Scooter drivers given dressing down on failure to wear safety clothing

Scooter sales have soared from about 1000 in 2001 to more than 10,000 last year. But though most riders are new to two-wheel transport, the law requires only that they wear a helmet.

Rob Smith, the manager of the riders' division at Motorcycling Australia, said scooter riders should be wearing the same safety gear as a motorcycle rider.

"There's an unfortunate mindset that comes with the term scooter," Mr Smith said. "It conjures up thoughts of a toy, something benign. I think of them as automatic motorcycles. Whether you fall off a motorcycle or a scooter at 60km/h, the result is the same. Any time you expose bare skin to the road, the outcome is obvious.

However, Wensley Carroll, a scooter rider and salesman, rejected the suggestion that riders need better protection.

"You ride your bicycle down the road at 60km/h with no brakes, no engine and [a very narrow] tyre on the road only wearing lycra," Mr Carroll said.

"Scooters are not motorcycles. They have less power and they are sitting higher, so riders' reaction times are quicker because they can see further ahead."

Rob Colligan of the Motorcycle Council of NSW said the government could not mandate what scooter riders should wear.

"The issue is, what is the proper protective clothing? What is right in Sydney in winter is not going to be suitable for summer.''

A spokesman for the Australian Medical Association, Dr Brian Owler, said the consequences of falling off while not wearing proper safety clothing were serious.

"At some point there has to be owner onus. You have to assess the risk you are taking."

Source: www.blacktownsun.com.au

 

Crutchlow satisfied with test progress

 

 

The Superbike convert was near the foot of the times and crashed on Wednesday, but was pleased with his pace at this stage in his learning curve.

 

"I am happy with the test because I am still learning so much but I was able to run a consistent pace and drop my lap times on each day," said Crutchlow.

"I'm on a big learning curve and I wasn't looking for pure speed. I'd never ridden at this track before and it is certainly a tough place to learn quickly. All the other guys have done millions of laps around here and I just need to build up my experience."

Crutchlow added that the Tech 3 Yamaha squad was pleased with how he was getting up to speed - especially as he was still recovering from surgery on a lingering shoulder problem.

 

"My times are in the ballpark of those set in last year's race and that's pleasing considering everything is still so new for me and I wasn't in peak physical condition because of my shoulder," he said.

"I need to improve in the braking area and also step up my pace on the hard Bridgestone tyre, but I feel I'm getting more comfortable with the bike.

"I've been looking at loads of data and when we return later this month I'll continue trying to adapt my style. I'm still riding the bike too much like a superbike, but I'm pleased that I'm progressing and getting faster."

 

Tech 3's other rider Colin Edwards was in the top 10 throughout the test, and thinks he will be back on form with the 2011 Yamaha after a tough 2010 season.

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Honda to launch India-specific models post Hero Honda exit

With its exit plan from Hero Honda being finalised, Japan's Honda Motor Co is gearing up to launch India specific two-wheeler models as it prepares for the solo ride here. 

The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), will also expand its dealer base and strengthen vendor network to rapidly expand presence in the country. It will start selling 250cc sports bike CBR250R in India from April, priced at Rs 1.5 lakh onwards. 

"Our current and future endeavors will be directed to meet all kinds of customer requirements, including introduction of new and unique India-specific models," an HMSI spokesperson told PTI. 

The company, however, did not elaborate on the India specific models and the time-frame for their launch. 

Currently, HMSI sells both scooters, such as Activa and Dio, and motorcycles, including Stunner, Shine, Twister and Unicorn in India. 

When asked about plans for network expansion in the wake of Honda's exit from Hero Honda, the HMSI official said: "We are concentrating to meet the current demand and also focusing to expand dealer base, strengthen vendor network and increase quality manpower to service greater customer base." 

At present HMSI has a sales network of 790 outlets (398 dealers and 392 branches) and 389 authorised service centres. 

On January 24, Honda Motor Co and the Hero Group had executed a final binding licensing agreement paving way for the Japanese auto major's exit from the 26-year-old joint venture -- Hero Honda. Under the deal, Honda will sell its 26 per cent stake in Hero Honda to the Hero Group, although it will continue to supply technology for sometime. 

In order to expand presence in the high-end bikes segment, HMSI will start selling 250cc road-sports bike CBR250R from April priced Rs 1.5 lakh onwards. 

"Bookings for CBR250R, our global 250cc road-sports motorcycle have opened from January 1, 2011. Customer interest for this motorcycle is overwhelming and within a month we have received 1,800 confirmed bookings," the official said. 

On the overall sales front, the company is looking for 26 per cent growth in 2010-11. 

"HMSI plans to sell 1.6 million units in FY 2010-11 and grow 26 per cent over the 1.27 million units sold during FY 2009-10," the official said.

Source: economictimes.com

Scooter Maker Piaggio Runs Facebook Photo Contest

Scooter and motorcycle maker Piaggio SpA, known best in the U.S for its Vespa scooters, has been pushing helmets for riders here.  Today the company said it is launching a new consumer helmet promotional campaign that includes a photo contest on Facebook.

People who buy a new Piaggio or Vespa brand scooter will get a Vespa Soft Touch or Piaggio Copter helmet free of charge. The program is called “Vespa Helmets are for Everything,” and runs from January 27 through April 30 at dealerships and on Vespa Facebook page.

For the photo contest the company asks riders to upload images showing their ideas for how to use their helmets creatively when they aren’t riding. Piaggio Group says it isn’t encouraging people to harm their helmets or render them unfit for use on the road. Instead it is “merely offering a humorous spin to gain awareness of a very serious topic,” the company says.

Ideas so far include using a helmet as a decorative fruit bowl and as protection during snowball fights.

Source: wsj.com