KIWI RIDER FEBRUARY 2015

BMW S1000RR

PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS ESSENTIAL

KAWASAKI ER-6N FUN.

FRUGAL.

BARGAIN.



MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2015 KAWASAKI ER-6n BMW S1000RR 2015 DUCATIS YAMAHA YZ250FX YAMAHA TT-R125 APRILIA ETX150

SINCE 1984

   

CROSS COUNTRY RACER IS A HIT FOR YAMAHA



APRILIA’S ETX150 ADVENTURER 2015 DUCATI METAL $10 INCL GST

YAMAHA TT-R125 BURT MUNRO CHALLENGE SUZUKI TRI-SERIES SUMMER CROSS MX FEBRUARY 2015

pro-series cpx-c 1-PIECE LEATHER SUIT Size: 38/XS - 48/2XL RRP: R RR P: $$1499.00 1499 14 499 9 .00

r 14 1-PIECE LEATHER SUIT Sizes: 38/XS - 50/3XL RRP: $899.00

Photo Courtesy of Andy McGechan www.BikesportNZ.com

New Zealand’s top Road Racers all choose RST Leather Suits for their safety and good looks at affordable prices.

SLICE LEATHER LE Sizes: 440/SM 50/3XL C Colours: Black/ White, Black RRP: $$499.00 SLICE LEATHER PANTS Sizes: 30/SM - 36/XL Colours: Black, Black/White RRP: $399.00

r 14 LEATHER JACKET Sizes: 40/SM 54/5XL Colours: Black, Black/ White, RRP: $399.00 r 14 LEATHER PANTS Sizes: 30/SM - 40/3XL Colour: Black RRP: $299.00

short-leg available

ADVENTURE ii

TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: SM/40 - 4XL/52 Colour: Black RRP: $399.00

ADVENTURE ii TEXTILE PANTS

Sizes: SM/30 - 3XL/40 RRP: $249.00

paragon iv TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: SM/40 - 5XL/54 Colours: Black/Gunmetal, Black/Fluro.

RRP: $399.00

paragon iv TEXTILE PANTS Sizes: SM/30 - 3XL/40 RRP: $269.00 short-leg available

blade TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: XS/38 - 5XL/54 Colours: Black, Black/White.

RRP: $269.00

blade TEXTILE PANTS Sizes: SM/30 - 4XL/42 RRP: $199.00 short-leg available

interstate ii

LEATHER JACKET Sizes: 40/SM 56/6XL RRP: $389.00

interstate ii

LEATHER PANTS Sizes: 30/SM - 46/6XL RRP: $389.00 alpha ii TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: SM/40 - 4XL/52 RRP: $199.00

alpha ii TEXTILE PANTS Sizes: SM/30 - 4XL/42 RRP: $149.00

diva ii LADIES TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: 08 - 20 RRP: $249.00

diva ii LADIES TEXTILE PANTS Sizes: 08 - 20 RRP: $179.00

madison LADIES LEATHER JACKET Sizes: 08-20 RRP: $449.00

madison LADIES LEATHER PANTS Sizes: 08-20 RRP: $399.00 MENS REINFORCED JEANS Size: 30/SM 40/3XL CARGO Colour: Brown Camo DENIM Colours: Black Dark Blue, RRP: $179.00

LADIES REINFORCED JEANS Sizes: 08-20 denim Colour: Blue WAX denim Colour: Black RRP: $199.00

pro-series cpx-c LEATHER JACKET Sizes: XS/38 - 5XL/54 Colours: Black, Black/White RRP: $499.00

ventilator iv MENS TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: SM/40 - 5XL/54 Available Colour: Black RRP: $349.00

tech-X Sizes: 38/XS - 50/3XL 1-PIECE SUIT RRP: $129.00 SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT RRP: $65.00 LONG SLEEVE SHIRT RRP: $69.00 PANTS RRP: $79.00

tour master TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: SM/40 - 4XL/52 Available Colour: Black RRP: $249.00

thermal PANTS Sizes: SM/30 XL/36 RRP: $79.00 thermal LONG SLEEVE SHIRT Sizes: SM/30 - XL/36 RRP: $84.00

madison d LADIES LEATHER WATERPROOF GLOVES Sizes: SM-XL RRP: $89.00

tractech evo SPORT GLOVES Sizes: XS-2XL RRP: $169.00

MAYFAIR LADIES LEATHER GLOVES Sizes: SM-XL RRP: $79.00

blade WATERPROOF LEATHER GLOVES Sizes: SM-2XL RRP: $129.00

tractech evo WATERPROOF SPORTS BOOTS Sizes: 40-48 RRP: $269.00

waterproof UNISEX 1-PIECE RAIN SUIT Sizes: S-3XL Colours: Black/Fluro Yellow, Black/Silver RRP: $129.00 er water of proof JACKETT Sizes: S-2XL RRP: $89.00 water proof PANTS Sizes: 30 - 40 RRP: $49.00

thermal VEST Sizes: SM/30 - XL/36 RRP: $80.00

pro-series cpx-c RACE GLOVES Sizes: SM-2XL RRP: $199.00

ellie LADIES TEXTILE JACKET Sizes: 08 - 20 Colours: Silver, Black RRP: $249.00

paragon iv WATERPROOF GLOVES Sizes: XS-2XL RRP: $129.00

raptor ii WATERPROOF LEATHER GLOVES Sizes: XS-2XL RRP: $109.00

shadow ii WATERPROOF GLOVES Sizes: SM-2XL RRP: $79.00

paragon WATERPROOF TOURING BOOTS Sizes: 40-48 RRP: $199.00

raptor ii WATERPROOF MENS BOOTS Sizes: 38-48 RRP: $179.00

trinity WATERPROOF LADIES BOOTS Sizes: 36-40 RRP: $199.00

Order Online @ www.nwa.co.nz

adventure WATERPROOF GLOVES Sizes: XS-2XL RRP: $79.00

urban CITY BOOTS Sizes: 40-47 RRP: $139.00

The

ROAD Top Product Awards

GUIDE

www.roadguide.co.nz

FROM

$

199

rrp

MENS & WOMENS BLACK/BLACK

RJAYS VOYAGER 4 JACKET Features: Polyester 600 denier nylon Removable CE approved elbow and shoulder armour Removable CE approved back protector Elastic Stretch panels at elbows and back of shoulders Power Skin Membrane -100% Waterproof and 100% Breathable Removable quilted liner Reflective material Waterproof zippered air vents Adjustable waist and arms, and zip and velcro cuffs Zip to pants feature Available in Mens and Womens $199rrp.

Mens Fluro Yellow/ Black and Black/Black Mens Stout Jackets $219rrp

$

69

95 rrp

MENS PURSUIT 3 VENTED GLOVE MENS PURSUIT 3 VENTED Our air vented leather Pursuit III Glove has been re-modelled with even more perforations to be an even cooler summer glove.

Features: 100% leather, Fully ventilated perforated leather construction. High Density moulded hard knuckle protection. Dual layered leather palms. Dual stitched in palms. New Velcro wrist closure. Sizes: XS-3XL. $69.95rrp.

95 $

79

RJAYS CANYON MENS GLOVE 100% A-grade drum dyed leather. - Floating vented Knuckle protection. - Double stitched reinforced leather palm. Silicone Rjays logo print on palm for extra feel & control on grip. Available in Black. $79.95rrp.

MENS FLURO YELLOW/BLACK

FROM

$

159

$

RJAYS VOYAGER 4 PANTS Features: Polyester 600 denier nylon Removable CE approved body armour at knees Ultra reinforced knee and bottom panels Power Skin Membrane -100% Waterproof and 100% Breathable Removable quilted liner Reflective material Elastised knee and waist panels Velcro Waist adjustment and zipper and Velcro ultra wide leg cuffs Zip to Jacket feature Sizes: Men's XS-3XL, Ladies XS2XL $159rrp.

Available Mens Stout 1, 2 and 3 $179rrp. rrp

$

249

69

95 rrp

CANYON MENS GLOVE $

VIOLA 2 LADIES GLOVE RJAYS VIOLA 2 LADIES GLOVE This fabulously styled glove has been designed with the lady rider in mind. Made from soft supple genuine leather, it has full protection as well as flair.

Features: 100% A-Grade drum dyed leather - High density flexible molded foam knuckle protection Reflective piping across back of hand - Decorative white stitching - Dual layered leather palms - Dual stitched on palms - New press stud wrist closure Ladies Sizes: 2XS-2XL $69.95rrp.

79

rrp

RJAYS TEMPEST 3 GLOVES MENS + LADIES Features: 100% A-Grade drum dyed leather & ballistic nylon construction - Aqua Sheild liner for added comfort and warmth - 100% Waterproof - 100% Breathable - Reflex material piping across back of hand Elasticated wrist with a Velcro closure - Men's Sizes XS-3XL Ladies Sizes 2XS-XL $79.95rrp.

rrp

Rjays Evo 3 textile jacket Features: Cordura construction for extremely high abrasion resistance. - The latest Powertector C.E. EN1621-1 Approved Body Armour in shoulders and elbows. -Ultra reinforced cordura shoulder and elbow panels. Removable high density foam back protection. - Rjays Aquashield Membrane Liner. - 100% Waterproof. - 100% Breathable. Super active insulation zip out liner. - Super high reflective material.- AAS - Advanced Air-Flow System. - 2 vents in chest, 2 in the arm and 2 under the arms with 4 large exhaust vents across your back. - 10 pockets - 6 in the front, 1 in the tail, 1 behind the storm flap and 2 inside the jacket. Rubber studs. - Adjustable waist and arm adjusters.

- Zip and velcro cuffs. Evo 3 Jacket and Pants are also available for women. $249rrp.

95

TEMPEST 3 MENS & LADIES GLOVE Rjays Tour-Am II Boot The all new Rjays Tour-Am II boots is the perfect all rounder. Whether you are touring around the country, commuting to work or just after a comfortable pair of boots, the Rjays Tour-Am II boot has it all. Features: Super Lightweight, Abrasion Resistant Microbre Construction. 100% Waterproof. 100% Breathable. High Density Ankle Protectors.

Reective Strips at Heal and Toe. Reinforced Toe and Heal. Internal Hard Shell Shin Protection. Gear Shift Pad. 3 Quarter Length Zip with Velcro Closure. Zip has a Velcro tab on the end to keep it in place. Dual stitched. Slip/oil resistance rubber sole. Men's Sizes: 37 - 48. $199rrp.

$

199

rrp

rrp

The

Dirt 09

www.dirtguide.co.nz

HOT PRODUCTS

Guide

$149 $199

4 FINGER

3 FINGER

ZETA PIVOT PERCH FP High quality CNC machined rotating clutch perch with PIVOT LEVER FP CLUTCH. - Clutch perch is made of CNC machined A7009 aluminum. Lever arm is made of forged aluminum for durable construction, more competitive use for MX or ED. - Provides 2 different lever ratios, light pulling and accurate clutch control, by changing position of Ratio Device ( PATENT PENDING ). - Best to use with PIVOT LEVER FP BRAKE. - 3 finger and 4 finger lever arm models are available. - Clutch wire adjuster available in red and blue colors. - Optional hot starter lever is available. $199rrp.

DRC HC2 stand The 2nd generation of New Zealand's top selling DRC MX height control lift stand.

New design features an easily operated durable double long-levered jack-pedal.

New easy “Safety hold hook” prevents accidents and installs after you lift up your bike. Damper shock eliminates sudden drop, provides a smooth, safe landing. Top plate has a thick, non slip rubber surface. The height-adjustable top plate can be secured by lock nut. Maximum lift weight 150Kg. $149.95rrp.

HELMET SERIES 3

$

139

HELMET SERIES 3

$

139 HURRICANE BLK/RED

HURRICANE ORANGE

WILD MULTI HURRICANE BLUE/RED

ONEAL Series 3 Hurricane Helmet Never before has a name-brand helmet with so many features been available in NZ at such a small price. - Shell weight (size large): 1500grams (±50) - Shell is constructed with durable Polycarbonate - Meets ECE 22-05 (Europe) safety standard - Ultra-plush removable/washable padded liner keeps you cool and dry by wicking away sweat Adjustable visor design - Intake and exhaust vents for ventilation and cooling - Durable multi-colored clear coated graphics - Available in 6 cool graphic choices - Replacement parts available - Just $139rrp. Best value in NZ.

$

$

44

95

YOUTH

$

49

95

NX1 Race Collar Reduces neck fatigue Connection loops allow direct connection to chest protectors - Low profile design Removable / Washable liner - Easy front entry system - Sizes: Youth ($44.95) - up to 152cm, less than 48kg and Adult ($49.95) - 152cm, 48Kg+

ADULT

189 159 ADULT

$

$

YOUTH

$

59

24

29

95

NX2 REAR VIEW

95

YOUTH

ONEAL UNDERDOG 2 BODY ARMOUR Features; High impact injection molded plastic - Articulating spine protector - Extensive mesh venting - Adjustable elastic kidney belt - Removable back, forearm & elbow protection - Sizes SM to 2XL. $189rrp. Also available in Youth S to L $159rrp

$

ONEAL PRO 2 KNEE CUPS Oneal Pro 2 Knee Cups offer superior knee and shin protection by utilising moulded custom plastic knee and shin guard. Fully adjustable elastic straps with genuine Velcro closures makes the Pro 2 Knee Cup the perfect fit for any racer. Sizes Kids & Adult. Colour Black $24.95rrp.

$

64

95

ADULT

NX2 Race Collar Protects against axial compression, hyperflexion, hyperextension & lateral hyperflexion. - Easily connects directly to most chest protectors Easy front entry system - Removable / washable liner - Sizes: Youth (59.95) - Up to 152cm, less than 48kg and Adult (64.95) - 152cm+, 48kg+ ONEAL PRO 3 KNEE GUARDS Comfortable knee-shin pad to use under your riding pants Perfect for BMX, MTB or MX (Short shins fit inside boots) Tough plastic knee cap and shin guard - Adjustable elastic straps with Velcro closures provide a secure, snug, and comfortable fit - Exceeds EN1621 safety standard $29.95

95

2015 MODEL

Subscribe Online at www.kiwirider.co.nz or complete this form and post it with your cheque to: Kiwi Rider PO Box 299 Kumeu 0841.

Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone No: _______________________________________Email:______________________________________________ I would like to order:

1 Year (12 Issues) at $89 inc GST

2 Years (24 Issues) at $160 inc GST - Payable by:

Cheque Visa Mastercard Card No: Name on Card:_________________________ Expiry Date_______________Signature:____________________________________ 1. Subscriber promotion remains open till February 28th 2015. 2. Draw will take place on March 6th 2015. 3. Only current 12 and 24 month paid subscribers at the time of the draw will be eligible to win the prize package. 4. The winner will be advised as soon as is practically possible. 6. In the event of the name drawn not being contacted another draw will take place within 24 hours. 7. The winner agrees to the use of their name and image as part of the subscriber promotion. 8. The winner agrees to assume all risks. 9. The prize cannot be redeemed for cash. 10. No correspondence will be entered into. 11. Employees of Kiwi Rider and Suzuki, their agencies and immediate family are not eligible to enter. 12. Offer does not apply to international subscriptions. 14. Information provided will be used for the purpose of recording and managing subscription. You have the right to see the record and correct any information held. It remains the property of Kiwi Rider and may be used for promotional purposes by Kiwi Rider and/or Suzuki. Please Note: Subscriptions are non-refundable, but may be transferred to an alternative beneficiary. For subscription outside NZ,please email admin@ kiwirider.co.nz to obtain a quote for additional airmail costing.

Winning bike.

Celebratory price.

Aprilia has won the WSBK manufacturers championship title for the third consecutive year.

And Sylvain Guintoli’s superior performance won Aprilia their 54th world title.

Let’s celebrate together and expand the victory. For a limited time Aprilia’s world beating machines are available with substantial, celebratory savings.

Everybody wins.

RSV4 Factory Dorsoduro 750 ABS Dorsoduro 1200 Dorsoduro 1200 ABS

To experience the true exhilaration of the ‘Race ready’ RSV4 or the brilliant Dorsoduro range see your Aprilia dealer today or visit aprilia.net.nz

www.aprilia.net.nz

WSBK Price $29,990 $14,990 $16,990 $17,990

You Save $5,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000

DASHBOARD 20

suzuki tri-SERIES NZ’s biggest road racing pre-season opener brought a surprise overall winner.

26

down at the ‘bURT’

Full of the joys of summer, Esdaile rode down to the ‘Burt’ - mostly.

36

FEB 15

20 36

2015 ducati metal Sutherland drew the long straw and tested the Diavel, Panigale 899 and the Monsters.

41 APRILIA ETX150

44

20-odd years after the last ETX from Aprilia comes this little adventure machine.

KAWASAKI ER-6n

44

A bit of tinkering and Kawasaki has turned the ER-6n into a great LAMS machine.

52

52

BMW S1000RR BMW’s top gun brought sports traction control to the masses. It’s still a Maverick.

76

SUMMER CROSS The MX-season’s eagerly-awaited opener thrilled with an outside bet winner.

84

VIRGIN SWAMPS ENDURO

Vintage enduro is on the up. The VSE brought classic bikes out of the woodwork.

96

YAMAHA YZ250FX

Not content with the storming WR250F, Yamaha gives you the YZ250FX.

105

YAMAHA TT-R125

(Mrs) Birchy loves the TT-R and says someone you know might love it too.

76 96

KIWI RIDER

7

Hello...

W EDITOR Ben Wilkins

Contributions: Kiwi Rider welcomes editorial contributions from its readers.

If you would like to write something for KR e-mail a précis to editor@kiwirider. co.nz. Electronic transmission of words (Microsoft Word .doc) and pictures (hi-res jpgs) preferred.

Advertising: Got a hot product or service and want some real bang for your advertising buck? KR offers a complete inhouse advertising design and production service. To find out more talk to: Pete (pete@kiwirider.co.nz) or Todd (todd@kiwirider.co.nz) Published by: McStannic Publishing Ltd Postal Address: P.O. Box 299, Kumeu, Auckland Courier Address: 127 Moire Rd, West Harbour, Auckland.

Phone: 09 416 5307 Fax: 09 416 5308 Publisher: Pete McPhee Office: 09 416 5307 Email: pete@kiwirider.co.nz sales and Marketing: Pete McPhee Office: 09 416 5307 or 0274 748 675 Email: pete@kiwirider.co.nz Bike Mart adertising: Todd Suther­land: 021 709 989 Design/layout: Marcel Norkia: design@kiwirider.co.nz Photographer: Geoff Osborne: Ph 415 2555 ospics1@xtra.co.nz.

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Rodney O’Connor, Roger Moroney, Andy McGechan, Ben Townley, Chris Birch, Michael Esdaile, Jock McLauchlan, Big Dave and Racing Dave.

On-line Editor: David Cohen Office manager: Linda Glasswell Printers: PMP Maxum Distribution: Gordon & Gotch Ltd, McStannic Publishing Ltd. Opinions: Opinions expressed in Kiwi Rider are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publishers accept no liability for any error or omissions contained herein.

Copyright: This magazine is copyright in its entirety. Material may not be printed without the written permission of the publishers. ISSN 1177-0023

8

KIWI RIDER

elcome to the February issue of Kiwi Rider.

Summer finally seems to be into full swing and we’ve had an astonishingly good run of weather over the Christmas and New Year period. It’s been perfect for getting out on the bikes. We’d love to see what you’ve been up to, so please send us your pictures by email to admin@kiwirider.co.nz or by mail to P.O. BOX 299, Kumeu, 0841 to show us what you’ve been up to.

The Summercross at Whakatane and the Suzuki Tri-Series have kicked off the summer’s racing in fine style with a couple of unexpected results in both. The TriSeries overall crown was lifted by an Austrian rider with no prior knowledge of our circuits and the Summercross title was taken by a rider recovering from injury. See page 20 for more on the Suzuki Tri-Series and page 76 for coverage of the Summercross.

Yamaha’s off-road department has been at it again and

launched its YZ250FX, a cross country-specific racer based on the reverse cylinder YZ250F, just weeks after the new WR250F was launched. Dene Humphrey jetted Queenstown to ride the new bike and has come back reaffirming our assertion that Yamaha’s 2015 machines are a serious option for enduro and cross country riders who don’t want to ride a ‘crosser. It’s great to see more options on the table.

Kawasaki’s faired ER-6f is the go for TT racers wanting to win the lightweight class at the Isle of Man, and engine reliability is key. That reliability is key for learners and commuters too, so the news that Kawasaki’s ER-6n is now available as a Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAMS) is welcome. Reliability combined with economy and ease of use makes it a perfect LAMS machine and the more the industry does to attract new riders, the better for all of us. Enjoy the mag. BEN WILKINS

.....................REGULARS.....................

FRONT END 11  NEWS 61  CLASSICS

Norton set for NZ return.

Southern Classic Festival.

2015 racing calendars.

YouTube Gems.

What’s your favourite classic Honda?

65

 2MORORIDER

67

 ROGER MORONEY

67

 REVIEW

ROOST ZONE 71  NEWS

93

 DIRT PRODUCTS

BACK END 108  BIKE MART

Essential services and products for you and your bike.

117

  GASTROM RIDER

114

 EVENTS CALENDAR

118

  KR BIKING BITES

17

 ROAD PRODUCTS Need it, want it, must have it...

Rhys Lawrey hits Costa Rica on his Tiger.

Motorcycling is going through stage...

2015 MX champs wide open.

Gas Gas signs Barragan.

Dirty YouTube Gems.

Being There - Hugh Anderson’s new book.

Everything you need to keep you and your bike in tip-top condition.

Good George Brewery and Dining Hall.

Great destinations for a day or a weekend ride for peckish Kiwi Riders.

BMW Motorrad new Zealand

bmw-motorrad.co.nz

the ultimate riding Machine

all out for adventure WItH BMW Motorrad.

Take to the trails this summer with one of these fantastic dual purpose machines.

Whether you are a first time rider, intermediate, or an enduro expert, BMW has the perfect machine for you!

For more information or a test ride, see your BMW Motorrad dealer or visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.nz

G650 GS

G650 GS Sertao

F800 GS

R1200 GS

LAMS Approved

LAMS Approved

Free Panniers*

The benchmark in adventure riding

$11,995

Cyclespot Euro Takapuna Auckland North Shore 09 486 3077

$13,990

$22,990

$32,990

Experience Boyd Motorcycles Mount Motorcycles Motomart Hampton Motorcycles Hamilton Mount Maunganui Wellington Motorcycles Kingsland 07 838 1209 07 575 4190 04 589 5106 Hornby Auckland City Christchurch 09 845 5950 03 349 8968 * Free Vario panniers with the purchase of a new full specification F800 GS, while stocks last. Prices include GST but not On Road Costs.

taKe and comm

Colour availability may vary from that shown.

thunderbird commander abS $26,590 + on road costs

thunderbird Lt abS $27,990 + on road costs

thunderbird Storm abS $24,990 + on road costs

Thunderbirds are in stock and are all go! Take command and test ride a legend today.

For more information, jump online or contact your local Triumph dealer.

triumphmotorcycles.co.nz

NORTON MOTORCYCLES TO RE-ENTER AUSTRALASIAN MARKETS

N

F Importers, the Australian and New Zealand distributor for Norton Motorcycles, has announced that all ADR formalities and approvals have recently been completed, which now allows for importation and sales to begin.

“With the ADR formalities behind us, it’s a very exciting time as we now look forward to one of the world’s oldest motorcycle marques, founded in 1898, re-entering the Australasian markets after an absence of more than 35 years” said Warren Lee – CEO, NF Importers.

“I’m sure many would understand that the ADR process can be lengthy and we certainly appreciate the understanding and patience of the many very interested customers waiting to purchase.”

The current Norton range comprises the Commando 961 in three model variants, all classically-inspired; the traditional Sport, the sporty Café Racer and the street naked SF. With the first shipment of motorcycles currently en route from the UK, NF Importers is currently finalising its Australasian boutique dealer network which is expected to include;

NZ Cyclespot Group – Auckland NSW Fraser Motorcycles City – Sydney VIC Fraser Motorcycles Melbourne QLD Rocker Motorcycles – Brisbane (new

Redcliffe location) SA Italian Motorcycles – Adelaide WA TBC

Anticipated NZ RRP’s (excluding dealer and statutory charges) are; Commando 961 Sport $35,990 Commando 961 Café Racer $39,990 Commando 961 SF $42,990 All Norton Motorcycles are hand built in Donington, UK and can be custom ordered with a number of factory fit optional extras.

Visit www.cyclespot.co.nz for more information.

Track – road – off-road

annua

l

Road legal • Make up your own custom hoses Now le availab in black

Proudly Presented by: Ducati Owners Club of New Zealand Supported by: NF Importers Pty Ltd

Available through your motorcycle dealer

EBHKR003

Australasian Distributer for Ducati Motorcycles

Visit www.docnz.co.nz For more information

KIWI RIDER

11

showcase

...Essential new ride gear available now from your local dealer.

ugly fish riderz ultimate

muc-off bike cleaner

Ugly Fish Riderz sunglasses are ideal for those who prefer a simple, comfortable, lightweight design when riding. These Ultimate sunnies are perfect for Summer cruising in an open face lid – you’ll remain protected against the sun’s harmful UV rays, whilst not jeopardising the safety of your eyes thanks to the impact resistant lens. They also come with a detachable wind blocker insert to further protect your eyes from debris. Available in a variety of lens options from Ugly Fish stockists.

Every garage or shed should have a bottle of this glorious cleaner. Designed specifically for motorcycles, this classic pink Bike Cleaner has incredible cleaning power because it contains revolutionary Nano Technology that breaks down dirt and grime on microscopic levels, while also caring for your motorbike’s delicate finish.

Unlike some other cleaners, Muc-Off Bike Cleaner is so effective, you apply it to a wet surface and it will still safely and easily remove built up grime. Ideal for superbikes, from cafe racers, dirtbikes and $19 adventure bikes. Available from Muc-Off stockists.

maxima v-twin engine oil

neo sahara jacket

from

$99

from

$18

Looking for a quality oil for your V-Twin Cruiser? Maxima have just released a range of performance oils and fluids specifically formulated for V-Twin motorcycles. Their Mineral Engine Oil is a high-quality, mineral based motorcycle oil with an advanced polymer system that resists mechanical shearing and heat breakdown of the oil, offering unsurpassed viscosity retention. Maxima V-Twin Mineral is engineered protect critical engine components. Grab peace of mind with Maxima protection from your local Maxima stockists and better bike shops.

forma fuji outdry® boot You can forget about soggy, smelly boots with these new Forma boots featuring OutDry® Technology. OutDry® is a new patented process which allows the lamination of the membrane directly to the full leather upper. Unlike regular boots where water penetrates and remains trapped inside between the bootie and the upper, the OutDry® membrane keeps water on the outside surface. Feet stay dry and are completely isolated from humidity. Add to this, protection in critical areas and a great fit, and you have a boot that definitely ticks all the boxes.

Available now from Forma rrp stockists in Euro $379 sizes 39 to 47.

No matter the weather, you’ll always be comfortable and protected with the NEO Sahara Jacket. Outer construction is polyester 600D PU with nylon 1680D PU coating reinforcement, with polyester flow-thru mesh panels for optimum Summer comfort. Detachable waterproof and thermal liners allow for easy conversion from Winter to Summer riding.

Available in sizes S to 7XL.

rrp

$239

kruiserbag saddlebags Kruiserbag’s slant style saddlebags offer a classic look at a price that won’t break the bank. They’re constructed from durable synthetic leather, that offer an authentic leather appearance but with better weather resistance. The buckles too, add to the authentic look, but behind these you’ll also find separate quick release buckles for ease of use – a nice touch. Plenty of adjustability enables the perfect fit for your bike, whether your ride a small, medium or large capacity rrp cruiser. Available where all $239 good bike luggage is sold.

Having trouble locating these fine products? Get your dealer to contact Forbes & Davies Ltd. *Pricing is RRP only and subject to change.

www.forbesanddavies.co.nz

Roaming in the Gloaming The Alpinestars Roam 2 waterproof boot has a waterproof membrane for all-weather riding, a microfibre accordion flex front and extended-flex rear improve movement, layered protection delivers improved feel, three Velcro straps ensure fit, and a removable anatomic foot bed improves support.

Distributor: Crown Kiwi Enterprises Ltd Price: $329.90 Info: crownkiwi.co.nz

Clear as a Bell Bell’s RS-1 bridges the gap between the its topof-the line Star and the Vortex. It gets a lightweight Kevlar-fibreglass composite shell, Velocity Flow ventilation system, an aerodynamic profile to keep your head steady at speed, a ClickRelease visor system for rapid swaps, and a magnetic strap keeper to end flapping strap irritation.

Distributor: Crown Kiwi Enterprises Ltd Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL Price: $549.90 Info: crownkiwi.co.nz Arai Vector 2 Arai’s Vector 2 now gets a new, fully-removable liner, a new chin vent design for more airflow and a new ‘Hyper-Ridge’ reinforcement to the lightweight complex laminate shell’s underside. There are new microfitting cheek and temple pads, which can peel away for a custom fit to your head shape.

Distributor: Northern Accessories Style: Nearly 40 colour options and graphics Price: $749 graphics, $649 plain

Summer Sprints NEO’s Sprint 2 is a summer sport glove featuring leather and Kevlar-reinforced cordura with added protection by way of hard knuckle armour, a reinforced palm, padding on the back of fingers and wrist, double stitching on critical areas, and an adjustable Velcro wrist closure.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Size style: Available in black in sizes S to 4XL. Price: $99

Style and protection The 2.0 Berik jacket aims at style, comfort and safety via 1.1mm to 1.3mm-thick premium full-grain cow leather construction with Super Tense-tex stretch fabric in the arms for flexibility and comfort.

There are CE-approved internal protectors for shoulders and elbows and a zip-out thermal liner with a mesh interior for summer comfort.

Distributor: Darbi Accessories Ltd Size style: Men’s and ladies sizes, black/white/fluoro yellow Price: from $649 Info: motorcyclegearnz.com Speak of the Devil Pirelli says its Diablo Rosso II tyre is a supersport tyre for road use. The bi-compound rear tyre is aimed at giving long life but still with excellent grip, thanks to Enhanced Patch Technology to optimise the contact patch, and a Functional Groove Design to improve wet weather behaviour.

Distributor: Nationwide Price: RRP: from $265.00

Lock, stock and one smoking… Cable HelmetLok secures helmet to bike via the handlebar or frame. Slide one end of the nickel-plated steel cable through your jacket sleeve, hook the loops onto the HelmetLok and attach it to your bike. If your helmet doesn’t have ‘D’ rings, run the cable through the chin piece, loop the ends through your HelmetLok and lock it to your bike.

Distributor: Dold Industries Price: $39.50 lock, $10.95 cable Info: dold.co.nz

Legend-ary Arai Corsair Arai says its Corsair-V ‘Air Wing’ reduces drag, turbulence and buffeting for better rider concentration.

Features include an emergency release cheek-pad system so rescue workers can easily remove the neck roll and cheek pads, a PB SNC shell for the ultimate strength, lightness and flexibility combo and an exhaustive array of vents.

Distributor: Northern Accessories Size style: 20 different colour choices, inc graphics and solids (featured graphic, Jonathan Rea 3), various skull cap and cheekpad options deliver 24 size combos Price: from $1195 for solid colours and $1295 for Graphics.

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All zipped up These Berik leather trou give you protection but also superb comfort and flexibility.

CE-approved internal protectors are in the hips and knees, with tail bone padding and removable knee sliders. There’s double-layer leather reinforcement on the seat and a connection zip to join them to the Berik Tech jacket, or other jackets.

Distributor: Darbi Accessories Ltd Style: Black/white/fluoro yellow Price: from $599 Info: motorcyclegearnz.com

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend The Forma Ladies Diamond Boot features a full-grain leather upper, Drytex waterproof lining, shin and ankle TPU-moulded plastic protection, gear pad protection, Velcro and zip closure, a rear elastic calf expansion insert for added comfort and wide-ranging fit, and an anti-slip rubber sole.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Size: Euro 35-42 Price: $285 Low-fat Lids Nolan bills its XLITE X1003 as the lightest full-featured flip-face lid, at just 1480g. The X1003 uses a composite fibre outer shell in three sizes and a full touring ventilation system and there’s a dual-action double safety chin-guard opening system, an inner sun visor and removable/washable liner.

Distributor: Eurobike Wholesale Ltd Price: From $799 Info: eurobike.co.nz

Rebel with a cause Neo’s Rebel Jacket is retro-styled and features a high-quality genuine-cowhide supple leather outer, reinforced shoulders, polyester mesh comfort lining, a detachable thermal lining, CE elbow & shoulder protection plus a foam back protector, an adjustable waist, and rear zipper for attachment to trousers.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Size style: S to 4XL Price: $479.00 Water-free Voyage Spidi’s Voyager is a women’s touring glove, lined with microfleece and 80g hollow-fibre wadding for warmth. It features a waterproof/breathable and wind-breaking membrane to keep rain out and there are reinforcements on the little finger and side of hand along with a knuckle shield.

Distributor: Eurobike Wholesale Ltd Price: $139 Info: Eurobike.co.nz Modular Lids FFM’s new-for-2015 Urban 3 has dual air filtration at the brow and integrated rear vents. A quick-release chinbar converts the helmet to an open-face lid, there’s a quick-release anti-scratch visor and a micrometric fastening buckle, plus a flip-down sun visor inside and a removable, washable comfort liner.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Size style: Black or white, sizes XS to XL Price: $139 MotoGP takes to a track near you Inspired by MotoGP, Berik’s 2.0 Force one-piece leather race suit is constructed of premium full-grain cow leather, Super Tense-tex stretch fabric at elbow, crotch and knee-back, and a removable mesh lining. There’s armour at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, an aero hump, neoprene collar, cuff and hem and double-layer leather in high-wear areas.

Distributor: Darbi Accessories Ltd Price: from $1495 Info: motorcyclegearnz.com

Venture further with more Ventura’s Bike-Pack System is a great functional luggage rack and pack system that custom fits to your bike, and with the right choice of bags can accept all the gear you’ll need. Now available for Kawasaki ZX-10R, ZX-10R ABS (2011–14), Honda CRF250R (2011–13), CBR300R (2014), Honda CRF250L (2013–14) Distributor: Dold Industries Ltd Price: Varies Info: dold.co.nz

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EW N B O O !

K A coffee table book of stunning colour images and detailed histories of iconic New Zealand motorcycles. Outstanding photography by Geoff Osborne, NZ’s foremost motorcycle photographer.

Words by Shane Kelly offer a fascinating insight into the history of the marque, the individual bikes and the people associated with them.

Bikes featured include: Suzuki XR69 – Graeme Crosby’s rare works example.

Yamaha TZ750 – the greatest Grand Prix motorcycle of all time?

Suzuki RN400 – multiple championship winner and one of a few works models.

Ken McIntosh’s mighty Manx Norton and Egli Vincent – engineering excellence Bultaco TSS125 – featuring an interview with champion rider Ginger CZ360 twin port – this ultra rare CZ model changed the motocross world.

GeoffOsborne_AD_halfPg.indd 1

hugh_01_JAN15_AD_halfPg.indd 1

Triumph TR5 and Yamaha DT1 - both created new directions in sport motorcycling.

In-depth interviews with motorcycling greats including: Graeme Crosby, John Boote, Ginger Molloy, Ivan Miller, Peter Ploen and Stu Avant.

And passionate enthusiasts: Ken McIntosh, Alistair Wilton, Russell Burling and John Nicholson.

Classics – Great Motorcycles and People is a terrific read, and you don’t have to be an enthusiast to find this book highly entertaining.

Numbers are limited so BUY NOW from www.apexbikes.co.nz $55.00 + freight.

30/10/14 12:47

KIWI RIDER

5/01/15 12:50

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First-time Austrian entrant does enough to claim overall Tri-Series title.

Words & photos: Andy McGechan/BikesportNZ.com

A

man with no prior knowledge of superbike racing in New Zealand defied the odds to wrap up the 2014 Suzuki Series, the country’s biggest season-opening pre-nationals competition, at the third and final round in Wanganui on Boxing Day. Racing on the notorious Cemetery Circuit, around the public streets of Wanganui, was the third new track he had tackled during his Kiwi racing debut, but, once again Austrian visitor Horst Saiger proved himself a fast learner.

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Although he didn’t win the day at Wanganui’s final round of the Suzuki Series ­­- that honour instead going to vastly-experienced former New Zealand superbike champion Tony Rees (Honda CBR1000RR), of Whakatane, now a four-time winner at Wanganui - the Kawasaki-mounted Saiger still did enough to clinch the formula one class overall.

Saiger, a Liechtenstein resident, took his Red Devil racing Kawasaki ZX-10R to finish third in the first of two Formula One/Superbike races on Boxing Day and backed that up with a solid fifth in the next race, enough

Horst Saiger - Tri-Series Winner

for him to win the series outright, finishing the competition three points clear of Taupo’s Scott Moir (Promoto Suzuki GSX-R1000). Saiger also finished fifth in the Robert Holden Feature Race.

Saiger had stunned the Kiwi superbike fraternity when he scored back-to-back wins at the series opener at Hampton Downs at the start of December and then maintained his advantage with 5-2 results at round two at Manfeild, near Palmerston North, a week later.

He arrived at Wanganui with a healthy 10-point lead over Moir and, with

no prior knowledge of the unique public streets circuit, he wisely decided that a cautious approach was in order.

But the likeable 43-year-old still managed to put on a show for the postChristmas crowd.

“It was great to come here and win this series... but I was always counting up the points in my head during the races. It was hard to pass the riders, especially with me not knowing the circuit,” said Saiger.

“I pushed hard to win the final race but felt I was riding over the edge.

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F

rom the moment we climbed over the toe of the Blue Mountains and got our first glimpse of the Hokonui Hills off to the west, the stiff breeze we’d enjoyed on our backs in the run along the Clutha River turned into a real challenge.

Riding the twists and turns of State Highway 90 was transformed into a form of land-based yachting: we tacked into the sudden blasts of cold air and jinked the other way again to ensure we kept on the tarmac.

As a result we were not thinking of the founder of Todd Motors, whose cottage lay a few kilometres to the west, at Heriot. Nor were we thinking about the fact the pine forests to our left were owned by a Malaysian company called Earnslaw One. Ahead, Josh MacDougall negotiated a long sweeping left-hander on his Honda VFR400 – rider and bike completely vertical into the wind – but was still able to pass through the turn at a steady 100km/h. It would have been great footage to capture with an on-board video camera: perhaps we could advise the gullible that this was a new Southland cornering technique…

Then another savage gust hit and such fanciful notions disappeared. This required maximum concentration.

Some fellow south-bound riders commented that they slowed right up in this gale but we found it best to keep on the throttle and drive into it. The wide-ish handlebars on the CB500X I was riding helped considerably in that regard, and once again I was reminded just how competent this 471cc Honda parallel twin is as a touring bike.

I had joined the Blue Wing Honda Tag Along ride to the Burt Munro Challenge at Christchurch. Work commitments had made it impossible to join the ride from Blue Wing’s Auckland Airport base as originally planned, so I took over the CB500X from Jacqui Madelin at midday on the Tuesday before the Burt.

This was the second year Blue Wing had run a trip to the Burt, with Chief Executive Officer Alan Petrie leading from the front, camping at night and visiting Honda dealers along the way. I am old-fashioned enough to think this is a Good Thing. It has been a while since Blue Wing has enjoyed such passionate leadership.

I was equally determined to show the Blue Wing executives that the CB500 is a very competent motorcycle that is not at all out of its element out on the highways of New Zealand.

Not only was it able to keep up on the fast open stuff, show it a winding road and it was off the leash. Hey, this was too much fun, and no battering wind was going to make it any less so. Printer’s deadlines be damned!

It had been sprinkling rain as we left Christchurch but it cleared before we got to Ashburton. It was fine from there until just north of the Waitaki River, when rain combined with spray from stock trucks made overtaking a

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s finished, it

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650SS Norton Peter Mills’ immacu late

1962 Norton 650SS

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little difficult at times. But after copping a bit of over-spray from one of the numerous dairy farm effluent sprinklers, wiping the dregs off my visor seemed unwise. It was a case of waiting until the water droplets got big enough to run off, then give it a wipe.

Aaron Slight was a little better protected from the wet, tucked in behind the fairing of the new VFR800, but still noted passing some of the trucks was a bit of a mission. He had joined the

Teretonga

ride and was basically ‘running in’ the V4 before running it in the hill climb and in the races at Teretonga.

He was under no illusion the sport-touring VFR would hold a candle to 1000cc Superbikes on the track, but as a Honda ambassador he was prepared to do a bit of flag waving, something appreciated by the fans. They would have been even more impressed if they had known he raced it on the same tyres he rode

Words and photos: Michael Esdaile

Keeping your bike on the road in the face of gale-like gusting cross-winds, enduring freezing rain running down your neck and laying awake in your tent wondering if the next gust is going to whisk you away is all part of the Challenge of ‘the Burt’.

Rickman Matchless scrambler with roa d wheels, in the pit lane at Wy ndham

y 500 Triumph

s tid Stuart McElrea’

down to Invercargill, in something of a return to the ‘ride it to the track, race it, and ride it home’ approach that marked the very early years of production racing. I hadn’t seen anyone do that since Paul Wright rode his Kawasaki Z1 from Dunedin to Blenheim, raced in the Hawkesbury road races, then rode it back to Dunedin.

We’d taken a fair battering from the wind by the time we were on the final approach to Invercargill and Josh turned off onto

State Highway 98 as he sought out his accommodation. We ploughed on to Southland Honda. With the Long Track at Ascot Park cancelled due to a lack of entries, we enjoyed the spread provided by proprietors Gary and Liz Holmes before getting an early night.

HILL CLIMB The wind was still howling and there was rain looming as competitors got ready for the New

Zealand Hill Climb Championships on Bluff Hill next morning. The rain arrived in time for the first practice runs up the hill and with a nicely wet road, no one was going hard. In fact a lot of the spectators turned tail and fled, many to the warmth of the local hostelries (of which there are quite a few) rather than cling on to the hillside in the face of nature’s fire hose.

The road dried off in time for the second practice sessions, by which time Ken McIntosh

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Ducati metal for 2015

Words: Todd Sutherland / Photos: Geoff Osborne

W

e discovered on the recent Ducati launch that with the latest bunch of bikes from the Italian stable, a few button pushes can literally transform your experience. One minute it’s all kisses on the cheek, mwah, mwah‌ the next... a kick in the arse, ggrrrr, grrrrrr.

You might expect that from a beautiful, highly-strung Italian woman, but is it as exciting or useful from a motorcycle? We set out on a couple of days away together to find out if there was a chance of a long term relationship.

The technically advanced bikes of today make this possible through the use of electronics, enabling bikes to have multiple personalities. If you want to go out on the town with a wild child but also like to enjoy the occasional more relaxed outing, electronics make it possible with just the one bike. All of this is made possible by changing ignition timing, fuelling,

the level of traction control and ABS and other electronic interventions. You may not have it all, but you certainly can tap into a range of the Latin temperaments.

Common among all these latest bikes, save the Diavel, is the design philosophy first seen on the 1199 Panigale (and the Britten before that‌). This sees the engine form a large component of what traditionally was the frame of the bike.

What you are left with are front and rear sub-structures joined onto the engine. This includes a steel sub-frame of large diameter thin wall tubes that supports the steering head at one end, while at the other end, the swing-arm bolts almost directly to the engine. The seat and tail support structure is also connected to the engine. This has changed the overall look of the Monsters a little, but the trellis frame style remains.

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“

/ForbesandDaviesLtd

Photos: Geoff Osborne

We sent Michael Esdaile out to have some funky commuting fun with Aprilia’s small-bore, alternate adventurer.

T

here’s a new Aprilia in the New Zealand market, and it is quite a departure from previous models seen here. The brand is best known for its RSV Mille and Tuono models and more recently the RSV4 Superbike. In the smaller capacity segment, the RS250 commanded a tiny but enthusiastic following while the pocket racer RS125 barely moved off showroom floors.

But those earlier small displacement Aprilia two-strokes were mighty expensive. Not so with the new ETX150, which will set you back just

$3000, or less than the cost of a curved screen television set, and much more fun.

The ETX tag was originally used by Aprilia in the pre-Piaggio era when it offered a two-stroke ETX125 as well as a four-stroke ETX350. But that was the best part of 30 years ago.

This new Aprilia – which is not yet available in Australia – harks back to the ‘enduro’ style of the old ETX models. But where the old ETXs had a trail bike look, the new one is basically a road bike with higher

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With its big bike looks Kawasaki’s rather versatile ER-6nl has added another shot of life into the learner and commuter market.

T

he recipe… take one proven 650 parallel twin, add some electronic hokery pokery to limit the horsepower, and you have a LAMS-compliant machine that is of full stature and has the potential to suit a wide range of people. Kawasaki states that it brings fun and style with the ER-6n, and Big Green has hit the nail squarely on the head with its learnertweaked ER-6n, as long as your expectations are aligned to the type of bike – a fun, reliable and practical learner or commuter machine that represents great value for money.

MILD MANNERED The bike rolls out the door with around 35kW, which may not sound much, but it is in keeping with a bike aimed at helping learner riders experience the joy and fun of riding on two wheels. Kawasaki has done a wonderful job of putting its superb parallel twin motor to full effect by providing oodles of torque - 55Nm - in a way that is not intimidating for newer riders.

Interestingly the torque figure is only 9 less than the 53kW full power machine.

The real strength with this version of the parallel twin is how Kawasaki has managed to fatten the torque from around 4000 to 7000rpm, resulting in good, useable roll-on power. The fuel-injection is smooth and is not at all snatchy.

The bike accelerates nicely so that novice riders can easily build their confidence without any intimidating surprises.

Now, being LAMS, the bike does have a compromise with a noticeable flattening in power above 7000rpm. This does not get in the way of the bike around town or on the open road though; just hook another gear and use the torque. The available torque means that you can easily pass cars without bothering to downshift. One thing that is missing on this bike is vibration. Kawasaki has done a good job to produce an exceptionally smooth machine.

Overall the power on the ER-6n is predictable yet plentiful, and it comes with the added bonus of less than a litre of fuel burned for every 20km travelled.

GREEN MACHINE In the flesh this bike is striking in Kawasaki green. However, the greenery doesn’t end there as the LAMS ER6-n has a few other notable features on top of the exceptional fuel economy that tip this machine in the climate’s favour. Kawasaki engineers have combined the efficient fuel injection with a 3-way catalyser inside the muffler to really lower the emissions.

On the digital speedo there is an ECO symbol to remind you if you are riding efficiently and the real-time fuel economy rating is actually quite

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fun to challenge yourself with – especially on longer rides. Featuring a 16 litre fuel tank, long distance travel is quite achievable on the ER as between fills you should easily get a more than respectable 320km. If you are a little restrained with the throttle then up to 380km or more between fills is not out of the question.

REFINEMENTS Kawasaki refined the ER-6n range in 2012 with a move towards a more aggressive streetfighter styling, and it states that the bike’s lines move forward and downward to suggest a crouching countenance. In the real world the lines work together with a result like a welltailored suit.

The bike is well finished and it is clear that Kawasaki has paid attention to the small detail.

A good example is the very tidy welding on the frame. Dropping the ball here would have been a real shame for Kawasaki as the double-pipe perimeter-style frame is a centrepiece.

The bike retains the characteristic offset laydown rear suspension and Kawasaki’s useful under-over headlight to help you see in the dark. The more compact front has resulted in a new smaller instrument panel. To accommodate this smaller size the key had to be moved closer to the fuel filler lid.

SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE This machine comes with simple but effective suspension. On square edged bumps the bike is superb, you hardly notice the bumps. In general it is firm but not harsh, and I suspect as it wears in it will smoothen up further.

Like any bike in this class, the adjustments you can make to the suspension really only come in the form of spring preload on the rear shock. Of course, there is always the option of consulting a suspension tuner if you really want more. But I personally wouldn’t bother, as the bike is great value and the suspension does exactly what you might expect from it – soaks up the bumps and keeps the bike pointed where you want to go without any surprises.

Combined with the grip from the Dunlop tyres the package is stable and predictable should you wish to attack your local country roads.

CITY SLICKER The ER-6n is excellent around town as it is compact, light and swift to change direction, flicking left and right with minimal effort. The key to the narrow and compact nature of the ER-6n is its 649cc liquid-cooled four-stroke parallel twin. The engine also has a triangular layout of the crankshaft and transmission shafts which Kawasaki says makes the engine very

Words: Chris Baylis / Photos: Geoff Osborne

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BMW S1000RR

Words: Ben Wilkins / Photos: Geoff Osborne, BMW Motorrad

S

ports bikes aren’t comfy. Sports bikes are too focused. Sports bikes belong on the track. I’m sure you’ve heard all of these arguments against having a sports bike. And it can be tricky to argue otherwise to someone who’s looking from a touring or adventure bike saddle’s viewpoint. Take Vege, our publisher, as a case in point. He’s clearly the ‘wrong’ shape for an aggressive, sporty riding position – and he will happily admit this fact. But for the purist, a sports bike on the road is a precision tool.

The Isle of Man TT is the toughest test for a sports bike on the public road. BMW’s S1000RR won three Isle of Man TT classes there in 2014 at the hands of Michael Dunlop.

If it’s good enough for Dunlop around the TT, it’s good enough for me on my favourite roads.

A mid-week getaway aboard Germany’s finest Bahn-stormer showed this to be the case.

Hopping aboard the RR for the first time it’s obvious there’s not a lot of room for manoeuvre.

I kinda imagine this is how it must feel to be a fighter pilot climbing into the cramped cockpit of multi-million dollar figher jet. The pegs are high, the bars are low and the screen minimal.

There’s no frippery or anything that isn’t for the

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riding experience. The S1000RR is one of the fastest and most agile motorcycles ever built and has all the technology to go with it.

Adjustable ‘race’ ABS, multi-mode Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) system and adjustable power characteristics (depending on road conditions, or just as your mood takes you) are all there at the flick of a switch or the press of a button. In fact, it’s all a little bewildering at

BMW’s S1000RR won the Isle of Man TT and, while we wait for stocks of the 2015 machine, one can be picked up for a steal at your local dealer...

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53

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Classics

Words: Rhys Jones

Which is your favourite Honda?

I

was looking through a book intended for non-professional collectors and restorers of Honda motorcycles, from 1959 to 1985. Honda has been, and still is, such a powerhouse in motorcycling that it isn’t surprising so many of their bikes have become collectable. From the very beginning in 1948, the man who started it all, Soichiro Honda, had a dream that his motorcycles would become dominant in the international marketplace. Four years later the first Honda was exported to the Philippines, not surprisingly called the Honda Dream. In 1959 the official American Honda Motor Company opened in Los Angeles, and Honda was on its way. I was beginning to think of how many Hondas we have featured in this column since it began in 2007. The answer is eight, which is more, understandably, than any other make.

First came the C100, launched in 1958, it changed the way people travelled throughout Asia, and also the third-world. The bicycle was

the commonly used form of mass transport in many countries, and the little Honda gave them, for the first time, affordable motorised transport. It is less obvious why the C100 captured most of the rest of the world. Americans took to the C100 in numbers. It was clean, efficient and, most of all, easy to ride. People who never thought of riding a motorcycle bought a C100.

Fifty-eight years later production is now based in Vietnam. How many have been sold depends on the source. I have seen figures as high as fifty million. I have also heard it compared to Ford’s model T, and the VW Beetle. It is undoubtedly the biggest selling motorcycle of all time, and some say the biggest selling vehicle of any type.

When Elvis Presley announced in the 1964 movie Roustabout that he would get himself ‘one of those Hondas’ he was referring to a CB77. The CB72 Hawk was a 250 and the CB77 Super Hawk

Honda C100

Honda CB77

Super Hawk

Honda CB750

www.protectainsurance.co.nz or phone 0508 CLASSIC KIWI RIDER

61

Yamaha adventure rides 2014 13 & 14 December YAMAHA Far North Adventure Ruakaka Beach. Northland. 2 day, self navigated adventure ride using “route sheets.” Suitable for big dual-purpose adventure bikes and road legal trail and enduro motorbikes.

2015 10,11,12 January YAMAHA Great Southern Safari Gore and Invercargill. Southland. 3 day, self navigated adventure ride using “route sheets.” Fully catered and accommodated. Suitable for all BIG adventure bikes.

18 - 22 January YAMAHA Wild West Coast Trail St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes. 5 day, guided adventure trail ride. Fully catered and accommodated. Suited to road legal trail and enduro motorbikes.

31 January & 1 February YAMAHA ‘Looking for Adventure’ Training Raglan, Waikato. One full day of adventure ride training and the following day of actual adventure riding.

Learn all the skills required to really excel at adventure riding. Suited to road/tar seal riders on suitable adventure type motorbikes.

7 - 10 February YAMAHA Mt. Ruapehu Trail National Park - Central Plateau. 4 day guided adventure trail ride. Fully catered and accommodated.

Suited to road legal trail and enduro motorbikes.

7 - 10 March YAMAHA East Cape Trail Gisborne & East Cape. 4 day, guided adventure trail ride. Fully catered and accommodated. Suited to road legal trail and enduro motorbikes.

17 - 20 April YAMAHA Northern Exposure Trail Far North region. 4 day, guided adventure trail ride.

Fully catered and accommodated. Suited to road legal trail and enduro motorbikes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT mike@adventurerides.co.nz Phone 021 284 9047 www.adventurerides.co.nz

LATEST DIRT NEWS X F 0 5 2 Z Y G N I N N U T S YAMAHA’S 2014 SUMMER CR OSS WINNERS VIRGIN SWAMPS VINTAGE ENDURO YAMAHA TT-R125 Must-have Dirt Gear KIWI RIDER

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www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com

Continue the

tradition

of victory The 2015 Husqvarna motocross range is the pinnacle of 110 years of motorcycle production history.

Agile handling complements class-leading performance, allowing riders to go faster for longer. Compact powerplants rest in nimble chrome-moly frames, delivering exceptional handling thanks to the latest WP Suspension system. Top end equipment as standard which includes hydraulic clutch and crash-resistant composite subframe featuring tool-free air filter access. The tradition of victory is built into the 2015 Motocross range to give you the technical edge.

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2 Strokes MY 2015 TC8517/15 TC8519/16 TC125 TC250 4 Strokes MY 2015 FC250 FC350 FC450

TOUGH JOB TO PICK MX WINNERS

I

t is never easy picking winners months before a competition begins, but there are plenty of individuals who are likely to challenge when the 2015 New Zealand Motocross Championships kick off in February.

All bets are off for the four-round Backflips Clothing-sponsored nationals, all set to kick off at the Barrett Road Motorcycle Park, on the outskirts of New Plymouth, on February 8.

The riders then pack up their belongings and head south to The Dirt Farm at Pleasant Point, near Timaru, for round two on February 22.

Round three hits Rotorua on March 8 and the series then wraps up at the fourth and final round at Harrisville, near Pukekohe, on March 15.

The defending champions are perhaps the favourites to reclaim their respective trophies in the MX1 and MX2 (250cc) categories, but the National 125cc class will be wide open as last year’s champion, Hamilton teenager Josiah Natzke, steps up to tackle the MX2 division.

Otago’s Courtney Duncan looks a likely new winner in the 125cc class, with her recent form at the MX Fest at Taupo in October and then her dominant display at the Auckland Motocross Championships in early December signalling very clear intentions. The Kiwi international has been in a class all of her own lately, but she will need to have respect for riders such as Onewhero’s Jayden Turnwald, Hawera’s Nick Hornby, Auckland’s Claude Griffith, Ngatea’s Ben Broad and Pukekohe’s Kurtis Lilly, to name a few.

Mount Maunganui’s national MX1 champion Cody Cooper continues to make his comeback from injury and, by the start of February, will no

By Andy McGechan

doubt be back to top form and ready for his title defence. However, he should be wary indeed of the recent hot form of Taupo’s national MX1 No.3 Brad Groombridge, winner of the MX1 class at MX Fest and at Auckland as well.

Both Cooper and Groombridge will have a huge fight on their hands too, with riders such as Queenstown’s Scott Columb, Rotorua’s John Phillips, Mount Maunganui’s Rhys Carter and Waitakere’s Ethan Martens all expected to threaten.

Waikato’s multi-time former national champion and former Grand Prix rider Darryll King remains a contender and visiting Australian superstars Kirk Gibbs and Luke Styke add an international flavour to the MX1 class.

Mangakino’s national MX2 class champion Kayne Lamont was impressive on his recent comeback from injury, winning the MX2 class at Auckland, and he’ll be keen to sharpen his skills with a successful title defence before he heads to the United Kingdom for a British Motocross Championships campaign in 2015.

Australians Jay Wilson and Caleb Ward cross the Tasman to keep him honest, although Natzke will perhaps be Lamont’s biggest threat. Natzke will embark on a European motocross campaign immediately after the nationals.

British visitor Rob Holyoake, Te Puke’s Logan Blackburn, Dunedin’s Campbell King, Atiamuri’s Hadleigh Knight, Mangakino’s Cam Dillon, Hamilton’s Jesse Wiki, Rotorua’s Scotty Canham, Taupo’s Cohen Chase and Oamaru’s Joel Meikle should all feature near the front too.

Photo: Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Taupo’s Brad Groombridge (Suzuki RM-Z450), among the favourites to lift the MX1 crown this coming season

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rd 43 Honda

Rhys Carter

Whakatane Summercross Comeback ride a spectacular success for Rhys Carter at 2014 Summercross.

Words & photos: Andy McGechan

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N

obody expected Mount Maunganui’s Rhys Carter to be so fast so soon, perhaps least of all the man himself. The 25-year-old Suzuki ace was in his first comeback ride after sustaining a broken wrist in July, an injury that forced him to abandon his successful Australian Motocross Championship campaign, and it was perhaps only an extreme optimist who would believe that Carter could be fit enough to challenge for the premier MX1 class crown in his New Zealand debut on the big bike at the annual Whakatane Summercross just after Christmas.

However, he not only challenged for the main trophy, he took it away with him late on that Sunday afternoon of December 28.

The Bel Ray Pro Rider Suzuki Team was naturally thrilled to see Carter so quickly back to top form, especially since their other MX1 class rider, Taupo’s Brad Groombridge, was less than 100 percent that weekend after he’d torn his shoulder ligaments when he crashed his mountain-bike while training just before Christmas.

So it was refreshing for the Suzuki camp that Carter could steal the spotlight instead. In his first competitive outing in six months, Carter posted a 2-1-2-2-5 score-card, winning the MX1 class by two points from The Honda Shop Racing Team’s John Phillips, of Rotorua, with Phillips’ Honda team-mate and reigning

national MX1 champion Cody Cooper, of Mount Maunganui, taking the third spot on the podium, another four points further back.

It was perhaps an especially significant victory for Carter, with him beating his former flat-mate Cooper, the man who was also his former Suzuki team-mate and who has held the national MX1 crown for the past two seasons.

“Today has caught me a little bit by surprise.

Of course it felt great to beat the champion,” said Carter afterwards.

“I qualified fourth fastest and that, in itself, was something of a surprise, particularly considering that this was my first time behind a start gate in such a long time.

“For me to get good starts and run up the

Mike Phillips

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P

erfect weather and a good turnout made NZ’s inaugural vintage enduro ride a great success. Held at Riverhead Forest near Auckland, the Virgin Swamps Vinduro was hosted by the innovative and hard-working Waitemata MCC. The VSE, one of NZ’s earliest enduro events, was first run in 1974, in the same forest where the WMCC still run a variety of trail rides, cross country and enduro events. Remarkable also was that the event’s original organisers proved to be as enduring: Tjebbe Bruin and I again combined to organise the 2014 ride just like we did forty years ago.

The 48km course threw all the usual Riverhead ingredients at the riders - clay tracks, hills, gravel roads and some of the rutty and root-infested jungle single-track the VSE was famous for. For the 40th reunion the gnarly stuff was however limited in recognition of the age of most of the

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riders and machines. With just the right balance of challenging and open trails, ear-to-ear grins were seen all round.

The machinery proved to be as varied as the track, the most popular bikes being Yamaha IT, Suzuki PE and Honda XR models from the 1980s.

The Classic 1970s era was represented by Honda XL models, several Suzuki TS trail bikes, and a rare (in NZ) MR 175 Honda, snapped up on Trade Me two weeks before the ride. The sole Vintage four-speed class entrant was Peter Groves who rode a ‘just in time’ prepared Triumph TR5T. The Triumph purred around the course and was rated easily the best-sounding bike on the day.

Entries were taken in five classes. These classes are slightly different to the more familiar vintage motocross classes and based on the technology leaps over the decades, rather than absolute model years as is usually

Celebrating 40 years of Enduro in NZ

Words: John Nick / Photos: Geoff Osborne, Gus Stephens

the case. Under this system the real old-timers are divided into the mostly pre-1970 Vintage four-speed class and the short travel Classic class of the early 1970s. Following these are three Evolution classes: Evo 1 for long travel twin shock, and non-rising rate single shock machines of the later 1970s and early 1980s, Evo 2 for those bikes with linkage-equipped single shocks, and finally Evo 3 for bikes with a liquid cooling and/or ta disc front brake.

The field included many interesting bikes, some obviously freshly dragged out from sheds and dusted off for the ride, but many more well-restored, some to showroom condition, or even better. In addition a number of bikes were on display, including a pristine Maico, a NZ homebuilt special and a 1960s ISDE replica Triumph Trophy. Also well received were the display boards featuring enlargements of images taken over

the decades. Another innovation was the implementation of an overall handicap system to take into account the age of the bike and rider.

The system is still a work in progress, but it did throw up enough of a variety of bikes and riders in the results to show great promise.

Fastest rider on the course was KR tester Dene Humphrey on a Yamaha IT250, but the very popular overall handicap win went to enduro stalwart Kevin Sargent riding a Suzuki TS250 trail bike in the Classic class.

The win was especially significant to Kevin who was the only rider entered who also completed NZ’s first enduro at Raglan in 1974.

True to tradition the entire event was as informal as any enduro 40 years ago, with many old friends reunited. There was also a surprise D-list celebrity appearance by the VSE’s legendary trophy girl Virginia who presided over the after-ride festivities.

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• 999cc EFI Engine with Polaris Variable Transmission • Quick Acceleration - 0 to 80 km/h in 5.3 Seconds. 123 km/h Top Speed • 2” Front & 2.5” Rear Walker Evans Anti-Bottoming Needle Shocks • Exclusive 29” Maxxis Bighorn Tyres • Dual Rate / Dual Springs with 16-Position Adjustable Clickers • High Performance On Demand True All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System • Factory Fitted Doors, Adjustable Driver & Passenger Seats and Adjustable Steering Wheel • All-New High-Flow Clutch Intake System provides twice as much airflow • 4 Seat model also available 0800 440 290 | www.polaris.co.nz |

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Radiator protection The USA-made Works Connection radiator braces are now available for the 2015 CRF450R as well as a long list of other models. These things reinforce radiators, using CNC-formed aircraft-grade aluminium fixed via rubber vibration isolators. They bolt on behind the radiator shrouds and include the mounting hardware. The same brand also makes skid plates, launch controls, clutch lever systems and more.

Distributor: Crown Kiwi Enterprises Ltd Price: from $89.90 for 85cc MX bikes, $179-$215.50 for full-size machines Info: crownkiwi.co.nz Kids in Kommand The Scott Junior Commander CE chest protector is form fitting i.e. less bulky, with CE-approved impact protection.

Articulated plates on the back panel alleviate excess pressure and discomfort when wearing a neck brace – and most popular neck braces, including the Atlas Youth Prodigy model, can be used with the Scott Commander.

Distributor: Darbi Accessories Ltd Size style: XS = (years 5-8) SM = (8-11)- Approved CE EN1621-2(back), EN14021(chest) Price: from $ 149.00 Info: motorcyclegearnz.com Go like the Pros Arai’s brand-new VX-Pro 4 is the product of years of experience and may just be the ultimate off-road helmet. The shell is formed from layers of complex laminate and composite fibre layers to increase reinforcement without adding weight. Easy-to-clean diffusers to channel air, centre top and under-peak air intakes, an inner chin vent shutter to keep dust out and goggle ventilation are among the features listed.

Distributor: Northern Accessories Size style: In six graphics or matte black and white Price: $799 (graphics) or $749 (black or white)

The Falco has landed Falco says it delivers the utmost skills in designing and manufacturing boots for motorcycle riding, and its designers constantly strive to deliver total quality and customer satisfaction. This Falco 411 Mixto waterproof boot is the result. Built from a full-grain leather upper, it gets a High Tex waterproof-membrane lining, a contoured PU moulded shin plate, a self-locking buckle closure and a leather heat shield.

Distributor: Nationwide Accessories Size style: Black, sizes 38-48 Price: RRP $299

Outback Trekker-ing Givi’s Trekker Outback top boxes in silver or black alloy have just arrived to match the popular Trekker Outback panniers.

Available in two sizes, 42 litres to fit one full-face helmet and a 58-litre to carry two, they can be mounted on existing Monokey racks. The flat lid and four strap loops make it easy to attach extra luggage.

Distributor: Eurobike Wholesale Ltd Price: 42-litre $599, 58-litre $699 Info: eurobike.co.nz Foaming filters, batman!

Maxima’s FFT is a race-proven synthetic FFT foam filter treatment that we’re promised provides unequalled protection against the elements – making it perfect for Maxima’s range of ProFilter Air Filters. Unlike other foam filter oils, FFT’s time-proven formula will not plug foam cellsor migrate off filters. FFT’s protective coating catches dirt and fine dust without restricting airflow.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Size: One litre or 470ml packs Price: From $17.00 Info: forbesanddavies.co.nz

Odour-free kids HJC says buying a CL-XY Youth Helmet means you’re not compromising your kids’ safety. You’ll keep them cleaner too, thanks to a removable, washable, moisture-wicking and odour-free interior with advanced anti-bacterial fabric.

Features include an advanced channelling ventilation system to flush humidity up and out, and a large eye port for maximum vision.

Distributor: Darbi Accessories Ltd Size style: Size M to 2XL, graphics Fulcrum: MC1 (red), MC2 (blue), MC5 (silver) MC6 (multi) Price: from $ 129.00 Info: motorcyclegearnz.com The Scorpion’s sting Pirelli’s Scorpion XC Mid Hard tyre is aimed at high stability, cornering precision and good puncture resistance thanks to carcass stiffness. Long-lasting off-road performance and knob-tearing resistance are provided by a special off-road compound, and the knob layout was optimised to increase the number of contact area knobs and the quantity of working edges for maximum grip and traction.

Distributor: Nationwide Accessories Price: From RRP $105.00

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Bike, check: helmet, check: axle stand…

WFO’s Axle Stand should be an essential piece of kit for all motocross riders. The sturdy, quality-made, heavy-duty steel triangle axle stands are a model of design simplicity, yet can accommodate three axle sizes – 18mm, 14.5mm and 11mm.

They’re practical, portable and easy to use. Don’t attend another race without one.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Price: $29 Talk about Beer Goggles The EKS Beer Optics goggle’s pliable Polyflex urethane contours to your face. The GOX frame carries a polycarbonate, shatter-resistant, anti-scratch and anti-fog coated lens with 100% UVA protection.

The strap is silicone backed for excellent placement and hold, and replacement tinted lens are available.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Style: Three models: Heiny, Cerveza (pictured) and Fosty Price: $45.00 Info: forbesanddavies.co.nz

The long and winding road The Scott Roamer Hydro Pack is a backpack with a hydration compartment and storage pockets, so it’s great for a day spent riding the trails. It’s stitched from 420 Honey Frame 210D polyester fabric, weighs just 0.42kg when empty and carries 12 litres of stuff. There’s a rear-access bladder compartment with the bladder included, a main compartment, an audio device pocket, a hip belt and sternum strap, and pre-shaped shoulder straps.

Distributor: Darbi Accessories Ltd Price: from $109.50 Info: motorcyclegearnz.com

Helmets of the Gods The Zeus 381C helmet is constructed of ABS resins and uses AEM (Advanced Engineering Materials) to improve protection.

It features a flip-down internal sun visor, four ventilation holes and a removable liner made from a micro-velvety fabric that’s comfy to touch. It’s aimed at farm or trail riding, but could be suitable for scooter riders too.

Distributor: Nationwide Accessories Size style: Matt Black, Gloss Black, White, Red, XS/54 - 2XL/64 Price: RRP: $79 The dirt-off twins Muc-Off’s Duo Pack is a cost effective way to clean, protect and freshen your bike. Muc-Off bike cleaner cuts through dirt, oil and grime quickly, safely leaving your bike clean, and is safe on anodising, paintwork, chrome, carbon fibre, suspension seals, rubber, disc brake pads and the user, too! Then apply Muc-Off Bike Spray to protect and preserve; its high oil content makes it the perfect after-wash corrosion inhibitor.

Distributor: Forbes & Davies Ltd Price: $35.00

No more shocks Ipone Monoshock fluid is a Grade 3, 100% synthetic fluid that’s the result of racing research and development. It’s been specially developed for shock absorbers subject to very demanding conditions. We’re told it delivers anti-friction and anti-emulsion advantages, and guarantees perfect suspension stability even against the most demanding competition in events as tough as supercross.

Distributor: Nationwide Accessories Price: 1 litre $45

Chain ‘em up Tsubaki’s MX Pro 2 chain is a high-quality non O-ring chain that has been manufactured for professional motorcyclists in mainly motocross or general off-road applications. It’s aimed at eliminating kinking and seizure in abrasive and muddy conditions by use of specially treated pins and bushings. Critical components are heat treated and shot peened for greater durability.

Distributor: Nationwide Accessories Price: from: $127.00

The ultimate off-road luggage The SW Motech Tailbag Drybag is designed as the ultimate luggage solution for Kiwi riders.

The 35-litre bag is tear-, tensile-, puncture- and impact-resistant and waterproof.

The aim is perfect performance for all weather conditions and whatever way you choose to use it, along with a clean, low-profile look.

Distributor: 454 Unlimited Size style: 35 or 60 litres, yellow or black/grey Price: $119.95 for 35l Info: 454.co.nz or dirtbikegear.co.nz

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developed for champions. and you. choose to win. mx32

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With the addition of the YZ250FX crosscountry racer, Yamaha’s trio of four-stroke dirt 250s is complete. 2015 is looking like a good year for the tuning forks logo.

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W

hen it comes to launching a new dirt bike onto the world stage, Yamaha certainly knows how to do it with style. Over the years KR has travelled far and wide to attend the unveiling of new models and we’ve enjoyed every minute of it. So it’s no surprise that Yamaha has done it again, but this time it’s a completely new model, which slots right between the ever successful WR250F (we tested the impressive new machine last month) and the race winning YZ250F. The 2015 YZ250FX has hit the market, in limited numbers, and from what I’ve just witnessed firsthand has the potential to put a large dent in the side of a European brand that has, to date, had a firm grip on the cross country market, especially here in NZ.

THE SETTING Yamaha has once again been drawn back to Queenstown, the thrill-seeking capital of NZ, to let us get a first-hand look at its all-new Cross Country weapon. Yamaha enlisted the help of Queenstown off-road tour operators, Dennis, Lockie and Scott Columb from Off Road Adventures. With Lockie at the helm we were guided over a huge sheep station overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu for the first half of the day with its big, wide open bulldozed tracks. It was then onto their own 600-acre fun park where Lockie had designed and built a Cross Country course that has everything imaginable in it. Basically if you couldn’t work out everything about a new model in that area you’re possibly in the wrong job.

DESIGN CONCEPT It was a simple concept; to build a rocketship 250 four-stroke Cross Country bike to satisfy the calling for non-road-legal bikes with ‘lecky start and an 18-inch rear wheel. So Yamaha Motor Australia, with NZ Race Team boss Josh Coppins on board, went to the factory and did just that, and more… much more.

Based on the 2015 YZ250F they have built an absolute stunner. It’s an electric start, six-speed, lightweight missile that has really impressed me. It has fuel injection, 18-inch rear wheel, side-stand, revised YZ-F forks, laid back cylinder design, YZ muffler with spark arrester and, did I mention, six gears? Brillant!

RIDING

Words: Dene ‘Humpster’ Humphrey / Photos: Geoff Osborne, Yamaha

This bike looks cool and rides even better.

There are no big gaps in the gears, the starting is faultless and the handling precise. The FX weighs in around 4kg heavier than the YZ250F but 4kg lighter than the enduro version, the WR250F. There’s no head light or tail light, although they can be purchased separately and plugged into the existing wiring loom. A radiator fan is also available and bolts straight on, just like the WR. A tuneable ECU can tailor the fuel injection from trackside and a plug-in tuner is also available as a factory item.

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Words : Monica Bi

rch / Photos : Ge

of f Osborne

Yamaha’s novicefriendly TT-R125 gets a grilling at the hands of (Mrs) Birchy.

I

know more about motor cycles today than I would have ever th ought possi I was barel ble. y aware of bikes some years ago, 13 but that was before I met my husban Chris, d, and it’s b ee n complete saturation b ike ever since – motorcycl our life. Non es are now etheless, m y review of TT-R125 is riding the pretty simp le . I like it ve I should ex ry much. pand on th at a bit. Whi bikes I have ls t other ridden som etimes mag mistakes I ni fy the make and m ake them p public, Yam ainfully aha’s TT-R 125 is happ forgive my y to quietly mistakes an d just carrie easy bike to s on. It’s an ride for a no vice such as I’m of aver myself. age height for a woman it fine ride an d I found whether st anding up down - pre and sitting tending to jump over through pud logs and rid dles photo e graphed in that could such a way put me as a contender in any race

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We have offices & customs teams throughout USA, Australia, Europe and agencies in Canada and UK. Two years ago we had a family tragedy and had to get back to New Zealand immediately. We were in the back blocks of Colorado. One phone call to Mainfreight in LA and they just sorted everything out. They picked our bikes up from Colorado, sorted out all of the details and shipped the bikes home to us... Bridget Jakicevich Another successful trip to the States for my group and a large part played by yourself and Mainfreight. Looking back has been 8 years now, you have been involved... With out your help I know that it could otherwise be very stressful with much unnecessary time dealing with the minutia to the various agencies involved both in New Zealand and The US.... Ken Contact Jeff Larsen on jeff.larsen@mainfreight.com 04 816 5255 or 0274 493008

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Action Equipment Bayride Motorcycles Coastline Honda Makz Gear Smiths Motorcycles Ltd

07 578 3169 07 571 3040 07 578 5550 07 571 1161 07 578 6062

CAMBRIDGE: CARTERTON:

DANNEVIRKE: DARGAVILLE: DRURY:

FEILDING:

GISBORNE:

HAMILTON:

HASTINGS: HAWERA: HUNTLY:

Peter Glidden Honda

07 828 9687

Kaitaia Motorcycles

09 408 1950

Adams Motor Services

PALMERSTON NORTH:

PARAPARAUMU: PIO PIO:

PUKEKOHE: PUTARURU: ROTORUA:

SHANNON:

STRATFORD:

TAUMARUNUI: TAUPO:

TAURANGA:

TE AROHA:

Te Aroha M/C Centre

07 884 8044

07 549 0028

Fieten Motor Services The Honda Shop

07 872 2560 07 871 7317

Mid North Honda

09 407 7736

Wheels of Thames

07 868 9363

Motomart

04 589 5106

Maidstone Yamaha

04 528 9395

Biker Bargains Moto One

09 272 7137 09 263 9335

Central Suzuki

06 858 8983

Maungaturoto Motorcycles Ltd

09 431 8555

Muuzzr’s Motors Ltd

06 838 6329

Fagan Suzuki

06 378 6159

Joe Lett Limited

06 345 8599

Honda Matamata Phil’s Motorcycle Centre

07 888 4969 07 888 7604

Warkworth Motorcycles

09 425 8535

Cameron Honda NV Motorcycles Ltd Phil’s Motorcycle Centre

07 889 6550 07 889 1007 07 889 7686

Moto City

07 927 1340

Harley Speed & Custom Motorad Richard’s Motorcycle Services Scooterazzi Ltd TSS Red Baron Motorcycles Wellington Motorcycle Centre

04 239 9272 04 382 8011 04 477 2322 04 978 7389 04 569 3989 04 384 4149

Ericksen Honda Pro Cycles Ltd

06 836 6298 06 842 0915

Ocean Yamaha Tony Rees Motorcycles Underwood & Wilkins Ltd

07 307 9471 07 307 1050 07 308 6166

New Plymouth M/C Centre Northwest Motorcycles Ltd Performance Factory

06 758 4449 06 759 9059 06 756 6117

Shaw Motorcycles Ltd Yamaha Motorcycles Whangarei

09 438 1183 09 438 0804

Otorohonda

07 873 7273

Coastal Tyre & Alignment

07 866 2310

KAITAIA:

KATIKATI:

KERI KERI:

LOWER HUTT: MANUKAU: MAUNGATUROTO: MASTERTON: MATAMATA:

MORRINSVILLE:

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: NAPIER:

NEW PLYMOUTH:

OTOROHANGA:

TE AWAMUTU: THAMES:

UPPER HUTT:

WAIPUKURAU: WAIROA:

WANGANUI:

WARKWORTH:

WELLINGTON:

WHAKATANE:

WHANGAREI: WHITIANGA:

Personal Identification Details Medical and Travel Information Special Messages or Phrases

For Online Sales Go To

BIKE BUSTERS

MOTORCYCLE WRECKERS

USED PARTS FOR FARM and ROAD Contact Wayne Parry, 382 Te Puroa Road, Ngaruawahia Phone: (07) 824 9585 or 0800 846 2020 Fax: (07) 824 7745 Email: wayne@bikebusters.co.nz

SOUTH ISLAND STOCKISTS ALEXANDRA:

Two Wheels Unlimited

03 448 6207

Arthur Burke Ltd

03 314 8121

Honda Country Jeff Marshall Motorcycles

03 308 2030 03 308 2055

Balclutha Motorcycles Ltd Powerzone Motorcycles Ltd

03 418 0626 03 418 4672

Peter Grinter Motorcycles Nelson Marlborough Trials Centre

03 578 1213 03 579 2500

Budget Motorcycle Spares Casbolt Honda Dirt Xtreme Ltd Motohub Ltd Pitlane Motorcycles Street and Sport Motorcycles Superior Motorcycles Ltd Tracktion Trevor Pierce Motorcycles Ltd

03 377 1881 03 366 4401 03 385 0007 03 377 8245 03 318 7924 03 366 2201 03 366 7793 03 374 3502 03 366 6563

McIver & Veitch Ltd Motoxtreme Services Ltd Special Purpose Vehicles Ltd

03 477 0236 03 456 3633 03 455 4666

Honda Farm Trail and Road Hughes Motor Services Ltd

03 768 9922 03 768 6288

Ewan Allan Honda Ltd

03 208 0174

AMBERLEY:

ASHBURTON: BALCLUTHA: BLENHEIM:

CHRISTCHURCH:

DUNEDIN:

GREYMOUTH: GORE:

IKAMATUA:

Snowy River Motor Works Ltd

03 732 3177

Kay Bee Motorcycle Repairs Ltd Southern Suzuki

03 214 4838 03 214 4467

Spring Lynne Motorcycles

03 302 4939

INVERCARGILL: METHVEN:

MOTUEKA:

Murray Thorn Motorcycles

03 528 9992

Filco Farm & Sport Morley Motorcycle & Marine Nelson Motorcycle Centre

03 547 2420 03 544 8703 03 548 3786

NELSON:

OAMARU:

Young Motors Ltd

03 434 5354

Hay Motorcycle Repairs

03 486 1222

Picton Tools & Tyres

03 573 5413

Queenstown Motorcycles Ltd

03 441 3999

Bob McCleary Yamaha

03 313 2041

OTAGO:

PICTON:

QUEENSTOWN: RANGIORA: TAPANUI:

Dwains Service Centre

03 204 8455

Timaru Honda Timaru Yamaha

03 688 2447 03 688 7611

Brent Scammell Honda

03 236 7993

TIMARU:

WINTON:

Safe Riding! www.pirelli-moto.com I www.nwa.co.nz

KIWI RIDER

LTD

Honda Motorcycle Spares Our Speciality – NZ’s largest selection of new and used parts MALCOLM KIRKBY

21 Kenrick St, Te Aroha PH 07 884 8810

Pirelli test over 1,700 Motorcycle Models every year to ensure the correct tyre fitment is recommended for all motorcycles. Talk to an authorised Pirelli Stockist next time your bike is in need of tyres.

112

ECONOHONDA

To advertise here call Todd on 021 709 989

Econohonda

Fax 07 884 8890 parts@econohonda.com www.econohonda.co.nz

Get your company noticed here from a trifling $45 Contact Todd Sutherland

NOW

on 09 416 5307

WHEEL & SPOKE SERVICES ☛ ☛ ☛ ☛ ☛ ☛ ☛

Spokes for most bikes Custom-made to suit Stainless or galvinised Rims – Alloy Chrome or stainless Drilled to suit All wheel repairs

Ph Tom Morriss 021 313 136 • 09 576 0312 wheelman@vodafone.co.nz www.wheelandspoke.co.nz

Get your company noticed here from a trifling $45 Contact Todd Sutherland

NOW

on 09 416 5307

Services ads from a trifling $45 Contact Todd Sutherland NOW on 09 416 5307

Custom Chambers motorcycle exhausts Is this the best value improvement you can make?

Catalytic converter substitution from $290 - More Power - Better Fuel economy - Better Sound - Less Weight

KTM 390-$290 KTM 1290-$290 Triumph Thunderbird-$350

Agents for Micron Scorpion 30A Kerwyn Ave, East Tamaki. Ph 09 2741155

www.customchambers.co.nz

todd@kiwirider.co.nz

KIWI RIDER

113

EVENTS CALENDAR / FEBRUARY 2015 * Please check with organisers before event in case of cancellations, errors or changes in dates *

ADVENTURE RIDES

2015 JANUARY - 18/22, Wild West Coast Trail, Nelson, check out Britton M/C Adventures, ph Mike on 07 855 6132 or 0212849047 for more details - 24/25, Awakino 1000km Challenge Adventure Tour with NGARNZ, check out www. northerngraveladventureridersnz.com or call Sue on 0210367234 for further information - 31/1 Feb, ‘Looking for Adventure’ training, at Raglan, check out Britton M/C Adventures, ph Mike on 07 855 6132 or 0212849047 for more details FEBRUARY - 2 Feb/2 March, Two Up Tarmac Tour, 29 days, 6000 kms, riding your own road bike thro Northern Chile, the Atacama Desert, thro to sub- tropical rain forests of Northern Argentina, staying in luxury hotels all the way. For more info visit www. roscosrockyroad.com or ph Rosco on 0276518885 - 7/10, Mt Ruapehu Trail, check out Britton M/C Adventures, ph Mike on 07 855 6132 or 0212849047 for more details - 8, Rodney to North on SH16, via Kiwi Farm, Mataia Homestead, with lunch at Cider Shed, with NGARNZ, check out www.northerngraveladventureridersnz. com or call Sue on 0210367234 for further information - 21/22, POSTPONED DUE TO CLASH OF DATES!!

Coromandel Adventure Ride, suits big dual purpose bikes, check out Britton M/C Adventures, ph Mike on 07 855 6132 or 0212849047 for more details MARCH - 3Mar/13Apr, High Andes Adventure, 42 days, 10,000 kms of adventure riding, from Santiago to Chile, Bolivia, Lake Titicaca, Peru and back to Santiago. For more info visit www.roscosrockyroad.com or ph Rosco on 0276518885 - 7/10, East Cape Trail, Gisborne, check out Britton M/C Adventures, ph Mike on 07 855 6132 or 0212849047 for more details - 7, Overland Adventure Training Day for Big Adventure Bike Riders, practising off road and farm riding techniques, with NGARNZ, check out www. northerngraveladventureridersnz.com or call Sue on 0210367234 for further information - 15, (CHANGED FROM 29TH), Maungaturoto and surrounds Adventure, with NGARNZ, check out www. northerngraveladventureridersnz.com or call Sue on 0210367234 for further information APRIL - 4, Bombay (including Tangitara and Pauanui/Tairua) Big Bike Adventure Ride, with NGARNZ, check out www. northerngraveladventureridersnz.com or call Sue on 0210367234 for further information - 18/21, Northern Exposure Trail, in the Far North, check out Britton M/C Adventures, ph Mike on 07 855 6132 or 0212849047 for more details

114

KIWI RIDER

- 25/26, Mid Northland 1000km Iron Butt Adventure (Glenbervie, Pipiwai) with NGARNZ, check out www. northerngraveladventureridersnz.com or call Sue on 0210367234 for further information

MARCH - 29, King of Ruapuna Round 5, at Ruapuna Raceway, Christchurch, contact Colleen on 09 489 1239 or 0274231433 or email colleenryanthompson@gmail.com

CROSS COUNTRY

APRIL - 11, Auckland Motorcycle Club, Club Champs Series, Round 4, at Hampton Downs, entry fee $189 for AMCC members, $210 for non AMCC members, contact Colleen on 09 489 1239 or 0274231433 or email colleenryanthompson@gmail.com - 26, Auckland M/C Club, Club Champs Series Round 5, at Hampton Downs, contact Colleen on 09 489 1239 or 0274231433 or email colleenryanthompson@gmail.com

GNCC Grand National X Country dates: 24 Jan 2015 at Tilsons Farm, Hastings Phone Greg at Power Adventures on 027 445 4429 or email greg@poweradventures. co.nz ENDURO FEBRUARY 2015 - 15, SuperEnduro National Champs Round 2.

At Honda Motorcycle Park, Maramarua Super Enduro Course. Phone Greg at Power Adventures on 027 445 4429 MOTOCROSS 2015 Backflips Clothing NZ MX Championships Dates: Round 1 8 Feb New Plymouth Round 2 22 Feb Timaru Round 3 8 March in Rotorua Round 4 15 March at Harrisville Check out www.mnz.co.nz 2015 JANUARY - 11/17, Summer Blast Camp, at Karapiro, for ages 13-18, cost $320 (for earlybird), check out www.encountercamps.org.nz, or contact Mary at 021627970, 075336204, mary@encountercamps.org.nz - 17, eNZed, VMX, Morrinsville check out www.vmx.co.nz (other dates: Aria 14 Feb and Wanganui 21 March) FEBRUARY - 14, eNZed, VMX, Aria, check out www.vmx.co.nz other dates: Wanganui 21 March) MARCH - 1/4, Winter Wind Out, 4 day camp, riding MX tracks for 3 full days, venue TBC, for ages 13-18, cost $280 (earlybird), check out www.encountercamps.org.nz, or contact Mary at 021627970, 075336204, mary@encountercamps.org.nz - 21, eNZed, VMX, Wanganui, check out www.vmx.co.nz ROAD RACING NZSBK Racing Dates: Round 1 - 9-11 January at Christchurch Round 2 - 17-18 January at Timaru Round 3 - 7-8 March at Hampton Downs Round 4 - 14-15 March at Taupo For details visit www.mnz.co.nz or www.m1motorsport.co.nz JANUARY - 17, Pacific M/C Club, Summer Series Round 1, Road Racing at Manfeild Park, check out www.sportsground.co.nz FEBRUARY - 22, Paeroa Battle of the Street Race, hosted by Auckland Motorcycle Club, contact Colleen on 09 489 1239 or 0274231433 or email colleenryanthompson@ gmail.com

To advertise here call Todd on 021 709 989

RUNS, RALLIES, RIDES, SHOWS & TOURS Attention all Aprilia Riders: Wanted to form a small & relaxing club for touring, racing & club meetings every week. Contact: Vincent 021 682 823 or aprilia_NZ@hotmail.com 2015 JANUARY - 26, Chateau to Plateau, via SH43, contact Mark Masters 0274541729 or email rmmasters@xtra.co.nz or check out www.chateautoplateau.co.nz FEBRUARY - 13/14, Wairarapa Summer Rally, Clarke Domain, Mauriceville, live bands, licensed bar, food. No BYO, no dogs, no patches. Phone or text 0272179621, or email wairarapa_summer_rally@yahoo. com.zu or FB Wairarapa Summer - Rally@ Facebook.com - 20/22, TT2000 rally, 7th year, ride 2000 kms in 48 hrs. North or South Island circuit choices. Start Wanganui or Dunedin, finish Christchurch. Details www. tt2000.org. Email Mike Hyde at info@tt2000. org MARCH - 8, Life Education Charitable Trust Masterton, contact Gene Bartlett, on 021308810, or email gbartlett@ lakeviewschool.info, or check out www. facebook.com/lifeedwairarapa for more details.

- 21, Central Plateau Scooter Challenge, from Wanganui to Taupo up SH 1.

Contact Terena on 0212045591 or email centralplateauscooterchallenge@ gmail.com or check out www. centralplateauscooterchallenge.co.nz.

This Is a fundraising event for people with life limiting illnesses.

SUPERMOTARD (mixed dirt / tarmac races) also see www.supermotard.co.nz/events TRACK DAYS Honda 3 February (Twilight) Hampton Downs.

4.30-7.30pm $60 Honda riders, $90 other riders 6 March Taupo Motosport Park.

Sign on from 8am. $120 Honda riders, $165 other riders 19 April Manfeild, sign on from 8am. $100 Honda riders, $130 other riders 25 April Hampton Downs, sign on from 8am. $120 Honda riders, $165 other riders.Register online at www.playdayontrack.co.nz. continued on page 116

Cyclespot is very excited to introduce it’s newest member of the family – “NORTON” We look forward to one of the world’s oldest motorcycles re-entering the Australasian market after an absence of more than 35 years.

With the first shipment of motorcycles currently enroute from the UK, Cyclespot will be supplying to the NZ market by March 2015.

Pre-order now

to ensure your bike is on this first shipment.

From $35990

46 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Phone 09 486 1136 | sales@cyclespot.co.nz | www.cyclespot.co.nz