Cycle Torque eMag May 2010

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FE ATURE

WINTER BIKE STUFF

FEATURES: Trying trials, Harley touring, Two-wheeled funnyman – Ross Noble

INSIDE

1400GTR KAWASAKI

0 RT BMW R 120

1300AS YAMAHA FJR

MAY 2010 - 1

MAY 2010 CONTENTS 26

22

TEST

HONDA CRF250R

BMW R 1200 RT

32

30 TEST

TEST

KAWASAKI 1400GTR

TEST

YAMAHA FJR1300AS

64

FEATURE

HARLEY TOURING

FEATURES 36 ROSS NOBLE INTERVIEW 39 MASSIVE WINTER BIKE STUFF 48-49 BOOK SALES 60 QUAD TORQUE 68 TRIALS BOOT CAMP REGULARS 4-14 NEWS 17 DIRTY TORQUE 19 E-TORQUE 21 RACE TORQUE 24 LETTERS 34 GUNTRIP 47 EDITORIAL 50 MARKET TORQUE 63 MAJOR EVENTSLETTERS

CYCLE TORQUE: 02 4956 9820 FULL DETAILS PAGE 63 Cover imags: Pickett (CR-F. GTR) Martin (BMW), Paterson (FJR)

NEWS TORQUE

New Suzuki GSX1250F

SUZUKI has taken the wraps off the all-new GSX1250F, “With a stylish full fairing, comfortable ergos, and a fully faired all-rounder priced at $13,990 plus on road demonstrated Suzuki street bike pedigree, the GSX1250F will strengthen Suzuki’s already dominant position in the big costs. The bike looks to be essentially a faired Bandit 1250, itself one street bike category.” of Suzuki’s most popular bikes and one which has achieved almost a cult following since the first model hit the market in 1996. It has always had a half fairing, or no fairing but until now a fully faired model hasn’t been offered. The fuelinjected 1255cc powerplant is a gem and the bike offers great performance with comfort and everyday ease of use.

A range of functional accessories are also available including a hard top case and panniers. The Suzuki GSX1250F is available in Blue or Grey colour schemes and is backed by Suzuki’s two-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

For further information and pricing details on the Suzuki “The GSX1250F bolsters an already comprehensive and GSX1250F, interested customers should visit their local value-packed street bike range,” said Perry Morison, General Suzuki dealer, who can be found through the Dealer Locator Manager Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia. on www.suzuki.com.au. Q

Off-road Aprilia?

RUMOUR has it Aprilia will soon unveil a 750cc adventure machine using the engine from the Shiver. A bigger capacity version may follow, using the current 1200cc engine as found in the Tuono, or possibly the new V4. The general consensus is Aprilia will take the Shiver and add longer travel suspension, larger diameter wheels and new adventure style bodywork to complete the package. Q

MAY 2010 - 3

NEWS TORQUE

Voxan is gone

AFTER enduring more stops and star ts than a game of Friday Night Football, French motorcycle manufacturer Voxan has finally gone to the wall. Voxan was founded in the mid ’90s and has shown the world many an eclectic motorcycle, all based around a V-twin engine designed an d built in France. After building close to 2000 motorcycles in the last decade or so it ’s a shame we never saw any of them in Australia, other than possibly a couple of private impor ts.Q

DUNGEY ON TOP, POURCEL TAKES LITES WITH Ryan Villopoto having a suspected broken leg after a huge crash from his Kawasaki KX450F, Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey should be able to wrap-up the AMA Supercross crown as the season winds down over the next few weeks.

The West Lites resumes with Jake Weimer just 14 points ahead of Trey Canard who is hot off a series of podiums in the Supercross Class but with only two round remaining before the East v West at the final round in Las Vegas it’s a long shot for Canard.

Villopoto had a huge crash at St Louis, caused in part by having to play catch-up to Dungey.

Australia’s Chad Reed has returned to the fray, but with little to ride for and lacking time on the bike, he’s ridden conservatively to finish in fourth and fifth in the rounds he’s contested. – Darren Smart

“Hopefully he’s alright, that was really nasty, we were going at it and things like that happen but I don’t like to see guys getting hurt.” said Dungey about RV’s crash. “You don’t really want to win it like that. It was an unfortunate deal for him.” Dungey now has a 36 point lead over Villopoto. Pro-Circuit’s Christophe Pourcel continued with his dominance over the American 250F riders by clinching his second straight SX Lites title despite scoring no points at the final round for the Eastern Lites class at St. Louis. “I didn’t know I could win the championship tonight,” said Poucel after his earlier Houston win. “I always go out and race and try to win every weekend. You never know when you might win the title and I did tonight. I’m happy. I’m just going to get a good night’s rest and try to win next week. Then I can celebrate.” The final race for the East Lites riders was won by the very aggressive Justin Barcia who ended the season in second place in the championship just ahead of team-mate Brett Metcalfe who ended the season with a third place.

4 - MAY 2010

PRICE WINS A4DE MOTOREX KTM Offroad rider, Toby Price has won both the Outright and E2 class at the 2010 Yamaha Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) in Portland, NSW. Price put on a dominant performance in the final moto to win the event from five time World Champion, Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha’s Stefan Merriman. In third place outright was last year’s winner, Motorex KTM’s Jarrod Bewley, who also won this year’s E1 class. “I’m really stoked to win here, especially with Stefan Merriman on my tail; last year I played the bridesmaid and now I have finally done it” Price said afterwards. “I now have my sights set on heading to Portugal for a round of the World Enduro Championships, and then the rest of the Australian Off Road Championship.” Pro E1 class winner Jarrod Bewley said, “I felt over the whole four days I put in a solid effort”. “I led the E1 class for most days, and only had some pressure from a young guy who was keeping me honest. “I had no crashes in any special test, and the KTM 250 EXC F ran awesome. “The Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing team are really to be commended on a great racing environment, and an awesome support network. “Everyone put in to making this a great A4DE. “The terrain ended up being perfect for me, after a good amount of rain leading up to the event. It was a bit sloppy with mud on day one, but in general the conditions were really good. “This is my first E1 class win, I rode a 450 last year and claimed the E2 and outright, and I switched classes and bikes this year to race the KTM 250 EXC F in the E1 class, and claimed the win, so I’m really happy with these results.” It was a successful A4DE for the Motorex KTM outfit, with Ben Grabham winning the E3 class following a classic battle with Husabergmounted Geoff Braico in the final moto, and

Motorex KTM team manager, Brad Williscroft, winning the Vets class. “My main goal was to win the E3 class and I achieved that goal for both myself and KTM”, said Grabham. “I had a really consistent four days, and I didn’t crash at all. I haven’t ridden the KTM 530 EXC in this event before, and I was probably higher up outright than I thought I’d be, especially since I was just really focused on the class win. “The bike was awesome, I didn’t have to do anything to it other than change my tyres, and they also were great in the conditions. “It started out muddy at the beginning of the race, and we had minimal dust. You don’t usually get a final moto that’s not dusty, so in all seriousness this was probably one of the best four days I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot.” Heading into the final moto of the women’s class with a half second lead over Jessica

Gardiner (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha), Jemma Wilson (Yamaha) grabbed the holeshot and the lead early, only to suffer a heartbreaking crash to surrender the moto, and the A4DE class win to the hard-charging 16-year-old. In a hotly contested masters class, enduro legend Geoff Ballard held a slim lead over David Cash heading into the last test, which he worked hard to protect, keeping a persistent Cash at bay throughout the moto.

Yamaha A4DE Outright Top-10 (Provisional) 1) Toby Price E2 (Motorex KTM); 2) Stefan Merriman E2 (Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha); 3) Jarrod Bewley E1 (Motorex KTM); 4) Daniel Milner E2 (Suzuki); 5) Ben Grabham E3 (Motorex KTM); 6) Kirk Hutton E2 (Yamaha Australia); 7) Matthew Phillips E1 (Honda); 8) Jason Davis E2 (Coastal Pacific Ink KTM); 9) Geoff Braico E3 (Sutto’s Husaberg Team); 10) Rory Mead E2 (Yamaha NZ). Q

Faggotter takes Condo 750 ROD Faggotter, owner of Longreach’s Yamaha Dealership Centretune Motorcycles, has piloted his Yamaha WR450F to a 33s win at the Condo 750 endurance event held in Condobolin, northwestern NSW, over the Easter weekend.

Faggotter was well placed after day one in second place but came home strongly on day two to take the lead and win in the prestigious off-road event. The win came with a last minute scare

when he crashed just 10km from the finish line but remounted quickly and sprinted for home to keep his well earned lead intact and win over Todd and Jacob Smith in second and third respectively. “I raced the bike I used in the Australian Safari last year. I just dusted it off, took off the rear fuel tanks and it was good to go. It never missed a beat all weekend and it already had plenty of use before we came here,” said Rod. Q

MAY 2010 - 5

6 - MAY 2010

MAY 2010 - 7

NEWS TORQUE

5RVVL ZLQV ÀUVW EDWWOH of MotoGP 2010 GET past the fact Casey Stoner (Ducati) crashed out of the opening MotoGP race in Qatar and no-one will be shocked by a podium of Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) and Andrea Dovisioso (Honda).

Stoner, who set pole and looked like running away with the event for the fourth time in a row crashed out while leading. He said afterwards, “Once I got to the front I started to get into my rhythm but I lost the front end a couple of times in long corners so I made the decision to try to ride a bit smoother and not put so much pressure on the front tyre with the full tank. Unfortunately that is what led to the crash because looking at the telemetry I didn’t have enough load on the front, so I guess in hindsight I should have stuck to the way I’d been riding all weekend. It’s my mistake.” Rossi rode a smooth, consistent race, picking off the early leaders and inheriting the lead when Stoner fell. He was pressured by the chasers and even briefly headed, but really controlled the race and won comfortably. Lorenzo, still recovering from injuries sustained during a motocross training accident, didn’t get a great start but came through the field in the latter stages of the race to take second spot. It was a mature, smart ride which augers well for the rest of the season. Dovisioso outperformed his higher-profile team-mate Dani

Pedrosa to take third. Pedrosa got the holeshot at the start but faded badly. The really interesting aspect to this race wasn’t the leaders though, it was just off the podium. In fourth – and in a podium spot for most of the race – was Ducati’s Nicky Hayden. The 2006 World Champ has only made sporadic visits to the podium since his championshipwinning year, and he’s never been close on the Ducati, so Qatar might point to Hayden coming to terms with the Desmosedici. Even more interesting was fifth spot, which went to reigning Superbike World Champion Ben Spies (Yamaha). Although not his first ride on a MotoGP machine, all the others have been guest rides: this was his first as a regular rider in the championship, and to be the first home on a non-factory machine and comprehensively beating his vastly more experienced team-mate (and double SWC Champion) Colin Edwards is a portent to the future. He might not even win a race on the Tech3 Yamaha, but if you were going to predict a future world champion from the current crop of MotoGP riders, it would be Spies and Lorenzo. Both look capable of running with Stoner and Rossi week-in, week-out; Pedrosa, Dovisioso and the rest of the field only look like they can beat the top guys when the stars align for them, simply not often enough to win a title. – Nigel Paterson

Japanese GP Postponed The Japanese GP at Twin Ring Motegi has been postponed until October 3 due to the inability of many teams and staff to get to the event due to flight c a n c e l l a t i o n s caused by the volcanic ash plume.

8 - MAY 2010

Carnage in Moto2 A SECOND corner crash in the firstever Moto2 race which took out two of the four front-row starters certainly added to the already high interest in the new class which replaces the 250cc two-strokes for 2010 and beyond. Running both a control engine (Honda CBR600) and tyres (Dunlop slicks) the class has found booming interest from teams happy to build their own frames and chassis builders such as Suter and Moriwaki. Indeed, the top five qualifiers were all on different chassis. The top 15 were separated by less than a second during qualifying. 41 riders

faced the starter, and if there’s ever been that many starters in a 250GP it was a long, long time ago. Shoya Tomizawa. a Japanese teenager who came to the world championship last year on a 250, won the inaugural race when he was able to break from the pack and not be slowed down by the battle for the minor places. Alex Debon (FTR) stole second from Forward Racing’s Jules Cluzel (Suter) six turns from the end of the race. Gresini Racing’s Toni Elias (Moriwaki), the pole sitter, finished fourth, with Roby Rolfo (Suter) fifth.

125cc

With all the interest in Moto2, the 125 class looks to be in decline, with less bikes rolling up for the opening round than in recent years. Nico Terol overcame four hard charging Derbi riders to take the race win aboard his Bancaja Aspar Aprilia. Efren Vazquez took second place on the line, with Marc Marquez taking third and making it an all-Spanish podium for the first 125cc race of the new season. Q

Husky’s TC special

HUSQVARNA’S “Price Smash” campaign sees the retail price of the TC 250 2010 model reduced from the normal MSRP of $10,995 to a very competitive $9,495, the campaign saving of $1,500 is set to increase the already strong demand on this popular model. The new TC 250 already has proven to be a serious contender in the lites class given its overseas success with Husqvarna factory riders and strong results locally with Chris Hollis’s victories in all classes at Australia’s first Stadium Enduro Cross event held recently. Adding to the increased exposure for the TC 250 will be the performance of Husqvarna Racing’s Matt Ryan competing in the Pro Lites class of the MX National Championships. Husqvarna’s “Price Smash” campaign is for a limited time only, expiring on June 30 2010. Contact your nearest participating authorised dealer for further information or log onto www.husqvarnamotorcycles. com.au. Q

MAY 2010 - 9

NEWS TORQUE

Moto2 vs. WSS THE performance potential of the modern 600cc sports bike was highlighted at the Losail circuit in Qatar when the inugural Moto2 race was run under lights at the desert circuit in the Middle East on April 11.

Despite the new Moto2 bikes weighing 23 kilograms less than World Supersport Championship 600cc fours, running on racing slick tyres in chassis designed by some of the world’s leading motorcycle chassis specialists, they ended up

virtually identical in speed to the bike anyone can purchase from their local dealer and modify for racing.

As the accompanying chart shows, in almost every measure the Moto2 bikes ended up almost the same in terms of speed around the race track as the World Supersport machines. This is despite the World Supersport machines being heavier and racing on treaded Pirellis while the Moto2 bikes are significantly lighter and use racing slicks supplied by

Dunlop mounted to wider wheels than the 600 Supersport bikes use. Both classes of machine are slower around the Losail circuit than the 250cc GP machines. – Michael Esdaile Note: Next issue our man at the track, Friedemann Kirn, gives an insight into Moto2 and why they aren’t that fast yet. If you’d like to read it sooner, check out www.cycletorque.com.au.

Losail Circuit, Qatar comparison chart 250GP Pole Record Speed

162.167 km/h Jorge Lorenzo (March 9, 2007). 1m 59.432s (Fortuna Aprilia).

Fastest Race Lap Speed

162.239 km/h Alex Debon (March 9, 2008). 1m 59.379s, lap 20 (Lotus Aprilia; 4th).

Race Record Speed

Highest Top Speed

Supersport

Moto2

160.317 km/h Mattia Pasini (March 9, 2008). 40m 16.202s (Polaris World Aprilia) (20 laps, 107.60 km)

159.295 km/h Cal Crutchlow (March 13, 2009) 2m 01.586s (Yamaha SSS Team YZF-R6) 158.007 km/h Andrew Pitt (February 23, 2008). 2m 02.577s, lap 20 (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR; 2nd) 156.666 km/h Broc Parkes (February 23, 2008). 37m 05.271s (Yamaha WSS Team YZF-R6). (18 laps, 96.840 km)

158.579 km/h Toni Elias (April 10, 2010) 2m 01.904 (Gresini Racing Moriwaki) 158.058 km/h Thomas Luthi (April 11, 2010) 2m 02.537s, lap 4 (Interwetten Moriwaki) 156.713 km/h Shoya Tomizawa (April 11, 2010). 41m 11.768s (Technomag CIP Suter) (22 laps, 118.360 km)

281.7 km/h Thomas Luthi (April 12, 2009). . Emmi Caffe Latte Aprilia. Finished 6th.

280.1 km/h Eugene Laverty (March 14, 2009). Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR. Finished 1st.

277.5 km/h Mattia Pasini (April 11, 2009) JiR Motobi. Finished 6th

New Ducatis are here

THE exclusive and exciting 1198 S CORSE special edition has arrived on Australian shores and is now available. Inspired by Ducati’s World Superbike and Superstock Manufacturers’ titles won in 2009 and built to mark the historic introduction of a new Ducati Corse logo, the 1198 S CORSE showcases the superbike’s racing heritage. The 1198 is undeniably the pinnacle of the Ducati Superbike range. The 1198 S Corse Special Edition features a factory team-style aluminium fuel tank, Corse colour scheme and a race kit. This special edition retains the successful formula of the 1198cc Testastretta Evoluzione L-twin engine, developing 125kW and a class-busting 131.4Nm torque, and standard-equipment electronics that include eight-mode DTC traction control and DDA data analysis. Also featured are the race-quality Ohlins 43mm front forks and Ohlins rear shock. RRP is $38,490 and excludes dealer and statutory charges, which are subject to change without notice. Ducati also has introduced the even lighter, faster and betterhandling Hypermotard EVO and EVO SP. The riding position ensures total control, so that the Hypermotard is ready to dominate every inch of asphalt with big-bore acceleration and road holding that redefines the street experience. The 1100 EVO SP has higher ground clearance, higher spec suspension, higher bars and less weight makes the SP track-ready for action. RRP for the Evo is $18,990, while the Evo SP is $22,990. Q

10 - MAY 2010

AROUND THE BLOCK

SIX riders, six weeks, 16,000 kilometres. Sounds good? Well that’s what an adventurous bunch of riders is doing to raise awareness and funds to battle cancer. The group plans to raise funds for the Cancer Council in every state of Australia.

May 9 will see the riders start their trip, leaving from Energy Australia Stadium in Newcastle, right before the Newcastle Knights/Gold Coast Titans NRL game. The riders are average guys who have all been affected indirectly by cancer. They share a passion for adventure riding and motorcycling in general. Combine this with a strong determination to help fight cancer and a love of this beautiful country and you have the trip of a lifetime.

110,000 people diagnosed with this terrible disease every year. The money raised will assist the Cancer Council to fund vital research into cancer, provide services to health professionals and support people living with cancer through programs such The guys have already raised $27,000 and hope to raise $80,000. as the Cancer Helpline, Cancer Connect and more. By clicking on the Cancer Council link you can make a donation Any donation to the cancer council over $2 will be issued a tax directly into the Cancer Council’s official website. receipt. Q Every dollar counts and goes towards helping those estimated

Strang makes it four YOUNG Aussie hard charger Josh Strang has dominated the opening rounds of the 2010 GNCC series with four wins from four starts on his FMF Makita Suzuki RMZ450. Round one at Florida’s River Ranch facility saw Strang come from behind to battle tooth and nail against KTM privateer Chris Bach over the closing laps and to eventually prove too strong for Bach to take the win. Only in America could they call a racing facility ‘The General’ but that is where round two was held in the heart of Washington and this time it was defending champ and fellow ANZAC Paul Whibley who tried to top Strang but again the young New South Welshman took the win. Strang proved that the first two wins were no fluke after taking round three at Steele Creek, Morganton in extremely dusty conditions and finally at South Carolina’s Big Buck facility the flying Suzuki rider took win number four in dominating fashion. “I have worked hard and I am riding a lot, so I was hoping to get good results and at least some wins. But to win the first four races, I am a little surprised at my consistency, and to have that much of a lead already and I’ll keep working hard and working on the lead to stay up there,” said Strang after his latest win gave him a 42 point lead over former team-mate Charlie Mullins. With nine rounds remaining in the 13 round series Strang is far from overconfident leading into the next round at Loretta Lynn. “The focus within the team is on me winning. The whole team works really hard, which makes it easier for me to be in contention for a win each week.”Q

BAJA CHAMP FOR FINKE

BAJA champion Steven Hengeveld has confirmed he will be contesting the 2010 Tattersall’s Finke Deser t race on a Honda CRF250R. Hengeveld is a seven-time Baja outright winner and has raced the Finke twice before, both times on Honda machiner y – XR650R and CRF450R. “ When I got the call from Michael Vroom at Deser t Edge letting me know there was a ripper of a 250 with my name on it I booked my ticket straight away!” Hengeveld said. “It is great to have Steve Hengeveld back,” said Vroom. “Henge is the last piece in the team puzzle for us in having a competitive 250cc rider. With the limited possibility of pre -running and preparation for Finke, Steve’s preference is to ride Honda’s new 250 over anything else.” The 35th annual Tattersall’s Finke Deser t race will be held on 11-14 June 2010 in Alice Springs. For more information, log onto www.finkedeser trace. com.au. Q

MAY 2010 - 11

NEWS TORQUE

RED DOT AWARD FOR BMW

AN INTERNATIONAL jury of experts in Munich have awarded the BMW F 800 R and the all-new BMW S 1000 RR a Red dot: best of the best award for 2010. The red dot award is one of the most important awards in the world for product design. It was first awarded in 1955 and recognises outstanding design work in a wide range of categories including not only automobiles, architecture, household and home electronics but also fashion, life science and medicine. This year the jury, made up of international design experts, rated 4252 products from 57 nations. Their assessment is based on 17 criteria ranging from degree of innovation to functionality and ecological compatibility. Q

Braaap in Las Vegas

BRAD Smith, the young entrepreneur behind the Braaap brand of Mini Motos, is heading to Las Vegas to compete in the International Mini Moto SX on May 7. Smith will compete in the seventh annual Mini Moto SX the largest Superlite SX championship in the world. Held at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the stadium will be packed with over 20,000 fans. He will be riding a limited edition braaapster Superlite, fully customised with hardcore racing in mind. This bike has all-new suspension and features the first 200cc race engine for a Superlite bike. While in Las Vegas for the championships, Smith will be filming for braaap T V, interviewing numerous famous moto x faces from all around the world and getting full on race action footage with braaap helmet cams. Q

12 - MAY 2010

Get a twin

14 - MAY 2010

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SMALL TORQUE

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MAY 2010 - 13

SMALL TORQUE

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SOME motorcycle lobby groups are calling for bicycles to be registered vehicles, claiming all vehicles on the road should be able to be identified and carry third party insurance. Damien Codognotto, of the Independent Riders’ Group, said “Pushbike riders who ride on-road should have a car or motorcycle licence to ensure a minimum level of skill and knowledge of road law. If a bicyclist does not have a vehicle licence they should do a course similar to a motorcycle or scooter training course. “We don’t think registering bicycles will make bicycling less popular. Motorcycle & scooter riders have had onerous restrictions and unfair taxes increased over the last decade and our numbers have doubled. Registered bicycles would still deliver a health benefit to the community. The question is the cost to the rider. It should reflect their role.” The idea has stemmed from reports in the mass media that The Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for debate on the issue. Not all motorcycle rider groups are keen: the MRA (Vic) has issued a press release saying it does not endorse the idea.

Bonnie deal TRIUMPH is offering $1000 off the Bonneville SE A1. The latest Bonnevilles represent more than 50 years of engineering excellence, a thoroughly modern interpretation of a ‘proper’ motorcycle that is even more accessible thanks to its low and narrow seat, clean and efficient fuel injected engine and lightweight 17 inch wheels for even sharper handling. The higher-specification ‘SE’ A1 includes more comprehensive instrumentation, including a tacho, a chromed tank badge and brushed alloy engine casings. This special offer is only available on the ‘SE’ A1 Bonneville in Jet Black, and only while stocks last. See your local Triumph dealer

14 - MAY 2010

for details, or visit www. triumphmotorcycles.com.au

A lap with cancer

PENNY Holyoak is a 53-year old Victorian currently on an aroundAustralia ride to raise money for charity, and she’s battling cancer while she’s doing it. She started out in February and expects to be on the road until June, and is encouraging riders to join her for part of the trip and to support the ride in any way they can. Check out http:// penscouragetochange.com.au for more information, Penny’s blog posts and the itinerary, giving you a chance to meet her as she travels around the country.

/DPEUHWWD EDFN LQ 2] ICONIC scooter brand Lambretta will be available again in Australia, with Australian Motorcycle Distributors bringing a range of machines into the country, starting in 2011. Lambretta has returned to the world of racing after 60 years away with Lambretta Reparto Corse participating the MotoGP Championship. AMD’s Alan Lazarus said “This is great news for our dealers, and we’ll be delighted to expand our network with the right interested parties,” so if you’re a bike shop keen to selling one of the bestknown names in motorcycle history, contact Alan by email: alan@ausmoto.net.au.

Isle of Man Routed GET ROUTED has been taking Aussies to the Isle of Man TT for years, and 2011 looks like being the biggest ever. It’s the 100th anniversary of the TT, and the island is already starting to get booked up as motorcyclists from all over the world look to make a pilgrimage to the spiritual home of world motorcycle racing. Get Routed’s 2011 Isle of Man TT trip will be a fantastic trip, but numbers will be limited by the amount of accommodation we have secured. Since 2007

we have been securing Manx homes as they become available, but recently the supply has dried up as more people from the UK & Europe make their TT accommodation bookings. We currently have bed space for 132 people with 83 people already booked into those bed spaces. That leaves 49 beds still available. If you’re thinking of doing this “take your own bike” TT trip then move fast or all the beds will be taken and you be left having to take a tent and camping at one of the many camp sites which spring up all over the IoM each year for the TT. Most of them don’t have toilet or shower facilities so if the weather turns crook it may not be the holiday you wanted. For enquiries contact Dave Milligan on 03 9351 0612 or email dave@getrouted.com.au <mailto:dave@getrouted.com.au

Fully tanked SAFARI Tanks has launched a new website to make it even easier to find, select and buy the right long-range fuel tank for your big adventure. Safari has tanks to suit all of the major brands and even some you mightn’t have expected, such as Husaberg, Gas Gas and BMW. Check out the tanks, news and lots more at www.safaritanks. com.au.

Vespa dollars VESPA dollars are the new currency for the savvy commuter. For a limited time only, Vespa is offering purchasers ‘Vespa Dollars’ when a new Vespa is purchased from selected models in the range. The purchaser has the choice of spending their ‘Vespa Dollars’ instore either on clothing, accessories or have their ‘Vespa Dollars’ taken straight off the price of their new Vespa. The selected models and their ‘Vespa Dollar’ values are: LX 50 & S 50 = $300 Vespa Dollars LX 125ie & S 125ie = $300 Vespa Dollars LX 150ie = $500 Vespa Dollars

GTS 250ie = $500 Vespa Dollars This offer ends 30th June 2010, so ‘Pronto Pronto’ into your participating dealer now and receive your ‘Vespa Dollars’ today! Visit www.vespa.com.au for details.

Triumph touring treat TRIUMPH has announced that it will extend its $2000 worth of genuine Triumph accessories and clothing ‘free’ offer, with every new ‘Rocket Touring’ sold, while stocks last. What better time to get on board a Rocket Touring than right now. Kit yourself out in the latest gear from Triumph, and add that personal touch to your new Rocket Touring, the ultimate long distance hauler. Contact your Triumph dealer now for details www. triumphmotorcycles.com.au.

Oh Ten Vespas

VESPA has just announced two new models, available available in the later part of 2010. The GTV 300“Via Montenapoleone” and GTS 300 “Super Sport” are both limited production models and both use the 300cc Quasar Engine. Get into your Vespa dealer for a brochure.

100hp limit A NUMBER of years ago a few manufacturers had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to limit their machines to 100hp for European markets. Of course that has changed over the years and we now have numerous machines getting close to double that power output. It seems that legislators in Europe are looking to introduce legislation from 2012 which will ensure any motorcycle sold in Europe does not exceed 100hp (74kW). This would create no end of problems to manufacturers and inter country imports of ‘grey’ motorcycles. There is talk that anti-tampering laws would also come into play.Q

* MAXIMUM DEALER RIDE AWAY PRICE. OFFER ENDS ON 30 JUNE, 2010, UNLESS EXTENDED. THE RIDE AWAY PRICE INCLUDES 12 MONTHS PRIVATE REGISTRATION, 12 MONTHS COMPULSORY THIRD PARTY INSURANCE, DEALER DELIVERY AND STAMP DUTY. OPTIONAL EXTRAS NOT INCLUDED. BASED ON A PRIVATE PURCHASER WITH A GOOD DRIVING RECORD – MAY BE HIGHER FOR OTHER PURCHASERS.

MAY 2010 - 15

DIRTY TORQUE

‘Less’ Power To The People KTM’s new 350cc motocross weapon recently won the second round of the 2010 World Motocross Championships, in the MX1 class full of 450cc factory machines. This got me thinking about the changes in what we have been riding for the last 40-plus years and the possibilities ahead. History tells us that way back before most of us were born a couple of crazy poms decided to race across a paddock on their motorbikes and before long the sport called ‘scrambles’ was born. It wasn’t long before hard core dirt bike racers (some wearing a tie… no joke) across Europe would line up on brands like Ariel, Matchless, BSA, CZ, Greeves, Triumph and many hybrid home-made

contraptions powered with anything from 125 to 500cc single or twin cylinder fourstroke motors. Poorly suspended 500cc four-strokes ruled for several decades but by the late ’60s the two-strokes started making their mark on what was now a sport organised enough to hold club, state, country and world championship events. By the early ’70s Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki had joined Bultaco, Maico, Husqvarna, CCM and KTM in the battle for supremacy on the track and on the salesroom floor. Throughout the mid ’60s to the early ’70s scrambles evolved into motocross and the sport’s popularity went though the roof around the world, including Australia. The premier class was

always the big bore twostrokers. In the early to mid ’70s most of the big bore motocrossers were between 360 to 400cc two-strokes. These bikes were beasts to ride: pull the throttle and they went like a shower of shit, but they were heavy, ill suspended and had brakes that were at best dodgy. By the early ’80s Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, Husqvarna and Maico all had 500cc two-strokes powering their premier class motocross machines. I was right there among all of this and it was a great era of racing – you haven’t lived until you and 39 other lunatics have drag raced to a tight first corner on 500cc two-stroke. By this time Supercross was taking off and 250cc

machines were deemed the right size for that style of racing but the World Championships in Europe and Mr Motocross here in Australia was still being fought out on 500cc twostrokes. 500cc motocrossers ruled the planet until the late ’80s before everywhere in the world other than Europe decided the 250cc class should become the premier series. Australia had dropped Mr Motocross by the mid ’80s, America’s Supercross influence saw the 250cc class become number one and its 500cc class dropped altogether in 1993 (jeez, I am getting teary eyed just thinking about it…) but, god bless em, the World Motocross Championship was still 500cc two-stroke territory… until Husqvarna

Cairoli leading on the ’little’ 350 KTM. (Pic R Archer/KTM).

16 - MAY 2010

outright wins on the KTM 350SXF and in motocross and supercross. Mere turned up with a 600cc-plus fourwe all wait with baited breath to watch mortals could swing off it in anger and stroke. Mike Alessi punting the same machine In 1993 Jacky Martens won the World Pros loved it. in America when the AMA Outdoor Late in 1997 Doug Henry put the 500cc Motocross Championship on www.cycletorque.com.au 66 - MAY 2010 Nationals kick off in a month or so. YZ400F into the legend status by a 610 Husky‌what the? Yes, a ‘four CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE – HARLEY TOURING from previous page So in less than 15 years the premier winningContinued a Supercross main first time banger’ topped the awesome twoclass in the World Motocross out and Andrea Bartolini won the 1999 stroke. From then on it was getting Championship has gone from having World Motocross Championships on a ugly for the two-stroke lovers. a starting line full of 50 to 60-odd factory YZ400F. From 1991 to 1996 the World 500cc horsepower 500cc to 600cc twoBy 2002 the YZ450F came to Motocross Championship was awash stroke and four-stroke machinery to fruition and it wasn’t long before any with 360cc to 500cc two-strokes and manufacturer worth its salt had a 450cc potentially being dominated by a little four-strokes ranging from 500cc to 350cc single cylinder pre-production motocrosser on the market. The 450cc 610cc from Husaberg, KTM, Vertamati, weapon. motocross machine has dominated Husqvarna and CCM. How the worldwide market reacts every open championship around the As a matter of fact, the last rider to to this is another story but I am one of world over the last five plus years and win the championship on a two-stroke many who would love to get my hands it didn’t look like the 450 was going was in 1996 when Shayne King took on a competitive 350cc motocross to be challenged until last year when the title on a 360cc two-stroke KTM. machine. the Twelve Apostles and a walk down the 10 time World Motocross Champion Each manufacturer was working on Bobby and Brett started to push things Gorgelet’s then on the bike to Warrnambool and a bit on their GSs. We rode past Bells Well, Why? face it, when was the Stefan Everts startedalong working on a what would be the best powerplant for Port Fairy for a look. This is a fantastic bit Beach and only stopped at Apollo Bay for of Australia and deserving of it’’s reputation fuel and a photo on the wharf. I wanted last time you really wrung the neck out 350cc version of KTM’s 250SXF. the open class and for a while it was as a ‘‘must see’’ tourist destination. to go to Cape Otway lighthouse but after boys decided we needed to along that roadMX1 realised I was ofgoing yourto 450Day forsixathe whole moto? At the end of 20096km KTM signed complete chaos‌ no-one knew what struggle to make our next stop for the night get back to Queenscliff and across Port Phillip Bayifonyou’re the Ferryreading to Sorrentothis so we at Port Campbell, so I turned back and OKkept Mr Everts, World Motocross Champion Antonio motor had the advantage‌ until 1998, had enough time to Ă€nd accommodation on the road. for the night and the keep last on time. Eventually After giving the tight corners coming you are exempt from sentence Cairoli and put him on the Evertswhen Yamaha released a motocross we found a bed at the Baxter Hotel just out into Princetown a fair fright, we hit Port buta long for almost every other rider out inspired 350 for the Campbell first time and theIt had been machine which changed the face of of Frankston. for the night. day and after getting off the bike Poppi Day Seven was a fairly uneventful ride there the 350 will be an advantage and little Italian reportedly loved the mid our sport forever. The YZF750-inspired through Leongatha, Foster to Sale and on transferred all her saddle sores to my eardrum as punishment for all the stop-offs to Bairnsdale to stay the night at Bruthen a blast to ride‌ sized machine. YZ400F motor in a beautiful chassis on the doorstep of the snowy mountains. I we didn’’t make. was looking forward to the next day’’s ride As I said, ‘Less The And here we are early in the season was awesome to ride – it was an open through thePower winding To roads to Swifts Creek 0RUH FUXLVLQJ DURXQG The plan was to spend two nights here so and Omeo and over the hill at Hotham to People’. and Cairoli has already racked up class machine that could be ridden catch up with friends at Mt Beauty. We had we could look around and do as we liked. another dose of scraping the footpegs as Day Ă€ve was a Ă ight in a helicopter over – Darren Smart

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E-TORQUE

The many ways to watch racing

FIRST, an apology. During a recent podcast we searched some TV guides for information about One HD’s broadcast of the Qatar GP, and somehow missed the 125 and Moto2 broadcasts, which, like the MotoGP broadcast, was live, albeit in the very early hours of a Monday morning. Not only did One HD broadcast the races themselves, but it also broadcast quite a lot of the qualifying, too. Foxtel still has the rights to the Superbike World Championship and quite a lot of the motocross and supercross from around the world, but there’s no doubt One HD, with its focus on sport and parent company Network 10 having a big interest in motorsport, means it’s worth keeping an eye on their show listings for motorcycle sport in all its myriad forms. It’s a far cry from the 1980s, when I started to become interested in motorcycle sport, and the only thing broadcast was the once-a-year ABC package from the Castrol Six Hour. Now there’s road racing, motocross, supercross, trials, speedway and enduro regularly on the increasingly-large TVs we have in the living room, and most of it’s worth a look. And if you can’t get to a TV, there’s a heap of motorcycle video available online, including all the MotoGP rounds, direct from Dorna (ironically, a TV company…). If that’s not enough for you, Apple’s releasing the iPad in Australia later this month: watching the GPs on one directly from Dorna would be pretty cool if you’re not near a digital TV.

The iPad is also being hailed by some as the saviour of the publishing industry: it seems mainstream media is suffering these days as more and more people get their dose of News Limited vs. Fairfax online, skipping the printed papers and glossy, expensive magazines. I’m impressed with the digital versions of Time and Sports Illustrated which have been demonstrated, and I expect one day Cycle Torque will be available in a similar manner – but it will be an expensive exercise, so it’s unlikely to happen very soon unless you, the readers, really want it: let me know at publisher@cycletorque. com.au. Combining multiple layout design, scalable text, video and automatic downloading is pretty cool, but the printed edition of Cycle Torque isn’t in any danger yet. The current digital edition of Cycle Torque is in PDF format, so you can not only read it on the iPad but also nearly every computer built in the last 10 years, too. Cycle Torque is starting to feature more and more interesting motorcyclists both in print and in our podcasts, too. In this issue there’s a feature about comedian Ross Noble: he was featured in podcast #48, while Aussie model and PR person for the LCR Honda team, Lauren Vickers, was featured in podcast #51 and will be shown in print a forthcoming issue. If you’d like a taste of that shoot beyond the image here, check out www.cycletorque.com.au - she is seriously gorgeous, can punt a bike around a track fast, is bilingual, university educated and is friendly too. She’s single, too, guys, but by the time you read this she will have moved to Barcelona… – Nigel Paterson

Get more Cycle Torque! Weekly audio podcasts Video podcasts E-Mags - regular and special editions All on iTunes or www.cycletorque.com.au

18 - MAY 2010

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MAY 2010 - 19

RACE TORQUE

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UNDERBELLY

EVEN the most casual observer would acknowledge that professional motorcycle r a c i n g i s b u i l t o n a r i c h t a p e s t r y o f h u m a n i t y, from the villains, spivs and downright crooks to the salt-of-the-earth types that make bike racing the truly unique sport that we all love. Some of our heroes may have even taken a wrong turn that descended them into a hell they were fortunate to be delivered from. As a hard-nosed newspaper reporter might note, Marco ‘Lucky’ Lucchinelli was ‘one of the more colourful characters’ to win a world 500cc championship. A blindingly quick rider of the ’70s and ’80s with a particular penchant for the ladies and a good time, Lucky had an even more intense and destructive addiction to hard drugs. I n s i d e r s k n e w o f L u c k y ’ s p re d i l e c t i o n f o r d a n g e ro u s n a rc o t i c s f o r s o m e y e a r s , a n d h i s association with the seamier side of life came to a n a s t y h e a d s e v e r a l y e a r s a f t e r h e re t i re d f ro m racing in 1988. The international bike scene was left stunned w h e n re p o r t s o n 9 D e c e m b e r, 1 9 9 1 re v e a l e d t h a t t h e n D u c a t i Wo r l d S u p e r b i k e t e a m m a n a g e r and 1981 world 500cc champ Lucchinelli had b e e n a r re s t e d o n s u s p i c i o n o f r u n n i n g a n international drug ring. T h e t h e n 3 7 - y e a r- o l d w a s h e l d a l o n g w i t h f o u r P e r u v i a n s w h o w e re a l l e g e d t o h a v e s m u g g l e d c o c a i n e t o B o l o g n a , t h e h o m e o f t h e D u c a t i f a c t o r y, f ro m P e r u . P o l i c e a l l e g e d t h a t t h e s y n d i c a t e transformed the cocaine into an invisible film that wrapped the suitcases of the drug couriers. A t t h e t i m e o f h i s a r re s t o n 6 D e c e m b e r, 1 9 9 1 , Lucky shouted, “I am a cocaine addict, but not a d r u g d e a l e r. ” L u c c h i n e l l i w a s e v e n t u a l l y a c q u i t t e d o f t h e m o re s e r i o u s c h a rg e o f b e i n g a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e P e r u v i a n d r u g t r a ff i c k e r s b u t n e v e r t h e l e s s re c e i v e d a h e f t y f i v e - y e a r s e n t e n c e i n F e b r u a r y 1992 for possession of 200mg of the venal white p o w d e r. H e w a s re l e a s e d a f t e r a b o u t t w o y e a r s a n d s a i d t h e t i m e i n t h e s l a m m e r h e l p e d h i m re a s s e s s h i s l i f e , a n d c u re h i s a d d i c t i o n . A l m o s t a y e a r b e f o re h e w a s a r re s t e d , L u c k y h a d a very lucky escape at Phillip Island after his star rider Raymond Roche had wrapped up Ducati’s f i r s t - e v e r Wo r l d S u p e r b i k e C h a m p i o n s h i p o n 1 0 D e c e m b e r, 1 9 9 0 . L u c k y, t w o o f h i s D u c a t i m e c h a n i c s a n d a m e c h a n i c f ro m a n o t h e r t e a m w e re d r i v i n g a c ro s s the bridge that links Phillip Island with San Remo

20 - MAY 2010

o n t h e m a i n l a n d w h e n a n a p p a re n t f ro n t t y re blow-out sent the car veering over the gutter and t h ro u g h t h e g u a rd r a i l . A l m o s t c e r t a i n t o p l u n g e 2 0 m e t re s t o t h e m u d - b a n k b e l o w, t h e c a r w a s a r re s t e d b y a s t e e l c a b l e t h a t b e c a m e m i r a c u l o u s l y entangled with the vehicle. ‘ L u c k y ’ w a s l a t e r b re a t h - t e s t e d b y Vi c t o r i a n p o l i c e a n d re l e a s e d . . . Tw o - w h e e l l u m i n a r i e s S t e v e M c Q u e e n , M a l c o l m S m i t h a n d M e r t L a w w i l l w e re n ’ t t h e o n l y l e g e n d s t o s t a r i n O n A n y S u n d a y. I f y o u ’ re a f a n o f t h e f i l m , y o u m a y re c a l l o n e o f t h e f i r s t s c e n e s f e a t u r i n g a c o l l a g e o f a l l d i ff e re n t k i n d s o f b i k e s a n d r i d e r s , i n c l u d i n g a l i t t l e u rc h i n w e a r i n g a n o v e r- s i z e d re d f u l l - f a c e h e l m e t d o i n g a t re m e n d o u s stand-up wheelie on his Honda 50 Monkey Bike, c a p t u re d i n s l o w m o t i o n . h t t p : / / w w w. y o u t u b e . com/watch?v=qoEKHkvJIkQ (wheelie 1m57sec) That little urchin was an eight-year-old Jeff Ward who would go onto become one of the most successful racers in U.S motocross history, the best ever two-wheel convert to Indy Car racing who in his mid 40s added a couple of AMA

Supermoto Championships and X Games titles to his bio. Not only was Wardy an extraordinary rider, he was a cleanskin with millions of fans and no enemies. In the face of the debacle that is AMA Pro Racing, its hapless managers at least had the foresight to recently instate a rare individual to the role of AMA Rider Liaison and Adviser to restore much-needed confidence in the organisation across roadracing, motocross and flat-track. That individual is Jeff Ward. Scottish-born ‘Wardy’, whose family moved stateside when he was four, won nine AMA national championships and proved to be the most versatile rider in the history of the sport, winning 125, 250 and 500cc national motocross titles for the first time. After he retired from MX in 1992, Jeff turned his attention to four-wheels. He recorded a brilliant third place at the 1997 Indy 500 and was named rookie of the year, and finished season ’98 in career-best sixth overall which he followed with a historic second at Indianapolis in 1999. He scored one career pole to his name and an Indy Car race victory in the 2002 Boomtown 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. By way of comparison, four-time World 500cc champ Eddie Lawson switched to Indy Cars after serving an apprenticeship in Indy Lights in the mid-90s, and secured

a best career Indy Car finish of sixth at Surfers Paradise in 1996. After a stint with Suzuki in 1978, 18-year-old Ward moved to Kawasaki and would remain with team green for the rest of his 15-year pro career, an extraordinarily long dig at the very top when you add his extensive junior racing years. Indeed, Ward was the most successful of the first wave of minibike-bred racers of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s to progress to the pro MX ranks. Brian Myerscough was another young hot-shoe of the mid’70s who was expected to go onto greatness, but never quite made it. Jeff’s son Brandon impressed with several victories in the Premier Mini Supermoto class in 2006, and at 17, has now joined his dad in off-road truck racing. Interestingly, Wardy’s other two sons are named Ayrton and Alain after Messrs Senna and Prost. Their dad Jeff Ward combined incredible longevity with true greatness and reached a level of versatility that remains unsurpassed in modern motorsport. Not surprisingly, Wardy’s favourite quote is: “If you’re not first, you’re last!” The Good, The Bad & The Underbelly – we w o u l d n ’ t h a v e i t a n y o t h e r w a y. – Darryl Flack

ER N R L EA GA LE

L RRP

Plus on road costs from $500.* On road costs based on 12 months registration for NSW calculated at time of publication. On road costs varies from State to State.Please contact your local dealer.

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MAY 2010 - 21

CYCLE TORQUE TEST – HONDA CRF250R TEST BY TODD REED PHOTOS BY CHRIS PICKETT

RIDING GEAR: Troy Lee Designs helmet, AXO nylons, Alpinestars boots.

Swingarm is all-new for 2010.

Honda’s revamped CRF250R Showa forks are up to the task of smashing berms. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S: 2010 HONDA CRF250R Engine Type: Liquid-cooled single Capacity: 249cc Transmission: Five speed/chain drive Fuel Capacity: 5.6 Litres Frame Type: Alloy Seat Height: 955mm Curb Weight: 102kg Front Suspension: 48mm USD Showa Rear Suspension: Pro-Link Showa Brakes: Twin caliper front, single rear Tyres: 80/100-21, 100/90-19 Price (RRP): $10,990 www.hondampe.com.au

22 - MAY 2010

Unicam engine is more about performance than looks.

Bigger radiators for 2010.

REVISED, REFINED, INJECTED AND IMPROVED, HONDA’S 250 RACER IS BETTER ALL ROUND‌ HONDA released its latest four-stroke technology to WKH ZRUOG LQ ZLWK WKH &5) 5 2YHU WKH QH[W Ă€YH \HDUV +RQGD¡V HQJLQHHUV KDYH PDGH VPDOO \HW VLJQLĂ€FDQW changes to the CRF to ensure it’s found at the front of the pack. For 2010 it was time for a fresh set of plans, and Honda has released an all-new CRF250R.

Engine Specs In 2010 the CRF250 motor is all new! The basics of the engine are still the same as before; it’s a Uni-Cam, four valve, liquid cooled 250cc four-stroke engine. However from front to back, bottom to top every single part got UHÀQHG RU FKDQJHG LQ RUGHU WR PDNH WKH QHZ GRQN RQH RI the best Honda has ever produced. Starting from the top WKH ÀUVW PDMRU LWHP LV WKH QHZ SLVWRQ 7KH SLVWRQ LV PDGH from a new forged material which gives the surface less friction and ensures it lasts longer and revs higher. The main water pump seal has been redesigned with

a new mechanical seal which should iron out the water pump issues from the past. The clutch basket and centre hub have also been Kashima coated to help improve durability and feel. The gearbox has also seen extensive updates to further improve the gear ratios. The twin-exhausts have been scrapped and replaced with the more conventional single pipe exhaust system. The major item on the list however is the all new Electronic Fuel Injection system. Gone are the days of the horrible CRF250R carburettors, no more bogs, no more hiccups and no more misses. Welcome to Honda PGM-FI system. The EFI unit comes standard on your new Honda, pre-programmed straight from the factory. The EFI system utilises a 50mm throttle body with 12-hole injector fed by lightweight 50-psi pump. PGM-FI system monitors throttle position, intake air and coolant temperatures and manifold pressure to accurately map

MAY 2010 - 23

fuel charge and ignition spark, improving throttle response and helping to ensure excellent rideability, all while improving fuel consumption.

Suspension & Chassis Specs Honda has introduced an all new twin-spar alloy frame for its 2010 CRF 250. It is now lower and narrower than in 2009 and changes the bike geometry to help improve the bike’s handling characteristics. The triple clamp offset has been reduced from 22mm to 20mm which allows the bike to respond better through turns. The rear subframe was redesigned to match the new IUDPH DQG PDNH WKH SURÀOH RI WKH bike narrower. The rear shock is another item on the list that got the once over. The shock reservoir was copied from the 450F and it’s now a shorter but larger tank, unlike the longer narrower version we are more used to seeing. The rear linkage system has also been updated to suit the new shock. The front forks have seen some more updates for 2010. The internal

valving has been updated to match the new frame and rear shock. The bodywork from 2009 is now in the rubbish pile, and the Honda has an all new sleek look for the New Year.

The Ride Everything feels just right as you roll out onto the track on the new CRF. The boys in red always seem to be able to produce bikes which feel like you’re right at home as soon as you hop on one of their rockets. After a few laps you begin to notice that the bike responds very well to your movements and actions, and it takes minimal effort to guide the new Honda CRF around the track. The EFI is very responsive and the engine picks up very well at the crack of the throttle. Power-wise, the new Honda is competitive but certainly isn’t going to blow the rest of the Lites class away. After having ridden some of the other machines in its class, the Honda doesn’t seem as fast and aggressive as some of its competitors, but it’s by no means slow. The power comes on quite smooth off the bottom and creeps

up on the rider as you build speed coming through the mid and getting towards the top-end power the +RQGD ÀQGV D IHZ PRUH SRQLHV DQG its power is best once you get this baby revving a bit more. The suspension and handling of the new Honda is where we feel this bike shines. The CRF reacts to your movements very well and the bike is easy to point and shoot through turns and navigate the bumps and jumps around the track. The suspension is very close to perfect for standard production equipment and once we set the rear sag at 105mm the CRF was even better. The steering damper that comes standard with the Honda is an item which a lot of people like and think is a great addition to the CRF range, but we preferred the bike without it. The Honda comes standard with a few other odds and ends which complete an already outstanding package. Renthal handlebars headline the top of the cockpit and aside from being top quality they are a very nice bend and are easy for most riders to adapt to. The rest of the levers and controls all have a great feel, and the Gripper seat cover helps to keep your bum stuck to the seat. The standard Dunlop tyres stick well and don’t wear out too quickly as all we come to expect from a standard tyre in today’s modern day motocross world.

The Verdict The Honda CRF250R is an awesome new bike. The bike received major changes in 2010 and Honda did a bloody good job. In production form this bike is very capable of going out and winning races at a club level. The suspension is great, the motor is very competitive and the EFI system means this thing runs exceptionally well. Look out for a whole lot more new Hondas in 2010. Q

24 - MAY 2010

MAY 2010 - 25

LETTERS

TORQUING BACK

Off road blitz

THERE has been a recent police/ranger blitz on unlicenced/unregistered off-road bikes and mini-bikes in southern Queensland. This action has forced some younger and under-age riders to look south into the QLD/NSW forest areas. &RQVHTXHQWO\ DQ RI¿FLDO FDPSDLJQ LV QRZ XQGHUZD\ LQ northern NSW against irresponsible off road motorcycle XVH $UUHVWV ¿QHV DQG ELNH FRQ¿VFDWLRQ LV D UHDO possibility for offenders. Also NSW has no recreational rego like Victoria. So they do have my sympathy, but even so, they must UHDOLVH ZKDW WKH\ DUH GRLQJ WR RXU VSRUW 3OHDVH ZDUQ \RXU NLGV DQG PDWHV RI WKH FRPLQJ DQWL dirt-bike campaign in NSW’s Border Ranges and go and ZLVHO\ ¿QG VRPH SULYDWH SURSHUW\ WR XVH LQ IXWXUH Rob Andrews

A good polish

,1 $16:(5 WR 9DXJKDQ LQ \RXU 0DUFK LVVXH ZLWK today’s modern paints all you need is a good furniture SROLVK , KDYH EHHQ XVLQJ 0U 6+((1 IRU ¿YH \HDUV RQ P\ 6SULQW 67 DQG LW VWLOO ORRNV OLNH QHZ ZLWK favourable comments to match. Easy and quick to apply, FOHDQV DQG SROLVKHV OLNH QHZ *RRG OXFN Fred Baddock

Ergonomics – a word manufacturers don’t understand

, +$9( EHHQ VXIIHULQJ ZLWK SRRU ULGLQJ SRVLWLRQV IRU PDQ\ \HDUV DQG , WKRXJKW LW ZDV EHFDXVH RI P\ DJH 2Q D UHFHQW ULGH , VZDSSHG ELNHV ZLWK P\ \HDU ROG UHY KHDG VRQ ZKR DIWHU D VXUSULVLQJO\ VKRUW SHULRG FRPSODLQHG WKDW KH ZDQWHG WR VZDS EDFN IURP WKH ELJ ELNH WR KLV OHVV SRZHUIXO DV LW ZDV WRR uncomfortable. Having studied Ergonomics at University it is quite clear that the manufacturers either have no idea, or chose to prefer the pseudo racing position for the pseudo racers. 2YHUDOO Âą DSDUW IURP D IHZ ELNHV Âą KDQGOH EDUV DUH WRR ORZ WRR IDU IRUZDUG IRU ERG\ WR WDQN SRVLWLRQ WKXV crushing ones stomach and crucial parts against the tank. This position also causes neck strain and can FUHDWH EOLQG VSRWV DV WKH KHOPHW LV WLSSHG WRR IRUZDUG DQG GRZQ )RRW SHJV DUH XVXDOO\ WRR KLJK OHDGLQJ WR discomfort and I have actually cramped up badly on long rides. This poor design problem applies to dirt bikes DV ZHOO , KDYH DOO EXW JLYHQ XS RQ ÂżQGLQJ D VXLWDEOH GLUW ELNH ZKLFK ZRQÂśW JLYH PH D QRVH EOHHG IURP LWV KHLJKW 6SHFV RQ GLUW ELNHV VKRZ DOPRVW DOO ELNHV DUH EHWZHHQ FP WR FP KLJK JURXQG WR VHDW 0\ OHJ length measures 76 cm from crutch to the ground and I am not a short person. This has caused me no end of SUREOHPV ZKHQ ULGLQJ RII URDG DV VWRSSLQJ RQ UXWV inclines etc and uneven ground can cause me to drop the ELNH , KDYH WR WU\ DQG VWRS QH[W WR D WUHH RWKHUZLVH WKHUH LV D JRRG FKDQFH , ZRXOG IDOO RYHU DQG , KDYH

WRITE A LETTER!

WIN A GREAT PRIZE

This month Ron from Queensland has won a Cargol Turn-n-Go puncture repair kit for his excellent idea of a motorcycle charity. With all the tools and equipment you need to get on the road again quickly, this kit is essential for anyone who even thinks they might get a puncture. Available at better bike shops everywhere. 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.

26 - MAY 2010

IDOOHQ PDQ\ WLPHV HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ RQH JHWV WLUHG Do bikes need to be so high or again are they for the SVHXGR UDFHU , GRQœW NQRZ WKDW WKH QRUPDO UHFUHDWLRQDO rider is trying to hit a triple on a supercross track. Please, I love dirt riding, I beg you, can someone make D ORZHU ELNH , DFWXDOO\ VFUHZHG D VPDOO EORFN RI ZRRG to the bottom of my boot so I can reach the ground. )LQDOO\ LI WKHUH LV DQ\ URRP IRU WKLV , ORYH \RXU publication and often take it to cafes to entertain me ZKLOH KDYLQJ D FRIIHH ,I LW EHFRPHV HOHFWURQLF RQO\ WKLV PHGLXP ZLOO EH ORVW Andrew Papandreas Hi Andrew Gee, I got a little depressed after reading your letter. You might be hard to please but at least you like our publication. There’s plenty of bikes which aren’t comfortable but buy one that is. My old Norton Commando had a shocking riding position standard, but a change of handlebars all but cured that. So it’s not all set in stone, things can be changed and if they can’t, move on to something else. Ed

Let’s ride

+2: DERXW D OLVW RI SODFHV ZKHUH RQH FDQ JR GLUW ELNH ULGLQJ MXVW IRU IXQ ZLWKRXW KDYLQJ WR EH LQ DQ HYHQW 0DQ\ SODFHV , NQHZ KDYH JRQH DQG LW LV EHFRPLQJ PRUH GLI¿FXOW WR ¿QG WKHP Chris Holder Not a bad idea Chris, we’ll look into it. Ed

Deus a good deal?

I AM amazed at all fuss about Deus motorcycles. Import second hand Japanese bikes into Australia, put on a ZUDSSHG SLSH DQG D ERDUG IRU D VHDW D ELW RI FKURPH and charge a ridiculous price. 7KH W\UHV ZLOO SXW \RX GRZQ WKH URDG DW WKH ÂżUVW VLJQ of rain. I heard an American entertainer paid a stupid SULFH IRU RQH , WKLQN LW ZDV URXQG IRU D .DZDVDNL WKDW D WHQ \HDU ROG FRXOG GR WKH VDPH IRU RU VR *RRG OXFN WR 'HXV IRU D VDYY\ EXVLQHVV VHQVH %XW DV they say “there is one born every minuteâ€?. -XVW P\ WKRXJKWV DIWHU \HDUV RI ULGLQJ GLUW URDG and track. Cheers Chris Parris Hi Chris There’s no escaping the fact Deus charge premium prices for its products. Whether you think they are overpriced or great value because of the design that goes into them is always open to interpretation. Personally I love them, but paying primo dollars is another story. I reckon it’s great that a company offers such personalised and creative products. Ed

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LAUNCH REPORT – 2010 BMW R 1200 RT REPRT BY CHRIS PICKETT PHOTOS BY LOU MARTIN

QUAD CAM TOURER RIDING GEAR: KBC helmet, BMW suit, Joe Rocket gloves.

Made for the big tour. 28 - MAY 2010

BMW’S latest R 1200 RT is part of a long and rich history of ‘Boxer’ powered tourers. With the addition of twin cam heads and ESA II suspension it’s the most powerful and best handling yet. There’s been a number of changes to this model for 2010, most going unnoticed unless you look a little harder at the spec sheet. But when you ÀUVW ULGH WKH QHZ PDFKLQH WKH FKDQJHV will immediately make their presence felt.

power is delivered at 7,750rpm, and the rev ceiling has risen from 8,000rpm to 8,500rpm.

Other mechanicals The other ‘big thing’ for the new model is ESA II suspension. Now, this is an option but one you would be mad not to buy in my opinion, it’s that good. At the touch of a button you can alter preload on the shock to suit solo riding, solo with luggage,

and this type of arrangement has been on BMW cars for a while apparently. <RX WZLVW LW WR XS WKH YLEHV DQG ÁLFN LW sideways to change functions. I found it to be very easy to use. On the left side of the fairing is a host of controls for the audio too, on/off switch and the like. You can play with the audio system here as well. Panniers come standard on the RT, as you would expect, with 32 litres of capacity available in each hard case,

DOUBLE THE CAMS, DOUBLE THE FUN. Quad cams With BMW’s HP2 Sport proving so popular, especially the extra poke the DOHC engine gave over the standard model, it was decided to bring that technology to every model with a Boxer engine. The new engine isn’t the same as the HP2 but it is heavily based on it. Both cams in each cylinder head are chain driven, and interestingly each camshaft operates one inlet and one exhaust valve. Four valves live in each head and two spark plugs ignite the gases in each combustion chamber (the HP2 used a single plug for each cylinder). Compression ratio has remained the same, at 12.0:1 which just shows how far engine design has come over the years. Once upon a time this would be considered very high, but now even tourers run that sort of compression. Valve adjustment is via shims, for those interested in what happens at servicing time. BMW says the engine is rated at the same peak horsepower as the previous model (110hp) but delivers more torque, giving better bottom end and midrange power, and acceleration. Max

Cockpit is a happening place.

and riding with a pillion. But ESA II also adjusts the spring rate, essentially by tightening or loosening a shroud which sits around the sliding parts of the shock. You can also select three different damping levels, from ‘comfort’ to ‘sport’ and each level is instantly noticeable. Integral ABS is a feature of the touring twin and they are also linked. I’m not normally a huge fan of linked brakes on bikes like this because I like to use the rear brake to help tuck the big bikes a little tighter into a turn when I need to. If the rear brake also activates one of the front calipers you JHW RQH ÀJKWLQJ WKH RWKHU LQ D FRUQHU With the R 1200 RT the rear brake does just that, operate the rear only. Pull on the front brake lever and you get those and a percentage of the rear – perfect.

Ancillaries There’s a new stereo on the RT – MP3, iPod, USB compatible, so no matter where you go you can hear your own tunes, podcasts or whatever. This operates via a twist grip on the left ’bar. BMW calls it the Multi-controller

Control on end of left twistgrip operates audio system.

which are colour coded to the overall paint scheme. Operating them is dead easy so no dramas there. The electronically controlled windscreen is an odd looking design but works extremely well, the best I’ve ever experienced in fact, so don’t let the look put you off. It’s not the only styling change, there are a number of minor changes, many not immediately noticeable over the outgoing RT, but they are there nonetheless. Included LQ WKLV LV WKH ÀUVW PXOWL FRORXU RSWLRQ ever seen on a touring BM, and it looks quite sharp actually. The rest of the colours are understated; white, dark JUH\ DQG D ÁDW JUH\ PHWDOOLF The standard RT includes the Traction Package (Tyre Pressure Control and Automatic Stability control), heated grips, heated seat, on board computer, power socket, cruise control, radio/audio system, adjustable seat, and to ‘bling’ it up a little, a chrome exhaust. Optional is an antitheft alarm, low seat (no ESA II option available on low seat model) and the aforementioned metallic paint.

Quad cam head – more power, more torque. MAY

2010 - 29

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S : 2010 BMW R 1200 RT Engine Type: Air/oil-cooled flat twin Capacity: 1170cc Transmission: Six speed/shaft drive Fuel Capacity: 25 Litres Frame Type: Tubular steel Seat Height: 780-800mm Wet Weight: 229kg Front Suspension: Telelever Rear Suspension: Paralever Brakes: Dual 4-piston calipers, single rear Tyres: 120/70-ZR17, 180/55-ZR17 Price (RRP): $30,900 + ORC www.motorcycles.bmw.com.au CALL FOR A QUOTE

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

30 - MAY 2010

On the go Keeping you abreast of all the info is the new look dash which has everything you’ll need to know. You feel right at home straight away because the riding position is nigh on perfect for long distance riding – plenty of leg room, nice reach to the ’bars and so on. What is different on the new RT is an international indicator system, where your left thumb operates the blinkers rather than using both thumbs as before – if you’ve ridden a BMW before you’ll know what I mean. Is it better? I seemed to prefer the ‘both thumbs’ method. As soon as you wind the wick up you notice there is a distinct dollop of extra grunt, and even though BMW says there’s no ‘extra’ power at the top end it certainly feels stronger all over than the 2009 model R 1200 GS we had on long term test last year. You might think we are kidding ourselves calling it a ‘fast tourer’ on the cover but make no mistake, this thing honks. Sure, it doesn’t have the out and out pulling power of the other two sports tourers on the cover but in the real world, or point-to-point you’ll be just as quick on the RT. It doesn’t have the torque of the big four-cylinder machines, including its brother the K 1300 GT. The only time you might really notice it to a large degree is if you let your road speed drop below 50km/h or thereabouts in top gear. Where the others will seamlessly pull away in top from such a low speed, the RT will do so too but with a bit of juddering. The other time you might notice the difference is when you are overtaking in top from DURXQG NP K ,W GRHV LW Ă€QH EXW LI \RX QHHG WR UHDOO\ FUDFN on from there you’ll need to drop a gear for an instant hit. Buffeting is usually an issue on touring screens, and

normally on electronically adjustable ones I have it at its lowest position, otherwise my head wobbles around like no-one’s business. Not so on the RT. I didn’t like it fully up because the screen sort of ran across my eyeline EXW HYHU\ZKHUH HOVH ZDV Ă€QH 8VXDOO\ , KDG LW DURXQG WKH middle. But, one thing’s for sure, the design works! Now, I have to get this off my chest. This is the best handling touring bike I have ever ridden, bar none. It is the bike’s ability to steer effortlessly into and through a corner and its ability to hold its line that does it for me. Where generally the RT’s competition will tend to understeer as soon as you give them a hint of throttle, it stays neutral. I cannot overstate how easy this bike is to ride fast. It weighs in at 259 kilos ready to roll and this is on the light side for a bike like this. I think one of the reasons it handles so well is that the engine weight is down low – JUHDW IRU VORZ VSHHG ² ZKLFK HQKDQFHV WKH Ă LFNDEOH QDWXUH of the bike.

Verdict You might have noticed I loved the R 1200 RT. As an overall package it is one of, if not the best, sports tourer I’ve ever ridden. It is fast, handles extremely well and offers class leading comfort and weather protection. There are two models available in Australia, the LS which has lowered suspension and a lower seat, and the SE which has all the fruit. The LS retails for $30,000 neat, the SE an extra $900. There’s more than $900 worth of extras on the SE so it is great value. Sure, this amounts to primo dollars but you get a primo product. Q

MAY 2010 - 31

CYCLE TORQUE TEST – KAWASAKI 1400GTR TEST BY NIGEL PATERSON PHOTOS BY CHRIS PICKETT RIDING GEAR: OGK helmet, Spyke jacket, Spyke gloves, Spyke boots.

HIGH TECH

Two years after we were impressed by the first 1400GTR, Kawasaki’s made it a whole lot better…

H TOURER

MAY 2010 - 33

THE addition of traction control, linked ABS-equipped brakes, lots of new gear and the latest in high-tech rider information has made Kawasaki’s 2010-model 1400GTR one of the most exciting new bikes for the year. ,W¡V WKH Ă€UVW .DZDVDNL ZLWK JHQXLQH traction control (the old ZX-10R had technology which looked for an unexpected spike in revs, but it wasn’t traction control), linked and computermonitored ABS brakes, variable valve timing and a host of other small changes designed to make the rider and passenger more comfortable on the long haul and better informed through enhanced instrumentation, too. Don’t let the big touring fairing and standard-equipment pannier bags fool you: this is one seriously

34 - MAY 2010

IDVW PRWRUF\FOH GHVSLWH LWV VLJQLÀFDQW 300kg-plus curb weight. The speedo runs to 300 and the while it won’t actually go that fast, it will eat all but the best sportsbikes for dinner – especially if the road is a little bumpy. Getting the beast moving is a 1352cc inline four, based heavily on the ZX14R. It’s in a different state of tune though, punching out lots of torque down low and delivering its power in a seamless rush. There are bikes which feel a little better under about 4000rpm, but really, you don’t need a tacho on this bike – there’s grunt from idle to the 10,500rpm redline, and when you get that high you’ll be looking at where you’re going, because it’s going by fast. Power output is around the 140bhp mark, which isn’t amazing these days, but

the way the GTR lets you use those ponies makes this a really fast bike on public roads. New for 2010 is the variable valve WLPLQJ D ÀUVW RQ D SURGXFWLRQ Kawasaki. The VVT is mounted on the end of the intake camshaft and varies the valve timing based on engine rpm in order to deliver better low-down grunt and fuel economy. Feeding the big engine is EFI with 40mm throttle bodies. There are secondary throttle valves controlled by the ECU to improve throttle response. The connection between the throttle and engine is sublime. No hesitations, no hunting, no problems. VVT on motorcycles isn’t always perfect, but on this bike it is so good to be completely unnoticeable. Also new for 2010 is Fuel Economy

Assistance Mode, a rider-selectable function which changes the ECU’s engine map to a leaner mixture, prioritising economy over driveability. There’s a simple switch on the left hand switchblock to activate the mode, where the passing switch used to be (it’s been relocated and incorporated into the high beam switch). FEAM only works if the rider keeps the revs under 6000 and the bike is ridden in a ‘gentle’ manner (under 30 per cent throttle). No good for me. More exciting for spirited riding is the traction control (KTRC) and customisable Anti-Lock Braking (K-ACT). Kawasaki claims the KTRC system is not designed to help riders go faster, but to offer rider assurance on slippery surfaces. By monitoring the speed of both wheels, engine output is reduced when the system detects the rear wheel is going faster than the front, it reduces power output through a combination of ignition timing, IXHO GHOLYHU\ DQG DLUĂ RZ YLD WKH VXE throttle valves. Unlike most traction control systems, KTRC is switchable - it defaults to on when the ignition is switched, but can be over-ridden by the rider. The system is designed to ignore a locked-up rear wheel caused by engine braking, and there’s a slipper clutch to reduce the chances of that, anyway. 7KH JHDUER[ KDV VL[ VSHHGV DQG Ă€QDO drive is by low-maintenance shaft. Another fancy acronym – Kawasaki loves ’em – is K-ACT, Kawasaki Coactive-braking Technology. Effectively, this is a computercontrolled braking system which decides if ABS is required and distributes braking forces between the wheel depending on conditions and

Look, it even tells you how cold it is.

rider input. When the rider actuates the brakes, pressure sensors on the master cylinders monitor the force applied and, taking into account the speed of the bike determines the brake force QHHGHG $ PRWRU RSHUDWHV à XLG SXPSV in both front and rear brake systems LQFUHDVLQJ à XLG WR WKH IURQW ULJKW caliper (based on rear pedal pressure) and/or the rear caliper. Although K-ACT is switched on at all times, the rider can choose from one of two modes via the top orange button on the left switchblock. In standard mode the linked effect is reduced at initial pedal stroke, which means you barely notice the system in normal or sporty riding. In High Combined mode there’s a more noticeable linked effect for those who like that style of braking and is especially recommended for when riding with a pillion passenger. The coactive function does not occur if braking is initiated at speeds under 20km/h, which means you shouldn’t see any 1400GTRs falling over in a U-turn because the front brake grabbed, a shockingly common occurrence to bikes with linked brakes and a rider not ready‌ The safety features and acronyms keep coming with TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System). Once the wheels are turning the dash can display tyre pressures, and they’re even compensated for temperature. A low pressure warning is displayed if necessary. The last acronym for this story is KIPASS – Kawasaki’s Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System. This system allows you to keep the key fob in your pocket and simply leave the key in the motorcycle. When the fob is in close proximity to the bike, the key can turn and thus

Buzz Lightyear muffler.

the steering unlocked and the bike ridden. The ignition key can also be removed to operate the panniers and fuel tank lock – maybe in the future we’ll see electronic systems for those too and until that happens I can’t get too excited by KIPASS.

More info and comfort Kawasaki has addressed many of the areas which let the older 1400GTR down, at least as a touring bike. The height-adjustable screen is now 70mm taller, which means getting the wind blast over your head is easier. The fairing panels have been redesigned to reduce heat being directed to the rider. Heated hand grips are now Ă€WWHG There’s a standard rear rack and a small electronically-locked ‘glove box’, but the excellent panniers are an optional extra, probably to get the sticker price down more than to really believe this bike will sell without boxes. Each pannier and the rear rack are rated to 10kg each, which is pretty generous at a time when we see racks on some bikes rated to 3kg. Each pannier will happily swallow a fullface helmet, which is handy when the bike is parked. The ‘glove box’ is a handy pocket for keys, wallet or phone and is positioned in the fairing below the left handlebar. It locks electronically and is not the place to store the KIPASS fob: if the battery in the fob JRHV Ă DW \RX FDQ¡W XQORFN WKH LJQLWLRQ open the box or access the emergency key stored in the fob. The previous model had a small box on the fake tank (the actual fuel tank is primarily under the seat) but this was shifted to the left fairing and hooks incorporated into the front of the tank for easy installation of a tankbag.

A shaft for the tourers. MAY 2010 - 35

Instrumentation is a combination of retro style – large analogue speedo and tacho dials – and hi-tech – an LCD display driven by a CAN controller between the dials. The LCD shows a range of information including fuel gauge, trip computer, gear position, coolant temperature, outside air temperature, tyre pressure, battery voltage and time. Also in the cockpit are dials to adjust headlight beam angle and a power outlet to run and 12v device. To me what’s missing is cruise control – the 1400GTR is very comfortable and capable, so why doesn’t it have cruise?

The ride The 1400GTR is one of the best handling bikes you can buy with panniers. It is incredibly fast, is very comfortable and copes with Australia’s appalling roads very well, too. These capabilities come about

through an evolution in chassis and suspension technologies Kawasaki KDV EHHQ XVLQJ DQG UHÀQLQJ RQ its open-class machines for some years. The engine is wrapped in an aluminium monocoque frame. 43mm adjustable upside down forks can be tuned to load weight and rider preference. Kawasaki’s Tetra-Lever UHDU VXVSHQVLRQ PRXQWV WKH ÀQDO drive shaft at four points, effectively negating the squatting effect common among bikes with shaft ÀQDO GULYH 7KH DFWXDO VXVSHQVLRQ unit is mounted in Uni-Trak system to give rising-rate operation (the VXVSHQVLRQ JHWV ÀUPHU DV ZKHHO travel increases, so little bumps are absorbed but large pot holes don’t cause bottoming-out). The shock itself features a slightly softer spring for 2010 with greater preload. There’s a hydraulic preload adjuster located near the left rear footpeg, and rebound damping is also adjustable.

The result is a machine which copes incredibly well with Australian roads. In many real-world situations the 1400GTR could be the fastest machine out there – it’s got heaps of power, copes with crappy road conditions better than most DQG JLYHV WKH ULGHU H[WUD FRQÀGHQFH thanks to the ABS and traction control. It’s heavy though, and does understeer when pushed hard, but not badly. Indeed, it could almost be this bike is too good: it inspires so PXFK FRQÀGHQFH VRPH PLJKW ÀQG themselves travelling quicker than they thought and be out of their depth… for all its technology and ability, this is not a bike for the less experienced. In the right hands this is a gobsmackingly good bike. To be able to ride fast, in comfort and even with a passenger and luggage is simply fantastic. Q

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S : 2010 KAWASAKI 1400GTR Engine Type: Liquid-cooled four Capacity: 1352cc Transmission: Six speed/shaft Fuel Capacity: 22 Litres Frame Type: Alloy Seat Height: 615mm Wet Weight: 304kg Front Suspension: 43mm USD Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak Brakes: Dual discs front, single rear Tyres: 120/70-ZR17, 190/50-ZR17 Price (RRP): $24,999 + ORC www.kawasaki.com.au CALL FOR A QUOTE

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

36 - MAY 2010

Buttons galore.

MAY 2010 - 37

CYCLE TORQUE TEST – YAMAHA FJR1300AS TEST BY CHRIS PICKETT PHOTOS BY NIGEL PATERSON

Clutc tourin

Don’t like using a FOXWFK" 7KHQ EX\ D semi-auto FJR!

the ante in luggage carrying capacity. 38 Panniers - MAYup 2010

Electronically operated glovebox.

YCCS – Yamaha’s electronic shift mechanism.

chless ng <$0$+$¡6 à DJVKLS WRXUHU LV WKH )-5 D YHU\ FDSDEOH motorcycle with plenty of sport to go with the touring. For a number of years now Yamaha has had a semi-auto version of the FJR, giving riders an option to go clutchless. Is it better than one with a normal clutch set up? Not sure about that but it is certainly different.

Tech time The only real difference between the ‘A’ and ‘AS’ versions lies in the Yamaha Chip Controlled Shift (YCC-S) electronic gizmo so we’ll look at the overall specs of the bike that both models share. There’s no doubting the engine of the FJR. It’s hardly been FKDQJHG VLQFH WKH ELNH ZDV Ă€UVW LQWURGXFHG DQG LWV KHULWDJH goes back even further than that. It might be an old saying but why change a good thing? It offers strong power and good torque, perfect for the type of machine it is. Yamaha might be ZHOO NQRZQ IRU LWV Ă€YH YDOYH HQJLQHV EXW WKLV MLJJHU KDV IRXU SHU cylinder and the engineers have kept the engine layout quite slim despite its capacity by stacking the gearbox shafts. As with most modern engines, the big 1300cc donk is fuel injected, and a ORQJ ODVWLQJ VKDIW GULYH JHWV SRZHU WR WKH UHDU YLD WKH Ă€YH VSHHG gearbox. We could talk in depth about things like the engine’s electroplated ceramic composite cylinder bores and carburised connecting rods but what’s the point. It has a bullet proof engine and running gear, that’s pretty much all you need to know.

Ancillaries Let’s look at some of the features which will come in handy. The windscreen is electronically adjustable, you can move the seat up and down, you can reposition the handlebars, there are heated handgrips and you can even adjust the suspension, with pre-load, rebound and compression damping on the front and rebound plus pre-load on the rear. 135mm of travel is available from the forks, and 125mm from the shock; not a bad combination to keep the road shocks at bay. ABS comes standard on the AS and so does linked brakes, with dual 320mm rotors and four-piston calipers on the front, and a 282mm rotor and single-piston caliper out the back. It’s a big bike, weighing in at 295kg with a full tank (25L) but it certainly doesn’t feel that big, especially at low speeds. In fact it’s one of the more nimble and slimmer sports-tourers around.

On the road This is a bike very easy to love. Sure the styling is a bit dated now and it falls slightly behind a couple of the other big sportstourers in the power stakes, but it makes up for that when it comes to the tight stuff. Using the YCC-S isn’t hard to come to grips with but it does take some getting used to. You can either use the gear lever which sits in the regular spot or you can use the left-handlebar PRXQWHG ÀQJHU SDGGOHV WR GR WKH FRJ VZDSSLQJ GXWLHV 2QFH \RX VHOHFW ÀUVW JHDU \RX MXVW UROO RQ WKH WKURWWOH DQG DZD\ \RX JR JRLQJ XS DQG GRZQ WKH JHDU ZLWK HLWKHU \RXU IRRW RU ÀQJHUV The foot control is the default method, it works all the time.

MAY 2010 - 39

40 - MAY 2010

The ’bar mounted levers can only be used after you hit the specific button on the switchblock. Once this is done and illuminated you can alternate between fingers and foot. At first I found takeoffs a bit snatchy, like the bike was surging slightly. This was just a matter of me being apprehensive with it. Once I realised you could get it going quicker from a standstill it was much smoother. From there you could go through the gears with ease, with revs dropping about 1000rpm on each up change. The changes are not what you would call seamless, like an automatic gearbox. You can feel the clutch disengage and engage on each shift, and when you are playing sportsbike rider these gearchanges are more noticeable. As I got used to the system I was able to enjoy the bike more, rather than spend most of my thought processes concentrating on changing gears. The main thing I didn’t like was coming to a stop; it feels like you are about to stall because you forgot to pull the clutch in, before the clutch releases and you pull up. The other minor thing was the way the bike would roll back while in gear on an incline, unless you turned the ignition off, where the system would lock in gear so to speak. Comfort is a strong point of the FJR, and you would expect this to be the case. For me at six foot in the old scale the riding position was spot on, with just enough lean to the ’bars to take my back just off the vertical plane, which is what I prefer. I also preferred the adjustable windscreen to be at its lowest, otherwise it tended to either buffet my head or create a cocoon effect which dragged my body forward. With the screen down

it took weight off my arms and with it up it added weight to my arms. It’s very much a personal thing and I find all adjustable screens to be like this, regardless of what make of bike it’s fitted to. The engine, in the main, is a big smoothy, only showing some vibes at the upper reaches of its rev range. But it’s rare that you would ever need to be there because the torque is one of the bike’s strong points. When on tour you can click her into top and just chug away. As said before the donk has plenty of go, with over 120hp on tap it’s never going to have sand kicked in its face. You might think that with ‘only’ five gears it’s a bit behind in the technology stakes but you never notice it on the road. In fact it gets you thinking , ‘why have six gears?’ When it comes to turning corners into straights the FJR is one of the best of its ilk. It steers very nice for a big bike but can show some tendencies to understeer when you get on the gas exiting a corner – in the main though, it’s very impressive in this regard. Handling is hard to criticise, it’s very compliant on the rough stuff and two up, and if you ditch the panniers and stiffen up the suspension (the rear shock has a twostep preload adjustment) you can really cut a swathe through the corners, even if they are bumpy. You can even keep the panniers on if you like, they don’t seem to get in the way. We never had to test the ABS, and the linked brake system is so good you hardly notice it working, so tight turns with the rear brake are easy.

Verdict I racked my brain thinking who would pick this model FJR1300 over the standard model. Could it be someone who had a hand injury, or maybe a left leg injury which would make it hard to use a regular handlebar mounted clutch or gear lever? It could be that some riders look for something different, just for the fun of it. For me the extra $2,100 doesn’t make it worthwhile (FJR1300A – $24,099, S P E C I F I C AT I O N S: FJR1300AS – $26,199). I 2010 YAMAHA FJR1300AS missed the control and Engine Type: Liquid-cooled inline four feel you have at low Capacity: 1298cc speeds with a standard Transmission: Five speed/shaft drive set up, where you can Fuel Capacity: 25 Litres feather the clutch. I take Frame Type: Alloy diamond my hat off to Yamaha for Seat Height: 805mm designing such a system Curb Weight: 295kg but for me it doesn’t Front Suspension: Telescopic make the AS any better Rear Suspension: Monocross than the A, it’s just Brakes: Dual 4-piston calipers, single different. Q rear. Tyres: 120/70-ZR17, 180/55-ZR17 Price (RRP): $26,199 www.yamaha-motor.com.au CALL FOR A QUOTE

1800 24 34 64

WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

MAY 2010 - 41

GUNTRIP

Voting with your nose I F V8 S u p e r c a r s a r e p r e p a r e d t o c o p t h e v a s t expense o f m o v i n g t h e S y d n e y r o u n d o f t h e champi o n s h i p 2 5 k m c l o s e r t o t h e C B D f r o m a dedica t e d r a c e t r a c k t o a s t o u s h r o u n d t h e concret e b l o c k s o f O l y m p i c P a r k , w h o a m I t o argue? Sure, I u n d e r s t a n d t h e p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t b i t : getting t o E a s t e r n C re e k b y p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t might b e a t o u c h e a s i e r t h a n re p a i n t i n g t h e ceiling o f t h e S i s t i n e C h a p e l , b u t f l e e t s o f buses la i d o n f o r t h e o c c a s i o n a re n o m a t c h f o r Olympi c P a r k ’ s r a i l w a y s t a t i o n . I also s e e , h a v i n g d u c k e d d o w n t o E a s t e r n Creek a c o u p l e o f w e e k e n d s b a c k f o r t h e B a r r y Sheene F e s t i v a l o f S p e e d , w h y f o l k m i g h t n o t be so ke e n t o h e a d f o r S y d n e y ’ s O n l y D e d i c a t e d Racet rac k a n y more . Perhap s w e w e re u n f o r t u n a t e w i t h t h e w i n d directio n . P e rh a p s my n o s t r i l s w e re n ’ t w o r k i n g properly o n e a r l i e r v i s i t s . P e rh a p s I h a d n ’ t

noticed before because the wheeling, shrieking clouds of gulls had taken the day off. So I was surprised by the delicate and unmistakeable bouquet of decaying domestic waste that embraced us from the landfill the other side of Ferrers Road. Sydney’s Only Dedicated Racetrack stank. Ho p o nto the N e t and go to w w w w. wasteservice.nsw.gov.au. They’ll tell you all about it. You can download a PDF entitled What Happens at the Eastern Creek Waste and Recycling Centre, which, amid an abundance of useful facts and figures, reveals that “The Eastern Creek bioreactor landfill receives approximately 500,000 tonnes of waste each year. This is equivalent to the weight of nine Sydne y Harb o ur Bridge s !” As far as I can figure it, the term ‘bioreactor ’ refers to the bloody great hole slowly filling with old socks, bacon rind, soiled nappies and coffee grounds. And, to make sure WSN Environmental Solutions (a state-owned corporation, apparently) has the needs of the locals covered well into the future, further holes are proposed, each of them a little closer to Turn Tw o t h a n b i g b r o t h e r. As the NSW government owns the Eastern Creek hole in the ground as well as the Eastern Creek racetrack, it’s reasonable to assume some conversation has taken place concerning the presence of the one affecting the suitability of the other to hold prestige events such as the F1 GP round Premier Keneally has so recently taken a shine to. Which of our gleaming facilities do you reckon she’ll choose? Ye a h , r i g h t . S TAY o f f t h e h i g h w a y s . P l a n n i n g a ride north to Armidale a week or two back revealed a choice of routes with the invaluable help of Google Maps. The New England Highway inevitably figured in my calculations at the northern end of the trip, but options earlier in the day included the Putty Road and Muswellbrook, Mudgee, the Castlereagh H i g h w a y a n d t h e G o l d e n H i g h w a y, a n d a f a n c i e d o u t s i d e r, t h e G u l g o n g a n d B l a c k S t u m p Wa y r o u t e t o P r e m e r, t h e n e i t h e r Q u i r i n d i o r We r r i s C r e e k t o Ta m w o r t h . I’m pleased, for the sake of the bike’s

42 - MAY 2010

steering-head bearings and my butt that I had the sense to stay off the New England f o r m u c h o f t h e j o u r n e y. T h e P r e m i e r S t a t e ’ s country roads are in a better state now than ever I’ve experienced, and planning your route carefully and staying away from as many trucks as possible can add to the pleasure of the ride. Example: dropping off the Blue Mountains p l a t e a u f r o m M o u n t Vi c t o r i a t o H a r t l e y puts you on 20km of pure, kidney-pounding misery as far as the Hartley bends; the run from there to the outskirts of Lithgow isn’t t o o m u c h b e t t e r. L e a v e t h e G r e a t We s t e r n Highway at Lithgow and you’re on the r o a d t o Wa l l e r a w a n g P o w e r S t a t i o n . T h e s e days, most of the coal is handled by the railways, but enough trucks use the road to pose a problem to the tar: there are more than enough ridges, ruts, dips and bumps to keep you entertained. But get onto the back roads – Ulan Road to Cassilis, perhaps, or Bunnan Road between Merriwa and Scone – and it’s a different s t o r y. Wi t h t r a f f i c r e d u c e d t o l o c a l r e s i d e n t s and farming folk, there’s every chance these narrow two-laners will be in workable condition long after the highways have been pounded into submission by legions of trucks designed and built to run on US Interstates. Next time you’re somewhere between A and B and find an overtaking lane up a long, slow hill, take a good look at the condition of the kerbside lane and compare it with that of the overtaking lane. ‘Keep left unless overtaking,’ we’re told. Hmm. I retain my long-held suspicion of different-coloured patches of tarmac, of joints, of dips and of crests. My preferred riding position is halfway between the sump line and either of the wheel tracks, particularly over undulating terrain and when the sun is casting shadows of trees across the road. We l l , b u l l y f o r m e . A n d i f t h e r e ’ s o n e thing I had absolutely no complaint with, i t w a s t h e w e a t h e r. A f t e r a p r e t t y d o d g y summer (only the second I can remember this side of the equator) it’s cleared up nicely for autumn. What are you waiting for? – Bob Guntrip

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CYCLE TORQUE INTERVIEW – ROSS NOBLE

‘Round and ‘Round

CYCLE TORQUE recently caught up with funnyman Ross Noble. Ross is a Pommy Expat who’s made Australia home and recently completed a ‘round Australia trip combining bikes and over 80 stand up comedy gigs. “The important thing here is that I did it on a bikeâ€? said Ross. I mean your readers would be wondering, ‘why are they talking to a comedian’? It was a 26,000 kilometre trip because I zigzagged backwards and forwards, ULJKW OHIW DQG FHQWUH JLJ JLJ JLJ Ă€YH VWDWHV Ă€YH PRQWKV ULJKW ÂśURXQG 2] “It’s the best way to see anywhere UHDOO\ :H PDGH D Ă€OP DERXW LW ZKLFK was shown on channel 10 and now the DVD has been released. In fact it was released on April 1 which I thought was a daft time. I mean everyone would be thinking, ‘he’s just kidding’. While the DVD is mainly focused

44 - MAY 2010

on Ross’ whirlwind stand up tour and how he gets to each place on his trusty BMW R 1150 GS, there’s some extras which will also keep bike fans entertained. “The DVD is jam packed with all the episodes, the trip plus a lot of bonus footage including a 24hr race my mate and I did in the UK. We actually took something like 500 hours of footage, got it down to 25 hours and then further down again to six one hour shows. “The event was the Dawn to Dusk British enduro race so we thought we’d put that in there. My mate’s knocking on a bit, he’s 20 years older than me. Neither of us had done any training or preparation for the event, LW ZDV WKH PRVW XQĂ€W , KDG EHHQ LQ P\ entire life. It should have been called Blood Sweat and No Idea. I hadn’t actually ridden the bike until I rode it from the pits down to the start line.

“There were only three teams entered in the Pro Category so we thought we’d go in that class. All ZH KDG WR GR ZDV Ă€QLVK DQG KDYH one of the other teams drop out and we’d have a podium in the pro class. We wouldn’t have to tell everyone there was only four teams entered. It was very tough, it was in like an old mining quarry. We didn’t stand a chance really because the guy who came in third was like Britian’s most successful Dakar rider. “What it meant though was that I had to start on the front row with all these pro riders and something like 100 bikes behind me. The organisers thought it was hilarious but I was so far out of my depth it wasn’t funny. At the start the hooter went and everyone started running to their bikes but I just strolled. Then I realised that if I didn’t get away the next row of bikes would get me.

When I got on the bike the battery ZDV à DW (YHU\RQH GLVDSSHDUHG while I was trying to start the bike. But if anyone is interested in doing an off-road race this should inspire them. They’d think that if this dickhead can do it anyone can.� Ross rode his Adventure BMW, often doing close to 1000km in a

day, turning up at a town just in time to do a gig. “I’m not one of these people who has a problem with doing KLJK NLORPHWUHV <RX VHH P\ Ă€UVW bike was a little 49cc thing. That’s all I could afford because of the insurance costs. I used to do quite big trips on this little bike, like 200

kilometres on backroads just to do a gig. When you’ve ridden a 49cc bike in England in the middle of winter and it’s 3am and you still have 30 miles to go, then doing 10 hours in the saddle on a GS in Australia is nothing. Even in the middle of the night in the Welsh mountains in that 24hr race I was thinking, ‘gee I’m glad I’m not on the little bike’. “Probably the biggest drama was when we’d be riding in tropical rain, soaked to the bone. You couldn’t just stop and dry off at the local pub while having a counter meal, you had to keep going to make the gig. When I had three days of being wet it was like I’d aged, I’d be hunched over with wrinkly skin. It was quite funny when you look back on it. It was OLYLQJ WKH GUHDP WKRXJK Ă€YH months on the road, so even when it was cold or wet it was great being there. “When you are on a big journey like that it’s like you get a different PLQGVHW WR NHHS \RX JRLQJ , Ă€QG being on the open road fantastic. Even in the shittiest conditions it’s EHWWHU WKDQ EHLQJ LQ WKH RIĂ€FH Âľ Celebrated Scottish comedian Billy Connelly did a number of DVDs where he travelled around places throughout

MAY 2010 - 45

‘Round and ‘Round

the world on a trike, doing stand up gigs and giving viewers a bit of history of where he was but with a funny twist to it. Cycle Torque thought this may have provided some inspiration for Ross and it did to a degree but not in the way you might think. “It’s funny, I talked to the guys who made that show, but I wanted to avoid that comparison. What we wanted to do was take all the different elements of a travel show, but sort of take the piss out of them. I really enjoyed Billy’s show and also the Charley Boorman/ Ewan McGregor trips but we wanted people to learn nothing about where we were, sort of unlike what those other guys did. Billy went and swam with dolphins. I went to the Dolphin discovery centre and they told me it was too wet to swim with dolphins – how does that work. We ride to a place, take the piss out of the locals and then do a comedy gig. We didn’t plan our show we just did it ad lib.” Ross hails from the North of England but we mistakenly thought his accent indicated he was from The Midlands.

46 - MAY 2010

“What backwards part of Tasmania are you guys from, I’m from Newcastle which is in the north eastern part of England. It’s not far off Scotland in fact, we are sort of cut off on our own, like the Galapagos Islands. I’m like an equisate creature. ´, DFWXDOO\ FDPH RXW WR 2] IRU WKH ÀUVW time in ‘99, doing gigs, met my wife KHUH DQG ,·YH OLYHG KHUH IRU WKH ODVW ÀYH years. I love Australia but it can be a harsh place. We lost our farm at Saint $QGUHZV LQ ODVW \HDU·V ÀUHV ,W WXUQHG our place into a 100 acre ashtray but luckily that’s all we lost. I did have a few bikes too but lost them as well. It was a terrible time for everyone in the area.” Ross is off to the wild continent of Africa soon for an equally wild trip. “I’m doing a ride with Charley Boorman. It’s in South Africa, we leave Cape Town and head to Victoria Falls over nearly three weeks. It’s going to be a blast, with plenty of dirt and sand riding thrown in. We ride on tar too but the tar roads out in the country are not all that good. There are pot

holes everywhere and trucks just swerve around them whenever they like, even if you’re right there. It’s not quite that bad but you do need to have a bit of off-road experience. But hey, it’s not just for us, anyone can come along, just pay your money which gets you a BMW and all your accommodation sorted. We stay in fancy hotels, none of this pissing about roughing it. “We even get to drop in to Stuart Garners place, he’s the guy who owns Norton. If you want a great adventure and a good laugh come along. It kicks off in August and you can find out more at www. charleyboormanlive.com. “But back to the DVD I’m flogging. It’s $39.95, available from all good DVD retailers, and some bad ones as well.” Ross is regulary travelling around doing stand up comedy gigs s o c he c k him o ut. Q

MAY 2010 - 47

CYCLE TORQUE

1

GET A GRIP WITH FERODO

2

WINTER BIKE STUFF

1

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48 - MAY 2010

6

WINTER BIKE STUFF ST 2010

MAY 2010 - 49

CYCLE TORQUE

1

2

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NORDIC STOMPING GROUND

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BERNA BALACLAVA

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50 - MAY 2010

7

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1

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MAY 2010 - 51

CYCLE TORQUE

WINTER BIKE STUFF

1

1

2

2010

STEPPING OUT IN A TROCADERO

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DAINESE DRY

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WINTER BIKE STUFF 2010

almost

We know things can change pretty quickly when you’re out on your bike. That’s why Draggin Jeans developed a wet weather jean. Wind, rain and even snow resistant, Draggin Jeans Oilskins are designed to keep you riding in comfort and style... whatever the season. Ask your local stockist for more details.

MAY 2010 - 53

EDITORIAL

Deadly curves

I DON’T know about you but there are a few roads I’ve travelled over the years which really make me uneasy. It could be WKHUH¡V WRR PXFK WUDIĂ€F RU the road surface is dodgy, or maybe the trees are too close to the road. It’s different for everyone of course and usually \RX¡OO Ă€QG WKDW WKHUH¡V some incident behind these feelings. Recently I travelled along one such road with my family, on the ZD\ WR 3DFLĂ€F 3DUN RQ the Hawkesbury River, Northwest of Sydney. It wasn’t the only way I could have gone but it was the shortest, or so I thought. I’ve been on this road loads of times over the years, on bikes, cars, at night etc. One thing which has never escaped me during those jaunts is the fact this road is one of the most dangerous I have ever travelled on. The road I’m talking about is the Wiseman’s Ferry Road, from Central Mangrove to Wiseman’s Ferry itself. Many of you won’t know this road, but I’m sure you can transpose your own little piece of tarmac nightmare into the story. , WKLQN WKH Ă€UVW WLPH , rode this road was on a bevel drive Ducati 900SS, some time about 1988. The lights were dodgy, and on a road so narrow and without street lighting it was a slow and nervous ride to say the least. There was something about it which put the wind up me,

54 - MAY 2010

a feeling I’ve never been able to shake. A friend of mine recently URGH LW IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH RQ a big cruiser. He’s not the most experienced rider and he was doubling his wife. I was concerned enough about their welfare that I gave him a longwinded rundown of my thoughts on the road. He shook it off anyway and I haven’t asked him since what he thought of it himself.

hat wearer for most of it. How there are not more accidents is beyond me. But like I said, it’s a personal thing. One of my favourite roads is the Putty Road which runs from Windsor, west of Sydney, to Singleton nearly 200 kilometres north. My ride usually only went from Singleton to the Halfway House and back. The rest of the road south is too boring generally for me but now the Halfway

there’s been a number of bike accidents, including motorcycle head-ons and crashes involving multiple bikes. Even though I love this piece of road many of my friends refuse to ride on it anymore, especially on weekends. No doubt they have their own bad experiences to force them down this path but it just goes to show, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. The road I live on has

Every time I have driven or ridden on the road I have encountered some fool running wide on a corner or travelling way too fast for the road conditions. One of the reasons is the road is too narrow and it winds along the river. There are few places to overtake safely and because of this everyone seems to be in a hurry. It’s only 58 kilometres from Central Mangrove to Wiseman’s Ferry but it seems to take forever, especially like last time when I was behind a

House has burnt down the road holds less allure. It was a perfect stop for a coffee and a chat before heading back towards home. Now, this road has a fearsome reputation, most of it gained before the last decade when fatal accidents were the norm rather the exception. Much of the northern end of the road is tight and twisting but the surface is overall pretty good. Heavy vehicles were involved in much of the trauma but far fewer use the road now. Interestingly though,

been giving me the jitters lately too. In a period of three months I’ve hit a ’roo in the work ute, stoving in the bonnet, I’ve put my 1965 Mustang through a post and into an embankment trying to avoid another of the IXUU\ ÀHQGV DQG QDUURZO\ missed another one just after the Mustang incident. You could say I deserve what I get living out in the country but I hope Murphy’s Law will stay away for a while. – Chris Pickett

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Huge Bo

1 Bitchin’ Bitumen Bitchin’ Bitumen is the sports rider’s guidebook to the East Coast of Australia. Featuring many great rides from Tasmania to Queensland, Bitchin’ Bitumen will help you find many of the best scratching roads in the country. $39.95

1

2 By Any Means Bikes have always been Charley’s first love, but he also enjoys a challenge. So when the chance comes to travel across three continents ‘by any means’, he jumps right in. Grabbing whatever local transport he can get his hands on, Charley travels from his home town in County Wicklow all the way to Australia- a trip of over 20,000 miles through 25 countries. $24.99 3 101 Road Tales A collection of entertaining columns first published in the USA’s Rider magazine, Clement Salvadori’s tales have been entertaining American riders since 1988. Now, 101 of those engaging Road Tales have been brought together in one book, cleverly illustrated by his long-time friend Gary Brown. Don’t expect a detailed travel guide to places near and far, but rather a guide to the enjoyment of travelling, especially by motorcycle. These tales are spun by an observant and experienced traveller who can make a quick ride on the back roads near his home just as entertaining as a trip across the country.

$55 4 One good run-Legend of Burt Munro

Now a motion picture starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, The World’s Fastest Indian was released in Australia in April 2006. One Good Run is the amazing story of Kiwi motorcycling legend, backyard engineering genius and land speed record holder Burt Munro. He broke several international speed records with a motorbike he modified in his Christchurch shed and still holds several records in the US. With Sir Anthony Hopkins playing Burt, this true-life, little guy beats the odds story is bound to renew interest in one of the legends of land speed racing.

$29.95 5

4

Barry Sheene

This is a remarkable story of Barry Sheene, the cheeky cockney boy who grew up to become a sporting legend. He won the British motorcycling 125cc championship aged just 20 and twice became World Champion in the 500cc class, despite two life threatening crashes. $24.99

6

Classic Motorcycling

All about buying, selling and owning classic motorcycles. With sections on many different makes and models as well as a heap of general information about classics, this is a great book for owners - or would be owners - of anything old and collectable.

$39.95 7 Supercross Unleashed

Supercross Unleashed is an all-action, packed out read with everything to keep even the hardened supercross fan occupied. This book brings together essays, photos, and behind the scene glimpses from the sports current pros and past champs, told by motocross insider Billy Ursic and framed by photographer Simon Cudby. From profiles of the hottest names in the sport to insight about the changes in the sport from up and coming young guns, it’s all here in the stirring words and images of the biggest names in Supercross

$39.99 8 Essential Guide to Dual Sport Motorcycling

Everything you need to buy, ride and enjoy trail and adventure motorcycling. Sections on riding gear, tools, riding tips and safety and maintenance keep you well informed for the trip ahead. Exploring and navigating are also covered in this comprehensive guide book.

$55.00

9 Freerider MX’s Ultimate Guide to Freestyle As freestyle motocross continues to capture the imagination of the mainstream public and motorcycle sales soaring, more riders are focusing their attentions on riding FMX than ever before. With the racing scene becoming more competitive than ever, more people are opting for the lifestyle and fun factor of freestyle, and as a result, amateur classes at events are burgeoning, and letters from readers eager to make a career in freestyle motocross are flooding Freerider MX Magazine’s inbox.

$19.95

56 - MAY 2010

Order online: www

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w.cycletorque.com.au MAY 2010 - 57

Huge Bo 10 The Art of BMW Covering the first 85 years of BMW bikes, this beautifully-produced book covers everything from the first R32 right through to the K1200S in a coffee-table book format. Exquisite photography and insightful text about many different BMW models makes this book essential reading for any BMW enthusiast.

$69.99

11 Geoff Duke-The stylish champion The winner of six world titles on British and Italian machinery, Geoff Duke was the first post-war superstar. Geoff Duke: The Stylish Champion is a hardcover book running to over 250 pages documenting the riding life of the handsome Brit. Featuring many images of Duke in action, statistics of Duke’s results and lots more, this is the definitive guide to one of the most successful racers motorcycling has ever seen.

$59.95

12 Race to Dakar In 2004 Charley Boorman completed his astonishing round-the-world bike trip with his friend, Ewan McGregor. The journey left him exhausted, exhilarated and hungry for a new challenge. And what greater challenge than the Dakar rally? Beginning in Lisbon and ending in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, the rally covers 15,000 kilometres of treacherous terrain, and is widely regarded as the most dangerous race on earth. With his team-mates Simon Pavey and Matt Hall, Charley faced extreme temperatures, rode through shifting sands and stinging winds, and faced breakdowns miles from civilisation. Charley recounts his extraordinary adventures through Portugal, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Senegal.

$24.99

13 Riding in the Zone Riding motorcycles is fun but Ken Condon maintains there is a state of being beyond the simple pleasure of rolling down the road, this book was written to help other riders find that state of being. It’s the experience of being physically and mentally present in the moment, where every sense is sharply attuned to the ride. At the end of each chapter are drills designed to transform the book’s ideas into solid riding skills. A companion DVD is included to demonstrate each concept and technique. 14 Motorcycles - Life on Two Wheels The early history of motorcycles closely parallels that of automobiles. Being far simpler devices, however, motorcycles lent themselves to wider development by back-yard mechanics, whose first efforts typically involved little more than strapping a small “store-bought” motor to their bicycle. These pioneering souls were often the first in their town to experience the thrill of motorized travel, and many were asked to build duplicate machines by admiring neighbours.

$29.95

15 25 Years of Buell This book was produced to commemorate Buell Motor Company’s 25th anniversary. Illustrated by hundreds of photographs from private collections and corporate archives, it covers Buell’s history from inception to the present. Erik Buell is, of course, at the centre of this inspiring story, but the company has thrived not just because of one energetic, visionary man, but because that man was able to inspire others around him to give 110 percent to their common objectives. This story is as much about the people of Buell as it is the motorcycles of Buell. Both, as you will learn, are remarkable.

$44.95

16 Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance The purpose of this book is to introduce the novice motorcycle mechanic to the basic mechanical concepts that go into designing, building and maintaining modern motorcycles. By performing their own basic maintenance readers will gain a much better understanding of how motorcycles function, and develop a much better feel for the health of their bike and deal with little problems before they become a big one, or worse, a serious safety issue. This text is written so that anyone with the proper training and the right attitude can become a competent if not excellent mechanic.

$65.00

17 Essential Guide to Motorcycle Travel This book is written to help motorcyclists prepare themselves and their motorcycle for traveling long distances over extended periods. Whether you are getting ready for a weekend trip beyond your home turf, or for a transcontinental odyssey lasting several years, Coyner’s book details the fundamentals for riding in comfort, safety, and convenience.

$49.95

58 - MAY 2010

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www.cycletorque.com.au To Order Call 02 4956 9820

MAY 2010 - 59

FEATURE

ATVs for the

05 ;/, 7(:; *@*3, ;698<, /(: .0=,5 @6< ( /,(+: <7 65 >/(;»: (=(03()3, 05 ;/, :

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SUZUKI

The Raptor 90 uses an 88cc four-stroke single for motivation. It has a five litre tank so should run pretty much all day on one tank. CVT transmission, chain drive, decent suspension and Yamaha’s renowned kid’s bike reliability should see this running forever. Aimed at riders 12 and up. www.yamaha-motor.com.au. Q

There’s four models available from the yellow crew, the QuadSport Z90Z, Z90, Z50Z and Z50. All machines use a CVT transmission and four-stroke single cylinder engines. The ‘Z’ models are a little sportier than the standard models and as such have niftier graphics and styling. www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au. Q

POLARIS The American manufacturer has not only three ‘regular’ ATV models, it also has one Side by Side. This is the Ranger RZR 170, tested late last year by Cycle Torque. Then there’s the Sportsman 90 (for 12 and overs), Outlaw 90 and the Outlaw 50. Only the 50cc model can be used by children under 12, but over 6. All use four-stroke engines and have electric start. The Outlaw is styled much sportier than the Sportsman. www. polarisindustries.com.au. Q

60 - MAY 2010

grommets

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HONDA From Honda is the TRX90EX which uses a four-stroke engine, drum brakes all round, independent front suspension and a four-speed transmission with auto clutch. Fuel capacity is 7.5 litres so not much chance of running dry anytime soon. www.hondampe.com.au. Q

KAWASAKI

CAN AM

Big and little bores from Kawasaki. The KFX90 and KFX50 will keep your kids more than happy one would expect. Both use four-stroke engines, and both use CVT transmissions to go forward. Both have electric start, and the 50cc version has a tether cutout switch so parents can keep some sort of control. www.kawasaki.com.au. Q

One of the world’s biggest ATV manufacturers, and for the kids there’s the DS 90 and the DS 90X. The DS 90 is more your ‘cooking’ model while the DS 90X has racer styling, upgraded suspension and tougher wheels to take the hits when things get a little crazy. Both use the same four-stroke engine and both also have CVT transmission so getting the kids to work out the throttle is easy as can be. www.brp.com/en-AU/. Q MAY 2010 - 61

ATVs for the grommets ARCTIC CAT KYMCO

Arctic Cat’s youth ATV range is all four-stroke, ranging from 90cc to 150cc. The 150 comes with a CVT transmission (with reverse) and is 2WD. It can even be fitted with racks and a towbar, so this puts it more towards the adult section of the market. The 90 DVX is pure sports, in look and performance. Once again, it’s got a CVT trans with a reverse gear too. Same with the regular 90, it’s got essentially the same running gear as the DX but with workhorse styling rather than pseudo racer. www.arctic-cat.com. Q

AEON

Aeon’s Cobra 100 is a high performance kids quad, with a two-stroke engine doing the wheel turning. You don’t have to pre-mix your oil though, it has oil injection. There’s also a CVT transmission, disc/drum combo for brakes. It weighs 129kg dry, and five litres of fuel can be carried in the tank. www.aeonaustralia. com.au. Q 62 - MAY 2010

Get maxed out with Kymco’s Maxxer 50 and 90 kids ATVs. While the 90 uses a four-stroke motor, the little 50 goes two-stroke. Both have CVT transmission and use drum brakes all round. Styling is on the sporty side. A lanyard switch comes with the 50, so mum or dad can stop things if necessary. If your kids are 12 and older, go for the 90. www.kymco.com.au. Q

There are a number of much cheaper ATVs on the market than the ones detailed here. Cycle Torque feels we must mention the build quality and reliability of these budget models are questionable, as is spares back up. One thing to remember is you get what you pay for, so buyer beware. It might seem like a good idea at the time but...

MAJOR EVENTS ALL THE

MUST SEE EVENTS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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MAY

8QDSSURDFKDEOH 5DOO\ WHEN: April 30-May 2, 2010 WHERE: Nundle, NSW WHAT: Centered around the Norton brand but the rally welcomes bikes and riders of all ages and nationalities. Organised rides for faster and slower classics. That includes the bikes as well. CONTACT: www.nocnsw.org.au, Steve 0447 622 211 or Chris 0404 030 925.

NSW Trials Titles Round 1 WHEN: Sunday 2nd May 10am – 4pm WHERE: Brian’s Road Appin – at the bottom of Motocycle sports complex WHAT: First of 5 rounds of the New South Wales Trials Titles. All grades from Junior to Expert. Spectators are more than welcome and encouraged to attend, – entry is free – no dogs please. CONTACT: Paul McGrath 0413 997 465 or David Ault 6259 0000 also visit www.trials.com.au

Australian MX Nationals WHEN: R3, May 2, 2010, R4 May 16, R5 May 30, R6 June 27 WHERE: R3 Geelong Vic, R4 Toowoomba Qld, R5 Raymond Terrace NSW, R6 Wodonga Vic. WHAT: Australia’s premier MX series, Under 19s, Pro Lites and Pro Open classes. CONTACT: www.ozmotox.com.au.

39th Kamfari WHEN: May 2, 2010 WHERE: Darwin, NT WHAT: 6RORV DQG $79V FRQWHVWV WKLV YHU\ GLIÀFXOW ÀYH hour jungle endurance race. Run by the Darwin MCC, the venue is yet to be determined but you can expect heat, bog holes and insects. CONTACT: www.darwinmotorcycleclub.org.

2010 Motorcyclict’s Blanket Run WHEN: May 8, 2010 EDITOR CHRIS PICKETT PUBLISHER NIGEL PATERSON DESIGN & PRODUCTION DIONNE HAGAN, THE D MEDIA DESIGN ADVERTISING VIC: BRIAN SULLIVAN, 03 9583 8377 QLD: DARREN SMART, 0412 183 797 SMARTY@CYCLETORQUE.COM.AU ADVERTISING MANAGER DENNIS PENZO, 0420 319 335 DENNIS@CYCLETORQUE.COM.AU ACCOUNTS: REBECCA EASTMENT BEC@CYCLETORQUE.COM.AU

WHERE: Old Parliament House, Canberra. Form up 8.30am for 10am start. WHAT: The 2010 Blanket Run is fast approaching so get the clean blankets, warm clothing, non-perishable food, and/or CASH ready for the big parade on the 8th of May in support of Canberra Community Care. CONTACT: Leen on 0409 984 008, or Jen on 0418 215 336

Ruptured Budgie Rally WHEN: Friday 14th May to Sunday 16th May, 2010 WHERE: 0LQJRROD NPV ZHVW RI 7HQWHUÀHOG WHAT: The Motor Guzzi Club of Queensland presents the famous Ruptured Budgie Rally. On the Island at Mingoola. Entry $20 per head, badge guaranteed (children under 15 free, no badge). CONTACT: www.motoguzziclubqld.org.

6LGHFDU &OXE 3URPRWLRQ 'D\ WHEN: May 15, 2010. WHERE: Prospect Reservior, Sydney. WHAT: Check out the facts and faces behind sidecar racing. Food and refreshmenst available. CONTACT: Ruben on 9547 2885.

Victorian Road Race Series WHEN: Rd 2, May 22-23, 2010 WHERE: Phillip Island WHAT: Classes range from Superbikes to the little junior machines. Broadford is not only a delight to ride at, it’s a great viewing circuit too. CONTACT: Francis, 0413 622 079.

Kenda Rally WHEN: May 23, 2010 WHERE: Rubicon Valley, Eildon Vic. WHAT: Trail bike riding at its best. Bikes must have full or recreational rego, noisy bikes will be sound tested before the event. Run by the Alexandra District Motorcycle Club. Entry $75. Prizes, trophies, good riding and good times. CONTACT: www.admcc.com.au.

www.cycletorque.com.au PO Box 687, Warners Bay, NSW 2282 1I t 'BY Email: info@cycletorque.com.au

CAB AUDIT

Aud 31

Oct to

The circulation recor

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: DARRYL FLACK, BOB GUNTRIP, KEITH MUIR, DARREN SMART, TODD REED, FRIEDEMANN KIRN, WWW.2SNAP.COM. CYCLE TORQUE IS PUBLISHED BY MOTORCYCLE PUBLISHING PTY LTD. ABN 91 085 871 147 PRINTED BY RURAL PRESS, NORTH RICHMOND. PRINT POST APPROVED PP255003/04198 ISSN 1441-8789 CYCLE TORQUE IS AVAILABLE FROM BIKE SHOPS ACROSS AUSTRALIA. IF YOU CAN’T FIND OUR LATEST ISSUE, CALL 0420 319 335. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE. $24.95 PER YEAR, CALL 02 4956 9820 FOR DETAILS. COPYRIGHT 2006. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN

MAY OF 2010 - 63 ANY FORM, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC, WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION THE PUBLISHER. PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR BEFORE SUBMITTING FREELANCE CONTRIBUTIONS.

CYCLE TORQUE PROJECT – FAT BOY LO ON TOUR

Fat Boy turns tourer

IT SEEMED like such a good idea at the time. Before we left. A ride from Newcastle, along the back roads to Melbourne then on to the Great Ocean Road and back through Victoria’s Gippsland, over the Snowy Mountains, a bit of freeway to Goulburn, the back roads to Sydney and home to the Hunter Valley, in the company of a variety of other bikes. That’s nine days and 3775km on a Fat Boy Lo with my better half (Poppi) hanging off the back. I must have been mad.

Fit for touring For those that don’t know we have a 2010 Fat Boy Lo in Cycle Torque’s stable. Although you could never really call it a tourer it’s always a bit of fun to bolt on some bits and see what the bike can do. 7KH ÀUVW WKLQJ ZH GLG ZDV ÀW WKH TXLFN UHOHDVH VFUHHQ to keep the wind pressure off the rider. The riding position is upright and this seemed the ticket to make it less tiring at freeway speeds. Next was the touring seat with a little more padding, including a backrest for the rider and a thicker wide-arse rear pillion seat pad to keep our tails in reasonable condition. A quick

64 - MAY 2010

UHOHDVH EDFNUHVW ZDV ÀWWHG IRU WKH SLOOLRQ ZLWK D FDUU\ rack mounted on the back. There were already foot boards for the rider so we replaced the pillion footpegs with boards as well. We found these are a little lower than the standard pegs so for the more vertically challenged you might want to make sure their legs reach comfortably over the panniers before travelling too far. For the luggage we attached lockable hard case SDQQLHUV ZLWK OHDWKHU ÀQLVK DQG XVHG D ODUJH +DUOH\ Davidson soft bag for the back rack. The panniers don’t hold much more than a change of clothes and a pair of size 10 thongs so we were thankful for the large bag on the back. All of these parts were genuine accessories and come with every part you need, including every spacer and bolt. Once you read the instructions and IROORZHG WKH GLDJUDPV WKH\ ZHUH HDV\ HQRXJK WR ÀW 7U\ and work it out ad lib and you will probably struggle. We had only just got the bike serviced and asked the guys at Fraser Motorcycles in Newcastle to crank up the pre-load on the rear suspension to cope with the extra load and the dodgy roads we were likely to encounter on the trip.

The trip The plan was for the guys to set off for the best part of three days riding before meeting up with the girls at Melbourne Airport. Six bikes turned up for the trip. ‘Showbag’ and ‘Silver’ only came along for day one on a Blackbird and BMW R 1200 GS. Trevor was on his way back to Tassie and stuck with us to Melbourne also on a R 1200 GS. Brett and Bobby were both in for the long haul on their BMW GS steeds. Friday was day one and we headed west for a local motorcycling hotspot, the Putty Road, followed by the Bells Line of Road through the Blue Mountains. I was surprised how well I kept up to the others. I was hanging off the bike like a sailor in a dinghy to keep the foot boards off the tighter sections of winding road. Heading west out of the mountains from Lithgow through the back roads of Tarana to Bathurst I found several bumps that had me bouncing right out of the seat. Cowra through Barry and Neville (towns not people) were where a railway crossing launched me for a second of fun to an KRXU RI SDLQ %RRURZD 3XE ZDV KRPH IRU WKH ÀUVW QLJKW where I spent the night soothing my sore landing SDG ZLWK VRPH DPEHU ÁXLG DQG ODXJKWHU , UHDOO\ did push our Fat Boy Lo way out of its element and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it coped. On day two we continued west through Lockhart to cross the border at Echuca for a welcome rest before heading 75km south into Victoria to spend the evening at Elmore telling more tales, drinking beer and fending off a bunch of wild girls creating a half hour of Doe Show havoc at the hotel before someone blew a whistle and they all jumped on a bus and disappeared to destroy the next town. This left an easy half-day ride to pick up our girls at Melbourne Airport the next day. Of course heading down the highway would

have been too easy so Sunday we headed west to take in a stretch of road from Bridgwater, through Maldon to Castlemaine which the motorcycle atlas recommended as a good ride. By 2.30pm we picked up the girls at the airport and settled in for the night at Little River, just north of Geelong. We were supposed to stay at the pub till one of XV ZDQGHUHG LQ WKH URRP WR ÀQG VRPHRQH HOVH RQ the bed and we had been double booked for the night. As luck had it we had to upgrade to the B&B next door with a king size four-post bed and all the fancy stuff to impress the girls. It was a good way to soften them up. If they only knew what was coming! Day four was a dawdle through Geelong and late breakfast in Torquay which is the start of the Great Ocean Road. This was a good road for the Harley considering some of the roads we had been on. There were a lot of smooth tight corners that were easy at cruising speed taking in the views. Bobby and Brett started to push things along a bit on their GSs. We rode past Bells Beach and only stopped at Apollo Bay for fuel and a photo on the wharf. I wanted to go to Cape Otway lighthouse but after 6km along that road realised I was going to struggle to make our next stop for the night at Port Campbell, so I turned back and kept on the road. After giving the tight corners coming into Princetown a fair fright, we hit Port Campbell for the night. It had been a long day and after getting off the bike Poppi transferred all her saddle sores to my eardrum as punishment for all the stop-offs we didn’t make.

More cruising around The plan was to spend two nights here so we could ORRN DURXQG DQG GR DV ZH OLNHG 'D\ ÀYH ZDV D ÁLJKW LQ D helicopter over the Twelve Apostles and a walk down the Gorge then on the bike to Warrnambool and Port Fairy for a look. This is a fantastic bit of Australia and deserving of it’s reputation as a ‘must see’ tourist destination.

MAY 2010 - 65

Day six the boys decided we needed to get back to Queenscliff and across Port Phillip Bay on the Ferry to 6RUUHQWR VR ZH KDG HQRXJK WLPH WR ÀQG DFFRPPRGDWLRQ for the night and keep on time. Eventually we found a bed at the Baxter Hotel just out of Frankston. Day Seven was a fairly uneventful ride through Leongatha, Foster to Sale and on to Bairnsdale to stay the night at Bruthen on the doorstep of the snowy mountains. I was looking forward to the next day’s ride through the winding roads to Swifts Creek and Omeo and over the hill at Hotham to catch up with friends at Mt Beauty. We had another dose of scraping the footpegs as we played boy and girl racer and the big Harley. Even though they make a bit of noise the boards just ease up when they touch down so no problems getting some decent lean angles through the smooth corners up in the mountains. The last day began from our night stop at Wommargama Pub on the Hume Highway just north of Albury. It started off with a comfortable ride up the highway to Goulburn where we took a turn to head up through Taralga, Oberon and back down the winding Bells Line Road for a quick stretch down the F3 home to Newcastle. We had been very lucky with the weather but the timetable took its toll on the girls.

66 - MAY 2010

Afterthoughts If you like a steady cruise at legal speeds the Fatty is YHU\ HQMR\DEOH HVSHFLDOO\ LI \RX VWLFN WR VPRRWK Ă RZLQJ roads and you don’t have to carry too much luggage. Even though the limited suspension travel can be an issue on crappy roads, there’s something about that distinct slow revving, throbbing V-twin sound which makes that Harley statement and turns heads that draws you back for more. It lives on a fearsome reputation with a mix of 1940s styling and well-hidden 2010 technology to soften the blow. There seems to be more accessories available for it than a Barbie doll. Every bike can be made a personalised work of art. For ours the medium height screen tended to buffet my head as speeds picked up over 100kph. The panniers were small and would have been much better had they been removable to take in the motel room but they never JRW LQ WKH ZD\ QHJRWLDWLQJ WUDIĂ€F It is what it is. Sure, at times we took the ‘Lo’ out of its element but there were plenty of times on the trip where we enjoyed a relaxed pace in comfort; you just need to be careful how adventurous you get. – Ray Macarthur

Sideplates for panniers – $213. Touring backrest – $168. Sport luggage rack – $198. Multifit touring luggage system with extra day bag – $351. Detachable windscreen – $542. Touring seat with rider backrest – $764. Leather covered rigid saddlebags – $1,146. Half moon passenger footboards – $275. Passenger footboard support kit – $213. *Docking hardware kit – $53. *Turn signal relocation kit – $61 *Medium low upright – $152 Total – $4,141.15 These aren’t the exact terminology used by HarleyDavidson but the better describe what each component is. *Parts required to fit some accessories to the Fat Boy Lo.

MAY 2010 - 67

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE

Trying Trials

68 - MAY 2010

IF YOU’VE ever watched the top world trials riders you must have been amazed at their ability and machine control. Vertical rock faces, massive gullies and huge logs. Then you get the indoor man made stuff – crazy. With a number of top level road racers turning to the trials discipline for training, Cycle Torque thought it would be fun to put our resident road racer Alex 3LFNHWW VWUDLJKW LQWR WKH ÀUH WR VHH H[DFWO\ ZKDW WULDOV competition involved. Alex’s only experience on a trials bike prior to this little adventure was limited to riding in his backyard on an old Honda TL250, a purpose built trials bike, close to 40 years old.

7ULDOV ERRW FDPS We turned to Don Murray of Trialzone to see what he thought of our idea. Don imports Sherco machinery, including enduro bikes, and Don volunteered to not only supply a bike but to also get two Level One MA coaches to give Alex some coaching prior to getting amongst it between the bunting. The husband and wife team of Toby and Michelle Coleman are both very experienced competitors and both ride Sherco machinery. Toby and Michelle run Sherco Racing as a sideline to their regular jobs, offering tech support, spares and sales of machines for the NSW/ACT area. Alex’s supplied bike was Don’s own 2007 Cabestany Replica, with a 290cc two-stroke engine. Cycle Torque asked Alex what transpired in training. “I was apprehensive about the whole thing really but Toby and Michelle got me started with tight turns, concentrating on brake, throttle and clutch control, and once I started to get more comfortable I started to enjoy it,â€? said Alex. “I also had to look at body positioning which was completely opposite to how I ride a roadrace bike. Instead of hanging off the inside you have to push the bike over and keep your body more upright, sticking your bum out and so on. “After I got OK with that I took to some small hills, going up and down, using momentum to get me and the bike up rather than trying to accelerate halfway up the hill. As I got better with this I started to make my turns tighter at the top of the crest before coming back GRZQ DJDLQ ,W ZDV JUHDW IXQ DV , JRW PRUH FRQĂ€GHQW with the exercises. “Then on to bigger hills where I included manoeuvres around trees before coming back down. 7KHQ , JRW WR ORJV OLWWOH RQHV Ă€UVW EXW WKHQ WKH ELJ RQHV ZKLFK ZHUH LQWLPLGDWLQJ DW Ă€UVW “The training was a blast, I learned heaps and while it was not as hard as I expected it was still TXLWH GLIĂ€FXOW , WHQGHG WR ULGH D ELW WRR IDVW ZKLFK LV probably a hang-up from my road racing, but I started to get the hang of keeping it slow and tidy. I’ve done a bit of MX/trail riding and I found the Sherco much

MAY 2010 - 69

Trying Trials better suited to the slow stuff than regular WUDLO ELNHV 7KH Ă€UVW WKUHH JHDUV ZHUH super low and the top two gears fast! There’s no seat so you have to stand up the whole time. “At the end of the day Toby and Michelle walked me through one of the stages (you can’t practice on them before a competition event but you can walk them) getting me to look at where I should aim to go during the club trial. One thing that amazed me was watching some of the expert level riders practice. The things they were doing with their bikes was freakish.â€?

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a season if you are at my level. That’s a lot different to spending nearly $500 on a set of racing tyres for my Triumph Daytona and around $300 entry for a road race meeting. Plus, crashing (I did a bit of that) is a whole lot easier on the wallet than if you crash a roadrace bike. ´&RPSHWLWLRQ ZDV GHĂ€QLWHO\ PRUH challenging than training. Some sections I found very challenging and others not so. The point scoring is easy to work out – you get one point for a foot down, two points if you put a foot down a couple of times and three for three or more ‘dabs’. If you stall, fall or ‘fail’ the section you JHW Ă€YH SRLQWV ,I \RX ÂśFOHDQ¡ D VHFWLRQ \RX don’t get any points which is the aim. I JRW D QXPEHU RI œÀYHV¡ DQG D QXPEHU RI ‘zeros’, and also some in between. There ZHUH HLJKW VHFWLRQV ZH KDG WR GR Ă€YH laps of each. You could do them in your own time pretty much and I got quicker as I went along and worked out what the best line was. “I was able to ride with Toby and

Because of Alex’s inexperience it Michelle during the day and watching them was decided he would compete in the gave me more riding tips. Putting them into ‘Clubman’ class. practice wasn’t so easy and I tended to get “There are a number of classes you can into the trap of trying to power up inclines enter, ranging from Clubman to Expert. when I was on them rather than using There are also classes for older twin shock momentum to get me up. bikes too. When I walked one of the “I can see why some road racers use trials stages I saw that there were pointers for WR NHHS WKHLU UHĂ H[HV DQG ELNH FRQWURO VNLOOV HDFK GLIIHUHQW FODVV GHVLJQDWHG E\ VSHFLĂ€F sharp, and it’s heaps of fun colours. The higher the doing it. I was also surprised class the harder it is. at how easy the Sherco was With Clubman you can to ride. Because it was a twogo in at the start and stroke I was expecting it to be ride wherever you like a bit peaky but this wasn’t the really, coming out at case, it was very torquey and the end. You just pick almost like a four-stroke to your own line, you ride. There were a few fourare not guided in any strokes at the club day but particular direction. WZR VWURNHV ZHUH GHĂ€QLWHO\ Because it’s a club the thickest on the ground. meeting you can ride There were even a couple of with a ‘Buddy’ who old Yamaha TY models and marks your stage, and an old Villiers too. you mark theirs. This “Trials hasn’t seen the last is easy enough because of me, I’m going to dust off everyone uses the that old Honda TL250 in same stage area. dad’s shed and have a go in “Signing on and the near future. I’d really like scrutineering was easy, We had a look at a couple of 2010 Sherco models at the trial, to thank Toby and Michelle and cheap. The Manly 250c and 290cc 2-strokes. Minimalist is the best way to describe Coleman for helping me over Warringah Motorcycle them. A chrome-moly frame keeps weight down low and top the weekend and for Don Club ran the meeting shelf gear like Ceriani forks and an Olle shock give you a head Murray at Trialzone for and entry was only start over the rocks. Check out loaning me his bike.â€? $35, and I was told that www.trialzone.com.au or www.shercoracing.com.au for sales – Chris Pickett one set of tyres can last and full specs on the 2010 machines.

70 - MAY 2010

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