Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 68 Issue 13 i Australian Motorcycle News

WELCOME TO 2019, the 69th year of Australia’s most successful motorcycle magazine, and one of the oldest mastheads in the country, second only to the Australian Women’s Weekly which launched in 1933. Like the AWW, AMCN began as a weekly publication. In fact Vol 01 No 01 was called The Victorian Motor Cycle Weekly, though in June 1951, founding editor George Lynn didn’t quite manage to get the second edition off to the printers on time and it’s been a fortnightly ever since. AMCN celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2001 with a 180-page souvenir issue which included a reprint of that first four-page broadsheet edition, as well as a 100-page insert which chronicled the wild ride from its humble beginnings through to the new millennium. It’s truly remarkable what this…

AUSTRALIA’S 2016 DAKAR Rally winner Toby Price says a broken right scaphoid won’t stop his determined fight to win his second Dakar Rally this month. The talented Aussie broke the notoriously painful and slow-healing scaphoid in his right wrist in a training accident just three weeks before the 2019 Dakar Rally was due to get underway on 6 January. “I’ve always got to make it difficult, I never take the easy road,” the Red Bull KTM rider posted on social media in December. “A crash seen a small break in my wrist, all is screwed in place, rehab starts in four days and believe me, I’ll still be on that start line come January. I’ve beat the odds before and I’ll do it again.” According to a statement released by…

BMW IS DOMINATING the adventure bike market, is the brand to beat when it comes to tourers, its new S1000RR looks ready to shoot to the top of the superbike pile and the S1000R is one of the world’s best nakedbikes. The Bavarian firm is even making a decent fist of its scooters and, with the C Evolution, is among the leading pioneers in the electric bike field. But there’s one area it doesn’t compete in: the cruiser market. Ever since the demise of the slow-selling R 1200 C more than a decade ago, BMW hasn’t had a traditional-looking machine to trouble the likes of Harley-Davidson and Indian. Company insiders have told us it is planning a new Boxer-powered cruiser but everyone’s tight-lipped on the details. Meanwhile this Japanese custom,…

A lot of readers disqualified themselves by confusing John Kocinski with Randy Mamola but Roger Graham of Terry Hills, NSW, held his nerve to be the first reader with the correct answers. An IPONE care kit is in the post. Answers for AMCN Vol 68 No 12 Who John Kocinski, who sometimes takes his Rotax flat-tracker out to play in California What Honda ST1100, one of the best secondhand interstate tourers you can buy When 2007. Something must have got lost in translation when Yamaha referred to its “Dual Scythe Suspension” Why Cos Max Biaggi dated Claudia Schiffer. He’d probably get away with doing it again, even in these PC times Where Laguna Seca, originally built in 1957 on an old artillery testing range…

News The highly rumored Cagiva-Ferrari superbike was finally spotted in the flesh. While only a 750cc, observers reported the four-cylinder bike traveling past a speed trap at 290km/h during testing in Japan on the 1 April, 1991. Geddit? Sport Kevin Schwantz takes out the 1991 Japanese GP on his Lucky Strike Suzuki RGV500. Schwantz described his win as “the toughest race of my life” after battling with Mick Doohan, Wayne Rainey and John Kocinski for the win. Half a second covered them. Bike test Marton Pettendy hit the track on the Kawasaki Zephyr 550. Pettendy described the Zephyr as a “time capsule” due to its retro styling. Putting out 37kw at 10,000rpm, you could pick up the 550 Zephyr for $6000. ERA AD Grab your Wayne Gardner shirts off a…

Send an image and details about your two-wheeled pride and joy to access@amcn.com.au Giz a squiz Rider Richard Van Der Vlugt Rides A few, as pictured He says And I have owned a few others, too. My first-ever roadbike was a 2002 GSX750F, which met an untimely demise, as well as a 2005 Kawasaki ZX-12R. I would like to put a huge thanks out to DesmoSport Ducati’s mechanic Ben for some invaluable advice about my 1098 R, which I couldn’t get running for what felt like forever! But after attending the Hidden Valley ASBK round I was given the opportunity to speak with him and, from a more than helpful and happy-to-oblige Troy Bayliss, I was able to diagnose the issue. And it now runs as good as…

Welsh former World Supersport champion Chaz Davies, 31, has been riding desmo V-twin Ducatis in the Italian factory’s World Superbike team for the past five years, three times finishing runner-up in the Championship (in 2015, 2017 and 2018). With this bike, that could very well be about to change Chaz, you had to wait a long time to actually throw a leg over the new bike, but what was it like when you finally did? I think my comment was, “Now we’ve got a bike to go racing with!” Compared to the Kawasaki, where were you losing out on the Ducati V-twin? I can’t say it was just one area, because in the end it was a little bit each in a lot of areas. It was just a little…

The LCD dash, whose menu is accessed via a button on the left handlebar, features an odometer with two trips, a gear position indicator, a fuel gauge plus average and current MPG readings, distance to empty, a clock, service advisor and access to turn off TC and ABS. A digital tacho is also now included for the first time. The optional tyre pressure monitoring system and heated grips that comprise just two of the 140+ accessories available for Triumph’s twin-cylinder models, are also controlled via this digital display. Such options include Barbour riding jackets, fly screens, rear mudguard removal kits, Ace-style handlebars, bulleted LED indicators, and several different Euro-4 complaint Vance & Hines exhausts. Further electronic additions include an under-seat USB socket allowing you to charge up essential devices on…

ENGINE Configuration Parallel-twin Cylinder head SOHC, four valves per cylinder Capacity 900cc Bore/stroke 84.6 x 80mm Compression ratio 11:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 2 x 38mm Keihin throttle bodies Power 48kW @ 7500rpm (claimed) Torque 80Nm @ 3800rpm (claimed) TRANSMISSION Type Five-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate Final drive Chain CHASSIS Frame material Steel Frame layout Tubular cradle Rake 25.1° Trail 102.4mm SUSPENSION KYB Front: 41mm telescopic, nonadjustable fork, 120mm travel Rear: Twin shocks, non-adjustable, 120mm travel WHEELS/TYRES Wheels Aluminium alloy Front: 18 x 2.75 Rear: 17 x 4.25 Tyres Pirelli Phantom Front: 100/90R18 Rear: 150/70R17 BRAKES Brembo/Nissin, ABS Front: Single 310mm disc, four-piston caliper Rear: Single 255mm disc, two-piston caliper DIMENSIONS Weight 198kg (dry, claimed) Seat height 760mm Max width 785mm Height 1114mm Wheelbase 1415mm Fuel capacity 12L PERFORMANCE Fuel consumption…

YAMAHA WAS QUICK to tell us this was the global launch of this new model – but no one but Aussies and Kiwis accepted. But it’s easy to see why. The US version leaks out a mere 21.6bhp (claimed) thanks to the fixed ECU it must be supplied with to meet regs over there. It comes with no smartphone tuning, no map switch and therefore is lucky to tick over 300 sales a year. They just ride the unregistered versions. In Europe, the specs are closer to the Aussie model, but it is hard to road register and sales amount to just 1000 or so a year. In Oz and NZ, though, the bike is fully ADRed – because Yamaha Australia makes the effort to help the bike fit local…

1 Full Metal Gloves Cassons $549.95 (02) 8882 1900 cassons.com.au Dainese Full Metal 6 Gloves feature quad elastication for mobility between the knuckles and the back of the hand, pre-formed and pre-curved cuffs with an inner closure for fit, wrist mobility and comfort, and carbon-fibre and titanium inserts with Kevlar panels. Sizes M-XL in black, black/white/ red or black/red. 2 Range Extender Safari Tanks $1140 (03) 5729 5556 safaritanks.com.au Safari Tanks’ new 34-litre fuel tank to suit the Honda CRF1000 Africa Twin allows for a touring range in excess of 500km, which is an increase of around 75 per cent compared with the standard fuel tank. The Safari tank is easy to install and comes with all brackets, fitting hardware, plumbing and instuctions. 3 Pulling the…

AN OUTBACK THUNDERSTORM slowly rolled towards me as I sat on the ancient timbers of a cattle yard at Coward Springs railway siding. The Oodnadatta track was about a kilometre away. If just 1mm of rain fell it would turn the packed dirt surface into a dangerously slippery ice rink. It was time to go or stay. I opened another stubbie of Coopers Stout and stayed, watching the yellow landscape 5km away change to purple and grey as black clouds moved over, split by bolts of lightning. Out of the distant thunder I could hear the unmistakable drone of a twin-cylinder motorcycle. A lone BMW rider buzzed across my line of vision at a steady 100km/h, heading south to Marree and the nearest strip of bitumen. At this rate it…

THREE YEARS WITHOUT a MotoGP world championship has triggered an increasing sense of urgency at Yamaha. MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis concedes patience is wearing thin as Yamaha searches for solutions to merely match, let alone overtake its dominant rivals Honda and Ducati. The much-maligned YZRM1 won just one race in 2018 and the firm’s last world championship, in 2015 with Jorge Lorenzo, is all but a fading memory. Aggressive and innovative engineering resources deployed by Honda and Ducati have overshadowed Yamaha’s steps to keep the M1 a competitive title threat. Jarvis says he is “not at all happy” with the situation and hopes internal soul-searching will lead to changes and a revival of Yamaha’s fortunes. The pressure is on, not least with YZR-M1 Project Leader Kouji Tsuya, with the answers…

MEANWHILE AUSTRALIAN- born former Team Honda rider Jason O’Halloran has completed his first test with his new-for-2019 McAms Yamaha outfit in Spain’s Almeria Circuit. The 2007 Australian Supersport Champion described his initial three-day test as “really good”, saying he was instantly comfortable on the Yamaha superbike. “We finished in a good way [and] I’ve got an amazing feeling with the bike,” he said directly after the test. “I absolutely loved riding the R1. We made a good step with the lap time, we went quite fast and everything just clicked. I felt really comfortable, so I’m looking forward to what’s coming now in the new season”.…

Metcalfe continues with Honda AMA SUPERCROSS VETERAN Aussie Brett Metcalfe will have another year in the Australian Supercross ranks, having resigned with the Penrite Honda squad, the team with which he finished runner-up in 2018. “[Last] year [was] rewarding for many reasons, winning a round was important for me and the team,” said Metcalfe, 33. “I am building a trusting home at Penrite Honda, my family is settling in at home in Mannum, SA, and I am back in the motherland after 18 years oversees.” KB PJ Jacobsen to MotoAmerica FORMER WORLDSBK SATELLITE Honda rider PJ Jacobsen has signed with the Celtic HSBK Racing squad in the 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Series. Jacobsen is no stranger to 600cc machinery, having finished runner-up in the 2015 World Supersport Championship, as well as…

FOR MOST ENDURO riders, Dakar will forever remain the impossible dream, but for Aussie James ‘Fergo’ Ferguson the 2019 event has become a somewhat harsh reality long before he faces the starter in Lima. With guidance from Scott Britnell – who competed in the rally’s Original (unassisted) class in 2018 – Fergo successfully tested his sand-riding abilities in the 2017 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. He’s built a new KTM 450 EXC into rally spec for this year’s event but the engine disintegrated just before it was due to leave Fergo’s home in Newcastle. With insufficient time to build a replacement, Fergo purchased a 2017 KTM 450 Rallye Replica which is now on a ship to Peru. “Another huge unforeseen expense,” he conceded. “But with the $30k plus non-refundable entry fees…

6  The overall number of world titles five-time champion Jorge Lorenzo will attempt to win this season riding for Honda. Find out how he and Honda are planning to do it on P70 Ride & inspire After riding across 64 countries on seven continents over nearly 18 months, Dr Maral Yazarloo-Pattrick has been named by the BBC one of the world’s most influential and inspirational women. Her journey was an attempt to highlight gender attitudes, especially in Iran, where women are banned by ‘laws of modesty’ from riding motorcycles. Her story can be viewed on BBC 100 Women, a mini-website of the British broadcaster. RIDE IN AND SHOP In December last year, Melbourne motorcycle apparel maker Saint opened the doors to its pop-up store and welcomed motorcycles into the shop!…

Australia David Johnson Shawn Giles Steve Martin Beau Beaton Cam Donald Jed Metcher Dean Oughtred Aaron Morris Paul Byrne Craig Ditchburn Scott Webster Mathew Fyffe Justin Mellerick USA Jason Pridmore Josh Hayes Steve Rapp Dale Quarterley Larry Pegram Barrett Long Bruce Lind Martin Morrison Dave Crussell Jorge Guerrero Jnr Carry Andrew Rennie Scaysbrook Eric Lindauer Michael Gilbert Joe Pethoud Wade Boyd Robert Ruwoldt Mark Miller New Zealand Glenn Hindle Alex Phillis John Reynolds Brendan Wilson Glenn Crutchley Jay Lawrence Michael Neeves Dean Castleton Roger Gunn Simon Richards Pete Byers Peter Jones Campbell Stevenson Matt Ineson Duncan Coutts Roger Gunn Michael Neeves…

Reckon you’re pretty quick when it comes to two-wheeled trivia? Then have a crack at our 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? Who is this leading an Aussie Superbike race in the late 90s at Eastern Creek? 2. WHAT? What make and model is Alan Cathcart flogging around the track in this photo? 3. WHY? Why did this seemingly normal looking Honda capture the world’s attention? 4. WHEN? When did this weird, BMW hearted, spaceship looking, sidecar go on the market? 5. WHERE? What track…

ENGINE Configuration Horizontally opposed twin cylinder Cylinder head OHV, two valves per cylinder Capacity 1011cc Bore/stroke 95.5 x 70.6mm Compression ratio 8.2: 1 Cooling Air/Oil Fueling 2 x 40mm Bing V90 carburettors Power 75hp @ 7000rpm (claimed) Torque 83Nm @ 5500rpm (claimed) TRANSMISSION Type Five-speed Clutch Dry, single-plate Final drive Shaft CHASSIS Frame material Chrome-moly Frame layout Tubular trellis Rake 27° Trail Not given SUSPENSION Marzocchi/Öhlins Front: 42mm telescopic fork, 310mm travel Rear: Monoshock, 280mm travel WHEELS/TYRES Wheels Aluminium alloy Front: 21 x 1.85 Rear: 17 x 2.50 Tyres Michelin Desert Front: 90/90-21 Rear: 140/90-17 BRAKES Brembo Front: Single 260mm disc, twin-piston caliper Rear: 200mm drum DIMENSIONS Weight 175kg (dry) Seat height 1030mm Max width 870mm Max height Not given Wheelbase 1660mm Fuel capacity 45L (plus 8L reserve) PERFORMANCE Fuel…

ENGINE Configuration 90º V4 Cylinder head Desmodromic, four valves per cylinder Capacity 998cc Bore/stroke 81 x 48.4mm Compression ratio 14.0:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 4 x throttle bodies with twin injectors per cylinder Power 162kW @ 15,250rpm (claimed) Torque 112Nm @ 11,500rpm(claimed) TRANSMISSION Type Six-speed Clutch Dry multi-plate, slipper type Final drive Chain CHASSIS Frame material Aluminium alloy Frame layout Twin-spar Rake 24.5° Trail 100mm SUSPENSION Öhlins Front: 43mm NPX USD pressurised fork, fully adjustable, 120mm travel Rear: TTX36 monoshock, fully adjustable, 130mm travel WHEELS/TYRES Wheels Aluminium alloy Front: 17 x 3.5 Rear: 17 x 6.0 Tyres Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP Front: 120/70ZR17 Rear: 200/60ZR17 BRAKES Brembo, cornering ABS Front: Twin 330mm discs, four-piston radial calipers Rear: Single 245mm disc, two-piston caliper DIMENSIONS Weight 193kg (kerb, claimed) Seat height 830mm…

ENGINE Configuration Single cylinder Cylinder head DOHC, four valves per cylinder Capacity 450cc Bore/stroke 97 x 60.9mm Compression ratio 12.8: 1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI Power NA Torque NA TRANSMISSION Type Five-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate Final drive Chain CHASSIS Frame material Aluminium Frame layout Semi double cradle Rake 27.1° Trail 116mm SUSPENSION KYB Front: USD, adjustable compression and rebound, 310mm travel Rear: Monoshock, adjustable compression and rebound, 317mm travel WHEELS/TYRES Wheels Spoked, aluminium Front: 21 x 1.65 Rear: 18 x 2.15 Tyres Metzeler Six Days Extreme Front: 90/90-21 (54M) Rear: 130/90-18 (65W) BRAKES Front: Single 270mm disc, two-piston caliper Rear: Single 245mm disc, single-piston caliper DIMENSIONS Weight 119kg (wet, claimed) Seat height 955mm Max width 825mm Max height 1280mm Wheelbase 1480mm Fuel capacity 7.9L PERFORMANCE Fuel consumption Not given Top…

What to look for Given Ducati’s unique technicalities, an example with evidence of regular specialist servicing is the gold standard. If you’re buying from a ‘mono-monkey’ check the condition of the vulnerable items – particularly a slipping clutch and/or worn steering-head bearings. As always adjust your offer to cover upcoming replacements – cam-belts, chain, sprockets, tyres and brake pads, also brake rotors near minimum thickness. The ideal prospect is a low kays example with a full service record. Service history Ducati’s belt-drive two-valve V-twin is a robust, well-designed engine. While the unique desmodromic valve-system needs specialist maintenance, some capable DIY mechanics have mastered the required ‘Desmo’ skills. Full services including oil, filter and valve clearance work are required at 10,000km intervals. However it’s cheap insurance on a hardworking air-cooled engine…

Top 3 TV 1 2019 DAKAR Red Bull TV 6-18 Jan 11am (AEDT) See daily highlights from Peru and go behind the scenes with teams, drivers and rally legends to experience the beauty and brutality of the toughest off-road rally on earth. SBS will also air a nightly package (see local guide). 2 Bike World 7Plus On demand Anytime All the episodes of Season 1 of Bike World are available on the 7Plus website, from holidaying in Europe to testing adventure bikes, and riding nakedbikes to drag racing supercars. Sure, it's a Pommy production, but it’s still pretty good. See 7plus.com.au. 3 Up Front with KTM Rally Team Red Bull TV On demand Anytime This series goes beyond the racing to find out more about the KTM Dakar rally team.…

THE LITES 20-lap feature race drew a strong grid that included Matt Barton (Honda) and Joel Kelso (Yamaha), but it was local Jeremy Huddleston who fought hard for the victory. The Honda rider took the chequered flag from Barton by 4.45sec. Kelso was a further 12.2sec adrift, but impressed the locals on a YZF-R3 with tyres that had completed nearly 200 laps. Huddleston was elated after his win. “The race went perfect for us,” he grinned. “I went in with the plan to get to the front and try to get away as I knew the traffic would be hectic with 31 riders on the grid. Luckily Plan A worked! It was great to have Matt Barton and Joel Kelso down for the event. “Massive thanks goes to Bspoke Design,…

FOR MORE THAN a year Valentino Rossi has battered Yamaha with his unrelenting criticism of the M1’s weaknesses, a broken record lamenting the inability to deliver solutions, especially tyre life. The arrival am of 2017 Moto2 world champion Franco Morbidelli to the M1 fraternity for 2019, after a year on a Honda RC213V, produced comments from the same song sheet at the season-ending Jerez test. “We have good speed on new tyres, but we need to improve the pace. We struggle on used tyres, that is no secret,” said Morbidelli after his Ros early i M b 1 outings ed back . from “When you a t put g on PI a new ti tyre to win you have –a nearly lot of grip – in and Malaysia then .…

FRED’S FAVE To go into the running, send a photo of the first bike you ever owned or rode. If you don’t have a pic ofthefirst, we’ll acceptoneof the first. Email your entry to comps@amcn.com.au and make sure you include your full name and street address so we can send you your loot! This issue’s six finalists have won themselves an Oxford Cable Lock and Fred’s fave picks up an IPONE Care Kit, all thanks to the team at Ficeda Accessories!…

TRIUMPH WILL BRING back the recently-discontinued Rocket III with a bigger engine and performance-oriented chassis to challenge Ducati’s Diavel range. The 2.3-litre Rocket III, which became a victim of EU4 emissions in 2017 is likely to return late this year. Our spy shots reveal an all-new inline three-cylinder engine that we reckon may be as big as 2500cc. Such an engine should easily match the Diavel and its increased torque, already 221Nm in 2.3-litre form, will demolish virtually any other production motorcycle in a straight line. The new chassis incorporates aluminium castings and has a single-sided swingarm that incorporates the shaft final drive. A superbike-style upside-down fork and Brembo radial brake calipers are matched to a much sportier steering head angle. We’ve briefly seen two versions of the Rocket III,…

Deal me in KTM is selling two of its 2018 RC16 MotoGP racers for $380,000 each. Is this so they can pay Dani Pedrosa’s fee as their 2019 test rider? Sands of time The spectacle of beach racing returns to South Australia’s Sellicks Beach over 16-17 February for owners of pre-1963 racebikes. Bad Guy Former TT star Guy Martin has pleaded not guilty to two charges of possessing a fake Irish driver’s licence. The judge granted unconditional bail and set the trial for 1 July. Not forgotten Gold Coast photographer Tim Caraco, who published Freedom Machines Vol 1 and 2 has been honoured with a large funeral after dying in a motorcycle accident.…

FOUR-TIME WORLDSBK Champion Jonathan Rea has received an honorary doctorate from University of Ulster for his contribution to sport. Not only did the Irishman become the first-ever rider to win four consecutive WorldSBK titles last year, he equalled American Doug Polen’s record for the most wins in a single season. “I am genuinely so pleased to receive this honorary degree,” Dr Rea said. “While I did very well at school and was an A student, my passion for motorcycling and ambition to follow my dream of becoming a world champion meant that I didn’t get the chance to go to university like many of my family and friends.” This year’s WorldSBK season kicks off here on Aussie soil over 22-24 February at Phillip Island.…

It’s a gas  THE AVGAS BAN is not an issue, says Island Motorsport Manager Peter Mitchell. “MA have approved an avgas alternative called Roo100 and is working through homologation of another fuel through RaceFuels,” he said. The avgas alternatives will require minimal carburetion changes. Huge program of racing NEARLY 500 MOTORCYCLES will be racing and on display There are six historic categories from pre-WWI through Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972) to the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes. The rider who wins the most points across these classes wins the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy. Film stars THE 2019 EVENT will be filmed for a two-hour television program planned to be screened in Europe, UK, USA, Asia and New Zealand. It will be shown…

UNLIKE ITS COMPANION DOHC twin-cylinder 1200cc models in the Triumph catalogue, this smaller engine has just a single overhead camshaft, operated by a modular gear/chain drive up the centre of the engine. All four paired 28.4mm inlet valves are fed by a single 38mm Keihin throttle body, with neo-vintage ‘finishers’ making it resemble a period carburettor. The 24.2mm exhaust valves exit burnt gasses into a pair of classic-type peashooter exhausts seemingly redolent of the original Bonnie of 60 years ago. In fact, though, what seems to be a pair of heat shields where the vertical header pipes curve round to run horizontally either side of the sump, the exhausts turn inwards to meet the catalyst positioned under the engine, then exit again to rejoin the original line of the gently…

IN THIS EXAMPLE, the first instruction is to veer left at about 45°, over a culvert in a 50km/h ‘quiet zone’ (or suffer a one minute penalty for each km over this limit). There’s some sort of dwelling indicated (top right) to provide orientation. Then 280 metres further on – just past the ruins on the left – the instruction is to veer right and apply full gas; the quiet zone has finished. It all seems simple except that in one kilometre, the track heads uphill into curvas peligroso, or dangerous curves. Then the next instruction is very simple – just study the diagram. At 233.65km take the left fork, then 210 metres later leave the track and descend over the very rough erosion ruts – note the Double Danger…

2002 900 and 2002-06 1000 models (prior to the substantially restyled S2R models), there are Monsters to suit all tastes – all Desmo V-twin powered, with engines ranging from a humble 400cc version to the stove-hot, liquid-cooled, four-valve, 998cc Testastretta superbike engine. In many markets the 600cc middleweight in particular proved to be extremely popular with riders of both sexes. The Monster’s minimalism extended to its equipment – no centrestand, and on the first model, not even a tachometer. But the suspension and brakes were well-specced to complement the engine’s performance – inverted 41mm Showa forks, Boge monoshock and four-piston Brembo calipers gripping 320mm floating front discs. The six-speed gearbox is an easy shifter, however some found the clutch action on early models to be heavy. The visual impression that…

Show time 9 FEBRUARY Bathurst Bike Show, Russell St, Bathurst, NSW. More than 100 bikes on display from standard to fully customised. Trade stalls, live music, show ’n’ shine, kids activities, food and drink and much more. 10am to 2pm. Free entry. For more information or to book a stand see bathurstbikeshow.com. 17 FEBRUARY Maitland Speedway Festival, Maitland Showground, Blomfield St, South Maitland, NSW. Vintage speedway bikes, sidecars and more. Come and see these animals back in action at their original stomping ground. Exhibition only; no competitive racing. Exhibitors gates open 7am at Louth Park Gate, general public to enter via Blomfield St gate. For more information check out facebook.com/MaitlandSpeedwayFestival/. 2 MARCH Thunder West Bike Show, 71 Scotts Creek Rd, Murrurundi, NSW. Live music, tattoo comp, tyre throw, Ironguts Challenge,…

TREES ARE TALL. But they do not touch the sky. I offer this cod philosophy to help keep things in proportion during the holiday season. When you are up too close to something, it is easy to over-inflate its importance. With a few weeks to look back on the MotoGP season, it still inspires awe. But what is the true measure of achievement? Have we now seen the passing of the baton from one GOAT to the next? There can only ever be one, and for many years – certainly for my generation – it was easy. Mike Hailwood forever. I saw him race with nonchalant superiority back in his heyday, and then again when he returned to win on the Isle of Man, twice, after 11 years away. Agostini,…

Kyle Buckley “The club atmosphere was incredible, I haven’t had a weekend like this for a long time. I really enjoyed the track, it reminds me of Wakefield Park and Broadford mixed together. Jed (Metcher) and I were speaking earlier in the weekend and we both figured we would be fairly level, so we were hoping to be together at the end. When they crashed I was really bummed because I was looking forward to the battle. As it turned out we had the same fuel strategy so we would have been really close, I think. At the end of the race I slowed down a tiny bit and Jed came through, then it was on. For those 25 laps we were going really hard, it was really enjoyable.” Kurt…

JORGE LORENZO ADMITS beating Marc Marquez on a Honda this year will be “complicated” but owes his fellow Spaniard a debt of gratitude for the opportunity. Lorenzo has confirmed that Honda’s golden boy Marquez made no move to block his surprise switch from Ducati. Winning five MotoGP world championships in six years, means Marquez has established a powerful beachhead of loyalty and commitment within the Honda hierarchy. Only Honda hero Mick Doohan with 54 wins has won more premier class races for the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer. Marquez has 44 wins and is zooming towards being Honda’s undisputed race winner. “I need to be grateful to Marc because he didn’t put any wall to my arrival into the Honda team,” Lorenzo said. “I want to keep riding MotoGP because I…

CONTRARY TO KTM Team Manager Jordi Viladoms’s respected opinion, we reckon the rider’s weight must be a significant factor in performance. A fully fuelled rally bike weighs in at less than 200kg and, even though the rider is sprung weight and using his or her knees to maximise traction, their mass accounts for at least 30 percent of the total package. In power-absorbing conditions such as deep sand, Sam Sunderland – weighing in at no more than 85kg in full riding clobber – has a considerable advantage over his teammates Matthias Walkner and Toby Price; both of whom weigh in at more than 95kg. And all three will shed at least six or seven kilograms during the 10-day rally.…

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. If only someone would invent a carbon-fibre scaphoid protector. Incredibly painful and notoriously slow to heal, imagine how Toby Price felt when he realised he snapped his less than a month shy of Dakar! Casey Stoner knows, he broke his in 2003 and it nearly ended his career in 2008 when the damn thing still hadn’t healed. But it’s only one race, right? It’s not as if Toby has to race day after day, after tough and gruelling and hot day. It’s just lucky the bloke’s as tough as he is talented. And…