Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 71 Issue 24 i Australian Motorcycle News

IT’S FINALLY STOPPED raining in my neck of the woods, which bodes well for our annual Dumb & Dumber ride that kicks off in a couple of days’ time. Of course, the previously predictable precipitation that has been a hallmark of just about every AMCN ride and photo shoot throughout 2022 has been replaced by damaging gale force winds, but I’m not complaining… On the contrary, those same winds have brought with them some extremely chilly temperatures, as well as massive snow dumps in the alpine regions, so I reckon we’re going to see plenty of the white stuff on D&D 2022, which is precisely what we want. As well as heading to the mountains to play silly buggers in the snow, D&D gives us a great opportunity to test…

EDITOR DEANO’S EMAIL about an adventure bike special coming up opened a few doors. Now I know this isn’t that special issue, just like I know it’s, err, maybe Saturday. But back in the 90s, adventure motorcycling was pretty much all I did. Like the good bludger I am, I turned a hobby into a living. By accident, because this bloke couldn’t plan his way out of a bar without a bouncer’s boot up his bum. After running Two Wheels and Live to Ride for six years down in Sydney, I was burnt out on city stuff. Those mags meant a couple of long weeks in the office followed by shuffling testing the latest and greatest on the TW ticket and covering biker runs somewhere for LtR. Hmm, ‘covering’, an…

MIKE BROWNE (BURROWS Engineering), who was the seventh fastest qualifier in the Supersport category with a 121.889mph lap, broke both of his ankles just six short weeks ago at the North West 200. • There were four different manufacturers in the top four on Thursday’s night practice session: Hickman BMW, Harrison Kawasaki, Todd Honda and Michael Dunlop on the Suzuki. • There are four women racing in the sidecar category this year. Maria Costello and newcomer passenger Vicky Cooke, who started 30th, and Estelle LeBlond, who’s paired with newcomer Clement Carre. They started 14th on their Suzuki SGR. • Quote of the opening week goes to Ian Hutchison with “I just need to forget sliding off at 140mph and hitting a few walls and remember what it was like spraying…

AS THE OLD adage goes, there are three guarantees in life: death, taxes and ludicrously tight, regularly scary Moto3 racing at Mugello. This was no exception as seven riders began the final lap together, each one harbouring realistic hopes of victory. Up to then, it had been a typically chaotic encounter, as Dennis Foggia (Leopard Honda) crashed out of the lead on the 11th lap when he accelerated on a tear-off sat on the edge of Savelli. Somehow, the pack missed his bike at well over 160km/h as it slid across the track. That left Aspar GasGas duo Sergio Garcia and Izan Guevara to slog it out on the last lap with Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Honda), who recovered from a Long Lap Penalty, given for a Turn 1 collision with…

REMEMBER THE NAME. Not winner Izan Guevara (Aspar GASGAS), who is now an established name despite his tender age of 17. But of the man who finished second. David Munoz (BOE KTM) lit up just his second race in the World Championship, upsetting a number of more experienced names in the final laps This had all the hallmarks of a typically frantic Catalunya Moto3 encounter. Five laps in and just 3.8sec covered the top 25. Further chaos was added when pole sitter Dennis Foggia (Leopard Honda) retired on lap seven when his chain jumped the sprocket due to taking a high curve. Then a Turn 10 collision between David Salvador (Max Racing Husqvarna), Dani Holgado (Ajo KTM) and Ryusei Yamanaka (MSI KTM) on the ninth lap splintered the lead group.…

CONFIRMATION ARRIVED AT Catalunya that after months of negotiating, Fabio Quartararo will continue with Yamaha for two more years, 2023 and 2024. The reigning world champion was convinced to stay with the Japanese factory despite a lack of bike development since the end of last year. “It was not an easy decision,” said the 23-year-old. “And we took a little bit more time to evaluate all the project. And at the end, Yamaha make a lot of effort, bring a lot of new people and they know where they need to improve. “The last two-three years, they worked in some areas, to another and now they know where when they need to improve. And they know clearly it’s the power.” “The new people are already in Yamaha, and (working) on…

MAX WHALE (RED BULL - KTM) made the podium over the weekend in the Singles class, however the young Aussie had good reason to describe the Red Mile as a ‘war zone’. After running strongly in the lead group during the first main event of the double header on Saturday, he was sitting sixth into the final lap and able to draft into fourth at the flag. With five minutes to run in the main event the following evening, disaster struck as Trevor Brunner came in way too hot into a corner, clipping the third-placed Whale and sending him hurtling at full speed into the air fence. In obvious discomfort, Whale was able to remount his KTM and after minimal repairs, made the restart. On the dummy grid officials spoke…

WE CAN EXPECT at least three electric/hybrid models from Kawasaki this year. But the first is a battery-powered balance bike for kids rather than a machine to rival models like the LiveWire. It was all supposed to be a secret until 7 June, but a website slipup gave the game away for Kawasaki with the name Elektrode being linked to design patents filed in Japan. The Elektrode is a very simple design, with a tubular-steel frame carrying the battery pack and electronics, no suspension front or rear and a hub-mounted motor inside the back wheel. There are cable-operated bicycle brakes and the seat is a standard, adjustable-height bicycle design.…

MR MOTOBOSS Former Mr Motocross Jeff Leisk topped off his season abroad by securing a Yamaha factory ride for the 1987 season. Leisk dominated the Aussie MX scene for several years before heading to the’States to ply his trade, and confirmed his new deal to ride in the 125 and 250 classes. Despite a prang that shattered the West Australian’s jaw, Leisk made a big impression on the most competitive motocross scene in the world. THE HILLS ARE ALIVE Honda flashed its new Dakar-inspired chook chaser at the 1986 motorcycle show in Gay Paree (can we even say that any more?). The 600V Transalp is a 600cc derivative of Honda’s dual-purpose XLV750 V-twin, with desert racer-looking, frame-mounted fairing. Unlike its bigger sibling, the Transalp uses chain drive instead of shaft…

Facebook Post of the issue Marc Marquez is out again! The eight-time world champion has announced that he will be stepping back from competition for further treatment on his injured right arm. Instagram Don’t Forget #amcn_mag Comment of the Issue Peter Evgenias expressed the thoughts of many readers about the Police Ducati racer “Perfection. In my humble opinion I believe this is one of the most beautiful bikes Ducati has produced.” 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…

In the Aprilia racing department in the Italian town of Noale, there’s a sheet of paper where all the ideas that could improve the RS-GP ridden in MotoGP’s premier class by Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales are recorded, listed in a particular order that weights aspects like priority and difficulty. This detail is described by 59-year-old Romano Albesiano, the bloke responsible for the strides the Noale factory has made in MotoGP. What’s written on that paper? Of course I can’t tell you. But that’s a way of representing the fact that in my job you’re always looking for improvements and have to think on different levels, which is not always an easy task. Do you have a daily routine? It depends. If it’s not a GP week and I’m in…

01 WSBK Rd4 Misano, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 11-12 JUNE Anytime Round 4 of WSBK takes place at Misano. Race 1 starts 10pm AEST Saturday, and Superpole 7pm and Race 2 10pm on Sunday. WSS Race 1 starts 11.15pm Saturday and Race 2 8.30pm Sunday. See worldsbk.com for full schedule. 02 MotoGP, Rd10 Sachsenring, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 19 JUNE 7pm MotoGP heads to Germany for Round 10 at the famous 3.7km-long Sachsenring. You can catch the action live on Videopass, Foxsports or Kayo. Moto3 starts 7pm AEST, Moto2 at 8.20pm and MotoGP at 10pm. 03 ASBK Rd4 Hidden Valley, LIVE SBS, ASBK On Demand 18-19 JUNE 1.10pm Sat & 10am Sun Round 4 of the Australian Superbike Championship runs alongside the Supercars from Hidden Valley, NT. ASBK Race 1…

AFTER HIS INCREDIBLE win at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb where his record run is unlikely to ever be bettered after motorcycles were deemed unsafe at the event, Aussie Rennie Scaysbrook has turned his attention to the Isle of Man TT. Electrical gremlins on the opening night meant he missed his lap following Milky Quayle, a compulsory lap for newcomers before they’re allowed out down Glencrutchery Road alone for practice week, but a lap the following day meant Scaysbrook was on track for night two of qualifying. “Wow,” said a wide-eyed Rennie after his first proper couple of laps of the TT course. “It was an unbelievable experience and I’ll never forget it. “There are so many sections of the circuit where you’ve got to ride the bike like a…

VIEWED ONE WAY, the first Italian Grand Prix in the post-Valentino Rossi era could be spoken of in negative terms. Much was made of the effect of the superstar’s recent retirement on attendance as just 74,078 came through the turnstiles over three days – just over half of the 139,329 in 2019. A gloomy weather forecast, lack of current star power at the front and high-ticket prices were other factors in the negative coverage that preceded the event. But looked at from another angle, and there was much for those in attendance to applaud. A pair of unlikely names lit up the early exchanges, with Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini from Rossi’s own VR46 Ducati squad posting their best performances to date. Pecco Baganaia (Lenovo Ducati), another member of the…

DO WEEKENDS COME any sweeter? It was hard to envision a better one for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha). The reigning world champion put pen to paper to stay with team and factory for 2023 and 2024, before crushing the opposition in a performance that left no one in doubt as to who the fastest rider in the world at this moment is. Not only that; the challenge of the Frenchman’s main rivals disintegrated under the stifling Catalan sun. First Francesco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati) was taken down by a wayward Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) at the very first turn in a spill that also claimed Alex Rins (Ecstar Suzuki). Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) then crashed out of a second race in succession. And last but not least Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia…

APRILIA COURTED FURTHER headlines last week when it confirmed the RNF MotoGP team will become the factory’s satellite team for 2023 and ’24, with an option to extend for two further years. It will be the first time Aprilia has had a satellite squad in the MotoGP class, and marks its further progress. Along with RNF team owner Razlan Razali, the factory will be responsible for rider choice, and will also use the outfit to train and grow its factory race engineers. “We are thinking of the riders and the best competitiveness, but also of raising new generations of engineers, technicians and managers (in the team),” said Massimo Rivola. Alex Rins and Raul Fernandez are two names that have been linked to the RNF seats for 2023. The news means…

YAMAHA’S AARON TANTI has taken the MX1 Championship lead from Husqvarna rider Todd Waters after a 2-1 finish at Round 4 of the championship in Gillman in South Australia on 29 May. Tanti started the championship’s first visit to South Australia in three years in fine fashion, with the CDR Yamaha rider setting the fastest time in the Top Ten Pole Shootout. But as the gate dropped for the first of the two MX1 races it was Brett Metcalfe who took the holeshot and, despite an early challenge from Dean Ferris, the South Australian went on to take Moto 1 win in a dominate display. Despite his early pace, Tanti and Kirk Gibbs (KTM) passed Ferris to take second and third, with Ferris left to battle it out with a…

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. And we reckon Aleix Espargaro will now endorse the use of a mandated lap-counting device, much like the new tyre-pressure sensor being introduced from next season onwards. Or at least an airbag that can soften the blow that he’ll feel in his gut every time he thinks of the ‘rookie’ error he made on his 290th grand prix start. Let’s hope it doesn’t prove too costly come Valencia.…

TRIUMPH IS DROPPING the ‘Street’ designation for its Street Twin and Street Scrambler, bringing them into line with their 1200cc stablemates. Australia’s Road Vehicle Regulator website shows Triumph has updated these model listings to ‘Scrambler 900’ and ‘Speed Twin 900’. There are no technical or style changes made for what will be sold as 2023 models. In other news, customer demand has resulted in new Caspian Blue/Matt Graphite, Graphite/Baja Orange and Sandstorm colours being added to the Tiger 900 and Tiger 850 Sports models. Meanwhile BMW has filed for worldwide rights to the name ‘Roctane’. The fact it starts with an R suggests it’s probably destined for a Boxer-engined model, most likely a performance version of the R 18 cruiser.…

IN AMCN VOL 71 NO 09, Hamish Cooper introduced Aussie bike brand Salt’s plans for a lightweight V8 motorcycle engine. We all got excited and then – well, nothing happened. Well, it was happening, it was just happening behind the scenes. You see, Brendan James is Paul Lewis’s partner and backer for Salt Motorcycles. He’s also founder and chairman of LINE Hydrogen, a company set to revolutionise Australia’s energy sector. So apart from being a motorcyclist, Brendan’s a mining engineer who’s operated in some pretty remote places. As such, he knows that if we’re going to kick our 84 million litres a day diesel habit and exceed our CO2 reduction targets, we need to get into green hydrogen. His company LINE has just announced its first full-scale commercial green hydrogen…

Retail price $7690 ride away Distance covered 255km Fuel Economy N/A Servicing First: 300km Minor: 5000km Major: 10,000km Options added $2300 second battery In the last update (AMCN Vol 71 No 18), I ran some range tests using just a single battery fitted to the Super Soco and found that a 25km journey in the full-powered Sport mode used 57 percent of the available juice. I wanted to find out what happened to the available range if a second battery was fitted because, in theory, two batteries should double the distance you can travel on a single charge. I was sceptical though; given each battery weighs a hefty 18kg, I wondered whether any of the gains made in range by adding the second battery would be lost by the extra…

New stuff 1 BRAIN BUCKET Moto National Accessories $249.95 1300 885 355 motonational.com.au The Airoh Valor helmet features high-resistant thermoplastic construction, with multi-density EPS liner, and an eight zone ventilation system. The Valor also boasts an ultra-wide, tool-less quick release visor, removable and washable crown padding, and is available in sizes XS through to XXL. 2 TRICK TRACKSUIT Link International From $1199.95 (07) 3382 5000 macnaridinggear.com.au Macna’s Tracktix one-piece cowhide leathers are packed with shoulder, elbow and knee armour, with provision for back and chest protectors. The Tracktix is available in three different colours and features perforated leather on the chest, neck and legs, adjustable calf width, floating collar, waist lock, mesh liner and hump. 3 LAVA TUBES Whites Powersports From $269.00 (03) 8720 6000 whitesmoto.com.au Oxford’s new EVO Hotgrips…

MANY ARE THE reasons given for the spoiling of MotoGP – the impossibility of overtaking. It’s just become too difficult for riders to pass. Funnily enough, many are the same reasons praised for making the racing closer than ever, with a number of different winners. Different sides of the same coin. First, there is the similarity of the motorcycles. Regulations mandate four cylinders, maximum bore size of 81mm. The basic parameters are fixed, and detail developments are held in check, with engine design frozen throughout the season. Then there’s a limited number of engines, and a maximum 22 litres of fuel, both of which in turn limit revs and horsepower. Most crucially, control electronics level things still further. Control tyres offer very limited choices and dictate similar race tactics. Then…

MARK PURSLOW, 29, was killed in an incident during the fourth qualifying session of the 2022 Isle of Man TT. Purslow made his TT maiden appearance at the 2015 Manx Grand Prix where he celebrated victory in the Lightweight on his debut. The 2022 Isle of Man TT was his second TT event, after campaigning the Supersport and Lightweight categories in 2017. Purslow had set his fastest-ever lap of the TT Mountain Course at 120.86mph earlier in the session, his first lap in excess of 120mph.…

IT MAY HAVE taken longer than expected but Pedro Acosta (Ajo Kalex) arrived as a complete Moto2 force at Mugello, becoming the youngest rider in history to win in grand prix’s intermediate class. At 18 years and 4 days, he took the record off Marc Marquez, who was 83 days older when he rode to his first Moto2 win, 11 years ago. Here, Acosta succeeded in the race’s critical phase where he had failed just two weeks before. At Le Mans, the Spaniard crashed out of the lead while attempting to break the challenge of Augusto Fernandez (Ajo Kalex) behind. On this occasion it was Aron Canet (Pons Kalex) who fell at Bucine on lap 13 when trying to keep up. Until then, this was a lively seven-rider fight, which…

THE 22-LAP RACE was a thriller. At first Joe Roberts (Italtrans Kalex) appeared to defy logic in conditions that demanded caution and careful tyre management. The American grabbed the early initiative, building up a 2.2sec lead by half-race distance. But a crash at turn five on lap 11 ended the American’s run of scoring points in every race this year. That left Celestino Vietti (VR46 Kalex) to contest the lead with Aron Canet (Pons Kalex), Jake Dixon (Aspar Kalex), Augusto Fernandez (Ajo Kalex) and Marcel Schrotter (IntactGP Kalex) in a thrilling five-way fight. Canet and Vietti traded blows, with the lead changing hands between the pair four times on the final eight laps. Starting the final lap, it appeared Canet had done enough for victory with a precise move at…

THE INAUGURAL STAGING of The Shannons Broadford 100 dirt track endurance race will go ahead this weekend, but as a one-day event only on Saturday 11 June. The Harley Club of Victoria has been extremely disappointed at the number of entries received but has kept faith with those who have entered the event. After several years of trying to get this event up and running the enduro will see two-rider teams contest the 150-lap, 100km event with the only restriction imposed being that each rider must complete at least 50 laps.…