Innholdsfortegnelse for #340 17-12 i Just Bikes

Motorcycle sport has lost one of its most popular and likable champions in Nicky Hayden, who died on 22 May as the result of injuries sustained on 17 May. Following the Imola WSBK round on 13-14 May, Hayden had been cycling - part of his training and fitness regime - with a group near Rimini in Italy when he was hit by a car and suffered severe head and chest injuries. Following immediate attention at a local hospital, Hayden was transferred to the Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena for further treatment. The severity of Hayden’s injuries meant that, despite the best efforts of the medical staff at Maurizio Bufalini, he succumbed on the evening of 22 May. Reports indicate that Nicki’s mother Rose, brother Tommy and fiancée Jackie Marin were…

Honda Motorcycles Australia’s top Aussie dealers were recently recognised at their ‘Dealer of the Year Awards’ ceremony held in Melbourne, where Morgan Motors of Emerald in Queensland scored the prestigious ‘National Dealer of the Year 2016’. The annual Dealer of the Year Awards acknowledge excellence in dealership management and customer service. Over a 12 month period, all Honda Motorcycles dealers are subject to a rigorous performance review to calculate the winners. Morgan Motors achieved the highest score through maintaining sales growth, strong market share and excellent customer satisfaction throughout 2016. Servicing central Queensland, Morgan Motors specialise in off-road Honda motorcycles, as well as Honda ATVs and SxS products. Dealer principals, Dean and Michelle Morgan, received their award from Managing Director Honda Motorcycles Australia, Robert Toscano, and Director Honda Australia, Masayuki…

Australia’s FMX legend, Robbie Maddison, is locked in for this year’s AUS-X Open Sydney supercross and freestyle motocross event, which is scheduled for 11 and 12 November. To be held at the Qudos Bank Arena, the 2017 AUS-X Open will be Maddison’s only competitive appearance in Australia this year, and the soon-to-be 36-year-old says he’s looking forward to it: “I’m stoked to finally be able to compete at the Aus-X Open this year. I was able to be there to enjoy it in 2015 as a spectator and it was an amazing spectacle, without a doubt.” Best known for his word record longest jump on a motorcycle (107 metres) and more recently for “surfing” a motorcycle at Tahiti’s famous Teaupoo break, Maddison will be competing in the FMX ‘Best Trick’…

Everyone has a bike they’ve loved and cherished, but it takes a special sort of devotion – and a special sort of devotee - to ship a bike halfway around the world. Ken Old is one such devotee, and while his history in motorcycling hasn’t been broad, it’s certainly been long. Riding since 1956, Ken’s only just given away bikes this year – but not by choice, he clarifies: age and health issues have forced the decision. Back in the ‘50s, Ken’s first motorcycle was a BSA C10 250, which he purchased when it was still a relatively fresh second-hand machine. Next was the bike you see here – a 1963 AJS Model 14 CSR purchased in 1971 – which was followed by Japanese rides in the form of a…

This year’s major competition from Shannons Insurance is a fully guided tour of America’s iconic Route 66. And what makes it even better is that you could get to do it on a brand new Indian motorcycle. Valued at up to $55,000, the 21-day tour for two on America’s ‘Mother Road’ starts in Chicago, then follows Route 66 through eight states before wrapping up in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tour (conducted by Route 66 Tours) will take in all the famous sections on Route 66, with numerous attractions along the way for petrolheads and plenty of stunning American scenery. The self-ride tour can be done on a pair of Indian motorcycles, but if four wheels are preferred, you can choose to drive the route in a new Chevy Corvette (subject…

Gas Gas motorcycles are set for a new presence in Australia, with Urban Moto Imports (UMI) taking over local distribution for the Spanish enduro brand in June. UMI, who already have Royal Enfield, Benelli, Confederate Motorcycles, MV Agusta and Bimota in their stable, say they hold the Gas Gas brand in high regard, and are confident the recently-announced MY18 ‘Phoenix’ range will be very competitive. Gas Gas itself was recently taken over by the Spanish-owned Torrot Group, who will keep production in Spain, are promising significant investment across all levels of manufacturing and product development, and plan to expand into new markets. The new Phoenix range of enduro models for 2018 will be leading the way, due for Australian release in August. The 2-stroke range, available in EC250, EC300, XC250…

The annual Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este in Italy has been a showcase for stunning concepts from BMW Motorrad in recent years, and this year was no exception. The 2017 concept - the electric-powered ‘Concept Link’ design study - is being described as a vision of digital connectivity and zero-emission urban mobility inspired by the ‘Vision NEXT 100’ concept. “The Concept Link stands for a new understanding of urban mobility,” says Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design of BMW Motorrad. “It links the digital and analogue worlds and places the focus on the rider and his mobility needs. In the way it links functionality and digitalisation, it performs both as a means of transport, as well as a communication device.” NEW LANGUAGE, FEATURES AND IDEAS BMW Motorrad’s Head of Vehicle Design,…

With a history dating back to the 1950s, the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) is a club devoted to all makes and models of bikes 35 years old and older. In recent years, the AMCA has expanded beyond the USA and last year saw the foundation of the first Australian chapter, with Tony Blain elected the founding president of ‘AMCA Australia’, as the local arm is known. “There are many great clubs for old motorcycles here in Australia. I thought ‘Do we need another one’,” Tony explained. “But I realized there isn’t an ‘umbrella’ club or event that welcomes ALL models and makes 35 years and older.” Debut Show AMCA Australia is less than a year old, but they’re planning an inaugural event that looks set to be a…

For fans of British motorcycles, the All British Rally (ABR) needs no introduction. For those that aren’t familiar with this annual event, it’s the largest rally of its type in the southern hemisphere. That means a LOT of British motorcycles in one place. The event has been hosted by the BSA Motorcycle Owners Association (BSAMOA) since 1977, and the Association does a great job in organising and co-ordinating activities for hundreds of British bike owners, as well as their families, friends and visitors who make the trek to the Rally’s campgrounds, many of whom come from interstate. Held at Newstead (near Castlemaine) in country Victoria, the weekend event is now something of an institution for the British bike faithful, with highlights including a street display in a nearby location that…

The 2017 version of Benelli’s LAMSapproved BN 302 naked has arrived. Last year’s release of the smaller BN 251 single-cylinder naked may be impacting sales of the BN 302 and may explain why the 2017 version of the 300cc parallel twin now comes with ABS as standard. The addition of standard ABS assistance for the dual 260mm front discs and 240mm rear disc is the only notable change for 2017, with mechanical spec, styling and other features virtually unaltered from last year’s model. That means a 300cc DOHC twin outputting 27kW at 11500rpm and 27Nm at 9000rpm, driving through a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive. The steel trestle frame is matched to 41mm front forks and a preloadand rebound-adjustable side-mount rear monoshock, with 17-inch wheels and 120/70 (front) and…

In what’s being claimed as an Australian first, an indoor motocross park is to be built at Sydney’s Eastern Creek, with a planned opening this December. The brainchild of Mattew Bartolo, the ambitious project – and deadline! – will cost a claimed $5 million to build and will be housed within the Eastern Creek International Karting Raceway precinct. To be known as ‘Sydney Indoor MotoX Park’, the 12,000 square metre facility will feature three separate racetracks that can operate independent of each other and stadium-style seating for up to 6,000 spectators, all housed under a climate controlled, air-filled membrane dome. The tracks are being designed by a yetto- be-named internationally renowned motocross track constructor and will cater for varying skill levels - from entry-level juniors, right through to professional racers.…

KENNY’S 1984 KAWASAKI GPZ 750 TURBO Delivery miles only. No previous owners! Bought directly from the dealer. Absolutely mint condition. Coming from the states to UK around July 2017. KENNY’S 1977 KAWASAKI KE175 Stunning, fully restored classic Kawasaki KE175. Totally mint and restored to the highest standards with original parts. LOU’S 2004 HONDA RUNE This Rune is unique as it was imported and sold in Australia by Honda direct. It has an Australian compliance plate, 5 were sold like that.…

FOR SALE The Rickman story, for those unfamiliar with it, is one of determined brothers who thought they could do better with what British – and Japanese – motorcycle manufacturers were offering riders. That determination is echoed in Ron Davis, the owner of the bike featured here, as he also defies accepted bike logic and does his own thing – with impressive results. When JUST BIKES spotted this motorcycle, a 1974 Rickman Metisse CR, for sale at the recent All British Rally, we weren’t alone in taking a long and detailed second look at this beautiful machine. But in a recent conversation with Ron, we found that beauty isn’t just skin deep. BROTHERS’ TALE Don and Derek Rickman started out as racers, specifically in scrambles competition, but, dissatisfied with the…

Whenever a company – and that includes a motorcycle company – does something out of the norm, it draws attention. That has absolutely been the case with Royal Enfield’s new Himalayan, which is now in Australia. When the LAMS-approved compact adventure tourer made its Aussie debut at last November’s Melbourne Moto Expo, enthusiasts were around it all weekend, and those same enthusiasts were gobsmacked when told of the new model’s $6,990 rideaway price. Outsiders may look at the Himalayan and think “it’s just another adventure bike” and to a degree, that’s true, but in Royal Enfield terms, it’s like moving from a biplane to a jet. GROUND UP Royal Enfield’s roadsters – the Bullet and Classic – have been a part of India’s road scene for decades. And anyone who’s…