Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 69 Issue 24 i Australian Motorcycle News

IT WILL TAKE you a while to get to page 70 this issue, as you will need to read your way there via news, our MOTD winner, an awesome TT feature, four delectable Ducatis residing in New Zealand and their stories, and an excellent, candid, exclusive interview with our Jack Miller. But once there, you will be both envious of, and sad for, a group of people whose love of motorcycling adventure has left them stranded around the globe. Travel also takes you away from your happy place. And the people that make you happy Envious, because of their ability to say “stuff it”, pack their shit on a motorcycle and head for uncertain times. And nothing highlights how uncertain life can be than a pandemic. It’s this uncertainty that…

“F***ING HELL-FIRE, THAT IS A PROPER CORNER THAT ONE. I STAY TUCKED IN, NOT KNEE DOWN, BUT I POP UP A LITTLE AND USE MY BODY AS AN AIR BRAKE.” The 23-time TT winner John McGuinness talks us through the full-lean, 240km/h Casey’s Folly sweeper. Never heard of it? Turn to our feature on page 42. 50 The original V-twin angle of the JAP engine that powered the original Brough Superior superbike of the 1920s and ’30s. The new version, which has finally gone on sale in Australia and New Zealand, has a cylinder angle of 88 degrees. SCRAMBLED, NOT STIRRED James Bond fanatics can now get their hands on a limited-edition version of the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE he rides in the yet-to-be-released film No Time to Die. Just…

THIS SERIES about how doing shed time ends up in real time when the lockdown ends is starting to gain momentum. From around Australia you’ve sent in personal and impassioned descriptions of how you’re passing the time. It’s giving all of us a real insight into sheds. For many hands-on owners, the shed is their secret inner sanctum of peace and tranquility. Sometimes the peace is shattered by a spanner that has fallen out of a greasy hand or a series of curses as the person wielding the spanner realises the thread on a bolt or stud has been stripped. No big deal. It’s a shed project. And we’re loving them all. Keep the stories rolling in.…

The year was 3... 001994 It was a fairly tumultuous year. The Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway and Oklahoma City Bombing started the year off with a bang, and if that wasn’t enough, French President Jacques Chirac declared war on the ocean floor by resuming nuclear testing in French Polynesia. The Sampoong department store collapsed in Seoul and in the US of A, OJ Simpson was found not guilty of bumping off his missus and her buddy. Microsoft released Windows 95, making ol’ Bill stinking rich, and Sony kicked off the enslavement of generations of once-fertile minds with the release of the original PlayStation. Jeanne Louise Calment celebrated being the oldest person ever when she reached the ripe old age of 120 years and 238 days. The old biddy…

Jacket Drive I would like to know if there is going to be a jacket drop this year. I live in western Sydney and want to know where I can drop off close by. John Palmer Liverpool, NSW Working on it now, John! The ’rona made it all a bit dubious, but back on track now. See next issue for details. Sam Who dares wins I’m following the Motorcycle of the Decade coverage with interest – it’s such an interesting concept to try and choose a single bike that encapsulates an entire decade. I wholeheartedly agree with the Readers Choice Award, I reckon Kawasaki utterly deserves the gong and the recognition for saying ‘bugger it, let’s do it anyway’ while at the same time facing its emission reduction challenges head…

SIMPLY THE BEST PERFORMING MOTORCYCLE OF ALL TIME FOR RAPID REAL-WORLD ROAD RIDING WHEN AMCN LAUNCHED the concept of Motorcycle of Decade, we contacted a swag of current and former staff and contributors who were all asked to nominate three machines worthy of their top gong and to explain why. Right from the get-go, four out of our esteemed eight named Aprilia’s naked superbike in their initial nominees, and it’s for good reason. “Simply the best performing motorcycle of all time for rapid real-world road riding,” said Paul Young, who probably summed it up the best. Deputy editor Kel Buckley reckons “never has a bike made so much soul-stirring sense to me” and former deputy editor Dean Mellor said what everyone else was thinking when he added, “it’s one of…

MotoGP Mugello, Italy Circuit length 5.245km Race distance MotoGP 120.6355km 2019 winner MotoGP Danilo Petrucci 41m33.794s Property of the week This week our team has really come up with something special. In the district of Cavallina, just 500m from Lake Bilancino and 18km from Mugello, sits this two-bedroom terraced house. With approximately 90 sqm of luxury living over two levels plus a courtyard of 20 sqm, the current owners have completed an expert renovation. From your Tuscan hideaway you can be in the pitlane, in your leathers, trackday ready in 30 minutes! Tastefully furnished by cousins of Franco Cozzo, this could be yours for A$280,000. To inspect, contact Gianni del Ladro during office hours. Round 5 Finishing positions…

MOTOGP IS STILL yet to be given the green light to hold the two rounds in Spain on consecutive weekends at the end of July. There’s talk of hosting a test day at the Jerez circuit on the Wednesday before what may be the opening round of the 2020 championship, in a bid to get riders back into the zone after so long off the bike, but not everyone’s supportive of the proposal. ECSTAR Suzuki rider Alex Rins said he would prefer to go straight into FP1, despite not having turned a wheel on a MotoGP machine since the 24 February Qatar test. Factory Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi said he’d rather a two-day test ahead of the race weekend, saying the unprecedented nature of the pandemic-induced hiatus would mean the…

THE AMERICAN DOMESTIC Superbike championship was the first to resume following coronavirus lockdowns, with Cameron Beaubier (Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha) taking two emphatic wins in the two-race Superbike event at Road American in Wisconsin. The Californian won the first race by a 7.8-second margin and the second by 13.4 seconds. Yamaha dominated the podium in the two Superbike events, with Matthew Scholtz and former WorldSBK rider Jake Gagne filling the other two spots in race one. Gagne, who is Beaubier’s teammate for 2020, went one better for second place in the second race, in which Josh Herrin put his Scheibe Racing BMW in third place. Kawasaki’s Richie Escalante celebrated the double in the Supersport category, while former World Superbike and 125cc GP racer PJ Jacobsen rode his Ducati V4…

RETURN OF THE HONDAMATIC HONDA’S BOFFINS ARE going back to the future with a Hondamatic transmission that could be adapted to a range of models. In place of the old Hondamatic’s slushy torque converter and limited two-speed transmission, new patents from Big Red show a CB1100 fitted with an electronically-controlled version of the conventional hydraulic clutch, allied to a normal six-speed gearbox with a foot-operated shifter. There’s a hydraulic actuator mounted under the fuel tank just behind the steering head. It’s attached to a conventional ’barmounted clutch fluid reservoir, and uses an electric motor to increase or decrease hydraulic pressure to engage the clutch. Basically it’s an electronic equivalent of pulling in a clutch lever. The real advantage of the system is that it’s not integrated into the internal design…

COMBINE THE EFFECTS of drought, bushfires and Covid-19 and it’s easy to see the end of ATVs will have a devastating effect. Not only will the farming community be denied the least expensive form of farm utility, many rural motorcycle dealers rely on their steady sales to underpin their business. One person who has already spoken about this upcoming crisis is our regular columnist and Outback tour leader Daryl Beattie. In his last column (AMCN Vol 69 No 21), he wrote of the double whammy he saw arriving in the communities he travels through. “Some motorcycle dealerships, especially in regional areas, were already at risk with the end of quad bike sales taking away up to 60 percent of their business. Now everyone is just ticking over, trying to ride…

Jacked up Reason finally prevailed and our Jack Miller gets a gig with Ducati’s official MotoGP team for 2021. Job vacancies Norton’s new owners are hiring new staff, including design engineers, just weeks after being taken over by Indian powerhouse TVS Motors. Road rash The virus-forced cancellation of most of Irish roadracing and the financial demise of the Ulster Grand Prix has observers fearful that the sport may never restart on the Emerald Isle. Lunch is cancelled Alf Robertson from the Ken Blake Foundation tells us their annual lunch on 9 June has been cancelled for this year.…

’15 APRILIA TUONO DESIGN 10/10 Undiluted performance in a class built on ‘detuned’ RELEVANCE OF FEATURES 9/10 App-based telemetry was pioneering – on a roadbike? VALUE FOR MONEY 10/10 Performance-comfort ratio BUILD QUALITY 9/10 Great – BMW does it better INNOVATION 10/10 App-based gizmos and real-world performance ’10 BMW S 1000 RR DESIGN 10/10 The best performing superbike of its era. No question RELEVANCE OF FEATURES 9/10 Great, but not remarkable VALUE FOR MONEY 10/10 Lighter, more powerful and within coo-ee of cheapest rival BUILD QUALITY 10/10 Excellent, as always INNOVATION 8/10 It was a better executed copy of an already proven formula ’13 BMW R 1200 GS DESIGN 9/10 Does what its designed to impeccably, all 240kg of it RELEVANCE OF FEATURES 10/10 Arguably the standout VALUE FOR MONEY…

JAMES HILLIER has 14 TT podiums and one win to his credit. He’s also the seventh-fastest rider ever around the TT course with an average lap of 132.414mph. JOHN MCGUINNESS is a 23-times TT winner, a former lap-record holder and the first fella to lap the TT averaging 130mph which he did back in 2007. Our very own DAVID ‘DAVO’ JOHNSON claimed the Newcomers Trophy in 2010, took his first TT podium in 2019, followed by a classic TT win in the Superbike class. His best lap is 131.595mph average.…

THE OLD CARBY models responded quite well to a few intake and exhaust mods. Japanese company OVER was the most famous XJR modifier, even racing one in the Suzuka 8 Hours event. Many companies made full-systems for the XJR1300, OVER being the most predominant, and it would work a treat with a jet kit (the Dynojet kit of the time offered new needles and larger main jets – up from 96 to 100.) Mind you, having the full system can cause the bike to be a bit sluggish off closed throttle, but that will all be forgotten once you hit the beefed-up midrange. The Öhlins shocks can be worked to provide a slightly smoother ride but that will only be required if you’re really into you’re thrashing as they are…

ESSENTIALS Access through the area is easy and open with road closures only after heavy rain and flooding. Check at one of the local visitor centres for current costs of a park pass. We recommend purchasing a pass for all Tasmanian Parks at the start of your trip so you have less hassle later. Fuel, food, and most supplies are available at both St Marys and Avoca. Camping is available in the Douglas-Apsley National Park, as well as a range of accommodation options at Avoca, St Marys and Fingal. The best way to see the area is to stay a night or two locally and complete a few of the well-marked bushwalk loops in the park. OPTION Part way through the road to St Marys is the option to turn…

SO – IT’S ALL starting up again. Probably. Apparently. In some places, anyway. Real racing in the USA, in front of empty grandstands and with a skeleton staff in the pits. Practice laps in Spain and Italy, and in Andorra. With just two or three out on the track at the same time. Things can only get better… as long as there isn’t a second wave on the way. All the same, this coronavirus thing could just end up spoiling bike racing. You might think it already has. By stopping it happening. This is just the beginning. Even when we do get properly going again (we will, surely, won’t we?), the viral implications are long-lasting. It will (the wise men say) change the way we live, in every respect. Not…

FIM brings in the 650 class As exclusively reported in the last issue of AMCN the new two-stroke sub-class in the premier category will not be for 500cc engines. But even we didn’t see the new bikes weighing in at 650cc – and making such an early appearance. Much to the alarm of some team bosses, a 649cc V4 Suter appeared in the paddock at Mugello, combining a reported 170kW with 130kg of weight. “Eeeeet’s toooo much,” said one team head honcho. “Eeef a decent rider gets on that, we might never see where he went.” Word is that similar machines will be available from Kalex and one other manufacturer TBA. Return of the Emperor Of course, the big news at Mugello was the return of Max Biaggi to topline…

I was no bloody good! I was a midfield rider on a Yamaha RD350LC WE’RE TAKING TIME out in these trying times to pay tribute to the men and women who keep our clubs alive and kicking. This time we’ve tracked down Eric Saunders, Chief Scrutineer at Victorian club and state title meetings. “Eric is a great choice,” Preston Motorcycle Club president Travis Hardy says. “He is very devoted. Many of our riders love him as he comes to the track on Friday afternoon to scrutineer bikes after the day’s practice, then back again on Saturday morning to finish the rest. He’s a really great guy and a favourite among the racers.” Eric, how long have you been scrutineering? A bit over 12 years, and six of those years [have…

MODEL Husqvarna Svartpilen 701, 2019-20 IMPORTER HQVA – Husqvarna Motorcycles NUMBER OF AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES 175 ISSUE During operation or while parked, it is possible that fuel can leak out of the fuel level sensor mounting area and/or the fuel pump mounting area of the fuel tank. POTENTIAL HAZARD Leaking fuel could cause damage or may result in fire. ACTION REQUIRED Consumers are recommended to stop riding the motorcycle until it has been repaired. If you previously experienced or are now experiencing a fuel leak, immediately contact an authorised dealer and do not ride the vehicle. For further information, consumers can contact Husqvarna on 1800 644 771 or find your nearest authorised dealer at www. husqvarnamotorcycles.com/au…

RALLY THE GREY MATTER We were inundated with answers to the two questions you were asked to determine based on 15 clues. One reader even answered “the viewer is wearing the Shark helmet and has Michelin tyres!” The best way to discover the answers was to set up a table with all of the possibilities and scratch off what you knew to be wrong, based on the clues provided. The first correct answer came just the day after the magazine hit the shelves, from Glenda Clare from Lysterfield in Victoria. QUESTION 1 The BMW R 1200 GS rider wears the Shark lid QUESTION 2 The Yamaha TRX850 has the Michelin hoops Answers for AMCN Vol 69 No 23…

ENGINE Capacity 1098cc Type 65º V4, DOHC, four valves per cylinder Bore & stroke 81 x 52.3mm Compression ratio 13 : 1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 4 Marelli 48mm throttle bodies Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet multi-plate, slipper type Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 129kW@11,000rpm Torque 121Nm@ 9000rpm Top speed 280km/h (est) Fuel consumption Not given ELECTRONICS Type Aprilia Rider aids Traction control, wheelie control, launch control, cruise control, cornering ABS and pitlane speed limiter CHASSIS Frame material Aluminium Frame type Twin-spar Rake 24.7º Trail 99.7mm Wheelbase 1450mm SUSPENSION Type Sachs (Factory: Öhlins) Front: 43mm USD fork, fully adjustable, 110mm travel Rear: monoshock link suspension, fully adjustable, 130mm…

WHAT TO LOOK FOR HEAPS OF CHROME that adorns the XJR can tell a good story on how well the bike has been maintained. Check for any pitting around the exhaust, fork legs and engine cases. Service history is also one to look for, and always carry out obvious checks like steering head bearing play, swingarm bearings and chain and sprocket wear. Earlier 1999 to 2001/2002 models had some issues with tapping noises coming from the cylinder-head when warm, indicating worn camshafts that need replacing. There was also a recall for the oil-cooler bolts that were too short – it’s pretty easy to tell if this has been carried out as there will be a pool of oil at the base of the cooler if it hasn’t. The 2004-2005 had…

CAN YOU WELD up a broken bracket on a motorcycle frame? Wire up a tail-light? Recondition a gearbox? Re-spoke a wheel rim and then balance it on your homemade jig? Like you, I can do one or two of the above but certainly not all of them. Luckily I know a local person who can undertake all these tasks, plus perfectly restore such diverse motorcycles as a 1940 Indian Chief, the first year of the skirted mudguards and plunger rear suspension, and a 1968 Norton Commando, the first year of production and so the frame needs to be modified to prevent the risk of cracking around the headstock. Decades of experience across many traditional engineering trades come into play when this old guy starts working on a motorcycle. These skills…

THE 2020 SPEEDWAY Grand Prix series still has Round 1 listed as the showpiece British GP in Cardiff on 18 July, but that must be in extreme doubt following the cancellation of the British MotoGP, which was scheduled for the last weekend in August. If the SGP series is held it will be a very congested calendar from August onwards. Danish rider Mikkel Michelsen, who won last year’s European Championship, is first reserve for the SGP series and would replace Smolinksi, who had only been elevated in to the SGP ranks following the retirement of Greg Hancock.…

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. We should be happy; the rules about riding have been relaxed, and now we can go for a blast without needing a reason, even if it is winter again. And the pubs are open, so we can have a brew or two, so long as we are responsible. And Townsville’s finest has a factory Ducati seat for 2021! But we’ll have to wait; no Phillip Island MotoGP this year. Things are getting better but, to quote the great Gassit, ‘Bloody’...…