Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 166 i Australian Road Rider

Finished in ‘Winter Test’ livery (black with red trim, very similar to the colours used by the race teams during the off-season winter tests) and equipped with all sorts of advanced technology and special parts, the new Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 machine is built to set fast lap times right out of the crate, yet is also street-legal. Despite its track riding credentials, the $56,900 SP2 is designed to be “even more intuitive and less strenuous to ride for non-professional riders”. So we’re reading that to mean it feels more like a road bike than a race bike out of the crate - which will suit many buyers looking for a high performance machine which they don’t plan to take racing. As a Sport Production machine each bike is part…

The music is pumping, the cruise control set, six cylinders running at low revs creating no perceptible vibration and a giant fairing is in front of me, punching the breeze out of the way. Gold Wings are built for this. Adding a friend on the back won’t change much, for there’s more than enough room for two. Upping the speed is pretty well a case of telling the Gold Wing how fast you’d like to go. Cranking up the volume is a matter of pushing a button, and raising the screen will make it even calmer in your cockpit. For smooth, reliable freeway performance, the Gold Wing reigns supreme. Built by Honda to compete head-to-head with the big American baggers and full dressers, the Gold Wing does so its own…

“ALL THE THINGS THE PASSIONATE TRACK JUNKIE WOULD HAVE ON THEIR WISH LIST… ” 180 horsepower, 180 kilograms: that’s a formula for extreme performance, which the KTM Super Duke 1290 RR delivers, in spades. Usually only found in race-replica superbikes, those sorts of power-to-weight ratios are at the cutting-edge of production bike performance. To get those numbers in a naked bike that is also suitable for sporting day rides on public roads is a formula which had 27 Australians ordering their $38,000 specials within minutes of the bike going on sale online. The entire production run of 500 units was sold out in hours, if not minutes. With incredible performance and top-shelf components, this limited-edition machine is more than just fast; it’s designed and built to set incredible lap times…

Located as I am somewhere along the East Coast of Australia, it wasn’t much of a summer for riding. It rained and it rained, but I did get in at least one memorable run along the Putty Road with some like-minded friends. The occasion was a Ducati Owners Club commemorative ride for English racer Paul Smart, who had been killed a few months earlier, aged 78, in a road accident in the UK. Way back in 1972, Paul Smart rode Ducati’s new 750cc desmo V-twin to a debut victory in the Imola 200, elevating him to sainthood amongst the Ducatisti and spawning the revered 750 Super Sport in 1974. Ducati kindly returned the shout many years later with the PaulSmart 1000 LE in 2006. By all accounts, Paul was also…

“CARVE THROUGH SWEEPERS, DROP INTO SHALLOW VALLEYS, RIDE INTO A JUMBLE OF RIGHT-ANGLED BENDS…” There is a fantastic triangle of roads in the Adelaide hills you can ride in either direction many times and not get bored. A mixture of roads that twist and turn along the floor of a narrow winding valley before climbing steep hills to roll up and down along ridges. Carve through sweepers, drop into shallow valleys, ride into a jumble of right-angled bends, curves with decreasing radiuses that open out to short straights before another jumble of turns with rising and falling roads. At the corners of the triangle there are great pubs, cafes, a fantastic museum, the home of a local motorcycle hero and an absolute gem of a locally created motor museum where…

“… THE FABULOUS VIEWS ACROSS THE WATER …” Western Australia is big … incomprehensibly large, really. At 33 per cent of the Australian land mass it’s bigger than most countries around the world, and you’re not going to see it all by motorcycle. For a start, most of it isn’t accessible by bike, being thousands of kilometres from fuel, fresh water and civilisation. But the South-West, the bottom left corner on the Australian map, is not only accessible it’s also wonderful. From the giant trees of the Jarrah and Karri forests to the beautiful blue of the Indian Ocean, South-West WA offers the travelling motorcyclist easy touring roads (many of which are in much better condition than roads in the East), quality accommodation, fresh local food and predictable weather. PERTH…

For someone who worked in aviation for most of his career, riding fast bikes must feel pretty close to flying – and Andy Price likes powerful bikes and has a few in his garage. Andy contacted Australian Road Rider recently, offering to let us compare his 1994 Daytona Super III to his new machine, a Speed Triple RR. “Just wondered if you guys were interested in doing a feature on Triumph’s flagship three-cylinder bike evolution over the last three decades, ” Andy wrote. Too right we were – I was on a plane to Victoria as soon as I could to throw a leg over both bikes. “I have a very rare 1994 Daytona Super III, one of only seven that made it to Australia in perfect running order, on…

As I write this the war in Ukraine is in full swing – two European countries in a ground war. I never thought that would happen in my lifetime, but Vladimir Putin is a nutcase dictator who doesn’t know what’s good for him or his people. But enough of politics, the war has compromised world trade and pushed the price of fuel through the roof. During my Perth trip in this issue I was paying up to $2.30 for premium 98, which means spending $100 a day on fuel is well within the scope of possibilities these days. What should you do about this? Ride more, drive less! But you need to be careful, just getting out on your big roadburner might not save you much, although that depends on…

Rip out a few wheelies. Drop a rolling burnout or two. Set some lap times. Commute to work. It won’t do everything, but the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 will get your heart pumping, will function as exceptionally fun transportation and will do it all for a much lower price – just $17,290 ride away – than most hypernakeds today. And it’s also got a three-year warranty. Indeed, you could buy one, get top-level suspension fitted, get some engine work done, and have a bike that could embarrass many a “premium” bike without coming close to their cost. THE BIG UPDATE Born in 2015, the GSX-S1000 was a good all-round machine with some unusual design choices – the styling for one, the handlebars for another. ARR said in our test of the…

HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE S – FROM $41,995 With its rubber-mounted big twin powerplant, slammed rear end and Batwing fairing, Harley’s idea of a Bagger is really similar while being very different. BMW K 1600 – FROM $43,825 RIDE AWAY An inline six powers BMW’s Bagger – it’s smooth, torquey and powerful. Lots of high tech features, 10-inch digital display, well worth a look. INDIAN CHALLENGER LIMITED – FROM $41,995 RIDE AWAY Features the new PowerPlus V-twin producing 178Nm of torque and 122hp – similar to the Gold Wing. High tech features including an IMU, quality audio, 68L of luggage capacity.…

With incredible punch to launch you out of corners, an SWC-derived chassis built for stiffness and a compact nature which makes it one of the smallest in its class, the Aprilia RSV4 is an amazing machine – but it’s also too powerful, too expensive, too cramped and too much for most people. So maybe cut out a couple of cylinders, adapt the design to suit a wider range of riders and build it at a reasonable price to increase sales? Enter the RS 660. It’s Aprilia’s re-imagining of what a middleweight sports bike can be, but it’s interesting Yamaha had a similar idea with the R7 (the two bikes were announced so close together it’s unlikely one is a response to the other). Not only that, we’re getting two versions…

Despite various modern conveniences like fuel injection, electronic ignition and anti-lock brakes, Royal Enfield’s new 350 Classic doesn’t feel very modern. Some will find it slow, ponderous and uninspiring, but that’s OK – it’s not for them. This bike is for someone who wants to take in the sights and sounds of the ride, to enjoy travelling by motorcycle without being in a hurry. The style and performance is from a previous generation, while the build quality and technology is quite modern. It’s perfect for the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride or to accompany a group of vintage bikes on a run, for easy commuting or for taking in the sights on country roads. Anyone who has completed the basic motorcycle licence courses running across Australia would likely feel immediately comfortable throwing…

Perth is further from Melbourne than London is from Moscow. As someone who has ridden across the great divide, I can say it’s a fabulous place to visit, but I also know it’s a long, long way. If you live on the East Coast, you’d need to allow three weeks to see anything of the West – a week getting there, a week back, and a week or so to explore the South-West corner of the country. A more practical way for most is to fly into Perth, hire a bike and fly home. Not only will you save a lot of time, it’ll probably be cheaper than three weeks on the road – riding over will cost you a set of tyres and a service for your bike (riding…

WIN THIS 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 send us a pick of your shining steed and we’ll pick what we think is the best shot and comment 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. If you’re the winner and you haven’t already heard from…

Yamaha is about to start selling electric scooters, but despite the eye-watering cost of fuel, you can’t have one. The E01 with its fixed on-board battery is going onto the market in Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand as a proof-of-concept machine (which means they want to see how it is received and sells in countries with huge scooter sales before trying places like Australia). The Japan-built E01 is built to offer 50-125cc equivalent performance with a range of around 100km. Fast charging capability is built into the package. It’s initially aimed at vehicle sharing operators, local governments, government agencies and other large purchasers of scooters. Charging options are built into the design of the bike and its accessories. NEO – SWAPPABLE BATTERIES Back in September 2021 a group…

YAMAHA MT-09, FROM $15,699 RIDE AWAY One less cylinder, a little less power and $1500 cheaper, the MT-09 is worth a look. The MT-10 is more than $5000 pricier… KAWASAKI Z1000 – $18,072 (RIDE AWAY, NSW) If you wanted one in green, this is it: spec for spec there’s not a hell of a lot to separate the two machines, although on balance the new Suzuki probably has the edge. Then again, there’s nothing like a Kawasaki four… WORTH A LOOK All the European bikes with 150-odd horsepower are priced much higher than GSX-S, so if the budget can stretch, it’s worth looking at the BMW S 1000R, KTM Super Duke and Ducati Streetfighter V2.…

DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 S, FROM $36,400 RIDE AWAY More power, less torque, same weight (both 180kg dry), a four-cylinder option based on the Panigale racer. Prospective owners can’t ignore this incredibly powerful Ducati. If you’ve got 12K, there’s an SP version… APRILIA TUONO V4 FACTORY $31,830 A rocketship machine that is a little more upright and an excellent choice for anyone wanting something a bit less track focussed but still very capable on a circuit. OTHER HYPERNAKEDS There are many high-performance naked motorcycles, but few which comes close to matching the Ducati or KTM in terms of price, spec or capability. If the budget doesn’t run to an RR or Streetfighter, check out these: • Kawasaki Z H2 – supercharged fun, approximately $26,000 • BMW S 1000 R – four-pot…

YAMAHA R7 LAMS $13,999, HO $14,999 RA Offered in both high output and LAMS versions, the R7 is cheaper but heavier, less powerful and has no electronic rider aids beyond ABS. TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE RS – $20,440 RIDE AWAY Unfaired but featuring a 765cc 3-cylinder motor, the Street Triple RS has an Öhlins rear shock, more power and similar weight to the RS 660. KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R – $17,205 RIDE AWAY (NSW) High tech, more powerful and cheaper, the Ninja is fantastic on a track but nowhere near as versatile as the RS 660. DUCATI SUPERSPORT 950 – FROM $20,000 RIDE AWAY A Ducati V-twin designed for road riding rather than track. Decent power and torque although a little heavier than the Aprilia.…

Anyone who knows Moto Guzzis in Australia has heard of Teo Lamers. In fact, in the 1980s, anyone in Europe who loved Moto Guzzis knew of Teo and his dealership in the Netherlands. His passion for the marque is legendary. Many have experienced Teo’s European rides to the Moto Guzzi factory. He arranges a container for those interested to freight their bike to Europe, and then a ride through some of the best roads, in particular the Alps around Italy, to carve up with your mates. Moto Guzzi owners only need apply. In 2001, Teo left his native Netherlands and a thriving motorcycle business to forge a new life in the wide-open spaces of Australia. Nestled in the valley south of Yea in Victoria, Teo has created his patch of…

HONDA SUPERCUB – FROM $7378 RIDE AWAY (NSW) Styled like a scooter from the 1960s, the SuperCub is gorgeous. It’s only a 125, but it won’t lose out too much in performance to the Classic because it’s much lighter – and it’s even easier to ride. ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR 650 – FROM $10,990 RIDE AWAY Bigger, heavier and stronger than the Classic 350, this is a better bike for the open road than the 350, while being only a few thousand dollars more. YAMAHA MT-03 – FROM $7849 RIDE AWAY A sporty, modern lightweight machine similar in capacity and price, but lighter and more powerful.…

“… BREATHABLE GEAR IS FAR MORE COMFORTABLE TO SPEND A FEW HOURS OR ALL DAY INSIDE …” Keeping the rain out is a priority in winter, because being wet and cold is a really easy way to ruin your whole day. Although the choices available seem never-ending if you start looking at what gear is available, staying dry on a bike really comes down to just a few options: • Waterproof pants, jacket or suit over your everyday riding gear • Waterproof riding gear • Waterproof linings inside your gear PACKABLE GEAR The cheapest and possibly the most effective way to keep yourself dry on a bike is to add a waterproof layer over the top of your riding gear. While you’ll still see the occasional rider wearing heavy-duty bright…

You can take the bike you own to a racetrack for an advanced riding school or ride day, and Australian Road Rider encourages you to do so – you’ll learn lots about riding fast and smooth, braking and lots more, even if you’re not getting trained (although we encourage you to start with a riding course). However, after a while you’ll likely run into issues with riding your road bike on the track – the cost of tyres, the inconvenience of having mirrors, headlights and the ever-present possibility of a very expensive crash, even if it’s at low speed. Compared to a road bike, a track bike is likely to have some significant changes. WHERE TO START The bike you have, a secondhand race/track machine or a statutory write-off is…

LOOKING BACK THE END OF CHEAP TRANSPORT? Look back in time and you’ll find vehicles, fuel or both were expensive … in many ways they have been getting cheaper, in real terms, pretty well since the invention of the internal combustion engine. A hundred years ago, for example, were the halcyon days of many luxury car brands, with many producing cars which were more than the equivalent of a year’s wages for the average worker. And while we can still by stupid-expensive Bugattis and Lamborghinis, the bulk of cars these days aren’t anything like that expensive. For someone in the middle class, a Model T Ford was achievable, maybe, but then were made to last for decades despite being poorly-built, unreliable, but at least cheap and easy to fix. Post…