Innholdsfortegnelse for #374 20-07 i Just Bikes

The Australian motorcycle market has endured another tough 12 months, with 2019 seeing sales of new bikes decline for the third year in succession. After a high of 114,783 sales in 2016 (the best result in six years), sales have gone backwards since, with “only” 89,199 new motorcycles sold in 2019. While sales fell, one of the few shining lights in the industry data provided by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is that the rate of that fall is slowing. Sales dropped 9.3 per cent in 2017 (104,111 sales) and 8.9 per cent in 2018 (95,800 sales), but only 6.1 per cent in 2019. Of the four major categories – road bike, off-road bike, ATV/SSV and scooter – only the latter recorded a sales increase last year. Road…

If you’ve been following the classic Honda CB Fours that were the subject of last year’s ‘Great Honda CB Charity Raffle’, you’ll no doubt be keen to learn the outcome. In case you missed it, the Honda CB 750 Four Owners Club of Australia decided to honour the 50th Anniversary of the CB 750 Four in 2019 by organising a big bike raffle, with proceeds supporting the Black Dog Institute mental health charity. Co-ordinated by Andrew Barker of Pud’s Four Parts, the club took on the daunting task of restoring not one, but three classic Honda CB Fours – a CB 750, CB 500 and CB 350. All three were 1972 models and presented various challenges, as the starting point for each restoration was far from what you’d call ‘good’!…

Polaris Inc., parent company of Indian Motorcycle, are shaking up their Australian dealer operations, with four corporate owned stores to close as the brand transitions to an independent dealer network by the end of the year In an announcement on 10 January, Alan Collins, Indian Motorcycle’s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, said the corporate-owned stores were the right way to go when the brand was launched here in 2008, but the coming changes will provide more opportunities for the brand’s growth in the future. “We have big and bold goals as we look to grow the Indian Motorcycle brand in this market. Moving to an independent franchised network of dealers is more sustainable for us and our partners as we look to grow in order to meet demand,…

Perfect conditions greeted participants and spectators for the eighth running of the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival this past 22-24 November. And while the event is predominantly a four-wheel affair, bikes are welcome and have been a part of the Geelong waterfront show every year. ROUND THE BEND As the name suggests, the Revival is a resurrection, specifically a resurrection of the Geelong Speed Trials, which were first held at the bayside Victorian town in 1956. Back then, a section of Ritchie Boulevard – a public road on the Geelong waterfront facing Corio Bay - was chosen for a timed quarter mile (400m) sprint course. That course presented a unique challenge, though, as the road is curved and not a straight shot like traditional drag strips. Then, as now, the curved…

Mid-sized adventure bikes have quickly become the go-to machine for the on and off-road adventure rider, offering a phenomenal balance of performance and agility which inspires confidence in those keen to ride in the dirt without the burden of excessive size or weight. After what felt like an eternity of sneak peeks, revisions and candid images, the Ténéré 700 has arrived, and has brought with it a new wave of excitement to the adventure bike market. With pre-sales exceeding supply, the Ténéré 700 has already attracted a cult following and looks set to be the must-have bike for 2020. WHAT IS IT? The Ténéré 700 is Yamaha’s newest entry in the mid-capacity adventure scene, replacing the single-cylinder Ténéré 660. It heralds the arrival of the Japanese manufacturer’s most off-road focussed…

They say that the family that plays together stays together. Based on the evidence of the Ström family, you could say the same thing about the family that rides together, too. We’ve featured the builds of Peter Ström previously, including a trike for Peter’s wife Febe that was made to suit her special riding needs. The creation featured here is another Ström family affair, built by Peter for his stepdaughter, Janine. All of Peter’s bikes are heavily customised and built to a high-standard, but this one is arguably his most eye-catching creation yet. A SIMPLE BRIEF Back in 2011, Janine told Peter she wanted to join him and her mum in the short Swedish summer riding season. At the time, Janine was 22 and had only just gained her motorcycle…

After making its debut in concept form at last year’s EICMA show, Husqvarna’s ‘Norden 901’ – the brand’s first adventure tourer - has been confirmed for production. A new addition to Husqvarna’s street bike range and what the brand are touting as their first “travel motorcycle”, the production Norden 901 is described as a “dynamic and versatile long-distance traveller that will offer the modern motorcycle rider a balance of practical accessibility and comfort.” Specs are minimal at the moment, but the Norden 901 is expected to borrow heavily from existing KTM models, specifically the KTM 790 Adventure R for the chassis and suspension, and the 890 Duke for the 889.5cc engine. In the Duke R, this parallel twin engine delivers 89kW and 99Nm, so expect similar numbers on the Husqvarna,…

Royal Enfield Australia has announced a five-day “Coastal Tour” to support bushfire-affected communities on the east coast. Scheduled for 7 – 11 March (subject to ongoing bushfire conditions and road closures), the Coastal Tour will depart from Midlife Cycles in Cremorne (Melbourne) and travel the east coast, concluding at Noosa Motorcycles on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The event is open to all Royal Enfield riders and you can ride the whole trip, or participate on a shorter leg as the tour passes your region or home town. East coast towns affected by the current bushfire crisis are calling out for tourists to return where possible, so all Royal Enfield owners are invited to join in as the Coastal Tour visits towns along the east coast, spending vital tourism dollars along the…

KTM’s New Zealand Adventure Rallye returned to familiar territory in 2019 - the upper part of the South Island, specifically the area covering Nelson, Picton, Murchison and Hanmer Springs. Taking in some of the most beautiful country you’re likely to encounter anywhere in the world, the fourth NZ Adventure Rallye attracted 137 orange adventure riders – a record number - backed by a 30-strong KTM support contingent, including sweepers, medical, luggage, media, mechanics and more. Nelson, situated on the eastern shore of Tasman Bay and the geographical midpoint of New Zealand, would be the hub for 2019, with the Rallye starting and finishing in this coastal town. ‘Sunny Nelson’ failed to live up to its nickname, though, as the fleet of orange riders got underway on 10 November in torrential…

The Ténéré name made its first appearance on a Yamaha way back in 1983 with the XT 600Z. Taken from the word for ‘desert’ in the language of the Tuareg people of Saharan Africa, the first Ténéré featured an oil/air-cooled 595cc single-cylinder engine, a single disc brake on the front wheel and a massive 30-litre fuel tank. In 1986, engine power was slightly increased, electric starting added and the fuel tank reduced to 23-litre capacity, but lower sides of the tank meant a fuel pump needed to be added. The first big change was in 1988, when the Ténéré design was updated to resemble something similar to today’s foundation, adding a frame-mounted fairing, twin headlights and a rear disc brake. The single cylinder engine was retained, but modified slightly to…

With new riders, new teams, new rules and a new energy, there’s always plenty to look forward to at the season opening round of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island. This year should be no exception, following multiple rider moves over the summer in World Superbike and World Supersport that are set to shake up both championships. This year’s Australian World Superbike round will also be a special one as it marks the 30th Anniversary of racing at the Island. SITUATION NORMAL The 2020 World Superbike (WSBK) and World Supersport (WSS) circus kicks off Down Under this coming February 28 to March 1, with the three-race format that was introduced for WSBK last year carrying over for 2020 with no major changes – Race 1 on Saturday,…

KTM Australia will host two Australian Adventure Rallyes in 2020, both in states that have never hosted these popular multi-day adventure rides before. Scheduled for 23 to 29 September, the KTM Australia Adventure Rallye: QLD RANGES will start and finish at Kenilworth in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland. Taking in the classic hinterland rainforest the region is renowned for, the rallye will also visit the coastal towns of Rainbow Beach and Agnes Waters before heading inland to cattle country and the iconic ranges - travelling south down the Great Dividing Range. Overnight stays in Cania Gorge, Gayndah and Bunya Mountains are planned before returning to Kenilworth. The second 2020 rallye, the KTM Australia Adventure Rallye: SOUTH WEST WA will take place from 9 to 15 October, starting from the historic inland town…

Honda Australia has confirmed local pricing for the CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade ahead of its local arrival in Q2, 2020. The ultimate street-legal version of the Fireblade, the SP lists for $49,999 (excluding ORCs); a $14K premium over the current CBR1000RR SP2. Limited numbers will be released to Australia and the SP will also be the only MY20 Fireblade to be offered locally. Described as the best, most exclusive and feature rich litre-class four-cylinder supersport model to ever wear the CBR badge, the SP’s greatness starts with an engine that draws on technology from Honda’s RC213V-S MotoGP bike and delivers 160kW at 14,500rpm and 113Nm at 12,500rpm. Titanium con rods and forged aluminium pistons are part of a lightweight, high-tech engine package that includes a 76mm bore – the largest of…

1 MACNA HURRACAGE MEN’S JACKET Macna Australia/Link International macnaridinggear.com.au All new for 2020, the Hurracage is made for summer riding, with 500D polyester construction, mesh ventilation panels, a poly mesh liner and removable Raintex waterproof membrane. CE level 1 shoulder and elbow protection, EVA back plate and provision for a back protector are part of a construction that meets and/or exceeds CE standards for impact, abrasion and tear resistance. Other features include a coat hanger loop and adjustable cuff and waist straps. Available in black and black/fluoro colour schemes and S-4XL sizes, priced from $279.95 RRP. 2 SKRAM MOTO EYEWEAR Skram skram.cc Skram takes motorcycle eyewear to the next level with a range of sunglasses that don’t sacrifice style for safety. Skram’s shatterproof and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses are also photochromatic,…