Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 147 i Australian Road Rider

“It’s like coffee when you haven’t had one for a few days. Like the kiss of that sweet thing you remember from all those years ago, but don’t talk about” Hi folks. Now I could be holding myself up for ridicule here (there’s a change of pace), but I may well deserve it. Truth is, I’m not sure myself. You see, there is a raging argument among my mates and I regarding all the tech that is available for riders these days. And its usage. One train of thought is that it takes away from the minimalism of motorcycling. You, the road, your wits, no digital interruptions. Yep, all that is kinda romantic for me too. A solid argument and, if well put — which is a bit of a…

The chance to catch up with old mates is always a good excuse for a ride, especially an ambitious 1500km in two days interrupted only by a feed and a night on the turps. But was the old body still up to it? And what about my old bike? My destination was the annual Chumps Rally, an informal gathering of motorcycle journos and friends held this year at Delegate in the high country along the NSW-Victorian border. I attended my first Chumps, at nearby Jingellic, in 1986. I’ve been in and out of the game ever since and have made some life-long friends. The event has ebbed and waned with the ever-changing fortunes of motorcycle magazines. Times are challenging for print media right now and this year’s Chumps Rally included…

There are other big-bore contenders out there, at least one of which comes from within Kawasaki's own stable in the shape of the ZX-14R, now with a limited-edition version featuring Öhlins and Brembos at $23,989 ride away, which seems like an awful lot of bike for the cash. Of course you can't go past the fantastic Yamaha FJR1300AE with its creamy motor and these days featuring active electronic suspension. It’s super comfortable and now sportier than ever but still firmly in the tourer mould, and at about 30 ride away, it's up there. Or how about a BMW S1000XR? No-one's ever accused the S1000 motors of not delivering the goods and in the form of the XR, it's a rock-solid choice with a bit of Adventure bike thrown in. Ride…

ENGINE  Type: Air/oil-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve, four-stroke, Boxer flat-twin Capacity: 1170cc Bore x stroke: 101mm x 73mm Compression ratio: 12.0:1 Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection PERFORMANCE  Claimed maximum power: 110hp (81kW) at 7750rpm Claimed maximum torque: 116Nm at 6000rpm TRANSMISSION  Type: Six-speed Clutch: Wet, multi-plate Final drive: Shaft CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR  Frame: Tubular-steel space frame, engine as a stressed member Front suspension: 43mm conventional telescopic fork, non-adjustable Rear suspension: BMW Paralever, adjustable for preload Front brakes: Dual 320mm discs with four-piston Brembo callipers Rear brake: Single 265mm disc with twin-piston Brembo calliper Tyres: Metzeler Roadtec Interact — 120/70ZR17 front, 180/55ZR17 rear DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES  Claimed wet weight: 220kg Seat height: 805mm Wheelbase: 1491mm Fuel capacity: 17 litres OTHER STUFF  Price: $19,150 (plus on-roads) Colours: Lightwhite Uni Warranty: Two-year/unlimited kilometres Bike…

“I loved that the thing could be worn off the bike without me looking like a Dakar reject” MACNA EIGHTY ONE JACKET From MACNA, one of Europe’s leading apparel brands, comes the Eighty One jacket. Kinda cool in its look and stylish enough to wear off the bike as well as on-board. The idea here is that when it gets warmer, just remove the thermo liner. There’s a soft shell nylon blend with Night-Eye reflective finish, Safe-Tech CE shoulder and elbow armour and CE Back Protector prepared. Keeping out the H2O is the Raintex waterproof and breathable membrane, and there’s a zip-out thermo liner as well. I gave this jacket a pretty hard time. It got the very worst of the Melbourne winter — rain, hail and wind. I loved…

We were riding our choice of either Yamaha XT660Z Ténérés or Yamaha XT600s and both models were perfectly suited for the terrain and style of riding you encounter in Kyrgyzstan. If you are riding with a pillion, the Ténéré is definitely the more comfortable choice for your passenger as well as having a bit more power for the high pass climbs. The XT600 was appreciated by the shorter and more petit riders in the group as the lower seat height made it more manageable and confidence-inspiring in the rougher dirt sections of the ride. Andre, our local mechanic, who travelled with us, was able to lower the suspension on a couple of the bikes so that the seat height came down to under 80cm. For one novice young lady rider,…

Celebration of the bike is a thing in Milwaukee, and you’ll find every Thursday night the city comes alive with motorcycles of every type enjoying the open air, food, music and camaraderie. Naturally enough, the hub of activity is the H-D Museum, which fills to capacity with — as you’d expect — Harleys of all descriptions. There’s live music, barbecue, drinks and lots of fraternising among the many fans around MOTOR, the in-house restaurant and bar in the 20-acre campus. But bike night is not for HOGs alone. Breakaway events take place at other venues around the city, like The Iron Horse Hotel, just over the bridge, where you’ll find the Indians and other British, Italian and Japanese makes hanging out, also enjoying the live music and ambience, especially in…

Don’t forget to write! We mean it. We love to hear from you and everyone else does too; these pages are among the most popular in the magazine. Preferably, keep letters under 300 words so we can fit more in, though we will allow the odd exception without taking to it with the editorial knife. Yes, we will chop ’em when we have to. Do include your real name and some contact details just in case we need to clarify something. Please write to gleech@universalmagazines.com.au or send mail to Road Rider, Unit 5, 6–8 Byfield Street, North Ryde NSW 2113.…

PIRELLI DIABLO ROSSO CORSA II With the DIABLO ROSSO™ CORSA II, Pirelli presents its first Pirelli multi-compound tyre that uses two compounds applied in three zones on the front tyre and three compounds applied at five zones on the rear, transferring racetrack performance into street versatility to create the ideal combination for today’s modern high-performance motorcycles. • Sizes — Front 120/70ZR17 • Sizes — Rear 160/60ZR17 — 180/55ZR17 — 180/60ZR17 — 190/50ZR17 — 190/55ZR17 — 200/55ZR17 The quids: Front from $239, rear from $329 Contact: linkint.com.au SHARK RACE-R PRO LORENZO DIABLO HELMET Ficeda Accessories is pleased to introduce the Race-R Pro Lorenzo Diablo Replica, first debuted at the 2017 Austrian GP by Jorge Lorenzo! A limited-edition production of this uniquely styled “Devil Spirit” helmet, along with a host of…

ENGINE  Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, 16-valve, supercharged in-line four Capacity: 998cc Bore x stroke: 76mm x 55mm Compression ratio: 11.2:1 Engine management: Electronic fuel injection: ø40mm x 4 with dual injection PERFORMANCE  Claimed maximum power: 197hp (147kW) at 11,000rpm Claimed maximum power with ram air: 206hp (154kW) at 11,000rpm Claimed maximum torque: 137.3Nm at 9500rpm TRANSMISSION  Type: Six-speed Final drive: Chain Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, slip-assist CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR  Frame: Trellis, high-tensile steel Front suspension: 43mm USD forks, fully adjustable, 120mm travel Rear suspension: Uni-Trak piggy-back shock, fully adjustable with remote preload adjuster, 139mm travel Front brakes: Twin 320mm semi-floating discs, Kawasaki 4-piston monobloc radial calipers, ABS Rear brake: Single 250mm disc, 2-piston caliper, ABS Wheels: Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke, 17x3.5in Front; 17x6.0in Rear Tyres: Bridgestone Battlax S21R, Front 120/70…

Big nakeds are more popular than ever right now and there seems to be something for everyone, at all sorts of price points and from every manufacturer. Here, in no particular order, is a brief list. KTM 1290 Super Duke R: Leave you brains at the door. The 1290 has a fierce reputation and deservedly so. Aprilia Tuono 1100RF: A spectacular motorcycle on every level with more electronics than the space shuttle. BMW S1000R: Always present in any big-bore naked comparo and constantly right up there. Yamaha MT10SP: Top-of-the-range MT feels more raw than the Trumpet but is an absolute hoot to ride. Ducati Monster 1200S: Another storming engine in a bike with all the electrical option you could wish for. Honda CB1000R: New kid on the block looks cool…

• The factory floor occupies the equivalent of 15 football fields (8ha). • In 2017, H-D recycled more than 3000 tonnes of steel, nearly 1000 tonnes of aluminium and almost 150 tonnes of paper, cardboard and re-claimed cutting oils. • Nearly 50,000 litres of gasoline are saved annually since switching to cold (electronic) testing of engines. • The factory produces in excess of 250,000 units annually. • Forgings come from an outside supplier in Michigan and rocker arms from Tennessee.…

Every issue we’re giving away this beaut pack of Motul cleaning gear worth $49.95. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is write to us. We’ll pick what we think is the best letter every month and the top blokes at Motul will fire out this pack to whoever wrote it. Simple. Pack includes some of the best washing and detailing products on the market: • Wash & Wax, a waterless cleaner that leaves a wax coating • Moto Wash, good for all surfaces • Scratch Remover, a micro-abrasive cream for painted surfaces • Helmet & Visor Clean, to keep your lid and your view pristine. Email roadrider@universalmagazines.com.au or mail to ARR at 5/6–8 Byfield St, North Ryde NSW 2113. We’ll do the rest.…

ENGINE  Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, 12-valve, in-line triple Capacity: 1050cc Bore x stroke: 79mm x 71.4mm Compression ratio: 12.9:1 Engine management: Electronic fuel injection PERFORMANCE  Claimed maximum power: 148hp (110kW) at 10,500rpm Claimed maximum torque: 117Nm at 7150rpm TRANSMISSION  Type: Six-speed Final drive: Chain Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, slip-assist CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR  Frame: Aluminium beam twin-spar Front suspension: Öhlins 43mm NIX30 USD forks, fully adjustable, 120mm travel Rear suspension: Öhlins TTX36 twin tube monoshock, fully adjustable, 130mm travel Front brakes: Twin 320mm floating discs, Brembo 4-piston M4.34 Monobloc radial calipers, switchable ABS Rear brake: Single 255mm disc, 2-piston sliding caliper, switchable ABS Wheels: Cast-aluminium alloy 5-spoke, 17x3.5in front, 17x6.0in rear Tyres: Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP front 120/70 ZR17, rear 190/55 ZR17 DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES  Rake: 22.9° Trail: 91.3mm Claimed dry…

RIXY’S READS Dear ARR, I have just finished reading two interesting books on motorcycle journeys done by Brian Rix and Shirley-Hardy Rix. They are entitled Circle to Circle and Two for the Road. I loved reading them. My hat goes out to these two incredible people. Peter Knowles Meridan Plains, Qld Greg: Yes, Peter, Brian and Shirley have written extensively of their fantastic travels. In fact, they have just returned from a major European trip, taking in the Isle of Man Classic GP. Their books are a great way to feel like you are on the road between your own trips. If you are interested in grabbing a copy, go here: www.aussiesoverland.com.au RIX ADVICE Dear Greg, I’m an avid reader of Road Rider and thoroughly enjoy each issue…

TRUTH AND JUSTICE THE ARR WAY Neubauer climbs aboard for a wild run through the Northern Territory. True to form, there’s a twist there. Triumph’s cool Bobber gets the ARR once over, and Snag heads to Italy to ride Benelli’s first serious shot at the middleweight market, the TRK502 X. AND, OF COURSE… A stack of maintenance tips, new products, gear on test, all brought to you with a sprinkling of silliness to keep you lot informed and entertained. Until then!…