Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 72 Issue 08 i Australian Motorcycle News

IT WAS BACK in 1994 that I embarked on a career in publishing. In the 28 years since, I have worked for many publishers on many different titles, but it was after a three-year stint as Dep Ed on AMCN a decade ago that I swore I’d never want the Ed’s Desk on The Horror. Pumping out 25 issues of AMCN a year is all-consuming. But here I am, steering the ship for the past 18 months and loving (almost) every minute of it. These days I can clearly see that the rewards are well worth the effort. My favourite thing about working on AMCN? Undoubtedly the fabulous people I work with who pour their heart and soul into producing this publication every fortnight, whether they be staffers, contractors, freelancers,…

“ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR MUST NOT AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED” MotoGP, the International Race Teams Association and the FIM announce the sacking of a Max Racing Moto3 team member following video evidence of him abusing a rider during the 2019 Thailand MotoGP. Full story page 106 40 That’s how many points separate a resurgent Jack Miller from his maiden MotoGP title. With three rounds remaining and bad luck dogging the three riders in front of him, our Jack has a mathematical chance to complete Mission Possible. Mental Twisties The winner of this issue’s spot-the-difference quiz is Josh Shoemark. Onya Josh! 1. Kawasaki logo gone 2. Knee slider now green 3. N logo flipped 4. Lever missing 5. Logo now green OFF TO BEVEL HEAVEN The city skyline might have changed, but…

NEXT AUGUST’S BIKE Fest Oz! 2023 has grown to include adventure bike riding in the hills and hinterland around the Tweed and Gold Coasts. The inaugural festival will involve at least five official events over 16-20 August along with plenty of free-entry happenings. Festival promoter Chris Beattie has been approached by representatives of a large national music promotor to consider working together on nightly entertainment. While the highlight will be a Saturday night concert that will also celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 120th birthday, Beattie stresses the week-long festival is ‘non-denominational’ as far as brands go. Beattie has also reached out to the local indigenous community to play a part. “The indigenous community is incredibly proud and active around The Tweed, also involved in motorcycling, and I’m keen to reflect that culture and…

I had a lot of luggage when I rocked up at Kel’s to pick up the Classic 350. I had the various bits and pieces one needs to travel for seven days, plus GoPros, batteries and chargers and the laptop I’m writing this on. All that was crammed into a set of well-used Oxford throwover saddlebags and my trusty Kriega US-40 bag. The small rack fitted to the Classic is barely big enough to lash a six-pack to so once the saddlebags were slung over, I strapped the US-40 to the pillion seat. The saddlebags use Velcro straps to attach to the bike and the US-40 has a bunch of loops, straps and attachment points that make fitment pretty easy on most bikes I’ve used it on. In a very…

THE TUAREG 660 certainly isn’t new dual-sport or adventure territory for Aprilia, with the Tuareg moniker first unveiled in 1985 and then spawning a variety of models in different capacities until 1994. The 562cc, air-cooled single-cylinder Pegaso 600 came along in 1990, with 19/17-inch wheels and aiming its wares at machines like the Suzuki DR650. The V-twin Pegaso 650 (1993) and Pegaso 650 Trail (2007) also followed the evolutionary path, and in 2001 the Caponord was born: a large-capacity adventure-touring machine. The Caponord badge continued until the last decade, with the spoked-wheeled Caponord 1200 Rally as heavy duty as it got. On the enduro scene, let’s not forget the RXV line-up of 450cc and 550cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin enduro bikes, which tempted multiple world enduro champion Stefan Merriman to jump…

USING THE SAME basic frame and engine package as the Motor Company’s FX Super Glide of the mid-70s, the first Low Rider hit the streets in 1977 and the Shovelhead-powered rig was a major hit with Harley fans. The Low Rider sported cut-down guards, custom cruiser looks and mag wheels rather than the spoked wheels found on other Harleys and the majority of motorcycles in general. Low Riders have always rolled on mags, and you’d surely agree the family resemblance is strong in the 2022 model. The first of the much-loved Dyna-chassis Low Riders hit H-D dealerships in 1991 and featured a new rubber-mounted engine configuration that made the Low Rider a far nicer beast to ride without losing any of the character of the original. After a 27-year model…

BY THE TIME the Mid-Antrim 150 was abandoned, a controversial day of practice had already taken place. The death of Queen Elizabeth II had been announced less than 24 hours prior to roads closing, and there was much social media discourse on whether the event should proceed or not. With far-travelled competitors already established in the paddock, it was decided to respectfully press ahead with the races. Sporting events all over the UK were being cancelled and many labelled that decision ‘shameful’ and a ‘disgrace’. It was clear the organisers were going to have to tread cautiously. Bikes didn’t take to the track until after lunch to allow for a 30-minute bell-ringing remembrance service at midday. It made for surreal scenes, with solemn race fans standing trackside as church bells…

1 JACKAL HIDE Cassons Australia $999.95 (02) 8882 1900 cassonsmedia.com The Jackal cowhide leather sports jacket is ideal for track and road use and utilises features found in Ixon’s Jackal one-piece race suit. The Jackal features shoulder and elbow armour, provision for a back protector, inner and outer stretch panels for extra comfort, and is compatible with Ixon’s airbag system. 2 THE VEST OF ALL Honda Australia $240 1300 559 846 motorcycles.honda.com.au The very same vests that are worn by Honda’s MotoGP team members, the HRC and Repsol puffers offer a Polymide outer construction with warm, down stuffing. Both puffy jackets feature zip closures, one inner and two outer pockets and are available from extra small through to double extra large. 3 STAND ALONE Link International $169.95 (07) 3382 5000…

MOTOGP’S RETURN TO the flyaways has been a breath of fresh air. For the fans in Australia, obviously, and Japan and Thailand. But also for the GP circus. After a couple of seasons of restriction and over-familiarity, where they even sometimes raced at the same circuit two weekends in a row, it’s the joy of the unexpected. The tracks are not unfamiliar to the old hands, though there are plenty of Moto3 and even Moto2 runners who have never seen Phillip Island (or Motegi, Buriram or Sepang) before. Old hands know that, especially with Phillip Island, they are in for a treat. At the other flyaway tracks, not quite so much, but they pose interesting puzzles anyway. And there are what you might call class rookies: riders who have never…

FROM 88 POINTS in arrears, Jack Miller’s recent run has brought him back into the title fight, thanks to a 45-point haul from a possible 50 in the past two races. The Australian was still riding the crest of the wave of his Japanese success in Thailand, and was showing winning potential in both wet and dry. After the first day of free practice at the Chang International Circuit, Miller revealed some subtle changes to his riding style after scoring a fifth place at Aragon have been a factor behind his recent good form. “The step forward in Japan was more my style of riding,” he explained. “The boys, after the race in Aragon, all sat on the plane and gave me a big list of analysing, breaking down everything.…

THE PROVISIONAL CALENDAR for the 2023 season has thrown a few surprises, including two new venues in two new countries. The Sokol International Racetrack is slated to host the first ever Kazakhstan GP between 7-9 July, while the Buddh International Circuit could host the inaugural Indian GP on 22-24 September. The series will start in Portugal’s Algarve International Circuit over 24-26 March, followed by a race in Argentina on 2 April and Austin’s the Circuit of the Americas on 16 April. The season will end with an exhaustive overseas run, where eight races in India, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Qatar and Valencia will be held in just 10 weeks. The Australian GP at Phillip Island is provisionally locked in for 20-22 October as the 17th round of 21. Of…

JOSH WATERS will ride the Aussie Superbike title-winning Boost Mobile with K-Tech Ducati V4 R at the Phillip Island MotoGP support races after reigning champion Wayne Maxwell elected to sit out the event. “It’s too good an opportunity to turn down,” Waters said. “I tested the bike with Craig (McMartin) and Adrian (Monti) at Phillip Island and I think there is really good potential there. The pressure will be on to get results, but I’m looking forward to it.” Waters recently parted ways with the Shane Kinderis-led Maxima Racing Oils BMW team but said he has no plans of retirement, regardless of the outcome during the MotoGP support races. Maxwell, who does intend to retire at the end of this year, said there was no advantage to riding the bike…

Legend move Officially a Legend. A special ceremony in New Zealand inducts four-time world champ Hugh Anderson into the MotoGP Hall of Fame. Latin tango Riders from 20 motorcycle-mad countries will be eligible to race in next year’s FIM MiniGP Latin America Series and the Latin America Talent Cup under the Road to MotoGP program. Poor old Pol Pol Espargaro, who returns to KTM alongside Jack Miller next year, says “there’s not been motivation to improve” from Honda towards him since his decision was announced. Vale Chrissy Rouse BSB Superbike racer Chrissy Rouse succumbed to injuries sustained in a fall at Donington Park’s Round 10.…

SYDNEY STUNNERS The Sydney Motorcycle Show might have seemed like any other but there were a bunch of bikes on display that would come to be modern classics today. Honda rolled out its exotic oval-piston NR750, new VFR750, its cat-eyed ’Blade and CBR250RR, while Kawasaki ripped the covers off its new ZX-9R. The-then importer of Ducati and H-D, Frasers, had a new Harley Heritage Softail Special and Ducati Monster on display but was unable to get the new 916 in time for the show. Suzuki’s display consisted of its GSX-R1100 in various hues of purple, as well as the GSX-R750 and shiny new RF900 (which is unlikely to be added to the modern classic list anytime soon). Yamaha didn’t have much to shout about, rolling out its TT-R250 and SRV250.…

THE DUNLOPS ARE the Royal family of Irish racing and have reigned supreme between the hedges for half a century. Unfortunately, and somewhat unbelievably, Michael is the only remaining Dunlop still racing. Uncle Joey, father Robert and brother William have all lost their lives while competing in their chosen sport. Given all of the triumph and glory, it’s difficult to process that tragedy should play such a strong hand in the Dunlop story. Michael, nicknamed ‘the bull’, is famously strong-willed and, like the Dunlops who have gone before him, likes to do things his own way. MD has a reputation for jumping ship if things aren’t right, but with his family history you can’t really blame him. He was due to take on the international Superbike races in 2022 armed…

TWO KEY INTERVIEWS for the story of Australians and the European GP scene occurred back in 1988. The first was with Jack Findlay. He had been out of the GP scene for a decade. Will Hagon and I were researching Australian Motorcycle Heroes. We knew Jack lived in Paris and had tested tyres for Michelin, so at the Austrian GP, I asked the service truck manager. “One of the fitters will have a number, come back tomorrow,” he said. I tried the number from the phone in the television commentary booth. A woman answered. “Is Jack Findlay there, please?” I asked. “Oi!” came the reply. Fantastic. Almost jumped through the low ceiling. Soon there is a broad Aussie accent on the line. By 8pm on the Tuesday Jack was buzzing…

THE ADMISSION OF New Zealand’s pioneering Grand Prix champion Hugh Anderson MBE into the MotoGP Hall of Fame this year is long overdue. An international career that lasted seven seasons netted the Kiwi four world championships for Suzuki involving 25 race wins and 47 podiums. At the time of his retirement at the end of 1966, he was the sixth most successful GP rider ever. Anderson’s time at the top was achieved in a period when both motorcycle and car GPs were a killing field for competitors. What was remarkable about Anderson’s wins was his ability to put all fear of death aside while being a pioneer for Suzuki’s untried two-stroke racers. In his best-selling autobiography Being There, now in its fourth reprint, he explains how at age 10 he…

Round 17 Chang International Circuit, Thailand 30 September-2 October 2022 MotoGP World Championship A WEEK IS a long time in motorsport. Just ask Ducati, whose hopes of a first rider’s title in 15 years took a serious blow in Japan. Although unable to better the brilliant wet-weather riding of winner Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM) here, three red bikes followed behind. Crucially, Francesco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati) was one of them, his third-place a surprise after his struggles in the rain just eight days before. And just ask Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha). Handed a reprieve by Bagnaia’s late error at Motegi, the reigning world champion picked a bad moment for an off day. Not once over 25 painful laps did he look comfortable as issues with set-up, front tyre pressure and…

A WORRYING VIDEO was widely circulated on social media recently which showed a mechanic working for the CIP KTM Moto3 team assaulting then rider Tom Booth-Amos at the 2019 Thai GP. The Italian technician, who is currently working as crew chief to John McPhee in the Max Racing Husqvarna squad, can be seen hitting, kicking and pushing the rider into the wall erected in the pit box. Booth-Amos posted a statement soon after the video was circulated which said: “There were a lot of issues with the team that year that were never spoken about and I kept quiet just to try and keep my ride for the 2020 season as it was my dream to stay in that paddock. “This happened after the race when my bike broke down…

SLOVAKIAN MARTIN VACULIK denied Bartosz Zmarzlik a fairytale finish as the 2022 Speedway Grand Prix series came to its conclusion with the GP of Poland on 1 October. Vaculik (13), Zmarzlik (12) and Maciej Janowski (11) topped the points and they were joined in the semi-finals by Leon Madsen, Mikkel Michelsen and Andzejs Lebedevs, who all scored nine, and Fredrik Lindgren on eight. The last berth was decided between five riders on seven points, three of them with one exclusion, leaving Dan Bewley best on countback. Jason Doyle was one of those on seven from a win, second and two thirds before he was excluded in his last heat when Patryk Dudek fell. Jack Holder scored four points. Vaculik was good again in the first semi, while Madsen just beat…

KAWASAKI HAS REVEALED in full the EV prototype streetfighter we got a glimpse of at the recent Suzuka 8 Hour (AMCN Vol 72 No 04), saying it will be into production soon. After pulling the covers off it at Germany’s Intermot expo, Kawasaki’s European chief Masaya Tsuruno confirmed the company’s commitment to produce at least three electric models by year end. No technical details were given, but as we have already reported it appears to be about the size of a conventional 125cc, has chain rear drive and most likely employs a removable battery pack. This means it could be the first Kawasaki model to use the swappable battery pack system being developed by an ever-increasing consortium of manufacturers. Tsurono also said that as well as electric power, Kawasaki was…

DUCATI HAS RELEASED A Rally version of its Multistrada V4 that offers improved comfort for rider and passenger, a greater range and a more focused off-road attitude. Semi-active suspension increases travel to 200mm and gives higher ground clearance. A new Enduro power mode has been added for serious off-roading. This limits power, reduces traction control and disables wheelie control and ABS on the rear wheel. The Multistrada V4 Rally also has an auto-levelling function to suit passenger and luggage weight distribution. A massive 30-litre aluminium tank boosts riding range augmented by a fuel-saving feature whereby the rear engine cylinders are deactivated at idle and low revs. A centrestand is standard and wider footpegs have removable rubber inserts. There is radar-controlled adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection, along with cornering…

Retail price $8790 ride away Distance covered 1079km Fuel Economy 3.3L/100km Servicing First: 1000km Minor: 10,000km Major: 20,000km Options added See sidebar I’m in a long-term relationship at the moment, actually I have been for the past three years. My partner’s name is La Niña and my evil mistress showed up in full force just in time for my trip up the east coast. That’s not an overly desirable situation but bikes and riders need to be able to do the business in rain, hail or shine and, despite the wicked conditions, the Classic proved to be a much better companion than La Niña. So why would I want to ride a retro-themed 350cc single up the east coast? Well with AMCN being what it is – a time-sucking monster…

MIKE BROWNE IS in the early stages of his career and there are signs that he may well be the real deal. He was involved in a nasty crash at the early-season Cookstown races and broke both his ankles. But somehow Browne made it back in time for the TT and impressed all with his tenacious eff ort – he came away with a top 10 Supersport finish and banked some very impressive lap times, despite struggling to walk. He then caused a shock at the Manx GP in August when he won the lightweight race on the Laylaw 250cc Yamaha. Now, with two Irish championships under his belt, many will be expecting big things from the dairy farmer in 2023.…

Top 3 TV 01 MotoGP Rd18, Phillip Island, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 14-16 OCTOBER From 2pm AEST MotoGP is finally back in Australia, and all the coverage gets underway at 7:30am on 14 October with previews and a Jack Miller interview before practice gets underway. Settle in! 02 BSB, Rd11, Brands Hatch, LIVE Kayo, Foxsports ON DEMAND Anytime The BSB Showdown hasn’t been kind to Aussie hotshot Jason O’Halloran, but he’ll have the chance to stop the rot and finish the season on a high at Brands Hatch on his Yamaha YZF-R1. Josh Brookes will be in action too. 03 WSBK Rd10, El Villicum, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 22-23 OCTOBER Check local guides Alvaro Bautista appears to be in control, but that will just give Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea…

RIGHT NOW I’M still coming down from winning MiniGP! There was a lot of pressure over the entire weekend and it all came down to the final corners. After the problems with my brakes and not starting the race on Saturday, I was really nervous. Coming into the final race with an 11-point lead, I was feeling confident but I found myself in a four-bike battle with Judd Plaisted, Levi Russo and Jake Paige. I was very aware that if I had of dropped back, I wouldn’t have won the championship. When I have a lot of pressure I don’t tend to crack; I like to channel it into almost an anger and use the energy to focus on what I need to do. On the last corner of the…

Round 9 Portimao - 7-9 October 2022 WorldSBK Championship THERE ARE FEW better places in the racing world than the modernist racing temple of Portimao in the sunshine, but the serious injury suffered by MTM Kawasaki’s Victor Steeman in the opening WorldSSP300 race on Saturday put everything back into a cold, harsh perspective. With Steeman being airlifted to hospital the helicopter was missing for a long time, so the rest of the races were delayed. Before the accident there had been a startling WorldSBK Superpole, and with the previous record smashed by the top few, the front row for Race 1 read Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Brixx) and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team). Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati) was fourth, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Brixx) fifth…

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 wets, don’t forget your wets. With the third year of La Niña upon us, and rumours of a record-breaking fourth a possibility, we all need to pack our wets everytime we go near a motorcycle. Unless, of course, you live in sunny Victoria, eh Kel and Mav?…