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n e w s Two-wheels gone tribal Study puts motorcycle riders in a tribe of their own. Australian motorbike riders fall into one of six tribes, ranging from adrenalin-seeking ‘performers’, to economically-focussed scooter riding ‘commuters’, to safe and conservative ‘drifters’, according to a ground-breaking study conducted by InsureMyRide. The research comes as Australians are using motorcycles in record numbers. In the five years to March, 2008, motorcycle registrations experienced the largest rate of growth of all vehicle types in Australia (from 377,271 in 2003 to 567,569 in 2008)1. And last year saw new records set for motorcycle sales with 134,112 bikes sold, an increase of 3.2 per cent on the previous year 2. “We’ve long suspected that different types of riders share a range of attitudes and behaviours, but for the first time research has shown that most riders fall into one of six unique classifications or, as we are calling them, tribes,” said InsureMyRide Executive Manager Graeme Browne. “The tribes the research has uncovered helps us to understand why motorcycle riders behave the way they do, from their choice and frequency of riding a bike, their propensity to take risks while driving, and their motivations for choosing two-wheels over four. “Through this research we’re hoping to draw riders’ attention to all aspects of their riding behaviours and characteristics with the intention of making conditions safer and even more enjoyable for all road users.” Most riders are ‘Specialists’. Of the six classifications identified by InsureMyRide’s research, the Specialists tribe is the one most riders are likely to fall into; three-quarters of riders 34 and older (74 per cent) exhibit seasoned riding behaviours and characteristics that make them a Specialist rider.” Specialist riders tend to be more experienced than other riders, which isn’t to say they are older – they simply have spent more time on the bike,” Mr Browne said. “As a consequence they are less nervous and stressed while riding, and are less competitive in comparison to other tribes that have a compulsion for being first and winning.” Two-thirds of Specialists (64 per cent) have 10 or more years riding experience and almost half (48 per cent) have more than 20 years experience. Such experience is a likely factor in three in five Specialist riders (58 per cent) wearing protective safety gear even on short trips. 1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008 Motor Vehicle Census. 2 Federal REPSOL HONDA RIDERS DROP IN AT HART Honda’s star MotoGP riders, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda), made a pit stop at the manufacturer’s world class rider training facility (HART) on the eve of this year’s Phillip Island round to show their support of rider training and safety. Dani and ‘Dovi’ were both on hand to participate in filming important safety messages for HART, and to tour the facilities of Honda’s all-new site located at Somerton in Melbourne’s north. The two 24-year-olds from Spain and Italy respectively, were vocal about the key issues surrounding motorcycle rider safety, particularly considering they both ride at home in Europe during their time off. “I ride a Honda scooter back home,” Dani commented. “It is important to be much more aware when you are riding on the road because people... other drivers.... do unexpected things.” “The controls on a motorcycle are much the same, whether you are racing or riding on the road. What is different is the conditions, for instance if it’s wet, as well all the extra obstacles you have to watch out for.” “If someone wants to ride a fast bike on the road like they are on a race track, my advice to them is to go and sign up for a track day instead.” BIKE<strong>Business</strong> b u s i n e s s t o b u s i n e s s 4 Nov - Dec 2009 “In a way, it is easy to focus when we are on the track because we are going only one direction and there aren’t as many distractions. On the road, it is a different story so I think it is very important for all riders to get the kind of training they provide here at HART.” Both riders also had a stint on HARTs Riding Simulator, a state-of-the-art, compact, computer driven, easy-to-use mechanism, that puts riders in real life road traffic situations through a wide variety of options. “This kind of machine is very useful,” Dovi said. “It makes you think about all the things that can maybe happen in traffic.” “It’s important too that people try and wear the right kind of gear, a proper jacket and gloves at least.” “Our leather suits protect us on the track because they have body armour built in so if a regular rider can get the same from a jacket, it would help them a lot if they do come off.” Honda Australia will be releasing a short video in the near future highlighting Dani and Dovi’s visit to HART which will be available on the manufacturer’s website as well as various social media sites. HART operates in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and is Australia’s leading rider training company delivering state-of-the-art teaching methods to over 17,000 riders each year. They are the only rider training company in Australia to use rider simulators to improve Hazard Perception. HART is fully owned and run by Honda Australia who, apart from being a subsidiary of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, is also one of the world’s largest trainers of motorcyclists. www.hondamotorcycles.com.au
QLD technician is best in Oceania Greg Dodt from Yamaha Country in Gympie, QLD, has scooped first spot at Yamaha Technical Academy’s industry leading Oceania Motorcycle Technician Grand Prix. Having entered the event on three previous occasions, veteran Tech GP competitor Dodt was one of the favourites to win. “It took a while coming but I finally came out on top,” explains the experienced technician. “While every event has been different, it has been an advantage attending four on the trot. It’s the high level of training offered by the Yamaha Technical Academy combined with assistance from Yamaha’s QLD service department that has helped me achieve this result,” says 42-year-old Dodt, who finished a close second in the last two Yamaha MC Tech GPs. NEW TAC CAMPAIGN URGES RIDERS TO REDUCE RISKS Motorcyclists are being urged to take responsibility for their own safety in the TAC’s latest advertising campaign. TAC Executive Manager Community Relations Phil Reed said the new public education campaign which ran through the end of October to mid November highlighted to riders the personal risk they are exposed to every time they ride and the behaviours they can employ to reduce their risk. “The TAC wants Victorian motorcyclists to understand that regardless of who is at fault in a road crash, it will be the motorcyclist who will come out second best,” Mr Reed said. “Independent research shows that riders are 38 times more likely than car occupants to be killed or seriously injured on the road.” In 2008, 1,044 riders were seriously injured and 43 motorcyclists were fatally injured on Victorian roads. Of the riders killed, 93% were male, and 56% were single vehicle Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced as of October 14 the release of its provisional National Events Calendar for 2010. Please note that all event dates listed on the calendar are tentative and The Tech GP is the culmination of Yamaha’s YTA training program aimed at raising the proficiency of all Yamaha technicians in the Oceania market region to ensure customers receive outstanding after-sales service. The event involves gruelling practical tasks and a tough theoretical test undertaken by a select group of Yamaha MD Mr Terry Okawa congratulates 2009 MC Tech GP winner Greg Dodt (right) crashes with at least 50% of these crashes involving excessive speed. “Riders need to make decisions that reduce their level of risk each time they ride. This means riding at safe speeds appropriate for the road conditions and wearing highly visible protective clothing,” Mr Reed said. “My message to riders is that there is no excuse for not wearing full protective clothing every time you ride. Correct and visible protective clothing will help minimise the severity of injuries sustained when involved in a crash and 2010 provisional MA National Events Calenda subject to change, and there are still a number of Championships and Series’ with dates and venues which are yet to be confirmed. The 2010 National Events Calendar n e w s motorcycle service staff at YMA’s headquarters in Sydney. Second place went to Glenn Merriman from Fineline Motorcycles in Taree, NSW. “It’s a great event that recognises the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in the service department and I would recommend other technicians to apply for future Tech GPs. The spinoff benefits for the dealerships are great plus it’s a heap of fun,” says Merriman. The 10 finalists were selected from over 100 applicants working in Yamaha dealerships across Australia and New Zealand. The finalists arrived at YMA HQ from every region and underwent a computerised theory examination and 10 practical tasks that covered subjects such as fault diagnosis, product knowledge and customer service. may even save your life.” Currently motorcyclists account for 3% of the Victorian motor-vehicle fleet and for less than 1% of the vehicle kilometres travelled. However, riders continue to be overrepresented in road trauma. In 2008, they accounted for over 14% of all road deaths on Victoria’s roads. “We hope to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed and injured on our roads by engaging riders in a discussion about risk.” “The TAC encourages riders to make choices that reduce their risks each time they jump on their bike – whether that be by slowing down or wearing the right protective clothing. It’s up to you to reduce the risks.” Mr Reed said that drivers are not exempt from their responsibilities to drive predictably and to keep a look out for riders. The campaign ran for three weeks on TV and outdoor billboards, as well as in print publications and online at www.spokes.com.au. can be viewed on the MA website at www.ma.org.au/2010calendar/ A calendar of international events will also be available on the site in the near future. BIKE<strong>Business</strong> 5 Nov - Dec 2009 b u s i n e s s t o b u s i n e s s
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