Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 72 Issue 07 i Australian Motorcycle News

WHAT A DOMINANT performance! Jack Miller described it as his “best race yet”, and watching him punch out fastest lap after fastest lap in the Japanese GP, extending his lead to almost six seconds in what has so far been one of the closest MotoGP racing seasons in history, was certainly bloody impressive. Where did Jack’s newfound speed come from? After the previous Round 15 at Aragon, Miller said: “Maybe I should’ve thrown caution to the wind and just gone for it at the beginning.” And in Japan a week later, go for it he did, passing six riders in the first three laps to take the lead before he rode off into the sunset. So fast was Jack that second-placed Brad Binder commented: “By lap 10, I knew we…

FUEL? NADA Brisbane-based e-start-up Benzina Zero has officially launched its three-model scooter range. Road-legal, they are built in China but with the Australian owners in control of the intellectual property. The City, Sport and Duo (which has racks and potential as a delivery vehicle) can be charged from a 240-volt wall socket. CFMOTO CONCEPT CFMoto has revealed the NK-C22 concept as the showpiece of its next generation of motorcycles. The aggressively expanding Chinese brand, which has a partnership with KTM, says 2023 will be the “big year” of new products. It promises six petrol-powered and four electric models that will help it become a “world-class powersports brand”. SIGNED, SEALED AND… An e-petition with more than 20,000 signatures advocating a strategic plan for trail and adventure motorcycle riding in national parks…

NEVILLE DOYLE’S instructions were clear: “Don’t touch it!” It being the ex-Gregg Hansford Kawasaki KR750 handed to Graeme Crosby (Ross Hannan Racing) for the 1979 season. Crosby famously piloted the machine to victory in the Easter Saturday Unlimited race at Bathurst, setting a new outright lap record of 2m13.9s, eclipsing Warren Willing’s 1976 mark of 2m15.68s. It was the only time a Kawasaki H2R or KR750 won on Mount Panorama, and Crosby’s lap record stood until 1983. The next day, Crosby finished second in the classic 20-lap Australian Unlimited Grand Prix after an epic duel with Ron Boulden and John Woodley. Team Kawasaki Australia manager Doyle took Hansford to Europe in 1978, leaving Rick Perry to fly the team flag at home. He had already provided a Z-1R as the…

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Aleix Espargaro ALEIX ESPARGARO IS the ultimate definition of evergreen, and he’s even acknowledged that his 18-year career across all grand prix classes has required huge reserves of resilience. It hasn’t been easy at Aprilia, either, and after glimpses of potential in 2021 the tide has turned in a massive way this year with a brace of podiums, a maiden MotoGP victory and far less time spent in the gravel. The amiable Spaniard was less than two seconds off a MotoGP podium at Phillip Island in 2019, and that was on the Aprilia which was still recalcitrant–it’s now light years ahead in form and function, which means Espargaro has all he needs to fight for the podium. Jorge Martin JORGE MARTIN FINISHED second to Brad Binder in a classic Moto2…

Celestino Vietti ONE OF THE big-name members of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Riding Academy, 20-year-old Vietti came out swinging in his second Moto2 campaign – two wins and two seconds in the first five rounds – but once the championship moved to Europe things began to unravel with lowly results and DNFs bringing him back to the pack. Some bright spots have ensued, but his major focus will now be on battling Aron Canet for third in the championship. Vietti was third in the Moto3 race at Phillip Island in 2018. Pedro Acosta THERE ARE GIFTED riders, and then there’s Pedro Acosta. The Spaniard won the Moto3 title at his first attempt in 2021 – after three years on similar KTM machinery in the junior ranks – and then made the…

Remy Gardner A BITTERSWEET HOMECOMING for Remy Gardner, who’ll be riding in his first Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in the premier class – which will likely also be his last. Gardner has been axed by KTM after just one year in MotoGP and is heading to the world Superbike paddock in 2023. Like always, Gardner will give it his all on a machine which hasn’t been the rookie’s best friend – and the same goes for his teammate Raul Fernandez. Gardner was superb in the Moto2 race in 2019, just missing out on the podium. His goals won’t be as lofty in 2022, but with some raucous home-town support he’ll have his sights firmly set on another point-scoring result. Joel Kelso THE ADDITION OF Darwin native Joel Kelso to the…

With three of their four riders moving onto other manufacturers or series next year, the testing of new items was left to their only remaining racer Brad Binder and test rider Dani Pedrosa. Very little was visibly different, apart from a new-shaped seat and exhaust units. On day two, it was clear that Binder was testing engines for 2023 and providing feedback on said items. I asked what else KTM was testing and I was told the strategy was simply trying to squeeze all it could from what it currently had. You only have to look at Jack Miller’s rise in competitiveness since he found a better riding position and weight distribution on his Ducati at the Barcelona test to understand that this is not a waste of time. And…

IF YOU’VE NEVER done it before you should treat yourself to a self-guided tour around the perimeter of the circuit. We suggest you do this on the first day you arrive, as it’s longer than you think. It’s got to be well over 5km and should never be attempted in hangover mode unless you have an appropriate receptacle with you. This stroll of champions will give you the opportunity to check out new vantage points, see some of the interesting off-circuit activities that happen and take in the surreal view of approximately 200 merchandise stands all selling the same Jack Miller t-shirts, keenly priced Suzuki merchandise and Chris Vermeulen bucket hats. There’s also a wide variety of food stands and alcohol venders along the way to sustain you on the…

In 2008, a 10-year-old kid saw something on the internet that he thought was cool, so went and found his dad. With a genuine tone in his voice, the kid pointed to the screen and said to his old man: “I want to build this, dad.” So it was off to the hardware store where they purchased the timbers and bits and pieces to build a large, oversized and somewhat ridiculous piece of garden furniture in the shape of a huge chair. Fourteen years later, it still sits pride of place in the garden and for the reigning Moto2 world champion represents so much more than a big chair. Because while Repsol Honda’s Pol Espargaro finds his escape from the pressures of high-profile motorsport through classical piano, and Red Bull…

1 MotoGP Rd17, Chang, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 2 OCTOBER From 2pm AEST The grand prix paddock hits Thailand with plenty on the line in all championship classes. Moto3 will air from 4pm AEST, followed by Moto2 at 5:20pm and MotoGP at 7pm. 2 FIM Speedway GP, Rd11, Torun, LIVE Kayo, Foxsports 1 OCTOBER From 3am AEST The series may have already been decided in Zmarzlik’s favour, but for Australian trio Doyle, Holder and Fricke there’s still a lot to strive for as they seek automatic qualification into the 2023 proceedings. 3 WSBK Rd9, Portimao, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 8-9 OCTOBER From 7pm 9 Oct AEST Tension is building in the WorldSBK paddock, and with reigning world champion Razgatlioglu bridging the points gap to Bautista at a rapid rate of…

WHEN IT’S COLD and I’m off on a long ride I usually throw on an old wool thermal layer before a T-shirt and pants. I like the warmth and breathability of wool, but not so much the itchy, scratchy feeling that’s a part of donning thermal layers. When I was approached by Zerofit to try what it claims to be the world’s warmest base layer, I wasn’t convinced a synthetic material could be as warm and breathable as wool, but I was soon proven wrong. The Zerofit Heatrub Move is manufactured from 50 percent Polyester, 45 percent Polypropylene and five percent Polyurethane, and it’s the lightweight Polypropylene component that is claimed to give the Heatrub Move its excellent insulation properties. But you’d sweat like crazy in a synthetic material, wouldn’t…

OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE racing is my life, so when the opportunity presented to join the expanded Motul Pirelli Sherco Race Team in 2022 I was jumping out of my skin. I was not only joining Jonte Reynders, who’s without doubt one of the best enduro riders in the country, under the Sherco banner, but also trials and extreme enduro gun Tim Coleman – and we all know how he can make bikes twist, turn and navigate through snotty obstacles and terrain that only mere mortals can dream about. My natural fit is going flat knacker in open spaces while Tim is all about finesse! I’d heard lots of good things about the French tackle over the last couple of years, and I saw Ben Grabham and Jonte dominate the open two-stroke…

HE MAY NOT have fought for the championship this year as everyone was expecting, but Pedro Acosta (Ajo Kalex) once again showed he has come into his own in the Moto2 class as the rookie romped to a dominant win, just 12 weeks after fracturing his left femur. No one can be in any doubt the 18-year old has arrived. But this looked far from a given on the first lap. Acosta’s teammate and polesitter Augusto Fernandez (Ajo Kalex) claimed an early lead from Jake Dixon (Aspar Kalex) and Aron Canet (Pons Kalex), while possible challengers Alonso Lopez (Speed Up Boscoscuro) and Albert Arenas (Aspar Kalex) crashed out at Turn 2 and Turn 16 on laps one and two respectively. Acosta made quick progress from fifth on lap one to…

WHEN ARON CANET (Pons Kalex) first scaled a Moto2 podium with questionable attire, he promised he would reveal the meaning of the bowtie after winning his first intermediate class race. We’re 16 races in to 2022 and we’re still none the wiser, as the Spaniard blew his best chance yet of a debut Moto2 win. Starting from pole, Canet established a commanding lead in the early laps. His position was aided on lap three when Fermin Aldeguer (Speed Up Boscoscuro) crashed out of second place, handing his compatriot a handy 1.7sec lead. Yet Canet blew his chance the following lap by tucking the front at turn nine. Is this grand prix racing’s first ever curse of a bowtie? From there, Somkiat Chantra (HTA Kalex) led an all-action quartet including Tony…

DOMINIQUE AEGERTER (TEN Kate Yamaha) usually wins when he races in WorldSSP but his Race 1 runaway was special even by his own standards. Having been on pole thanks to a new record of 1m43.983s Aegerter, like everyone else in the class, had to have two goes at Race 1 after Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros Yamaha) fell and caused a red flag situation. In a 12-lap race there were plenty of pugilists but only Aegerter had the final pace. He led from lap five to the end. His margin of victory was 3.472sec over his season-long rival Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros Yamaha). Can Oncu piled on the pressure for as long as he could, and he was finally rewarded with a third place. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Ducati) was fourth and…

WITH GARDNER BEING shunned by KTM for 2023, Augusto Fernandez (pictured) has signed a deal that sees the current Moto2 World Championship leader step up to the MotoGP class. The Spaniard will join Tech3, which will be rebranded the GASGAS Factory Racing Team next year. He will race alongside Pol Espargaro. “When we met again recently, it appeared very clear that Augusto was prepared to come to MotoGP,” said Tech3 team boss Herve Poncharal. Takaaki Nakagami has signed a one-year contract extension with LCR Honda for next year after months of speculation. In light of Marc Marquez’s injury issues, and the signings of Suzuki teamsters Joan Mir (Repsol) and Alex Rins (LCR), the Japanese rider represents continuity for HRC during a critical winter of development. What’s more, Japanese Moto2 hotshot…

FOR THE FIRST time ever, an all-female squad entered a grand prix at Aragon. Maria Herrera was wildcarding for the Moto3 race for the MTA KTM squad, with her crew consisting of five women: Aurora Angelucci (team manager), Lidia Cerenzula (crew chief), Adriana Gallardo and Nekane Muros Salom (mechanics) and Lara Hortences (tyre technician). The technicians are currently working in the JuniorGP series. The purpose of the wildcard, backed by title sponsor Angeluss, a sports management firm for women, is to showcase the best of female riding and technical talent on the world stage. “Our participation should be valued as a great achievement in the history of MotoGP,” said Angelucci. “In fact, we sincerely hope to be a source of inspiration for young women who want to enter this world.…

AS THE TEAMS set sail for Tasmania to contest the final two rounds of the Australian Off-Road Championship, 20-year-old Kyron Bacon is under no pressure. Having already accrued eight straight wins on his Shop Yamaha-sponsored WR250, Bacon is already assured of being crowned 2022 E1 champion in front of his home crowd. And, should he prevail in the rugged and invariably wet west coast conditions, Bacon will become the first E1 class rider to win the outright title since Daniel Milner in 2014. With four wins and rarely off the podium, Andrew Wilksch – Simford Racing Husqvarna FE501 – will become 2022 E3 champion and is the only rider to threaten Bacon for the outright, while veteran Josh Green – Shop Yamaha WR450 – is assured of the E2 championship,…

DESPITE AUSSIES NOT being able to get their hands on a base model for another 12 months or so, Moto Guzzi has launched a limited-edition version of its innovative V100 Mandello called Aviazione Navale – and on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, no less. With livery inspired by the F-35B fighter jets, just 1913 units will be produced – Guzzi’s tribute to the year the aviation arm of the Italian navy was formed. Each bike comes with an etched number on the top triple clamp, a special cover and a commemorative plaque. Moto Guzzi’s V100 Mandello celebrates 100 years of this famous Italian marque, while also being the first production motorcycle with adaptive aerodynamics. First shown at the 2021 EICMA expo, Moto Guzzi explained how the adaptive aerodynamic…

CAR GIANT TOYOTA is working with Kawasaki to develop hydrogen engines for motorcycles and expand their use in and outside of Japan. The Toyota initiative is designed to speed up the process of converting production cars and motorcycles to hydrogen. Earlier this month, Toyota President Akio Toyoda drove a hydrogen-converted Ninja H2-powered off-road vehicle at Motegi circuit. A Kawasaki spokesperson said it joined the project after being prompted by Toyoda’s call to work together “beyond the boundaries of motorcycles and automobiles”. The design process began in earnest last December. Earlier this year Toyota commissioned Yamaha to build and develop a hydrogen-powered V8 engine based on the current five-litre engine used in a luxury Lexus sports coupe. Yamaha was involved in cylinder-head work on the original Lexus V8. The hydrogen version…

DEAN MELLOR EDITOR Head says Jack Miller Heart says Jack Miller Dark Horse Marc Marquez KEL BUCKLEY DEPUTY EDITOR Head says Enea Bastianini Heart says Jack Miller Dark Horse Maverick Vinales PETE VORST ROAD TEST EDITOR Head says Pecco Bagnaia Heart says Jack Miller Dark Horse Marc Marquez HAMISH COOPER NEWS EDITOR Head says Enea Bastianini Heart says Jack Miller Dark Horse Maverick Vinales MATT O’CONNELL CONTRIBUTOR Head says Enea Bastianini Heart says Jack Miller Dark Horse Maverick Vinales PETE MARTIN DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Head says Fabio Quartararo Heart says Jack Miller Dark Horse Johann Zarco…

Izan Guevara YET ANOTHER PRODUCT of the inexorable Spanish production line of GP-ready riders, Izan Guevara may have started the year slowly but he’s come on strong in the second half of the season to put himself in the box seat for championship success. However, nothing’s a given in Moto3 where mistakes often carry heavy fall-down-thepack punishment, but the 18-year-old has been a master at circulating near the front to minimise the chance of being caught up as collateral damage. That’ll be his blueprint at Phillip Island as well. Sergio Garcia THE SECOND HALF of the major Spanish double act in 2022, Garcia enjoyed a charmed run in the championship until his troubles began at Silverstone – and he’s yet been unable to mount a rear-guard action which has allowed…

It was not immediately obvious what Ducati was testing, and I had to look long and hard. The first thing I saw was a new device on the clutch lever of a Prima Pramac machine. In my mind it can only be for use at the start, because riders do not need the clutch at any other time during the race. And I asked a few different engineers and they were of the same opinion. Then I spotted that many of the riders had two different chassis to test, while Gresini’s Enea Bastianini and Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia had carbon-fibre reinforcements on one of their chassis – clearly Ducati was testing different designs and stiffnesses. Then the riders let slip that they’d tested a different aero package, too – I’d missed…

IF YOUR EARS are on the verge of bleeding from the noise of the GP bikes, consider slipping into Cowes to check out the activities which the Bass Coast Council bung on. Gone are the days of fat skids and drunken debauchery in the main street, but activities are numerous and organised. Entertainment kicks off from Thursday night when the 120th screening of Wayne kicks off at 7pm and continues right through until Sunday night. For those who are too hungover or sunburnt to enjoy the race on Sunday, the full race will be screened from 7pm on Sunday on the big screen. Other fun activities in and around the Cowes precinct include checking out discounted GP merch in any of 100 stores selling the same thing, searching for a…

CAN’T MAKE IT to the Island this year? Not to worry, grab your mates, rustle up a dozen chairs and gather around the telly, smart device or wireless and you won’t miss a thing. TV FOXTEL HAS THE exclusive rights to broadcast MotoGP in Australia and will have live coverage of all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 warm-up, qualifying and race sessions across the weekend. You can check out the coverage on Foxtel or Foxtel Now or on Kayo Sports either on your TV, computer, tablet or phone. COMPUTER IT’S NOT CHEAP but if you are a stickler for the finest of detail from every round of the championship, then a subscription to the official online MotoGP coverage is king. If you’re not already a subscriber, you may just bag a…

The last time Remy Gardner raced at Phillip Island, the world was a very different place. He was racing in the Moto2 class, had no wins and just a single podium to his name. No one wore masks, no medical checks were in place and lockdowns were drills that happened in army training. One year later, he was crowned world champion with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team and with it a promotion to the MotoGP category where he’s found the going tough, struggling to finish in the points. As we head into the season’s final part, the number 87 will have the opportunity to race a MotoGP in front of his home crowd. “It’s been three years since we raced in Phillip Island. I’m really looking forward to going…

BEAR IN MIND that each of these recommendations can be ridden in a single day, a great opportunity to check out what Victoria has to off er. If you don’t spend too long in the pub it’s not difficult to link the Great Ocean Road to the Sunraysia and Murray Valley highways, followed by the Great Alpine Road, and finally the Gippsland Highway with only two casual overnight stops. All you need is a sense of adventure – and maybe one of Hema’s waterproof maps of Victoria. And remember those speed cameras!…

ROAD RACING MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd17 2 Oct, Chang International, TH Rd18 16 Oct, Phillip Island, AU Rd19 23 Oct, Sepang, MY Rd20 6 Nov, Ricardo Tormo Valencia, ES SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd9 8-9 Oct, Portimao, PT Rd10 22-23 Oct, El Villicum, AR Rd11 12-13 Nov, Mandalika, ID Rd12 19-20 Nov, Phillip Island, AU ASBK Rd6 18-20 Nov, Philip Island, Vic Rd7 25-27 Nov, The Bend, SA FIM MINIGP AUSTRALIA Rd4 30 Sep-2 Oct, Oakleigh, Vic BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Rd10 1-2 Oct, Donington Park, LCE Rd11 15-16 Oct, Brands Hatch, KEN FIM JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd7 8 Oct, Aragon, ES Rd8 29 Oct, Valencia, ES OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP Rd5 1-2 Oct, TBC Rd6 2-4 Dec, The Bend, SA OFF-ROAD RACING FIM ENDURO Rd7 15-16 Oct, Zschopau, DE AORC Rd11-12 8-9…

New stuff 1 THUNDER STRUCK Whites Powersports $799 (03) 8720 6000 whitesmoto.com.au The FF805 Thunder is LS2’s carbon full-face race helmet and it comes in multiple shell sizes with specifically sized EPS protective liners and 3D laser cut foam. The FF805 Thunder also features a Pinlock-ready scratch-resistant visor, a double-D buckle closure and ample ventilation for comfort. 2 HARLEY SPRINGER Suspensions R Us $1650 (03) 97864414 suspensionsrus.com.au The YSS MG456W high-performance shock upgrade for Harley-Davidson’s new Sportster S 1250 features a 45mm radial piston with a bladder-equipped piggyback reservoir. The shock also offers high- and low-speed compression adjustment, as well as rebound and remote preload adjustment. 3 JACKET OF KINGS Cassons Australia $399.95 (02) 8882 1900 cassonsmedia.com The Ixon T-Rex all-seasons textile Jacket has a 600D outer construction with a…

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. That’s sport for you… especially in MotoGP 2022, where the last five races have upended the championship battle (penned prior to Japanese round – Ed). Pecco Bagnaia failed to win a fifth in a row in Aragon, but only by four hundredths of a second. More importantly, over the Dutch, British, Austrian, San Marino and Aragon rounds, the Lenovo Ducati rider has made 120 points. Defending champion Fabio Quartararo, by now looking exhausted by his Herculean efforts on the gutless Yamaha, has added just 39. There is one fly in the ointment for the six-time 2022 winner Bagnaia – all too often, he is not the fastest man on a Ducati. It happened again at Aragon. Enea Bastianini was riding the year-old model that last year Bagnaia…

POLESITTER IZAN Guevara (Aspar GASGAS) produced a timely display of control to put daylight into his title rivals with five races to spare. This was a lights-to-flag victory for the 17-year old, his fourth win of the year. But this wasn’t a given for 17 of the 19 laps, as Ayumu Sasaki (Max Racing Husqvarna) and to a lesser extent Dani Holgado (Ajo KTM) just held on. In an orderly outing that was most unlike Moto3, the top three of Guevara, Sasaki and Holgado broke clear of the rest by 3.7sec by lap seven. Deniz Oncu (Tech3 KTM) could have been in the mix, too, but the Turk was made to pay for a qualifying crash that led to a qualifying position of 13th. His electrifying rise through the pack…

THIS HAD THE feel of a pivotal encounter in deciding the destiny of the 2022 Moto3 crown. Not only did Izan Guevara (Aspar GASGAS) score his fifth victory of the season in what is becoming his customary manner at a track he had never seen before Friday; principle challenger Sergio Garcia (Aspar GASGAS) could only manage fourth. And all after Guevara suffered a terrifying warm-up collision with John McPhee (Max Racing Husqvarna), which destroyed his bike and sent the Spaniard flailing. Garcia got the jump from the first row, but was soon outshone by his teammate as Guevara picked off eight positions to lead at the end of the first lap. By the fourth lap, it was clear Garcia couldn’t run with the leaders, as Ayumu Sasaki (Max Racing Husqvarna),…

YUTA OKAYA (MTM Kawasaki) won the first race on the WorldSSP300 card, at the site of his first and only other victory, back in 2020. Second place went to convincing championship leader Alvaro Diaz (Arco Motor University Team Yamaha). The final podium place went to 16-year-old local rider Julio Garcia Gonzalez (ESP Solutions Motap Racing Team Kawasaki) in his first ever WorldSSP300 race. The top three were covered by 0.157sec. The top 10 riders were all within 0.826sec of each other in another epic ‘300’ race. Okaya’s win came from a last-corner inside attack on Diaz, which saw him just 0.069sec ahead of his Yamaha rival. There was one clear winner in Race 2, when pole man on Saturday Victor Steeman (MTM Kawasaki, pictured) ran clear of the 21-rider chasing…

JASON SPENCER (HONDA CBR1000RR) has a healthy lead in the Tasmanian Superbike Championship after a cold and damp Baskerville Round 3. Two second places and a third puts him 35 points ahead of Scott Honeychurch (Kawasaki ZX-10R). He finished with two thirds and a second while Brett Simmonds (Honda CBR1000RR), who missed the first two rounds, won all three races. After breaking his pelvis in Round 2, Jason Wylie (Ducati V4 R) attempted to make a return but after placing fourth in the first race elected to focus on the Golden Era races, winning all three on a 1989 Suzuki GSX-R1100. His son Chad took on a big challenge. He started in Round 2 when he added a Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport bike to his usual Ninja 400. His best Supersport…

THE 2022 AUSTRALIAN Senior Track Championship meeting was staged at the Daroobalgie Speedway track near Forbes, NSW, over 17-18 September with honours in the six championship classes shared between the three east coast states. Queenslander Jedd List took bragging rights when he won both the 500cc and Unlimited slider classes. Both of those classes were decided over five point-scoring rounds and, while the Unlimited victory was straightforward, that was not the case in the 500cc class. Looping at the start in the fourth round, List picked himself up and, with a broken footpeg, finished fifth before winning what turned out to be a final-round decider. Even among the quality line-up for the MX Open and Pro 450 classes, two riders were expected to stand out – and they did. The…

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 also endorse the use of protective driving gear, driver training and full comprehensive insurance. Especially when driving your Commodore to work, in case you happen to veer off the road and into a muddy ditch, taking out a metal post and 60km/h speed limit sign in the process. And all so you have the perfect excuse to chuck a sickie, eh Ray?!…

HONDA HAS OFFICIALLY released details of the all-new engine that will power its upcoming Hornet and Transalp models, leading AMCN to anticipate both will be revealed in full before the end of this year. A single photograph of the engine and some basic text shows Honda is still playing its cards close to its chest. We revealed a year ago that Honda was working on a new 755cc parallel-twin engine after we gained information from sources close to the factory. After a trickle of concept sketches, Honda’s latest information reveals a 755cc, eight-valve parallel-twin with Unicam design delivering 67.5kW (90.5hp) at 9500rpm and maximum torque of 75Nm at 7250rpm. This is nearly double the power of Honda’s existing 745cc twin that powers its NC750 range. That engine is all about…

→ MODEL 2019-22 Honda CBR1000RR and CRF1100D → IMPORTER Honda Australia → NUMBER AFFECTED 142 → ISSUE Due to a software fault in the vehicle’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU) the engine may stall resulting in an unexpected loss of vehicle control. → POTENTIAL HAZARD Risk of an accident. → MODEL 2020-22 BMW CE 04 → IMPORTER BMW Australia → NUMBER AFFECTED 49 → ISSUE Due to a manufacturing issue, the connection of the horn to the frame of the motorcycle could become loose and may detach. As a result, it could fall downwards and prevent the rider from steering to the left, resulting in a loss of vehicle control. → POTENTIAL HAZARD Increased risk of an accident. → MODEL 2020-21 Suzuki GSX-R125 and GSX-S125 → IMPORTER Suzuki Australia → NUMBER…

001995 SRAD BRO An all-new and very compact alloy-framed GSX-R750 was spotted undergoing shakedown testing at Monterey’s Laguna Seca circuit with Fred Merkel and Thomas Kipp on board – not at the same time of course. The bike was said to be substantially lighter, more compact and more powerful. As we now know the 1996 GSX-R750 made a mark on the sportsbike landscape like the original did in 1985. Often referred to as the SRAD, it is still a damn fast motorcycle today. ZED-EX-AH While Kawasaki’s fourth-generation ZXR was undergoing final testing before being unveiled to the world, UK artist Glynn Kerr rustled up his impression of the new 750. According to people in the know, the Pommy pencil pusher was pretty much on the mark. We now know that…

Facebook Post of the issue Instagram Don’t Forget #amcn_mag Comment of the Issue Robert Sykes was a big rap for watching the garrulous ‘Croz’ on the Z1R. After producing a withering first stint, Croz’s teammate binned “Graeme Crosby, 1979 Castrol 6 Hour Amaroo Park. As a spectator, boy do I remember that day!”” 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! Got something funny, new, old or wise to say or share? Do…

Augusto Fernandez IT’S ALL COMING together for the just-turned 25-year-old in 2022, with four victories and three additional podiums seeing him gradually wear down most of his opponents with the exception of Japan’s Ai Ogura. Mind you, it’s taken six years to really lock in that maturity, but now that he’s in the zone he won’t be turning back – and in fact he’s heading to MotoGP in 2023 with the rebranded Tech3 GasGas team. A victory at Phillip Island would go a long way towards a first world title. Ai Ogura AT THE VANGUARD of an exciting batch of Japanese riders coming through the Moto3 and Moto2 ranks, 21-year-old Ogura has made giant strides in 2022 with a maiden GP victory and a level of consistency that’s kept him…

Ayumu Sasaki A CHANGE OF scenery for Ayumu Sasaki in 2022 has done wonders for the 21-year-old Japanese rider, cranking out two victories on the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max machine. However, too many DNFs – including successive ones to start the season – have nobbled his championship aspirations, but there’s still been plenty to like about the way Sasaki has gone about his business. It’ll be a battle of Moto3 wits at Phillip Island, and the six-year veteran of the class will be in the thick of it. Deniz Oncu WHAT’S IN THE Turkish water? The country is a breeding ground for stars galore, with WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu the pick of the bunch – but on the grand prix scene, 19-year-old Deniz Oncu is also flying high. His third year…

Village Gardner While you’re down visiting the GP Expo make sure to loiter around the Gardner Village for a while. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, from the Addikted to Ink tattoo parlour that will be available to cater to all your tough sticker needs, a plethora of food and refreshment vendors, and the Urban Garage show ’n’ shine competition. The Fan Forum Stage will host a raft of riders and big wigs including Wayne Gardner and mechanical mastermind Jeremy Burgess, who will be talking about life in the MotoGP circus. Legend lap It’s 10 years since Aussie MotoGP legend Casey Stoner last raced at Phillip Island and, to commemorate the occasion, a documentary featuring the two-time MotoGP world champion and fellow Aussie and MotoGP winner Chris Vermeulen has been…

FRIDAY 8am Gates open 8.10am National Superbikes free practice (20mins) 9am Moto3 FP1 (40 mins) 9.55am MotoGP FP1 (45 mins) 10.55am Moto2 FP1 (45 mins) 11.45am Oceania Junior Cup (20 mins) 12.15pm National Superbikes qualifying (20 mins) 1.15pm Moto3 FP2 (40 mins) 2.10pm MotoGP FP2 (45 mins) 3.10pm Moto2 FP2 (40 mins) 4.05pm Junior Cup qualifying (20 mins) 4.40pm National Superbikes Race 1 (10 laps) 5.10pm Oceania Junior Cup Race 1 (7 laps) 6pm Gates close SATURDAY 8.30am Gates open 9am Moto3 FP3 (40 mins) 9.55am MotoGP FP3 (45 mins) 10.55am Moto2 FP3 (40 mins) 11.45am Oceania Junior Cup (7 laps) 12.35pm Moto3 Q1 (15 mins) 1.pm Moto3 Q2 (15 mins) 1.30pm MotoGP FP4 (30 mins) 2.10pm MotoGP Q1 (15 mins) 2.35pm MotoGP Q2 (15 mins) 3.10 Moto2 Q1 (15…

LIKE MANY RIDERS, I run a Quad Lock handlebar mount on my bike and have done so for some time. The easy-to-fit mount is manufactured from glass-filled nylon and I have not had a problem with it. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the year, Quad Lock was keen for me to check out its then-new Handlebar Mount PRO, which is very similar to the original unit but is instead manufactured from black anodised CNC aluminium. The other difference is the method by which the rubber collars fit inside the mount, which provides a more secure fit to the handlebar. For the record, it is supplied with a range of collars to suit handlebars from 22.2mm to 35mm diameter. I took the PRO mount on a recent trip to the Himalayas,…

THE CALL DIDN’T come from Bob, it came from his office. Back in 1988 people still had secretaries so his secretary called my secretary who took some notes and plopped them in the tray. Usually the gravity of the plop displayed its importance. Charlene did a double drop on her plop and followed through. “Bob Barnard wants publicity for his new track at Phillip Island,” she said. “He’s been awarded a round of the world motorcycle championship. This is big John. You should ring him.” That was the thing about secretaries, they made most of the decisions. Especially Charlene who’d been working for Two Wheels magazine much longer than me. Hell, I was straight out of six years in a singlet digging holes and sucking dust. Like an empty flagon…

IF MISANO RAISED a question regarding team orders within the Ducati structure, Aragon dispelled it. Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) ended Francesco Bagnaia’s four-race winning streak on the Lenovo Ducati by succeeding where he had failed a fortnight before. For the second race in succession, the Italian duo found themselves all alone, contesting victory on the final lap with Bagnaia defending imperiously in each of the previous laps. But Bastianini can still be counted among the championship contenders. And learning from the mistakes of his home grand prix, he made his late superiority over his countryman tell with a clean, decisive move nine corners from the chequered flag deciding this contest and – just – keeping his title hopes alive. On recent evidence the prospect of the future intrateam battles between…

IN A WEEKEND when the remnants of a category one typhoon named ‘Nanmadol’ battered the newly named Mobility Resort Motegi on Saturday, Jack Miller (Lenovo Ducati) did his best impersonation of a hurricane the following day, blowing the race apart and destroying the field to post his most convincing premier class performance to date. The typhoon-induced storms cleared for race day. And from the 10th lap, the Australian was out of sight, building up a lead of 5.9sec on Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati) before the celebrations began. There was assuredness in every aspect of the 27-year old’s performance here. Starting from seventh, he took just three laps to swat aside the six riders ahead, including a glorious two-in-one pass on Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) and Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM).…

ALVARO BAUTISTA’S OPPONENTS were clearly nervous at the previous round in France about just what the Spaniard could do at a circuit like Catalunya with a straight as long as Ducati’s history in WorldSBK. Many teams had made a hot weather test at Catalunya this year, but despite Bautista (Aruba Ducati) being only fifth in Superpole on Saturday there was only one red hot-winning throttle hand all weekend. His own. Remarkably, it was local man Iker Lecuona (HRC) who piled in with the winning time in Superpole, the first time a Honda had qualified on pole since 2016 and the first ever WorldSBK pole for the rookie. Right behind were the Kawasaki Racing Team duo of Alex Lowes and Jonathan Rea, but the latter was toiling underneath the front-row facade…

REMY GARDNER WILL switch from MotoGP to World Superbike in 2023 when he will join the GRT Yamaha squad, replacing American Garrett Gerloff. “It’s going to definitely be a big change for me, a lot of things to learn,” Gardner said. “New tyres and different class, different bikes, but having seen the races the last few months it does look pretty fun.” After learning he had lost his seat in the Tech3 KTM squad for next year, Gardner considered several offers from competitive teams in Moto2, a class he won in 2021. But a new challenge was more tempting. “I’ve done five years in Moto2. Managed to be champion. For me, there was nothing really left for me to do there. I wanted a new challenge and just something different.…

MOTOGP FANS WILL have twice as many races to watch in 2023 with organisers adding a half-distance Sprint race to the Saturday schedule, with half the amount of championship points up for grabs. While the riders have mixed reactions to the news, there’s no doubting the spectacle will be intensified with more points on the table, but points that also come with more risk. The first nine finishing positions will pick up points, with the winner earning 12 points towards his championship tally. The finishing positions in the Sprint race won’t have any bearing on Sunday’s start positions, with the regular Q1 and Q2 sessions determining the grid for both races. While FP3 will be scrapped to make room in the schedule, the top 10 after FP2 on Friday afternoon…

THIS MEETING WAS originally allocated to the Gunnedah Motorcycle Club, which had planned to stage the meeting at the local showground owned by the council. Gunnedah Shire Council originally passed a resolution for the event to go ahead, albeit with some conditions, but then advised of a motion to rescind its original decision. That left the Gunnedah club with an untenable timeframe, even if the original resolution was upheld. Thankfully, the Forbes Auto Sports Club stepped in with barely a month to get the meeting up and running on its original date. And guess what? The Forbes Shire Council was extremely supportive and, along with the auto club and other local businesses, pulled together to make the meeting a great success. Gunnedah’s loss was definitely Forbes’ gain.…