Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 75 Issue 9 i Australian Motorcycle News

HONDA PREVIEWED ITS upcoming CBR500R Four and CB400 Super Four models at the CIMA show in China in September but despite putting the bikes on display it revealed few technical details and hasn’t released studio images. That’s changed with the publication of type-approval paperwork in China that provides key facts and figures about the fully-faired version. We already knew that Honda, which is building the two bikes at its Chinese Wuyang-Honda plant, has developed a new 500cc four-cylinder engine, confirmed in the approval to measure precisely 502cc. It’s paired to a transmission using a next-generation version of the company’s E-Clutch system, similar to that offered on the CBR650R but more compact, with the electromechanical actuators moved to the lefthand side of the engine. Showa suspension, Nissin four-pot brakes and a…

Yamaha revamped its Tenere 700 a year ago – adding ride-by-wire throttles, revised styling and more electronic gizmos – and for 2026 the more rally-inspired Tenere 700 World Raid gets the same improvements. The ride-by-wire is part of a set of changes introduced to meet the latest-generation European emissions rules, Euro 5+, but have the happy side effect of allowing the adoption of modern tech including multiple riding modes and, in concert with a six-axis inertial measurement unit, cornering traction control, slide control and cornering ABS. The bare numbers are unchanged, with power peaking at 54kW (72.5hp) at 9000rpm, and 68Nm of torque at 6500rpm, but thanks to the electronic throttles and a redesigned intake there’s more low-end pull than before. Those riding modes have dedicated throttle maps to change…

“To confirm my plans for next season brings a real sense of a new door opening…” Jacob Roulstone (pictured with Mick Doohan at the recent Oz MotoGP) after signing with Team Ciatti Boscoscuro for the 2026 FIM Moto2 European Championship. The talented ex-Moto3 Aussie battler is also holding a fundraiser in March with Mick as a special guest. See page 106 for more! OWN YOUR OWN RACETRACK! Get a few mates together, stump up $10m and you could be the new owner of Pheasant Wood Circuit at Marulan, south of Sydney. Owned by entrepreneur Steve Shelley, who co-founded the workforce management software company Deputy and owns One Raceway at nearby Goulburn, the property is described as being “perfect for the active family or group of friends”. The 60ha site, located…

“Yamaha engineers would be delighted to maintain that gap here” FEBRUARY’S EARLY test in Malaysia – a three-day Shakedown for test riders and Yamaha, plus another three for all – is always crucial. But in 2026 it feels even more so. The three days of running at the Sepang International Circuit will not only offer a first glimpse at what is to come in the season ahead; it could define who ends up where the following year. The silly season that will likely unfold in the coming months could be one of the wildest in history. While both Marc Marquez and Ducati are intent on maintaining what has been a winning relationship beyond this year and into 2027 and 2028, four of the grid’s big names need to either convince…

“Every Aussie who has ridden a factory bike has scored at least one stage win” WITH THE ever-increasing hyperbole about the 2026 Dakar, it’s time to reflect on our trueblue Dakar pioneers of the past. After winning the 1997 Australian Safari, privateer Andy Haydon received support from KTM Australia to ride the 1998 Dakar on a hand-me-down KTM 640 Rallye. Rookie Haydon won two of the longest stages in Dakar history – at 680km and 745km respectively. Neither win has ever been surpassed. Haydon and his team-mate, Fabrizio Meoni, scored KTM’s first Dakar podiums, initiating some talk about Haydon signing on; but what was on offer wasn’t really a working wage. Here at home Dakar remained under the radar and competing in the ‘FIM World Cross-Country Championship’ offered no sponsorship…

More than a marketing gimmick, the Multistrada name couldn’t be any more fitting to this machine. In my case, however, I’d call it the Multitempo edition as the weather seemed to mock me wherever I went. Brisk spring mornings to 35°C stinkers in the bush to miserable misty damp roads and – adding insult to injury – torrential downpours. Most importantly, I felt safe and confident no matter what was thrown my way. Powered by Ducati’s peachy MotoGP-inspired V4 Granturismo engine, the Multi propels towards the horizon like a over-caffeinated teenager and produces an equally ferocious howl as you click through the gears. I can’t help but think of Gigi Dall’Igna stroking his goatee and nodding in approval as I hold the throttle wide open, letting it scream. The V4…

In March 2008 Craig McMartin rode a hand-built Australian air-cooled twin to a landmark Battle of the Twins victory at Daytona International Speedway. It was a win that stunned the locals, elevated the Irving Vincent project onto the world stage and proved that two brothers from Melbourne – Ken and Barry Horner – could take on the high banks of Daytona and leave with a winner’s trophy. Eighteen years later, the team is going back. This time Beau Beaton will be the rider. McMartin – who owns and runs the team Josh Waters just won two consecutive ASBK Superbike titles with – will return as crew chief. Chris De Nuzzo and Ian Hopkins, who supported McMartin during that 2008 trip, will join them again. A team rebuilt from familiar pieces,…

Forty odd kilometres northwest of WA’s goldmining mecca Kalgoorlie seems an unlikely place for a week-long gathering of interwar era motorsport enthusiasts. Though in the 20s and 30s, the claypan of Lake Perkolilli was perhaps WA’s bestknown circuit. The goldrush of the early 1920s brought to town a heady concoction of chancers, adventurers and revheads who, thanks to the gold, had no shortage of the folding stuff. This was no informal scratching on the surface of the earth. In its heyday the sun-cracked clay housed an oval track and a quarter mile, spectators were accommodated in a permanent grandstand, and the women folk could enjoy the relative comfort of the ladies’ pavilion. Bikes were the main draw, with events organised and run by the Goldfields Motorcycle Club, one of the…

CFMOTO AUSTRALIA HAS announced the MY26 version of its 450CL-C cruiser, with a small package of comfort and usability changes, two new paint options and local availability listed as ‘now’. The 450CL-C remains positioned in the LAMS cruiser segment and continues its twin-cylinder layout, with updates focusing on rider touchpoints and minor bodywork revisions rather than major mechanical changes. A new seat design has a 55mm thickness and an extra 20mm of width on each side, aimed at reducing fatigue over longer rides and giving a more stable feel in the saddle.…

MELBOURNE-BASED motorcycle manufacturer Savic has entered the next stage of brand growth, consolidating a $2m investment and naming veteran technology leader Marc Alexander as CEO. Alexander brings over 25 years of industry experience across enterprise growth, EV systems, autonomous platforms, IoT, consumer and automotive technology, and has been involved in successful global scale-ups. He joins at a pivotal time as the pioneering e-brand prepares for international growth and the scale-up of its development and manufacturing capabilities. Alongside this new appointment, founder Dennis Savic will continue supporting the company in a strategic capacity, remaining on the board of directors and collaborating with the team on key initiatives. The transition follows the successful close of a $2 million strategic funding round. Dennis Savic said: “With new capital, new infrastructure and global demand…

“The future looks good with exciting talent coming through the ranks” AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY Championships for the Under 21 and Under 16 riders were staged at the Albury-Wodonga track last month (12/13 December) and as well as producing a new champion in each class, the meetings also confirmed several pleasing factors. The future looks good with some exciting young talent coming through the ranks and offering great promise, which in itself is proof that the current set-up for young riders is working well. And junior riders again showed that they can turn on plenty of exciting action. The Australian Under 16 125cc Championship had a full 16-rider line-up with Blake Schlein best in the heats on 14 ahead of Spencer Doyle (12) and Ryleigh McGregor (12). Hayden Pascoe joined that trio…

Never say never again. Two years on from building what was supposedly the last of its uber-performing hyper-sports hot-rods concocted in conjunction with KTM, German highend high-performance automotive aftermarket refinement specialist Brabus has created another in the line of what it terms ‘Ground-Breaking Luxury Hyper Naked Bikes’. That’s the Brabus 1400R Signature Edition, and just 100 examples will be built in 2026 at a price of €49,900 ($A88k) in Germany, including 19 per cent local tax – €41,933 ($A74k) tax free for export. Besides Germany, previous Brabus-built bikes have also been sold in France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, UK, Poland, Spain and the Czech Republic, as well as farther afield in South Africa, China, Thailand and Australia. The 1400R is also now EPA-approved for sale in the USA, and is expected…

The Himalayas seem to be the motorcycling destination on the minds of many Aussies at present. And why not! It’s exotic, dramatic, affordable and challenging. The chance to be a ‘guinea pig’ for a tour company called Karma Yatri fell into my lap out of the blue. The idea was to forge a new route from the North West province of Himachal Pradesh, India to Kathmandu via remote areas of Uttarakhand and Western Nepal. The promise was one of an adventure of a lifetime, into the unknown. There’s a narrow month’s window post the monsoons that work on washing the Himalayas into the sea and the coming of the harsh winter. The group was restricted to four riders who demonstrated that they could cope with most of the riding conditions…

How did you enjoy your first year in the job? Everyone looked at it as the most difficult job. I also got warned when I signed up to do it. The guys (in Race Direction) didn’t want me to come to them six months in and say, ‘This job’s horrible!’ But I had already made the decision. Like everything I’ve ever done which was worth it, it’s scary going in and this was no different. Has the job surprised you? I really thought there’d be a learning period, like commentary was. Racing was a brutal learning period. I had to be cautious not to make a mistake early on. But I never expected the first year to feel like it has. I feel like I’m where I belong. All of…

1 COUCH SLOUCHER Monza Imports $99.99 N/A monzaimports.com.au Alpinestars’ Formulation Hoodies aren’t just hoodies. They’re two-wheeled style statements. Zip it up, hit the road (or the couch), and let the mesh-lined hood, tech drawcords and bold Alpinestars graphics do the talking. Rib cuffs keep the chill out, while elbow and back logos flex your moto cred. 100 per cent polyester, 100 per cent legend. 2 EXPAND ANYWHERE Kriega Australia $429 0409 959 737 kriega.com.au.com.au Kriega’s MAX28 Expandable Backpack is built for the urban rider who refuses to compromise. With its Quadloc-Lite harness and high-tech materials, it handles everything from a 15in laptop to a full-face helmet. Expandable from 22 to 28 litres, it’s perfect for daily commutes, weekend groceries or stashing your gear in style. 3 LAP CHASERS Link International From $360 (N/A)…

Harley X440 T unveiled New version of Hero-made H-D single We’re still waiting for more news of Harley-Davidson’s promised low-cost ‘Sprint’ model – confirmed as a global entry-level offering in 2026 but still not officially unveiled – but in the meantime the company has taken the wraps off a new version of its Indian-made (that’s the country, not the bike brand) X440 single. The ‘X’ branding has already been applied to a trio of low-cost, foreign-made machines that wear the Harley-Davidson logo in selected non-US markets. In Australia we’ve had the X350 and X500, both liquid-cooled parallel twins manufactured in China by Qianjiang, the parent to QJMotor and Benelli among others, but in India the entry model is the X440, made by manufacturing giant Hero MotoCorp. Hero, uniquely, has a…

The 2025 MotoGP season was a study in contrasts, triumphs and maddening headaches. A year that reminded us just how brutally honest this sport can be. Ducati, the undeniable juggernaut, collected an eye-watering 17 GP wins and a world title for Marc Marquez, yet behind the glittering numbers lurked chaos. While the GP25 could be sublime in the hands of the ‘alien’, it left Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio Di Giannantonio wrestling with a bike that seemed to have a mind of its own. Meanwhile, brother Alex, on what was essentially last year’s GP24, waltzed to second in the championship, a sharp reminder that, sometimes, evolution can outpace understanding. KTM, on the other hand, spent 2025 as the bridesmaid without a single win. Pedro Acosta and Maverick Vinales flirted with victory…

Inch by inch, yard by yard, the forgotten Japanese manufacturing giant that is Suzuki is working its way back towards the top table. Not by trying to set the planet on fire with tech-laden, premiumprice headline grabbers but with carefully targeted and competitively priced entries. No more is this so than in the middleweight sector, where the GSX-8 range has gained two new models powered by Suzuki’s versatile 776cc parallel twin platform. Both are retros: the GSX-8T a pure naked, the GSX-8TT a more elaborately styled tribute to Suzukis of the 1970s and 80s, complete with period headlight cowl. Prices in Aus start at $17,990 for the naked T and $18,990 for the TT. Make no mistake: while the 2026 reintroduction of the much-loved GSX-R1000 may be capturing our attention…

“THE OFFSEASON HAS BEEN A GOOD BALANCE OF WORK, TRAINING, LEARNING AND ENJOYING LIFE A LITTLE MORE” THE OFFSEASON ALWAYS feels a bit strange at first. After months of racing, travelling and living week to week, everything suddenly slows down. No race countdowns, no weekends booked out months in advance, just time. No race weekends means no built-in routine, so you either create one or drift. I’ve learned which option works better for me. Training still plays a big part of my days, just in a different way. A lot of beach sessions lately. Running along the sand, swimming when the weather’s good, and sometimes just walking along the shoreline to clear my head. It’s nice not being glued to a stopwatch for a while. Some days it’s tough, some…

RACING WHAT, WHERE & WHEN ROAD RACING ST GEORGE MC SUMMER NIGHT SERIES Rd 3 13-14 Feb, 2026, SMSP, NSW Rd 4 6-7 Mar, SMSP, NSW* FESTIVAL OF SPEED 7-8 Feb, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW 2026 AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP * Rd 1 20-22 Feb, Phillip Is, Vic Rd 2 27-28 Mar, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW Rd 3 1-3 May, The Bend, SA Rd 4 29-31 May, Morgan Park, Qld Rd 5 26-28 June, Qld Raceway, Qld 2027 AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP * Rd 1 Oct 2026, TBA Rd 2 Nov 2026, The Bend, SA Rd 3 Dec 2026, One Raceway, NSW Rd 4 Jan 2027, TBA Rd 5 Feb 2027, Phillip Is, Vic (with WorldSBK) Rd 6 Mar 2027, Qld Raceway, Qld Rd 7 Apr 2027, The Bend, SAc 2026 MOTOGP…

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, like our intrepid riders on the Kalgoorlie claypan, you are wrestling with throttle and ignition-advance levers as you muscle your old dunger through the dust and dirt at an unseemly pace.…