Cycle Torque October 2011

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synonomous with credibility and accountability.

OCTOBER 2011 As a member of the CAB you too can take advantage of the benefits of this prestigious brand by

www.cycletorque.com.au w www. ww.cycl cycletor cycletor orrque. q com. que com.aau com.au au

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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.

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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 permitte on stage at the Sydney Motorcycle Show, Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre, Sydney NSW. 7. Entry is by online form located at www.c is not redeemable for cash. 9. No employee or family member of an employee of Motorcycle Publishing Pty Ltd or Yamaha Motor Au includes delivery to the winner’s nearest Yamaha dealer, vehicle registration and on-road costs (value variable dependant on winner’s 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 re 16. The promoter is Motorcycle Publishing Pty Ltd. 17. The name of the promotion is “Cycle Torque’s Spring Give-Away”. 18. The pri

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

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

OCTOBER 2011

Contents 28 36 FEATURE

THE TERROR OF POWER

42

LAUNCH REPORT

tEST

APRILIA DORSODORO 1200

40

Yamaha YZ250F

34 test

Honda CBR250R

test

Triumph Daytona 675R Test

hARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM

features 51 USA on a borrowed bike 54 brp’s technical heart PTII

REGULARS 3-14 News 16 EDITORIAL 18 GUNTRIP 19 e-Torque 24 race torque 26 Dirty torque 38 QUAD TORQUE 46 LETTERS 48 Bike stuff 50 used & reviewed

Cover photos: YZ250F by iKapture, ZX-10R by Paterson

www.cycletorque.com.au

Phillip Island MotoGP THE countdown is on for the Phillip Island round of the MotoGP Championship from October 14-16.

Casey Stoner has a commanding points lead heading to Phillip Island, proving he had lost none of his talent when he made the switch from Ducati to Honda for the 2011 season.

While it seems Stoner has made a very smart move, things haven’t been so rosy for Valentino Rossi and his crew chief Jeremy Burgess after their switch to Ducati, effectively replacing Stoner. Rossi has clearly been unable to come to grips with the fast but feisty Ducati. That said Rossi’s immense talent still sees him sitting in 6th in the title race as Cycle Torque went to press.

Stoner’s main rival is reigning MotoGP champ Jorge Lorenzo on Yamaha’s M1 machine. Arguably the championship will come down to these two riders, barring some unforeseen incident. But Stoner has put his own mark on the Phillip Island circuit in the last few years and you can expect he will be extremely hard to beat there.

Moto2 will also provide some thrilling racing, with full grids, control engines and testosterone flying everywhere.

You can also see the last 125cc GP race in Australia. In 2012 the field will change to 250cc four-stroke powered machines called Moto3.

Both of these classes will likely have young Aussie riders getting wildcards to compete against the world’s best.

Local riders will star too, in the

NEWStorque

Superbike/Superstock 1000 races, plus the ever popular Historic class gives spectators a great blast from he past.

While watching a superbike being punted around at full noise is awesome to see and hear, so are the historic machines which circulate at a very fast pace indeed.

Of course there’s more to see and do than the racing. The AMCN GP Expo has everything from new motorcycles to leather conditioner for your boots. In the Gardner Village Entertainment area you’ll find the Globe of Death, Freestyle Moto X show and much more.

Corporate packages – at various sections of the track – are still available so you can watch the race in comfort, and there are a couple of camping options too.

There is a lot more to do, see and stay at Phillip Island. Check out www.cycletorque. com.au/more for links to track packages, ticketing, accommodation, racing and local information. n

Above: Casey Stoner.

Below: valentino Rossi on the Ducati.

Bottom: Last year’s Phillip Island race.

October 2011 – 5

12 - OCTOBER 2011

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EDITORIAL NEWStorque

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Brisanriders MC moves Bad roads and future

Sunshine Coast Euros

NEW Moto Guzzi and Aprilia focused on developing a point BRISAN Motorcycles has moved to luxurious new digs at Islington. A long established dealer Coastline Motorrad of difference for our business; shop in the Newcastle area, Brisan Motorcycles is home to Triumph, BMW, Can-Am Yamaha, followed by big banger GSX1100s and the I officially THOUGHT I’d talk about two different things in my column thisproduct month. presentation, opened its doors on showroom and Victory motorcycles. like. Glorious stuff to a young fella. The power of these One is easy to 1 defiwhere ne because you can actually see ittechnical while the competency other is more knowledge, September customers Besides things eclipsed anythe car Ihuge had. modern diffi cultgreeted to defineby because it’s with a perception. were a team a and a desire to provide the ultimate showroom there’s a much You would punt along the ‘Old Road’ and check Late last month a mate and I met up with some other riding buddies at collective experience of over 50 ownership experience are key to the out the bikes at the original Road Warrior’s Cafe. I Bulahdelah about halfway between Newcastle and Taree. We were testing larger parts/accessories years and a passion and love of way we operate the business. rememberand it being full section of youngthan blokes some bikes and the natural and most direct route from Chateau Picko and apparel in and modern premium motorcycles. bikes, no the doubt the majority them dreamers like Bulahdelah is to ride through the beautiful of IDungog, through “Mytownship team and are all very excited previous store,ofand the myself.

Stroud on the Buckettswas Way, and on to the c Highway via the Booral to to Pacifi be given the opportunity

by JSA Coastline Motorrad nominated workshop can cater for many Why has it changed? You pull into the cafe now and Bulahdelah road. of the year in 2003 (Moto Guzzi and Aprilia importer as BMW dealer oldermachines guys withtoo. modern bikes. Gone are the Anyone who knows Dungog (where I live) will knowtoit’s adventure it’s full ofmore Sample Group) represent and 2008, and was the runner up shire in John pimply faced teensfind andthe riders in theiratearly ‚’20s. Do bike heaven, partly because of the plethora of forest trails and natural beauty You can new store Aprilia and Moto Guzzi on the 2011. younger riders not lustRoad, after new bikes like we did? Has of the area. The town is near the Barrington National Park which has a huge 250 Maitland Islington, Sunshine Coast and weground look forward the following generation of n those pimply faced terrors reputation such beauty.

The other it’s the stomping of Dealer for Principal Dean Kurz reason ph.

02 4940 8777. welcoming current dropped the ball? There’s no doubt the sportsbike market adventure bikesin is the roads are absolutetocrap.

In recent times I’veand donefuture two background the motorcycle Aprilia and Moto Guzzi owners is dropping. Is this the reason it’s dropped? tyres on my Ford sedan from potholes, just after I’d recently replaced the to business started in 2001 with BMW While this seems to be the case in the road market, the bloody things“Intoo.the early days we our dealership,” said Kurz.

Motorrad. off road market appears to be more like the old days.

The Dungog shire has long had a reputation for bad roads, a combination Certainly the riders start off much earlier, with many of a small population to get rates from, and because it seems to be way off the state and federal government’s radar. That’s my perception in any case and I’m continuing to ride when mum and dad have stopped paying the bills. happy to be proven wrong.

When was the last time you saw an ad which actually While my local roads constantly give me the shits it’s the Booral to targeted younger riders? Most are targeting older riders with Bulahdelah road which got me really cranky. I’ve ridden this road many THERE’S nothing better than more disposable cash.kicking back times over the years but in recent times I’ve steered away from it due to with a goodI think coffee and someindustry friends, the motorcycle in general needs to work out the deplorable state it’s in. Deciding to give it a run that day had me gobespecially if it’s in a motorcycle friendly cafe. better ways to keep the younger market interested. smacked at how bad it’s become. It’s hard to describe how bad the road is and – Chris Pickett whichever government agency is responsible for it should be hauled over Just the such a place has recently opened up coals, preferably kicking and screaming the whole way. at 3 Throsby Street, Wickham, a suburb of It’s fine for police and RTA ads to tell us to drive to the conditions but the Newcastle. In the words of the Wickham condition of long sections of this road are simply beyond belief.

Motorcycle Company’s Matt Harris, “It’s a bit I wonder how long it is before some agency or person in power is sued over about the bikes and a lot about the coffee.” this road?

Wickham Motorcycle Company

Future plans include a motorcycle workshop When I was first getting really interested in road bikes there were machines on site to cater for servicing and repairs, plus like the Suzuki GSX-R750 and Yamaha RZ500 setting the world on fire. On some custom builds, chic apparel and custom the road were Katana 1100s, Kawasaki Z1Rs, bevel drive Ducatis and all sorts motorcycle parts. For now though you can get of wonderful stuff. For me it was heaven. For years I had a pic of Warren great coffee, great food and a great atmosphere.

Willing on his TZ road racer on my wall. When I was younger I drooled over There’s plenty of on site parking too. my cousin’s YZ80. When I was old enough I bought my first roady, a 250 Check out an interview Cycle Torque did with Matt Harris at www.cycletorque.com.au. n

6 – October 2011

Motorcycle Art The next evolution in refinement, performance and design from MV Agusta. The new F4 and Brutale range redefine excellence. Available from $17,800 Ride Away.

NEW F4 RR $33,800 Ride Away at Participating Dealers

NEW Brutale 920 $17,800

NEW Brutale RR $20,800

NEW F4 1000 $25,800

Ride Away at Participating Dealers

Ride Away at Participating Dealers

Ride Away at Participating Dealers

VICTORIA Peter Stevens Motorcycles 347 Elizabeth Street Melbourne 3000 Tel. 03 9602 5833

NEW SOUTH WALES Trooper Lu’s Garage 3/80 Heathcote Road Moorebank 2170 Tel. 02 9602 3773

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Rick Gill Motorcycles 11-13 Main Street Osborne Park 6017 Tel. 08 9443 3555

QUEENSLAND Moto Arena 49 Lawrence Drive Nerang 4211 Tel. 07 5596 6655

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Peter Stevens Motorcycles 221 Franklin Street Adelaide 5000 Tel. 08 8212 1494

Central Coast Motorcycles and Scooters 5 Hely Street West Gosford 2250 Tel. 02 4324 3355

TASMANIA Shearwater Motorcycles 102 Alexander Street Shearwater 7307 Tel. 03 6428 7077

Sunstate Motorcycles 76 Aerodrome Road Maroochydore 4558 Tel. 07 5479 4344 www.mvagustaimports.com.au

NEWStorque

Next year’s RM-Zs

34 - OCTOBER 2011

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CYCLE TORQUE TEST HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S: HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200 CUSTOM Engine Type: Air-cooled V-twin Capacity: 1200cc Transmission: 5-speed Fuel Capacity: 17 Litres Frame Type: Steel Seat Height: 710 SUZUKI’S 2012 RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 motocrossers are Wet Weight: 260kg ready to race and waiting at your local Frontdealer.

Suspension: Telescopic Some very interesting technology onRear the 450 lies the Suspension: Twinin shocks Brakes: movement Single disc front and rear.

EFI system which uses a reversed throttle Tyres: 130/90-16, 150/80-16 which apparently directs fuel away from the valve to Price (RRP): $16,250 + ORC produce moreRIDING power and crisper throttle response. The GEAR: RXT helmet, WileyX www.cycletorque.com.au/more eyewear, Bikers Club Australia jacket, RM-Z250 was a market leader in this class when itA comes CALL FOR QUOTE Hornee Jeans, Triumph Newington 1800 24 34 64 WE’LLit BEAT PRICE GUARANTEED* to fuel injection, toANYanother level glovesand and Joethe Rocketnew Big Bang250 boots. takes

FAT WHEELS + FAT ENGINE = COOL…

with a 43mm throttle body and a battery-less fuel pump.

REPORT

BY DENNIS PENZO

BY CHRIS PICKETT If you buy a 2012 model you also getPHOTOS a comprehensive spares kit. Motocross and supercross racers of the Suzuki RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 are also eligible to register for Suzuki’s Support Rider program, offering generous contingency payments on national and state championships. going to offer any problems flicking round bends or handling an inspiring feel. city streetscapes.

Having been used to the handling of bikes with Both machines have twin spar alloy frames Likewise the forward controlsand are not much skinnier front wheels I wasn’t sure what to ergonomically daunting and some of myarenas. longerexpect, but came away pleased with the way the to work suspension designed in hard competition legged brethren in the office also found them quite 1200 Custom handled.

The 2012isSuzuki RM-Z450 is available now for a accommodating.

Ground clearance at 110mm not what you The mildthe pullback were quiteFor would call staggering but I was quite surprised Recommended Price atof $11,590, 250handlebars for $10,690. comfortable too whether pottering around town or the lack of scraping we encountered in the twisties. further information on both bikes on the run. and the Suzuki Support Definitely a feel of more sportster than cruiser in But you have to remind yourself this their bike isn’t its behaviour. Rider The 30 degree rake and the 1520mm program, interested customers should visit designed for long trips across country even if it’s wheelbase offered a very stable day’s riding. local Suzuki dealer, can be found through thethe Dealer quite comfortable in doing them, rather day The seat height is 710mm so it’s not going towho be jaunts to which we subjected it. off-putting for the vertically challenged such as Locator on www.suzuki.com.au.

The reason, of course, being the 17 litre fuel tank. yours truly. Again, the 251kg 1200 Custom is not

Feed ’em beef and chrome

THE Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom is not just a pretty face, there’s some muscle under all that glitter.

On the stand

Well, you’re certainly not going to miss that front end with it’s big beefy tyre sitting on a chrome spoke 16-inch front wheel. That’s a seriously fat front end.

Mind you, the rear wheel is also 16 inches.

Being a Tigers’ supporter I just loved the Sedona orange and vivid black paint scheme and there are others available too.

Acres of chrome and serious stainless adds glitter

to the muscle.

The svelte one-piece seat has room for a pillion (just) and I found the rider’s end extremely comfortable.

With over a century of building beautiful motorcycles under its belt, Harley clearly has the task down pat.

On the road

I took Harley’s orange demon for a nice strop through the countryside including the old Bulahdelah bends north of Newcastle and found it to have very nice road manners. I did push it a bit, as you do, and that beefy front tyre gave the

NEWStorque

AMG Diavel

OCTOBER 2011 - 35

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DUCATI and Mercedes sporting arm AMG have joined forces to produce a Special Edition Diavel power cruiser.

Based upon the Diavel Carbon, Asthe pretty as the tank is, it’s still carrying a AMG’s recessed access plug.

Diavel AMG SEonly features The chrome staggered exhaust relatively short fuel supply for that kind of riding. has a nice low rumble without being And let’s face it, if5-spoke you were going to buy styling, a Harley signature wheel and many commented on its that does some serious kays, then there are plenty fibreinlateral radiator grills overbearing with nice sound and the fact they thought you ofcarbon different models Harley’s range from which toaluminium choose. trim, AMG-style sportwouldn’t even need aftermarket pipes. I generally lean towards a louder note but And it’s not like there aren’t enough to choose exhaust system withhasengraved the standard pipes had a good throaty from – the XL 1200N (Nightster) a 12 litre tank, endsound. the XL 1200X (48AMG-style Series) has the 8 litre peanut tank, caps and horizontally A dual piston caliper front brake and so you can see that you’re spoilt for choice as far as ribbed upholstery.

Every engine single piston rear caliper supply the different 1200seat Sportster configurations go. anchors The 1200 definitely comescam-timing into its own has itsCustom Desmodromic set and do it competently.

No adjustment on the front end is not a problem, in the city, where it really shines. The torque is a by hand authenticated with the even if you’re going for a run out of town. The handy 98Nm at and 3200rpm which allows the engine five-way adjustable rear shocksengine may be a toname pull nicely the rev range, with a five- engraved ofthrough the engine technician on thetwin left-side fairly basic set-up these days but they certainly speed ‘box delivering the goods via that lovely casing, underlining the model’s Each motorcycle pass muster. Heavier riders will not like the will softish smooth belt drive.

Fuel injection, of course, keeps exclusivity. the juice flowing with the electronic sequential port springs and lack of travel though, with the bike have a numbered plaque on the fuel tank, further enhancing this bottoming on numerous occasions. fuel injection (ESPFI).

Instruments offer the usual suspects – clock, dual Things are kept smooth with the rubber-mounted exclusivity. trip meter, high beam, neutral, low oil pressure, air cooled V-twin Evo powerplant. Very little The Diavel in matte black carbon fibre turn signals, engine diagnostics, fuel warning light, wiring is onnew show with most ofAMG it tuckedSE awayis dressed etc. out of view.

Very neat.

As is the 2.5 litre oil tank’s bodywork with AMG’s very own “Diamond White Bright” stripe

Even the rear blinkers are designed stylishly.

Single disc and fat front tyre do the job better than you might think.

Air-cooled engine isn’t short on pulling power.

Rear shocks don’t have a lot of travel.

The hands-free fob does all the security work. It On the wallet justand keep getting easier and easier doesn’t it? whatwheels. do you think you should be paying frame colour contrasted with Well, black The special edition A new LED rear light is smaller and has a nice to buy into the Harley-Davidson lifestyle? There is wheels, seat of and exhaust allrange AMG branded while snug fit on the contour the rear guard. end-caps suchare a huge of machines in the Harley stable The air-cooled Evo engine with aluminium and with that comes a commensurate number of “AMG” is also laser-engraved into the air-duct panels either side heads and cylinders keep things light and improve pricing options. of the fuelThe tank.

Ducati SEon-road and dedicated leather cooling efficiency. engineThe is really designedDiavel for AtAMG $16,250 plus costs you’re going to bottom end grunt.

You can rev it hard if you like be riding away happy for this price on a bike jacket and helmet apparel will be available in early 2012 with but there’s really no point, you’ll just be giving it an with this engine capacity that offers such reliable orders hard opening first public showing at the unnecessarily time. to coincide with the performance and build quality.

■

Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany in late September.

www.cycletorque.com.au

NEWStorque

Kwakas, Wings or Hogs for coppers?

currently testing and riding the 1400GTR and is pleased with the model’s performance and suitability saying, “The police department is always looking for options that can provide the best service to our customers and ensure the safety of the police officers that use the equipment.

The Kawasaki 1400GTR has been identified as a strong platform where we can try concepts like on board video and radar and at this stage the Kawasaki is performing admirably.”

FOR many years now whenever you saw a police motorcyclist in Australia chances are he or she would have been riding a BMW or Honda.

Lately though the NSW Police Force has been looking outside the square when it comes to HWP motorcycles.

Kawasaki has thrown its hat into the ring with the 1400GTR which is currently being evaluated. There’s plenty of reasons why the monster GTR would make a great police bike, not least the power and the luggage capacity it boasts. In the past engine configuration played a big part into why certain motorcycles were chosen but this tends to limit your choices.

It’s not the first time NSW police have strayed from the regular BMW/Honda path, with Yamaha FJR1300s being utilised by some HWP sections.

The GTR is used by a number of Police Forces throughout the world, including the USA where a dedicated police model is available.

Besides the GTR, Harley-Davidson and Honda Goldwing models are being evaluated in NSW also.

Senior Constable David Tilbury from the Traffic Support Group-VIP Cycles department of the NSW Police Force is

Saturday Night Special

CAB AUDIT

TT 3D Closer To The Edge THE film about the world famous motorcycle race on the Isle of Man opens in Australian cinemas on October 20.

mation Guide

In last month’s Cycle Torque our columnist Bob Guntrip interviewed the film’s director Richard De Aragues and you can read that in the September eMag via our website.

At the time of going to press entries were still open for our competition to win tickets to sneak previews of this film in Melbourne and Sydney in early October, but you might be cutting it fine to make it if you’re reading this now as winners should have been notified and tickets mailed by the time the October Cycle Torque was due to hit the streets.

What a film and what a race! As racing aficionados are only too aware, the Isle of Man is THE classic motorcycle race where riders push themselves and their machinery to the limit to become “king of the mountain.”

The film follows the leading riders in the 2010 race, in particular Guy Martin and Ian Hutchinson one the “people’s champion” the other a dedicated, focussed rider.

Even if you’re not particularly a fan of bike racing as such this film is a compelling story of the strength of the human spirit, freedom of choice and what motivates this rare breed of racer.

For a look at the incredible film trailer check out the site for the film’s distributor Icon Films Distribution on http://iconmovies.com.au/ movies/t/tt3d.aspx. n

10 – October 2011

Membership Badge formats for Cycle Torque Maximise the value of your CAB membership and audit using the CAB Membership Badge.

ONE of the newhas Harley-Davidson models for 2012 isand thepublishing Night Rod industries Special. This is a custom The CAB brand which been servicing the advertising since 1957 is variant of the V-Rod and in addition to styling touches is a ‘warmed’ version of the V-twin engine putting synonomous withseries, credibility and accountability. out 125 horsepower.

As a member of the CAB you too can take advantage of the benefits of this prestigious brand by The ‘exo-frame’ is unique to the V-Rod series which wraps around the tank and engine. including a CAB Member Badge on all promotional material including publisher panels, media kits, If youand likenewsletters. your motorcycles black then the Night Rod Special should appeal to you, with only the fork sales flyers

tubes, brake discs and silencers another colour. It’s likely you won’t see these models in Australia until

Using the badge will year. reinforce your commitment to a credible and accountable industry. much later this n This badge has been created for Cycle Torque for use in the publishers panels, media kits and other promotional materials of that publication.

Audit display badge CAB AUDIT

Audited 31,850 Oct to Mar 2005

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www.cycletorque.com.au PO Box 687, Warners Bay, NSW 2282 Ph (02)Combined 4956 9820 • Fax (02)badge 4956 9824 membership Email: info@cycletorque.com.au Regular contributors:Audited CAB FOWLER, Bob Darryl Flack, ADRIAN AUDIT Guntrip, Keith Muir, Alex 31,850 Pickett, Oct to Mar 2005 Darren Smart, Todd Reed, Friedemann Member since Mar 2005 Kirn, WWW.2SNAP.COM. The circulation records of this

Advertising DENNIS PENZO, 0420 319 335 publication have been submitted Please note: Only audited figures canTORQUE be CYCLE is published

by Motorcycle Publishing Pty dennis@cycletorque.com.au for independent audit with the

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Ltd. valid ABN to 91 085 871 147 quoted in the Badge. This badge Circulations Audit Board Printed by RURAL PRESS, NORTH RICHMOND. 30th September, 2005.

Print Post approved PP255003/04198 ISSN 1441-8789 Design & PRODUCTION Cycle Torque is available from bike shops across Dionne Hagan, THE D MEDIA DESIGN Australia.

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

Accounts: Rebecca Eastment Subscriptions are available. $24.95 per year, call 02 4956 bec@cycletorque.com.au 9820 for details.

Generic membership badge Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this PUBLISHER publication may be reproduced in any form, including Nigel Paterson electronic, without written permission of the publisher.

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NEWStorque

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Sydney Motorcycle Show

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.

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! Entry costs are $20 for adults, $14 for seniors and kids 5-15. You can buy family tickets too. Check out www.cycletorque.com.au/more for more information. n

Perth Power

MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts should be gearing up for an exhilarating new concept in motorcycle entertainment coming to Perth, November 4-6.

MotoLive has been seen in Europe, and now the concept is being brought to the Perth Motorcycle and Scooter Show.

The bi-annual Perth Motorcycle and Scooter Show is one of Australia’s most successful industry events, having brought record crowds of 23,500 people to the 2009 Show. With the introduction of MotoLive, the 2011 Show is set to be an even bigger spectacle.

Show Director Peter Woods of Premiere Events said the 2011 Perth Motorcycle and Scooter Show will be a mind-blowing weekend of motorcycle entertainment, with more exhibition display space, exclusive custom display options, and an extravagant schedule of entertainment and attractions.

“As part of MotoLive we’ll be setting up a central stage that will be the focal point of the Show and will feature new releases and product reviews, entertainment, fashion parades, interviews and more,” he said.

“New release bikes will be brought up on stage and presented to the audience with the help of the giant LED sports screen. Exhibitors can present their new products in this interactive live show format.

“As well as this, we’ll have an awesome display of stunt riders including Matt Mingay and Lukey Luke, plus moto trials, vintage and custom bike displays, freestyle motocross, and the interactive ‘Come Try Riding’ circuit for those who want a piece of the action.”

For more information visit www.cycletorque.com.au/more. n

Passionate eating I RECENTLY revisited the Torque Café, Bar and Grill at Fraser Motorcycles’ Concord establishment. Greeted by host Theo Athas, we were quickly into a monster B.L.T. washed down with steaming mugs of mocca, courtesy of barista, Johnny. Seated in-between a new Multistrada on the one hand and a thundering Harley nearby, I checked out the wonderful decor, a painting of Casey on the G.P. Duke flanked by some lively staff members and the cheeky mural of a classic Hog complete with adoring lady in attendance, contrasted with the unique skylight consisting of an intricate filigree of engine parts and glasswork.

The café is fully licensed, kids eat free on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and there are all kinds of unique, birthday, midweek, and ‘special occasions’ packages. Check out the website, www.torquebarandgrill.com.au, or call Theo and the team on 1300 688 600. Blessed with tons of off street parking, for cars as well as bikes, it’s an oasis from the hustle and bustle of busy Parramatta Road. Quite a few ride groups and clubs use the cafe’ as a meeting/ staging point as well, you can always wander into the showroom and drool over a mouthwatering array of new motorcycles! Check out this eatery, it’s a ton of fun, great food combined with unique surroundings delivering ‘real’ atmosphere. As well it’s clearly run by folk who care, not only about good tucker, but motorcycles as well!

– ‘Auntie’ Mal Cherlin.

12 – October 2011

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October 2011 – 13

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NEWStorque : PIT BITS Metcalfe breaks through AFTER almost a decade on the professional American motocross and supercross circuit Aussie superstar Brett Metcalfe scored his first-ever overall win at round 10 of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championships at Southwick.

With Hurricane Irene bearing down on the MX338 facility Metcalfe carved out two hard fought motos on a track that was as taxing as any in recent history making the ex-South Australian is overall win even more sensational.

“Getting this win is definitely the highlight of my motocross career,” said Metcalfe. “It’s been eight years of racing in the U.S. and trying to get a win, so this is incredible.

“Thanks to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team for a great bike in the RM-Z450 and to my family and everyone who’s helped make this happen. Hard work, motivation and dedication, stay at it and it happens,” said Metcalfe through a mud riddled grin after the second moto.

With two rounds remaining Metcalfe sits fourth in the series behind Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey and Chad Reed.

MRRDA BROADFORD’S road racing track in Victoria recently played host to the final round of the Motorcycle Road Race Development Program.

As an indication of how close the racing was over the season each class was still up for grabs. There were the added carrot of a test for the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and rides with the RMU and Malossi teams in Europe.

Zac Zanesco would come away with the Australian Junior 2-stroke National Cup, with Lawson Walters winning the Nippers class.

Olly Simpson won the Junior 4-stroke National Cup, Hudson Pitt the 125GP title, and Kane Burns the 250GP mono title.

Visit www.cycletorque.com.au for a full report and pics.

KTM Sweeps world MX RED Bull Teka KTM’s Antonio Cairoli has wrapped up his second FIM MX1 world title while the team’s MX2 rider Ken Roczen has broken through for his first world championship with a dominating performance at the penultimate round at Gaildorf in Germany.

For Cairoli the 2011 MX1 World Motocross Championship win takes his tally to five world championships with two in MX1 and three in MX2. “It’s amazing, for sure the first one is special, but it’s always good, season after season you are champion and that is always my goal. For me the season I struggled. It’s been a long season. I just kept going and worked hard.

I wanted to win the Grand Prix today also and also both motos. Pourcel pulled away in one moto and I didn’t want to make any mistakes.”

Roczen clinched the title with a 1-3 result in his home GP and put the 17-year-old a full 50 points ahead of team-mate Jeffery Herlings with one round remaining. “It’s my second and a half year in the GPs and it’s amazing. I want to thank everyone who helped me, it was an amazing race and the last two laps were just so long.

When I crashed I thought it was over to win here, but then Tommy passed Jeffrey and it was all good.”

Supercross online SUPPLEMENTARY regs for the Australian Supercross Championships are available from the Motorcycling Australia (MA) website at www.ma.org.au.

The series gets underway on October 22,

14 – October 2011

with the first round at Knights Stadium in Sunshine Victoria.

Long distance SUPPLEMENTARY Regs and Entry Forms (Supp Regs) for the 2011 Australian Endurance Championship are now available on the Motorcycling Australia (MA) website.

To be held at the iconic Phillip Island circuit from 2-4 December, the 2011 event has been extended to an 8-Hour format that is sure to challenge the nation is premier Endurance riders.

Supp Regs can be viewed and downloaded from the MA website at www.ma.org.au/suppregs.

Entries should be submitted by COB Friday 28 October 2011.

Vintage voom

THE Barleigh Ranch MX track near Raymond Terrace in NSW will host the inaugural Mr Vintage Motocross on October 30, 2011.

Back in the day the original Mr Motocross series was hugely popular, and the brainchild of motorcycle industry stalwart Vincent Tesoriero, who incidentally has given his blessing for the reborn event.

There’s four different classes to keep the old riders happy . The event is open to riders 30 years and over, Pre-1975, Pre1980, Pre-1985, Pre-1990.

For more info go to www.ausvmx.ning. com.

MA Commissioner

APPLICATIONS are currently being sought from suitably qualified persons to fill a number of Motorcycling Australia (MA) Commissioner vacancies.

Prospective applicants should read chapter seven of the 2011 Manual of Motorcycle Sport for a description of the role of Commissioners and their terms of reference.

Commissioner appointments are voluntary positions that vary from one to three years.

Vacancies are available on the following Commissions: Road Racing, Motocross/Supercross, Speedway, Enduro, Moto-Trials, Classic Motocross and Classic Dirt Track, Historic Road Racing, Junior Sport and Development, Women.

Application forms can be downloaded from the MA website at www.ma.org.au/forms.

Pirelli race service LINK International has announced the appointment of Advanced Rider Training (ART) as the Pirelli Race Service provider for South East Queensland.

ART will provide this new Pirelli Race Service for customers using Pirelli Race and Racing Street tyres at a variety of Race and Track Days in South East Queensland.

In addition to technical advice, ART will also provide a professional fitting service and sales of tyres at these events.

Pink Ribbon Ride THIS year’s Newcastle Pink Ribbon Ride is on October 22, starting from Hexham McDonalds at 10am and heading to Denman. Lots of prizes and fun. More info call Kerrigan on 0408 296 817.

Junior trackers THE 2011 Honda Junior Dirt Track Championships will be held at Allen Park in Somersby on the NSW Central Coast on October 28-30.

A huge number of classes will ensure an action packed weekend for competitors and spectators alike.

Supplementary Regulations are available by visiting www.ma.org.au.

Call 0411 194 315 or 0412 506 503 for more information. n

SMALL TORQUE

Triumph’s Upright TRIUMPH Australia has announced an alliance with Stay Upright Motorcycle Techniques.

Triumph Australia’s Marketing Manager Mal Jarrett commented, “we identified a need to align ourselves with a motorcycle training company, especially since the introduction of our new Tiger 800 Adventure Bikes. Research has shown us that a large percentage of purchasers of our new Tigers are making the crossover from road to off road Adventure riding, but are hesitant to hit the dirt without first brushing up on their off road riding skills.

“Stay Upright offer far more than just introductory courses, and we saw this as also opening up further opportunities for more experienced riders to be able to increase their knowledge and skills, be they road, trail or track day riders”.

For more information on the courses available from Stay Upright visit www. stayupright.com.au.

Yamaha promos YAMAHA has introduced four new promotions benefiting customers of fun bikes, cruisers, Sport ATV and learner approved models.

Leading into Christmas, fun bike buyers will receive a kid’s camping pack valued at $220. They will also receive $200 worth of free gear when they finance with YMF. Plus selected models attract up to $500 Yamadollars.

Those in the market for a cruiser should check out the new low pricing on big bore models that offers huge savings. As an added incentive, YMA is offering an extended two year factory warranty worth up to $930 and super low YMF finance rates.

Learners are also looked after with a $1 per cc offer on Shark and Ixon gear. So customers purchasing a selected LAMs bike will receive up to $660 worth of gear to ride away with. All Sport ATV riders score a free Yamaha Racing jet washer worth $300 plus buyers of selected models will receive $500 Yamadollars.

Ride by the river TEAMMOTO Blacktown is holding a demo day a Macquarie Park in Windsor on Sunday October 9.

Over 20 Yamaha and Triumph models will be on hand to throw a leg over for a 30 minute test ride.

Food and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

You must pre-book by calling 02 9421 0675.

New Kawasaki sales manager DARREN Holmes has been recently appointed the Kawasaki Sales Manager for Victoria and Tasmania.

Holmes is originally from England and has been in the motorcycle industry for some 30 years.

Cash back Kwakas KAWASAKI is doing some great deals at the moment on selected models including the 1400GTR, KFX450R ATV and KLX250 models.

Check out your local Kawasaki dealer or visit www.kawasaki.com.au for more information.

Rocket deals TRIUMPH has announced big savings on the Rocket III Roadster.

With its 2,294cc three-cylinder engine, the

Rocket III Roadster is home to the world’s largest production motorcycle engine.

Delivering a 221Nm wallop of torque at just 2750rpm and fitted with ABS standard it’s a fantastic ride.

Available on 2011 Gloss or Matt Black only, deals are too hot to print so see your dealer for details.

Visit www.triumphmotorcycles.com.au to find your nearest authorised Triumph Dealer.

Suzuki fun deals SUZUKI is starting Christmas early by offering fantastic prices across its entire fun bike range until December 31, 2011.

With low ‘No More to Pay’ prices available on every fun bike model, check out participating Suzuki dealers for your deal.

Reliable SYM SYM scoota is upping the ante by offering a four year warranty on its Taiwanese built scooters.

That’s better than most car companies offer so confidence in the product must be high.

Check out the range and where you can find your nearest dealer at www.scoota. com.au.

Red Xmas HONDA is also offering some great deals on its fun range for Christmas until December 31, 2011.

There’s deals on the CRF range, up to 150cc, and the TRX90 ATV. Check out your local Honda dealer.

Alpine Rally THE Myrtleford Alpine Rally kicks off on October 8, 2011. The off-road rally is partly sponsored by Honda and is all about raising money for charity.

Designed for intermediate riders there’s lots of fun trails, with marshalling points and track markings hopefully ensuring you don’t get lost.

Entry is $110 and you go in the draw to win a Honda CFR50F, as well as getting free camping, a rally T-shirt, and some meals.

Bikes must be registered and riders licensed. Rec rego is acceptable too.

Go to www.myrtlefordalpinerally.com to register.

Women’s rally THE Australian Riders’ Division of Motorcycling Australia has announced the first ever Celebration of Women in Motorcycling (CWM) Rally.

Scheduled for the 2012 Australia Day long weekend held over 27-29 January, female riders are invited to attend this event at picturesque Yackandandah in Victoria’s north - and celebrate the contribution of women to Australia’s motorcycle riding history.

Despite being a female event, it is not limited to women only - partners and supporters are encouraged to show their support by coming along for the ride.

It is anticipated that this event will be well subscribed, so attendees are encouraged to book their accommodation in the area as early as possible.

Prizes will be handed out by the guest of honour, Lois Stivens, at the spit roast dinner to be held at the welcoming Yackandandah Hotel in the evening from 7:00pm on January 28.

The spit roast dinner will be only $25 a head with a first come first served system in place, so make sure you’re on time! n

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October 2011 – 15

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EDITORIAL

Bad roads

and future riders

I THOUGHT I’d talk about two different things in my column this month. One is easy to define because you can actually see it while the other is more difficult to define because it’s a perception.

Late last month a mate and I met up with some other riding buddies at Bulahdelah about halfway between Newcastle and Taree. We were testing some bikes and the natural and most direct route from Chateau Picko and Bulahdelah is to ride through the beautiful township of Dungog, through Stroud on the Bucketts Way, and on to the Pacific Highway via the Booral to Bulahdelah road.

Anyone who knows the Dungog shire (where I live) will know it’s adventure bike heaven, partly because of the plethora of forest trails and natural beauty of the area. The town is near the Barrington National Park which has a huge reputation for such beauty. The other reason it’s the stomping ground of adventure bikes is the roads are absolute crap. In recent times I’ve done two tyres on my Ford sedan from potholes, just after I’d recently replaced the bloody things too.

The Dungog shire has long had a reputation for bad roads, a combination of a small population to get rates from, and because it seems to be way off the state and federal government’s radar. That’s my perception in any case and I’m happy to be proven wrong.

While my local roads constantly give me the shits it’s the Booral to Bulahdelah road which got me really cranky. I’ve ridden this road many times over the years but in recent times I’ve steered away from it due to the deplorable state it’s in.

Deciding to give it a run that day had me gob-smacked at how bad it’s become. It’s hard to describe how bad the road is and whichever government agency is responsible for it should be hauled over the coals, preferably kicking and screaming the whole way.

It’s fine for police and RTA ads to tell us to drive to the conditions but the condition of long sections of this road are simply beyond belief.

I wonder how long it is before some agency or person in power is sued over this road?

When I was first getting really interested in road bikes there were machines like the Suzuki

16 – October 2011

GSX-R750 and Yamaha RZ500 setting the world on fire.

On the road were Katana 1100s, Kawasaki Z1Rs, bevel drive Ducatis and all sorts of wonderful stuff.

For me it was heaven. For years I had a pic of Warren Willing on his TZ road racer on my wall. When I was younger I drooled over my cousin’s YZ80. When I was old enough I bought my first roady, a 250 Yamaha, followed by big banger GSX1100s and the like.

Glorious stuff to a young fella. The power of these things eclipsed any car I had.

You would punt along the ‘Old Road’ and check out the bikes at the original Road Warrior’s Cafe. I remember it being full of young blokes and modern bikes, no doubt the majority of them dreamers like myself.

Why has it changed? You pull into the cafe now and it’s full of older guys with modern bikes. Gone are the pimply faced teens and riders in their early ‚’20s. Do younger riders not lust after new bikes like we did? Has the following generation of those pimply faced terrors dropped the ball? There’s no doubt the sportsbike market is dropping. Is this the reason it’s dropped?

While this seems to be the case in the road market, the off road market appears to be more like the old days. Certainly the riders start off much earlier, with many continuing to ride when mum and dad have stopped paying the bills.

When was the last time you saw an ad which actually targeted younger riders? Most are targeting older riders with more disposable cash.

I think the motorcycle industry in general needs to work out better ways to keep the younger market interested.

– Chris Pickett

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October 2011 – 17

GUNTRIP

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Hail and farewell

IN the last analysis I don’t know whether I’ll come to regard Sunday, 25 September 1988 as one of the greatest days in the history of Australian motorcycle sport or one of its worst.

It might not have been the first round of a world championship we’d run, but it was certainly the first on tar, and as we all piled out to Oran Park that spring morning for the penultimate round of the first Superbike World Championship, I remember feeling elated, believing that we’d finally assumed full status as a world player. We didn’t know then that we’d be selling the farm to secure membership.

The Ducati team didn’t make the journey for that inaugural event but we had the Bimota outfit with their YB4Eis and an abundance of Honda RC30s.

Mick Doohan and Stephane Mertens split the wins while Fred Merkel got on with the business of claiming the championship, albeit with a slender total of two race wins from the nine rounds.

(He did a little better the following year, winning the title with three wins from 11 rounds.)

Anyway we all went home happy and energetically wrote up our reports about what an astounding success the whole thing had been and how we looked forward to more of the same in 1989. And we certainly got it, thanks very largely to Bob Barnard, Wayne Gardner and the revival of Phillip Island. (Which just might be the most popular circuit among the riders on the GP calendar.)

But back to Superbikes. Despite the prevailing euphoria, it eventually dawned on me that Superbike competition was at a pretty low ebb in the late 1980s, and would remain so for a few years to come. Subtle, Swiss-watch Honda RC30s, Bimotas and J-spec GSX-R750s were wonderful things to behold and notably brisk performers but a world away from the fire-breathing, Plasticine-framed up-to-1300cc monsters we’d been weaned on half a decade before. It has been my privilege to see Gardner himself, Andrew Johnson, Dennis Neill and Robbie Phillis hard at it on bikes that made me believe in dragons and monsters. I have seen the prodigious terminal velocities coaxed from 140bhp aircooled lumps handled by single-piston calipers acting on 280mm stainless steel discs; I have seen mass-produced duplex frames encouraged to do their job marginally better than the equivalent mass of overboiled spaghetti by a handful of gussets welded into judiciously chosen spots more in hope than anticipation.

And I would have had similar memories – perhaps even more lurid, given the tracks they raced on – of Freddie Spencer and Eddie Lawson in action, had I been living in the USA during the same period.

But then came the big sleep – no disrespect to Wally Campbell, Robbie or anyone else who punted a couple of generations of increasing civilised and sophisticated 750s – and we all tuned in to a golden age of grand prix racing.

The Ducati dominance of the middle 1990s was diverting, but 18 – October 2011

Phillis & Doohan,1988

it was only when Superbikes were given the blanket 1000cc limit they need and deserve that the class began to look interesting again. True, the hardware is more sophisticated than ever but 210bhp and 200mph are handy ingredients when you’re trying to cook up an exciting motorsport formula. On two wheels, anyway.

I’d like belatedly to add my respects to the multitudes already offered on the subject of Ken Wootton’s untimely passing.

Whether you’re talking about Peter Smith, Wobbler Wootton or Beethoven, 57 is no age to go.

I never really knew Wobbler in any meaningful sense.

When our paths first crossed, 30 years back, he was ‘former schoolteacher Ken Wootton’ and rode a smartly turned-out Kawasaki Z1000 Mark II in Superbike events with Andrew Johnson and Robbie Phillis (see above). He didn’t start at AMCN until long after I’d departed and we didn’t so much as share a floor in the same office block until five or six years back, when I’d hitched up with Street Machine and Ken was riding out the last years of his tenure at the Green Horror.

I suppose if there’s one point I admired about Ken more than any other it was his independence. From where I was standing, he wasn’t an easy bloke to know on a personal level and didn’t appear to make friends easily. He certainly didn’t spare on the smiles or kind words (of which I was once, very memorably, the beneficiary – though I didn’t find out until long after) but that was as much as I ever saw. I thought that a pretty healthy attitude at the time, when the motorcycle and allied press had plenty of factions. Ken, as far as I knew, belonged to none of them and I respected him for that.

I would also argue that he was the most committed of us – at least, those of us on this oversized island. By our deeds shall ye know us, and Wobbler got his face into more places and onto more bikes than most. He lifted the profile of the Australian industry and of Australia too, and I thank him for that.

Rest in peace, Ken. – Bob Guntrip

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E-TORQUE

Electronic Newsstand?

YOU have been able to read Cycle Torque on Apple’s iPad for some time - but only as a PDF, so the editorial is the same as what’s in the print edition. We’d like to know if there’s demand for a Cycle Torque eMag App, one which would incorporate the video we shoot, slideshows and more.

Please let us know - comment either below (if you’re reading this on our website) or by email, to publisher@cycletorque.com.au. We’re keen to hear from readers and the industry, whether you think it’s a good idea or a waste of time.

Apple is about to make the iPad that little bit more convenient for reading magazines and newspapers. In the iOS 5 software update announced a while ago and being introduced in October or November there will be a new App introduced called Newsstand. Subscribe to a publication through Newsstand and new editions will be downloaded when they become available automatically. Hopefully you’ll be able to set it to check each day at 3am, so the big downloads are made during ‘off-peak’ data usage times and your new magazines will be available to read when you want.

Personally I love having magazines on my iPad. It means I have lots of diverse content to read when I’m on planes or on the couch, and I don’t have to carry all the weight (which matters these days - airlines keeps weighing my hand luggage!).

But most of all I like the better experience of reading on the iPad. Embedded videos (which play at their full resolution, with no skips, ‘buffering’ or drop-outs), slideshows, FaceBook and Twitter integration - it’s all cool and very 21st century.

My question to you is, though, how 21st century do you want to be? The print edition of Cycle Torque isn’t going away, but just how many of you out there would like to read this esteemed publication on a tablet?

Please let us know.

– Nigel Paterson

October 2011 – 19

Launch Report – 2012 Yamaha YZ250F

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

REPORT BY

Todd Reed

PHOTOS BY

iKapture

Lone Ranger www.cycletorque.com.au

Yamaha proves the good ol’ carby isn’t dead yet.

October 2011 – 21

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Launch Report – 2012 Yamaha YZ250F Continued from page 20

The SE version looks wonderful in white.

AT FIRST glance you could easily assume the 2011 Yamaha YZ250F got some bold new graphics and was then shipped out as a 2012 model. Well you couldn’t be further from the truth. The 2012 Yamaha got a major overhaul from the Japanese engineers, and comes with a swag full of new parts and a host of refinements to the already proven lites class racer.

Hate injection? The YZ still has a carb.

Proven five-valve powerplant.

Revised frame and suspension.

What’s New

First off Yamaha began with a new chassis, with the bilateral beam frame getting a complete overhaul. The lower sections of the cradle were beefed up for more rigidity while the upper portions of the chassis were made more compliant and flexible to move the flex points of the frame around. This gives the rider a much different feel at the seat of the pants.

The rear shock also was in line for major updates, and the shock shaft was the main item on the list. In years gone by the KYB shock housed an 18mm shock shaft, but for 2012 Yamaha has gone back to a 16mm shock shaft. This is in contrast to the extra rigidity out of the lower sections of the frame, and once again is all about improving all-important rider feel. For those who are now left worried about the strength, a 16mm shock shaft is standard equipment for most MX bikes out there, so no need to stress about that one. The internal valving was also modified to suit the new shaft and chassis settings.

In the front end, Yamaha went for a change in direction with its triple clamp set-up. In 2012 the clamp offset has been reduced from 25mm down to 22mm. The new offset effectively makes the YZ respond quicker in the front and sharpens up the handling of the Yamaha. Gone are the days of your slow turning YZ250F. Yamaha also upgraded the front forks, once again going for more rigidity, utilising the same outer tubes as the YZ450 yet going for a different valving set-up to suit the 250 characteristics.

Yamaha didn’t let the engine go unnoticed either; changing the carburettor from a 37mm to 39mm Keihin unit and refining the CDI tuning to match. Inside, the piston and crankshaft were modified to provide more horsepower yet still remain strong and reliable.

On the track

22 – October 2011

After a few laps out on the track it became obvious the 2012 model has some serious changes going on when compared to last year’s model. The power comes on strong and has a quite broad range for a standard motor. There is plenty of power any time you need it, and the YZ hasn’t lost any of its responsiveness by going to the larger carb. The power seemed strongest through the mid-range and had quite a lot of pull once the engine was up and running. The bottom end power was nothing to sneeze at and was very broad and easy to use. Up top the YZ had some shine and enjoyed being revved hard right to the upper limits of the rev range.

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The new carburettor did a fine job and felt every bit as good as or better than the 37mm from years gone by. Is it as good as EFI? Well we really think it’s a matter of what conditions you’re riding in. For most riders out there the new carby would do a fine job while still offering relatively simple adjustability should we feel the need to change some fuel settings. EFI really complicates the process of being able to change your “jetting” on the go and is a much more complicated system, although with EFI when are the vast majority of riders ever going to need any fuelling adjustments? If your riding is off-road and your average MX event than the carb does a great job of keeping you running. For those of us who push the limits a bit harder and enjoy some hard hits, big jumps and maybe the odd bit of SX the carb still has its flaws and needs a fair amount of attention to get the most out of the system.

The suspension and handling of the YZ250F is much better than it ever has been in the past. It was immediately noticeable the Yamaha received some serious changes in this department and after only a few laps we became comfortable and at ease on the small bore thumper. The new Yamaha handles really well and the suspension did a great job on any obstacle we could throw at it. The bike was quite predictable and easy to steer around the track. We made some minor adjustments during the day with the clickers on both the front and rear suspension and certainly got some

Lone Ranger

improvements in rider comfort and predictability. The Yamaha turns and steers much better than the previous model and doesn’t give up any straight line stability or become nervous due to the changes made for 2012.

Verdict The price of the new YZ250F hasn’t changed one cent from last year – $10,999 and $11,099 for the SE (white) version. While it may not be the 250 four-stoke on the top of everyone’s MX shopping list, if the average buyer knew just how good the YZ is and how easy it is to make this bike work, then Yamaha sales would be on the rise. The YZ does everything you need, very well, and is a reliable package to top it all off. n

S p e c i f i c at i o n s: 2012 yamaha yz250f Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single Capacity: 250cc Transmission: 5-speed Fuel Capacity: 6 Litres Frame Type: Alloy twin spar Seat Height: 990 Dry Weight: 103kg Front Suspension: KYB USD Rear Suspension: KYB single shock Brakes: Single disc front and rear.

Tyres: 80/100-21, 100/90-19 Price (RRP): $10,999 (SE $11,099) www.cycletorque.com.au/more

October 2011 – 23

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RACE TORQUE

Truth & Dare LAST month, we announced the release of Casey Stoner 2.0, the latest version of the ultimate GP rider. We revealed that Stoner 2.0 melded his undeniable speed and growing racecraft with a more positive state of mind and crushing consistency.

Several months ago, I had a chat with Mick Doohan.

He said the main area that Casey had to work on was his consistency. Nobody has questioned Stoner’s ability to win races, but aside from 2007, he has had some trouble backing up the wins with other podium finishes. As at Assen this year, Stoner’s podium percentage sat at 54 per cent, a step below the imperious Wayne Rainey (77%), Valentino Rossi (73%), Mick Doohan (69%), Kenny Roberts Snr (67%) and Eddie Lawson (61%). Casey can etch his name alongside these legends if he can build upon his exceptional consistency that has been the hallmark of season 2011. The only time he has finished off the podium is when Rossi brought him down at Jerez, a 91 per cent strike rate.

Part of Doohan’s armoury was that he treated every race just the same. That meant putting 100 per cent into the first lap of Friday’s morning’s free practice right up until the last lap of the race on Sunday afternoon. It also meant that he put aside any prejudices against those tracks he didn’t like. Every year in the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix, headline hungry journalists would always ask Mick if he would be putting in a bigger effort into winning his home race, and the racer in Mick just couldn’t give the stock PR answer, “For sure, racing in front of the Aussie fans really gives you a lift, yada, yada, yada‚ ” He fairly would bristle

24 – October 2011

at the question and reply flatly, “It’s just another race as far as I’m concerned,” an answer he heartily got sick of giving.

Now Casey is realising that everyone has their favourite and least favourite tracks, and it is he that overcomes those pre-conceived dislikes and turns them into positives that will win the day. If Casey can keep up the punishing consistency Doohan displayed in the last five years of his career, his rivals are in for a very tough time.

TT3D

A feature film of the TT is long overdue, and TT3D: Closer To The Edge delivers on so many fronts. Much of the 3D footage, however, is in the pits, with some slomo race bits and sequences of still photos such as Guy Martin’s horrifying get-off at Ballagarey, but don’t be deterred. What TT3D does so well is take you into a special emotional dimension of one of the most remarkable events that man has created and into the lives of those who choose to take part in it. What becomes apparent is that those involved in the TT - riders, wives, marshalls and doctors are all incredibly, and equally, brave.

The film’s main character is the ‘Emulsion Man’ and everyone’s anti-hero, Guy Martin. In his distinctive Lincolnshire syntax, the offbeat, mutton-chopped Guy paints himself as meticulous when it comes to bike preparation in the lead up to the event. Once he’s at the TT, though, when everyone else is sweaty-palmed and über focussed, his meticulous ways give way to a bloke who literally goes missing for hours on end without

explanation and out of contact. It all adds to Martin’s wellpublicised eccentric and anti-authoritarian ways, but the contrast of his ill-discipline to the daunting task at hand is as breathtaking at the hair-raising footage of McGuiness, Hutchy, Donald and Anstey blasting within millimetres of lampposts.

We hear from the fans, one of whom describes watching the top riders from the second floor balcony of the B&B in which she is staying, noting how they shift their heads at over 200km/h to avoid hitting said lamppost. We also hear from one of the top engine builders, who supplies donks to Martin’s team and other no less, describing himself uncomfortably as a “drug dealer”, the bloke who provides the means for these guys to get their real road racing fix. Perhaps the best comparison between real road racing and circuit racing is provided by Cam Donald who says one is like free climbing and the other is akin to conventional climbing, where participants have the safety net of ropes, prussic slings and ladders. We also hear from the circuit doctors, one of whom has been stationed at Ballagarey for a number of years. He attended the incredibly lucky Guy Martin who managed to hold the bike up on his knee long enough to fall off at the 250km/h exit of the blind sweeper.

The doctor’s commitment to the TT and his bravery to be among the first to attend horrific accidents places him right alongside the leatherclad gladiators. One of the gladiators that didn’t make it is Kiwi Paul Dobbs, who I met

briefly at the 2010 Barry Sheene Festival of Speed. Less than three months later, he was gone after crashing at Ballagarey in the Supersport TT. One of the most heartwrenching but inspirational parts of this grand film is Dobbsy’s wife Bridget rationalising the loss of her husband, and father to her two young children, “I’ve lost my husband, but the TT is still magical, it’s bigger than the guys who are here today”. Again, the enormous courage she displays in baring her innermost emotions tells you that she and Paul shared something very special, and continue to do so.

The most spectacular scene of TT3D is the incredible helicopter footage of Manxman bank clerk Connor Cummins literally falling off the Verandah at over 200km/h. Shown in slo-mo, we see the front-end of his Kawasaki chatter as he tips in before it finally folds. Both he and the bike bounce over the gutter then down Snaefell Mountain end-for-end, both clipping an ancient stone wall.

Bits of bike scatter a flock of sheep to the right of screen and fortunately, Connor survives to tell the tale. Go see this great film.

– Darryl Flack

www.cycletorque.com.au

October 2011 – 25

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DIRTY TORQUE

Dump the

‘Scrub’

I RECENTLY watched the horrific crash between World MX1 GP winners Clemente Desalle and Evgeny Bobreshev at the Belgian Motocross Championship.

It got me thinking about the dangers we face when there are 30 plus riders on a narrow track with a bucket load of horsepower at our disposal and the added danger of riders ‘scrubbing’ jumps while in traffic.

First of all, back to the Desalle/Bobreshev crash. I was scanning through my usual favourite moto websites when I read that Team Suzuki’s Desalle is out of the remaining World Motocross Championship rounds after being landed on by Honda’s Evgeny Bobreshev.

My first thoughts were that Bobreshev had pulled a ‘Bubba’ Stewart and done something really dumb but after watching the footage on Youtube it was Desalle who semi ‘scrubbed’ a fourth gear pinned ski jump thus taking him into the path of Bobreshev causing the pair and others to go down hard.

Desalle, who was running 2nd in the World Motocross Championship, is now out of the remaining rounds with a broken shoulder while Bobreshev is out with a cracked C7 Vertebrae of which he will make a full recovery but the big Russian was having his best season and was sitting 4th in the championship.

For the uninitiated, a ‘scrub’ is an extreme measure used by riders to stay lower over a jump by turning the front wheel down and leaning the bike towards the jump face. I admit it’s effective on certain jumps but it’s also dangerous for the rider doing the scrub and the riders nearby.

I recently attended a race day at my old club at Stanmore on the outskirts of Brisbane and I watched a myriad of young mid-pack riders trying to ‘scrub’ jumps that honestly didn’t need scrubbing while their braking and corner speed was at best woeful.

This brings back a memory of my racing back a few years doing a Sunshine State round at one of the local tracks in Brisbane that happened to be riddled with jumps of all sizes and configurations.

During one of the motos I was working

26 – October 2011

my way through the pack when I caught a young rider who had obviously watched too many ‘Bubba’ Stewart highlight reels and was trying to scrub every jump in sight.

With a podium finish on the line I jammed my KTM up the inside of this youngster’s Yamaha on the last left hand berm before the finish line table top and after we came out of the corner level pegging we were basically drag racing bar-to-bar towards the jump face with me on his left.

The upcoming table top needed a fair bit of speed to get over, but it was possible to over jump it so the idea was to accelerate to the face then let off at the last second and ‘absorb’ the jump, letting your momentum carry you to the down ramp. Sounds simple doesn’t it?

Well, this wanker decided to try one of his scrubs which redirected his bike slightly left and right into my flight path. So here we are a few metres in the air doing probably 60km/h and I now have another motocross bike and its rider buried into the right side of my bike. This guy’s helmet was actually resting against my right shoulder – great!

I only had one chance and that was to concentrate on my landing and grab a handful of throttle when I hit the ground, hoping that nothing got tangled up in my bike. Luckily nothing did, and the pretend ‘Bubba’ spewed off the side of my bike and cartwheeled down the track (I held little concern for his wellbeing, believe me).

I could have been seriously hurt thanks to this dick. The sport is dangerous enough and we don’t need to end up in hospital thanks to someone doing dumb shit like that on the track.

We all have our own interpretation of how we get around a motocross track and we are bound to come together every now and then but when you’re a few metres in the air there are no small crashes so that has to be taken into account when you’re side-byside on a jump face.

At almost every level of racing ‘scrubbing’ jumps means little when it comes to real results in motocross. If you young punks are reading this and thinking, “ah, what

does this old wanker know?”

Let me share this with you.

Be it right or wrong, the AMA motocross is what we see as the pinnacle of the sport.

And the 250 class is full of so many talented young riders and there is a lot of carnage at each and every round simply because of the desire these fearless riders have to be at the front of the field. But, if you watch closely, all of the riders who are mad jump ‘scrubbers’ like Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac and like are nowhere in the championship.

Sure, they win a few races and find themselves on the podium quite often, and I am not denying their talent but if they concentrated on the more important parts of motocross racing their results would be a lot more consistent.

To nail my point home let’s look at the man who basically took the ‘scrub’ to the extreme, James ‘Bubba’ Stewart. I think anyone who reads this column will know that I am not a Bubba fan but his antics over jumps have cost him serious points and championships over the year. And I won’t go into the amount of riders he has taken out thanks to not being able to keep his bike straight over a jump.

So, if the guy who is the ultimate jump scrubber, the rider who invented scrubbing can’t win championships why the hell would you think it’s the right thing to do on the track?

The riders mentioned above have genuine talent, unlike 99 per cent of the pretenders out there so to all of the young riders trying to emulate the top riders my suggestion is to look at the riders who are winning and not the riders who are the most exciting to watch.

My advice is to get your shit together, concentrate on getting around the track in a manner that generates genuine speed and forget the ‘scrub’... you will be a faster and safer rider.

– Darren Smart

www.cycletorque.com.au

October 2011 – 27

Extreme www.cycletorque.com.au

Cycle Torque Test Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 TEST BY

Chris Pickett

PHOTOS BY

Nigel Paterson

RIDING GEAR: KBC helmet, Ixon jacket, Spyke gloves, Hornee jeans, Alpinestars boots.

MANUFACTURERS are constantly searching for new ways to excite and entice buyers.

Big bore Supermoto-style bikes have been around for a while but Aprilia’s Dorsoduro 1200 is one of the best we’ve ridden. It has everything you’d expect on a European bike of this style: big brakes, stonking V-twin donk, great suspension and a comfortable riding position.

At $17,990 + ORC it’s not chump change but it is on the money price wise for this market segment which realistically has only a couple of serious competitors which directly compare to the Dorsoduro. Bikes like KTM’s 990 Superduke and Ducati Hypermotard are very close to the design ethos. Other companies make naked bikes but none which really capture the ‘manic’ side of these machines.

New twin

Aprilia has developed pretty much an all-new engine for the Dorsoduro, dubbed the V90. On paper it’s not much different to the regular fare out there; four valves per cylinder, fuel injection, dual overhead camshafts etc. While most motorcycles make do with either chain or gear driven camshafts, the Dorsoduro has a combination of chain and gear which adds to the mechanical symphony of the engine. It sounds angry enough when you fire it up, and has an almost restrained bark 28 – October 2011

from the twin underseat mufflers. On the stand it sounds almost like the mufflers are too restrictive. Out on the road this proved not to be the case to say the least, with prodigious grunt from just above idle proving the mufflers were flowing the gases well enough thank you.

The engineers have really done a top job getting this engine to perform so well off the bottom but to also do the same at the top end. This engine is perfect for a street bike. It doesn’t need a fistful of revs to perform extremely well, and as such you don’t need to be doing 200km/h to have a corresponding amount of fun.

We’ve ridden some great wheelstanding machines before but rarely have we ridden a road bike which climbs over its rear sprocket so readily. There’s fly-by-wire technology sorting the throttle, and three engine maps – ‘S’ (Sport), ‘T’ (Touring) and ‘R’ (Rain). Obviously in Sport mode it’s the most aggressive but Touring mode isn’t much different, with a milder throttle response down low. Rain mode has less power again and really takes that snappiness off the bottom which makes it much nicer to ride in poor weather conditions. For normal riding, even giving it a good go along our test route, we preferred Touring mode just because it reduced any ‘flightiness’ in the bike if we were a little ham-fisted with the throttle.

These maps can be selected while on the move.

There’s around 130hp on tap from the engine, which equates to something like 115hp at the rear wheel. It actually feels much stronger than that, we guess because there’s so much torque available from such low revs.

On our test track we found you could hold the bike in one or two gears, such is the flexibility of the V90 motor, while exploring the upper reaches of the revs in top gear had you travelling very fast indeed. We estimate the top speed to be in the vicinity of 210 km/h.

A six speed ‚‘box gets the rear wheel percolating and top gear isn’t too high although the engine doesn’t like being lugged in top at low revs.

Fuel range isn’t outstanding – it’s got a 15 litre tank – and it does like to burn through the go juice when you’re giving it some.

Wobbly bits

You sit on rather than in the Dorsoduro.

With the flat seat and tall suspension you do feel a little like you are in the clouds, amplified somewhat by the narrowness of the bike and the suspension. It does feel slightly top heavy but this soon disappears when you are travelling past jogging pace.

Interestingly Aprilia doesn’t mention anywhere how heavy the Dorsoduro is.

We can only assume it’s heavier than the

Excitement www.cycletorque.com.au

Motard style and big power. Sounds like fun.

October 2011 – 29

Extreme www.cycletorque.com.au

company would like although it doesn’t feel barge like at all (some searching of the web indicates it’s 203-207kg dry, depending on which site you believe).

It looks trick too, both in the white version we tested or the black alternate.

Both front and rear suspension is by Sachs, with a surprising 160mm and 155mm of travel respectively. It’s surprising because even though the bike looks like it has long travel suspension it’s not the norm for this type of bike. There’s plenty of adjustment in the suspension too. We liked the way the Dorsoduro handled NSW’s bumpy roads which goes to show some thought has possibly gone into sorting suspension for Australia’s roads rather than Europe’s smooth tarmac.

This bike is easy to ride fast on tight roads. With the upright riding position and MX style handlebars you can throw the Dorsoduro on its side and expect it to give you no grief, other than the odd shimmy from the ’bars, a trait we expect is due to the steering angle which is designed for quick changes in direction. Braking deep into a corner is no issue for the big 1200 either. The long travel 43mm forks compress nicely, weighting up the front tyre just right as you tip it in, then the forks rebound not too S p e c i f i c at i o n s : quickly on the exit as you wind on the power, pulling a little powerstand as a by-product. These very same traits, and the stiff alloy/steel trellis chassis, are also the reason why the Dorsoduro likes to shake aprilia dorsoduro 1200 Engine Type: Liquid-cooled V-twin its head a little at or near its top speed. Nothing serious and to be honest we prefer it the way it is, Capacity: 1197cc because all the fun from this bike is in the corners not winding it out on a long straight. Did we say this Transmission: 6-speed is one fun streetbike?

Fuel Capacity: 15 Litres Australian delivered Dorsoduros don’t get ABS – the European ones do – but we never missed it.

Some pundits wondered why it didn’t get the APRC traction control as found on the RSV4 and the new Frame Type: Tubular steel Tuono V4. We reckon the price might have something to do with it. Start adding things like that and Seat Height: 870mm ABS and the price starts getting a bit high for many people’s tastes. You also need a point of difference Wet Weight: Not listed by Aprilia between the Tuono V4 and the Dorsoduro, other than the two cylinders.

Front Suspension: Sachs USD

Verdict

Rear Suspension: Sachs monoshock If you haven’t already realised, we liked the Dorsoduro 1200. We’re not exactly sure who will buy this Brakes: Twin 4-piston, single piston rear.

Tyres: 120/70-17, 180/55-17 bike. Maybe someone who lives on a scratcher’s road or someone who likes crazy commuting, the bike Price (RRP): $17,990 + ORC is great at either. Long distances would be tough on the rider’s body, but the bike would be fine.

Whatever justification you can find to park one in your shed you will at least have a big smile when it www.cycletorque.com.au/more

comes time to turn the key and blast off.

30 – October 2011

Call for a quote

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Excitement www.cycletorque.com.au

Easy to look at, not so easy to navigate.

Besides being very naughty the engine looks good too.

Sachs shock has enough adjustment for most riders.

Awesome brakes, but no ABS for Australia.

43mm USD Sachs forks have 160mm of travel.

Seat is flat and hard.

Star wars twin silencers.

October 2011 – 31

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Cycle Torque Project – Kawasaki ZX-10R

Cycle Torque’s Alex Pickett goes racing in the deep end of the pool.

The terror of power HERE I was trying to come to grips with my new race bike, a 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R, when I thought for a moment, ‘what am I doing here?’. I mean how did I come to be riding a bike like this?

I’m only 17 and I’ve only been racing for four years. Is there some rule somewhere which says this shouldn’t be happening?

I might be joking, well maybe a little, but it’s not as if I’ve jumped off a Moriwaki 250 and onto a superbike. Along the way I’ve raced a Honda CBR150, Moriwaki 80, 250 GP Mono, ZXR400, Daytona 675, and BMW K 1200 R. I thought the big naked BMW was powerful but the ZX-10R is another step altogether. And it didn’t help when in practice I nearly highsided myself in Turn Four at Eastern Creek.

The bike

The plan was to buy a 1000cc race bike at the end of this year, learning to handle the big bikes by racing the Motohansa K 1200 R in 2011. I did well on it at the first round of the Formula Xtreme Naked Bike Championships but a change of plans at Motohansa saw us shelve that idea. What to get? I liked the idea of an Aprilia RSV4 APRC, and the sound of the Yamaha R1 is equally impressive but seeing as I wasn’t paying the bills I was never really going to get that much input into what I’d be racing.

Then an opportunity came up where we could buy a barely used 2011 ZX-10R, race prepared and with all road gear for a great price. The fact it was my mate Matt Walters’ spare race bike made it an easy decision.

Matt from Kawasaki Connection at Cessnock had been telling me how good the new Kawasaki was, and Cycle Torque had already tested the bike on the road, coming to the same conclusion, so the deal was done and I had the bike in the garage.

There were a couple of minor things to do, like replacing the standard muffler with an aftermarket item, and converting the chain and sprockets to a 520 set up to reduce any power losses from the heavier standard gear.

An American-made Two Brothers slip on carbon fibre muffler was the ticket but as stocks for the 2011 model were non-existent at that stage I 32 – October 2011

had to use a muffler for a 2008-2010 ZX-10R. Both set ups look similar but are slightly different necessitating a trip to A1 Mufflers at East Maitland to get a link pipe made. The RRP for a Two Brothers carbon fibre muffler for your 2011 ZX-10R is $693.71 and getting one is as simple as asking your local bike shop to order one.

For my 520 chain conversion I chose a Vortex rear sprocket and an RK racing chain. The front sprocket is a factory ZX-6R item which slips straight on the ZX-10R without modification. The cost of the chain conversion was $239 for the GXW chain, and $89.90 for the Vortex sprocket. You can order these items from pretty much any bike shop.

I already had a set of Bandit Tyre warmers which were used all of 2011 without fail so there was no need to replace these.

What I did need were new front and rear stands. A quick call to Anderson Stands and I had a flash new set of race stands. Price for the stands are $186 for the rear, and $235 for the front which attaches underneath the steering head. Call Chris on 02 9603 6565 or visit www. andersonstands.com.

Race time

I will admit to being very nervous the first time I ventured down pit lane for FX Superbike practice. Would I be fast enough to keep out of the way of other riders? Would I come to grips with the big ZX-10R? Would it spit me over the handlebars? I knew I had to take it easy for a couple of sessions because it was the first time I had ridden the bike. In the third session I got a bit overconfident which resulted in the near highside I mentioned at the start of the story.

This slowed me down quite a bit until the final session where I felt I was starting to feel accustomed to the bike. While the power wasn’t brutal there was plenty of it, and I saw some serious numbers on the speedo at the end of Eastern Creek’s main straight. I can’t remember looking at the speedo come race time but it’s probably smart to put some tape over it in the future.

My race results were hampered by my poor starts which made it hard to catch the next group of guys in front, even though I was at

www.cycletorque.com.au Bumping the knee on the ripple strip.

520 chain conversion to save power.

stages matching or even bettering their times. This is something the ZX-10R and I need to sort out before the next race meeting. Despite my paranoia of flipping the bike off the start line I was able to finish on the podium in C-grade Superbike on both Saturday and Sunday, and I did my personal best lap time ever, so I felt that was a real plus.

One thing was blatantly clear though. There needs to be some changes to the suspension. The rear shock was way too soft for my weight so that has to be changed.

While the front end steered nice it did chatter through some corners. Seeing as I was a member of Team Kawasaki Connection for the day Carl Walters adjusted my shock which did help with the chatter. But it was a fine line between getting rid of the chatter and losing rear grip.

The next step is deciding whether to put on a heavier spring and make valving changes to the standard rear shock or to look at aftermarket suppliers – Matt’s bike has

Öhlins fork cartridges and TTX shock – plus some extra ride height on the rear would be nice.

I really like this bike. It has more horsepower than I could have imagined and I’m looking forward to working on the suspension so my lap times and results can improve.

– Alex Pickett Alex will be racing a 1980 GSX1100 in the support races at the Phillip Island MotoGP round, October 14-16. Drop by the support paddock pits

October 2011 – 33

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Cycle Torque Test Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom REPORT BY

Dennis Penzo

PHOTOS BY

Chris Pickett

Fat wheels + fat engine = cool…

The Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom is not just a pretty face, there’s some muscle under all that glitter.

On the stand

Well, you’re certainly not going to miss that front end with it’s big beefy tyre sitting on a chrome spoke 16-inch front wheel. That’s a seriously fat front end.

Mind you, the rear wheel is also 16 inches.

Being a Tigers’ supporter I just loved the Sedona orange and vivid black paint scheme and there are others available too.

34 – October 2011

Acres of chrome and serious stainless adds glitter to the muscle.

The svelte one-piece seat has room for a pillion (just) and I found the rider’s end extremely comfortable.

With over a century of building beautiful motorcycles under its belt, Harley clearly has the task down pat.

On the road

I took Harley’s orange demon for a nice strop through the countryside including the old Bulahdelah bends north of Newcastle

Feed ’em beef and chrome www.cycletorque.com.au

RIDING GEAR: RXT helmet, WileyX eyewear, Bikers Club Australia jacket, Hornee Jeans, Triumph Newington gloves and Joe Rocket Big Bang boots.

and found it to have very nice road manners. I did push it a bit, as you do, and that beefy front tyre gave the handling an inspiring feel.

Having been used to the handling of bikes with much skinnier front wheels I wasn’t sure what to expect, but came away pleased with the way the 1200 Custom handled.

Ground clearance at 110mm is not what you would call staggering but I was quite surprised at the lack of scraping we encountered in the twisties. Definitely a feel of more sportster than cruiser in its behaviour. The 30 degree rake and the 1520mm

wheelbase offered a very stable day’s riding.

The seat height is 710mm so it’s not going to be off-putting for the vertically challenged such as yours truly. Again, the 251kg 1200 Custom is not going to offer any problems flicking round bends or city streetscapes.

Likewise the forward controls are not ergonomically daunting and some of my longer-legged brethren in the office also found them quite accommodating.

The mild pullback handlebars were quite comfortable too whether pottering around town or on the run.

October 2011 – 35

Cycle Torque Test Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

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But you have to remind yourself this bike isn’t designed for long trips across country even if it’s quite comfortable in doing them, rather the day jaunts to which we subjected it.

The reason, of course, being the 17 litre fuel tank.

As pretty as the tank is, it’s still only carrying a relatively short fuel supply for that kind of riding. And let’s face it, if you were going to buy a Harley that does some serious kays, then there are plenty of different models in Harley’s range from which to choose.

And it’s not like there aren’t enough to choose from – the XL 1200N (Nightster) has a 12 litre tank, the XL 1200X (48 Series) has the 8 litre peanut tank, so you can see that you’re spoilt for choice as far as different 1200 Sportster configurations go.

The 1200 Custom definitely comes into its own in the city, where it really shines. The torque is a handy 98Nm at 3200rpm which allows the engine to pull nicely through the rev range, with a fivespeed ‘box delivering the goods via that lovely smooth belt drive.

Fuel injection, of course, keeps the juice flowing with the electronic sequential port fuel injection (ESPFI).

Things are kept smooth with the rubber-mounted air cooled V-twin Evo powerplant. Very little wiring is on show with most of it tucked away out of view. Very neat. As is the 2.5 litre oil tank’s recessed access plug.

The chrome staggered exhaust has a nice low rumble without being overbearing and many commented on its nice sound and the fact they thought you wouldn’t even need aftermarket pipes. I generally lean towards a louder note but the standard pipes had a good throaty sound.

36 – October 2011

A dual piston caliper front brake and single piston rear caliper supply the anchors and do it competently.

No adjustment on the front end is not a problem, even if you’re going for a run out of town. The five-way adjustable twin rear shocks may be a fairly basic set-up these days but they certainly pass muster. Heavier riders will not like the softish springs and lack of travel though, with the bike bottoming on numerous occasions.

Instruments offer the usual suspects – clock, dual trip meter, high beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, fuel warning light, etc.

The hands-free fob does all the security work. It just keep getting easier and easier doesn’t it?

A new LED rear light is smaller and has a nice snug fit on the contour of the rear guard.

The air-cooled Evo engine with aluminium heads and cylinders keep things light and improve cooling efficiency. The engine is really designed for bottom end grunt. You can rev it hard if you like but there’s really no point, you’ll just be giving it an unnecessarily hard time.

On the wallet

Well, what do you think you should be paying to buy into the HarleyDavidson lifestyle? There is such a huge range of machines in the Harley stable and with that comes a commensurate number of pricing options.

At $16,250 plus on-road costs you’re going to be riding away happy for this price on a bike with this engine capacity that offers such reliable performance and build quality. n

www.cycletorque.com.au

Single disc and fat front tyre do the job better than you might think.

Air-cooled engine isn’t short on pulling power.

Even the rear blinkers are designed stylishly.

Rear shocks don’t have a lot of travel.

S p e c i f i c at i o n s: harley-davidson 1200 custom Engine Type: Air-cooled V-twin Capacity: 1200cc Transmission: 5-speed Fuel Capacity: 17 Litres Frame Type: Steel Seat Height: 710 Wet Weight: 260kg Front Suspension: Telescopic Rear Suspension: Twin shocks Brakes: Single disc front and rear.

Tyres: 130/90-16, 150/80-16 Price (RRP): $16,250 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more Call for a quote

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

October 2011 – 37

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New TRX

NEWS

QUAD

SHOWING off a host of upgrades, the TRX500FM along with variants, the TRX500FPM and the TRX500FPE are sitting in dealerships right now, ready for new owners.

Changes for 2011 include a new engine, a reengineered chassis and upgraded styling.

The all-new liquid-cooled, 475cc singlecylinder, OHV four-stroke engine provides the rider with six per cent more torque than before.

Also new is the fuel injection system which features a 36mm throttle body and provides instant throttle response, consistent performance at high altitude, hassle-free cold-weather starting and increased fuel efficiency (approximately 7 per cent).

The new rear suspension system combines a new steel swingarm design with a single long travel shock absorber. Up front braking is improved with new, larger 196mm dual front hydraulic disc brakes.

Although the new TRX looks snazzy more importantly the new bodywork gives better protection from mud and water.

A new multi-function LCD digital meter is compact, tough and waterproof, and features large readouts for fuel gauge, gear position, speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, hourmeter and oil change reminder.

The TRX500FPM and FPE have the added benefit of Honda’s Electric Power Steering (EPS) which ensures easier, more responsive handling while the TRX500FPE also has optional Electric Gear Shift (ESP).

All three variations of this new 500cc class ATV have the TraxLox system allowing the ATV to switch between 4WD and 2WD mechanically to make tackling difficult terrain simpler.

Check them out at your local Honda dealer.

Aussie Quad titles

THE 2011 Australian Quad Motocross Championships will be held at the Coolum Pines track in Queensland on October 1-2.

Most of the major brands will be represented, and besides the Japanese brands you can expect a big showing from the European and North American brands, Polaris, Can-Am and KTM. A number of overseas riders have entered so the racing will be fierce and tough for all comers.

Trade displays will be a big part of the weekend of racing, with many of Australia’s leading aftermarket and accessories suppliers showing their wares, and information to show you how to get quad racing in your local area. n

Changes to General Competition Rules for quads MOTORCYCLING Australia (MA) has made changes to the General Competition Rules (GCR), specifically relating to the Quad discipline.

The changes involve Sections 13 (Australian Championships) and 22 (Quad) of the Manual of Motorcycle Sport (MoMS), with particular reference to Section 13.2.9 Categories for Junior Australian Championships: Motocross and Section 22.6.6.3 Junior Age Groups.

The updated 2011 GCRs can be accessed on the MA Website by visiting the website to view and download.

Links to the relevant pages can be found at www.cycletorque.com.au/more. n

38 – October 2011

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October 2011 – 39

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Cycle Torque Test – Triumph Daytona 675R

Supersport sup TRIUMPH’s new Daytona 675R offers more sporting ability, through higher-specification components, than the standard Daytona.

For just $2000 more you get upgraded brakes, suspension and a standard quickshifter. Also included in the package are carbonfibre parts to reduce weight and different styling to the standard Daytona, which is still available.

Cycle Torque is well versed with the Daytona 675. We took one to victory in last year’s Formula Xtreme Pro Twins F3 title so in many ways we are better served than most magazines to compare the standard 675 and the 675R. Our 2009 model 675 was raced in close to standard form, with minor changes to suspension, fuel metering and exhaust. In this form the bike put out a healthy 116hp at the rear wheel.

What’s the difference?

For the road we found the standard 675 a bit harsh in the rear

40 – October 2011

shock, and in fact we put a lighter spring on our race bike. One very strong point of the standard Daytona is its brakes – great feel and plenty of power.

The ‘R’ feels as if Triumph decided to build a bike which is more suitable to racing, giving the rider uprated equipment from the get-go.

In the main the only differences between the two bikes are the suspension and the brakes. There are numerous styling updates too though, like the plethora of carbon fibre bits, the red subframe and the ‘R’ only white colour scheme. Öhlins got the nod for the suspension. At the front the 43mm NIX30 forks are fully adjustable, with rebound on the right leg, and compression on the left. Rebound and preload is located at the top of the fork now so it’s certainly easier to adjust than lying on the ground like before.

An Öhlins TTX36 shock has a great name in the world of fast

www.cycletorque.com.au

S p e c i f i c at i o n s : triumph daytona 675r Engine Type: Liquid-cooled inline triple Capacity: 675cc Transmission: 6-speed Fuel Capacity: 17.4 Litres Frame Type: Twin spar alloy Seat Height: 830 Wet Weight: 185kg Front Suspension: 43mm Ohlins Rear Suspension: Ohlins TTX36 Brakes: Twin 4-piston, single piston rear.

Tyres: 120/70-17, 180/55-17 Price (RRP): $15,890 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more Call for a quote

Ohlins forks and shock come standard on the 675R.

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

perstar machines so it’s no surprise Triumph fitted one to the ‘R’. Adjusting the shock is easy also, all done at the side of the shock.

Replacing the excellent Nissin brakes on the standard 675 are a set on Brembo Monoblock calipers. Of course there’s four pistons in each caliper, with the same 308mm discs and braided lines as on the regular 675.

In the last few years you could get an accessory quick-shifter from Triumph but the ‘R’ has it standard. You can shift normally if you like, and at regular road speeds the gearbox shifts sweeter if you use your clutch. Start having a go, or on the track, and the quickshifter starts making sense. Revised first and second gear ratios make the bike better suited to track riding too.

Road work

Any sportsbike needs smooth tar to be truly enjoyable, and the

Daytona 675R is no different. Suspension set-up is stiff, and the riding position is head down bum up. The 675 has always been known for its arse in the air riding position, partly I think because of the fact the muffler sits beneath the pillion seat.

A rework here might allow designers to get the rear subframe a bit lower which would make it better for road riding. On the track though it’s not as much of an issue.

I preferred to run the suspension settings slightly softer which made it nicer on the transport sections without making it too soft when things got serious. I loved the Daytona’s Nissin brakes and I’m not sure the Brembo calipers are actually better. If anything they might have more initial bite which I don’t like on the road.

Having said that, when you pull on the lever hard they pull you up quick smart. While they maybe overkill on the road the brakes make perfect sense for the track.

What a great engine the three-cylinder 675 is.

October 2011 – 41

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Cycle Torque Test – Triumph Daytona 675R

Supersport superstar Cycle Torque raced the bike hard all last year and had no reliability issues whatsoever. What it has over the 600cc supersport fours is the torque which makes it a better road engine.

It’s much happier to cruise along at road pace. Whether this same trait makes it a better race engine is much harder to judge but there’s no denying that although the Daytona has won lots of supersport and 600 superstock races – and some titles as well – around the world, the Japanese inline four is still king of these classes.

There’s another thing which sets the triple apart; the glorious wail from the exhaust.

All good racer style machines have a trick dash and the Daytona 675R is no different. There’s loads of info, including a gear indicator, and you can adjust the shift lights. When you are riding hard on the road or track the dash is easy to read and gives you all the information you need.

Verdict What a fun bike to ride. It might be an old saying but the 675R is very much a race track refugee. At $15,890 it represents top value for a bike with its capabilities: it will take the fight up to much larger capacity bikes, and often trounce them.

For that you get all the bits you might have thought of changing but now don’t have to.

675R gets lots of carbon fibre too.

42 – October 2011

Cockpit is pure racer.

Brembo brakes are another extra.

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It is recommended for high-performance air and water-cooled 4-stroke motorcycle engines, including race tuned. Endorsed by Ducati and KTM.

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www.cycletorque.com.au TEST BY

Daniel BallAntyne

PHOTOS BY

Chris Pickett

Cycle Torque Test – 2011 Honda CBR250R

RIDING GEAR: Shark helmet, Laro jacket, Triumph ‘Newington’ gloves, Hornee jeans, Joe Rocket ‘Big Bang’ boots.

Honda’s legendary quality in an affordable, sporty 250

S p e c i f i c at i o n s: honda cbr250r Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single Capacity: 249cc Transmission: 6-speed Fuel Capacity: 13 Litres Frame Type: Tubular Steel Seat Height: 784 Wet Weight: 162kg Front Suspension: 37mm telescopic Rear Suspension: Pro-Link Brakes: Single disc front and rear Tyres: 110/70-17, 140/50-17 Price (RRP): $5,495 + ORC www.cycletorque.com.au/more Call for a quote

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Little blade

DESPITE LAMs replacing the 250cc learner limit across most of Australia, two-fifties are still a very popular choice for new riders, and Honda’s new CBR250R will be a popular choice.

While there are increasing numbers of options available from lesser known manufacturers, if you wanted to buy new and you wanted a 250cc learner road bike with big brand kudos there has not been a lot of choice. Indeed, until Honda this year released its all new CBR250R, there was limited choice - mainly Kawasaki’s 250 Ninja, and the Kawasaki has been topping learner sales charts for some time now. No wonder Honda has decided to fill this gap in the market.

The 250 sport class for the road is important and it has been a bit neglected for some years now. The right bikes will get beginners in and enthusiastic and when they get to enjoy a quality experience on the right machine they will keep on riding, proving themselves and progressing to larger bikes. You can tell from the bike sales websites that grey imports have filled the void, but there are some risks in owning one of these including a lack of dealer back 44 – October 2011

up, while 250cc dual purpose machines, custom mini choppers and big scooters don’t quite cut it if you want to cruise a freeway or really experience what a properly set up road bike can do carving though the curves. And if super sports bikes are going to be your thing the right 250 can also make stepping up to what are now very potent 600s and beyond a not so daunting and natural progression.

Modern machine

The CBR250R is a thoroughly modern road bike in all aspects. It has a purpose built single cylinder fuel injected engine with twin cams overhead pumping four valves, plus there is an effective counter balance shaft to smooth out the vibes associated with singles. The triangulated black frame discreetly hidden under a full fairing is a twin spar lattice in steel that grips the engine as a stressed member. The 37 mm front forks while simple and without adjustment are strong and compliant and hold the ubiquitous 17 inch sized wheel shod with a 110/70-17 radial that has a 296 mm single disc grabbed by a more than adequate twin pot caliper. At

the rear a 17 inch wheel carries a 140/70-17 radial and has a 220 mm disc and single pot caliper.

A very comfortable bike, Honda maintains its reputation for getting real world ergonomics right for the majority of riders, and while the lean forward has a genuine sports feel it never became taxing after long spells on the slim, flat but comfortable seat pad. At 785mm the seat height was about perfect for my 175cm height, and taller riders may be surprised how roomy this Honda proves to be. Pillions will make it to the coffee shop or cinema, but not much further.

On the eye

Honda has chosen its own path styling wise with its recent flagship bikes the VFR1200 and the CBR1000RR. The CBR250 to my eye has nailed this new trend with the wide and high louvered side panels and the big three-part Y-shaped headlight. The neat low screen and fairing help to provide the little bike with excellent stability at speed. The bike comes in two colour schemes, a classic Honda red, white and blue while the other

option, and my favourite is the black with silver rims. Some, and me included, could only find one bad note styling wise and that is the triangular muffler. If it were in stainless or some other rich material it would work better visually, and there are already aftermarket options, which will certainly up the noise ante.

I found the standard muffler sounds fine if a little on the quiet but socially acceptable side.

The cockpit dash sits under a neat low screen and has a great sweeping dial for the tacho which made it easy to keep the revs dialled while the rest of the display, including the usual indicator lights and the big LCD for speed and fuel gauge (reliable and accurate), were generous, easy to read and had that great blue backlight colour for riding at night. Like any decent smaller bike the clutch and other controls were slick and light to pull, with plenty of feel. Even the mirrors are excellent.

Around town The first thing I noticed on the first ride was how great the

The hybrid Spyder OCTOBER 2011 - 61 prototype.

www.cycletorque.com.au

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE : BRP, PTII Written & photographedwww.cycletorque.com.au

by Nigel Paterson

a B-double or some other annoying cars there was plenty there in the little engine is off the mark, with a genuine single cylinder surge of engine with a down change or two. The next surprise was just how torque. I couldn’t wait to head home the long way around Newcastle’s good the fairing proved to be. On the way back after effortlessly carving beach roads where there are plenty of safe quick little curves. The bike through peak hour Sydney traffic (Market St was gridlocked!) it became became an instant pleasure. The engine revs well and handling was a [being practical]. You need a the prestigious title of Executive of windy and started to rain. No change of pace on the F3 with cars and snip.is Tipping settle into a turn instantly.

Your body BRP doingin, the bike wouldvehicles combustion engine to give the range, the Year by Powersports Magazine in trucks throwing can quickly shift into boy racertomode offorthe the be ableand to ridehang for three fourside, and 2005 which reflects the success he has spray and the wind gusting crossways. The CBR250R’s innovative work with right Agear hybridand still allows you but it’s been tough Destined fordry kept me relatively light controls made finding thehours. plenty oftothrottleenjoyed easy at BRP…fairing Mars?and the bike was rock steady, I could feel have fun even when your battery gets at times, too. from the tyres on some wet patches but the bike just carved to make a surging exit.and A smartlow.” choice of tyre sizes contributed to thatthe GFCmovement alternative fuels During BRP lost 15 per At this stage the electric Commander cent of its US dealers. ahead with no movement through the ’bars. This is a very safe and sometimes difficult to find but ideal handling package which delivers side-by-side and hybrid Spyder are “During the crisis our sales radical designs… quick changes of direction, instant grip and confidence inspiring concept vehicles which are unlikely reduced by 40 perconfidence cent. The first inspiring bike for any rider. to come into production in their quarter of 2008 was a recordbuying for BRP Smart stability.

The brakes who were excellent.

THERE’S a kid somewhere current form, but something’s likely to and in the following six months sales might one day drive a Can-Am all move on with our bikes it was great to get back in touch emerge. drop by 40 per cent.While We hadwe to lay vehicle across Mars. BRP, parent “We are alone with Spyder, being off 2000 employees (from with a 7500 250tolike the CBR250R. It is a very smart design, it has a clever company to Can-Am, has been Highway bound between a motorcycle and a car. China 5500), we shut down our factory in designing and prototyping potential flexible engine, there is great fuel economy and it’s clean running to has it committed 5 per cent didn’t invest any money Overall for getting round is hardtotohaving imagine thisofveryChina, wellwe setvehicles to be used on the red planet, town meet standards (yes, I’m a greenie). What the $5,495 CBR250R its new cars to be electric by 2020.

I see in infrastructure for two Euro years. We should NASA decide to try get us up CBR250R with itstosurprising mix offor single cylinder torque and top GM going #1 in electric cars and had to cut back.

(ABS version $500 extra) really is though is a fully up to date sports there. end outshone bikes.brands producing urban the premium “Today, our sales have increased I surebeing hope it happens, but by many other road hybrid cars. to Sydney and in the last 12 months by bike 26 per with cent. real character and which deserves to be taken up in large I had an opportunity to makeelectric a“There runand from Newy back. commuting to work on Mars is some is a place for BRP to be We have new product like numbers for both starting and returning riders. I reckon the CBR250R way off yet.

It was a coldproducing day and I didand not want to be late for a hybrid electric the Commander [side-byRiding a hybrid Can-Am Spyder to hold its value too, it is immaculately finished and, well, it is after powersports vehicles.

People just are hit theside], the Spyder will is growing, The CBR250R freeway, work, or belting around thework farm inengagement. starting to realise we need to start snowmobile we had a all, a Honda. n an electric side-by-side utility vehiclein and when you wanted to clear off from settled using renewable energy. In Austria very good season. We are

is more than just possible though, where I come from it is currently rebuilding that volume. I’m it’s likely sometime in the next few producing 40 per cent of its power with happy with the situation at years – BRP showed off examples of renewables and is working on a plan to the company. The difficulty is both machines at its big conference I raise that to 100 per cent.” to know what will happen in attended in Montreal recently.

BRP’s developments have been the USA. It is still the biggest “The world is facing CO2 issues. proceeding in spite of the Global market.

Everybody knows we have to do Financial Crisis, which hit BRP hard.

“For us I believe product something and there is mainstream diversification and geographic The GFC support in developing electric diversification will be key Jose Boisjoli is BRP’s President and vehicles,” Gerd Ohrnberger, viceelements in the success of the CEO, and has been since the company president and general manager of the company.” was spun-off from its parent company Powertrain division at BRP told Cycle Brakes look basic but work well Seat has ain nice hump for that Big muffler keeps the little CBR quiet.

2003.

Torque. enough forSpyder a bike this sporty look feel.an approachable and Notand only “The is asize. long-distance friendly man, Boisjoli was awarded vehicle, I don’t see any fully electric Continued on page 62

Modern look dash.

mobiles.

A line of Ski-Doo snow

October 2011 – 45

www.cycletorque.com.au

LETTERS TORQUING BACK Random act of generosity AFTER much planning over the last two years to attend the Isle of Man TT races in 2011, Jeff Cook and myself set off to England on Sunday 15th May. We shipped our bikes to Felixstowe in England two months earlier and part of the ride included a tour of Ireland prior to the TT and then further afield to Europe after the races.

When we arrived we soon discovered the mapping chip purchased from Garmin to be used with the Zumo 550 GPS hard loaded with Australian mapping did not work, having no idea of direction, roads, towns etc we had to rely on paper maps, which are very hard to use while riding along on a bike.

Our first real chance to get the Zumo checked out was in Dublin – we were checking out the Guiness factory – so we tracked down a mobile phone repairer near our hotel who was very helpful and got us on line to Garmin technical support in England.

Unfortunately they couldn’t help even after an hour and a half on the phone.

The only thing to do was to buy a new Garmin Zumo 550 that would fit in the mount already installed on the bike.

We visited Megabikes Dublin further down the street,and we were advised that the only place we may get one would be Peats world of electronics in Parnell St, Dublin.

The sales person at Peats was very helpful after telling him our story he chased all over Ireland, even contacted the local Garmin distributors to see if anyone had the same GPS. He couldn’t find one for us so he said, “I suppose I could lend you mine,” even though he didn’t know us from Adam.

What can we say but thank you, thank you, thank you, a good Samaritan in our time of need, a total act of selfless generosity. He said just post the unit back when you have finished with it knowing we were heading across to Europe after the TT, he did not ask us for any details only knew we were a couple of ill-prepared Aussie bikers putting a tick against the ‘bucket list’.

We couldn’t imagine doing a trip like this without a GPS and it’s great there are blokes like Ken Peats out there to help. The message is to all you bikers out there – ‘ask not what the road can do for you, but what can you do for your fellow riders on the road.”

Ken Lamb Batemans Bay Re: Overtaxed THE oldest chestnut at the BBQ:

pushies should pay rego. It‘s not is not responding. Look this is just fair, they use our roads, they want envy, with parallels to the resentment their own lane, they hold me up in drivers have towards motorcyclists who traffic, they don’t wear protective lane split. They hate riders for doing gear, mummy it’s not fair, tell them it‚‘cos they can’t, and if they can’t, to leave the playground! At the risk no-one should. Time to grow up people. of sounding like a broken record, Cyclists exploit their manoeuvrability please listen carefully all you just like motorcyclists do. They go bicycle haters, I will say this only to the front of a line of traffic for once. the same reasons that motorcyclists Cyclists are not the enemy. do. They enjoy the freedom of two For god’s sake, they make up one per wheels like all riders do. They just cent of traffic (motorcyclists three want to share the road without being per cent). Cyclists are a recognised road raged. They take responsibility road user within the Road Traffic Act. for their safety and don’t eat, use Boo hoo, cyclists use our roads. mobiles, adjust radios, talk to Pardon me. Whose roads? Where does passengers, whatever while riding. road building revenue come from?

For me, two wheels, human powered and National roadways are government motorised, is the only way to fly. If funded, with money from consolidated you’re still bitter about freeloading revenue paid by all tax payers. cyclists, ditch the car and say Councils build many local roads and goodbye to rego/CTP/insurance. Then apply for part funding for their choose bike and feel real freedom. major road works, in addition to rate David Bowker payer contributions. All government QLD Suspension tuning money can be considered ‘consolidated SOME time ago you published a revenue’ and therefore if you pay any letter that extolled the benefits of tax, why shouldn’t you expect to have Sportsbike Suspension Tuning by Andrew equal access to public infrastructure?

Trevitt. Well, I was immediately taken What percentage of cyclists are tax/ and ordered it. Read it 2/3 of the way rate payers? through and decided it was best I get Cyclists sit on 20km/h holding me up, my brother-in-law, who is mechanically boo hoo. Just how many of this 1 per minded, to have a go. Then a few cent do you encounter each day? Hold weeks back I picked it up again. This the violins. Here’s a reality check time I made notes while reading each for this alarmist bigotry. There are chapter. Excellent book! I got my peak hour commutes into Brisbane that bike out, made a few adjustments, put average 27km/h. Who exactly is holding the screwdriver in the back pocket up traffic? The cyclist trying to and away I went with a huge smile. unclog the roads with ‘one less car’ Didn’t get off the bike until Cowra or the cars? and rode over every bump I could see.

Cyclists don’t pay their fair share.

I recently purchased the bike and the Really? What does CTP cover? Injury to set up was hard as. I was convinced other people. When did a cyclist last the settings were OK, and that maybe mow down a carload of innocents? Rego the suspension was shot. Anyway, I is basically an administrative charge might not now be a suspension guru, and a way to track stolen vehicles or but once we set the sag I’ll be even those involved in accidents. Licensing happier. Knowing this info helps ensures the motorist has learned road for both track and road set up and rules and operation of the vehicle. transportation. Thanks for publishing Most adult cyclists have a licence so that letter. they know road rules. Operation of John Da Rin the vehicle? There is an expression: Orange it’s like riding a bike. Why not make NSW pedestrians get a license? Have you Sportsbike Suspension Tuning is looked at the pedestrian road toll available from the Cycle Torque lately? bookshop - www.cycletorque.com.au or Many cyclists don’t want to carry a call 02 4956 9820. number plate‚‘cos they weave through traffic and go through red lights, boo hoo. Yeah, and all these red light runners are killing so many people.

I’d never condone it usually, but there are times where bikes simply don’t trip the electromagnetic sensors. Only a fool would Write A Letter! wait and wait (at night, or even in daytime) when there is WIN A Great PRIZE This month Ken Lamb has won a Cargol no cross traffic and the light Turn & Go puncture repair kit.

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

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

46 – October 2011

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Bookshop www.cycletorque.com.au w ww.ccycletorquuee.ccom m.a .aau

www.cycletorque.com.au

Kwi does USA

Legends

Kiwis are over-represented in motorcycle racing results and Legends on 2 Wheels tells the stories of nine riders who have won 35 world titles, and a few others who came close.

$43.99

Troy Bayliss

The personal story of one of Australia’s best-ever racers, Troy Bayliss, My Life, My Story chronicles his climb from club racer to multiple Superbike World Champion and MotoGP winner.

$34.95

Ducati 1098/1198

The inside story on Ducati’s high performance sportsbike, put together with the full cooperation of the factory.

$49.99

The Americans

From Kenny Roberts to the present day, American racers have stamped their authority over Grand Prix.

$39.99

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

$32.99

Postie Touring

Riding across vast tracks of the planet always makes for a good story, but starting the trip on a clapped out ex-Aussie Post CT110 is simply nuts.

This is Nathan Millward’s story of his trip.

$30.00

100s of great motorcycle books available

www.cycletorque.com.au

Call 02 4956 9820 or order online

October 2011 – 47

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1

Draggin Honda

HONDA and Draggin jeans have got together to produce Honda branded motorcycle friendly jeans. Utilising a technologically advanced hybrid of Military Kevlar and Dyneema protective fibres, Draggin Jeans has a long and celebrated reputation for providing the best protection from the road should the rider have an unfortunate spill. Women’s jeans are called the ‘Minx’, and men’s jeans ‘Rider’.

Price: $269 Available from: Honda dealers nationwide.

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

INFORMATION FROM OUR

1

2

Line dancing

VENHILL manufacture ADR-approved braided hydraulic brake hoses, low friction clutch and throttle cables as dedicated model specific kits plus custom lengths and special applications. Venhill support top level UK race teams, Swan Honda BSB, Cosworth Yamaha in Motocross Grand Prix, and multiple World Speedway Champion Jason Crump. Venhill also supply as OEM to the new breed of British-built Norton motorcycles.

Price: Various Available from: Good motorcycle shops.

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

Headliner

4

Electricity

3

EVER suffer from an itchy head when wearing a helmet?

Andy Strapz has the answer with the new Headliner made by Smart Wool. It’s a single layer thin non-itch woollen ‘skull cap’ which keeps your head warm in winter, cool in summer and keeps your ear plugs in control.

Price: $30 + $7 postage.

Available from: Direct from Andy Strapz, (03) 9770 2207.

More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more BRAD the Bike Boy has a new range of replacement coils for your late model twovalve Ducati. While not a performance upgrade the coils will give you better cold starting and running motorcycle. Fits all carby Monster and SS models, and many two-valve injected models too. Made by California Cycle Works.

Price: $170 for the pair.

Available from: Direct from Brad on 03 9563 2004, or www.bikeboy.org.

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

48 – October 2011

4

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Excursion

THE Excursion jacket and pants from Alpinestars is designed to protect you, and keep you warm and dry. They have many features like the breathable GoreTex membrane, CE armour and a removable thermal liner. Summer or winter, the Excursion has you covered.

Sizes: jacket – S-4XL, pants – S-3XL. Price: Jacket $599.95, pants $499.95.

Available from: Good bike shops everywhere.

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

1

2

Easy wheel

SICK of wrenching your back trying to wheel your two wheeled behemoth around the garage? No more will this be a problem if you buy a sidestand mover from Ezy2wheel. Unsure? Check out their website to watch a video of how it works.

Price: $65 inc postage Available from: Direct from www.ezy2wheel. com.au or call 0429629954.

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

Primo luggage

SHAD creates high quality boxes which will satisfy your luggage dilemmas. The top box is big enough to hold two full face helmets and weighs only 3.7kg, cutting down dramas from chassis vibration.

Price: $299 Available from: Good motorcycle stores More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 4

3

Trophy

HJC’s new FS-15 range is the result of HJC’s many years of R&D. It’s a superior high quality helmet that offers safety and comfort. It has a fibreglass/Dyneema/Kevlar shell and a finish that surpasses anything done before by HJC. Price: $479.90 Available from: Good motorcycle shops More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

4

October 2011 – 49

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Bandit Tyre Warmers

IN 2010 we gave a set of Bandit tyre warmers a fair workout with all the racing we did.

The superbike spec warmers we used never let us down, even after a mishap with a bike in gear while the warmers were still on, and are simply the best tyre warmers we’ve ever used. We have a couple of sets of other brands in the box but they never get pulled out.

Well made and keeping hot and strong all the time.

Price: $699 Available from: Direct from Bandit, Ph 1300 Bandit, www.bandit.com.au.

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

Tour Time

IF YOUR machine isn’t fitted with hard luggage then you need to check out Motodry’s soft luggage range. We’ve got a full kit which we use on various test bikes when we go touring.

One such test was on Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000 where I went west with the Grand Tour top case and the Tournav tank bag.

Fitting the soft luggage is straight forward. The tank bag is magnetic but also comes with straps if you have a plastic tank on your bike. It features a GPS window and can expand from 35 litres to 47 litres with a deft flick of the zip.

The Grand Tour seat bag has an adjustable base and has 65 litres capacity.

Cycle Torque also have a set of Grand Tour throwover saddlebags which can expand from 30 litres to 42 litres (both bag total).

As you can see from the photo I didn’t need the saddlebags for this trip. The more room you have the more crap you seem to jam in.

Like most universal bags sometimes the straps don’t perfectly suit the bike, but we’ve always been able to get the MotoDry bags to attach reasonably well, although I’ve sometimes put a strap over the top of the seat bag for a bit of extra security. Rain covers come standard.

– Nigel Paterson Price: Tank bag – $148.99, saddlebags – $159.95, seat bag – $115.

Available from: Good motorcycle shops More info: www.cycletorque.com.au/more 50 – October 2011

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Cycle Torque Feature – Bonneville

The world wide web of motorcycling Dave Mason gets his kicks not on Route 66, but at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

OVER the years I have had the pleasure of both lending and borrowing bikes with overseas friends.

This has got me both two wheels and gracious hosts in New Zealand, the east and west coasts of the USA, Britain, Italy and The Isle of Man. I’ve also done a few bike tours to India, Nepal, Vietnam and Bali.

On the other hand I have had the honour of hosting and providing a bike for overseas visitors.

It’s amazing what that big family of motorcycle people can do for you.

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of meeting Ted and Candice from Montana while touring Tasmania on Ducati Turismo. Ted and Candice were enjoying Tassie on a Multistrada, loaned to them by a fellow Aussie Ducati rider.

As with any tour on bikes there is the end of day watering hole where important bike stuff is discussed...

I’ve been to the Isle of Man for the TT and Bike Week at Daytona. I had seen a bit of the States but Bonneville was still on my bucket list.

Ted’s response (imagine a few words in a Montana accent), “well you better come on over and see how fast you can go on my Buell.” Ted has a number of Ducatis but when Harley sold off the new Rotax engine model at half price... well you can’t let a bargain go by!

A plan is hatched

Bonneville salt flats Utah USA, August 28thSeptember 2nd.

It’s not Racing... It’s History.

In the ‘70s I fell in love with a 1968 Triumph Bonneville which got its very name from where I wanted to go. Now it was my chance to see it for myself.

Ted was to race his Ducati in the AHRMA series the weekend after Bonneville at Miller Motorsport Park, a 23-turn (28-apex), 4.486 mi (7.220 km) road circuit a few hours east of the

salt.

Ted informed me there was a track day the following Monday that I might want to enter.

I can ride the Buell or his 1098 Ducati. Tough decision, so I opt to decide on the day.

The legendary Bonneville

Salt Flats.

not to mention a room full of more bikes – AJS, Montana is two States north of Utah. Ted has BSA Goldy, to name a few, and the centrepiece in a Toy Hauler (motorhome) with space for five the lounge room is a very original 1915 Harley. bikes, four double beds, a toilet, shower and Then next it’s the Beartooth Highway between kitchen.

Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana. It traces a Ted sets off in his hauler with his race 1098, series of steep zigzags and switchbacks along the and a road 1098 too. I get to ride the Buell with Montana-Wyoming border to the 3,337m high his friend Bill on a Triumph Sprint, his newest Beartooth Pass. It rises from 1,600m to 2,400m of a barn full of pre-unit and unit Triumphs. in 19 km, in the most daring of landscapes, or so Candice is also on a Triumph. As Ted goes I’m told. The unfortunate thing was we couldn’t down the interstate, we go over the mountains. see more than 20m because it was snowing. I Then there is the weather did notice however that the temp on the bike It’s Autumn or should I say ‘Fall’, and it was 34F, which is freakin’ cold. Down the other shouldn’t be too cold but as soon as you add side the motorcycling gods smiled upon us with some altitude and a stray cold front, well... nice riding weather. The Beartooth connects All was well, we had enjoyed mainly dry to the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway near Cooke mornings and had just got into some nice twisties City, which forms the northeast gateway to when we stopped for lunch. We are enjoying a Yellowstone National Park. hamburger when it suddenly got a lot darker and started raining. We watch the rain turn into Yogi Bear a fall of heavy snow or is that light hail, either Loved that cartoon as a kid, so apart from way there was a two-inch thick white blanket seeing Old Faithful go off on time, I was covering the road. hoping to see Yogi and Boo Boo! We get numerous warnings to go back, which That didn’t happen but we did get to meet we did. It’s easy to get disoriented in the snow The Ranger, because he made a special effort to and we soon realised we were going the wrong see us! way. We saw some RV tracks through the snow Seems there was a report of bikes that looked and we followed them carefully until we were just like ours going a bit fast in his park. able to get over the other side of the mountain Undoubtedly a case of mistaken identity. where the snow turned to a wet road, and then The Salt dry as we descended further down the mountain.

Another regroup with the toy hauler and we We finally arrived at our rendezvous with had all bikes safely loaded for a boring bit of Ted and his hauler at Chris’s place. Chris, a interstate, then, at last we saw the Bonneville motorcycling buddy of Ted, has a big shed full exit. After a night in the truck park we drove of lots of nice toys including a Vincent, an early down the access road that leads us on to the Guzzi, Norton Commando etc. He even has a ‘Sacred Salt’, a quick stop for pics with the sign motorized front gate that is melded into an old that says it all.

Jawa 2-stroke.

We are there, Buell unloaded and off to His house reveals a fine collection of antiques, scrutineering to see what is needed.

Getting there

October 2011 – 51

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The weather god s weren’t always friendly.

lt Flats. a S e h t n o l l e A borrowed Bu

99 miles of joy!

As luck would have it we get the fussiest tech guy, he wants everything you can think of lock wired.

So it’s back to the toy hauler to break a few drills drilling Allen screws for axle locking, brake calipers and oil drain plugs. We try to shortcut on the rear axle making it look like it was wired, thinking the tech guy would not get down on the ground to check, but the ball-breaker got his mirror on a stick out and we were busted.

Third visit and we were finally OK to run.

On with the leathers and on to the staging tent, awaiting the nod to do a run.

The Run

The first mile is to get up to speed, you are then timed at the 1st and 2nd mile marks and your speed is averaged. So when you get the nod it’s head down, ass back and give it the berries.

Bit scary the first time you do it, feeling the bike squirm as you cut through the loose salt that has been carved off the surface by the wheel spin of all the previous runs.

First mile post flashes by, then the second, then it’s time to think about slowing down, all the time being paranoid about the consequence of touching that front brake. The 1st exit passes, you drop a bit more speed then make the next, or the next; there are a few. At the end of the exit chute is a marshall who you can ask for your time.

I had thought if I could break 150mph I’d be happy. When he said 154mph I was pleasantly surprised.

The poverty pack Run-what-ya-brung entry gets you two runs,

52 – October 2011

both in the same direction, and a shopping docket size print out with your time, wind speed etc.

If you are really serious you pay the big dollars for a record attempt entry, which gets you runs in both directions to allow for the effect of wind direction. Your speeds are averaged and with a bit of luck you have yourself an international record.

Miller Motorsport Park

A two hour drive down the interstate from Bonneville brings you to another fun place for motorsport – Miller Motorsport Park.

Think Phillip Island except it’s 8km around the full circuit plus it’s wider and has good grip.

Ted had entered in an AHRMA classic and BEARS race meeting on his 1098 Ducati.

It was much like an Aussie PCRA meeting with various classes for the older bikes, a CB160 class just like our Buckets, and BEARS classes for modern non-Jap twins.

I had to sit out and watch two days of racing all the while wishing I was out there. But come Monday it was my turn for some track time in the ride day I had booked. At the riders’ brief the guy said it’s a long way round the full circuit and no-one will do every session. I was tending to agree with that on the first lap, but by the second I thought, ‘bullshit, I’m not going to miss one minute of track time on this fast (I saw 165mph on the main straight) and flowing circuit.

I did the morning sessions on the Buell, then Ted made me go out in the afternoon on his 1098 Ducati race bike, the bastard. It was fantastic, I got sick of passing everybody in the B group so went out in the A group and passed nearly all of them too!

Cycle Torque Feature – Bonneville

www.cycletorque.com.au

The world wide web of motorcycling A race bike at Miller Mot

orsport Park.

not much is snnow Riding in the fu .

Back to Montana

After the fun in Utah, it was time to head back to Montana.

We zig-zagged our way back up via LoLo Pass and Glacier National Park.

Getting to the Airport

Sadly it was time to head back to Australia. Not only did Ted force me to ride his bikes but that evil bastard made me drive his Corvette too.

Aussie versus USA

It’s interesting to make comparisons between Australia and the USA. We both like bikes, we drive on opposite sides of the road. All up we are pretty much the same but financially we are well and truly screwed. A tank of gas is a bit under $20 in Australia but it’s less than $10 in the USA. Speeding: it depends on the state but I got pulled over on three occasions in a matter of not many more days and in all cases got a polite ear chewing but no fine, if you are very bad then we are talking; any roadway during daytime $70, at night $70 ~ $500, and three of the 30 points you have to play with over three years.

Bigger Pretty much everything is bigger: roads, cars, food and drink portions so guess it’s also logical for their home grown bikes to be large.

Motor sport in the USA like Australia requires a licence from

Part of an outdoor collection. the controlling body. We have Motorcycling Australia. One of its race licences cost $285 a year.

USA has the AMA. It costs $39 a year to race but not only that, they throw in roadside assistance.

– David Mason

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CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE : BRP, ptII Written & photographed by Nigel Paterson

More Yellow Blood Destined for Mar

s?

The hybrid Spyder prototype.

BRP is doing innovative work with alternative fuels and radical designs…

THERE’S a kid somewhere who might one day drive a Can-Am vehicle across Mars.

BRP, parent company to Can-Am, has been designing and prototyping potential vehicles to be used on the red planet, should NASA decide to try to get us there.

I sure hope it happens, but commuting to work on Mars is some way off yet.

Riding a hybrid Can-Am Spyder to work, or belting around the farm in an electric side-by-side utility vehicle is more than just possible though, it’s likely sometime in the next few years – BRP showed off examples of both machines at its big conference I attended in Montreal recently.

“The world is facing CO2 issues.

Everybody knows we have to do something and there is mainstream support in developing electric vehicles,” Gerd Ohrnberger, vice-president and general 54 – October 2011

manager of the Powertrain division at BRP told Cycle Torque.

“The Spyder is a long-distance vehicle, I don’t see any fully electric vehicles [being practical]. You need a combustion engine to give the range, to be able to ride for three or four hours. A hybrid still allows you to have fun even when your battery gets low.”

At this stage the electric Commander side-by-side and hybrid Spyder are concept vehicles which are unlikely to come into production in their current form, but something’s likely to emerge.

“We are alone with Spyder, being between a motorcycle and a car. China has committed to having 5 per cent of its new cars to be electric by 2020. I see GM going for #1 in electric cars and the premium brands producing urban electric and hybrid cars.

“There is a place for BRP to be producing hybrid and electric powersports vehicles.

People are starting to realise we need to start using renewable energy. In Austria where I come from it is currently producing 40 per cent of its power with renewables

and is working on a plan to raise that to 100 per cent.”

BRP’s developments have been proceeding in spite of the Global Financial Crisis, which hit BRP hard.

The GFC

Jose Boisjoli is BRP’s President and CEO, and has been since the company was spunoff from its parent company in 2003.

Not only an approachable and friendly man, Boisjoli was awarded the prestigious title of Executive of the Year by Powersports Magazine in 2005 which reflects the success he has enjoyed at BRP… but it’s been tough at times, too.

During the GFC BRP lost 15 per cent of its US dealers.

“During the crisis our sales reduced by 40 per cent. The first quarter of 2008 was a record for BRP and in the following six months sales drop by 40 per cent. We had to lay off 2000 employees (from 7500 to 5500), we shut down our factory in China, we didn’t invest any money in infrastructure for two years. We had to cut back.

A line of

www.cycletorque.com.au Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

“Today, our sales have increased in the last 12 months by 26 per cent. We have new product like the Commander [side-by-side], the Spyder is growing, snowmobile we had a very good season.

We are rebuilding that volume. I’m happy with the situation at the company. The difficulty is to know what will happen in the USA. It is still the biggest market.

“For us I believe product diversification and geographic diversification will be key elements in the success of the company.”

Which might explain why BRP funded a large group of Australian journalists, staff and dealers to make the trip to Canada to see much of BRP’s inner workings, including one of the factories…

The factory tour

Valcourt is a small town about 90 minutes drive from Montreal, and it’s the home of BRP. J A Bombardier started the company from his service station in the town, developed his over snow vehicles in the workshop and started his first factory in Valcourt.

Indeed, Valcourt is now a factory town: the BRP factory actually employs more people than live in Valcourt,

many workers commuting from

nearby areas.

The Valcourt factory builds Spyder, Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo. We started at the Spyder line, watching as parts were bolted on at each station before the bike would move on to the next station.

It was more hands-on than many would expect – these machines certainly aren’t assembled by robot: the robots are too busy welding up the alloy bases used by Spyder.

Many of the plastic parts come from Asia, the engines come from Rotax in Austria… the logistics of making sure all the different pieces are at the right place at the right time must be a nightmare, but somehow they do it.

After Spyder came Ski Doo. This line can build both the snowmobiles and the Sea Doo PWCs, and in July they switch over so there’s stock of Ski Doo in dealer showrooms before the North American snow arrives. They switch back to making boats in the depths of the American winter, which explains why Australia gets some of the first Sea Doo PWCs produced each year - we can ride them right away, late in our summer.

See www.cycletorque.com.au for links to more information on the CanAm hybrid Spyder and other innovations.

October 2011 – 55