Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 70 Issue 14 i Australian Motorcycle News

TOBY PRICE’S HEROIC Dakar stage, running to second with a huge hole in the side of his Michelin Desert Race hoop, shone lights on not just his courage and throttle skills, but also the rule that forced him to run over 400 race kilometres on said rubber. But that is Dakar and Rally racing – it’s not like shorter forms of motorcycle racing. Winning Dakar isn’t just about being the fastest rider; it’s about managing bike, tyres, body and Price’s crash proves that Dakar is always dangerous – crucially – the mind for days on end at high speed. As Sam Sunderland said with five days to go “If we ride to just manage tyres we would be an hour behind!” They have to push, the whole time, but get…

> Hydration bladder – dehydration is the quickest way to lose concentration > Earplugs – my fatigue levels go through the roof if I don’t wear earplugs > Basic tools – because things will vibrate loose > Tank bag – having things easy to hand saves heaps of time > Lip balm – Wind and skin > Neck buff – regardless of the weather > Power bank – batteries run flat at the most inopportune times > Tape, cable ties, pocket knife – ’cos if you don’t have them, you will be sure to need them > Aeropress (if there’s room) – a coffee while you’re packing up each morning means less time stopped and more time riding…

1 HOBART An English company which operated from 1901 through to 1924, it produced many machines during its time including a ladies-specific model which featured an open frame and a lower-mounted engine. 2 MOONBEAM Not to be confused with the more popular Sunbeam, the English motorcycles were produced by the London-based M.R.P Trading Company in 1920 and 1921 and were powered by the 269cc Villiers two-stroke engine. 3 LUBE One of the pioneers of the Spanish motorcycle industry, Lube produced both two and four-stroke models from 49cc to 247cc using NSU engines as well as their own. It operated between 1949 and 1965 and even had several Grand Prix appearances. 4 HOLDEN The first four-cylinder motorcycle was built in Britain in 1897 by a bloke named Colonel Holden. It was…

THE TROUBLES OF 2020 have been kicked out of the back door, the troubles of 2021 welcomed in the front. Will the coming season be payback for the privations of the last? MotoGP is preparing for, at the least, a difficult start to the new season. Last November’s very provisional calendar repeated the record 20 races proposed last year. But the proposed Qatar kickoff at the end of March is looking shaky, while the “to be decided” mid-summer round 11 meant for Brno has since fallen through – promoters unable to finance the complete resurfacing required. Goodbye Czech Republic GP. July’s new Finnish round is subject to homologation of the Kymiring; likewise one of the three reserve circuits… Indonesia’s Mandalika street circuit (something of a misnomer), still under construction. Another,…

ONE OF POLAND’S greatest ever speedway riders Zenon Plech has died aged 67. When Jerzy Szczakiel, who died last August, won the 1973 World Final, it had been Plech who had gone in to the meeting as his country’s great hope. He finished third, and was later second in the 1979 World Final. He won two silver and seven bronze medals in World Pairs and World Team Cup competition and was a five-time Polish champion. Plech and countryman Edward Jancarz wowed Australian fans when they were part of an international troupe put together by Ivan Mauger and Barry Briggs in 1974, before spearheading a full Polish test team to Australia the following year.…

the idea to a new level. It has filed patents for a system that allows any conventional motorcycle to be converted into a tilting three-wheeler. Simply remove the front wheel and bolt Kawasaki’s two-wheeled tilting system in its place. Unlike existing systems from Yamaha and Piaggio, Kawasaki puts the tilting linkage at the bottom of a set of conventional forks rather than above the suspension. A central pivot point is bolted in where the front wheel normally sits. Upper and lower parallel crossmembers are pivotably attached to it, with front uprights on each end carrying the two front wheels. The result is a bike with twin front wheels that can still lean like a normal motorcycle, with each front wheel also tilting during corners while remaining in contact with the…

67 The number of engine parts Triumph claims is unique to its new LAMS Trident, starting with a smaller bore and longer stroke than the Street Triple powerplant it’s based on. Launch report page 40. BITZA BEAUTY AMCN loves a project but we have to admit we’d think twice about taking this on. No so for Jake Radnidge, owner of Macksville Motorcycles on the NSW north coast. He was given a box of bits, including a 1975 H-D Shovelhead engine and bobber frame, and put the puzzle together to create this stunner. “It was every mechanic’s dream project”, says Jake. “AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE, BUT IT’S TRUE AND I WAS VERY SURPRISED” Alex Rins explains in Motorsport.com’s Spanish language MotoGP podcast his initial reaction to MotoGP…

› MODEL 2018-20 Honda CRF1000 998cc Africa Twin Adventure Sports and CRF1100 1084cc Africa Twin Adventure Sports › IMPORTER Honda Australia › NUMBER OF AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES 745 › ISSUE During manufacturing of the fuel tank, the zinc oxide generated by the tank seam welding process may have dislodged, accumulating in the fuel pump’s suction filter. This may clog the filter and affect engine operation › POTENTIAL HAZARD The engine may not accelerate smoothly and may stall, risking an accident…

Is this a new chassis compared to the Street Triple S? It’s a completely new, steel tubular frame, whereas the Street is aluminium. The wheelbase is shorter but the rake is kicked out a little, and slightly more trail. But it isn’t just the chassis we have looked at – ergonomics, too. What we try to do is get the rider’s weight as far forward as we can while making the rider comfortable. The rider is a large part of the design. The chassis is also matched to work with the tyres. WE LOOKED AT ERGONOMICS; THE RIDER IS A LARGE PART OF THE DESIGN How do the ergonomics compare to the Triple S? On the Trident, the ’pegs are slightly lower and a little further forward. The position between…

F 900 XR > ABS > Traction control > TFT Connectivity > LED lights > Switchable ride modes > Adjustable screen > Two-way quickshifter > Heated grips > Cruise control $19,891.53 (RIDE AWAY) F 900 XR TOUR > All of the base XR’s features > Engine Brake Control > Tyre Pressure Monitoring > Dynamic ESA > Keyless ignition > Centrestand > Navigation preparation > Active headlights > Pannier mounts > Riding modes Pro > ABS Pro > Dynamic traction control $22,516.53 (RIDE AWAY)…

LAST NOVEMBER the GSX-RR became the first Suzuki four-stroke to win a grand prix world championship. This was a huge achievement for the Hamamatsu factory, which had endured grim failure with its predecessor. Suzuki’s V4 GSV-R raced from 2002 to 2011, scoring just one victory with Aussie Chris Vermeulen in a rain-hampered French Grand Prix in 2007. Considering how much money Suzuki had spent over 10 seasons for so little return, when Suzuki withdrew from MotoGP at the end of the 2011 season many thought the factory would never return. But actually, Suzuki started work on the GSX-RR almost immediately. This time it built an inline-four, because that’s what it sells to road riders. MotoGP has been a battle between inline-fours and V4s for years. V4s make more horsepower but…

DON’T PLAY POKER with Davide Brivio. I have never done that – I don’t even know whether he plays poker – but judging by the shock of the news that he was leaving Suzuki and MotoGP to join Renault’s Formula 1 team, I bet he can bluff like a legend. After masterminding Suzuki’s ascent to two-wheeled glory, the Italian is off to attempt the same for the rebranded Alpine F1 team. [Alpine is the brand for Renault’s hotrodded road cars]. [Yes, Renault does hotrodded road cars]. How did this happen? Like many things in MotoGP, the answer has a fair bit to do with Valentino Rossi. It was 2007 when Yamaha rolled out Rossi, Colin Edwards and the new 800cc Yamaha M1 in new colours. Fiat’s 500 retro mini car…

MotoGP test schedule After the cancellation of next month’s MotoGP tests at Sepang due to the ongoing risks of Covid-19, MotoGP has pushed the 2021 shakedown and official tests to early March and to the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Rookies and test riders will be first up on 5 March, followed by two official tests held over 6-7 and 10-12 March. KB South Oz sliders Providing Motorcycling Australia gives the final go ahead, the biggest weekend of two-wheel speedway action this summer will take place in Adelaide next weekend. The Sidewinders Club opens three nights of racing when it stages the South Australian Junior 125cc Championship on Thursday 28 January, before the action moves for two nights at the Gillman track. The following night sees the Australian Under 21…

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 were on the same par as the AMCN staff, all of whom solidly ate their way through Christmas, therefore feeling mildly guilty watching our newest Dakar hero, Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders make his way to fourth in his first Dakar. All that effort in the most gruelling motorsport event in the world seems even tougher at this time of year. Just wait ‘til he gets better at navigating! Toby Price has been a hero for years – looks like we’ve got another Dakar legend.…

SUPER SOCO’S TS and retro-styled TC are among the most convincing low-cost electric bikes on the market and it looks like both are getting an upgrade in 2021. The company is already dropping teaser videos for its new ‘TS Street Hunter’ on to the internet, promising an official unveiling soon, but these design patent images show the machine in full. It appears to be based on the same engineering concept as the original TS, with a hub-mounted electric motor, but allied to an alloy swingarm instead of the current square-section steel version. The styling is also significantly updated. A second set of patents shows a new ‘TC’ model based on the same mechanical components along with the new swingarm, radial brakes and redesigned bodywork. There’s no indication whether the new…

Three-wheelers return Sidecars return to ASBK with two rounds of their national champs running at Winton in March and Wakefield Park in April. Speedway Lives! The new Sydney International Speedway, to be located at Eastern Creek, is due to open for the 2021-22 season. Gresini battles Covid MotoGP team boss Fausto Gresini is battling his way back to health after waking up from an induced coma after becoming infected with Covid-19 late last year. Legend leaves us Hubert Auriol, the first competitor to win the Dakar Rally on a motorbike and in a car, has died of an illness aged 68.…

JUST TWO DAYS after being flogged with a $31 million tax bill, crafty Valentino Rossi changed his postal adress back to Italy, sacked his UK-based Great White London Management company and started up his VR46 juggernaut. Originally established to babysit the Doctor’s finances, sponsorship and contractual affairs, VR46 is now a mega powerful entity in MotoGP offering everything from merchandising to rider training and controlling the interests of a variety of Dornas – oops, we mean riders. NEWS Dubbed the Microbike, the tiny two-wheeler was fully operational, featured a thumb-operated throttle and highway pegs for comfort. The Microbike weighed in at a competition-ready two kilograms and boasted top speeds in excess of 19km/h. SPORT Ignoring a carbon footprint the size of a small city, the MotoGP circus turned on the…

Facebook Post of the issue Toby Price was giving it everything in the Dakar when disaster struck in the second week Instagram Comment of the Issue Kieren Knight raised the alarm when Toby Price ‘fixed’ his rear tyre with cable ties I thought Dakar Rally was trying make things safer for the riders? Not more dangerous! Not the smartest organisers to walk the earth! Reaching out Want to see your pride and joy featured in AMCN? The only thing we love more than writing about bikes is looking at your bikes. Tag your social pics with @ aumotorcyclenews on Facebook or @ amcn_mag on Instagram, or fire them off in an email to amcn@amcn.com.au And don’t forget to tell us why you love it. Get it off yer chest!…

ENGINE Capacity 500cc Type Parallel-twin, DOHC, 8 valves Bore & stroke 69mm x 66.8mm Compression ratio 11.5:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 35kW @ 8500rpm (claimed) Torque 45Nm @ 5000rpm (claimed) Top speed 180km/h (est) Fuel consumption 4.4L/100km (measured) ELECTRONICS Type Bosch, Rider Aids: ABS Ride Modes: NA CHASSIS Frame material Tubular steel Frame type Trellis Rake 25.7 degrees Trail 108mm Wheelbase 1600mm SUSPENSION Type Benelli Front: 41mm USD fork, non adjustable 125mm travel Rear: Monoshock, adjustable preload, 125mm travel WHEELS & BRAKES Wheels Cast aluminium Front: 3.5 x 17 Rear: 4.5 x 17 Tyres Pirelli Angel ST Front:…

ENGINE Capacity 660cc Type Inline triple, DOHC, four valves per cylinder Bore & stroke 74 x 51.1mm Compression ratio 11.1:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 38mm throttle bodies Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate, slipper Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 39.8kW @ 8750rpm (claimed) Torque 59Nm @ 5000rpm (claimed) Top speed 215km/h (est) Fuel consumption 5.4L/100km (measured) ELECTRONICS Type Not given Rider aids Traction control, ABS Rider modes Road and Rain CHASSIS Frame material Tubular steel Frame type Perimeter Rake 24º Trail 107mm Wheelbase 1401mm SUSPENSION Type Showa 41mm USD fork, non-adjustable, 120mm travel Rear: Monoshock, preload adjustable, 133.5mm travel WHEELS & BRAKES Wheels Cast aluminium Front:17 x 3.5Rear:17…

BMW F 900 XR TOUR Capacity 895cc Configuration Parallel twin Power 77kW (105hp) @ 8500rpm Torque 92Nm @ 6500rpm Weight (wet) 219kg Seat height 825mm Fuel capacity 15.5 litres Rider aids Cornering ABS and traction control, Riding modes, electronically adjustable rear damping, cornering lights, engine brake control, two-way quickshifter, cruise control. Price $22,500 (ride away) DUCATI MULTISTRADA 950 S Capacity 937 cc Configuration V-twin Power 83kW (113hp) @ 9000 rpm Torque 94Nm @ 6750 rpm Weight (wet) 227kg Seat height 840mm Fuel capacity 20 litres Rider aids Cornering ABS and traction control, riding modes, semi-active suspension, cornering lights, vehicle hold control, two-way quickshifter, cruise control. Price $24,000 (ride away) YAMAHA TRACER 9 GT Capacity 890cc Configuration Triple Power 87kW (119hp) @ 10,000rpm Torque 93Nm @ 7000rpm Weight (wet) 220kg Seat…

1 Wind bag Monza Imports $999.99 (03) 8327 8888 monzaimports.com.au The Tech-Air 5 vest from Alpinestars is a self-contained airbag vest that can be worn under either a textile or leather jacket and offers supreme upper body protection. The Tech-Air 5 offers Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to check the vest’s operational status and level of the onboard lithium-ion battery. 2 Carb loading McLeod Accessories From $649.90 1300 300 191 mcleodaccessories.com.au The all-new HJC F70 boasts a lightweight carbon-fibre outer shell with enhanced shock resistance, twin top vents in addition to five rear exhaust vents. The tinted internal sun visor features an easy to reach lever and anti-fog coating while the main shield features a Pinlock anti-fog lens. Available now in sizes XS-2XL. 3 Razor’s edge Cassons Australia $249.95 (02)…