by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Germany Becomes Home of the 5,000th Ducati Multistrada V4 Zero to 5,000 in just six months. It is the achievement of Italian bike maker Ducati’s Multistrada V4, which in just half a year managed to convince 5,000 riders it is the right choice for them. Ducati announced the milestone this week, with the 5,000th two-wheeler ever made in the family ordered by a German rider from Ingolstadt. The bike is a fully-loaded V4 S Sport and was accompanied in the rider’s garage by a “sculptural reproduction” of the bike and a “personal letter certifying the motorcycle’s serial number.” The V4 was presented by the Italians in November last year, and it is currently available in three versions, the V4, V4S, and V4 S Sport, all described as the most advanced of their kind ever. The most potent of them all can easily go in the high $20,000s (exact pricing is available upon request at dealers). At the core of the bikes sits the so-called Granturismo engine, a 1,158cc piece of hardware rated at a massive 170 hp at 10,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) at 8,750 rpm. The engine is lighter than the one that preceded it and tips the scale at 66.7 kg (147 pounds). But it is not only the engine that makes the bike special. The V4 is presently the first production motorcycle equipped with both a front and a rear radar, working together with the Adaptive Cruise Control (AAC) technology. Only a limited range of colors is available for the bike, going from the Ducati Red of the entry-level to the “particularly aggressive dedicated livery“ of the S Sport. This one also gets an Akrapovic exhaust and carbon front mudguard. The exhaust system is made of stainless steel and was designed to bring the motorcycle’s weight down by 5 kg (11 pounds) and increase the engine’s power output to 174 hp and 133 Nm (98 lb-ft) of torque.

by Anusuya Lahiri from https://www.benzinga.com

Alternet Systems Electric Motorcycle Rideshare Program Parallels UN E-Boda-Boda Program for Kenya

Alternet Systems Inc emphasized the simultaneous U.N. E-Boda-Boda program with its Kenya rideshare electric motorcycle debut by July 2021.

The program will be conducive to the technological shift towards electric bikes. Alternet expects valuable information to enhance its electric motorcycle launch.

Alternet has an order to deliver 2000 electric motorcycles in Kenya for the motorcycle taxi (Boda) market.

Additionally, Alternet plans to introduce a self-drive rental program to hire electric motorcycles that can be unlocked via a mobile phone app.

Price action: Alternet shares traded higher.

RPM Act Reintroduced for 2021—Act Now! Save Our Racecars!

Our voices have been heard! After receiving more than one million letters from enthusiasts like you, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act) has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2021-2022 session of Congress!

The RPM Act must be enacted into law to guarantee your right to modify street cars, trucks, and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete.

Now is not the time to take our feet off the gas. Even if you’ve previously contacted your lawmakers about the RPM Act, we need your voice once again now that the bill has officially returned for consideration in 2021! Tell your U.S. Representative to do their part to finally save racing from government threat by supporting and passing the RPM Act into law this year.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE LETTER TO CONGRESS.

Car accidents are scary, often traumatizing, events. Even after a small incident, you might feel overwhelmed and at a complete loss for how to continue. What do you do first?

 

Do you know how you would respond in a car accident situation? Were you in a car accident and are currently unsure how to proceed?

 

Take a deep breath, and then keep reading. Today, learn what to do after a car accident in this simple, step-by-step guide. Covering the key things that you should work through after an accident, this guide will help you to find your feet and keep things moving.

Step 1: Analyze The Scene

The first thing you want to do immediately following an accident is to check if everyone is safe. Exit your vehicle if possible, and turn on your emergency flashers. Call 911 right away if the incident is more than a minor fender bender so that emergency vehicles can get there quickly.

 

If you have flares, set these up so that other drivers can safely move around the crash. Turn on your hazard lights if possible.

 

Anyone injured at the scene should not be moved unless they are in danger by remaining in their vehicle or where they are located. Moving an injured individual could cause more harm, so get on the phone with 911 and follow their instructions to secure the scene until help arrives.

Step 2: Document The Scene

Once you have done your part to ensure that everyone is safe and that help is on the way, you will want to take a step back and begin to document the scene.

 

Here are some things that you should be doing to make sure you have the information needed to file an insurance claim:

 

• Take pictures of the vehicles before they are moved if possible
• Take photos of the scene of the incident
• Move the vehicles after photos are taken unless it is unsafe to do so
• Do not admit fault to the other party; express concern with admitting guilt
• Exchange contact info with other drivers there, including eyewitnesses
  • Make sure to get their name, address, phone number, insurance information, driver’s license info, and car information
• If cops are present, request the accident report number
• Take down the cops’ names and badge numbers as well
• Document any medical assistance that is provided to you at the scene

 

You will likely gather more information than you need, but it is always better to have more information rather than not enough. The goal of collecting this information is to prove exactly what happened in case you or another driver decides to pursue legal action following the incident.

Step 3: Call Your Car Insurance Company

You will want to call your insurance company to report the accident as soon as possible. Preferably, you will be the first one to report the incident.

 

You should call and report the incident even if the accident was minor or caused no apparent damages. This is just in case another party reports damages later on or if something comes up on your end after the fact. Not all consequences of an accident are immediately apparent. You want all accidents to be documented just in case.

 

When calling, give your car insurance company as many details of the accident as possible to start the claim process. They may inform you that they will be sending out insurance adjusted to do further assessment of the accident scene, and they may have a claims specialist contact you for more information.

 

Be cooperative and provide as much information as possible.

Step 4: Document Everything

As you move on from here, you’ll likely be doing the following:

1. Seeing a doctor for any injuries sustained from the accident.
2. Getting estimates done on your car for repairs.
3. Talking with police about any violations or the accident report.

 

Working through these things can be overwhelming, but it is all part of the process. Make sure that you document absolutely everything that happens throughout this. Keeping a journal which details what happens each day while also making copies of everything is a great idea.

 

Documentation may be necessary for proving your claim, getting the reimbursements you deserve, or otherwise handling the repercussions of the accident. The more you have on record, the better the outcome is likely to be.

 

Don’t be afraid to contact a qualified car accident lawyer if you feel that you cannot handle everything on your own. They will advise you on how to proceed, what you should do next, and what will be in your best interests. They also might be able to answer questions you have, like how long does a fender bender stay on your record if it wasn’t your fault?

You Can Handle This

It can be hard to know what to do after a car wreck, especially if you have never been involved in an accident before. Hopefully, today’s guide has shown you what you can do to make the entire process more manageable.

 

Remember that you can always ask for help. If you feel lost or overwhelmed, call your insurance company and ask them to guide you on the next steps. You can also request a friend or family member to get involved with helping you to work things out.

 

This can be particularly helpful if you were injured in the accident and have more important things, like your health, to focus on.

–Emila Smith

by Joe Werkmeister from https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com

The organizer of a proposed drag racing series at the Enterprise Park at Calverton addressed a number of concerns related to safety, noise and the environment during Thursday’s Town Board work session.

Pete Scalzo, who has a pending special event application for an multi-series event called Race Track Not Street at EPCAL, said all vehicles racing on the temporary 1/8-mile track on the 7,000-foot EPCAL runway will be required to have a muffler. Vehicles will be inspected prior to racing, he said. Motorcycles would not be permitted to race as well.

Several residents spoke out against two pending racing proposals, including a separate event called the Scrambul Runway Challenge, during the May 19 Town Board meeting.

“Everything will comply with strict safety protocols,” Mr. Scalzo said of his event, citing his experience with promoting more than 170 drag racing events that have been successfully completed without incident as well as running four race tracks. “I’m proud to say I have never ever had a claim paid out to a racer or spectator.”

Racing will be limited to the 1/8-mile track with a speed limit set at 115 mph or no faster than six seconds, he said. He said those limits are not common at drag racing events and he’s received some negative feedback from racers, but has agreed to those limitations to ease safety concerns.

Racers will also be required to wear a helmet, a change from his original presentation before the Town Board in April. He said the helmets will be required even thought the insurance company does not mandate it. The event would be sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association, Mr. Scalzo said.

Councilman Ken Rothwell, who has worked with Mr. Scalzo on the special event application, said Mr. Scazlo has “proven himself in this industry” and said he has “great confidence in him.”

Mr. Scalzo agreed to push back the date for the event, which will be held over four weekends starting in late August if approved, due to concerns about nesting birds.

“I did speak to the [Department of Environmental Conservation] and the nesting dates conclude around Aug. 16 so we’re not going to start until the following weekend,” Mr. Rothwell said. “We’re working together between man and nature.”

The Town Board is expected to vote on resolutions for the special event applications for both Mr. Scalzo’s event and the Scrambul Runway Challenge at its next meeting Wednesday. The Scrambul event, which would feature three tracks using both runways, was originally proposed for June but will now be Sept. 25-26.

Mr. Rothwell said he’s been talking to Andre Baxter of Scrambul and he has agreed to change the dates to not interfere with the bird nesting. Mr. Baxter also has decreased the size of his half-mile track so there won’t be the high speeds that officials were concerned about. The application shows a maximum of 1,000 people, including drivers. The resolution on the Scrambul event would amend a prior resolution the Town Board approved for the special event application.

“They are committed to providing a safe venture here,” Mr. Rothwell said.

The Race Track Not Street events would run on Saturday and Sunday and would be held during daytime for the first weekend. Three subsequent Saturdays would be night events, with gates opening at 1 p.m. and competition from 4-10:45 p.m., the latest time allowed under the town code. Mr. Scalzo said the series of multiple events is necessary to make it cost effective to host. Mr. Scalzo estimated needing about 30 staff members to run the event.

There would be a $35 entry fee for racers and spectators would pay $15 in advance or $20 at the gate.

Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said Mr. Scalzo agreed to give Riverhead Town residents priority in attending the event.

“There’s a big interest here in Riverhead,” she said.

In terms of safety, Mr. Scalzo said there will be over 2,000 feet of highway concrete barriers and additional 1,600 feet of crowd control metal barrier fencing.

Mr. Scalzo said the racing surface where he envisions the 660 feet of racing taking place is “better than probably most of the other race tracks that I’ve been at.”

Spectator viewing, parking and pit areas will be on concrete or asphalt and not on grass areas, he said.

Speaking to concerns about noise, Mr. Scalzo said he can’t blame nearby residents for bringing up the issue. He said in years past, other proposals centered around true drag racing where the vehicles would have been quite loud. But this proposal, he said, is street racing.

“We are so concerned about issues that the public has with noise that we will be on top of that,” he said. “Again, what we’re asking for is this permit to be able to operate to show you the merits of what drag racing is all about. I’m not saying I’m personally looking for a change in zoning or something that should continue forever at EPCAL. No, that’s not what this is all about.”

The Town Board is still waiting for reports from the fire marshal and Planning Department. Jefferson Murphree, the planning administrator, said there are no outstanding concerns.

He said a traffic safety plan has to be approved by the police department as is always required with the special event application.

Mr. Scalzo, 76, who lives in Sarasota, Fla., said he plans to attend Wednesday’s Town Board meeting.

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

A little more than a year ago, BMW returned to the cruiser segment with the mighty R 18 motorcycle. Designed to take on the big boys of the segment, specifically Harley-Davidson and Indian, the range will get a few more versions very soon.

The line already comprises the standard cruiser and the more touring-oriented Classic. They will be joined by a sportier incarnation, R 18 B, and the Transcontinental classic tour-oriented two-wheeler, which according to our sources, will likely be revealed as soon as this June.

Like all other bikes in the family, the new ones are said to use of the same 2-cylinder engine that is 1,802 cc in displacement, albeit fitted inside a slightly larger frame required to accommodate the needs of longer cruises. Named by the Germans Big Boxer, the powerplant is rated at 91 hp and 158 Nm (116 lb-ft) of torque in the existing bikes, and that will probably be the case with the new ones as well.

The B will come with a large fairing and a short windshield, while the Transcontinental will sport a larger windshield, additional headlights, and a top case at the rear. Both new models will get a larger tank, 10.5-inch TFT screen, and even an area with inductive charging for smartphones.

The wheels are likely to remain the same in size, namely 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels, only in a new design. Visually, the B will take a darkened approach to things, while the Transcontinental will go for chrome.

According to the spies that captured the photos you see in the gallery, the R 18 B should tip the scale at 365 kg (805 pounds), while the Transcontinental is said to come in at over 400 kg (882 pounds).

Full details on the new bikes, and uncamouflaged photos, will be thrown into the wild by Motorrad soon.

by Sara Cline from https://www.sfgate.com

Earlier this month, Oregon lawmakers passed a bill that would allow motorcyclists to drive between slow or stopped traffic.

However, despite bipartisan approval and hundreds of letters of written testimony — overwhelmingly in favor of the “lane splitting” legislation — Gov. Kate Brown this week vetoed the measure, citing public safety concerns.

“I have several concerns with the bill as currently drafted, particularly related to public safety and noncompliance,” Brown said in a Wednesday letter to the state Senate president and House speaker, which was obtained by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Senate Bill 574 would have permitted motorcyclists to drive between lanes, on multilane highways, when traffic slowed to 10 mph (16 kph) or less — also known as “lane splitting” or “lane filtering.” In this situation, motorcyclists riding between cars could travel no more than 10 mph faster than the flow of traffic.

States like California and Utah have enacted similar laws.

While this idea concerned some drivers, motorcyclists argued lane splitting actually improves safety.

“Perhaps one of the more dangerous situations for any on-highway motorcyclist is being caught in congested traffic, where stop-and-go vehicles, distracted and inattentive vehicle operators and environmental conditions pose an increased risk of physical contact with another vehicle or hazard,” Nicholas Haris, a representative for the American Motorcyclist Association, said in written testimony. “Even minor contact under such conditions can be disastrous for motorcyclists.”

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, in 2018, the most recent data available, there were 78 deadly motorcycle crashes in the state.

“I have witnessed — during rolling traffic slowdowns on the Southern California freeway — motorcyclists cautiously, slowly and effectively moving through traffic and eliminating themselves from the traffic backup,” Kate Stoller, an Oregon motorcyclist, said in written testimony.

In Utah, legislation passed in 2019 allows for lane filtering. Prior to the law, in 2018 the state had 28 fatalities involving motorcyclists. The following year it reported 18.

Proposals to allow lane splitting have been introduced repeatedly in Oregon but stalled in the Legislature. This year the bill had a bipartisan group of sponsors from both chambers. In the House the bill passed 42-14, and in the Senate it passed 18-6.

But some disagreed that the bill would make roads safer — the latest being Oregon’s governor.

“Many stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and members of the public remain concerned that lane filtering is unsafe for both the motorcyclists and the drivers sharing the road, due to the serious injuries and death that commonly result from motorcycle-involved accidents,” Brown wrote.

“Based on these concerns, I am returning SB 574 unsigned and disapproved,” the governor wrote.

A legislative override of her veto would require a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

by Carolyn Noel from https://www.thereminder.com

CHICOPEE – A Public Safety meeting took place to discuss illegal dirt bikes, motorcycles, speeding and excessive noise in the City of Chicopee on May 19.

City Councilor William Courchesne, Ward 7, has been an active participant in the fight against this issue. At the City Council meeting on May 4, Courchesne spoke on the many phone calls he has received from upset residents in his ward. He also helped with updating the Code of the City of Chicopee to strengthen and modernize many noise ordinances.

During the Public Safety meeting, residents were given the chance to voice their concerns on illegal dirt bikes, motorcycles, speeding and noise. Members of the Chicopee Police Department were also in attendance to respond and answer questions.

One resident spoke on the danger of dirt bikes speeding along public streets.

“They’re turning our public streets into their playgrounds,” she said.

Attendee Gerald Lavoie agreed on the danger of dirt bikes speeding on streets, but also proposed that the city give them a safe space to ride.

“The kids need a place to ride,” he said.

Lavoie suggested opening up land for people to ride their dirt bikes safely by Westover Air Reserve Base, near Szot Park or anywhere else that could be accommodated.

Resident David Perault spoke on his motorcycle-related concerns at the meeting. He said that from April through November the noise is “crazy.” He even compared the area he lives in to a speed race.

“My apartment unfortunately faces the Chicopee River and what I like to call the Indianapolis 500,” said Perault. “These guys are flying.”

He spoke on the excessive motorcycle noise that he had to deal with during the COVID-19 lockdown when he was home. He said that a lot of the motorcycles backfire, which can sound like fireworks or even gunshots.

Despite the complaints, Perault did show understanding to the Chicopee Police force. He spoke on the lack of police staff in recent months, especially in the Traffic Enforcement Department.

“I understand that there’s not a lot you can do about it because you don’t have the manpower to do it,” he said. “Whatever you can do to address it, I would be eternally grateful.”

Two residents spoke on the issue of dirt bikes and motorcycles on Moreau Drive. They both emphasized the amount of kids who live there and how dangerous this could be to them, those at nearby Litwin School and those at the nearby Chicopee Country Club.

“We need to do something about this. We need to do better. Any assistance would be great,” said resident Jen Santere.

According to both, Moreau Drive has had three hit and runs within the last year. They brought forth a petition of over 100 neighbors demanding the excessive speeding to stop and asking the Police Department to restore safety to small neighborhood streets.

Many city councilors also attended the meeting to listen to concerns and voice their support. Courchesne said that he wants to see a task force of police officers who cover strictly traffic issues. This would ensure an instant response to these types of situations.

Councilor Gary Labrie agreed, as did Councilor Derek Dobosz. Councilor James Tillotson said that this needs to become a priority among the Police Department, especially now with nice weather approaching.

“I really think we have to make it a priority this summer and try to put an end to it. It’s only going to get worse once the weather gets warmer and the kids are out there more,” said Tillotson.

To finish the discussion, members of the Chicopee Police Department were given time to speak. According to the Captain of the Traffic Bureau, the department is having trouble making these issues their main focus due to a lack of overtime positions being filled.

“Our guys are burnt out with working hours,” he said.

The Chicopee Police Department is also having issues hiring new officers, he said.

Chicopee Police Capt. Jeff Gawron also spoke on the issue.

Gawron said that the Chicopee Police Department is working with other communities to help combat this issue.

“There’s issues all over the place. We are doing everything possible,” said Gawron.

He spoke on the fact that there might be a delay in response to traffic issues, but officers will always show up. There is a need to prioritize calls and, for example, a shots fired call will always take precedence over a traffic call.

“We’re doing the best that we can. The officers on the street are doing the best that they can. They’re working long hours, but, like I said, they can’t be everywhere,” said Gawron.

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

Carmakers have long learned that if they plan to be successful in our age and time, they must now also cater to their customers’ connectivity and navigation needs. That is why present-day cars are more gadgets on wheels than anything else.

Not the same can be said about motorcycles, though. Sure, bike makers are trying to satisfy those needs too, but the limits of two-wheeled vehicles will never allow for the same level of technology as on cars to be deployed. But, again, bike makers are trying.

The latest development to result from these efforts comes from Triumph, which just announced it partnered with specialist Beeline to create a dedicated navigation solution in a “Triumph-branded package.”

The solution was envisioned as a minimalist proposition. The system’s case is IP67 waterproof and shockproof, can be quickly mounted on any motorcycle, not only Triumphs, and features laser-etched Triumph branding.

The bike maker says the system is a perfect fit for the bikes it makes, more specifically for the Bonneville. Once installed on the two-wheeler, it needs to be paired with the Beeline app to work.

The Triumph Beeline, as it’s called, comes with a back-lit display and provides two navigation modes, the turn-by-turn Route and the more adventurous Compass, which uses a compass to give directions.

The display shows a speedometer, clock and trip computer, route tracking, metric and imperial information options, and GPX route import option. It can do so for up to 30 hours, after which it needs to be plugged in to charge its battery via a USB cable.

According to the Brits, the system can be used on bikes riding in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. In the home market, the thing is priced at £199 ($282) and will go on sale at the end of this week.

Hey,

Are things calming down or heating up. I had lots of dreams about Bonneville last night. Hopefully haul bikes will deliver the Salt Torpedo to the Badlands soon.

I tell young guys that building bikes is an investment. Buying and restoring antique bikes can work out well. The adage, “All eggs in one basket,” is a good one. Ya need to diversify. But do what’s comfortable for you, but just do something goddammit.

Have a hell of a Memorial Day and remember those who died for freedom.

–Bandit

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