the form of Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) in third, the Australian 0.124s off the top and proving the star of the show in FP2 after a spectacular save, with Augusto Fernandez (FlexBox HP 40) taking P4 and still within two tenths. The top five was completed by an impressive performance from rookie Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46).

In Moto3, was a battle of two former pole position men at Termas de Rio Hondo as John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) – on pole in 2017 – beat Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) – the 2018 polesitter – to the top by just 0.079s after the Scot ended the day an impressive two seconds quicker than his lap from FP1.

Just behind Arbolino, compatriot Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) rounded out the top three and was just a further tenth in arrears on Friday. Crowd favourite Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), racing at home this weekend, shone in the afternoon, ending the day fourth overall ahead of Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse).

Detailed results

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Motorcycle News, News

4 Motorcycle Trends in 2019 That Can Make You Some Serious Money

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(Sponsored post)

What do bikers believe in the most? I’d venture a guess that the most common answer is freedom. When you’re going down the highway at 130km/h, you get the impression that the world is your playground. Nothing can stop you when you’re moving that fast, with the wind blowing in your face and all is right with the world. That feeling you get is freedom, and that’s what a motorcycle represents.

Even if you’ve never thought about it as such, your love of motorcycles can also be your pipeline to financial freedom. The motorcycle industry is currently experiencing some interesting changes. With those changes come a stream of new trends that a savvy entrepreneur with a love for two wheels and a motor could take advantage of.

If you want to make money with your love of riding, tap into these four trends that the motorcycle industry is experiencing.

1. Shifting to a Younger Demographic

The motorcycle industry was built by the Baby Boomer Generation. Their desire to get on the open road and enjoy all that life had to offer meant that the motorcycle lifestyle was a perfect match for them. However, as the Boomers grow older and start to retire, they just aren’t investing in the industry like they used to. That’s a problem in and of itself but it gets worse: there aren’t as many young riders to take their place.

That’s quickly changing. Execs of motorcycle manufacturers all over the globe are slowly starting to realise that they’ve failed to reach a younger, progressive, more diverse audience. And they’re working to change that. Gone are the big, flashy, $30K Harleys of yesteryear; in are the vintage cool models that harken back to the 50s and 60s, when motorbikes had their own unique edge. That, and they cost under $10K.

How You Can Bridge the Generational Gap

One of the biggest reservations Millennials have about getting into motorcycles is the cost. Already rattled by record levels of student debt and ever-growing inflation, Millennials are more frugal, whether they want to be or not. Buying a big, expensive Harley just seems like another unnecessary debt.

What they’re asking for is an easier, more inexpensive way to get into the lifestyle. Ride-sharing, which has been popularised by the Uber and Lyft models for cars, could easily be extended to motorcycles. You could rent out your own bike, or even develop your own mobile app centred around motorcycle ride-sharing.

2. The Rise of the Electronic Bike

(Image: Intermot) E-Scooter electric scooter women female plug money
Electric scooter/bike from E-Scooter (Image: Intermot)

There was a time when vehicles powered completely by electricity was the stuff of science fiction. With a greater emphasis on environmental conservation against the rising cost of fuel, automotive manufacturers across the globe are trying to turn science fiction into science fact. The motorbike industry is no exception.

A Super Charge for Your Bank Account

As the demand for electric bikes grows, manufacturers are going to invest more money into R&D and marketing towards these electric bikes. Many sources from within the industry and those who watch it closely say that electric bikes will be what saves the industry. By investing now, when giants like Harley Davidsons’ stocks are at their lowest point, you can enjoy a big return on your investment when those stocks grow.

3. Growth in Motorcycle Accessories

While actual sales of bikes have been slowing for the past few years, sales of motorcycle accessories have continued at a healthy pace. It may not seem apparent why at first, but consider the following:

  • As technology advances, helmets, pads, gloves, and the like become more lightweight and more supportive
  • Old accessories wear out and need replacing
  • Bikers who’ve lived their entire life riding on two wheels can’t ever have too much gear

When you consider all of the above it makes perfect sense. People may struggle to drop $15K on a new Ducati but it’s not too hard to get a $50 jacket with the logo of a beloved brand.

Give the People What They Want

No big mystery about how to tap into this steady source of revenue. If you want to make some good money through accessories, you need to start up an online business that sells them. The advantage of using a web-based platform is that you can opt for a drop-shipping model. This means that you don’t have to maintain or ship your own inventory. When you do get an order, you contact your supplier, and they ship the product directly to the customer. You make money, your supplier makes money, your customers get great products – everybody wins.

4. Women Want to Ride Too

Harley Days 2016 - Wollongong, Australia. money
(Image: Harley-Davidson Australia)

If there’s one demographic that the motorcycle industry is kicking itself over, it’s women. Back in 2015, the number of women riders reached a new all-time high. The Motorcycle Industry Council reported at the time that women accounted for around 14% of all riders on the road. The issue is that companies are marketing to the same group they have been for close to 40 years: Baby Boomer men. As far as women go, the industry’s outlook has been way out of touch – make it smaller, make it pink.

The awesome thing is that women riders, especially in Australia, are gaining traction, whether the industry pays them any attention or not.

Make the Ladies Feel Welcome

Because it’s good business, and because it’s the right thing to do, you need to start looking at ways to encourage more female ridership. One thing you could consider doing is to start your own motorcycle rider’s training service. As more young riders get into the life, especially young women, they’re going to want mentors who can help them get into the lifestyle, choose the best gear, and of course, learn to ride.

It’d also be an awesome idea to start your own women’s motorcycle club. There’s plenty of MCs out there that cater to men exclusively. It’s way past time that the ladies had their time to shine.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Helmets For India: Road Safety Fueled By Art

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A group of artists and motorcycle enthusiasts will kick off “Helmets for India” to promote road safety in India.

Begin press release:

After an intensive time of preparation an international team of motorcycle enthusiasts and artists will travel today to India to kick off ‘Helmets for India’ – a creative initiative to change the road safety situation on two wheels in India. The first ever helmet art show to promote road safety will be held in Mumbai, followed by a motorcycle road trip to Goa to raise awareness for the cause.

While filming for a TV show in India in 2018, the initiator of Helmets for India, Niels-Peter Jensen was appalled to see that most people riding scooters and motorcycles through the craziest traffic in the world don’t wear helmets. Especially women and kids who make up most of the pillion riders, push through crowded traffic, in which there is little safety regulation or policing. Witnessing a two-wheeler accident involving a small kid marked Niels profoundly. As a father and a biker, he felt compelled to do something that would help bring about a change. After many discussions with the locals and with his friends in India and abroad, the idea for ‘Helmets for India’ was born – Safe ride for everyone, everywhere!

The safety requirements for two wheelers in India are still catastrophic and the statistics shocking. India has reported the most traffic deaths worldwide which includes 327 motorcycle deaths each day. Not surprisingly, most motorcycle deaths are a result of head injuries. Wearing a motorcycle helmet securely can reduce the risk of death by 40% and the risk of heavy head injury by 70% (Based on WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018).

Helmets for India is bringing attention to the problem in many ways. The first charity adventure road trip will start from the Gateway of India in Mumbai, go through Pune, along the coast and end the week long ride in Goa. The team of motorcycle enthusiasts accompanying Niels-Peter Jensen are Caro Fitus from Germany, Dean Stockton (Aka D*Face) from UK, Francesca Gasperi from Italy and Ganesh Shinde from India. They will each ride a Royal Enfield Himalayan, an urban ADV well suited for commuting as well as long distance riding to talk to the common man that uses a two wheeler on a daily basis, spread awareness and educate them on wearing a helmet securely. The team will also giveaway helmets as needed that are sponsored by several global helmet brands. With a goal of distributing 1,000 helmets in 2019, this tour will be the first of many in India.

‘Helmets for India’ is bringing more than 20 artists from across the globe under one roof to customize helmets in their distinctive styles in an effort to make riding safer for everyone, everywhere. Some prominent names include D*Face, Magnus Walker, Steve Caballero, Patrick Muff and Rasmus Tikkanen. These customized art helmets will be premiered at a special art exhibition being organized by Moto Art Show on 24 March, 2019 at the Bombay Art Society and will be the first of its kind in India. After their debut, the art helmets will travel to other well known motorcycle events around the globe such as The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show (USA), The Bike Shed (UK), Wildays (Italy), The Malle Mile (UK), Moto Circle (Austria) and Wildays (Italy). At the end of 2019, the art helmets will be auctioned off to raise funds that will be used to support a non-profit working in the area of road safety in India.

Helmets for India is supported and funded by Arai, Hedon, Nexx, Nolan, Sena, Gulf and Sas-Tec, in addition to a number of individuals who are working tirelessly on the ground to make this fantastic project a reality.

For more information, visit www.helmetsforindia.com and follow Helmets for India on Instagram: www.instagram.com/helmets_for_india.














The post Helmets For India: Road Safety Fueled By Art appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Motorcycle News, News

Yoshimura And Steve Caballero Join Forces On Co-Lab

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Yoshimura and Steve Caballero join forces to collaborate on a small-bore moto t-shirt.

Begin press release:

Watch out when legendary, world famous skater Steve Cabellero and Yoshimura get together to do a collaboration, the results are crazy! “Cab” has been doing art for decades on the bottom of skate decks, among other places, now he offers his skill to Yoshimura and the small bore scene.

This epic custom art is printed on a high-quality Alstyle tee and is sure to get people asking “Is that a patch sewn on the front?” This is destined to be a classic!

Available now in S-XXL sizes

Small Bore Drags Tee Pricing

Small Part #192087-S
Medium Part #192087-M
Large Part #192087-L 
X Large Part #192087-XL
XX Large Part #192087-XXL

MSRP: $29.95 ($31.95 for XXL)

The post Yoshimura And Steve Caballero Join Forces On Co-Lab appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.