Home//Australian Motorcycle News/September 17, 2015/In This Issue
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015A hot body in secondsWHILE GLOVES ARE a snug fit – making it relatively straightforward to generate heat – warming the entire body requires a different approach.The larger surface area, together with the relatively lose fitment of jackets, makes it harder for heaters to be built into a jacket and work efficiently. It would also require the purchase of a whole new jacket to get the extra warmth. The smart boffins at Australian company AVADE have overcome all of these issues in one hit by inventing a lightweight, snug-fitting garment you wear against your skin. The design gives you the freedom to wear whatever gear suits the conditions, but gives you access to an extra few degrees of heat at the press of a button.The AVADE garment looks like Skins sportswear – stretchy, tight…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Race timeLIKE MANY SPORTS video games, the MotoGP franchise has a long history, stretching right back to the start of the 2000s. But this was my first time, so I was keen to test out how good and realistic the experience could be.I started out with campaign mode, which sees you riding as a privateer in Moto3. My strategy was to start off nice and easy, then hopefully build my skills up. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go to plan.Let just me say, this game is hard, especially for a newbie. Not that this is a bad thing. The gaming engine is so realistic that even on the most basic settings I still found myself ending up in the gravel quite often. My challenge was to ride smoother, hit the apex better…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015World MX champ crownedROMAIN FEBVRE SEALED the fate of the 2015 Monster Energy World Motocross Championships with a double race win aboard his Yamaha YZ450F in Round 17 at León, Mexico last weekend. The 23-year-old Frenchman now holds an unassailable points lead with one round still remaining.The victory marks the first MXGP championship win for Yamaha since 2009 and comes off the back of a three-year deal between Monster Energy and the Factory Yamaha Racing Team.Australian Dean Ferris (Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna) finished Race One in sixth place after qualifying well in 10th position. He proceeded to finish 10th in Race Two, narrowly ahead of compatriot Todd Waters (Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna) who scored two 11th place finishes. Todd Waters now holds ninth place in the Championship while Dean Ferris sits in 12th.The MX2…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Shafted in SlovakiaON DAY THREE, among six other highly placed competitors, French riders Marc Bourgeois and Anthony Boissiere missed a mid-course checkpoint. The clear cut penalty for this is exclusion. No ifs, no buts. That is, of course, unless you’re French, in which case you ride on while the team managers have a quiet word to the cabal Francaise. Move on, nothing to see here.Certainly the regulations may be a little harsh, however, every team is held to the same account, and considering almost 500 riders – including some from distant continents such as North and South America, Africa and Australia – managed to have their time cards stamped at the control point, the exclusion rule was correctly applied, and the French World Trophy team dropped from second position to somewhere back…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Tiger’s new low profileTRIUMPH HAS GONE into bat for the vertically challenged, announcing a lowered version of its Tiger 800 XRx and Tiger 800 XCx adventure models.The Low Seat models offer a 50mm reduction in seat height by using a combination of the accessory low seat, and reduced travel in the rear shock absorber and front fork, with the XCx retaining the use of WP units.The seat height of the Tiger 800 XRx Low Seat is just 760mm, 50mm lower than the standard XRx (810mm), while the seat on the Tiger 800 XCx Low Seat sits at 790mm, also down 50mm from the standard XCx (840mm).Triumph's marketing manager Mark Berger said, "The new lowered models will offer customers who may have lacked confidence on the taller versions, an opportunity to reconsider owning an…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Tight suspendersWITH BROADFORD CIRCUIT ours for a day for AUStest, we took the opportunity to squeeze in a quick session and try out the track-tuned suspension on the KTM RC390. With uprated springs and damping thanks to Terry Hay at Shock Treatment, the little orange missile is now much firmer than in standard trim. The stock bike is perfectly capable and comfortable on the road, but on the track it tends to use up all it suspension stroke too easily, and lacks rebound control.There were seven superbikes at the track to choose from, so understandably the RC390 only got a handful of laps, but it was enough to see the KTM has taken a leap forward in its track potential – all thanks to the improved support in the suspension reducing…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Far and WiseIf you’ve ever wondered whether you need a big bike to go touring, or even a touring bike to go touring, the answer is no. BMW’s F800R is proof positive that small is good, and you don’t need to go large to go long. Sure, if you’re a strapping big fella or filly, then maybe some extra cubes and a bit of leg room is what you need. But if you’re somewhere around average height and weight, there’s not much you can’t do with a mid-sized roadster like the F800R. And whether you’re riding in town or in the country, nine times out of ten you’ll have a stack more fun than if you were muscling something bigger around.For 2015, BMW took a fresh look at the F800R, and at…10 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Nicky HaydenAre you happy with your season so far?I can’t be happy with the results. I’ve got to expect more from myself. We’re just past halfway so let’s hope the second half goes better than the first!In theory you have the same bike as 2014, but in reality it’s different...The chassis and suspension are similar but the big differences are electronics and engine. With these electronics we can’t use the seamless gearbox and the same rpm [as the factory Honda team].What would you like to see improved?The thing we ask for all the time is more rpm but it’s not something they think we’ll get. So we do what we can with the chassis to improve edge grip. At Indy that was really important and the team did a good job.…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Who’s riding what next year?Leopard Racing announced current Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Miguel Oliveira will join its Moto2 ranks in 2016. Oliveira said of his move, “Of course it will be a big step for me, but I feel I’m ready to do it.”The Moto2 SAG Racing Team unveiled Luis Salom as a new 2016 signing at Misano. The Spanish rider has a two-year contract and he will join the team’s current riders, Jesko Raffin next year.Alex De Angelis is considering a move to the WSBK paddock to get his career back on a winning track. “To be honest with an open class bike you cannot win. I would really like to be in the podium positions, to try to win some races, and I think that in Superbike with the right bike…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015briefsWings spreadingYamaha’s M1 sported small winglets at Misano on Friday, similar but different to the ones fitted by Ducati for some time. Lorenzo was not just fast on Friday – he ended up beating the qualifying best at Misano, with a 1’32.871. In term of its effect on the pace, Lorenzo said, “We’re not sure. We have to still see the telemetry… It’s not a big difference because if it was we would notice so much from the first lap. But if it can give you a very small advantage, it’s better.”Changing spotsLeopard Racing announced that Miguel Oliveira, currently riding at the top level for Red Bull KTM Ajo in the Moto3 class, will join its ranks on a Moto2 bike in 2016. Oliveira said of his move, “It will…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015High-speed SCANDALThis season there’s been plenty of news about alleged financial crimes within the MotoGP paddock, with a top team owner and a top sponsor charged with wrongdoings ranging from fraud to bribery and money laundering. We should also add, of course, that these people are innocent until proven guilty.Forward Racing and LCR sponsor CWM are not the only MotoGP people who have been in the legal spotlight. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta (below right) has been under investigation for financial irregularities at the Jerez GP over a number of years. In 2007, Italian authorities investigated Valentino Rossi in relation to tax evasion allegations. He eventually settled, paying around US$50 million. A few years earlier former 125 and 250 World Champion Loris Capirossi (below left) was also ruled to have dodged Italian…10 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Former AUSTest stars – 2012The then recently renamed Sydney Motorsport Park was the venue for AUSTest 2012, and nine bikes were involved. It had been a big year for sportsbike development, so expectations were high. In the end it came down to three: the BMW S1000RR, the Aprilia RSV4 and the Ducati Panigale 1199S. But it was the S1000RR that won the most plaudits. Riders raved about the top-end mumbo and the improved midrange torque, the lighter and smoother quickshifter and the overall user-friendliness of the electronics.“The BMW was still a ferocious superbike, but it’s an easy bike to ride when all’s said and done. The combination of price [and] track application made the 2012 BMW S1000RR very hard to beat in the overall ratings.”Or, as serial AUSTest participant Ralph Leavsey-Moase put it, “This…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Apple Isle delight for ElliotBRAYDEN ELLIOTT (Hankook Tyres/Royan Truck Trailer Repairs/Muscat Trailer) extended his lead in the Supersport championship with a first overall on count-back, narrowly clinching the victory from Kane Burns (Gardner Homes/Moto National/ Allied Timber).Elliott set the pace until the midpoint of Race 1 when Burns surged back into contention. An unforced error by Elliott on lap 12 opened the door for Burns to take the lead with the pair swapping paint several times before Burns pulled out a big move on the last corner of the last lap to take the win, leaving Chris Quinn (Coopers Pale Ale/Holmes Extractive Resources) to claim third.Elliott regrouped in Race 2, taking the holeshot and opening a massive 11.292s lead before cruising to the chequered flag. Burns held onto second followed by Aaiden Coote (Ryco/DriRider/…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015100 per cent passionRACING AS A privateer in the Formula Oz category of the Australasian Superbike Championship series has been the only thing I have ever wanted to do. So far I have completed two and a half seasons and believe me, it has been one of the most difficult and demanding tasks I have ever done. In saying that, the sheer enjoyment and self-progression I have had over the short period of time has been enormous. The negatives such as hard times, crashes and financial stress are all completely outweighed when I reach a milestone in the sport. As each race meet goes by the passion continues to grow along with the drive to push my boundaries to achieve those precious personal best lap times and results.Since I have started racing as…4 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Luck favours the braveIn a MotoGP race that will be remembered for much more than a record-breaking full house attendance, the 13th round of the championship was lucky for some, very unlucky for others.Count Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) as one of the luckiest, but also best as he, like all his peers, had to put up with a track that was dry, wet, and dry again, and every other shade of grey in between. Only he had the pace, the control and the team to win the race both off and on track. By a whopping 7.288 seconds in the end – and not a fellow title challenger within backwards glances.He was ebullient in getting back some of the ground he lost after his Silverstone crash, and by winning, which is always the…6 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Rising starEnea Bastianini (Junior Team Gresini Moto3 Honda NSF250RW ) took pole on Saturday and a million happy memories from Sunday. He got the massive crowd on its feet early as he led the first three laps, then rode a tough last lap to make it certain, by only 0.037 seconds from Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo).Another home runner and another Honda rider went third, with Niccolo Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold Honda NSF250RW ) delivering on his pre-race promise. Meanwhile, Romano Fenati (SKY Racing Team VR46 KTM) and early second place rider Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) made it a good day for KTM, as he completed a podium fight that started with seven leading riders.It was a classic Moto3 battle, a rolling exercise in overtaking, slipstreaming and simple…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Shop horrorTHE OTHER DAY I wandered into my local motorcycle dealer to book in a 50k service on my 2006 Ducati.So you’re thinking Ducati, 10 years old, 50k on the clock? Is he mad? Not really. I bought it as a one-owner with 45k showing but a full dealer-certified service history. I reckoned if it had got this far without a technician needing to dive into its internals it would last me another five years or so.While I was in the shop a Ducati Scrambler promotional display was being set up. Constructed from rough-sawn wooden pallets and corrugated iron, its funky industrial chic made a stark contrast to the showroom’s polished tiles and clean walls. This got me thinking about how things have changed in the motorcycling world for us former…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015CRF250 Rally Closer to productionHONDA’S CRF250 RALLY concept bike – revealed in March this year – could arguably be the most serious new adventure machine we’ve seen in ages, despite its diminutive capacity. And the latest patents from Honda hint that it could be going into production.Based on Honda's CRF250L, the Rally concept adds styling straight from Honda’s works Dakar bike, the CRF450 Rally, but employs the simple, straightforward mechanical parts of the mass-made CRF250L. So while it has the style and at least a chunk of the ability of the real Dakar machine, it should be relatively cheap and easy to fix with readily available parts – an important consideration if you’re heading for an outback adventure ride.The new design patents reveal a bike that looks much the same as the CRF250L Rally…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Ready to rumbleWITHOUT A DOUBT the 2015 Victory High-ball is a motorcycle that exudes attitude. It's one of those bikes that you look at and you imagine its owner being of the 1%er variety.It all starts with the Apehanger handlebar. If you’ve never ridden a bike with a bar like this it’s hard not to feel a little intimidated at first, but rest assured it doesn’t take long to get a feel for it – and once you’re on the go you’ll soon take on your new persona of Mr (or Mrs) Badass.Despite the height, the handling is quite good and feet-up U-turns aren’t out of the question. I found I did get pins and needles after about 40 minutes of riding, but that’s more to do with my height and reach…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Cooking up extra jacketsTHIS YEAR'S AMCN Winter Jacket Drive may be officially over, but one television chef and his best mate are determined to take jackets into new and still chilly territory: Tasmania.Duncan Robertson, host of the television show Duncan's Thai Kitchen, has decided to create a one-hour TV special called Food For Thought Tassie which is about delivering jackets to Tasmania, a place where it really does get cold.“Through Mission Australia's Dan Strickland my mate and fellow chef Gordon Brown and I were able to make contact with Dan’s Hobart counterparts," Duncan explained.“With the help of Peter Stevens Motorcycles, we have been busy collecting jackets from Melbourne’s motorcycling community. We will take the jackets with us to Tasmania next week for distribution at a Missionbeat-run soup kitchen in Hobart."Since we are chefs…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Hot stuffRIDING A MOTORCYCLE to the top of the NSW Blue Mountains just days after the area had been hit by an arctic blast of ice-age proportions was probably not one of my most well thought-out trips. Sure, the bike I intended to ride was fitted with heated seats, but what good is a hot arse when you lose all feeling in the rest of your body? Thankfully, Five Gloves and AVADE came to the rescue with a pair of heated gloves and a heated vest. I went from worrying about hypothermia to felling like a lightly done ham and cheese toasty as I cruised along.…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Glory to the gals in the green and goldHOT FAVOURITES FOR a threepeat in the Women’s Trophy, the Aussie trio of Jessica Gardiner, Tayla Jones and Jemma Wilson demonstrated their domination from day one, finishing eight minutes ahead of France and double that over third placed Sweden. Over the following four days they took the trifecta in every special test. Most often it was Jones in the lead, despite her dislike of the muddy slippery conditions seldom encountered at Finke, Hattah or the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC).Over five days and more than 1200km of tough trail riding timed to the minute – plus 30 special cross-country and enduro tests timed to the 100th of a second – the trio had built up such an outstanding lead they may well have pushed their bikes around the motocross track and…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015“In ’95, I was running seventh in the Australian GP”I WASN’T REALLY interested in bikes when I was young, but my older brother was. He was always trying to persuade my parents to get him a motorbike, but there was no way they were going let him ride a bike so he roped me in to support him. My parents eventually gave in so I ended up with a Yamaha YZ80D in 1978. I went through the 80cc,100cc, 125cc, and up to the 500cc class in dirt-track in the mid-late 80s. This was in the Chris Watson era, and I ended up beating him for the Australian 500 title at Gunnedah in 1990.I moved to road racing in 1991 on a RGV250. I thought it would be easy with unlimited grip, but it was completely foreign. I remember going…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Former AUSTest stars – 2011In 2010 the RSV4 had finished runner-up to the BMW S1000RR and the Suzuki GSX-R1000, but it was to be Aprilia’s year in 2011. Over three days of riding through wind, snow (true!) rain, hail and sunshine on the road, eight bikes were put through the wringer and the RSV4 narrowly came out on top.“As predicted the race came down to the BMW [S1000RR], Ducati [1198 SP] and Aprilia. It’s no co-incidence these are the most expensive bikes here, but we are talking outright performance, road tractability and comfort, electronic aids, power, handling, as well as value for money in an effort to decide the winner.“After coming so close last year, the Aprilia, courtesy of its superior handling and electronics package, has taken the top spot and raised the bar…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015accessAccess, AMCN, 73 Atherton Road, Oakleigh, Vic, 3166amcn@bauertrader.com.auI have ended up with a pair of Paul Young’s yellow/black/silver leathers from his 2004 Supersports series in EnglandLetter of the issueThank you and bon voyage!Dear Kellie,I read with surprise that you are relinquishing the helm at AMCN!No doubt some of the more misogynistic, grizzly old buggers are rubbing their hands together with glee, knowing that a “brother” is back in charge, but I – as well as the majority of others I am sure – have only experienced a wonderful and passionate motorcyclist guiding our baby.I can only imagine how hard the job is, let alone when you’re a woman in a very male world ... so thank you for doing a great job, and for always placing motorcycling above gender.Now –…11 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015ed’s desk CHRIS DOBIEIt’s a dangerous businessDOBIE! RUN TOWARDS the danger, not away from it!I’d like to say the scary editor in charge of the newspaper where I cut my teeth as a journalist was speaking metaphorically, but the truth is he did actually want me to run in the direction of a mudslide in order to get the story. Okay, mudslide probably sounds a little dramatic and I wasn’t in any real danger – except of catching a cold because it was pouring down with rain – but the upshot is that I filed my copy via phone, it ran in the following morning’s newspaper, and for the first time I felt the sense of achievement which keeps all journos loving the job. The fact that I can merrily tap away on…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Aussie leads into Superbike ShowdownAT ROUND NINE of the British Superbike Championship series, held at Oulton Park on 4-6 September, Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) had his work cut out for him after an engine failure in qualifying relegated him to the back of the grid for race one. The talented Australian staged an impressive comeback by clocking the second fastest lap time and gliding effortlessly through the field to secure a comfortable fourth-place finish. Despite relinquishing the race win to Shane “Shakey” Byrne (PBM Kawasaki), Brookes’ exceptional streak of podium finishes – including three back-to-back double-race wins in the previous rounds – sees him enter the Superbike Showdown on top of the points table with a slender two-point margin over Byrne.The Showdown phase of BSB sees the top six after Oulton Park wiped of…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Juniors move up to the top stepTWENTY YEARS HAVE passed since an Aussie Junior Team stood on the top step of the podium when Shawn Reed, Shane Watts, Ian and Jamie Cunningham won in Jelinia, Poland. With only one member of the team that scored second in Argentina last year returning, the current crop of Juniors were given little chance of repeating that performance, let alone bettering it. It was an exceptional performance by Daniel “Chucky” Sanders, whose untiring enthusiasm inspired ISDE rookies Tye Simmonds, Tom Mason and Broc Grabham – the last a big bloke on an unfamiliar Sherco 300 instead of his regular 450 – to follow his lead. The philosophy appeared simple: crash through or crash, then get up and crash through again.The team established a three-minute lead from the get-go and steadily…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Monster bares its teethMonster makeoversAlthough the R model is the first to get these changes, they may be carried over to other versions in a year or so to meet the 2017 Euro4 emissions rulesFOR MORE THAN two decades Ducati's Monster was a leader in the sporty nakedbike class, but the recent horsepower battle between models such as the BMW S1000R and KTM 1290 Super Duke R has left it in the shadows. Until now.The new Monster 1200R truly lives up to its R tag. It has 117.7kW peak power and a dry weight of just 180kg – figures that wouldn’t shame a superbike, let alone a naked roadster. Sure, it’s not quite at the 132kW level of the KTM Super Duke R or the 129kW of the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100, but…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Beta gets injectedBETA HAS GIVEN its enduro range an impressive update for 2016, including a frame adapted from the 2015 racing model, a new handlebar with a lower bend, improved water drainage from the airbox and an updated odometer. Looks-wise, the fuel tank is translucent and there are some bold new graphics.However, the biggest change to the RR250 and RR300 two-stroke enduro models is the fitment of an intelligent oil injection system. This ensures a perfect fuel/oil mix thanks to a new Throttle Position System (TPS) and ECU featuring integrated mix and engine controls. When the revs are low, the injection system squirts less oil. This means better lubrication of the engine and fewer fouled plugs.One of the other benefits of the new system is no more premix! No more guessing oil/fuel…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015HeadcheckThe year was... 001978ACCORDING TO RECENT research from an Australian university, 1978 was the year when the world’s quality of life peaked. We had it all: polyester flares, bouffant hair, Grease ... the first test tube baby was born and Space Invaders was launched, woo hoo!How much ?It looked innocuous, but a new anti-skid device, a safety breaker, to stop disc-brake motorcycles more quickly and smoothly was available at “all switched on accessory shops” the ad said. “Greatly reduces chatter, fade and helps eliminate wheel hop.”Era techYamaha released its first four-cylinder streetbike in 1978, the XS1100E. It conquered the 750-1000cc market by developing a new model that boasted a whopping 1100cc capacity for a very tasty price. At the time, the market leader BMW simply couldn't compete with Yamaha's claimed…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Track AttackMotoGPMisano, San MarinoCircuit length4.2kmRace distanceMotoGP 118.3kmMoto2 109.9kmMoto3 97.2km2014 winnersMotoGP Valentino Rossi 44m04.586sMoto2 Esteve Rabat 42m48.724sMoto3 Álex Rins 39m50.694sDid you know?MotoGP returned to this circuit in 2007 with races running in a clockwise direction. Up until 1993 races went anticlockwise.Round 13Finishing positionsMOTOGP 28 LAPSPOLE POSITIONJ LORENZO 1m32.146sFASTEST LAP (NEW LAP RECORD)J LORENZO 1m33.273sRIDER STANDINGS AFTER 13 OF 18 ROUNDS1 V ROSSI 247, 2 J LORENZO 224, 3 M MÁRQUEZ 184, 4 A IANNONE 159, 5 B SMITH 135, 6 A DOVSIOSO 128, 7 D. PEDROSA 109, 8 D PETRUCCI 93, 9 P ESPARGARÓ 81, 10 C CRUTCHLOW 79, 18 JACK MILLER 16…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015eventsShow time20 SEPTEMBERDucati Concours D’Elegance, Royal Rehab Centre, Ryde NSW. A fun day with more than 200 Ducatis and other Italian bikes on display. Modern to vintage, bevel, belt, sportsbikes and more. Hosted by the Ducati Owners Club of NSW. Registrations open at 9am, judging at noon and presentation at 2pm. Participation $10; open to the public for gold-coin donation to Royal Rehab Ryde. More details at www.docnsw.org.au.4 OCTOBEREuroa Show & Shine, Seven Creeks Park, Clifton St, Euroa, Vic. 8am to 3pm; judging starts at 10am. More than 1000 bikes/ cars on display, 90 trophies up for grabs, live music in three different locations, 80-stall street market, trade stalls, plenty of hot food and children’s rides. Visitors $2; show vehicles $5. Food drink and entertainment. For more information see australiannationalshowandshine.com.au.30…8 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015briefs30 A handful of motorcycle racers will be part of a group of 30 Australian motor racing stars to be the first inductees into the Australian Motorsport Hall of fame next April. The induction dinner will be held at the Crown Palladium, Melbourne, on the eve of the 2016 Australian Formula One Grand Prix.A frothy NortonBoutique Aussie brewer Holgate Brewhouse has launched Norton Lager in honour of the chief brewer’s father, who rode Nortons in the 50s. It was his risk-taking attitude which inspired his son, Paul, to start his brewing business in 1999. Norton Larger is now available on tap in selected pubs and will be available in bottles by the end of September. It's your shout.Change of addressIn addition to AMCN having a new editor, we also have…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 20151974 Bathurst showdownTHERE IS NOTHING like making a splash and 21-year-old Warren Willing did just that in 1974 at Bathurst when he beat fellow young gun Gregg Hansford by half a bike length after an epic 20-lap Australian Unlimited Grand Prix.The platform had been laid for a special event, with the Easter meeting extended to four days, prize money doubled to $20,000, and a dozen new 700cc Yamaha racers to usher in the Formula 750 era. Spectators were spellbound by machines wheel standing over the last two humps of Conrod Straight. Out of general view near the drive-in theatre, they were airborne.Established star Bryan Hindle would lead the Yamaha assault, along with Kenny Blake, Hansford and New Zealand’s John Boote, the first rider in the world to win a race on a…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015briefsWHO WON WHAT?Thanks largely to the simplicity and strength of the Jawa and CZ motos, Czechoslovakia won the World Trophy 13 times between 1947 and 1982; but since the Czechs parted company with the Slovaks back in 1992, nothing. And during the same cold war period the action between East and West Germany was as hot as it gets with six wins apiece. But since the Berlin Wall came tumbling down – none!SWEDE STEEDOver half the Trophy Teams and Junior Teams chose to ride KTM products along with the absolute majority of the National Club Teams, from Austria to the USA. And it wasn’t only the Swedes who preferred their Katos in white, with more than 100 Husqvarnas present there was a clear second preference. Yamaha was the only non-European…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015briefsGIVE AND TAKEMotoGP bikes have been given an extra sensor for the rest of 2015, and there will be some tightening and loosening of the restrictions on testing for the Moto2 and Moto3 classes, effective next season. They will now be limited to 10 days of testing, to allow teams to test at circuits most convenient for them, and when they please.ROWE SHINES AT TTAdelaide young gun Royce Rowe finished 10th from 55 starters in the Supertwin class at Classic TT held on the Isle of Man on a Australian-built 650cc Ducati. Leaving the start line last, Rowe raced a mature four-lap race to claim a 108.4mph lap on his final one for a top-10 finish and smashed his personal goal of a 105mph lap. “Securing 10th is miles beyond…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Former AUSTest stars – 2013AUSTest 2013 split the field into categories: up to $20K, $20-27K and over $27K. In the first group, the Honda CBR1000RR was the winner, in the mid-price bracket, the BMW S1000RR finished first, but it was the winner of the last category – the BMW HP4 – that took the gong overall.“Near on 190 rear-wheel horsepower is an amazing figure for something with an ignition key, and BMW is gutsy for giving us a bike like that. It can do that, without making it an unrideable mess of torched tyres and stressed rider.The electronic suite is one reason, but this bike is more than that, with a sweet power curve (even if revving it that last 2000rpm took some guts for the testers without an Aussie title) and a razor-sharp…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 20152016 Triumph Speed Triple and TrophyWHILE TRIUMPH HAS a huge number of new models under development, the only one that’s expected to be launched as part of its 2016 model range is the revamped Speed Triple – and we’ve got the best pictures so far.While it’s been seen before, these shots clearly show the new bike’s redesigned nose, with new headlights and a reshaped wind deflector, plus the bodywork that includes different radiator cowls and a redesigned seat unit.The styling changes might be subtle, but they reflect a set of under-the-skin updates that promise to extend the Speed Triple’s life by several years. Most importantly, the engine has been revamped to meet the next-generation Euro 4 emissions limits, being introduced by the start of 2017. Hitting those targets has meant changing the exhaust and several…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Tributes to WarrenWayne Gardner1987 World 500 Champion“It is really very sad news to hear of Warren passing. Apart from being a racing legend, Warren was an amazing gentleman – soft and kind, always very thoughtful. He was a true ambassador and a legend in the motorsport world for his riding and engineering ability. He battled for two and a half years against cancer, enduring extreme pain. He was a great fighter. As his wife said to me, all us racers are extremely determined. He showed the same commitment against a terrible disease. It’s a great loss for his family and for the racing world.”Kevin Magee500 GP winner and TV host/commentator“Warren’s passing is extremely sad. When I first met him in 1985 I did not know what I was doing as a rider,…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Spyder’s fangSpyder F3-SPrice $28,890 Power 86kWThe range of three-wheeled Can-Am Spyders from BRP are so different to anything else on the road, you can’t help but marvel at the leap of faith it must have taken for the Canadian company to begin development of such a beast. The first model I ever rode was the sporty RS-S, back in 2013, and at that point I became set on the idea of taking one to the track to see what the machine really has to offer.That plan was rekindled when spy shots of the new triple-cylinder F3 model began to surface last year. And by the time the first examples arrived Down Under, BRP Australia was so tired of my constant badgering it not only agreed to let me thrash the living…15 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Gloves off in GoulburnROUND FIVE OF the Swann Insurance Australasian Superbike Championship at Wakefield Park is shaping up to be a decisive race in the series. Scheduled for 25-27 September, it promises to deliver some hardnosed competition and could see the momentum of Yamaha’s factory riders halted.The tight and technical 2.2km circuit is likely to suit title leader Troy Herfoss’ Honda Fireblade, giving him a great chance to grab valuable points against Glenn Allerton, Wayne Maxwell and Cru Halliday, who are looking to impress in the YZF-R1M’s debut season.Herfoss is defending his slim points advantage from a hungry field of riders which includes newly crowned ASBK champion Mike Jones, who showed a level head to take a race win during the last round.In the YRD Supersport Class, Brayden Elliott will be hoping to…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Airbags: set to expandAIRBAGS ON MOTORCYCLES seem to be one of those technologies always just around the corner, but perhaps the latest development from Honda will finally see them appearing on more machines.It was nearly a decade ago, at the launch of the 2006 Honda Goldwing, that the motorcycle airbag appeared to be finally reaching maturity. Fitted to a production bike for the first time, it seemed only logical the technology would spread to others, particularly after the first success stories emerged of owners saved by the system. But despite occasional suggestions the tech will appear elsewhere, so far the Goldwing has remained the sole airbag-equipped bike on the market.To be fair, while we’re all used to the idea of airbags on four wheels, the technology also took a long time to catch…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!Jack MillerMotoGP12th“With six or seven laps to go we had an electrical problem and started losing power. My lap times dropped considerably but it was a good race because I thought it was all over. I stayed out longer than I should have and that cost me dearly.”Anthony WestMoto215th“Bad day, no more racing for me in 2015. Just got kicked out of my team. Looking for a ride or sponsorship for the rest of 2015 or to start 2016.”Remy GardnerMoto3DNF“The first five laps I was riding out of control. I was a crash waiting to happen, but that is what I have to do to fight with this bike. I have to ride at 5000 per cent just to be in the top 20 so I had a highside getting…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015New GT650R scoopedHYOSUNG – OR KR Motors as it’s known in some parts of the world – is set to launch a radically revamped version of its GT650R V-twin sportsbike next year.Images of the next-gen model have emerged via patent filings and show that while it carries over many of the existing major components, the new version will be a far more aggressive and modern-looking model.Gone is the stacked headlight, replaced by a pair of lamps which give the bike a much more distinct face, while a reshaped tank and side panels are more angular and modern, resembling the recently launched GD250R.At the rear, the new seat unit is much shorter and rises sharply, adding to a forward-biased visual weight which makes the bike look much sportier, while an extended, removable rear…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Head to headWhy these two?THE AFRICA TWINname will return to Honda’s model lineup in 2016 as a 1000cc bike. The last time an Africa Twin rolled off the production line was in 2003, when it was a v-twin 750cc machine.Did you know?The 2016 CRF1000L Africa Twin model with DCT/ABS will include three levels of traction control (HSTC) and intelligent ECU modes for automatic transmission or rider-assisted manual shift.Got something you’d like us to compare?Let us know by emailing amcn@amcn.com.au and we’ll do the rest!2003 Africa TwinIn 1989 Honda released the XRV750 Africa Twin and raised the bar for adventure tourers to a new level. Built off the back of Honda's dominance in the grueling Dakar Rally during the late 1980s, the model was revised twice before production ceased in 2003. Despite being…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Draggin’ IloadWE ALL KNEW the day was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier when the time came to say goodbye. Kisses and long hugs all around were followed by tears and extended waves goodbye, then suddenly we were left with just our memories.Harry iLoad had been a loyal and trusted member of the AMCN team, and we were all sad to see him go. Thankfully our sorrow was short-lived – about 10 minutes to be precise – because no sooner had Harry disappeared from our view than a brand-spanking new Hyundai iLoad appeared. If you think our new van (simply called “the van” until a suitable name can be thought up) looks exactly the same as Harry iLoad you’d be right. Other than a change from white to silver,…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Miller out of LCR pan and into MarcVDS fireJACK MILLER AND MarcVDS team boss Michael Bartholemy say they are prepared to put past differences aside and work together in MotoGP. The turnaround of Miller and Bartholemy getting back together could be the surprise outcome of high-powered meetings during the San Marino GP at Misano.It is just over year since an acrimonious legal wrangle broke out with Miller not taking up a pre-contract to race Moto2 with MarcVDS in 2015. But Miller’s spilt with MarcVDS opened the way for him to accept an unprecedented three-year HRC deal to make the leap from Moto3 to MotoGP.The prospect of a peace agreement has been confirmed by HRC who says it is in talks with Bartholemy to place the young Australian in the MarcVDS squad for 2016.Only the late arrival of sponsorship…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015ZX-10R coming soon...KAWASAKI HAS RELEASED a teaser image of its new ZX-10R Superbike and announced that the unveiling of the WSBKinspired Ninja is imminent.A carefully worded press release issued by Kawasaki announced the revised ZX-10R is not a clean sheet design, but a further advancement of the proven ZX-10R base featuring a host of upgrades influenced by the Kawasaki Racing Team.With references made to a comprehensively upgraded suspension system and brakes, it raises the question of whether the bike will feature semi-active suspension and/or an Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU) for cornering ABS and lean-angle sensitive traction control. One thing we do know is the wait is nearly over.…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Crowning gloryKawasaki racer Mike Jones (Australian Outdoor Living / Cube Racing) continued his domination of the Yamaha Motor Finance ASBK Championship winning both races at Round 4 of the series at Symmons Plains in Tasmania. Jones showed his class amassing an unassailable 60-point lead over his nearest rival Daniel Falzon (Caterpillar EPSA / Yamaha) with impressive wins in both races.Despite cool and cloudy conditions, the track remained dry throughout the weekend. Jones qualified fastest with a 53.972s lap, well in front of second and third placed Falzon and Ryan Hampton (Next Gen M-sports/Alpine Performance).In Race 1 Jones took the lead on lap two and was never headed. He finished 7.624s ahead of Falzon, setting a blistering pace, and the fastest lap of the race (54.210s). Kiwi Hampton held off Ben Henry…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Baptism of sleet, not fireUNTIL 1982, THE ISDE was known as the International Six Day Trial to best reflect the calibre of the machinery as much as the competitors’ riding skills.In 1957, having won the right to host the event, the Czechs chose a venue in the rugged mountains of Bohemia. But since the Iron Curtain had fallen, sales of British motorcycles had been banned by the communist regime so, as much for commercial reasons as to make a political point, the Brits chose to boycott the ISDT – a decision which dashed plans for the first-ever Australian team assault on the event.The previous year in Bavaria, Tim Gibbes had become the first Australian to win ISDT gold. In 1957, together with mates John Rock, Roy East and Les Fisher, he had plans to…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Toast of the coastESSENTIALSFuel up at Nowra or Braidwood as there is nothing in between. The Albion Café in the old Albion Hotel, Braidwood, offers good meals and great coffee. If you’re in a hurry or on a budget the bakery down the street is also a good option. Nerriga Pub has food and drinks and is the only real stop on the route for a lunch break.Fix ItYou are on your own between Nowra and Braidwood so carry what you need. If you do require repairs we can recommend Glenn Henry Motorcycles at 61 Albatross Rd, Nowra, (02) 4422 0833.Fuel UpMobil at Braidwood has clean toilets and a few seats where you can sit for something to eat and drink, 71 Wallace St, Braidwood, (02) 4842 2259. There’s also the 24-hour United…4 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015RIP RocketAustralia’s 1976 national road-racing champion and world-championship-winning race engineer Warren Willing has died in Sydney after a long battle with cancer – initially prostrate cancer that, after a period of remission, spread to his bones. He was 63.Willing and his great friend Gregg Hansford were stars in the golden age of national Formula 750 racing in 1974-76, competing on Yamaha TZ700s and then in inter-make battles after Hansford joined Team Kawasaki Australia in 1975. They were a promoter’s dream combination and lifted the sport’s profile with the general public – two guys in their early 20s with fashionable long blond hair, dashing riding styles on the fastest machines in the country, and sincerity that shone through on television.In fact Hansford had a role in Willing joining the F750 brigade, when…8 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Hall grabs title leadJUSTIN HALL (Boltbarn/City Bike Worx/Shark Leathers) took all three wins in round 4 of the Australian 300cc Production Championship ahead of pole sitter Riki Lanyon (Motul/ Australian Outdoor Living/CubeRacing/Leda) who took second and Drew Sells in third (Race Centre/Searoad Tasmania/Bike Mart Ringwood/Oilee Racing). Meanwhile, Michelle Marais (Jaguar Steel Fabrications/SPRacing/Making Memories) was disqualified from the last race, losing valuable points.Tom Bramich (Ron Angel Classic Racing/Nolan Helmets/ Ricondi) made a clean sweep in the Moto3/125 Grand Prix class taking the overall victory ahead of Brian Houghton (Latters Conshift/K1 Racing/Castrol/ AllQuip Mini Excavators) who had a 3-2-3 scorecard and Ted Collins (Magnum Welders/Arai Helmets/ Aldana Foundations/Peter Stevens) who placed third overall (2-4-4). All podium finishers were competing on Honda NSF250s.…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015What next year looks likeA PROVISIONAL 2016 calendar was released at Misano, with 18 races. The loss of Indianapolis as a MotoGP venue means that there will be a lone MotoGP event in the USA, the COTA round, forming the third race weekend of the season and coming along one week after the Argentinean round at Termas de Rio Honda.The loss of Indianapolis is compensated for by the addition of the Austrian round, at the Red Bull Ring, on 14 August. Jerez and Brno are currently on the list as subject to contract. Silverstone now moves from its late August date to July 17th, before a summer break in the schedule starts. Assen will now feature the races on Sunday 26 June, not its traditional Saturday slot.With the remaining calendar looking similar to the…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Zarco makes it sixThe middle race of the day was not an average one, even if Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport Kalex) did win again, his sixth victory of the year, his third in succession.He had been in an early lead until the determined Dominique Aegerter (Technomag Racing Interwetten Kalex) had forced himself through, in an almost tactile struggle. When asked what he felt about this battle, Zarco said it actually helped: “Because he had a soft tyre he tried all the time to take the lead. We know he is really strong on the brakes but to keep the concentration I wanted to fight with him.” In the end, however, it was Alex Rins (Páginas Amarillas HP 40 Kalex) who terminally tangled with Aegerter.An attempted pass went awry, Rins could not slow in…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Former AUSTest stars – 2014Next issue is our sportsbike special, including the results of AUSTest. While we are still in the process of evaluating all the bikes, assessing their strengths and weaknesses we thought it would be a good time to look back at past standouts and high achievers.In 2014, AUSTest focused on real-world appeal and suitability. This included practicality, value for money, relevance and function of technology, and relative performance. And it was the Daytona that took top honours.“The AUSTest 2014 winning Triumph Daytona 675R is one of those bikes that falls somewhere in the middle, and is helped over the line by offering incredible value for money. Much of the added value is a careful exercise in boutique brand engineering, with Brembo and Öhlins appearing as the eye candy. But this café…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Rubber rulersAS WE KNOW, tyres have a major role to play in motorcycle racing: that of scapegoat. Unless there is a smokily obvious blowup, then whatever goes wrong, the tyres get blamed. A crash, a bad lap, a poor race … tyres again.They also took the blame for escalating costs, back when Bridgestone, Dunlop and Michelin were all battling. Hence Dorna’s single-tyre rule from 2009, even though nobody wanted it.Michelin haughtily stated that it would never take part in a single-brand series, Bridgestone did so, expressing reluctance.Finally, after six years, the Japanese company had had enough. It offered instead to continue for one extra year, to allow the 2016 replacement time to get up to speed.Michelin’s haughtiness having subsided, the French company volunteered to return to a series it had dominated…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015briefsPAYING PRICEIt’s a learning year for Toby Price in his first year as a fully-fledged factory KTM rider in the gruelling 2015 Cross Country Rally World Championship. At the recent Atacama Rally held in Chile, Price incurred 22 speed zones fines which cost him 1h45m in total. Despite this, the talented desert racer fought back to 10th overall for the fifth leg of the series and he currently sits in 25th place from 125 entrants. His next race will be the OilLibya Rally in Morocco over 3-10 October, and is the final leg of the championship. PWNINE FOR BOUToni Bou wrapped up his ninth World Outdoor Trials Championship in Portugal with one round left to run in the series. It wasn’t easy for the Spaniard who diced hard all season…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015GassitAustralian 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. In fact, sometimes it’s not a bad idea to wear a helmet while you’re mowing the lawn too, as one guy we know found out. The poor bloke managed to cop a tree branch in his eye, causing a detached retina. He soldiered on but realised something wasn’t quite right when he clipped the side mirror of a car in traffic the following morning. Get well soon Wolt – we're missing your tunes and engine revving noises!…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Take up the gauntletIF YOU’RE A motorcycle gloves perv it’s probably best to have a credit card handy when you browse the Five website. The French/Italian company specialises in motorcycle gloves and produces everything from MotoGP race gloves to trendy urban digit warmers, making them all with passion and style. Recently the company released a new heated winter glove for those who really feel the cold, the HG1 Plus.The HG1 Plus is a gauntlet-style glove designed for serious winter action. At its heart is a heating element expertly integrated into the glove's liner. Other than a slim 55mm x 55mm lithium ion battery pack located in the cuff, you wouldn’t know the gloves are electrically heated – until you turn them on. A Thinsulate lining and thermal insulating gusset keeps the warmth in,…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Woffinden a whiff awayDEFENDING WORLD champion Greg Hancock will not give up his crown without a fight, but as dominant as Hancock was in winning the Slovenian SGP last Saturday, championship leader Tai Woffinden was nearly as good.Hancock was beaten only once in seven rides, losing a heat to Aussie Jason Doyle, but he only pegged back two points on Woffinden in the championship chase. Woffinden again looked the rider most likely to come from behind to win when needing to. He was beaten only by Peter Kildemand in a heat and by Hancock in a heat and the final. With just three rounds remaining, Woffinden may realistically have the world championship all wrapped up prior to the final round in Melbourne.All three Australians made the semi-finals, and it was particularly good news…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|September 17, 2015Tricity ProjectTHERE’S NO DENYING Yamaha’s little Tricity leaning multi wheel scooter is a tricky bit of kit, but it would be hard to imagine anyone becoming beside-themselves excited about working on one. Unless you are talking with Justin Chisholm from Trooper Lu’s garage in Liverpool about a custom project, that is.Justin and his skilled team were the brains behind the Bolt C-Spec GT95 shown below and featured in Custom Cool (AMCN Vol 64 No 23). When it comes to enthusiasm for projects which are a little left of centre, you would be hard pressed to find someone who can out-enthuse Justin.Following our Long Term update last issue (AMCN Vol 65 No 05) when we announced plans to convert the Tricity commuter into a three-wheeled scrambler, Justin was straight on the phone.“Mate,…1 min
