Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 68 Issue 03 i Australian Motorcycle News

The digital age has meant we’ve slowly drifted away from the grassroots THE DIGITAL AGE has undoubtedly brought us great advances in technology, but it also seems to mean we’re busier than ever. The advent of personal computers has allowed us to do the work of two people, but we’re expected to spread ourselves even thinner and make it three. Smartphones mean we are now contactable anywhere and at any time, and while it sounded like a good idea, the reality is we actually can’t go anywhere because we are too busy replying to that urgent email, text or message. Where am I going with all this complaining? Well, without realising it, the digital age has meant we’ve slowly drifted away from the grassroots of motorcycling. Engaging with our readers…

THE NEW DUCATI Diavel was subject to a closed-room preview at the World Ducati Weekend on 20-22 July, allowing visitors a glimpse of the bike before it is officially unveiled later this year. Cameras were strictly banned from the room, with only a handful of people allowed in at a time to see the new machine. However, the Diavel on display closely matched the bike caught in our spy shot published in the last issue of AMCN. Based on its more recent XDiavel cruiser model, the new Diavel will get the same frame design, the variable-valve-timing 1262cc version of Ducati’s V-twin, and an exhaust system that’s tucked into the belly of the bike. Where the 2019 Diavel will differ is in its sportier stance and riding position, and its chain…

Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops on the NSW South Coast is heaven-sent for motorcycle riders Sitting high on a grassy windswept peak, enjoying unobstructed views down the coast as far as the eye can see, is a location that has been a popular stop for motorcyclists for decades. Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops on the NSW South Coast is heaven-sent for motorcycle riders. It’s situated at the southern end of the Royal National Park, and northern end of the Grand Pacific Drive that hugs the coast as it winds through postcard-quality villages all the way to Thirroul. It doesn’t matter if you arrive from north, south or west, there’s numerous short and long routes you can attack to arrive at the popular hangout, which are all riding paradise. The nearby…

Congratulations Brett, you’ve scored a beaut Motul cap and T-shirt valued at $35, kindly supplied by our mates at Link International. Send an image and details about your two-wheeled pride and joy to access@amcn.com.au Giz a squiz Rider Brett Favaloro Bike 1996 Kawasaki ZX-7R He says This is my pride and joy, a 1996 Kawasaki ZX-7R. We have covered 56,000km together, and it rides like she’s on rails – as good as the latest generation sportsbikes. I’ve owned this one since 2008 after my previous ride got taken out by a car at a roundabout. I have resprayed the frame and fairing to give it a more modern look, but otherwise it’s all pretty much stock. The longest ride we have done together is an 850km round trip…

A 1000km coast-road journey from Sydney to Phillip Island revealed no bad habits from the new Michelins RIDER PROFILE Name Gordon Ritchie Height/Weight 178cm/adequate Hot tip When the temperature drops, find a chip shop and buy a few bucks worth of hot chips (and a loaf of bread) and stuff them inside your jacket. It’s instant warmth (and chip butties for dinner!) GORDON RITCHIE WSBK CORRESPONDENT I ARRIVED DOWN Under from my Scottish home with dreams of a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne and back again via the longest route I could find. In preparation for the ride, Dobie fitted the MT-10 with it’s touring gear and a set of Michelin’s new Road 5 tyres (test can be found in AMCN Vol 67 No 20). Following a week of…

THIERRY HENRIETTE Is owner Mark Upham involved in the day-to-day operation? No, we have a 20-year licence granted by him to manufacture Brough Superior models to our design, although the IP [intellectual property] in the brand is retained by him. We pay him an agreed royalty on each motorcycle sold. How do you compare to other boutique manufacturers? We are a true manufacturer in every way – we build the entire bike ourselves in-house. We have eight dealers in the UK, and six in France, with many other countries now joining those core markets, including the USA and Australia, where we are in talks with potential distributors. 2019 will be the 100th anniversary of Brough Superior. What’s your plans? We are planning some special events and we will also be…

THE SUPERCHARGER IS a pretty simple concept. For those of you who don’t know, a supercharger is nothing more than an air compressor driven by the engine, which then re-directs that compressed or ‘charged’ air back into the airbox and ultimately into the combustion chamber. The volume of the cylinder is effectively increased by forcing air into it. The set pressure or ‘boost’ level is determined by the supercharger drive ratio, in this case 9.2 times the crank speed. More air means more fuel can be added, and ultimately a bigger bang means more power. Simple. Well, Kawasaki built an all-out power machine with the H2, and has now completely redefined the engine’s parameters by changing a multitude of components to allow it to produce far more torque and responsiveness…

ENGINE Configuration Parallel-twin Cylinder head DOHC, four valves per cylinder Capacity 499.8cc Bore/stroke 69 x 66.8mm Compression ratio 11.5:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 2 x 37mm throttle bodies Power 35kW @ 8500rpm (claimed) Torque 45Nm @ 5000rpm (claimed) TRANSMISSION Type Six-speed Clutch Wet Final drive Chain CHASSIS Frame material Steel Frame layout Tubular trellis Rake 26º Trail 125mm SUSPENSION Front: 50mm USD, non-adjustable, 145mm travel Rear: Monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound, 172mm travel WHEELS/TYRES Wheels Wire-spoked aluminium Front: 19 x 3.0 Rear: 18 x 4.5 Tyres Metzeler Tourance Front: 110/80-19 Rear: 150/70-18 BRAKES Front: Twin 320mm discs, twin-piston calipers Rear: Single 260mm disc, twin-piston caliper DIMENSIONS Weight 235kg (kerb, claimed) Seat height 850mm Width 915mm Max height Not given Wheelbase 1505mm Fuel capacity 20L PERFORMANCE Fuel consumption Not given Top…

ROSSI, V  Deportment A+ Effort A+ Results A+ Remarks Head boy Valentino has far exceeded expectations in his 23rd year. Gold star almost every week. VINALES, M  Deportment B- Effort B Results B- Remarks Maverick grumbles too much, but has learned to blame himself rather than others. ZARCO, J  Deportment A- Effort B Results B- Remarks After his brilliant debut, Johann has steered himself into a slump. There is still time to regain momentum. SYAHRIN, H  Deportment B Effort B+ Results B- Remarks Still making his mark, Hafizh has impressed everybody. Keep it up, lad!…

ESPARGARO, A Deportment C Effort B+ Results C Remarks Aleix tries hard enough, but needs more care and consideration. Bad manners towards other pupils needs containing. REDDING, S Deportment: B Effort B Results C- Remarks Scott might deserve better, but he needs a better chance to prove it. Will leave at year’s end. ESPARGARO, P Deportment B Effort B Results B Remarks Could do better, could do worse. Injuries haven’t helped, but not falling off would be more constructive. SMITH, B Deportment B+ Effort B Results B- Remarks Smith is articulate, thoughtful and consistent. But not fast enough to excite more than midrange response.…

Australian Macna distributor, Link International and retail chain Bikebiz are both supporting AMCN’s 2018 Jacket Drive by slinging a $100 Macna discount voucher to anyone who donates a jacket! The voucher can be used in store or online at Bikebiz.com.au, and includes the entire range of Macna jackets including the Vosges (with Night Eye technology) from the Core range, or the new Aytee from the Graphite range. So that’s a Gassit Pack valued at over $80 plus $100 off your next new jacket – why wouldn’t you?! More details on page 14…

You can fit half-a-dozen motorcycles into the same space a boat or a car takes up LET ME TELL you a story. A dozen years ago I fell in love with wooden speedboats. If you’ve seen the 1981 movie On Golden Pond, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The 1950 Chris-Craft Sportsman is a true classic in glossy varnished mahogany. The experience is heightened by the big, slow-revving power plant that sounds like the radial engine of a World War II fighter plane. So it was that after building up a small library of relevant history books on wooden speedboats, I acquired an Australian-made imitation of the Chris-Craft, powered by an ex-Army Ford side-valve truck engine. It hadn’t been in the water since the early 1980s and it needed a…

WHILE THE BATTLE for outright victory was raging at the front, there was another key fight playing out further down the field, with the FCC TSR Honda team captained by Australian rider Josh Hook locking horns on track with GMT94 Yamaha in pursuit of the World Endurance Championship crown. Spending much of the race following each other on track and ending the battle separated by only 30 seconds, a strong fifth place was enough to crown the Taree racer a world champion. Hook was unable to attend the post-race press conference due to needing medical attention for dehydration and muscle cramps, but the 25-year-old later said the result was a dream come true. “We have done our best all season for this moment,” Hook said. “We have raced in each…

THE BRITISH SGP round came to a horrible ending for defending world champion Jason Doyle when the Aussie was involved in a sickening crash in Heat 20. Three thirds and a last placing left a semi-final berth out of reach, regardless of the final heat, but worse followed when contact with Robert Lambert threw Doyle from his machine into the air fence before being hit by his bike. A concussed Doyle was taken to hospital, but thankfully discharged with what his Facebook page described as “a couple of minor fractures”. The good news is he now has a three-week break before the next round, the Scandinavian SGP on 11 August, and it appears Doyle will not be part of any league racing before then. Chris Holder also slipped further behind…

Price keeps winning Aussie off-road star Toby Price, who recently scored a record-setting sixth victory at Finke, has continued his winning ways in the third round of the SXS Australian Championship in Albury, NSW on 22 July. Driving a CanAm Maverick X3 side-by-side, it was Price’s first outright win in the category. He finished ahead of Simon Evans and Tadamitsu Nihori. “It was very similar to riding a bike,” Price said after the race. “They’re very agile little machines that can do some amazing stuff and I’m just happy I didn’t put it on it’s back and sit there like a stranded turtle.” KB Aussie seniors Hunter Motorcycle Club will host the 2018 Australian Senior Track Championship meeting on 4-5 August. Australia’s leading dirt track stars will be chasing championship…

12 WEEKS That’s just six more issues of AMCN before this year’s Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit roars into life! If you haven’t already marked it in your calendar, the dates you need to blank out are 26-28 October, with a couple of days either side for the ride there and back. Chicken dinner! Congratulations to Garreth Plumley from Mackay, Qld, who is the winner of our #metzelerwanderfeel competition. Garreth took a day off work on his birthday to enjoy a ride through the Eungella National Park, where he snapped the winning pic! Garreth has won a set of Metzeler Roadtec 01 tyres for his Yamaha Tracer. We have more competitions on the way, including our new Reader’s Rides competition. Wayne’s World WAYNE,…

LINK INTERNATIONAL, distributors of the Macna range of jackets and accessories, and retail chain Bikebiz have jumped on board for this year’s jacket drive, with a whopping $100 Macna discount voucher to be included in the Gassit Pack, which was already valued at $80. So if you have been thinking about a new jacket, here’s your chance! Just make sure you write your address and shirt size on a piece of paper and put it in one of the pockets of your donated jacket so you don’t miss out!…

Eric Lemon loves two-stroke motorcycles so much he bought a stable of them as a retirement present for himself. We spotted Eric in the Bald Hill carpark (below) standing beside his two-stroke Honda NSR400R. ”I raced two-strokes back in the day, TRs and TZs,” he said. “The NSR400 was sold in Australia in 1986 and 1987; they were not on the market in Australia very long.” Powered by a 387cc three-pot, the NSR400R produces a claimed 53kW at 9500rpm and weighs 163kg (wet). A nice little touch to Eric’s bike is Freddie Spencer’s signature on the seat cowl.…

Karel Abraham earned his law degree. With those sorts of smarts, you would think he would see the writing on the wall Respects Last month I finally got to pay my respects to Yer Maun, and now we have to say goodbye to his nephew, William. I have been riding for for nearly 50 years (in Australia and overseas) and also raced for a couple of seasons – until I discovered that I had everything going for me except talent – so I understand the passion that goes with trying to be the very best in the fastest sport of all. Non-riders ask me if it is worth dying for; I tell them if they don’t have a passion then I may as well bury them now. My condolences to…

@alexsayshello Friday wash and she’s ready for the weekend alexsayshello#Queensland #goldcoast #biker #cruiser #bobber #yamaha #bolt #bikeoftheday #ravenblack #starmotorcycles #bikelife #winter #friday #amcn_mag #yamahamotoraus @ride_n_photo Tomorrow back to Kazakhstan, loved Kyrgystan, amazing ride, incredible landscape and beautiful people !! #advlife #adventurebike #advrider #dualsport #dualsportadv #motoadventure #motorcycletravel #mototouring #travelbybike #motor_adventure #ride2adventure…

ENGINE Configuration 88° V-twin Cylinder head Chain/gear cam drive, four valves per cylinder Capacity 997cc Bore/stroke 94 x 71.8mm Compression ratio 11:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 2 x 50mm Synerject throttle bodies Power 73kW @ 9800rpm (claimed) Torque 89Nm @ 7450rpm (claimed) TRANSMISSION Type Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate, slipper-type Final drive Chain CHASSIS Frame material Titanium Frame layout Backbone Rake 23.4° Trail 94mm SUSPENSION KYB Front: 38mm wishbone fork with KYB monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound, 120mm travel Rear: Monoshock, adjustable compression and rebound, 130mm travel WHEELS/TYRES Wheels Forged aluminium Front: 19 x 3.5 Rear: 17 x 4.5 Tyres Continental ContiAttack 2 Front: 120/70R17 Rear: 170/60R17 BRAKES Beringer Front: Single 320mm disc, four-piston radial caliper Rear: Single 230mm disc, two-piston caliper DIMENSIONS Weight 196kg (dry, claimed) Seat height 805mm Max…

WHILE JAKE DE ROSIER was trying to recuperate after the LA Motordrome crash that would ultimately claim his life, a series of major incidents sounded the death knell of board-track racing. In September 1912, Eddie ‘The Texas Cyclone’ Hasha was duelling for the lead with Ray Seymour at the newly built New Jersey Motordrome (below), outside New York, when his Indian developed a misfire. A quick fiddle under the fuel tank brought the engine back on song, but the bike picked up speed so quickly that it launched him into the fence at the top of the track. Hasha and his bike slid along the railings for 30 metres, killing four young boys who had been peering through the fence. Hasha died instantly when he hit a grandstand upright and…

LORENZO, J Deportment A- Effort A Results A Remarks Jorge has finally started to live up to his own high opinion of himself. DOVIZIOSO, A Deportment A Effort B- Results C Remarks We expected much of Andrea this semester, but he has made many silly mistakes. Must show his workings. PETRUCCI, D Deportment A+ Effort B+ Results B- Remarks Danilo is a popular and amusing boy, but should not let that detract from his dedication. MILLER, J Deportment B+ Effort A Results B+ Remarks Sometimes reckless, Jack needs to be more consistent. Consistently good, that is. BAUTISTA, A Deportment B Effort B Results B- Remarks As an older pupil, Alvaro tries not to show too much maturity. ABRAHAM, K Deportment B Effort B Results C Remarks Karel managed to melt…

THE SILLY SEASON started in January when Movistar Yamaha signed Vinales until the end of 2021 (and then Rossi for the same period) and only ended when Pedrosa announced his retirement before the summer break. By then Marquez had confirmed he was staying at Honda, and Dovizioso at Ducati. The sensation came when Ducati elected to drop Lorenzo, who announced he will join Marquez at Honda. A combination potentially both dream and nightmare. Simultaneously. The other upset happened when Zarco – with no Yamaha factory seat available – confirmed he will switch to KTM, replacing Pol Espargaro, with the Tech 3 team dumping Yamaha for full factory status at KTM, alongside the official Red Bull team. Suzuki dumped Iannone in favour of 2017 Moto3 champion Joan Mir, alongside Alex Rins.…

Top 3 TV 1 FIM MXGP Rd15 LIVE Lommel , BE mxgp-tv.com Sun 5 Aug 9pm (AEST) Go to MXGP-TV to catch the MXGP of Belgium from 9pm on Sunday. MX2 Race 1 starts at 9pm, MXGP Race 1 at 10pm, MX2 Race 2 at midnight and MXGP Race 2 at 1am Monday. Other classes will be aired earlier on Sunday. 2 MotoGP Rd10 LIVE Brno, CZ Fox/Videopass Sun 5 Aug 7pm (AEST) MotoGP Rd10 from Brno will air live on Sunday evening on Videopass and Fox Sports. Action kicks off with Moto3 at 7pm, then Moto2 at 8.20pm and MotoGP at 10pm. One HD will air the MotoGP race only. 3 MotoGP Rd11 LIVE RB Ring, AT Fox/Videopass Sun 12 Aug 7pm (AEST) MotoGP tragics only…

The exam’s simpler, and the number of people passing with distinction is therefore larger AS THE FAINT afterglow of the World Cup dies away, there are still some truths to be gleaned from the embers. We all love motorbike racing. It has athleticism, non-stop potential for all sorts of surprises, and also quite a lot of hectic action. But I have personally never warmed to what soccer fans are determined to call “The Beautiful Game.” Oh, I can see the artistry of ball control, the agility of the footwork, the tactical teamwork. But I think the main problem is that the potential for surprises is so very seldom fulfilled. It’s the no-score draws that are a real turn-off. Or the drawn-out one-all games. Their climax, after what felt like many…

THE SHORTENED Formula St George 90 Minute race fielded a blend of youth and experience – with youth winning out. Tom Edwards and Max Stauffer (Team Maxtom) rode their Yamaha R3s to victory. Starting from pole, Edwards was under immediate pressure from Harry Khouri (Racecenter Racing), but the challenge was short-lived, as Khouri crashed out. Edwards attributed the joint win to his World Supersport 300 experience. “Before, I would have tried to get up the front the whole time rather than follow, so I think I’ve become more patient,” he said. Another early challenge came from Jacob Roulstone (Two Genders, One Goal), who teamed with Stephanie Redman, but she suffered a nasty crash after her Moriwaki 250 blew its engine in the fast Turn 1 – resulting in several broken…

WHILE ‘TOP AUSSIE’ status went to newly crowned world champion Josh Hook at Suzuka, Troy Herfoss was the best of the rest, with the Honda Team Asia rider coming home two places behind Hook in seventh. Damian Cudlin (below) and brother Alex finished just outside the top 10 in 13th and were the top BMW finishers on their Motorrad39 bike. Former podium finisher Josh Waters was disappointed with 23rd on the MotoMap Supply Suzuki. However, most unhappy of the Oz contingent was Broc Parkes, who looked set to challenge for a podium on the Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) bike until teammate Takuya Fujita had a high-speed fall on his out lap, writing off their R1 and sidelining the front-running squad. Also on the DNF list was Ant West (below)…

THE AUSTRALIAN National anthem rang out in Britain on Sunday 22 July after McAMS Yamaha rider Josh Brookes executed the perfect double victory, leading from start to finish in both British Superbike races at Brands Hatch. Sporting new livery to celebrate the Yamaha YZF-R1’s 20th anniversary, Brookesy did his bit for the firm’s celebrations, despite threats from second-placed Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) throughout both 20-lap races. Irwin claimed pole position with a 1m24.628s, just ahead of Brookes, but the Aussie got the jump from the middle of the front row in both starts and was never headed. “I was just focusing on trying to be really consistent,” Brookesy said after the second race. “As the saying goes, I bit the screen and tried to keep the pressure on to…

YOSHIMURA SUZUKI FACTORY Racing’s Toni Elias claimed victory in the opening race of the MotoAmerica championship at Utah on 21 July, and in doing so notched up 200 American domestic championship wins for the Japanese brand, the most for any manufacturer in the 42-year history of the series. “It’s an honour to be part of this historic win,” the 2010 Moto2 world champion said. “To be there along with the other great riders who have won in the past means a lot. This is a day I will long remember.” The rider who scored the majority of Suzuki’s wins was Australian Mat Mladin, who won 78 times on GSX-R machinery, while teammate and rival Ben Spies managed 28. Dominant on the competitive American circuit, the factory Suzuki squad has claimed…

CHINESE FIRM LONCIN is getting increasingly ambitious. It recently unveiled a decent-looking 300cc sportsbike, the GP300, and it has both 650cc single-cylinder and 500cc twin-cylinder ranges under development as well. Here’s the first glimpse of another new model, the LX300-6C, which is clearly intended to rival Honda’s neo-retro CB300R. It’s a bit of a looker, too. Recently type-approved in China, it is powered by a 19kW 292cc water-cooled single, made by Loncin itself. That’s a reasonably competitive figure, but a bit below the 23kW that Honda’s 286cc single achieves in the CB300R. Chinese bikes often arrive overweight, and it’s the usual story with the LX300-6C. Rated at 168kg, it’s 24kg heavier than the CB300R. There’s no word yet on price or availability outside China, but it’s sure to be significantly…

McPint is back! 23-time TT winner John McGuinness will return to racing at this year’s Classic TT following 18 months on the sidelines due to injury Bikes across the ditch Dave Milligan from Get Routed is doing three motorcycle shipments to NZ this summer. It’s a great way to ride the Burt Munro Challenge Allerton Injured Superbike racer Glenn Allerton suffering a compound fracture of the collarbone, and a broken hand and vertebrae in a motocross accident. Get well soon Shock loss Yorkshire road racer James Cowton was killed at the Southern 100 at the Isle of Man. The 26-year-old was involved in a four-rider accident.…

SHANNONS BRANCHES! Unit 20, 2 Yallourn St, Fyshwick, ACT 65 Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW Unit 5B, 305 Montague Rd, West End, Qld 863-865 South Rd, Clarence Gardens, SA 212-218 Murray St, Hobart, Tas 40 Corporate Drive, Heatherton, Vic Units 5 & 6, 1500 Albany Highway, Cannington, WA BENZINA GARAGE 84 High St, Preston, Vic MISSION AUSTRALIA 8/14 Sloane Street, Goulburn, NSW AND MCA! The chain of MCA Motorcycle Accessory Supermarkets in Sydney and Melbourne is on board as drop-off points. MCA has nine stores in Sydney and Melbourne (head to www.mcas.com.au for locations). It’s an excellent excuse to walk out in a brand new jacket, leaving your old one behind to keep someone else warm.…

News Circuit Carol, outside Paris, was once again preparing to host the Supermotard. Eddie Lawson, the 1989 winner on a Honda CR500, was confirmed to defend his title against a host of European stars, including 500cc championship leader Wayne Rainey. Sport “I have to win every race from now on. One down and six to go.” That is how Lucky Strike Suzuki rider Kevin Schwantz was looking at the remainder of the 1990 500cc world championship, following his win at the French GP. He beat home Wayne Gardner and series leader Wayne Rainey. Bike test Alan Cathcart tested the Boccardo Aero Diesel. The 1630cc four-cylinder weighed 252kg and produced 44kW at 5000rpm and 90Nm at just 2500rpm. Top speed was 176km/h, and claimed fuel economy an impressive 2.7L/100km. Cost was…

Reckon you’re pretty quick when it comes to two-wheeled trivia? Then have a crack at our new who-what-where series. If you’re finding it hard, here’s a clue – all the answers have appeared in AMCN at some time over the past 67 years. When you reckon you’ve worked out the bloke, the bike and the track, email your numbered answers to comps@amcn.com.au for your chance to win! 1. WHO? Can you name the rider leading the way and getting his knee down at a Swann Insurance Series round? Clue Surely no clue required, even after we photoshopped out his number plate. 2. WHAT? What make and model of motorcycle is this classic piece of early superbike metal. Clue The name lasted until 2009 in some parts of the world. 3. WHERE?…

ENGINE Configuration In-line four-cylinder Cylinder head DOHC, four valves per cylinder Capacity 998cc Bore/stroke 76 x 55mm Compression ratio 11.2:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 4 x 40mm throttle bodies Power 154kW @ 11,000rpm (claimed) Torque 137Nm @ 9500rpm (claimed) TRANSMISSION Type Six-speed Clutch Wet, multiplate Final drive Chain CHASSIS Frame material High-tensile steel Frame layout Tubular trellis Rake 24.7° Trail 104mm SUSPENSION Front: 43mm USD, adjustable compression/rebound, 120mm travel Rear: Monoshock, adjustable preload/compression/rebound, 139mm travel WHEELS/TYRES Wheels Aluminium alloy Front: 17 x 3.5 Rear: 17 x 6 Tyres Bridgestone Battlax S21 Front: 120/70ZR17 (58W) Rear: 190/55ZR17 (75W) BRAKES Front: Twin 320mm discs, four-piston radial calipers Rear: Single 250mm disc, two-piston caliper DIMENSIONS Weight 260kg (kerb, claimed) Seat height 835mm Width 775mm Max height 1126mm Wheelbase 1480mm Fuel capacity 19L PERFORMANCE…

LEST YOU THINK the show was just about the bikes, there were also outside displays, and the California Hellriders inside the Wall of Death doing back-to-back performances on their vertical track. There were pre-parties before the show, parties during the evenings, and after-parties aplenty when the show was sadly all said and done. Austin’s acclaimed music and food scene doesn’t hurt either. As ‘Chopper Dave’ said to me, “The atmosphere is pretty cool in Austin, but most of all I want to get back to Texas just for the barbecue! Terry Blacks has by far the best barbecue brisket I’ve ever had in my life!”…

MARQUEZ, M Deportment C Effort A Results A+ Remarks Marc has tried hard and excelled, but needs to show more respect for his fellow pupils. PEDROSA, D Deportment A Effort B Results C Remarks Soon to leave, Dani seems to have lost focus somewhat. Can do better. CRUTCHLOW, C Deportment B Effort A Results C Remarks Cal has shown much courage, but sometimes tries too hard. This spoils his marks. MORBIDELLI, F Deportment B- Effort A Results B+ Remarks Top new boy, needs to pay attention to neatness, but works hard and shows intelligence. NAKAGAMI, T Deportment B+ Effort B- Results B- Remarks Shines at times, but performance is patchy. Is housemaster giving him too much homework? LUTHI, T Deportment B- Effort B- Results C- Remarks Tom has trouble keeping…

THE NEW SHOEI Ex-Zero helmet has just lobbed in Oz, offering cool retro looks with modern safety features. The Ex-Zero follows the latest craze of MXinspired helmets for the road, and features an Advanced Integrated Matrix lightweight composite shell with a four-piece inner EPS liner. The XL we have weighs 1300g, but the XS is just 960g. It also has the Emergency Quick Release cheek pads. There’s no external screen, a retractable CJ-3 internal visor instead, and the clear lens can be swapped out for either a tinted or yellow one, and it’ll accept goggles, too. Look out for a full test in an upcoming issue. Shoei Ex-Zero Colours Off White, Shine Red, Basalt Grey, Black, Matt Black Sizes XS-XXL $599.90 mcleodaccessories.com.au  (07) 3621 9000.…

Show time 4 AUGUST South Tweed Tavern Bike Show, 53 Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, Qld. From 11.30am. Family fun event with jumping castle and face painting. Lucky door prize, meat trays, $10 Bob’s burger deal and $30 family pizza deal. Hosted by Tweed Heads Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club. For more information phone (07) 5523 1738. 11 AUGUST Demons in the Park Old Petrie Town, 901 Dayboro Rd, Whiteside, Qld. Pre-80s cars and bikes. Entry bikes and cars $5; pillions, passengers and spectators gold-coin donation. For more information phone Trevor on 0407 230 880 or Aden on 0407 625 890. 25-26 AUGUST Antique Motorcycle Weekend, Bulli Showgrounds, Bulli, NSW. British, European, Japanese and American bikes, parts and memorabilia, 35 years old and older only. Swap meet, auction, camping, tech seminars, awards,…

Beau’s front wheel suddenly appeared in my peripheral vision IT TOOK JUST a split-second for everything to change. I was at a fun meeting called Historic Winton, which involves classic cars and motorcycles. There were some of the usual suspects from the annual AMCN International Island Classic, but my main challenger was Beau Beaton on the Irving Vincent. We’ve raced against each other forever, from supermotard to superbikes. Historic Winton is supposed to be just a bit of low-key weekend rivalry but when two riders like us get together the competitive urge soon takes over. I qualified on pole and won the first two races, but there was nothing between me and Beau. The big crowd of spectators, more used to seeing car racers hidden behind bodywork than watching motorcycle…

JORGE LORENZO WILL enter the Honda kingdom ruled by Marc Marquez in 2019, with the Spanish rivals going at it for the MotoGP crown on identical factory Honda RC231Vs – a mouth-watering scenario that will deliver massive bragging rights to the championship winner. At the end of this season Lorenzo will cut his links with Ducati in a bid to dismantle Marquez’s golden-boy status at Honda. Since 2013, Marquez has won four premier class titles (2013, ’14, ’16 and ’17) and 40 MotoGP races. And between them Marquez and Lorenzo (2010, ’12 and ’15 with Yamaha) have won seven of the eight MotoGP titles conducted since 2010. Only Casey Stoner, who retired at the end of 2012, interrupted their sequence, winning in 2011 for Honda. Kevin Schwantz says he totally…

THE MONSTER YAMAHA moniker that has been such a part of modern-day grand prix racing will continue in 2019, with the energy drink giant switching its sponsorship from the satellite Tech 3 squad to the full factory team of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales. Unable to continue its relationship with Tech 3 due to that team’s defection to KTM, which has strong ties to competitor Red Bull, Monster Energy – a large personal sponsor of nine-time world champ Valentino Rossi – will replace Movistar as the naming rights sponsor from the 2019 season onwards. Officially called the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team, the deal will see the agreement through to the end of 2020, which is when Rossi’s current contract expires. It will be interesting to see if the energy…

IN CLEAR BUT extremely cold conditions, Yamaha WR450F-mounted Riley Graham won the fourth round of the South Australian Reliability Championship, the 24 Hour Trial. Graham, who finished second in 2017, completed the 1600km non-stop cross-country torture test with a comfortable margin over perennial frontrunners Todd Barry and Sean Throup in what was the 94th running of this legendary event. “I did suffer a little fatigue and cold just before dawn,” he said. “But when the sun came up with six hours to go I felt really refreshed.” Former Isle of Man TT star Cameron Donald finished 24th out of 71 solo entries.…

We recently put a call out for readers to send us in a photograph of the best motorcycle they’ve ever owned. We were inundated with responses and so impressed by the varied replies, we had to call on Fred Gassit to judge the best from the rest. Here’s Fred’s top 10! All 10 finalists were sent a double pass to last weekend’s inuagural Sydney Five Hour endurance race!…

Australian Motorcycle News road test photographs are posed for by skilled, professional riders under controlled circumstances. Attempting to imitate their actions may be dangerous. Australian Motorcycle News supports and endorses rider training and wearing protective riding gear. Especially if you’re like our Art Director and returning from six months in southeast Asia where, riding in thongs, singlet and a belly full of Bintang is looked upon as a common and everyday occurrence. The shock of riding in Australian winters will be a, er, sobering experience...…