Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 74 Issue 09 i Australian Motorcycle News

IT’S BEEN WORTH the wait for Honda’s CB1000 Hornet, promised for this year but now a 2025 model. A higher-spec SP version will sit beside the standard version. What’s more, in the markets where they’ve been announced, the CB1000’s prices undercut all key rivals in the same way that the twin-cylinder CB750 Hornet does in a class below. The engine is the 999cc four from the 2017-on Fireblade, with the same bore and stroke but a reduced 11.7:1 compression ratio plus new camshafts and timing to put the emphasis on midrange grunt rather than outright power. Not that it’s short of the latter, peaking at 111.6kW (150hp)and 11,000rpm and 104Nm at 9000rpm. The SP version gets a different exhaust with a servo-operated valve that opens at 5700rpm to allow gases to…

IN ONE OF HIS his finest rides Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati) put a bizarre startline incident behind him to beat long-time race leader Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati). Fellow podium finishers Martin and Pecco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati) may be gunning for this year’s title but Marquez left both in little doubt that even bigger challenges lie in wait in 2025 as he came back from 13th at the first corner to win. Not even Martin, who had dominated the weekend so far with pole position and a Sprint success, had an answer. At one point, the championship leader had a 1.6sec advantage over his compatriot after some of Marquez’s early self-sabotage. Yet the manner in which the eight-time world champion reeled him in, before striking decisively with three laps to go, showcased…

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN a support class but the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup races were as close as any in the big league and full of intrigue. Qualifying saw series leader Hunter Corney starting from seventh on the grid, a huge turnaround for the 13-year-old after his clean sweep of the previous round at One Raceway. Nikolas Lazos nabbed his debut pole ahead of Rossi McAdam and Ethan Johnson. The Island brings out the best in a champion and aspiring champ Corney pushed through to take out Race One, ahead of McAdam and Johnson. He repeated the effort in Race Two, this time beating Hunter Charlett and Connor Lewis in a close finish. Johnson, who was fourth in that race, bounced back to win the final encounter in an…

THE ESTORIL round will be remembered for rain, mist and a track so slippery crashes were inevitable. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) emerged from this right royal rave-up nearly completing his dream of a championship win, but not quite, despite two clear wins from three. Superpole qualifying was a horribly slippery affair, headed up by Razgatlioglu, who set his sixth Superpole of this amazing season. Finally, there was a truly dry track for the first race with some ambitious riders out to beat Razgatlioglu early on. But by lap five he took charge and, despite using the SCO rear tyre – when every other rider had opted for softer, stickier tyres – he broke the field to run his own race. Championship hopeful Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing –…

WorldSBK Race 1 AUSSIES R GARDNER DNF POLE POSITION T RAZGATLIOGLU 1m52.430s FASTEST LAP T RAZGATLIOGLU 1m37.149s WorldSBK Superpole Race AUSSIES R GARDNER DNS FASTEST LAP N BULEGA 1m36.178s WorldSBK Race 2 AUSSIES R GARDNER DNS FASTEST LAP T RAZGATLIOGLU 1m36.802s RIDER STANDINGS AFTER 11 OF 12 ROUNDS 1 RAZGATLIOUGLU 473, 2 BULEGA 437, 3 BAUTISTA 356, 4 PETRUCCI 291, 5 A LOWES 285, 10 GARDNER 140 WorldSSP Race 1 AUSSIES O BAYLISS 12, L POWER DNF, T EDWARDS DNF POLE POSITION YMONTELLA 1m41.318s FASTEST LAP (AND NEW RECORD) Y MONTELLA 1m40.266s WorldSSP Race 2 AUSSIES T EDWARDS 18, O BAYLISS DNF, L POWER DNF FASTEST LAP SMANZI 1m40.063s RIDER STANDINGS AFTER 11 OF 12 ROUNDS 1 HUERTAS 410, 2 MANZI 365, 3 MONTELLA 354, 4 DEBISE 218, 5 SCHROETTER…

AUSSIE RIDER Carter Thompson secured pole on his Kawasaki but David Salvador emerged a first-time race winner on his MS Yamaha, followed by the Kove machine of Julio Garcia Gonzalez and the Yamaha of champion-elect Aldi Satya Mahendra. Loris Veneman was a penalised sixth while Thompson finished ninth. Sixth for Mahendra was enough to make him champion in Race Two even with Veneman fifth, while Gonzalez was a race winner for Kove – the first time for both. Antonio Torres was second on a Kawasaki and Gonzalez’s Kove teammate Marc Garcia third. Thompson crashed out and finished 14th overall. “Not the way I wanted to finish," he said. "Let’s see what 2025 brings.”…

AFTER A LONG wait to win his first national title last year, Gunnedah rider Daniel Wicks has successfully defended his MX Open crown at the 2024 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championship. The Whitsunday Dirt Riders Club hosted the titles at their Dray’s Park track and in the final Wicks led home Gympie rider Jarred Brook and Townsville’s Kayden Downing. Wicks was also in the thick of a dramatic Pro 450 class showdown. Jarred Brook overtook Downing metres from the flag but was relegated for exceeding track limits, leaving Downing ahead of Wicks and Dale Borlase. The biggest field of Women for many years gathered before a dominant Brittaney O’Brien, unbeaten in her heats, led home Claire Day and Kristal Land. Cooper Anderson won the Pro 250 class and Matt Davies/Tom…

LETTER OF THE ISSUE Future Kwacker? Hi, all. Long-time reader of your great mag. I’ve phoned around the Kawasaki dealers today chasing info on the 1300cc six-cylinder I keep hearing about, but no one can tell me anything. Do you guys have any info on if it’s getting made? Tim Loader via email The closest I’ve seen to any evidence is a couple of patents for a sixcylinder from Kawasaki. While those patents make specific reference to ‘motorcycles’ as a potential use-case for the engine, they’re really about an aero engine that Kawasaki is developing for Voltaero, of which Kawasaki is an investor, and presumably for use in other aircraft as well. It’s a 2100cc inline six, being developed in petrol and hydrogen-fuelled versions. Kawasaki is, of course, leaving the…

TVS MOTOR COMPANY is a rather unusual company with quite an individual approach to manufacturing motorcycles compared to any other large-volume rival in today’s global marketplace. For despite being essentially a private company under the auspices of the founding Venu family, TVS combines environmental susceptibilities with advanced product development, and a social conscience with large-scale manufacture of a wide range of often innovative models. In 2023, the company produced over 3 million motorcycles, scooters and three-wheelers, achieving a revenue of $US4.1 billion ($A7.9b) – a 24 percent increase from the previous year. Despite a decline in exports due to post-pandemic challenges, TVS remains a significant player in the global market, exporting to over 70 countries. Founded in 1911 by TV Sundram, TVS has a rich history in the automotive sector.…

WE FIRST SAW KTM’s plans for a semi-auto gearbox back in early 2023 and now it has previewed the technology before it’s launched on a production model for 2025. Semi-auto boxes are shaping up to be the hot new tech ticket for next year, with Yamaha and BMW already following Honda’s lead. KTM hasn’t simply followed the herd, though, as its new design – simply called AMT for ‘automated manual transmission’ – ploughs a slightly different furrow. A centrifugal clutch automatically disengages when revs drop to idle and engages again when they pick up. That means KTM needs just one electronic actuator, rather that the two its rivals use, to shift the gears. But it adds a complication because the centrifugal clutch makes it impossible to park in gear. So…

MOTORCYCLE AND OFF Highway Vehicle (OHV) sales have declined 4.9 percent in Australia from January to September, compared with the same period last year. However, despite tough economic times for most buyers, this figure from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries confirms resilience remains in the sector. “Across the economy we are seeing costof-living pressures impacting consumers, and this is reflected in motorcycle and OHV sales,” FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said. “We remain optimistic that as the economy improves, we will see a resurgence in demand.” Several important and rapidly growing brands, such as Royal Enfield and CFMoto, aren’t part of the FCAI industry monitoring scheme. They specialise in lower-priced, small and mid-range models, which are a growth segment of the motorcycle market. FCAI figures show Yamaha remains the number…

WHAT A WEEKEND for the rookie. Aussie Senna Agius was competitive in wet conditions at his first home GP but was disappointed to qualify 13th. His comeback in the race was stunning, ending up third to share the podium with Aron Canet (Fantic Kalex) and winner Fermin Aldeguer (Speed Up Boscoscuro). In doing so Agius (IntactGP Kalex) relegated championship leader Ai Ogura (MSI Boscoscuro) to a fourth place finish. It was a wild contest with Canet making contact with Aldeguer at the end. The pair had broken clear of early leader Alonso Lopez (Speed Up Boscoscuro) to fight it out in dramatic fashion. Canet appeared to have gained a vital edge with a fine last lap pass at Turn 4, only for Aldeguer to respond into Turn 10. Yet his compatriot…

YARI MONTELLA (Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati) took pole position for Race One and romped away for the win from Adrian Huertas (Aruba Racing Ducati) and Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). Montella was out front again in Race Two until he fell on Lap 1, promoting Manzi to leader and the win, with Huertas second and Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha) third. With one round left, Huertas has a 45-point lead with a maximum of 50 points left for both race wins at Jerez. Oli Bayliss WorldSSP 12th/DNF BAYLISS was 11th in Superpole, but then taken out in Race Two. “I managed to find some good speed from the halfway point onwards [Race One], but felt like we weren’t battling for the positions we should have been in.” Tom…

TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU won his second WorldSBK Championship title one day early but it had been a 101-year wait for BMW to take its first world championship in any solo category of full FIM world championship racing. The manner of winning the title was telling in itself, with Razgatlioglu breaking the record for consecutive race wins midway through his debut season for BMW, then crashing horribly at Magny-Cours, puncturing his lung. Coming back so strongly, he still took the title two races early after missing six races worth of points. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba Ducati Racing) smashed in a new track best of 1min37.596s for pole, not only 0.606sec faster than second place qualifier Razgatlioglu, but a massive shift forward compared to Jonathan Rea’s previous best (on a Kawasaki) of 1m38.247s. There was…

AN AMAZING opening race again in the most consistently competitive series in the paddock (for the top four or five at least) saw Maria Herrera win, from Sarah Sanchez and Ana Carrasco. The latter only beat Beatriz Neila across the line by a slip-streaming smidgeon. In Race Two, Herrera’s last chance to stop Carrasco winning the title crashed with her in the final corner, as she touched the rear tyre of race winner Sanchez. Second was Neila and third Carrasco, who made history for the second time as an FIM World Champion after her 2018 WorldSSP300 title. Tayla Relph finished the season seventh. Tayla Relph WCRWC 8th/7th TAYLA RELPH ended her debut WorldWCR season seventh overall. She qualified 10th, then scored eighth and seventh places in the 11-lap races. “We are…

FULL MARKS to Hero’s Ross Branch, who never lost sight of the ultimate prize; his fifth place finish scoring him enough points to claim his first world title. BRADLEY COX – son of Dakar legend Alfie – dethroned the 2023 Rally2 champion Romain Dumontier with a remarkable fifth outright on his KTM Rally Replica. Elevation to the RallyGP ranks and a factory prepped bike can’t come soon enough for the young South African enduro champion. ROMAIN DUMONTIER arrived in Marrakech with a thinly disguised version of Honda’s customer 450 Rally bike scheduled for release in 2025. Developed by Italian Simone Agazzi in collaboration with Honda HRC, the customer bike will retain a single overhead camshaft rather than the dual-cam technology on the factory race bikes. ONLY FOUR women faced the…

ALBURY-WODONGA rider Cooper Antone was the big winner when the Kingaroy Junior Motorcycle Speedway Club hosted the 2024 Australian Speedway Under 16 125cc Solo Individual and Teams Championship meeting. Antone, who has placed second in the SGP 4 (for 11 to 13-year-olds) for the past two years, won the double. He also broke a seven-year track record. Antone partnered with Sonny Spurgin to beat Teams defending champs Ky Mitchell and Corey Van Elswyk. Ryleigh McGregor and Blake Schlein finished third.…

Some of the more desirable accessories that are available for the RS (prices do not include fitting): COMPLETE RACING EXHAUST SYSTEM Not road legal and not cheap at $6002.57, this full Akrapovic system features a titanium-lined silencer and carbon endcap. It results in a weight reduction of 5kg and a claimed increase in power and torque of 9hp and 6.9Nm. CARBON REAR MUDGUARD If you think the RS needs just a touch more carbon fibre. $672.29. GRAN TURISMO 3 WINDSCREEN A great choice for the taller rider, this larger screen ensures the wind goes over and not straight into your helmet. $498.32. CENTRESTAND Call me old fashioned, but I like a centrestand on a big bike. $480.20. PLASTIC PANNIER KIT Right pannier has a 25-litre carrying volume, left pannier has…

THE S 1000 XR is offered in three variants and each of these can be up-spec’d to the owner’s wallet and desire. The base-model S 1000 XR is offered in only one colour - Black Storm Metallic. All models have the same base equipment package. • ABS Pro, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS, MSR • Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic ESA • TFT Display with Connectivity, Riding Mode Pro, Keyless Ride • Dynamic Brake Light, Headlight Pro, Adaptive Headlight, Comfort Turn Indicator • LED Headlight, Taillight and Indicator, LED Daytime Riding Light • Adjustable windscreen • 12V socket, USB port, Drop Sensor Next out of the stable we have the S 1000 XR Sport, again only offered in one colour – Gravity Blue Metallic. Added to the standard inclusions…

The PlaceMakers Southern Scooter Challenge isn’t your average roadtrip. It’s an allen-compassing ride across New Zealand’s South Island from Bluff in the depths of Southland to Frankton, beneath the skifields at Queenstown. A dawdle on a motorcycle as you ride through some of Kiwiland’s most spectacular scenery, it’s a real test of endurance on a scooter, especially one powered by a 50cc engine. Wendy White’s participation in the eighth edition of the biennial event came about almost by accident after being approached to help on the corporate side as the one-day event is all about raising vital funds for charity. The 2024 event supported Hospice Southland to assist its free-of-charge specialist palliative care to those with a life-limiting illness, ideally in the setting of their choice. Wendy Yamaha was approached…

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… especially if you are an AMCN road tester with chronic range anxiety blagging a few litres of petrol off a farmer, eh Andy!…

BRAKE MANUFACTURER Brembo has bought suspension specialist Öhlins for $A600m. The cash deal is Brembo’s biggest and follows the sale of its 5.6 percent stake in tyre maker Pirelli for $A454m. “With this addition, we take another step forward in our strategy to provide integrated intelligent solutions, leveraging synergies across key technologies,” said Brembo’s Executive Chairman Matteo Tiraboschi. Brembo and Öhlins service the motorcycle and car industries with motorcycles making up around 13 percent of the brake manufacturer’s worldwide business. Öhlins, the subject of a major feature in AMCN ’s recent Adventure issue (74-07), is expected to finish this year with earnings of around $A200m. In recent years Brembo has expanded aggressively, acquiring SBS Friction, J.Juan and AP Racing braking companies, along with Marchesini wheels.…

TRIUMPH’S most affordable twin cylinder, the Speed Twin 900, has been updated to ensure it continues as its best-selling model in the ‘Modern Classics’ line-up. The upgrade includes a revised chassis, more tech for 2025 and sharper styling. While engine performance is unchanged, new, cleaner-looking cases and covers give a slimmer, leaner look. The styling tweaks help put more distance between the Speed Twin 900 and the 60s-tribute Bonneville range. A Marzocchi 43mm USD fork is paired with four-pot, Triumphbranded, radial-mounted brakes. The chassis has a slimmer rear section and a narrower seat to match, with a fractionally steeper 24.9° rake. An aluminium swingarm replaces the previous steel version. New electronic tech includes cornering ABS and traction control, two riding modes and new instruments with a single circular pod incorporating dual…

THE FREIGHT TRAIN keeps rolling. Two weeks on from being crowned World Champion, David Alonso (Aspar CFMOTO) made history by eking clear of a typical Phillip Island lead group in the closing laps to draw alongside Valentino Rossi as the rider with most victories (11) over a single lightweight class campaign. With all three Moto3 practice sessions held in the wet, riders didn’t have any information regarding tyre choice. Step in Alonso. The only rider bar one to choose Pirelli’s harder option rear tyre, he bided his time in the early laps before launching a devastating late attack, which pulled the lead group apart and helped him win by a stunning 2.9sec. It had been chaotic up until the moment Alonso hit the front for a second time with 16 riders…

THE ASBK FINALE will be held at The Bend in two weeks’ time and AMCN will be there to award this year’s Samurai Trophy. There’s also the prospect we will crown our first ever four-time champion in Josh Waters. Rather than go all out for wins, Waters has posted solid results at tracks that don’t necessarily suit him or the McMartin Racing Ducati V4 R. With three races remaining and a 26-point lead to YRT’s Mike Jones, he’s a good bet. There could be spoilers though, with Anthony West fighting fit after his pile-up with Max Stauffer and Cam Dunker last round. In Supersport, Jonathan Nahlous is the favourite with a healthy 40-point lead over Olly Simpson and similarly Josh Newman in Supersport 300 – 32 points ahead of Valentino…

ADRIAN HUERTAS was third in Race One and that was enough to give him the championship win for Aruba Ducati – a title that he desired so much before he heads off to Moto2 in 2025. Aged 21, he is the youngest ever WorldSSP champion. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Yamaha) won the first race from championship nearly-man Yari Montella. In Superpole Huertas had been fastest, although not with a new track best time, with Jorge Navarro (Ducati) the second quickest on the day. Race Two, another Sunday race with the pressure off for the new champion, saw Manzi not quite win the usual award for the most determined rider, as the leader for nine corners, Can Oncü (Kawasaki Puccetti), made up so much lead so quickly it was no surprise…

WorldSBK Race 1 POLE POSITION N BULEGA 1m37.596s FASTEST LAP N BULEGA 1m39.371s WorldSBK Superpole Race FASTEST LAP (AND NEW RECORD) N BULEGA 1m38.528s WorldSBK Race 2 FASTEST LAP T RAZGATLIOGLU 1m39.246s RIDER STANDINGS AFTER 12 OF 12 ROUNDS 1 RAZGATLIOUGLU 527, 2 BULEGA 484, 3 BAUTISTA 357, 4 A LOWES 316, 5 PETRUCCI 307, 10 GARDNER 140 WorldSSP Race 1 AUSSIES O BAYLISS DNF, T EDWARDS 19, L POWER 20 POLE POSITION AHUERTAS 1m39.705s FASTEST LAP F CARICASULO 1m42.568s WorldSSP Race 2 AUSSIES O BAYLISS 16, T EDWARDS DNF, L POWER DNF FASTEST LAP AHUERTAS 1m42.985s RIDER STANDINGS AFTER 12 OF 12 ROUNDS 1 HUERTAS 439, 2 MANZI 415, 3 MONTELLA 382, 4 DEBISE 238, 5 SCHROETTER 228, 14 BAYLISS 76, 19 EDWARDS 40, 31 POWER 6…

THE ADVANCED technology required to manufacture Aston Martin engines has enabled the Brough Superior factory to take a new step forward in its development. Last year, the Toulouse plant acquired its new Haas 5-axis machining unit for its engine production line, which until now had been made from a traditional foundry block. Developed for the production needs of the new Aston Martin AMB 001 Pro, the CNC-machined engine fits perfectly into the new Brough Superior Dagger or Lawrence models, but can also be used in the classic range, if the design of the CNC-machined block suits the buyer’s taste. The twin-cylinder engine is also lighter, stiffer and slightly more powerful, which may appeal to some customers concerned about the durability of their unique machine. “The first deliveries took place in…

JUST LIKE race tyres, ormartinis for that matter, clutches can be wet or dry. Most modern road bikes use wet (bathed in engine oil) clutches because they are quieter, easier to actuate and longer lasting. However, dry clutches are favoured by many, especially Ducatista, for their superior on-track performance. A dry clutch offers no resistance from the engine oil, which stays cleaner since the plate wear dust does not enter the lubrication circuit. It also ensures a more effective slipper function, even during the most aggressive downshifts, and greater fluidity during all ‘off-throttle’ stages. In addition, the ‘mechanical’ engine brake level can be customised by choosing a different secondary spring. The STM EVO-SBK clutch on the RS is made from billet aluminium with housing and 48-tooth plate pack. The plates…

On the cold, wet and foggy Sunday morning of May 3, 1970, John Dodds rode his Aermacchi two-stroke 125cc single to victory in the West German Grand Prix on the dangerous Nurburgring circuit. Conditions were so bad he could not read his pit board and only realised he had won when the wife of Heinz Kriwanek told the Austrian he had finished second. Dodds thus became the first rider to win a classic on an Aermacchi, the seventh Australian to win a world championship GP and, with Kel Carruthers, part of Australia’s first two-rider GP double. He died in his adopted home of Germany in January. Jan Carruthers said her husband was in tears when he saw the news. “The Aermacchi was only what they called a start money special,”…

TESTED VOL 74 NO 05 BIKE SPOTLIGHT HUSQVARNA SVARTPILEN 801 ENGINE 799cc parallel twin POWER 77kW (103hp) @9250rpm TORQUE 87Nm @8000rpm WEIGHT 191kg (kerb, claimed) PRICE $15.990 (ride away) “Great bang for the buck. Has decent service intervals, warranty and high-end electronics” TESTED VOL 74 NO 07 BIKE SPOTLIGHT TRIUMPH TIGER 1200 GT PRO ENGINE 1160cc three-cylinder POWER 110kW (148hp) @9000rpm TORQUE 130Nm @7000rpm WEIGHT 256kg (dry, claimed) PRICE $30,790 (ride away) “Phwoar engine, fast, comfortable, high-end finish, capable in the rough, great weather protection” Check out the website for the latest reviews at amcn.com.au…