Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 75 Issue 7 i Australian Motorcycle News

The Tokyo Mobility Show – previously known as the Tokyo Motor Show – has for decades been the spiritual home of the concept bike with Japan’s Big Four often unveiling wild visions of the future at the event. This year Yamaha has stepped up first by revealing concepts ahead of the event with a focus on electric and hybrid drive. The craziest machine on display is the MOTOROiD:Λ, the latest in a line of MOTOROiD concepts dating back to 2017 when the first version was unveiled. The running theme has been the ability to balance unaided and a chassis that can change its geometry, and with the MOTOROiD:Λ, it’s the same again but Yamaha appears to have deleted the rider element entirely – there’s no seat or ‘bars – suggesting…

TRIUMPH SAYS it’s planning an unprecedented 29 new or updated models for its 2026 line-up and the first are the Modern Classics range of Bonneville-based machines and a totally new Trident 800. The Scrambler 900 is the headline act when it comes to revisions, with new styling, updated suspension, a tweaked chassis and improved technology. The big news is the suspension. The retro-throwback look of the previous Scrambler 900 has been replaced with a style more akin to the larger Scrambler 1200. That means a new, 43mm Showa upside-down fork, with matching piggyback twin rear shocks bolted to a fabricated aluminium swingarm instead of the old steel design. Aluminium-rimmed wire wheels replace the old steel versions, and the styling is updated. A new LED headlight and running lights are shared…

FOR MORE than 8000km across the most inhospitable terrain – from Saudi Arabia to South Africa – Chucky ruled the 2025 FIM RallyGP championship with a perfect scorecard, culminating his record-breaking streak at the September BP Rally of Portugal – and his preference for taking point duty. Across drought-stricken Portugal, Chucky maintained the lead ahead of Tosha Schareina, Adrien Van Beveren and Ross Branch, until Branch, then Van Beveren, crashed out. Chucky remained out front, although Schareina was only four seconds slower – the closest finish in RallyGP history. Ricky Brabec was a further two minutes adrift, claiming that he’d lugged his Honda around in fourth gear in order to save his rear tyre and hold position over Benavides. Despite the slippery pea gravel, thick dust and tricky navigation, Chucky and…

BMC Air Filter is an Italian company specialising in the production of advanced filtration systems. Its headquarters and production facilities are located entirely in Italy, near Bologna, a region known for its engineering excellence and motorsport heritage. Founded in the 1970s by its current president, Gaetano Bergami, BMC was born from his passion for racing. Today, BMC collaborates with some of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands and is a trusted partner and supplier across every major motorsport category, from Formula 1 and MotoGP to the World Rally Championship and the Dakar Rally. Drawing on this deep racing experience, BMC develops air filters designed not only to enhance engine performance but also to ensure long-term reliability and durability. Advanced technology Each BMC filter features a multilayered cotton element supported by…

Every so often someone comes up with a completely different concept for a powered two-wheeler, often with a Yamaha badge on the side. Think of the original Tenere XT600Z back in 1983 or indeed the later Super Tenere twin, or the TDM850, or the TMAX maxi-scooter, or the stack-shaft Yamaha R1, which reinvented the UJM four. Yes, but how about another brand? Sure – how about the Ducati Monster, the first-ever naked sportsbike, or the Honda CB750, first of the in-line fours, or the Ducati Supermono with its horizontal cylinder and articulated counterbalancer? Or the small, Bologna-based Italjet company, with its huge array of ingenious novelties produced during its 44 years of existence first time around before it went under in 2003? During this time Italjet marketed more than 150…

When Cycle magazine editors Cook Neilson and Phil Schilling commenced their Ducati race dream in 1973 that eventually saw victory at Daytona four years later, Neilson co-opted tuner and flow bench expert Jerry Branch to squeeze more ponies out of Neilson’s Ducati GT750. Branch would be intimately involved with the ‘California Hot Rod’ project right through to Neilson’s historic Superbike win at the Florida trioval. Neilson surmised racing is not so much a search for the answer, but a search for the man who has the answer. Scott Heyes has had a hand in eight Australian titles as a suspension-chassis tech and/or engine builder across three Australian road race championships, two Formula Xtreme series wins, one Historic crown and two Australian Masters. The son of twice Castrol Six-Hour winner and…

1 BIGGER FUEL TANKS: In Australia, ‘out of range’ can mean a very long walk. So IMS and Safari tanks on KLRs are almost a rite of passage. 2 WINDSCREENS & FAIRING EXTENDERS: Long days into headwinds taught riders quickly that a little extra plastic can save a lot of neck strain. GTR and Versys owners often opted for taller touring screens. 3 HARD LUGGAGE SYSTEMS: From Givi panniers to Kawasaki’s own accessories, lockable hard bags turned these bikes into true pack mules. KLRs often wore aluminium boxes; GTRs, colour-matched cases. 4 CRASH BARS & SKID PLATES: Bush tracks and stray kangaroos made protection essential. Most KLRs and KLEs grew aftermarket ’bars, sump guards and handguards as soon as they left the showroom. 5 SEAT UPGRADES: Stock saddles weren’t always…

RACING WHAT, WHERE & WHEN ROAD RACING AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Rd8 7-9 Nov, The Bend Motorsport Pk, SA AUSTRALIAN SIDECAR CHAMPIONSHIP Rd5 8-9 Nov, CARGO Raceway, WA BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP Rd5 7-9 Nov, The Bend Motorsport Pk, SA AUSTRALIAN HISTORIC ROADRACE CHAMPIONSHIP 13-16 Nov, Broadford, Vic MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd21 7-9 Nov, Portimao, PT Rd22 14-16 Nov, Valencia, ES MACAU MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX 13-16 Nov, Circuito da Guia, Macau China ST GEORGE MC SUMMER NIGHT SERIES Rd 1 6 D ec, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW Rd 2 9 Jan, 2026, SMSP, NSW Rd 3 13-14 Feb, 2026, SMSP, NSW Rd 4 6-7 Mar, SMSP, NSW* 2026 MOTOGP PRESEASON TESTS Shakedown 29-31 Jan, Sepang, MY Sepang 3-5 Feb, Sepang, MY Buriram 21-22 Feb, Chang, TH 2026 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP…

Honda CB1000F confirmed for 2026 The CB1000 Hornet has been a runaway success thanks to an unbeaten combination of performance and price and for months Honda has been teasing a retro-styled spinoff in the form of the CB1000F. Now that model has been given its official unveiling as a 2026 production model – looking identical to the earlier concept version and offering touches of luxury and tech that are missing from the closelyrelated Hornet. Styled to pay homage to the 1979-on CB750F, a bike that’s remembered best as Freddie Spencer’s steed in AMA competition in 1980 and 81, the CB1000F borrows the chassis and engine from the CB1000 Hornet, the latter based on the 2017 CBR1000RR Fireblade’s engine. But there are changes. Most notably, where the Hornet puts out 150hp…

KTM faces a 50 per cent cut in overheads when white knight Bajaj takes over full control. The Austrian company was saved from liquidation earlier this year when the Indian giant (already a major minority shareholder) swooped in with an $A1.4 billion rescue package. Since then work has been underway to convert that loan into a controlling stake by getting regulatory approval from government bodies in Austria and the EU. Now those approvals are imminent and Bajaj Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj has opened up on plans to cut the company’s operating costs when the takeover is complete. The first regulatory hurdle was cleared on 23 October when the Austrian Takeover Commission approved plans for Bajaj to acquire all 50,100 shares in Pierer Bajaj AG that are currently owned by Pierer…

“I would call it old school. You have to deal with the weather, high speeds, low grip…” Casey Stoner describes Phillip Island before leading the Homecoming Ride at the Australian round of MotoGP. Stoner first raced there in 2001, in the 125cc class. He became a serial winner, finishing his MotoGP career with a remarkable sixth consecutive Island win. Read our PI coverage on Page 26. STATE ACTS ON ROAD TOLL STATS The NSW Government has announced what it claims is the state’s most significant motorcycle safety reforms in nearly 20 years. They include what the Transport Department says are targeted, evidence-based measures to protect novice riders and save lives, along with commitments to improve road safety infrastructure across NSW. “These reforms are about smarter, safer riding,” said Minister for…

CRISIS… WHAT CRISIS? Ducati swept back to MotoGP superiority with a swagger in Malaysia as Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) celebrated his crowning as runner-up of 2025 with a convincing coast to victory. But KTM and Honda served yet another warning that they are closing in. Despite securing the triple crown in Indonesia, the factory Ducati box was engulfed in crisis at the previous two GPs, with Pecco Bagnaia’s (Lenovo Ducati) struggles as hard to read as the local thunderstorms. Yet there were flickers of the Italian’s quality here as he scored a surprise pole and dominated the Sprint before pushing for victory on Sunday. Yet even on a track where he had won twice in the past three years, and with Marc Marquez (Lenovo Ducati) not back until 2026, he…

AS THE summer months approach, competition in most motorcycle racing disciplines invariably tapers off. Not so in speedway. An Australian ‘speedway season’ looks very different to what it did to previous generations, with only the Olympic Park Speedway at Mildura, the Gillman Speedway in Adelaide and the Pinjar Park track in Perth having a genuine season calendar with meetings scheduled from now through to early autumn. On top of that, Albury-Wodonga has some significant meetings, but all is quiet as far as some traditional venues are concerned. While the sidecars generally take the spotlight later in the season, before that it is a vital time for many of the solo brigade. Fans get the opportunity to see our elite riders in action in the fourround Australian Championship and the Oceania…

Some people might say BMW’s boxer twin range is less exciting than the four-cylinder superbike engine in its S series models. This may be true, but those riders not bothered by mega-horsepower figures will find the R 1300 series a smarter and more comfortable proposition, while still having the grunt to let their hair down when required. The R 1300 range includes the naked, raw, yet refined R; the sleek, smooth, fully faired RS; and the uber comfortable, pillion friendly and surprisingly agile RT. The R 1300 powerplant first appeared in the R 1300 GS a year or so ago and made a bit of a splash by pumping up power figures while slashing weight and physical size over the outgoing 1250. I have ridden the 1250 GS and the…

MV Agusta celebrates its 80th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion it has introduced the limited-edition Ottantesimo (literally, ‘80th’ range. The Italian manufacturer has produced six models: the Brutale 1000 Ottantesimo, Brutale 1000 RR Ottantesimo, Superveloce Ottantesimo, F3 RR Ottantesimo, Dragster RR Ottantesimo and the bike we test here, the Brutale 800 RR Ottantesimo. Each one is produced in limited numbers with a unique, identifiable laser-engraved plate. For those of us who might not be MV aficionados, back in 1945 the Agusta family was a key player in the Italian aviation industry, but after World War II it was not permitted to produce planes and instead turned its passion for speed towards motorcycles. The first MV98 was officially launched at the end of 1945. Hence, the 80-year anniversary.…

SOME RIDERS approach corners like engineers, analysing every input. Others rely on feel – decades of muscle memory built on dirt, tarmac and instinct. Both Wattie and Chad have raced, crashed, slid and saved enough to know that control is about being comfortable with movement. DAVID WATT When ‘Wattie’ calls his riding style “adaptable and energy-efficient,” it’s done with both tongue in cheek and a hint of understatement. Beneath the self-deprecation lies a philosophy that every rider could learn from: move only as much as you need to. “I tend to adapt my riding style based on comfort, feeling from the bike and available lean angle,” he says. “I try to reduce fatigue by not jumping all over the bike from corner to corner.” That pragmatic restraint was shaped by a…

Here’s to a golden milestone: 50 years of Kawasaki in Australia. Since 1975, Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd has been part of the local riding story, shipping in tough-as-nails, dual-sports, clever adventure machines and mile-eating sports-tourers that helped define how Aussies roam a very large island. To celebrate the half century, we trace four Kawasaki families that mattered most to Aussie adventure/touring riders: the KLR, KLE, Versys and GTR. Each of these have played a distinct role – some as rugged outback tools, others as smooth long-haul missiles – and together they chart Kawasaki’s evolving idea of what adventure and touring should feel like. But first, a little context about how Kawasaki found its place in Australia. When Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd set up shop here in 1975, the Aussie motorcycle…

“I’M STILL EARLY IN MY CAREER BUT EACH ROUND I FEEL A LITTLE STRONGER, A LITTLE WISER, AND EVEN MORE DETERMINED” THE RECENT HUGE international adventure has wrapped up – and what an adventure it was! The WorldWCR once again came calling, but this time I got to race with the Carl Cox Motorsport Team. I wasn’t ready for how many amazing people I’d meet in Spain. From the moment I left little Adelaide, I could hardly contain my excitement, counting down the hours until I landed in Barcelona. Waiting there were former GP racer Paul Young and his partner Kat – two of the most welcoming people you could ever meet. Youngy now works for Royal Enfield in Spain, and one day I tagged along to see him at…

HONDA HAS another Hornet spinoff waiting in the wings for 2026 in the form of the CB1000GT. Leaked via an Australian typeapproval application, the CB1000GT is essentially a rival to the likes of Kawasaki’s Versys 1100, Suzuki’s GSX-S1000GX or Yamaha’s Tracer 9, but with the underpinnings of the CB1000 Hornet packed into a highrise, high-performance tourer. The engine is straight from the Hornet and the chassis also appears to be closely related, albeit with a taller riding position. New elements include the bodywork and tank. The revised suspension means the wheelbase is a fraction longer than the CB1000 Hornet’s, coming in at 1465mm instead of 1455mm. Despite the taller suspension and the extra bodywork, the CB1000GT is only 2kg heavier than the naked CB1000 Hornet. Other details seen in the…

Ducati is on a mission to replace all its ageing Desmo V-twin-powered models with ones using its latest twin – simply called ‘V2’ – and the fifth-generation Monster is the latest to get the treatment as the old 937cc model is swapped for a new 890cc version for 2026. The V2 engine was only launched a year ago, and it’s already found its way into the Panigale and Streetfighter V2 models, superseding the old 955cc Superquadro engine in those machines, despite being substantially less powerful. It’s also been adopted by the Multistrada V2, where it replaced the 937cc Testastretta engine, and for 2026 the Monster, also previously home to the Testastretta, goes down the same route. The V2 engine, which is 5.9kg lighter than the 937cc Testastretta, does away with…

THIS WAS the only paddock championship that had been wrapped up before we got to Jerez, but clearly nobody told the riders. Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME air racing MV Agusta) took his second Superpole win on Friday, by more than 0.3sec from the next fastest rider, Can Oncu (Yamaha bLU cRU Evan Bros Racing). In the races, new champ Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) won Race 1 from Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team). Having started from fifth place, Alcoba led the race at the crucial point on the last lap, but Manzi eased him out of his ideal line exiting the final corner and Alcoba was denied his first race win, as was the 636 version of the Ninja ZX-6R. A mere 0.051sec was the margin of victory. Oncu…

KYLE RYDE HAS taken out back-to-back British Superbike Championship titles, delivering the 2025 crown for his Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha team at Brands Hatch at the final round held over 17-19 October. Ryde clinched the championship by 20 points ahead of Raceways Yamaha’s Bradley Ray to seal the first successful BSB title defence since ‘Shakey’ Byrne in 2016-17. “I’m super happy to get another Bennetts BSB championship title under my belt. The feeling is incredible! I only got emotional when I saw Mum and Dad,” Ryde said afterwards. “I could see how much it meant to them. They’ve put in so much time, money and effort just to get my first one, so to bring home a second title is the cherry on top. This one’s a massive bonus, and…

AT LAST, riders from a road racing background have triumphed in Australia’s quirkiest motorcycling race when Cru Halliday and Tom To paris combined for an emphatic victory in the 2025 Cessnock Mitsubishi Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix. The previous nine stagings of this popular event held on 1.45km of roads around the Cessnock CBD and through the TAFE College grounds had been dominated by riders from dirt track, speedway and motocross. A number of riders, including some significant names from road racing, had contested the event – particularly in its early years – but with little joy. Halliday had previously turned in an impressive performance in 2019 when, partnered by Ricky Olsen, the team had mechanical issues in their heat, consigning them to the Consolation Race – which they won…

WOW, THERE is no possible way to try every single setting or option on these bikes without having one long term. But let’s have a look at the features: • Dynamic traction control (DTC). Each ride mode has a dedicated setting, and with Pro Modes (optional) you can adjust the TC level on the fly. You can also turn it off via the multi-function menu. • Dynamic Electronic Suspension adjustment (ESA). Selectable between Dynamic or Road depending on what mode you are in. In the back menu you can then also select from different stiffness settings for Dynamic and Road ride modes. This could almost make the Sports suspension to be as soft as the regular suspension and vice versa. • Dynamic Chassis Adaption (on the RT only). This increases the…

Every corner is a negotiation between grip, lean, gravity and confidence. The faster you go, the more the motorcycle has to lean to balance the forces pushing it wide. Shift your body to the inside and you move the combined centre of mass of rider and machine, which lets the bike stay a little more upright for the same speed and line. Keeping more of the tyre’s contact patch on the tarmac is the reason racers hang off the bike through a corner. That relationship between physics and feel has always shaped the way riders corner, but often with different outcomes. Mick Doohan’s unconventionally compact style, where his upper body would stay close to the bike, probably came from taming brutal and often unpredicable 500cc two-strokes. His technique was about…

There are many reasons why Senna Agius’s dominant victory at Phillip Island shouldn’t have been possible. The wind on race day was a factor. The nature of the track, which encourages large group fights, was another. Plus, the pressure of racing in front of an expectant home crowd would be too much to bear for some. Yet Agius posted a performance of calmness and maturity that belied his 20 years to become the first Australian to win an intermediate class at home – and take the second victory of his career. And all in just his second Grand Prix season. It’s clear the rider from just outside Sydney is going places. AMCN caught up with three names from his circle – IntactGP team manager Jurgen Ling, his father Jonno, and…

1 WORKSHOP WONDER Suspensions R Us $295 (03) 9786 4414 suspensionsrus.com.au The PRO460 Workshop Dolly is the ultimate pit crew for maintenance maniacs. Roll your ride from job to job with adjustable width, tie-down loops and wheels smoother than a MotoGP circuit at sunrise. Tough build, rubber protection and tricked-out for fast moves, your bike deserves nothing but pole position treatment. 2 BRAIN BUCKET BABYSITTER Whites Powersports $74.90 (NA) whitesmoto.com.au Keep your lid safe, dry and smugly superior with Oxford’s Helmet Bag Lid Locker – the Fort Knox for your noggin gear. Just thread your lock through, hook it up, and walk away knowing that rain, grime and light-fingered lurkers are no match for your armoured dome cocoon. Lock not provided, but the sense of security absolutely is. 3 FANTASTIC FIVE Moto…