Innholdsfortegnelse for #364 19-10 i Just Bikes

Aprilia has released more information on the Tuono V4 1100 for 2019. The new Tuono V4 1100 will be offered in two versions: the ‘RR’ that had just arrived in Australia as this issue went to press; and the ‘Factory’ that’s due here in a few months’ time. A 129kW/121Nm 1077cc V4 engine is unchanged, but there are some new features and new-look graphics for both variants, while the Factory version adds advanced suspension technology developed from Aprilia’s RSV4 RF Superbike. With its partial fairing, the Tuono V4 1100 blurs the lines between sportsbikes and nakeds, but what’s crystal clear is that the upcoming 2019 version is the most advanced to be offered by Aprilia. Those tech advancements include the things you’d expect, like cruise control, traction control and cornering…

Lambretta Australia has a bold new addition to their locally-available scooter fleet in the form of the ‘Bicolore’ V-Special Limited Edition. As the name suggests, the Bicolore is defined by a two-tone colour scheme, inspired by similar treatments applied to Lambrettas in the 1950s and ‘60s. Available on both the V125 and V200, the modern Bicolore’s take on this classic Lambretta colour combo adds red highlights to the leg shield and headlight surround, with the rear engine covers also finished in red, but carrying a unique ‘line to checker’ stripe in the base white. As well as the red over white example pictured, the Biciolore is also available in a blue over white version of the same design. Both colour options come with a slimline black seat and chrome rear…

Following rumours that surfaced earlier in the year, the 2019 Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE) has been officially postponed. Motorcycling Australia (MA) announced on 25 March that this year’s event, originally scheduled to take place in Moruya, NSW, from 1 to 4 May, will not be held on that date, due to “government approvals surrounding the environment” – presumably referring to potential environmental impact on land in the Bateman’s Bay area where this year’s 41st A4DE was to be held. Pointing out that this is a postponement, not an outright cancellation like in 2017, MA said the date change was “vital to the success of the A4DE 41st anniversary”. According to MA, the postponement will ensure that the area spanning the event’s four days are supported and protected to the best…

If, like me, you remember Bernie Fraser and his monotone delivery spruiking industry superannuation funds in the late 1990s, you’ll know I’ve co-opted his slogan for the title of this review. So, what does this minor cult figure have to do with the Super Soco TS1200R electric motorcycle? Well, both seem simple at first glance and both are, to be honest, a little odd. But dig deeper and you’ll find there’s more happening than what’s on the surface. For example, Fraser was a former governor of the Reserve Bank and challenged the government of the time on its monetary policy. His high degree of financial knowledge brought credibility to the industry superfunds advertising campaign, making them very successful. He had one hell of a distinctive voice, too! Read on and…

Motorcycles are not safe. At least that seems to be the mantra uttered by all those who don’t ride them… and even by some who do. How many times have you heard the term ‘temporary Australian’ or some other such rubbish when you tell people you ride a motorcycle? This perceived lack of safety amongst non-riders - as well as amongst those who hold a motorcycle licence but haven’t thrown a leg over in quite some time - is hurting motorcycle sales in the Western world… and has been for several years now. Back in 2010, Yamaha Europe commissioned research that suggested 65 per cent of motorcycle licence holders were currently not riding, and the main reason for this was a perceived lack of safety. The research also suggested this…

A pioneer, trendsetter and leader in the custom chopper scene for almost 50 years, Arlen Ness has passed away, a few months short of his 80th birthday. According to a post on the family’s Facebook page, Arlen died peacefully on 22 March, surrounded by family at his California home. The cause of death has not been revealed, but Ness had battled cancer in the past, including as recently as 12 months ago. The creator of the Arlen Ness Enterprises motorcycle parts empire was born in Minnesota in 1939, moving with his family to California while still a child. While an interest in motorcycles started early, Ness didn’t purchase his first bike – a 1947 Harley EL Knucklehead - until adulthood… and before learning to ride, too! Rebuilding and repainting that…

A treasure trove of Harley-Davidson parts, tools, collectables and memorabilia will go under the hammer this May, when Manshed Auctions conducts the clearance of Redfern Motor Parts. Collected over decades by Redfern’s Tony Blain, the auction will cover just about everything you can imagine for classic preand early post-war Harleys, from complete engines and engine parts, to exhaust sections, primary covers, fuel tanks, transmissions and transmission parts, wheels and tyres, brake parts, headlights, bulbs and lenses, frames, plugs and plug leads, looms and electrical parts, mudguards, seats, saddlebags, footboards and sidestands, to name a few Service tools, H-D paint tins and rattle cans, various fasteners and fittings are also up for grabs, along with heaps of Harley brochures, manuals, P & A catalogues, period advertisements, posters, books, apparel, scale models…

Toby Price has announced he will not be competing in the motorcycle category at this year’s Finke Desert Race, instead focussing his efforts on winning the truck category. A six-time Finke winner in the bike category, Price has tried to do the double – win both bike and truck races – for the past few years, but has come up short each time, with a best placing in the trucks of second in 2016, but we did win the bike category in 2016 and 2018. Successive DNFs in 2017 and ’18 behind the wheel of his Geiser Bros. Trophy Truck has made Price hungry for victory in the truck category, but the decision to race trucks only this year was also made in order to protect the wrist injury he…

When Ducati launched its Hypermotard models in the mid-noughties, Aprilia obviously decided it wanted to get in the action and so in 2008 the Dorsoduro SMV750 was born, followed two years later by the all-out crackers Dorsoduro 1200 Both Dorsoduro models offered extreme fun in their own ways but neither were by any means perfect - the 750 was a little underwhelming at times and the 1200 way over the top…So aprilia has gone for the middle ground with the current Dorsoduro 900. THEN – 2008 The premise behind the Dorsoduro has never changed, with Aprilia describing its purpose as providing the most possible road-riding fun by combining the best aspects of sportsbikes and supermotards. And certainly when the Dorsoduro 750 was launched a decade ago it achieved that objective.…

Yamaha Motor Australia has released details on their updated YZF-R3, which is now in Yamaha dealerships. For 2019, the baby sportsbike that filled all three positions on the podium in last year’s Australian Superpsort300 Championship has been treated to a number of new additions, starting with new front suspension. The all-new KYB 37mm USD front end features a larger surface area between the inner and outer fork tubes for improved fork leg rigidity, a sportier front-end feel and improved surface feedback. Matched to this, the monocross rear shock now carries an upgraded spring for more stable damping and improved mass centralisation. The combination delivers what Yamaha says is outstanding handling during cornering and braking, as well as improved riding comfort. Styling changes have been inspired by Yamaha’s YZR-M1 MotoGP bike…

After four years in New South Wales, the highly-successful AUS-X Open supercross event is moving to Victoria. Since in inception in 2015, the AUS-X Open has been held at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney’s Olympic Park precinct (aka Homebush), but for 2019, Marvel Stadium in Melbourne’s inner-city Docklands region will host the event that attracts supercross talent from Australia, New Zealand and around the world. The Docklands venue primarily hosts AFL matches, concerts and other major events. It has hosted rounds of the Speedway GP previously, but the Monster Energy AUS-X Open – this 30 November - will mark the first time a supercross event has been held under the venue’s retractable roof. Marvel Stadium’s larger overall size and bigger floorspace than Qudos Bank Arena will allow a world championship-sized…

Changes in the Supercars calendar for 2019 have also brought a change to this year’s Historic Winton schedule. Previously, the all-historic event at the country Victorian circuit was held after the Supercar round (usually the last weekend in May), but with the Supercars now occupying that slot, this year’s 43rd Historic Winton will be held beforehand, on the weekend of 18 – 19 May. Conducted by the Austin 7 Club with the assistance of the Historic Motorcycle Racing Association of Victoria, Historic Winton is one of the largest all-historic events in Australia, with 400 historic racing cars and motorbikes from the 1920s to the 1980s battling it out for line honours. Several racing classes will be in action, along with sidecars, with most classes running multiple races across the weekend.…

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Building a custom bike is all about making decisions. Sometimes, the very act of committing to a custom build is a big enough decision in itself, especially when the bike is rare or historically significant. In the case of this bike, an ’80s-era Yamaha trailie, the decision was much easier. XT HERITAGE In Yamaha’s extensive history, it’s usually the track racers, sports bikes and mega-power models that get all the attention. Sure, the likes of the TZ 750, VMAX, OW-O1 and YZF R1 are worthy of kudos, but there’s just as much to be celebrated in Yamaha’s off-road range, like the XT600 Tenere, YZ 250 and 450, TDR 250, and the XT 500. The XT 500 is pretty significant, actually - more than it’s given credit for,…