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 GUIDING YOU INTO ANOTHER HOT SUMMER

B E R 2 0 18
DECEM

U T AU STRAL
IDE : TEAR-O
FREE INS
BMW HP4 RACE
YAMAHA TRACER GT SIMPLY THE BEST!
SUPER TOURING
INTERMOT
SUMMER GEAR 2019 BIKES:
STAY COOL ALL THE GOOD NEWS
FROM COLOGNE
WITH US

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1 2

MAP: OMEO-BRIGHT / HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDR: IS THE V-ROD

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BACK? / POTM: WAHGUNYAH, VIC / HOW TO SET YOUR SUSPENSION

SUMMER ESCAPES / BABY GIXXERS / TRAVEL: INGENIOUS OZ
THE BEAR: WHAT BIKE WAS THAT? / BORIS: IS IT WORTH IT? / BIKE SALES: WHAT’S UP?
9
GET A QUOTE
TODAY!

Shannons are offering motoring enthusiasts the chance to win a Grand European Tour for two
travelling through Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy.
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Shannons Pty Limited ABN 91 099 692 636 is an authorised representative of AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807, the issuer of Shannons Car, Bike and Home/Contents insurance products. Read the relevant Product Disclosure
Statement and consider whether it is right for you before buying these insurance products. Contact us for a copy. Competition conducted by Shannons Pty Limited, of Level 28, Brisbane Square, 266 George Street, Brisbane, QLD
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 1 ENTRY
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Full competition terms and conditions at shannons.com.au/europe.
CONTENTS
10
SPECIAL FEATURE
GIVE ME ALL
THE FRUIT
I know I am but
summer to your
heart, and not the
full four seasons
of the year

EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY

INTERMOT 2018
18 All the new bikes from Cologne

36 SUMMER GEAR
All the latest gear to keep you cool

85 SUMMER ESCAPES
Where to go to be cool this summer

TESTING

10 YAMAHA TRACER GT
Big changes make it super cool

52
36
BMW HP4 RACE
Simply the best track bike available
IT’S SUMMER,
70
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDR 114
Is the V-Rod making a comeback? SUMMER TIME
89 BABY GIXXERS
Drafting 125s up to the mountains

TRAVEL
58 INGENIOUS OZ
Two Indians walk into a bar…

64 PUB OF THE MONTH

Wahgunyah…What?

73 JOURNEYS
Scouring the Earth for
your riding pleasure

TEAR-OUT MAP
50 OMEO – BRIGHT,VIC
Get ready to burn rubber

TECHNICAL
81 SETTING YOUR SUSPENSION
It really isn’t that hard

92
18
USED & ABUSED
Tough love

ALL THE NEW BIKES

FROM INTERMOT FOR 2019
4 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
52
96 BIKE SALES
What’s going on?

98 LONG TERMERS
Going all in

102 GEAR RATING

Good or bad idea?

MORE GREATNESS

06 EDITORIAL
Electrical overload

08 NEWS

89
That’s great to hear!

BUYER’S PARADISE
DRAFTING 103 It’s now time to buy

BABIES
104 GRIZZLING
Fanning the rage

106 WHAT SAY YOU?

New prizes, you better get writing

NEW BIKE PRICES

109 Mostly steady on this front

BEARFACED
112 Can he remember them all?

BORIS
114 Is it really worth it?

Australian Motorcyclist

Australian Motorcyclist Magazine

Australian Motorcyclist Magazine

@AusMotrCyclist

70
Please enjoy Australian MOTORCYCLIST
Magazine responsibly and add this issue
to your collection. MOST BACK ISSUES ARE
ONE OF THE STILL AVAILABLE; just visit the website
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a line to contactus@ausmotorcyclist.com.au

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 5

Editor Stuart Woodbury
Contributing Editor J Peter Thoeming
Sales Manager Ralph Leavsey-Moase
ralph@ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Photo Editor Nick Wood
Designer Amy Hale
Photographers Nick Wood
Photography, Half-Light Photography
Contributors Robert Crick, Jacqui
Kennedy, Robert Lovas, Phil Gadd,
Boris Mihailovic, Lester Morris, The
Possum, Colin Whelan
Editorial
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parody or satire and subject to the conditions
prescribed under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
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written permission of Australian Motorcyclist
Magazine Pty Ltd. Opinions expressed within this
publication do not necessarily represent those
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responsibility is accepted by Australian Motorcyclist
Magazine Pty Ltd or the editor for the accuracy of
any statement, opinion or advice contained in the
text or advertisements. Readers should rely on
their own enquiries in making decisions tailored to
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6 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
EDITORSPEAKS
Electric overload
E
LECTRONICS ON
motorcycles. Are they all they’re
cracked up to be? For me,
I’m a bit over the increasing use of
electronics; they have dumbed down
the feeling to the point where a lot of
motorcycles lose their character. Isn’t
the rider supposed to be the one in
control of the motorcycle? Yes, to
me she or he is.
I’m the one who twists the throttle
and decides how hard; I’m the one
who squeezes the brake lever and how
hard; and I’m the one who leans the
bike over and how far. If I crash as
a result, so be it. And if you disagree
with what I’ve said here, maybe you
should be driving a car. A motorcycle
is about fun, it’s about living a bit
dangerously, isn’t it? Remember
country music star Kenny Loggins?
He wrote/sang the song for the
movie, Top Gun. The lyrics describe
(or should) the sensation you feel
when riding a motorcycle. Remember
the song? Here’s most of the lyrics…
“Revvin’ up your engine
Listen to her howlin’ roar
Metal under tension
Beggin’ you to touch and go
Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone…
You’ll never say hello to you
Until you get it on the red line overload
You’ll never know what you can do
Until you get it up as high as you can go
Out along the edges
Always where I burn to be
The further on the edge
The hotter the intensity
Highway to the Danger Zone
Gonna take it right into the
Danger Zone…”
Electronics which dumb down the
exhilaration of motorcycling could
be just what’s hurting the industry.
Bike sales are down and I reckon
one reason is because electronics
has taken away a lot of the fun, the
enjoyment, the danger!
Some of you might be saying, “Oh,
that’s so irresponsible of you, Stuart.”
Well, take a good hard look in the
PLUURUDQGDVN\RXUVHOI ZK\\RXÀUVW
rode a motorcycle and why you love
them now? It wasn’t just because it is a
mode of transport, is it. No, you’d be
driving a Toyota Prius or riding a lame
horse, because getting on a lively horse
would be too, you know, “dangerous”.
A bit like riding motorcycles.
So, what I’m saying is take back
the control in your life, don’t let the
‘world’ dictate what you should and
shouldn’t be doing. If you want to ride
IXOOWKURWWOHOHWLWEHLI \RXÁLSRII WKH
bike as a result, so be it. If you smash
the brakes on and you slide down
the road, so be it. Don’t let it be the
electronics dictate what is safe for you,
where’s the fun in that?
Or, let me put it this way… Ask
Mick Doohan (or any of the 500cc
GP riders) how violent a 190hp two-
stroke was with no electronics to
save his arse if it spun up too quick
coming out of a corner. Excitement?
That was excitement!
Enjoy!
Cheers, Stuart.
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NEWS
THE MAN!
Toby Price has recently been crowned
2018 FIM Cross-Country Rallies
World Champion. Toby’s journey to
the 2018 FIM Cross-Country Rallies
World Championship title has not
been an easy one. His crash at the
2017 Dakar Rally forced him to
spend much of the year recovering.
Returning to competition at the 2018
Dakar last January, Price impressed
with his outright speed, ultimately
WDNLQJWZRVWDJHZLQVDQGÀQLVKLQJLQ
third position overall and that was not
EHLQJÀW
Riding with great consistency
throughout the 2018 season has paid
off for Price. Multiple stage wins as
well as podiums at the Atacama Rally
DQG'HVDÀR5XWDDGGHGWRKLVZLQ
LQWKHÀQDOURXQGLQ0RURFFRKDYH
have outdone themselves with loads
of hard work in the background to
make this possible. Over 112,000
classic and vintage style motorcycles
(and their dapper riders) rallied
together in aid of raising awareness
and support of prostate cancer and
men’s mental health on behalf of the
Movember Foundation. If you’ve
not been a part of DGR, make sure
you get on board next year. See www.
gentlemansride.com for more.
HEAD TO PI
jam-packed agenda of three world
superbike races, one world supersport
race, plenty of action from the premier
Australian classes plus full paddock
access. Kids 15 and under are free
and camping on-circuit makes a long
weekend away on the island totally
affordable. Be there or be square!
BIG BOYS TOYS
Triumph released the new Street
Scrambler at INTERMOT
(full report in this issue) and just
before the EICMA show in Milan,
Triumph released the 1200 Scrambler.
Both models are sure to be big
sellers we reckon.
Remember, Melbourne Moto Expo
is on November 23-25 (Friday to
Sunday). The expo will again be held
at the Melbourne Showgrounds in
Ascot Vale. To keep up to date with
the 2018 Melbourne Motorcycle Expo,
visit www.troybaylissevents.com and
hopefully you’ll be able to see the
new Street and 1200 Scrambler’s (and
resulted in the 31-year-old becoming a SOHQW\PRUHQHZUHOHDVHVLQWKHÁHVK
ZRUWK\ÀUVWWLPHZRUOGFKDPS
THREE YEARS
DGR GOES LARGE BMW Motorrad has joined MV
The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride
this year has raised over $6 million US!
Mark Hawwa and Stephen Broholm
8 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Get set for a triple-treat with world $JXVWDZKRZDVWKHÀUVWLQ$XVWUDOLD
superbike’s new three-race format in offering customers a three year
debuting at Australia’s 2019 Yamaha warranty. The warranty period also
Finance season opener at the thrilling includes comprehensive roadside
Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, with DVVLVWDQFHDYDLODEOHHYHU\GD\
WLFNHWV IRU WKH)HEUXDU\HYHQW of the year. The new warranty is for
on sale now via Ticketek. BMW motorcycles purchased after
Action happens from Friday to October 1, 2018. D
Sunday. As an extra bonus at
world superbikes, all three-
day ticket holders
are gifted free Paddock
Access. For all ticket and
racing information go to
www.worldsbk.com.au
or visit Ticketek.
A three-day adult pass
is just $120 and delivers a
LAUNCH

YAMAHA
TRACER
900 GT
Super touring WORDS STUART PHOTOS GEOFF OSBORNE

10 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 11
LAUNCH

T
AKE ONE YAMAHA MT-
09, convert it into a tourer
then update it after a couple
of years, producing one of the best
touring motorcycles in the world.
That’s the new Yamaha Tracer 900
*7LQDQXWVKHOODQGWRÀQGRXWMXVW
how good it is, I headed over to NZ
to have a bit of a punt on one.
What better place in the world than
Queenstown, NZ and the simply
stunning roads and scenery to
showcase the Tracer GT? Then add
a huge dump of snow the day before
my arrival to make the scenery even
more outstanding.
The new Tracer 900 GT was the
focus of the launch but Yamaha
Australia will also be bringing the
‘standard’ Tracer 900 (improvements
in styling, wind protection, rider/
passenger comfort, chassis geometry
and standard features - ABS, traction
control, centrestand and a 12V
RXWOHWLQWRWKHFRXQWU\IRU
plus on-roads. I have no idea why
because all the extra fruit you get on
the GT is only $1500 more.
The GT isn’t simply an MT-09 or
previous model Tracer slapped with
some panniers. There are a lot of
changes, but fortunately the most
obvious one that has stayed the same
is the sweet as pie triple cylinder
engine. The YCC-T throttle-by-
wire electronics have been revised
with mode (A, STD or B) being less
abrupt than before, making on/off
adjustments smoother and more
seamless. I actually found STD to be
the best all-rounder setting. A was
a little too harsh for touring and B
lacked the feel I was after.
Making touring even more
comfortable, the GT has an up
quickshifter which is smooth at low
speeds as well as high. This is one
feature that some quickshifters seem
to struggle with.
Handling has undergone a huge
change. The swingarm is now 60mm
longer, the forks are fully adjustable,
the shock is adjustable for preload
and rebound with a remote preload
hand adjuster. Both the forks and
shock have revised internals and
springs; the previous Tracer was

12 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
LAUNCH

rather soft. I found the front to

be on the money but for my
size I still wound in a bit of
additional rear preload.
Comfort was a major complaint
with the previous Tracer. Yamaha
redesigned the bodywork with new
fairings that are more aerodynamic
but the big ticket item that caused
the majority of complaints
previously was the seat. New shape,

14 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
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Fits Tube & Tyre Levers Multi Pocket No Racks Required 100% Waterproof 100% Waterproof
Multi Pocket Expandable Expandable All Aluminum Connectors 15L or 30L Capacity

www.nelsonrigg.com.au
180489
LAUNCH

16 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au

thicker foam, grippier material and
height adjustment (850-865mm) have
transformed the Tracer. Where your
lower back would burn your eyeballs
after a couple of hundred kays, you
can happily ride all-day long, only
stopping for fuel. During the launch
ZHKDGDJRRGRGGNLORPHWUH
ride and I wasn’t sore at all. If you
remember a couple of years ago, we
had a Tracer as a long termer. It had
the Yamaha accessory gel comfort
seat and the new seat is way better
even than that – in another postcode
better. Add in a slightly narrower
handlebar with reversible brackets
for 10mm of adjustability.
The pillion seat has undergone
the same process, and one added
revision is the footpeg location.
The pegs have been lengthened
and brought forward, which will no
doubt keep the pillion in a million
very comfortable. Sadly I have
size 13 hooves and the pillion peg
location restricted my comfort;
my heels would be banging on the
bracket when up on the balls of my
feet. Cut my feet? Yes, my parents
tried that when I was young so
they’d have to stop buying me bigger
and bigger shoes, but alas it didn’t
work. I didn’t get to ride two-up but
I can only imagine the GT will be
quite nnice as the
rideer has a lot of
room to move
aaround.
The GT
also comes
with a heap
of other
standard
equipment
– the
obvious
one is the
22-litre
panniers,
w
which are now
inttegrated into
the b bike, cruise
contro ol, centre
stand, heated grips,
12V outlet n next to
the dash, 3-modee traction
control and a larger
larger, 550mm hand
adjustable screen.
The other great standard piece
of kit is a full-colour TFT dash.
Looking very similar to that on the
R1 and MT-10, the dash is easy to
read in all lighting conditions and
when it senses the light is getting
darker the background changes to
keep it easy on the eye. As you
can imagine, bucketloads of info
LVDW\RXUÀQJHUWLS
Slight alterations have been made
to the headlight assembly and there
are slimmer hand guards. Some
will like these, some won’t – it’s a
personal preference item.
Accessories are well thought out
– a wide range of seats, including
heated is available. An even larger
screen is on offer, as is a tank bag
and rear rack, although Yamaha
suggests not using panniers and
topbox together. LED indicators
(which should be standard to my
mind) and LED PIAA fog lights
are other touring accessories worth
considering.
If you’re after an exhilarating all-
purpose, high-performance tourer
WKDWÀWVQHDUO\DQ\EXGJHWWKDWLV
easy to handle and will bring a smile
to your chops every time you get on
board, the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT is
one of the best available. D
YAMAHA TRACER
900 & TRACER 900 GT
PRICE: $15,499 / $16,999
(plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years,
unlimited distance
SERVICING INTERVALS: Every
10,000km or 12 months
ENGINE: Liquid-cooled in-line three
cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC,
4 valves per cylinder
BORE x STROKE: 78 x 59.1mm
DISPLACEMENT: 847cc
COMPRESSION: 11.5:1
POWER: N/A
TORQUE: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet
multi-plate assist/slipper clutch,
FKDLQÀQDOGULYH
SUSPENSION: Front, 41mm inverted
fork, adjustable preload, compression
and rebound, travel 137mm. Rear,
monoshock, adjustable preload and
rebound, travel 142mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 850-865mm,
weight 227kg (wet), fuel capacity
18 litres, wheelbase 1500mm
TYRES: Front, 120/70/ZR17.
Rear, 180/55/ZR17
FRAME: Diamond
BRAKES: Front, twin 298mm discs
with radial mount four-piston ABS cali-
pers. Rear, 245mm disc,
single-piston ABS caliper.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: N/A
THEORETICAL RANGE: N/A
COLOURS: Nimbus Grey (Tracer),
Midnight Black (Tracer GT)
VERDICT: GO FOR THE GT,
IT’S WORTH IT!
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 17
I N T E R M O T 2 0 1 8 Special Feature

OKTOBER
FEAST
Cologne dishes up new bikes and new ideas

18 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au

WORDS THE BEAR PHOTOS
FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE
I
T’S A RIDER’S PARADISE.
New motorcycles from the world’s
great bike factories (and from some
remarkable small ones); amazing (in
the real sense of the word) custom
bikes; gadgets that you never realised
you had to have; new and both
practical and good-looking luggage;
motorcycle tours to all the great roads
of the world. They’re all together here
in the one place on the banks of the
Rhine within easy reach of bottomless
supplies of the local and soothing,
easy-to-drink pale ale, Kölsch.
At the beginning of October in
even-numbered years, the gates of
the Cologne Trade Fair swing open
for motorcycle show INTERMOT.
I’ve been attending this show since
1990, under various names (the show,
not me) and originally in Cologne,
then in Munich and then back in
Cologne again. There have been many
memorable moments over the years,
DOWKRXJKWKHPRVWVLJQLÀFDQWSUREDEO\
KDSSHQHGDWWKHÀUVWVKRZ,DWWHQGHG
– the launch of the John Bloor-
Hinckley Triumphs.
7KHPRVWVLJQLÀFDQWWKLV\HDUZDV
another launch, with another famous
Just to show that I’m not all that
mad at Suzuki, here’s the new
‘Katana’ out on the open road.
name on the tank, but more of that
later. There’s quite a bit of other news
(although I’ve gone easy on electric
bikes because they’re not a big deal for
Australia – yet); and keep in mind that
I was actually there, so I got (I hope,
anyway) an indication of how the
bikes were presented and received. The
amazing INTERMOT Customized
will get a separate story later.
This is not a technical report;
if you want valve angles and
transmission ratios, I refer you to the
manufacturers’ websites. Let’s instead
take a look at what was new and
interesting; in alphabetical order in a
vain attempt to be fair.
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 19
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
APRILIA
More power, less weight
$QHZFRORXUVFKHPHIRUWKH569
RR and some of the other bikes was
the big news on the Aprilia strand,
as well as a reduced-power Shiver
for staged licence riders. But oh my,
aren’t the bikes beautiful. As far as
I’m concerned, they’re so good to
look at that the factory never needs to
Intermot 2018
Aprilia RSV4 RR
exclusive world of the Aprilia “Factory
Works” racing bikes and receive
further information and more
WHFKQLFDOGHWDLOVRQWKH569
machines prepared by Aprilia Racing.
BENELLI
Who wouldn’t have one?
This is really more an honorary
to European (and, I suspect,
Australian) enthusiasts – especially in
historic green and silver. These will
probably be highly (or maybe rather
‘lowly’) affordable. Is there room in
my garage? Maybe…
BMW
Big bikes get bigger
“The new BMW R 1250 GS and R
1250 RT both offer ShiftCam
Technology, variable valve timing
and valve stroke on the intake side
for increased power across the entire
engine speed range, reduced
emission and fuel consumption
levels, optimised running
VPRRWKQHVVDQGUHÀQHPHQWµ7KDW·V
what BMW Motorrad says about the
two new bikes introduced at
Cologne, and they should know. But
there’s far more to the bikes than
that. Forgive me if I do delve into
the engineering a little.
The bikes offer increased output and
torque with a capacity increased to
upgrade them at all. Mind you, I might
feel that way because there is no way
I could ever do justice to them
even as they are…
Aprilia Racing introduced a new kit for
WKH·DQG·569ZKLFKLQFUHDVHV
power to 215 horses, drops 10kg and
includes aerodynamic winglets. Details
in the special web area www.
serviceaprilia.com/public/racing,
where riders and teams can access the
20 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
mention than anything else; the only
new Benelli was a 125cc bike
VSHFLÀFDOO\IRUWKH(XURSHDQPDUNHW
which we will almost certainly not see
here. But I did notice that one of the
bikes on the stand attracted a lot of
attention, and that was the 300cc,
28kW BN 302 R twin in race clothes.
With a design harking back to the
great Benellis of the track, it might be
made in China but it clearly appealed
FFSUHYLRXVO\FFN:
DWUSPDQG1PDW
rpm. ShiftCam also increases
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Asynchronous valve opening on the
intake side gives optimised swirl and
Benelli BN 302 R
 ducati.com.au
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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
BMW R 1250 GS
therefore more effective combustion.
The latest generation of BMS-O
engine control and use of twin-jet
injection valves means even more
effective carburetion.
Two riding modes, ASC and Hill
Start Control are standard, as is
electronic suspension Dynamic ESA
“Next Generation” with fully
automatic load compensation. In
addition to standard adjustability of
seat height, except for the HP style
on the R 1250 GS, there is wide
range of seat height variants ex
works. LED headlamp
for the R 1250 GS is
standard and LED
daytime riding light
for both models as
optional equipment
items ex works.
Connectivity is
provided by
multifunctional
instrument cluster
with 6.5-inch full-colour
TFT screen and numerous
features as standard in the
R 1250 GS.
There is much more, of course,
especially in optional equipment and
I strongly suggest a visit to the
factory website.
New BMW dash
22 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Intermot 2018
BMW R 1250 RT
the press release. I kind of liked
BRIXTON these things; I presume they’re
Not quite a riot cheap. Is anyone out there interested
in importing them? Take a look at
Unknown so far in Australia but quite www.brixtonmotorcycles.com for
successful with a range of 125cc more information.
machines in Europe and some Asian
DOOHAN
Taking the Mick?
Does Mick know about this? A pair of
truly weird electric three-wheelers,
these ‘bikes’ only made it into my
listing here because of their name. But
who knows; the motors come from
Bosch and the batteries are made by
Doohan itank
Brixton Glanville
and South American countries, Brixton
launched two 250cc models at Cologne,
the Japanese-engined Saxby and
Glanville (gee it’s hard to avoid the
obvious joke about the spelling) with
retro-British styling. Brixton’s motto is
“Any direction. As long as it’s your own,”
and they’re not kidding: customising
accessories include wooden inserts on Doohan itango
the tank. The bikes are pretty up-to-date;
they feature LED lighting, ABS and
adjustable rear suspension.
“Brixton Motorcycles plans to rapidly
expand its model range with more
powerful engines and more cylinder
capacity over the next few years,” says
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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E Intermot 2018

LG and Panasonic, which augurs well for

their quality. Check www.doohan-ev.com
for more information.

DUCATI
Scramblers are go

There was no sign of the usual lengthy

market analysis (and quiet boasting) when
Claudio Domenicali took the stage to
introduce three new models for 2019. But
then it wasn’t really a Ducati launch, it was
a Scrambler launch. And while the bikes
were not precisely ‘new’, being upgrades
of existing models, they were new enough 1
to deserve the term.
The new Full Throttle takes its cue from
WKHÁDWWUDFN6FUDPEOHUULGGHQE\
Californian racer Frankie Garcia in the
2018 American Super Hooligan
Championship. With its two-tone black-
yellow white-striped tank, all-new rear end
with dedicated seat and white-rimmed
yellow number holders, this bike shoots
for a real dirt track competition feel.
With its renewed livery, the Café Racer
draws its inspiration - and Silver Ice Matt
graphics with blue frame - from the
legendary Ducati 125GP Desmo. The
new 17” spoked wheels and aluminium
bar-end mirrors give the bike a cool ‘60s
race look, while a modern radial front
brake pump provides what Ducati says is
braking performance on a par with that
of a sport bike.
The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled gets a
bit more real than the existing model. It
features an Off Road Riding Mode that
allows ABS disengagement for down-in-
the-dirt fun. Adjustable Kayaba
suspension plus the type-approved 2
headlight mesh guard, high mudguards
(specially designed for this version) and
engine skid pan add to the dirt cred.
$OOWKUHHELNHVRIIHUFRUQHULQJ$%6DÀUVW
for the type from any brand. The bikes will
be joined by the new Scrambler Icon, from
which they inherit new aesthetics and
WHFKQLFDOIHDWXUHVZKLFKJRWLWVZRUOGÀUVW
public preview at INTERMOT 2018.

1. Scrambler Full Throttle

2. Scrambler Café Racer

3. Scrambler Desert Sled

3
24 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
1959 marked the beginning of a cultural explosion and the birth of a new attitude to live life to the full. TEST RIDE TODAY TO GO
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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
Er, no, this is not a 2019 H-D
model…see our coverage of
INTERMOT Customizing soon
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Count on Milwaukee
All quiet on the western front, but
H-D was good enough to offer us a
few beers on its classic stand, which
was truly appreciated. Note to other
manufacturers: yes, we can be bribed.
Well, not bribed exactly…
HONDA
Intermot 2018
Quiet days at Honda. They displayed a
concept bike at the Paris show, where
manufacturers mainly show cars, but
&RORJQHKDGWREHVDWLVÀHGZLWKWKH
return of the 125cc Super Cub, which
now offers fuel injection and ABS.
Top technology, but at a top price. Oh,
and a couple of new paint jobs. Do I
understand these people? No.
To be fair, the stand was popular on
the public days.
HOREX
Mixed technology?
Reborn German brand Horex (with
Horex RAW
JORVVRUPDWWHWKHELNHVWLOOÀWVZKDW
Horex calls ‘the brand’s premium
aspirations’. From what I could work
RXW\RXQHHGDURXQGHXURV
before you can play. The styling is
quirky, with a dash that looks as if
someone has glued an iPad to the
top of the forks.
HUSQVARNA
Hit the road with a 401
Probably the biggest thing for
Husqvarna at show time (but not at
the show) was the news that Steve
0F4XHHQ·V+XVTYDUQD&URVV
It’s a super… ah, cub… QHZRZQHUDIWHUWKHEDQNUXSWF\
offered a slightly more basic and
Honda Neo Sports cheaper version of its super-
Café custom
expensive, W6 cylinder-
engined bikes with
the VR6 RAW.
All blacked
out, in
ZKLFKKHURGHLQWKHÀOP2Q$Q\
Sunday, had just sold for US$230,500.
Husky is making its way in the world
in style now, with a variety of models
using more or less KTM technology
but highly individual styling. The

Husqvarna Svartpilen 401

26 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au

9LWSLOHQDQG6ZDUWSLOHQVSRZHUHG
by a version of the KTM 390 engine,
are real standouts. I didn’t like the
original designs for the Vit- and
Swartpilen bikes, but in a nice
turnaround the production bikes,
for once, look better than the
prototypes. I expect great things
from Husqvarna as KTM’s somewhat
nutty little brother. Or sister. Sibling!
That’s it! Sibling!
INDIAN
The show ponies
Eschewing the company habit of
using names from the history of the
marque, Indian has called its latest
model just ‘FTR’ for, presumably, Flat
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
Track Racing. To my mind that’s a
shame, but it takes away nothing from
the fact that this was the big hit of the
show, and possibly the bike that will
lead Indian to well-deserved success.
Why is this so? Because, while using
design and styling cues from the
championship-winning FTR750 race
bike that has dominated American Flat
Track since it was introduced, it is
Indian FTR 1200
more than that and more than a
cruiser. It is an outstanding… well,
motorcycle design; a naked bike to
most eyes. And it’s managed to retain
the Indian ‘house’ look at the same
time. That gives the FTR and FTR S a
huge market, potentially reaching far
beyond the cruiser buyer.
Don’t imagine for a moment that
EDVLQJDELNHRQDÁDWWUDFNHULVD
guarantee of success – remember
Honda’s FT500? Not ugly, but pretty
bland. Designer Rich Christoph has
managed to blend all the ingredients
into an outstandingly good-looking
motorcycle. Sharp, just a little
old-timey and simultaneously
right up to date.
“The FTR platform proudly breaks
new ground and answers the call of
enthusiasts around the world anxiously
awaiting its debut,” says Indian’s press
release, and if the reception the bike
got at the pre-launch party was
anything to go by, they’re so right.
Indian FTR 1200 S
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 27
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
“The platform (industry-speak for
‘motorcycle’) delivers an American
PRWRUF\FOHZLWKWUXHÁDWWUDFNHUVW\OH
and the performance to back it up.”
Indian has not done this the cheap and
easy way. Apart from the all-new
running gear, the new 1203cc V-Twin
engine with roughly 120 horsepower
and 115 Nm of torque apparently
SURYLGHVDQLPSUHVVLYHO\ÁDWWRUTXH
FXUYHIRUÁH[LELOLW\DQGVWURQJ
acceleration in any gear. The S is a
premium version of the plain FTR.
“Our vision from the beginning was to
be more than a traditional American
V-twin brand. We continually seek to
broaden Indian Motorcycle’s reach to a
wider range of riders, and FTR 1200
UHSUHVHQWVDVLJQLÀFDQWVWHSIRUZDUGLQ
that strategy,” said Steve Menneto,
President, Indian Motorcycle.
Both models will hit the shops in the
ÀUVWKDOI RI DQG,FDQ·WZDLWWR
get my backside on one.
KAWASAKI
Tidddlers to thunder
I’ve been a fan of Kawasaki’s range
policies for a long time. The
Greenies have had a good eye for the
SRSXODUDQGWKHUHIRUHSURÀWDEOH
areas of the market. They proved
that once more with their release of
two 125cc tiddlers at Cologne, one a
28 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Intermot 2018
Ninja and the other a Z. This capacity
is enormously popular in Europe, for
licensing and insurance reasons.
But it would not have been Kawasaki
if all the action had been at the
lower end of the scale. Firstly, the
Ninja H2 and H2 Carbon got a lift in
power output to 231 horses, even
without Ram-Air. They also got the
latest Brembo Stylema brake calipers
with outstanding braking as well as
superior cooling characteristics to
slow all those horses down. And hey,
they even got “highly durable paint
on certain panel areas susceptible to
abrasion”. Smartphone connectivity
via the Kawasaki Rideology app
allows direct communication
between rider and machine with logs
Kawasaki Ninja
H2 Carbon
and updates displayed on the
smartphone screen.
And that wasn’t all. There is a power
increase for the ZX-10R and ZX-
10R SE, rated at 203PS for the
coming season, and the race-focused
1LQMD =;55 PDNLQJ 36
thanks to internal engine changes.
$OO 1LQMD =;5V QRZ FRPH ÀWWHG
with Kawasaki’s up and down KQS
quick shifter for these machines
which are “as close to a World
Championship winning KRT
Superbike as it is possible within
the production arena”. Only 500
of the new ZX-10RR will be built,
with each machine bearing a
unique, numbered top yoke
LGHQWLÀFDWLRQ SODWH
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR
 NEW METZELER KAROOTM STREET.

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
KTM
Them that’s got shall get
Now here’s a conundrum for you.
Austria is regarded with puzzlement
and some condescension by most of
the other nations of Europe, and by
the rest of the world as a
quintessentially bourgeois place where
kangaroos use their long legs to ski
down pointy mountains. One of its
most popular sayings is ‘First bake the
strudel then sit down and ponder.’
And yet Austria is a country which
designs and builds motorcycles in
30 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Intermot 2018
KTM Super Duke R
KTM Super Duke GT
Mattighofen which are, frankly, so
exotically predatory as to actually make
them sexually arousing. Or is that just
me? Surely not.
What we have here is a family of
Praying Mantises (I think that’s the
plural) just begging to bite your head
off. No, wait. A family of motorcycles
which look just as fast and competent
The Indian launch party. If you
look closely you can see me,
just there, no, up a little…
as they are, which is very. The KTM
1290 Super Duke GT will put to rest
the commonly held opinion that
Austrians have no detectable sense of
humour; KTM has taken a sharp,
focused and staggeringly powerful
motorcycle (imagine Arnold
Schwarzenegger as a ballet dancer) and
put panniers on it to turn it into a
‘GT’. Oh ho ho.
But why not, you ask. Why not indeed.
The ‘most radical long-distance sports
tourer on the market’ offers 175
KRUVHSRZHUDQG1PDQG
electronics which would make a
(XURÀJKWHUSURXG,WZLOOWDNH\RX
from A to Z so fast that you will never
notice passing the rest of the alphabet.
Now admittedly this is not what I
would be looking for in a touring
motorcycle, but it might be if I was
50 years younger. Scenery? Oh,
yeah. Right.
The bike also offers every electronic
system that KTM has. “The latest
generation WP semi-active chassis is
the most sophisticated setup offered
on a KTM so far, with deeper
analyzing sensors automatically
adapting to surface conditions so that
the new KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE
GT always delivers precise handling –
no matter the load or road. Rider,
passenger, luggage or all three, the
GT’s preload can be adjusted for the
bike’s ‘cargo’ at the push of a button
– no need for tools. Also transformed

ZLWKMXVWÀQJHUWLSFRQWUROLVWKHFKRLFH
of damping to suit the mood and
road: Comfort, Street and Sport.”
I don’t even understand that, never
mind being able to take advantage of
it on the road.
The 1290 Super Duke R gets new
paint, and KTM also has an optional
“Track Pack” which includes launch
control, spin adjuster, three throttle
response settings and anti-wheelie off
function. Then there is the optional
“Performance Pack” to include motor
slip regulation (MSR) and the
Quickshifter. It is equipped with the
RACE ON transponder key and the
KTM MY RIDE smartphone and
audio player integration. Them that’s
got shall get…
Summa cum laude
In case you’re in a real hurry and
don’t have time to read my deathless
prose, here’s a quick summary of the
top news.
The Indian FTR 1200s were, without
a doubt, the top new models at the
show. KTM’s 1290 Super Duke GT
stirred the juices too, as did both the
Triumph Street Scrambler and Street
Twin.The new BMW R 1250 GS
looks like carrying on the type’s
domination.There was far too much
there to cover it all, but I hope I’ve
given you an impression of the show.
And I really liked Benelli’s BN 302 R!
LAMBRETTA
Full range scooting
If you’ve been reading my stuff as
religiously as it deserves to be perused,
you will have come across my friend
Lambretta Pirelli Edition
5RELQ+DUWÀHO·VGHVFULSWLRQRI FHUWDLQ
motorcycle marques as “a T-shirt
company with a motorcycle”. Until
this show, I might have described
Lambretta as a jeans company with a
scooter. No more. The lineup
presented at INTERMOT was
impressive, ranging from an electric
scoot to the Pirelli Edition in the
photo. Fuel injection, LCD panel,
LED technology and USB charging
socket are all included.
Austrian design studio KISKA, best
known for their work with KTM, has
had a hand in the creation of the new
scoots and I wonder how the Aussie
distributor will go. Discover more at
www.lambretta.com.au
MOTO GUZZI
Bob, bob, bobbin’ along
Moto Guzzi’s copywriters appear to be
under the impression that bobber
VW\OLQJLVGHULYHGIURPÁDWWUDFNUDFHUV
Now look, maybe they’re right and I’ve
been wrong all along – as a friend of
mine wrote to me recently, that’s the
default position when you’re married
– so I am not going to argue. What the
Mandello Magicians have done,
anyway, is to give the V9 Bobber a
lowered single seat, Ohlins shocks, a
drag handlebar and a few other
cosmetic changes to make the look
more aggressive and to reveal “the
sportiest side of its character”.
The V9 Bobber Sport looks more
individual and attractive in this
new iteration and the lower seat
(I don’t quite know how much lower
because MG wasn’t saying) might
well make it more accessible to
shorter riders, which has to be a
good thing. Just think twice before
JRLQJÁDWWUDFNUDFLQJ
Top marks, too, to Moto Guzzi for
persisting with bringing an
adventure bike to market. Past
attempts have varied from
okay (the Quota) to
you-gotta-be-kidding (the
NTX 650), so it’s
refreshing to see that the
V85 TT looks pretty
much spot on in most
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 31
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
32 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Intermot 2018
Moto Guzzi V85 TT
with touring gear
ways. A new 80 horsepower engine
and an all-new tubular steel frame
will be the basis for an entire new
family of bikes, and I think they’ve
hit the spot this time – I am certainly
looking forward to sampling the V85
TT in the real world.
I don’t want to keep going on about
the writers of Moto Guzzi’s copy, but
when they say that “the V85TT is an
adventure every day” I can only agree
that this used to be a common MG
characteristic. I can remember a
couple of Guzzis which were an
adventure every day. Every day…
I’ve always liked Moto Guzzis, often
against all experience. I’ve never
forgotten that I am faster on a V65
than on any other bike I’ve ever
ridden. Moto Guzzi has come a very
ORQJZD\VLQFHJDLQLQJWKHEHQHÀWRI 
Moto Guzzi V85 TT Aprilia electrics/electronics, and I
sincerely hope that this bike will add
to the increasingly high build
standard of the bikes from Mandello.
Come on, amici, make me proud.
ROYAL ENFIELD
Twice the fun
Our review of the new twin-cylinder
5R\DO(QÀHOGVZLOOEHFRPLQJMXVWDV
soon as they arrive on our shores,
giving you more detail than I have
room for. There is, however, one
thing I can tell you about them: they
drew the older (and not only male)
show-goers like hundred-Euro notes
draw strippers. I swear I saw the
beginnings of drool in the corners of
many a moustached mouth. If there is
such a thing as retro porn these are that
very thing (as WC Fields might say).
Siddhartha Lal, you have hit the spot
with the Continental GT and the
V9 Bobber Sport Interceptor 650s. A little red-white-
and-blue birdie did tell me that there
was vocal disagreement between the
British designers and the Indian
production engineers (which was
what delayed the launch) but the
Brits won, and the bikes are a credit
to their skill (and perhaps to
Triumph, from whom most of them
were apparently sourced). You will
QRZEHDEOHWREX\D5R\DO(QÀHOG

and ride it without the slightly
eccentric Wodehousian air that wafts
after the occupants of the Singles.
Gotta love these things!
SUZUKI
Give it the sword
The new Katana, on the other hand…
Let me diverge for a moment here.
As editor of a series of books called
SUPERBRANDS, I learned a lot
about brands. One of those things was
the concept of the ‘brand guardian’;
once a brand attains a certain market
Royal Enfield
Continental GT twin
recognition and status, the owner has a
responsibility to guard and, if possible,
enhance it.
In my not-at-all humble opinion,
nobody could improve on Hans
Muth’s original Katana. It is one of the
very few bikes ever designed that
cannot be made better. Suzuki’s
various attempts, led by the 750cc
‘Cuckoo Clock’ model, all fell short.
Would that they had stopped at that
point, or possibly just gone back to the
ROGWRROLQJDQGÀUHGLWXSDJDLQ%XW
WKH\KDGWRÀGGOHZLWKLW
“The KATANA was developed to be a
sporty-looking standard street
Suzuki Katana
Royal Enfield
Interceptor twin
motorcycle that takes lean, mean retro
ÁDLUDQGHYROYHVLWWRRIIHUWKRURXJKO\
modern styling and performance,” says
Suzuki’s press release. “Built to deliver
the exciting ride one would desire in a
current 1000cm3 class motorcycle, the
KATANA is also designed to provide
easy control over that power and a
comfortable riding position.”
All true. But those things, except
maybe the “exciting ride”, have
nothing to do with the real Katana.
The original bike was anything but
retro, anything but easy to ride and
anything but comfortable. What it was,
was a revelation; a totally new look at
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 33
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
Triumph Street Twin
what a motorcycle could be. As such,
it deserves to be guarded. Instead it’s
been trivialised.
Had this bike been released under any
other name, perhaps Shōtō, I would
have agreed that it was a good and
worthwhile model. It is, in fact, just
that. I like it, already, I like it. But it’s
not a Katana.
TRIUMPH
Topping off the twins
Both the Street Scrambler and the
Street Twin, which were relaunched at
,17(5027RIIHUVLJQLÀFDQWSRZHU
increase, up by 10 horses to 65
horsepower, 18 per cent more peak
power than before, and high 80Nm
torque output. They have a higher
revving engine, with a red line now
500rpm higher than the previous
generation plus a new magnesium cam
cover and new lightweight crankshaft,
dead shafts and balance shafts.
7KHQHZ%UHPERSLVWRQIURQWEUDNH
caliper improves braking performance,
QHZKLJKHUVSHFLÀFDWLRQFDUWULGJH
front forks give a more comfortable
ride and the bikes have new Road and
Rain riding modes, switchable ABS
and traction control, a torque-assist
clutch with a new mass optimised
clutch cover, LED rear light plus an
immobiliser and a USB power socket.
The Scrambler has “dynamic
scrambler ergonomics” with wide bars,
forward set pegs and a 19” front wheel
as well as dual purpose tyres, an
accessible low seat and a much
better-looking twin exhaust. Both
bikes even have a “new contemporary
34 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Intermot 2018
Triumph Street Scrambler
logo”. Triumph also promises
LPSURYHGÀQLVKDQGGHWDLOLQJDFURVV
both bikes, and they did both look
WHUULÀF´%XLOWWRSHUVRQDOLVHµDV
Triumph says, both bikes have a
substantial range of accessories
which will make it possible – and a
lot of fun – to personalise them. If
you’d like some help with that,
Triumph provides inspirational
customising kits for both bikes.
If Triumph keeps upgrading its
model range like this I may have to
sell one of my bikes and add one of
these to my garage…
There was a (quietly) amusing aspect
to Triumph’s launches. Both bikes
were introduced in videos, with
DPSOLÀHGH[KDXVWQRLVHV²DQGWKH\
sounded good! Then they were actually
ridden onto the stage, and you couldn’t
hear them… I know it’s nothing to do
with Triumph as such, it’s the dopey
noise laws. But it was funny.
WUNDERLICH
Bob’s your package
Wunderlich
“WunderBob”
It’s not a motorcycle manufacturer, but
BMW accessory maker Wunderlich
regularly builds concept motorcycles
which I inevitably wish BMW would
take on as series bikes. This year it was
WunderBob, created from the ever-
malleable R nineT. It’s a neat package,
equipped with the best of
Wunderlich’s own products – yes, you
can build this bike yourself with bits
ordered over the web. I use
Wunderlich products all the time on
my R 90 S (the bike the R nineT was
built to commemorate) and I’m happy
to recommend them. See https://
www.wunderlich.de for more on this
and the other concept bikes, as well as
their catalogue.
YAMAHA
Running on MT
The Yamaha stand was a timely
reminder of the enormous success of
the MT series bikes, which are now
moving into the adventure bike arena

as well, with their engine at least. The
Ténéré 700 will be powered by the
engine of the MT-07. Full marks to
Yamaha for a large and comprehensive
stand, even if they didn’t have much
that was new.
THE INDUSTRY-OUS
SIDE
Aussies hit the show
And so to INTERMOT in general,
and its business side in particular. If
you’re not interested in the motorcycle
industry, you can stop reading now.
This is my favourite show these days,
not because it is the biggest but
because it is the most accessible. I still
walk 10km a day when I’m there, but
that distance does let me cover
everything. There is also an impressive
range of outdoor activities – this year
the rain let up just in time! I have to
admit I didn’t have time to take those
is, so here’s what the press crew itself
reckons about them.
“Yet again, INTERMOT’s
extraordinary programme of events
was packed with variety and
excitement. INTERMOT’s numerous
driving circuits again attracted
large crowds on all days of the fair
– from the kids’ track to the courses
for new or “rusty” riders, for
experienced motorcyclists or trial
bikers through to the test track for
e-scooters and e-bikes.
“Visitors were enthralled by the
spectacular performances in the
acrobatics shows and motorcycle
action by the professionals competing
LQWKHÀQDOHRI WKHÀUVW(XURSHDQ
INTERMOT chose a Yamaha,
customised by Markuis Walz,
as its signature bike.
Bester, Vice President/General
Manager EMEA at Polaris Industries
EMEA, in his analysis of
,17(5027´)RUWKHÀUVWWLPHLQ
the history of Indian Motorcycle, we
have presented a world premiere
outside the United States ... We made a
very conscious decision to stage this
launch at INTERMOT in Cologne –
the event is very international, and
Germany is an extremely important
market for Indian. The response that
we received to our new models from
LQWHUQDWLRQDOSXUFKDVLQJRIÀFHUVDQG
Stunt Championship at INTERMOT journalists is overwhelming.”
in Cologne.” I’ll leave you with a summary from
There you go – can’t argue with that. Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse.
Well I’m not going to, anyway. “A thousand and forty-one companies
Whenever I walked past one of the IURPFRXQWULHVH[KLELWHGDW
outside tracks on my 10km hike INTERMOT 2018, 66 per cent of
around the halls, they were packed so which came from outside Germany.
I’m sure it’s all true. [The show] was attended by
INTERMOT is extremely important approximately 220,000 purchasing
to many companies in the industry. RIÀFHUVDQGYLVLWRUVIURPDOPRVW
Although it looks like a consumer- countries. The proportion of trade
focused event, its business-to- YLVLWRUVZDVDURXQGSHUFHQW
business side is even more per cent of whom travelled from
important. If you want to sell outside Germany.”
something to the vast European See you in Cologne in 2020. I’ll buy
market, you have to be there. \RXD.|OVFK$QG,IRXQGDWHUULÀF
Australian exhibitors included small hotel right on the Rhine and
Rideworx with Barkbuster handguards, around the corner from several
Black Arrow Moto Gear, and Motoz breweries. Details on application. D
dirt bike tyres plus Vozz helmets. I
spoke to Matt Philpott and dRRobb
Veljanoski of Ridew worx on their
substantial stand, an nd they
reckoned that the exxercise
had been more than n
worth it with some 90
per cent of the
invited dealers and
agents showing up
for a consultation.
On the
consumer side, I
think it’s been
years since I’ve
seen as much
wide-eyes
amazement as on
the Vozz helmets
stand as people
checked out the
XQLTXHÀWPHQW
Here’s a representative
comment from Grant
INTERMOT is all
about excitement.
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 35
S U M M E R G E A R Special Feature

36 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 IT’S SUMMER
AND TIME FOR
WANDERING
Keeping cool is what it’s about COMPILED BY STUART

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 37
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
S
UMMER IS FAST
approaching, we’ve had a
few hot days already but
the heat is yet to set in. This
means it’s time for you to think
about some summer gear for your
motorcycling. We’ve approached
the distributors, and the gear from
those who want you to know
about their products is featured
below. Consider that when making
your purchase!
HELD BIKER
FASHION
www.heldaustralia.com.au
LIGHTWEIGHT VENTILATED
SPORTS JACKET - $250
Made from a Heros-Tec 600D
(Denier) outer shell with a mesh liner,
2 external pockets, 2 internal pockets,
cool mesh material in front, back and
arms, arm adjustment, soft touch
collar, CE approved soft protectors at
shoulders and elbows, full connection
]LSDQGUHÁHFWLYHGHWDLOLQJ$YDLODEOH
LQDFRXSOHRI FRORXUVDQGVL]HV 
 ;6;/
DESERT SUMMER
GLOVES - $130
Made with a mesh fabric leather
detailed back, highly abrasion-
resistant kangaroo leather palm,
colourfast and sweat-proof, Velcro
adjustment at cuffs, perforated
ÀQJHUSDQHOVDQGVLGHZDOOVRI 
38 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Summer Gear
ÀQJHUV LQ OLJKWZHLJKW PHVK IDEULF
elasticated leather panels on back,
WKXPEDQGÀQJHUVKDUGSODVWLF
knuckle protection covered with
SuperFabric-brand material and
SuperFabric reinforcement on
edge of hand. Available in Black
and men’s sizes 6-12 and ladies -
D-6, D-7, D-8.
SR-X GLOVES - $260
Made from highly abrasion-
resistant kangaroo leather that
is colourfast and sweat-proof,
also featuring special step seams
which avoid pressure points on
inner hand and enhance feel,
pre-formed, crease-free palm,
Velcro adjustment at wrists and
FXIIV SHUIRUDWHGÀQJHUVLGHZDOOV
perforated hand for maximum
ventilation, feel and comfort,
elasticated leather panels on back,
WKXPEDQGÀQJHUVYLVRUZLSHU
Suprotect shock-absorbing special
foam on back of hand and ball
of thumb, Titanium knuckle
protectors and SuperFabric
UHLQIRUFHPHQWRQÀQJHUVDQG
edge of hand. Available in
Black, White-black and White-
orange, and sizes 7-12.
MACNA
www.macnaridinggear.com.au
CHICANE GLOVES - $149.95
Premium quality, superb comfort,
ÀW DQGSURWHFWLRQ0DGHIURP
premium cow and goat leather
with a double layer palm and
OLWWOH ÀQJHUFDUERQNQXFNOHDQG
ÀQJHU LPSDFWSURWHFWLRQ5,6&
Polyurethane wrist slider and
´7RXFK7LSµLQÀQJHUWLSVHQDEOLQJ
smart screen operation. Available
in Black and sizes S–3XL.
DRY COOLING VEST
EVO - $249.95
Up to 15 degrees C cooling
effect with 3 days’ ride time! This
popular cooling vest has been
updated for 2019. Simply load
500ml of tap water into the vest
for up to 3 days of cooling. The
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
heat from body and surrounding
air make the water inside the vest
vaporise, that causes the vest
surface and your skin to cool down
yet stay totally dry. Make summer
riding enjoyable!
EVENT JACKET - $199.95
A thoroughbred summer jacket:
loads of mesh, lightweight and
HDV\ JRLQJ $ VSRUWV ÀW VDIH DQG
FRRO IURP HYHU\ DQJOH  FRORXU
options – Black, Black/grey/
ÁXRUR ,YRU\JUH\UHG RU %ODFN
ivory/orange and available in
sizes S–3XL.
RUSH JACKET - $229.95
The Rush is a short classic style
jacket ready for your summer rides
40 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Summer Gear
in and around town with a great
custom/urban style. 2 colour
options – Black or Black/grey
DQG PHQV VL]HV 6²;/ DQG
ladies XS–2XL.
ADVENTURE
MOTO
www.adventuremoto.com.au
KLIM MARRAKESH
JACKET - $545
The Klim Marrakesh jacket
is engineered to excel in a
wide temperature range while
providing the highest degree
of comfort and durability.
With a perfect combination of
ventilation and abrasion resistant
materials, the Marrakesh is
Klim’s most comfortable
motorcycle jacket.
KLIM BADLANDS AERO
PRO SHORT GLOVE - $220
Built to meet the demands of
the intercontinental adventurer,
the Badlands Aero Pro glove is
VSHFLÀFDOO\GHVLJQHGWREH\RXU
go-to glove for the majority of
riding conditions.
KLIM MARRAKESH
GLOVE - $150
The Marrakesh is engineered to
excel in warmer temperatures
while providing the highest degree
of comfort and durability. With a
perfect combination of ventilation
and abrasion resistant materials,
the Marrakesh is Klim’s most
comfortable motorcycle glove.
 O C A SE TO P B O X ES A R E AVA IL A B LE IN
CO
TH E FEATU R ES
FI V E M O D EL S. C H O O SE
D S.
TH AT M ATC H YO U R N EE
R ES ...
LU X U RY M O D EL FEATU
ote control
™ Keyless entry via rem
™ LED brakelights
arm
™ Integrated security al
™ Auto-lock feature
e mount for
™ Includes quick-releas
ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐůƵŐŐĂŐĞƌĂĐŬƐ

COOCASE top boxes are available from your favourite motorcycle store.
&ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶĂďŽƵƚKK^ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐǀŝƐŝƚǁǁǁ͘ŬĞŶŵĂ͘ĐŽŵ͘ĂƵ
email: sales@kenma.com.au phone 02 9484 0777
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
KLIM AVALON
JACKET - $535
Klim Women’s Avalon Jacket
is engineered to keep women
comfortable in the warmest riding
environments while providing
class-leading protection with
proprietary Klim Karbonite mesh
WHFKQRORJ\ ZKLFK \LHOGV D ÀQDO
KLJKO\ÁH[LEOH PHVK PDWHULDO
that is up to 750% stronger than
polyesters used by other brands.
FORCEFIELD BODY
ARMOUR TECHNICAL
BASE LAYER SHIRT - $75
7KH)RUFHÀHOG%DVH/D\HUUDQJH
has been created using BeCool.
WKHÀUVWSRO\DPLGHÀEUHZLWK
LQWHJUDWHGDLUÁRZFRQWUROD
function that maintains body
temperature during sports and
42 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Summer Gear
leisure activities. Also in long
sleeve, pants and for women
(price varies).
DRIRIDER
www.dririder.com.au
available as an accessory), poly
mesh internal comfort liner, soft
collar lining, detachable hood,
internal waist adjustment, Velcro
cuff closure, 2 outer pockets
and one inner pocket and a waist
connection zip for pants. Available
LQ%ODFNRU*UH\DQGVL]HV6²;/
AIR-RIDE 4 JACKET -
$199.95
Made from a Maxtex 600D
polyester and abrasion resistant
mesh featuring a Reissa
waterproof and breathable
removable liner, CE armour with
hi-density back protector, mesh
comfort liner, power stretch in
shoulders, chest and elbows,
pre-curved arms, Neoprene
VWUHWFK FRPIRUW FROODU UHÁHFWLYH
print, arm and waist adjusters, 2
outer and 2 inner pockets and a
connection zip for pants. Available
in 10 colours and men’s sizes from
;6²;/ DQG DYDLODEOH LQ  FRORXUV STREET GLOVE - $69.95
and ladies sizes 6–22. Made from goatskin, two-way
stretch fabric and 3D mesh,
ATOMIC HOODY - $249.95 synthetic suede reinforced palm,
Combines urban looks with ergonomic knuckle protector,
protection and functionality. shock absorbing pads on palm and
The Atomic Hoody is perfect ÀQJHUVHUJRQRPLF&DUERQSDOP
for city riding and consists of VOLGHURXWHUHGJHRI SLQNLHÀQJHU
softshell material with mesh reinforced, accordion stretch
panels for cooling, internal CE LQVHUWVRQÀQJHUV1HRSUHQH
impact protection in shoulders wrist cuff with shock absorbing
and elbows, protector pockets padding and a Velcro wrist closure.
OLQHGZLWK'X3RQW.HYODUÀEUH Available in colours – Black/
based fabric, hi-density foam back White/Red, Black/Black and
pad (D30 CE Level 2 protector VL]HV6²;/
 since 1946

Sambia | Art. 2163 Air Stream II | Art. 2350 Rodney | Art. 2353 Desert | Art. 2151
Tropic II | Art. 6533 Summer glove Touring glove Summer glove Summer glove
Summer jacket

www.heldaustralia.com.au Email: info@heldaustralia.com.au

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E Summer Gear

track’ testing thanks to Sidi’s

Moto-GP riders’ input, all to
offer you a brilliant performance
during your rides.
An excellent choice for every rider
who is looking for a protective yet
breathable boot, with a versatile
DQG H[WUHPHO\ FRPIRUWDEOHÀWQRW
to mention an easy entry. Available
in Black/Black, Grey/Black, Red
)OXRUR%ODFN DQG VL]HV 

URBAN BOOT - $149.95 RJAYS

Made from a heavy duty canvas www.rjays.com.au
and leather upper, comfort mesh
breathable liner, double stitched in
high stress areas, nylon inner ankle
protector, cushioning insole with
high-level breathability, fastener feature. Available in Black and sizes
ODFHV ZLWK ]LSSHU IRU HDV\ ÀWWLQJ DQG ;6;/DQG6WRXW/;/0DWFKWKH
a stitched natural rubber sole that pants to the All Season III jacket.
offers excellent comfort and grip.
Available in Black, Charcoal, Red,
Navy, Wine, Khaki, Teal and White,
DQG VL]HV 

SIDI
www.mcleodaccess.com.au

JET STREAM III

REX BOOTS - $649.95
A modern and futuristic look that
utilises the highest quality materials
in its structure to create a boot
at the forefront of technology,
functionality and production quality.
The Rex was developed through
research, laboratory tests and ‘on the
GLOVES - $59.95
Made with 100% leather palms,
nylon air mesh construction, thermo
polycarbonate resin reinforced weave
hard knuckle protection, long black
rubber vented protection strips over
WZR ÀQJHUV GXDO OD\HUHG OHDWKHU
palms, dual stitched in palms and
a new rubber logo with Velcro
wrist closure. Available in Black
and men’s sizes XS-3XL and
ladies’ sizes XS-XL.
ALL SEASONS III PANTS -
$169.95 - $189.95
CE approved body armour at knees,
VXSHU KLÁRZ DLU PHVK YHQWLODWLRQ
panels, removable waterproof and
breathable liner, stretch panels over
knees for freedom of movement,
UHÁHFWLYH PDWHULDO DGMXVWDEOH9HOFUR
waist and cuff adjusters, rubber
covered studs and a zip to jacket
STRIKE BOOTS - $139.95
Lace up boots with leather/canvas
upper construction which are also
100% waterproof and breathable,
featuring reinforced heel and toe
protection, low cut heel for style and
comfort, double stitched with heel
loop for easy use, slip/oil resistance
rubber sole and dual ankle cup
protection. Available in Black and
VL]HV
SCORPION
www.cassons.com.au
SAVANNAH JACKET - $149.95
Textile jacket with CE approved
body armour and back protector,
UHPRYDEOHZDWHUSURRI OLQHU

44 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 Summer
Riding Gear

80% OFF JACKETS

FROM ONLY $50

VESPA HELMETS $300

150 Parramatta Rd Stanmore 02 95578500

Postage anywhere in Australia $20

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
external and 2 internal pockets,
adjustable waist, wrist cuffs with
9HOFUR WDEV DQG UHÁHFWLYH PDWHULDO
Available in Black, men’s sizes XS-
;/ DQG ODGLHV ;6;/
DAKOTA AIR
GLOVES - $49.95
100% leather construction
fully perforated for maximum
ventilation and are lightweight
for supreme comfort and feel.
Available in Black, men’s sizes XS-
3XL and ladies sizes 2XS-XL.
OUTLAW GLOVES - $49.95
An extremely comfortable plain
black summer glove designed
46 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Summer Gear
for the rider who wants feel and
protection in a lightweight glove.
Available in Black and sizes
XS-3XL.
DAINESE
www.cassons.com.au
AIR FLUX TEX D1
JACKET - $249.95
Made from Dainese’s D-Stone
fabric, featuring removable
composite protectors, pocket
backspace for G1 or G2 back
protector, neck adjustment,
wrist adjustment strap and waist
adjustment. Available in Black
DQG VL]HV 
AIR-FRAME D1 TEX
JACKET - $299.95
When the weather heats up,
there’s no better jacket than
the Air-Frame D1, they tell us.
It features a Quick Dry fabric
chassis with ample use of mesh
SDQHOVWRUHDOO\OHWWKHDLUÁRZ
Thermal adaptability is provided
via a removable windproof liner,
while comfort is ensured by an
DQWLÁRDWLQJVOHHYHV\VWHPDQG
soft inserts at the neck and wrists.
Available in Black/Yellow-Fluoro,
Black/Red, Black and Black/White,
DQGVL]HV
AIR HERO GLOVES - $139.95
The Dainese Air Hero gloves
combine cowhide leather, a
reinforced goatskin palm and
polyurethane knuckle protection in
a lightweight and fully ventilated
summer glove that achieves a CE
rating. For those riding in hot
ZHDWKHUWKDWQHHGDLUÁRZZLWKRXW
having to compromise on safety,
the Air Hero Gloves have come
to the rescue. Available in Black
and sizes XS-2XL.
AIR MASTER
GLOVES - $109.95
A light, ventilated summer touring
Plain $239.95 inc gst Fibreglass/Aramid or 100% Carbon Fibre Construction
Graphic $249.95 inc gst
Carbon $399.95 inc gst
Australia Cassons Pty Ltd
P: +61(0)2 8882 1900 F: +61(0)2 8882 1999
E: enquiries@cassons.com.au W: www.cassons.com.au
New Zealand Northern Accessories Ltd Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram
E: sales@northacc.co.nz W: www.northern.co.nz Cassons Australia Motorcycle @cassonsaustraliamotorcycle
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
glove with knuckle protection
that’s touchscreen enabled. A snug
cuff closure ensures safety and
comfort, while the soft ventilated
IDEULF SURYLGHV D FRRO VQXJ ÀW WKDW
holds the rigid protective knuckle
guards in place. To slip on, cinch
up and forget they’re there.
Available in Black, Black/Red
and sizes XS-2XL.
DRAKE SUPER AIR TEX
PANTS - $299.95
The Drake Super Air Tex Pants
from Dainese are the perfect
complement to any of Dainese’s
mesh warm weather jackets. Fully
ventilated with large boomerang
mesh panels on the thighs, shins
and calves, the Super Air Tex Pants
eliminate steamy moisture build
up yet keep your legs protected
ZLWKFRPSRVLWH&(FHUWLÀHGNQHH
armour and the light yet durable
Dainese Quick-dry fabric. Great
for warm weather commuting
or weekend rides, the Drake
Super Air Tex Pants are ideal for
any rider looking to keep cool.
$YDLODEOHLQ%ODFNDQGVL]HV
48 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Summer Gear
ALPINESTARS
www.monzaimports.com.au
a growing number of Tech-Air
compatible leather and textile
products meaning its considerable
protective features can be further
boosted with the addition of
Alpinestars’ Tech-Air airbag
T CORE AIR DRYSTAR system. Available in Black/White
JACKET - $395.95 and Black/White/Fluoro, and
A multi-material construction sizes 56-66.
featuring stretch panels on the
shoulders and a removable
Drystar membrane for fit
and comfort, the T-Core Air
incorporates extensive mesh
panels for optimized levels of
internal airflow. Multifabric shell
construction with mesh panels on
chest, back and sleeves for cooling
performance. Chest pad and back
compartments with PE padding
(Alpinestars Level 1 CE certified
Nucleon chest and Level 2 CE
certified Nucleon back inserts
available as accessory upgrade).
Available in Black and Black/
Fluoro Yellow, and sizes 56-66.
T-MISSILE AIR GP AIR LEATHER
JACKET – TECHAIR GLOVES - $149.95
COMPATIBLE - $479.95 Full-grain goat leather and air
The T-Missile Air Jacket Tech- mesh construction featuring a
Air compatible jacket is a fully synthetic suede palm, reinforced
featured all weather sport edge of hand, touch screen
riding jacket with a range of compatible, carbon knuckle and
class-leading fit and comfort carbon finger protectors, TPR
features, such as stretch zones protectors back with EVA foam,
for improved mobility, zippered finger bridge, silicone printing
air intakes and extensive mesh on fingers for increased grip and
panels for guaranteed internal Velcro closure. Available in Black,
air cooling. This jacket is one in Black/White and sizes S-3XL. D
T E A R O U T M A P #7 0
BURN SOME TYRES
Omeo – Bright, VIC WORDS STUART
A
S THE WARMER weather
approaches it’s time to burn
some tyres through the mega
twisties on roads that are usually
closed during the winter months.
We’ve covered just about every other
road in this area, but in a way you
might say we’ve left the best till last.
One word of warning though, be wary
of the mighty Bogong Yeti who preys
on motorcyclists, we’d hate to hear of
him/her/it getting a fresh meat intake
to grow even larger! Oh? You’ve not
heard of the Bogong Yeti? Being a
High Country dweller he/she/it only
comes out of hibernation when the
50 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
temperature starts to warm up and is
usually very hungry for some fresh
PRWRUF\FOLVWÁHVK,I \RX·YHEHHQ
lucky enough to spot the Bogong
Yeti (and survived), and have a photo,
we’d love to see it!
OMEO
The small town of Omeo is located
in an attractive open and undulating
plain, surrounded by high mountain
ranges. Originally a pastoral area,
the discovery of gold in 1851 saw
the town boom, but as usual things
ultimately declined as the gold ran
out, and cattle and sheep grazing
took over as the town’s major industry.
Remnants of the town’s gold-mining
history can be found at the Oriental
Claims Historic Area, located a few
kilometres west of Omeo.
Fishing is a popular activity in the many
creeks and other waterways in the
area, while there are picturesque small
communities and scenic lookouts on a
number of the roads around Omeo.
The town centre of Omeo is on the
slope of a hill along Day Avenue,
offering scenic views over the many
historical buildings in town. The A.M.
Pearson Historical Park features the
town’s court house and the original log
police lock-up. An extensive recreation
park stretches from the commercial
centre at Day Avenue right down to
Livingstone Creek and features walking
tracks, a rotunda, and a swimming area
in a wide section of the creek. Omeo’s
regional information centre is located at
the German Cuckoo Clock Shop which
displays a wide range of hand-crafted
cuckoo clocks.
FALLS CREEK
Victoria’s largest alpine resort, Falls
Creek is a treasure fountain for skiers,
however, the resort area is still open
during the summer months with
sweeping views of the Alpine
area and if you feel the need,
accommodation is also available at
various locations - www.fallscreek.
com.au/accommodation-search/
MOUNT BEAUTY
Mount Beauty and surrounds offer
something for the extreme and for
those that prefer the serene.
The valley is a mountain bike
hub, with rides for all abilities.
If you’d rather walk, take a stroll
along the river or hike Victoria’s
highest mountain, Mount Bogong.
Or just relax and enjoy local
wineries or a cool beer at the
local boutique brewery.
BRIGHT
“Beautiful Bright” is how Vic
Tourism promote the town of Bright
and they’re bang on the money – a
stunning town that you’ll fall in
love with. There’s loads to see and
do – wineries, walks, antique bazaar,
brewery, lavender, deer and emu farms,
day tours and countryside cafes. Then
there’s the stunning restaurants and
accommodation to suit all budgets. If
you don’t plan to spend a couple of days
in Bright, you’re simply missing out. D
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 51
 TEST

Simply the Best...

…better than all the rest? No. There aren’t any others in this class

WORDS STUART PHOTOS DEAN WALTERS

W
E GET TO RIDE SOME pretty cool
motorcycles here at Australian Motorcyclist.
But when I was recently offered the chance
WRULGHWKH%0:+35DFHDURXQG6\GQH\
Motorsport Park (SMSP), that was something special.
This is the highest spec motorcycle you can buy
IURPDGHDOHULQWKLVFRXQWU\7KLQNFDUERQÀEUH
lightweight, big horsepower, World Superbike level
electronics and suspension and you’re getting the
idea of what this bike is about. I headed out to a wet
and foggy SMSP to give it a whirl.
7KH+35DFHLVDWUDFNRQO\PRWRUF\FOHDQGD
proper race bike, even though there’s really no high
OHYHOZRUOGUDFHVHULHVLWÀWVLQWR,JXHVV\RXFRXOGFOXE
race it, (or take it to the Irish Road Racing Series, which
includes the Isle of Man TT), but would you want to
risk being taken out on such an expensive machine by
some loose punter who thinks he’s going to win the
MotoGP championship at club level? I think not. So,
to whom does this bike appeal? It’s for the cashed up
track day man (or woman) who wants the best that
money can buy in a motorcycle that is like nothing
else out there. Unless you’re racing World Superbike
or MotoGP. Yes, it’s that good.

52 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 53
TEST

Essentially, BMW wanted to show

the world just what can be done with
the technology available at Munich’s
GLVSRVDO7KHXVHRI FDUERQÀEUH
for the frame, fairing, wheels and
subframe is one thing you get. ‘Strong
and extremely light’ is something you
just cannot imagine until you ride a
bike like this. The effortless handling
and ballistic acceleration takes some
computing in your brain. It wasn’t
until I rode the 2018 S1000RR
VWUDLJKWDIWHUKRSSLQJRII WKH+3
Race that it showed just how much of
a difference there is.
Of all the bikes I’ve ridden the
OLJKWQHVVRI WKH+35DFHFDQRQO\
be compared (for me) to an ex-
WSBK Ducati 851 I’ve raced. The
'XFZHLJKVLQWKHYLFLQLW\RI NJ
ZLWKWKH+35DFHFRPLQJLQDW
171kg fully fuelled and ready to ride.
Take this into consideration for a
minute. A current World Superbike
weighs more, a MotoGP bike weighs
about the same and the lightest litre
sportsbike is around the 195kg mark!
Those lacking kilos mean faster lap
times and masses of fun.
The in-line four cylinder powerplant
is BMW’s ‘Endurance Spec’ race
engine, which needs to be rebuilt
every 5000km at no doubt a high
price tag. The Endurance Spec engine
has 158kW of power and 120Nm
of torque. Combine this with the
featherweight lightness and the race-
spec close-ratio gearbox and you’re
on an extremely potent machine.
<RXPLJKWDVNZK\%0:GLGQ·WÀW
D:6%.VSHFHQJLQHZLWKRGG
horsepower? Well, would you want to
get a $20,000 plus rebuild every couple
of times you take it out? I think not. So,
the world endurance spec engine is the
smart choice and it is more engine than
most people could ever use anyway.
Thankfully the electronics are simply
from another planet and help you drive
this bike. They are nothing like you will
have ever seen or experienced and I
reckon that unless you’re a techno wiz
you’ll need to employ an electronics
technician to make the right steps with
the setup. Although, having said that,
unless you’re at a riding level of at least
an Australian Superbike Championship

54 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 RRP $599.95

For more information & Authorised Stockists, please call (03) 8327 8888
TEST
rider then the traction and engine
braking you can change while riding
will be more than enough – leave all the
other settings as they are.
But imagine being able to change
settings for every centimetre, every
engine revolution, every lean angle,
every corner, and every part of the race
track. This is the staggering electronics
SDFNDJH ÀWWHG WR WKH +3 5DFH
Let me run you through what there is
in basic form –
‡ 2D dashboard and 2D data
recording including logger – this
is directly from World Superbike.
‡ Dynamic Traction Control DTC
(programmable for selected gears
at 15 levels). Yes, as it mentions,
you can set the traction control
for every gear and every engine
revolution – mind boggling stuff.
‡ Engine Brake EBR
(programmable for selected gears
at 15 levels). Again, we’re talking
about staggering amounts of
adjustment.
‡ Wheelie Control (programmable
for selected gears). You can
set the wheelie control for certain
engine rpm and
throttle openings.
‡ Launch Control –
hit space even quicker.
‡ Pit Lane Limiter –
because it sounds cool.
%HIRUH,MXPSRQWKH+35DFH
Shane Kinderis who runs the Next Gen
Motorsport team sets up the bike with
race shift and checks that I’m happy
with the footpeg position and lever
position. He runs me through how to
start the bike, how to change traction
and engine braking while I’m riding
and to make sure I know to turn the
bike off coming down pit lane as it
has no cooling fans.
7RVWDUWWKH+35DFHWKHUH·VDWRJJOH
VZLWFKWRWKHOHIWVLGHRI WKHGDVKÁLFN
it down, press the red ‘Kill’ button on
the right bar switch block, then press
WKHEODFNEXWWRQWRÀUHLWLQWROLIH$
beautiful lumpy idle pumps out of the
Akrapovic race system. The sound
is like a magnet as people stop what
they’re doing and gather round. Mark
56 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Willis (ex-500GP) and I are the two
riders and gently roll out of pitlane.
The track is still wet in parts and being
on slicks makes us relatively cautious.
We both still roll in some respectable
lap times with me being slightly faster
than Mark (Yes!). I take the opportunity
to rub it in knowing full well it would
be like waving a red rag to a bull and
the next session, which was completely
dry, Mark showed me who’s boss. But
not my much – about half a second
was all that was in it, which I’m pretty
happy with. We did have some good
dicing in this session but it was always
in the back of my mind that I’m riding
DRQHKXQGUHGDQGÀIWHHQWKRXVDQG
dollar bike and crashing it wouldn’t be
seen favourably.
After the session, Shane downloaded
the data from my bike and brought it
up onto a large screen to run Mark and
PHWKURXJKHYHU\WKLQJWKH+35DFH
is about. I can honestly say I’ve never
seen anything like it – ever! The level
of detail is simply…mind blowing.
Shane could show me every part of the
track as well as what my right wrist was
doing, what the throttle bodies were
doing, the traction, the anti-wheelie,
engine braking, wheel speed, lean angle
and I reckon this bike could pretty
much tell whether you’ve left a brown
stain in your undies. I was surprised
to see that I would be winding the
throttle on faster than what the
throttle bodies and traction control
wanted me to, with the wheelspin
being controlled by the electronics and
only letting me know it was working
ZLWKDQDPD]LQJVRXQGLQJÁXWWHUIURP
WKH$NUDSRYLFFDUERQPXIÁHU7KH
traction control is nothing like what
you get on any road bike, rather than
being totally electronically controlled
E\FXWWLQJVSDUNWKH+35DFH
traction is controlled via the cylinders
– reducing power when required.
Suspension is directly from World
Superbike. The Ohlins FGR 300 forks
are worth a ‘billion dollars’ as is the
Ohlins TTX 36 GP shock. As you can
LPDJLQHWKH\DUHVHWXSÀUP²WKLVLVD
racebike after all, but as I was riding it
as part of BMW’s ‘RR Experience’ ride
GD\WKH+35DFHKDGEHHQVRIWHQHG
off quite a bit to allow customers who
may not be riding at a high level to
have more feel.
I bottomed out the forks and the rear
VTXDWWHGWRRPXFKLQWKHÀUVWVHVVLRQ
EXWDTXLFNDGMXVWPHQWÀ[HGDOOWKDW
up and I could push much harder into
and out of turns. It showed me just
how well this bike handles. It could
effortlessly hold the apex of any corner
and be pointed wherever I liked, and
it would go there. Front and rear are
widely adjustable and you can even
change the rear ride height. Anyone
ZKREX\VWKLVELNHVKRXOGÀUVWH[SORUH
the limits of what is available for spring
preload, compression and rebound
as standard before thinking about
changing springs and the like. You can
even change the swingarm height in the
frame and the offset and steering head
angle in the front, but that’s another
level of adjustment again.
BMW Motorrad’s technical level
PHDQVWKDWWKLVLVWKHÀUVWHYHU
PRWRUF\FOHZLWKDFDUERQÀEUHPDLQ
frame produced industrially in a small
series using the RTM (Resin Transfer
2018 BMW S1000RR
I also had the opportunity to ride the
latest road going version – the
S1000RR.This is a very potent
machine but jumping straight on it
after riding the HP4 Race showed the
massive difference between the two.
The extra weight meant that for the
ÀUVW FRXSOH RI ODSV , ZDV
understeering wide into turns and
the softer suspension meant the bike
was moving around a lot more under
power.Thankfully the bike was
ÀWWHG ZLWK 0HW]HOHU 5DFHWHF .
W\UHV ZKLFK JDYH PH WKH FRQÀGHQFH
to push the RR around and
have some fun.
But, the big thing was the huge
difference between a high level
sportsbike and a bike that is at and
above World Superbike standard
– it simply leaves you speechless.
Moulding) process. It is a method of
frame construction which only BMW
Motorrad offers in this form.
&DUERQÀEUHWHFKQRORJ\KDVD
number of variants which differ in
terms of purpose and production
technique. For example, the term
“Carbonview” refers to components
such as trim parts or prominently
showcased design components
that primarily draw on the aesthetic
YLVXDOTXDOLW\RI FDUERQÀEUH
The materials used are generally
FDUERQÀEUHIDEULFDQGHSR[\
resin, processed using the so-called
hand lay-up method (hand lay-up
laminate) or compression moulds.
By contrast, the term “Carboncore”
refers to components where carbon
ÀEUHLVXVHGDVDIXQFWLRQDOPDWHULDO
to reduce weight and/or increase the
strength of a part as compared to
alternatives such as steel, aluminium or
magnesium. The starting materials here
are woven or nonwoven bonded fabrics.
They are inserted in the manufacturing
mould and then injected with a reactive
dual-component resin (RTM process:
Resin Transfer Moulding).
The category “Carbondrive”
includes non-woven bonded fabrics
ZLWKFRQWLQXRXVÀEUHVSURGXFHG
using the RTM process. The aim here
is to achieve an optimum balance
between stiffness and qualities
such as bending, transverse rigidity
and weight for highly stressed
components that are crucial to riding
dynamics, like the frame and wheels.
7KH+35DFHFDUERQÀEUHPDLQ
frame has the engine integrated as
a load-bearing element and tilted
forwards by 32 degrees. The subframe
LVDOVRPDGHRI FDUERQÀEUHDQGEROWHG
on at four mounting points. In order
to achieve the best possible response
and feel for the rider, the frame has
been designed in structure and shape
to exhibit various stiffness qualities
VXFKDVDGHÀQHGEHQGLQJDQGWRUVLRQDO
response as well as transverse rigidity. In
the past this was one of the main weak
SRLQWVLQWKHGHVLJQRI FDUERQÀEUH
frames – especially in racing, where the
VRFDOOHGÁH[RI WKHFKDVVLVLPSDFWVRQ
mechanical grip.
While torsion in the chassis around
the vertical axis is generally not
desirable, a certain elasticity of
the frame in a transverse direction
ensures smoother cornering –
factors which were central to
the development of this carbon
ÀEUHIUDPH+HUHWKHRYHUDOOPDLQ
and rear frame structure and the
swingarm were designed to strike an
optimum balance between stiffness
DQGÁH[LELOLW\IRURSWLPXPWUDFWLRQ
riding precision and feedback.
SPECS
BMW HP4 RACE
And the frame is extremely light,
weighing just 7.8 kilograms which is
NLORJUDPVOHVVWKDQLWVDOXPLQLXP
counterpart in the S1000RR. It is PRICE: $114,500
produced in monocoque construction ENGINE: Liquid-cooled in-line four
and therefore made from a solid piece cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves
of material. This means there are
per cylinder
no weak points such as individually
bonded or bolt-on components. BORE x STROKE: 80 x 49.7mm
All-in-all a very technically advanced DISPLACEMENT: 999cc
piece of the motorcycle. COMPRESSION: 13.7-13.9:1
Bolted to the back of the frame is
POWER: 158kW @ 13,900rpm
another World Superbike item. Suter,
of whom you may have heard of TORQUE: 120Nm @ 10,000rpm
from the Moto2 world championship, TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet
has supplied the swingarm. It is an multi-plate slipper clutch, chain
exquisite looking item and works
ÀQDO GULYH
extremely well at providing traction
and feedback while riding. SUSPENSION: Front, Ohlins FGR 300
Braking is at another level as well. WSBK fork, adjustable preload,
Again, World Superbike Brembo compression and rebound, travel
¶GURROHU\·LVÀWWHGDQGFRPELQHGZLWK
130mm. Rear, Ohlins TTX 36 GP
how light this bike is I don’t think I
hit my braking markers once. I would monoshock, adjustable preload,
always brake too early, such is the compression and rebound,
power available. Plus, I didn’t want to travel 120mm.
be ‘that guy’ that bins this expensive
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 831mm,
machine. Even ASBK rider Glenn
Allerton said to me he had trouble weight 171kg (wet), 146kg (dry), fuel
adjusting to how late you could brake capacity 17.5 litres, wheelbase 1440mm
RQWKH+35DFH TYRES: Front, 120/70/17 Slick.
The technology built into this
Rear, 200/60/17 Slick
PRWRUF\FOHPHDQV,FRXOGÀOOKDOI 
of the magazine with all of its )5$0( &DUERQ ÀEUH
aspects but to keep things as simple BRAKES: Front, twin 320mm discs
as possible, all I can say is: if you’ve with Brembo WSBK GP4-RR
got the disposable cash to be able
monoblock four-piston calipers.
WRDIIRUGWKH%0:+35DFHEX\
one. There are only 750 being built Rear, 220mm disc, Brembo WSBK
worldwide and nothing else compares four-piston caliper.
to it, and even with some more COLOURS: BMW Motorsport
claimed ‘specials’ possibly coming
onto the market in the near future,
WKH\VWLOOZRQ·WEHDVJRRGDVWKH+3 VERDICT: FASTEST AND
Race. Simply the best. D MOST EXCLUSIVE
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 57
TRAVEL

INGENIOUS!
A road trip on a pair of Indians WORDS/PHOTOS BRAD FOSTER

58 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au

Two thousand kilometres of hot bitumen
in the Northern Territory, a borrowed
Indian Chieftain and Roadmaster,
and being paid to do it by the NT
Government. It doesn’t get much better
than that for motorcycle enthusiasts Brad
Foster and Nigel Collin.
N
IGEL AND I went to the
same school in Sydney. He was
three years older than I so of
course he never spoke to me unless I
was doing something to annoy him.
Fast-forward 30 plus years and
we’re now good mates. We met again
probably 10 or 15 years back at a
conference that he was emceeing and
I was attending and have stayed in
touch ever since.
When he decided to write a book on
EXVLQHVVÀYH\HDUVDJR1LJHOWRRNRII 
around Australia on a motorcycle with
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 59
T R AV E L
an idea to interview business owners on
the secrets to their success, penning it
the Ingenious Oz Project.
He held the belief that “remoteness
leads to innovation” simply because
people had to come up with
ingenious ways of doing things
because they had no choice.
The tour went well and he’s been
delivering keynotes to conference
audiences ever since.
When I saw Nigel at a conference
in May this year he told me that he
was thinking of doing another trip.
We were at the after party venue
– a pub in Adelaide – and I told
him, maybe with a slight slur, that I
wouldn’t mind joining him.
He wanted to ride from Alice Springs
to Darwin, almost 2000km, interview
business people and community-based
organisations and gather some new
material for his presentations.
So we hatched a plan. We wrote a
prospectus to a guy we knew who
worked for the NT Department of
Trade, Business and Innovation,
outlining our trip. We’d interview
between six to 10 people and provide
the department with videos of the
interviews that they could use any
way they wanted.
I suggested to Nigel that we might be
able to get a few additional sponsors for
ÁLJKWVDQGDFFRPPRGDWLRQDQGVR,VHW
about doing that. I even, maybe a little
60 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
arrogantly, thought we should try to get
a motorcycle company on board.
The aim wasn’t to make a squillion
dollars. All we wanted to do was
cover the cost of the trip and hire a
super star editor who could make our
footage look better than we could
ever do on our own.
As it happened, the NT government
guy we knew said yes, Virgin Australia
VDLGWKH\·GJLYHXVÁLJKWV$FFRU+RWHOV
said they would provide us a couple
of rooms in both Alice Springs and
Darwin for a few nights each, and
the crème de la crème as far as I was
concerned was that Tom Mendey from
Indian Motorcycle Australia said he
would lend us two bikes to ride.
We approached Indian Motorcycle
EHFDXVHDV,ÀJXUHGWKHUHZHUH
plenty of synergies with our trip.
Indian is, after all, the world’s oldest
motorcycle company, and we would
be travelling through the oldest
landscape in the world.
Oh, and they were way cool bikes too!
From Nigel’s and my initial
discussion it was almost six months
when we took off; 10 days’ riding
from Alice Springs to Darwin in
early October on the Stuart Highway,
affectionately known as “the track”.
By the time we hit Alice on October
5 we had lined up a dozen interviews
with people working for businesses and
charity organisations. These included
Katherine Gorge – stunning!
the amazing CEO at Purple House,
Sarah Brown, and the curator of the
Parrtjima Light Festival that was on in
Alice at the time, Rhoda Roberts.
Purple House, which provides mobile
dialysis to Indigenous people living
in remote areas, particularly proved
to have an incredibly “ingenious”
backstory. The charity-based
RUJDQLVDWLRQÀUVWUDLVHGPRQH\WRJHW
started by selling Indigenous artworks.
We also interviewed Ananda Taylor
ZKRLVDÀHOGRIÀFHUDW7MDPSL
Desert Weavers, a social enterprise
of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara
Yankunytjatjara (NYP) Women’s
Council, created to enable women
in remote central deserts to earn
WKHLURZQLQFRPHIURPÀEUHDUW
7MDQSLUHSUHVHQWVPRUHWKDQ
Aboriginal women artists from
26 remote communities.
Further north we had the pleasure
of meeting two-time Golden Guitar
winner Tom Curtain and his wife
Annabel McLarty who run the
Katherine Outback Experience, a
show that gives visitors a sneak peek
into horse breaking (now called horse
training) and dog training, with the odd
song thrown in for good measure.
Tom started the show when his horse
whispering work fell over, courtesy of
the government’s decision to ban live
 THE LEGACY CONTINUES

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models for you – the Royal Enield Classic 500 Battle Green and Desert Storm. Visit your nearest store to test ride the
two models that let you enjoy the pleasures of modern motorcycling while reflecting the aura of classic eternal styling.

$8,990 RIDEAWAY
Includes two year warranty and roadside assist

/RoyalEnieldAusNZ @RoyalEnieldAusNZ ROYALENFIELD.COM.AU

T R AV E L
exports. The local cattle farmers are
apparently still recovering.
In-between the interviews we stayed
at roadhouses and pubs like Barrow
Creek, 280km north of Alice, and the
iconic Daly Waters, another 630km
north along “the track”.
You’d think that with a population of
just 11 people, Barrow Creek would’ve
been a quiet little place but I can assure
you it wasn’t. With an adjacent caravan
and camping ground and about a
dozen motel-style rooms, the place was
jumping when we got there around
5pm. It was a Monday night and there
was a fair amount of drinking going
on until everyone disappeared at 10,
including the owner, Les Pilton, who
62 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
3 4
had been making the most of his
newfangled karaoke machine.
Nigel and I were left wondering
what the atmosphere would be like
on a Saturday or Sunday. It was no
wonder one visitor wasn’t worried
about waiting four days for his new
trailer wheel to show up
from Adelaide.
Wherever we stopped off at, and
whoever we met, there were always
questions about our bikes. Did Indian
really deliver them to Alice Springs
for you? Do you have to give them
back? What’s in it for them?
Yes they did. Sadly, we do have to
give them back. Well, we’re hopeful
that we can put together a kick-ass
ÀOP RI RXU OLWWOH WULS WKDW WKH\FDQXVH
to promote how great these bikes are
on the open road. Maybe it will even
convince a few people to buy one.
We had three GoPros, a fancy
digital camera, and another piece of
equipment that we could attach to
our smartphones which made what
ZHÀOPHGORRNSUHWW\GDPQJUHDW:H
even bought a drone and shot some
footage with that until the thing spat
WKHGXPP\DW/LWFKÀHOG1DWLRQDO
Park. Then Nigel spat the dummy
after it spat the dummy which I got
RQÀOPWRR%HVLGHVWKHVWXQQLQJ
VFHQHU\DW/LWFKÀHOGDQG.DWKHULQH
Gorge and the Devil’s Marbles this
was my funniest moment of the trip.

Picture if you can, Nigel trying in
GHJUHHKHDWWRJHWKLVGURQH
talking to his smartphone and not
much happening. I was laughing
so hard I was struggling to keep
the camera steady.
Nigel’s Roadmaster had the majority
of storage including a great luggage
rack that we tied the camera tripod
to. With my two lockable saddlebags
and a backpack I was easily able to
transport the rest of our gear.
Nigel was a particular fan of the
adjustable front windshield and the
cruise control, and grew to love
the speakers that blared out the
never-ending music playlist from his
smartphone. Halfway through the
2
5 6
trip I wondered whether the wildlife
was keeping scarce because of his
musical selections.
It took me a couple of days to
get used to riding at 130km/h with
massive road trains barrelling towards
us from the opposite direction,
but by day three I had the music
pumping too and was revelling in the
spectacular scenery we were passing.
We’re already talking about doing
another trip, this time to Tasmania.
Now all we need is a few sponsors
and the okay from the bosses. The
ones who matter that is – the ones
who sit opposite us at the dinner
table at home most nights.
And hey, take an Indian Motorcycle
1. Shoe collection at Daly Waters Pub
2. Devil’s Marbles
3. Entrance to Barrow Creek Hotel
4. Hot and sweaty after 2000km to Darwin.
Careful of the croc behind you, fellas!
5. Brad and Nigel meet the ‘locals’ in
Wycliffe Well
6. Daly Waters airstrip – used in
WWII and today
for a test ride. In the Northern
Territory if you can. I’m pretty sure
you won’t be disappointed. D
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 63
PUBOFTHEMONTH

GRAB A BEER
AND A STORY
AT FAIRY’S
Wahgunyah, VIC WORDS/PHOTOS COLIN WHELAN

“I
T’S A PITY MICK’S
not here,” laments Kristy as
she pours me a beer in the
bar of Wahgunyah’s Old Empire
Hotel, “he’s the bloke with all the
stories about this place.”
Kristy’s one of those welcoming
country publicans who, when
a stranger walks in, asks them
what they’d like, how they are,
how’s the day been and what
brings them to town.
I told her I was after a drink and
some stories about the place, oh,
and a feed which had been dialled
up on the run into this place.
For most of the final half
hour of the late arvo ride up the
Federation Way I’d been smelling
breakfast. Then I crossed the
Murray Valley Highway and hung
a left and understood. That stack
that’d been blowing smoke south
belongs to Uncle Toby’s and

64 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au

it’s their centre of muesli bar and
breakfast cereal production.
In 100 metres I’m up-wind, in clear
air and coasting into town; past the
H[TXLVLWHDUWGHFRÀVKRDQGWKHQWKH
hotel’s on the right, just at the start of
the bank up of cars waiting to cross
the single lane bridge over the Murray.
But I know the pub doesn't do
accommodation, so I hang a left
and then weave down past the sad
for-sale motel and I’m at the free
camp beside the river, switch off
Super Ten, slip off the hat and
IT’S FREAKIN’ CHAOS!!!!
A million at least corellas are
RATED 5 OUT OF 5 HELMETS
Old Empire Hotel
Foord St,Wahgunyah,Victoria
T: 02 6033 1094
fighting for tree space while a
family of kookaburras laugh and
take the piss. But there’s only one
other camper in an area that’d
take 30 so I pick a water frontage
spot, throw up the tent and say
g’day to my neighbour.
He’s going nowhere fast. The diff ’s
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 65
P UB OF THE MONTH
buggered on his van and it’ll be two
lots of Centrelink before he’s got
the dosh to cover it. Meanwhile I’ve
been on the road for just under a
week and it’s washing day so I grab
some rocks, load ‘em into my riding
pants and socks and chuck ‘em into
the river where the river’s pretty
much tuned to gentle rinse cycle.
Ask my neighbour to keep an
eye and what sorta beers he likes
and walk back up to the pub where
a few utes and cars have filled
the side car park.
Then it’s back up to the pub,
known by all locals as Fairy’s, where
Kristy gives me the news about
missing Mick and my beer between
serving the first trickle of the
‘afternooners’. There’s four at the
bar, all pretty involved and Robert’s
chiming in from a nearby table.
66 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
I take in the flying pig adorned
with a pair of “Where the F#$* is
Wahgunyah?” caps that’s suspended
from the ceiling. I settle for pulling
up a pew beside Robert.
He’s in his early seventies and was
born in the town, went to the local
public school. He can remember the
old newsagent and the hairdresser
and the place where old George
Tobias had his barber shop. That
was all before he left in 1960 for a
life as a regional bank manager.
When he retired in 2008 and
bought a block just on the edge of
town, and had his home built, the
town wasn't doing too flash. Woolies
had opened across the river and that
put the kybosh on the local shops,
but the place is climbing off its
knees and is in revival mode.
Across the road the fish shop café’s
opened and selling ‘the best hamburgers
anywhere’ and there’s a barber as
well. “We might even be getting a little
newsagent sort of general store. But this
pub’s the social centre of the town, now.
These owners, Kristy and her man Brett
are a vast improvement over the previous
ones. The ones who had it when I came
back in 2008 sold it and a single lady
took it over and it was too much for her
and this couple have really rehabilitated it.
A lot of people are coming back. The food
is brilliant. There’s a lot of people coming
over here from Corowa. The beer’s good
and the people, well a lot of the old timers
have passed away but the ones left, and the
new ones are great.”
Then he adds, “Pity Mick’s not here,
he’s the one stories of the old days!”
Robert and I start a round and my
shout keeps coming around pretty
damn quick. The laughter and the
She’s a ripper
This place is a jewel. If you’re into
evenings spent in friendly pubs and
nights spent idyllic camping you won’t
ÀQGEHWWHU<RXPLJKWKDYHWRSLFN\RXU
time as I reckon the riverside would get
packed in school hols and the summer
but the rest is more predictable: A very
decent menu of honestly cooked food, a
wide range of beers and wines in a pub
run by people with a love of the place, a
connection to its past and an
involvement in its present. Chuck in the
locals who’ll welcome you and entertain
and you’ll be using it as a yardstick for
years after your visit.
For what it is, it can hardly be faulted
so it got into our 5 helmet category.
Lacking accommodation I’ve not
rated its value but on the unique
character scale I give it 4.5 out of 5.
A ripper place.

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 67
P UB OF THE MONTH
stories of the town and the pub
continue and other locals chuck in
their two bob’s worth. Pretty much
every contribution ends the same
way: “ Geez…Pity Mick’s not here.”
I read Kristy a clipping of a review
I’d come across of this place: “I put
up at the Empire Hotel… and found
as landlord there M. Camile Reau….”
She stops me. That name rings a
68 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
bell, She’s pretty not to be a gangster. I could've joined a
sure has a picture gang and probably would've been dead
of him and pulls by now but I chose to get a trade, get
down a framed married and have kids. Yeah, that was
photo from the the smartest thing I ever did. Well that
wall. Sure enough, and coming to this here. The people here
Kristy knows her are just amazing. But I haven’t been
pub. It’s a formal here all that long to tell you any scandal
shot of Mr Reau about this place.
“publican’, taken Then he adds,”what a pity old
in 1861, just four Mick’s not here."
years before the I chow down on a very decent
review was written. parmie, grab a couple of beers for
Shirl and a mate my neighbor down by the river
turn up in their and walk to my digs. It’s a clear
fluros. He tells night and again I marvel at how
a story about a million-star campsite leaves any
knocking a bloke five-star hotel in the moonshade.
through a window When I get back my riding pants
at a pub in Albury and socks have been hung to drip
after being hit with dry on a stump and my Neighbour
a pool cue. There’s says I needn’t have bothered with
no reason for any the tinnies but he’s glad I did,
disbelief – it’s every man needs his dinner!
obvious he’s the sort of bloke you’d Next morning my prayers for the
like in your corner – squat and solid, death of a million corellas haven’t
a keg with a head and a permanent been answered so I have my brew
smile on his mug. on a river log as the mists lift off
We get talking about life choices the river. There’s no reason to
and he pauses when I ask him a hurry and it’s just on ten by the
question. "The best decision I ever time Super Ten is loaded up and
made? Had to be when I was with the lady we’re ready to move. At the top
who became my wife and the mother of my of the road I pause to let an old
wonderful kids and I made the decision codger on a mobility scooter cross
and then watch him as he heads for
the just opening Old Empire.
I head over the bridge to get some
shots of Corowa and its hosting of
the Federation Conferences then
cross back and, following a hunch,
pull up outside the pub.
As I walk in Kristy looks at me
and points to the only bloke this
side of the bar, the fella who was on
the mobility scooter: “Colin,” she
laughs, “this is Mick.”
Ah Mick! Lived here all his life has
Mick, and drunk here most of it.
Mick’s hair used to be brown, and
his twin brother’s was blonde. “He
was known as ‘Snow’ and I was
known as Dark. I was in here having
about my first drink when the local
copper came. He asked me how old
I was and I told him 18. He looks at
me and says, “Well I was just talking to
Snow and he told me he was 16 so finish
that drink and piss off.”
Like the pub itself, the bistro
is known as Fairy’s in honour of
Phyllis, who, with husband Jack, ran
I2ž‘Žž”2”‘Kœ
Royal Rajasthan Inspiring Iceland
Yaks & Yetis Himalayan Heights
Five Fingers of S. a
Awesome Andes Spectacular South Africa
Life is a
the place back in those times when
Mick was learning drinking. Pubs
weren’t allowed to trade on Sundays
but around the back, under the
massive vine was a door which led
to the fabled room 13.
“Room 13 was where we used to drink
on Sundays. Old Jack would be the
cockatoo out in the carpark but most of
the time the coppers would turn up at
midday or half-past, check the books and
sign them and then leave us alone. If they
ever did turn up, it was Jack who had
to go to court and pay the fines and we’d
all pass the hat around to make sure he
wasn't out of pocket.
“Fairy would drink with us and
sometimes she’d pass out or just head
upstairs to bed and leave us on our own.
We’d serve ourselves and put the money
in the till, all honour system and the last
blokes out would just make sure the doors
were locked.”
I ask about the pig behind the
bar and Mick looks at me. “Pity
Fordie’s not here.”
Here we go again! If I don't leave
MoRocan magic
or nothing at all !
now, I’ll be here for a week so,
as the first of the lunch crowd
wander in, I buy a round and
head out smiling.
Last night, after Kristy had taken
down the old publican’s photo
from the wall, I’d continued
reading from the article in
the 1865 Ovens and Murray
Advertiser: “The (hotel) … is
handsome, neat, and commodious. What
is still better, the landlord and landlady
are evidently anxious to oblige, and…
I cannot help saying that I was received
with the greatest cordiality and made as
comfortable as heart could desire.”
Over a century and a half later,
there couldn't be a more accurate
summation of this place.
There’s a big bunch of good hotels
along the Murray River but if you
pass up an opportunity to spend an
evening at Wahgunyah’s Old Empire
followed by a night down beside the
river it would be, as Kristy, Shirl,
Robert, Mick and no doubt Fordie
would say, ‘a pity.’ D
!
Industry
Leader
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 69
TEST

HARLEY- T
HE TRIANGLE of bad-arse
aesthetics / rumbling big cubes
/ drag-race contender makes for
perfect symmetry in the latest Harley-
Davidson to arrive on our shores.

DAVIDSON
With only ‘FXDR’ on its badge and
¶FXELFLQFKHV·RQWKHUDWKHUORXG
FXDR 114
A Harley in drag (as in “racing”)
WORDS RALPH PHOTOS STUART AND RALPH
70 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
DQGSURXGDLUÀOWHUDQGVLGHFRYHU
there is little that gives a hint of the
ELNH·VUHDOSXUSRVH7KHIDWUHDU
tyre gives somewhat more of a clue to
its role, although for me it’s the long,
low and lean silhouette that indicates
that the ground may be about to shake
and the earth might move.
Before we get onto the seismic
shaking, however, I need to convey
my feelings about the riding position,
the cost of entry and the unHarleylike
and not entirely comfortable ride.
The bad news is the low, far forward
‘bars coupled with the feet also placed
too far forward, at least for my build.
(Although anyone who is not a Hobbit
will have less of a problem.). Other
bad news is that you may not be able
WRDIIRUGWKHDOVROLNHPH
But Milwaukee has engineered the
mighty V-twin to go around corners
(and racetracks if you want to invest
in their marketing, as evident by the
promotional video of the FXDR
running a racetrack really hard). They
obviously wanted it to handle at speed
and I’m a bit in awe of the bike; this is
the best H-D model I’ve ridden when it

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 71
TEST
comes to going around curves. Sure, the
fat rear tyre means you have to muscle
the big round corners, but so what?
Press the starter button and you
can say goodbye to any notion that
Harley has done ‘nice’ in their brief.
‘Nice’ it isn’t. Alive it is. If you have
experienced (why haven’t you?) the
FLWZLQFDPELJWRUTXHHQJLQH\RX
will remember that there is absolutely
no sensation of missing any grunt off
the line. With a substantial 160Nm
of tug-boat pull the FXDR could
pluck the Queen Mary away from its
moorings. It also has the acceleration
of a speed boat, and even with
maximum grunt all over by 3500rpm,
there is plenty of sting if you want to
wind out the long stroke twin through
the gears to redline. The less than
subtle rev-limiter kicks in at 5600
and what is surprising is how much
more available power there is over
peak torque revs. The open air-intake
and the well-developed two-into-one
slashed exhausts system offer enough
aural pleasure to wish you hadn’t lost
most of your hearing at those rock
concerts in the ‘70s.
Don’t expect Japanese style
gearshifts; the well forward foot
controls won’t have you dancing like
Priscilla. Take deliberate action just
as you need to do with the more
than remarkable braking package.
Low-speed steering is light, courtesy
of a 19 inch front wheel which is
slightly out of tune with the rear. It
takes more initiative than a teenager
is about drag-racing and not track
riding. The physicality chimes in
when you need to push the pace a bit
and then muscle the fat rear over to
the more extreme angles.
The stiff suspension and higher than
ever pegs convert to plenty of ground
clearance (claimed 32.6 degrees to the
left and 32.8 degrees to the right), and
the thing I really like was the fore and
aft control, which helps keep the bike
settled after braking and turning in.
Most cruiser’s won’t hold their line or
let you relax after the front brake has
been let off and the lean started. The
FXDR relishes lean once it’s over and
then it becomes a game of how much
torture you are prepared to punch
into that rear Michelin. Some dodgy
roads and some heavy spring showers
told me the tyres coupled with the
dynamics were better than the state of
my credit rating.
If value-for-money is measured by
how many people (mainly men under
30) gave me the extended thumb and
little digit cupping the three middle
ÀQJHUVKDQGVLJQWKHQWKH);'5LVD
bargain. More than a few people asked
if the FXDR was the replacement
for the V-Rod (it certainly looks like
it). If you need to carry a designated
rider it is possible with the accessory
passenger pegs and rear seat. Why
would you? If you feel that life is a
drag, the cure might be found in that
perfect match between your right
wrist, your right knee brushing against
the plastic (soon to be changed, I’d
SPECS
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
FXDR 114
PRICE: $35,495 (ride away)
WARRANTY: Two years,
unlimited distance
SERVICING INTERVALS: Every
8000km or 12 months
ENGINE: Air/oil-cooled V-twin
cylinder, 4-stroke, twin-cam,
4 valves per cylinder
BORE x STROKE: 102 x 114mm
DISPLACEMENT: 1868cc
COMPRESSION: 10.5:1
POWER: N/A
TORQUE: 160Nm @ 3500rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet
PXOWLSODWHFOXWFKEHOWÀQDOGULYH
SUSPENSION: Front, 43mm inverted
fork, non-adjustable. Rear, monoshock,
adjustable preload.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 720mm,
weight 303kg (wet), fuel capacity
16.7 litres, wheelbase 1735mm
TYRES: Front, 120/70/ZR19.
Rear, 240/40/R18
FRAME: Tubular steel
BRAKES: Front, twin 300mm discs
with four-piston ABS calipers. Rear,
292mm disc, twin-piston ABS caliper.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 7.46 litres per
100km, premium unleaded
THEORETICAL RANGE: 223km
COLOURS:Vivid Black, Denim Black,
Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked
Red Denim, Bonneville Salt
Denim, Rawhide Denim
on work experience to roll over the LPDJLQHDLUÀOWHUDQGWKHZLGHVWW\UH
UHDUWRLWVOLPLW7KHUHDU on a Harley. D VERDICT: IS THE V-ROD BACK?

72 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 JOURNEYS
On the Peruvian coast road,
heading for Nazca and the
famous Lines on excellent tar.

COMPILED BY THE BEAR

“I
SAY, I SAY, DO YOU
like Kipling?” – “I don’t
know; I’ve never kippled.”
All right, that’s enough of that.
It occurred to me that I’ve pretty
much always taken the tours
operated by various tour companies
as my inspiration for these pages,
and that makes sense. But it’s time
to offer you something a little
different, I think. Why don’t we
start with the places you’d like to
go… if ? If… you actually knew
where you wanted to go and what
IF…
ZDVWKHUHDQGLI«\RXFRXOGÀQGD
way to get there.
So what I’ve done is scoured the
Earth for the kinds of places that I
“ IF YOU CAN FILL THE
UNFORGIVING MINUTE
WITH SIXTY SECONDS’
think you might like to go – and for WORTH OF DISTANCE RUN,
RQFH,·YHOHIWÀQGLQJDQRSHUDWRUWR
take you there, to you. It’s easy; just YOURS IS THE EARTH
take a look at our Tour Directory AND EVERYTHING
at the end of this article. Failing
that, put the name of the place and
“motorcycle tours” into Google
DQG\RX·OOÀQGPDQ\VXJJHVWLRQV²
they’ll just be more of an unknown
THAT’S IN IT…
”
RUDYARD KIPLING
quantity than the ones in the
GLUHFWRU\,I \RX·GOLNHWRÀQGRXW
what I think of any one operator,
just drop me a line.
But let’s get started. We might as
ZHOOÀUHXSZLWKWKH,QWHUQDWLRQDO
Date Line, and head east.

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 73
JOURNEYS
HAWAII
There’s a lot of fun to be had in
Hawaii, although the islands are
relatively small for motorcycle touring.
Renting a bike is probably a better
option here, and there are plenty of
opportunities. In my experience, Maui
is the best motorcycling island.
ALASKA
Wonderful scenery, the opportunity
to be eaten by a bear and many
miles of tarred or gravel roads for
almost endless riding fun. One of the
planet’s great motorcycle destinations
with mountains, plains and rugged
locals to encounter.
CANADA
There are two principal touring
regions in Canada: the Rockies and
associated mountains in the west, and
the Maritimes in the east. Parts of
western Canada are very much like
Alaska, while others are somewhat less
remote. The east is also quite rugged
but at lower elevations, and there’s a
lot of history to enjoy.
EMAIL: dave@getrouted.com.au
74 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Heading for Hana in Hawaii.
The roadside stalls are almost
as much fun as the road itself.
CONTINENTAL
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA
The west has a spectacular
coastline, the south-west has
deserts and mountains, the
north-west has mountains andd
more mountains. Most of thee
PLGGOHRI WKH86LVSUHWW\ ÁDWW
and corny (sorry) but if you
OLNHFRUQÀHOGV\RX·OOHQMR\
it. The east has mountains
that are a bit more like hills,
but that doesn’t make the
riding any less exciting. There is also
lots of history, wonderful motorcycle me will tell you that as long as you’re
museums and classic roads like careful (which means choosing the
Highway 1 down over the keys. right operator, I guess!) you should
not encounter any trouble. It’s also
MEXICO good value and the food is great.
There’s Baja California for a start, Don’t be fooled by the fact that the
then there’s the Copper Canyon and TV will tell you everyone is trying to
so much more. Mexico does have its get out – that’s just the locals who
dangers but many people including don’t own a motorcycle.
Isle of Man TT
Festival Tours
On your own bike!
Now taking bookings
for the 2019 TT
and 2020 TT
PHONE: 0412 689 849
Email is OK at this time
JOURNEYS

CENTRAL AMERICA
This is more of an individual kind of
area, where most motorcycling visitors
seem to be on their way either up or
down the Transamerica Highway alone
or in pairs. Nevertheless, I believe the
scenery is lovely and so are the people,
unless they’re currently revolting. Cuba
is a fascinating place, not so much
for the riding, which is okay but not
special, as for the people. Go while it’s 1
still reasonably unspoilt.

SOUTH AMERICA
It might seem a bit condescending
to lump an entire continent
together when there are so many
different countries and landforms
to experience, but conditions in all
these places are pretty similar. What
I’d suggest you do is either put the
name of the entire continent or
WKH VSHFLÀF FRXQWU\ \RX ZDQW LQWR
*RRJOH LQ WKH ÀUVW FDVH \RX·UH OLNHO\
to get tours which visit more than
one country, in the other you’ll get
VSHFLÀF WRXUV VXFK DV WKH RQHV WR
Tierra del Fuego. Generally speaking, 2
South America is a wonderful place
to visit but care is recommended.

1. Northern North America gets plenty of

rain, which means lakes and rivers and
twisty roads.

2. They know how to have a good time

down in Louisiana. Why not join them?

3. If you think you know what Mexican

cacti look like, think again. The tall ones
are called ‘candles’.
3

GREECETour Monodendri
14
years

GREECE
Meteora
AEGEAN
SEA
Karpenisi
Delphi
Kefalonia
Island
Athens
14 days TOUR DATES Olympia
Nafplio
May 23 - June 5 IONIAN
SEA Monumvasia
September 28 - October 11 Mani

Experience one of the world’s classic tourist destinations to the fullest. www.adriaticmototours.com

76 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
New Zealand’s only BMW Motorrad
approved Travel Partner

Guided and self-guided tours and rentals

RIDE WITH THE BEST.
JOURNEYS

GREENLAND
Not many roads and no motorcycle
WRXUV KHUH DV IDU DV , NQRZ ,I \RX ÀQG
one (a tour, not a road), let me know
and I’ll join you!

ICELAND
Got to love Iceland. It’s small, expensive,
cold, rugged and windy but it’s one of
the most wonderful places in the world
to ride a bike. Scenery is unrivalled,
roads are amazing and with a bit of luck 1
\RX·OO VHH WKH QDWLRQDO ELUG WKH SXIÀQ
3XIÀQV DUH DFWXDOO\ DOO SODVWLF PRGHOV
with clockwork innards; nothing so cute
could possibly be real. Local bike rental
and tours are eye-wateringly expensive –
go with an international operator.

IRELAND
Even without the national drinks,
Guinness and whiskey, Ireland would
be worth visiting. Lovely sweeping
green hills and cliff-lined shores, good
tarred roads and cheerful hospitality are
all on offer. The locals speak a kind of
English; the ones who speak Irish may
be easier to understand. It rains a lot.
2 3

3J½GIVWSJXLIPE[MR,EZERE
It’s a paradise for old vehicles of all
kinds, not just cars.

2. This bike is delivering gas in Chile;

I’ve seen similar arrangements but with
three or four cylinders.

3. If you don’t like waterfalls, stay

away from Iceland. The same goes for
excellent craft beers.

4. Peruvian markets are a lot of fun

to explore. Handicrafts are beautiful.
4

5Lȫɏ1ʑɦ=HɪOʋQɍʋQɍʙʖɃɏʃȱɏʏȾHʋə

0RWRUF\FOH5HQWDO‡)XOO\JXLGHG7RXUV‡,QGHSHQGHQW*36 7RXUV

www.motorbiketours.co.nz
78 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 Special Feature

TOUR OPERATOR DIRECTORY

The guide to the stars - The who’s who in the zoo of motorcycle travel worldwide is what you’ll
ÀQGKHUH7KHVHFRPSDQLHVZDQWWRPDNH\RXUPRWRUF\FOHWUDYHOWKHEHVWLWFDQEH:H·YHWUDYHOOHGZLWKPDQ\RI
them and know them all, so they come highly recommended. In alphabetical order, they are:

ADRIATIC MOTO TOURS – Europe & Asia EUROPEAN MOTORCYCLE
www.adriaticmototours.com
info@adriaticmototours.com
ASIAN EXPERIENCE
MOTORBIKE TOURS - Asia
www.asianexperience.com.au
BEACH’S MOTORCYCLE
ADVENTURES - Italy, Hungary,
Romania, Slovakia, Isle of Man, Croatia,
Switzerland, Germany and Austria
tours@bmca.com
www.bmca.com
BIKE TOUR ASIA - Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia, Vietnam, China & Myanmar.
www.biketourasia.com
info@biketourasia.com
BLUE STRADA MOTORCYCLE
TOURS – North Carolina USA
www.bluestradatours.com
billk@bluestradatours.com
CENTRAL OTAGO MOTORCYCLE
HIRE AND TOURS – New Zealand
www.comotorcyclehire.co.nz
Info@comotorcyclehire.co.nz
COMPASS EXPEDITIONS - North
and South America, Europe, Asia,
Australia and Africa
www.compassexpeditions.com
EDELWEISS BIKE TRAVEL –
Worldwide tours
ADVENTURES – Italy & French Alps
www.europeanmotorcycleadventures.com
naylor.ross@gmail.com
GET ROUTED – Isle of Man
www.getrouted.com.au
dave@getrouted.com.au
HEAR THE ROAD MOTORCYCLE
TOURS ITALY - Italy
www.motorcycletoursitaly.com
enrico@motorcycletoursitaly.com
HORIZONTE TOURS – Europe &
South America
www.horizonte-tours.com
info@horizonte-tours.com
IMT BIKE TOURS & RENTALS - Spain,
Portugal, Morocco, Europe and Thailand
www.imtbike.com
tours@imtbike.com
MASCHINE - Europe and Australia
www.maschine.com.au
MOTOAVENTURES - South Africa
& Morocco
www.motoaventures.com
info@motoaventures.com
MOTOLOMBIA TOURS & RENTALS
- Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Suriname,
Guyana, French Guiana, Venezuela,
Chile, Bolivia and Argentina
www.Motolombia.com
PARADISE MOTORCYCLE TOURS –
New Zealand & European Alps
www.paradisemotorcycletours.co.nz
RIDE THE WORLD - Australia, India,
South Africa, Vietnam, USA Adventure rides
out of Las Vegas
www.ridetheworld.com.au
david@ridetheworld.com.au
ROYAL BIKE RIDERS - India & Himalaya
www.royalbikeriders.com
info@royalbikeriders.com
SERENDIB MOTORCYCLING
ADVENTURES – Sri Lanka
www.SerendibMotorcyclingAdventures.com
info@SerendibMotorcyclingAdventures.com
SOUTH PACIFIC MOTORCYCLE
TOURS – New Zealand
www.motorbiketours.co.nz
RIÀFH#PRWRUELNHWRXUVFRQ]
VIETLONG TRAVEL - Asia
www.vietlongtravel.com
sales@vietlongtravel.com
WORLD ON WHEELS - Europe, Iceland,
South America, India, Asia, Mexico,
Africa & Himalaya
www.worldonwheels.tours

www.edelweissbike.com mike@motolombia.com Adventure@WorldOnWheels.Tours

JOURNEYS

SCOTLAND
Much like Ireland, really, except it’s
ruggeder and rains even more. Oh,
and it’s whisky not whiskey, I believe. I
could be wrong; I had been sampling
the product when I discussed this
with one of the locals. Ride anywhere
in Scotland and you’ll be blown away
by the scenery, although I particularly
favour the islands. And eat some
haggis, you damned Sassenach you.
3 1
ENGLAND & WALES
Apart from the antheap that is
+HDWKURZ WU\ WR Á\ LQWR *DWZLFN
or Manchester instead) and the
outrageous cost of London, England
is a thoroughly pleasant place on a
motorcycle. Pretty country lanes,
overcrowded motorways… no,
seriously, it’s nice. There is history to
satisfy the most demanding historian
and local delicacies such as Yorkshire
Pudding and Toad in the Hole.
England specializes in picturesque,
small country pubs which serve the
ÁDW ORFDO EHHUV 6WD\ RXW RI WKH FLWLHV
and you’ll love it.
2 3 Okay, I’m going to leave it at that for
this issue. Next month we’ll start on
continental Europe. Hoo-wee. D

1. Ireland and the UK seem to consist

QEMRP]SJGSEWXPMRI[LMGLMW½RIMJ]SY´VI
on a bike.

2. There’s nothing quite like an English

pub after a long day’s ride.

3. Talk about an appropriate name…

4. Who said trolls are imaginary? This

bloke in the main street of Rejkjavik is
real enough.
4

80 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au

SUSPENSION Let’s do the twist
S
ETTING UP YOUR
suspension can make the world
of difference to any type of
riding you do. You don’t necessarily
need to put twenty thousand dollars’
worth of MotoGP spec hardware into
your bike, but knowing how and what
to do to your standard suspension or
TECHNICAL
WORDS STUART
getting a suspension guru to set
up your forks and shock provides
knowledge well worth having. I
have put together a bit a basic
guide to help you understand what
you should be looking at doing,
or partly doing depending on the
adjustment available.
WRITE IT DOWN!
Before we go anywhere, grab some
paper, a pen (make sure it’s working)
and a tape measure. Write down every
measurement you take, one at a time.
Thinking you’ll remember each of
them will result in having to do it all
again – trust me!
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 81
TECHNICAL
Yep, this is what is
inside most forks
Also grab the standard manufacturer’s
settings for your bike. Now adjust
everything to standard and go from
there. Most manufacturers will have
WKHLUPHDVXUHPHQWVDV´ÀYHFOLFNV
from full”. What this means is the
X-ray eyes let you see inside
82 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
clickers are
all the way in and
WKHQFRXQWHGDVÀYH
clicks out, or whatever it is
IRU\RXUVSHFLÀFELNH
SAG
You hear talk about sag all the time
with suspension (and not only with
suspension when you get to my age)
DQGLWLVWKHÀUVWVWHSLQDGMXVWLQJDQ\
suspension. Getting this right will
PDNHHYHU\WKLQJHOVH¶ÁRZ·LI \RXOLNH
Setting sag can be hard to do on bikes
with limited adjustment, but even if
you just have adjustable preload front
and rear, you can set the sag.
As a rough guide for most road
motorcycles, 30-35mm front, 25-
30mm rear is what you want to aim
for. Grab a friend as setting sag will
require two people –
you on the bike and your
friend to do the measuring.
STEP 1: Lift the front of your
motorcycle so the suspension is fully
extended with virtually no weight on
the tyre. Measure from the centre of
the axle to, say, one of the bolts on
the lower triple clamps. Write this
measurement down.
STEP 2: Get on your motorcycle with
your feet on the pegs, ensuring none
of your weight is on the ground. Give
the front a couple of pushes down
and let it settle with you now sitting
on the seat. Get your mate who will
be helping you balance the bike to also
take the same measurement from the
centre of the axle to your upper point
and write down the measurement.
STEP 3: Subtract one from the other
and this is your rider’s sag. Hopefully
it is in the correct range, otherwise
adjust the preload, winding/clicking
clockwise for more stiffness and out to
soften it off. Then measure again until
you’re there.
67(3 Now do the same for the rear
– lift it up with no weight, measure,
sit on it, move it up and down, sit
down, balance and measure. Subtract
the two and this is your rear rider’s sag
measurement.
Once you’ve got your bike within
the correct range, take it for a ride
and see how it feels. You can then do
PRUHUHÀQHGDGMXVWPHQWVZLWKWKH
compression and rebound to get the
feel you’re after. You can also readjust
the preload to achieve what you want
from your bike.
PRELOAD
A lot of bikes will come standard
with only rear adjustable preload.
You can tighten it up or loosen it off,
which in most cases will affect how
the bike handles. More rear preload
will help keep weight over the front,
giving faster turn in. If you have front
adjustable preload, taking preload out
will also help shift the weight for a
faster turn in. It can get messy if you
take too much out in the front, or add
too much in the rear. It’s best to start
with one turn or click at a time and
progress from there. Make sure you
write down what you changed with
how many turns or clicks so that
if you really stuff it up you can
return it to normal.
COMPRESSION
Once you’ve sorted your sag with
the preload you should use the
FOR A COMPLETE
RANGE OF TINTED
& LARGER SCREENS www.eaglescreens.com.au
FRPSUHVVLRQWRÀQH
tune from there.
Compression damping
attempts to keep the
wheel from leaving
the road when going
over a bump. Too soft
and the wheel moves
too quickly and travels
further up in the stroke
causing it to leave the
road surface. Too hard
and the energy doesn’t
dissipate in the springs
and instead travels to
the steering head and
frame causing the bike
to “pop” up. Again
the wheel leaves
the ground. If you
don’t have enough
preload adjustment
available when setting
your sag you can use
some compression to
help as a secondary
measure. It’s not ideal, butt iiff you Shaun at D Moto measuring the fork oil
don’t want to go down the route of
changing springs and so on, this is
the most basic way to help get you The most common mistake made by
in the ‘zone’. owners is to use too much rebound.
“Less is more” is a great rule for
REBOUND setting rebound damping. Too little
When your rebound is set properly will result in soft “chatters” of the
the bike will settle quickly after a wheel when it is fully loaded in a turn,
bump, it won’t continue to bounce, too much and it will chatter too, but
and although you will feel the bump it the suspension will be too hard over
will be smoother. You want to return bumps.
the wheel to the road as quickly as
possible without causing the bike to SPRING RATE
feel unsettled. Remember the goal is 7KH YDULDEOHV WR FRQVLGHU DUH ÀUVWO\
comfort and control. If you adjust the your weight – single rider, two-up
rebound and it doesn’t improve you riding - and secondly, what type
are going in the wrong direction. of riding you’re doing – touring,
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 83
TECHNICAL

commuting, sports and so on. There UP, DOWN, TURN

are a number of spring calculators
available on the internet to help you
get the right spring. I like to use
the Race Tech spring rate search
calculator (www.racetech.com) as this
will put you in the ballpark. All you
need to do is choose your bike, pick
the type of riding, add your weight
and hit the search button. Forget
putting in the fork/shock lowered
measurements as they won’t change
the recommended spring/s.
GOLD VALVES
AND VALVING
*HWWLQJJROGYDOYHVÀWWHGWR\RXU
IRUNVKHOSVÁRZWKHRLODURXQGIRU
smoother and better damping and
allows the clickers and so on to
actually do their job, not leaving you
to turn and turn and turn with no
real difference. Consider getting them
GRQHEXWNHHSLQPLQGWKDWÀWWLQJ
gold valves will no doubt be done
DWWKHVDPHWLPH\RX·UHÀWWLQJQHZ
springs, new oil and so on. You’re
looking about $1000 for the forks
and around $600 for the shock as a
start. If you’ve already got the correct
springs, the price will come down
three or four hundred overall.
IT AROUND? A custom shock can
If you want to get a little more be well worth the cost
technical with your suspension,
or don’t really have enough
adjustment, you can move the
forks up or down through the
triple clamps. Most bikes will have
up to 20mm of adjustability. Pushing the
forks through (essentially lowering the
front) will give you faster turn in; raising
the front will slow down the steering.
On the rear you can get a top quality
bike shop like D Moto Motorcycle
Engineering in Sydney to make up a
spacer for the shock to give you more
preload and help shift the weight more
towards the front for faster turn in and to
assist in not making the rear sag so much.
If you really wanted to get serious you
can go even further and get custom you get lost and totally stuff
triple clamps made to alter the steering it up, you can always take it back
head angle, offset and trail, or have a to standard and start again. So long
longer or shorter shock made for the as you’ve either written down the
rear. But let’s not worry about any of measurements and turns, or have the
that at the moment. standard settings in a manual! D
DON’T FRET, MAN!
A lot of people think suspension is High tech, billion dollar
some kind of black art – it isn’t and if shock, spring removal jig!

OIL
Oil type and level can be varied
depending on the type of riding.
Keep it simple, use what the
manufacturer recommends, including
the level. But moving beyond this,
if you need the forks to be a little
harder you can put a little more oil
in – usually up to 10ml more or
thereabouts. Any more and you may
start restricting the internal operation.
Consult a suspension expert if you’re
unsure, the last thing you want is the
suspension hydraulic locking!

CUSTOM
If you’ve got the bucks and want
amazing handling and ride, fork inserts
and a custom shock are the way to go.
It will totally transform your ride, but
expect to pay upwards of three grand
for the forks and one thousand plus
for the shock, depending on brand and
variant within the chosen brand.

84 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 Special Feature S U M M E R

GET AWAY
What do you think? Is it time to get
away from the daily grind for a while?

1. The climb to the top of the Divide 1

Summer escapes comprises a series of varying curves,
and cuts though rock.
WORDS/PHOTOS THE BEAR
2. Does ice cream get any better than
the home-made kind? I don’t think so.

H
OW LONG HAVE YOU
got? Here’s a selection of 3. If anything, the flora up here is even
summer breaks from half a day
more beautiful than down on the coast.
to a fortnight. Do you reckon one of
them might suit you?
the many beauty spots. Nothing like a
EUNGELLA, A DAY leisurely meal under the shade of the
OUT OF MACKAY rainforest’s many trees and bushes.
7KHRQO\GLIÀFXOWWKLQJDERXW
Eungella is the pronunciation. ‘Yun- NEWNES, A
jeller’ is close. A ride up there from WEEKEND
the coastal heat of Mackay (even if OUT OF
you’re just passing through) is just SYDNEY
the thing. It’s a pleasant and well- Once upon a
maintained road through the cane time, Newnes
ÀHOGVIURPWKH%UXFH+LJKZD\XSWR in the Blue
the scarp that marks the Great Divide, Mountains was
and then an exhilarating series of a preferred
corners to get you to the top. weekend
Apart from being cooler, Eungella destination for
is also pretty and well supplied with PDQ\ ULGHUV 
ice cream. Have a look out of the wheel drivers,
Sky Window at the edge of the range rock climbers and
before stopping in the little shopping others. But that
centre, and head south for the short was when it had
but enjoyable run down Bee Creek a pub, with genial
5RDG,W·VDWHUULÀFGD\ULGHHVSHFLDOO\ Jim Gale behind
if you decide on a picnic at one of the bar and a
2
3

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 85
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E Summer

1
2

1. The sandy rider crossing presents little difficulty – unless you attempt it when can camp in the well-maintained open
the water is considerably higher than this. grassy paddock, just past the building
that was once the pub, on a good
2. This was once a bumpy, potholed gravel and dirt track. The resort needed a track. But you can also tackle the sandy
sealed and somewhat boring road. ULYHUFURVVLQJWRÀQG\RXUVHOI RQWKH
less civilized paths that lead to the
3. This is the end of the tar on the way in. Don’t worry about the gravel stretch; old industrial heart of Newnes, now
even a dedicated road bike will handle it easily. swallowed by the bush. They used to
extract oil from shale here; who
4. A beautiful open camping area sits below the vertical cliffs – which used to knows if the operation might be
have movies projected on them on busy weekends! re-opened one day!
The closing of the pub might have
meant a reduction in the popularity
KLJKO\ ÁH[LEOH SROLF\ RQ FORVLQJ WLPHV resort. There’s only 9 kilometres of of Newnes, but it’s still a great spot in
These days it’s easier to get to, courtesy gravel left to get to Newnes, and that is summer (or winter, for that matter).
of the sealed road that‘s been put in to in good condition. The ride up there takes you over the
service the hyper-expensive Emirates Fret not, however. It’s true that you Blue Mountains, through Lithgow and

G RO U
BOOK
IN P
A F L AT G 1 0 O R M O
$50 PE R
R RO O E
M
M OTO
WELC RCYC
OME - LISTS
TO T H G AT
E S N O E WAY
BEST R WIES
OA D S

Royal Hotel
CNR SHARPE & LAMBIE WWW.ROYALHOTELCOOMA.COM.AU
ST, COOMA NSW PH: (02) 6452 2132

86 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 Looking for the small roads of the
back country can be a lot of fun, and if
you’re ready to tackle dirt you may find
yourself in the most amazing places.

3
4

then down a cliffside to the valley; You’ll find a complete range of roads,
worth doing for a camping weekend
from nicely sealed to rough dirt.
any time of the year, but especially in
summer when it’s noticeably cooler
than Sydney. Make sure you bring
everything you need; it’s best to shop in
Lithgow at the latest.

THE SOUTH-EAST
FOREST – A WEEK AWAY
FROM CANBERRA
7KHLGHDKHUHLVWRÀQGVRPHZKHUH
to stay that will keep you out of the
overcrowded coastal strip that tries to
absorb the ACT’s population every
summer. Instead of heading east on
the Kings Highway to Batemans Bay,

Aussie made, designs

from a life on the road

(03) 9786 3445

facebook.com/andy.strapz

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 87
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
1 the north, you can enjoy sealed, tar and
1. A lot of the forest on the range is
being cut for timber, although wood
chipping seems to have been phased
out. It’s still beautiful.
2. It can get foggy up there around
Bombala and Cathcart, but that’s all
right. It means that it gets considerably
cooler than on the coast.
go south. You have the choice of
VHWWLQJXS\RXUWHQWRUÀQGLQJRWKHU
accommodation in the still somewhat
crowded Bermagui or Tathra, or
looking for a place to rest your head
a bit more inland. There are plenty of
places between the coast and Bombala
on the Monaro Highway.
88 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Summer
2 ven out to Hicks Bay, and south to the
Once you’re settled, you have a
smorgasbord of little back roads to
sample. Between the Mt Imlay Road
in the south and Brown Mountain in
GLUW URDGV DV ZHOO DV ÀUH WUDLOV ² WR \RXU
heart’s content. This is the edge of the
Great Dividing Range again, so there is
no shortage of corners and hills.
NEW ZEALAND – A
FORTNIGHT OF RIDING
Most people – including me – will think
of the South Island when they think
of New Zealand and motorcycling. But
what about the other bit of Aotearoa?
The North Island is perhaps not as
obviously the place to ride, but that
doesn’t mean that it can’t provide you
with a couple of weeks of wonderful
riding. Always remember my theory
that Australia and New Zealand are
actually the same size, except that Oz
is all stretched out while Unzud is
crumpled up.
Auckland must be one of the few
places in the world where it doesn’t
matter which direction you take when
\RXULGH RXW RI WRZQ \RX·OO ÀQG \RXUVHOI
2 4
n brilliant motorcycle country. Yes,
ven to the west; it might only be a
hort ride but the road out to Piha is
knockout. Base yourself somewhere
ear Hamilton, say, and the entire North
sland is within your reach. North to
ape Reinga, east to Coromandel and
olcanoes and Lake Taupo and over to
Napier – it’s all there for you.
If you pick your time and airline, you
FDQÁ\RYHUWR$XFNODQGDQGEDFNIRU
little more than the cost of a good meal
for four in Sydney. Motorcycle rental is
affordable as well. D
1. You can become so accustomed to
New Zealand’s scenery that you forget
to look. Don’t let that happen; you’ll
see little like this anywhere else.
2. Roads are typically in very
good repair. The main thing that
the ubiquitous road gangs have to
do is to remove rocks that have
fallen from cliffsides.
3. I’d be the last person to suggest
that beer might have anything to do
with a decision on a holiday destination,
but New Zealand brews are excellent.
4. Like Australia’s, Unzud’s signposting
is quite pessimistic but it does pay
to keep an eye out for advisory signs.
Some of the corners really are tight.
3
 TEST

Suzuki GSX-S125 & GSX-R125

BABY, BABY
Having fun - legally WORDS STUART PHOTOS NICK WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 89
TEST

90 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
H
OW MUCH FUN can be
had with a couple of baby
125s? Well, Ralph and I
grabbed Suzuki’s GSX-S125 and
GSX-R125 and headed off up to
the Blue Mountains to find out.
Aimed at two different types
of riders, the baby GSXs share
just about every part other than
the fairing, tank and handlebars.
Being the bigger fella between
the two of us I chose the more
upright and roomy GSX-S, so
that left Ralph to don his racing
kit and look like a boy racer on
the GSX-R.
The banter in the office in the
days leading up to our ride was
of who reckoned who could beat
whom, who could get a higher
top speed and who reckoned
they would get a better draft
from whom. To and fro we went,
sticking the hot knife into each
other whenever the opportunity
arose. Finally the day came and
away we went up the Bells Line of
Road towards our photographer’s
abode at Bilpin.
Now, you might be thinking
we broke every road rule under
the sun, but remember these are
125cc machines and all of the fun
could be had at or under the speed
limit (cough, cough). Surprisingly
we both thought the GSXs were
quite torquey for 125s. With other
bikes of similar size you’d have to
rev the living you know what out
of them, but we didn’t have to do
that on either of these bikes.
Heading up Kurrajong hill,
Ralph with his more svelte figure,
or should I say lesser height and
consequently lower weight got the
better of me after a good draft
past, making a small gap which I
couldn’t roll back. Anyone who
knows me knows that I’m rather
competitive, so you can imagine
how I rode the wheels off the
GSX-S to try and make the gap
back, but alas it was to no avail,
Ralph was cheering and fist
pumping the sky that he’d finally
beaten the ‘Big Man’.
Once we got a bit further up and
into some
corners
(and more
level
ground)
I got the
tick on the
board, so
we were
one apiece,
the final
round and the winner’s trophy
of who would shout whom with
apple pie and coffee at Pie in the
Sky Café was on for young and
old. Drafting, passing, wiggling,
SPECS
SUZUKI GSX-S125
wriggling and farting to try and get
that extra couple of kilometres an
& GSX-R125
hour for the win would have been
a sight, but ultimately it was Ralph PRICE: $3890 &$3990 (plus
who came out on top. I think on-road charges)
his ‘wind’ knocked me out and I WARRANTY: Two years,
couldn’t regain composure. LOL! unlimited distance
Ralph did enjoy his apple SERVICING INTERVALS: Every
pie, with a bit of cream on top 6000km or 12 months
and coffee.
This ride to grab some photos ENGINE: Liquid-cooled single
was a lot of fun that didn’t result cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves
in us ending up in gaol or the front BORE x STROKE: 62 x 41.2mm
page of the newspaper. Hard to DISPLACEMENT: 124cc
believe you can have so much fun COMPRESSION: 11.0:1
at ‘lower’ speeds! POWER: 10.8kW @ 10,000rpm
Apart from our ‘fun’, Ralph and
I both commuted for a couple TORQUE: 11.5Nm @ 8000rpm
of weeks on each bike. Both of TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet
us giggled in amazement that PXOWLSODWHFOXWFKFKDLQÀQDOGULYH
we would be quite happy to live SUSPENSION: Front, telescopic
with either bike, especially for fork, non-adjustable. Rear,
commuting through up to 80km/h monoshock, adjustable preload.
stretches. Both GSXs could pull
away from the tin tops at the lights DIMENSIONS: Seat height 785mm,
and could more than hold their weight 133kg (S), 134kg (R) (wet), fuel
own in the mad rush that is peak capacity 11 litres, wheelbase 1300mm
hour traffic. TYRES: Front, 90/80/17. Rear, 130/70/17
So the choice of which of FRAME: Tubular steel
these you choose depends BRAKES: Front, 290mm disc with
on what you’re looking for -
there’s only a hundred bucks twin-piston ABS caliper. Rear,
difference in the price. The 187mm disc, single-piston ABS caliper.
GSX-R is very much the boy racer FUEL CONSUMPTION: 4.33
machine, while the GSX-S is still litres per 100km, premium unleaded
a very pretty looking bike but the THEORETICAL RANGE: 253km
more upright handlebar is much COLOURS: Metallic Triton
more suited for commuting. Go
and try either one on for size Blue, Solid Black
and enjoy a well-built small
capacity ripper. D VERDICT: LIL’ RIPPERS!
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 91
USED&ABUSED

TOUGH LOVE AGV SPORTMODULAR - $999

(Carbon/Dark Grey) of trepidation securing this AGV
6SRUWPRGXODUFDUERQÁLSWRSKHOPHW

T
HE LAST for me to try. He needn’t have worried.
TIME THE I really like this thing. It’s not perfect
Bear and but it’s the best helmet I’ve used in the
Stu trusted me to last lustrum at least.
review anything I wore it on a single stop 7-hour
it was a 1700cc A-B ride from Hay to Sydney and
bike with a I’ve used it for a month commuting
15 litre tank around town. Thanks to the weather
and I was in Sydney this week, I’ve been able
riding out of to test it in the rain.
Perth. I wrote The outstanding plus it offers is the
that it was a ear comfort and noise reduction. With
tool without or without my Earmold plugs, the
a purpose interior design, combined with the
unless you 1.3kg weight made this effective in
happen to be combating (especially) engine noise
a rider with with zero fatigue induction. Your head
a fetish for doesn’t feel like it’s in a vice.
service station In the rain, there was no leakage
attendants. through the front visor when fully
It didn’t get closed and the rear lip stopped the
published. dripping down the back of my neck.
So I imagine Out west the day-time tops reached 32
Stu had a bit but the chin vent coupled with the rear

92 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au

hinged vent made it noticeably cooler
than my regular hat.
I ride behind a high screen but when I
stood on the pegs at max outback legal
speed, there was no whipback - the
thing is highly aerodynamic.
CRASH’s six criteria for rating the
VDIHW\RI KHOPHWVLQFOXGHVFUDVK
related points which obviously (and
luckily) I couldn’t test. Two I could:
Once on and fully strapped, there was
zero movement when I violently shook
or nodded my head. BIG TICK.
The AGV fully covered the base of
my skull and extended well below my
jaw so the coverage was excellent.
ANOTHER BIG TICK.
As I said, it’s not perfect: The
PHWRÀQDOO\WHVWWKH1LNZD[*ORYH
Proof, an easy to use sponge-on
mechanism ZDWHUSURRÀQJVROXWLRQ,XVHGLWRQ
to lock the my Dririder summer gloves so 100%
visor up is not ZDWHUSURRÀQJZDVQ·WJRLQJWRKDSSHQ
strong enough to but to thoroughly test how good
counter winds created this product is I thought it the best
by B-Doubles and way to try. The Dririders are mainly
Road Trains coming constructed from leather, but also
the other direction and have mesh panels and breathable
each time I encountered textile.
one, the visor slammed shut. I followed the instructions on the
And the release button for the bottle: shake before use, ensure
YLVRU LV ÀQLFN\ ZHDULQJ ZLQWHU gloves are clean and dry, and evenly
JORYHV DW ÀUVW EXW FDQ EH PDVWHUHG sponge solution onto the gloves.
with a bit of practice. After a couple of minutes, remove
My nose ain’t exactly a proboscis excess with a damp cloth and allow
(so I’m told) but still the internal the gloves to dry. The next day it just
sun visor rested on the end of it so happened to rain (properly) and
when fully down. But there was room the Glove Proof works a treat! The
to slide in the feeder tube from my only water that got in was through
Camelbak for hydration whilst riding. the mesh panels (as expected) but
But those three things were minor even then Glove Proof helped
compared to the comfort and hold out some water for a little
amenity of this baby, so it comes while. Where my hands (and gloves)
highly recommended and Stu can would normally be soaking, they
rest peacefully at night that I like it! were dry. My only gripe with Glove
Available in a range of colours and Proof is that it made the leather
sizes XS-2XL, see your local bike shop slippery. Nikwax claims that it won’t,
or www.agvhelmets.com.au CW but I found otherwise. A small
inconvenience in the scheme of
NIKWAX GLOVE things. I will be using Nikwax Glove
PROOF - $16.50 Proof on all my non-waterproof
Thankfully we’ve been having a bit gloves (except my racing gloves), I
of rain lately, which has also allowed reckon it is an essential product to
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 93
USED & ABUSED
have for your motorcycle gear as
it’s so cheap. Glove Proof can also
be used on any other leather and
textile products you have – boots,
jackets and so on.
Nikwax Glove Proof is palm oil
free, non-hazardous, water-based,
biodegradable and contains zero
ÁXRURFDUERQV$YDLODEOHWKURXJK
leading outdoor and snow retailers,
94 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
for more information visit
www.nikwax.com SW
FLYING SOLO GEAR:
Ashvault Backpack -
$165
I have a list of stories I
intend to write when I
get time, and one of
them is, or rather was,
entitled “Why you should
probably not wear a
backpack”. Then
Amanda from
Flying Solo Gear
sent me one of
her brand-new
Ashvault backpacks
to try out.
After I had a play with it,
I change the title of my story
to “Why you should probably
not wear a backpack unless cause pressure points on your back.
it’s an Ashvault”. Heavy or hard contents can, let’s not
Why the change? Let’s just take beat about the bush, break your back.
a quick look at my original I’ve known this to happen, though
reasoning. Backpacks can not to anyone close to me.
unbalance you; cause fatigue; Those things don’t apply to all
PDNHVKRXOGHUFKHFNVGLIÀFXOW backpacks, which is why my title says
and be restrictive, which can in “probably”. I have nothing against
turn cause your rain gear to be Camelbak or similar packs, for
compromised. If it’s large, the LQVWDQFHEHFDXVHWKH\JHQHUDOO\ÀW
packs’ contents can shift or closely and are relatively small. They
 Off to a great start with...

LIMIT

TY
YEAR

AN
ED
WARR

can still be dangerous if you carry a serious toolkit or

something like that, but there is after all no cure for
stupidity. Well, except death.
The obvious advantages of the Ashvault over many
other backpacks begin with the CE Level 2 back
protector that’s available for it for $30. This is a
serious bit of kit which should protect your spine
from most of the potential contents of the pack and
the road. The backpack is also a good size – in this
case that means not too large and therefore
QRWXQFRPIRUWDEOH²DWFP[FP[FP JUMP STARTERS
There’s an extendable bag to hold a helmet, but
that’s not for use on the bike. The pack is double A jump starter pack will give you power anywhere, anytime.
layered with water-resistant twill and ripstop nylon It is one of the most important pieces of emergency kit you
for durability and water resistance and has several can carry with you. Whether you’re on an outback track or
small pockets including a totally waterproof one heading home late at night, a jumper starter will protect you if
for small electronic items. you’re stranded with a flat battery.
The pack is shaped to make shoulder checks easy Our jump starters will start motorcycles, watercraft, ATV/
and has double curved shoulder straps so it doesn’t UTV, snowmobiles and petrol car engines up to 4.0L (300A
restrict your arms. if you don’t want to wear a pack, Jump Starter) and up to a 6.0L AND 3.0L Diesel automotive
you can use the Ashvault as a tank- or seat-bag. engines (400A Jump Starter)
Many packs simply have pockets where it looked
OLNHDSRFNHWPLJKWÀW$PDQGDKDVWKRXJKWDERXW They will also charge your phone or tablet through the USB
where the Ashvault might provide important storage, outlets and all have a built in LED light.
and has equipped it with pockets in those places. The jump starter pack comes in a carry case with a 220v wall
A real advantage. charger, a 12v accessory plug for on bike charging, battery
Designed by a rider who also has an eye for good leads and a combination micro USB/lightening charging cable.
design, the Ashvault backpack is a stylish alternative
to the many bulky and utilitarian-looking packs on the For further information on these and all our products,
PDUNHW7DNHDORRNDWKWWSVÁ\LQJVRORJHDUFRPIRU
more info about it and ordering details. Alternatively, please check our website for details.
just look for me out on the road. I may well be using
one. I’ll be happy to show it to you. PT D

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 95
TECHNICAL

T
3 QUARTERS
OF…
HE LATEST motorcycle and
$79 VDOHV ÀJXUHV KDYH EHHQ
UHOHDVHG 7KH RYHUDOO ÀJXUH
What’s happening with
bike sales? WORDS STUART/FCAI

Here’s what the Federal Chamber

shows the market to be down 6.2 per
cent (7.5% for road bikes), so where
are the main p players
y in the
industry sitting and
who’s responsible
for the falls?
of Automotive Industries has to say:
“National sales data released by the
Federal Chamber of Automotive
Industries showed the third quarter
 \HDUWRGDWH
\ UHVXOW DW 
compared with 73,058 during
d the
same period in 2017.
“The 2018 markeet remained
relatively steady iin terms of
its compositiion with road
bikes remaining the most
popular category
DQG FRPSULVLQJ
per cent of the
market. Off-road
ELNNHV WRRND
per cent share,
ATV/SSVs
A Husqvarna, and Indian all saw
accounted for
21.5 per cent
of total sales, and scooters recorded
DVOLJKWLQFUHDVHWRSHUFHQWRI 
the overall market.
“Among the individual brands,
across the market Honda came in at
QXPEHURQHZLWKVDOHV
per cent market share), Yamaha in
VHFRQGSODFHZLWKVDOHV
per cent share), Kawasaki in third
with 6857 sales (10 per cent share),
followed by KTM with 5792 sales
(8.5 per cent share) and Suzuki with
5278 sales (7.7 per cent share).
“Road bike sales nationally reduced
by 7.5 per cent on the 2017 result.
Honda came in as segment leader,
ahead of Harley-Davidson, and with
Yamaha in third. Yamaha, Suzuki,
increased sales to the end of the 3rd
quarter in 2018 compared with 2017.

96 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 “In the off-road bike segment,
Yamaha again came in on top,
followed by Honda and KTM.
Overall, the off-road bike segment
suffered a 3.3 per cent fall on its
2017 result with KTM and Honda as
the only volume brands to record an
increase in sales to the end of
the third quarter.
“The ATV/SSV segment has
suffered the biggest reduction
in sales (compared to 2017) with
overall numbers being down by
11.2 per cent.” This obviously drags
WKHRYHUDOOÀJXUHGRZQDVDUHVXOW
“Polaris was the overall leader with
Honda in second place and Yamaha
third. Disappointingly, all brands
have suffered a reduction in sales
for the year so far.
“In the smallest segment (scooters)
ZKLFKRQO\DFFRXQWVIRUSHUFHQW
of total sales, Honda was the leader,
followed by Piaggio, and Vespa in
third. With most brands seeing an
increase in sales in this segment
there was a pleasing 11.8 per cent
increase in overall sales compared
to the same period last year.” Uber
Eats and the like has no doubt kicked
this market along.
6RWKHUH·VVRPHLQWHUHVWLQJÀJXUHV
to absorb. If we break down the
overall market further, those on
the up were KTM (+3.3%), Indian
(+18.5%), and Vespa (+2.7%) – well
done to them, it’s a tough market
out there and to see sales increase
they must be doing something right.
Moto Guzzi (0.0%) was steady.
Three of the big Japanese (Kawasaki,
Yamaha & Honda) stayed pretty even
with only a slight 1.1-3.6% drop.
The players that had big falls were
Aprilia, Ducati and Harley-Davidson
ZLWKGURSV7KLVPXVW
be rather worrying for the brands
as these continued falls can’t be
sustainable long term. But, The
Bear and I were talking about Harley
just the other day about whenever
you go out riding on a weekend,
all you see is Harleys. Is it that the
VHFRQGKDQGPDUNHWLVÁRXULVKLQJ
or are owners riding their bikes
more? Whatever it is, you’re bound to
come across a heap of Harleys
on any weekend ride.
From the rest of the motley crew,
BMW, Triumph and Suzuki had slight
to modest falls, ranging from 1.8-
GRZQ
What does all this mean? Overall,
the reduced numbers for those with
slight falls are minuscule, especially
as we come into the period of 2019
models starting to appear but it
also means that manufacturers and
dealerships must come up with other
ways to attract buyers to their brands.
A big idea I think would go well is
a ‘Click & Collect’ style program
similar to what Woolworths offers
– you buy the bike online and it can
either be delivered to you, or you go
to a dealer to pick up your new ride.
Sure, a lot of dealers wouldn’t like
this idea but there’d be a kickback
for them. They’d still get pre-delivery
and having someone come into their
shop would mean the potential to sell
apparel, servicing, accessories and so
on. So, when this idea kicks off you
NQRZ\RXUHDGDERXWLWKHUHÀUVW
Blame me, or thank me, it’s the
way the world’s heading, people
are becoming more and more
autonomous and don’t want a
salesman breathing down their
throat (most of the time). Buyers are
savvier these days, they know what
they want and having the option to
buy online can only drive sales up.
And, of course, advertise it! How are
people supposed to know about your
product unless you tell them about it?
Oh? And why am I the one thinking
up the ideas? Isn’t that what the
marketing people at manufacturers
should be doing?
We can only hope the end of year
results see a recovery for those with
big falls and those with smaller drops
stay pretty much even or turn into
the plus category. D
www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 97
LONGTERMERS

APRILIA SHIVER 900

ALL IN

O
UR APRILIA SHIVER 900
KDVHQMR\HGWKHÀWPHQWRI 
two awesome accessories
from the genuine Aprilia range.
Firstly a set of Akrapovic slip-on
PXIÁHUVDQGWRÀQLVKRII WKHORRND
set of smaller LED indicators.

$NUDSRYLFPXIÁHUV
A rather expensive item but the result
is more torque, smoother running and

HERE FOR A
a great v-twin sound. Aprilia dealer,
%LNHEL]DW3DUUDPDWWDÀWWHGXSWKH
Akrapovic slip-ons for me and they
mentioned it took a couple of hours
WRÀW+DYLQJQRZULGGHQWKHELNH

GREAT TIME
(and a long time)
for a few weeks with these slip-ons,
I’ve found the extra punch they have
given the Shiver is very nice indeed.
See your local Aprilia dealer or a
www.aprilia.com.au SW

98 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
 K
KAWASAKI
Z
Z900RS
L
LOOKIN’ THE
GOODS
G

LED indicators
  [ 
Smaller, LED indicators should be
standard fare on all bikes nowadays
as they not only look better, they
ÁDVKEULJKWHUWRZDUQRWKHUURDG
users you’re turning. Last thing you
want is someone smashing into the
back of you because they didn’t see
\RXUWXUQÁDVKHUV
Fitment was very simple and took
around an hour for all four. See
your local Aprilia dealer or
www.aprilia.com.au SW
$
$IWHU ÀQDOO\JHWWLQJ
myy hands on the key to
the Z900RS, possession
lasted
d all of one day - my
father bbought the bike.
The temp ptation was too great
and it’s now his. This doesn’t mean
we’ll stop reporting on things we’ve
ddone;
n actually,
t ll we now have the
freedom to do things that Kawasaki
might not have wanted us to do.
7KHÀUVWRI WKRVHLV«
3RZGHUFRDWLQJ
Two eyesores (in my mind) on
the RS are the silver front guard
brackets and the alloy silver radiator
side guards, so I took them off,
whipped over to Comp Coat Race
Coatings at South Granville (Ph: 02
9892 2218) and got them to powder
coat these in Satin Black.

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www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 99
LONG TERMERS

A couple of days intake cowls, which are also

later they were black on the Café version, but
ready. I headed over we’ll absorb the new look of
to the old man’s, what the RS is like for now and
bolted them on and decide later. My father will be
sat back and racking up more kays and enjoying
enjoyed the change. his new purchase. If anyone
It has transformed would like to buy his ‘old’ bike,
the look of the RS it’s a 2012 Honda VFR800
and is something Crossrunner in excellent condition
that should have with a few accessories, luggage
been done from the and so on. $6000 negotiable,
factory. The send me an email at stuart@
Z900RS Café has ausmotorcyclist.com.au SW
black front guard
brackets and black
radiator side guards SUZUKI GSX1100S
standard, but buying KATANA
these items from FINALLY!
Kawasaki would be
a lot more than the $VZHZHQWWRWKHSULQWHU,ÀQDOO\
$55 Comp Coat got the phone call I’d been waiting
charged me to for, the bodywork is all painted
powder coat them. and looking mickey mouse. Now
The other items DOO,KDYHWRGRLVÀWLWXSUHJLVWHU
we’ll look at powder the bike and enjoy! Hopefully
coating down the I’ll have some photos for the
track are the air next issue. SW D

D Moto
Motorcycle
Engineering

Technical Skill - Personal Service

Comprehensive or minor servicing
Performance engine mods
Cylinder head reconditioning
EXACTLY HALFWAY BETWEEN WINDSOR AND SINGLETON
Welding and machining service
Fuel injection specialists
ON YOUR PUTTY ROAD RIDE Race and track bike preparation
Tyre supply and itting
‡ &OXEV DQG JURXSV ‡ $LU &RQGLWLRQHG
Ducati spares
ZHOFRPH  SKRQH DKHDG ‡ )UHH  KRXU &DPSLQJ
IRU TXLFNHU VHUYLFH ‡ 2SHQ  GD\V DP
REXXER ecu tuning
‡ &DIH 6W\OH )RRG WR SP DQG E\ Although our background is Ducati we will happily service
‡ *LIWZDUHV DSSRLQWPHQW IRU any motorcycle brand!
‡ 7RLOHWV6KRZHUV HYHQLQJ IXQFWLRQV
Unit 4, 3-5 Harbord St, Clyde NSW 2142
8679 Putty Rd, Putty NSW. Ph: 02 6579 7015 02 8677 9120
info@greygumcafe.com.au www.greygumcafe.com.au www.dmoto.com.au

100 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
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TECHNICAL
WEAR
THE
CAP Clothing rating system
T
HE AUSTRALIAN
Motorcycle Council recently
announced the launch of
DZRUOG ÀUVW UDWLQJ V\VWHP IRU
motorcycle clothing – MotoCAP.
We’re not sure what this is going to
do for the cost of motorcycle gear
in this country but it will probably
push prices up. It may also mean
that if you’re not wearing the highest
level of gear should you be injured,
your insurance company won’t pay
as much, so is this a good idea or
not? Let us know your thoughts –
contactus@ausmotorcyclist.com.au
The press release is as follows…
“The Motorcycle Clothing
Assessment Program (MotoCAP)
LVWKH ÀUVW RI LWV NLQG DQG ZLOO JLYH
the motorcycle community more
information when they are making
choices about the clothing they wear
when riding,” Brian Wood, Chair of
the AMC Protective Clothing sub-
committee said.
Key Points:
‡ MotoCAP will give clothing two
separate star ratings – one for
protection and one for comfort.
‡ MotoCAP has involved
stakeholders from NSW,
Australia and New Zealand
working together to develop
102 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
WKLV ZRUOG ÀUVW LQLWLDWLYH
‡ Motorcyclists are vulnerable
road users – improving the
effectiveness of protective
clothing will help reduce the risk
of serious injury or even death.
“Motorcycle and scooter riders
have very little protection other than
their helmet and their clothing when
involved in a crash,” Brian Wood said.
“This is why the Australian
Motorcycle Council has joined
together with Transport for NSW’s
Centre for Road Safety, State
Insurance Regulatory Authority
(SIRA) and Insurance Australia
Group (IAG) as well as other agencies
and motoring organisations around
Australia and New Zealand, to develop
the system and test the gear.”
Brian Wood said the protection
star rating considers performance in
abrasion resistance, seam strength and
impact protection, while the comfort
rating is based on how comfortable
the clothing is when it is worn in the
Australian climate.
“MotoCAP makes it easier for riders
WREDODQFHWKHVRPHWLPHVFRQÁLFWLQJ
needs of personal protection and
comfort,” Brian Wood said.
For more information on MotoCAP
ratings and the scheme visit www.
motocap.com.au . SW
THE BEAR’S BIT
6WXDUWKDVFRUUHFWO\LGHQWLÀHGDFRXSOH
of potential problems with this idea, but
there is another one: authorities being
what they are, they’re likely to make some
(probably arbitrarily chosen) level of
MotoCAP compulsory. That means you
won’t be able to ride down to the shops
to get a carton of milk without donning
all the gear. Leaving aside the advisability
of tooling up every time you get on the
bike (there are arguments both ways) that
seems like excessive control to me.
As well, while Brian is correct insofar
as other clothing standards do not
consider comfort, the European EN
(was CE) standard, which has been
accepted de facto in the US, does a
good job in identifying safety with its
one or two star rating.
Since comfort is very much a
subjective thing, might we not be better
off adopting EN as well? We’ve done
much the same thing with helmets, and
it would mean that extra testing just
for the Australian market would not be
necessary – which in turn would make
clothing cheaper and a wider range
available. Likewise, it would make it
possible to buy complying clothes from
overseas on the web.
Australia is just crawling out of its
insular hole for standards. Why go
backwards? PT D
 CLASSIFIEDS

Buyer’s Paradise
T his is a new section to Australian Motorcyclist. It is for those of you wishing to sell your motorcycle
- nothing better than selling your pride and joy to another likeminded motorcyclist.We’ll also be
advertising some classic motorcycles for you to peruse over and possible buy. So, sound like a great way to
get your bike sold? Send us a hi-resolution pic, the price and some words (up to 100) including your name
and contact number to contactus@ausmotorcyclist.com.au Ads must be sent to us by the last week of
every month. Now for the important stuff, your ad will reach a great market for only $150 inc GST.

1988 BIMOTA YB4 EX-WSBK

$35,000 neg
Up for grabs is Andrew Stroud’s ex-World Superbike
Bimota raced back in 1988. Bimota factory race chassis
ÀWWHGZLWKIDFWRU\UDFHNLWWHG )=55 HQJLQH
Extremely rare and ready for historic parades, shows
and/or racing. Contact, Marty on Ph: 0431 691 200.
BMW R100RS 1977
$14,000 ono
Originally built for the Federal Police and never
delivered. Comes with original Krauser panniers.
Just had full service and new battery.
Call Dave on 0412 689 849

DESMO DUCATI SINGLES SAMPLE BIKE FOR SALE

$25,000 each or $45,000 for the pairConcourse $#$,%&*@

inside and out. Matching 250 and 450. Want to sell your bike to likeminded motorcyclists, well
Both bikes have done less than 100km since here is what your ad could look like. Bikes can be new,
being fully rebuilt. used, classic, vintage and everything in between.
Contact Wensley - 0437 837 725 Send in your info, now!

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 103
GRIZZLI
RAINDROP? WATROPROP!
Okay, settle down in the back
seats there. You will no doubt
remember the Watroprop I
introduced you to some time
ago. No? Drawing a blank?
It was the clear plastic disc
stuck to the front of the
helmet visor with a suction
cup and spun by a propeller
to shed raindrops. A cord
looped around your neck
kept you from losing it if it
ÁHZ RII WKRXJK PLQH QHYHU
did. Ah! There you go, you do
remember it.
I have used this gadget on and
off, and have made new friends
just about every time I did. Theyy
would come to jeer and stay to b be
amazed by the effectiveness of tthis
thing. But there was a certain ammount
of buyer reluctance, mainly due to
the fact that the propeller made a
KHOPHW ÀWWHG ZLWK WKH :DWURSURS
look like a device designed by H Heath
Robinson to lift riders off their
bikes in case of emergency. Or like
propellerheads.
Well, Watroprop’s inventor Albert
Keller also noticed that the propeller
was not only a bit over the top but
indeed unnecessary. He redesigned
it and incorporated vanes into the
structure of the clear disc itself to
make it spin. This looks far neater
and is, indeed, so
unobtrusive
that the
104 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Fluorescent light photo gives
you a good idea how the
Watroprop operates.
colourful seems that he has
designs of a potential buyer for
many current helmets 50 000 of the Watroprop #2,
50,000 #2
will draw more attention than but it’s a careful buyer who wants to
Watroprop #2. see that he actually has the capacity to
Of course I now have one of the produce the things in such numbers.
QHZ JDGJHWV DQG , ÀQG LW HYHQ PRUH Since his is a small (read practically
effective, though far less attention- garage) operation, he can’t do that –
grabbing, than version #1. Make unless he can raise some capital or
no mistake about it, these things ÀQG GLVWULEXWRUV WR VHOO D ORW PRUH RI
work. When I showed this latest his product and give him the growth
one to Lester Morris, he recalled he needs to… well, to grow.
selling a similar thing at Omodei’s So there you are. If you’re interested
ago
many years ago. in becoming the Australian, New
“I must have sold d thousands Zealand or whatever distributor of
of those,” hee said. Albert Keller’s Watroprop #2, of if
I had a chaat to Albert you’re interested in investing a few
at INTE ERMOT, the bucks in a venture that seems to
recentt Cologne me to be a pretty good bet (Albert
bike show, and was mobbed at INTERMOT)
he told me then take a look at http://www.
bout the
ab regenschutzscheibe.de/ or drop him a
onundrum
co line at info@regenschutzscheibe.de .
n which he
in Tell him the Bear sent you.
has found
h Am I investing? I’d be severely
himself. It
h tempted if I had some money. As it
is, Mrs Bear has just reminded me
that we really need to do something
about the rear veranda…
This is what
it looks like in
Peter ‘The Bear’
normal light. Thoeming
MARATHON TOURANCE
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(“Promotional Period”). The judging will take place at the Promoter’s premises, Suite 4b, Level 1, 11-13 Orion Rd, Lane Cove West NSW. The winner will be drawn by
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promotional period. Tyres up to a value of $400 must be supplied from a local Metzeler stockist and please note fitting charges apply. The winner will be drawn at random.
WHATSAYYOU
W E LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, the letters are among the most keenly read parts of the magazine. Please
try and keep letters down to no more than 300 words. Then you can read many, not just a couple. We do
reserve the right to cut them and, unless you identify yourself and at least your town or suburb and state, we
will print your email address instead. Please address letters to contactus@ausmotorcyclist.com.au or
Australian Motorcyclist Magazine, Suite 4b, Level 1, 11-13 Orion Rd, Lane Cove West NSW 2066.
All opinions published here are those of the writers and we do not vouch for their accuracy or even their sanity.

LAUGHING OUT LOUD Tamworth and I was ready to turn

Hi Stuart, back. The Harley again crapped itself
Loved your last and luckily some parts were available.
issue on adventure The time was by now, about 3pm
touring. It was and getting to Glen Innes for our
good to see overnight stay wasn’t looking too
you included good. We thought we’d make one last
some of the attempt and it was my turn for the bad
smaller capacity luck. A puncture and of course, as
adventure bikes we all did back in the day, no one had
and not just the a puncture repair kit. We were only
big bikes like about 20 kays out of Tamworth and
everyone else does. decided to limp back and get drunk.
Anyway, my reason I don’t want to bore you with all the
for writing is your editorial rest of the trip but a two day trip
in number 69. I laughed my heart turned to three and a half. I reckon that
out (sorry) but it reminded me of bloody Harley had more shit fall off
a time (many years ago) of when I LWWKDQDFDUJRVKLSLQÀYHWKRXVDQG
NEW, NEW, NEW! went touring with my mates. The foot seas! I’m sure you’re now laughing
story goes…I was on GPZ1100, at me, Stuart, but it’s an adventure I’ll

L
INK INTERNATIONAL
has come on board and will be
supplying the lucky winner of
our monthly letter competition with
some lovely kit from the Nelson-
Rigg range. Nelson-Rigg offers high
quality luggage, apparel and bike
covers for all motorcyclists, check
them out at www.nelsonrigg.com.au
This month the lucky winner, Mark
has won a Nelson-Rigg T-shirt and
backpack valued at $59.90! Want to
be a winner like Mark? Get writing
and you could be smiling too.
George was on some piece of crap,
Harley and Captain Sensible, John
was on his Beemer. We set off for
a loop up to Glen Innes, Moree,
Narrabri and back home to Sydney.
We didn’t even get to Singleton
when John realised he’d forgotten
his sleeping bag – too bad, we
rode on. We got to Scone and I
wish a café or bakery was nearby
with some hot scones as George’s
bike had a meltdown, which took
VRPH ´IXQµ WR À[ ZLWK WKH KHOS RI
local farmer. We eventually got to
never forget. The laughs and great
times had on that failed trip will last
with me to the end.
Regards, Mark
Concord NSW
Hi Mark,
Hahahahahahahaha! Yes, I’m laughing
but you know what, it’s trips like this
that make motorcycling so much fun. Just
imagine how much fun it would have been
if it pelted down rain! LOL! Send me your
T-shirt size and postal address, mate.
Cheers, Stuart.

PASS THE KLEENEX
Hi Boris,
I just read your heart warming and
incredibly touching ode to Dani
Pedrosa, and mate you brought a
tear to this mongrel biker’s eye.
I have read some (alright, a lot)
of your diatribe and spiel before
and enjoyed the patina of angst,
the satirical tarnish and the blind
stump ugly normalcy that you
exude onto the page.
You Sir, have out done yourself!
Never have I thought that the
warmth of a tear could be generated
by so few words on such an albeit
emotional subject, that my own
deeply disguised and well-hidden
feelings could be touched so easily.
The strength of your feelings about
Dani are well evident and I must say
never let me stand between you and
Rossi if as you say you are indeed a
fanatical supporter of this man!
I am a perennial follower of the
MotoGP and before that the Grand
Prix circuit and enjoyed the theatre
and spectacle all this time, so to
ÀQG WKDW SRZHUIXO FRPELQDWLRQ RI
a man with a mind that can express
so eloquently the feelings of many
and also provide the harder facts
of life at times, also in the crowd
supporting the competitors as we
all do in our chosen sport makes me
just a little happier than before.
Enough of the feelings now, but
tell me Boris, are you of latino
background? Ah, but of course there

106 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
have been some great Russian writers also!
Keep up now won’t you!
Cheers &R[\

Hi Coxy,
Boris appreciates your tears for his writing, but he said to me on the
phone, “harden the fuck up, mate”! LOL!
Boris is Serbian and said if you dare call him ‘Latino’ or ‘Russian’
again, he’ll put you in an early grave. Seems you caught him on a good
day. Hahaha!
Cheers, Stuart.

GRAVITY SUCKS
Stuart,
Tut tut, a man of your years and experience falls for the old
COG chestnut again. Standing up on the pegs DOES NOT
lower your centre of gravity (AM69, p100, Up You Get!).
Yes it’s all about the physics as you say, and any Physics
lecturer will tell you that standing up patently RAISES your MAKING MOTORCYCLE
FHQWUHRI JUDYLW\ZKHWKHU\RXDUHVLWWLQJRQWKHÁRRURUD
chair, or a motorcycle.
It is precisely the raising of your centre of gravity which
INSURANCE SIMPLE
gives increased control and balance. Moving your body

IF YOU HAVE
weight away from the fulcrum increases manoeuvrability. Try
EDODQFLQJDEDVHEDOOEDWYHUWLFDOO\RQ\RXUÀQJHUWLS\RXKDYH
much greater control when the heavier end is up high rather
than down low.
Nice article though. Love your work.
Mike Ferris
QUESTIONS,
Hi Mike,
Hope all is well.
WE HAVE
Yes, you are correct. Who knows what I was thinking there!
Uppercut for me…again!
Thanks for picking me up on it.
ANSWERS!
Cheers, Stuart.

REVOLVING DOOR
Boris,
Seriously, how many times do you want to harp on about the
1300 812 877
fact that you rode a GSX1100 on a dirt road? We’ve heard it NEW ENGLAND INSURANCE
before, if not a thousand times. Time for some new stories,
old fella. Will we soon be hearing about your adventures with
BROKERS PTY LTD
your mobility scooter over and over again.
Thanks, Rob. MOTORCYCLE
INSURANCE
SPECIALISTS
Letting you Live Free
and Ride Free for
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WWW.NEIB.COM.AU
admin@neib.com.au
This Motorcycle Product is issued by&*8 Insurance Limited (ABN ,
AFSL ) trading as &*8 Insurance. You should read the Product Disclosure
Statement (PDS) before deciding to purchase this product. You can obtain a copy
of the PDS from our website (www.neib.com.au) or by phoning our office.

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 107
W H AT S AY Y O U
QUOTING MR WHELAN
Hello there.
I have been a reader of the mag. For
some time, and have appreciated our
co-operative support to past Bombala
ELNHVKRZV%XWZKDWÁRDWVP\ERDW
are the yarns of, C.Whelan! Our young
fellas behind the counter would try to
run when I would trap them to quote
some priceless words of Colin’s.
,·YHMXVWÀQLVKHG¶3XE<DUQV·DQGKDYH
posted it to a mate, to go to the next,
etc. Three of us are heading off up
there to some of the pubs on our
chook chasers shortly. Please pass on
my thanks to Mr Whelan. It’s a bloody
good read and old Aussie dryness.
Many thanks,
0LFN&ROHUHFHQWO\RQWKH
scrap heap)
Hi Mick,
Yes, Colin’s book is a great one. He is also
still in every issue of Australian Motorcyclist
;) I have passed on your thanks.
Anyone that wants to purchase Colin’s
excellent Pub Yarns book, check out the ad
on page 108 of this issue.
Cheers, Stuart.
WHAT A JOKE
Gents,
Did you hear about that ride to
work week bullshit recently? How
unpromoted can something be. Just
about everyone I spoke to had no idea
it was “on”. I did a bit of digging and
it was supposed to be about people
taking their bikes into a dealership to
spend money servicing and so on and
riding their bike to work. I ride every
day and didn’t see any more bikes
than normal. Actually, I probably saw
less! If the people that are behind this
PUB YARNS -
REAL PUBS,
REAL STORIES,
REAL PEOPLE...
REAL AUSTRALIA
TO BUY: SEARCH "NOTHING BUT THE PUB" ON FACEBOOK
108 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
are serious about motorcycling they
should promote it properly, not do it
half baked.
Cheers, &UDQN\
St Kilda VIC
A BIT OF ME
G’day crew,
I liked the review on the Ducati
Scrambler 1100, I reckon that could
be a bit of me so please pass on to the
Ducati people that I’m going to check
one out. And you never know I’ll
probably buy one. Keep up the great
work and the laughter.
Best, Mike
Hi Mike,
That’s good to hear. You will enjoy the bike,
t w bik e. v/index.php/shop/
O email Borrie directly on Boris@bikeme.tv
Or
it really is nice to ride.
Cheers, Stuart.
DIRTY RIDING
Stuart,
Thanks for a great article on tips
on riding in the dirt. I’ll be out
practicing this weekend and feel
PRUHFRQÀGHQWZLWK\RXUNQRZOHGJH
in the old brain bucket.
Regards, Brad.
VERY TIMELY
Hi Bear and Stuart,
Guys, I found your map in issue
68 very timely as I was just heading
to Tassie for a few days on the
bikes with friends. Even though
the ride was relatively short it was a
great start to our four days blasting
around the great roads over there.
What was the best piece of road we
did? It would have to be the Lyell
Highway to Queenstown, then over
to Strahan. Thanks once again for
all the great work and rides you guys
come up with.
Cheers, Jack D
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R nineT Racer $19,150 Monster 659 $13,790 Road Glide Special $37,495
R nineT Urban G/S $18,750 Monster 797 Red $13,790 Street Glide $36,495
R 1200 R $22,100 Monster 797 White / Dark $13,990 Street Glide Special $37,495
R 1200 R Sport $22,500 Monster 797+ $14,350 Ultra Limited $39,995

Your adventure. Our policy.

Call our specialist team on 1800 24 34 64 or visit qbe.com/au
Conditions apply. QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd. ABN 78 003 191 035.
AFSL 239545. Consider the PDS to see if a product is right for you.

www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 109
NEW BIKE PRICES

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Roadmaster Elite $49,995 SCOOTER
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CBR1000RR Fireblade $22,500 Z800 ABS $12,999 V7 III Special $13,990
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VFR1200F ABS $17,799 Z900RS $TBA V7 III Anniversario $16,990
CTX1300 $19,499 Z900RS SE $17,999 V9 Bobber $15,190
Goldwing F6B $27,299 Z900RS Café $TBA V9 Roamer $15,190
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*All Indian Motorcycle prices are ride away ADV TOURING
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110 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
Medley 150 $5290 V-Strom 1000 XT $16,490
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Your adventure. Our policy.

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www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 111
BEARFACED
WHAT BIKE
WAS THAT?
I WAS GOING TO continue my
reminiscences about tools in this
issue, but the subject of selling bikes
FDPH XS UHFHQWO\ 6SHFLÀFDOO\ UHJUHWWLQJ
that you’d sold a particular bike. I gave
this some thought and to my horror,
realized that I could not remember
which bikes I regretted selling, not to
mention what bikes I had owned.
2QH UHDVRQ ZK\ WKLV LV GLIÀFXOW LV WKDW
I’ve had a lot of long-term loan bikes
over the forty years I’ve been writing
about motorcycles for various magazines.
Did I actually own that VFR750,
or had Honda lent it to me
for the long ride through
Victoria, NSW and
Queensland that I
did on it? What
about the… well, what
about I try to recall
what I owned –
chronologically?
I’ll get back to
tools later.
0\ ÀUVW
bike was a
Honda
112 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
CB72. Still regarded as one of the most
outstanding bikes Honda ever built, and
still in demand for Classic racing, the
CB72 was a bit of a wake-up call for my
mates. It was only a 250, and while it
lacked the top speed of the BSW
6SLWÀUHVDQGYDULRXVRWKHU%ULWLVKELNHV
they were riding, it was nimble enough
to stay with them. The bike was stolen,
recovered half wrecked and replaced by
a Harley-Davidson WLA.
Finding the WLA a bit pedestrian, I
made the mistake (one of many) of
swapping it for a BSA plunger framed
homebuilt special with a 10/12 Harley
engine shoehorned into it. It was
worse than shoehorned, to be
honest. When he found that the
ELJJHU HQJLQHZRXOGQRWÀWWKH
builder had simply chopped off
the downtubes of the BSA frame
and had bolted the engine in as a
stressed member. The bike did not
work by any measure, and I wasn’t
all that put out when it caught
ÀUHRQHGD\,GLGGRVRPH
damage to my hand when
I ripped a hot wire off
the battery, but this
served to let me know
that the ‘Harbsa’ or
‘Barley’ had to go.
I swapped it for another
WLA, with the loss of a
considerable amount of
cash. This process –
dumping considerable
amounts of cash whenever I
changed bikes – was to go on
for quite a while before I woke
up to myself. The new bike was
ÀQH H[FHSWIRUWKHXQIRUWXQDWH
episode of the exploding spark
plug. It didn’t really explode; my
so-called mate who had serviced
the bike had simply forgotten to
tighten it. A short way from the
workshop it had unwound itself
VXIÀFLHQWO\WREHÀUHGRXWRI WKH
plughole with the approximate velocity
of a shotgun blast.
Now I don’t know how familiar you
are with WLAs, but the rear spark plug
point straight at the rider’s right testicle.
It was only for the fact that the tank
overhangs the trajectory by an eighth
of an inch or so that the plug was
diverted enough so it didn’t take a vital
part of my anatomy with it when it
ÁHZDFURVVWKHURDGDQGVPDVKHG
the side window of an inopportunely-
parked car.
Subsequently I moved to Tasmania,
with all my worldly goods loaded onto
the bike. As you can imagine, there
wasn’t very much of them. I rode
onto the Empress of Australia at
Birchgrove in Sydney, spent an
interesting couple of days sailing
down the coast and then promptly fell
over when departing; the Hobart
UDPSZDVVOLSSHU\,JRWDWHUULÀFKDQG
of applause from all present. Riding
up the east coast I made the mistake
of letting a service station attendant
ÀOOXSWKHELNH6RRQDIWHUZDUGVWKH
bike stopped. I took off the petrol
cap, saw that there was plenty of fuel
DQGSXWLWEDFN7KHELNHVWDUWHGÀQH
This went on maybe four times before
I realized that the bloke at the servo
had (inadvertently, I hope) swapped
the caps of the oil and fuel tanks.
Unlike the fuel cap, the oil tank cap is
not vented, with obvious result.
I decided that Tasmania was not for
me and moved to Melbourne, crossing
Bass Strait on the Princess of
Tasmania, a tiny ferry that fortunately
had a non-slippery ramp.
The bike and I had interesting
adventures in Melbourne, some of
which I prefer not to dwell on because
there may not be a Statute of
Limitations on our activities. But there
was that one morning…
(Continued in the next issue) D
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www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au 113
BORIS WORDS BORIS MIHAILOVIC
IS IT WORTH IT?
I
WAS ASKED AN interesting
question on my Facebook feed
the other day. I was expressing
love and admiration for Harley’s
EUXWDOORRNLQJQHZ);'5
,KDGMXVWÀQLVKHGODVKLQJLWXSWKH
Putty Road in the fading light and
seeing kangaroos where there were no
kangaroos (I have been a touch gun-
shy of our native shit-rats since I hit
that bastard at 190 just north of Port
Augusta two years back), and I had
pulled over to shoot a romantic sunset
image of the FXDR being all black
and evil and grim and wonderful.
I posted up the pics and then a
bloke asked me if it was worth the
asking price, which is some 35K
if I am not mistaken.
There are, of course, no dumb
questions. And this was not a
dumb question.
%XWLWZDVDQHQWLUHO\VXSHUÁXRXV
one.
A bike is only ever worth what a
buyer is prepared to pay for it. And
experience has shown me that if you
want something bad enough, then
price is not an issue.
This is especially applicable when
it comes to motorcyclists – a goodly
majority of whom are deranged
zealots and gibbering fanatics. If
we were a religious group we would
make those ISIS idiots look like a
Boy Scout troupe.
Of course there are motorcyclists
(and I use the term loosely for they
do not ride upon the True Path of
Righteousness) for whom inane
rubbish such as fuel economy,
purchase price, and resale value
have some meaning and thus dictate
their purchase decision. They shame
us all. Happily, they are usually easy
to spot. They love the safety of
ÁXRUREX\WKHFKHDSHVWW\UHVWKH\
can crash on, and adore shopping
at Aldi for their bike gear.
They are not of my people.
They do not and cannot and will
never understand how a man can
114 www.ausmotorcyclist.com.au
eagerly spend $10,000 on a secondhand
purple Shovelhead, which was being
sold by a man called Cone from the
Gypsy Jokers MC. This was at a time
when one could buy two new Japanese
bikes for that money.
They cannot comprehend how
that same man would then keep
shovelling (pardon the pun) dollars at
the Shovelhead, overcapitalising his
LQLWLDOLQYHVWPHQWE\VRPH
RYHUWKHQH[WWKUHH\HDUVEHIRUHÀQDOO\
surrendering and selling the whole, barely
running lot for maybe eight grand…and
then deeply regretting it for years.
This was the same man who some
years earlier had bought a new GSX-
1100EX, then proceeded to throw
untold amounts of money at it (his
own, his girlfriend’s and Bankcard’s),
until it too was ultimately sold at a
knock-down price because that man had
found another bike he had to have.
This was again the same man, who,
in-between those two motorcycles,
made an agreement with Satan (who
was masquerading as the step-father
of a really hot girlfriend this man was
seeing) for the pay-as-you-ride purchase
of a 1979 Triumph Tiger. Satan
came calling when the regular
payment became highly
irregular and had to be
exorcised with threats and
intimidation, but who
ultimately repossessed
the Triumph. And I had
just got the girlfriend a gig
dancing on tables for money,
which would have sorted it
all out, but…anyway,
that is all
water
under the
bridge.
You
see, the
point
is that
if you
want a
bike bad
enough, then its purchase price is not
going to stop you. How could it?
Which is why that question: “Is it (the
bike) worth it?” is irrelevant.
To you, the asking price of a given
bike maybe ridiculous. But that is only
because you don’t want that Ducati/MV
$JXVWD5R\DO(QÀHOGEDGHQRXJK
To someone else, who dreams of
the bike at night, visits the showroom
constantly just to stare open-mouthed
at it while visualising himself astride its
DOOWKHEXWWRQVSXVKHGPDJQLÀFHQFH
then…well, Hell, the swine could charge
double what they’re asking and he would
still pay it. With a smile on his face and a
song in his heart, no less.
To me, and those like me, the buying of
a motorcycle has never been a rational
brain-in-gear purchase. It has always
been a purchase of the passionate,
irrational heart. And the heart wants
what the heart wants. And if it wants it,
and I have to hold up servos to satisfy
that want, then so be it.
Happily, I have not yet had to
wave a meat-cleaver at some
hapless BP attendant.
Those greed-based pigs who rob the
dead and simultaneously pretend
their banking institutions are my
friend, have been my go-to
money lenders forever.
I am at their mercy because
I am not a criminal.
But all that could change if
a bike I cannot live without
suddenly appears on the
Internet. I have a wardrobe
full of balaclavas, and a
sensible array of weaponry
against the coming zombie
apocalypse, which I am
happy to re-purpose to
feed my addiction.
And I am a
fanatic.
And yes, it is
worth it.
It is always
worth
it. D
www.hemamaps.com.au

H ead north out of Omeo on the
Omeo Highway where you’ll
quickly be ripping up the tread on
your tyres through the start of the
twisties. Anglers Rest is not far
away and the Blue Duck Inn (if
it’s open) is worth grabbing a bite
to eat, coffee or whatever depending
on the time of day.
About 11km out of Anglers Rest you
need to turn left onto Bogong High
TEAR-OUT MAP #70 COLLECT THEM ALL
BURNING TYRES – OMEO TO BRIGHT, VIC
Plains Road. Follow this past Rocky
Valley Reservoir and into Falls Creek.
2QFH\RX·UHÀQLVKHGFKHFNLQJRXW)DOOV
Creek, continue on to Mount Beauty.
About three kilometres past Mount
Beauty, turn left onto the Tawonga
Gap road and follow it all the way
to the end (maybe even turn around
and do it a few times), then turn
right onto Great Alpine Way and
into Bright for a nice cold beer.
Distance – 135km
Fuel – Omeo, Mount Beauty, Bright
Road Conditions – Remember that
some of this route may be closed
during the winter months, so check
the road conditions before setting
out - www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/
Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=1655
or www.vic.gov.au/emergencies-
safety/alerts-warnings-hotlines/
WUDIÀFURDGDOHUWVKWPO
IT’S A TRIPLE-TREAT
THREE WORLD
SUPERBIKE RACES
22-24 FEBRUARY
MOTUL FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
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SEE YOU TRACKSIDE

WORLD
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GO TO WORLDSBK.COM.AU OR TICKETEK.COM.AU
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