Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 74 Issue 10 i Australian Motorcycle News

IF THIS MOTOGP SEASON HAS LEFT YOU EXHAUSTED, IT’S ONLY GOING TO BE LONGER NEXT YEAR… IT’S A FRENETIC TIME of the year, both on the racetrack and off it. As well as the marathon MotoGP duel between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, a wealth of new road models have been revealed in the lead-up to the world’s most important motorcycle expo. AMCN is attending Italy’s EICMA this week and Kel Buckley is undertaking some exclusive interviews with industry heavyweights while Ben Purvis will analyse the most important new models on show for our next issue. To whet your appetite, though, check out our news pages in this issue. We’ve brought together some of the latest releases that show how performance is being combined with an ever-increasing suite of rider…

The production version of the BMW Superbike Toprak Razgatlioglu will defend his world title on next season has been revealed. The 2025 M 1000 RR is part of an updated range that includes the S 1000 RR and naked M 1000 R and S 1000 R. Starting at the very top, the M 1000 RR gains substantial engine revisions to boost its peak power by 4kW to 160kW (215hp), allied to improved aerodynamics that boost downforce without increasing drag. The engine changes include the addition of titanium valves, a massive compression ratio of 14.5:1, up from 13.5:1, and new oval intake and exhaust ports. Larger, 52mm throttles replace the previous 48mm versions, and the exhaust is redesigned to suit the oval-shaped ports, redesigned combustion chambers, valve seat angles and new…

A completely redesigned fourth-generation MT-07 is heading to our showrooms in 2025. The new model is still instantly recognisable, with an evolution of the same styling themes seen on its predecessors, and it retains the ‘CP2’ parallel twin engine that made its debut in the original version a decade ago. But the changes are far-reaching. While power and torque outputs (54kW/67Nm) are identical to its predecessor, a major upgrade in the form of ride-by-wire throttles opens the door to the addition of a suite of rider-assist technology. These include multiple riding modes, switchable traction control and various throttle response maps, addressing a clear shortcoming of the previous MT-07 when compared to many of its direct rivals. There are updates to the intake ducts and funnels, plus a new airbox under…

It was a no-brainer that a similarly-powered Super Adventure model would follow KTM’s new 1390 Super Duke R – but its headline feature isn’t the 127kW (170hp) V-twin engine but its automated manual transmission. Even slightly detuned from the 1390 Super Duke R’s unhinged 140kW, the peak output of the new 1390 Super Adventure catapults it to the top of the class, just edging out Ducati’s 125kW Multistrada V4 for the ‘most powerful adventure bike’ title. That would have been enough to garner headlines on its own, but the addition of KTM’s new AMT transmission means that the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo isn’t just about outright performance but also ease of operation. Automatic (or Automated Manual, to use the manufacturer’s preferred term) transmissions are already emerging as a key…

YAMAHA IS SO serious about its new triple that it will have three officially supported R9 teams in 2025, with two riders each. It introduced its new WorldSSP bike for 2025 at the final round in Jerez, flying in first-ever Yamaha WorldSSP race winner James Whitham to join first official Ten Kate signing for 2025, Stefano Manzi, to do a demo lap on the 890cc triple. One was in road and one in race trim. Manzi created his own piece of Yamaha history by becoming the last WSSP winner on an R6 in the final race at Jerez. The very angular nose, vast winglets and big air intake hint at the race-focused nature of the new bike, which in some ways is a reworking of the MT-09 family of engines. It’s…

When a 16-year-old Eddie Mulder won the annual Big Bear desert race in remarkable circumstances 64 years ago, no one could have predicted that it would one day inspire Royal Enfield’s best-handling motorcycle to date. While the Indian brand didn’t exactly set out to achieve impeccable road manners when it began work on the new 650 retro-styled scrambler, the combination of six years, improved technology and platform evolution has inevitably meant the 2024 Bear 650 is currently the cream of its 650cc parallel-twin crop. Named after a legendary race in California’s Mojave Desert and based around the company’s Interceptor, the Bear 650 joins the original Continental GT and Interceptor models, the cruiser-style Super Meteor and Shotgun versions and the soon-to-be released Classic 650 as the much-awaited scrambler version of the…

There’s a small primal thrill that comes with the simple act of shifting gears on a motorcycle – an ancient connection between machine and rider. Yamaha’s latest technical release aims to offer riders the option of experiencing that thrill or simply enjoying a semi-automated relaxed ride. Yamaha’s long-running MT-09 naked is a great example of the connection that can be made between man and machine. Designed for practical sports riding, it offers an agile, performance-driven experience. Now, with the introduction of the Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission (Y-AMT) on the latest MT-09, that experience is being transformed. But will it deliver a better riding experience? Your brain can be a strange thing (well, mine is). I can jump onto a scooter with an auto CVT transmission, handlebar-mounted front and rear brake…

It’s been a while since I’ve interviewed Andrea Iannone. In fact, it’s been a while since anyone has. The Italian MotoGP star’s career seemed over when the World Anti-Doping Agency hit him with a four-year ban for taking illegal anabolic steroids in 2019. Iannone was already 30 years old, so what were the chances of anyone signing him once he was free to ride again, especially when Italy and Spain have rider production lines that churn out talent like Heinz churns out cans of baked beans? Finally he did get a deal for 2024, riding a Ducati Panigale V4R for the Italian GoEleven World Superbike team, previously home to Chaz Davies, Eugene Laverty and Michele Rinaldi. Like most privateer WSBK teams, GoEleven doesn’t have much money, so Iannone had to…

No one knows the strengths and weaknesses of a rider quite like their crew chief. With the MotoGP championship battle poised at a tipping point, AMCN caught up with the chief engineers that make Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia tick. Daniele Romagnoli has been working at Pramac Ducati with Martin since he stepped up to the premier class in 2021, and has overseen the Spaniard’s transition from a fast but erratic rider to the grid’s most considered, and consistent performer. On the other side of the equation, Cristian Gabarrini is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most talented technicians and has been partly responsible for Bagnaia’s numerous turnarounds over a single race weekend. This is how they viewed the finely poised championship fight as it headed to Malaysia. How…

As we await the introduction of KTM’s full-faired 990 RC R sportsbike – which is already confirmed as a 2025 model machine – its underpinnings have been revealed in the the new 990 Duke R. Ever since the all-new 990 Duke was revealed a year ago, complete with a highly-evolved 947cc version of KTM’s parallel twin LC8c engine, it’s been clear that more models would follow using the same unit. An ‘R’ version of the Duke is something KTM has made before, adding power and improved running gear to the previous 890 Duke, and the same formula is applied on the new 990 Duke R. Visually, the 990 Duke R is a close relation to the 990 Duke, with similar bodywork and chassis, but the addition of mainly white panels…

Read Mat Oxley's interview on how Iannone is a changed man on Page 80 ROB NORTH GONE Rob North, famous for the racing frames he designed and built that helped Triumph's Trident and BSA's Rocket 3 make a clean sweep of the podium at Daytona in 1971, then win Bol d'Or and the F750 TT, has died in California. He was still involved with frame building and restoration. HC 30 Congratulations to the legendary Steve Brouggy and his team at Motorcycling Events Group Australia (MEGA), who celebrated 30 years of top-notch ride days on Nov 1. Feature coming soon. STONER BACK ON TRACK! Two-time MotoGP champ Casey Stoner is taking part in the Champions Charity Race at Italy's EICMA expo. Track and off-road legends are going head-to-head in elimination chase…

WHEN CFMOTO officially unveiled the three-cylinder 675SR-R sportsbike earlier this year it was inevitable a naked ‘NK’ version would follow – but we didn’t expect it this soon. The new machine hasn’t quite been ‘officially’ launched yet, but the first image and technical details have appeared in Chinese type-approval documents that confirm it’s exactly what we’d expect: a 675SR-R stripped of its bodywork and fitted with wide, tall ’bars and lower footpegs to create an off-the-shelf streetfighter. Unlike some sportsbike-based naked models, the 675NK isn’t detuned. The engine puts out exactly the same 70kW as the 675SR-R – a figure that’s already quite modest for a 675cc triple – and there’s no change to the chassis geometry, with an identical 1400mm wheelbase and the same steel frame, wheels, brakes and…

THE ALL-NEW Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team project has hit the ground running in the first WorldSBK pre-2025 season winter test at Jerez. The bikes looked impressive in black and carbon fibre, with red, white and green Bimota logos and the apparent name of the new bike – KB998 – plastered on the sides. Regular Kawasaki riders Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani, who finished the 2024 season fourth and 14th, soon adapted to the new chassis. Bassani was the faster of the two riders, and second quickest of the test. His best was a 1m38.478sec, and Lowes a 1m8.679sec. The test’s fastest time was set by Nicolo Bulega (Aruba. It Ducati) at 1m38.142sec on the first day. It was a more than impressive public debut for a bike that features…

ALL THE USUAL components were there for the 2024 Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix on Sunday 27 October – the ninth staging of the event and the 10th anniversary of the inaugural staging (with two years lost due to Covid). In contrast to last year, fine weather drew another massive crowd around the streets of Cessnock to witness the action – and while the overwhelming spirit is fun, once the flag is waved to start the race there’s no doubt the competitive instincts of the riders kick in. With no previous winners among the line-up the net was cast wide for potential new names for the honour roll of victors, and that was cut to a smaller list after practice, qualifying and two heat races. In the early stages of…

SAM CLARKE has taken three convincing wins in the penultimate round of the 2024 AGV Helmets Australia WA State Road Racing Championships after a disasterous previous round. He put all thoughts of failing to score due to mechanical issues out of his mind to dominate on the Collie Motorplex long track. Meanwhile Callum O'Brien broke the long-standing Supersport lap record on his way to a class clean sweep. The Go Moto Store Production championship opened proceedings with Lauchy Williams (Trakdayz Yamaha R3) taking three strong wins. He was pushed all the way in each race by Joel Jenzen (Streetwise Automotive & Transport Yamaha R3). Williams leads the championship with 231 points from Jenzen (219) and Calvin Moylan (202). Sam Clarke's (RS36 Suzuki GSX-R1000) three convincing wins in the Dynapumps Superbike…

WHILE AUTOMATIC GEARBOXES have been a staple in cars for decades, their adoption in motorcycles has been slower – much slower. However, advancements in technology are paving the way for new models such as Yamaha’s Y-AMT. Automatic transmissions in motorcycles have historically come in two forms: continuously variable transmission (CVT) and dual-clutch transmission (DCT). CVTs are commonly found in scooters and smaller bikes, allowing for smooth acceleration without the effort of traditional gear shifting. In contrast, DCTs offer a more sophisticated approach, utilising two clutches to pre-select gears for seamless shifts without the need for a clutch lever. The DCT system debuted with Honda’s VFR1200F in 2010. Several other bikes (scooters excluded) have integrated automatic transmissions over the years • Honda CB750A (1976-1978): Often considered the first automatic motorcycle, the…

Roger Heyes was still in short pants when he immigrated to Australia, however by the time his 21st birthday rolled around, he’d served his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, become a successful short circuit racer and bought his first set of new road racing leathers. Both he and his mate Dennis Neill were regular Amaroo Park ‘C’ graders when the Castrol Six Hour Production Race was inaugurated, although it wasn’t until 1974 that they managed to scrape up the entry fee. Disqualified for an oversize fuel tank, the event proved an inauspicious introduction for the pairing, but Roger was back the following year. Entered on one of the ubiquitous Kawasaki Z1 900s, Roger rode the entire six hours to finish fourth, a performance that put him in the same…

“RAIN IS A JOY FOR RIDERS WHOSE PROGRESS IS CRIPPLED BY TECHNICAL WEAKNESS” I THINK IT was F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, many years ago, who said that the way to make racing more exciting was to introduce systems that could wet the surface at random times. That was for cars, but the same is true for bikes. Luckily we already have such a system. It’s called “rain”. And what a joy it can be. Especially for those riders whose progress is crippled by their motorcycles’ technical weakness. Now they can show just how good they are. Rain at Buriram for the Thai MotoGP proved the point. One day after yet another new record for Ducati – the top eight places in the Sprint, one week after taking the top six…

YAMAHA’s Tracer 9 is getting some impressive tech for a sub-litre sports tourer. Significant upgrades for 2025 include the first matrix LED headlights on a motorcycle as well as Yamaha’s clever Y-AMT semi-auto transmission. We test the Y-AMT system in Aussie conditions on Page 62. As before, the Tracer 9 is a range of bikes. The basic model lacks luggage as standard and has relatively pared-back equipment levels, but still gains a new 7-inch TFT dash, redesigned, wind-tunnel-tuned bodywork, a more comfortable seat and longer-but-lighter rear subframe. It also enjoys a strong spec including the same 87kW (119hp) ‘CP3’ 890cc triple as before, standard-fit cornering lights, a six-axis IMU to operate lean-sensitive traction control and ABS, plus a host of riding modes and adjustable settings. But it’s when you step…

A SELL-OUT CROWD of 35,000 is expected at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on November 30 when Jett and Hunter Lawrence will return to Australia for the AUSX Open. The brothers played a crucial role in winning the recent Motocross des Nations. It was the end of a quest started way back when Australia’s five-time MX champion Stephen Gall won the 1983 Finke Desert Race and decided to take on the European stars in the Motocross des Nations. Gall was joined by Vaughn Style, Trevor Williams and David Armstrong in the 250cc division. They soon realised the emormity of the task. Two years later it was Craig Dack who finished in the main event. In the late 80s and early 90s Jeff Leisk took it up to the Americans, whose teams had…

TOM DRANE has blitzed the Yamaha Blu Cru Aussie Flat Track Nationals Pro 450 field to take five wins over two days of racing at Appin’s Macarthur MX Club southwest of Sydney over 26-27 October, posting wins on both the flat track and TT circuits to take the round overall. “That was some really close racing over the weekend, and the TT track on the Sunday was one of the best I’ve ridden on – the dirt was just perfect and you could go in as hard as you wanted,” Drane said, adding that this year’s AFTN series feels like the level of competition he is used to in the United States. Drane, who races for Estenson Yamaha, was the runner-up in this year’s American Flat Track Singles class. He…

Triumph has done something a little bit special in producing a race version of their new roadgoing Daytona 660. Yes, many manufacturers have produced race versions of production street models, but the Triumph project differs from most because all the race components necessary to transform it into a razor-sharp track tool are available to the public via Triumph’s website or project-development partner PHR Performance. This is a factory racer or trackday bike you can buy, configure and build yourself – or allow experts to build to your spec. I couldn’t wait to see what a full-on race-spec 660 Daytona triple would be like. On the street, it’s a sweetly balanced and punchy sports middleweight, ideal for newer riders who are happy to trade premium cycle parts and the absolute word…

When you’re just starting out, looking at all the different learner bike options can be a real head scratcher. Even once you narrow your focus down to something sporty, it’s still a bit of a minefield. Aprilia has something new that stands out from the pack: the RS 457. While being a bit of a pioneer in the small-capacity sportsbike category in the past, Aprilia is re-entering the fold with a bold new ground-up design that capitalises on years of small-bike racing experience and makes it accessible to new riders. According to Aprilia, the 300-500cc market is “where it’s at” globally. So, in turn, the RS 457 has been designed to fit the needs of riders all over the world. It aims to offer a premium sportsbike with performance and…

Robert Pirsig was part child prodigy, misfit, college reject, drifter, soldier, croupier, university professor, writer, heretic, pragmatist, philosopher, aviator, motorcyclist, amateur welder, recluse, blue water yachtsman, handyman, literary sensation and hero to millions. Published in 1974, Pirsig wrote eloquently about the 17-day cross-continental tour he took in July 1968 with his 11-year-old son, Chris, and his two friends, married couple John and Sylvia Sutherland. They traversed America’s Great Plains, the Badlands of the Dakotas and the high country of Montana on their way to the West Coast, taking in the changing byways and topographies, and a country in a state of flux. The beautifully written travelogue is interspersed with deep dissertations into the inter-relationships between philosophy, science, religion, technology, values, body and mind, as Pirsig promotes the ‘Metaphysics of Quality’…

“I DID SOME REALLY BODGY WELDING… THE ANGLE GRINDER AND A FILE CLEANED UP THE WORST OF THE MESS” ONE OF THE constant refrains from classic bike enthusiasts is that they can fix their motorcycles, something that’s next to impossible if you have a new bike. It’s true, mostly. But it’s a dogma that contains another truth: old bikes need fixing. New ones rarely do. My car broke the other day. It’s modern, albeit 12 years old, and fixing it was beyond my backyard abilities. I had to go away for a few days for work, which meant carrying clothing and the usual accoutrements, so I figured I’d load it all into the Craven panniers that have been with my BMW R 75/5 since 1974. Easy. The rack had been…

RACING WHAT, WHERE & WHEN ROAD RACING AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Rd7 8-10 Nov, Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, SA BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP Rd6 8-10 Nov, Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, SA SOUTHERN CLASSIC 9-10 Nov, Broadford, Vic AUSTRALIAN HISTORIC ROAD RACE CHAMPS 15-17 Nov, One Raceway, NSW 2025 AUSTRALIAN HISTORIC ROAD RACE CHAMPS 13-16 Nov, Broadford, Vic NATIONAL BEARS CHALLENGE Rd6 16-17 Nov, Broadford, Vic MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd20 17 Nov, Barcelona, ES MOTOGP 2025 PRE-SEASON TESTS 19 Nov, Barcelona, ES 31 Jan–2 Feb, Sepang Shakedown, MY 5–7 Feb, Sepang, MY 12-13 Feb, Buriram, TH MOTO2 TESTS 9–10 Feb, Valencia, ES 18–20 Feb, Jerez, ES MOTO3 TESTS 7–8 Feb, Valencia, ES 18–20 Feb, Jerez, ES MOTOGP 2025 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP* Rd1 26 Feb-2 Mar, Buriram, TH Rd2 14-16 Mar, Termas de…