Australian Motorcycle News Vol 75 Issue 1

“WHAT STARTED AS A LITTLE TRACKSIDE EXPERIMENT HAS EXPLODED INTO QUITE THE PHENOMENON” LET’S TALK ABOUT Peter Bom for a moment, shall we? You might remember him as the author of our fantastical Road to MotoGP feature back in March (Vol 74 No.16). His cartoon visage from that inspired piece of work (pictured below) has also made it onto the cover of this issue, accompanying a very interesting feature (The Art of the Start, page 44) on the incredibly nuanced skills required to be first off the line in MotoGP. But Peter – one half of the brilliant Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast with fellow contributor Mat Oxley – doesn’t just write for AMCN… he also produces videos! What started as a little trackside reporting experiment direct from the Sepang Test…

Royal Enfield has confirmed that its much-anticipated twin-cylinder Himalayan is nearly ready for production, sharing images on Instagram of CEO B. Govindarajan and British design boss Mark Wells testing it in India’s rugged Ladakh region. The test team was also joined by the latest prototype of the electric Himalayan, or ‘Him-E’, showing both models are in their final stages of development. The twin-cylinder Himalayan is believed to feature either the existing 650cc parallel-twin or a larger 750cc version, derived from Enfield’s air-cooled platform but tuned for added power and torque. Unlike the brand’s retro-styled twins, the Himalayan twin adopts a modern chassis with an alloy swingarm, monoshock rear suspension, upside-down fork and minimalist bodywork – apart from a classic circular headlight. Its 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, dual front…

SUZUKI IS SET to add a GSX-8GT and one other mystery variant based on the same platform to its 2026 range and the upcoming models have already been approved for sale in the Australian market. Suzuki’s 776cc parallel-twin engine might have spent more than a decade in development before hitting the market but it’s proving to be a key element of the company’s future plans. It’s already on the market in the GSX-8S, GSX-8R and four variations on the V-Strom 800. Next year at least another two bikes using the same engine are set to join the range. We know this because Suzuki’s latest type-approval documents, filed in Australia, include reference to a pair of as-yet-unreleased machines. But thanks to the use of internal code lettering rather than their final names…

Chinese brand Kove is heading to the Australian market in 2026 as it unveils a revised version of its intriguing four-cylinder, 443cc sports bike, the 450RR. The new machine has already emerged in Chinese type-approval paperwork, including photos and basic technical specs, showing that its styling has been subtly revised compared to the current model. Originally revealed in 2022 as a 400cc four called the 400RR, Kove’s race-rep was restyled and up-engined to become the 443cc 450RR in 2023 before deliveries even started, with Ducati Panigaleish styling and performance designed to compete with Kawasaki’s ZX-4RR. The new version updates the looks once more but leaves the main mechanical parts unchanged. The biggest revision is at the nose, where the current model’s separate, side-mounted winglets are replaced with a design more…

FRESH OFF HIS spectacular victory at the 2025 Dakar Rally, Daniel Sanders is being honoured with one of KTM’s most exclusive creations yet – the 2026 KTM 450 Rally Replica Sanders Edition. Limited to five units worldwide, it isn’t just a bike; it’s a celebration of Sanders’ achievement and the spirit of Dakar itself. While KTM’s standard 450 Rally Replica has long been revered as the closest thing the public can buy to the factory race bikes – with 150 of the 2026 version destined for global release. The Sanders Edition turns the dial all the way up on exclusivity and prestige. Sharing the core spec of the factory-inspired 450 Rally Replica, including a WP XACT Pro 7548 48mm fork, a WP XACT Pro 7750 shock offering immense travel (304mm front,…

Amotorcycle that can transform on the move from race-rep crouch to a comfortable upright riding position has been something manufacturers have toyed with for decades. Now CFMoto has filed patent applications that could finally bring an adaptable riding position into production without a ground-up redesign and vast price tag. The system is based around two elements: movable ‘bars that can rise or lower electrically depending on rider requirements, and footpegs that swing upwards and rearwards for a sportier posture or down and forwards for a more relaxed position. The movable ‘bars are mounted on a conventional upside-down fork, with a steering stem and triple clamps. The difference is that the ‘bars are attached to an aluminium bracket that sits above the top yoke, mounted on two sliders that drop into…