November eMag

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NOVEMBER NOVEM MBER 2011 2011

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Big bore bush basher Husqvarna TE630

CAB AUDIT

BONUS TECHNOLOGY FEATURE MV Agusta F4, Triumph Tiger 1050, 2012 Suzuki RM-Z250/450, Megelli 250R ALSO RIDDEN FEATURES Project Hysterical – Aussie Bucket Nationals

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a h a m a Y a n i W 2011’s 2 011’ hot h t 150 learner-legal l l l machine from Yamaha in Cycle Torque’s Spring giveaway competition.

r e t n E o t How t a e n i l n O

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y e n d y S At the 5 2 r e b m e v o N , r u o b r a H g n i Darl

Terms and Conditions: 1. Entrants must be over the age of 17 years. 2. Entry is free. 3. Only one entry per person per day is permit on stage at the Sydney Motorcycle Show, Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, Sydney NSW. 7. Entry is by online form located at www is not redeemable for cash. 9. No employee or family member of an employee of Motorcycle Publishing Pty Ltd or Yamaha Motor A includes delivery to the winner’s nearest Yamaha dealer, vehicle registration and on-road costs (value variable dependant on winne entries. 13. The winner does not need to be present at the draw. 14. The winner will be telephoned at the time of the draw. 15. The 16. The promoter is Motorcycle Publishing Pty Ltd. 17. The name of the promotion is “Cycle Torque’s Spring Give-Away”. 18. The p

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Drawn live on stage at the Sydney Motorcycle Show, 3pm November 27.

tted. 4. Entries open September 1, 2011. 5. Entries close at noon, November 27. 6. Prize will be drawn at 3pm, November 27, 2011 w.cycletorque.com.au/yzf15 or by coupon at the Sydney Motorcycle Show at the Cycle Torque Motorcycle Newspaper stand. 8. Prize Australia Pty Ltd is permitted to enter. 10. The single (1) prize is a Yamaha YZF-R15 motorcycle valued at $3995. 11. The prize also er’s address, age, driving record and experience). 12. The prize will be awarded to the first complete, legible coupon drawn from all results of the draw will be published in Cycle Torque Motorcycle Newspaper, January 2012 issue, and on www.cycletorque.com.au. prize is not redeemable for cash. NSW permit number LTPS/11/06979.

November 2011

Contents 17 tEST

49 FEATURE

Victory Zach Ness

Project Hysterical 31 LAUNCH REPORT

Triumph Tiger

27 TEST

SUZUKI RM-Z 43 test

Megelli 250R

MV Agusta f4

21 Test

Husqvarna te630

45 test

features 33 Tech Stuff REGULARS 3-11 News 12 race torque 13 GUNTRIP 14 Dirty torque 15 Editorial 23 QUAD TORQUE 25 Book sales 40 e-Torque 43 LETTERS

Cover photos: Husqvarna by O’Connell, Victory by Paterson

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NEWS torque

New Ducati Superbike

The new Ducati 1199 Superquadro: 195bhp twin.

Patent drawing of the Panigale.

DUCATI’S new-generation superbike will be called the 1199 Panigale, and it represents a massive departure in both engine and chassis design from the 1198 and earlier Desmoquattro predecessors.

The Panigale will be unveiled at the upcoming EICMA show in Milan. The new machine, uses a frameless design heavily based on the 2011 MotoGP Desmosedici.

Gone is the trellis frame, replaced by a rigid airbox from which the engine and front end are attached.

Its brand new V-twin 1200cc engine – called the Superquadro – produces 195bhp, some 15 horsepower more than the current 1198R, and weight is rumoured to be a scant 176kg wet.

Designers were given the task of producing more power and torque for the Panigale engine but also to reduce servicing costs, with major services being extended to 24,000 kilometres.

While the cylinders are still 90 degrees apart, the engine itself has been rotated rearwards a further six degrees, allowing the engine to be placed 32mm further forward for better weight distribution and to allow

the heads to lineup with the monocoque/ airbox attachment points. A number of interesting new ideas, for Ducati, feature on the Superquadro engine. Nikasil-coated aluminium wet liners enable the head and barrels to be better ‘tied’ to the crankcases.

And inside those crankcases lies a MotoGP style vacuum pump which maintains a constant vacuum below the pistons to liberate a little more horsepower. The massive 67.5mm oval throttle bodies are operated by a ride-by-wire system. A wet clutch is used, but the big departure from the norm for Ducati is the camshafts are driven by a chain/gear set up, the first time a Ducati engine has not used belt or bevel driven camshafts.

Desmosedici carbon airbox. this route or use more cost effective alloy.

Certainly the biggest gripe Rossi and Nicky Hayden – and before them Casey Stoner – have is with feel. The general consensus is the carbon fibre airbox is too rigid.

As we go to press there are no official photos of the complete bike but Ducati has released a preview video with Bayliss riding. Of course the bike is suitably blurred, and the action shots far enough away that you don’t get a clear look at it. Check out the spy pic though, it’s got a very sleek rear, and mufflers exiting under the engine and a new fairing shape.

Ducati enthusiasts hoping to see Carlos Checa do the double on the new Panigale will have to wait though. In 2012 superbike teams running the Italian machines will have While the current racing frameless design to make do with a 2012 version of the 1198. has proven to be a difficult beast to tame Some industry insiders feel Ducati is going by even the great Valentino Rossi, former down the wrong path with the frameless world superbike champ Troy Bayliss said design because of the handling issues with after testing the Panigale, “Been a while the Desmosedici. MotoGP machines are a but anyone worried about the new Ducati vastly different beast to road bikes, and even Superbike need not, [I] matched my best Superbike racers. If Bayliss reckons it’s right time ever in the arvo when track is bit slower.” there’s a good chance it is.

While the MotoGP racer uses carbon fibre We can’t wait to ride one. for the airbox it’s not known if Ducati will go November 2011 – 5

Triumph’s new

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adventure 1200?

Traction for R1

TRIUMPH will soon be taking on the existing big bore adventure hierarchy with a 1200cc version of it’s Tiger 800.

The totally new engine designed by Triumph will be shared with the Triumph Trophy tourer. The expected launch for the Triumph Tiger 1200 adventure and Trophy 1200 tourer is said to be late 2011 or early 2012.

Using a three-cylinder big bore engine, 20+ litre tank plus the rumoured possibility of shaft drive, the Triumph Tiger 1200 will definitely pack a lot of punch exerting a power output of around 150hp. Seeing development costs of the new engine would have been expensive, it’s highly likely we’ll see this engine in use in other

Triumphs in the future.

Spy photos show many of the Tiger 800’s styling cues, such as the frame and wheels, have been used on the 1200 but the tank is much larger.

There is still a cloud of mystery over the name of Triumph’s latest adventure creation.

Both 1200 Adventurer (UK) and 1200 Tiger (AUS) are being used to label the bike.

Triumph has two versions of the Tiger 800, with the ‘XC’ more off-road oriented.

Hopefully the 1200 model will get an ‘XC’ version too.

– Daniel Alderson

Back in ’Nam

IN 2009 Yamaha released the Crossplane crank equipped R1, making an inline four cylinder engine sound and feel like a V4, just the same as Valentino Rossi’s then MotoGP mount.

For 2012 Yamaha has gone all techno on us and fitted a seven stage traction control system, similar to that found on a number of other large capacity sports machines. This is in addition to the three stage power maps the bike came out with in 2009.

While the look of the bike has changed slightly, the engine is unchanged (except for new ECU) as is the suspension.

To celebrate 50 years of competing in grand prix racing Yamaha will release 2000 examples worldwide of the R1 in red/white. These collectable bikes will have an engraved plate on them just so you know it’s a bit special.

It’s unknown how many of these red/white versions will come to Australia but if you want one get into your Yamaha dealer pronto.

NOT content to just sit around Cycle Torque has decided to go motorcycle touring in Vietnam in 2012. And the best thing is you are welcome to come along.

AUSTRALIAN owned Vietnam Motorbike Tours is hosting a special six day tour for Cycle Torque from February 20-25.

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 60km/h or lower which makes for a relaxed tour and a chance to take in the truly amazing countryside.

2010/11 model Lifan cruisers are used on the tour. They are a full-sized 6 – November 2011

bikes, well-suited for western riders and offer excellent comfort.

All bikes have luggage racks and come with in-country third-party insurance. All are kept in very good condition and serviced/safetychecked before each tour. Good clean open face helmets are also provided.

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 3rd party insurance, helmet, guide translator, support vehicle for larger groups, mechanical repairs and back to base support.

If you want to come along call the Cycle Torque 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.cycletorque.com.au/more or email Jason at info@vietnammotorbiketours.com for more info.

New SHAD Carbon SH48

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sets the trend An exclusive innovation from SHAD, that turns the new top case SH48 into a reference for the whole market.

• Minimum weight – the lightest top case in the top of the line category • Maximum capacity – 2 full face helmets SHAD rAnge

SH29

SH33

SH40

SH40C

SH42

SH43

SH50

FreedoM to Move Fitting kits available for most models – see website for full listing

November 2011 – 7

MOTONATIONAL ACCESSORIES • TOLL FREE 1300 885 355 • WWW.MOTONATIONAL.COM.AU

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Red LAMS

SMALL TORQUE promotions, featuring Rocker and Mod bands and special guest DJ’s

HONDA Australia is offering some great deals and Honda Dollars cash back incentives on selected LAMS models.

Check out www.hondamotorcycles.com.au.

Ticket time TICKETS for the Phillip Island round of the World Superbike Championship have gone on sale. The event is on February 24-26.

Go to www.worldsbk.com.au or call 1300 728 007.

Ducati Dominate NOT only did Carlos Checa win his first WSBK title but that win also brought down the curtain on an amazing year for Ducati. In addition to Checa’s title the Italian company won its 17th Manufacturers’ World Superbike Championship plus the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Rider’s and Manufacturers’ titles.

Trials KIWI Jake Whittaker has upset the locals, winning the 2011 Australian Moto Trials Championship in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

Western Australian Neil Price was the best of the Australian riders, finishing in second ahead of fellow Trials des Nations teammate Kyle Middleton from New South Wales.

Krisite McKinnon claimed her third Australian Championship, winning the Women’s title ahead of defending champ Michelle Coleman.

Turkey shoot GET Routed’s trip to Turkey in 2011 was so successful the company has decided to run another tour in 2012. The 2012 shipment already has 11 bikes booked with deposits paid and there’s room for plenty more.

This year everyone in the shipment had a great time touring various routes in South East Europe and riding back to the UK - from where the bikes were shipped home - some in July and some in September.

They all had their own individual routes planned and some travelled in small groups whilst others did their own individual thing.

2015 is the 100 year anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli and Get Routed is gearing up to ship 200 bikes to Turkey that year.

Anyone wanting more info about the Get Routed 2012 Turkey bike shipment can call Maggie or Dave on 03 9351 0612 or email dave@ getrouted.com.au.

Celebrating the Z1 THE Kawasaki Z Owners Club (Vic) is holding a three day Rally to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the world release of the Kawasaki Z1, to be held on March 1-4 2012. The Rally, which will be located just north of Melbourne, falls the weekend after the World Super Bikes, and it is open to all Z owners and enthusiasts. Incorporating a Mad Max Movie location ride day, public open day, displays and various accommodation options, it promises to be a fitting tribute to ‘The King’. For further info and registration costs, contact Rally Organiser, Lex Piper l.piper@optusnet.com.au.

Rock me THE TON-UP-BOYS motorcycle club is holding this year’s ‘Ride With The Rockers 2011’ on Sunday, 6th November.

The day will begin at 8.15am at Harry’s Café De Wheels - Tempe, for the casual group ride of classic bikes and scooters heading south via the National Park and for a brief stop at Bald Hill, before returning up Bulli Pass and the Old Pacific Hwy. The day will continue on back at the Jets Club at Tempe for the lunch break and the informal classic bike and scooter display, from 1pm.

This will continue with the after ride party presented by Barfly 8 – November 2011

spinning the best in ’50s and ’60s tunes.

All welcome. Door charge $5.

New Pirelli tyres PIRELLI Australia has sone great new compounds for its Diablo Superbike SC slicks road racing tyres.

Three different compounds for the new 200/60R-17 slick have been developed via WSBK and the British Superbike Championship.

The new tyre is wider and with a higher profile for optimal grip and handling, with a larger footprint at all lean angles. Pirelli’s new Special Compounds (SC) have now increased durability, so you can race on a softer compound than before and for longer races. The SC1 in particular now works over a broader temperature range and on a broader range of track surfaces.

On the road front the Angel ST sport touring tyre has a new 190/50ZR17(N) tyre which has been specifically developed for bikes like the Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Yamaha R1. The ‘N’ version is in addition to the regular 190/50ZR-17 which is for bikes like the GSX1400 and Hyabusa.

MV prices MV AGUSTA Imports is leaving no stone unturned in getting Aussie riders on new MVs. The price on the new F4 tested in this issue (see Cycle Torque video at www.cycletorque.com.au) is down from $25,800 ride away to $24,990. If you want a naked MV you can buy the Brutale R 1090 for only $19,990 ride away, and the Brutale 920 for $17,990 ride away. The current models are fantastic bikes and they have never been this cheap. Check them out at your local MV Agusta dealer or visit www.mvagustaimports.com.au.

Race Face SUZUKI Australia has extended its popular contingency program, Suzuki Support Rider (SSR), to include the Under 19s class of the upcoming 2011 Australasian Supercross Championship. At each round of the 2011 Australasian Supercross Championship, Suzuki Support Riders competing in Pro Open, Pro Lites and Under 19s classes can claim contingency for: – Highest placed SSR Privateer (Within overall Top 20) $500.

– Second highest placed SSR Privateer (Within overall Top 20) $250.

– Third highest placed SSR Privateer (Within overall Top 20) $125.

Toy time THE famous Newcastle Toy Run is into it’s 34th year and this year it is going to be a little different. “Due to the popularity and growth of the toy run, we need to change the starting point for the toy run allowing us to continue under police escort and with green lights provided by the R.T.A”, said organiser of the Toy Run, Big John Young.

After consulting the R.T.A, N.S.W Police Service and relevant councils the new starting point for the Toy Run will be the Ferry Terminal at Griffith Park, Stockton. Departing at 10am, December 4, the new ride will travel along the Newcastle Harbour Foreshore, over the Stockton Bridge, Kooragang Island, Industrial Drive, Honeysuckle Drive and Wharf Road. The ride will end at the normal finish point, Newcastle Foreshore to deliver the gifts to Newcastle and the Hunter’s underprivileged children.

The new run is around 25km compared to the previous runs which were only 12km long.

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Dungey to KTM

DIRTY NEWS

MULTI AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey has signed for the Red Bull KTM factory race team for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Updated enduro

Team manager Roger DeCoster and Dungey dominated the sport throughout 2009 and 2010 so as a team they are more than formidable.

“I am really happy to have Ryan join our team, he and I have worked together for several years so we know each other well. Our past should help us get the best out of each other and put us in position to be legit championship contenders in the big bike class,” commented DeCoster. “Everyone at the factory and here on the U.S. side is very excited to start working with Ryan and see where the future will take us.”

YAMAHA’S WR450F has received the first major update since 2007.

Dungey has already tested the new KTMs and will be 450 mounted.

Back then Geoff Ballard had a massive hand in developing the new bike which really benefited from his expertise. Ballard has again lent a hand to the Japanese designers so that Australian buyers got a bike which works in Australian terrain.

Short back to Honda

A new alloy bilateral beam frame has been used and is very similar to FORMER factory Honda rider Andrew Short has confirmed he is the frame seen on the new YZ250F motocrosser. leaving Red Bull KTM to join Jeremy McGrath and Larry Brooks The twin chamber forks also have a lot of DNA from the YZ series, with who have started their own factory backed Honda team.

Yamaha saying the suspension is designed to absorb big hits while Short rode for Honda for the best part of a decade before signing still performing well in tight turns. with KTM for the 2011 season. “I’m departing Red Bull and KTM, and I want to thank those guys,” Short said. “It was a good year, but I’m really The big WR is now also fuel injected, which can be tuned with the use excited to go back to Honda to work with some old and some new of the hand held portable Power Tuner device, the same unit used by people, Honda is a great bike and I’m looking forward to getting some loads of YZ450F owners. It is interesting that Yamaha has seen fit not to use the rear facing head seen on the YZ450F though. holeshots again.”

“And I’m looking forward to working with Larry and Jeremy. Jeremy There’s also a host of minor changes in the engine, a new 7.2 litre tank was always my hero growing up, and still is to this day, and Larry, and of course styling. who has been very successful in the past.”

You can get your hands on a new WR450F in early 2012 but if you can’t Short’s first full season on the AMA motocross and supercross scene wait until then you can at least look at one at the Sydney Motorcycle was back in 2002 so next year will see the 27-year-old sneaking into Expo in November (see story on page 4). Yamaha is also doing run out deals on 2011 model WR450Fs, with up to $1000 Yamadollars, a free his second decade on the championship circuit. pit tent and jet washer.

Short will be contesting both the AMA Supercross and Motocross

Leok joins Desalle at Suzuki ESTONIAN Tanel Leok has signed for the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team to contest the 2012 FIM MX1 World Motocross Championship and will join Clement Desalle who has signed for his third season on the works RM-Z450.

Clement Desalle led six of the first seven rounds of the 2011 campaign, winning four races in total but unfortunately finished the year injured.

At this stage though he looks fit for 2012. “Of course I’m happy to be with the team for another year, we work very well together and that has shown in the results since we started in 2010,” said Desalle.

“I already made my decision some time ago and I have a great feeling with the RM-Z450 so there was not much difficulty in thinking about 2012. We have been close to doing something really good on two occasions now so I want to get fit and get my mind on 2012 as soon as possible.” Tanel Leok has been drafted into the team as a second rider and is no stranger to winning GPs. “It was a great feeling to get the offer from Suzuki and it is also special for me because it is with the company and group that I made my breakthrough. I had some good results in 2004 at a young age and I can remember how nice that Suzuki was to race. I have a good chance for next season and it is very motivating. I cannot wait.”

November 2011 – 9

NOVEMBER 2011 - 15

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2012 GUNTRIP Gas Gas Brit champion to Aussie Honda Team GOING LOCAL

SOLO Motorcycle Imports is about to get the first shipment of the all new 2012 EC two-stroke EC250 and EC300.

CARLTON Dry Honda stood ThorinRacing has inked awould deal fiwith British Brad t. I kicked off byrider hauling myself down Much work has gone into the 2012 models: new RESIDENT Motorcycle silent reproach all to Sydney and visiting one of the bigger stores winter, the thin fi lm of dust collecting on tank and Anderson to contest the Australian MX Nationals in 2012. perimeter frame, three-component polymer subframe, around, where the helpful bloke behind the seat disturbed only as I squeezed past or fumbled counter toldBilly me with some hesitation for balance while gropingofbeneath the sump for Kawasaki a Anderson is the cousin Monster Energy rider Mackenzie and that they cylinder, body work, seat, graphics, air box, fuel tank, didn’t sell tools. Phenomenal, I thought. I had no dropped screwdriver. A spider took up residence recently his second British MX1 Championship well motorcycle as the Red idea theas modern had Bull reached such aclutch, Sachs shock, linkage system, and the list goes on. beneathwon the headlight, the tyres began to turn blue high peak of mechanical perfection. and the seat ultimately became a repository for Pro Nationals.

Not far up the street I tried again at a slightly Both the EC250 and EC300E should be available in diagrams of various projects I thought I might take a ashy recent joint, where we went through at –15 andfinishes probably didn’t.

Twolook top against the world’s best less at flthe Motocross of the late November but at this stage prices are yet to be whole identification boogie about GSFs and It couldn’t last, of course, and eventually the Nations have sought-after rider.

“Winning the British GSXs. Needless to say I came away with the confirmed.

RTA did whatmade it does the best,28-year-old it concentrated a the wrong thing butbut it was hardly the fault of the mind wonderfully bythe reminding me that I didn’t Championship and Red Bull ProifNationals was amazing I was looking Specification has not been finalised either, but Solo 19-year-old who served me. For one thing I renew my registration fairly briskly my automotive for autonomy a new challenge, Anderson. the cheery clatter of spanners competing with a will be couldn’t persuade him of the existence of a 750 Imports Bandit and would soon” said become a thing of the past. are hoping the Australian models badly tuned transistor radio coming from within. in the scant minutes we had to tackle the problem; Guilt consumed me. It’s all very well to trundle “Racing in Australia last year was terrific and I am really excited to be coming equipped Öhlins 888 It with was anan encouraging start.rear shock and Marzocchi second, and far more importantly, I couldn’t give him down to the local garage and ask for a pink slip but back joining CarltonMotorcycle, Dry Honda race the championship”, said (and later48 Another 19-year-old, this theentire plug number, which I could have did)mm twin notand exactly fair on Resident is it, to to expect chamber forks. time with a slightly different form of acne, regarded me with suspicion sort out myself with five minutes on the Internet. a thumb applied to starter button to banish a full Anderson before adding, “It is a big move, myself, my wife Hayley and my from behind the counter.

But I got there in the end, finding the right spanner season’s neglect. dog So, willa little be over for the new yearMotorcycle and we’re much looking forward “Any chance of a pink slip on a motorcycle?” at a little hole-in-the-corner place atto the next town TLC. Battery first.

Resident is very “Um, no. Not really, no.” up the hill from our place. So one way and another it a grey import and came without an owner’s manual, what 2012 brings.”

“Would there be a reason for that?” took less than a week to liberate the plugs from the leaving me deficient in certain particulars of its specification. The battery the bike came with rattles about in the under-seat recess, and while it’s never failed to deliver a charge when required, I thought this might be the opportunity to find the right item.

So I rang a Sydney dealer.

“Look, um, I’m looking for a battery for my GSF750 Suzuki. I know it’s – “ “No difficulty there, chum. We’ve got GSX and GSX-R750s coming out of our ears. We’re a Suzuki dealer.”

“Ah, no. The bike’s GSF750, not a GSX.” “You mean a GSX750F? No problem, got those too.”

It was a developing theme. Next, after ransacking the shed I came reluctantly to the conclusion that I needed a long-reach plug spanner. None of mine

10 – November 2011

dark recesses of the head castings without removing “Brad has been on our the tank and making very little use of Band-Aids sinceUnfortunately, he came the over toradar the knuckles. plug spanner I bought that actually fi tted had no rubber last year and rode so well insert to push snugly over the top electrode and, lacking a at Raymond Terrace, suitable pair of long-nose pliers, I his ended up having to loosen the plugs with one spanner and lift them out work ethic and dedication with another. But you get that – I do, anyway. fits next theobstacle team was well we able and The to fiand nd a garage willing to do me a pink slip.

More difficult than it are eager to start working might seem. The first place I tried apparently decide with the hours British champion their opening by going to a medium and consulting the the spirits2012 of garage proprietors long dead, ahead of season, ” then dividing the result by their birthdays and then Championship spokesman multiplying by the phases of the moon. Still, one bright morning I did find their doors flung wide open Yarrive Konsky.

“Well, we’ve just reopened and we’re a bit chockers.

Can you come back in, say, a fortnight?”

I came back in a fortnight. They were closed.

I wound up going back to the place where I’d found the correct plug spanner. The bloke behind the counter here looked as though he should have been panhandling in Devonshire Street tunnel – ancient, wispy beard, overalls with a full generation of oil stains. I told him my tale and we walked out to the bike. “Ah,√ì he said,” eyebrows lifting. “Bandit 750.

We don’t see many of these – once or twice a year at most.” He looked at me with amusement. “Bet you haven’t got a manual for it,” he said.

That’ll teach me.

– Bob Guntrip

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Sydney Show This Month THE Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show will this year be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday 25 – Sunday 27 November 2011.

See over 115 exhibitors displaying all the latest motorcycles, motorcycle accessories, services related to the motorcycle industry (such as motorcycle insurance) and much more.

Cycle Torque will have a stand at the show where you can buy motorcycle books and check out the giveaway Yamaha YZF-R15. You can enter the competition at our stand. Cycle Torque will also have our CB1100R replica Honda Super Blackbird.

Stewart to JDR Motorsports

The show will provide an opportunity for the experienced or first-time rider to compare features and price with expert assistance readily available. It’s set to be a huge show so don’t miss it!

JDR/J-Star/KTM’s American team recently announced that Malcolm Stewart would be part of their 2012 AMA Motocross and Supercross team.

Entry costs are $20 for adults, $14 for seniors and kids 5-15. You can buy family tickets too.

Stewart, the younger brother of self confessed ‘fastest man on the planet’ James Stewart will join PJ Larsen and expat Aussie Matt Moss to compete aboard the 2012 KTM 250SX-F in the AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships.

Check out www.cycletorque.com.au/more for more information.

Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to see the new Panigale and Tiger 1200 there.

“Malcolm has been on our radar since his first holeshot last year in the AMA East Supercross Lites Series,” commented team manager Nathan Ramsey. “He is a tough competitor and isn’t scared to hang it out. We are looking forward to helping him progress in the series and hope to see some podium finishes from him in the 2012 season.”

Ducati’s 848 Streetfighter

Shining Shineray Cycle Torque Project Bike

It’s nice and new. Won’t stay that way for long though, the dirt beckons.

WITH the success of the 1198 powered Streetfighter it was only a matter of time before an 848 version was released.

Style wise the two Streetfighters look similar but the 848 Streetfighter will actually be smaller in stature, as well as engine size, than the open class version.

The racier 848 has proven to be very popular with buyers and for good reason as it’s a fantastic piece of kit. In many ways we think the 848 Streetfighter will be a better road machine than its sibling, especially with its user friendly wet clutch. Traction control is also a feature.

Ducati hasn’t said how many specific models there will be but you can expect an ‘S’ version at least, with possibly an ‘R’ as well at a later date?

CYCLE Torque has a new project bike in the stable, this time an While we won’t hold our breath for the ‘R’ version we won’t die off-roader. And it’s a Chinese made machine, a first for us. wondering about the price. In Australia the bike will retail for We tested a couple of Shineray XY250GY-2 MX machines last December $18,990 + ORC with a two year unlimited kilometre warranty, as and came away surprised at the quality and performance of them. And well as a two year/24 hour rider assist. n this wasn’t a couple of wobblers riding around the paddock. We put our MX tester Todd Reed on one, and our road racer Alex Pickett on the other. While their off-road riding ability world’s apart, one thing both riders agreed on was that bikes were much better than they expected.

We’ve managed to get a road registered enduro version of the XY250GY-2 and will see how it stacks up over the coming months. We’ll ride it in the bush and on the road, with a keen eye on how reliable it is over that period because we feel that’s the major stumbling block for many buyers out there. We’ll also have a bit of a play with the bike, fitting it with some accessories and the like. But first check out a full test of the Shineray in an upcoming issue of Cycle Torque.

You can visit www.zuma.com.au if you can’t wait until then.

– Chris Pickett

November 2011 – 11

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RACE TORQUE

Jarno Saarinen GP Genius Question: Valentino, you’re a keen student of motorcycle grand prix history. Who are your favourite riders from the past, and what do you know of Jarno Saarinen?

off-road racing techniques to the tar. Before Saarinen, road racers who had grown up in scrambles or dirt-track eschewed their offroad education once they raced on asphalt, and followed the classic style of wide, arcing lines, wheels kept in perfect alignment, sitting straight in the seat.

Valentino Rossi: My favourite riders are Schwantz, Rainey, Hailwood and Sheene. Saarinen was one of the strongest riders Saarinen sometimes rode an ice from the past.

Stuck on 105 victories, Valentino racer not with the customary Rossi is likely to miss out on steel spiked tyres, but stubbier eclipsing Giacomo Agostini’s studs that allowed the bike record of 122 grands prix wins, to move around. He became and some observers may now accustomed to the bike sliding start questioning the popular around, dragging his knee view that Rossi is the greatest on the ice to steady the bike whilst learning the importance rider of all time (G.O.A.T). of throttle control. With the Rossi is certainly the most emergence of snappy two-stroke successful rider of his era, but road racers through the ’60s, how would he really have gone Saarinen was able to successfully against Kenny Roberts, Mick parlay his ice racing style to Doohan or Wayne Rainey at their road racing. The instant power peak, or Ago and Mike Hailwood response of the more powerful at the Isle of Man? Then there two-stroke engines allowed him is seven-time GP world champ to get on the power early, and Phil Read, who never seems his hard riding style meant that appear on the short list of when the bike moved around G.O.A.T candidates, a fact that beneath him, he didn’t mind, rankles him. To win one world jumping kerbs and dragging his championship is legend, to win knee in the corners. seven, well, there are no words As an engineer, Saarinen for that. understood that motorcycles But the winning success that were very top-heavy vehicles Read enjoyed in the 500cc class with a rider perched on top. with MV Agusta in 1973 and ’74 He thus angled his clip-on may never have happened. How handlebars steeply, which forced so? A new bike and a new kind of him to keep his torso low on racer would forever change the the tank and forward in both a face of GP racing in 1973, and straight line and corners to keep the riding style he brought is the the COG as low as possible. By template which Rossi, and those the early 1970s, the world had who came before him, still use the prototype rider for the 21st today. century which was adopted by Jarno Saarinen. The name will Kenny Robert and hence every be familiar to many including world champion ever since.

Valentino Rossi and Enzo Trulli, After debuting in the 1970 who was a huge fan of Saarinen.

German 250cc GP, where 1969 In 1974, Enzo named his son world champ Kel Carruthers Jarno – Jarno Trulli. witnessed his speed and potential Born in Turku, Finland in first hand, Saarinen won the 1945, Saarinen was a Finnish 1972 world 250cc championship engineering graduate who would with some factory support from win the Finnish ice race and road Yamaha, and had the world at race championships, becoming his feet. He was signed by the the first rider to successfully bring Yamaha factory to spearhead its 12 – November 2011

groundbreaking water-cooled, twostroke four-cylinder YZR500 that would eventually break the stranglehold of the all dominant MV four-strokes, ironically in the hands of Agostini, not Jarno.

To say Saarinen was dominant in 1973 is an understatement.

At the ’73 Daytona 200 in March, Saarinen won by 38 seconds from Yamaha TZ350 team-mate and his crew chief for the week Kel Carruthers, having slowed from a 50-second lead late in the race.

At the Imola 200 in April, he won the first 100-mile (160.544km) leg from Bruno Spaggiari (Ducati) by over 40 seconds and the second leg from Walter Villa (Kawasaki) by 34 seconds.

His winning margins in the first three 250cc grands prix of 1973 were 28, 13 and 22 seconds.

These days if a MotoGP rider wins by five seconds the roar of accolades is quite deafening.

Despite his dominance and the attendant rewards that would come his way, Saarinen said that he didn’t intend to race for much longer. In a revealing snippet published in an interview conducted by veteran scribe John Brown in early 1973, Jarno said: “Racing is risky and when you have to race all the time like I have to, this risk grows. For two, three years, even four, it is possible to keep racing without getting badly hurt or even killed. After that, the odds start to shorten. I have no intention of racing many more years. Another two or three at the most.” So Jarno had planned to retire in 1975 or ’76 at the latest when he would be 30.

At the opening 500cc grand prix of the year at Paul Ricard, Saarinen, in his 500cc race debut on the new Yamaha YZR500, defeated the MV Agusta of Read by 16 seconds after his MV teammate Ago had fallen trying to About five months after this interview, however, Saarinen catch the lightning fast Finn. was killed in a horrific crash on Jarno increased the gap at a wet the first lap of the 250cc Italian and cold Salzburgring, finishing Grand Prix on May 20, 1973, 25 seconds ahead of his Yamaha just when he was on the cusp team-mate Hideo Kanaya. Big of true greatness. His legacy, wins weren’t uncommon in the his brilliance should never be era, but there was something forgotten. quite different about this hard– Darryl Flack riding 500 debutante.

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Going local

GUNTRIP

RESIDENT Motorcycle stood in silent reproach all winter, the thin film of dust collecting on tank and seat disturbed only as I squeezed past or fumbled for balance while groping beneath the sump for a dropped screwdriver. A spider took up residence beneath the headlight, the tyres began to turn blue and the seat ultimately became a repository for diagrams of various projects I thought I might take a look at – and probably didn’t.

It couldn’t last, of course, and eventually the RTA did what it does best, it concentrated the mind wonderfully by reminding me that if I didn’t renew my registration fairly briskly my automotive autonomy would soon become a thing of the past.

Guilt consumed me. It’s all very well to trundle down to the local garage and ask for a pink slip but not exactly fair on Resident Motorcycle, is it, to expect a thumb applied to starter button to banish a full season’s neglect.

So, a little TLC. Battery first. Resident Motorcycle is a grey import and came without an owner’s manual, leaving me deficient in certain particulars of its specification. The battery the bike came with rattles about in the under-seat recess, and while it’s never failed to deliver a charge when required, I thought this might be the opportunity to find the right item. So I rang a Sydney dealer.

GSXs. Needless to say I came away with the wrong thing but it was hardly the fault of the 19-year-old who served me. For one thing I couldn’t persuade him of the existence of a 750 Bandit in the scant minutes we had to tackle the problem; second, and far more importantly, I couldn’t give him the plug number, which I could have (and later did) sort out myself with five minutes on the Internet.

“Look, um, I’m looking for a battery for my But I got there in the end, finding the GSF750 Suzuki. I know it’s – “ right spanner at a little hole-in-the-corner “No difficulty there, chum. We’ve got GSX place at the next town up the hill from and GSX-R750s coming out of our ears. our place. So one way and another it took We’re a Suzuki dealer.” less than a week to liberate the plugs from “Ah, no. The bike’s GSF750, not a GSX.” the dark recesses of the head castings “You mean a GSX750F? No problem, got without removing the tank and making very little use of Band-Aids to the knuckles. those too.”

Unfortunately, the plug spanner I bought It was a developing theme. Next, after that actually fitted had no rubber insert to ransacking the shed I came reluctantly to the push snugly over the top electrode and, conclusion that I needed a long-reach plug lacking a suitable pair of long-nose pliers, I spanner. None of mine would fit. I kicked ended up having to loosen the plugs with off by hauling myself down to Sydney and one spanner and lift them out with another. visiting one of the bigger stores around, But you get that – I do, anyway. where the helpful bloke behind the counter told me with some hesitation that they The next obstacle was to find a garage didn’t sell tools. Phenomenal, I thought. I able and willing to do me a pink slip. More had no idea the modern motorcycle had difficult than it might seem. The first place reached such a high peak of mechanical I tried apparently decide their opening hours by going to a medium and consulting perfection. the spirits of garage proprietors long dead, Not far up the street I tried again at a slightly then dividing the result by their birthdays less flashy joint, where we went through the and then multiplying by the phases of the whole identification boogie about GSFs and

moon. Still, one bright morning I did find their doors flung wide open and the cheery clatter of spanners competing with a badly tuned transistor radio coming from within.

It was an encouraging start.

Another 19-year-old, this time with a slightly different form of acne, regarded me with suspicion from behind the counter.

“Any chance of a pink slip on a motorcycle?”

“Um, no. Not really, no.”

“Would there be a reason for that?”

“Well, we’ve just reopened and we’re a bit chockers. Can you come back in, say, a fortnight?”

I came back in a fortnight. They were closed.

I wound up going back to the place where I’d found the correct plug spanner. The bloke behind the counter here looked as though he should have been panhandling in Devonshire Street tunnel – ancient, wispy beard, overalls with a full generation of oil stains. I told him my tale and we walked out to the bike. “Ah,√ì he said,” eyebrows lifting.

“Bandit 750. We don’t see many of these – once or twice a year at most.” He looked at me with amusement. “Bet you haven’t got a manual for it,” he said.

That’ll teach me.

– Bob Guntrip

November 2011 – 13

DIRTY TORQUE

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KTM takes on the world – Pt I WITH the signing of AMA National Motocross and Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey the final and integral piece of a worldwide puzzle has just dropped into place for KTM’s assault on the 2012 international motocross and supercross scene. So let’s look at how KTM has set itself to take on the world.

Before I dribble on about KTM’s current gazillion dollar push to gain international dominance in motocross and supercross I want to give credit to the many previous ‘efforts’. And let me tell you, KTM has been having a fair crack at winning championships to gain retail market share for as many years as I can remember.

K T M dominates the World Motocross In 1953 KTM started building motorcycles Championships right now. but it took just under 20 years for the In Australia the journey for KTM has been a Austrian manufacturer to have a crack at little more chequered. From memory I can racing motocross at an international level only think of South Australian motocross and it only had to wait until 1974 before it champion Andy Haydon flying the flag for won its first world championship when the KTM back in the ’80s while yank import tough Russian Guennady Moisseev took the Jimmy Ellis won at least one 500cc Australian World 250cc Motocross Championship.

Motocross Championship (1984 I think) In 1977 Moisseev was at the top of a rare as well as a heap of regional and one-off 1-2-3 ahead of teammates Vladimir Kavinov national races on a KTM. and Andr¬é Malherbe for his second 250cc In the early ’90s a series called the Thumper world championship and backed that up Nationals was formed and KTM instantly put with his third championship for KTM in 1978. former Queensland Motocross Champion This guy is a dead set legend of the sport.

David Armstrong to work on a very The beauty of the world championship competitive KTM 620SC and ‘Army’ stuck the during this time is that other brands like big white rig at the front of the pack more Puch, CZ, Zundapp, Maico and Husqvarna often than not (I know this personally coz I were winning GPs and championships while spent the year chasing the prick around on Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha were still finding a KLX650R). their feet, but learning fast.

Lyndon Heffernen also turned in a few After Moisseev retired Dutch rider Kees van successful years on KTM to win a couple der Ven won 17 250cc and 500cc Grand Prix of Thumper Nats titles before the factory on KTM machinery between 1981 and 1987 teams got involved with the whole Thumper while the big Austrian Heinz Kinigadner won Nat scene. the 1984 and 1985 World 250cc Motocross In fact, in 1996 or 1997 KTM hired the Championships on the then all-white KTMs. former world number two Jeff Leisk and Expat yank Trampas Parker took KTM a young Craig Anderson to put the now to its maiden 125cc World Motocross orange KTMs on the motocross map here Championship in 1989 while Bobby Moore, in Australia and that garnered a couple of Mike Healey, Jacket Martens and Kurt Nicoll National Motocross and Thumper National all kept the KTM machines at the pointy end titles for ‘Ando’. of the field in all three world championship The Castrol KTM team then had success with classes between 1989 and 1992.

Troy Carroll swinging off a very competitive Kiwi legend Shayne King was the next KTM KTM 250SX before the Motorex KTM team World Champion in 1996 on a KTM 360 was formed with Ryan Marmont dominating two-stroke before the likes of Joel Smets, 2004 Australian Motocross Championships Grant Langston, Steve Ramon, James Dobb, on the new KTM 250SX-F. Yves Demaria, Tyla Rattray, Ben Townley, And now KTM has the JDR Motorex team and Sven Breugelmans, Antonio Cairoli, Marvin they are racking up race and championship Musquin and Ken Roczen all added to KTM’s wins left, right and centre with the likes of Tye World Championship tally.

Simmonds, PJ Larsen, Matt Moss, Brenden 14 – November 2011

Harrison, Ryan Marmont, Dan Reardon and Josh Cachia pulling the throttle on world class machinery over the last two seasons.

The increased sales figure for KTM motocrossers around Australia shows that the old adage of ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ still stands the test of time for some brands.

So, the final challenge is the biggest potential market in gross sales worldwide. America. To date KTM’s only national championship was back in 2003 when South African Grant Langston won the AMA 125cc Motocross Championship on a fire breathing KTM 125SX. That’s it, full stop! Amazingly KTM was absolutely nowhere in America when it dominated in Europe back in the late ’70s and ’80s. And despite recent worldwide success Americans still struggle to recognise KTM as a viable brand when it comes time to pulling the ‘greenbacks’ out of their wallet.

And it hasn’t been for the lack of trying on a local racing front either. Brett Metcalfe, Ryan Hughes, Jeremy McGrath and more recently Mike Alessi and Andrew Short to name a few have all been part of KTM America’s racing program.

So, here we are looking towards the 2012 season, with Dungey, Roczen and Musquin riding orange this could be the season that KTM finally sits at the top of the standings in the most prestigious championships in the motocross and supercross world, the AMA Supercross Championships and the AMA Motocross Championships.

KTM has signed Ryan Dungey for the next two seasons and the best news for KTM fans is that it was Roger DeCoster that gave Dungey his first gig at Suzuki while he was head man there so these two have serious race winning history...

So look out world, the ‘Orange Army’ is about to strike in America...

Next month I’ll pull out my crystal ball out of… um… gear bag and will give an insight into KTM’s world wide assault for 2012 is really shaping up.

– Darren Smart

EDITORIAL

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JAM production ramps up. There’s no doubt the world is hurting financially although Australia seems to be less affected. If there’s less people putting up the money then it’s harder for Norton to get a roll on I suppose.

SOMETIMES it’s hard to be excited about new bikes. In the last few years since the GFC kicked off there’s been less ‘groundbreaking’ new models than usual, so our excitement levels have been a bit low.

You could argue we get to ride many different motorcycles, surely much more than the average motorcycle enthusiast, and this is one of the reasons we get a bit blasé about it all.

looks to have a comfy riding position and everything I’ve read about the bike says the engine is strong enough for its market sector, as is its handling.

A friend of mine put down a deposit on a new Norton some two years or so ago. Not that long ago Norton contacted him and asked for the balance to be paid in full, still without a confirmation of a delivery date. And seeing there is no Aussie distributor he’s not likely to get one any time soon. Of course he told Norton where to shove the money but also stated he still wanted a bike and wanted them to keep his deposit.

Since the GFC– they say we are heading for another GFC but I didn’t think the world had come out of the previous one– there have been few avant-garde motorcycles released.

Plenty of the new bikes are rehashed older I find it ridiculous Norton would do business in models which could be termed Just Another this way but then again maybe the company Motorcycle, or JAM for short. is hurting. It’s a shame, there’s been so much Some of the more recent bikes I’ve been promise but nothing delivered. excited about riding were the first crossplane Why has no Australian company put up its crank Yamaha R1, Triumph’s Tiger 800, the hand to bring the Nortons in? Perhaps there latest generation BMW R 1200 GS and the is one in the pipeline, we’ve heard nothing S 1000 RR, Aprilia’s RSV4 and the Tuono V4. though.

There’s probably some others but that’s I wonder straight off the top of my head. I don’t test dirt if cost is a bikes much anymore but Yamaha’s reverse factor in head YZ450F would have been nice to ride, all of this. as well as KTM’s 350 SX-F. Then there was the Norton is Ducati Desmosedici, the most awesome bike selling the I’ve ever ridden on the track, and the 1098R. first limited Now that I’ve looked back at the list it seems e d i t i o n longer than I would have thought. Most if not batch of all of these bikes lived up to their promise to its 961 for a large degree. a premium One bike I can’t wait to ride is the new Norton but as there’s no Australian distributor at the moment this seems pretty unlikely. Besides looking absolutely beautiful, the Norton 961 promises to be a great road bike. It

A few years ago an Australian company was distributing Benelli and Moto Morini.

Unfortunately it all ended badly for them, and also for Moto Morini which went broke, despite having a range of exquisite motorcycles, at least in my book. The motorcycle scene in Australia is relatively close knit and many industry players would be well aware of the Aussie Benelli/Moto Morini debacle and this could well be the reason no-one’s been all that keen to invest the substantial capital needed for machines, spares, infrastructure etc. Interestingly though Benelli and Bimota are again being imported, this time by a company called FX Powersports, so hopefully the brands will get a foothold in Australia.

In contrast a new company, MV Agusta Imports, is bringing in the iconic Italian marque – this issue has a test of the 2011 F4 –, and the new F4RR and Brutale range look pretty special, too.

A look at Norton’s website shows distributors in a number of European countries, with Australia listed as ‘coming soon’. Personally I’d love to see Norton succeed big time. I hope it does because I can’t wait to get my arse on one of these 961s. When I do I reckon I’ll need to have a bike sell-off to afford one. I also reckon the 961 won’t be called Just Another Motorcycle.

– Chris Pickett

price, with a promise the price will come down when

November 2011 – 15

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16 – November 2011

www.cycletorque.com.au 17 - NOVEMBER 2011

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Cycle Torque Test – Victory Vegas Zach Ness RIDING GEAR: RXT helmet, Matador Equipment eyewear, Bikers Club Australia jacket, Triumph ‘Newington’ gloves, Hornee jeans, Joe Rocket ‘Big Bang’ boots.

TEST BY

Chris Pickett

PHOTOS BY

Nigel Paterson

A custom motorcycle customised by a 3rd generation customiser.

custom genes IF YOU didn’t know better you’d think the Victory Vegas 8-Ball was a custom motorcycle.

And that’s probably the exact reaction Victory’s stylists wanted when the Vegas design was penned.

capacities but for 2012 all Victory motorcycles will have the fuel injected 106 cubic inch (1731cc) 50 degree V-twin unit. It’s certainly a handsome minimalist looking powerplant, helped by the fact it’s air/oil-cooled, so there’s no Victory has enlisted the need for a bulky radiator. customising talents of Arlen Ness With 97 horsepower and 113 ft/ in the past to help set apart its lbs of torque on offer it’s no top products, then Ness’s son Cory end screamer but in the low and did his own take on a Victory. middle rev range it’s a very strong Now Arlen’s grandson Zach has engine, and perfect for this type done likewise, this time on the of application.

8-Ball.

There’s a six speed gearbox

The bike

which has so many new parts you could almost call it a brand Before we get into what Zach has new design. Driveline lash has done exactly, it’s worth looking at been reduced by 66 per cent, and what the basic 8-Ball delivers. a ‘Neutral Assist’ has been added.

In the past there were two engine Victory’s gearboxes have always

been very strong but what the improvements mean for the rider is a quieter ’box, and a neutral which is much easier to find at a set of lights. And sixth gear is very much an overdrive for when speeds go over 100km/h.

Drive to the rear wheel is by Carbon Fibre Reinforced Belt which has proven to be strong and long lasting.

The chassis is a heavyweight steel tube arrangement with the engine sitting in a ‘cradle’. There’s only a few changes, mainly styling touches here and there, and a revised side stand which is easier to use than in the past, that’s for sure.

forks and a single shock at the rear. The forks have 130mm of travel but the shock only has 75mm. Hit a crap road and the shock will quickly use every bit of the 75mm.

It might only have a single disc on the front but it’s a 300mm disc and four-piston caliper, and they are more than adequate for pulling up the bike which weighs in at a shade over 300 kilos when fuelled to go.

While some custom cruisers are fitted with massive rear tyres, the 8-Ball has a 180 section 18 inch rear, and a 90 section 21 inch front. As such it steers nicely and handles quite well on smoother Suspension is what you’d expect sections of road. on a cruiser; 43mm conventional All cruisers have instrumentation November 2011 – 17

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Cycle Torque Test – Victory Vegas Zach Ness

18 – November 2011

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similar to that seen on the Cross Roads. Road speed is shown by an analogue speedo which can be set to either km/h or mp/h. A large LCD section shows time, gear position, tacho and fuel gauge among There’s plenty of room on the Ness Vegas, even for bigger riders. With other bits of information. a low seat height the Vegas is even okay for shorter riders, also helped by the low centre of gravity. Around town the bike is easy to ride but push too hard through roundabouts and the like and you’ll soon be The Zach Ness Signature Series Vegas has a number of departures scraping the footpegs. On the open road this is far less an issue. from the standard model. You might have guessed all, or at least Engine performance is outstanding down low, and the engine has the vast majority, of these are styling changes. The two immediately got so much torque you can be super lazy and keep it in one gear, apparent are the totally different wheels and the matte paintwork. even around town. Forget to go back to first at a set of lights and you Ness has used a combination of understated and overstated styling could easily take off in third. With the new ‘Neutral Assist’ mechanism touches and they really do work in harmony. All the paintwork is suede first is easy to find anyway. titanium metallic paint with Ness’s own graphics, and the frame and The bike actually handles very well and can be ridden reasonably swingarm also get the matte titanium colour. quickly in the tighter corners if you use the point and squirt method.

On the road

Zach’s touch

The wheel design looks very unlike what you’d see on a standard machine so Ness has hit the mark there. Ness has also thought outside the square for many of the other custom tricks. Instead of replacing standard parts with his own pieces he looks to have taken those standard parts and modified them to achieve the desired look.

The solid hand grips are a good example. Numerous blank holes have been drilled into them which makes a strong visual impact. The same has been done on a number of other covers. For those after more there’s the Ness handlebar crossbar, mirrors and oil line cover, footpegs, exhaust, custom stitched leather seat and a numbered plate on the engine with Ness’s signature.

A good number of accessories are also available, like the X-Bow exhaust, saddlebags and windshield just for starters.

It has the brakes and the power to revel in this type of riding. As said before though, rough roads will quickly catch out the rear suspension, although the forks cope with such conditions much better. If you want the low and mean look of a bike like this there will always be some concession to suspension travel to achieve it.

Verdict A Vegas 8-Ball costs $18,495 + ORC, the Zach Ness version $4,500 more. You could easily spend that sort of cashola ‘individualising’ an 8-Ball. If that’s your go why not buy a Ness Vegas? It will be worth more in the long run.

Beautifully detailed tank.

Compact instruments fit the style.

Drilled alloy fits the less is more mantra.

One of a kind, and we can prove it.

Another link in the Ness customising chain.

November 2011 – 19

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S p e cificatio n s : victory vegas zach ness Engine Type: Air/oil-cooled V-twin Capacity: 1731cc Transmission: 5-speed Fuel Capacity: 17 Litres Frame Type: Steel cradle Seat Height: 673mm Dry Weight: 296kg Front Suspension: 43mm conventional Rear Suspension: Single shock Brakes: Single disc front and rear.

Tyres: 90/90-21, 180/55-18 Price (RRP): $22,995 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more Call for a quote

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

20 – November 2011

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Cycle Torque Test – Husqvarna TE630

TEST BY

Darren Smart

PHOTOS BY

Matt O’Connell

RIDING GEAR: Shift nylons, Alpinestars boots

Turn off the freeway, the trail beckons.

Big Bore Bush Basher FOR 2011 Husqvarna has given its biggest dirt bike a completely new motor, ergos, suspension and chassis, making the new TE630 a genuine option when it comes time for Australia’s ever increasing number of Dual Sport/Adventure riders to go shopping for their next big bore bush basher.

The bike I’ve no doubt the Husqvarna stylists over in Italy must wear Armani suits to work because they’ve made the 630 one of the spunkiest looking bikes on the market. From the high gloss red IPD (Inmold Plastic Decals) graphics on the radiator shrouds to the shapely white mudguards,

side covers and headlight shroud, this bike is a dead-set head turner.

The SOHC design of the old 610 is finally gone with the new DOHC donk getting an increase in displacement from 570cc to 600cc by way of increasing the bore from 99mm to 100mm with the same 76.4mm stroke.

Actually, the cylinder head is straight from the Husqvarna SM510 with a 12.4:1 compression ratio while the fuel injection system has gone from a 42mm throttle body to a 45mm unit and this has been sorted with a with a claimed 20 per cent boost new cooling system which uses in power. an integrated water temperature More power and higher sensor to electronically adjust compression results in a hotter a solenoid in the radiator, and engine, especially in Australia features a new impeller and water pump body.

The front suspension is looked after by 45mm Marzocchi forks and a Sachs shock brings up the rear, a combination that has been around for some time for Husqvarna fans. Other notables are the Magura hydraulic clutch,

November 2011 – 21

Cycle Torque Test – Husqvarna TE630

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Supermoto variant. six speed gearbox, dual alloy mufflers, Brembo brakes, 260mm front disc, Pro-Taper style handle bars, gripper seat cover and footpegs with a removable rubber insert to restrict those big single vibes from sneaking through the soles of your feet.

The ride Riding the 630 at 110km per hour down the Gold Coat to Brisbane freeway held a pleasant surprise for the ol’ Smarty. One, the seat was actually comfortable – well, compared to some bikes that I have ridden lately and second the vibration through my feet was minimal.

This may sound like it’s not such a big deal but during recent rides I have found the vibration through the pegs almost unbearable on some machines, and if you combine that with a rock hard seat I felt like all of the blood had drained out of my legs within the first 30km, so the Husky was a pleasant surprise.

And the cool thing is that a major contributor to the lack of vibration is due to a very simple idea; a strip of thick rubber is mounted on top of the steel serrated footpegs giving that buffer between the pegs and your boots, and these rubber strips can be manually removed when you hit the dirt and put back on when you get back on the road, without any tools, a very simple yet effective idea.

I know a number of machines from various manufacturers use this idea but generally it’s in the realm of adventure touring and 22 – November 2011

the like.

Hitting the dirt was as I expected.

My old grievances and poor opinion of everything Husqvarna has disappeared thanks to the last few years of riding and testing its latest ranges so I now ‘expect’ to enjoy my time on a Husky; how times change huh?

So peeling off into the bush on the big 630 instantly summoned my usual ‘dude, this is the shit’ grin under my helmet. Power slides, wheelies, popping over logs and blasting along rutted out 4WD tracks at warp speed and just letting the 630 ‘do its thing’ beneath me is what life is all about.

At a claimed weight of 149kg and at 2280mm long you would expect this bike to be more aimed at stability at speed yet throwing the 630 around for the photo shoot on a small enduro loop proved a breeze and in my opinion this bike is more than manageable in the bush.

I find when you are riding a dirt bike that is long and heavy the best way to get through a corner is to rear wheel steer it. To expect one of these adventure bikes to react like a 250 or 450 enduro weapon is unrealistic.

So the idea is to enter any corner with a little less speed and actually accelerate through the corner and steer towards the corner exit by bring the rear wheel around a la speedway style. It takes some practice but will make your adventure/trail riding a lot more enjoyable, especially on the big bore bikes like the 630.

With the seat height at 930mm combined with the tapered handlebars the 630 is a comfortable fit in both the sitting and standing positions.

Fuel tank capacity is only 12 litres which had me filling up every 150 to 170km so for the serious adventure riders you will need to source extra fuel somehow.

Front and rear suspension will be more than adequate for general trail and adventure riding, and the power is deceptive because it actually feels slow thanks to the ultra smooth delivery. But once I got used to the way the power is put down ‘slow’ is the last word that comes to mind.

Twin-pipe accessory option.

Optional carbon-fibre cover.

The verdict My final ride on the $11,995 TE630 sums up my opinion of Engine is now DOHC. this motorcycle. All I had to do is get up on the S p e cificatio n s : Sunday morning and cruise down the Gold 2011 husqvarna te630 Coast freeway to drop the Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single big Husqvarna back to the Capacity: 600cc crew at the Paul Feeney Group. While the TE630 Transmission: 6-speed is happy enough in this Fuel Capacity: 12 Litres environment it’s happier Frame Type: Steel cradle in the bush so I couldn’t help myself I just had to Seat Height: 930 get one more ride on a Dry Weight: 149kg nice little area not far from the freeway, peeling off Front Suspension: Marzocchi USD into the bush and letting Rear Suspension: Sachs single shock the bike do what it does Brakes: Single disc front and rear. best, putting a smile back on my face again. Oh, Tyres: 90/90-21, 140/80-18 did I mention it’s LAMS Price (RRP): $11,995 + ORC approved too?

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QUAD ARCTIC CAT has built one of the most exciting new Recreational Off Road Vehicles in the form of the Wildcat.

NEWS Wild Cat

Arctic Cat produces some very powerful ATVs, but the company has pulled out all the stops with its new Wildcat 1000cc V-twin powered side-by-side ROV, giving Polaris a real shake up. With ultra long suspension travel, and 325mm of ground clearance, it’s certainly made to cope with big jumps and big rocks. In fact the world famous Baja 1000 race in the USA is apparently the inspiration the designers used to develop the Wildcat “The Wildcat has no equal. Period,” said Claude Jordan, Arctic Cat President and CEO. “Our customers asked for a high-performance side-by-side, and we happily responded with a no-compromise, puresport hot rod that redefines what’s possible with a production off-road vehicle.”

At the rear is a five-point multi-link trailing arm suspension that keeps the tyres’ contact patches flat while the suspension moves through an astounding 450mm of travel. This multi-link trailing arm setup minimises camber and axle alterations over harsh terrain, keeping the steering and handling working as designed.

The double-wishbone front suspension boasts 425mm of travel, another industry first according to Arctic Cat. Walker Evans Racing shocks are used, machined from billet alloy with full adjustability of compression and damping control. The 951cc V-Twin, SOHC four-stroke with electronic fuel injection (EFI) has already proven very capable in the Prowler XTZ. On the Wildcat, the mid-mounted 1000 H.O. has been tuned to deliver even stronger acceleration thanks to the extra torque and horsepower provided by larger throttle bodies, and a new 2-into-2 ceramic-coated exhaust and redesigned air intake.

Power to the driveshaft is via the Duramatic automatic CVT transmission. The addition of the Spike Load Dampener (SLD) allows the driveline to slip for a millisecond under harsh spike loads, reducing the torque load to the system which in turn hopefully reduces any drive-line damage.

While Arctic Cat is becoming a bigger player in the Australian ATV scene it’s unknown at this stage if the Wildcat will come Down Under. But we will leave you with one last quote from Jordan, telling us, “an extremely capable suspension is what all pure sport ROV owners are begging for, and we promise this will be an industry leader.”

Gaisford wins Quad MX title in Coolum The 2011 Australian Quad Motocross Championship has been run and won, with Western Australian Luke Gaisford (Kawasaki) taking out the title at Coolum Pines on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

In a fantastic display by the 20-yearold consistency was the key, recording a podium placing in each of the five championship races to finish nine points clear of 2010 winner Ryan Lancaster.

2011 including James Ognenis, who claimed the 9-13 90cc-125cc title.

Luke Nixon rounded out the top three ahead of Blake Waldmann and Mitchell Joining Ognenis in the winner’s circle were Chris Bosnakis (12-16 200cc-300cc), Van Viliet.

Jemma Merrylees (12-16 200cc-300cc Clear skies and temperatures in the midGirls), Sarah Moore (Women’s Open), Craig to-high ‘20s greeted riders at the Coolum Blackburn (Veterans 35+), Pete Middleton Pines Motocross Track, with the field of (Veterans 45+) and Daniel Middleton eight Championship classes making the (Intermediate). most of the perfect conditions.

Full results from the 2011 Australian Quad This made for some high-quality racing, Motocross Championship are available at with a host of champions crowned for the MA website at www.ma.org.au.

A free ride IF YOU purchase a new Honda TRX420FM, TRX420FPM or a TRX250TM, and use Honda Finance to do so, before December 31 you’ll ride for free for six months directly after the purchase. You’ll also receive $400 Honda Dollars to use towards the purchase price or for accessories or servicing.

Both of the 420 models are fuel injected so no zstart easy and be a snack to use.

The 250 is a little goer too, with an air-cooled engine which is mounted longitudinally for direct driveshaft alignment, so power losses are less than a complex drive arrangement.

It would be smart to check one out in the flesh first though, so visit your local Honda dealer.

November 2011 – 23

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24 – November 2011

EDITORIAL

JAM

E L A S

SOMETIMES it’s hard to be excited about new bikes. In the last few years since the GFC kicked off there’s been less ‘groundbreaking’ new models than usual, so our excitement levels have been a bit low.

You could argue we get to ride many different motorcycles, surely much more than the average motorcycle enthusiast, and this is one of the reasons we get a bit blasé about it all.

Since the GFC– they say we are heading for another GFC but I didn’t think the world had come out of the previous one– there have been few avant-garde motorcycles released. Plenty of the new bikes are rehashed older models which could be termed Just Another Motorcycle, or JAM for short.

Some of the more recent bikes I’ve been excited about riding were the first crossplane crank Yamaha R1, Triumph’s Tiger 800, the latest generation BMW R 1200 GS and the S 1000 RR, Aprilia’s RSV4 and the Tuono V4.

There’s probably some others but that’s straight off the top of my head. I don’t test dirt bikes much anymore but Yamaha’s reverse head YZ450F would have been nice to ride, as well as KTM’s 350 SX-F. Then there was the Ducati Desmosedici, the most awesome bike I’ve ever ridden on the track, and the 1098R. Now that I’ve looked back at the list it seems longer than I would have thought. Most if not all of these bikes lived up to their promise to a large degree.

One bike I can’t wait to ride is the new Norton but as there’s no Australian 19.95 distributor at the moment this seems pretty unlikely.

WAS $ Besides looking absolutely beautiful, the Norton 961 promises to be a great road bike. It looks to have a comfy riding position and everything I’ve read about the bike says the engine is strong enough for its Ultimate Freestyle market sector, as is its handling.

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affected. If there’s less people putting up the money then it’s harder for Norton to get a roll on I suppose.

A few years ago an Australian company was 5 34.95 distributing Benelli and Moto Morini. Unfortunately $ $39.9 WAS WASMoto it all ended badly for them, and also for Morini which went broke, despite having a range of exquisite motorcycles, at least in my book. The motorcycle scene in Australia is relatively close knit and many industry Geoff Duke The Americans The winner of six world titles on British players would be well aware of theFrom Aussie KennyBenelli/Moto Roberts to A friend of mine put down aand deposit a newGeoff Norton Italian on machinery, Duke was Morini debacle and this could wellthe bepresent the reason no-one’s day, American some two years or so ago. Not the that long ago Norton first post-war superstar. been all that keen to invest the substantial racers havecapital stampedneeded their Geoff Duke:to The Champion contacted him and asked for the balance beStylish paid in full, authority over Grand Prix. for machines, spares, infrastructure etc.

Interestingly a hardcoverdate. book running to over 250 still without a confirmation of ais delivery And seeing though Benelli and Bimota are again being imported, this pagesnot documenting there is no Aussie distributor he’s likely to the getriding one life anyof the handsome Brit. time by a company called FX Powersports, so hopefully time soon. Of course he told Norton where to shove the in action, Featuring many images of Duke the brands will get a foothold in Australia. money but also stated he still wanted wanted statistics aofbike Duke’sand results and lots more, In contrast a new company, MV Agusta Imports, is this is the definitive guide to one of the them to keep his deposit. most successful racersinmotorcycling hasbringing in the iconic Italian marque – this issue has a test I find it ridiculous Norton would do business this of the 2011 F4 –, and the new F4RR and Brutale range look ever seen. way but then again maybe the company is hurting. It’s pretty special, too. a shame, there’s been so much promise but nothing A look at Norton’s website shows distributors in a 5 delivered. $17.9Australia 5 number of European countries, with listed as WAS .9 5 7 Why has no Australian company put up its hand to WAS $ ‘coming soon’. Personally I’d love to see Norton succeed bring the Nortons in? Perhaps there is one in the pipeline, big time. I hope it does because I can’t wait to get my arse we’ve heard nothing though. on one of these 961s. When I do I reckon I’ll need to have I wonder if cost is a factor in all of this. Norton is selling WORLD a bike sell-off to afford one.CYCLE I also reckon theYAMAHA 961 won’t be the first limited edition batch of its 961 forBikes a premium 62/69 American Dream called Just Another Motorcycle. price, with a promiseDozens the price will come down when YD3, YDS2, 3C Big Bear, 6C, YL1, YR2, of designers, engineers – Chris Pickett DT1, Trailmaster, L5T, TD1, RD56, YM1, production ramps up.and There’s noare doubt thesome world is craftsmen creating Grand Prix YR1, Ascot Scrambler. of the mostAustralia exciting and innovative hurting financially although seems to be less

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CYCLE TORQUE TEST – HUSQVARNA TE630

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Brooklands Books Ltd “Road Test” books provide a wide range and collection of road tests, comparison tests, new model introductions, long term tests, and other articles taken from the world’s leading motoring magazines. The Cycle World series contain articles from the American magazine Cycle World. Each book has about 80 pages with 180 illustrations.

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Supermoto variant.

S P E$C2I9F.9I5C AT I O N S : WAS instantly summoned my usual ‘dude, this is 2011 HUSQVARNA TE630 the shit’ grin under my helmet. Power slides, Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single wheelies, popping over logs and blasting along Troy Bayliss Capacity: 600cc rutted out 4WD tracks at warp speed and just The personal story letting the 630 ‘do its thing’ beneath me is whatChoppers and 6-speed Transmission: of one of Australia’s life is all about. best-ever racers, Troy Custom Motorcycles Fuel Capacity: 12 Litres At a claimed weight of 149kg and at 2280mmFrom early efforts of the ‘60s Bayliss, My Life, My Frame cradle long you would expect this bike to be more and ‘70s Story chronicles his to theType: radicalSteel machines climb from club racer aimed at stability at speed yet throwing the 630of today, Choppers Seat Height:and 930 Twin-pipe accessory option.

Optional carbon-fibre cover. to multiple Superbike Motorcycles profiles around for the photo shoot on a small enduro CustomDry Weight: 149kg World Champion and these rolling works of art with loop proved a breeze and in my opinion this Frontdescriptions Suspension: MotoGP winner. informative andMarzocchi USD bike is more than manageable in the bush. vivid photography.

Rear Suspension: Sachs single shock $34.95 serious adventure riders you will need to I find when you are riding a dirt bike that is source extra fuel somehow. long and heavy the best way to get through a Brakes: Single disc front and rear.

Front and rear suspension will be more than corner is to rear wheel steer it. To expect one of Tyres: 90/90-21, 140/80-18 adequate for general trail and adventure riding, these adventure bikes to react like a 250 or 450 Price (RRP): $11,995 + ORC and the power is deceptive because it actually enduro weapon is unrealistic. feels slow thanks to the ultra smooth delivery.

So the idea is to enter any corner with a little www.cycletorque.com.au/more But once I got used to the way the power is less speed and actually accelerate through the corner and steer towards the corner exit With the seat height at 930mm combined with put down ‘slow’ is the last word that comes to mind. by bring the rear wheel around a la speedway the tapered handlebars the 630 is a comfortable style. It takes some practice but will make your fit in both the sitting and standing positions. adventure/trail riding a lot more enjoyable, Fuel tank capacity is only 12 litres which had The verdict especially on the big bore bikes like the 630. me filling up every 150 to 170km so for the My final ride on the $11,995 TE630 sums up

Continued from page 24

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Legends

Kiwis are overrepresented in motorcycle racing results and Legends on 2 Wheels tells the stories of nine riders who have Engine is now DOHC. won 35 world titles, and a few others who came close. my opinion of this motorcycle.

All I had to do $43.99 is get up on the Sunday morning and cruise down the Gold Coast freeway to drop the big Husqvarna back to the crew at the Paul Feeney Group. While the TE630 is happy enough in this environment it’s happier in the bush so I couldn’t help myself I just had to get one more ride on a nice little area not far from the freeway, peeling off into the bush and letting the bike do what it does best, putting a smile back on my face again. Oh, did I mention it’s LAMS approved too? ■

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Call 02 4956 9820 or order online hello & welcome to a B Bgw

RAce fAiRiNGS t n e m c n u anno We are very pleased to bring some exciting news from some of our exhaust manufacturers.

It is clear to most that our economy is not doing too well, and that everything extra in your pocket counts!

The first announcement is about HotBodies Racing, the global distributor for the Italian-designed (and made!) MGP exhausts.

As of today, 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:

1. reduced prices

Most MGP exhausts have been reduced by $100.

2. larger range

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.

The following MGP exhausts can be ordered immediately. Price is inclusive of shipping: r.r.P.

rrP ..............$1299 BGW Price ..... $799

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HON. CBR600RR (09-11) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister...........$799 .............. $299.95 HON. CBR1000RR (08-11) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister.........$799 .............. $299.95 KAW. 250R (08-11) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister ...................$799 .............. $299.95 KAW. ZX6R (09-11) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister ...................$799 .............. $299.95 KAW. ZX10R (08-10) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister .................$799 .............. $299.95 SUZ. GSX-R600/750 (06-07) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister .....$999 .............. $399.95 SUZ. GSX-R600/750 (08-10) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister .....$799 .............. $299.95 SUZ. GSX-R1000 (09-11) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister ..........$999 .............. $399.95 YAM. YZF-R6 (06-11) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister ................$799 .............. $299.95 YAM. YZF-R1 (09-11) MGP Exhaust - Slip on Carbon Fiber Canister ................$1499 ............ $599.95 *Offers available until sold out or until further notice.

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Cycle Torque Launch Report – 2012 Suzuki RMZ250 & 450 REPORT BY

Todd Reed PHOTOS BY Rice Photography

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

Suzuki’s RM-Z range has proven to be strong and reliable racers.

For 2012 a few updates will keep them so.

RM-Zs

WITH minimal changes between the 2011 and 2012 model Suzuki RMZ450 and 250 you could get the wrong impression the bikes will fall behind the competition. Nothing could be further from the truth.

2012 Models In 2011 the RM-Z250 and 450 were both widely claimed to be the best bikes in their class and had received major updates and changes over the past few years, so rather than going backwards with a wrong decision, Suzuki decided to make minimal updates to its already extremely competitive race machines.

Both bikes get the Bold

Tweaked

New Graphics treatment, along with a new seat cover and updated spares kit. The spares kit has been increased and now includes more consumable parts for the everyday rider. A nice touch to the standard spares box is the Alternative Fuel Mapping plugs which allow the rider to interchange between plugs to either make the bike more aggressive or more mellow depending on your style and preference.

Key standout features on the RM-Z range include the state of the art battery-less Electronic Fuel Injection System. The EFI has now seen a few seasons in production on the Suzukis and judging by the word in the pits Suzuki really has it figured out and it seems to be working great.

Showa take good care of both

the 450 and 250’s suspension.

You’ll find similar set-ups under each bike, with the obvious being the different internals which are specifically tailored for each bike’s engine size, physical geometry and all round characteristics.

Renthal handlebars headline the cockpit, the ’bars have a good feel and bend and should suit most riders. Suzuki realises you need a good perch to place your feet, with the latest models getting even bigger ’pegs. The rest of the controls and ergos feel comfortable, spacious and look to be good quality items, as you would expect from Suzuki.

Our test bike came equipped with the Suzuki MX Race Team’s Pirelli tyres which offer great grip on a variety of surfaces and are quickly becoming more

prominent in the market.

On The Track We first hit the track on the RMZ250, finding the small bore Suzuki easy to get used to and it only took us a few laps to become accustomed to the bike and conditions. The power comes on quickly and the engine feels very strong. The fuel injection works well, with no hiccups anywhere, and the power is potent for a 250 throughout the entire rev range. We found the optional fuel plugs worked well, with the leaner ‘aggressive’ plug giving a real ‘crisp’ edge to the engine, providing even more response and power when you need it. Even on the slippery surfaces it was easily controllable thoughout and offered ample November 2011 – 27

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5.99%

28 – November 2011

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Cycle Torque Launch Report – 2012 Suzuki RM-Z 250 & 450

steer and handle through the turns. Both of them make life easy when The Showa suspension is very balanced on the track. The bike doesn’t it comes to cornering and offer fast and effective turning yet remain dive in the front or wallow in the rear like some of its competition can, stable and predictable all around the track. Pick a line and the RM-Z takes you there with ease, point and aim is the reality of this bike and and better than you would expect straight from the showroom. it’s a breeze to take on the ruts and more difficult turns you might Initially the 250 felt a bit unstable and nervous and with the rear end come across. also being too fast at high speeds. The setting required us to play with both the front and rear clickers somewhat, but it was quick and easy to come up with a comfortable setting with the standard suspension Both the RM-Z250 & RM-Z450 are great bikes, and at $10,690 for after some tips and tricks from the Suzuki race team mechanics.

After shaking the cobwebs out on the 250 it was time to step up and the 250 and $11,590 for the 450 they are competitively priced. We take on the big 450. The 450 is an awesome bike and right from the would quite happily park either one in the Cycle Torque garage. Both moment you roll onto the track you know you’re on a good thing. machines are competitive and ready to race right off the showroom Power on the big Suzuki is smooth and easy to use and is quite placid floor, offering any rider all the power they need to get the job done. amounts of traction.

The Verdict:

for a 450cc MX racer. As a result the pace creeps up on you as the engine doesn’t have any hits or aggressive push to it. It’s easy to take on any obstacle, as the RM-Z has loads of power on tap which makes jumping over holes, wheelstanding over bumps, or launching over the next big jump.

Once again the suspension was really good for a production setting.

It had a similar to feel to the RM-Z250 to begin with, which makes us think the track may have been a little different for both of the bikes.

We made almost the same suspension changes on the 450 and it was fine, making the bike a pleasure over the whoops and bumps, yet still held up nicely over the big hits.

A highly noticeable trait on both the Suzukis is how well both bikes Fuel mapping plugs supplied with the bike can give the engine a very aggressive feel.

S p e cificatio n s : 2012 suzuki rm-z250 (450) Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single Capacity: 249cc (449cc) Transmission: 5-speed Fuel Capacity: 6.5 litres (6.2 litres) Frame Type: Alloy twin spar Seat Height: 955mm Wet Weight: 104.5kg (112kg) Front Suspension: USD Rear Suspension: Single monoshock Brakes: Single disc front, single rear Tyres: 80/100-21, 100/90-19 (110/90-19) Price (RRP): $10,690 + ORC (11,590) www.cycletorque.com.au/more November 2011 – 29

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Cycle Torque launch report: 2012 Triumph Tiger 1050SE REPORT BY

Nigel Paterson PHOTOS BY Stuart Grant

RIDING GEAR: Shark helmet, Triumph Adventure jacket and pants, Thomas Cook boots.

You get a lot of capability and equipment with the new Triumph Tiger 1050SE...

A Special Roar

WHEN Triumph announced a pair of 800cc Tigers it was assumed by many the venerable 1050 version would disappear, but that’s not the case, with the 2012 SE edition now available.

Basically the bike is a litre-class machine with a linear power delivery, comfortable gel seat and riding position, half-fairing and handguards to keep the blast away, standard panniers for touring and a centrestand to The Tiger 1050SE (Special Edition) make maintenance chores easier is one of a growing band of large- to deal with. capacity road bikes which offer Many of those features were longer-than-usual suspension optional extras on the old Tiger travel, some weather protection 1050, but with the SE (the only and an upright riding position - 2012 model being brought in) these bikes are aimed at people they are standard (and the bike wanting a versatile everyday ride isn’t a limited edition, there which is more suited to touring should be no problems with than sports, and they are well getting one). suited to Australia.

Other changes from the older I’m thinking bikes like Honda’s new Crossrunner, Yamaha’s TDM900, Suzuki’s V-Strom 600 and 1000, Kawasaki’s Versys and even Ducati’s Multistrada. These bikes have varying abilities away from the bitumen, but none are going to scare you on a decent gravel road, even though all are designed to spend the majority of their lives with tar underneath.

The Tiger 1050SE joins that group with history, a delightful triplecylinder powerplant and a list of extras (hence the SE moniker) which make the bike a better tourer and easier to live with.

Tiger 1050 is stiffer suspension feedback from buyers indicated they really didn’t use their Tigers on the gravel much and would prefer the confidence offered by stiffer suspension rather than having something spongy and bouncy.

weather on the day of the launch, I was nice and comfortable on the gel seat, the malleable cushion preventing Numb Bum Syndrome.

Hard luggage cases are never cheap, so including them on the Tiger SE will attract the tourers, as will the 20 litre fuel capacity and decent pillion accommodation.

The new bike is available in matt graphite/black, white and red colour schemes.

There have been many cosmetic changes too. Many parts are now black including the brushed headers, sprocket carrier, calipers, handlebars and more. There are also new decals.

You can keep spending with a trip through Triumph’s accessory catalogue which includes tasty items like an Ohlins shock, At $16,490 (+ORC) the Tiger 1050 carbon-fibre parts, more luggage is quite a bit cheaper than many and an accessory pipe. other European bikes, but some of the J a p a n e s e The engine powering the Tiger m a c h i n e s 1050 has been around for many o f f e r years, evolving and improving. remarkable In its current form it produces value, so 113bhp at 9400rpm, while 98Nm Triumph has of torque is delivered at 6,250. put some What that doesn’t say is heaps effort into of grunt is delivered from just adding lots of off idle, making the Tiger very extras to the tractable and easy to ride - it Tiger to make doesn’t need to be revved hard it attractive. to make it work.

Pricing

Trusted triple

Despite awful Like most Triumph triples there November 2011 – 31

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are a few vibes here and there, but nothing intrusive, and the six-speed ’box is slick and easy to use, although why manufacturers are moving back to cable-actuated clutches is beyond me give me a hydraulic one any day.

Suspension & brakes Externally the Tiger’s suspension looks very similar to earlier models, but internally there have been changes aplenty. In the 43mm upside down forks there are a variety of changes aimed at stiffening up the front end, but unlike the rear, there’s no new spring.

The new rear spring is about 15 per cent stiffer than the unit fitted to earlier models, in addition to many other internal changes all aimed at making the shock work better, especially twoup.

Australia’s crap roads and draconian speed limit enforcement I reckon the Tiger is a better choice for most riders, especially now Triumph has beefed-up the rear shock.

On the Road The launch route took us out of Melbourne and down to the Great Ocean Road, so it was freeways early in the day before the scenic vistas of the Southern Ocean and the twisties heading inland after lunch.

The handguards on the SE were a welcome addition, keeping some of the windblast away from my hands, while the fairing and screen were high enough to offer some chest protection from the cool, wet weather. I’m still at a loss to explain why manufacturers produce touring bikes without heated hand grips (but at least they are available as an option from Triumph) and cruise control, but the Tiger is certainly no orphan here.

Front end is fully adjustable.

Panniers are colour matched.

The Tiger features ABS as standard, fitted to the triple discs which offer great power and feel from the four-piston front calipers acting on 320mm discs and twin-piston caliper and 255mm disc at In the afternoon the weather really deteriorated, the back. turning from poor to bloody awful, with cold rain lashing us as we headed back to Melbourne.

On tour

Triumph is definitely aiming this machine at the touring market. Earlier Tigers may have been trying to pinch some of the adventure market, but anyone who thought a Tiger was an adventure bike hadn’t ridden a GS BMW. Triumph realised this some years ago and started aiming the Tiger at riders looking for a long-travel suspension road bike, and has now, of course, released the new 800cc Tigers, and the XC is very much an Adventure Tourer (and rumours of a 1200cc Triumph adventure bike are starting to get too strong to ignore…).

I was near the back of a group of riders and, soon after overtaking a van, nearly crashed. I was negotiating a very gentle sweeping righthander - barely a bend at all - when first the rear tyre, then the front just a fraction of a second later, let go. Luckily I didn’t panic - I just pushed the ’bars to get the wheels back in line - but I did have enough time to think, ‘I’ve crashed’, when the tyres caught and recovered.

A few hundred metres further up some other riders in the group were pulled over, having experienced the same heart-stopping moment as I. We believe it was something on the road, Triumph offers a number of bikes to the disguised by the heavy rain. I believe it was road touring market, including cruisers with quality tyres, an upright riding position and panniers, the Sprint and the Tiger 1050. For most highly experienced riders which prevented accident and injury…¶ Australians, the Tiger is the pick of the bunch.

Big, tall bikes are great for carrying two people and a load of luggage, especially if we’re talking big people – and Australians are bigger than most, which makes the Tiger another reason why it should be popular in this country.

Although those of lower stature may struggle with the seat height, those who don’t will love the roomy riding position – there’s not too much bend at the knees, only a slight lean forward into the breeze and the seat doesn’t lock you into one position. Interestingly, the handlebars are 20mm lower than last year’s, but that hasn’t resulted in really any weight on your wrists.

Another reason smaller riders may be put off is the weight: the Tiger is a hefty 245kg (claimed wet weight) which isn’t insignificant. On the plus side an upright riding position and reasonably wide ’bars make managing that weight easier than you might think.

The sportier Sprint is a great bike, but with 32 – November 2011

Conclusion I really like the current crop of long-travel suspension road bikes. They aren’t for everyone, because they usually have high seats but they are possibly the most versatile road bikes available.

The Tiger 1050 has evolved into one of the best of the breed. With any thoughts of adventure riding well and truly put in the past by the introduction of the Tiger XC, the 1050 can simply be the most versatile of all the road bikes: you could commute on one, with the suspension upgrades it’s fun to ride up a scratcher’s road and with the extras included in the SE package, it’s a more than capable touring bike. If you can only own one bike, the Tiger 1050SE can fill many roles.

Engine is smooth and tourquey.

Sports brakes on a sports tourer.

If you can’t find the info you need here you’re not trying.

S p e cificatio n s: 2012 triumph tiger 1050se Engine Type: Liquid-cooled triple Capacity: 1050cc Transmission: 6-speed Fuel Capacity: 20 Litres Frame Type: Alloy twin spar Seat Height: 835mm Wet Weight: 245kg Front Suspension: Showa 43mm USD Rear Suspension: Single monoshock Brakes: Twin disc front, single rear Tyres: 120/70-17, 180/55-17 Price (RRP): $16,490 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more Call for a quote

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

I CYCLE TORQUE

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33 - NOVEMBER 2011

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TALK TO ME

Dale McLean Motorcycle Electronics has a variety of motorcycle 1 communications gear including the BikeComm, StarCom1 Digital and I bike stuff I used & reveived I www.cycletorque.com.au/more the Starcom1 Wire 3 interface for Starcom1 units – and the company can help you choose which is perfect for your needs.

BikeComm wirelessly enables rider to passenger and bike to bike The Starcom1 Digital is the range-topping brains 1 intercom combined with flexibility to connect mobile phone, of the family. Connectivity allows for two stereo navigation device, radar detector and audio player.

Dale McLean Motorcycle Electronics has a variety music systems and two phone inputs so rider and The helmet headsets wirelessly connect to the control box to receive of motorcycle communications gearbutton including the passenger can be individual. audio signals.

Your two-way radio and included push-to-talk connect BikeComm, to the control boxStarCom1 using a wired connection.

Digital and the Starcom1 Wire The control box is located in a handy spot on your bike and is powered It’s fully automatic and has heaps of other features interface forTheStarcom1 units – and by your 3 motorcycle battery. control box has five 3.5mm audiothe company such as auto noise reduction, auto volume control, jack sockets connecting variety of which input devices (navigation, canforhelp you achoose is perfect for your needs. mic sensitivity, voice control etc. audio player, radar detector etc) using a wired connection and is BikeComm wirelessly enables rider to passenger equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology allowing two separate simultaneous using Bluetooth for things like mobilewith phone flexibility It can be powered directly from the bike’s battery and connections bike to bike intercom combined or nav device. The control box then sends audio signals wirelessly to and has intel that switches it off when the rider’s toheadsets. connect mobile phone, navigation device, radar the helmet headset is disconnected and vice versa and can The Starcom1 Digital and is the range-topping brains of the family. detector audio player. also be switched to 12v output to power other Connectivity allows for two stereo music systems and two phone helmet wirelessly connect to the accessories such as the Wire3 Bluetooth module, inputs soThe rider and passengerheadsets can be individual.

It’s fullycontrol automatic and heaps of other audio features such as auto Your noise two-way 2 NIGHT TO DAYLIGHT boxhasto receive signals.

UHF radios and GPS units. reduction, auto volume control, mic sensitivity, voice control etc.

THE included push-to-talk to XenonOZ Extreme Single Globe Kit is a quality Xenon upgrade system to replace It can beradio poweredand directly from the bike’s battery and hasbutton intel that connectyour existing light. It iswith manufactured fromlonger parts and technology sourced in Europe and So people BMWs no need worry about switchesthe it offcontrol when the rider’s and vice versa box headset usingisadisconnected wired connection. components are claimed to be the same as those found in Mercedes, Porsche and BMW CAN BUS connections or connecting to bike wiring. and can also be switched to 12v output to power other accessories such 1 motor vehicles.

TheBluetooth control box UHF is located handy spot on your as the Wire3 module, radios and in GPSaunits.

CarryingThe on from the bullet proof reliability and renownStarcom1 performanceunits of the Extreme Wire3 Bluetooth unit allows So people withand BMWsisnopowered longer need by worry aboutmotorcycle CAN BUS bike your battery. The products, the new and improved XenonOz Extreme range utilises a cleaner glass in the connections or connecting to bike wiring. to connect with almost any Bluetooth compatible control has Starcom1 five 3.5mm audiowith jack sockets xenon for tube, and a low start current ballast design, resulting in a crisp light output, ideally The Wire3 Bluetoothbox unit allows units to connect almost suited todevice. anyone looking for spotlight, work lamp other vehicleunit. applications.

It effectively “unwires” theorStarcom1 For The any Bluetooth compatible device.

It effectively “unwires” the Starcom1 connecting a variety of input devices (navigation, XenonOz Extreme range is now backed by a national 12 months warranty. more in-depth info check out www.StarCom1.com. unit. For more in-depth info check out www.StarCom1.com.au.

The units have a 3000 hour globe life, have a fully sealed connection system, and require audio player, radar detector etc) using a wired PRICE: Various au. no modifi cations to your vehicle’s wiring. You can even put them in yourself. connection is equipped Bluetooth wireless AVAIL ABLE FROM: Daleand McLean Motorcycle with Electronics PRICE: $229.95 Price: MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more technology allowing two separate simultaneous AVAIL ABLE FROM:Various Adventure Moto 1300 466 686 or visit website MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more connections using Bluetooth for things like mobile Avail able from: Dale McLean Motorcycle Electronics

Talk to me

phone or nav device. The control box then sends audio signals wirelessly to the helmet headsets.

2

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

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November 2011 – 33

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2

Night to daylight

THE XenonOZ Extreme Single Globe Kit is a quality Xenon upgrade system to replace your existing light. It is manufactured from parts and technology sourced in Europe and components are claimed to be the same as those found in Mercedes, Porsche and BMW motor vehicles.

Carrying on from the bullet proof reliability and renown performance of the Extreme products, the new and improved XenonOz Extreme range utilises a cleaner glass in the xenon tube, and a low start current ballast design, resulting in a crisp light output, ideally suited to anyone looking for spotlight, work lamp or other vehicle applications. The XenonOz Extreme range is now backed by a national 12 months warranty.

2

The units have a 3000 hour globe life, have a fully sealed connection system, and require no modifications to your vehicle’s wiring. You can even put them in yourself.

Price: $229.95 Avail able from: Adventure Moto 1300 466 686 or visit website More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 3

Electronic carby

ARE you aware new technology exists and possibly even keen to try it, but you are stuck in the old school ways?

Maybe you even ride a new fandangled fuel injected machine.

If so then the Electronic Jet Kit (EJK) from Dobeck is up your alley.

It’s very much a seat of the pants type of device where you can add or subtract fuel (depending on the type of motorcycle) with the touch of a button.

If you’ve put an aftermarket muffler on, and/or a free-flowing air filter you can tune the machine yourself, with no need to take a trip to a dyno.

You simply plug the device into your standard wiring harness and away you go.

Units are available for single and multi-cylinder bikes, so tuning your new fuel injected motocrosser or your big bore cruiser is no problem.

Price: Single cylinder – $249; multi cylinder $299.

Avail able from: Good bikes shops everywhere More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

1

Total control at your fingertips

THE award winning Australian designed and manufactured CLAKE (combined clutch and brake) system is now available with dual control.

Disabled riders with reduced flexibility in their right leg can also benefit from this system.

Price: Dual control from $1298, basic unit $990 inl GST.

Avail able from: 0418 533 775 The new model offers riders the ability to use the rear brake from the standard foot pedal as well as by the CLAKE either separately or simultaneously offering a seamless More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more transition from one to the other.

The system features billet construction, fold out lever and is transferable from bike to bike. It can also be used on all bikes from trials to road racing.

It’s extremely handy especially dirt riding when you have your right foot off the brake lever and you come face to face with a log or 4WD around a blind corner - fingertip control of your Clake can save an ugly situation.

It can also help with weight loading on your pegs in critical situations such as riding at an extreme angle or wheelstand where the ability to get to your rear brake from your fingertip controlled Clake can save you and your bike.

The Clake even allows novice riders to have both feet off the pegs as they come to a stop and still keep fingertip control of that rear brake.

34 – November 2011

3

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52 52- NOVEMBER - NOVEMBER2011 2011 NOVEMBER 2011

I CYCLE TORQUE I CYCLE TORQUE

TECH NOLOGY TECH NOLOGY

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

2

Power to the people

3

LITE Motorcycle Accessories have the world’s lightest, longest lasting powersport batteries.

The new Shorai batteries feature extreme-rate Lithium-Ion LFX cell technology in an environmentally friendly product.

2 At a fifth of the weight of lead-acid batteries they can also be charged up using standard battery chargers. They will hold a charge for one year and without maintenance and 1 TOTAL CONTROL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS they are as Australian there are no explosive gases, lead or acid.

THE awardsafe winning designed and manufactured CLAKE (combined clutch and brake) system is now available with The Shorai batteries use a military specification carbon dual control. composite andthe can just drop The new modelcase offers riders ability to use the rearstraight brake from into place of the standard foot pedal as by theThey CLAKEare eitherclaimed separately orto have two your existing OEMas well battery. simultaneously offering a seamless transition from one to the other. toThe four times service life of lever lead-acid batteries. For system featuresthe billet construction, fold out and is 2 POWER 3TO THE PEOPLE transferable to bike.

It canout also be used on all bikes from more info from youbike can check www.shoraipower.com.au.

LITE Motorcycle Accessories have the world’s lightest, longest trials to road racing.

The Motorader 4R bike-to-bike intercom lets up to 3four riders communicate, and with a handlebarlasting powersport batteries.

It’s extremely especially dirt riding when you have your right REMOTE CONTROL BIKE-TO-BIKE Price: Fromhandy $179 The new Shorai batteries feature extreme-rate Lithium-Ion LFX cell foot off the brake lever and you come face to face with a log or 4WD The Motorader 4R bike-to-bike intercom lets up to four riders mounted remote control.

Avail able Lite Motorcycle (02) 6569 5276 in an environmentally friendly product. At a fifth of technology around a blindfrom: corner - fingertip control of yourAccessories, Clake can save an communicate, and with a handlebar-mounted remote control. the weight of lead-acid batteries can also be charged up using on each ugly situation.

Theuser’s systemhelmet, uses a bluetooth unit mounted on 900 each metres, user’s helmet, The system usesthey a bluetooth unit mounted has a range of up to More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more standard battery chargers. They will hold a charge for one year and It can also help with weight loading on your pegs in critical has a range of up to 900 metres, works at speeds up to 120km/h, works and at speeds upastothere 120km/h, integrates withintegrates your mobile phone via a 3.5mm plug or via without maintenance they are safe are no explosive situations such as riding at an extreme angle or wheelstand where with your mobile phone via a 3.5mm plug or via gases, lead or bluetooth acid. The Shorai use for a military specification andbatteries is sealed all weather. the ability to get to your rear brake from your fingertip controlled bluetooth and is sealed for all weather.

Remote Control Bike-To-Bike

Clake can save you and your bike.

The Clake even allows novice riders to have both feet off the pegs as they come to a stop and still keep fingertip control of that rear brake.

Disabled riders with reduced flexibility in their right leg can also benefit from this system.

PRICE: Dual control from $1298, basic unit $990 inl GST. AVAIL ABLE FROM: 0418 533 775 MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

carbon composite case and can just drop straight into place of your The standard set is supplied with two headsets and two remote standard is supplied with twotimes headsets andcontrols. two remote controls. existing OEM The battery.

They areset claimed to have two to four the service life of lead-acid batteries. For more info you can check The remote mounts to handlebars and is powered by its own The remote mounts to handlebars and is poweredinternal by its own internal battery. out www.shoraipower.com.au. battery.

PRICE: From $179 PRICE: $389 Price: AVAIL ABLE FROM: Lite$389 Motorcycle Accessories, (02) 6569 AVAIL ABLE FROM: Good motorcycle shops and selected 5276 Avail able from: Good motorcycle shops stockists and selected stockists MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

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

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

(03) 9770 2207

andystrapz.com

Take a look online or give us a call.

November 2011 – 35

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36 – November 2011

54 54- NOVEMBER - NOVEMBER2011 2011

www.cycletorque.com.au

www.cycletorque.com.au

I CYCLE TORQUE NOVEMBER 2011

TECH NOLOGY FEATURE TECH NOLOGY FEATURE I CYCLE TORQUE

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1

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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 2 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 – clean Portable Mini-Air Compressor measures only 10.2cm and clearTHE voiceTomcat in a small, package.

A handlebar push to talk button seamlessly handles voice and/or music control for the iPhone, Palm Pre and other smart phones x 5.1cm x 15.2cm making it possible to be carried on virtually any which have voice dialling capabilities. motorcycle, scootermulti-tasking or ATV. Thesmart built-in gauge you to observe A great choice for music-loving, phone users allows who want unique control ofthe music, easy call control and with superior sound quality.

Using a psi. wiredItheadset increased pressure a reading up to 120 also comes will provide longer battery life for your smart phone on those long rides when a builtBluetooth in LED technology. light letting that comparedwith to utilising Justyou plugknow it in and go. it is receiving power Compatible Apple Voice Controlto and Voice technology (iPhone 3GSmotorcycle and andwith helps you connect the tyreOver valve after dark.

Your shuffle 3rd generation, iPhone 4 and 4S) tyreandwill be fully functionality inflated in less than3.5mm 10 minutes. with this unit Headphone microphone with most equippedAnd cell phones velcro strap mounted handlebar remote send/end button also controls basic you also have the ability to inflate sport balls & campingiPhone equipment. music playback. Provides additional functions for most phones Large diameter wafer thin speakers fit easily inside helmet and give great sound.

Price: $31.95 PRICE: $75 AVAIL ABLE FROM: Direct from iMC Motorcom, 4305 2200.

Avail able from: Direct 02from iMC Motorcom, MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au

Under pressure

02 4305 2200.

3 2

Motorader Navigate

UNDER PRESSURE MANY of us use GPS units in cars these days but it’s not so

THE Tomcat – Portable Mini-Air Compressor common on measures two wheels. Besides being waterproof to cope only 10.2cm x 5.1cm x 15.2cm making it possible to be with the outdoors, the unit has a re-chargeable Li battery, 3 MOTORADER NAVIGATE carried on virtually any motorcycle, scooter or ATV. MANY of us use GPS units ingot cars these built in stereo bluetooth transmitter, and it’s also an days but it’s not so The built-in gauge allows you to observe the increased common on two wheels. Besides being waterproof to cope pressure with a reading up to 120 psi. It also comes with MP3/4 player for audio and video, and a photo view too. with the outdoors, the unit has a re-chargeable Li battery, a built in LED light letting you know that it is receiving bluetooth transmitter, power and helps you connect to the tyre valveifafter dark.fit yourbuilt Don’t worry it will bike,in stereo the GPS comes with anand it’s also got an MP3/4 player for audio and video, and a photo view too.

Your motorcycle tyre will be fully inflated in less than 10 adjustable mount motorcycles.

Don’t worry if it will fit your bike, the GPS comes with an minutes. And with this unit you also have the abilityto to suit most adjustable mount to suit most motorcycles. inflate sport balls & camping equipment.

Price: $489 PRICE: $489 PRICE: $31.95 AVAIL ABLE FROM: Good motorcycle shops and AVAIL ABLE FROM: Direct from iMC Motorcom, Avail able from: Good motorcycle shops and selected stockists 02 4305 2200. selected stockists MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au

More info: www.cycletorque.com.au

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

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.

900M max. distance between rider to rider.

Excellent sound of speeds up to 120km/h Wind and noise cancellation (DSP technology) Remote control for handle bar Automatically receive calls Listen to GPS instructions Includes 2 headsets and 2 remote controls with accessories

AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL DEALER

RRP $389 November 2011 – 37 www.motorader.com.au

www.cycletorque.com.au

SEE US IN

38 – November 2011

TECH NOLOGY

FEATURE

www.cycletorque.com.au

I bike stuff I used & reveived I www.cycletorque.com.au/more NOVEMBER 2011

I CYCLE TORQUE

TECH NOLOGY

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FEATURE

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

GOGGLE CAM cam Goggle

IN THE current age technology is everything. You can take video justcurrent about every even your phone.

INwith THE agecamera, technology is everything.

You can take video with just about every We’ve had a pair of Impact Series Video Camera Goggles from Liquid camera, yournow phone.

Image foreven some time and have found them to work well. These Impact Series HD goggles are designed for BMX, motocross, ATV, quad and off-roading. They have a 136 degree wide We’ve hadThe a pair Impact Goggles Liquid Imageperfor some angle lens. handsoffree unit hasSeries a videoVideo mode Camera that records HD720P from video up to 30 frames secondnow with and audiohave and a 5.0MP We took a pair on ourImpact big outback adventure trip time foundcamera themmode. to work well.

These Series HD goggles are earlier in the year and some of the footage we put on our website was from the goggles. designed for BMX, motocross, ATV, quad and off-roading.

They have a 136 degree It’s got big buttons and is easy to use, once you read the instruction manual. There’s a light to tell you whenlens. it’s onThe and hands recording, andunit you has can see this with your peripheral visionHD720P while youvideo up wide angle free a video mode that records are riding. toTheir 30 actual frames per second with audio and a 5.0MP camera mode. We took a pair on our size means the goggles won’t easily fit every helmet opening, but the sides of the big outback earlier in the year some the footage we put on our goggles flip outadventure to make thistrip easier.

At higher speeds on and the open roadofthe goggles will record a fair amount of wind noise but in tighter confi nes like the bush this is far less an issue.

Overall website was from the goggles. they are a great way to video your riding and we can certainly recommend them. There’s even a fullgot HD version out soon.

It’s big buttons and is easy to use, once you read the instruction manual. There’s a PRICE: $399 light tell FROM: you when it’s on visit andwww.activeoutthere.com.au recording, and you can see this with your peripheral AVAILtoABLE For stockists MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more vision while you are riding.

Their actual size means the goggles won’t easily fit every helmet opening, but the sides of the goggles flip out to make this easier. At higher speeds on the open road the goggles will record a fair amount of wind noise but in tighter confines like the bush this is far less an issue.

Overall they are a great way to video your riding and we can 2 MOUNTING THE TECHNOLOGY certainly recommend them.

There’s even a full HD version out soon.

A COMBINATION of Youtube and affordable compact video cameras has caused an

explosion in the amount of riders shooting their experiences, but how and where to attach the camera has been an on-going problem.

At Cycle we video than most and do it with a different bike everytime and as a Avail able from: ForTorque stockists visitmore www.activeoutthere.com.au result we’ve tried many different camera attachment systems. Stick, suck or bolted, you name it we’ve probably tried it.

More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more One of the latest gadgets we’ve tried and liked is the RAM mounts. We’ve actually got a number of different RAMS mounts to suit a wide variety of applications: suction caps, master-cylinder mounts, handlebar clamps, the range of RAM mounts is huge. They are solidly built and easy to use. But it’s not all about cameras, there are holders for phones, GPS devices and the like too.

PRICE: From as little as $9.95 AVAIL ABLE FROM: Adventure Moto 1300 466 686 or visit website MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

Price: $399

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 November 2011 – 39

www.cycletorque.com.au

Protection and tracking website, you can plan, track and share rides with email, FaceBook and Twitter integration. There are some issues with tracking your ride if when you’re outside mobile phone coverage – it simply draws a straight line across the map for the time you were out of range – but the system picks up when coverage resumes. Scorpio is working on an update which will see the GPS data recorded and uploaded once communication is resumed so the route will be Scorpio’s RLink SRi- plotted correctly.

1100 alarm could turn some of that thinking on its For full functionality of the tracking and GPS head though, at least in part because its smart use technology an account is required, which current of technology, modern communications and GPS costs $US11.00 per month. means you get a lot more from your alarm than just a Once your account is set up and configured, you loud noise if someone tries to move it. set up your smartphone. As an iPhone user, I simply ALARMS are noisy, frustrating and annoying things to install, use and own: right up until they prevent your bike from being stolen, when they become the smartest investment around.

downloaded the free App via iTunes. There’s an Android App coming soon, but in the meantime if you don’t have an iPhone you can get text messages sent to your phone by configuring a Twitter or Gmail There’s also the ability to use the system to track account. But no matter which way you set it up, you and recover a stolen bike, and the RLink website has get told when someone is interfering with your bike: testimonials from customers who have done just on my iPhone a siren is triggered and a notification comes up saying the alarm was triggered. that.

In combination with a smartphone, you can receive SMS alerts if anyone interferes with your bike, and the RLink also tracks your rides so you can easily share where you’ve been.

And removing the hassle of fitment is achieved by using a fitting kit designed for your bike, so the whole thing simply plugs into the standard wiring harness – no auto electrician required.

Once logged in the App can locate your bike, show you where you’ve been and lots of other information - the length of the trip in time and distance, average and maximum speeds and the start and finish time.

A couple of other nice features on the iPhone App include locate and panic. Press locate and the lights and or/siren will sound, perfect for locating your bike parked among hundreds of others. The panic button will set off the alarm and lights…

I had a lot more trouble removing the old-style alarm fitted to the Cycle Torque CBR1100XX than I did fitting the RLink. The previous system had been installed so professionally I wasn’t sure what was alarm wiring and what was the bike’s wiring loom, and once it was removed I had to solder and tape up a few spots Your smartphone App also features emergency mode, which you can activate if you want to notify where the alarm had been spliced in. police of your bike’s location. The RLink will transmit In contrast, the fitting kit provided with the RLink its location frequently, even if the ignition is off. simply plugged into the rear indicators using the standard plugs, and this was what was supposed to The relay to immobilise the engine is an optional happen with the taillight too, but for some reason extra: it’s largely unnecessary because most modern our Honda didn’t have a taillight plug, the wiring to keys are chipped anyway, so adding another the tail going all the way back into the main wiring immobiliser is duplication. loom. This forced us to use a couple of clips from the I’m undecided on the worth of the siren (which generic fitting kit provided with the alarm to connect is an option in many countries, but standard in the alarm to the taillight, but it wasn’t a big job, and Australia). Yes, a 120db piercing wail is likely to scare the importer tells us that’s rare: most fitting kits off many thieves, but if they aren’t scared off the first thing they will do is disable your alarm, potentially match up perfectly.

This problem may have been caused by different removing the device which does the GPS tracking… bikes for different markets – maybe the US-model so I’m considering leaving the siren disconnected and tracking the bike down if any bastard takes it.

CBR has a taillight plug.

At $599 for the main unit, around $30 for a modelspecific fitting kit (soldering in is an option) and $11 per month for the account, the RLink is a lot cheaper than an insurance excess and its increased functionality over a standard alarm makes it a very With the alarm fitted your bike has an ear-piercing interesting piece of technology. siren which can be set to activate even if someone starts to interfere with your luggage, or you can – Nigel Paterson reduce its sensitivity if you find it going off a little too Find out more information: cycletorque.com.au/ more easily.

The RLink can be configured as a tracking device, engine immobiliser and alarm with proximity sensor, potentially protecting your luggage as well as the bike.

The unit can be also used simply as a GPS tracking device. In conjunction with the manufacturer’s 40 – November 2011

2

Mounting the technology

A COMBINATION of Youtube and affordable compact video cameras has caused an explosion in the amount of riders shooting their experiences, but how and where to attach the camera has been an on-going problem.

At Cycle Torque we video more than most and do it with a different bike everytime and as a result we’ve tried many different camera attachment systems. Stick, suck or bolted, you name it we’ve probably tried it.

One of the latest gadgets we’ve tried and liked is the RAM mounts.

We’ve actually got a number of different RAMS mounts to suit a wide variety of applications: suction caps, master-cylinder mounts, handlebar clamps, the range of RAM mounts is huge. They are solidly built and easy to use. But it’s not all about cameras, there are holders for phones, GPS devices and the like too.

Price: From as little as $9.95 Avail able from: Adventure Moto 1300 466 686 or visit website More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

LETTERS TORQUING BACK www.cycletorque.com.au Bad roads confirmed

AMCN, Letters to the editor.

THE October editorial on the state of roads in the Dungong shire struck a chord with me. Recently I visited a mate in Newcastle who showed me around these roads, formed it would seem by laying a patchwork of adjacent potholes, the only variation being their diameter and depth. Despite such irregularities, we had fun on our ‘adventure’ bikes (Floyd the Triumph Speed Triple and my BMW F 800 ST). By then I was particularly wary of the road surface anyway - en route from Canberra via Bathurst the day prior I had already been caught unawares by a large pothole in the shadows just north of Bywong. The impact saw a dent in the BMW’s rear rim that caused it to foul the swing-arm.

Fortunately, a local was able to assist by lending me his number 3 copper-faced hammer. As his purebred Alpine Dingo sniffed around, I gave the rim some well weighted therapeutic blows from the ancient hammer, the curve and patina of its face reflecting the problems it had solved over the preceding decades. With only some marking to the rim’s edge, I was able to return the wheel to within a few millimetres of spec and be on my way again.

The weekend’s dramas weren’t over yet though - next day Floyd picked up a puncture and deflated as we enjoyed lunch at Gloucester; its battery had also gone flat for good measure. An inquisitive and helpful bunch of BMW and Moto Guzzi riders at the local servo insisted on sorting the tyre out for us with ‘snot strings’, and a local Commodore driver was just as eager to offer a jump start.

If nothing else, perhaps the state of the roads up that way engenders a culture of mateship - for which we are both very grateful.

Mark Heinrich

Missing Ken YOUR memorial editorial for Ken Wootton has got me thinking – especially where you mention him giving as good as he got.

Some years ago a bunch of us sent letters to AMCN trying to stir him up and get letter of the month. We all used the name of Doherty (it’s a long story). My letter got in the mag, but didn’t win the bucket hat. Here’s the letter and his reply.

Hey Guys, I’ve had this sneaking suspicion for a while, but it’s getting pretty well consolidated in my mind by now, that you don’t care much for the Irish in your mag. I don’t see much to do with Irish motorcycling, or with the importance of Irish motorcycling history.

Have your guys forgotten that John Dunlop, who got bikes running on hot air in the first place, was Irish? And how can you forget that the Motorcycle Union of Ireland is the longest running federation of motorcyclists in the world. Bet you’d forgotten that it had John Dunlop as its first president.

In a recent article about trials riding, you didn’t even mention that Sammy Miller, the most successful trials rider ever, was Belfast born Irish. Hey, I remember Sammy Miller at Mt.Kembla bike track about 1970 when he was giving trials master classes - the man was magic. But then, magic belongs more in the green fields of Ireland than in the publishing offices of Australia.

Then I could start on how you never seem to print letters from Irish riders in your Access column, or if you print them they never seem to win the Letter of the Issue to claim all that Irish inspired Gassit freebies.

Well, that’s my beef for the day. Get with it guys.

What do you want me to do, grant you three wishes?

Ken Doherty

The reply in the mag was this – Ed: Mmmm, seems like you’ve got a bad case of leprechaun-sized organs housed in a full-sized Irish body. Why don’t you try subscribing to an Irish bike mag...

Now, wouldn’t you reckon that if I had the testicles of a leprechaun I’d have better luck?

Anyway, that was Wootton back in 2002. It sure was a shock to hear that he’d died, and the bike world is poorer for it.

Kim Miller

Brown holes

was from a woman (Linda) who claims that motorcyclists contribute to their own demise as they do not wear bright coloured clothes and have enough chrome on their bikes.

‘Black leather blends in with the road,’ she says.

Funny, but I can operate motorcycles, pushbikes and cars without any difficulty giving way to other vehicles – any vehicles – when I am legally obliged to do so, no matter what colour they or their operators are.

And how many motorcyles do you see getting around without a headlight on? A headlight makes it immaterial what colour the bike or its rider is... or how much chrome it has.

Will her next letter complain that our headlights are too dull? Too bright?

See, Linda clearly has a personal gripe with motorcycles and I doubt this stems from her driving legally! I can just imagine her – vanity plate, mobile phone in hand, tut-tutting as another horrible bikie gives her the finger ’cos she coasted through a stop sign and almost put him in a wheelchair.

The Lindas of the world won’t be satisfied with us painting our bikes bright colours, chroming anything we don’t paint and wearing flouro yellow. And the bike tax in Victoria (coming to your state soon!) will never be high enough. That’s because people like her are arrogant and criminally negligent and will never take responsibility for their actions.

She and her ilk won’t stop until your motorcycle has a floor, a roof, doors and four wheels. And then it’ll be the wrong colour or your rego plate won’t be clever enough. It’ll always be your fault because the world’s all about Linda.

May she wrap her car around a post after a few too many Chardonnays. Her family can claim it was the post’s fault and sue it! I don’t like to sound nasty, but this is certainly preferable to a family getting a knock at the door to come and identify their father/ husband... because his chrome was not shiny enough for Linda.

Dirty Side Down,

WHAT is it about cars that makes people such arseholes?

Lindsay Swift

I just had a letter emailed to me which appeared in a Melbourne newspaper. It

Write A Letter!

WIN A Great PRIZE

This month Mark Heinrich has won an Airhawk mid-cruiser seat for his bike, valued at $159. Airhawk seats make riding a lot more comfortable by putting a cushion of air between you and your bike.

Check out www.airhawkguy.com for more information.

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.

November 2011 – 41

www.cycletorque.com.au

42 – November 2011

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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.

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

Starter Sport LIGHT weight, sporty looks, tough exhaust note. That’s what you get with the Megelli 250R. It might not be a 1000cc firebreather 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.

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 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.

On the road

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.

The standard 250R doesn’t have upside down front forks and there’s no adjustment while the rear end has a preload-adjustable monoshock.

For the kind of work you’ll be doing on a sports-commuter machine like this the suspension is more than adequate.

The front disc is a twin caliper 300mm while the rear is a singlecaliper 230mm job. As previously mentioned this bike revels in the corners and the brakes are up to the task.

Seat height is 800mm which is not too bad, even if you’ve got

November 2011 – 43

www.cycletorque.com.au

Cycle Torque Test - Megelli 250R short legs like yours truly and the whole package weighs in at 136kg.

It has good ground clearance for a fullyfaired machine, better than most of its competitors.

Fuel tank capacity is 11 litres so it comes in a couple of litres under its competitors in this class but that isn’t going to be a problem as the single is pretty frugal on the juice.

Seating is adequate for its designated duties, but might get a bit firm if you’re going to spend too long in the saddle. For around town stuff it will be plenty good enough.

The clip-on handlebar set up is quite comfortable. It’s a slightly more aggressive looking position to some of its competitors but I found it to have good ergonomics and not hard work on the wrists.

Instrumentation is clear and legible on the run with a digital odometer and analogue tacho (it redlines at 10,000rpm).

We liked the Megelli 250R and thought it stacks up pretty well amongst its competitors which you would have to argue include the likes of the Hyosung 250, Honda CBR125 and CB250R, Kawasaki Ninja 250, Yamaha YZF R15, and Suzuki TU250X.

On the wallet

With its two-year unlimited kilometre warranty and price tag of $4850 plus onroad costs, this bike offers another real option in the competitive LAMS market, especially if you’re looking for an entry level machine that performs as it does, and looks and sounds this good.

For more information on this model and its SE variant, check out www. motorsportimporters.com.au.

S p e cificatio n s : megelli 250r Engine Type: Liquid-cooled 4-valve single Capacity: 249cc Transmission: 6-speed Fuel Capacity: 11.5 Litres Frame Type: Steel trellis Seat Height: 800mm Dry Weight: 136kg Front Suspension: 38mm telescopic Rear Suspension: Single monoshock Brakes: Single disc front, single rear Tyres: 100/70-17, 130/70-17 Price (RRP): $4,850 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more

Swingarm is a work of art.

Call for a quote

Muffler lets out a throaty note.

44 – November 2011

Massive single wave front rotor.

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

58 - NOVEMBER 2011

www.cycletorque.com.au

Torque - MV Agusta CYCLECycle TORQUE TESTTest - MEGELLI 250R F4 RIDING GEAR: HJCPENZO helmet, PHOTOS BY TEST BY DENNIS

Arlen Ness gloves, Joe Rocket leathers, Alpinestars boots.

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

NIGEL PATERSON

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

TEST BY

www.cycletorque.com.au

No Show Pony 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.

On the road

Starter Sport

Chris Pickett PHOTOS BY Nigel Paterson

IN THE past I would have classified almost much more capable road bike than it looks, all MV Agustas as show ponies. What I mean A nice or Ifairing expected. up the front end and neat little underseat LIGHT weight, sporty looks, tough exhaust note. That’s by were tobe ride on the exhaust at the back end really gives the Megelli a very sporty what you getthat with is thethey Megelli 250R.difficult It might not a 1000cc look. fire-breather sure looks andconditions feels the part in every roadbutinit real world and because There’s a single disc front and back and it has neat little other way. of this most would languish away in the blinkers as well as fairing mounted mirrors and those twin MV Agusta’s press blurb says the bike is lower, that give the whole machine a very sharp look On the shed standor beside a cafe table somewhere. headlights I fromnarrower the front. and lighter than before. Styling wise What a sharp looking little machine it is. With that red can frame now and honestly the latest 1000cc F4 Yes, this European designed machine is built in China but fairing, trellis matchingsay T6 swingarm our test it looks much like the original F4 but with some Megelli has been around for a while now and have steadily machineis really neat package. thelooked besta MV I have ever ridden and is a updates. There’s no denying it’s a handsome

On the stand

An MV Agusta for realistic money. Who would have thought?

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. machine, and Agusta hastown continued with We took our testMV machine around where we found it to be an agile little performer with great cornering two of its traditional styling cues, namelyability the and also for a couple of stints on some freeways near us. single sideddoswingarm and speeds the four muffler It will easily legal expressway with enough left in hand to do better than that.

We found the six-speed box exits under the seat. I expected my arse to had a nice spread to cope with the duties expected of it and get hot, hotter the clutch iswell light and easy tothan use. it already is, but Wheels are fi ve-spoke aluminium both MV’s engineers must havewith put17inches extraatheat ends. The special SE model comes with Pirelli Sport Demon shielding because even rear though it was tyres, different fairing colours, cowl and upsideclose down forks up front. to a 30-degrees day there was no discomfort

Continued on page 60

Imported & distributed by

November 2011 – 45

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

from the underseat exhaust. The riding position is as compact as it looks but I found it quite okay for a 200 kilometre blast along one of my all-time favourite pieces of road. Sure the seat is high and the ’bars low but all sportsbikes have this trait, no matter the brand.

In Australia there’s a new sheriff in town, MV Agusta Imports. One of the first thing the new company has done is slash the price of the F4, to $24,990 ride-away no matter where you live in Australia. The F4 is the only 2011 model imported into Australia but later this year you’ll be able to purchase the F4R and F4RR, the ‘RR’ reputedly the fastest production bike ever, with something like a 320km/h top speed. At this end of the market numbers are everything but the ‘RR’ has a very slight edge on the other two horsepower junkies, Kawasaki’s ZX-10R and BMW’s S 1000 RR. Ask both of those manufacturers which bike is the most powerful and you’ll get a biased opinion but in the real world the difference isn’t much.

On the road In full leathers I felt surprisingly comfy on the F4, although both the handlebar and footpeg positions are very, very aggresive and sporty. If the ‘bars are too low and the pegs too high, maybe an MV Brutale is more your style.

I’ve been critical of the fuelling of every MV Agusta I’ve ridden before and was keen to see if this current F4 was better or not. As soon as I rode off I knew it was much better. Gone is the stiff and snatchy throttle, and over the top engine braking at slow speeds. Now, the F4 has got something like 186hp and when you let the engine have its head you are travelling very fast indeed. And even though the engine is designed for such a topend rush it is still strong enough off the bottom, and flexible too. There’s enough torque to allow you to be lazy, pulling out of 35km/h corners in fourth gear strongly and with nary a hiccup. If you want to play with the gearbox and let the engine rev harder it will jump out of corners wanting to loft the front wheel. I preferred the lazy option to be honest because I found the bike easier and smoother – and probably faster too – to ride that way.

At one stage I thought the engine had a slight flat spot as I wound the throttle on out of corners but then I realised it was the traction control working. It has eight settings, although I set it to level two which worked well for me and let you know it was actually doing its job.

The lack of a quick shifter is a little bit of a surprise, but for me it doesn’t spoil the experience at all, finding the device a chore to use unless you are riding hard.

I wouldn’t call the six-speed gearbox impressive but it’s as good as any gearbox I’ve used lately so that’s probably why it was off my testing radar to a degree.

Its ratios are well spaced, with sixth giving a nice ‘overdrive’ feeling.

46 – November 2011

NOVEMBER 2011 - 46

www.cycletorque.com.au

Cycle Torque Test - MV Agusta F4

Italian bikes have long been known for hard suspension but again, this is an area MV Agusta has really improved.

50mm Marzocchi forks are fully adjustable, as is the Sachs rear shock. What I found was the suspension was firm but compliant and I never felt any need to adjust either end.

I remember one time testing a Brutale a number of years ago and during the one hour ride home I stopped to adjust the rock hard suspension three times, never finding any setting I would have described as being acceptable for our crap roads. On the F4 there was S p e cificatio n s : none of this. Sure, big bumps will be a pain but the current MV Agusta f4 Engine Type: Liquid-cooled inline four suspension feels light years’ ahead of the old. An adjustable Capacity: 998cc steering damper helps control Transmission: 6-speed the front end, and there was one stage I hit a decent bump Fuel Capacity: 17 Litres under hard acceleration out of Frame Type: Tubular steel trellis a corner causing a flap of the Seat Height: 830mm ’bars. I checked the damper and Dry Weight: 192kg found it completely wound off, Front Suspension: Marzocchi USD 50mm so a few clicks of the dial (15 settings) and the shakes were Rear Suspension: Sachs all gone.

Brakes: Twin 4-piston front, 320mm discs. Single 4-piston rear, 210mm disc.

I found the big four-piston radial Brembo brakes hard to Tyres: 120/70-17, 190/55-17 ignore with my hands and my Price (RRP): $25,800 ride away eyes. I think it’s a bit odd that www.cycletorque.com.au/more MV Agusta has used Nissin Call for a quote

master cylinders for both the brakes and clutch. I like Nissin brakes in fact but maybe someone can tell me why this combination has been chosen. No matter I suppose, they work extremely well. What I especially like about them is there’s good initial bite without being too strong, so you can apply a little to transfer weight to the front and wash off some speed without the bike losing too much speed. The fact the rear brake actually works reasonably well, which is unusual for an Italian sportsbike, is a real plus too.

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

The final say Those who may have tested an MV Agusta in the past and found the bike coming up short against the competition should take the chance to ride the new model. If they don’t come away thinking it’s a major step forward I’ll be gobsmacked.

Star spokes, single-sided swingarm.

Fully adjustable Sachs shock.

Fat Marzocchi forks, radial Brembos.

Square-finished underseat pipes.

And then there’s the 2012 F4RR. If the F4 is this good how good will that be? n

Comprehensive digital instrumentation.

November 2011 – 47

CYCLE TORQUE TEST – VICTORY VEGAS ZACH NESS

overstated styling touches and they really do work in harmony. www.cycletorque.com.au All the paintwork is suede titanium metallic paint with S P E C I F I C AT I O N S : Ness’s own graphics, and the VICTORY VEGAS ZACH NESS frame and swingarm also get the matte titanium colour.

Engine Type: Air/oil-cooled V-twin The wheel design looks very Capacity: 1731cc unlike what you’d see on a Transmission: 5-speed standard machine so Ness has Fuel Capacity: 17 Litres hit the mark there. Ness has also thought outside the square for Frame Type: Steel cradle many of the other custom tricks.

Seat Height: 673mm Instead of replacing standard parts Dry Weight: 296kg with his own pieces he looks to Front Suspension: 43mm conventional have taken those standard parts and modified them to achieve the Rear Suspension: Single shock desired look. The solid hand grips Brakes: Single disc front and rear. are a good example. Numerous Tyres: 90/90-21, 180/55-18 blank holes have been drilled into them which makes a strong visual Price (RRP): $22,995 + ORC impact. The same has been done on www.cycletorque.com.au/more a number of other covers. For those CALL FOR A QUOTE 1800 24 34 64 PantJacket &after more there’s the Ness handlebar crossbar, s availabl WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED* e and oil line cover, footpegs, exhaust, in both mirrors Perforate d & custom stitched leather seat and a numbered non-Perf orated plate on the engine with Ness’s signature.

A good number of accessories are also RRP .......................................... $899 RRP .......................................... $579 available, like the X-Bow exhaust, saddlebags noRmal BGW PRice ................ $399 noRmal BGW PRice ................ $399 and windshield just for starters.

Continued from page 20

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STANdARd leveRS

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SPeedmASTeR PANTS

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With the new ‘Neutral Assist’ mechanism BGW special pricefirst is easy to find anyway.

The bike actually handles very well and can be ridden reasonably quickly in the tighter corners if you use the point and squirt method.

It has the brakes and the power to revel in this type of riding. As said before though, rough roads will quickly catch out the rear suspension, although the forks cope with RRP ........................... $49 such conditions much better. If you want the low and mean look of a bike like this there BGW special price will always be some concession to suspension travel to achieve it.

d-3 GRiPS

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On the road

$4 9

bAR b AR eNdS

There’s plenty of room on the Ness Vegas, even for bigger riders. With a low seat height the Vegas is even okay for shorter riders, also helped by the low centre of gravity. Around town the bike is easy to ride but push too hard through roundabouts and the like and you’ll Verdict soon be scraping the footpegs. On the open Use coupon code speedmaster42 at checkout Use coupon code speedmaster42 at checkout A Vegas 8-Ball costs $18,495 + ORC, the Zach road this is far less an issue. to get discount, or call us. Free shipping. to get discount, or call us. Free shipping.

Ness version $4,500 more. You could easily *offers available until sold out or until further notice. *offers ffers available until sold out or until further notice. spend that sort of cashola ‘individualising’ an Engine performance is outstanding down low, and the engine has got so much torque you 8-Ball. If that’s your go why not buy a Ness can be super lazy and keep it in one gear, even Vegas? more in the long run. ■ Website: www.bikegearwarehouse.com.au Phone: 1300 7000 44It will be worth s h ip p in g o n e e around town.

Forget to go back to fi rst at a set Fr 0 Address: 72a Topham Rd, Smeaton Grange NSW 2567

Opening hours: Saturdays 9-12pm

48 – November 2011

$3 0

e v e ry th in g

a b o v e $ 10

Cycle Torque Racing Feature

www.cycletorque.com.au

Project Hysterical Buckets galore.

It only took four corners to do this

Old school cool.

Photos by Gareth “Stelvio” Williams

One Hour ofTherecarnage was lots of other classes too, from 125cc Period 4 machines

REGULAR Cycle Torque readers would know I’m into historic road racing and have recently been putting the final touches to a Honda VF1000, of 1985 vintage no less. This might be an odd choice seeing as it was really a sports touring bike back in the day.

Well the debut of said machine was the recent Australian Bucket Nationals and One Hour Endurance spectacular at Wakefield Park, hosted by the NSW Post Classic Racing Association, the very same club which promotes the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed.

The ‘One Hour’ as it’s become known has been a big hit over the last few years and is really going from strength to strength.

right up to Pre Modern unlimited capacity big bangers.

Before I go right into what happened on the weekend for the rest of the hysterical punters I should talk a little about Cycle Torque’s Honda VF1000. It was bought off good old eBay for $1650, and stripped of its road gear to lighten the load somewhat – yes, it’s a heavy beast.

A set of Venhill braided brake lines went on, the brakes rebuilt, with Bendix pads slotted in, and a pair of NG drilled discs bolted on for good measure. The suspension copped an overhaul too, with a new old Bitubo shock bolted into the rear end, and new oil/seals in the forks. Other than that it was a bog stock unit.

This year it was very much about the buckets, with three classes – Motolite, Superlite, and Commuterlite – taking up much of the pit Unfortunately there was no time to put in more modern wheels because I didn’t realise the meeting date was brought forward this lane real estate.

arge.

Alex Pickett on a ch November 2011 – 49

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Project Hysterical year until too late. Because tyre choices for the skinny 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels are very limited I made a tyre choice on the back which was a huge mistake seeing Cycle Torque’s resident racer Alex Pickett lasted all of four corners in qualifying before he gracefully slid off the big VF. Not too much damage other than pride, some original bodywork and one muffler. He was even able to pick the behemoth up and ride it back to the pits. They say embarrassment can give you extra strength.

with the standard spec Commuterlites title being won by Damien Coppola, from Nick Winban and Ryan Young, all three riders on Honda 125 four-stroke machines. The mildly modified Superlite class was action packed too, with Tim Smith winning from Walter Murphy and Carlyle Bennett, all three also on Honda machinery.

The premier Motolite class was a Honda benefit too, with Paul Borg finally winning the title he deserves from Jason Dunn and Mark Strong.

I’m sure the Honda head honchos in Japan were wringing their hands There were some other issues which the crash brought to light so it together, and talk around the pits is Borg has been offered a MotoGP was decided it was better to lick our wounds and park the bike for the contract for next year, replacing the underachieving Dani Pedrosa. I remainder of the meeting. think Pedrosa might even be taller than the minuscule but forever Then first time Cycle Torque team member – and noted bucket smiling Borg. racing hard charger – Brian Mowle asked Alex if he’d like to ride his 1993 Honda Fireblade Sunday morning dawned bright and clear and talk was tough as to in the sprint races who would do the winning in all classes. In the Bucket One Hour most for the remainder people were putting their money on the team of Borg and Dunn on of Saturday, with the smick little Honda RS85. Borg diced heavily with Michael Lockhart myself sharing the on his Moriwaki 80 for much of the first half hour stint until the time riding in Sunday’s came for rider changes. A quick change allowed Dunn to get a slight One Hour race. This lead over Lockhart’s team-mate Mitch Levy which he held until the was before Brian flag. Shane Wilcox and his team-mate rode their Honda 100 to third. actually realised Team Cycle Torque qualified the Honda CBR150 in fourth spot for the Alex had crashed bucket enduro but machine problems while Brian was on board lost the VF – he rode it us two laps. This put us way down the field but when Alex jumped on back remember – to do the last 40 minutes he put his head down and charged through le ow M n ia and when he did much of the field to get the ex-junior race bike up to 13th outright at Br Bucket ‘Hard Man’ see the damage race end. the colour drained out of his face ever so slightly.

Bucket Racing stalwart Kenny Lindsay was in fine form, resplendent This decision would come back to haunt Brian later in the day in his ex-factory Honda leathers, and was looking fast until a crank because Alex, after helping the Honda team take first place in the failure caused the experienced rider to have a moment which caused Teams’ Challenge race, slipped off the nicely prepared bike on the a few riders to take evasive action. It was quite an event to watch slow down lap. More embarrassment for the teenager. from the pits but it seems some of Kenny’s fellow riders’ words were Saturday was really about the Australian Bucket Nationals though, as ‘blue’ as his leathers.

The limits of endurance

Alex about to be carved up by Michael Lockhart.

50 – November 2011

Talk was equally as tough among competitors in the P4/5/6 and Pre Modern F3 enduro. It was going to be hard to beat the A grade team of Harley Borkowski and Brett Clarke but Cycle Torque’s Craig Goldsmith and Alex Pickett were revved up – well Goldsmith was anyway. In the last two years our team had won and came second in this race so confidence was high.

Goldsmith and Borkowski were separated by mere bike lengths for much of the first half hour, with Goldsmith peeling in first for the rider change. This allowed Borkowski to build up a gap which his co-rider Clarke was able to keep and extend. It was looking as though Cycle Torque would

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Jason Cullen on the ex factory Yam

aha.

Spaceframe Laverda looked and

have to settle for second until Alex got a false neutral and ran off the track, losing some 12 seconds in the process. This then allowed A grader Glenn Kelleher on the Harvest Pools machine to get within striking distance of the Cycle Torque/Rutherford Trailers machine. Then Clarke on the RB Imports VFR400 lost the front

end, crashing out and handing the lead to Alex. He was able to manage this lead despite Kelleher slashing seconds out of it, with only nine seconds separating the two after an hour’s racing.

sounded awesome.

Levy were entered on a Honda RS125 and but for machine issues during the race could well have changed who finished where judged on their lap times, when the RS could actually finish a lap.

he bought straight from the team back in 1989. Cullen was on a mission, lapping pretty much everyone except the second placed RB outfit in the first 20 minutes or so.

Then it was time for the big banger unlimited capacity brigade, with bikes like early ’Blades and FZR1000 Yamahas holding court.

The fairytale ended with Cullen slipping off the very rapid FZR while commanding a 45 second lead. Team RB held the lead until they were also forced out of the running, with the Harvest Pools team of Steve Ward and Glenn Kelleher taking the top spot on their GSX-R750 Suzuki. They would hold this lead until the

Clarke and Borkowski on the RB The team of Cooney and Woods Imports looked the business but rode their Honda VFR400 to a so did the team of Jason Cullen fine third place. Lockhart and and Nigel Taylor on Taylor’s ex Malboro Yamaha FZR750R which

November 2011 – 51

Project Hysterical www.cycletorque.com.au

end, taking first outright, with Easton/ a war of attrition with four of the 10 Slade (FZR750) taking second and machines failing to complete the race, Onrust/Ellis in third on their FZR1000. some in only a few Team Cycle Torque had qualified in laps. At the end 8th and I started the race gradually of play it was the making my way backwards as rapidly team of Rayner and as I had hoped to be going forwards, Cumming winning, before handing the bike to Alex in with Reynolds and around 13th position. Alex proceeded Blackwell finishing to once again cut a swathe through in second a lap a good chunk of the field, making up down, and Brown/ for lost time. With 5th place in the bag, Harris on the Suzuki powered and fourth not far away Alex ran out of 1000cc machine in third. fuel exiting the last corner to take the last lap board. Accusations were flying thick and fast in the Team Cycle Torque pit but eventually the blame would have to be taken by me because I remembered I actually fuelled the bike, foolishly opting to save a scant few kilos in weight by not completely filling the tank. That said, fifth place or fiftieth we were off the podium so it didn’t matter anyway I reckon.

This really is a fun event and it’s great to see modern riders like Cullen and Cru Halliday turning up to race the older machines.

Halliday’s mentor Jeff Brown thought it was a masterstoke The sidecars are always fun to watch getting Halliday on and the 20 minute enduro was no his Yamaha 125 Commuterlite but different. Sidecars have a reputation unfortunately for them both the little for losing oil which may or may not 125 isn’t exactly high on power. be true depending on whether you’ve Get an old steed, race prepare it fallen off your solo on some of said oil and get out there. Check out www. but it can be said there were no such postclassicracing.com.au or www. issues during the weekend. That said ozbucketracing.com for more info.

– Chris Pickett you could call the 20 minute enduro rwise known as ‘The

Editor Pickett, othe

52 – November 2011

Gazelle’.

d classic racing.

Some big names are getting behin