The International Motorcycling Federation announced a number of rule updates for the MotoGP World Championship including mandatory brake lever protection.

Lever protectors would stop the brake lever from being accidentally pressed in the case of a collision with another racer, preventing a sudden braking or lockup of the front wheel.

The new regulation leaves the design of the lever protector open; they may be bolt-on guards or even an extended fairing, so long as the technical director deems it safe.

Continue Reading »

The FIM’s Superbike Commission announced new rules for the World Superbike Championship designed to reduce expenses.

Among the numerous rule updates, the most significant is a new single-bike rule. New to the Superbike class but already existing in the Supersport and Superstock 1000 classes, teams will only be allowed to enter one race bike per rider and will no longer be allowed to have a back-up machine prepared. The single-bike rule will make it easier for teams, especially privateer squads who often only have one machine, as they will no longer be at a disadvantage to larger teams which can afford a second bike.

Continue Reading »

Often a favored destination for motorcyclists for its vast highways and picturesque scenery, the Canadian province of Quebec may soon be a miserable place for many of the bikers who live there.

The provincial auto insurance board known as the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) is proposing a list of new rules that is sure to be unpopular for riders and manufacturers alike. The proposed regulation states that people under the age of 25 and anyone with less than five years of motorcycle riding experience would not be permitted to own or insure motorcycles deemed to be ‘high-risk’ by the board. In an attempt to allegedly reduce accidents involving inexperienced riders, SAAQ indicates that the system would place strict rules ownership.

Continue Reading »