Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 74 Issue 19 i Australian Motorcycle News

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A coup that threatened to upend Harley-Davidson’s management has been snuffed out with shareholders narrowly voting to retain all board members, including the retiring CEO and Chair Jochen Zeitz. However, H-D’s second-largest largest shareholder, H Partners, which initiated the coup attempt, has won one major concession. Zeitz’s successor will come from outside the company, rather than being one of the internal candidates the board was considering. In a statement later, H Partners said: “We are encouraged that this campaign compelled Harley’s board to commit that Mr Zeitz, Mr Linebarger and Ms Levinson will resign from the board before the 2026 annual meeting, that it will appoint a new, external CEO, and that it will eliminate any consideration of Mr Zeitz remaining on in an Executive Chair role. We call on…

Jorge Martin is sensationally assessing his options for the future and they could include a move to Honda. It has also been confirmed to AMCN that there is a clause in his contract that could see him leave Aprilia at the end of this season. The Spaniard was a surprise, if covert, visitor to the paddock at the Le Mans round where Honda’s Johann Zarco pulled off a shock win, the brand’s first premier class race since April 2023. While he was there rumours started mounting regarding his plans for next year. A source from Martin’s camp told AMCN that his contract with Aprilia, while a two-year deal, was also negotiated with a clause that gave him total autonomy to decide his future after one year. The same source intimated…

LETTER OF THE ISSUE Motorcycles can save lives too! Hi, I’m Doug. On 31 May last year I had my bike booked in to have two new tyres fitted. It had rained the night before and I know how slippery new tyres can be and nearly rebooked, but as it had recently stopped, I decided to go anyway. I dropped my bike off first thing that morning and it was done about an hour later. On the way home, even though I was taking it real easy, the front slipped out from under me whilst making a right turn at a roundabout. No other vehicles involved, luckily. I was doing less than 10km/h. First I thought I had dislocated my right shoulder and some kind lady who was behind me…

THERE WAS a hint of resignation about Pecco Bagnaia in France as he admitted he will have to change his riding style to adapt to Ducati’s GP25 for the rest of the season. The Italian has sought numerous changes to give him his usual confidence in braking in the first five rounds. But at Le Mans he described a situation where he has been told to stop experimenting with settings and adapt. “We tried everything to find what I want, that is braking and entry in a more solid way. This season I feel much more movement from the front in this area, so today I just tried to adapt myself and do a step on my own. I’m not confident to do it, but it’s the only way to be…

KAWASAKI dominated the Race and Road Supersport 300 proceedings at QR, although it was Yamaha R3-mounted Hudson Thompson (Motostars) striking first with pole position. The opening race was taken out by Jake Paige (Champions Ride Days), the first home in a five-rider group that included Traction Control Motorsports’ Scott Nicholson and Motoschool’s Oscar Lewis on the podium. Race Two saw an eight-bike drag to the line, with Paige again taking the honours courtesy of a tremendous last-lap drive out of turn five. The final encounter brought out two red flag restarts, with Nicholson taking the win and earning some redemption after a fall in race two. Riley Nauta (Champions Ride Days) and Thompson completed the podium but the win for Nicholson also handed him a 14-point lead in the standings. Tara…

AUSSIE TOM DRANE has maintained his place at the top of the American Flat Track Singles standings after finishing third in the series’ latest instalment, the Silver Dollar Short Track in Chico, California, on 3 May. Estenson Yamaha’s Drane said afterwards that while third position was another solid result, he was definitely wanting more. “I felt good all day, just came up short. It was good to extend the points lead. Now we’re going to get back to work to be ready for the next one.” Taking out victory was 17-year-old sensation Kage Tadman, who backed up his win from the previous round at the Ventura Short Track, leaving him undefeated since hitting the pro ranks. The back-to-back victories on debut were unprecedented for American Flat Track and although Tadman…

Can you believe it’s been over 30 years since Triumph launched the first Speed Triple back in 1994? Countless bikes have come and gone over those three decades but the Speed Triple story continues with this heavily revised and fully naked 134.6kW (180.5hp) Street Triple RS – Triumph’s most powerful bike to date. It’s also arguably the Hinckley factory’s most advanced bike to date, with Öhlins Smart EC3 electronic suspension and even more advanced rider aids than ever before, including a very clever front wheel lift control and a new engine brake strategy. The Öhlins Smart EC3 suspension is the very latest electronic system from the famous Swedish company, only seen before on the considerably more expensive Ducati Panigale V4 S and Honda Fireblade SP. The system uses Objective Based…

RACING WHAT, WHERE & WHEN ROAD RACING AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Rd4 13-15 Jun, Morgan Park, Qld Rd5 8-10 Aug, Qld Raceway, Qld (Sbike only) Rd6 6-7 Sep, Phillip Island, Vic Rd7 3-5 Oct, One Raceway, NSW Rd8 7-9 Nov, The Bend Motorsport Pk, SA AUSTRALIAN SIDECAR CHAMPIONSHIP Rd4 23-24 Aug, SMSP, NSW Rd5 8-9 Nov, CARGO Raceway, WA BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP Rd3 13-15 Jun, Morgan Park, Qld Rd4 3-5 Oct, One Raceway, NSW Rd5 7-9 Nov, The Bend Motorsport Pk, SA AUSTRALIAN MINIGP SERIES Rd3 TBA, Qld Rd4 4-6 July, Monarto, SA Rd5 12-14 Sep, Port Melbourne, Vic AUSTRALIAN HISTORIC ROADRACE CHAMPIONSHIP 13-16 Nov, Broadford, Vic MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd7 23-35 May, Silverstone, UK Rd8 6-9 Jun, Aragon, ES Rd9 20-22 Jun, Mugello, IT Rd10 27-29 Jun, Assen,…

With the launch of the 2025 Speed Triple 1200 RS, Triumph introduced its most powerful production bike yet (see world launch report on page 70) – and the new RX version capitalises on that with a sportier riding position and sharper style. To be made in a limited edition of 1200, the Speed Triple 1200 RX doesn’t gain any additional performance, sticking to the same 134.6kW and 128Nm of the standard bike from its unchanged 1160cc three-cylinder engine. However, it gets a more aggressive stance thanks to clip-ons instead of a one-piece handlebar and repositioned footpegs that push the rider’s weight farther forward. Those ‘bars are 69mm lower and 52mm farther forward than the stock Speed Triple, paired to pegs that are 14.5mm higher and 25.5mm farther back. With the…

THE HEAVENS opened for the first race of the Shop Yamaha R3 Cup, but the competition was still fierce as Mitch Simpson (Simpson Crash) pipped Hudson Thompson (I & K Excavations) by a mere 0.09sec. Nik Lazos (Train and Transport) broke through for his maiden win at ASBK level in the second race, leading Thompson and John Pelgrave (Marty’s Moto Repairs) to the line in an eight-bike group. “I really didn’t expect to win here but I gave it my all and I’m so happy with the result!” an elated Lazos said. The final race was also held on a damp track, the final event of the weekend. Thompson led in the closing stages, but he was under a huge amount of pressure from Mitch Simpson. A truly brave move…

THE FALLOUT from a controversial North West 200 race decision looks like spilling over into the Isle of Man TT next week. Michael Dunlop’s first NW200 Superbike win since 2016 was clouded in acrimony after a 10-sec penalty was rescinded, handing him the win from Davey Todd with Peter Hickman third. Ireland’s biggest road racing event is seen as a form preview for the TT a few weeks later but three wins each to Dunlop and rising star Todd were overshadowed by animosity. Strong winds had made braking difficult, with several riders over the event missing their braking markers. When Hickman missed his in the first Superbike race, he pushed Dunlop wide and the two left the circuit. Hickman stopped with his foot down as required by regulations while Dunlop…

But safely… They say if you want a friend in politics, get a dog. Likewise, if you want to be safe on the road, stay off it. People in the motorcycle safety world often seem to imply just that: a constant chorus of “don’t ride here, don’t ride there”, as if they’re really saying, “look, just forget about motorcycles altogether.” You can’t hang that kind of thinking on Dr Chris Leatt. He races bikes and lives for “that moment when the hair on the neck lifts… when every cell in your system screams with sheer delight”. That’s why the Leatt tagline isn’t about safety – it’s The Science of Thrill. Chris turned to motorbike safety the way Dr Eric Gardener, inventor of the helmet, did: through tragedy. A fellow rider…

Let’s talk about the big red elephant in the room. Earlier in April, I had a career – and life – highlight that will be hard to top. Ducati is a staple in the motorcycle world. I first fell in love with the red beast when my dad showed me videos of Anthony Gobert riding the Vance & Hines Ducati in AMA Superbike. That’s when I knew I wanted to be Number 95 and ride a red bike just like him. The Go Show legend! Fast forward to the present – stepping off a plane in Thailand with my helmet as my carry-on, I was about to ride one of the most serious bikes on the planet at one of the fastest MotoGP tracks in the world. Arriving at Chang…

If I were to list the things that’d make for a perfect holiday, it’d probably go like this: Motorcycles, adventure, new roads, awesome roads, motorcycles, incredible scenery, lovely people, incredible food, motorcycles, beachside resorts, plenty of swimming, great food, great company and plenty of beer! Right, I’ve just listed all the faves that make Tasmania such a great place to go touring (hmm, other than the swimming anyway). But, having ‘done’ Tassie a few dozen times since our honeymoon ride in 1993, Karen and I were keen to try something different. Strangely, the island we chose, Sri Lanka, is about the same size as Tassie, but a whole lot closer to the equator and a totally different world. Back in the 90s I worked as a motorcycle tour guide, taking…

Racing motorcycles around short circuits and racing motorcycles around the Isle of Man are different games with a similar genesis, like football and rugby, cricket and baseball. That’s why it’s very rare for a rider to succeed at both. During the last half century or so there’s been only a handful who have won a British championship and a TT in the same year. Reigning British Superstock champion and 2024 Senior TT winner Davey Todd is one of them. The 30-year-old Yorkshireman is therefore the perfect person to answer the big question: How do you compare the thrill of riding at the TT with riding around Brands Hatch or Thruxton? “The buzz is a million times more riding around the TT than riding around a short circuit – if I…

“IN THE RIGHT HANDS, THE RIGHT OUTFIT IS THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE MACHINE!” ARE SIDECARS relevant in 2025? Sidecars were first bolted to motorcycles as a low-cost alternative for hauling the family around. Then when cars were reduced to little plastic appliances, running an outfit wasn’t something done to save a quid. These days it’d have to be a scooter to be more economical than a car. Nobody I know would be seen dead on a bloody scooter. Except you of course, Basher. You go get the coffees any way you want, mate… Sidecars are about fun. They’re about skills most riders or drivers never knew existed. The basic plot’s lovely and stable sitting still but once underway, everything – accelerating, braking, right or lefthand turns – requires a coordinated approach…

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Documents filed by Ducati have revealed the first details of no fewer than four new models that we can look forward to for 2026, including radically revamped Monster and Desert X ranges as well as a new range-topping superbike. All the information comes from a VIN decoding document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US, which demands that all manufacturers selling bikes in the States reveal exactly how to make sense of the 17-digit VIN that’s stamped on every chassis. By comparing the latest VIN decoder with the same document published last year for the 2025 model range, we can glean vital information about all these new machines. Here’s how the key new models in Ducati’s 2026 range are expected to pan out. SPOTTED! 1: New…

KAWASAKI IS coming full circle for 2026 with plans to launch a new Z1100 four-cylinder roadster that will be based on the Ninja 1100SX – a bike that itself is a descendant of the old Z1000 that was discontinued several years ago. The demand for a powerful, affordable naked roadster has been highlighted by the success of Honda’s CB1000 Hornet, and while Kawasaki already has the Z900, powered by a 92kW (123hp) 948cc four-cylinder, the new Z1100 will fill a gap in the range above that. The bike’s existence for 2026 has emerged from a new filing with the California Air Resources Board about its emissions equipment. It shows that the machine – which is codenamed ZR1100HT – shares the same engine as the Ninja 1100SX and the Versys 1100,…

“I hope my daughter is watching and has seen that Daddy can still ride” After a series of top-15 TT finishes on his return from serious injuries and a stroke, Ian Hutchinson finally makes the podium, this time at the North West 200. The gritty Yorkshireman is a 16-time TT winner who once won a record five races in one week. Third place in a Superstock race has helped him regain confidence ahead of his TT campaign with a new team, MLav Racing, run by 10-time British BSB race winner Michael Laverty. Our TT preview is on Page 44 BONNIE GOOD IDEA ‘British originality’ is the theme of the Triumph Originals competition. The Hinckley factory has linked with eight well-known customisers around the world (sadly none from Oz) to produce…

THE KAWASAKI Supersport field entered the Queensland Raceway round in a state of flux, with points leader Jack Mahaffy carrying a shoulder injury and his second-placed Stop & Seal teammate Archie McDonald absent competing in Spain. Jake Farnsworth (Worth Race Developments) snared pole but copped a jump start penalty in Race One. The final laps were a duel between Tom Bramich (Apex – Yamaha) and Mahaffy, with solid defence from Bramich earning him a well-deserved victory, breaking the Stop & Seal winning streak. Farnsworth made no mistake off the line in Race Two, snatching the holeshot from Bramich and Olly Simpson (BC Performance). A battle between Simpson and Then Bramich pushed up the inside Farnsworth set up a final lap thriller. before a frantic last corner surge. Farnsworth was nearly bucked…

CONNOR LEWIS and Chaz Williams have once again proven to be the riders to beat in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup and this round it was Lewis who took the round win. Starting from the outside of the second row, Lewis took a tricky wet Race One from Williams with Jai Strugnell third. “I wasn’t expecting it to rain this weekend but that 2 result was fantastic,” Lewis said. “I took it easy in the wet, there was oil on the track. We had to be really careful as there were lots of crashes.” Lewis again took the honours in Race Two, beating Williams and Hunter Charlett home in dry conditions. “I found myself in the perfect spot to make the slipstream pass from the last corner.” Williams won…

REIGNING MOTO America King of the Baggers champion Troy Herfoss endured a torrid weekend in the latest round of the series held at Road Atlanta in Georgia, as teammate Loris Baz snatched a maiden win. A podium third in a wet race one was followed by a DNF in Race Two to leave Herfoss fourth in the points. His factory-backed S&S Cycle Indian teammate Baz, the latest high-profile recruit to the series, won the opener with a solid final few laps, first pushing past Herfoss and eventually overtaking the factory Harley-Davidson of Kyle Wyman on the final lap to secure victory by 0.199sec. Carnage was narrowly avoided at the start line of the second race after pole sitter Wyman didn’t appear to engage first gear before the lights went out,…

ON 4 MAY, almost 50 motorcycle riders and 11 quad riders lined up at a brand new Kamfari enduro track, south of Darwin. Now in it’s 54th year, this iconic race through the mud flats, swamps and creeks is known for the extreme conditions pushing riders and machines to the limit. This celebration of the end of the Northern Territory’s Wet Season is a four-hour enduro, and 2025 was back to the Kamfari of old. So much mud, heat and humidity meant all riders struggled in the extreme conditions, with only 63 per cent of the bikes completing the course in the allotted time. The flood plains had quickly turned to a quagmire after recent rains, claiming many victims on the early laps. Chris Warwick was in the top three…

Everything is relative. Right now, Harley-Davidson is fighting to sustain its share of today’s fast-changing global marketplace. Its 2024 overall sales declined 17 per cent year on year to 148,862 motorcycles, against the 267,999 machines the Motor Company’s dealers shifted worldwide in 2014. Back then, few people either inside the company or out could have imagined that, a decade later, Harley sales would have fallen 45 per cent, one of the most dismal records of the world’s top 20 manufacturers. By contrast, H-D’s leading rival for the crown of the world’s No.1 luxury motorcycle manufacturer, BMW, increased deliveries from 123,495 motorcycles and maxi-scooters in 2014, to 210,408 units worldwide in 2024 for an all-time company record (+8 per cent year on year). But as disappointing as those stats must be…

Tom Gilroy’s journey to full-time bike building was more a slow burn than a lightbulb moment, shaped by weekend projects, side hustles and the kind of obsessive tinkering that refuses to remain a hobby. As a kid, he’d trade work on neighbouring farms for the old paddock bikes gathering dust in their sheds. And somewhere between swapping fencing work for ageing ag bikes, and turning a Suzuki GS550 into a personal showpiece, the seed that would one day launch his career was planted. Now 34, the founder of Purpose Built Moto is producing distinctive two-wheeled customs – including a reworked Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 that was recently launched at an event at Sydney’s Moto Machine. “It just sort of happened to me,” Tom says. “I never really made the…

Was it a flash in the pan or the start of one of the most amazing turnarounds in MotoGP history? While Zarco’s reading of the conditions at Le Mans contributed to Honda’s first MotoGP win since April 2023, there were signs in the previous five races that hinted at the sleeping Japanese giant making a long-overdue comeback. AMCN speaks to people in the know to understand how they did it. NEW FACES, NEW APPROACH One of several factors behind the improvement is the arrival of Romano Albesiano, instated as Technical Director after a surprise move from Aprilia at the end of last year. Under the Italian’s guidance, organisation has stepped up. Plus, Honda has set up a base in Milan to act as a ‘pivot’ between race team and factory…

In reviewing the published entry list for the 2025 Finke, it appears the main threat to your sixth successive victory is your STE Racing teammate – and cousin – Liam Walsh. Our other teammate, Callum Norton, might be slack with his entry paperwork but he’s definitely a threat. In fact, he’s currently here in Alice pre-running the course with me and Liam, plus Anthony Giles from Choice Suspension. You could throw a groundsheet over the three of us, our practice times are that close. Corey Hammond is also due for a podium. With a fifth placing in his rookie year, followed by a fifth gear get-off last year, Liam has learned the hard way what not to do and, at only 24, is undoubtedly a future winner. But is he…