Indholdsfortegnelse for #330 17-02 i Just Bikes

The 2016 MotoGP World Championship has already tossed up some history-making and potentially game-changing results, but recent rounds at Austria and the Czech Republic have rewritten the record books. DUCATI WINS – FINALLY! After threatening to take a win at various times this season, Ducati finally scored their first premier class race win in six years at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on 14 August. Mick Doohan won the last time the 500cc/MotoGP championship visited Austria in 1997, but even before this year’s Austrian return, Ducati was expected to finally break its run of outs. This was due mainly to the configuration of the Spielberg circuit, with long straights and tight turns that suit the high-horsepower and braking advantages that the Ducati Desmosedici GP16s have over the Japanese machines.…

Details on the 2017 version of Harley-Davidson’s LAMS-legal success story, the Street 500, have been revealed. Harley’s top-seller for the first half of 2016, and Australia’s fifth-best selling machine across all motorcycles for the same period, the Street 500’s formula hasn’t been messed with for 2017, the main changes being two new options and a pair of two-tone paint schemes. Now available, as a factory-fitted option, is ABS braking, augmenting the more powerful braking system and larger rotors that debuted on the MY16 models. Also optional is Harley’s ‘Smart Security System’ that uses the same type of handsfree, proximity-based security fob as the larger Harley cruisers. New two-tone versions of the Fire Red and Vivid Black paint schemes make their debut for 2017. Dubbed ‘Fire Red Deluxe’ and ‘Vivid Black…

Yamaha Motor Australia has announced the arrival of an all-new, entry-level model in their ATV range – the YFZ50w. Previously, the smallest model in Yamaha’s sports quad lineup was the Raptor 90, a model designed for junior riders 10 years and up. The all-new YFZ50 lowers the entry-level bar, suitable for children as young as six, and comes with a number of parent-friendly safety features. Featuring an electric and kick start 49.4cc air-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder engine, the 2WD YFZ50 also runs a CVT transmission for ease of use. The chassis configuration is designed to allow for growing kids, with a 585mm seat height and full-width, grippy footboards. Overall wet weight is just 100kg. Adjustable maximum RPM and throttle limiters allow performance to be set to suit youngsters’ experience and confidence…

Following its stellar return to our shores last year, the 2016 Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix is just around the corner. Scheduled for Saturday, 22 October, the QBE Insurance Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix will again take place under the roof of Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. The final round of this year’s 11-round Speedway GP championship will see amazing action, as well as the crowning of the 2016 champion. Last year, it was Tai Woffinden, but this year, it might be Australia’s Jason Doyle. After winning round 7 in Poland, Doyle sits seven points behind championship leader (and last year’s Australian Speedway GP winner), Greg Hancock. Also in the mix are Woffinden and Australia’s Chris Holder, who are placed third and fourth respectively in the championship at press time. Tickets…

Harley-Davidson has announced details of their first new v-twin powerplant since the Twin Cam of 1999. The ‘Milwaukee-Eight’ retains Harley’s signature 45-degree v-twin configuration and weighs the same as the current Twin Cam engine, but promises a number of improvements, including improved torque, quicker acceleration, improved fuel efficiency, less heat absorption, greater rider comfort and a richer exhaust note. EIGHT IS ENOUGH The “eight” in the name comes from the v-twin’s four-valve (per head) configuration. A single camshaft and twin inlet valves now occupy each head, where the Twin Cam used only a single inlet valve and two cams per head. A higher compression ratio, more efficient combustion (thanks to two plugs per head and a shallower combustion chamber), a new knock sensor (that allows more precise timing control) and…

Following their successful auction of the Bob Miller BSA collection in May, Scammells have unearthed another treasure trove of desirable classics, which will go to auction this October. Over five decades of collecting, the anonymous vendor accrued 31 motorcycles, covering a diverse selection of English and European makes. The jewel in the crown is a rare and very collectable 1950 C-Series Vincent Black Shadow. Delivered new to Victoria, the Vincent went to an SA-based architect soon after, before coming into the possession of the vendor some years later. In very good condition, the Vincent’s numbers have been confirmed through the VOC register in England. Other desirable models on offer include a ‘51 Norton 500 ES-2, ‘56 Matchless 500, ‘54 Horex Regina single, ‘55 Ariel Huntmaster 650 twin, a Royal Enfield…

Think of ‘motorcycle sport’ and road racing, motocross, supercross, trials, speedway and the like comes to mind. We’re sure that ‘Motoball’ wasn’t the first thing that popped into your head, but to understand the beautifully restored and finished bike shown here, you first need to understand motoball. POLO FOR REVHEADS Motoball was born in the same period that saw the likes of motorcycle chariot races, but unlike those ‘novelty’ events, motoball has endured. While still played today, the sport is virtually unknown outside Europe. The basic premise of motoball is a combination of soccer and polo, using a full-size soccer pitch and a larger ball, around 40cm in diameter. Teams are made up of five players – three forwards, a back and a goalkeeper – all of which are on…

If you want to feel inadequate about your riding abilities, check out Yamaha-backed stunt rider Dave McKenna. Along with guys like Lukey Luke, McKenna brings new meaning to the term ‘bike control’. I saw his antics first-hand (on an up-specc’d MT-09) as part of Yamaha’s local launch for the new MT-10 supernaked, which was held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. MEET THE 10 Big and bold, with in-your-face styling, there’s nothing subtle about the MT-10, the newest – and largest – member of Yamaha’s ‘Masters of Torque’ family. After McKenna’s antics on the eve of the launch (most of which were done at low speeds on one wheel), the assembled motorcycle journos took the new arrival onto the road. While none quite emulated McKenna’s skills, there was plenty of front wheel…

Not only will we see the world’s best riders in Moto3, Moto2 and the mighty MotoGP class going hammer and tongs at the Island this October, we’ll also get to witness the best riders in Australia fighting for the Phillip Island Superbike and Supersport Championships. The first round of the 2016 Phillip Island Championship was held in February, alongside the Yamaha Financial Services FIM World Superbike Championship round. In that opening hitout, Yamaha Racing Team’s Glenn Allerton scored three race wins and leads the Superbike championship. Allerton was made to work for his wins, though, leading home Queenslander Mike Jones (Ducati Australia) by .223sec in race one, and holding off Troy Herfoss (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) in the third race by a mere .033sec. Heading into the second round, Allerton…

The prospect of a “European Supercars Tour” may not appeal to motorcyclists, but we’re sure a brand new Victory motorcycle does! Valued at $18,995, Victory’s highperformance, water-cooled 1179cc v-twin Octane cruiser (as featured in JUST BIKES #329) is part of the prize package on offer in the latest competition with Shannons. The European Supercars Tour comprises an eight-day guided tour with seat time in real supercars, luxury accommodation and dining (including dinner with Alain Prost), as well as visits to the Imola circuit and Ferrari and Lamborghini museums. The Victory Octane also comes with 12 months of Shannons Comprehensive Insurance cover. Enter by getting a quote on your car, bike or home from Shannons. Take out a policy through Shannons and you get five entries. Entries close 30 November, 2016.…

Following a nail-biting final round, CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris has won the Thor MX1 title at the 2016 Motul MX Nationals. After racing in Europe and the USA for the past four years, the 26-year-old returned to domestic competition this year, partnering Dan Reardon in the factory-backed Craig Dack Racing Yamaha squad. While on the pace from the first round, Ferris’s season was almost derailed following a massive crash in the fifth round of this year’s 10-round championship. With an injury to Reardon and the exclusion of Kawasaki’s Matt Moss later in the season, the title fight came down to three riders: defending champion, KTM MX Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs; Coolair Motul Factory Suzuki’s Todd Waters; and Ferris. Heading into the final round at Coolum on 27-28 August, Gibbs held…

CFMoto have released a revamped version of their 650NK LAMS model, as well as an all-new model - the smaller and lighter 400NK. Sharing the same basic platform as the larger 650NK, the 400NK is powered by a liquid-cooled 400.4cc inline twin engine with Bosch EFI, putting out 31.5kW and 35.4Nm. The 400NK is available in two versions: a regular model at $5,490 ride away; and an ABS version at $5,990 ride away. “CFMoto’s 400NK is an exciting addition to the NK motorcycle range,” said CFMoto Australia Director, Michael Poynton. “It will be a serious contender in the LAMS market offering serious bang for buck value.” 400NK highlights: - Responsive 400cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine - Superior performance with proven Bosch EFI - 6-speed transmission - Braided brake lines with optional…

Earlier this year, Heather’s book chronicling her epic journey -‘Ubuntu: One Woman’s Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa’ – was released. The title of the book comes from the word in the Bantu language (spoken by many in the central African nations) that expresses the interconnectedness of humanity. Ubuntu means: ‘I am because we are’ and is expressed by helping each other, in good times and bad. While Ubuntu was reviewed last issue (JUST BIKES #329), reproduced here is an excerpt from the book, detailing how the journey came about and the challenge of riding the ‘mud highway’ through Zaire in the heart of Africa. WHY AFRICA? 1992: It was an ordinary hot and humid Sunday afternoon in Jabiru, a mining town in the Northern Territory. I was 28 years old, drinking…