Innholdsfortegnelse for #339 17-11 i Just Bikes

In 1917, the first Harley-Davidson dealership outside America opened; that dealership was Morgan & Wacker in Brisbane. Today, 100 years later, Morgan & Wacker are still in the business of selling Harley-Davidsons. To celebrate the centenary of Harley- Davidson in Australia, the motor company are planning a 2,500km ride from Brisbane to Melbourne. Starting point for the run will be Morgan & Wacker, with a special guest for part of the ride being Bill Davidson. The great grandson of H-D co-founder William A Davidson and Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Bill will join the ride on the Sydney-to- Melbourne leg to help Aussie Harley riders celebrate this significant milestone. “I’m so excited to join the ride and experience the epic riding conditions Australia is famous for. I’m…

Motorcycling Australia has announced members of the Australian squad to contest this year’s International Six Day Enduro (ISDE), which will be held in Brive-la- Gaillarde in France from 28 August to 2 September. Women’s Trophy Team Tayla Jones Jemma Wilson Jessica Gardiner Simply dominant in the Women’s Trophy category, the trio of Jones, Wilson and Gardiner first won the Women’s Trophy in 2013 and have been unbeaten since, despite strong competition from the likes of France and Spain. The lineup for this year’s ISDE is unchanged from that which won at Navarre, Spain, last year, with Jones, Wilson and Gardiner all confirmed. The latter is currently competing in the French Enduro championship, while Jones and Wilson are racing in Australian competition in the lead up to August’s action. Last year,…

The companion model to CFMoto’s 650NK naked commuter - the 650MT adventure tourer - has arrived. Using the same chassis and LAMS-legal (restricted to 41.5kW and 62Nm) 649.3cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine as the 650NK, the 650MT makes a number of changes to suit touring. For example, power delivery is less aggressive, the new suspension features more travel, instrumentation has been modified and there are adjustable riding modes to suit different surface conditions. There’s also an adjustable windscreen, LED lighting all round, USB charging port, standard ABS and an 18-litre fuel tank that delivers a claimed 400km range between fills. Other features include Bosch fuel injection, twin 300mm front disc brakes, 17- inch alloy wheels, 213kg weight and 170mm ground clearance. Carrying capacity seems meagre at 150kg (especially for two-up…

After being cancelled last year, the Gascoyne Dash made a strong comeback for 2017, with this year’s event won by Daymon Stokie. On a Yamaha WR 450F, the 24-year-old from the Northern Territory triumphed over a field of more than two dozen competitors, despite breaking bones in his hand on the second day of the race. The 400km, two-day event held this past April proved as tough as ever, with the 70km loop course through the WA desert near Carnarvon consisting of both fast and challenging sections. Stokie started well, winning the prologue from 2015 winner Cody Upton (Honda). He then finished the opening day’s 200km run a minute ahead of the Honda rider, with Stephen Mitchell (Yamaha) a further 1:30 back in third. Barely 10km into Day 2’s 200km…

The product of MV Agusta, their Reparto Corse race team and the Castiglioni Research Centre (CRC), the ‘RC’ version of MV’s Turismo Veloce dual sport model has finally reached Australian dealerships - in strictly limited numbers – following its official unveiling last November. Limited to just 250 units worldwide, the Turismo Veloce RC features a number of new tech and spec features developed by CRC, as well as a specific, racing-inspired livery that sets it apart from the regular Turismo Veloce and Turismo Veloce Lusso. Focussed around a compact three-cylinder 798 cc engine – with a revised black surface treatment –the RC version of the Turismo Veloce features modifications to the valve guides, harmonic damper and chain tensioner to reduce engine noise, while redesigned engine mounts have increased longitudinal chassis…

N ow an established event on the Australian motorcycling calendar, the annual Shannons Insurance Broadford Bike Bonanza (SIBBB) turned it on again this past Easter, with the big field of motorcycling machinery covering everything from Speedway and Road Racing to Motocross and Enduro. Hosted by Motorcycling Australia, the twin themes for this year’s SIBBB were a celebration of all things Ducati and recalling the Romsey grasstrack era, but all makes and models were welcome in this festival of pre-1990 motorcycles and motorcycling. And another great thing about the event is that it’s non-competitive – “no racing, just riding” as the slogan says. That meant a truly diverse range of bikes and sidecar outfits could be seen cutting laps and cruising between the various circuits that make up the venue for the…

B MW Motorrad’s top-seller in Australia and the most popular adventure tourer worldwide, the R 1200 GS has been updated for 2017, with the lineup both broader and better than before. The locally-available MY17 range boasts four model variants instead of the previous two, with the entry-level R 1200 GS the only carryover from 2016. The GS Adventure is gone and in its place are three variations on the base model: the GS Rallye; GS Rallye X; and GS Tour. The latter variant has been a part of past GS lineups, but both the Rallye and Rallye X are all-new, offering what BMW says is “additional product substance.” Rallye X variants are fitted with the ‘Dynamic Package’, while the Tour takes this and adds the ‘Touring Package’ of extra features. Both…

One of Australia’s motorcycling heroes, Jack Ahearn, has passed away, aged 92. Born in 1924 in Sydney, Ahearn started racing as a teenager, returning to motorcycling following a stint in the RAAF at the end of World War II. Displaying the sort of self-reliance that was common with many Aussies who went overseas to join the “continental circus” of international motorcycling competition in the 1950s and ’60s, Ahearn was as good a mechanic as he was a racer, and would be one of the most successful privateers on the circuit. In 1954, Ahearn joined Maurie Quincey and Laurie Boulter on 350cc Nortons at that year’s Isle of Man TT and Ulster TT, scoring top ten results on each occasion. By the 1960s, Ahearn was becoming a recognised name against the…

The 2017-model KTM 390 Duke is here, with the latest version of the Austrian manufacturer’s learner-legal naked bike coming with new styling, a ride-by-wire throttle, all-new Euro4-compliant exhaust system, TFT instrument display and the option of KTM’s My Ride smartphone tethering. Styling is clearly inspired by the 1290 Super Duke R, with the insect-like split headlight and sharper side plastics that make the new 390 Duke look larger and more aggressive than its predecessor. Described by KTM as “a dynamic wolf in LAMS clothing” and “sportier and more modern than ever,” the MY17 390 Duke is powered by a 373.2cc single-cylinder engine which is largely unchanged (despite the ride-by-wire throttle, a first in this class) and outputs 32kW and 37Nm – both of which now arrive lower in the rev…

Goodridge stainless steel motorcycle brake and clutch line kits feature the finest quality hose, consisting of a PTFE inner and stainless steel braided outer coated in a plastic protective coating in the colour of your choice. Braided brake line eliminates the spongy feel under extreme braking conditions giving greater braking efficiency as well as providing a superior resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Goodridge kits not only provide reliability and safety, but also brilliant looks that improve the appearance of any bike. Goodridge prides itself in being able to supply stainless steel hydraulic brake line kits for any make or year of motorcycle, be it British, Japanese, American, German or Italian. Want to make it GLOW? They also have a new range of glow in the dark brake lines (expand on…

I s a ‘lap of the map’ on your bucket list? If it is, the call has gone out for adventurous motorcyclists like you to take part in the Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation’s third Around Australia Ride in 2018. From Bundaberg to Broome, Mataranka to Mount Gambier and plenty of other places in between, this ride is your best chance to see our country’s most spectacular and remote locations. You’ll do 15,000kms on your bike over 33 days, while helping raise money to cure cancer in Aussie kids. To understand why the SWCCF is hosting its third adventure ride around the country, a bit of background on the man it’s named after should help. HIGH COUNTRY ROAD TO A CURE A year after Steve’s passing, the first Honda ‘Snowy Ride’…

I t’s not unreasonable to say that Honda’s CX 500 was never considered a “looker” back in its day, what with its bulky transverse twin engine, even bulkier seat, spindly forks, odd headlight and indicator set-up, as well as a fuel tank and plastics that just never seemed to look right. But, with the boom in custom bike building, the rather humble CX has been the basis for a number of attractive conversions in recent years. Regular JUST BIKES readers may recall the CX 500 produced by ‘Zen’ that we featured back in issue #301. That build added rearsets, along with custom ‘bars and seat, but retained most of the original factory componentry. What you see here is a much more radical departure from stock, as well as one of the…

To prove the new R 1200 GS’s off-road credentials, BMW will be campaigning one in the Finke Desert Race this June. BMW Motorrad Australia’s marketing manager Miles Davis will race one of the new R 1200 GS Rallye X models in the 460km, two-day event through the Northern Territory desert. “After riding a pre-production version of the Rallye X in two GS Safari events last year I knew it was a much more off-road focused bike,” Davis explained. “I came up with the idea of showcasing this by riding it in Finke and started to get excited about the idea. “There are around 500 motorcycles entered in the 2017 event and entrants generally ride lightweight 250cc to 500cc motocross machines, so riding a 200 kilogram-plus R 1200 GS is definitely…

After a bumper year in 2016, motorcycle sales have stalled for the first quarter of 2017, according to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). Combined sales (road bikes, dirt bikes, ATVs and scooters) dropped 13.4 per cent for Q1 2017 compared to the same period last year – 21,794 compared to 25,160. ATVs recorded the smallest fall – 1.3 per cent – but road bike sales were down a disturbing 15.5 per cent and dirt bikes down 15.3 per cent, while scooters continue to plummet – down 22.3 per cent for the quarter compared to Q1 2016. While the overall market was down, individual brands were up. Unsurprisingly, given the closure announcement, Victory sales were up by 61 per cent for the quarter as enthusiasts and…

After many years of waiting and one or two false starts, Harley-Davidson factory trikes have finally been ADR approved for Australian road use. While the factory trikes have been available in New Zealand for a number of years, the three-wheelers will be officially available in Australia for the first time later this year, with initial deliveries expected in October. The range will consist of the Freewheeler (FLRT) and Tri Glide Ultra (FLHTCUTG), both of which are powered by the new, twincooled Milwaukee Eight 107ci engine. The Tri Glide Ultra is in the style of the two-wheel Ultra Limited tourer, while the Freewheeler is a stripped-down, hot rod-style machine. The Freewheeler will arrive at a rideaway price of $40,250, with the Tri Glide Ultra at $50,995 rideaway. Full specs, features and…

After being unveiled in pre-production form at last November’s Moto Expo in Melbourne, the production version of SWM’s “Superdual” adventure tourer has arrived in Australia. Based on Husqvarna’s TE 630 dual sport model, the Superdual uses the same Huskyderived 600cc liquid-cooled DOHC single cylinder engine as the SWM RS 650R, but ups power to 54hp (40.2kW) thanks mainly to the underslung exhaust. “There’s definitely a gap in the adventure market for a quality single-cylinder machine that’s capable of comfortable long-distance riding,” says SWM Australia’s Stephen Tuff. “SWM have nailed the brief with a strong and proven engine, sleek adventure styling and good fuel capacity.” That fuel capacity is 19 litres, with seat height listed at 860mm and dry weight at 159kg. Standard features on the Superdual include a 6-speed transmission,…

Following the unveiling of the all-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R at Intermot last October, Suzuki has confirmed Australian pricing for these eagerly-awaited models, which are due here soon. The GSX-R1000 will arrive in late June, priced at $21,990 + ORCs (MSRP $23,990 rideaway). The limited-production GSXR1000R is expected in October, with a price tag of $25,490 + ORCs (MSRP $27,490 rideaway). Both models are backed by Suzuki’s two-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. With more than 600 new parts compared to the outgoing model, Suzuki describes the sixth-generation version of their GSX-R1000 as “the most powerful, hardest-accelerating, cleanest-running GSX-R ever built.” It’s also claimed to be the most compact, the most aerodynamic and the best-handling GSX-R1000 ever, with smoother throttle response, better combustion efficiency and a supremely effective electronic engine management system. Both…

The 2017 version of Honda’s LAMSapproved CB 500F has arrived and brings with it a price cut of $600. Now at $7,299 (MLP + ORCs), this middleweight naked commuter is in Honda dealerships now, available in Millenium Red/ Graphite Black (replacing last year’s Lemon Ice Yellow) or Gunpowder Black metallic colour options. There are no mechanical changes to the 471cc twin-cylinder engine for 2017, likewise the other major mechanical componentry, but there are some minor appearance changes to the street fighter-inspired plastics that debuted last year. Notable standard features on the CB 500F include preload-adjustable front suspension, LED lighting, standard ABS, adjustable brake lever and a big 16.7-litre fuel capacity. As capable on the daily commute as it is on longer rides and weekend blasts, the CB 500F combines practicality…

In 2000, just two months after his 19th birthday, Steven Walter from Kirrawee in New South Wales lost his life to cancer. He’d been at war with it since age 11, when he was first diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a bone tumour in his leg. Steve had cancer, but he wanted to live and always showed the sort of courage that belied the adversity he faced. One of Steve’s passions was riding his dirt bike in enduro competition; he loved the camaraderie of the sport. Aged nine, Steve began riding at Sutherland Mini Bike Club with big ambitions. He rode in the NSW Enduro Championship Series for Juniors and became the NSW 80cc Junior Enduro Champion. But his big aim was to ride a four-day event. That was achieved when…

I f you’ve been reading JUST BIKES for a number of years, you’re certain to be familiar with Classic Style Australia. Founded and run by the affable Jon Munn, Classic Style Australia started small back in 1996, but it’s safe to say now that the business is BIG. Don’t believe us? Call into the warehouse at 34 Peninsula Blvd, Seaford and you’re sure to be impressed! BUYER, SELLER, COLLECTOR Like most businesses, Classic Style Australia started from humble beginnings, but Jon’s passion for motorcycles and motorcycling of all flavours has been the key to the business’s growth and success. While buying and selling is his livelihood, Jon’s a collector, too. And when we say ‘collector’, we mean it in bold capital letters! Even the most jaded motorcycle enthusiast is certain to…