Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 70 Issue 16 i Australian Motorcycle News

FROM TIME TO time, the Ol’ Wooser appears in my mind. The quirky bugger had a huge impact on my life, the walking motorcycling encyclopedia both inspirational and infuriating to work for, and I enjoyed working through both of those emotions every day I worked with him. The time he asked me to “reply to this knob” by email Okay, maybe not the ‘infuriating’ bit, but there wasn’t much he did that wasn’t simply memorable. Him cornering Mick Doohan in the Phillip Island toilets was one of them. Ken knew there was one place even the most media-shy riders and celebrities had to visit periodically – the paddock dunnies – and cleverly lay in wait just inside the door until he got the words he needed from Sir Mick. Inspirational.…

BACK IN BLACK The range starts with the Chief Dark Horse (19-inch/16-inch cast alloy wheels). Engine, suspension and exhausts are blacked out, while paint options are subdued blacks and greys. Price is $25,995. Another $1500 gets you the Chief Bobber Dark Horse, a wire-wheeled, whole-hog Bobber with taller bars and a 16-inch front wheel. If you want colour, step up to the Super Chief Limited. For $29,995 you get chrome exhaust pipes and a polished engine, along with leather saddlebags, a pillion seat, wide bars and footboards. NEW FRAME The radical cast-aluminium frame, always a huge departure for a traditional-looking cruiser, is replaced by conventional tubular steel. This makes it smaller and lighter. Wheelbase drops from 1701mm to 1626mm, while the lightest version – the Chief Dark Horse – is…

Valentino Rossi made Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s richest athletes. The Italian tied with Lance Armstrong for ninth with a net income of AUD$36 million. Rossi was the second European on the list after ex-Ferrari F1 driver Michael Schumacher, who ranked second overall with $77 million behind hotshot golf player Tiger Woods. NEWS In another win for those with a visual impairment, Buell announced the release of two new models for 2006 with the Ulysses XB12X Adventure Sportbike – now there’s an untapped niche – and the Lightning Long XB12Ss, which, perhaps surprisingly considering the mysterious name is a longer version of the defunct marque’s Lightning XB12S. The two new models joined Buell’s Firebolt XB9R, Firebolt XB12R, Lightning CityX XB9SX and the stout Lightning XB12S. SPORT Yep, another Rossi…

WE’VE JUST RECEIVED a decat link pipe from Tasmanian-based exhaust manufacturer Verex that I’ll fit up for the next instalment. The link pipe fits the standard headers but does away with the heavy catalytic converter and, according to Verex, saves about 2.5kg in the process. Would-be owners can buy the link pipe and stick with the Akrapovic silencer to improve both weight and note, but Verex has sent us a very smart-looking muffler, which owner Paul tells me sounds very rude – in a good way. Can’t wait.…

THIS IS A two-parter – who Jemma Wilson was and who she is now. She was a professional motorcycle racer for over 10 years, jamming multiple championship wins into a packed career, in Australia and overseas, most notably the five consecutive ISDE Women’s team titles for Australia, living the dream travelling the world racing bikes. She was also studying law at the time. An overachiever? Yeah, a little bit. Now, since retiring in 2018, she took on and passed a teacher’s Diploma and is a High School teacher. But a racer with that background never forgets the thrill of racing bikes, and it can be hard to let go – so Jemma hasn’t, instead helping other women, and even the odd bloke at her mixed events, to discover the joy…

IT WAS WITH mixed feelings I read the recent announcement of the latest Dorna-FIM recruitment drive, and I don’t think this is unusual. The initiative, due to commence in July (pandemic permitting), comprises sundry proposed national championships, targeting children aged 10 to 14. They will act as a sub-feeder series to the existing feeder series: Red Bull Rookies/Asia Talent/Northern Talent Cups and the Spanish CEV ‘Junior World Championship’. A pre-teen kindergarten on kart tracks, with full-time committed riders on identical Ohvale 160 minibikes. Permanent entry lists, control tyres, and so on. Just like the grown-ups. The range of responses runs from “wow, what an opportunity” to “hands off our kids” and depends a lot on parental predisposition. And gender. Take the fatherly perspective first. My own runs as follows: I…

ONE MONTH OUT from the official preseason tests ahead of the 2021 MotoGP season, Team Ecstar Suzuki rider Alex Rins has described the shoulder injury that hampered his 2020 campaign as “like perfect”. After suffering a dislocated fracture during the opening round of the late-starting 2020 season and battling through pain and weakness during the condensed 14-round MotoGP championship, the talented Spaniard managed four podiums and one win, placing him third overall in the title chase. “I’m really impressed because the shoulder is doing very well,” Rins said. “In the gym I don’t have any problems now. “Before this problem on the right shoulder, always in the gym I had problems with the left one [compensating for the injury]. Now I’m feeling like perfect.”…

Fabio battled Covid Two months after testing positive to coronavirus, Monster Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo revealed the news on social media. The post pictured a shirtless and lean-looking Quartararo standing alongside some Yamaha off-road bikes with the words: “After having Covid in December, I lost some physical condition, but it’s great to be back at my top level.” No wings for Tech3 KTM has unveiled its 2021 MotoGP livery with major sponsor Red Bull missing from the Tech 3 team’s new look. Despite the Tech 3 team taking its maiden premier-class win and ending the 2020 season just 70 points adrift of the factory squad, rumours suggest Repsol may be looking to roll back its involvement in MotoGP, and that Red Bull may be readying itself to fill that void at…

AUSTRALIAN DESERT ACE Toby Price has finally undergone successful surgery after being forced to wait until after his 14-day quarantine period to undergo an operation on the injuries sustained during his 2021 Dakar-ending crash. Price suffered a broken collarbone, as well as ligament and AC joint damage in the stage nine accident and returned home to await surgery by leading Orthopaedic Surgeon Steve Andrews. Price was forced to abide by COVID-19 protocols, which delayed the Australian’s surgery until 3 February, almost two and a half weeks after his crash in Saudi Arabia. The 33-year-old posted a video to his Instagram page reporting that the surgery went well and that he hoped to be back on the bike by the end of March.…

MODEL 2021 Ninja 400 and 2020-21 Z400 IMPORTER Kawasaki NUMBER OF AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES 504 ISSUE The strength of the camchain tensioner may be insufficient, which may generate abnormal noises or cause the engine to stall. POTENTIAL HAZARD A stall increases the crash risk. MODEL 2021 ZX-14R IMPORTER Kawasaki NUMBER OF AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES 30 ISSUE The front brake master cylinder may have components missing, which may interfere with the force applied when braking. POTENTIAL HAZARD Reduced brake performance can increase the crash risk.…

DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION with Bosch, the radar-based system automatically adjusts the safe distance to a vehicle ahead according to five stages set via the re-designed handlebar switches. The ACC works in any of the four riding available modes, Sport, Street, Rain and Off-road, with an optional fifth mode called Rally. Activated at over 30km/h and in second gear, and up to 150km/h once engaged, KTM says it’s aimed at reducing the concentration needed over long highway trips – but many will use it to avoid getting a speeding ticket, like at the 80km/h average speed cameras going through Salzburg on the autobahn, where I will, ahem, admit to having been pinged en route to KTM that very trip! The distance can be set in five stages: Very short, Short, Middle,…

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS of the Dark Star have a choice of three extras packs. Aussies have just the one, but we do have the option of choosing the items in the other ones individually. For $1397.35 the Urban Pack comes with an aluminium sprocket cover, aluminium frame caps, aluminium handlebar counterweights, brake lever, clutch lever and a dedicated Ducati Performance anti-theft device. Buyers also have the option of adding a forward-set handlebar, handlebar caps, fuel tank caps and forged aluminium rims, or a comfort seat, magnetic tank bag and Roadster windshield.…

Born 14 September, 1990 Lives Castle Donington, Leicestershire 2009 14th British Supersport championship 2010 1st British Supersport championship 2011 6th World Supersport championship 2012 3rd World Supersport championship 2013 1st World Supersport championship 2014 13th Moto2 world championship 2015 4th Moto2 world championship 2016 5th Moto2 world championship 2017 25th MotoGP world championship 2018 16th Moto2 world championship 2019 16th Moto2 world championship 2020 3rd Moto2 world championship…

ALL MASSIVE EVENTS have rafts of unintended consequences. What will the unintended consequences of covid safe measures be? They are only beginning to rear their head now. As I write this, the opening round of the ASBK has been cancelled, thanks to another Victorian shutdown. While this is a major annoyance for competitors and their teams – which may even be their parents and friends – but how must major sponsors be feeling about it? Not stoked, most likely. Trying to gather and retain quality sponsors is hard enough at the best of times – trying to convince a business to hand over coin for a season that no one can say for sure will go to plan is a whole new level of pain. One thing is certain –…

TEN WEEKS AFTER Marc Marquez’s third surgery to rectify the slow-healing humerus he broke seven months ago, Repsol Honda has released a statement describing the eight-time world champion’s situation as “favourable”. The statement, which was typically short on detail or substance, read: “A further review of Marc Marquez at the Hospital Ruber International 10 weeks after surgery for an infected pseudoarthrosis of the right humerus, has confirmed a favourable clinical situation. “The medical team led by Doctors Samuel Antuña and Ignacio Roger de Ona, and including Doctors Juan De Miguel, Aitor Ibarzabal and Andrea Garcia Villanueva, assessed the radiographic signs of bone consolidation and were satisfied with the progress. “From now on, and during the next few weeks, Marquez will be able to progress steadily in the process of functional…

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. Just as well Marc Marquez was wearing his – and the news that we have about his recovery seems positive. But sometimes, such recoveries take place away from the spotlight, and are not all that newsworthy. You’re out riding with your mates, the corner tightens up and... road, sky, road, sky, helicopter, ambo, the sounds and smells of hospitals. The pain will take a while to ease, there’s a broken Ducati to fix and... why can’t I scratch that itch? It takes patience, patients. Get well soon, Geordie...…

Support for Sharni The FIM is “closely monitoring the situation” following Sharni Pinfold’s retirement statement reported in the last issue of AMCN, saying “gender equality is a core value”. Five-way stoush Ex-champion Carlos Checa has joined a growing chorus of observers predicting a five-way battle for the 2021 WSBK title. Compass goes south Sad to see Covid-hit Compass Expedition pulling the plug but the 13 March clearing sale will be full of bargains. Another hero gone Captain Sir Tom Moore, the former motorcycle racer who raised nearly $60m for pandemic frontline workers, has died from Covid-19 aged 100 years.…

ENGINE Capacity 636cc Type In-line four, DOHC, 16 valves Bore & stroke 67 x 45.1mm Compression ratio 12.9:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 100kW @ 13,500rpm Torque 70.8Nm @ 11,000rpm (claimed) Top speed 260km/h (est) Fuel consumption 5.14L/100km (measured) ELECTRONICS Type Denso Rider aids: ABS, traction control, wheelie control, up-only quick shifter Ride modes: N/A CHASSIS Frame material Pressed aluminium Frame type Perimeter Rake 23.5› Trail 101mm Wheelbase 1400mm SUSPENSION Type Showa Front: 41mm USD BFF-SF fork, fully adjustable, 120mm travel Rear: Bottom-link monoshock, fully adjustable, 151mm travel WHEELS & BRAKES Wheels 6-spoke aluminium Front: 17 x 3.50 R Rear:…

ENGINE Capacity 1301cc Type 75-degree V-twin, DOHC, eight-valves Bore & stroke 108 x 71mm Compression ratio 13.1:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling Keihin EFI, single 52mm throttle body Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate, slipper Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 118kW @ 9000rpm (claimed) Torque 138Nm @ 6500rpm (claimed) Top speed Not given Fuel consumption 5.7L/100km (claimed) ELECTRONICS Type Bosch 10.3ME Rider aids Traction control , Cornering ABS (with Off-Road mode), Adaptive Cruise Control Rider modes Rain, Sport and Street CHASSIS Frame material Steel Frame type Trellis Rake 24.7º Trail 109.2mm Wheelbase 1557mm SUSPENSION Type WP Semi-active Front: 48mm USD fork, fully-adjustable, 200mm travel Rear: Monoshock, fully-adjustable, 200mm travel WHEELS &…

ENGINE Capacity 1262cc Type V-Twin, DVT, eight-valves Bore & stroke 106 x 71.5mm Compression ratio 13.0:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 56mm throttle bodies Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate, slipper Final drive Belt PERFORMANCE Power 118kW @ 9500rpm (claimed) Torque 126Nm @ 9500rpm (claimed) Top speed 250km/h (est) Fuel consumption 6L/100km (measured) ELECTRONICS Type Not given Rider aids Traction control, ABS, launch control, cruise control Rider modes Sport, Urban and Touring CHASSIS Frame material Tubular-steel Frame type Trellis Rake 30º Trail 130mm Wheelbase 1615mm SUSPENSION Type Marzocchi Front: 50mm USD fork, fully-adjustable, 120mm travel Rear: Monoshock, preload and rebound adjustable, 110mm travel WHEELS & BRAKES Wheels Forged alloy…

Tommy Robb was the second-last single-cylinder rider to climb a 500cc grand prix podium, when he finished third at the 1971 Ulster GP aboard a Seeley Matchless. Five weeks later, Finn Kaarlo Koivuniemi scored the single’s final GP top-three when he rode his Seeley G50 to second at Jarama. “Everything was starting to change,” says Robb, who took his only GP win at the Ulster in 1962, when he was a factory Honda rider. “It was very frustrating when the 500cc two-strokes started arriving, because you were riding your bollocks off trying to stay with them, but you knew that on the final run to the flag you had no chance. “But I suppose this was nothing new, because for years we knew that no matter what race you were…

THE BMW R 100 GS is an ideal bike for capable DIY owners to look after in terms of normal servicing. The air-cooled flat-twin boxer set-up means that access to spark plugs, carbs and even valve-gear is a piece of cake. It’s all out there more or less on display. The high ground clearance helps with access as well. Chris at BM Motorcycles recommends servicing at 7500km intervals. He says it’s good insurance to change gearbox and final-drive oil whenever you change engine oil and filter.…

AS A LONG-TIME racer, also involved in team management, the announcement that ASBK is coming back to Tasmania is a huge shot in the arm to all of us involved in the sport here. I’ve been around the club scene in Tassie since 1996 and so I’ve seen the good and bad times road-racing has had here. Right now we are in a good place but our sport is facing huge competition from other forms of two-wheeled racing. This includes motocross, enduro and especially mountain biking. The state government is helping ASBK get back here for the first time since 2015 but state and local governments around Australia, including in Tasmania, are pouring millions into mountain biking. Around $4.5m is being spent on just one trail network at George Town,…

NEW FACTORY DUCATI recruit Jack Miller has revealed he’s been battling physical issues of his own during the off-season, after contracting a staph infection in his leg following surgery to remove metalwork. The operation took place ahead of the Aussie’s flight home at the end of last year, where he was forced into a 14-day quarantine. It was during those first two weeks on Aussie soil when the infection took hold. Speaking after the virtual team presentation for 2021, the Aussie said: “As you know, we had to do quarantine when I went home and I ended up doing 19 days, because in day nine I got a staph infection in my leg,” Miller said. “So I had to get another two operations done, in the coronavirus ward, even after…

JETT LAWRENCE HAS continued his superb form in his first year as a factory Honda rider, claiming his second victory of the season at round seven of the AMA Supercross 250SX East series in Orlando, Florida. Despite still dealing with the effects of a shoulder injury sustained during round five at Houston, the 17-year-old Australian pushed through to claim victory over 250SX series leader Colt Nichols ’s usu. Lawrence l F bruary’s second victory W r follows dSBK d ate has succession of good e po results tponed , including his breakthrough AMA 250SX win at the Houston 2 event just his second Rising time star out Dakota on the Honda CRF Ballantyne 250R. got some Lawrence racing joined in the at Gillman Factory Connection Team in 2020 with his…