Category: Random

1. What Makes Motorcycle Maintenance Similar to F1 Maintenance

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 24th Oct 2022

   Your motorbike is nothing like an F1 vehicle in terms of speed and performance. However, you can learn a thing or two from F1 maintenance and apply the same principles to your bike.  

   Whether you are a street racer or a casual rider, your motorbike can take a beating from the elements and from frequent use. Much like F1 cars, your motorbike requires high levels of maintenance in order to perform optimally. Here’s what you can take from F1 maintenance and apply to your motorcycle:

   1. Check for tire integrity

   F1 tires are designed to allow for extreme gripping and durability during high-speed races. F1 teams take tire management seriously. Before a race, they will need to choose the right set of tires and check if they are at the proper pressure.

   Even on two wheels, you can never remove tire maintenance from the equation. For bikes that run on 1,000cc engines, you need to make sure your tires can withstand accelerated wear and tear. For this, it’s important to check if there are any flat spots on each tire.

   If you are a casual rider, you can choose between soft and medium tires that work well in inclement weather. If you are taking the circuit, you will need good quality tires that are within regulation.

   F1 tires are known for their nylon and polyester construction, so consider shopping for motorcycle tires that are reinforced by these materials.

   2. Test for performance

   The performance of your bike mainly relies on how balanced it is during different riding scenarios. Maintaining an F1 car also revolves around this principle.

   F1 circuits consist of low and mid-speed turns. Engaging these turns successfully relies on handling, but a great deal of it depends on a number of factors, including engine performance, aerodynamic balance, chassis integrity, and suspension performance. Neglecting these factors will only increase the chances of oversteering during a sharp turn.

   In the same way, you need to check if your motorbike is also prepared for the demands of the streets. Whether you are casually going to work or joining a local MotoGP event, it's essential to check every aspect of your bike. Pay close attention to the engine, braking system, and suspensions

   Consider going on a test drive first and check if anything feels "off". If the ride doesn’t feel smooth, perhaps you need to change the brake fluid and check for wear and tear on the suspension components.

   3. Check fluid levels Due to the demands of F1 racing, F1 cars require an oil and coolant change after or before a race. When it comes to checking fluid levels on your motorcycle, pay attention to the coolant and lubricant needs of your bike.

   Consider replacing the coolant every three years. If you are participating in a race, you may have to do a replacement afterward. For lubricant levels, your crew will need to add lubricant when you arrive at the pit stop. For non-racing scenarios, make it a habit to check lubricant levels once a month.

   Bonus: Add modifications

   Consider giving your bike a full paint job with custom decals to match. To brighten up your bike, consider shopping for glow kits and adding a LED underglow on your bike. As long as your ride is cleared for street use, you can go all-out in painting your MotoGP.

   If you like to take the fast lane with your motorcycle, then there’s definitely a lot you can learn from F1 racers and pit crews.

    

    

    

   article supplied

2. SHARK Helmets celebrates Bradley Ray BSB Championship win with one-off custom helmet

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 19th Oct 2022

   SHARK-sponsored rider Bradley Ray celebrated a magnificent victory at the final round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch circuit on Sunday, crowning him the 2022 Champion. His long-term sponsor, SHARK Helmets presented him with  a one-off custom helmet to mark the special occasion. 

   Bradley Ray entered the concluding round with a 66 point lead over his closest rival, ready to battle for the championship title in the final three races at the Bennetts British Superbike Showdown. After just one race Brad claimed the title by a focused run to fifth, securing 11 points which put the championship out of Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell’s reach.

   Proud sponsors of newly-crowned Bennetts British Superbike Champion, SHARK Helmets unveiled a one-off special helmet and presented it to the 25 year-old rider. 

   Designed in winning gold and black, the custom Race R Pro GP displayed the Union Jack to celebrate the British title. Brad Ray’s winning helmet design also features a nod to his family with meaningful quotes which his grandad would always say. 

   SHARK-supported racers wear the Race-R PRO GP with its distinctive rear spoiler for ultimate aerodynamics. This high performance aero profile, developed in close collaboration between the SHARK Research & Development teams and SHARK’s MotoGP riders, is the result of the most advanced technologies in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) studies.

   The Race-R PRO GP derives from a perfect alliance between unique design, security, aerodynamism and technological innovations.

   It’s not just SHARK Helmets-supported racer’s who can get their hands on the iconic Race R Pro GP helmet. The SHARK Race R Pro GP is available in six colourways including the all-new Zarco replica with an RRP of £1049.99 and £999.99 for the FIM variation. 

3. Suzuki launches Accident Aftercare Programme in industry-first

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 14th Oct 2022

   Suzuki has launched its new motorcycle accident aftercare programme, an entirely free service for all customers, regardless of age of machine, that aims to make dealing with the aftermath of an accident or theft as smooth and as pain-free as possible.

   The programme provides riders with a single point of contact and will handle everything from liaising with insurance providers and recovery of the motorbike, right through to the repair at an authorised Suzuki dealership using only Suzuki Genuine Parts.

   The service is a motorcycle industry first, and by helping to remove a lot of the stress from what is already a high-stress situation, it highlights Suzuki’s ongoing commitment to its customers past the new motorcycle point of sale.

   With no sign-up required, any Suzuki owner involved in an accident – regardless of their insurer – can benefit from the service by calling Suzuki First, a dedicated call centre available 24 hours a day. From there, the entire claims process, recovery, and repair, will be handled on the owner’s behalf. Suzuki First will also be there if the motorcycle is stolen.

   Jacob Lewis, Suzuki GB’s customer retention manager, commented, “We pride ourselves on our level of aftersales care at Suzuki, and I think our customers will agree we put a great deal of effort into things like our Suzuki Service Promise and our Vintage Parts Programme. Now, we’re really pleased to be able to further demonstrate our commitment to Suzuki owners with the Suzuki Accident Aftercare programme. Sometimes accidents happen and we know how stressful it is managing the fallout, arranging recovery and dealing with insurance companies. 

   “We aim to make this process as easy as it can be, by handling everything on the owner’s behalf. Not only that, by managing the process we can ensure that their Suzuki is repaired to the highest possible standard, using Suzuki Genuine Parts and by fully trained and experienced Suzuki technicians. And best of all it is completely free, there is no charge to the owner. All they need to do is call Suzuki First and we’ll take it from there.”

4. What is brake fluid for?

   Posted on 11:00am Thursday 6th Oct 2022

   A hydraulic braking system without proper brake fluid is a bit like a heart without blood. The brake fluid is what transmits the force applied to the brake lever to the front and rear brakes, stopping the motorcycle. As you pull the lever, the bike’s master cylinder is activated, creating hydraulic pressure. As the fluid is pushed through the brake lines, this pressure is transferred to the pistons in the calipers, which then press the pads against the brake discs. The friction created as the pads come into contact with the metal discs causes the wheels to slow down, converting kinetic energy into heat energy.

   This hydraulic process requires a non-compressible fluid with a high boiling point so that it is able to effectively transmit pressure and withstand high braking temperatures. It should also effectively protect the metal components. The viscosity also has an impact on braking performance. Low viscosity brake fluid is often the preferred option for modern anti-locking braking systems (ABS) as a thinner fluid can easily travel through the small passageways and channels in the system.

   Types of motorcycle brake fluid

   Rating	Dry boiling point (no water)	Wet boiling point (with water)
   DOT 3	205° C	140° C
   DOT 4	230° C	155° C
   DOT 5	260° C	180° C
   DOT 5.1	260° C	180° C

   Nowadays, the vast majority of motorbikes use DOT 4 products. For example, the ATE brake fluid 03.9901-6202.2 is a popular choice for motorcycles and sports vehicles. The Typ 200 racing-quality product comes in a 1-litre can. It is compatible with other glycol-based types. Thanks to the high-quality metal container, the product has a long shelf life, and the additives in the formula protect against corrosion and deterioration. DOT 4 also offers significant advantages over DOT 3 fluid and is cheaper than DOT 5.1 products.  

   When to change your motorcycle brake fluid

   As mentioned before, glycol-based fluids attract water over time causing them to deteriorate. Although some brake fluid formulas last longer than others, most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the fluid every 2 years, just to be on the safe side. Signs that it needs to be replaced include a spongy or bouncy brake pedal, strange noises or odours when braking, poor braking performance, and an illuminated ABS dashboard light. The type of fluid required is normally specified on the master cylinder reservoir cap.

    

    

    

   article supplied

5. What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident (UK)

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 21st Sep 2022

   No one ever wants to be involved in a motorcycle accident but sometimes they can happen in the blink of an eye and just can’t be avoided. These unfortunate incidents can be frustrating, emotional and lead to severe injury or disability. It is vital that you know what to do immediately after the incident has occurred as this can have a significant influence on  how such an event will impact you.

   This guide explains what you should do after the incident to make sure that you are safe and to ensure you get the help that you need.

   Immediately after the incident

   First things first, get yourself to safety even if that means that you leave your bike behind. If the road is clear and you can move on your own, then the top priority is to get yourself to an area safer than the middle of the road. Pedestrians and other motorists can approach a downed rider which can create a bigger hazard in the road and could potentially be another accident waiting to happen.

   Check yourself for injuries. You are going to experience a surge of adrenaline which can mask even serious and life changing injuries.

   It's important that you do not move your motorcycle, firstly to try and avoid any further injuries to yourself but also so as not to compromise evidence and impede any police investigation.

   Call the Emergency Services

   You should call or be asking someone to call the emergency services as soon as is safely possible. Many people ‘freeze’ or go into some level of physical and emotional shock after an accident. If you need someone to call the emergency services for you be sure to signal to them and be clear in what you are telling them to do.

   This should ideally go hand in hand with not removing your gear after the accident. Most motorcyclists will try and remove their helmets immediately after the accident, but this can cause more serious injury to the head, neck or spine.

   Whilst waiting for the Emergency Services

   Try to remain calm. Motorcycle accidents can be emotionally and physically traumatic, but it is in your best interests to remain as calm as possible. Losing your temper can lead to rash decisions. Keeping a clear head allows you to think more clearly, so be sure to take a few deep breaths and try to take stock of the situation as best as you can.

   Try to recall what has just happened. You can then accurately convey this information to the police and paramedics when they arrive.  Information such as this can help them to determine the nature and extent of your injuries and provide you with efficient and effective treatment.

   Exchanging motoring details

   In accordance with motoring laws, if you are able then you should speak with the other driver and obtain their details – name, insurer, reg number and provide your own. You can save these in the notes function on your mobile phone. You should also note down the details of any passengers or witnesses to the incident.

   The law defines a reportable road traffic collision as a collision involving a mechanically-propelled vehicle on a road or other public area which causes:

   • injury or damage to anybody - other than the driver of that vehicle
   • injury or damage to an animal - other than one being carried on that vehicle (an animal is classed as a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog. You may also report collisions or incidents involving deer, but this is not a legal requirement.)
   • damage to a vehicle - other than the vehicle which caused the collision
   • damage to property built on, attached to, growing in, or otherwise forming part of the land where the road is 

   What should I record?

   Knowing what to make note of after a motorcycle accident can be confusing, especially if you feel disoriented and stressed. Its important to gather as much evidence about what has happened as you can for insurance and legal purposes.

   With modern mobile phones being so good, if possible, you should take as many photos and videos of the scene as you can. These should include everything from your motorcycle in the road, the car or vehicle that hit you, the road layout an any specific features, skid marks if any and even road signs. Another good idea is to talk into the camera whilst you are videoing the scene and the vehicles involved. It helps to create a timeline of the incident which will be useful for the police, insurers and lawyers if required. 

   Finally, do not apologise or admit responsibility for the accident. Your insurers almost certainly insist upon this in your contract of insurance. Instead, if you can, do find out details of any other drivers and witnesses. Tell them that this will be sorted out by your insurers and give details if you can. Whilst it's very important to be honest, you do need to protect yourself from liability later on if the incident was not your fault.

    

   
   Article supplied by Potter Rees Dolan Solicitors