Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 70 Issue 15 i Australian Motorcycle News

SO, NOW THAT many bike launches around the world have been reduced to online reveals – not ideal, but there isn’t any choice for manufacturers, and all are in the same boat – how does one choose a flash new motorcycle? Not all launches have been cancelled, to be fair, but getting someone to said launches overseas is not possible, even for those journos already overseas themselves. In some cases we have been left with the option to run a manufacturer-appointed journo, which we obviously have opted out of. This wasn’t any dodgy circumstance from said marque, but purely trying every angle to get people other than the manufacturer to tell you, the motorcycle-buying public, what a bike is really like. Lots of local bike tests coming your way as…

MOTORCYCLE SALES FOR 2020 have eclipsed 2019’s total by 22.1 percent, according to figures released by industry body FCAI. Total sales for the year were 108,926 units, up by 19,727. Star performers were quads and side-by-sides, with a 38.8 percent rise and off-road motorcycles with a 30.3 per cent increase. Even roadbike sales experienced a healthy rise of 9.2 percent, while scooters slumped 11 percent overall. By contrast, new vehicle sales dropped 13.7 percent, although December sales showed a recovery of 13.5 percent. The motorcycle sales boom has been underpinned by the strong ATV and dirtbike market. The quad bike and SxS segment alone accounts for 24,856 units out of a total market of 108,926. By October this year, quads will not be sold by the major importers. These include…

Slide under here Royal Enfield has let slip to AMCN that it has plans to bring its Slide School, a huge hit in the US using a modified Himalayan model, to Australia. Sale a saviour After being denied Government Covid funding, UK’s National Motorcycle Museum has managed to raise nearly $2m by selling 52 of its motorcycles. Quad crisis Suzuki dealers have been told to stop selling quad bikes while “an internal matter” is being ironed out. Yamaha is also involved in issues with some of its quad bike dealers as the deadline for new safety regs approaches. SorryJosh In the race to the deadline last issue we incorrectly credited Josh Waters with two Superbike titles, rather than the three he won in 2009, 2012 and 2017.…

WE HERALDED THE release of BMW’s long-awaited ABS system on its K-series range. It was originally expected to be released to the safe-stop-hungry motorcycling community late in 1987, but Beemer delayed it because more research was deemed necessary. The aircraft hanger-sized system was to be offered as an optional extra on the range and was expected to be available on Aussie bikes for an additional $2000. SIZZLING SUZIE With a 220km/h top speed and blinding acceleration, we reckoned that the GSX600F could have had ‘1100’ on the sidepanels a few years earlier. But, without the necessary digits, Australians were ignoring the little Suzuki – same as they did with the CBR600 and even with the release of the new-for-1988 GSX600F. We liked the GSX so much that we speculated if…

Facebook Post of the issue The demise of Staintune Exhausts has tugged a few readers’ heartstrings Instagram Don’t Forget #amcn_mag Comment of the Issue Stuart David’e had a fair crack at poor old Pol – we will see Stuart, we will see! Won’t make the podium all year. Couldn’t win on a bike that two first-year MotoGP rookies won 3 races on. Guy constantly steps on his own dick when racing. 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…

Whether you’re thinking of going racing, you’re a trackday junkie that bleeds green or you just have to have the best damn litre bike Kawasaki has to offer, the ZX-10RR might be just what’s needed. There was only 500 RRs produced globally and only 44 made it here to Australia. A bunch went straight to the race Kawasaki race team so you’ll need to get in quick. And you best have a bit of cash behind you because the RR will set you back $42,000 plus on-roads. For that sort of coin, you get Pankl titanium connecting rods and Pankl lightweight pistons that help facilitate a higher 14,700rpm rev limit, improved engine response and net you just under one extra Kilowatt. You also get Marchesini forged wheels, race focussed suspension…

MV AGUSTA RACE team manager turned motorcycle manufacturer Arturo Magni was one of life’s achievers, a man who made a massive contribution on both road and track to Italy’s motorcycle heritage. Magni joined the fledgling MV Agusta team in 1950 as chief mechanic, and two years later Britain’s Cecil Sandford won the first of MV’s world championships, in the 125cc class. In 1956 John Surtees won MV Agusta’s inaugural 500cc world title, and with the retirement of both Gilera and Moto Guzzi from racing, 1958 saw the start of an unparalleled 17 years of successive world titles in the 500GP class by the MV Agusta team under Magni’s direction. In 1959 he was appointed to head up the entire MV racing department under Count Domenico Agusta’s guidance, and Magni pursued…

IN 1930, MOTO Guzzi surprised the world with a 500cc four-cylinder supercharged racer. The complex air-cooled four was almost never raced, but it formed the basis for an extraordinary, fully sprung 500cc luxury three-cylinder tourer that launched in 1932. Only a handful were made before production stopped and one remains today, and can be seen in the Guzzi museum in Mandello. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, a new supercharged three-cylinder racer arrived on the scene. Dubbed the Tre Cilindri 500, power output was 65hp at 8000rpm and the 175kg machine was good for a top speed of 230km/h. The hostilities of WWII put a halt to racing events and the Tre Cilindri made only one racing appearance. In 1952 Guzzi commissioned Carlo Gianini to design an inline…

1 Maxed out Kreiga From $385 0409 959 737 kriega.com.au The MAX28 backpack is constructed of durable 420D Cordura with soft-feel back panel and features Kriega’s Quadloc-Lite harness system. The expandable MAX28 includes a waterproof laptop pocket, fold-down zip compartment with organiser pockets and main compartment that can fit a helmet. 2 Right said tread Monza Imports From $149.95 (03) 8327 8888 monzaimports.com.au The Custom Force cruiser tyre from Mitas has been designed to offer superior durability, improved stability, best-in-class braking and handling performance. The handsome tread pattern and durable carcass ensures consistent performance at all speeds and in all weather conditions. either solo or two-up. 3 Watered down Cassons Australia From $79.95 (02) 8882 1900 cassons.com.au Rjay’s Tempest II rain jacket boasts a lightweight waterproof polyester and nylon shell,…

SO IT GOES. Dorna and cohorts were admirably persistent last year, mounting a worthwhile championship in spite of the virus. This year the virus is kicking back with a stubborn streak of its own. Cancellations and postponements have already begun, Argentina and the USA the first casualties, and a double-up weekend at Qatar key to the proposed rescue. Other flyaway GPs remain necessarily in doubt, particularly the Australian GP, while Europe remains in the grip of tightening travel restrictions and quarantining. With no possible finalisation of the calendar and the threat of another year without paying spectators to make events financially viable, the so-called new normal isn’t looking like giving bike racing a much easier time of it than it did last year, when the strictures at least had the…

“DEROGATORY TREATMENT OF women” has forced Sharni Pinfold to call time on her motorcycle racing career, just months after securing a ride with the RT Motorsport effort in the competitive IDM series in Germany. The 25-year-old Australian used social media to announce her decision, posting an honest and confronting explanation as to why she’s turning her back on her dream of a full-time world championship ride. After the death of her father four years ago, Pinfold committed to chasing her dream alone and earned the attention of talent spotters with some consistent rides in the MotoStars category of the British Superbike Championship. After some strong results in the European Women’s Cup last year, Pinfold gained a wildcard entry in the WorldSSP300 class at Magny-Cours, where she crashed and broke her…

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 reckon that experienced mechanics are a pretty good idea too, and it looks like Troy Bayliss and his DesmoSport Ducati lads agree. Getting ex-Rossi spannerman Brent Stephens to tinker with Mike Jones’ Panigale V4 R is a coup. So how does Jones vs Maxwell look for Ducati honours? The new Honda vs the new Kawasaki? BMW against the Yamahas? Even if you did need a reason to get to a race this season, there’s a bunch of fresh rivalries to savour in 2021.…

SUPER ADVENTURE S GETS RADAR KTM HAS REACHED a milestone in motorcycling, offering radar cruise control as standard on its new 1290 Super Adventure. In 2018 KTM was among the first to confirm it was jumping on board with Bosch’s system, although Ducati’s 2021 Multistrada V4 S and BMW’s latest R 1250 RT beat it to market. However KTM is the first to make the system a standard feature and it’s cheaper than its rivals. We’ve been publishing spy photos of the new 1290 Super Adventure S for nearly two years so its appearance is familiar. As with its radar-equipped rivals, the sensor is clearly visible, mounted inside an arch on the oversized headlight unit. The adaptive cruise control lets the bike keep pace with traffic ahead automatically after the…

This was my second bike, a 1978 Honda Gold Wing. It had 4-into-2 Walker pipes and the centrestand removed – nothing could get around it on the Putty Road! Forty-two years and 17 bikes later I have a BMW R100RS and no flares. Promise! Keith Cunningham The RG was originally my dad’s and is now my very special pride and joy. Dad was like furniture down on the Great Ocean Road and he was there every Sunday at the Arab cafe. My Dad, Keith (Wado) Wadling passed away a few years ago now but his memory is still strong and kept alive every time I ride her ! Peter Wadling This is our young guy Jesse on Christmas Day sitting upon his newish Honda CRF50. To say he was as…

ENGINE Capacity 125cc Type Single cylinder, DOHC, four valves Bore & stroke 58 x 47.2mm Compression ratio 12.8:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 33mm Bosch throttle body Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 11kW @ 9500rpm (claimed) Torque 12Nm @ 7500rpm (claimed) Top speed 120km/h (measured) Fuel consumption Not measured ELECTRONICS Type Bosch EMS Rider aids ABS Rider modes None CHASSIS Frame material Tubular steel Frame type Trellis Rake 25º Trail 95mm Wheelbase 1357mm SUSPENSION Type WP Front: 43mm USD fork, nonadjustable, 142mm travel Rear: Apex monoshock, preload adjustable, 142mm travel WHEELS & BRAKES Wheels Wire-spoked aluminium Front: 17 x 3.0 Rear: 17 x…

ENGINE Capacity 998cc Type In-line four, DOHC, 16 valves Bore & stroke 76 x 55mm Compression ratio 13.0:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 156.8kW @ 13,200rpm Torque 114.9Nm @ 11,400rpm (claimed) Top speed 299km/h (est) Fuel consumption 7.52L/100km (measured) ELECTRONICS Type Bosch/Kawasaki Rider aids Cornering ABS, cornering traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control, launch control, quick shift, cruise control Ride modes Sport, Road, Rain, 4 x Rider defined CHASSIS Frame material Aluminium Frame type Twin spar Rake 25° Trail 105mm Wheelbase 1450mm SUSPENSION Type Showa Front: 43mm USD BFF fork, fully adjustable, 120mm travel Rear: Horizontal back-link monoshock,…

WHEN MV PULLED out of racing after 1976, Arturo founded his own company, Elaborazioni Preparazioni Magni (EPM), in his Samarate home town, together with his two sons, Carlo and Giovanni. To begin with, they concentrated on producing special parts for the shaft-drive four-cylinder MV Agusta 750S roadikes, including chain-drive conversions and big-bore kits to bump capacity up to 861cc. But EPM was also one of the world’s first suppliers of aftermarket cast aluminium wheels, and in due course eldest son Carlo took over this side of the business, leaving his dad Arturo and younger brother Giovanni to concentrate on the bike-building side under the Moto Magni name. This continued until December 2015, when a little over two months after celebrating his 90th birthday, Arturo Magni passed away. Today, Giovanni Magni…

During the bloodshed of World War I, two Italian pilots and a mechanic of the Italian Air Force became friends through a common passion for motorcycles. Giovanni Ravelli was a successful racer in the prewar days, Carlo Guzzi had a background in engineering while Giorgio Parodi was the son of a wealthy Genovese ship broker. The trio decided to start a motorcycle manufacturer after the war and their roles were clear: the rider, the designer and the financier. However Giovanni never got to see the plan through, he was killed in a flying accident in the August of 1919. When Giorgio discussed the plans with his father in order to secure the funds, his father had his doubts. So, he asked the pair to show him what they were capable…

AS THE HEART-WARMING news was received that the 2021 Australian of the Year was 26-year-old Grace Tame, a teenaged sexual abuse survivor turned campaigner, a sad announcement was made on social media. International racer Sharni Pinfold is quitting the sport, saying her decision is heavily influenced by serial misogyny. This must be heart-breaking for the AMCN columnist (Revolving Racer, Vol 70 No 10), who has worked very hard over the past four years, overcoming enormous adversity, to get a ride with RT Motorsports in this year’s IDM Supersport 300 season. While there are always two sides to a story, there is no doubt Sharni has had more than one bad experience. Women had to be tougher than men to survive and prosper As she said on social media: “Throughout my…

TRUE BELIEVERS OF simple, shatter-proof, single-cylinder Adventurer touring will be rapt to hear Kawasaki is continuing with the KLR650. With a design that dates back to 1987, upgrades include electronic fuel injection, a more modern look and engine tweaks, but the song remains the same. The engine has revised cams and a new exhaust to boost midrange torque, plus improvements to the transmission. Chassis changes aren’t obvious but the simple box-section swingarm is 30mm longer and uses a bigger-diameter pivot for extra strength. Slightly larger than before at 300mm, the front disc brake is about as simple as stoppers come, there are still tubes inside the 21-inch front and 17-inch rear tyres and ABS is standard. The screen is adjustable, providing you have a spanner, and a basic LCD display…

32 For his ASBK Ducati Superbike debut, talented teenager Oli Bayliss has chosen the number his famous father Troy ran in the early part of his international racing career. “I WOULD NOT SEE IT NORMAL FOR HONDA TO SIGN [ANDREA] DOVIZIOSO TO REPLACE MARC [MARQUEZ]” Marc Marquez’ crew chief Santi Hernandez talks down rumours which link the dumped Ducati star as a stand-in for the injured Spaniard at the Qatar test. IRVING VINCENT TAKES ON SUPERCARS The Irving Vincent team has been invited by Supercars Australia to demonstrate its sidecars and solos racers at the Bathurst 500 in late February to support new Supercars sponsor Repco. Isle of Man TT winner Cameron Donald will be steering the sidecar with his wife Kaz in the chair. A LITTLE DAB’LL DO YA…

Rieju, Spain’s oldest active motorcycle manufacturer, is coming to Australia and New Zealand. Urban Moto Imports has been appointed distributor for the 75-year-old company, which now specialises in enduro models. Rieju recently acquired the GasGas enduro platform and is developing a price-competitive range to boost its export sales. Pricing and specs of 250cc and 300cc models to be sold here and in NZ from late February are yet to be announced. Rieju plays a major role in the European supermotard and off-road market. Marc Marquez, Pol and Aleix Espargaró and Tito Rabat started their racing careers on these bikes.…

We already knew that the FTR was a mug lair around town and oh, how I love that aspect of it. But as I’ve mentioned previously, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how well the FTR stacks up as a bike you can get away on. So much so that my head has been full of dreams and schemes of taking off to far flung parts of the state. Far flung parts of the country would be nice but being an allegedly diseased New South Welshman, we weren’t allowed to leave. Anyway, best laid plans and all that, with all the test bikes going through here at the moment I’ve done nothing but admire its handsome lines as I stroll past on my way out the door to ride some other…

ENGINE Capacity 798cc Type Inline triple, DOHC, 16-valves Bore & stroke 79 x 54.38mm Compression ratio 13.3:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 3 x 50mm Mikuni throttle bodies Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate, slipper Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 92kW @ 11,600rpm (claimed) Torque 84Nm @ 8600rpm (claimed) Top speed 250km/h (est) Fuel consumption Not measured ELECTRONICS Type Eldor ECU Rider aids Traction control, ABS Rider modes Sport, Touring, Rain and Custom CHASSIS Frame material Chro-moly, tubular-steel Frame type Open-cradle duplex Rake 25º Trail 85mm Wheelbase 1430mm SUSPENSION Type ORAM Front: 43mm fork, fully-adjustable, travel unknown Rear: Twin shocks, fully-adjustable, travel unknown WHEELS & BRAKES Wheels JoNich aluminium…

RACING BECAME SERIOUS for Moto Guzzi when it introduced the full works 500cc C 4V single in 1924. Its engine delivered 22hp at 5500rpm and was remarkably similar to the GP’s engine. Weighing 130kg, and capable of over 150km/h, the C 4V won in the hands of Guido Mentasti the first-ever European Championship in 1924. It stayed in production and was used by the factory in racing until 1933. The C 4V spawned a smaller 250cc two-valve version in 1926 with which the firm went 250cc racing in domestic championships, where Guzzi had its most on-track success which lasted well into the ’50s. The bevel driven OHC 2-valve 246.8cc three-speed motorcycle was right from the start highly successful in racing. Stanley Woods won the 1935 250cc Lightweight TT with a…

BRAKES ARE BRILLIANT – until they’re not. A squeeze of the front brake lever in conjunction with a stomp on the rear brake pedal and your braking system will do a remarkable job of bringing your motorcycle to a quick and effective stop. You’ve probably worked out that braking systems are all about friction. Whether your bike uses a cable-operated drum brake, a hydraulically operated disc brake or a mixture of both, friction of a fibrous material against a hub or disc of a rotating wheel is what is slowing you down. The capability of the braking system on any bike is generally well-matched to suit both the machine’s performance capabilities as well as its retail price. THE TYPES MOST MODERN MOTORCYCLES will employ disc brakes on both the front…

Something good always comes if you look for the positives A LOT HAS HAPPENED since my last AMCN column last year (AMCN Vol 70 No 05). Back then I had just finished an amazing Round One of the condensed BSB Superstock 1000 championship in the UK with two trophies and a joint lead in the points. It was a dream come true. This time I’m writing after another unbelievable weekend where I achieved my first ever clean-sweep in the New Zealand Superbike Championship. It was a last-minute decision to enter NZSBK and I had to borrow my brother Mitch’s spare Honda Fireblade, a 2017 model, to do it. Originally I was not going to race the series as I needed to save as much as I can for the upcoming…

WHILE DAVIDE BRIVIO has turned his back on the MotoGP paddock, a number of the leading teams have made five-year commitments to stay in the pitlane. The Ducati and KTM factory teams have signed new deals with Dorna until 2026, as has LCR Honda. Marking a 25-year presence in the paddock, Luccio Cechinello has extended his contract and his LCR Honda squad will use factory bikes for its two-rider team of Taka Nakagami and Alex Marquez for 2021. The satellite team will be looking to add to an impressive tally of 85 podiums and 24 victories. Likewise, KTM Motorsport has also inked a new five-year deal to remain in the paddock with its four riders of Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira in the Red Bull factory team and Danilo Petrucci…

THE 2018 WORLDSSP300 Champion Ana Carrasco says she’s nearly back to full strength and ready for pre-season testing, just four months after breaking her back in a heavy testing crash at Portimao in Portugal. After two operations to stabilise the double vertebra fracture, the Spaniard has her eyes set firmly on her 2021 title campaign for the Provec Kawasaki Racing outfit on Ninja 400 machinery. “I’m desperate to get back on my Ninja 400 and we will be 100 percent mentally and physically ready when the season starts,” she said.…

After contracting Covid-19 and being put on a ventilator, Gresini Racing’s team boss Fausto Gresini’s condition is slowly improving. Hospitalised on 27 December, one month later the 60-year-old former world champion’s condition was described as “fragile” and “improving”. A statement from his doctor said he was: “conscious and combative. Radiological and laboratory tests also go in the same direction. “He still needs to be supported by the mechanical ventilator, but blood oxygenation is progressively improving.”…