Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 70 Issue 05 i Australian Motorcycle News

THE LIQUID-COOLED 975cc Bronx streetfighter has disappeared from Harley-Davidson’s ‘future vehicles’ list as it refocuses on its core market. The Bronx was due to be the second model to carry Harley’s all-new Revolution Max V-twin engine and development was well advanced. The Revolution Max will still go into the Pan America adventure bike next year in 1250cc, 108kW form. The Bronx was due to follow, initially with the smaller 85kW derivative. As we reported last issue, new CEO Jochen Zeitz is slashing Harley’s range by nearly 30 percent to refocus on its core models. The Pan America remains on course but the streetfighter segment is brutally tough right now, with MV’s Brutale, Ducati’s Streetfighter V4 and KTM’s 1290 Super Duke about to be joined by an all-new Triumph Speed Triple…

Bowled over I need to commend the team on an enjoyable Adventure issue (AMCN Vol 70 No 03). Anyone who says there’s no longer room for print media has got Snowy River-sized boulders in their heads. Show me a place on the internet where I can get both an honest and inspiring yarn about life on the road, alongside ten well-informed opinions of a wide spectrum of modern bikes. It doesn’t exist. Sure, the internet is invaluable for information, accurate or otherwise, but it’s not much of a story teller. Geoff Parsons Via emai Niche titles are still doing great Geoff and this is why. The internerd is great for some things – large, well-run bike tests is our domain for sure. More coming... Sam…

WITH THE FIVE-TIERED MT range’s model designations now firmly indicative of their engine’s capacities, it’s strange to think that six short years ago, the MT-03 was a 660cc single. With a horizontally-mounted off-set shock and a pair of underseat pipes, the not-that-long-ago MT-03 weighed nearly 200kg, had a 805mm seat height and, despite still falling within LAMS regulations, produced 56.2Nm of torque at 5500rpm. Powered by the same engine found in the 660 Ténéré and XT660R, it was aimed at the more experienced end of the LAMS market, but a combination of ever tightening emissions and a streamlining of the tuning fork brand’s model ranges, saw it disappear at the end of 2015 to make way for the modern iteration.…

In perfect conditions in Sicily in the foothills of Mount Etna, we stop half-way up the climb of Mount Etna. Surrounded by a volcanic landscape, I take a moment and reflect on the view. Aside from the smoky volcano in the background, just look at this collection of beauties. Almost every manufacturer has chosen a different route, especially Kawasaki and KTM, who haven’t stripped back a cutting-edge superbike by removing the bodywork, instead built a hyper-naked from the ground up. ALMOST EVERY MANUFACTURER HAS CHOSEN A DIFFERENT ROUTE, ESPECIALLY KAWASAKI AND KTM, WHO HAVEN'T STRIPPED BACK A CUTTING-EDGE SUPERBIKE Kawasaki’s obvious selling point is its unique supercharged inline four-cylinder motor. It’s big and it’s brash, and the most road focused bike in our group. And, thanks to the chirp of…

WITH A 9.2 RATIO IMPELLER-TO-CRANK SPEED, QUICK ENOUGH TO BREAK THE SOUND BARRIER Even on the road, this bike is all about the engine; no normal aspirated engine gives you the same feeling as the supercharged Z H2. The impeller with a 9.2 ratio impeller-to-crank speed, quick enough to break the sound barrier and create a brilliant chirping sound from around 6000rpm and upwards. It is most noticeable when you close the throttle at high rpm and it becomes highly addictive. Even after a week of riding the Z H2 it was still making me smile. The immense power of the supercharger will even take experienced riders by surprise, especially if they’ve not tasted supercharged power before. On the road it feels awesome, when the others are tapping back gears…

Giacomo Agostini is motorcycling royalty, so being granted an audience with the 15-time world champ at his hilltop home in the northern Italian city of Bergamo, is a bit like having tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle. But the most successful grand prix road racer of all time, with 122 race wins (plus one World F750 victory) and 159 podiums from 186 starts, has now teamed up with his daughter Vittoria to offer a half-day visit to his newly-opened Sala dei Trofei (trophyroom). “It’s not a museum, not while I’m still alive!” insists Ago. This contains a vast array of memorabilia acquired during his stellar 15-year racing career, including as many of his 364 race trophies he could squeeze in. The Visitors Package includes this visit, followed by dinner…

AMERICAN ACE EDDIE Lawson’s stunning superbike successes on the Kawasaki GPZ1100 prompted the factory to produce an Eddie Lawson tribute-bike, the Z1000R, in the early 1980s. And the launch of the ZRX1200R in the new millennium provided ample proof that Fast Eddie’s fame was still a potent drawcard for Kawasaki almost 20 years on. The ZRX1200R really looks the part as a big, old-school, naked muscle-bike, wearing its Lawson-tribute green paint job with pride. Although they were also available in red livery, you’d reckon the green one would be quicker, surely... Beyond the ZRX’s appealing retro styling there’s a heap of eye candy to enjoy once you start checking out the details – massive six-pot front-brake calipers, handsome piggy-back traditional twin shocks, and the very sexy braced swingarm. The standout…

THERE WASN’T A single person watching the Austrian Grand Prix that didn’t feel the touch of the racing gods. And it wasn’t because of the results. Just when we thought the 2020 season couldn’t possibly take another strange turn, the armco-lined Red Bull Ring served up another upside-down race that blew the championship wide open. Nor was it because of the winner. On any other weekend the seismic news that Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) had informed Ducati management he didn’t intend to continue their working relationship beyond November would be the takeaway of the event. The fact he nonchalantly rode to his first victory of the season – Ducati’s 50th in MotoGP – a day later made his personal success all the sweeter. The defining images of this weekend will…

JUST AS MOTOGP was showing a touch of predictability, a red flag wiped the slate clean. At the close of yet another drama-packed weekend KTM enjoyed its second premier class win in 14 days and had another rider on the podium. Jack Miller’s (Pramac Ducati) thrilling second place a day after tweaking shoulder ligaments thrusted him back into title contention. And it all played out in a breathless final corner, in which the man entering in third emerged victorious. That the last-gasp winner was the lesser-fancied Miguel Oliveira (Tech 3 KTM) added to the surprise. The 25-year old started the weekend playing down comments made the previous Sunday in the wake of a collision with stablemate Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM). It was fitting that his typically cool head reigned…

ONE WEEK ON from the shock news Andrea Dovizioso will split from Ducati at the end of this season, the factory confirmed it will look to within for his replacement. On Saturday of the Styrian Grand Prix, Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti said an agreement is already in place between Ducati and Francesco Bagnaia for the 2021 and 2022 season, and confirmed the brand will also keep a hold of Johann Zarco for next year. “We will also continue with Johann Zarco and then we’ll make up our minds just before Misano” However Ducati bosses are yet to decide which rider will step up to the factory team to partner Jack Miller in 2021. “We basically agreed terms with Pecco [Bagnaia] for the next two years,” Ciabatti said. “It’s too early…

BRUCE ‘CRIBBY’ CRIBB’S career highlight came in front of a capacity crowd at London’s White City Stadium when, together with teammates Ivan Maugher, Larry Ross and Mitch Shirra, he won the 1979 Speedway World Team Cup for New Zealand. However, in the annals of speedway history, Cribby will be forever remembered for his exploits as a Speedway Ice Racer. Indisputably the only Maori to demonstrate his track skills in the remote Republic of Bashkortostan. Born in Palmerston North, 17-year-old Cribby began his career sharing a bike with his father, Kiwi Cribb. When he finally got his own bike, the first time he met his father on track Cribby put his old man into the fence, causing Kiwi to lament, “when your own son punts you into the fence, it’s time…

TECHNOLOGY Claimed to have “the highest level of standard technology specification” for its intended market category, Triumph gave no details but expect a choice of riding modes as a minimum and, possibly, traction control and other safety-oriented tech. STYLING Italian Rodolfo Frascoli, who was heavily involved with Triumph’s Tiger 900 Rally GT, has had a major input. The result is a very clean design that reinterprets the current Street Triple styling. A range of luggage options will be available. CHASSIS Steel tubing is used rather than aluminium to keep costs down, but Triumph reckons handling will be a major feature. The emphasis is on everyday ergonomics, so it apparently is a totally different riding experience to the existing Street Triple range. ENGINE Developed from the 675 Daytona triple, Triumph says…

FOR MONTHS WE’VE been following the rise of China’s motorcycle industry and its preparation to join the world’s market in the large-capacity segment. Now CFMoto has announced Australia will receive the first model in its all-new 700CL-X range early next year. CFMoto Australia director Michael Poynton has high hopes for the 700CL-X range and for the company’s ambitious plans. “It’s quite the warning shot, and it’s just the beginning,” he said last week as CFMoto prepared to take on the world’s long-established big-bike manufacturers. Behind the scenes CFMoto is also developing the largest and most powerful motorcycle ever produced in China. This is a civilian version of the CF1250J police bike that we previewed earlier this year. It will debut CFMoto’s new 1278cc V-twin engine, which produces 105kW of power…

AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE legend Jim Scaysbrook was recognised in this year’s H.M. The Queen’s Birthday Honours announced in June, by being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to motorcycling. This award is conferred on those men and women from a variety of walks of life who have gone out of their way to contribute in an exceptional manner to the well-being of their fellow citizens. Scaysbrook, 72, is one of the most versatile riders yet to be produced by the mythical Australian rider factory, who’s since gone on to be a key figure in today’s historic motorcycle scene. One of Australia’s top motocross racers in the 1970s, he also competed successfully in dirt track, long-distance reliability trials, desert racing, enduro and speedway, and was the first…

A FEW PICS of my 1988 Honda NX650 that I purchased around five years ago for $1100. A few fibreglass mods, fresh spray-can paint job and a top-end tidy up. It allows me to get out with the mates a few times a year for rides across South Australian station country and the Flinders Ranges. Thumps along all day, a reliable machine. Darren Chester THIS WAS MY first roadbike in 1980 after owning dirtbikes previously. It is a Yamaha RD 350 powered Yamaha TZ A or B. I rode it for years around the Adelaide hills, did the daily commute, and a trip around Tasmania. I have been riding ever since and have owned several Moto Guzzi LeMans, a Ducati and various dirtbikes. My current road bike is a recently…

I don’t know why I’m being constantly surprised by the Aprilia; it has historically been a brilliant bike, and just because there are now a raft of new models, nothing has changed – it is still brilliant. The person who developed the fuelling, throttle response and quickshifter needs to be shouted a beer or two, because it’s perfect. As soon as you throw a leg over the tall Tuono you feel at home, you feel connected with the bike, despite its power and the fact it’s essentially a naked V4 racebike. It feels natural and easy to live with. There isn’t a getting-to-know-you period with the Aprilia, you just get on and ride. The dash may not be as fancy as the Ducati’s or MV’s but it’s simple and easy…

For 2020 KTM is claiming its supernaked offering is 90 percent new, even though it looks remarkably similar to its predecessor. Where possible, every aspect of the bike has been reviewed and improved: wheels, brakes, bodywork, chassis and electronics. Most of these improvements have been introduced to make the so-called Beast lighter and more powerful than before, and also easier to live with. Immediately you notice you’re on a new model, even though it looks like the old bike, due to its new switchgear and full-colour TFT dash which are easier to navigate than previously. I wasn’t a fan of the first-generation dash and switchgear, and this new version is much simpler, but still not a simple as some of the others. THE SO-CALLED BEAST IS LIGHTER AND MORE POWERFUL…

A yers House, Adelaide’s upmarket exhibition venue, was packed. Top European motorsport correspondents mingled with the local press for the media launch of the Australian Safari, an event which, in its first decade, had earned a reputation as the Dakar Down Under. And this, the 1996 edition, was to be the deciding round of the FIA World Cup; a tie-breaker between Italian Franco Germanetti and Frenchman Jean-Pierre Strago. In the Moto division, four-time Paris Dakar champion Edi Orioli (Yamaha) was expected to fight it out with KTM’s Heinz Kinigadner, winner of the 1996 Beijing Master Rally. Enduro World Champion Robert Gronlund (Suzuki) would complete the podium. Aussie sport commentators hadn’t quite come to grips with the notion that women could ride motorbikes, so rising star Jutta Kleinschmidt was completely overlooked;…

THE MOTO2 RACE was just four laps old when Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Kalex) high-sided on the exit of turn one. Both the Italian and his bike landed in the middle of the track and while Bastianini was extremely fortunate to run from the incident, Hafizh Syahrin (Aspar Speed Up) ploughed into his stricken machine. It was an ugly sight reminiscent of Days of Thunder as Edgar Pons (Gresini Kalex) and Andi Farid Izdihar (Honda Team Asia Kalex) also crashed when avoiding the debris. Amazingly Syahrin escaped with just contusions to his hips and was walking with the aid of crutches later that afternoon. The restart was held over 13-laps, a sprint race. Jorge Martin (Ajo KTM Kalex) had the right idea, replicating his approach from the first start when he…

THIS WAS ANOTHER instance when the FIM Stewards waded into the thick of it. A week on from dishing out last-lap penalties to a trio of Moto3 podium contenders, the Moto2 race wasn’t decided on the track, but rather by officials off it. Just as he did in the previous week, Jorge Martin (Ajo KTM Kalex) had led from start to finish, resisting a late onslaught from an inspired Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing VR46 Kalex). Having watched his lead crumble from 1.9 seconds on lap 16 to just 0.3s starting the final lap, Martin was using all of the track as he defended in the final sector. Despite crossing the line first, the former Moto3 World Champion had touched the green paint at the end of the kerb on the…

WEST AUSTRALIA’S motorcycle racers may have dodged a Covid-19 bullet, but the weather challenged the state’s long awaited return to championship racing. The Motorcycle Racing Club of WA finally hosted the long-postponed state roadracing titles when Round One of the revised four-round championship was held at the Collie Motorplex Long Track on 9 August. Almost 70 riders entered, including several cross entries for the day’s racing, but the weather gods took control as the temperature plummeted. The GoMoto Production Championship defied the weather early on with defending champion Bronson Pickett (M&B Rubbish Disposal Yamaha YZF-R3) continuing where he left off in 2019 with a strong win. Second was Michael King (BAT Racing KTM RC390) with up and coming star William Wasley (JB Racing Ninja 300) grabbing a strong third place.…

Are you are already thinking about the calendar in 2021 if the situation remains like this. What can happen in your opinion? Of course we have started to think about 2021. We will do exactly the same that we did this year, that is contemplate different scenarios. The first scenario for 2021 for both Superbike and MotoGP is to be the normal scenario, to do the races as they are with the spectators and everything. And then talking with the different promoters, we will see how is the evolution of that. We hope that during the season in both Superbike and MotoGP they will have some places with some spectators, I hope, but we cannot confirm yet. But there is some evolution they give to us. The only thing is…

BMW IS WORKING on a game-changing, all-in-one lightweight chassis that eliminates the conventional swingarm. New patent applications show a leaf-spring arrangement replacing the swingarm pivot and rear suspension, which is now an integral part of the main frame. The trick is the way the composite chassis is constructed. The main frame section is rigid, much like the carbon chassis used on BMW’s track-only HP4 Race, while the carbon fibres in the swingarm are arranged to allow it to move vertically but not laterally. A rigid central section of the arm is framed by four flexible layers of carbon, with longitudinal fibres, above it and another four layers below. These layers act like a leaf spring, flexing with a predetermined spring rate and returning to the neutral position afterwards. It all…

HONDA IS EXPANDING its E-range from its most humble models, with the firm’s next electric offering based on the learner-friendly CB125R. By sharing major components like the frame, suspension, brakes and bodywork from the existing CB125R, R&D and production costs are slashed, and the bike’s styling is already a proven success. The clutchless, single-speed, twist-and-go motor is oil-cooled, with a conventional-looking sump, an oil-cooler where a radiator would be and a spray system to drench the motor’s stator in cooling and lubricating oil. The electronic control unit is above the motor, roughly where a cylinder head would be. It is likely to resemble a finned, aluminium box. The batteries sit under the dummy fuel tank – Honda calls it a ‘knee grip’, which is probably a more sensible name as…

Locked down and let in The additional human side of the rollicking adventure comparo was, I think, a great call I’m sitting here in a very locked-down Melbourne, along with Kel and Andy and many others, reflecting on your Set Free articlein this year’s Adventure issue (AMCN Vol 70 No 03) I reckon there was more personal information about the some of the team who bring us AMCN every fortnight than I’ve ever seen to date, all in one article. As somewhat of a recluse and someone who carefully protects – and therefore greatly appreciates – the sharing of personal information, I was grateful for the gift that you have all imparted. In a time when many of us are feeling uncertain, disconnected and like there are many people who…

If you or someone you know has been thinking about getting off crowded public transport and onto a motorcycle, I don’t think there’s been a better time. Think about it. Not only do you get to don a largely impenetrable face mask and gloves from inside your garage until you’re safely inside the confines of your workplace, but the roads in our major cities have never been quieter and the first buds of a warm and welcoming spring are spelling the end of chilly mornings and cold nights. I was wandering around a Yamaha dealership waiting to speak to the dealer principal for a recent feature (Left of the Dealer, AMCN Vol 70 No 02) when I spotted a swing tag hanging off the handlebar of a brand-new MT-03. Under…

This is arguably the most highly anticipated group test of 2020. The supernaked market is booming with an onslaught of new models and 200hp is the new normal. They’re not all about power, though. These high-spec nakeds are not only jaw-droppingly beautiful, each one iconic in its own way, but they’re dripping in the latest technology, too, from sophisticated rider aids to aerodynamic wings – and even a supercharger. We’ve selected the ultimates; the most desirable, the fastest and most powerful. The ones you’d buy if money was no object. There’s over $160,000 worth of motorcycle and nearly 750kW between them. This is going to be epic. Hop on!…

It always takes a while to get going on the MV – you can’t stop looking at it to be able to get on it. Yes, the others are attractive, but for me this is the beauty queen. The dash is lovely – the best looking of bunch – but it’s too close to the rider and reflects the sun. That relatively small 998cc capacity and inherent engine characteristics of an inline four-cylinder mean that maximum torque is the lowest of the bunch and at the highest rpm. In comparison, the KTM makes peak torque 2300rpm earlier and 25Nm more of it. Below 6000rpm there isn’t a lot going on and doesn’t get properly running until 8000rpm. Yes, it will pull away cleanly from low in the rev range, but…

THE DUCATI V4 S CAME OUT TOP ON TRACK, AND PERFORMS EXTREMELY WELL ON THE ROAD If this was a superbike test it would be easy to pick a winner: the fastest bike wins. But it’s not that simple. Why are you buying a supernaked? If it’s for speed and enjoyment, then maybe the Kawasaki. Is it for something to own and take pride in and keep forever? Maybe the MV. To cut it on track? The Ducati. For enjoyment on the road and ease of use? The Aprilia or KTM. It’s a tough decision. The Ducati V4 S came out top on track, and performs extremely well on the road, but it’s physically hard work on track and not for the faint hearted. The MV looks stunning, sounds amazing,…

BMW RALLYE SUIT Shell shock Tough conditions need a tough suit I HONESTLY COULDN’T wait for it to start snowing, so when it did, I simply checked I was all zipped up and let the Rallye suit do the heavy lifting. This situation was exactly why I had chosen the Rallye system for the Adventure test two issues ago. We were heading for the Snowy Mountains, and who knew what weather we would get? There are warmer systems around. The Rallye is aimed at warm to moderate climes, but I wanted a tough shell, with a water bladder pocket on the back, heaps of pockets (so I could go through them all to find what I was looking for in the last one) and the option to ventilate myself. I…

1 Two Boot Ficeda Accessories $249.95 1300 437 71 ficeda.com.au Falco’s Yuman ride boot is made in Italy and features a full-grain oil-treated leather upper, perforated ventilation liner, High-tex water resistant membrane, reinforced toe, D30 impact protection ankle cups, gear change panel and Vibram compound high-grip soles. 2 Beemer Boingers WP From $725 (02) 8738 1600 wp-suspension.com WP Suspension is now offering premium APEX PRO suspension components for the current generation BMW S 1000 RR. The sports package consisting of APEX PRO 7746 Shock ($2750), APEX PRO 7500 fork cartridge ($3460) and APEX PRO 7117 Steering Damper. ($725) 3 Modern Marvel McLeod Accessories $949 1300 300 191 mcleodaccessories.com.au The RPHA 11 is HJC’s top-level sport helmet and constructed of premium integrated matrix reinforcement materials, providing enhanced shock-resistance and reduced weight.…

FOR ONCE THE junior category was the sanest race of the day, a strange thing to write about a 17-rider fight that culminated in three of the podium contenders being handed penalties for exceeding track limits. John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Honda) crossed the line in sixth yet was promoted to third, a fittingly puzzling end to a dramatic 23 laps. The 4.18km Red Bull Ring has proved to be one of the rarest things in recent years: a circuit that allows riders to break clear at the front in Moto3. Joan Mir did it in 2017, Marco Bezzecchi in ’18 and Romano Fenati last year, one of only two occasions in 2019 that a race in this class was won by more than a second. That was on title leader…

THE PREVIOUS WEEKEND’S Moto3 encounter was thrilling. But the pace was slow and a host of names hadn’t banked on 19 riders contesting the podium places. Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing VR46 KTM) and Tony Arbolino (Snipers Honda) were two of those who couldn’t position themselves at the right moment despite their excellent pace. The two Italians were determined not to get swamped by the lead group this time around. So the pace was faster. Much faster, in fact, as the leaders trimmed 15 seconds off the race time from the previous week. The lead group was downsized as a result with just ten riders able to hang on to early pace setter Arbolino, whose Honda enjoyed a clear top speed advantage over his rivals. By the final lap, there were…

YAMAHA HAS WITHDRAWN its request to unseal its engines to replace faulty valves, which it believes caused the mechanical failures of Maverick Viñales, Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli at Jerez in July. A manufacturer can unseal engines to replace any faulty components, but only with the approval of the other manufacturers that make up the MSMA, which represents MotoGP’s manufacturers. To gain such approval, Yamaha would have had to provide more information, but doing so could well have given away top-secret information to its competitors. Yamaha declined to offer up the required evidence, so withdrew its request and decided it can survive the rest of the season with its current engines, despite both Viñales and Morbidelli already using the fifth and final engine in their season allocation. “So we made…

IN TRUE BENNETT’S British Superbike Championship fashion there was no shortage of action as three riders across two manufacturers claimed victory at Snetterton Circuit over 21-23 August. VisionTrack Ducati’s Christian Iddon claimed his first Bennett’s British Superbike win in an all-Ducati podium, 1.303 seconds in front of his teammate Josh Brookes and Oxford Products Racing’s Tommy Bridewell. Race two was a battle between Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin, Brookes’s and Bridewell’s Ducatis and Lee Jackson’s (Massingberd-Mundy) Kawasaki, but Brookes got the better of the pack at the end of the 16-lap scrap. Irwin, Bridewell and Jackson all finished within 2.5 seconds of the race winner in second, third and fourth, respectively. It was anyone’s guess who would take the race three victory as a six-rider battle played out on track. But…

AUSTRALIAN SUPERSPORT competitor and son of three-time WorldSBK champ Oli Bayliss made his Superbike debut last weekend, scoring three podium finishes in his first three outings on a Ducati Panigale V4 R. Riding alongside reigning ASBK champ Mike Jones in the two-man Desmosport Ducati team at the second round of Queensland’s Southern Downs Road Race Series, Bayliss scored two third-place finishes before going one better in the final race which was won by Jones, for a Ducati 1-2. With two victories, a second-and a third place finish, Jones celebrated the round win ahead of ASBK front runner Aiden Wagner (1, 2, 1, 3) and Corey Turner (3, 4, 4, 4). Bayliss, who opted to sit out the opening race the day before, still managed to finish the round in fifth…