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100 HOTTEST RIDING DESTINATIONS 100 GREAT TOURING TIPS 100 BEST BIKES WE’VE RIDDEN 100 SONGS TO RIDE WITH BUYING A BIKE? CHECK OUT OUR PRICE GUIDE
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Contents #100 “My path has not been determined. I shall have more experiences and pass many more milestones.” — Agnetha Fältskog of ABBA fame with what we reckon is a fi ing quote for ARR’s milestone 100th issue. 6 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
12 NEWS FOR ROAD RIDERS 12 2013 bike sales, Brough Superior’s comeback, Hesketh’s too, and heaps more.
100TH ISSUE SPECIAL 44 Travel — top 100 destinations: Rides all over Australia. 58 Travel — 100 touring tips: Be good to your mother. 68 Bikes — 100 best rides: Our picks from 100 issues of testing. 80 Music — 100 great songs: Tunes to ride to.
PLACES TO GO 110 Wilsons Promontory: Wet and wild? 126 Coromandel, NZ: One of Kiwiland’s greatest routes.
GOOD CAUSES 118 Charity rides: Why we love them.
BIKES TO RIDE
44
80
88 Ducati Multistrada Granturismo: Top-shelf touring on any road. 96 Yamaha MT-09: Three-cylinder thriller! 102 CFMoto 650TK & 650NK: China hits the sweet spot.
118
GEAR ON TEST 132 Rukka Cosmic suit: And the Airway jacket. 134 MC Performance guards: Protection for adventure bikes. 136 Photon Cruise2: Quick and easy cruise control.
YARNS AND LAUGHS 8 36 39 41 42
Mathochism: For the 100th time… Boorman: Must-have motorcycle DVDs. Seddo: Going Commando. McKinnon: Unlikely two-up tourer. Gregor: Schwantz, McLaren and the bloke in the shed. 161 Motorcycle safety: More riders, lower crash rates. 162 Last look: The Street View prank.
MONTHLY MAIL 32 Big shot: Joy, just outside the city. 138 Whatz new: This month’s retailtherapy options. 142 Readers rite: Who’s up for a party in Innamincka? 146 Price guide: What’s available and what does it cost? 156 Bike supermarket: Products, services and other cool stuff. 160 Advertiser listing: Where’d you see that ad again?
96 AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 7
MATHOCHISM
CELEBRATING THE TON
It’s been a fun road to get to 100 issues and, as always, it’s all about the ride MICK MATHESON ne hundred is a pre y good milestone. I’ve celebrated a few 100ths over the years: my great-aunt’s 100th birthday, and she was still the life of the party with a glass of wine in her hand; the 100 thousandth kilometre rolling over on my bike’s odometer, which fi ingly occurred somewhere way out west on a trip away; and, of course, the 100th issue of Australian Road Rider. I’ve been si ing here wondering about the most appropriate celebration of our achievement. Through a li le roundabout logic, I reckon I’ve come up with it. Let me talk you through it… ARR’s feat is well worth cheering about. Starting out as a small, independent title aimed at a group of riders who were rather dismissively referred to as a niche by many in the industry, ARR was a hit from day one. It was always going to succeed — something I recognised from my position as a journo and editor for one of the major bike publishing houses. And, as things turned out, that publisher is long gone, the last of its once-
O
strong stable of bike mags now a long way from what they used to be. Meanwhile, ARR caught the eye of Universal Magazines, which li ed the bar higher. We went monthly and haven’t looked back. Since then, Universal has proudly built a strong group of motorcycle magazines including Cruiser & Trike (which sprang from ARR and is now a unique magazine in its own right), Rapid Bikes, Retro & Classic and more. Through all this, ARR has remained pre y consistent in its appeal to that “niche” it leapt into almost two decades ago. I laugh to think you and I were a niche. If a niche implies something small, how can one of the largest and most influential groups of riders in Australia be called a niche? We were — we are — out there on our bikes, and spending our money, more than most other riders. ARR has played an important part in ge ing the industry and the broader community to recognise this, along with organisations such as the Ulysses Club, the more forward-thinking parts of the industry and all of you individually as you’ve gone on your rides.
“I love the way ARR readers can make a story from any ride, whether it’s their short local loop or a massive overseas trek. I find them inspirational and aspirational.” CORRECTION We made a bad blue in issue 99’s comparison of the KTM 1190 Adventure and BMW R1200GS. In the story, we wrongly said the KTM cost $4000 more than its actual price of $20,995 (though at least we put this correct price in the specs table). Remember that this price includes a huge number of standard features including the four engine modes, electronic suspension
8 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
The rides are gold. I always enjoy my own rides, of course, but I get just as much of a kick from yours. Even the stories that don’t make it into print for whatever reason, they make me smile. I love the way ARR readers can make a story from any ride, whether it’s their short local loop or a massive overseas trek. I find them inspirational and aspirational. In fact, as a teenager, I grew up reading motorcycle touring stories and imagining being out there myself one day. I knew I’d ride all over Australia, but I never thought I’d ride overseas. It’s funny how life works out. There are still some parts of Australia I haven’t been to (I’ll get there) and I pinch myself every time I go to a foreign country for a ride. I’m saving up for South America next. Except for celebrating the great bikes we’ve ridden during our 100 issues, we haven’t been retrospective in our 100th issue. I hope you enjoy the bikes, but I reckon you’ll get good value, knowledge and fun out of the 100 songs we’ve put out there, the 100 touring tips we’ve produced and, most of all, the 100 great Australian riding destinations we’ve suggested. ARR is, more than anything, all about the ride, and if any one thing summed up our 100 issues more than any other, it’s those riding destinations. A few of them are within cooee of my place, and it’s now Friday arvo — time to pack the bike before an early start tomorrow to do some riding. I can’t think of a be er way to celebrate. ARR
adjustment and modes, traction control, switchable ABS, wire wheels and tyre pressure monitors, effectively making it thousands of dollars cheaper than a similarly equipped R1200GS. We’re deeply embarrassed and offer our humblest apologies. Also, the engine that forms the basis of the new Honda CTX1300 is, of course, the ST1300’s V4, not the VFR1200’s, as we stated.
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Circulation enquiries to our Sydney head office (02) 9805 0399. Australian Road Rider #100 is published by Australian Publishing, Unit 5, 6–8 Byfield Street, North Ryde, NSW 2113. Phone: (02) 9805 0399, Fax: (02) 9805 0714. Melbourne office, Suite 4, Level 1, 150 Albert Road South Melbourne, Vic 3205. Phone (03) 9694 6444 Fax: (03) 9699 7890. Printed by Webstar Sydney, distributed by Network Services, Phone: (02) 9282 8777. This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publishers. The publishers believe all the information supplied in this book to be correct at the time of printing. They are not, however, in a position to make a guarantee to this effect and accept no liability in the event of any information proving inaccurate. Prices, addresses and phone numbers were, after investigation and to the best of our knowledge and belief, up to date at the time of printing, but they may change in some cases. It is not possible for the publishers to ensure that advertisements which appear in this publication comply with the Trade Practices Act, 1974. The responsibility must therefore be on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisements for publication. While every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. * Recommended retail price ISSN 1329-1734 Copyright © Australian Publishing Pty Ltd ACN 003 609 103 www.universalmagazines.com.au Please pass on or recycle this magazine.
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NEWS
NEWS FOR ROADRIDERS BY NEWS EDITOR MARK HINCHLIFFE (HINCHM@HOTMAIL.COM)
■ Australia’s best-selling road bike is Kawasaki’s Ninja 300
ROAD BIKES TOP IN 2013 Road bikes continued to lead the way in 2013, with buoyant sales and encouraging growth in learners’ machines Australians really are road riders. Road bike sales rose marginally by 0.3% to 43,724, representing 39% of all the 113,289 new motorcycles, ATVs and scooters sold in 2013. Around 34% bought an off-road bike with sales of 39,013 (3.1%), almost 19% bought an ATV (21,072, -10.6%) and around 8% bought a scooter (9478, -12.4%), according to official VFacts figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). While the whole market dropped slightly by 2.2% to 113,289, it appears more riders are joining the two-wheel brigade with many learner bikes among the top sellers. The sales leader was the Kawasaki Ninja 300 learner bike, despite being voluntarily 12 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
pulled from the market for a short time to fix ABS and ECU problems. Even Honda’s ubiquitous CT110 postie bike dropped to seventh behind mini bikes, small-capacity dirt bikes and Honda’s CBR250R learner bike. The bump in learner bikes was expected after Western Australia last year finally joined the rest of the country on the Learner Approved Motorcycles Scheme (LAMS), in which learners can choose from bikes up to 659cc with a power-to-weight ratio up to 150kW/tonne. Consequently, learner bikes topped almost every category. Honda’s new 500cc models, the CBR500R and CBR500FA, topped the
sports and naked bike categories. The Kawasaki KLR650 again topped the adventure bike category with Suzuki’s 650 V-Strom in third behind the BMW R1200GS. Yamaha’s XVS650 again topped the cruiser sector while the rest of the category was dominated by HarleyDavidson, which was second in road bikes with sales up 5% to 8217, representing almost 19% of the road market. In this climate of learner bike sales frenzy, Harley will be sweating on a possible early release for its new Street 500 learner bike from India or America. However, the official release is not until this time next year.
NEWS
“Learners doing well and cruisers doing well indicates a bright future for our industry”
■ Harley-Davidson seems to do no wrong, dominating cruiser sales and close to Honda for total road bikes
TOP MANUFACTURERS 1 Honda 25,432 (-2.3%) 2 Yamaha 20,087 (-0.5%) 3 Kawasaki 11,683 (7.1%) 4 Suzuki 10,818 (-13.2%) 5 Harley 8217 (5%) 6 KTM 7090 (19.7%) 7 Polaris 4450 (-16.4%) 8 Triumph 3029 (-0.9%) 9 CFMoto 2496 (11.1%) 10 BMW 2198 (3.4%)
■ Honda topped overall sales and road bike sales, which were underlined by excellent numbers of LAMS bikes like the new CB500s
TOP ROAD MANUFACTURERS 1 Honda 8998 (2.4%) 2 Harley 8217 (5.0%) 3 Kawasaki 6852 (8.4%) 4 Yamaha 3988 (0.7%) 5 Suzuki 3756 (-14.8%) 6 Triumph 3029 (-0.9%) 7 BMW 2099 (-0.6%) 8 Ducati 1772 (-8.4%) 9 Hyosung 992 (-30.6%) 10 KTM 870 (145.1%)
Leading road bike company was again Honda with 8998 sales (up 2.4% and 20% of the market). Kawasaki was third with about 6852 sales, up 8.4% and 16% of the road sector. Releasing the 2013 motorcycle, ATV and scooter sales figures, FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says the boom in learner bikes and cruisers augurs well for the industry’s future. “Learners doing well and cruisers doing well indicates a bright future for our industry,” he says. “It shows a movement toward leisure and discretionary expenditure. “People later in life have paid off the mortgage and decide they might buy themselves the dream machine. While they might not be able to buy a Ferrari, they can afford a fancy bike.” Tony says the bikie crackdown in Queensland did not have any effect on bike sales. “We did a bit of research on it and found no evidence that it has had any effect whatsoever,” he says. Tony pointed out that while road and offroad sales were positive, ATV and scooter sales have “come off the boil” in the past few years. “Scooters were a bit more of a fashion item a few years ago and the novelty has come off and there are a lot of second-hand scooters sitting around,” he says. “ATVs were also down which may reflect tougher times in the farming communities and the downturn in mining.” Honda was again top manufacturer with around 22% of the market, selling 25,432 motorcycles, ATVs and scooters. It was followed by Yamaha with almost 18% market share and 20,087 sales. Kawasaki was third with around 10% (11,683) and Suzuki fourth with 9.5% (10,818). Yamaha led the market for off-road motorcycles, selling more than 29% (11,553) of the total 39,013 off-road bikes sold, up 3%. Honda had 26% (10,317) and KTM 16% (6211).
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 13
NEWS
BROUGH ANNIVERSARY A 90th-anniversary version of the Brough Superior SS100 on which T.E. Lawrence of Arabia met his fate is being released in limited numbers in 2014. It’s the first all-new bike from the legendary British manufacturer in more than 70 years and will come with a premium price tag of about $65,000. The Brough Superior SS100 is planned to be the first of a range of exclusive bikes from the brand now owned by the Austrian-based businessman, Mark Upham. The SS100 is powered by an eight-valve DOHC 997cc V-twin built by French firm Boxer Design. It comes as a 73kW unit but can be tuned up to 102kW at the customer’s request. Befitting a tradition of exotic materials, the frame is a mix of steel and titanium, the swingarm is an aluminium-magnesium composite, it has a girder-style ‘Fior’ doublewishbone fork and has Öhlins shock absorbers front and rear.
To keep the classic look and reduce gyroscopic forces, the Berlingerdesigned front 230mm disc brakes are disguised to look like a drum brake. Also, to keep that classic feel, the wheels are 18in, but unlike classic bikes, it has a dry weight of 180kg. The first Brough Superior prototype was made in 1919 and went into production in 1921. In 1925, the company produced the venerable SS100 which means Super Sport 100 because it was tested at 100mph (160km/h) and even came with a written guarantee to hit the old ton. Over the next 20 years George Brough built 3000 bikes, but the SS100 was the most respected model and had famous owners such as Lawrence of Arabia who owned seven in a row.
“George Brough built 3000 bikes but the SS100 was the most respected model”
BROUGH SUPERIOR SS100 Price: about $65,000 Engine: Four-stroke, 997cc 88° V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, water and oil cooled Bore x stroke: 94 mm x 71.8 mm Power: From 73-102kW @ 10,000rpm, depending on bespoke settings Torque: 125Nm @ 8000rpm Compression: 11: 1 Wheelbase: 1550mm
14 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
Steering angle: 24.6° Trail: 96.7mm Dry weight: 180kg Frame: Steel and Titanium tubular trellis Suspension: Fior double wishbone Öhlins Shock (120mm travel); Progressive system Öhlins Shock (130mm) Brakes: 4D Ceramic Beringer, 2 x floating double discs, aluminium-
ceramic composite material, diameter 230mm, 2 x 4-piston calipers with radial fixation and special sintered metal pads; single rear disc, aluminiumceramic composite material, diameter 230mm, 2-piston caliper with special sintered metal pads Wheels: 18in, alloy; 3.50 x 18in; 4.25 x 18in Tyres: 120/70ZR18; 160/60ZR18
NEWS
■ Hesketh’s reintroduction to the market comes in the form of this 1950cc sports-touring bruiser with F1 inspiration and all the best bits
HESKETH COMEBACK England’s once-comatose motorcycle manufacturing industry is bouncing back, with Hesketh Motorcycles the latest to release a new model. When it arrives in February, the limited-edition Hesketh 24 will be the boutique company’s first new model in the 21st century. It comes as Triumph Motorcycles is branching out with 14 new models in India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, sportscar manufacturers Lotus (see page 18) and Caterham have announced they are joining the motorcycle manufacturing industry, and Gladstone Motorcycles recently became the first new bespoke motorcycle manufacturer since Hesketh in 1984. The handmade Hesketh 24 is inspired by its Formula 1 roots, using James Hunt’s F1 Grand Prix-winning “24” car as the basis of the bikes’ styling. Only 24 will be made. It is powered by a 1950cc, 16 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
56-degree V-twin engine with about 90kW (120bhp) and features exotic components such as Öhlins suspension (track and road), Beringer brakes and Brock’s performance BST carbon-fibre wheels. Hesketh Motorcycles was formed by Alexander, 3rd Lord Hesketh, in 1980 and produced limited models until closing in 1984. Broom Engineering took over and maintained the brand until Mick Broom sold the company to Paul Sleeman in 2010. The solo-seat Hesketh 24 is the first model released under the new ownership. “The Hesketh 24 is a nod to the F1 success of James Hunt and the Hesketh Racing team and we tried to incorporate this in subtle touches, such as the small Scottish and English flags on the tail as seen on the original F1 24 car and the outline of the Zandvoort circuit that offered Hunt the famous 1975 victory,” says Paul. “The design of the bike itself is
centred around the big V-twin muscle at the heart of the bike, with overhead air intakes inside the tank above and a 22.7-litre fuel cell mounted below the engine. “To stay true to some original Hesketh features, the front light offers a modern half cowl and the top tank follows the distinctive Hesketh shape.” He says they will also develop and release a two-seat version. Web: www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk
“The Hesketh 24 is a nod to the F1 success of James Hunt and the Hesketh Racing team and we tried to incorporate this in subtle touches”
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NEWS
■ Is the GS too conservative for you? Touratech is considering this solution
BOLDER ER BOXER Accessories company Touratech has made the macho water-cooled BMW R1200GS even bolder with its Touratech R1200 Rallye. The GS prototype was designed on special request by Touratech CEO Jochen Schanz as a tribute to the company’s sporting past in events such as the Dakar Rally. It was developed in cooperation with sister company TT-3D in Murnau, Bavaria. While the frame, engine and drive unit were kept the same, the chassis, seat, aluminium tank and front cowl
are new. The frame tail is 7cm higher and together with the Dakar-style high cowling it has typical rally ergonomics and looks. The cowling can accommodate a rally instrument kit and the side wings reach down as far as the cylinders for protection. Touratech Australia media manager Peter Whitten says they are evaluating if the rally conversion will be a oneoff part or a production item. “The positive public response indicates that it will be, but we are still waiting to find out,” he says.
LOTUS BIKE LOOMS A lightweight Lotus motorcycle is getting closer to reality. The iconic British sportscar company announced last year it would move into the motorcycle manufacturing business with a limited-edition C-01 cafe racer powered by a V2 with maximum power up to 200hp (150kW). Company spokesman Colin Kolles says prototypes have been made and tested. “We are just finishing the testing phase, which was very successful, and are confident that the Lotus motorcycle will have a big impact,” he says. “We are planning to release another teaser soon before we will release the complete design.” The company also just received a £10 (AUD$17.8) million government grant to be used for research and development of 18 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
products, which should give their bike project a helpful and timely boost. As expected of the former Formula 1 winners, the C-01 cafe racer will include racing technology and will be made of lightweight materials such as carbon, titanium and aerospace steel. The C-01 is a joint project of the Kodewa racing team, performance company the Holzer Group and Bugatti designer Daniel Simon. The German also designed the Lightcycle in the 2010 Disney motion picture Tron: Legacy, the Bubbleship used by Tom Cruise in the recent Universal sci-fi hit Oblivion, and the famous black and gold livery of the Lotus LMP2 sports cars. He refers to the C-01 as “a high-tech monster in a tailored suit”.
According to Kolles, “The shapes of the marvellous Lotus 49 were a main inspiration, and all colour schemes pay homage to iconic Lotus racing liveries, such as the dashing black and gold,” he says. In Australia, Lotus cars are imported by Ateco in Sydney.
NEWS
■ The PED1 is an off-road electric concept
■ The PES1 road-bike concept
■ A shocking gift for the kids?
YAMAHA GOES ELECTRIC Yamaha was the star of the motorcycle section of the annual Tokyo Motor Show with five electric models, a new 250cc racer and a custom cafe racer version of its Bolt cruiser. Not content with that, Yamaha also launched a concept parallel twin 250cc R25 racer and launched a YouTube video of Valentino Rossi riding the bike and declaring it “packs a punch”. Yamaha Motor Australia communications manager Sean Goldhawk says his info suggests the R25 is “concept
for now”. The cafe racer version of the Bolt could hint at a future variant. “No news on the tricked-up Bolt other than it is more than a concept obviously,” says Sean. “It’s interesting and certainly where Yamaha is focusing right now.” Yamaha America also gave 10 Bolts to American custom houses and five of them came back with scramblers, so maybe Yamaha is just testing the waters for future variants of the youthoriented Bolt.
■ Yamaha’s electric scooter concept
HIGH VOLTAGE The world’s most powerful electric motorcycle, the Wattman, has been unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Wattman is powered by a 150kW (200hp) electric motor, which is 5kW more than a Ducati Panigale superbike.
r Can an electric bike have 200 horsepower? Oh OK, 150kW then…
20 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
It may have a lame name, but the Wattman is no lame bike, capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, which is faster than a Porsche 911. Wattman has a top speed of 170km/h and its battery has a total capacity of 12.8kWh, can be fully recharged within 30 minutes and has a range of 180km, which is not as far as the new Zero electric motorcycles, which claim 275km maximum range with an extension battery. It is the product of a joint venture between boutique French manufacturer Voxan Motorcycles and formerly bankrupt electric sports car company Venturi. The Wattman is a strange-looking beast with no frame, as it is based around a bulky battery/motor pack underneath a sculptured solo seat that extends right up over the
“tank”. It has twin horizontal rear shocks, but conventional upside-down forks and belt drive. Voxan begins production of the Wattman late this year at the Solesmes Electric Vehicle Manufacture plant in Sarthe, near the famous Le Mans circuit. The plant is “super-green” as it is run totally on “clean energy”. There is no word on cost yet, but it will be hand-built in limited numbers, so expect a hefty price tag. Voxan has been making small numbers of motorcycles since 1999, all with a 996cc V-twin petrol engine. Venturi is a manufacturer of electric sports cars called Fetish and Voltage. Its BB2.5 prototype has reached 495km/h in testing while its new BB3 has 2200kW of power and is expected to reach up to 700km/h.
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NEWS future episodes. There is definitely enough of a custom resto vintage cafe racer scene here and it’s getting large enough to support my career and make a living out of it.” Cam has owned four bikes, starting with a 1989 Kawasaki EL250, a Yamaha FZ6n, a Sachs Madass scooter and now a 1986 Honda GB250, which he has converted into a ratty cafe racer. He spends four days shooting his videos and about two weeks editing them. The results are videos that not only look great and feature delicious bike porn, but also touch riders very deeply. In many cases, their stories are also our stories. See www.storiesofbike.com.
BIKE VIDEO ESSAYS Amateur videographer and motorcycle fan Cam Elkins has captured the connection between bike and rider through the lens of his camera. He has produced eight video vignettes on his Stories of Bike web page, ranging in length from about five to 10 minutes. “A lot of bike-building videos are about what and why but it only goes so far,” he says. “I wanted to know more about the everyday man and their everyday ride. I assumed the majority of people who watch these videos are far from being mechanical — like me — and I wanted to explore their stories.” Cam, 37, has no video qualifications and started making films as a hobby. “I believe in the ideas and like to video nice
imagery and beautiful bikes,” says Cam, who is a member of the Sydney-based Australian Cafe Racers group. “They’re just a passionate, great bunch of people who enjoy the lifestyle of going back to the basics. They’re not really mechanically minded, but just having a go.” Cam hopes to now make a career out of videoing bikes and their owners. His inspirations were the videos Solus by Lossa Engineering and the Shinya Kimura — Chabott Engineering. “Hopefully the idea is to make some sort of career and take videos beyond Sydney, to go around Australia and tap the wealth of stories around the country,” he says. “I’d love to be able to take it overseas and maybe create a DVD and sell that to fund
r Cam Elkins aims to tap a wealth of motorcycle stories
BMWS ON SILVER SCREEN BMW sports bikes will feature in the third movie in the Indian-made action series Dhoom. It’s not the first time BMWs have featured on the silver screen: its short-lived cruiser appeared in the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, a K1200R in Resident
22 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
Evil Extinction and Matt Damon rode a Rockster in The Bourne Legacy. Dhoom: 3, due for international release on December 20, will feature a BMW S1000RR and K1300R. The subtitled Bollywood action flick is claimed to have a string of high-speed
chase scenes, with Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and partner Ali (Uday Chopra) riding an S1000RR in hot pursuit of the slippery clown thief, Sahir (Aamir Khan) on the K1300R. Filming took place on location in Chicago and Mumbai.
NEWS
RAT RIDES Triumph has been following BMW’s footsteps into the dirt over the past couple of years with adventure models, and now the company’s doing it with its own adventure safari. Much like the famous BMW GS Safaris, owners of Triumph adventure bikes are invited to the inaugural National Off-Road RAT Rally. The fiveday ride will be held in the Flinders Ranges in the first week of August 2014. “The Triumph Tiger brand is stronger than ever and we now have the perfect
platform to launch this great national and annual event,” says Triumph’s Mark Berger. The company has enlisted experienced international tour company, Compass Expeditions, to help organise the rally as well as a two-day weekend RAT ride through Victoria’s Otways National Park in March. Compass Expeditions co-founder Mick McDonald says both events are open to non-Triumph riders “as long as they are accompanied by a Triumph riding mate”. The travel company has
r Bryon Kearney won the people’s choice award
r Raffle winner Darryl Butler looking happy on his prize
BOMBALA BOOMS More than 1300 people thrilled to freestyle motocross demos, watched sheep being shorn and admired the many bikes in 15 classes at the 22nd Bombala Bike Show in November.
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Best bike of the show was chosen by people’s choice and was won by Bryon Kearney from Duffy, ACT, with his 2012 custom chopper, while Darryl Butler from Tathra won the raffle prize of a 2013 Royal Enfield Bullet 500.
been around for 10 years and conducts tours on almost every continent. The RAT Rally starts in Broken Hill on Monday August 4 and heads out to the spectacular Flinders Ranges, finishing at Rawnsley Station on Friday August 8. Cost is $650 per person and includes welcome and farewell dinners, event t-shirt, photo disc, support vehicle, lead rider, waypoint and route maps. Optional accommodation and meal packages: camping $350 (BYO camping gear), hotel twin share $710, hotel single room $980, all of which include five breakfasts and four dinners. Register on their Facebook site: www.facebook.com/triumphratevents/ Meanwhile, Compass Expeditions has announced a 128-day ride around the circumference of South America. It’s a grade 4 (out of 5) tour and not for the faint-hearted, they say.
r The show has its own smoking area…
Entertainment included a burnout competition, Jack Flair Freestyle Motocross, three bands, and a “quick shear” competition. Web: www.bombalabikeshow.com.au.
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NEWS
r Gabe Buckley: “We’re as mad as hell”
RALLY FOR FREEDOM The national Freedom Ride in December attracted thousands of riders at 24 cities around the country including almost 3000 in Brisbane. Speakers at the Brisbane rally declared it was just the start of a long fight against draconian legislation claimed by the Queensland government to be the “world’s toughest anti-bikie laws”.They said the laws attack the civil liberties and human rights of every citizen, not just motorcycle riders. Brisbane Freedom Ride organiser Gabe Buckley declared at the rally
that he would stand for the Liberal Democrats Party (LDP) in the February by-election to send a message to the incumbent government. “We’re as mad as hell and we’re not going to take this lying down,” he said. Meanwhile, Paul Keyworth collected more than the required 500 signatures to establish the Motorcyclists Australian Party to contest state and federal seats. Australian Motorcycle Council chairman Shaun Lennard, attending a Freedom Ride in Hobart with hundreds of other
riders, said the national rally had attracted several thousand around the nation. “We weren’t the organisers of it and as far as I know my participation was the only direct involvement,” he said. “However, from the reports I’m hearing it sounds like it achieved what people set out to achieve.”
BIKER SENATOR Motorcycle riders will have another voice in parliament when NSW senator-elect and Triumph Speed Triple rider David Leyonhjelm takes his seat in the middle of this year. The Liberal Democratic Party representative flew especially to Brisbane in December to be a keynote speaker at the Freedom Ride to Parliament House. The former Liberal Party member, who quit over the Howard government’s gun registration laws, spoke out against the Queensland government’s “Vicious Lawless Associates Disestablishment (VLAD) Act”, saying it created a “moral panic” amongst the public about people who ride motorcycles. He told the gathering of more than 3000 riders and civil libertarians outside state parliament that the laws vilified motorcycle riders. 26 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
r David Leyonhjelm will take motorcyclists’ interests to federal parliament when he sits
David says the LDP has quite a few motorcycle-friendly policies, including the promotion of free footpath parking, no tolls, lane filtering, no front number plates, and “refuge boxes” for motorcycles at the front of the queue in traffic.
“We basically want to create a positive environment for bikers, not a negative one,” he says. The LDP will also stand candidate Gabe Buckley in the Queensland seat of Redcliffe in the February by-election.
NEWS
POLICE STATES? Are we headed toward a police state … in every state? Apart from Queensland’s draconian association laws where you can’t ride in groups without being harassed, in Victoria you could lose your licence without even going for a ride. Victorian police are now considering using new laws to cancel your driver’s/ rider’s licence for any offence, not just traffic breaches. Sweeping legal changes which came into effect on September 30 allow courts to suspend or cancel the licence of any person convicted or found guilty of any offence — regardless of whether that offence has anything to do with driving. And the Vic cops are planning to exercise those laws in up to 50,000 court cases each year.
“If you’re convicted or found guilty of any offence, a court may suspend or cancel and disqualify your licence,” says Acting Senior Sergeant Richard Bowers, of the Victoria Police Prosecution Division, in a story in the Herald Sun. “The legislation does not govern or put a limiting factor on which cases it applies to. It’s any offence, and it’s completely open to the magistrate as to whether or not they impose it.” It will take a superior court challenge to throw out these cases as an “inappropriate exercise of discretion”, but until then, Vic cops plan to take matters before a magistrate and ask them to exercise their discretion. Only those motorists with deep pockets and good lawyers may save their licences.
A FINE MESS Australian motorists will pay a total of $1.8 billion in traffic fines this financial year, or the equivalent of $80 per person. That is up 3.3 per cent on the previous financial year, according to budget papers. Top of the revenue raisers is Victoria, which plans to rake in $643 million this financial year, nearly double the amount raised just eight years ago. Next is NSW with $488 million, up $6 million, followed by Queensland with $367 million, up $11 million. But South Australia is expected to reap the biggest windfall with a 25 per cent increase in fines to $125 million, thanks to new speed cameras. Meanwhile, Tasmania fines will drop slightly to $106.4 million.
ABERFELDY TRACK OPENS
■ Troy Bayliss and Chris Vermeulen at the Classic
BAYLISSTIC EVENT The second annual Troy Bayliss Classic and the Baylisstic Scramble Teams Challenge in January at Taree featured another who’s who of motorcycling greats. They included 2004 World Supersport champion Karl Muggeridge and three-time Qatar Superbike champion Alex Cudlin. Three-time World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss is making a habit of providing Aussie motorsport fans with a feast of entertainment this year. In March he hosts an invitational scramble challenge at his Moto Expo in Brisbane that has attracted former World Supersport champion and MotoGP winner Chris Vermeulen, three-time Speedway world champion and World Cup winner Jason Crump, and MotoGP winner Garry McCoy. He will also stage another Moto Expo in Melbourne in November, possibly with more invitational races.
28 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
Adventure riders looking for a new challenge should try the newly opened Aberfeldy Track in the Gippsland area of Victoria. The 180km rugged, unsealed road runs through Baw Bay National Park about 125km east of Melbourne and is suited to off-road motorcycles and vehicles. It starts at the town of Erica and does a figure-eight circuit around Aberfeldy, passing through historic goldfields,
stunning bushland, over mountains and beside Lake Thompson. For the history buffs, local historians have identified and documented the tales of famous and important figures who travelled or lived along the track during the gold rush from the 1860s to early 1900s. Their efforts can be found on 62 signs at historic ruins, townships, huts, graves, hotels, cemeteries and homesteads. Web: www.visitwalhalla.com
CORRECTION In issue #98, the price we printed for the BMW R1200GSA toolbox made by Adventure Bike Protections Australia is wrong (page 122). It should be $195. The high-quality aluminium toolboxes, which fit inside the standard pannier frame, are
waterproof, have six litres of space inside and come with a mounting kit. They’re also available for other bikes. For more info, see www. adventurerbikeprotectionsaust.com. au. We apologise for the mistake and any confusion it has caused.
REUNITED AFTER 47 YEARS An American rider who had his 1953 Triumph Tiger 100 stolen 47 years ago has been reunited with the bike. Donald DeVault, of Omaha, paid $300 for the bike in the 1960s, but it is now a collectible worth $9000. The first thing the 73-year-old did when he got it back was take it for a ride. Of course! California authorities notified him that they had recovered his motorcycle at the
Port of Los Angeles, where it was about to be shipped to Japan. A customs agent checked the vehicle identification number and discovered it had been reported stolen in 1967, only a couple of years after Donald had bought it. Donald also owns a Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki, but will keep the Trumpy for “special rides”.
Taking you to
grand heights Innovative Ducati Skyhook suspension, multi-level heated grips, LED spot lights, extended screen, protection bars, touring seats, 20mm higher handlebar and 58-litre side luggage, plus 48-litre rear top box all as standard. Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo. The ultimate grand tourer, now available in Ducati Red.
Roadrider A U S T R A L I A N
T H E
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R E A L
R I D E
THE THINGS YOU SEE
BIG SHOT Riding the ranges outside Melbourne is always a joy. The snaking roads and dense forests are a breathtaking combination, especially when you get a traffic-free run on a dry day. It’s almost a social thing on the weekends, but find some time mid-week and you might have the place to yourself.
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 33
INTRODUCING THE NEW
Roadrider A U S T R A L I A N
T H E
A D V E N T U R E
R E A L
R I D E
2 0 1 4
10-DAY SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE RIDE START
APRIL 2014
SYDNEY
1 GOULBURN
1 BRIGHT 1 ADELONG
1 CASTLEMAINE 1 ECHUCA
2 HALLS GAP 1 PORT CAMPBELL
FINISH
1 QUEENSCLIFF
MELBOURNE
This superb ride offers a great taste of all that Southern Australia has to offer. From the iconic Blue Mountains to the legendary High Country, Ancient landscapes, wild rivers and worldrenowned coastal roads — this ride has it all.
APRIL 2014
Day 1: Goulburn Today’s ride takes us into the Blue Mountains and the stunning views of the Three Sister’s lookout from Echo Point. From Katoomba, we ride onto Oberon and turn south through rolling country side and onto Australia’s first inland city of Goulburn — our overnight stay. Day 2: Adelong We ride to Canberra today via the lonely Tarago road. In Canberra, we shall visit the amazing War Memorial before riding onto Yass then taking the dirt of the Wee Jasper Way toward Tumut and our overnight stay at the bikerfriendly The Royal Hotel. Day 3: Bright An extraordinary ride today of winding mounta in roads and spectacular scenery into the high country of the Kosciusz ko National Park through Cabramurra and Khancoban and onto Corryon g. From Corryong, we ride onto one of the jewels in Victoria’s crown, Bright, spectacularly set at the foothills of the Alpine National Park. Day 4: Castlemaine From Bright, we ride south along the Great Dividing Range to Lake Eildon before crossing the Hume Highway and riding into the trendy yet very scenic Macedon Ranges region before arriving at our destination: the old gold rush town of Castlemaine. Day 5: Echuca Riding north, we cross the vast farmlands of Northern Victoria
IN COLLABORATION WITH..
country towns en-route to the historical townshi p of Echuca, located on the mighty Murray River. An afternoon and night is spent here allowing us time to explore what is known as the paddle-steamer capital of the world. Day 6 & 7: Halls Gap Today’s ride travels south west through more tiny settlements and farmlands toward the 300-million-year-old Grampians National Park, where we spend the next two nights. A stunning (dirt) ride can be enjoyed through the Grampians or for the paved-road-only riders, numerous vantage points and lookouts can also be ridden to. Two nights are spent here allowing us time to really explore one of the most ancient landscapes in the world. Day 8: Port Campbell We ride onto the legendary Great Ocean Road today, visiting the many superb lookouts that dot this spectacular coastline of towering cliffs that rise above pounding seas. A visit to the iconic 12 Apostles , Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge are all part of this stunning ride. Tonight is spent in the beautiful town of Port Campbell, where we can enjoy a beer and seafood meal at a pub overlooking the bay. Day 9: Queenscliff Continuing along the Great Ocean Road, we shall visit the Cape Otway Lighthouse for guaranteed Koala sightings before riding onto the Bellarine Peninsula and staying overnight at the historic resort town of Queenscliff, a favourite for Melbournians since the 1880s with its classic hotels and wide streets. Day 10: Melbourne A short ferry ride will see us on the Mornington Peninsula before riding to Phillip Island, home of the MotoGP, and onward tto o tth the e fa amous famous mou ous u Ree Reeft eeft efton fton a and n Black Bla ack ck Spur Spur u rides es through th hroug rou ugh h th he st the tun stunning unn unni ning Y ni Yarra arra rra r R Ran Ra Ranges ang gess Nationa Nati ati tio onal nal par p pa park. a k. T This hiss wond won wonder ond derfu fful ull 10 10-day -day d y day ride e termina ter te erminates mina min ina nates tes in in Melbour Melbo elb lb bou bo urne ne ne. e.
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Doing the Isle of Man TT in 3D — it’s as close as most of us will come to the real thing
MY TOP-100 GIFTS FOR 2014 Charley gives you some ideas about how to have a happy 2014.
ight, so 2013 has gone and we’ve go en through the festivities. The in-laws have returned to their lair and that really weird uncle has been taken back to the safe house — all is well for 2014. So with all that thought power that went into present buying for Christmas, together with this Road Rider 100th anniversary edition, I have come up with my top-100 hundred great bikertype gi s that you have to get during the coming year. It’s a bit like a biker’s New Year’s resolution of things I really need to treat
R
36 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
myself to during the year. However, as the column is only a couple of pages long, I’ll edit my top 100 down to just a few — phew! I’ll start this month with some quickwin DVDs — stuff that don’t cost an arm or a foot yet will strengthen your biker profile, put hairs on your chest and give you enjoyment to boot! Then next month, I’ll move to some classic books and cool equipment such as seats, bar risers and sat navs.
ON ANY SUNDAY (1971) Director Bruce Brown Starring Steve McQueen, Malcolm Smith and Mert Lawwill If this is not on your shelf, take the walk of shame to the nearest website and buy it now. Bruce Brown was famous already for his surfing films, but this just broke new ground into the world of motorcycles and why we love them. It has great stories, awesome action, humour and, of course, Steve McQueen.
It looks across the whole spectrum of motorcycling but focuses particularly on Mert Lawwill, a number-one dirt track racer, and Malcolm Smith, a cross-country racer, as he competes in the Baja 500 desert enduro. Using innovative (but massive!) helmet cameras and a nice insider look at McQueen, this documentary is just genius. Brown’s cinematographic skills are second to none and his uncanny success at capturing the emotion and the tension… it’s a big WOW from me. What more can you ask for? What are you doing this Sunday?
BOORMAN
“With lots of interesting technical stuff, wild camping, love affairs and haircuts, it’s an inspiring insight as to how anyone can just get on the bike and ride” MONDO ENDURO (2003)
DUST TO GLORY (2005) Director Dana Brown Starring Mario Andretti, Malcom Smith, Robby Gordon, Chad McQueen, Mike “Mouse” McCoy and more Indeed you’ve already put two and two together — Dana is Bruce Brown’s son (yes, bit of a girly name, I know) and Chad is Steve McQueen’s son, so there’s something to say about keeping it in the family! This film is like the dessert after watching On Any Sunday as the main course. It’s all about the Baja 1000 and how people put their lives and mortgages on the line to try to finish it. It’s very Dakar-esque but, in my view, a few degrees even more insane, with one commentator calling it, “A 24-hour plane crash”. Racing on public roads/tracks avoiding traffic, donkeys, goats and more than 250,000 crazy spectators, I can understand why. The film has several strands but with a focus on following bike rider Mike “Mouse” McCoy, who’s a bit of a nutter (in a cool way). Mouse is attempting to do the 1000-mile race solo — while most people attempt it in a team — you know, do a few hours then pass on to the next guy. Not so for Mouse. He’s “camera’d” up and there’s some fantastic action footage, including a full-on crash for Mouse as things go a bit wrong — I can relate to this, see my Race to Dakar 2006! It’s another tip-top documentary. A “got to watch”, “got to own” and “got to love”.
Starring Austin Vince with the Mondo Enduro crew! This must be one of the first truly cool DIY motorcycle adventures documented on film. In 1995, a gang of seven make a plan to travel around the world on Suzuki DR350s with as many homemade kits as they can muster. Filmed with an old Super8 cine camera and an early example of a high-quality video camera, the Sony VX-1, the show is wacky, cool and groovy. With lots of interesting technical stuff done along the route, wild camping, love affairs and haircuts, it’s an inspiring insight as to how anyone can just get on the bike and ride. About 10 years later, in 2004, Ewan and I rode some of their route in deepest Russia. It was full-on with any bike, never mind a GS 1150. The style is fun and the accompanying music just fits brilliantly. Austin Vince is the lead man behind the Mondo exploits and has recently released a new documentary called Mondo Sahara — I’ve not seen it yet, but if its anything like Mondo Enduro, it’ll be a great addition to your treat list.
personally, I have no reservations. It’s a brilliant modern-day classic. It also propelled Guy Martin, one of the key characters, into the TV world, where, in the UK, he’s now on his third TV series. Guy’s current show is called Speed and, in essence, he’s riding motorbikes spiritually across water and chasing Eddie Stobart trucks up the M6 motorway on a mountain bike. It’s another thumbs up from Charley! Oh, and just for information, Billy Ward, who produces my theatre talk show, is in it. See if you can spot him. OK, that’s about it for the edited-down top-100 DVDs. Of course, there are a few I’ve made too — but I think you’ll probably already know about them and I’ll be very disappointed if they’re not already on your shelves. To be honest, I could list a whole lot more, such as the fantastic The World’s Fastest Indian, Easy Rider, The Wild One and Mad Max, but, hey, I’m sure you’ve got them too. Next month, we’ll have a look at biker books and some nice kits. There’s some great adventure travel books out there and, again, I’m going to focus on the
CLOSER TO THE EDGE (2011) Director Richard de Aragues Starring Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness, Conor Cummins and many other heroes Now jump to present day with this remarkable film that really captures the specialness of the Isle of Man TT. It was shot in 3D and was a massive success at the box office for a UK-based documentary that showed the tension, the characters and the fears — it certainly got me closer to the edge of my bloody seat! The cinematography is superb and a er watching it, you’ll be down to the travel agent to book your flight to the Isle of Man. The only negative critique I’ve read about it was that it was a bit too focussed on the darker, dangerous side of the race, and didn’t reveal much of the lighter and fun side of racing. But,
classics that you need to read and need to own, if for no other reason than to show you’re a real man/woman who knows his/her onions when it comes to the motorcycle world. Till then, have a safe 2014 and never stop loving bikes — big ones, small ones, old ones and new ones. They keep us young! AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 37
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SEDDO
GOING COMMANDO GEOFF SEDDON
ou know the feeling. Outwardly you’re cool, calm and collected, but under your best shirt you’re sweating like a pig. All you can hope is that you’re packing enough heat, that you won’t be caught short at the critical moment. It might be the most natural thing in the world for some, but you can never be sure. It’ll all be over in a minute, maybe two, yet if it goes badly the repercussions could change your life. I took a deep breath and went to the auction anyway. The urge to merge with another motorbike came from nowhere. I was at the Sydney offices of Shannons for an unrelated meeting. They o en display cars and motorbikes for their upcoming classic auctions at the same site, and an old-school Harley WLA chopper caught my eye. No reserve, huh? In the far corner was a gaggle of shiny British stuff, also with no reserve. And then I saw it. I’ve owned three Norton Commandos over the years so you’d think I’d know be er, but I fell for the green-and-silver, 1971 750 Fastback like a teenager ge ing his first feel. I knew it was wrong at so many levels, but I was just a passenger. I li ed a photo from Shannons’ website as my screensaver, then set about sorting finance and regulatory approval ahead of the auction, scheduled for a month hence. Registering for the auction took five minutes. A deposit of 10 per cent, plus a
Y
It was hammer time in the auction house with a Norton Commando the prize buyer’s fee of $250, would be required on the fall of the hammer, with the balance paid the next day. No reserve meant what it said. If the highest bid was two and sixpence, the bike would change hands at that price. I’ve since been advised that the “no reserve” thing o en results in a higher price, as the prospect of a bargain tends to a ract additional interest from schmucks like me. But it’s not without risk from the seller’s perspective, as we would see. The Norton was part of a private collection of some 60 bikes, accumulated over decades, of which 10 were up for grabs at each of six successive auctions.
A mishmash of old oil bo les, busted gauges and headlights was first off the block, ne ing $250. Some other rubbish followed before the first car, a no-reserve Alfa Romeo GTV, sold for $3500, well below its expected range. The second, a Triumph Spitfire, sold for just over. The first bike up for grabs was an obscure 250cc two-stroke Harley dirtbike; it a racted li le interest, selling for just over two grand, again well below its expected value. The first of the British collection, a 1951 Royal Enfield 350 Bullet, exceeded its target range, just, but it was all downhill from there. In quick succession, a ’48 Ariel 500 twin, a ’69 T150 Trident and a ’59 Tiger 100 all sold for well above the expected money. Finally, the Commando came up. The auctioneer called for an opening bid of $6000 and the price escalated in thousand dollar bundles to $11,000. Thirty seconds in and I was out of the race. Two dudes si ing next to each other then bid one against the other in $500 increments, with the hammer falling on $13,500. They could have organised that be er. I’d assumed they were mates but maybe not anymore. Bargains do happen. The cool ol’ WLA was expected to fetch as much as $16,000, but went for just $7000 when it a racted only two bids. A rough 1941 1200cc Harley Model U, also with no reserve but with expectations as high as $20K, a racted just one bid and sold for $8000. ARR
“I’ve owned three Norton Commandos over the years so you’d think I’d know better, but I fell for the green-and-silver, 1971 750 Fastback like a teenager getting his first feel.” As far as I could determine, all the bikes were in perfect condition, albeit not running. The expected price range for almost all of them was between eight and $12,000. I had 10 and a bit. With several hundred people bidding on 62 lots comprising 20 motorbikes, 26 cars, three numberplates and a varied assortment of shed accessories, auction night was no place for the faint-hearted. The auctioneer called it like a horse race, fast and furious and not without humour, but he was there to sell, not stuff around.
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 39
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MCKINNON
JUST ROLLING BILL MCKINNON
he Lemmings MCC (mo o: Death Before Courtesy) was holding one of its regular soirees at its country retreat, Wilson’s Tintaldra Hotel, on the Victorian side of the upper Murray River, near Corryong. I hasten to add here that I am not a Lemmings member, merely a favoured acolyte, lingering on the fringes of greatness, hoping to inhale some of the testosteronecharged alpha male charisma that makes this one of the world’s coolest motorcycle clubs. Rumour has it they knocked back Ewan McGregor’s membership application. Legends? Well, they think so… I asked editor Matho if he wanted to come along but he declined. He may have felt unworthy. As do we all. The Lemmings were bringing their women to this particular shindig, so I would also find out if the Harley, on which I’ve recently spent some time, effort and cash converting to two-up touring spec, would cut it as a long-distance bomber. It’s a 2008 Super Glide Custom. A strange choice for a tourer, you say, and that’s certainly true. I love the minimalism, (relative) lightness and lean chopperesque lines of Harley’s base-model big twin, though. It also goes around corners with more pace, angle and grace than the baggers. In standard form, it must be said, a Super Glide is be er suited to short rides rather than long ones. So I fi ed Harley’s Signature series touring seat, a lavishly padded, two-tiered couch with a slot behind the rider’s perch for an adjustable backrest. The Style Queen can also recline against a padded backrest on a mid-height sissy bar/ rack assembly. Heavy-duty Progressive 440 rear suspension and front springs, plus heavier
T
Five days on the road with the Style Queen and a Super Glide fork oil, were installed in the hope of ge ing a respectable ride/handling compromise. Two-up, the feeble standard Super Glide suspension can manage neither, let alone both, on NSW goat tracks. The trusty Gearsack fits perfectly over the sissy bar and sits on the rack; a pair of Gearsack throwover saddlebags are slung across the passenger seat without the need for brackets to prevent contact with the back wheel. I have trained the Style Queen to travel light, so this luggage setup is adequate for her requirements. I carry just a phone, money and hope. No form of satisfaction is quite as satisfying as realising that your ideas for making a bike work as you want it to are more or less correct. The humble Super Glide may be a basic, primitive touring machine in comparison with the plastic-wrapped, digitally festooned, infotainment system-encrusted, behemothproportioned loungerooms on wheels now favoured by the cognoscenti, but as we motored south through country NSW, this unlikely two-up tourer was a beautiful thing. On any Harley you have only a few centimetres of rear-wheel travel to play with, so ge ing acceptable compliance and comfort while also being able to absorb bump and crater-infested bitumen without bo oming out is difficult. The Progressives did it brilliantly. I had no complaints from the back seat and the bouncing, wallowing and general sloppiness inherent in the standard rear suspension was 95 per cent cured. The front end worked nicely too, with much more disciplined damping control and consistent roadholding than stock. Naked in the breeze, with all that metallic paint, chrome and stainless steel sparkling under a sunny blue sky and
the gorgeous 1584cc motor rhythmically punching the kilometres away at 100km/h, life was frickin’ delicious. It took us a couple of days to reach Tintaldra, with an overnight stop at the pub in Hill End, the old gold mining town north of Bathurst. I can’t tell you what the Lemmings got up to, because they’ll throw me over a cliff if I do. So please don’t ask. On our return trip, also via centralwestern NSW with an overnight stop in Gulgong, we hit rain. My usual MO in this situation is to resist stopping to put on wet weather gear in the hope that the rain won’t get too heavy and will soon clear. It never does, so by the time I decide it might be wise to don the plastic suit I’m already a drowned rat, at which point stopping is now futile, so I plough on, happy in my idiocy. However, when travelling with a woman this is not a viable strategy. The Style Queen pulled out her phone, showed me a radar map of the weather and made clear her intention to stay dry. We couldn’t escape the rain unless we detoured via Birdsville, but at least I knew where it was — on the mountain stretch of the Oxley, as usual — and how heavy it was going to be. Biblical, of course. So we suited up at Yarrowitch, with malevolent black clouds about to dump a tsunami upon us, then slithered our way across the mountain, almost under water. It’s the slowest trip I’ve ever done on the Oxley and could well be an all-time record. At one stage I even had a semi up my clacker. Still, I didn’t care. On a Harley Super Glide, two-up, rain or shine, you just roll with whatever lies down the road. It’s the only way to go touring. Five days wasn’t enough. ARR
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 41
GREGOR
SUZUKI, MCLAREN AND DAVE THE AUSSIE ENGINEER
GREG REYNOLDS
heard this story from my great mate Dave Mawer and it contains a small snippet of obscure, behind-the-scenes motorcycle racing history that you won’t hear anywhere else. It’s also a bloody funny yarn the way he tells it. Dave operates his Mawer Engineering business from a large shed on 25 acres at Orangeville. It’s a rural area about 20 minutes from the old Oran Park circuit and an hour from Eastern Creek. Dave is a story in himself but for our purposes all we need to know is that he has been one of Australia’s leading race car engineers for several decades. He is infinitely aware of all the latest technological advancements in all classes of racing and has many friends and connections in British F3 and Formula One. In short, he is a brilliant, innovative engineer who can design, fabricate and weld virtually anything. I guess that’s why he got the call. It was early 1993 and Kevin Schwantz and the Lucky Strike Suzuki team were in town. They had booked Eastern Creek Raceway exclusively for a few days of private pre-season testing of their updated RGV500. Security was very tight but the press were keen to get photos, so there were several long-range lenses pointed at Suzuki’s garage looking for a “scoop”. Dave was totally oblivious to all this when his phone rang one morning. It was an ARDC official saying the Suzuki team needed some welding done and that he had been highly recommended for the job. Dave explained that his welding gear
I
42 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
A funny thing happened in a shed somewhere outside Sydney before Kevin Schwantz won his 500cc GP world championship wasn’t that portable and offered to recommend someone else who could come to the track to do it. The official explained the Suzuki boys definitely didn’t want the welding done at the track. They particularly wanted Dave to do it and would actually prefer to travel to the privacy of his workshop. Dave agreed to take on the job and the official sent the Lucky Strike Team on their way with a map and directions to his workshop. This all happened mid-morning so Dave gave the shed a quick clean up and expected them to arrive within the hour. Lunch time came and went and Dave absorbed himself in his other jobs, assuming they must have found someone else to help them out. About 3pm, five hours after the phone call, a Toyota Coaster rental bus came tentatively up the dirt driveway and pulled up next to the shed. The Suzuki boys had finally found Dave’s workshop! They looked exhausted after their apparently epic journey and more than slightly bewildered at where they had ended up. The short, rotund figure of Suzuki race director Mr Itoh was the first to emerge from the bus. Built like a Sumo wrestler, he was almost as wide as he was tall and his big bald head shone in the afternoon sun. He was obviously the boss. Mr Itoh was flanked by six Japanese technicians and pommy team manager Garry Taylor, who was the acting interpreter. Garry did the introductions and explained they had a cracked frame that needed welding. The crew unloaded the RGV500 and wheeled it
into Dave’s workshop without its tank and bodywork. Dave took one look at the frame and something clicked instantly. He had seen finely crafted, elegant alloy structures like this before on the McLaren F1 car. Large sections of the Suzuki’s frame and swingarm had been machined from solid alloy billet and transformed into gorgeous thin-walled, finely webbed, super-rigid sculptures. It was a work of art. Dave smiled at Mr Itoh and uttered just one word: “McLaren.” There was a stunned silence for a moment as Mr Itoh’s face registered shock, reddened with horror, and then he exploded! He shouted heatedly in Japanese and gesticulated wildly, first at Dave, then at Garry Taylor. The crew followed suit, muttering loudly between themselves with shocked expressions. Garry came over to Dave and said, “This team is based at Woking in Surrey, England, just down the road from McLaren International. This project has been developed in the strictest secrecy and confidentiality. Itoh-san has just flown us half way around the world to test in big privacy in Australia. Then we drive out here to the edge of the earth and you take one look and say ‘McLaren’! Itoh-san wants to know who the hell you are and I want to know where the nearest hospital is because I think he’s going to have a bleedin’ heart attack!” Dave glanced over at Itoh-san, whose head and face were now a deep shade of red, and his expression as dark as thunder. Dave realised now why he had hit a raw nerve but he
GREGOR
“Itoh-san thrust an enormous wad of cash into Dave’s hand, bowed deeply and headed to the bus. He was closely followed by the crew wheeling the RGV” could also sense Garry’s willingness to find an easy solution. He then said conspiratorially, “Could you tell Itohsan that in Australia we sometimes say McLaren as a compliment to something of exceptional quality or superior engineering. I recognised that quality in the Suzuki and paid it
a compliment by saying McLaren.” Garry looked a bit dubious but he knew what was going on. He relayed the message to Itoh-san and after much discussion over the next few minutes the hullabaloo died down and Dave eventually got the go-ahead to start the job.
Now, when TIG welding large chunks of alloy, Dave has a habit of preheating it with the oxy first. As soon as he picked up the oxy torch, Itoh-san and the crew leapt up yelling, “Oi, oi, oi, oi,” and motioning him to stop. Dave had to get Garry to explain to them that he was only going to heat it gently and gradually to a temperature that he could still touch, not wreck their frame! The frame had a 120mm-long stress fracture from back near the cylinder head forward toward the steering head. Dave got the frame to the desired temperature, which he demonstrated by touching it with his hand. He then grabbed the TIG and laid down a nice, even bead of weld along the crack. As he lifted his visor to check the weld, Itoh-san’s shiny head appeared in his vision. He was inspecting the weld from mere centimetres away! Itoh-san then stepped back, saying enthusiastically in his heavy Japanese accent, “Very good, very good, very good, very good.” He bowed deeply from the waist. The crew followed suit, bowing and saying, “Very good, very good, very good,” so Dave gave a polite bow of his own. Moments later, Itoh-san thrust an enormous wad of cash into Dave’s hand, bowed deeply and headed to the bus. He was closely followed by the crew wheeling the RGV. Dave looked on nonplussed as they loaded up and took off down the road in the wrong direction! The whole operation had taken less than an hour. Kevin Schwantz won the 500cc world title that year on the RGV and Suzuki’s collaboration with McLaren gradually became common knowledge. Before the Australian GP the following year, Dave received a package in the mail from Lucky Strike Suzuki. In it were some pit passes for the GP and a certificate of appreciation for his assistance during their championship-winning year. It was signed by Itoh-san, Garry Taylor and Kevin Schwantz. Due to Suzuki’s generosity it even turned into the job that kept giving as the Grand Prix passes continued to arrive for several years. It must have been a nice weld. ARR AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 43
ON YER
44 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS
BIKE!
Stuck for ride ideas? Here’s a lazy 100 top destination ideas to get you on your bike STORY: MARK HINCHLIFFE PHOTOS: MH, ARR ow o en do we hear that it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey? Sure, ge ing there is a lot of the fun, but it’s always nice to have somewhere to aim for, or to have a destination to punch into the GPS, or maybe a place to look at bikes, some interesting scenery, perhaps a bike rally or motorsport event, or just a comfortable place with a hot shower and a cold beer to relax a er a long day’s ride. So we’ve put together a list of the 100 best destinations for motorcycle riders. It’s broken into sections for towns; events and rallies; bike museums; pubs, cafes and accommodation; and geographical or man-made points of interest. ►
H
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 45
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS ■ Texas is truly a motorcycle-friendly town
TOWNS 1 Texas, Qld: Top of our list as it’s the first mainland Australian town to declare itself Biker Friendly. The Stockman Hotel even has a free bikecleaning kit, hooks to hang your gear and heaters to dry wet gloves. 2 Mudgee, NSW: Wineries, beautiful tar and dirt roads and the meat-lover’s Butcher Shop Cafe are all good reasons to head north-west out of Sydney. 3 Margaret River, WA: Central to the wine, fine produce and beautiful coastal district, this town hosted the 2012 HOG Rally, so they like bikers. 4 Guyra, NSW: The highest point in the New England Highlands is always cool in summer and amid a rich vein of great roads. 5 Bicheno, Tas: Australia’s first Biker Friendly town has a motorcycle museum, scooter-riding mayor and great seafood by the sea. 6 Grafton, NSW: On the mighty Clarence River and hub of several great tar and dirt roads. Plenty of fresh local seafood or steak at the restaurants and cafes on either side of the river. 7 Jamieson, Vic: Also a hub for great tar and dirt roads around the rugged Lake Eildon National Park. 8 Birdsville, Qld: Prepare to pay through the nose for a beer at the iconic hotel, but be there for the riotous and debauched annual races in September. 9 Blinman, SA: You can reach it by well-maintained wiggly tar or dirt, with a breathtaking backdrop of mountains and a nice cold beer at the North Blinman Hotel. 46 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
10 Mt Morgan, Qld: Historical gold mining town with a well-restored railway station and, to the north, one of the few challenging roads in the region. 11 Hotham, Vic: Halfway point on the 110km romp on the Great Alpine Road from Omeo to Bright. Time to stop for photos and a refreshing drink and pizza at The General. 12 Silverton, NSW: This is the wild west where they filmed Mad Max II. It’s hot, dry, and the pub is a great watering hole with accommodation out the back. Tar road all but the last 100m. 13 Marysville, Vic: Strategically sited between the Ree on and Black spurs in the Yarra Ranges, two of the best
■ Getting to the top of the Simpson Desert’s Big Red is a badge of honour for any adventure rider
■ You can’t go to central Australia without taking the long detour to the Rock
biking roads in Australia. Spend some money and help the town rejuvenate a er the bushfire tragedy. 14 Erica, Vic: This Gippsland town is the start of the newly opened 180km Aberfeldy Track for off-road bikes and vehicles that traces gold rush paths over Baw Baw National Park. 15 Yallingup, WA: Carve up the Caves Road and settle in for a great indoor meal and warm up in winter at Swings & Roundabouts Winery, or try the historic and welcoming Yallingup Caves House Pub for a coldie in summer. 16 Jindabyne, NSW: Picturesque alpine resort town at the end of the
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS
■ Spectacular high country views from the Barry Way
boring Monaro Highway, but the start of the snaking tar of the majestic Alpine Way or the remote and dusty Barry Way. 17 Cooktown, Qld: Spectacular li le scenic town rife with backpacker beauties and a great stepping-off post for Daintree or Cape York adventure riding. 18 Alice Springs, NT: A couple of bike shops for repairs and new tyres before checking out the MacDonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon and Finke Desert. Be there for the hilarious Henley-on-Todd dry river “rega a” in August. 19 Coral Bay, WA: In the middle of nowhere, this place is an oasis off the ■ BMWs invade Gingers Creek on the incredible Oxley Highway
■ Distinguish yourself in September on the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride
main road. It has stunning coastal scenery, but beware of the white pointers in the water and in the hotel pool. 20 Fish Creek, Vic: One of the last stops before the wilderness of Wilson’s Promontory, this is a cute li le country town with B&Bs, trendy cafes and a great pub with a warm fire in winter. 21 Cania Gorge, Monto, Qld: A “dead end”, but a spectacular view of the lake and sandstone cliffs. There are two well-equipped campsites, but fuel up and take your own booze. 22 Wilmington, SA: On the way up to the spectacular Flinders Ranges, try the Horrocks Pass and stop off at the biker-friendly pub or Beautiful Valley
Cafe and check out the Toy Museum and old Land Rovers. 23 Halls Gap, Grampians, Vic: You could ride up and down the tar and dirt roads in and out of Halls Gap all day and not get sick of it. 24 Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula, Vic: Picturesque beyond belief, great for fish and chips and escaping Melbourne madness. Check out the views and beers at the Continental Hotel on the hill. 25 Sofala, NSW: Australia’s oldest gold-rush town is a cute li le historic village at the bo om of a gorge and in the middle of great tar and dusty roads between Bathurst and Mudgee. 26 Strahan, Tas: No ma er how you get there, you will enjoy the roads. Then book a flight or a cruise up the Franklin River, just for something different.
EVENTS/RALLIES 27 WSBK, MotoGP, Phillip Island, Vic: Racing pilgrims head to the famous Phillip Island in March and October to pay homage to the racing gods and play up. 28 Moto Expos: Three-time World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss is hosting expos in Brisbane in March and Melbourne in November. The Brisvegas show includes the Baylisstic Scramble Dirt Track Teams Challenge. 29 Off Centre Rally: Started about 30 years ago and every second year it’s held in a different state in a very remote location. It’s all word of mouth, but in 2014 it’s in northern Western Australia in August. ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 47
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS
“There are tantalising views, but keep your eyes on the road which swings all the way around in long and tight corners” ■ Go the bunnies! Inside Russell Crowe’s Museum of Interesting Things
■ Brisbane’s annual Laverda Concours is chock full of delectable machinery
30 Ruptured Budgie Rally, NSW: Name alone gives it away — it’s different. The Moto Guzzi club’s rally is open to all and held in the third weekend of May at Mingoola, about 50km west of Tenterfield. 31 Thunder Rally, Nundle, NSW: The 32nd annual rally is held in October at the Sheba Dams Recreation Area and features the usual prizes, plus a fishing competition. 32 Bombala Bike Show, NSW: Any reason to ride into the Snowy Mountains is valid, but this show attracts hundreds of riders and interesting bikes. Held in late
■ Australia has its own Speed Week salt races at SA’s Lake Gairdner
48 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
November, it is now in its 23rd year. 33 Laverda Motorcycle Show, Cleveland, Qld: Not restricted to Laverdas, this is the biggest motorcycle show in Queensland attracting thousands of riders and bikes, from bolt-perfect restos to wild customs. 34 APC Rally: In May, the nine-day off-road rally down the Great Dividing Range from Marburg to Wodonga will truly test man and machine. 35 Pink Ribbon Rides, all states: October is time to break out the pink and saddle up for rides in almost every capital city and provincial
centre in Australia in aid of breast cancer awareness. 36 Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride, all states: This new ride for men’s prostate cancer is in its third year and a racts men and moustachioed women on bobbers, cafe racers, ratbikes and classics in September. 37 Snowy Ride, Vic/NSW: Sponsored by Honda and in support of children’s cancer charities, this ride through the scenic Alps in November is the biggest motorcycle event of the year. 38 Black Dog Ride, all states: Hundreds set off from each capital city and head for Alice Springs in August in aid of mental health awareness. 39 Toy Runs, all states: December is toy run month where most bike clubs, chapters and branches stage toy runs to raise money and gi s for needy children at Christmas. 40 Lake Gairdner Speed Week, SA: From the weird to the wonderful, machines arrive from around the world to become record-book immortals at the Australian version of the famous Bonneville Speed Week. 41 HOG Rally, Cairns, Qld: The biggest single-brand motorcycle rally in Australia is now in its 23rd year and it’s being held in Cairns in May, which is a great reason to escape the southern cold. 42 Ballarat Swap Meet, Vic: The largest swap meet in Australia a racts more than 30,000 people and thousands of sites, so there’s a good chance of finding that widget for your 1930 Koehler Escoffier 500. 43 Le Mins 24-Hour Scooterthon, Qld: Amateurs and racing legends mix it on 50cc scooters for 24 hours. What could possibly go wrong? 44 Troy Bayliss Classic, Taree NSW: Watch the cream of Australia’s former
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS ■ Bicheno’s bike museum is an essential stop during a tour of Tassie
■ The Black Dog Ride converges from all over Australia
and current motorcycle greats fight it out in the dirt. 45 Finke Desert Race, NT: Honour the Queen’s Birthday by volunteering to be a marshal, refueller or track sweep and get up close and personal to the racers in this amazing two-day event.
MUSEUMS 46 Russell Crowe’s Museum of Interesting Things, Nymboida, NSW: Some of Rusty’s custom bikes, movie costumes and other paraphernalia. Also great tar touring roads and dirt adventure trails in the area.
47 Australian Motorcycle Museum, Haigslea, Qld: This museum features hundreds of mainly post-war racing bikes from Japan and Europe with some notable rare items. 48 The National Motorcycle Museum of Australia, Nabiac, NSW: Claimed to be the country’s largest and most extensive collection with about 800 vintage, veteran and classic bikes on display. 49 Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum, Tamworth, NSW: Mainly European and Japanese sports machines from the ‘50s to the ‘80s. An added a raction is nearby Thunderbolt’s Way. ■ There’s more than just bikes in Inverell’s National Transport Museum
50 National Motor Museum, Birdwood, SA: Although mainly cars, there is a big collection of bikes including one of the late Andy Caldeco ’s Dakar weapons. 51 Cola Museum, Toodyay, WA: If you’re touring the beautiful Avon Valley and enjoy nostalgia, this ‘50s-style cafe features retro music, generous food portions and a 6000-piece collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. 52 National Transport Museum, Inverell, NSW: A small collection of interesting historic bikes, but plenty of cars, buses and other vehicles. Stay in the Oxford Hotel where the owner also has a small bike collection. 53 National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst, NSW: Not a huge collection of race bikes, but the other obvious a raction is the track which is limited to 60km/h but over the top. Check first that there is no racing on. 54 Peterborough Motorcycle Museum, Peterborough, SA: What be er use for an old Baptist church than for objects of worship by riders? 55 Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, NSW: Not a long ride for Sydneysiders, but certainly worth the destination for people who want to see historically significant motorcycles.
PUBS/ ACCOMMODATION 56 Bearded Dragon, Tamborine, Qld: Sunday sessions always a ract plenty ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 49
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS
■ Silverton’s a unique detour outside Broken Hill, with a welcoming pub
of bikes, the occasional bike or car show and great live rock bands. No pokies is a bonus. 57 Blue Duck Inn, Anglers Res, Vic: Pack your foldable fishing rod as this scenic and historic inn is at the junction of three Alpine trout streams. It’s also on the challenging tar section of Omeo Highway. 58 Tattersalls Hotel, Emmaville, NSW: A big lockable shed and right across from the cop shop means your bike will be safe here a er a day riding the nearby national parks. 59 Bull and Barley Inn, Cambooya, Qld: Beautifully restored pub on the Darling Downs has a more-ish menu and is a hub for bikers on a Sunday ride. ■ The lovely old pub in Emmaville makes a great overnight stop
60 Laurel Hotel, Mitta Mitta, Vic: New owners are renovating this flea-bi en pub which sits by a rushing creek at the end of the twisting part-dirt Omeo “Highway” that’s expected to be fully sealed this year. 61 Lions Den Hotel, near Cooktown, Qld: If the food, cold beer, shady mango trees, collection of paraphernalia and snakes in jars don’t get you, the pre y backpacker barmaids will. 62 Cracow Hotel, Cracow, Qld: Owner Fred Brophy stages his boxing show here once a year and it’s the best fun you’ll have for $25. 63 Drake Hotel, Drake, NSW: It’s now called the Lunatic Hotel for a reason! It’s on the Bruxner Highway and near plenty of adventure riding areas. Motel rooms and dongas out the back are cheap and clean.
■ You’ll be smiling by the time your reach Blinman, whether you took the tar option or the dirt
50 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ The grand Bull and Barley attracts plenty of weekend riders
64 Victory Hotel, Sellicks Hill, SA: It sits at the top end of the short but deliciously squiggly Old Sellicks Road with a beautiful view over Sellicks Beach. A bit trendy but just right for BMW and Ducati riders. 65 Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, NSW: Ride the Northern Rivers roads, then stay overnight in one of 14 river-front vintage-style rooms and enjoy beer and a great nosh-up in the leafy beer garden. ►
INTRODUCING
THE BEST MOTORCYCLES Y O U ’ V E
E V E R
M A D E
We went on a journey to discover what’s next, and we did it
ran into the hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Project
our way. By riding, with other riders from all over the world,
RUSHMORE and the next generation of Harley-Davidson®
and talking about what we dream of in our machines. We set
motorcycles introduce category-leading technology and
out to re-imagine everything that innovation and modern
design enhancements that will change the way you think
technology can bring to a motorcycle, and turn it into true
and ride. Built by all of us, for all of us.
Milwaukee steel. We spent countless hours in the saddle. W W W. H - D . C O M . A U / R U S H M O R E
Thousands of riders gave their input. And the road tests
HARL10071_A
F R O M
R I D E R S
F O R
R I D E R S .
U N I T E D
B Y
T H E
A L L - N E W
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T O U R I N G
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OVERSEAS MODEL SHOWN. © 2013 H-D. HARLEY-DAVIDSON, H-D, HARLEY AND THE BAR & SHIELD LOGO ARE AMONG THE TRADEMARKS OF H-D MICHIGAN, LLC.
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS
■ You meet some of the oddest people at the character-filled Lions Den Hotel
■ The Jenolan Caves road goes through the caves and takes you to the old resort
■ Eat with custom bikes at Melbourne’s Gasolina
66 Crown Hotel, Grafton, NSW: Hub of several highways and byways both tar and dirt. The pub is right on the Clarence River and has a top restaurant with clean and cheap hotel or motel rooms. 67 Steampacket Hotel, Nelligen, NSW: At the end of the tantalising Kings Highway, right on the river and by the coast, this hotel is ideally situated and has huge and cheap meals with clean rooms. 68 The Pub with No Beer, Taylors Arm, NSW: This isn’t the original pub in the Slim Dusty song, but it’s in the heart of beautiful hinterland country and a network of winding back roads. And there really is beer. 52 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
69 Kingoonya Hotel, Kingoonya, SA: Adventure riders on their way to or from the Lake Gairdner Speed Week can shake the dust off at the newly reopened hotel on the widest main street in Australia.
CAFES 70 Bellbird Creek Tea House, Kenilworth, Qld: Very popular with bikers wanting to ride the smooth and squiggly tar into Kenilworth. Owner is also a biker. 71 Outpost Cafe, Canungra, Qld: Stepping-off cafe for the Numinbah Valley, Border Ranges and Gold Coast hinterland roads. Great mushrooms on toast for brekky.
72 Ace Cafe, Birdwood, SA: Near the Birdwood Museum in the Adelaide hills, this is a copy of the famous London motorcycle cafe of the same name. It’s also a B&B. 73 Gasolina, South Wharf, Melbourne: The owner of this trendy cafe/garage helped design the Holden Monaro and Lamborghini Murcielago but is now into custom bikes which are everywhere. 74 Maiala Teahouse, Mt Glorious, Qld: The state’s best motorcycle road snakes past the front door and hundreds of mid-week meanderers and weekend warriors vouch for the coffee and conversation. 75 Deus Cafe, Camperdown, NSW: Brekky, lunch or dinner, it’s always good to sit among the bikes and gear from this cool custom motorcycle brand. The food is generous and tasty too. 76 Garage Motorcycles Cafe, Strathalbyn, SA: Head down the winding Ashbourne or Paris Creek roads and have a break with your ►
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS
■ Overlooking Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula
■ South of Hobart
■ Horrocks Pass, the Beautiful Valley Cafe and this old museum are good reasons to stop in at Wilmington, SA
mates over coffee. They usually have motorcycle racing on the big-screen plasma TV. 77 Juan’s Cafe del Fuego, Dorrigo, NSW: Juan has a small collection of bikes and motorcycle memorabilia, plus great food and a host of superb tar and dirt roads in this beautifully scenic region. 78 Joe’s Garage, Hobart, Tas: Surround yourself in car and motorcycle revheads and join the lively pool comp while sipping a few coldies and listening to some great music. 79 Tony’s Cafe, Underwood, Qld: This multi-brand dealership has been built around the central cafe area. Sit among the many different bikes and watch bike racing on the big screens. 80 Mt Elephant Pancakes, St Marys, Tas: Blast up the winding and narrow Elephant Pass and stop off for some delicious and filling pancakes. Then head on to St Marys and back down St Marys Pass to the coast. 81 Gingers Creek Cafe, Oxley Highway, NSW: A er climbing the wiggly Oxley
■ The Bellbird Creek Cafe is a popular Sunday destination
54 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
up the Great Dividing Range, you’ll need a break for a good cuppa, a fuel top-up, a chat with other riders and a look at the impressive view. 82 The Old Road Cafe, Mt White, NSW: Despite a heavy police presence on the Old Pacific Highway, it’s still a mecca for riders. The cafe serves great coffee, all-day breakfast and top pizzas. 83 Robert Stein Winery & Vineyard, Mudgee, NSW: Combine wine and motorcycles with a trip to their museum of motorcycles and biker memorabilia which is free. There’s also a Motorbike Collection range of wines. 84 Amberlight Cafe, Lobethal, SA: Adelaide bikers are spoilt for choice
■ Mt Glorious could have been named for the road that winds up and down its flanks
with biker roads, but this popular cafe is a good midway point if you are doing the circuit up the Gorge Road and back down the Adelaide-Lobethal Road.
POINTS OF INTEREST 85 Point of Interest, Qld: This is a hole in a mountain about 100km west of remote Windorah that is more famous for the “Point of Interest” sign that points to it. 86 Cameron Corner: Adventurers mark the spot where three states meet at a pub that o en pumps with gorgeous backpackers. 87 Uluru/Katatjura, NT: Iconic and spiritual heart of Australia can be ►
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& ACCOMMODATION
26 E Fitzroy Street, Walcha P: (02) 6777 1117 E: royalcaf@bigpond.net.au www.walcharoyalcafe.com.au
A great dining experience with function room, licensed bar and excellent accommodation. With a relaxed & friendly environment we are the perfect spot for a quick bite or to celebrate a night out with a group. Come and see why Royal Cafe is the place that’s got it all ...
Dine in or takeaway Healthy & tasty menu Function room Licensed bar Excellent accommodation • Queen to single rooms to semi self contained cottage • Lock up sheds & drying room available
FACILITIES:
• • • • •
8679 Putty Rd, Putty NSW 2330 P: (02) 6579 7015 E: info@greygumcafe.com.au www.greygumcafe.com.au
Exactly halfway between Windsor and Singleton. Perfect stopping place for travellers from Blue Mountains to Hunter Valley and vice versa. On 27 acres of Australian Bush. Cafe style food and unique gifts. State of the art amenities including showers and visor cleaning facilities. Dedicated concrete motorcycle parking. Award winning coffee.
FACILITIES:
FACILITIES: Hang loose, hit the juice at the Snow Goose. Situated in the town centre, close to Mt Selwyn
Snow Goose Hotel Motel
(for snow skiing) and
Cnr Baker & Denison Streets Adaminaby NSW 2629 P: (02) 6454 2202 F: (02) 6454 2608 E: thesnowgoosehotel @bigpond.com
bushwalking. Enjoy a
beautiful Eucumbene for boating, fishing, barbeques and meal in the country
Restaurant Bar Bottle shop Motel/Hotel rooms Backpacker accommodation • Lock up area for bikes • Games/ recreation room
• • • • •
style dining room
APSLEY ARMS HOTEL 33 N Derby Street, Walcha NSW 2354 Where the Oxley Hwy meets Thunderbolt’s Way
Experience a real Australian bush pub circa 1880. Modern accommodation with self-serve continental breakfast included. Bistro and bar meals. Reviewed and recommended in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Pub Food Guide.
and family bistro entertainment.
FACILITIES:
A short walk to the main Street Cafés, Restaurants, shops, Parks, Pubs & Clubs. Enjoy a scenic drive to visit 11 Church Street, GLOUCESTER the Barrington Tops NSW 2422 National Park. Go kayaking, fishing, P: 0427 588 205 E: coppershill1@bigpond.com horse riding or sample some fresh www.coppershill.com local produce.
COPPERS HILL
• Discount for group bookings • Clean, modern accommodation • Great food & friendly bars • Garage for bikes • Guest lounge room with TV • Function room • Bistro area & The Green Room wine & cider bar
P: (02) 6777 2502 www.apsleyarms.com.au
with weekend
GLOUCESTER ACCOMMODATION
• Cafe style menu • Installed showers • Visor cleaning facilities • Concrete motorcycle parking strip • Open 7am - 5pm 7 days • Opportunity to camp on site • Free camping available bike groups.
• • • • • • • • • •
3 Ensuite Rooms Air-conditioned Private Entrance Queen-sized bed Quiet Location Fridge, TV Tea, Coffee $110 Double/night $90 Single/night 1 minute walk to main Street
FACILITIES: The Mallacoota Hotel Motel is conveniently situated in Mallacoota’s main street close to shopping, playgrounds, tourist information and easy access to all that Mallacoota and Croajingolong National
51-55 Maurice Avenue, Mallacoota VIC 3892 (PO Box 43) P: (03) 5158 0455 F: (02) 5158 0453 E: inncoota@bigpond.net.au www.mallacootahotel.com.au
Park have to offer.
• • • • • •
Bistro TAB Sky Channel Bottleshop Beer garden Air conditioned rooms • Secure parking • Saltwater pool
Just minutes to the fabulous beaches and walking tracks of the Wilderness Coast.
TO ADVERTISE IN ROADRIDER
CALL JOHN 02 9887 0331 www.mallacootahotel.com.au
100 BEST RIDING DESTINATIONS ■ Pausing on the way to Nelligen on the NSW south coast
viewed from many kilometres away and will entice you off your bike to explore on foot. 88 Kakadu, NT: Boasts waterholes like Gunlom and rock art like that at Ubirr, not to mention the pubs along the way and both dirt and tar roads. 89 Cradle Mountain, Tas: You’ll be entertained all the way to the Lake St Clair National Park on the twisty tar and then be astounded by the postcardperfect views where the road ends. 90 Big Red, Qld: The largest sand dune in the southern hemisphere is a challenge but has been conquered by a Holden HQ with a big run-up, so you have to give it a go. 91 Jenolan Caves, NSW: Entry from east or west is a joy of squiggly tar roads. Stay overnight in the kitsch
Swiss-style hotel and explore the caves. 92 Arno’s Wall, Winton, Qld: Arno Grotjahn has cemented old motorcycle parts, domestic appliances, machinery, typewriters, sewing machines etc into this 70m wall behind the Australian Hotel. 93 Zig Zag Scenic Drive, Perth, WA: This narrow, one-way road drops 100m in 3km through Gooseberry Hill National Park and provides spectacular views of Perth. And it’s one of the few twisty roads in hundreds of kays. 94 Dalmorton Tunnel, NSW: A 50m tunnel hewn out of solid granite a couple of centuries ago on the dirt section of the Old Grafton-Glen Innes Road which meanders by the Mann River.
95 Bus near Cameron Corner, SA: You can actually see the former Sydney 1952 Leyland double-decker yellow bus on Google and it’s worth the stop to see the graffitied wreck. 96 Wave Rock, Hyden, WA: A good 350km from the capital, but worth the ride for the iconic 15m-high waveshaped rock formation. 97 Cape York, Qld: One of the last remaining real adventures is to ride to the top of Australia and stand at the tip of Cape York. 98 Dalhousie Springs, SA: It’s a long way to go for a hot bath at the western end of the Simpson Desert but it’s worth it. 99 Litchfield National Park, NT: Unusual for the Territory, there are plenty of corners on the way out. When you get there you will see waterfalls, magnetic termite nests and a sandstone Lost City. 100 Twelve Apostles, Vic: Well, not quite 12 anymore, but many riders enjoying the Great Ocean Road just whizz past these amazing natural structures and never stop to check them out ... before they’re all gone! ARR
■ Parked at Cania Gorge, Queensland
■ Riding along the shores of Lake Jindabyne
■ Contemplating Grafton’s hectic pace…
56 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
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ULTIM TRAVEL If ROAD RIDER has done anything well since day one, it’s making sense of motorcycle travel. We’ve learnt a thing or two about it and it’s time to pass on some of our best advice
STORY: MICK MATHESON he first time you toured on a motorcycle, did you pack too much? Try to ride too far? Get bored on the Hume Highway? Run out of fuel somewhere? Yep, there are much be er ways to go about travelling on a motorcycle. My first tour was a 10,000km odyssey of coast roads, country detours and outback tracks on an overloaded motorcycle. I ran out of money, broke the bike and got stuck in the middle of nowhere. Not that it wasn’t great. The misadventures made it so much more than a good ride. The memories still make me smile. It was a journey of discovery — me discovering the real joy of motorcycling, me discovering parts of Australia I’d dreamed about, me discovering more about me. And me discovering a hell of a lot of knowledge that’d make the second trip much more successful! Every time I go away I learn more. I sat down with a few of ARR’s contributors and we came up with way too many tips to print. We reckon this list of 100 contains the best of them. Whether you’re new to touring or an old hand, you’re bound to get some value out of them. ►
T
58 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
100 TOURING TIPS
ATE TIPS ►
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 59
100 TOURING TIPS ■ GPS navigation is a wonderful thing … until the batteries go flat. Take a map too
■ Booking your accommodation in advance means you won’t be stuck with a park bench to sleep on
■ Dial in your suspension according to the weight you’re carrying
PLANNING There’s no doubt about it, prior planning prevents poor performance. 1. Book accommodation whenever possible so you know you’ll have a bed at the end of the day. 2. Tyres can’t always be bought here and now. If one’s wearing out, ring a shop a couple of days ahead to tee it up. 3. Is your bike due for a service en route? Include a workshop in your itinerary and book the job days in advance. 4. If your plan goes awry, relax and make a new one. One that’s achievable under the new circumstances. 5. Despite all your plans, be flexible. Change them on a whim. Take a detour.
6. Go online and check out reviews and comments on places you plan to stay at or visit. 7. Do a budget. Estimate your costs for the tour and make sure you’ve got the money. 8. For most of Australia, spring and autumn are the best times to plan a trip. Not too hot, not too cold. 9. Remember that inland Australia, even in the deserts, gets sub-zero at night in
winter. Morning rides can be cold! 10. If you’re touring in winter, remember the days are shorter (more so in the southern states, of course). 11. Set tyre pressures to suit your load, for be er grip, handling and wear. 12. Set your suspension to suit the load, too, for the same reasons. 13. Signing up for roadside assistance could take the pain out of a crash or breakdown.
“18. Roads that follow the coast, rivers or ridges, or climb mountains are likely to be most fun”
■ Find winding roads along a river, along the coast or in the mountains
■ Fill her up … on the way into town, at the end of the day and well before you run out!
60 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
100 TOURING TIPS ■ Travelling alone means doing it all your own way. Bliss!
■ It’s all too easy to forget to leave a safe gap between you and your mates
ROUTES It’s not about getting from A to B, it’s all about how you get there. 14. Get adventurous: try roads you haven’t ridden before. 15. Resist the temptation to use motorways. Back roads are always more interesting. 16. Plot your routes in the GPS before leaving, but take a map as a back-up. 17. Don’t plan any routes. Instead, see where each day leads you. It’s a great way to travel. 18. Roads that follow the coast, rivers or ridges, or climb mountains, are likely to be most fun. 19. Keep daily distances on the shorter side so you can stop and enjoy what’s along the way. 20. As a rule, touring up to 400km a day on good tar roads is easy. 21. For a 400-600km day, don’t waste time along the way or it’ll become a long day. 22. If you want to do 600km or more, it’s a bit of a mission so keep the momentum going all day. 23. A 1000km day is a serious proposition. Work up to it if you don’t know what it’s all about.
carefully. You quickly get to know their faults. 28. Ride at your own pace, especially if your mates are faster. You’ll never be far behind. 29. If you’re two-up, your itinerary needs to be for both of you. 30. Intercoms and bike-to-bike communications are excellent modern technology, so invest in it. 31. Intercoms and bike-to-bike communications are not everyone’s cup of conversation… 32. Leave safe gaps between bikes. It’s easy to neglect this in a group.
33. Cars can’t safely overtake a closeriding group of slow bikes. Leave space — for your own sake if not theirs.
THE DAILY ROUTINE Forming habits will make your trip go smoothly … assuming they’re good habits like these. 34. Always stop for fuel at least 50km (even 100km) before you’ll run out. It can be a long way between towns. 35. Fuel up at the very end of each day so you can just get on and go in the morning. 36. Fill up on the way into town. Servos are ►
■ Do a budget for your tour. It’s no good if you run out of money halfway through!
■ Have you set the tyre pressure to suit your load?
■ You’ll have a great time away if you go with your mates
■ If there are two of you touring, make it a ride you’ll both enjoy
ONE OR MORE To travel alone or not to travel alone, that is the question. 24. Travel alone. It’s liberating and the ultimate escape. 25. Travel with mates. It’s always a great time away. 26. The more people you travel with, the slower you’ll go on average each day. 27. Pick your touring companions
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 61
100 TOURING TIPS ■ Packing light, compact gear reduces your load significantly
■ Handlebar risers are one of several accessories that can transform your bike’s fit
rarely on your side of the road on the way out again. 37. Lube your chain while it’s still hot at the end of each day’s ride so the oil penetrates and sticks be er. 38. Make sure to thoroughly clean your visor every evening. 39. Monitor tyre wear, not just for legality but for uneven wear that indicates an adjustment is necessary. 40. Avoid dawn, dusk and night time in the country and you’ll avoid most of the wildlife. 41. Spend your loose change or you’ll walk around with pocketfuls of coins a er a few days.
“35. Fuel up at the end of each day so you can just get on and go in the morning” 47. A small tankbag doesn’t get in the way and keeps things like cameras handy. 48. Choose quality tie-downs like ROK Straps over ockies. Stretchy ones are miles be er than non-stretch. 49. Secure your load! Make sure it won’t
fall off or slip into the chain or wheel. 50. Ziplock bags keep everything dry, from phones to clothes. Also great for dirty socks etc. 51. Don’t pack in a way that tempts thieves or makes it easy for them. 52. Protect your bike’s finish by pu ing tape on its bodywork where so luggage or straps come in contact with it. 53. Don’t pack your bags to bursting point. A er day one you’ll never get it back in again. 54. Post home any souvenirs you buy. 55. Post home anything you realise you don’t need to be carrying.
PACKING We’ve got a bunch of tips to help make one of motorcycling’s biggest challenges a lot easier. 42. Pack light and compact! Buy lightweight gear and take only the essentials. 43. You really can tour with nothing more than a toothbrush and credit card. 44. If you don’t have enough room for everything you think you need, it’s time to re-evaluate how you define “the essentials”. 45. Keep your load low and centred on the bike: heavy items in panniers or saddlebags, lighter ones on the seat or in the top box. 46. Regardless of weight, the things you frequently need should not be stashed at the bo om of a bag. 62 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ The ultimate kit for the unadorned motorcycle tourer?
■ A small tank bag is very handy and shouldn’t get in the way
■ Ziplock bags are great for keeping things dry
■ Fill your bags to a comfortable level, not stuffed to bursting
100 TOURING TIPS
■ We swear by Leatherman multi-tools, such as the handy One Handed Tool or the slightly heavier-duty Super Tool 300
TOOLS As well as the regular tools you need for your bike, these won’t steer you wrong. 56. Leatherman. You’ll probably use it several times a day. 57. LED head torch. 58. Puncture repair kit with canisters. Know how to use it… 59. Cable ties can fix almost anything. 60. Quality race or duct tape can fix almost anything the cable ties can’t. 61. Having a spare fuel filter can sometimes avert a roadside recovery. o Duct tape and cable ties, saviours of many a motorcyclist
■ Earplugs will stop you going deaf. Custom ones such as these Earmolds allow for music without requiring excessive, damaging volume
■ Don’t forget the wets!
CLOTHING AND KIT Put a little bit of thought into your mobile wardrobe. 62. Pack the minimum of socks, jocks and T-shirts, then use a motel shower or laundromat to wash them when necessary. 63. Comfy pants and light footwear (thongs, sneakers) are worth bringing for when you’re off the bike. 64. If there’s the remotest chance of cool weather, pack for the cold. 65. Don’t tour in hot climates wearing your winter gear. If the trip is going to
take a few months, you can afford more versatile gear. 66. Consider bringing two pairs of gloves, one for cold days, one for warm ones. 67. Quick-drying clothes are preferable in case you get drenched in bad weather. There’s nothing worse than ge ing dressed in wet gear.
COMFORT A comfy tourer is a happy tourer. These bits of advice will keep you happy. 68. Use an Airhawk or similar seat enhancer if your seat isn’t good enough. 69. Consider adjustments for comfort: handlebar risers, different footpeg mounts, adjustable pedals/levers. 70. If your screen’s airflow isn’t smooth, fit a deflector, such as Wunderlich’s adjustable one. 71. Pack your wet weather gear. Good gear, too. 72. Keep water out by tucking gloves into sleeves and boots under pants. 73. Use ear plugs. Saves you from going deaf or developing tinnitus. 74. Stay hydrated. It’s critical. A hydration pack is virtually essential. 75. Monitor and manage fatigue, which may well be the biggest danger this side of the handlebars. 76. Protect your face and neck from the sun. 77. Rug up. The cold can have the same effect on riding ability as alcohol. 78. Eat a decent breakfast and have a light lunch, remembering that low-GI foods will keep you going longer. ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 63
100 TOURING TIPS ■ Know your limits when it comes to adventurous routes, but don’t be afraid to push them a little
r A SPOT tracker or similar device could save your life, or just get you out of a bind more easily
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Here are 10 tips just for adventure riders. 79. Knobby tyres don’t last as long but they are so much be er on dirt roads, especially bad dirt roads. 80. Get maps that show the li le tracks and ensure your GPS shows dirt roads. 81. Don’t be scared of trying the roads that look more difficult, but know your limitations.
82. Plan your fuel stops! 83. Let your tyres down in loose or sandy conditions and carry a mini compressor or pump. 84. Invest in the lightest, most compact camping gear you can afford. 85. If you’re travelling alone in remote areas, sign up for a Find Me SPOT tracker or similar way to send an alert if you get into trouble.
86. Take extra water and a li le food in case you get delayed or stuck way out there. 87. All the dust, dirt and bugs on your headlight significantly reduce its brightness, so clean it if you have to ride a er dark. 88. Give your air filter regular a ention, even daily. It’s amazing how clogged it can get out there. ► ■ Plan your fuel stops in the outback or bush. It can be a long time between drinks
■ Dirty air filters mean reduced performance and extra fuel consumption. Wash them regularly!
64 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
100 TOURING TIPS
■ The lighter and simpler your camping gear, the better
■ Get your first-aid skills up to speed and carry a kit with you ■ Record the highlights (and lowlights!) on a quality camera you can keep in your pocket
■ Use 91RON fuel if you have no choice, but just add enough to get you to somewhere with 95
THE OTHER TIPS To round out our 100 tips, here are some that stand alone. 89. Keep your first-aid skills and knowledge up to scratch. 90. If you can only get 91RON fuel in a town, use it, but maybe just put in enough to get you to the next town where 95RON might be available. 91. Ask locals about road conditions, places to go and anything else. 92. Take everything the locals say with a grain of salt, especially concerning road conditions. 93. If you don’t know the road, ride with a greater margin for error. 94. If your bike feels different today, take the hint and check it out. 66 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
95. Photographs and a diary will bring it back to you in the future, and can even become a simple ebook when you get home. 96. Don’t neglect your own backyard. A bike tour can be very local. 97. Don’t put off till tomorrow any ride you can do today. 98. Motorcycle touring does not run flawlessly. Don’t expect it to. Don’t be surprised when it doesn’t. 99. Other riders are a great source of info about routes and places. Ask on large forums such as www.facebook.com/ AustralianRoadRider, where there’s over 6000 people to give advice. 100. Never forget that a bad day on tour beats a good day at work. ARR
“94. If your bike feels different today, take the hint and check it out”
BEST BIK
of 100
issues If there’s one thing we know at ARR, it’s motorcycles. We’ve ridden a few. Here are our 100 favourites
STORY: GEOFF SEDDON PHOTOS: ARR ARCHIVE ne hundred issues. Two thousand test bikes. Four million photos of the Bear. Well, that’s what it feels like a er being locked in my shed for a week with every blessed issue of Australian Road Rider. My mission was to come up with the top 100 bikes ever tested by this beaut magazine. Predictably, it starts with a Ducati. ►
O
68 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
100TH ISSUE SPECIAL
ES
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 69
20 BEST SPORTS BIKES Ducati 1198S The ultimate derivative of the mighty 916 launched way back in 1994, the 1198S is the fastest, best-handling, most soulful and desirable motorcycle I have ever ridden. BMW S 1000 RR Bugger tradition. If you want to build the world’s best superbike, start from scratch, fill it full of technology, then aim for the stars. Lucky they put a badge on it because I’d never have picked it for a Beemer. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade The bike that ditched Honda’s Captain Sensible reputation 22 years ago is ageing well. The ’Blade “delivers benchmark motorcycling to the sports rider”, we said in issue 12, and that was the 900. Bimota DB8 Like Elle MacPherson, the DB8 is the stuff of pure fantasy. What do you say about a girl, I mean a bike, that’s almost too beautiful to ride? How about, can I buy you a drink? MV Agusta F4 750S Of all the reborn Italian marques, MV Agusta has garnered lasting success by building the hardest-edged, leastcompromised and best-looking bikes on the planet. Here’s the first. Yamaha YZF-R1 ARR has had a long love affair with the R1, even if “it is simply not possible to test motorcycles like this on public roads”, as we said in #21. Not ge ing any easier, I’ll give you the tip. Triumph Daytona 675 Who’d have thought Triumph would ever again build the world’s best mid-range
■ Aprilia RSV4 Factory
sportsbike? Sharp styling, sharper handling and more spunk than a B&S Ball. Ducati 1199 Panigale S How do you follow a bike as good as the 1198S? With a new frame, new engine, new clothes and a bucketful of techno. It’s early days, but I expect the 1199 will move up lists like this in time. Suzuki GSX-R1000 “If someone told you that you were looking at the GSX-R750 chassis with a 1000cc engine dropped in, you’d believe them,” we said in issue 16, adding it was “the performance bike”. Aprilia RSV4 Factory Dearer than Gonski, the 1000cc V4 Aprilia ■ Buell 1125R
70 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
was about as close as you could get to riding a genuine WSC contender on the road. Bonus points for not being red. BMW R1100S In smooth hands on choppy regional back roads, one of the fastest point-to-point motorcycles ever built, and a more-thanworthy successor to the legendary R90S. Kawasaki ZX-10R The equal of its peers, apart from comfort. “If there is a winner in this class, given the reasons people buy these kinds of bikes, the ZX-10R is probably it,” we sniffed in issue 42. Triumph Thruxton Sixty-eight horsepower my arse, but otherwise one of my all-time favourite ■ Yamaha FJR1300
100TH ISSUE SPECIAL the Jap bikes we rode when we didn’t ride Jap bikes. Buell 1125R An acquired taste, for scratchers who like the rumble of a Harley. Rode a few and can’t say I ever came to grips with one, but I’ve been overtaken by some who have.
■ Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa
20 BEST TOURING BIKES
motorcycles. “It is a bike that actively invites the hoon that resides in every one of us to have a go,” we said in issue 28. Moto Guzzi V7 Racer We’ve tested a zillion Guzzis over the years, but this one’s my favourite. It’s not how fast you go, sonny, it’s how cool you look doing it. Honkawasuziyam 600R Yes, a cop-out, but buggered if I can pick between the Honda CBR600RR, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Suzuki GSX-R600 and Yamaha YZF-R6. Sometimes less is more, and all deserve a place. Ducati Supersport 900 My personal tastes lean to the 1992 “whiteframe”, but ARR wasn’t around then. As
■ Moto Guzzi Norge 1200 GT
simple a sports motorcycle as was ever built, with an engine that won’t die (touch wood). Aprilia RSV Mille Fast, small, sounds fantastic, easy to ride, also not red. But is it really an Italian bike? Here’s proof, from our test in issue 22: “The mirrors are admi edly useless at any speed.” Suzuki GSX-R750 I started testing GSX-R750s in 1986 and I’ve never ridden one I didn’t like. The 1100s were always a handful, but the 750s were as tasty as cherry pie, every single one of them. Triumph Daytona 955i We tested a shedload of three- and fourcylinder Trumpies in the early issues, and this was the pick of the crop. They were
Honda GL1800 Goldwing In an earlier life, I did 4000km in a week, two-up, on a GL1500 and nothing will ever come close in terms of comfort, performance and amenity. In for a penny, in for a pound, I say. Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa Another all-time favourite, the ’Busa not only makes a wonderfully comfortable, easyto-ride touring bike, it doubles as a handy commuter, scratcher and 200mph landspeed salt racer. Moto Guzzi California Not the pre iest bird in the cage, but spend a weekend away with one and you’ll find that beauty is more than skin deep. The ultimate Italian-American motorcycle. Ducati ST4 There are some, like me, who think all real Ducatis have clip-ons and rear-sets. Well, they can be comfortable and have panniers too. Who’d a thunk? We loved the ST2 as well. Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic You wouldn’t want to be in a hurry, but the sheer road presence of these buggers is reason enough to buy one. A lot of bike for a lot of money. Yamaha FJR1300 The Japanese wrote the book on big, heavy ►
■ BMW R1200R Roadster
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 71
100TH ISSUE SPECIAL
“Even the most dyedin-the-wool sports bike freak will find a great deal of pleasure in punting a Road King around”
■ Harley-Davidson Road King
four-cylinder whales, and this one’s a corker. Properly set up, it’s a fast, stable bike, perfect for your next Sydney-Perth record a empt. Honda VFR800 This has been a perennial favourite of the magazine, for all the right reasons. “This bike does so much, so well … the VFR800 is the best bike on the road,” we gushed in issue 15. BMW K1600GTL Smooth six-cylinder engine adds a delightful rasp to the perfect Teutonic tourer, with more apps than an iPhone 5. Not for Luddites. Kawasaki ZZ-R1100 Awesome bike, like the ZX-10 before it. Back in issue 2, the Bear needed a bike to get from Sydney to Mallacoota in a hurry. He was there before he le . Ducati SportClassic GT 1000 The reincarnation of the revered GT750 is the pick of the retro air-cooled line of Ducatis. Looks the part, comfy, handles, stops, goes like stink. I’ll have a red one. Harley-Davidson Road King “Even the most dyed-in-the-wool sports bike freak, if he only allowed himself to relax, will find a great deal of pleasure in punting a Road King around.” Well, I’ve always liked them. Triumph Sprint ST A er a 1200km day, our tester wrote, “I couldn’t have asked for a be er bike, or a safer one.” Cool vibes from the 1050cc triple was the icing on the cake. Victory Vision I first saw one of these at the MotoGP a year ago and I’m still ge ing over it. Goldwing 72 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
meets Electra Glide in a tsunami of American style and taste. Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird The model was showing its age by the time we tested it in issue 40, but there’s still a lot to like. A favourite of baby boomers who cut their teeth on big Jappas back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Suzuki SV1000S Along with its li le sister the SV650, the SV1000S introduced hordes of Suzuki riders to the undeniable charms of a bigbooming V-twin motorcycle. Awesome rally bike and a genuine all-rounder. BMW K1200LT “A 7-Series on two wheels,” we said in ■ Honda VFR800
issue 6. Personally, four-cylinder Beemers leave me as cold as a wet jacket no ma er how many wheels they have, but we are a broad church. Triumph Trophy 1200 This was the early vision of the reincarnated Hinckley Triumph factory, desperate to distance itself from the old Meridan pushrod twins and triples. Mission accomplished! Honda Valkyrie Tourer Sometimes Honda forgets to take its medication and pulls unforge able classics out of the box, like the Valkyrie. Add some panniers and Soichiro’s your uncle.
■ Victory Vision
100TH ISSUE SPECIAL ■ Harley-Davidson FLS Softail Slim
■ KTM 990 Super Duke
Kawasaki 1400GTR Not as sleek as the ZZ-R1100, but even more capable, especially with ABS. This is why they call the parent factory Kawasaki Heavy Industries. A mile muncher with few equals. Moto Guzzi Norge 1200 GT For our 30th wedding anniversary, the bride and I rekindled our passion for two-up fun on a Norge 1200 GT a er a 20-year break raising kids. Did the job and the bike was pre y good too.
20 BEST CRUISERS Harley-Davidson FXDWGI If it was just me, I’d fill this whole section
■ Triumph Thunderbird
with Harleys, even if many of the clones are be er to ride. The Wide Glide evokes the first factory customs of the 1970s, albeit with a reliable engine. Yamaha XVS650 Custom One of the all-time great-selling motorcycles, the innocuous XVS Yammie is as friendly as a Labrador puppy. Cheap to buy, cheap to run and no-one’s gunna steal it. Triumph Thunderbird The capacity and presence of a Harley in vertical twin form: it sounds so obvious now but this was a major shi for Triumph that paid off in spades. Yamaha Road Star Prior to the Road Star, the Japanese assiduously avoided copying Harleys but all bets were now off. We described it in issue 6 as “an American motorcycle, made in Japan”. Ducati Diavel I still remember the day I first saw one of these. Instead of doing an Italian Harley, Ducati did its own thing, a unique blend of style and performance unlike anything before. Bravo! Victory Judge Man oh man, what a big call this was! An all-new made-in-the-USA brand delivers a fresh take on the quintessential American motorcycle. Balls as big as pistons! Suzuki Boulevard M109R The 1783cc Boulevard boasted “the largest reciprocating engine pistons of any production passenger car or motorcycle in the world”.
BMW R 1200 C So ugly, it’s beautiful. “This is really different from anything else,” we said, stating the obvious in issue 1. “Not sure who’s going to buy it but if they like the style, they’ll like the ride.” Honda VTX 1800 If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Honda goes bigger, longer and heavier in its own a empt to clone the great American motorcycle. Harley-Davidson FLS Softail Slim While others follow, the custodians of cool show they’ve still got it with this cutdown urban bobber variant of the 30-yearold So ail. Indian Chief I really want to like this bike but the fake side-valve cylinder heads looked like plastic under the harsh lights of the Sydney Motorcycle Show and gave me a raging so on. Happy to be proved wrong. Kawasaki Vulcan VN2000 I wrote decades ago that nobody would be seen dead riding a Japanese clone of a Harley. Wrong! This one ticks all the boxes, with 2053cc and a wheelbase to match. Triumph Bonneville America “The America is a very successful broadening of the Bonneville line and I suspect it’s not the last,” we predicted in issue 18. Especially suited to those short of arse. Yamaha XV1900 Roadliner Of all the Japarleys, this one’s my personal favourite, mostly due to the cool Art Deco treatment around the tank. A very handsome bike whichever way you look at it. ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 73
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100TH ISSUE SPECIAL Hyosung GV650 Aquila “The Hyosung Aquila will appeal to a lot of riders — especially to new ones with few preconceptions — and so it should,” we said in issue 36. We got that one right. Moto Guzzi 1400 Custom A California without the ugly pills. “The Custom is much more to my taste and I suspect I’m not alone,” said our tester in issue 94. “You may be pleasantly surprised.” Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter “Kawasaki has copied a 1930s Indian,” we declared back in issue 8, “a good choice.” The copycat styling is as shameless as they come, but it always worked for me. Triumph Rocket III A distinctive bike, that’s for sure, but I must disclose that I have actually ridden one and my old man always said if you can’t say something nice about something, say nothing. Honda VT750C “In 2003, the VT750C was the best-selling road bike in Australia,” we reported, surprised as anybody, in issue 27. The new ’04 model added sha -drive and was good value at $11K ride-away. Hossstyle Barbarian V8 Are you kidding? A motorcycle powered by a 350ci Chev V8? And you can get it registered? For those who want to stand out on the freeway. ■ Victory Judge
■ Hossstyle Barbarian V8
20 BEST ROADSTERS Triumph Bonneville The best Triumph since the 1968 T120R got a lot of old buggers back into motorcycling while simultaneously a racting a whole new crew of young urban hipsters. Love it. Ducati Streetfighter 848 The ultimate urban hoon bike and hinterland blaster, as sexy and dangerous as a fiery Italian mistress. The “li le” 848 is a bit easier to tame than big sister, but you still have to hang on. Harley-Davidson V-Rod The first new Harley in memory combines 916-like engine performance with a dragfriendly chassis and crowd-stopping style. I was a bit anti these on release, but the more I ride ’em, the more I like ’em. Yamaha XJR1300 “There was a time when there was no such thing as a naked bike or a dressed one,” we
reminisced in issue 16. “They were just bikes.” KTM LC-4 640 Supermotard This early cross-over model is equally at home blowing off Panigales up the Old Road as pulling through-the-gears monos in the inner city. Honda CB1300 Styled like a naked CB1100R, the jack-of-alltrades CB1300 “is a lovely bike,” we opined in issue 28. Proved the Japanese factories have a rich past worth mining too. Triumph Speed Triple “Looks like the essence of a street fighter,” we said in issue 33, “and acts like it too.” Ride one in Queensland and it’s straight off to prison. MV Agusta Brutale An angry bike for angry urban terrorists broadens the appeal of this revered marque. Having all its bits on show is like reading the Black Label edition of Penthouse. ► ■ Ducati Diavel
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 75
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100TH ISSUE SPECIAL
■ Ducati Multistrada Skyhook
Yamaha MT-01 “A large, slow-revving engine can do pre y much anything a smaller revvier engine can do — and add a couple of extras as well.” One for the iconoclast in all of us. Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 In a world of retro re-issues, the Harley Sportster (born 1957) never went away. Perfect city bike and, depending on the model, more fun than you’d think on a winding road. Triumph Street Triple 675 Lacks the brawn and bad-arse traffic presence of the Speed Triple, but just as quick across town and pops be er monos. KTM 990 Super Duke “If a bit of aggro is your deal, check out the Super Duke,” we wrote in issue 34. Aggro? In ARR? Surely not! Superlative urban road warrior cum scratcher. Also not red. Moto Guzzi Griso The Griso was welcome relief from a small factory otherwise trapped in its past. I’ve never actually ridden one of these but I’d sure like to.
Suzuki GSX1400 “You can’t beat cubic inches,” was our tag to this test in issue 18. You’re not wrong! I nearly bought a new GSX1100 way back when; always preferred them to Katanas. BMW R1200R Roadster Naked doesn’t always mean sexy, especially when it comes to your parents and BMW motorcycles. A sensible choice for sensible riders, and nothing wrong with that. Kawasaki W800 We described the W650 in issue 10 as “a truly classic looker”, and that was before Deus Ex Machina started building bobbers out of them. The later W800 is even be er. Ducati Monster 750 Hardly new by issue 10 but deserves a spot for reintroducing the world to the joys of naked sports bikes more than 20 years ago. “Monsters are fun,” we wrote, “and 750 Monsters are the most fun of all.” Yamaha VMAX Too much motorbike for this black duck, but you can’t deny its presence. The late, great Peter Smith rode one, which gets it over the line. Kawasaki Z1000 “The 1000 is a knockout and looks even be er in the metal … smaller, more compact and just beautiful,” we dribbled in issue 23. Extra points for not cloning the ‘70s version. Royal Enfield Bullet I spent more time at the Enfield stand at the recent Sydney Motorcycle Show than I did at any stand other than Ducati and Bimota. Cool as cucumbers and cheap as chips.
12 BEST ADVENTURE BIKES ■ Kawasaki W800
BMW R1200GS A clear winner here by a country mile,
■ Yamaha VMAX ■ Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic
as you’d expect of the bike that invented the class. The big GS in all its forms is the ultimate cross-country blaster. Honda Varadero Honda was the first to take on BMW’s GS by coming up with a “dual-purpose sports bike”, the first of its breed, as we reported in issue 7. “What exciting times we live in,” we fawned. Ducati Multistrada Skyhook She’s no Cagiva Elefant, that’s for sure. Electronics bring off-road performance to a hitherto unimaginable level, but try ge ing your knee down on the tar. Suzuki DR650SE “The DR is an evolutionary throwback among the new highly specialised dirt bikes,” we said, and that was in issue 11! Ask Matho what he’d take around the world. KTM 1190 Adventure The new 1190 “is more mainstream in its design and more versatile and practical for it … the technology — mechanical and electronic — is perfect for the role”. ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 77
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8 BEST LEARNER BIKES
■ BMW R1200GS
Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport “Triumph hasn’t just tweaked at the whiskers of the much-loved Tiger,” we waxed lyrically in issue 95, “it’s taken a long stick and prodded it through the cage, arousing a growling, ravenous animal.” Jeepers. Yamaha XTZ660 Ténéré “Mild performance is a plus, at least for riders who are not dirt pros,” we said in issue 13. “If it was as good looking as it was practical, Yamaha would be beating buyers back with sticks.” BMW F800GS Adventure “I still don’t know why it took so long, but be er late than never,” we summed up in issue 96. “The F800GS Adventure was worth the wait.” Aprilia Caponord I caught up with Justin Law when he
■ Kawasaki Ninja 300
was testing this. Like me, he was never that confident off the tar, but the Aprilia’s electronics converted him. No cops on the dirt, bro. Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 I’ve always wondered if Strom was a typo for Storm. Whatever, the sweet V-twin is equally at home on tar and well-formed dirt, and as popular as free beer. BMW F650GS Not man enough, or tall enough, for the 1200? We picked the gentle F 650, successor to the quaintly named Funduro, as the Beemer for normal-sized folk. Triumph Scrambler Triumph redefines dual purpose with a commuter that looks like a vintage trail bike, and why not? “You are Steve McQueen,” we said in issue 37, “at least for a li le while.”
Honda SL230 Hey, don’t take it from me, here’s a quote from issue 5: “I can’t think of any way this bike could have been designed be er.” Well, that’s that then. Ducati Monster 620ie The Aussie distributors reacted quickly to the new learner legal rules, and a whole generation of urban youth got to start their motorcycling lives on a desmodromic V-twin. Kawasaki Ninja 300 Australia’s most popular learner bike offers sports bike styling in an easy-to-ride package, with healthy resale values when you trade up to a bigger, badder Ninja. Honda VTR250 “Let’s start by forgiving Honda for creating the VTRs in the Monster’s image,” we said in issue 9. Sold ’em by the shipload. Hyosung Aquila 250 Just like the Hyundai Excel in the late 1980s, the first Hyosung introduced Korean manufacturing to a sceptical new audience … and totally nailed it. Suzuki GS500 This bike has been around, largely unchanged, since Ned Kelly. It was always a very easy bike to ride and makes a reasonable fist of touring and scratching. Yamaha SRV250 Renaissance The li le Yammie is one of the sweetest, best-looking 250s I’ve ever laid eyes on. No idea what it goes like, but its proportions are perfect. BMW G650GS Like the baby Monster, the G 650 gives learner wives and girlfriends the opportunity to start out on a prestigious brand just like hubby’s. ARR
■ KTM 1190 Adventure R
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 79
80 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
top 100 SONGS FOR THE ROAD With Bluetooth and helmet speakers, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t tune into our fave motorbiking songs STORY: STEVIE JORDON ver had that “life’s a movie” feeling while blasting down the highway or on a coastal or country back road? Sometimes it’s hard not to imagine a camera panning the scene as you and your bike disappear into the horizon. In the Hollywood flicks there’s always an epic soundtrack which helps set the mood; beating in time to the hum of the exhaust, the right song can magically capture the moment.
E
During the course of our 100 editions, ARR has covered an immeasurable amount of miles on countless roads and throughout this time, our trusty iPod has seen more than its fair share of use! The playlists have changed a li le over the years but remain more eclectic than a drag queen’s wardrobe. We wanted to share some of the tracks that are worthy of making the ARR Ultimate Riding Soundtrack: Top 100 Songs for the Road, having inspired and defined some of the experiences we’ve had along the way. ►
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 81
r Aww, even the rebels you met back then must have been the nicest people
r Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” is a much darker song than the album cover…
r Arlo Guthrie, son of Woody, gave us several quirky songs, including various renditions of “The Motorcycle Song”
r Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild” is one of the classic motorcycle songs and, though a little clichéd now, it isn’t as bad as the period promo photos!
ROCK’N’ROLL HITS Elvis himself rode a Harley but Rock’n’Roll is synonymous with motorcycles for so many more reasons. Advertising boards were adorned with pretty girls sitting side-saddle on equally pretty bikes, surf culture was on the rise and the Beach Boys were even writing songs about “groovy little motorbikes”. Like the music of the time, motorcycle riding was at its innocent best throughout the Rock’n’Roll years. So rock’n’ride on, we say. “Hound Dog” — Elvis Presley “Johnny B Goode” — Chuck Berry “Good Vibrations” — The Beach Boys 82 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
BEST OF THE ’60S
genius of Aretha Franklin to some of the greatest artists in guitar music’s history, the 1960s offers a magnitude of ultimate riding songs. It will come as no surprise that any list featuring The Stones, Hendrix, Zeppelin and The Who was always going to be difficult to judge, but Bob Dylan comes out on top simply because of his enchanting lyrics in “Like a Rolling Stone”.
Compiling 10 songs from one of music’s finest decades is a tough job. The Swinging ‘60s was jam-packed with riding music perfectly suited to the open road and care-free attitude of the time. From the dulcet tones of Marvin Gaye and the Motown
“Like a Rolling Stone” — Bob Dylan “She Loves You” — The Beatles “All Along the Watch Tower” — Jimmy Hendrix “Heard it Through the Grape Vine” — Marvin Gaye
“Summertime Blues” — Eddie Cochran “Bo Diddley” — Bo Diddley “Great Balls of Fire” — Jerry Lee Lewis “Let’s Have a Party” — Wanda Jackson “Blue Suede Shoes” — Carl Perkins “Mess Around” — Ray Charles “Good Golly Miss Molly” — Little Richard
THE ULTIMATE RIDING SOUNDTRACK
r Three of the four in Led Zep. Drummer John Bonham was a renowned petrolhead r Elvis: nothing but a hound dog on a hog?
“My Generation” — The Who “Sympathy for the Devil” — The Rolling Stones “Whole Lotta Love” — Led Zeppelin “Waiting for the Man” — The Velvet Underground “Respect” — Aretha Franklin “Louie Louie” — The Kingsmen
BEST OF THE ’70S The decade of punk, glam rock and disco was crowned by brilliant musicians such as The Clash, Sex Pistols and Fleetwood Mac. The truth is we could have compiled the Top 100 Songs for the Road with music from the 1970s alone. Top spot is reserved for David Bowie’s “Heroes” because riding to this song rewards like nothing else. We’re pretty sure it’s the
r There’s nothing like a bit of Clash on the open road
BEST OF THE ’90S closest thing to turning your bike into a time machine — destination: 1977. “Heroes” — David Bowie “Walk on the Wild Side” — Lou Reed “Another Brick in the Wall” (Parts 1&2) — Pink Floyd “Heart of Glass” — Blondie “London Calling” — The Clash “Go Your Own Way” — Fleetwood Mac “God Save the Queen” — Sex Pistols “Teenage Kicks” — The Undertones “Psycho Killer” — Talking Heads “ABC” — Jackson 5
The 1990s gave us the Spice Girls, Boyzone, Backstreet Boys, Shaggy and Pato Banton (if you remember the latter you’re doing well). Despite all this, some epic tracks managed to sneak out of a rather forgotten decade (musically speaking). Luckily a few have withstood the test of time and become known as some of the greatest records ever. Featuring Brit pop gurus Oasis and Blur — as well as legends such as Bruce Springsteen, Beck and Santana — our Best of the ►
BEST OF THE ’80S The 1980s wasn’t only about bad fashion and even worse hair. From stadium rock to the origins of indie music, this diverse era gave us a number of iconic songs. If you are old enough to remember riding in the ‘80s, chances are you would have been playing these tracks on your Walkman. And if you weren’t, you should have been. “In Between Days” — The Cure “The Mercy Seat” — Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “Sweet Child O’ Mine” — Guns ‘N’ Roses “Ghost Town” — The Specials “The Magnificent Seven” — The Clash “Blue Monday” — New Order “Love Will Tear Us Apart” — Joy Division “Graceland” — Paul Simon “When Doves Cry” — Prince “This Charming Man” — The Smiths
r Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” is one of many of the band’s songs that’ll rock the inside of your helmet
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 83
THE ULTIMATE RIDING SOUNDTRACK
r Yeah, but a purple, 400cc, automatic Honda twin? Really?
r Forget “2000”, Silverchair had all sorts of great anthems
‘90s is as asserted as any other list on these pages. No ‘90s top 10 would be complete without honouring Kurt Cobain, whose band, Nirvana, deservedly comes in at #1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” — Nirvana “Supersonic” — Oasis “Song 2” — Blur “Smooth” — Santana, featuring Rob Thomas “Loaded” — Primal Scream “Brimful of Asha” — Cornershop “Losing My Religion” — REM “Movin’” — Supergrass “Loser” — Beck “Sabotage” — Beastie Boys
r Johnny Cash gets very rock ’n’ roll
84 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
BEST OF 2013 (SO FAR)
BEST OF 1999 (YEAR OF ARR EDITION 1)
From this year’s biggest hits to a selection of more alternative tracks, our Best of 2013 (so far) features songs we think will still be on our playlist in a few years to come. Thanks to the likes of Parisian super DJs Da Punk, rap god Kanye West and ultimate cool kids Kings of Leon, 2013 has been a bumper year of anthems which are perfectly suited to the ultimate riding soundtrack.
It was the year in which China resumed sovereignty over Macao, the Euro currency was born, and The Sopranos smashed all ratings on the box. And while The Matrix prepared to wow cinema audiences across the globe and the Harry Potter phenomenon geared up to new heights, there was one other very significant event — Australian Road Rider published its first edition! Meanwhile, the music charts were being propped up by the likes of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera along with a host of Latino-themed tracks from Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Lou Bega. We thought it would be fitting to honour the 100 editions that have passed since then by including the best songs from the year we published ARR#1. Before you ask, Prince partied like it was 1999 in 1982 — so that particular record doesn’t make it, unfortunately. ►
“Supersoaker” — Kings of Leon “Get Lucky” — Daft Punk, featuring Pharrell Williams “Bound 2” — Kanye West “I Love It” — Icona Pop “I Need Your Love” — Calvin Harris, featuring Ellie Goulding “Blurred Lines” — Robin Thicke, featuring Pharrell Williams “Tongue Tied” — Grouplove “Black White & Blue” — Ladyhawke “Babel” — Mumford & Sons “Diane Young” — Vampire Weekend
r Bikes, nudes, phallic symbols and Kanye West
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THE ULTIMATE RIDING SOUNDTRACK “American Woman” — Lenny Kravitz “Scar Tissue” — Red Hot Chili Peppers “My Name Is” — Eminem “Don’t Call Me Baby” — Madison Avenue “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” — The Offspring “Last Kiss” — Pearl Jam “Kiss Me” — Sixpence None the Richer “Beautiful Stranger” — Madonna “Burning Down the House” — Tom Jones (featuring The Cardigans) “Anthem for the Year 2000” — Silverchair
ROAD TRIP CLASSICS The records in this shortlist are all included because each can define that magical, indescribable moment when it’s just the bike and you (and maybe some of your mates too). These are songs that will make you shout “play it again!” so you can sing inside your helmet over and over. Good times. “Ring of Fire” — Johnny Cash “You Really Got Me” — The Kinks “Magic Carpet Ride” — Steppenwolf “Poison” — Alice Cooper “That’s Life” — Frank Sinatra “Blinded by the Light” — Manfred Mann “Around the World” — Daft Punk “Bad Moon Rising” — Creedence Clearwater Revival “Last Night” — The Strokes “Riders on the Storm” — The Doors
ULTIMATE MOTORCYCLE SONGS Who said motorcycle songs were a
r Meat Loaf's classic album cover tells you all you need to know
cliché? A list featuring the likes of Neil Young and Manic Street Preachers shouldn’t be taken lightly. Okay, maybe Steppenwolf’s smash hit Born to be Wild is a bit of a cliché, but it’s also the definitive riding record — and for good reason. Don’t believe us? Try to imagine Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda tearing down the freeway in Easy Rider to another soundtrack. It just doesn’t work, right? “Born to be Wild” — Steppenwolf “Motorcycle Emptiness” — Manic Street Preachers “Leader of the Pack” — The Shangri-Las “The Motorcycle Song” — Arlo Guthrie “Motorcycle Cowboy” — Merle Haggard “Motorcycle Mama” — Neil Young “Bat Out of Hell” — Meatloaf “Motorcycle” — Love and Rockets
r You may be heading down your own highway to hell but AC/DC gives you added incentive to get there quickly
86 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
r Bob Seger looks like he’ll want to roll away soon or get wet
“Roll Me Away” — Bob Seger “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” — Richard Thompson
HARD ROCK & METAL Some road trips are just made for hard-core rock or metal. There’s something about the thrash of guitars and thud of drums mixed with a mean baseline which pairs the heavy stuff with certain rides. AC/DC, Kiss and Motorhead deservedly round up the podium spots to highlight just some of the legendary acts to feature in the category. ARR “Ace of Spades” — Motorhead “Rock and Roll All Night” — Kiss “Highway to Hell” — AC/DC “Enter Sandman” — Metallica “Paranoid” — Black Sabbath “Hallowed Be Thy Name” — Iron Maiden “Chop Suey” — System of a Down “Running With the Devil” — Van Halen “Breaking the law” — Judas Priest “Reign in Blood” — Slayer
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DUCATI MTS1200S GT
four
REASONS IN
oNE
STORY: AUSTIN RYMER PHOTOS: HEATHER WARE ucati claims its Granturismo is the Swiss Army knife of motorcycling. A do-anything, be-anywhere all-rounder. For a few grand more than the price of the top-ofthe-line Multistrada, you or I could buy four motorcycles to cover all of the bases this Ducati claims to blanket. Considering more is more, and more is less, wouldn’t that be a conundrum? At first glimpse of the digital dash, lit up like a Space Shu le, it indicates almost anything in motorcycling is possible. Enduro, Urban, Touring and Sport are on the menu. Is it be er to have four individual bikes to cover the four genres or one amalgamated, superb and expensive motorcycle to get the job done? Ducati believes the la er, and at $30,490 I’m ready to test the theory. How about the simple and effective new Husqvarna TR650 Terra for $8495 to
D
Stress comes from dealing with adverse or demanding circumstances. It says a lot that the Ducati Multistrada is stress-free
get all dirty with? Only $6990 will see you on a Honda CB500 twin for urban duties. A miniscule $6990 is all you need to get on a decent CFMoto TK650, which will get you rollin’ around the countryside with a smashingly well-appointed tourer. Need a bulk amount of litre-plus horsepower? The best-valued sporty on the market is the exceptionally well-priced 1250cc Suzuki Bandit at $12,090. The privilege of owning four cheapish bikes will ring up the cash register to the tune of $34,565. Then you have to register and maintain each of them. From Sydney’s snarling traffic on a 40°C day to the full gamut of solo touring and a sma ering of carting my fashionably sensible partner around, I managed to strip off for a spot of sports fanging so the Ducati could strut its stuff. The 10-spoked lightweight alloy rims even managed to swallow an un-Ducati-like serving of dirty back roads to round out grand-touring duties Australian-style.
Shoving a 150hp (110kW) superbikederived engine into a trellis frame, bound by 17-inch wheels fore and a , makes an interesting and potent package that Matho covered exceptionally well in issue #91’s test of the MTS1200S Touring (“Livin’ With Technologies”). For the Granturismo, Ducati ramped up the touring equation with the addition of 73L panniers, a 48L top case, centrestand, LED spotlights, side protection bars and be er seats. From almost any angle, the Multi is an imposing beast. The panniers hang out too much and the top-case pushed Adele a li le too far forward on the much-improved, so er, supportive seat. The higher screen still uses the well-designed release-andli method and the aggressive beak in combination with the handguards and four lights increases the menacing fronton T-Rex look. Sound-wise, the 1200 is mild compared to a few recent stints on friends’ Multistradas running a ermarket mufflers. ►
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 89
DUCATI MTS1200S GT
■ The MTS is great two-up, particularly with its quickly adjusted and finely tuneable suspension behaviour
The MTS fuels to perfection and the first ride was very civil and uncannily smooth. My pillion preferred the lower power se ings. I don’t believe she appreciated me flicking into Sports mode, lighting the thro le and li ing off the deck in second and third. If anything, this Ducati is primarily a sporty tourer and that’s its natural se ing. Dialling in rider plus passenger and adding luggage into the electronically adjustable suspension system, with the power at the full quota on a notso-sharp thro le response, the world seemed near prefect. Adele felt from her not-overlyexperienced rear (seat location, not behind) the Duke was more stable, smoother, and more comfortable and had be er control in that se ing than any other modes or se ings we experimented with. I’d concur, even if I was slightly distracted trying to keep my licence. This will be a pastime most Multistrada pilots will be occupied with. Avoid too much twisting the go-drum in first gear due to its wheelie proneness, and forget sixth at any speed under 110km/h as it is an 90 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
“The MTS fuels to perfection and the first ride was very civil and uncannily smooth” KEEP GOING Gone are the days of my old 860 V-twin, my single-cylinder 250 Desmo and (I shouldn’t even type this) my 500 parallel twin requiring monthly if not daily servicing. Advanced materials and engineering techniques have enabled service intervals to be extended. The first service is knocked over at 1000km, every other “oil” service rolls over at 12,000-kay intervals and the distance between major “desmo” service intervals (valve clearance check, timing belts changed, sparkplugs and air filter) are stretched to an owner-friendly 24,000km. Beats a bevel any day!
overdrive that doesn’t come into its own until 130km/h. The acceleration in the remaining four gears is phenomenal to the point of ridiculous, but oh so addictive. The power delivery is
DUCATI MTS1200S GT unusual. Down low there is immediate and instant response, yet so er than the Aprilia Caponord and BMW 1200GS. That suits the pillion and doesn’t catch them out if you are aiming to be smooth and not too greedy. The midrange is well sorted for keeping you moving along at a fast rate. Prodigious with the effect of light inertia, it is exciting solo and safe with two on board. Three to six thousand revs is the zone, with superbike excitement above it, when maybe Randy Mamola should offer to be your pilot with a set
of tank-mounted hand grips. One thing the Ducati is never short of is the ability to leave you with a satisfied grin at the end of the day’s adventure. The seat and overall comfort is good, not great, but an over-riding smile is produced by the feel-good package. Every Ducati has that feeling programmed in its DNA and for a not-so-mundane touring sportie, the Testastre a 11° engine doesn’t miss out. I liked the completely involving interaction with the technology. The myriad permutations are fun to learn
but you can still be a slave to that techno beast. Almost everything can be changed or adjusted on the fly, but sometimes that diverts your a ention ►
LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP Ducati is so certain about the brilliance of the Multistrada Granturismo that the company is backing it up with a 12-month loan to ARR so we can put it through a longterm test, starting next issue. Ducati Australia’s general manager, Warren Lee, put a couple of thousand kays on the clock before we raced over to Fraser’s at Homebush and took it home before he could change his mind. He looked like he’d miss it… The MTS is perfectly suited to someone who regularly rides hundreds of kays on any ride, covers mostly tar roads but some dirt too, and often takes rougher back roads to get where he’s going. Which would be me. So it’s perfectly logical and not at all selfish of me to have adopted the Ducati as my own for the duration. Sorry, Ralph. — MICK MATHESON
■ From here it looks big and bulky but it never feels that way and loves roads like this
■ The wide wheels and low-profile tyres add performance on the tar but good electronics mean they’re less of a hindrance on dirt
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DUCATI MTS1200S GT
o Pannier mounts are quite unobtrusive, while those exhaust outlets look funky
o The liquid-cooled Ducatis are a much easier proposition with 12,000km service intervals
from the road to the dash. Heads-up displays are only the next generation away and that will be worth waiting for. For now, know that the Multistrada is one very sophisticated machine for most tech-heads! Braking is the same as every other Ducati I’ve ridden lately — brilliant, sensitive with great feel from the twin-front 320mm Brembos, while the rear 245mm brake is as weak as a politician’s commitment. Bosch’s ABS 9ME braking system has ensured the standard fitment equals the best available technology and that’s why I would want stronger hardware at the 92 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
rear, especially as the bike is designed to be loaded and the rear brake has a lot more load and work to do. Riding two-up suits the chassis but it does highlight the amount of front-end suspension travel, which is consumed under heavy braking. The 170mm of travel at each end is pre y generous and with the Skyhook DSS system it does cope with our cruel, under-funded roads. Steering wise, the front end is light and predictable if you are just cruising along two-up. If you choose to dispense with the panniers, topbox and the seat-mounted speed limiter, then the Ducati does
o Front brakes are brilliant and backed by switchable ABS
like to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck for fast sports riding. Steering is noticeably slower without the weight and livelier when exiting corners, even with the standard steering damper. The bike hunkers down in Sports mode, the suspension response is tighter and the 1200 can motor with the best of them. In fact, it can all but motor beyond most of them. I found an annoying front-end clunk very occasionally when the bike was topping out with some bumps under positive thro le. Maybe the DSS system was ge ing tricked or perhaps this was more a physical noise, but it didn’t stop
DUCATI MTS1200S GT
“Dialling in the electronically adjustable suspension, with the power at the full quota on a not-so-sharp throttle response, the world seemed near perfect”
r Styling, especially the front end, isn’t to every Ducati fan’s taste but it’s growing on us
PILLION PRIDE Hadn’t seen my guy for at least a week and hadn’t been on the back of a bike for some time. Somehow scooters don’t count. I was excited to be heading out to Wollombi for a re-introduction to touring on a motorcycle before diving into the big miles we have planned. It was a fast ride. Lots of corners, lots of leaning, and lots of revisiting how to be a pillion — smile — holding on tight and leaning in. The Ducati was fast and smooth around the corners heading out to Wollombi. As we accelerated I held on
me from mu ering, “Oh my god, this bike is fast, real fast” under my helmet. Most of us think Goldwing when we strategise how much we need to pack and where it will all fit when serious touring becomes a pastime. Ducati provides a ton of space for a sporty bike and the topbox and panniers swallowed what I would consider normal space eaters like spare shoes, extra tools (I always carry extra for other people and believe in the “if I have it I won’t need it” principle) and puncture repair kits. The temperature gauge on the extremely detailed dash showed a range from 9°C to 40°C and we had to pack accordingly. Thoughtfully, Ducati raised the handlebars 20mm and the screen is higher, which reduces noise and buffeting. It is still in your face compared to a BMW GS — speaking of which, the Ducati creams the BMW
tight, feeling exposed without the top box to keep me feeling safe from falling off the back as the bike hit peak acceleration. Well, it’s what seemed “peak” to me for that first ride. On the way back we explored the different electronic modes, which created a smoother ride. The following day with all the gear on I had a definite feeling of being “contained,” with no doubt of sliding off the back on acceleration. However, with the panniers and the top box in place, the foot pegs seemed to be in the wrong place — my
in the handlebar warmers stakes and a er-dark lighting. If anything, given some of the abuse I received, the superwhite lights were almost too much until I found the adjustment. I’ll never be afraid of the dark again. Brilliant. Most motorcycles these days leave you wondering if there is something missing. The Multistrada isn’t an exception, although the list is almost too trite to mention. Any machine with this potential and a fly-by-wire thro le system deserves a cruise control and to be really picky, a tank-bag included in the kit wouldn’t go astray. The item I wouldn’t change is its ability to be extremely frugal, gulping less than 5.2L/100km most of the time whether I was solo, commuting, cruising or laden but legal. The only time the 380km range would be compromised is when you pull the pin and spend the majority of the riding ►
legs felt cramped and awkward around the handy panniers. The Multistrada was a nice ride. A fast ride with my guy. A sporty, fast feel with comfort. Would I like this bike in the garage? Yes. For me, it’s just like having a yacht in the bay, creating a sense of freedom, an option to jump on and escape the routine of life, visiting new places, sharing new experiences and being totally in the moment. Your mind can’t afford to wander too much as you are plummeting into the next corner on this Ducati. — Adele Johns
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DUCATI MTS1200S GT
r In this era of disjointed styling, the MTS looks quite “whole”
r Wired: the suspension is fully adjustable by electronics, front and rear, with semi-active damping control as well
r Quality rear suspension copes with a wide range of use. That’s a 12V outlet above it
r Crash protection is part of the Granturismo package
■ Fully loaded, with suspension dialled in electronically, the Granturismo is a real GT-style tourer
QUICKSPECS Model: Ducati Multistrada MTS1200 S Granturismo Price: $30,490 (plus on-road charges) Warranty: Two years, unlimited distance Servicing intervals: 12,000km Engine: Liquid-cooled 90º V-twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. Variable engine mapping. Variable traction control Bore x stroke: 106 x 67.9mm Displacement: 1198cc Compression: 11.5:1 Power: 110kW @ 9250rpm Torque: 125Nm @ 7500rpm Transmission: 6-speed gearbox, wet multi-plate slipper clutch, chain final drive
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Frame: Steel trellis Suspension: Front, 48mm Sachs USD fork, 170mm travel. Rear, single Sachs shock, 170mm travel. Electronic preload (rear only) and damping adjustment. Semi-active (DSS) Dimensions: Seat height, 850mm, weight 217kg (dry)/245kg (kerb), fuel capacity 20L, wheelbase 1530mm, rake 25º, trail 110mm, clearance 170mm Tyres: Front, 120/70ZR17. Rear, 190/55ZR17 Brakes: Front, twin 320mm discs with 4-piston calipers. Rear, single 245mm disc with twin-piston caliper. Multise ing, proportional ABS Colours: Touring Grey, Red Verdict: Bear Grylls meets Swiss Army knife. Go anywhere, do anything, fast
time enjoying the true potential of its 110kW. How does a machine with a top speed of over 250km/h get be er fuel economy than some LAMS bikes? Matho went as far as calling the challenge that the Multistrada S Touring might be “the best motorcycle on the market today” and I’d add that for $2000 more, the Granturismo is be er again than his Touring. I would easily enter a long-term relationship with this Ducati rather than dallying around with the four competent but comparatively insignificant motorcycles I brought up earlier. Personally, for me it is a li le too sporty, a li le too focused and way beyond my means. That said, it is easily one of the best motorcycles on the market today. And you can quote me! ARR
STUNT Small, punchy and balanced, Yamaha’s triple-cylinder MT-09 is pure fun STORY MICK MATHESON PHOTOGRAPHY BRANDAN THORNE, COLIN CHAN, YAMAHA he world would be a poorer place without triples. How did they not become one of the dominant engines of motorcycling? Why did they barely register on the riders’ radar despite appearing every decade since WWII? What drove the great leap to fours before triples had a chance to se le in? Surely the MV Agusta triples that won so many GP championships should have been a clue. Perhaps the BSA Rocket 3 and Triumph Trident — the same bike with different badges — arrived too late in the life of the Brit bike industry to convince anyone they were the way of the future. Maybe the Kawasakis and Suzukis failed because they were two-strokes, not because they were triples. And maybe if Laverda hadn’t been silly enough to use a 180° cranksha … So many ifs, buts and maybes, and we could mention several other bikes,
T
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like BMW K75s, but we won’t. Let’s just be thankful that the modern makers of Triumph were obstinate enough to make a point of three-cylinder pride when they realised they couldn’t make a four to save their corporate souls. That’s right, folks: if the Poms had clobbered the Japs with a four of their own, I doubt we’d be here on this MT-09 today. It’s unlikely MV Agusta would be mucking about with its new triples either. Like Triumph, MV has a history in threecylinder success to rest on. As it happens, Yamaha does too — six years of the XS750 and XS850. More recently, Yamaha has had triples in outboards and snowmobiles, and we’re not talking irrelevant twostrokes but impressively performing four-strokes. Add a bit of MotoGP-derived technology and you have the MT-09, Yamaha’s first three-cylinder motorcycle since 1981. Shame we had to wait so long! The MT-09 is as fun as a tree full of monkeys. I fell in love with this bike on day one. I don’t know how many kays I did that
day, but it started out with a cross-city commute in peak hour, continued with closed-course fanging on the road course of the Farm on the NSW Central Coast, and finished with a four-hour thrash on back roads, all accompanied with weather that ranged from bucketing to broiling. I couldn’t get the grin off my face despite my aching bum. Yeah, the seat’s hard, but it’s not too hard and you can always put an Airhawk on it or something. A sore bum is a small price to pay for the joys inherent in an MT-09. This ground-up new model was conceived in the gloom and depression of the GFC, when there was li le money around, so Yamaha had to be clever about it. They certainly were, because you cannot fathom the fact that the MT-09 sells for about 12 grand ride-away. It has too much performance, too much quality, too much passion and too much brilliance to be that bloody cheap. If it cost 15 grand it’d look like decent value, but 12? Yamaha Australia senior executive ►
YAMAHA MT-09
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■ Even in the wet, the lightweight Yamaha is a joy to ride
“This ground-up new model was conceived in the gloom and depression of the GFC, when there was li le money around, so Yamaha had to be clever about it” Stephen Co erell admi ed they were a bit embarrassed about how it’d all turned out. I won’t go into how the money was saved, but it’s in technologies like the investment cast frame and lack of electronic aids like ABS and traction control. I suspect the use of a mechanical, not automatic, camchain tensioner is a saving. Yet you still get three modes of power delivery which open the thro le bu erflies about 30 per cent faster with each step up. You still get forged pistons, fracture-split conrods and similarly admirable manufacturing processes. And you get a bike that has clearly not suffered a lack of love from engineers who wanted you to get your rocks off on their toy. We all know by now how much the 98 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ The MT-09 comes in a small range of colours and includes a decent accessory range
centralisation of mass in any motorcycle is a good thing, and the MT-09 feels like its mass is being sucked into a miniature black hole positioned right where the ideal centre of gravity should be positioned. This makes it exceptionally nimble and exciting. I thought I’d pre y much grown out of wheelies and had forgo en how to do them until the MT-09 came along. Yamahasponsored stunt rider Dave McKenna raved about the bike, and he’s used to riding things with 70-tooth back sprockets.
The suspension is firm but well controlled at both ends. Wound up with a li le extra preload and damping front and rear, it felt the bumps, the rear-end’s risingrate linkage firming up noticeably through the shock’s stroke, but the firmness gave confidence and enhanced the overall precision of the chassis and steering. It suited the MT’s sportiness and was much be er than the more typical so ness in the damping of many Japanese machines. Given the control and aggressive riding you
YAMAHA MT-09
r There’s nothing to the tail end except this thin seat
PRIMARY BALANCE One of the problems of typical twins and fours is that their crankshafts put pistons at opposite ends of the crankshaft’s rotational cycle. That is, when one piston’s up, its partner is down. So all the pistons “stop” together at the top or bottom of their stroke, then race to maximum velocity together in the middle of the stroke before all stopping together again. It’s not very smooth. In fact, all this frantic rushing and stopping together creates horrendous primary balance. A 90° V-twin, on the other hand, has perfect primary balance because one piston’s halfway through its stroke while the other’s at one end or the other. (There are other types of balance at play at the
can do, you’d never suspect this bike had longer suspension travel than is normal for a naked bike. This helps on bumpy roads. You sit right up on top of the Yamaha, close to the almost-flat handlebars like a motard rider, something that increases your command. It doesn’t ma er that you’re chest-on to the breeze because
same time, which is why V-twins are not smooth…) A triple, though, has its three pistons spread evenly around the crankshaft at 120° spacing, with power strokes equally even at 240°. The whole shebang is much smoother and more elegant. The effect is the same as a cross-place crankshaft in a MotoGP four-cylinder donk, only without the contrived weirdness in the crank phasing and firing order. To use a decidedly non-technical term, you get nicer torque and power delivery as well as the smoothness. Laverda tried its Jota with a 180° crank — two pistons up while the middle piston was down — but it vibrated like a jackhammer in an earthquake. Later Lavs had 120° cranks.
somehow the blast doesn’t hit you too hard. Maybe it’s the contours of the headlight and chunky “shoulders” of the MT-09, but unless there’s a headwind you can scoot along at 150 before it becomes hard work, and faster if you’re tucked right down. The noticeably rear-set footpegs also help, yet again aren’t too uncomfortable on
the longer hauls. And they help you muscle the li le machine around when you give it heaps with your right wrist. It’s a lively animal when you whip it, especially with that very centred mass. Normally stable with its front end planted, the MT-09 gets twitchy under the jolting acceleration of the 85kW engine. I can understand why some people might go for a steering damper, though during the test the Yamaha never once threatened a tankslapper. Even in the gentlest of the three thro le modes, the engine’s response from a closed thro le is sharp. In the wet, it makes you think traction control would be pleasantly reassuring. In the dry, even the fast A mode isn’t for everyone. However, once the taps are open, response is eminently controllable, as I found while balancing those wheelies that I was so out of practice for. At any revs, the sweet, torquey triple is your friend. It’s more rev-happy than the Triumph Speed Triple and not only makes peak power at 10,000rpm, just 1000 shy of redline, its torque peaks a fair way up there too at 8500rpm. This makes the top-end fun — and it sounds fantastic when you’re there. Yet the motor’s grunty from low in the range so that top gear is all you need for motoring along at the 100km/h limit and overtaking. ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 99
r Cute little dash is all LCD plus warning lights above
r There’s nothing on the MT-09 that doesn’t need to be there
r Three’s a hoot! The 120° crank ensures good balance too
MIGHTY BLING From rearsets to racks, bling to bags, Yamaha has endowed the MT-09 with a decent catalogue of accessories. Most people will go for things like the flash footpegs, neat flyscreen and full titanium Akrapovic exhaust, but there are practical pieces too. You can add an iPhone holder, GPS mount and 12V charger and take your choice of two tankbags. The MT-09’s ability is stretched further if you buy the panniers and top box that are available for it. And my bum was pleased to know there’s even a comfort seat to click into place. As much fun as it is, the MT-09 can be a very sensible option. Bolt on a few accessories and it’s a prime sportstouring bike.
The gearbox is excellent and the clutch fine, so you never hesitate to go dancing through the gears to keep the bike on the boil. The 14-litre tank can be limiting, though I got a li le be er than 5.0L/100km at a gentle touring pace, which would give a range of almost 300km. I’m sure you could 100 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
do worse than 6.5L/100km, but I didn’t, and the average was quite reasonable at 5.5L/100km considering I was a bit naughty. One aspect of the MT-09 I very much liked was the fact it is as happy to hoon as it is to cruise. The engine feels neither stressed nor toey, so it’s never asking you to change your speed. The riding position
provides comfort at all speeds from peakhour pace to 160 or so, which is plenty fast enough for most occasions. An unnamed person in Yamaha came up with the phrase that the MT-09 is about “going fast at slower speeds” and it sums it up perfectly. The MT-09 isn’t built for speed, it’s built for fun.
YAMAHA MT-09
QUICKSPECS Model: Yamaha MT-09 Price: $10,995 (plus on-road charges) Colours: Ma Grey, Racing Blu (black), Blazing Orange Warranty: 2 years, unlimited distance Servicing intervals: 10,000km Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 12-valve, inline triple. Variable thro le modes Bore x stroke: 78 x 59.1mm Displacement: 847cc Compression: 11.5:1 Power: 85kW @ 10,000rpm Torque: 88Nm @ 8500rpm Transmission: Wet multiplate clutch, 6-speed gearbox, chain final drive Frame: Aluminium alloy diamond-type
Which reminds me; you can scrape the footpegs, and isn’t that fun? You’ve still got to be commi ed to the lean angle to do it, but I love being rewarded by the scratch of peg on tar when I’m deep in a corner. You’d be pre y close to the MT’s claimed limit of a 51° lean angle. Park at the cafe and you’ll look back and smile at the tough-looking triple. I’m not sold on the front end’s blockiness, but
Dimensions: Seat height 815mm, weight 188kg (wet), fuel capacity 14L, wheelbase 1440mm, rake 25º, trail 103mm Suspension: Front, 41mm fork, adjustable rebound and preload, 137mm travel. Rear, monoshock with adjustable rebound and preload, 130mm travel Brakes: Front, 2 x 298mm discs, 4-piston calipers. Rear, 245mm disc, 1-piston caliper Tyres: Front, 120/70ZR17 (58W). Rear, 180/55ZR17 (73W) Fuel consumption: 5.5L/100km Theoretical range: 250km Verdict: Irresistibly fun and an absolute bargain
overall I like the Yamaha’s styling and some aspects are stunning — the nothingness of the seat and tail end is especially cool. You won’t impress anyone for long with that plank of a pillion seat, though, and gear’s not easy to strap on. I first looked at the seat and thought, “No way.” When I last looked at the seat I thought, “No worries.” Like the other li le foibles I’ve already mentioned, I’d
“Overall I like the Yamaha’s styling and some aspects are stunning — the nothingness of the seat and tail end is especially cool” live with it. I really fell in love with the MT-09. I enjoyed every kay on it in all kinds of conditions. A lot of the pleasure comes from the glorious three-cylinder engine, which might lack the Hollywood appeal of threedigit power and four-digit capacity, but it punches above its weight with its 88kW and 850cc thanks to the lovely torque. Packaged into this compact, superbly balanced chassis, it’s all the performance you need. Anyway, the MT-09 has the most power in its class. Incredibly, it’s not only more powerful and has more torque than the four-cylinder FZ8, it’s 28kg lighter. That’s remarkable. And the MT-09 is exhilarating. ARR AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 101
CFMOTO 650TK & 650NK
I LIKE CHIN
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ESE
Snobbery when it comes to the Chinese brands fades away with CFMoto’s LAMS-approved 650TK tourer and 650NK naked bike STORY: MARK HINCHLIFFE ur experience with Chinese machines in Australia to date has been jaded by bargain-basement, poorquality, small-capacity novelty bikes and scooters. However, CFMoto is like no other Chinese bike you may ever have experienced or heard about. It’s time to forget what you know or think you know about Chinese bikes, at least for CFMoto. Yes, they are cheap, but they are also a good-value package. The first full-size CFMoto bike was the 650NK, which hit the market at $5990 plus on-road costs or a maximum of $6990 ride away, depending on which state you live in. Even with its heavy steel frame and restricted 650cc parallel twin, the naked bike is a delight that puts the fun back into learner-approved motorcycles. Early last year, CFMoto added the 650TK touring bike, but Australia only got a handful and they were all preproduction models handmade in the factory while they tooled up for mass production. Consequently, the fit and finish was poor and irregular. It wasn’t much of a tourer, either, with tiny and Spartan instruments that didn’t even have a trip meter or clock. But the price was certainly right at $6990 plus on-road costs or a maximum of $7990 ride away. Now CFMoto has released the mass-production 650TK along with the 2014 updated 650NK and the quality is enough to punch the snobbery out of any stuffy old biker like me. Michael Poynton of importer Mojo Motorcycles says they have sold about 700 NKs so far and not had one back for a warranty repair, although they have had issues over the previous ECU restriction. ►
O
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■ It’s only a 650, but there’s enough poke in the CFMoto engine to have fun with
They now both come with a mechanical throttle-body restrictor that tames the 52kW engine to 41.5kW, or the magical 150kW-per-tonne limit for LAMS. Other updates include LED running lights, indicators and tail lights; a blackened stubby exhaust; new Koso instruments made in Taiwan; sticky German Continental Road Attack 2 rubber to replace the cheap Chinese CST hoops; and uprated brakes made in China for Spanish company J Juan. Overall, they also have better fit and finish and despite all the updates and upgrades, they retain the same topvalue price tags. I’d already been convinced by the NK I rode last year. I punted the bike hard over Brisbane’s bike nirvana road across Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious, wrung its neck, punished its brakes and laughed out loud as I made a hasty conversion to the Mandarin machine. Maybe it wasn’t the fastest I had ever been over the twin peaks, but it was close to the most fun. For a bargain-priced bike, it had some quality graphics, adjustable levers, a Ducati-like red tubular 104 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
“They now both come with a restrictor that tames the 52kW engine to the magical 150kW-per-tonne limit for LAMS” POWER TO THE PROLETARIAT CFMoto bikes are powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 650cc parallel twin that can be sleeved to produce smaller capacities. In the 650NK and TK it produces 52kW, but is mechanically restricted in the throttle body to 41.5kW at 8500rpm. All CFMoto engines feature a Ducati ECU, FCC paper-based friction plate and Marelli injectors. They are hand assembled in CFMoto’s Hangzhou factory on a climate-controlled line with filtered air where the temperature is always 20°C and humidity 70 per cent. This means all components are maintained at the perfect temperature so machine tolerances are spot on, every time.
■ It’s a tidy rear view of the TK, though the panniers are a little smaller than they look
CFMOTO 650TK & 650NK
■ You have a choice of colours in the CFMoto range ■ Naked NK feels a little sportier and is fun on winding roads
■ The tourer’s fairing is large and good looking, with those damage-reducing “wings” poking out the sides
LAMS Chinese manufacturer CFMoto could soon become the king of the learner bike market in Australia with a lineup of nine bikes and a scooter. Currently they have two 150cc bikes, a 250cc scooter and scooter/ cruiser, and two bikes powered by a restricted 650cc parallel twin engine. In the next year they are expected
frame, a Japanese-like gloss-black engine, indicators set into the radiator shrouds, pre-drilled holes on the frame for aftermarket Oggy knobs, and the handlebars and triple clamp finished in attractive matte aluminium. Build quality was only compromised by four cadmium-plated bolts that held the
to include another 250cc bike and a 400cc sportsbike with sleeved versions of the 650cc parallel twins, plus two more 650 models. Sometime this year a fully faired 650 sports bike will be added to the line-up, while the much-anticipated 650MT adventure bike is expected to be revealed in November.
instrument pod and cowl in place. The remainder were stainless allen bolts. For 2014, it gets the new and bigger instrument cluster, which is easier to read and now toggles via a “select” button on the pod between odo, fuel gauge, clock, battery and water temp. Brakes have been upgraded with
the J Juan system plus 25mm bigger discs front and back and stainlesssteel braided lines, and it gets sticky German rubber. They’ve also changed from a silver exhaust to a matte-black, Euro III-approved muffler which blends in the stubby little unit with the black bellypan and disguises the large catalytic converter. That’s about it for 2014 upgrades to the NK. The TK is substantially updated. The handmade preproduction version was very patchy in fit and finish, but the robot-built 2014 model now has a consistency in its build quality that you would expect from the Japanese or Koreans. Previously the plastics shook and rattled along with the vibey engine, but now they feel solid. The gloveboxes on either side now open and close properly and they don’t have huge gaps, while the box on the left is lockable with the ignition key. The 60-litre panniers are also lockable with the ignition key and now come with two failsafe latches front and back in case the central lock fails and spills your undies all over the asphalt. CFMoto has changed the seat lock to a choke-style button located inside the left pannier so you can keep safe ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 105
■ TK650 is unmistakably styled the same as the Honda ST tourers
SALES
r Riding position is natural and fairing comfy, but the pegs are a bit high and your knees may rub the fairing
your eight-piece tool kit, instruction manual and maybe even a spare pair of gloves or wet pants. To improve the touring capability, the screen is now about 40mm taller and wider for far less buffeting and they have added a 12V outlet on the le inner fairing. The TK also gets the NK’s exhaust, tyres, brakes and instruments. I hit Melbourne’s roads after the commuter rush, heading towards the twin delights of the Black and Reefton spurs, two of motorcycling’s most challenging and fun roads in Australia. I’m quickly into the vibe of the 106 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
CFMoto has snuck up into the top 10 in the sales figures. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries motorcycle figures, CFMoto sold 1824 vehicles to the end of September 2013, up nine per cent on the same period in 2012 and now ahead of BMW in 10th. However, 1152 of those were ATVs and Side by Side vehicles and 65 were scooters. But the real growth for CFMoto is in motorcycles, up 55 per cent to 607,
parallel twin, enjoying its flexibility and concluding it’s a great mill for a learner bike. While there isn’t heaps of torque down low, the bike can almost be in any gear at any revs and it still sings along without protest. Even with the restrictor playing Super Nanny, the TK I was riding still managed to bring up go-directlyto-jail speeds with a bit of a run-up. Overtaking requires a bit of shift work, but with a long clear stretch ahead you can just roll on the throttle. It hums nicely from about 3300rpm and becomes a little more active
while ATVs were up one per cent and scooters down 53 per cent. CFMoto president Mr Lai says Australia is a “big potential market. CFMoto for total quantity is not the biggest, but Australia is a very healthy market and a quality reference market,” he says through an interpreter. Australia has a growing network of 42 CFMoto dealers everywhere except in the NT.
around 4000 revs, but then it’s clear sailing up to the rev limiter at 10,000. Of course, high-end power is limited, but there is more than enough poke here to get you into serious trouble. Mostly you will want to keep the twin fluttering along at 4000 revs where it feels just right and the buzzing doesn’t become annoying. Clutch pull is very light and the gearshift is long, but positive and plush with neutral dead-easy to find, which should suit learners. In traffic I soon find you have to hit the button just right to cancel the
CFMOTO 650TK & 650NK
r Subtle differences in the footrest hangers enable the TK to carry weight in the panniers
indicators. The rest of the switchgear also feels a bit bargain basement. Thankfully the brakes are not bargain basement. They aren’t Moto GP standard either, but they have a bit more feel than before and more bite. You’ll still have to grab plenty of brakes to slow it down as the bikes have chunky Chinese frames that put them on the heavy side for their ilk, the NK weighing in at 206kg while the TK is 220kg. For 2014, CFMoto has made the sidestands a little longer so the bikes sit more upright and aren’t as heavy to lift. Once astride the machines, the weight seems to disappear and only becomes an issue when you are diving into a corner too hot, with the Kayaba forks loaded up and a fist full of brakes. Both bikes are full-sized machines and although both seats are 795mm off the ground, the TK feels lower and more comfortable. Riding position is a neutral sit-up-and-beg style, with the bars at an easy slight reach although the fat rubber pegs on the TK and metal pegs on the NK are high, requiring the occasional stretch for arthritic knees. On the TK, my knees rub on the fairing just as they did on my old Honda ST1100, which was obviously the poster pin-up for the designers when they sketched this model. It even has the same “shark-fin” engine protectors on the sides. The TK feels instantly comfortable for a long haul, although the seat could do with more cushioning. Meanwhile, the NK has a slightly more aggressive position and a fla er and harder perch that allows you to slide around for race-style cornering poses. ►
r Solid panniers are an attractive part of the TK’s bargain-priced touring package
r TK has gentler curves, a marked styling contrast with the NK
CFMOTO FOR THE LONG HAUL We’ve taken delivery of a CFMoto 650TK for a long-term test, giving us a chance to really work out how far the Chinese manufacturer has come. We have lots of questions, not least of which is how much can you expect from a pannier-equipped tourer at a ride-away price of just eight grand? Based on the first ride, we’re thinking we might be impressed by the answer. Austin Rymer has ridden out long-
term test bike from its original home in Melbourne to its new one just north of Sydney, via the Snowies and the coast. It was a run-in ride as much as anything, with the first service happening at the end. If Austin hadn’t lost the keys, it would’ve been a flawless run! Check back next issue for the full story of the ride, and in subsequent issues as we put plenty of kays on this low-cost long-distance machine.
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 107
CFMOTO 650TK & 650NK ■ The angular styling of the NK is enhanced by the contrasting black and white colours
More time in the saddle of the TK convinces me the bike could easily do a lap of Australia. The only limiting factor could be the small panniers into which I squeeze a smallish backpack. However, the luggage rack is ample and will take a big bag, plus you can tie luggage to the back seat. Pillions on both bikes will find flat and wide perches with nice big grab handles, although the extra weight will surely strain the restricted 650cc engine. I swap to the naked NK and hit some roadworks, a bit of gravel and some irregularities, but the extra weight tends to help the bike plough on through the bumps. I can’t believe it weighs more than 200kg, except when it comes to quick changes of direction between hairpins. It wants to stand upright and you have to muscle it into corners, but with the wide bars and aggressive riding stance, it’s easily controlled. The sticky Conti Attacks dig into the tar and grip well, even at fairly radical lean angles. After the ride, my snobbery was finally laid to rest. Not only would I recommend one of these to any learner, but I would also recommend them as good second bikes for experienced riders. ARR 108 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
“Brakes have been upgraded with a hydraulic system plus 25mm bigger discs front and back and braided lines” QUICKSPECS Models: CFMoto 650TK & 650NK TK Price: $6990 (+ORC) $7990 (max rideaway) NK Price: $5990 (+ORC) $6990 (max rideaway) Warranty: 2-years, parts and labour Service intervals: 5000km, or six months Engine: 8-valve, liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel twin, 180-degree crank Power: 41.5kW @ 9500rpm Torque: 62Nm @ 7000rpm Bore x stroke: 83 x 60mm Compression: 11.3:1 Transmission: 6-speed, multiplate wet clutch, chain drive Chassis: Tubular steel diamond frame
with engine as fully stressed member Suspension: Telescopic forks with hydraulic damper; oil and gas hybrid damper single-damper rear shock Brakes: Dual 300mm steel discs with twin-piston calipers (front), 240mm disc with single-piston caliper (rear) Tyres: 120/70 R1758H (front), 160/60 R1761769H (rear) Wheelbase: 1415mm Wet weight: 220kg (206kg NK) Seat: 795 mm Fuel capacity: 17.5 litres (17 litres NK) Colours: White, silver, black, maroon (TK), Orange Mica, white, black, Blue Mica (NK) Verdict: You can buy two for the price of one or get one as a second bike
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WHERE THE
BLOWS Wilson’s Promontory is so much nicer without 120km/h winds to make the ride a true adventure STORY & PHOTOS: MARK HINCHLIFFE e had barely travelled 100km from St Kilda to Korumburra in South Gippsland and I was knackered. I was prepared to turn back and pack it in if my wife had just asked. “No, we’ve come this far, we may as well keep going. We may never come this way again,” my brave pillion says. We had travelled by Honda F6B Goldwing from my daughter’s unit in St Kilda, against commuter traffic out of the city along the Princes Highway to Warragul, where we turned south on the C425. What should have been a relatively simply process to get out of town for a two-day mid-week break to Wilson’s Promontory had turned into a nightmare, all because of the wind. ►
W
110 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
WILSON’S PROMONTORY
■ Leaving the mainland’s southern-most point
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 111
WILSON’S PROMONTORY
“It was sheer madness to set off in such conditions, but since when has the weather bureau been correct?” Accommodation had been booked at Fish Creek and we were only in town for a few days, so we felt obliged to go. But as we tried to thaw out and steady our nerves at Cafe 61 in the main street, we seriously considered turning back or even finding accommodation there and abandoning the ride. The weather bureau had predicted wind gusts up to 120km/h. It was sheer madness to set off in such conditions, but since when has the weather bureau been correct? Well, today, for example. While the winds around the city aren’t too bad, they feel much stronger when we emerge from the shelter of rows of houses into the exposed plains around Nar Nar Goon (I could have said Packenham, but I love that name). I sit in the le lane of the multi-lane highway as the winds blow me toward the next lane. The bike is on a constant lean in a straight line and when a bridge, clump of trees or building protects us, I swerve le again in the virtual vacuum, before straightening the bars up again. I swear I have arm pump from trying to steady the ship. And what a ship it is. The F6B is a stripped-down Goldwing that weighs 40kg less because it has no top box, a sporty windscreen and fewer features such as airbag, cruise control and reverse. From the front and side it looks quite slammed, almost as if someone has ridden a Goldwing under a boom gate and had the top lopped off. But out here on the windswept highway, it is behaving like a spinnaker in the breeze. Worse comes when we turn off at Warragul and head down the C425 or South Gippsland Highway. This road is normally such biker fun that it has featured on several bike media launch programs and has a horde of signs warning bikers of the dangers. In other words, it’s twisty. The road climbs the ridge and continues to wind across the lumpy green landscape like a ribbon thrown across a rumpled doonah. Along each side are rows of tall 112 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ “Hurry up and take the shot. It’s too cold to be standing around!”
■ More hot drinks than cold beers on this blustery trip!
gum trees and on this day many have dropped big branches or been uprooted totally. That’s why they call them widowmakers. My wife asks me over the Sena Bluetooth intercom about the safety of our windy situation and if it’s possible for the bike to be blown over. Now, I’ve seen a bunch of parked scooters blown over in the wind at Botany Bay and, of course, a really strong wind could blow over any bike — even one that weighed half a tonne with a rider and pillion on board like this. But I tell her it will be okay. I figure that momentum will be our friend. We just need to keep an eye out for falling branches.
I’ve ridden the roads around here on many occasions and they are an absolute joy. With mainly smooth surfaces and very li le gravel, you can use all your lane to swoop through the scrolling bends. Normally when the road drops down into Korumburra, riders will turn around and run back to Warragul. Today we seek the warm solace of Cafe 61, which is one of the only places in town with electricity a er power lines have been felled around the district in the high winds. Our fellow coffee, tea and cocoa drinkers are amazed that we are out on a bike “on a day like this”. One old mate tells us it rains 300 days a year there “and the
r South Gippsland’s Grand Ridge Road on a good day (Tourism Victoria/James Lauritz)
other 65 the water drips from the trees”. But even he’s never seen it this windy. My wife confesses that she is actually feeling a li le bit foolhardy and embarrassed. However, she makes the brave decision to carry on. Southwest of Korumburra the road winds from village to village down gumtree-lined avenues, where we ride with eyes wide like saucer plates. We usually like to stop off at a winery to sample the fruits at their cellar door, but we press on past several a ractive vineyards. My knuckles are white, my eyes wide and my shoulders tense as we forge on. Finally we roll into the picturesque li le town of Fish Creek with its trendy art galleries and cafes. But we head straight for the wood fire burning in the lounge at the Art Deco Fish Creek Hotel. Over a heart-warming lunch, pale ale and cab sav, we discuss the merits of booking into our accommodation early, curling up in bed and admi ing defeat. Yet again my wife says we haven’t come this far to not see Wilson’s Promontory. The sign outside says it’s only 27km to the Prom and we believe the weather will be worse tomorrow, so we decide to continue. As we crest the hill at Yanakie we suddenly see Bass Strait and the galeforce wind smacks us right in the face. A er all, this is the bo om of mainland Australia. A few kays later, we arrive at the national park gate to find another sign telling us it’s still a further 25km to Tidal Creek. And now the wind has brought with it some squalls of pelting rain, so we also don our wet gear. The pleasantly winding road here is limited to 80km/h. It’s narrow with dense bush either side that buffers some of the wind, but there are signs for roos, wombats, emus and galahs and we see all of them as well as one errant fox, so we stick to 80. The scenery is so rugged, so wild, so stark, it takes our breath away and I can’t help but steal glances as I try to concentrate on staying upright. We stop on several occasions to get photos, but it’s pointless in these conditions. The lens is ge ing wet, we’re freezing and it’s only a narrow road. To our right the sea is going crazy, whipped up into a lather of suds. As we near Tidal Creek, the speed limit drops to 40km/h and that’s about my top speed anyway. Finally we arrive at Tidal Creek where the road ends in a car park and the family campers give us some rather bewildered looks. There are many ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 113
WILSON’S PROMONTORY
■ An angry-looking Southern Ocean pounds the coast as Mark wonders how to time his riding holidays better
“My knuckles are white, my eyes wide and my shoulders tense as we forge on” scenic walks available, ranging from a few hundred metres to overnight hikes, so we set out for one of the shortest walks to the beach. However, we are driven back yet by another heavy squall and seek shelter in the cafe where they charge $3.50 for a cup of boiling water to dip your teabag. If you do decide to swag it here, there are good conveniences and a takeaway store with everything, including grog ... if you can afford the mark-up. As we shelter, a seagull slides by in the wind on its backside and we laugh nervously. However, within minutes the sky is Ming Blue and the breeze has se led somewhat, so we seize the moment to bolt for the bike and head back. Again my wife reminds me we may never come this way again and that we really should ride up Mt Oberon. It’s only a few kays’ detour, but it’s worth it for the smooth and winding road up the lee side of the mountain where the breeze is 114 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
negligible. The roads are a li le slick, but it’s time to have a bit of fun. At the car park, it’s still another 3.5km to walk to the top, but we have no interest so we U-turn and head for Fish Creek. It’s school holidays and the roads are busy despite the appalling weather; many cars pull over to let the bike through, even though we can’t go much faster than them. We realise we have seen only two other bikes all day and they were going to work this morning.
The blue sky follows us for most of the trip back, but without any warning, dark packs of steel wool gather to our le and hem us in as we veer onto MeeniyanPromontory Road into Fish Creek. This last 10 minutes is like an eternity as we are buffeted about in what amounts to a mini hurricane. Seems like the bureau was right this time. We arrive back in town and pull into the pub car park again to get directions to the Fish Creek Bed and Breakfast. ►
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WILSON’S PROMONTORY ■ Enjoying a spell on a dry road in sunshine, something that can be rare down here
■ The kind of tranquil evening at Inverloch’s pier that Mark could only dream about… (Tourism Victoria/Gavin Hansford)
“This road is normally such biker fun that it has featured on several bike media launch programs” Thankfully it’s only 700m straight up the hill and the driveway is one of the few that’s not turned into a quagmire. It’s hard-press gravel and the F6B easily crunches down to the car park. Our host Ellen Fabel is amazed that we still came and that we rode on a bike. But her partner, Paul Greco, has ridden bikes for many years so Ellen knows how crazy 116 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
we bikers can sometimes be. She fetches a towel and takes our wet gear out to hang under some shelter. Ellen says they don’t have a lot of bikers staying there, but they are well prepared with electric heaters to dry wet gear, heaps of pegs to hang jackets and an under-cover lock-up garage. With Sunday morning’s weather cleared to sporadic patches of heavy falls, we
A GOOD STAY Fish Creek Bed and Breakfast Email: rest@fishcreekbeds.com.au Web: www.fishcreekbeds.com.au Phone: 03 5683 2599 Address: 65 Old Waratah Road
time it just right and head off in glorious sunshine toward Inverloch by the Bass coast. The winds have died down and the approaching storms are easy to pick early so you can seek shelter in plenty of time. Down at Inverloch we hug the coastline that reminds us of the Great Ocean Road, the difference being there is light traffic, no foreign tourists on the wrong side of the road and no hippies doing 40km/h in clapped-out Kombis. I hook into the task and soon have the footpegs scraping, thanks to the Honda’s sportsbike-style aluminium twin-spar frame. With only five gears and a tidal wave of torque, it’s a simple ma er of picking fourth gear and just rolling on and off the thro le through the turns. There is so much low-down grunt that at one stage I take off in third gear with my pillion and it doesn’t stall. At the signpost to San Remo and Phillip Island we turn le to find a large roadworks project that will sort out the post-GP traffic jam by shortcu ing the roundabout. We stop outside the GP circuit for the obligatory shots at turns 11 and 12 and the main gate before heading into Cowes for lunch. Here there is so much to pick from, but we se le for a shared Greek plate and some chips to throw to the seagulls. Another big scrum of clouds closes in and we again don the wets for the ride home up the boring Bass and Princes highways. Just as we start to relax with the storm clouds sca ering behind us, we round the bay near Koo Wee Rup and the south-westerly blows us sideways a er its long, uninhibited haul across the water. We wobble for a few seconds, regain composure and laugh it off. At the end of the two-day ba le with the elements we are high-fiving each other with self-congratulations and my wife finally understands what I mean when I say “it ain’t an adventure without some misadventure”. Despite a few scary moments and some inconvenience because I had stupidly packed an openfaced helmet and tinted goggles rather than a full-face with clear visor, we had a blast. Literally. ARR
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CHARITY RIDES
CHARITY
STARTS on the road Millions of dollars are raised each year by motorcyclists getting together to support a cause. We look at this growing phenomenon and some of the ways you can get involved
WORDS: MARK HINCHLIFFE he charity ride has taken off in the past dozen years and exploded more recently. The biggest events in the country are possibly the October Pink Ribbon rides, the Snowy Ride in November and the Black Dog Ride in August. Collectively, these events raise more than $1 million annually. Add in all the smaller state and local events throughout the year and the net result is millions of dollars of charity funds flowing into our community. Australian Motorcycle Council chairman Shaun Lennard says the total amount raised is incalculable. “I have absolutely no idea at all. Must be in the millions,” he says. “Some have been going on for years. The Snowy Ride is more than 10 years old and has snowballed (excuse the pun) in the past few years.” ►
T
118 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
►
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 119
r The Snowy Ride has become a huge event, filling the High Country’s roads with bikes
While charity poker runs have been going on for as long as anyone can remember, the first real charity ride strictly for the purposes of raising funds and awareness was possibly the 1978 Christmas Toy Run in Melbourne. Now there are toy runs in every capital city, most provincial cities and even small towns. Unlike most other charity rides, it not only raises money for and awareness of disadvantaged and sick children, but also gathers toys and gifts. Similar rides are the blanket runs that collect blankets for the homeless, and some motorcycle riders even give their blood. There are many rides around the country which are designed around donating blood to the Australian Red Cross. It’s another worthy cause since one in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime, and only one in 30 regularly donates. It’s also a cause that is close to the hearts (intended pun) of riders, with too many of us requiring these services in the event of a crash. 120 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
o The Distinguished Gentlemen’s ride is more than an excuse to dress up
“The first real charity ride strictly for the purposes of raising funds and awareness was possibly the 1978 Christmas Toy Run in Melbourne” Lennard says the reason why charity rides have become so popular is of special interest to him as he has studied event management. “As soon
as someone becomes interested in a cause and they ride a motorcycle, they say let’s raise money,” he says. “It’s like a ritual in human life that
CHARITY RIDES
■ Chris Vermeulen joins part of the crowd who banged on a beanie for a good cause
■ Ruff Riders or furry friends?
■ Mandy and Anny are two of the characters who’ve become part of the Black Dog Ride
goes back thousands of years to gather and celebrate an event. From a psycho-socio view, people need to mix together in groups,” he says. But he rejects the view that riders participate in charity rides to counter negative views of bikers held by the wider community. “That’s a by-product but not a motive to do it,” he says. “Yes, it’s good PR for bikers, but the positive spin-off is secondary. Critics who say riders do it just for that are wrong.” There are various types of charity rides that range from a short run to epic adventure rides across the continent, so there is something for everyone. And they do them on everything from little postie bikes to full-dresser Harleys, so no matter what type of bike you ride, there is an event that will suit you. A ride that has captured the imaginations of hundreds and has spawned many imitators is the Postie Bike Challenge, which began in 2002. The epic ride on these small bikes usually includes vast areas of outback
and lives up to the word “Challenge” in the title. This year, riders from around Australia as well as New Zealand, the UK, Singapore and the US rode from Hobart to Alice Springs. Funds are raised via an entry fee and the donation of all bikes at the end of the ride for sale by Rotary clubs is passed on to local charities. Funds are also
dispersed to community charities along the route. Charity doesn’t always start at home, though. The annual Cannonball Charity Ride, which usually runs through outback Australia, is, for the first time, extending to Cambodia in January and Utah, USA, later in the year. In the past seven years, it has raised more than $200,000 for Heartkids. However, the Cambodian ride will also help fund water wells for villages and pay for the wage of a nurse and medical supplies for a clinic in a remote village, says events manager Katie Warfield. “They didn’t have enough funds to pay the nurse, so we are paying for her wages and medical supplies for the year. There are over 1000 children in the village,” she says. “We are also donating the wages for two nannies and child supplies to a children’s home for six months.” When Julia Gillard was Prime Minister, her partner Tim Mathieson participated in the first ride from Kirribilli House in Sydney to The Lodge in Canberra, raising more than $30,000 for the Hagar charity, which fights slavery in foreign countries. Hagar boss Kate Kennedy said the inaugural Hagar Ride Against Slavery would support the Hagar Catch-Up School, which provides an accelerated learning program for students who have missed years of schooling as a result of human rights abuses. The money raised will put up to 60 Hagar clients through school for a year. “The UN estimates that up to 2.4 million people are trafficked each year across the world and forced into labour or sexual exploitation. Half of these are children,” says Kate. ►
PINK RIBBON RIDES Perhaps the highest-profile charity motorcycle events in a calendar year are the Pink Ribbon Rides in October that raise valuable funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Pink Ribbon Rides, which originated in the US, now take place in each state. The Victorian and ACT rides raise money for Breast Cancer Network Australia, while the other states raise money for other breast cancer charities. Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) CEO Maxine Morand says the Victorian ride alone raised more than $18,000 for BCNA last year, and around $11,000 in 2011. She says that without community events such as the Pink Ribbon Ride, “we quite simply couldn’t continue to provide free information and support to Australian women and families affected by breast cancer. Not only do these events raise muchneeded funds for BCNA, they also raise awareness of the impact of breast cancer in the community and show support for those affected,” she adds.
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 121
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CHARITY RIDES ■ The Snowy Ride is unusual in that it’s a multi-day event with different rides
■ Postie bikes do their bit for charity
THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN’S RIDE The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride was kicked off last year to raise funds and awareness for men’s prostate cancer research and asks participants to dress “dapper”. It’s also a bit more exclusive, being aimed at men — although women do disguise themselves with false moustaches and suits — and is restricted to cafe racers, bobbers, flat trackers, retros and other classic motorcycles. The ride was started in Australia in 2012 and was held in 64 cities across the world thanks to the word spreading via Facebook. This year it went viral on social media and was run in more than 100 cities worldwide, including five major cities in Australia.
“It’s good PR for bikes, but the positive spin-off is secondary. Critics who say riders do it just for that are wrong” And not all the recipients are human. In Queensland, the annual RSPCA Ruff Riders 500 ride raises about $50,000 a year toward a children’s humane education facility at the Brisbane RSPCA to teach kids how to treat animals. Ride groups such as HOG and Ulysses are some of the most prolific fund-raisers. Their individual chapters or branches organise hundreds of charity rides each year. HarleyDavidson is involved in several charity
initiatives which help raise funds and awareness for a number of causes. Harley-Davidson Australia marketing director Adam Wright says their biggest involvement is in the Pink Ribbon Ride as part of breast cancer awareness month, helping raise over $81,000 for the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute. HarleyDavidson is also involved in other charity initiatives including Hogs for the Homeless, Soldier On, CareFlight, St Vincent de Paul, Layne Beachley’s Reach for the Stars Foundation, Police Legacy and the NZ Starship Hospital. “Ranging from charity rides to corporate donations, Harley-Davidson believes that our involvement in these initiatives provides an opportunity ►
BLACK DOG RIDE One of the more recent success stories in charity motorcycle rides is the Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre. In just four years it has raised more than $1 million for Lifeline and Mental Health First Aid. It began in 2009 as a solo motorbike ride around Australia by Steve Andrews after the sudden suicide of a friend’s wife. In 26 days and 15,000km, he raised $34,232.80 and spread the word about mental health issues throughout the country. It has now become a national event, this year attracting 675 participants from every state and territory, with 300 riding all the way to the Red Centre. More than $350,000 was raised this year alone.
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 123
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CHARITY RIDES THE SNOWY RIDE
■ The Cannonball Ride makes adventurous riders work hard for the money!
■ Actors Danielle Cormack and Aaron Jeffery, and TV personalities James Tobin and Kate Peck helped raise the profile of the Pink Ribbon Ride
■ Riders set off from one of the starting points of the Black Dog Ride
for the brand to give something back,” says Wright. “Bringing together a family of Harley-Davidson riders across Australia and New Zealand for these worthy causes is something we strongly believe in,” he says. Typically, Ulysses branches raise funds for the Ulysses Club Arthritis Research Fund, but also groups such
as the Leukaemia Foundation, RACQ CareFlight Rescue and localised charities. Some of these charities may be seen as self-serving and what’s wrong with that? Ours is an inherently dangerous recreation and it pays to look a er those who look a er us. For example, the Dr Wings Bike Force charity ride from The Entrance to
CELEBRITY BENEFITS One way to lift the profile of your charity event is to get a celebrity to participate. This attracts people who want to ride with the celebrity and attracts media attention, which is another important factor in any charity ride a s it increases public awareness of their cause. The Bang on a Beanie ride on the Sunshine Coast included 2003 World Supersport champion and MotoGP winner Chris Vermeulen, while V8 Supercar legend and bike fan Craig Lowndes took part in the Ruff Riders 500. The Bang on a Beanie event cost $20 and participants received a special beanie, with funds going to a campaign supporting more than 1.6 million Australians affected by acquired brain injury. Supporters are encouraged to proudly wear a blue beanie in support of Brain Injury Awareness Week on August 12-18. The Ruff Riders 500 ride raises money for a children’s humane education facility at the Brisbane RSPCA. It’s a perfect fit for Bathurst legend Craig Lowndes, who not only loves motorcycles but also animals and has been an RSPCA ambassador since 2008.
One of the long-term successful charity events is the annual Snowy Ride, now in its 13th year and the largest community motorcycle event in Australia, attracting 3000 riders. Over the years it has raised more than $5 million for the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation and director Allan McGuirk says it’s their major fundraising event. “Without the event it would have a huge impact on our work,” he says. One of the major attractions is that the event is sponsored by Honda, which each year gives away a bike, but Allan says there are other draws. “I think the attraction of our event is that it’s very relaxed. It’s all about the ride. It’s not just a parade,” he says.
“Clearly it is incumbent on the organisers of charity rides to give participants something interesting to do while raising money for charity” Coober Pedy next April will raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Motorcycle Accident Rehabilitation Initiative, which ensures injured riders are given suitable support from rehabilitation and social workers. Are there now too many charity rides? Not according to the beneficiaries. Snowy Ride spokesman Allan McGuirk says the proliferation of charity rides hasn’t affected them. “We are a bit different. We are the only ones who do what we do,” he says, pointing out that their ride is a multi-day event and is based around the ride and is not just a parade. So clearly it is incumbent on the organisers of charity rides to give participants something interesting to do while raising money for charity. AMC chairman Shaun Lennard says it is possible that charity rides could reach a saturation point. “I know some people who say ‘no, I can’t go on a charity motorcycle ride as there’s one every couple of weeks’,” he says. But then the AMC boss has forgo en how many charity rides he’s ridden in. ARR AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 125
LOOPING THE The Coromandel Peninsula, near Auckland, adds to New Zealand’s reputation as a Mecca for motorbikers 126 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
Coromandel, New Zealand
STORY & PHOTOS: NICK HOLLIDAY er an hour in the pouring rain, I lost the front. I was tipping into a downhill le hander, nervous already on the unfamiliar bike on an unfamiliar road — at night. Did I mention it was raining? The front tyre must’ve slid 3 toward the outside of the turn. Or 3mm, I’m not sure. It was long enough for my heart to leap into my throat and that cold tingle to spread through my body and a nearly silent “fuuu” noise to escape my lips. Then I realised I wasn’t upside down in the table drain or surfing the bonnet of an oncoming Subaru. Winner. What a great way to start a holiday. I really bloody needed it, too. By the end
A
of July, I was ready to kill someone. The ringing of the phone was like an ice pick in my head. People were starting to avoid me in the corridors at work. The guy in the mirror in the morning looked like he needed a break — or a straitjacket. The one thing keeping me going through those dark, cold days was the trip. A stolen moment looking at maps online between meetings, the constant checking of weather reports on my phone and, most of all, the occasional email from a chirpy Kiwi called Randal. “The Coromandel is very good,” he wrote. “Must rank up there in the top rides anywhere. The roads are pure motorcycle heaven but you throw in the scenery and...”
Please, Randal, I’m from Queensland. What can someone who has never stormed up the western side of Mount Glorious early on a Sunday morning tell me about twisty roads? I figured I’d give it a go anyway. A er the short drive from the airport to Auckland Motorbike Hire HQ at Maraetai, my credit card was swiped, the tyre pressures on the GSX1250FA were checked and I was on my way. As I dumped my backpack in the top box, Randal pointed out the heated grips. I’m a real man, so I dismissed them and rode off. The ride delivered within the first five minutes. The Maraetai Coast Road threaded around the coastline, then gave way to picturesque farmland. Every single ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 127
Coromandel, New Zealand
hamlet looked like the kind of place I could stay for 20 years. My daydreaming of bucolic bliss stopped when the rain started hi ing my visor. By the time it was ge ing dark, I realised that between my soaking, summer-weight gloves and the chill air, I couldn’t feel my hands. The heated-grip bu on stared back at me from the bars. In a moment of weakness, I switched it on. It was like being hooked up to a pleasure machine. I didn’t turn it off until I dropped the bike back. My warm hands lulled me into a false sense of security. The tiny slide on a mossy corner sure woke me up and I continued into Thames a bundle of nervous energy. I must’ve looked like a drowned rat when I pulled up outside the Gra on Co ages. The manager handed me a towel and advised that there was nothing for my situation but a strong drink. She dropped me at the Junction Hotel. The kid behind the bar offered me some boutique beer. By then, I was almost warm enough to try simple sentences, so I asked what the locals drink. He smiled and said, “Guys 128 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
“The Coromandel must rank up there in the top rides anywhere. The roads are pure motorcycle heaven” with beards like yours drink Waikato Draught.” I admired his moxie — “A flagon of Waikato and a bowl of pasta, thanks squire.” I woke early, my chipper state a testament to clean living and pure New Zealand beer. The weather was giving mixed signals. A er my heroics the night before, I felt that mere rain couldn’t deter me. You start to wind your way up the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula through li le fishing villages, past holiday shacks and lines of upturned rowboats. The water on this side was flat and calm, and you could see across to Auckland now and then. It was just what I needed to start the day — so sunshine and a slow road with no fast corkscrews to tempt me in to red-mist mode. What I didn’t need was the “MAJOR SLIPS — ROAD CLOSED” sign. I backtracked to the cafe at Waiomu
Beach, where I watched the road start to dry and waited for news. Eventually, some guys in hi-vis pulled up and told me that the tonnes of dirt that slid onto the road had carried a couple of massive pine trees, and the crane wasn’t due for a couple of hours. Between them and the cafe owner, it was decided that I should backtrack, cut across the bo om of the peninsula and ride the loop the other way. By the time I arrived at the slip from the other direction, it should be clear. The cafe owner said she’d make me bacon and eggs when I came back in the early a ernoon. I was in love. So backtrack I did, past all the li le seaside villages, through Thames and up into the pine forests of the Waikato region. The roads were exactly what I love: big, open sweepers with dramatic views. You wouldn’t think a pine forest could seem that exotic, but the scenery was
r Apart from a bike, here’s the basics for an NZ tour: passport, helmet, thirst…
o Nick in a little piece of paradise
all so different to home. The empty, fast roads flowed up and down the hill country for an hour. All of a sudden, I crested a hill and the ocean was there again, big, bad and squally this time, with dark clouds meeting dark waves. I could feel the sea-spray on my face with the visor up, and the knuckles of my gloves started turning white as the salty mist dried on them. It made me want to stop and write moody poetry but, instead, I charged on … for about half an hour. Another set of “MAJOR SLIPS — ROAD CLOSED” signs. I think the bloke
holding the stop-go sign read my mood as I slammed down the side stand and dragged off my helmet. “Be another hour at least, bro”. Just as I mounted up to turn around again, a mini excavator came trundling around the gravel-strewn corner. Stop-go man yelled at me to wait while he ran over. There was a quick confab, the excavator turned around and my new best mate yelled out “It’s bloody rough, but you’ll get the bike through. Follow him.” Riding someone else’s roadbike across a muddy landslide felt like something I
should think about before commi ing, but the excavator was disappearing around the corner and my mate was waving me on. I flicked the gear lever, stood on the pegs and did my best Charlie Boorman impression. There was just enough of a track cut through to get me across. I waved cheerily to the long line of drivers waiting on the other side and threw the bike around a bit to clear the mud off the tyres. I was in Coromandel township at the peak of the peninsula in no time. The weather had broken. I fuelled up in the sunshine and had a walk around, but most of the shops were closed for the winter season. I Facebooked to make sure all my friends were jealous as they sat at their desks, then pushed on. The run back down the western side brought more amazing views. The road ran right on the waterline, with only 6in between the outside white line and the sea. It was a road you could’ve ridden at any speed, but for the psychological barrier of ending up in the ocean. The landslide on the other side was cleared by the time I reached it — chunks of tree the size of people movers si ing just off the road. I arrived back at the Waiomu Beach Cafe in the early a ernoon to a late, tasty second breakfast, as promised. I could hardly believe my ride was nearly over. The cafe owner brought me another coffee and asked me where I was going next. I said I’d head back to Auckland, drop off the bike and wait for my wife to arrive. She shook her head. “No, no. If you press on, you can go down to Whangamata and back. You won’t miss her flight.” I was dubious, but she’d been right before. She spread out a tourist map and drew the loop I’d just taken in biro. She doubled over the bo om part that I’d backtracked earlier, then ran the pen south, making a figure eight through Waihi and back to Thames. That decided it — another chance to a ack those hill climbs from this morning. The road was now slightly familiar and much drier. I knew I had to get a move on to make it back to Auckland. Speed increased. Just before I got to the ocean, I turned south towards another set of hills. The roads were built wide and smooth but now forestry trucks started to appear, usually taking up both sides of the road. Banging the big Suzuki down two gears to tip into another gnarly, ► AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 129
■ The beautiful coastline around the Coromandel township
“The roads were exactly what I love: big, open sweepers with dramatic views” decreasing-radius corner, the cruel sea on my right and craggy, moody pine forest to my le , I began to concede that Randal had a point. These were amazing roads. I was off the script now, my carefully considered route out the window. I wasn’t crossing the Sahara, but running on these New Zealand back roads was starting to feel like an adventure. I was grinning like an idiot, taking advantage of the wide, upright bars to cram her into the tight stuff. Back on the highway, I steeled myself for a long, boring slog back to town, except that New Zealand highways are nearly as good on a motorbike as the back roads. Every corner brought something new — a cluster of Swiss chalets, a sheep-themed amusement park, big steel bridges over deep gorges. 130 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ Oh the jokes we could crack! Have you heard the one…
At one point, the highway hugged the curves of Karangahake Gorge, the bright blue water crashing over rocks right next to the road. I arrived back at Randal’s place just on dark, unloaded the bike and headed straight for the airport, bending his ear about the roads and the bike, and how
I needed to come back. I even got to the airport in time to meet my wife’s flight. A few weeks later, back at my desk and daydreaming of those deep pine hollows, an email popped up. Was I interested in bringing a bike back to Auckland from the other end of the country? Yes please. ARR
product reviews
TESTING,TESTING On test for you this month, we’ve got some top-line riding gear, adventurous protection and something to give your wrist a rest RUKKA COSMIC SUIT FINNISH DRESS CODE You know how whenever you buy a new bike it seems to rain every weekend for the next couple of months? The answer is to go and buy new waterproof riding gear! I bought a Rukka Cosmic jacket and pants before completing about 3000km, taking in the extremes of Cooma in July to an unseasonably warm south-east Queensland, all without a drop of rain. The Cosmic is an enduro-styled outfit, with the latest Gore-Tex Pro 3 outer shell and D30 armour. It is rated as a three-season (autumn through spring) combination. Given it’s designed in Finland, I wasn’t sure if their summer would correspond with ours. What got me across the line with the Cosmic is that the jacket and pants have zippered ventilation in the shoulders, back and thighs, which hopefully would help with warmer Australian conditions. As there are no Rukka retailers in Sydney, I had to order over the phone. The sizing on the website proved accurate and I ended up with a 54 in jacket and pants, the same sizing as my old Dainese jacket and pants. The service from Mari at Innotesco, the importer and distributer, was first class. My trip came together at very short notice and the jacket and pants were at my door within a week of ordering, even though they had to come from Finland. Everything about the Cosmic feels solid. At around seven to eight kilos it’s certainly not light, but once on it feels comfortable. I did find the D30 armour restrictive, especially on the hips, making getting on and off the bike 132 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
r The Cosmic is an enduro-styled touring jacket
more difficult, but I suppose that’s the compromise for added protection. Did the ventilation work? My trip temperatures ranged from 2°C in Cooma up to 32°C and humid around Maclean. I found with just a T-shirt on and the Outlast lining out, I could remain comfortable up to low 30s, provided I kept moving at highway speed. This was on a Multistrada; if you’re on a bike with bigger fairings, you won’t be comfortable above mid20s, I’m guessing. Even with the liner in, I could remain comfortable to mid20s with the ventilation open.
r Pants include vents and other good Rukka touches
The vent at the back makes the biggest difference to performance. With the back open I could feel the air moving around the jacket. When I closed it the air movement was barely noticeable. At the other end of the spectrum, the Cosmic handles the cold easily (it’s from Finland!), with a detachable collar providing increased protection for the neck. Compared to my previous jacket, I found putting on heavy winter gloves very easy as there was plenty of room at the cuffs for the gloves.
RUKKA AIRWAY JACKET LOVIN’ SUMMER I’ve never owned a ventilated jacket. I always used to park the bike up for summer, finding it too uncomfortable to swelter in a jacket, and I wasn’t prepared to ride with just a T-shirt. Enter the Rukka Airway jacket. It’s made from knitted Cordura AFT, which is a looser weave than regular Cordura, so it flows more air. As an upmarket offering the Airway provides better weather protection for the touring rider, compared with other ventilated jackets. The liner is a Gore-Tex shell with the top-of-the-range GoreTex Lockout closure. This means that for extended touring you should still remain dry at the other end. Rukka claims the liner, when removed, can be used as an everyday jacket. Not sure about that one. Like other Rukka products, there are a number of neat touches around the jacket, including a waterproof pouch for wallet/phone, magnetic fasteners on the collar and neoprene lining in the collar for comfort. CE-rated armour rounds out the package, including back protector. Compared to regular textile jackets, the Airway feels light and supple; no doubt the breathable Codura AFT material is responsible for this.
r Waterproof zips and magnetic studs to close flaps
Everywhere you look at the Cosmic you find neat touches, such as colourcoded zippers and bu ons that hold the Outlast lining in place, and the magnetic fasteners on the pocket flaps and the belt buckle. I did find some dirt sticking to the magnet in the belt buckle — must have had some iron in it — which made locking the buckle difficult. Cleaning the dirt off fixed the problem. At $1145 for the jacket and $895 for the pants, the Cosmic is not cheap. Within the Rukka range I reckon it’s
Rukka rates the Airway as a three-season (autumn/summer/spring) jacket. The highest temperature I’ve faced so far was 26°C. With a long-sleeve T-shirt under the jacket, the Airway was comfortable down to mid-teen temperatures, with the liner in. In the 20s it was very comfortable with the liner out, and you could really feel the air flowing through. The lightness and lack of bulk make the jacket very comfortable to wear. At $975 it’s not a cheap jacket. If you’re commuting or doing short day trips, it’s probably overkill. However, if you ride in a climate that doesn’t get below about 10°C very often, and travel long distances, the Airway is the jacket for you. For me it has added another two to three months to the riding season each year. How good is that!
— RMCG
DETAILS Prices: $975 Sizes: 50-60 Colours: Grey, black/yellow, brown/black, blue/black, grey/orange Info: www.rukka.com.au, 0414 814 194
r Large rear vent is crucial for ventilation
r D30 armour is light and cooler to wear
about the sweet spot, with the best of the technology (Gore-Tex 3) and safety (D30) of the higher-end jackets, and only losing out on some of the minor ones (Gore Lockout). The additional ventilation sold me though, which gives the Cosmic that additional comfort range that I think we need in Australia. As I said, I paid for the Cosmic myself and it’s not cheap. But it feels solid, offers a high level of protection, and I reckon I’ll still be using it
happily in 10 years’ time, which, on an annualised rate, isn’t that expensive. At least that’s how I justified it to the wife. — ROSS MCGLADE
DETAILS Prices: Jacket $1145; pants $895 Sizes: Jacket 50-66; pants 46-62 Colours: Jacket sand, black or red; pants black Info: www.rukka.com.au, 0414 814 194
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 133
product reviews
■ The bottom of the bash plate: wide and solid
■ The plate is well made and attaches easily and securely
ARMOUR PLATING MC PERFORMANCE GUARDS It doesn’t take long to realise how important it is to protect your bike’s vulnerable points, especially if you tour rough country. Holed radiators are a complete pain, but a cracked sump can really ruin your day. It’s amazing how easily and weirdly it can happen, too. My DR has a significant dent in the side of its oil cooler, despite the presence of a protective bar that Suzuki wisely includes as standard fare. The back plate I fi ed soon a er I bought the bike has its share of scrapes and dents too. I wouldn’t go anywhere without the solid alloy unit bolted in place. However, recently I’ve had the chance to check out one from MC Performance, the Aussie company be er known for its exhausts but now also producing a wider range of products for various bikes. You might remember I’ve reviewed an exhaust and a luggage rack from them in recent issues. At the same time, I fi ed an alloy shield for the DR’s oil cooler, one designed to replace the lightweight screen that comes standard. The alloy bash plate is a 4mm-thick unit with two bends and two welds, the la er holding the “wings” in place at the sides. Large perforations at the front save a tiny bit of weight, and another larger one underneath provides access to the oil drain plug. The plate clamps and bolts to the Suzuki’s frame, where it sits firmly in place. It’s expansive, leaving nothing vulnerable, and if anything actually beats the thick alloy’s ability to protect the bike you’re probably going to be worrying about more than a bit of damage to the sump. This is tank-like protection. 134 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
The guard for the oil cooler is thinner, of course, but at 3mm it’s still massive armour for the job. Dozens of slots provide airflow so the cooler can do its job, and despite the fact that the flow isn’t as unrestricted as with the standard protective mesh, I had no apparent issues with overheating. DRs got by for years without oil coolers at all, so I reckon it’d only be the most extreme conditions where you might feel the difference. Since MC Performance sent me this sample to review, they’ve added captive nuts so that bolting it onto the four mounting points will be a cinch. They’ve also gone with black anodising, which I think would look a lot nicer than the plain alloy of this unit. (MCP does a very cool stainless-steel radiator guard for several four-cylinder Suzukis, finished with a mirror-like polish that looks very trick.) Both guards provide dependable protection for your DR650 and are worth checking out. — MICK MATHESON
The latest version of the cooler is finished in black
■ The cooler guard provides full coverage
DETAILS Prices: Bash plate $145; oil-cooler guard $95 Material: Bash plate, 4mm alloy; oil-cooler guard 3mm alloy Info: www.mcperformance.com.au, 03 5633 1845
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product reviews
■ The Cruise2 holds onto the grip and rests against the brake lever
PHOTON CRUISE2 QUICK CRUISE CONTROL This is probably the quickest and easiest cruise control you’ll ever fit to your bike, even though — strictly speaking — it’s not a cruise control device. Photon’s Cruise2 is more a thro le holder, something to give your wrist a break on long rides, and in that role it’s excellent. It’s probably also about the cheapest accessory a motorcyclist can buy these days, costing $25 or $26, depending on whether you want black or the bling of silver finish. I’ve used this on and off over months now, on various bikes, and it certainly does what it claims to do. Just fit it, position it while you ride and whenever you want to shake the vibes out of your right hand, or just flex your finger and wrist joints a bit, you set the Cruise2 in place and let go of the twist grip. The bike will sing along under its own steam while you refresh. To fit the flexible plastic device, just pull the jaws apart and slip it over your bike’s thro le grip. The Cruise2 hangs on firmly, but not so much that you will have any trouble rotating it forward around the grip until it’s resting against the brake lever. With 136 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
the twist grip closed, the Cruise2 is now in its resting position. Open the thro le and the Cruise2 rotates backwards with it. To activate the “cruise control” you simply finger the Cruise2 forward without closing the thro le, until it’s resting against the brake lever. From there, you can let go and the Cruise2 holds the power on. Its grip is strong enough to resist the thro le return springs, provided your handlebar rubber isn’t too smooth or slippery. If it is, or if you have metal grips on a customised bike, the Cruise2 comes with a rubber band to slide onto the grip, which improves its hold. Obviously, the Cruise2 holds a constant thro le position so your bike will slow down up hills and accelerate down them. Hi ing the brakes or clutch won’t “turn it off ” like on an electronic cruise control. You have to (shock, horror) take some responsibility yourself by keeping an eye on your speed and the road, and be ready to close the thro le if required. So clearly the Cruise2 is not intended for extended use (except perhaps on the Nullarbor) and it has its compromises. But the moment you roll that thro le forward you wouldn’t know the Cruise2 was there because it
doesn’t provide any resistance against your strength, at least not to speak of. The two sizes allow the Cruise2 to cater to the regular grips found on most motorcycles or the traditionally chunkier ones on many cruisers. Assuming you’ve got the right size, the Cruise2 can be transferred from one bike to the next in seconds. It’s a neat device that’ll be appreciated by anyone doing long distances without an electronic cruise control. — MICK MATHESON
DETAILS Price: $26 (silver), $25 (black) Colours: Black, silver Sizes: 22mm, 25mm Info: www.motorcycleadventure.com.au, 07 3139 0387
■ Cruise2 comes in silver or black
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Whatz new FLATOUT RIDING There’s touring New Zealand and then there’s touring New Zealand on a 1975 Norton Commando MkIII, and that’s what tour company Flatout Riding offers with its unique journeys around the Shaky Isles. Flatout Riding is based in Whakatane, on the shore of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, which is close to some beaut touring roads on the east side of the North Island. The coolest thing is that you’ll be riding one of 10 nicely restored Norton Commandos, which are being upgraded for improved reliability. They’ve each been named after Isle of Man TT course vantage points, such as Creg-ny-Baa, which somehow sounds appropriate for New Zealand. There are two- and three-day tours in which you get the bike, bike gear, insurance, four-star accommodation, lunch and fuel, as well as a 1.5-hour Newspaper Run designed as a taster. Price: $1000 per day (two- and three-day tours) Vist: www.flatoutriding.co.nz
GIVI AIRFLOW SCREENS Like a dog with its head out the window, we love the feeling of hanging out in the breeze, except when it becomes a literal pain in the neck. Buffeting from poor wind-flow ain’t fun so massive props, yo, to GIVI, which has designed special screens to suit a range of popular adventure bikes and scooters. They say they’re aerodynamically designed so both sections of the screen work together to drastically reduce or eliminate buffeting. They also have a quick and easy 12cm adjustment, so they’ll suit riders of most sizes. Price: From $189 Visit: www.ronangel.com.au 138 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
UNIFILTER DUKE AIR FILTERS The Duke of KTM prefers not to “suck dirt” as it were, so it’s pleasing to learn of the marvellous filtration properties of Unifilter’s air filter. What a jolly good product it appears to be, with open cell polyurethane crafted into shapes to suit the Duke’s stable of 125, 200 and 390 mounts and coloured appropriately in fine orange. When combined with Unifilter foam air filter treatment oil, you can achieve a first-rate level of dust exclusion from the throttle body. Capital! Price: $29.95 Visit: www.ficeda.com.au
NEW AND INTERESTING STUFF
TRIUMPH TIGER K&N FILTER Bike engine performance can be enhanced when you let it breathe a bit better, which is why you see foam air cleaners sticking out the sides of some race bikes. Even replacing the standard air cleaner with a high-flow filter will boost torque and horsepower on your standard bike, and K&N have made one to suit the 2013 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 range. With pleated cotton and a durable framework, you can clean these filters without having to fiddle with the enginemanagement system after they’re fitted. Price: $109.95 Visit: www.ctaaustralia.com.au
SUNSTAR SPROCKETS
BMW F 800 GS ACCESSORIES That bold adventure into the Australian wilds aboard your F 800 GS might benefit from a few extras and, thanks to Motorcycle Adventure Products, there are plenty to choose from. This bike has just about the full catalogue of updated Hepco & Becker
products on it, with headlight protection, tank guard, pannier racks, bash plate and handlebar guards. There are tonnes more that you’ll find on the website, with a full list of prices. Price: various Visit: www.motorcycleadventure.com.au
Beer cans and motorcycle sprockets have enjoyed the weight-saving benefits of aluminium construction for some time now — slabs of beer are easier to carry and bikes suffer less drivetrain power loss. Then Sunstar discovered a way to make a stainless-steel sprocket up to 50 per cent lighter, which, the company says, will last up to four times longer than an aluminium sprocket. The Works Z is heat treated to make it five times harder than aluminium and has self-cleaning properties to make it a cracker on a dirt bike. The lightness is achieved by cutting a bunch of holes in it — something that didn’t translate well to early lightweight steel beer can experiments. Price: $109.95 Visit: www.ficeda.com.au
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ROADRUNNER TRAVEL MUG In a rush to get to work or just want to savour that aromatic cup of Joe on the road? A travel mug is the way to go and the Roadrunner setup is ideal. The 450ml stainless-steel mug gets mounted on the handlebars of your bike with a ring that ensures the long beverage vessel won’t fall out. All they need now is a straw system for full-face-helmet wearers! The only thing is they’re made in the USA and you’ll have to get one shipped from there. Price: US$69 (approximately AU$78) Visit: www.leadermotorcycle.com
KARCHER K3.800 ECO CLEANER When things get dirty, a good squirt is the logical solution, and the Karcher K3.800 Ecological pressure cleaner means you can have a good environmentally friendly squirt. Not only do you already use considerably less water than the old thumb over the end of the garden hose, but switching to Eco mode will reduce power and water usage by a further 20 per cent. It pumps out just 6.3L of water a minute at 1800psi (pounds per square inch), which is a good squirt by anyone’s standards! Price: $399 Visit: www.karcher.com.au
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MOTUL CHAIN PACK Bike chains need lube and care if we don’t want to be spending the money to replace them more often than is necessary, so investing in a good chain-care pack isn’t a dumb idea. Well, wouldn’t you know, Motul just happens to produce such a pack for your road bike with a can of chain lube, chain cleaner and a chain-cleaning brush. The pack costs less than if you were to buy all the bits separately and there’s even one for dirt bikes. Price: $39.95 Visit: www.linkint.com.au
NEW AND INTERESTING STUFF
SUPER SOCKS We love a good sock, as does our mate Andy of Andy Strapz — which is why he was keen to share this discovery with us. Andy says these socks were made for pro snowboarders but he saw the benefits for those who spend long days in the saddle, with their vented mesh instep and padding in all the right places. They’re made from wool, nylon and elastane, and are knitted to allow for four-way stretch and “active fit”. Andy says he’s been wearing his for nine months, which is an unfeasibly long time to be wearing anything, for that matter. Price: $35 Visit: www.andystrapz.com.au
GEIGERRIG DRINK VEST If a travel mug doesn’t meet your hydration needs, especially in the hot weather, then this pressurised drink vest from Geigerrig might be the answer. Called the Cadence, the slim vest holds a 1.5L pressurised bladder that squirts water, or whatever you choose to fill it with, so you don’t have to be a sucker. The poly-mesh stretch vest is designed to be comfortable for runners and can easily be worn under a bike jacket. Price: $217.95 Visit: www.zenimports.com.au
ACTION CAM LIVE-VIEW REMOTE Using a helmet-mounted camera is a great way to record those awesome rides, but getting the angle right is the difference between seeing the great road or just the bike’s tank. Here’s a beaut idea from Sony that will help you become a Spielberg on the road. The Action Cam Live-View WiFi remote control works with most
Sony cameras and is worn on your wrist so you can see exactly what your camera is shooting. Not only is it a viewer, but it’ll operate some of the camera functions as well, and being waterproof to a depth of 3m, dustproof and freeze-proof, you can wear it just about anywhere. Price: $149 Visit: www.sony.com.au
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LETTERS LE ETT T ER ERS
READERS RITE on’t forget to write! We mean it. We love to hear from you and everyone else does too; these pages are among the most popular in the magazine. Preferably, keep le ers under 300 words so we can fit more in, though we will allow the odd exception without taking to it with the editorial knife. Yes, we will chop ’em when we have to. Do include your real name and some contact details, just in case we need to clarify something. Please write to roadrider@ universalmagazines.com.au or send mail to Road Rider, Unit 5, 6–8 Byfield Street, North Ryde NSW 2113 — Matho
D
SPEED DOES NOT KILL Ian Neubauer’s article on temporary Australians in the December issue struck a nerve with me from several angles. Firstly, his apparent support for the notion that speed kills makes me want to scream. Apart from the simple logic that one or more vehicles must be moving as a prerequisite for any crash, speed does not kill. Hands up all those who have done 200km/h-plus on some lonely piece of road without dying. I rest my case. There must be other factors involved before speed can contribute to injuries or death, but speed of itself never killed anyone. Secondly, I just don’t accept the concept that I am more at risk riding a bike than driving a car, just because that’s what the statistics show. I know that every time I ride my bike, I am going to come home in the same condition. If I didn’t genuinely believe that, why would I ride at all? The roadcasualty statistics are full of other people’s mistakes, and I’m not one of them. Crashes really are something that happens to other people. The inconvenient elephant in the road safety room is that incompetence is a major killer on our roads. Our licence training and testing regime is totally inadequate. Ge ing a licence to drive or ride is treated as a birth right. Far too many people who lack the inherent skills and aptitude to drive/ride get licences and go on to kill and injure themselves and others because they can’t control a vehicle in even the most mundane circumstances. Yet speed gets vilified by the authorities as if it was the only hazard on our roads. I have trouble with the concept of defensive driving as a survival strategy. Defence is based on a reaction to circumstances. An effective riding survival strategy has to be proactive and aimed at avoiding potentially dangerous situations before they even occur. As for riders making themselves more visible, spare me. If you want to put your survival in the flawed observation skills of someone else, go right ahead. I’d rather adopt a strategy that’s based on the assumption that I’m invisible on the road and it’s entirely up to me to avoid every hazard that riding on the road throws at me. Consider this, if you are really honest with yourself, you can look back at every crash you have ever had, with the benefit of hindsight, and identify something that you could have done to avoid the crash. If you can learn from these experiences, you will develop a comprehensive survival strategy that enables you to anticipate the mistakes that you and others make that threaten your safety on the road. Of course, this can also be taught. But it isn’t, and that’s the 1442 | AUS 142 14 A AUSTRALIAN TRALIA TRA LIA AN R ROAD OAD AD RI R RIDER DE DER 142 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
“Hands up all those who have done 200km/h-plus on some lonely piece of road without dying. I rest my case” real problem with the official view of road safety in Australia, not speed. Rob Harden Ashfield, NSW
BACK IN THE DAY Was reading your editorial in #98 about the licence assessor and how he asked you to ride around the block. Mine was a bit stricter. He watched while I rode down the street and did a U-turn. He too started walking inside for the paperwork as I rode back to the registry. Was back at that same registry years later with steel wool and a washer down my four-into-ones, a er a nearby registry took away my number plate when I tried to get the beast registered without the temporary silencer. You say that you honed your bike skills on the farm. I learnt all I needed to know on a Honda 100 on land beside an aba oir up in Newcastle. Stick with it. Brendan O’Kane Darlinghurst, NSW
FICKLE RIDERS We humans are a fickle bunch! A er reading “More speed, less haste” by McKinnon and then “Temporary Australians” by Neubauer [ARR #98], I’m le wondering who referees at ARR when these two blokes cross paths in the corridor? Then to lighten the mood, Gregor unloads with “Guy with a van”. We each love our bikes, but who we are, what we ride and how we ride is diverse, and o en poles apart. “Dancing in the Rain” (ARR #97) again supports the competing-views theory, so I guess the conflict between competing schools of thought on all things motorcycling goes on and on. Despite our differences, motorcycles are what runs through our veins and binds us. While blood is thicker than water, I don’t envy those of the Australian Motorcycle Council looking for middle ground. We motorcyclists are a minority group, special if you like. If we are not careful, we are likely to become an endangered
LETTERS species if the image and safety of motorcycling is not improved. Unity is strength, and those who would legislate us out of existence will aim to divide and conquer. I digress, back to ARR #98. While I agree McKinnon has valid points to his argument, Neubauer’s article clearly demonstrates that there are too many motorists ge ing their ambitions mixed up with their abilities. Graveyards are li ered with “great riders and drivers”, along with (sadly) their innocent victims. Everyone wants to have fun, but public roads are no playground. They are publicly funded thoroughfares to enable each of us to travel from point A to point B. If motorists want to play, play by the rules, ride/drive safely and sensibly, otherwise go somewhere where the traffic travels in the same direction and the hazards at the side of the track are minimised … it ain’t rocket science! Finally, on a lighter note, Gregor’s article tickled my ribs the most. Who could blame him for coming to his conclusion? That said, I love my Harley, as I have my current and previous Jap bikes. Despite HD ownership, one of my favourites remains: “On the 8th day, God created the Harley. On the 9th day, he was still trying to start it!” Rod Lewis Pelican Waters, Qld
HELP THE ECONOMY It’s the first week of January 2014. Like many of you, we managed to enjoy the holiday break and we got some gi s. Some of you got the gi voucher from your friendly bike shop! Goody! Now think, when was the last time you got a new pair of riding gloves? How old is your helmet? How is that crappy old biker’s jacket you have been living in for the last 10 years? So go on, use the gi voucher and add some of your hard-earned money to buy some fresh equipment. Most bike shops will give you a good price. I always haggle and never pay retail. A er all, they want your business and a li le discount is enough for them to get the sale. I have made a point that I now use a permanent marker and write the date of purchase on the inside of the helmet or jacket. Anything over three years get replaced! You all know that the riding gear we wear is our personal protection — you want the best you can afford to ensure your safety. So go on, help our economy, and replace the old and wornout equipment. I would like to see the importers donate some gear to ARR for monthly prizes. One pair of gloves is being tight-arsed! There are six states and the territories, so come on, support the readers who are your customers. Thanks for another great read in ARR. Stay upright, fellow pilots. David Cauchi Kilburn, SA
RIDER TRAINING G’day Matho, I’d like to comment on the article in ARR #98 about rider training. I have participated in two intermediate training programs over the years. The first was pre-children in the ‘80s, which was run evenings over a few weeks with a Saturday arvo road session to finish up. The second was early 2011 post-children at Stay Upright in Brisbane, which was a one-day affair. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these experiences and would like to follow up with a
refresher every couple of years but, unlike the trainers who commented in your article, I do find the cost prohibitive. At best, I might get back a er five or six years. I would agree that doing a course is very beneficial to ge ing the most out of your riding no ma er where or what you ride. On the Stay Upright course, there were 250cc commuters, a couple pillioning on their Yammie XJ, mid-sized sports and my Kwaka 1000GTR tourer — and everyone was stretched from where they were at. So, in conclusion, if you can afford it, do it and go along with an open mind and receptive a itude that you will ride home smoother, quicker and safer than when you arrived. Lloyd Goulter Email
“Rider training organisations adopt the same teaching principles as TAFE: don’t let anyone fail” LIVES AT STAKE I have just finished reading your article on rider training in ARR #98 and here is my take on how rider training is being approached for new riders. I’m 54 and learnt to ride on a BSA Bantam at the age of nine on a farm, luckily. That being said, I have come to the conclusion the government should be running motorcycle training courses as opposed to some of these private operations. A bit of a radical statement maybe but, based on my limited experience with one of these operations, I have found they adopt the same teaching principles as TAFE: don’t let anyone fail. A er more than 30 years as a pillion passenger, my wife has decided to go for her bike licence. Knowing how well she rides a pushbike and valuing our long-term marriage, I thought it best to book her into a well-known rider training course so she can learn the necessary skills to stay alive on the road as opposed to my 45 years of hack rider training. Two days pass and she comes home announcing she has been officially passed to obtain her learners permit and ride with the best on the road. Luckily, one of my sons (who I taught to ride) was on the same course. Shaking his head, he said, “I don’t believe they passed her.” Aside from expressing her concerns about her riding ability, she managed to forget to change gears, negotiate the corner and rode up over a curb and down an embankment, resulting in being dislodged from the bike and suffering multiple bruises. In her words: “I can’t remember a thing, I don’t know how I missed the trees.” Let’s cut to the chase. The instructor, a knowledgeable rider with 30 years’ experience on a postie bike, asked her if she wanted to pass the course or do it again! Is he on a bonus system for achieving 100 per cent pass rates!? Luckily, someone has a bit of common sense and will not let her ride on the road until she passes a reputable training course. The industry should hang its head in shame and recruit be er trainers with realistic rider outcomes. We are not dealing with marketing or business courses here, people’s AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 143
LETTERS lives are at stake. In case I have not been clear in my message, I am angered at how this sort of practice is allowed to take place and I’ll say it again, people’s lives are at stake. Dean Finch Email
UNWELCOME IN VICTORIA I received the latest copy of ARR [#98] today in my mailbox so, as usual, tore the plastic off and started flicking through. Geoff Seddon’s column on Victorian speed enforcement is very similar to my experience in 2005. My wife and I and our good friends were on a leisurely weekend away from Canberra and spending time, and money, in the Rutherglen and King Valley wine regions touring the local wineries and enjoying good food, so in no hurry at all. The motel operator had warned us about lone vehicles parked on the edge of the roads being speed camera cars, so we were vigilant for these as well. While on the Murray Valley Highway, with no other traffic about, looking for a particular winery entrance, we passed a Holden Rodeo parked on the opposite side of the road and decided that it was an unmarked camera vehicle. The car I was driving was showing the speed limit, so I had nothing to worry about. A couple of weeks later, I received an infringement notice in the mail saying that I’d been 6km/h over the limit. I wrote to the head of Vic Police with the circumstances, to no avail. I then wrote to the Vic minister for tourism and the Vic minister for police stating my case. I received no reply at all. Part of my le er to the tourism minister outlined that the policing method had le a very bi er taste in my mouth, and I would be informing all of my friends to spend their tourist dollars elsewhere. Since then, I have ventured into Victoria as li le as possible and when having to, set my GPS alert several km/h below the speed limit, while being bored to the max! I refuse to pay these thieving bastards any more of my hardearned dollars. Our tourist dollars since then have been spent in NSW and overseas in New Zealand (five trips) and an eight-week tour of the British Isles and Europe, covering 13,000km, at speeds all much greater than we are subject to here. The accepted speed in Italy appeared to be between 160-190 on the Autostrada (posted at 130), strictly enforced limits in Switzerland, and in Germany we were cruising between 220 and 240 on the derestricted areas of the Autobahn, still being passed rapidly by the locals. The Stelvio Pass was a great experience, especially in our RHD BMW that we bought in England, looking over the edge to the valley far below, without any Armco to protect us! So, speed kills? Bullshit! Victoria and its people are the losers, as we vote with our dollars and spend elsewhere. With the closure of the car manufacturing industry, all the job losses and the resulting contraction in the Victorian economy, tourism will become more and more important to the viability of their economy. As Seddo has stated, they should just put up a sign at the border: “Interstate tourists not welcome”, and save us the heartache. On the GP weekend in October, I organised a BMW car get together in southern NSW, enjoying the li le-used back roads, and tried to have our group stop at the smaller towns to have meals and coffee breaks, spending money not earned locally. This worked well, however we had to venture into 144 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
Victoria to Corryong for a lunch stop on the Saturday. A er leaving Corryong and heading to Khancoban, we passed two unmarked camera cars on the side of the road, while still in Victoria. So they are still at it in this region of Victoria, even though the traffic was very light. As I was leading the group, and we all had car-to-car communication, no one had any issues. This is not road safety, this is taxation! On a different subject, what is it with all the new ma black bikes now? Apart from being downright ugly, it surely doesn’t help with visibility. My daily ride is an ex-police BMW K1100LT and it sure is noticed, being white. Colour definitely ma ers for visibility. If they can see me, they are unlikely to try to kill me. My 25-year-old daughter rides a white, ex-police BMW R1150RT, as daily transport to her job as a pathologist at the hospital, and has no trouble being seen either. We really don’t need hi-vis vests, as advised elsewhere in the mag. Lastly, is there a prize for the ugliest muffler? All new bikes, regardless of country of origin, seem to be adorned with evermore hideous mufflers. The stylists should look at a 1970s 750 Norton Commando, Triumph Bonny, or Contis on a Ducati for inspiration. Ian Wise ACT So many truths there, Ian. Regarding your ex-cop bikes, there was a famous study in the ‘70s or maybe early ‘80s that concluded a police bike was the most recognised vehicle on the road. I bet the bloke who used to ride around Sydney on an ex-police bike with the le ers “POLICE” across the front never had any problems! Then again, I knew a bike cop who’d been knocked off his machine, too, though in that case, I think it wasn’t that he wasn’t seen, it’s that the driver didn’t bother to look. — Matho
“So, speed kills? Bullshit! Victoria and its people are the losers, as we vote with our dollars and spend elsewhere” MEMORIES G’day Mick, Great mag. I am a previous subscriber and will be again. You may not remember me, but we did a comparo back in the day for a previous mag when Gregor did his knee at a photo shoot at Kurnell sand dunes. We had, for our pleasure, a Cagiva 900 Elefant and an R100GS Beemer — the one with the crash bars around the headlight (which were to prove useful for you). Anyway, a er a leisurely lunch in Orange, we headed for Mount Hope and a meeting with Mr Smith. With daylight fading, we pressed on. Luckily, Matho, you were in the lead on the boxer when you king hit a big red, delivering the death knell. A er you collected yourself and with the very stable Beemer still upright, we continued on to the Mount Hope pub, in time for a late dinner with four or five locals, including a
LETTERS
“Our trip at the same time as Seddo’s felt more like Ian and Anne’s and, like Ian and Anne, I’ll be touring in Victoria much more” chopper crew doing a goat survey and a Kiwi farmer driving a large combine back to Queensland. Needless to say, it was a fantastic three-day, two-way compare, for which I am deeply indebted to you and Mr R for pu ing my name forward. By the by, I used to be the mech who bump started the li le Pantah at Bathurst, Oran and Amaroo in the ‘80s — but that’s another story. Mech Man Email Long-time no see, mate! I certainly do remember that ride, including the embarrassment of trying to sort out the “brokendown” Cagiva, only to find that it was probably the world’s only fuel-injected bike that had stuck with a fuel reserve tap… Must do it again sometime. — Matho
IT’S ALL IN YOUR MIND Esteemed editor Matheson, Now look here, good chap, you really must start ge ing your contributors under control. Your January edition featured road safety and rider training but even before ge ing to those parts, I read an article by an Aprilia rider whose talents failed to rise above his shoulders. I am not about to boast of my own riding skills — you have firsthand experience of my limitations — but, as an elder of the tribe, I thought I should speak up. My own safety formula is 3A: a itude, awareness and aptitude — in that order. A itude and awareness can compensate for a lack of aptitude, but the converse is not true. Had your Aprilia rider had the right a itude, he would not have made the mistake of entering a road without checking for conflicting traffic. Had he practised situational awareness, he would not have parked the scooter facing downhill without ensuring its security. Rider training is all very well and I fully support such efforts, but greater results are achieved by “head training” — teaching riders that safety starts in the head and trickles down to the hands and feet. There, I feel be er now. Wayne Talbot Kelso, NSW At least our testers are honest enough to admit their failings! — Matho
JUSTICE FOR THIEVES Hi Mick, Just got back from a ride through Melbourne where I see them thievin’ bastards that operate CityLink started tolling motorcycles as of 1 January. Next it’ll be front number plates! There, enough anger for one day. It should probably be noted that the toll rate will be half that of a car, you can include your bike on your car account and there is no requirement to fit a transponder unit to the bike.
TAC [Transport Accident Commission] might not be overly sympathetic to motorcyclists, but at least it’s be er than what you poor bastards in NSW have to put up with each year. But, having said that, it costs me $490 to keep the old Le Mans on the road and $488 for the Ute. Where’s the justice? Peter Glasson Glenlyon
MISMATCHED ATTITUDES It is curious the different points of view between the editorial team’s writer Seddo and the reader contributors Ian and Anne. One seems to be blacklisting Victoria and the other advocating it. Even more interesting is that I rode into Victoria for the 2012 MotoGP, just like Seddo did, in a different group and possibly on a different route, but definitely heading to the track like most other bikes on the road that week. Being Casey Stoner’s last Aussie race, I was expecting crowds and a heavy police presence, so I played the game. I made sure the old Triumph was in good order before we le and I rode within reasonable limits — not always the signposted ones, but just no silly stuff. And the constabulary gave no grief for those indiscretions, which I know were observed. In the two days travelling to where we stayed, we got stopped for a cursory bike check and licence check three times by the same team of six police that were patrolling the same route we were on. Read it again: three times in two days. But the thing is, I was expecting it, so there was no a itude, no aggro. It became funny — just one of those stories from the road. They were not out to get us and we were not trying to give them a itude or problems. This is how I know there were indiscretions of speed limits that were noticed, but ignored — they told us! I certainly would not have felt the need to challenge the might of the Victorian government. If I did, I’m sure I would have received a fine for my troubles. Our trip at the same time as Seddo’s felt more like Ian and Anne’s and, like Ian and Anne, I’ll be touring in Victoria much more. Is anyone else noticing a mismatch between the a itudes of the readers and the editorial team’s writers? Sco Young Greenwich, NSW It’s not just the editorial team differing with readers, but readers differing with readers and editorial differing with editorial. As Rod Lewis says in his le er, we are a fickle bunch! I wouldn’t have it any other way, Sco . — Matho
SPACE TO RELAX Seddo ditched Victoria for Queensland? That would be jumping out of the frying pan of the highway patrol and into the fire of a different kind of police state, wouldn’t it? Personally, I’m thinking about ge ing some mates together and riding to Innamincka to watch the GP. There’s space to relax out there. Aaron Donaldson Devon Park, SA Can we come? — Matho AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 145
PRICE GUIDE
ROAD BIKE & SCOOTER PRICE GUIDE N Can I afford it? Is there something better for the money?
ew bike prices can go up and down like the stock market, so in every issue we’ll bring you the sticker prices. To be completely up to date with things like factory discounts and incentives, check the Road Rider website (www.roadrider.com.au) where we will bring you all the special deals, bonus offers and cashback promotions we can find. We have included the importers’ websites, which is the place to go if you’re looking for more information. You’ll see that we haven’t listed every bike on the market (yet) but we aim to get there with all of them. Sometimes even we struggle to find the details of the smaller, newer importers. Meanwhile, enjoy this most meaningful of Australian bike listings, covering the bikes you’re interested in. The prices are the most up-to-date ones available from the distributors. They may change, of course, subject to specials coming and going. We’ve also made it abundantly clear which prices are ride-away and which don’t include on-road costs; the difference to your final payout can be significant, so don’t compare apples with oranges.
TNT 1130R ................................. More explosive ........................$20,790+orc Tre-K 1130.................................. Out of the ordinary ..................$16,890+orc Adv Touring TRE-K Amazonas ..................... Be an individual .......................$17,790+orc
BIMOTA
www.urbanmotoimports.com.au
We were unable to contact Bimota to update details this month. Road DB8 ............................................ Eye candy..................................$47,990+orc DB8 SP ...................................... The sweetest candy .................$47,790+orc Tesi 3D ....................................... Exotica erotica ..........................$50,890+orc DB7 OroNero ............................ The ultimate exotic ..................$84,990+orc DB9 ............................................ Muscle streetfighter ................$44,990+orc DB9S.......................................... Sharper on the street ..............$46,990+orc DB10 .......................................... Sharp style ................................$37,290+orc DB10 R ....................................... And sharper again ...................$38,290+orc
BMW ■ Aprilia’s Tuono has been updated for 2014 with enhanced performance, now at 127kW (170hp), APRC electronic rider system, adjustable ABS and a new look. There are plenty more features to check out on this new model, which you can get for $21,490+orc
BRAND & MODEL APRILIA
WE SAY
PRICE www.aprilia.com.au
www.bmwmotorrad.com.au
Road F 800 R....................................... Naked Bavarian — mmm! ......$13,100+orc S 1000 RR.................................. Still the one to beat .................$22,400+orc HP4 ............................................ Hyper RR ...................................$27,990+orc HP4 Competition...................... For serious sports riders .........$32,450+orc R 1200 R .................................... Ever reliable ..............................$20,800+orc R 1200 RT .................................. Have your cake and eat it .......$28,790+orc K 1300 R .................................... Evil Wulf ....................................$21,990+orc
Road RS4 125 4T ................................ Sporty learner...........................$5100+orc Shiver Sport 750 ABS.............. Oh so good ...............................$12,990+orc Dorsoduro 750 ABS ................. With ABS ...................................$13,690+orc Tuono V4R APRC ...................... Upright sportsbike ...................$20,990+orc RSV4 R APRC............................ High tech, high spec ................$21,990+orc RSV4 R Factory APRC ABS ..... Racing black ..............................$27,990+orc Dorsoduro 1200 ATC/ABS ...... Insane in the brain ...................$16,990+orc Adv Touring Caponord 1200 ATC/ABS ........ Truly great all-rounder ............$21,990+orc Scooters SR50R Carb SBK ...................... Biaggi replica............................$3750+orc SR MT 50 2T ............................. Entry point ................................$2190+orc SR MT 125 4T ........................... Cheap commuting ...................$2990+orc Scarabeo 200 ie........................ Crisp performer........................$4650+orc Sportcity Street 300 ................. Sporty and more powerful .....$6290+orc Sportcity Cube 300 .................. Zip through the city .................$6290+orc Scarabeo 300 ie........................ Unmistakable ...........................$6490+orc SR Max 300 .............................. Do it all ......................................$6990+orc SRV 850 ATC ABS .................... Large with the lot .....................$15,990+orc
BENELLI
www.urbanmotoimports.com.au
We were unable to contact Benelli to update details this month. Road BN600........................................ Upcoming new four ................$TBA Century Racer 899.................... Mid-sized entertainer...............$15,590+orc TNT 1130 ................................... Naked dynamite.......................$19,990+orc 146 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ Two of Benelli’s four new BN600 models are now available, with two more arriving very soon. You can pick up the BN600R for $9990+orc and the BN600S LAMS bike for $8990+orc
PRICE GUIDE Leader........................................ Not fussy ...................................$2190+orc 650NK ........................................ May ruffle some feathers .......$5990+orc 650TK......................................... Bargain touring ........................$6,990+orc Cruiser V5 ............................................... Where’s the engine? ................$4190+orc
DAELIM
www.daelim.com.au
Road VJF250....................................... Adequate style .........................$3990+orc Cruiser Daystar 250 EFI ........................ Fat, feet-forward cruiser ..........$4290+orc Scooter Bbone ........................................ Its clothes are off......................$3490+orc Besbi .......................................... Small and cute .........................$2190+orc S1 ............................................... Nice style...................................$2990+orc
DUCATI ■ The incoming R1200GS Adventure, like the 2014 R1200GS and R1200RT, will wear a steering damper
DAMPED WATER BOXER BMW’s 2014 R1200GS, GS Adventure and RT will come with a steering damper as standard. In an American BMW magazine, BMW Motorrad communications manager, Rudi Probst, said that during development of the GSA and RT, they used a steering damper “to improve the handling of those vehicles”. The design of the steering damper improves the dynamics of the steering precision and accuracy. The steering damper was supplied by Müller Präzision and developed inhouse. It will be made available as an aftermarket accessory for the current water-cooled GS and will come standard with the 2014 GS, GSA and RT. BMW Motorrad Australia product communications manager, Scott Croaker, says it is “possible” to retrofit the BMW steering damper to the existing watercooled GS, but does not yet have a cost for the item. “The 2014 (GS) model will be offered with a slightly different base price and specification, mainly with regard to the riding modes. However, this will not affect the most commonly ordered, full-spec price,” Scott says.
K 1300 S .................................... Autobahn eater ........................$23,990+orc K 1300 S ................................... 30 year anniversary edition ....$27,490+orc K 1600 GT ................................. Power touring...........................$34,990+orc K 1600 GT Sport ....................... Luxury but lighter, sportier .....$35,490+orc K 1600 GTL ............................... Euro luxury touring .................$36,990+orc Adv Touring G 650 GS ................................... You’ll be surprised ...................$9990+orc G 650 GS Sertao....................... Rough it or not .........................$10,990+orc F 700 GS.................................... Not really a 700 ........................$12,890+orc F 700 GS ................................... Low suspension model ...........$13,140+orc F 800 GS.................................... Great adv tourer.......................$16,690+orc F800 GS..................................... Low suspension model ...........$16,940+orc F 800 GSA ................................. Go further..................................$18,550+orc F 800 GT .................................... Dynamically designed.............$16,300+orc R 1200 GS ................................. All-road master ........................$21,700+orc R 1200 GSA............................... Charley’s favourite ...................$23,850+orc R 1200 GSA Triple Black .......... Black, black & black ..................$25,770+orc Scooter C 600 Sport ............................... Sporty maxi ..............................$13,990+orc C 650 GT.................................... Let’s tour! ..................................$14,890+orc
BOLLINI
www.motorsportimporters.com.au
Road Speed 200 ................................. Economy ticket ........................$2290+orc Cruiser Retro 200................................... New release mid-year .............$TBA
CAN-AM (BRP)
www.brp.com
Road Spyder RS SM5........................ The “Spyder” experience .......$19,990+orc Spyder RSS SM5 ..................... Supersports manual ................$22,176+orc Spyder RSS SE5 ...................... Supersports auto .....................$23,990+orc Spyder RT SM5 ........................ Stand out from the crowd ......$30,490+orc Spyder RT Limited SE5 ........... Touring upspec ........................$39,990+orc
CF MOTO
www.cf-moto.com.au
Road VNight ....................................... Great learner ............................$2690+orc Jetmax 250 ............................... Freeway capable Scooter........$4190+orc
www.ducati.com.au
Road Monster 659 ABS ..................... Monster the LAM .....................$12,990+orc Monster 696 ABS .................... Easy to handle ..........................$13,990+orc Monster 796 ABS ..................... Full sized, adequate power .....$15,990+orc Monster 696 ABS 20th ............ Red anniversary model ..........$14,490+orc Monster 796 ABS 20th ............ Red anniversary model...........$16,490+orc Streetfighter 848 ...................... Precision fighter .......................$18,990+orc 848 EVO..................................... Surprise the big boys ..............$19,990+orc 848 EVO Corse SE.................... Special edition..........................$21,490+orc Panigale 899 ............................. Smaller, sweeter superbike ....$19,990+orc Hypermotard ............................ Shiny and new .........................$16,990+orc Hypermotard SP ...................... Brand new ................................$20,490+orc Hyperstrada .............................. Manners & madness ...............$17,990+orc Monster 1100 EVO ABS ........... Grrrrr! ........................................$17,990+orc Monster 1100 EVO Diesel ........ Urban military ..........................$19,990+orc Monster 1100 EVO ABS 20th Red anniversary model .............$18,490+orc Monster 1200 ........................... The new generation is coming $TBA Monster 1200 S ........................ With better bits.........................$TBA Panigale 1199 ABS.................... Good for Troy ............................$26,990+orc Panigale S ABS......................... Electronic Öhlins! ....................$33,990+orc Panigale Tri Colour ................... Make you melt .........................$39,990+orc Panigale R ABS......................... Race passion ............................$42,990+orc Cruiser Diavel ........................................ Heart of darkness .....................$23,990+orc Diavel Carbon Red ................... Deal with the devil ...................$29,490+orc Diavel Stripes ........................... With stripy paint.......................$26,990+orc Diavel Strada ............................ Ducati Performance .................$26,990+orc Adv Touring Multistrada 1200 ABS.............. 4 in 1 with ABS .........................$22,990+orc Multistrada 1200 S Touring ..... See the world ...........................$28,490+orc Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Pk ... Flashy paint job ........................$31,990+orc Multistrada 1200 Granturismo ............................. Tour perfection .........................$30,490+orc
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
www.harley-davidson.com
All H-D prices are ride-away. Cruiser XL883L SuperLow ................... For the shorties ........................$14,750ra XL883N Iron 883 ..................... Iron tough .................................$14,995ra XL1200C Custom ..................... Customary show off ................$18,750ra XL1200CA Custom A ............... Show off A ................................$19,250ra XL1200CB Custom B ............... Show off B ................................$18,750ra XL1200X Forty-Eight................ Retro cool..................................$18,995ra XL1200V Seventy-Two ............ Vintage muscle.........................$18,495ra VRSCDX Night Rod Special.... Drag bike ...................................$26,995ra VRSCF Muscle .......................... Muscle me ................................$26,750ra FXDB Street Bob ...................... Versatile.....................................$22,495ra FXDC Super Glide Custom ..... A bike with attitude..................$23,495ra FXDWG Wide Glide ................. Let your hair hang down ........$24,995ra FXDF Fat Bob............................ Lay off the burgers, Bob! ........$25,495ra FLD Dyna Switchback .............. Dress up, dress down..............$26,250ra FLS Softail Slim........................ Slim, yet PH fat! .......................$26,250ra FXST Softail Standard............. The original ride .......................$27,250ra FLSTFB Fat Boy Lo................... Low bruiser...............................$28,750ra FLSTF Fat Boy .......................... Big bruiser ................................$28,995ra FLSTN Softail Deluxe .............. Classy dude ..............................$28,995ra FLSTNSE CVO Deluxe ............. 110ci, LEDs plus ........................$44,995ra FXSB Breakout ......................... Urban street styling .................$28,995ra FXSBSE CVO Softail ................ 110ci and more .........................$43,995ra FLSTC Heritage S’tail Classic . Visually beautiful .....................$29,995ra FLHRC Road King Classic ....... Be the king ................................$32,495ra AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 147
PRICE GUIDE
■ Honda’s new CB650F (pictured) and CBR650F will be full-power, non-LAMS models
HONDA MIDWEIGHTS Honda Australia has confirmed we will get the new 650 motorcycles that debuted at the Milan Motorcycle Show. They will arrive in the second quarter of 2014, but no prices are available yet. However, the CB650F and CBR650F sportster will not be restricted to fit into the popular learner-approved motorcycles scheme (LAMS), says Honda Australia. Honda isn’t mentioning power or weight figures, but they must be over the 150kW-per-tonne cut-off for LAMS. They are powered by a brand-new DOHC, 649cc four-cylinder engine, tuned for high torque in the low-to-mid-rev range and quick acceleration off the start.
FLHRSE CVO Road King ......... King bling, 110ci .......................$47,995ra FLHX Street Glide .................... Bad boy .....................................$33,995ra FLHTCU Ultra Classic Electra Glide......Comfy ..........................$37,250ra FLHTK Electra Glide Ultra Ltd Works burger ............................$38,250ra FLHTCKSE CVO Ultra Ltd........ 110ci mega-tourer ....................$50,995ra
HONDA
www.honda.com.au
Road CB125E ...................................... Cheap commuter .....................$2099+orc CBR125R ................................... The teacher ...............................$4049+orc CBR250R ................................... Fresh and fun ...........................$5510+orc CBR250R ABS........................... With ABS! .................................$6010+orc CBR250R Repsol ...................... Stoner racer rep .......................$4999ra CBR250R ABS Repsol .............. With ABS ...................................$5499ra CBR250R SE Mugen ................ Mugen race replica ..................$5710+orc CBR250R SE Mugen ABS ....... With ABS ...................................$6220+orc CBR250R SE Moriwaki ............ Moriwaki race replica ..............$5710+orc CBR250R SE Moriwaki ABS.... With ABS ...................................$6220+orc CBR300...................................... Coming rival for the Ninja 300 $TBA CB400 ....................................... Bulletproof ................................$10,099+orc CB400A ABS ............................. Foolproof...................................$11,099+orc CBR500R ................................... Sporty little twin .......................$7249+orc CBR500R ABS........................... ABS option ...............................$7749+orc CB500F ...................................... With ABS ...................................$7,549+orc CBR600RR................................. Versatile supersport.................$14,390+orc CBR600RR ABS ........................ Safety supersport.....................$16,590+orc NC700SA ABS .......................... Mr Practical ...............................$8550+orc VFR800 ...................................... Tried and true package ............$14,050+orc CBR1000RR............................... Ride what Casey rides.............$16,890+orc CBR1000RR Repsol.................. MotoGP replica ........................$16,890+orc VFR1200F .................................. For the tech heads ...................$15,390+orc VFR1200FD-DCT....................... Relaxing sports tourer ............$15,890+orc GL1800 Goldwing Luxury....... The ultimate luxury tourer......$35,749+orc Cruiser VT400 ........................................ Classic-styled LAM ..................$9299+orc 148 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ HRC CBR600RR: looks faster, costs $800 less!
Aimed at the youth market, they come with fresh and racy paintwork and ABS with 320mm twin wavy discs for added safety. Despite the sportsbike appearance of the CBR650F, it should be easy to ride with its slim chassis and high-set handlebars for a relaxed riding stance. The street-fighter CB650F comes in HRC-inspired tricolour and Tahitian Blue, while the CBR650F will be available in Pearl Metallic White and silver metallic colour schemes. Meanwhile, Honda this month releases a limited edition of 30 CBR600RR supersports bikes in HRC livery. Best news is that they are $800 cheaper than the standard model at $14,690 (plus on-road costs).
CTX700N................................... A bike for everything ...............$9049+orc CTX700...................................... A fairing for the open road ....$9849+orc CTX700D ................................... Dual Clutch Transmission .......$10,849+orc VT750S ...................................... Streetwise appeal ....................$8099+orc VT750C ...................................... Classic appeal...........................$11,749+orc CTX1300.................................... V4, due by winter .....................$TBA VT1300CXA Fury...................... Chopped dragster ....................$15,490+orc F6B ............................................. Stripped Wing...........................$25,149+orc F6C ............................................. New, coming soon! .................$TBA Adv Touring CB500X ..................................... Adventure sports .....................$7799+orc CB500XA .................................. ABS ............................................$7490+orc Scooter Today 50 .................................... Do it, Today! ..............................$1599+orc Dio 110 ....................................... New kid in town .......................$2510+orc PCX150 ...................................... Stylish and practical ................$4,099+orc SH150i ....................................... Versatile urbanite .....................$4720+orc NSS300 Forza ........................... Sporty and flexible ..................$6,549+orc Integra ....................................... Motorcycle or scooter? ...........$11,149+orc
HUSQVARNA
www.husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au
Road TR 650 Strada ........................... Masculine roadie .....................$7995+orc Nuda .......................................... Nude with flair..........................$10,495+orc Nuda ABS ................................. Flair and ABS ............................$10,495+orc Nuda R ...................................... Nude with muscle....................$12,495+orc Nuda R ABS .............................. Muscle and ABS.......................$12,495+orc Adv Touring TR 650 Terra .............................. Price and performance great..$8495+orc
HYOSUNG
www.hyosung.com.au
Road GT250 ........................................ Great beginner .........................$4490+orc GT250R...................................... Get serious at day 1 .................$4990+orc GT650 ........................................ Naked value and style .............$6390+orc
PRICE GUIDE KAWASAKI ■ F6C: six cylinders of motorcycle muscle
RIDE OF THE VALKYRIE The Valkyrie is riding back! The trimmed-down Honda Goldwing was a big hit in Australia until it was phased out in 2005, but there has always been hope of it returning. Remember the Rhune limited-edition bike? Last year, Honda came back with an F6B, which was a stripped-down ‘Wing that looked like it had gone under a boom gate and knocked off the screen and top box. Now it has been stripped back even further to a cross between the F6B and the Rhune. The previous Valkyrie was more traditional, but this muscular monster is futuristic and bound to be a crowd pleaser. It is still powered by the same 1832cc flat six, but now it has an even better power-to-weight ratio with a running weight of 340kg, which is 45kg less than the F6b and 83kg less than the ’Wing. Modern touches include LED headlight, tail-light and indicators; multifunction digital LCD instrumentation and ABS. It will be built in the US from early this year and be available there in April. No word yet on availability or pricing in Australia. It comes in black, metallic red or this beautiful blue.
KTM
www.ktm.com.au
Road 390 Duke ................................... Ninja beater?............................ $6995+orc 690 Duke ................................... Sharp and bright ..................... $12,495+orc 690 Duke R ................................ The sportier motard ................ $13,495+orc 1190 RC8 R ................................ The orange flash ..................... $25,495+orc Adv Touring 690 Enduro R ............................ Extreme riders only ................ $14,395+orc 1190 Adventure......................... High-tech adventurer .............. $19,995+orc 1190 Adventure R ..................... Add more adventure .............. $22,995+orc
KYMCO
■ The 2014 model Kawasaki Z1000 SE, with its tough Sugomi design, is now available. There have been a few changes for this model, with a totally new engine and chassis settings bringing more power and torque, as well as a completely new look. This fierce new ride can be yours now for $16,799+orc
www.kawasaki.com.au
Road Ninja 300 ................................... Even better again!....................$6199+orc Ninja 300 ABS .......................... A LAM with ABS ......................$6699+orc Ninja 300 SE ............................. Tastes like lime .........................$6399+orc Ninja 300 SE ABS..................... Lime LAM with ABS ................$6899+orc ER-6n/nL ABS ........................... Quirky ........................................$9999+orc Ninja 650/L ABS ....................... Mid-sized gem ..........................$10,499+orc Ninja ZX-6R (599) ..................... Striking ......................................$14,999+orc Ninja ZX-6R .............................. The 650cc supersport ..............$15,499+orc Ninja ZX-6R ABS ...................... With ABS ...................................$16,499+orc Z800 ABS .................................. Sharper......................................$12,999+orc W800 ......................................... Nostalgic, relaxed cruising .....$11,999+orc W800SE..................................... Special Edition .........................$12,499+orc Z1000 ABS ................................ Let it seduce you ......................$16,499+orc Z1000 ABS SE........................... Special edition..........................$16,799+orc Ninja 1000 ABS ....................... A sword with soul ....................$16,999+orc Ninja ZX-10R ............................ Back with a vengeance............$18,999+orc Ninja ZX-10R ABS .................... Safety factor .............................$19,999+orc 1400GTR ABS ........................... Transcontinental ......................$24,999+orc Ninja ZX-14R ABS .................... Power plus ................................$19,999+orc Ninja ZX-14R ABS SE .............. Special edition ......................... $20,299+orc Ninja ZX-14R ABS SE Öhlins .. Öhlins, white, gold, scorching $21,999+orc Cruiser Vulcan 900 Custom SE ............ Thin-tyre tripping .................... $12,699+orc Vulcan 900 Classic ................... Classically glamorous ............ $12,499+orc Vulcan 1700 Classic ABS......... Great blank canvas ................. $19,999+orc Vulcan 1700 Nomad ABS........ Add a bit of bling..................... $22,999+orc Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS ...... Go to the dark side.................. $24,499+orc Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS....... Plush ride ................................. $25,999+orc Adv Touring KLR650 ...................................... Bargain with a capital B.......... $7999+orc Versys 650 ABS ........................ Appealing all-rounder ............ $9,999+orc Versys 650L ABS ...................... LAMS model ............................ $9,999+orc Versys 1000 .............................. Bitumen burner ....................... $15,999+orc
kymco.com.au
We were unable to contact Kymco to update details this issue. Road CK 125 ....................................... No nonsense............................ $1990+orc Naked 125 ................................. Modest naked .......................... $3590+orc Quannan 125 ............................ Modest but popular ................ $3590+orc Cruiser Venox 250 ................................. Value and looks ....................... $5490+orc Scooter Agility RS 125 ........................... Agile runner ............................. $2490+orc Like 125 ..................................... Fall in love ................................ $2990+orc Super 8 125............................... Cool jigger................................ $3290+orc Espresso 150 ............................ I’ll take a double shot.............. $3990+orc Like 200 ..................................... Classic performer .................... $3490+orc Ego 250 ..................................... How big is yours? ................... $4990+orc Downtown 300i ........................ An all-rounder ......................... $6990+orc Downtown 300i ABS ............... All-rounder with ABS.............. $7490+orc Xciting 500 ................................ Get excited ............................... $8990+orc
LARO
www.laro.com.au
GT650R...................................... Easy, sporty, affordable ...........$6890+orc Cruiser GV250 Aquila............................ Little cutie..................................$4990+orc GV650 Aquila............................ Responsive rider ......................$7690+orc GV650C Aquila Classic ............ LAMS value ..............................$7690+orc
We were unable to contact Laro to update details this issue. Road V Retro 250 ............................... DT250 clone ............................. $2990+orc Cruiser Cruiser 250................................ Learner’s ride ........................... $3999+orc
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
MEGELLI
www.indianmotorcycle.com.au
Road Chief .......................................... Leading the tribe back!............$28,995ra Chief Vintage ............................ Signature heritage aesthetic ..$31,495ra Chieftain .................................... First Indian tourer/bagger .......$35,995ra
www.megelli.com
Road 250S ........................................... Nice looker ............................... $4250+orc 250R ........................................... Italian styling ........................... $4850+orc 250SE......................................... Sportsbike handling................ $5650+orc AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 149
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AUSTRALIA’S BEST MOTORC NEVER CRASH AGAIN — HERE’S HOW, SAYS ARMCO YCLE MAGAZIN A & THE WORLD AUSTRALIAN E US IN AUSTRALI AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ROAD
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(NO. 49) SEP/OCT 2008
www.postiebikechallenge.org
WHAT’S THEER? GG ST BA BE ELECTRA GLIDE H-D ULTRA CLASSIC
PROJECT | CAFÉ RACER EUROPE & USA | RIDING VICTORIA, 3 BIG BAGGERS
6 - 16 September 2014
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Sweaty palms .. uncertainty about the day ahead .. 285km of dirt ... no telephone signal .. remote roads .. 450km today! and water crossings. Oops, soft sand! .. a joke with a new friend .. small towns, alternate roads and landscapes I have never seen before - the road less travelled .. giving to those in need .. tall stories at dinner time .. memories and friendships for a lifetime.
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MAY/JUN 2008 (No.47)
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PRICE GUIDE MOTO GUZZI
www.motoguzzi.com.au
Road V7 Stone.................................... Minimalist retro ....................... $13,290+orc V7 Special ................................. Faithful to the original V7 ....... $14,290+orc V7 Racer SE .............................. Limited edition marvel ........... $16,490+orc 1200 Sport 4V SE ..................... Grunter ..................................... $19,990+orc Griso 1200 8V ........................... Grand slam .............................. $20,490+orc Griso 1200 8V SE ABS............. Let’s rumble ............................. $21,990+orc Norge GT 8V ABS .................... The one we wanted ................ $20,990+orc Cruiser California 1400 Custom........... Kalifornia attitude .................... $21,990+orc California 1400 Touring............ All a Cali should be ................. $24,990+orc Adv Touring Stelvio 1200 8V ABS ................ Softer brute .............................. $19,990+orc Stelvio 1200 8V NTX ABS ....... Big brute ................................... $20,990+orc
MV AGUSTA
www.mvagusta.com.au
All MV Agusta prices are ride-away. Road F3 675 ........................................ Sweet ........................................ $17,990ra F3 800 ........................................ Track performance .................. $19,990ra Brutale 675 EAS ....................... Bit of oomph at a good price. $14,990ra Brutale 800 EAS ....................... More power ............................. $16,490ra Rivale 800 ................................. Available early 2014 ................ $20,990ra Brutale 1090 .............................. More charm ............................. $18,990ra Brutale R 1090 .......................... Raw, yet refined ...................... $20,490ra Brutale RR 1090 ........................ Unleash the brute within........ $21,990ra Brutale 1090 Corsa................... Top jock..................................... $27,490ra F4 1000 ...................................... Beauty and the beast within .. $21,990ra F4 1000 RR ................................ Exotic weapon ......................... $33,990ra
PAGSTA
www.pagsta.com.au
We were unable to contact Pagsta to update details this issue. Road XP250 ........................................ Cheap learner .......................... $3990+orc Cruisa 250 Series Two.............. Nice appeal .............................. $3990+orc Scooter Pagsta Eagle 150 ...................... Commuter ................................ $2795+orc
PGO
www.motorsportimporters.com.au
Scooter Ligero 50 ....................................................................................... $1990+orc Ligero 150 ................................. Good, small package .............. $3290+orc X-Hot ......................................... It’s a hottie ................................ $3990+orc Gmax ......................................... Go to the max .......................... $4700+orc
PIAGGIO
www.piaggio.com.au
Scooter Typhoon 125 ............................. Blow you away.........................$2490+orc Fly 150 ....................................... Buzz around the city ................$2990+orc Fly 150ie .................................... With fuel injection....................$3090+orc Liberty 150ie ............................. Big wheel freedom ..................$3690+orc Beverly 350 ............................... Higher performance ................$7990+orc Yourban 300 ............................. Replacing the MP3 300 ...........$9990+orc X10 500 ..................................... Big features...............................$10,990+orc
ROYAL ENFIELD
www.royalenfieldaustralia.com
Road B5 Bullet 500 ............................ Fire your guns ..........................$6995+orc G5 Deluxe ................................. She’s deluxe..............................$7445+orc
■ Confederate makes its debut in our price guide this month. The small and exclusive brand of US muscle bikes is available through Urban Moto Imports. Currently with two models available, the company will soon be releasing the X135 Wraith at a price to be announced. The X132 Hellcat (pictured) is a $76,990+orc proposition
C5 Classic/Military ................... Individual style .........................$7995+orc C5 Chrome ................................ Lots of eye candy .....................$8495+orc
SUZUKI
www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au
Road Inazuma 250 ............................. Let your inner zoomer out ......$4990+orc TU250XL3 ................................. Retro learner .............................$5990ra DR-Z400SM .............................. Everyday motard .....................$8990+orc GS500........................................ Reliable classic .........................$5990+orc GS500F...................................... Nice and simple .......................$6490+orc SFV650/LAMS .......................... Commuting and fun duties ....$10,490+orc SV650S/ABS ............................. Tried and true ................$10,390/$10,890+orc GSX650F/LAMS ....................... Silky smooth ............................$10,490+orc GSX-R600 ................................. Angry bee .................................$14,990+orc GSR750 ..................................... Cracker of a motorcycle ..........$12,490+orc GSX-R750 ................................. The legend continues..............$15,990+orc GSX-R1000 ............................... Even lighter and faster ............$18,490+orc GSX-R1000 ............................... Commemorative Edition ........$18,490+orc GSF1250S Bandit ABS ............ Long-distance ease..................$12,990+orc GSX1250FA .............................. A little bit of everything...........$14,990+orc GSX1300R Hayabusa .............. Soar like an eagle ....................$19,290+orc Cruiser VL250 Intruder.......................... Bang that drum ........................$6690+orc VL800 C50 ................................. Traditional ................................$10,990+orc VL800 C50T............................... All-new class ............................$12,290+orc VZ800 M50................................ Neat bobber..............................$10,990+orc VZ1500 M90.............................. Sheep in wolf’s clothing..........$15,490+orc VL1500 C90T............................. Bad boy .....................................$17,490+orc VLR1800 C109R ........................ Classic looks .............................$18,690+orc VLR1800T C109RT.................... Now as a tourer .......................$18,990+orc VZR1800 M109R....................... Beaut and brutal ......................$18,990+orc VZR1800 M109R....................... Black edition .............................$19,490+orc VZR1800Z M109RZ ................. Monster energy........................$19,490+orc Adv Touring DL650 V-Strom ......................... Sure to be a big seller .............$11,290+orc DL1000 V-Strom ....................... Powerfully competent .............$13,490+orc Scooter AN400A Burgman ABS ........... A stylish maxi ...........................$10,090+orc AN650A Burgman ABS ........... Overhauled ...............................$13,590+orc
SYM
www.scoota.com.au
Scooter Classic 150 ................................ Noble ride .................................$2699+orc VS 150 ....................................... Branch away .............................$2999+orc Symphony 150 ......................... Sporty big wheeler ..................$2899+orc HD Evo 200 ............................... Whacko! ....................................$4499+orc Firenze 300................................ Full of features..........................$5899+orc MaxSym 400i ........................... Ride away price ........................$7990ra
TGB
www.tgbScooters.com.au
Scooter X-Race 150 ................................ You’ll need knee sliders ..........$2590+orc Bullet 150 .................................. Small-calibre projectile ...........$3390+orc Xmotion 300 ............................. Smooth mover .........................$5490+orc ■ There have been some notable changes for Suzuki in 2014 with a few models being dropped from the line-up. The VL800 C50T has had a slight price rise and can be picked up for $12,990+orc
TORINO
www.torinomotorcycles.com.au
Torino ride-away prices are mostly Sydney-based and may vary elsewhere. AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 151
PRICE GUIDE Cruiser Veloce 250 ................................. American styled .......................$4695ra La Bora ...................................... Bargain custom ........................$6995ra Scooter Galetta Retro............................. Plenty of features .....................$2195ra Aero Sport ................................ Cut the wind .............................$2195ra Famosa ..................................... City chic .....................................$2695ra Messina Classic........................ New retro (Vespa) beauty .......$3495ra
Jackpot ...................................... Showroom custom..................$24,995ra Boardwalk Black ....................... Cool classic in black .................$22,495ra Boardwalk Two Tone ................ Cool classic in black and red ..$22,995ra Cross Roads Classic ................ Chromed-up cool .....................$24,995ra Cross Country ......................... Comfortable touring ................$26,495ra Cross Country Tour .................. Ultra-comfortable touring.......$28,495ra Zach Ness Cross Country ....... It’s got attitude ..........................$29,995ra Vision Tour................................. Space age looks .......................$30,495ra
TRIUMPH
YAMAHA
www.triumphmotorcycles.com.au
Road Street Triple ............................... Streets ahead ...........................$12,490+orc Street Triple ABS ...................... With ABS ...................................$12,990+orc Street Triple R ........................... Even further ahead ..................$13,490+orc Street Triple R ABS ................... With ABS ...................................$13,990+orc Daytona 675.............................. Supersport winner...................$14,240+orc Daytona 675 ABS ..................... Supersport with ABS...............$14,990+orc Daytona 675R ........................... Track day heaven .....................$16,990+orc Bonneville ................................. Tradition reborn .......................$11,990+orc Bonneville ................................. Two tone ...................................$12,490+orc Bonneville T100 Black .............. Livin’ in the ’70s .......................$12,490+orc Bonneville T100 A2................... Nostalgia rules .........................$13,990+orc Bonneville SE .......................... Special Edition .........................$12,990+orc Scrambler ................................. Dirt track racer ..........................$13,990+orc Thruxton ................................... To the café! ...............................$13,990+orc Speed Triple .............................. It’s a gem ...................................$15,990+orc Speed Triple ABS...................... With ABS ...................................$16,990+orc Speed Triple R ........................... Sex on wheels .........................$20,990+orc Speed Triple SE ........................ Special Edition .........................$18,190+orc Sprint GT................................... All world capabilities ...............$15,990ra Trophy SE.................................. Superb tourer ...........................$27,490+orc Cruiser America .................................... Easy urban rider.......................$13,090ra Speed Master ........................... All round goodness .................$13,090+orc Thunderbird ABS ..................... Aptly named flyer ....................$19,490+orc Thunderbird Storm ABS ......... Thunderous ..............................$20,990+orc Thunderbird ABS TT ................ Brand New ................................$19,990+orc Thunderbird ABS HAZE .......... Shiny and new ........................$21,990+orc Rocket III Roadster ABS........... What’s not to love? ..................$21,490+orc Rocket III Touring ABS.............. Reasonably easy to ride..........$23,990+orc Adv Touring Tiger 800 ................................... As capable as a feral cat .........$13,490+orc Tiger 800 ABS .......................... ABS option ...............................$13,890+orc Tiger 800XC ABS ..................... Bash it hardcore .......................$15,990+orc Tiger Sport ABS ....................... More growl for the road .........$15,990+orc Tiger Explorer 1200 ................. True adventure-tourer .............$20,490+orc Tiger Explorer Wire Wheels .... The tougher version ................$20,990+orc
URAL
www.imz-ural.com.au
Road T ................................................. Cult status outfit .......................$15,752+orc Retro .......................................... Attention grabber.....................$17,600+orc Adv Touring Tourist........................................ WWII replica .............................$17,347+orc Bondi Tourist ............................. Beach to bush tourer ...............$17,347+orc Ranger ....................................... Even tougher ............................$18,535+orc
VESPA
www.yamaha-motor.com.au
Road YZF-R15 ..................................... Sporty and user friendly .........$3999ra YZF-R15 V2.0 ............................. New version 2.0 .......................$4299+orc XJ6NL........................................ New 2014 model ......................$9799ra XJ6NL SP .................................. White Edition ............................$9999ra FZ6R........................................... Full fairing, LAM model ..........$9999ra FZ6R SP ..................................... Special Edition .........................$10,499+orc YZF-R6 ....................................... WSS champ ..............................$15,999+orc MT-03 ......................................... Torquey LAMS single ..............$9,999+orc FZ8N .......................................... Hot all-rounder .........................$12,990+orc FZ8S........................................... Enjoy the road and corners ....$13,990+orc MT-09 ......................................... Three-cylinder thriller ..............$10,999+orc TDM900..................................... Mixed-up marvel......................$13,599+orc FZ1N .......................................... Ready for anything ..................$15,699+orc FZ1S........................................... With protection ........................$16,499+orc YZF-R1 ....................................... Gimme traction ........................$19,999+orc XJR1300 .................................... Refined cool..............................$13,999+orc FJR1300A Touring Edition ....... Police-spec tourer ....................$23,999+orc FJR1300A .................................. Sophisticated, sporty tourer ...$24,999+orc MT-01 ......................................... V-twin sportsbike .....................$19,899+orc Cruiser XV250 Virago ............................ Great small package ................$6499+orc XVS650 Custom ....................... Popular custom ........................$10,499+orc XVS650A Classic...................... And as a classic ........................$10,990+orc XVS950A ................................... Mighty mid-ranger ..................$13,999+orc XVS950CU Bolt ........................ A younger, hipper cruiser .......$11,999+orc XVS950CUSP Bolt ................... R-Spec with better shocks ......$12,499+orc XVS1300A................................. The pick of the bunch ..............$15,999+orc XVS1300AT Tourer ................... With more features..................$18,299+orc XV1900A Roadliner ................. Art deco piece...........................$21,499+orc XV1900AT Star Tourer ............. Art with flair ..............................$24,099+orc VMAX ........................................ Big, angry animal.....................$31,299+orc Adv Touring XT250R ...................................... New fuel-injected model.........$6299+orc XT660R ...................................... Seamlessly good .....................$11,499+orc XT660Z Ténéré .......................... Freedom machine ....................$13,999ra XT1200Z Super Ténéré ............ Leisurely rider...........................$19,990ra XT1200ZOE............................... Outback edition ........................$21,890 Scooter XC125 Vity ................................. Your new friend........................$2699+orc YW125 ....................................... BW’s ...........................................$3399+orc YP400 Majesty ......................... Fit for royalty ............................$9499+orc TMAX 500 ................................. Scooterbike...............................$12,999+orc TMAX 530 ................................. Tougher, sportier ......................$12,999+orc
www.vespa.com.au
Scooter LX50FL ...................................... Inner city convenience ............$3990+orc LX125 3-Valve ........................... For the designer in you ...........$5190+orc LX150 3-Valve ........................... With a bit more oomph...........$5590+orc GTS250ie................................... Style in a great package ..........$7390+orc GTS300 Super .......................... Vroom vroom ...........................$8390+orc GTS300 Super Sport ............... Sportier Style............................$8690+orc GTV300ie .................................. Powerful Italian ........................$8990+orc PX150 ........................................ The purist’s ride........................$6290+orc Vespa 946 .................................. History in the making ..............$11,990+orc
VICTORY
www.victorymotorcycles.com.au
All Victory prices are ride-away. Cruiser Vegas 8 Ball .............................. Sink the 8-ball...........................$19,995ra High-Ball ................................... Ol’ skool cool ............................$19,495ra Hammer 8 Ball ......................... Hammer that 8-ball..................$20,995ra Judge......................................... A younger Victory ....................$20,995ra Hammer S................................. Hammer it! ...............................$22,995ra Hammer LE............................... New limited edition .................$23,495ra
152 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
■ We’ve got Viper in the price guide for the first time. Like Confederate, it’s no massmarket motorcycle brand, aimed instead at well-heeled enthusiasts. There’s currently only two models, including the Black Diamond pictured here, available for $54,990+orc through Urban Moto Imports.
www.roadrider.com.au
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ADVERTISERS INDEX ADRIATIC MOTO TOURS ADRIATIC MOTO TOURS ANDY STRAPZ APSLEY ARMS HOTEL AUSTRALIAN CUMFY M/C SEATS B M MOTORCYCLES BLACKLOCKS BLACKMAX MOTORWEAR BMW BORNEO BIKING ADVENTURES BRP CAMELEON SOLUTIONS INC CARLISLE TYRES CASSONS PTY LTD CASSONS PTY LTD COMPASS EXPEDITIONS COMPLETE TRAVEL SOLUTIONS COPPERS HILL CRUISE COMFORT CRUISING BIKERS DALE MCLEAN M/C ELECTRONICS DRAGGIN JEANS EAGLE SCREENS EARMOLD AUSTRALIA ELITE BIKE CAMPERS FERRIS WHEELS FLYRIDE USA FRASER MOTORCYCLES GET ROUTED AUSTRALIA P/L GOOD WOOL STORE PTY LTD
57 122 87 55 159 124 78 156 9 117 17 156 131 29 65 57 115 55 158 137 157 135 156 85 153 115 157 30-31 117 157
GREAT AMERICAN M’CYCLE TOURING GREY GUM CAFE HARLEY DAVIDSON IB BIKE LIFTS INDIAN MOTORCYCLES INNOTESCO PTY LTD INSURE MY RIDE J & P CYCLES INC JLT INSURANCE/THIS INSURANCE JOHN SAMPLE AUTOMOTIVE P/L KENMA AGENCIES (NSW) LTD KERMIT CHAIR KRIEGA KTM SPORTS MOTORCYCLES PTY LTD LD COMFORT.COM LINK INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD LUFT RACING MALLACOTTA HOTEL MOTEL MAURICE BLACKBURN MCLEOD ACCESSORIES MCLEOD ACCESSORIES MELBOURNE MOTORCYCLES FAIRINGS MOJO MOTORCYLES MOTO ADVENTURE TASMANIA MOTO NATIONAL ACCESSORIES MOTOCICLO MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE PRODUCTS MOTORCYCLE EXPO MOTORRAD GARAGE MOTORWORKS
156 55 51 158 40 67 3 156 10 15 21 156 157 2 158 163 78 55 135 27 53 137 23 122 25 157 85 109 74 158
MUSTANG SEATS NAXSAX PARADISE MOTORCYCLE TOURS PERU MOTORS POSTIE BIKE CHALLENGE PRECISION SHIMS AUSTRALIA PRO ACCESSORIES AUST PROVEN PRODUCTS P/L QBE INSURANCE RAD GUARD AUST RAD HARD CHROMING RAD MOTORCYCLE SHOCKY REPAIRS REDD DOG (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD RON ANGEL WHOLESALE PTY LTD SKILLMASTER M/CYCLE SERVICES SNOW GOOSE HOTEL MOTEL SOUND RIDER SOUTHERN CROSS MOTORBIKE TOURS SUZUKI AUSTRALIA THAI MOTORCYCLE TOURS THROTTLEMEISTER TOUR USA MOTORCYCLE RENTALS TRIUMPH TYREPLIERS ENGINEERING P/L VICTORY MOTORCYCLES WALCHA ROYAL CAFE WIMMERA MOTORCYCLE COMPANY YAMAHA MOTORS (AUST) PTY LTD
124 157 117 153 150 157 95 87 164 122 122 158 157 19 157 55 87 117 76 57 158 159 4-5 150 38 55 153 11
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ROAD SAFETY
SAFETY IN NUMBERS THE AUSTRALIAN BUREAUCRACY IS IGNORING THE TRUTH ABOUT MOTORCYCLE SAFETY — THAT MORE RIDERS MEANS LOWER CRASH RATES AS WELL AS MORE EFFICIENT ROADS MARK HINCHLIFFE otorists would be safer if more people rode motorcycles, a London road safety conference has heard. The conference, titled “More motorcycles could reduce casualties”, is based on the 2008 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report which recommended reducing casualties significantly by including motorcycles in mainstream transport policy. It found European countries with low ownership of powered twowheelers (PTWs) had proportionately higher rates of fatal accidents. For example, the Netherlands has three times the number of PTWs per head of population than the UK, yet riders are five times less likely to be killed. The highest rate of PTW ownership in Europe is in Greece at 33 per cent, and yet the fatality rate is still proportionately nearly a third of the UK rate. Australian Motorcycle Council secretary Tony Ellis says the conference “bears out what some of us have been saying for years — get the transport strategy right and motorcycle safety follows naturally. The Poms have actually known this for years,” he says. “The advent of the London congestion charge led to a significant increase in the use of powered two-wheelers in the Greater
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“When 10 per cent of car drivers swapped to motorcycles, congestion was reduced for all road users by 40 per cent. When 25 per cent of car drivers swapped, congestion was eliminated altogether” London area and was accompanied by a significant decrease in the percentage of motorcycle and scooter crashes. I can’t see this gaining traction in this country however — the focus of many of the road safety industry (MUARC, CARRS-Q etc) and the bureaucracy has been on ‘reducing exposure’ (reducing the number of riders) so it would be a dramatic turnaround.” Jacques Compagne, the secretary general of the Association of European Motorcycle Manufacturers, also told the conference that source data from the International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD) shows that when at least 10 per cent of road traffic is made up of PTWs, safety outcomes for riders improve considerably. Delegates also heard about the Leuven Project study into a particularly congested route in Belgium. It found that when 10 per cent of car drivers swapped to motorcycles, congestion was reduced for all road users by 40 per cent. When 25 per cent of car drivers swapped,
congestion was eliminated altogether. Ellis welcomed reference to the Leuven report. “There are two local citations in the Leuven report which makes it interesting that the authorities don’t want to know — Professor Marcus Wigan’s major work and my submission to the Victorian Congestion Inquiry some time back. Neither of us has ever been asked about the report. It’s something which has gone totally unremarked on by road and traffic authorities in this country as well as by the general media.” British automotive insurer Equity Red Star also told the conference that motorcyclists are 23 per cent safer behind the wheel of a car than non-motorcyclists. Their study of 200 million policies from 2007-12 compared claims of car drivers with claims from car users who also have an insured motorcycle. The conference was organised by the Motorcycle Industry Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers, in partnership with the Department for Transport. ARR AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER | 161
LAST LOOK couple of years ago, a Texan named Alex saw the Google Street View car cruise past with its camera recording everything in his street. So he followed it. He clowned around while riding behind it, and repeatedly pulled up on the roadside in different places to let it go past. As a result, he was everywhere. Google even reused old images to get rid of him from some views. But he’s still there. Try searching 503 Meadows Oaks Court, El Paso, Texas, United States and, er, look around. If you’re bored… read Alex’s story at www.expeditionsouth.com
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COMING UP A hundred issues and still going strong. Yes folks, there’s yet another awesome edition of ARR coming up in only a month’s time. Next thing you know, it’ll be issue #200… But not yet, and here’s what’s in store for you in issue 101: • The Snowy Ride — we’ve talked about all those charity rides in this issue and now we take you along on one of Australia’s premier events • Touring Borneo, a wild ride in one of our neighbouring nations with lots to see and do • We went to the Troy Bayliss Classic, an excellent event, and made a good ride of it while we were at it • And we also went for a ride up the world’s widest canyon. Join us in Capertee Valley, NSW • Our tests begin with BMW’s ultra-sporty interpretation of the increasingly popular bagger style of bike — if you can possibly call the mighty K1600GT Sport a bagger • We’ve been out riding the new Honda CTX700N, something decidedly new and different • Speaking of different, we’ve also got a test of Yamaha’s torque monster for learners, MT-03 • Yamaha’s other new funster is the TMAX 530, possibly the sportiest maxi-scooter on the market Naturally, expect a lot more good, informative reading as ARR opens the thro le on the next 100 editions. Things like our long-term Multistrada’s first report, educated analysis of helmet issues, some ancient motorcycles and a word or two on doing your own servicing. See you then. ARR
162 | AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER
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