That"ll Buff Right Out

For some reason, the front just doesn’t feel properly planted.

 

And yes, the rider escaped with only minor injuries.

That"ll Buff Right Out

Need to Ride All Year Around?

Then get in contact with the Swedish Army, who modify their motorcycles for snow duty.

 

 

Need to Ride All Year Around?

Just Like a Red & White Fluffy Pillow

He’s leaning for comfort, not speed.

Just Like a Red & White Fluffy Pillow

Corner Marshal Killed At Palm Beach International Track Day

In sad news, especially at this time of the year, track marshal Robert Hoffstetter, was killed at a track day yesterday when a rider on a Yamaha R1 suffered from a stuck and open throttle approaching turn 9 at Palm Beach International Raceway. The track map below seems indicate that turn 9 is actually part of the back straight where a temporary chicane can be placed and is therefore one of the fastest sections of the track.

According to local newspaper the Palm Beach Post,  the motorcyclist said that during the race, his bike’s throttle got stuck in the open position, preventing him from being able to stop as he approached a turn in the track. He tried to apply the brakes but couldn’t stop so he jumped off the motorcycle into a grass area. The motorcycle continued down the track and struck Hoffstetter.

Here’s the full statement from Palm Beach International Raceway:

On Sunday, December 28, 2014, during the Florida Track Days event at Palm Beach International Raceway’s (PBIR) Road Course, a rider experienced a mechanical failure on his Yamaha R1 motorcycle: the throttle became stuck in the open position. The rider dismounted from the motorcycle before approaching Turn 9. The motorcycle continued down the track, impacting the tire wall at Turn 9 where Robert “Goofy” Hoffstetter was positioned as a corner marshal. Medics AMR staff stabilized Hoffstetter at the site, and he was then transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach by a Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Trauma Hawk. Hoffstetter passed away due to the injuries sustained during the accident.

Hoffstetter had been working in motorsports for more than 30 years as a corner marshal at various racing events held at PBIR and at other tracks in Florida. On the day of the accident, he was under the employment of Florida Track Days, the host of monthly events at PBIR with track sessions and instructional courses for motorcyclists. He will be deeply missed by racers, friends, fellow corner marshals, PBIR staff, and the Florida motorsports community. PBIR and his friends are organizing a memorial to pay tribute to Hoffstetter, his loyalty to and passion for motorsports, and his many years of dedicated service.  

 

Corner Marshal Killed At Palm Beach International Track Day

USA | MV Agusta Updates 2015 Prices for United States

MV Agusta has updated their prices for the 2015 year for their existing bikes, plus releasing prices for their new machines of which there are a very impressive six. The sixth one actually hasn’t been officially announced yet, making the price release a bit of a slip from MV Agusta. It’s the rumored F4 RC – check out our article here for further details.

The full list of pricing is as follows:

Sports

F4 RC: $46,000 (New)

F4 RR ABS: $26,498

F4 ABS: $19,498

F3 800 AGO: $24,598

F3 800 EAS ABS: $15,798

F3 675 EAS ABS: $14,298

Naked

Brutale 1090 RR Corsa ABS: $22,498

Brutale 1090 RR ABS: $18,998

Brutale 1090 ABS: $15,998

B3 800 EAS ABS RR: $15,498 (New)

B3 EAS ABS Italia: $13,798

B3 800 EAS ABS: $12,798

B3 675 EAS ABS: $11,998

Dragster EAS ABS RR: $17,798 (New)

Dragster EAS ABS: $14,798

Urban

Rivale EAS ABS: $13,798

Stradale EAS ABS: $14,598 (New)

Touring

Turismo Veloce: $15,998 (New)

Turismo Veloce Lusso: $18,998 (New)

 

USA | MV Agusta Updates 2015 Prices for United States

MV Agusta F4 RC Confirmed And Will Cost $46,000

MV Agusta has released it’s price list for the 2015 year (for the US at least) including final pricing for new models including the Stradale, Turismo and Dragster RR. But seemingly missed by most is the price for the MV Agusta F4 RC – a model that we all expected was coming but hasn’t actually been officially announced by the Italian brand. In case you were eager to put a deposit down, it’ll set you back $46,000.

The bike is being made and sold by MV Agusta purely to meet WSBK homologation rules. From previous rumors and reports, the bike’s specifications will be as follows:

• Dry Weight at 175 kg


• Output of 210 hp


• Titanium exhaust


• Carbon fibre rear seat cover


• Aluminium mirror caps kit


• Lighter crankshaft


• Redesigned cylinder head


• Magnesium covers


• Titanium screws


• Carbon fiber fairings


• Forged wheels


• Ohlins suspensions


• Li-on battery

 

MV Agusta F4 RC Confirmed And Will Cost $46,000

Is Kawasaki"s Next Trick A Revolution In Front End Design?

Kawasaki pretty much stole the show in 2014 with the Ninja H2R (less so the H2) featuring the first supercharged bike in many years and one that jumped performance ahead by a considerable margin. But is their next trick a brand new front end setup that evolves the tried (and generally unsuccessful) center-hub arrangement? Patents published this year say, well, maybe.

By and large, almost every motorcycle since the 1930’s has used the traditional telescopic fork setup and for good reason. They’re extremely cheap to manufacture, they’re mechanically very simple and compared to other options, provide a good level of feedback to the rider. But they’re not without drawbacks which is why center-hub steering arrangements have popped up now and again since 1918 – most recently with Bimota.

With center-hub steering, the front wheel is able to rotate both left and right on its axle, in addition to turning on its pivot like a traditional motorcycle. The main advantage to this is improvement in the physics of front end design as it separates the steering, braking, and suspension functions from the forks. The forks on a motorcycle extend vertically, save for a few degrees of rake. Yet, when you brake, forces are exerted along the horizontal plane – effectively the forces are working against the forks and therefore front suspension. This means that the bike isn’t working in an optimal fashion under braking which is one of the reasons why the front end dives when you hit the anchors.

On first glance, the patent images from Kawasaki look like just another center-hub design. But there’s a few more things going on here. Here’s the abstract from Kawasaki’s patent:

A front wheel supporting structure for a straddle-type vehicle includes a front arm which supports a front axle and which extends rearward from a front axle to a location behind a front wheel, and a pair of upper and lower link members which is turnably connected to two vertically separated portions of a rear end of a front arm. The link members extend rearward. Rear ends of the link members are turnably connected to a vehicle body-configuring member. The front wheel supporting structure includes a front suspension mechanism which suppresses turning motion of the front arm.

Translated into something more like English, what Kawasaki has done is is quite different from traditional center-hub design.  The ‘swing arm’ holding the front wheel doesn’t swing as such but instead is connected to two arms behind the front wheel which themselves swing and provide the vertical movement of the wheel. You can see in the patent images there’s also a horizontal spring and shock absorber in play as well. So it takes all the benefits of center-hub steering but into a more compact and lightweight arrangement.

Negatives? Yes, there’s a few. Cost would be a major factor – what Kawasaki has designed here isn’t exactly simple and uses a fair few more components than telescopic forks. The biggest problem however is that the system effectively turns the steering mechanism into a ‘turn by wire’ setup. In this patent, Kawasaki has employed cables to translate inputs on the bars, through the linkages and on to the wheel. Given how important front end feel is on a motorcycle – being able to have direct steering inputs is a big deal – this system would mean you don’t have any direct interaction with the front wheel and therefore you’ve got far less idea what’s happening when you’re leaned into a corner at high speed.

That could be a deal breaker. However, if Kawasaki’s system creates a giant leap forward in handling then perhaps drawbacks would be worth overlooking. Regardless, it’s unlikely that this is a motorcycle design that will be mainstream in the foreseeable future. But perhaps after the excitement of the Ninja H2R finally dies down, Kawasaki will look to this as the next big thing to steal the spotlight.

 

Is Kawasaki"s Next Trick A Revolution In Front End Design?

Modern Day Birdman

Photo of Lance Coury, just doing his thing.

Modern Day Birdman

A Wintry Motorcycle Morning

View of the Steeples Mountain Range near Cranbrook, British Columbia.

 

A Wintry Motorcycle Morning

WSBK Look At Entry Level Small Capacity Race Class

In more exciting news for entry level machines, Dorna Sports, the company and governing body behind both MotoGP and the World Superbike Championship has announced the formation of working group to examine a new entry level class for the sport.

In a statement from Dorna, it was said that:

The Superbike Commission approved assembly of a working group comprising of any interested machine manufacturers to develop a class structure for an entry level category. The category would be based on the burgeoning Supersport 300 class machinery and would aim to include varied capacities and engine configurations, with the aim to provide a low cost platform to develop new talent.

That burgeoning Supersport category no doubt relates to the Nina 300 and the soon to be released Yamaha R3. Given that statement is rather vague and uses the phrase “varied capacities and engine configurations’, it’s likely that the new KTM RC390 would also be a possibility.

Based on the specifications of the three machines, that would create some parity issues which will no doubt be part of the working group’s focus.  Regardless of what machines may or may not be included in a possible future series, it is fantastic news for young riders around the world where their country’s respective racing associations adopt the WSBK rules and regulations.

It would also be a huge boost for racing in Asia and the subcontinent where smaller capacity bikes are sold in far greater numbers than in the western world. Thailand, Malaysia, India and Indonesia all have a burgeoning sportsbike culture, but due to rules, regulations and pricing, large capacity bikes are either sold in minuscule numbers or not at all.

Should such a series eventuate, young riders would have an achievable international goal to aim for. Here’s hoping it happens and soon. The full regulations for the 2015 year will be available at the FIM website soon.

WSBK Look At Entry Level Small Capacity Race Class

Riding at 150mph (241 kph) Without a Helmet

Now, we most certainly don’t condone this behavior. Going at such speeds on public roads is irresponsible and we’re also not really comfortable with anyone doing so without a helmet. But it does provide for interesting footage of what your face looks like at such silly speeds. Fortunately for the rider, no bees/rocks/birds were present during the run.

 

Riding at 150mph (241 kph) Without a Helmet

It’s Economics, Stupid! Why Motorcycle Lane Filtering is Becoming More Accepted

No one likes commuting in traffic but if you have no choice but to face the morning and afternoon rush hour, there’s no better way to do so than on a motorcycle. Being maneuverable and small, a motorcycle can squeeze into the gaps separating cars and get to the front of the queue in a fraction of the time. Yet, unlike much of Europe, lane filtering is not only frowned upon in the United States, it’s a bookable offence virtually everywhere. There’s a change in the air though and the example is actually from a hemisphere away.

What is most bizarre is that the United States, a country which values personal freedom above virtually everything else and lets riders legally not wear a motorcycle helmet in 31 states (of those 28 states, you only have to wear a helmet if you’re 17 years or younger in most cases), only one state legally endorses filtering – California.  It defies all logic and common sense but that is the current status quo.

Yet in just the last few months, a country that has more onerous restrictions on personal freedoms, where helmets are mandatory 100 per cent of the time, where new riders are restricted to lower powered motorcycles for a number of years – two of the three most populous states in that country have legalized filtering – they being Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

So why have two states in Australia, representing nearly 50 per cent of the country’s population allowed filtering? This is a country that in a right wing American’s mind is probably a socialist utopia, what with all their universal healthcare and gun laws. The reason is economics – it’s all about money.

Australia, like almost every other western nation in the world has begun to tighten its belt. Money isn’t flowing as freely into government coffers as it once was, yet populations continue to grow and put pressure on infrastructure – especially roads. Like the United States, Australian governments love roads more so than public transport and years and years of road upgrades have done nothing to dent congestion.

Traffic congestion is probably one of the worst things you can experience in modern life. A recent study by INRIX showed that people in the United Sates currently waste, on average, 111 hours a year stuck in traffic in the most congested cities. Research has shown sitting in traffic can lead to psychological distress or anxiety and mood disorders up to ten years in the future. But it’s the economic impact that creates the most headlines.

According to INRIX, in 2013, traffic congestion robbed the US economy of $124 billion. Without significant action to alleviate congestion, this cost is expected to increase 50 percent to $186 billion by 2030. The cumulative cost over the 17-year period is projected to be $2.8 trillion – the same amount Americans collectively paid in US taxes last year, or slightly more than the annual economic output of France.

Evaluating both direct and indirect costs, the study found that in 2013, $78 billion resulted from time and fuel wasted in traffic (direct costs) and $45 billion was the sum of indirect costs businesses passed onto American consumers. At an family level, the cost of traffic congestion is estimated at $1,700 a year. From an environmental standpoint, the expense of excess carbon released into the atmosphere at current prices would be around $350 million per annum in the United States alone.

So with no money left to spend on big projects, what is a completely free way to reduce congestion? Legalize filtering.  And either through dumb luck or brilliant foresight, California has shown that one way to improve traffic congestion is to let motorcycle riders squeeze through gaps in slow moving or stationary traffic. Given that Los Angles has some of the worst public transport for a city of its size on the planet, it’s probably dumb luck.

The legalizing of filtering in Queensland and New South Wales has nothing to do with rider safety. There have been numerous studies over decades that show that filtering doesn’t increase rider risk – in fact in many situations it reduces the risk of injury or even death for riders, especially from rear impacts while a motorcyclist is stationary in traffic. But by legalizing filtering, not only does it encourage existing riders to filter through congestion, the general public may even consider its utility when seeing others do it.

This isn’t pure speculation, either. A detailed study by consultancy firm Transport & Mobility Leuven has found that if 10 per cent of all  cars were replaced by motorcycles in the traffic flow of the test area, total time losses for all vehicles decreased by 40 per cent and total emissions reduced by 6 percent. If up to 25 per cent of cars were replaced by motorcycles, congestion would be eliminated entirely.

Selling lane filtering as being safe will never work. The general public already views motorcycle riding as a dangerous pursuit and seeing a rider squeeze between two cars will potentially lead to the deaths of children and fluffy kittens everywhere. Just look on YouTube or Facebook to see the comments about motorcycles that filter and you’ll get the idea. But to propose it on the basis that letting motorcycle riders filter will actually make it quicker for car drivers to get to work? Hey, why didn’t you say so earlier?

If conservative countries like Australia are beginning to legalize filtering, perhaps at least some places in the United States may start to follow suit.

 

It’s Economics, Stupid! Why Motorcycle Lane Filtering is Becoming More Accepted

Would This Be Called MotoSurfing?

This would be classed as an extracurricular activity for a dirt bike. I’d have to think of the rust though…

Would This Be Called MotoSurfing?

AUS | YCF Motorcycles Now For Sale in Australia

French manufacturer YCF has hit Australian shores with a range of off road only machines (none are homologated for street use) targeted at children all the way to young adults. Patrick Lowry of the Lowry Group is the man responsible for the importation of YCF to Australia for the first time and the machines will be immediately available at 11 dealers around Australia.

Paul Feeney used to be involved with the same firm that imported MV Agusta and Husqvarna into the country and it would appear that many of those same dealers will also be stocking the new range from YCF.

According to the YCF blurb, YCF offers a range of mini 4 stroke motorcycles starting at entry level 50cc, electric-start kids bikes with optional remote engine kill switch and training stabilizer wheels. They also cater for bigger kids and adults with a full range of fun bikes and pit bikes from 88cc right up to 190cc.

If you haven’t heard of YCF before, that’s probably not surprising. They’ve only been in existence for 10 years and began as a partnership between two Frenchmen, motocross rider Yannick Coquard and technician Dimitri Bera who helped establish the manufacture of the machines in China. YCF motorcycles are currently sold in Europe, South America, Canada and now Australia.

There’s a fairly substantial 20 models available at launch, 19 of which are dirt bikes plus a single supermoto. Prices begin at $1,550 (rideaway) for the kids 50cc automatic machine with the most expensive being the largest capacity F190 dirtbike at $4,990.

Visit the Australian YCF website for a full list of machines and dealers.

 

AUS | YCF Motorcycles Now For Sale in Australia

BMW Motorrad Announces 2015 New Model Pricing

BMW Motorrad has announced the pricing on the majority of their new models for 2015, with pricing still to be advised on a few bikes in the United Kingdom and Australia. Next year will be a massive year for BMW Motorrad, with the updated S 1000 RR and F 800 R, plus the brand new R 1200 RS, R 1200R and S 1000 XR. Delivery dates vary between each market, though it’s expected that the United States, Canada and Western Europe will get initial deliveries with the Australia and the UK closely behind.

All the below prices are for the base models and don’t include government charges.

2015 S 1000 RR

• USA: $15,550


• Australia: $22,990


• UK: £13,700


• Canada: $17,950

2015 R 1200 R

• USA: $13,950


• Australia: $21,950


• UK: £10,250


• Canada: $16,050

2015 R 1200 RS

• USA: $14,950


• Australia:


• UK: N/A


• Canada: $16,725

2015 F 800 R

• USA:  $9,950


• Australia: $13,100


• UK: N/A


• Canada: $10,800

2015 S 1000 XR

• USA:  $16,350


• Australia: $


• UK: £12,400


• Canada: $17,600

 

 

BMW Motorrad Announces 2015 New Model Pricing

Ohmori Masatoshi and the Art of Motorcycle Drifting

Think you can lean your bike over? Prepare to feel inadequate by watching Japanese rider Ohmori Masatoshi and his sliding (both sideways and parallel to the ground) around the track.

Ohmori Masatoshi and the Art of Motorcycle Drifting

Flying High

Please ensure you select a rut upon landing and stick with it.

Flying High

Hyosung GDR250 Confirmed for 2015

It wasn’t exactly a secret that Korean manufacturer Hyosung was releasing a new small capacity sports bike, as the GD250R was on display at Intermot in October and was all over the Indian press earlier in the year. Today however it has been confirmed that the learner approved motorcycle will come out in the first quarter of 2015.

Hyosung continues to focus on the smaller displacement market and the GD250R is heavily based on the GD250N – a naked motorcycle which came out earlier this year and has received positive reviews from the Indian press.

Apart from the fairings and slight change in seat height, the GD250R is mechanically identical to its naked sibling. It features a 249cc thumper outputting 27.6 hp (20.59 kW) at 9500rpm and 17.8 ftlb (24.17 Nm) at 7,000 rpm. Fully fueled the Hyosung GD250R weighs 155kg and like most bikes in this segment, offers only preload adjustment on the rear suspension and has a single 300mm front disc brake.

No specific pricing or release dates have yet been made available, but expect it to sit well under the CBR300R in terms of pricing.

 

Hyosung GDR250 Confirmed for 2015

Road Racing Rules for 2015 MotoAmerica Season Published

It’s going to be a big year for American motorcycle racers in 2015 with a revamped series on the cards with Kevin Schwantz’s heavy involvement in getting American road racing back on track.

Technical rules published today cover Superbike, Superstock 1000, Supersport and Superstock 600 classes. Rules covering the new KTM RC390 Cup series will follow shortly for the junior riders. In ensuring that the new MotoAmerica season remains relevant for competitors, the rules closely match those of the World Superbike Championship which are also updated for 2015.

General rules and class specific rules are available below, or you can visit the MotoAmerica AMA Road Racing Rules page here.

• General


• Superbike


• Superstock 1000


• Supersport


• Superstock 600


• Controls

Road Racing Rules for 2015 MotoAmerica Season Published

BMW Motorrad and Roland Sands Combine for R nineT Accessories

Released in 2013, BMW has heavily pushed the R nineT as a blank canvas for customizers to work from. Back in August, BMW Motorrad showed of a number of machines that had been worked on by some of the best customizers in Japan. Now, BMW has teamed up with world renowned customizers, Roland Sands Design to create a range of new accessories that bolt on to the R nineT – little mechanical aptitude required.

Some of the parts on offer include valve covers that also offer crash protection ($949.95), new gauge housings for your speedometer and tachometer ($399.95) and for something a little more affordable, RSD bar ends ($59.95).  Added up, the currently known range of Roland Sands Designs accessories would set you back around $3,200 – or about 21 per cent of the cost of an actual BMW R nineT.

The parts will be available for delivery at the end of February 2015. They will be purchased by Roland Sands Design’s dealers (www.rolandsands.com/purchase-info) and can also be purchased by participating BMW Motorrad dealers.

 

BMW Motorrad and Roland Sands Combine for R nineT Accessories

Triumph Developing A 1100cc Cafe Racer?

Cafe racers are the new adventure bikes for motorcycle manufacturers, and Triumph intends to be front and center late next year if rumors by British magazine Visordown ring true. Two brand new Triumph models were spotted testing in Spain – a standard model and what would likely be an R model.

According to the same report, the bike will feature a brand new 1100cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin producing 90 hp. If those figures actually eventuate, one would assume that Triumph is targeting the older and more experienced demographic with this machine rather than Gen Y or younger, given that the machine will probably weigh a hefty amount, too. Straight line performance will not be this machines forte.

Despite the bike probably not being the fastest machine ever designed, the spy photos do show Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes, so at least Triumph aren’t going full Harley-Davidson with this machine – not that we’d expect anything less from Triumph. The as yet named Cafe Racer and Cafe Racer R will likely be available late next year or early 2016.

 

Triumph Developing A 1100cc Cafe Racer?

The New Honda Africa Twin Is Coming

There hasn’t been an official announcement yet by Honda of a brand new Africa Twin coming out in 2015, however it’s all but assured. It was pretty much inevitable when Honda showed off their True Adventure prototype at EICMA last month, and now Honda has released two videos in a continuing series which heavily hints at a return by Honda of this iconic model.

The True Adventure prototype was for show only at EICMA. Absolutely no technical details about the machine were released but our sources indicate that the machine displayed was production ready and featured a 1,000cc, liquid-cooled parallel-twin with the option of Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission.

The first video posted shows Honda’s history of racing in the Dakar Rally – an arena the motorcycle that the Africa Twin was based on had huge success in during the late 80’s.

The second video which was released only a few days ago looks at long distance riding and exploration by every day people – something a new Africa Twin would be perfectly suited to.

And just in case you had any doubt that these videos are part of a pre-marketing plan for the new Africa Twin, take a look at the True Adventure website Honda has published which features the same logo at shown at EICMA.

We’re hearing that an official announcement on the new machine will happen in the new year with a release in Q2 of 2015.

 

 

The New Honda Africa Twin Is Coming