Cycle Torque December eMag

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FOR THE LATEST NEWS, VIDEO AND BOOKS, GO TO CYCLETORQUE.COM.AU FOR THE LATEST NEWS, VIDEO AND BOOKS, GO TO CYCLETORQUE.COM.AU

DECEMBER DECEMBER 2011 2011

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ALSO ALSO RIDDEN: RIDDEN: Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson Switchback Switchback Kawasaki Kawasaki KLX450R KLX450R Laro Laro SPT SPT 350 350 Shineray Shineray Enduro Enduro Yamaha Yamaha Grizzly Grizzly 450 450 Bollini Bollini Supershadow Supershadow

FEATURES: FEATURES: Australian Australian MotoGP MotoGP Time Time Traveller Traveller Project Project Multistrada Multistrada

november 2011

Contents 30 teST

24 launch report

laro spt 350

2012 harley-davidson switchback 18 Test

Aprilia tuono v4 r aprc

38 TEST

34 test

bollino supershadow

kawasaki klx450r

42 Test

Shineray xy250gy-2 enduro

features 32 project multistrada 46 MV Agusta poster 49 casey stoner interview 55 cycle torque gp 56 pictorial tribute – marco simoncelli 58 time traveller 62 ducati panigale 76 book review REGULARS 3-11 News 12 Editorial 13 Dirty torque 14 race torque 15 GUNTRIP 40 LETTERS 74 Book sales 78 QUAD TORQUE

Cover photos: Both images by Paterson

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NEWS torque

Sorry Casey, says Pernat

CASEY Stoner is owed an apology by the MotoGP world according to Carlo Pernat, the former Aprilia sporting director who signed Valentino Rossi to his first GP contract in 1996.

Pernat, who now manages several riders including Loris Capirossi and Alex de Angelis, said Ducati made a big mistake when it believed Stoner’s career was over while he sought treatment in Australia for a mystery illness in 2009 that was eventually diagnosed as lactose intolerance. At the time, former world champ Wayne Gardner and Jeremy McWilliams also questioned Stoner’s immediate future in the sport.

Pernat claims that Stoner left Ducati in disgust to join Honda at the end of 2010 after the Italian manufacturer offered a massive contract to Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, while Stoner missed three grands prix whilst being diagnosed in Australia in 2009.

“In the Italian media two months ago, I made an open apology to Casey; what many people in MotoGP thought in the past was not true,” Pernat said.

“Now we understand that the reason for many of his crashes. The majority of people in MotoGP should now make this apology to Casey.”

Rossi has been unable to push the Ducati on which Stoner won the world title, and went through 2011 without a race win for the first time in his career.

“This was a very big mistake by Ducati, a very wrong strategy in dealing with a champion rider,” Pernat said.

“To make an offer, virtually double Casey’s salary to Lorenzo, who had not won a championship while Casey was away sick, was a big mistake.

“Ducati is a proud company and they thought their bike was perfect.

What they didn’t understand was that only Casey could explore 100

percent of the potential of this bike.”

Pernat claims Rossi, with whom he enjoys a close friendship, will not win a world crown with Ducati and says the seven-time MotoGP champ should consider a quickie divorce and a move to LCR Honda.

“The situation at Ducati keeps getting worse and worse,” Pernat said. “A divorce would be understandable right now. If I was Rossi’s manager, I’d go to Lucio Cecchinello, get on a Honda, pay him, and go racing. I don’t know what kind of contracts exist between Valentino, Ducati and Marlboro, but all three of them have something to lose. Perhaps this is one of those marriages in which a divorce can avoid a lot of accusations and finger pointing, which will start happening soon enough.”

– Darryl Flack

Reed stays with Honda

"Our new relationship with American Honda holds so much potential and for me it is a ‘money can't buy’ partnership to be associated with a manufacturer that is as equally committed to winning as we are."

"We are very excited to have TwoTwo Motorsports continue with Honda for 2012 and 2013," said American Honda Race Team Director Ray Conway. "Chad enjoyed a tremendous level of success in 2011, his first year ever on Honda CFR450R racing machines and we are all anticipating that his level of success will only increase during the coming year as he and his team continue to build on the great foundation they've already established."

Reed has recruited renowned motorcycle engineer Mike Gosselaar to the team as Technical Director and Sergio Avento has taken up the role of Research and Development Manager.

"As a rider, I am responsible for my own performance and I expect to go out there and win, anything else is second best," Reed continued.

"With a team situation there are so many other things that can affect an outcome, but it was the sheer hard work and dedication of my crew this year that ensured none of those factors influenced our performance.

AMERICAN Honda has thrown its support behind Chad Reed’s TwoTwo Motorsports team for the 2012 and 2013 AMA Motocross and Supercross Championships. The team will be based at American Honda's Californian racing facility, directly next door to the factory motocross team.

"In some ways this feels like redemption," Reed said. "In the beginning the support from American Honda was limited, which was completely understandable given we were a new team without any runs on the board.

"They worked extremely hard 24/7 to create a dynamic within the team that was second to none in the championship. It is the sort of dynamic you normally see within a team that has worked together for years and recruiting Goose and Sergio will further strengthen that dynamic and provide the additional resources we need to continue building a solid infrastructure around the team," Reed said.

Reed and the TwoTwo Motorsports team will definitely have a spring in their step at the opening round of the 2012 AMA Supercross Championship opener to be held at Anaheim's Angel Stadium on Saturday January 7, 2012.

– Darren Smart December 2011 – 3

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Evolution and niche new models for 2012 2012 might result in the end of the world – if you believe the predictions of various believers – but before that happens check out these new models, and remember, apocalypse cancels all debt.

The most exciting new model announcement for 2012 is the Ducati Panigale: there's a news feature on that bike starting on page 85.

In general though 2012 is about evolution, with lots of model updates rather than all-new bikes, which is a reflection of how tough so many economies around the world are doing. Despite this most manufacturers are coming up with some great new ideas and technologies and to keep their bikes fresh through 2012. We can't wait to ride them…

Urban Germans BMW is to build a pair of maxi scooters with 'the outstanding riding properties of a motorcycle', the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT. Twin-cylinder machines built BMW C 600 at the BMW factory in Berlin and aimed at urban riders who would like a sporty scooter (C 600 Sport) or more luxury and touring ability (C 650 GT), these premium scooters are designed for commuters facing the challenges of increasing traffic volumes, rising fuel prices and environmental concerns.

Powering both models is a 647cc twin-cylinder four-stroke powerplant with fuel injection, a stainless steel exhaust an automatic (CVT) transmission.

In order to make the new scooters ride and feel more like motorcycles BMW has made the engine a stressed member of the frame, added an alloy swingarm and fitted upside down 40mm forks.

The brakes are twin front discs and a single rear unit, with ABS standard.

even here BMW has been innovative, introducing the Flexcase of the C 600 Sport, which comprises a flap in the tail base under the seat which enlarges the storage capacity of a stationary machine, great for storing helmets.

The main differences between the two machines lie in their riding positions: the C 600 Sport features a more aggressive riding position while the C 650 GT features increased comfort levels and even an electronicallyadjustable screen.

Husqvarna Nuda

Husqvarna Nuda HUSQVARNA'S first twin-cylinder motorcycle is part naked bike, part Supermoto… sporty and fun to ride while being unmistakably a Husqvarna.

Two variants will be intoduced, the standard Nuda 900 and the Nuda 900R. Powered by the F 800 engine sourced from parent company BMW, Husqvarna's engineers have gone to work to increase the capacity and output of the venerable parallel twin.

The crank, conrods, pistons and valves have all been changed as Husqvarna increased the horsepower over the donor engine to 110hp and changed the character of the motor by moving from a 0-degree crank offset to 315-degrees.

As you'd expect from a scooter there's plenty of luggage available, but

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CYCLE TORQUE

2011 Christmas Buyers Guide 46 INTRO 56 BOOK STORE 48 TRAILBLAZERS 58 BOOK REVIEW 50 BIKE STUFF 60 QUAD TORQUE 54 USED & REVIEWED 4 – December 2011

Continued on page 8

FEATURE

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December 2011 – 5

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NEWS torque

Evolution and niche new models for 2012 Developed as a crossover model between a supermoto and a naked bike, Husqvarna doesn't feel the Nuda can be shoehorned into any specific category. It delivers a sporty, dynamic ride where agility is balanced perfectly with performance in a bike with a bold and fresh look. Is it a supermoto? Is it a naked bike? The Nuda is whatever you want it to be, but above all it's a Husqvarna.

While both models are tall, aggressive machines, the 900R features higher-spec suspension and brakes, and a taller seat height.

Although sporty in nature, Husqvarna will be offering optional luggage for the Nuda, showing it's versatility.

Triumph explores

range of accessories, especially luggage, heated grips, fog lights and lots more.

The instrumentation includes an on-board computer which includes an ambient air temperature and ice warning, and it's ready to talk to the optional tyre pressure sensors.

Speed Triple R In recent years Triumph has waved the high-performance wand over a number of models to produce very tasty 'R' variants, and this year it's the Speed Triple getting the treatment. Öhlins forks and rear shock, lightweight PVM wheels, radial monoblock Brembo calipers,

Tiger Explorer

Based on the Bonneville T100 and inspired by the Trophy TR6 McQueen rode during the famous stunt scene in the film The Great Escape, just 1100 Steve McQueen Edition machines will be produced.

Look out for the solo seat, military-style matt khaki green paint, stencil-style decal and signature on the sidecover. There are a host of other features to the bike and each will be individually numbered and badged.

TRIUMPH is really targeting the Adventure bike market, with the open-class Tiger Explorer joining the Tiger 800XC for 2012.

Japanese

The British manufacturer has taken its time entering the Adventure bike market, and looks to have considered very carefully how it can produce a bike with the characteristics of a Triumph but with the abilities to take on the class and win.

With a 1215cc triple powering the 135hp machine, this could be the tourer to own next year. High-tech features include a fly-by-wire throttle, switchable traction control, ABS and cruise control.

SINCE the GFC we've been getting evolution rather than revolution from the big four Japanese manufacturers… for 2012 the bikes are being improved, but there are few all-new machines, especially in the big bike classes.

The bike’s Adventure Touring credentials are there in the form of a 19-inch front wheel, long service intervals, adjustable seat heights and handlebars, shaft drive, high-capacity generator and a huge

and headlights of the new YZF-R1, the big news for 2012 is the addition of traction control to Yamaha's cross-plane powered open-class sportsbike.

Speed Triple R

evolution switchable ABS and custom paint make this the most desirable Speed triple ever.

Steve McQueen Edition Actor Steve McQueen was famous for riding Triumphs, and now the factory has joined with his estate to create a tribute machine.

Yamaha Although there's a redesign to the fairing

Developed from the system used on the MotoGP-winning YZR-M1, the new R1 has six settings and can also be switched off. With Yamaha winning a host of MotoGP titles in recent years, the technology used and developed by Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo is sure to result is a safer bike and faster laptimes.

With six levels of traction control and the option to turn off the system, Yamaha's TCS can be adjusted to suit a wide range of road or track conditions and the ability of the rider. By constantly monitoring the speed of both wheels, any difference can be detected and power reduced to the back wheel through adjustment to the ride-by-wire throttle opening, fuel injection volume and ignition timing.

Some other systems only adjust one setting, which can result in less drive and a less-than-smooth experience for the rider when the traction control kicks in – Yamaha's system should provide a smoother ride and less intrusion on the rider.

YZF-R1

Continued on next page

Editor CHRIS PICKETT

Regular contributors: Darryl Flack, ADRIAN FOWLER, Bob Guntrip, Keith Muir, Alex Pickett, Darren Smart, Todd Reed, Friedemann Kirn, WWW.2SNAP.COM. Cycle Torque is published by Motorcycle Publishing Pty Ltd. ABN 91 085 871 147 Printed by RURAL PRESS, NORTH RICHMOND. Print Post approved PP255003/04198 ISSN 1441-8789 Cycle Torque is available from bike shops across Australia.

If you can’t find our latest issue, call 0420 319 335.

Subscriptions are available. $24.95 per year, call 02 4956 9820 for details.

Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, including electronic, without written permission of the publisher. PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR BEFORE SUBMITTING FREELANCE CONTRIBUTIONS. 6 – December 2011

Advertising DENNIS PENZO, 0420 319 335 dennis@cycletorque.com.au Design & PRODUCTION Dionne Hagan, THE D MEDIA DESIGN Accounts: Rebecca Eastment bec@cycletorque.com.au Managing Editor Nigel Paterson www.cycletorque.com.au

PO Box 687, Warners Bay, NSW 2282 Ph (02) 4956 9820 • Fax (02) 4956 9824 Email: info@cycletorque.com.au

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NEWS torque Evolution and niche new models for 2012 Other changes to the bike include updates to the ECU for better control and drive out of corners and tweaks to other aspects of the bike: a hexagonal silencer, new footpegs, new front fairing for a more 'menacing' look and other subtle changes.

ZX-14R

Kawasaki The updates to the ZX-14R Ninja has made Kawasaki's flagship - a machine the company claims is the fastest accelerating bike available - even more exciting.

Updates to the styling make it look more aggressive and dynamic, while attention to detail and quality abounds in features small and large, like the drilled billet steering stem nut above the sculptured upper triple clamp. The increased engine performance - both power and torque - will keep the power junkies happy, while the new aluminium monocoque frame will handle the horsepower.

The suspension settings have been tweaked to give a sportier feel, and there's a new back-torque limiter clutch.

To get the increased power and torque Kawasaki has stroked the motor by 4mm, increasing lights in any gear.

The 2012 ZX-14R features three mode traction control and low and full power modes. n

Fantastic Fantic ITALY’S Fantic enduro motorcycles are now available in Australia with the release of the 125cc and 300cc two-stroke models into the market. Both models are fully equipped with high end top quality components and are almost identical to the factory Italian bikes used in the Enduro World Championship, with Fantic’s Maurizio Micheluz being crowned E3 Euro champion.

The new TZ Scuderia models come out of the box kitted with top-level equipment in all areas of the machines’ manufacturing, with 50mm Marzocchi forks, Ohlins shock and Brembo brakes all standard. The TZ 300 uses the Gas Gas engine, a proven and reliable performer and weighs in at just 101kg.

Imported by Australian company, Sportswise, the TZ300 model retails for $13,450 and the TZ125 for $11,450. www.sportzwise. com.au. n

Vietnam tour almost full READER interest in Cycle Torque's Vietnam trip in 2012 has been high.

As a recap, Australian owned Vietnam Motorbike Tours is hosting a special six day tour for Cycle Torque from February 20-25: we will be publishing a story about the trip, and shooting some video, too.

The tour will take in the coastal roads of Nha Trang, the Central Highlands and Ho Chi Minh Trail regarded as Vietnam's best but least travelled areas.

According to Vietnam Motorbike Tours owner Jason Thatcher the tours are designed by riders for riders wanting to see the real Vietnam, riding country back roads. Road speeds are often 60 km/h or lower which makes for a relaxed tour and a chance

to take in the truly amazing countryside.

We will be staying in quality, clean, and comfortable accommodation in small family owned hotels - many would rate 4 stars in Australia - where air-conditioning, private western-style bathrooms with toilet, showers, telephone and internet are available.

Cycle Torque tour prices per rider per day: $220.00; per couple sharing 1 bike $330.00 per day. All prices include airport pick-up and transfers, hotel stays with breakfast, motorbike, in-country thirdparty insurance, helmet, guide translator, support vehicle for larger groups, mechanical repairs and back to base support. Airfares not included.

office on 02 4956 9820 or email info@cycletorque. com.au. Spots are limited though, and some have already been taken.

You can also visit www.vietnammotorbiketours. com or email Jason at info@vietnammotorbiketours. com for more info. n

If you want to come along call the Cycle Torque December 2011 – 7

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NEWS torque

Transylvania Live

IN 2010 Cycle Torque toured Transylvania with the Transylvania Live tour company. Simply put it was a fantastic trip, with fantastic guides, scenery, local people etc.

One of the exciting parts of the trip was riding the Transfagarasan Road which was mind blowing. In the Top Gear program Jeremy Clarkson described it as possibly the best in the world.

That was until the recently repaired Transalpina Road, the highest mountain road in Romania (2145m above the sea level) came back on line.

Making the connection between Transylvania and Oltenia, the road, also called The King's Road by the locals, was built in 1938 under the rule of King Carol II of Romania with an economic, strategic and military purpose and later rebuilt during World War II by German troops.

Left for years in degradation, today the construction work to the road is almost finished and the official reopening by the authorities was made this European summer (unofficially the road has been enjoyed long before that by many riders).

The road is 90 percent paved and stands as a dream motorcycle route for every rider. Starting from Sebes up to Novaci, Transalpina covers over 100 kilometres of hairpin curves, after each, the scenery unfolds itself offering incredible views over the mountains. The road is perfectly built, like it was designed to be used as a race track to the clouds and can be explored in about three hours riding. The paving of the road didn't spoil the off road

8 – December 2011

appetite too much though, since around the area there are still plenty of tracks to be explored.

Transylvania Live can take you on the tour or hire you a bike and give you maps to explore these roads yourself. Highly recommended by Cycle Torque.

See www.cycletorque.com.au/more to read the tour story. n

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NEWS torque

KTM’s electric future

WHILE many of the major motorcycle manufacturers have hinted they are working on battery powered motorcycles, KTM has actually been the first to put one into production – the Freeride E. American company Zero was the first to produce electric motorcycles in decent numbers but they really haven’t taken off in Australia like some expected. KTM is a huge player in the Australian (and the world) off-road market so buyers will probably find a ‘name’ brand more attractive.

KTM is pitching the bike as a fun machine, more suited to a quick fang in the bush or paddock rather than going on a 150 kilometre ride. Power is supplied by a 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is mated to a 30 horsepower electric motor. Electric power units are known for their torque, and as such the KTM produces 42Nm of it. A single speed transmission turns the rear wheel, and as there’s no need for a clutch, the rear brake lever sits on the left side of the handlebars.

It’s light too, weighing just 95kg ready to roll, and range is said to be around 45 minutes of riding time if you are an average rider, less if you are at a professional level. Charging the battery pack is as simple as plugging it into a power socket, and 90 minutes is all it takes to fully charge it.

Reports from overseas say the bike is similar in power to a 125cc twostroke off-roader, but with substantially more torque. Reports also suggest the bike’s light weight and torque makes it feel not dissimilar to a trials machine, albeit a very potent one.

KTM has produced a cool video to go with the Freeride E’s release.

Check it out at www.cycletorque.com.au/more. n

December 2011 – 9

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small torque Snowy success

Touring Tassie

THE annual 'Snowy Ride' which raises money for cancer has again been a major success.

THE Glamorgan Spring Bay Council in Tasmania has recently put out a tourism travel guide which highlights all the cool things to do in their area.

A total of 3,115 entrants descended on Thredbo and the NSW Alpine region to enjoy some of the country's most picturesque roads and help raise money for the cause, raising more than $250,000, plus pouring money into the local economy.

Get a compass COMPASS Expeditions are running a varied range of motorcycle tours in Turkey in 2012, including one around Anzac Day. Give them a bell on 1300 887 327 or visit www.compassexpeditions.com for more info.

Vstrom vroom LOVERS of Suzuki's 650 Vstrom can rejoice.

The new model which has received a major styling revamp is in dealerships eagerly awaiting buyers. The cost is $10,890 + ORC.

Scrap the MSL VICTORIA'S Motorcycle Safety Levy ($63.80 for 2011/12) is a charge added to the registration paid by motorcycle and scooter owners. The Levy is allocated for motorcycle safety projects.

The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has called for the scheme to be scrapped. VACC's submission, on behalf of its Motorcycle Industry Division, recommends that the funds collected by the Motorcycle Safety Levy should be committed to dedicated powered two wheeler projects.

"All too often, funds collected by the Levy are absorbed into general road improvement schemes which all road users benefit from. In our view, if motorcycle and scooter riders have to pay a Motorcycle Safety Levy, the money should be used for motorcycle and scooter projects only," VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

10 – December 2011

The council is motorcycle friendly, and as it’s situated on the beautiful Freycinet Coast there is lots to see and do besides just touring the great roads.

Check it out at www.freycinetcoast.com. au.

Norton in OZ

IN RESPONSE to Cycle Torque's editorial in the November issue we have received information the new Norton 961 will be sold in limited numbers by Steve's Motorcycles in WA. Want one? Well give them a call on 08 6104 3031. Prices start at $27,990 by the way.

Helmet testing IN AN Australian first, motorcyclists can now click on a new website to select the safest and most comfortable helmets on the market.

The helmets tested at the RTA’s Crashlab facility are highlighted on the www.

CRASH.org.au website.

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads, John Ajaka MLC said the RTA's Consumer Rating and Assessment of Safety Helmets (CRASH) program is the first independent assessment and rating of motorcycle helmets sold in Australia.

"The helmets which have been tested not only meet Australian safety standards but are given star ratings for both their crash protection and comfort level," Mr Ajaka said.

"Motorcyclists will now be able to look at detailed independent advice on the best helmet protection available to them," he added.

Rider videos THE Motorcycle Council of NSW recently announced the release of its "Rider Risk" video series, a 10 part series of riding skills

videos aimed at improving rider skills and is now available on the MCC of NSW website. www.mccofnsw.org.au Each video subject is based on the statistical risk of a type of crash.

Motorcycle Council of NSW Chairman, Christopher Burns said: "A good rider is a good risk manager," said MCC Chairman Christopher Burns. "These videos can help a rider to understand the risks, but it's up to them to learn the skills and implement them."

The NSW Government funded the video series as part of a "Make Motorcycling Safer" partnership with the MCC of NSW.

Hankering for a Hyosung HYOSUNG Australia has just announced an amazing deal on the Hyosung GV700C Deluxe cruiser. For a strictly limited time, the GV700C Deluxe will be $9990.00 'Ride Away' with $3700 of genuine Hyosung touring accessories for free.

Anyone considering the GV700C should head to their authorised Hyosung Dealer without delay, as at this price they are not likely to last long.

The GV700C Deluxe is available at $9990 Ride away until 31/12/11 or whilst stock last.

Visit www.hyosung.com.au for details.

Changes in Shepparton SHEPPARTON Kawasaki in Victoria recently opened its doors with a new owner and a new location.

Shepparton Kawasaki stocks the latest range of Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, MULE Utilty Vehicles and Jet Skis. They are located at 8028 Goulburn Valley Highway, Kialla, VIC 3631 (03) 5823 5629 and are open 5 days a week (6 days a week from now to Christmas). n

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NEWS torque : PIT BITS PI endurance PHILLIP Island is hosting the first 8 hour endurance motorcycle race seen in Australia for many years.

Many classes are included in the event, sponsored by Insure My Ride, which runs from December 2-4, and there are a number of support classes holding races over the weekend also.

Many big names are entered, and the racing will no doubt be hot, maybe even as hot as the weather.

Go to www.phillipisland8hour.com.au for more information.

Todd Waters to Suzuki TODD Waters has signed for Team Motul Pirelli Suzuki for the 2012 and 2013 Australian Motocross and SuperX Championships after several tough years aboard the Carlton Dry THOR Honda team.

The likeable 20-year-old North Queenslander has been held back by injury during the 2011 season but when fit can be expected to win races and championships under the watchful eye of team manager Jay Foreman.

By the time you read this Waters will have already started testing his 2012 RM-Z450 and a new teammate should have been announced.

New track, new dates EASTERN Creek Ride days has a schedule in place for the rest of the year, and with the new addition to the circuit ready in early 2012, dates will no doubt be hard to get.

Check it out now at www. easterncreekridedays.com.au or call 1300 793 423.

Bubba To JGR Yamaha Self confessed 'fastest man on the planet' James 'Bubba' Stewart has signed a multiyear contract to continue racing Yamaha equipment for the JGRMX team, the motocross division of the Joe Gibbs Nascar Racing program.

With only two AMA Supercross and one AMA Motocross Championship to his credit Bubba will look to resurrect a career that has under-delivered in every aspect with a team that has only been racing on two wheels since 2008.

JGR, Yamaha and the rest of the people behind this project will now cross their fingers and hope the gamble on 'Bubba' is worth it. Time will tell.

Ward to world titles AUSSIE Speedway sensation Darcy Ward has secured a start for the 2012 FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship.

The teenager will join fellow Speedway stars Jason Crump and Chris Holder in the world's premier Speedway competition after securing the 15th and final spot on the 2012 rider list released on Wednesday.

The 2012 FIM Speedway GP World Championship begins in New Zealand on 31 March 2012 in Auckland before finishing in Torun, Poland on 6 October 2012.

New Pirellis for superbikes FROM 2013 Pirelli will replace the current 16.5" tyres, currently used in many superbike championships throughout the world, with 17" tyres remaining close to its philosophy of transferring the know-how gained in competition to motorcyclists all over the world.

Cook Fifth In World Vets 1995 Australian 125cc Motocross Champion and multi Queensland Motocross Champion Mick Cook has finished an impressive 5th in the ultra competitive Over 40 Pro-Class at 2011 MTA World Veterans Championship held at Glen Helen Raceway in California recently.

Riders from all over the world attended the event with past nationals champions and former factory riders throughout each of the classes. In fact, Cook spent most of his two main races battling with former AMA National Champion Ron Lechein and former World Motocross Championship contender Kurt Nicoll.

Watts courses MULTI enduro champ Shane Watts is running a number of his popular Dirt Wise offroad training schools in the coming months.

Check out www.shanewatts.com to see if there's one near you.

Race service for 8 Hour PIRELLI has announced that race tyres for the upcoming Phillip Island 8 Hour

Australian Endurance Championship can now be purchased via the Official 8 Hour Pirelli Race Service, SW Racing.

SW Racing is now accepting tyre orders for competitors wishing to race on Pirelli tyres at this event. Tyres must be pre ordered ahead of the event to ensure supply, and will be available for pick up at Pit 41 at Phillip Island at the beginning of the event if pre ordered with the Race Service.

ISDE applications MOTORCYCLING Australia (MA) has opened applications to be part of the Australian ISDE team to compete in Germany in September 2012.

Applications close on November 30, a couple of weeks after we go to press, so get in quick.

Go to www.ma.org.au/forms.

Barry is back THE 7th annual Barry Sheene Festival of Speed will be held at Eastern Creek Raceway from 23rd to 25th March 2012. This meeting will incorporate the 2nd Trans Tasman Challenge, with the Kiwis increasing their numbers and looking at retaining the trophy that they won by 1 point in 2011.

The event will be held on the new 4.5 kilometre Eastern Creek Circuit, so lap records will be up for grabs.

The 'HART Honda Spectator Parade Laps', Trade Stands, Bike and Car displays and the Show & Shine will all add to a great weekend for participants and spectators alike.

Young speedway champs THE 2012 Australian Under 21 Solo Speedway and Under 16 250cc-350cc Speedway Championships will be held at the new Kurri Kurri circuit on Saturday January 28, 2012.

Supp Regs for the Championships are now available to download on the MA website at www.ma.org.au/suppregs.

Older speedway champs

CONSISTING of three rounds over three consecutive weekends, the 2012 Australian Solo Speedway Championships are sure to be a big hit with spectators.

Round 1 is at North Brisbane on January 7, Kurri kurri will host round two on January 14, and the final round will be at Gilman in SA on January 21. n December 2011 – 11

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EDITORIAL

Motorcycles, MotoGP & Mortality ON THE day Casey Stoner won his second MotoGP title my second son, Matthew, rode a motorcycle for the first time. It wasn’t his first attempt, but it was the first time he was successful.

I wasn’t there, I was at the Phillip Island MotoGP. His mother made videos of Matthew riding and crashing which made missing out on actually being there a little tougher.

A week later, I was watching young Matthew improving his skills during lesson two of the Trailblazers training program. More skills, more control, bigger crashes. Tears and scratches, but he kept getting back on.

His older brother, Damien, was also doing the course, but his age, better riding skills and experience meant he was riding a bigger bike (TTR90) and having a lot of fun. Some small spills for Damien, but nothing serious.

The night before we’d all been at Alex Pickett’s 18th birthday party – still a teenager but already a far more successful road racer than 99 per cent of riders who will ever drag on a set of leathers. A big country party in a classic town hall with guests of all ages.

After the Trailblazers course the following day I sat down to watch the MotoGP race from Malaysia.

The Hondas looked strong and I hoped Pedrosa wouldn’t run away with the event.

Stoner got the holeshot and had a big lead after lap one, with some good racing as the field tried to sort itself out.

Then came the massive, sickening crash. It showed the crash from a rear perspective, which obscured the collision a little, especially in real time.

Slowed down you can see a couple of bikes run directly into Marco Simoncelli, who appears to have lost control.

The next shot made my stomach do a flip: seeing a rider’s helmet separated from the person after a crash is never a good sign.

We knew the worst fairly quickly: Simoncelli, the flamboyant Italian expected to replace Rossi as the joker of the field in the coming years was dead.

His death was shocking, sad and upsetting: all the more so because it was so unexpected. He was only 24, was fit, strong and racing in probably one of the safest forms of motorcycle racing which exists – the best riding gear, experienced competitors, safe tracks, excellent medical facilities. Deaths are rare in MotoGP, although certainly not unknown.

Death, however, is touching me more and more.

I’m told this is common as you get older, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

I didn’t know Simoncelli and I didn’t know Steve Jobs either, but both of their lives affected mine. I’ve watched Simoncelli for years in the smaller GP classes and recently in MotoGP, and I fully expected him to join the other Aliens at the front of the field soon. I use products Steve Jobs had a hand in developing, stuff I use nearly every day: indeed, without Steve Jobs and Apple desktop publishing might never have happened, and without desktop publishing there would be no Cycle Torque. I would never have been able to raise the funds to have published Cycle 12 – December 2011

Torque using traditional methods.

Jobs’ death, however, was sad but not unexpected.

He had been ill for many years, so his passing shouldn’t have shocked anymore, but that doesn’t make it less sad.

Losing Peter Smith, Tony Kirby and Ken Wootton was harder. All three were major influences on me: Smith, as a contributor to Two Wheels when I was there, with his ‘Sharp Mind in a Blunt Body’, massive intellect and sharp wit: Kirby as a successful magazine publisher before I started Cycle Torque and Wootton, as the editor of Australia’s major racing and motorcycle news magazine.

None of those three died riding, and all died early.

My kids won’t grow up and emulate Casey Stoner: not unless there’s a big change at the top of the sport, anyway. They will be too big: MotoGP riders are really just a T-shirt size bigger than jockeys, so if Damien or Matthew are going to be successful racers it will be Motocross, Supercross or maybe Superbikes. Not that I’m really that fussed: if they want to race bikes, or not, that’s fine with me.

Watching your children participate in dangerous activities is hard. Over the past five or six years I’ve watched Alex Pickett move through his teens and doing a lot of road racing on the way through.

He’s been lucky that not only could his parents afford it, but also that they were willing to put in the time and effort to help him go racing. He’s won Australian titles along the way and is currently punting a ZX-10R, which he first rode at the tender age of 17.

Alex is a popular kid, with both his parents’ generation and with his peers. He’s doing well in his apprenticeship, is handy with the tools around both bikes and cars and realises that racing bikes is a fun way to spend an awful lot of money – he isn’t under illusions he’s going to get a paid ride, despite his great results.

For his parents, spending that money and

spending the time with Alex going racing has helped raise him into a fine young man. I know his parents have a hard time watching him race sometimes; anyone who thinks it’s easy watching their kids ride fast probably doesn’t have any.

He’s still young enough to do some stupid things, but so far he seems to have avoided many of the things which get the young into trouble, and I put that down, at least in part, to a strong family and an understanding that the bike racing is a privilege which will be revoked if he’s doing the wrong thing.

And Alex loves his racing.

Riding motorcycles is exciting, and with excitement comes danger. When you let your kids ride you are putting them into a dangerous situation. They soon learn that crashing hurts, that having the skills to ride well makes the whole experience a lot more fun, and that they are responsible for their own destiny.

Some of the kids racing out in the paddocks will go on to become world champions. It’s dangerous, it’s hard, it is fraught with obstacles, but for me those who make it are genuine modern day heroes.

– Nigel Paterson

www.cycletorque.com.au

dirty torque

KTM takes on the world – Pt 2

OK, ALL of the critical pieces of the giant KTM Racing jigsaw are in place with past and present stars of the worldwide motocross scene and some of the best brains in the sport being integral pieces of this jigsaw. Let’s see how they intend to attack the 2012 season.

Marketing a range of serious off-road motorcycles is a huge task. Potential customers have so many choices when it comes to choosing their next mount and every manufacturer is spending serious coin to get on each customer’s shopping list.

And it’s not as easy as it may seem. Marketing your model range on websites, magazine ads, billboards, sponsoring events, track-side signage etc are all part of the ‘branding’ exercise, and a big chunk of the marketing budget is usually put into the racing program.

The ‘Ready To Race’ slogan has been part of KTM’s ethos for many years now and those three words are on just about everything to do with the brand, be it an owner’s manual or a T-shirt.

And as I covered last month, KTM has a long and successful history when it comes to racing on every front so starting right here in Australia, let’s check out KTM’s assault on the 2012 motocross and supercross season.

Starting at the top, KTM has former World Motocross Championship #2 Jeff Leisk at the helm of its Australian operations. And don’t think that Leisky has lost any of his competitive edge. Behind his calm, humble demeanour, this man leaves no stone unturned when it comes to putting KTM at the top of the podium in as many races as possible each and every year. His track record speaks for itself.

Another person who is integral to KTM’s success here in Australia is former nationally ranked motocrosser Rob Twyerould. Like Leisky, Rob is a quiet achiever with a huge desire for success who has embraced everything to do with KTM and is a virtual library of knowledge about

what makes the orange machines tick.

And finally on the racing front we have the JDR Motorex KTM Team with team owner Jay Rynenberg hiring former motocross and supercross superstar Danny Ham as the team manager at the start of the 2011 season.

After winning championships with PJ Larsen and Josh Cashia in 2010 and Matt Moss in 2011 the JDR team line up for 2012 (at the time of writing) has former Australian Motocross and Supercross Champions Daniel Reardon (450SX) and Ryan Marmont (350SX) in the open class while Brendan Harrison and Josh Cachia will be 250SX-F mounted in the lites class.

Can JDR Motorex KTM win championships in 2012? If all riders ride to their full potential there will be another trophy (or two) in the JDR cabinet at the end of the season.

OK, let’s have a look at the World Motocross Championships. With World Motocross legends Pit Beirer, Heinz Kinigadner and Stefan Everts along with Caudio DeCarli at the helm the Red Bull Teka KTM team will again be favourite to win both the MX1 and MX2 championships in 2012.

It would be a brave man to bet against 350SX mounted Antonio Cairoli to win his 3rd MX1 title for KTM. Like Everts back in his time, Cairoli has a mental edge over his opposition but 2012 will see Christophe Pourcel back in action so it will be an interesting year (Pourcel beat Cairoli for the 2006 MX2 Championship by 18 points).

With 2011 MX2 champion Ken Roczen moving to the AMA series KTM will have to rely on the young Dutchman Jeffery Herlings to continue its dominance in the 250F class. The good news for KTM is that Herling managed to win four GPs in 2011 and was really the only rider to genuinely run Roczen’s pace so another MX2 World Championship in 2012 is as good a bet as any for the orange army.

Finally, let’s talk about the AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships. Unless you have had your head up your behind over the last few months you will know that the Red Bull KTM Team has signed multi AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey to do battle on a 450SX throughout the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

With the ‘living legend’ Roger DeCoster as team manager, Dungey will head the team in the open class while the lites championships will have none other than current World MX2 Champion Ken Roczen and former World MX2 Champion Marvin Musquin riding the fire breathing 250SX-Fs. Dungey, Roczen and Musquin are very talented and determined while Roger DeCoster has a history of getting the most out of his riders.

Can this team win championships in arguably the toughest series in the world? Um‚ – you bet!

And behind all of these factory teams there are the KTM support teams like the Coastal KTM and Top Gear KTM teams in Australia, KTM Silver Action, KTM Scott Racing and Nestaan JM Racing KTM in the World Motocross Championships and JDR J-Star KTM and Factory FMF KTM in the American series.

So, in summary, how does KTM plan on taking on the world in 2012? Well, check out the line-up: Leisk, Twyerould, Ham, Reardon, Marmont, Harrison, Cachia, Beirer, Kinigadner, Everts, DeCarli, Cairoli, Herlings, DeCoster, Dungey, Roczen and Musquin.

Legends and racers, joined to form an army to take on the motocross and supercross world.

And they are all – ‘Ready To Race’.

– Darren Smart

December 2011 – 13

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RACE torque

A Torrid Year THIS season of MotoGP racing will go down as one of the toughest and saddest in recent memory. If you scroll down the list of top ten riders, only one survived with his reputation, spirit and body intact.

Twenty eleven will be remembered as the year when Casey Stoner stamped himself as the best rider of his generation and the 800cc era. He claimed his 32nd MotoGP at Phillip Island for his fifth consecutive home victory on the way to his second world championship, with 12 poles and 10 wins overall.

It doesn’t get much better than that. Despite a crash at Assen that inflicted a minor neck injury, Casey escaped the season physically intact and silenced his naysayers with a devastating season replete with unrivalled speed and punishing consistency.

His performances left defending champ Jorge Lorenzo looking somewhat off the pace and bereft of answers. With just two victories to his name, Lorenzo could only sit back and watch as Stoner ran away with the championship that the Majorcan worked so hard to wrest from Valentino Rossi. With a mathematical possibility of halting Stoner’s charge, Jorge suffered that nasty finger injury at Phillip Island which forced him to miss the final three races. He gracefully attended Marco Simoncelli’s funeral, embraced Sic’s dad Paolo later saying he regretted the ‘words’ he had with Marco at Estoril.

Next up is Andrea Dovizioso, under pressure at Repsol Honda to step up to Alien status and win at least one race. Try as he might, Andrea could only manage three hard-earned second placings and with the rise of Marco Simoncelli, he found himself out of a job and into the arms of Yamaha Tech3.

A long-time rival of Marco from the junior ranks, Dovi attended the funeral and the sad irony of Marco winning the rights to his bike for 2012 must have swirled through his head with great emotion, not regret. Dovi’s move to Tech3 can only be seen as a slide down the slippery pole that is MotoGP. Dani Pedrosa’s worst nightmare was confirmed when Casey Stoner quietly slotted into Repsol Honda and promptly delivered a world championship to Big Red, something the Spaniard has been unable to do since joining the squad in 2006. As usual, Dani displayed genuine and sometimes unbeatable speed, but fell victim to his own mistakes and those of others that forced him to miss a couple of races with a damaged shoulder.

While Dani’s position at Repsol Honda is secure, 14 – December 2011

HRC understands that Stoner is the go-to-man they’ve so needed.

Traditionally, HRC allows its number one rider to drive its development program, and that is undoubtedly Casey Stoner. Pedrosa’s standing and Alberto Puig’s power within Repsol Honda have thus been dealt a major blow.

Ben Spies came into season 2011 on the back of sizzling off-season form that saw him consistently quicker than Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Acknowledging the pressure to deliver with a works bike underneath him, Ben had a quiet opening at Qatar with sixth followed by a late-race spill at Jerez when he looked on course for a thirdplace finish. Two more DNFs followed before his breakthrough win at a damp Assen that raised the question; can Ben kick on and challenge the Aliens, or were the planets simply aligned at Assen? Ben’s next best finish after Assen was a fourth at Indy before he had his egg-beater crash at Phillip Island that ruled him out for two races, his confidence taking a hit. Despite his impressive second place at Valencia, the question posed still remains unanswered.

Marco Simoncelli swept into MotoGP after cutting a swashbuckling swathe in the 250s that bore all of the hallmarks of Rossi’s rise from impish teenager to MotoGP superstar. Just like his 50,000 watt grin, Marco’s star shone brightly, but tragically, not for long. Emerging from a self imposed/HRC mid-season slump owing to his aggressive start to the season, he bounced back with his first podium at Brno before bagging second behind Casey at Phillip Island. Twenty twelve looked like being the year that Marco would break into the Alien league on a big 1000, but we will now never know. What we do know is even if he didn’t ever win a MotoGP title, his enormous

personality would’ve lit up the race track and the paddock as it always had. He will be missed.

Race Torque mused that Rossi and Ducati could go through 2011 winless, and so it proved to be. What we didn’t predict was just how miserable his first season on the Ducati GP11 would be, and how it has put a serious dent in his towering legacy. With just one podium for the year, the same as teammate Nicky Hayden, Rossi had four final DNFs which included the tragic collision with Marco Simoncelli at Sepang. The only bright spot is that 2012 can only get better for Vale on Ducati’s new 1000.

Nicky Hayden has had a pretty tough time since 2006, and 2011 just added another chapter to his winless record since that championship-winning year. The new 1000cc formula will suit him, but whether he can push for more podium finishes is still up in the air. Being brought down with Rossi at Valencia capped off Ducati’s worst year in MotoGP in a truly forgettable year for the Bologna factory.

Colin Edwards proved that he has lost none of his speed with consistent qualifying and race performances on his Tech3 Yamaha capped by a season high third at Silverstone while carrying serious injuries. Heading to a BMW-powered Suter effort in 2012, Edwards was prevented from signing off from Yamaha at Valencia due to the injuries he sustained at Sepang cutting short a very tough season’s end for the Texan.

Valencia also brought to an end the two-stroke era with the final running of the 125 class. Just what Moto3 and the new CRT/1000 MotoGP formula may bring is anybody’s guess. Many remained unconvinced. Here’s hoping they’re wrong.

– Darryl Flack

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GUNTRIP

15 - NOVEMBER 2011

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In praise

WE’RE fast approaching the 40th anniversary of the release of the bike that most comprehensively turned motorcycle racing upside down, the Yamaha TZ350, and I hope we can organise ourselves to celebrate that milestone rather better than we did those concerning the TR2 and TZ750.

If you weren’t around at the time it’s difficult to convey the impact Yamaha’s succession of shrieking twins had on road racing all those years ago. You’ve only got to look at Ago’s (and MV’s) world championship record to see how thin the whole thing looked after the withdrawal of Honda (and Benelli) – an unbroken run of 500cc crowns from 1968 to 1972 (and two more to Phil Read in 1973 and 1974), a similar string of 350cc titles from 1968 to 1973.

Indeed, MV’s dominance of the big class in particular ran from 1958 to 1974, with, in order, John Surtees, Gary Hocking, Mike Hailwood, Ago and Read amassing the rider ’s titles. Don’t tell me that’s healthy.

Below world title level motorcycle racing was almost moribund from a technological standpoint: senior class grids full of Manx Nortons and G50 Matchlesses made wonderful rorty noises but they were essentially fighting the battle they’d been waging since the advent of the G50 in 1959.

Things were a bit more interesting among the 350s, where assorted British singles were confronted by Italian Aermacchi singles and an assortment of home-brewed ironmongery based as like as not on Bultaco singles and Suzuki twins, but there really wasn’t much viable innovation.

Then came 1969, and gradually people began finishing in front of Giacomo Agostini, at least in nonchampionship events, on a production racer – the Yamaha TR2. Rod Gould cleaned him up at Mallory Park, hardly a GP circuit but a sign of things to come just the same.

And the point was that anyone with sufficient brass could hand it over in exchange for a near-GP winner: the new Yam made 55bhp, weighed a trim 111kg and would cheerfully return 240km/h on the faster circuits. The points ignition wasn’t exactly a big deal but aftermarket suppliers soon addressed that little problem.

Inevitably, the TR2 became faster, developed into the TR2B and ultimately became

the TR3. By then ascendant genius Jarno Saarinen had beaten Ago in the first two 350 GPs of the 1972 season and would routinely knock lumps off fields of well-ridden F750 hardware.

The bike grew a water jacket and really became indispensable in 1973.

And might have been a world titlewinner too, but for the horrors of the Italian GP at Monza, which saw the world robbed of Saarinen and Renzo Pasolini. People come and people go, sometimes in the most tragic of circumstances, but Saarinen’s loss was truly a horror on a number of levels, not least because the rising dynasty of riders that bade fair to illuminate the second half of the 1970s had lost its brightest star. Occasionally even today I am staggered by Saarinen’s brilliance and think myself privileged indeed to have seen him in action.

Ago was fought doggedly by Saarinen’s team-mate, Teppi Lansivuori, throughout the 1973 season but without the man himself to deliver the coup de grace the Italian gave MV Agusta a valedictory 350cc title before he himself joined the ranks of TZ350 runners and claimed the 1974 title as well.

And why not: in its 1973 guise a TZ350 could make better than 60bhp and run at close to 250km/h when it had to. Saarinen even cleaned up the Daytona 200 in 1973 aboard one.

From 20 metres the first TZs looked much akin to the old air-cooled TRs – spindly rear suspension units contrasting dramatically with that almighty 260mm double twin-leadingshoe front drum brake, which was probably the toughest-looking thing ever to come out of Japan even if it was prone to fade.

That all changed pretty dramatically for the 1976 season, when the doanything, win-anywhere TZ acquired disc brakes and a monoshock rear end and became the TZ350C. For all its ubiquity and its dominance at anything and everything from club racing to full international competition, the TZ and its factory variants were not quite as successful at GP level. After Ago’s title in 1974, Johnny Cecotto repeated the dose the following year and Takazumi Katayama in 1977 (along the way tinkering with Yamaha’s short-lived 350 triple). But after that Kawasaki’s tandem twins spoilt the party a bit, with Kork Ballington winning the title in 1978 and 1979, and Toni Mang doing it again in 1981 and 1982. Yamaha’s valedictory championship coming via South African Jon Ekerold in 1980.

But by then the FIM was poised to flush the 350cc world title down the toilet for reasons I still struggle to understand, and the final variant of the TZ350, the H, came in 1981. By then it was still lighter and knocking out a pretty credible 72bhp, and would continue to win hundreds, perhaps thousands of races in the years ahead.

By any standard Yamaha’s TZs, whether in 125, 250 or 350cc guise, were a magnificent achievement that gave motorcycle road racing a critical infusion of dynamism and excitement at a time when the future looked bleak.

I dread to think where we’d have been without them.

– Bo b G u n trip

December 2011 – 15

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December 2011 – 17

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Cycle Torque Test: Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC TEST BY

Nigel Paterson

PHOTOS BY

Adrian Fowler

RIDING GEAR: Chris - HJC helmet, Arlen Ness gloves, Joe Rocket leathers, Alpinestars boots. Dennis - Zeus helmet, Matador Equipment eyewear, Arlen Ness jacket, Ixon Flip4 gloves, Hornee jeans, Joe Rocket ‘Big Bang’ boots.

18 – December 2011

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Smart Sports With some of the best electronics in the business and a less sporty riding position and set-up, the Aprila Tuono makes a lot of sense...

Continued on next page December 2011 – 19

www.cycletorque.com.au

IF YOU'RE after a sportsbike but can't abide the cramped riding position of today's racetrack refugees, the Aprilia Tuono V4 R might be for you.

With an engine developed from the Superbike World Championship winning RSV4 in a stiff aluminium chassis with top-quality suspension, trick APRC electronics, big brakes, a slipper clutch and a whole lot more, this is a serious sportsbike, sans fairing.

Priced at $23,500 (plus ORC), the Tuono doesn't come cheap.

This is the real deal though, not a dumbed-down RSV4, but a variant designed to provide the real-world performance only a sportsbike can deliver but without the bulky fairings and aggressive riding position.

Engine & APRC

The motor in the Tuono might be 'de-tuned' from that of its more famous sibling, the RSV4, but not by much. Serious

20 – December 2011

mumbo, folks, and it's available pretty well on tap, and if you're left wanting for more, well you probably should see someone about that horsepower habit you're developing. Aprilia is claiming 162 ponies at 11,000rpm, which makes it a hellishly powerful naked.

Creating said mumbo is a 65-degree V-four with all the bells and whistles you’d expect - four valves per pot, liquid cooling, fuel injection. Nothing unusual or surprising here. It's in the electronics things get really interesting – in particular the APRC. Cycle Torque has covered APRC with the test of the latest RSV4 in the June 2011 issue (you can find it at www. cycletorque.com.au/more) but here’s the short version: APRC is awesome. It adds to safety and speed in ways we couldn't imagine a few years ago and is a great example of racing making production bikes better.

APRC incorporates ATC (traction control), AWC (wheelie control), AQS (quick shift) and ALC (launch control). Surprisingly there's no ABS system, but rumours are abounding that’s under development for a future model.

ATC means you can drive harder out of corners, especially in tricky conditions, than you might wish to try, and set to its most sensitive level it kicks in at a fairly low level, so you can feel how it's working before it needs to save you from a highside. It's one of the hardest things about traction control: learning to trust it. With APRC, you've got a better chance.

The quick shift is awesome when you're charging along – just bang the gears through, swapping cogs in the six-speed cassette transmission fast and easy. I'm not convinced launch control and wheelie control are quite so important on a naked, but they are part of the package and certainly do their job well.

The APRC joins the ride-

by-wire throttle technology and Weber-Marelli fuel injection system to make the 2011 Tuono one of the most technologically advanced bikes Cycle Torque has ever ridden.

Chassis and suspension

If there's an area where naked bikes derived from sportsbikes often disappoint it is in the suspension – too many manufacturers over the years decide road riders don't need the same level of suspension sophistication as their more track-oriented machinery.

Aprilia, however, hasn't skimped in this area: the Tuono has quality Sachs suspension at both ends, fully adjustable and more than capable of offering good control for most riders, even on track day.

The wheels are actually lighter than those on the RSV4, which helps explain why the bike

Continued on page 24

www.cycletorque.com.au

December 2011 – 21

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S p e c i f i c at i o n s: aprilia tuono v4 r aprc Engine Type: Liquid-cooled V-4 Capacity: 999.6cc Transmission: 6-speed Fuel Capacity: 17 litres Frame Type: Alloy twin spar Seat Height: 835mm Dry Weight: 183 kg Front Suspension: 43mm Sachs USD Rear Suspension: Sachs Monoshock Brakes: Dual 320mm discs and 4-piston calipers, single 220mm disc and 2-piston caliper Tyres: 120/70-17, 190/55-17 Price (RRP): $23,500 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more Call for a quote

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

turns in so well, while the huge Brembo stoppers haul the bike down from speed with an effortless squeeze.

The huge aluminium beam frame is out and proud on the RSV4, wrapped around the compact powerplant and visible for all to see.

Running in an almost straight line from the steering head to the swingarm pivot it gives an impression of strength and stiffness which can't be mistaken.

The banana-shaped rear swingarm is similarly tough and flex-free.

Styling and ergos

How much plastic can be installed on a bike before it isn't a naked a n y m o r e ? T h e Tu o n o h a s plastic shrouds around the headlights, small fairing panels on the sides and a bellypan‚– but none of this actually provides any weather protection, so let's keep describing the bike as a naked.

The riding position tries to get you out of the wind a little by leaning you forward into the wind, 22 – December 2011

and the high, rearset footpegs make you realise this really is a sportsbike without a fairing.

The riding position isn’t anywhere near as aggressive as the RSV4, but it's no touring bike.

Passenger accommodation i s , w e l l , s e c o n d a r y. I f you're really going to regularly going to carry a friend they better love you despite your choice of motorcycle.

On the road

T h e Tu o n o f i r e s u p e a s i l y and settles to a raspy idle without fuss. Throw a leg over and you immediately notice the firm suspension and lean toward the ‘bars.

C l i c k i t i n t o g e a r, f e e d a few revs and you're in motion, feet up on pegs higher than you expect on a naked.

Potholes are looked for and avoided after the first one jars your back.

The urban crawl has you wondering why a naked should feel so aggressive.

Gearchanges feel crappy as the quickshifter gets in the way of conventional traffic-inspired clutchand-throttle changes. Sure, the engine's delightful, but everything else hates the traffic, the low speeds,

l a c k o f f l o w.

On the freeway things improve. The wind is lifting you off the ‘bars, the engine is spinning m o r e h a p p i l y. B u t i t ' s o n the exit ramp heading for the twisties you start to a p p r e c i a t e t h e Tu o n o – smooth surfaces and fast corners meaning doubling those yellow advisory s i g n s i s e a s y.

Into the mountains it s t a r t s t o c o m e t o g e t h e r.

Get lazy with the clutch, just bang the gears through on the quickshifter and back torque limiting clutch.

Keep the power on and feel the APRC kick in as you drive hard out of turns. Brake late on the big Brembos, and realise you could have easily l e f t i t e v e n l a t e r. S h o v e the knee out and pretend you're max Biaggi heading for coffee 100km down your favourite road.

Now we understand. Now t h e Tu o n o m a k e s s e n s e .

Compared to an R S V 4 t h e Tu o n o i s comfortable, civilised and easy to own and ride. Compared to most nakeds it's aggressive, uncompromising and uncomfortable. But ride it hard and you will understand.

Verdict

This is a bike for the experienced sportsbike or cafe racer owner who has learnt racetrack riding positions and fairing don't actually make much sense on public roads where time spent at stratospheric speeds is rare, dangerous and expensive. For this rider having something which works really well to punch you from one corner to the next is more important. This rider will find the compromises of most nakeds – cheaper s u s p e n s i o n , l e s s p o w e r, no traction control, more weight, reduced cornering clearance – compromises they won't accept. Even though you could buy two big-bore naked machines for the price of a Tu o n o . N o p e , t h e Tu o n o i s a b a r g a i n . Yo u g e t 9 0 percent of the performance of the RSV4 and a lot more civility for thousands less d o l l a r s . Yo u g e t t h e A R P C , w i t h o u t t h e b a c k a c h e . Yo u can even run one on the track and have an awful lot of fun. If you believe a sportsbike should have a registration plate, the Tu o n o m a k e s a l o t o f sense. n

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Quick shifter works well when bike is ridden hard.

Nice enough exhaust note but we’d change it.

Front brakes are simply fantastic.

Engine is sublime.

December 2011 – 23

Two wheeled convertible www.cycletorque.com.au

Launch Report - 2012 HarleyDavidson Switchback REPORT BY

Chris Pickett

PHOTOS BY

Lou Martin

RIDING GEAR: KBC helmet, Matador Equipment ‘Barcelona’ eyewear, Spyke jacket, Matador Equipment gloves, Hornee jeans, Thomas Cook boots.

REPORT BY

Chris Pickett

PHOTOS BY

Lou Martin

IT’S hard not to like the look of a ‘bagger ’. Harley-Davidson has the style down pat, and for 2012 the iconic American company has introduced the Switchback, on the Dyna platform. HD calls it a Convertible because you can easily convert the look and feel of the bike by taking off the panniers and screen. Add in the 103 cube V-twin engine, reasonable suspension travel, and touring width rear tyre you have a very capable long distance tourer, or boulevard cruiser.

R u nning gea r

Do you dream of cruising the highways in a convertible?

Harley-Davidson’s Switchback lets you do the same thing, only you sit on it, not in it.

The air-cooled 1690cc engine has torque to burn (100 ft lbs at 3,500rpm). Solo or two up with gear there’s more than enough power to keep most cruiser riders very happy. You can always go for a better air cleaner, Screaming Eagle tuner and lumpier camshaft if you like. Vibes from the engine are kept at bay to a large degree because it’s rubber mounted, and the vibes you do get are pleasant in a slightly disturbing way if you get our drift.

Of course it’s fuel injected, and the engine management system has a thing called Engine Idle Temperature Management Strategy (EITMS), where fuel and ignition is automatically cut from the rear cylinder when idling which reduces engine heat, making an easier time for the rider and passenger in traffic on a hot day – cool.

HD has been using the same six-speed gearbox for a while 24 – December 2011

and it feels as solid as the Harbour Bridge. Top gear is very much an overdrive, and most of the time we found ourself cruising in 4th or fifth gear, unless we were on the freeway. In previous models a light came up on the dash when you were in overdrive, not on the new Switchback though. We liked the old way better.

Susp ension and brakes

Keeping the bumps at bay is a big task for any cruiser because of the inherent design flaw of heavy weight combined with short travel suspension. Sure, we copped the odd jar here and there but overall the forks and twin shocks worked well.

You might think on a HD launch we would be restricted to perfectly manicured roads but this isn’t the case. We explored Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland and sometimes the roads were a bit average. HD has done a pretty good job here, and the Switchback is one of the better cruisers we’ve sampled in this regard lately. Believe it or not there were times when we journos played a bit of boy racer on the Switchback and it handles extremely well considering its size and weight. If you want to play with suspension settings then you’ll have to be content with preload on the rear shock only.

With only one front disc the Switchback looks a tad under braked. In the real world though it doesn’t seem to matter. On most sportsbikes and the like the rear brake never seems to do much but on cruisers it’s different. Because so much weight is

54 54- NOVEMBER - NOVEMBER2011 2011

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I CYCLE TORQUE

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TECH NOLOGY

FEATURE

I bike stuff I used & reveived I www.cycletorque.com.au/more 1

3

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1

OPEN UP

THE iMC Motorcom HS-530 is the perfect product for motorcycle riders with the latest generation of smart phones and who use open face or flip front helmets. Now two-wheeled riders with 3.5mm (standard headset jack) equipped phones such as the Apple iPhone, Palm Pre, and Blackberry Storm can take full advantage of the features their phones have to offer. The iMC speakers and microphone give you big sound and clear voice in a small, clean package. A handlebar push to talk button seamlessly handles voice and/or music control for the iPhone, Palm Pre and other smart phones which have voice dialling capabilities.

A great choice for music-loving, multi-tasking smart phone users who want unique control of music, easy call control and superior sound quality. Using a wired headset will provide longer battery life for your smart phone on those long rides when compared to utilising Bluetooth technology. Just plug it in and go.

Compatible with Apple Voice Control and Voice Over technology (iPhone 3GS and shuffle 3rd generation, iPhone 4 and 4S) Headphone and microphone functionality with most 3.5mm equipped cell phones velcro strap mounted handlebar remote send/end button also controls basic iPhone music playback. Provides additional functions for most phones Large diameter wafer thin speakers fit easily inside helmet and give great sound.

PRICE: $75 AVAIL ABLE FROM: Direct from iMC Motorcom, 02 4305 2200.

MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au

2

UNDER PRESSURE

THE Tomcat – Portable Mini-Air Compressor measures only 10.2cm x 5.1cm x 15.2cm making it possible to be carried on virtually any motorcycle, scooter or ATV. The built-in gauge allows you to observe the increased pressure with a reading up to 120 psi. It also comes with a built in LED light letting you know that it is receiving power and helps you connect to the tyre valve after dark.

Your motorcycle tyre will be fully inflated in less than 10 minutes. And with this unit you also have the ability to inflate sport balls & camping equipment.

PRICE: $31.95 AVAIL ABLE FROM: Direct from iMC Motorcom, 02 4305 2200.

MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au

3

MOTORADER NAVIGATE

MANY of us use GPS units in cars these days but it’s not so common on two wheels. Besides being waterproof to cope with the outdoors, the unit has a re-chargeable Li battery, built in stereo bluetooth transmitter, and it’s also got an MP3/4 player for audio and video, and a photo view too.

Don’t worry if it will fit your bike, the GPS comes with an adjustable mount to suit most motorcycles.

PRICE: $489 AVAIL ABLE FROM: Good motorcycle shops and selected stockists MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

Continued on next page

N New evolutionary l ti wireless ireless l handlebar remote control ontrol Fits any motorcycle helmet et and performs in bberised click buttons all weather conditions. Rubberised allow for easy operation with or without gloves. ontrol for handle All new wireless remote control asier rider useability. bar allows for safer and easier Features Instant/Clear/Mobile like communication Hi-Fi Stereo Speakers Connect with 3 other riders/pillions. (4 users total) Quickly switch from rider to rider.

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AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL DEALER

RRP $389 December 2011 – 25 www.motorader.com.au

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Two wheeled convertible

over the rear wheel the rear brake feels almost as powerful as the front. If you stomp on them both the bike squats big time and just plants the fat tyres into the tarmac, engaging the ABS (optional) if you’ve really jumped on them.

O n t h e s ta nd

We love the ‘bagger ’ look, and the Switchback is right on the money there. The wheels look straight off Steve McQueen’s ‘Bullit’ Mustang, and the front profile is similar to an old steam train if you squint a bit. And the valanced guards look a treat too. With panniers and screen fitted the bike looks very old school, almost like a police bike from the ‘50s. If you don’t like the look of the Switchback you are either too young or you are cross-eyed.

For the rider it’s easy to get to all the controls, with the footboards offering a bit of scope for foot movement, and the handlebars are high without being too high.

O n t h e roa d

While the bike looks awesome with panniers and screen on, we found the height of the screen gave enough buffeting to be a 26 – December 2011

distraction. Other journos on the launch said as much too, but really t h i s i s a n e a s y f i x . Yo u c a n g e t different height accessory screens f r o m H D . We ’ d g o f o r a s h o r t e r one, so you can easily see over the screen and have the added bonus of less buffeting. As for the panniers we wouldn’t bother taking them off at all, as they don’t sit wider than either the footboards or the handlebars, plus they just look as cool as hell.

Lots of non-cruiser riders think bikes like these handle like old nails but they don’t. If you want to hustle this bike along at a fair clip you need to change your riding style to suit, and this riding style doesn’t include a high corner speed. By braking deep you can wash off lots of speed, then you turn the bike and use the torque to p u n c h y o u o u t o f t h e c o r n e r. P r o p , Point, Squirt we like to call it.

We j u s t m a d e u p t h a t l i t t l e s a y i n g mind you.

We l i k e t h e f o o t b o a r d s t o o . S u r e they touch down without much lean angle but this isn’t an issue as they just rotate up. There were a couple of times when we did run out of cornering clearance,

grinding something solid on the bike into the road but to be fair we were getting a bit carried away on a very tight bit of road.

Yo u h a v e t o l o v e t h e e n g i n e t o o .

It never seems to matter whether you are revving the bejesus out o f i t o r l u g g i n g i t , t h e b i g V- t w i n donk purrs along. Last year we p u t a K & N a i r f i l t e r, a S c r e a m i n g Eagle tuner and slip on Rush pipes and we got a 50 per cent increase in torque on our project Fat Boy L o . We i m a g i n e y o u w o u l d g e t a similar increase with the 103 cube engine, and although it doesn’t need it, it would be nice.

Conclusion

HD hasn’t continually upped the prices of its new machines. At $25,995 with ABS the Switchback r e p r e s e n t s g o o d b u y i n g . Yo u c o u l d have this bike in your garage for years without it really looking outdated. And it’s a fun jigger to ride whether it’s down the street on Sunday morning for the paper and a latte, or around the Aussie block. n

Continued on page 30

! e k o j s l o o f l i r p a n a T o n This is www.cycletorque.com.au

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www.cycletorque.com.au

Two wheeled convertible

Rear shocks cope well with most of our road irregularities.

Plenty of room for big feet here.

Single disc works surprisingly well, and wheels look like they are straight off an American muscle car.

Quick release pannier system is simple to use.

The 103 cube donk isn’t short on torque.

S p e c i f i c at i o n s: 2012 harley-davidson switchback Engine Type: Air-cooled V-twin Capacity: 1690cc Transmission: 6-speed Fuel Capacity: 17.8 litres Frame Type: Steel Seat Height: 695mm Wet Weight: 326 kg Front Suspension: 41mm telescopic Rear Suspension: Single monoshock Brakes: Single disc front, single rear Tyres: 130/70-18, 160/70-17 Price (RRP): $25,995 + ORC (ABS) www.cycletorque.com.au/more Call for a quote

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28 – December 2011

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Cycle Torque Test - Laro SPT 350 TEST BY

Chris Pickett PHOTOS BY Adrian Fowler

RIDING GEAR: Zeus helmet, Road-Master jacket from Hunter Riders Gear, Matador Equipment gloves, Draggin jeans, Razor Boots.

Little tourer

Small capacity and big fuel tank = long way between stops.

T H E vast majo r i t y o f s m all cap acity bi ke s ha v e s m all p etrol tanks . The c om b in ation o f g o o d f ue l e c on omy an d t he f a c t m o s t s m all b ik es n e v e r t r a v e l too far mean s i t 's ne v e r r e a l ly b een n ee de d.

E nter the L aro S P T 3 5 0 w it h its 28 litre t a nk .

Th at' s bigger t ha n a l most e ve r y bike out t here a nd n o wond er there's ru mo u rs a ro und that the b i k e c a n g o fro m Syd ney to M el b ou rne o n one tank of f u el .

O n t h e s t and

E v en though t he b i k e's e n gine is only 3 5 0 c c i t re a l ly is a full si z ed b i k e.

A t 6' 1" I found t he S P T q u it e a big bike, w i t h a m ple room to mo v e a ro und and an ea sy st ret c h to the ‘ bar s and ‘peg s. I f s o m eone blindf o l ded y o u a n d p laced you on t he sea t yo u could easil y t hi nk i t 's a 1 000cc m od el , su c h i s t he o v e r all size of t he b i k e. O f c o ur se it weighs mu c h l ess th a n a big bang er.

The engine used i n t he SP T is C hinese ma de, a s is the whole bi k e, b u t it' s used in a nu mb er o f d iff erent m achi nes b y va r ious m anufa c t u rers.

30 – December 2011

La ro u ses t he engine in it s P ro S t reet cust om cruiser.

I t 's a l iq uid- cooled parallel t w i n, and it 's f uel inject ed.

I t 's g ot elect ric st art , like y o u 'd expect , and it has a f i v e sp eed gearbox.

Whi l e t he suspension is pret t y basic, bot h f ront and rea r have lot s of t ravel.

Yo u c ould almost imagine so me semi- knobby t yres o n i t , let t ing you explore so me out of t he way places.

I ni t i a l ly I f ound t he rear su spen sion t oo st iff , but La ro g ave me anot her S P T t o t ry, one which had a l i g ht e r spring on t he sho c k . It was much bet t er.

La ro will change t he shock spri ng t o suit your weight .

D i sc brakes are f it t ed a l l rou nd, wit h t wins on t he f ro nt . Once again, t he b ra k i ng package is basic b u t w o rks OK. F or t he rider t here's a ni c e pl ush seat which has pl ent y of room f or big b u ms, and pillions, maybe ev en pillions wit h big b u ms too. A rack is f it t ed st a nda rd and looks q uit e st rong .

D u a l muff lers sit up high a t t he back. They are q uiet a nd a dd a lit t le 'bling' t o t he u nd erst at ed look of t he b i k e.

O n t he r o ad

N ow, t hat massive t a n k almost demanded t he b i k e be t est ed over a longe r dist ance t han you mi g h t normally do wit h suc h a bike. Besides commuti n g we t ook it on a 300 kilomet re day run wh i c h was most ly count ry ba c k roads, and bumpy on e s at t hat . My mat e D av e Longbot t om rode t he b i k e f or t he day, and if t he pace was around 100k m /h he was always t here, i n someone's rear vision mirror, which surpris e d many in t he group. " I f ound t he bike t o b e bet t er t han I expect ed ," said D ave. " It will spin up t o o v e r 120 km/ h easily enoug h but I did have t o keep it on t he boil t o keep u p wit h t he bigger bikes . It' s very comf ort able but I a l s o f ound t he rear shock o n t he f irst bike t o be ov e rsprung. Sure, t he bra k e s could be bet t er, but I w a s surprised at how wel l it kept up, and how i t handled t he crap road s we were on at t he pac e we were going. " Build q ualit y is reasonably good, but

th e re ' s m i n o r i r r i ta ti o n s like slop in gear linkages a n d th e l i k e w h i c h w o u l d m a k e th e b i k e n i c e r to r i d e ."

Verdi c t

Th i s i s Ch i n a ' s a n s we r to th e U n i v e r s a l Ja p a n e s e Mo to rc y c l e (U JM). It' s g o t a wa y to g o b e fo re i t l i v e s u p to th e UJM ta g th o u g h . Wh i l e th e U JM w a s a b i t o f a p i s s ta k e o n th e Ja p a n e s e b i k e s a l l th o s e y e a r s a g o th e re wa s n o d e n y i n g th e b u i l d q u a l i ty wa s v e r y h i g h . Th e re ' s n o t m a n y Ch i n e s e m a d e b i k e s a t th i s l e v e l y e t, b u t th e y a re c e r ta i n l y g e tti n g b e tte r a n d b e tte r, a n d i f I h a d a n S PT 3 5 0 i n m y g a r a g e I wo u l d n ' t b e wo r r i e d a b o u t i t fa l l i n g a p a r t a n y ti m e soon.

L a ro i s w o r k i n g h a rd o n i m p ro v i n g i ts r a n g e a l l th e ti m e , i n c l u d i n g tu r n i n g s o m e o f th e s ta n d a rd m o d e l s i n to fu n k y c u s to m i s e d jo b s , a n d i t s ta n d s b y i ts p ro d u c ts , o ffe r i n g a tw o y e a r u n l i m i te d k i l o m e tre wa r r a n ty o n th e S PT. n

www.cycletorque.com.au 31 - NOVEMBER 2011 42 - DECEMBER 2011

S p e c i f i c at i o n s : laro spt 350 Engine Type: Liquid-cooled parallel twin Audits which say that a BAR treatment (overtaking Capacity: 320cc lane) is unnecessary and not required, the RTA and Council have decidedTransmission: in their wisdom to impose this 5-speed requirement.

Fuel Capacity: 28 litres The Road Traffic Impact Study also stated that the movement of the driveway which cost us $80,000 and Frame Type: Steel came under instruction from Council was unwarranted.

The RTA and Singleton Council neglected the Seat Height:have 900mm Putty Road for years, providing no Stop, Revive, Weight: 165 kg Survive stops and no Dry public toilets.

Grey Gum Cafe has provided both and funded both.

Front Suspension: Telescopic We cannot afford to fund an overtaking lane on Putty Road.

Rear Suspension: Monoshock Cheers, Kim Brakes: Twin 2-piston disc front, Hi Kim single 2-piston rear For our readers who don’t know the area. The Grey Gum Cafe is a recently built cafe which is Tyres: 100/90-18, 130/80-17 very motorcycle friendly, and on one of the finest Price (RRP): + ORC motorcycle roads around.

It is $4,990 also one of the few establishments on a road some 150 kilometres long. www.cycletorque.com.au/more Yes, the stops are few and far between.

CYCLE TORQUE

LETTERS TORQUING BACK

Respect

Although our bikes (‘04 and ‘10 R 1200 GS) were well prepared for our recent trip to the tip of Cape York, that road exacted its usual toll and we found ourselves in need of the assistance of locals. At Top End Motors, Seisia and the boys flew in two new tyres from Cairns overnight and didn’t charge for their own time.

Jamie and Gayle at Bramwell Junction Roadhouse gave us unlimited access to their phone when one of the bike’s batteries collapsed. They sold us the jump leads from their own car and offered the battery from their quad runner to get us back on the road.

All they asked was a donation to the RFDS for use of the phone. At Hann River Roadhouse, Debby allowed us unrestricted use of her phone after both riders had ‘offs’ in separate incidents that required being towed back to Cairns (700km round trip for the tow).

All these people were only too prepared to offer help although I have no doubt they are called on to do so on a regular basis.

Fuel at $2.36/litre for ordinary ULP was a bit of a shock, however this is a pitfall of touring to isolated locations.

I’d hate to see the day when these people took the attitude that we got ourselves into strife so we can get ourselves out of it. This would probably never happen as they are generally speaking, genuine country people, only too willing to help strangers in need. So if you see someone going on like the proverbial goose suggest they pull their head in – we need these great people more than they need us.

Richard Campbell

Old school

OCTOBER’S letter on the quest to get a working GPS whilst on tour got me thinking of the virtues of paper maps.

A few years ago three friends set off for a couple of weeks riding in Europe. We declined the offer of GPS units from the tour company (we were going Old School) and got lost trying to get out of Barcelona.

From the first intersection we headed off in a disorientating mix of new signs, heavy traffic and pent up excitement. Half an hour later I worked out we were heading in the exact opposite direction to what we wanted. Taking over lead duties I managed to

guide us towards the French coast and by the end of day one we reflected on how we managed to stay alive and enjoy the ride, all as the prowess of my tour guide skills grew with each beer as the night wore on.

Getting to Mugello was a great mix of riding and sightseeing, all too easy I thought as the trusty map was put into action only as required and purely to confirm my internal gyroscope. After camping track side at Mugello for the weekend’s racing we headed off early Monday morning for a prearranged tour of the Ducati Factory that afternoon (a pilgrimage for three old Ducatisti). After an hour or so of arm waving, swearing and trying to read a map whilst negotiating traffic (all the time missing the billboard sized Ducati factory sign) found two very dark ride buddies and I standing at the factory reception as I pleaded with the receptionist to let us crash the last tours of the day, which by then had already started. Luckily we were pitied and allowed on the tour.

What followed was another brilliant week of This is a typical over the top response we all know riding and camaraderie culminating in 5000km, four local councils are renowned for. The now burnt down countries and two MotoGP’s.

Halfway House truck stop was on a blind corner and The old maps were part of those experiences. the council never did anything about that, despite Nights spent pre-departure looking at the myriad of it being there since the early days of motorised potential roads on offer or long after trying to transport. decipher hand scrawled notes in the margins as you Your cafe is on one of the safest stretches of the relive events. An open map at a table proved to be Putty Road, where visibility is very good. Does this an ice breaker at day’s end when armed with beer mean every business or side street on the Putty Road and tall stories fellow strangers, often bikers, needs some sort of overtaking lane? would sit down to join you offering their insider Singleton Council. Shame on you. I implore readers knowledge of what not to miss along your way. Not to ring Singleton Council on 02 6578 7290 and voice to forget the memories of navigating by just an old your disgust. Ed. map and the lifetime of merciless fun your buddies, in this case Henry and Jed, will have taking the piss out of my supposed map Write A Letter! reading skills.

I think I’ll hang on to my old maps a bit longer.

This month Earl the old-school map reader has won a Cargol Turn & Go puncture repair kit.

Earl

Old-style instruments.

Big rack and back seat, high mufflerr.

WiN A GreAt PriZe

Grey Gums to close?

SINGLETON Council has issued a cease trading order to the Grey Gum Cafe at Putty. Despite the provision at our expense of more than satisfactory Road Traffic Impact Studies and Road Safety

Available from better bike shops everywhere and there’s a video of one being used on the Cycle Torque website.

Send your letters (and/or great bike pictures) to The Editor, Cycle Torque, PO Box 687 Warners Bay, NSW 2282 or email chris@cycletorque.com.au.

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www.motohansa.com.au December 2011 – 31

Multistrada visits Frasers

www.cycletorque.com.au

CYCLE TORQUE Feature: Project Multistrada

We have a new project bike and it's already getting its first service at Fraser Motorcycles, Sydney.

THE LATEST Ducati Multistrada, the MTS1200, is a versatile bike with modes for sport, touring, urban and enduro all built-in and selectable at the touch of a button or two.

This versatility was one of the main factors we had in mind when we approached Ducati for a Multistrada Project bike.

Ducati supplied us with the most versatile of the MTS models, the 1200S Touring. This model is supplied with the higher-spec Öhlins suspension and panniers: the 1200S sport has lots of lightwight (and gorgeous) carbon-fibre bits, while the base model gets by with less expensive suspension.

Cycle Torque's plans for the bike are to use it in all the environments it's designed for and throughly test not just the bike, but accessories and options.

I picked the bike up from our local dealer, Fraser Motorcycles in Newcastle, where the crew walked me through the electronic wizardy which you need to know a little bit about just to make the bike start – there's no conventional key slot, for a start, you just need to have the perimeter sensor fob nearby, and then the steering can be unlocked and the bike started just using the kill switch/start button.

The staff also showed me the various buttons which control the trip meter and odometer, another for various displays such as air temperature, trip time, range and fuel consumption, and how the indicator cancel button is used to alter the suspension settings.

Each mode (sport, touring, urban and enduro)

32 – December 2011

changes the engine characteristics subtly to suit the conditions, while each can be further tailored depending on how many people are on the bike and the load it's carrying – solo, twoup, luggage or not.

You can make these changes on the fly, too, so on the ramp off the freeway, it's time to switch from touring to sport.

Ducati asked us to bring the bike down to Sydney for a tour of Fraser Motorcycles flagship store in Homebush, which is about as close to the geographic and population centres of Sydney as you can get. It's also a bitch to approach, because it's on the intersection of two busy roads (Concord and Parramatta Roads): you want to be travelling East on Parramatta or South on Concord, otherwise you'll end up going around the block.

There's heaps of parking available on site and the Torque Bar and Grill right next door, too.

Fraser Motorcycles Sydney sells and services Ducati (of course, parent company NF Importers is the importer and distributor of Ducati in Australia), Harley-Davidson and BMW. All three brands have dedicated areas for sales of both bikes, genuine accessories and parts.

The purpose-built store opened three years ago, and is a bit of a tourist attraction in its own right. The door handles look like brake discs, there are beautiful motorcycles on display, there are inspiring quotes etched in to the display cabinets.

In the service department there is an

undercover parking area. You're looked after by staff fully trained in your brand of bike, who will discuss your requirements - whether it's just a service, if you're after modifications done,

whatever.

Although customers aren't allowed in the workshop areas (for health and safety and security reasons), you can see quite a lot of what goes on from the public areas.

Frasers has one of the largest and best-equipped workshops I've ever seen: numerous workshop bays for BMW, Ducati and Harley, crash repairs, even an interior washbay. There are racks of special tools and factorytrained technicians to look after each brand of bike.

A highlight is the dynometer room, which is visible from the showroom but has thick glass to prevent the noise disturbing customers.

Having a dyno is essential these days not only for the many Frasers clients who like to enhance the performance of their machines, before and after dyno runs are often made to show the changes. The dyno can also be used as a rolling road to help identify a problem a customer might be having.

The Cycle Torque project Multistrada was there for its first service, which is a pretty basic job these days.

"It's really just an oil change and chain adjustment these days," Richard, one of NF Importers' mechanics and the man doing our service told me. "The Testastretta engines in the Multistrada are really reliable and the quality of assembly of the bikes coming out if Italy these days is great – even the fairing bolts are locktighted in and when I go over the bike with a torque wrench everything is right."

I was surprised to see he'd removed the centrestand of the Multistrada to perform the service though – it turns

www.cycletorque.com.au

1

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

2011 Christmas B

54 - DECEMBER 2011

CYCLE TORQUE

Ezy 2 wheel

WHEN we first saw the Ezy2wheel gadget at Cycle Torque we were a bit sceptical. That was until we used it in anger, moving around a big heavy bike for a photo shoot in our studio. Then it all made perfect sense. No more strained back, the wheels do all the work.

You simply place the sidestand into the Ezy2wheel and you can move the bike easily along the direction of the wheels. It really does take all the hard work out of it. Highly recommended.

Price: $65 inc postage AvAil Able from: Direct from Ezy2wheel, 0429 629 954. more info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 2

Screaming Jet

out thelong centrestand covers the rear of the bellypan, which has to come off NOT ago we had a crash on bolts our Honda toCBR1100XX get to the oil filter. then Thatwecould a 'gotcha' Blackbird had itbe painted in old for the home mechanic. Not that schoolservicing CB1100R is colours

by Mototech Sydney (021000km service, there's similar 90 much required – afterinthe initial 1 9725 5600) and it looked fantastic. But then the slip minute service at were 12,000 thewe first major service at 24,000km. Minor and on mufflers which on and it when bought it let the look down athen bit. run on that cycle of 12,000 and 24,000km. Ducatis were major services We knew what would remedy that situation. A set among the most bikes own Moto. in the bad old days, but not anymore. of Delkevic carbonexpensive fibre slip ons fromtoPlanet Besides awesome (we got the 350mm shorty CBA islooking sending us a workshop stand for the bike…¶ mufflers but you can get longer ones – 450mm) they Alsoa at the tofirst were snack fit. service we had the optional top box fitted. One of our testers, TheMacarthur, sound is rorty too loud, andSnowy our ride, so you'll be able to read Ray is without taking being the bike on the bike is running as good as it did before, so the claim about how the went two-up fully laden in a future issue of Cycle

by Delkevic thatbike its mufflers requireand no re-jetting Torque. seems spot on.

Price: $699 for kit Fraser’s Homebush store is a very professional motorcycle dealership, AvAil Able from: Direct from Planet Moto selling, and customising three premium brands. The company has more servicing info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more been trading since 1958 and the guys and girls who run the business are motorcyclists with a passion for the sport.

– Nigel Paterson

2

Phone: 08 9295 6688 Toll Free Fax : 1800 08 08 08

www.bbimporters.com.au • sales@bbimporters.com.au

al bike shop c lo r u o y m o fr s rt a p quality purchase any of these competitive prices at very

LINKAGE KITS

CONRODS

BR AKE PADS

CYLINDER KITS

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PISTONS

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CYLINDER KITS

BEARINGS

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OIL FILTERS

DISCS

PISTON KITS

SCOOTER KITS

Massive range of products go to www.bbimporters.com.au

December 2011 – 33 BB Importers are the Australian distributors of these and many more high quality engine components AUSTRALIA WIDE OVER NIGHT AIR EXPRESS DELIVERY SERVICE Freight charges may apply.

Cycle Torque Test Kawasaki KLX450R

www.cycletorque.com.au

TEST BY

Todd Reed

PHOTOS BY

Chris Pickett

RIDING GEAR: Shoei helmet, Shift nylons, Alpinestars boots.

KAWASAKI’S KLX450R is a great trail bike, and with the race kit makes a great enduro competitor too.

Trail racer TO BE competitive in the 450cc off-road market, you have to tick all the boxes. The KLX450 goes past ticking the boxes and comes in a hot favourite as one of the best four-strokes in the big-bore class.

Derived from the KX450 motocross machine, the KLX has been tweaked and tuned to suit the bush, with extensive modifications to the engine and a range of changes to the suspension the KLX is ready to go right out of the crate.

the most of all the changes listed above and ensure all the changes marry up and work flawlessly. To top things off an enduro bike just isn’t complete without the addition of an electric starter. The kickstarter still comes standard, just only as a backup to the electric start system.

Motor

The key to making any motorcycle comfortable and enjoyable to ride falls within this category. A bike with poor suspension and frame geometry that is a bit off the mark will quickly result in a very frustrating and uncomfortable rider who is unhappy with their machine.

So once again the KLX borrowed some tricks from the motocross department and utilised the setup of the KX to come up with a great bike for the bush. The frame, which includes a combination of forged, extruded and cast aluminium has a great balance of strength and rigidity, quick turning, and stability at speed.

Kayaba AOS Twin Chamber forks take care of the front suspension while Kawasaki’s Kayaba UniTrak system takes care of the rear. The KYB setup is up to date with today’s technology and with the right settings are well suited to the average trail blazer.

The KLX motor comes from the same successful technology that has seen the powerful KX range of four strokes become dominant over recent years.

When compared to its motocross partner the KX, the changes to the 450cc KLX engine include a heavier flywheel mass to broaden the powercurve, new exhaust system to comply with the ADR regulations, wide-ratio 5-speed gearbox for improved gear ratios through the Aussie bush and tailor made to suit the off-road style speeds and terrain. Kawasaki also made the move to stay with the trusty Keihin FCR carburettor, with the few off-road machines that have moved towards EFI some have been plagued with problems, so Kawasaki may well have made the smart move until it has perfected the art of EFI in the bush. A revised ignition system was implemented to make 34 – December 2011

Chassis, suspension and ergo

Renthal handlebars take control of the steering and controls, while the standard barkbuster hand guards do a fine job of keeping the trees and branches away from you hands.

In the bush

The Kawasaki is easy to adjust to and you feel quite comfortable right from the get go. Once we took to the trails we quickly gained confidence in the KLX and began to enjoy the ride. The motor has plenty of power but is very usable and quiet when you consider the amount of horsepower that comes from the back wheel of one of these big bore 450s. With a quick hit of the throttle the KLX will propel you over any log or mud hole you can find, yet won’t pull your arms out when you think it’s time for a bit of a squirt. The wide ratio gearbox was noticeable on some longer fire-trails and it was nice to be able to pull each gear that bit further.

The Keihin carby worked fine in every condition we could throw at the KLX and it proved to be a trustworthy and reliable part time after time.

The suspension is plush and quite soft, the KYB setting doesn’t even feel close to the motocross settings it originated from which proves that the KLX has been seriously tuned for the off-road.

The green machine is very predictable and easy to manoeuvre around, the rear end tracks well and doesn’t jump around under braking or acceleration.

Continued on page 38

www.cycletorque.com.au

December 2011 – 35

www.cycletorque.com.au S p e c i f i c at i o n s: kawasaki klx450r Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single Capacity: 449cc Transmission: 5-speed Fuel Capacity: 8 litres Frame Type: Alloy twin spar Seat Height: 935mm Dry Weight: 126 kg Front Suspension: 48mm Kayaba USD Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak Brakes: Single 2-piston disc front, single 1-piston rear Tyres: 80/100-21, 110/90-18 Price (RRP): $12,499+ORC Inc. Enduro Pack for a limited time only www.cycletorque.com.au/more

Designed for logs and ruts, not triple jumps.

Enduro Pack

Kawasaki has stepped up for their Australian customers and the $12,499 + ORC KLX includes a $2000 enduro pack.

Included in the pack are a long list of items, which are a sure thing to entice anyone into buying a KLX. The pack includes a Pro Circuit Slip on Muffler, DID Chain, Talon Sprockets, Michelin Tyres, Castrol Oil Package, Uni Filter Air Kit, GoPro Motorsports Helmet Camera, a set of Skullcandy Headphones, a 4-pack of Monster Energy and to top it off a beefed up Kawasaki Spares kit.

Enduro kit includes bigger rear sprocket.

Colour matched hand protection.

KLX engine power characteristic is spot on for the bush.

Pro Circuit pipe is loud without being overly so.

The Final Say

Thanks to Kawasaki we had a great time living with the KLX450R. The big bore green machine is a lot of fun to ride and is perfect for a weekend or afternoon trail ride. The KLX is fully ADR compliant and with the addition of the Enduro Pack the standard KLX quickly turns into a more competitive off-road racer. n 36 – December 2011

www.cycletorque.com.au

SEE US IN

December 2011 – 37

www.cycletorque.com.au

Cycle Torque Test - Bollini Supershadow

Shadow cruiser

S p e c i f i c at i o n s: Bollini supershadow 250 Engine Type: Air-cooled V-twin Capacity: 248cc Transmission: 5-speed Fuel Capacity: 9 litres Frame Type: Steel Seat Height: Not supplied Dry Weight: 149 kg Front Suspension: Telescopic Rear Suspension: Twin shocks Brakes: Single disc front, drum rear Tyres: 100/90-18 inch front, 130/90-15 rear Price (RRP): $3,590 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more

TEST BY

Dennis Penzo PHOTOS BY Nigel Paterson

RIDING GEAR: RXT helmet, Matador Equipment eyewear, jacket and gloves, Hornee jeans, Thomas Cook ‘Johnny Reb’ boots.

38 – December 2011

There's no shadow boxing with Bollini's small fry cruiser, it's the real thing.

www.cycletorque.com.au

Easy Rider ’bars.

IN A highly competitive market you have to strike the right balance in price, reliability and quality and Bollini seems to have hit its mark.

There's no doubt the Bollini looks strikingly similar to Yamaha's Virago 250, and we found the riding experience similar too.

Retro appeal The Supershadow 250 has a very old-school kind

of appeal evoked by its raised handlebars, pillion seat with backrest and single centrally mounted instrument panel.

It has a nicely shaped tank, a not-overly large front guard and a similarly functional rear guard. The paint and build quality look good and it actually comes across as a nice looking little package.

Is that worth mentioning? Well, yes actually. Looks might be a totally subjective issue but too often in the last few decades there have been new products from some parts of Asia that sport awkward and clunky looks with performance to match.

This has been improving at a rapid rate recently and, certainly in Bollini's case, a good all round product is coming to market.

The Supershadow 250 is an excellent machine for the learner legal market. Not every learner out there wants to buy a bike that has that quintessential sportsbike lookalike crotch-rocket riding position.

This bike is a completely different path to that learner legal Nirvana.

The Supershadow is a very relaxed and nonintimidating style of bike which is well reflected in its cruiser demeanour.

Backrest comes standard.

On board Riders will find that the seat is extremely

comfortable and the pillion is also well looked after with that backrest.

Adding to the the rider's comfort is the slightly forward placed footpegs and those raised ‘bars which adds up to a good ergonomic combination.

The engine is an air-cooled V-twin four-stroke with overhead cam. And being a learner legal bike you wouldn't expect it to be overly powered so the 13.2Kw at 8000rpm of maximum power and 16Nm at 6000rpm of torque is quite modest.

Having said that, it's also quite adequate considering that it can reach our normal freeway speed limits without over exerting itself or offering too much vibration. It actually scores well on that front.

The brakes are in keeping with the engine power output and the front wheel disc and rear wheel drum offer a usable set of anchors.

As well as commuting duties this machine will enjoy the occasional weekend strop into the countryside. A ground clearance of 165mm isn't going to scare anyone and the nine litre fuel capacity is going to be used quite frugally.

We put a fair few kilometres on the Supershadow equally divided between commuting around Newcastle and a few trips further afield.

At 149kg you wouldn't call the Supershadow particularly heavy so it's not going to prove too cumbersome in either commuting or relaxed riding duties. It proved quite agile around town in heavy commuter traffic and equally at ease on more open

Little V-twin purrs along nicely.

runs.

Instrumentation is easy to read while on the go and it's all centrally located in a single unit between the handlebars. It contains all the usual suspects from the analogue speedo and various indicator lights.

The suspension is only basic but it passes muster.

There's no adjustment up front while there is some basic adjustment to the twin rear shocks. The wheels are 15inch rear and 18inch front.

The clutch operation is nice and light and the gearbox doesn't have any funny idiosyncrasies and a manual choke will help get your Supershadow fired up for duty.

The big picture The Bollini range is built in China by the

Qianjiang Group which also owns brands such as Benelli, QJ and Keeway. One of the biggest engine manufacturers in China it builds more than 1.5million engines a year.

So what's new? That trend has been building for many years as more and more major manufacturers shift their operations to that part of the world.

And the reason they're doing that, of course, is economics. Like we said at the start, it's a delicate balance between value, quality and price and in that respect the Bollini has achieved that equilibrium.

And that's why you get a solid little bike like this one being sold for $3590 plus on-road costs with a one year unlimited kilometre warranty.

For more information on the Bollini range check out the Motorsport Importers website on www. motorsportimporters.com.au. n December 2011 – 39

www.cycletorque.com.au

Respect

LETTERS TORQUING BACK

Although our bikes (‘04 and ‘10 R 1200 GS) were well prepared for our recent trip to the tip of Cape York, that road exacted its usual toll and we found ourselves in need of the assistance of locals. At Top End Motors, Seisia and the boys flew in two new tyres from Cairns overnight and didn’t charge for their own time.

Jamie and Gayle at Bramwell Junction Roadhouse gave us unlimited access to their phone when one of the bike’s batteries collapsed. They sold us the jump leads from their own car and offered the battery from their quad runner to get us back on the road. All they asked was a donation to the RFDS for use of the phone. At Hann River Roadhouse, Debby allowed us unrestricted use of her phone after both riders had ‘offs’ in separate incidents that required being towed back to Cairns (700km round trip for the tow). All these people were only too prepared to offer help although I have no doubt they are called on to do so on a regular basis.

Fuel at $2.36/litre for ordinary ULP was a bit of a shock, however this is a pitfall of touring to isolated locations.

I’d hate to see the day when these people took the attitude that we got ourselves into strife so we can get ourselves out of it. This would probably never happen as they are generally speaking, genuine country people, only too willing to help strangers in need. So if you see someone going on like the proverbial goose suggest they pull their head in – we need these great people more than they need us.

Richard Campbell

Old school

OCTOBER’S letter on the quest to get a working GPS whilst on tour got me thinking of the virtues of paper maps.

A few years ago three friends set off for a couple of weeks riding in Europe. We declined the offer of GPS units from the tour company (we were going Old School) and got lost trying to get out of Barcelona. From the first intersection we headed off in a disorientating mix of new signs, heavy traffic and pent up excitement.

Half an hour later I worked out we were heading in the exact opposite direction to what we wanted. Taking over lead duties I managed to guide us towards the French coast and by the end of day one we reflected on how we managed to stay alive and enjoy the ride, all as the prowess of my tour guide skills grew with each beer as the night wore on.

Getting to Mugello was a great mix of riding and sightseeing, all too easy I thought as the trusty map was put into action only as required and purely to confirm my internal gyroscope. After camping track side at Mugello for the weekend’s racing we headed off early Monday morning for a prearranged tour of the Ducati Factory that afternoon (a pilgrimage for three old Ducatisti). After an hour or so of arm waving, swearing and trying to read a map whilst negotiating traffic (all the time missing the billboard sized Ducati factory sign) found two very dark ride buddies and I standing at the factory reception as I pleaded with the receptionist to let us crash the last tours of the day, which by then had already started. Luckily we were pitied and allowed on the tour.

What followed was another brilliant week of riding and camaraderie culminating in 5000km, four countries and two MotoGP’s.

The old maps were part of those experiences. Nights 40 – December 2011

spent pre-departure looking at the myriad of potential roads on offer or long after trying to decipher hand scrawled notes in the margins as you relive events.

An open map at a table proved to be an ice breaker at day’s end when armed with beer and tall stories fellow strangers, often bikers, would sit down to join you offering their insider knowledge of what not to miss along your way. Not to forget the memories of navigating by just an old map and the lifetime of merciless fun your buddies, in this case Henry and Jed, will have taking the piss out of my supposed map reading skills.

I think I’ll hang on to my old maps a bit longer.

Earl

Grey Gums to close?

SINGLETON Council has issued a cease trading order to the Grey Gum Cafe at Putty. Despite the provision at our expense of more than satisfactory Road Traffic Impact Studies and Road Safety Audits which say that a BAR treatment (overtaking lane) is unnecessary and not required, the RTA and Council have decided in their wisdom to impose this requirement.

The Road Traffic Impact Study also stated that the movement of the driveway which cost us $80,000 and came under instruction from Council was unwarranted.

The RTA and Singleton Council have neglected the Putty Road for years, providing no Stop, Revive, Survive stops and no public toilets.

Grey Gum Cafe has provided both and funded both.

We cannot afford to fund an overtaking lane on Putty Road.

Cheers, Kim Hi Kim For our readers who don’t know the area. The Grey Gum Cafe is a recently built cafe which is very motorcycle friendly, and on one of the finest motorcycle roads around. It is also one of the few establishments on a road some 150 kilometres long. Yes, the stops are few and far between.

This is a typical over the top response we all know local councils are renowned for. The now burnt down Halfway House truck stop was on a blind corner and the council never did anything about that, despite it being there since the early days of motorised transport.

Your cafe is on one of the safest stretches of the Putty Road, where visibility is very good. Does this mean every business or side street on the Putty Road needs some sort of overtaking lane?

Singleton Council. Shame on you. I implore readers to ring Singleton Council on 02 6578 7290 and voice your disgust.

Ed.

Write A Letter!

WIN A Great PRIZE

This month Earl the old-school map reader has won a Cargol Turn & Go puncture repair kit.

Available from better bike shops everywhere and there’s a video of one being used on the Cycle Torque website.

Send your letters (and/or great bike pictures) to The Editor, Cycle Torque, PO Box 687 Warners Bay, NSW 2282 or email chris@cycletorque.com.au.

www.cycletorque.com.au

The bike you can take home.

We would like to introduce you to the new Learner Approved Monster 659.

The unique and iconic styling of the Ducati Monster has been reformed to create a LAMS approved Ducati exclusively for Australia with features especially designed for learner riders including lightweight, easy handling, low seat height and smooth rider friendly L-Twin power. Complete with quality finishes and the service you would expect from Ducati, including complimentary 24-Hour Ducati Rider Assist,

365 days a year for the first 2 years. If that’s not statement enough, the Monster 659 also comes with 2-Year Unlimited Kilometre Warranty to keep you riding with total confidence.

The new Monster 659, a LAMS bike that everyone will approve of, even your mother.

www.ducati.com.au

December 2011 – 41

www.cycletorque.com.au

Cycle Torque Test - Shineray XY250GY-2 Enduro TEST BY

Alex Pickett

PHOTOS BY

Chris Pickett

RIDING GEAR: Vemar helmet, EKS goggles, Scott nylons, Alpinestars boots.

Trailblazer Cycle Torque rides the first ADR complied Shineray in the country.

42 – December 2011

www.cycletorque.com.au

WHEN I first rode a Shineray XY250GY-2 motocrosser some 12 months ago I was impressed with the build quality of it, and how it performed. The new registrable version of the same bike is equally impressive. That's not to say it goes and handles as well as its direct competition from Japan or Europe. But the simple fact is it's a lot better than most riders would expect from a machine built in China.

There is one main question on everyone's lips.

Will it be reliable? It's almost like the elephant in the corner everyone pretends isn't there. I've noticed the build quality of Chinese products improving, and they will continue to improve.

This particular test bike is a Cycle Torque Project, so we intend to test the living daylights out of it for the next 12 months to see exactly how reliable it is.

The guts of it

Shineray has stated this liquid-cooled 250cc engine is the first 4-valve DOHC engine to be made in China. It looks as though Shineray has made a concerted effort to make it at least look and sound like a modern 250cc enduro machine.

It's got twin radiators, like you'd see on any top shelf 250 off roader. It's got a six speed gearbox too, and a 9,500rpm redline. It's listed as having 27 horsepower which is around 10hp shy of say the Yamaha YZ250F we had a couple of years ago.

Most of the modern 250 MX or enduro bikes now have alloy frames, but not too long ago many enduro bikes made do with steel frames.

The Shineray has a steel frame, and instead of a bash plate it has two 'outriggers' which try and do the same job. They do offer a fair bit of protection but I'd like to see an alloy bashplate on ours because I intend to do some decent trail riding on it.

Taiwanese made suspension is used on the enduro Shineray, and in fact it looks exactly like the units on the MX version. They are fully adjustable. They certainly look cool, with anodised colouring.

It's got a mighty tall seat … 980mm, which makes it a bit of a stretch even for tall riders. It weighs a bit over 120kg.

On the trail

The first thing I had to do was run it in. As I live in the country this was easy, and a couple of hundred kilometres of tar backroads, dirt roads and some fire-trails had the bike running sweet. As I was restricted to half throttle at first I thought the road speed would be way down but this wasn't the case. Cruising along at 80km/h was easy for the bike, and it feels as though there's a decent amount of go left. The eight litre tank has a range of up to 140km, if you’re easy on the throttle. Soaking up the road bumps didn't tax the suspension, as you would expect, and when I did some trail work I liked their suppleness, especially the forks. While the forks were nice and supple coping with stuff at slower speeds though, they were a bit soft on the bigger hits, and when braking hard.

While the engine is no power house, it's no

slug either The exhaust note is sweet, and there's enough power for it to be lots of fun trail riding.

You can wheelstand with a little bit of clutch, and using the power to get over rocks and logs provided no problems for the bike. It likes to stretch its legs on the open trails too, and the brakes pull it up from the leg stretching speeds fine.

My overall view

If you were a hard charger in the bush, I think you would quickly ride to this bike's performance and suspension limits but for me it's almost the perfect starter trail bike.

The plan is to do some harder off-road stuff so I envisage playing around with the suspension to get the best out of the bike but I don't plan on playing with the engine, other than maybe a pipe.

With some minor work I think I'll be having lots of fun on this bike. It does have a funky colour scheme, and the name is a bit weird but these are very minor things.

If you live in NSW you can ride one away for $4,899 inc ORC, and warranty is 12 months parts and labour, or 5000 kilometres whichever comes first. For prices in other states go to www.zuma. com.au for your local dealer. n

Continued on next page December 2011 – 43

www.cycletorque.com.au

Trailblazer

250cc single has four valves and liquid cooling.

Digital dash.

44 – December 2011

Fastace adjustable suspension at both ends.

Not your regular sump guard.

S p e c i f i c at i o n s: shineray xy250gy-2 enduro Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single Capacity: 249cc Transmission: 6-speed Fuel Capacity: 6.5 litres Frame Type: Steel Seat Height: 980mm Dry Weight: 120 kg Front Suspension: Fastace USD Rear Suspension: Fastace Monoshock Brakes: Single disc front and rear Tyres: 80/100-21, 110/100-18 rear Price (RRP): $4,899 www.cycletorque.com.au/more

Fork adjustment with a screwdriver.

Handy rear rack comes standard.

www.cycletorque.com.au www.cycletorque.com.au

58 - NOVEMBER 2011

CYCLE TORQUE TEST - MEGELLI 250R TEST BY

DENNIS PENZO

PHOTOS BY

NIGEL PATERSON

RIDING GEAR: Shark helmet, Matador Equipment jacket, gloves and eyewear, Hornee jeans, Thomas Cook ‘Johnny Reb’ boots. improved to offer a serious contender for new riders looking for their first roadbike. The engines are actually built by Zongshen which is one of the biggest engine production companies in China with their annual build across all categories running into the millions.

THE Megelli 250R is a great start to the world of sportsbike riding for newcomers with its great looks, sharp cornering and raucous sound.

On the road

Starter Sport

LIGHT weight, sporty looks, tough exhaust note. That’s what you get with the Megelli 250R. It might not be a 1000cc fire-breather but it sure looks and feels the part in every other way.

On the stand

What a sharp looking little machine it is. With that red fairing, trellis frame and matching T6 swingarm our test machine really looked a neat package.

shinreray_DRIVE_FINAL_TORQ.indd 1

A nice fairing up the front end and neat little underseat exhaust at the back end really gives the Megelli a very sporty look.

There’s a single disc front and back and it has neat little blinkers as well as fairing mounted mirrors and those twin headlights that give the whole machine a very sharp look from the front.

Yes, this European designed machine is built in China but Megelli has been around for a while now and have steadily

It has a manual choke on the handlebar and your Megelli will prefer it if you let it warm up properly.

After you’ve done that the single cylinder, four-valve DOHC motor will purr sweetly. Actually, it’s a little bit louder than just a purr.

That underseat exhaust system emits quite a serious note when you’re giving it to it. Being very old fashioned and quite disposed to a decent note I really enjoyed the sound of the Megelli.

The liquid cooled engine has a claimed power output of 25bhp at 9000rpm.

We took our test machine around town where we found it to be an agile little performer with great cornering ability and also for a couple of stints on some freeways near us.

It will easily do legal expressway speeds with enough left in hand to do better than that. We found the six-speed box had a nice spread to cope with the duties expected of it and the clutch is light and easy to use.

Wheels are five-spoke aluminium with 17inches at both ends. The special SE model comes with Pirelli Sport Demon tyres, different fairing colours, rear cowl and upside down forks up front.

Continued on page 60

7/10/2011 4:32:19 PM

Imported & distributed by

December 2011 – 45

www.cycletorque.com.au

MV Agusta F4RR MY’12 998cc / 201bhp 192kg dry weight

46 – December 2011

www.cycletorque.com.au

Motorcycle Art The success of the new generation of MV Agusta models is due to their unmistakable design, advanced technology and exceptional performance. The MY’12 Brutale range and F4RR redefine excellence in sporting motorcycles.

Available from $17,990 Ride Away.

www.mvagustaimports.com.au

December 2011 – 47

l

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CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE - Casey Stoner interview

Stoner speaks out

Cycle Torque held a one-on-one interview with Casey Stoner just days before he secured his second MotoGP title at his home race at Phillip Island.

48 – December 2011

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C A S E Y S t o n e r h a s h a d a s t e l l a r y e a r.

Just prior to his home race at Phillip Island, he held a 40 point lead and would win the championship by scoring ten more points than 2010 champion, Jorge Lorenzo. As we all n o w k n o w, L o r e n z o c r a s h e d d u r i n g race warmup on Sunday morning, c h o p p i n g o ff a p o r t i o n o f a f i n g e r. H e was deemed unfit to race, Stoner then won the race, and the championship.

Cycle Torque secured some one-on-one time with Casey a few days before the Phillip Island race, giving us an insight into where his head was at prior to taking his second world title, his season up to that point, and what he’s made of Va l e n t i n o ’ s c h a n g e t o D u c a t i .

“There’s a slim chance of winning the championship here. First I have to win the race and Jorge has to finish off the podium,” Stoner said.

T h a t 2 0 11 w a s S t o n e r ’ s f i r s t y e a r b a c k on a Honda after four seasons with Ducati makes his results all the more remarkable. “[After] years and years of riding the Ducati when things weren’t perfect I learnt to ride hard on a machine which sometimes wasn’t really capable of what we managed to do!

So with the Honda I have found it easy to set up and even when the set up isn’t great we’ve been able to have a fantastic

race and be fast enough. I find it easy to have a balanced machine track to track.

That gives us a small advantage.”

MotoGP bikes are notoriously difficult to prepare, set-up and ride: ferociously fast, sure, but it’s a fine line between making the bike turn quickly into the many twists and turns of a modern GP circuit and at the same time keeping the bike stable, both in a straight line and especially while braking. This was graphically illustrated by Stoner at the previous race in Japan, where a headon shot showed him fighting a ‘tank slapper ’ - a high speed oscillation of the handlebars which causes a bike to become extremely unstable and often crash.

It caused Stoner to miss his braking point and run off the track, losing a couple of positions in the process.

Rarely does a rider change brands and i m m e d i a t e l y s t a r t w i n n i n g . Va l e n t i n o Rossi - the most successful rider of modern motorcycle racing - was brought to tears when he won the title on a Ya m a h a a t h i s f i r s t a t t e m p t .

Stoner did it in 2007. That was his second season in the MotoGP class, having ridden a Honda in 2006.

H o w e v e r, 2 0 0 7 w a s a n u n u s u a l y e a r : b a s i c a l l y, e v e r y o n e w a s o n a n e w b i k e , because it was the first season of 800cc machines. Previously the capacity of

MotoGP machines had been 1000cc.

S t o n e r ’ s s u c c e s s i n 2 0 11 m a y b e i n part due to the effort he’s had to put in s i n c e t h a t 2 0 0 7 c h a m p i o n s h i p y e a r. T h e Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP bike has proven very difficult to ride – no other rider has been a championship contender on the bike, including previous world champions Nicky Hayden and Rossi.

Indeed, Rossi had his worst season of r e s u l t s i n G r a n d P r i x e v e r. N o w i n s , o n l y one visit to the podium.

We a s k e d S t o n e r a b o u t R o s s i ’ s l a c k of results on the Ducati. “Number 1 is they came in with too much confidence.

I think for some reason I seem to be a rider that in the past everyone, especially Europeans, have said, ‘if Casey can do that, I can do that’. They don’t understand maybe I’m more talented than they believe. Even Jeremy Burgess made huge mistakes this year at the end of last year saying he [Rossi] will have no trouble fixing the bike and ‘it’s a simple set up issue’. I think that’s them underestimating what the Ducati was and what I’m able to do.

People, especially Europeans, basically underestimate me. They expected it to be a better machine, they expected to be able to change it around in a fortnight and that sort of blew up in their face.

Now I think it’s got to the point they are d i s a p p o i n t e d t h e y c a n ’ t g e t Va l e n t i n o ’ s

Continued on next page

December 2011 – 49

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CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE - Casey Stoner interview

Stoner speaks out c o n f i d e n c e u p t h e r e a n d Va l e n t i n o r i d e s a l o t on confidence.”

Rossi is riding the Ducati MotoGP machine, which has evolved over the year since Stoner w o n o n i t i n 2 0 0 7 . We a s k e d h i m h o w m u c h h e t h o u g h t i t h a d c h a n g e d r e c e n t l y.

“Between last year and this year probably not too much [change] but during the y e a r i t ’ s c h a n g e d d r a m a t i c a l l y. T h e y ’ r e c o m p l a i n i n g a b o u t t h e b i k e l a s t y e a r, t h e y ’ v e had them [Ducati] do everything they have wanted but haven’t seen improvements in it.

I feel sorry for the guys at Ducati that are working so hard giving them what they want but they haven’t improved their results so that’s something a little disappointing.”

The Ducati runs a lot of carbon-fibre where the Japanese machines use aluminium, and a new part takes a lot longer to produce than using aluminium, so development is very time consuming, and almost impossible at the track.

Stoner went on to win 10 races of the 1 7 c o50m–pDecember l e t e d ( 2011 the Malaysian MotoGP was cancelled after Marco Simoncelli’s horrific

crash). He finished on the podium of every race except one - where he fell when Rossi crashed and he couldn’t avoid the Italian’s bike.

It’s been three years between titles for S t o n e r , s o m e t h i n g u n h e a r d o f i n M o t o G P. B u t S t o n e r t h i n k s h e ’ s b e e n a b i t u n l u c k y. “ I t h i n k p e o p l e h a v e t o r e a l i s e n o w, a f t e r w a t c h i n g Va l e n t i n o o n t h e b i k e , h o w m u c h harder we had to push than everyone else to get where we were. The year after we won the championship we struggled at the b e g i n n i n g o f t h e y e a r, [ t h e b i k e ] w a s n ’ t r e a d y, i t w a s n ’ t r i g h t , a n d b y t h e t i m e w e got it sorted and started closing down the championship we ended up having my wrist in four pieces, so I had to come back from that, and still try to be competitive. At the end of the season I had a wrist that was collapsing on me. 2008 was kinda scrapped because of that. “ 2 0 0 9 … h o n e s t l y, I t h i n k w e c o u l d h a v e won the championship. I started having races I couldn’t finish, we couldn’t work out why I was getting so tired. I did five races

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The shirt says it all.

December 2011 – 51

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GP Tech.

u n c o m p e t i t i v e l y, n e a r l y c o l l a p s i n g a t the end of each race, then I missed three races and came back.”

It turns out Stoner is lactose intolerant, so a change of diet was the cure.

“Mathematically I still had a chance of taking second in the championship g o i n g i n t o t h e l a s t r a c e . We s h o u l d h a v e had that championship, that’s something disappointing to think about.

L a s t y e a r, h o n e s t l y w e j u s t d i d n ’ t h a v e it. Couldn’t get the bike working, it was too difficult, we were a long way back v e r y e a r l y. S o i t w a s r e a l l y o n e y e a r o f the three we missed where we didn’t have a good shot.”

This year started perfectly with a win, but the following race Stoner fell. Rossi had attempted to pass in the rain and fell, and Stoner was unable to avoid the stricken machine. That incident, and others have sometimes resulted in authorities sanctioning and imposing penalties on riders, but somewhat Rossi does his usual pre-ride ritual. He could well be i n c o n s i s t e n t l y. H e t h i n k s i t s h o u l d n ’ t b e praying to the racing gods, although they seem to have so hard. deserted him. “ I t h i n k i t ’ s j u s t c o m m o n s e n s e . Yo u caution next time. It’s very easy to judge can watch a race, you know when s o m e b o d y d i d i t o n p u r p o s e o r n o t . Yo u c a n i n m y o p i n i o n , b u t t h e y g e t i t w r o n g m a n y many times also, in my opinion.” see if somebody did it without thinking, In 2012 MotoGP goes forward to the past, o r i f i t w a s a r r o g a n c e . I t ’ s v e r y, v e r y e a s y with a return to a 1000cc capacity limit. to see when riders go and do something Stoner doesn’t think the move to 800s was s t u p i d . Va l e n t i n o j u s t o u t b r o k e h i m s e l f smart or successful. and lost the front. It was an ambitious “[MotoGP] should never have left 1000cc. move that was just never going to work, 800cc was a stupid idea to start with. It’s so maybe he should have run wide a bit a strange capacity to even think of. 1000 i n s t e a d o f t r y i n g t o m a k e t h e c o r n e r, b u t is nice and square, double the 500s, but it just didn’t work. But there have been for some reason they decided to go back a other incidents this year that have been little bit. In my opinion it was a bad idea very controversial but in my opinion were from the start. It’s a much better decision rightly penalised. There is a racing code to go back to 1000.” that riders have got to stick to and it’s W h a t e v e r t h e c a p a c i t y, M o t o G P b i k e s easy for riders to understand where that are extremely powerful and jammed full is but sometimes they just overlook them of fancy electronics to help control that or think they are outside those rules… p o w e r. S o m e s a y r a c i n g m i g h t b e m o r e they see a piece of tarmac they’re gonna fun for the riders and exciting for the take and it doesn’t matter what happens spectators if the electronics were dropped, t o t h e o t h e r r i d e r, a n d i t ’ s t h o s e i n s t a n c e s but Stoner doesn’t think that will happen. that need to be penalised. If somebody “ We a r e n e v e r g o i n g t o s t o p i t consistently did an out of control move and p l o u g h e d i n t o s o m e b o d y, m a y b e t h e y d i d n ’ t [ e l e c t r o n i c s ] . M a n u f a c t u r e r s w a n t i t t o o much to develop and show what they’re mean to, but if they were out of control capable of doing. It only plays a huge they need to be shaken up and woken up part if you let it. They have so much to what can happen and maybe take more

52 – December 2011

horsepower and if they didn’t have mapping and different things they would be a b s o l u t e a n i m a l s t o r i d e . I t c o u l d b e v e r y, v e r y d i ff i c u l t . Wi t h t h e f u e l c o n s u m p t i o n – 20 or 21 litres – to do a race, it is a lot less t h a n w h a t w e u s e d t o h a v e . Yo u ’ r e n e v e r going to slow it down though, it’s the way the world is going.

“At the same time I’m still able to win races, I’m able to slide the bike and have a lot more fun on it the way I ride. It doesn’t a l w a y s m a k e t h i n g s f a s t e r, t h e r e ’ s o n l y a certain amount of things you can do with them [electronics].

Stoner was beaten to both 125 and 250 titles by the men who are his current team-mates – Andrea Dovisioso and Dani P e d r o s a . We a s k e d w h y h e w a s a b l e t o b e a t t h e m n o w, b u t n o t t h e n .

“Both Andrea [Dovisioso] and Dani [Pedrosa] have been factory Honda riders f o r y e a r s . We n e v e r h a d a f a c t o r y b i k e my first year was in 250s in 2002 and that wasn’t the best, we should have been in 125s, but 250s was the only option we had.

“It was only my third year of road racing f u l l s t o p , l e t a l o n e i n G r a n d s P r i x . Yo u

Aussie Damien Cudlin had a guest ride with the Mapfre Ducati team. He never made the race though, injuries from a very big crash ruling him out for Sunday.

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Scott Redding led the Moto2 in the early stages of the race which was won by Alex De Angelis. Marc Marquez had the best ride though, going from last to third at the flag.

125 podium. L-R, Luis Salom, Sandro Cortese, Johann Zarco.

see people these days saying ‘Don’t be too quick to move up, stay in 125s, stay in 250s.

But it was my third year of road racing and we w e n t t o 2 5 0 s . We h a d to go backwards after that to 125s, but we got some form toward the e n d o f t h e y e a r. I n 2 0 0 4 we went with KTM, it was our only option and we struggled with the machine, still struggled to get everything right.

We w e n d e d u p a l i t t l e u n l u c k y i n 2 0 0 4 . We had a good chance of a championship – always there [until I] broke my collarbone. Came back, was pushing to win racesand had another D N F. T h i n g s j u s t d i d n ’ t g o r i g h t .

“When I got to a bigger bike in my first year in a factory team, I went out and won t h e c h a m p i o n s h i p . We w e r e a b l e t o s h o w people what we were capable of and since then shock people week in week out.”

In 2007 Stoner won the title riding a Bridgestone-shod Ducati: his championship contributed to a change to a single tyre manufacturer rule, which has both positives and negatives.

“The great thing about the control tyre is it stopped the whinging and whining.

Everyone in 2007, 2008 they couldn’t stop c o m p l a i n i n g , t h i s i s u n f a i r, t h a t ’ s u n f a i r, so a single tyre rule stopped all that.

Which is great, no-one complains ‘he’s getting a better tyre than us’.

But then they started saying ‘these tyres were developed for that bike, it’s not developed for these bikes, so there’s always going to be complaints, there’s always going to be people not happy with what they’ve got.

“I’m very happy with the single tyre rule, except now that there’s no competition, the tyre manufacturer doesn’t really have to t r y, t h e y d o n ’ t h a v e t o p u t i n a n y e f f o r t , they just want to save as much money as

they can. The tyres we had in 2007 and 2008 were a lot better than the tyres we h a v e t o d a y. I t ’ s d i f f i c u l t t o g e t t h e s o r t o f performance that we had in the past, and that’s why it’s difficult to ride sometimes.

“The bikes have been going forwards and forwards but the tyres haven’t been. Most of the tyres for this year are the same as t h e o n e s w e h a d l a s t y e a r . We h a d d i f f e r e n t families - different groups of tyres - that

would react differently and I’d usually chose something different from everyone else, so that was something we had to get used to. “ We u s e d t o have things like B a s e R u b b e r, a soft tyre suited to lower temperatures but with a Base Rubber underneath for more support so they wouldn’t collapse under braking and acceleration, but they said ‘They are too expensive to make, we can’t do that anymore’. They flicked them so we’ve had to go with harder compounds for more durability as well as stiffness in construction so the tyre doesn’t collapse under braking and acceleration.”

Stoner rode for a privateer Honda team i n 2 0 0 6 , o n M i c h e l i n r u b b e r, a n d i t w a s n ’ t a l w a y s e a s y.

Jorge was to have a very unfortunate weekend, losing the tip of a finger.

December 2011 – 53

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CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE - Casey Stoner interview

Stoner speaks out

Famous GP snapper Lou Martin shows us some Style.

The Iveco talent, also popular with racegoers.

BMW was one of the manufacturers displaying its products at the GP Expo.

The Globe Of Death attracted huge numbers of fans. We wonder why...

Bling in Cowes’ main street.

“Michelin chose who was going to get the better tyres. Sometimes t h e y w o u l d g i v e m e t h e m [ t h e g o o d o n e s ] i n p r a c t i c e . Yo u ’ d f e e l the difference and we’d be happy right through the practice session but before the race they’d say ‘no, you can’t use that tyre you have to use this one, a tyre we haven’t used all weekend, send us out in the race on it and it wouldn’t gel, wouldn’t give us the feedback that we’d been setting up for all weekend. “ We ’ d s t r u g g l e w i t h t h i n g s l i k e t h a t , a n d M i c h e l i n w e r e i n control at that stage. They could dictate who was going to get the good tyres and who wouldn’t. Everyone knew they flew tyres in overnight, but they weren’t for everyone, just certain riders. This was the sort of stuff you have to deal with. “Because I was a rookie nobody would listen to me, including my team that year a lot of the time, so the next year we got on [good] tyres – Bridgestone wasn’t going to give bad tyres to their number one team and they want to be up the front leading and winning so they did everything

54 – December 2011

they could. They showed huge commitment, partnered with them it w a s a l o t e a s i e r. ” Stoner - who turned 26 on the day of the Australian MotoGP race, is soon to be a dad. His wife Adriana is pregnant with their first child. A family is something Stoner prizes, and it’s one reason he won’t stay in racing to a ripe old age like some riders - that and the fact he’s already been racing full-time in Grand Prix for 10 years.

When asked about retirement, he said, “I’m enjoying my racing, I’ve got my contract until next year and we’ll talk about it then.”

– Nigel Paterson

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MotoGP Feature - Australian Historic Supports

Supersized GP commentators either love them or hate them but there’s no denying the Historics put on a show.

THE late Ken Wootton was instrumental in getting Historic racing machines included as a drawcard at the Australian round of the MotoGP championships in recent years.

Racers of the old bikes love coming, the spectators love watching them, and the racing is fantastic.

There was much to crow about, good and bad, when the machines (mainly Period 5 – 19721982, and selected Period 4 – 1962-1972) hit the track.

Of late, 'Mr Superbike' Robbie Phillis has pretty much made the event his own on his Suzuki GSX based bikes, but this year he really had to earn his victories, being pushed all the way by Michael Dibb on the T-Rex Honda CB1100R, with Moto Martin Kawasaki rider Scott Webster taking the final podium spot.

There were some thrilling dices at the front, especially the final race on Saturday evening where Dibb and Phillis went at it right until the chequered flag. But it was perhaps what was happening behind the front runners which gave commentators and race officials cause for concern.

Most of the support paddock racers (including the Superbike class) would realise they are the side show, not the main event. As such the races are generally first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. That's OK for most though, just being involved in the Phillip Island MotoGP is enough of a buzz that it makes no difference.

On Friday morning the Historics were first up for practice, followed shortly after by qualifying.

Unfortunately one of the modern superbikes blew an engine, dropping oil which caused the cancellation of Historic qualifying.

For Team Cycle Torque's Alex Pickett this was a real problem, on his 18th birthday of all days.

He was entered on a very potent GSX1100 owned by Bill Newton but a major engine failure on the very first lap threw his plans right out the window. Enter Victorian based Roger Gunn who offered Alex his spare Suzuki 1100, sponsored by Byrners Suzuki of Frankston in Victoria. Such is the camaraderie often seen in Historic racing that Roger said, "You're 18 today Alex, you have to ride."

The bright yellow Suzuki was quite a bit down on horsepower compared to Alex's regular silver Suzuki but all was good in the world, as long as you didn't look at the massive hole in the silver bike's crankcases.

As qualifying was cancelled, grid positions were to go on practice times. And as Alex didn't have one, this relegated him to a reserve rider spot. Race One had a full grid of 40 so Alex missed the cut. TT expert Cameron Donald took the early lead on the Suzuki XR69 replica but an engine blow up saw him out of the race at mid distance, and out of the weekend's proceedings. Phillis went on to win.

Race two on Saturday morning was action stations for Team Cycle Torque. A small number of bikes had failed to make the grid and Alex was given the final spot – 40th. A great start saw him up to 18th by the end of lap one but a major oil leak from another machine saw carnage at Phillip Island's ultra fast Turn One, with six bikes going down.

This caused much consternation with the regular MotoGP commentators who called for the Historics to be scrapped from next year's event.

For unknown reasons, to most of the competitors at least but no doubt the oil had something to do with it, the race officials moved Sunday's scheduled race forward to Saturday afternoon. By this stage though, Alex had gone missing, reputedly enjoying food and refreshments at one of the hospitality tents. Once he was tracked down, the bike was checked over for the final six lap race. As it wasn't a progressive grid, Alex had to again make his way forward from last on the grid. Once again a good start had him charging through the back of the field, getting up to 8th spot at race end.

The Historics may have made no friends with race officials or the Aussie Superbike class but they continue to wow the paying spectators with the close racing, and the sights and sounds of yesteryear. We hope they stay on the drawcard in the future, but maybe with catch trays fitted.

– Chris Pickett

Roger Gunn looks ‘slightly’ enthusiastic about loaning his bike to Cycle Torque’s Alex Pickett.

Hastily changing numbers.

The support paddock was popular with race fans, especially the Historic Class machines from yesteryear.

December 2011 – 55

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In Malaysia ju prior to his fata crash

His best MotoGP finish: second in Australia.

250cc champion, 2008.

Trying to avoid Lorenzo after an ‘incident’.

Winners are grinners.

56 – December 2011

ust al h.

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Cycle Torque Pictorial Tribute

The wonder of Marco Simoncelli THE MotoGP world lost a shining light the day Marco Simoncelli died during the Malaysian round of the MotoGP Championship at the Sepang circuit on October 23.

Simoncelli started racing minimoto machines in 1996 at the age of nine, winning the Italian Minimoto Championship in 1999 and 2000 Simoncelli started his GP career in 2002, riding 125cc machines. He progressed to the 250cc class, winning the 250cc world title for Gilera in 2008.

He started the MotoGP stage of his career with the San Carlo Gresini Honda team, running foul of MotoGP authorities and fellow competitors Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo after being involved in crashes with both riders.

His best finish in 2011 was second place at the Australian Grand Prix behind Casey Stoner. One week later he was killed in Malaysia when he was run into by other competitors after losing control of his machine.

This is Cycle Torque's pictorial tribute.

The Jimi Hendrix connection.

Simoncelli’s wheelies at the Island were awesome.

Another of his famous ‘offs’.

December 2011 – 57

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

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Tim

SOMETIMES the more care you take, the ‘unluckier’ you become? Was this the uncomfortable theme, simmering below the surface, slowly revealing itself as the days ticked away? Plans to head north and west were well advanced, a starting point selected, at Bulahdelah. A visit made to the motel, a conversation had, a route roughed out. Narromine, Nyngan, Bourke, Cunnamulla, St George, Goondawindi, Narrabri, and back to Narromine, forming a giant loop that could be added to, adjusted and ridden ‘sensibly’.

Dark times ahead

Soon after formulating the above, I began having nagging doubts about the dark hours. These did not stem from concern for the ageing ST2’s headlight, rather from the animal strike risk. Just as I counselled myself to worry about one thing at a time, I started getting info about delayed flooding sweeping down from Queensland, so ‘Plan A’ was duly aborted. I employed a strategy of starting at night, sticking to eastern expressways and heading south and west as the sun came up. With the ever reliable veteran ST2 and no flooding, what could possibly go wrong? 2217km in 24 hours had already been obtained, we were only looking for a little bit more.

Suddenly I realised I was running out of time. This would be an ever present, relentless, constantly recurring theme, and I hadn’t even left yet...

Easter was fast approaching, I was meant to be in Mt Gambier for the Bears racing, double points in NSW at least, increased police, and general traffic activity. And throwing in a slowly dropping daily temperature meant I had to go very soon, or postpone ’till summer. I would go in two days. One day to prepare everything as yet undone. One day for total rest. Leaving on the Tuesday, all being well, the weather would improve as I headed south and west and I would be out of NSW and into Mt Gambier on the Wednesday prior to Easter.

58 – December 2011

me Traveller www.cycletorque.com.au

Being prepared

Dave Mason, of Mason Motorcycles, Medowie, helped fit and balance the new dual compound Michelins – a precaution inspired by memories of my old front tyre losing pressure, eventually completely, in the dying moments of the previous 2217km run. Thanks to Michelin and Dave for their technical advice and assistance. Chain drowned in lube, oil changed – thank you Hi-Tech Oils – gear packed, and a new ‘flip up’ type Rjays TSS Tour-Teck helmet with dark visor at a flick of the switch. We hoped these features would save time, giving us one less thing to do at fuel stops. Starting witnesses arranged – you need two for the Iron Butt Association Gold event. Time ticked by, I was ready, so was the bike, the weather had other ideas...

Final fuelling, receipts completed, Alex and Kevin wished me well. At 7.07pm I let the clutch out leaving Broadmeadow, as the rain began to fall. Heading for Taree, I theorise the weather was a leftover, weakening, temporary, and soon forgotten. My optimism was interrupted by a bike on one cylinder, I had been travelling three minutes. Stopping, I let it continue, and slowly increased the throttle, all came good, a little rough perhaps. I rode on, by the Pacific Highway I was back in limp mode. This wasn’t good, and the bike didn’t look like ‘curing’ itself.

I certainly could not invest time in stopping to attempt a fix: ST2s have lots of bodywork, it was pitch black, and raining hard, press on. I found by gently opening the throttle, I could ‘sip’ my way up to cruising speed. This was the wet riding throttle-on equivalent of walking on egg shells. I would have to develop a way of simply riding that way and not allow it to stress me, simply do it, you’re still travelling. Ok, lets go stop to stop and hope the fault and the weather clear. I got neither...

Is this for real?

Coming into Taree I was almost getting used to this weird riding style, when I realised the bike may very well not start again. This was feeling like a blessing as the rain was now getting really solid. I stopped for fuel, tipped in a whole bottle of Wynnes injector clean, just because it was something I could do, and hit the button. Bike started happily. I gunned south, aiming for Albury, hoping the fault was gone. It wasn’t. I was getting more used to riding around it, but it was still there, no power, dropping onto one cylinder, then trying to clear and running ok for a while. I eased along wondering when it might cry ‘enough’?

It’s just what I have now, so ride on. The rain was torrential, surely it would abate soon?

Fuel again at Twin Caltex, F3. Weather, ridiculous! Fuel at Sutton Forrest, a black night, pouring rain. I had been back to 90km/h as the volume of water falling on the road exceeded the drainage capacity. A smooth flat expressway was being flooded by sheer torrential force. These night hours have to be used properly, to allow a platform for hitting the mark. I was already behind, the bike, truly ordinary, but still starting and going. I wavered. This was not in the script, not sane, if this continued there was little real world chance of success.

Yes, there is another standard award for 2500km in 36 hours, that might be a fall back position. Did it turn me on? No. What was the point? Go again another time maybe? I looked for accommodation, if there was any I would pull the pin, give up and regroup. There wasn’t any I could see. Climb on and go, more heavy rain...

Gundagai, bike is using a lot of fuel. Had the aircleaner got soggy? Who knows? I was now starting to feel cold as well as wet. The rain hammered down, riding was a knife edge of edging up to speed, holding speed in the torrent and backing off when absolutely necessary. Never mind, sometime after Albury the sun should come up! That would feel better. Into the second half of

Continued on next page

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www.victorymotorcycles.com.au December 2011 – 59

Time Traveller

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the attempt I kept going. The road was damp. Heavy rain abated to a gentle shower. Luxury! Dark and freezing cold in Albury. I invest time and put my remaining dry gear on, everything on, wet is one thing, cold another.

Daylight

Head north past the Wagga turn off toward the Jugiong district and turn at Calderwood, light in the sky, wet but no rain, back to the Wagga turn off, and true daylight. The first half, the dark, was over. This part, the dry/day part was the beginning of a new ride.

Gumly Gumly, near Wagga saw me alight, and spend 20 minutes reconfiguring my attire, sorting for the second half of the trip. Very slow getting back on the bike, needed assistance to peel off the wets. But it was daytime, and there was warm sun! Perhaps the bike would improve? Perhaps the fault was moisture related? I reminded myself it was still early, and wildlife could/would still be an issue. I tried to get on with it, the motorcycle was not happy, demanding fastidious attention to throttle-on situations, only then would I be rewarded with reasonable forward progress. Still rideable, still a chance... I talked to her, ‘don’t stop now, we’re still in with a show... please don’t stop.’

Circumstances felt better, the rain had smashed bike and rider for the first 11 hours. My theory of wisely risk managing the ‘dark’, to enable a chance of success stood in soggy tatters. I tried to calculate how far below the line I might be, all the time tortured by the bike which would only accelerate slowly up to cruising speed, preventing me borrowing a little bit of time here and there. It was all adding up. I knew the great equation would not forgive, take pity, or relent. Time ticked away, bike thirsty, more stops, more time losses, focus on every moment, not one ride of 24 hours, rather 24 rides, each an hour.

South west

At Darlington Point, South Hay and Balranald, I did regular swift stops.

My greatest concern getting on/off the bike. Previous injuries mean I have to 60 – December 2011

do this from the ‘wrong’ side, the right. Ungainly and unsteady, the risk is in falling or knocking the bike over. Deliberate slowness is agony, but obligatory.

I need one of those cranes that simply picks the rider off the bike and deposits them safely, standing. At Ouyen I focussed on Pinnaroo, South Australia, and the final run into Mt Gambier. While riding I realised I wasn’t going to make it.

The dark wet hours had put the pressure on here, at the end... I increased my speed, and recalculated, again and again – I was truly alone. It was up to me.

I decided to see if the bike would permit a higher cruising speed. Yes, if done slowly, gently. I recalculated again, this was true agony. There was a theoretical possibility. I could elect for the 36hr option, meaning the whole attempt would not be a dead loss (I shouldn’t think in those terms, it’s never a ‘dead loss’) but it was tantalisingly close. It could go either way, too close to not aim for, but I would have to decide right now, and stick to it, or forget the ‘Gold’ and enjoy having tried but ending up with the 36hr mark etc. Every town, every approaching car would mean throttle down, and the painstakingly gentle throttle back up, as a result. I had a serious think, and decided to aim at the smallest margin, if I failed anything else had little meaning, so, that’s what I did.

Can I make it?

It’s wonderful when the slightest kink in an otherwise dead straight road becomes a ‘corner’ because one is riding the motorcycle in accordance with its design parameters. It’s also wonderful how distance can be melted away when, in remote locations, cruising speeds elevate. Keep concentration, ensure it’s undertaken with awareness, focussed attention, experience, good tyres and a remote long distance roadway with superb visibility. Getting booked or going over time instantly disqualifies the attempt. I don’t use ear plugs, nor ear phones. I do, however, hear the music, sometimes of yesteryear, sometimes of the bike and wind, and sometimes of the traditional owners. During my run, after Pinnaroo, the spiritual feeling of calmness and the music was palpable, a presence undeniable. I asked for help, would it be granted? At the first man made sign the whole experience evaporated leaving a crystal clear determined

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focus. Was this what I had asked for?

Tailem Bend, almost back on time, fuel, mount up, go. Bike using a lot of fuel, I seldom carry spare but had decided to take four litres just in case.

I was very lucky I did. Just out of Naracoorte, the bike died suddenly, leaving me coasting at high cruising speed. Looking for a spot, with level ground, and park to prevent side stand sinking in the sand. Without any power, I pulled on the brakes and stopped in soft sand. Deploying the stand I tested the surface, hopeless. Hurry! Drop the left glove onto the ground for the stand, redeploy stand, wriggle off the right hand side, bike starts to lean ominously. Hurry! Find some bark. Hurry! Locate and pour in the fuel, try to get some in the tank man! Hurry! Wasting time! What if it won’t start, finally having failed? Hurry! Make a mess of getting back on, nearly fall over, I don’t think I could pick it up unaided now. Key. Button. It won’t start... Flip up stand. Key off. Breathe. Button. Started, on one cylinder only.

Slowly build revs, ah on two now. Gear. Go. Shit, everything gained is now lost, and I still have to stop and refuel at Naracoorte.

The final sprint

Into the servo, stand down, fuel cap up, nozelle in, c’mon, c’mon! Click, tank finally full. Need to pay but there is a long line. The attendant is on the phone arguing with someone. I’m tempted to bolt, deal with it later... then miraculously another attendant spots me and decides to serve me first out of line. Thank you, perhaps a rider?

With over 100km left I had very little time, it was in the lap of the gods now. I rode on allowing for oncoming traffic and settlements but otherwise thinking of the risk, overtaking with care, gentling the throttle and going for it in the open deserted sections. With minutes to go, I spot a servo at Mt

Gambier and attempt to park, get off the bike, get my credit card out and scream at the attendant all in one movement. He sells me a donut, I have the receipt, $1.80. What I had asked for had been granted. I was very, very, lucky.

Cool or crazy

At the time this was done only 68 riders in the world had achieved it.

Three in Australia. Also, only two on a Ducati, one of these in Australia.

The mechanical problem was subsequently traced to a dodgy temp’ sensor for the rear cylinder and a faulty fuel filter. Thanks to George and Shaun at Dmoto. The aftermath included an eight month wait for the award to be presented, the audit process being fastidious. During the race meeting, my uncle became terminally ill, and instead of going to Adelaide, abandoning the bike and catching a plane, I jumped on and did Mt Gambier/ Melbourne/Sydney/Newcastle, for 1600 odd in 15 hours. He passed soon after I left.

The ST2 now has 187,000km on it. 3000Km in 24 hours is possible, under ideal circumstances, using all the hours properly. Perhaps with a pathfinder vehicle, a huge spotlight array, radio contact back to the rider, or maybe not.

Postscript The Iron Butt Association (USA), and Far Riders (Australia), provide formats, suggestions, assistance, support and award distances etc, to the endurance riding community. For more information: www.ironbutt.com and www.farriders.com.

– Mal Cherlin December 2011 – 61

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Ducati redefines the Super

THE Ducati 1199 Panigale is the red-hot sportsbike for 2012: with its monocoque frame, incredible electronics, top-shelf suspension, massively increased horsepower and reduced weight, this is the bike sportsbike riders will lust after.

Compared to the 1198 models being replaced, the Panigale produces 195HP, 25 more than the 1198 and weighs 164kg, 10 kg less than the old model. The chassis and electronics have been developed in MotoGP, while the engine has benefited from years of knowledge gleaned from racing in the Superbike World Championship.

The departures from standard Ducati practices of the past are numerous: gone is the trellis frame, underseat exhaust, belt-driven engine camshafts are all parts of Superbike history now. Indeed, by giving its new Superbike a name - rather than just a capacity, a practice in place since the mid-80s and the 851 – is very much a break with tradition.

Panagale – pronounced ‘Pan-ee-gah-lee’ – is an Italian Territory of Bologna where the passion for motorsport and high performance riding is ingrained in the culture. Ducati’s pride in being ‘Made in Italy’ is so strong the company decided to name the bike after its birthplace.

New Technologies

There’s barely anything about the Panigale which isn’t the latest in cutting-edge. The Superquadro engine is new, the chassis a radical monocoque, the electronics radical and the suspension top-shelf.

One tradition Ducati has stuck with is offering three versions of the bike: the standard 1199 Panigale, the 1199S Panigale and the 1199 Panigale S Tricolore.

The differences are in the suspension, electronics and colours.

Moving to a monocoque aluminium chassis was one of the biggest changes and the single most significant reason why the bike is 10kg lighter than its predecessors. A monocoque design allows multiple pats to be replaced, such as the airbox, which is incorporated into the Panigale’s frame.

The frame attaches to the cylinder heads, making the engine a stressed member of the frame. Compared to older models, the engine has been rotated backwards to give more clearance for the front wheel: it’s slowly evolving from an L-twin (with the front cylinder almost horizontal) to a V-twin. The angle between the cylinders remains 90 degrees.

On top of the bike Ducati is using an aluminium fuel tank which also seals off the airbox when in position.

Attached directly to the engine is the die-cast singlesided aluminium swingarm. It’s 39mm longer than the unit on the 1198.

62 – December 2011

rbike, again

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CYCLE TORQUE NEWS FEATURE

With the exhaust now residing under the engine, the rear subframe could be made lighter. At the front is a magnesium frame to hold the fairing, instruments and headlights. This mass centralisation contributes to better handling.

The standard Panigale uses Marzocchi forks with a pressurised damping system. At the rear the offset-mounted fully adjustable shock is from Sachs. Mounting the shock to the side has allowed the engine to be rotated back without compromising space for the suspension. This makes it very easy to adjust.

The 1099S and Tricolore models feature Ducati Electronic Suspension

by Ohlins. The NIX30 Ohlins forks and TTX36 rear shock are both electronically adjustable for damping rates, while spring preload is set manually. There is a range of standard Riding Modes for the suspension, but owners can use their own settings and save these for future use.

The brakes are Monobloc Brembo M50 calipers biting 330mm discs: switchable ABS is optional on the standard and S-models: every Tricolore with have ABS from the factory. Lightweight wheels and 200-section Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres are standard.

The electronics package on the Panigale is considerable. You expected the quickshifter and traction control, but Ducati is launching Engine Braking Control, Ducati Data Analyser (DDA+) and lots more. The Engine Braking Control is designed to enhance stability when reducing speed.

The electronics also feature different modes for race, sport and wet riding.

The Tricolore has DDA+, which tracks laptimes, throttle opening, speed, engine rpm, gear and lots more. It plugs into a laptop via USB. DDA+ is a plug-and-play accessory available for the Panigale and Panigale S. Pricing hasn’t been announced as Cycle Torque went to press. The new models should be available in early 2012.

– Nigel Paterson December 2011 – 63

CYCLE TORQ

2011 Christm www.cycletorque.com.au

IT’S that time of year again when we put together the biggest Cycle Torque issue of the year. It’s been another hectic year of new bikes, travelling to race meetings, watching the overseas racing on TV and even going for the odd ride or two, believe it or not.

While the world is still a little topsy turvy when it comes to finance, weather and war, at least you can be safe in the knowledge that we still love riding bikes here at Cycle Torque. And we are still a bit excited when something new comes out.

All of us at Cycle Torque have our own ‘special moments’ during 2011. For me it was going on the launch of the new Triumph Tiger 800. Bec, our hardworking bookkeeper, got her bike licence. Advertising Manager Dennis told me going for a surf on work time – and probably watching me get smashed in the surf if the truth be told – was a highlight.

For Nigel it was being in pit lane as Casey Stoner wrapped-up the 2011 MotoGP title. Then of course there’s our long suffering graphic artist Dee, who makes Cycle Torque look so good each month.

The core team couldn’t have put each issue together without the help of our contributors. Columnists Darren Smart, Darryl Flack and Bob Guntrip are a pleasure to work with, and their columns are awesome to read each month.

Our contributing testers, especially Todd Reed and Alex Pickett, make our life much easier, and know their stuff when it comes to riding bikes how they should be ridden.

Col Whelan, Tony ‘Carnage’ Penfold and Aunty Mal are out on the road doing mega miles and put together some of the best travel features around.

Our website is also growing daily and we have Matt ‘999’ O’Connell to thank for that, plus new boy, Adrian ‘hippy’ Fowler is learning the web ropes. He’s still a teenager but we like him anyway.

We are looking forward to a good break over Xmas for some surfing, boating, fishing, overindulgence, and generally having nothing to do with motorcycles for a couple of weeks.

All of us here sincerely hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Xmas too.

– Chris Pickett

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Draggin 3.07 seconds

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Traffic jeans and Draggin belt featured.

Source: RIDE magazine, November 2011 issue

Hornee 1.39 s

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Levis 0.56 s

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DRAG TESTED SINCE 1 997 dragginjeans.net

64 – December 2011

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QUE FEATURE

mas Buyers Guide www.cycletorque.com.au

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Rolling Gear Bag with FREE Boot Bag

Black/Grey/Red colour scheme • Retractable pullman handle • Large storage with flip top opening • Multiple grab handles & haul loop • External compression straps • Interior divider & various compartments • FREE PVC lined boot bag valued at RRP $40 • Pullout changing mat • Dual vented main compartment • Two large external pockets • Skate wheels for added stability • Rugged zip pullers & heavy duty size 10 zip on main compartment • High impact fabric - Jacquard PVC/Polyester 600x600D • Size: Approximately 89cm length x 42cm wide x 44cm high: (0.164cbm) / 164 Litres. Part No. L08BG006BGXL. RRP $249.95

Honda Racing Bear

This lovable 12“ high plush Honda Racing Bear makes the perfect gift item this Christmas.

The Cub’s removable outfit features the Honda Wing, Team Honda and HRC logos & Honda Racing printed removable belt.

This limited edition collectable bear comes packaged with a numbered certificate of authenticity. Part No. L08BR001HR. RRP $64.95 3

Baby Future Honda Owner Hoodie & T-Shirt

Future Honda Owners can now get an early start with this great Tee and Hoodie! The new items feature the Future Honda Owner print in crayon colours and also the beginners motorcycle, the CRF50.

The 260GSM brushed fleece hoodie in black features contrast red hood lining, full front zip opening, two front pockets, Honda Wing logo print on the front and the Future Honda Owner print on the back. 80% cotton 20% polyester. The white, 100% cotton tee features the Future Honda Owner print on the front.

Sizes 0,1,2,3. Part No. Hoodie L08BW07BH / RRP $30 Part No. T-Shirt L08BW07TS / RRP $19

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Team Honda Spray Jacket

Own a piece of Honda Racing style with this Team Honda Spray Jacket. Featuring Team Honda, Honda Wing and Honda Racing embroidered logos, this jacket’s taped seams are just the thing to keep the water out. Also features a mesh body liner, rib storm cuffs, a concealed rainhood and a Honda Racing zip puller. Available in Mens size S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL & Kids size 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. Mens Part No. L08JK901TH RRP $104.95 / Kid Part No L08JK901TH RRP $79.95 5

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Mens Retro Hoodie

Navy, high grade cotton 350gsm fabric for greater warmth. Red, white & blue Retro logo embroidery with a woven badge on the cuff. The Honda Retro logo, as it is commonly known amongst enthusiasts, comes from the defining 70s and 80s era of motorcycling.

Available in sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Part No. L08HD004N RRP $79.00 6

Team Honda Polo

100% cotton pique knit, 200GSM with colour fastening treatment. Available in Mens and Ladies sizes. Available in men’s sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL & Ladies sizes 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.

Part No. L08PS901TH RRP $54.95 7

Ladies Vintage Racing Hoodie

The Ladies Vintage Racing Hoodie is inspired by the Honda Racing legacy which began with Honda’s first international race, the Isle of Man TT in 1959. 60% cotton 40% polyester, high quality 340GSM. Red garment wash for added effect. White, front distressed print. Heritage Collection logo tonal print on sleeve. Deep rib cuffs and hem band. Part No. L08HD010R

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Free Rider T-Shirt

Get your Honda Wings with this cool new Free Rider design 100% cotton red t-shirt!

Available in Adults & Kids sizes. Part No. L08TS101FR RRP $35.00 (Adults) / $30.00 (Kids) 9

The Ultimate in Hoodie Comfort

Available in red or black, these hoodies are of a high grade 350GSM cotton for greater warmth and features a hi-frequency welded Honda Wing logo, a woven badge on the cuff, contrast hood lining and contrast stitching on the front pocket. Part No. Black Hoodie L08HD003B / Red Hoodie L08HD003R. RRP $79 10

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Motocross Jersey & Pants

Available in the Honda CRF branded red and white colour scheme, the 100% polyester jersey comes in a generous cut to allow for armour underneath, with a durable sublimated print that is fade resistant. Part No. MXTR0JA10.

Sizes: S/M/L/XL/2XL. RRP $79 These easy care motocross pants are made of a teramid fabric which is reinforced with DuPont Kevlar providing superior strength and durability, with exceptional resistance to abrasion, puncture and tearing. Part No. MXBYXA10.

December 2011 – 65 Sizes: 30” 32” 34” 36” 38” RRP $209

www.cycletorque.com.au

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

2011 Christmas

Cycle Torque Feature: Trailblazers rider training

a new id k r u o y t h g u o You've b r Xmas. bike and gear fo em... th in a tr to e m ti Now it's

naked... but not exposed

Manufactured in Australia

by Rideworx T 02 4271 8244

66 – December 2011

Anti-Freeze Handguards

Find what fits your bike at:

www.barkbusters.net

AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP

THERE is something more important than making sure your kids have the right bike, the right helmet, the right boots and the right protective gear: decent rider training. You don’t actually need protective gear on the rides where you don’t crash…

I’ve enjoyed a number of rider training courses over the years, and now my sons Damien (aged 10) and Matthew (aged 6) have too. Over three Sundays we made the trek down to Sydney to the Trailblazers riding school, where the incredibly patient chief instructor Mike Coles put the kids through their paces and brought their skills up from wobbling around to confidently taking on new challenges.

The Course

Trailblazers doesn’t run motocross-based training, this is far more basic than that: from raw beginners who have never thrown a leg over a motorcycle through to kids who have ridden around paddocks, the basic Trailblazers course is aimed at improving skills and technique, not smashing berms, railing ruts and winning races.

Thus, it was absolutely perfect for my kids. Matthew is still wobbling around on his pushbike, let alone able to ride a motorcycle, but with Mike’s patience and persistence he was soon lapping the short oval at Trailblazers’ Dural venue on a TT-R50, while Damien was riding the bigger TT-R90.

Trailblazers run their courses for two hours each Sunday for three weeks. Dural is a bit of a hike from our Newcastle base - nearly four hours of driving to get the kids there and back - but the kids were mentally, if not physically - drained from the concentration required when learning to ride, so I now understand why they only run for two hours each day.

Trailblazers kicked off a few years back when one of Coles’

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s Buyers Guide sons wanted a bike-themed birthday party - but Mike couldn’t find anyone who was hosting such a thing, so he started doing so, and you can still book a birthday party at Trailblazers.

Since then the company has moved into training, mainly for youngsters 5-15 years old.

The training is based on Motorcycling Australia’s Kick Start program, which covers the safety aspects of riding (Trailblazers can supply armour, helmets, gloves, neck braces and other gear, you just need to wear jeans and longsleeved shirt and decent footwear to participate), how to operate the different bikes and then given some one-on-one training with an instructor.

As the kids’ skills improve they are moved on to different areas of the six acre property – there are six different trails winding around the place, and each one offers different challenges. Matthew, being the only youngster on a TT-R50, didn’t attempt some of the tougher trails, but the older kids were attacking the off-camber uphills, tight trails and steep climbs with gusto - and the occasional bruise. Crashing is

a part of learning, which is why Trailblazers always state ‘safety first’, and there are always first-aid trained staff on hand. They bounce well when young though: both my boys had big ‘offs’ but got back on and into the riding once the tears were wiped away – I would have been nursing bruises and telling tales for weeks after crashes like theirs.

By the end of the course the more advanced kids are mud sliding and jumping logs: for Damien the biggest benefit of the course was improving his confidence, while Matthew went from complete novice to expert rider (just ask him, he will tell you) in just three two hour lessons.

Graduates of the Trailblazers course can return for Open Riding Sessions which run a few times per month to keep their skills up, too.

Bikes and gear

Trailblazers is supported by Yamaha: there’s a fleet of machines from 50-250cc and ATVs too. They are equipped with Barkbusters, tethered kill switches and restricted throttles. Yamalube/

Inox oils and lubricants and Kenda tyres are used, too. RXT helmets are used and Yuasa batteries.

Costs

The Trailblazers course is $300 per student (two hours per weekend for three weeks). A birthday party costs $540 for a two hour session of up to eight children between seven and 13 years.

Family training sessions and Father and Son training session are also popular and there’s also Trailblazers’ program for talented juniors. Check with Trailblazers for details on these courses.

Who and Where

Website - www.trailblazers.net.au Facebook - Trailblazers Sydney Youtube - Trailblazers Sydney Phone: 02 9653 9815 Email: contactus@trailblazers.net. au – Nigel Paterson

Mini-Air Compressor

- suitable for Motorcycles, Scooters & ATV’s - a small 10.2 x 5.1 x15.3cm & 400 grams - 165cm power cord - built in gauge & LED light - cig lighter plug and alligator clips

Stop & Go Pocket Tire Plugger Kit Contents - Nozzle - Tire Plugging Device - Probe Tool - Reamer/Rasp Tool - Hex Wrench - 15 x Mushroom Plugs - Knife - Instructions

also distributing Helen TwoWheels & Marsee Luggage

including dry bags, clothes & roll top bags, super pack straps, compression bags, mesh bags

Dealer Enquiries Welcome

www.tomcatdistribution.com.au or 02 4305 2200

Headsets for UHF radios, iPhone®/Mobile Phone, iPod®/MP3 players BMW®, Goldwing®, Harley-Davidson® & can-am Spyder® Integrated intercom units - passenger/pillion/UHF Popular with trail & touring riders to stay in contact & communicate safely, let other riders know what’s up ahead or on the trail.

Headsets for full, open/flip & half helmets

www.imc-motorcom.com.au

Dealer Enquiries Welcome 02 4305 2200

December 2011 – 67

www.cycletorque.com.au

2011 1

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

Christmas Buyers 1

The Road-Master

Smitty Smith models the new wax cotton Hunter Riders Gear RoadMaster jacket. These fabulous oilskin jackets feature leather insert collar and cuffs. Australian made, this heavy duty 12oz oilskin jacket is made from 100% cotton impregnated with paraffin wax and using the Dri-Tec oilskin process developed for our tough conditions. Heaps of pockets too!

Price: $299 ($249 to Cycle Torque readers who mention this plug!)

Avail able from: www.hunterridersgear.com.au More info: www.hunterridersgear.com.au 2

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Your future

FOX's 360 Future MX jersey and pants are built to take the rigours of competition but they are just as at home on the trail.

Features of the jersey include polyester main body fabric with mesh back panel, padded elbows (adult only), fade free graphics, and a long tail at back hem which keeps jersey tucked in pants.

The pants are made from ultra durable 900D polyester with double layer knee panels, improved waist buckle system, and are constructed in the 'attack' position.

Most sizes available, colours – blue, red, green.

Price: Jersey $59.95, pants $189.95 Avail able from: Good motorcycle shops More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 3

Bummer

TRIUMPH has a new bum bag/back pack which is expandable.

Just need to hold your wallet and some glasses? Use it as a bum bag. If you need to take more it simply expands into a back pack big enough to hold a full faced helmet.

Price: $39 Avail able from: Triumph dealers nationwide More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 4

Full vision

ONE area where an open face helmet is better than a full-face helmet is the vision field the rider gets.

The designers of Shark's new Vision-R Stripes helmet had this in mind, giving the rider vision field rivalling that of an open face.

It has some other cool features too, like the rapid anti-fog system which can be re-newed, a moveable sunshield, and padding which has been designed to easily cater for a rider's spectacles.

Price: $449.95 Avail able from: Good bike shops everywhere.

More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

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Comfort from Andy Strapz Forma have now released an all black model of the popular Adventure boot, and they look great.

I have been testing the Forma Adventure Boots for quite a while, and now that they have passed my rigorous caneing I’m happy to endorse them and offer them for sale.

For years I’ve been looking for comfortable boots that work. Not too much motocross, not too much road!

I have used them for trail riding, touring, commuting and Adventure riding too. A perfect combination of lightness, comfort and protection and they ARE waterproof!

European made and no zips to stuff up.

Heaps more detail on line or call me.

I offer a system of free return to ensure you get the correct size.

Andy

Adventure Brown

GT Adventure Touring

Adventure Black

ANDY STRAPZ

®

$390 68 – December 2011

CycleTorque Boots black Ad.indd 1

(03) 9770 2207

andystrapz.com

Take a look online or give us a call.

4/10/11 8:45 PM

Gift Certificates Perfect for Christmas

www.cycletorque.com.au

Luggage Straps

Clever Wraps Keep your phone dry!

ROC Straps

Giant Loop makes a range of soft luggage solutions for enduro and adventure riders that doesn’t require racks and can be fitted in minutes.

Mojavi Saddle Bag

Giant Loop Tank Bags

For enduro riders to get the load out of their backpack and onto the bike

Fandango and new lower profile Diablo

New Beta Plus Rear Bag

Tail Bags Rainier Tank Bag Expedition Saddle Bag Peak Tail Bag

diablo

4 litre capacity

Coyote Saddle Bag

Great Basin Saddle Bag

For hardcore off-road expeditions Large volume capacity for larger road dual sports and adventure bikes.

Explorer Lite Tank Bag BMW F800GS

Ridgeline Plus

10 litre capacity

Wolfman has the most waterproof & durable dry luggage as tested by thousands of enduro & adventure riders.

Tank Bags

Expedition Dry Duffel in 3 sizes

Fandango

Rolie Bag System - 3 sizes

Racks and Saddle Bags

Husqvarna TE630

Alpha Duffel (Beta Bag shown not included)

LED Lights

Up to 3600 Lumen output

Make Your Own Racks!

Buy our Wolfman Luggage compatible hoops. Triumph Tiger 800XC

Suzuki DR650SE

Wolfman DIY Hard Luggage

Now you can use hard bags on Wolf Side Racks.

These Hard Bag Mounting Kits work best with our New Generation of racks that use a Cross Brace, to support the extra weight of hard bags.

Racks available for most popular bikes

Jack Rabbit Jumper Cables MRA Screens

Full adjustable screens for your adventure bike.

Spot Connect

BMW G650GS/F650GS/F800GS/R1200GS, Husqvarna TE610/TE630, Kawasaki KLR650, KTM 690/950/990, Suzuki DRZ400/ DR650SE/ DL650/DL1000, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Yamaha XT660R, XT660Z, WR250R, XT1200Z ST.

Spot2 Tracker

Geniuine Leatherman

Uniden UHF Radios

Combine with our helmet headsets & keep intouch with your mates on the ride

Uniden UH078SX-NB

MRA X-Ceen

Clip on extra wind protection to your existing screen

3BRPowersports Uniden UH076SX-NB

For all popular makes

Weather Proof USB Power Systems Helmet Cameras New Drift HD Compact Helmetcam

Cruz Tools

Power & Charge your Garmin GPS and other USB devices

Mini Air Compressor

Tyre Repair Kits

Kenda Tuff Tubes

Roadtech M3 Metric Tool Kit

New GoPro Hero 2 Waterproof Helmetcam

New Metal Mule Hard Luggage

BMW Tool Kit

Check out our great tyre prices and packages with Australia Wide shipping!

Badlands Pro Jacket & Pants

Guaranteed To Keep You Dry Gortex Check out our full range of Klim ride and casual gear

New Heidenau Scout K60 Rated 10/10 on AdventureBikeRider.com Metal Mule make a range of high quality balanced and off-set pannier racks, lockable pannier boxes, rear racks, exhaust systems and accessories.

TKC80

Kenda K784 Big Block Mefo

December 2011 – 69

www.cycletorque.com.au

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

2011 Christmas Buyers Guide 1

2

Ice baby

LOOK cool and ride safe with Hornee mens Kevlar jeans.

They are a straight cut cargo style jean with heavy duty double stitching and that all important faded look.

Sizes range from 26-40” and come in ‘Ice Blue’ colour.

Price: $249.95 Avail able from: Good motorcycle shops More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 2

Get packing

WHEN you are on the road the last thing you need is water getting into your gear.

Andy Strapz has a new range of Ortlieb water proof bags which roll up and can be strapped down to your bike, with some of Andy’s own straps of course.

These things are simply brilliant. Three sizes are available, up to the big banger 49 litre version.

Price: $140-180 + postage Avail able from: Direct from Andy Strapz on 03 9770 2207.

More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 3

50 year Tees

2011 is a special year for Yamaha Motor Company as it marks its 50th anniversary of Grand Prix competition.

With Yamaha Racing celebrating this great milestone, Yamaha has released 50th Anniversary polo and T-shirts Both are made from polyester and cooldry material so besides looking cool they will be cool to wear this summer.

Most ladies and mens sizes available.

Price: Polo $42.90, T-shirt $38.05 Avail able from: Yamaha dealers More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 4

Sporty scooter treads

PIRELLI has produced some trick new tyres for scooters, including Honda’s PCX125.

The Diablo Scooter tyres give scooter riders some real confidence to enjoy their machine’s capabilities.

Pirelli has over 70 tyre options available for scooters 50cc to 650cc, with the Diablo range right at the sporty end.

Price: See stockists for prices.

Avail able from: Pirelli stockists nationwide More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

3 4

1

HOT NEW PRODUCTS! Carbon Fibre Muffler systems

Stainless Muffler systems

Tri Oval Muffler systems

Maintenance Free batteries

from

from

from

from

$369!

$299!

$369!

Planet Moto are now proud distributors of Delkevic in Australia.

COMPARE OUR PRICES TO THE COMPETITION and SAVE!

Buy online or call 1300 457 878 www.planetmoto.com.au 70 – December 2011

$59!

www.cycletorque.com.au

SISMIC SPORT

ULTIMATE VERSATILITY WITHOUT COMPARISON !

Men’s textile jacket convertible 3 in 1. Allows ultimate comfort in any season being easily convertible.

REMOVABLE LINING REMOVABLE INSERT

A waterproof and breathable Drymesh insert is easily zipped inside the jacket to bring perfect waterproof protection despite the perforated textile panels. This insert is the second feature of the jacket and can be used with or without the winter lining. It is also windproof.

MESH PANELS

Upper Body section in perforated textile that allows effective ventilation in hot weather. Panels are placed to offer maximum comfort in summer while guaranteeing abrasion resistance of the jacket in case of a fall.

Third advantage of this jacket is the winter lining which is warm and quilted, to bring comfort and heat in more severe weather conditions. The winter lining is also removable, thanks to zips inside the jacket.

Cold

Wind & rain

Warm Vent et pluie

FLORA -$189.95

ALLOY - $189.95 ESSENTIALE

ESSENTIALE

OXYGEN $249.95

DAHLIA -$219.95

ACTIVE

ACTIVE

REVOLUTION FEVER - $419.95 PERFORMANCE

ELECTRA -$269.95 ACTIVE

SISMIC SPORT - $269.95 ACTIVE

Discover the complete IXON range on www.ixon.com where you will find a large choice of vented and versatile products, for men and women, from the most practical to the most sophisticated.

www.ixon.com

December 2011 – 71

Creative Bike Wear

2011 Christmas www.cycletorque.com.au

1

Ezy 2 wheel

WHEN we first saw the Ezy2wheel gadget at Cycle Torque we were a bit sceptical. That was until we used it in anger, moving around a big heavy bike for a photo shoot in our studio. Then it all made perfect sense. No more strained back, the wheels do all the work.

You simply place the sidestand into the Ezy2wheel and you can move the bike easily along the direction of the wheels. It really does take all the hard work out of it. Highly recommended.

Price: $65 inc postage Avail able from: Direct from Ezy2wheel, 0429 629 954.

More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 2

2

Screaming Jet

NOT long ago we had a crash on our Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird then we had it painted in old school CB1100R colours by Mototech in Sydney (02 9725 5600) and it looked fantastic. But then the slip on mufflers which were on it when we bought it let the look down a bit.

We knew what would remedy that situation. A set of Delkevic carbon fibre slip ons from Planet Moto.

Besides looking awesome (we got the 350mm shorty mufflers but you can get longer ones – 450mm) they were a snack to fit.

The sound is rorty without being too loud, and our bike is running as good as it did before, so the claim

by Delkevic that its mufflers require no re-jetting seems spot on.

Price: $699 for kit Avail able from: Direct from Planet Moto More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

72 – December 2011

1

s Buyers Guide www.cycletorque.com.au

1

2

1

Yamaha Racing Pit Shirt

New to our 2012 Apparel and Merchandise Range! Made from 100% microfibre material featuring embroidered logos, Yamaha logo on the front as well as a Yamaha Racing logo on the rear with GYTR and Yamalube logos on both sleeves. Size: SM - 3X. Part Number YRC-12PIT-BL. RRP $69.00 (inc. gst) 2

Yamaha Racing Enduro Jacket

Featuring ventilated inner liner. Additional ventilated pockets. Removable sleeves which make the jacket form a vest. Large cargo-style pockets. Water bladder compartment.

Adjustable velcro waist band. Clear map pocket on left forearm area. Embroidered logos front and rear. Colour: Blue / Black with White trim and inserts. Size: SM - XX Part Number END-11JKT-BL. RRP $240.72 (inc. gst)

4

3

Yamaha Racing Cap

New to our 2012 Apparel and Merchandise Range! Cotton cap featuring a blue, white and black contrast theme. Adjustable velcro fastener. Embroidered with the Yamaha Racing logo on the front and the Yamaha Genuine Parts & Accessories logo on the rear.

Part Number YRC-12CAP-BL. RRP $24.01 (inc. gst)

3

4

5

Yamaha Racing Freestyle Child’s T-Shirt

Featuring a freestyle Yamaha Racing design print on the front, with the Yamaha logo printed on the rear. Sizes: 02 - 12 Part Number YRC-11TKD-BK. RRP $26.62 (inc. gst) 5

Yamaha YZR-M1 Key Ring

New to our 2012 Apparel and Merchandise Range! PVC die cut key ring of the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP YZR-M1 model.

Part Number YRC-12KEY-M1. RRP $7.48 (inc. gst) 6

7

6

Yamaha Racing Babies Romper Suit

100% Organic cotton romper with short sleeves and enveloped neck. Interlock knit for superior softness and comfort. Features slogan ‘Yamaha….Champion in the making’ with a cartoon motorbike rider. Sizes: SM (00), MD (0), LG (1) Part Number YRC-11ROM-WH. RRP $25.93 (inc. gst) 7

Yamaha Racing Back Pack

Multiple internal storage compartments. Helmet net. Mobile phone pocket. CD / MP3 Player pocket with ear phone gate. Features Yamaha Racing logo badge.

Part Number B08-4A04D-00-4A. RRP $79.53 (inc. gst) 8

8

9

9

Yamaha Ankle Socks

New to our 2012 Apparel and Merchandise Range! These socks are ideal for high impact exercise and look great with low-cut trainers. Shaped around the heel for added comfort, with a rib knit for a firm fit around the foot. Contrast Yamaha branding at the top of the heel. Made from a cotton and elastane blend.

Part Number YTF-12SKS-WH-AN. RRP $17.50 (inc. gst)

Yamaha Racing Pro Gear Bag

This oversized bag can handle all essential riding gear, from chest protectors, boots, helmet, pants, jersey and much more. Quick-pull handle system, off-road type wheels and a washable changing mat.

Part Number B08-4A04A-00-4A. RRP $200.17 (inc. gst) 10

Yamaha iPhone Cover

New to our 2012 Apparel and Merchandise Range! Suitable for the iPhone 4. Made from Thermoplastic polyurethane. Colour: Black. Featuring the Yamaha Tuning Fork logo in white print.

Part Number YTF-12IPH-CV. RRP $14.95 (inc. gst) 11

Yamaha Womens Fleece Jacket

New to our 2012 Apparel and Merchandise Range! This cotton fleece jacket features the Yamaha logos on the arm and chest with zip up front and open style pockets. Size: 08 - 18 Part Number YTF-12FJK-WH. RRP $65.00 (inc. gst)

10

12

12 11

Yamaha Performance Wear - Shirt & Pants

New to our 2012 Apparel and Merchandise Range! Made from a nylon microfibre and elastane blend. These garments are durable, lightweight and easy to care for. An added bonus of the microfibre blend is that it wicks away moisture quickly, keeping your body cool and dry. A main benefit of performance wear is that it’s comfortable and moulds to your body like a second skin which helps your performance and recovery times from training and events. Features the Yamaha logo on both the outer legs of the pants and on the rear of the shirt. Colour: Black with white stitching.

Heading to the track to train or race, going to the gym or for a ride on your pushy… in all these environments Yamaha Performance Wear can be worn to help your body reach its optimal performance!

Size: SM - XL Pants Part Number YTF-12PRF-PN. RRP $118.95 (inc. gst) Shirt Part Number YTF-12PRF-SH. RRP $104.01 (inc. gst)

December 2011 – 73

www.cycletorque.com.au

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

2011 Christmas 1

Book Shop

Airbrush Bible

Airbrush Bible offers something for anyone interested in the art of airbrushing. Whether your goal is reality flames on a motorcycle tank, or a three-dimensional eagle in midpounce, this new book from Wolfgang Publications offers how-to sequences done with some of the best names in airbrushing. To teach skulls, there’s Vince Goodeve. For Pinups, Tom Nguyen walks the reader through a 20 page start-to-finish sequence. $55.00 2

2

1

How to Set Up Your Motorcycle Workshop

3

From a corner of the garage set up for routine maintenance to a dream shop housing precious classic machines, How to Set Up Your Motorcycle Workshop, Third Edition will help you make the most of your space. Packed with easy-to-read practical advice, author C. G. Masi walks the reader through designing, building, and equipping the workshop you need - whether you plan to restore, repair, and maintain your own bikes or hope to open a small commercial facility. This new third edition of the book includes profiles of real world workshops, from small garage spaces to purpose- built restoration and race-prep shops, and features a new comprehensive and up-to-date directory of resources for equipment, tools, computers, battery powered tools, and energy saving tips. $44.95 3

KAZOOM

Young kids are fascinated by motorbikes. That’s why they stare, point and wave at bikers.

Here’s a great book for them. Kazoom tells the story of a crazy race in superb cartoon images and rollicking verse. Twenty-six great bikes – including Beemer, Duke, Trumpy, Kwaka and Harley – ridden by a collection of zany characters. Written, illustrated and published in Australia. $15.95 4

Lost on Earth

“The only way I am coming home is by bike or by box,” Steve Crombie writes when he first hits the road, travelling 90,000kms from Australia to the Arctic Circle via South America. It takes him two years. He suffers from dehydration, starvation and disease.

He rebuilds his motorcycle four times. Along the way Steve not only tests his limits but meets the world head on - waking up behind iron bars in Tierra Del Fuego. $34.99 5

The Harley-Davidson Motor Co.

4

5

This massive coffee-table book - over 400 pages, large format – depicts HarleyDavidson’s own collection of bikes, having kept one of every model it has ever produced.

Quality studio photography and excellent background information tells the story of Harley-Davidson through its many and varied models. Includes prototype motorcycles which never made it to production. Hardcover. $79.99 6

Weekend Warriors 1 & 2

About five years ago Shaun, Andy and I (Jake) started to run out of places to ride. We were sick of riding the same places time and time again so we decided to pay a visit to the Melbourne Map Centre in Chadstone to see if there was a guide book on the subject.

Much to our surprise there was nothing to be found. Sure there were heaps of 4WD and Mountain Bike books but, alas, no trail bike books. The guys in the shop were also surprised, as they had had a lot of enquiries from other trail bike riders. This gave us an idea....... Why not write our own book? And that is exactly what we did! $44.95 7

7

Twisting Throttle America

8

Mike Hyde’s goal was a motorcycle trip - 50 states in America in 60 days, and Twisting Throttle America is the result. This is a classic roadside tale of an ordinary Kiwi bloke doing it alone, on the smell of an oily rag and cholesterol pills. $32.99 8

9

CROZ Larrikin Biker

I lifted up my cracked UV visor with my thumb. ‘Which way does the track go and what’s the lap record?’ I called out over the noise of the valve gear rattling and clanging between my legs. The flag marshal’s eyebrows raised in disbelief. I could see him muttering, ‘And who the hell do you think you are - Mike Hailwood? $35.00 9

Bitch’n Bitumen

This - the ultimate riders/drivers guide book, provides 224 pages of the best roads in Tas, Vic, ACT, NSW, and QLD, including 34 maps covering loads of day rides, overnight trips and awesome week-long tours, and much more. $39.95 10

Sport Riding Techniques

To get the best out of modern motorcycles you need to develop your own performance.

This book, written specifically for sportsbike riders, provides you with the tools and techniques to ride faster, safer. Whatever your current riding ability, this book will help you improve.

Forward by Kenny Roberts, softcover, 130pages. $29.99 11

11

Sportbike Suspension Tuning

Sportbike Suspension Tuning’ covers the basics—setting static sag for your weight— as well as more subtle and advanced adjustments, such as how to optimize rear-end squat. A comprehensive discussion on chassis geometry, suspension technology, and the many interactions among adjustments helps demystify suspension tuning. Andrew also explains how to analyze various handling symptoms and make adjustments to correct them. Plus, he offers specific setup techniques for both the street and the track.

12

$29.99 12

Moto Guzzi Sport & Le Mans Bible

The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport and Le Mans are iconic sporting motorcycles of the 1970s and 1980s. They were amongst the first Superbikes to combine Italian style, handling and performance. After struggling to survive during the 1960s, Lino Tonti was given the opportunity to create the V7 Sport Telaio Rosso, in 1971. This was so successful that Moto Guzzi again began to concentrate on building sporting motorcycles. $59.99

100s of great mot Call 02 4956 9820 or order 10

74 – December 2011

www.cycletorque.com.au

Buyers Guide 2

1

1

DEUS

Calling this a coffee table book doesn’t do it justice by half. There’s not much writing in the book, and most of what’s there is from TE Lawrence but it definitely is a visual feast with some great work from the creative mind of Carby Tuckwell who was also responsible for the designs and illustrations.

It’s a huge book and covers many of the events and beautiful motorcycle creations that have emanated from that end of Parramatta Road in Sydney. $89.00 2

4

3

American Dream Bikes

Dozens of designers, engineers and craftsmen are creating some of the most exciting and innovative motorcycles the world has ever seen - ever dreamed about. This doesn’t just mean “yet another chopper”. It means names like Confederate, Ecosse, Fischer, Roehr, Vectrix (producing an electric sportbike), and MotoCzysz in addition to, and no less worthy in this context, the establishment Harley-Davidson with Buell, Victory, and even Indian. Award-winning author Alan Cathcart visits 25 shops interviews the designers and engineers and rides the motorcycles, photographed especially for this book. $67.50 3

Going Postal

Nathan Millward had a dream, he wanted to ride across the world on a small motorbike.

A decommissioned Australia Post bike, to be precise. Nathan hit the road on his clapped out Postie bike, from Sydney to Darwin then through Southeast Asia and onwards to Pakistan and China and the home run through Europe. $30.00 4

Australia’s Speedway King

Colin Stewart was once a top international dirt track speedway rider, and one of the trail blazing Australians who established the new sport on the world stage. The distinctive feature of dirt track speedway racing was motorbikes without brakes “broadsiding” round corners at terrifying speeds. Colin was one of the pioneer riders who developed the art of broadsiding, and he was once considered to be the world’s best. $29.95

6

5

6 5

7

Troy Bayliss

This is the story of a life dedicated to racing, the story of a man who has always lived among motorcycles. The Ducati Yearbook chronicles the life of Troy Bayliss, Ducati World Superbike Champion through his memories and his experiences (on and off the track), his relationship with his team and with the bikes and the thrilling emotions experienced together. Take a look into the life of Troy Bayliss, his racing career and his passion for Ducati. Troy and the bikes from Borgo Panigale, like the 999 and 1098, together made history. This is a book of photography with images accompanied by the words of the rider, fellow Ducatisti friends, colleagues, family and fans all who came in contact with this Superbike legend a true icon for all passionate motorcycling fans, Ducatisti and non. $34.95 6

Grand Prix Motorcycle Racers

Until the 1970s, North America was considered a backwater with respect to world championship-level motorcycle road racing. European racers viewed American riders as little more than provincial hillbillies who rode around in circles on tracks made of dirt.

That all changed when Kenny Roberts exploded onto the Grand Prix racing scene and became the first American to win the world championship in motorcycle road racing’s premier class. $33.95

8

7

10

8

11 9

Top Dead Centre 2

Cycle World’s Kevin Cameron is the most insightful motorcycle racing journalist and technical writer on the planet. He not only understands why racers race and how motorcycles perform, he explains both in ways that lead the rest of us to “aha” moments.

This second volume of Cameronrs’s articles and columns highlights his perception that the pursuit of higher performance improves our general understanding of the way things work. Referencing motorcycle geniuses like Soichiro Honda and Erik Buell, and legendary machines like the Bimota Tesi and the Britten V-1100, Cameron shows how racing serves man’s never-ending quest for excellence. $39.99

Bikers Handbook

Just about everybody in the V-twin motorcycle aftermarket knows Jay Barbieri. Besides being a TV producer for American Thunder on SPEED Channel, Jay is genuinely into motorcycles. What you may not know if that Jay has a very quick wit and a great, though twisted sense of humor. He puts his many years of riding experience and a good dollop of that sense of humor to work in his Bikers Handbook: Becoming Part of the Motorcycle Culture. If you are new to the two-wheeled lifestyle, do what Jay tells you and you’ll be fine. $24.99 9

How To Ride A Motorcycle

A beginner’s manual especially geared to the needs of entry-level riders, this book provides all the basic instruction necessary to become a motorcycle rider with an emphasis on the challenges faced by neophyte riders. Starting at neophyte level and evolving into a serious, intelligent expert, How to Ride a Motorcycle tells the reader how to be a motorcycle rider with a strong emphasis on safety and big-picture strategy (think about it this way as opposed to do this). $29.99 10

My Motorcycling Life

This book is not meant to be a chronological history. In fact it’s not meant to be a work of history at all. It is simply an entertaining (hopefully) look at many of my motorcycling experiences over nearly 30 years of riding. If I could get permission to mention some motorcycling names, then I did. But otherwise I have told a series of stories that I thought were memorable and fun. So don’t expect them to be in order or to make much historical sense, just enjoy the ride. I certainly did! – Greg Hirst $19.95 11

My Motorcycling Life Part 2

Greg’s follow up to his successful first book was launched at the Sydney Motorcycle Show on Saturday November 21 at 3pm on the inside stage with help from former NSW Transport Minister Bruce Baird, current Federal Member for Parramatta Julie Owens and United Motorcycle Council Chairman Ferret from the Finks Motorcycle Club. $19.95

otorcycle books available r online www.cycletorque.com.au

December 2011 – 75

www.cycletorque.com.au

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

2011 Christmas Buyers Guide

Billy Connolly’s Route 66 THE Mother Road. That’s what the Americans call Route 66, the iconic stretch of blacktop which snakes its way across middle America from Chicago to the Pacific coast, all 2,488 miles of it.

Much of the original Route 66 has been bypassed by freeway, something we also know in Australia. An unfortunate byproduct of this strategy is the death of small towns which rely on passing trade, just so drivers can can traverse the country as quick as possible.

Billy Connolly himself needs no introduction. Is he one of, if not the, greatest comedian ever? Many think so but his talent goes much deeper than that. Not only has Billy starred in a number of movies, he’s made loads of television shows too.

His ‘World Tour Of’ series of television shows (also on DVD) were very popular. Billy would traverse the country, doing comedy gigs along the way, and giving viewers historical insights of where he’d been. Of course there are plenty of laughs too.

76 – December 2011

His Route 66 book is much in the same mould, you get his historical take on the trip, warts and all, and you get a good idea of what it would be like to take the trip yourself. Billy does it on a trike. For me it would have to be a ’60s or ’70s American muscle car, or a Harley. I think if you are a petrol head you’d love to take the trip.

Billy Connolly lovers will really enjoy this book. It’s easy to read, and you can almost hear Billy reading the story to you, such is the force of his personality comes through the words.

There will be a TV show in 2012 which will be great to see.

The RRP is $35 and you can buy it direct from Cycle Torque online at www. cycletorque.com.au, or by calling us at 02 4956 9820. You can also get it at our stand at the Sydney Motorcycle Show at Darling Harbour from November 25-27, just after this issue hits the streets.

– Chris Pickett

! e k o j s l o o f l i r p a n a T o n s This i This year ChrisTmas sTarTs early. www.cycletorque.com.au

50% off

all leaThers (jaCkeTs, panTs, gloves) HigHside glOves

sPeed mAster PAnts

sPeed mAster jAcket RRP .....$899

novembeR decembeR

SPecial Plus $20 shipping

$199

.50

RRP .....$579

novembeR decembeR

SPecial Plus $20 shipping

$199

.50

a BgW

rAce fAirings

1. reduCed priCes 2. larger range

R.R.P.

RRP ..............$1299 BGW PRice ..... $799

sPecial PRice

neW BgW priCe

DescRiPTioN

more To folloW shorTly!

RRP ......................... $295

BGW sPecial PRice

BGW sPecial PRice

We now have access to the entire MGP range. Not all are up on the website yet, but will be in the next couple of weeks.

HON. CBR600RR (09-11) ........... $799 ............... $299.95 HON. CBR1000RR (08-11) ......... $799 ............... $299.95 KAW. 250R (08-11) ................... $799 ............... $299.95 KAW. ZX6R (09-11) ................... $799 ............... $299.95 KAW. ZX10R (08-10) ................. $799 ............... $299.95 SUZ. GSX-R600/750 (06-07) ..... $999 ............... $399.95 SUZ. GSX-R600/750 (08-10) ..... $799 ............... $299.95 SUZ. GSX-R1000 (09-11) .......... $999 ............... $399.95 YAM. YZF-R6 (06-11) ................ $799 ............... $299.95 YAM. YZF-R1 (09-11) ................ $1499 ............. $599.95

Plus $10 shipping

$34.50

RRP ......................... $350

Most MGP exhausts have been reduced by $100.

PaRT No.

SPecial

$219

.9 5

fOlding levers

We will begin to drop-ship MGP directly from the HotBodies factory and warehouse in the USA, to your door step. This has a number of immediate benefits to You:

40901-2400 40801-2400 50802-2400 50901-2400 50801-2400 60610-2400 60801-2400 60901-2400 80801-2400 80901-2400

novembeR decembeR

stAndArd levers

announCmenT

The following MGP exhausts can be ordered immediately. Price is inclusive of shipping:

RRP .....$109

Available for selected BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha models.

$ 499

piCked up red. e v i l e d 9 9 5 $ Call us!

d-3 griPs

$249

.9 5

RRP ......................... $119

BGW sPecial PRice

$49

bAr ends

RRP ........................... $49

BGW sPecial PRice

$30

sT! fa g in r ea p p a is d e r a es g n a r e Be quiCk as som k availaBiliTy Before Calling us To order – 1300 7000 44

please go To our WeBsiTe To Ch

eC

Website: www.bikegearwarehouse.com.au Phone: 1300 7000 44 Address: 72a Topham Rd, Smeaton Grange NSW 2567 Opening hours: Saturdays 9-12pm December 2011 – 77 * Price and availability can change without notice

www.cycletorque.com.au

Quad Torque Test – Yamaha Grizzly 450 4X4 EPS

Australia doesn’t have the flexible laws America seems to have when it comes to ATVs. That’s why by far the biggest ATV market is in farming and the like, not recreational. Yamaha’s 450 Grizzly is a great farming tool but it’s also lots of fun if you want to play.

Like many other ATV manufacturers, Yamaha has decided to offer one of its models with or without power steering. In this case the system is electronically powered. Sure, you can buy a 450 Grizzly without power steering, but would you want to?

The above question is all about speed and terrain. The faster you want to go the more obvious is the EPS choice, as it is if you need the Grizzly to act like a mountain goat.

If you live in a flat area, only need to round up the sheep at walking pace, and have arms like Popeye then you’ll cope with the non EPS Grizzly no worries.

In the shed

It might have an American sounding name, but the Grizzly 450 works equally as well in OZ.

Yes it says 450 on the tank panels but it hasn’t got a fire-breathing YZ450F engine in there. It’s an electric start 421cc liquid-cooled single, with a single overhead cam and a 33mm Mikuni carb working together to get the air/fuel mixture in.

The transmission is Yamaha’s Ultramatic auto gearbox with High, Low, Neutral, Reverse and Park, just like a car. It does all this by V belt, which actually makes it a bit different to a car’s automatic gearbox actually, but when you ride it all you will know is it goes forward without you needing to change the gears.

It’s also a 4X4, so you just press the appropriate switch and you can go from two wheel drive to four wheel drive.

There’s a diff lock too if things get serious chasing that errant piece of steak or lamb cutlet. This reduces wheel slippage in rough and slippery terrain. Shaft drive turns the rear wheels, so no need to worry about cleaning and oiling chains.

Suspension is adjustable for preload on all four corners, and it has a decent amount of suspension travel too.

Fuel capacity is 15 litres so you won’t need to fill it up too often. It’s a sizeable machine but will just fit into a 7x5 trailer, in case you’re wondering.

Huge rack, huge carying capacity.

78 – December 2011

Solid rear end.

On the scales it weighs in at 287 kg full of fuel.

Racks come standard on the front and rear, and they look and feel substantial. You could bolt on your own tub to carry stuff but check out Yamaha’s accessory list first.

Disc brakes all round, dual on the front and a sealed oil bath set up at the driving end.

On the land

As a work horse the Grizzly does it easy. Not only does it feel very solid – you would expect that from a Yamaha – but it runs nicely too. We didn’t actually tie a load of fence posts and tools on the rack but the power output of the engine suggests it would cope no problems.

In tight terrain it steers nicely but it is a moderate to large ATV so can’t turn super tightly, especially when in four wheel drive mode.

The diff lock works great too. We gave it a whirl in the rough and slippery and it does make a difference when you engage it.

Yamaha probably envisaged a farmer crawling along at low speeds on a 40 degree day, so equipped the Grizzly with a large capacity alloy radiator which is fitted high up in the frame to reduce the chance of it getting clogged or copping a stone.

Besides the rack there’s a handy waterproof compartment in the front fender. It’s bigger than you would expect.

When doing the chores gets too much you can push the thumb throttle as far as it will go and have a blast. We tried it too, and in 2WD mode it likes to swing the tail out. As said before, it might not have a YZ450F engine but it’s no slug either.

Verdict

At $12,999 the Grizzly 450 EPS makes a lot of sense, and you don’t have to think too hard to come up with a few reasons why farmers love them too.

If you are a smart and capable operator it will go lots of places a 4WD car will struggle to go, for much less dollars.

If you just want fun without going for a race style ATV then the Grizzly will do that as well. n

Small waterproof storage compartment.

www.cycletorque.com.au

:: 110cc fully automatic :: Safety government control

:: 150cc GY6 Full auto with reverse :: 8” wide wheel base :: Adult size strong frame

$649* $

AES125 Katar

$1149*

AES110 Dinosaur

$699*

:: Genuine Lifan 125cc :: 17”/14” large wheel :: Twin Spar frame :: Classic Blade

AES150 Camel

:: CRF style body kit :: 10”/10” wheels :: Electric & kick start

RS125

CS70

THERE are a number of quads suitable for the kids and families in general in the Elstar range.

The Dinosaur (AES110) is a big winner with its 110cc fourstroke engine with a fully automatic transmission and small brake levers to suit younger riders. It has a drum brake up front and a disc rear brake. The Dinosaur is an easy to ride and own vehicle with 100-hour service intervals, simple controls and a size to suit pre-teens to teenagers.

The next size up is the Katar (AES125K) which is a fourstroke single cylinder 125 aimed more at the teen market.

It boasts auto transmission, electric start with drum front brake and disc rear.

It also has 100-hour service intervals.

The Elstar Camel (AES150) has a bit more performance in the 150cc engine and is fully automatic.

It has electric and kick start with an independent double wishbone suspension with adjustable gas shocks on the front and an adjustable single rear shock.

For more information on the Elstars range, including their Christmas specials, check out www.elstars.com.au. n

IN 1968, after years of repairing bikes and other two-stroke equipment, Neville Zacka, a avid motorcyclist, founded Parklands Power Products.

Representing the Tanaka brand, Parklands introduced engine drills and brushcutters to the Australian market in 1969.

Today the company is headed by Neville’s son Ron who is continuing the same hands-on approach marketing a wide range of equipment under brand names such as Murray, Grasshopper, Amazone and others.

About 30 years ago Parklands developed the Parklander brand which in 2006 established a strong profile with the local manufacture of walkbehind mowers.

In 2011 Parklands introduced a new range of quads. made by HiSun, this quality range is available in Australia under the Parklander brand and is exclusively distributed by Parklands.

HiSun started as a motorcycle manufacturer in 1988 and today is China’s largest manufacturer of offroad vehicles.

The Parkland quad range has the PQV400ATV as its entry level quad. With an excellent powerto-weight ratio it has 4WD, switchable to 2WD. It is an ideal workhorse for the farmer looking for important features without having to go high end.

The single-cylinder engine is rated at 20kW (26.8hp) so it can easily handle the 262kg (dry) weight. Front and rear racks make this a useful tool on the property. With an RRP of $5500 the 400cc quad is great value considering its other features such as independent front and swingarm

rear suspension, dual ventilated front disc brakes and shaft.

The two other new Parklander models are 500cc and 800cc units. The top of the range PQV800ATV sports a powerful 41 kW (55hp) EFI vee twin engine also with 4WD and 2WD modes with a rear differential lock for greater manoeuvrability and steering.

For added safety there’s four wheel disc brakes and a tailshaft park brake as well as fully independent double wishbone suspension (front and back).

A good mid-range choice is the PQV500ATV which boasts similar suspension to the 800 as well as alloy wheels and a 3500lb winch.

There’s also a digital dash with speedometer, odometer and tachometer, Delphi EFI fuel injection and handlebar shields.

All Parklander models come with a one-year homeowner warranty, full spares backup and are backed by the Parklands national dealer network.

For more information ring (02) 9584 7700 or check out www.parklands.net. n

::: 125cc 3 speed with reverse ::: Medium size kids quad ::: 7” wheels

$849* $

$999*

:: Zongshen OHC 250cc :: Full size 21”/18” :: Linkage set up

$1499*

$1499* $

EAE250 Tank

:: Genuine Lifan 125cc :: 17”/14” large wheel :: 2012 Model

GX250

GX125

.

:: 250cc 5 speed manual with reverse :: Massive 10” wheel :: Farm machine with tow bar fitted

$1999*

FULL RANGE OF SPARE PARTS AVAILABLE

FastAce Shock absorber

Mikuni carbuertor

www.elstars.com.au ELSTAR MOTORCYCLES AND QUADS PTY LTD HEAD OFFICE UNIT 22/244 Horsley Rd, Milperra NSW 2214 Ph (02) 9772 1555 :: Fax (02) 9772 1855 Open :: Monday to Friday 9am 5pm Saturday by appointment 9am -12pm

Heavy duty clutch

info@elstars.com.au

NSW DEALERS: Morisset – Macs Shack 0424 842 591 Coffs Harbour – Coffs Motorsports and AG 02 6651 3696 Penrith – Gasman Performance bikes 02 4721 3366 Gosford – Image Motorcycle and Scooters 02 4322 7100 Dubbo – Orana Motorbike sales 02 6882 2277

Fuel filter

Protaper handle bar

Kenda tyres

Tools

* All prices included GST but may include optional accessories that can be fitted at extra cost. The price does not include Dealer Delivery and is charged on top of the price advertised.

Warrawong – Illawarra cashxchange 02 4274 1900 Maitland – Country motor bikes 02 4932 5618 INTERSTATE DEALERS: Hobart – Southern Dirt Bikes 03 6273 2871 Falcon – Dragon Bikes and Karts 08 9586 8488

Edmonton – Northern Thunder Motorcycles 0405 833 453 Rockhampton – Rockhampton Marine & Industrial 07 4819 1181 Cohuna – Top Notch Power Equipment 03 5456 4427 2011 – 79 Rockingham – West Coast Mini Moto 08 9592December 2203 LOOKING FOR LICENSED DEALERS.